Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 Chinese, Russian FMs agree to deepen practical cooperation, safeguard just int'l order Xinhua) 08:28, April 02, 2025 MOSCOW, April 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov agreed on Tuesday to jointly advance the development of bilateral relations and cooperation across various fields. They made the remarks during Wang's official visit to Russia where he held talks with Lavrov. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin have twice engaged in strategic communication so far this year, guiding the steady progress of bilateral relations amid the major changes unseen in a century and making new important deployments to deepen comprehensive strategic coordination between the two countries. China is willing to work with Russia to implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state, jointly advance the development of bilateral relations and cooperation across various fields, and continue to benefit the two peoples, Wang said. Wang noted that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victories of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the Soviet Union's Great Patriotic War and the World Anti-Fascist War, as well as the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations (UN). China is willing to work with Russia to shoulder the special responsibilities as permanent members of the UN Security Council to safeguard the outcomes of World War II, as well as international fairness and justice, he said. China is also ready to work with Russia to promote a multi-polar world and greater democracy in international relations, so as to make new contributions to the cause of peace and development, he added. Wang expressed his confidence that under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era will gain fresh momentum and reach a new stage. For his part, Lavrov said that Putin and Xi have injected strong impetus into bilateral strategic coordination, guiding bilateral relations to an unprecedented level. Russia and China share a long tradition of good-neighborliness and friendship, a long border and broad common interests, Lavrov said, adding that Russia is willing to work with China in accordance with the guiding principles set by the two heads of state to achieve new results in bilateral relations. Lavrov noted that facing the complex international landscape, Russia and China have maintained close coordination to inject stability to the world. Russia highly appreciates the global initiatives that China proposed, fully supports China's position on the Taiwan question, and is willing to jointly uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and safeguard a just and equitable international order, he noted. The two sides agreed to strengthen coordination between the two foreign ministries and prepare for exchanges at all levels within the year, deepen practical cooperation in various fields and consolidate the material foundation of bilateral relations. They pledged to make the China-Russia Years of Culture a success, enrich cultural exchanges and enhance friendship between the two peoples. They also agreed to enhance coordination within frameworks such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, BRICS, the G20 and the UN to jointly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Global South countries. The two sides also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis. Lavrov said that Russia eyes for eliminating the root causes of the crisis and is committed to building a lasting security architecture for Eurasia. Wang reiterated China's consistent position and expressed support for all peace efforts, noting that China is willing to continue to build more international consensus through the Group of Friends for Peace and play a constructive role in promoting a political settlement of the crisis. The two sides also coordinated their positions on the current international situation, particularly developments in the Asia-Pacific region. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada Zip Code There's a chance your summer trip might have extra fees you weren't aware of. Some popular European destinations are rolling out new taxes and restrictions to curb the flood of tourists overwhelming its most iconic locations, such as the 5 entry fee to Venice and the cruise surcharges on Greek islands. Tourism policies across Europes top destinations, including Barcelona and Santorini, are becoming stricter for 2025. The growing number of visitors, combined with infrastructure overload and local residents' protests, has led numerous cities to establish new taxes, entry fees, and restrictions that fight excessive tourism. Venice Venice draws 30 million visitors every year, of which 24 million don't stay for the night. Last year, it made headlines with a pilot program charging a 5 fee to day-trippers entering the city on 29 high-traffic days. It was the first time a major European city attempted to charge tourists just to enter. UNESCO even warned that it might add Venice to its list of endangered World Heritage Sites due to the devastation the city faces. In 2025, day trippers visiting Venice between April 18 to July 27 and on some weekends, over 14 years of age have to pay the fee of 5 within four days of their trip to Venice. Otherwise, for those who pay the fee less than three days before visiting, that cost doubles to 10. Tourists staying overnight are exempt as they already pay a tourist tax per night at the hotel and are given a QR code to show when wandering around the city. Venice is not the only place in Italy struggling with overtourism. The archaeological site of Pompeii received more than four million visitors in 2024 and will implement a daily visitor limit of 20,000 people starting in 2025. The Colosseum in Rome has established a maximum restriction of 3,000 people at any time. Other cities, such as Rome, Milan, and Florence, charge tourist taxes between 1 and 7 depending on the type of accommodation. Barcelona Barcelona is Spains most visited city, with 32 million visitors a year, a massive number compared to its 1.6 million residents. Many of the visitors come on cruise ships or for a weekend break. Since 2012, Barcelona has charged visitors a two-part tourist tax on accommodations: a regional Catalonia tourist tax that depends on the type of accommodation you stay in and an extra Barcelona city surcharge. The Barcelona tourist tax has climbed from 2.75 in 2023 to 3.25 in April 2024 and now to 4 as of October 2024. In 2025, a visitor in a Barcelona hotel pays the Catalan tax (around 2 -3 depending on accommodation type) and the city surcharge (now up to 4). These fees are paid per person per night to anyone staying in official tourist lodgings (hotels, apartments, campgrounds, etc.). The city has also implemented restrictions on large tour groups and noise in the historic center and is fighting the growing problem of unlicensed vacation rentals. Outside of Barecelo, Spain also implements a tax on the Balearic islands (Ibiza, Mallorca, Menorca, Formentera), charging between 1 and 4 per night. Called the Sustainable Tourism Tax, the fee funds environmental conservation and promotes responsible tourism in the islands. Gran Canaria, another tropical island in Europe, is also applying a tourist tax in 2025 0.15 per person per night. Greece Greece has introduced new taxes and increased existing ones for everyone coming to this popular company, according to Euro News. Visitors must now pay an 8 daily tax when visiting and staying in Greece. The Climate Resilience Tax varies between 1.50 and 10, according to the type of accommodation. During off-season months from November to March, visitors must pay reduced rates, which include 2 for the tourist tax and 0.50-4 for the environmental tax. The new cruise passenger fees for visiting the most popular Greek islands, Santorini or Mykonos, amount to 20, while other destinations require a 5 fee. The Acropolis in Athens has a daily visitor limit of 20,000 a day, according to their website, and people need to pre-book their time slots for entry. Other tourist restrictions include a proposed legislation to ban basements from being used as tourist rentals and a one-year ban on new short-term rental licenses in the most touristic neighborhoods of Athens, such as Kolonaki and Koukaki. Two years ago, the University of South Carolina signed a three-year, $400,000 contract with a public relations firm to promote computer labs in the states rural areas. But in one year, the firm created just two press releases that focused exclusively on the labs, according to a critical report by the states Legislative Audit Council. The computer labs were created as part of a $6-million grant the university received through the Governors Emergency Education Relief fund to provide emergency educational assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic. The idea was to establish eight Apple computer labs statewide in an effort to provide access to rural communities. The relief fund was established through the U.S. Department of Education. With the grant money, the USC Office of Economic Engagement hired a South Carolina public relations and marketing agency for $400,000 to promote the labs for three years, the report said. That agency, university spokesman Jeff Stensland said, was Chernoff Newman. As part of its review of the program, the Legislative Audit Council asked for all tangible work products completed by the marketing firm in 2023. The council received a list of 10 products. But the audit found that three of the items were duplicates. According to the report, the firm completed only seven projects in 2023. Just two were exclusively connected to the Apple computer labs, which were press releases of around 600 words each. Two briefly mentioned the computer labs, including a 25-page booklet touting the Office of Economic Engagement containing just three pages that mentioned the computer labs. Three were about matters that had nothing to do with the computer labs. Peter LaMotte, president of strategic communications for Chernoff Newman, said the company has enjoyed its close partnership with USC over the last 50 years. He said the firm is aware of the audit council report, and that the work products available would not reflect all the time and materials that would be a part of the type of contract it had with USC. Those who worked on the account are not longer with the company, he said. LaMotte would not discuss the audit report further. According to the audit council report, an Office of Economic Engagement employee said that Chernoff Newman acts as a marketing consultant and conducted outreach to various media publications to generate interest in USC initiatives. The individual who provided oversight of this particular contract for OEE is no longer employed with the university, but my understanding is the vendor provided quality service, Stensland, the USC spokesman, said in an email. The university spent $200,000 of the $400,000 contract maximum. The contract was terminated early, Stensland said, sometime in 2024. New leadership determined the services were no longer needed, he said. It is unclear whether it required a payout. The audit council report also noted that before the contract was executed, and even afterwards, USCs Office of Economic Engagement had already collaborated with the universitys communications teams to draft and issue press releases for the computer labs. Asked if the work performed by Chernoff Newman could have been done in-house, Stensland said individual colleges and units will sometimes use vendors for time-limited projects that can more efficiently be outsourced rather than hiring permanent staff. In a letter dated Dec. 4, 2024, USC President Michael Amiridis said the Office of Economic Engagement made best efforts to apply awarded funds towards opening the iCarolina computer labs. While the success of those efforts may be subject to interpretation, the underlying expenditure of federal funds to support those efforts was indeed necessary, reasonable and appropriate, Amiridis wrote. Amiridis wrote that all expenditures under education relief fund grant were allowable. Because of the uncertainty raised in the LAC report, however, USC revised its grant application and reporting, removing the expenses noted in the report. They were replaced with other legitimate expenses related to USCs distance education technology services. Hiring the marketing firm was also an ethics violation and a conflict of interest, according to the audit councils report. An official within the Office of Economic Engagement had a friendship with the former chairman and CEO of Chernoff Newman. The official failed to inform the university of the relationship. USC policy requires that personal relationships, including friendships, be disclosed. Its meant to promote transparency, to avoid conflicts of interest to avoid situations in which employees could use their influence on university business decisions in a way that could result in economic gain to individuals with whom the employee has a business or personal relationship. Stensland declined to comment on potential discipline of the OEE official, as it was a personnel matter. However, the letter from Amiridis said that the administration had already appointed new leadership of the Office of Economic Engagement before the LAC report was released. (TBTCO) - Trong khi cac thong tin chinh thuc van ang uoc lam ro, tuyen bo moi tu phia My ve chinh sach thue oi voi hang hoa Viet Nam ang uoc gioi chuyen gia va nha au tu theo doi sat sao. Theo anh gia ban au, Viet Nam van co the tiep tuc duy tri loi the canh tranh trong chuoi cung ung va thu hut dong von au tu nuoc ngoai. You have reached a premium content area of Transitions. To read this entire article please login if you are already a Transitions subscriber. Not a subscriber? Subscribe today for access to: Full access to the website, including premium articles videos, country reports and searchable archives (containing over 25,000 articles). Former prime minister Stuart Young is leading the legal team representing former Central Bank Governor Dr Alvin Hilaire in his wrongful dismissal battle against the State. On Wednesday, Hilaire told the Express that his attorneys issued a pre-action protocol letter to the Attorney General and the Cabinet Secretariat. When asked by the Express to provide a copy of the pre-action letter and the names of his attorneys, Hilaire responded yesterday, declining to share the letter but confirming that Young is leading his legal team. A PRIVATE contractor is dead after an accident in Tobago. Police have identified the victim as Darryl Figaro of Black Rock, Tobago. He died on Wednesday after falling from a ladder while working at a private villa. An autopsy of Figaros body yesterday at the Scarborough Mortuary determined injuries were consistent with a fall, and it ruled out foul play. The body was previously identified by the victims daughter. My wife and I are in our sunset years and have been trying to deal with the many issues of our health, so our doctors have been giving us prescriptions for medication which is needed to try to control our health issues. We would normally go to distributors of the various medications that are prescribed, and purchase two months supply at any one time. Alas, we no longer can do this because of the recent ruling by the respective Government agencies, and now have to purchase these medications from registered pharmacies. Jose Luis Gomez will conduct his first ever Carmina Burana this weekend when his Tucson Symphony Orchestra mounts Carl Orffs singular choral masterpiece. He blames it on timing. His former Italian orchestra programmed the piece one summer when he wasnt available. Hes a prolific guest conductor, but rarely does an orchestra give that plum assignment to a guest maestro. Tucson had a guest conductor at the podium the last time it did the piece in 2016, but that technically doesnt count since the conductor, Andrew Grams, was auditioning for the role that Gomez landed months later. Artistic administrators and orchestras and boards, they would love you to put Carmina Burana and Beethoven Nine in every single season, but you shouldnt repeat yourself too much, and be careful about not being predictable in programming, Gomez said early this week as he prepared to perform his first-ever Carmina Burana with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra Chorus, the Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus and the Tucson Girls Chorus. Guest soloists soprano Ashley Fabian, countertenor Logan Tanner and baritone Octavio Moreno will join more than 200 vocalists and instrumentalists when the orchestra performs the work on Friday, April 4, and Sunday, April 6, as part of the 2025 Tucson Desert Song Festival. Its a really popular piece ... and part of popular culture, said TSO Chorus Director Marcela Molina, who also is executive director of the Tucson Girls Chorus. The first movement, O Fortuna, everyone will recognize it. ... People are able to kind of tap into that just because its familiar. Orff composed the cantata in 1935 based on poems from itinerant monks in the 11th or 12th century. The texts deal with the secular pursuits of wealth, drinking, lust, gluttony and gambling, sung in Germanic Latin, German and French. The piece is just really theatrical. Its like a scenic cantata, where theres just a lot of funny, funny satire things, said Molina, who performed the work a decade ago with the Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra. Theres lots of love stories and stories about human desire and also love and also drinking. Theres a lot of drunkenness. But Orff set the texts to well-crafted music from the 20th century in Orffs own musical language, which Gomez described as the language of grandiosity. Everything is big, he said. Its a big chorus, its a big orchestra, and the harmonies are very full. The orchestra will perform the concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Sunday at Linda Ronstadt Music Hall, 260 S. Church Ave. Tickets are $14-$95 through tucsonsymphony.org. A toddler in Pima County initially suspected of having the measles, instead was having a side effect to the vaccine, health officials say. The 1-year-old child was suffering from a rare measles vaccine side effect, the Pima County Health Department said in a news release. The toddler is on the mend and now has a 93% protection rate from measles due to their first vaccine dose. The Tucson hospital where the tot was taken over the weekend, and health officials with the county and state took precautions in the childs treatment as if it were an infectious case, the release said. The side effects of an MMR vaccine can sometimes look similar to a measles infection with a fever and rash. However, it is not contagious, the county said. The type of reaction the toddler had happens in about 5% of people who get the vaccine. The county health department cited the measles scare as an opportunity to suggest vaccinating children against the measles. It also said it is a good time for anyone born after 1957 to review their vaccination records and consider a booster shot. Measles can be prevented by getting vaccinated. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are 97% effective at preventing measles, and one dose is about 93% effective, the county said. There have been no measles cases confirmed in Arizona. However, there have been hundreds of confirmed cases in states across the country, including neighboring New Mexico. Texas has reached 422 cases of measles in an outbreak that started two months ago. Texas, New Mexico Ohio, Kansas and Oklahoma all have active measles outbreaks, the Associated Press reports. Two unvaccinated people have died from measles-related causes. Measles is caused by a highly contagious virus thats airborne and spreads easily when an infected person breathes, sneezes or coughs. In fact, the virus can live in the air for up to two hours. That means it can spread even after an infected person has left a room, health officials say. Go to pima.gov/measles for more measles information. PHOENIX Republican lawmakers are working to sidestep a court challenge that has kept $15.3 million earmarked for improvements at the Prescott rodeo grounds locked up for more than two years. They are wrangling with how to craft a plan to get the money to the rodeo despite differing opinions on how to legally do it. The money included in the state budget that passed in 2023 has been sitting in the state treasurers bank account since a lawsuit was filed that year. The suit alleges the Legislature violated a provision in the state constitution forbidding the state from making a gift of public money to a private group in this case, the nonprofit that runs the Prescott Frontier Days rodeo. Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Scott Blaney heard arguments on the case March 3 and is expected to rule any day on whether the spending violates the constitution. If he finds the Legislature acted illegally, the money reverts to the state general fund under a provision included in last years budget. Two Republican lawmakers who represent the Prescott area, Sen. Mark Finchem and Rep. Quang Nguyen, want to ensure the money gets to the rodeo even if the court rules in favor of the two Prescott residents who sued. But they and lawyers for the House and Senate disagree on just how to legally do that. Finchem wants to simply redirect the money to the city of Prescott, which owns the rodeo grounds and has a $40 million plan to repair and renovate major parts of the facility that dates to 1913, with the grandstand built in 1933. His plan passed the Senate on a 17-2 vote last month, garnering two votes from minority Democrats to counter the objections of two Republicans who opposed Senate Bill 1583. That sent the bill to the House for action. On Monday, the House Appropriations Committee took up the bill, with Finchem imploring the panel to approve it without changes. He noted the Prescott Frontier Days Foundation has spent $250,000 on legal fees. What the underlying bill does is, No. 1, would make the case thats currently before the court moot because it would eviscerate the whole argument that you cant give money to a private entity, Finchem said. It would redirect the funds to the city of Prescott for management and improvements of the rodeo grounds themselves. Instead, the committee replaced Finchems language with an amendment crafted by Nguyen. His plan also sends the money to the city instead of the nonprofit volunteer organization that runs the rodeo. But it does so only if a court finds the 2023 appropriation that was meant for the Prescott Frontier Days to fix up the rodeo grounds was illegal. Prescott Mayor Phil Goode and two council members who testified for the bill Monday were split on which version to support. But all three noted that the rodeo was a major economic driver that each year draws tens of thousands of people to the area who spend millions pf dollars. And Goode noted that the rodeo grounds are used for many other events. We have the county fair. We have an equine related event called Equifest. We have high school rodeos. We have concerts. He said the grounds need major updating, including water and sewer lines and electrical service, grandstand repairs and renovations and changes to make the area accessible for disabled people. Council member Cathey Rusing said performances during Prescott Frontier Days, known as the Worlds Oldest Rodeo, are always sold out and draw about 80,000 people. This event supports hundreds of jobs, generating $13 million in labor income and $33.5 million in economic impact from goods and services, Rusing said, plus $2.6 million in state and local taxes. In total, approximately $50 million is generated annually in the economic impact by this one-week event. For lawmakers, Mondays committee debate on the Prescott funding bill it passed on a 10-8 vote triggered a reexamination of the earmarks used in the 2023 budget process. Members from both parties agreed it was not a good idea. We should not be passing bills that mitigate lawsuits, and thats exactly what this would do, said Rep. Nancy Gutierrez, who voted against the budget and giving lawmakers the chance to fund what she called pet projects. Im sure my city would love $15 million, said the Tucson Democrat. I would would much rather see this money go to feeding children; (developmentally disabled) services. The millions of people living in the U.S. without documents put stress on emergency rooms and public schools. Some, as President Donald Trump emphasizes, commit crimes. This population also stimulates the economy. They buy homes, run businesses and provide essential labor for construction and agriculture. Their payroll taxes help to keep the Social Security system afloat. Trump and others who seek mass deportations focus on the costs of illegal immigration. But short- and long-term costs differ, as do local and federal impacts. And the cost side alone doesnt give the full picture. An analysis by the left-leaning Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy showed that people in the country illegally paid roughly $97 billion in federal, state and local taxes in 2022 almost $9,000 per person. That includes $25.7 billion to Social Security, even though most will never collect retirement benefits under that program. The vast weight of the evidence points to a beneficial effect of immigration, said Tara Watson, director of the Center for Economic Security and Opportunity at the Brookings Institution. Including undocumented immigration. She acknowledged that taxpayers feel a pinch especially in the early years of an undocumented immigrants time in the U.S. For low-educated immigrants who are newly arrived, they tend to have a negative fiscal impact at the local level, she said. But they have positive impacts at the federal level. Conservative analysts such as Steven Camarota say theres clearly a net fiscal drain, counting costs of education, health care and welfare not only for children and adults living in the country illegally but also for American citizen children born to immigrants. Apart from stoking fears about the cost to taxpayers and effects on employment and wages, Trump casts immigrants as a danger to society. But the per capita crime rate among native-born Americans is roughly double that of people in the country illegally, according to the libertarian Cato Institute. Migrants are 26% less likely to commit homicide, for instance. Heres a look at some of the costs and how they are offset by the benefits: Social Security There are about 11 million undocumented immigrants nationwide, according to the Pew Research Center. Based on 2022 data from the Census Bureau, Pew says 8.3 million of them are employed. Like other employees, those who hold a payroll job the exact number is unclear pay mandatory withholding of Social Security and Medicare taxes. Without U.S. citizenship or legal work status, they cant collect retirement benefits. Social Security pays current retirees using payroll taxes from active workers. As the workforce ages, the ratio has narrowed. If revenue falls short of liabilities which current projections say will start in 2035 the Social Security Administration will have to slash payments unless Congress raises taxes or the retirement age. Insolvency would come even sooner without workers who pay into the system without hope of drawing from it later. Health care Seven states provide health coverage for older immigrants or all residents regardless of legal status. Twenty-six states provide coverage for pregnant women regardless of immigration status. Thirteen cover children regardless of status, according to the National Immigration Law Center. But even states that provide no coverage, such as Arizona, still incur health care costs related to the undocumented population. The Federation for American Immigration Reform, or FAIR, which seeks strict limits on immigration, puts the annual cost at $8.2 billion nationwide. Under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, signed into law in 1986 by Republican President Ronald Reagan, anyone in the U.S. is entitled to emergency care regardless of legal status or ability to pay. Camarota, director of research at the Center for Immigration Studies, a think tank that supports restrictions on immigration, told a U.S. House committee early last year that one-fifth of government health care expenditures for uninsured patients goes to undocumented immigrants. Thats $7.5 billion annually nationwide, he testified. Theres no dispute that lack of insurance is widespread among undocumented immigrants. The National Immigration Forum, a pro-immigrant group, estimates the uninsured rate at 45% to 71%. At the local level, the fiscal impact can be huge. Yuma Regional Medical Center spent $26 million in 2022 on uncompensated care for undocumented immigrants, according to testimony the CEO gave in 2023 to a U.S. House committee. But, recipients of that charity care are appreciative. Jose Patino was 6 when his family migrated illegally from Mexico to Phoenix. He recalled several emergency room visits during childhood. He broke his right arm when he was 7 and his left arm when he was 12. At 10, he had a tumor removed. Now in his 30s, Patino is part of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. President Barack Obama created DACA to shield people who entered the country illegally as children from deportation. To this day, I still feel like I owe the state of Arizona, to the taxpayers, for helping me in a time of need, said Patino, vice president of education and external affairs at Aliento, an advocacy group in Arizona. Welfare programs The tax code includes provisions aimed at helping low-income families for example, the Earned Income Tax Credit. Undocumented workers are ineligible for that benefit. Theyre also ineligible for most forms of public assistance in most states. That includes Medicaid (low-income health care), Medicare (senior health care), the Childrens Health Insurance Program and food stamps. In his House testimony last year, Camarota estimated that 59% of households headed by an illegal immigrant collect some form of public assistance, mainly through the eligibility of an American-born child in the home. He estimated the total at $42 billion per year, about 4% of the combined outlay of states and the federal government. FAIRs estimate, excluding Medicaid, is $11.5 billion. Like Camarotas estimate, that includes benefits used by American citizens who live in mixed-status households. Programs include school meals; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (food stamps); Women, Infants and Children, a nutrition program for pregnant women, nursing mothers and children under 5; Temporary Assistance for Needy Families; and low-income programs for child care and public housing. Under the 1996 welfare overhaul signed into law by President Bill Clinton, eligibility is generally limited to U.S. citizens and green card holders people with permanent legal residence. Exceptions include refugees, asylum recipients and non-citizens paroled into the country for at least a year, though migrant advocates say that many people who qualify for benefits refrain from signing up out of fear. States are allowed to provide broader coverage as long as they dont use federal funds to do so. In Arizona, undocumented immigrants have limited access to childcare aid and low-income housing programs, plus emergency health care under Medicaid, according to the National Immigrant Womens Advocacy Project. With my family, it was a sense of pride that we didnt use welfare or food stamps, Patino said. Public education About 4 million K-12 students nationwide were children of unauthorized immigrants, according to a 2014 Pew estimate. That was about 7.3% of the school-age population. The share in Arizona was over 12%. Using the most recent count, that would equate to more than 147,000 students in the state. In his testimony, Camarota estimated the cost of education for those students mostly U.S. citizens at $68 billion a year, plus more for instruction aimed at students for whom English is a second language. Under a 1982 Supreme Court ruling, Plyler v. Doe, all children regardless of legal status are entitled to a free public education. Some Republicans are angling to get that overturned. One bill filed in the Tennessee Legislature would let school districts and charter schools enroll, or refuse to enroll, a student who is unlawfully present in the United States. Sponsors hope it becomes law so the high court can revisit Plyler. Republican lawmakers in Texas, Indiana and New Jersey have offered similar proposals. None has passed so far. K-12 public schools are funded almost entirely out of state and local revenue. In 2024, the federal government spent $34 billion on schools with low-income populations and students with disabilities, according to Pew. Younger workers Apart from direct fiscal impacts, economists and migrant advocates point to the role immigrants play in replenishing the labor supply as the American workforce ages. According to the Migration Policy Institute, 77% of immigrants are of working age, compared to 58% of U.S.-born citizens. Labor shortages would be a real possibility without the influx of workers, economists say. Trumps deportation efforts would impact a number of sectors, especially construction and agriculture. Immigrants are good for the economy, Watson said, though she added, it doesnt seem to be an argument that a lot of people are receptive to. Patino got his first job in construction when he was in seventh grade, at his parents urging. 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Principe, Democratic Republic of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Senegal, Republic of Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia, Somali Republic South Africa, Republic of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain, Spanish State Sri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic of St. Helena St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Pierre and Miquelon St. Vincent and the Grenadines Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Suriname, Republic of Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Switzerland, Swiss Confederation Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand, Kingdom of Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of Togo, Togolese Republic Tokelau (Tokelau Islands) Tonga, Kingdom of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Tunisia, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda, Republic of Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe 4 part factual series Sydneys Super Tunnel returns to SBS for a second season. An extraordinary behind-the-scenes series capturing the construction of the next colossal stage of Sydney Metro, one of the worlds biggest railway projects. Filmed over 7 years, Sydneys Super Tunnel was granted unprecedented access to this world-scale mega project, capturing the human spirit of the massive engineering challenge facing more than 50,000 workers. Driverless trains are carrying millions of passengers a year from the citys outskirts but their journey to the city is only half complete. A new network of tunnels will eventually stretch more than 100 kilometres around Sydney, winding their way between the basements of city skyscrapers and deep under Sydney Harbour. Dozens of new railway stations, designed to put customers first, are challenging engineers to come up with creative solutions. And a fleet of modern and unique metro trains run from a futuristic Mission Control will move people quickly around Sydney, transforming Australias biggest city for generations to come. With a must finish deadline set, can the team compete this audacious engineering feat in time? Episode One: At the site of the future Waterloo Station, excavation work starts to be only stopped soon after by Sydneys colonial past. Historical artefacts are exposed, telling the story of the areas working-class roots. Meanwhile, the tunnel boring machines are assembled, and their journeys get underway. At Martin Place station, the site is being excavated for the new metro railway station, which will sit below the existing suburban station. Thursday, 3 April at 8.30pm on SBS. ABC in partnership with the Australian International Documentary Conference have opened applications for the Indigenous Documentary Placement program for 2025. Running for the fourth year, the Indigenous Documentary Placement provides one mid-career Indigenous practitioner with a unique opportunity to undertake a paid extended placement with the ABC. ABC Director Content Jennifer Collins, said: The Indigenous Documentary Placement is an important initiative that we are so proud to support in collaboration with the AIDC. The ABC is committed to the development of First Nations creatives by providing opportunities that enhance skills, build industry experience, and support potential career pathways. We look forward to welcoming this years placement recipient to the ABC. AIDC CEO / Creative Director, Natasha Gadd, said, The incredible storytelling talent amongst First Nations practitioners continues to impress both here and on the world stage. AIDC is committed to creating and contributing to opportunities for Indigenous-led storytelling and new industry pathways and is thrilled to be co-presenting the Indigenous Documentary Placement with the ABC for a fourth year. Since 2019, AIDC has welcomed over 470 new and returning practitioners to the Indigenous Creators Program and this placement is an opportunity to extend this commitment outside of the AIDC conference. Following the achievements of previous recipients, Anna-Marie Harding, Daniel King and Perun Bonser, we are excited for what possibilities lie ahead for this years recipient and what they will bring to both ABC and the documentary landscape. The successful applicant will be embedded in the ABC for a period of four months based in Sydney. The placements goal is to provide the practitioner with the opportunity to develop their skills in documentary and/or factual development and production within the context of a public broadcaster with a broader view towards creating employment pathways. The placement will commence with the ABC in early June 2025. The successful candidate will receive an equivalent annual producer-level salary of up to $94,620 per annum which equates to approximately $40,000 for four months inclusive of statutory superannuation contributions. The participant will be contracted by the ABC. Practitioners from all states and territories are welcome to apply and may be eligible to seek additional support from their relevant state or territory screen agency to help with travel costs The most recent recipient in 2024 was Alice Springs-based Palawa woman, Anna-Marie Harding, a director and cinematographer who has won Australian Cinematographers Society state awards in the wildlife and short film categories. Reflecting on the placement, Anna-Marie Harding said, The ABC placement completely shifted the way I think about storytelling and filmmaking. Every day was a chance to pick up new skills, refine my craft, and get a better understanding of how the industry works. What I loved most was how flexible the placement was the team was amazing at tailoring opportunities to what I was interested in, which made the whole experience personal and rewarding. It gave me a new perspective on how to approach my own projects and showed me how much inspiration you can find in different genres and formats. All Indigenous practitioners interested in the placement are invited to attend a virtual information session hosted by Kelrick Martin, Head of Indigenous, ABC, and Justin Fenwick, Indigenous Employment Manager, ABC, on Wednesday 16 April, 11:00am-12:00pm AEST. The information session will provide practitioners with an opportunity to learn more about the placement from ABC representatives, and to ask questions. To register interest in the Information Session, email [email protected] Applicant enquiries about the 2025 Indigenous Documentary Placement should be directed to Kelrick Martin, Head of Indigenous, ABC: [email protected] Applications close 11:59pm AEST Sunday 27 April, 2025. Tough UK crime drama Sherwood will premiere its second season on ABC next week. These episodes, featuring David Morrissey and Lesley Manville screened internationally in August 2024. Inspired by stories and events in the community where the author James Graham grew up, two years on from the events of the previous series, a senseless murder threatens to reignite the historic turf wars that plagued Nottingham of old and unearth more secrets from the past. As those involved seek revenge, and with a proposed new mine already dividing the community, this new wave of crime threatens to send the still healing community back into the bad old days of mistrust and suspicions between neighbours and the police alike. Episode 1 Whilst the new Sheriff of Nottingham, Lisa Waters, fights against a proposal backed by the influential Warner family to open a new mine in Ashfield, the shocking murder of Nicky Branson threatens to reignite historic turf wars that plagued Nottingham of old. Ronan Sparrow, struggling with the weight of shocking family secrets, is a witness to the crime. His involvement drags his family back into contact with both the police and the notorious Branson family. Ian St Clair adjusts to his new role outside of the police. Friday April 11 8:30pm on ABC. Poonam Masih, TwoCircles.net New Delhi: Anupama, a research scholar from the Hindi Department at Visva-Bharati University in West Bengals Shantiniketan, has not received her fellowship for the past nine months. She enrolled in the Ph.D. program in 2022, relying upon the financial support from the government. Support TwoCircles The last time I received my fellowship was on May 21, 2024. Every month, I fill the fellowship form, but I have not received a single penny for the last nine months, she said. Social Justice Minister Virender Kumar too admitted in the Lok Sabha during the previous session that research fellows from Other Backward Class (OBC) communities have not received their fellowship payments under the National Scholarship for OBC since June 2024. The non-payment of fellowships for months has left scholars like her facing both financial and mental distress. As many as 47 central and state university fellows are experiencing hardships due to this delay. Not receiving their fellowship has disrupted their lives, making their academic and personal journeys difficult. Anupama, the first girl from her family to reach this level of education, shared the difficulties she has faced with while pursuing higher education. I got admitted to the Ph.D. programme after marriage. Pursuing higher education post-marriage is already a huge challenge. I wholly depend on the fellowship, she said. While she is able to borrow money from her family, the financial support is limited. Most of it goes toward her rent and food. I am unable to focus on my studies due to financial stress. This directly impacts my research, she added. She further said the delay is keeping her away from attending important seminars. A few months ago, there was a seminar in Koraput, Odisha, that was crucial to my research, but I could not attend because I did not have the money. Even attending a one-day seminar in Kolkata costs me a thousand rupees, which I cannot afford. The Strain of Borrowing Money Her fellow research scholar, Ravikant Kumar, who began his studies in 2023, too shared his sufferings. After a certain age, it feels embarrassing to ask for money from home. Everyone assumes I receive a good fellowship, but the reality is far from it, he said. He said has not received his fellowship for several months and is surviving by taking loans, a situation he cannot continue indefinitely. The financial strain has affected his ability to fill up important forms, such as the Rajasthan PCS exam form. Last month, I could not apply for the state PCS due to lack of money. My friends, who also depend on their fellowships, are in the same boat, he said. Financial Hardship Nayan Dhawal, a research scholar from Delhis prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), explained that the OBC fellowship was initiated in 2015 to promote OBC researchers in the field of education and research. The fellowship aimed to select 1,000 researchers annually. Initially, the slots were not filled as only 300-400 researchers applied each year due to lack of awareness. Later, as awareness campaigns grew, more applicants came forward, and the slots began to fill up. Minister Kumar too had acknowledged the fact in Parliament that the number of beneficiaries has increased from 1,388 to 2,271. According to ministry records, the scheme had over 2,000 beneficiaries in the 2023-24 period. Rashmis Struggles at JNU Rahmi, a scholar in the Computer Science Department at JNU, hailing from Bihars Munger district, complained she has not received her fellowship for the last six months. After the issue was raised Parliament, she received only one months worth of fellowship. I am the first girl from my district to reach JNU, and people think I have a comfortable life here. However, the reality is different. I have been borrowing money every month, and now I feel ashamed to ask for more. The situation is worse because I also have to take care of my mothers medical expenses after my fathers death, she said. She emphasised that the fellowship scheme has strict rules prohibiting scholars from taking outside jobs. If we work anywhere, our fellowship will be stopped. This puts us in a difficult position because we do not receive our fellowships on time and cannot supplement our income. Fellowship System and Its Challenges According to Nayan, several RTI requests have been filed, but the response remains the same: The fellowship will be disbursed when the ministry has the funds. He added that the National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation (NFOBC), the authority responsible for distributing the fellowships, lacks sufficient funds to meet its obligations. In one of the correspondences, it was communicated that the pending fellowships would be disbursed in February. However, the fellowship for only one or two months was provided. Such a situation raises the question: how can those who have not received their fellowship for nine months survive on just one months payment? We are trying to communicate our message to the government so that OBC researchers do not abandon their research due to financial constraints, Nayan added. The issue was raised in Parliament, but after the discussion, only one months fellowship was provided. Govts Response and Future Outlook In response to inquiries in Parliament by Kozhikode MP M.K. Raghavan, Social Justice Minister Virendra Kumar stated that the delay in fellowship disbursement was due to the University Grants Commissions (UGC) decision in October 2023 to increase fellowship amounts for Junior and Senior Research Fellows under the scheme. He clarified that the ministry did not have the budget to accommodate the increased fellowship amounts. He also mentioned that the revised budget for 2024-25 did not include additional funds for the scheme, but the allocation for the upcoming fiscal year had been increased significantly, more than tripling the available funds for the fellowship. The Objective of the Scheme The fellowship scheme aims to empower OBC scholars to pursue research. It provides 1,000 Junior Research Fellowships annually for advanced studies leading to M.Phil and Ph.D. degrees. These fellowships are awarded to students who have qualified in the National Eligibility Test (NET) for Humanities/Social Science or the UGC-CSIR NET-JRF for the scientific community. Despite the challenges, scholars like Anupama, Ravikant, Rashmi and others continue to push forward with their research, hoping that the system will eventually be streamlined and that future fellows will not face the same financial hardships. Investigators testified Wednesday they found many weapons, including high-caliber rifles, as well as ammunition on the property of a Smith County business owner accused of killing a 19-year-old on the Fourth of July last year. Seferino Bautista-Renteria is charged with murder and several other charges in connection with the shooting that killed Rawly Eli Sanchez. Documents say Sanchez was fatally shot in the back of the head when he and his friends were making a U-turn behind Bautista Auto Sales, located in the 3700 block of US Highway 271 in Tyler, to correct a previous wrong turn. Smith County Sheriffs Office Detective Tim McDonald testified a search of Bautista-Renterias home found several pistols, an AR-15 and firearms along with various magazines and ammunition. Texas College President Dwight Fennell will retire on June 30, 2026, a year earlier than his current contract, according to a press release from Texas College. Fennell, who has led the historically Black college in Tyler since 2008, announced his decision during the Board of Trustees annual meeting. During his tenure, Fennell oversaw significant institutional growth, including financial stability, academic expansion and campus improvements, according to the college. Under his leadership, the college said it has maintained a balanced budget for 17 consecutive years, increased its endowment from less than $1 million to more than $10 million and completed $19 million in campus renovations with no outstanding debt. Texas College has also strengthened its academic programs, securing three cycles of institutional accreditation and working toward a fourth, according to the press release. The school achieved accreditation for its teacher preparation and social work programs and introduced the Alpha Chi National Honor Society chapter on campus. Other advancements include improved student support services, virtual learning programs and expanded educational partnerships. Reflecting on his presidency, Fennell described his leadership experience as one of pleasure, humility, joy and comfort, while also acknowledging the challenges faced along the way. He credited faith and teamwork for the colleges progress. Board Chair Bishop Lawrence Reddick praised Fennells dedication, stating that his focus and persistence have strengthened the institution. The Board of Trustees approved his request for early retirement, with members expressing appreciation for his years of service. A 13-year-old boy with cancer honored by President Donald Trump during his recent address to Congress will be deputized this month as a law enforcement officer in East Texas. Devarjaye D.J. Daniel, who was made an honorary agent of the U.S. Secret Service during the presidents March 4 address, will be sworn in as an honorary officer by more than a dozen regional law enforcement agencies during at least two ceremonies. On April 4, the Van Zandt County Sheriffs Office will welcome Devarjaye to Canton as a special agent during a ceremony beginning at 11 a.m. at the Van Zandt County Justice Center, 1220 W. Dallas St. in Canton, officials announced. A few weeks later, on April 30, Devarjaye will be deputized in White Oak as an officer with the White Oak, Gladewater, Longview, Kilgore and Lakeport police departments as well as the Gregg County Sheriffs Office. Hell also be sworn in as a White Oak municipal judge and a White Oak volunteer firefighter. Additional agencies could sign up to participate as well. The ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. at the White Oak ISD Auditorium, 200 S. White Oak Road. Thats where the boy who wants to fight crime and cancer will meet a fellow law enforcement officer who is battling the same enemies: White Oak Police Chief Terry Roach, who is retiring in April amid his own cancer battle. Devarjaye, who lives near Houston, was diagnosed with a rare form of brain and spinal cancer in 2018 and was given five months to live. But that was six years ago. Since then, he has had multiple surgeries and has set out to live his dream of becoming a police officer, according to the U.S. Secret Service. Devarjaye frequently visits law enforcement agencies and has been deputized by almost 900 of them. Since the boy was diagnosed, he and his father, Theodis, have been on a quest to make his dream come true, Trump said during his speech. The police love him. The police departments love him, Trump said. Devarjayes cancer has been attributed to a chemical he was exposed to during his youth, Trump said. The president highlighted his case amid his administrations push to remove chemicals from food, an effort headed by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., director of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. White Oak Municipal Judge Dana Mizell coordinated the White Oak event after watching Trumps address. Perhaps the most special aspect of the event to her is that Roach will administer the oaths of office to Devarjaye. What would be cooler than that for the both of them, both fighting cancer, and this little boy wants to be deputized to as many police departments as he can? Mizell said. Roach will administer one oath of office for Devarjaye that will deputize him with all the participating agencies, Mizell said. Mizells husband, who is a woodworker, is crafting a key to the city of White Oak that Mayor Kyle Kutch will present to the boy. Were gonna do it up right, Mizell said. The Canton and White Oak events are open to the public. For more information, contact Mizell at mizelld@woisd.com. Brother and sister Zaff and Nasari took their late dad's projector and unseen family movies to the barn What did you miss? The Repair Shop's latest episode was an emotional one, as the experts worked to rescue a brother and sister's unseen family movies. Siblings Zaff and Nasari took their late fathers projector to the barn along with reels of home movies he had filmed when they were growing up in Uganda. The reels "never saw the light of day" after the family had to flee their home under Idi Amin's rule. Tearful, the siblings told how their parents had since died, and how they hoped to see them again on the home movies. What, how and why? Mark Stuckey, Zaffar Ansari, Nasara Mohammed, Dominic Chinea - The Repair Shop. (Ricochet Ltd/BBC) Zaff and Nasari were on the BBC show on Wednesday, 2 April, where they told how their childhood had been "carefree" and that their dad made sure they "had everything". ADVERTISEMENT "It was very fun times but the trauma that came after with leaving Africa..." Zaff told expert Mark Stuckey. "Idi Amin announced that we had 90 days to leave the country and we weren't allowed to take anything with us." The pair who were seven and nine at the time were among thousands of Asians expelled from the country in the 70s. They travelled to Pakistan, then the UK, with Nasari saying they lived "hand to mouth". The siblings grew up in Uganda. (BBC screengrab) Their mother died in her 40s, then their dad died at 50. Nasari explained that the family had got their projector back after leaving Uganda but that their dad never took it out of the box again. "It's been locked away for the past 40 or 50 years," her brother said. "We have tried numerous times to try and get it working but unfortunately we had no luck at all." ADVERTISEMENT Read more: The Repair Shop "Just to see my mum and dad walking around - I'd love my kids to see my mum and dad," said Nasari. What happened? Uganda projector item before its fix. (Ricochet Ltd/BBC) Stuckey got to work and managed to get the projector up and running, so invited the siblings back to watch their films. They admitted they were nervous, and both were tearful as footage of them as children started to play. Their relatives also appeared in the tapes, with both emotional as their mother was seen waving at the camera. ADVERTISEMENT Nasari said it had been her father filming, adding: "I can feel my dad touching it, I feel like he is here." The pair saw their late mum on screen. (BBC screengrab) Asked if it was what they had hoped, Nasari said: "It brought me peace, seeing my mum and dad and how we were and my grandfather and how much time we spent together. Happy memories." She went on: "After their passing away, it's been that long, you forget who they were and how they looked and the feeling came back again. It has made me feel at peace." The Repair Shop airs on BBC One on Wednesdays. The Met Office has issued a rare amber weather warning as the UK warms up after already dry conditions. The Met Office has warned there is an increased chance of wildfires this week. (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) Rare Met Office amber warnings for wildfires have been issued for much of the UK, including London, Kent, Wiltshire, Northern Ireland and southern Scotland. Several fire departments have issued wildfire safety advice as warm weather and strong winds are expected in various parts of the country for the remainder of this week and beyond. The warning was issued as warm and dry conditions are expected to continue, with temperatures expected to peak at 22C on Friday, April 4. The warning is in place for most of England and will extend into Northern Ireland and southern Scotland on Wednesday. Brits have been asked to refrain from using disposable barbecues and to be careful when disposing of cigarettes and litter, as wildfires can still occur outside of summer months. ADVERTISEMENT Kathryn Chalk, a meteorologist at the Met Office, said: We cant be specific on locations due to the nature of wildfires though, and best to stick with the weather conditions with the dry air, breezy and warm conditions, hence the warning, with slightly cooler conditions with the onshore breeze along eastern coasts. With strong winds and ongoing dry/warm weather this brings a continued likelihood for wildfire conditions through the period. Despite London not experiencing peak summer temperatures, the London Fire Brigade said that wildfires can still occur, because of this years drier start to spring. Around 100 soldiers had to deployed in Stalybridge, Greater Manchester, to combat wildfires. (Getty Images) London Fire Brigade assistant commissioner Paul McCourt said: We want everyone to enjoy the sunshine but we urge people to take the necessary precautions to stay safe and help prevent a grass fire from starting. ADVERTISEMENT Recent events in Los Angeles and South Korea have demonstrated how rapidly fires can spread outdoors, even when temperatures are not at their highest." He added: As the weather warms up and we head towards Friday and the weekend, we would urge Londoners not to have barbecues in open spaces or on balconies, including disposable barbecues, to throw rubbish away, and to dispose of cigarettes carefully to avoid inadvertently starting a fire. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said there is a very high to 'extreme' risk of wildfires from Wednesday 2 April until Monday 7 April, north of the border. The SFRS are urging the public to be aware of wildfire risk as figures show almost 80% of large outdoor fires since 2010 were recorded between March and May. Group Commander Garry Douglas is one of SFRS Tactical Advisors. He said: During any period of heightened risk, fires can ignite easily, spread very quickly, and burn with high intensity. ADVERTISEMENT At this time of year in early Spring, we typically have a large volume of dead, bone-dry vegetation across large areas of countryside. This essentially acts as a fuel for fire. There are currently vast areas that are tinder dry and vulnerable, which provides all the ingredients for fire to take hold and spread. Human behaviour is the cause of most wildfires in Scotland, so it is imperative we all act responsibly while enjoying the outdoors especially over the coming days of predicted sunshine." Homes in Wennington were gutted by fire in July 2022. (Getty Images) What happened in the 2022 UK wildfires? During the record-breaking sweltering summer of 2022, the UK endured heat above 40C in some parts of the country for the first time. The arid weather saw around 24,316 wildfires in England between June and August 2022, a four-fold increase in the same period from 2021. ADVERTISEMENT The South East saw the hottest temperatures with the London Fire Brigade having their busiest day since the Second World War. To the east of the capital, 17 houses were destroyed in a large grassfire in Wennington, which also destroyed 40 hectares of fields, five garages, 12 stables, and a car repair workshop. In nearby Dagenham, more than 130 people had to be evacuated with two people having to be taken to hospital in a blaze that needed 100 firefighters to put out close to grassland. New research published earlier this month indicated the 2022 heatwave was made at least six times more likely due to human-caused climate change. The study, by the Met Office, UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, and the University of Exeter, stated that the UKs rising temperatures and drier conditions will increase the risk of extreme weather. Lead author Dr Chantelle Burton from the Met Office said: The 2022 heatwave wasnt just record-breaking it drastically increased the risk of fires, highlighting the growing danger climate change poses to the UK. The London Fire Brigade declared a major incident due to "a huge surge" in blazes across the capital in 2022. (Getty Images) Wildfire safety advice in the UK The UK experiences thousands of wildfires every year, with 44,000 recorded in 2022. The smoke and air pollution they cause can be especially dangerous for children and the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions. Around two-thirds of wildfires are accidental with the most common causes recorded as discarded cigarettes or unattended campfires, said the SFRS. They urged people this week to refrain from using disposable barbecues and to properly dispose of cigarettes, matches and litter, in order to prevent fire hazards. During the warm summer months, the risk of wildfires increases and the UK government warned that the best way to prevent these fires from breaking out is to be responsible during hot and dry periods. Actions to take to prevent wildfires occurring Do not light fires in countryside areas and only have barbecues where signs say you can safely. Do not light fires in high winds, in low humidity or in high temperatures, or when they are forecast. Take extra care disposing of cigarettes in countryside areas. Ensure they are fully extinguished and disposed of safely. Do not throw cigarettes out of car windows. Do not leave hot barbecues unattended and always put your barbecue out. Do not litter always take your rubbish home with you, as glass in direct sunlight can cause fires. Actions to take if you see a wildfire HA NOI Local areas in Viet Nam such as Gia Lai Province are expanding into specialty coffee production, shifting away from traditional raw coffee exports to improve global recognition and solidify the producer's position in the coffee supply chain. Pioneering Fine Robusta production Gia Lai Province currently boasts over 57,000ha of coffee certified under 4C, UTZ, Rainforest and Organic standards, representing more than 53 per cent of the regions total coffee area. Moving beyond its role as a raw coffee exporter, Gia Lai is increasingly focusing on the development of specialty coffee, particularly Fine Robusta, positioning businesses at the heart of this transformation, alongside government and agricultural sector support. Experts have said that specialty coffee such as Fine Robusta, is gaining traction as a high-value product, selling for 1.5 to 2 times more than regular green coffee. However, achieving specialty coffee certification requires adherence to rigorous production standards set by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA), from cultivation and harvesting to processing, roasting and preservation. Once nearly absent from the specialty coffee market, Gia Lai has now successfully introduced Fine Robusta to high-demand markets, including Japan, the EU and the US, solidifying its position in the global coffee industry. To date, the province has established 34 coffee production chains linked to product consumption, covering over 43,000ha across 26 enterprises and eight cooperatives. Many businesses in the locality have invested in modern processing technologies to enhance competitiveness and increase the value of their coffee products. Some companies such as Tam Ba, Vietnam Coffee United JSC, Lam Anh Agricultural and Service Cooperative, and Ngon Avatar have shifted their focus from exporting low-value coffee beans to developing international standard planting and roasting processes, producing high-quality Fine Robusta coffee. The Director of Lam Anh Agricultural and Service Cooperative in ak oa District, Nguyen Huu Anh, said his cooperative was dedicated to organic and natural cultivation methods, maintaining strict oversight from harvesting to processing. The cooperative also worked closely with local authorities to encourage farmers to adopt a new production mindset and create a standardised coffee material area. As a result, the cooperatives specialty coffee products earned the provincial 4-star OCOP certification and were steadily gaining recognition in both domestic and international markets. According to the Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment, Luu Trung Nghia, in addition to quality, branding is crucial for Gia Lai coffee products to effectively compete in international markets. Thus, his province is actively encouraging businesses to develop brand stories that will create a unique identity for their products. The Director of Vietnam Coffee United JSC, Nguyen Tien inh echoed this sentiment, saying that international customers were not only interested in quality but also in learning about the story behind the product. To build trust with customers, the company focused on improving production standards and prioritising sustainable development. Similarly, Ngon Avatar Company has embraced the story of perseverance and the unique value of Gia Lai specialty coffee, moving beyond promoting it as just another commercial product. The companys director, Van Quoc Viet, said that his firm wanted each product to represent the Central Highlands, carrying stories of passion for crafting the perfect cup of coffee. This approach had set the company apart, helping its products gain recognition in both domestic and international markets. In addition, many other businesses and cooperatives in the province are investing in packaging design, creating products with an eye-catching style tailored to the tastes of the Japanese and European markets. Support from local authorities As part of the 'Project on Developing Vietnamese specialty coffee from 2021 to 2030', Gia Lai Province aims to expand its Robusta coffee area to approximately 2,340ha by 2030. The goal is to ensure the highest quality raw materials for processing and export. To achieve this goal, Nghia said, Gia Lai Province would focus on identifying specific areas for specialty coffee cultivation, reorganising production along the value chain and promoting the use of science and technology in production and processing. The province would also pay attention to creating strong connections among all stakeholders in the value chain, with businesses at the centre of building and developing Gia Lai's specialty coffee sector, he said. According to Nghia, local authorities and agricultural sector support is crucial for elevating Gia Lais specialty coffee. By identifying the development of specialty coffee as a strategic focus, Gia Lai aims to increase export value and build a sustainable brand. Nghia added that the locality was also rolling out a range of policies to assist businesses in this area. For example, it is actively supporting businesses and cooperatives in obtaining quality certifications, working with both domestic and international organisations to help products achieve organic certifications such as USDA, EU, and specialty coffee certifications according to SCA standards. This will enable local coffee products to easily access high-end markets. Additionally, it is fostering connections between businesses and export markets by facilitating their participation in international fairs and exhibitions. A notable example is the specialty coffee exhibition in Tokyo, where Gia Lai's Fine Robusta coffee products attracted significant attention from Japanese customers. At the same time, Gia Lai is promoting investment in science and technology, particularly focusing on advanced deep processing and roasting techniques to preserve the unique flavour of Fine Robusta coffee. VNS HA NOI - Sihoo, a global leader in the ergonomic furniture industry, recently hosted the "2025 Brand Globalisation Strategy Conference and International Customer Appreciation Dinner" in Guangzhou, China. The event, themed "Driving Growth Shaping the Future," brought together global partners, top business leaders, and industry experts. This marks a strategic milestone in Sihoo's journey evolving from a leader in the domestic e-commerce market to building a globally integrated brand ecosystem. The conference also represents a pivotal moment in Sihoo's international expansion, opening a new chapter in its brand globalisation strategy. The summit commenced with an important keynote address by Sihoos Chairman, Mr. La Huibing, titled The Health Revolution Begins with a Chair. During the speech, Mr. La unveiled Sihoos 2025 brand globalisation strategy, signalling a new phase in the companys international development. Sihoo establishes its competitive edge by continually improving and innovating its products, Mr. La emphasised. We are reshaping the seating industry through technology, fulfilling our commitment to protecting users health through technology through relentless innovation. This strategic direction reflects Sihoos long-term vision of merging ergonomics, engineering, and design with a user-centric approach, driving the development of health-focused seating solutions. With over 1.5 million ergonomic chairs sold annually across 85 countries, Sihoo has achieved impressive commercial success while also reshaping global perceptions of Chinas innovative contributions to the health-focused furniture sector. The brand has consistently held the number one position in its product category for four consecutive years on major e-commerce platforms such as JD.com and Tmall. Central to this success is the C300 chair, which has dominated sales in its segment across multiple major e-commerce platforms for years. Driving innovation through strategic investment Sihoo allocates 12-15% of its annual revenue to research and development (R&D), supported by a dedicated team of nearly 100 engineers and experts focused on developing proprietary seating technologies. From the groundbreaking M18 chair with multidimensional lumbar support to the smart T6 chair featuring massage, sound, and health monitoring systems, Sihoo has undergone four generations of technological advancement. The company is now preparing for the 5.0 generation, aimed at delivering a comprehensive workstation for all usage scenarios to offer complete health solutions in the workplace. Mr. Luo highlighted the importance of expanding direct retail channels to support this expansion. Over the past five years, Sihoo has refined its single-store model and opened more than 160 experience centres across China. Globally, the brand plans to open an additional 200 stores in 2025, expanding its physical presence and further spreading its mission to promote health: Every store we open is a step forward in our journey to protect public health. Sihoos global strategy with focused localisation approach During the conference, Sihoos leadership presented an overview of the companys comprehensive international strategy. CEO Liu Shuai shared the brands long-term vision, emphasising Sihoos dual commitment: expanding its global footprint while continuously enhancing its expertise in ergonomics. The company aims to lead in product development, brand influence, and market effectiveness across key regions worldwide. Building on this foundation, Sihoos 2025 strategy marks a clear transition: from leading individual markets to orchestrating synchronised, multi-market growth. This next phase of expansion is reinforced by a shift in the business model. Sihoo is gradually transitioning from a traditional export-based model, reliant on distributors, to a hybrid model combining strategic partners + regional entities. This new structure enables quicker decision-making, enhances operational efficiency, and improves adaptability to local cultures and market specifics. It also marks a transformation in Sihoos global partnerships evolving from transactional relationships to deep, investment-driven collaborations focused on long-term, sustainable value. Sihoos global strategy also includes key elements such as market selection based on data analytics, strategically placed stores tailored to regional ergonomic awareness, and a flexible product portfolio that adapts to local consumer characteristics. With a flexible infrastructure and a globally consistent brand, Sihoo is committed to maintaining exceptional quality while allowing for innovation tailored to each market. Mr. Chen Zhuo, CEO for the Asia-Pacific, Africa, and Latin America regions, elaborated on Sihoos strategy for overcoming the challenges of globalisation. He emphasised that, with a steady annual growth rate of 30%, Sihoo is firmly establishing itself as the global leader in ergonomic seating through a multi-channel strategy complemented by strong technological innovation. Mr. Chen also noted that Sihoos core product lines continue to receive strong reception from premium customers, with growing brand awareness. In 2024, sales of the Doro product line more than doubled compared to the previous year, demonstrating the increasing value of the brand and the expanding acceptance of high-end ergonomic solutions in the global market. As Sihoo continues to expand its global retail presence with its first overseas flagship store opening in 2023, followed by a second in 2024, the company is achieving balanced growth across both retail and contract sales channels. This multi-channel approach is driving comprehensive improvements in Sihoos operational efficiency in international markets. Global partner perspectives: Strategic alignment for collective success During the conference, partners from three key international markets Australia, Thailand, and the Philippines shared their insights from collaborating with Sihoo. Their contributions provided a direct view of how Sihoos localised strategy, combined with its global brand strength, has contributed to success in local markets. These perspectives show that Sihoos global aspirations are driven not only by the quality of its products but also by the ability to co-create values with local partners. The depth of collaboration built on strategic alignment, market understanding, and a shared long-term vision has enabled Sihoo to adapt flexibly, grow sustainably, and maintain its leadership position in global markets. In recognition of these contributions, Sihoo presented awards to outstanding partners, including Brand Leader, Strategic Protector, and Market Pioneer, reaffirming its commitment to long-term growth and value creation together. Advancing global strategy through innovation and collaboration The successful hosting of the "2025 Brand Globalisation Strategy Conference and International Customer Appreciation Dinner" marks a significant milestone in Sihoos international journey. The event not only facilitated in-depth discussions between the company and global partners but also reinforced Sihoos leadership in technology and its long-term commitment to strategic collaboration. With active participation from partners and stakeholders across various markets, the conference solidified Sihoos global positioning and strategic direction. In the coming years, Sihoo will continue to invest heavily in R&D, drive innovation, and gradually transition from a traditional hardware manufacturer to a developer of integrated smart product ecosystems. With a clear strategic roadmap, strong execution capabilities, and a reliable network of international partners, Sihoo is poised to lead the next phase of growth in the global ergonomic industry. In the long term, Sihoo will remain focused on creating value through product innovation, rapid market responsiveness, and ecosystem collaboration, ensuring that its solutions consistently meet the evolving needs of users worldwide. -VNS BRUSSELS Vietnamese businesses in Belgium have shared their success and inspiring stories at a recent business talk held in Brussels, demonstrating their adaptability and innovation in their approach to the European market. Nam & Son Group showcased its niche home sauna services, while EmaxSolar capitalised on rapid order fulfillment to build market share. President of the Vietnamese Business Association in Belgium (VBAB) Nguyen Thanh Vinh, CEO of Sir Tailor, underscored his company's resilience in the textile sector through strategic positioning and commitment to quality. Vietnamese agricultural exports are making significant inroads into the European market, reflecting a shift towards high-value trade strategies. Quach Hoang Thai, co-founder and marketing director of Linsan, leads this effort. Linsan, headquartered in the Czech Republic, was the first company to export ST25 rice - the "worlds best rice" - to Europe, alongside fresh coconuts, green-skinned pomelos, dragon fruit, and lychees. In 2025, Linsan aims to export 500 tonnes of fresh lychees from Tan Yen to Europe and the US, said Thai. Linsans MOVA project signals a strategic expansion into Europe. "Last year, we launched a factory in France," said Thai, adding that the company is scaling up its MOVA-branded products across major European countries. Belgian businesses are also recognising Viet Nam as a high-growth investment destination. Maxime Heylen, CEO of Far Logistics, highlighted the importance of understanding Viet Nams regulatory framework, while Philippe Mairlot, CEO of Mage Mar International, pointed to Viet Nams strong economic growth as a compelling reason for logistics sector investment. Vietnamese trade and agricultural representatives in Belgium and the EU provided critical insights into market access. Vietnamese Trade Counsellor Tran Ngoc Quan and Agricultural Counsellor Tran Van Cong emphasised that while EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) opens substantial trade opportunities, compliance with the EUs strict quality, safety, and technical standards is essential for long-term success. Since EVFTA took effect in August 2020, Viet Nams exports to the EU have surged, with bilateral trade reaching US$68.4 billion in 2024, a 47.5 per cent increase from 2020. Viet Nam-Belgium trade rebounded to $4.45 billion in 2024, positioning Belgium as one of Viet Nams key European trade partners. Belgium currently has 100 investment projects in Viet Nam, valued at $1.1 billion, focused on logistics, renewable energy, and maritime transport. Agriculture remains a cornerstone of cooperation under the Strategic Partnership in Agriculture established in 2018, fostering technical collaboration as well as cooperation in sustainable food production. VNS HA NOI President of the Cuban Chamber of Commerce (CCC) Antonio Luis Carricarte Corona has expressed his optimism about the flourishing future of Viet Nam Cuba cooperation in an exclusive interview recently granted to the Vietnam News Agency, on the occasion of the Cuban delegation's trip to Viet Nam to attend the 34th Vietnam International Trade Fair (Vietnam Expo) from April 2-5. Corona highlighted the growing variety of Vietnamese products in Cuba, extending beyond traditional staples like rice. This diversification, driven by Viet Nams dynamic economic growth, offers substantial opportunities for Cuba. Vietnamese enterprises, both joint ventures and wholly-owned entities, are not only exporting goods but also investing in Cuban production, spanning light manufacturing, hygiene products, and construction. These goods, produced in Cuba or imported from Viet Nam, boast high quality and competitive prices. Strategic Vietnamese investments are also transforming Cubas agriculture. Efforts in fertiliser and animal feed production are bolstering Cubas push to boost food output, particularly in poultry, pork and eggs. Renewable energy emerges as another key area, aligning with Cubas long-term development goals and opening doors for further collaboration. He hailed Viet Nam as Cubas second-largest trading partner in Asia and its top investor, spotlighting its foothold in the Mariel Special Development Zone via Viglacera. This zone, he noted, is set to become a pivotal hub for Vietnamese investment in the years ahead. On economic prospects, he pointed to Cubas National Development Plan and Economic Adjustment Programme, which are unlocking new opportunities for Vietnamese businesses. Viet Nams expertise in pork, poultry and egg production promises to uplift Cubas agricultural sector, while its prowess in rice and coffee cultivation, evidenced by a nascent rice project in Cuba, offers additional growth potential. Industrial ties are equally promising, with opportunities in steel, mechanical engineering, and electric transport. Cubas plan to boost renewable energy storage by 200MW further underscores the scope for diverse partnerships. In return, Cubas advanced healthcare, pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors offer Viet Nam valuable expertise. Both governments are also committed to advancing high-tech products through scientific research, innovation and digital transformation. A unique advantage, Corona noted, is that goods made in Cuba with Vietnamese involvement can qualify as Cuban-origin products, gaining preferential tariffs in over 20 countries under Cubas trade agreements. This boosts Vietnamese firms global market access. Marking his first trip to Viet Nam as CCC President in a decade, Corona expected to forge new economic ties and deepen collaboration. His delegation will engage with Vietnamese business associations in agriculture, mechanical engineering, and other fields to foster direct links. A broader goal is revitalising the Viet Nam - Cuba Joint Committee to reflect government agreements fully, enhance business synergy and help enterprises seize emerging opportunities. VNS HA NOI South Korean gaming companies announced on April 1 that NCSoft has established a joint venture named 'NCV Games' with VNGGames, a subsidiary of Viet Nam's tech firm VNG. Through this joint venture, NCSoft plans to launch its blockbuster game 'Lineage2M' across six Southeast Asian countries Viet Nam, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and the Philippines on May 20. This marks the first time NCSoft has created a joint venture to provide game services directly in the region. VNGGames is currently one of Viet Nams leading game publishers, with an expanding footprint across Southeast Asia and China. It has also collaborated with several Korean developers including Line Games and Devsisters. Meanwhile, Nexon is bolstering its workforce in Viet Nam through its local subsidiary Nexon Networks. The company established Nexon Dev Vina (NDVN) in 2022 and recently increased its headcount to 90 employees. It is also strengthening partnerships with domestic developers as well as with Nexon Korea. Since late 2024, the Korea Game Culture Foundation and the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Viet Nam have jointly hosted Korea Game Week, sponsored by major industry players such as NCSoft, Nexon Korea, NHN and Pearl Abyss. The initiative aims to promote cultural exchange and foster collaboration between the two countries' gaming industries. According to Newzoos 2022 report, Viet Nam is home to around 54.6 million gamers, accounting for more than half of the countrys population, underscoring the massive potential of the domestic market. Notably, low labour costs have become a key factor attracting South Korean investment. A newly-recruited game developer in Viet Nam typically earns between seven million and 12 million won per year (approximately US$4,7508,150), compared to an average annual salary of 36 million won ($24,460) in South Korea, which can rise to as high as 50 million won ($33,972) at major firms. VNS HA NOI The 34th Vietnam International Trade Fair (Vietnam Expo 2025) officially opened on April 2 in Ha Noi. With the theme 'Accompanying Businesses in the Digital Age', the expo aims to introduce new technological advancements to trade promotion activities. It seeks to help Vietnamese and international businesses connect through traditional means, while leveraging technology platforms to enhance competitiveness and create valuable opportunities. The four-day event has attracted around 400 enterprises, from 18 countries and territories, featuring over 500 booths. In his opening speech, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan emphasised the significance of the fair which has evolved over 33 years into a crucial trade promotion event. The expo plays a pivotal role in generating economic value, expanding export markets and enhancing the capacity of businesses to engage in the global value chain This year, the expo introduces online B2B trade connection activities, enabling businesses to connect with partners remotely. This initiative allows for year-round networking, enhancing both domestic and international partnerships. Vietnam Expo 2025 showcases prominent brands in digital transformation and technology solutions, including Odoo HK, Zoho, STS, Diginet and Bizfly. In addition, it features supporting industries such as Viet Phap Aluminum JSC, Vinacomin and Vnsteel Thang Long Coated Sheets JSC. A standout attraction is the Green Logistics Pavilion, showcasing leading companies like FedEx, Long An International Port, Bee Logistics, and Smartlog. This pavilion focuses on innovative logistics solutions that support production, enhance exports and promote sustainable development in the freight transport sector. Vietnam Expo 2025 remains a trusted destination for trade promotion organisations from various countries, including Algeria, Cambodia, Belarus, Cuba, Korea, Laos, Nepal and China. These countries have their own national pavilions to showcase their native strong products and services. Domestically, the expo has received positive feedback from local investment, trade and tourism promotion centres. It facilitates the organisation of common pavilions to highlight key export products and high-quality One Commune One Product (OCOP) items, reaching a wide audience nationally and internationally. Visitors will also have the chance to explore a diverse range of agricultural products, food and beverages from over 17 provinces and cities in Viet Nam, including Bac Lieu, Bac Ninh, Ben Tre, Binh Phuoc, ak Nong, Ha Tinh, Lai Chau, Ninh Binh, Quang Binh, Quang Nam, Tay Ninh and Tien Giang. Vietnam Expo 2025 promises to be a landmark event for enhancing business capacity and fostering international economic integration. VNS HA NOI Viet Nam has officially opened its market to British live seafood products, the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) announced on April 1. The agreement is expected to generate over GBP20 million (US$26 million) in revenue for the UK seafood sector over the next five years. Viet Nam, with the highest consumers of seafood per capita in Southeast Asia, at 37kg per year, presents a promising market for high-quality British seafood. Coastal communities across England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales stand to benefit from the new export opportunities. British seafood exports to Viet Nam saw a 40 per cent surge in the first nine months of 2024 compared with the previous year. Vietnamese consumers will now have access to high-quality fresh seafood from the UK, including lobster and brown crab. Minister for food and rural affairs Daniel Zeichner said: Our high-quality seafood is increasingly sought after worldwide, and this agreement demonstrates our commitment to get British exports moving by helping producers reach valuable international markets. Meanwhile, David Jarrad, CEO of Shellfish Association of Great Britain, said Vietnamese importers are willing to pay competitive prices for British seafood varieties. VNS A NANG The central city of a Nang and Pyeongtaek city of Republic of Korea (RoK) on April 2 agreed to promote exchanges and collaboration in key sectors, including semiconductors, high technology, clean energy, logistics, and port operations, as well as education, culture, sports, and labour. To this effect, an agreement was signed during the meeting between Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the Peoples Committee of a Nang Le Trung Chinh and visiting Pyeongtaek Mayor Jung Jang Seon in the city. Chinh expressed his satisfaction with the rapid development of ties between a Nang and Pyeongtaek, emphasising that the signed agreement will facilitate smooth and effective cooperation. He highlighted Pyeongtaeks ambition to become a high-tech city, a green, environmentally friendly city, a key transportation hub, and a cultural and tourism centre. Notably, Pyeongtaek is home to one of the RoKs five largest ports and serves as a major semiconductor hub. He urged Pyeongtaek authorities to promote investment opportunities in a Nang's semiconductor sector and help connect businesses from both cities. Jung praised a Nangs progress and noted its popularity as a tourist destination among Pyeongtaek residents. Acknowledging the Vietnamese citys efforts in attracting foreign investment, he stated that Pyeongtaeks delegation includes business representatives who come to explore opportunities in a Nang. He expressed hope that companies from both cities could leverage their advantages and preferential policies to boost economic collaboration. Pyeongtaek is an industrial city with modern economic and educational facilities. It aims to develop into a "1-million-strong special city," focusing on semiconductors, hydrogen energy, and future automotive industries. The city is currently building the worlds largest semiconductor infrastructure, including the 2.89-million-sq.m Samsung Electronics Pyeongtaek Campus. Pyeongtaek port is the fifth largest in the RoK and plays a crucial role in serving imports and exports for the central region and Seoul. Before partnering with Pyeongtaek, a Nang had already established cooperative relations with four other RoK localities, including Changwon (1997), Daegu (2004), Hwaseong (2008), and Jeju (2023). These partnerships have supported cooperation in tourism, training, culture and smart city development. By the end of 2024, the RoK had invested in 285 projects in a Nang, with a total registered capital of $382 million, ranking among the top five foreign investors in the city. VNS PHNOM PENH The Vietnamese Embassy in Cambodia and the Viet Nam-Cambodia Business Association (VCBA) jointly hosted a business dialogue on April 2, aiming to enhance Vietnamese business and investment activities in the Cambodian market. The annual event attracted around 150 delegates, including Vietnamese businesses and Vietnamese-origin companies operating in Cambodia across various sectors such as finance, banking, insurance, telecommunications, agriculture, construction, interior design, food services, transportation, logistics, trade, healthcare, and tourism. Speaking at the event, Ambassador Nguyen Minh Vu highlighted that the dialogue took place in the context of increasingly strengthened traditional friendship and win-win and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, a priority consistently upheld by their senior leaders. This favourable environment, he noted, presents opportunities for businesses and investors from both sides to enhance economic collaboration toward boosting bilateral trade turnover to US$20 billion in the near future. Despite global uncertainties, Viet Nam remains the fifth-largest investor in Cambodia, with 215 projects worth more than $2.94 billion. Notable Vietnamese enterprises in Cambodia include Metfone, BIDC Bank, Angkor Milk, and Thaco Agri. The diplomat stressed that through this forum, the embassy and VCBA aim to gather and convey business recommendations to relevant authorities in both nations. This effort seeks to address challenges and create a more favourable investment and business environment for Vietnamese enterprises and Vietnamese-origin businesses in Cambodia, enabling them to expand and operate more effectively in this promising market. VCBA Chairman Oknha Leng Rithy expressed his hope that the dialogue will provide participants with insights into market opportunities, policy understanding, and potential partnerships, fostering business connectivity and facilitating investment in key sectors. Ho Sivyong, head of the general department of trade support services at Cambodias Ministry of Commerce, shared optimism that the event would strengthen bilateral business ties and identify areas for cooperation. He urged entrepreneurs and investors from both countries to capitalise on this chance to expand their business ventures with government support. During its panel discussions, delegates shared success stories, challenges, and solutions related to their operations in Cambodia. They underscored the importance of building a strong network among Vietnamese firms and investors in Cambodia to enhance collaboration, ensure timely access to market information, and effectively address obstacles. VNS HA NOI Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with Bill Winters, Chief Executive of Standard Chartered in Ha Noi on Wednesday, asking the groups support for Viet Nam in establishing international financial centres, obtaining green finance, and developing the private sector. Expressing gratitude to Standard Chartered for its active role as the sole advisor to the Vietnamese Government since 2012 on improving the nations credit rating, the PM praised the bank for supporting Vietnamese ministries and agencies in implementing the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) in Viet Nam, as well as for working with the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ) to help the country achieve its sustainable development goals. Standard Chartered has signed cooperation agreements, providing over US$8 billion in financing to Vietnamese businesses and partners. Highlighting that Standard Chartered has been present in Viet Nam for over 120 years, the Government leader encouraged the group to continue sharing its experience and consulting on the selection of models and solutions for the development of Vietnamese international financial centres, particularly regarding related institutional frameworks, policies, human resources training, management science, and comprehensive financial ecosystem solutions. The PM also called for the banks increased assistance for Viet Nam's implementation of JETP, provision of green development credit, and business support in projects involving wind energy, green hydrogen, and sustainable trade. Additionally, he suggested Standard Chartered help the country develop its private sector, attract more foreign direct investment (FDI), while assisting Vietnamese companies in both domestic growth and global expansion. Chinh also asked for the banks continued advice for the Vietnamese Government in raising the national credit rating to investment grade and policy reform recommendations for the nation to attract high-quality investment in key sectors like high-tech manufacturing, green agriculture, and clean and renewable energy. For his part, Winters said he is impressed by Viet Nam's remarkable development as a bright spot in the context of a challenging global landscape. Acknowledging the countrys commitments to climate change response and its potential for green and sustainable development, he said that the group is working closely with local authorities to further support Viet Nam in green development, particularly in the establishment of international financial centres as suggested by his host. VNA/VNS HA NOI A surge in seismic activity in March has prompted leading Vietnamese scientists to call for urgent updates to the countrys outdated earthquake risk assessment maps. Experts stress that regularly updated seismic data is vital for disaster preparedness, especially as recent aftershocks from a 7.7-magnitude quake in Myanmar were felt in major Vietnamese cities, revealing the widespread vulnerability of infrastructure. In March 2025, Viet Nam recorded 26 earthquakes with magnitudes ranging from 2.5 to 3.7, primarily concentrated in Kon Plong District, Kon Tum Province, and Nam Tra My District, Quang Nam Provinceboth known as seismic 'hotspots'. Of these, 23 occurred in Kon Plong and three in Nam Tra My, where seismic activity has been persistent since the Song Tranh 2 hydropower reservoir began operations in 2012. Some days saw clusters of quakes, with five recorded on March 31 alone in Kon Plong. The Earthquake and Tsunami Warning Centre of the Institute of Geophysics confirmed that although most earthquakes in Viet Nam remain small, and induced by hydropower reservoir operations, their frequency has been on the rise, especially in Central Highlands regions. Experts also noted that aftershocks from a 7.7-magnitude earthquake in Myanmar on March 28 were felt in high-rise buildings in Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City, despite the epicentre being 1,700 kilometres away. In light of such developments, Professor Tran Tuan Anh, President of the Institute of Geophysics and Vice President of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, has called for urgent updates to Viet Nams national seismic risk maps. While the country currently has earthquake hazard maps and limited tsunami scenarios, he stressed that the data had not been updated in over a decade. These maps are essential for identifying fault zones, estimating recurrence intervals for seismic events over 1,000, 500 or 20 years, and guiding disaster preparedness. Professor Anh emphasised that updating seismic data should be done every five to ten years, in line with international standards. Such updates require comprehensive studies on fault lines, seismic surveys, tectonic geology and advanced modelling to inform seismic zoning in a format accessible to policymakers and planners. Currently, seismic risk maps exist only for a few small areas and are outdated. He also urged the integration of seismic risk mapping with national and regional planning processes, particularly in densely populated cities and strategic infrastructure zones. For instance, critical structures in Ha Noimany built more than a decade agoneed to be reassessed for their structural resilience. In high-risk zones, the impact on buildings, slopes and potential landslides must be studied. For large-scale or high-value projects such as nuclear power plants, high-speed rail, metro systems and hydropower stations, Professor Anh recommended tailored seismic and tsunami risk assessments. These assessments must include pre-construction site monitoring and risk modelling to ensure long-term safety. The renewed focus on updating earthquake risk data underscores Viet Nams need to stay ahead of potential natural disasters by equipping authorities and communities with accurate, current information. Doing so would enable the development of appropriate earthquake-resistant standards and disaster response planningespecially crucial for a coastal nation whose economic growth is closely tied to its geography. VNS HCM CITY The number of Russian tourists visiting Viet Nam has surged, surpassing Thailand and Indonesia, with a 5 per cent increase in travel demand in March. Airfare prices have risen by 49 per cent, and hotel bookings have increased by 25 per cent compared to last year. The Association of Russian Tour Operators (ATOR) reports a sharp rise in Russian visitors to Viet Nam, not only during autumn and winter but also during May holidays and summer. Maya Lomidze, head of ATOR, attributes this growth to several factors, including pent-up demand, the resumption of direct flights, and the strengthening ruble. "According to our estimates, Viet Nam will definitely be among the top 10 summer destinations for Russians, possibly even the top five," she said. Direct flights between Russia and Viet Nam have resumed after a long suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Aeroflot launched direct flights to Nha Trang on March 22, while Vietnam Airlines plans to operate regular flights between Moscow and Ha Noi starting in May 2025. Meanwhile, Azur Air and Pegas Touristik are expanding their charter flight programmes. Timur Sadykov, Consul General of the Russian Federation in HCM City, expressed hope that these flights would boost tourism beyond pre-pandemic levels and strengthen relations between the two countries. According to the travel website Travelata.ru, demand for tour groups to Viet Nam increased by 5 per cent in March and 9 per cent in February compared to the previous month. Data from Sletat.ru shows that tour sales from February 1 to March 18 tripled compared to the same period last year. Yandex Travel also reported a fourfold increase in tour sales in March, making Viet Nam the fastest-growing destination, surpassing Thailand, Indonesia, and other countries in the region. Yandex Travel data indicates that airfare sales to Viet Nam have risen by 49 per cent year-on-year, with an average ticket price of 81,000 rubles, or VN24 million (US$935.8). A report from the booking platform Ostrovok reveals that hotel bookings in Viet Nam have increased by 25 per cent since early March, with an average nightly cost of 5,100 rubles, or VN1.5 million, an 18 per cent rise. VNS HA NOI Overseas Vietnamese models have presented a collection of ao dai (traditional long dress) designed by Tran Phuong Hoa, as part of the activities to promote the investment, trade and tourism between Viet Nam and northeast Thailand. The collection vibrantly reflects Vietnamese culture through exquisite hand embroidery and handcrafted embellishments. The series of activities was jointly held by the Vietnamese Consulate General in Khon Kaen, Thailand, in collaboration with the Thai-Vietnamese Business Association and local authorities on March 29-30. They are held within the Spring Homeland 2025 programme, an important cultural and political event that combines economic diplomacy. Nearly 600 attendees took part, including Vietnamese Consul General inh Hoang Linh, President of the Thai-Vietnamese Friendship Association Sanan Angubolkul, Deputy Governor of Khon Kaen Siriwat Pinijipanich and leaders from several provinces in Northeast Thailand, among others. The delegates offered incense and flowers at the Ho Chi Minh President Memorial Site, visited Viet Nam Street, One Pillar Pagoda, Khanh An Vietnamese Language School and met with the Vietnamese Association in the region. They also visited exemplary economic models of overseas Vietnamese, connecting and interacting with overseas Vietnamese entrepreneurs in the province and attended a seminar on promoting investment, trade and tourism between Viet Nam and northeast Thailand. With the theme 'Overseas Vietnamese Accompanying the Country in the New Era', the Spring Homeland 2025 programme aims to honour the cultural values and beautiful traditions of the nation, highlight the countrys achievements, and the development of the overseas Vietnamese community. "The Party and the State have always recognised and valued the contributions of our compatriots abroad," said Consul General inh Hoang Linh. "We hope that the overseas Vietnamese community will continue to accompany and join hands with the people of the country to strive for a new era of strong and prosperous national development." The Deputy Governor of Khon Kaen, Siriwat Pinijpanic, expressed his pleasure and honour in attending the Spring Homeland 2025 programme. He appreciated the contributions of the overseas Vietnamese community to the development of the local area and the increasingly close relationship between Thailand and Viet Nam. A highlight activity is an art programme in Khon Kaen Province on March 30, featuring captivating songs that praise the Fatherland, honour President Ho Chi Minh and promote patriotism and solidarity. The programme has received nearly VN400 million (US$17,400) to support the preservation and maintenance of the Ho Chi Minh President Memorial Site and the One Pillar Pagoda in the province. The financial donation will also provide assistance to Vietnamese language teachers at Khanh An School. The northeast region is a key economic development area of Thailand, comprising 20 provinces with a population of over 20 million people, including about 100,000 overseas Vietnamese. It is home to the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Site and Memorial Area, built by contributions from the Vietnamese community in the region to mark the time of the revolutionary activities of the President. VNS HA NOI The Su That (Truth) National Political Publishing House has published a unique book which, for the first time, gives previously secret details about the fall of the Sai Gon regime and American evacuation from South Viet Nam. In collaboration with the Eastern Development Research Institute, under the Viet Nam Union of Science and Technology Associations, it has published the documentary book Nhung bien ban cuoi cung tai Nha Trang: Phut sup o cua Viet Nam Cong hoa (The Final White House Documents: The Collapse of the Republic of Viet Nam). The book contains literal translations of highly classified original documents declassified by the United States in 2015. These documents focus on the calculations, decisions and actions of key figures in the US war apparatus during the final days of the Republic of Viet Nam's collapse. This section includes full translations of the National Security Council meeting minutes chaired by American President Gerald Ford, summary reports, memos and assessments of the situation in Viet Nam, as well as transcripts of phone calls between President Ford and the US secretaries of State and Defense. The translation work from English to Vietnamese was done by Ngo Bac. The book also features articles and unforgettable memoirs written by senior military officers who were directly involved in and commanded the evacuation during the final hours of the Sai Gon administration. Many previously undisclosed details emerge from these writings, offering readers a comprehensive view of the chaos surrounding the evacuation. According to the books introduction, the translated and published documents reflect the perspectives, interpretations and actions of American officials regarding the war. To mark the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of South Viet Nam and National Reunification (April 30, 1975 2025), the Su That publisher has also released Thu Vao Nam (Letters to the South) by Le Duan, general secretary of the Communist Partys Central Committee. This book compiles letters and telegrams sent by General Secretary Duan to revolutionary leaders during the resistance war against America, covering the period from 1961 to 1975. The book vividly portrays the revolutionary reality and the insightful, strategic leadership of the Communist Partys Central Committee over the revolution, from battlefield directives to situational assessments and strategic decisions. According to the the publisher, these two works authentically recreate Viet Nams struggle for independence from two perspectives one from the revolutionary leaderships strategic vision, and the other from the central US power. The publication of these books on the 50th anniversary of national reunification serves as an opportunity to reflect on the past, draw valuable historical lessons and strengthen national pride. It also allows younger generations to access crucial historical documents, fostering a deeper appreciation for the values of peace, independence and their responsibility in national building and defence today. VNS HA NOI Queen Mathilde of Belgium on April 1 visited the Vietnam National Children's Hospital in Ha Noi, which reflected the strong public healthcare cooperation between the two countries, particularly in the field of child mental health. The Queen and her entourage, who are accompanying King Philippe in a state visit to Viet Nam, were welcomed by Minister of Health ao Hong Lan and the hospital's Director Tran Minh Dien. For more than 30 years, Belgium and Viet Nam have implemented numerous effective cooperation programs in this field. Currently, the Vietnam National Children's Hospital is engaged in a partnership with Leonard de Vinci College under the 2022-2024 cooperation programme between the Vietnamese Government and the French Community of Belgium in Wallonia region. It focuses on training human resources, research collaboration on developmental disorders, and the implementation of Belgian therapeutic models in Viet Nam. The initiative also includes support for improving infrastructure, providing medical equipment, and upgrading therapeutic spaces at the Vietnamese hospital. The Queen is a psychologist and speech therapy specialist, as well as the Honorary President of UNICEF Belgium. She has a deep concern for health issues, particularly children's health. This visit serves as an important opportunity to highlight the long-standing cooperation between Viet Nam and Belgium in this field, while also raising awareness of the importance of mental health care for children in Viet Nam. During this visit, the Queen met with doctors, psychologists, and patients at the Vietnam National Children's Hospital. The Queen, along with Minister Lan, participated in an art therapy session, where they painted with adolescents and young people, and observed a psychomotor therapy session at the hospital's Psychiatry Department. Additionally, the Queen took the time to converse with and offer her best wishes to the young patients undergoing treatment at the hospital. Health care cooperation between Viet Nam and Belgium has been ongoing since the 1990s. One of the first collaborative healthcare projects between the two countries was the malaria prevention and control in Hoa Binh Province project, which ran from 1996 to 2001. The project yielded excellent results, and over the six years of its implementation, the malaria situation in Hoa Binh significantly improved. The malaria prevention and control network across the northern mountainous locality was strengthened, with notable improvements in infrastructure, equipment, and staff capacity. Both sides highly value the outcomes achieved through collaborative projects among universities, research institutes, and hospitals in Viet Nam and their counterparts in Belgium in the healthcare sector. These projects have played an important role in Viet Nam's efforts to improve public health, thereby contributing to the country's socio-economic development and international integration. They have also helped lay the foundation for strengthening and expanding the partnership between Viet Nam and the Wallonia-Brussels region in particular, and Belgium as a whole. VNS YEREVAN Chairman of the National Assembly (NA) Tran Thanh Man, his spouse Nguyen Thi Thanh Nga, and the high-ranking delegation of the Vietnamese NA arrived in Yerevan on late April 1 (local time), starting an official visit to Armenia at the invitation of President of the Armenian NA Alen Simonyan. Officials welcoming the delegation at Zvartnots International Airport included Vice President of the Armenian NA Hakob Arshakyan, Armenian Ambassador to Viet Nam Suren Baghdasaryan, head of the Armenia Viet Nam Parliamentary Friendship Group Hasmik Hakobyan, and Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia and Armenia ang Minh Khoi. Since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1992, their traditional friendship has been flourishing, with Armenia viewing Viet Nam as an important partner in Southeast Asia. The two sides have maintained mutual visits and meetings at all levels, including the meeting between Vietnamese Party General Secretary To Lam and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on the occasion of the Francophonie Summit in October 2024, and the official visit to Viet Nam by NA President Alen Simonyan in November the same year. The countries have coordinated with and supported each other at multilateral forums and frameworks, including the United Nations and the Francophone community. Cooperation between the two parliaments have been maintained, particularly since the Viet Nam visit by the Armenian NA President. Previously, they had mainly held meetings on the sidelines of multilateral conferences and forums such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie (APF). The Armenian NA set up the Armenia Viet Nam Parliamentary Friendship Group in 2021. Economic, trade, and investment ties have also been promoted in recent years following the entry into force of the free trade agreement between Viet Nam and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) in 2016. Bilateral trade reached US$342 million in 2023 and approximated $500 million last year. During his trip, Chairman Man is scheduled to have talks and meetings with the top leaders of Armenia, received the head of the Armenia Viet Nam Parliamentary Friendship Group, attended a bilateral business forum, and visited some local cultural and economic establishments. The official visit is a demonstration of Viet Nams consistent policy of treasuring and promoting relations with the countries it has traditional friendship with, including Armenia. The two sides will also discuss measures for fostering parliamentary cooperation and facilitating bilateral partnerships, especially in economy, trade, investment, education, training, and culture. VNS HA NOI The Vietnamese People's Army rescue teams pulled out a total of four bodies from the debris caused by the 7.7-magnitude earthquake in Myanmar on Wednesday. According to the rescue teams, from 7am to 4.30pm on Wednesday (local time), the team organised three search and rescue units at Oattara Thiri Hospital in Nay Pyi Taw. A specialised team with compact equipment was deployed to coordinate with Turkish and Myanmar rescue teams, successfully rescuing a 26-year-old male chef who was trapped alive in the Aye Chan Thar Hotel in Nay Pyi Taw. From 3.30pm on Tuesday to 4.30pm on Wednesday, approximately 80 officers and professional soldiers, along with six search-and-rescue dogs, were deployed into three teams to search at two apartment buildings and a hospital in Nay Pyi Taw. They also cooperated with Myanmars rescue forces to locate two additional bodies and assisted five affected families in recovering valuable assets. The team also provided 40 tonnes of dry food to Myanmars Department of Disaster Management under the Ministry of Social Welfare and local authorities to support the affected population. The local weather is currently not favourable for for search and rescue operations, with outside temperatures reaching 39-40 degrees Celsius. On Wednesday morning, the team established a disaster relief team to provide medical examinations, treatment and free medications to local people. Warm support With most housing, electricity and water facilities destroyed in the earthquake, many locals in Naypyitaw have had to move to temporary shelters. Since the disaster, Taw Win Yadanar Schools yard in Zabuthiri Township has been converted into a temporary area for about 200 people, but facilities in the area remain limited. On Wednesday morning, a rescue team from the Vietnamese public security ministry set up two tents for displaced residents. Colonel Nguyen Minh Khuong, head of the rescue team, expressed hope that this support would provide care and compassion to locals and help alleviate some of their suffering. The Vietnamese medical team has also been conducting medical examinations and distributing medicines to people injured in the earthquake, which were met with gratitude and appreciation from the local people. Daw Maw Maw, a local resident, said: We have just gone through the earthquake, but over the past days, we have felt the kind support from the relief team of the Vietnamese public security ministry. They brought us medicine and food. VNS HA NOI The forthcoming visit to Viet Nam by the President of Burundi Evariste Ndayishimiye marks a historic milestone in bilateral relations, reaffirming both nations' commitment to expanding cooperation across politics, economy, trade, culture, and social affairs. In an interview with Viet Nam News Agency correspondents in Africa ahead of the April 3-6 visit, Vietnamese Ambassador to Tanzania and Burundi Vu Thanh Huyen highlighted the significance of the visit, which coincides with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two nations. She emphasised that the visit reflects both countries desire to deepen their partnership in multiple sectors. The ambassador recalled her recent meeting with the President during the credential presentation ceremony, in which the leader expressed high expectations for his Viet Nam visit. He emphasised cultural and ideological similarities between the two countries and suggested strengthening economic, trade, and investment exchanges. A standout success in bilateral cooperation is the US$200 million investment made by Viettel Group in Burundis telecom sector in 2014. Its subsidiary, Lumitel, has grown into the countrys top telecommunications provider, contributing substantially to the national budget, creating thousands of jobs, and supporting social welfare programmes. Burundian leaders have lauded Lumitel for its role in fostering Viet Nam-Burundi relations. Signalling its growing interest in deeper engagement, Viet Nam appointed an Honorary Consul in Burundi in 2024 to bolster economic, tourism, cultural, and people-to-people exchanges. Looking ahead, Huyen highlighted East Africa, particularly Burundi, as a promising market with immense investment and trade opportunities. With a strong demand for goods, the region aligns well with Viet Nams exports, including rice, textiles, footwear, electronics, and machinery. Meanwhile, Burundi, along with other parts of East Africa, can serve as vital suppliers of raw materials such as crude oil, agricultural products, minerals, and precious metals. Burundi, where agriculture remains the backbone of the economy, is advancing its modernisation efforts, while boosting the mining sector, particularly in gold, nickel, and rare earth minerals, and enhancing infrastructure to attract foreign investment. With the establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in 2021, trade between Viet Nam and Africa has been on the rise, and is set for further growth. Diplomatically, Burundi has actively engaged in global and regional organisations such as the United Nations, African Union, Non-Aligned Movement, Francophonie, and East African Community. Given these developments, President Ndayishimiyes visit is expected to be a catalyst for unlocking untapped cooperation potential, Huyen noted. VNA/VNS QUANG NINH King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium, along with representatives of leading Belgian businesses, visited Quang Ninh Province on Wednesday, showing the northern province continues to be a destination chosen by many investors from Belgium as well as the European Union (EU). King Philippe said he is impressed by Quang Ninhs socio-economic achievements, and recognised its great advantages and strong potential that provide cooperation opportunities for European nations, particularly Belgium. He pledged to connect Belgian businesses and investors with local peers, while promoting cooperation with Viet Nam in general and Quang Ninh in particular. The King urged Quang Ninh to create favourable conditions for Belgian businesses to explore cooperation and investment opportunities, particularly in logistics and port development. Secretary of the provincial Party Committee Vu ai Thang described the visit as a significant milestone in cooperation between Quang Ninh and Belgian businesses and localities, opening opportunities for the two sides to strengthen their comprehensive collaboration in the coming time. Thang affirmed that the province wishes to foster extensive and practical cooperation, particularly in Belgiums key sectors such as manufacturing and processing, pharmaceuticals and automotives, technology, industrial park infrastructure, seaports and logistics, renewable energy, digital transformation, innovation, green economy, high-tech agriculture, tourism, and education-training. He noted that in 2024, Quang Ninh attracted nearly US$2.9 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI), ranking among the top five provinces and cities in Viet Nam for FDI inflows. This year, the province aims to maintain its position as one of the countrys top destinations for foreign investment. On the same day, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde attended the inauguration of the DEEP C Service Complex at the Bac Tien Phong Industrial Park in Quang Yen township. Belgian investors, in partnership with local stakeholders, are currently implementing three key projects in Quang Ninh, including two major industrial infrastructure developments -- the Bac Tien Phong and Nam Tien Phong Industrial Parks. Covering nearly 1,700 hectares with a total investment exceeding $400 million, these parks are designed to follow eco-friendly and modern industrial models, aligning with both Vietnamese and EU standards. To date, the two IPs have lured close to $3 billion in investment. Quang Ninh is actively supporting land clearance, infrastructure development, and the attraction of secondary investment projects. VNA/VNS HA NOI Party General Secretary To Lam reaffirmed that Viet Nam always considers Russia one of its top priority partners in its foreign policy while receiving Russian Ambassador to Viet Nam Gennady Bezdetko in Ha Noi on Wednesday. Viet Nam wishes to maintain their good traditional relationship, thereby meeting the interests of both nations, and contributing to peace, cooperation, and development in the regions and the world, Lam stated. He emphasised that over the past period, based on this good traditional friendship, the Vietnam-Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has continuously developed, with political trust further strengthened through exchanges, contacts, and the effective implementation of cooperation mechanisms, and economic cooperation maintaining a growth momentum. To further enhance the effectiveness of bilateral cooperation, especially in 2025 on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations, the Party chief proposed both sides continue to step up high-level delegation exchanges, closely cooperate at multilateral forums, and effectively implement the Viet Nam-Eurasian Economic Union Free Trade Agreement. The two countries should also identify new directions, measures, and cooperation projects in areas such as defence and security, high technology, energy, nuclear power, basic sciences, and culture and arts. In the coming period, they need to focus on and make efforts to effectively implement bilateral agreements, and review and solve existing obstacles, thus expanding and creating breakthroughs for practical cooperation. Ambassador Gennady Bezdetko affirmed that Russia regards Viet Nam as a traditional and priority partner in the Asia-Pacific region and desires to strengthen the traditional friendship and effective cooperation in all areas of mutual interest. He committed to continuing to encourage relevant Russian agencies to closely cooperate with Vietnamese partners to further enhance and deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, adding that he personally, along with the Russian Embassy in Viet Nam, will make efforts to promote bilateral collaboration, especially in key areas such as defence and security, trade and investment, as well as new potential fields. VNS HAI PHONG King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium and a high-level delegation from the European country engaged in a series of activities in the northern port city of Hai Phong on Wednesday, as part of their ongoing state visit to Viet Nam. Hosting the royal guests, Chairman of the municipal Peoples Committee Nguyen Van Tung highlighted the flourishing friendship and cooperation between the city and the Belgian Embassy, as well as Belgian organisations and enterprises. He noted that the inh Vu Industrial Zone Joint Stock Company is the first and largest collaborative project between a consortium of Belgian companies and Hai Phong. This project has played a significant role in enhancing industrial infrastructure and attracting investment to the city, serving as a symbol of successful cooperation between Belgium and Viet Nam, particularly with Hai Phong. Tung said the Vietnamese government has approved the establishment of the citys southern coastal economic zone, which covers approximately 20,000 hectares and follows a green growth model. It will include a free trade zone with special incentives and policies, along with other key features. He expressed his hope that the King and Queen will continue to support the development of ties between Hai Phong, Viet Nam, and Belgium. He encouraged Belgian businesses to explore investment opportunities in the port city, notably in prioritised sectors such as green development and logistics, and assured that the authorities will create the most favourable conditions for investors to conduct fact-finding trips, assess the local investment climate, and seek business, trade, and tourism opportunities. The King pledged to continue efforts to strengthen cooperation with Hai Phng further following his visit and expressed his wish for the citys continued success. While in the locality, the monarchs also toured Cat Ba island, the VinFast automobile manufacturing plant, and Deep C industrial complex. VNS HA NOI Viet Nam always values its traditional friendship and multi-faceted collaboration with Belarus, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh told Belarusian Deputy Prime Minister Anatoly Sivak during their meeting in Ha Noi on Wednesday. To effectively harness their potential and strengths, PM Chinh suggested both sides continue to strengthen delegation exchanges, especially at the high level, and cooperate at multilateral forums. He also encouraged the two sides to make efforts to boost bilateral economic and trade relations, which are still modest compared to their potential and strengths, and create conditions for their businesses to enhance investment collaboration, and maintain the effectiveness of the Intergovernmental Committee. The two countries should promote cooperation in other areas, including security, defence, information technology, digital transformation, clean energy, industry, agriculture, education and culture, he said. Highlighting education-training as a traditional area of cooperation, Chinh stressed the necessity to increase scholarship exchanges, especially in fundamental sciences, arts, and training of high-quality human resources in fields that align with global development trends. He also urged both sides to promote cooperation in automobile production, agricultural machinery manufacturing, and railway transport development. Anatoly Sivak expressed his pleasure in leading the first-ever high-level Government delegation from Belarus to Viet Nam in his role as Deputy Prime Minister to attend the meeting of the bilateral Intergovernmental Committee and other important activities aimed at promoting cooperation between the two countries, particularly in the fields of economy-trade and science-technology. Belarus highly values Viet Nam's role in Southeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific region, he stated, adding that his countrys high-ranking leaders are interested in and eager to promote cooperation with Viet Nam in various fields, for the sustainable development and practical benefits of the countries' people. VNS MOSCOW Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son held talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow on Wednesday as part of his official visit to the European country from April 2-4. The Vietnamese official stated that Viet Nam consistently regards Russia as one of its top strategic and trusted partners in its foreign policy. Meanwhile, Lavrov affirmed that Viet Nam is a priority partner in Russia's foreign policy in the Asia-Pacific region. The two ministers praised the continued dynamic development of the Viet Nam-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership across all sectors. Political relations have been further consolidated with a high level of trust and regular exchanges of delegations at all levels. Economic and trade ties have returned to a positive growth trajectory. Both sides agreed to further promote all-level delegation exchanges across Party, State, parliamentary, and people-to-people diplomacy channels. They said it is important to further strengthen cooperation between the two foreign ministries and expand the countries collaboration in such sectors as energy, transport infrastructure, logistics, science-technology, agriculture, biomedical science, culture, tourism, and education-training. The ministers also agreed upon promoting the role of the free trade agreement between Viet Nam and the Eurasian Economic Union, focusing on implementing key projects and developing new initiatives to make economic, trade, and investment cooperation a pillar of the Viet Nam-Russia partnership. Son requested Russias continued support for the Vietnamese community in the country, ensuring their stable living, studying, and working conditions. He also proposed that the nation consider visa exemptions for Vietnamese citizens holding ordinary passports. He noted that Viet Nam highly values Russias role and contributions in multilateral organisations and agrees to enhance coordination in key international forums, including the United Nations (UN), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and BRICS as well as in response to non-traditional security challenges. Both sides agreed to uphold international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), to maintain peace, security, stability, and cooperation in the region. Following the talks, the two ministers held a press conference to announce the outcomes. Earlier the same day in the Russian capital, Son laid flowers at the statue of late President Ho Chi Minh, placed a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers, and met with representatives of the Vietnamese community. VNA/VNS YEREVAN Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly Tran Thanh Man visited the TUMO Centre for Creative Technologies a free-of-charge educational centre that helps young people in Armenia learn and enhance their skills by their own, during his official visit to the West Asian nation on April 2. Man and the NA delegation were introduced to the centre, where training programmes are conducted through self-learning, workshops, and project experiments with 14 learning targets. Through a unique blend of exploration, self-study, practical workshops, and expert-led labs, young people develop practical skills in areas ranging from programming and robotics to music, graphic design, and others. To date, TUMO has expanded its networks with centres in several cities around the world. Armenia is currently building 16 fully equipped TUMO Centres in major cities and has set up 110 "TUMO Boxes" compact, high-tech learning spaces for young people in remote areas. In June, TUMO plans to launch its first centre in Asia, located in Japan. Speaking highly of the TUMO model, the top legislator of Viet Nam required Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha to direct the consideration of establishing similar creative technology centres in Viet Nam, based on this model, to create an educational environment that helps Vietnamese youth promote self-learning and enhance their skills, particularly in science and technology, innovation, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation. This is considered one of the essential conditions for training digital human resources in a new era, the era of the nations rise, he stressed. VNA/VNS HA NOI Airfares to local tourist destinations have surged one month ahead of the national holiday from April 30 to May 4, with many peak-time flights sold out. Online flight booking platforms show that one-way tickets for the Ha Noi-Phu Quoc route during April 29May 4 range from VN2.1 million to VN4.6 million (US$80-180). For direct flights from the island to the capital city, passengers are expected to pay between VN4.1 million and VN6.3 million ($160-245), but limited seats are available. Passengers can also opt to transit in HCM City. Tickets from Ha Noi to the coastal city of Nha Trang can cost between VN1.9 million to VN3.8 million per flight ($75-150). No more seats are available on direct flights returning to the capital city with national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines, but passengers still have the option to fly business with Bamboo Airways or economy with Vietjet Air. Meanwhile, most Ha Noi-a Nang flights with Vietnam Airlines during convenient hours, between 9am to 6.20pm, are sold out. Economy seats on Vietjet Air and Bamboo Airways are available from VN1.9 million. Meanwhile, fares for return flights can cost between VN2 million and VN2.5 million ($78-97). In response to the increasing travel demands, local airlines plan to increase the number of domestic flights by 24 per cent to more than 7,500 flights, equivalent to 1.5 million seats during the five-day holiday. For flights between Viet Nams capital city Ha Noi and its largest economic hub HCM City, more than 1,200 flights have been added. Price fluctuations Fuel costs account for approximately 30-40 per cent of the airfare structure. The current aviation fuel prices average about US$89 per barrel, approximately 10.5 per cent lower than the same period last year. A representative from the Civil Aviation Authority of Viet Nam (CAAV) said: Lower aviation fuel prices, and the positive pace in the strong recovery of the global air transport market, should lead to more affordable airfares in 2025. However, political and economic changes can affect the airlines international flight plans, which in turn result in fluctuations in airfares. The CAAV representative added: Civil aviation is heavily influenced by market factors and seasonality. This is especially true for Viet Nams air travel market and domestic flight routes during peak holiday seasons. There are high demands during these periods, but the number of available seats on Vietnamese airlines is limited by fleet size and operational conditions, causing ticket prices to be higher than usual at certain times and on certain routes. To regulate the market, the CAAV has taken measures to balance supply and demand on domestic routes and support airlines in enhancing their operational capacity. The state agency also continues to monitor the number of bookings and price trends from airlines during peak periods to develop appropriate operational plans, and coordinate with relevant departments to ensure smooth operations and reduce inconveniences for passengers. VNS HA NOI Behind the scenes of the healthcare system, hospital social workers quietly bridge the gap between medical treatment and patients' financial realities, making the difference between life and death for those who cannot afford care. Nguyen Thi Cuc, a social worker at the National Children's Hospital 1, has helped hundreds of families navigate the financial barriers to healthcare over the past six years. "I saw parents collapse in hallways when doctors told them their child needed surgery they couldn't possibly pay for," Cuc said. "That helplessness became my motivation." One recent case that exemplifies is that of two-year-old P.T.M, who was born without an anus and requires a colostomy. During a routine check-up earlier this year, doctors discovered the child also suffered from a severe congenital heart condition, giving her only days to live without surgery. The child's parents, who earn approximately US$8 daily selling lottery tickets, faced an impossible financial barrier. "The doctors said my child needed heart surgery immediately, costing around $2,000," the mother said. "We couldn't afford daily meals, let alone that amount of money. I thought about taking her home to die." Cuc and her team rushed to help, mobilising their network of donors and charitable organisations to secure the necessary funds within days. The surgery succeeded and the child was home a few months later. "It's not easy to find donors immediately, especially in urgent cases, but we never stop trying," Cuc said. Fifteen-year-old Trinh Le Van represents another success story in Cuc's extensive portfolio of saved patients. Born with congenital pulmonary valve disease, her condition deteriorated significantly in 2024 when doctors discovered her enlarged ventricle had reduced heart function, requiring immediate surgery. The estimated costs of $23,000 represented an insurmountable barrier for her family. Her father said: "We had already exhausted our savings on her previous treatments. There was nothing left we could do on our own." Cuc intervened, working around the clock to contact potential donors. She went through every possible channel, making countless calls and visits. Within days, she had secured the full amount needed for Van's surgery. "The job is tough, emotionally and physically, but seeing children return to health and families regain hope is worth every struggle," Cuc said. At Cho Ray Hospital, Social Work Department Director Le Minh Hien recounted the case of Danh Van, a 30-year-old man with a rare blood clotting disorder. The condition required specialised medication costing $55,000, far beyond his means even after selling his home. "Without proper medication, he faced certain amputation from uncontrolled bleeding," Hien explained. The social work team mobilised their networks, raising $43,000 within 45 days through public appeals. Van's successful treatment exemplifies how social workers complement medical care. "Doctors treat the body, but we address the suffering that comes with medical poverty," Hien said. "We complete the healthcare picture." The director also highlighted how support funds sometimes come from unexpected sources. He shared the story of a patient bitten by a king cobra who required emergency treatment costing $31,000. "The family couldn't afford the treatment, so we mobilised our networks to cover the costs," Hien said. "Upon recovery, the patient donated the remaining $3,300 from his treatment fund to the social work department. "This shows that charity is not limited to the wealthy. Even those with modest means can contribute significantly." The Social Work Department at the National Children's Hospital 1 supported nearly 2,200 cases in 2024, distributing approximately $1 million in financial assistance and $250,000 for patient family living expenses. Since 2016, when Viet Nam established March 25 as National Social Work Day, more than one-ninth of hospitals in the country have established Social Work Departments, employing about 1,600 full-time workers and 6,000 volunteers. "These workers have assisted over one billion patient visits, addressing both immediate needs and systemic healthcare challenges," said Ha Anh uc, Director of the Medical Service Administration under the Ministry of Health. Truong Huu Khanh, former Social Work Department Director at National Children's Hospital 1, emphasised expanding support for specific medical needs. "We're establishing a rare disease fund and developing programmes for neurological conditions and organ transplants," Khanh said. "Our goal is comprehensive care that addresses both medical and social determinants of health." The social workers' dedication reflects a broader commitment to healthcare equity in Viet Nam. Their work ensures that financial limitations never stand between a patient and necessary treatment, creating a healthcare system that serves all citizens regardless of economic status. Cuc said: "We may work behind the scenes but our impact is felt on the front lines of healthcare every day." VNS HA NOI The Ministry of Home Affairs has proposed that local authorities provide public housing for officials relocated as a result of the upcoming merger of administrative units. The proposal is part of a draft resolution by the National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee on the reorganisation of administrative units, prepared by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The draft also recommends that provincial governments be responsible for compiling inventories and managing the headquarters and public assets of district- and commune-level administrative units under their jurisdiction. Central agencies with subordinate units located in areas affected by the merger are required to draw up lists and submit plans for handling their respective headquarters and public assets. Any assets deemed surplus to requirements would be transferred to provincial authorities for management and use. Within five years of the National Assemblys resolution on restructuring provincial-level administrative units, and the NA Standing Committees resolution on commune-level units taking effect, localities must complete the reorganisation and asset management process. Local governments where new administrative units will be based would be responsible for ensuring adequate public housing for officials from the former units, providing them with convenient accommodation. National Assembly deputy Nguyen Thi Viet Nga of Hai Duong Province noted that the merging of provinces would inevitably cause disruptions for many officials, as not all would be fortunate enough to live near the new administrative centres. She pointed out that many may face lengthy commutes to the new headquarters and suggested leveraging information technology to enable remote working and performance-based management. Nga also recommended expanding public bus systems to support officials with long travel distances. She voiced her support for the Ministrys proposal on public housing, citing a Vietnamese proverb that underscores the importance of stable housing as a foundation for professional success. Officials with stable housing will be more focused on their work, leading to higher productivity, Nga said. VNS QUANG NAM The Quang Nam Provincial Traffic Police Department said they have fined two South Korean nationals for riding large-displacement motorcycles without using their hands on the handlebars, along the coastal road in central Viet Nam. On March 30, the provincial traffic police discovered a video posted on Facebook showing two men riding touring bikes without holding the handlebars while travelling through Quang Nam. After identifying those involved, the police immediately dispatched a task force to coordinate with local authorities to verify the information. They worked with both the vehicle operators and the owners to gather further details. According to the investigation, at 4.16 pm on March 29, R.Y, a 43-year-old South Korean national, was seen riding a motorcycle with licence plate 43A1-029.20 without using his hands on Vo Chi Cong Road in Binh Sa Commune, Thang Binh District. The motorcycle was registered to N.N.P.T, a Vietnamese resident of Thanh Khe District, a Nang City. On March 29, T had lent the motorcycle to R.Y for a trip from a Nang to Quang Nam. Later the same day, at 4.18pm on March 29, B.D, another 43-year-old South Korean national, was also recorded riding a motorcycle without using his hands on Vo Chi Cong Road. He was operating a motorcycle with licence plate 43A1-035.52. The owner of this vehicle was H.T.P, a Vietnamese resident of Cam Le District, a Nang. On March 29, P had also lent the motorcycle to B.D for a trip from a Nang to Quang Nam. Based on the collected evidence and documents, the traffic police issued administrative violation records for both foreigners. They were fined for riding a motorcycle without using their hands, an offence defined under Point A, Clause 11, Article 7 of Government Decree 168/2024. The traffic police are continuing their investigation, gathering further evidence and completing the necessary case files. VNS QUANG TRI Vice Chairman of the Quang Tri Peoples Committee Hoang Nam on Wednesday received US Ambassador Marc Evans Knapper, as part of the latters working visit to the north central province, one of the countrys most heavily war-impacted localities. At the meeting, Nam expressed gratitude to the US government for its support for Viet Nam in addressing war legacies, particularly through funding bomb and mine clearance programmes in Quang Tri. He urged the diplomat to advocate for greater efforts in locating information on US servicemen missing in action (MIA) in Viet Nam while also strengthening cooperation in providing information and assistance in searching for the remains of missing Vietnamese soldiers. In addition, he called on the US to continue funding mine clearance projects through international non-governmental organisations to help the province achieve its goal of becoming mine-safe this year. Knapper affirmed the US government will further assist Viet Nam, especially Quang Tri, in overcoming the consequences of war, based on the principles of being honest about the past and looking toward a prosperous future. As part of the visit, the US delegation and another led by Deputy Foreign Minister o Hung Viet toured war consequence remediation efforts in Huong Hoa District. They observed the controlled detonation of cluster munitions in Huong Linh Commune, conducted by PeaceTrees Vietnam, and heard reports on US-funded mine clearance programmes in Quang Tri. They also visited an ongoing search site for US MIAs in Cop hamlet, Huong Phung Commune. VNS SEOUL The Korea Music Copyright Association recently implemented a procedure for registering a new song, requiring songwriters to verify that they did not use artificial intelligence, reaffirming its stance that AI-generated music cannot be copyrighted. The new measure, which went into effect on March 24, mandates songwriters to confirm they have 100 percent contributed to writing the song without using AI. The KMCA confirmed that the criteria for not using AI does refer to 0 per cent contribution. (Songwriters) are consenting to taking legal liability for any civic or criminal legal proceedings that may accompany false registration, the group said, saying those who do not consent will have their registration put on hold. If a song that was registered as not having used AI later is found to have used it, the group said it can implement measures such as postponing royalty payments or cancelling the registration. The KMCA is the largest copyrights group in the country, entrusted with handling the commercial use of the music registered by over 50,000 members. The group said the new measure is in response to the possible legal issues related to AI-generated songs. Its stance has been that songs used completely by AI cannot be copyrighted, demonstrated by the group in 2022 canceling royalty payments for six songs written by AI songwriter EvoM. The new limitations cover all songs with AI input, but it could change. The KMCA is still mulling how to deal with AI-assisted songs, referring to cases in which songwriters used AI tools for assistance in songwriting such as coming up with a topic, title, or composing a part of the melody or riff. The group said such cases have been recognised as creative content outside of Korea, and said will hold hearings and research to devise a system for the AI-assisted songs. Songs and other creative content written with AI technology has been a topic of fierce discussion across the world, with increasing number of content using AI to a varying degree being released and performed by popular artists. Copyright and Artificial Intelligence Part 2: Copyrightability by the US Copyrights Office, published in January, said that some forms of AI-generated content can receive copyright protection as long as a human substantially contributed to the content. It clarified that human creativity should remain central to copyright law and intellectual property rights, simple use of AI does not disqualify a creative work from being copyrighted. For AI-assisted work to be copyrighted, a humans contribution should be sufficiently expressive and creative, significantly modify or arrange the AI-generated material, or be in a form in which a human-created content is incorporated into AI output. Editing images or music, generating rough drafts, or assisting the human-led production of the content are acceptable input of the AI in the copyrightable works, according to the US office. The Korea Herald/ANN Vietnam is transitioning from traditional sectors to high-end electronics and smart manufacturing, Photo: Shutterstock At last weeks conference on intelligent manufacturing industry collaboration in Hanoi, experts and Chinese businesses praised the status of Vietnam as an attractive destination for foreign investors and an important link in the global supply chain. The cooperation between Vietnamese and Chinese enterprises in developing the supply chain welcomes great opportunities. More businesses with smart, digital devices will contribute to upgrading Vietnams manufacturing industry, together welcoming the huge chance to restructure the global industrial chain, said Wu Lang Wen, CEO of media organisation Sunrise Big Data. The data asserts that Vietnam is transforming from the traditional textile and footwear industry to the high-end electronics and smart manufacturing industry, Wen added. Last year, Vietnams total import-export turnover reached $786.3 billion, up 15.4 per cent on year. In terms of exports alone, in 2024, there were 37 items with an export turnover of over $1 billion, accounting for 94 per cent of total export turnover. According to Sunrise Big Data, the number of Chinese-listed companies in Vietnam is increasing rapidly, which will be more than 350 manufacturing facilities by the end of 2025. Chinese enterprises moving to Vietnam are gradually shifting from labour-intensive industries such as household appliances, textiles, footwear, and toys, with the move of Samsung and LG out of China, followed by the shift of the entire supply chain. Meanwhile Chen Hui, deputy general director of vehicle maker Chery Vietnam, said that, as one of the important strategic points in Southeast Asia, Vietnam is becoming a key link in its globalisation strategy. Particularly, while the global supply chain is restructuring strongly now, seizing new opportunities for the Vietnamese manufacturing industry and strengthening cooperation in the industry chain has become a special interest of Chinese businesses, he said. Brand automobile manufacturer Omoda & Jaecoo, a joint venture between Geleximco Group and Chery International, is building a factory in Hung Phu Industrial Park in the northern province of Thai Binh. With a capacity of 200,000 units per year, the factory will produce Omoda and Jaecoo car models. The construction will be carried out in three phases, with a total investment estimated at more than $800 million. The first phase is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2026. Chery has identified Vietnam as the main vehicle manufacturing centre of Southeast Asia, Hui added. We choose very capable partners and a destination with great potential to build a factory. Another vehicle manufacturer, Geely, also chose Vietnam to set up a factory. At the end of 2024, Tasco Auto and Geely signed documents related to the assembly and distribution of Geely brands in Vietnam, as well as building an assembly plant in Thai Binh province. The annual factorys capacity will be 75,000 vehicles in the first phase, with investment of about $168 million. Construction of the plant is expected to begin this year, and the first vehicle will be delivered in 2026. Seeing the trend of high-tech manufacturing supply chain development increasingly moving to Vietnam, Andrew Stuart Cunane, senior sales manager at NanoFilm Technologies Vietnam, said that the company is planning to expand production capacity, add production lines, and optimise manufacturing processes to meet global market demand. We will strengthen local cooperation with original equipment manufacturers and tech companies, empower Vietnams manufacturing industry, encourage innovation, train people, and optimise supply chains, contributing to making Vietnam a global optical manufacturing centre with some core and unique technologies like microlens array, five-axis diamond turning, and micro-optics, he said. Wang Li, CEO of investment consultants 1Station Vietnam, stated that more and more Chinese electrical manufacturers are interested in Vietnam as the supply chains of big giants like Apple, Samsung, Dell, HP are in the country. This contributes significantly to enhancing the quality of supply chains and vendors in Vietnam, Li said. However, Li also raised some concerns from investors. The trend clear, but this year there have been some problems in terms of possible tariffs from the United States, difficulties in hiring workers in some provinces, and the increase in the cost of both land and labour, he said. Experts said Vietnam should shift to more efficient smart production to gain a more favourable position in the global value chains. Wen from Sunrise Big Data pointed out the problem in Vietnams current industrial chains that the capacity to support domestic supply chains is still weak, so businesses in the chain have to import raw materials and accessories from abroad. This not only increases the cost of businesses but also reduces the flexibility and stability of the supply chain, he said. Vietnam needs to localise supply chain services, research and develop new materials, and adapt advanced technologies. He also recommended that Vietnamese businesses boost cooperation with supply chain enterprises from China, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan to upgrade smart production chains, especially those associated with semiconductors and AI digitalisation. Smart manufacturing to be based on 5G technology The integration of 5G technology with AI-driven automation is regarded as the key to unlocking next-generation smart manufacturing, delivering a groundbreaking leap forward for Vietnams industrial sector. The deal reflects a strategic shift from project-based engagement to a long-term alliance between the two firms, aimed at accelerating the adoption of AI-driven solutions, enhancing operational efficiency, and improving patient care. As part of the agreement, FPT will become a channel partner for GE HealthCare, promoting and delivering GE HealthCares digital solutions in Vietnam and throughout its countrywide network. FPT also intends to collaborate with GE HealthCares Science and Technology Office and its affiliates to co-develop new digital products and further develop GE HealthCares existing solutions. A key highlight of the partnership is the establishment of an FPT Competency Centre in Vietnam. The centre will provide dedicated resources to support product strategy, innovation, portfolio planning, development, and customer onboarding. It will also play a critical role in change management by delivering support services and annual maintenance, ensuring seamless integration and operation in GE HealthCares digital ecosystem. "As a digital transformation enabler, FPT can co-develop cutting-edge healthcare solutions with GE HealthCare. With nearly two decades of experience delivering solutions to healthcare providers, we see immense opportunities to harness AI to transform the industry, enhance efficiency, and drive smarter decision-making. The establishment of the FPT Competency Centre will further accelerate the development of AI-powered solutions, supporting GE HealthCares mission of creating a healthier future for all," said Pham Minh Tuan, CEO of FPT Software and executive vice president of FPT Corporation. "GE HealthCare is committed to transforming healthcare through digital innovation. Our partnership with FPT allows us to accelerate the adoption of AI-driven solutions that improve hospital operations, enhance patient care, and optimise medical workflows. Together, we are building a smarter, more connected healthcare ecosystem that empowers healthcare providers, improves patient outcomes and increases access to care worldwide," said Mark Stoesz, president of Enterprise Solutions and Partnerships for the International Market at GE HealthCare. FPT boasts nearly 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry. The company has been a trusted partner of global leading healthcare providers, facilitating their journey towards operational excellence and enhanced patient care. FPT is among a few technology firms in Southeast Asia to attain crucial certifications aligned with global standards, including HITRUST, HIPAA, ISO 90001, ISO 13485, HL7, and DICOM. GE HealthCare's 30-year journey to transform Vietnam's healthcare sector During its 30 years of operation in Vietnam, GE HealthCare has played an active role in closing the care gaps, thereby contributing to the sector's sustainable future. GE HealthCare brings healthcare solutions to science congress On August 26, GE HealthCare launched cutting-edge technologies designed to enhance diagnostic and treatment efficiency for physicians in diagnostic imaging. This initiative underscores the power of collaboration and GreenYellow Vietnam's shared commitment to driving sustainability and innovation in the manufacturing sector. TAL Apparel Limited, established in 1947 in Hong Kong, is one of the largest garment operations in the world, renowned for its superior quality, functionality, and sustainability. TAL has consistently demonstrated its dedication to embedding sustainability across its operations, supply chain, and product offerings. This rooftop solar project is a testament to TALs unwavering commitment to a greener future and its leadership in sustainable manufacturing. It also marks a key milestone in the companys efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and achieve its science-based target. In partnership with GreenYellow Vietnam, an expert in decentralised photovoltaic production, TAL Apparel is making significant strides towards sustainability by installing 4.39 MW of rooftop solar power across its two factories in Vietnam TAV Apparel Limited and Vietnam Garments. The 1.89 MW rooftop solar system at TAV Limited is already operational, generating an estimated 2,016 MWh annually and helping to avoid approximately 1,621 tCO per year - equivalent to planting over 26,000 trees annually. This installation alone contributes to a 14 per cent reduction in the factorys GHG emissions. Meanwhile, Vietnam Garments has recently broken ground on a 2.5 MW rooftop solar system, which is expected to cut GHG emissions by 11 per cent. Collectively, these initiatives will contribute to an 8 per cent reduction in TAL Apparels total GHG emissions, reinforcing the companys commitment to a more sustainable and responsible future for the fashion industry. Nguyen Xuan Thang, general director of GreenYellow Vietnam, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, saying, We are proud to partner with TAL Apparel, a company that shares our vision for a sustainable future. Beyond rooftop solar projects like this one, we also offer comprehensive solutions in energy efficiency improvement and energy storage, helping our clients to accelerate their transition to cleaner energy. By harnessing renewable energy, we are reducing our carbon footprint and paving the way for a sustainable future for generations to come, Vu Kim Thanh, head of the Regional Chinese Desk at GreenYellow Asia, noted. Delman Lee, vice chair of TAL Apparel Limited, added, At TAL, sustainability is a core value driver. Installing rooftop solar in partnership with GreenYellow Vietnam is a significant step on our journey towards achieving our science-based target and fulfilling our commitment to the Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action. This investment ensures TAL Apparel is doing its part to reduce emissions and support the fashion industrys net-zero future. The rooftop solar project is a shining example of how businesses can integrate sustainability into their operations while maintaining efficiency and innovation. GreenYellow Vietnam remains committed to supporting its partners in achieving their sustainability goals through cutting-edge renewable energy solutions. GreenYellow partners with Relifoods to enhance energy efficiency with new compressors Turnkey energy solutions provider GreenYellow announced the installation of compressors at Relifoods JSC.s frozen goods production line. GreenYellow and LOTTE Mart partner on sustainable energy in retail In November, GreenYellow announced the signing of leasing and maintenance agreements in Vietnam with LOTTE Mart, a subsidiary of the Korean LOTTE Group. Vietnamese real estate company Gateway Thu Thiem JSC (GWTT) purchased the stake, unlocking total cash proceeds of VND2,612 billion (about $104 million). The proceeds include a cash consideration of VND1.702 triillion (about $68 million) for the 42 per cent equity stake, taking into account the adjusted net asset value of Keppels stake as of March 4 based on the agreed value of the Palm City development attributable to the shares. According to Louis Lim, CEO of Real Estate at Keppel Ltd., the divestment from Palm City is another step forward in Keppels ambitious plan to monetise a cumulative S$10-S$12 billion ($7.4 to $8.9 billion) in assets by the end of 2026. This move demonstrates Keppels continued execution of our asset light strategy despite the challenging market. Since embarking on our asset monetisation programme in October 2020, we have announced the unlocking of about S$7.1 billion ($5.3 billion) in assets from our balance sheet, excluding businesses such as Offshore & Marine, said Lim. In connection with the divestment, Keppel has also assigned 840,000 bonds issued by SRC to GWTT for a consideration of VND910 billion (about $36.4 million), which is equivalent to the face value of the bonds and accumulated bond interest up to March 31. Palm City is a 30-hectare integrated township located in District 2 of Ho Chi Minh City. The first two residential phases, Palm Residence and Palm Heights, were completed and handed over in 2017 and 2019, respectively. There are four remaining plots in the project two residential plots, a mixed-use plot, and a medical plot. Palm City project in Ho Chi Minh City developed by Keppel. Photo: Trong Tin Over the years, Keppel has recognised cumulative profits after tax of approximately S$24.6 million ($18.3 million) from the sales of residential units at Palm City, prior to the divestment. The divestment, which was completed in March, will result in a net divestment profit of approximately S$55 million ($40.9 million) for Keppel. The transaction is not expected to have any material impact on earnings per share or net tangible assets per share for Keppel this financial year. Keppel Ltd is a global asset manager and operator with strong expertise in sustainability-related solutions spanning infrastructure, real estate, and connectivity. Headquartered in Singapore, Keppel operates in more than 20 countries worldwide, providing critical infrastructure and services for renewables, clean energy, decarbonisation, sustainable urban renewal, and digital connectivity. Keppel creates value for investors and stakeholders through its quality investment platforms and diverse asset portfolios, including private funds and listed real estate and business trusts. Keppel effectively collaborates with local partners Speaking at the 2024 Vietnam M&A Forum hosted by VIR on November 27 in Ho Chi Minh City, Lee Leong Seng, head of property development at Keppel Vietnam, emphasised that now is the ideal time for global companies to collaborate with local businesses to create high-quality real estate products. Keppel aims to expand business in Vietnam Singaporean giant Keppel Group plans to expand its investment in Vietnam in the near future. BCG Land and Keppel collaborate to elevate urban living On December 9, BCG Land JSC, a member of Bamboo Capital Group and Keppel Mall Management Co., Ltd. (Keppel), a subsidiary of Keppel Ltd, entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for cooperation in the retail sector. Five cities eye globally attractive consumption 08:37, April 02, 2025 By Zhu Wenqian ( China Daily China will accelerate the transformation of five major cities Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou in Guangdong province, Tianjin, and Chongqing into global consumption centers on par with New York and London, and create globally attractive retail environments, as part of the country's latest moves to boost consumption. The document, formulated by the Ministry of Commerce, said China aims to expand domestic demand further and promote high-standard opening-up. The country will actively promote the debut economy by supporting high-quality domestic and foreign brands to launch new products and exhibitions, and providing Customs clearance convenience for new imported products. The government will support the holding of events such as fashion weeks and car expos in these five cities. It will also work to attract high-quality global brands to launch their first stores, establish research and development design centers as well as regional headquarters, the document said. It is critical to adapt to local conditions for developing the debut economy. Shanghai has been doing well in attracting debuts of global brands in China and launching pop-up stores, the ministry said. In the recently delivered Government Work Report, boosting consumption was listed as a top priority among this year's tasks. As part of measures to build global consumption centers, China plans to further expand its unilateral visa-free entry policy in an orderly manner, and better leverage the role of tax refund stores and tax refund policies by opening more such stores and optimizing tax refund procedures for overseas visitors. Since late 2023, China has launched unilateral visa-free policies for multiple countries, encouraging more overseas travelers to visit the nation. Last year, the number of inbound foreign visitors in the above-mentioned five cities doubled the 2023 figures, said the National Immigration Administration. "In those five cities, the number of tax refund stores for overseas visitors accounted for 60 percent in the country last year, and total sales made up for over 70 percent of the value nationwide," said Li Gang, director-general of the department of market operation and consumption promotion of the Ministry of Commerce, during a news conference earlier in Beijing. Besides trendy products, foreign tourists have also favored domestic time-honored brands and specialty products. Tong Ren Tang, a venerable traditional Chinese medicine pharmacy, has seen a growing number of foreign visitors take advantage of tax refund procedures at its stores in the Qianmen area of Beijing, and the products they buy mainly include traditional Chinese patent medicines and medicinal materials. Compared to overseas metropolises, there is still a gap between China and developed countries. The government will guide the building of a group of featured commercial complexes, and encourage sales of more domestic trendy products at tax refund stores, the ministry said. In addition, China plans to organize various large-scale consumption promotion activities, support the hosting of more high-level international sporting events and performances, and increase the supply of high-quality services. In late March, the 2025 Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix took place in Shanghai, attracting fans from home and abroad. The guideline noted that China plans to hold more motor racing events, foster new consumption scenarios such as recreational vehicle camping, and further expand the aftermarket consumption of automobiles. Meanwhile, China will encourage the innovative growth of the cruise market and low-altitude tourism. The country will also promote the application of technologies such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and big data in the consumption market, and accelerate the promotion of smart home appliances, new energy vehicles and other smart products, the document said. In the first two months, total retail sales of consumer goods in China reached 8.37 trillion yuan ($1.15 trillion), up 4 percent year-on-year, with the growth rate 0.5 percentage point higher than the whole year figure last year, the ministry said. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) Ngo Thanh Hai, lawyer, LNT & Partners These reductions in the deal (EVFTA) create new opportunities for European Union pharma companies, as they can take advantage of lower import tariffs to increase their competitiveness in the Vietnamese market. With this tariff reduction strategy, Vietnam aims to build a more open and efficient market. However, its commitments to eliminate or reduce tariffs have not yet had a significant impact. Only 71 per cent of pharmaceutical and medicinal materials have had their tariffs eliminated, and the remaining imported products must undergo a lengthy tariff reduction process, while the tariffs before being reduced are already at the low level, with the current standard most favoured nation tariff rate at 58 per cent. Nevertheless, foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs) are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the roadmap and procedures for tariff reduction in order to seize opportunities and enhance the price competitiveness of their products. The tariff commitments under the EVFTA have had a positive impact on pharmaceutical imports in Vietnam. In December 2024, related import turnover reached $518.17 million, a sharp increase of 68.6 per cent compared to November and 77.3 per cent compared to December 2023. Overall, in 2024, pharma imports totalled nearly $4.4 billion and 27.9 per cent higher from 2023. The main pharmaceutical exporters to Vietnam are EU countries, highlighting the significant impact of the EVFTA and its tariff reduction provisions in facilitating such imports from the EU into the Vietnamese market. As the European Union is the largest source of pharmaceuticals and medicinal materials for Vietnam, the agreement has introduced various commitments that are expected to shape the future of the industry. This also poses a challenge for Vietnamese law in terms of implementing changes and amending legal documents to meet these international commitments. Regarding business rights, the EVFTA facilitates greater foreign investment in Vietnams pharmaceutical market. The agreement specifically addresses the rights of FIEs to import pharma products into Vietnam. While this aligns with Vietnams commitments under the World Trade Organization, the deal clarifies and resolves ambiguities in previous interpretations of those commitments. However, this commitment does not introduce any significant differences compared to Vietnams commitments and still contains restrictions on business rights by limiting the FIEs distribution rights. The 2024 amendment to Vietnams pharmaceutical law provides clear provisions allowing FIEs to engage in activities such as contract manufacturing, technology transfer, and transportation of products to wholesalers warehouses. These activities are no longer considered part of the distribution process, improving clarity and making it easier for EU companies to participate in the Vietnamese market. This change helps eliminate previous confusion in the regulations and removes ambiguous provisions. As a result, the amended law strengthens the position of EU pharma firms in Vietnam, encouraging more investment in the country. However, after five years of implementation, the business rights of FIEs remain significantly restricted, particularly due to limitations on their commercial activities and the lack of a clear and specific legal framework for the distribution and logistics of pharmaceutical products and materials. Currently, if FIEs that outsource drug manufacturing can only sell contract-manufactured products to other wholesalers, it is considered to make no difference from those directly imported by them. As a result, this rights expansion does not provide substantial value and fails to encourage FIEs, especially multinational corporations, to bring innovative drugs and original brand-name pharmaceuticals to Vietnam for local manufacturing or contract manufacturing with technology transfer. The EVFTA also includes important provisions related to intellectual property, which are particularly significant for pharmaceutical products. Under the agreement, Vietnam has committed to extending data exclusivity protections for products originating from the EU. This means that companies will have exclusive rights to their product data, preventing competitors from using the same data to gain market approval for similar products during a set period. In cases where there are delays in the issuance of pharmaceutical licences, the EVFTA ensures that the period of patent protection may be extended, providing additional time for patent holders to maintain their exclusive rights. The 2022 amendment to Vietnams Intellectual Property Law introduced compensation measures for patent owners in cases where the competent authority delays the issuance of licences. Although this law provides monetary compensation, the EVFTA also guarantees patent term restoration based on time delays, a measure that Vietnam may need to further incorporate into its intellectual property regulations for full compliance with the agreement. Noticeably, Article 42 of Decree No.65/2023/ND-CP gives specific guidelines, indicating that if the product is under more than one trademark patent, the total fee applied will be removed if there is any delay in the given process. With many amendments to the Law on Pharmacy going to take effect, showing Vietnams efforts to meet align the local rules with international standards and to improve the business climate, new fresh opportunities will come. However, to enable the country to obtain its ambition of a high-value pharma manufacturing hub in the region by 2030, additional enhancements are in need to be done in the upcoming time. Pharma law upgrades will improve effectiveness The ratification of the law amending and supplementing several articles of the Law on Pharmacy 2016 at the end of November is significant and positive news for the healthcare sector. It is expected to address key shortcomings of the current law while incorporating best practices successfully implemented in other countries. Turning point created for pharma firms in law changes Amendments to the Law on Pharmacy are receiving strong support from the business community, expecting to create a more powerful legal system for the local market. In early March, Sembcorp held the groundbreaking ceremony for Sembcorp Logistics Park Dinh Vu in Haiphong. How does this latest project serve the demand for industrial real estate in the north, and Haiphong specifically? James Ng, director of Sembcorp Infra Services Location is key to meeting tenant needs by optimising operations, reducing logistics costs, and improving efficiency. We have already established four other ready-built facilities in Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park (VSIP) Haiphong. Sembcorp Logistics Park Dinh Vu is located within Dinh Vu IP, offering direct access to Chinas supply chain, Dinh Vu port, and Lach Huyen deepsea port. As part of Dinh Vu-Cat Hai Economic Zone, the park benefits from government tax incentives, making it a prime option for enterprises. The governments ongoing investment in infrastructure, including road, rail, air, and water transport, supports investment growth in northern Vietnam. Haiphong ranked second nationwide for attracting foreign direct investment in 2024. With such an increase, we plan to expand our facilities in the region. How does Sembcorp Logistics Park Dinh Vu facilitate tenants to pursue sustainable development? Designed for sustainability, it aims for LEED Silver certification, incorporating eco-friendly features to enhance energy efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and create a healthier workplace. By operating in a Sembcorp facility, our tenants can leverage our nationwide network of over 1,000 manufacturers and suppliers, all through our VSIPs and Sembcorp Logistics Parks. This strategic advantage enables our tenants to capitalise on our established presence in the country and reach a broader customer base of reputable, high-quality enterprises. What are the key trends to shape the industrial real estate market in Vietnam this year? Vietnams industrial real estate market will be influenced by overseas funding inflows, IP expansions, and the growth of e-commerce and logistics. Foreign investment disbursement reached a record high in 2024 and is expected to rise in 2025, fuelled by production relocations and the countrys push for high-tech industries like semiconductors and digital economy sectors. To support this growth, Vietnam is increasing industrial land supply and focusing on ready-built facilities in IPs. The booming e-commerce and logistics sectors are also driving investments in modern, high-specification facilities to meet tenants requirements. Sembcorp Development and its joint venture partner Becamex IDC aim to build 20 VSIPs in Vietnam. What is Sembcorps plan to expand the industrial real estate footprint in the country? Sembcorp is one of the principal drivers of the Vietnam-Singapore economic partnership, known for co-developing the VSIPs. Since 1996, we have established 18 VSIPs, where our operating parks have attracted more than $23 billion worth of investment capital from nearly 1,000 tenant companies, creating close to 320,000 employment and community living opportunities across the country. In March, two VSIP projects were approved at the launch of the comprehensive strategic partnership upgrade between Singapore and Vietnam, taking the total to 20 VSIPs. VSIP Nam Dinh and VSIP Nghe An III will complement the current complexes. We are helping to drive the countrys energy transition, providing renewable energy to the national grid, factories, businesses, and homes with a total of 457MW in renewable energy capacity. We have established ready-built facilities in Haiphong, Bac Ninh, Hai Duong, Quang Ngai, Nghe An, and Binh Duong. Being demand-driven, we will continue to serve our tenants with high-quality, green, and energy-efficient industrial spaces at strategic locations. Sembcorp begins construction on SIS Dinh Vu logistics centre On March 6, at DEEP C Haiphong 1 Industrial Zone, Sembcorp Dinh Vu Infra Services Co., Ltd. officially broke ground on the Sembcorp Logistics Park Dinh Vu (SIS Dinh Vu) warehouse and ready-built factory for lease initiative. Sembcorp and Becamex expand VSIP portfolio Sembcorp Development and its joint venture partner Becamex IDC are expanding their portfolio of Vietnam Singapore Industrial Park (VSIP) projects, taking the total to 20. Operating a startup has several challenges. What is the most memorable thing stuck during the companys development journey? In the 2023-2024 period, we faced difficulties in importing the DGX H100, renowned as one of the most powerful AI GPUs set at the time, which is in high demand among tech companies such as Tesla, Meta, and Microsoft. Nguyen Tho Chuong, chief technology officer at AI Hay At the time, Vietnam was among the countries restricted from importing Nvidias most advanced chips due to a ban imposed by the US government. In November 2024, another measure from the Biden administration to further limit exports of advanced semiconductors and manufacturing machines to China came into force. According to the US government, the new rules aim to eliminate ways to circumvent previous restrictions and will prevent, for example, the export of advanced AI chips to China. In response to the announcement made in October 2024, the US Semiconductor Industry Association questioned the move, stating that overly broad, unilateral controls risk harming the US semiconductor ecosystem without advancing national security. This posed a significant challenge for us. Startups already operate with fewer resources compared to foreign companies, and now they are unable to access cutting-edge hardware to develop their technology. In 2023, AI Hay was one of the few companies in Vietnam to participate in the Nvidia Inception Programme. Is it an advantage to help the company access Nvidias technology? In addition to the US governments ban, Nvidia imposes several key criteria for companies wishing to participate in its activities. Notably, businesses must demonstrate that their product has a large user base-this proves that the startups technology has real growth potential. Furthermore, the product must deliver clear value, which could be in education, economic growth, or applications that improve society. If the product is in the gaming sector, it must also demonstrate a positive impact. Another critical requirement is that servers must be hosted in legitimate locations Nvidia mandates that hardware systems be placed in official data centres, such as those operated by reputable organisations or enterprises. This ensures the equipment isnt used for purposes beyond the permitted scope. These criteria mean that not every AI company can easily access the initiative. Even China has faced significant difficulties in importing similar equipment. At that time, AI Hay had to find every possible way to navigate the situation. We reached out to contacts in Indonesia, the US, and partners in Vietnam, and even worked directly with Nvidia to prove that our product wasnt tied to any restricted factors. Nvidia offers a special support programme, but even when accepted, companies still face hurdles due to US embargo policies. Specifically, in 2023, we were one of the few companies in Vietnam to participate in the Nvidia Inception Programme. This allowed us to receive support to purchase hardware, but it came with extensive vetting processes. We had to draft an entire document explaining how we would use the chips, emphasising that our AI product served education and labour productivity improvement, with no ties to sensitive fields. How have the results been thus far? Fortunately, during negotiations, the issue was partially resolved when FPT worked directly with Nvidia to bring chip shipments to Vietnam. In May 2024, FPT imported Vietnams first DGX H100 server system after the signing of a memorandum of cooperation in April, marking the initiation of a strategic collaboration with Nvidia to advance AI development in the country. But for small startups like AI Hay, the process remains far more challenging than it was for large corporations. After a period of negotiations, combined with FPTs efforts to collaborate with Nvidia to import chips into Vietnam, we finally acquired a DGX H100 system one of the most powerful AI systems at the time. This was a major milestone, as only a handful of much larger, wealthier companies could afford such a system back then. Typically, in the US, companies can purchase chips within three months, but at that time, we had to wait 6-8 months to import them. It was an incredibly stressful period, and it felt like we were in a race with our legs tied. Now, the programme has become more accessible, and young startups with support from universities or reputable organisations can also apply. British seafood is known globally for its taste, quality, and rich heritage, and Vietnamese consumers will now have access to premium seafood products in their preferred live form sourced from the UKs vibrant and vast coastline, including popular varieties such as lobster and brown crab. These additions will enrich culinary options for Vietnamese consumers, who eat approximately 37kg of seafood per person each year, allowing them to experience the distinctive flavours and exceptional quality that have made British seafood renowned worldwide. British seafood exports to Vietnam have already shown strong growth, with fresh, frozen, and processed products seeing a 40 per cent increase in the first nine months of 2024 compared to 2023. In line with the governments priority of delivering economic growth and putting more money into working peoples pockets, this breakthrough creates new export opportunities that coastal communities across the length and breadth of the UK have pushed for in recent years. Unlocking the Vietnamese live seafood market will boost local economies and support jobs across Britains shorelines, contributing to nationwide economic growth. Minister for Food and Rural Affairs Daniel Zeichner said, "This is a tremendous win for our seafood industry. By securing access to Vietnams thriving live seafood market, were opening new opportunities for British businesses while supporting jobs across the UK. Our high-quality seafood is increasingly sought after worldwide, and this agreement demonstrates our commitment to get British exports moving by helping producers reach valuable international markets." Minister for Exports Gareth Thomas said, "This is a welcome and significant milestone, opening up a new and lucrative market to live seafood exporters across the UK. We know that when businesses export, the whole economy benefits. That is why this government will continue to support businesses by removing trade barriers and enable them to take advantage of export opportunities to grow the economy at home." Access to the Vietnamese market is estimated to generate around 20 million ($25.8 million) for the UK seafood industry over the next five years, according to the Shellfish Association of Great Britain (SAGB). David Jarrad, CEO of SAGB, said, "We have been delighted to engage with government officials in the UK and Vietnam and help achieve this export agreement. The opening of another market for our sector is great news for the industry and demonstrates the strong worldwide demand for the UK's quality live shellfish." Vietnamese importers are willing to pay competitive prices for British seafood varieties that have less demand in the UK and European markets, providing an important alternative revenue stream for dozens of seafood traders. UK pork firms granted access to the Vietnamese market British pork producers will now have access to the Vietnamese market for the first time after Vietnamese authorities gave the go-ahead for selected pork sites across the UK to start commercial trade between the two countries. Remarkable outcomes can be earned Specific plans are likely to be implemented by the UKs network in Vietnam after the country officially joined the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). British consul general in Ho Chi Minh City, Alexandra Smith, spoke with VIRs Thanh Tung about these plans and the benefits for both sides. archives 29 Jun - 6 Jul (2) 22 Jun - 29 Jun (4) 15 Jun - 22 Jun (1) 8 Jun - 15 Jun (3) 1 Jun - 8 Jun (4) 25 May - 1 Jun (5) 18 May - 25 May (2) 11 May - 18 May (3) 4 May - 11 May (2) 27 Apr - 4 May (5) 20 Apr - 27 Apr (1) 13 Apr - 20 Apr (2) 30 Mar - 6 Apr (5) 23 Mar - 30 Mar (2) 9 Mar - 16 Mar (1) 2 Mar - 9 Mar (2) 16 Feb - 23 Feb (3) 9 Feb - 16 Feb (1) 2 Feb - 9 Feb (3) 26 Jan - 2 Feb (2) 12 Jan - 19 Jan (1) 5 Jan - 12 Jan (1) 22 Dec - 29 Dec (1) 15 Dec - 22 Dec (2) 8 Dec - 15 Dec (1) 24 Nov - 1 Dec (1) 17 Nov - 24 Nov (4) 10 Nov - 17 Nov (2) 3 Nov - 10 Nov (1) 27 Oct - 3 Nov (4) 20 Oct - 27 Oct (4) 13 Oct - 20 Oct (1) 6 Oct - 13 Oct (1) 29 Sep - 6 Oct (1) 22 Sep - 29 Sep (1) 15 Sep - 22 Sep (1) 18 Aug - 25 Aug (5) 4 Aug - 11 Aug (2) 21 Jul - 28 Jul (6) 7 Jul - 14 Jul (3) 30 Jun - 7 Jul (2) 23 Jun - 30 Jun (5) 16 Jun - 23 Jun (2) 9 Jun - 16 Jun (3) 2 Jun - 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It will have to be a permanent accord, agreed to and ratified by USA, all of the EU, and UN. Once the West reorganizes, this struggle cannot be repeated I refer to this as an enormous, irreparable Western failure on a much larger scale, which is unmistakably indicative of an empire that is fast coming to an end. A frequent expression for the saying arrogance before pride is Pride goes before ruin, and a haughty mind before a fall (Proverbs 16:18). The Empire has been mortally wounded WtR Democratic-backed judge Susan Crawford on Tuesday won a hotly contested race for ideological control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court giving liberals a resounding victory in an election that saw record-shattering spending in what had become a referendum on President Donald Trumps second term in the White House. The Associated Press called the race at 9:18 p.m. Tuesday. Crawford was beating Republican-backed Judge Brad Schimel by more than 8 points, based on unofficial results, the Associated Press reported early Wednesday morning. Turnout exceeded 52% of the voting age population, topping the record of nearly 40% set in 2023. Spending was on its way to surpassing $100 million. Supporters hailed Crawfords victory as a rebuke to Trump and his billionaire ally, Elon Musk, who showered more than $20 million on the race to back Schimel. The election shattered the previous record for spending in any judicial race in America, set just two years earlier in the battleground state. Ive got to tell you, as a little girl growing up in Chippewa Falls, I never could have imagined that Id be taking on the richest man in the world for justice in Wisconsin and we won, Crawford told supporters in Madison. Tuesdays results followed an unprecedented attack on our democracy, our fair elections and our Supreme Court and (Wisconsinites) stood up and said loudly that justice does not have a price, our courts are not for sale, Crawford said. As results came in from around the state, it was clear that Schimel had failed to reach the margins Trump secured in several critical counties in his 2024 victory over then-Vice President Kamala Harris. While Trump won Kenosha County by more than 6 points in November, for example, Crawford was leading Schimel there by more than 5 points with 98% of ballots counted. Crawford was also up by roughly 1 point over Schimel in Racine County, which Trump won by more than 6 points last fall. Crawford also held a narrow edge over Schimel in Outagamie County with 97% of the votes counted; Trump won the county by 10 points in November. Schimel conceded the race just an hour and a half after polls closed. The numbers arent going to turn around, Schimel told supporters in Pewaukee shortly before 9:30 p.m. Its too bad and were not going to pull this off. Well get up to fight another day, but this wasnt our day, he said. Schimel's concession led to yells of anger. One woman began to chant, Cheater, cheater! No, Schimel said. Youve got to accept the results. Crawford also ran up considerable leads in the states most liberal counties, securing 81% of the vote in Dane County with 92% of the votes counted and nearly 73% of the vote in Milwaukee County with 70% of the vote reported. Turnout was high across the state, but reached historic levels in the Democratic stronghold of Milwaukee, forcing election officials to deliver additional ballots to seven voting precincts that had run low, Paulina Gutierrez, executive director of the Milwaukee Election Commission, said about an hour before the polls closed at 8 p.m. Voters in line by the time polls closed were still able to cast a ballot. Across Wisconsin, early voting was more than 50% ahead of what the state saw in the 2023 judicial election, when ideological control of the court was last up for grabs. More than 1.8 million ballots were cast in that race leading up to Democratic-backed Janet Protasiewiczs 11-point victory over conservative former Justice Daniel Kelly. Crawfords victory means liberals will hold the majority of the court until at least 2028. The court is expected to weigh in on a number of high-profile issues ranging from collective bargaining rights to abortion access. High stakes bring national spotlight Much of the national attention on the race focused on the potential for the court to redraw congressional district maps in Wisconsin, which could help determine which party controls the U.S. House of Representatives after the 2026 midterms. There is no case challenging the maps currently before the court, however, and justices last year rejected a Democratic-backed lawsuit seeking to redraw those maps. Wisconsins a big state politically, and the Supreme Court has a lot to do with elections in Wisconsin, Trump said Monday. Winning Wisconsins a big deal its a big race. Trump endorsed Schimel, describing him as a wonderful American patriot, a tough-on-crime judge. Former President Barack Obama also waded into the contest, writing Tuesday in a post on X that Crawford will work to protect your rights and freedoms. Amid the immense political noise surrounding the race, Crawford, a former prosecutor who represented groups seeking to protect abortion access and union rights, largely attacked Schimel for his opposition to abortion access and his ties to Trump and Musk. Schimel, meanwhile, painted Crawford as being weak on crime and beholden to Democrats in their hopes of redrawing congressional maps and weakening GOP control of the U.S. House. Another record-setting judicial race All those variables translated into record spending, particularly by partisans and outside groups, in a race that is nonpartisan in name only. Nearly $99 million had been spent on the race as of Tuesday, according to the Brennan Center for Justice. Crawford has spent more than $28 million so far, nearly double the $15 million spent by Schimel. More than $55 million has flooded into the race from outside groups, with more than $21 million spent by Musk to support Schimel through two political action committees and direct donations to the Republican Party of Wisconsin. Crawford, meanwhile, has received backing from billionaire liberals like philanthropist George Soros and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, but nowhere near the level of spending coming from Musk. The contest shattered the previous record for spending in a judicial race, which was set just two years ago when more than $51 million was spent on the 2023 election. Susan Crawfords victory over Brad Schimel, Elon Musk, and Donald Trump is a resounding message from voters that Wisconsin believes in freedom, democracy, and the rule of law, that they have had enough of MAGA extremism, and that Wisconsin is not for sale, Ben Wikler, chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, said in a statement. Musks efforts fall short Musks involvement in the race, which began shortly after his Tesla electric car company sued Wisconsin for blocking it from opening dealerships in the state, has drawn harsh scrutiny. One of Trumps closest aides, Musk described the election as important for the future of civilization on Sunday while handing out $1 million checks to two Wisconsin residents in exchange for signing his petition to oppose activist judges. He has also offered $100 payments to anyone who signed his petition and gifted another $1 million check to a Green Bay resident last week. Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul sued to halt the payments, arguing they violate the states election bribery law, but his request was rejected by the states highest court shortly before Musk gifted the checks at an event in Green Bay. On Tuesday, state Sen. Kelda Roys, D-Madison, sent a letter to Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne asserting that Musks giveaway was illegal and he should be criminally charged. You have the power to do it to enforce our laws, without fear or favor, Roys wrote. More importantly, you have a responsibility to every person in Dane County and in Wisconsin to hold Elon Musk accountable for his crimes. Ozanne did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday. Overnight, Musk posted on his X platform that The long con of the left is corruption of the judiciary. In another comment, he seemed to take solace from voters approval to elevate the states photo ID requirement from state law to constitutional amendment. Conservative Justice Rebecca Grassl Bradleys 10-year term expires next year, followed by Chief Justice Annette Zieglers seat in 2027. Liberal Justice Rebecca Dallets term expires in 2028, conservative Justice Brian Hagedorns concludes in 2029 and liberal Justice Jill Karofskys term expires in 2030. Crawford will officially join the bench in August, filling the seat currently held by departing liberal Justice Ann Walsh Bradley. The Associated Press contributed to this report. This article is old - Published: Wednesday, Apr 2nd, 2025 Wrexham.com has invited local Members of Parliament and Members of the Senedd to write a monthly article with updates on their work in their respective Parliaments and closer to home you can find them all here. The month of March always begins with St Davids Day, and I was delighted to attend the St Davids Day service in Westminster and also a reception for Welsh food and drink producers including Magic Dragon Brewery. In my St Davids Day speech in Parliament, I was proud to reference local events and business in Wrexham. The celebrations of course culminated in the wonderful parade through Wrexham joined by many local organisations including many children. It truly demonstrated the best of our city, alongside the thriving street market which saw the city centre buzzing with a fantastic atmosphere. The UK Government announced its Plan for Neighbourhoods which will see Wrexham receive 20 million and this is guaranteed to be fully funded. The City Board is already bringing together residents, businesses and community campaigners and this refocus will mean that they will decide how to spend the funding, choosing from wider options that include rejuvenating high streets, local parks, youth clubs and cultural venues. Advance Brighter Futures is an incredible charity working in our community for over 30 years and I was privileged to visit them last week to see first-hand their approaches to helping peoples mental health and wellbeing. They are also part of the Baton of Hope tour visiting Wrexham in October (the only stop in Wales), to raise awareness around suicide prevention. You can find further details here https://batonofhopeuk.org/ I also attended a city-wide Financial Justice Event at Wrexham University where I heard the lived experiences of people in Wrexham living in poverty and hear ideas and recommendations of what could be done. This was an invaluable and important event, and I will continue to work with agencies and groups to make the improvements we can for people. The Government published its Green Paper entitled Pathways to Work which proposed changes to the welfare system. These included specific changes to Personal Independence Payments or PIP which in their current form, I cannot support. I also have concerns around the stopping of the health top up of Universal Credit for those aged 16-22. I will be speaking to Ministers and colleagues in the coming weeks. I have had many representations from constituents and charities, and they will be informing those meetings. People are understandably worried about the future as this could affect thousands of people in the Wrexham area. I believe that the welfare system needs reform and there are positives in the Green Paper, but these should not be at the expense of disabled people. I encourage everyone who has a view to engage in the consultation, the ways that you can do this can be found here: Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper GOV.UK Ministers urged to keep promise on banning lying politicians This article is old - Published: Wednesday, Apr 2nd, 2025 Welsh ministers have been urged to keep a promise to disqualify politicians found guilty of deliberate deception after appearing to backtrack on the commitment. Plaid Cymrus Adam Price warned it would be a travesty for the Welsh Government to mislead the Senedd and the public on the very question of honesty in politics. Ministers pledged to introduce a law next year but Julie James, who is counsel general, the chief legal officer, has now suggested it would not be feasible before the May 2026 election. Her predecessor Mick Antoniw pledged legislation before 2026 for the disqualification of members and candidates found guilty of deception through an independent judicial process. As a result of Julys agreement, the Senedd voted to remove part of a bill which otherwise could have seen an offence of deliberate deception created. The promise was reiterated by Huw Irranca-Davies, the deputy first minister, in December. Commitment But, in the Welsh Governments response to committee recommendations, which will be debated this week, Ms James seemed to stop short of meeting the commitment. As part of a wider inquiry on accountability, the Senedds standards committee took evidence on creating a criminal or civil offence of deliberate deception, publishing a report in February. During the inquiry, some witnesses warned creating an offence would politicise the courts, lead to vexatious complaints and endanger free speech in the Senedd. Others made a case for radical reform, with faith in democracy at an all-time low, calling for more independence to avoid the perception of politicians marking their own homework. The standards committee report recommended expanding an existing offence for candidates to include deception while continuing to deal with sitting politicians largely in house. Not feasible Ms James said the Welsh Government would develop a proposed offence alongside an assessment of the impact on the justice system and electoral law. She wrote: I believe a proposed offence should be the subject of further consultation, which means it is not feasible to include it in the final conduct order for the 2026 Senedd election. The Welsh Government will set out more details of its position during the debate on April 2. Mr Price, who struck Julys 11th-hour deal with ministers, said: The Welsh Government has previously pledged to ban deliberate deception by politicians before the next election. The suggestion they cannot use regulations to achieve this can mean only one thing: they will need to use primary legislation instead. It would be an absolute travesty for any government or party to mislead parliament and the public on the very question of honesty in politics itself. Betrayal Sam Fowles, a high-profile barrister who is one of the architects of the initial proposals, argued the regulations could be amended relatively simply. He pointed out that the proposals have already been subject to legislative scrutiny in the Senedd as well as a public consultation as part of the standards committee inquiry. Dr Fowles warned of the rise of populist parties like Reform UK, raising concerns about seemingly absurd deceptive statements nonetheless resonating with the electorate. In a briefing, he told Senedd members: Going back on or watering down the governments promise would be devastating for trust in politics and politicians in the current Senedd. It would undoubtedly be seen as a significant betrayal by the public and would likely become a significant attack at the 2026 election. The world is watching More than two thirds of people surveyed for an Opinium poll last year were in favour of a new law to make it illegal for politicians to knowingly lie to the public. Jennifer Nadel, co-director of the cross-party Compassion in Politics thinktank, which commissioned the poll, said events in the US show how fragile democracy has become. Warning the threat could hardly be greater, she said: We can see across the Atlantic what happens when rigorous safeguards are not in place. The Welsh Government needs to stick to its commitment both to begin to rebuild voters trust but also to ensure democracy is protected from the increasing number of bad actors whose lies skew and pollute the democratic space. The award-winning journalist added: The world is watching Wales. It can either be the world leader or break its clear commitment. With public trust at an all-time low, the latter would be a disastrous route for the government to take. By Chris Haines, ICNN Senedd reporter Wales tourism tax plans move closer with rates set to rise This article is old - Published: Wednesday, Apr 2nd, 2025 Plans to bring in a tourism tax cleared the first hurdle in the Senedd, with the Welsh Government set to raise the rate to 1.30 per night per person. Senedd members voted in favour of the tourism tax bill following a debate on April 1 during which ministers announced plans to raise the rates to create an exemption for children. If the bill completes its passage through the Welsh Parliament, 1.30 per person before VAT could be charged on overnight stays in hotels, B&Bs and self-catering accommodation. A lower rate of 80p would apply to hostels and campsites, with the 22 Welsh councils given powers to decide whether to introduce a local levy from 2027 at the earliest. An estimated 264m would be raised if all councils chose to introduce the levy in the decade to 2035, against total costs of 313m to 576m, according to an impact assessment. Less than a sausage roll Mark Drakeford led the stage-one debate on the general principles of the bill, which would also establish a mandatory register of visitor accommodation providers. Pointing out that visitor levies are common across the world, the finance secretary stressed councils would have an option rather than an obligation to bring in a levy. The former first minister argued the levy which he said would cost less than a sausage roll will be simple, straightforward and fair, with lower rates than in comparable destinations. On calls for children to be exempt, Prof Drakeford said an amendment would exempt under-18s from the lower band, with the rates each rising by 5p from 1.25 and 75p. I must emphasise that any reduction in the broad base of the levy has to be made up by higher charges on those visits that remain in scope, he said. He told the Senedd a power for councils to charge a premium on the rates will be retained. Shame on you The Conservatives Sam Rowlands warned that tourism providers are deeply concerned about the proposed tax, with the sector accounting for around one in eight jobs. The shadow finance secretary said the Welsh economy can ill afford an annual 47.5m hit, urging ministers to axe the tax and opposing the assault on the tourism sector. Mr Rowlands stressed that already under-pressure tourism providers pay into the system through VAT, national insurance, corporation tax and business rates. While welcoming moves to exempt children from the lower rate, the former council leader raised concerns about education and voluntary organisations being hit by the tax. His colleague Janet Finch-Saunders described the tax plans as disgusting. Shame on you, she said, accusing members on other benches of letting tourism businesses down. She warned Wales could become a no-go area with tourists deterred by the tax, voicing concerns about projected costs of up to 576m over the next decade. Unsustainable The tourism tax bill was introduced as part of the Welsh Governments co-operation agreement with Plaid Cymru between 2021 and 2024. Luke Fletcher, the partys shadow economy secretary, said: The reality is that the current way in which we do tourism isnt sustainable in the long term. Pointing to a tourism tax introduced in Manchester in 2023, he told the Senedd: Wales isnt acting in isolation here but is moving in step with places both in and outside of the UK. His Plaid Cymru colleague Sian Gwenllian argued raising a small levy would improve the visitor experience and services for people living in an area all year round. Senedd members voted 40-15 in favour of the bill, with one abstention. The bill now moves to stage two, detailed amendments in the finance committee, before a further amending stage in the Senedd chamber and a stage-four vote on the final version. By Chris Haines, ICNN Senedd reporter On Monday, a driver who was driving on the wrong side of the road collided with a patrol car, resulting in a DUI arrest. According to the Washoe County Sheriff's Office in an online post, deputies received a report of a car driving on the wrong side of the road at around 11:30 p.m. on March 31. When deputies arrived on the scene, they found the car, which was traveling against the flow of traffic. The driver refused to stop when deputies tried to make a traffic stop on the car and kept driving slowly in the direction of the patrol car and eventually struck the patrol car's front bumper and came to a stop. Medical personnel evaluated the driver, identified as Johna Young, on the spot, and after being cleared medically, deputies determined that Young was impaired. Young was then taken into custody and charged with driving while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs and booked into the Washoe County Detention Facility. The Washoe County Sheriff's Office says it is dedicated to maintaining community safety by apprehending and prosecuting people who choose to drive under the influence. And asks people to please make use of public transit, ridesharing services, or a designated sober driver. (The Washoe County Sheriff's Office contributed to this story.) Last week, Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo introduced his first bill in the 2025 Nevada Legislative session. Assembly Bill 540 is centered around creating more attainable housing for the Silver State. "Affordable housing has always been a focal point of mine, but inclusive of that is what is going on nationwide," the governor said. On Tuesday, the governoralong with stakeholdersheld a press conference in Las Vegas talking about the bill before it's heard in Nevada State Legislature tomorrow in the Commerce and Labor chamber. One of the first points Lombardo brought up during his speech was how the Governor's Office couldn't do this by themselves. Lombardo said talking to housing and subject matter experts was key for writing this bill. "This isn't an idea that came from myself, it came from people that know that business," he said. This bill is a part of Governor Lombardo's plan for the Nevada Attainable Housing Act. Essentially, it's trying to gather attainable house funding that would be stored in a specific account that would then be distributed by a new Nevada Attainable Housing Council. The bill is looking to create $250 million to add to the housing account from the State General Fund. Lombardo says this will then allocate $1 billion for attainable housing over the next few years. The legislation says it's trying to offer incentives to speed up developments, and attract more out of state contractors. The governor says they're putting an emphasis on getting more rural developments as well. The bill would also add folks making about 120-150% of the area median income into another tier for affordable housing. "Which will support essential workers like teachers, nurses and first responders," Governor Lombardo said. The governor revealed there are conversations happening with the Bureau of Land Management to acquire some federal land for housing. He says they have an agreement with the BLM to inquire about some land that could be signed by May 1. "As I've said before, 85% of Nevada's land is managed by the federal government which has limited our ability to expand on housing availability," Lombardo said. The Democrats have the majority in both the Assembly and the Senate, and some in the party have some issues with it. "It does nothing to address large corporations or corporate investors coming into Nevada and buying up large stocks of homes, ultimately out-pricing hardworking, working class Nevadans," said Tai Sims, Communication Director for the Nevada State Democratic Party. The bill will be first heard in the committee on Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. A judge granted a preliminary injunction to stop the Trump Administration from carrying out mass firings of federal probationary employees, temporarily halting the dismissals. Attorney General Aaron D. Ford announced today that he and a group of 20 attorneys general had obtained a preliminary injunction in the case of Maryland et al. v. USDA, which sued multiple federal agencies for the mass termination of federal probationary employees. The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for Maryland. While the action is pending, the preliminary injunction requires 20 federal agencies to reinstate probationary employees who were wrongfully terminated and protects federal probationary employees who reside or work in the plaintiff states. Additionally, the preliminary injunction mandates that those agencies undertake any future force reductions in accordance with legal protocols. AG Ford joined the coalition on March 6, to sue numerous federal agencies for creating irreversible harm to Nevada and the other plaintiff states. On March 14, a federal judge granted a temporary restraining order for 18 government agencies in response to the lawsuit's request for urgent relief. Later, the court extended that injunction by five days, making it expire on April 1. The Attorney General's Office says this would have had disastrous effects on the plaintiff states, Nevada, and its probationary employees. They say that while the attorneys general pursue the lawsuit against the federal agencies, the preliminary injunction prolongs the court's previous ruling mandating that the agencies cease the illegal mass terminations and return the positions to the affected employees. The following federal agencies are prohibited from carrying out any further actions for the duration of the case by the preliminary injunction: the Department of Agriculture; the Department of Transportation; the Department of Commerce; the Department of the Treasury; the Department of Defense; the Department of Veterans Affairs; the Department of Education; the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau; the Department of Energy; the Environmental Protection Agency; the Department of Health and Human Services; the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; the Department of Homeland Security; the General Services Administration; the Department of Housing and Urban Development; the Office of Personnel Management; the Department of the Interior; the Small Business Administration; the Department of Labor; and the United States Agency for International Development. The attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin joined AG Ford in this lawsuit, along with the lead state attorney general, Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown. Lawmakers are discussing Assembly Bill 533, proposing an open enrollment policy that allows students to attend any public school they'd like without zoning boundaries to restrict them. Not all schools have the same programs and resources available. Lawmakers are saying this bill will allow students to enroll in a school that best meets their specific needs that can further help their education. Elisa Martinez, a sophomore at University of Nevada, Las Vegas, says she would not be where she is today if it weren't for her high school of choice: "The summer before my senior year, my zone variance was denied and I was informed that I would need to transfer to a different high school. Unfortunately, that high school did not offer the programs that had been central to my development throughout high school such as Speech and Debate and AP Japanese." Martinez says her mother made the sacrifice to move in order for her to remain at her school. Justin, a high school senior, says he actually had to resort to home schooling after he was forced to switch from his school of choice to his zoned school. "Resources were limited. I fell behind with my grades, my attendance became poor, and overall, I lost passion. We knew I couldn't stay in a situation where I was struggling to learn so my family and I made a dramatic change," he says. Director of Public Policy for Opportunity 180, Anthony Curry, tells us AB 533 can break barriers of school zones that are historically tied to red lining maps. "Back in the 1940s when there was red lining, if you lay over the school zoning maps that we have now they line up pretty evenly and so what we see from that is that the schools that are in more disadvantaged areas get less resources and student outcomes and performance of those schools are lower." Curry says this program breaks that restriction, no longer tying student's education to where they live. A common question people are asking is how transportation will work. Lawmakers are saying they don't have a plan yet as they would need to collect data first to find a solution but can't get data until they see the enrollment numbers for this new policy. Assembly Member Selena Torres-Fossett says, "While I agree transportation ultimately should be the goal and we should look at how we're going to do that, the reality is that is a multi-million-dollar investment that we're not going to make this legislative session especially without evidence that this is a program that will work." While several public commenters have expressed their support on this bill, representative of Clark County School District Brad Keeney is opposing the bill, for what he says is two reasons. One, the school district disagrees with using student behavior as factor in the application process. Keeney says, "Clark County School District does not believe we should be using that. We should not hurt a student based on their behavior at another school. It should be a blind process." And the second reason is concerns for school capacity as right now the bill allows enough applications based on fire codes rather than realistic classroom numbers. "So, at an elementary school it would allow that we have over two thousand students in a school. Clearly none of us want that." 28 states already have a similar open enrollment policy. Arizona and Colorado each have over 100 thousand students enrolled in this policy. To learn more about Assembly Bill 533, check out the Nevada Legislature's website. Starting tomorrow, the president is set to announce reciprocal tariffs; he's calling the day "Liberation Day". However, as of right now, specific details on these tariffs or which countries would be impacted have yet to be released. A 25% increase in tariffs is expected to take place on Thursday on foreign vehicles and auto parts. Today we were able to speak to a local auto shop about the potential impacts they may see due to the tariffs. Paul Seivers, the Shop Manager at Pro 1 Automotive, tells us they work on all kinds of cars at their shop and specialize in trucks. The shop has been around for 39 years, and they tell us they prioritize their customers. He says they have been keeping an eye on the news regarding tariffs; but they say their shop is more domestic, so they aren't being impacted right now. But if they were to be impacted in the future they know car part prices will go up. If this does happen, they want to be as accommodating as possible to their customers. Seivers says, "Really, the bottom line at Pro 1 is to make sure if it does go up, that the customers, the transitions go well. Because we understand and prices do go up and it does probably affect them, but were going to try and make the transition as smooth as possible." Car parts that get imported may be affected by these tariffs but Seivers says they get most of their parts from NAPA. They told us if car part prices go up, then they will try and find affordable parts from dealerships, private sources or engine repair specialty shops. They say the biggest concern they may have with price increases is with the dealerships. Seivers tells us, "Unfortunately, we dont make policy as far as federal government goes - only thing we can do is make the transitions smooth, and like I said as painless as possible, look out for the consumer because at the end of the day thats what matters to us." We spoke to United States Senator Jacky Rosen, and she says when you put tariffs across the board it's a national sales tax, so whatever you consume you are paying for; for example, items in grocery stores and car parts from auto manufactures. She also told us he disagrees with these tariffs. The senator says, "By the way, in Nevada when everything goes up what goes down? Tourism goes down. So were going to get hit with that double whammy - because I know Canadian tourism is 70% decreased in tourism from Canada over last year and so were going to get squeezed in Nevada, both sides; and Trump says he doesnt care. Senator Rosen is worried the new tariffs could put auto shops out of business. She goes on to say, "Do you think that the cars already on the lot are going to get a cheaper price? Do you think used cars are going to get any cheaper? And then when you have to repair a car now, its an older car maybe - you have to get that part from another country or those pieces and parts are made somewhere else; thats not going to be cheaper to get that part and so the cost of a repair is going to go up. Cost of purchasing is going to go up, and its all falling on the consumer 100%." Five years after waving goodbye to its Fillmore Street store, Ralph Lauren lands anew in Jackson Square. Plus, Banana Republic teams up with The White Lotus for a chic resort collection, and LoveShackFancy opens a pretty-in-pink boutique at Marin Country Mart. Jump ahead: Ralph Lauren's Return to SF Banana Republic's White Lotus Collection LoveShackFancy's Marin Arrival Jackson Square scores again with Ralph Lauren's brick-and-mortar return to SF. (Courtesy of Ralph Lauren) Denim heads, polo players, and tee-and leather-jacket types, rejoice. A five-year drought has come to an end. Ralph Lauren is back in San Francisco with a Polo Ralph Lauren store in Jackson Square. (The brands Fillmore Street outpost closed in 2020, and its Crocker Galleria location shuttered in 2013.) The new space, formerly home to handbag brand Senreve, features mens and womens apparel from Polo Ralph Lauren and Double RL, as well as a curated selection of vintage clothing and accessories (swoon!). The quintessential American label is a natural fit for Jackson Square, a neighborhood that's been around since the Gold Rush days and currently the go-to for cool, upscale names like Isabel Marant, Zimmerman, A.P.C., Paul Smith, and Lan Jaenicke. While the store aesthetic pays homage to the district's historic buildings with antique fixtures and other elements, its unmistakably present-day Ralph Lauren. Cue the custom deep-green exterior, warm oak floors, white-painted brick walls, and loft-like layout with open, wood-joist ceiling. Throw in meticulous millwork, layers of decorative art and furnishings, andvoilaits RLs world and we're just shopping in it. // The store is located at 441 Jackson St. (Jackson Square), ralphlauren.com With the 'White Lotus' Collection, Banana Republic gets into a resort-y state of mind. (Courtesy of Banana Republic) Who else is hoping Belinda (Natasha Rothwell) will open her own spaand that douchebag Saxon Ratliff (Patrick Schwarzenegger) will get a fitting comeuppance? No matter your thoughts on the upcoming finale, slipping into a White Lotus state of mind dress is a cinch, thanks to Banana Republics new, limited-edition collaboration. Inspired by the stunning Thailand location of HBO's hit series, The White Lotus x Banana Republic capsule stars 24 mens and womens pieces that celebrate "a sense of discovery and wit through a premium lens," says Meena Anvary, head of marketing at Banana Republic. "Featuring tropical and vintage-inspired prints from our archives and landscapes of Thailand, the collection embodies the spirit of adventure. . While the collaboration is awash in mouthwatering shades of turquoise, red, and yellow, those who prefer a less vibrant (but still unboring) palette have options, too. Proof is in the olive-green slouchy fisherman pants and the dreamy off-white field shirt/jacket. Crafted from premium fabricsincluding super-soft European flax linen, lightweight cotton poplin, and pure silkthe lineup of shirts, dresses, shorts, and lightweight knits is suitcase-ready for both beachy getaways and cool urban adventures. The collection ranges in price from $40$300. P.S. If Jennifer Coolidges Tanya McQuoid was still around, she would absolutely rock this maxi dress. // Shop the collection online and in select Banana Republic stores, bananarepublic.com As you age, staying on top of your health is more important than ever, and that means doing everything you can to protect yourself from preventable illnesses. And the simplest, most powerful way to do that is to stay current on your vaccines. Because your immune system naturally weakens with age, vaccines are a crucial line of defense against serious diseases such as shingles and pneumonia, says Robert Hopkins, M.D., medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) and professor of internal medicine at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Members only Yet many older adults arent getting the vaccines they need, putting themselves at unnecessary risk. A 2021 AARP survey found that about half of older adults dont get all of their recommended vaccines, and 11 percent get none at all. Hopkins believes many older adults hesitate due to safety concerns and because they want more information. So heres what you need to know about which vaccines you need, how they work, why they are safe, how to minimize side effects, and much more. Getty Images BENEFITS OF VACCINES FOR OLDER ADULTS 1. Why you need vaccines Vaccines are a powerful tool of modern medicine, protecting you from diseases that once caused widespread suffering and death. For instance, according to the Infectious Diseases Society of America, the introduction of the measles vaccine in 1963 led to a 97 percent drop in cases between 1965 and 1968, and according to the World Health Organization, measles vaccination saved an estimated 60 million lives between 2000 and 2023.. The reason why so many of us are healthy is because of vaccines, says Sharon Brangman, M.D., chair of the department of geriatrics at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York, and co-principal investigator for the American Geriatrics Societys Older Adults Vaccine Initiative. Rolling up your sleeve protects your health and contributes to herd immunity, safeguarding vulnerable populations like infants and those with weakened immune systems. 2. Your immune system weakens with age As we age, our immune system naturally weakens in a process called immunosenescence, Brangman explains. Older adults are also more likely to have other health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease or high blood pressure that make it harder for the body to fight infection. Those changes put older adults at higher risk from common illnesses like influenza and pneumonia, potentially leading to severe complications or even death. Thats why its crucial for older adults to get all of their shots on time, Brangman says. 3. Vaccines reduce the risk of complications Even when vaccines dont prevent illness completely, they significantly reduce the likelihood of serious complications. A 2021 study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that hospitalized adults who got the flu vaccine were 26 percent less likely to be admitted to the intensive care unit and 31 percent less likely to die from the flu compared to those who were unvaccinated. 4. Vaccines may help prevent dementia In addition to protecting you from the near-term impacts of diseases, a growing body of research suggests vaccines may help stave off dementia. In a 2022 study, University of Texas researchers found that getting an annual flu shot was associated with a 40 percent decrease in the risk of developing Alzheimers disease. And a 2021 study, published in The Journals of Gerontology, Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, found that the Tdap vaccination was associated with a 42 percent lower dementia risk. These viruses cause inflammation of the nerves in the brain, Brangman explains, and that can start the process of nerve cell death, which is what happens in Alzheimers disease." 5. Vaccines may lower heart attack and stroke risk Research suggests vaccines may also lower the risk of cardiovascular events like heart attacks and strokes. A 2022 JAMA Network Open meta-analysis of six studies covering more than 9,000 patients showed that people who received a flu vaccine had a 34 percent lower risk of a major cardiovascular event over the next 12 months. Another study, published in January 2024, found that older adults who got the most recent COVID-19 booster shot had a 47 percent lower risk of strokes, blood clots and heart attacks compared to those who just received the original vaccine. Vaccines help lower inflammation, a key contributor to heart disease. 6. How vaccines work Scientists have developed various types of vaccines to fight disease. Although they work in different ways, they all spark an immune response, training your body to protect itself against harmful germs. Here are the most common types of vaccines in the U.S.: Inactivated vaccines, like most flu vaccines, contain viruses that are killed or inactivated. Live attenuated vaccines, like the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, use weakened forms of the virus to boost immunity. Subunit, recombinant, polysaccharide or conjugate vaccines use specific pieces of the germ, such as its protein or casing, to help your immune system recognize and fight it. Examples include shingles, Hepatitis B and pneumonia vaccines. Messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines, such as the Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines, use genetic material to instruct cells to produce a protein that triggers an immune response. Getty Images UNDERSTANDING THE SCIENCE 7. Vaccines are rigorously tested and monitored for safety All approved vaccines including those that receive emergency authorization from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) undergo extensive study and review before they are allowed to be used, says Gregory Poland, M.D., an infectious disease physician at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and director of Mayos vaccine research group. This was the case specifically with the COVID-19 vaccine. Manufacturers must conduct clinical trials on thousands of people and prove the vaccine works for different groups, including breakdowns by sex, race/ethnicity and age. The data is then examined by a panel of scientific advisers who make recommendations to the FDA and the CDC. After approval, federal agencies continue to monitor vaccines for any adverse effects, using multiple systems that scrutinize different types of data to ensure safety, Poland says. Americas safety monitoring systems are the best that I know of in the world, Poland says, because theres a series of them, and theres some redundancy built into them, so you don't get a bias. Poland notes that the systems quickly picked up on a rare side effect, a certain type of heart inflammation, in adolescent boys who had received the COVID vaccine proof, he says, that the system worked. 8. Getting a vaccine is safer than getting sick with the disease Youre much more likely to be seriously harmed by a vaccine-preventable disease than by a vaccine, Brangman says. Consider it: Shingles can cause blindness, long-term nerve damage and brain inflammation; tetanus can cause painful muscle spasms, difficulty breathing and blood clots; and respiratory illnesses like the flu or pneumonia can be deadly for older adults. Without vaccines, wed see far more hospitalizations and deaths, according to Brangman. 9. No association between vaccines and autism There is no evidence of a link between any vaccine and autism or autistic disorders, Hopkins says. A single study, which has since been discredited, reported such an association in 1998 in a British medical journal called The Lancet. Twelve years later, in 2010, The Lancet retracted the study, saying several elements of the paper were false. The original study included only 12 children who were carefully selected by the researchers, according to a 2010 investigation by Britains General Medical Council. The council also found that study author Andrew Wakefields research was funded by lawyers acting for parents suing vaccine manufacturers. Saying Wakefield acted dishonestly and irresponsibly, the council found him guilty of serious professional misconduct. Since Wakefields study, the misconception that vaccines cause autism has been debunked with multiple studies, Hopkins says. Dozens of well-designed analyses published in medical journals such as The New England Journal of Medicine, PLos One and The Lancet have found no increased risk of autism from vaccination. 10. Serious side effects are extremely rare Serious side effects after vaccination are extremely rare, says Poland. For example, a 2021 study found the rate of myocarditis, or inflammation of the heart muscle, was 5.8 cases of myocarditis per million second COVID-19 doses in adults. Other studies show that the risk of myocarditis from contracting COVID-19 is significantly higher, and that the vast majority of people who develop myocarditis after vaccination fully recover. Medical providers say the overall benefits of vaccination far outweigh these minimal risks. 11. The vaccine cant give you the disease it prevents The vaccines recommended for older adults in the U.S., including those for COVID-19, pneumonia, shingles and the flu, do not contain the live virus, so its impossible to get the disease from those shots, Brangman says. One influenza vaccine approved for use in the U.S. contains a live and weakened virus the nasal spray vaccine called FluMist but it is not recommended for those who are 50 and older. 12. Not all reported health issues are caused by vaccines The Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) gives people a place to report health issues after vaccination, regardless of whether the vaccine caused the problem. While anti-vaccination groups use VAERS data to spread misinformation, the system is not designed to prove vaccines cause harm. Instead, it serves as a canary in the mine for potential side effects that require further investigation, Poland says. It gives us a real-time quick snapshot if there is a potential problem. It doesnt tell us there is a problem. VAERS reports can be inaccurate, duplicated or incomplete, and events may be coincidental, so vaccine researchers say you shouldnt draw conclusions from their data. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, addressing the 21st D.P. Kohli Memorial Lecture on the CBI's 62nd Foundation Day, emphasized the urgent need for a "techno-legal" approach to criminal justice in the face of rapidly evolving technologies like artificial intelligence and deepfakes. He urged the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to lead the charge in developing state-of-the-art cyber forensic laboratories, collaborating with academic and research institutions. Speaking on the theme "VIKSIT BHARAT @ 2047 - A Roadmap for CBI," Vaishnaw outlined a strategic vision for the agency's role in India's future. He highlighted the growing challenges posed by cyber-enabled crimes and stressed that traditional legal frameworks alone are insufficient. "Our academia, our scientists, our researchers today possess remarkable strength and capabilities. This strength must be harnessed by investigating agencies, law officers, and government departments to co-develop technological solutions. Law alone will not be sufficient, we need techno-legal approach to address the challenges posed by new-age crimes and investigation," the Minister stated. He called for institutional frameworks that facilitate collaboration between investigative agencies and ministries like MeitY, DoT, and DST, to co-create technologies for modern law enforcement. Vaishnaw's remarks underscore the government's recognition of the need to adapt to the digital age and equip law enforcement with the tools necessary to combat sophisticated cybercrimes. During his address, the Minister also reflected on India's transformative journey over the past decade, highlighting four key pillars of growth: ET Now Swadesh, Times Networks Hindi Business News Channel, hosted The Gems of Rajasthan, an event celebrating the state's remarkable progress in diverse industries. The event honoured leaders across 15 key categories shaping Rajasthans economic growth and fostering discussions on the regions future, culminating in the Chief Guest, Suresh Singh Rawat, Minister of Water Resources Department, Government of Rajasthan presenting awards to distinguished achievers. Speaking at the event, the Honourable Minister said, "Rajasthan is witnessing remarkable growth, attracting significant investments. Beyond Pushkar, all religious and tourist sites in the state are being developed with better infrastructure. The industrial sector is also receiving strong support from the government. Our goal is to ensure that every entrepreneur and investor finds a transparent, efficient, and supportive system. The government is committed to both development and heritage while accelerating growth." The event featured engaging a panel discussion titled Royal Rajasthan: Multi-Sector Growth Catalyst, where esteemed industry leaders explored Rajasthans potential in tourism, Agri-tech, and business innovation. The panelists included Kuldeep Singh Chandela (President, Federation of Hospitality & Tourism of Rajasthan - FHTR), Rajendra Lora (Founder & CEO, Freshokartz Agritech Startup & Warmup Ventures), Radhika Pachar (Director, Pachar Group of Hotels), & Ankit Agarwal (CEO, RMC Switchgears Ltd.) who shared their expert insights on the states evolving economic landscape. GITAM (Deemed to be University) has released a brand film that traces the journeys of a few alums whose work today makes a difference in India and beyond. The film reflects on how their paths, shaped in part during their time at GITAM, have led them to engage with real-world challenges in public service, business and sustainability. It features Kassey Suhita Anupam, an IPS officer serving in Bihar; Satish Natti, an engineer and founder of Gridaxon in the United States; and Goutam Surana, who leads ECO 365, an initiative working on practical solutions in water conservation. The stories are not framed as achievements but as outcomes of steady effort and personal clarity. Sribharat Mathukumilli, President of GITAM, said, Transformation comes from how people respond to the world around them. At GITAM, we try to create an environment that quietly encourages people to think, act, and make a difference to the world. If the university catalysed that process, we are glad. The film, conceptualised by Manja Brandworks, is available on GITAMs official digital channels. It reflects on the role education can play in shaping lives that contribute meaningfully to society. As China makes significant strides in artificial intelligence with Deepseek, the question arises: can India carve its own path in AI innovation? While India boasts a thriving tech ecosystem, a vast talent pool, and a growing startup culture, it also faces challenges like limited access to high-quality datasets and computing power. However, with strategic investments, policy support, and industry collaboration, India has the potential to develop homegrown AI tools that cater to its unique linguistic, economic, and societal needs. Could this be the moment for India to redefine its AI future? Meher Patel, Founder of Hector, believes that India is at a pivotal moment in its AI journey. According to him, while China and the US have dominated AI research and large-scale deployments, India has the potential to carve out its own AI identity. Our strengths lie in a massive, tech-savvy workforce, a thriving startup ecosystem, and rapidly expanding digital infrastructure. However, challenges such as limited high-performance computing resources, fragmented AI research, and dependence on imported AI models need to be addressed, Patel explains. To have its own "DeepSeek moment," India must focus on: Building AI Infrastructure: Establishing large-scale AI computing capabilities, including indigenous GPUs and cloud platforms. Establishing large-scale AI computing capabilities, including indigenous GPUs and cloud platforms. Investing in R&D: Encouraging universities and startups to conduct foundational AI research with government-backed grants. Encouraging universities and startups to conduct foundational AI research with government-backed grants. Developing Open-Source AI Models:Creating AI systems trained on local datasets, reducing dependency on foreign technology. If India can address these areas strategically, we have a real shot at building globally competitive AI solutions that cater to our unique needs, says Patel. Abhinav Jain, Co-Founder and CEO, Almonds Ai, notes that India is at a fascinating crossroads when it comes to AI development. On one hand, we have this incredible advantagea massive pool of tech talent and a fast-growing digital economy. On the other hand, we face specific challenges like fragmented data, infrastructure gaps, and, of course, catering to such a diverse population. But honestly, these challenges are also where the biggest opportunities lie. Take our diverse datasets, for examplethey cover a wide range of languages, behaviours, and industries. Thats a goldmine for training AI models to be more adaptable and inclusive. And the scaleif you can build a solution that works in India, you can pretty much take it global. What excites me the most is the potential to solve real, on-the-ground problems. Whether it's improving financial inclusion, enhancing healthcare, or optimizing supply chains, theres so much room for AI to make a tangible difference. The key is to stay groundedbuilding AI thats not just technically advanced but also practical and accessible, Jain explains. Linguistic diversity Indias linguistic diversity presents a unique opportunity to develop AI models tailored for regional languages, ensuring greater accessibility and inclusivity. By leveraging large-scale multilingual datasets, AI can be trained to understand local dialects, cultural nuances, and contextual meanings, making it more effective for Indias diverse population. By harnessing Indias linguistic richness, AI can bridge digital divides, empower local businesses, and enhance citizen services, making technology truly inclusive for all. Indias language diversity is both a challenge and a huge opportunity, quips Abhinav Jain. With so many languages and dialects, you cant rely on a one-size-fits-all approach. According to him, the real game-changer is moving beyond basic translation. AI needs to understand cultural nuanceshow people express emotions, their intent, even things like humour, which can vary wildly across regions. For instance, how someone in Delhi interacts with a platform might be very different from someone in a rural area in Tamil Nadu. At Almonds Ai, were already exploring ways to make engagement platforms more inclusivewhether its supporting multilingual interfaces or training AI to personalize experiences based on cultural behaviors. And to be honest, its not just about inclusivityits also good business. When you engage people in their own language, you build deeper connections and drive better outcomes, he adds. According to Meher Patel, Indias linguistic diversity is both a challenge and an opportunity for AI development. Unlike AI models trained primarily in English or Mandarin, India requires a multi-lingual approach to AI. The key to success lies in: Localized Data Collection: Developing extensive datasets across Indias 22 scheduled languages and numerous dialects to train AI models. Developing extensive datasets across Indias 22 scheduled languages and numerous dialects to train AI models. Industry-Academia Collaboration: Partnering AI companies with linguistic research institutes to improve regional language processing. Partnering AI companies with linguistic research institutes to improve regional language processing. AI for Vernacular Internet:Advancing speech-to-text and text-to-speech solutions in Indian languages to enhance digital accessibility for millions. Patel says that by investing in AI models that cater to Indias linguistic diversity, India can create technology that is more inclusive and drives higher adoption among users who are not fluent in English. The governments role in innovation As AI reshapes industries worldwide, the Indian government has recognized its potential as a catalyst for economic growth and technological advancement. Through policy frameworks, funding initiatives, and strategic collaborations, the government is fostering an ecosystem that encourages AI research and development. Initiatives like the national programme on AI, responsible AI for youth are already paving the way for innovation, while investments in AI-driven startups and public-private partnerships are strengthening Indias position in the global AI race. But what more can be done to propel india toward AI leadership? Meher Patel notes that the Indian government has taken significant steps to encourage AI innovation, but a more concentrated push is needed to match global leaders. Some of the key initiatives include: National AI Strategy (NITI Aayog): Promoting AI adoption in critical sectors like healthcare, agriculture, and education. Promoting AI adoption in critical sectors like healthcare, agriculture, and education. India AI Mission: Establishing research roadmaps, AI innovation centers, and fostering public-private partnerships. Establishing research roadmaps, AI innovation centers, and fostering public-private partnerships. PLI Schemes & Startup Grants:Offering incentives to AI startups and supporting domestic AI tech development. To accelerate AI growth, the government should focus on: Developing a strong AI regulatory framework that balances innovation with ethical concerns. Boosting AI research funding, similar to Chinas extensive investment strategy. Integrating AI in governance to improve public services through automation and data-driven decision-making. The Indian government has taken some positive steps toward promoting AI innovation, says Abhinav Jain. Initiatives like "IndiaAI" and "Digital India" are already laying the groundwork by encouraging research, setting up AI innovation hubs, and fostering public-private partnerships. The recent focus on AI in education, healthcare, and agriculture is particularly promisingits about using technology where it matters the most. The next big step is data access. For AI to truly thrive, we need open datasetswhile, of course, maintaining privacy standards. Imagine what startups and researchers could achieve if they had better access to high-quality, diverse datait would accelerate innovation like nothing else. Also, funding more AI-specific R&D and encouraging local talent through fellowship programs can play a transformative role. In short, a collaborative approach between the government, industry, and academia is crucial to ensure that India doesnt just adopt AI but leads the next wave of innovation, he adds. The role of start-ups How can Indian startups and researchers collaborate with established AI players and international experts to develop cutting-edge AI tools, while also ensuring that India's unique needs and strengths are addressed? Collaboration is everything, says Abhinav Jain. No one can go alone, especially in a field like AI where things are moving so fast. Indian startups bring speed and innovation to the table, while established players offer scale and advanced research capabilities. Bridging these two worlds can unlock some really exciting possibilities. Open-source projects are a great exampletheyre a powerful way to share knowledge and democratize innovation. Another area thats often overlooked is cross-border collaboration. Partnering with international AI experts allows us to adopt global best practices while fine-tuning them for local needs. For example, the way we think about AI for rural communities or multilingual contexts can provide fresh insights that global players might overlook, Jain adds. Meher Patel says that collaboration is key to Indias AI growth. To bridge the gap with AI giants like the U.S. and China, Indian startups and researchers should explore: Public-Private Partnerships: Large corporations can mentor and fund AI startups to drive rapid innovation. Large corporations can mentor and fund AI startups to drive rapid innovation. Global AI Collaborations: Working with international AI research institutions to access the latest advancements and datasets. Working with international AI research institutions to access the latest advancements and datasets. AI Talent Incubation:Strengthening AI education programs and accelerator initiatives to nurture Indias AI talent pool. India is on the cusp of an AI revolution. By fostering partnerships, investing in infrastructure, and leveraging our unique strengthssuch as linguistic diversity and a vibrant startup ecosystemwe can create AI solutions that are not just globally competitive but also tailored to our own needs. Hypothesis by Only Much Louder, has secured the Influencer Marketing mandate for Ather Energy Limited, a pioneer in the EV two-wheeler industry in India. This collaboration marks a significant step in redefining Ather Energys communication strategies by leveraging influencer-driven content to strengthen brand affinity and audience engagement. The partnership will see Hypothesis harnessing its proprietary influencer marketing technology capabilitiesmarrying data-driven insights with creative storytelling to connect meaningfully with Gen Z and millennial audiences. With a focus on cutting-edge technology and community-driven campaigns, the mandate aims to help Ather Energy drive deeper connections with their customers and build on the EV manufacturer's robust community through meaningful and authentic storytelling. Hypothesis is mandated to design tailored creator-first content marketing solutions across social and video streaming platforms, amplifying the brand's reach, community engagement and impact across the brand and product range. Murali Sashidharan - Head Public Relations and Govt. Relations, Ather Energy, said, "The influencer ecosystem in India has transformed into a powerful medium for digital marketing, and were excited to tap into this space with Hypothesis by OML. Their expertise in blending data and creativity aligns perfectly with our goals, and were eager to see the impact of this collaboration on our brands journey. " Tusharr Kumar, CEO, OML, commented, In todays crowded digital landscape, crafting authentic narratives is more important than ever. Were thrilled to collaborate with Ather Energy, a brand that embodies innovation, to create campaigns that deeply engage audiences and build a loyal community. With over two decades of experience working with agencies, brands and influencers, Only Much Louder (OML) has identified the key gaps in influencer marketing and developed Hypothesis to address them. This comprehensive AI-powered platform streamlines influencer discovery, matching brands with creators who genuinely resonate with their target audience and provides them with the data and insights they need to make informed decisions throughout their influencer marketing journey. Hypothesis' powerful technology, combined with OML's expert influencer marketing team, has already driven 108 successful campaigns with 1875 creators, driving 2.9B views & 131M engagements. By integrating cutting-edge tools and insights, Hypothesis will not only optimise brand ROI but will also enable Ather Energy to set new benchmarks in branded content effectiveness. LinkedIn has concluded a review of its global media account and selected Publicis Media as its new partner, according to media reports. This decision reportedly follows a closed review process conducted by the professional networking platform to reassess its media strategy. Dentsu previously held the responsibility for LinkedIn's media strategy and execution in key markets, including the significant United States market. The scope of Publicis Media's new assignment will reportedly encompass LinkedIn's global media planning and buying activities.This signifies a major shift in how LinkedIn will approach its media investments and strategy on a worldwide scale. The sandwich giant Subway has concluded its comprehensive review of its U.S. creative agencies, resulting in Publicis' Leo New York securing the coveted lead creative account according to media reports. Sources familiar with the matter indicate that Dentsu, the incumbent agency, participated in a competitive bidding process to retain the business but ultimately, Subway opted for a fresh creative direction under the Publicis umbrella. A Subway spokesperson confirmed the selection, stating that Leo New York will spearhead a "new guest-centric creative strategy" aimed at reinforcing Subway's position in the sandwich market. The company also acknowledged Dentsu's eight-year partnership, clarifying that Dentsu will continue to collaborate on various marketing initiatives. The review's media component, also handled by Dentsu currently, is expected to conclude by the end of the second quarter, with Dentsu reportedly defending the account. Neither Publicis nor Dentsu offered official comments on the matter. R3, the consultancy managing the review, also declined to provide details. Subway's move marks a significant shift from its 2017 consolidation of North American media and creative duties under Dentsu, which saw the formation of a specialized unit encompassing agencies like Carat, Mcgarrybowen, and DentsuBos. Industry estimates suggest Subway's U.S. media spending reached approximately $325 million in the past year. This development follows a separate report of Dentsu losing the Spectrum search account to Horizon Media, further impacting the agency. Publicis Groupe's recent establishment of Leo, a unified creative network merging Leo Burnett and Publicis Worldwide, has positioned the agency to take on this large account. CPI(M) Declares War on Waqf Bill, BJP Launches Statewide Protests 2 The Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] has firmly opposed the Waqf Amendment Bill proposed by the NDA government, declaring that its MPs will vote against it in Parliament. The partys stance has sparked fresh political friction, especially in Kerala, where the Catholic Church has criticized MPs for their position on the controversial bill. CPI(M) state secretary M.V. Govindan reaffirmed the partys opposition while speaking at the 24th party congress in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. He dismissed concerns raised by the Kerala Catholic Bishops Council (KCBC), stating that external influences would not sway the CPI(M)s stand. Let there be no doubt, we will take a stand against the Waqf Bill. We have already made our stand clear. We do not keep changing our stand based on what others are saying. We have a clear stand, Govindan asserted. Meanwhile, the BJP in Kerala announced statewide protests, including marches to the residences of INDIA bloc MPs, condemning their opposition to the Waqf Bill. The bill, set to be tabled in Parliament, has triggered heated debates, with Govindan alleging that it does not protect Waqf properties but instead opposes them. He further claimed that some forces were deliberately stoking communal tensions over the issue. Adding to the controversy, Church-run daily Deepika recently described the Waqf Amendment Bill as a critical test of secularism in Parliament. The editorial warned Kerala MPs that opposing the bill would align them with religious fundamentalism, while supporting it would rectify injustices affecting Hindus, Christians, and Muslims under existing Waqf laws. Opposition parties, however, have slammed the bill as unconstitutional and detrimental to the Muslim community. Several Muslim organizations have been actively rallying against the legislation, which underwent scrutiny by a Joint Committee of Parliament before receiving multiple amendments. Disha Salian's Father Seeks CBI Probe, FIR Against Thackeray; Bombay HC Directs Registry to Reassign Plea 2 The Bombay High Court on Wednesday directed its registry department to place before an appropriate bench the petition filed by Satish Salian, father of late celebrity manager Disha Salian, seeking a CBI probe into his daughters death and an FIR against Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray. The plea was initially heard by a division bench of Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Neela Gokhale before being referred for reassignment. Salians legal team argued that the case pertains to crimes against women and should be assigned to the division bench headed by Justice Sarang Kotwal. The court subsequently ordered the registry department to take necessary steps for the petitions reassignment. Satish Salian has alleged that his daughter was brutally raped and murdered, and that a politically motivated cover-up was orchestrated to protect influential individuals. Initially, he trusted the Mumbai Polices investigation but now believes it was a deliberate attempt to suppress the truth. His plea claims that the police hastily labeled the case as suicide or accidental death without thoroughly examining forensic evidence, circumstantial proof, or eyewitness testimonies. Disha Salian died on June 8, 2020, after falling from the 14th floor of a residential building in Malad. The Mumbai Police registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) but did not pursue a deeper investigation. Just six days later, Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput, for whom Salian had previously worked as a manager, was found dead in his Bandra apartment. While initially ruled as a suicide, Rajputs case was later handed over to the CBI. In a recent development, the CBI submitted a closure report on Salians case, but her father continues to demand a fresh probe, alleging that key evidence was ignored to shield those in power. The petition also calls for an FIR against Aaditya Thackeray, further fueling political controversy surrounding the high-profile case. Mumbai Braces for Stormy Weather: IMD Issues Orange and Yellow Alerts 2 Mumbai witnessed light showers on Tuesday evening, offering brief relief from the oppressive heat. Areas like Chembur, Matunga, and Wadala experienced drizzle as temperatures soared earlier in the day. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) recorded a maximum temperature of 33.5C at Colaba and a sweltering 37.7C at Santacruz. In a significant weather update, the IMD has issued yellow and orange alerts for almost the entire state on Wednesday, warning of thunderstorms, lightning, and squalls. Except for Solapur, all districts in Maharashtra are on alert, with 13 districts under an orange warning. These include Satara, Nashik, Pune, Ahilyanagar (formerly Ahmednagar), Beed, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalna, Amravati, Akola, Yavatmal, Bhandara, Chandrapur, and Gondia. Meanwhile, Mumbai, along with Palghar, Thane, and Raigad, falls under the IMDs yellow alert, cautioning residents about thunderstorms, lightning, and light to moderate rainfall. While a yellow alert signifies moderate to severe weather conditions, an orange alert urges preparedness for potential disruptions. With unpredictable weather looming, citizens are advised to stay updated and take necessary precautions against sudden storms and downpours. Over 1 Lakh Awami League Members Flee to India, Claims Bangladesh Govt Advisor 2 Bangladeshs interim government Information Advisor Mahfuj Alam has claimed that over one lakh members of Sheikh Hasinas ousted Awami League have fled to India, according to media reports. Speaking at an Eid gathering in Dhaka, organized by human rights group Mayer Dak, Alam alleged that Hasinas regime was marked by enforced disappearances and political assassinations. Alam accused Hasina of using disappearances and killings as a means of avenging her parents assassination. The highest number of enforced disappearances occurred in 2013 and 2014 when people were fighting for their voting rights. The aim was to destroy the electoral system, he said. He added that the current government has formed a commission to investigate such cases, with arrest warrants already issued against several individuals. Slamming the Awami League, Alam claimed that those opposing Hasina were falsely branded as terrorists and militants before being forcibly disappeared. He further alleged that state institutions were weaponized for political persecution. Taking a direct swipe at Hasina, Alam accused her of conspiring against Bangladesh from India. It is unfortunate that India has chosen to shelter her and her terrorist forces. Nearly 100,000 Awami League members have taken refuge there, he said. He further declared that the Awami League would never be allowed to regain political ground in Bangladesh, calling it a mafia group. Hasina, who ruled Bangladesh for 16 years, was ousted on August 5 last year in a violent student-led uprising. Since then, the 77-year-old leader has reportedly been residing in India. Facing over 100 casesincluding charges of mass murder and corruptionshe, along with many of her party leaders and ministers, either fled the country or were arrested. Following her removal, Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus took charge as the Chief Adviser of the interim government. The Awami League has since vanished from Bangladeshs political landscape. Hasina and her senior aides have also been indicted by Bangladeshs International Crimes Tribunal for alleged crimes against humanity during last years protests. Ironically, the same tribunal was established under her regime to prosecute those accused of war crimes during Bangladeshs 1971 Liberation War. Siddhivinayak Temple Sees Record 133 Crore Earnings, 16% Surge in Devotee Offerings 2 Mumbais revered Siddhivinayak Temple recorded an impressive 133 crore in earnings for the financial year 2024-25, marking a 16% increase compared to the previous year, according to temple officials. The surge in revenue is attributed to rising devotee contributions, increased puja bookings, and higher prasad sales. Donations remained the temples primary source of income, while earnings from rituals and puja services totaled 20 crore. Revenue was also generated through donation boxes, online offerings, sale of prasad, and auctioning of gold and silver items. A significant highlight was the record 1.33 crore earned from the auction of gold and silver on Gudhi Padwa, a sharp rise from the 75 lakh collected the previous year. Additionally, prasad sales saw a 32% increase, with the temple distributing around 10,000 laddoos daily to devotees. Temple trust CEO Veena Patil credited the increase to a rise in footfall and improved administrative measures. She further projected earnings to reach 154 crore in the current fiscal year. Beyond religious activities, the temple trust allocates 20% of its earnings to social initiatives, including medical aid for patients with critical illnesses, funding a dialysis center, providing scholarships for students, and supporting families of farmers who have committed suicide. We ensure that the offerings and donations received from devotees are redirected towards the welfare of society, said Patil. As Siddhivinayak Temple continues to attract lakhs of devotees, its growing financial strength underscores not just religious faith but also its expanding role in social welfare. People for and against bills that could impact LGBTQ people in Alabama schools and colleges had their say in a legislative committee meeting Wednesday in Montgomery. During public comment, residents argued that the bills were needed checks on school employees -- or that they were an overreach that could harm people. HB244 and 246 are still awaiting votes from the House committee. HB 244, introduced by Mack Butler (R-Etowah County), is an expansion of a 2022 law, sometimes called Dont Say Gay, which applies to K-5 classrooms. The bill also prevents employees from displaying Pride flags and forces them to call students by the pronouns which correspond to their gender at birth. HB 246, introduced by Rep. Scott Stadthagen (R-Morgan County), would provide immunity to students and teachers who decline to use certain pronouns or names and mandates students get parental permission if they want to use a different name or pronoun at school. This bill extends to students in colleges and universities. If a student legally changes their name and gender identifier, they would need to provide documents to the school or university, and get parental permission, in order to go by their preferred name and pronouns. Huntsville resident Susan Stewart said HB 244 is outrageous and un-American. Unfortunately, were wasting time and money on culture war bills while Alabamians are begging you to address urgent life-threatening problems such as food insecurity, housing costs, health care access, Stewart said. Schools should be places of learning, not activism, and this provision ensures that classrooms remain neutral and focused on education, said Becky Gerritson with Eagle Forum of Alabama, in support of the bill. Former Rep. Patricia Todd, Alabamas first openly gay legislator, was one of 10 Alabamians who spoke against HB 244. She said the bill doesnt reflect whats happening in classrooms. I didnt become gay because I saw a pride flag or somebody taught me something, Todd said. It was a feeling of the heart. And when you look at bills in Alabama that you all are dealing with, its like the queer community is the enemy. I mean, we just want to live our lives. We want to pay our taxes, mow our grass, be with our families, raise our children without government interference. Were here. Were not going away, Todd added. Were going to continue to be loud and proud. Marisa Allison said in a statement she homeschools her child with her wife in Huntsville because of the initial Dont Say Gay bill passed in 2022. She said HB 244 will restrict students from talking openly about their families and create a hostile and dangerous educational environment for them. What this bill will undoubtedly do for children from families like ours is force a sense of shame and illegitimacy onto them by telling them that their families cannot be discussed for the entirety of their K-12 public education, Allison said. After the public hearing, Rep. Jeremy Gray (D-Opelika) asked why private schools werent included in HB244. Butler said his constituents who came to him were from public schools. COVID exposed a lot of stuff that was happening in the classroom that the parents were unaware of, Butler said. Ted Halley, a proponent of both HB 244 and HB 246, described himself as someone who was formerly transgender. He previously spoke in favor of the What Is A Woman? bill, which Gov. Kay Ivey signed into law Feb 13. I know what its like to be transgender, Halley said. I know how hard it is. But its important to know it is not a real fix for an internal problem. Stadthagens HB 246 also drew more opponents than supporters to the public hearing. Paige Gant, a former math professor at the University of Alabama at Huntsville, said this bill is a solution in search of a problem. Gant said this situation never came up as a professor and that it would put teachers at legal risk. Teaching is a difficult job and this would make it even more difficult having to worry about lawsuits coming about, Gant said. It places a burden on educators that is unnecessary. John Eidsmoe, senior counsel for a conservative legal nonprofit, Foundation for Moral Law, was a proponent for HB 246. He said clients in Iowa and Ohio were disciplined for not using peoples preferred pronouns. I believe that a student has a right to call himself by any pronoun he wants, but he doesnt have a right to force others to use that same pronoun, especially if it violates that persons religious or moral or medical or social or scientific beliefs, Eidsmoe said. Michael Turner has a tough task ahead of him. The new Bessemer City Schools superintendent starts his first day of work this week, as the small school district continues to struggle with turnover and governance issues during its first year under state intervention. But Turner says hes embracing the chance to help the system get back on track. I really believe its a great opportunity, Turner told AL.com in a recent interview. You have a seamless situation in respect to whats going on in Bessemer mirrors and reflects what state expectations are. Bessemer is one of three Alabama school districts currently under a state takeover, which means the local school board is no longer in charge of decisions about personnel, finance or operations. State officials voted to intervene in August, citing numerous concerns about accounting issues and discord among board members. A special report by state auditors found the district underpaid employees and violated numerous financial procedures in the months leading up to intervention. Board meetings had also become dysfunctional, officials said, and members often failed to follow protocol. Last summer, just days before school started, members voted to stall key construction projects due to a disagreement over bid procedures. A recent report by Cognia found the district had failed to meet several leadership standards. Typically, the state appoints a chief academic officer to oversee intervention work alongside local leaders. Longtime superintendent Daniel Boyd now plans to split his time between Bessemer and Dallas County Schools, which recently entered an intervention agreement. Since August, State Superintendent Eric Mackey said Boyd has helped Bessemer clean up its finances, but he still worries about local leadership. I have a lot of concerns ongoing about Bessemers board, he told reporters in March. They still are not getting along well, not working well with Dr. Boyd, and were going to continue to get through that. One board member said during a February meeting that they felt the partnership with the state had turned into a dictatorship, according to news reports. Board president Terry Dawson told WVTM13 that better communication and time to review documentation would help improve that relationship. Former superintendent Dana Arreola, who joined the district in 2023, left the system for a position at a Texas school district in early March. The state appointed Turner as interim superintendent on March 18 and recently approved his permanent role at the district. Turner, a longtime principal at Pinson Valley High School in Jefferson County, has 26 years of experience in education, including 17 years in administration. He received his bachelors degree in social science teaching from Miles College and holds two advanced degrees from Jacksonville State University. His current contract will end on June 20, 2027 and may be automatically renewed for up to two additional one-year terms. He will receive a base salary of $185,000, not including other expense allowances. Mackey said changes at the top are always hard, and they can be especially difficult during an intervention. The goal was to hire someone who was committed to taking on that challenge, he said. I am personally very excited that Dr. Boyd was so quickly able to find a new superintendent, Mackey told AL.com. I have known Mr. Turner in his role at Pinson Valley to be an excellent principal, and he comes highly recommended. I look forward to hearing great things from Bessemer City Schools as this work continues under new leadership. Dr. Boyd is himself a strong leader and very good superintendent, so Mr. Turner will have an excellent mentor in this new role not to mention that he has worked under one of the best in Dr. Walter Gonsoulin. Thats two great mentors to learn from doubly fast." AL.com sat down with Turner on April 1, his first day at work. Heres what he said about his track record and his plans for the future of the district. This interview has been lightly edited for clarity and brevity. Not every new superintendent walks into a situation where their district is under state intervention. What made you want to take this job? I really believe its a great opportunity to partner with the state and really look at the core values of what the Alabama State Department of Education stands on, and what core values Bessemer City Schools stand on, and how do we go about aligning those values. And so now you have a seamless situation in respect to whats going on in Bessemer mirrors and reflects what state expectations are. I know youre still getting the lay of the land, but do you have a plan for what your first 100 days will look like yet? Todays the first day, I havent even made it to lunch yet! But yes, a lot of people say 30-60-90, or your first 100 days, and I think a lot of that is going to be contingent on me getting out and listening to people. Certainly thats the most important thing for me is to hear from classroom teachers, to hear from teacher aides, to hear from administration, central office folks, the mayor of the city, the city council, school board members. Certainly we want to get an idea of whats working, whats already working and whats going well. And so the reality is, my 100 days is going to be getting in front of people and really trying to assess where we are. Can you talk a little bit about your past experience at Jefferson County Schools? What do parents need to know about what you have done already, and what do you hope to take into this new role? The first and foremost is that Im big on culture and non-negotiables. The reality is that we want to build a culture that is sustainable, whether youre looking at retention of teachers and faculty and staff, or whether youre talking about the academics. Youre talking about how the day-to-day looks like, and it doesnt change. The climate changes, but the culture remains the same. And thats something that Im very opinionated about is making sure that we have a culture that supports what we claim. If were claiming it, then the culture should support that, and it should be very obvious and in plain sight. So thats one thing that Ive done in my 10 years as principal at Pinson Valley High School in Jefferson County and in my time in Leeds as principal. And I think everybody wants to be held accountable, and so youre making sure that you have those accountability measures in place and that everybody understands what the goal is. Speaking of culture, board governance has been a big concern throughout this intervention. Youre not going to be the only one making the decisions, so how do you plan to work with other leaders in the district and at the state level to make sure those plans actually happen? Ill reiterate the idea of a partnership. Ive had the privilege of sitting in on my first school board meeting, and I can tell you, after two and a half hours, I felt like they were very passionate about the areas of concern that they had. And my goal is to meet with them individually and collectively and to garner a consensus of whats best for kids. Thats the bottom line, and thats the thing we have to keep at a focus is what is best for our students here at Bessemer City Schools. And if thats our number one goal, then we can get past all of the others. This is an interesting time for schools. Lots of districts are facing some financial struggles now that COVID money is gone. Do you feel equipped to handle that cliff and other possible state and federal changes? How would you handle any cuts to programs? You have a fiduciary responsibility as superintendent to ensure that you look at your data, and your data is going to drive how you allocate funding. So the reality is, if the data supports that an initiative is working, then you certainly want to ensure that we keep that budgeted. And you have to say, if its not working, is it not working because its not being implemented correctly, or it just is not a good fit? And so financially, you need to make sure that we have a cushion. I dont know all of the initiatives off the top of my head that are currently in place here, but I think it goes back to looking at the data to see if it supports sustainability and it is giving us what the expectations were on the onset. You mentioned teacher retention another big issue across the state and nationwide. What have you done in your prior roles to help improve this, and are there any initiatives that youd bring to Bessemer? Teacher morale is critically important. If the teachers dont have a high morale, then that kind of filters down to the students. And so the things that weve done is everything from teacher of the month and a celebratory opportunity for that. Every e-learning day or any day that we have is built in for professional development, we do that, but then we also do a cookout. Well cater food in, well do any and everything we possibly can to let the teachers know that theyre valued and that theyre appreciated. Going into classrooms, its nothing for me to write just a few anecdotal support notes and leave it on the desk. I just want to go in and see whats going on with kids, and let that teacher know that its not a gotcha. Its I got you. Im here to support you, Im here to make sure that you have what you need to be successful. Because if you feel valued, and you feel like youre being supported, now that is going to carry over into the classroom with those kids, because youre going to feel like, you know what, I can make a difference. And so you check your bags at the door, right? We have baggage claim, and you come in with the idea that were gonna what? Were going to work for kids. And thats kind of what Ive done. What else do parents and the public need to know about you? Im very committed to the work of bettering kids lives and helping them to find their why to find their pathway in life and giving them the tools and the skills that they need so when they walk across that stage, its not over with, its just beginning. And then we want to create that pathway, whether it be youre going to Lawson State, Bessemer Tech, youre going into the military, youre going to [the University of] Alabama, or even Miles College. But you have a plan, and that plan is a realistic plan, its a measurable plan, and its something that were going to make sure that we walk you through every step of the way, not just get you out of the building and say good goodbye. We want to make sure that were producing good citizens for this community. Jose Medina Camacho of Adios cocktail bar in Birmingham, Ala. (Photo courtesy of Adios; used with permission) Birmingham spirits professional Jose Medina Camacho will represent Alabama at the 2025 James Beard Foundation Awards in Chicago later this year. Medina Camacho, the co-founder and beverage director for Adios cocktail bar in downtown Birmingham, is one of five finalists for the James Beard Award for Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service. The James Beard Foundation announced this years finalists for its annual chef, restaurant and beverage awards today. Medina Camacho is the only finalist from Alabama this year. Chefs David Bancroft of Acre in Auburn and Arwen Rice of Red or White in Mobile had been among this years semifinalists for Best Chef: South announced in January, but they were not among todays finalists. Medina Camacho had just boarded a plane at LaGuardia Airport in New York City for a return flight to Birmingham when he got messages from his business partner Jesus Mendez and their publicist Diana Barton letting him know that he is a James Beard finalist. Honestly, it hasnt really sunk in yet, but its surreal, Medina Camacho told AL.com during a layover in Washington, D.C., this afternoon. Im very excited. Its an honor to be on the list. Medina Camacho added that he will get back in Birmingham in time to work his closing shift at Adios later tonight. Ill be in the bar. Ive got to close, he said. Once I land in Birmingham and start seeing all the people I know, itll all sink in really good. The James Beard Foundation has begun adding beverage categories to its chef and restaurant awards in recent years, and for 2025, the foundation rolled out three new beverage award categories: Best New Bar, Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service and Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service. In addition to Medina Camacho, the other finalists for Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service are Jacob Brown of Lazy Bear in San Francisco, Arjav Ezekiel of Birdies in Austin, Cassandra Felix of Daniel in New York City, and Cristie Norman of Delilah in Las Vegas. The winner will be revealed at the 2025 James Beard Foundation Awards ceremony, which will be held on June 16 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Born in Michoacan, Mexico, Medina Camacho immigrated to the United States with his family in 1993. After graduating from Clay-Chalkville High School in 2008, he worked as a server for Alex Castro at Sol y Luna in Lakeview and subsequently drove and cooked on the Cantina on Wheels food truck. Later, while working with the Pihakis Restaurant Group at Little Donkey in Homewood, he started bartending and transitioned to the beverage side of the industry. Then, in 2019, when chef Adam Evans opened his Automatic Seafood and Oysters, he hired Medina Camacho to lead the beverage program at the restaurant. Three years later, Medina Camacho partnered with Mendez to open Adios, which the Spirited Awards later named one of the best cocktail bars in America. Last fall, Medina Camacho and Mendez teamed up again to open Salud Taqueria, just a few blocks from Adios. RELATED: Mexican restaurant opens in one of Birminghams oldest buildings Named for the celebrated chef, cookbook author and television personality whom the New York Times called the dean of American cookery, the James Beard Awards were first presented in 1991 and have become known as the Oscars of the food world. Previous James Beard Award winners from Alabama include: Adam Evans, Automatic Seafood and Oysters, Birmingham, Best Chef: South, 2022. Highlands Bar and Grill, Birmingham, Most Outstanding Restaurant, 2018. Dolester Miles, Highlands Bar and Grill, Birmingham, Most Outstanding Pastry Chef, 2018. Chris Hastings, Hot and Hot Fish Club, Birmingham, Best Chef: South, 2012. The Bright Star, Bessemer, Americas Classic, 2010. Frank Stitt, Highlands Bar and Grill, Best Chef: Southeast, 2001; named to the James Beard Foundations Whos Who of Food & Beverage in America, 2011. For the complete list of 2025 James Beard Award finalists, go here. Actors have taken to social media to mourn the death of Val Kilmer, who died Tuesday in Los Angeles at 65. The Tombstone and Top Gun died from pneumonia. He had recovered after a 2014 throat cancer diagnosis that required two tracheotomies. The legendary actor starred alongside Kurt Russell and Bill Paxton in 1993s Tombstone and as a bank-robbing demolition expert in Michael Manns 1995 film Heat with Al Pacino and Robert De Niro. Then, of course, he played pilot Tom Iceman Kazansky opposite Tom Cruise director Tony Scotts Top Gun. Here is just a sampling of the reaction from actors and celebrities. See ya, pal, Josh Brolin posted on Instagram. Im going to miss you. You were a smart, challenging, brave, uber-creative firecracker. Theres not a lot left of those. I hope to see you up there in the heavens when I eventually get there. Until then, amazing memories, lovely thoughts. While working with Val on Heat I always marvelled at the range, the brilliant variability within the powerful current of Vals possessing and expressing character. After so many years of Val battling disease and maintaining his spirit, this is tremendously sad news, filmmaker Michael Mann posted on Instagram. RIP Val Kilmer, Josh Gad posted on Instagram. Thank you for defining so many of the movies of my childhood. You truly were an icon. RIP Val Kilmer. If it wasn't for our chance encounter at the Source in 1985, I may never have been cast in FULL METAL JACKET. Thanks, Val. pic.twitter.com/YTMRjy78vC Matthew Modine (@MatthewModine) April 2, 2025 RIP Val Kilmer, Matthew Modin posted on X. If it wasnt for our chance encounter at the Source in 1985, I may never have been cast in FULL METAL JACKET. Thanks, Val. Val Kilmer was the most talented actor when in his High School, and that talent only grew greater throughout his life, Francis Ford Coppola posted on Instagram. He was a wonderful person to work with and a joy to know I will always remember him." A long time ago, I was auditioning for the movie The Doors It was kind of a cattle call. They paired together potential Jims with potential Pamelas. And they were running behind so we were spilling out of the casting office, sitting on the porch, the lawn, and the driveway. Jennifer Tilly (@JenniferTilly) April 2, 2025 A long time ago, I was auditioning for the movie The Doors, Jennifer Tilly posted on X. It was kind of a cattle call. They paired together potential Jims with potential Pamelas. And they were running behind so we were spilling out of the casting office, sitting on the porch, the lawn, and the driveway. All of a sudden, a sixties convertible came screeching up, blaring Doors Music at top volume. And a guy jumped out and strode inside: He had wild hair and he was barefoot, shirtless, and wearing nothing but a pair of tight leather pants. We all looked at each other like Who is this guy? We were more than a little shook by the sheer audacity of his entrance. Well of course it was Val Kilmer and from that minute on, nobody else stood a chance. Rip King. Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on The Opening Kickoff on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily. Alabama State Rep. Susan Dubose, R-Hoover, speaks in support of HB342, which requires school boards to adopt policies allowing elective credit to students who leave school early during the day to attend off-campus religious instruction. The bill was defeated by the Alabama House Education Policy Committee by a 9-4 vote on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at the Statehouse in Montgomery, Ala. John Sharp Alabama lawmakers on Wednesday defeated a proposal that would have mandated school boards to write policies for public school students to receive credits for leaving campus early for religious instruction. The defeat of HB342 came after a brief debate in which its sponsor claimed the bill allowed for more religious liberty in Alabama. It also built upon the Alabama Released Time Credit Act of 2019 that first gave local school systems the ability to develop policies permitting students to attend religious classes off campus and during public school hours. But a bipartisan group of lawmakers on the Alabama House Education Policy Committee argued that the legislation created additional regulations for schools. They were also uncertain on what kind of expectations local school boards will have in accommodating religious credit requests. The vote defeating HB342 was 9-4 in the Alabama House Education Policy Committee. I appreciate the concept, said Rep. Jeana Ross, R-Guntersville. I have the issue with the practical implementation of this. I feel like in my district, its another regulation for (schools). They are doing the best they can. Rep. Susan Dubose, R-Hoover, the bills sponsor, pushed for the bill because only 12 of Alabamas school systems have adopted policies since 2019 allowing students to leave school during school hours for religious instruction. She also argued there was demand for the program by citing a survey of 4,000 signatures from parents interested in early release times for students seeking religious instruction. Thats 12 out of over 130 we have in Alabama, Dubose said. We know there is demand from the parents for this program. We dont feel like parents should have to go and fight the school board for a program that is constitutionally allowed by the U.S. Supreme Court. She added, I think the answer is more religious liberty, not less. Under HB342, school boards would have been required to draft a policy on how they would provide for elective credits if a student wanted to leave campus early for a religious class. The bill had been changed from a version considered during a public hearing last month that would have required schools to not only create a policy but also give elective credit if the coursework met requirements. Dubose said there was no mandate for school systems to have elective credits for off-campus religious studies. She said that Hoover City Schools has a policy that sets aside elective credits for religious instruction for high school students only, and that its only offered during the final period of the school day. Dubose said the policies can be as narrow or broad as they want. Rep. Barbara Drummond, D-Mobile, said she wasnt sure why then a school board was required to write a policy for a program it wasnt required to pursue. She said she was concerned about small school systems that do not have the ability to provide off-campus elective credits for students. So, they should have a policy that says, We do nothing? Drummond asked. Dubose responded, Im not suggesting they have a policy that says they do nothing, but legally they can get creative with what they want. Other lawmakers said that not enough time has passed since the 2019 law was adopted to see if more public schools would give elective credits for religious instruction. Rep. Alan Baker, R-Brewton, said he felt the law was still new. And Ross said she felt more time was needed after the pandemic to see how schools will respond. Baker said he believes some school districts have approached it and made a conscious decision not to adopt a policy. I am glad to see what we have in motion right now is working in that every single public school across the state has the opportunity to engage in the program now, Baker said. Dubose said she had a difference of opinion with Baker on whether it was working, pointing only 12 that have a program. This will require their own policy which is what we do as members is ask the school board to adopt policies, Dubose said, comparing it to the Alabama Literacy Act. She called it one of the most open-ended policies asked of school system. The legislation had its opponents, including the Alabama Association of School Boards. But it also had supporters including Republican Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth who praised Ohio-based LifeWise Academy, which offers school-time Bible education to public school students at over 300 schools in 15 states. An overflow crowd attends the Fairhope City Council meeting on Monday, March 24, 2025, in Fairhope, Ala. The crowd, wearing yellow stickers supportive of the Fairhope Public Library, expressed disapproval of efforts by the Alabama Public Library Service's board to pause or remove funding from the library over concerns raised by representatives with Moms for Liberty over some of the books displayed in sections of the library. John Sharp Less than two weeks after having its funding temporarily cut by the state, the Fairhope Public Library is getting recognized by city leaders. The City of Fairhope announced the Fairhope Library Board as its 2025 Volunteer of the Year. The recognition was made official on Monday, one week after a large crowd of library supporters showed up at a Fairhope City Council meeting to rally support for the local board and push back against attempts to cut the librarys funding. The recognition is part of an annual honor by the City of Fairhope. The city selects a volunteer or volunteer group to recognize as part of National Volunteer Week. I think its more about supporting our volunteers who often deal with controversy, Fairhope Mayor Sherry Sullivan said, citing other volunteer groups with the city as well such as the historic preservation and planning commission. It is about celebrating the people who started volunteering for their love of the library of the city and how their role sometimes takes a dramatic turn, but they continue to serve, and we appreciate them for being willing to serve through adversity, Sullivan said. Sullivan, in a news release from the city, said that the Fairhope Public Library Board was selected for their dedication to the library. She said the board has gone through a capital fundraising campaign, a major renovation and many challenges this year. She said the groups dedication has significantly enriched the lives of Fairhope residents. She added, they have devoted countless hours to the Fairhope Public Library, and I appreciate their willingness to serve. The Fairhope Library Board plays an essential role in ensuring that the library remains a well-functioning and invaluable resource for the community, providing a space for learning, growth, and connection. The Fairhope Public Library saw its state funding cut last month by the Alabama Public Library Services (ALPS) board after hearing complaints about the type of books shelved within the library by the conservative activist group, Moms for Liberty. It was the first time APLS cut funding to a local library in Alabama since the new administrative code was adopted last year. The APLS board had decided to suspend the funding temporarily to the Fairhope Public Library due to non-compliance of the code section that prohibits what is viewed as sexually explicit materials within the childrens and teens sections. The Fairhope Library Board, which runs on a budget of more than $1 million annually, receives approximately $43,000 from the state. In the days after the state cut, an online fundraiser was able to raise enough money to replace the lost revenue. The Library Board will consider whether to review approximately 35 titles, most of which are books, during its April 21 meeting. The 35 titles include publications listed by Moms for Liberty and other organizations as problematic for shelving in sections of the library for people under age 18. This story was updated at 8 p.m. on April 2, 2025, with additional comments from Mayor Sherry Sullivan. Indea Dease was killed in a Dec. 28, 2024, traffic crash in Dale County. (Contributed) An Alabama man has been indicted in a DUI traffic crash that killed his wife. Jacob P. Dease, 45, is charged with reckless murder in the Dec. 28, 2024, death of his wife, 50-year-old Indea L. Dease. Dale County sheriffs deputies took Jacob Dease into custody Monday, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency officials announced Wednesday. He is being held without bond in the Dale County Jail. Charging documents against the suspect state he was under the influence of drugs at the time of the crash. The wreck happened at 9 a.m. that Saturday on Dale County 72, about five miles east of Ariton. Authorities said Jacob Dease was driving a Nissan Titan that left the roadway and struck a tree. Upon impact, the Nissan became engulfed in flames. Indea Dease was pronounced dead on the scene. Her husband was also injured and taken to a Dothan hospital. According to Indea Deases obituary, she was a native of Ariton and an avid Georgia Bulldogs fan. She left behind three sons. The Alabama Senate substantially changed a bill sought by the forestry industry on Tuesday, approving a compromise version that does not affect weight limits on log trucks. The bill as originally written would have allowed log trucks to carry more weight per axle on Alabama highways. The Alabama Department of Transportation opposed that change, saying the higher axle loads would damage roads and bridges and increase maintenance costs. The Association of County Commissions of Alabama also opposed the change. The amended bill did not change the axle load limits. Instead, it addressed what the sponsor said was another concern of the logging industry - time lost by truck operators who are waiting on roadsides to be inspected and weighed on portable scales. The bill, which had been in the works for weeks, came to the Senate floor Tuesday as lawmakers returned after a week off for spring break. Related: Alabamas latest lottery, gambling proposal still under wraps as lawmaker rallies support The amended bill, by Sen. Jack Williams, a Republican from Mobile County, says state inspectors cannot have more than five trucks pulled over for weighing and inspection at any one time. The current law has no limit on how many trucks can be pulled over to wait for inspection. Williams said he knows of times when 20 or more trucks were pulled over, which he said was dangerous. Williams said loggers cannot afford the delays because they generally need to haul four loads a day to make money. Three loads they break even. The fourth load is their profit, Williams said. Williams said the bill streamlines the process for a truck operator or owner to get a ticket dismissed in cases when a weigh-in by permanent scales shows that the portable scales were inaccurate. Williams said the change could help keep the truck driver or owner from having to take a day off work to appear in court to get a ticket dismissed. Sen. Clyde Chambliss, R-Prattville, worked with Williams on amending the bill. Chambliss, a civil engineer, was opposed to the increased axle loads in the original bill. That was the major concern with the bill, Chambliss said. Weve already increased tandem axle weights above what the engineering data says. That was done a long time ago. The request was to go above that. And I just felt strongly that was going to do significant damage to our roads and bridges. The Alabama Transportation Institute at the University of Alabama reviewed ALDOTs findings that the increased axle loads would damage roads and agreed. The ATI said heavier axles put more stress on bridges, potentially exceeding design limits and requiring more bridges to have weight restrictions or be strengthened. Heavier axles can cause increased deflection, or bending of bridges, increasing the chances of cracked concrete bearings and misaligned bearings, especially on older bridges, the ATI said. Repeated exposure to higher axle weights could shorten the lifespan of steel and concrete bridge components, the ATI said. Chambliss said the amended bill, setting the limit of five trucks in line for weighing and inspection and streamlining the appeal process, was a logical compromise. Thats beneficial to everybody, Chambliss said. Not only for the traveling public but also to the loggers who are trying to make a living. It keeps those on the side of the road doing the weighing, keeps them safer. Its just better for everybody to do it that way. So I was glad we came to a real logical conclusion on that part. Williams, the bill sponsor, called the compromise a win-win. He also said he expects to try again with legislation to increase axle loads. Williams said if log trucks are hauling 40-foot logs, they will exceed the axle limit unless they carry no more than about half of a full load. The Senate passed the bill by a vote of 32-0. It moves to the House. An Alabama woman is suing several school officials, alleging that a man from Kentucky sexually assaulted her daughter after being allowed to pick up the teen from school. In September of 2024 a man named Justin Stephens called Central High School in Lauderdale County and pretended to be the 15-year-olds parent, according to the lawsuit filed in state court on Monday. The written rules of CHS require all check-ins and check-outs to be processed in person through the main office, and the person checking the student out must present in-person to the main office and provide photo identification, the lawsuit reads. But the lawsuit says that no one at the school checked Stephens ID. Video footage showed the girl getting into Stephens truck about 9 a.m., according to the lawsuit. Stephens then allegedly took the girl to an abandoned building and raped her, the suit says. At 2 p.m. cameras showed the student returning to the school. Police have said that Stephens met the girl online and traveled from Kentucky to meet her in Alabama. Defendants in this case include Stephens, Central High Principal Duana Keener, Assistant Principal Greta Erwin, and Elizabeth Shelton, the school secretary, and any other unnamed school employees who failed to follow policy. AL.com has reached out to the school principal for comment. He did not immediately respond on Tuesday evening. Check-ins and check-outs are not allowed until the check-out has been verified by the parent/guardian of the student, and the person checking the student out must present a note with the parent/guardians signature and phone number, the lawsuit reads. All check-ins and check-outs are subject to the approval of the principal/administrator. Stephens was arrested in Oct. 2024 and charged with rape and traveling to meet a child for an unlawful sex act. Court records state he confessed to the incident when speaking with the police. The mothers lawsuit emphasizes that Stephens was driving a black Dodge truck which school personnel knew was different than the vehicles driven by the teens parents. In the lawsuit the mother says that Stephens actions were a consequence of the failures and negligence of the CHS administrators. The lawsuit says that the teen has suffered mental, social and emotional trauma. The lawsuit says she has prematurely lost her childhood, been caused anxiety, embarrassment, loss of trust, and an alienation of affection and certain relationships. Police in Panama City Beach are cracking down following a weekend shooting involving spring break visitors. Security checks at all entrances of the popular Pier Park will begin at 8 a.m. Friday and continue through 5 a.m. Monday, at least for the next two weekends. Backpacks are prohibited, some public parking areas will be closed, and traffic violations could lead to double fines and even impounding of vehicles. Were not going to be pushed around by some kids, said PCB Police Chief J.R. Talamantez Wednesday. Were dealing with teenagers that put everything on social media, from what they eat to who they want to shoot. The shooting happened shortly before 9:30 p.m. Saturday in the area of Dave and Busters. The chief said the gunfire erupted between two groups of people and said police officers were just 50 feet away when the shots rang out. No arrests have yet been announced, but Talamantez previously said the young shooters are believed to be from out of town. All three victims have since been released from the hospital. Talamantez said as a result, authorities have established a couple of special event zones, where tougher restrictions will be enforced in the coming weekends. Those zones include Pier Park, and other locations where large groups of teen spring break visitors tend to congregate. Security officers at Pier Park, assisted by police officers, will have security checks at the entry points and will specifically prohibit backpacks from being brought in. We are restricting backpacks, which we identified as used in this shooting incident, to hold firearms, the chief said. Facemasks are also prohibited. Some of our shooters were using facemasks, he said. Were trying to prevent any criminal from hiding their identity after a crime has been committed. Additionally, all minors must be accompanied by an adult after 8 p.m. in Pier Park and the other special event zones. And, he said, bag checks will be done at the entrances of some of the private beaches, such as at the Shores of Panama. Talamantez said they are beefing up video surveillance in those areas and increasing the use of license plate readers. As was the case last weekend, more than 50 officers will saturate the hotspots. We will have just as many resources there, if not more, than we did last weekend, he said. This isnt anything we want to, but we had a shooting where three people got shot, the chief said. Everybody is on edge. The people that work there want to feel safe. The people that go there want to feel safe. Talamantez said Florida authorities are also coordinating with law enforcement agencies in Alabama and Georgia. If youre traveling down here this weekend or next weekend, you might get pulled over on the way because of the requests we made of these agencies to provide some interdiction before they get down here, he said. He said he understands the frustrations and angers of local residents, because he shares those sentiments. It hurts me that I cannot tell you that one of the crown jewels of our city might not be safe to visit this weekend, Talamantez said. But there are just some things that are out of the control of any police department. As he has previously said, Talamantez talked about the teen population that has visited Panama City Beach and the lack of respect for authority and rules. Theres places in this country, and its unfathomable to me, where police arent allowed to do their jobs. Their hands are tied, he said. You have individuals committing crimes without fear of consequences. For some reason, they think that reality is reality everywhere. This is us trying to show them, Talamantez said, that that reality does not go on in Panama City Beach. A Tuscaloosa man has been sentenced to federal prison for threatening and cyberstalking his ex-girlfriend. U.S. District Court Judge Annmarie Axon sentenced 27-year-old Kenneth Peter Hoover to more than three years, according to a joint announcement Wednesday from Northern District of Alabama U.S. Attorney Prim Escalona and FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge James DeLoatch. Hoover pleaded guilty in November to interstate threatening communications and cyberstalking. According to the plea agreement, on Jan. 22, 2024, the FBI National Threat Operations Center received an online tip concerning a series of posts on X by a user who was later identified as Hoover. In the posts, Hoover threatened to assault and kill his ex-girlfriend. After the Tuscaloosa Police Department was notified of the posts, officers contacted the victim and secured safe housing for her. A few days later, a Tuscaloosa officer initiated a traffic stop on Hoover. The officer ordered Hoover to exit the vehicle, but Hoover refused to follow the officers orders. After several unsuccessful attempts to remove Hoover from the vehicle, additional officers responded to the scene and successfully placed Hoover into custody. The investigation determined that Hoover had used Apple iMessage, Snapchat, and Venmo to harass and intimidate the victim, sending threatening and violent messages with the intent to injure, harass, or intimidate her. The FBI Birmingham Division investigated the case along with the Tuscaloosa Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel S. McBrayer prosecuted. Donald Trump's executive order has put Smithsonian institutions, including the National Zoo, in the crosshairs of culture war. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File) AP This is an opinion column. Last week, President Donald Trump assigned his other vice president, J.D. Vance, to oversee an important task. No, not another trip to Greenland. Vance got a chilly reception there. No, not more White House chit-chat with Ukrainian officials, either. It turns out, theres a real reason to keep J.D. away from Oval Office couches. And no, not another bombing run on Houthi terrorists. According to his text messages, which now everybodys read, Vance didnt even want to do that the first time. Instead, with an executive order signed last week, Trump has tasked Vance with purging improper ideology from Smithsonian institutions, including the National Zoo. Thats right. Trump wants J.D. to de-wokify the zoo. Nobody has assigned busywork for a vice president like this since Joe Biden made Kamala Harris his border czar. As a parent of young children, I have spent my share of time in zoos, including recent trips to the National Zoo. This doesnt make me an expert, but it does qualify me to leave nasty reviews on Yelp, especially when the hamburgers are worse than the ones at my high school cafeteria and cost more than my first date with my wife. But in terms of wokeness, the National Zoo isnt notably different from others Ive seen. There are animals that are awake. And there are animals that are asleep. There are also animals off exhibit, which I will choose to believe means theyre on break and not deceased. The most popular attraction at the National Zoo are the giant pandas, Bao Li and Qing Bao, playful people-pleasers on loan from quasi-communist China. Im sure the president is pleased. The least popular might be the manatee more common in President Trumps now-home state of Florida. Last week, I stared at the manatee for at least two or three minutes before it moved. For a second, I thought it might need some time off-exhibit. Other American animals include cows, donkeys and goats things that, when not living in captivity at the zoo, spend their time living in captivity on a farm. Of course, the improper ideology isnt the animals themselves, but the signage and interpretation of the National Zoo exhibit. As at other zoos, almost every animal comes with a plaque nearby explaining how its endangered or no longer able to exist in the wild. And therein lies the problem for Trumpism. If you dont spend much time at zoos, you might be under the impression that they are depressing places where animals that should be wild and free spend their days confined, bored or even abused. Zoos might be depressing, but rather, for what happens outside their fences. There are more tigers in captivity today than there are in the wild. The elephants in the pachyderm house are safe from poachers. The small primates habitat is not endangered by deforestation. Zoos might be the one place where animals are safe from people, the one place where humans try to keep species alive, where we can coexist. A display at the National Zoos prairie dog exhibit describes how the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute is helping save the adorable varmints from a plague with a vaccine. Forget J.D. Vance. Just wait until R.F.K. Jr. hears about this. Whats woke about the zoo? Zoos have important lessons to teach, as they do to millions of children who pass through them each year. Zoos teach us that, where there is no diversity in a species, a single virus or invasive predator can wipe it from existence. Zoos show us that, where there is no equity or balance in a habitat, the whole ecosystem can be at risk of collapse. Zoos put us on notice that, when we humans make no room for inclusion, we erase the natural world from the Earth. Zoos demonstrate that diversity, equity and inclusion are not just things that happen on college campuses or in your companys HR department, but are vital things for the natural world. At the zoo, you cant look the other way, even when an animal is off-exhibit. Whats woke about the zoo? Maybe everything. Kyle Whitmire is the Washington watchdog columnist for AL.com and winner of the 2023 Pulitzer Prize. You can follow him on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, X , Threads and Bluesky. "Let's be bolder in America with a vision that inspires with hope," Booker said in his historic speech before the Senate. "Let's get back to the ideals that are being threatened (Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media) NJ Advance Media for NJ.com This is an opinion column. Sen. Cory Booker had been standing for almost 20 hours before I knew he was standing at all. Standing at the podium in the U.S. Senate chambers. Standing and pontificating, as Senators and members of Congress often do. As they usually do before a near-empty chamber, articulating and gesturing really for C-SPAN political nerds and the Congressional Record. It wasnt too long before I realized, though, that the 55-year-old Democrat from New Jersey wasnt standing and speaking to an echo chamber for an audience of none. He was standing and speaking to us all. Standing and speaking for us all. Even for those who will no doubt throw verbal rocks at him. Even for those who disagree with everything he eloquently and passionately said with every fact he cited or covered their ears, refusing to hear. Even for those who are breathing fire that threatens to torch our Constitution and transform our democracy into a heap of smoldering embers. Fire that will leave the foundation upon which this nation was built as a pile of ash. As you surely know by now, as your children and their children and beyond will one day surely know (and be taught, hopefully), Booker stood and spoke on the Senate floor longer than anyone in history, including one of the most racist humans ever to stand at that podium. Poetic. Booker stood and spoke for 25 hours and 5 minutes, from Monday at 6 p.m. Central time until 7:05 p.m. Tuesday. He stood and spoke 47 minutes longer than the late South Carolina segregationist Sen. Strom Thurmond, who spoke for 24 hours and 18 minutes in a failed effort to derail the Civil Rights Act of 1957, the first significant civil rights legislation of that era. A failed effort to stop progress. A failed effort to sustain immoral inequities. A failed effort to stifle me. Such is the irony of Bookers eloquent declaration that this, now 71 days, as of Tuesday, into Donald Trumps second presidential administration was our moral moment. It was a savory delineation of the immorality of Trumps actions. Of intentionally and blithely hurting Americans. Hurting their ability to feed their families due to rising grocery prices. Hurting children who will go hungry without funding for school meals that may be their only one of the day. Hurting veterans by stripping away the medical and mental care they risked their lives to earn. Hurting our elders and families who depend on affordable health care to live. Theres a threat to the bedrock commitments weve made to this country, Booker said. Hurting our brightest and those who aspire to be so. Hurting those who seek medical advances that save lives now and will save the lives of our children, their children and beyond. Hurting men, women and children who risked their lives to seek a better life here, a productive life, a life as law-abiding as those of us born on this soil. Hurting them with depraved indifference. Immoral indifference. Hurting (no, let me be real: killing) men, women and children in other nations whose lives we as moral global leaders committed to save. Hurting relations with global allies whove stood with us for generations, trading them for global oligarchs who smile at our bullying, threats and naive folly. Hurting our economy in ways that will choke the financial plans many faithfully pursued. Hurting far more than we yet know. He evoked the Constitution many times, saying it saved my life as a Black man whose ancestors were elevated by amendments that guaranteed them citizenship, the vote and other rights afforded Americans. It is not about right or left, Booker said many times of Trumps actions. Its about right and wrong. I watched Booker proudly in those final hours on the floor. We share an alma mater, Stanford University. African American alums call ourselves #chocolatecardinal and many among the tribe shared our pride via text and social media during his speech. I interviewed him for a column six years ago when he was an aspiring hopeful for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination. Our conversation focused on Alabama, where he had traveled on numerous occasions. In 2018, he toured two Black Belt cities, Tallahassee and Uniontown, and listened to residents share the effects of decades of environmental racism on their lives environmental racism that will now go unchecked with the Trump/Elon Musk DOGE-mantling of the Environmental Protection Agencys Environmental Justice and DEI arms. During that same trip, Booker also visited Africatown, the cluster of mostly African American neighborhoods in Mobile encircled by toxic industrial blight. Ive fallen in love with the state, he told me then. I was really moved by the sacrifice and the will although their circumstances are tough of some communities, which wont stop fighting. I was inspired by that. Booker learned, too, of his blood ties to the state, dating as far back as slavery. While participating in Harvard professor Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr.s PBS Series Finding Your Roots, he discovered his grandmothers grandparents fled Alabama and settled in rural Buxton, Iowa. His Native American ancestors fought in the Alabama Creek War of 1814-15; at least one white ancestor was a Confederate soldier. I was surprised how much Alabama kept popping up, he said. Two months before we spoke, Booker gave the keynote speech at historic Brown Chapel AME Church on the morning of that years annual commemoration of Bloody Sunday, March 7, 1965 60 years ago now. Its time for us to defend the dream, he said that day. So, I wasnt surprised that Alabama was woven through as Booker stood and spoke Monday and Tuesday. He shared many tales of his close relationship with Alabama native Congressman John Lewis, evoking the late civil rights icons challenge to create good trouble when necessary. Like now. Id heard many of Bookers stories about Lewis before, but not this one: The Bloody Sunday attack on the then-student and 600 other marchers inspired a white attorney in New Jersey to offer pro bono work for local charitable organizations. He reached out to a nonprofit that was trying to address housing discrimination. Together, they created a plan to expose it. They sent a black couple to homes that were listed for sale but were told the home was no longer on the market. A white couple was sent that same listing. Make an offer, they were told. Ultimately, the realtor was sued. In court, he attacked the white lawyer and sicced a dog on the African American woman who led the nonprofit. The white owners of the home were apparently so taken aback by the realtors attack they reached out to the nonprofit and sold the home directly to the Black couple trying to buy it. That couple was Cary and Carolyn Booker, whose son, Cory, was born in 1969. Booker also recalled Lewis standing in for his just deceased father on the day he was sworn into the Senate in 2013. He talked about calling Lewis to see if he would help Booker attend the Sunday School service taught by former President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalyn. In what he called his greatest road trip ever, Booker flew to Atlanta, rode in a car with Lewis to Plains, Georgia and sat in the front row before being summoned to meet the former president and First Lady before the class. President Carter said he had heard Booker was thinking of running for president, the senator recalled. Well, if you do, Carter said as he poked Booker in the chest, near his heart, do so from here. One of the final stories Booker shared about Lewis occurred shortly before the congressmans death. It wont be long, Booker was told. Lewis could not speak but a phone was held to his ear. Booker couldnt remember anything profound, he said. I just told him, Thank you. As Booker filled the final minutes, he called upon Lewis and Alabama again as examples of how we must be in these tenuous times (and this is edited a bit, for a man who had been standing and speaking for more than 24 hours): Ill be honest with you, I dont know what he would say now. But John Lewis would say something. He would do something. He wouldnt treat this moral moment like it was normal. John Lewis knew what Dr. Martin Luther King said that all of us here will have to repent for not just the vitriolic words and violent actions of so-called bad people. What we will have to repent for in our day and age is the appalling silence and the inaction of good people. This is our moral moment. This is when the most precious ideas of our country are being tested, where the Constitution and the question is being called: Where does the Constitution live? On paper or in our hearts? . Were on a crossroads here, folks. Health care is in the balance. Veterans are on the balance. Priorities are on the balance. Wheres our priorities, America? More tax cuts disproportionately going to the wealthy, greater budget deficits into trillions and trillions of dollars. Or are we going to do something different? Like John Lewis would call us to do, he would call us to get into good trouble, necessary trouble to save the soul of America. But you all know, John: Dont hate each other. Dont hate anybody. The folks in Birmingham: Martin Luther King, Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth, Dorothy Cotton, James Bevel. Did they bring bigger dogs and bigger fire hoses to match (Booker struggled to recall the name here until someone shared it from the chambers, which was now filled with Senate colleagues and others seeking to witness this historic feat) Bull Connor, thank you. Ive been standing here a long time. They didnt do that. They were creative artists of activism. They called to the conscience of a country. They challenged our moral imagination, to not focus on hate but on what is possible in America if we redeem the dream, if we dream America anew. That generation in their 20s and 30s, thats what they demanded. Martin Luther King didnt go to the March on Washington with a list of grievances against the racists in our country. He went there and called to the conscious of a country. He said he had a dream. Thats what we need in our generation a vision to redeem the dream to call our country together. As he teetered toward closing, his voice expectedly cracked but his energy did not falter: Where I started was John Lewis. I dont know how to solve this. I dont know how to stop us from going down this road. But I know who does have the power: the people of the United States of America. The power of the people is greater than the people in power. It is time to heed the words of the man I began this whole thing with, John Lewis. I beg folks to take his example of his early days when he made himself determined to show his love for his country at a time the country didnt love him to be such a patriot that he endured beatings savagely on the Edmund Pettus Bridge, at lunch counters, on freedom rides. He said he had to do something. He would not normalize a moment like this. He would not just go along with business as usual. He wouldnt know how to solve it. But theres one thing that he would do that I hope we all can do: He said for us to go out and cause some good trouble, necessary trouble to redeem the soul of our nation. I want you to redeem the dream. Lets be bold in America not divide us against each other. Lets be bolder in America with a vision that inspires with hope Lets get back to the ideals that others are being threatened. Those imperfect geniuses added some very special words at the end of the Declaration of Independence, one of the greatest in all humanity declarations of interdependence. Our founders said we must mutually pledge, pledge to each other, our Lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor. We need that now. For all Americans, this is a moral moment. Its not left or right, its right or wrong. Lets get in good trouble. My friend, Madame President, I yield the floor. Bookers historic, eloquent and passionate display of endurance finished at 7:05 p.m. Central time. For the rest of us, it was time to start. To stand. Lets be better tomorrow than we are today. My column appears on AL.com, and digital editions of The Birmingham News, Huntsville Times, and Mobile Press-Register. Tell me what you think at rjohnson@al.com, and follow me at twitter.com/roysj, Instagram @roysj and BlueSky. New construction in the Huntsville area topped $509.7 million in the first quarter of 2025, according to building permits issued in Madison, Limestone and Morgan counties. Three projects totaling more than $10 million were issued permits, according to Southern Exposure Information. Topping the list is Huntsville Hospitals Madison Street Tower expansion. Buildings at the Redstone Gateway and Cummings Research Park are the other projects. Huntsville issued 381 permits totaling $281.8 million. Madison County issued 508 permits totaling $121.9 million. Madison issued 101 permits totaling $83.9 million. Athens issued 97 permits totaling $41.4 million. Decatur issued 85 permits totaling $30.3 million. Priceville issued five permits totaling $213,000. Here is a list of the top builders so far in 2025 and what theyre working on. Robins & Morton Group Robins & Morton is the builder for the most expensive project of the year so far. A permit was issued in February for a $112 million project that is part of Huntsville Hospitals $150 million Madison Street Tower expansion. The Huntsville Hospital expansion includes adding 154,000 square feet of new clinical space. The Alabama Certificate of Need Review Board unanimously approved the five-story addition late last year. Most of the work will take place at the northeast corner of the hospital facing Madison Street and St. Clair Avenue. Construction is expected to take about two years. The $150 million project includes: A new Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit, made possible by a $10 million philanthropic donation the largest private gift the hospital has ever received. A new Neuro Intensive Care Unit for neurosurgical and stroke patients. Three floors of new acute medical space. 120 new private patient rooms. A new and improved Emergency Department vehicle entrance. When construction is finished, HH Health Systems flagship facility will have a total of 931 patient beds up from 881 currently. Seventy existing patient rooms are being converted from double occupancy to single occupancy. Robins & Morton built the Madison Street Tower in 2006. Chapman Sisson Architects designed the tower and the expansion. The hospital expansion is not the only project started by Robins & Morton this year. The firm is working on a $3.7 million, 28,000-square-foot buildout at 9700 Advanced Gateway. The facility will include office space and high bay space, Robins & Morton spokesman Chris Yazbec told AL.com. Other top area builders for the quarter were: Davidson Homes Davidson Homes was the top homebuilder during the first quarter. It was issued 106 permits totaling $25.8 million. Davidson Homes is building homes in Huntsville, Madison, north Madison County, Decatur, Athens, Toney, Hartselle and Harvest. It advertises homes starting in the $250,000 range and upward to more than $500,000. Brasfield & Gorrie Brasfield & Gorrie is working on a $25 million, 125,000-square foot building at 8500 Redstone Gateway. The building is managed by COPT Defense Properties. The firm is also working on the Stadium Commons development near Joe Davis Stadium that was started last year. Brasfield & Gorries work in the Huntsville area has spanned projects in the commercial, aerospace, government, healthcare and industrial sectors. Notable projects include NASA test stands, the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Bryant Bank, Alabama School of Cyber Technology, Dynetics, U.S. Courthouse, Davidsons Technologies headquarters and Redstone Gateway buildings 1000, 1200 and 7000 in addition to 8500. Lennar Homes Lennar Homes has been issued 97 permits totaling $22 million. Lennar Homes is the main homebuilder for the Clift Farm development bordering north Madison off U.S. 72. It has also constructed other homes in Madison and Athens, and the Retreat subdivision in Meridianville. Most of the homes listed on the Lennar website are in the $280,000-$400,000 price range. Turner Construction Turner Construction is the contractor for a $16.5 million building at 905 Mark C. Smith Drive in Cummings Research Park. The Huntsville-Madison Chamber was issued the permit for the work. The firm has worked on several high-profile projects in the Huntsville area, including Huntsvilles new City Hall, which opened last year. Edward Rose Associates The Michigan firm was issued eight permits totaling $14 million for continued work on Signature Pointe Apartments on French Farms Boulevard in Athens. Woodland Homes Woodland Homes was issued 28 permits totaling $13.5 million Woodland Homes website advertises 15 new home communities, including in Madison, Athens, Meridianville, New Market and Owens Cross Roads. Most of the homes on the website advertise for more than $400,000. Fite Construction Fite Construction of Decatur was issued three permits totaling $8.1 million. Two of the permits were issued for alterations to the Nucor Towers and Structures facility at 913 Maero St. NW in Decatur. The permits were issued to the City of Decaturs Industrial Development Board Fite is the builder of the recreation center at John Hunt Park, a preschool in Town Madison and several downtown Decatur projects. Not included in the totals are projects that are ongoing that were started before the beginning of the year. That includes the $375 million Front Row mixed-use development going up at the corner of Clinton Avenue and Monroe Street across from the Von Braun Center. ARCO/Murray National Construction, the top builder in the Huntsville area the last two years, is the contractor for that project. The Alabama House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday approved a bill to outlaw human cloning. The bill, by Rep. Phillip Rigsby, R-Huntsville, would make it a Class C felony to clone, attempt to clone, or participate in the attempted cloning of a human being. Rigsby, who is a pharmacist, said he got the idea for the legislation when he attended a conference on the ethics of biological and medical research. Rigsby said he believes about 11 other states have laws to prohibit human cloning. It made be start asking questions about what does Alabama have, Rigsby said. And there was nothing on the books that would prevent it. Nothing allows it, but if you dont have anything that prevents it, its the wild, wild west. So I want to make sure those guardrails are there just to protect the dignity of life. A Class C felony carries a sentence of one to 10 years. Rigsby said he believes researchers could reach the capability of human cloning in the next two to five years. He noted that Dolly the sheep was cloned in 1996. He said horses, cows, dogs, cats, and monkeys have been cloned since then. Its not going to be tomorrow. But we could be a couple of years away, Rigsby said. Rep. Cynthia Almond, R-Tuscaloosa, proposed an amendment to ensure that in-vitro fertilization would not be affected by the bill. The committee adopted the amendment. Rigsby said the language to protect IVF was already in the bill, but said Almonds amendment moved it to an earlier part of the bill. Rigsby said his bill, HB380, would only apply to efforts to clone a human being, not other forms of cloning, such as those used to develop a human organ. My issue here today is for the safety and the integrity of life and the valuing of life, Rigsby said. I do not want life to become a commodification. And so what HB380 does is just basically put some guardrails around the science thats quickly advancing so that we do continue to value life and dont have a bunch of little Phillips running around here, which can cause a lot of moral and ethical issues. Rigsbys bill moves to the House. FILE - The empty chamber of the House of Representatives is seen at the Capitol in Washington, Feb. 28, 2022. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File) AP This is a guest opinion column As President Trump, Elon Musk, and their allies cause chaos and threaten essential services like Social Security, Americans are rightly concerned. Republicans in Congress dont seem to mind. This no-show majority has abdicated its responsibility to represent the people. Alabamas Fifth Congressional District, which contains the Huntsville area, relies heavily on federal jobs. According to the most up-to-date figures, 7.63% of all workers in the district are employed by the federal government. And yet, even as DOGE threatens federal employment, the representatives of the workers and families who are doing those jobs have no interest in meeting with their constituents. Lawmakers, emboldened by their safe seats in gerrymandered districts, have actively limited engagement with their constituents. Congressional leadership has discouraged in-person town halls, and many GOP lawmakers have followed suit, including in Alabama. Rep. Dale Strong, who represents the Fifth District, has come under fire for holding a town hall where constituents could not ask questions. And Rep. Gary Palmer (AL06) refused to hold any town hall meetings. Strong ran unopposed in 2024, while Palmer secured his seat with a decisive 40.75% margin. Notably, although Palmers district does not include UAB, it does encompass downtown Birmingham. Given this proximity, it is highly likely that many of his constituents will be directly impacted by the loss of NIH and other funding to the university. Democrats reacted similarly during the rise of the Tea Party movement, when, for example, public outrage over the Affordable Care Act led Rep. John Dingell to stop holding town halls in 2009 after being heckled and called a fraud and liar. This crisis of representation is not just a function of partisan politics; it is a systemic failure rooted in our winner-take-all electoral system that leaves voters in districts dominated by a single party without meaningful representation. When representatives feel secure in their seats, they have little incentive to engage with voters who challenge their positions. And since fewer than 10% of U.S. House races were competitive in 2024, the vast majority of Americans live in districts where their votes do not meaningfully impact the outcome. Indeed, in Alabama, there is precious little actual competition for these seats. In the 2024 elections, the average gap across all seven US House Districts in the state between the first-place and second-place vote-getters was 59.78%. That incredibly high margin means candidates feel their seat is safe and that is even if they have an opponent. In three of the seven races, the winner ran unopposed. With each congressional seat controlled by one party or another, representatives have less motive to be responsive to voters needs and instead often prioritize national partisan agendas over state or local concerns. The public is demanding a better system. A near supermajority of Americans want major political change or a complete overhaul, and nearly two-thirds wish they had more than two parties to choose from. Many voters feel trapped in a cycle of choosing the lesser of two evils. But what if there was a system that allowed every voter to have a voice in their representation? What if, when one representative refused to hold town halls in your district, you could turn to other representatives from different parties who were willing to listen? A proven alternative to winner-take-all is electing multiple members per district using proportional representation. Instead of one member for each district, youd have a larger district with three to five members, and you would elect representatives based on the share of votes each party receives. For example, imagine instead of seven districts electing a single representative, Alabama had two districts that elected three or four representatives. Constituents shut out from town halls by Rep. Strong and Rep. Palmer could turn to one or two other representatives, at least one of which might be a Democrat, to find some help or get some answers. Under proportional representation, elections are more competitive, and every vote matters; this boosts voter turnout by up to 12%. This kind of change disrupts the lock the Democratic and Republican parties have on our electoral system, making elections more competitive for the two major parties, and encouraging candidates from new parties not just to run, but actually win seats by competing to address state and local concerns. Proportional representation also reduces gerrymandering, as multi-member districts make it almost impossible to draw a district that elects someone from a specific party. More competition means a more responsive government, as constituents have multiple representatives who must compete for re-election every cycle, rather than phoning in a race for a seat that is safe or uncontested. The winner-take-all system has allowed Alabamas lawmakersfrom both partiesto evade accountability, fueling voter frustration and deepening polarization. If we want a Congress that listens, we must change how our representatives are elected. Proportional representation isnt a radical idea; its a system that is used worldwide. It could transform Alabamas political landscape, ensuring that all voices are heardnot just the majoritys. If we want a stronger, fairer democracy, its time to embrace it. Steven L. Taylor, Ph.D. is Professor Emeritus of Political Science at Troy University. Neil Young performs in concert during Farm Aid 2024 at Saratoga Performing Arts Center on September 21, 2024 in Saratoga Springs, New York. (Photo by Gary Miller/Getty Images) Getty Images He may not be able to keep on rockin in the free world. Thats the concern from double Rock n Roll Hall of Fame inductee and Canadian native Neil Young, who told fans he fears hell be banned from America or jailed over his anti-Donald Trump rhetoric. Young sets off for the European leg of his tour this summer before returning to the United States. He hold dual Canadian-American citizenship. When I go to play music in Europe, if I talk about Donald J. Trump, I may be one of those returning to America who is barred or put in jail to sleep on a cement floor with an aluminum blanket, Young posted to his website on Tuesday. "That is happening all the time now. Countries have new advice for those returning to America (emphasis original)," Young wrote. If I come back from Europe and am barred, cant play my USA tour, all the folks who bought tickets will not be able to come to a concert by me, the rocker continued. Young said the threat of being banned is more serious for Canadians amid the Trump administrations effort to make the country the 51st state as tensions increase between the neighbors. Born in Toronto, Young has lived in the U.S. since the mid 60s. After an early Los Angeles period, the mutton-chopped musician resided for decades at Broken Arrow, his ranch in Northern California. On Jan. 22, Young became a dual citizen of Canada and the U.S If youre a dual citizen like me, who knows? Well all find that out together, Young said. The Crazy Horse member has publicly butted heads with Trump, saying the then-presidential candidate was not authorized to play Rockin in the Free World during his campaign kickoff at Trump Tower in 2015. In 2020, Young penned an open letter to Trump, telling him, you are a disgrace to my country. On Tuesday, Young lamented what his potential ban means for freedom. By these actions of our US government, it seems that those who speak out freely with their own opinions are now vulnerable to a non-existent Trump law, he wrote. Then it seems to me that if you voted for Kamala Harris over Trump, that makes it possible for you to go to jail or be detained, punished or in some way for not showing allegiance to what? Young continued. How spineless is that? Trump is not be able [sic] to stand up to anyone who does not agree with his ideas? Alabama state Sen. Arthur Orrs, R-Decatur, bill seeking to limit where and when protests could be organized passed a Senate Committee on Wednesday. The Senate Committee on County and Municipal Government voted to pass the legislation despite concerns from Democratic lawmakers. Orr has attempted to pass similar legislation for several years but has been unsuccessful so far. The bill, SB247, states that it would prohibit a person from picketing or protesting at or near the residence of any individual with the intent to harass, intimidate, or disturb during the period starting 30 minutes after sunset and ending 30 minutes before sunrise. This prohibition would also apply if an individual used artificial noise amplification, blocked a public road, or blocked the entrance and exit of a residential area or place of employment. Orr defended the bill saying it would meet constitutional standards and that individuals should find public places to protest outside of neighborhoods. We got parks, we got courthouse squares, we got all sorts of public places, but also the neighborhoods, Orr said. When you go into neighborhoods, and the disturbances youre creating there, theres plenty of places to make your sentiments known. But the bill does not specify if individuals are prohibited from protesting at public or private areas such as the Governors mansion. Sen. Merika Coleman, D-Montgomery, said that as a mother she would not want her children subjected to the ire of a protest since they did not sign up to be public officials like her. However, Coleman opposed the legislation citing Alabamas civil rights protest history and said she felt Orrs bill was a step backwards in terms of First Amendment protections. Im just afraid that we might go too far when its left up to interpretation about who actually determines whats intimidation, just the fact that Im there for some people or a crowd is there for some people that might be deemed intimidating or harassing, Coleman said. But its a peaceful protest. So thats just my fear on it Senator. The bill states that it will not, limit a persons freedom of speech or freedom to assemble in any public park or other similar traditional public forum. Violations of the potential law could lead to individuals being charged with Class C or Class B misdemeanors for repeat violations. The bill also provides that before arresting individuals police officers, shall instruct the person who is picketing or protesting to immediately and peaceably disperse. The legislation will now move to the Senate Floor for potential passage. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters before signing an executive order in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Monday, March 31, 2025. (Pool via AP) AP President Donald Trump has yet to publicly weigh in on Tuesday nights Wisconsin Supreme Court election results after calling eventual winner Susan Crawford a liberal lunatic. Trump posted up a storm on his Truth Social media platform after Republicans were victorious Tuesday night in two U.S. House special elections in Florida. But the president was silent when it came to the high-profile Wisconsin race. Instead, Trump truthed about Wisconsinites approving a voter ID ballot amendment Tuesday night while trumpeting his own success in the midwestern state. VOTER I.D. JUST APPROVED IN WISCONSIN ELECTION. Democrats fought hard against this, presumably so they can CHEAT, Trump posted. This is a BIG WIN FOR REPUBLICANS, MAYBE THE BIGGEST WIN OF THE NIGHT. IT SHOULD ALLOW US TO WIN WISCONSIN, LIKE I JUST DID IN THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, FOR MANY YEARS TO COME! But on the big race of the night -- Crawford vs. former Republican Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel -- Trump was silent. Earlier Tuesday, Trump accused Crawford of being a radical left liberal who has a history of letting child molesters and rapists off easy. She will be one of the most Liberal Judges ever elected, which would be a DISASTER for Wisconsin and, the United States of America, Trump posted. On Monday, Trump referred to Crawford as a liberal lunatic. Brad Schimels Opponent, Susan Crawford, is a DISASTER! She is so Far Left that even her own Party, the Radical Democrats, dont want ANYTHING to do with her, he posted. Wisconsin Values are perfectly represented by Brad Schimel. He is Conservative, Strong and, above all, SANE. His Opponent is a Liberal Lunatic who will throw our Country, and the State of Wisconsin, into TOTAL CHAOS. Vote for Brad Schimel! Crawford, 60, has served as a Dane County Circuit Court judge since 2018. She won election to the seat that year and again in 2022 in the county, which is home to the liberal state capital, Madison. Crawford previously worked as an assistant attorney general for both the Iowa and Wisconsin departments of justice and as an attorney in the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. In 2009, she joined Democratic Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyles staff as his legal counsel. After Doyle left office in 2011, Crawford joined a liberal Madison law firm that filed numerous lawsuits challenging Republican-enacted laws. In that role she represented Planned Parenthood in a pair of cases challenging limitations to abortion. She also spoke against the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade. Two cases challenging an 1849 Wisconsin abortion ban law are pending before the state Supreme Court. Tens of millions of dollars were flowed in to the Wisconsin race. Billionaire Elon Musk and his affiliated groups sank at least $21 million into the normally low-profile race and paid three individual voters $1 million each for signing a petition in an effort to goose turnout in the pivotal battleground state contest. That made the race the first major test of the political impact of Musk, whose prominence in President Donald Trumps administration has skyrocketed with his chaotic cost-cutting initiative that has slashed federal agencies. Crawford and the Democrats who backed her made Musk the focus of their arguments for holding the seat, contending he was buying the election, which set records for the costliest judicial race in history. The Associated Press contributed to this report. U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., celebrated what President Donald Trump dubbed Liberation Day on Wednesday, claiming that countries built off the American taxpayer need to pay up in the form of tariffs. In this country, weve had a party for 249 years. United States has put that party on, Alabamas senior senator said on the Senate floor Wednesday as Democrats tried to prevent Trumps tariffs from going into effect. The party needs to continue, but all the other countries that have been built off the American taxpayers, such as the Middle East, such as Europe, such as China, they need to start bringing gifts to the party because the American taxpayer cant afford it any longer. Were $37 trillion in debt. And the only way to pay that down is to force other people to help us. The American taxpayer cant afford it, Tuberville continued. Tubervilles speech came shortly before Trump is scheduled to give a Liberation Day address, where the president is expected to outline reciprocal tariffs against China, Mexico and Canada. The senator credited the upcoming address with India, Vietnam, and Israel dropping and lowering tariffs against the United States. Alabamas senior senator also attacked the press and Democrats for opposing Trumps trade agenda. The media, for some reason, is in full meltdown mode after President Trump declared today Liberation Day. Only my Democratic colleagues and the media, globalist media would find a reason to be mad about that, Tuberville said. Im highly convinced that my colleagues in the woke media would rather President Trump fail than achieve a goal to help the United States of America and the taxpayers. President Trumps views on tariffs they arent complicated. He believes, as I do, that America has been ripped off by unfair trade deals for decades and simply wants a level playing field." Just hours after Trump is set to announce his plan, the Senate was expected to vote on a resolution that offers Republicans an off-ramp to the import taxes on Canada. It is a significant test for Republican loyalty to Trumps vision of remaking the U.S. economy by clamping down on free trade. Many economists are warning that the plan could cause an economic contraction, and GOP senators are already watching with unease as Trump upends U.S. standing with the rest of the world. Tuberville acknowledged that retaliatory tariffs may come from other countries following the presidents announcement. We need to take that in stride, he said. The Associated Press contributed to this report. April 02, 2025 Montgomery County District Attorney Azzie Oliver and Dr. Gulnaz Javan By Kenneth Mullinax/ASU Alabama State University's Department of Forensic Science is now working in collaboration with the Montgomery County District Attorneys Office (DA), the Montgomery County Commission and other government entities to help solve crimes thanks to a $167,127 grant from the U.S. Department of Justices Bureau of Justice Assistance. The funds will be used to create the Central Alabama Shared DNA Technology Project (The Project). The scientific area of The Project is led by the University's Dr. Gulnaz Javan, coordinator of ASUs Forensic Biology Program and a noted national expert in the study of death-related scientific topics and issues. Its goal is to adopt best practices of forensic science to help solve and deter violent crime, which is an issue within so many communities both here and elsewhere, said Dr. Javan. She explained that the joint project will involve Montgomery County District Attorney Azzie Oliver, her staff; prosecutors in up to three other Alabama judicial circuits, sheriffs offices in 11 counties, and 14 police departments. "All of us working together will jointly train and combine effective law enforcement and scientific techniques to help reduce violent crimes within our communities," Dr. Javan commented. A COORDINATED EFFORT TO REDUCE VIOLENCE The grant has been used primarily to purchase a DNA recovery system and supplies, and to train law enforcement, prosecutorial staff and ASU graduate students on how best to use the equipment to bring criminals to justice. Javan shared that the DNA system is manufactured by M-Vac, which is recognized for assisting in evidence recovery situations where traditional methods fail. The M-Vac uses wet-vacuum principles to cause DNA material to release from the substrate, to capture the cells and then transfer them into a sterile collection bottle. Dr. Javan will serve as The Project's subject-matter expert. She already works closely with District Attorney Oliver's investigator, Antony Shannon. The grant will also allow Javan to supervise five ASU forensic science graduate students, who will work with her and with the DA's office and various other Central Alabama crime fighting agencies. PARTNERING TO SOLVE CRIMES DA Oliver believes combining the latest scientific methods with proven crime-fighting methodology will help bring more criminals to justice. This grant is a tremendous asset in the effort to reduce violent crime across Montgomery County and throughout Central Alabama. We believe the DNA technology that well be able to use will lead us to increase our ability to solve even more offenses; arrest more murderers, rapists and robbers; and provide convictions, which will lead to lengthy sentences for criminals and safer streets, Oliver stated. We are grateful to the U.S. Department of Justice for approving this grant." UPLIFTING THROUGH COMMUNIVERSITY Dr. Javan believes the partnership embodies the spirit of ASU President, Dr. Quinton T. Ross, Jr.'s, concept of CommUniversity, which is ASU using its personnel and expertise to help uplift the local, national and global communities outside of the campus. The grant will allow us to utilize ASU's noted Forensic Science program to give our graduate students hands-on activity in cutting-edge research and in doing so with Montgomery's DA Oliver and others, help train the next generation of those who combat violent crime in a myriad of ways and situations. English News China: a global economic anchor via high-quality development Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 30 Mars 2025 Development is the eternal theme of human society. China has consistently aligned its own development with global progress, steering economic globalization toward the right direction, practicing true multilateralism, and striving to serve as a force for stability and certainty in global peace and development. China remains committed to working with all parties to counter risks and challenges, achieving shared prosperity through collective efforts. By He Yin, People's Daily The China Development Forum (CDF) 2025 convened in Beijing from March 23 to 24, bringing together global leaders to address the theme "Unleashing Development Momentum for Stable Growth of Global Economy." Participants examined the challenges and opportunities facing the global economy while observing China's economic dynamism and its role as a stabilizing force. Amid growing international recognition of China's growth engine potential, "expanding investments in China" has emerged as a key priority for global businesses. Executives from multinational corporationsincluding Apple, Siemens, and BMW, joined industry leaders from Global South countries such as Malaysia and Brazil, representing industries spanning manufacturing, finance, and services. This diverse participation underscores heightened interest in China's market opportunities. Attendees emphasized their confidence in China's market potential, optimism about the opportunities it offers, and commitment to long-term cooperation with China. Ola Kaellenius, chairman of the board of management at Mercedes-Benz, stated that the company has greatly benefited from China's rapid economic growth and reaffirmed its commitment to long-term investment in China. He pledged to accelerate innovation and product localization at "Chinese speed," underscoring Mercedes-Benz's dedication to mutual growth within China. Georges Elhedery, group chief executive of HSBC Holdings, highlighted the expanding opportunities in global trade and investment, expressing enthusiasm for supporting China's future prosperity. He reiterated HSBC's role in fostering deeper integration between China and the global economy.. Roland Busch, foreign co-chair of the CDF 2025 and president and CEO of Siemens AG. said China has found the answer to the question of where growth will come from. This year's forum showcased notable highlights that reinforce the resilience, potential, and vitality of the Chinese economy. Thriving consumer markets in film, winter sports, and tourism exemplify the vast potential of domestic economic circulation. Concurrently, technological breakthroughsepitomized by Hangzhou's innovative startups, often dubbed the "Six Little Dragons" highlight China's burgeoning innovation capabilities. Meanwhile, the rapid expansion of green home appliance and new energy industries underscores the transformative opportunities driving sustainable development. New momentum across diverse industries continues to gain strength, positioning itself as a sustainable and powerful driver for China's long-term economic advancement. Dilma Vana Rousseff, president of the New Development Bank, commended China's transformative economic evolution, highlighting its shift from the "world's factory" to a "global innovation powerhouse." Through deliberate strategic planning and sustained investment, China has solidified its leadership in renewable energy and artificial intelligenceachievements underpinned by forward-looking policies and proactive governance. Amid escalating global uncertainties and instability, China's steadfast commitment to high-quality development ensures it remains an anchor of stability for the global economy, reinforcing its role as a reliable engine for global growth. As the global economy grows increasingly fragmentedmarked by rising unilateralism, protectionism, and resistance to economic globalizationhistorical lessons reaffirm that openness and collaboration remain the only path to shared prosperity. As a responsible major power, China remains unwavering in its support for the multilateral trade system and its committed to advancing inclusive economic globalization. Significant strides have been made in rebalancing the economy, evidenced by the current account surplus-to-GDP ratio stabilizing at approximately 1% a marked reduction from its peak of around 10% in 2007. Amid shifting global dynamics, China continues to champion openness and international cooperation, advocating for fair competition anchored in universally recognized rules. This approach safeguards the stability of global trade flows and industrial supply chains while fostering shared growth through mutually beneficial partnerships with nations worldwide. Oliver Zipse, chairman of the board of management of BMW Group, emphasized that tariff wars yield no victors, only losses. He reiterated confidence in China's economic trajectory and its strategic focus on deepening market engagement. BMW, he noted, is accelerating investments in localized production, R&D capabilities, and long-term partnerships with Chinese stakeholders to strengthen its foothold in this critical market. Development is the eternal theme of human society. China has consistently aligned its own development with global progress, steering economic globalization toward the right direction, practicing true multilateralism, and striving to serve as a force for stability and certainty in global peace and development. China remains committed to working with all parties to counter risks and challenges, achieving shared prosperity through collective efforts. Dans la meme rubrique : < > Low-altitude economy lifts off as Chinese automakers enter the eVTOL era China expands efforts to boost global e-commerce cooperation Legacy of Tea-Horse Road lives on at China-Laos border Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena) English News Yangtze porpoise growth reflects river conservation success in China Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 1 Avril 2025 Thanks to sustained conservation efforts, sightings of finless porpoises along the Yangtze river have grown increasingly frequent. The population has rebounded historically, rising steadily to 1,249 in 2022 a 23.42% increase from 2017. By 2024, 95.8% of water monitoring sections in Hubei province met high-quality standards, with all severely polluted sections fully remediated. By Qiang Yuwen, People's Daily In the Xiba section of the Yangtze River located in Yichang city, central China's Hubei province, conservation photographer Yang He captured a rapid series of shots as a Yangtze finless porpoise surfaced. During the autumn of 2022, he documented a rare phenomenon at this site: multiple porpoises engaging in coordinated fish-herding behavior. This area has since been designated as a primary monitoring site on the groundbreaking "Yangtze finless porpoise tracking map." On weekends, families frequently visit the location, equipped with binoculars and guided by the tracking map to observe these elusive creatures. Recognized for their rounded heads, robust frames, and uniform grayish-white skin, Yangtze finless porpoises are affectionately dubbed the river's "smiling angels". As an endemic species exclusive to China's longest waterway, they hold the highest conservation status as a national first-class protected wild animal. However, habitat loss, accidental capture, water pollution, and climate change have all contributed to a drastic population decline. In 2013, they were classified as "critically endangered." In recent years, provinces and municipalities along the Yangtze River have prioritized ecological restoration by implementing the principle of "enhancing conservation while halting overdevelopment." These efforts have marked a critical turning point in environmental protection across the the Yangtze River Economic Belt. As fish populations rebound and biodiversity thrives, endangered Yangtze finless porpoise has shown signs of population recovery. In October 2024, the "Yangtze finless porpoise tracking map" was unveiled at the Workshop on Conservation of Global Endangered Small Cetaceans, co-hosted by the Hubei Provincial Department of Science and Technology and the Institute of Hydrobiology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The map was developed through a yearlong field study conducted in 2023 by the "Porpoise Tracking Project" team. A team member noted, "Water quality in the middle and lower Yangtze habitats of the finless porpoise remains consistently excellent. During our survey at the mouth of Dongting Lake in Yueyang, Hunan povince, we observed over a dozen porpoises surfacing repeatedly." Lv Xiangbo, head of the Wuhan R&D center of Lenovo Research, explained that the team compiled extensive data over the year, leveraging in-house AI technology to pinpoint porpoise activity patterns. Mei Zhigang, associate researcher at the Institute of Hydrobiology, added, "Sonic detection devices have been deployed in critical habitats to support science-driven conservation strategies." Today, in photos captured by Yang He, oil-stained chemical docks have been transformed into scenic riverside parks, and illegal sand dredging vessels are no longer seen. Thanks to sustained conservation efforts, sightings of finless porpoises along the Yangtze river have grown increasingly frequent. The population has rebounded historically, rising steadily to 1,249 in 2022 a 23.42% increase from 2017. By 2024, 95.8% of water monitoring sections in Hubei province met high-quality standards, with all severely polluted sections fully remediated. Dans la meme rubrique : < > Low-altitude economy lifts off as Chinese automakers enter the eVTOL era China expands efforts to boost global e-commerce cooperation Legacy of Tea-Horse Road lives on at China-Laos border Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena) David Scarlett's The Battle at the Border documentary is an insightful and impactful look into one of the most contentious and critical issues facing the United States today: immigration and the security of our southern border. Through a blend of first-hand accounts, historical context, and eye-opening visuals, Scarlett delves into the complexities of the U.S.-Mexico border, highlighting the human and political struggles that occur daily in this often misunderstood region. Not only that, but it delves deeply into the failures of the Biden administration, and how senators and other members of Congress attempt to pick apart the argument that his team was doing the right thing when it came to controlling the border situation. In reality, what occurred is far from control, creating an unsafe and devastating horrifying look at illegal immigrants -- and dangerous criminals, such as the Tren de Aragua gang -- managed to set up shop, as it were, within our country. The documentary effectively balances the perspectives of many different types of people. These include co-producer Christie Hutcherson, former police chief Jessup, rancher John Ladd, Sheriff Mark Lamb and several others, all of whom give a comprehensive view of the challenges faced on both sides of the border. The Battle at the Borders unflinching look at its material serves as one of its greatest strengths, while also making it a harder-hitting documentary than one might expect. His team actually visits the border, compared to certain people that wont be named, to take a first-hand look at whats happening. In fact, in this clip, Scarlett and Hutcherson discuss the conditions involved, and see how everything unfolds in terms of the migrants occupying the area. David Scarletts direction is measured and thoughtful, avoiding the tendency to oversimplify the situation. He avoids sensationalism, instead focusing on a more nuanced portrayal of the border conflict. Not only does he talk with those directly involved in what was happening at our nations border, but he also includes archival footage that breaks down just where Bidens administration failed its very own people. One particular clip that stands out features Texas senator Ted Cruz, who uses a chart to break down the specific point when the border crisis actually began. To hardly anyones surprise, it was exactly when President Biden opted to relax border policies, literally allowing anyone to come in. And it wasnt a slow fluctuation, for that matter -- it spiked rapidly, and, though the footage didnt show it, showed no signs of slowing down anytime soon. The approach taken by Scarlett and Hutcherson make the documentary particularly compelling, as it steers clear of extremist behavior and instead, through footage and interviews, presents the issue straightforward without any filter. The cinematography is striking, especially in the shots of the landscape and the people within it, emphasizing the enormity of the challenge while also reflecting the isolation and desolation firsthand. The film also offers a critical examination of where Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris truly failed, showing how various administrations approaches to border control have impacted not only the lives of certain migrants, but also the American people who were affected by them. While the documentary does lean toward an advocacy for reform, it does not fail to acknowledge the legitimate concerns surrounding border security, making it a balanced and thought-provoking work. One of the more compelling elements of The Battle at the Border is its timing, releasing as immigration debates continue to dominate political discourse in the U.S. As youre aware, President Donald Trump is attempting to clean up the mess left behind by Biden, with several ICE officers and border czar Tom Homan doing what they can to deport as many back as possible. As you might guess, this has been met with some bizarre opposition, with many Democratic governors and senators believing that a more humane approach should be taken. Little are they accepting, however, just how many U.S. lives have been impacted by this ongoing border crisis. The Battle at the Border has no trouble taking a closer look at that, and showing just what kind of devastation has been caused. (Maybe this documentary could even open their eyes a little, and give them an idea of just what they might be pushing forward.) In conclusion, David Scarletts The Battle at the Border is a powerful and poignant documentary that challenges viewers to think critically about the complexities of whats taken place at the borders. It is an eye-opening film that will likely resonate with anyone interested in the intersection of politics, policy, and human experiences at the U.S.-Mexico border. It doesnt hold back on its messaging and, more importantly, whos truly at fault when it comes to how everything has collapsed. It's definitely a must-watch, a dark note in American history that, thankfully, is no longer being followed. The Battle at the Border is available here on HisGlory.TV, in both physical and digital formats. Dan Perkins is a master storyteller and author of the Brotherhood of the Red Nile trilogy, which centers on Islamic nuclear terrorism against the USA. Image: US Customs and Border Protection An old saw says that whatever is sauce for the goose is also sauce for the gander. Of course, in D.C., that has never been true. If you are in the seat of power, you are untouchable. This explains the revulsion that middle earth (flyover country) has for Mordor on the Hudson. Why can they get away with things we would go to jail for? One of those things is getting rich in a job that shouldnt generate that kind of wealth. Perhaps the difference between ordinary citizen geese and politician ganders is best exemplified by the not-inconsiderable fear ordinary citizens experience when an envelope with an IRS return address appears in their mailbox. As ads for IRS fixers say, the IRS is the worlds most feared collection agency. They are judge, jury, and executioner, aimed firmly at your wallet. Of course, the first step is simple. Meet with the nice IRS agent. Hell go over your records, show you where youve stiffed Uncle Sam, and politely request that you pay up. If you dont, things will become rather unpleasant. Your paycheck may suddenly shrink, or things you thought you owned start disappearing in a tax sale. If its bad enough, theyll push a judge to give you an involuntary change of address. So generous. Image (edited) by Freepik AI. This is all so simple that Dems pushed through an ungodly amount of money to add many thousands of new IRS agents. Supposedly, they were to audit the fat cats but, somehow, ordinary folks showed up in their target lists. Dems are never satisfied. They were laundering money through a host of federal agencies, ultimately getting it into their own pockets. I know that seems a bit unsupported, but lets consider the facts and do a bit of simple arithmetic. Alexandria Airhead Cortez was supposedly a broke bartender when she was elected to Congress in 2018. Her salary is $174k per year. By the end of this year, that means her total salary will have been $1.218 million. Out of that, she will have lived for seven years, purchased a residence in D.C., built a checking account balance of $200-500k, and a savings account of $500k-$1 million. Its pretty clear that no one living on $174k a year can afford a residence in both D.C. and their home district, plus all those other goodies, all while adding up to a net worth as high as $2.5 million (h.t., Duck.ai). Inquiring minds want to know how to get on this gravy train. If AOC can blather her way into such riches, why cant I? (I dont get paid for writing this.) Duck.ai suggests that the goodies come from book deals, speaking fees, and other business ventures. But how is it that AOC is worth anything as a speaker? I wonder At the latest rally she had with Comrade Bernie, cell phone tracking data shows that over 80% of the crowd had not only attended another Dem rally, but they had also attended a wide variety of Lefty functions in a wide variety of dispersed locations. That strongly suggests astroturf and high payroll costs for someone dragging a narrative behind chartered buses. The same sort of logic can be explored for a vast variety of CongressCritters. They came to D.C. without much money and somehow are now worth millions. Please note, Im not including people like Mark Warner, Ron Johnson, and Darrell Issa, who all made their money before going to D.C. But when a number of plebeians get rich, we have to wonder. Along the way, did some of their BFFs or family get rich at the same time? We know that happened with the Bidens. It seems theres a simple way to find out whats happening. Audit the whole lot of them. And go back the seven years that income tax evasion charges can reach. If we audit both sides of the aisle, charges of retribution will be blunted. If Republicans are upstanding citizens, their audits are likely to come out clean. Dirty players on either side can pay their accountants and attorneys to explain to the judge why their money wasnt misappropriated from somewhere (USAID perhaps?). But this is only the start. We may properly suspect that a significant majority of the miscreants are on the Dem side of the aisle. Lindsay Gramnesty? Not so sure. Its hard to be sure of much with him. And Im sure that a few of the Rs will have IRS problems. But given the likely distribution of NGO cash to Dems, its probable that quorum calls in both houses will become light on the Left. That will make passing the Presidents priorities simpler. Next, aggregate the NGO money trails. If the bulk of corrupt pols are getting money from the same sources, bribery and corruption charges will be easier to prosecute. The Ultimate Principle tells us that When you investigate the unknown, you do not know what you will find. So, there are likely to be some surprises. Maybe well really learn how Rs become RINOs once they come inside the Beltway. Maybe some people we thought were dirty will pass with flying colors, while some clean people will show up with dirty laundry. The details wont matter until the Grand Jury is done. Then, our duty is to punish the guilty. That way, the privileged will face the same terrors mere taxpayers address. While those people are defending themselves or have taken up new mailing addresses, they wont be voting to gum up the works. Along the way, the same rabbit trail exposed by the initial IRS inquiries may show us how money is getting to various election supervisors and boards. Their refusal to properly maintain voter rolls allows literally millions of ballots to be voted by non-existent voters. If states on the Left Coast, Illinois, and New York had clean voter rolls, its very likely that a lot more Republicans would be elected. That means that Americans who are sick of being forced to fund loony left-wing fantasies with their tax dollars will actually have a chance to have their voices heard. I could rant on, but the answer seems clear. Lets pick some low-hanging fruit. Ted Noel is retired physician who posts on social media as Doctor Ted. When it comes to the U.S. and its trade with foreign partners, we must first address what it means to put America first. WHile that may sound exclusionary to some in the international community, it is simply an outgrowth of a long-standing and often unspoken belief that the only way to keep America strong is to keep America independent and protected from the vagaries of the international global marketplace. Donald Trump is both a globalist and a nationalist, though it may not seem so when looking at America from here where I am in Europe. Trump believes that the only way to ensure America's independence is to strengthen its manufacturing sector by producing more products at home, made by American workers in American factories using American raw materials and technology. He also understands how important the services sector is to the country's ability to compete in global markets as well as perform domestically, and he is not willing to cede any single industry to any single country nor trading regime like that of the EU. Trump is well aware of how vital the energy industry is to every other industry and is determined to use America's fossil fuels to give America a critical competitive initial advantage and increase U.S. world market share for products made by lower cost U.S. labor and cheaper energy prices. He is not an opponent of alternative energy research nor alternative energy use, but is a realist when it comes to investing in it from a government perspective. If private companies wish to do so, fine. That is their business, but do not expect huge tax breaks or incentives to tip the scales their way. Therefore, in order to achieve important international trading success early on, he is willing to use America's oil and gas production quickly to secure the country's competitive advantage. Then, I believe, he will be ready to take on the monumental task of re-building our energy grid and encouraging private industry to invest in adding alternative energy technologies to the mix. In order to achieve his initial short term goals, it was necessary for him to give globalists and the Europeans a "wake up call" that while America is a team player, it is also a solo player in the international business arena. America First, while not a new concept, is one that Trump believes will get him those early economic wins by doing several things, simultaneously. First, there was his all-important warning shot to the EU that its days of protectionism are numbered. America wants better access to European markets and a more level playing field for many products which continue to be the subject of extremely high tariffs. The U.S. also wants a more flexible EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) that will give U.S. agri-products better access to European markets. Under a revised EU trading regime, Europe would not be able to hide behind the climate and/or sustainability fig leaf as a barrier to American products from their markets. No longer would they be able to artificially suppress demand for American vehicles by keeping 10% tariffs on U.S. cars when the U.S. tariff is only 2.5%. No longer would they be able to prevent global companies such as Amazon from competing in European markets by requiring the company to unionize their labor forces. Many in the U.S. believe that workers have the right to work without being forced to unionize and that those rights should be protected in Europe as well by the American companies based there. Second, Trump is intent on bringing back American investment from overseas. Though he knows that American footprint in the EU pales in comparison with that in China, he is not willing to take on China, head-on, right from the start. Behind the scenes, however, he is encouraging many U.S. companies to "come home to the U.S.A." from China when their manufacturing contracts are up for renewal. He knows that China is the big drain on U.S. manufacturing investment, especially when it comes to short-run specialized manufacturing. Europe is just a trial balloon for what comes later. Third, Trump is actively engaged in making American government great again by eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse in U.S. departments and agencies. DOGE is an important tool and Elon Musk is the perfect man for the job because he is expendable when the job is done. His entire raison d' etre is to make himself redundant, and when he is finished, Trump will probably give him the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his efforts. Admittedly, there are whole departments and agencies that are also ideological targets such as USAID and the Department of Education which Trump and many Americans believe have outlived their usefulness and have usurped a role that the states should have. The Department of Education is a case in point. It was established as a cabinet level department by then President Jimmy Carter. Since 1980 it has doubled its employee count to over 4,000 and its budget has skyrocketed from its establishment days of $14 billion to now over $268 billion. All this, and student test scores keep falling. Trump believes that of all the U.S. Departments this one can be totally eliminated and the responsibilities returned to the states. Fourth, by making European products more expensive in the U.S., it is expected that American consumers will buy more American goods thereby reducing our trade imbalance. However, it is most likely that consumers will buy more Chinese-made goods thereby worsening our trade imbalance with China. Trump is willing to take that chance for the short-term in order to get concessions from Europe on trade while he continues to encourage American companies to reduce their investment there. There is, in my opinion, another more human factor that is playing a part in Trump's tariff war on Europe. During his first presidency, Trump was continually humiliated and ridiculed by European leaders and their citizens. His memory of this ridicule has fueled his dislike for the exclusive club that never really wanted him and made it clear that he wasn't welcome. Add to this his firm belief that the EU's only reason for existence is to create a unified trading bloc to the U.S. and it's easy to understand why he has no hesitation in returning the favor. Fifth, Trump is intent on pursuing a rebalancing of American business and popular culture, all with an aim to increase efficiency and productivity, as well as to ensure fairness and equality in the workplace. By eliminating DEI and CRT and stopping quota-based hiring practices and university admissions, he's counting on bringing back meritocracy as the foundation of American business which he feels will eventually lead to better outcomes, higher profits, and increased job satisfaction. Americans want equal opportunity, not unequal advantage. to be the bedrock of their culture, and Trump is intent on remaking the American workplace. Sixth, Trump wants to use the elimination of government departments and savings from DOGE, lower energy prices achieved from new drilling and production of fossil fuels and the return of manufacturing jobs and investment to America as the basis for giving the American public tax cuts in his first year in office. By doing so, he believes he will assure his party of a mid-term election win so that he can make good on his promises to "Make America Great Again." While it is simple to state, it is going to be difficult to implement as is always the case with good ideas whose time has come. Stephen Helgesen is a retired career U.S. diplomat specializing in international trade who lived and worked in 30 countries for 25 years during the Reagan, G.H.W. Bush, Clinton, and G.W. Bush Administrations. He is the author of fourteen books, seven on American politics, and has written over 1,500 articles on politics, economics and social trends. He now lives in Denmark and is a frequent political commentator on Danish media. He can be reached at: stephenhelgesen@gmail.com. Image: Pixabay / Pixabay License President Donald Trump is overseeing a significant rise in tariffs beginning in April. Many predict a rise in prices that will depress markets in the U.S. because buying goods will become prohibitive. Some even go so far as to anticipate a recession. However, Peter Navarro, a dedicated Trump-supporter, defended the increase in tariffs in an interview with Shannon Bream. His defense was surprising and interesting to this writer. He said that most cars that are made in the USA are actually assembled here, not actually manufactured. The Trump tariffs, he predicts, will lead to the manufacture of many more automobiles in the USA. His clear implication is that manufacturing of cars is better for the USA than mere assembling of cars. However, in the interview, Navarro did not explain why manufacturing is better for the economy than the mere assembling of cars. To understand this matter, we need to consider some of the history related to the changed face of our economy over the past thirty years. Here well find the key to understanding the way back from the dilution of our economic strength. The loss of American automobile manufacturing jobs and many other jobs accelerated after President Bill Clinton, prior to leaving office, admitted the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) to the World Trade Organization (WTO). During the first eleven years of PRC membership in the WTO, almost 6 million U.S. manufacturing jobs were lost and 2.4 million total job losses to competition from China. During the first decade of the 21st century and following Clintons unwise decision, the downsizing of manufacturing jobs was regularly depicted as our shift to a service economy, as manufacturing was clearly being moved overseas to take advantage of cheaper labor. However, many analysts argued that even goods manufactured here would cost less because they would be using parts and materials now manufactured abroad, which cost less than the same parts and materials when they were made in the USA. However, even as early as 2005, only five years after Clinton brought the PRC into the WTO, then-senator Barack Obama stated in an interview, The U.S. needed to stop giving tax breaks to companies moving work overseas. It seems likely that by offering this criticism, he positioned himself as someone having an understanding of global economic dynamics, and thus as having presidential-level insight. However, he never accused Clinton as the one responsible for the loss of jobs, and this writer assumes that since the losses took place during the Bush years, he assumed that the voting public would naively think his criticism was of President Bush. He further justified the need for the USA keeping manufacturing jobs because those jobs help produce a number of other jobs, which is not as true in a service economy. Additionally, in the same interview, he said he thought service industries do not provide opportunities for workers to move up through the ranks the way those opportunities are available in manufacturing. Obama noted that manufacturing at home incentivizes the creation of other manufacturing jobs. In short, he was speaking about the opportunities afforded to individuals of all educational levels by having a broad manufacturing-based economy. A sense of opportunity should be cherished as crucial to our societal quality of life. However, by 2013, Obama was being criticized by the left in his own party for not having done enough to bring jobs back to the USA. Early in his first term of office, his administration managed to pass the American Jobs Act; however, that was merely a variation on many New Deal programs. That act was a type of New Deal legislation on steroids, where billions went into federal creation of make-work jobs and to strengthen job security, not to bring jobs back from overseas. Early in his first term, Obama kept speaking about bringing back American jobs that had been moved offshore, but he could not deliver on those expressed aspirations. It is important to understand this background. The outsourcing of manufacturing continues to be a concern for the Democrats and their left-wing base, but the left-wing Democrats have been unable to make headway in this regard, whereas Trump, even early in his first term as president, was already showing progress. Shortly after Pres. Trump began his first term, Forbes noticed: In the first 21 months of the Trump presidency, nonfarm employment grew by a seasonally adjusted 2.6%. In the same period, manufacturing employment grew by 3.1%, reversing the trend under Obama when overall employment grew faster than employment in the manufacturing sector. Now, in his second term, President Trump is taking more dramatic steps to bring back those lost jobs. He understands that this issue of jobs lost overseas not only is an economic issue, but also has implications for the social and psychological well-being of our population. By raising tariffs, he is meeting the problem of outsourcing head on. If companies fled to the PRC, Mexico, and other countries to cut costs, then high tariffs on their goods will incentivize them to return. It is policy based on simple cost-price ratios. Further, it is this writers view that a society with significant manufacturing employment is a society where people feel more needed than in a society where they are simply servicing the products produced by other people. It is a more dynamic, hands-on society where promotion means different real time responsibilities. Also, daily interactions in real time are different. There is a greater sense of accomplishment in manufacturing jobs for most people than for non-manufacturing work. People derive great satisfaction from making things. Teamwork, leadership, satisfaction in performing more tangible activities, creating products from start to finish, and working with ones hands are fundamentals that engage the population. The need for these values to be in play in the workplace is deeply united with the wage levels of ones employment. Work experience and wages have to be understood as a whole. President Trump, with his incredible background in business and his lifelong association with other masterminds in the business fields, understands how the status quo of lost jobs must be challenged. Our manufacturing jobs disappeared by various trade agreements over the years that made it more profitable for firms to move to other countries, especially to the PRC. The only way to bring back those jobs is to challenge the profitability of those moves by raising tariffs. There are risks involved, but those are risks we must take. E. Jeffrey Ludwig was a former editor of the International Trade Alert, a weekly newsletter of the American Association of Exporters and Importers. At the present time, he teaches philosophy for a large East Coast university. Image via Raw Pixel. Although the Democrats were initially rocked by the speed with which Trump moved upon taking office, theyve regrouped and are coming back with a formidable counterattack: Judges. This counterattack would have stunned the Founders, who intended the unelected judiciary to be the weakest branch of government, but its completely logical to those of us who have seen leftist judges at work over the decades. Day after day, the news is filled with stories of Democrat-appointed federal judges (with a very few NeverTrump Republicans thrown in for good measure) blocking Trumps initiatives. While their orders are issued in minutes, the Democrats know that it may take months or even years for them to work through the legal system. You know how it goes. An appellate court affirms or reverses the lower courts order. The losing party takes it to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court places it on the calendar to be heard eventually. At long last, theres a big hearing, only to have Justice Amy Coney Barrett ignore the glaring substantive constitutional issues and focus on an inconsequential procedural matter that requires returning the whole thing to the trial court. Then, the cycle starts again. The plan is obvious: Mire the Trump agenda in a legal morass from which there is no escape, whether before the midterms or even before the next general election. Unlike the Russia Collusion hoax, which was meant to be a full decapitation, this will be death by a thousand judicial cuts. The virtue of this approach is that, unlike the failed Russia Collusion hoax, not all of these cuts need to succeed for the administration to bleed out and die. As many have said, the Supreme Court must stop thisand this is true whether the deciding justices are NeverTrumpers like Roberts, cowards like Comey Barrett, Gorsuch, or Kavanaugh, or even leftists like Sotomayor, Kagan, or Brown Jackson. If these justices wish to continue to be employed, theyd better return the institution of the federal judiciary to at least some gloss of impartiality and reverence for the rule of law. Otherwise, the lower courts overreach will spell the federal judiciarys doom, as the voters will either (a) elect representatives who will defund the system entirely or (b) cease to respect its rulings and will urge their elected leaders to do the same. The need for an immediate Supreme Court intervention is especially necessary because of something notable about this round of rulings against Donald Trumps initiatives: The judges arent even pretending to abide by legal principlesand this goes beyond arrogating to themselves the right, not just to decide the case before them, but to block entire administrative actions. Judge Boasberg is the poster child of a judge without regard for the law. When asked to stop the flight containing illegal alien Tren de Aragua members headed to El Salvador, he threw procedure and law to the wind. Although the federal procedural rule controlling temporary restraining orders, whether oral or written, must contain specific information to justify the ruling, Boasberg issued a bare-bones oral order from the bench. The same federal rule requires that the party seeking a restraining order must post a bond, but Boasberg ignored that requirement, too. And most importantlyreally, the predicate matterBoasberg ignored entirely controlling Supreme Court authority, stating explicitly that unelected judges have no authority whatsoever to touch an elected presidents decisions under the Alien Enemies Act. It wasnt just Boasberg. When the Trump administration appealed the order, the D.C. appellate court did exactly the same: It, too, ignored entirely the fact that it lacks jurisdiction and opted for a substantive analysis that the same long-standing rule of law prohibits it from exercising. Then, just yesterday, Edward Chen, a federal trial judge in San Francisco, blocked the Trump administration from ending the temporary legal protection that Biden gave to Venezuelans who entered America illegally. To justify this, the judge effectively said that it just wasnt fair for the Trump administration to send these 350,000 people away because hed made the substantive finding that doing so would destroy Americas very safety and economy. The same, he said, applied to the 500,000 Haitians who illegally flooded America. The problem is that, had Chen bothered to check the law in his own circuit (the Ninth), he would have discovered that this is another area in which judges have no say. Oh, wait! He did know. It was his ruling that the Ninth Circuit reversed! Those are just a small number of examples, but you can find dozens more. Judges, whose role is supposed to be limited to applying the law, have tossed out that job description and are busy making the law. So, what gives? Well, as it happens, I had a few decades to learn whats going on because I spent my career working as a defense attorney on business litigation claims in the San Francisco Bay Area. In the Bay Area, of course, businesses are automatically assumed to be guilty. In fact, it doesnt matter if you eventually prove through facts or law (or both) that they are innocent. The judges will still undercut you. I worked on cases where judges said, I dont care about the law, where they said, Theres more than one way to skin a cat, where they gave erroneous instructions to the jury, knowing that the business had no resources to appeal, and where they simply lied about objective facts (as in, there was clear documentary evidence) to force their position against my clients. So, again, what gives? Well, my theory requires a small acquaintance with parish priests in the late medieval era. If youve ever read Boccaccios wonderful The Decameron, written during and after the Black Death (1348-1353), youll know the priests I mean. These tales describe greedy, illiterate, irreligious, and very, very lusty priests. Although exaggerated, this was a problem across Christendom. Many in the priestly class just didnt live up to the churchs ideals. The big question was how men who were so openly sinning against Biblical morals and church rules could consecrate the host and administer the sacraments. Congregants were worried about their eternal salvation, so the answer mattered. The Churchs response was that the priests ordinations turned them into vessels...conduits, really. No matter their personal sins, they were a straight channel to God, so when they performed Mass, no matter their failings, the parishioners were still receiving appropriate religious ministrations. Problem solved (at least for another 100+ years or so). Leftist judges have dispensed to themselves a variation of the medieval churchs approach to inadequate priests. These judges feel that, when their nominations are confirmed, their oaths taken, and their robes donned, they have become a conduit to something higher and better than laws and facts. They have achieved the Marxist equivalent of a spiritual ascendence, making them not only wiser than the peoples elected officials and the judges who came before but also imbuing them with a moral purpose that requires them to use their power to impose their political vision on America. The Founders would be horrified, and we should be, too. Ours is a nation of laws, from the Constitution on down. When the judges hold themselves above the laws, we are a nation on the brink. Image by AI. Weve gone from mostly peaceful to describe the combat-zone-like destruction wrought by BLM and Antifa rioters after George Floyds overdose death, to fairly integrated to justify the release of third world foreigners living in the West and accused of violent rape. According to a new report from the staff at Remix News, a French judge has decided that a 15-year-old boy who allegedly dragged a protesting 18-year-old woman to an isolated location and raped her over the course of hours, may in fact remain free while the investigation continues, because he lives a fairly integrated life in Perpignan. The young man reportedly filmed parts of the encounter, claiming it was consensualis that what the braying and bleating of the donkeys and goats means too?while the young woman describes a terrible crime at the hands of a hooded man who hauled her off into the bushes where her screams couldnt be heard. As we know, the progressive European political class dont exactly like to identify perpetrators anymore, as a majority of the Western nations of the continent grapple with a significant rise in crime, which just so happens to directly correlate with these nations open borders policies. That being said, we cant know for sure what the heritage of this man is, but what else can he be but a migrant if hes (ostensibly) in the process of integration? I think its safe to say, hes not an ethnic European. (Im going to guess...a third-world Muslim.) Fairly integrated? Is that what theyd say of Ali Harbi Ali, the Somali man who followed the instructions of Islamic State videos and plunged a knife deep into the chest of David Amess? What about the Nigerians who chopped Lee Rigby to death in the street before horrified strangers? Perhaps theyd say the same of Iraqi teenager, Ahmed Hassan, who was behind the Parsons Green train attack? Usman Khan, the Pakistani who killed two Brits while on a stabbing spree in London? The Saudi doctor who perpetrated perhaps the umpteenth attack on a Christmas market in Germany this past December? If this list were exhaustive, itd never end. Fairly integrated? Sounds like more like Orwellian deceit. Image: Free image, Pixabay license. Id never heard of Jackson Hewitt Tax Service, but its a big company. Really big. According to Wikipedia, its the second-largest tax preparation service in America. Every year, it prepares over 2 million tax returns, whether federal, state, or local. Its got 6,000 franchises, including 3,000 in Walmart stores. It may also have a program with one of its New York franchises, which set up a booth near a collection of illegal aliens to encourage them to collect child tax credits. These illegal aliens may, indeed, have children who qualify, but it doesnt seem likely, so the franchises efforts seem a bit...weird. A camera caught a Jackson Hewitt employee in Far Rockaway, New York, a neighborhood in Queens, encouraging illegal aliens to become its customers, with the come-on of up to $14,000 in child tax credit refunds: WOW Jackson-Hewitt Tax Services is handing out flyers to illegal immigrants in New York City The flyer indicates that illegal immigrants can get up to $14,000 IN TAX RETURNS BASED ON HOW MANY CHILDREN THEY HAVE They want US TO PAY ILLEGALS pic.twitter.com/rD7qUdM39Z Wall Street Apes (@WallStreetApes) March 29, 2025 Illegal aliens whose children are not American citizens are not legally entitled to child tax credits. And given that the table is set up to entice recent arrivals to sign up for the service, the likelihood that any of them have children with legitimate social security numbers is slim. In other words, its possible that the local Jackson Hewitt franchise is doing something it shouldnt be doing. Please note that there is no indication that Jackson Hewitt is behind this effort or that it condones it. Indeed, at its official website, in the article discussing the child tax credit, Jackson Hewitt explicitly states that to claim the credit, your child must meet citizenship requirements. These requirements require that the child is a U.S. citizen, U.S. nation, or U.S. resident alien. Image by Pixlr (edited). Jackson Hewitt would probably be wise to remind its franchisees of the legal limits on child tax credits to ensure that none accidentally cross the line. Meanwhile, Elon Musk, whos spent weeks peeking under the hood of the American government, says that tax fraud is rife in America and that the Democrat party, via the Deep State, is all in on it: IRS refund fraud payments are one of several means used by the Democratic Party to attract and retain illegal immigrants in the USA. Thats why they are so opposed to @DOGE stopping this! The Democratic Party is aiding and abetting fraudulent government payments to illegals in https://t.co/1t45vSnhce Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 30, 2025 (Hat tip: Breitbart News.) So what might censorship queen Nina Jankowicz, and her NGO co-founder, Carlos Alvarez-Aranyos, be up to these days? Jankowicz apparently still runs an anti-disinformation (read: censorship of conservatives) organization of no known donors. And the charming man she partnered with in this stupid venture until a few months ago? He's claiming credit for the hate-Tesla protests, which have corresponded to firebombings, car-keyings, gunfire, vandalism, and driver harassment against Tesla dealerships, charging stations, and actual owners of the electrical vehicles. Here's Carlos in action: Carlos Alvarez-Aranyos said that he is one of the people who started the effort to bankrupt Tesla. He worked for the Dept of Defense under Obama and for one of the lawfare nonprofits Protect Democracy. Carlos Alvarez-Aranyos comes from a wealthy and prominent family in the pic.twitter.com/IAuUhWj0Sa The Researcher (@listen_2learn) March 30, 2025 He clearly tells his adoring lefty mob, "so please do everything you can to bankrupt Tesla," before abruptly making a disclaimer about violence. In other words, he's made it his life mission to destroy an American company whose most famous investor, the one who made it profitable, and who now holds a mere 12% of the shares, will go bankrupt. Maybe that's because he's such a loser. Sure, he claims he's all for peaceful protests, not violent ones. He claims credit for 'bankrupting' the company as his most important life mission now. He adds that he's doing this to put on his resume "so I can get a job when this thing is over," which kind of suggests he doesn't have one and can't get one. Like the NewsGuard censors, the rich financier's junior once made a tidy pile from Pentagon contracts. He also worked for something called "Protect Democracy" dedicated to defending recent fraudy elections, particularly the one that brought us senile Joe Biden, as well as keeping the system rigged as it was. That group has a long, long, list of names of their staff, looking as though they put half the swamp on their payroll, including neverTrumper Amanda Carpenter. Jankowicz also made money in government contracts -- via the National Democratic Institute, for one, before being named the Department of Homeland Security's executive director of its so-called "Disinformation Governance Board," an idea so bad even Joe Biden had to discontinue it. It was a swamper's life for both, but once the contracts dried up, they started an NGO together, ironically called "American Sunlight Project," dedicated to stopping "disinformation," which in plainspeak, means censoring conservatives for profit. Their website vows to "increase the cost" of disinformation, meaning, they intend to destroy media outlets they don't agree with. Their advisors include Reed Galen of the scandal-plagued Lincoln Project, and Benjamin Wittes, a Steele dossier participant and Brookings Institute colleague of Trump impeachment plotter Fiona Hill, who co-authored a negative book about Vlad Putin with Clifton Chadwick. The New York Times said they raised a million bucks. They wouldn't say who their donors were, not even to the friendly Timesmen: The American Sunlight Project has been established as a nonprofit under the section of the Internal Revenue Code that allows it greater leeway to lobby than tax-exempt charities known as 501(c)(3)s. It also does not have to disclose its donors, which Ms. Jankowicz declined to do, though she said the project had initial commitments of $1 million in donations. It was bouncing from one hate-Trump cause to another, particularly the coercive kinds, until for some reason he made a "transition" out of the Sunlight Project, as he noted on LinkedIn: Based on his statements in the video above, he doesn't seem to have gotten a new job, not having much of any skills anyone would like to pay for, maybe not even Scary Poppins, whose song can be heard and viewed here. Now he's out to bankrupt Tesla, and argubly is inciting violence. Carlos should be on a watch list. https://t.co/UBwZzm3PIw The Researcher (@listen_2learn) March 30, 2025 Since he's a discarded leftist "intellectual" of no known employability, he's now trying to tear down those who aren't the failure he is. Eric Hoffer used to write about these miserable characters, fanatics of no use to anyone, who turn to radical pursuits in their rage and personal frustration. What's amazing is how close they are to each other -- hideous characters like Jankowicz, the Lincoln Project guy, the impeachment wrecking crew and others, all living to destroy the works of others and shut down free speech. With government funds drying up now, it's bound to be bad times for them with no other game for them on the horizon. So now they're taking to increasingly destructive pursuits, wrecking others' work instead of building their own. It's bound to get worse as DOGE shuts more government hog wallows down and the leftists within turn to rage as their response. This is a truly disgusting crowd attacking Tesla now, and the sooner it is exposed in all its nodes and networks, the better. Image: Screen shot from YouTube video If you want to know why Republicans cant maintain Congressional control for extended periods, look no further than Florida Representative Anna Paulina Luna. The once-rising star in the Conservative wing decided that what is important to her has priority over the bigger picture of what is best for the Republican Congress. Instead of working with her own caucus, Luna sought and obtained Democrat majority support for her pet project. Luna had a baby last year and was joined by new mom Colorado Rep. Brittany Pettersen, who told the media, Dont f with moms. (On another notewill everyone on both sides of the aisle stop with the F bombs! You all sound like idiots.) Luna wants the House to vote on a proxy exception for lawmakers or their spouses who have given birth in the last 12 weeks, pregnant lawmakers who are unable to travel safely or have a serious medical condition, and those lawmakers whose spouses are pregnant or giving birth. Proxy voting would allow the representative who cant be in Congress to designate another member to vote on their behalf. Image: YouTube screen grab. Sounds good, right? After all, who could be against those reasons for allowing a lawmaker to have someone vote for them? However, just like so many Republicans who think they are more president than their actual elected position, Luna arrogantly ignored valid Republican concerns. Many rightly believe that if the proxy vote exemption passes, it would set a dangerous precedent, with other exceptions being offered until there was proxy voting for everything. Just some slippery slope examples that, based on Lunas logic, should allow proxy voting: Representatives with very young children. Representatives with a sick child. Representatives with an ill spouse or aging parent. Representatives with a loved one being treated for a terminal disease. Representatives with a spouse in the military and home for short leave. Representatives themselves who are ill. Shouldnt those representatives be able to stay home and allow a proxy to vote in their place? The list is infinite, but Rep. Luna only focused on her exception while abandoning her own party to seek Democrat support. Moreover, thats not how Congress functions. Speaker Johnson and many others believe that there is a constitutional requirement for in-person voting on congressional proceedings. Since our country was founded, congressmen have traveled hundreds of miles by horse or buggy to vote in person. Surely, a plane, train, or automobile is easier than a saddle or buggy over dirt roads. Being a Republican, Rep. Luna took her marbles and leftas in quitting the House Freedom Caucus. This is not the first time a Republican sought Democrat majority support to go against his or her own party. In October 2023, former Rep. Matt Gaetz aligned with Democrats to oust then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Without Democrat majority support, McCarthy would probably still be Speaker of the House. This revolt worked out so well for Gaetz that he is now a news host on the obscure One America News Network. Ask yourself if any Democrat would seek unanimous or near-unanimous Republican support to have legislation passed. This does not happen on the Democrat side. There are many Democrats who make a spectacle of their ignorance, such as Reps. Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Jasmine Crockett of Texas, as well as New Jersey Senator Cory Spartacus Booker. However, they unite on the same team. Republicans, on the other hand, seem to believe they are the president of their district or their state and act accordingly, as Florida Rep. Anna Paulina Luna did over this matter. Lunas goal is to push the vote through with a discharge petition. This is a parliamentary tool that forces a vote on the floor (bypassing committee and leadership opposition) if there are enough members supporting the petition. Having gathered 218 signatures (almost all from Democrats and 11 Republicans), Luna was going to force the vote until House Speaker Mike Johnson closed the session and canceled all votes for the remainder of the week. After all these years, America First Patriots should be used to being disappointed by Congressional Republican members, who repeatedly fail to work together on the same Republican team. Robin M. Itzler is a regular contributor to American Thinker. She is the founder and editor of Patriot Neighbors, a free weekly national newsletter. Robin can be reached at PatriotNeighbors@yahoo.com. Taliban justice comes to the streets of Bordeaux, where an Afghan migrant recently slit the throat of another Afghan migrant, stabbing him eleven times, reportedly settling a years-old family dispute that carried over from when the two families were not yet French, and still living in their native, dirty, and degenerate hellhole. The encounter took place outside a McDonalds just before the traditional French dinner hours, and according to the report from Remix News, the two men agreed to meet to settle the score, but frantic screaming ensued as the duels loser was seen splayed on his back as he bled out from his neck. Isnt cultural enrichment great? We should probably figure out how to import more and more of them, so the entire West can just be the Greater Third World. Just what I want to see while enjoying a McFlurry with my children as they play in the ball pita knife fight and severed heads. With that as context, consider that there are currently plans in Texas to establish a Muslim mega city just north of Dallas, which would see the construction of a sprawling, self-segregated 400-acre Islamist enclave. Per an item published at the Daily Mail yesterday, state governor Greg Abbott accused the Islamic center of practicing sharia law, which is a violation of state law, and has ordered law enforcement and government prosecutors to conduct an investigation, barring the project from progressing in the meantime: .@TCEQ found that EPIC and affiliated entities have not obtained the required authorizations or permits needed for construction. They must confirm within 7 days that they are ceasing construction of their illegal project or face the full weight of the law. pic.twitter.com/j0f4ZSYi1Z Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) April 1, 2025 Sharia law, with its foundation in pedophilia (like the Afghans above and their bacha bazi or the child bride purchases on which even CNN reported), honor killings, severe oppression of women and girls, bestiality, and might making rightshouldnt have any place in America, but somehow it does. This isnt the first planned Islamist-only community, with more and more requesting building permits across Texas. Thank a progressive, Democrats and Republicans alike! Image generated by AI. Ever since the Trump administration arrested, as a prelude to deportation, a green-card holder who was a spokesman for a group advocating Americas overthrow and a foreign student who co-authored an opinion piece politely supporting Hamas, leftist lawyers I know have exhibited an unusually offensive behavior. Although the attempted deportations are completely righteous under American law, these lawyers have taken to playing the Jewish card, likening two foreign Hamas supporters to Jews in Nazi Germany. There are a few parts to this post. Part One is the most recent recrudescence of mass Muslim violence. In a few savage hours on October 7, Hamas militants and their thousands of fellow travelers among the Gaza population slaughtered over 1,200 Jews, with a savagery unparalleled in modern times. That was almost two years ago (and many Jews, living and dead, are still held as prisoners in Gaza), but Muslim jihadists are still on the move. Thus, Muslims are conducting mass executions against African Christians, a form of jihad that never stops, although it will ebb and flow over the years, while in Syria, ISIS is back in the form of the new Jihadist government, which is reported to have executed tens of thousands of Christians. X screen grab. On Facebook, my lawyer friends have been utterly silent about these Muslim depredations. Well, thats their right. We dont need to have an opinion about every foreign war. Knowing that these lawyers are all leftists, I was just grateful that they didnt come out in full-throated support of Hamas. However, given these same lawyers fanatic support for Ukraine, a country about which they cared nothing before 2022, I suspect that their foreign policy views have nothing to do with their knowledge, values, or principles. Instead, they just follow where the NY Times and WaPo lead. Their silence about Hamas is explained only by the fact that they still have enough decency to be ashamed of showing themselves on Facebook as supporters of a terrorist group that is dedicated to slaughtering Jews. What does rile the leftist lawyers a lot, though, is the Trump administration. Wherever Trump is for, theyre against, and vice versa. Theyre passionate in their support for so-called transgender rights and open borders (although all, being affluent, live in communities unaffected by those open borders). Most recently, theyre especially offended that Trump would deport people who are either in this country illegally or people who are here legally but have violated American laws since their arrival. What they will not acknowledge is that, in all cases, Trump has the authority to carry out these deportations. In the case of violent cartel members whom Venezuela deliberately shipped here illegally to destabilize the United States, the Alien Enemies Act and subsequent Supreme Court case authority establish beyond a shadow of a doubt that the elected president has unfettered poweras in, no unelected judge can fetter that powerto deport these people without any due process procedures. But what about the people here legally? Theres no doubt that people legally in the U.S. do have certain rights. They have the right to free speech, freedom of worship, and freedom of assembly. If theyre arrested for a crime other than support for terrorism, they have the full panoply of criminal rights. However, theres a clear carve-out for certain types of immigration crimes. Thus, those rights end when the non-citizen legal immigrants start supporting terrorism, whether theyre green card holders or on a student visa. Green card holder Mahmoud Khalil, who openly acted as a spokesman for an organization that was equally open about its plan to overthrow the American system, falls squarely within the parameters of the executive branchs power to deport that person without regard to alleged due process rights. The same applies to Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish national who came to America on a student visa. She offended the administration by co-authoring an op-ed that politelynot at all explicitly or violentlycalls for supporting Hamas in the war between Israel and Hamas. Hamas, of course, is a terrorist organization. More specifically, Ozturk and her co-authors insisted that Tufts University divest from Israel as part of sanctioning it for allegedly committing genocide against Palestinians in its war against Hamas. In other words, both these people violated the terms of their privilege to be in America. Thats something that doesnt apply to American citizens, who have a right to be in America. Its not complicated, and the fact that lawyers struggle with this really bugs me. But what truly gets my goat is that these same lawyers are likening Khalil and Ozturk to Jews being rounded up in Nazi Germany. Thats wrong on so many levels, beginning with the fact that, in this case, its Khalil and Ozturk who are the Nazis. After all, theyre being deported because they support Hamas, a designated terrorist organization that openly calls for the genocidal extermination of the Jewish people. Second, as noted above, Khalils and Ozturks deportations operated under long-standing color of law. You simply cannot come as a foreigner to America and openly support groups that advocate for Americas overthrow (as Hamas does). Thats just as true if, as in Ozturks case, that call is politely phrased. And third, what really offends me is that the same people playing the Jew card have been utterly silent about October 7. The only Jews they support are the Muslims who ardently desire the extermination of the Jewish race. Such is the world of principled leftism... Once, Colorado was a sane state, populated with people tied to reality, the Constitution, and the rule of law. That Colorado is a distant memory now, although Im sometimes shocked by the speed with which the change happened. The latest example of Colorados lapse into insanity (although insanity with a really sinister purpose) is a proposed bill that is essentially a blasphemy bill, calling for government punishment for those who dare to deny the trans cult. HB25-1312, aka the Legal Protections for Transgender Individuals bill, is a power grab, not only over parenting but over speech, thought, and religion. The bills title makes it sound as if so-called transgender people (actually, people with the mental illness of gender dysphoria or just plain sexual perverts) are subject to violent attacks and discrimination. Thats not the case, of course. Instead, the bills purpose is to impose speech codes on Coloradans, who will, in the future, be banned from speaking the truth about the fake men and women wandering the streets and, worse, the schools of Colorado. Even more sinisterly, the bill mandates that a parent who fails to acknowledge a mentally ill childs gender identity will almost certainly lose custody to the parent fomenting this mental illness. While this isnt really unexpected in a state thats spent years persecuting a baker for refusing to create artistic cakes celebrating a sexual mental illness, its still a new salvo in the ongoing war on reality. Image (edited) by Freepik AI. The Colorado Assemblys official summary is illuminating about whats going on here. The first substantive section (Section 2) threatens parents custody rights if they dont affirm a childs mental illness: Section 2 provides that, when making child custody decisions and determining the best interests of a child for purposes of parenting time, a court shall consider deadnaming, misgendering, or threatening to publish material related to an individual's gender-affirming health-care services as types of coercive control. A court shall consider reports of coercive control when determining the allocation of parental responsibilities in accordance with the best interests of the child. Section 3 would give sanctuary to parents who take a child from a state that protects against the abuse of so-called gender-affirming care. No matter what that other state says, the parent who makes it to Colorado can give a child toxic chemicals and subject the child to surgical mutilation: Section 3 prohibits a Colorado court from applying or giving any force or effect to another state's law that authorizes a state agency to remove a child from the child's parent or guardian because the parent or guardian allowed the child to receive gender-affirming health-care services. The problem with both of those provisions is that states have significant power to protect children. For centuries, that was understood to mean protecting them from physical abuse (beatings, starvation, etc.). Now, though, in the topsy-turvey world of leftism, protecting a child means affirming mental illness and destroying the childs body. The remainder of the act shades into the blasphemy part of the law, for it imposes thought, speech, and religious restrictions. Under Section 4, any local education provider, educator, or contractor that has a policy related to chosen names is required to make the policy inclusive of all reasons that a student might adopt a chosen name that differs from the students legal name. In practice, this means that a Catholic school that allows children to use nicknames (for example, Katherine might ask to be called Kate or Kathy) must also allow Jason to be called Justine. This will likely withstand scrutiny, though, because there are workarounds. Thus, traditional schools can circumvent this rule by banning all nicknames. Perhaps the schools might even go to the old British public school tradition of calling students by their last names. Deeper in the act, though, the coercion grows stronger. In sections 5 and 6, school dress codes must conform not to students biological sex but to their self-identified sex. And this is where the real blasphemy rule begins because traditional faiths, whether Jewish, Christian, or Muslim, recognize only biological sex. Cross-dressing is an offense against all traditional religions. Forcing institutions to pretend that a boy is a girl for the purpose of uniforms is a direct state attack on religion. (Im spitballing here, but Im betting no one in Colorado will ever try to enforce this law against a Muslim school.) Section 7 takes a brief pause for mere bureaucratic madness: State forms must have space for a chosen gender name that may be different from the legal name. Once that space is filled, for all future government records, that namethe one picked out of thin air for reasons of mental illness or sexual perversionbecomes the name of record. This section wouldnt violate the First Amendment, but it will disconnect the government from reality and from good record-keeping. Under the federal rules of evidence and under most state rules, government records are protected from hearsay objections because theyre presumed to be reliable. No longer... Birth certificates make up sex as they go along, and if the Colorado assembly goes full delusional, all records will be a sea of ever-changing identities as mentally ill or fetishistic people keep switching it up. And finallyand this is the real First Amendment kickerSections 8 and 9 say that calling a person by his or her real name and gender violates Colorados Anti-Discrimination Act: Sections 8 and 9 define deadnaming and misgendering as discriminatory acts in the "Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act", and prohibit these discriminatory acts in places of public accommodation. The penalties for violating Colorados anti-discrimination act are substantial, including everything from alleged damages to flat monetary penalties to attorneys fees and costs. This is coerced speech and, moreover, speech that slams right into the First Amendments protection against a state religion, for transgenderism is a complete refutation of the Biblical notion that God created only two sexes. A friend of mine always says, so-called transgenderism and climate change are both endgame stuff. Regarding the latter, if you can control CO2, you control the economy completely, along with controlling peoples freedom of movement and even their lives within their homes. Smart energy meters, for example, will turn off allegedly abusive use of electricity, so an elderly person in a cold climate whos been using too much heat may literally find himself frozen out. When you get to transgender madness, it goes beyond controlling behavior and gets to the core issues of speech, thought, and religious liberty. The Colorado statute is an example of how the ideology allows leftist governments to control speech, thought, religion, parenting, and even the nature of reality itself. In other words, whats happening in Colorado isnt merely crazy (and it is crazy); its also crazy like a fox because its a straight path to total government control, all through the prism of mental illness and sexual fetishes. UPDATE: The Colorado House Committee has sent the bill to the floor: INSANE. The CO House Committee has voted 7-4 to pass a radical transgender bill that makes "misgendering" a "discriminatory act," takes children away from parents who "deadname" or "misgender," and pushes gender ideology in all schools, including private and charter. Every pic.twitter.com/x5WOwAKI6Z Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) April 2, 2025 If the bill passes, henceforth, schools and places of public accommodation will be required under the law to get with this program: China reinforcing logging ban in sustainable forestry quest Xinhua) 08:48, April 02, 2025 HOHHOT, April 1 (Xinhua) -- In spring, seedling workers shoveled a thick mantle of snow on the ground into a massive greenhouse nestled in China's largest state-owned forest reserve in the Greater Khingan Mountains, with this snow serving to water a 10-month-old spruce sapling in the country's north. "The saplings can be transplanted outdoors after they have grown in the greenhouse for more than a year, having reached 12 cm to 15 cm in height. After another six months, they can be used for afforestation," said Fang Kunpeng, a senior nursery technician. An aerial drone photo taken on Aug. 31, 2023 shows the scenery of Arxan Tianchi in the Arxan National Forest Park, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen) About 300,000 spruce seedlings are being cultivated in the greenhouse located in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Tuesday marked the 10th anniversary of a commercial logging ban in this forest area in the Greater Khingan Mountains in Inner Mongolia. Fang said the cultivation of seedlings is important for the restoration of degraded areas and for artificial afforestation aimed at expanding the forest coverage. In recent years, more than 3 million new seedlings have been cultivated annually. In 2024 alone, 3.4 million spruce and larch saplings were used in afforesting an area covering 3,666.7 hectares in the forest. FROM LOGGER TO RANGER Fan Hongbin, 57, is a forest ranger at the Mordoga forest area managed by China Inner Mongolia Forest Industry Group Co., Ltd. A statue depicting the work of loggers is pictured in Mordoga Town of Hulun Buir, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, March 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen) "Spring, which lasts until mid-June here, is critical for fire prevention. Our primary task is to remind and educate people about fire prevention, and to monitor fires in the forest," said Fan, while adding that their work also includes tree planting, monitoring tree pests and diseases, and checking for illegal activities such as logging and poaching. Notably, a decade ago, Fan was a veteran logger who had followed in his father's footsteps in joining the state-owned forest farm in 1986. "Fully aware of the national construction need for timber materials, all the workers worked hard cutting down trees with chainsaws," Fan recalled. From 1952 to 2015, the forest provided more than 200 million cubic meters of commercial timber and forest by-products, while paying over 20 billion yuan (about 2.75 billion U.S. dollars) in taxes. China in 1998 began to implement a natural forest protection program in order to curb excessive consumption of natural forest resources, which caused deterioration of the ecological environment. On April 1, 2015, a ban on commercial logging was imposed in key state-owned forest areas in the Greater Khingan Mountains in Inner Mongolia. BOOMING UNDERSTORY ECONOMY The ban left 16,500 forestry workers like Fan in search of alternative work. In addition to serving as rangers and tree planters, they have also been employed via the company's continuous development of its diversified eco-friendly business -- taking advantage of abundant understory resources and improving ecological conditions. An aerial drone photo taken on May 4, 2021 shows blooming azalea flowers in the Darbin Lake National Forestry Park in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. (Photo by Li Ming/Xinhua) The state-owned conglomerate has developed an agricultural and forestry economy industrial chain, with products including grain, fruit, herbal plants, vegetables, poultry and livestock, tapping into the significant potential of sustainable forest conservation and economic development, which not only plays a key role in preserving forest ecosystems but also boosts local incomes. The understory business subsidiary of China Inner Mongolia Forest Industry Group Co., Ltd. was founded in 2020. It has developed more than 40 types of drinks, ranging from mineral water to a variety of plant and fruit juices -- such as birch juice, blueberry juice and seabuckthorn juice. Hou Lichen, general manager of the understory company, said their products are extremely popular, and are being sold through both online and offline channels. Its factory, featuring more than 40 employees, hires another 3,000 workers during fruit harvesting seasons. These are mostly forest workers, as this business is one of the solutions to increasing the incomes of such workers. The ecological functional area of this forest totals 106,700 square kilometers, and includes 940,000 hectares of China's only concentrated contiguous virgin forest area. "The forest area has undergone a transformation from 'selling wood' to 'selling carbon sinks.' Since the pilot phase of the forestry carbon sink project was launched in 2014, cumulative sales of carbon sink products have exceeded 60 million yuan," said Xing Junpeng, who is with Greater Khingan Inner Mongolia Carbon Sink Technologies Co., Ltd. "It's rewarding to see the forest recuperate with lush green. We now all support the logging ban, and are happy to see new trees grow up on former tracks ground by timber transporting tractors," Fan said. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Summary: Google has quietly developed a dashcam app for vehicles powered by Android Auto. The app is production-ready, and car manufacturers can easily integrate it into their vehicles. They can even customize the app as per their requirements. Android Auto is perhaps the most popular operating system or platform for vehicles. Announced in 2017, the Android-based OS is now running on millions of cars across the globe. Apart from the OS, Google also offers a handful of applications for vehicles for this platform. Most recently, Google has created an open-source dashcam app for Android Auto. Googles Android Automotive Dashcam app is production-ready and customizable According to a report, Googles Dashcam application for cars powered by Android Auto is production-ready. Any car manufacturer can easily integrate this app into their vehicles or even customize it as per their requirements. The app allows vehicles to record their surroundings using their built-in cameras. Previously, Android Auto didnt have a native dashcam app, but the newly made Google app will solve this problem. As per Googles official documentation, the Dashcam application integrates with AAOS (Android Automotive OS) to give drivers video recording capabilities that enhance safety and security. The app uses cameras available to Android Auto through either the EVS (Extended View System) or the Camera2 API. Since it requires system-level permissions, car makers need to integrate it directly into the OS. Unfortunately, Google cant distribute the app through app stores. That said, Googles new Dashcam app certainly simplifies the integration of dashcam functionality for the vehicle manufacturers. Google has also released the Android Auto 14.1 beta update In related news, Google recently rolled out the Android Auto 14.1 beta update. The update brings many new features, including support for Android games. Android Auto now provides a list of games for you to enjoy. However, you can only play these games when you park your car. Once the vehicle moves again, these games will be inaccessible. Google has designed Android game support for the platform for those moments when you spend a considerable amount of time parked. Summary: Lucid, a new phishing-as-a-service platform from China, is being used by hackers to send more than 100,000 scam iMessages per day to iPhone users. The platform is using iMessages to bypass Apples spam and scam filters. Threat actors are using temporary Apple IDs in massive iPhone farms. Earlier this year, a report suggested that scammers found a way to target Apple iPhone users by sending fake messages via iMessage. Threat actors were using Apples encrypted messaging app to send scam messages containing phishing links. Now, a report by the security research firm Catalyst suggests that hackers are using massive iPhone farms to send thousands of scam iMessages every day. Hackers using phishing-as-a-service platforms to send scam iMessages to iPhone users Threat actors can now sign up for phishing-as-a-service platforms (PhAAS) to attack iPhone and Android phone users. A new PhAAS called Lucid from China provides iPhone farmsbanks of devices equipped with rotating temporary Apple IDsthat send over 100,000 scam iMessages every day. Using the service, hackers can bypass spam and scam filters implemented by Apple and mobile carriers. Since the iMessage app encrypts messages, telecom operators and even Apple cannot access their contents. As a result, they remain undetectable and unblockable. Lucid stands out as one of the sophisticated PhAAS platforms run by Chinese-speaking threat actors. The service targets 169 entities across 88 countries globally, suggests the report. Apart from iMessage, Lucid also leverages Androids RCS (Rich Communication Services) technology to bypass traditional SMS spam filters. This significantly increases the delivery and success rates of phishing attacks. The group behind Lucid even offers templates that scammers can use to make convincing-looking replicas of legitimate websites. Ways to protect yourself from scammer attacks Some iPhone users may feel safe when getting an iMessage because of Apples security measures. However, the scammers are taking advantage of this psychological vulnerability as a social engineering method. One of the best ways to protect yourself from scammer attacks is by never opening a link you get in text messages. Always check the URL if you absolutely need to open a link. Also, always carefully read the message, and if you notice poor writing, typos, misspellings, or bad grammar that makes it feel automated, dont trust it. It is also advisable to install the iOS security patches as soon as Apple releases them. Summary: Motorola has announced its latest smartphone, the Edge 60 Fusion. It features an interesting canvas-like finish and pretty decent specs for its price. However, based on past launches, a release in the US seems unlikely. In the past few years, it feels like Motorola has given up on the high-end flagship market. Instead, the company is focusing on budget and mid-range devices, and it seems to have been a smart decision. Motorolas entry-level and midrange handsets have earned high praise, and now the company returns with its latest release, the Edge 60 Fusion. Interesting texture, and surprisingly rugged One of the more interesting features of the Motorola Edge 60 Fusion is its finish. Unlike high-end phones that love to use a mixture of glass and metal, Motorola has opted for a faux canvas finish. These types of finishes are reminiscent of Motorolas earlier smartphone efforts, like the Moto X, which had a host of colors and finishes that customers could choose from. The phone is also surprisingly rugged. According to Motorola, it has both IP68 and IP69 certifications, which means its fully dustproof and can handle water immersion and high-pressure sprays. Apparently, you can immerse it in 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes without any issue. It also meets MIL-STD 810H military standards for extreme weather durability. The touchscreen even works when wet, thanks to Motorolas Water Touch tech. Whats under the hood? Given that this isnt a high-end phone, dont expect too much in performance. It runs on a MediaTek Dimensity 7300 or 7400 chip (depending on where you live), and comes with up to 12GB RAM and 512GB storage. The camera system features a 50MP main and 13MP ultrawide shooter. It isnt much to shout about, but it gets the job done. As for the screen, were looking at a 6.7-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate covered by a Gorilla Glass 7i. Motorola says its twice as tough as earlier versions. Seeing as it is 2025, it doesnt come as a surprise that the phone comes with AI features. Motorola claims that the handset is the first to come with Moto AI features out of the box. This includes features such as Pay Attention, a recording, transcribing, and summarizing audio tool. There is also a Remember This feature that captures on-screen information and Magic Canvas, an AI tool that generates images from text prompts. Pricing & availability The Motorola Edge 60 Fusion is priced at 299.99 (about $390). However, note that Motorola isnt launching the handset worldwide. Like last years Edge 50 lineup, the Edge 60 Fusion isnt launching in the US. If you live stateside, the closest alternative is probably Motorolas $299 Moto G Power. Summary: US venture capital giant Andreessen Horowitz could be joining Oracle in a bid for TikTok to carve a piece out of the company for themselves. The TikTok ban deadline is approaching, but there still isnt a clear image of what will happen and who will ultimately walk away with TikToks US operations. The deadline for TikToks ban is April 5th. However, instead of getting closer to an agreement, the deal seems to have gotten even more complicated, according to a new report from the Financial Times. According to the report, US venture capital giant Andreessen Horowitz is throwing its hat into the ring alongside Oracle; these companies want to own a piece of TikTok together. Investing into TikTok with Oracle Andreessen Horowitz did not respond to requests for comment on the report, but it wouldnt be the first time the company has invested in tech firms. For instance, the company was one of the key investors in the early days of Facebook. It also played a crucial role in helping Elon Musk secure Twitter (now known as X) in 2022 by offering up $400 million as an investment. So, for the firm to now join a bid to help Oracle acquire TikTok? Hardly a surprise. So far, several people and organizations have surfaced as potential players in the TikTok buyout. Oracle is seemingly in the lead and appears to be the most likely candidate. Other names include YouTuber MrBeast and Reddits co-founder Alexis Ohanian. At one point, reports floated Elon Musks name as a possible buyer, but he later denied the claims. The deadline is approaching Like we said, the ban on TikTok is looming. US President Trump had previously extended the deadline by 75 days. This extension is set to expire this Saturday. With no clear bidder in place, it looks as though Trump may have to extend it again. However, Trump recently stated that he is confident that a deal will be struck before the deadline is up. You cant blame us if were a little skeptical. This is because buying TikTok isnt as straightforward as a company buying another company. The US and China are using TikTok as a pawn in their ongoing trade war. China doesnt want to let TikTok go over concerns about technologies falling into the hands of the US government. The US government, meanwhile, worries that TikTok is collecting data on US citizens and sharing it with China. Trump recently suggested that he will look into cutting tariffs for China as a means to sweeten the deal. Prior to that, the President threatened tariffs to get China to comply. Summary: The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge launch has been delayed. The device will not launch in April, but in May or June. Were still not sure about the reason, but quality shortcoming are not it. The death of JH Han, head of Samsung DX, could have something to do with this, though. Samsung has decided to postpone the Galaxy S25 Edge launch. Yesterdays report suggested that the phone will launch on April 15 in Europe, while an earlier report suggested that an initial launch will occur on April 16. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge launch has been delayed to May or June Its easily possible one or both of those reports were accurate, but Samsung decided to postpone the launch from April to May or June. A report from South Korea says as much, as Samsung sent notifications to the three telecom carriers in Korea. Max Jambor, a tipster, relayed similar information. The report states that the reson behind this are not quality shortcoming or anything like that. It is possible that the death of the head of Samsung DX, JH Han, played a role in this decision. We cannot be sure. Either way, well have to wait a bit longer for the phone to see the light of day. This date change does move the launch of the Galaxy S25 Edge closer to the launch of Samsungs new foldable smartphones. As a reminder, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7 will launch in either July or August. It is even possible that Samsung will announce its first tri-fold smartphone then, it remains to be seen. The device was teased earlier this year, and plenty of information surfaced already The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge was teased by Samsung during the Galaxy S25 series launch event earlier this year. The company actually showed off the devices design too, and weve exclusively confirmed some details. The phone will ship with 12GB of RAM while 256GB and 512GB storage options will be on offer. Weve also confirmed that the Titanium Icyblue, Titanium Silver, and Titanium Jetblack colors will be on offer. What about the price? Well, the starting price tag will be between 1,200 and 1,300 in Europe. Summary: According to a report, the Safety Korea website has certified two batteries made for the Galaxy Watch 8 and Galaxy Watch 8 Classic. When the news outlet cross-checked the model number of a battery associated with the Galaxy Watch 8 on the TUV Rheinland website, it suggested a slight improvement over the predecessor. A 435mAh battery is expected, compared to a 425mAh battery in the current-gen watch. Samsung launched the Galaxy Watch 7 and Watch Ultra at last years July Unpacked event. Now, it seems the South Korean tech giant is getting ready for the launch of the Galaxy Watch 8 series, which includes the Galaxy Watch 8 and Galaxy Watch 8 Classic. More recently, the model numbers of the Galaxy Watch 8 were spotted in a test firmware leak. Now, a leak suggests that the Galaxy Watch 8s battery will see a marginal improvement over its predecessor. Samsung could boost the battery capacity of the Galaxy Watch 8 by a small margin Folks over at XpertPick first spotted two certified Samsung battery packs on the Safety Korea website. The model numbers of both units are reportedly EB-BL330ABY and EB-BL505ABY. These are reportedly the respective batteries for the Galaxy Watch 8 (SM-L330 variant) and Galaxy Watch 8 Classic (SM-L505 variant). Although the Safety Korea site didnt reveal much information other than the model numbers of batteries, when the outlet cross-checked one of the model numbers (EB-BL330ABY) on the TUV Rheinland certification site, it hinted at the Galaxy Watch 8s battery improvement. Per the TUV Rheinland listing, the battery with model number EB-BL330ABY has a typical battery capacity of 435mAh. Do note that its the batterys model number associated with the Galaxy Watch 8. So, its safe to assume that it will have a slightly bigger battery than the predecessor. For those unaware, the Galaxy Watch 7 launched with a battery capacity of 425mAh last year. A different Samsung battery was also seen last month Last month, Indias BIS certification website certified a battery with model number EB-BL320ABY. While that listing didnt spill any details, the outlet hints it will likely have lower battery capacity than 435mAh. We are expecting Samsungs wearables to launch sometime in July this year. Again, theres no official word on the launch just yet. Summary: According to a new report, Samsung is developing an upgraded version of solid-state batteries, as it wants to use the new battery tech in its future wearables, including the Galaxy Ring, Buds, and Watch. Samsungs current lineup of wearables, including the Galaxy Ring, Galaxy Watch, and Galaxy Buds, all use lithium-ion batteries. Well, thats going to change very soon, at least for the Galaxy Ring. Samsung is reportedly looking to use a new battery tech in its wearables, which it has been developing for quite some time. Samsung is reportedly working on new battery tech for the Galaxy Ring, Buds, and Watch Earlier in the day, a Korean news outlet, Money Today, exclusively reported that Samsung wants to use all solid-state battery in multiple Galaxy wearables. The company is looking to introduce this new battery tech to the next-gen Galaxy Ring in Q4 2025. The report mentions that, unlike lithium-ion batteries, which use liquid electrolytes, solid-state batteries use solid electrolytes. One of the major benefits of using the latter in wearables is that it reduces the risk of fire. Whats more interesting is that they can be quite flexible in shape and can achieve higher battery density. Samsung has already developed a solid-state battery having an energy density of around 200Wh/L. However, the company is reportedly developing an improved version of the same, which can hold up to 360Wh/L of energy. The decision might not be financially viable Since solid-state batteries are expensive, the profitability remains a major concern for the tech giant. As mentioned earlier, the Galaxy Ring isnt the only wearable getting the new battery tech; Samsung plans to use it in the Galaxy Watch and Galaxy Buds as well. The report also speculates that the future Galaxy Buds using solid-state batteries could debut as soon as 2026. Moreover, the Galaxy Watch with the new battery tech could be launched as early as 2027. North Sentinel Island is home to the Sentinelese, a pre-Neolithic tribe that has rebuffed all contact with the outside world An American tourist has been arrested after sailing to a remote island and leaving behind a can of Coke and a coconut for the worlds most dangerous and isolated people. North Sentinel Island is home to the Sentinelese, a pre-Neolithic tribe that has rebuffed all contact with the outside world, shooting arrows at passing helicopters and killing those landing ashore. Yet Mykhailo Viktorovych Polyakov, 24, made an illegal visit to the island on Saturday using a makeshift craft to cross a 25-mile strait, Indian police said. They arrested the American, who has a Ukrainian father, on his return as the island has been off limits since 1996, with Indian navy vessels patrolling a five-mile exclusion zone to prevent any unauthorised landings. According to police, Mr Polyakov arrived in Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, an Indian territory in the Bay of Bengal, on March 26. Mykhailo Viktorovych Polyakov tried to make contact with the reclusive islanders He then began his expedition from Kurma Dera beach early on March 29 with an inflatable boat that had had a motor fitted at a local workshop, police said. Navigating the waters using GPS, he reached the forbidden territorys northeastern shore at about 10am. Blew whistle to attract attention From his boat, he scanned the area with binoculars but saw no sign of the Sentinelese. For about an hour, he blew a whistle to try to attract attention but received no response. He then briefly stepped onto the island, left a can of Coca-Cola and a coconut as offerings, collected sand samples and recorded a video before departing. Mr Polyakov returned to Kurma Dera Beach at 7pm, where local fishermen spotted him and alerted the police. Authorities said his journey was meticulously planned, with the American having studied sea conditions, tides and access points. They recovered a GoPro camera containing footage of his activities and seized his inflatable boat. He remains in custody for further questioning. Police said the 24-year-old had previously attempted illegal interactions with the archipelagos other indigenous tribes. Where else he visited They said he travelled to Baratang island in January and illegally filmed members of the Jarawa tribe. We are getting more details about him and his intention to visit the reserved tribal area. We are also trying to find where else he had visited during his stay in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. We are questioning the hotel staff where he was staying in Port Blair, a police spokesman said. Police have filed a case against him for breach of protection of aboriginal tribes and informed the ministry of external affairs and the US embassy. Caroline Pearce, the director of indigenous rights group Survival International, said Polyakovs attempt to make contact with Sentinelese people was deeply disturbing. She said: It beggars belief that someone could be that reckless and idiotic. This persons actions not only endangered his own life, they put the lives of the entire Sentinelese tribe at risk. Its very well known by now that uncontacted peoples have no immunity to common outside diseases like flu or measles, which could completely wipe them out. The Sentinelese have a long history of rejecting outside contact. Indian authorities strictly prohibit visits to the island to protect the tribe from external threats. In 2018, 26-year-old American missionary John Chau was killed after attempting to make contact and convert the islanders to Christianity. A planning application for a travellers site next to the home of actor Martin Clunes has been deferred once again just before it was set to be approved by councillors. The Doc Martin star and other villagers in Beaminster, Dorset, have objected to the plans by Theo Langton and Ruth McGill. The couple, who have lived in a 45ft by 16ft mobile home on land they own at Meerhay for 25 years, have applied for planning permission to continue living there permanently. Officers at Dorset Council had recommended the plans for approval when the western and southern area planning committee meets next on Thursday. But the case has now been deferred after concerns were raised about the risk of flooding at the site. A council spokesman said of the delay: This is because a matter has come to the attention of officers since the publication of the agenda which will require further consideration. The matter relates to surface water flooding and will need to be considered before the application can be reported to committee. The application will be reported back to committee as soon as possible. The application is for continued use of land as a private residential traveller site for sole use of the applicants and family and to include the use of a barn as a workshop, along with a mobile home, a touring caravan and a van to be based on the site. In a letter submitted to the council by Mr Clunes solicitors, Kitson Trotman, in April 2023, they argued the applicants do not fit within the definition of travellers and approving the plans for the permanent site would set a harmful precedent. The agenda for Thursdays now-cancelled hearing had recommended councillors approve the scheme. The officers stated in their report: The location is considered to be relatively sustainable and the proposal is acceptable in its design and general visual impact. There is not considered to be any significant harm to neighbouring residential amenity. There are no material considerations which would warrant refusal of this application. The councils gypsy liaison officer said in the report that Mr Langton and Ms McGill should be considered as new age travellers. The report states: It is very clear they follow and are a part of the new age traveller community and have been for many years. Although they are not ethnic gypsies, I am more than satisfied they are new age travellers and have a lot of friends and support in the new traveller community. The case was previously delayed by the planning committee in April 2023 after a last-minute objection was received from Mr Clunes. Theres nothing like a little cuddle time with mom! Just take it from a baby Bonobo at the Cincinnati Zoo who was caught snuggling with her mama. The two were having the best lazy morning together recently. And people cant get over how cute these two are. Theres nothing Daisy loves more than some hugs from mom. She lives for it! Which is why the Bonobo was caught curled up at her mamas side in their enclosure. Bonobos arent so different from you or I. At least when it comes to bonding with their babies. They are loyal mamas to their little ones. And it shows in the relationship between Daisy and her mom. Just like a human mom, the Bonobo mama was a little tired and needed a rest. No biggie! Daisy was totally content to just hang with mom while she relaxed. She managed to keep herself entertained the entire timewell sort of. She was definitely ready to play. Related: Smiling Baby Bonobo Ape Already Knows Her Best Camera Angles and It's Too Cute People in the comments section were so obsessed with Daisy. If baby Daisy ever needs a babysitter, please tag me, joked one person. This will be my current mood all weekend, someone else teased. Perfect little angel baby! praised someone else. Can I please be a Bonobo? one person wondered. All About Bonobos at the Cincinnati Zoo If youve fallen in love with Daisy and her mama, you can pay them a visit at the Cincinnati Zoo. The zoo is home to both mama and baby. According to the zoo, Bonobos are pretty interesting animals. Sometimes called the Pygmy chimp, the bonobo is slightly smaller than the common chimpanzee. Bonobos also share 98 percent of DNA with humans theyre basically our closest living relative. They also live in groups and stand on two feet, just like humans do! There is one major difference, Bonobos live in a matriarchal society, where females lead the group and keep the peace! Unlike their chimp cousins, bonobos rely on cooperation and social bonding rather than aggression, the zoo added. All in all, Bonobos are pretty cool! And this explains why Daisy and her mama are so close. Looking for more PetHelpful updates? Follow us on YouTube for more entertaining videos. Or, share your own adorable pet by submitting a video, and sign up for our newsletter for the latest pet updates and tips. Elon Musk gives a $1m check to Ekaterina Diestler in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on 30 March 2025. Photograph: Robin Legrand/AFP/Getty Images Billionaires spent record amounts during the 2024 federal election, according to a new analysis from Americans for Tax Fairness, a coalition of more than 420 national, state and local organizations advocating for economic reforms. The reports findings show that during the election cycle that put Donald Trump back in the White House and seated Republican majorities in both the House and Senate, just 100 extremely wealthy families invested $2.6bn an amount more than double what billionaire donors contributed just four years prior. The steep upward spending trends and the eye-popping amounts speak to the shifts in political power granted to the affluent and corporations in the wake of Citizens United v FEC, the supreme courts 2010 decision that enabled unlimited campaign donations. There are limits on direct donations to political candidates, political action committees and political parties, but the creation of Super Pacs in the aftermath of that decision have opened opportunities for the surge in spending. In the 14 years since the Citizens United ruling, billionaires have poured 160 times more funds into campaigns according to the ATF report. The money-for-power exchange that was always hidden in the back rooms of American politics has disturbingly burst into the open in the second Trump administration, said David Kass, ATFs executive director in a written statement included with the report. Elon Musk and some of the worlds wealthiest families spent record amounts to secure trillions in tax breaks and deregulation, using cuts to vital services like healthcare, education, and nutritional support to pay for it. The ATF analysis found most of the support was thrown behind GOP causes and candidates, with 70% of the funds coming from the top 100 contributing billionaire families going to Republicans. Musk, who has spent the weeks since Trumps inauguration slashing the federal workforce as the head of the so-called department of government efficiency, set new standards of financial influence by bankrolling candidates and causes; his Super Pac spent roughly $200m to secure Trumps second term. He was joined by several Silicon Valley executives who collectively added more than $194m more to campaign coffers during the US presidential election, according to a Guardian analysis published late last year, and others who were also offered roles in the new administration after investing in 2024 campaigns. Linda McMahon, a former wrestling promoter and business executive who now serves as the secretary of education, gave $25m with her husband. The commerce secretary Howard Lutnick contributed more than $21m to Republicans. While attention has been focused on spending in the presidential election, large sums were also given down-ballot to help secure a Republican stronghold on the government. Billionaire spending in three key Senate races Montana, Pennsylvania and Ohio constituted roughly half of expenditures in each, according to the ATF report. The money has continued rolling out. Musk is now throwing cash at a candidate for Wisconsins state supreme court. Rebecca Tidy, 37, from Cornwall, says couples' therapy led her to realise her relationship with her fiance was over. (Supplied) (Supplied) My ex Chris and I had been together for 16 years, since meeting in our first year at the University of Exeter. When we tried couples therapy, I naively assumed that the counselling would help us patch up our relationship. After all, it had given me the tools to overcome my OCD in the past. Instead, it came as a huge shock when during therapy I realised that our relationship was damaged beyond repair. I made the difficult decision that it was better for us both if we ended things, so we could build a healthy relationship co-parenting our daughter, Mabel, now seven. It was one of the most emotional decisions that Ive ever made, but I dont regret it. Though some people say we wasted money, I think the therapy was worth the investment, as were both much happier apart. I definitely wouldnt have realised that breaking up could be a positive, if it werent for those sessions. I definitely wouldnt have realised that breaking up could be a positive, if it werent for those sessions. The counsellors guidance helped us to keep things amicable, while we navigated an uncertain new future. We needed to negotiate childcare and custody, as well as dividing our jointly-owned assets including our family home. Rebecca, a journalist, pictured with her ex Chris. (Supplied) (Supplied) Opening up At our first session, the therapist invited us to describe the challenges in our relationship. I wasnt surprised when my then-fiance shrugged his shoulders, saying that my discontent was the main problem. Talking openly about difficult topics has never been his thing and as the weeks of therapy progressed, he still didn't open up. I realised we were simply circling the same old problems. It was an arduous road that wed been down many times before. While its not right for everyone, I need and like to talk about difficult things. During four months of therapy, it slowly dawned on me that my then-partner was never going to change. For me, the main issue was his lifelong habit of withholding the information that I felt was important to our relationship, from unpaid bills to work problems. Rebecca has carved out a new single life, happily co-parenting their daughter Mabel, now seven. (Supplied) (Supplied) Tackling the issues I realised that a shared openness was crucial to my feelings of safety. For years, Id been anxiously wondering whether my exs job was secure or if he was happy, as we didnt ever speak about what was going on behind the scenes. Wed been together all of our adult lives, living together since we were 18 in student halls. However, as the therapy progressed, I found myself wondering what life would look like if we separated. The thought of independence where I only needed to worry about myself and our child became increasingly appealing. However, as the therapy progressed, I found myself wondering what life would look like if we separated. I'm well aware that its not only my ex who was at fault. Were both to blame and therapy taught me that he felt alone and insecure when I worked away for weeks at a time, initially as a campaigns manager for the Liberal Democrats and later on teaching summer schools at Cambridge University. But I found it difficult to empathise or even care about his perspective, as I had so many unheard issues of my own. For example, it was a longstanding bone of contention between us that I went to the gym four nights a week, even though we were new parents. However, I found it impossible to even listen to his experience. Instead, I wanted to scream that it was hardly a surprise that I was at the gym when he was out of the house 14 hours a day working, while I was at home alone with a young baby, continuing to juggle freelance work right from when she was a newborn. And despite my best efforts, I just couldnt move past the fact that he didnt take his fortnight of paternity leave after the birth of our child, insisting that his workplace demanded his attention. I couldn't let this resentment go. Rebecca came to the realisation in therapy that trying to juggle full-time motherhood with freelance work was unsustainable. (Supplied) (Supplied) Ending my relationship We were just four weeks into therapy when I reached a turning point. Not only was I sick of feeling unhappy, but I realised that this emotion and the underlying pattern of behaviour would never disappear if we stayed together. By breaking up, we could pivot our relationship to become co-parents. Midway through the therapy session, I simply blurted out that we needed to break up. I couldnt keep discussing the same unresolved issues that had spanned years. Chris instantly agreed, saying that it would be impossible to resolve our issues. I was surprised to feel huge relief as we considered the practicalities around our surprise decision. By breaking up, we could pivot our relationship to become co-parents. It was terrifying, as Mabel was under a year old and I didnt know any single parents. But that very day, he moved into an empty holiday apartment around 10 miles away from our family home owned by my mum, while we figured out how to become co-parents instead of a couple. Making sense of my past Couples therapy was a big wake-up call for me in many different ways. I discovered a lot about myself as well as our relationship. Growing up on a Cornish farm, I learned that women were expected to juggle everything including family, work and the emotional labour of it all. My dads death, when I was aged five, meant that my mother worked very long hours, so Id assumed that I should be doing the same after I had Mabel but felt constantly burnt out. I was balancing freelance work from home with full-time childcare, which came at the expense of my own wellbeing. Yet the therapist helped me see that this wasn't sustainable. When Mabel was around 14 months old, I handed in my resignation at my lecturing and campaign jobs, telling my employers that I wanted to spend another year or so focusing on motherhood and my freelance work. Mabel began going to nursery twice a week for a few months, but her allergies and lockdown made this tricky, so it wasnt until she was aged four that she returned. Now, as a mum, Ive slowly learned how to avoid the exhaustion and unrealistic expectations that have long been placed on mums. My workload is much lower these days. I still work in journalism, but Ive stopped the academic and political work, so I can rein in my working hours and enjoy spending more time with Mabel. It means that I need to budget much harder, yet it feels like a worthwhile sacrifice. I feel so lucky that both Chris and I have managed to built a brighter future, but also successfully co-parent our daughter. Having therapy turned out to be the best decision I could have made. Read more on relationships: Doctors protest outside Royal Prince Alfred hospital in Sydney on Wednesday. Industrial action by doctors for the first time in over 25 years is expected to impact hospital care across NSW. Photograph: Jack Gramenz/AAP Thousands of doctors in public hospitals across New South Wales are threatening to strike for the first time in decades as they seek a pay rise of up to 30%, as the state government warns the action could halt elective surgeries. Doctors have threatened a three-day walkout from public hospitals from Tuesday. It marks the latest medical industrial dispute to potentially escalate into diminished patient care, after Guardian Australia on Wednesday revealed that the mass resignation of public psychiatrists over pay and conditions has led to the closure of the HIV psychiatry clinic at Sydneys Royal Prince Alfreds hospital. The threat came after the Australian Salaried Medical Officers Federation (ASMOF) defied orders from the states Industrial Relations Commission to cease organising and refrain from action for the next three months a defiance which the union acknowledged could lead to fines. In discussions over a new pay deal, ASMOF has sought a pay rise of as much as 30% without specifying a time period. The Minns government has offered 10.5% over three years. Ryan Park, the NSW health minister, on Wednesday conceded that doctors in his state had suffered wage suppression as a result of the previous Coalition governments public sector 2.5% wage cap. Related: RPA hospital closes HIV psychiatry clinic with 200 patients after staff resignations However, Park noted that several other public workforces, such as nurses and midwives, were simultaneously seeking large corrective increases and said the government could not realistically meet such demands in one year. He said granting the doctors union demands would cost the state $11bn. Park said the pay rise doctors were demanding could see a $75,000 a year boost for some doctors already on $400,000 packages. But he later acknowledged junior doctors, who comprise the majority of the states workforce, could be on $78,000 salaries $12,000 less than what they could earn in Queenslands public system. Park said asking a government to meet a 30% increase in a single year was simply not realistic. He was due to talk with the union again on Wednesday afternoon, and reiterated his offer to grant an immediate 3% rise in backpay as a gesture to get senior officials to return to a two-week intensive period of negotiations for the broader deal. The NSW government remains in a deadlock negotiating with rail unions seeking pay rises in excess of 30%. It has struggled to talk down demands from unions after agreeing to an up to 40% pay rise for police in November. ASMOFs NSW director, Andrew Holland, said doctors were striking for the first time since 1998 over unsustainable workloads, chronic understaffing, and unsafe working hours. The decision hasnt been taken lightly. The decision is a last resort, he told reporters outside RPA on Wednesday. He stressed that patient safety would be maintained, with critical care and emergency areas unaffected by potential staff shortages. Intensive care specialist Dr Behny Samadi said doctors were at breaking point. This is not something we want to do, she said. Samadi said the strike would not endanger patients, who would understand why doctors were taking action. Were actually doing this for their best interest, because we want a well-functioning, sustainable public health system that treats them well, she said. While was not yet known how many doctors might walk off the job, Park claimed that if work stoppages proceeded, elective surgeries would likely be hit with disruptions. I understand doctors do not want to put patients at risk, Im not making that accusation, but as the minister, Ive also got to be very clear and transparent, in the same way that we were in nurses industrial action, he sais. This does have an impact. Elective surgery will likely need to be cancelled. That does have an impact, and I cant pretend that it doesnt. with Australian Associated Press Emma Raducanu has pulled out of Great Britains squad for next weeks Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers against Germany and the Netherlands. Raducanu reached the quarter-finals of the Miami Open last week, the British number twos deepest run at a WTA 1000 event and her best tournament performance since her stunning US Open triumph in 2021. The 22-year-old has featured in seven events in a busy first three months of the year and the PA news agency understands she is taking a breather for the next two to three weeks to fit in a mini-training block. Emma Raducanu has withdrawn from the @BJKCup Qualifiers next week Captain Anne Keothavong: I recognise this has been a difficult decision for Emma. Of course you always miss a player of her quality on the team, we've seen what she can do in the past representing her pic.twitter.com/aRvQerVWu2 LTA (@the_LTA) April 2, 2025 She will not participate in any WTA tournaments during that time and it is unclear when she intends to return to action as well as withdrawing from Britains five-strong team for their Billie Jean King Cup double-header in the Netherlands. I recognise this has been a difficult decision for Emma, Britain captain Anne Keothavong said on the Lawn Tennis Associations X account. Of course you always miss a player of her quality on the team, weve seen what she can do in the past representing her country, but I have the utmost belief in the players who are travelling next week and will confirm a fifth player in due course. Emma Raducanu is back in the worlds top 50 after her run in Miami (Lynne Sladky/AP) Raducanu was one of three top-100 singles players in Keothavongs original full-strength team, with Katie Boulter and Sonay Kartal selected alongside former world number 70 Harriet Dart and British doubles number one Olivia Nicholls. Britain will compete in a new round-robin qualifying format, with the top nation heading to the finals later this year. The remaining two teams will have to compete in play-offs for the chance to return to the qualifiers in 2026. A Labour former minister has called for an end to the two-tier system of protection, as she pressed the Government to remove the ability of employers to use non-disclosure agreements (NDAs). Louise Haigh raised concerns that low-paid workers are being legally silenced and argued employers cannot be trusted with this tool of oppression. The MP for Sheffield Heeley previously attempted to amend the Employment Rights Bill to include powers to prohibit the use of NDAs in cases of sexual harassment or abuse. Labour former minister Louise Haigh (Ben Whitley/PA) Speaking in Westminster Hall, Ms Haigh said: This issue overwhelmingly affects women, it overwhelmingly, as I say, affects low-income workers, it affects all vulnerable people, particularly disabled people and people of colour. She added: We have to address it in order to help fulfil our mission to tackle violence against women and girls but we also need to be careful that we do not narrow this definition down to sexual harassment, as it cover all kinds of abuse in the workplace. And quite simply, we need to remove this tool completely from employers. Because it is only those with the means and the confidence to pursue their employers through the courts who can challenge these practices. Low-paid workers in hospitality or retail are being legally silenced after they have suffered serious harm, and they have no access to redress. I want to stress here that I do not think 100% of hospitality businesses are bad employers or that the sector is packed full of people who set out to silence victims after they have been abused or discriminated against. The point is that these clauses have become boilerplate. They are signed unwittingly by workers and, in many cases, required unwittingly by employers with little or no understanding of the consequences. It has become standard practice to include these broadly drafted confidentiality clauses in contracts that go far further than is required to protect commercial confidentiality or trade secrets. Ms Haigh warned the UK could become an outlier as she pointed to Ireland and America as examples of countries which have legislated to ban certain uses of NDAs. Ms Haigh added: In May 2024, the Victims and Prisoners Bill was amended to make it clear that any confidentiality agreement is void if it precludes a victim from speaking to legal, therapeutic advice services, or family when it is related to criminal conduct. And the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill was also amended to prohibit NDAs being used in cases of sexual harassment, discrimination and bullying. So we now have the absurd situation where students and workers in universities are protected but a cleaner, who works on a university campus but for an outsourced company, would not enjoy those same protections. We have created a two-tier system of protection, so what is the possible justification for denying workers outside the higher education system that same level of protection? Business minister Justin Madders (Richard Townshend/PA) Ms Haigh said NDAs are a tool of oppression, adding: We have to accept that it is a serious problem in every type of workplace in this country and that employers simply cannot be trusted with this tool at their disposal. Directing her final comments to the minister, Ms Haigh said: What else does he or his department need to be satisfied on the need to legislate? How much longer must low-paid workers be legally required to suffer in complete silence before we can be persuaded to take the necessary legal steps? During the debate on the use of NDAs in civil harassment, discrimination and abuse cases, Labour MP Sarah Owen said NDAs protect a culture of wrongdoing. She said around 435,000 pregnant women and mothers in the UK have signed NDAs, and 80% of those felt they had to either leave their job or cut their hours as a result of the NDA. The MP for Luton North also raised concerns for women working in the classical music industry who had been asked to conduct sexual favours in order to get the first positions. Earlier in the debate, Martin Wrigley, Liberal Democrat MP for Newton Abbot, urged the Government to ban the use of NDAs within the NHS. Liberal Democrat justice spokesperson Josh Babarinde argued the purpose of an NDA is to protect the identity of the 11 spices that KFC use in their chicken, and not to protect sex pests. Shadow business minister Greg Smith said the Government should lead by example, as he asked: How many non-disclosure agreements have been used across the civil service since the Government took office last July? Business minister Justin Madders said he recognised that NDAs are important and need looking at and he is happy to work with members. He told MPs: There are, I think, a whole range of issues that we need to consider about how we get this right. For example, as weve heard, the use in various sectors, whether some sectors need particular protections, such as the creative industries. He added: We need to make sure that any work we do does not create a new loophole, a new way, for these clever lawyers to exploit, so it is future-proofed as much as possible. We also need to ensure that any legislation includes an option for a victim to freely choose to have an NDA if that is what they want, without pressure. Mr Madders said a cultural shift in employers is needed, adding: Legislation can say everything it wants, but unless we get employers to really begin to tackle those who are perpetrating these terrible acts, rather than protecting them, then we will continue to have these things being debated. In response to Mr Smith, Mr Madders said he would check if the civil service uses NDAs. Warnings of an extreme wildfire risk have been issued for parts of the UK following a series of blazes in recent days. The Met Office has issued an amber warning for fire severity across parts of England, southern Scotland and Northern Ireland, while the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said there is a very high to extreme risk of wildfires. It comes after England saw its sunniest March on record and its sixth driest March since records began in 1836, according to the Met Office. Last month was also Waless second sunniest March on record and its fourth driest since 1836. WILDFIRE RISK: VERY HIGH TO EXTREME (27 April) Fires can ignite easily & spread fast.Avoid outdoor fires & BBQs. Dispose of cigarettes & glass safely. Most wildfires are human-causedact responsibly! For advice https://t.co/UAS0NK8qGR#WildfirePrevention pic.twitter.com/FEmdkJZTbp Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Your Safety (@SFRSYourSafety) April 2, 2025 Garry Douglas, group commander from the SFRS, said: There is a very high to extreme risk of wildfire from Wednesday 2 April until Monday 7 April and we are urging the public to avoid lighting fires outdoors across all areas of Scotland during this period. During any period of heightened risk, fires can ignite easily, spread very quickly and burn with high intensity. Met Office spokeswoman Nicola Maxey said the risk is due to dry weather which has been ongoing for a while now. We have got dry, warm weather with some fairly strong winds. High pressure is dominating our weather at the moment, which is caused by the heat that we have been seeing, she said. Our Joint Fire Control Centre is currently dealing with a high volume of calls relating to grass fires. Please only call 999 if your life or property is in immediate danger. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/O4uFMgBAqi Tan CGC / MAWW Fire (@mawwfire) April 1, 2025 Early in the winter we also had a very wet period which produced a lot of plant growth. This exacerbates the risk with fuel for the fire. Firefighters tackled blazes in the Kilpatrick Hills near Glasgow on Tuesday. The Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service also said it has responded to more than 40 incidents since Monday in areas spread across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Neath Port Talbot, Pembrokeshire, Powys and Swansea, including one case affecting some 50 hectares of land in Llanllwni, Carmarthenshire. The service said it received an exceptionally high number of calls relating to grass fires on Tuesday. Following an amber wildfire warning issued by the Met Office for London, we're asking people to be careful and follow our safety advice to reduce the risk of fires outdoors, particularly after a drier spring than usual https://t.co/FjIGELQgt2 pic.twitter.com/dzJAiBmuqc London Fire Brigade (@LondonFire) April 1, 2025 London Fire Brigade urged people in the capital to take precautions against wildfires, as forecasts project temperatures hotter than Barcelona and Athens this week, peaking at 21C on Friday. Assistant Commissioner Paul McCourt said: As the weather warms up and we head towards Friday and the weekend, we would urge Londoners not to have barbecues in open spaces or on balconies, including disposable barbecues, to throw rubbish away, and to dispose of cigarettes carefully to avoid inadvertently starting a fire. The last time London was hit by wildfires was in the 2022 heatwave, when UK temperatures soared above 40C for the first time. A father has been jailed for life for a moment of anger and frustration that caused the death of his baby daughter six years later. Kyle Kitchen, 38, assaulted his eight-week-old daughter Primrose Kane in a matter of seconds in 2014, causing catastrophic injuries, the Old Bailey heard. She suffered a skull fracture from being hit or thrown against a hard surface and brain damage from being shaken, which led to profound disability, constant pain, and, ultimately, Primroses death in May 2021. Following a trial at Blackfriars Crown Court in 2016, Kitchen was jailed for 18 years for two charges of causing Primrose grievous bodily harm with intent. That sentence was reduced to 15 years on appeal. Primroses mother, Kenzey Kane, 31, was jailed for three-and-a-half years for causing or allowing serious injury to a child by failing to protect her daughter and child cruelty due to her delay in getting medical help. Kitchen had previously appeared on Channel 5 documentary The Accused, which centred around Primroses mother. The defendant, who had served six years and nine months in jail for the assaults, was found guilty of Primroses murder in March following an Old Bailey trial. On Wednesday, Mr Justice Murray jailed him for life with a minimum term of 17 years. He then reduced the time Kitchen must serve before being eligible for parole to seven years, eight months and 12 days to reflect time he has already served in jail, including on remand. The senior judge noted the background of domestic violence and Kitchens lack of remorse or acceptance of responsibility for Primroses death. He said: I am sure that the incident in which you shook Primrose and caused her skull fracture occurred suddenly and without premeditation in a moment of anger and frustration. The incident was unlikely to have lasted more than a few seconds. Disastrously, however, those few seconds led to Primroses catastrophic injuries at the age of eight weeks, led to her suffering years of extreme disability in chronic pain with a very low quality of life, and led ultimately to her death at the age of six years and eight months. In mitigation, Jane Bickerstaff KC said Kitchen loved that little girl and her death was a cross he will have to bear for the rest of his life. She described his relationship with Primroses mother as toxic but added: There are many, many couples who for one reason or another are not as fit as society would like to parent a child and yet they have children. Previously, prosecutor Jennifer Knight KC said Primrose had lived with her parents in a bedsit in Camden, north London. On September 29 2014, Kitchen was arrested and cautioned for assaulting his partner, having slapped her while she was holding their daughter, then aged three-weeks-old. The court was told Kitchen had admitted it was not the first time he had been violent towards his partner. Shortly before 6am on November 3 2014, she had called 111 to report that Primrose had gone floppy and would not wake up. The baby was taken to the Royal Free Hospital in north London where a scan revealed a skull fracture and serious brain injury. Her parents provided no explanation for how it happened with Kane saying: Its not like we knocked her or anything. Primrose was transferred to an intensive care unit at Great Ormond Street Hospital where further tests confirmed her serious injuries and it became clear she would suffer significant neuro-disability in the long term. She remained in hospital for six weeks and upon her release was placed into the care of her maternal grandmother, Maria Kane. Over time, Primrose developed multiple problems related to her brain injury, including cerebral palsy, feeding issues, an inability to communicate verbally and drug-resistant epilepsy. Despite her profound disability, Primrose went to a special school in Plumstead, south-east London, from the age of nearly three until her death and was described by her headteacher as characterful. Following her death on May 16 2021, a post-mortem examination concluded it was the consequence of the traumatic head injury from when she was a baby. The court was told Kitchen had previous convictions for burglary, theft and possession of cannabis. Kirsty OConnor, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: This is an utterly devastating case and our thoughts remain with Primroses family as they come to terms with their loss. It is unimaginable to think how someone could be capable of hurting such a young and vulnerable baby. It is a parents duty to keep their children safe and Kyle Kitchen not only failed to do that, but violently robbed Primrose of her life. We are pleased with the sentence handed to Kitchen today which now holds him accountable for Primroses premature death and the pain she endured during her short life. An NSPCC spokesperson said: This is a deeply upsetting case and our thoughts are with everyone who loved and cared for Primrose during the six years she was alive. Anyone with a concern about a child can contact our free and confidential helpline on 0808 800 5000 or email: help@nspcc.org.uk. People should call the police on 999 if a child is in immediate danger. Fixing Our Broken Planet - Trustees of the Natural History Museum The opening infographic at the Natural History Museums new Fixing Our Broken Planet gallery doesnt mince its words: the cumulative effects of climate change the declining condition of oceans and forests, and the number of species facing extinction amount to a planetary emergency which requires a global response. The one-roomed exhibition which follows this declaration of disaster is the museums first new permanent gallery since 2016. What begun in 2020 as a temporary display has grown into something more substantial: a collection of specimens nominated and introduced by the museums impressive team of research scientists. The exhibits from microscopic fungi to a huge taxidermied bison tell the story of mankinds relationship with the planet through the food we eat, the materials we use, and the energy we harness. Some of the specimens are bizarrely fascinating. If youve ever wondered whether whales have earwax (or even ears), then here is your answer: a white, triangular wax plug forms inside whales ear canals, with each new layer revealing the age of the whale almost like the rings in a tree trunk. The interest isnt purely biological, alas: as scientist Richard Sabin explains, these rings reveal what chemicals a whale is exposed to including toxic pollutants and common pesticides. Another scientist has chosen to display the huge range of plastic which can be found in the Thames. The wrinkled form of a Hula Hoops packet from 1986 or a crushed Ribena carton from the 90s are unusual exhibits to see framed on the wall of a museum, but theyre a tangible reminder that plastic takes decades or even centuries to decompose. Some animals have been creative in re-using plastic: it is often found in birds nests where, unfortunately, it runs the risk of strangling their young. Urban birds have also been known to use old cigarette butts to keep the nest free of ticks and fleas; innovation which, again, poses a danger to chicks. Fixing Our Broken Planet - Trustees of the Natural History Museum From chemicals and materials, the exhibition moves to consider the relationship between the health of the planet and the health of humans. Some of the facts are hardly revelatory continual light pollution is beneficial neither for humans nor nocturnal animals like bats and moths but others are more surprising. From the 1930s to the 1960s, the most reliable pregnancy test involved injecting a South African clawed frog with urine. Theres a possibility, with an exhibition like this, that it could be simultaneously preachy and doom-laden: a gallery of now-extinct species and sanctimonious messaging encouraging everyone to become a vegan. Despite its occasionally subdued approach some exhibits, like new varieties of corn, are worthy but hardly eye-catching and some token advice from young environmentalist changemakers, Fixing Our Broken Planet manages to avoid both these charges. A European Bison at the Natural History Museum - James Manning This is not a gallery which leaves any visitors beaming with joy or with allayed eco-anxiety, but it still gives hope. There are scientists working to find solutions from turning naturally-occurring granite into Lithium needed for batteries, to rewilding parts of Britain by re-introducing Bison into the countryside. This is an exhibition of expertise; a timely addition to the museum, which shows off the important research work which goes on behind the scenes. Fixing Our Broken Planet opens April 3; nhm.ac.uk Government declines to put date on when Chagos Islands deal will be agreed The Government has refused to say when it believes the deal with Mauritius for the Chagos Islands will be completed despite Downing Street saying it was being finalised. Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty said MPs would get the chance to vote on any agreement, as he said the Bill would include how much the Mauritian government would be paid for the 99-year lease for the military base on Diego Garcia. Responding to an urgent question in the Commons, Mr Doughty said: Both sides remain committed to concluding a deal on the future of the Chagos archipelago, which protects the long-term effective operation of the joint UK-US base on Diego Garcia. We are now working with Mauritius to finalise the agreement, and while it is in everybodys interest to progress the deal quickly, we have never put an exact date on it and we do not intend to do so now. The Government will bring forward a Bill to enable implementation of the treaty and Parliament will, of course, also have the opportunity to scrutinise the treaty in the usual way before ratification. The Government has argued that it has to give up sovereignty over the territory in the Indian Ocean due to international legal rulings in favour of Mauritius. Reports have suggested the deal could cost 90 million-a-year to secure the use of Diego Garcia, with payments front-loaded to win the support of the Mauritian government. Foreign Office Minister Stephen Doughty said the Government was working with Mauritius to finalise the agreement (House of Commons/UK Parliament/PA) Mr Doughty added: The Government inherited a situation where the long-term future of the military base was under threat. This deal is rooted in a rational and hard-headed determination to protect UK security and that of our allies. It will protect the base on Diego Garcia and cement UK and US presence in the Indo-Pacific for generations to come. Conservative shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel urged the Government to ditch the deal, arguing the British Indian Ocean Territory should remain British. Dame Priti criticised ministers for not giving MPs any indication the deal was being finalised during a Commons questions session on Tuesday, despite Downing Street saying later that day that it was close to being concluded. She added: We are still completely in the dark about the fundamental questions of this enormous importance, how many billions of hard-pressed taxpayers British money will be expected to fork out to lease back the territory we already own? Dame Priti continued: The British Indian Ocean Territory should remain British but Labour have prioritised appeasing the whims of left-wing lawyers and activists rather than standing up for our national interest. Its high time this deal was ditched. Former Conservative Party leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith said: How much will taxpayers pay for this settlement, and out of which budget will it come? Is there a guarantee that at no stage will it come from the defence budget increase? Mr Doughty would not be drawn on how much money the deal would involve. He said: A financial element over 99 years was crucial to protect the operation of such a vital base. We wont scrimp on our security and once a treaty is signed it will be put before the House for scrutiny before ratification in the usual way, and that will include costs. He added: The terms of the treaty and the associated funding arrangements are still being finalised and financial obligations including departmental budgetary responsibilities will of course be managed responsibly with the Governments fiscal framework. Conservative former Foreign Office minister Andrew Murrison said the US had increased its presence on the base, adding: Given that, how much will the Trump White House be contributing to the endowment that the minister proposes to hand to Mauritius? Mr Doughty said: We welcome the fact that the United States recognises the strength of this deal, and thats because it is rooted in a rational and hard-headed determination to protect our security, that of the United States, our presence in the Indo-Pacific. Concerns have also been raised that exiled Chagossians have not been adequately consulted during the Governments negotiations of a deal. Attorney General Lord Hermer was asked if he was confident that the rights of Chagos Islanders have been properly observed. I am sure that if a settlement is secured, it will be one that secures vital United Kingdom interests and it will be one that is fair to all people impacted by it, he told a parliamentary human rights committee. The Government is pushing reforms to environmental regulations that aim to boost growth and nature and avoid repeats of the 100 million bat tunnel. Ministers have said they will fast-track a number of recommendations in a government-commissioned review, which cautioned against a bonfire of regulations but called for reforms to guidance, regulators and the system. It is hoped the reforms will speed up planning applications for farmers, businesses and major infrastructure, and reduce the chances of a repeat of the 100 million bat tunnel developed to protect 300 bats over a one-kilometre length of track as part of the HS2 rail project. The review commissioned by Environment Secretary Steve Reed found there were more than 3,000 pieces of green tape, and developers had to seek permissions from multiple regulators, often without speaking to them in advance to understand how the rules would be implemented. The assessment by economist and former charity leader Dan Corry said the current system was not working for economic growth or natures recovery. In the wake of comments from Sir Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves claiming the protection of nature such as jumping spiders and newts was blocking new infrastructure and housing, Mr Corrys review cautioned against the aims of growth and conservation being seen as in direct conflict. Reforming the system could deliver better for economic growth and to help nature recover, although there may be some short term trade-offs, he said. But conservationists warned of the risks to nature of the reforms and called for a stronger regulatory focus on natures recovery. Mr Corry made a number of recommendations including reviewing the existing catalogue of environmental guidance to remove duplication, ambiguity, or inconsistency. Environment Department (Defra) officials said work had already begun on a rapid review of the regulations, including efforts to bring down 110 pages of bat guidance to just 10 pages. Other recommendations the Government is fast-tracking are appointing a single lead regulator for major infrastructure projects, updating regulations to allow regulators to make decisions on which activities should be exempt from environmental permits, and setting up a single planning portal. A new Defra infrastructure board will speed up delivery of major projects, for example by working with developers at an early stage and ensuring decisions are proportionate, to avoid future bat tunnels or the 15 million kittiwake nesting structures as part of the Hornsea 3 offshore wind farm. And the Government is bringing forward plans to give more freedom to trusted nature groups such as the National Trust to carry out conservation and restoration work without needing multiple permits for schemes such as creating wetlands. Also being fast-tracked are recommendations for a new nature market accelerator to bring coherence to private investment in nature, strategic policy statements for regulators and a continuous programme of reform. But while the review also suggests reforming the Habitats Regulations, a move strongly resisted by wildlife groups who say they protect hundreds of the most important wildlife sites and species in England, the Government says it has no immediate plans to take up that recommendation. The Government has already published a planning bill with wide-ranging reforms including streamlining the planning process, changing the way developers meet environmental obligations, and giving communities near new electricity pylons money off their energy bill. And a nature restoration fund aims to enable developers to pay into a central fund to meet obligations to compensate for lost habitat, and it would then be up to an agency such as Natural England to secure benefits to nature on a strategic rather than individual site basis. Announcing the latest reforms on Wednesday, Mr Reed said he was rewiring Defra and its arms-length bodies to boost economic growth and unleash an era of building while also supporting nature to recover. Dan Corrys essential report gives us a strong set of common-sense recommendations for better regulation that will get Britain building. Mr Corry said: We must focus on good outcomes and nature enhancement, not on rigidly preserving everything at any cost. This review clearly shows that simply scrapping regulations isnt the answer instead, we need modern, streamlined regulation that is easier for everyone to use. While short-term trade-offs may be needed, these reforms will ultimately deliver a win-win for both nature and economic growth in the longer run. But Richard Benwell, chief executive of Wildlife and Countryside Link, warned: The Governments planning reforms fall far short of the win-win approach ministers want and Corry seems to support. He said the risk to nature in new Government planning laws were high and promised benefits were wafer thin, as he called for regulatory reform to deliver a simpler, stronger focus on environmental recovery. And he said: For too long, environmental regulators have been too poor and too weak to enforce the law. Their environmental duties have been too soft and vague to drive environmental recovery. In any reform, Defra must find strength with simplicity: all regulators and regulation must contribute to the urgent action needed to halt environmental decline by 2030. Harry Bowell, director of land and nature at the National Trust said: Todays review shows that achieving better outcomes for nature doesnt have to mean wholesale deregulation or pitting nature against growth. Were particularly pleased to see a new approach for partnering with trusted nature organisations, recommendations for unblocking barriers to investment in nature-based solutions to flooding and pollution, and work to improve the coherence of new environmental markets. A Guardian journalist who looked into allegations of sexual misconduct by actor Noel Clarke has denied allowing contamination of the investigation by letting sources speak with one another. Lucy Osborne is one of the journalists giving evidence at the High Court libel trial in Clarkes claim against the newspapers publisher Guardian News and Media (GNM). He is suing GNM over seven articles and a podcast, including an April 2021 article that said 20 women who knew Clarke professionally had come forward with allegations of misconduct. The Doctor Who actor, 49, denies the allegations and has said several people who have made claims are part of a conspiracy to defame him. Philip Williams, for Clarke, told a hearing on Wednesday that some of the Guardians sources were talking with each other in chat groups. He accused Ms Osborne of allowing the credibility of their stories to become contaminated by putting them in touch with one another around the time Clarke responded to the allegations, just before the Guardians publication. The barrister said: You knew they were talking to each other and you did nothing about it, did you? Ms Osborne replied: Several of these women were nervous about going on the record, unsure about going on the record or once they had gone on the record, wanted to speak with other women in their situation. So only after we interviewed them and took records of their allegations did we put them in touch. We had already started writing the article and had already gotten that information from them so there was no possibility of contamination. Mr Williams also accused the Guardian journalist of pursuing an agenda and having failed to look objectively and in detail at certain aspects of the investigation. He said: You investigated on your own terms. In just two weeks you had this agenda and you were tainted because of your previous investigations that took months, if not years, and you closed your eyes, is that fair? Ms Osborne replied: No, its not fair. She continued: It was no more or less thorough than other investigations, it was just a different time. Clarke said in an earlier hearing that a small group of individuals who he described as primary conspirators were driving the allegations out of personal or financial grudges and because they could not bear to see him receive a Bafta award in 2021. When asked whether she knew that some of the sources had been talking with each other about the allegations prior to the Guardians investigation, Ms Osborne said: It would be unusual for sources to exist in their own bubbles. People talk to one another and they share stories. That is how this initial group formulated. The hearing before Mrs Justice Steyn is due to conclude this month with a decision in writing given at a later date. A double hand transplant recipient hugged and held hands with the twin sister of her donor when she met her for the first time. Ill shake your hand because I can, said Corinne Hutton when she met Deborah Gosling, whose sisters hands were donated after she died. Julie Wilds hands, pancreas, liver, and both kidneys were all donated after she died of a sudden brain bleed in 2019 when she was 51. In an emotional meeting captured on film, Ms Gosling said as she embraced Ms Hutton that her sister had beautiful hands and would be so proud. Ms Hutton lost both hands and legs as a result of sepsis in 2013. She said a call came completely out of the blue in 2019 saying that donor hands had been found and it was all systems go. Almost instantly at that point your thoughts go to the donor family in my familys excitement, we know all too well what they were going through, she said. Ms Wild, a mother-of-two, worked as a phlebotomist a health worker who takes blood from patients for analysis at Sheffield Childrens Hospital. She has been described by her sister as a soft and caring person who did everything for her sons. Ms Gosling, a 57-year-old paramedic from Sheffield, said: She was my best friend and I am still lost without her. She said she took her sister to hospital when she became suddenly unwell in January 2019. I got her in the car, took her to hospital she got worse and worse en route to the hospital. Mother-of-two Julie Wild died of a sudden brain haemorrhage in January 2019 (PA) A nurse and a doctor came on to the scene she was unconscious from then. I knew I had lost my sister. She went on: When the specialist nurse came to see me about organ donation, it wasnt a hard decision. I said straight away No problem. They also asked about donating limbs. And I was quite taken aback by it because I had not heard of that before. But to give somebody a chance of enhancing their life is absolutely incredible. I didnt hesitate. Julie didnt need them any more but someone else did. Corinne Hutton became the sixth person in the UK to receive a double hand transplant in 2019 (Finding Your Feet/PA) Ms Hutton, now 54, from Lochwinnoch in Renfrewshire, Scotland, had a 12-hour operation to have her new hands fitted, becoming the sixth person in the UK to receive a double hand transplant. Ms Gosling said Ms Huttons recovery has been a source of pride for the family. She said: I always wanted to meet Corinne and I will always keep in touch. Its hard to describe but its quite comforting to know someone has got her hands, that part of her lives on in a way. I couldnt take my eyes off them when we met. Julies organs saved lives and her hands have transformed Corinnes life. Id say to other people dont hesitate. What good are your organs and limbs when you have passed away? Ms Hutton said: Most of all I wanted them to know I was grateful. I felt such empathy and a connection because my own parents were asked about the possibility of organ donation when I was in intensive care. I knew it must have been a traumatic time for Julies family. I was just so aware of how generous they were to decide to donate. I was hopeful that, for Deborah, holding the hands and touching and seeing them would give them some light after an otherwise dark situation. She added: I also wanted to know what Julie did with her hands it turned out she drank white wine and sang karaoke. Ms Hutton now has about 95% function in her right hand and about 75% in her left hand. The difference the transplant has made has been absolutely life-changing, she said. Im so grateful to Julie and her family. Ill never forget that I am lucky and I will never forget where theyve come from. And hopefully I will give them a good life. Deborah Gosling, donor Julie Wilds twin sister, greets Corinne Hutton in an emotional first meeting (PA) Ms Hutton has become an advocate for organ donation and also founded the charity Finding Your Feet, which supports families affected by amputation or limb absence. NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) can arrange meetings when both parties wish to meet. Ms Gosling and Ms Hutton met at the Queens Hotel in Leeds in 2019 and have now decided to share their story to support the NHS Blood and Transplant campaign for more people to donate organs and tissue. Officials said waiting lists are the highest in a decade, and there is an urgent need for more people to show their support through the NHS Organ Donor Register. There are currently 8,065 people on the transplant waiting list. Did you know? You can record your #OrganDonation decision on the NHS App in just a couple of minutes. Its quick, easy, and could save up to nine lives in the future. It's the best thing you'll do today! pic.twitter.com/mbk2cnGbzv NHS Organ Donation (@NHSOrganDonor) February 20, 2025 Anthony Clarkson, director of organ and tissue donation and transplantation, said: No transplant, and no new transplant programme, is possible without the selfless generosity of donors and their families. We have supported the hand transplant programme for more than a decade. If theres the potential for organ donation, our specialist nurses in organ donation will also consider limb donation and, if theres a match to a specific patient, have a discussion with the family in a sensitive way. Many families will give serious consideration if they think its what their families would have wanted. Theres an urgent need for the donation of organs and tissue. Families take great comfort and pride knowing that their loved one has given an amazing gift to somebody in need. We urge people to support donation on the NHS Organ Donor Register and to tell their families they want to donate. People at the site of an Israeli bombing in Khan Younis on Wednesday. Photograph: Abdel Kareem Hana/AP Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel is seizing territory and intends to divide up the Gaza Strip by building a new security corridor, amid a major expansion of aerial and ground operations in the besieged Palestinian territory. Tonight, we have shifted gears in the Gaza Strip. The [Israeli army] is seizing territory, hitting the terrorists and destroying the infrastructure, the prime minister said in a video statement on Wednesday evening. We are also doing another thing seizing the Morag route. This will be the second Philadelphi route, another Philadelphi route, he said, referring to an Israeli-held corridor along the Egypt-Gaza border. Because we are currently dividing up the strip, we are adding pressure step by step, so that our hostages will be given to us, Netanyahu added. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have seized buffer zones around Gazas edges totalling 62 sq km, or 17% of the strip, since the war began in October 2023, according to the Israeli human rights group Gisha. The Netzarim corridor, named for a defunct Israeli settlement, now cuts off Gaza City from the south of the strip. Morag was a Jewish settlement that once stood between Rafah and Khan Younis, so the use of the name suggests the new corridor is designed to separate the two southern cities. The Israeli prime ministers announcement follows remarks on Wednesday from his defence minister, Israel Katz, who said the Israeli army would seize large areas of Gaza, necessitating large-scale civilian evacuations. Neither Netanyahu nor Katz elaborated on how much Palestinian land Israel intended to capture in the renewed offensive, but the move is likely to complicate ceasefire talks and inflame fears that Israel intends to take permanent control of the strip when the war ends. Related: Israel announces plan to seize large areas in Gaza latest updates Israels newly stated intentions to establish another military corridor followed a night of intense airstrikes on Khan Younis and Rafah in southern Gaza, which hospital officials said had killed at least 21 people. An airstrike on Wednesday afternoon on a Jabaliya health clinic housing displaced people killed at least 19 people, including nine children, according to the civil defence agency. The IDF said in a statement it had taken precautions to avoid civilian casualties in the bombing of what it said was a Hamas control centre in the Jabaliya refugee camp in the north of the strip. It later said it was aware the target was located in the same building as the clinic. Unrwa, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, said in a statement that the strike hit two rooms on the first floor of an Unrwa destroyed health centre that had been used as a shelter for 160 displaced families. Many displaced families have not left the site, simply because they have absolutely nowhere else to go, the statement said. The agency had shared the buildings coordinates with the IDF, it added. In Khan Younis, the bodies of five women, one of them pregnant, two children and three men from the same family were brought to Nasser hospital on Wednesday morning, medics said. The IDF said it was examining the reports of civilian deaths. Palestinian media reported bombing and shelling along the Egyptian border, at least two airstrikes on Gaza City, and Israeli troop movement in the Rafah area. The IDF said it had deployed an extra division to southern Gaza early on Wednesday. The Israeli military issued sweeping evacuation orders last week telling people in Rafah and a swath of land stretching northwards towards Khan Younis to move to al-Mawasi, an area on the shore that Israel has designated as a humanitarian zone but has repeatedly bombed. Israel renewed intensive bombing across Gaza on 18 March, followed by the redeployment of ground troops, abruptly ending the two-month ceasefire and exchanges of Israeli hostages held by Palestinian militant groups and Palestinians in Israeli jails. According to the terms of the truce, the sides were supposed to negotiate implementing further phases of the deal during the first 42-day stage, but the Israeli government repeatedly postponed the talks. The latest UN estimate, from 23 March, suggested approximately 140,000 people had been displaced since the end of the ceasefire. More than 90% of the strips population of 2.3 million have been forced to flee their homes during the conflict, many of them multiple times. Hundreds of people have been killed in Israeli airstrikes since it ended the ceasefire. Israel has also cut off humanitarian aid, food and fuel to the strip in an effort to pressure Hamas. The month-long blockade is now the longest in the war to date. Efforts led by Qatari and Egyptian mediators to resume talks aimed at ending the war have not yet led to a breakthrough. The resumption of fighting in Gaza has also fuelled protests in Israel against the government from supporters of the remaining hostages and their loved ones. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which represents most captives relatives, said it was horrified to wake up this morning to the defence ministers announcement about expanding military operations in Gaza. The group said: Our highest priority must be an immediate deal to bring ALL hostages back home the living for rehabilitation and those killed for proper burial and end this war. The 7 October 2023 Hamas attack on southern Israel, in which Israel says 1,200 people, the majority of them civilians, were killed and a further 250 taken captive, was the trigger for the conflict in Gaza, the worst war between Israel and the Palestinians in more than 70 years of fighting. Israels retaliatory military campaign has killed at least 50,357 people, the majority of them civilians, according to the territorys health ministry. Members of Palestinian emergency services pray by the bodies of fellow rescuers killed by Israeli forces - AFP Israel has been accused of executing Palestinian paramedics after bodies were found in a mass grave with their hands tied and bullet wounds to the head. In what would amount to a serious war crime if proven, some 15 people from a number of groups are alleged to have been killed by the IDF. Their bodies were recovered from a shallow grave on Sunday after a week-long rescue operation, according to the UN. Accounts from Gaza suggest some of the group, from the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS), Palestinian Civil Defence (PCD) and the UN Palestine refugee agency (UNRWA), had been handcuffed, or had their hands or feet tied. The clearly identified humanitarian workers had been dispatched to collect injured Gazans on March 23 in the Rafah area amid an escalation of Israeli military operations. The UN claims the humanitarian workers came under fire from Israeli forces who were advancing in the area, with video footage taken near Tal as-Sultan by a United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) rescue party showing a crushed UN vehicle, ambulances and a fire truck that had been flattened and partially buried in the sand by the Israeli military. Those people were shot This is a huge blow to usThese people were shot, said Jens Laerke, a spokesman for OCHA. Volker Turk, a UN human rights chief, issued a statement on Monday condemning the Israeli militarys attack and calling for an independent, prompt and thorough investigation into the apparently systematic killings. Normally we are not at a loss for words, and we are spokespeople, but sometimes we have difficulty finding them. This is one of those cases, he said. The discovery of the bodies buried next to their clearly destroyed vehicles was deeply disturbing he added. This raises significant questions with regard to the conduct of the Israeli army during and in the aftermath of the incident. Mourning relatives at the funeral of the eight Palestine Red Crescent Society workers killed - Anadolu The week-long rescue operation ended on Sunday with the recovery of the bodies of 15 humanitarian workers, eight from the PRCS, six from the PCD and one UNRWA worker. The body of one more PRCS worker is still missing at the site, according to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). In a report in The Guardian, Dr Ahmed al-Farra from the Nasser medical complex in Khan Younis, said: I was able to see three bodies when they were transferred to the Nasser hospital. They had bullets in their chest and head. They were executed. They had their hands tied. Others in Gaza corroborated the claims. Dr Bashar Murad, the PRCS director of health programmes in Gaza, said at least one of the other paramedics whose body was recovered had his hands tied. Mahmoud Basal, spokesman for the PCD in Gaza, said the bodies had been found with at least about 20 gunshots. He also said that at least one of them had their legs bound. Gazas Hamas controlled health ministry also released a statement claiming the workers had been executed, and some of them handcuffed. They were buried in a deep hole to prevent their identities from being identified, the statement said. Terrorists are once again exploiting medical facilities The Israeli military told The Telegraph that an investigation was ongoing. Nadav Shoshani, its military spokesman, refuted the allegations that the workers were deliberately targeted. The IDF did not randomly attack an ambulance on March 23, he wrote on X. Several uncoordinated vehicles were identified advancing suspiciously toward IDF troops without headlights or emergency signals. IDF troops then opened fire at the suspected vehicles. Earlier that day, cars that did not belong to terrorists were coordinated and passed safely on the same route, he explained in an account of the days events. He said that following an initial assessment, it was determined that the forces had eliminated Mohammad Amin Ibrahim Shubaki, a Hamas military operative who took part in the October 7 massacre, along with eight other terrorists from Hamas and the Islamic Jihad. After coordination between the IDF and international organisations, the evacuation of bodies was carried out, he added, saying that terrorists are once again exploiting medical facilities and equipment for their activities. In an UNRWA statement, the agency said the latest incident brings the death toll of aid workers killed to 408, among them more than 280 UNRWA staff, since the current conflict began a year and a half ago. Scottish Government minister Christina McKelvie was surrounded by love when she died, her partner and fellow MSP Keith Brown said. The SNP depute leader paid an emotional tribute to Ms McKelvie, who was on medical leave from her post as alcohol and drugs policy minister when she died in hospital last week. Mr Brown told how Scottish First Minister John Swinney, who hailed Ms McKelvie as one of Parliaments finest, had visited her twice in hospital, while she was being treated for secondary breast cancer. Speaking less than a week after her death in Glasgow Royal Infirmary last Thursday at the age of 57, Mr Brown told MSPs: During the last week or so Christina was never on her own. At every point, 24 hours a day, members of her family sat with her, held her hand, told her she was loved. And she was surrounded by love in that last week. Her family placed yellow roses by her side in her final days in the hospital, with all SNP MSPs wearing yellow roses in tribute to her as Holyrood with flags at half mast outside held a motion of condolence. Her family were in the Scottish Parliament to hear tributes to Ms McKelvie from politicians of all parties, with Mr Brown describing his long-term partner as having been more beautiful inside than outside. Christina McKelvie was on medical leave from her ministerial post in the Scottish Government (Fraser Bremner/Scottish Daily Mail/PA) He added: Apart from the children, Christina McKelvie was the best thing that ever happened to me. He admitted he did not remember the first time the pair met in 2001 but added Ms McKelvie recollected she found me to be opinionated and cocky. The couple met again at a pre-election rally for SNP candidates in 2007, with Mr Brown saying: I just thought she was a stunningly attractive woman way, way out of my league. He added: I have often thought of Christina as a star, people have talked about how much fun she was. To me she was glamorous, she was sparkly, she was fun. Keith Brown the partner of Christina McKelvie watches on as Nicola Sturgeon pays tribute during a motion of condolence in Holyrood (Andrew Milligan/PA) Planets revolve around stars. I just dont know what a planet does when its star has been extinguished. His comments came after former first minister Nicola Sturgeon said she was so privileged to have had Ms McKelvie as her a friend, adding that Holyroods chamber feels far too quiet without Christinas infectious laugh. Hailing Ms McKelvie as a truly exceptional politician, the former SNP leader added: The connections she made with people came from her heart, a heart she always wore proudly on her sleeve. She went on to tell MSPs: When I made Christina a minister I knew she would do a good job, but I did not anticipate the strength of the impact she made. Shirley-Anne Somerville alongside fellow MSPs during the motion of condolence for Christina McKelvie (Andrew Milligan/PA) As first minister, whenever I encountered someone who worked in her policy field they would invariably tell me they loved her. No disrespect to my other ministers, that was not normal. Mr Swinney, meanwhile, who moved the motion of condolence, spoke of the profound effect she had had. He reflected on the impact her upbringing in the Easterhouse area of Glasgow had on her political views, including her fathers MND diagnosis and the work done by her mother to care for him, as well as support the family. The First Minister also paid tribute to the work of Ms McKelvie in her Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse constituency, highlighting her role in setting up a voucher scheme for those struggling to pay for their energy bills, which has since helped 20,000 people. A fierce advocate for cancer research even before her diagnosis, the First Minister told how Ms McKelvie was the driving force for the Wear It Pink campaign at Holyrood, where she would hunt members down, forcing them to pose wearing all sorts of pink paraphernalia. He went on to tell Holyrood: She was one of the kindest and the most generous people I have ever met in my life. My Government has lost an outstanding minister, my party has lost one of its finest parliamentarians and many people of all parties and of none have lost a true friend. MSP Mairi McAllan during the motion of condolence for Christina McKelvie (Andrew Milligan/PA) But I know that we will all feel the glow of Christinas warmth for years to come. He added: I am so profoundly grateful that my life has been blessed by the friendship and the love of one of Parliaments finest Christina McKelvie. Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone also paid tribute, saying the ministers desire to make things better for people defined her approach to public service. Her own illness made Christina doubly determined to use her position to raise awareness and to advocate for others, she added. Scottish Labour deputy leader Dame Jackie Bailie also appeared emotional as she spoke about Ms McKelvie, saying she was a woman who dedicated herself to public service and to working to improve the lives of her fellow Scots. She recalled she had first met her many years ago, before Ms McKelvie was elected to Holyrood when she working for the trade union Unison. She was fierce then, believe me, Ms Baillie stated. Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay paid his respects to the force of nature that was Christina McKelvie. Zhenhao Zou has been found guilty of drugging and raping 10 women in London and China between 2019 and 2023 and is due to be sentenced in June. ((Metropolitan Police/PA)) More than 20 additional women have contacted police to say they may have been raped by prolific sex offender Zhenhao Zou, following an international appeal. Police launched an appeal after Zou was convicted of drugging and raping 10 women following a trial last month. The Chinese PhD student also filmed his attacks and kept jewellery and underwear belonging to his victims as 'souvenirs'. The investigation into the 28-year-old's crimes is also understood to have turned up more than 1,660 hours of video footage, leading detectives to suspect many of his victims may still be unknown. Detectives have yet to confirm whether the 23 people who have come forward add to their estimates that more than 50 other women from across the globe may have been targeted by Zou. However, work is now underway to see if the new potential cases could result in Zou facing further charges, according to Metropolitan Police commander Kevin Southworth. He said: We have now, thankfully, had 23 victim survivors come forward through the appeal that weve conducted, some of whom may be identical with some of the females that we saw in those videos, some of whom may even turn out to be from the original indicted cases. Date rape drug Butanediol was among the drugs police discovered searching Zhenhao Zou's address. (Metropolitan Police) ((Metropolitan Police/PA)) Ultimately, now its the investigation teams job to professionally pick our way through those individual pieces of evidence, those individual victims stories, to see if we can identify who may have been a victim, when and where, so then we can bring Zou to justice for the full extent of his crimes. Just two of the women Zou was convicted of raping have been identified so far. The other eight remain unidentified and police fear he could have as many as 50 more waiting to come forward. Zou's home was searched after a woman reported him to the police, who found butanediol a date rape drug - and horse tranquilizer ketamine in his property, as well as several hidden cameras. But it was a probe into his laptops and mobile phones that revealed the scale of his offending, including hundreds of videos showing him raping and assaulting women. Commander Southworth added the investigation to uncover Zous crimes one of the most complex rape investigations ever carried out by the force. Following his conviction at a month-long trial, judge Rosina Cottage called him a dangerous and predatory sexual offender and warned him he faces a very long jail term when he is sentenced on 19 June. Who is Zhenhao Zou? Zhenhao Zou is originally from Dongguan, in China's Guangdong province, but is believed to have lived in the UK since at least 2017. The jury at his trial was told his father works for what was described as a state-owned enterprise and his mother is a teacher. Previously a student at Queen's University, in Belfast, he later studied for a masters degree and then a PhD in engineering at University College London (UCL) and is known to have lived in central London and the Elephant and Castle area of south London. While living in the capital he appeared to have a busy and well-funded social life, enjoying a wardrobe full of designer clothes, a Rolex watch, rented accommodation worth thousands of pounds per month, facial surgery and a hair transplant. The investigation was prompted by a complaint to the Metropolitan Police, which led to a search of his home and the discovery of date rape drugs, hidden cameras and laptops and mobile phones. However, despite his years in the UK, he refused to speak English during his interrogations with police or at his trial, communicating via a translator instead. Zhenhao Zou is believed to have spent thousands of pounds on facial surgery, a hair transplant and clothes during his time living in London. (Metropolitan Police) ((Metropolitan Police/PA)) Detective Superintendent Vanessa Britton said Zou appeared to be a "model student with an active social life. He came across in interview as really self assured, she said. I think the interviewers described him as charming. Clearly the evidence and the videos show him in a completely different light. Hidden cameras Investigators trawled through hundreds of videos taken on hidden cameras which appeared to show attacks Zou carried out in London and in his native China. (Metropolitan Police) ((Metropolitan Police/PA)) Detectives found hundreds of videos stored on Zou's electronic devices which demonstrated the scale of his crimes. It is believed he primarily used social media apps to contact women and invite them to his flat to drink or study. He would later spike their drinks before carrying out his attacks. Analysis of footage which appeared to show him raping and assaulting women led investigators to suspect he had committed offences in his native China, as well as in London. During his trial, officers collaborated with the Chinese Ministry of Public Security to ensure one of his victim's would be able to give evidence to the court. International appeal Following the conclusion of the trial, the Metropolitan Police is now hoping to track down more of Zou's possible victims with a public appeal. Detectives have said they are particularly keen to speak to women from the Chinese student community who lived in London between 2019-2024 and who may have met him during this period. Police would also like to make contact with anyone who may have met him in China during this time. As well speaking to him through social media apps such as WeChat or Little Red Book and dating apps such as Bumble, as well as other internet platforms, they may also have visited his addresses in Woburn Place, in central London, or Churchyard Row, in Elephant and Castle, in south London. Detectives fear many of Zhenhao Zou's victims may be unaware of the crimes committed against them. (Metropolitan Police) ((Metropolitan Police/PA)) Investigators have also stressed some women may be unaware they have been a victim of Zou's crimes. Commander Southworth said: We are determined to support all victim-survivors and are now asking women who believe they may have concerns about Zou to please come forward. "I want to reassure anyone impacted that you are not alone and can seek specialist support and guidance, not only from the police, but also from independent charities and services." Reports relating to Zhenhao Zou can be made online via the Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP): English - https://mipp.police.uk/operation/01MPS25X38-PO1 Simplified Chinese - https://mipp.police.uk/operation/01MPS25X38-PO2 If you wish to speak to detectives or make a report relating to Zou, the force can be contacted via email on survivors@met.police.uk A report can also be made to police by calling 101 from within the UK, quoting reference 2904/04FEB25. Click below to see the latest London headlines Nigel Farage with Esther McVey in 2019 The Conservatives should let Reform win a by-election next month as part of a wider electoral pact, a leading Tory MP has said. Esther McVey, who was a minister in Rishi Sunaks cabinet last year, made the proposal at the True Blue Patrons Dinner last month. The remarks, captured in audio passed to The Telegraph, are at odds with the Tory leaderships position. Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, leads opinion polls in Runcorn and Helsby, the seat vacated by Labour MP Mike Amesbury, who quit after he was jailed for punching a voter. The Tories are currently a distant third. Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader, has been explicit that she will not consider any kind of electoral deal with Mr Farages party, as she warned that Reform wanted to destroy the Tories. But some current and former Tory MPs are more open to the idea in private, arguing that by uniting the Right they can stop Labours re-election come 2029. Sir Philip Davies, a former Tory MP and Mrs McVeys husband, also spoke at the event at the Civil Service Club in Whitehall on March 4. Mrs McVey said: Im a pragmatist, and I think Conservatives are pragmatists, and when we get to the general election, would I be making, looking at an electoral pact [with Reform]? Absolutely I would. We dont want two Right-wing parties cutting our own throats and Labour getting in, which could happen. So we do have to be pragmatic. And Phil [Philip Davies] is spot on, I know Nigel [Farage], I know Richard Tice, I know Lee [Anderson], I mean, I know them all very, very well indeed. And Id sooner say to them, theres a couple of seats you can get there, that we came a very distant fourth, and you came second. Well stay out the way. I want you to win it. And they can do the same for us. Mrs McVey was then challenged on the wisdom of that approach. In response, she made reference to the Runcorn by-election, which will be held on May 1. She said: What you want to do is, like I said, where Ukip came second and we were a very, very distant fourth, like in Runcorn, like where Mike Amesbury punched his constituent. Youd probably say there let Reform win that seat because you might need them in the South West, that we win a seat. Mrs McVey, a former GMTV host turned MP, has represented Tatton since 2017 and was MP for Wirral West between 2010 and 2015. She is considered to be on the Right of the Conservatives. She held multiple roles in government, including work and pensions secretary under Theresa May, and what was dubbed common sense minister attending Cabinet under Mr Sunak. The strategy she addressed that Tories and Reform let each other run in constituencies where they appear best placed to win is being discussed privately by Tory MPs. Deal with Farage for the birds Reform came second to Labour in 89 seats at last years general election, which means in theory it has a stronger chance of winning those at the next election than the Conservatives. A pact that saw Reform stand down candidates where the Tories were second to Labour, and vice versa, could maximise the chances of defeating Labour because voters on the Right would not be split between the Tory and Reform candidates. The UK Independence Party (Ukip), the party which Mr Farage used to lead and that Mrs McVey mentioned, similarly came second in 120 seats at the 2015 election. A deal between the Tories and Ukip was never struck. But in 2019, Mr Farages new party, the Brexit Party, agreed not to stand candidates against sitting Tories. Nigel Farage and Sarah Pochin, Reforms candidate for the Runcon and Helsby by-election, during a walkabout in Frodsham - ADAM VAUGHAN/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock That deal, agreed when Boris Johnson was leader, helped the Tories secure a large House of Commons majority and rapidly pass a Brexit deal for the UK to leave the European Union. Two opinion polls on Runcorn have put Reform in the lead, with the Tory candidate far behind in third. Reform also beat the Tories, narrowly, into second in the seat at last years election. Ms Badenoch, who was elected Conservative leader in November, has repeatedly ruled out an election pact with Reform, telling The Telegraph in February it was for the birds. Mrs McVey also suggested that she knows members of her constituency who are both Conservative and Reform members. Mrs McVey said of Reform voters: They are conservatives. Most of them who are standing there came from the Conservative party. Many of my members have a dual, now, membership of the Reform and the Conservative party. Political parties traditionally do not allow members who are signed up to another party. When approached by The Telegraph about her comments, Mrs McVey said: The priority must be to rid our great country of this socialist nightmare government. Without a deal with Reform, we risk letting the socialists back in again and [the] country should always come first. Any deal would involve us standing aside where Reform are best placed to beat Labour and Reform standing aside in the majority of seats where we are best placed to beat Labour. I am not sure what is controversial about that it is the statement of the blindingly obvious. The only person who benefits from ruling out a pragmatic electoral pact between Reform and Conservatives is Keir Starmer and people might want to reflect on that. Dr Jess Walker has made a pact with other parents not to give their children smartphones, pictured with kids, Rafa and Zola. (Dr Jess Walker/ SWNS) ((Dr Jess Walker/ SWNS)) A mum-of-two has explained why she has teamed up with other parents to make a pact on imposing a smartphone ban on their children until at least the age of 16. Pyschologist, Dr Jess Walker, 45, from Bristol has never let her children, Rafa, nine, and Zola, seven, own the devices mainly due to concerns about the damaging effects it could have on them during adolescence. She worries a smartphone would give them access to social media platforms such as Instagram, X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube, which she believes are dangerous for young people. Instead, Jess and her ex-partner will allow their children to have a "dumb phone" a device that focuses on calling and texting, rather than offering access to apps and internet browsing for safety reasons, when they start secondary school. While it may sound strict to some, Jess says it has been easier to enforce because of an agreement she has with the parents of her children's friends who have all agreed to keep their kids off smartphones, so nobody feels they are "missing out". Dr Jess Walker's children Rafa and Zola, who aren't allowed smartphones until at least the age of 16. (Dr Jess Walker/ SWNS) ((Dr Jess Walker/ SWNS)) "When our children's friends dont have them, it gives everyone more confidence to make sure theyre not left out or feel different," Jess explains. The parent pact comes as the Netflix crime drama series Adolescence has highlighted the concerning influence of incel subcultures, sparking a discussion about the toxic and misogynistic influences boys are exposed to online. "The incel culture online is frightening for boys," Jess explains. "When children hit adolescence, they are very influenced by their peers and the online world, and then these points of view can become normalised." Jess says Adolescence has shown how easy it is for children to fall into a hidden world behind a screen. "Social media algorithms give a distorted and warped view of the world," she explains. "I want my children to be naive to all that, to have a childhood, to play and to enjoy themselves without these pressures." She says she also feels justified about her decision given all the evidence that keeps coming out linking smartphone use to wellbeing. "Mental health is really important to me and there are a lot of issues with depression, anxiety, eating issues, suicide, and the impact that social media has on this is massive," she explains. "I was bullied at secondary school, and the one saving grace was that it couldnt follow me home because there was no social media and smartphones," she continues. Dr Jess Walker says she is worried about the influence a smartphone will have on her kids childhood, pictured with their grandmother. (Dr Jess Walker/ SWNS) ((Dr Jess Walker/ SWNS)) As well as incel culture, Jess also worries about the impact of so-called fitness influencers online, particularly on girls. She says that content creators have often had plastic surgery and frequently use filters, which warps young people's perception of reality. "They themselves may have suffered from poor body image, and we get sucked into this world where money and labels are the most important thing to have," Jess explains. "Its unhelpful and unrealistic. Whats more important is that people are kind, happy and empathetic." Another concern is the "addictive" nature of social media. "Social media is set up to be addictive and we know the long-lasting problems of the addiction," Jess explains. The companies just want to sell their product and make money. It doesn't even show your friends at times, it's all an algorithm to keep you on there as long as possible." Despite many of her children's friends also not having smartphones, Jess says there has been some resistance from them as other classmates do have access to the latest technology. "My eldest is in year five and I was quite surprised to see that a teacher has a box where the students have had to put their phones," she says. "I know a lot of people who walk home from school, but I was quite taken aback that children aged nine and 10 had phones". As a blended family, Jess says her children also have to contend with siblings living in the same household who do have smartphones and social media. "My daughter's quite cross about it, understandably because theres different rules within the same house, which feels unfair," she says. "I get it, but all we can do is try to explain our decision and we've been really open with them. You cant always be the popular one as a parent." If her children do vocalise their frustration at not having a phone, Jess says she tries to encourage them to do something creative instead of getting absorbed in the "instant-gratification" of social media. "Even if my kids don't want to hear it, I just want them to be safe and well," she adds. Dr Jess Walker has concerns about incel culture. (Dr Jess Walker/ SWNS) ((Dr Jess Walker/ SWNS)) Should children be allowed smartphones? Jess certainly isn't alone in taking this stance on phones. Smartphone Free Childhood, a grassroots movement gathering momentum online, is calling for parents to join together "to make childhood better for their children", pledging to delay giving their children smartphones amid concerns over the impact the devices have on developing brains. Organisers say thousands of parents have signed its "parent pact" to withhold the devices from children until they are at least 14. Meanwhile the government has vowed to ban mobile phones in schools in England, and Australia is set to introduce legislation to ban under 16s from social media. A poll this summer suggested the overwhelming majority of parents back a ban on smartphones for under-16s. And 83% of people surveyed by Parentkind felt that smartphone use was harmful to children and young people. Britain's counterterrorism chief recently compared the harm caused by social media to the "cancer" of smoking and has raised the idea of a potential ban on its use by children under 16. A further survey suggested three quarters of parents are concerned about what their children are seeing, hearing or doing online, with 87% saying they are not confident they know what content is being viewed. The poll of 622 British parents of five to 16-year-olds by Ipsos for the PA news agency showed 65% said their child has a screen with access to the internet in their bedroom. The proportion rose to 78% for parents with a child aged between 11 and 16. If parents do allow their children to have a smartphone, most (about 80%) said they think children should be at least 11 years old before getting one for their own personal use, and more than half (54%) said they would support a complete ban on smartphones in schools. Read more about parenting and Adolescence: File image of a woman next to a child with Down's Syndrome Labour does not know how many pupils with special educational needs or disabilities (Send) will flood state schools as a result of its VAT raid on private schools, the High Court has heard. Jeremy Hyam KC, representing a private school parent group, made the claim as he also told the court the Government did not know what the additional cost of those displaced children would be. Ministers have estimated that up to 35,000 private school children could be forced out by increased fees because of the tax raid, which came into force on Jan 1. However, they are yet to spell out the proportion of these who might be Send children many of whom are entitled to additional government funding to help them access tailored educational support. Speaking on the second day of a legal challenge against the Governments levy, Mr Hyam claimed it meant ministers calculations that their VAT policy would raise up to 1.7 billion a year could be off the mark. [The] Government has provided no figure of their own on the number of displaced children, he told the High Court. We dont know and the Government still doesnt know what the additional cost of those displaced children is. Mr Hyam, representing two families in the Education Not Discrimination private school parent group, said thousands of special needs children who did not have tailored support plans could flood the state sector. He cited written submissions to the court by Barry Huggett, the Send adviser for both the Independent Schools Association and the Independent Schools Council (ISC), suggesting that as many as 6,500 such children could be forced out of private schools. It would be highly probable that these pupils would seek an education, health and care plan (EHCP) a form of council-funded support that is highly competitive and hard to obtain because of significant backlogs according to Mr Huggetts submissions. The number of Send children without EHCPs that are displaced into the state sector seems to be another matter that the Government simply did not consider, he said in evidence provided to the court. Mr Hyam claimed on Wednesday that the widespread consensus that the EHCP system was in complete crisis also meant Send pupils were being disproportionately affected by the tax raid. Send pupils failed by state system The Government is being sued over its decision to apply 20 per cent VAT on private school fees, with claimants arguing that the move is discriminatory and breaches some pupils human rights. Three separate challenges are being heard together in the High Court between April 1 and 3, using more than a dozen families as case studies. They include multiple Send children, a vulnerable girl in a single-sex school, minority Jewish and Muslim families, and foreign nationals in bilingual schools. Mr Hyam is representing two families who transferred their Send children to private schools after being let down by the state sector, including a family who used their disability living allowance to fund their sons school fees. The barrister said one boy with autism was now thriving at his private school but his parents are not able to afford the increase in fees and will be forced to ... return to a state primary school of the sort which was unable to meet his educational needs. Addressing the High Court, he claimed that many Send children ended up in private schools because they had been unable to obtain an EHCP and had effectively been failed by the state system. More than 100,000 pupils with Send are enrolled at private schools, according to the ISCs latest census in 2024. Just under 7,650 of those have an EHCP. Exemptions unworkable, ministers claim It is wrong as a matter of approach to consider that the fact that these Send children are in private education is a consequence of wealth rather than a consequence of desperation, said Mr Hyam. The Treasury is defending the legal challenges, with HM Revenue and Customs and the Department for Education also taking part. Sir James Eadie KC, representing the Government, said in written submissions that thorough consideration was given to the position of children with Send. He claimed that calls for exemptions to the VAT policy for Send children and other groups were rejected because they were revenue-diminishing, unfair, unworkable and/or administratively onerous. The Governments defence began on Wednesday afternoon. It is expected to argue that the VAT raid is a legitimate way of raising money for state schools. The judicial review is being heard by Dame Victoria Sharp, Lord Justice Newey and Mr Justice Chamberlain and will conclude on Thursday. The three judges are expected to issue a single judgment on the matters at a later date. Lord Hermer has been a close friend and ally of Sir Keir Starmer since they worked in the same barristers chambers - Wiktor Szymanowic/Getty Images The Attorney General has attacked politicians who publicly criticise judges, weeks after Sir Keir Starmer did so in the Commons. In what is being interpreted as a veiled swipe at the Prime Minister, Lord Hermer said it was entirely unacceptable for MPs in Parliament to attack judges on a personal basis. Lord Hermer, a close friend and ally of Sir Keir since they worked in the same barristers chambers, warned that such criticism of judges risked creating a huge threat to the rule of law and independence of the judiciary. His comments echo criticism of Sir Keir and Kemi Badenoch in February by Baroness Carr, the Lady Chief Justice, after the Prime Minister and Tory leader criticised a decision by an immigration tribunal judge. A source insisted Lord Hermer was not referring to the Prime Minister in his comments. It follows a string of tribunal decisions exposed by The Telegraph in which foreign criminals and illegal migrants have avoided deportation after claiming it would breach their rights under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Giving evidence to a joint Lords-Commons committee on human rights, Lord Hermer said that Britain should use the 70th anniversary of the ECHR to celebrate its activities. Any efforts to disapply the convention would risk wrecking efforts to stop the small boats crisis, he said. In a wide-ranging session, Lord Hermer denied reported complaints from other Cabinet ministers that his new guidance on the legal risk for Government lawyers was delaying policy, saying the changes he made were a tweak to give ministers an unvarnished assessment of the legal risk. He said: I dont think in any sense that is blocking or slowing up a government that wants to abide by the rule of law and ministers who want to abide by the ministerial code. The ECHR has come under scrutiny over recent tribunal decisions, including an Albanian criminal who avoided deportation after claiming his son had an aversion to foreign chicken nuggets, and a Pakistani paedophile who was jailed for sex offences but escaped removal as it would be unduly harsh on his children. In another case disclosed on Wednesday, a convicted Syrian terrorist was allowed to stay in the UK after counter-terrorism police backed his refugee claim. Asked about the ECHR, Lord Hermer prefaced his remarks by saying: I want to make clear in all my comments about the decisions of any court that I am categorically not criticising judges. We are entering a dangerous moment in which not simply on social media but indeed on the floor of the House of Commons people are attacking judges on a personal basis. That is entirely unacceptable and creates a huge threat to the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary. A source close to the Attorney General insisted that his comments did not relate to the Prime Minister. They said: The Attorney General knows that as a former chief prosecutor, the Prime Ministers respect for the judiciary, the role they play in our democracy and the rule of law is beyond question. He was quite clearly referring to shameless personal attacks from the Opposition on activist judges following in a long line of growing concerns about the Conservative Party attacking judges. He said it was entirely right for Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, to review how failed asylum seekers and foreign criminals used Article 8 of the ECHR, which protects the right to privacy and a family life. Article 8 is often used as a reason why a migrant should not be deported. However, Lord Hermer maintained it was possible to have a very, very robust but fair process in asylum and immigration that was entirely compatible with Article 8. He pointed to the 24,000 failed asylum seekers and foreign criminals deported by Labour since the election, the highest number in eight years. He said stopping the people-smuggling gangs from sending migrants across the Channel in dinghies required international co-operation, citing two key agreements by Ms Cooper in which Germany and France had agreed to change their laws to cut off the supply of boats and intercept migrants at sea in shallow water. If we dont seek to stay within the Council of Europe, if we dont seek to stay within the European convention system, if we seek to say Article 8 doesnt apply to us, there is no hope whatsoever of reaching those agreements, he said. Lord Hermer warned of misinformation that was being whipped up about immigration and Article 8, noting that the chicken nugget defence by the Albanian had been rejected by an upper tribunal which, as reported by The Telegraph, referred it back for a further hearing. Lord Hermer admitted courts make mistakes. ECHR a point of national pride He said that Britain should take national pride in having played a central role in setting up the ECHR under the leadership of Sir Winston Churchill. On this 75th anniversary of the creation of the convention this is a moment to celebrate it, he said. It is also a moment to reflect on it, to reflect upon the nature of the values that are contained in the convention, which I think are as relevant today as they were at the time when it was formed. It is also a point of national pride; the Council of Europe created under the leadership of Winston Churchill and many of the provisions drafted by British lawyers, not least (later Tory home secretary) David Maxwell Fyfe. Robert Jenrick, the shadow justice secretary, said: The rule of law does not prevent politicians or indeed any other citizen from publicly disagreeing with a judges decision. The Attorney General seems intent on hijacking the rule of law in favour of rule by lawyers. If judges step into the political arena, they should expect a political response. But instead of asserting control, Keir Starmer is being ruled by lawyers. In February, Sir Keir and Mrs Badenoch both criticised Hugo Norton-Taylor, an upper tribunal judge, for allowing a Palestinian family to come to the UK after they applied through a Ukrainian refugee scheme. Mrs Badenoch described the decision as completely wrong and Sir Keir added: I do not agree with the decision. She is right that its the wrong decision. But, let me be clear, it should be Parliament that makes the rules on immigration, it should be the Government that makes the policy. It prompted a highly unusual rebuke from Lady Carr, who said she was deeply troubled by the exchange. Police officer in hi-viz jacket A woman groomed by a disgraced Metropolitan Police officer has revealed the force has apologised for blaming her instead of investigating him. The woman, who spoke anonymously, was the victim of a series of failings over a seven-year period after she met Pc Phil Hunter, a letter from the force admitted. She had complained to the Directorate of Professional Standards (DPS) about inappropriate messages from Pc Hunter, whom she met when he made a welfare visit to her home in 2017. In the letter seen by the BBC, acting Det Chief Supt Neil Smithson, who leads the DPS, wrote: I want to be clear, it is unacceptable for any officer to abuse their position of trust, and I would like to acknowledge and apologise for the distress this has caused. Addressing the woman, he said: Victim-blaming has occurred towards you by members of the Metropolitan Police and this is not acceptable. A deliberate and predatory plan The letter from the DPS admits the womans initial complaints were not noted and were not given the weight that they should have been, and it took her numerous attempts over a period of 18 months before officers investigated. It added that the force believed the woman was suffering from mental health issues, and that decisions were made based on that even though it did not have basis in fact. A disciplinary panel heard Pc Hunter sent her inappropriate messages over two years, and attempted to cut her off from those she loved in what was described as a deliberate and predatory plan to have a sexual relationship with her. He resigned in 2019 while he was being investigated over another woman he had also met during a welfare visit, and with whom he had started a sexual relationship. He was found guilty of gross misconduct for his behaviour in that case. But the first womans complaints about Pc Hunter were ignored, even though the DPS was aware he had already targeted another victim in similar circumstances. I tried to report him over and over again and they completely ignored me and I now know why. To actually see it in black and white is just horrendous, the woman said. A disciplinary hearing was not granted in her case until 2024. Of the polices assertion that she had a mental health condition, she said: Surely predators are more drawn to vulnerable people with mental health issues than people that can stand up to them. Surely they would investigate that more, not less, had it been true? What about other women whove come forward who do have a mental health issue of some description and theyve completely ignored them on that basis? Case highlighted in damning review The unnamed womans experience was highlighted in Baroness Caseys review of the Met Police in March 2023, which ultimately ruled the police were institutionally misogynist. The woman said the Met have learnt nothing since Baroness Caseys review. They had ample opportunity just to come forward and say, Do you know what, we got it wrong, this is what we did, were sorry but they didnt. She is now calling for the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) to investigate the actions of the former head of the DPS, Catherine Roper, who has since become the chief constable of Wiltshire Police. A spokesperson for the Wiltshire and Swindon Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner told the BBC: While the Metropolitan Police has apologised for its organisational response, as far as we are aware any complaints around the personal conduct of Chief Constable Roper during that period have been part of a thorough process by the MPS and no further action [was] taken. IOPC ordered new misconduct hearing An IOPC spokesperson said: In November 2022, we received an appeal from a woman who was unhappy with how the force had handled her complaint against former Met Pc Phil Hunter. The Met had already investigated the matter and found the officer had a case to answer for gross misconduct, however the force did not believe it was necessary to arrange a disciplinary hearing as the officer was found to have committed gross misconduct at a previous hearing in 2020 relating to another inappropriate relationship with a member of the public and was placed on the police barred list. The officer resigned from the force in 2019 while under investigation for that matter. In July 2023, following a review of the forces handling of the complaint investigation, we disagreed with their decision and recommended that the former officer should face a further gross misconduct hearing on this separate matter. The force agreed with our recommendation and a hearing was arranged by the force. At a disciplinary hearing which concluded in August 2024, former Pc Phil Hunter was found to have committed gross misconduct and would have been instantly dismissed had he still been a serving officer. Kaliyah Coa had been playing with friends during a school inset day when she entered the water - Met Police An 11-year-old girl who went missing after being seen paddling in the Thames has been pictured for the first time. Kaliyah Coa had been playing with friends during a school inset day when she entered the river near Barge House Causeway, near Woolwich, east London, on Monday afternoon. Police named the child on Tuesday evening, with an extensive search under way to locate her. Since the incident, helicopters and rescue boats have been seen patrolling the stretch of water for any sign of the Kaliyah. Ambulance crews, paramedics and a hazardous area response team were dispatched by the London Ambulance Service, and an RNLI lifeboat was launched. Chief Supt Dan Card, the local policing commander, said: Our specialist officers are supporting Kaliyahs family through this deeply upsetting time and our thoughts go out to all those impacted by what has happened. We are committed to finding Kaliyah and are working with partners to conduct a thorough search over a wide area utilising drone technology and boats. Id like to thank the members of the public, our first-responding officers, and colleagues from other emergency services, as they responded rapidly to carry out a large-scale search during a highly pressurised and distressing time. Equally we appreciate this has affected the wider community, who have been extremely supportive. You will see extra officers in the area during the coming days if you have any concerns, then please speak to them. Kaliyah Coa went missing near Barge House Causeway, near Woolwich, east London - Pol Allingham/PA Neighbours described hearing shouts and screams, while other children playing at the time said a girl had disappeared in the water and they could not find her. Kerry Benadjaoud, 62, said she had taken a life ring down to the water but could not see the girl. The grandmother, who was born and raised in the area, said she found shoes, a sock, a coat and a phone near the river and handed the items to the police. Apparently, she was paddling, so her socks and shoes were off, her coat, then she must have slipped and gone down, she added. Barge House Causeway is a concrete slope that goes directly into the River Thames, and is used to move boats. Residents pointed out that it appeared to be covered in moss and was dangerously slippery. Seventeen inmates died at HMP Parc last year, more than any other prison in England and Wales Prison officers boasted of punching inmates in leaked messages to each other. Staff at HMP Parc, a privately run prison in Bridgend, south Wales, bragged they had punched the f--- into an inmate and called a man who self-harmed daft. They also planned to provoke a fight with an inmate and reportedly said that prisoners need to be broken mentally and physically in social media messages last summer. HMP Parc had 17 inmate deaths last year more than any other prison in England and Wales. Lord Timpson, the prisons minister, began a corruption probe into the prison in October over messages between staff about excessive use of force on inmates. Another said a man who self-harmed was daft and needed to go to a f------ lonnie (sic) bin. The messages also showed staff plotting to provoke an inmate into an altercation, with one saying: Lets push him to go tomorrow so we can drop him. Another message referring to an inmate said they smashed him into the shower lol with someone else responding good, I hope they hurt him too. Responding to a complaint about an inmate, one staff member said the prisoners need to be broken mentally and physically, according to the BBC. G4S, which runs the prison, insisted it is committed to rooting out wrongdoing and has a zero-tolerance approach to staff behaviour that falls short. In September, South Wales Police arrested four of the prisons custody officers on suspicion of assault and misconduct in public office. They were later released without charge. However, an additional arrest phase took place in January after the four arrests, a force spokesman said. A 35-year-old man from Bridgend, a 40-year-old man from Swansea, a 38-year-old man from Barry, a 50-year-old man from Taibach and a 23-year-old woman from Cardiff have been bailed pending further inquiries until the end of April. A 36-year-old man from Llanelli has also been released under investigation. Det Ch Insp Dean Taylor said: The investigation remains ongoing, and officers are continuing to work closely with G4S. A spokesperson for HMP Parc said: Our staff are expected to treat everyone with dignity and respect and we have a zero tolerance approach to dealing with any staff behaviour that falls short of our standards. Of the four individuals who were arrested and released without charge by South Wales Police, three have been dismissed from the company and one remains suspended from duty pending the outcome of a disciplinary process. The vast majority of our staff are hard-working and honest. We are absolutely committed to rooting out any wrongdoing. Chelworth Road, where one side (under Tory local governance) is clear, and the other (run by Labour) has fallen victim to a bin strike The quiet Birmingham suburb of Walkers Heath is not a tale of two cities, but rather a tale of two councils. A snapshot of Chelworth Road, which lies on a local boundary, from earlier this week shows Birminghams bin crisis laid bare. On one side managed by the Labour-run Birmingham city council black bin bags are dumped in piles six high, their rotting contents leaking onto the street. On the other, where litter is collected by the Conservative-led Bromsgrove district council in Worcestershire, the pavements are clear and it is business as usual. Writing on X, shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick shared a photo of the street and said: Spot the side of the street run by the Labour council in Birmingham versus Conservative-run Bromsgrove. Night and day. Spot the side of the street run by the Labour council in Birmingham versus Conservative run Bromsgrove. Night and day. pic.twitter.com/pv78wmdz9X Robert Jenrick (@RobertJenrick) March 31, 2025 That particular pile has now been cleared. But the city is still, quite literally, a dump. On Monday, Birmingham city council, which is effectively bankrupt, declared a major incident over striking refuse workers and called in government help to clean up the mess. Bin workers belonging to the Unite trade union have been striking on and off since January, but an indefinite strike began on March 11. In the four weeks since, more than 17,000 tonnes of uncollected rubbish have piled up on Birminghams streets. As the weather has warmed up, it is starting to stink. It has also provided the perfect home for the citys thriving population of pests and created a looming public health crisis. Residents have complained of rats the size of cats taking over their streets and gnawing through the wiring in their cars. Deputy PM Angela Rayner has said the Birmingham bin problem is part of a wider and bigger issue that can be traced back to previous Conservative governments - PA Wire Angela Rayner has laid the blame for the mess squarely at the door of the previous Conservative government and its austerity measures. Speaking to BBC Radio 2s Jeremy Vine on Tuesday, the Deputy Prime Minister said: The bin collection in Birmingham is a wider and bigger issue, because under the previous government, Birmingham council went bust and issued a 114 notice [indicating it would run out of money] were taking action to put local government on a better financial stabilisation after the 14 years of disaster that weve had. The reality, however, is not so clear-cut. Critics have pointed out that the mountains of rubbish on Birminghams streets are an issue of the councils own making. Birmingham city council has been under Labour control since 2012, and the bin strikes blighting the city today date back to a flawed deal with Unite in 2017; the same agreement that pushed the council into effective bankruptcy. Moreover, while both Birmingham and Bromsgrove councils have seen significant real-terms cuts over the past decade, the latter is actually worse off. As of 2023/24, Bromsgrove district councils central government funding was down 30 per cent on a decade ago, whereas Birminghams was down 23.5 per cent. Meanwhile, residents in Birmingham have been forced to stomach steeper council tax rises than their neighbours. On average, bills they will receive from this April will be 76.9 per cent higher than in 2014, compared to the 52.6 per cent increase faced by those in Bromsgrove. Residents of the citys outskirts may well be looking longingly at the situation just a few streets away, under the umbrella of Worcestershire council, where the pavements are rubbish-free and the bins are collected on time. Bryan Evans, 78, lives on the Bromsgrove side of Walkers Heath with his wife, Pam. The rubbish is a bit of an eyesore. It must have been cleared this morning but it was stacked at least one metre high in front of the hedge, he says. We dont have any problems with Bromsgrove, none at all. Were perfectly happy with it and havent ever missed a collection. But this is happening all too often with the Birmingham side. Others agree its local mismanagement thats to blame. They [Birmingham city council taxpayers] pay for a service and they should get that service, says mum-of-three, Grace. I think its the councils fault, and they should find a solution for that. Bryan Evans, 78, says rubbish had been stacked at least one metre high due to the bin collectors strike - Emma Trimble/SWNS John Porter, 75, a semi-retired surveyor, adds: I feel betrayed, not just let down. I feel like they take us for idiots. If I didnt pay any council tax Id be in court. But BCC are not doing their job. When our binmen do come, theyre slow. Bromsgrove are always efficient, theyre clean. Others accuse Birminghams local authorities of wasting money rather than focusing on delivering essential services. The situation has led to mounting tensions along the road. Lavinia Bousfield, 87, has lived in the area for the past nine years and says residents from the Bromsgrove side are piggybacking on the misery by adding to the rubbish pile. Its been building up for a long time. It always worries me because theres rats, she says. Ive seen people come and put rubbish on our side who dont live here, sometimes its from over the road. If they miss a day, they think Ill just pop it over. Many have questions about just how Birmingham city council Britains largest local authority ended up in such a state, when neighbouring councils have weathered the same cuts and emerged unscathed. The answer is a mess of local mismanagement, overspending and bitter industrial disputes. Ive seen people come and put rubbish on our side who dont live here, says Birmingham-side resident Lavinia Bousfield, 87 - Emma Trimble/SWNS This is the stark contrast between a well-run council and one that is failing, says Adam Kent, a conservative councillor for neighbouring Wythall. In the eight years Ive been elected, my residents have never once complained about bin collections. Yet in Birmingham, there is strike after strike after strike. It comes from them doffing their cap to the unions. Theyre making cuts across the board because of the financial situation theyre in. For residents on the Bromsgrove side of the tracks, their own timely bin collections are little consolation. Its creating a health hazard for not just the residents of Birmingham, but my residents on the other side of the road, Kent says. Rats dont know the difference. Once theyre encouraged into an area, theyre here for a long time. This isnt the first time weve had strikes but its certainly the worst. Residents have complained of rats the size of cats taking over their streets in Birmingham - Jeremy Selwyn Birmingham city council appears not to have learnt its lesson from 2017, when it announced plans to restructure its bin collection services, removing Grade 3 Leading Hand roles as part of a bid to modernise the service. The changes would have meant that some bin workers would be reduced to Grade 2 and suffer a loss in earnings. So they went on strike in one of the longest periods of industrial action in the citys history. As the summer sun beat down, the city turned into a stinking, litter-strewn buffet for rats, as one resident put it at the time. The strikes lasted for three months before an agreement was reached. A month later, however, the council backtracked by making some of the affected workers redundant. By the end of 2017, the battle had gone all the way to the High Court, where a judge ruled the councils redundancy notices were unlawful. In a move that appeared to be kowtowing to union pressure, an agreement was ultimately reached when the roles were retained and converted into the waste reduction collection officer (WRCO) role the very same role that is at the centre of this years dispute. This move, in turn, set the stage for a record-breaking equal pay dispute that resulted in costs of more than 1 billion to the citys residents. The worst was yet to come. In the spring of 2022, the councils creaking IT system was given a long-overdue upgrade the first since 1999. This, too, proved costly and chaotic. The budget ballooned, resulting in a 100 million overspend, and when it eventually went live, issues with the financial management and payroll systems meant that many council workers were underpaid or not paid at all. Then, in June 2023, the council stated it was facing an equal pay liability of up to 760 million on historic pay discrimination. This dated back to the bin strikes of 2017: when the council agreed the deal to end strike action, the unions claim, it gave male workers favourable terms that were discriminatory to female-dominated roles (such as carers and catering workers). This tipped it over the edge, and the council declared itself effectively bankrupt in September 2023. To blame central government cuts which affected all councils is to dismiss the dysfunction at the heart of Birmingham council, according to Cllr Robert Alden, the leader of its Conservative group. He has seen this dysfunction first-hand. This bin strike is the third the Labour administration in this city has had in the past eight years, he says. What people who are living on the edge of the city [including in Walkers Heath] are seeing is the difference between neighbouring Conservative-run councils in Bromsgrove and Solihull, and a Labour-run council that is more focused on protecting its own interests than serving the interests of residents. It is perhaps no coincidence that the city has had an unusually high staff turnover: there have been five chief executives since 2017. In fact, a damning report into the council, commissioned nationally and leaked in 2023, found that there are long-standing and persistent issues in getting the basics right and that the council has a dysfunctional climate. Budget cuts and the size of the city are used as reasons to explain the situation, it continued, however, this does not hold up to scrutiny. With rubbish littering the streets, the situation in Britains second city is pretty desperate, says Alden. Some areas havent had a refuse collection in over five weeks, he continues. The situation is dire, he says, when you have an MP [Labours Preet Kaur Gill] announcing in the House of Commons that one of their constituents was bitten by a rat. Following the councils bankruptcy notice in 2023, the Government sent a record six commissioners to help implement an intervention programme, essentially giving outside officials control over the councils financial governance and decision-making. The council also received special permission for 1.25 billion in government financial support not a loan, but rather permission to borrow money and sell assets to cover its costs. In March 2024, it passed budget cuts that are thought to be the largest in local authority history. To add insult to injury, residents are also due a council tax hike, despite widespread cuts to services an increase of just below 10 per cent last year, and a further increase of 7.5 per cent this month. In a statement, Birmingham city council leader, Cllr John Cotton said: Its regrettable that we have had to take this step, but we cannot tolerate a situation that is causing harm and distress to communities across Birmingham. I want to thank residents for their continued patience under difficult circumstances and the community groups who have been working hard within their communities to help with clear-up. I would reiterate that we have made a fair and reasonable offer to our workers which means none of them have to lose any money and I would urge Unite to reconsider their position. Birminghams residents deserve a council that can balance the books. But first it needs one that collects the bins. Teresa Medhurst, left, chief executive of the Scottish Prison Service, and her deputy, Linda Pollock - Wattie Cheung The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) should not be immune from prosecution, its chief executive has admitted. Teresa Medhurst said Crown immunity for the SPS should be abolished during a meeting with the families of two young people who died in Polmont Young Offenders Institution. Katie Allan, 21, and William Lindsay, 16, died within months of each other at the facility in 2018. Their families met Ms Medhurst and her deputy on Wednesday. Aamer Anwar, the lawyer representing the families, said that during the robust and painful meeting, Ms Medhurst accepted Crown immunity for the prison service should end, so that it can face prosecution. Katies mother, Linda Allan, said the meeting was the first time the families had not felt demonised by the prison service. The families of Katie Allan and William Lindsay called on the UK Government to lift Crown immunity on the prison service - Wattie Cheung Ms Allan, a student at the University of Glasgow, was found dead on June 4 while serving a 16-month sentence for drink-driving and causing serious injury. William also known as William Brown who had made repeated attempts on his life in 2017, which were detailed in reports provided on his admission, was found dead in his cell on Oct 7, three days after he was remanded because of a lack of space in a childrens unit. A fatal accident inquiry into their deaths was held last year at Falkirk Sheriff Court and 25 recommendations were made by Simon Collins, the sheriff. The Scottish Government and SPS have accepted the findings and recommendations. The prison service accepted the findings of fatal accident inquiry into the deaths at the young offenders institution - Jane Barlow/PA Wire Mr Anwar said it was important that Ms Medhurst had agreed Crown immunity for the prison service should be abolished. When you have a situation where the SPS agrees with the lifting of Crown immunity, when the Scottish Government and every opposition party in the Scottish Parliament agrees with the lifting of Crown immunity, the question really is now for the UK Government to deliver on that, he said. Mr Anwar added: The next stage for the families, and for a number of other families we act for, is for a meeting with Keir Starmer and the justice minister, because they carry the power to do this. There is clearly unity right across Scotland, from all the institutions as well as the family, to remove Crown immunity. Its unacceptable. Linda Allan described the meeting as the beginning of a dialogue with the SPS, which she said was a complete reversal of what the families had experienced over the past seven years. She thanked Ms Medhurst and Linda Pollock, the deputy chief executive, for what she said was a very positive, honest and robust response today, and their honesty and their obvious willingness to see change. She added: For the first time we didnt feel demonised by the prison service, but we felt listened to, and we found that very restorative. Failures of the past Speaking after the meeting, Ms Medhurst said: This was just an opportunity to meet personally with the families, to offer our apologies for their loss, the tragic loss of Katie and William, and to apologise for the failures of the past. And to ensure that they understand we are committed and determined to not only action the recommendations that we have accepted in full, but to ensure that there is systemic change across the organisation, which will be impactful and lasting. The meeting comes days after the families met Angela Constance, the justice secretary, at Holyrood, ahead of a statement to Parliament in which she pledged lasting change. Painkillers in a woman's hand An overwhelmingly stressed tech boss died after taking too many prescription drugs, an inquest has heard. Belinda Lowri Mizen, 49, who worked as chief information officer at IFS, a software company, had been prescribed medication for her stress and painkillers for a serious back injury, the inquest at Reading coroners court was told. She was found dead in bed at home in Thatcham, Berkshire, on Aug 31 2024, after deliberately but impulsively taking an excess of drugs, Hannah Godfrey, the area coroner for Berkshire, concluded. A post-mortem examination found she had died from the drugs alongside severe blood loss caused by damage to her stomach lining. Ms Godfrey concluded the death was drug-related and that there had been no deliberate intent to end her life. Tendency to self-medicate to excess Mrs Mizen, whose husband also works in the tech field, had previously been chief information officer at Three UK and held senior roles at Centrica and Vodafone, as well as at Accenture and KPMG. Her move to IFS was announced in December 2023, when the company said she would oversee the continuation of the companys digital transformation journey and work with the executive leadership team to maximise the adoption of AI across the entire organisation. The coroner said: Around the time of her death Belinda was exhausted, under overwhelming stress and in physical pain and was prescribed drugs to address these uncomfortable symptoms/feelings. She was likely medicating... to address her physical pain, stress, anxiety and lack of sleep, the coroner said, adding: I note her demonstrated tendency to self-medicate to excess at times of great stress. But Ms Godfrey concluded the impulsive act was consistent with her previous impulsive behaviours in response to overwhelming stress, and not one undertaken with deliberate intent to end her own life. Belinda lived a fabulous life A tribute page set up in memory of Cardiff-born Mrs Mizen reads: Belinda lived a fabulous life. People said so. And for that short time while she was with us she did. Mrs Mizen, who studied economics at Cardiff then completed an MSc in IT at Nottingham, was a Brownie, a failed violinist and a runner, it added. The tribute also noted that Mrs Mizen had taken an active interest in bettering the position of women in the male-dominated tech sector. It described her as stylish and incredibly hard-working, and added: Her ultra running took her over immense distances. IFS AB, a multinational enterprise software company with its headquarters in Linkoping, Sweden, has over 7,000 employees in more than 80 countries. It has been contacted for comment. A UK minister has warned there is no plan B in Israel-Palestine beyond a two-state solution, as he opposed Israels expansion of military operations in Gaza. Foreign Office minister Hamish Falconer told MPs that the UK Governments policy will continue to differ from that of Israel until we return to a pathway to a two-state solution. His remarks came after Labour MP Dame Emily Thornberry, who chairs the Foreign Affairs Committee, said she has repeatedly asked the UK Government about its plan B, including for when Israels far-right government chooses its survival over the lives of the remaining hostages, which is what seems to have happened. She added in the House of Commons: What is plan B when annexation of either of the West Bank or of Gaza isnt just threatened but actually happens, which is happening now? So my question is this: what is this Government actually doing to turn our allies heads from American trade wars to the tragedy unfolding in the Middle East and do whatever they can to restore a ceasefire and the road to peace? Mr Falconer said Dame Emily is right to raise these questions, adding: She asks whether theres a plan B. In all of my experience there can be no plan B in Israel-Palestine, there is only one route, widely understood by our allies in the region and beyond and it must be a two-state solution. The route to a two-state solution must involve compliance with international humanitarian law. It is clear from even the short exchange weve had already in the chamber that the British Governments policy and the Israeli governments policy differs. It is going to continue to differ until we return to a pathway to a two-state solution. There is no plan B, our plan A is for a two-state solution and we will work with our allies both in the region, in the security council as we did on Friday and more closer to home in order to pursue those arguments. Israels offensive in Gaza was described by the countrys defence minister, Israel Katz, as expanding to crush and clean the area of militants and seizing large areas that will be added to the security zones of the State of Israel. Officials at hospitals inside the Palestinian territory said Israeli strikes have killed more than 30 people, nearly a dozen of them children. Speaking earlier, Mr Falconer, who was responding to an urgent question on the expansion of operations, said: We are deeply concerned about the resumption of hostilities in Gaza. The UK does not support an expansion of Israels military operations. Continued fighting and more bloodshed is in nobodys interest. All parties, including Israel, must observe international humanitarian law. We urge all parties to return to dialogue and ceasefire negotiations, ensuring the return of all who have endured unimaginable suffering. It is clear that this conflict cannot be won by bombs and bullets but by diplomacy. Aid should never be used as a political tool, Israel must restart the flow of aid immediately. Blocking goods supplies and power entering Gaza risks breaching international humanitarian law and should not be happening. Were doing everything we can to alleviate that situation. Green Party co-leader Carla Denyer, who secured the urgent question, said: The Israeli governments brutal decision to expand its military operations in Gaza is not security, its domination and erasure. It comes on top of 18 months of collective punishment, including, since March 2, the longest aid blockade since the war began. Ms Denyer welcomed the UKs decision not to support the Israeli governments expanded military operation in Gaza, adding: Will the minister now finally name what is happening as genocide and undertake a structural investigation into genocide and other crimes under international law committed in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories? Mr Falconer said: Determinations of breaches of serious international law are for competent courts and we support those courts in their work. The war began when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on October 7 2023, killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking 251 hostages. Israels offensive has killed more than 50,000 Palestinians, including hundreds killed in strikes since a ceasefire ended about two weeks ago, according to Gazas health ministry, which does not say whether those killed are civilians or combatants. Shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel has said it is unclear what level of influence the UK Government has over the situation in Israel and Gaza. She also told the Commons: The key to a sustainable end to this conflict is the release of the remaining 59 hostages so cruelly being held by Hamas terrorists since the atrocities of October 7 (2023). Their continued captivity is intolerable. Mr Falconer later said there is a serious risk Israel is not simply acting in its own legitimate self-defence. After Liberal Democrat MP Andrew George (St Ives) asked the minister to admit the actions of the Israeli government can no longer be described as self-defence, Mr Falconer said: We have said we think there is a serious risk of breaches of international humanitarian law. That is the same as saying that we think there is a serious risk Israel is not simply acting in its own legitimate self-defence. Osama Almasri Najim is accused of conducting human rights abuses against migrants who travel to Libya with the hope of reaching Europe - X (formerly Twitter) A Libyan warlord who allegedly controlled migrant smuggling routes into Europe and a network of torture prisons had direct links to Britain. Osama Almasri Najim, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC), was detained in Italy this year but controversially freed as part of a suspected deal with Libya. The Telegraph can now reveal that documents found in his possession included valid Barclays and HSBC bank cards in his name, as well as business cards for a pharmacy and an immigration lawyer at a Chinese-British law firm in London. Italian police briefly detained Najim over crimes against humanity and war crimes on Jan 19, but he was released two days later. His release triggered a legal investigation into Giorgia Meloni, Italys prime minister. Documents obtained by The Telegraph show that he was also found with key cards for hotels in Italy and Germany, suggesting he had travelled around the UK and other parts of Europe unheeded. Critics have accused Ms Meloni of releasing the 45-year-old as part of a quid-pro-quo deal struck between Italy and Libya to stop migrants from leaving North Africa in boats and crossing the Mediterranean towards the EU nation. The ICC issued the warrant for Najim on Jan 18 for suspected crimes against humanity and war crimes, including murder, torture, rape and sexual violence, allegedly committed in Libya from February 2015 onwards. Migrants told The Telegraph that they suffered gross abuses at the hands of Najim, Libyas judicial police chief, after travelling to Libya in the hope of reaching Europe. They said they were taken to his prison, where they were tortured and forced into slavery. They said they were forced to assist in Libyas long civil war, carrying ammunition for troops. Other witness accounts have accused him of personally killing migrants with his bare hands as a means to intimidate others who had also been unlawfully detained. These crimes allegedly occurred in prisons in Tripoli that Najim oversaw. Critics have claimed Najims release was part of a quid-pro-quo deal over migrants Najim was arrested in the northern Italian city of Turin. It was at this point that his links to Europe were discovered. It is unclear what Najim was doing in Turin when he was arrested. Lam Magok, 32, a refugee from war-ravaged South Sudan, said: [Osama] Almasri is a very dangerous guy. Mr Magok claims he was tortured several times in Libyan prisons by Najim, often suffering from severe beatings. He is one of the most notorious criminals in Tripoli. Even the Libyans fear him, detaining people accused of crimes, even those who were never accused of any crimes, Mr Magok said. If someone was freed by the courts, he could still haul them into prison. David Yambio, 27, said he was forced into slavery by Najim working without pay at construction sites, and made to assist the latters militia in a years-long civil war that embroiled Libya at the time. It was back-breaking work and there was no room for error. Mr Yambio remembers shaking in fear every time he was made to carry and load shells to be fired at war. David Yambio, left, and Lam Magok, former prison detainees in Libya, claim migrants and refugees were tortured by Najim and forced into slavery - Fabio Frustaci/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock When Najim, or men under his command, allegedly shot and killed migrants who had been rounded up into Libyan prisons, nobody dared to react in any way, said Mr Yambio. Otherwise, he warned: You would be next. Mr Yambio said: He plays a huge role in the human trafficking network Everything is under his control. No one no one in Libya can operate in this context in the coastal region without the involvement of him and the people connected to him. Former prison detainees, including Mr Magok and Mr Yambio, recounted being marched straight from boats on which they had hoped to escape to Italy in order to claim asylum and into prisons. There, they say they suffered brutal torture and were held arbitrarily, in some cases for many years. Reports published by an expert panel appointed by the UN Security Council have repeatedly identified Najim as among the most responsible for arbitrary and unlawful detentions and other violations of international humanitarian and human rights law that occurred under his orders, particularly at Mitiga prison in Tripoli, the biggest such facility in Libya. A Libyan coast guardsman watches over an operation to rescue illegal immigrants attempting to reach Europe - Taha Jawashi/AFP via Getty Images The Telegraph contacted the British law firm and pharmacy referenced in the documents. Three people at the law firm, located in Londons Chinatown neighbourhood, refused to say anything after a Telegraph reporter showed them a picture of Najim. All those working at the British pharmacy also in London said they did not recall seeing Najim. The owner said he was astonished to find out that Najim had his stores card. Najims assets stretch as far afield as Turkey, where he has at least one company registered in his name. At the time of his arrest, Najim also had in his possession six Turkish debit and credit cards, including with the state-owned Ziraat Bank, the countrys largest bank; as well as a Turkish citizen identity card, indicating a second citizenship in addition to his Libyan status. Corporate records list Najim and Abdulkerim Mektebi, a Turkish citizen, as co-directors of a company called al-Asale al-Dahabiye 2, based in Istanbul and founded in August last year. The firm purports to specialise in the import and export of various iron and steel products, according to company registry documents. Mr Mektebi could not be reached for comment. Najims business cards, copies of which were obtained by The Telegraph, list him as the general manager of the company, as well as another firm called al-Asale al-Dahabiye 1. The latter firm, however, did not turn up any results in a search of a Turkish government company registry. Turkish and Libyan numbers Najims name cards for both firms list a British number, serviced by Vodafone, though calls are immediately directed to voicemail. The cards also have Turkish and Libyan numbers listed; calls to those numbers did not connect. The address listed for Najims company is a flat located in a residential complex in a district of Istanbul that has become popular with foreigners in recent years. Two employees at a grocery store near the compound recognised a picture of Najim, who had come in before to shop. He was tall, well-dressed whenever he came to the market, said a grocery worker. Najims release has created an uproar, with Ms Meloni criticised by opposition politicians, victims of Najim and other advocacy groups for deliberately freeing him to shore up Libyas continuing support in stopping migrant boats from crossing to Italy. Italy has provided financing and training to the coastguards of Libya and neighbouring Tunisia. Last year, the number of boats sailing from the North African coast bound for Italy was reduced by 59 per cent. Italian authorities are the ones betraying us [migrants]; they fund Libya to keep the migrants there, said Mr Magok, who claims he survived only because he managed to escape the prison. He and Mr Yambio now are vocal advocates on migrant rights as part of Refugees in Libya, an advocacy organisation. European countries have to change the system of pushing back migrants in the sea, he said. I dont see the reason why they have to build walls and close borders; we are just people who want to leave [due to suffering]; we are not criminals, and we are not mafia. Migrants are human beings, and their rights should be respected. On Feb 3, Mr Magok filed a criminal complaint with prosecutors in Rome against Ms Meloni, as well as Carlo Nordio, the justice minister, and Matteo Piantedosi, the interior minister, for allegedly aiding and abetting Najim by sending him back to Libya. They helped the Libyan torturer evade justice, said Mr Magok. He is a guy who is wanted by the ICC. For the Italian government to release such a criminal; it should not be possible. Mr Nordio, who is also under investigation, told parliament that the warrant for Najim had been marked by inaccuracies, omissions, discrepancies and contradictory conclusions. He said he had no choice but to release Mr Najim back to Libya. HSBC said it could not comment, and Barclays and Ziraat Bank did not reply to requests for comment. The Turkish and British governments did not immediately comment when approached by The Telegraph. Sir Keir Starmer has said the Government has prepared for all eventualities and is working with companies likely to be hit by US President Donald Trumps tariffs. Mr Trump is expected to slap import taxes on goods going to the US from around the world in a White House statement at 9pm. British businesses are braced for the impact of the presidents liberation day tariffs, which have the potential to derail the UK Governments hopes for economic growth. At Prime Ministers Questions, Sir Keir told MPs: Let me be clear with the House, a trade war is in nobodys interests and the country deserves and we will take a calm, pragmatic approach. Thats why constructive talks are progressing to agree a wider economic prosperity deal with the US. Thats why were working with all industries and sectors likely to be impacted. Our decisions will always be guided by our national interest, and thats why we have prepared for all eventualities, and we will rule nothing out. Sir Keir Starmer set out the Governments preparations for Donald Trumps tariffs at Prime Ministers Questions (House of Commons/UK Parliament/PA) The car industry has already learned its fate, with a 25% tariff on vehicles sent to the US something which could cost an estimated 25,000 jobs in the UK. Intensive diplomatic efforts and negotiations on a UK-US economic deal are not expected to be enough to spare British exporters from Mr Trumps tariff plans. The imposition of tariffs will make British goods more expensive in the US, which is likely to reduce demand. Economists at the Office for Budget Responsibility have warned that US tariffs could eliminate Chancellor Rachel Reevess headroom against her day-to-day spending plans, requiring her to make more cuts or hike taxes to meet the rules she has set herself. The tariffs could knock up to 1% off the size of the UK economy if there is a full-blown trade war with the UK retaliating to Mr Trumps measures. Trumps tariffs have huge potential to completely destabilise the UK car manufacturing industry, but, as one door closes another one opens says @Narayanator. Read our new report here: https://t.co/qoZe3AV5c4 pic.twitter.com/XL1SgHxbzG IPPR (@IPPR) April 2, 2025 Analysis from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) suggested tariffs on car imports would put 25,000 UK jobs at risk and completely destabilise the UK car manufacturing industry. Although a deal will not be reached before Mr Trumps announcement, UK negotiators are pursuing an agreement with the US focused on technology. Such a deal could include possible changes to the digital services tax which imposes a 2% levy on the revenues of several major US tech companies in exchange for a carve-out from the tariffs. Sir Keir did not deny that changes to the digital services tax are being considered. Easing access for US agricultural products to UK markets could also be on the table, although officials have insisted that food standards will not be lowered. Sentiment in the European financial markets, including Londons FTSE 100, was weak on Wednesday as investors awaited Mr Trumps announcements. Retaliatory tariffs from the UK are not expected immediately, as efforts focus on striking a deal with the White House. But European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen signalled Brussels was prepared to respond, saying we have the power to push back. .@PressSec on unfair trade practices on the U.S.: 50% tariff from the EU on American dairy 700% tariff from Japan on American rice 100% tariff from India on American ag products 300% tariff from Canada on American butter & cheese T-1 DAY UNTIL LIBERATION DAY! pic.twitter.com/EzYqL42efJ The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 2, 2025 It is not yet clear what Mr Trump will announce on Wednesday but his administration views the application of VAT as discriminating against US goods and could respond with a 20% tariff on imports from the UK. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the new tariffs would take effect immediately, telling reporters: April 2 2025 will go down as one of the most important days in modern American history. In the Commons, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch accused Sir Keir of taking decisions that have left the UK economy fragile just as we face global trade wars. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey urged the Prime Minister to join other nations in an economic coalition of the willing to respond to the US tariffs. Donald Trump hailed good co-operation between Russia and Ukraine as he reiterated his desire to get the war between the two nations stopped. The US has been holding discussions with Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putins officials in recent weeks, with the aim of reaching a ceasefire agreement. Speaking from the White House as he announced tariffs on US imports of goods from around the world, Mr Trump said: Were going to get it stopped. He added: Its a senseless war that would have never happened if I was president and it shouldnt be allowed to go on. And I think weve been given good co-operation by Russia and by Ukraine, but we have to get it stopped. Its humanity. Its humanity. Its a terrible thing. Russian President Vladimir Putin (Grigory Sysoyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) On Sunday night, Mr Trump and Sir Keir Starmer agreed on the need to keep up the collective pressure on Putin during a phone call. Last week, the White House said that both Russia and Ukraine had agreed to pause hostilities in the Black Sea after their separate talks designed to secure a ceasefire. However, strikes in Ukraine have continued. Mr Zelensky said on Wednesday that four people had been killed by a missile strike on Kryvyi Rih. He said that Ukraine needs a sufficient number of air defense systems and missiles to protect all people in Ukraine from Russian terror. In a post on X, he added: We are working with all our partners toward this goal and we thank everyone who is helping us. We are grateful to everyone who understands that pressure on Russia and stable support for Ukraine are essential. In recent days the US president has said he was angry, pissed off with his Russian counterpart for questioning the credibility of Mr Zelensky. In an interview with NBC News, Mr Trump criticised the Russian president for getting into Zelenskys credibility. The US leader suggested he was considering putting secondary sanctions on Russian oil, after Mr Putin continued to claim that Ukraines president lacks the legitimacy to sign a peace deal. Donald Trump announced sweeping tariffs on some of its largest trading partners on Wednesday, upending decades of US trade policy and threatening to unleash a global trade war on what he has called liberation day. Trump said he will impose a 10% universal tariff on all imported foreign goods in addition to reciprocal tariffs on a few dozen countries, charging additional duties onto countries that Trump claims have cheated America. The 10% universal tariff will go into effect on 5 April while the reciprocal tariffs will begin on 9 April. This is one of the most important days, in my opinion, in American history, Trump said in a long-winded speech on the White House lawn. For decades America had been looted, pillaged and raped by its trading partners, he said. In many cases, the friend is worse than the foe. Over the past few months, Trump has rattled global stock markets, alarmed corporate executives and economists, and triggered heated rows with the USs largest trading partners by announcing and delaying plans to impose tariffs on foreign imports several times since taking office. But for the start of what appears to be a dramatic shift in American trade policy, one that could cause ricochets in the global economy, Trump tried to sell the tariffs with a celebratory tone. Nine giant US flags flanked Trump on stage in the Rose Garden, as the president spoke in front of his cabinet and a crowd of union workers wearing hard hats and fluorescent construction worker vests. Before Trump came on stage, a marine band played celebratory music to excite the crowd. At one point, Trump paused his speech to throw a Maga hat into the crowd. In the next breath, he announced the 10% universal baseline tariff. In the middle of his hour-long speech, the president displayed a chart that showed the unfair fees that countries placed on the US, alongside the new USA Discounted Reciprocal Tariffs. China charged the US 67% in unfair fees, and said the US would now levy a 34% fee. The EU charges 39% on imports, according to the White House, and will now be levied at 20%. Trump said the UK would be charged 10% the baseline tariff equal to the Trump administrations calculations of the UKs fees on US imports. Special exceptions were made for Canada and Mexico, though the countries were previously targets of proposed broad tariffs. The White House said that goods covered by an existing trade deal with Canada and Mexico will continue to see no tariffs. Trump said the tariff calculations also include currency manipulation and trade barriers, though the White House has not elaborated on how it calculated the new tariffs. It appears Trump has zeroed in on the industry-specific tariffs the countries have placed on American exports. In his speech, Trump criticized policies like the EUs ban on imported chicken, Canadian tariffs on dairy and Japans levies on rice. Trump said the US would charge half of the fees he feels trading partners unfairly impose on the US because the US people are very kind. The countries have placed massive tariffs on [US] products and created non-monetary tariffs to decimate our industries, Trump said, calling them common sense reciprocal tariffs. Reciprocal: that means they do it to us and we do it to them. Very simple, cant get any more simple than that, he said. This indeed will be the golden age of America, he said. Trump was ultimately following through with a promise he made during the election: on the campaign trail, Trump floated the idea of a 10% universal tariff on all imported goods. The new tariffs come on top of a lineup of levies that Trump has already implemented: an additional 20% tariff on all Chinese imports and a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum imports. There is also a 10% tariff on energy imports from Canada. Trump also announced in March a 25% tariff on all imported vehicles and, eventually, imported auto parts, which will start going into effect on Thursday. These tariffs are going to give us growth like youve never seen before, and itll be something very special to watch, Trump said. Trump has made clear the goals he wants to accomplish through his tariffs: bring manufacturing back to the US; respond to unfair trade policies from other countries; increase tax revenue; and incentivize crackdowns on migration and drug trafficking. But the implementation of his tariffs has so far been haphazard, with multiple rollbacks and delays, and vague promises that have yet to come to fruition. But the threats have soured US relations with its largest trading partners. Canadas prime minister, Mark Carney, has called them unjustified and pledged to retaliate. The European Union has said it has a strong plan to retaliate. Other retaliatory tariffs could eventually lead to higher prices that would hurt American exporters. The US stock market closed slightly up on Wednesday, ahead of Trumps announcement, with a slight boost from news that Elon Musk may step away from his role in the White House soon to focus on his businesses. Even with the slight upswing, two of the three major stock exchanges saw their worst quarter in more than two years after Monday marked the end of the first quarter. In March, consumer confidence plunged to its lowest level in over four years. Polls have shown that tariffs are unpopular with Americans, including Republicans. Only 28% of people in a poll from Marquette Law School released Wednesday said that tariffs help the economy. The uncertainty around Trumps tariff policies have increased the likelihood of a recession, according to recent forecasts from economists at Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan and other banks. Donald Trump holds a signed executive order on tariffs in the White House Rose Garden on Wednesday - Leah Millis/REUTERS In the great tradition of reality television, the winners and losers from Donald Trumps liberation day tariff announcement were kept secret until the last moment. Except that there werent any winners, just losers and bigger losers. There wasnt even a pretence of this being a necessary but regrettable policy. The countries that would be punished deserved everything they were getting. They had pillaged and robbed, looted and raped (metaphorically) innocent Americans for decades and now America would take its revenge. Trump recited all the industries old and new which had been undermined by these assaults on the population which had been pauperised by foreigners. In spite of the references to new technologies, this was clearly a promise to resurrect the Rust Belt, and most specifically the automobile industry whose failure was, in the Trump account, entirely caused by the gross unfairness of foreign competition and nothing to do with the fact that a lot of Americans prefer foreign cars to American ones. The answer must be simply to coerce those foreign manufacturers to move their production to the United States a process which will take years, involve the building of new plants and the establishing of new supply chains, all of which will certainly result in higher costs and therefore higher prices. The UK got off relatively lightly with a 10 per cent base rate tariff except presumably for the universal 25 per cent charge on all foreign cars, which will be disastrous for the British automotive industry. So what is really behind this potentially calamitous disruption to world trade relations? Democratic Senator Chris Murphy has suggested that it is deliberately designed to create chaos and recession in order to set the stage for a shift from democracy to autocracy. Trump is creating instability so that he can justify enacting emergency powers. I have to say I find this theory rather far fetched, not because I trust Trumps democratic convictions but because I dont believe that he thinks about the consequences of his actions more than 48 hours ahead, which seems to rule out a long-term political project. There was nothing absolutely nothing said about what effect this would have on the cost of living of those American citizens in whose name this was all being done and who would now find the prices of foreign goods dramatically increased. Not to mention the cataclysmic economic effects on countries which have been historically far less prosperous than the United States. But their fate does not come into this computation at all. This is all about America or, in truth, all about Trump and his mission to save the industrial heartland for which he hopes to go down in history. But if this phenomenally risky gambit fails if the car workers of Detroit and the tech start ups of the West Coast do not find that they have arrived in a brave new world of opportunity and affluence, and the world at large demands retribution what then? The UK has pledged further action with allies and social media platforms to tackle people smuggling adverts online as part of efforts to cut small boat crossings and other illegal migration services. A new agreement made at the UKs Organised Immigration Crime Summit on Tuesday will see the UK, US, Albania, Sweden, Tunisia and Vietnam take more collective action to target criminal gangs advertising illegal migration online, and share more data on the issue. The agreement will also see governments work with social media companies including Meta, TikTok and X, who were present at the summit to design out methods being used by criminal gangs to advertise and glorify their people smuggling activities online. The Home Office said 18,000 social media accounts used to sell spaces on small boats have been taken down by the National Crime Agency (NCA) since last July 10,000 more than the previous year but that further action is still needed. As part of the new collective action agreement, governments will work with online platforms to help improve detection and moderation tools for identifying content linked to people smuggling. Border Security Commander Martin Hewitt said: Criminal gangs are exploiting online platforms to prey on vulnerable people, luring them into dangerous and illegal journeys that undermine our border security. This international agreement is a vital step in shutting down their online operations and dismantling their networks across the world. These organised crime groups operate across borders, which is why the UK has united with five nations to take decisive action strengthening intelligence-sharing and taking away platforms that these criminals depend on for their business. Under the Governments Plan for Change, we will continue working with global partners to dismantle smuggling networks, bring perpetrators to justice, and protect vulnerable people from falling into their hands. The summit has also seen nations agree to increased intelligence-sharing, including between law enforcement agencies, while the UK is to lead work on investigating how criminal gangs are using online spaces. Graeme Biggar, director-general of the NCA, said: Yesterday we saw law enforcement from over 40 nations come together in a shared endeavour to stop these criminal gangs. We have explored challenges, sought solutions, and reinforced our shared commitment to tackling the threat and harm caused by people smuggling. International intelligence-sharing and co-operation is absolutely crucial to track criminal activity across borders, allowing us to put a stop to these dangerous criminals, and this summit has ensured that we can build on our work to put a stop to these gangs, protect our borders and save lives. The UKs biggest police force will cut 1,700 officers and staff, despite receiving funding increases from central and local government. The Metropolitan Police said it also needs to axe services including the Royal Parks Police, a decision described by one council leader as a huge mistake. Scotland Yard admitted the move to plug the 260 million budget shortfall would put an extraordinary stretch on its staff. Richmond Council expressed deep disappointment over the decision to cut the Royal Parks Police (Kirsty OConnor/PA) A spokesperson for the force, which currently has more than 33,200 police officers and 11,300 staff, said: We are very grateful for the additional funding we have received from the Mayors Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) and the Home Office. While this new funding decreases our original funding gap from 450 million, it leaves us with a 260 million shortfall and we will have to make substantial tough choices, reducing our size by over 1,700 officers, staff and PCSOs and therefore our services. This places an extraordinary stretch on our dedicated men and women. The Commissioner is incredibly grateful and humbled by what they achieve with increased demand and a rapidly shrinking Met. Over the coming months, we will be working with the Home Office, Mayor and MOPAC through the Spending Review to put the Met on a financial footing which enables a sustainable workforce plan. Richmond Council expressed deep disappointment over the decision to cut the Royal Parks Police, and said it raised serious concerns about the future safety of Richmond Park, Bushy Park and other green spaces in London. Officers in the dedicated unit, which has patrolled the capitals 17 royal parks since 2004, have specialist training and experience, the council said. Council leader Gareth Roberts said: At a time when residents are already concerned about the visibility of policing, this decision will do nothing to reassure them. The loss of the specialist policing team would leave them more vulnerable to crime and anti-social behaviour. This is a huge mistake, he added. Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan (Yui Mok/PA) The cuts are also likely to see the removal of dedicated officers from schools and restrictions on counter opening hours, despite a record 1.16 billion for the Met from City Hall for the coming year. Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan blamed the funding crisis on the previous Conservative government. The previous government chronically underfunded the Met, he said in a statement. Thats why Im announcing a record 1.16 billion annual investment in the police from City Hall. This historic increase will protect neighbourhood policing in our communities and significantly reduce the level of cuts the Met had been planning. Sir Sadiq said he was under no illusions about the challenges ahead. Britain will sign a deal with Serbia aimed at speeding up intelligence-sharing to disrupt people-smuggling after Channel crossings reached a record high in the first three months of 2025. David Lammy will ratify the co-operation agreement, first announced by Sir Keir Starmer five months ago at the European Political Community summit in Hungary, as he visits the western Balkans this week. The region is a key transit route through which migrants travel to the European Union and UK, accounting for almost 22,000 irregular border crossings in the continent recorded last year, according to the Foreign Office. Russia has also long vied for influence in the region, which includes three Nato allies in Albania, North Macedonia and Montenegro, and its stability is seen by the Government as key to European security. During his visit the Foreign Secretary will meet counterparts to sign the agreement as well as hearing directly from women who have survived human trafficking. He will also visit British troops serving in KFOR, Natos largest overseas peacekeeping mission. European security is expected to be high on the agenda amid uncertainty over the future of the Ukraine war. The Government said the UK-Serbia deal would allow both countries to share information more quickly, to disrupt organised immigration crime. Ahead of the trip, Mr Lammy said: (Criminals) are risking lives for profit and becoming increasingly violent in their determination to make as much money as possible. This diabolical, lawless trade of smuggling vulnerable people is completely unacceptable and we are determined to end it as we secure the UKs borders under our plan for change. Foreign Secretary David Lammy (centre) with Kosovan Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti (left) before having dinner at a restaurant in Prishtina, Kosovo, during his visit to Kosovo (Stefan Rousseau/PA) With the world becoming more dangerous and unpredictable, the western Balkans is of critical importance to the UK and Europes collective security, and the UK remains committed to building resilience and stability in the region. Earlier this year, former UK ambassador to the US Dame Karen Pierce was appointed special envoy to the western Balkans as Britain prepares to host a major European summit with leaders from the region. The Berlin Process summit will take place in the UK this autumn. It comes as the Green Party accused Labour of abandoning compassion and principle with a hardened stance on migration, after the party produced a leaflet saying it delivered the four biggest deportation flights in UK history. Co-leader of the Greens Carla Denyer said: Labours recent leaflet boasting about deporting more people than the Tories is sickening. Labour are failing to provide safe and legal routes into the UK while seemingly revelling in turning peoples lives upside down. Any claim the Labour Party may have once had to be a party of compassion or principle has well and truly gone. Labour said it would make no apologies for taking decisive action to secure our borders. A party spokesperson said: The Green Party is clearly not serious about tackling the issues facing our country. They want to block our progress on fixing the asylum system, and block new housing and infrastructure projects that will grow our economy and put money back in peoples pockets. This Labour Governments Plan for Change has seen returns and removals hit their highest rate for eight years, and our new Border Security Command will go after the criminal gangs running this vile trade in human misery. Foreign Secretary David Lammy at a bilateral meeting with Kosovan Foreign Minister Donika Gervalla-Schwarz during his visit to Kosovo and Serbia (Stefan Rousseau/PA) The start of 2025 has seen the highest number of people making small-boat crossings for the first three months of a year on record. Almost 30,000 people have crossed the English Channel in small boats since Sir Keir became Prime Minister, including 6,642 so far in 2025. Sir Keir earlier this week blamed the Conservatives for failing to prevent people-smuggling gangs targeting the UK, saying Labour inherited a total fragmentation of policing, Border Force and intelligence agencies. He said the Governments Border Security Command would help address those gaps. Meanwhile, a separate deal between the UK, US, Albania, Sweden, Tunisia and Vietnam has been made seeking to take more collective action to target criminal gangs advertising illegal migration online. The Home Office said the agreement would see governments work with social media companies including Meta, TikTok and X to design out opportunities for gangs to glorify people-smuggling activities. Livia Tossici-Bolt, who is being prosecuted for allegedly breaching a buffer zone outside a UK abortion clinic. Photograph: BNPS A rightwing US group backing an anti-abortion campaigner whose case has become a new source of UK tensions with the Trump administration is significantly expanding activities and spending in Britain. The UK branch of Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), which is funding the case of Livia Tossici-Bolt who is being prosecuted for an alleged breach of a buffer zone outside a Bournemouth abortion clinic increased spending on campaigning and other activities in the UK to more than 1m last year. ADF UKs income was more than 1.3m in the year up to June last year, according to records filed to Companies House on Friday. It included ADF support of 1,119,975. The organisation held discussions with a delegation from the US state department, which visited the UK last month before the release of a statement in which the US voiced concern about freedom of expression in the UK. ADF UK, which describes itself as an advocate for the right of Christians and others to freely associate and share their faith in public, has been heavily involved in lobbying against the introduction of buffer zones around reproductive health clinics. Its cases have included that of Adam Smith-Connor, who was cited by the US vice-president, JD Vance, as an example of free speech being under threat in Europe, after Smith-Connor was prosecuted for breaching a public space protection order. Tossici-Bolt, ADF UKs latest high-profile case, was mentioned in the US state department statement on Sunday. A verdict on her alleged breach is expected on Friday. She denies the charges. ADF, which is designated a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center in the US, has close links with Donald Trumps White House and has spoken of working with his administration on areas including the reversal of trans rights. The current speaker of the US House of Representatives, Mike Johnson, is a former ADF lawyer. Filings show that the organisations British wing has a staff of nine, one earning a salary of 100,000 a year and two others paid between 90,000 and 100,000. The same records give an overview of ADF UK activities in Britain, which range from briefing MPs to supporting campaigns against the assisted dying bill, and free speech cases. The organisation is planning a big event in September in Britain as part of a plan to train law and public policy students. ADF UK has five directors. Two, including the lawyers Robert Clarke and Paul Coleman, are based in the organisations international branch headquarters in Austria. UK reproductive healthcare providers have voiced concern about ADFs role and cited the reversal of abortion rights in the US and pressure exerted by rightwing campaigners. Louise McCudden, the UK head of external affairs at MSI Reproductive Choices, said: Before safe access zones were implemented last year, the behaviour we saw outside our clinics included spitting, calling women murderers and physically blocking people from entering our clinics. In the US, abortion clinics have been bombed and burned down, and anti-abortion campaigners have been known to gather outside clinics with guns. Doctors have been assassinated. Heidi Stewart, the chief executive of the British Pregnancy Advisory Service, said: It is deeply concerning that US anti-abortion extremists are using their significant financial resources to attempt to influence womens access to safe, legal reproductive healthcare here in the UK. Following the overturning of Roe v Wade and the re-election of Trump as president, the anti-choice movement in this country have become emboldened in their continued attempt to strip women of their rights, dignity, and future. An ADF spokesperson said it was a registered human rights charity in the UK and was grateful to the US for bringing attention to what it described as the free speech crisis in Britain. We advance the right to live and speak the truth for all people and are proud to support Livias case and the cases of our other clients who have been victims of buffer zone censorship, they said. ADF was named in a Facebook post by the US Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL), an office in the US state department, as being among organisations its delegation met while in the UK. It also met officials from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Ofcom, using its talks with Britains communications regulator to challenge it on the impact of new online safety laws on freedom of expression. The freedom of expression statement was issued after the delegation met Tossici-Bolt and ADF UK. Among the group was Samuel D Samson, who previously worked for US conservative organisations and was pictured wearing a Make America Great Again cap. He was appointed as a senior adviser at the DRL in January. On the day of Trumps US election, he tweeted: Today we choose God over pagan idols. The DRLs interest in Britain marks a pivot by an agency set up in the 1970s to advance democracy around the world against the backdrop of the cold war. This article was amended on 4 April 2025 to remove an incorrect reference that Alliance Defending Freedom had endorsed Donald Trumps election campaign. The mayor of New York City, Eric Adams, testifies on 5 March in Washington DC. Photograph: The Washington Post/Getty Images A US federal judge on Wednesday dismissed the Department of Justices corruption case against New York Citys embattled mayor, Eric Adams, after weeks of scandal about the Democratic mayor bowing to pressure from the Trump administration to cooperate on immigration crackdowns while trying to get out from under the criminal charges. Despite the judges decision, he said the Trump administrations grounds for having the case dropped smacks of a bargain. Pressure from Washington to dismiss the case had led to high-level resignations of prosecutors who said there was strong evidence against Adams, while the Trump administration had focused on whether charges were simply getting in the way of their political mission. Related: New York City paying $500,000 a month to indicted developer who could testify against Mayor Eric Adams US district judge Dale Hos decision to dismiss the case with prejudice, meaning the charges cannot be brought again, was in line with the recommendation of a lawyer he asked to offer independent arguments. Ho argued that had he gone along with the justice department request for a dismissal without prejudice, meaning charges could be brought again later, it would make it appear that Adams was more beholden to the Trump administration than to his constituents. Critics of the justice department and Adams said a dismissal without prejudice would leave the Democratic mayor beholden to the administration of Republican president Donald Trump in advancing its hard-right agenda. The justice department argued that the case should be dismissed because it was distracting the mayor from helping Trump with his immigration agenda a point that has infuriated Democrats, especially as New York is a sanctuary city, meaning by city law it limits cooperation with the authorities on immigration enforcement. Ho said that argument violated longstanding norms of prosecutorial independence from politics. Dismissing the case without prejudice would create the unavoidable perception that the mayors freedom depends on his ability to carry out the immigration enforcement priorities of the administration. Everything here smacks of a bargain: dismissal of the indictment in exchange for immigration policy concessions, the judge wrote. New Yorkers will vote in the mayoral election this November and Adams has resisted pressure to step down or announce he will no longer run for a second term. New Yorks governor, Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, decided not to ask Adams to quit office. Adams, 64, pleaded not guilty to accepting bribes and illegal campaign contributions from Turkish officials in exchange for favors, including pressuring city fire department officials to allow Turkey to open a new Manhattan consulate despite safety concerns. The mayor had long viewed the case as retribution for his criticism of surging migration during the administration of fellow Democrat Joe Biden, which brought the case last September. Adams found support from the Trump administration, which urged prosecutors last month to dismiss the case. Adams shocked many in the city when he went on Fox News with Trumps border czar Tom Homan and said Im collaborating with the federal government on its immigration agenda. Emil Bove, then the acting deputy attorney general, said the corruption case was interfering with Adams re-election campaign and preventing him from helping the federal government step up deportations, a top priority of Trumps. He also said the decision had nothing to do with the merits of the case. Critics fear Trump is undermining the justice departments integrity and traditional independence, turning it into a White House arm subject to his political whims. Related: Im collaborating: how New York Citys mayor gave in to Trumps migrant crackdown Bove took charge of Adams case after several senior prosecutors resigned rather than obey his order to dismiss it. Danielle Sassoon, the interim Manhattan US attorney at the time, criticized what she viewed as a quid pro quo between Adams and her superiors. Adams and Bove have denied any trade-off. The mayors lawyers initially agreed to a dismissal without prejudice but later asked Ho to dismiss the case for good, saying the publication of internal letters by Bove and Sassoon about the case meant Adams could never get a fair trial. In light of the unusual joint dismissal request by Adams and the justice department, Ho sought an independent view from Paul Clement, a conservative who was solicitor general under George W Bush. Clement, now in private practice, wrote on 14 March that the possibility of the case being brought again could hang like the proverbial Sword of Damocles over Adams. The prospect of reindictment could create the appearance, if not the reality, that the actions of a public official are being driven by concerns about staying in the good graces of the federal executive, rather than the best interests of his constituents, he added. Adams was elected mayor in November 2021. Before the indictment, he had already faced criticism because of the criminal histories of people in his inner circle, his frequent participation in the citys nightlife scene and allegations that he did not actually live in the city, among other complaints from residents. Neither Adams lawyer nor the justice department immediately responded to requests for comment. Reuters contributed reporting Some crocodiles are big, surebut a few are so huge they end up in record books, news reports, or fossil displays. This list isnt based on local legends or guesses. Every crocodile here was either measured directly or studied in a controlled setting. No exaggerationjust real giants, each with the numbers to prove it. Lolong 20 ft 3 in (6.17 m) Credit: Reddit Found in a small village in the Philippines, this saltwater crocodile drew global attention. Lolong was heavier than a car and longer than most boats. He spent his final years under observation and still holds the record for the largest crocodile ever recorded. Cassius 17 ft 11 in (5.48 m) Credit: Wikimedia Commons Sunbathing in Queensland, Australia, this elderly croc has lived a quiet life for years. Cassius isnt the flashiest, but his massive frame speaks for itself. Visitors are often shocked when they realize hes still aliveand still one of the biggest ever caught. Yai 19 ft 6 in (5.94 m) Credit: Getty Images This crocodile barely blinksbut his size is impossible to ignore. Yai is a hybrid of saltwater and Siamese, and at nearly 20 feet long, he remains one of the biggest living reptiles in captivity. Gomek 17 ft 8 in (5.41 m) Credit: Facebook Tourists in Florida once stood just feet away from this calm giant. Gomek, originally from Papua New Guinea, became known for his tolerance of humans. His enormous body and quiet nature made him one of the most famous crocodiles until his death in 1997. Kalia 17 ft 1 in (5.21 m) Credit: Getty Images Spotted regularly in the creeks of Bhitarkanika National Park, this Indian crocodile didnt need to move much to get noticed. Kalia was thick-bodied and slow-moving. He spent years living peacefully in a protected area before passing away in 2010. Unnamed (Sri Lanka, 2016) 17 ft 9 in (5.4 m) Credit: The Peninsula Qatar After being caught in a canal after heavy rains, this reptile made headlines in southern Sri Lanka. Wildlife officers had to carefully relocate the 17-foot reptile. Photos of the move quickly spread and showed the world just how massive the animal really was. Unnamed (Borneo, 2012) 19 ft (5.8 m) Credit: flickr This impressive creature was pulled from a river in Borneo and startled locals with its bulk. It measured 19 feet long, had a wide snout, and dark, patterned skin. After it was secured and examined, it was safely released back into nearby wetlands. Unnamed (Myanmar, 1957) 19 ft 2 in (5.84 m) Credit: pexels Decades ago in Myanmar, a large saltwater crocodile was shot near a fishing village. It stretched over 19 feet and was officially recorded by local officials. Though little footage exists, the report remains a key part of its size history. Unnamed (Australia, 1958) 20 ft (6.1 m) Credit: Reddit Northern Australia has seen its fair share of big crocodiles, but this one stood out. It was found in the Norman River in 1958, and measured an even 20 feet. Reports at the time documented its length and it became one of the biggest crocodiles ever caught in Australia. Sarcosuchus (Prehistoric) Estimated 40 ft (12 m) Credit: Wikimedia Commons If dinosaurs had to watch their backs in the river, this was probably why. Sarcosuchus lived around 100 million years ago and is believed to have reached 40 feet. It wasnt a crocodile in the modern sensebut it was close and terrifying. Bujang Senang Estimated 19 ft (5.8 m) Credit: X Tales surrounded this large crocodile in Sarawak, Malaysia, but it wasnt just folklore. Bujang Senang was eventually captured and its length was found to be roughly 19 feet. Locals recognized him by a white scar down his back, and he went on to become one of the most well-known crocs in the region. Pointe-Noire Crocodile 17 ft 3 in (5.26 m) Credit: Facebook Located near a riverbank in the Republic of Congo, the size of this croc was determined after being caught by local wildlife authorities. At just over 17 feet, it was one of the largest Nile crocodiles documented in the area. Locals had seen it for years before it was captured. Gustave Estimated 18-20 ft (5.5-6.1m) Credit: Reddit This creature has reportedly been seen for decades. Gustave is a Nile crocodile known for his size and mysterious behavior. Though never officially measured, researchers whove studied him estimate his length at about 18 feet based on photo analysis. KTLA 5 (2) From Left: Phoebe Beltran; and her arm after being attacked by a sea lion A 15-year-old girl was attacked by a sea lion during a lifeguard tryout in Long Beach, Calif., authorities said. According to ABC affiliate WPVI-TV and NBC affiliate KTLA-TV, Phoebe Beltran was nearly done with the swimming portion of her tryout on Sunday, March 30 when she felt something pulling on her arm. At first, I just assumed the worst, like a shark, she told KTLA. Im getting attacked, it has to be a shark. And then Im like, Please, dont bite my arm off. Please dont kill me. Please dont let me regret trying out. The teens mother, Bibiana Beltran, was among those who witnessed the attack. Related: Sea Lion Escapes Central Park Zoo Enclosure During New York City Flooding When she was close enough, we noticed her arm was bloody, Bibiana told the Los Angeles Times. As a mother, you freak out because you dont anticipate it being your child. Phoebe managed to swim 25 feet to shore where lifeguards attended to her and she was transported to a local hospital, KTLA reported. The girl suffered puncture wounds and scratches, but didnt receive any stitches. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The Long Beach Fire Department did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for additional comment. Still, the experience left her shaken up, Phoebe said. Ive been stung by a sting ray, pinched by crabs, bitten by tiny fish, she shared. But a sea lion? Even local authorities were dubious yet experts say climate change is the reason why sea lions are becoming increasingly agitated, as the animals are ingesting toxic algae bloom, according to the Times. Related: Shark Circles Within Feet of Oblivious Swimmers In Florida in Nerve-Racking Video In my 25 years of service, Ive never heard of something like this happen before, Gonzalo Medina of the Long Beach Fire Department told KTLA. Now, the teenager is hoping to put the incident behind her as she recovers and returns to school. Physically Im getting a lot better, Phoebe said. I got painkillers and antibiotics. It was an emotional roller coaster in general, not knowing what was going on and having moments of flashbacks. Read the original article on People Earthquakes are among the most formidable natural disasters, striking with little warning and causing widespread devastation. Certain regions around the globe are particularly susceptible to seismic activity due to their location along tectonic plate boundaries. Understanding these earthquake-prone areas is crucial for preparedness and risk mitigation. Here is a list of nine of the most earthquake-prone places on Earth that you need to watch out for. Nepal Credit: pexels You wouldn't think a country known for Mount Everest would be earthquake-prone, but Nepal shakes more than people realize. In 2015, a 7.8 magnitude quake rocked the region, killing nearly 9,000 and damaging cultural landmarks. Sitting where the Indian and Eurasian plates grind together, Nepal's gorgeous peaks come with some serious seismic baggage that locals constantly prepare for. India Credit: Wikimedia Commons Earthquakes don't get as much press in India as monsoons, but they hit harder than you'd expect in certain regions. From the Himalayan belt to Gujarat, the ground shifts often and with force. The 2001 Bhuj quake killed 20,000. India spans four seismic zones, and those fault lines don't sleep. Cities like Delhi are overdue for serious rumbling. Pakistan Credit: Wikimedia Commons Things get shaky fast along the Pakistan border, where tectonic plates constantly push and shove each other like angry neighbors. In this part of South Asia, movement underfoot is a regular reality, and major cities sit worryingly close to active fault lines that haven't quieted down. The 2005 Kashmir disaster left over 87,000 dead and millions without homes. Papua New Guinea Credit: flickr This island nation sits on one of the busiest geologic crossroads on Earth, where plates collide like bumper cars. The ground here is anything but stable, and in 2018, a massive jolt killed over 100 and left remote villages scrambling. It's wild, beautiful, and frequently in motion thanks to its location in the Pacific's most active zone. Guatemala Credit: Wikimedia Commons In the shadow of active volcanoes, tremors are part of everyday life in Guatemala. The Central American hotspot's land is restless, and when things rumble, they tend to do it big. A 7.5 magnitude shock back in 1976 killed over 23,000 and changed building practices forever. Locals know the drill, quite literally, thanks to regular safety training. Peru Credit: pexels Home to llamas, ceviche, and more than 50 volcanoes, Peru dances on tectonic edges thanks to subduction under the Andes. Its seismic monitoring network has expanded rapidly, and school kids regularly participate in drills. In 2024, a new offshore tremor raised tsunami concerns, but alert systems kicked in fast. Life goes on near Machu Picchuthe earth shakes, people adapt, and traditions hold strong. Italy Credit: flickr Life in the boot-shaped nation comes with espresso, beauty, and occasional ground movement that interrupts all of it. Italy's seismic quirks go back to Roman timesthere are historical records of quakes dating to 62 AD. Scientists now use satellite radar to track even subtle shifts in the Apennines. It's one of the few places where geology and archaeology regularly intersect. Mexico Credit: flickr Skyscrapers in Mexico City sway on purposethey're built to handle the rolling effect caused by the city's soft lakebed foundation. Earth movement here often travels far inland thanks to that unique terrain. The nation's seismic alert system, SASMEX, was the first of its kind in the Americas and gives residents precious seconds to brace before the real shaking starts. USA Credit: flickr The USA is no stranger to shaky headlines, especially along California's infamous San Andreas Fault. In 2024 alone, over 1,500 seismic events were recorded, most of them minor but always watched closely. Alaska rumbles more than any other state, while the Pacific Northwest holds its breath waiting for what scientists call "the big one." Turkey Credit: Wikimedia Commons In the cradle of ancient empires, fault lines have no respect for history or architecture. Turkey's Anatolian Plate grinds westward each year, causing frequent jolts beneath cities like Izmir and Erzurum. Even Ottoman-era buildings have been retrofitted for tremors. The 2023 double strike was a reminder that seismic stress builds silently, then unleashes with unapologetic force across old and modern towns. Indonesia Credit: Wikimedia Commons Life sits on a geological tightrope where multiple tectonic plates collide beneath volcanoes and rice terraces. Indonesia had nearly 600 significant tremors in 2024 alone. The country's early warning system is among Southeast Asia's most advanced. Despite the constant motion, daily routines carry on as locals grow up learning how to respond before the ground even finishes its first rumble. Japan Credit: flickr Bullet trains in Japan can stop automatically when sensors detect shaking before it reaches the tracks. That's how embedded quake readiness is in everyday life. Sitting along the Pacific Ring of Fire means frequent activity. The Great East Japan disaster in 2011 pushed the country to develop one of the world's fastest public alert networks and stricter building codes. China Credit: flickr Seismic monitoring is so advanced in China that it now uses AI to identify signals of upcoming tremors. Southwestern provinces like Sichuan sit near active fault zones that keep geologists busy. There's a long record of destructive events, but tech and infrastructure upgrades have reduced damage in recent years. Rural areas remain more vulnerable than sprawling modern cities. Philippines Credit: pexels Locals call the country's main fault "The Big One" in waiting, and experts say it's overdue. The Philippines sees hundreds of minor shifts each year thanks to its spot on the Ring of Fire. Regular drills, public alerts, and early school education keep the population ready. Metro Manila's tall buildings sway by design when the earth starts to move. Iran Credit: Wikimedia Commons Ancient cities rest on land that's been shaking for centuries. Iran's capital sits near two major faults and has faced repeated ground motion in recorded history. Efforts to map risks and retrofit structures have gained speed. Still, millions live in older buildings that aren't built for sudden jolts. Monitoring stations now cover most of the country's active regions. Ed Martin speaks at a news conference outside the Republican National Committee on Capitol Hill on Nov. 5, 2020. WASHINGTON Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., placed a hold Tuesday on the nomination of Ed Martin, the "stop the steal" organizer and advocate for Jan. 6 defendants whom President Donald Trump nominated to be Washington, D.C.'s chief federal prosecutor on a permanent basis. Trump named Martin, a Trump loyalist, as the interim U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia on Inauguration Day, and Martin quickly used the power of his office in a highly political fashion: launching investigations into prominent Democrats and demoting federal prosecutors who supervised the prosecutions of Jan. 6 defendants, some of whom Martin himself represented. Follow live politics coverage here In every way he can, Ed Martin has demolished the firewalls between the White House and his own office within the Department of Justice," Schiff said in a statement. "Confirming him to serve permanently in the role he has already abused in his interim capacity would cross the prosecutorial Rubicon that every single Senator would come to regret and that would threaten the rights of Americans from all walks of life." Sen. Adam Schiff, a D-Calif., during an Environment and Public Works Committee confirmation hearing on Jan. 16. Placing a hold on a nominee prevents unanimous consent to proceed with votes on the Senate floor. The majority party can still schedule a roll call vote for the nominee, though that eats up more floor time. More than 100 former federal prosecutors asked the Senate Judiciary Committee to hold a confirmation hearing for Martin, saying he lacked prosecutorial experience and was unfit for office. Martin did not respond to a request for comment. Schiff said Martin has been "openly threatening and intimidating political opponents, dismissing charges against his own clients, firing public servants for their roles in legitimate investigations, and using his office as a cudgel to chill dissent and free speech." He said Martin "embodies Donald Trumps personal weaponization of the Justice Department" more than anyone else. "With all of the power I am afforded as a United States Senator, I intend to place a hold on his nomination and block attempts to jam through his appointment at every stage," he added. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday night on Schiff's hold and his remarks. By Dawn Chmielewski, Anna Tong and Greg Bensinger (Reuters) -As the weekend deadline for TikTok to find a buyer approaches, bidders for the short-video social media site are piling up. Amazon and, separately, a consortium led by OnlyFans founder Tim Stokely are the latest to throw their hats into the ring for TikTok. The site faces an April 5 deadline to reach a deal to find a non-Chinese buyer under threat of being banned from the United States. U.S. officials have raised security concerns over the app's ties to China, which TikTok and owner ByteDance have denied. Trump administration officials are meeting on Wednesday to discuss the various options for TikTok. Startup Zoop, which is run by Stokely, founder of adult content social media site OnlyFans, has partnered with a cryptocurrency foundation to submit a late-stage plan to bid for TikTok, the two told Reuters Wednesday. A U.S. administration official confirmed Amazon had sent a letter to Vice President JD Vance and Department of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. Amazon declined to comment, while TikTok and ByteDance did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Shares of Amazon rose about 2% following news of the last-minute TikTok bid. Amazon has long harbored ambitions for an in-house social media network that could help it sell more goods and appeal to a younger audience. It bought live video site Twitch in 2014 for nearly $1 billion and book review site Goodreads in 2013 as part of its efforts to build a viable social network. Amazon also developed and tested a TikTok-like short-form video and photo feed called Inspire that it shuttered earlier this year. Trump said last month his administration was in touch with four different groups about the sale of the platform, without identifying them. Private equity firm Blackstone is discussing joining ByteDance's non-Chinese shareholders, led by Susquehanna International Group and General Atlantic, in contributing fresh capital to bid for TikTok's U.S. business, Reuters reported last week. U.S. venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz is also in talks to add outside funding to buy out TikTok's Chinese investors, as part of a bid led by Oracle and other American investors to carve it out of ByteDance, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday. White House-led talks entail plans to spin off a U.S. entity for TikTok and dilute Chinese ownership in the new business to below a 20% threshold required by U.S. law, Reuters reported last month. The New York Times first reported Amazon's involvement on Wednesday. Various parties who have been involved in the talks do not appear to be taking Amazon's bid seriously, the Times reported. The future of the app used by nearly half of all Americans has been up in the air since a 2024 law, passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, required ByteDance to divest TikTok by January 19. Washington officials have said TikTok's ownership by ByteDance makes it beholden to the Chinese government, and Beijing could use the app to conduct influence operations against the United States and collect data on Americans. (Reporting by Akash Sriram, Deborah Sophia, Jaspreet Singh and Zaheer Kachwala in Bengaluru; Additional reporting by Deborah Sophia; Editing by Shreya Biswas, Shinjini Ganguli and Richard Chang) Simply Recipes / Getty Images Japanese cuisine is one of my all-time favorites. I fell deeply in love with it when I traveled to Japan 15 years ago to visit my brother, who studied in Kyoto. While I was initially not enthused about taking the trip as a high schooler missing her winter break, Japanese culture completely won me over, and to this day, its still the best travel experience Ive ever had. The authentic meals we enjoyed during our travels blew every Japanese meal I had eaten in the U.S.up until that pointout of the water. Whether it was sushi, ramen, soba, shabu, or tempura, I truly could not get enough. The culinary experience was nothing short of life-changing for this budding foodie. Fast forward to today, and Japanese is my top choice when eating out. However, I do occasionally try my hand at cooking it at home, which got me thinking about soy sauce. While I usually just grab whatever brand is available at my local grocer, I know that as a culinary cornerstone in Japanese cuisine, there are many different kinds of soy sauce. This sparked curiosity around what widely available variety Japanese chefs often turn to. After polling a handful of them, I found that they all reach for the same brand! The Food Pros I Asked Amy Kimoto-Kahn: Boulder, Colorado-based yonsei (fourth-generation Japanese American), wife, mom of three, creator behind Japanese food blog easypeasyjapanesey, personal chef, and best-selling author Hiroko Shimbo: Chef, instructor at Culinary Institute of America (Hyde Park), consultant, and author Namiko Hirasawa Chen: Co-founder and curator of JOC Goods, a Japanese kitchen tool hub, and creator of Just One Cookbook Simply Recipes / Getty Images The Best Soy Sauce for Everyday Use All of these extremely accomplished Japanese chefs agree that Kikkoman Naturally Brewed Soy Sauce is the best brand to invest in. This is my go-to for daily cooking, thanks to its well-balanced flavor that compliments most Japanese dishes, says Hirasawa Chen. Shimbo agrees, sharing, the quality is good, and the price is reasonable. This soy sauce offers that signature umami flavor Japanese food lovers have come to expect. Meanwhile, Kimoto-Kahn typically reaches for their Less Sodium variety. I use this as a lower sodium option because they remove approximately 40 percent of the salt after the fermentation and aging process is complete, she explains. By removing the sodium after fermentation, Kikkomans Less Sodium soy sauce maintains a more traditional soy sauce flavor. It's also readily available at most grocery stores, has a nice flavor profile, and is Kosher, which is a plus, Kimoto-Kahn adds. And these chefs have plenty of uses for this accessible soy sauce in the kitchen. Aside from sashimi and sushi, Hirasawa Chen uses soy sauce in simmer sauces, marinades, or as a simple drizzle. Soy sauce is a fundamental ingredient in Japanese cooking, bringing depth, color, and a finishing touch of flavor to countless dishesits versatility makes it a kitchen essential, she explains. As a darker, more standard soy sauce, Shimbo uses Kikkoman in recipes like nikujaga (a beef, potato, and carrot dish) and teriyaki sauce. No day passes without using soy sauce in my kitchen! she exclaims. Kimoto-Kahn also uses Kikkoman in fried rice and marinades for chicken, salmon, beef, or vegetables. You can find Kikkoman soy sauces in most large grocery store chains across the nation, helping you to cook up traditional Japanese fare at home. An Upgraded Option For a fancier soy sauce, these chefs also recommend Takesan Kishibori Shoyu Pure Artisan Soy Sauce as an affordable, top-quality product. It's fermented in 100-year-old barrels on a small inland island of Japan called Shodoshima. It is not treated with alcohol or preservatives and has a slow fermentation process that results in a well-rounded flavor and umami richness, shares Kimoto-Kahn. While you wont find this soy sauce at your local grocery store, you can easily purchase it online to get a taste of Japan delivered straight to your door! To learn more about our approach to product recommendations, see HERE. Read the original article on SIMPLYRECIPES Justin Sullivan / Getty Images Some things we like to keep exactly as they are. Grandmas tried-and-true recipe for Blackberry Cobbler, for instance, doesnt necessarily deserve a modern makeover. You wont find us fixin what aint broke, as my mother would say, on a perfectly good buttermilk biscuit. But when it comes to store-bought products, were all about a twist on this or a revamp on that, like fun flavors, seasonal colors, or clever mash-ups. The latest news down the grocery store aisle is that beloved candy bar Butterfinger is releasing a brand-new flavor for the first time in over a decade. Meet Salted Caramel Butterfinger. This limited-edition version of the crispy-crunchy candy has a rich, salted caramel coatingrather than the traditional chocolate coatingaround its peanut butter core for a salty-sweet bite on the go. Butterfinger With Salted Caramel Butterfinger, we're blending two of America's favorite flavors in a way that celebrates our classic Butterfinger bar while delivering something new, said Neal Finkler, Vice President of Marketing for the Ferrero Mainstream Chocolate portfolio. This is the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Butterfinger, with even more innovation coming soon. We look forward to delivering more unique flavor experiences. Though the Butterfinger brand (formerly of Nestle, now owned by Ferrero) has been around since 1923, the company doesnt tweak the recipe much, though there have been sightings from eagle-eyed fans of both a dark chocolate coating and no coating at allButterfinger Nakedthrough the years. But your sweet tooth can breathe easy: You can regularly find Butterfinger ice cream, bits, minis, and seasonal shapes on shelves. The new Salted Caramel Butterfinger is now available nationwide at major retailers, and will be on shelves through June 2025. You can pick up a few for the Easter Bunny (we hear she loves salted caramel) or turn to one of our favorite recipes for a show-stopping dessert after Easter Dinner: a four-ingredient chocolate trifle made with layers of crushed Butterfinger. Or, crush up the new flavor as a luxurious topping on our fudgy Salted Caramel Brownies. Nothing wrong with a little caramel-infused indulgence this spring! Read the original article on Southern Living Element5 Digital | Unsplash (The Center Square) What Ohio Republican lawmakers called a predictable, sustainable and fair way to fund public schools four years ago could soon be gone. A proposed two-year budget from House Republicans slashes the Ohio Fair School Funding Plans expected allocation to public schools for the next two years by $400 million and expands school choice rewards for special needs and home school students. Despite public funding falling short of the $666 million lawmakers committed in the Fair School Funding Plan in 2021, House leadership said public school education funding is higher than school districts received this year. The $226 million increase planned for K-12 public schools is also more than what was proposed by second-term Republican Gov. Mike DeWine, who used 2022 data rather than 2024 information when creating his proposed budget. This budget ensures every single school district in Ohio is receiving an increase in funding compared to their funding level in 2025, said Rep. Brian Stewart, R-Ashville. Opponents say the proposed education spending ignores the needs of most Ohio students and leaves school districts wondering from year to year about funding. The sub bill presented by the House Finance Chair Brian Stewart today completely disregards their concerns and the wellbeing of the nearly 90% of Ohio children who attend a public school, All in for Ohio Kids Coalition said in a statement. The House budget throws the Fair School Funding Plan out the window, pulling the rug out from students and from districts that need a reliable source of funding to make long-term plans. While Rep. Stewart claims that the state cant afford full and fair school funding, the House budget proposal would direct more public dollars toward a new voucher for non-chartered, private schools which follow practically no state guidelines on student safety or academics. Passed in 2021 for the 2022-24 budget years, the Fair School Funding Plan changed the base cost formula to include a districts income and took into account everything involved in education, including professional development and extracurricular activities. A key change to local funding, according to that bills sponsors, was the plan would base 60% of a district's local funding capacity on property values and 40% on resident income. The plan received House support from Republicans and Democrats, along with teacher and educational groups across the state. According to Stewart, the Houses new plan tackles sustainability concerns raised by the Fair Funding Plan while addressing property tax increases that have hit taxpayers hard over the past couple of years. This budget addresses long-term sustainability concerns that have been raised in regards to the Cupp-Patterson Plan, Stewart said. Were essentially putting in a bridge formula that will, for the next two years, take into account what has really driven this fluctuation in funding. It takes into account that we have had pretty historic property tax evaluations increases which has otherwise decreased the state share of funding that goes to district. It also seeks to provide more funding for districts with increasing enrollment. We need to get back to funding students, not just talking about the formula we use to do so. House Speaker Matt Huffman, R-Lima, said the House is expected to pass its budget April 9. There are still a few things in the hopper that will be part of an omnibus amendment over the next week, Huffman said. Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate Susan Crawford waves during her election night party after winning the election Tuesday, April 1, 2025, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Kayla Wolf) MADISON, Wis. (AP) The Democratic-backed candidate for Wisconsin Supreme Court defeated a challenger endorsed by President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk on Tuesday, touting her victory as a win against powerful interests and cementing a liberal majority for at least three more years. Susan Crawford, a Dane County judge who led legal fights to protect union power and abortion rights and to oppose voter ID, stood on stage surrounded by the court's four current liberal justices and celebrated her win as a victory for democracy while also taking a dig at Musk. Growing up in Chippewa Falls, I never could have imagined that I would be taking on the richest man in the world for justice in Wisconsin, Crawford said. And we won. Musk and groups he backed had spent more than $21 million in an effort to defeat Crawford. Musk even traveled to Wisconsin two days before the election to personally hand over $1 million checks to two voters. Today Wisconsinites fended off an unprecedented attack on our democracy, our fair elections and our Supreme Court, Crawford said in her victory speech. And Wisconsin stood up and said loudly that justice does not have a price, our courts are not for sale. Crawford defeated Republican-backed Brad Schimel in a race that broke records for spending, was the highest-turnout Wisconsin Supreme Court election ever and became a proxy fight for the nations political battles. Overnight, Musk posted on his X platform that The long con of the left is corruption of the judiciary. In another comment, he seemed to take solace from voters approval to elevate the states photo ID requirement from state law to constitutional amendment. Trump, Musk and other Republicans lined up behind Schimel, a former state attorney general. Democrats including former President Barack Obama and billionaire megadonor George Soros backed Crawford. The first major election in the country since November was seen as a litmus test of how voters feel about Trumps first months back in office and the role played by Musk, whose Department of Government Efficiency has torn through federal agencies and laid off thousands of workers. Musk traveled to Wisconsin on Sunday to make a pitch for Schimel and personally hand out to $1 million checks to voters. Crawford was beating Schimel by more than 8 points, based on unofficial results. Turnout exceeded 52% of the voting age population, topping the record set in 2023 of nearly 40%. Spending was on its way to surpass $100 million. Schimel told his supporters he had conceded to Crawford, leading to yells of anger. One woman began to chant, Cheater, cheater! No, Schimel said. Youve got to accept the results. Schimel played bass with his classic rock cover band at his election night party both before and after conceding defeat, covering songs by the Allman Brothers, Tom Petty and others. A state race with nationwide significance The court can decide election-related laws and settle disputes over future election outcomes. Wisconsins a big state politically, and the Supreme Court has a lot to do with elections in Wisconsin, Trump said Monday. Winning Wisconsins a big deal, so therefore the Supreme Court choice its a big race. Crawford embraced the backing of Planned Parenthood and other abortion rights advocates, running ads that highlighted Schimels opposition to the procedure. She also attacked Schimel for his ties to Musk and Republicans, referring to Musk as Elon Schimel during a debate. Schimels campaign tried to portray Crawford as weak on crime and puppet of Democrats who, if elected, would push to redraw congressional district boundary lines to hurt Republicans and repeal a GOP-backed state law that took collective bargaining rights away from most public workers. Voters in Eau Claire seemed to respond to both messages. Jim Seeger, a 68-year-old retiree, said he voted for Schimel because he was concerned about redistricting. Jim Hazelton, a 68-year-old disabled veteran, said he had planned to abstain but voted for Crawford after Musk whom he called a pushy billionaire and Trump got involved. Hes cutting everything, Hazelton said of Musk. People need these things hes cutting. Whats on the courts agenda? Crawfords win keeps the court under a 4-3 liberal majority, as it has been since 2023. A liberal justice is not up for election again until April 2028, ensuring liberals will either maintain or increase their hold on the court until then. Crawford thanked each of the current liberal justices and hugged each of them after her win. One of the four is retiring, creating the open seat she won. The court likely will be deciding cases on abortion, public sector unions, voting rules and congressional district boundaries. Who controls the court also could factor into how it might rule on any future voting challenge in the perennial presidential battleground state, which raised the stakes of the race for national Republicans and Democrats. Donald Trump Jr., the presidents eldest son, campaigned for Schimel in the closing weeks and said electing him was essential to protecting the Republican agenda. Trump endorsed Schimel just 11 days before the election. Last year the court declined to take up a Democratic-backed challenge to congressional lines, but Schimel and Musk have said that if Crawford won, the court would redraw congressional districts to make them more favorable to Democrats. Musk pushed that message on election day, both on TV and on X, urging people to cast ballots in the final hours. Schimel, who leaned into his Trump endorsement in the closing days of the race, said he would not be beholden to the president or Musk. Crawford benefitted from campaign stops by Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the vice presidential nominee last year, and money from billionaire megadonors including Soros and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker. Record-breaking donations The contest was the most expensive court race on record in the U.S., with spending nearing $99 million, according to a tally by the Brennan Center for Justice. That broke the previous record of $51 million record, for the states Supreme Court race in 2023. Musk contributed $3 million to the campaign, while groups he funded poured in another $18 million. Musk also gave $1 million each to three voters who signed a petition he circulated against activist judges. Schimel leaned into his support from Trump while saying he would not be beholden to the president or Musk. Democrats have centered their messaging on the spending by Musk-funded groups. Ultimately I think its going to help Susan Crawford, because people do not want to see Elon Musk buying election after election after election, Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Ben Wikler said Monday. If it works here, hes going to do it all over the country. Voters weigh in on Musk and reasons for whom they backed At a polling place in Waunakee near Madison, 39-year-old Iraq War veteran Taylor Sullivan said he voted for Schimel for no reasons connected to Trump or Musk, but rather because I support the police as much as Schimel does. In Milwaukee, 22-year-old college student Kenneth Gifford said he feels that Trump has done damage to American institutions and that Musk is trying to buy votes. I want an actual, respectable democracy, he said. ___ Associated Press writers Christine Fernando in Pewaukee, Wisconsin; Ali Swenson in New York; Christina A. Cassidy in Atlanta; Thomas Beaumont in Madison, Wisconsin; and Mark Vancleave in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, contributed to this report. Disgraced ex-City Councilman Dan Halloran has been arrested and charged for having hundreds of sickening child sex abuse videos on his phone, according to authorities. Disgraced ex-City Councilman Dan Halloran who spent years in federal prison for a $200,000 bribery scheme to rig a mayoral election has been arrested and charged for having hundreds of sickening child sex abuse videos on his phone, according to authorities. Halloran, 54, was busted at Miami International Airport on Saturday as he arrived in the US for a layover flight from Cuba, according to a criminal complaint filed in the Southern District of Florida. He was found with 1,362 child sex videos hidden on his iPhone including about 35 videos of prepubescent girls being victimized, according to the complaint. Ex-City Councilman Dan Halloran has been arrested and charged for having hundreds of child sex abuse videos on his phone, according to authorities. Broward County sheriff's office Halloran, 54, was busted at Miami International Airport on Saturday as he arrived in the US for a layover flight from Cuba, according to a criminal complaint. Douglas Healey The disgraced former politician admitted knowingly having the vile material telling authorities that around two-thirds to three-quarters of the 1,362 videos in a hidden album depicted child sexual abuse, according to the complaint. The former councilman who now works as a dive instructor while living in the Long Island suburb of Floral Park was buying the criminal content on the messaging app Telegram, the complaint said. Halloran, who served on the City Council from 2010 to 2013, was booked into the Broward County Main Jail but was in custody at the Federal Detention Center in Miami as of Tuesday morning on two federal child pornography charges. He was found with 1,362 child sex videos hidden on his iPhone including about 35 videos of prepubescent girls being victimized, according to the complaint. Dan Halloran / Facebook He previously served a federal prison sentence in connection to his part in the bribery scheme aimed at rigging the 2013 New York City mayoral election. He was arrested in 2013 alongside then-state Senator Malcolm Smith after being accused of pocketing $20,500 in bribes as part of a scheme to get Smith, a Democrat, on the ballot for mayor as a Republican. At the time, his lawyer made an unsuccessful 11th-hour plea to try to claim an insanity defense for his client. The former politician admitted to knowingly having the vile material telling authorities that around two-thirds to three-quarters of the 1,362 videos in a hidden album depicted child sexual abuse, according to the complaint. Matthew McDermott Halloran previously served a federal prison sentence in connection to his part in the bribery scheme aimed at rigging the 2013 New York City mayoral election. William Farrington When he was in office in Queens, Halloran was known for holding the title of prince in a pagan order that included public floggings. He was convicted in 2014 and served five years of a 10-year federal prison term before getting released due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Hollaran is scheduled for a pre-trial detention hearing on April 4, while his arraignment has been set for April 14, according to Local 10. BOSTON (AP) A district attorney in Boston harshly criticized the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Wednesday after one of its agents detained a suspect while he was on trial. ICE agent Brian Sullivan took Wilson Martell-Lebron, 49, into custody last week as he was leaving court. A Boston Municipal Court judge issued a ruling Monday against Sullivan, arguing that he deprived Martell-Lebron of his rights to due process and fair trial. This action by ICE was troubling and extraordinarily reckless, Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden said. As the judge noted, ICE's actions deprived Mr. Martell-Lebron of his right to a fair trial. It also deprived our office of our intent to hold the defendant accountable for his alleged crime. Hayden also said such actions make Boston less safe contrary to what, he said, ICE claims. ICE threating public safety I've watched ICE actions over the last few months, and I have concerns that those actions are harming our public safety goals, Hayden said. Were now finding witnesses reluctant to cooperate with investigators due to fear of ICE. This harms public safety. We are seeing victims refuse to provide information about crimes against them due to fear of ICE. This harms public safety. A spokesman for ICE did not return a call seeking comment. Summerville dismissed a charge against Martell-Lebron of making false statements on his drivers license application namely that he was not Martell-Lebron. After that Summerville filed the contempt charge against Sullivan, which could lead Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden review the case to determine whether any charges should be filed. It's reprehensible, said Ryan Sullivan, one of Martell-Lebron's lawyers. Law enforcement agents have a job to see justice is done. Prosecutors have a job to see justice is done. There is no greater injustice in my mind than the government arresting someone, without identifying themselves, and preventing them from exercising their constitutionally guaranteed right to a jury trial. Justice Department says contempt charge should be dismissed The Justice Department filed a motion Wednesday in federal court supporting Sullivan's effort to dismiss the charge. It argued that the state court lacked the authority to issue that patently unlawful and erroneous order. This damaging state intrusion into federal functions is the precise harm that the Supremacy Clause guards against, U.S. Attorney Leah Foley said in the motion. The state courts order disregards bedrock principles of federalism and inflicts an unacceptable burden (and ongoing threat of criminal prosecution) on a duly authorized federal official. This Court should immediately vacate the state court order. Immigration officers were a growing presence at courthouses during Trumps first term, prompting pushback from judges and other local officials. The president has gone further in his second term by repealing a policy in place since 2011 for agents to generally avoid places such as schools, houses of worship and hospitals. Under current policy, immigration officials can make arrests in or near courthouses when they have credible information that leads them to believe the targeted alien(s) is or will be present and as long as they are not prohibited from doing so by state or local law. The fact that this arrest occurred in between trial days during the Commonwealths prosecution of Defendant and thus, in the state courts (mistaken) view, violated Defendants right to attend his trial does not alter the analysis, Foley said. The whole point of Supremacy Clause immunity is that federal law not state law, state authorities, or state proceedings must govern the conduct of federal officials in carrying out their federal duties. Hayden said he could not recall a case where ICE detained a defendant during a trial. It should not have happened, and were going to do everything we can to make sure it doesnt happen again, he told reporters. Tense scene when Martell-Lebron was detained Sullivan described a tense scene in which ICE agents pounced on Martell-Lebron without identifying themselves, put him into a pickup and sped away. The trial had just begun Thursday with opening statements and the first witnesses. The Justice Department said in its motion that agents including Sullivan identified themselves and told Martell-Lebron to stop before detaining him. Sullivan said Martell-Lebron, who is from the Dominican Republic and living with family in Massachusetts, is now at the Plymouth detention facility for allegedly being an undocumented immigrant, he said. In its motion, the Justice Department also alleged that Martell-Lebron is in the country illegally and has several criminal convictions for drug trafficking. It also said ICE has been trying to detain him since 2007. During the two-day hearing, Sullivan said the lead prosecution witness confirmed that both the Massachusetts State police and prosecutors were aware of ICE plans to arrest Martell-Lebron. What we were challenging is that they arrested him in the middle of his trial and did not return him, he said. If he had been brought to court on Friday morning by ICE, we would not have moved to dismiss. We would not be asking for sanctions. We would have just finished the trial." Did state officials help ICE? In a statement Tuesday, state police said they acted appropriately after learning of ICE's plans. As in any situation where a member becomes aware of federal immigration enforcement, the Troopers responded appropriately by neither assisting nor obstructing the federal action, the statement said. Hayden also defended his attorneys' handling of the situation, denying they helped ICE. He said they twice requested the judge issue an order compelling ICE to return Martell-Lebron. All of our actions in this case clearly demonstrated our intent to hold Martell-Lebron accountable, Hayden said. None of that demonstrated any collusion with ICE to deprive him of his right to a trial. Any claim that we collaborated with ICE in their actions to remove the defendant from the trial are wholly unsupported by any credible evidence. Maiker Espinoza Escalona, his partner Yorely Bernal Inciarte and their one-year old baby entered the United States last year and requested asylum, hoping that after turning themselves in to authorities they would be released and allowed to begin their new life as a family. But that would never happen. The three have been separated since they turned themselves in, their family told ABC News. Inciarte has been detained at a detention center in El Paso, Texas, the baby has been in government custody and Escalona is at the notorious prison CECOT in El Salvador. Escalona, according to his family and the American Civil Liberties Union, had been detained in Texas since May 2024 and was transferred last week to Guantanamo. He was among 17 individuals who were sent to El Salvador on Sunday by the Trump administration under Title 8 authorities, according to a White House official. The Trump administration accused Escalona of being a member of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, an accusation his family denies. PHOTO: Maiker Escalona and his family were separated after entering the U.S. in 2024. (Raida ) "They are liars," said Raida, Inciarte's mother, of the Trump administration. "I cannot believe that half of Venezuela is Tren de Aragua. That can't be." "For them to be sent [to El Salvador] you have to investigate and prove they are what they are being accused of," Raida added in Spanish. "We're distraught, I don't wish this on anyone." "DHS has thorough intelligence assessments to determine if an individual is a member of one of these vicious gangs," a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson told ABC News in a statement. "These terrorists are a threat to national security and the safety of Americans. The premise that these individuals are not gang members is based on faulty assumptions." Last week, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem went to CECOT and said in a video posted to X that the facility in El Salvador is "one of the tools in our toolkit" the administration uses against those who "commit crimes against Americans." Noem praised the U.S government and El Salvador's "partnership" and called the individuals sent to CECOT "terrorists." Raida told ABC News that she found out that Escalona was in El Salvador after she saw a video posted on social media by Nayib Bukele, the president of El Salvador. MORE: El Salvador prison holding alleged Venezuelan gang members has been criticized for alleged abuses "They were shaving his head," Raida said in tears. "They had him dressed in all white and he was on his knees." Raida, who said she is taking care of Escalona and Inciarte's 6-year-old son in Venezuela, said she believes the couple were detained because of their tattoos. PHOTO: Maiker Escalona was a barber in Venezuela. (Raida ) "My daughter has a tattoo of the year I was born and the year her dad was born. She also has the name of her son and some flowers on her chest," Raida said. "Maiker is a tattoo artist and he would do her tattoos." Marly, who is Escalona's sister, said her brother was also a barber and traveled to the U.S. for a better life. "My brother is a 25-year-old guy, a dreamer, like all Venezuelans," Marly said in Spanish. "He loves cutting hair. He finished high school, he took courses in barbering and set up his barbershop in Venezuela. But things got a bit tough in Venezuela, so he emigrated to have a better life." PHOTO: Maiker Escalona's family recognized him in the notorious in El Salvador on a video posted to social media (Obtained by ABC News) Marly provided ABC News with documents that appear to be from the Venezuelan government declaring to U.S. authorities that Escalona does not have a criminal record in his home country. "He has no criminal record anywhere, nothing at all, he's completely clean," Marly said. Marly told ABC News she wants the Trump administration to send her brother and his family back to Venezuela. "There's the American dream they talk about, but it's the American horror," she said. Lee Gelernt, an attorney for the ACLU, previously told ABC News he has serious concerns about what he called the government's "sudden allegations" against Escalona that precipitated him being sent to CECOT. "He and others being sent to the Salvadoran prison must be given due process to test the government's assertions," Gelernt said. Escalona filed a sworn declaration in early March in which he stated that he was not a gang member and asked the government not to send him to Guantanamo. Family of Venezuelan migrant recently sent to El Salvador: 'It's the American horror' originally appeared on abcnews.go.com As Trump escalates his protectionist trade agenda, consumers in other countries are taking matters into their own hands by boycotting US products and limiting tourism a trend that could impact US economic growth. In a note published on Monday, Goldman Sachs estimated that foreign boycotts could shave 0.1% to 0.3% off domestic GDP in 2025, registering a hit between $28 billion and $83 billion based on current growth estimates of $27.7 trillion. "Most reports of boycotts of consumer goods have focused on Canada, where 53% of consumers claim to have started some form of boycott," Goldman Sachs' economics team led by Jan Hatzius said, citing a recent YouGov survey. "We expect a particularly large pullback in sales of American alcohol in Canada, since most of the provincial alcohol monopolies have removed US products from their shelves." Last month, Lawson Whiting, the CEO of Jack Daniel's maker Brown-Forman (BF-A, BF-B), said Canada's decision to pull American-made spirits off its shelves was "worse than a tariff because its literally taking your sales away." The executive categorized the move as a "disproportionate response" to the 25% duties imposed by the Trump administration. US tariff announcements have escalated in recent weeks, and more are coming. President Trump promised reciprocal levies on all US trade partners as soon as Wednesday, which he's referred to as "Liberation Day." Trump also plans to impose 25% tariffs on all foreign-made vehicles this week. Read more: What Trump's tariffs mean for the economy and your wallet Goldman Sachs said those announcements, coupled with a more aggressive stance toward historic allies, have damaged global opinions of US-based companies and the country as a whole. The firm added certain brands closely tied to Trump, like Tesla (TSLA), have suffered the largest declines in favorability and purchase intentions. But the bigger issue is a pullback in tourist visits to the US, which account for 0.7% of domestic GDP, as visitors from the European Union and Canada, in particular, spend about $50 billion annually on US visits. According to an analysis of Customs and Border Protection data through March 25, Goldman said foreign arrivals to the 12 largest US airports have declined by 11% year over year compared to 5% growth for US returnees over that same time period. And as the overarching data unravels, some companies are beginning to flash certain warnings. Airliner Air Canada (AC.TO), which flies to the US more than any other Canadian competitor, said during its annual shareholder meeting on Monday that travel demand between the US and Canada is particularly weak, echoing broader industry trends that show a 70% yearly drop in passenger bookings on Canada-US routes. Air Canada said bookings for transborder flights between April and September are down 10% compared to the same period last year, as of mid-March. "Am I concerned? Yes," Air Canada chair Vagn Srensen said in response to a question at the meeting. "Definitely, I'm concerned." Products on the shelves are labeled with the Canadian flag tags at a supermarket on March 28, 2025, in Vancouver, Canada. (VCG/VCG via Getty Images) (VCG via Getty Images) Meanwhile, the CEO of European-based hotel company Accor, which operates the Plaza in New York, told Bloomberg TV on Tuesday that travelers are "deciding to change the destination, to go to Canada instead of going to America, to go to South America or Egypt." He added that bookings from Europe to the US this summer are down 25%, a pretty strong deceleration." Overall, this projected drag on US growth "provides another reason in addition to the more direct negative impacts of tariffs and drag on exports from foreign retaliation that are already built into our US GDP forecast why US GDP growth will likely underperform consensus expectations in 2025," Goldman said. In recent weeks, Goldman has joined a number of Wall Street firms, including JPMorgan and Morgan Stanley, in reducing their respective growth targets, referencing the anticipated effects of restrictive trade policies. Goldman anticipates US GDP growth of 1.7% in 2025, down from its prior 2.4% projection. As of Wednesday, the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta's GDPNow tracker, which analyzes incoming data points, signaled negative growth of 3.7% in Q1, an escalation of the prior negative 2.8% reading. Alexandra Canal is a Senior Reporter at Yahoo Finance. Follow her on X @allie_canal, LinkedIn, and email her at alexandra.canal@yahoofinance.com. Click here for the latest stock market news and in-depth analysis, including events that move stocks Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance Tesla (TSLA) just reported its first-quarter sales, and the company missed analysts estimate for deliveries by nearly 14 percent. It was the lowest total number of deliveries since the second quarter of 2022 for the electric vehicle specialist and more disappointment may be on the way. Tesla has faced significant backlash around the world as consumers opt not to buy its vehicles in reaction to CEO Elon Musk and his efforts to cut government programs as part of the Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE). While Tesla stock dropped by more than 50 percent from its December 2024 high to its March 2025 low, investors are now asking themselves whether the sales declines will continue. The stock is up more than 25 percent from its 2025 low, and even bounced higher when first-quarter deliveries were announced, suggesting the news was better than feared. Will Teslas stock continue to decline? Investors have at least some reasons to be bearish on Tesla and expect more of the same sales slump throughout the year. First, Teslas first-quarter sales in the U.S. may have been largely unaffected by Musks acts as part of DOGE during January, as the Trump administration was inaugurated late in the month. Still, reports from Europe were showing that sales were dropping there in January at staggering levels down 60 percent in Germany, for example. (That was followed up by an even bigger thumping: down 76 percent in Germany during February.) March continued with bad news. Car registrations in major European countries fell in March, with dips in the double digits. In France, registrations were down almost 37 percent in March, while they declined almost 64 percent in Norway. While the absolute unit volume is not that high in individual European countries France had fewer than 3,200 registrations in March they do signal consumers displeasure with the current worlds richest man. Need an advisor? Need expert guidance when it comes to managing your investments or planning for retirement? Bankrates AdvisorMatch can connect you to a CFP professional to help you achieve your financial goals. Second, Musks involvement in DOGE may have permanently tarnished the brand, and further political actions may be costing him with would-be consumers, such as offering voters $1 million checks in a Wisconsin Supreme Court election. This tarnish may not soon be wiped away, even as Musk reportedly will be stepping away from DOGE. So Musk may be a huge liability for Tesla, and his massive pledge of shares means he could actually accelerate a decline in Teslas stock. Third, Tesla stock may still be arguably overvalued, and analysts have been furiously dropping their price targets recently. At least 11 analysts lowered their price target on Tesla since the start of March (predictably, after the stock had already fallen). In comparison to other carmakers on typical measures, Teslas stock receives a huge premium. In fact, Tesla is worth the next nine carmakers combined, despite Musks notorious history of overpromising and underdelivering. Musk has been out cheerleading the stock in recent weeks, and even President Donald Trump was stumping for Tesla cars on the White House lawn. Musk has been urging employees to hold onto their Tesla stock. Meanwhile, Musks own brother has been selling millions of dollars in Tesla shares some at much higher prices than the stock is fetching in the market these days. Editorial Disclaimer: All investors are advised to conduct their own independent research into investment strategies before making an investment decision. In addition, investors are advised that past investment product performance is no guarantee of future price appreciation. Brevard County Sheriff's Office Donna Marie Elkins mugshot A Florida woman was arrested after she allegedly held two teenagers up at gunpoint in Melbourne, Fla., on Friday, March 28, according to court documents obtained by PEOPLE. Donna Marie Elkins, 59, was charged with two counts of aggravated assault without intent to kill and two counts of false imprisonment, according to arrest documents obtained by PEOPLE. Authorities responded to Elkins' call on Friday at 9 p.m., reporting a disturbance on her property. She alleged that a 13-year-old and a 15-year-old were fishing on her property. She told the dispatcher that she had petrified them" and she had stopped them and they were laying on the ground, according to the arrest affidavit. Related: Colo. Teen Planning to Take Photos on Property Is Shot in Face After Homeowner Tells Boyfriend About Trespassers Upon the authorities' arrival, Elkins told the officers she walked into her backyard with a pellet gun, trying to scare the boys. She also allegedly pointed the gun at the boys and said she would blow their heads off, the affidavit says. The teens were ordered not to move. They did not get off the ground for five minutes until Elkins husband exited the home and disarmed her. Later, the pair told the deputies that they feared for their lives. Two juvenile witnesses told authorities that Elkins shouted and pointed the gun at the victims. One witness said the two boys walked into the backyard to fish and saw a bird that was in the pond. Then Elkins came outside with the gun, according to the witness, who added that they observed the victims lay on the ground and the defendant continued to yell at them, per the affidavit. Brevard County Sheriff's Office Donna Marie Elkins mugshot Related: 9-Year-Old Boy Robbed at Gunpoint on Boston Playground, 2 Teens Arrested: I Was Terrified Authorities also determined upon arrival that the pond was approximately 30 feet away from Elkins property line. Elkins was arrested and booked into the Brevard County jail. She was released on Saturday, March 29, on $25,000 bond. Her arraignment has been scheduled for Tuesday, April 22 at 8 a.m., at the Moore Justice Center in Melbourne, Fla. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. A representative for the Brevard County Sheriff's Office did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for more information on Tuesday. Read the original article on People A Georgia father of three was arrested for leaving his young children unattended at a McDonalds to go to a nearby interview. Chris Louis, 24, allegedly walked with his three kids from his apartment to the restaurant in Augusta just before 4:30 p.m. March 22, according to the Augusta Press. The youngsters ages 1, 6 and 10 spent their time alone in the restaurant, which has an indoor play area attached to the dining room. Chris Louis was charged with deprivation of a minor for the March 22 incident at the Augusta McDonalds. Augusta Police Department Louis was seen leaving the fast food joint, returning shortly after to check on his kids before leaving again, a worried customer told police, the outlet reported. Richmond County sheriffs deputies arrived at the restaurant and located the unharmed, unaccompanied minors, who remained inside the store until their father returned. Louis returned to the McDonalds just before 6:20 p.m., where police confronted him for leaving his children alone in public. Louis, who doesnt own a car, told police he left his children behind because he didnt want them to walk back to his home as he went to the interview, the outlet reported. Police waited inside with Louis until the childrens mom arrived to take her kids home. Louis was arrested and charged with deprivation of a minor. The youngsters ages 1, 6 and 10 spent their time alone in the restaurant, which has an indoor play area attached to the dining room. Google Maps The news of Louis arrest got the attention of former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown. Story caught me by surprise. A dad just trying to find a way to make money for his family. I know he shouldnt just leave his kids, but some people dont have the means for babysitting, etc, Brown wrote on GoFundMe. Brown says he hasnt spoken to Louis yet but has hopes to talk with the father. The 36-year-old claims said set up the fundraiser with the help of GoFundMe to ensure the money would go directly to Louis. Chris was on the Pursuit of Happiness & sometimes ppl just need help, Brown wrote on X. The father of six has donated $1,000 himself. Louis arrived back at the McDonalds just before 6:20 p.m., where police confronted him for leaving his children alone in public. Sampajano-Anizza stock.adobe.com The fundraiser created late Tuesday has raised over $28,000 of the $50,000 goal in the first five hours. The arrest divided the internet on Louis situation. You simply cant leave your kids like that and I get how this happened. But there are plenty of questions, one X user commented. Yeah, its a little iffy on the 1yr old, but dude was trying to get a job. Give him a break, a second user said. I know its a desperate situation and brother made a mistake but an understandable one. All he could think about was the hope of a job, a fourth added. Dude was literally doing the best he could with what he has. I commend him for that, its not easy, another comment said. The killing of Clint Bonnell, a retired Green Beret whose remains were found in a North Carolina lake earlier this year, left his loved ones reeling. Now, his wife has been charged with his murder. "We as a community have been devastated," Kelli Edwards, Bonnell's girlfriend, told ABC News. "How do you comprehend something like this? There's really no comprehension." She added, "Whatever's happened to him he didn't deserve -- no one deserves any of that -- but he was just a really beautiful human being." Bonnell was in his second semester of physician's assistant school at Methodist University in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and was the president of the cohort, Edwards said. "This is a Green Beret who was a patriot to the Corps, who served for our country, who helped his fellow teammates with all their injuries, who deployed on teams, who went all around the world and he comes home and retires in three weeks and this is what happens? This is not okay," Edwards said. PHOTO: Shana Cloud in police photo. (Cumberland County Sheriffs Office ) Edwards said Bonnell told her he was already going through the process of getting a divorce. Bonnell said he and his wife had been living separately for a couple of years and he had met with divorce attorneys, she said. "After trying to make a marriage work for a long time, he decided it was best to cut cords and move on. And so when I met him, he was already at that stage," Edwards said. She added, "He was very intelligent, highly intelligent. But I think he really tried to see the best in everybody he was around. You have that personality which is a really great trait to have and sometimes it can be a flaw." Police said a wellbeing check on Bonnell was called in by an employee at the Methodist University on Jan. 28 after Bonnell did not attend class. When deputies arrived to the home, they spoke to his wife, Shana Cloud, who said she had not seen Bonnell since the day before, according to the Cumberland County Sheriff's office. MORE: 2 men face federal charges after woman, teen drown in alleged smuggling attempt Bonnell's vehicle, school bag and other items were found in the residence, police said. A second wellbeing check was requested later in the evening by a friend of Bonnell, according to the sheriff's office. He was ultimately declared a missing person. Police executed multiple search warrants before human remains were found in a lake on Feb. 25. PHOTO: Kelli Edwards and Clint Bonnell. (Courtesy Kelli Edwards) Several weeks later, the remains were identified as belonging to Bonnell. His wife has now been charged with first degree murder and felony concealing an unnatural death. Cloud, a former traveling nurse who worked for the Virginia Department of Corrections, remains in custody without bond. Her attorney maintains her innocence, according to ABC station WTVD in Durham, North Carolina. "Ms. Cloud looks forward to her day in court," her defense said. MORE: Man who hates big pharmacies allegedly guns down Walgreens worker: Police In court, prosecutors alleged Cloud was seen on video near the location where Bonnell's remains were found, according to WTVD. "Mr. Bonnell told his girlfriend that he had let the defendant know about the divorce and his plans the night before," said Cumberland County District Attorney William West in court Monday. "We believe he was killed the following morning." Bonnell was shot multiple times, prosecutors say. A search of the couple's home uncovered bullet holes in his book bag and laptop, according to WTVD. Edwards said she started noticing some uncomfortable patterns and things happening in Bonnell's life as their relationship got more serious. "He didn't really talk much about his wife in the beginning. I just knew more about his daughter, how much he loved his daughter and all the things that you know she'd brought to his life," she said. Edwards said she saw Bonnell the Monday he went missing and said you could tell he had a lot on his mind. "The last text was that he was going to bed and good night basically. And that was it. And the next morning I texted an early morning text and there was no delivery," she said. PHOTO: Kelli Edwards speaks with ABC News. (ABC News) Edwards said she called in a welfare check when she wasn't hearing back from Bonnell the next day. "I knew that something was wrong because we were in communication a lot during the day -- mostly text messaging because he was in school -- and I didn't hear from him on the 28th of January," Edwards said. Edwards said she wants people to remember Bonnell as an amazing human who left an impact on many people. "He was a very, just a jovial, happy human and he was really looking forward to his next part of his life, closing a chapter, coming out of the Army after 20 years, being in PA school -- he was looking forward to the next chapter," Edwards said. The Cumberland County Sheriff's Office said, "Our hearts go out to the Bonnell family, the Special Forces community, and the Methodist University Physicians Assistant Program during this difficult time." No additional details will be released in the case "out of respect" for Bonnell and the integrity of the investigation, the sheriff's department said. Girlfriend of murdered Green Beret speaks out after his wife charged originally appeared on abcnews.go.com President Donald Trump departing Wednesday after he signed executive orders imposing tariffs on imported goods at the White House. Goods imported from China will now face a combined total tariff rate of 54%, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Wednesday. Bessent confirmed on Bloomberg Television that all goods imported from China would face a new 34% rate based on White House calculations of what it currently imposes on U.S. exports, plus the existing 20% rate Trump had already imposed against it in the initial weeks of his administration. Bessent added that while there may be room for discussions with Trump about that rate, he would most likely stand pat for now. Its going to be up to President Trump to see what he wants to do. I think the mindset might be to let things settle for a while, Bessent said, adding: I am sure there are going to be a lot of calls. I just dont know if theres going to be negotiations. The 54% total is close to the 60% or more in tariffs that Trump threatened to impose on China during his 2024 presidential campaign. Chinas tariff rate could also be even higher. CNBC reported that Wednesdays tariffs, plus the 20% rate, combined with tariffs from Trumps first term and a tariff put on China related to fentanyl would reach 76%. Responding on Thursday, China urged the Trump administration to cancel the new U.S. tariffs and said it would resolutely take countermeasures to protect its rights and interests. The so-called reciprocal tariffs, based on the U.S.s own subjective and unilateral assessments, violate international trade rules, severely harm the legitimate rights and interests of other parties, and represent a typical act of unilateral bullying, the Chinese Commerce Ministry said in a statement. The United States imports nearly $500 billion worth of goods from China every year, making it one of the largest sources of foreign goods. Big-box retailers rely heavily on China for low-cost sourcing and their stocks fell in after-hours trading Wednesday. Target was down as much as 5.5%, while Walmart was off 4.7%. Markets and trading partners alike have reacted severely to Trumps tariffs plan, which seeks to disrupt long-standing global trading arrangements. The prime minister of Australia, which unlike many other U.S. trade partners buys more from the U.S. than it sells, said the new duties, which take effect next week, will harm not just long-standing partners but also U.S. families. The administrations tariffs have no basis in logic, and they go against the basis of our two nations partnership. This is not the act of a friend, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said at a news conference Thursday morning in Melbourne, according to Bloomberg News. Todays decision will add to uncertainty in the global economy, and it will push up costs for American households. Dan Stevens finds it "terrifying" that actors are being cast on the strength of their social media following. Dan Stevens is baffled by the social media obsession The 42-year-old actor - who shot to international stardom as Matthew Crawley in 'Downton Abbey' - has admitted to being horrified by Hollywood's current obsession with social media numbers. Dan - who has less than one million followers on Instagram - told the Daily Mail newspaper: "You hear about people being cast because they have a certain number of Instagram followers, and that's terrifying. It's trying to put a metric on popularity ... and it just doesn't work." Dan is saddened that casting decisions are being made on the basis of "an algorithmic spreadsheet". The 'Beauty and the Beast' star said: "Of course, when there's big money involved and lots of risk, everyone wants the three-point average. It's so bizarre. "It makes you shudder to think that you're churned into an algorithmic spreadsheet." Earlier this year, Ethan Hawke bemoaned Hollywood's obsession with social media numbers. The 54-year-old actor finds it "crazy" that actors get cast based on their Instagram following. Speaking at the Berlin Film Festival, Ethan explained: "I really feel for these people. Its really hard. Sometimes Ill be setting a movie up and someone will say, Oh, you should cast Suzie. Im like, Who is she? She has ten million followers. Im like, OK cool, has she acted before? No, but And youre like, Wow, so this is going to help me get the movie made? This is crazy.' "So if I dont have this public-facing [platform], I dont have a career? And if I get more followers I might get that part? What?" Ethan observed that so many young performers now think acting is all about "protein shakes and going to the gym". The film star continued: "I wish they could meet Phil Hoffman like I did when I was 18, because its a much more substantive and enjoyable life. "I mean, go to the gym if you want to, but that doesnt make you - Robert De Niro is not great because he has a six-pack. If the part calls for it, hell do it, and thats awesome. But hes so much more than that." House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., is putting pressure on Texas Gov. Greg Abott, a Republican, over a vacant congressional seat. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., is threatening a lawsuit against Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott for holding off on calling a special election to fill a vacant House seat in Houston, which Democrats allege is a deliberate move designed to help pad the GOPs razor-thin majority. In a response to a question from NBC News on Wednesday, Jeffries said its very likely that Democrats will pursue litigation against Abbott, who has yet to set a date for an election to replace Rep. Sylvester Turner, who died in early March. Asked whether he thought Abbott was deliberately delaying the special election in Texas' solidly Democratic 18th District, Jeffries said, "Yes." Andrew Mahaleris, Abbotts press secretary, said in a statement: An announcement on a special election will be made at a later date. Christian Menefee, the Harris County attorney and Democrat who plans to run for the seat, has also said he would sue Abbott if he didnt call a special election soon. Nearly 800,000 Houstonians are without a voice in Congress. Abbott has called emergency elections beforehe just doesnt want to do it here, Menefee posted Wednesday on X, accusing Abbott of trying to keep the seat open to benefit the Trump administration and House Republicans. Congress is voting on critical issues. TX-18 deserves a representative nownot months from now, Menefee said. And Texas Democratic Party Chairman Kendall Scudder echoed Jeffries' comments in a statement Wednesday. Our advice to Greg Abbott: Call an emergency election, or lawyer up, Scudder said. Texas law doesnt appear to include a deadline to call a special election after a vacancy opens up. Special elections typically take place in already-scheduled elections in Texas, unless the governor deems it an emergency. And since the deadline to call for Turners special election to coincide with the coming May election in Texas has already passed, the next available election in the state isnt until November. That means the Houston-area district, which has a predominantly Hispanic and Black population and has now had its previous two members die in office, could go as long as seven months without representation in this Congress, unless Abbott calls an emergency election. An emergency election would be an expensive move that Republican operatives see as highly unlikely. Some House Democrats fear Abbott could wait even longer than November, given there are no laws forcing his hand. Aside from how costly it would be to set the election before November, there may be another reason for Abbotts delay: the House GOPs math problems. While two more Republicans are set to join the House after they won a pair of Florida special elections Tuesday, there is still rampant concern about party's slim majority, especially as it tries to pass President Donald Trumps sweeping domestic policy agenda. Those concerns have grown so acute in recent weeks that Trump even decided to withdraw Rep. Elise Stefaniks nomination to be the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, deciding its ultimately better to keep Stefanik, R-N.Y., in the House. Asked whether he has spoken to Abbott about the special election, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., told NBC News, Im not sure when hes going to hold it. Keeping a congressional seat open for an extended period of time isn't entirely unheard of: Democrats contemplated a proposal in the New York Legislature that would have allowed them to hold Stefaniks seat open indefinitely had she been confirmed to the U.N. post, though they ultimately pulled back on the idea. Abbott acted faster in setting a deadline in other instances when there were vacancies in Texas congressional delegation. After Democratic Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, who previously represented Turner's seat, died in July, Abbott issued a call for a special election two weeks later. Turner didnt run in that special election; he won the regular election that fall for the seat and served in Congress for a few months before he died. And in two cases, responding to vacancies in seats represented by each party, Abbott declared an emergency special election to limit the time a seat remained open in 2022 after Democratic Rep. Filemon Vela resigned and in 2018 when GOP Rep. Blake Farenthold resigned. By Nidal al-Mughrabi and Jaidaa Taha CAIRO (Reuters) - Hamas decided not to respond or engage with Israel's counter-proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza, an official told Reuters on Wednesday, affirming it is committed to the mediators' plan instead. Israel said on March 29 it conveyed to the mediators a counter-proposal in full coordination with the U.S., after Hamas agreed to a proposal it received from mediators Egypt and Qatar. A copy obtained by Reuters on Wednesday showed the mediators' proposal was part of the January 17 ceasefire agreement and would extend the ceasefire for 50 more days. The negotiations for a second ceasefire phase should be over before the 50-day period ends, as per the copy. The proposal included the release of New Jersey native Edan Alexander, a 21-year-old soldier in the Israeli army, on the first day after the ceasefire is announced. Hamas would also release four Israeli hostages, with one hostage released every 10 days in exchange for releasing 250 Palestinians held in Israeli jails and releasing 2,000 from those who were detained after Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel. The proposal also entailed the cessation of Israeli military operations, opening the crossings to allow the entry of humanitarian aid and re-opening the Netzarim Corridor to allow the entry of cars from the south to the north and vice versa. The Israeli military said on March 19 that its forces re-extended their control to the centre of the Netzarim Corridor, which bisects the Gaza Strip. The first phase of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas went into force on January 19 after 15 months of war and involved a halt to fighting, the release of some of the Israeli hostages held by Hamas, and the freeing of some Palestinian prisoners. However, Israel said on March 19 that its forces resumed ground operations in the central and southern Gaza Strip. It also announced a major expansion of military operations in Gaza on Wednesday, saying large areas of the enclave would be seized and added to its security zones, accompanied by large-scale evacuations of the population. Phase two of the three-phase deal is intended to focus on agreements on the release of the remaining hostages and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza. Hamas says any proposals must allow the launch of the second phase, while Israel has offered to expand the first 42-day phase. More than 50,000 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli offensive in Gaza, Palestinian officials say. Israel began its offensive after thousands of Hamas-led gunmen attacked communities in southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and abducting 251 as hostages, according to Israeli tallies. (Reporting by Nidal Al-Mughrabi and Jaidaa Taha; Editing by Stephen Coates) EuropaNewswire/Gado/Getty Val Kilmer visits the United Nations headquarters on July 20, 2019 in New York City. Val Kilmer had a Hollywood career that spanned more than four decades, but privately, the actor also had health struggles in the last decade of his life. The Top Gun actor died of pneumonia on April 1 after previously recovering from throat cancer, which he was diagnosed with over a decade prior. The actor-turned-artist was surrounded by family and friends at his home in Los Angeles, his daughter Mercedes Kilmer told The New York Times. Kilmer's first movie role was in 1984s Top Secret!, but he would soar to new heights of fame as one of the stars of Top Gun. The following decade he starred in hits like Tombstone, Heat, and Batman Forever. In recent years, Kilmer was diagnosed with and recovered from throat cancer. He told his life story in the 2021 Amazon documentary Val and made his final screen appearance in 2022s action blockbuster Top Gun: Maverick. I have no regrets, Kilmer told the Associated Press in 2021. Ive witnessed and experienced miracles. Here's a look back at Val Kilmer's health struggles leading up to his death at age 65. Kilmer was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014 Rob Kim/Getty Val Kilmer attends The NOVUS SDG Moonshots Summit at United Nations on July 20, 2019 in New York City. Though Kilmer was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014, he didn't disclose it until a 2017 Reddit AMA. The actor was asked about comments his former The Ghost and the Darkness costar Michael Douglas made in 2016 regarding Kilmer's cancer. He was probably trying to help me cause press probably asked where I was these days, and I did have a healing of cancer, Kilmer wrote in the Reddit chat. But my tongue is still swollen altho healing all the time. Because I don't sound my normal self yet people think I may still be under the weather. A tracheostomy permanently damaged his speaking voice Amanda Edwards/Getty Val Kilmer attends the Simply Shakespeare's Live Read of "The Merchant Of Venice" on October 28, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. Kilmer eventually recovered following his 2014 diagnosis, thanks to a combination of radiation, chemotherapy and a tracheostomy that ultimately damaged his speaking voice. "Now that it's more difficult to speak, I want to tell my story more than ever," the actor said in the 2021 documentary Val. "I obviously am sounding much worse than I feel." "I can't speak without plugging this hole, he explained in the film, pointing to the hole in his throat. You have to make the choice to breathe or to eat. It's an obstacle that is very present with whoever sees me." Kilmer noted how his cancer diagnosis put things in perspective for him. I was too serious, he confessed to The Hollywood Reporter in December 2017. Id get upset when things like Oscars and recognition failed to come my way. In a 2021 interview with Extra, his daughter Mercedes revealed her dad was "doing well" and "still recovering" from cancer. "The recovery process is just as grueling as the actual disease," she said. That same year, Kilmer graced the cover of PEOPLE and confirmed he was cancer-free. His voice was "digitally altered" for clarity in 2022's Top Gun: Maverick Paramount Pictures Val Kilmer in 'Top Gun: Maverick'. In 2022, Kilmer made his final screen appearance in Top Gun: Maverick, reprising his role of Tom "Iceman" Kazansky from the 1986 classic. Though there were rumors A.I. was used for Kilmers voice, in an interview with USA Today, director Joseph Kosinski confirmed A.I. technology was not used. Instead, the actors voice was digitally altered and blended a little bit just for clarity. Kilmer died of pneumonia on April 1, 2025 Rochelle Brodin/Getty Val Kilmer TwainMania Fundraiser at Sky Lane on June 02, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. Kilmer died of pneumonia at his home in Los Angeles on April 1. Though he recovered from throat cancer, the tracheostomy he underwent put him at a higher risk for respiratory disease. According to the American Thoracic Society, Both tracheostomy tubes and endotracheal tubes increase the chance of pneumonia. Following his death, many of Kilmer's costars and Hollywood colleagues paid tribute to the late actor on social media. Michael Mann, who directed Kilmer in Heat, wrote on Instagram, While working with Val on Heat I always marvelled at the range, the brilliant variability within the powerful current of Vals possessing and expressing character. He continued, After so many years of Val battling disease and maintaining his spirit, this is tremendously sad news. Read the original article on People Ethan Miller/Getty Images Jenna Ortega is not a child of the 90s. In fact, she wasnt even born when the Versus Versace collection that inspired her latest look debuted on the runway at Milan Fashion Week in 1997. But fans wouldnt know if, judging by the full Versace look, replete with iconic Gianni Ribbon Sandals, that she walked the red carpet in on Tuesday, April 1, at CinemaCom in Las Vegas. Ortega, 22, is currently promoting her new film, Death of a Unicorn. In recent months, she has taken method dressing to new heights, but her towering five-inch shoes took it to another level. The substantial platforms embody the bold glamour that the late Gianni Versace made his signature and feature the brands recognizable bow bearing the Medusa logo at the center. 20 Donatella Versace Looks That Made Red-Carpet History: From J.Lo to Dua Lipa Other young starlets, like Selena Gomez, have worn the beribboned Versace block heels before, but Ortega has continuously proven herself to be a superfan of the brand since she first burst onto the scene with her hit series Wednesday, which premiered in November 2022. Jerod Harris/Getty Images for CinemaCon Days before the show hit Netflix, she attended the Los Angeles premiere in a black lace slip from Donatella Versace's 2023 Spring collection with a Wednesday Adams-worthy black veil. At CinemaCon, however, Ortegas look was the antithesis of Wednesdays goth-glam wardrobe (which the actress once embraced so wholeheartedly that it became her signature aesthetic). Indeed, she made a strong case for loud luxury a la Versace in baby pastels and bold prints. Pietro D'Aprano/Getty Images While the ensemble was a highlight on the brands Spring 2025 runway, the inspiration behind the looks, including Ortegas, was a pivotal fashion show in 1997 a year before Giannis death. Donatella Versace Named Chief Brand Ambassador After Nearly 30 Legendary Years at Helm The actress layered a purple double-breasted blazer over a semi-sheer collared shirt with an all-over poppies print and Medusa buttons, which she tucked into a pair of suede lilac shorts. When Donatella presented the collection, she said she was drawn to Giannis Spring 1997 Versus Versace offering because it was a joyful moment. In the 90s, there was freedom, happiness, not too much thinking, and being more casual [about] putting your clothes together, she told Vogue at the time. The house of Versace has been revisiting past collections, with varying degrees of specificity, since the 20th anniversary of Donatellas brothers passing in 2017. The most recent example came this February when she took what would become her final bow after her Fall 2025 fashion show. In March, after nearly 30 legendary years at the helm, she announced her new role as Vereaces chief brand ambassador and named former Miu Miu image and design director Dario Vitale her successor. The change in leadership became effective on Tuesday, April 1, which makes Ortegas choice to wear a full Donatella Versace-era Spring 2025 look feel even more significant and stylish. A group of House Republicans rebelled against GOP leaderships effort to block a vote on allowing proxy voting for new parents and delivering a blow to Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) The gambit drew the ire of House Democrats, who bashed the outrageous move as several Republicans bucked their partys leadership. Nine Republicans led by Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) joined all Democrats in voting against the procedural rule, enough for it to fall short in a 206-222 vote. The rule included a provision to kill consideration of the proxy voting resolution. And in the upper chamber, Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) has been speaking for over 18 hours on the Senate floor in protest of President Trumps agenda. The New Jersey Democrat has slammed the presidents tax plans, emphasizing potential cuts to Social Security and Medicaid. Meanwhile, special elections for a Wisconsin Supreme Court seat and two Florida House seats are seen as political barometers in races where Trump is not on the ballot. Susan Crawford was projected to win an open seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court race, keeping the high courts 4-3 liberal majority intact and delivering a blow to Elon Musk and Trump, according to Decision Desk HQ. Congress also has a number of high-profile hearings on Tuesday. The Senate Armed Services Committee held a confirmation hearing for Lt. Gen. John D. Caine (Ret), Trumps pick for chair of Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Task Force on Declassification of Federal Secrets is holding a hearing on JFK files at American filmmaker Oliver Stone whose political thriller, JFK, made waves more than 30 years ago will testify. Follow along for more on these stories and others. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Tyrone Thompson/Facebook Tyrone Thompson and Mackenzie Anderson An Australian man has pleaded guilty to killing his ex-girlfriend by stabbing her 78 times inside her home. Tyrone Thompson admitted to the 2022 murder of Mackenzie Anderson on Tuesday, according to the Australian Broadcasting Company (ABC), the Sunday Morning Herald, and the Herald Sun. The Australian media outlets reported that Thompson, who was 22 at the time of the murder, pleaded guilty to stabbing Anderson, his 21-year-old ex-girlfriend, 78 times during the domestic violence killing. Thompson, now 25, was two weeks out of jail at the time of the murder and had violated a restraining order Anderson had taken out against him, according to the Sunday Morning Herald. Anderson, a mother of a then-1-year-old child, was pronounced dead at her home in Mayfield, a suburb of Newcastle, according to ABC. The outlet reports that Thompsons sentencing will take place later this month. Tyrone Thompson/Facebook Mackenzie Anderson and Tyrone Thompson Thompson had long denied killing Anderson before suddenly changing his plea this week, one week ahead of his jury trial, according to ABC. "Today marks a significant development in our long and painful journey after more than three years, my daughter's ex-boyfriend has pleaded guilty to her murder just days before the scheduled trial, Andersons mother Tabitha Acret said in a statement, according to the outlet. "Until last week, he had been claiming self-defence, making this last-minute plea change both unexpected and overwhelming." Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Acret, who has pressured lawmakers to implement stricter domestic violence laws, added: "We hope the sentence will truly reflect the severity of this crime, though history has often shown us that justice is not always guaranteed." "Our fight for accountability continues, our advocacy will not stop," the victims mother said after Thompsons guilty plea Tuesday. "We will continue fighting for other families, raising awareness, and working to prevent further tragedies." If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages. Read the original article on People A member of the military looks on in front of newly-installed concertina wire lining one of two border walls separating Mexico from the United States during a news conference on joint operations involving the military and the Border Patrol Friday, March 21, 2025, in San Diego. (Gregory Bull/AP) According to Customs and Border Protection data, March recorded the lowest number of Southwest border crossings in history, with 7,180 crossings in that month. Daily apprehensions also fell to about 230 per day. The agency noted that the previous administration recorded daily encounters of 5,000 crossings per day. These are preliminary numbers, and Customs and Border Protection says it will release a finalized report in the coming days. RELATED STORY | Trumps border crackdown faces hurdles as immigration judges are terminated "Under the leadership of President Trump and Secretary Noem, the administration has taken bold, decisive action to restore control at the border. Border Patrol agents are empowered like never before to shut down unlawful entry and protect American lives, said Acting Commissioner Pete Flores. The message is clear: the border is closed to illegal crossings, and for those still willing to test our resolve, know this you will be prosecuted, and you will be deported." Border crossings reached their highest levels ever in late 2023 and early 2024. After the Biden administration implemented the CBP One app to allow asylum seekers a time slot to schedule a border crossing to seek permission to enter the U.S., crossings declined dramatically. The app sought to limit the number of asylum seekers the U.S. would process. Border apprehensions dropped from over 300,000 in December 2023 to under 100,000 a year later. But since President Donald Trump took office in January, his administration has essentially eliminated all legal avenues to seek asylum in the U.S. RELATED STORY | Trump administration creates registry of unauthorized immigrants, partners with local law enforcement Immigrant rights groups say the Trump administration's actions have put potential asylum seekers "at grave risk of persecution with no recourse." This is an unprecedented power grab that will put countless lives in danger, said Lee Gelernt, deputy director of the ACLUs Immigrants Rights Project. No president has the authority to unilaterally override the protections Congress has afforded those fleeing danger. Education Secretary Linda McMahon interrupted a press conference by House Democrats outside the Department of Education to give an impromptu statement after they met in a closed-door meeting earlier Wednesday. With about a minute's notice, the secretary's team told some attendees that McMahon would be making a statement. Rep. Melanie Stansbury, D-N.M., was speaking at the podium as the secretary appeared at the press conference. "We are extraordinarily grateful that the secretary gave us the space to have these conversations, but with all due respect, madam, I think my biggest concern is that the states will not be able to protect the programs and services that you would like to devolve with them," she said before ceding the microphone, noting that the mood during the meeting was "collegial." Then, the secretary stepped to the podium in front of the group of Democratic lawmakers, who had met with her in her office for about an hour. "I just want to express my gratitude to all of these folks who came today so we can have an open discussion about what I believe is one of the most important things that we can have a discussion on or action on in our country, and that is the education of our young people," McMahon said upon taking the podium. "This is not a partisan issue. This is about the children of America and its next generation after that, and if we want to have our leaders and if we want to have that next group of engineers and doctors and lawyers and plumbers and electricians and HV/AC operators, then we need to focus on how they can best have their education," she added. PHOTO: Education Secretary Linda McMahon during a press conference outside of the Department of Education in Washington, D.C., April 2, 2025. (Pool via ABC News) MORE: Elizabeth Warren launches campaign to investigate Department of Education closure: 'I will fight it with everything I've got' "And I believe, and I know the president believes as well, the best education is that that is closest to the child where teachers and parents, local superintendents, working together and local school boards to develop the curriculum for those students is the best way that it can happen," she said. Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., who spearheaded the effort to meet with McMahon, and several reporters peppered the secretary with questions. "When are you going to shut down the department?" Takano asked. "We had our discussion," McMahon replied. MORE: Trump signs order gutting Department of Education while surrounded by kids She declined to answer any further questions before exiting the presser. Takano and a coalition of lawmakers had requested the meeting after the secretary was sworn into office last month. "She came down here to upstage the news press availability, trying to give the impression that she's trying a different approach -- that she's actually meeting with members of Congress," Takano told ABC News after the event. PHOTO: Congressman Mark Takano with house democrats speaks at a press conference outside of the Department of Education in Washington, D.C., April 2, 2025. (Pool via ABC News) Later Wednesday, McMahon posted on X about the meeting. "This morning, I hosted a meeting with House Democrats to hear their concerns," she said. "Our collective goal should be to support students, not the broken bureaucracy." The meeting comes after weeks of confusion in Washington as the Department of Education slashed nearly half its workforce and lawmakers have been demanding answers from the Trump administration. Reps. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, Frederica Wilson, D-Fla., Don Beyer, D-Va., and Greg Casar, D-Texas, also attended the meeting.. Chaos ensued outside the agency the last time Democrats tried to meet with department officials as Takano and around two dozen lawmakers were rejected access inside the building. This time they met with McMahon amid the administration's attempt to dismantle and spearhead the historic overhaul of the department as directed by President Donald Trump. MORE: Emotional Education Department 'clap-outs' celebrate departed federal employees The members said McMahon took the right step in meeting with them and that she assured them she would work with Congress to move statutory functions to other agencies and follow federal law. However, Wilson said McMahon indicated she is following the president's directive in moving the student loan portfolio for more than 40 million people to the Small Business Administration. McMahon also told the Democratic lawmakers in the meeting that there will be additional workforce cuts at the department, Takano said. Meanwhile, the meeting seemed to leave many with unanswered questions, and after McMahon left the podium, Stanbury said the secretary has no plans that she shared with them. Casar, the Congressional Progressive Caucus chairman, said he grew frustrated and even more alarmed during the meeting because he suggested McMahon's mission will gut public schools. "What she tried to say, in the nicest of terms, is that she wants to get rid of the guardrails and protections for all of our kids and instead say, No, we can have it set up so that states can give money to the private schools that we like and take away money from the public schools that we may not like," Casar said. Wilson, a senior member of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, passionately defended public education. "For the Department of Education to be dismantled, it is going to bring a shock to this nation," said Wilson, a former principal and lifelong educator. "Schools are the bedrock of this nation. When schools are working, our country is, too." McMahon hijacks House Democrats' presser after closed-door meeting outside Department of Education originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Courtesy of ARRIVE Albuquerque The exterior of Arrive Albuquerque in New Mexico. Arrive Albuquerque, from trendy hotel brand Palisociety, is now open and located in the heart of the city. The 137-room hotel has chic design inspired by the high desertexpect earthy tones, wood accents, and fun pendant lights. There's also an on-site restaurant, Dwtnr Cocktail Bar & Lounge, specializing in craft cocktails and light bites. Palisociety, known for its chic, effortlessly cool boutique hotels, just opened its latest outpost, this time in the Land of Enchantment. Arrive Albuquerque is now one more reason to book a trip to one of New Mexicos most exciting cities. Arrive is located in downtown Albuquerque across from Robinson Park on Central Avenue, what was once old Route 66. There are 137 guest rooms spread across six stories, a seasonally open pool (plus a swim club), and an on-site restaurant, Dwtnr Cocktail Bar & Lounge. The building that now houses Arrive was constructed in 1965 and was originally named the Downtowner and, later, Hotel Blue. The Hotel Blue property joined Palisocietys portfolio in 2021 when the brand acquired Arrive Hotel & Restaurants. Palisociety then spent roughly a year thoroughlyand thoughtfullyrenovating the property, transforming it into a modern hotel and injecting a little joie de vivre back into downtown Albuquerque. The city is ripe for a creative boom, said Avi Brosh, Palisociety CEO and founder, in an interview with Travel + Leisure. Weve met so many interesting place-makers, artists, entrepreneurs, and creatives since weve been working on the hotel, and we are excited to be at the forefront of the downtown cores next chapter. On the exterior of the building, you can see an expansive mural created by local Dine and Chicana artist Nani Chacon. The mural is reminiscent of the original artwork that once graced the front of the building and prominently features a candy-red lowrider among blooming nopal cactuses. Within the hotel, guests will find warm, minimalist interiors and a soft pastel color palette inspired by the hues and tones of New Mexicos high desert and the organic design movement of the 1970s. Its the first property under the Arrive umbrella with design completely overseen by Brosh and the in-house team. Youll spot things like pendant lights, wood accents, plush lounge seating, and tilework in earthy ochre, white, and brick red across the common areas. We paid homage to the city and its southwestern locale, but in a way that feels authentic, creative, irreverent, and unexpected, Brosh told T+L. I think it blends classic New Mexico-inspired influences with the youthful aesthetic that the Arrive brand delivers seamlessly. There are four different room types at Arrive Albuquerque: King, Double, Suite, or Accessible. Regardless of what accommodation they pick, guests will be able to enjoy rooms decked out in the propertys signature eccentric aesthetic, Victrola Bluetooth speakers, a curated minibar, soft robes, and Grown Alchemist bath products. A reservation here will also get you access to the 24/7 fitness center and the Zia sun-shaped pool. Albuquerque is certainly having a culinary moment, with a few ABQ chefs making the James Beard semifinalist list this year, including Kattia Rojas of Buen Provecho and Sean Sinclair of Hotel Chaco's Level 5. However, you dont have to take a single step out of the hotel to find phenomenal food. Simply head to Dwntr Cocktail Lounge & Bar, specializing in American and Asian American comfort food. Some highlights on the menu include coconut shrimp toast with tom yum seasoning, green chile smashburgers, and char siu ribs. Dont skip on the fun cocktail menu with inventive drinks like the Rhinestone Cowboy (a mixture of yuzu liqueur, sparkling sake, and Champagne) or the Eastbound & Down, a refreshing little number made of gin and grapefruit juice. Nightly rates at Arrive Albuquerque start from $185. Read the original article on Travel & Leisure Getty A North Carolina man allegedly killed his mother and teenage brother one week after he was released from prison, according to multiple news outlets, which cite authorities and court records. Daron Jenkins, 25, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the double homicide in a home in Wilson, N.C., which took place on Monday, March 31, police told ABC 11, WITN-TV and CBS 17. Officers responded to the home just before 5:30 p.m. that day, where they found the bodies of 50-year-old Dana Jenkins and her 15-year-old son, CBS 17 reports, citing police. Police confirmed to ABC 11 that the woman is the suspects mother and the boy is his brother. Further details regarding the circumstances of the deaths is unclear and remains under investigation by police, per the outlet. According to court documents cited by ABC 11 and WITN-TV, Daron was released from prison on a separate crime one week before the killings. Juanilla Kornegay, Danas cousin, described the mother as a very sweet person who always smiled, per ABC 11. She added that her death comes as a shock. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. "I would have never thought that, Kornegay told the outlet. "I would have never thought he would do something like that. Daron is being held at the Wilson County Jail on no bond, CBS 17 reports, citing records. It's unclear if he has entered a plea or retained an attorney to speak on his behalf. PEOPLE has contacted the Wilson Police Department for comment on the case but did not hear back in time for publication. Read the original article on People Kim Delaney will not face charges following her recent arrest on suspicion of felony assault. Kim Delaney will not face charges following her recent arrest on suspicion of felony assault A representative for the Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office confirmed the move after the NYPD Blue actress, 63, was taken into custody on 29 March following an alleged domestic incident involving her husband, James Morgan, 65. Kim was arrested at her home in Los Angeles at 10.15am local time, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department's inmate information website. James was also arrested on a charge of misdemeanor domestic violence. A spokesperson for the Marina del Rey Sheriffs Station confirmed the arrests the following day. On 1 April, Kim appeared in Los Angeles County Superior Court. But a spokesperson for the district attorneys office said: The L.A. District Attorneys Office declined to file charges against Kim Delaney and James Morgan due to insufficient evidence. Court records show she was released from custody at 10.45am that same day without a formal criminal complaint. According to TMZ, which first reported the arrest, law enforcement sources described the incident that led to the arrests as a heated argument that turned physical. Paramedics were called to assess potential injuries before Kim and James were taken into custody. Kim, best known for her roles in NYPD Blue and Army Wives, has previously shared images of James on her Instagram. In January, she posted a picture of him kissing her cheek with the caption: #love always wins! Lets keep this love and kindness with each other through these uncertain times! The couple married on October 11, 2022, but Kim filed for divorce five months later. Court documents reviewed by The Los Angeles Times show she also sought a temporary restraining order against James for alleged domestic violence. But the order was not extended, as no one appeared in court to formalize it in May 2023. Additionally, their divorce case was removed from the court calendar after Kim failed to appear for a June 2023 hearing related to the dissolution of the marriage. Two men and an Iran-based company were charged for their roles in an illicit weapons procurement network that benefited Iran, the Justice Department announced. Hossein Akbari and Rexa Amidi concealed Rah Roshd's identity to evade U.S.-imposed sanctions on Iran and buy American parts for Iran's drones since 2020, the Justice Department said in a Tuesday release. Rah Roshd is an Iranian company that manufactures ground support systems for attack drones and provides security systems to the government of Iran, the Justice Department said. Some of the parts Akbari and Amidi acquired were found on an Iranian-made attack drone the Russian military used in Ukraine, prosecutors said. The Ukrainian Air Force shot the device down in September 2022. Akbari is the CEO of Rah Roshd and Amidi works as a commercial manager. Rah Roshd's clients included Iranian state-owned aerospace company Qods Aviation Industries and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, prosecutors said. According to the National Counter Terrorism Center, the IRGC is a branch of the Iranian armed forces and is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. The allegations in this case demonstrate the lengths Iranian companies take to evade U.S. sanctions, victimize U.S. businesses, and support the IRGC's production of drones, Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky of the FBI's Counterintelligence Division said in the release. Akbari and Amidi were also charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering. The Justice Department said Akbari and Amidi are both citizens of Iran and remain at large. Feds: Akbari, Amidi concealed their names According to court papers, Akbari and Amidi used aliases and posed as employees of several companies, including one from the United Arab Emirates, throughout the scheme to evade detection from the U.S. The two men also used shell companies to pay a Chinese company for parts and hide where shipments were being sent. Akbari and Amidi would enter agreements with each other "and with others" to export items from the U.S., and reship them to Iran, an FBI agent wrote in charging documents. "In connection with this agreement, between in or around January 2020 and February 2024, Amidi frequently sent emails to Akbari requesting that Akbari provide price quotations for electronic parts that Amidi specified (including by manufacturer and quantity) so that Amidi could send those prices to the defendants customers," the agent wrote. "Akbari, using the aliases 'Danial Yousef' and 'Danial White,' then requested quotations for such parts from supplier companies based in China, the United Arab Emirates, and Germany, among other countries, and forwarded those companies prices to Amidi." In one instance, a supplier in China quoted parts made by a Brooklyn, New York, company. Iran then used those parts to make the Mohajer-6 drone and supplied the Russian military with the drone. The Ukrainian Air Force shot down the drone in September 2022 and discovered parts from several American companies. Prosecutors said the IRGC thanked Rah Roshd for its work on behalf of the military. It also praised "Rah Roshds achievements in designing and manufacturing 'servo motors' for defense equipment." Investigators found documents showing that Akbari and Amidi purchased the motors for delivery to Iran. One of the motors was found on the downed Mohajer-6 drone. Treasury Department sanctions several for providing parts to Iran The U.S. Treasury Department announced Tuesday that it sanctioned several people and entities that it believes are helping the Iranian government and state-affiliated companies acquire drone parts. The department said the action targets "Iranian weapons proliferators." The department issued the sanctions against Iranians Amidi, Akbari and Abbas Yousefnejad, an alternate inspector for Rah Roshd; as well as several companies based in the UAE, Iran and China, according to the release. The move generally prohibits any people or companies in the U.S. from doing any business with the targets and freezes U.S.-held assets. Irans proliferation of UAVs and missiles both to its terrorist proxies in the region and to Russia for its use against Ukraine continues to threaten civilians, U.S. personnel, and our allies and partners, said Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent. Treasury will continue to disrupt Irans military-industrial complex and its proliferation of UAVs, missiles, and conventional weapons that often end up in the hands of destabilizing actors, including terrorist proxies. Contact reporter Krystal Nurse at knurse@USATODAY.com. Follow her on X @KrystalRNurse, and on BlueSky @krystalrnuse.bsky.social. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Feds charge 2 in weapons scheme to procure U.S.-made parts for Iran WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg will face tough questions on the planemaker's recent safety issues and other hot-button topics on Wednesday when he appears before the Senate Commerce Committee. Lawmakers have been scrutinizing the company since a January 2024 mid-air emergency involving a new 737 MAX 9 that was missing four key bolts raised fresh questions about Boeing's quality and safety culture, as well as regulatory oversight. "New leadership at Boeing will get a chance to tell Congress how they are implementing new safety standards and creating a stronger safety culture," said Senator Maria Cantwell, the top Democrat on the committee. Ortberg will tell senators Boeing made "serious missteps" in recent years but has since made "sweeping changes", according to a copy of prepared testimony seen by Reuters and confirmed by the planemaker. "Boeing has made serious missteps in recent years and it is unacceptable. In response, we have made sweeping changes to the people, processes, and overall structure of our company," Ortberg will say in his written testimony. Ortberg told employees in a separate email the hearing "is an important step in our work together to restore trust in Boeing." Ortberg may also face questions on other issues, including the company's delayed Air Force One delivery schedule, the impact of tariffs and the status of the planemaker's criminal case involving representations it made about the 737 MAX before fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019 killed 346 people. In February, President Donald Trump said he was not happy with Boeing and might have to go a different route with the next generation of Air Force One, the presidential transport planes. Ortberg took over as CEO in August of last year. His predecessor Dave Calhoun announced his resignation shortly after the January mid-air incident, in which an Alaska Airlines door panel blew out, and testified before a Senate panel in July. After the incident, the Federal Aviation Administration imposed a production cap of 38 planes per month on the 737 MAX. Boeing is still awaiting FAA approval of two new versions of the MAX. Last month, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Boeing had lost the trust of the American people and needed strict oversight after the Alaska Airlines incident and two fatal crashes. The prior head of the FAA said it could take years to change Boeing's culture. In July of last year, Boeing agreed to plead guilty to a criminal fraud conspiracy charge and pay at least $243.6 million after breaching a 2021 deferred prosecution agreement. A U.S. judge last week set a June 23 trial date in the case after a media report that Boeing was seeking to withdraw from the terms of its plea agreement. (Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Edmund Klamann) By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Boeing is in discussions with the U.S. Department of Justice to reach a revised plea agreement in a criminal fraud case stemming from the planemaker's alleged misrepresentations to regulators about a key system on the 737 MAX, company CEO Kelly Ortberg said on Wednesday. Ortberg said at a Senate hearing Boeing is in discussions with the Justice Department to come up with an alternate agreement after the initial deal was not accepted by a judge. "I want this resolved as fast as anybody," Ortberg said. "Hopefully, we'll have a new agreement here soon." In July, Boeing agreed to plead guilty to a criminal fraud conspiracy charge after two fatal 737 MAX crashes and to pay a fine of up to $487.2 million. A judge set a June 23 trial date if no final agreement is reached. Boeing's plea deal struck last year included spending $455 million to improve safety and compliance practices over three years of court-supervised probation as well as supervision by an independent monitor for three years. Relatives of the victims of the two 737 MAX crashes, which occurred in 2018 and 2019 and killed 346 people, have called the plea agreement a "sweetheart" deal that failed to adequately hold Boeing accountable for the deaths of their loved ones. An accepted plea deal would brand Boeing a convicted felon for conspiring to defraud the Federal Aviation Administration about problematic software affecting the flight control systems in the planes that crashed during the MAX's certification. In May, the DOJ found Boeing had violated a 2021 agreement that had shielded it from prosecution over the crashes. Prosecutors then decided to criminally charge Boeing and negotiate the current plea deal. The decision followed the January 2024 in-flight blowout of a door panel on a new Alaska Airlines' 737 MAX 9. Senator Maria Cantwell asked about a report that Boeing does not want to face oversight of an independent corporate monitor as part of a new plea deal. "I don't want to prejudge what the outcome of those discussions is going to be. I don't personally have a problem, no," Ortberg said. (Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Marguerita Choy) By Sarah Roderick-Fitch | The Center Square (The Center Square) California gas prices are nearly $2 per gallon higher than the national average due to state policies, according to a new study from the University of Southern California. This new evidence contradicts state leaders insistence that price-gouging by local fuel producers and distributors is the reason for the states chronically high gas prices. The paper from Michael A. Mische found that Collectively, the sum of all federal, state, and local taxes and fees, as well as regulatory-mandated costs, total approximately $1.638 a gallon, as of March 10, 2025. Not surprisingly, the average price of retail gasoline in California on March 11, 2025, was $4.694 a gallon, or 52.35% higher per gallon for all formulations than the national average price for gasoline at $3.081, wrote Mische, confirming that state and local taxes make up for much of the difference between state and national gas prices. Based on 30 to 50 years of data, the primary conclusion from this study is that Californias high gasoline prices and supply dilemmas are, by design, engineering or serendipitously, largely self-inflicted, and the result of directed policies and a litany of regulations, taxes, fees, and costs, concluded Mische. The economic evidence is abundant; California refiners have not engaged in widespread price gouging, profiteering, price manipulation, 'unexplained residual prices' or surcharges, magical or otherwise. Last year, California Gov. Gavin Newsom called a special session of the state legislature to pass new regulations on refineries, citing price gouging. Phillips 66 then announced the closure of its Los Angeles facility, which accounts for 8.57% of the states remaining refining capacity. The closure will put further pressure on gas prices. California gas prices also have an impact on the parts of Nevada and Arizona that rely on California gasoline, meaning the effects of the states policies extend beyond the states borders. The Republican governor of Nevada and the Democratic governor of Arizona signed a bipartisan letter urging Newsom not to adopt the new refinery regulations, to no avail. Gas prices in Nevada and Arizona have since spiked due to California refinery closures, highlighting the governors concerns. Last year, California also passed a $162 billion fuel tax to fund credits for clean fuels such as electric vehicle charging and hydrogen, with costs expected to be passed on to consumers of dirty fuels. By Joe Cash, Yimou Lee and Ben Blanchard BEIJING/TAIPEI (Reuters) -China's military held long-range live-fire drills in the East China Sea on Wednesday in an escalation of ongoing drills around Taiwan, saying it was practicing precision strikes on port and energy facilities but with no details on the exact location. The exercises follow a rise in Chinese rhetoric against Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, who China called a "parasite" on Tuesday, and come on the heels of U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's Asia visit, during which he repeatedly criticised Beijing. China, which views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, has repeatedly denounced Lai as a "separatist". Lai, who won election and took office last year, rejects Beijing's sovereignty claims and says only Taiwan's people can decide their future. China's Eastern Theatre Command said that on Wednesday as part of the Strait Thunder-2025A exercise its ground forces had conducted long-range live-fire drills into the waters of the East China Sea, though it did not give an exact location. "The drills involve precision strikes on simulated targets of key ports and energy facilities, and have achieved desired effects," it said, without elaborating. Taiwan's benchmark stock index briefly slipped into the red after the announcement, but closed up 0.1%. China's Maritime Safety Administration announced late Tuesday a closed zone for shipping due to military drills until Thursday night in an area off the north part of the eastern province of Zhejiang, more than 500 km (310 miles) from Taiwan. A senior Taiwan defence official told Reuters that was outside Taiwan's "response zone". China's military published a video it said was of the live fire drills that showed rockets, rather than ballistic missiles, being launched and hitting targets on land, and an animation of explosions over Taiwanese cities including Tainan, Hualien and Taichung, all home to military bases and ports. The words "Control energy corridors, disrupt supply routes, block clandestine routes to docks" then appear on the screen. Taiwan has denounced China for holding the drills. A senior Taiwan security official told Reuters there were more than 10 Chinese warships in Taiwan's "response zone" on Wednesday morning, and that China's coast guard was participating with "harassment" drills. Taiwan's defence ministry, detailing China's movements over the past 24 hours on Wednesday morning, said 76 aircraft and 15 warships were involved. China's recent pressure against Taiwan also included a call last week for people to email reports about separatist activity. Chiu Chui-cheng, head of Taiwan's China-policy making Mainland Affairs Council minister, said that given the rising risk of visiting China, people should carefully consider whether they need to go, including to Hong Kong and Macau. WAR GAMES China had not formally named Tuesday's drills. China called two rounds of major war games last year around the island Joint Sword-2024A and Joint Sword-2024B. China's widely read Global Times, published by the ruling Communist Party's official People's Daily, said advanced equipment had been used, pointing to pictures from the military showing YJ-21 air-launched ballistic missiles slung under H-6K bombers. The H-6K is an extended-range strike aircraft, while the YJ-21 is an advanced anti-ship weapon. H-6 aircraft, some of which are capable of carrying nuclear weapons, have been involved in past drills around Taiwan, and also spotted over the disputed South China Sea. Previous Chinese war games have also practiced precision strikes and blockading the island. Taiwan has not reported any travel disruptions because of the drills. Taiwan's state refiner, CPC Corp, told Reuters that liquefied natural gas imports had been unaffected. The United States, Taiwan's most important international backer and main arms supplier despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties, condemned the exercises. "Once again, China's aggressive military activities and rhetoric toward Taiwan only serve to exacerbate tensions and put the region's security and the world's prosperity at risk," the U.S. State Department said in a statement. Japan and the European Union also expressed concern. "The EU has a direct interest in the preservation of the status quo in the Taiwan Strait. We oppose any unilateral actions that change the status quo by force or coercion," an EU spokesperson said. Taiwan has lived under the threat of Chinese invasion since 1949 when the defeated Republic of China government fled to the island after losing a civil war with Mao Zedong's communists, though the two sides have not exchanged fire in anger for decades. (Reporting by Joe Cash, Yimou Lee and Ben Blanchard; Additional reporting by Angie Teo in Taipei and Greg Torode in Hong Kong; Editing by Himani Sarkar, Stephen Coates and Gerry Doyle) Elon Musk's foray into the Wisconsin Supreme Court election turned many heads. Scott Olson/Getty Images Elon Musk's super PAC poured more than $12 million into the Wisconsin Supreme Court race. In the end, the liberal candidate, Judge Susan Crawford, defeated Judge Brad Schimel, a conservative. The loss is a blow for Musk, who held a town hall in Wisconsin and urged voters to back Schimel. For Wisconsin Republicans, regaining a conservative majority on the state's highest court was a top priority. Elon Musk, the world's richest man, funneled more than $12 million via his America PAC to sway the pivotal judicial race in one of the country's premier swing states. It wasn't enough. On Tuesday, Musk's big bet on the Wisconsin Supreme Court race fell apart, with the Associated Press reporting that Susan Crawford, a liberal judge in Dane County, had defeated Brad Schimel, a conservative judge in Waukesha County, in the most expensive judicial race in US history. Musk, the face of President Donald Trump's White House DOGE office, has been met with increasingly vocal opposition by voters over the task force's cost-cutting efforts. And the fallout from DOGE is also affecting Tesla, the company that catapulted Musk to international prominence. Crawford's victory is a significant blow for Musk as DOGE's work continues to face increased scrutiny from the public and could lead to electoral gains for Democrats in the 2026 midterm elections. Here's how Crawford's win is set to upend Musk's political playbook: Musk is caught in the DOGE-house For weeks, scenes of frustrated voters sharply questioning and booing GOP members of Congress have become a defining narrative of DOGE, as many lawmakers have had to defend waves of staffing cuts. As a guiding force behind efforts to cut costs at critical federal departments along with efforts to eliminate the US Agency for International Development Musk has faced mounting pushback over the task force's aggressive tactics to rein in spending. Musk went all in for Schimel, arguing that the Wisconsin race was "important for the future of civilization." Referring to the potential for Democrats to make gains through a new congressional map, Musk argued that if the Wisconsin Supreme Court "is able to redraw the districts, they will gerrymander the district and deprive Wisconsin of two seats on the Republican side." "Then they will try to stop all the government reforms we are getting done for you, the American people," he added. In a state that narrowly backed Trump over Kamala Harris in November, voters this week made a new choice. Crawford's win keeps the liberal bloc in the majority. The court could revisit the state's congressional maps, with a redraw likely to offer Democrats an opportunity to pick up additional seats. With Republicans clinging to a razor-thin 218-213 majority in the US House ahead of what could be a tough midterm cycle, holding the lower chamber will be key for Musk and Trump especially as it relates to future oversight over DOGE's work. Musk may approach other races differently Musk campaigned heavily for Trump in Pennsylvania in last year's election, with America PAC pouring millions of dollars into the state, much of it for canvassing and other digital-related efforts. The tech mogul's decision to hand out $1 million checks to select voters who signed petitions at town hall events similar to what he employed in Wisconsin this time around drew many people out as he criticized Harris and the media. Trump would go on to win Pennsylvania in the 2024 general election. Schimel's loss, on the other hand, is a setback for Musk. Wisconsin Supreme Court races in recent years have become increasingly polarized, with issues like abortion rights, union collective bargaining rights, and voting regulations being used to drive up turnout among base voters. This week, conservatives fell short in their efforts to take the court in a different direction. Musk is poised to wade into other contests ahead of the midterms, especially with Trump's agenda on the line. But the latest results in Wisconsin show that there's a limit to such an influence. Read the original article on Business Insider (Reuters) - GE Vernova will aid in turning Homer City Generating Station previously a coal-power plant in Pennsylvania into a natural gas-powered data center campus by providing seven turbines to produce nearly 4.5 gigawatts (GW) of power. The project is expected to begin producing power by 2027. Once complete, it would be the largest natural gas power plant in the U.S., surpassing NextEra Energy's main utility, Florida Power & Light's West County Energy Center, which has a capacity of nearly 3.8 GW, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. In a release on Wednesday from Homer City Redevelopment (HCR), which is in charge of the project, it said that construction of the site is expected to begin this year, and GE Vernova will supply the turbines by 2026. Energy-intensive data centers needed to scale artificial intelligence technologies are expected to push up demand for gas turbines used in large-scale power generation projects. U.S. natural gas use is set to continue hitting record highs due in part from this demand, but a lack of infrastructure could hurt the industry. Knighthead Capital Management, which has had significant equity positions in Homer City for nearly eight years, will continue to lead the project financing, HCR added, with an initial capital investment being expected to exceed $10 billion for power infrastructure and site readiness. (Reporting by Seher Dareen and Mrinalika Roy in Bengaluru; Editing by Alan Barona) Gene Hackman's publicist says actor and his wife Betsy Arakawa were 'horrified' over invasions of privacy Gene Hackmans longtime publicist has revealed that the Hollywood legend and his wife did everything they could to avoid the spotlight toward the end of their lives. The two-time Oscar winner, 95, former classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, 65, and one of their three dogs were found dead at their Santa Fe, New Mexico home on February 26. Their deaths kickstarted a weeks-long investigation, which determined that Arakawa died first, followed by the French Connection actor about a week later. Gene Hackmans longtime publicist has revealed that the Hollywood legend and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, did everything they could to avoid the spotlight toward the end of their lives. GC Images Hackmans publicist Susan Madore, who had worked for the actor for 27 years, said the couple went to great lengths to maintain their privacy in recent years. Speaking at a Santa Fe hearing, Madore explained how Hackman once purchased a plot of land next to a garbage dump because he wanted a quiet place to ride his bicycle. He wanted the privacy of being able to ride his bike without anyone following him or observing him, she said of the Unforgiven actor. Madore added that Arakawa had called her to give her a heads up about the real estate purchase in case anyone called asking why Mr. Hackman lived at the dump. The two-time Oscar winner, 95, former classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, 65, and one of their three dogs were found dead at their Santa Fe, New Mexico home on February 26. Facebook / Animal Rescue, Inc. Their deaths kickstarted a weeks-long investigation. AP Elsewhere, the publicist revealed that CBS had requested an interview with Hackman months before his death, however, the actor had no interest in chatting about his life and career. Despite Hackmans desire to remain off the radar, CBS allegedly told him that they planned to go ahead with their coverage anyway. When I told Gene and Betsy, they were horrified, Madore said, revealing that the network ultimately pulled the plug on the project after she pleaded with them. Elsewhere at the hearing, a Santa Fe judge honored the Hackman familys request for an injunction blocking the release of some of first responders findings. According to his longtime publicist, Hackman turned down a CBS interview months before his death. SplashNews.com While key details about the investigation into their grim deaths will be released, the most ghastly video and pictures will stay sealed. Among the items that will see the light of day include photos showing the inside of Hackmans home, the carcass of their dog that starved to death, as well as autopsy results and audio from police body cams when officers responded on Feb. 26. German investigators said Wednesday that they had dismantled a major platform for the distribution of child sexual abuse images that had 1.8 million users worldwide, in an international operation coordinated by the pan-European police agency Europol. The move to shut down the "KidFlix" streaming service was "one of the biggest blows against child pornography in recent years, if not ever," said Guido Limmer, deputy head of the Bavarian Criminal Police. The investigation was led by German police and supported by authorities in 38 countries, including Australia, Canada and the U.S., under the coordination of Europol. In all, "KidFlix" is said to have hosted more than 91,000 videos with images of child sexual abuse, totaling around 6,288 hours of video, according to the Bavarian police force. Authorities were able to identify almost 1,400 individual users of the platform, which was hosted on the so-called darknet or dark web. An image shared by the international law enforcement agency Europol on April 2, 2025, shows the names of partner agencies that took part in an operation to dismantle the online child sexual abuse platform Police in March carried out searches at locations in 31 countries in the "largest operation ever" organized by Europol, according to Limmer. A joint raid by German and Dutch authorities resulted in the seizure of a hard drive with around 72,000 videos of child sexual abuse, he said. In Germany, police carried out raids at 96 locations, targeting 103 individual suspects, the Bavarian police said. German authorities said they had worked to identify child victims of the abuse while the investigation was still in progress. Police arrested a 36-year-old man in the eastern German city of Chemnitz in January 2024 who had searched for abuse images on "KidFlix". The man had also "offered his young son for games," Limmer said. The child had been handed over to child protection services. Investigators had also been able to identify a "serial" abuser in the United States, Limmer said. "KidFlix" was created in 2021 by a "cybercriminal who made huge profit from it," according to Europol, "as it quickly became one of the most popular platforms among pedophiles." About 3.5 new videos were being uploaded to the site per hour before it was taken down, according to the international police agency. Democratic-backed candidate wins record-breaking Wisconsin Supreme Court seat Busy Port of Oakland prepares for Trump's tariffs Breaking down the Wisconsin, Florida election results TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese startup Terra Drone, which uses drones to survey and inspect energy infrastructure, is stepping up cooperation with Saudi Arabia's state-owned oil company Aramco to inspect oil and gas facilities, Terra Drone told Reuters. The Japanese company has signed a memorandum of understanding with Aramco under which Terra Drone will hold test runs to inspect the oil giant's facilities in Saudi Arabia starting later this year and into next. Actual operation of the inspections is expected to begin in 2027, Terra Drone said. If Terra Drone wins the final contract from Aramco, it would be the company's largest ever for drone inspections of oil and gas facilities. "We're aiming for billions of yen in sales over the medium to long term, three to five years," Terra Drone CEO and founder Toru Tokushige told Reuters. Terra Drone set up a subsidiary in Saudi Arabia in 2023 when it raised $14 million from Wa'ed Ventures, the venture capital arm of Aramco. Terra Drone has been conducting inspections and surveying in the Middle East, but not for Aramco. Aramco currently sets up scaffolding over two to three weeks for employees to visually inspect storage tanks and other facilities. Besides infrastructure inspections, Terra Drone is developing traffic management systems for unmanned aircraft and offers drones for applying fertiliser and pesticides to crops. The company was listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth Market 250 Index in November 2024. It has yet to turn profitable. (Reporting by Maki Shiraki. Writing by Daniel Leussink. Editing by Mark Potter) Rosamund Pike was worried about her nipple tape injuring Pierce Brosnan while they filmed a love scene for the 2002 James Bond film Die Another Day. Rosamund Pike was worried about her nipple tape injuring Pierce Brosnan while they filmed a love scene for the 2002 James Bond film Die Another Day The 46-year-old actress, who played double agent Miranda Frost in her big-screen debut in the 007 film, described the incident while appearing on David Tennants podcast David Tennant Does a Podcast With. She said during a steamy scene filmed on a swan sculpture bed in the Bond film while she was covered in furs with Pierce, 70, the star admitted she became concerned she was unintentionally waxing his chest. Rosamund added: We have this clinch, and then we separate, and I look at this body tape and the nipple covers and theyre covered in hair. And I think, Oh my God, Im waxing Pierces chest. I was so mortified. I thought, Oh my God, hes so brave, and Im pulling off his chest hair with every embrace. And of course, it took a couple of takes to realise it was not him. It was the fake fur of the rugs adorning the swan bed. I literally thought I was waxing the poor mans chest. Rosamund, who was 23 at the time of filming while Brosnan was 49, described the Irish actor as an absolute gent on the podcast. She also reflected on her audition for the role, revealing she had never watched a Bond film before trying out for the part. Rosamund added: I took my mothers concert dress to the audition. She believed it was an appropriate and sophisticated choice for a Bond girl. However, upon arrival, she recalled being told: That is a very, very lovely dress but Bond girls wear things more like this, before being presented with a shimmering sheath to wear. The star previously discussed her audition experience in a 2018 interview with Amazons Audible Sessions, stating she had been asked to drop my dress and appear in my underwear. She added: I just thought if theyre gonna see me in my underwear, they better give me the job. So, I thought, Theres no way Im going to take off a dress in the audition for this tape to be sent around Los Angeles and to be judged on that. Pierce Brosnan is an Irish actor, film producer, and activist. Carlo Acutis, set to become the Catholic Church's first millennial saint, is already drawing crowds of pilgrims to Assisi, Italy. His remains, dressed casually in sneakers, jeans, and a sweatshirt, lie in a shrine, a testament to the uncommon devotion he inspires. A canonisation Mass, scheduled for April 27 in St. Peter's Square, will formally recognise his sainthood. But who was this teenager who has captured the hearts of so many? Born in London on May 3, 1991, to a wealthy Italian family, Carlo spent his formative years in Milan. His deep connection to his faith began early, after receiving his First Communion at seven years old. From then on, daily Mass, praying the rosary, and eucharistic adoration became integral parts of his life. An image of Carlo Acutis is displayed during his beatification ceremony in 2020 (AP) While he enjoyed typical teenage pursuits like hiking, video games, and spending time with friends, Carlo also dedicated himself to serving others. He taught catechism at his local parish and actively worked with the homeless, demonstrating a profound commitment to his faith and community. He used his computer savvy to create an online exhibit about more than 100 eucharistic miracles recognised by the church over many centuries, focused on the real presence of Christ that Catholics believe is in the consecrated bread and wine. In October 2006, at age 15, he fell ill. Ten days later, he died of acute leukaemia at a hospital in northern Italy. His body was later transferred to an Assisi cemetery as Acutis had asked, because of his devotion to the hometown medieval saint, St. Francis. Statuettes of Carlo Acutis on sale in Assisi (AP) Why is Carlo Acutis about to become a saint? His road to sainthood the canonisation process started more than 10 years ago at the initiative of a group of priests and friends, and formally took off shortly after Pope Francis began his papacy in 2013. Carlo was named venerable in 2018 after the church recognised his virtuous life, and his body was taken to a shrine in Assisis Santuario della Spogliazione, a major site linked to St. Francis' life. He was then declared blessed in 2020 after the Vatican dicastery that studies sainthood processes recognized a miraculous healing through Carlos intercession a child in Brazil who recovered in a scientifically inexplainable manner. In 2024, the church paved his way to sainthood by attributing to him a second miracle: the complete healing of a Costa Rican student in Italy from major head trauma in a bicycle accident after her mother prayed at Carlos tomb. When will he be canonised? Carlo's canonisation Mass will be Sunday, April 27, at 10:30 a.m. in front of the Vatican's St. Peter Basilica. It will be held in conjunction with the celebration of the Holy Years jubilee for teens. How popular is Carlo, the first millennial saint? Worshippers pay their respects at Carlos tomb (AP) The Rev. Domenico Sorrentino, Assisi's bishop, said that over the last year, a million pilgrims made their way to Carlos shrine in this medieval hilltop town in central Italy. Images of Carlo, usually portraying him with a backpack and smiling broadly, are in shops all over town, from pocket-sized cards to statuettes. A religious souvenir shop near the Vatican recently displayed in its window a near-life-sized statue of the teenager next to one of Mother Teresa of Kolkata. To many pilgrims, the draw is his relatability as a teen of this time. Its amazing this saint, a young person we can propose him to our people to imitate because everybody can be a saint, said Rev. Jacinto Bento, a Portuguese priest who was leading a group of 30 jubilee pilgrims from the Azores islands to Assisi earlier this month. The same day, Tomaso Barbon of Treviso, in northern Italy, was visiting the shrine with his wife and three children, two of them teens. He appears like one of our kids, Mr Barbon said of Carlo. A special prayer to him is really welcome. Mahmoud Khalil outside the campus in New York City on April 30, 2024. - Olivia Falcigno/USA Today Network/Imagn Images The case against pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil will remain in New Jersey after a judge denied a government motion to have the case transferred to Louisiana where the Columbia graduate student remains in federal custody. Nearly a month after Khalils arrest, US District Judge Michael Farbiarz concluded the New Jersey district court has jurisdiction over the case because Khalil was in the state when his attorneys filed a habeas corpus motion seeking to challenge the legality of his detention, according to a 67-page decision filed Tuesday. Khalil, a negotiator for pro-Palestinian student protesters in talks with Columbias administration over last springs contentious campus encampment against the Israel-Hamas war, was arrested outside of his apartment on Columbia Universitys campus on March 8. Khalil is one of several foreign nationals affiliated with prestigious universities who have been detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement as part of the Trump administrations immigration crackdown. Rumeysa Ozturk, a graduate student with a valid student visa studying at Tufts University in Massachusetts, was taken into custody by masked immigration agents last month. In a filing Tuesday, the US Attorneys Office in Boston opposed Ozturks habeas petition, saying the Boston court does not have jurisdiction in the case because the Tufts University student was transferred out of the state shortly after her arrest. Both Khalil and Ozturk were arrested near their homes, were transferred across state lines and eventually brought to an immigration detention facility in Louisiana. Like Khalil, the Fullbright scholar is accused of being a threat to national security due to purported ties to terrorist organizations, such as Hamas. Following a brief detainment in Manhattan, Khalil, a legal permanent US resident married to a US citizen, was transferred to an ICE facility in New Jersey. Several hours later, he was finally transferred to a detention center in Louisiana where he remains today. Attorneys for the government argued in proceedings last week that the motion needed to be filed in Louisiana because that is where Khalil is located. But, Judge Farbiarz disagreed. The Petitioner was in custody in New Jersey as of March 9 at 4:40am, Farbiarz wrote. And under a federal statute, the Petition, though filed in New York, must be treated as having been filed in New Jersey on March 9 at 4:40am. Therefore, this Court has jurisdiction. It is the Department of Justices second attempt at moving the case. Shortly after his arrest, attorneys for the Trump administration argued the case should be moved from New York to New Jersey. A New York federal district court judge granted the motion. The government then moved to file another motion to transfer the case from New Jersey to Louisiana. The judges decision is welcome news to Khalils legal team and wife, Noor Abdalla, who is pregnant and due to give birth to the couples first child this month. This is an important step towards securing Mahmouds freedom, but there is still a lot more to be done, Abdalla said in a statement Tuesday. The next phase in Khalils case is to get him out of ICE detention, according to his attorney, Baher Azmy. We are grateful the court wisely understood that the government cannot try to manipulate the jurisdiction of the United States courts in a transparent attempt to shield their unconstitutional and frankly chilling behavior, Azmy said in a statement to CNN. Ozturks freedom hangs in the balance Unlike Khalil, who was in New Jersey when his motion was filed, Ozturk, 30, was already taken across state lines when her attorney filed a similar legal order that is used to challenge the legality of a persons detention or imprisonment, attorneys for the US Attorneys Office in Boston said in the filing Tuesday. This court lacks habeas jurisdiction over this Petitioner because Petitioner was not in the District of Massachusetts when she filed her original petition seeking release from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody, the attorneys wrote. The government did not provide any new information about the case or charges against Ozturk in their latest filing. A spokesperson for the US Attorneys Office in Boston declined to comment. The filing shows ICE officers determined there would be no available bedspace for Ozturk in the New England region prior to arresting her, according to court documents. The lack of bed space set off a dash across three states, and after two days of travel, Ozturk was eventually sent down south to Louisiana. The governments filing details their struggle to find a place to hold her. First, Ozturk was moved to Methuen, Massachusetts; then to Lebanon, New Hampshire; and then to St. Albans, Vermont, where she was held overnight, according to court documents. From there she was transferred to Alexandria, Louisiana, followed by a final stop at the South Louisiana Correctional Facility in Basile, where Ozturk remains. This means Petitioners Amended Petition should have been filed in her district of confinement, the Western District of Louisiana, and any transfer of this Petitioner must be to such district, attorneys for the Department of Justice wrote in their motion. Ozturks attorneys will file a response to the governments opposition Wednesday at 5 p.m., according to an order by Judge Denise Casper. Khalils attorneys, some of which are also representing Ozturk, have accused the government of venue shopping and setting up jurisdictional fights in order to delay courts from hearing their motions for release. The government is trying to play a cruel game of jurisdictional musical chairs with Ms. Ozturks life, and her rights and freedom hang in the balance, Brett Max Kaufman, senior counsel with ACLUs Center for Democracy said in a statement. We hope the court shuts this effort to manipulate our basic rights down and proceeds to addressing our clients urgent claims. CNNs Bob Crowley contributed to this report This story has been updated with additional information. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com New Hyundai vehicles sit at the port in Tacoma, Wash., on March 27, 2025. President Trump signed a proclamation to implement a 25% tariff on auto imports, expanding a trade war designed to bring more manufacturing jobs to the U.S. and setting the stage for an even broader push on levies. (David Ryder / Bloomberg via Getty Images) Markets and foreign capitals have braced themselves for a broad set of tariffs from President Trump on Wednesday, anxious for details on a dramatic shift in U.S. trade policy that is expected to supercharge the costs of cars, houses and everyday goods for Americans. It is unclear whether the Trump administration plans to impose a universal, baseline rate for import taxes on trading partners, or to customize tariff policy to each foreign nation, imposing reciprocal rates on a case-by-case basis. It is also unclear whether there will be any exceptions. A White House official told The Times that exact details of the plan are still being perfected. The lack of clarity has rattled markets in recent weeks, driving the worst first annual quarter in three years and erasing gains on the Standard & Poor's 500 index made since Trumps election victory in November. The White House said Trump would announce his plans at 1 p.m. Pacific time on Wednesday, precisely when closing bells ring on Wall Street. Read more:What Trump's planned tariffs on imported vehicles and auto parts means for car buyers After that, the new policy will be effective immediately, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters at a Tuesday news briefing. Costs could rise immediately on perishable goods caught in limbo at international ports, including avocados and pineapples, said Sung Won Sohn, a former commissioner at the Port of Los Angeles. Prices on larger items with dwindling inventories, such as foreign cars and washing machines, are likely to rise within weeks. Lumber is stacked outside at the Milan Lumber Co. in Milan, N.H. (Robert F. Bukaty / Associated Press) For Los Angeles, in particular, the tariffs are coming at a very bad time, Sohn said. Were in kind of bad shape, because you need a lot of lumber to rebuild from the fires, and the construction hasn't started yet. It'll probably start in three to four months, and that's exactly when we're going to be hit by higher prices for lumber. Top European Union leaders have alluded to potent retaliation that could extend beyond American whiskey and hit directly at Silicon Valley, core to the U.S. and Californian economy. And Californias agricultural economy the nations largest could become a target as well. Retaliatory tariffs are expected to come from nations across the world affected by the new rates, risking further response from the Trump administration, thus prompting a spiral into a trade war with few winners. Leaders in Canada, the second largest U.S. trading partner, have said Ottawa will react swiftly to any new tariff actions. But Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum suggested Tuesday that her administration will not retaliate immediately if Washington slaps new taxes on Mexican imports. "We don't believe in an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, because that always leads to a bad situation," Sheinbaum told journalists at her daily news conference. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum addresses supporters at a March 9, 2025, rally at the Zocalo, Mexico City's main square. (Eduardo Verdugo / Associated Press) Instead, she called for further negotiations with the U.S., even while acknowledging that she has no plans to speak to Trump in the coming days. The dialogue must continue, Sheinbaum said. It's not a matter of 'You put that, so I'll put that,' but rather what's best for Mexico. 'Shorter-term pain' Trumps advisors say the new policy will bring about an overdue correction, returning fair trade practices, ultimately raising significant revenue for the federal government and bringing back manufacturing to U.S. shores. It is, in many ways, the culmination of a years-long campaign by Trump to increase tariffs going back to the 1980s, when as a real estate developer and celebrity, he accused Japan and China of "laughing at" and "ripping off" the United States. In his address to a joint session of Congress on March 4, Trump complained that countries across the globe place tariffs on U.S.-made goods. "On average, the European Union, China, Brazil, India, Mexico, and Canada have you heard of them? and countless other nations charge us tremendously higher tariffs than we charge them. It's very unfair," he said. In his first term, Trump negotiated a detailed trade deal, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, that replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement and governed trade practices among the United States and its closest trading partners. Susano Cordoba sells peanuts to truck drivers lining up in Tijuana to cross the border into the United States on March 4, 2025. (Gregory Bull / Associated Press) But since resuming office in January, Trump has repeatedly threatened new rounds of tariffs on Mexican and Canadian goods, often retreating from his plans at the last moment. The "on-again, off-again" threat of tariffs have contributed to the instability jolting stock markets, which closed on Tuesday slightly up after a day of volatile trading. Read more:Trump's tariffs reshaped manufacturing in Asia. This time, the ramifications are even broader Allies of the White House have acknowledged that short-term pain can be expected for U.S. households in the wake of the new policy implementation, which Trump has referred to as Liberation Day. Theres absolutely going to be short-term pain, Republican Sen. Tim Sheehy of Montana told CNN on Monday. The presidents been clear about that. Everyone has. If youre going to remodel your house to make it better in the end, its going to be really annoying in the short term, when your house is getting remodeled and theres drywall dust everywhere and theres workers in your living room, Sheehy added. The reality is that remodels got to happen in order to make things stronger and more stable in the back end. Already, American consumers have begun to cut back on their spending and boost their savings. A Friday report from the Bureau of Economic Analysis , a government agency, showed that the personal savings rate rose 4.6% in February. Consumer spending increased just .4%, after decreasing by .3% in January. Leavitt added Tuesday that many countries have been calling the president, asking for relief from the anticipated tariffs. She said the president is open to taking their calls. Read more:Mexico races to stall or evade Trump's 25% auto tariffs Its simple: If you make your product in America, you will pay no tariffs, Leavitt said. It is unclear how the administration will measure the success of the new tariffs. Leavitt called the stock market, which has experienced volatility in recent weeks over tariff turmoil, a snapshot in time. The White House has repeatedly pointed to companies that have newly invested in the U.S. since Trump took office as evidence of tariffs working. A pause on other 25% tariffs against Canada and Mexico is also set to expire Tuesday, and the White House would not confirm whether it would be lifted. Trump's announcement comes the same day that 25% tariffs were set to take effect on auto imports at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday. Times staff writer Kate Linthicum in Mexico City contributed to this report. Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter. Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond, in your inbox twice per week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. With violent antisemitic incidents reaching all time highs across the country, a Chicago-based non-profit is teaching Jews how to protect themselves and, in some cases, how to fight back. Since its founding in 2004, Secure Community Network (SCN) has already trained tens of thousands of people in the Jewish community in the US and Canada on how to survive a terrorist situation and how to outfit synagogues and other public spaces with simple emergency measures such as automatic lock doors to ensure maximum protection. SCN also helps community groups write grants to the Department of Homeland Security to ask for financing for new security measures. The goal, according to Michael Masters, SCNs National Director and CEO, is to train and empower the community especially in the wake of the 2018 massacre at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh which left 11 dead; as well as the October 7, 2023 attacks in Israel that left more than 1,200 Israelis dead. Michael Masters, a former Marine Captain, is the National Director and CEO of the Secure Community Network, based in Chicago. The Secure Community Network monitors threats against Jews in the US and Canada. The group has received more than 5,400 incidents of antisemitism and threats against Jews after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks against Israel. Secure Community Network Earlier this month, the group uncovered an online terrorist tool-kit that had been circulating among Columbia University anti-Israel protestors, complete with instructions on where to acquire sledgehammers, how to use them to break windows and how to cause as much damage as possible on college campuses. The 14-page manual from a group called Palestine Action, a UK-based collective that uses disruptive tactics against corporate enablers of the Israeli military-industrial complex, according to its website, where it singles out Elbit Systems, Israels largest producer of weapons. We have learned by experience over 3,500 years that antisemitism is never going to go away, said Masters, 46. Masters is a former Marine with a law degree from Harvard University, who began working on strategic planning for the group in 2015. Hostages at a synagogue in Colleyville, Texas, had received training from SCN instructors, and were able to save themselves after a more than 10-hour standoff with a gunman in 2022. Getty Images The Secure Community Network recently found an anarchist toolkit from Palestine Action, a UK group, that provided instructions to students at Columbia University on how to use sledgehammers to destroy campus property during anti-Israel protests. Obtained by the NY Post He took over SCN two years later, he said, and under his leadership the group has grown exponentially from a five-person operation to a security agency employing more than 100 employees across the country and with a budget of more than $25 million, paid for through donations from Jewish federations. Among SCNs investigators and trainers are former FBI analysts and other retired law enforcement who have the ability to monitor threats and alert community leaders and synagogues 24 hours a day. When a deranged intruder burst into a synagogue during a Shabbat service and pulled out a gun in Texas three years ago, the handful of congregants knew how to save themselves. After a more than 10-hour standoff, the gunman, British national Malik Faisal Akram, ordered the congregation to their knees. However, the rabbi told the hostages to run and threw a chair in the direction of the kidnapper, which ended the standoff. Akram was then killed by police. Many of the congregants at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville had received training from SCN, and used the tactics they had learned, such as moving as far away from the gunman as they could and gradually moving in the direction of the exit during the standoff. The training kept us safe, said Jeffrey Cohen, an engineer, who was one of the four hostages at the Colleyville synagogue. The purpose of the training was to teach people to be aware, to run, hide, fight in an emergency to get yourself out of trouble. Following the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks on Israel by Hamas, antisemitic incidents increased exponentially. Getty Images Hamas attacks on Israel forced Jewish communities around the world to become more vigilant. AP The massacre at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh in 2018 convinced Jewish federations across Canada and the US to empower their members and teach them to survive during hostage takings and other dangerous antisemitic attacks. AFP via Getty Images Colley, 62, said he tripped running out the door of the synagogue and crawled under a hedgerow as a platoon of FBI agents swarmed into the temple to apprehend the assailant. We knew what to do and we saved ourselves, Cohen told The Post, adding he now speaks at synagogues and other community groups, urging their leaders to adopt the same training he received. After the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel, the group recorded more than 5,400 threats against Jewish groups more than double the amount in 2022, said a spokesman for SCN. Im proud and honored everyday when people come to our command center in Chicago, when they see what we do and they walk out saying I feel so much better knowing that this is here, said Masters. Weve lived too long in the world looking over our shoulder. Its time for the bad guys to be looking over theirs. Prince Harry. Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images On March 26, Prince Harry resigned from Sentebale, a charity he cofounded. He resigned in solidarity with the board of trustees, who stepped down after the chair refused to. Now, the chair, Sophie Chandauka, has accused Prince Harry of bullying her. One of Prince Harry's charitable organizations has become the center of controversy. On March 26, Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho announced they were resigning as patrons of Sentebale, a charity they cofounded in 2006. The pair said in their announcement that it was "devastating" they had to step down and pointed to issues with the organization's chair, Sophie Chandauka, as the reason for their resignation. Days later, Chandauka accused Prince Harry of "harassment and bullying at scale" in a Sky News interview. Sentebale in turmoil When it was founded, Sentebale aimed to support children and young people living with HIV or AIDS in Lesotho and Botswana. In 2024, it expanded its mission to help young people more generally in southern Africa. The princes confounded the organization in honor of their late mothers and have maintained a close relationship for decades. Prince Seeiso even appeared in the Netflix docuseries "Harry & Meghan" in 2022. Harry and Seeiso have been patrons of Sentebale for nearly 20 years, with Harry frequently traveling to Africa to support the organization. However, in recent months, tensions have been mounting between Sentebale's board and Chandauka, who was appointed chair in July 2023. Chandauka, a lawyer and biotech founder, had previously been a Sentebale board member from 2009 to 2015, according to the organization's website. Prince Harry and Sophie Chandauka in October 2024. Brian Otieno/Getty Images for Sentebale Five former Sentebale trustees said in a statement shared with Business Insider that they "made the difficult decision to unanimously resign," adding that they saw "no other path forward as the result of our loss in trust and confidence in the Chair of the board." "Our priority has always been, and will always be, what's in the best interest of the charity, and it's desperately sad the breakdown in relationship escalated to a lawsuit by the Chair against the charity, to block us from voting her out after our request for her resignation was rejected," the trustees said. "We could not in good conscience allow Sentebale to undertake that legal and financial burden and have been left with no other option but to vacate our positions." CBS News said the trustees asked Chandauka to resign because of "a change in Sentebale's mission." On Tuesday, the BBC also reported that financial issues led to tension at the organization. Harry and Seeiso announced their resignation in a joint statement "in support of and solidarity with the board of trustees." "It is devastating that the relationship between the charity's trustees and the chair of the board broke down beyond repair, creating an untenable situation," their statement said. "What's transpired is unthinkable. We are in shock that we have to do this, but we have a continued responsibility to Sentebale's beneficiaries, so we will be sharing all of our concerns with the Charity Commission as to how this came about." "Although we may no longer be Patrons, we will always be its founders, and we will never forget what this charity is capable of achieving when it is in the right care," the princes said. Prince Seeiso and Prince Harry in October 2024. Brian Otieno/Getty Images for Sentebale Chandauka said in a statement shared with People that she refused to step down at the board's request because "beneath all the victim narrative and fiction that has been syndicated to press is the story of a woman who dared to blow the whistle about issues of poor governance, weak executive management, abuse of power, bullying, harassment, misogyny, misogynoir and the coverup that ensued." Chandauka did not respond to a request for comment from BI. The New York Times also reported that Chandauka replaced the board with four new members following the resignations and filed a report against the former trustees with the Charity Commission, which regulates and registers charities in England and Wales, including Sentebale. Harry and Seeiso said in their statement that they also intended to file a report to the commission. When contacted by BI for this story on Tuesday, the Charity Commission said, "We can confirm that we are aware of concerns about the governance of Sentebale. We are assessing the issues to determine the appropriate regulatory steps." On Thursday, the Charity Commission announced it had opened a compliance case "to examine concerns raised about the charity Sentebale." "The regulator's focus, in line with its statutory remit, will be to determine whether the charity's current and former trustees, including its chair, have fulfilled their duties and responsibilities under charity law," the Charity Commission said. "The Commission is not an adjudicator or mediator and is guided by the principle of ensuring trustees fulfill their primary duty to their charitable purpose and beneficiaries." A source close to the trustees told BI that the board "fully expected this publicity stunt and reached their collective decision with this in mind. They remain firm in their resignation, for the good of the charity, and look forward to the adjudication of the truth." Then, last weekend, Chandauka accused Harry of "bullying" her by going public with Sentebale's problems. Sophie Chandauka said Prince Harry was 'bullying' her On Sunday, Chandauka appeared on the Sky News program "Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips" to discuss Sentebale, focusing on Harry in her interview even though Seeiso and the board members also resigned. Chandauka said in the interview that her relationship with the prince had largely been "fantastic" but accused him of "harassment and bullying." Specifically, she said he did not inform her of his decision to resign as patron before he and Seeiso released their statement publicly. "At some point on Tuesday, Prince Harry authorized the release of a damaging piece of news to the outside world without informing me or my country directors or my executive director," she said. "Can you imagine what that attack has done for me, on me, and the 540 individuals in the Sentebale organizations and their family?" Sophie Chandauka and Prince Harry at a charity polo match in April 2024. Yaroslav Sabitov/PA Images via Getty Images "That is an example of harassment and bullying at scale," Chandauka said, adding that she believes Harry activated "the Sussex machine" to publicize Sentebale's issues. A source familiar with the events told BI that despite Chandauka's comments, Harry and Seeiso had sent their joint resignation letter to the trustees and the chair on March 10. In the same interview, Chandauka also said she had issues with Prince Harry since she became chair and believed he had been trying to oust her for months. She said his step back as a senior royal put Sentebale at financial risk and that his Netflix series about polo interfered with a Sentebale charity fundraiser, pointing to a venue change. However, a source close to the production said the show's involvement ultimately led to another player participating and Sentebale being featured in the docuseries. Chandauka also said Meghan Markle's unexpected attendance became a problem at the match. Cameras filmed an awkward interaction between her and Meghan as they tried to fit onstage together during an awards ceremony, which led to negative press stories about Meghan. Chandauka told the Financial Times that Harry asked her to release a statement in support of his wife at the time, but she refused. "I said no, we're not setting a precedent by which we become an extension of the Sussex PR machine," she told the outlet. As of Thursday, Chandauka remains chair of Sentebale's board. Read the original article on Business Insider Retired Lt. Gen. Dan "Razin" Caine, President Donald Trump's nominee to be the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, denied on Tuesday that he has ever worn a "Make America Great Again" hat or any other type of political merchandise. In at least one retelling of Caine and Trump's first meeting in Iraq in 2018, the president has seemed to indicate Caine was wearing a red MAGA hat, something that would not be allowed under military rules. The question was posed by some senators at Caine's confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee. "Let me start off by asking about some hyperbole that may have been out there in the press," Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., said at the start of Tuesday's hearing. "Gen. Caine, did you wear a MAGA hat in front of the president?" "No, sir," he responded. He provided the same answer when asked by Wicker, "Did you wear a MAGA hat at any time?" PHOTO: Lt. General John D. Caine takes his seat as he arrives for a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on his nomination to be the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on April 1, 2025. (Nathan Howard/Reuters) MORE: Remains of 4th missing US soldier found in Lithuania And when pressed by Wicker, Caine said, "Sir, for 34 years, I've upheld my oath of office and my commitment to my commission, and I have never worn any political merchandise." When Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., the ranking member on the committee, followed up with the same line of questioning, Caine answered, "As I mentioned to the chairman, for 34 years, I've upheld my oath of office and in the responsibilities of my commission. "I think I went back and listened to those tapes, and I think the president was actually talking about somebody else," Caine said. "And I've never worn any political merchandise or said anything to that effect." Trump's story about how he first met Caine has evolved over the years since he first mentioned Caine during remarks at the Conservative Political Action Conference in February 2019, shortly after his trip to Iraq the previous year. Trump has repeatedly given Caine credit for ending the war against the Islamic State and in his first recounting of their meeting noted how Caine became memorable to him for saying that ISIS could be destroyed in weeks by quickly striking strongly at its last remaining pieces of territory in Syria, something Trump said his advisers in Washington argued could still take years. PHOTO: Lt. General John D. Caine takes his seat as he arrives for a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on his nomination to be the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on Capitol Hill in Washington, April 1, 2025. (Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images) MORE: 'Unfair exclusionary policy': 2nd judge blocks Trump's transgender military ban in scathing ruling In that first retelling, Trump jokingly focused on how he was struck by the general's call sign "Razin," asking if it was a reference to the raisin fruit. Trump continued to tell a version of that story over the years, but at last year's CPAC, where he again brought up that first encounter with Caine, the president appeared to state that Caine was wearing a red MAGA hat at the time. However, it was unclear if Trump was referring to Caine or to a sergeant because in the transcript of those remarks, he first mentioned meeting Caine, whom he referred to as general and asked his name. Then, according to the transcript, Trump appeared to ask a sergeant his name, who in turn told him, according to Trump, "Yes, sir. I love you, sir. I think you're great, sir. I'll kill for you, sir." Then he puts on a "Make America Great Again" hat, as did hundreds of other service members in Trump's retelling. "And they're not supposed to do this, but they all put on the 'Make America Great Again' hat, right? Not supposed to do it. I said, you're not supposed to do that. You know that. They said, 'It's OK, sir. We don't care,'" Trump said. The wearing of political merchandise by military service members is not allowed as it is a tenet of an apolitical military. Signalgate Caine deflected most questions about the reported use of the Signal app by senior Trump national security officials prior to the U.S. airstrikes against the Houthis in Yemen, noting that the committee's senior leaders have asked for an investigation. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., questioned Caine about whether he believes any classified information was shared on the Signal chat, specifically regarding the timing of the target and other operational details. "Senator, I didn't see the original CONOP," Caine responded. However, he added, "I think we should always preserve the element of surprise, and that is a key and essential thing we owe our warfighters." PHOTO: Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Vice President JD Vance, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy, Stephen Miller and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. (AFP via Getty Images) Gillibrand also pressed Caine on what he would have done if he had been on the text chain. "I wasn't," Caine clarified, calling the messages a "political, partisan chain." Gillibrand pushed back on that characterization, stating, "It had the head of intelligence, the head of the CIA, our secretary of defense, and the president's top national security advisers." She continued, "I can't imagine that if a subordinate of yours shared that type of military information, they wouldn't be fired. Would they not?" Caine withheld comment, stating he would wait for the determination of an investigation. Trump nominee to be top general denies wearing MAGA hat originally appeared on abcnews.go.com A former Taliban-appointed Afghanistan ambassador to Spain will remain in US immigration detention after a federal judge refused to order his release, according to media reports. Mohammad Rahim Wahidi, an American resident and an Afghan diplomat, will spend time in a detention facility, reported Politico. Mr Wahidi was detained on Saturday at the Dulles International Airport as he returned to Virginia from Turkey. The former Taliban official, who lives in Sterling with his American national wife Mary Shakeri-Wahidi, has been detained as part of a larger crackdown by the Trump administration targeting immigrants not in consensus with the foreign policy, his lawyer said. After the petition hearing, US district judge Leonie Brinkema temporarily barred authorities from transferring the Afghan official out of the judicial district and asked for his appearance in court on Monday for a hearing. The judge has also declined to order his release and told the officials of their obligations to abide by the US customs and border protections detention standards. At this point the Court cannot offer any relief, Ms Brinkema, an appointee of former president Bill Clinton, wrote in the order. According to a petition filed on Sunday in a US District Court, the Afghan diplomats detention has been linked to the criminal charges his brother-in-law Farhad Shakeri faces in a New York federal court. Mr Shakeri has been accused of involvement in a criminal plot to assassinate US-based journalist Masih Alinejad who is critical of the Iranian government. The exiled journalist has reportedly thwarted multiple assassination attempts. The emergency petition said Mr Wahidi was allegedly interrogated by FBI agents about Mr Shakeri upon his arrival at Dulles airport. His wife was released shortly after. Mr Wahidi is already embroiled in a diplomatic tussle in Spain where he was accused of sexual assault in February. The Afghan official is accused of abusing his position to approach his victims and in one alleged case, committing rape after using a powerful drug, according to a report by German newspaper Die Welt. The Spanish government has revoked his diplomatic immunity. This person does not represent any official delegation, is not accredited in Spain and does not enjoy diplomatic immunity in our country, Spains foreign ministry told The Telegraph. The Independent has reached out to the Afghanistan embassy in Spain for a comment. By Daniel Wiessner (Reuters) -A federal judge on Tuesday said the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump cannot quickly fire thousands of probationary federal workers in 19 states and Washington, D.C., narrowing an earlier nationwide ruling. U.S. District Judge James Bredar in Baltimore, Maryland, said that if federal agencies want to fire large numbers of probationary workers, they must follow the required procedures for conducting mass layoffs of government employees. The administration failed to do so when it terminated about 24,500 people in February without notifying states and local governments in advance, he said. But Bredar said he only had the power to require the reinstatement of employees who either live or work in the mostly Democratic-led states that, along with Washington, D.C., sued over the mass firings. Representatives for the White House did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment. Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown, whose office led the lawsuit, said the Trump administration's claim that the workers were fired for poor performance was false. "This was a coordinated effort to eliminate the federal workforce even if it meant breaking the law," Brown said in a statement. Probationary employees typically have less than a year of service in their current roles, though some are longtime federal employees. Bredar on March 13 had already ruled that the firings were likely illegal and ordered 18 agencies to reinstate workers who had been fired pending further litigation. Tuesday's decision will be in place pending the outcome of the lawsuit, which could take months or longer to resolve. A large number of federal employees live in Washington and neighboring Maryland, while some of the most populous U.S. states, including California, New York, and Illinois, are plaintiffs in the case. The Trump administration has appealed Bredar's earlier decision, claiming the firings were lawful and the judge lacked the power to require workers to be reinstated. A U.S. appeals court panel earlier in March declined to pause his ruling, but a Trump-appointed judge criticized the nationwide scope of the order. (Reporting by Daniel Wiessner in Albany, New York; Additional reporting by Jack Queen, Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi, Sandra Maler and Edwina Gibbs) By Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has reinforced U.S. military capability in the Middle East with more warplanes, the Pentagon said on Tuesday, amid a more than two-week-old U.S. bombing campaign in Yemen and mounting tensions with Iran. The Pentagon's brief statement did not specify which aircraft were being deployed or where precisely they were sent. However, as many as six B-2 bombers have relocated in the past week or so to a U.S.-British military base on the Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia, according to U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity. Experts say that puts the B-2s, which have stealth technology and are equipped to carry the heaviest U.S. bombs and nuclear weapons, in an ideal position to operate in the Middle East. "Should Iran or its proxies threaten American personnel and interests in the region, the United States will take decisive action to defend our people," Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said in a statement. The U.S. military's Strategic Command has declined to say how many B-2s have reached Diego Garcia and noted that it does not comment on exercises or operations involving the B-2. There is already considerable firepower in the Middle East and the U.S. military will soon have two aircraft carriers in the region. U.S. President Donald Trump threatened Iran on Sunday with bombing and secondary tariffs if Tehran did not come to an agreement with Washington over its nuclear program. While B-2 bombers have been employed to strike buried Houthi targets in Yemen, most experts say use of the stealthy bomber is overkill there and the targets aren't buried so deeply. However, the B-2 is equipped to carry America's most potent bomb -- the 30,000-pound GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator. That is the weapon that experts say could be used to strike Iran's nuclear program. There are only 20 B-2 bombers in the Air Force's inventory so they are usually used sparingly. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Monday the U.S. would receive a strong blow if Trump followed through with his threats. Revolutionary Guards Aerospace Commander Amirali Hajizadeh threatened U.S. forces in the Middle East, noting American bases in the Middle East and adding: "They are in a glass house and should not throw stones." One official told Reuters that the U.S. military was also moving some air defense capabilities from Asia to the Middle East. In his 2017-2021 term, Trump withdrew the U.S. from a 2015 deal between Iran and world powers that placed strict limits on Tehran's disputed nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. Trump also reimposed sweeping U.S. sanctions. Since then, Iran has far surpassed that deal's limits on uranium enrichment. Western powers accuse Iran of having a clandestine agenda to develop nuclear weapons capability by enriching uranium to a high level of fissile purity, above what they say is justifiable for a civilian atomic energy program. Tehran says its nuclear program is wholly for civilian energy purposes. (Reporting by Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali; Editing by Leslie Adler and Cynthia Osterman) Nearly 2,000 U.S. scientists sound alarm over Trump's assault on research Xinhua) 08:55, April 02, 2025 SACRAMENTO, United States, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Nearly 2,000 top scientists issued an urgent warning Monday about what they call the Trump administration's "wholesale assault on U.S. science," saying the actions threaten America's health, economy and global leadership in research. The scientists, all elected members of the prestigious National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, released an open letter claiming that the Trump administration had moved with "unprecedented speed" since taking office in January, laying off thousands of employees at U.S. science agencies and announcing reforms to research-grant standards that could drastically reduce federal financial support for science. In this "SOS" to the public, the signatories included Nobel Prize winners who "call on the administration to cease its wholesale assault on U.S. science." The letter emphasized that the signatories are speaking as individuals -- not representing the National Academies or their home institutions. This distinction is important as the National Academies organization has remained silent on the Trump administration's science policies. The signatories represent about 23 percent of the National Academies' full membership. According to the letter, the administration is "destabilizing this enterprise by gutting funding for research, firing thousands of scientists, removing public access to scientific data, and pressuring researchers to alter or abandon their work on ideological grounds." One of the most controversial moves came on Feb. 7, when the Trump administration announced a National Institutes of Health policy that would slash billions of dollars of funding annually for U.S. universities, hospitals and other research institutions. The policy would reduce research overhead costs from an average of about 40 percent to a flat 15 percent rate for research grants. The policy is currently on hold, pending the outcome of lawsuits contending that it is illegal. However, the situation has created growing anxiety in the scientific community. One academic physicist described the situation as "chaos," noting that many scientists remained in limbo at thousands of academic institutions and nongovernmental agencies that rely on federal research grants. The scientists also warned in the open letter that "the administration's current investigations of more than 50 universities send a chilling message," noting that Columbia University was recently notified that its federal funding would be withheld unless it adopted disciplinary policies and disabled an academic department targeted by the administration. Some lawmakers have begun opposing these measures. Representative Zoe Lofgren, the top Democrat on the House Science, Space and Technology Committee, on Feb. 2 sent a series of letters to several agencies under the committee's jurisdiction demanding answers regarding each agency's implementation of the president's executive orders attacking diversity, equity and inclusion efforts within the federal scientific enterprise. The impacts extended beyond the United States. An editorial in the journal Nature described the Trump administration's actions as "an unprecedented assault on science, on research institutions and vital international organizations and initiatives," adding that these are "unacceptable attacks on people's rights and on academic freedom" that "will halt, if not reverse, decades of progress in scientific research." As the scientists concluded in their open letter, "the quest for truth -- the mission of science -- requires that scientists freely explore new questions and report their findings honestly, independent of special interests." (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Val Kilmer spent the last 24 years of his life single. Val Kilmer spent the last 24 years of his life single The Top Gun actors death was announced by his family on Tuesday (02.04.25) after he passed away at the age of 65 in Los Angeles after suffering from pneumonia following a long fight with throat cancer that left him needing a voice box and feeding tube. He was surrounded by family and friends but despite being one of Hollywoods most infamous Casanovas in his heyday, did not have a spouse or long-term partner at his side. In a resurfaced quote from his memoir being shared by fans in the wake of his death, the actor, also known for roles in Batman Forever and The Doors, once admitted: The truth is I am lonely part of every day. Val, once considered one of Hollywoods most bankable leading men, had lived alone for more than two decades following a string of high-profile relationships and a short-lived marriage. He was romantically linked to several co-stars and celebrities throughout the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s. But after a series of failed relationships, he spent his later years largely in solitude. In his 2020 memoir, Im Your Huckleberry, the then 60-year-old actor spoke candidly about the impact of being single. He said: I havent had a girlfriend in 20 years. The truth is I am lonely part of every day. Val met Joanne Whalley in 1987 while working together on the film Willow. The couple began dating and married the following year. Joanne, an actress from Salford, Greater Manchester, in the UK, was widely regarded as one of the greatest loves of Vals life. The couple welcomed their daughter, Mercedes, in 1991, and their son, Jack, in 1995, but their marriage ended in divorce the following year. Over the years, Val was also romantically linked to several high-profile figures, including Cher, Michelle Pfeiffer and Cindy Crawford. But it was his brief relationship with actress Daryl Hannah in 2001 that left the deepest impact on him. He said in his autobiography: Lord knows Ive suffered heartache. But Daryl was by far the most painful of all. Val also admitted that the breakup left him devastated, saying: I knew I would love her with my whole heart forever and that love has lost none of its strength. I am still in love with Daryl. The separation was so painful for Val he revealed: I cried every single day for half a year. Daryl went on to marry musician Neil Young in 2018. By Leah Douglas (Reuters) -The U.S. Department of Agriculture has frozen funds to some Maine educational programs over the state's refusal to ban transgender women from sports, said a press release from Secretary Brooke Rollins. The administration of President Donald Trump has taken aim at Maine after a dispute between Republican Trump and Democratic Governor Janet Mills over the inclusion of transgender athletes in sports. The Departments of Education and Health and Human Services have opened investigations into the state for allowing transgender athletes to compete. The government argues their inclusion is a violation of Title IX protections for women. "I am freezing Maine's federal funds for certain administrative and technical functions in schools. This is only the beginning, though you are free to end it at any time by protecting women and girls in compliance with federal law," Rollins said in a letter to Mills on Wednesday, seen by Reuters. The USDA is reviewing grants awarded to the Maine Department of Education by the Biden administration, Rollins said in a press release. The agency on March 11 suspended funding for research and programs at the University of Maine over the issue, but on March 19 said it had unfrozen the money. (Reporting by Leah Douglas in WashingtonEditing by Matthew Lewis) On March 15, the Trump administration loaded more than 200 men onto three planes bound for El Salvador, where they were to be locked in its notorious CECOT prison. A video of the men being marched, head-down, into police vehicles and into the facility ricocheted around the world, a symbol of the United States position on immigrants it accuses of having gang ties. But not seen by the camera were eight women who were also on the planes but never got off. Shortly after they landed, according to court filings, El Salvador apparently refused to take them. So they were shipped back, to be locked up again on American soil. Now, for the first time, two of those women are speaking out in an interview with NBC News, describing the chaos they say they witnessed during the Trump administrations deportation efforts and how, they allege, Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials deceived them about where they were being taken. We were lied to, said one of the women, Heymar Padilla Moyetones, 24. They told us we were going to Venezuela, and it turns out that, no. When we arrived at our destination, thats when they told us we were in El Salvador. Trump administration officials have said all of the people it has sent to El Salvador were Venezuelans who were carefully vetted and had clear ties to Tren de Aragua, a gang from Venezuela that the administration has designated a terrorist organization. But the vetting process apparently did not include determining whether El Salvador would accept female detainees. Moyetones said ICE officials kept her on the aircraft. They didnt let us leave. They told us that we were going back, that we were coming back here, she said. The incident is the latest example of the haphazard nature of the flights to El Salvador. In a separate case, the government has acknowledged it erred in sending Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a man married to a U.S. citizen, on those same planes despite a court order that blocked his being deported to El Salvador because of the likelihood he would be targeted by gangs there. Family members say and court records show the administration relied on tattoos to identify gang members, even though experts say that method is unreliable. The administration has not acknowledged the womens situation. This account is based on an interview with Moyetones and another woman who was flown to El Salvador, Scarleth Rodriguez, both of whom spoke to NBC News from the cell they share in a detention center in Laredo, Texas. The women have quickly grown close to each other, bonded by their shared experience. They and their cellmates crowded around a video tablet in their cell for the interview, fixing one anothers hair and clothing, giggling about how shy they felt and occasionally encouraging one another to keep describing what had happened to them. Scarleth Figuera Rodriguez says she and other women repeatedly asked ICE agents where they were going as they flew into El Salvador, not Venezuela. Moyetones and Rodriguez both deny that they are associated with Tren de Aragua and deny that they are criminals. I came with a lot of dreams, Moyetones said. Since she was a child, she said, the United States had been the country where she wanted to make a life. She ultimately came about a year ago, with her son, then an infant, to give him a better future. We thought that perhaps the treatment from people in this country would be different toward us, she said, but after what happened with the flights, she is sad and disappointed with the United States and just wants to be deported back to her home country, Venezuela. But her son, now 2 years old, is in the care of a relative, and she does not know whether they will be reunited. I am very afraid, because I have always been with my son, she said. I have always looked after my son, but I dont know. I wouldnt know what to tell you. Their account of eight women being mistakenly taken to El Salvador and men on the flights declaring their innocence stands in contrast to the Trump administrations claims of certainty about the fairness of the deportations. Senior members of the administration have said there is no need for judges to review the cases of those sent to El Salvador before their deportations. And they have dismissed questions from the media about their vetting process. The recollections of Moyetones and Rodriguez are also consistent with an affidavit that a woman identified only as S.Z.F.R. filed in a case that has turned into a constitutional showdown over the legality of sending people in the United States to prison in another country without full due process and whether the administration ignored an order from Judge James Boasberg, the chief judge of U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, not to take the immigrants to El Salvador. Lee Gelernt, a lawyer with the American Civil Liberties Union who is the lead attorney arguing on behalf of the plaintiffs in the case before Boasberg, said what happened to the women and to Garcia, the man deported from Maryland, shows that the government is making mistakes when it chooses whom to send to the prison in El Salvador. A man alleged to be a Venezuelan gang member is escorted from a plane in San Luis Talpa, El Salvador, after being deported by the U.S. on Sunday. It just shows how little process there is and how little due diligence, Gelernt said. Whoever heard of sending someone potentially for a life sentence in El Salvador without giving them any due process? NBC News sent a list of questions about this article to the Department of Homeland Security, under which ICE falls. In response, a DHS spokesperson said in a statement, As these matters are claimed under privilege and state secrets in ongoing litigation, we will not comment on them at this time. The Salvadoran government has not commented. Thank God that youre not going on that plane There appears to have been at least some delay and confusion within ICE in the days leading up to the flights to El Salvador. The women described at least one aborted attempt to move them out of detention to an airport in the days just before they were put on the plane to El Salvador. That is largely consistent with the affidavit, which describes two failed attempts. According to the affidavit, two days before the flights took place, the woman identified as S.Z.F.R. and others were told to gather our belongings and then were driven toward the airport for about an hour. They were told they were being deported to Venezuela, S.Z.F.R. says in the affidavit, but then were turned around before they reached the airport, with an explanation about a plane malfunction. The next day, S.Z.F.R. says in the affidavit, a group was again put on a bus and driven for about 15 minutes before it was taken back to the detention center where the women had been held. Finally, on the 15th, they were taken to the airport. Heymar Padilla Moyetones said she was at a birthday party when immigration agents arrested her this year. There was more confusion at the airport. Eighteen women were taken there, and eight of them were loaded onto a plane, according to Moyetones and Rodriguez, but then a group of men was loaded on after them, leaving 10 women behind on a bus. A woman sharing a cell at the Texas detention center with Rodriguez and Moyetones, who gave her name only as Karla, said she was one of those 10 women. According to Karla, the women on the bus were desperate to find out why they had not boarded a plane. An immigration official got on and she told us, You want to go back to your country, right? And we said, Yes, obviously! she recalled. The official then said, Well then, you should thank God that youre not going on that plane, because that plane is not going to Venezuela, she told NBC News. Aboard the flight For the women who were on the plane, the realization of what was actually happening did not come until they were on the ground in El Salvador, Moyetones said. According to Rodriguez, their plane first stopped in Guatemala, where it stayed for several hours and ICE agents brought the migrants food. They bought pizza; they were supposedly cleaning the bathroom, she said. We all asked where were going, and the only thing that they told us is that we were going to Venezuela. They never told us that we were going to El Salvador or anything of that sort. After that stop, the plane flew to El Salvador. The passengers were repeatedly admonished not to open the windows, Moyetones and Rodriguez said; when some did, the realization about the lie that they were being taken to Venezuela spread. We kept asking where we were, Rodriguez said. They would tell us, Youre in Venezuela. We are from Venezuela, we know that airport, its the only airport thats in Caracas, so, like, we would know where we were, and we were not in Venezuela. Asked by NBC News what she could see outside the plane, Moyetones said: Very little. ... But the little we could see was the brutal way they were taking the men down, because [Salvadoran officials] did take them down in a very ugly way. Almost hitting them, dragging them. The happiest day Rodriguezs mother, Yelitza, spoke to NBC News by WhatsApp video from the streets of Caracas, Venezuelas capital, where she works as a vendor. She said she was hoping her daughter might arrive in Venezuela on March 15, because Rodriguez had called her earlier in the week to tell her she was being deported there. Yelitza Rodriguez said she was heartbroken when her daughter called and said she had been flown to El Salvador and then back to the United States. She said Scarleth Rodriguez, who is now 21, left home at 18, worked in Mexico and then tried to cross the border into the United States illegally. She was detained and sent back but then tried to cross again legally, making an appointment to plead her case for asylum. Yelitza Rodriguez, the mother of one of the women who say they were flown to El Salvador, tearfully tells NBC News she hopes to have her daughter back in Venezuela. Imagine you go with a future, with an aspiration, a hope, and when you get there and they give you an appointment ... and you present yourself with an appointment, you get detained. As if youre a criminal, Yelitza Rodriguez said, arguing that her family was humble and that her daughter had done nothing wrong. We are low-income. I work on the street, she said. Though she struggles to find enough just to live on for herself, she said, she had assured her daughter that she will take care of her if she is deported to Venezuela. Wiping away tears, Yelitza said that if her daughter came home, it would be the happiest day of her life. I told her, It doesnt matter, daughter, she said. We eat rice with beans. Egg and rice, whatever. But come on, come on, they will send for you to come here. And she was happy. ER Mandi/TikTok; Mandy Fellows Mandi Fellows and Malachi, Mandi Fellows and her family Mandi Fellows, a registered nurse and licensed foster parent, was working when she was told that 3-month-old Malachi needed a temporary foster In October 2023, after three years of fostering him, Fellows officially adopted Malachi Fellows shared their story on TikTok, where it has since been viewed more than 150,000 times When Mandi Fellows arrived for her nursing shift in the emergency room on Jan. 19, 2020, she never imagined that she would be leaving with a baby. Fellows shared her story on TikTok, where it has been viewed more than 150,000 times. In a video set to a cover of Follow Me by Uncle Kracker, Fellows shares the story of the months following that fateful shift and her love for her son, Malachi, now 5. On the night Fellows met her son, she was working on the adult side of the emergency room but had made her way to the pediatric ER to have some paperwork signed. She found her manager sitting with this adorable and super chunky baby. She tells PEOPLE exclusively, I immediately fell in love with him and kept talking about how cute he was. He was found in the home with his deceased mother, who died of an apparent overdose, she shares. CPS (Child Protective Services) was unable to locate [a family member] who was able to take him, and his father was not able to come down due to transportation. Related: Parents of 11 Open Coffee Shop to Give Foster Kids Jobs: 'They're Just Badass Baristas' (Exclusive) Fortunately, Fellows was already a licensed foster parent. I had only been licensed for about 19 months, she says. Her coworker suggested that she take Malachi home as a temporary foster. At the time, she was fostering an 18-month-old girl who had been placed with her at just 5 days old. (She would go on to adopt her daughter, now 7, in 2021.) I had an open bed and already had the basic baby supplies such as a crib, bottles and car seat, she explains. I could not let that baby be admitted to the hospital during peak flu and RSV season. Mandy Fellows Malachi as a baby After CPS verified her license, Fellows finished her shift, signed paperwork, and called her parents to ask them to run to the store for some necessities. She agreed to a two-week temporary placement with CPS. Before working a nurse, Fellows had served as an investigator for Child Protective Services in Michigan. I saw firsthand the dire need of foster homes in the state, she says, but admitted she wanted to wait until I was married and had children of my own before becoming licensed herself. At 32, however, Fellows found [herself] single, with absolutely no dating life, and was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer and ovary dysfunction that left her infertile. I was devastated, she says. Being a mom was a dream of mine. She found a way to make that dream come true: Instead of being a mom to one or two [children], I could be a safe mother figure to many. Fellows says that she experienced a range of emotions when she decided to take Malachi home. I was devastated [by] the reason he was brought into foster care. I was in love because he was the chunkiest, happiest, most adorable baby boy. I was nervous about having a 3-month-old and an 18-month-old. I was in shock. I was excited, and sometimes even questioned my sanity, she admits. Mandi Fellows Malachi and Mandi Fellows Two weeks turned into a month, then a year, then two, then four, Fellows explains in her video. Unfortunately, the other parent lost his parental rights. In October 2023, Fellows legally adopted Malachi, whom she calls the definition of a mamas boy.' Now a single mom of two, Fellows says, There are days I wonder if I am strong enough to do this; however, this has also been the most rewarding thing I have ever done. She says, If I had to start all over, I would do it all over again. She praises her family, friends and other foster and adoptive parents, calling them her absolute tribe. Related: After Overcoming Foster Care Trauma at 50, Woman Discovers the Man Who Landed Her in the System Wasn't Even Her Dad (Exclusive) Though Malachi tested positive for drugs at birth and was diagnosed with ARND (Alcohol Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder) and sensory processing disorder, Fellows says that he has come so far, describing him as quick-witted, creative, kind, inquisitive, hilarious, emotional, loving and just plain fun. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. I have been an advocate for him and pushing for resources, she shares. With his therapies and medications, he has done a 180, and watching him excel and make such positive changes has been so rewarding! Fellows continues, The subject of adoption is not taboo in my household. My kids know they are adopted but it is not talked about in a bad way. They call their biological mothers their belly moms and talk openly about them. They know they grew in their biological mothers bellies, but grew in my heart, she says. They both know that even though their belly moms could not provide for them, they were loved. Fellows says she hopes that sharing her story leads more people to consider fostering. I do want to give a disclaimer: it is not for the faint of heart or for the weak, she says. It is a daily struggle. These kids (of all ages) come with trauma. However, it is so rewarding! Read the original article on People Police on Tuesday arrested a woman accused of making a false 911 call before last week's death of Atlanta rapper Young Scooter, whose death has been ruled accidental in a newly released autopsy. The Atlanta Police Department said Demetria Spence, 31, was charged Tuesday with transmitting a false public alarm. The false call was allegedly made to authorities before the March 28 death of Kenneth Bailey, also known by his stage name of Young Scooter, a Southern rap figure who has collaborated with Future. Police said Spence had been wanted for allegedly making a false 911 call about an injured person just prior to Bailey's death, which took place outside a house about 5 miles south of downtown Atlanta. The Fulton County Medical Examiners Office said an autopsy revealed Bailey died after suffering "a penetrating injury" to his right thigh after jumping at least one fence and coming into contact with "fencing material and/or woody debris" outside the home on Friday. Fulton County Sheriff's Office records show Spence was taken into custody on Tuesday and remained at the Fulton County Jail on Wednesday. It was not immediately known whether she had obtained an attorney in the case. 911 call released In a press conference Friday, police homicide commander Lt. Andrew Smith told reporters officers responded to a report of a dispute potentially involving a weapon on Friday, which was Young Scooter's 39th birthday. Smith added that initial reports indicated shots were fired. In the initial 911 call, a person, later identified by police as Spence, said a woman "was bleeding profusely, particularly from her head, and that a child may have been present during the incident." "She has a baby," the caller said. "This situation is really serious, and hes punching her. If you guys dont get here, shes going to be really hurt." The caller reported hearing gunshots. Actor's alleged abuse: Shia LaBeouf 'fully' supports acting school documentary Rapper Young Scooter performs onstage during StreetzFest 2K18 at Cellairis Amphitheatre at Lakewood on Aug. 18, 2018, in Atlanta, Georgia Bailey fled the house before suffering leg injury, police say At the scene, responding officers knocked on the door before a male opened it and immediately shut it, Smith said. As police set up a perimeter around the home, two people ran from the rear of the home. Smith said one of the runners, a male who police have not identified, returned back into the house. The other, later identified as Bailey, jumped two fences. Officers found Bailey on the other side of the fence suffering from what appeared to be "an injury to his leg." Bailey was transported to a hospital where he was pronounced dead, Smith said. Celebrity death: Val Kilmer, 'Top Gun,' 'Batman Forever' star, dies at 65 Autopsy: Young Scooter's death ruled accidental; rapper died after suffering leg injury The Fulton County Medical Examiners Office said officials performed an autopsy Saturday, which revealed Bailey died after suffering "a penetrating injury" to his upper leg. His manner of death was ruled an accident. "Mr. Bailey sustained a penetrating injury of his right thigh that created marked blood loss," officials wrote in the report. "This injury was not a gunshot wound. Mr. Bailey injured himself on organic (wooden) fencing material and/or woody debris after vaulting at least one fence." In a statement on the police department's website, officials wrote the agency was "aware of inaccurate comments and social media posts" regarding Bailey's death. "While we understand that many people are saddened by his passing, it is important to recognize that Atlanta police officers neither discharged their firearms nor used any force against Mr. Bailey," the department wrote. Contributing: Jay Stahl Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Young Scooter's cause of death revealed; woman arrested over 911 call Courtesy of Samantha Harris Samantha Harris on the day of her reconstructive surgery (right) and later with her dog during recovery (left). In the months since Samantha Harris found out her breast cancer had returned 10 years after her initial diagnosis in 2014, she faced another ride on the emotional rollercoaster she was all too familiar with. Though these days Harris is "feeling great ... I think of myself as cancer-free," she did have a "setback" after the reconstructive surgery she had in November, a few months after the initial surgery to remove the tumor. Harris explains that after 10 days of her surgeon-mandated bed rest, she got up to go on a walk. For most people, that would mean just go walk down the block to the end of your street and come back, she says. I went for two days in a row of [about] an hour of walking, thinking that I was walking at a slow pace but for me, that's still an incredibly fast pace. Courtesy of Samantha Harris Samantha Harris on her family trip in Mexico over New Years. Related: Samantha Harris Shares the 'Soul Crushing' Experience of Telling Her Daughters About Second Cancer Diagnosis (Exclusive) After the two days of movement, the former Dancing with the Stars host noticed her recovery site was "red" and "inflamed." I was immediately so concerned that I had basically undone all the goodness of the surgery and first 10 days of recovery and now was fearing that I had maybe either an infection or that my implant was being rejected, she continues. I wasn't sure what was going on. So, the emotional roller coaster took that deep dive again. But despite the hurdle, after returning to bed rest for a while longer, Harris managed to get back on the regular six week recovery schedule which allowed for her to join her family on a celebratory trip to Mexico. Courtesy of Samantha Harris Samantha Harris on her Your Healthiest Healthy retreat in Utah in October 2024. The one thing that I learned from my initial diagnosis was just how experiences and time together are ever more important than anything to me now in the entire world, she says. "Whether it's time with friends, grabbing a girlfriend for a hike or a girl's night, a date night with my husband, stealing away on a trip with him, or being able to have these family vacations so that we can create those memories because that's what will last more than any possessions. Related: Stars Who Have Had Breast Cancer and Shared Their Stories As she continues on her recovery journey, she says the goal now is to make sure that my body is not a host for any circulating tumor cells to decide to settle on a host organ. Harris days now consist of recording her podcast, Your Healthiest Healthy (which is an extension of her 2018 book), planning to lead more Your Healthiest Healthy retreats, teaching a live weekly Sweat, Stretch & Soothe workout class and continuing her own physical therapy, which she calls booby PT, to keep the cavity of the implant very supple so it doesn't harden and lead to something called capsular contracture. As far as how her family is handling this new chapter of their lives, she says her husband, Michael Hess, and two daughters Josselyn, 17, and Hillary, 14, are "back to business as usual You want to get back to normal or whatever the new normal is, she says. And so if this could be a blip on the radar of our daughters' memories, that would make me very happy. Read the original article on People USA TODAY and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article. Pricing and availability subject to change. There are some technological innovations Im deeply skeptical of, things like Venmo or 23andme dont sit well with me. I dont want a third-party company getting access to my bank account or my DNA. Ill stick to Zelle and a hand-drawn family tree, thanks. That being said, other new tech? Im all in on. When I fly, I rarely even have to take out my ID anymore now that Ive opted in for touchless TSA Precheck and biometric boarding on international flights. In 2025, my face is my ID, and this experience is only likely to become more common in the future. Passengers dont want to spend too much time finding out where my wallet is, where my phone is and such, Krishna Sampigethaya, chair of the Cyber Intelligence and Security Department at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University told me. He said biometric ID can actually be more secure from a flight safety standpoint than a traditional boarding pass, though he acknowledged there are some data privacy concerns with this new tech. Still, I have a drivers license and a passport, and Im enrolled in Global Entry and TSA Precheck, so the government already has my face data. I may as well take advantage of the convenience. The magic word to get on your next flight might just be "cheese." How biometric ID and boarding works At a high level, with both biometric boarding and touchless ID at airports, a camera scans your face rather than a Transportation Security Administration officer or a gate agent verifying your personal data against your boarding pass. It leads to faster processing times at security, and faster boarding on international flights. Some airlines like Delta also use touchless ID at bag drop, which speeds things up there, too. But there are some limits to its applications for now. On the security checkpoint side, passengers need to be enrolled in Precheck and their airlines frequent flyer program, and only a few airlines participate in the touchless ID pilot right now: Alaska, Delta and United. Clear, a third-party company, also offers biometric security for an annual fee of $199. Both domestic and international travelers can use biometric ID at TSA Precheck checkpoints in select airports when theyre flying with participating airlines, but for now, your face can generally only replace your boarding pass on international flights. Customers really quickly could grasp that biometrics, face matching, is a replacement for ID, but theyre not yet willing to accept that its a replacement for boarding pass, Greg Forbes, Managing Director of Airport Experience at Delta, told me. He said customers generally seem fine with a face scan at a point where theyd have to present ID anyway, like at the TSA checkpoint or at the gate of an international flight instead of paper passport verification. But, he said, passengers are a little more hesitant about getting a scan when they wouldnt have to present ID. Still, in all the applications where biometrics are in use, passengers seem to like it. Its become expected. We definitely hear about it when theres some sort of technology issue when the cameras are down, Forbes said. The TSA said customers have similarly had positive feedback of their touchless Precheck pilot. Everything that we have heard to date from the passengers who use it is theyre glad and appreciative that this technology is being used the way it is, Carter Langston, press secretary at the TSA, told me. Last week's Cruising Altitude: Airline seat selection fees offend me ... and they might get worse Is biometric boarding safe? While its inarguably convenient, biometric technology raises data privacy concerns for many travelers. Theres no perfect system of course, but experts and officials said that the way airlines and airports use biometrics at the moment is relatively secure. All of this biometric traffic travels on a dedicated network within the airport thats hidden from the public. Typical cyber protections to harden the transaction, Forbes said. He added that Delta Air Lines has other encryption steps that make it harder for bad actors to view personal data about passengers. According to the TSA, its systems generally delete facial recognition and personal traveler data immediately after identity verification. For touchless Precheck, data is stored for 24 hours after scheduled departure time. Sampigethaya said facial scans are so common these days that theres very little reason to single out airports as a particularly vulnerable site. Surveillance is pretty prevalent. The samples that are taken at the security checkpoints, for me its not that much of a concern, he said. A female passenger uses biometric boarding for an international flight from IAH George Bush Intercontinental Airport. REUTERS/Adrees Latif Expansion plans for biometrics in travel Forbes said Delta uses biometric boarding instead of a boarding pass for more than 90% of international departures across its network. Many other airlines in the U.S. and abroad use biometric boarding for international flights as well. Langston said the TSA hopes to add more airlines and airports to its touchless Precheck pilot, though for now it will still require travelers to be enrolled in both the airlines frequent flyer program and Precheck to take advantage. Forbes said its likely biometrics will continue having a bigger role in travel, especially as customers grow ever more comfortable with the technology. The use of biometrics on departure is pretty well-baked and functioning really well, he said, and he expects biometric scans to play a bigger role in arrivals in the future. Global Entry members already use biometric scans instead of passports at many ports of entry in the U.S. Still, Sampigethaya said, its good these changes arent happening overnight. With scale comes more cybersecurity risk. Its a lot of computers thats gathering data, he said, and more every time a new biometric system comes online. Are you really comfortable having an internet of things with all kinds of data and who is accessing those? In that context, you have to think twice before you agree to being scanned. I get what hes saying, but my thinking remains: the government and airlines already have this data. Scan my face and let me get through the airport faster. Zach Wichter is a travel reporter and writes the Cruising Altitude column for USA TODAY. He is based in New York and you can reach him at zwichter@usatoday.com. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Facial recognition is speeding up airport lines | Cruising Altitude A school bus crash near the southern Arizona city of Tucson has left several students from a different part of the state seriously injured and closed a major interstate. The Arizona Department of Transportation told USA TODAY that Interstate 10 was closed in both directions around milepost 240 in Marana and that "there is no estimated time to reopen the highway." Marana is just northwest of Tucson on the way to Phoenix. Rollover crash on I-10 at milepost 240 near Tangerine involving a school bus pic.twitter.com/HdL9MlfrFp Whats Up Tucson (@whatsuptucson) April 1, 2025 The cause of the closure was confirmed to USA TODAY by Northwest Arizona Fire District officials. A spokesperson said the crash happened near an exit of the interstate. We are transporting multiple patients with varied levels of injuries. Traffic is delayed on 1-10 near Tangerine as we continue to work with our partners to provide care for those involved, officials said. In a post on Facebook, the Kingman Unified School District, which owns the school bus involved, informed families of the crash. We want to inform our families that a bus carrying Kingman Unified School District #20 FBLA students and three chaperones was involved in an accident on I-10 near Tucson, the post said. "Thankfully, there are no fatalities, but several students and a staff member have been transported for medical evaluation." The school district said students attending Kingman High School and Lee Williams High School were inside of the bus that crashed. Kingman is in northwestern Arizona, about 290 miles northwest of Marana. It's unclear why the students were in southern Arizona. Our thoughts are with everyone affected, and we appreciate your patience and support during this time, the school district said. Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: School bus crashes in Marana, Arizona, injuring several students The Krogers' 'flash transmission' radio equipment, 1960, on display during a preview for the MI5: Official Secrets exhibition at the National Archives in London, Tuesday, April 1, 2025. (Jonathan Brady/PA via AP) LONDON (AP) A desiccated 110-year-old lemon that played a key role in espionage history is one of the star attractions of a London exhibition drawn from the files of MI5, Britains domestic intelligence agency. Compact spy cameras, microdots in a talcum powder tin and a briefcase abandoned by fleeing Soviet spy Guy Burgess are also part of the show at Britains National Archives, which charts the history of a secretive agency that is slowly becoming more open. MI5 Director General Ken McCallum told journalists at a preview on Tuesday that the organizations work is often different from fiction, whether that fiction is George Smiley or Jackson Lamb the brilliant spymaster of John le Carre's novels and the slovenly supervisor of MI5 rejects in Mick Herrons Slow Horses series. Many stories told in the exhibition, however, would not be out of place in a thriller. The lemon, now black and shriveled, helped convict Karl Muller, a German spy in Britain during World War I. It was found by police in his dressing-table drawer, along with another in his overcoat pocket. Evidence at his secret trial showed their juice had been used to write invisible-ink letters detailing British troop movements. Muller was executed by firing squad at the Tower of London in 1915. In a coda that would not be out of place in Slow Horses, MI5 pretended Muller was still alive and wrote to his German handlers to ask for more money. The Germans duly sent more funds and MI5 used the funds to purchase a car, exhibition curator Mark Dunton said. And they christened the car The Muller. They then were reprimanded by the Treasury for unauthorized use of expenditure," he added. The show includes declassified records held by the National Archives and items loaned from the secret museum inside Thames House, MI5s London headquarters. It charts the changing role of an agency that was founded in 1909 as the Secret Service Bureau with an initial staff of two officers. There are records of its World War II successes, when the agency used captured Nazi agents to send disinformation back to Germany, deceiving Adolf Hitler about the location of the looming Allied invasion in 1944. Failures include the years-long betrayal of the upper-crust Cambridge Spies, whose members spilled secrets to the Soviet Union from the heart of the U.K. intelligence establishment. Recently declassified MI5 documents on display include the 1963 confession of Cambridge spy Kim Philby, who denied treachery for years before he was exposed and fled to Moscow. The exhibition also reveals changing attitudes, not least to women. The exhibition includes a 1945 report by spymaster Maxwell Knight discussing whether women could make good agents. It is frequently alleged that women are less discreet than men, he noted, but declared that it was not so, saying that in hundreds of cases of loose talk most of the offenders were men. There are admissions of past mistakes. The exhibition notes that MI5 was slow to recognize the threat from fascism in the 1930s, and later spent too much time spying on the small Communist Party of Great Britain. MI5 didnt need to break into the partys offices it had a key, which is on display. There are only a few items from the past few decades, showing how MI5s focus has shifted from counterespionage to counterterrorism. Displays include a mortar shell fired by the Irish Republican Army at 10 Downing St. in 1991 while Prime Minister John Major was holding a Cabinet meeting. MI5 only began releasing records to the U.K.s public archives in 1997, generally 50 years after the events have passed. Even now, it controls what to release and what to keep secret. It would be a mistake to assume everything is in the exhibition, said author Ben Macintyre, whose books on the history of intelligence include Operation Mincemeat and Agent Zigzag. But he said it still marks a real sea-change in official secrecy. A generation ago, this stuff was totally secret, he said. We werent even allowed to know that MI5 existed. ___ MI5: Official Secrets opens Saturday and runs through Sept. 28 at the National Archives in London. Admission is free. Senate Majority Leader John Thune at the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday. WASHINGTON Senate Republicans released a new budget blueprint Wednesday that would pave the way for $1.5 trillion in new tax cuts in addition to making President Donald Trumps 2017 tax cuts permanent. They hope to adopt the plan in the coming days to instruct committees to begin work a massive bill to pass Trumps agenda on taxes, immigration funding and other priorities. Senate Republicans are using the budget reconciliation process to evade the 60-vote hurdle in the chamber, where they hold a 53-47 majority, and cut Democrats out of the process. Republicans are using a controversial new accounting method known as current policy baseline to score the cost of a Trump tax cut extension at $0. Democrats have slammed it as magic math that papers over the multitrillion-dollar cost of extending those tax cuts and are exploring their options to challenge the approach. The Senate GOP budget resolution includes a $5 trillion debt limit increase. It is a revised version of a previous budget plan that excluded taxes. Trump has pressured Republicans to pass his agenda in one big, beautiful bill, aligning with the Houses approach. It is now time for the Senate to move forward with this budget resolution in order to further advance our shared Republican agenda in Congress, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said in a statement Wednesday. Thune said the Senate parliamentarian has reviewed the Budget Committees substitute amendment and deemed it appropriate for consideration under the Budget Act. But a spokesperson for Senate Budget Committee Democrats disputed that about the scoring method for Trumps tax cuts, saying: Any assertion that the Parliamentarian approved the use of a current policy baseline is false. The text was released after a group of GOP senators met with Trump, said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., the chair of the Budget Committee. Graham and other Senate Republicans have moved much closer to the House's approach, though some differences will need to be sorted out in the final bill. Senate Budget Committee Republicans met today with the President. He is fully on board with the Senates proposal and process to cut spending, Graham said in a statement. The measure opens the door to a $150 billion increase to military spending and $175 billion more for immigration enforcement to help Trump carry out his mass deportation plan. At the White House on Wednesday, Trump endorsed the Senate's plan and pushed the GOP lawmakers in attendance to pass the bill. Thats a nice group of people, he said of the members of Congress. But I wont like them so much if they dont get this bill done. The spending cuts set forth in the Senate budget are modest, totaling only a few billion dollars across several committees. GOP leaders stress that they are not targets but rather attempts to maintain flexibility if Republicans cant find the savings they want. Senate Republicans are so hell-bent on cutting taxes for billionaires, theyre now willing to detonate the rules of the Senate, violate norms and traditions and break their word to get it done, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said on the floor Wednesday. Republicans know their so-called current policy baseline gimmick wont likely fly. Its hocus-pocus. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., the ranking member of the Finance Committee, slammed the new budget proposal Wednesday. No amount of gaslighting from Republicans about the true cost of their tax plan, now upward of $5 trillion, can hide the fact that they want to pay for handouts to billionaires and corporations by kicking millions of Americans off their health insurance, driving up child hunger and wiping out hundreds of thousands of jobs, he said in a statement. Susan Crawford has won a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, NBC News projects, allowing liberals to maintain their narrow majority on the battleground states highest court and defying Elon Musk after he spent millions of dollars to oppose her. Crawford, a Dane County circuit judge who was backed by Democrats, secured a 10-year term on the court over Brad Schimel, a Waukesha County circuit judge and a former Republican attorney general. As the first major battleground state election of President Donald Trumps second term, the technically nonpartisan contest drew national attention and became the most expensive state Supreme Court race in U.S. history. The outcome is a setback for Trump and his billionaire adviser, Musk. Trump endorsed Schimel in the final stretch of the race, while Musk injected himself into the center of it, spending huge sums of money, visiting Wisconsin days out from Election Day and frequently posting about the race on his X feed. In turn, Democrats and progressive groups made Musk their primary villain, attacking his influence on the race and his efforts to slash federal jobs and the government through the Department of Government Efficiency. "As a little girl growing up in Chippewa Falls, I never could have imagined that Id be taking on the richest man in the world for justice in Wisconsin," Crawford told supporters Tuesday night. "And we won." In a brief concession speech, Schimel said, "I knew I had to put my all in," but that "you gotta accept the results." Crawfords victory also means liberals will maintain a 4-3 advantage on the court for at least another year heading into a term when it could decide cases about abortion rights, unions and collective bargaining rights, and congressional maps and redistricting. Despite the more than $15 million that Musk and groups affiliated with him dropped into the race, Democrats overall held a narrow ad spending advantage, according to AdImpact. Democratic-aligned groups spent millions of dollars blasting Musk as trying to buy Schimel and the election, while Crawford herself repeatedly used Musk as a foil at her campaign events. The Democratic Party of Wisconsin launched a town-hall tour dubbed People v. Musk, on which surrogates including Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz further bashed Musk and DOGE. Some also pointed out that Musks electric car company, Tesla, sued in Wisconsin this year challenging a state law banning carmakers from owning dealerships. The case could end up before the state Supreme Court. Democrats also attacked Musks offer of $100 to Wisconsin voters to sign a petition to oppose activist judges. The Democratic state attorney general, Josh Kaul, also unsuccessfully tried to block Musk from giving $1 million to people to be spokesmen for the petition at a rally Sunday. Conversely, groups on the left largely stayed away from making the race about Trump, who narrowly carried the state in two of the past three presidential elections. The anti-Musk playbook is one that Democrats could seek to replicate in other elections this year and in the 2026 midterms. Schimel embraced Trump in the closing days of the race, a move strategists said was intended to try to juice conservative turnout. In addition to running ads touting Trumps endorsement, Schimel appeared at a campaign town hall event in March with Donald Trump Jr. and told a group of canvassers from the conservative group Turning Point USA that Trump needs a support network around him to help him fight the myriad suits his administration has faced. Each side tried to paint its opponent as soft on crime even though the state Supreme Court rarely hears cases about sentencing while Crawford also attacked Schimel in ads that focused on allegations that the state Justice Department mishandled the maintenance of thousands of rape kits under his watch as attorney general. Apart from Musk, groups on the left made Crawfords support of reproductive rights a central theme in their ads and messaging. Abortion rights and the fate of the states 1849 abortion ban were hot topics because of a pair of cases already before the court. The state Supreme Court heard a challenge to the ban in November and is widely expected to overturn the law, but before Crawford is sworn in in August. Abortion providers in the state resumed the procedure in 2023 after a judge ruled that the 175-year-old law didnt apply to consensual medical abortions, but the state Supreme Court is reviewing whether to entirely invalidate it. There is also a separate case in which Planned Parenthood has directly asked the court to establish whether the state constitution established a right to an abortion. The court Crawford will sit on could hear that case. In addition, the court is also likely to end up ruling on a case challenging landmark legislation during the administration of Republican Gov. Scott Walker that eliminated collective bargaining for most public workers, known as Act 10. And the court could end up deciding cases challenging the states congressional maps, which favor Republicans. After liberal Justice Janet Protasiewicz joined the court in 2023, it overturned the states gerrymandered legislative maps. The court declined last year to hear a suit that sought to redraw the congressional maps. But many Republicans have expressed fear that similar suits could be accepted in the future, pointing to an email from a Democratic-aligned group that suggested a Crawford victory might put two more House seats in play. The topic, as well as that email, became a theme in some of the ads run by Schimel-aligned outside groups. Liberals won a majority on the Wisconsin Supreme Court for the first time in 15 years in 2023. The majority was again on the line this year after liberal Justice Ann Walsh Bradley announced her retirement. State Supreme Court elections are also scheduled in Wisconsin each year from 2026 to 2030. Further down the Wisconsin ballot Meanwhile, in the state's nominally nonpartisan school superintendent race, incumbent Jill Underly, who was backed by the state Democratic Party, defeated Brittany Kinser, who had the backing of conservative groups, NBC News projects. That race was also largely defined by the role Musk has played in downsizing the federal government, and the contest took on increased importance in the weeks since Trump signed an executive order to dismantle the U.S. Education Department. Wisconsin voters also approved a proposed amendment to enshrine an existing voter ID law into the state constitution, NBC News projects. The measure will add language to the constitution from a 2011 measure requiring voters to provide photo ID when they vote or request absentee ballots. Conservatives said they sought to enshrine the law in the state constitution to make it more difficult to strike down in the future. Republicans also hoped it would help boost voter turnout for the state Supreme Court race. Queen Elizabeth's godson, Lord Charles O'Hagan, has died aged 79. Lord Charles O'Hagan carrying Queen Elizabeth's train in 1960 The former member of the European Parliament passed away at North Devon Hospital on March 23, after he suffered a type of head injury known as a subdural haematoma, an inquest opening in Exeter has been told. The inquest also heard that the former Conservative peer had a history of falls and states of confusion. Queen Elizabeth - who died in September 2022, aged 96 - became O'Hagan's godmother before she ascended to the throne. Lord O'Hagan - who studied at Eton College and Oxford University - actually served as a Page of Honour to the late monarch between 1959 and 1962. Lord O'Hagan was seen carrying the long train of the Queen's robes at various state occasions, including at the Order of the Garter ceremony in Windsor in 1960. He first took his seat in the House of Lords - the second chamber of UK Parliament - in December 1967, and he actually gave his first speech in the House while he was still a student, after inheriting his family title at the age of 16. In December 1972, Lord O'Hagan became an Independent member of the European Parliament. But he ultimately lost his seat in July 1975, after the Conservative and Labour parties decided to stop appointing Independents and Liberals to the European Parliament. Lord O'Hagan subsequently became a member of the Conservative Party and he returned to the European Parliament in 1979, as the MEP for Devon. The former peer held the position until his resignation in 1994. Lord O'Hagan also served in the House of Lords until 1999, when the UK ended the automatic right of hereditary peers to sit in the House. Lord O'Hagan was married to Georgian Princess Tamara Imeretinsky between 1967 and 1984. The former couple had a daughter called Nino in 1968, and she became an art historian. His second married was to Mary Claire Roose-Francis. The duo - who were together between 1985 and 1995 - welcomed a daughter called Antonia in 1986. Lord O'Hagan married his third wife, Elizabeth Lesley Eve Smith, in 1995. Three teenagers are accused of causing a massive fire that ignited in a South Carolina state park after failing to extinguish cigarettes while on a hiking trail, officials said. The teens -- Nyzaire Jah-Neiz Marsh, 19, Tristan Tyler, 18, and Isaac Wilson, 18 -- were arrested Tuesday on charges in connection with the origin of the Table Rock Fire, the South Carolina Forestry Commission said. MORE: Massive South Carolina wildfire jumps border, spreads into North Carolina The teens were among several hikers who had been evacuated from Table Rock State Park in Pickens County on March 21 after first responders discovered the rapidly growing wildfire while searching for a missing hiker, the commission said. They were questioned about the origins of the fire, and investigators "obtained evidence that they allege identified these subjects as suspects in the origin of the Table Rock State Park fire," the South Carolina Forestry Commission said. Smoke rises at the Table Rock complex fire near Pumpkintown, South Carolina, March 29, 2025. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images) According to the arrest warrant affidavits, "the suspects took part in smoking activities on a hiking trail at the state park and did not extinguish their cigarettes in a proper and safe manner, which officials allege led to the ignition of the Table Rock Fire," the South Carolina Forestry Commission said. The three teens are charged with one count each of negligently allowing fire to spread to lands or property of another, a misdemeanor, the commission said. They were booked and released on $7,500 bonds. Online court records did not list any attorney information for them. If convicted, they face up to 30 days in jail or a $200 fine. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 3 UPSTATE TEENS ARRESTED ON CHARGES RELATED TO TABLE ROCK FIRE PICKENS COUNTY, S.C.South Carolina Forestry Commission law enforcement officials have arrested three individuals on charges related to the origin of the now-13,000+ acre Table Rock Fire pic.twitter.com/cLvdbAlZsO South Carolina Forestry Commission (@ForestryCommish) April 1, 2025 A fourth suspect, a juvenile, was also charged with one count of the same offense and released into the custody of his parents, the commission said. The Table Rock Fire has burned more than 13,000 acres total in South Carolina and North Carolina since igniting on March 21, the South Carolina Forestry Commission said Tuesday. It was 30% contained as of Tuesday morning. Fire crews responded from multiple states to help battle the blaze, which prompted the evacuation of more than 1,400 homes and businesses on Thursday. MORE: 3 major wildfires prompt evacuations in North Carolina's Polk County The South Carolina Forestry Commission issued a burning ban for all counties on March 21 due to the elevated wildfire risk. The following day, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency to support the response to the Table Rock Fire. Teens who allegedly failed to put out cigarettes accused of causing massive South Carolina wildfire originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Despite a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) official acknowledging there was an "administrative error" in sending a Maryland man to El Salvador -- the Trump administration is "shockingly" not seeking his return to the U.S., according to a new filing by the man's lawyer. Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, who has a U.S. citizen wife and 5-year-old child, is currently at CECOT, the notorious prison in El Salvador despite a judge issuing an order in 2019 that barred authorities from deporting him to his home country. Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg, the attorney representing Abrego Garcia said in a filing on Wednesday that if the Trump administration's actions are allowed to remain without "redress," then "the orders of immigration courts are meaningless." PHOTO: Salvadoran police officers escort alleged members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua recently deported by the U.S. government to be imprisoned in the Terrorism Confinement Center prison, in San Luis Talpa, El Salvador, obtained March 16, 2025. (Secretaria de Prensa de la Presidencia via Reuters) "This is an outrageous set of facts," said Sandoval-Moshenberg in the filing. "If Defendants' actions in this case are allowed to remain without redress, then the withholding of removal statute and orders of immigration courts are meaningless, because the government can deport whomever they want, wherever they want, whenever they want, and no court can do anything about it once it's done." Earlier this week, Sandoval-Moshenberg filed a lawsuit, requesting that the government of El Salvador return Abrego Garcia to the U.S. after being sent there "because of an administrative error." On Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt acknowledged the administrative error and called Abrego Garcia a leader of MS-13. MORE: ICE admits to an 'administrative error' after Maryland man sent to El Salvador prison "The administration maintains the position that this individual who was deported to El Salvador and will not be returning to our country was a member of the brutal and vicious MS-13 gang," Leavitt said. According to court records, in 2019, a confidential informant "had advised that Abrego Garcia was an active member" of the gang MS-13. He later filed an I-589 application for asylum and although Abrego Garcia was found removable, an immigration judge "granted him withholding of removal to El Salvador. "Defendants' protestation that Plaintiff is an MS-13 member, their legal argument that he is estopped for arguing otherwise, and Plaintiff's contention that the gang allegations arise from the flimsiest of unreliable anonymous informants, will be properly addressed to an immigration court," Sandoval-Moshenberg said in Wednesday's filing. PHOTO: Alleged members of the Venezuelan criminal organization Tren de Aragua who were deported by the U.S. government, are detained at the Terrorism Confinement Center in Tecoluca, El Salvador in a photo obtained Mar. 16, 2025. (Secretaria de Prensa de la Presidencia via Reuters) Sandoval-Moshenberg has said that his client "is not a member of or has no affiliation with Tren de Aragua, MS-13, or any other criminal or street gang" and said that the U.S. government "has never produced an iota of evidence to support this unfounded accusation." In response, the government acknowledged the error but said in a filing that because Abrego Garcia is no longer in U.S. custody, the court cannot order him to be returned to the U.S. nor can the court order El Salvador to return him. The new filing by Sandoval-Moshenberg in support of his motion for a preliminary injunction comes days before a judge is scheduled to hear arguments on the case in Maryland. MORE: Meet 5 of the alleged gang members the Trump administration sent to an El Salvadoran mega-prison "Noncitizens -- and their U.S.-citizen spouses and children -- must know that if this nation awards them protection from persecution, it will honor that commitment even when the political winds shift," Sandoval-Moshenberg said. The attorney said that the deportation of Abrego Garcia was carried out "by force" and not the law. Last month, Abrego Garcia was stopped by ICE officers who "informed him that his immigration status had changed." After being detained over alleged gang affiliations, he was transferred to a detention center in Texas. He was then sent to El Salvador on March 15. Trump admin not working to return Maryland man sent to El Salvador by error: Lawyer originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Colorado State University's Powerhouse Campus in Fort Collins on Jan. 17. Several international students at Colorado universities have had their visas revoked by the Department of Homeland Security, according to the universities. Between the University of Colorado and Colorado State University, 10 students have had their F-1 visa, which allows foreign students to study at universities in America, rescinded as of Tuesday evening. The University of Colorado said four international students were impacted. Meanwhile, six students at Colorado State University had their visas terminated, according to the school. We are focused on supporting the success of all of our students, including international students. Each one of our students are seeking to advance their careers and the lives of their families, and we understand the anxieties that visa revocations cause to impacted students," the University of Colorado said in a statement. The school added, "We urge any international student with questions or concerns to reach out to their campus international student office. Colorado State University said the "affected students are advised to immediately contact the embassy of their home country" and "we are working with our state and federal elected officials to ensure that our students are informed of all their options." The universities declined to provide additional information or the students' identity, citing privacy reasons. The revocation of nearly a dozen visas in Colorado comes after a wave of high-profile arrests of international students across the country in March. The Trump administration has justified its decision to deport the students based on a provision in immigration law. It allows the secretary of state to deport someone if it is determined that the person would have serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States. In March, Mahmoud Khalil, a student who took part in the protests at Columbia University, was apprehended by federal immigration officials in New York for allegedly leading activities aligned to Hamas, which the United States has designated a terrorist organization. Another student at Tufts University, Rumeysa Ozturk, was grabbed off the street by federal officers in plainclothes while on her way to break her Ramadan fast with friends over allegations that she "engaged in activities in support of Hamas." A year ago, Ozturk co-wrote a student newspaper op-ed criticizing the universitys response to demands that it acknowledge the Palestinian genocide and divest from companies with direct or indirect ties to Israel. Authorities also detained Badar Khan Suri, a graduate student from India, who was teaching at Georgetown University on a student visa. Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said Suri was actively spreading Hamas propaganda and promoting antisemitism on social media and had "close connections to a known or suspected terrorist, who is a senior advisor to Hamas. Khalil, Ozturk and Suri do not face known criminal charges. Last week, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the State Department had revoked 300 or more student visas. It might be more than 300 at this point. We do it every day. Every time I find one of these lunatics, I take away their visas, he said. "I think its crazy to invite students into your country that are coming onto your campus and destabilizing it. Were just not going to have it. So well revoke your visa." Rubio added, "Once your visa is revoked, youre illegally in the country and you have to leave." Val Kilmer in The Island Of Dr Moreau - Getty Tom Cruise was in a field near the Marine Corps Air Station in Miramar, San Diego, lugging a crate of champagne. It was summer 1985 and the biggest heartthrob on the planet had just completed a bizarre scavenger hunt challenge set for him by one of his co-stars in Top Gun. Hed finally found the grand prize a behemoth bottle of bubbly and was now hauling it to his motorbike. Had he paused for a moment he might have caught, on the wind and interwoven with the roar of fighter jets from the nearby air force base, the sound of barely-stifled giggles. This is one of many surreal anecdotes shared by Val Kilmer in his 2020 autobiography, Im Your Huckleberry. The title is 19th century slang meaning Im the man youre looking for. It was his Tombstone characters signature line, but Kilmer who has died at the age of 65 also appeared to be suggesting that he, not Cruise, was the talent Hollywood didnt know it needed. I gave him an extremely expensive bottle of champagne but placed it in the middle of a giant field and made him follow scavenger hunt-style clues to find it, Kilmer wrote of Cruise and the top-drawer jape played on the actor. I hid behind a bleacher and watched him lug the giant crate to his motorcycle. Weirdly, however, the hilarity failed to warm Cruise to Kilmer. If anything how could this be? it had the opposite effect. He never did thank me for the Iceman-style bit, Kilmer wrote. I thought it would break the ice, but I guess the ice was just right. Its almost as if Kilmer was struggling to draw a connection between Cruises frosty reaction and the fact Kilmer led him on a rib-tickling wild goose chase and then hid chuckling in the bushes. In other words, almost as if he didnt quite understand human nature. Those who followed Kilmers career might say that the actor never quite cracked the code of interacting with other people. Within Hollywood his stand-offishness was legendary. Even Google and its remorseless algorithm appeared to have him sussed. For a long time, if you entered actor and difficult to work with as search terms, Kilmers was often the first name to appear, ahead of such obliging talents as Marlon Brando, Edward Norton, Russell Crowe. Was Im Your Huckleberry Kilmers attempt to rehabilitate his scuffed image? If so, its unclear how successful it proved. In another anecdote, Kilmer recounted that he was reluctant to go on a date with Cher and played a protracted game of hard-to-get until he worked out she had a personality. Cher with Val Kilmer in 1982 - getty I saw Cher as a less-than-fascinating character out of the gossip rags, he said. I was not motivated to meet her, not out of snobbery but simply because I was sure we had nothing in common. He also recalled sulking his way through his Top Gun audition for the part of Tom Iceman Kazansky, the swaggering nemesis of Tom Cruises Maverick. I read the lines indifferently and yet, amazingly, I was told I had the part, he revealed. I felt more deflated than inflated. Kilmer followed his autobiography with 2021s Val, a documentary culled from 800 hours of home video footage which premiered to rave reviews at the Cannes Film Festival. Going back decades and showing the highs and the lows (but not many tantrums), the film was made especially affecting by its narration. Kilmer had lost his voice after a double tracheotomy undergone in 2015 following a throat cancer diagnosis; his son, Jack, was forced to step in. Kilmer always took his craft seriously perhaps too seriously. Aged 12, the actor walked out of a hamburger advertisement, claiming he couldnt find his characters motivation. With age, he arguably became even harder to work with. Even by Top Gun just his third picture his reputation preceded him. Nor did his behaviour improve. Childish and impossible is how Joel Schumacher characterised Kilmer after 1995s Batman Forever. Kilmer was replaced by George Clooney for Schumachers next Batman film, amid rumours Kilmer spend much of the Forever shoot wrapped in blankets and at one point stubbed out a cigarette on a crew member. Val was sort of teasing him with the end of his cigarette and burned this guys sideburn, said Moreau executive producer Tim Zinnemann in 1996. The guy was upset, naturally. Kilmer apologised. I will never climb Mount Everest, and I will never work with Val Kilmer again, said John Frankenheimer after working with Kilmer in 1996 on the disastrous Island of Dr Moreau. It says something for the stars impossibility that he took the spotlight off Brando, whod arrived not knowing any of his lines and and habitually went awol. Val Kilmer as Iceman in Top Gun - Getty What was it about Kilmer, the privately-educated son of a wealthy Arizona landowner, that made him so challenging to be around? On Dr Moreau, he demanded a 40 per cent reduction in the time he was required to be on camera. (In his defence, hed just found out his wife, Joanne Whalley, was divorcing him). Kilmer had, in fact, wanted out of the film the moment he arrived on set in tropical North Queensland. At one point, with cameras rolling, he sat on the ground and declined to stand up. He would also refuse to emerge from his trailer, keeping cast and crew waiting for hours. (The documentary contains audio of the director ordering Kilmer to stop filming his home movies, and the actor refusing.) Frankenheimer seems to have been taken aback, but perhaps he should have consulted more widely. Rumours about Kilmers previous antics suggests this was just Val being Val. He was already known around town as Psycho Kilmer. In his first film, the 1984 spy spoof Top Secret!, Kilmer drilled so deep into the character of pop star Nick Rivers that he wanted to release a collection of Nick Rivers songs. Is it really so important? sighed director Jim Abrahams after Kilmer presented him with yet another question about Rivers and his motivation. The ego landed in earnest, though, on the making The Doors with Oliver Stone in 1990. On set Kilmer is rumoured to have insisted that he be referred to as Jim (by the time of The Saint in 1997, crew were allegedly instructed to avoid making eye contact with him). Val Kilmer as Jim Morrison in The Doors - Getty But some accounts of his behaviour on The Doors go beyond merely puffed-up and entitled. In 2017, as Hollywood was rocked by a wave of #MeToo revelations, actress Caitlin OHeaney claimed she had been paid off after Kilmer struck her while screen-testing for the part of Morrisons girlfriend, Pamela Courson (a part that eventually went to Meg Ryan). As they auditioned, Kilmer allegedly hit her and knocked her to the floor, she said. When I got to the room and Val Kilmer picked me up and shaked me, throwing me down to the floor Stone just stood there the whole time laughing. She received a settlement, though came to regret accepting it in return for her silence. I was so traumatised that, against my better judgement, I signed that document, which says I can never speak about this, she told BuzzFeed. If this was something that happened nowadays, I wouldnt sign it. Although Kilmer didnt comment on the claim, his lawyer at the time called the incident a workplace mishap; the films casting director also disputed OHeaneys version of events, telling Buzzfeed it was all part of the scene. Val Kilmer in 1997 - AP Nonetheless, his career suffered; as mutterings about his ego spread, so the parts dried up. Kilmer, though, appeared to take the wrong lesson from his diminishing prospects. For him the issue was simply that he was too pretty for his own good. He was, he concluded, a character actor with leading man looks a contradiction Hollywood couldnt get its head around. I never cultivated a persona, he told The Telegraph in 2004, when he was trying to rebuild his career by playing tragic porn star John Holmes in Wonderland. Its the persona that makes you a leading actor. A leading actor has something extra thats fun to watch. But it isnt usually about acting. Bogart was a leading man, but he was an ugly guy. He was tiny. He didnt have that wide a range as an actor. But to watch him on screen he just had a fantastic persona. In a 2017 Reddit Q&A he attempted to explain his difficult reputation: I didnt do enough hand holding and flattering and reassuring to the financier. I only cared about the acting and that didnt translate to caring about the film or all that money. I like to take risks and this often gave the impression I was willing to risk their money not being returned, which was foolish of me. I understand that now. And sometimes when you are the head of a project and the lead actor is usually the reason a film is being made, unless its a superstar director, then [its] only fair to make people feel good and happy they are at work. I was often unhappy trying to make pictures better. In the documentary, just two minutes are devoted to his difficult reputation; the reports are dismissed as tabloid nonsense peddled by people with no understanding of the creative process. In his autobiography, Kilmer wrote he had to asked to be cast in Top Gun: Maverick despite having made little secret of his disdain for the pro-military script the first time around. Not that this stopped him from going to lengths to to get inside the head of Iceman. I actually found myself looking deeply into this guy, he wrote What made him arrogant? The question intrigued me. I thought about it for long stretches of time. The result was Kilmer in his trailer communing with the spirit of Icemans late father. I actually saw the way Macbeth saw the ghost of Banquo Icemans father, the man (my imagination told me) who had ignored his son to the point where his son was driven to prove himself as the absolute ideal man, he writes. So real was the elder Mr Kazansky that I saw him take a chunk of ice and chew on it like a wild dog. Whether he communed with his imaginary dad before Top Gun: Maverick is unclear. But in the finished film, released in 2022, the visibly age-ravaged former Kilmer went toe-to-toe with the perpetually youthful Tom Cruise and brought an essential quality of pathos to an otherwise deafeningly upbeat sequel. Far from detracting from his turn in Maverick, Kilmers damaged voice gave his scene with Cruise an unbearably affecting quality. Unable to speak, he instead communicated with his old nemesis by typing on a computer. Its time to let go, he wrote, telling Cruises character that he needed to leave behind his old idea of himself as a fresh-faced hotshot and face up to the passage of time. The exchange was profoundly moving and clearly impacted on Cruise, whose tears seemed genuine. Its fitting that Kilmer would sign off with Top Gun. For all his other accomplishments on the screen his glowering Batman, his dead-eyed Jim Morrison it was Top Gun and Iceman that put Kilmer forever in cinematic deep freeze as a cocky young star on the rise. The Iceman had chilled us a final time. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Val Kilmer, best known for movies such as 1986's Top Gun and 1995s Batman Forever, has died. He was 65 years old. His daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, told The New York Times he died of pneumonia on Tuesday, April 1. He was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014 and later recovered, she added. Kilmer made his final appearance on film in 2022's Top Gun: Maverick, a sequel to the 1986 classic. Kilmer briefly appeared in the film, sharing a poignant moment with Tom Cruise onscreen. "I just want to say that was pretty emotional," Cruise told Jimmy Kimmel about acting alongside his friend again. "I've known Val for decades, and for him to come back and play that character he's such a powerful actor that he instantly became that character again." Related: Val Kilmer's Life in Photos Michael Tullberg/Getty Val Kilmer with his daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, in 2019 After years of rumored health problems, Kilmer finally opened up about his battle with throat cancer during a December 2017 interview with The Hollywood Reporter. The article revealed that the actors two-year fight with throat cancer had taken its toll on the family and noted that Kilmer had undergone a procedure on his trachea which made his voice raspy and left him short of breath. His health issues first became apparent in January 2015, when a spokesperson told PEOPLE that Kilmer was rushed to the hospital for a possible tumor. Soon after, he took to Facebook to deny having a tumor, saying only that he had a complication. Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic Val Kilmer in 2013 Related: Val Kilmer Makes Rare Public Appearance for His TwainMania Foundation Further rumors were repeatedly shut down by Kilmer, who was spotted out with a tracheostomy tube in October 2015 and then without it the next February. I have not had a tumor, or a tumor operations, or any operation I had a complication where the best way to receive care was to stay under the watchful eye of the UCLA ICU, he later said in a Facebook post. I am praying for a speedy return to the boards as they say. God bless you all and please dont worry. Alamy Val Kilmer as Jim Morrison in 'The Doors' In October of that year, the actor had to once again reassure fans that he was okay, denying a report that he had been rushed to the hospital. In a Facebook statement, the actor revealed that he had gone to the hospital just to verify I have no tumor or infection of any kind which was verified by the very caring experts at UCLA. However, less than two months after declaring he was healthy, Kilmer was spotted out with what appeared to be a tracheostomy tube. Though he was then spotted again in February 2016 without it, the scar from the breathing aid was visible on the actors throat. In 2021, Kilmer shared his story for the documentary Val, directed by Leo Scott and Ting Poo. Kilmer produced the film with Mercedes and his son Jack. It focused on his difficult recovery process and received a standing ovation when it premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. "He's such a layered person, there's the childlike playfulness, but then there's also the deep wisdom of somebody who's been on a spiritual path their whole life at the same time," Mercedes told PEOPLE of her father in 2021. "He's a lot of opposites that make him incredibly interesting, and it's kind of why our film is so interesting." Kilmer was born in Los Angeles, California in 1959 to parents Eugene and Gladys, though they later divorced. Tragedy struck the Kilmer family in 1977 when Kilmers younger brother Wesley drowned at the young age of 15. He was a genius, Kilmer told The New York Times in 2002. Kilmer praised his brother as an aspiring filmmaker, calling him so talented that he could have been another Steven Spielberg or George Lucas. Shortly after his brothers death, Kilmer became the youngest person at the time to be accepted into the famed Juilliard Schools Drama Group. This became the start of his acting career. Paramount/Kobal/Shutterstock Val Kilmer in 'Top Gun' Related: Inside Val Kilmers Life Now and Health Mystery Amid Cate Blanchett Twitter Controversy I had a unique experience because I just lost my little brother a week before I started school, Kilmer said in a talk at Juilliard in 2005. So it was quite an emotional time for me, and in a way, the extremely high standards and the activity of the School Im sure were good for me, because I was forced to really challenge myself about my very life, you knowwhat I believe about life and death. For me, it was a great way to progress out of that difficult time, to be thrown into such a great school. Though Kilmer had a few roles on Broadway, his big-screen break came in the 1984 movie Top Secret! a parody of spy films in the Cold War era and the musicals Elvis Presley used to star in. Kilmer plays an American rockstar who travels to East Germany and gets caught in the fight and resistance towards reunification. The actor did his own singing and dancing in the film. Kilmers superstar-making moment came in Top Gun, where he starred as a naval aviator Lt. Tom Iceman Kazanski alongside Cruise. It was fun, Kilmer told Larry King in 2013 about working with Cruise and filming the movie. My guy didnt like him but it was fun to not like him. After gaining critical acclaim for his supporting role in Top Gun, the actor achieved starring success by helming Oliver Stones 1991 movie, The Doors. Kilmer starred as The Doors frontman Jim Morrison alongside Meg Ryan, committing fully to the role of the late troubled rocker by memorizing all his songs and even dressing like him. In 1988, Kilmer married actress Joanne Whalley after they met while working together on the movie Willow. The couple had two children Mercedes in 1991 and Jack in 1995 before divorcing in 1996. Lucasfilm/Kobal/Shutterstock Val Kilmer in 'Willow' The late actor worked steadily throughout his career, starring in a one-man play titled Mark Twain: Citizen Twain in 2016 and turning to art late in his life. His final Facebook post, published on March 22, featured his latest painting. Kilmer is survived by his daughter Mercedes and son Jack. Read the original article on People Romania has long stood at the crossroads of East and West, absorbing influences from travelers and neighboring cultures a bridge between European tradition and Eastern influences. Over time, Romanian chefs and home cooks have skillfully reinterpreted these diverse flavors, crafting dishes that honor local resources while enriching the deep culinary traditions that have flourished here for centuries. Nicknamed Little Paris between the two World Wars for its elegant architecture and grand boulevards, Bucharest has an enduring admiration for French refinement. That same sensibility is now shaping Bucharests gastronomic scene. A new generation of chefs many trained in top European kitchens are returning home, eager to blend modern techniques with Romanias rich culinary heritage. They join Romanian cooks and expat chefs who have made Bucharest home, to create a dynamic and diverse gastronomic landscape. Bucharest's award-winning dining scene is getting noticed by people all over the world. Photograph by John Wreford, SOPA Images/AP Images Eat where the locals eat With hundreds of restaurants catering to a city of two million people, choosing where to eat can be daunting. While guidebooks often lead tourists to iconic spots like Caru cu bere and Hanu lui Manuc, locals have their own best-kept secrets, tucked inside historical mansions or disguised as humble market stalls. Youll find Bacania Veche in an old building just off the lively Piata Romana. With its exposed brick walls and wooden shelves lined with artisanal preserves and wildflower honey, it sets the stage for nostalgic dishes that bring back childhood memories and grandmothers cooking. Its fork-tender pork roast lays on the fluffiest mashed potatoes and it is smothered in a silky, smoky plum sauce. Arzu is a bright and bustling spot reminiscent of Yotam Ottolenghis London delis, prides itself with delivering unapologetically excessive, bold flavors to its faithful clientele: Smooth chicken pate topped with boozy raisins soaked in wine, sweet potato wedges sprinkled with spicy peanuts, and quiche with five-spice roasted pumpkin, feta cheese, and hazelnuts. Hidden on a quiet residential street in a charming Art Nouveau villa, 15A transports diners to the early 1900s with its antique furnishings and soft candlelight. But the menu is thoroughly modern: Crisp-edged crepes stuffed with feta and spinach, pork roulade wrapped in salty prosciutto, and perch au gratin with wild mushrooms and ham. On a warm summer evening, the enchanting outdoor patio is the perfect setting for a slow meal with a glass of Feteasca Neagra wine. For a quick bite, Senvis comes highly recommended by locals for premium ingredients and a creative flavor profile. This small but mighty sandwich shop is known for enticing fillings: Think creamy artichoke sauce, eggplant chunks sauteed in olive oil, and a generous serving of caprese salad, all wrapped in a pillowy, artisanal pita bread. If you want to eat like a true Bucurestean, head to Terasa Obor. This unassuming street food vendor located in the busy Obor Market is the place to sample the best mici in town: Juicy, char-grilled meat rolls sizzling over an open flame. The secret mix of ground beef and pork gives them a rich and smoky depth. A dash of baking soda makes them airy, and a hint of garlic seals their signature taste. Enjoy them hot off the grill, with a fluffy bread bun and a dollop of zesty mustard they are the ultimate Romanian street food. (Related: A guide to Bucharest, Romania's underrated capital) Fine dining with a Romanian twist While Bucharests backstreets hide cozy, traditional eateries, its fine dining scene is making waves, too, reimagining Romanian flavors with modern techniques. The food scene in Bucharest is evolving, says Radu Ionescu-Feher, executive chef at KAIAMO restaurant. It resembles an escargot, a snail. Slowly moving on its way, I want to believe in the right direction. Nonetheless, the good thing about a snail is that it carries its home with it, always, on its back. Recognized by Gault & Millau Romania as one of the best restaurants in the country and included in the 50 Best Discovery guide, KAIAMO is at the forefront of the fine dining movement. Here, simple ingredients like beetroot, goat cheese, and shallot marmalade reinterpret Henri Matisses "La Blouse Roumaine," a delicate plate that tells a story of Romanias past and future. KAIAMO's menu is exclusively a tasting menu, and changes daily. Photograph by Platon Fotograf Culinar Salata Trancu-Iasi 1939 is named after a recipe from 1939. Photograph by Platon Fotograf Culinar At NOUA, chef Alex Petricean takes diners on a journey across Romanias regions. "Romania On A Plate" is an experience that begins with a wooden puzzle map of the country, where each piece comes with a dish rooted in local traditions reinvented with modern precision. Imagine a Moldovan stuffed grape leaf reimagined with unexpected textures, or a surprising potato foam with fermented plums. Completing this elite trio is Kane, where chef Daniel Palici emphasizes using seasonal and locally grown products in an imaginative and ever-changing menu. Mindful of sustainable and humane farming practices and drawing inspiration from a combination of memories and familiar flavors, chef Palici brings an element of surprise and dynamism to the table. In his creative kitchen, eggplant that has been cured for several days takes on the creamy, earthy qualities of Camembert, while pigeon leftovers are masterfully turned into an umami-rich garum sauce. Where to go for international cuisine Bucharests appetite for international flavors is growing, with new cafes and restaurants opening at a dizzying speed. For exceptional sushi, go to Tobiko Sushi Fusion, where chef Alexandru Gusa creates a sweet and sour dragon maki roll tempura shrimp is wrapped in avocado and kabayaki-style eel, then topped with fresh strawberries and mango sauce. Napoletinii serves wood-fired pizza crafted with love, using original recipes from Naples. Truffle and prosciutto crudo meet mozzarella di bufala and sundried tomatoes in a pie that makes an impression. IMZA is a fine dining Turkish spot in the heart of the busy Dorobanti area. They serve delicacies like pastrami-stuffed phyllo balls and juicy lamb kebabs seasoned with fragrant spices from Anatolia. Located in an upscale residential area near Piata Victoriei, Pata Negra is a beautifully designed restaurant (complete with a refined outdoor patio). The menu reads like a love letter to Spain: Crispy octopus croquettes, silky tuna tataki, and a delicate king crab mousse, each plate presented with an artists touch. Renata Haidle is a food, travel, and lifestyle writer and photographer based in Billings, Montana. Her work has been featured in France Today, Taste of France, Urbansider Paris, Perfectly Provence, and more. She has been featured twice in Google Pixel digital installations in London and New York City. Her first photo book, French Riviera, was self-published in July 2019. Donald Trump's nominee to be ambassador to London said Tuesday he would ask Britain to reverse a partial suspension of arms exports to Israel, a decision taken over rights concerns. Warren Stephens, an Arkansas-based investment banker and political donor to Trump named for the coveted diplomatic posting, said he was "a little perplexed" by the decision of Prime Minister Keir Starmer. "What I've read about that, with the UK halting some of their shipments to Israel, is certainly concerning," Stephens said at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. "I would do my part to encourage them to reinstate those permits and to try to get them, you know, what they need to continue the fight," he said. He was responding to a question of Republican Senator Rick Scott, who said Starmer's Labour Party "treats Israel as a problem and not a solution" and called on Stephens to "try to educate" Britain on Israel. Starmer, a former human rights lawyer, announced in September that Britain would suspend 30 out of 350 arms export licenses to Israel out of fear the weapons could be used in breach of humanitarian law as Israel pounds Gaza in response to the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack. Starmer said at the time that Britain still supported "Israel's right to self-defense" but was "committed to the international rule of law." The decision reversed the position of the previous Conservative government and contrasted with the stance of the United States, which under president Joe Biden voiced concern about Israel's use of US weapons but with one exception maintained shipments. The Biden administration did not criticize Starmer's move, saying Britain made its own sovereign decisions. Trump has vowed robust support for Israel. Despite slashing the vast majority of US aid abroad, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has ordered the speeding up of some $4 billion in weapons to Israel. DXC Technology has partnered with Tanium to deliver endpoint security to organisations via the vendors autonomous endpoint management (AEM) platform across Australia and New Zealand (A/NZ). The partnership has enabled DXC to consolidate tools, streamline operations and ensure cyber resilience for customers, according to the global service providers head of security for Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, Kylie Watson. With almost 100 trained Tanium engineers in Australia and New Zealand, DXC is ready to deliver to our customers, she said. Tanium director of channel and alliances Stewart McDonald said the vendor leverages artificial intelligence capabilities, powered by real-time data access and actionable insights to address challenges in endpoint management. Our partnership with DXC provides invaluable expertise in delivering the critical people and process components essential for a comprehensive, robust cyber security strategy reducing risk, cost and complexity for our customers, he added. This collaboration comes off the back of a number of initiatives between the two organisations, including a solution for public sector entities to adhere to regulatory mandates. New Zealand headquartered cyber security distributor Chillisoft has strategically branched out into the Australian market, hiring Gavin Lawless as its new Australian CEO. While Chillisoft has serviced Australian partners for over a decade from New Zealand, this new phase marks the beginning of a dedicated, locally led operation under Lawless leadership. Gavin will be a fantastic leader for our Australian operation and addition to our A/NZ senior team, sharing our ambition, experience, and values, Chillisoft founder and director Geoff Cossey said. With a long-term vision of strengthening and expanding its vendor relationships beyond New Zealand, Chillisoft has been strategically assessing the right time and approach to establish a dedicated presence in Australia. Chillisofts existing New Zealand vendor portfolio features ESET, Netskope, Mimecast, CyberArk, Thales (Imperva), ExtraHop, WatchGuard, Exabeam, and Qualys. We are excited to ignite our focus in serving the Australian market, Chillisoft Group CEO Alex Teh said. Amazon Web Services (AWS) enterprise grade generative artificial intelligence-powered assistant will now be available in Australia through Ingram Micro after it was originally released globally in April 2024. As an AI-powered assistant, Amazon Q Business finds information, gains insight and takes action at work will also be available through AWS Sydney Region. According to AWS, it empowers employees to be more data-driven, generate content and make better, faster decisions using company knowledge and data. Announced during AWS Partner Summit held in Sydney on 2 April, Amazon Q Business will be available to customers and partners using cross-region inference profiles. Cross-region inference automatically routes inference requests to the optimal AWS Region, prioritising the source region to minimise latency and enhance user experience. This approach helps to ensure continuous performance for customers and partners even during peak demand periods, explained AWS. The cloud giant also claims it is cost-effective as charges are only incurred on the source region of the request, with no routing costs. Customers with data residency preferences can opt to run and store Amazon Q Business workloads exclusively within the AWS Sydney Region. Employees at companies of all sizes and across industries spend considerable time on repetitive tasks, like searching through fragmented data sources to find the information they need, which prevents them from focusing on bigger or more complex priorities, claimed AWS. A montage from Peter Bogdanoffs continuous visual track for the SDSO New World Encounters concert Addressing high school students in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, a few weeks ago, former US Ambassador to Russia John Beyrle said that the US State Department faces an existential crisis. Speaking on my latest NPR More than Music feature, Whats an Orchestra For?, he further comments: Soft power the use of music and education as an instrument of foreign policy still exists. The question is whether we as a country understand that it, too, makes America great. And I am afraid that President Trump does not understand that well enough, that his view of the world is might makes right. I think thats a potentially cataclysmic mistake. I fear that we will compromise our ability to influence other countries, to pursue interests that dovetail with our own national interests. Beyrle also described a destructive climate of fear within the government. You can hear it all here. Ambassador Beyrle was visiting South Dakota for a week-long New World Encounters festival exploring jazz as an instrument of cultural diplomacy. The participants included the ebullient French pianist Jean-Efflam Bavouzet, who delivered a lecture/recital on Ravel and Jazz at three universities two hours apart. The culminating orchestral concert included narration and a continuous visual track. My radio program showcases the SDSO festival (part of the NEH-funded Music Unwound consortium that I direct) as an exemplary exercise in how orchestras can (and should) proactively foster mutual understanding throughout a community of patrons and students. SDSO Music Director Delta David Gier, who personally superintends the orchestras thematic festivals, says that his profession is undergoing an overdue metamorphosis that the template of the jet-setting maestro, with multiple jobs and no genuine home base, is receding. On NPR, I comment: The British music critic Richard Morrison, in a recent piece for BBC Music Magazine, wrote: The age of the jet-setting maestro is over, or should be for environmental, financial, social and indeed musical reasons. Morrison was responding to the Chicago Symphonys choice for its next music director: Klaus Makela, who is not yet 30 years old and will concurrently take over Amsterdams Concertgebouw Orchestra. A veteran music critic of my acquaintance called that the stupidest decision hed seen in decades on the job. I continue: The template in question now a dysfunction crippling classical music internationally originated with the late Ronald Wilford of Columbia Artists Management. Wilford realized he could maximize the income and prestige of his marquis conductors by stationing them on multiple podiums, preferably an ocean apart. This strategy was commercial it had nothing to do with making better music. In Chicago itself, the orchestras first two, formative music directors Theodore Thomas and Frederick Stock were civic fixtures whose combined tenure lasted half a century. Concurrently, Bostons Serge Koussevitzky and Philadelphias Leopold Stokowski famously pushed the artistic envelope. It would never remotely have occurred to any of them to seek additional employment elsewhere. In addition to Beyrle, Bavouzet, and Gier, participants in the NPR show include composer John Luther Adams (whose An Atlas of Deep Time was premiered and recorded by the SDSO), and faculty members and students from South Dakota State University (Brookings, SD), Dakota State University (Madison, SD), and Lincoln High School (Sioux Falls, SD). For me and Im sure for many others what most lingered afterward wasnt an idea, or an apprehension, but Bavouzets sublime performance of the slow movement of Ravels Concerto in G music that exemplifies how beauty is a fleeting experience somehow sad but consoling. It ends the broadcast. LISTENING GUIDE 4:10 Ambassador John Beyrle addresses high school students: the Voice of America in Soviet Russia 8:50 Ambassador Beyrle addresses university students: an existential crisis at the US State Department 14:00 SDSO Music Director Delta David Gier on the importance of moving to Sioux Falls 16:00 The age of the jet-set maestro is over or should be. 18:15 Composer John Luther Adams on the South Dakota Symphony 19:25 A Sioux Falls high school orchestra plays Dvorak 22:45 Dakota State University sophomore Nora Zoller on the importance of arts education 32:00 Ambassador Beyrle reflects on might makes right diplomacy a cataclysmic mistake 39:15 An under-reported story: the major US charitable foundations have given up on orchestras 41:00 Jean-Efflam Bavouzet talks about and performs the sublime slow movement of Ravels concerto in G Three of my most popular (and still resilient) blogs address the jetset conductor: by Giorgio Bernardelli The authorities have announced Detailed Rules coming into effect on 1 May. Non-Chinese are asked to "respect independence and self-government" and obey the Party's instructions. Foreigners and Chinese are not allowed to take part in the same celebrations, while the number of books foreigners can bring in from abroad "for personal use" has been restricted. Extra tight control is the true face of sinicisation. Milan (AsiaNews) A new set of regulations published yesterday by the National Religious Affairs Administration (NRAA), the religious arm of he Communist Party of Chinas United Front, will come into effect on 1 May, further restricting the religious activity of foreigners in the People's Republic of China. The "Detailed Rules clearly lay out in 38 articles the does and donts that foreigners of any denomination must submit in China. If they want to practise their religion, non-Chinese must ask permission from the appropriate authorities and abide by the rules established by the Party, acknowledging the principle of "independence and self-government" of religions in China. As if this were not already clear enough, the new NRAA rules take the principle of sinicisation" laid out by President Xi Jinping for all religions present in China to a new level. Notwithstanding the desirable goal of inculturation in Chinese society and culture, all Chinese authorities really care about is control over what happens inside religious groups. Nothing must happen in temples, mosques and churches unless it is what the Party says. While Xi and his government are doing their utmost to woe the heads of large multinationals to Beijing in order to encourage foreign investment to revive economic growth, the new NRAA guidelines go so far as to require that all forms of religious expression, even by foreigners, must be sinicised. As one might have expected, the website of the Diocese of Shanghai, the city where China and the world meet, was one first to publish the new rules yesterday. Of course, it is not as if there were no controls on the religious activities of foreigners in China. There certainly was no need for ad hoc regulation to establish that foreign men and women religious cannot violate the laws of the People's Republic of China. But the new regulations go much further. Article 5 states that "foreigners who engage in religious activities in China must abide by Chinese laws, regulations, and rules, abide by the principle of China's religious independence and self-management, and accept the legitimate management of the Chinese government. This means that religion must not be used to harm national interests, public social interests or the legitimate rights and interests of citizens, and must not violate public order and good customs in China. This is clearly spelled out by decreeing that any religious activity, even among foreigners who are in China, must take place only within official places of worship or, if this is not physically possible because none exist in a particular place, only after obtaining the permission from the appropriate authorities controlled by the Party, following proper procedures. In practice, this means Catholics are expressly banned from any contact with underground Catholic communities or those priests who in good conscience refuse to join the Patriotic Association. Article 10 specifies that even in "official" churches and temples, religious activities for foreigners "must be presided by Chinese religious." Only "where it is really necessary for foreigners to preside over religious activities", should a request be submitted to the local NRAA office. Article 16, however, postulates a strict separation. With the exception of Chinese religious who organise group religious activities for foreigners in China, only foreigners can take part in them. The guidelines also regulate the activities of foreign clergy who enter China for academic and cultural exchanges. Not only must these exchanges be authorised by the Party, but Article 21 states that anyone allowed into the country must not "speak or carry out actions hostile to China, hold extremist ideological tendencies or interfere with Chinese religious matters. With bureaucratic precision, the new rules go so far as to decree how many copies of books and audiovisual material on religious subjects foreign guests can take with them for personal use when they enter the People's Republic of China (never more than 10). It will be necessary to obtain permission from the authorities to allow in more material, let alone disseminate it Article 26 also specifies that "foreign organisations or individuals shall not recruit students studying abroad for the purpose of training new clergy within Chinese territory without authorisation. Finally, Article 29 lists a series of religious prohibitions that apply to any foreigner who is in China. This includes interfering in the activities of religious groups, holding unauthorised conferences or sermons, "recruiting followers among Chinese citizens," producing books or other material on religious subjects, accepting donations from Chinese individuals or organisations, conducting religious activities on the Internet. The gist of all this is obvious: in China, there is no religious expression outside the control of the Party, even for foreigners, because all religions in China, including the Catholic Church, must accept to be autonomous and self-administered. It seems clear that, as such, the universality of the Catholic Church can remain as a generic ideal reference, but only on the condition of total submission to national political directives, in an increasingly dangerous submission to the will of the Chinese government. by Gianni Criveller AsiaNews director spoke today in Rome at the conference The Spirit knows where he takes us organised by the John Paul II Pontifical Theological Institute. The triple dialogue refers to the path of interiority, the commitment to freedom and justice, and the telling of the story of Jesus: the faces of the reception of Vatican II in the East. Rome (AsiaNews) "The Spirit knows where he takes us" is the topic of an international conference centred on "trans-religious humanism" currently underway (1-2 April) in Rome at the John Paul II Pontifical Theological Institute, on the initiative of the Gaudium et Spes Chair, directed by theologian Pierangelo Sequeri. This morning, AsiaNews director Fr Gianni Criveller, also spoke at the meeting, presenting a report on the theme, "The dynamic and dialectical horizon of the extra-European reception of Vatican II. The example of Asia. We publish below some excerpts of his address. 1. Liberation, inculturation and dialogue The history of the reception of the Second Vatican Council in non-European contexts in the two decades immediately following its publication can be described in four words: liberation, inculturation, dialogue, and secularisation. There has been a tendency to associate each of these themes with four areas: liberation for Central and South America, inculturation for Africa, dialogue for Asia, and secularisation for Europe and North America. The scheme proposed above does not fully convey the complexity of the situations and challenges on the ground: liberation, inculturation and dialogue have touched all continents. The same is true for the pervasive and universal phenomenon, linked to the results of post-modernity and post-humanism, namely secularisation. This scheme left out Oceania, as if Australia and New Zealand could, in some respects, be viewed as part of the Western world, while the vastness of Papa New Guinea and the other islands in the region are a world onto themselves, with special traits. 2. The triple dialogue of the FABC Regarding the reception of the Council in Asia, the first thing to note is the huge effort Asian bishops put in to walk together through the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC). Founded in 1970, the Federation brings together some 20 bishops' conferences, and has produced an impressive series of guidelines, documents and initiatives that have truly and positively marked the reception of Vatican II in Asia. The FABCs path is to ferry the Churches of Asia from the colonial mission, through the critique of post-colonial critique, towards an Asian identity. The formula that best represents the FABCs orientation is that of the triple dialogue: dialogue with Asias religious traditions, dialogue with ancient cultures, and dialogue-outreach with the poor. Here we find the three great challenges of dialogue with believers of different faiths, of inculturation, and the option for the poor in favour of their emancipation from oppression and poverty. On this occasion, I would like to pay tribute to Cora Mateo (who passed away on 2 December 2024), who introduced me to the extraordinary work of the FABC. Originally from the Philippines, she lived in Taiwan where she played a great role in the FABC for 25 years: the first woman from the laity to hold the position of secretary general. With her strong personality and charisma, she was instrumental in promoting the laity, young people and women in the Churches of Asia. 3. The Way of Interiority In Taiwan, in the early 1990s, I was lucky enough to meet Yves Raguin, a Jesuit missionary and master of contemplation. I was a student in Taipei, and he influenced my studies and missionary orientation. Raguin proposes the path of interiority and spiritual dialogue as a thread that binds the religious East and the profound Christian mystical tradition. He links Chinese masters like Confucius, Mencius, Laozi and Zuangzi, the sacred authors of Buddhism and Hinduism to Paul of Tarsus, Dionysius the Areopagite, Meister Eckhart and other Christian mystics of the Middle Ages and then with John of the Cross and Teresa of Avila. After many years in Shanghai and Taipei, Raguin returned to Paris in 1968 and heard young people shouting in the streets that God was dead. He was struck by this and realised the post-religious outcome of post-Christian Europe (terms he did not use). He saw in an encounter between Christianity and the East new opportunities for the spiritual journey of young Europeans and for the evangelising mission itself in Asia. The encounter with the religious East can bring us back to the spiritual dimension of the Christian message, which had been marginalised by the emphasis placed on the doctrinal dimension of Christianity. Other spiritual masters who lived through the Council and the post-Council testify to the possibility of such an encounter: Fr Jules Monchanin, the Benedictine Henri Le Saux, the monk Bede Griffiths, the Cistercian Francis Mahieu, the Indian-Spanish theologian Raimon Panikkar, all working in India. Trappist author Thomas Merton developed great interest in dialogue with Thai Buddhism, and Jesuit Hugo Lasalle with Japanese Zen Buddhism. 4. Dialogue with cultural traditions While in China, because of political campaigns, Catholic communities resumed a minimum of public life only in the 1980s. In Taiwan, even though it was not under a regime of freedom and political pluralism, attempts at inculturation began as early as the 1970s. This was done, for example, in Kaohsiung, the city where I began my missionary career. Here, a church architecturally accommodating the style of Chinese temples, included an altar with ancestral tablets according to the practice of Chinese rites. The latter had greatly affected the mission in China but was settled in 1939. Somewhat paradoxically, that church, dedicated to St Catherine of Siena, belongs to the Dominicans, who at the time were proud opponents of the rites. At Taiwans Fujen University, room was provided for liturgical experiments, with readings taken from Chinese classics. The idea was to take seriously the conciliar suggestion of the seeds of the Word and the riches hidden in religious traditions. These ad hoc attempts are no longer in place today. 5. Poverty and religiosity in Asia for an Asian liberation theology Vietnamese theologian Peter Phan says that for many Asian theologians who studied at Rome's pontifical universities in the decade following the Second Vatican Council, the thoughts of Jesuit theologian Aloysius Pieris (originally from Sri Lanka), expressed above all in An Asian Liberation Theology (1986), were like an "intellectual bomb. After completing my licentiate in 1972, back in South Vietnam, it became painfully clear to me that the theology I had absorbed in Rome was worse than useless, he said. Pieris, one of Asias most influential theologians by far, argues that liberation must be the goal of theology in the continent: the rich must free themselves from their riches (without which it is impossible to enter the kingdom of God) and the poor must free themselves from their forced poverty. For Pieris, the Asian context determines the continents method and issues in theology. The social context is systemic poverty, the religious context is religious plurality, both the "cosmic" and the popular and organised one. From the twofold traits of Asia's religiosity and poverty stem the "double baptism" of Asian Christianity, i.e. "the Calvary of Asian poverty" and "the Jordan of Asian religion". This double baptism constitutes the "primordial experience of liberation" offered by Jesus of Nazareth. Baptism is lived on the Calvary of poverty with the option of being poor and for the poor. The Jordan baptism of religion requires that theology in Asia be done in collaboration and dialogue with believers of other religions. 6. The commitment of the Churches and their leaders to freedom and justice The churches of Asia have truly experienced the social aspect of liberation for the good of the national community. Some Catholic leaders have taken on a prophetic and charismatic role in the events associated with the fight for freedom and democracy of their peoples: Card Jaime Sin of Manila (who started the Rosary Revolution that ended the Marcos dictatorship in 1986); Card Stephen Kim, who in July 1987 welcomed and protected demonstrators in Seoul cathedral, bringing down South Koreas military dictatorship; Card Joseph Zen, who has been considered Hong Kongs conscience since 2003. Arrested on 11 May 2022, he was later released on bail and subsequently fined. He is still under investigation under the liberticidal national security law introduced on 1 July 2020. Catholic communities and leaders have also played decisive roles in other countries, including East Timor. My thoughts go to Bishop Celso Ba Shwe of Loikaw (Myanmar), in solidarity with his people sheltering in the forest from military repression underway since 1 February 2021. Myanmar is a Buddhist country, and Buddhist monks protested in the past against the military dictatorship. Today Catholics are also on the front line. This courageous action is exemplified by Sister Ann Rose Nu Twang, kneeling in front of the military police in Myitkyina, the city capital of Kachin State, northern Myanmar. In recent days, the tragic earthquake has added to the horrible and poorly reported (un)civil war the countrys military junta is waging against its own people with devastating consequences. 7. Telling the story of Jesus in Asia Christians and missionaries cannot cease to bear witness through their lives and words to Jesus and the Gospel of peace. In the book Sussurrare Il Vangelo nella terra dellEterno Cielo Blu (Whispering the Gospel in the Land of the Eternal Blue Sky), Father Giorgio Marengo, now a cardinal, suggests that the proclamation of Jesus in Asia should be done with humility, whispered in fact; not out of shyness, but out of respect for the Gospel and the interlocutor, his times and narrative ways. This is the opposite of proselytising. According to the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus describes himself by evoking the words of Isaiah: He will not cry out, nor shout, nor make his voice heard in the street. The mission and the Church in Asia have always experienced what is now experienced in many parts of the world: the situation of a minority, which takes away any pretence of privilege and illusion of success. This situation is not unknown in the Gospel, where the message of Jesus is effectively represented by the image of the seed that grows in concealment, which dies before bearing fruit. This is how the Gospel is transmitted and so the mission lives through evangelical transparency. Christians and missionaries are pilgrims and guests, an evocative New Testament image that gives a sense of the precariousness and beauty of the life of Christian communities in many Asian countries. The Gospel is the story of Jesus, and it is a story to be told. Evangelisation in Asia today, rather than the spread of a religious doctrine, is about telling a story that has the potential to change lives: the story of Jesus. If the Gospels are four stories, the narrative literary genre is the one that best describes the story of Jesus and the origin of Christianity and is a path for evangelisation in Asia. Indian theologian Bishop Thomas Menamparampil, for many years in charge of evangelisation for the FABC, has urged Christians and missionaries in Asia to narrate Jesus as he really is, as he is presented in the Scriptures. That is enough. by Nirmala Carvalho The great pontiff who visited India twice is remembered with a Mass in the Cathedral of the Holy Name of Jesus. Pope John Paul II was a prophet, he showed a far-sighted vision, Card Gracias told AsiaNews. He was a popular figure for the Hindu community as well since his message recalled the urgency to protect personal integrity, and the commitment to charity and love towards all. He gave new impetus to evangelise. Mumbai (AsiaNews) India today marked the 20th anniversary of the death of Saint John Paul II, the Polish pope who visited the country twice in 1986 and 1999 during his long and historic pontificate. In Mumbai, Card Oswald Gracias together with Archbishop John Rodrigues led a solemn memorial Mass Wednesday evening in the Cathedral of the Holy Name of Jesus. The celebration was an opportunity to reflect on the immense legacy left by Saint John Paul II, who led the Catholic Church from 1978 to 2005, emphasising his steadfast commitment to the Gospel, his tireless defence of human dignity and his unwavering optimism in the face of adversity. This was an opportunity to pay homage to the statue of Wojtyla that has stood in the cathedral complex since 2011. Pope John Paul II was a prophet, he showed a far-sighted vision and worked tirelessly and courageously for 'human dignity', affirming it in every sector, inalienable human rights and religious freedom, his openness to other religions, Cardinal Gracias told AsiaNews. He inexorably led us towards a 'civilization of love', inspiring others, especially young people, to live with joy and hope. Saint John Paul II loved India and repeatedly emphasised its great spiritual heritage and traditions. He always told me keep Indias traditions alive, the prelate said. In each conversation, the Pope always showed great appreciation and admiration for Indian values and was adamant that we should not lose them. Regarding his trips to India, the cardinal remembered that,We recorded great devotion and amazing welcome in all cities. There was a great turnout by youth and strong attention to interreligious dialogue and charity. For Christians and also people of other faiths, Pope John Paul had a strong call to respect human dignity and the role of religion in one's life, also in the public arena. Like Mother Teresa, he is also a popular figure for the Hindu community: his message stressed the urgency to protect personal integrity, and the commitment to charity and love towards all, especially the poor. He confirmed that Christ is the answer to the deepest anxieties of the human heart, and we received new impetus to evangelise. by Dario Salvi This is what emerges from a study by the Centre for Education and Dialogue, which denounces the increase in attacks by extremists and ultra-religious Jewish groups. The socio-political conditions and the low birth rate make the future of Christians in the country uncertain. The appeal for the involvement of the Churches in the world. Hana Bendkowsky: The attackers must be brought to justice. Milan (AsiaNews) - One in three Christians in Israel wants to emigrate (almost 50% of those under 30), in an escalation of attacks against the minority by Jewish extremist groups or movements linked to the settlers, and a widespread perception (almost 40%) of discrimination by state actors. A picture of unease and criticality emerges from a research study carried out by activists from the Rossing Center and published in recent days. Commenting on the results, the authors (click here for the video) speak of the Christian community's growing concerns about the perceived erosion of the symbolic and physical spaces of the lands where Jesus was born and which they have inhabited for millennia. This alarm that is raised often goes unheard and requires a broader commitment from the international community is needed so that it can have a substantial impact on the Israeli authorities; for this reason, they observe, also in consideration of the conflict in Gaza and the growing radicalisation, greater involvement is needed from Churches around the world, diplomats and humanitarian NGOs. Emigration and Birth Rate One of the issues of greatest concern for the future is that of the exodus, the growing desire to migrate that affects a large part of the Middle East, including the communities of the Holy Land. A significant portion of the people interviewed in the report (36%) say they consider the possibility of leaving their homeland; this desire is less widespread in East Jerusalem (only 16%), while it affects almost half of those in Haifa (48%). Among the factors that most influence the decision are security (44%) and the socio-political situation (33%), also in consideration of the war in the Strip that has been going on since 7 October 2023, which fuels concerns. At a geographical level there are some differences, although not so marked: in East Jerusalem socio-political concerns dominate (81%), while security is a lesser factor (19%). In central Israel socio-political concerns stand at 45%, while security concerns reach 27%. Family ties (52%) and religious ties to the land (24%) are decisive in the commitment to remain. In East Jerusalem, 39% cite a religious connection to the land, while 37% emphasise community ties. In the centre the motivations are more varied, with family ties appearing less significant (30%), while a significant proportion (24%) mention the not insignificant challenge of starting over in another country as one of the reasons for staying. The interviewees indicated the protection of land and church property (26%), the provision of housing (24%) and the offer of work (22%) as the most effective actions that churches can undertake for Palestinian Christians. Furthermore, the issue of migration is accompanied by the no less important issue of the low birth rate among Christians, who have the lowest birth rate of all the ethnic-religious communities in the Holy Land, contributing to endangering their very future. Hussam Elias, project director of the Rossing Centre, reports that no changes in the fertility rate of Christian women can be seen and this aspect combines with other factors including political and religious extremism resulting in a push towards marginalisation. This, he adds, leads Christians to leave the country. Furthermore, Christian schools, which are among the best, guarantee an excellent education, which facilitates the decision to leave. Finally, Christians feel part of the world and think - he concludes - that it is easier to integrate into the West and this could perhaps encourage migration, but this remains a supposition that could become the subject of a future study. Violence: beyond the numbers The research of the Rossing Centre for Education and Dialogue, an inter-religious organisation based in Jerusalem that aims to promote an inclusive society for all religious, ethnic and national groups, examines Palestinian and Arab Christians in Israel and East Jerusalem. This study provides an inside view of the perception and attitudes of the Christian and Arab communities in Israel and East Jerusalem regarding: religious freedom, their relationship with the Israeli Jewish majority, the role of the state and the churches, and identity and the issue of migration, which is more relevant than ever. Conducted in collaboration with the Statnet research institute in December 2024, it includes a sample of 300 respondents selected by geographical distribution (Haifa, East Jerusalem, Galilee and central Israel), age, gender and religious denomination, who answered 29 telephone questions in Arabic. Last year saw an increase in attacks against Christians, with at least 111 confirmed episodes of violence against the minority compared to 89 in 2023. Specifically, there were 46 physical attacks, 35 against church property and 13 cases of harassment. Most of the perpetrators seem to belong to the ultra-orthodox and national-religious communities, the victims are members of the clergy or wear visible Christian symbols. The numbers - emphasises Hana Bendcowsky, programme manager for the Jerusalem Center for Jewish-Christian Relations and a leading figure at the Rossing Centre - are only the tip of the iceberg. Compared to the previous year, she continues, there has been growth, but it will take five or ten to understand. One of the factors is the political situation that influences the condition of Christians, where extremism and polarisation of society lead to less interest in minorities, combined with greater aggression. Highs and lows According to the latest data from December 2024 released by the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics, as of 31 December 2024 the population is estimated at 10.027 million residents. Of these, 7.707 million (76.9%) are Jewish, 2.104 million (21%) are Arab and 0.216 million (2.1%) are classified as other, including foreign residents. There are 180,300 Christians living in Israel (about 1.8% of the population, with a growth of 0.6% by 2023), 78.8% of whom are Arabs, constituting 6.9% of the total Arab population of Israel. On the one hand, there is more fear of reacting to the violence due to less coverage of the incidents against Christians, which the leaders of the Jewish state very rarely comment on, Hana Bendcowsky explains. Moreover, the perpetrators of the attacks mostly come from an extremist religious background. On the other hand - she continues - members of the various Churches share information more, report incidents more frequently and have established greater collaboration with us. The most frequent cases involve spitting and threats against Christians, even during religious ceremonies or pilgrimages, while those targeted are mainly foreigners or those wearing characteristic symbols of the faith, such as crosses. Hence the request for a greater commitment from the international community for a more substantial impact on the Israeli authorities, while encouraging Churches, humanitarian NGOs, communities and diplomats to actively address the issue. It is essential - the study states - to treat episodes of aggression with the utmost seriousness, to issue condemnations and to ensure that the aggressors are brought to justice. Regarding the relationship with the authorities, Bendcowsky explains that the Church reports a lack of dialogue or poor understanding of needs: there is dialogue at the base, but little listening. On the other hand, there are also positive elements: Municipal officials have shown support for our work, and relations with the police have improved, and they have started to denounce and arrest those who attack Christians [especially by spitting]. One last thought is dedicated to the Christian Easter and the Passover [Pesach, the Jewish Easter] that this year fall in the same period: There is fear of incidents - the activist concludes - for this reason we must keep our eyes open. Hope for the future? That no more reports are needed, because there are no incidents to report. Today's news: Burmese military junta rejects rebel groups' ceasefire, as Thailand intensifies investigations into the building that collapsed in quake; Tensions between Japan and South Korea over the opening of a museum; In Madhya Pradesh, ban on alcohol in Hindu sites; Three Christians injured in Iraq during the Assyrian New Year celebrations. CHINA CAMBODIA Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit Cambodia this month to fill the void left by the United States with cuts to international cooperation: the Chinese Agency for International Development Cooperation has in fact for the first time committed to paying 1.4 million dollars to a UNICEF project in Cambodia. The visit also coincides with the completion of the Ream naval base financed by Beijing. MYANMAR THAILAND While the Burmese military junta has rejected the ceasefire proposals made by the rebel groups, the Thai government has announced further investigations into the construction projects assigned to China Railway No.10 Engineering Group, which had been constructing the building that collapsed due to the earthquake. According to the accusations, the steel bars used were of a lower quality than standard. However, a Thai anti-corruption group had highlighted irregularities in the construction of the building even before it collapsed. JAPAN SOUTH KOREA In Kanazawa, Japan, the opening of a commemorative museum dedicated to Yun Bong-gil, a Korean nationalist, has been postponed due to violent protests by right-wing groups. Yun Bong-gil is known for having carried out a bomb attack against Japanese government officials in Shanghai in 1932 and in South Korea he is celebrated as a national hero for having fought against Japanese colonial occupation. The initiative had been proposed by the Mindan association, which has already been the target of attacks in the past. INDIA In the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, a ban on alcohol consumption has come into force in 19 cities and areas of religious significance for Hinduism. According to Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, this is an historic step towards detoxification motivated by the popular faith and religious reverence associated with these places. After being elected, Yadav announced that he would limit the sale of meat and eggs in the open air. IRAQ An axe-wielding man attacked a procession of Assyrian Christians in the city of Dohuk, in Iraqi Kurdistan, seriously injuring three people. According to some witnesses, the man, who has not yet been identified, shouted slogans such as, for example, the Islamic State remains. The Assyrian community has been celebrating Akitu, the New Year, in Dohuk since the 90s and usually has cordial relations with the Kurds of the region. KYRGYZSTAN The president of Kyrgyzstan, Sadyr Zaparov, has proposed creating an analogue of the Schengen Agreement in Central Asia, with single visas for tourism, to give a boost to the economy of the entire region, based on the popular saying that a neighbour is better than a distant relative, increasing infrastructures and initiatives to attract people to the historical and cultural specificities of the entire Central Asian area. RUSSIA As economist Igor Lipsits observes in The Moscow Times, a new division of property is being prepared in Russia of large factories, ports and many companies that have been confiscated by the state from private owners for irregularities. These will now be sold to the new ruling class of patriotic entrepreneurs, who will make large profits in the new privatisation announced by the Minister of Finance Anton Siluanov. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced on Monday that his government will send a plane to Mexico on Thursday to retrieve approximately 300 Venezuelan migrants, mostly women and children, who he claims fled the United States fearing persecution. The decision comes amid the Trump administration's intensified immigration enforcement policies, which have led to the deportation of Venezuelans suspected of gang affiliations, including more than 200 which were sent to El Salvador's CECOT mega prison. "Next Thursday, a plane will be sent to Mexico to rescue migrants who escaped persecution and crossed the border into Mexico," said Maduro on national television. "We are going to rescue about 300 migrants, most of them women and children." He also directed Jorge Rodriguez, president of Venezuela's National Assembly, to engage with U.S. representatives regarding the situation, as reported by local newspaper El Nacional. Maduro has strongly criticized the practice of transferring Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador, calling the country "a second Guantanamo" where deportees are subjected to forced disappearances, as The Miami Herald reports. He has also demanded transparency regarding the deportation process, specifically requesting a list of the more than 200 migrants who were transferred to El Salvador two weeks ago. His government has also sought to frame the repatriation flights as part of an effort to support Venezuelan citizens who have been affected by U.S. immigration policies. "Any migrant who returns will receive assistance," Maduro stated, adding that those with legal issues in Venezuela will be given access to due process. Venezuela and the United States, which severed diplomatic ties in 2019, resumed deportation flights in January. However, tensions between the two countries have affected the agreement, particularly after Washington revoked a license allowing the U.S. oil company Chevron to operate in Venezuela. Since deportation flights resumed, approximately 918 Venezuelans have been sent back from the United States. On Sunday, a new group of 175 Venezuelan deportees arrived in the country, news outlet NTN24 reported. Among them, the Maduro government claims, was the first high-profile criminal deported by Washington who was not affiliated with the notorious "Tren de Aragua" gang. Instead, Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello stated that the individual was linked to a criminal group based in the Venezuelan state of Trujillo known as "El Cagon." Despite U.S. allegations, Cabello claimed that no confirmed members of "Tren de Aragua" have been among the deportees sent back to Venezuela. Originally published on Latin Times Champion local news. Join our community of readers who value daily beat reporting and in-depth stories alike. Your membership allows us to continue the legacy of local, independent journalism in the Roaring Fork Valley. With your support, we can remain a free and accessible source of news for everyone, always without paywalls or corporate influence. Together, we can ensure that vital local stories are told. 2 April 2025 08:00 (UTC+04:00) Court hearings on the criminal case against Ruben Vardanyan, an Armenian citizen charged with torture, mercenary activity, violation of the laws and customs of warfare, terrorism, financing terrorism and other articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, were continued on April 1. The open hearings were held at the Baku Military Court and presided over by Judge Zeynal Agayev and a panel of judges consisting of Anar Rzayev and Jamal Ramazanov (reserve judge Gunel Samadova). The accused was provided with an interpreter in the language of his choice, i.e. Russian, as well as lawyers for his defense. During the hearings, the court questioned the victims of the criminal acts committed by the accused Ruben Vardanyan, who is charged with joining a criminal organization in December 2020, which was created under the leadership and direct participation of Armenian state bodies, officials, military forces and illegal armed formations, in accordance with their verbal and written instructions, orders and guidelines, as well as material, technical and personnel support, central management and strict control, and also of committing numerous criminal acts during the war of aggression waged by the Armenian state against Azerbaijan in violation of domestic and international law. Before the questioning, Zeynal Agayev explained to the victims their rights and obligations stipulated by the legislation. In his testimony, one of the victims, the chief of the logistics department of an unspecified military unit of the liberated Kalbajar district of the Defense Ministry of Azerbaijan, Sohbat Shukurov, said that despite the fact that his service location was far from the line of contact with the Armenian armed forces, he had received wounds of varying degree of severity as a result of mortar fire during the military provocation by the Armenian armed forces. Another victim, the paramedic of the medical department of an unspecified military unit of the Defense Ministry of Azerbaijan, Samir Yusifov, said in his testimony that he had received wounds of varying degree of severity as a result of a mortar shell fired by the Armenian armed forces exploding while he was trying to retrieve the bodies of servicemen of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan who were martyred when preventing a large-scale Armenian provocation in Kalbajar district. The victims questioned during the court investigation, including Samir Karimov, Orkhan Najafov, Aliyar Mammadov, Ali Garazada, Gurban Gurbanov, Huseynbala Sayilli, Rahman Gasimov, Ulvi Musayev, Ruslan Aliyev, Bakhtiyar Salmanov, Ariz Gahramanov, Azer Abdullayev, Tofig Abishov, Asif Mikayilli, Gasim Garibov, Anar Nabiyev, Ehtiram Samadov, Rashmi Humbatov, Jeyhun Rzaguliyev, Yunis Abdiyev, Dilgam Safarov, Ahmad Ahmadzada and others, said they knew the accused Ruben Vardanyan through the media and social networks, but did not know him personally. They stated that they had received bodily injuries of varying degree of severity as a result of shooting from various weapons, including sniper rifles, and explosions of mortar shells during Armenian military provocations in Kalbajar and Aghdam districts while they were in military service. After the questioning, the victims answered the questions of the judges and prosecutors in charge of public prosecution about their places of service, specific areas where the military provocations were committed, the severity and localization of the injuries sustained as a result of the incidents. Then, the conclusions of the forensic medical examination conducted on the victims were read out. The next court session is scheduled for April 8. Ruben Vardanyan is charged with crimes under Articles 100.1, 100.2 (planning, preparing, initiating and waging a war of aggression), 107 (deportation and forced displacement of the population), 109 (persecution), 110 (forcible disappearance of persons), 112 (deprivation of liberty contrary to international law), 113 (torture), 114.1 (mercenary activity), 115.2 (violation of the laws and customs of warfare), 116.0.1, 116.0.2, 116.0.10, 116.0.11, 116.0.16, 116.0.18 (violation of international humanitarian law during armed conflict), 120.2.1, 120.2.3, 120.2.4, 120.2.7, 120.2.11, 120.2.12 (intentional murder), 29,120.2.1, 29,120.2.3, 29,120.2.4, 29,120.2.7, 29,120.2.11, 29,120.2.12 (attempted intentional murder), 192.3.1 (illegal entrepreneurship), 214.2.1, 214.2.3, 214.2.4 (terrorism), 214-1 (financing of terrorism), 218.1, 218.2 (creation of a criminal group), 228.3 (illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation and possession of firearms, their components, ammunition, explosives and devices), 270-1.2, 270-1.4 (acts threatening aviation safety), 278.1 (forcible seizure or retention of power, forcible change of the constitutional structure of the state), 279.1, 279.2, 279.3 (creation of armed formations or groups not provided for by law) and 318.2 (illegal crossing of the state border of the Republic of Azerbaijan). 2 April 2025 20:21 (UTC+04:00) Full digital access to all news for 1 year Full digital access to all news for 6 months Full digital access to all news for 3 months Full digital access to all news for 1 month Find the plan that suits you best. Economic relations between Germany and Azerbaijan have grown significantly. Trade turnover, which was below $1 billion in 2013, reached $2.1 billion in 2014, hitting a record $2.6 billion. However, 2017aside from the pandemic yearsmarked a low point, with trade turnover falling to just $867 million. In recent years, however, the numbers have rebounded positively. In the first two months of 2025, the volume of trade transactions between Azerbaijan and Germany exceeded... Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention. Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis. By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more. Subscribe You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper Thank you! 2 April 2025 12:38 (UTC+04:00) Azerbaijan has very ambitious programs and plans in the renewable energy sector, where German companies have extensive experience, President Ilham Aliyev said during a joint press statement with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. "We intend to increase the production capacity of renewable energy sources to 6 gigawatts by 2030 through foreign investments, and this is entirely realistic. A portion of this will be exported to Europe," the head of state emphasized. To recall, on April 1, the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, arrived in the Republic of Azerbaijan for an official visit. 2 April 2025 13:00 (UTC+04:00) Laman Ismayilova Read more "Big Caucasus" Arts and Dance Competition has been held at Heydar Aliyev Center in Shaki, Azernews reports. The competition was co-organized by Azerbaijan Youth Union and the Azerbaijan Dance Association. Hundreds of talented children from Baku and the country's regions took part in the contest, demonstrating their performances in various age categories in various types of art - folk instruments, classical instruments, vocals, dance, fine arts, ethnic folklore, folklore stylization, folklore show, dance of the peoples of the world, hip-hop show, acrobatic dance, showdance, bollywood, classical Indian dance in solo, duets, small and large groups. President of the Azerbaijan Dance Association, Aziz Azizov spoke about the main goal of the dance competition. "The festival is aimed at increasing the interest of the younger generation in various spheres of culture, developing their creative abilities, identifying and supporting new talents. We are very happy that we help our children and young people realize themselves in art," said Aziz Azizov, expressing gratitude to the participants, artistic directors and jury members. The winner of the Grand Prix was Javid Mammadov's team "Inci" (Baku), receiving the right to participate in the Azerbaijan Champions League. The winners of the competition were the dance groups "Khamsa", "Gracia", "Turan" and "Nur dance". Media partners of the event are Azernews.Az, Trend.Az, Day.Az, and Milli.Az. 2 April 2025 17:56 (UTC+04:00) Laman Ismayilova Read more The Azerbaijani Cultural Center named after Heydar Aliyev, located at the Azerbaijani Embassy in Uzbekistan, has has hosted an event titled "Scenes of Friendship" for the first time at the State Academic Musical Theater named after Mukimi, Azernews reports. The employees of the Azerbaijani Embassy in Uzbekistan and the Azerbaijani Cultural Center, as well as cultural figures and artists from Uzbekistan, representatives of the Azerbaijani diaspora, students, local residents, and journalists attended the event, dedicated to the Azerbaijani national theater and coincided with the International Theater Day. The Deputy Director of the State Academic Musical Theater named after Mukimi, Khayrulla Inagamov, welcomed the guests and noted that Uzbek theaters periodically stage classic Azerbaijani musical comedies and always achieve success. He underlined that performances based on works by Azerbaijani authors have always been well attended. Khayrulla Inagamov emphasized the extensive ties with the Azerbaijani State Theater of Musical Comedy and other Azerbaijani theaters, mentioning that two years ago, they toured Baku with the comedy "Mother-in-Law" by Majid Shankhalov. Their performances were successful and received great interest and applause from the local audience. The event titled "Scenes of Friendship" was also organized in collaboration with the Azerbaijani Cultural Center named after Heydar Aliyev in Uzbekistan. Next, the Director of the Azerbaijani Cultural Center named after Heydar Aliyev in Uzbekistan, Akif Marifli, spoke and stated that March 10 is celebrated in our country as the Azerbaijan National Theater Day. "The Azerbaijani theater was established in 1873, and over the past 152 years, it has undergone significant development. The Azerbaijani theater made an invaluable contribution to the creation and development of theatrical art throughout the East, including Uzbekistan. The emergence of theater in both Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan occurred precisely in March, further underscoring the closeness of our friendship and brotherhood," he said. In his speech, Akif Marifli also touched upon the cooperation between the Azerbaijani Cultural Center in Tashkent and other institutions. "The Azerbaijani Cultural Center is actively working to popularize Azerbaijani theater in Uzbekistan. Recently, a theatrical troupe consisting of young people was formed within the Cultural Center, whose actors stage plays by Azerbaijani authors. The Azerbaijani Cultural Center has also initiated the translation of plays by classic and contemporary Azerbaijani authors into Uzbek and their presentation in theaters. He pointed out that the cooperation with the Uzbek State Academic Musical Theater named after Mukimi would contribute to the further expansion of our ties in the field of theater and promote the development of cultural connections between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan. During the concert, the actors of the Mukimi Theater performed scenes from the musical comedies "The Cloth Peddler" by Uzeyir Hajibayli and "Mother-in-law" by Majid Shankhalov, while the theatrical troupe of the Azerbaijani Cultural Center presented scenes from the musical comedy "If Not That One, Then This One". The aforementioned comedies featured active participation from the "Azerbaijan" dance ensemble of the Azerbaijani Cultural Center, with musical compositions from these performances and dance numbers. The concert concluded with dances and the song "We Are One Big Family," performed by the dance ensemble and actors. 2 April 2025 16:23 (UTC+04:00) Laman Ismayilova Read more The Stone Chronicle Museum has hosted the first Baku Culture and Creative Fashion Week, Azernews reports. Organized by the national project director, the head of the Azerbaijan National Clothing Center, a member of the Eurasian Association of Ethno Designers, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Art Studies Gulnara Khalilova, along with AFWEU founder (representing Asia, Africa, America, and Europe) Aydin Acik, the event featured designers from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Russia, and Turkiye. At the closing ceremony, collections from Georgian designers Nene Clothing and Natia Budsizhvili, as well as creations from students of the Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Fine Arts, were presented. It was noted that the best works of young Azerbaijani designers will be showcased on the international stage. The evening was hosted by Honored Cultural Worker Leyla Guliyeva, with stylist and makeup artist Sabina Imanova. The highlight of the evening was Gulnara Khalilova's vibrant fashion show titled "Shebeke." Gulnara Khalilova expressed gratitude to the guests and various organizations and companies for their support in realizing the project. It is worth mentioning that foreign models and videographers also participated in the project. Baku Culture and Creative Fashion Week offered a unique experience where history and culture meet fashion. Reflecting Baku's rich cultural heritage and history, the Stone Chronicle Museum was chosen as the perfect venue for this year's Fashion Week. Designers presented modern and innovative collections, each show prepared with concepts that reflected the aesthetic and artistic values of cultural elements. The project also featured special performances aimed at developing the fashion industry, fostering collaboration among representatives from various sectors, and contributing to the development of tourism and the economy. Media partners of the event are Azernews.Az,Trend.Az, Day.Az, and Milli.Az. 2 April 2025 10:13 (UTC+04:00) The one-on-one meeting between Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and Frank-Walter Steinmeier, President of the Federal Republic of Germany, has commenced, Azernews reports. Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention. Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis. By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more. Subscribe You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper Thank you! 2 April 2025 14:25 (UTC+04:00) On April 2, an official luncheon was hosted on behalf of Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, in honor of Frank-Walter Steinmeier, President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Azernews reports. Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention. Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis. By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more. Subscribe You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper Thank you! A newly discovered North Korean drone facility is raising alarms among military analysts, with experts warning that Pyongyang may be rapidly advancing its unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capabilitiespotentially with Russian assistance. According to a new report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), North Korea appears to have established a new unit dedicated to the development and testing of strategic drones, Korea Joongang Daily reported. This comes amid rising concerns that Pyongyang is seeking to bolster its weak air surveillance network and counter the aerial dominance of South Korea and the United States. The think tank's North Korea-focused platform, Beyond Parallel, revealed on Tuesday that "seven new drone hangars, each 40 meters wide, are believed to have been built since July or August of last year at the Banghyon Air Base in Kusong City, North Pyongan Province." Recent satellite imagery of the airbase taken last Friday showed a cluster of red-roofed hangarsan unmistakable sign of increased UAV activity. "Banghyon Air Base is the home of North Korea's largest unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)," the Beyond Parallel report confirmed. "North Korea appears to have created a unit operating eight to 16 aircraft for small-scale experiments and test flights of Saetbyeol-4, Saetbyeol-9, and similar-grade large reconnaissance UAVs." The report noted that, until 2023, smaller UAVs fell under the jurisdiction of the Reconnaissance General Bureau, while strategic UAVs were controlled by the Korean People's Army. However, the latest intelligence suggests that a new, as-yet-unnamed organization may now oversee the entire drone program. The Banghyon Air Base is no ordinary facility. It was here that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un personally observed test flights of an airborne early warning and control aircraft, as well as suicide and reconnaissance drones, during his March 25-26 visit. Drone manufacturing is reportedly taking place at two locations: the June 1 Factory near Banghyon Air Base and an undisclosed facility between Pyongyang and Pyongsong, South Pyongan Province. North Korean state media recently unveiled an upgraded version of the Saetbyeol-4 drone, a high-altitude UAV that bears a striking resemblance to the U.S. Global Hawk. However, Beyond Parallel concluded that "as of now, it is assessed that it simply copied the external appearance of the aircraft and was not equipped with advanced equipment similar to that of the U.S." This aligns with assessments from South Korean military officials, who have dismissed Pyongyang's latest UAV as more of a showpiece than a functional weapon. The Beyond Parallel report further noted similarities between the Saetbyeol-4 and China's high-altitude reconnaissance UAV, the WZ-7. However, analysts warn that if North Korea successfully develops a working version and deploys it near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) or inside South Korea's Air Defense Identification Zone (KADIZ), it could significantly enhance Pyongyang's situational awareness of the region. Ultimately, experts believe this move is designed to counter South Korea's Kill Chain and Korea Massive Punishment and Retaliation (KMPR) phases of the three-axis defense system by strengthening North Korea's unmanned surveillance capabilities. Recent reports also suggest that North Korea is not acting alone. Intelligence sources have confirmed that North Korean troops learned advanced drone warfare tactics from Russia during the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. In a stunning revelation, a high-ranking Russian commander from the Ukrainian front lines was recently spotted among Moscow's diplomatic delegation to Pyongyang. However, HNGN cannot independently verify the claims. 2 April 2025 12:02 (UTC+04:00) Full digital access to all news for 1 year Full digital access to all news for 6 months Full digital access to all news for 3 months Full digital access to all news for 1 month Find the plan that suits you best. Germany has sharply increased its imports of crude oil and oil products from Azerbaijan, marking a significant rise in trade between the two countries, Azernews reports. According to the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan, more than 500,000 tons of crude oil and crude oil products derived from bituminous rocks were exported to Germany in January-February 2025, totaling $276.5 million. Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention. Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis. By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more. Subscribe You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper Thank you! 2 April 2025 12:23 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more Former Chief of the General Staff of the Armenian Army, Colonel General Movses Hakobyan, and former Chief of the Missile Forces and Artillery Department, Major General Armen Harutyunyan, have been accused of negligence in service, Azernews reports via Armenian media. The charges stem from Armenias purchase of unusable military equipment from Russia nine years ago. Hakobyan, who signed the bilateral agreement, facilitated the acquisition of more than 4.5 billion drams ($11 million) worth of military equipment and technology from Russia. The case highlights concerns over corruption and mismanagement within Armenias defense sector, particularly in past arms procurement deals. 2 April 2025 19:19 (UTC+04:00) By Alimat Aliyeva With the successful launch of the SpaceX Fram2 mission, a fully civilian crew is set to complete a groundbreaking flight that professional astronauts have never attempted: orbiting the Earth from pole to pole, Azernews reports. The mission began with the launch of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, carried into space by a Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The spacecraft was placed into a 90-degree polar orbit, a path that will allow the crew to fly from the North Pole to the South Pole multiple times during the three-to-five-day mission. While orbiting at an altitude of 267 miles, each orbit will take about 46 minutes. The crew will experience stunning views of Earths polar regions, conducting scientific experiments and capturing unique photographs along the way. This privately funded mission is led by Chun Wang, a Maltese cryptocurrency entrepreneur, and includes a diverse team: Norwegian film director and cinematographer Yannick Mikkelsen, robotics researcher Rabia Rog from Berlin, and Eric Philips, a professional polar traveler. This marks the first spaceflight for all four crew members. The Fram2 mission, named after the famous Norwegian polar research vessel Fram (meaning "forward"), is designed to observe and photograph Earths polar regions from low Earth orbit. The team also plans to conduct 22 experiments aimed at advancing long-term space missions and studying atmospheric phenomena, which could benefit future space exploration. Mikkelsen, who serves as the commander of the mission, is known for his work in film directing and cinematography, specializing in next-generation technologies used for filming in extreme and remote environments, such as the Earths polar regions. His expertise in capturing footage in some of the most inhospitable places on Earth will be put to use as he leads the mission crew in documenting the incredible journey from space. The Fram2 mission represents a significant leap in private space exploration, with a fully civilian crew pushing the boundaries of what has traditionally been the domain of professional astronauts. With growing interest in private space travel, the success of this mission could pave the way for more civilian-led ventures into space, offering new opportunities for scientific research and adventure tourism. The mission also highlights the growing role of technology and media in the exploration of our planet and beyond. 2 April 2025 20:48 (UTC+04:00) Full digital access to all news for 1 year Full digital access to all news for 6 months Full digital access to all news for 3 months Full digital access to all news for 1 month Find the plan that suits you best. Greece has announced plans to allocate 25 billion euros as part of a comprehensive, multi-year defense strategy aimed at modernizing its armed forces. This move comes as the country continues its recovery from the 2009-2018 debt crisis, which resulted in years of austerity measures, Azernews reports. Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention. Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis. By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more. Subscribe You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper Thank you! 2 April 2025 22:26 (UTC+04:00) By Alimat Aliyeva On April 2, Kazakh Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov presented a comprehensive concept for the development of Kazakhstan's oil refining industry to President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, outlining plans for the sectors growth through 2040, Azernews reports. "During the meeting, issues related to the development of Kazakhstan's fuel and energy complex, the stable operation of oil refineries, the processing of 17.6 million tons of oil by 2025, and the development of a long-term refining industry strategy were discussed," the statement read. The proposed concept includes several key infrastructure projects, such as the construction of new gas processing facilities at major oil fields like Kashagan, Karachaganak, and Zhanaozen, which are expected to play a pivotal role in boosting the country's oil production and refining capacity. Additionally, the concept outlines the second phase of the BeineuBozoiShymkent gas pipeline project, as well as the construction of the TaldykorganUsharal gas pipeline to further strengthen Kazakhstan's energy infrastructure. A major focus of the plan is the expansion of the countrys power generation capabilities. The concept envisions the introduction of more than 26 gigawatts (GW) of new generating capacity by 2035, aiming to meet rising domestic energy demand and support economic growth. In response to the proposal, President Tokayev emphasized the importance of ensuring the timely and high-quality implementation of infrastructure projects within the oil and gas, petrochemical, and electric power sectors. He also highlighted the need to enhance energy security, stabilize the nations energy supply, and create a more favorable investment climate. Furthermore, the President called for efforts to attract strategic investors to the exploration and development of Kazakhstans natural resources. Kazakhstans oil refining and energy sector reforms are part of a broader strategy to modernize the countrys infrastructure and ensure its energy independence. As the world transitions towards cleaner energy sources, Kazakhstan is looking to secure its position as a key player in the global energy market by diversifying its energy portfolio and improving efficiency. The emphasis on attracting strategic investors reflects a growing recognition of the importance of private sector involvement in the countrys energy development. The completion of these projects could not only transform Kazakhstans energy landscape but also position the nation as a regional energy hub in Central Asia. 2 April 2025 19:54 (UTC+04:00) The health of Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari is improving after his diagnosis with COVID-19. He was admitted to a hospital in Karachi, Pakistans largest city, on Tuesday after his condition worsened. A statement released by the President's House in Islamabad on Wednesday confirmed that President Zardaris personal physician, Dr. Asim Hussain, had conducted various tests, which revealed that the President is suffering from COVID-19. As a result, he has been advised to remain in isolation. Dr. Hussain mentioned that a team of medical experts is overseeing the President's treatment, and his condition is steadily improving. President Zardari was initially brought to the hospital from his hometown of Nawabshah, where he had offered Eid al-Fitr prayers. Earlier, senior provincial Minister of Sindh, Sharjeel Memon, provided reassurance that the Presidents health is improving, dismissing rumors that he would be transferred to Dubai for further medical treatment. In a stunning legal decision, a federal judge has permanently dismissed the corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, blocking the Trump Justice Department from ever bringing the charges again. The move comes after a firestorm of controversy surrounding the DOJ's handling of the case, including high-profile resignations and allegations of political maneuvering. Judge Dale Ho ruled on Tuesday that his hands were tied, despite expressing concerns about the Justice Department's motives for dropping the case. "Everything here smacks of a bargain: dismissal of the indictment in exchange for immigration policy concessions," he wrote in a 78-page opinion. He described the DOJ's actions as "disturbing" and warned that they suggested public officials might receive special treatment if they aligned with political priorities. "That suggestion is fundamentally incompatible with the basic promise of equal justice under the law." The Justice Department defended its decision to drop the case, with a spokesperson stating, "This case was an example of political weaponization and a waste of resources. We are focused on arresting and prosecuting terrorists while returning the Department of Justice to its core mission of keeping Americans safe." Adams' attorney, Alex Spiro, celebrated the ruling, saying, "This case should have never been brought in the first place and finally today that case is gone forever. From Day 1, the mayor has maintained his innocence and now justice for Eric Adams and New Yorkers has prevailed." The controversy erupted after Adams, who is up for reelection this fall, was indicted in September on bribery, wire fraud, and conspiracy charges. Prosecutors alleged he had solicited campaign contributions from foreign nationals in exchange for political favors, dating back to his time as Brooklyn Borough President. The indictment accused Adams of accepting luxury perks from a Turkish official and pressuring a New York City Fire Department official to approve permits for a Turkish consular building that had failed inspection. In February, the Trump Justice Department recommended dropping the case, arguing it was interfering with Adams' ability to combat illegal immigration and violent crime. Then-acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove stated, "The pending prosecution has unduly restricted Mayor Adams' ability to devote full attention and resources to the illegal immigration and violent crime that escalated under the policies of the prior Administration." However, the decision to abandon the case triggered an internal DOJ revolt, with multiple prosecutorsincluding then-acting US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Danielle Sassoonresigning in protest. In her resignation letter, Sassoon claimed that Adams' lawyers had suggested a quid pro quo: that he would assist with Trump's immigration enforcement priorities only if the charges were dropped. Judge Ho ultimately sided with conservative attorney Paul Clement, whom he appointed to review the DOJ's request. Clement argued that dismissing the case with prejudicepreventing the charges from ever being refiledwas the best way to ensure legal accountability and avoid the appearance of political coercion. "A dismissal without prejudice creates a palpable sense that the prosecution outlined in the indictment and approved by a grand jury could be renewed, a prospect that hangs like the proverbial Sword of Damocles over the accused," Clement wrote. Rev. Al Sharpton weighed in on the ruling, emphasizing its political implications. "It takes away the feeling that he was under the thumb of the president," Sharpton told CNN. "It clearly says that now whatever he does, now he'll be judged on his own decisions." Judge Ho made it clear that his ruling was not a judgment on Adams' guilt or innocence but rather a necessary step to prevent undue political influence over the justice system. "Bringing these decisions into the open may, in turn, lead to attempts by the public to influence these decisions through democratic channels," he wrote. With the case now closed for good, Adams can focus on his reelection bidthough the shadow of the corruption allegations may still loom over his campaign. President Trump recently issued an executive order that cracks down on illegal aliens voting illegally in our elections. Illegal aliens have been an illegal voting block for Democrats and they are furious that Trump wants to clean up their illegal practices. The Democrat National Committee, Democrat Senate leader Schumer and Democrat House leader Jeffreys have filed a lawsuit to try to block Trump's executive order on illegal aliens voting in our elections. As in usual Democrat practice, they are undoubtedly trying to judge shop to manuver their case in front of a politically corrupt Obama or Biden judge who they expect to abuse power with a partisan political ruling. The lawyer bringing the case is shyster Marc Elias, known for his shananigans to rig the 2020 election. The Democrats are showing once again that they are absolute traitors to America, obsessed only with their own political power. https://www.zerohedge.com/political/dnc-schumer-sue-trump-over-order-targeting-illegal-immigrant-voting https://redstate.com/rusty-weiss/2025/04/02/of-course-they-are-democrats-suing-trump-for-trying-to-prevent-non-citizens-from-voting-n2187410 DOGE has found that the Biden regime improperly gave two million illegal aliens Social Security numbers instead of the tax ID numbers they should have had, and this enabled many to the illegal aliens to illegally register to vote and then actually vote. https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2025/03/31/doges_antonio_gracias_social_security_fraud_illegal_votes_and_human_trafficking.html Meanwhile, prominent Democrats continue to demand that deported illegal alien gangsters be returned to the United States. https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/04/dem-rep-jamie-raskin-demands-trump-return-deported/ A UUP MLA has raised concerns over an anti-dairy advert which he has said fails to fairly represent the reality of dairy farming in the UK. The advert, titled Dairy is Scary, has been running in some cinemas for as long as eight weeks and was produced by animal rights group Viva!. The group has claimed the video is the first anti-dairy cinema advert. UUP MLA Robbie Butler said he has flagged concerns to the Adverting Standards Authority (ASA) after being contacted by a member of dairy farming community who said the advert misrepresents the dairy industry. The Lagan Valley representative said: Following this complaint, I have contacted the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) to seek clarification on whether the advert, which has been showing in cinemas for eight weeks, breaches advertising regulations. The concerns raised include the advert's potentially misleading claims, its distressing nature, and the way it fails to fairly represent the reality of dairy farming in the UK. He added that UK dairy farmers take great pride in their work, ensuring high welfare standards and producing quality milk for customers. He said that he will stand with our farmers and believes that they deserve fair and accurate representation. Viva! is one of the UKs largest animal rights activist groups and has been campaigning for vegan eating since 1994. The minute-long advert portrays a mother putting her baby to bed before turning around to see a bleak figure hanging over its cot. After noticing her baby is missing the mother confronts the man, who states stating that she cant keep her baby because we want your milk. It goes on to cut to an image of a caged dairy calf and makes the claim that almost every dairy calf is taken from their mother. Dairy is Scary: UKs first anti-dairy cinema advert The clip is part of Vivas scary dairy campaign which provides information on how and why people should ditch the product. Among the claims on their website, is that dairy is harmful for the environment and our health. As an alternative to dairy products Viva! suggest a number of plant based food products. The charity has previously produced controversial pro-vegan adverts in the past. In 2022, they ran a TV advert which showed people ordering a pork takeaway from a company called "Just Meat." But when the delivery driver arrives it is a live piglet with a meat cleaver next to it. The ASA and Viva! have been contacted for comment. Northside Graphics in Belfast has announced the acquisition of Media Design and Print, a move it said would boost turnover beyond 11m and employee numbers to over 80. Northside was set up in 1988 as an online digital printing platform business, and last year received investment from Bestport Private Equity to accelerate growth, including through acquisitions. Its purchase of Media Design and Print is the first deal following the funding boost. As a result, the company and its 10 employees will move from its home on Newtownards Road to join Northside at Dargan Crescent. Richard Campbell, Northside managing director, said the deal would strengthen its top position in the market. Northside Graphics currently offers the widest range of printed products within Northern Ireland, and this will be further enhanced by several bespoke products offered by Media Design and Print, bringing us a unique competitive advantage, he said. As a highly respected business within the print industry in Northern Ireland, Media Design and Print also brings a huge amount of experience and a loyal customer base to the Northside business. Having recorded exceptional growth and success in recent years, we have every confidence that this acquisition will support our continued growth trajectory in the coming years. Media Design and Print was established by the Beckinsale family in 2007, after they had first founded Media Marketing 20 years earlier. Harold Beckinsale snr founded the firm, and his sons Michael and Harold are also partners in it. Michael Beckinsale, partner at Media Design and Print, said: Our acquisition by Northside Graphics is testament to our reputation for excellence in the printing sector, thanks to our outstanding staff and the support of our loyal customer base over the past 38 years. From left, Richard Campbell, Michael Beckinsale, Harold Beckinsale snr and Harold Beckinsale jnr News Catch Up - Wednesday 2 April We see great synergies between our business and Northside both in terms of our product offering and our combined expertise in the digital print industry and the online arena, in which Northside operates so widely across the UK and Ireland. Northside Graphics operates four Upload and Print websites in the UK and Ireland and has won many major awards over the year, including the Printweek award for UK Company of the Year in 2023. It was advised in the transaction, which completed on Monday, by Davidson McDonnell. Media Design and Print was advised by Turley Legal. SDLP urges UK Government not to pander to bullies over US tariffs as DUP seeks retaliatory action assurance It comes as talks continue between the UK and US over the measures Claire Hanna speaking in the House of Commons Liam Tunney Wed 2 Apr 2025 at 14:29 The UK Government should not pander to bullying tactics as it enters negotiations with the United States over potential tariffs, SDLP leader Claire Hanna has told the Commons. Hovis is category sponsor at the 2025 Belfast Telegraph Grocer Marketing Awards' Margaret Canning, business editor at Belfast Telegraph with Chris Hyland, customer business manager at Molson Coors, at the launch of the Belfast Telegraph Grocer Marketing Awards on the 20th March 2025 (Luke Jervis/Belfast Telegraph) Hovis is sponsoring the Leader in Marketing Award at the Belfast Telegraph Grocer Marketing Awards Hovis has been baking bread from the finest ingredients for more than 130 years. The range may have changed and evolved over the years but our ongoing commitment to exceptional product quality and expertise continues. Today, Hovis is baked in bakeries across the United Kingdom including our site in Belfast. Hovis is Northern Irelands #1 Kantar Food and Drinks brand for the 5th consecutive year. The Hovis Ireland portfolio also includes ORMO, Mothers Pride New York Bakery Co & Mission Foods, enjoyed by families across Northern Ireland ideal for all meal occasions. Hovis The 2024 Best Brand winner - Ormo - celebrates 150 years in the baking in 2025. From 1875 to 2025, the Ormo range has been lovingly baked in Belfast, becoming one of Northern Irelands most cherished brands, ranking No.1 in Quality, Taste & Freshness. As we mark this incredible 150-year milestone, we are celebrating our proud heritage while embracing the future with a brand-new digital-first strategy. Join the journey & follow us on our new digital platforms, the first being our brand-new website: www.ormobakery.co.uk. Hovis (Ireland) are delighted to again sponsor the Leader in Marketing Award at the 2025 Belfast Telegraph Grocer Marketing Awards. Margaret Canning, business editor at Belfast Telegraph with Chris Hyland, customer business manager at Molson Coors, at the launch of the Belfast Telegraph Grocer Marketing Awards on the 20th March 2025 (Luke Jervis/Belfast Telegraph) This award will recognise the individuals outstanding and impactful marketing contribution achieved during their career to date. All entrants will need to demonstrate how they have developed successful marketing and brand campaigns which may include impactful CSR initiatives and category leading digital strategies, that clearly emanate from a defined business strategy. At this stage of their career they should be able to demonstrate how they have nurtured and mentored the budding marketeers of the future! I wish all award entrants in this category, the very best of luck. Trevor McCrum is commercial director, Ireland at Hovis. For more information about the awards ceremony at Belfast's Culloden Resort & Spa on June 13, email karen.mcgarvey@mediahuis.co.uk As Gen Alpha beg their parents for 50 retinol creams and host parties at popular beauty retailers, Charlotte Cripps, a mum of two, explains why shes stepping back from the Sephora kids trend before its too late It was the straw that broke the camels back. I didnt bat an eyelid when she asked if we could buy her friend, also six, a Charlotte Tilbury Hypnotising Pop Shot for Christmas I assumed it was more about the sparkly gold case the product was in. Nor did I mind when she wanted a Disney princess eyeshadow palette, or a cute rabbit-shaped Inuwet vegan lip balm, which are scented and free from parabens but look just like lipstick. Weve had cheap and cheerful kids makeup sets from Amazon. Ive even purchased the pricey French brand Nailmatics nail polish that washes away with warm, soapy water and is safe for children to use as well as other non-toxic makeup from Miss Nella. But a product to make her eyelashes appear longer, thicker and healthier? Its too much. The girl needed hospital treatment after being struck by a brick. A brick attack which hospitalised a15-year-old girl in south Belfast has been condemned by the local community. A boy (15) is due in court later this month in connection with the attack. The girls injuries were not life-threatening, although she required hospital treatment. A local community-led organisation has also condemned anti-social behaviour in the area. The Greater Village Regeneration Trust (GRVT) have encouraged both sides of the community to come together to stop the long running anti-social behaviour in the area. GVRT is a community-led organisation that delivers a range of initiatives to support the local community. "Another night and Broadway is making the news again, this time with another young person being injured, which makes it two young people in the space of one week, said a spokesperson in a statement posted on social media. "We again appeal to any young people from both sides of the community to please stop this. "This has been going on too long and is going to result in someone being seriously injured or worse. "To young people who are from this area, please stop. You are wrecking your own area and your own community, where your own families and friends live. They added: We have been asked to hold a public community meeting in which local residents will be invited to come and share their experiences. PSNI and other agencies will be in attendance. Earlier today, Sinn Fein councillor Ciaran Beattie, said his thoughts are with the girl and her family, while urging parents to be aware of their childrens whereabouts. "Although the young girl was hospitalised, thankfully her injuries are not serious and my thoughts are with her and her family, said the councillor. Those young people who continue to gather with the intent on causing trouble and havoc in this area must stop, and parents should also know where their children are. "Local residents have simply had enough of the unacceptable actions of a minority. Sinn Fein has been consistently engaging with partners and residents in the community, and we will continue working to ensure this area is calm and peaceful. The girl needed hospital treatment after being struck by a brick. News Catch Up - Wednesday 2 April The teenager perpetrator has been charged with assault causing actual bodily harm and possessing an offensive weapon in a public space. He is due to appear before Belfast Youth Court later this month. A senior PSNI officer said it was sheer luck that the girl was not badly injured. "We received a report at around 10.20pm on Tuesday, 1 April that a 15-year-old girl had been hit on the head by a brick while in the Broadway area of south Belfast, Chief Inspector Conway stated. "A 15-year-old boy has since been charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place. He is expected to appear before Belfast Youth Court on Monday, April 28. "It's only through sheer luck that we aren't looking at much more serious consequences for this young girl. Young people have been gathering in the area each evening, behaving recklessly, dangerously and in some instances criminally with little regard for other members of the public and local residents. "This behaviour has to stop before someone is hurt, or worse. "We are in the area each evening, providing a visible policing presence and liaising with community representatives, but today I want to ask local parents - do you know where your children are, and who they are with? "Speak to the young people in your life about the dangers of getting involved in this type of behaviour. Ultimately, they could end up with a criminal record which may impact their future employment and travel prospects. "We understand the concerns of local residents and the wider public regarding this ongoing anti-social behaviour and are committed to continuing our work alongside partner agencies, local representatives and the community to address this issue. "We all have a responsibility to help make where we live safer for everyone. Claire McKeegan (second left) and Margaret McGuckin (centre) with supporters after winning appeal that later led to the Redress Compensation Scheme A scheme that has seen over 100m worth of public money paid to victims of historical abuse has come to an end, with some broken and exhausted campaigners saying they are relieved the uphill battle is now over. However, others had fought for an extension to the Historical Institutional Abuse (HIA) Redress Board which stopped on Wednesday. As the scheme came to an end, lawyers and activists representing hundreds of victims and survivors who received compensation emphasised the years of work that went into securing it. Margaret McGuckin of Survivors and Victims of Institutional Abuse (Savia) Margaret McGuckin, who is the leader of Savia (Survivors and Victims of Institutional Abuse), said she is glad to see the back of it adding that she and other campaigners were passed from pillar to post for years just to get this in the first place. This started in 2008, coming out in the newspapers about us fighting for this, she told the Belfast Telegraph. Were just all glad its over. The campaign damaged people more, with being let down; see from the beginning, how many times do you have to go on TV? How many times do you have to be in the newspaper? People needed counselling after, there was more damage done fighting and campaigning and begging for justice. They caused more damage than what the church and the state and the institutions did. Why did we have to battle and fight so hard, before they [the Executive] did anything? So many [victims] passed away, waiting a very long time on the NI Executive doing what was right, and they had that hope, and we had to fight to go to Westminster. We were passed from different department to a different department, nobody would take responsibility... Ill be glad to hear the back of it [the scheme]. We are broken and exhausted, but still in one piece, just about. In 2018, a victim of historical sexual abuse at Belfasts Nazareth Lodge known only as JR80 applied for a judicial review of the Northern Ireland Secretary and Executive Offices failure to implement a financial redress or compensation scheme. The scheme was recommended by a judicial Historical Institutional Abuse (HIA) inquiry in 2017, led by Sir Anthony Hart. In his findings, he recommended compensation to survivors of abuse including in homes/institutions not covered by the HIA inquiry and a permanent memorial erected at Stormont. The HIA inquiry studied allegations of abuse in 22 homes and other residential institutions over more than a 70-year period. These were facilities run by the state, local authorities, the Catholic Church, the Church of Ireland and the childrens charity Barnardos. The Court of Appeal later ruled that the Executive Office had failed in its duty to provide for the victims and in November 2018, victims, survivors and relatives travelled to Westminster and watched the bill being enacted by Parliament. The scheme was established in April 2019, and applicants to the Redress Board have been gaining compensation for five years since 2020. Barnardos, the De La Salle Order, Sisters of Nazareth, Sisters of St Louis, The Good Shepherd Sisters, and the Irish Church Missions were all identified by the Hart Report as being required to make contributions towards the cost of the Historical Institutional Abuse Redress scheme and specialist support services. It is understood that almost 5,000 applications were received during that time, and the scheme was open to anyone who resided in an institution or home between 1922 and 1995, and suffered or witnessed abuse. Applications could also be made on behalf of someone who has died if the relative was a spouse, civil or cohabitating partner or child. In January 2025, many survivors argued that some victims have yet to come forward and that greater public awareness about the scheme was needed, appealing for the end date for applications to be extended past April 2. Phoenix Law has helped around 800 victims through the scheme, obtaining over 20m in compensation for them. Phoenix Law solicitor Claire McKeegan Senior partner Claire McKeegan brought the landmark judicial review known as JR80 on behalf of the Nazareth Lodge survivor, who was abused as a vulnerable young boy in the homes care in 1948-1951. She said: We are proud to have stood beside survivors as they bravely came forward to seek truth, accountability, and redress. JR80 was a turning point not only in the legal landscape for survivors in NI, but in the journey towards justice for so many whose voices had gone unacknowledged for so long. Margaret and Savia members have also met with the First and deputy First Ministers over a memorial to victims and survivors that will be erected inside the Stormont buildings, although a set date for that has not yet been released. One parent told this newspaper they were left terrified Church Street in Dromore, Co Down is currently closed in both directions due to a security alert in the area. Credit: Press Eye Police at the scene of the incident in Dromore A security alert close to a Co Down nursery has now ended after officers retrieved two viable devices from nearby premises. Police received report at around 11.15am on Wednesday of two suspicious objects discovered outside a commercial premises at the Church Street area in Dromore. Several police cars were pictured at the scene with a cordon in place. Disruption was caused to the local nursery school which was inside the police cordon. A spokesperson for the PSNI said: Officers attended along with Army Technical Officers to examine the objects, which have been declared as viable pipe bomb type devices. "They have now been made safe and taken away for further forensic examination. They added that all roads have now been opened and urged anyone with information to come forward. Earlier today, deputy First Minister and Lagan Valley MLA Emma Little-Pengelly confirmed she had been in contact with police about the incident in the Co Down town. In a statement on social media, Ms Little-Pengelly wrote: We have been in contact with the PSNI and have been advised that two cylindrical objects were found at A1 Recovery, the yard beside The Old Station Nursery and as a precaution the area has been cordoned off and evacuated until a special unit examines the objects. "The police advise that there is no risk to the public but ask that people stay away from the area until confirmation that it is safe to return, hopefully later this afternoon. The Belfast Telegraph understands that police had escorted young children out of the nursery building, bringing them down to waiting parents at the roadside. Church Street in Dromore, Co Down is currently closed in both directions due to a security alert in the area. Credit: Press Eye One parent told this newspaper: "I was driving up as normal to collect my son when I noticed the road was blocked by a police car. I just thought it was maybe a car crash, but then I parked up and saw more police cars I started to panic a bit. "An officer told me I could walk to the nursery, and when I walked up I saw another police officer with the huge gun and I was honestly terrified. "Nursery staff and the police were great in helping the kids get out to the parents, and my son didn't really care what was going on - but for me and the other parents it was really scary there. "Why would there be a security alert here? I just don't understand this. Police at the scene of the incident in Dromore News Catch Up - Wednesday 2 April Reacting to the alert, Alliance Party Lagan River councillor Jessica Johnston wrote on social media: Please avoid the area to give the PSNI the space to carry out their duties. Trust parents and children are all safe. Their safety is paramount at this time. In an earlier statement, a PSNI spokesperson said: Church Street in Dromore, Co Down is currently closed in both directions due to a security alert in the area. Cordons are in place and the public are advised to avoid the area. Irelands premier has warned that the old order is changing, as he questioned whether the European Union and the US could sit around a negotiating table following Donald Trumps tariff announcements. Irelands premier has warned that the old order is changing, as he questioned whether the European Union and the US could sit around a negotiating table following Donald Trumps tariff announcements. Micheal Martin said the looming tariffs are the most serious issue to face the Irish economy, adding that the scale of tariffs will be very significant. Mr Trump is expected to apply import taxes on goods going to the US from around the world in a White House statement at 9pm later today. Irish politicians and companies are braced for the impact of the tariffs, which are set to have a significant impact on the economy. Mr Trump is expected to target EU countries, including Ireland, with tariffs of about 20% on imports into the US. Tariffs on all Irish exports will lead to higher costs, particularly in the pharma sector. Mr Martin told the Irish parliament that neither Ireland nor the EU started the threat of tariffs. This is, without question, the most serious issue to face the Irish economy in a long time, and its clear that the scale of these tariffs will be very, very significant in European terms, Mr Martin added. I would, in the first instance, say Ireland does not believe in tariffs. The European Union does not believe in tariffs, and the European Union doesnt want tariffs. So the European Union hasnt started this. Ireland hasnt started this. The bottom line is this, however, that ultimately, to get this into a sustainable landing zone for the future, negotiations are key. President Donald Trump listens to a question from a reporter before signing an executive order in the Oval Office of the White House (AP photo) Part of the approach in designing any countermeasures from the European Union will be the negotiating table. Can we get this to a negotiating table where you can get a reasonable, settled pattern? It will not be status quo, and it will not be what it is now. I think the old order is changing, and its regrettable we are in a Europe of increased protectionism. That is not good for Ireland. Its not good for open economies. He said he has huge concerns for the agri-food sector, as well as beverages, spirits, and the pharma industry. Then we have to work within the European Union, make sure that other sectors arent damaged by any potential counter measures, he added. So the Government strategy is to optimise the protection of Irish jobs. That is the fundamental objective, to protect Irish jobs. He also agreed to a meeting of party leaders to take place after the tariffs have been announced. Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said the hard reality is that the Irish economy is particularly exposed. Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald said counter tariffs were not in Irelands interest (Liam McBurney/PA) She said that the United States is Irelands largest export market, adding there is real concern around the impact on Irelands pharmaceutical and tech sectors. Ms McDonald said: Whilst the severity and scope of these tariffs is yet unknown, it is clear that this will present a significant economic challenge to Ireland. As the European Union formulates its response, the chief responsibility of government is to stand up for Irelands interests, to protect Irish jobs, Irish industry and the prosperity of our people, to ensure that any action taken doesnt exacerbate potential. Its crucial, therefore, that there is no knee jerk reaction from the EU. Counter tariffs are not in Irelands interest. She added: The focus on infrastructure, on skills, on R&D (research and development), and on basic public services, including child care services, the absolute imperative to provide working people with the roof over their heads is now front and centre. On Tuesday, the Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe warned that Ireland is facing a possible slump in employment growth and job creation, a decline in tax revenue, as well as a delay in future income tax cuts. Mr Donohoe also said the Government will consider increasing income tax over the years, but any decision would be based on the tariffs, and how long they will be in place. A man accused of the murder of a part-time Ulster Defence Regiment soldier over four decades ago has been extradited from the Republic to Northern Ireland, police have confirmed. The PSNI said the extradition was in relation to the murder of Joseph James Porter in Armagh in 1979. The 64-year-olds body was found close to the entrance of his farm on Creggan Road, Mountnorris, on June 24, 1979, having died from gunshot wounds to the head and body. A PSNI spokesperson said the man was arrested in the Republic of Ireland on June 24, 2024 on suspicion of the murder of Mr Porter in Armagh, firearms offences and membership of a proscribed organisation. Extradition proceedings were completed today, Wednesday, April 2, with his return to Northern Ireland. They said he was subject to an investigation by the Police Service of Northern Ireland's Legacy Investigation Branch. He is sought to stand trial for offences of murder, possession of a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life and belonging to a proscribed organisation. Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) stock image. Picture: Aodhan Roberts/Belfast Telegraph News Catch Up - Wednesday 2 April The police confirmed he would be appearing before Newry Magistrates Court later today. PSNI Sergeant Davey from the International Policing Unit said: The Police Service of Northern Ireland continues to work closely with authorities in the Republic of Ireland to locate and return those wanted to stand trial in Northern Ireland. In this particular case, we worked closely with the PSNI's Legacy Investigation Branch and An Garda Siochana to locate this man and bring him before the courts. We will continue to work closely with our partners to bring offenders before the courts and deliver justice to victims and their families. People take part in a pro-Palestine demonstration outside Leinster House in Dublin (Brian Lawless/PA) A pro-Palestine protest has been held outside Leinster House days after 14 people were arrested at a vigil. Mothers Against Genocide said they were devastated at the Gardais treatment of protesters who held an overnight vigil at the gates of Leinster House to coincide with Mothers Day. Protesters returned to the Dail on Wednesday to support a Bill that would look to restrict weapons shipments travelling through Ireland to Israel. People taking part in a pro-Palestine demonstration outside Leinster House in Dublin (Brian Lawless/PA) The road was briefly blocked as people held a Mothers Against Genocide banner and chanted slogans accusing the Taoiseach and Tanaiste of supporting genocide in Gaza. Clare OConnor from Mothers Against Genocide, one of the protest organisers, said she was devastated at the treatment of protesters at Leinster House on Monday but said it had really mobilised people. It hasnt put me off and I dont think its put anyone else off today, she said. People are so angry that people that came out to stand in solidarity with women and children being slaughtered in Gaza were treated in that way. She said the Mothers Day protest was about highlighting the mothers and children killed in Gaza and the Irish Governments complicity, while Wednesday was focusing on the Arms Embargo Bill. The Arms Embargo Bill is to stop weapons being transported through Irish airspace to Israel which is being used in the slaughter of innocent people, and were out here protesting that. People taking part in a pro-Palestine demonstration outside Leinster House in Dublin (Brian Lawless/PA) She said that free speech and the right to protest is being repressed in the US and Germany. If ever there was a time, now is the time to get out on the streets and be heard. Wed just ask people to come out and support us, were 18 months in, nobody thought wed still be here. This is about Palestine but its also about the whole world. If international law doesnt count, what does it mean for the world? If it can happen in Palestine it can happen absolutely anywhere. Mothers Against Genocide has said said it will file a complaint to the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission over allegations that some women who were arrested were strip searched and one was subjected to a cavity search. People taking part in a pro-Palestine demonstration outside Leinster House in Dublin (Brian Lawless/PA) Gardai released a statement on Wednesday denying that a cavity search took place and stating that searches were conducted in line with regulations. Preliminary inquiries conducted by local Garda management have found that any searches conducted were in line with the Treatment of Persons in Custody in Garda Siochana Stations Regulations (Criminal Justice Act, 1984), a statement said. An Garda Siochana refutes any allegation that a cavity search took place. The Arms Embargo Bill is to be debated in the Seanad at 5.30pm on Wednesday by Senators Frances Black, Alice Mary Higgins, Lynn Ruane and Eileen Flynn. (left to right) Independent senators Frances Black, Alice-Mary Higgins and Lynn Ruane, on the plinth with the Air Navigation and Transport (Arms Embargo) Bill 2024 outside Leinster House, Dublin. Ahead of delivering it to the Seanad. Picture date: Wednesday April 2, 2025. The Bill would restrict the transport minister from granting exemptions to flights travelling through Ireland carrying munitions, where there is a risk they will be sent to Israel or a country that exports weapons to Israel. It also aims to strengthen existing powers to inspect planes seeking to transit weapons through the State. An image of 11-year-old Kaliyah Coa has been released by police as they continue to search the River Thames for the missing schoolgirl (Family handout/PA) An image of 11-year-old Kaliyah Coa has been released by police as they continue to search the River Thames for the missing schoolgirl. Kaliyah, who had been playing during a school inset day, entered the water near Barge House Causeway, close to London City Airport, in east London on Monday. Teams from the London Ambulance Service, London Fire Brigade, the RNLI and the Coastguard all joined the search. Kaliyah Coa entered the River Thames at Barge House Causeway in east London on Monday (Pol Allingham/PA) The Metropolitan Police said officers are now leading a recovery mission along the Thames to find Kaliyah, who was named by the force on Tuesday. Chief Superintendent Dan Card, local policing commander for north-east London, said: Our specialist officers are supporting Kaliyahs family through this deeply upsetting time and our thoughts go out to all those impacted by what has happened. We are committed to finding Kaliyah and are working with partners to conduct a thorough search over a wide area utilising drone technology and boats. Id like to thank the members of public, our first responding officers, and colleagues from other emergency services, as they responded rapidly to carry out a large-scale search during a highly pressurised and distressing time. Barge House Causeway is a concrete slope that goes directly into the River Thames and is used to transport boats. Residents pointed out that it appeared to be covered in moss and is slippery. Kerry Benadjaoud, 62, told the PA news agency that Kaliyah was paddling in the water and must have slipped. Misinformation is being whipped up over asylum and immigration cases in relation to international human rights law, the Governments top legal adviser has said. Lord Richard Hermer KC warned there is a real job on misinformation around Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), the right to private and family life, in how it is applied to immigration cases in the UK. Giving evidence to Parliaments Joint Committee on Human Rights on Wednesday, the Attorney General said: There is clearly a lot of information, misinformation, that is being whipped up in the context of asylum and immigration in particular, Article 8. Many of you will have heard banded around the idea that the courts have allowed a foreign national offender to stay here because his child will miss chicken McNuggets. That is doing the rounds. What is not doing the rounds is that that case went to the Upper Tribunal, who categorically rejected that as an Article 8 argument. They rejected the claim. He added: Courts are always going to make mistakes. Thats why we have appeal courts, and thats whats happened here. The senior lawyer however said it was entirely right for the Home Secretary to conduct a review on the use of Article 8 in migration cases in the UK. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper will conduct a review (Aaron Chown/PA) Yvette Cooper confirmed on Monday the review will be particularly focusing on cases where ministers have disagreed with the conclusions reached in the courts. Several deportation attempts have been halted by how the ECHR clause has been interpreted in UK law. Lord Hermer said there has been a rise in the number of decisions reported at First Tier immigration tribunals on the basis of Article 8 that are capable of suggesting that it is not being applied properly or appropriately. He told the committee: I want to make clear in all my comments about decisions of any court that I am categorically not criticising judges. I think there is real merit in checking that Article 8 is being properly understood and applied, because, as Ive said, you can have a very, very robust but fair process in asylum and immigration context that is entirely compatible with Article 8. He added there needs to be checks on the right calibration of casework decisions and also that the Government is being robust in appealing against decisions. Completely understand that people are concerned, so are we, he said. We are determined to ensure that the immigration asylum system is as robust, efficient and fair as it can be, and you can do an awful lot that is compatible. All of this I should stress will be within Article 8. Elsewhere, the Attorney General was quizzed by MPs and peers on how he ensures the Government receives impartial advice on questions of human rights law after a long career at the bar. It comes after Lord Hermer faced questions about how his previous work, including representing former Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams, could result in possible conflicts of interest in his Government work. But he replied: Well, I think the short answer is thats by doing the best I can. Its absolutely essential that governments of whatever colour receive objective, legal advice. Deborah Gosling, whose sister Julie Wild became an organ donor after her death in 2019, met Corinne Hutton, who received Ms Wilds hands in a double hand transplant surgery (PA) A double hand transplant recipient hugged and held hands with the twin sister of her donor when she met her for the first time. Ill shake your hand because I can, said Corinne Hutton when she met Deborah Gosling, whose sisters hands were donated after she died. Julie Wilds hands, pancreas, liver, and both kidneys were all donated after she died of a sudden brain bleed in 2019 when she was 51. In an emotional meeting captured on film, Ms Gosling said as she embraced Ms Hutton that her sister had beautiful hands and would be so proud. Ms Hutton lost both hands and legs as a result of sepsis in 2013. She said a call came completely out of the blue in 2019 saying that donor hands had been found and it was all systems go. Almost instantly at that point your thoughts go to the donor family in my familys excitement, we know all too well what they were going through, she said. Ms Wild, a mother-of-two, worked as a phlebotomist a health worker who takes blood from patients for analysis at Sheffield Childrens Hospital. She has been described by her sister as a soft and caring person who did everything for her sons. Ms Gosling, a 57-year-old paramedic from Sheffield, said: She was my best friend and I am still lost without her. She said she took her sister to hospital when she became suddenly unwell in January 2019. I got her in the car, took her to hospital she got worse and worse en route to the hospital. Mother-of-two Julie Wild died of a sudden brain haemorrhage in January 2019 (PA) A nurse and a doctor came on to the scene she was unconscious from then. I knew I had lost my sister. She went on: When the specialist nurse came to see me about organ donation, it wasnt a hard decision. I said straight away No problem. They also asked about donating limbs. And I was quite taken aback by it because I had not heard of that before. But to give somebody a chance of enhancing their life is absolutely incredible. I didnt hesitate. Julie didnt need them any more but someone else did. Corinne Hutton became the sixth person in the UK to receive a double hand transplant in 2019 (Finding Your Feet/PA) Ms Hutton, now 54, from Lochwinnoch in Renfrewshire, Scotland, had a 12-hour operation to have her new hands fitted, becoming the sixth person in the UK to receive a double hand transplant. Ms Gosling said Ms Huttons recovery has been a source of pride for the family. She said: I always wanted to meet Corinne and I will always keep in touch. Its hard to describe but its quite comforting to know someone has got her hands, that part of her lives on in a way. I couldnt take my eyes off them when we met. Julies organs saved lives and her hands have transformed Corinnes life. Id say to other people dont hesitate. What good are your organs and limbs when you have passed away? Ms Hutton said: Most of all I wanted them to know I was grateful. I felt such empathy and a connection because my own parents were asked about the possibility of organ donation when I was in intensive care. I knew it must have been a traumatic time for Julies family. I was just so aware of how generous they were to decide to donate. I was hopeful that, for Deborah, holding the hands and touching and seeing them would give them some light after an otherwise dark situation. She added: I also wanted to know what Julie did with her hands it turned out she drank white wine and sang karaoke. Ms Hutton now has about 95% function in her right hand and about 75% in her left hand. The difference the transplant has made has been absolutely life-changing, she said. Im so grateful to Julie and her family. Ill never forget that I am lucky and I will never forget where theyve come from. And hopefully I will give them a good life. Deborah Gosling, donor Julie Wilds twin sister, greets Corinne Hutton in an emotional first meeting (PA) Ms Hutton has become an advocate for organ donation and also founded the charity Finding Your Feet, which supports families affected by amputation or limb absence. NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) can arrange meetings when both parties wish to meet. Ms Gosling and Ms Hutton met at the Queens Hotel in Leeds in 2019 and have now decided to share their story to support the NHS Blood and Transplant campaign for more people to donate organs and tissue. Officials said waiting lists are the highest in a decade, and there is an urgent need for more people to show their support through the NHS Organ Donor Register. There are currently 8,065 people on the transplant waiting list. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content Anthony Clarkson, director of organ and tissue donation and transplantation, said: No transplant, and no new transplant programme, is possible without the selfless generosity of donors and their families. We have supported the hand transplant programme for more than a decade. If theres the potential for organ donation, our specialist nurses in organ donation will also consider limb donation and, if theres a match to a specific patient, have a discussion with the family in a sensitive way. Many families will give serious consideration if they think its what their families would have wanted. Theres an urgent need for the donation of organs and tissue. Families take great comfort and pride knowing that their loved one has given an amazing gift to somebody in need. We urge people to support donation on the NHS Organ Donor Register and to tell their families they want to donate. Argentine President Javier Milei speaks during a ceremony commemorating the 43rd anniversary of the conflict between Argentina and Great Britain over the Falkland Islands at a war memorial in Buenos Aires, Argentina (Natacha Pisarenko/AP) Argentinas libertarian president Javier Milei has marked the anniversary of his nations failed 1982 attempt to forcibly wrest the Falkland Islands from Britain by expressing hope that the islands residents may one day choose to be Argentine rather than British. Mr Mileis speech came as a surprise to many in Argentina, which still claims sovereignty over the British-controlled archipelago that it calls Las Malvinas despite the British victory. His comments were criticised as overly conciliatory by political rivals who argue that the islands residents have no right to self-determination because they are not an indigenous people. We hope for the Malvinenses (Falkland Islanders) to one day decide to vote for us with their feet, Mr Milei said at a ceremony commemorating Argentinas 74-day war over the South Atlantic territory that killed 649 Argentine service members and 255 British soldiers. Thats why we seek to be a power, to the point that (the islanders) prefer to be Argentine. The islands roughly 3,000 residents most recently voted to remain a British overseas territory in a 2013 referendum a result rejected by then-president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, a left-leaning populist who made Argentinas claims to Las Malvinas a centrepiece of her foreign policy. As president and more recently vice president over the last decade, Ms Kirchner repeatedly condemned UK control over the islands as a colonial holdover and sought to press Britain to enter talks about the future of the territory that it has ruled since 1833. On Wednesday, Ms Kirchner and her political allies ideological opponents of the right-wing president castigated Mr Milei for his accommodating approach to Britain. There is no self-determination after the occupation and expulsion, former foreign minister Santiago Cafiero wrote on social media platform X in reaction to Mr Mileis speech, accusing him of surrendering the nationalistic claims for which Argentines fought and died. Even politicians from the centre-right PRO party expressed confusion over Mr Mileis stance on an issue that has long forged a unifying sense of Argentine patriotism. During Mr Mileis 2023 presidential campaign, the former TV pundit set off a firestorm by admitting that he idolised fellow libertarian Margaret Thatcher, the UK prime minister who dispatched troops to retake the Falklands after Argentinas waning military dictatorship mounted its invasion. Javier Milei, left, and his sister, the general secretary of the presidency Karina Milei, arrive at a war memorial in Buenos Aires for a ceremony commemorating the 43rd anniversary of the conflict between Argentina and Great Britain over the Falkland Islands (Natacha Pisarenko/AP) Eager to quiet mounting controversy on Wednesday, cabinet officials insisted that Mr Mileis remarks constituted no change of policy. Milei wasnt just referring to self-determination, he was saying that we will not cease efforts at any table or forum, defence minister Luis Petri told local journalists who peppered him with questions from the memorial plaza after Mr Mileis speech. The wars 43rd anniversary also exposed tensions within the highest rungs of government. Victoria Villarruel, Mr Mileis vice president and a fiery advocate for Argentinas military whose father fought in the 1982 war, flew more than 2,800 kilometres (1,700) miles to Argentinas chilly southernmost coast on Wednesday to lead a separate memorial ceremony. Ms Villarruel took the stage in Ushuaia from which Argentine troops first set off to recapture the islands to shouts of Long live the homeland! shortly after a local veteran affairs official delivered a speech condemning Mr Mileis remarks on self-determination. Our country must define a clear and unambiguous policy of national defence, Ms Villarruel said, her voice rising. The territory is being sought by the US President (AP) Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen is travelling to Greenland for a three-day trip aimed at building the trust of Greenlandic officials as the Trump administration seeks control of the vast Arctic territory. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced plans for her trip after US vice president JD Vance visited a US air base in Greenland last week and accused Denmark of underinvesting in the territory. Greenland is a mineral-rich, strategically critical island that is becoming more accessible due to climate change. US vice president JD Vance visited a US air base in Greenland last week (Pool via AP) Mr Trump has said that the landmass is critical to US security. It is part of North America but is a semi-autonomous territory belonging to the Kingdom of Denmark. Ms Frederiksen is due to meet the incoming Greenlandic leader, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, after an election last month that produced a new government. She will also meet the future Naalakkersuisut, the cabinet, in a visit due to last until Friday. Denmarks Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has criticised the US Presidents overtures (Scanpix via AP) It has my deepest respect how the Greenlandic people and the Greenlandic politicians handle the great pressure that is on Greenland, she said in government statement announcing the visit. On the agenda are talks with Mr Nielsen about cooperation between Greenland and Denmark. For years, the people of Greenland, with a population of about 57,000, have been working towards eventual independence from Denmark. The incoming government is seeking a slower approach to independence from Denmark (Ritzau Scanpix via AP) The Trump administrations threats to take control of the island one way or the other, possibly even with military force, have angered many in Greenland and Denmark. The incoming government wants to take a slower approach on the question of eventual independence. The political group in Greenland most sympathetic to the US President, the Naleraq party that advocates a swift path toward independence, was excluded from coalition talks to form the next government. Peter Viggo Jakobsen, associate professor at the Danish defence academy, said last week that the Trump administrations aspirations for Greenland could backfire and push the more mild parties closer to Denmark. He said that Trump has scared most Greenlanders away from this idea about a close relationship to the United States because they dont trust him. Buildings that were destroyed during the Israeli ground and air operations stand in northern of Gaza Strip as seen from southern Israel (Leo Correa/AP) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel is establishing a new security corridor across the Gaza Strip to pressure Hamas, suggesting it would cut off the southern city of Rafah, which Israel has ordered evacuated, from the rest of the Palestinian territory. The announcement came after Mr Netanyahus defence minister said Israel would seize large areas of Gaza and add them to its so-called security zones. A wave of Israeli strikes, meanwhile, killed more than 40 Palestinians, including several women and children, according to Palestinian health officials. Israel has vowed to escalate the nearly 18-month war with Hamas until the militant group returns dozens of remaining hostages, disarms and leaves the territory. Israel ended a ceasefire in March and has imposed a month-long halt on all imports of food, fuel and humanitarian aid. Mr Netanyahu described the new axis as the Morag corridor, using the name of a Jewish settlement that once stood between Rafah and Khan Younis, suggesting it would run between the two southern cities. He said it would be a second Philadelphi corridor referring to the Gaza side of the border with Egypt further south, which has been under Israeli control since last May. Israel has also reasserted control over the Netzarim corridor, also named for a former settlement, that cuts off the northern third of Gaza, including Gaza City, from the rest of the narrow coastal strip. Both of the existing corridors run from the Israeli border to the Mediterranean Sea. We are cutting up the strip, and we are increasing the pressure step by step, so that they will give us our hostages, Mr Netanyahu said. Palestinians inspect a UN building after it was hit by an Israeli strike, in Jabaliya, northern Gaza Strip (Jehad Alshrafi/AP) In northern Gaza, an Israeli air strike hit a UN building in the built-up Jabaliya refugee camp, killing 15 people, including nine children and two women, according to the Indonesian Hospital. The Israeli military said it struck Hamas militants in a command and control centre. The building, previously a clinic, had been converted into a shelter for displaced people, with more than 700 residing there, according to Juliette Touma, a spokesperson for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, the main aid provider in Gaza. No UN staff were wounded in the strike. She said UN staff warned people about the dangers of remaining there after Wednesdays strike but that many chose to stay, simply because they have absolutely nowhere else to go. More than 60% of Gaza is now considered a no-go zone because of Israeli evacuation orders, according to Olga Cherevko, a spokesperson for the UN humanitarian aid office. Hundreds of thousands people are living in squalid tent camps along the coast or in the ruins of their destroyed homes. Israeli defence minister Israel Katz had earlier said Israel would seize large areas and add them to its security zones, apparently referring to an existing buffer zone along Gazas entire perimeter. He called on Gaza residents to expel Hamas and return all the hostages, saying this is the only way to end the war. On Sunday, Mr Netanyahu said Israel plans to maintain overall security control of Gaza after the war and implement US President Donald Trumps proposal to resettle much of its population elsewhere through what the Israeli leader referred to as voluntary emigration. Palestinians have rejected the plan, viewing it as expulsion from their homeland after Israels offensive left much of it uninhabitable, and human rights experts say implementing the plan would be likely to violate international law. Hamas has said it will only release the remaining 59 hostages 24 of whom are believed to be alive in exchange for the release of more Palestinian prisoners, a lasting ceasefire and an Israeli pullout. The group has rejected demands that it lay down its arms or leave the territory. The decision to resume the war has fuelled protests in Israel, where many fear it has put the hostages at grave risk and are calling for another ceasefire and exchange with Hamas. The Hostage Families Forum, which represents most captives families, said they were horrified to wake up this morning to the defence ministers announcement about expanding military operations in Gaza. The group called on the Trump administration, which took credit for brokering the ceasefire but has supported Israels decision to end it, to do everything possible to free the remaining captives. Our highest priority must be an immediate deal to bring ALL hostages back home the living for rehabilitation and those killed for proper burial and end this war, the group said. In addition to the 15 killed in northern Gaza, Israeli air strikes overnight into Wednesday killed another 28 people across the territory, according to local hospitals. The Nasser Hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis said the dead included five women, one of them pregnant, and two children. Israel says it targets only militants and makes every effort to spare civilians, blaming Hamas for their deaths because the militants operate in densely populated areas. Buildings that were destroyed during Israeli ground and air operations in the northern Gaza Strip (Leo Correa/AP) The war began when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on October 7 2023, killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking 251 hostages, most of whom have since been released in ceasefire agreements and other deals. Israel rescued eight living hostages and has recovered dozens of bodies. Israels offensive has killed more than 50,000 Palestinians, according to Gazas Health Ministry, which does not say whether those killed are civilians or combatants. Israel says it has killed around 20,000 militants, without providing evidence. The war has left vast areas of Gaza in ruins and at its height displaced around 90% of the population. Meta and UFC said they will work together to incorporate Metas AI glasses into UFC events (Gary McCullough/AP) UFC is joining up with Facebooks parent company Meta in a deal that will bring mixed martial arts to more fans around the world. The companies said their multi-year partnership will give UFC the ability to use Metas technology platforms, services and products, including Meta AI, Meta Glasses, Meta Quest, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Threads, so that UFC fans have more ways to view its content. Meta and UFC, whose parent company is TKO Group, said they will work together to incorporate Metas AI glasses into UFC events. Meta has the greatest minds in tech and they are going to take fan engagement to the next level, UFC president and chief executive Dana White said in a statement. Mr White mentioned that Meta is already working on some innovations for a new fighter rankings system. The deal, whose financial terms were not disclosed, will also see the Meta brand appear in UFCs Octagon, as well as across numerous broadcasts. Metas social media platform Threads will feature exclusive original UFC content. I love this sport and Im looking forward to working with the UFC to let fans experience it in new ways, Meta founder and chief executive Mark Zuckerberg said. Mr Zuckerberg is trained in mixed martial arts and posted about completing his first jujitsu tournament in 2023. That same year, there were talks of him and Tesla chief executive Elon Musk squaring off in a cage match, but the event never happened. Mr Zuckerberg and Mr White are no strangers to each other, with Mr White joining Metas board of directors in January. Meta donated one million dollars to Donald Trumps inauguration fund (Thibault Camus/AP) Both Mr Zuckerberg and Mr White are among the many high-profile business figures within the orbit of US President Donald Trump. After Mr Trump won re-election in November, Mr Zuckerberg dined at the president-elects Mar-a-Lago club in Florida and Meta donated one million dollars to Mr Trumps inauguration fund. Other Big Tech companies such as Amazon have donated similar amounts. Mr Trump is a longtime UFC fan and frequent attendee of major fights. His ties with Mr White date back to 2001, when Mr White hosted a UFC at the Republicans former casino-hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey, the Trump Taj Mahal. Mr Trump has also appeared with Mr White at UFC matches over the years, especially in his 2024 campaign as part of efforts to appeal to younger male voters. Mr White has had speaking roles at the 2016, 2020 and 2024 Republican conventions and appeared on stage at Mr Trumps election victory party in November. Shares of Meta Platforms Inc rose slightly in midday trading, while shares of TKO Group Holdings Inc climbed more than 2%. Given that there is no bringing back the late Queen Elizabeth, or indeed her dear mother, its hard not to think that the best thing about the Royal Family right now is Princess Anne. I saw her in action a little while ago. She was giving awards for Pact, an admirable prisoners aid society, in a church near Waterloo. She was modest, brisk, rather kind, skinny as a whippet, and well informed. The whole thing wasnt about her; it was about the charity, and it was plain that she knew her stuff. There's no get rich quick scheme when it comes to online retail Photo: Getty Shopping online has become as natural to us as nipping into a physical store. So youd be forgiven for thinking that the basics of the transaction who you actually deal with at every stage in the process are the same whether you shop online or on the street. But the furore surrounding Northern Ireland company FBA Brand Builder has lifted the lid on dropshipping, which can sit behind the curtain of online shopping. Darren Campbell Dropshipping is an option for ecommerce businesses that allows them to outsource the process of procuring, storing and shipping products to a third party. That third party can often be a Chinese manufacturer which has produced mass amounts of a specific product. You as a seller can advertise that product for sale, and if you get an order, then procure it from the dropshipper, wholl also ship it out. In the case of FBA Brand Builder, it charged people for guidance with launching their own online selling business through an Amazon programme. Read more Missing mentors and clients in limbo: Inside the final days of the FBA Brand Builder The Fulfilment by Amazon programme is an alternative to dropshipping, allowing sellers to outsource orders to Amazon, which takes care of storing, packing, shipping, customer support and returns. Clients expressed concern that FBA Brand Builder encouraged them to provide false information to obtain credit. It was also found to facilitate paid Amazon reviews, and flood Trustpilot with fake reviews. And it was revealed on Saturday that dozens of US trademark applications from clients linked to the group had been suspended by the regulator over improper submissions. This week owner Darren Campbell announced that he had closed the business. Dropshipping The company promised to make it easy to build an online retail business. But one expert says that there is no get rich quick secret to selling online. Instead, like any form of business success, it takes years of hard work and skill. Its complex, and getting more and more complex because of the cost of manufacturing, the cost of advertising on Google and Facebook and many other factors. Amazon itself provides lengthy guidance on dropshipping as a method of selling online. There's no get rich quick scheme when it comes to online retail Photo: Getty It says that on the plus side, using dropshipping will help the efficiency of your business and keep overheads low. However, there can be costs in customer experience as you as a seller has no control over the quality of the product thats being sent out. There is a lot of competition among dropshippers, so that might mean you end up forced to sell at low prices which mean you make less money. Youve also given up control of order selection, the packaging and the shipment process. However, it can be very lucrative, if you select popular products which you can resell for a profit. And a dropshipper wont have to maintain an extensive inventory as theyre only procuring products once they have a sale. That makes it sound like an easy business to get started in and grow, particularly if youve hit on a winning product. And thats why the promise of reliable advice from FBA Brand Builder was so seductive for many of its clients who are now counting the cost of getting involved. Operation Demetrius began on 9 August 1971Almost 2,000 people found themselves detained under the Special Powers Act Internment without trial: The single biggest mistake that the British state makes in the Northern Ireland conflict Internment was a key event in the history of the Troubles, in an effort to deal with increasing violence Stormont and the British Government decide to introduce internment, detention without trial. On the morning of 9th August 1971, the British Army swooped on nationalist areas and arrested hundreds. Scores of people lifted had nothing to do with the IRA but were caught up in the raids. Almost 2,000 people were interned up until its end in December 1975 imprisoned without a fair trial. But did violence on the ground justify this extreme action? How many innocent people were arrested and how long did they remain imprisoned? And did internment do more harm than good to the unionist cause? Ciaran Dunbar is joined by Dr Peter McLoughlin, politics lecturer in Queens, and by Dr Martin McCleery, author of Operation Demetrius and Its Aftermath'. Pervert ex-restaurant boss to the stars fined for stealing stew Former business director nicked 7.50 tub of food from branch of Eurospar in Lisburn Darren Fanning speaks to Sunday Life John Toner Wed 2 Apr 2025 at 14:00 A disgraced former restaurant boss who was caught with more than 100 indecent images of children has appeared in court for shoplifting a tub of stew. Adam Jan Figel / Shutterstock.com Exodus means going out in Latin. The term is associated with the Hebrew people being led out of Egypt by God. Their leader, Moses, heard Gods words and in response he told the Israelites. The Exodus ends with Gods laws and his instructions on how to build the Ark. The question presented by historians and theologians is whether or not there is substantial proof the Exodus took place? Biblical scholars and archaeologists have continued to argue for decades regarding the elements of Israels Exodus from Egypt many of them agree that the Exodus did, in fact, occur in some form. Another big question constantly debated is the time Exodus period. The majority of people narrow it down into two divisions either a 15th-century B.C.E or 13th-century B.C.E. date. As with any investigation, historians, theologians and archaeologists have (and continue) to search for Egyptian texts, artifacts and other evidence that the Exodus took place. One of the biggest pieces of evidence relates to locales. There are three specific place names recorded in the Bible. The memory of the biblical authors for these correlations predate Egypts third intermediate period. All in all, this supports a 13th-century Exodus during the Ramesside Period because it is only during this period that the places names Pi-Ramesse, Pi-Atum, and Pa-Tjuf (Red Sea) are all simultaneously in use. In the 1930s, archaeologists at the University of Chicago excavated the mortuary Temple of Aya and Horemheb the last two pharaohs of Egypts 18th dynasty in western Thebes. The temple is said to be built by Aya in the 14th century B.C.E., but Horemheb expanded the temple when he was named pharaoh. During the excavations, the University of Chicago uncovered a house and part of another house belonging to the workers who were given the task of demolishing the temple. The plan of the house is the same of the Israelite dwellings during the Iron Age. However, unlike the Israelite models that were usually built of stone, the Theban house was made of wattle and daub which is sticks and twigs covered with mud and/or clay. The similarities between the two have caused speculation because the builds of the Theban house were either proto-Israelites or a group closely related to the Israelites. The Onomasticon Amenope is a list of categorized words from Egypts Third Intermediate Period, and another piece of evidence. This is written in hieratic and includes the Semitic place named b-r-k-t and this refers to the Lakes of Pithom. Throughout these writings, evidence of a history of enslavement is mentioned. This could potentially point to truth of the Exodus. However, like any investigation there are a number of varying elements that prove and shut down the existence of the Exodus. The Bible says that after Moses accepted his mission to get the Israelites out of Egypt, he confronted the pharaoh. But the pharaoh refused to let his people go until God unleashed a series of unnatural disasters known as the 10 plagues Jews now commemorate this event and the Exodus on Passover. Religious historians estimate the Israelite population in Egypt at the time was around 2 3 million people, but the biblical exodus route into the Sinai Desert has no trace other than what the Bible says. The story of Exodus is anticipated in many stories in the book of Genesis. In Genesis 12-14, there was a famine in the land and Abram went down into Egypt to stay there. Pharaoh took Sarai, threatening the women and the promised seed. Ultimately, Pharaoh was deceived by the woman, Sarai. God then plagued Pharaoh on account of her. Gods deliverances of the patriarchs are realistic filled promises of the greater works that he will accomplish for their descendants. However, again, does no physical evidence truly mean there never was an Exodus? The reality is there are a lot of things in life we cant prove; however, we want to believe in them, so we base a lot of our ideals on hope. Exodus themes are prominent throughout the ministry of Christ, especially in association with his death and resurrection. Christ is the Passover Lamb, the first-born son, the prophet like Moses. Once society appreciates the presence of an Exodus pattern, the ideal picture can be filled out. The Exodus reveals the unity of scripture and of the work of redemption. We want to believe in the existence of the Exodus because it helps us bring forth a better understanding of where we stand in relation to Gods purposes. We are supposed to perceive the ways in which the story of Israel resonates with our own story we must visualize ourselves as bound together in the greater drama of Gods redemption and act accordingly. There is no prosperity without suffering. The Exodus proves this and is unconventionally the driver of the hope we all cling to. Society wants to believe that the Lord will forgive their sins. Society wants to believe their suffering has a purpose. Because if it all doesnt relate, then what is the purpose of life? Therefore, the question of the Exodus will most likely be an ongoing investigation with no real answers. Once someone uncovers a new fact or fictitious element, another person will find a way to turn the discussion in another direction. The reality is the people that want to believe in the proof uncovered, will forever believe in the Exodus and those who do not want to believe in the uncovering, will forever not believe in the Exodus existence. Angela Guzman is a Writer at Large and a Huffington Post contributor. If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom. GREAT BARRINGTON A program that quickly fixed hundreds of bridges before running out of money could restart if state Rep. Leigh Davis gets her way. Bridge decay is just one high-profile Berkshire County issue that the freshman Democrat from Great Barrington has been tackling since she was sworn into office in January. A bill proposing to restart and expand the states Accelerated Bridge Repair Program is one of 27 bills Davis has filed so far, including those filed with other lawmakers. The challenge will be paying for the bridge program if it is restarted. But she is already working to get a slice of the $200 million that Gov. Maura Healey is devoting to bridges and culverts as part of an $8.4 billion statewide transportation initiative. Davis is also proposing legislation that covers a wide variety of issues. Those include avian flu preparedness, designating emergency medical services as essential, and helping the states farmers. Davis' most high-profile bill so far is one that closes the age of consent gap in Massachusetts by criminalizing sex between children and adults who are in positions of authority and trust. The age of consent in the state is 16. Another bill receiving attention is one that petitions the Federal Communications Commission to help Berkshire County residents get access to the Springfield media market and Red Sox games, for instance by pulling the county out of its long stay in the Greater Albany market. Now Davis herself is in the spotlight as a first-term legislator. MassLive last month said that Davis is one of eight politicians to watch in 2025 for coming out of the gate strong at the start of the new legislative session, filing a barrage of bills to ensure the Berkshires get noticed on Beacon Hill." State House News Service followed with a profile of Davis about some of her bills and her experience at the Statehouse so far. But it is what happens with the bridge legislation that many Berkshire residents are watching closely. It was the sudden shutdown of the Brookside Road bridge in Great Barrington last year that again highlighted the growing and widespread problem of infrastructure decay. Particularly in rural Berkshire towns struggling with budgets, maintenance and repair of town- and city-owned bridges is often delayed for decades. Eventually, the state steps in after a bad inspection and replaces the bridge but that can take years with steep cost hikes. It did give us a huge wake-up call, said Davis, who was a member of the Great Barrington Select Board when the Brookside bridge was deemed unsafe due to decayed sections of support beams. Davis pointed to former Gov. Deval Patrick's accelerated repair program as worthy of rekindling. The program, seeded with $3 billion, had a goal to reduce the backlog of failed bridges to below 450. By 2018 it had fixed or replaced 300 bridges. I think we need that focus again," Davis said. "After 2018, we lost sight of the importance of maintaining our bridges. She pointed to a report by the Massachusetts Budget & Policy Center, which said that Berkshire residents on average live 1.6 miles from the nearest structurally deficient bridge, and that the region's 16 closed bridges were the highest percent of closures in the entire state. Circling back to the money, Davis said shes still calculating how much it will take to restart the accelerated repair program. But she thinks Gov. Healey is listening. The two had some one-on-one time to talk when Healey was in the Berkshires on her transportation road show last month. We were literally standing on a culvert, Davis said, when she handed Healey her written pitch for restarting the bridge repair program. The whole Bible is about Jesus. Upon his birth, life, death, and resurrection, the whole world changed. The Romans innovated and reorganized their dates, making it an infinite timeline before and after one event. Jesus became the hinge of history. We literally mark dates by their distance from Jesus life. Modern academia has changed the terms from BC/AD to BCE/CE, to secularize it, but the revolutionary event remains the same. The Bible does the same. The whole Old Testament, from Genesis to Malachi, speaks forward to the coming of a King and a Kingdom, from narrative to prophecy. The early church, before Rome, generally used two types of evidence to support the power of Christianity. First, how righteous and loving Christians would live. Second, all the Old Testament prophecies were fulfilled in Christ. Which Old Testament book contains the most prophecy about Jesus? We easily point to what some call The Fifth Gospel the book of Isaiah. Who Was Isaiah? Isaiah was born into a powerful family in Jerusalem. Some scholars think he came from royal descent due to his ease and familiarity with the kings, although the religious and government culture included the role of the prophet. From the days of Samuel and Saul, further established by David and Nathan, prophets were supposed to have access to the kings to share Gods Word, whether encouragement or correction. Isaiah did both, depending on the king. The prophet Isaiah lived in a time of great crisis and ministered during the reigns of four kings of Judah: Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, close to 40 years. During Isaiahs life, the Assyrian Empire threatened the entire area. A brutally violent and pagan empire, the Assyrians spread and conquered the peoples of the Middle East. Old Testament prophets had different ministries. Many would call the people to repentance. Isaiah and others guided and consulted with the kings. During Uzziahs reign, Judah won military victories and experienced economic prosperity. But the kings pride led to Gods punishment: leprosy until his death. Uzziahs son, Jotham, became king. At this time, Isaiahs messages targeted the peoples corruption and called them back to God. Jothams son, Ahaz, took the throne, and Isaiah faced a real challenge. Ahaz tried to find safety through an alliance with Assyria instead of trusting God to protect Judah. Isaiah warned him, but Ahaz ignored the prophet, and Judah went further into spiritual decline and lost more land to Assyria. Isaiah had the closest relationship with the next king, Hezekiah. Hezekiah sought the Lord and tried to follow God, leading to major positive religious reforms, and he engaged with Isaiah for guidance and Gods voice. As a result, Hezekiah trusted God when he dealt with Assyria. In one event, Assyria besieged Jerusalem, and Isaiah shared Gods Word to the king, that the Lord would protect the city. Isaiahs prophecy came true an angel of the Lord killed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers in one night. At the same time, Hezekiah acted with pride when Babylons visitors came to Jerusalem, and Isaiah foretold of Judahs eventual downfall, that God would hand Judah and Jerusalem over to Babylon. Since Isaiah dealt so regularly with Judahs kings, it makes sense he would have the greatest revelation about the coming Messiah. Why Did Isaiah Write His Book? Isaiah wrote down Gods messages, since he spoke about the future and Gods plan. In the Old Testament, prophets were judged on whether their oracles came true. Writing Gods promises down would help validate Isaiahs ministry. First, Isaiah warned Judah about how the Lord would give consequences due to their spiritual rebellion. Their rejection of God resulted in idolatry, oppression of the poor, and general injustice, all against Gods Law. God chose his people and delivered them so they would be an example to the world of the benefits of following and worshipping the only true God; Judah rejected that calling. Isaiah clearly promised these sins would bring their destruction. He could easily point to how the northern kingdom of Israel recently suffered the same fate with Assyria. At the same time, Isaiah promised God wouldnt completely destroy them, but would leave a remnant. Second, Isaiah reminded Judahs kings to trust in God and not other kingdoms like Egypt or Assyria. Part of true worship includes such singular reliance. To trust in a pagan nation symbolized pride and the confidence in worldly principles instead of the Lord. Relying upon God and seeing his deliverance would give the Lord glory. Isaiah often referred to God as the Holy One of Israel, and this theme runs throughout his messages. The mighty God deserves all glory and worship, from kings to the poor. He constantly corrected back to that reality, showing God as a judge and deliverer, one who would keep his covenant even when Israel didnt. Isaiah wrote for both the people of his day and future generations. With the promise of a coming exile, Isaiah spoke to those exiled Israelites who would long for restoration. That restoration would come through a Messiah, a king from Davids line. No one spoke about Jesus more than Isaiah. What Are the Main Messianic Prophecies in Isaiah? One of the most famous prophecies appears in Isaiah 7:14: The Lord himself will give you a sign; the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. This promise points to Jesus birth detailed in Matthew and Luke, including the name Immanuel which means God with us. The Lord would accomplish this miracle to come in human form to dwell with people. Isaiah continues to describe the child and his eternal nature. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6-7). This verse goes into both the human and divine natures; the human child is born, but he is also the divine, eternal Son since he had no beginning. And the Messiah would be a righteous, perfect, forever king. Isaiah 11:1-10 describes the Messiah as coming from Davids line, a descendant of Jesse. The Messiah would be filled with Gods Spirit and bring wisdom, justice, and peace, restoring creation. In one of the most famous passages, Isaiah foretells the suffering of Jesus. He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed (Isaiah 53:5). The prophets writing aligns with Christ as the Suffering Servant in his crucifixion and bearing the sins of humanity, also healing humanity through his sacrifice. And like every king, Jesus rules a Kingdom. What Are the Kingdom Prophecies in Isaiah? As the Messiah, Jesus spoke a great deal about the Kingdom of God. His Gospel was, Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand. Along with the promises regarding Christ and future restoration, Isaiah writes a great deal about this kingdom in various ways. Isaiah 2:2-4 declares that in the last days the mountain of the Lords temple will be established as the highest of the mountains, and people from all nations would travel there and say, Come let us go up to the mountain of the Lord to be taught by God. Gods Kingdom will endure, and people from every background will be included. In this New Jerusalem, God settles conflicts and war will end. The prophet also shows a future great feast prepared by God on his mountain. This great dinner wont be for Jews only but all people (Isaiah 25:6-9). God will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples and swallow up death forever. The Lord promises to wipe away tears, all connected with similar expressions in Revelation about the new heavens and earth. An amazing vision of the New Jerusalem appears in Isaiah 60, a city filled with light where nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. A transformed people bring their worth and worship to God alone to his welcoming, celestial city. Isaiah even promises the resurrection of the saints in Isaiah 26:19. But your dead will live, Lord; their bodies will rise let those who dwell in the dust wake up and shout for joy. Your dew is like the dew of the morning; the earth will give birth to their dead. Jesus called himself the resurrection and taught of such a future resurrection of believers to life forever. Finally, in Isaiah 65:17-25, Isaiah shares Gods promise to create a new heavens and a new earth. The future kingdom in the New Jerusalem will be a place of joy, free from sorrow and death with every people group represented. What Can We Learn from Isaiah? Reading through Isaiah, we find a striking example of the synergy between the Old and New Testaments. Some Christians and people of other religions comment on what they perceive to be the difference between the God of the different testaments. They point to God in the Old as mean, harsh, violent. They espouse Jesus in the New as loving, kind, and full of grace. While the covenants are distinct from each other, God remains the same from Genesis through Revelation. The New Testament describes God using Old Testament language, and Jesus continually affirmed the Old Testament prophets and narratives. The Old and New Testament tell one complete story. If we only stop at Malachi, then we dont see God bring his promised solution to the problem of sin and death his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. The Father promises the Son in the first chapters of Genesis, directly after the infamous Fall through Adam and Eve. This thread of redemption continues through Scriptures pages, becoming more clear regarding the Messiah, the Kingdom, and the new covenant. The New Testament makes more sense as a conclusion and culmination of the Old, as promises and prophecies are fulfilled in far greater ways than expected in Jesus. And the New Testament finishes the story, speaking again of the future new heavens and earth upon Christs return. As John the apostle writes, God created the world through Christ (John 1), so Jesus existed as the spoken Word like let there be light in Genesis 1. And Jesus return brings renewal and restoration of all creation at the end of Revelation. Jesus the Son of God unifies the whole narrative. Isaiahs book celebrates this unifying figure as Messiah and King of Gods Kingdom, the New Jerusalem. The New Testament further explores these ideas introduced in the prophets writings. Beyond the fulfilled prophecies, Isaiahs book encourages us that God will also complete the promises still to come. Studying Isaiah reinforces Gods faithfulness. He fulfilled the words of Isaiah, in detail and with precision, and we can be confident he will bring to pass the others from Isaiah, repeated in Revelation. Gods plan has been consistent the whole time, from the beginning to the end of the age. We also see how salvation (Jesus) was always intended for all nations, not just the Jews. Isaiah 56:6-8 declares how Gods house will be a house of prayer for all nations, which Jesus quotes as he removes the oppressors and greedy from the outer court of the Temple. Acts and the New Testament letters reveal how salvation for all people was enacted then. And God still works his Gospel to completion today. Through Isaiah, we glimpse Gods perfect design, his mind-blowing redemptive plan, proving he keeps every promise through Jesus, past, present, and future. Peace. Related articles How Isaiah Conveys the Beauty of the Gospel Message 11 Times the Old Testament Predicts Jesus' Birth and Death Photo credit: Getty Images/Rawf8 Britt Mooney lives and tells great stories. As an author of fiction and non-fiction, he is passionate about teaching ministries and nonprofits the power of storytelling to inspire and spread truth. Mooney has a podcast called Kingdom Over Coffee and is a published author of We Were Reborn for This: The Jesus Model for Living Heaven on Earth as well as Say Yes: How God-Sized Dreams Take Flight. BillOReilly.com is not available in this country. We apologize for any inconvenience. India Research Conclave 2025 at AIIMS sets stage for strengthening India's research ecosystem April 02, 2025 | Wednesday | News Key focus of the conclave was Springer Nature's Research Integrity initiatives The India Research Conclave 2025, hosted at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, marked a significant milestone in advancing research excellence, fostering collaboration, and reinforcing research integrity in India. Powered by Springer Nature, the conclave brought together leading academics, researchers, policymakers, and industry experts to deliberate on key challenges and opportunities shaping India's research landscape. With a strong emphasis on research integrity, innovation, and inclusivity, the event featured keynote addresses from distinguished speakers from the government, academia, and research organizations. Discussions underscored India's role in shaping the global research agenda and the importance of ethical and sustainable scientific progress. The conclave featured two engaging panel discussions. The first panel, 'Strengthening India's Research & the Way Forward', brought together distinguished academics and policymakers to discuss the challenges and opportunities in India's research ecosystem. Experts shared insights on funding, policy reforms, and interdisciplinary collaboration to propel India to the forefront of global research. The second panel, 'Women in Research: Catalysts for Change in India's Scientific Landscape', highlighted the invaluable contributions of women researchers and the need for greater gender inclusivity in STEM fields. The discussion emphasised mentorship, policy support, and institutional changes to empower women in research. A key focus of the conclave was Springer Nature's Research Integrity initiatives, reinforcing the commitment to ethical publishing, transparency, and sustainable research practices. This aligns with India's vision for academic excellence and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Borsa Italiana non ha responsabilita per il contenuto del sito a cui sta per accedere e non ha responsabilita per le informazioni contenute. Accedendo a questo link, Borsa Italiana non intende sollecitare acquisti o offerte in alcun paese da parte di nessuno. Sarai automaticamente diretto al link in cinque secondi. 3 killed, over 50 hospitalized following gas leak in India's Rajasthan Xinhua) 09:41, April 02, 2025 NEW DELHI, April 1 (Xinhua) -- At least three people were killed and over 50 others taken ill following the inhalation of toxic gas leaked from a tanker parked at a chemical factory in the western Indian state of Rajasthan, police said Tuesday. The incident took place late Monday at Badiya locality in Beawar district, about 218 km southwest of Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan. A senior local government official in Beawar, Mahendra Khadgawat, told reporters that nitric acid leaked from the tanker at an illegal chemical factory. Officials said following the gas leak, people in the area complained of breathing problems, heaviness in the chest and vomiting. People in the area around the factory have been evacuated. Reports said some stray animals in the vicinity were killed after inhaling the toxic gas. The local administration has ordered the formation of a committee to investigate factories operating without proper licenses. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Help Our Community Please help local businesses by taking an online survey to help us navigate through these unprecedented times. None of the responses will be shared or used for any other purpose except to better serve our community. The survey is at: www.pulsepoll.com $1,000 is being awarded. Everyone completing the survey will be able to enter a contest to Win as our way of saying, "Thank You" for your time. Thank You! Take The Survey State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. 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Advertisement Ireland is among countries vulnerable to changes in the global economy proposed by president Trump, with a significant proportion of employment, tax receipts and exports all directly dependent on a cluster of US multinational firms. In the chart below you can see all of Ireland's trading partners in 2024 sized by the value of trade, with the US dwarfing other countries. The US accounted for 73 billion of Irish goods exports last year, up by 19 billion on 2023. EU countries received more than 88 billion of Irish goods in 2024, an increase of 7 billion compared to 2023. Advertisement Of this, 20 billion went to Germany, 23 billion went to the Netherlands and 17 billion went to Belgium. Analysis co-authored by the Department of Finance and the ESRI think tank suggested that tariffs for goods entering the US could cost the Irish economy more than 18 billion in lost trade. It also warned that a prolonged trade war between the EU and US would pose a risk to the public finances. There are growing fears that any tariffs announced by president Trump could also impact the pharmaceutical sector, which has traditionally been exempt from import taxes. Medical and pharmaceutical products accounted for 45 per cent of Irish goods exports in 2024, with a value of almost 100 billion the bulk of these products were manufactured by US pharmaceutical giants based in Ireland. Advertisement World Trump's tariffs will be negative the world over, s... Read More About 45,000 people are employed in the Republics pharmaceutical companies, while some 58 billion in pharma and chemicals were exported from Ireland to the US last year. The world's 10 biggest drugmakers, including US companies Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer and Merck, all have large plants in Ireland. Taoiseach Micheal Martin said the threat of tariffs was the most serious issue to face the Irish economy, adding that the scale of impact will be very significant. I think the old order is changing, and its regrettable we are in a Europe of increased protectionism, he told the Dail on Wednesday. That is not good for Ireland. Its not good for open economies. In just 10 weeks in office, Donald Trump has imposed his will on perceived adversaries in business, politics, the media and allied nations by leveraging power in ways no other modern US president has tried. His administration has sought the arrest and deportation of student protesters, withheld federal funds from colleges, ostracised law firms tied to his political opponents, threatened judges and tried to pressure journalists. At the same time Mr Trump has downsized the federal government dramatically and purged it of workers who could stand in his way. Advertisement Central to this effort has been Mr Trump's use of policy-making executive orders to target opponents as never before. He has been unafraid to employ lawsuits, public threats and the power of the federal purse to bring institutions to heel. What unites all these efforts is Trump's desire to shut down every potential source of resistance to the MAGA agenda and to his personal power, said Peter Shane, a law professor at New York University. Fightback Some targets have rushed to placate the president, a few have fought back and many are still trying to figure out how to respond. Many of Mr Trump's actions are being challenged in courts, where some judges have tried to slow him down. The stunning speed and breadth of the Republican presidents actions have caught Democrats, public-service unions, CEOs and the legal profession off guard. Advertisement Mr Trump's supporters say he is simply using the full reach of his presidency to achieve the goals he set as a candidate. "He's laid out these broad battle lines, whether it's with people that he thinks have tried to ruin him personally, whether it's with people he thinks have tried to ruin Western civilization," said Republican strategist Scott Jennings, a longtime adviser to senator Mitch McConnell. "Everything he said he was going to do on the campaign, he's doing." Mr Trump's aims are not just political. His actions show he wants to reorder American society with an all-powerful executive at the top, where financial, political and cultural institutions carry his stamp and where opposition is either co-opted or curtailed. With a compliant Congress controlled by his party and a US Supreme Court dominated by conservatives, Mr Trump is operating with fewer checks on his power than any of his modern-day predecessors. Advertisement Mr Trump's aims are not just political. Photo: Getty Images Mr Trump has attempted to subdue and cajole his adversaries on an almost-daily basis, backed by the fearsome might of the law enforcement and regulatory agencies at his command. He has often succeeded. He managed to wring concessions out of several of his targets, including storied Columbia University, powerful law firms and corporate titans such as Meta and Disney. All of them settled with the White House rather than endure the pressure, surrendering some independence and setting what some view as damaging precedents. Others are taking preemptive measures to avoid Mr Trump's wrath. More than 20 of America's largest companies and financial firms, including Goldman Sachs, Google and PepsiCo, have rolled back diversity programs that had drawn Mr Trump's ire. Advertisement Three law firms cut deals with the administration rather than risk losing their lawyers security clearances, access to government buildings and perhaps, as a result, clients, while three others targeted by Mr Trump's executive orders sued in response. Mr Trump's orders have also been his vehicle to remake the government, deport alleged Venezuelan gang members with little due process and levy tariffs against US trading partners. He has sued US media corporations and silenced the Voice of America, taken control of the Kennedy Center, a leading arts facility, and sought to put curbs on the Smithsonian Institution, whose mission is to chronicle history. His administration has detained student protesters whose political views it says are a threat to the country. Advertisement Mr Trump has pushed a mineral-rights deal on Ukraine's leadership with the veiled threat of ending US support for Kyiv in the Russian war in Ukraine. He has threatened Nato ally Denmark to try to wrest control of Greenland, spoken of annexing Canada and threatened to take the Panama Canal back from its home country. Tailored strikes Mark Zaid, a Washington lawyer who represents whistleblowers against the federal government and who himself had his security clearance stripped away by Mr Trump, said the presidents conduct is like nothing he has seen in his 30-year career. Executive orders have never been designed to specifically target individuals nor non-government actors for purposes of retaliation or retribution, Mr Zaid said. The White House and Mr Trump's allies deny the president is acting out of revenge. A White House spokesman said more traditional approaches have failed to bring meaningful change. Unconventional is precisely what the American people voted for when they elected President Trump," White House spokesman Harrison Fields said. "The president is committed to upending the entrenched bureaucracy." In his first term from 2017-2021, Mr Trump was hamstrung by a variety of factors: a federal probe into Russian interference, his aides' lack of experience and greater Democratic opposition in Congress. With those roadblocks gone, an emboldened Trump has demonstrated at the start of his second term that he has learned how to use the resources available to him more fully to get what he wants. "He really does know how to pull the levers of power this time, more so than last time," said Rina Shah, a Republican strategist. Claire Wofford, a political science professor at the College of Charleston, said Mr Trump has used executive orders not only to push forward a policy agenda, but also to send messages to his political base, as in his attempt to scale back birthright citizenship, and to test the limits of his power, as with his invocation of an 18th-century law to designate some migrants as "alien enemies". What strikes me most at this point is how strategic Trump is - but in new ways, Prof Wofford said. Funding and litigation In cases such as with Columbia University, Mr Trump has used the federal purse as a cudgel, concluding his targets have financial interests that make them vulnerable to coercion. In other cases, he has used the courts, forcing companies such as Disney and Meta into favorable settlements after Mr Trump filed lawsuits against them. CBS News, another Trump lawsuit target, is under pressure to settle its suit because its parent, Paramount, is eager to have its proposed merger with Skydance Media approved by Trump administration regulators. But not every institution has bent the knee. Clipping the wings of law firms and courts is the behaviour of an autocrat. Explained Can Donald Trump serve a third term as US presiden... Read More Many of Mr Trumps actions, particularly those regarding his cuts in government, remain tied up in federal court. In the last two weeks alone, judges have ruled against Mr Trump in matters challenging his deportation policies, attacks against law firms and plans to eliminate government agencies. In response, Mr Trump and his allies have called for judges who rule against the administration to be impeached and drawn a rare rebuke from Chief Justice John Roberts. Walter Olson, a senior fellow at the libertarian CATO Institute, said Mr Trumps attacks on law firms and judges are without precedent and are reminiscent of other nations with authoritarian regimes. "Clipping the wings of law firms and the courts," Mr Olson said, "is the behaviour of an autocrat". Dail committees may not be formed until May, Sinn Fein has warned, amid a bitter dispute which has left the main Opposition parties completely at odds with Government. An ongoing row over speaking rights in the Dail has led to a lack of cooperation to establish the committees, which are vital for the legislative duties of the Dail. Advertisement Both the Government and opposition parties have stressed the need for the resumption of the work of the committees amid the heated division in the Dail, which delayed the nomination of a Taoiseach and resulted in the suspension of the Dail amid widespread disruption last week. However, Sinn Fein has raised concern that the Dail Reform Committee involving Government and opposition whips is not due to meet on Wednesday, and has cast doubt on when when committees will be formed. On Tuesday, the opposition parties were defeated as a Government motion expressing confidence in Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy was passed. That motion was brought in response to opposition complaints that Ms Murphy had been biased in her role in implementing the changes to Dail rules brought forward by Government. Advertisement After the vote, Sinn Fein chief whip Padraig Mac Lochlainn said: On February 4 last, the Ceann Comhairle acted on independent legal advice and ruled that the Michael Lowry Regional Independent group were government TDs and could not therefore form a group in opposition. At the point, the DHondt process should have commenced and Oireachtas Committees should have been formed. By their actions since, this government have delayed the formation of Oireachtas Committees and the latest estimates are that it will be May before they are up and running. Thats three months lost. It is outrageous. Advertisement A spokesman for the Government chief whip said: The commitment at the Business Committee last week was that a meeting would be held as soon as possible after the confidence motion. The scheduling of the meeting is a matter for all members and the secretariat. The necessary preparation work by government to initiate the establishment of committees is ongoing. A spokesman for the Social Democrats said it has been calling for the formation of committees for months. Advertisement Now that the vote is over, it is incumbent on the Government to immediately set up Dail committees and finally get down to work, he added. The Dail Business Committee is due to meet on Thursday. A Dublin man posted unfounded allegations about a Sinn Fein councillor and threatened to "expose" him as the operator of an Antifa social media profile that "stalked" Irish people, a court heard. Craig Fitzsimmons (50), of Bayside Park, Dublin 13, pleaded not guilty to making public posts on a Telegram chat group calling David Jones, a member of Westmeath County Council, a terrorist paedophile and publishing his mobile phone number. Advertisement The offences, under section 4 of the Harassment and Harmful Communications Act, were said to have happened from May 21st-28th, 2022. However, his non-jury trial before Judge Deirdre Gearty at Mullingar District Court collapsed on Wednesday. She dismissed the case due to the lack of a witness to confirm the origin of evidence taken from social media, and Mr Fitzsimmons walked free from court. During the hearing, the judge heard how the local politician for the Mullingar Kinnegad District contacted Garda Simon Connaughton on August 26th, 2022. Advertisement He complained that he had been subjected to unwanted phone calls, posts and text messages. He provided the garda with printouts and screenshots of the messages and calls. One of the images showed a Telegram messaging app account called Statistical Soldier, allegedly in the defendant's name. Messages sent to Mr Jones mentioned the left-wing group Antifa and claimed the organisation incited the murder of Irish people and stalked them, he alleged. One of the messages directed at the councillor said that he "needed to be exposed", would be held accountable, and go to jail, and the message sender referred to him as a paedophile. Advertisement The councillor told the court he did not know members of Antifa or have connections with the group's activities. Under cross-examination, he replied, "I would not know the members. Is there a list?". He said there were people in all parties who were anti-fascist. In addition to the messages and posts, he reckoned he received about 30 phone calls. Advertisement Councillor Jones provided the phone number used to contact him. Gardai tried to trace the phone, but it was unregistered. Then, Garda Connaughton ran the number through the Garda Pulse records system, and it was returned as associated with Craig Fitzsimmons. He went to the man's house, and Mr Fitzsimmons voluntarily went to Raheny station to make a statement, which was read in court. He claimed to Garda Connaughton that he wanted to write about the councillor for a publication called Irish Inquiry and expose him. Mr Fitzsimmons informed the officer that Antifa made unspeakable comments about him, "bleating about my alleged harassment of David Jones". Advertisement He maintained that Antifa would not make that statement unless the complainant were in control of them. Ireland Former rugby coach serving prison sentence for abu... Read More He accused the group of making untrue claims about people falsely calling them Nazis, bigots or homophobes. But Mr Fitzsimmons admitted he had no evidence against the councillor and did not make a formal complaint against him when offered the opportunity. The accused told gardai he had been blacklisted online. As he was about to testify in the hearing, his counsel said the defence would introduce screenshot images as evidence. Dismissing the entire case, however, Judge Gearty expected to hear from people from the social media organisations about the provenance of evidence offered by both the defence and prosecution. A man has been remanded in custody after being charged with the murder of a part-time soldier in Northern Ireland more than 40 years ago. Joseph James Porter, 64, a farmer and part-time soldier with the Ulster Defence Regiment, was shot dead in Mountnorris in June 1979. Advertisement James Donegan, 67, Bruce Manor, Arvagh, Co Cavan, has been charged with the murder of Mr Porter between June 22nd and June 25th 1979, as well as possession of a firearm and ammunition with the intent to endanger life and membership of a proscribed organisation, the Provisional IRA. Donegan had been extradited from the Republic before appearing before Newry Magistrates Court on Wednesday. Donegan responded, I do," when asked if he understood the charges that had been read out to him. A detective sergeant told the court they believe they can connect the accused to the charges. Advertisement An application for bail was opposed by the prosecution, who claimed a risk of the accused leaving the jurisdiction and fresh extradition proceedings having to be brought, delaying the trial. The prosecutor said Mr Porter was shot dead in the early hours of Sunday, June 24th 1979, and was discovered at the entrance of his farm yard on Creggan Road, Mountnorris, while his house had been ransacked. Police believe he left his house voluntarily and was shot shortly after he went outside. It cannot be established if he was carrying his personal protection pistol at this point, they said. Mr Porters house was subsequently searched by the murderers who were almost certainly looking for his personal protection weapon or any other military weapons that he might have had in his home. His personal protection weapon was stolen, but he had no other military weapons in his house. Advertisement Mr Porter lived alone, and at the time of his death, he was a part-time member of the Ulster Defence Regiment. No one has been charged or convicted in relation to this murder. Newry Magistrates Court heard that the Provisional IRA had claimed responsibility for the murder in the Armagh Guardian in 1979 (Michael McHugh/PA) They said witnesses saw Mr Porter in a bar in Markethill on the evening of Saturday, June 23rd, for around an hour, before his Land Rover was seen driving towards Creggan Road. Later, another witness in the area reported hearing two loud bangs, which they believe were gunshots, at around 1am, while other witnesses also heard two shots and saw a car travelling at high speed. At 0930, Mr Porters neighbour found him lying dead, they added, saying a doctor concluded he had a fractured skull and had been dead for around six to eight hours. Advertisement They also told the court that the Armagh Guardian reported on Thursday, June 28th, a claim of responsibility for the murder by the Provisional IRA, and had said he was interrogated and executed because he was involved with the British war machine in Northern Ireland. The prosecutor said they opposed the bail application due to a risk of flight. We understand that he has resided in the Republic of Ireland for a number of years, since in or around 1978, and therefore obviously he has significant links to the Republic of Ireland, they said, contending he had firmly resisted the extradition until the last minute and also cited potential for intimidation of witnesses. A defence lawyer said Donegan had been on holiday in Portugal when he was contacted by An Garda Siochana before his arrest, and offered to be arrested at the airport on his return, and surrendered his passport. Advertisement He said an address in Crossmaglen, Co Armagh, belonging to a friend of Donegan had been offered for bail, as well as a cash surety of 10,000 (11,955) from a person present in court, while a relative of the defendant had offered up the deeds of his home. He also pointed out that in the event of a conviction, the maximum sentence is likely to be a two-year sentence due to legislation for Troubles related offences, and said the defendant suffers from health difficulties and underwent bypass surgery during the course of the extradition proceedings in 2024. Nobody can say when this matter will come round to trial, and in terms of risks, where else would the defendant go he doesnt have access to a passport, he doesnt have access to means to travel outside the jurisdiction, he said. District Judge Eamonn King said he had to balance whether or not the defendant can be released on bail subject to conditions to manage any risks. In the circumstances of this case, it has taken 45 years to get to this point. There have been issues over those years, and its only on conclusion on what took place in the Republic of Ireland that the defendant has made himself amenable to this court when his appeal against the extradition process was refused, he said. In the circumstances, I am of the view that the defendant would be a flight risk and for that reason, bail is refused. A man who punched his ex-partner at a Dublin theatre and then assaulted her outside the venue, leaving her with a scar on her face, has been jailed for 20 months. Sean O'Faolain (48), of College Grove, Castleknock, Dublin 15, came forward from the District Court on signed guilty pleas to assault causing harm on April 13th, 2024. He has no previous convictions. Advertisement Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard evidence on Wednesday that O'Faolain's ex-partner invited him to go to a show at the Olympia Theatre with her as another friend was unable to attend. They went to dinner and for drinks before going to the theatre, where O'Faolain became aggressive and started to punch the injured party, who received a blow to the left side of her face. O'Faolain was looking for more alcohol, but she ignored him before leaving through a side entrance during the interval. On a side street outside the theatre, O'Faolain pushed her, and the victim fell to the ground. He then stood over her and punched her in the face. Advertisement Passerbys tried to intervene, but O'Faolain was aggressive towards them. Staff from the Olympia Theatre brought the woman inside, then contacted emergency services. The victim was taken to the hospital by ambulance. She sustained a deep cut to her chin, and her jaw was fractured in two places. Damage was also caused to her teeth, and she had bruising to her face and neck. She told gardai she was shocked by what happened, was in pain, and the incident meant she missed work, which caused embarrassment and has had financial implications for her. The court was told she wore a scarf and a face mask to disguise the bruising so she could return to work. Advertisement She has a permanent visible scar on her face, which she is conscious about and tries to disguise with makeup. She developed anxiety and attends counselling. The victim also faces ongoing medical and dental bills. The court heard the woman declined to make a victim impact statement as she felt the effects of the assault were outlined in her complaint to gardai. The investigating garda agreed with Carol Doherty BL, defending, that her client surrendered his bail ahead of the sentencing date and has accepted responsibility for his actions. Ms Doherty said this was a shameful incident, which occurred when her client was highly intoxicated. She said O'Faolain has had difficulties with alcohol over the years, and while this is not an excuse, it provides context to his offending. Advertisement She asked the court to take into account O'Faolain's early guilty plea, his work history and the contents of three character references. She said his behaviour was appalling but asked the court to look at his previous good character and to consider suspending a portion of any sentence imposed. Ireland Catfishing could become criminal offence under pro... Read More Judge Martin Nolan said O'Faolain became angry and hostile before he punched the victim in the theatre, then continued the assault outside the venue. He noted the victim sustained serious injuries but described her as an accomplished lady who has done her best to carry on with her career. The judge noted that O'Faolain has no previous convictions, a good record of work and pleaded guilty at an early stage. Judge Nolan said O'Faolain deserved a custodial sentence and handed him a 20-month prison sentence, backdated to February 19th last when he went into custody. A consultant psychiatrist has told a jury that the first time a murder accused reported hearing voices in his head was over a year after he was remanded in custody, on the same day his awareness of the possibility of a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity was first documented. Dr Mary Davoren on Wednesday told the Central Criminal Court that she believes anger and resentment could explain why Brian Ibe fatally assaulted 65-year-old Peter Kennedy, who had previously called gardai to have Mr Ibe removed from his home. Advertisement Dr Davoren told prosecution counsel, Paul Carroll SC, that she interviewed the accused man, Mr Ibe (23), while he was on remand awaiting trial for the murder of Mr Kennedy at Mr Kennedy's home in Moore Park, Newbridge, Co Kildare. She said she disagreed with psychiatrists called by the defence who said Mr Ibe was in a psychotic state at the time of the assault due to schizophrenia and that the jury could consider returning the special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity. Dr Davoren said Mr Ibe has a dissocial personality disorder, which is not a mental disorder that qualifies for the special verdict. Peter Kennedy Dr Davoren said there was no evidence that Mr Ibe was suffering hallucinations or other symptoms of psychosis around the time of the offence, but there was evidence that he was regularly smoking cannabis. She also found that an alternative explanation for the assault on Mr Kennedy was anger and resentment after Mr Kennedy called gardai to have Mr Ibe removed from his house about five months previously. On April 28th, 2020, Mr Ibe took a taxi from the Peter McVerry Trust hostel where he was living in Walkinstown in Dublin to Mr Kennedy's home, broke into the house by smashing a window and assaulted Mr Kennedy, who died from his injuries in hospital two weeks later, on May 12th. Advertisement Mr Ibe, of no fixed abode but formerly of Moore Park in Newbridge, has pleaded not guilty to murder by reason of insanity. He has entered a similar plea in relation to a charge of assault causing harm to Garda Brendan ODonnell at Newbridge Garda Station on or about April 29th, 2020. The trial previously heard that Mr Kennedy took Mr Ibe's mother, Martha, into his home after learning she was living in her car. For a few months leading up to Christmas 2019, Mr Ibe also lived at Mr Kennedy's home but had to leave after he became aggressive and threatened his host. Dr Davoren said that in interviews with her, Mr Ibe described the alleged offence, saying that he awoke that day at about 11am at the Peter McVerry Trust hostel in Walkinstown, where he lived after leaving Mr Kennedy's home. Advertisement He watched a movie and hung around the house until he heard a voice in his head saying "nice jacket, Peter," which he said was a reference to something he had previously said to Mr Kennedy. He said he went to the kitchen, where he got a butter knife. His intention, he said, was to hurt someone, and he "knew that someone was Peter because that's who I was thinking about at the time." He said he recalled having arguments with Mr Kennedy when they lived together but couldn't remember what they were about. "I just wanted to hurt him," he said. When he arrived at Newbridge, he said he banged on the front door of Mr Kennedy's home, but nobody answered, so he went to the back of the house where he found a rock. He used the rock to smash a window and climbed through, picking up a shard of glass as he went. He said he went upstairs and found Mr Kennedy on the landing beside Mr Ibe's mother, Martha. Advertisement At some point, he noticed that the knife he had taken from the hostel was missing, so he used the shard of glass, about 8 inches long, to stab Mr Kennedy three or four times. Mr Kennedy fell to the floor, he said, so Mr Ibe started kicking him on the ground before leaving. He went to a nearby train station, took a train to Heuston Station and walked the rest of the distance back to the hostel. When Mr Ibe spoke to gardai 24 hours later, Dr Davoren noted that he did not report any hallucinations, gave coherent answers and did not display any disordered thinking. During those interviews, he lied to gardai, telling them he had not been to Newbridge the previous day, that he had only met Mr Kennedy once and that he never lived with him. He denied knowledge of the assault on Mr Kennedy and suggested that his mother could be lying when she told gardai that she saw him stabbing Mr Kennedy. Also, while in garda custody, he refused to give a DNA sample or to allow gardai to take his fingerprints, became aggressive and punched a garda. Dr Davoren said this was "goal-directed" behaviour rather than "irrational or bizarre behaviour". He didn't want to give samples to gardai and became agitated and aggressive when told he would have to, the psychiatrist said. Advertisement Dr Davoren said there is no psychiatric explanation for his lies to gardai or for inconsistent accounts he gave of his cannabis use in the days and weeks before the assault. She also said there is no psychiatric explanation for his failure to tell her that he was put out of a residential home in his teenage years following multiple acts of aggression and violence towards staff and continually smoking cannabis despite repeated warnings and gardai being called. In the days and weeks following the alleged offence, Dr Davoren said medical staff at Cloverhill Prison noted no overt psychotic symptoms despite multiple reviews of Mr Ibe by GPs, nursing staff, junior doctors and a consultant psychiatrist. The first time that he reported hearing voices, Dr Davoren said, was one year and 13 days after he was remanded to Cloverhill. This was, she said, the same day that it was first documented that Mr Ibe was aware of the possibility of a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity. In his interviews with other psychiatrists, Mr Ibe reported symptoms which Dr Davoren said he did not report to her and which are not typical of schizophrenia, including that he would see images of his own death playing like a video in his environment. Dr Davoren said she formed the view that Mr Ibe might be an unreliable historian. Dr Davoren said her view is that Mr Ibe shows clear evidence of having had a childhood conduct disorder that progressed to a dissocial personality disorder. She said this is evidenced by his ongoing rule breaking as an adolescent and his aggressive and threatening behaviour towards others. She said he meets various criteria for the personality disorder, including a callous unconcern for the feelings of others, gross and persistent irresponsibility and disregard for social norms, low tolerance to frustration and low threshold for aggression and violence. He displays an incapacity to experience guilt or to benefit from punishment and is also prone to blame others or rationalise his behaviour, she said. Dr Davoren said she does not agree with the diagnosis of schizophrenia, but if the jury finds that Mr Ibe was suffering from a mental disorder, she said that does not automatically mean that he is entitled to the special verdict. Dr Davoren said the jury must also be satisfied that as a result of a mental disorder, Mr Ibe either did not know the nature and quality of his actions, or did not know his actions were wrong, or was unable to refrain from killing Mr Kennedy. Dr Davoren said Mr Ibe told her that as he was stabbing Mr Kennedy, he knew it would harm him and, therefore, he did know the nature and quality of his actions. She said he also said that he knew stabbing Mr Kennedy was wrong and at no point did he think it was the right thing to do. Ireland 'Gentleman' cried out for help while being stabbed... Read More She said he showed his ability to form an intent by engaging in a series of deliberate acts, including taking the butter knife, travelling from Dublin to Kildare by taxi, going to Mr Kennedy's home, banging on the door and then breaking in when there was no answer. Those deliberate acts showed no evidence that Mr Ibe was unable to refrain from the assault, she said. Dr Davoren also did not agree that Mr Ibe could be found guilty of manslaughter instead of murder due to diminished responsibility. She said there was no evidence that his capacity to form the intent to cause serious harm to Mr Kennedy was significantly impaired. In disagreeing with diagnosis of schizophrenia, Dr Davoren said an alternative explanation for Mr Ibe's assault on the deceased was anger and resentment after the row that resulted in Mr Kennedy calling gardai and Mr Ibe being put out of the house and moving to a homeless shelter. The trial continues on Thursday before Ms Justice Melanie Greally and a jury of six men and six women. International bestselling author and inspirational speaker Katie Piper and Paralympic gold medalist Ellen Keane are among those added to the WellFest line up. Keane won gold at the 2020 Paralympic Games in the 100m breaststroke. She also won gold at the 2016 games. Advertisement Keane was Irelands youngest ever athlete when she swam in the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games at just 13 years of age. Piper meanwhile will share her inspiring journey of resilience, empowerment and the transformative power of self-love and confidence Also set to feature is the Kardashians longtime personal trainer DB DONAMATRIX, mental health activist and trainer Get Better with Chris and holistic sex educator Jenny Keane. A fresh addition to this years festival is WellFests inaugural Run Club, hosted by Irish 800m Olympic athlete Nadia Power and Aoibhinn Raleigh, founder of Dublins beginner-friendly running group, Sole Mates. Advertisement , Head of WellFest, Sarah King comments This ninth chapter of WellFest promises to be our most exciting year yet, with thousands of festival-goers expected to join us over the two-day outdoor festival, and we are launching our first-ever Run Club this year. WellFest brings the energy of an outdoor summer music festival, but with headlining fitness stars and powerful wellness talks. "Our weekend is Europes largest annual celebration of health, fitness and wellbeing with over 150 world-class speakers, high-energy fitness classes, expert-led discussions, cooking demos and so much more across 15 areas and stages. "Think festival vibes but without the late nights! The two-day programme focuses on both empowering and educational talks featuring the country's leading experts in female health. The grounds of Royal Hospital Kilmainham will be transformed on Saturday, May 10th, and Sunday, May 11th, for all of the fitness fanatics in Ireland to gather in one place. Day tickets are from 74 & Weekend tickets from 88 plus booking fee. An Irish payroll manager received thousands of euro in monthly payments to pass information from his own firm to a rival company, and then was instructed by lawyers for the rival to provide false statements to the Central Bank of Ireland and the High Court in order to shift the narrative when the alleged spying arrangement came to light, the court has heard. In a sworn statement to the court, opened before Mr Justice Mark Sanfey on Wednesday, Keith OBrien said that while he was working for US-headquartered HR firm Rippling, he passed a lot of confidential information to Alex Bouaziz, the chief executive of rival firm Deel. Advertisement Mr OBrien, of Ringford Avenue, Balrothery, Dublin, said that in and around September 2024, Mr Bouaziz, a French citizen, suggested that he become a spy for his company in return for a monetary reward. Mr OBrien and Mr Bouaziz had previously connected on LinkedIn after Mr OBrien unsuccessfully applied for a job at Deel in March 2024. The two men had been speaking over for some time when Mr Bouaziz made the suggestion I recall him specifically mentioning James Bond, Mr OBrien said after the Dubliner said he was considering leaving his job at Rippling. Mr OBrien eventually accepted Mr Bouazizs offer, he said. Mr OBrien was told hed be paid 5,000 a month for spying. I understood what Alex was asking me to do was wrong, and I believe he knew it was wrong too, Mr OBrien said. Mr Bouaziz told Mr OBrien that he would need to provide information regarding Ripplings ways of doing things. Mr OBrien said he understood this to mean corporate strategy, customer insights and other interesting company information. Advertisement Mr OBrien said that his first payment was received in November 2024 for $6,000. The payment was made via Revolut, and sent by Alba Basha, the spouse of Deels chief operations officer, Dan Westgarth, Mr OBrien claims. Following this payment, Mr Bouaziz told Mr OBrien that future payments would be made via cryptocurrency as a method that would leave no trace," the latter said. Mr OBrien said he communicated with Mr Bouaziz multiple times a day every workday, and sometimes on the weekends. Mr OBrien said the Deel chief would direct him to search specific terms on various platforms used by Ripplings in order to yield the information he wanted. Mr OBrien said he screenshotted and screen recorded in order to capture information, and then sent the captures to Mr Bouaziz via Telegram, the online messaging platform. Mr OBrien said that he provided a lot of confidential information. Advertisement When Mr OBrien expressed to Mr Bouaziz that he was planning to leave Rippling, Mr Bouaziz suggested that he keep spying for a few more months, he said. Mr Bouaziz said that chief operating officer Mr Westgarth would see to it that a venture Mr OBrien had started, dubbed Global Payroll Geeks, would get money from Deel. Amid the emergence of the suspected spying arrangement last month, Rippling obtained High Court orders to inspect Mr OBriens devices. The orders were served on Mr OBrien by an independent solicitor at Ripplings Dublin offices. Mr OBrien did not comply with these orders he reset his phone and left the office after the solicitor tried to stop him, he said. Over the following days, Mr OBrien spoke with Andrea David Mieli, Deels global senior director of legal, and Asif Malik, a Deel in-house lawyer. Mr OBrien said he received reassurances from the men, and that he understood Mr Malik to say that Mr Bouaziz would take care of him if he refused to co-operate with Rippling. Advertisement Mr OBrien said he understood an offer from Mr Malik to fly him and his family to Dubai was his suggestion that he flee Ireland permanently and that Deel would put me up in Dubai. Mr OBrien claims that Mr Malik directed him in order to shift the narrative to make statements to the High Court, the Central Bank of Ireland and Deels Irish solicitors A&L Goodbody alleging that Rippling facilitated sanctioned Russian payments, and that he was being harassed for reporting such payments. Mr OBrien said he knew these claims to be false, but said he went along with the plan initially. It seemed like a way out of the situation, Mr OBrien said. Mr OBrien said he subsequently made a false report to the Central Bank of Ireland, and emailed A&L Goodbody alleging harassment over reporting Russian payments, and stated that he never shared data with Deel. Advertisement On March 16th, as directed by Mr Malik, Mr OBrien destroyed his phone with an axe and put it down a drain at his mother-in-laws house, Mr OBrien said. This was two days after the date hed told the High Court hed destroyed it. Mr OBrien said that following a High Court hearing on March 19th, he felt that Deels support and that of its in-house lawyers was beginning to pull away. Mr OBrien subsequently agreed to comply with the orders of the High Court, and began to co-operate with Ripplings lawyers. He turned over devices and participated in interviews. Explaining why he decided to co-operate, Mr OBrien said he was getting sick concealing this lie. He said he was and still is concerned about how wealthy and powerful Mr Bouaziz is. I want to do what I can to start making amends and righting these wrongs, he said. Ireland Derelict pub set to be transformed as part of new... Read More On Wednesday, Marcus Dowling SC, for Rippling, moved a motion seeking to join San Francisco-based Deel Inc; Mr Bouaziz, with an address in Paris, France; Mr Malik, of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England; and Rome-based Mr Mieli to the proceedings brought against Mr OBrien. Mr Justice Mark Sanfey said it seemed appropriate to him to join the four proposed defendants, and gave permission to serve the proceedings on them. The application was granted with only the Rippling side represented. He said that the allegations made against the proposed defendants are extremely serious, and that they must be given an opportunity to meet those allegations in full. Deel has denied any wrongdoing. Mr Justice Sanfey also granted leave for Rippling to bring a motion seeking Revolut to provide details about a payment received by Mr OBrien. A pro-Palestine protest has been held outside Leinster House days after 14 people were arrested at a vigil protest. Mothers Against Genocide said they were devastated at the Gardais treatment of protesters who held an overnight vigil at the gates of Leinster House to coincide with Mothers Day. Advertisement Protesters returned to the Dail on Wednesday to support a bill that would look to restrict weapons shipments travelling through Ireland to Israel. People taking part in a pro-Palestine demonstration outside Leinster House in Dublin (Brian Lawless/PA) The road was briefly blocked as people held a Mothers Against Genocide banner and chanted slogans accusing the Taoiseach and Tanaiste of supporting genocide in Gaza. Clare OConnor from Mothers Against Genocide, one of the protest organisers, said she was devastated at the treatment of protesters at Leinster House on Monday but said it had really mobilised people. It hasnt put me off and I dont think its put anyone else off today, she said. Advertisement People are so angry that people that came out to stand in solidarity with women and children being slaughtered in Gaza were treated in that way. She said the Mothers Day protest was about highlighting the mothers and children killed in Gaza and the Irish Governments complicity, while Wednesday was focusing on the Arms Embargo Bill. The Arms Embargo Bill is to stop weapons being transported through Irish airspace to Israel which is being used in the slaughter of innocent people, and were out here protesting that. People taking part in a pro-Palestine demonstration outside Leinster House in Dublin (Brian Lawless/PA) She said that free speech and the right to protest is being repressed in the US and Germany. Advertisement If ever there was a time, now is the time to get out on the streets and be heard. Wed just ask people to come out and support us, were 18 months in, nobody thought wed still be here. This is about Palestine but its also about the whole world. If international law doesnt count, what does it mean for the world? If it can happen in Palestine it can happen absolutely anywhere. Mothers Against Genocide has said said it will file a complaint to the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission over allegations that some women who were arrested were strip searched and one was subjected to a cavity search. Advertisement People taking part in a pro-Palestine demonstration outside Leinster House in Dublin (Brian Lawless/PA) Gardai released a statement on Wednesday denying that a cavity search took place and stating that searches were conducted in line with regulations. Preliminary inquiries conducted by local Garda management have found that any searches conducted were in line with the Treatment of Persons in Custody in Garda Siochana Stations Regulations (Criminal Justice Act, 1984), a statement said. An Garda Siochana refutes any allegation that a cavity search took place. The Arms Embargo Bill is to be revived in the Seanad at 5.30pm on Wednesday by four senators, including Senator Frances Black who tabled the Occupied Territories Bill. Advertisement Ms OConnor said of the two bills: Theyre two pieces of legislation actually asking us to do what were already supposed to be doing. Were just asking people to uphold international law. How Donald Trump's tariff crackdown, which he has dubbed 'Liberation Day', will impact on Ireland and the EU dominates Wednesday's front pages. The Irish Times, Irish Examiner and Irish Independent lead with the US tariffs. The Echo and the Irish Sun also lead with the threat US tariffs pose to businesses in Ireland. Today's front page of The Irish Sun pic.twitter.com/qWt13woWaT The Irish Sun (@IrishSunOnline) April 2, 2025 The Government is set to shelve the Occupied Territories Bill to 'keep the US happy', the Irish Daily Mail reports. Advertisement All this and lots more in Wednesday's Irish Daily Mail. pic.twitter.com/mv9ykKE4v9 The Irish Daily Mail (@irishdailymail) April 2, 2025 CAB found stairs missing at the home of a gang member, The Herald reports. In the North, the Belfast Telegraph leads with the controversial 'Brand Builder' company, which has been shut down leaving clients in the lurch. The Irish News leads with a pub stabbing. The front page of todays Irish News. pic.twitter.com/hCMWd3CmlP The Irish News (@irish_news) April 2, 2025 Donald Trumps tariff blitz dominates headlines across Wednesdays UK newspapers. The Times, the Independent and the i Paper say the US president is expected to hit the UK with a raft of tariffs, which will come into immediate effect. However, the Daily Telegraph says prime minister Sir Keir Starmer is preparing a number of economic concessions in an attempt to persuade Mr Trump to spare the UK from his liberation day trade crackdown. Advertisement Among the concessions, according to The Guardian, would be a significant tax cut for US technology companies. Meanwhile, the Financial Times says scared investors are pouring into gold funds at the highest rate since the pandemic amid US tariff concerns. The Daily Mirror splashes on fears 25,000 car industry jobs could be lost in the tariff campaign. And the Daily Mail warns that tariffs could trigger a fresh crisis for chancellor Rachel Reeves, who delivered her spring economic statement last week. Advertisement Metro leads on a Chinese student convicted of drugging and raping 10 women, as well as 23 more women coming forward with their own allegations. Lastly, The Sun writes that the charity boss who accused Britain's Duke of Sussex of harassment has deleted her social media accounts after being harassed by supporters of Harry and his wife. US attorney general Pam Bondi said on Tuesday that she would seek the death penalty for Luigi Mangione, who was charged with murdering a UnitedHealthcare executive in Manhattan last year, The New York Times reports. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel is establishing a new security corridor across the Gaza Strip to pressure Hamas, suggesting it would cut off the southern city of Rafah, which Israel has ordered evacuated, from the rest of the Palestinian territory. The announcement came after Mr Netanyahus defence minister said Israel would seize large areas of Gaza and add them to its so-called security zones. Advertisement A wave of Israeli strikes, meanwhile, killed more than 40 Palestinians, including several women and children, according to Palestinian health officials. Israel has vowed to escalate the nearly 18-month war with Hamas until the militant group returns dozens of remaining hostages, disarms and leaves the territory. Israel ended a ceasefire in March and has imposed a month-long halt on all imports of food, fuel and humanitarian aid. Mr Netanyahu described the new axis as the Morag corridor, using the name of a Jewish settlement that once stood between Rafah and Khan Younis, suggesting it would run between the two southern cities. Advertisement He said it would be a second Philadelphi corridor referring to the Gaza side of the border with Egypt further south, which has been under Israeli control since last May. Israel has also reasserted control over the Netzarim corridor, also named for a former settlement, that cuts off the northern third of Gaza, including Gaza City, from the rest of the narrow coastal strip. Both of the existing corridors run from the Israeli border to the Mediterranean Sea. We are cutting up the strip, and we are increasing the pressure step by step, so that they will give us our hostages, Mr Netanyahu said. Advertisement Palestinians inspect a UN building after it was hit by an Israeli strike, in Jabaliya, northern Gaza Strip (Jehad Alshrafi/AP) In northern Gaza, an Israeli air strike hit a UN building in the built-up Jabaliya refugee camp, killing 15 people, including nine children and two women, according to the Indonesian Hospital. The Israeli military said it struck Hamas militants in a command and control centre. The building, previously a clinic, had been converted into a shelter for displaced people, with more than 700 residing there, according to Juliette Touma, a spokesperson for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, the main aid provider in Gaza. No UN staff were wounded in the strike. Advertisement She said UN staff warned people about the dangers of remaining there after Wednesdays strike but that many chose to stay, simply because they have absolutely nowhere else to go. More than 60% of Gaza is now considered a no-go zone because of Israeli evacuation orders, according to Olga Cherevko, a spokesperson for the UN humanitarian aid office. Hundreds of thousands people are living in squalid tent camps along the coast or in the ruins of their destroyed homes. Israeli defence minister Israel Katz had earlier said Israel would seize large areas and add them to its security zones, apparently referring to an existing buffer zone along Gazas entire perimeter. Advertisement He called on Gaza residents to expel Hamas and return all the hostages, saying this is the only way to end the war. On Sunday, Mr Netanyahu said Israel plans to maintain overall security control of Gaza after the war and implement US President Donald Trumps proposal to resettle much of its population elsewhere through what the Israeli leader referred to as voluntary emigration. Palestinians have rejected the plan, viewing it as expulsion from their homeland after Israels offensive left much of it uninhabitable, and human rights experts say implementing the plan would be likely to violate international law. Hamas has said it will only release the remaining 59 hostages 24 of whom are believed to be alive in exchange for the release of more Palestinian prisoners, a lasting ceasefire and an Israeli pullout. The group has rejected demands that it lay down its arms or leave the territory. The decision to resume the war has fuelled protests in Israel, where many fear it has put the hostages at grave risk and are calling for another ceasefire and exchange with Hamas. The Hostage Families Forum, which represents most captives families, said they were horrified to wake up this morning to the defence ministers announcement about expanding military operations in Gaza. The group called on the Trump administration, which took credit for brokering the ceasefire but has supported Israels decision to end it, to do everything possible to free the remaining captives. Our highest priority must be an immediate deal to bring ALL hostages back home the living for rehabilitation and those killed for proper burial and end this war, the group said. In addition to the 15 killed in northern Gaza, Israeli air strikes overnight into Wednesday killed another 28 people across the territory, according to local hospitals. The Nasser Hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis said the dead included five women, one of them pregnant, and two children. Israel says it targets only militants and makes every effort to spare civilians, blaming Hamas for their deaths because the militants operate in densely populated areas. Buildings that were destroyed during Israeli ground and air operations in the northern Gaza Strip (Leo Correa/AP) The war began when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on October 7 2023, killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking 251 hostages, most of whom have since been released in ceasefire agreements and other deals. Israel rescued eight living hostages and has recovered dozens of bodies. Israels offensive has killed more than 50,000 Palestinians, according to Gazas Health Ministry, which does not say whether those killed are civilians or combatants. Israel says it has killed around 20,000 militants, without providing evidence. The war has left vast areas of Gaza in ruins and at its height displaced around 90% of the population. Oscar-winning director Oliver Stone, whose 1991 film JFK portrayed President John F Kennedys assassination as the work of a shadowy government conspiracy, has called for a new congressional investigation of the killing during a hearing that aired conspiracy theories about it. The freewheeling hearing of the House Task Force on the Declassification of Federal Secrets, where partisan grievances were aired, followed last months release of thousands of pages of government documents related to the assassination. Advertisement The task forces Republican chairwoman opened the proceedings by questioning the Warren Commission investigations conclusion that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in fatally shooting Kennedy as his motorcade finished a parade route in central Dallas on November 22 1963. President John F Kennedy riding in a motorcade with first lady Jacqueline Kennedy in Dallas, Texas, in 1963 (AP) Scholars say the files that President Donald Trump ordered to be released showed nothing undercutting the conclusion that a lone gunman killed Kennedy. Many documents were previously released but contained newly removed redactions, including Social Security numbers, angering people whose personal information was disclosed. Stones JFK was nominated for eight Oscars, including best picture, and won two. Advertisement It grossed more than 200 million dollars but was also dogged by questions about its historical accuracy. Stone told the committee that he believes decades of delays in releasing unredacted records had prevented clarity about who killed JFK. He also said a new investigation outside all political considerations should begin at the scene of the crime and re-examine all of the evidence from the day of the assassination. Scholars and historians have concluded that there is strong evidence that Oswald, a 24-year-old former Marine, acted alone in killing Kennedy. Advertisement Can we return to a world where we can trust our government to level with us, the people for which this government exists? Stone said. Director Oliver Stone listens during a hearing of the House Task Force on the Declassification of Federal Secrets on Capitol Hill in Washington (Mark Schiefelbein/AP) This is our democracy. This is our presidency. It belongs to us. The task forces chairwoman, Representative Anna Paulina Luna of Florida, said she thinks the federal government under previous administrations had engaged in stonewalling. The task force also heard from a witness called by Democrats who criticised the Trump administrations handling of the recent JFK document release. Advertisement John Davisson, senior counsel for the Washington-based Electronic Privacy Information Centre, called it hurried and suggested that the National Archives and Records Administration simply ignored procedures for protecting peoples privacy. The task forces Democrats followed up on his comments by criticising the Trump administration over a variety of other issues. What I find funny about this hearing is that the Republicans are here relitigating whether CIA agents lied 60 years ago, said Representative Jasmine Crockett, whose Texas district includes part of Dallas. Ms Crockett suggested that Congress should instead delve deeper into revelations that top national security officials discussed sensitive attack plans over a messaging app and mistakenly added a journalist to the group chat. Advertisement The last formal congressional investigation of Kennedys assassination took three years and ended in 1978, when a House committee issued a report concluding that the Soviet Union, Cuba, organised crime, the CIA and the FBI were not involved, but Kennedy probably was assassinated as a result of a conspiracy. Director Oliver Stone, right, talks with author Jefferson Morley before a hearing of the House Task Force on the Declassification of Federal Secrets on Capitol Hill in Washington (Mark Schiefelbein/AP) In 1976, a Senate committee said it had not uncovered enough evidence to justify a conclusion that there was a conspiracy. The Warren Commission, appointed by Kennedys successor, President Lyndon B Johnson, concluded that Oswald fired on Kennedys motorcade from a snipers perch on the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository, where Oswald worked. Police arrested Oswald within 90 minutes, and two days later, Jack Ruby, a nightclub owner, shot Oswald during a jail transfer broadcast on live television. For Tuesdays hearing, the task force also invited Jefferson Morley and James DiEugenio, who have written books arguing for conspiracies behind the assassination. Morley is editor of the JFK Facts blog and vice president of the Mary Ferrell Foundation, a repository for files related to the assassination. Israels military operation in the Gaza Strip is expanding to seize large areas, defence minister Israel Katz has said. The expansion comes as officials at hospitals inside the Palestinian territory said Israeli strikes have killed more than 40 people, nearly a dozen of them children. Advertisement Israels offensive in the Palestinian territory is expanding to crush and clean the area of militants and seizing large areas that will be added to the security zones of the State of Israel, Mr Katz said in a written statement. The Israeli government has long maintained a buffer zone just inside Gaza along its security fence and has greatly expanded since the war began in 2023. Israel says the buffer zone is needed for its security, while Palestinians view it as a land grab that further shrinks the narrow coastal territory, home to around two million people. Mr Katz did not specify which areas of Gaza would be seized in the expanded operation, which he said includes the extensive evacuation of the population from fighting areas. Advertisement His statement came after Israel ordered the full evacuation of the southern city of Rafah and nearby areas. The war has displaced hundreds of thousands of Palestinians (AP) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel aims to maintain an open-ended but unspecified security control of the Gaza Strip once it achieves its aim of crushing Hamas. The minister called on Gaza residents to expel Hamas and return all hostages. The militant group still holds 59 captives, of whom 24 are believed to still be alive, after most of the rest were released in ceasefire agreements or other deals. Advertisement This is the only way to end the war, Mr Katz said. Since the breakdown of the ceasefire last month, when Israel ordered people to move and expanded its areas of operation, the no-go zones in Gaza now constitute more than 60% of the strip, said Olga Cherevko, a spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. 'As if death, diseases, destruction and hunger were not enough for the Palestinians in #Gaza. People are treated like pinballs with constant military orders playing with their fate & lives. The Israeli Authorities issued more forced displacement orders in #Rafah impacting over pic.twitter.com/KYa4MHslSt UNRWA (@UNRWA) April 1, 2025 Aid groups are providing assistance as the situation allows, as supplies dwindled because of Israels month-long blockade on Gaza. No-go zones include the military zone in the Netzarim corridor a zone carved out by Israel separating northern from southern Gaza and the expanded buffer zone and evacuation areas. Advertisement The Hostage Families Forum, which represents most captives relatives, said that it was horrified to wake up this morning to the defence ministers announcement about expanding military operations in Gaza. The group said the Israeli government has an obligation to free all 59 hostages from Hamas captivity to pursue every possible channel to advance a deal for their release. They stressed that every passing day puts their loved ones lives at greater risk. Strikes continue to hit Gaza (AP Photo/Leo Correa) Their lives hang in the balance as more and more disturbing details continue to emerge about the horrific conditions theyre being held in chained, abused, and in desperate need of medical attention, said the forum, which called on the Trump administration and other mediators to continue pressuring Hamas to release the hostages. Advertisement Our highest priority must be an immediate deal to bring all hostages back home the living for rehabilitation, and those killed for proper burial and end this war, the group said. Israel continued to target the Gaza Strip, with air strikes overnight killing 17 people in the southern city of Khan Younis. Another 15 people were killed in a strike in the north of the strip on Wednesday, according to officials at hospitals where the bodies were taken. Officials at the Nasser Hospital said the bodies of 12 people killed in an overnight air strike that were brought to the hospital included five women, one of them pregnant, and two children. Officials at the Gaza European Hospital said they received five bodies of people killed in two separate air strikes. Later on Wednesday, officials at the Indonesian Hospital said an Israeli strike on a building of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, or UNRWA, in the Jabaliya refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip killed 15 people, including nine children and two women. The Palestinian Civil Defence said the building had been an UNRWA clinic that was now being used to house displaced people. It said the attack hit two rooms in the building, and that it evacuated the bodies of seven of those killed as well as 12 people who were wounded. The loss of two more @UNRWA colleagues in #Gaza is appalling. We repeat: health and humanitarian workers are #NotATarget. They must be protected at all times. We urge for the ceasefire to be restored.https://t.co/Vz94k5t1W6 Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) April 1, 2025 Juliette Touma, a spokeswoman for UNRWA, confirmed that an UNRWA building had been hit, but did not have any further details on casualties or what the building was being used as. Despite UNRWA staff warning of the dangers of the facility after Wednesdays attack, many displaced families have not left the site, simply because they have absolutely nowhere else to go, Ms Touma said, adding that no UNRWA staff were killed or wounded in the strike. The Israeli military said it struck Hamas members in the area, adding that they were hiding inside a command and control centre that was being used for coordinating armed activity and served as a central meeting point for the Palestinian group. Separately, the European Hospital said that it had received the bodies of eight people killed in Khan Younis during the day on Wednesday, while another three killed in Zawaida in central Gaza arrived at the Aqsa hospital, officials there said. The war began when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on October 7 2023, killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking 251 hostages. Israels offensive has killed more than 50,000 Palestinians, including hundreds killed in strikes since a ceasefire ended about two weeks ago, according to Gazas health ministry, which does not say whether those killed are civilians or combatants. Israel says it has killed around 20,000 militants. UFC is joining up with Facebooks parent company Meta in a deal that will bring mixed martial arts to more fans around the world. The companies said their multi-year partnership will give UFC the ability to use Metas technology platforms, services and products, including Meta AI, Meta Glasses, Meta Quest, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Threads, so that UFC fans have more ways to view its content. Advertisement Meta and UFC, whose parent company is TKO Group, said they will work together to incorporate Metas AI glasses into UFC events. Meta has the greatest minds in tech and they are going to take fan engagement to the next level, UFC president and chief executive Dana White said in a statement. Mr White mentioned that Meta is already working on some innovations for a new fighter rankings system. The deal, whose financial terms were not disclosed, will also see the Meta brand appear in UFCs Octagon, as well as across numerous broadcasts. Advertisement Metas social media platform Threads will feature exclusive original UFC content. I love this sport and Im looking forward to working with the UFC to let fans experience it in new ways, Meta founder and chief executive Mark Zuckerberg said. Mr Zuckerberg is trained in mixed martial arts and posted about completing his first jujitsu tournament in 2023. That same year, there were talks of him and Tesla chief executive Elon Musk squaring off in a cage match, but the event never happened. Advertisement Mr Zuckerberg and Mr White are no strangers to each other, with Mr White joining Metas board of directors in January. Meta donated one million dollars to Donald Trumps inauguration fund (Thibault Camus/AP) Both Mr Zuckerberg and Mr White are among the many high-profile business figures within the orbit of US President Donald Trump. After Mr Trump won re-election in November, Mr Zuckerberg dined at the president-elects Mar-a-Lago club in Florida and Meta donated one million dollars to Mr Trumps inauguration fund. Other Big Tech companies such as Amazon have donated similar amounts. Advertisement Mr Trump is a longtime UFC fan and frequent attendee of major fights. His ties with Mr White date back to 2001, when Mr White hosted a UFC at the Republicans former casino-hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey, the Trump Taj Mahal. Mr Trump has also appeared with Mr White at UFC matches over the years, especially in his 2024 campaign as part of efforts to appeal to younger male voters. Mr White has had speaking roles at the 2016, 2020 and 2024 Republican conventions and appeared on stage at Mr Trumps election victory party in November. Advertisement Shares of Meta Platforms Inc rose slightly in midday trading, while shares of TKO Group Holdings Inc climbed more than 2%. Country Road will focus on expanding its homewares business as the groups clothing sales and profitability plummet and the dust settles on the sexual harassment and workplace bullying revelations that rocked the fashion house last year. Mugs, tea and bath towels, photo frames and bedding are in strong demand despite cost of living pressures. Falling fashion retail smashed the South African-owned groups operating profits by 71.7 per cent for the half-year. Country Road has opened their first dedicated homewares store in Albert Park, Melbourne. Country Road, which also runs Witchery, Mimco, Trenery and Politix, has unveiled its first standalone homewares store in Melbournes Albert Park, with plans to increase this to 10 stores by 2028. We have low [brand] awareness. You would be surprised at how many people dont even know Country Road Home exists, and this growth has come out of that, said general manager Ty Symonds. The states corruption watchdog is investigating allegations about the conduct of the former chief executive of School Infrastructure NSW, and other staff and contractors at the agency, confirming it will hold a public inquiry into the matter next month. Last year the Herald revealed the NSW government had referred Anthony Manning, the former head of School Infrastructure, to the Independent Commission Against Corruption. In a statement released on Wednesday, ICAC confirmed it was investigating allegations bureaucrats from School Infrastructure awarded lucrative contracts to friends and business associates. It will hold a six-week public inquiry starting on May 5 as part of an investigation called Operation Landa. Former Schools Infrastructure NSW chief executive officer Anthony Manning. Credit: Janie Barrett The powerful anti-corruption body is investigating if Manning and other staff or contractors at School Infrastructure NSW partially exercised their official functions by intentionally subverting appropriate recruitment practices to benefit friends and business associates. The Queensland government has ramped up penalties for supplying illegal tobacco and vape products, increasing on-the-spot fines by a factor of 10 and expanding the range of finable offences. The state added vapes and nicotine pouches to the list of illegal tobacco and vape products, and increased on-the-spot penalties for corporations to $161,300, and individual fines to $32,260. Loading Cases escalated to a court can result in up to two years prison time and even higher penalties $322,000 for an individual and $1.6 million for a corporation. The move comes as the state battles a quiet war on the illegal tobacco trade, with overseas imports growing significantly in recent years. Attorney-General Deb Frecklington said the fines were a necessary step in reducing the illegal trade. These are now some of the highest infringements that can be issued in Queensland, and they recognise the scourge that these illegal chop shops are on our community, she said. Heavy rain battered Brisbane on Wednesday as Queenslands south-east felt the tail end of ex-cyclone Dianne a system that brought widespread flooding elsewhere in the state. Up to 50 millimetres was expected to fall over Brisbane, with the chance of up to 70 millimetres in some areas, the Bureau of Meteorology said. Minor road flooding and maybe just some odd rises on our rivers and streams around the city is [possible], senior meteorologist Dean Narramore told this masthead. Up to 50 millimetres was expected to fall over Brisbane, with the chance of up to 70 millimetres in some areas. Credit: Catherine Strohfeldt We do have flood watches for much of south-east Queensland [on Wednesday], just because things are so wet. Were not going to see the big falls that we saw out further west. The Coalition had said it supported expanding hate laws to protect people based on disability, gender identity, sex, sex characteristics and sexual orientation. However, it disagreed with the legal test applied to the civil laws, which is whether a reasonable person with the protected attribute would consider the conduct hateful. Coalition MPs wanted the test to simply be whether a reasonable person would consider it hateful. Speaking in the upper house, Liberal MP Evan Mulholland said legal tests must and should be objective. Opposition Leader Brad Battin said the bill would limit free speech and that the party had opposed it the whole way through. This bill is a bad bill for Victorians, it will create issues, clogging up the courts, seeing people pursue each other, rather than working together to educate each other to actually create the society we want going forward, he said. Allan said the Liberals did not support the bill because they were more focused on peace in their right-wing party room than they were focused on peace in our community. Civil liberties group Liberty Victoria has previously raised concerns that parts of the legislation failed to strike the right balance between protecting people from harm and protecting freedom of speech and expression. There is a risk that well-intentioned legislation can be sought to be weaponised against forms of legitimate political expression, the group said in January. The Greens had been seeking to add a public interest defence to the legislation, which had the support of a broad coalition of community and legal rights groups. Loading Instead, the Greens and Labor agreed on amendments that require decision-makers to consider the social, historical and cultural context of any offences, which the party says will capture power imbalances between parties in both civil and criminal cases. Labor also agreed to an amendment stipulating that police will not be able to bring charges for serious vilification without the prior approval of the Director of Public Prosecutions. Speaking in the upper house, Treasurer Jaclyn Symes said the bill struck a balance that was practical and meaningful for diverse communities. The bill is not about protests. The bill is not for lawyers, for academics, for those who want to intellectualise about the theoretical good or application of the laws, she said. Greens MP Gabrielle de Vietri said the amendments put safeguards in place to prevent the proposed laws from being misused, especially against marginalised and over-policed communities. Loading Were pleased that Labor has worked with the Greens to pass a progressive bill instead of caving even further to the Liberals and right-wing campaigns on such important laws for our LGBTQIA+ and disabled communities, she said. The reforms originated from a private members bill introduced five years ago by then-independent MP Fiona Patten. But it gained new significance last year when the government came under pressure to respond to rising antisemitism and the firebombing of the Adass Israel synagogue in Ripponlea. The government gained the support of prominent Jewish groups for the bill after it dropped the genuine political purpose defence, which could have allowed people to avoid conviction if they engaged in the conduct for a genuine political purpose. An emergency bushfire burning dangerously close to homes in the Perth southern suburb of Ferndale has had its threat downgraded. The blaze was reported at 4am Thursday morning, with residents near Canning River told to evacuate their properties. The blaze in Ferndale. Credit: 9 News Perth You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive. There is a threat to lives and homes, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services alert read. The emergency zone included people west of Canning River between Nicholson Road, Metcalfe Road, Latham Road and Willcock Street. WA Police are sporting a new patrol car that has heads turning - a $100,000 Maserati Quattroporte. The vehicle was confiscated from a repeat offender after police saw the luxury car failing to give way in Fremantle last year. Further investigations revealed the driver was required to have an interlock breathalyser system installed in the vehicle, which he didnt. Now the car has a new purpose, driving around Perth bubble-wrapped with police road safety messages about the consequences of speeding and drink-driving and the number plate forfeited. And while police announced the news of their newly acquired vehicle on April 1, the forfeiture was no joke, with top traffic cop Mike Bell arriving to an ABC Perth Radio interview in the car this morning. As a police officer, I never thought Id be driving a Maserati, but here I am, he said. I thought it was an opportunity to highlight to people that losing your vehicle is a thing, it is possible well be using it to really push the road safety message. Last year WA Police seized 8,883 vehicles, mainly for licensing issues, or hooning. Follow our live coverage of the 2025 federal election here. The electoral watchdog is reviewing whether Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Greens leader Adam Bandts collaborative posts with social media personality Abbie Chatfield should be classified as political content in a flagship test of the growing relationship between politicians and influencers. Authorisation messages are legally required on political content from someone communicating an electoral or political matter. Traditional news media is excluded from this requirement but the Australian Electoral Commission is reviewing whether Chatfields content is news opinion or should be declared as an endorsement of a candidate. Abbie Chatfield criticised the Liberal Party and said she was not paid to post any content. Credit: Remco Jansen/BINGE The commissions review will test political leaders who share content creator posts that instruct listeners how to vote as more MPs appear on influencer podcasts and social media to reach a broad range of voters. Singapore: Beijing has rebuffed suggestions that it is seeking to influence the federal election after one of its research vessels passed through international waters off Australias southern coast, sparking days of fiery political exchanges on the campaign trail about which party is better at handling Chinas strategic ambitions. The Chinese embassy in Canberra issued a statement insisting that its ship, the Tan Suo Yi Hao, was engaged in routine scientific research, had performed no operations in Australias exclusive economic zone and was in compliance with international law. It denounced as smearing claims that the vessel was a spy ship. The presence of Chinese research vessel, Tan Suo Yi Hao, tracking a route far off the south coast of Australia has generated days of political debate and prompted Beijing to deny that it is seeking to influence the federal election. These activities are not directed at any third party and have nothing to do with China-Australia relations, let alone the Australian federal election. The Australian federal election is Australias internal affairs, the embassys statement said. The route of the Chinese vessel was set in accordance with the international waterway and taken into consideration of the coastal weather forecast. Talking to Samantha Selinger-Morris on The Morning Edition podcast , our business reporter Nick Toscano and climate and energy reporter Mike Foley wade through the spin and tell us which energy plan is best, not just for us but also for the environment. Australians now have a shock new gas policy to consider when going to the polls on May 3, courtesy of Peter Dutton but is his unprecedented scheme simply a bid to win political points as he and Anthony Albanese circle each other on the campaign trail? Or is it a legitimate method to keeping our appliances running, and ourselves warm, at a relatively low, or lower, cost? Foley: Its not the main part of electricity generation ... But gas helps set the price of your electricity bill. And were currently starting to run short of gas supplies. That makes the price of it go up. It makes your hip pocket hurt more. And Peter Dutton is saying, Ive got this shock move to punish all the big dodgy gas companies and steal gas off them in a Robin Hood move to help Australians have more of it. Its a lot more complicated than that, of course, but thats what were being told by Peter Dutton. Loading Toscano: The rhetoric from the Dutton opposition is theyre aiming to flood the Australian market with gas by really speeding up environmental assessments so If youre a private company, get your project approved in half the time that it would normally take, and make it much easier for developers to build their projects, much easier for investment to flow into those developments ... I think we really dont have any detail yet of how they plan to halve those approval times. So lets just call it a value statement rather than a detailed plan at the moment. Foley: The Albanese government says in the event of a shortage, well nab some of your exports ... and force them to stay at home so we dont run out of gas. The Dutton government is saying, no, thats not good enough for us. Were just going to make the producers keep a bunch of it at home ... The Dutton plan obviously has some popular appeal ... The Albanese government hasnt gone that far down the populist route because the government of the day has to actually implement plans. Its a lot easier to say stuff in opposition than when youre in government ... They might let the price rise like it has been for the past decade, but they would always have legal recourse to keep some of the gas at home. Hear the story behind the headlines on The Morning Edition podcast, every weekday from 5am on Apple, Spotify or your favourite podcast platform. Follow our live coverage of the 2025 federal election here. Labor politicians are openly debating Jacinta Allans cratering popularity and what the federal election result in Victorian seats will mean for her future, as the premier attempts to keep her caucus on side. Allan on Wednesday said she wasnt focused on polls, after the Resolve Political Monitor for The Age, found state Labors primary vote was at 24 per cent and her personal likeability had collapsed to minus 32 per cent. Federal MPs are grappling with how to campaign in a state vital to Prime Minister Anthony Albaneses fortunes but where the branch is on the nose. Its also proven an easy attack point for the federal Liberals with Opposition Leader Peter Dutton saying on Wednesday the wheels are falling off in Victoria. Yet that changes when our mini-bus the main mode of transport for this tour reaches a smaller town along our 1800-kilometre overland trek, which includes a high-speed train ride from the Holy City of Madinah to Jeddah, but doesnt count detours to ancient rock-art sites and the otherworldly Wadi Disah the Valley of the Palm Trees near the Red Sea coast. Only Allah knows why, but the road design favours U-turns, often spaced kilometres apart, over traffic lights. It takes forever to get anywhere. And on the capitals clogged streets, I spy nary a single female driver. This in a country where, until 2019, a male guardianship system controlled womens international travel, among other matters. Im part of a 12-day frontier-pushing Intrepid expedition designed exclusively for women travellers, offering the chance to meet local Saudi women and to get to know them. Riyadh has big-city traffic problems thanks to a fondness for the U-turn. Credit: Getty Images My note to self was unnecessary; thanks to the nightmarish traffic in the countrys two biggest cities of Riyadh and Jeddah, I have hour upon hour to peruse those faces behind the wheels. Before arriving in Saudi Arabia, I remind myself to clock the genders of the drivers behind the wheels of the kingdoms vehicles. A big deal, after all, has been made of the fact that, since 2018, Saudi women have been allowed to drive. Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Thats rapidly changing. In 2024, Saudi Arabia welcomed a record 30 million international tourists, and its now laser-focused on attracting 70 million by 2030. That target is part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salmans ambitious plan known as Vision 2030. Saudi, whether youre in favour of the place or not ( and plenty of people arent ), is hot, hot, hot right now in every sense of the world. Still, in a world where tourists have conquered almost every frontier, it remains a mystery to many. Its one of many eye-opening moments in this country, which opened to international tourists only in 2019. With men veering through the streets as though theyre trying out for Formula 1, who can blame women for not wanting to tackle big-city traffic? Not me, now that Ive seen it up close. A store-keeper, university-educated in the US and with a perfect command of English, jumps into her car with a female companion to lead us to a nearby market where locusts are a popular snack. I spy one other woman driver in Madinah (Medina), but thats it. Beyond those traffic-choked cities lie dramatic snaggle-toothed mountain ranges, desert highways and desolate petrol stations paired with mosques. These service centres are a regular pit-stop for us thanks to the mosque toilets. In the lead-up to my trip, I imagine desert-scapes of shimmering dunes, but of course this isnt our view through the mini-bus windows. For a first-time visitor like me, part of the allure of seeing this new Saudi Arabia is the chance to peek behind the veil thats long kept the kingdom a mystery. With Saudi Arabia ranking as one of the worlds most divisive destinations, I wait for the raised eyebrows every time I tell someone Im visiting there. While Saudis, unprompted, profess their love for him, the rest of the world still struggles to forget that MbS can stoop to medieval means to keep his message on track. MBS (or Mbs), as hes nicknamed, is omnipresent throughout his dominion. In hotel foyers, his photographed visage smiles benignly upon all who enter. Its an early introduction, too, to the mandatory offer of a tiny cup of fragrant coffee, freshly poured from a dallah (traditional coffee pot). As we sit along the walls of a private room, we absorb every exotic sight and scent as waiters spread a cloth on the floor and cover it with plate upon plate of food, including chicken kabsa (a much-loved flavourful rice dish). We start to learn about each other and our local Saudi guide, conducting only her third tour at a welcome dinner at Najd Village, a restaurant showcasing dishes from this central highland region thats dominated by Riyadh. Riyadh will never win any beauty contests, but its where our group of 12 women (American, British, European and me, an Australian) meet. AlUla is the capital of the governorate of the same name that is part of Madinah Province in Saudi Arabia. It is considered one of the best-preserved heritage sites in the world. Credit: Getty Images Then theres the dazzling tourist mecca of AlUla where the roadsides (unlike those threaded through the rest of the country) are magically litter-free. I was like, Imagine if travellers could experience this to get an understanding of what life really is like [there]? She was welcomed into a subterranean beauty salon where there was really loud pop music and bright red lipstick and painted purple nails and cleavage and midriffs, and it was a lively, amazing atmosphere, she recalls. Jenny Gray, Intrepids senior product manager, became determined to lift the lid on the secret lives of Saudi women to other women after her own eye-opening experience in Iran. So what prompted Intrepid Travel, the Australian-founded and now global small-group tour operator, to devise such a tour in such a divisive destination? While squat toilets dont faze them, some of us do creak a little more than others as we fold ourselves down into a cross-legged position around the feast, wondering what the next 11 days will hold. The women in my tour group are an accomplished bunch. One was a translator while another was a university professor. Theyre all adventurous travellers who have already trodden many an unbeaten path around the world. Several of the women are widows but, for the most part, partners arent mentioned. When it came to designing the Saudi itinerary, she says: We wanted to give travellers an opportunity to see the country through the lens of women and to support and empower women along the way as well. Theres a huge amount of interest people want to go there. Public park in the old town of Jeddah. Credit: Getty Images While some tour companies cater to female travellers simply by declaring certain departures women-only, Intrepid weaves activities throughout its Saudi itinerary that can only be enjoyed by women, such as treatments at a beauty salon and, in Jeddah, swimming and lounging at a ladies-only beach. Some of those experiences [that women on our tours can have] are less obvious some of them arent purely a women-only space but it could be just conversations that wouldnt happen in the presence of men for cultural, religious or social reasons, Gray says. She says the company is conscious that Saudi wouldnt be an easy decision and not a cheap destination for everyone to access either, yet the tour has proved extraordinarily successful. In the first six months since launching it, we saw more bookings than the first six months of any other destination that weve launched, Gray says. Interestingly, weve had quite a few women who have been there before and wanted to go back and see what the change is like. No men beyond this point Intrepid doesnt take long to deliver on its promise of behind-closed-doors encounters with Saudi women. In Riyadh, we troop into the house of the highly memorable Fatima Oliyan. After a welcome coffee, we play dress-ups donning colourful frocks, elaborate chain headpieces and masks. A mosque at a public beach in Jeddah. Credit: Getty Images One of her adult daughters sets up a portable hot plate and cooks us tiny turmeric-tinted pancakes called masabeb. Fatima is a charming extrovert, which she broadcasts early on by showing us that the fragrant oud-scented smoke spiralling from a handheld burner can be wafted in other places besides your hair, clothes and armpits. Now its a party, wisecracks one of my companions. Were also welcomed into another womans house for a home-cooked lunch that includes stew thickened with strips of flatbread; in a corner, a television broadcasts footage of pilgrims spiralling anti-clockwise around the Kaaba at Makkah (Mecca). She passes around a box of kleija (which aptly rhymes with pleasure). These dome-shaped, grid-patterned pastries are tricky to eat as theyre filled with air and oozy date syrup (we also snack on them on our bus, along with dates anointed with a squirt with tahini). At these homes, were startled by the appearance of a maid at meals end to clear the dishes (both hostesses, though, insist they cooked our lunches themselves). Many maids working in Saudi hail from East African countries such as Uganda; our guide says many households employ both a maid and a driver. At a beauty salon, where we choose between having a haircut or a pedicure, were attended to by workers who form a veritable United Nations (the young woman who trims my hair is from Indonesia). Theres another cultural jolt towards the tours end. At a ladies-only beach in Jeddah, photography is strictly banned; to reinforce the rule, a sky-blue sticker is placed over our phone cameras. The vibe beyond the entry walls, which bear a sign reading No Men Beyond This Point, is that of a glamorous beach club such as you might find in Bali. Music wafts over the speakers, attendants spread towels onto shaded deckchairs and some of us bob in the extra-salty seawater, enjoying the buoyancy of the Red Sea (one of the worlds saltiest bodies of water). Unlike Bali, though, you cant order cocktails, which makes Saudi an accidental wellness destination of sorts. From home, a friend inquires whether you can talk to women in Saudi Arabia. Of course you can. Many initiate conversations as they learnt English studying abroad, and foreign tourists are still (for now) relatively rare. Within the confines of our mini-bus, our guide is asked something far trickier. Are there still beheadings? I hold my breath; she answers in the affirmative without missing a beat. Rocks of ages For Australians, Saudis most jaw-dropping rock-art revelation is a mark so tiny you could almost miss it. Among the petroglyphy at Jubbah, a World Heritage-listed site 90 kilometres from the city of Hail, is a stick figure holding what Saudis say is a boomerang. Path and stairs leading to the ancient Jubbah petroglyphs at Ob Sinman Mountain. Credit: Getty Images Theyre running with this origin story so hard that were informed the region is hosting an international boomerang-throwing event in Hail that very day so off we go to check it out. To my astonishment, I find two Australians heavily involved in a sport I never knew existed. Its intended to introduce the sport to Saudi Arabia and the local boomerang club thats started, says thrower Jarrod Byham, who lives in Victorias Macedon Ranges and is part of the weird and wonderful international boomerang family. The worlds top boomerang throwers, including female competitor Marie Appriou from France, were brought to this spot by Australian Roger Perry. We call it the thinking-mans Frisbee, Perry says of the sport. You cant just throw and hope for the best. Umbrellas at the piazza of Al-Masjid an-Nabawi in Medina. Credit: Getty Images He and Appriou plan to return to show Saudi boys and girls just how to make a boomerang come back. One of the women in our group is in Saudi not for the boomerangs but specifically because shes a devotee of the Nabateans an ancient nomadic tribe that hailed from Arabia. Theyre best known for their extraordinary rock-cut handiwork in their capital city of Petra in neighbouring Jordan, but guess what? They left behind dazzling monuments in modern-day Saudi Arabia too. Petra snaffles the limelight, but Hegra, 500 kilometres south-east and the Nabateans second capital, is just as extraordinary. The first of eight sites in the kingdom to be World Heritage-listed, Hegra is 25 kilometres from AlUla. Our group is assigned a rawi an official storyteller who shows us around a few of the sites 111 monumental tombs, including a peek inside one of them. Elephant Rock. Credit: Katrina Lobley Even closer to AlUla is Elephant Rock a staggering 52-metre-high sandstone formation thats weathered into a pachyderm snuffling in the desert sand. In the late afternoon, while the beast sunbathes, its quite the thing to chill in a sunken fire-pit and puff on a shisha or slurp a coffee. Muslim women in abayas and head scarfs flit past like blackbirds; our guide ditches her abaya as AlUla is one of the kingdoms most liberal places. At one time a pivotal stop for pilgrims heading to Makkah and Madinah, AlUla is today the jewel in the kingdoms tourism crown. The picturesque buildings in the old town of Jeddah. Credit: Getty Images The last residents of its Old Town moved to a nearby purpose-built city in the 1980s; today, its sympathetically restored mud-brick buildings house galleries, cafes and chic boutiques, helping to make it the perfect multi-day attraction. For a falcons-eye view over the AlUla region, we organise a private ride up a corkscrewing road to reach Harrat Viewpoint, 1219 metres above sea level. Its the place to do sunset as long as youre wrapped up warmly (grab that farwa a snugly oversized coat traditionally worn by Bedouin men from the tour bus before heading up). Dressing to fit in on the womens-only tour. Credit: We also opt for an excursion to Jabal Ikmah, AlUlas open-air library. Our guide, with only her brown eyes visible, tells us how as children she and her siblings would cavort among these rocks thinking nothing of the ancient incised scribblings. With permission, I snap her name badge, but its only later that I notice another only in Saudi detail a tiny piece of paper covered the photo of her face. KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: FIVE ETIQUETTE TIPS FOR SAUDI ARABIA Royalty and loyalty Saudis love and respect their royal family. Its fine to have strong opinions about certain family members, but dont place locals in an awkward position with probing questions about them. Loading Its a wrap Women must wear an abaya (and head scarf) to visit Madinah the second holiest city in Islam. An open abaya think a floor-length maxi-coat with sleeves to the wrist is perfectly acceptable. It does not have to be black. An abaya with matching scarf can be bought in a market (souk) for as little as the price of two expensive cappuccinos in Riyadh (haggling in the souk is expected). Coffee time Arabic coffee doesnt resemble the coffee you drink at home its brewed from green coffee beans and spices such as cardamom or saffron, and poured from a distinctive pot (dallah) into a tiny cup (or finjan) held in the hosts right hand; accept it with your right hand. Dates will also usually be offered. Traditional Arabian coffee. Credit: Getty Images Odd not even Reaching for a second date to eat? Its better to gobble three. Odd numbers are significant in Islam and the Prophet Muhammads teachings, and this extends to tiny moments such as how many dates you pluck from a plate. Nature calls Saudi Arabia is one of those countries with sensitive plumbing. Used toilet paper goes in a bin, not down the toilet. Public toilets, including mosque toilets, may be a mix of Western and squat toilets its best to always carry spare toilet paper. Loading THE DETAILS TOUR Intrepids 12-day womens expedition (maximum 12 guests) breaks for Ramadan and during the countrys extremely hot summer months (June to September). From $9795 a woman twin-share (a single supplement is available). See intrepidtravel.com VISIT Australian passport-holders can apply for a one-year, multiple-entry tourist e-visa, allowing stays for up to 90 days, at visitsaudi.com The e-visa, which includes mandatory insurance, costs about 402 riyals ($170). Fly from Australia to Riyadh via Dubai with Emirates. See emirates.com HEALTH Even in winter, parts of Saudi Arabia are hot. Jeddah, on the Red Sea Coast, is extremely humid. In desert areas, temperatures plummet at night. The tour mini-bus carries enough farwas for every guest to borrow. Bottled water is offered at every turn throughout the country (the sustainable notion of refilling water bottles is yet to catch on) so its easy to stay hydrated. DO The unmissable Islamic Arts Biennale unfolds within and around Jeddah airports Hajj Terminal until May 25; entry is free, but a reservation is required. In AlUla, many adventure activities are on offer but Intrepid wont facilitate transfers to and from these high-risk activities, saying none of these activities have passed Intrepids minimum safety standards. See biennale.org.sa; experiencealula.com The writer travelled as a guest of Intrepid. Were offering immediate relief, including making $1,000 grants available, to help those most affected, Peter Atkins, NABs executive retail for Queensland, said in a media release. For someone who has suffered major damage to their home, business or farm, this can be a crucial step towards recovery once the flood waters recede. We are starting to see a recovery in the market. Over the year to February 2025, new home building approvals are up 8.4%, Garrett said. Higher density home building approvals did most of the heavy lifting, which is great news for renters and first-home buyers. We can really quickly and accurately look at a customers position and run different scenarios and thats saving us a lot of time, Bolton said. The process and feedback loop has been very transparent and collaborative which has given me and my team total confidence in the product too, which is just as important. IT IS AN amazing opportunity to sing some of the best music that has ever been written. So says Chris Neary from Carlow Choral Society, which is celebrating its 60th birthday this year. Already, exciting projects are in the pipeline, with a launch taking place next Friday at Cobden Hall in Carlow College. Choral society members are invited to attend as well as former members, who might like to reacquaint with old friends. The society is also targeting those who might be interested in joining a choir but dont know where to start. The launch is at 7pm, with light refreshments served afterwards. Chris sings with the tenor line. He joined eight years ago. The Messiah was my first in 2017, he recalls. I just love singing. We do a good job. For amateurs, I think we are pretty good. We seem to have a good reputation as well, he says. Verdis Requiem, which the choir performed in Carlow and Berlin, was a career highlight for him. Sam Crawford has been in the choir for almost 30 years. I have enjoyed every minute of it, he says. He rarely misses rehearsals, which take place on Mondays in Carlow College from 7.45pm to 10pm. As a seasoned member, he has mentored and encouraged newcomers, who might feel a little overawed when they join. He says that is the ethos of the society all embracing. It has been a great source of camaraderie, a great source of achievement. The sense of camaraderie is outstanding. There is no-one I feel I cannot talk to. What really got me was achieving things was by doing major musical works, he says. Blanaid Murphy is choral director while well-known pianist Yvonne Collier provides the musical accompaniment at rehearsals. We are so fortunate with Blanaid and our piano accompanists. There are a couple of trained voices in the choir, but generally we are just 40-60 ordinary people who want to sing, added Sam. The choir have sung in diverse venues such as Halifax, the Albert Hall in London, Berlin and Rome while they are seasoned performers at the National Concert Hall in Dublin. Sam says it is difficult to pick out one work which stands out for him. Once the launch is over, the 60th celebrations will get into full swing. The society will perform Mozarts Mass in C at Carlow cathedral on Friday 13 June. Then it is on to Montpellier in France in September, where they will perform a specially commissioned piece by composer Paul McGrath. In October there will be a celebration for members past and present, while the society will perform its annual Christmas concert in Carlow. We have done ourselves proud with what we have sung and achieved. Regarding my favourite, I wouldnt say there is anything in particular, but possibly Handels Messiah and Mozarts Requiem, the first one that I sang with the choir, says Sam. STUDENTS and teachers in Presentation de la Salle College, Bagenalstown are being given the opportunity of travelling to partner colleges across Europe, thanks to the Erasmus+ programme. The school celebrated the success of the Erasmus+ programme throughout March, having first been granted funding by Leargas in 2023. The idea behind the programme is for students and teachers to travel to schools in Europe on an educational and cultural basis, on trips called mobilities. Teacher Emma Bolger is the guiding light behind the programme in Presentation de la Salle and is both proud and delighted at how well its going there. By the end of this academic year, four groups of students will have visited such counties as France, Spain, Italy and Germany, while the school also played hosts to students from abroad. One of the mobilities involved 24 students, from first year to sixth year, visiting a school in Germany, to introduce Irish traditional music to their peers there. Another trip saw transition year students living with families in France and Germany, another group to Fougeres, France, with a further trip planned for Pfullendorf, Germany in June. We are immensely proud of our accreditation. Not only our students but also staff members have benefited from the programme. Members of our staff have had the opportunity to partake in courses in Italy, Spain, France and Germany and others have gotten the opportunity to travel to Spain and Germany to engage in job shadowing placements truly enriching experiences for all involved, said Emma. A GANG of bikers on scrambler motorcycles went on a rampage through Carlow town last week, deliberately tearing up flower beds before heading towards the courthouse and the garda station, where they appeared to taunt the gardai into chasing them. Shocking footage of the incident was circulated online, where it showed five bikers riding through Carlow town centre on Tuesday night, damaging flower beds on the roundabout at Kennedy Avenue and at the courthouse before heading for the garda station. There, one of them performed a doughnut on his bike, ripping up the grass there, while others drove towards the garda station honking their horns. Flower beds destroyed in Carlow town In the video, taken by someone following the bikers in a car, a man has a running commentary on the bikers antics, at one point saying: Theyre looking for a chase alright. Game on! On Friday morning, Carlow gardai searched two houses in the town and seized some property while also arresting two men in their early 20s. They were later released without charge and investigations are ongoing. This is the first reported incident in Carlow town of bikers driving unregistered scramblers or off-road bikes in an intimidating fashion, which is more common in larger urban centres such as Dublin. Some of the damage caused This is the first report of unregistered scramblers being ridden on public streets in Carlow town and it will not be tolerated. Its not acceptable by any standard, said Superintendent Anthony Farrell. We are making an appeal to anyone who has information about this incident of reckless driving through Carlow town. The incident took place between the Liberty Tree at Potato Market, up Tullow Street, onto Dublin Street and down towards the courthouse before making their getaway out the Old Dublin Road. Our focus is that there was a significant amount of planting and bedding destroyed when the motorbikes were driven through them, continued Superintendent Farrell. Green areas were also driven on Coilin OReilly, chief executive of Carlow County Council, told The Nationalist that it was disappointing that it happened and that the council was reluctant to make further comment while the incident is being investigated. As a local authority, we have to be resilient and be ready when things like this happen, said Mr OReilly. Well rectify any damage done and I can make no further comment because of the garda inquiries. If you have any information about the incident, which occurred at 10pm on Tuesday 25 March, please contact Carlow Garda Station on 059 9136620. Advertisement Cement prices in China are rebounding strongly as producers seek to improve profitability following intense price competition through 2023 and 2024. Cement prices rose by 21.2 per cent YoY in March and are up 14.6 per cent YtD, according to data from Ccement.com. This follows a 22.7 per cent YoY contraction in 2023 and 3.3 per cent YoY fall in cement prices in 2024. Selling prices are up nationwide partly due to government efforts to reduce excessive competition within the industry. According to China Cement Network, regional enterprises in the Zhejiang province, south of Shanghai, were instructed in March to raise the price of bulk cement by CNY20/t (US$2.80/t), those in Hubei province by CNY30/t, while producers in the East China Yangtze River Delta region and Anhui region were preparing to push up prices by CNY20-30/t. However, low priced imported cement is considered a risk for the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. Vietnam was the main importer of cement in 2024, accounting for 99 per cent of the 45,164t imported into China during the year, while South Korea accounted for 73 per cent of the 261,758t of clinker imports and Japan 27 per cent. Meanwhile, insufficient demand is making it difficult to increase prices, with some areas, such as in the Shandong region, reverting back to pre-rise levels, and others yet to implement the required price rises, namely in Xinjiang, western China. Companies appearing not to comply with orders risk facing penalties. According to China Cement Network, in the second half of March, some enterprises in Liaozhong did not cooperate with a planned kiln shutdowns and production restrictions and now face stiff price reductions that will inevitably hit already struggling profit margins. Official cement prices for the district have been reduced by CNY130-180/t and further price reductions are expected. Cement profit margins are likely to modestly recover, supported by government policies to control production, lift prices and accelerate capacity exit. However, ultimately until the severe overcapacity problem is addressed, Chinese cement producers will remain under pressure. China willing to work with India to advance bilateral ties: foreign ministry Xinhua) 09:52, April 02, 2025 BEIJING, April 1 (Xinhua) -- China stands ready to work with India to take the occasion of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties as an opportunity to advance the sound and stable development of bilateral relations, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Tuesday. Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday exchanged congratulatory messages on the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Chinese Premier Li Qiang also exchanged congratulatory messages with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In response to a relevant query, foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said both China and India are ancient civilizations, major developing countries and important members of the Global South, and both are in a crucial stage of modernization. He said the historical course of bilateral relations shows that being partners of mutual success and a cooperative pas de deux of the dragon and the elephant is the right choice for both sides and fully meets the fundamental interests of the two countries and two peoples. Under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, China stands ready to work with India to view and handle the bilateral relations with a strategic and long-term perspective, and take this occasion of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties as an opportunity to advance China-India relations on the track of sound and stable development, Guo said. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) The Tennessee General Assembly has unanimously passed two child care bills, HB105/SB1286 and HB106/SB1288, aimed at expanding child care access across the state. These bills, set to be signed by Governor Bill Lee in the coming weeks, will enhance funding opportunities for child care agencies and provide clear licensure exemptions for casual care options. The first bill passed, HB105/SB1286, expands the criteria for child care agencies to access funds from the Child Care Improvement Fund, which includes TDHS Non-Profit/Employer Workforce Care Partnership grant opportunities. Previously available to non-profit agencies only, now all types of licensed child care providers are eligible to submit a proposal to expand licensed capacity through partnership with an employer. These funds can be used to address capital improvements and operating expenses associated with increasing capacity in order to serve the employers workforce. More information on the TDHS Non-Profit/Employer Workforce Care Partnership Grants can be found here. When it comes to regular child care services, it is important for parents to look for the license to confirm that the provider is monitored for compliance with health and safety requirements. Some types of care do not fit the model for licensure. HB106/SB1288 was unanimously passed providing greater clarity and accessibility to child care licensing exemptions, allowing providers and families to better understand exempt qualifications under the law. Key provisions of this bill include: Legal allowances for parents night out activities, including lock-in events. Expanded summer camp exemptions to include fall and spring school breaks. Maintenance of previous exemptions, including parents day out, casual care, educational care, recreational care, and camps while clarifying prior regulatory ambiguities. Registration materials and a full list of programs exempt from licensing requirements will be updated on the TDHS website prior to the July 1 effective date. The department is incredibly appreciative of the governor and General Assemblys support of the child care industry in Tennessee to ensure that families have access to safe, healthy, and developmentally rich child care," said TDHS Commissioner Clarence H. Carter. These bills will improve access and quality of care in Tennessee. Jude White, TDHS assistant commissioner of Child Care and Community Services added, Expanding access to innovative funding strategies and improving regulatory clarity will empower child care providers across Tennessee. These changes ensure that families have greater access to child care options that meet their needs, supporting both childrens development and the Tennessee workforce. Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) and Southern Adventist University have developed an academic and educational partnership for GNTC students to enroll in the online Adult Degree Completion (ADC) program at Southern Adventist University. The five-year agreement, which went into effect March 1, allows GNTC students who have not previously completed a four-year program to earn a bachelors degree online in as little as 18 to 24 months in Business Management, Communication, Integrative Studies, Nursing RN to BSN or Psychology at Southern Adventist University, based on the number of credit hours they transfer from GNTC to Southern Adventist University. This new partnership between Georgia Northwestern Technical College and Southern Adventist University represents a significant step forward in expanding educational opportunities for our students, says Heidi Popham, EdD, GNTC president. By creating seamless transfer pathways, this collaboration ensures that our graduates have access to continued education that enhances their skills and prepares them to meet the evolving needs of the workforce in northwest Georgia and beyond. We are thrilled to provide this opportunity to students at GNTC, equipping them to thrive in a fluid job market, says Ken Shaw, EdD, Southern Adventist University president. This partnership is especially beneficial for independent students who want to complete a bachelors degree while working since it creates a smooth pathway for entering our online Adult Degree Completion program, allowing a seamless pursuit of their educational goals. The Adult Degree Completion program is specifically designed to be fully online with flexible learning options for working adults. Applicants must have earned at least 24 hours of college credit, have at least a 2.0 GPA, and be 25 years or older (or living independently, if younger). There is no age requirement for entrance into the Nursing RN to BSN program, which has different entry requirements and delivery modes than the other participating programs. Students may also earn college credit based on prior work and learning experience, based on a learning assessment. Southern Adventist Universitys fully online Adult Degree Completion program is designed to give adult learners the opportunity to achieve their goals by completing their degree, enabling them to secure better-paying jobs and provide a better life for their families. We are excited to partner with GNTC in this endeavor, says Cynthia Wright, director of the Adult Degree Completion program. As a former adult learner, I understand the challenges adult students face while balancing full-time work schedules and pursuing a degree to advance their careers, and my aim is to walk with them on their educational journey, Wright says. This initiative provides our students with more options to continue their education, says Michael Fennell, EdD, dean of Business and Public Service Technologies at GNTC. This program is specifically designed to transfer credits from our college, ensuring that students retain the credits they have already earnedultimately saving them both time and money. Southern Adventist University will offer GNTC students who are completing the requirements for an associate degree or GNTC graduates who earned an associate degree within the last five years a 10 percent discount if they meet the programs admission requirements. Southern Adventist Universitys Adult Degree Completion program will coordinate with GNTCs Office of Career Services to host two annual ADC Open Houses at GNTCs Floyd County Campus in Rome to provide more information about the program to GNTC students. Southern Adventist University would welcome the opportunity to expand our bachelors degree options within the online Adult Degree Completion program in the future, Wright says. New offerings would be based on student needsbecause they are the reason this program exists. Day Shift April 1: A Squad25-002609 1600 BLK Sunray Drive DisorderPolice responded to this address after a mother found a male unknown to her in her daughters bedroom. Prior to police arrival the male, age unknown, exited the area with haste. Police canvassed the area but were unable to locate anyone matching his description.25-003423 4100 BLK Ringgold Road Civil MatterA party requested a police report after her childs father tried to pick their kid up from school early.She advised there is not a custody agreement in place, and she put him on the schools list as an authorized party to pick the child up. Officers informed her there would have to be court ordered custodial documents for enforcement.25-003424 5500 BLK Ringgold Road TheftThe manager of the business reported his company did business with two other companies and believed the companies scammed him of $9,200.00. Warrants for Theft by Fraud will be sought pending identification of the suspect(s) and proof of the crime.25-003427 1200 BLK Harvard Street Armed Non-ThreateningOfficers received report of a male entering the woods with a rifle. The reporting party also claimed children ran out of the woods screaming once the male entered. Police located a male matching the suspects description and identified him. Fortson advised he was fishing, and officers did not locatea rifle.25-003426 1100 BLK McBrien Road Identity TheftPolice spoke to a party at the ERPD Lobby regarding a theft of identity. She told police a social worker notified her that her renewal process was flagged because she was over employed when a background check discovered she was employed at a chicken processing plant in Alabama as well as her full-time job in Tennessee. She had begun the process of filing for identity theft with the IRS and SSA.No Complaint Number S Germantown Road & Ida Belle Lane Check HazardA good citizen raised concerns about drivers passing the school bus while its lights and stop signs were activated. The party stated the bus is typically in the area around 2:45 p.m. and requested a patrol unit visit the unloading zone.25-003421 6000 BLK Ringgold Road - Warrant ServiceAn anonymous tip led police to the hotel, where a suspect with extraditable warrants out of Catoosa County was located. The subject was placed into custody and transported to Hamilton County without further incident.Night Shift April 1: C Squad25-003430 601 Justice Way Warrant ServiceWhile in custody at the Hamilton County Jail, a woman was served with a Failure to Appear arrest warrant through the City of East Ridge. The original charge for the court case was Driving Under the Influence.25-003431 1517 Tombras Avenue Warrant ServiceA woman was arrested at the East Ridge City Court on a Forfeiture Capias. The original charge on the capias warrant was Driving on a Revoked License. Krause was transported to the Hamilton County Jail without incident.25-003432 700 BLK Frawley Road Disorder / Psychiatric EmergencyPolice responded a to Disorder involving three adults at this residence. Police found that one of the individuals was experiencing a psychiatric emergency which escalated to him pushing and threatening the other adults. A Crisis Co-Responder Units (CCRU) responded to the locationand worked with an ERPD Officers to develop a resolution. The male was then transported to a local medical facility for treatment.25-003433 600 BLK Camp Jordan Parkway Found PropertyPolice responded to the report of backpack sitting near a restaurant parking lot. An officer located the backpack and found it was filled with miscellaneous items. The backpack was placed in the ERPD Property and Evidence Room for safekeeping.25-003438 5400 BLK Ringgold Road Traffic Stop/ Assist Other Agency ArrestDuring a routine traffic stop, a man was taken into custody for a Felony Probation warrant through Catoosa County. He was transported to the Hamilton County Jail without incident.25-003445 3500 BLK Pinellas Lane Stolen Tag RecoveryPolice received a hit for stolen vehicle tag through a License Plate Reader (LPR) on S Germantown Road. The hit showed the plate displayed on a brown Buick Enclave. The ERPD K9 Officer checked the area and located the vehicle on Pinellas Lane. The K9 Officer met with the owner of the vehicle who stated the tag was given to her by her employer. The tag was seized, removed from NCIC, and placed in the ERPD Property Room. The information for the criminal case will be forwarded to the Chattanooga Police Department for further investigation.25-003447 6700 BLK Ringgold Road Warrant service / Assist Other Agency ArrestPolice observed a suspicious vehicle outside the gas station and found a man and woman occupying it. Police determined that one had a Forfeiture Capias warrant through the City of East Ridge, with an original charge of Possession of a Controlled Substance. Police also found that the other had a Probation Violation warrant through Catoosa County. Both were arrested and transported to Hamilton County Jail.25-003448 1600 BLK Waterhouse Street AlarmPolice responded to a motion alarm in a church treasurer's office. Officers checked the building and found it was secure with no signs of forced entry. I didn't know many of my husband Camp's friends on a personal level, but I did get to know many of your personalities through his words. My assignment was to make sure his friends on his list received birthday cards, Christmas and other holiday cards. His women friends (girlfriends I often jokingly call you) got Valentine's Day cards. I always tried to match the card to the individual personality whenever I was told he needed a card for someone. If you loved pets, you might receive a card with a picture of a pet on front.If you had a sense of humor, your card reflected that. Others received cards based on their faith or something general. Camp valued each and every one of you in a very special way. I'm trying. I really am, but my mind draws a blank and my brain continues to go into lockdown when attempting to write something special in each Thank You card for the well wishes, encouragement, uplifting words and offers of help everyone has sent to the family. We miss him terribly. But I also feel blessed for the memory and love for over 40 years we shared. I know at this rate, it might take a year, years even, to get these cards out, even with help from our daughter who lives in another state. How do I put into special words, thanking the postal workers he made it a point to meet each day to pick up the mail? And they in turn took the time out of their busy schedule to chat with him? I don't know their names, but I knew them through him. Then there was David, the paper guy I called him. I failed to mention him before. David and Camp worked together at the Times Free Press for many years. They stayed in contact after Camp left the company due to illness. David would stop by on Tuesdays and they'd sit on the front porch stuffing those Wednesday papers in plastic bags together that David delivered to many of your lawns in the city. Others I've already thanked previously in the obituary. The church family, he loved so much. The spectacular Celebration of Life they put together on his and the family's behalf. Silverdale St. Elmo Pastor Travis Jones. The choir. The people who came. Camp loved people. He didn't care what hats or titles anyone wore. Or even if they wore hats or titles. He didn't care what anyone's station or status in life was. He was faithful to a fault, and lived his life accordingly. He met people and accepted people for who they were. Whether they slept in the woods at night or lived in fine homes. He once traveled to Africa in the 70s while attenting college with a college classmate and met the classmate's father who was a king. The king presented him with an African sword. We still have the sword in its sheath. The sword was marked "made in Brazil." But what the heck?! It just means Africa and South America crossed paths at some point and communicated with one another. Camp never forced his beliefs on anyone. He was a loving, kind, genteel and humble soul. And people were drawn to that and came to want to know more. Learn more of his faith and his beliefs. He went about life quietly and gently in everything that he did. If you passed him on the street and didn't know him, you'd likely have just brushed him off, but you'd feel his energy. His spirit. If I'm making him out to be larger than life, it's because to many who knew him he actually was. The children and I miss him terribly. I ask for patience and understanding. We're grateful to each and every one of you - the love and well wishes you've sent our way. The cards might be delayed, but no matter how long it takes.....they're on the way. And a very special thanks to Bradley and his brother at Advantage Funeral Home on McCallie Avenue. They made the arrangement process go so smoothly. Thank you Brenda Washington and Family Chattanoogas culinary scene is now under consideration for one of the worlds most prestigious dining recognitions, as Michelin and Travel South USA on Wednesday announced the launch of the MICHELIN Guide American South. This new regional guide, set to debut in 2025, will showcase the culinary excellence of six statesAlabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennesseealongside the pre-existing Atlanta Guide. We are incredibly proud of the exceptional talent within Chattanoogas culinary community. Our chefs and restaurateurs are continuously elevating the citys food scene, and its a true honor to be under consideration by the MICHELIN Guide, said Barry White, president and CEO of Chattanooga Tourism Co. This project is a testament to the hard work, creativity, and passion of our culinary experts. While recognition in the MICHELIN Guide is never guaranteed, we firmly believe they are more than deserving of global recognition. Along with Michelin, Travel South USA, and Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, Chattanooga Tourism Co. welcomes the MICHELIN Guide to the region and collaborate to showcase the areas diverse and thriving food culture. The MICHELIN Guides anonymous inspectors are already in the field, making reservations and seeking out the Souths most outstanding culinary experiences. As a restaurateur and chef, it is thrilling to know that the MICHELIN Guide is considering Chattanooga, said Erik Niel, Chef/Owner of Easy Bistro, Main St Meats, and Little Coyote. The Guide represents a long history of dining excellence, and to have the opportunity for acknowledgment by them in our dynamic and vibrant food scene is a huge development. The launch of this regional MICHELIN Guide marks a significant expansion beyond major metropolitan areas, allowing the world-renowned Guide to uncover authentic Southern cuisine in a broader range of communities. Travel South USA, participating state tourism offices, and destination marketing organizations will work together on marketing efforts to introduce food lovers, both domestic and international, to the depth, diversity, and innovation of Southern culinary traditions. The MICHELIN Guide follows a rigorous and independent selection process, with Inspectors evaluating restaurants based on five universal criteria: Quality of ingredients; Harmony of flavors; Mastery of cooking techniques; Chefs personality as expressed in the cuisine; Consistency across visits and throughout the menu. Since its inception in the early 1900s, the MICHELIN Guide has remained a trusted resource for travelers seeking world-class dining experiences. With the introduction of the American South edition, Chattanoogas culinary scene has the opportunity to gain international recognition alongside some of the finest dining destinations in the world. The Chattanooga Area Historical Association on Saturday, from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., will hold its annual meeting at the Mountain City Club, 216 West Eighth St. Tennessee State Rep. Greg Martin will speak about Freedom of Religion and the First Amendment. Attorney and writer Sam Elliott will be recognized as the CAHA Historian of the Year. The CHT Group is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Lorenza Sartorelli as the new Chief Operating Officer (COO). With this appointment, Dr. Lorenza Sartorelli completes the management board consisting of Dr. Christian Rink (CFO) and Eva Baumann (CEO). With the now complete management team, the CHT Group is continuing its strategic realignment. As COO, Lorenza Sartorelli will focus her responsibilities on the sustainable global alignment of the CHT Group's operational functions. Dr. Lorenza Sartorelli on her new role: "I am looking forward to further advancing the path CHT has already taken to become a unique provider of sustainable and sustainably produced specialty chemicals. The consistent focus of my role on operational excellence, digitalization and sustainability speaks for itself. Together with Eva Baumann and Christian Rink, I will align the operational side of CHT holistically with the three dimensions of People, Planet and Performance." Dr. Lorenza Sartorelli has extensive experience and an international career in the chemical industry. She has held various management positions at renowned companies, most recently at Evonik, where she demonstrated her expertise in the areas of operations management, strategic planning and process optimization. We are very excited to welcome Dr. Lorenza Sartorelli to our team, says Dr. Christian Rink, CFO of the CHT Group. Her extensive experience and strategic thinking will be instrumental in achieving our operational goals and driving the CHT Group forward. Eva Baumann, CEO of the CHT Group, adds: "Dr. Lorenza Sartorelli is a very experienced and value-oriented personality who perfectly complements our management team. With her start in the management function, we are now a strong team that will shape the CHT Group strategically and culturally." Dr. Lorenza Sartorelli holds a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Padua and a PhD from the Technical University of Hamburg-Harburg. Her career includes positions at Roche and Evonik, where she was instrumental in optimizing production processes and increasing efficiency. High-performance batteries are key to the success of the energy and transportation transition. Lithium-ion batteries have established themselves as the most widely used technology for the electrification of mobility. However, despite significant advances in energy density, performance, safety and cost reduction, they are now approaching their theoretical limits. "We are facing a rapidly growing demand for energy storage in batteries," says materials researcher Prof. Dr. Jurgen Janek from the Institute of Physical Chemistry at Justus Liebig University Giessen (JLU). His answer to this challenge: the search for new cell concepts for batteries based on so-called post-lithium systems. Together with his working group, he is researching innovative solutions in the POLiS Cluster of Excellence and the "FestBatt" research cluster for solid-state batteries. In future, he will also be driving forward the urgently needed generational change in batteries in another research network: the EU joint project TALISSMAN, in which he is working with international partners on innovative lithium-sulphur batteries for sustainable mobility. The European Union (EU) is funding the TALISSMAN project (Technologies for Advanced Lithium-Sulfur batteries towards Safe and Sustainable Mobility Applications) with a total of around five million euros in its "Horizon Europe" framework program for research and innovation. JLU accounts for around 800,000 euros of this. The project is led by FUNDACION CIDETEC in Spain, with other partner institutions also coming from Spain, Germany, France and Italy. The multidisciplinary consortium consists of research institutions and leading industrial companies. The aim of the research alliance is, on the one hand, to meet the growing demand for high-energy, cost-effective and safe batteries with innovative electrochemical solutions that go beyond conventional lithium-ion batteries. On the other hand, the researchers will strengthen the European battery industry and contribute to the industrial autonomy of the EU with lithium-sulphur batteries of the so-called fifth generation. "Giessen battery research is once again taking on a pioneering role in the development of new, diverse battery technologies," says JLU President Prof. Dr. Katharina Lorenz and congratulates Prof. Janek and his team on the successful acquisition of the joint project. "The outstanding work in this promising field of research is now being honored by the EU funding - a great recognition of the commitment of our scientists." The main advantage of lithium-sulphur batteries lies in their potentially high gravimetric energy density. These batteries can therefore store a particularly large amount of energy per weight or mass of battery. In addition, sulphur is inexpensive and available in large quantities. However, there are also some challenges. For example, the volumetric energy density is rather low, which is why the use of lithium-sulphur batteries is particularly suitable for applications in which a low battery weight is more important than a low volume - for example in the marine, aerospace and aviation sectors. In addition, lithium metal is very reactive, which can lead to morphological changes at the anode during the charging process, which impairs safety. This is where Prof. Janek and his research group come in: In TALISSMAN, they are developing various artificially produced intermediate layers to improve the stability and performance of lithium-sulphur batteries. People breathing contaminated air over the course of years are at greater risk of developing numerous diseases. This is thought to be due to highly reactive components in particulate matter, which affect biological processes in the body. However, researchers from the University of Basel have now shown that precisely these components disappear within hours and that previous measurements therefore completely underestimate the quantities in which they are present. From chronic respiratory problems to cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and dementia, health damage caused by particulate matter air pollution is wide-ranging and serious. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that over six million deaths a year are caused by increased exposure to particulate matter. The chemical composition of these tiny particles in the air, which come from a wide range of both anthropogenic and natural sources, is highly complex. Which particles trigger which reactions and long-term diseases in the body is the subject of intensive research. This research focuses on particularly reactive components known to experts as oxygen radicals or reactive oxygen species. These compounds can oxidize biomolecules inside and on the surface of cells in the respiratory tract, damaging them and in turn triggering inflammatory responses that impact the entire body. Experts previously collected the particular matter on filters and analyzed the particles following a delay of days or weeks. Since these oxygen-containing radicals react with other molecules so quickly, they should be measured without delay, says atmospheric scientist Professor Markus Kalberer, explaining the idea behind the study that he and his team recently published in Science Advances. Measured from the air in real time The team from the Department of Environmental Sciences has developed a new method for measuring particulate matter within seconds. This involves collecting the particles directly from the air in a liquid, where they come into contact with various chemicals. Within this solution, the oxygen radicals then react and produce quantifiable fluorescence signals. Measurements taken with the new method reveal that 60% to 99% of oxygen radicals disappear within minutes or hours. Previous analyses of particulate matter based on filter deposition therefore delivered a distorted image. However, since the measurement error in the case of delayed analysis isnt constant, its not that possible to extrapolate from previous filter-based analyses, says Kalberer. The real proportion of harmful substances in the particulate matter is, he says, significantly higher than previously assumed. According to the atmospheric researcher, the principal challenge with the new method was to develop a measuring instrument that carried out chemical analyses autonomously and continuously under stable conditions not only in the laboratory but also during field measurements at a wide range of locations. Different and stronger inflammatory responses Moreover, further laboratory analyses with epithelial cells from the lungs provided evidence that, in particular, the short-lived, highly reactive components of particulate matter have a different effect than that of the particles analyzed using the previous, delayed measurements. The short-lived reactive components in particles triggered different and stronger inflammatory responses. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close Photo Credit: Unsplash/ Tofin Creations A recent survey has revealed that an overwhelming majority of Christians reject the fundamental teaching of the Trinity. The Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University published these findings as part of its American Worldview Inventory series, based on responses from 2,100 adults collected in January. Only 40% of respondents believe that God exists and affects peoples lives, a figure that increases to 53% among self-identified Christians and 60% among theologically identified born-again Christians. Among Integrated Disciples, defined as those with a biblical worldview, the figure reaches 100%. While a majority (59%) of those surveyed are believers in Jesus Christ, only 29% believe in the Holy Spirit. Just over 1 in 10 respondents (11%) affirm the belief in the Trinity, the concept that the God of the Bible consists of three distinct but inseparable and equal persons in one infinite Being. Support for the Trinity is slightly higher among self-identified Christians at 16%, and it rises to 24% among born-again Christians, reaching 62% among Integrated Disciples. George Barna, Director of Research at the CRC, commented on the survey results, stating, These results are further evidence of the limited or lack of trust Americans have in the Bible, the limitations we place on the authority and influence of God, and our refusal to cooperate with God by living in harmony with His ways and purposes. He noted that even within groups most aligned with biblical teachings, belief in the Trinity is shockingly low for a nation in which most people claim to be Christian. Barna described the findings as another in a long list of examples of people living without the truths and life principles of God shaping their life. He lamented, We know from our national worldview tracking studies that most Americans are uninformed about the many essential biblical teachings, ranging from the Ten Commandments and the Trinity, to matters related to repentance, salvation, the chief purpose of life, and divine measures of success. He further suggested that contemporary influencers shaping America's spiritual views include figures like Tucker Carlson, Joe Rogan, and Jordan Peterson, Megyn Kelly, and Bill Maher rather than traditional religious leaders. Barna remarked that these individuals mix practical and sometimes unbiblical theology and philosophical points of view into their commentary on life and world events. Meanwhile, he pointed out that many Christian churches focus on delivering multi-part series that fail to effectively develop a biblical worldview for congregants to counter popular secular narratives. Barna concluded with a challenging question, asking whether the Church of God [is] devoted to know Him and making Him known, or has it been seduced by the distractions and distortions of our culture? Photo Credit: Unsplash/ Pedro Lima A recent Pew Research Center study conducted across 36 countries reveals that more than 20% of adults have departed from the religious groups in which they were raised. This trend, known as "religious switching," has resulted in notable declines for Christianity and Buddhism, while an increasing number of adults now identify as religiously unaffiliated. The report defines religious switching as individuals changing their religious identities between childhood and adulthood, including either disaffiliation from religion entirely or switching to a different major religious group. While countries like India, Israel, Nigeria, and Thailand report high religious retention rates of 95% or more, regions such as East Asia, Western Europe, and the Americas exhibit significant religious mobility. In South Korea, the survey found that half of the adult population no longer identifies with their childhood religion. Additionally, 36% of adults in the Netherlands, 28% in the United States, and 21% in Brazil reported leaving their religious traditions, with many transitioning into the "religiously unaffiliated" category, which includes atheists, agnostics, and those identifying as nothing in particular. The data indicates that Christianity is one of the most affected religions by this shift. In Sweden, for instance, 29% of adults raised as Christians now identify as religiously unaffiliated. In Germany, the ratio of people leaving Christianity to those joining stands at 19.7 to 1.0, meaning nearly 20 Germans raised as Christians no longer identify with the faith for every one individual who converts to Christianity. In Singapore, however, Christianity is seeing small gains, with a ratio of 1.0 to 3.2, indicating that for every Singaporean who leaves Christianity, approximately three others join. In contrast, some countries, such as Nigeria, maintain a balance, with an equal number of individuals leaving and joining Christianity (1.0 to 1.0), reflecting a more stable religious landscape for the faith in those regions. South Korea has the highest proportion of adults (9%) who were raised without any religious affiliation but now identify with a specific faith, most of whom have become Christians. Other countries, such as Singapore and South Africa, also show significant rates of adults switching between distinct religions. The survey highlights that religious switching is not uniformly distributed across all religious traditions or regions. Christianity, the worlds largest religion, is predominant or historically influential in 25 of the 36 countries surveyed. Islam, the second-largest religion globally, holds a predominant presence in six of the surveyed nations, including Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Turkey. Buddhism, historically significant in countries like South Korea, Japan, and Thailand, has witnessed notable disaffiliation in certain areas, while Hinduism and Judaism, each primarily found in only one of the surveyed countries (India and Israel, respectively), exhibit much lower rates of religious switching. Livia Tossici-Bolt is holding a sign that reads "Here to talk, if you want" in front of the Houses of Parliament in London. | Photo Credit: Alliance Defending Freedom UK The U.S. State Department has raised concerns about freedom of expression in the UK, especially in relation to Livia Tossici-Bolt, a pro-life woman prosecuted for holding a sign offering help in an abortion clinics buffer zone. Tossici-Bolt faced a criminal trial this month for her sign that read, Here to talk, if you want, near an abortion facility, with a verdict expected on Friday by District Judge Orla Austin. The statement was released by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, & Labor during a time when the UK is aiming for a free trade agreement with the U.S. U.S.-UK relations share a mutual respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. However, as Vice President Vance has said, we are concerned about freedom of expression in the United Kingdom, the statement noted. While in the UK, DRL Senior Advisor Sam Samson met with Tossici-Bolt, who is facing criminal charges for her actions. "We are monitoring her case. It is important that the UK respect and protect freedom of expression, the U.S. State Department added. Tossici-Bolt responded to this unusual intervention with appreciation for the U.S. administration, saying she was grateful for their support amid increasing censorship in the UK. She stated, Great Britain is supposed to be a free country, yet Ive been dragged through court merely for offering consensual conversation. Peaceful expression is a fundamental rightno one should be criminalised for harmless offers to converse. She lamented that the rise of censorship in the UK has led the U.S. to remind them of shared values, declaring, Im grateful to the U.S. administration for prioritising the preservation and promotion of freedom of expression. Vice President Vance recently voiced similar concerns about freedom of expression across Europe, particularly the UK, during a speech to European leaders in Munich. He criticized abortion clinic buffer zones in Edinburgh for potentially infringing on individuals' rights to private prayer at home and raised the case of Adam Smith-Connor, another pro-lifer convicted for praying silently in an abortion clinic buffer zone. Jeremiah Igunnubole, legal counsel for ADF International, which supports both Tossici-Bolt and Smith-Connor, remarked that criminal prosecutions for silent prayer and consensual conversations are not only illiberal, but also irresponsible, putting relations with the U.S., an important ally, at risk. In February, the State Department condemned the arrest of Rose Docherty, a Scottish Christian grandmother, for holding a sign in a Glasgow abortion clinics buffer zone that read, Coercion is a crime, here to talk, only if you want. The State Department emphasized, Freedom of expression needs to be protected. We call on governments, whether in Scotland or around the world, to respect freedom of expression for all. Home News 'Heartbreakingly myopic': Ex-abortionist responds to Democrat leader's claim about abortion A former abortionist and a pro-life policy expert highlighted the flaws in Colorado House Speaker Julie McCluskies claim that taxpayer-funded abortions for low-income women could save the state money. Rep. McCluskie, D-Dillon, is one of four Democratic sponsors of Senate Bill 25-183, which would require Colorado residents to fund abortions for women enrolled in Medicaid or the states Child Health Plan Plus program. A birth is more expensive than an abortion, McCluskie claimed during a House Health and Human Services Committee hearing last week. The Colorado House Speaker argued that the bill could lead to cost savings for the state and its Medicaid program due to the averted births that will not take place. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe According to the bills fiscal note, covering the cost of abortion through Medicaid/CHP+ is expected to increase the number of averted births by 30%. The figure comes from a study published in June 2019 that analyzed over 200 pregnant women presenting at their first prenatal visits in southern Louisiana. The bills fiscal note referred to the study as the only relevant research available measuring the number of Medicaid-eligible adults who would seek an abortion if covered, but could not otherwise pay out-of-pocket for the care. Colorado House Speaker Julie McCluskie did not immediately respond to The Christian Posts request for comment. Dr. Catherine Wheeler, a former abortionist and retired OB-GYN in Colorado, addressed the Louisiana study cited in the bills fiscal note. Wheeler noted that the study actually found that the majority of pregnant women who were not able to obtain Medicaid funding for an abortion expressed confidence that carrying their babies to term was the right decision. "To promote induced abortion on the grounds that it's cheaper for the government than childbirth is to demonstrate a heartbreakingly myopic attitude toward the value of Coloradans' lives, Wheeler told The Christian Post. Of course, it is cheaper in the short term for the state to kill a preborn child rather than support her and her mother through childbirth and the very vulnerable first few years of her life, the retired doctor said. But any society should recognize that caring for mothers as they raise the next generation is a worthy investment, she added. Wheeler, who serves as president of the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists Colorado chapter, also cited a Charlotte Lozier Institute study published in the Cureus medical journal in January 2023. The study from the pro-life research organization found that over 60% of the women interviewed who had abortions reported high levels of pressure to abort from multiple sources, and those same women were associated with higher levels of mental health and quality of life issues. Low-income Colorado women, the majority of whom desire their babies, deserve a government that will unconditionally support their pregnancies, not push them toward termination to save money for the state, Wheeler stated. Melanie Israel, a visiting fellow at the Richard and Helen DeVos Center for Life, Religion, and Family at The Heritage Foundation in Washington, D.C., said the Colorado House speaker's comments made at the committee hearing were an example of what happens when bad ethics meets bad economics. The state wont save money by aborting some of its future residents, the visiting fellow at the conservative think tank told CP. Unborn childrens future contributions over the course of many decades matters. Israel highlighted a June 2022 congressional Joint Economic Committee report that found the costs of abortion vastly outweigh any claimed benefits. The report analyzed the argument from economists and then-U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen that abortion restrictions reportedly damage the economy by supposedly making it harder for women to balance their careers and families. Republicans who were on the committee at the time estimated that the cost of abortion in 2019 was at least $6.9 trillion, or 32% of Gross Domestic Product. According to the Republicans estimate, the economic cost of abortion is 425 times larger than the earnings loss mothers would be expected to incur when having a child. The pro-life policy expert also emphasized the value of human life, asserting that a healthy culture would try to ensure everyone has a chance to flourish, regardless of their circumstances or stage of development. Supporting babies and their moms and families wont just help Colorados economy, it will help its culture, too, Israel stated. Family-friendly policies that encourage marriage, healthy relationships, and parenting will do more to address issues like poverty than taxpayer-subsidized abortion ever can, she added. Lets hope Colorado policymakers shift their focus toward helping families flourish, not paying mothers to abort their children. Home News Mother of 3 beaten by sword-wielding father who threatened to kill her for accepting Christ NAIROBI, Kenya The Muslim husband of a woman in Somalia sent her back to her parents for accepting Christ without their three young children and then her parents drove her away for sharing the Gospel with her sister, sources said. Fatuma Hussein, 30, was beaten and then ostracized by her birth family on March 22 for sharing her new faith in Christ with her sister in Tabta village, Lower Juba Region, said the leader of a Christian team that first visited her on March 15. They entered a house that day as her relatives were breaking the daily Ramadan fast at about 7:30 p.m., and Husseins husband was not present. The team found Hussein unwell and complaining of Jinn (supernatural beings from the unseen world in Islam) power menacing her; they prayed for her and left for another village, the leader said. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe On March 17, Hussein phoned the team to let them know that ever since they prayed for her, she had felt peace and comfort in her heart and invited them back to her house. When they arrived, she happily requested more prayer and said she would pay them $100 USD which the team declined, telling her that salvation was a free gift of God through His Son, Issa (Jesus), the leader said. Hussein told the team that she had heard the voice of God telling her, Receive my power so that you can pray for others for healing as well, he said. She needed some clarification on this, and we took time explaining to her that she is a vessel of God, and she was receiving salvation in Christ Jesus, the leader told Morning Star News. After she received Christ as her Savior, we left the village to go to another area for mission outreach. On March 19, Hussein boldly shared her new faith with her husband, Ibrahim Suleiman. Angry with her for embracing a faith different from Islam, he informed her parents, and Husseins father told Suleiman to send her back to him so that he could deal with the issue, Hussein said. On March 20, Husseins husband sent her back to relatives without their three children, ages 7, 5 and 3, she said. Undaunted, she began sharing about the love of God with her sister, the Christian leader said. On March 22, Husseins father learned about her sharing Christ with his other daughter and began mistreating her, the leader added. Hussein told him, My father started beating me with sticks and threatening to kill me and immediately kicked me out of the family by chasing me away with a sharp sword. He even told my husband to beat and even kill me whenever I am seen around. Driven from both families, Hussein is lonely and praying for them to receive what she has received, the leader said. His team has connected her with a nearby underground Christian family, a stop-gap measure that he doesn't regard as safe in the long term. Hussein said she was trusting God to take her to a safe place where she can have freedom to worship God. I have lost my children, but the peace of God will continue comforting my heart, she told the leader. Please tell Christian families wherever they are to continue praying for me and support me with money to buy food to sustain me wherever I will be staying, so that I do not become a burden, and more so that God will sustain and meet all my physical and spiritual needs. I am lonely, but Issa is with me. Somalias Constitution establishes Islam as the state religion and prohibits the propagation of any other religion, according to the U.S. State Department. It also requires that laws comply with Sharia (Islamic law) principles, with no exceptions in application for non-Muslims. The death penalty for apostasy is part of Islamic law, according to mainstream schools of Islamic jurisprudence. An Islamic extremist group in Somalia, al Shabaab, is allied with al Qaeda and adheres to the teaching. Al Shabaab and its sympathizers have killed several non-locals in northern Kenya since 2011, when Kenyan forces led an African coalition into Somalia against the rebels in response to terrorist attacks on tourists and others on Kenyas coast. Somalia is ranked No. 2 on Christian support group Open Doors 2025 World Watch List of the 50 countries where it's most difficult to be a Christian. This article was originally published at Morning Star News Home News Pakistani Muslim gets death sentence for murdering Christian man Convicts relatives continue to threaten slain mans family LAHORE, Pakistan A judge in Pakistan sentenced to death a Muslim who murdered a 20-year-old Christian in the presence of his family, sources said. Saima Riyasat, additional sessions judge of Pasrur, Sialkot District, handed the countrys maximum punishment for murder to Muhammad Zubair for killing Farhan Ul Qamar on Nov. 9, 2023, said Christian attorney Lazar Allah Rakha. The court also imposed a fine of 500,000 Pakistani Rupees ($1,785 USD), he said. The convict is a hardened criminal and was already involved in several cases of a heinous nature, Rakha told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. However, he managed to escape punishment every time because of his familys political influence and criminal history, which had emboldened him to the extent that he started targeting Christian residents without any fear of punishment. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe The attorney lauded the victims father, Noor Ul Qamar, for remaining steadfast in the pursuit of justice for his son, who had enrolled in a four-year medical technician program and had been excited about becoming a healthcare professional. The family has faced immense pressure and threats from the convicts family to reach a settlement, but they have shown exemplary courage and perseverance, and today God has served them with justice, Rakha said. The punishment handed to Zubair should serve as an example for all those who target marginalized communities, especially Christians, with violent crimes. On the night of the killing, Zubair showed hatred for Christians and Jews, mistakenly referring to the family as Jews as he ranted at them before killing Farhan Ul Qamar, family members said. Rakha also expressed gratitude for support extended by the legal advocacy group Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) International, which helped cover the legal costs of the trial. Both Ul Qamar and his wife broke into tears when the judge announced the verdict, Ul Qamar said. I cannot express the agony and pain my wife and I and our three children have suffered since the time our beloved sons life was ruthlessly taken in front of our eyes, he said. From the onset of the trial, we had set our eyes on our Lord Jesus Christ and remained steadfast in our faith that He will give justice to us. Today, when the murderer was finally convicted, we felt in our hearts that Farhans soul will now rest in eternal peace. Ul Qamar said Zubairs family had used various tactics to repeatedly intimidate and harass them into reaching a compromise with them, which could have resulted in a pardon for the killer. Our struggle was not only to get justice for Farhan, but also to ensure that no other Christian family in our area would suffer at the hands of such religiously-prejudiced criminals, Ul Qamar said. Zubair began hurling threats and slurs at them as soon as the verdict was announced, he said. Even when he was being taken back from the courtroom, he shouted that they will not let any Christian live in peace in the area, Ul Qamar told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. There were a large number of people from his side present in and outside the courtroom, but we are grateful to the police, which provided us with adequate security and prevented them from causing any harm to us. Four policemen remain deployed at the familys home due to the threats Zubairs family has made, he said. Among 20 to 25 other Christian families in Talwandi Inayat Khan village, Pasrur tehsil of Sialkot District, Punjab Province, Ul Qamars family has resided in the area for generations, often facing religious bias and discrimination, he said. Zubair has the right to appeal the sentence, but it might take two- to three-years before an appeal is set for a hearing before the high court, said Rakha. During this time, the convicts family will likely try their best to pressure the Qamar family to pardon the accused, therefore the police must not remove their security, he stressed. Tehmina Arora, director of advocacy in Asia for ADF International, said the cold-blooded murder of Ul Qamar was a reminder of the vulnerability of Christians in Pakistan. Mobs and individual are emboldened because, over the years, the Pakistani government has failed to ensure swift prosecution and justice for Christians who have been attacked in their homes and churches, Arora said, pointing to defective investigation into the cases of the 2023 Jaranwala attacks, in which all of the suspects have been released on bail. This case, however, is a good example that if police carry out their responsibility professionally and help prosecution in effectively establishing crime, justice can be administered on merit, she added. It is imperative that the Pakistani government take steps to ensure the protection of religious minorities, and that no one is targeted because of their faith, she said. Pakistan ranked eighth on Open Doors 2025 World Watch List of the most difficult places to be a Christian. This article was originally published at Christian Daily InternationalMorning Star News Home Opinion A Gaza free from Hamas's bloodthirsty rule may be possible Gazan protests against Hamass failed leadership broke out last week on Tuesday and continued throughout the Strip on Wednesday, the first public opposition shown to Hamass rule since the October 7 attacks. These demonstrations, combined with Israels vigorous campaign, offer the brightest hope yet that a Gaza freed from Hamass bloodthirsty rule may actually be possible in the near future. The anti-Hamas demonstrations also expose the folly of Western activists, who staged pro-Hamas demonstrations in the name of these same Palestinians. Last Tuesday, hundreds of Gazans marched through the town of Beit Lahiya, near the Gaza Strips northern extremity. The demonstrators chanted Out, out, out, Hamas out, We want to live, and Yes to peace, no to Hamass tyrannical rule. Enough of the war, enough of the destruction in Gaza. Among those demanding an end to Hamass destructive rule were the mayor of Beit Lahiya and other local leaders. We demand peace and security, said one. We say no to tyranny and for setting this city on fire. We decide, and we will decide who will rule this city. No human could endure these conditions. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe By Tuesday evening, protests had broken out in the southern city of Khan Yunis, long considered a Hamas stronghold, where crowds chanted that Hamas was a terrorist organization. Activists planned nine more anti-Hamas protests on Wednesday, including two in the southern city of Khan Younis, two in central refugee camps, and five throughout Gaza City and its environs in the north. Our voices must reach all the spies who sold our blood, declared a message shared across social media, although CNN had not verified the original source. Let them hear your voice, let them know that Gaza is not silent, and that there is a people who will not accept to be eradicated. Such protests are rare because Hamas usually suppresses them violently and brutally. Gazans turned out in anti-Hamas street demonstrations, braving gunfire and prison, in 2019 and again on July 30, 2023. This is the most substantial mass protest since then, described Center for Peace Communications president Joseph Braude. Since October 7th, you have to realize that Hamas brutally cracks down on any opposition, said CBN Middle East bureau chief Chris Mitchell on Washinton Watch. That means beatings in public. It could be torture, could be imprisonment, and even death. So, for any group of hundreds, and maybe even more, of people to come against Hamas, [it] could be a big deal. But the Gazans have gotten desperate. According to some reports, when Hamas members showed up at the protests, they were greeted with showers of stones. Basic goods such as flour, eggs, and milk have become completely unavailable in Gaza, notes i24 News. A kilogram (2.2 pounds) of sugar rose from 2 shekels ($0.55) to 100 shekels ($27.29). Baby formula is available in only limited amounts, with each pack costing 150 shekels ($40.93), while a pack of diapers now costs 300 shekels ($81.85). Now that electricity to Gazas desalination plant has been cut, drinking water is now limited. Contrary to international opinion, which places all the blame for these conditions on Israel and reserves no blame for Hamas, most Gazans understand that the primary instigator of their calamity lives closer to home. According to a January 2025 poll by the Palestine-based Institute for Social and Economic Progress (ISEP), only 6% of Gazans would prefer Hamas to govern them after the war, and only 5.3% would vote for Hamas in future elections. Israels devastating attacks have also decimated Hamass battalions and forced what is left of its command structure into underground bunkers, a factor that cannot help but encourage the protestors. The IDF is expanding its presence in both the North and the South, said Mitchell, and maybe they feel a sense of security in case the IDF actually continues its offensive against Hamas. In the same ISEP poll, 70% of Gazans believe Hamas now lacks the ability to govern, and only 12.4% expect it to remain in power. In fact, Israeli officials have recently encouraged Gazans to rise up against Hamas, if for no other reason than so that they can seek a better life elsewhere. Take the U.S. presidents advice, urged Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz last week. Return the hostages and remove Hamas, and other options will open up for you, including leaving for other places in the world for those who desire. At the same time, he warned, that if Hamas remained in power, Israel will operate with strength you have not yet seen. This widespread rejection of Hamas raises the question of whom Gazans will turn to for leadership. The answer: families and clans. It turns out that, when a group of people is locked into their hometown for generations, with no prospects for removal or intermingling with others, close family relationships assert themselves as the dominant social allegiance. Last July, Israel was actively looking for local tribes and families on the ground to work with them in shaping a post-Hamas Gaza, according to Tahani Mustafa, senior Palestine analyst at the Brussels-based International Crisis Group, although Palestines clans were still too afraid of Hamas to even talk to Israel. In early January, Gazan clan leaders publicly asked Mahmoud Abbas, president of the hapless and corrupt Palestinian Authority, to take charge of Gaza. These same clan leaders have now endorsed the anti-Hamas protests in a statement: O our steadfast people in Gaza, enough is enough. There is no longer room for silence or waiting for years of oppression, starvation, and destruction. Now our people are being pushed toward destruction without mercy or responsibility. In the name of the clans of Gaza, we call on you to a popular uprising against injustice, and a march of anger that will shake the ground under the feet of those who sold our blood and exploited our suffering for their own narrow interests. The people of Gaza have sacrificed the most precious and valuable, and what was the reward? More death, more hunger, more humiliation! We will not accept to remain fuel for narrow calculations, and we will not allow this farce to continue. Enough burdening our lives and the future of our children. Enough disregarding our suffering! Hamas must lift its hand off Gaza immediately and end this unjust siege imposed on us due to decisions that do not represent us. We call on you all to take to the streets and make our voice[s] heard to the world. Gaza is not held hostage by anyone. Gaza will be liberated by the will of its people. Notice that these influential Gazan leaders do not call upon Israel to unilaterally end the siege of Gaza, as ignorant internationalists might, but that they call upon Hamas to end the siege by relinquishing their grip on power. Just because most Gazans want to defenestrate Hamas does not necessarily mean they will succeed. After all, Hamas still holds the weapons, and they have amply demonstrated that they are capable of violently assaulting their own people. One report suggested that Hamas was planning to attack Wednesdays demonstrations and that the demonstrators will need protection from Hamas. The only force around capable of defending the protestors is the Israeli military, who arent exactly popular among the protestors, nor are they likely to receive a liberators welcome. Yet the widespread protests do offer the first glimmer of hope that the end of Hamass stranglehold over Gaza is near. The more attention these brave souls get, the more they can help bring change for the better to Gaza and the broader region, Braude offered. Its potentially very big if it grows, and this could be a turning point, mused Mitchell. As I pray almost every day for the peace of Israel, I include the Palestinians, the Arabs that live there, said Family Research Council President Tony Perkins, because there are many people there that dont want what Hamas has been dishing out. There are two groups who cant stand the anti-Hamas protests in Gaza, claimed Palestinian Christian Ihab Hassane, Hamas themselves and those whove spent the last 17 months claiming that all of Gaza is Hamas. Originally published at The Washington Stand. Home News Abu Samra clan executes Hamas policeman in retaliation for killing their son Reports from Gaza indicated that Hamas grip on the population may be weakening following the resumption of Israeli operations there and the blockade on humanitarian aid. On Tuesday, a young man, Abd al-Rahman Shaaban Abu Samra, was shot and killed by a Hamas operative after refusing to leave his position in a line for flour in Deir al-Balah, according to Palestinian social media reports. Hamas operatives reportedly attempted to disperse a crowd waiting in line for flour after supplies had run out. When people refused to leave, some operatives allegedly fired into the air and shouted at the crowd to disperse. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe A witness at the scene said that "a Hamas policeman came out and told the people: 'The flour is gone. Whoever has any left, it is his.' As soon as the first policeman finished speaking, the second policeman started shouting at the people, 'Get out, get out!' and then started shooting from where he was standing. I heard one of his colleagues tell him, 'Don't shoot!' and then he pointed his gun at the people.'" "I went outside, the witness continued, and to my surprise, the same police officer who shot ran out and said afterwards, 'Someone got shot! He tried to start his car to get away from the scene without worrying about the fate of the wounded man, but it didn't work, the witness reported. At that moment, the murdered man came out to us, covered in blood, with five wounded young men from different families. Abu Samra died shortly afterward. His family members reportedly tracked down the Hamas policeman and took him to the entrance of Deir al-Balah. There, several of them, armed with pistols and rifles, opened fire on the man, killing him. Footage of the execution was widely circulated on Palestinian social media, reflecting growing public frustration with Hamas amid the resumption of military operations and a sharp decline in humanitarian aid. Hamas police later stated on Tuesday that it was investigating the crime of killing a policeman while he was carrying out his mission to disperse a brawl in Deir al-Balah at noon, during which a civilian was killed as a result of his wounds. The police are investigating the incident in order to arrest the criminals, and emphasize that severe legal measures will be taken against those who committed the heinous crime of killing a police officer [who was acting] in the line of duty, the statement continued. Hamas also called the lynching of the officer a crime, claiming it served Israeli interests by aiming to break the internal Palestinian front and spread chaos and corruption, with the ultimate goal of uprooting our people. This requires the responsible authorities to strike with an iron fist anyone who dares to cooperate with the occupation in its criminal plans, Hamas concluded. However, the Abu Samra clan responded to Hamas, directly blaming the group for killing their son. The killing of Abd al-Rahman is a tragedy that shook our hearts and doubled our pain at a time when our people are suffering under aggression and oppression, the family said. While we confirm that the actions of the family members were an unplanned response to the killing of our son, we also confirm in response to official statements that our son, Abd al-Rahman, was killed directly by a Kalashnikov bullet in the chest, and not by shrapnel. There are eyewitnesses who saw everything that happened in the killing of our son. Gaza has dozens of clans like the Abu Samra family, many of whom have a well-organized structure led by a mukhtar (chieftain) and are heavily armed. Some of these clans have no official links to Hamas and often control several businesses within their neighborhoods. They reportedly tend to rely on internal family relations to maintain loyalty to the group. In the past, several of these clans have openly clashed with the Hamas terrorist organization, including during the Oct. 7 Iron Swords War. This article was originally published by All Israel News. The CEO of HYBE Corporation provided an update on BTS's highly anticipated full-group comeback during the company's annual shareholders' meeting in Seoul on Monday. Lee Jae-sang, the CEO, confirmed that all seven members of BTS are expected to complete their mandatory military duties by June 2025. He highlighted that while the company is actively working with top-tier producers to prepare for BTS's comeback, the members themselves need time to carefully consider their next steps. "The company is also discussing with top-tier composers and making preparations, but the artists (BTS members) need to think carefully and prepare," Lee said. "Usually, we work on a song, release an album, and then go on a tour, but since BTS has already risen to become top global artists, we are continuing to discuss their vision and 'next,' so we need to think about the direction and align accordingly," he added. The absence of BTS has significantly impacted HYBE's financial performance. Once responsible for approximately 95% of the company's revenue, BTS's contribution dropped to below 20% in 2024 due to a lack of group activities during their enlistment. Despite record-high revenues of 2.25 trillion won in 2024, HYBE reported a 38% decline in operating profit, attributed to the hiatus of its flagship act and increased spending on new artist debuts and overseas expansion. Lee reassured shareholders that BTS's return will likely boost the company's profitability. Analysts are projecting a 54% increase in HYBE's profit once the group makes a comeback and goes on a world tour. Currently, five BTS members are still serving in the military, with their discharge dates scheduled for June 2025. RM and V will complete their service on June 10, followed by Jimin and Jungkook on June 11. Suga, who is serving as a social service worker due to a shoulder injury, is set to finish his duties on June 21. Meanwhile, Jin and J-Hope have already completed their military service; Jin was discharged in June 2024, and J-Hope followed in October 2024. Home News Anti-Christian incidents in Israel rising: Spitting on clergy, damage to church properties Incidents of anti-Christian bigotry in Israel increased in 2024, according to a recently released report. There were 111 attacks against Christians that the Rossing Center for Education and Dialogue included in its annual report, titled Attacks on Christians in Israel and East Jerusalem and published last Thursday. The Rossing Center is an interreligious organization based in Jerusalem, which works to improve relationships between Christians, Jews and Muslims. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Members of the group presented the findings of the report and a December 2024 survey during a Thursday briefing at The Notre Dame of Jerusalem Center in Jerusalem, the Catholic News Agency reported on Saturday. Out of the 111 cases documented in the 2024 annual report, 46 consisted of physical attacks, which ranged from things like spitting, pepper spraying or hitting. Thirty-five of the reported incidents consisted of attacks against church properties, which included acts of graffiti, arson or damage to statues. The report also documented 14 cases involving the defacement of public signs, 13 cases of harassment and three reported violations of religious belief, which included requests to remove religious symbols or limitations in freedom of movement to attend religious services. The most common form of physical harassment is spittinga long-standing issue that has escalated from subtle incidents to openly aggressive acts, the 2024 annual report stated. Clergy are now regularly harassed in public spaces, especially, but not exclusively, in areas such as Jerusalems Old City. According to the report, most of the perpetrators belong to the ultra-Orthodox and national-religious communities. Most of the victims targeted are clergy who are easily identifiable as Christians due to their clothing, which often features religious symbols. One of the developments highlighted in the 2024 report included a growing willingness among the victims over the past year to report incidents to the authorities. The report noted that this indicates a positive trend toward increased cooperation and trust." As the Central Bureau of Statistics reported on Dec. 22, 2024, approximately 180,300 Christians live in Israel, making up 1.8% of the countrys population. Almost 80% of the Christians in Israel are Arab Christians, and they make up 6.9% of the total Arab population of Israel. The Rossing Centers annual report also cited a December 2024 survey commissioned by the organization that highlighted the tense relationship between Christians and Jewish Israelis. Nearly 48% of Christian respondents under 30 said that they are considering leaving the region. The survey polled 300 individuals, 34% of whom identified as Arab Christian and 23% identified as Israeli Christian. Another 13% of participants identified as Palestinian Christian, 11% as Arab, 9% as Palestinian and 7% as Christian. Regarding their feelings about their place in Israeli society, 30.8% of Christians said that they felt accepted, while 34% replied that they did not. The feelings of nonacceptance were highest in the 18 to 29 age group, according to the survey. Only one in ten respondents said that they experienced some form of harassment from them. A majority of participants (58.5%) also said that they felt comfortable wearing Christian religious symbols in mixed or predominantly Israeli-Jewish areas, but the comfort level was lower in East Jerusalem (42%). In the conclusion of its 2024 report, the Rossing Center provided several recommendations for authorities and Israeli leadership, including the improvement of the curricula about Christianity in the public education system. The center speculated that a lack of awareness of Christians in Israel is one of the reasons why many Israelis are unaware of the attacks against them. Whether due to indifference or insufficient knowledge, many Israelis do not respond or condemn these incidents, the report stated. To foster delegitimization of these attacks and encourage widespread condemnation, it is crucial to address the issue through educational initiatives. This involves promoting exposure, providing education, facilitating access to knowledge, and incorporating information about Christians in Israel into the school curriculum, the document continued. These efforts collectively contribute to increased awareness and a proactive approach to tackling the problem. In its 2023 annual report, the center documented 32 attacks on church properties in 2023, seven violent attacks on Christians, 11 cases of verbal harassment, one incident of cemetery desecration, and 30 cases of spitting on or toward clergy and pilgrims. Home News Anti-CRT candidates flip 100 school board seats across US despite mixed results, PAC claims School board races across the United States this week were a bit of a mixed bag for candidates opposed to what they say is the implementation of progressive ideologies in public schools although a political action committee says it has helped flip over 100 school board seats to conservatives in the last year. With the increased attention in recent years on education and parental protests over what is being taught in their children's public schools, there was more national focus than usual on local school board elections during the 2022 midterms. National interest groups launched in recent years have supported hundreds of conservative school board candidates devoted to pushing back against attempts to implement what they say is critical race theory, "woke" ideologies or sexually explicit material in classrooms and school libraries. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe The 1776 Project PAC announced Wednesday that "from November 2021 to November 2022, the 1776 Project PAC has flipped 100 school board seats across the country." The political action committee is dedicated to "electing school board members nationwide who want to reform our public education system by promoting patriotism and pride in American history." In an interview with The Christian Post, 1776 Project PAC founder Ryan Girdusky estimated that about 20 of the 50 candidates his organization endorsed won in Tuesday's elections. The group highlighted some of its victories Tuesday night, reporting that both of its endorsed candidates won school board races in Pinellas County, Florida, and one seat apiece in Florida's Flagler County, Indian River County and Volusia County. 1776 Project PAC also reported that all four of its candidates won school board seats in Brandywine, Michigan, stressing: "We just flipped the Brandywine school board from liberal to conservative." A similar scenario played out in Carroll County, Maryland, where all three of its endorsed candidates won, once again flipping the composition of the school board from majority liberal to majority conservative. 1776 Project PAC's endorsed candidates won seats on the school board in Bedford, Virginia, and Alliance, Ohio. Only one of its five endorsed candidates for the school board in Bentonville, Arkansas won their race. Comparing results of school board races in the U.S. with the 1776 Project PAC's list of endorsed candidates reveals a mixed success rate for the group in terms of getting its endorsed candidates elected Tuesday night. While the aforementioned candidates emerged victorious in their races, the 1776 Project PAC-endorsed candidates for school board seats in Hernando County, Florida; Lee County, Florida; Polk County, Florida; Niles, Michigan; St. Joseph, Michigan and Round Rock, Texas came up short. Unofficial results from the Maryland State Board of Elections show two of the three 1776 Project PAC's endorsed candidates occupying two of the top four spots in the school board election in Frederick County, Maryland, about an hour's drive from Washington, D.C. The four candidates who receive the highest percentages win seats on the school board. The 1776 Project PAC's efforts to elect school board candidates opposed to progressive ideology date back to 2021. That year, the 1776 Project PAC saw four of its six endorsed candidates win school board races in New Jersey, two of its three endorsees win school board elections in both Ohio and Minnesota and three of its four preferred candidates in Virginia win their elections. Additionally, the group had a 70% success rate with its school board candidates in Kansas and a 100% success rate in Colorado. Eleven of the 17 candidates the 1776 Project PAC supported in school board races in Pennsylvania last year emerged victorious as well. In school board races in Texas earlier this year, the group's endorsees had a 100% success rate. In addition to the school board races, the 1776 Project PAC also supported the ultimately successful Republican candidate Ryan Walters in his bid to become Oklahoma's State Superintendent of Public Education. Girdusky also reported success in state board of education elections in Kansas and Texas. Moms for Liberty, which characterizes its mission as "fighting for the survival of America by unifying, educating and empowering parents to defend their parental rights at all levels of government," is another group that endorsed school board candidates running for office all over the U.S. Many of their endorsed candidates overlapped with the list of candidates supported by the 1776 Project PAC, although Moms for Liberty endorsed more than 270 candidates in all. Daniel Buck, the editor-in-chief of the education publication The Chalkboard Review, reported that, based on early reporting, the group won "over 50% of their school board races." He noted that candidates endorsed by teachers' unions "tend to win 70% of their races." In updates posted on social media following Tuesday's election, Moms for Liberty reported that the Brick School Board of Education and the Point Pleasant Beach Board of Education in Ocean County, New Jersey, "now have school board members that value parental rights." Additionally, Moms for Liberty indicated that all three of its endorsed candidates won school board races in Ocean City, New Jersey; five of its eight endorsed candidates won seats on the school board in Charleston County, South Carolina; six of its supported candidates emerged victorious in school board elections in Berkeley County, South Carolina; and four seats on the school board in New Hanover County, North Carolina, went to candidates the group supported. Moms for Liberty touted additional victories in Rock Hill School District and Fort Mill School District in York County, South Carolina; Tipton, Indiana; and Iredell, North Carolina. Two of the three candidates supported by the group to serve on the school board in Shelby County, Tennessee, won their races, as did the organization's chosen candidates in Pulaski County, Arkansas; Brevard County, Florida; Collier County, Florida; Lee County, Florida; Manatee County, Florida; Pasco County, Florida; and Volusia County, Florida. According to unofficial results, the candidate endorsed by Moms for Liberty also emerged victorious in a school board race in Laramie County, Wyoming, as did two out of three candidates it supported in Natrona County, Wyoming. In Harford County, Maryland, unofficial results show three of the four candidates endorsed by Moms for Liberty winning their races. In Baltimore County, Maryland, one out of the group's three preferred candidates appears to have prevailed, while one of its four endorsed candidates appears to have won in Talbot County, Maryland. On the other hand, Moms for Liberty's endorsed candidates appear to have come up short in Hernando County, Florida; St. Johns County, Florida; Nueces County, Texas; Travis County, Texas; and Williamson County, Texas. As many parts of the country continue counting their votes, particularly the heavily populated state of California, the group's overall success rate remains unclear. Parents' rights groups have also emerged at the state level. One such group, the Minnesota Parents' Alliance, reported on Twitter Wednesday that "Minnesota has 50 new school board members endorsed by MPA and many more who are aligned with our mission!" A look at the complete list of candidates endorsed by the Minnesota Parents' Alliance shows that the 50 winners declared so far account for less than half of the 119 candidates the group endorsed going into the 2020 election. Five of the 13 Minnesota candidates endorsed by Moms for Liberty and the Minnesota Parents' Alliance won. Exit polling from Tuesday's election suggests slightly higher shares of parents supported Republican candidates in the 2022 election compared to the 2020 election. "I think it's accurate," Girdusky said of the exit polling. "For people who were concerned about the general trajectory of their local education, that mattered a lot." "People sit there, and they change their entire life for their children. They move to different school districts; they invest their life savings. This is not something small to them," he added. "This is their entire life, so they are nervous about the general trajectory, and it's not just the woke stuff." Girdusky said many parents wonder, "are my children going to actually learn anything?" and "is this investment going to help them in their future?" A large portion of parents, he contends, are saying, 'I don't know.'" "For a lot of Democrats, they insisted that all those concerns were fake," Girdusky said. "They weren't willing to give credibility to people's general concerns, and I think that's where the backlash comes from." Girdusky said politicians can capitalize on education in future elections, saying they must "speak to parents' concerns." "I think we're generally seeing a trajectory and a movement among voters who view Republicans as being the party of public education, which is a much newer development," Girdusky said. Home News Judge dismisses gender bias lawsuit against Abyssinian Baptist Church, cites ministerial exception A federal judge has dismissed a gender discrimination lawsuit against the historic Abyssinian Baptist Church in New York City and the chair of its search committee, Valerie S. Grant, citing the First Amendment's "ministerial exception." The ruling came Monday in a 19-page order and opinion by Dale E. Ho., a U.S. district judge in the Southern District of New York. The Rev. Eboni Marshall Turman, a Yale Divinity School professor who made history when she became the youngest pastor ordained at Abyssinian in 2007, filed the lawsuit against the church and Grant in December 2023. She alleges she was ultimately rejected for the church's top job because of her sex. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Ho agreed with attorneys for the church and Grant that, because of the ministerial exception, the court is barred from entangling itself in the affairs of the church even if there are legitimate claims of discrimination. The ministerial exception is a legal principle prohibiting courts from interfering with "the employment relationship between a religious institution and one of its ministers." "To determine whether Abyssinian's proffered reason for declining to hire Dr. Marshall Turman her lack of qualifications is pretextual, the Court would have to engage in exactly the type of inquiry-based entanglement from which this Court is prohibited. Under the Establishment and Free Exercise Clauses, it is not the business of this Court to question or otherwise look beyond Abyssinian's stated reasons for finding Dr. Marshall Turman unqualified to serve as its senior pastor," Ho wrote. "There is no way for this Court to resolve Dr. Marshall Turman's employment discrimination claim without becoming entangled with Abyssinian's ecclesiastical innerworkings. It is therefore not premature to apply the ministerial exception at the motion to dismiss stage of this litigation. Accordingly, because the ministerial exception applies, Dr. Marshall Turman's employment discrimination claim against Abyssinian is dismissed." Because the ministerial exception bars Turman's employment discrimination claims against the church, Ho reasoned that "it also shields Grant from liability under the same cause of action. Therefore, the claims against Grant are dismissed." Reacting to the dismissal, Abyssinian Baptist Church spokesperson LaToya Evans told The Christian Post in a statement that the church is looking forward to moving on with their new pastor, Kevin R. Johnson. "We are grateful that the members of Abyssinian can continue to worship, heal and embrace their new Senior Pastor Rev. Dr. Kevin R. Johnson who has already helped to grow the historic church," she said. "Under Rev. Dr. Johnson's leadership, Abyssinian's congregation has already experienced meaningful growth and renewed spiritual connection. Turman remained defiant in a statement on Facebook Tuesday, arguing the dismissal of her lawsuit did not vindicate Abyssinian Baptist Church. "The Abyssinian Baptist Church did not argue that they did not discriminate against me. The church argued that, because they are a religious institution, they have the RIGHT to discriminate against me. In other words, Abyssinian (which recently self-identified as the 'Black Vatican') can do bad things to people because they are legally immune," she wrote. "While under the lower court's ruling the church's argument is legally viable, there is no doubt that the argument is morally egregious, reprehensible, and anti-Christian at its core. The court said as much in its opinion. The Mother Church of Black Baptists, born in resistance to discrimination, has openly and brazenly embraced discrimination against Black women in pastoral leadership; and in an action that echoes the current Trump administration, has publicly lied about it," she added. Following the death of the church's previous pastor, Rev. Calvin Butts, in October 2022, Abyssinian Baptist Church said it conducted a comprehensive pastoral search process that included 40 candidates from diverse backgrounds across age, gender and sexual orientations. In June 2024, Johnson was named the church's new pastor and has served in that role since July 2024. In her lawsuit filed after she wasn't named a finalist for the position, Turman, who researches gender politics in black churches and related issues, asserts the selection process was unfair. She accused Grant of asking her inappropriate questions that weren't raised with male candidates for the job. "Gender discrimination motivated the decision not to hire (Marshall Turman), a fact discussed openly during meetings of the Committee, including by Grant and another Committee member, who said that Abyssinian would only hire a woman as its Senior Pastor 'over my dead body,'" the complaint says. Turman alleged that before his death, Butts "told her she could never be senior pastor because Abyssinian would never hire a woman for the position" and worked to ensure that the male line of succession would continue. "When Abyssinian's longtime pastor, the Reverend Doctor Calvin O. Butts III, announced his intention to retire, the church formed a committee to find a replacement senior pastor. Per Abyssinian's by-laws, when the office of pastor becomes vacant, the Diaconate shall convene a group of no more than seventeen of the church's members in good standing to serve as the 'pulpit search committee,'" Turman's complaint says. "But it was Dr. Butts, not the Diaconate, who selected the congregants tasked with finding his replacement. And the committee was ultimately comprised of twenty-seven, not seventeen or fewer, members. Dr. Marshall Turman alleges that Dr. Butts involved himself in the appointment of the committee's members to ensure that Abyssinian's new senior pastor was a man." Home News Supreme Court weighs South Carolina's ban of Planned Parenthood from Medicaid program The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments Wednesday on whether South Carolina residents have a right to choose Planned Parenthood as a provider through the Medicaid Act as the state tries to exclude the nation's largest abortion provider from its Medicaid program. The justices heard oral arguments in the case of Medina v. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, which deals with whether it's legal for South Carolina to ban abortion providers from Medicaid. John Bursch, senior counsel with the Alliance Defending Freedom, argued the case on behalf of South Carolina, saying that there is no "rights-creating language" in the Medicaid Act provision for qualified providers. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe "Congress did not use clear rights-creating language in the any-qualified-provider provision," said Bursch. "The provision speaks merely of obtaining a benefit from a third party, unlike traditional rights creating language, which confers a right directly." Justice Elena Kagan, one of the court's three liberal justices, asked Bursch how he thinks Medicaid provision is not a "right" if the state "has an obligation to provide this particular thing." "We understand colloquially that something might be a right doesn't mean that Congress has put a state on clear notice that it could be sued in federal court under [42 U.S. Code Section 1983] and subjected to liability and attorney fee shifting if it doesn't follow that provision," he answered. Bursch mentioned "an administrative appeal process" for both individuals and providers if they are rejected, which he argued Planned Parenthood "haven't pursued their administrative appeal yet" but rather "went straight to court." Much of the arguments focused on the phrasing of the Medicaid provision and whether it created a right to choose Planned Parenthood as a provider or if certain "magic words" needed to be included to prove it was a right. Kyle Hawkins, counselor to the Solicitor General of U.S. Department of Justice, echoed Bursch's argument that the provision did not create a right to have any provider one wants. Kagan told Hawkins that she was concerned about the reasoning behind not interpreting the law as bestowing a right, pointing out that "Congress wrote this statute a while ago." She felt it was "not a fair way to interpret statutes that Congress passed many moons ago" by expecting them to use only a few specific words or phrases to mean that something is a right. "We evaluate older congressional laws through modern jurist credential lenses," Hawkins responded. "That's the appropriate framework to evaluate congressional statutes." Nicole Saharsky argued the case on behalf of Planned Parenthood, telling the justices that South Carolina "violated" the law when denying a patient the ability to select the abortion provider. "This court has repeatedly said that 'magic words' aren't required," Saharsky said in her opening statement. "There's no doubt about what Congress was trying to do here. It enacted this statute because states were artificially limiting the providers in Medicaid." "And that's the same thing that the state is doing now. And Congress made this an individual right because it recognized that when the state does that, it hurts individual patients. It is the individual's right." Saharsky claimed that the language of the statute "may obtain care from any qualified and willing provider" is "the same thing" to a hypothetical phrasing of "any individual has a right to obtain care from any qualified and willing provider." In 2018, Gov. Henry McMaster gave an order to the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services to end Medicaid agreements with any abortion providers in the state. Planned Parenthood filed a lawsuit along with a patient against South Carolina, with a federal district court blocking state enforcement of the order. In March 2024, a three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously upheld the lower court decision, with Circuit Judge Harvie Wilkinson, a Reagan appointee, authoring the opinion. "This case is, and always has been, about whether Congress conferred an individually enforceable right for Medicaid beneficiaries to freely choose their healthcare provider," wrote Wilkinson. "Preserving access to Planned Parenthood and other providers means preserving an affordable choice and quality care for an untold number of mothers and infants in South Carolina." Wilkinson claimed that "if Planned Parenthood clinics in South Carolina were to be shuttered, other Medicaid-funded clinics in the state would be more hard-pressed to meet the demand in family planning care." In a miscellaneous order released last December, the Supreme Court agreed without comment to grant a petition for a writ of certiorari in the case, then known as Kerr v. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic. The arguments were to focus on question 1 of the petition, which asked the high court to determine if "the Medicaid Act's any-qualified provider provision unambiguously confers a private right upon a Medicaid beneficiary to choose a specific provider." Home News Trump's ban on trans troops halted after appeals court refuses to delay pause A U.S. appeals court rejected a request from President Donald Trump's administration to pause a lower court's decision blocking enforcement of a ban on trans-identified military service members, which the government argues would ensure "military readiness." The three-judge panel on the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals denied the request on Monday, Reuters reports. A pause would have allowed the Pentagon to enforce the ban while a lower court considers the case. By denying the administration's request, the appellate court left in place the preliminary injunction issued by U.S. District Judge Benjamin Settle, an appointee of former President George W. Bush, late last month. The ruling prevented the administration from removing certain trans-identifying service members. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe "The Department of Justice has vigorously defended President Trump's executive actions, including the Prioritizing Military Excellence and Readiness Executive Order, and will continue to do so," a DOJ spokesperson told The Christian Post in response to the latest update. In his 65-page ruling, Settle said that the administration failed to provide evidence that trans-identifying service members over the past four years had negatively impacted the military. "The government's arguments are not persuasive, and it is not an especially close question on this record," Settle wrote. "The government's unrelenting reliance on deference to military judgment is unjustified in the absence of any evidence supporting 'the military's' new judgment reflected in the Military Ban." Settle's ruling echoes a decision last month from U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes in Washington, D.C., claiming that the Trump administration didn't provide enough evidence to support its policy. Reyes, an appointee of former President Joe Biden, contended that "leaders have used concern for military readiness to deny marginalized persons the privilege of serving." About a week into his second presidential term on Jan. 27, Trump signed an executive order titled "Prioritizing Military Excellence and Readiness," which states that identifying as the opposite sex "conflicts with a soldier's commitment to an honorable, truthful, and disciplined lifestyle, even in one's personal life." The order also cited Department of Defense Instruction 6130.03, Vol. 1, a longstanding policy that dictates the medical standards for U.S. military service. According to the volume of instructions, it is DOD policy to ensure that service members are "Free of medical conditions or physical defects that may reasonably be expected to require excessive time lost from duty for necessary treatment or hospitalization, or may result in separation from the Military Service for medical unfitness." As the executive order noted, mental and physical health conditions, including bipolar disorder, suicidality, or other conditions requiring medication or medical treatment, are "incompatible" with active duty. The order asserted that individuals expressing a "false 'gender identity' cannot satisfy the rigorous standards necessary for military service." On Feb. 26, 2025, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth issued a written policy to implement the executive order. Hegseth stated in the document that the DOD only recognizes two sexes, male and female, adding that the department will not fund service members' sex-change surgeries or cross-sex hormone therapy. "Military service by Service members and applicants for military service who have a current diagnosis or history of, or exhibit symptoms consistent with, gender dysphoria is incompatible with military service," the document stated. "Service by these individuals is not in the best interests of the Military Services and is not clearly consistent with the interests of national security." Following Trump's inauguration, an activist group known as The Trans Army has called on its social media followers to stockpile weapons and recruit ex-military personnel. In a Jan. 26 Facebook post, the group declared the U.S. a "totalitarian state" and urged police officers and military personnel to join the Trans Army "mobs." "We won't wait for them to come for us," the post added. "This time we come for them." The activist group addressed trans-identifying military members in a Feb. 28 Facebook post, stating: "To all US trans military members. We need you to contact your local trans organization and offer your support. You need to help train other trans people and help them prepare for what's coming. Your skills and training will be needed. Thank you for your service." Utah Bans Political Flags, Queer Theologies Course At University, The King Of Kings Film link to download the audio instead. link to download the audio instead. 07:57 07:57 Sponsored by WatersEdge: Invest with purpose? With WatersEdge Kingdom Investments, you can! We offer great rates that multiply your resources and build churches. Learn more at: https://bit.ly/3CxWtFz Top headlines for Wednesday, April 2, 2025 In this episode, we explore Utah's recent decision to ban overtly political flags from government buildings and public schools, stirring debates across the political spectrum. Then, we turn our attention to Myanmar, where Samaritan's Purse has swiftly deployed an emergency field hospital in the wake of a devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake that has tragically claimed over 2,700 lives. Plus, we examine a legal battle involving the Southern Baptist Convention, as a federal judge denies their motion to dismiss Johnny Hunt's defamation lawsuit following a controversial tweet. ?Follow Us on Social Media ?Get the Edifi App ?Subscribe to Our Newsletter ?Links to the News Home Opinion Dear pastors: What churches learned 5 years since COVID It's clear that many churches closed or have considerably shrunk in size since COVID-19. Reasons range from church-goers are still scared to return, to they prefer watching live feeds. But why have bold churches experienced tremendous growth? This issue is much deeper its crystal clear that people are hungry for the truth. As a church in California located in Los Angeles County, I understand the enormous challenges of pastoring in these dire times. But, if the truth be told, the COVID crisis simply revealed the foundation of many churches, as well as the heart of many pastors. But thank God, there is hope! Pastors, Im writing this to you to encourage you to be bold as you lead your congregation through these difficult and challenging times. But this boldness wont come naturally, it will come supernaturally. It will have a cost: Life-giving preaching costs the preacher muchdeath to self, crucifixion to the world, and the travail of his own soul. Crucified preaching only can give life. Crucified preaching can come only from a crucified man (E.M. Bounds). Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe As I was working on my article, A Measure of Revival in Our Bondage, the thought came to me to tailor it to pastors and Christian leaders and to re-release it with that theme in mind. Here are some of the points: 1. The fire of the spirit is contagious Speaking boldly is no longer optional, its essential. Thats the missing ingredient today. God is no respecter of persons, status, or achievement, but He is a respecter of principles (Acts 10:34). If you seek Him with all your heart you will find Him. Then you will be better equipped to lead your congregation to the Fountain of Living Water once you yourself have drunk deeply. The fire of the Spirit is contagious. This doesnt mean that your church will grow; it could shrink, but it does mean that youll now have the power of the Spirit resting upon your life. Churches filled with the Spirit do the works of the Spirit. Jesus said whoever believes in Me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father (John 14:12 NIV). If your church doesnt look like the New Testament church, are you sure that youre truly having church? 2. Dead is for a graveyard, not a church The Christian life is to be living and vibrant, not dry and dead. It begs the question: Where are the rivers of living water that Jesus spoke about in John 7:38? When it comes to experiencing a spiritual awakening (revival), it cant be worked up, it must be brought down from Heaven. In Lev. 9:23-24, the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people and the fire came down and consumed the burnt offering. God brought down the fire, but the responsibility fell on the leaders to keep the fire burning. They were to remove the waste but not the fuel. The same holds true for you and me. We must remove the waste of pride and add the fuel of humility. Ignite your church with prayer meetings and worship nights. Humble yourself and lead the way and find comfort on the altar as you cry out to God for boldness. The two-week event described above was over a decade in the making as we persisted in seeking the heart of God. He truly is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Heb. 11:6). When God chooses to give us a measure of revival in our bondage, worship, humility, and obedience is the fuel that keeps the flame going. 3. The beauty of brokenness The beauty of brokenness is that humility crushes pride and ushers in the presence of God. Moses spent years on the backside of the desert as God broke and prepared him. Joshua's humility no doubt came from lingering in the presence of the Lord. Isaiah was completely broken when he cried, Woe to me! I am ruined! .... my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty (Isaiah 6:5). Jeremiah collapsed and cried out for humility in the people, My soul will weep in secret for your pride (Jeremiah 13:17). The Psalms are saturated with the brokenness of David, and Jesus disciples had to be crushed like olives so the anointing oil could flow. Paul had to be knocked to the ground and his eyes blinded by the glory of God before true humility became a mark of his ministry. Do you sound like a voice crying in the wilderness because youve been touched by God, or a voice whining in the wilderness because youre dying spiritually? You can change that today. 4. We provide the sacrifice, He provides the fire When you lose intimacy with God, you lose boldness and the Spirits fire. Return to Him, and He will return to you (Zechariah 1:3). The strength of your church is in its purity and spiritual power, not in its numbers. God doesnt need a majority He is the Majority. We are not CEOs running a business, we are watchmen warning a nation. Prayer can no longer be a footnote at the end of a sermon; instead, prayer and worship must guide the Church in these critical times. How can you receive a measure of revival in these dire times if there is no desperation? God cant pour into your heart if it's already full of self: Self-willed. Self-sufficient. Self-made. Self must die in you before God can really live within you. Home Opinion Would Jesus deport illegal immigrants? With the national conversation focused on immigration, Americans are being forced to choose between compassion and security. But this is a false dichotomy. As Christians, we must reject the misleading framework that pits Christian love against national identity. Biblically speaking, this is not an either-or scenario. What if Scripture affirms both national sovereignty and moral responsibility? When President Trump enforced immigration laws, critics labeled his actions unchristian. But in reality, Trump was fulfilling the role God ordained for civil leaders. The Bible affirms the existence of nations, borders, and the rule of law. Genesis 18 tells us that God intended for Abrahams descendants to become a great nation. Deuteronomy 32:8 states that God apportioned the nations and fixed the boundaries of the peoples. Even the story of Babel in Genesis 11 demonstrates that God divided humanity into nations, preventing unchecked global unity under a singular power. Nations and by extension, borders are part of Gods divine order. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe The Old Testament repeatedly refers to Israel as a nation with its own laws, culture, and religious identity. God Himself established legal and moral guidelines for the Israelites to govern their land. Immigration was regulated. Foreigners who entered Israel were expected to respect its laws and assimilate. Exodus 12:49 declares, There shall be one law for the native and for the stranger who sojourns among you. In other words, those who sought refuge in Israel were welcomed but under the same legal framework as everyone else. This principle aligns with Trumps immigration policies. Enforcing borders is not about cruelty; it is about maintaining order and protecting citizens. Open-border policies ignore Gods created order and invite chaos. The Bible warns of this in Nehemiah, where the city of Jerusalem was vulnerable without walls. A nation without secure borders is like a house without walls it cannot stand. Some Christians argue that Jesus would welcome all immigrants without restriction. But would He? Christs ministry was one of personal transformation, not political activism. He called individuals to repentance and faith, not to dismantle societal structures. When Jesus said, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesars (Mark 12:17), He affirmed the legitimacy of governmental authority including laws governing national security. Compassion and security are not mutually exclusive. America should be a beacon of hope for legal immigrants while enforcing laws to prevent illegal immigration. Just as Israel protected its borders while allowing lawful sojourners, America must uphold its laws while treating people with dignity. This is not only practical but biblical. At its core, immigration policy should reflect both justice and mercy. A government that refuses to enforce its immigration laws is not merciful; it is negligent. The Apostle Paul teaches in Romans 13:4 that rulers are Gods servant for your good. The government exists to punish wrongdoers and protect the innocent. This means securing the border, preventing human trafficking, and stopping the exploitation of laborers who enter illegally. Turning a blind eye to illegal immigration does not reflect Christian charity it encourages lawlessness and suffering. Furthermore, unchecked immigration can burden a nations resources and undermine the social fabric. Proverbs 22:28 warns against removing ancient boundary markers, emphasizing the importance of maintaining national and cultural identity. Responsible immigration policy ensures that those entering the country do so legally, with respect for the rule of law and the values that sustain the nation. So, who would Jesus deport? Perhaps the better question is: would Jesus support lawlessness? The answer, according to Scripture, is no. Jesus upheld both justice and mercy never one at the expense of the other. He understood His Fathers design for institutions such as the church, the family, and the state, each with its own role in preserving order and righteousness. As Christians, we must reject the false notion that biblical compassion requires turning a blind eye to lawlessness. True compassion does not enable disorder it upholds justice for the good of all. A just nation welcomes those who respect its laws but enforces consequences for those who break them. That is not cruelty that is righteousness in action. Artificial intelligence (AI) has long since arrived in companies. Whether in process automation, data analysis or the development of new services AI holds enormous potential. But how does a company find out which AI applications really fit its own goals? This is where AI consultants come into play. AI consultants support companies in identifying, evaluating and profitably implementing possible AI application scenarios. They have to take into account not only the technical but also the strategic and organizational requirements while at the same time being familiar with the latest trends, innovations and possibilities in the fast-paced world of AI. But what exactly do they do in their day-to-day work? AI consulting: A definition AI consulting involves advising on, designing and implementing artificial intelligence solutions. The spectrum is broad, ranging from process automation using machine learning models to setting up chatbots and performing complex analyses using deep learning methods. Abonati-va sa primiti pe email saptamanal lista articolelor adaugate pe parcursul saptamanii. Adresele .ru nu sunt acceptate. Email NEWSLETTER Major newspapers raised more than 6m through Christmas charity appeals last year, with some raising more money than the year before , while others raised less. At 3.46m, the London Standards winter appeal A Place To Call Home raised the most of any newspaper last year and 1m more than the previous year, but was heavily supported by institutional donors. The Guardian and Observers latest Christmas charity appeal also raised more year-on-year over 1.73m, up from 1.42m in 2023. Readers of the Times and Sunday Times raised 1.5m for charities in Christmas 2024, compared to 2.03m the year before. Telegraph readers raised 486,000 for the newspapers chosen charities, down from over 527,000 the year before. Meanwhile, the Financial Times charity Christmas appeal raised over 211,000 in donations for its Financial Literacy and Inclusion campaign. Standard and Guardian raise higher totals The London Standard again partnered with Comic Relief for its 2024 winter appeal, entitled A Place To Call Home, which raised 3.46m for charities supporting refugees and people experiencing homelessness. The appeal by the newspaper, which changed its name from the Evening Standard as it moved to weekly publications last year, saw more than 127,000 generated by donations from the general public, a slight decrease on the previous years figures. However, most of the money the newspaper received came through high-value donations from institutional funders including This Day Foundation, Comic Relief, the Julia Rausing Trust, Sainsburys, and the Barratt Foundation. Celebrities including Olivia Colman, Jodie Whittaker, Big Zuu and Mawaan Rizwan publicly backed the appeal and encouraged the public to make donations. Meanwhile, more than 15,800 Guardian and Observer readers gave 1.73m collectively, the highest sum raised by the newspapers annual appeal since 2016 to support victims of war and conflict. It also marks the 10th successive year that Guardian and Observer readers have donated more than 1m. The newspapers appeal this year was in support of three charities: Medecins Sans Frontieres and War Child, which perform frontline medical aid work in warzones, and Parallel Histories, which helps schools to teach sensitive and controversial histories to students. Times and Telegraph see dips The Times and the Sunday Times 2024 appeal was in aid of the Natasha Allergy Research Foundation; James Place, and Hope and Homes for Children. Readers raised around 1.5m for the charities, which is around 500,000 less than last years total of 2.03m. Meanwhile, Telegraph readers donated over 486,000 this year in aid of the Army Benevolent Fund; the Teenage Cancer Trust; Alzheimers Research UK, and Humanity & Inclusion. The total amount was 41,000 less than the previous year, when the appeal had raised over 527,000. During the appeals annual charity phone-in day in December last year, which included TV personality Anneka Rice and a host of Telegraph writers including Allison Pearson and Charles Moore, readers raised more than 70,000 in 24 hours. FT appeal extended by a week The Financial Times 2024 Christmas appeal run jointly by the newspapers Financial Literary and Inclusion Campaign and the youth charity Magic Breakfast raised over 211,000 after its closing date was extended by a week. The total included a significant 51,000 match-funded donation from the Rosetrees Trust. The Trust had previously offered to match-fund donations to the appeal after it reached its baseline target of 100,000. Other notable donors to the appeal included Morgan Stanley International, as well as hundreds of Financial Times readers. sign up to receive the free Civil Society daily news bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector, A proposed bill aiming to approve proxy voting for new parents is moving forward with support from both Democrats and Republicans despite opposition from other lawmakers. House Republican leaders are struggling to stop Rep. Anna Paulina Luna from triggering a vote on a bill that proposes proxy voting for new parents. The situation has led to a procedural hurdle that will expectedly challenge the supporters of the legislation. Proxy Voting for New Parents Many opposition lawmakers are using arcane parliamentary warfare to prepare a vote for Tuesday that would issue a dare to the GOP officials. They will be given a choice of voting for Luna's bill and allowing it to come to the floor but be hit with halt action on other legislation that President Donald Trump supports. The latter includes limiting the power of federal judges and requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote. On Tuesday morning, the House Rules Committee advanced a procedural rule to set up that particular vote, according to The Hill. Opposition lawmakers argue the proposed bill's constitutionality, and it could create a slippery slope against a desire among "pro-life" Republicans to show support for new moms and families. This all comes with major potential consequences for how much control leaders maintain over the House floor moving forward. Luna has long been pushing for proxy voting for new mothers, even more so after she had her first child a few months into her first term. On Monday, she resigned after members of the group pushed Speaker Mike Johnson to take a more aggressive approach to stopping her measure. Democrats and Republicans Join Forces The Republican also got support for her proposed bill from another mother, Rep. Brittany Pettersen, who has been working with Luna on the measure. The latter added that it was a historical day for the entire conference, showing that the body wants to give parents a voice in Washington, NPR reported. The bill would allow new parents to vote by proxy for 12 weeks around the birth of a new child in the household. Luna has tried several times using different tactics to get the bipartisan bill passed. Originally, Johnson refused to put the bill on the floor before Luna joined forces with Democrats to bypass him and force a vote on the matter. Other supporters of the proposed bill who opposed Johnson's opposition include Reps. Tim Burchett, Jeff Van Drew, Greg Steube, Mike Lawler, Ryan Mackenzie, Nick LaLota, and Max Miller, as per ABC News. Adobe, by chaylek The government should regard civil society as critical national infrastructure in its crisis response preparedness planning, a new report has argued. The report from the Young Foundation , commissioned by Local Trust, warns that the UK is not currently equipped to protect its citizens from crisis. Supported by VCS Emergencies Partnership, the report says that the country depends on networks of trust, mutual aid and voluntary infrastructure that mobilise during emergencies. It says that voluntary organisations provided essential support during recent crises such as the Covid-19 pandemic, floods, fires and civil unrest and urges the government to help more members of civil society to build relationships with state services and large national responders. When distributing resources, the government should ensure that different attention and efforts are allocated based on varying circumstances, it suggests. It recommends that any national message must be combined with context-specific information to increase household preparedness and do them in partnership with trusted, local actors in civil society. Moving from warm gratitude to practical action Helen Goulden, chief executive of the Young Foundation, said: The role of the public, communities, and the voluntary sector is downgraded in many national policy debates about crisis preparedness. That needs to change. The UK population is underprepared for the crises we face. Recent history shows us that in the face of pandemics, fires and floods civil society carries the heaviest burden in crisis response and recovery, yet receives the least recognition and investment. Indeed, its proved time and again that community groups, informal networks, and neighbours are more trusted than government when a crisis hits. Civil society should therefore be recognised as critical national infrastructure in the UK. If we don't learn from these experiences and shift our approach now, we risk devastating consequences for our most vulnerable communities when not if the next crisis occurs. The causes of our crises are often varied and unpredictable. But the impacts of those crises are often common and predictable. We can and must do better to prepare for them. Robyn Knox, VCS emergencies partnership director, said: It is so important we move the conversation on from warm gratitude to practical action. We must recognise charities and community groups as we understand what it is that makes our households, neighbourhoods and communities resilient. This report is a timely reminder of the lead role the voluntary and community sector plays in resilience building. A role that should be recognised, invested in and learnt from. sign up to receive the free Civil Society daily news bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector, Sign up for The Media Today, CJRs daily newsletter. In the fall of 1967, during the presidency of Lyndon B. Johnson, whispers began to swirl in Washington that a shocking government report was about to come to light. Rumor had it that the Kennedy administration had convened a Special Study Group to investigate the threat to social and economic stability if and when the conditions for a permanent peace should arrive; in other words, if the US military were to pull out of Vietnam and stop fighting wars altogether. The resulting Report from Iron Mountainnamed for a military storage facility in New Yorks Hudson Valley where the groups final meeting had supposedly taken placehad not been meant to be public, but a member of the group had leaked it. The Johnson administration scrambled to figure out if such a report existed, and ultimately concluded that the whole thing was a hoax. Then, however, Esquire published supposed excerpts from the report in its December issue, under the headline On the Possibility and Desirability of Peace; the subheading warned that the reports contents were so depressing that you may not be able to take it. The article detailed how a group of experts had concluded that war was the essential economic stabilizer of modern societies and that a transition to peace would require an intensive scheme of government intervention. The groups proposals included a system of eugenic artificial insemination, the introduction of new forms of slavery, and a program to convince the public that the world was facing extraterrestrial threats. Ultimately, the report concluded, these provisions would not be enough, and so war must continue until we know exactly what it is we plan to put in its place. The Johnson administration quickly tried to reassure the world that the report had no basis in US policy. And it was indeed a hoaxone perpetrated by a group of left-wing, anti-war writers and thinkers to make a point about the governments conduct during the Vietnam War. By then, however, the report had taken on a life of its own. The problem, according to CBS news anchor Walter Cronkite, was that it read to many people like a legitimate documenta testament to the growing contempt with which the American people viewed their government as the war raged on. For decades, the text would linger in the zeitgeist. It ultimately resurfaced as source material for the far-right militia movement of the nineties, lending the movement a kind of proof text from which its conspiratorial vocabulary has continued to evolve: about the manipulations of the ruling elite, the special interests of the deep state, the calculated way in which the federal government suppresses the truth. Even the authors emphatic insistence that the document was meant as satire has been taken as evidence of a government cover-up. Now the author Phil Tinline is out with a book about the report, Ghosts of Iron Mountain, which was published last week. Tinline traces how the text was embraced by a movement for which belief lends legitimacy to evidence, rather than the other way around; the result is a chilling reflection on the origins of conspiracy theories that undergird political discourse in the era of Trump, and on the temptation to prioritize emotional resonance over truth. Theres a difference between finding truths expressed in fiction, and thinking that fiction is factual evidence, he writes. Recently, Tinline and I spoke about the blurring of fact and fiction, the medias dual obligations to narrative and accuracy, and about what happens when reality itself is indistinguishable from satire. Our conversation has been edited for length and clarity. YRG: Before reading your book, Id never heard of the Report from Iron Mountain, so I was struck by your reporting on the fact that the document and its various spin-offs are widely referenced in the world of right-wing conspiracy theories. How did you find out about the report? Why did you decide to make it the focus of your book? PT: I was planning to write a book about this kind of generic conspiracy-theory story we all have in our heads, which has the sheeple and a cabal and the plucky maverick. I had a theory that each of those story elements come out of particular crises in the past that produced the idea of the gullible crowdfrom the right-wing perspectiveand then false consciousness, from a left-wing perspective, which are actually very similar ideas. Then I found these three different American political science books from the sixties that all happened to mention this thing called the Report from Iron Mountain. I looked it up and found a couple of paragraphs on Wikipedia that told the basic storyand I nearly fell off my chair. [At first] I thought it was going to be a chapter in my book, but it was like the magician pulling the handkerchief out of the sleeve; it just kept coming. Ive always been interested in political fear, and conspiracy theories are a particular form of that; a particular way of thinking about power. [As a journalist] youre always looking for a story thats good enough in itself to be worth telling but also speaks to a bigger picture. This one story allowed me to go back to the themes Id originally been intending to explore, but to do it with a much sharper focus. What are the ghosts of Iron Mountain that you refer to in the title? Sign up for CJRs daily email I use the word ghosts often [in my writing] because a lot of my work is about how the past informs, explains, contrasts with, or haunts the present. Im not particularly interested in telling stories from history that are just entertaining anecdotes; I wanted to give a sense of the reports enduring impact and what it reveals about America today. I think having a sense of the geological depth of the particular rocky maze that were in now is actually quite empowering because it gives the sense that theres something perennial about thisthat were not suddenly plunged into a world that was invented entirely by Facebook and Donald Trump. This is much more basic to the difficulties of living in an enormous society: How do you deal with the immensity of America as a countrygeographically, population-wise, its power, its nuclear weapons? History is a way of trying to understand that other people have felt like that, too, and maybe feel a little less dwarfed. In the book you write about the conditions in the late sixties that made the Report from Iron Mountain so believable. What were those conditions, and what parallels do you see in the political climate of the past several decades that has allowed for the proliferation of conspiracy theories based around similar themes? I think this report landed so well precisely because it blurred the boundary between fact and fiction. Fundamentally, conspiracy theories are about trying to make sense of something immensely complicated. If you actually think about the way that a government department in America works, or a corporationif you actually try to draw a diagram, person by person and role by roleit would be so complex and diffuse that you couldnt compute it. So we have to have a way of making sense of that with something much simpler; thats what makes these stories so irreducibly appealing. Theres no secret cabal behind everything, but even so, there is somethingwhich is entirely tenable as a claimabout the combination of corporate influence and the boss class having a particular backstage influence. But that desire to have a simple answer is part of the problem. Michael Barkun, a great American scholar of conspiracy theories, talks about three primary principles of the conspiracy theory: that nothing is accidental, that everything is connected, and that nothing is as it seems. If youre writing a novel or a screenplay and you manage to achieve those three things, youve done really, really well. But if you achieve that as a journalist, youve made a conspiracy theory. You write about how the reports authors, who intended it as a satire, eventually denounced its appropriation by right-wing groupsbut ultimately they no longer had any control over how it was used. Did researching this book shift how you feel about the potential dangers of political satire? I have a kind of pious instinct now about facts and fiction that I have to police. Of course, its thoroughly worthwhile to have dramatists engage with whats happening in the political presentthats part of their job. But I do see it in a more worried way now. Given that were in the situation were inwhere narrative has been so weaponized, where its so swiftly able to be used against democracyI think weve been reduced back to the fundamentals: if we do not have shared trust in truth, we cannot have a democracy. I think theres a kind of permanent ambivalence that you have to maintain where you simultaneously recognize the potentially benign power of story to bring a democracy together [while] at the same time seeing that it can potentially declare that a particular powerless group in societyan out-groupshould be blamed for everything. The more I think about this stuff, the more I think were living in a constant state of really ticklish ambiguities. Much of this book is about the impact that the report had on the relationship between politics and truth that we see today. Do you think we would be where we are now if the authors had decided not to publish the report? Ive been trying to be really careful not to say [the report] is to blame for everythingits just more multivalent than that. I do think its fair to say that it provided, quote-unquote, evidence for a whole number of conspiracist ways of looking at the world. I do think it lends strength, entirely by accident, to some really quite problematic phenomena. But those kinds of mentalities are really hungry; they hunt around for food wherever they can find it, so maybe they would have found something else. In the book you talk about the importance of what the sociologist Arlie Russell Hochschild calls feels as if stories, which show up in folktales, myths, and even on TikTok, and capture aspects of human experience that cant be reduced to a set of facts. But you also write that there is a danger in confusing stories that feel like they could be real with those that actually happened. The news media is traditionally focused on the latter, but do you think we also have a responsibility to understand and communicate the appeal that the former hold for people? I think, wherever possible, that its vital to see the hopes and the fears that make a person, and simultaneously apply rigorous journalistic standards of evidence. In Hochschilds book Strangers in Their Own Land, she says [to her sources] All right, I want to hear your story. I want to understand how you see the worldtell me. And at the same time, she fact-checks it. I think that has to be the model: that you honor and respect people, their beliefs and their worldview, even if you dont believe it. Up to a pointIm not suggesting this about Nazism. If people on the mainstream center-left and center-right dont do this, if journalists choose not to do it, then no one else is going to bother. My answer, really, is you just have to do both all the time. Other notable stories: In a new report for Brown Universitys Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs, Nick Turse finds that since October 7, 2023, the war in Gaza has killed more journalists than the US Civil War, World Wars I and II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War (and related conflicts), the wars in Yugoslavia, and the US war in Afghanistan combined. It is, quite simply, the worst ever conflict for reporters, Turse writes. Worldwide, threats to journalists in conflict zones are increasing. In 2023, a journalist or media worker was, on average, killed or murdered every four days. In 2024, it was once every three days. Most reporters harmed or killed, as is the case in Gaza, are local journalists. Not only do local reporters face great risk, standing alone in the face of extraordinary violence; this also impairs news coverage and, as a result, the worldwide information ecosystem. A pair of updates to Mondays newsletter, in which we wrote about Trumpian press threats including the gutting of the US Agency for Global Media and the threat to defund NPR and PBS, and how journalists are fighting back. At time of writing, USAGM had reportedly agreed to restore congressionally appropriated funds to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, one of the overseas broadcasters under its purview, amid a legal fightbut RFE/RL now says that it has yet to actually receive the money, and has had to furlough staff as a result. Meanwhile, Benjamin Mullin, of the New York Times, obtained a 2011 document from inside NPR predicting what would happen should its federal funding be cut; it would survive, but many of its member stations would have to close. Newsmax, the right-wing cable channel, went ahead with an initial public offering this week, and it has been wildly successful, with the stock nearly tripling in value yesterday, seemingly fueled by loyal viewers buying in. As CNNs Brian Stelter reports, however, various observers are dismissing the surge as a meme stock that belies the true underlying value, and investors have plenty of reason to exercise caution. The cable news landscape doesnt exactly scream growth. Newsmaxs financials are dreadful. And it faces ongoing legal threats due to its coverage of the 2020 election, with a defamation case brought by Dominion Voting Systems set to go to trial this month. And John Thorntonthe cofounder of the Texas Tribune and the American Journalism Project, an organization that boosts nonprofit local news and recently landed a major investment from the Knight Foundationhas died. He was fifty-nine. Thornton had this Texas swagger, seemed like an accomplished financier, and used swashbuckling metaphors, Sarabeth Berman, the CEO of AJP, told CJRs Sewell Chan (a former editor of the Tribune). It was exceedingly clear that he was committed to the mission of revitalizing local news around the country and that it was essential to saving democracy. Deutsche Bank AGs investment arm DWS agreed to pay 25 million ($27 million) to end a long-running German investigation into alleged greenwashing, in a similar settlement to the one it struck with U.S. regulators in 2023. DWS gave a false impression to the markets in its communications about sustainable finance, Frankfurt prosecutors said on Wednesday. The case looked into the same behavior that led to a $19 million penalty agreed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, they added. The impression given to the capital market that DWS Group was supposedly the market leader in sustainable financial products was not, or not completely, fulfilled by the businesss organization itself, the prosecutors said. DWS didnt monitor the situation carefully enough and instead used statements in external communications such as being a leader in the ESG field or ESG is an integral part of our DNA. They didnt correspond to reality, according to prosecutors. The investigation came after ex-Chief Sustainability Officer Desiree Fixler went public in 2021 with claims that the asset manager had inflated its ESG credentials. Frankfurt prosecutors raided DWS in 2022 and 2024. The allegations and ensuing probes hit the firms share price as investors sought to assess the financial impact. DWS has accepted the fine and said that it wont appeal. We have already publicly stated in recent years that our marketing was sometimes exuberant in the past, the unit said in a statement. We have already improved our internal documentation and control processes and will continue to work on making further progress in this area. The settlement with Frankfurt Prosecutors will have no impact on DWSs financial result in the first quarter of 2025 as it was reflected in the provisions, the unit said. DWS in 2024 increased its other provisions which include those for litigation to 27 million from 21 million in 2024, according to its annual report. Since the scandal emerged, the company has replaced then-Chief Executive Officer Asoka Woehrmann with Stefan Hoops. In the U.S. case, DWS agreed to pay its penalty for materially misleading statements about how it incorporates environmental, social, and governance factors into research and investment recommendations. The unit didnt admit or deny the SECs findings. Fixler said in 2021 that DWSs claims that hundreds of billions of its assets under management were ESG integrated were misleading because the label didnt translate into meaningful action by relevant fund managers. DWS has since stopped using the label. Frankfurt prosecutors started their investigation in early 2022, triggered by reports on Fixlers claims. The probe also targeted then-CEO Woehrmann. They first raided the unit in May that year. Top photo: The DWS Group logo. Photographer: Alex Kraus/Bloomberg. Copyright 2025 Bloomberg. Vehicle buyers in Canada are trying to beat the price hikes of a trade war, as the government of Prime Minister Mark Carney prepares to strike back against the latest fusillade of import taxes from the White House. U.S. President Donald Trump is set to unveil a new round of tariffs in Washington on Wednesday afternoon, followed by levies on automotive products, which are slated to go into effect on Thursday. Canada has already put retaliatory tariffs on a range of U.S. goods, but so far it hasnt touched one of the biggest categories American-made autos. The Canadian government has previously threatened that it might put 25% tariffs on U.S.-made cars and light trucks if Trump escalates his trade actions. Carney hasnt said yet what the government will do, but he made it clear Tuesday that some form of retaliation will happen: We will not disadvantage Canadian producers and Canadian workers, relative to American workers. Canadian tariffs on U.S. vehicles would have a big impact. The country is by far the largest export market for American automotive factories, taking in 628,743 vehicles from the U.S. last year four times the number imported by Mexico worth more than $23 billion, according to U.S. Commerce Department data. On some dealers lots in Canada, most of the inventory is American-made, including top sellers like Ford Motor Co.s F-150 pickup. Canadian buyers are alert to the risk of higher prices, causing auto dealers like Michael Carmichael to alter their strategies. Two weeks ago, he dropped prices at his six automotive dealerships in southwestern Ontario, believing he needed to clear inventory as the effects of a trade war kicked in. Now hes reversed course. New sales leads have jumped, so he increased prices by around 3%. Youve got to make hay when the sun shines, but lets not kid ourselves, said Carmichael, whose dealerships sell Chevrolet, Honda and other brands. This dynamic isnt sustainable, and we very likely could be looking at layoffs in two weeks. Canadian consumers bought 185,000 cars and light trucks last month, according to estimates from DesRosiers Automotive Consultants, the best March total since 2018. Trump has made a series of specific threats against the Canadian auto sector we dont need their cars, he has said. His plan to implement so-called reciprocal tariffs this week, as well as tariffs specifically on the automotive sector, represents a sea change for vehicle manufacturers, which have enjoyed tariff-free or low-tariff exchange across the Canada-U.S. border for decades. Nobody knows which way is up, and why are we even doing this? This makes no sense, Carmichael said. Trumps view is that tariffs will bring more auto manufacturing jobs to the U.S. in the long run. If the U.S. can break the bonds of a North American auto sector that has been tightly integrated for decades, he believes, it will import fewer cars. But if trading partners retaliate, it will likely export fewer, too. The president said in an interview with NBC News that he couldnt care less if they raise prices in response to tariffs. Consumers in the U.S. rushed to showrooms to try to buy cars before costs go up, with General Motors Co. reporting a 17% jump in US deliveries and other automakers also seeing gains. A number of research groups have said new vehicle prices will jump by thousands of dollars because of higher production costs. There will be a domino effect through the industry elevated prices for used cars, higher auto loan delinquencies and layoffs, according to Royal Bank of Canada economists. Were heading into a world of mutually assured destruction if these tariffs are pursued by the U.S. and then Canada, and Im hopeful theres an off-ramp because the economic implications are just so, so serious, said Brian Kingston, chief executive officer of the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers Association, which represents Ford, GM and Stellantis NV in Canada. All three have assembly plants in Ontario, though Fords is currently not producing anything. Manufacturers have been trying to move as many vehicles as they can into local markets to get ahead of trade war escalations, he said. The average price of a new vehicle in Canada rose to C$65,000 ($45,400) in 2024, according to the Canadian Auto Dealers Association, which has urged Canada not to retaliate against the vehicle tariffs. What Trump has done has blown up whats been in place for decades. Hes blown it up in just a few months, said David Whiston, a Morningstar analyst covering automakers. If the tariffs remain in place for an extended period, GM would likely reduce output from its Oshawa, Ontario plant that produces 152,000 Chevrolet Silverado pickup trucks a year among other changes. Weve got to get on with the pain so that Americans will understand what is happening, said Dimitry Anastakis, a business professor at the University of Toronto. He said tariffs on the automotive industry will be so disruptive that it could result in $50 billion to $100 billion in stranded investments in Canada and Mexico and a smaller market for U.S. cars in the long run. Some dealerships havent implemented major changes. Ford hasnt given any guidance about tariffs to Caleb Kwok, a director of sales at the Carson Automotive Group, which owns several dealerships in British Columbia. He hasnt brought in extra inventory, and so far he hasnt observed changes in buyer behavior. I think people are busy and they might not be paying attention, Kwok said. Carmichael just sees a confused landscape for the industry. I need more information. I dont have enough, Carmichael said, adding that he downloaded the private messaging app Signal in hopes that he gets added to a chat where tariffs get decided. Top photo: A General Motors dealership in Oshawa, Ontario. Copyright 2025 Bloomberg. Family-owned convenience store chain Sheetz ranks 40th on Fortune's Best Companies to Work for List for 2025. It's the only convenience store on the list. Matt Slocum/AP Sheetz, an Altoona, Pennsylvania, family-owned convenience store chain, has been named to Fortune magazines and Great Place to Works list of 100 Best Companies to Work For, according to a news release provided from the company. This is the 10th straight year Sheetz has gotten on the list and is the only convenience chain included, ranked at 40, the company said. The list, now in its 28th year, recognizes companies with exceptional workplace cultures and high employee satisfaction. As a family-owned and -operated company, the success and well-being of our team members have always been our top priority, Travis Sheetz, president and CEO of Sheetz, said in a statement. They are the face of our brand in every community we serve, and we remain dedicated to providing them with fulfilling careers built on a culture of respect and a shared purpose of caring for people. This recognition follows Sheetzs recent announcement that it aimed to hire 1,350 employees company-wide during hiring events at each of its more than 770 locations last week, the release said. The company is now looking to fill an additional 1,000 positions. Interested individuals are encouraged to explore available job opportunities. Sheetz also ranked second in Fortunes most recent Best Workplaces in Retail list. In a difficult macro environment with unprecedented challenges, these companies seemed to navigate their organizations toward steady and positive working environments for employees, said Fortune editor-in-chief Alyson Shontel in a statement praising the companies on the list. Sheetzs inclusion on the list comes as the company continues its expansion west, opening its first store in Michigan last year and recently beginning construction on its second store in the Detroit metro area, the company said. The company plans to continue this energy with groundbreakings of more than a dozen Detroit metro locations later this year and into 2026, remaining on track to open 50-60 locations in southeast Michigan over the next five to six years, the company said. Sheetz is one of United States fastest-growing convenience retailers with stores also in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Ohio and North Carolina, according to Sheetzs website. Kaylee Remington is a trending news and metro reporter for cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer. Read her work online. GALLIPOLIS, Ohio A Gallia County cellphone repairman could spend more than 50 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to charges in connection with stealing nude photos from customers phones, including those of minors. The Ohio Attorney Generals Office says Calvin Jordan, 27, of Gallipolis, was sentenced Monday to 49 to 51 years in prison. Jordan also must register as a Tier II sex offender. In February, Jordan pleaded guilty to 40 felony charges, including three counts of pandering sexually oriented material involving a minor, one count of illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material or performance, and 36 counts of unauthorized use of computer, cable or telecommunications property. President Donald Trump railed against a Democratic-sponsored Senate resolution that would curtail tariffs he has placed on Canadian goods on Truth Social Wednesday. Trump targeted four Republican senators whose votes may be up in the air. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) AP WASHINGTON President Donald Trump turned up the pressure on some Senate Republicans, calling them out on Truth Social and urging that they get on the bandwagon, for a change. Trump, in a post Wednesday, specifically targeted Republican Sens. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Rand Paul of Kentucky, demanding that they support his tariffs against Canada and vote against a Senate resolution that would roll back his authority. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, and Rand Paul, also of Kentucky, will hopefully get on the Republican bandwagon, for a change, and fight the Democrats wild and flagrant push to not penalize Canada for the sale, into our Country, of large amounts of Fentanyl, by Tariffing the value of this horrible and deadly drug in order to make it more costly to distribute and buy, Trump wrote on Truth Social. The president railed against a resolution proposed by Sen. Tim Kaine, a Virginia Democrat, that would end an emergency declaration Trump declared to impose tariffs on Canada, citing the flow of fentanyl into the United States. Trump falsely stated that his policies were putting a tariff on the value of fentanyl to increase the costs of trafficking in the illegal drug. What is true is that Trump has applied tariffs to legal Canadian goods under the guise of forcing Canada to corral what he calls a terrible Fentanyl Crisis. A small fraction of the fentanyl that comes into the United States enters from Canada, The Associated Press said. Customs and Border Protection seized 43 pounds of fentanyl at the northern border during the 2024 fiscal year, and since January, authorities have seized less than 1.5 pounds, according to federal data. Meanwhile, at the southern border, authorities seized over 21,000 pounds last year. Trump posted to Truth Social on the same day he was set to announce his plan for reciprocal tariffs on China, Mexico and Canada his so-called Liberation Day. The Senate was expected to vote on the resolution sometime after Trumps tariffs announcement. Kaine has said it offers Republicans an off-ramp to the import taxes on Canada. Trump views it as a loyalty test. The votes of Collins, McConnell, Murkowski and Paul were thought to be up in the air, with the possibility that they could line up in favor of the resolution, The Associated Press said. If all Democrats plus the four Republicans vote in favor, it would boost it to the simple majority needed to pass the Senate. They are playing with the lives of the American people, and right into the hands of the Radical Left Democrats and Drug Cartels, Trump wrote on Truth Social. The Senate Bill is just a ploy of the Dems to show and expose the weakness of certain Republicans, namely these four, in that it is not going anywhere because the House will never approve it and I, as your President, will never sign it. Why are they allowing Fentanyl to pour into our Country unchecked, and without penalty. What is wrong with them, other than suffering from Trump Derangement Syndrome, commonly known as TDS? Trump said. Even if the Senate approves the resolution, it would still need to be approved by the Republican-controlled House. Resolutions are not presented to the president for his signature. A Mogadore man receives his COVID-19 vaccination during the Summit County Public Health department's first mass vaccination in 2021. CDC funding cuts will make it harder for Summit and other county health departments to investigate COVID-19 spread, and address health disparities. John Kuntz, cleveland.com CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Local health departments that have lost millions in terminated COVID-19 federal grants are bracing for possible layoffs, higher expenses and reduced community services. The CDC cuts will make it harder for Cuyahoga and other county health departments to investigate COVID-19 spread, address health disparities, promote vaccination and educate the public about infectious diseases, health officials said. Salaries for community health workers and building projects are also jeopardized, Northeast Ohio health officials said. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently pulled back $11.4 billion in funds allocated in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to state and local health departments and other organizations, according to press reports. About $9.8 million of that money trickled down to Cuyahoga County in 2022 and 2023 combined, where it was used for research, surveillance, education and vaccinations all programs aimed at reducing disparities and improving health equity among vulnerable populations. The impact is real work that was serving the community on Monday is now gone as of Tuesday, said Richard Stewart, spokesperson for the Cleveland Department of Health. Cuyahoga Countys vaccination rates for COVID-19 booster shots may decrease due to less awareness, education and information being provided, said Kevin Brennan, spokesperson for Cuyahoga County health department. We could see higher rates of incidence as the virus continues to mutate, particularly in congregate settings such as schools, churches, shelters and care facilities, Brennan said. Nationally, thousands of health department workers may lose their jobs as a result of the terminated grants, according to press reports. In justifying the cuts, a spokesman for the U.S. Department of Health and Human said the COVID-19 pandemic is over. Health and Human Services will no longer waste billions of taxpayer dollars responding to a non-existent pandemic that Americans moved on from years ago, director of communications Andrew Nixon said in a statement. The CDC is an agency under Health and Human Services. Health and Human Services is prioritizing funding projects that will deliver on President Trumps mandate to address our chronic disease epidemic and Make America Healthy Again, Nixon said. Notices about the cuts began going out March 24, giving health departments 30 days to reconcile their expenditures. The clawback of public health funds in this way is unprecedented, the Cleveland Department of Healths Stewart said. Congress has rescinded funding from federal agencies in the past, but funds already obligated to partners were always honored, Stewart said, noting that the money is still needed by communities. The federal government took back about $5,600 from the Cleveland Department of Healths COVID-19 grant. The department had already spent another $125,300. Stewart described the cuts as a very, very minimal loss, all things considered. Adam Litke, deputy health commissioner in Lake and Geauga counties, said Lake County now must pay $120,000 in salaries that were to be paid from an operations grant that was included in the cuts. Federal money also was earmarked to cover part of a $214,000 construction project at the Lake County department headquarters, Litke said. The health department is moving ahead with the project, Litke said. The funding slash is part of a number of cuts that new Health and Human Services Sec. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has made, including the canceling of hundreds of millions of dollars in grants for research into vaccine hesitancy, LGBTQ populations and supporting HIV prevention. Health and Human Services employees across the department received notices Tuesday that their jobs were being eliminated, part of a sweeping overhaul designed to vastly shrink the agencies responsible for protecting and promoting Americans health. Congress initially authorized the CDC grants to support COVID-19 response efforts, but in 2024, the government gave state health departments the flexibility to put the funds toward other public health concerns, including testing and surveillance for other respiratory viruses. While the federal COVID-19 public health emergency ended in May 2023, more than 1.2 million Americans have died from COVID-19, according to federal statistics. In Ohio, nearly 45,000 people have died from the illness, according to state data. About 20 million Americans have had long Covid, in which symptoms linger for months, according to a Yale University study. The study found that up to 14% of 3,500 long COVID patients surveyed in the United States had not returned to work three months after getting sick. County health programs threatened Health departments in Summit, Medina, Lorain and other Ohio counties are figuring out how to make do with less money than anticipated this year. States received no notice before the grants were terminated by federal agencies, and local agencies are still working to fully understand the next steps we must take to respond to change, said Chris Barker, health commissioner for Summit County Public Health. Summit County had multi-year grants totaling $2.4 million in 2023 and 2024 for programs focused on promoting community resiliency, mitigating human suffering and financial loss during a disaster; and enhanced infection control. Lorain Countys CDC grants helped cover about $18,000 in monthly expenses in 2023 and 2024, a spokesperson said. Medina County received a combined $1.ion in COVID-19 funding from federal sources in 2023 and 2024 combined. The funds helped Medina County develop data dashboards that allow the public to more easily understand the spread of communicable diseases, said Michael Metcalf, health promotion supervisor at the Medina County Health Department. At the Jackson County health department in southern Ohio, a frozen grant paying for three federally funded community health workers has led to fears that the department will have to bear the unexpected costs of their wages and benefits, said health commissioner Kevin Aston. Those Jackson County community health workers are responsible for education, outreach, vaccination and pairing people with public and private health care providers, Aston said. Jake Zuckerman contributed to this report. Julie Washington covers healthcare for cleveland.com. Read previous stories at this link. In this Nov. 2005 file photo, Larry Greene, public information director of the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility, demonstrates how a curtain is pulled between the death chamber and witness room at the prison in Lucasville, Ohio. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato, File) AP COLUMBUS, OhioOhio lawmakers are trying to end the states years-long moratorium on executions by compelling state prison officials to seek federal help with obtaining long-sought lethal-injection drugs. The state of Ohio hasnt put anyone to death since 2018, and Gov. Mike DeWine has said not to expect any executions during his term as governor, which runs through 2026. The two leading Republican candidates to succeed DeWine support the death penalty in at least some cases. U.S. President Donald Trump speaks after signing executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House on March 6, 2025, in Washington, D.C., including terminating the security clearances of those who work at the law firm Perkins Coie. (Alex Wong/Getty Images/TNS) TNS The Republic of Belarus is a relatively small country located in Eastern Europe. It borders Russia and Ukraine. In 1991, it declared its independence from the U.S.S.R. In 1994, the country adopted a constitution creating a presidential democracy and introducing a separation of powers. That same year, Belarus conducted its first presidential election. Alexander Lukashenko won the election. Lukashenko has been the president of Belarus ever since. He was re-elected in 2001, 2006, 2010, 2015, and 2020. However, none of these elections have been described by observers as free and fair. More recently, the 2020 election was marred by allegations of widespread fraud. Official election results showed a landslide victory, but some polling stations broke ranks with the government and reported the opposition candidate as the clear winner. The fraud allegations spawned widespread protests across Belarus. Hundreds of thousands of people gathered to protest the results. Belarusian authorities responded with brutality, arbitrarily detaining protesters, and subjecting them to torture. As one would expect in the wake of such governmental oppression, protesters in Belarus turned to lawyers for help. Lawyers like Alexander Pylchenko stepped up. Days after the election, Pylchenko was interviewed by a local media station and asked what law enforcement officials and the judiciary should do in response to the violence and torture perpetuated on his fellow Belarusians. Pylchenkos recommendations included the prosecutor initiating criminal proceedings and government officials disarming military units whose members engaged in the violence. Two months later, the Qualification Commission, the agency that regulates lawyers in Belarus, terminated Pylchenkos law license for taking actions discrediting the Bar. The Commission is not an independent agency. It is controlled by the Ministry of Justice. Pylchenkos disbarment was only the start. Since the 2020 Belarusian presidential election, various legal and human rights organizations have reported on Belarusian authorities engaging in systematic and widespread repression targeting lawyers who represent clients in politically motivated cases or who shed light on rights abuses. Between 2020 and 2024, over 140 lawyers have been disbarred or had their license arbitrarily revoked. In January 2024, six lawyers were serving prison sentences ranging from six to ten years on politically motivated charges. The Belarusian governments campaign against lawyers has produced a chilling effect. In January 2020, there were 2,200 lawyers in Belarus. By January 2024, there were 1,602. Between the overall low number of lawyers and the known risks of representation, it has become next to impossible for someone who opposes the Lukashenko administration to obtain legal representation. Functionally, this means that a Belarusians right to counsel a right enumerated in the countrys constitution is dependent upon whether that person supports President Lukashenkos administration or opposes it. Over the past month, President Donald Trump has issued a series of executive orders aimed at specific law firms that performed legal services for his perceived political opponents. The law firm of Covington and Burling provided legal services to former special counsel Jack Smith, who brought criminal charges against Trump. Perkins Coie LLP represented Hillary Clinton during her campaign against Trump in 2016, and played a role in the hiring of Fusion GPS, the firm that paid for the creation of the infamous Steele Dossier. Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Garrison & Wharton brought lawsuits against Jan. 6 protestors and hired one of the attorneys that worked on Trumps prosecution by the Manhattan District Attorneys Office. A Jenner & Block partner worked on former special counsel Robert Muellers team. WilmerHale was former special counsel Robert Muellers law firm before he was appointed. Trumps executive orders revoked the security clearances of any and all employees with these firms and called for the termination of any and all federal contracts involving them. Described another way, over the past month, President Trump has engaged in a systematic repression targeting lawyers that represented clients in politically motivated cases. It remains to be seen whether Trumps actions will produce a chilling effect, though one federal judge reviewing one of these orders declared, There is no doubt this retaliatory action chills speech. The results have been mixed. Trump has taken some losses. Three of his five law firm-related executive orders have been temporarily blocked by federal judges after they were challenged in court. However, he has also secured wins. Trump rescinded his order regarding Paul Weiss after the firm offered $40 million in free legal services to support Trump administration policies. Another law firm that had not yet been the recipient of an executive order, Skadden Arps, offered at least $100 million in free legal services to avoid being targeted. You may think Im crazy for comparing what the Lukashenko administration is doing in Belarus with what the Trump administration is doing in the United States. To be clear, I am not saying the respective actions are the same. Disbarring and imprisoning lawyers is very different from taking business from large law firms. Losing ones profession and liberty is much more damaging than losing money. Still, these actions are comparable in that they both involve governmental action taken against members of the legal profession to serve a similar purpose: the stifling of political dissent. Lukashenko stifled dissent to his actions by waging a campaign aimed at nullifying the oppositions ability to defend itself in court. Trump aims to stifle dissent to his actions by waging a campaign aimed at nullifying the oppositions ability to retain legal counsel to challenge him. There is a reason to attack so-called Big Law firms beyond simple retribution. Given the scope of immunity handed to Trump by the U.S. Supreme Court last year, it would likely be financially prohibitive for smaller law firms to represent clients seeking to take Trump to court. Such cases require considerable time and immense resources. If large law firms succumb to Trumps campaign writ-large, there would be little practical difference between the chilling effect in Belarus and the chilling effect here in the U.S. Perhaps I am crazy for even thinking the U.S. could become like Belarus. For all our sake, I hope that I am. But remember this: It was crazy for Trump to run for president, until he did. It was crazy to think Trump would win, until he did. It was crazy to think a felon could become the president, until he did. People seem to think that a constitutional crisis or the end of a democracy happens in a single moment. As if there is some specific moment in time a fork in the road if you will where society makes the wrong decision. That is not how it works. Eric Foster is a columnist for The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com. A democracy is not destroyed in an instant. It is destroyed over time. It lurches towards destruction through the relaxing and ignoring of social and political norms. Years of citizens relying on the system to correct things, rather than acknowledging that they themselves are the system. Years of self-comforting through the phrase, it could always be worse, until one day our country becomes the worse that others refer to. Death by a thousand cuts. I hope that we do not get there. I hope that someone finding this column 50 years from now laughs and wonders, Who was this chicken little? Time will tell. Eric Foster, a community member of the editorial board, is a columnist for The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com. Foster is a lawyer in private practice. The views expressed are his own. To reach Eric Foster: ericfosterpd@gmail.com Have something to say about this topic? * Send a letter to the editor, which will be considered for print publication. * Email general questions about our editorial board or comments or corrections on this opinion column to Elizabeth Sullivan, director of opinion, at esullivan@cleveland.com. 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Guests including Mark Zuckerberg, Lauren Sanchez, Jeff Bezos, Sundar Pichai and Elon Musk attend the inauguration of Donald J. Trump in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 20, 2025. Trump takes office for his second term as the 47th president of the U.S. Amazon submitted a bid to the White House to purchase the social media app TikTok from its Chinese owners, CNBC has confirmed. The company sent its proposal in a letter this week to Vice President JD Vance and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, according to a source familiar with the matter who asked not to be named because the discussions are confidential. The parties are not treating the bid seriously, however, given that it was submitted just days before a deadline staving off a U.S. ban is set to expire, the person said. Amazon declined to comment. The e-commerce company's offer, which was first reported by The New York Times, comes as TikTok's fate in the U.S. is up in the air. The short-form video app faces another potential shutdown in the U.S. on April 5 if ByteDance, its parent company, cannot reach a deal to divest TikTok's American operations. Lawmakers passed a bill last year setting a Jan. 19 deadline for the sale, but Trump signed an executive order granting a 75-day extension for a potential deal. Trump could announce a decision on TikTok's fate in the U.S. as soon as Wednesday, sources familiar with the situation told CNBC's David Faber. Mobile technology company AppLovin has also made a bid for TikTok, Faber reported separately, citing sources familiar with the matter. TikTok has emerged as a major hub for e-commerce as it has poured money into growing its online marketplace, called TikTok Shop. TikTok's lucrative marketplace, coupled with the app's more than 170 million users, could be an attractive asset for Amazon. Following TikTok's success, Amazon launched and then shuttered a short-form video service of its own. Last August, the two companies formed a partnership that allowed TikTok users to link their account with Amazon and make purchases from the site without leaving the app. The deal attracted scrutiny from lawmakers who were concerned about its potential national security risks. AppLovin is one of the companies in negotiations to potentially acquire TikTok, sources familiar with the situation told CNBC's David Faber on Wednesday. The Trump administration, which has been trying to shepherd a deal to shift control of the Chinese-owned app to an American company, is "fully aware" of AppLovin's interest in TikTok, the sources said. Faber said, based on his reporting, that it is unclear whether any of the U.S. parties interested in TikTok will be able to take control of the non-Chinese part of the company's business. AppLovin shares briefly popped around 5% following the news, but have since given up most of those gains. AppLovin did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment. TikTok could be effectively banned in the U.S. on April 5 because of a national security law originally signed by former President Joe Biden that requires Chinese parent ByteDance to divest the app's American operations. ByteDance originally faced a Jan. 19 deadline to sell TikTok, but Trump signed an executive order instructing the attorney general to not enforce the law, granting the company 75 more days to unload the U.S. portion of its business. Chinese FM says deepening practical cooperation injects robust vitality to China-Russia relations Xinhua) 10:17, April 02, 2025 MOSCOW, April 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Tuesday that the deepening China-Russia pragmatic cooperation has injected robust vitality to the development of bilateral relations. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks in an interview with Russian media group Russia Today during his official visit to the country. In responding to a question on bilateral cooperation, Wang noted that with joint efforts of both sides over the decades, China-Russia cooperation has expanded in scale, strengthened in foundation and broadened in scope, yielding fruitful results. From the 156 Soviet-assisted projects to China in the early years to today's bilateral trade volume of 244.8 billion U.S. dollars, from Russian agricultural products entering into numerous Chinese households to Chinese cars driving through the streets of Russian cities, China-Russia practical cooperation continues to deepen and thrive, injecting strong vitality into the development of bilateral relations, Wang said. Wang said that despite headwinds against global development, China-Russia practical cooperation has continued to forge ahead, maintaining steady growth in volume and improvement in quality. The foremost factor behind this progress is the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, Wang said, noting that Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin have maintained close exchanges, providing top-level design and a solid strategic foundation for China-Russia relations in the new era. The second factor is the common development needs of both sides. China and Russia are companions on the path to development and revitalization, he said, adding that the two countries share a border of more than 4,300 km and enjoy complementary advantages, ample potential and huge space for cooperation. The third factor is the sustained internal driving force. The China-Russia cooperation aims to benefit the two peoples, and the two sides have formed a well-established cooperation mechanism, Wang said, noting that no matter what external interference or oppression it faces, the China-Russia cooperation can overcome difficulties and stay on course without losing momentum. Lastly, the strong public support serves as a foundation. The two peoples share common historical memories, similar values and profound traditional friendship, and cherish their mutually beneficial cooperation, accumulating an inexhaustible driving force for cooperation, he said. During the interview, Wang likened China-Russia cooperation to a high-speed train, saying that although the scenery and weather may change along the journey, the direction and steady pace of advancement remain unchanged. He further noted that facing a turbulent and changing world, China-Russia cooperation will continue to move forward along its established track and advance toward three key goals as follows: The first is to strengthen the material foundation of bilateral relations, solidify the fundamentals of economic and energy cooperation, explore opportunities in such areas as technological innovation and green development, and foster new growth drivers. The second is to create more opportunities for the common revitalization of both countries, further expand mutual openness, learn from each other's valuable experiences, share innovation outcomes, and deepen industrial integration. The third is to inject greater momentum into global development, further synergize the Belt and Road Initiative with the Eurasian Economic Union, lead regional cooperation, and contribute to the security, stability, and smooth flow of global industrial and supply chains through high-quality China-Russia collaboration. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) As the market braces for President Donald Trump' s massive tariff rollout, investors should be cautious of some stocks that have meaningful Canada revenue exposure. On Wednesday ahead of the announcement, stocks ticked higher, with all three major averages in positive territory in what has already been a volatile week. Those moves come as the market has seen recent declines. In fact, the S & P 500 has closed out five of the past six weeks in the red, as investor uncertainty surrounding Trump's tariffs and anxiety about the U.S. economy facing a recession plagued stocks. Against this market backdrop, CNBC Pro screened for S & P 500 companies that have significant revenue exposure to Canada. These names have the most to lose if a trade war forces them to raise prices in Canada. These stocks could also be in for pain if demand is reduced in Ottawa due to boycotts against the U.S. or if an ensuing trade war tips the U.S.' northern neighbor into a recession. Here are the stocks that came up. Retail giant Costco is one of the top three names on the list, having almost 14% of revenue exposure to Canada. Shares have slid more than 8% over the past month, but they are up nearly 5% in 2025. In a recent earnings call with analysts, Costco CEO Ron Vachris said "it is difficult to predict the impact of tariffs, but our team remains agile and our goal will be to minimize the impact of related cost increases to our members." He also noted that around one-third of the company's U.S. sales are imported from other countries, with less than half of those being items that come from China, Mexico and Canada. Most analysts are optimistic on Costco over the next several months. Among the 40 analysts covering the stock, 25 have a strong buy or buy rating, according to LSEG, and the consensus price target implies about 11% upside. Analysts are also mostly bullish on Dayforce , which has the highest Canada revenue exposure on the list at more than 21%. Notably, 12 out of the 20 analysts covering the human resources software stock have a strong buy or buy rating, per LSEG. Consensus price targets call for nearly 34% upside. "We believe that product innovations like Managed Services, Dayforce Wallet, and Flex work are levers that should drive incremental long-term growth," said Siti Panigrahi, a Mizuho analyst, in February. The analyst, who rates the stock as outperform, added that management is focused on boosting the company's free cash flow margin. However, shares have considerably lagged the broader market this year. Compared to the S & P 500's year-to-date loss of almost 4%, shares of Dayforce have plummeted more than 18%. DAY YTD mountain DAY, year-to-date Oil and gas giant Exxon Mobil also found itself on the list, given its nearly 9% of Canada revenue exposure. That stock has risen more than 6% over the past month and more than 10% year to date. A Taiwanese military corvette sails as a Navy soldier stands guard on a vessel, during a Navy Drill for Preparedness Enhancement ahead of the Chinese New Year, amid escalating Chinese threats to the island, in Keelung, Taiwan, 7 Jan, 2022. The U.S. on Wednesday reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Taiwan as China extended to a second day its large-scale military exercises off the coast of the democratically governed island. "In the face of China's intimidation tactics and destabilizing behavior, the United States' enduring commitment to our allies and partner, including Taiwan, continues," Tammy Bruce, U.S. Department of State spokesperson said in a statement Tuesday evening stateside. China's army, navy and rocket forces on Tuesday launched a joint exercise, with the military describing it as a "stern warning" against forces looking to undermine peace in the Taiwan Strait. "China's aggressive military activities and rhetoric toward Taiwan only serve to exacerbate tensions and put the region's security and the world's prosperity at risk," the State Department said, adding that the U.S. "opposes unilateral changes to the status quo, including through force or coercion." Chinese military said it has been practicing assaults on maritime and ground targets and blockade exercises to test the joint operation capabilities of its troops. On Wednesday, it carried out precision strikes on simulated targets such as ports and energy facilities in the latest exercise code named "Strait Thunder-2025 A," according to PLA's Senior Colonel Shi Yi. The Defense Ministry in Taipei said it detected 76 aircraft, 15 navy vessels and 4 official ships operating around the island as of 6 a.m. That marked the largest scale of aircraft deployment by PLA since the "Joint Sword-2024B" war exercises last October when Taiwan said China used a record number of military aircrafts. The armed forces in Taiwan have employed aircraft, navy ships and coastal missile systems in response. New York City Mayor Eric Adams leaves the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, U.S., February 19, 2025. A judge on Wednesday dismissed the federal criminal case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, nearly two months after the Trump administration controversially sought to drop corruption charges against the Democrat. District Court Judge Dale Ho tossed out the case "with prejudice," which permanently bars the Department of Justice from resurrecting the five-count indictment against Adams in U.S. District Court in Manhattan. In his order, Ho rejected DOJ's request to toss the case "without prejudice," which would have allowed charges to be refiled against the mayor in the future. "It is important to clarify that the Court's decision today is not about whether Mayor Adams is innocent or guilty," Ho wrote. The DOJ argued the case should be dismissed without prejudice because prosecuting Adams would have interfered with his ability to govern the city and to his ability to cooperate with President Donald Trump's immigration enforcement policies. Seven federal prosecutors among them the acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney quit in protest over the DOJ's demand that they file the dismissal request. In a stunning rebuke to the DOJ's argument, Ho in his order wrote, "Everything here smacks of a bargain: dismissal of the Indictment in exchange for immigration policy concessions" by Adams. "Taking a step back from the particulars of this case, DOJ's immigration enforcement rationale is both unprecedented and breathtaking in its sweep," the judge wrote. "DOJ cites no examples, and the Court is unable to find any, of the government dismissing charges against an elected official because doing so would enable the official to facilitate federal policy goals." Ho also wrote that the "DOJ's assertion that it has 'virtually unreviewable' license to dismiss charges on this basis is disturbing in its breadth, implying that public officials may receive special dispensation if they are compliant with the incumbent administration's policy priorities." "That suggestion is fundamentally incompatible with the basic promise of equal justice under law," the judge wrote. Ho said that dismissing the case without prejudice "would create the unavoidable perception that the Mayor's freedom depends on his ability to carry out the immigration enforcement priorities of the administration. He also said it would create the perception that Adams, who is seeking re-election this year, "might be more beholden to the demands of the federal government than to the wishes of his own constituents." "That appearance is inevitable, and it counsels in favor of dismissal with prejudice," Ho wrote. The DOJ's "request, if granted, would leave Mayor Adams under the specter of reindictment at essentially any time, and for essentially any reason," Ho noted. The judge noted that Adams requested a dismissal with prejudice, and that the DOJ had not opposed that motion, "effectively waiving any objection to permanent dismissal of this case." Ho flatly rejected claims by the DOJ that the prosecution of Adams was tainted by "appearances of impropriety," saying that was "unsupported by any objective evidence." "Rather, the record before the Court indicates that the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York prosecutors who worked on this case followed all appropriate Justice Department guidelines," Ho wrote. "There is no evidence zero that they had any improper motives." But the judge said there were two reasons to dismiss the case: protecting the rights of a criminal defendant, and Ho's lack of power to compel the DOJ to prosecute Adams. "This case should have never been brought and I did nothing wrong," Adams said at a news conference. "I'm now happy that our city can finally close the book on this to focus," he said. "I want to thank New Yorkers who stood by my side, who prayed for me, who supported me from day one, that stuck with me while we focused on the work at hand." The DOJ, in a statement to NBC News, said, "This case was an example of political weaponization and a waste of resources." "We are focused on arresting and prosecuting terrorists while returning the Department of Justice to its core mission of keeping Americans safe," the DOJ said. Adams, who is a former New York City police officer, was indicted in September on charges accusing him of a decade-long campaign contribution scheme, bribery and other allegations. The indictment accused Adams of accepting illegal donations to his 2021 mayoral campaign and of accepting free luxury travel as far back as 2016, when he was the Brooklyn borough president. Prosecutors said that a senior official in Turkey's diplomatic establishment facilitated campaign donations to Adams, and also arranged for his and companies to receive free or discounted travel on Turkey's national airline to destinations including France, China, Sri Lanka, India, Hungary and Turkey. Adams in exchange, later pressured the New York City Fire Department to facilitate the opening of Turkey's new consulate building without a fire inspection in time for a visit by Turkey's president, the indictment alleges. The case was filed by the DOJ when then-President Joe Biden, a Democrat, was still in the White House. After being charged, Adams had curried favor with Trump in what was seen as a bid to have the case dismissed, or to receive a pardon from the Republican. Former acting U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon, who resigned in February rather than follow through with an order to dismiss the case, told Attorney General Pam Bondi in a letter that at Adams' lawyers at a meeting with her and top DOJ official Emil Bove "urged what amounted to a quid pro quo" in which the mayor would support Trump immigration enforcement efforts in exchange for dismissal of the case. Adams' lawyer Spiro has denied Sassoon's allegation. Every weekday the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer holds a "Morning Meeting" livestream at 10:20 a.m. ET. Here's a recap of Wednesday's key moments. 1. Markets are higher on Wednesday, fighting off an ugly open following back-to-back days of gains for the S & P 500. Investors are anticipating President Donald Trump's long-awaited reciprocal tariff announcement at 4 p.m. ET after the trading day closes. "There is some idea that maybe we've priced in the peak of the uncertainty, although we don't know the long-term impacts the tariffs will have," cautioned Jeff Marks, director of portfolio analysis for the Club. As we await more details on the tariffs, Jim Cramer said there is "nothing wrong" with investors simply sitting on their hands and avoiding what he called the "bias to action." 2. Jeffries analysts released a positive note on Club name TJX Companies . Analysts said the off-price retailer behind the TJ Maxx chain is well positioned for growth in an environment filled with surplus inventory. Analysts said during a recent store visit, they observed lots of luxury goods up for grabs in both the men's and women's sections. Consumers are always looking for great prices, according to analysts, hence why TJX Companies shares can work. "When you're looking at Macy's closing so many stores, there's really only one place that it goes, and it's these guys," Jim said of TJX, which also operates the Marshalls, HomeGoods and Sierra chains. The ongoing struggles of department stores such as Kohl's has helped boost TJX's market share. On March 11, we added to our position in the company, scooping up 50 shares around $116 apiece. 3. Costco , another Club retailer, also was the subject of encouraging analyst commentary over at TD Cowen. Analysts at the firm met with CFO Gary Millerchip. While still elevated, analysts argued Costco's valuation makes for an attractive entry point for a top recession hedge idea. According to Cowen, some themes from the meeting include seeing more strength in the fresh category as consumers opt to cook at home. Another highlight was consistency in member behavior over the last six months despite consumer confidence being its lowest since 2022. 4 . Stocks covered in Wednesday's rapid fire at the end of the video were: Tesla and Charles Schwab . (Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust is long TJX, COST . See here for a full list of the stocks.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED. One of my favorite parts of the Investing Club is getting to meet our members and CNBC fans, especially in person. So, I'm super excited to announce some major news: The 3rd Annual CNBC Investing Club Meeting is set for Friday, May 2. Get your tickets here . Better yet, this year our big get-together is heading to sunny Orlando, Florida. This isn't just another meeting. This is our once-a-year chance to really dig in and show you exactly how we're approaching this tricky market in the year ahead. There is no shortage of headwinds from a looming global trade war to sinking consumer confidence. But there are also lots of opportunities, and we can't wait to talk about them. And all this will be live and in person. You'll be in the room as we dive into the portfolio, analyze the markets and weigh the pros and cons of different sectors and industries. This is market analysis you won't find anywhere else. We've got special events planned for those who make the trip. This is your chance to be part of something unique you can't replicate online. The energy, the insights, the camaraderie it's where the real magic happens/ We are excited about the opportunity to connect with you all in Orlando and share valuable insights. Get your tickets here . We look forward to seeing you at the meeting on May 2. (See here for a full list of the stocks in Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED. FILE PHOTO: Signage is displayed at the entrance to the QVC Studio Park in West Chester, Pennsylvania, U.S., June 4, 2018. Brendan McDermid | Reuters QVC Group is launching the first-ever nonstop live shopping streams on TikTok in the U.S. in a bid to revive its business and broaden its audience. Beginning Wednesday, hosts from QVC's TV networks will also be featured on the app in addition to TikTok creators. QVC is best known for its live shopping TV networks QVC and HSN (formerly Home Shopping Network) that once captured a large swath of viewers and consumers. It also offers streaming and online retail options. But as the company looks to broaden its audience and turn around its business, it's shifting its focus to social media. While live shopping on social media, namely TikTok, has exploded in China, it's been slow to take off in the U.S. And the partnership comes as TikTok's future in the U.S. is uncertain. Still, the partnership announced Wednesday builds on QVC's earlier team up with TikTok. It also gives TikTok Shop its first constant, live stream of shoppable content. QVC products have been available through the TikTok Shop since August, nearly a year after the app introduced the live, shoppable experience to its users in the U.S. Since launching on the TikTok Shop, the company said more than 74,000 TikTok creators have featured QVC products on their shoppable videos and livestreams. Wednesday's announcement is sure to expand that, said David Rawlinson II, president and CEO of QVC Group Inc. "Everybody's been talking about this being the next big thing in retail for five or 10 years but it never quite has hit," Rawlinson said. "I think this is the start of it really hitting. And that's the TikTok bet. That's our bet." Zoom In Icon Arrows pointing outwards QVC on TikTok. Courtesy: QVC Group Inc. Business revamp QVC Group which is part of QVC Group Inc. and controlled by media mogul John Malone is aiming to do more than bring its longstanding business of constant live shopping from TV to social media. The deal comes as the company recently concluded a turnaround plan, known as Project Athens, after what Rawlinson referred to as a "perfect storm" of issues. At the height of the pandemic, QVC's businesses saw a surge in sales and viewership, like many retailers and media companies. But the drop-off was steep as stay-at-home orders lifted and consumers started spending on live events and travel rather than retail. QVC's problems were then amplified. More consumers cut the cord and fled the pay TV bundle, weighing on the company's TV networks. The retail industry also had to contend with supply chain issues and heightened competition in online shopping from the rise of Temu and others. Things worsened for the company in December 2021, months after Rawlinson took the helm of QVC Group Inc. A deadly fire ripped through the company's North Carolina fulfillment center. QVC lost a half a billion dollars in inventory, Rawlinson said. "I sort of felt like I was hired to transform the company, but because of this perfect storm of events, the first job turned out to be saving the company," Rawlinson said. Through a series of cost-cutting measures, QVC saw its profitability improve and its debt load ease. Still, the transformation is far from complete. Rawlinson noted during a February investor call that QVC has yet to "achieve stable revenue," and that will be its main focus moving forward. The drop-off in TV viewership has been pronounced. When comparing 2024 to 2018, QVC's and HSN's main channels reached 44% and 47% fewer homes, respectively, Rawlinson said on February's call. Last week, the company said it would lay off about 900 employees and consolidate its operations in its West Chester, Pennsylvania, headquarters. The partnership with TikTok comes days after the company released its annual report to shareholders, which noted its focus on social media and efforts to shift the business. "As traditional TV declines and a mix of video platforms takes a greater share of customer attention, we must hurry our expansion beyond TV to find growth. Our strategy is to transform QVC Group into a live social shopping company," QVC Group Inc. wrote in a letter to shareholders in March. In the letter, QVC said it would "intensify" its efforts in social media and streaming to notch $1.5 billion in run-rate revenue from these platforms in the next three years. "Social is just the natural evolution of what we've always done," Rawlinson said. QVC's audience and shoppers typically skew female and over 50. Last year, CNBC reported that the company signed a deal to add USA Pickleball to its platforms to capitalize on that audience and find new avenues to transform its business. Ticking clock TikTok has officially launched its e-commerce service TikTok Shop in the US. Costfoto | Nurphoto | Getty Images Leopatrizi | E+ | Getty Images Aubrey Bertram was starting to imagine her life without student debt. Bertram, a staff attorney at an environmental conservation organization in Montana, had just around 2 years left of payments before her $247,804 federal student loan balance would be excused under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. But for many months now, she's been frozen on her timeline to that relief. "We're not getting credit," said Bertram, 35. "This time has been devastating." Bertram took out her loans in law school knowing that she'd work in public service and pursue PSLF. "That was the only way taking on this debt made any sense," Bertram said. Zoom In Icon Arrows pointing outwards Aubrey Bertram with her dog, Rex Courtesy: Aubrey Bertram Millions of other student loan holders are in the same frustrating limbo now. After Republican-led legal challenges blocked the Biden administration's new repayment plan in the summer of 2024, the borrowers who enrolled in the program, like Bertram, have found themselves stuck. Many of those borrowers remain in a forbearance that doesn't bring them closer to debt forgiveness, while the Trump administration recently revised other student loan repayment plans to no longer conclude in debt cancellation. Here's what to know about the current challenges to federal student loan forgiveness, and what you can do about them. SAVE borrowers are stalled on way to forgiveness D'Aungilique Jackson, of Fresno, California, holds a "Cancel Student Debt" sign outside the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., after the nation's high court struck down President Joe Biden's student debt relief program on Friday, June 30, 2023. Kent Nishimura | Los Angeles Times | Getty Images Many federal student loan borrowers who enrolled in the Biden administration-era SAVE, or Saving on a Valuable Education, plan remain in a forbearance as a result of GOP-led legal challenges to the program. But unlike the Covid-era pause on student loan bills, this forbearance does not give borrowers credit toward debt forgiveness under an income-driven repayment plan or Public Service Loan Forgiveness. A recent U.S. appeals court decision blocked SAVE, as well as the loan forgiveness component under other income-driven repayment plans. Historically, at least, IDR plans limit borrowers' monthly payments to a share of their discretionary income and cancel any remaining debt after a certain period, typically 20 years or 25 years. PSLF, which President George W. Bush signed into law in 2007, allows certain not-for-profit and government employees to have their federal student loans wiped away after 10 years of payments. "In the end, we may see borrowers lose over a year of monthly payments to count toward forgiveness," said Elaine Rubin, director of corporate communications at Edvisors, which helps students navigate college costs and borrowing. If you're eager to be back on your way to debt cancellation, you have options, experts say. watch now You may be able to switch out of the now-blocked SAVE plan and into another income-driven repayment plan. The Education Department recently reopened several IDR plan applications, following a period during which the plans were unavailable. (The Trump administration said it was updating the plans' applications to make them comply with the recent court order over SAVE.) The IDR plans open now, according to the Trump administration, are: Income-Based Repayment, Pay As You Earn and Income-Contingent Repayment. "The caveat on ICR and PAYE is that automatic forgiveness after 20 or 25 years is not available now since the courts have questioned that permissibility under statute," said Scott Buchanan, executive director of the Student Loan Servicing Alliance, a trade group for federal student loan servicers. Still, if a borrower enrolled in ICR or PAYE, then switches to IBR, their previous payments made under the other plans will count toward loan forgiveness under IBR, as long as they meet the plan's other requirements, Buchanan said. Meanwhile, borrowers in any of the three IDR plans can get credit toward PSLF. Those who want to be making progress toward debt cancellation should see which plan comes with a monthly payment they can afford. There are several tools available online to help you determine how much your monthly bill would be under different options. For now, Bertram has decided to stay put in the SAVE forbearance, even though she's not moving any closer to debt forgiveness. She's worried she'll switch into a new repayment plan only to find that program has also been halted or amended. "You're constantly being jerked around by political rhetoric," Bertram said. "I just hope I'm student-debt free before I'm 40." While some tequila makers have warned they might have to implement price hikes to offset tariffs, Colorado-based Suerte Tequila said it has been able to keep overhead prices low enough that it will absorb the levies if necessary. The Jalisco-made tequila label will not pass costs on to customers. "Absorbing the cost of the tariff goes right along with our philosophy and the way that we were setting up and designing and growing our business," said Laurence Spiewak, Suerte Tequila CEO. Suerte Tequila is a small-batch, single-estate, handcrafted tequila that launched in 2012. One year into operation, Suerte acquired majority ownership of its factory in Mexico from the distiller's family, Spiewak told CNBC. Along with its distillery, Suerte is one of a few registered tequila brands that owns its agave fields and has long-term partnerships with growers, which Spiewak said give it an edge against the competition. "99% of brands our size do not own their own factory in Mexico and are co-packing or co-manufacturing with a whole different price structure," Spiewak said. Another reason Spiewak said he doesn't understand the industry bracing consumers for price hikes is that agave prices have been falling. "Agave prices are down tremendously, so why would we raise prices?" he asked. IWSR in its 2024 analysis of agave noted that prices hit a record 32 pesos (USD $2) per kilogram in 2022, but by February 2024, prices fell to 5 pesos (USD $0.30) per kilogram. "Tequila margins are stronger than ever," Spiewak added. Spiewak's tone is a shift in departure from larger industry players like Jose Cuervo tequila-maker Becle and Don Julio producer Diageo , which have warned about possible price hikes. Becle previously said it could face an $80 million impact to its balance sheet this year if President Donald Trump moved forward with tariffs on Mexican products. A Jefferies analyst estimated Diageo, meanwhile, could see group sales decline by as much as 1.5%. "I completely understand why [larger brands] are up in arms about a 25% tax on business," Spiewak said. "Our whole cost structure and pricing, I mean everything when it comes to manufacturing, packaging and then exporting from Mexico into the U.S. and importing here is completely different." While Spiewak said owning the land allows his company to control overhead production costs that keep prices low, Brian Rosen, chairman at adult beverage investment firm InvestBev, said Suerte's real competitive advantage is its independence. "Any of these forward-facing companies that have shareholders and boards of directors are getting hammered because the shelf pull is slowing down, while at the same time the price is going up and at the same time as Americans are drinking less," Rosen said. "Someone's got to take a bullet and these smaller companies don't have any of that kind of pressure." Compared with the broader spirits industry in 2024, tequila and mezcal were the only spirits category that saw sales growth, with the U.S. importing $5.2 billion worth of tequila and $93 million worth of mezcal from Mexico, according to the Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S. Suerte's tequila shipments grew 55.8% in 2024 compared with the year prior. That's continued in 2025, growing 43% year-over-year through February, Spiewak said. "The key to our success is maintaining focus in a very noisy space," Spiewak said. "Raising prices on consumers already looking to spend doesn't make sense for us right now." Tesla CEO Elon Musk wears a 'Trump Was Right About Everything!' hat while attending a cabinet meeting at the White House, in Washington, D.C., U.S., March 24, 2025. Tesla sales of its China-made cars fell in March as competition from local players like BYD intensified. Tesla sold 78,828 electric vehicles in China in March, down 11.5% year-on-year, according to data from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) released on Wednesday. However, sales rose 157% compared with the 30,688 cars bought in February. The U.S. carmaker is facing a number of headwinds in China, in particular mounting challenges from local rivals which, unlike Tesla, logged growth. BYD, for example, sold 371,419 so-called new energy vehicles in March, which includes battery hybrid cars, the CPCA said. That was a 23% year-on-year rise. Sales from Geely, which owns brands such as Volvo Cars, rose 167% year-on-year to 119,696 vehicles last month. In a bid to push back against competition, Tesla launched a revamped Model Y in January. The automaker's stock suffered its worst quarter in the first three months of the year in terms of performance since 2022, amid mounting pressures. The company's shares fell 3.04% by 08:04 a.m. EST in premarket trade on Wednesday. Concerns have meanwhile mounted that President Donald Trump's automotive tariffs could impact Tesla's suppliers in Mexico and China, with the White House involvement of the company's CEO Elon Musk also receiving backlash. Musk is part of the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, which is pushing for widespread government job cuts. The tech billionaire said last month that his involvement with DOGE could be hurting Tesla's stock, amid protests, boycotts and attacks on Tesla dealerships around the world. White House Senior Advisor Elon Musk walks to the White House after landing in Marine One on the South Lawn with U.S. President Donald Trump (not pictured) on March 9, 2025 in Washington, DC. Tesla shares rose Wednesday after Politico reported that Elon Musk could leave his post at the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, paving the way for the CEO to return his focus on the struggling electric vehicle maker. The White House later called the report "garbage." Musk also posted on X, "Yeah, fake news," in response to the news. The stock closed more than 5% higher. At its session lows, it had dropped as much as 6.4% on the back of weaker-than-expected vehicle deliveries for the first quarter. The report which cites Trump insiders noted that, while President Donald Trump is pleased with Musk and the DOGE spending cuts that have been pushed through, the two decided in recent days that the billionaire would soon return to his businesses. NBC News reported that Trump told the Cabinet that Musk could leave in the coming months. A senior government official told NBC News that Musk would leave at the end of a 130-day stint as a special government employee. A tech giant and a fast-food stock are promising growth plays, even as they have had a rough 2025 thus far, according to Eric Clark, chief investment officer at Accuvest Global Advisors. Clark named Amazon and burrito chain Chipotle Mexican Grill as some of his favorite stocks during CNBC's "Three-Stock Lunch" segment on Wednesday. The investor also said he is steering clear of small-cap stocks. Amazon Shares of the e-commerce giant jumped 2% Wednesday after The New York Times reported , citing three people familiar, that the company has put in a bid to acquire video app TikTok. Amazon also has been investing heavily in artificial intelligence. It recently announced a new AI model , Nova AI, to compete with offerings from OpenAI and Anthropic. Amazon's diverse segments, which also include Amazon Web Services and advertising revenue, provide promising growth opportunities, according to Clark. "There's certainly a lot of ways to win," he said. "TikTok would be an interesting, positive jolt on the advertising side." Amazon shares are off more than 10% year to date. Chipotle Chipotle shares have had a difficult start to 2025, with the stock down more than 13%. The recent downturn has provided a "nice correction" in a high quality and "growth-oriented" name, said Clark. Chipotle is facing higher input costs from tariffs, but Clark highlighted the company's efforts to improve operating efficiency to not push costs to customers . "You're getting a stock that's not cheap at 30 times or so, but has good growth, is going to still double the store growth over time, still has wonderful opportunities to expand around the globe," he said. Small caps Meanwhile, small caps still have a long way to go before they see better days, according to Clark. Instead, investors should stay focused on quality, higher market-cap stocks. "That's where the style factor momentum is," he said. "If you do dip into small caps, just make sure you're focused on quality," Clark added. "Higher leverage, lower quality, lower market cap just has not worked for many, many years, and until we see some evidence of it working, we'll probably stay away." The small-cap Russell 2000 index is off more than 8% in 2025. Get Your Ticket to Pro LIVE Join us at the New York Stock Exchange! Uncertain markets? Gain an edge with CNBC Pro LIVE , an exclusive, inaugural event at the historic New York Stock Exchange. In today's dynamic financial landscape, access to expert insights is paramount. As a CNBC Pro subscriber, we invite you to join us for our first exclusive, in-person CNBC Pro LIVE event at the iconic NYSE on Thursday, June 12. Join interactive Pro clinics led by our Pros Carter Worth, Dan Niles and Dan Ives, with a special edition of Pro Talks with Tom Lee. You'll also get the opportunity to network with CNBC experts, talent and other Pro subscribers during an exciting cocktail hour on the legendary trading floor. Tickets are limited! Aerial view of cargo trucks heading towards the U.S. at the Otay Commercial crossing in Tijuana, Baja California state, Mexico on March 27, 2025. Guillermo Arias | AFP | Getty Images A surge in freight trucking activity, from the Texas-Mexico border to the warehouses and distribution centers of major U.S. retailers, shows the extent to which U.S. companies have rushed to move more imports into the country ahead of President Donald Trump's reciprocal tariffs, which Trump laid out on Wednesday afternoon from the Rose Garden, trade taxes that will hit international partners "immediately," according to the White House. But all of that frontloading of imports into the U.S. economy also corresponds to a more concerning trend in the trade data that is now taking shape: a steep decline in new freight order activity in every region across the U.S., and a steep quarterly decline in Chinese freight volumes, as uncertainty about consumer demand spreads. The tariff rates disclosed on Wednesday were much higher than expected for many nations, with an additional reciprocal tariff rate for China at 34% sending the markets lower. Data shared with CNBC by supply chain research firm Motive shows a significant surge in trucking activity at the Port of Laredo, the busiest land port in the U.S., with a 48.5% year-over-year increase that hit peak levels as of March 31. Trucking visits to North American distribution facilities for the top five retailers, meanwhile, just hit "unprecedented" levels, according to Hamish Woodrow, head of strategic analytics at Motive. "Last week marked the highest activity levels recorded," he wrote in an email. "This unprecedented influx mirrors the heightened activity typically seen during the holiday season, suggesting that businesses are accelerating shipments in anticipation of impending tariffs." Woodrow said with the tariffs expected to be in force immediately, "we expect to see a drop as early as the next two weeks. There may be some lag as shipments that didn't make the deadline still get shipped, but now that the tariffs are in effect we'd expect the imports to drop in Q2 as companies adopt a cautious 'wait and see' approach, minimizing imports until there is more stability and clarity in trade policies," he wrote. watch now Similar surges in freight volumes and spot rates were seen in February and March on cross-border lanes from Canada to the U.S., according to Paul Brashier, vice president of global supply chain at ITS Logistics. Volumes from the Toronto market to the Chicago market were up over 50%, and rates are up around 10%, with critical expedited shipments 50% higher in some cases. Brashier added that there have been many cases of truck drivers paid to run empty from the U.S. to get back in position to meet surging demand out of Canada into the U.S. European pharmaceutical companies have been moving more key high-priced drugs into North America through air freight. Though with an average trade cycle of five to six days versus weeks to months for ocean freight, that activity is more muted. "There was some pulling forward of larger shipments of higher-value pharmaceuticals out of Ireland, Germany, Switzerland because a tariff would have a material impact on consumers," said Sebastien Podgorski, vice president of airline solutions at Freightos. "Any generics out of India and China we have not seen such movement mostly because they are lower priced goods and tariffs would have a marginal impact." Podgorski said insurers and large hospital groups typically negotiate pricing for six months at a time so there won't be much of an impact in the short-medium term. But consumers who are buying prescription or over-the-counter medications may feel the impact within weeks because pharmacies usually procure at market pricing. Consumer demand warning in freight orders decline While the North American cross-border warehouse moves have been elevated, future freight scheduled for truck delivery or pickup shows a nationwide hesitation among U.S. importers, according to DataDocks, a global supply chain scheduling system. In contrast to January and February when there was a high level of scheduled bookings because of the pulling forward of freight ahead of tariffs, volume bookings for the near-term future have plummeted, according to Nick Rakovsky, CEO of DataDocks. DataDocks began to see a decline in March bookings, which has accelerated. Freight volume bookings scheduled for April dropped 41% month-over-month and, year over year, bookings for April are down 35%. The sharpest declines in freight volume bookings for April, according to DataDocks, are in the Northwest (-61%) and West (-52%) regions. But Rakovsky said the biggest signal from the data is the depth of the decline across the U.S. "What's striking is how widespread the pullback has been," he said. "Regions that were showing strength just a month or two ago, like the Southeast and Southwest, are now seeing sharp declines in April bookings." While he said the Northwest signal a particularly significant slowdown in logistics appointments out of ports and logistics hubs in that area, he added, "It's not isolated; this is a broad-based softening across the entire network." The message businesses are sending is that the only decision is a "wait-and-see" one. "They've pulled back significantly, and there's very little visibility into forward months. Organizations aren't committing right now. They're pausing to see how things unfold before making any big decisions," Rakovsky said. Skoda Kodiaq automobiles on the production line at the Volkswagen AG plant in Bratislava, Slovakia, on Friday, Dec. 1, 2023. U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs on auto imports is expected to hit hard for car brands and countries around the world, with economists warning a small landlocked nation in Europe could feel the worst of the impact. Trump is poised to unveil the details of his latest round of sweeping tariffs at around 9 p.m. London time (4 p.m. ET) on Wednesday. The measures, which are separate from Washington's levies on the global automotive sector, appear designed to rebalance the economic order in America's favor. Trump has already announced a 25% tariff on all imported vehicles, with charges on businesses importing vehicles coming into effect as of Thursday. The White House has said a tax for automobile parts is set to start in May. The president's back-and-forth announcements on tariffs have alarmed global investors, corporate executives and U.S. trading partners in recent months. Germany slammed Trump's 25% auto tariffs as bad news for the U.S., the European Union and global trade. Inga Fechner and Rico Luman, economists at Dutch bank ING, have said that, while Germany is most exposed to Trump's 25% auto tariffs in terms of value, it is Slovakia that may feel the biggest impact. "Germany's car industry is in the eye of the storm and by far most exposed in terms of value, with major players like Volkswagen , BMW , Mercedes , and Porsche likely getting hit by tariffs," ING said in a research note published March 28. "But Slovakia home to several car plants is most exposed in terms of total US export volume," they added. If President Donald Trump's long-awaited tariff announcement on Wednesday results in a full-blown trade war with China, Goldman Sachs has some ideas of stocks to avoid. Trump is slated to unveil his trade plans , which were a focal point of his election campaign, at 4 p.m. ET. While the full policy is not yet known, Trump said it is intended to be "reciprocal," and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said any levies should be going into effect immediately. Uncertainty around these taxes on trade partners has hampered the stock market. The S & P 500 has fallen more than 4% in 2025 and at points fell into a correction, which refers to a drop of at least 10% from a recent high. China is of particular concern given it is considered a key trade partner with the U.S. Critics of Trump's plans have raised alarm that affected countries can and in some cases already have hit back with retaliatory measures of their own. Given this environment, Goldman Sachs screened for stocks with revenue exposure of at least 25% to the Greater China region, as reported in 2023 fillings. By the firm's definition, this region also includes Taiwan. Here are 10 that made the list: Nvidia is one of several chipmakers on the list, clocking 39% revenue exposure to the region. It comes during a pullback for shares, with the artificial intelligence darling's stock down more than 17% in 2025 after two years of monster gains. Following that turmoil, Wall Street expects a rebound ahead for the megacap tech giant and retail investor favorite. The average analyst polled by LSEG has a buy rating and price target suggesting shares can rebound about 58%. Beyond chips and AI, casino stocks are also represented on the list with Las Vegas Sands and Wynn Resorts . This can be explained by the companies' presences in Macao, a gambling destination that has earned the nickname the "Las Vegas of Asia." Las Vegas Sands has 63% revenue exposure as of 2023. While shares have tumbled more than 24% year to date, most analysts have a buy rating and the average price target implies shares can rally nearly 50%, per LSEG. Wynn Resorts, meanwhile, recorded 47% revenue exposure to the Greater China region. Wynn has outperformed its peer, with shares sliding about 4% in 2025. The majority of analysts surveyed by LSEG also have a buy rating, with an average price target implying more than 37% upside. WYNN LVS YTD mountain Wynn vs. Las Vegas Sands, year to date Get Your Ticket to Pro LIVE Join us at the New York Stock Exchange!| Uncertain markets? Gain an edge with CNBC Pro LIVE , an exclusive, inaugural event at the historic New York Stock Exchange. In today's dynamic financial landscape, access to expert insights is paramount. As a CNBC Pro subscriber, we invite you to join us for our first exclusive, in-person CNBC Pro LIVE event at the iconic NYSE on Thursday, June 12. Join interactive Pro clinics led by our Pros Carter Worth, Dan Niles and Dan Ives, with a special edition of Pro Talks with Tom Lee. You'll also get the opportunity to network with CNBC experts, talent and other Pro subscribers during an exciting cocktail hour on the legendary trading floor. Tickets are limited! Over 10,000 Indians are currently imprisoned abroad in 86 countries, the Ministry of External Affairs informed a parliamentary panel. Of the total 10,152, the highest numbers of Indian prisoners, including undertrials, are in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with over 2,000 each, the MEA said.Additionally, other Gulf nations where a substantial number of blue-collar Indian workers migrate, such as Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar, also have a considerable number of Indians in prisons, The Indian Express reported.As per the sixth report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs made public on Tuesday, twelve nations, including China, Kuwait, Nepal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, the number surpasses 100.Other countries with a significant number of Indian prisoners include Nepal, with 1,317 Indians imprisoned; Malaysia, with 338 Indian prisoners; and China, with 173 Indians imprisoned, as per the report, tabled in both Houses on Tuesday.Nine of these 12 nations are already covered by existing agreements on the transfer of sentenced persons, which permit an individual convicted of a crime to be sent back to his or her home country to serve the prison sentence, according to the report, which addressed Indian Diaspora Overseas, including NRIs, PIOs, OCIs, and migrant workers.Despite this, just eight inmates from Iran and the United Kingdom, as well as two from Cambodia and Russia, were brought back to complete their sentences in India over the final three years (from 2023 to March 2025).When questioned by the committee, led by Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, about the steps being taken by the government to release these prisoners, the ministry stated the issue of the release and repatriation of Indian nationals in foreign prisons was regularly pursued by Indian Missions and posts abroad with the local authorities concerned.Because many of these are under undertrials, the ministry informed the panel that, in addition to providing all consular services to Indians imprisoned overseas, Indian Missions and posts also help in providing legal aid as needed.Missions and posts also retain a local panel of attorneys in areas with a large Indian population. No fee is charged from any Indian prisoner for extending facilities by the Indian Embassy concerned, they added.The Indian government has signed transfer treaties with several countries such as Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brazil, Cambodia, France, Hong Kong, Iran, Israel, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, UAE and the UK; however, the process has been time-consuming and requires multiple approvals.Consent of the prisoner, host country and transferring country are required for transfer under the TSP agreement. The Ministry of Home Affairs is the nodal authority overseeing the transfer of prisoners under the TSP agreement and is currently processing a number of cases, the MEA said.The MHA is working on negotiating for signing such agreements with a number of other nations, it said. The ministry also informed the panel that no rigid schedule can be fixed for completing such requests.These cases involve multiple stages of processing, including obtaining consent from the transferring country, identification of the specific prison, making escort arrangements for transfer from a foreign country to India and others. India has emerged as the fifth-largest source of tourists for Australia in 2024, registering a 12% increase in arrivals compared to the previous year, a senior Tourism Australia official told PTI. "India continues to be one of our fastest-growing markets, with nearly 443,000 Indians visiting Australia in 2024, marking a 12 per cent increase from the previous year. In 2023, 396,000 Indian travellers came to Australia," said Nishant Kashikar, Country Manager for India and the Gulf, Tourism Australia.In terms of inbound tourism, India has climbed to the fifth spot, up from seventh in 2024. "New Zealand remains our largest source market, followed by China, the US, and the UK. India has surpassed Japan and Singapore from pre-COVID levels in 2019 to become the fifth-largest market," Kashikar added.Regarding expenditure, Kashikar mentioned that Indians now rank fifth in terms of spends, after China, the US, the UK, and New Zealand."Indians not only travel to Australia but also contribute significantly to the economy. In 2024, the total spend from Indian tourists was AUD 2.6 billion, with a per capita expenditure of nearly AUD 6,200," he explained.Tourism has benefited from improved connectivity, with 19 direct flights operating weekly between India and Australia, along with the convenience of obtaining visas, particularly for business travellers, Kashikar noted."Air India operates daily direct flights from Delhi to Sydney and Melbourne, while Qantas runs five weekly services from Bengaluru to Sydney. Additionally, Malaysia Airlines has enhanced its connectivity, increasing flights from six Indian cities to nearly ten," he said. When asked about the potential for expanding direct flight connections, he mentioned that Tourism Australia had identified 13 new direct routes based on research from the International Air Transport Association (IATA)."We commissioned IATA to conduct research on new potential direct routes between India and Australia, which identified 13 new flights. These include routes like Bombay-Sydney, Delhi-Brisbane, Delhi-Adelaide, Amritsar-Brisbane, and others. These routes could be launched between now and 2030," he added.Speaking about visas, Kashikar explained that the process is fully digital and does not require biometrics or interviews. "Visa applications are submitted electronically and processed in about two weeks. Business or MICE travellers can obtain a five-year multiple-entry visa, while tourists are eligible for a three-year multiple-entry visa," he said.Looking ahead to 2025, Kashikar shared that Tourism Australia's focus will be on high-yield Indian travellers, particularly those aged between 24 and 44 years, who tend to stay longer, spend more, and make a significant economic contribution to Australia."This year, we are concentrating on attracting MICE travellers, those attending sporting events, and honeymooners," he said, adding, "We anticipate yet another record year for Tourism Australia in 2025."(With inputs from PTI) US President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order this week creating the US Investment Accelerator office to oversee the CHIPS and Science Act, a Biden-era program to re-shore semiconductor production. According to a White House statement, the new entitys mission will be to speed up corporate investments domestically by reducing government regulations and coordinating with federal agencies. Trump has criticized the bipartisan CHIPS Act, signed by President Joseph R. Biden Jr. in 2022, and said he wants to negotiate better deals. The office will also work to make it easier for companies to invest in US semiconductor manufacturing. Its no secret that the early years of Saturday Night Live werent always the most sober. According to Saturday Night: A Backstage History of Saturday Night Live by Doug Hill and Jeff Weingrad, there was so much drug use behind the scenes at SNL that, by the fifth season, Lorne Michaels actually hired a security guard to prevent any sudden surprises from visiting law-enforcement officers. Not to mention the copious amount of booze that cast members (and musicians) indulged in. Despite the fact that SNLs drug- and alcohol-fueled legacy has seemingly been well-documented, former cast member and current Yahoo! Mail spokesman Bill Murray recently suggested that the public perception of these events has been largely skewed. Don't Miss During a recent appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, Murray was asked about SNLs legendary afterparties. He revealed that his post-show routine typically involved going back to his office and having four bottles of champagne delivered from Bill's Liquors on 54th Street, for him and his friends to enjoy. You couldnt go out in the world because you were so energized you were so, like, almost too dangerous to go out on the street, Murray argued. He would eventually head to Dan Aykroyd and John Belushis Holland Tunnel Blues Bar, which he claims would never have passed code because it was just a room with alcohol. On the subject of the SNL staffs infamous drug use, Murray got surprisingly defensive. Its a joke, where you people say like, Oh yeah, they were all on drugs. Yeah, people were able to create a live 90-minute television show every week, just high and completely out of control real likely, very likely, Murray sarcastically stated. Advertisement Murray claimed that the cast wasnt constantly high because they had an obligation to the crew. It wasnt just a handful of actors and writers, Murray said, there were dozens and dozens and dozens of professionals going, You better get this right, I built this damn thing so youd make it right. The Groundhog Day star implied that any drug and alcohol consumption that occurred mostly went down after the show, because cast members were so electrified by the pressures of live TV that they needed a way to ground themselves. People felt like, I have such a responsibility. After doing that show, Im telling you, I had to go to my office for a couple of hours before I could go out on the street. I wasnt safe. You just had this crazy energy that you had to move. That being said, even other guests of Watch What Happens Live have contradicted Murrays take. Early SNL host Candice Bergen once told Cohen that SNL pivoted from being a marijuana-based environment to a cocaine-fueled operation early on purely because it was easier to mount such an elaborate production on coke than it was on weed. Advertisement Still, Murray seems genuinely ticked off that drug use has become such a focus for SNL fans. Its cool to say, Oh they were all druggies. Really? Murray barked. What the hell did you get done while we were doing that? What did you get done while we were doing that? Its been 50 years, he might just want to let this go. Why tell a story one way when you can tell it four ways? Akira Kurosawas 1950 crime drama Rashomon took the concept of an unreliable narrator and quadrupled it. In telling the story of how a samurai was murdered, four people give their own contradictory accounts of the death while painting themselves as more virtuous than the others. Despite the heaviness of the source material, Rashomon has gone on to inspire an unlikely medium: sitcoms. Since at least 1962, sitcoms have used the central storytelling device from Rashomon for comedic effect by letting characters give differing perspectives of the same incident. Each respective narrator typically portrays themself to be the hero of the situation, while describing others as guilty or incompetent. Don't Miss For comedy, the device is perfect: It highlights character biases and breeds conflict as each retelling contradicts the last. And while it may be a fairly common trope now, some sitcoms have used it exceptionally well, with these 10 standing out as the best 10 Diffrent Strokes: Rashomon II (1983) The appropriately titled Diffrent Strokes episode Rashomon II tells the story of when the Drummond family were taken hostage by a gunman. Later, the police get everyones account of what happened and the wealthy Mr. Drummond (Conrad Bain) and his adopted sons Willis (Todd Bridges) and Arnold (Gary Coleman) tell their differing accounts, each portraying themself as the hero. It gets a little repetitive hearing the same story so many times, but the episode is pretty funny. 9 The Dick Van Dyke Show: The Night the Roof Fell In (1962) The Dick Van Dyke Show was likely the first sitcom to employ the Rashomon trope, which it used to recount a fight between the shows main couple, Rob and Laura Petrie (Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore). Because this was a new format, the presentation is a bit straightforward, showing the what really happened first, which somewhat undercuts the more skewed perspectives from Rob and Laura. Still, this show was always well written and the actors clearly have some fun playing the scene three different ways, so its quite good, if a bit basic. Advertisement 8 Johnny Bravo: Rashomoron (1999) Advertisement In just six-and-a-half minutes, Johnny Bravo pulled off an excellent Rashomon episode. The inciting incident takes place in a park where Johnny Bravo is hitting on a pretty lady, his nerd friend Carl is playing with a robot and his little-girl neighbor, Suzy, is having a picnic. Everything goes wrong, however, when a swarm of bees attack. Each of the three perspectives shared is wildly different and equally silly. For example, Suzys story ends with Johnny getting trampled by a unicorn, while Carl says it was a police horse and Johnny claims he was actually attacked by a rabid donkey. As a comedic bonus, when each character tells their version of events, they provide voice impressions of the other characters. The results are hilarious and totally in keeping with the spirit of the format. Advertisement 7 How I Met Your Mother: The Ashtray (2013) How I Met Your Mothers central premise is that its narrated from the future. So its a bit strange to layer a Rashomon story into such a series, yet they somehow pulled it off. The story focuses on a gallery opening attended by the main characters excluding Barney (Neil Patrick Harris). Used to being the center of attention, in this episode Barney regularly interrupts everyone else to insert himself into a party he didnt attend. Advertisement Advertisement While most Rashomon episodes present a single perspective at a time, this one sees its characters constantly interrupting each other to contradict the others versions. And it works! The trope is infused with an energy that most Rashomon sitcom episodes dont have. 6 Frasier: Shrink Rap (1995) and Perspectives on Christmas (1997) Frasier has two excellent Rashomon-like episodes and Im probably cheating by including them both here, but each is solid in their own way. Season Threes Shrink Rap tells the story of Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) and Niles (David Hyde Pierce) going into private practice together, only for it to blow up in their faces. Both recount their sides of the story to a couples counselor while also presenting their biases against one another (Frasier sees Niles as particularly jealous and snarky, while Niles sees Frasier as insufferably egotistical). Advertisement Advertisement However, its worth noting that the episode fails to include the most fun part of a Rashomon show: contradictory accounts of the same story. Instead, Frasier and Niles pick up where the other left off. Season Fives Perspectives on Christmas makes better use of the Rashomon trope in this regard. Daphne (Jane Leeves) and Martin (John Mahoney) are part of a B-story that weaves in another common Frasier device: farcical comic misunderstandings. Martin is embarrassed that hes roped into a local Christmas pageant, so he doesnt want Daphne to know. But when Daphne discovers hes been suddenly attending church, she assumes hes dying. On top of that, much of Martins dialogue could be interpreted in different ways, feeding into Daphnes fear. Somehow, Perspectives on Christmas does all that while also telling a satisfying Rashomon story. No wonder this show won so many Emmys. Advertisement 5 All in the Family: Everybody Tells the Truth (1973) The All in the Family take on Rashomon tells the story of the day the surly, racist Archie Bunker (Carroll OConnor) comes home from work to discover that his refrigerator is broken and he, his wife, his daughter and his son-in-law have to wait for the repairman and his young Black apprentice. The episode mostly highlights the perspectives of Archie and his liberal son-in-law Michael (Rob Reiner), both of whom cast severe judgements on the apprentice. While Archie sees the apprentice as a militant Black Panther Party-type, to Michael he is an Uncle Tom for taking orders from a white repairman. Advertisement Advertisement The main characters differing perspectives on each other also add a lot of fun to the Rashomon episode. For example, Archie views his wife Edith (Jean Stapleton) who he often calls Dingbat as even dumber than usual and his daughter Gloria (Sally Struthers) as an insufferable crybaby. But the most compelling part is hearing Archie and Michaels perspectives on one another. In their respective retellings, they both see themselves as conciliatory while they see the other as a hothead. This dynamic highlights how the ideological opposites ironically share similar temperaments. 4 King of the Hill: A Fire-Fighting We Will Go (1999) This entire episode is a flashback, but only the last few minutes gets into the differing perspectives of the episodes central mystery: which of the four main King of the Hill guys burned down the firehouse? This part of the episode, however, is so hilarious and inventive that it deserves a spot in the upper half of this list. Advertisement Advertisement Each of the four guys blames the fire on another one of them in their own flashbacks. And making full use of the medium of animation exaggerate different aspects of the story. For example, in Dales version, the scrawny, balding, conspiratorial nutbag imagines himself as buff and handsome, with a Fabio-like mane of beautiful hair. Then theres the mush-mouthed Boomhauer version. When he gives his account, he speaks perfectly clearly, while everyone else speaks as incoherently as Boomhauer usually does. 3 The X-Files: Bad Blood (1998) Although obviously not a sitcom, The X-Files usually ran a few funny episodes per season, and one such episode in Season Five uses the Rashomon trope. The episode begins with Mulder (David Duchovny) and Scully (Gillian Anderson) pursuing what appears to be a vampire before Mulder jumps on top of it and stabs it through the heart with a wooden stake. Its only then that they discover the vampire was a man wearing fake vampire teeth. Advertisement Advertisement From there, the episode focuses on Mulder and Scully getting their stories straight, each telling the other their own perspective, complete with their judgments about their partner. In Scullys version, Mulder is overly enthusiastic about a case involving vampires while, in Mulders version, Scullys characteristic skepticism becomes downright mean and dismissive. Even better than some of the straight-up comedies listed here, Bad Blood exaggerates the characters for optimal comedy, without going so far as to make them unrecognizable. The local Texas sheriff in the episode is played by Luke Wilson, who only adds to the hilarity. Scully is attracted to him, so she portrays him as charming. Meanwhile, Mulder is jealous, so he sees Wilson as a buck-toothed yokel. Advertisement 2 Everybody Loves Raymond: The Can Opener (1999) The Rashomon portion of The Can Opener occupies the episodes first half and shares perspectives from both Ray (Ray Romano) and his wife Debra (Patricia Heaton) on a fight between the two over a can opener. Both characters you guessed it exaggerate the worst qualities of their spouse. In Rays version, Debra is especially mean, and in Debras version, Ray is dumber and more ungrateful than ever. Advertisement Advertisement What makes this episode unique is that the scripts for both of their perspectives are exactly the same. The differences between their stories comes down entirely to the actions and inflections of the actors. Its incredibly clever. Nothing says state pride quite like hiring beloved local artists to paint the governors portrait plus, as it turns out, Denvers top creatives have plenty of experience sketching public figures. Despite the fact that the show itself has spent the last 27 years trying to piss off all 50 states in the union and every other country in the world, over in the Colorado political landscape, South Park is a bipartisan institution with unilateral support from the political elite. While there may have been a time when the conservative Christian mothers groups of The Centennial State pulled enough water to turn some local politicians against the iconic comedy series, today, South Park is a mega-franchise valued at more than $1 billion, and nobody in the Colorado political machine is ever going to put themselves against that much cultural and commercial influence. Don't Miss As such, its only proper for the governor of Colorado to pay tribute to Trey Parker, Matt Stone and the South Park media empire that propelled Colorado to the forefront of international comedy culture. Yesterday morning, Governor Jared Polis announced that his official portrait would honor the fabric of Colorado history," as well as its construction paper: Now, of course, Polis festive prank wasnt just an homage to South Park it was also a pointed parody of President Donald Trump who threw a fit when he saw that the portrait of him that previously hung in the Colorado capitol building in Denver wasnt as obsequiously flattering as he demands of his subjects. Nobody likes a bad picture or painting of themselves, but the one in Colorado, in the state Capitol, put up by the Governor, along with all other Presidents, was purposefully distorted to a level that even I, perhaps, have never seen before," Trump railed on Truth Social last month. Advertisement Despite the fact that it was Colorado Republicans who raised over $10,000 to commission the oil painting back in 2019, the Denver capitol quickly acquiesced to Trumps demands that they take down the offending portrait. Then, days later, the Democratic Governor Polis trolled Trump with this homage to South Park that surely triggered the touchy Commander-in-Chief. Its unclear if Denver officials plan on repainting the President following Trumps social media meltdown, but, if they want to save a few bucks, there is a stunning portrait of President Garrison in the South Park archives that they could probably frame for a small licensing fee. STORY LINK Pound to Dollar Forecast: GBP/USD "Neutral" as Markets Await 'Liberation Day' Like this piece? Please share with your friends and colleagues: The Pound (GBP) saw limited movement against the US Dollar (USD) on Tuesday as investors remained cautious ahead of President Donald Trumps expected tariff announcement.At the time of writing, the Pound US Dollar exchange rate (GBP/USD) was trading at around $1.2936, largely unchanged from Tuesdays opening levels.The US Dollar (USD) struggled for direction on Tuesday as investors weighed the potential impact of Trumps planned tariffs on global trade.The new measures are expected to target nations with large trade surpluses with the US and mirror the duties some countries impose on American goods.Fears of retaliatory tariffs from key trading partners have unnerved markets, raising concerns that escalating trade tensions could disrupt global supply chains and slow economic growth.While safe-haven demand for the US Dollar could increase, concerns that these policies may increase US recession risks appear to be capping USDs upside.Adding to these concerns, upcoming US data releases, including the ISM manufacturing PMI and JOLTs job openings, are expected to signal a cooling labour market and softer business activity.The Pound (GBP) saw only modest gains on Tuesday, with investors optimistic that the UK could negotiate an exemption from Trumps tariff measures.Officials from both countries remain in discussions, and a recent conversation between Prime Minister Keir Starmer and President Trump was described as constructive.Although a formal agreement may not be reached before the tariffs take effect on 2 April, the UKs relatively small trade surplus with the US could reduce the risk of significant trade restrictions.Looking ahead, aside from Trumps tariff announcement, the GBP/USD exchange rate could also be influenced by the latest US ADP employment report on Wednesday.If the data shows that job growth remained sluggish in March, it could weigh on the US Dollar, particularly as it may shape expectations for Fridays non-farm payroll release.Meanwhile, in the absence of key UK data, the Pounds movement will likely be driven by global market sentiment and trade developments.According to analysts at Scotiabank, GBPUSD short-term technicals are neutral in the short-term outlook."The moderation in momentum reflects the continued consolidation within a one-month range roughly bound between the mid- 1.28s and levels just above 1.30."Nearer-term price action offers support around 1.2880 and resistance just below 1.30." International Money Transfer? Ask our resident FX expert a money transfer question or try John's new, free, no-obligation personal service! ,where he helps every step of the way, ensuring you get the best exchange rates on your currency requirements. TAGS: Pound Dollar Forecasts For students at Central Washington University, the Wildcat Pantry is more than just a resource; it is a vital support system that helps remove barriers to success. Designed to provide access to free food, clothing, hygiene products, and household items, the pantry started as eight bookshelves in buildings across campus, which immediately saw daily use by students. Wildcat Pantry student employees Tianyi Mao (right) and Ales Iriarte-Canales work at the front counter in Brooks Library Now with a new permanent, expanded space in Brooks Library and several grab-and-go locations across campus, the Wildcat Pantry has become a nationally recognized model for addressing food insecurity in higher education, with universities across the country looking to CWU to learn how to implement similar programs on their own campuses. The 2024 Washington Student Experience Survey (WSES) reported that more than half of students statewide experience basic needs insecuritya 6% increase from 2022putting the need for food assistance at an all-time high. Among four-year college students, food insecurity was reported at a staggering 42%, marking a 14% jump in just two years. The region of the state with the highest basic needs insecurity (57.9%) was the south-central region, which includes Kittitas County. CWU data also reflects this growing crisis. Compared to the fall quarter of 2023, the Wildcat Pantry saw a 14% increase in visits, totaling 2,505, and a whopping 62% increase in the total number of items disbursed, totaling 20,516. Recognizing the urgency of this issue, CWU has taken bold steps to ensure the Wildcat Pantry is not just a temporary fix but a sustainable solution. We began working on things like removing barriers so that people don't feel the stigma coming in to use this resource, said CWU Interim Chief of Staff and Secretary to the Board of Trustees Dr. Dania Cochran, who oversees the Wildcat Pantry team. We have evolved quickly over the last three years; having the support of the Presidents Office and President Wohlpart has elevated the Wildcat Pantrys progress and expansions. Wildcat Pantry Director Kaila Red Bow and student employee Elinssael Hernandez stock shelves on a recent afternoon. Unlike many university pantries that operate solely on donations and volunteer efforts, CWU has secured long-term funding and institutional backing. What started as PUSH, Presidents United to Solve Hunger, turned into the President's Office committing the one-time funds to hire a full-time professional staff member, Cochran said. That already put us ahead of most institutions. Now the state contributes permanent funds to ensure our full-time professional staff member and several of our student employees remain able to continue the good work the Wildcat Pantry is doing. This structural commitment has set CWU apart, making it one of the few universities in the country with dedicated, full-time staff run its pantry operations. The program is further strengthened by a unique student fee, approved in 2023, which provides stable financial support. Our students voted and said, yes, well pay six dollars a quarter as long as we're at the Ellensburg campus to help support this resource, Dania explained. Through a combination of university backing, state funding, community partnerships, and donor contributions, the Wildcat Pantry has become a robust operation. It is staffed by one full-time professional, seven student employees, and a dedicated group of volunteers, who handle everything from stocking shelves to organizing donation drives. Thanks to support from the Washington Student Achievement Council, partnerships with local organizations like the FISH Food Bank, and support from alumni and donors, the Wildcat Pantry continues to expand its reach. Once we found out how many students were hungry, we were really surprised, said Ben (79) and Nancy Remak, supporters of the Wildcat Pantry. Its the universitys mission to educate people, and it is hard to learn when youre really hungry or have to work two jobs. So, if we can alleviate a little bit of that, we are happy to do it. Wildcat Pantry student employee Ales Iriarte-Canales designs a menu sign for Brooks Library. In the 2023-2024 academic year alone, the program raised over $95,623 for basic needs and distributed more than 39,462 pounds of food and essential items. The pantry has also expanded its services beyond food assistance, helping students access personal hygiene items, clothing, and household goods. Because of the pantrys successful model, CWU has become a leader in the national fight against food insecurity in higher education, inviting other universities to Ellensburg to study the Wildcat Pantrys approach to the issue. More and more people are coming to us saying, Can we come see how you're set up? How did you get a fee passed? How did you get a new space on campus? Cochran said. To meet this growing interest, CWU is hoping to host a national conference in 2026, bringing together a variety of experts and institutions to share best practices aimed at helping other institutions implement pantry programs like Centrals. At this point, we're really starting to develop as leaders in this area within higher education and the pantry, and people are seeing the work we're doing and wondering how they can do this, Cochran said. Hosting a regional conference or a site visit would allow other institutions to experience and learn firsthand how we were able to come this far. As the need for basic needs support continues to grow, CWU is proving that universities play a crucial role in ensuring students have the resources they need to be successful. The pantry is super important for students who dont make enough income and are unable to buy basic living necessities, one student patron said. By fostering a sustainable, well-supported model, CWU is not only addressing food insecurity within its own community; it is also shaping the future of student support services across the nation. If you would like to learn more about the program, or support this important work, visit the Wildcat Pantry website and see how you can make a difference. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Mothering Sunday has just passed, the day when Christians honour their mother church, the place where they were baptised into the faith. In popular tradition it is, of course, better known as Mothers Day, when all the restaurants are booked for lunch, flowers cost twice as much as usual, and Instagram is awash with gushing celebrity mama tributes. Not, it appears, that either seemed to have crossed the Prime Ministers radar on the day itself: he was more preoccupied with wishing the country a happy Eid. Which is lovely, of course, and I extend the same to my Muslim friends both here and abroad. But still. Britain is a Christian country and Mothers Day is an important day, a happy day, both for our Church and for the secular tradition. It celebrates the strength and power of the feminine, which is often overlooked, and especially so in a world where a rising tide of radical Islam seems intent on relegating women and girls to the status of mere servants to the needs and desires of men. But back to mums. The pop star Chappell Roan, Gen Z icon, winner of Best New Artist of the Year at the Grammys with millions of online followers and twenty-something fans, has said in an interview that motherhood is, in essence, miserable, a mugs game, not worth it, to be avoided. All of my friends who have kids are in hell, she told the Call Her Daddy podcast, adding: I have not met anyone who is happy or has light in their eyes who has a child under five, at this age, I have not met anyone who has slept. To be fair to her, when I was her age (27), I would probably have thought the same. Not that I really knew anyone at that age with children my generation were all quite late starters in that respect. I think maybe it was because we were brought up during that second wave of feminism and taught to prioritise our studies and careers over family, which many of us did until we realised that, tick-tock, time was running out. When I did have children two, in very quick succession it was indeed exhausting. Partly because I was not young (not in reproductive terms, at least), but also because when youve got to 35 without having to really think about anyone else apart from yourself, its quite a shock to be the mother of two small humans. Sarah Vine pictured with her children Pop star Chappell Roan recently said on a podcast: All of my friends who have kids are in hell' They are yours, and you are theirs, and they need you 24/7, seven days a week. And they have no understanding of your tiredness, your needs, your obligations or who you used to be before you became their mother they just know you as mum, and thats the only point of your existence as far as theyre concerned. Theyre not doing it to be annoying: its their survival instinct. So Im not saying Roan is entirely wrong. Motherhood is a great gift but its also a kind of loss, a saying goodbye to the past and an acknowledgement that the future belongs to someone else. Thats not to say women who become mothers should lose sight of their personal ambitions simply that for a few years, youre not your own priority. And no, you dont sleep. Well, at least I didnt, not much. My eldest was, not to put too fine a point on it, a sleep terrorist. Chinas Ministry of State Security could have learnt a thing or two from her. Now shes 21 it takes an earthquake to rouse her. I was reminded of this when I recently spent a few days with a friend of a friend who has two small children, one of whom simply refused to sleep at all. I recognised that look of crushing exhaustion on her face and felt grateful those days are gone. But the idea that the entire experience is joyless, or not worth the sacrifice is just not true. Some of my fondest memories of motherhood are from when the children were four or five. In fact, if I could have one wish, it would be to spend a day again with them at that age, to hold their small hands and run with them into the sea, or tuck them up in bed, read the Gruffalo again for the nine millionth time. A friend of mine used to call them the mittens, because their surname, Gove, was so often mis-spelled as Glove. Gloves, mittens you get the idea. Its little things like that which bring so much joy in life, dont you think? These are the moments that keep the human race going, that keep us having babies despite the downsides. And in a world where the birth rate in the West is falling steadily, we need to cherish them. The official fertility rate for women in England and Wales is now 1.44 births per woman, the lowest level on record. Primary schools are closing because there arent enough children to fill them. Its all rather sad. Especially since, in the long run, having children is incredibly life-affirming. Life is about lessons, and children teach you a great many. I can honestly say that despite at various points having both been gigantic pains in the proverbial my two are the one thing in my life of which I am genuinely proud. They ARE the light in my eyes. Cup makes Lauren look a mug Lauren Sanchez with Balenciaga's 4,400 9am Coffee Cup purse Of course Lauren Sanchez, Jeff Bezoss girlfriend, has a ridiculous 4,400 coffee cup by Balenciaga. Nothing encapsulates better the unalloyed greed of Big Techs robber barons. Thats more than two months wages for the average Amazon worker, you absurd woman. Who writes the Duchess of Sussexs blurbs? I only ask because this gem, to coincide with the launch of her jam, is so cloying its in danger of giving the reader type 2 diabetes. Youll find the raspberry spread that started it all presented in keepsake packaging that you can repurpose to tuck away love notes or special treasures, and to remember this pivotal moment with me. Think of it as our time capsule. And by the way, once youve enjoyed every spoonful of this fruit spread, you may want to do what I do: rinse the jar and use it as a small bud vase for flowers on your nightstand, or to hold your pens on your desk. If being a duchess doesnt work out, theres always a career at Clinton Cards. Crisis at Le Creuset Le Creuset, aspirational kitchen staple of well-heeled cooks everywhere, is in crisis. UK pre-tax profits last year fell to 1.29million, down by 63 per cent since 2021. Personally, Ive never understood the fuss. Maybe I just have weak wrists from too many years of sitting at a keyboard, but for me the things are just too damn heavy. Theyre also impossible to clean, unless you have a sink the size of Wales (or staff, which probably explains why so many celebrities love them), you cant put them in the dishwasher and they dont work with induction hobs. Plus, of course, they are eye-wateringly expensive. In an air-fryer world, maybe the age of the cast-iron pot is drawing to a close. I enjoyed some of yesterdays April Fools, including Labour MP Dawn Butler, who said she had been appointed Minister for Hope, Good Vibes and Positivity. Not a bad idea given the political climate. But that role should really go to Japanese ambassador, Hiroshi Suzuki, whose hilarious social media posts of him sampling the sights and sounds of Britain including a marmalade sandwich and a visit to a pub are a total joy. Labours stamp duty grab came into force yesterday, reducing the level at which first-time buyers pay tax on a property from 425,000 to 300,000. So much for Keir Starmers pledge to turn the dream of owning a home into a reality. I found Adolescence very moving. But the idea that it should be shown in schools, as put forward by the Prime Minister, is missing the point. Kids know the score its PARENTS who need to watch it. The BBC is to spend 150million less on new shows as it warned of unprecedented challenges for British television. Perhaps if it stopped wasting money on pointless internal inquiries (almost 5million for Huw Edwards and Tim Westwood; 250,000 for Amanda Abbingtons claims against Giovanni Pernice), it might have more wriggle room. It all adds up, you know. Many of us will have felt conflicted by the idea that Donald Trumps administration is seeking to link a trade deal to free speech in Britain. Brits hate being pushed around by foreigners. At the same time, though, most of us know that the US administration has a point about the loss of freedom of expression in this country. We have gone, in one generation, from being a place where you could say what you liked, provided you stopped short of harassment, intimidation or incitement, to being a place where you can have your collar felt for criticising your local council. However much we resent being lectured from overseas, most of us will feel a sense of shame that it has come to this. We ought to guarantee free speech, not as a favour to our American cousins, but because it was our invention in the first place. On Sunday, the US state department issued an extraordinary statement, announcing that the administration was concerned about freedom of expression in the United Kingdom. It cited the case of Livia Tossici-Bolt, who was prosecuted two years ago for standing outside an abortion clinic in Bournemouth holding a sign that read: Here to talk if you want. She went on trial at Poole Magistrates Court last month for the alleged breach of a buffer zone and a verdict is due to be delivered on Friday. Dr Tossici-Bolt is a cause celebre for various conservative groups in the US, who see her both as a persecuted Christian and as a shocking example of how the land of John Milton and J. S. Mill has turned its back on free expression. On Sunday, the US state department announced that the administration was concerned about freedom of expression in the United Kingdom' Left-wingers, who already loathed the Trump administration, are bridling at its presumption and colonial mindset. Because they see international relations as a hierarchy of power and oppression, the US is one of the few countries they can feel good about disliking. The funny thing is that they dont mind calling out human rights abuses in other countries. They are generally happy to use trade policy as a lever when it comes to, say, the repression of dissidents in Belarus, or the arrest of journalists in Iran. But they struggle to understand that senior Republicans feel the same way about censorship in the nation that they regard as the fount of their own freedoms. Labour MPs fulminate, quite rightly, against the ban on girls education in Afghanistan. Well, free expression is every bit as much a universal value to American conservatives. It used to be seen that way here, too. We clung to free speech during our conflicts with the Nazis and the Soviets. Indeed, we clung to it with particular fierceness, precisely because we felt it made our society better than theirs. Then, starting in the late 1990s, we passed a series of laws that elevated the imagined sensitivities of approved minorities over everything else free contract, free association and, most definitely, free speech. Today, a grandmother can be visited by cops for making rude remarks about a local councillor. A journalist can have the rozzers on her doorstep over a year-old tweet that suggested British Muslims were largely pro-Hamas. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer with US President Donald Trump at the White House earlier this year A schoolgirl can be badged as racist for complaining that her classmates are not speaking English. A toddler can be expelled from nursery for abuse against sexual orientation and gender identity. (Im not making this up: the Department for Education this week confirmed that a child aged three or four was suspended from a state school for this very infringement in the academic year 2022/23.) All of these cases come, so to speak, from the same political direction. All of them are especially outrageous when set alongside the hatred we hear on anti-Israel marches, or the abuses that, until very recently, eco campaigners were able to get away with. But the truly monstrous thing is not that we have a two-tier justice system. Its that such things can happen at all in this country. If youre anywhere near my age or older (I was born in 1971), youll have associated such policies with totalitarian states. Its a free country, we used to tell each other. It has been a long time since I heard any British person use that phrase without irony. It was bad enough to be confronted with our record by the US Vice-President, J. D. Vance. To have a Trump administration source declare No free trade without free speech is the ultimate humiliation, because it brackets us with authoritarian states. We can no longer pretend that our restrictions on free expression are simply about public order or slander or harassment. We have been exposed before the world as what we knew ourselves to be: a petty, authoritarian nation where the police are regularly involved in cases that concern nothing more than insulting language. I write, by the way, as a long-standing critic of Donald Trump. I believe his character flaws and his disregard for the constitution make him unfit for office; his attacks on Canada and Denmark are disgusting; his readiness to do Vladimir Putins bidding is degrading; and his trade policies threaten a global downturn. I dont even believe he has much interest in free speech, at least not when he dislikes its content. But none of that means that he is wrong about censorship in Britain. If free speech means anything, it means allowing people we dislike to have their say. The Trump administration has built up some pretty obnoxious Brits. It is seeking to rehabilitate Andrew Tate, the so-called king of toxic masculinity. It has convinced itself that Tommy Robinson is in prison for saying unpopular things about Islam, rather than for repeatedly defying court orders in a libel case. But here is a hard thing that needs saying. Being obnoxious does not disqualify you from equal rights under the law. Both Tate and Robinson can fairly claim to be victims of a two-tier justice system, in the sense that they would not have been treated so harshly had their political opinions been more fashionable. A man can be a victim and a villain at the same time. Tolerating unpleasant people is as good a test as any of an open society. A free country allows people to do all manner of offensive things, provided they stop short of physical intimidation. If you want to burn a copy of the Koran, or maintain that the Holocaust never happened, or argue that gay relationships should be criminalised, or wish a painful death on the monarch, you are saying things that most people will find disagreeable. But you are not threatening anyone. It is extraordinary that the leader of the Conservative Party should need to say that she does not want Britain to be persecuting people for expressing themselves, as Kemi Badenoch did yesterday. But that is the point we have reached. We have forgotten the most basic premise of freedom, namely that it applies to people we find thoroughly detestable. Donald Trump is, to my eyes, a detestable man. But that doesnt stop him having a point. It's often wearing to be the Beatles' biographer. Such is the enduring fascination of the Fab Four not least with people who weren't even born when they broke up in 1971 that at parties, rather like a doctor, I try to keep my occupation a secret. As doctors have to listen to gruesome descriptions of ailments, so I'm likely to be cornered by some Beatlemaniac (invariably male) eager to discuss whether Paul's Blackbird really was a protest against racism or recall exactly where he was and what he was doing when he heard about John's assassination. Being the biographer not only of the Beatles as a band but John, Paul and George individually, I've had to get used to my often revelatory material being 'borrowed' to put it no stronger by film and documentary-makers. One can't copyright non-fiction in the same way as fiction, so there's nothing I can do about it. It was therefore with resignation that I learned of Sam Mendes's four Beatles biopics one devoted to each of them. Knight of the realm Mendes is an Oscar-winning director, rightly praised for two Bond films and 1917. Unfortunately, there's something that happens to even the greatest directors when they choose the Beatles as a subject. Peter Jackson had won similar praise for his interpretations of J.R.R. Tolkien's Hobbit sagas as well as his brilliant colourised recreations of the First World War. But when he turned his attention to the Beatles, the result was an absurdly overhyped eight-hour docu-series for Disney+ that achieved the seemingly impossible in making them seem boring. Being the biographer not only of the Beatles as a band but John, Paul and George individually, I've had to get used to my often revelatory material being 'borrowed', writes Philip Norman Two of the four members of the Beatles are still alive - Paul McCartney (centre right) and Ringo Starr (right) Joseph Quinn, Barry Keoghan, Harris Dickinson Paul Mescal (left to right) are to play the Beatles in Sam Mendes's upcoming four-part series for Sony Feature films are another matter entirely. Since 1979, there has been a stream of them, from Birth Of The Beatles, produced by the American TV and radio host Dick Clark to British filmmaker Sam Taylor-Johnson's Nowhere Boy, about John's early life. None has made any great impact simply because nothing beats the real story. It's said of Mendes, as of Jackson, that he's a great Beatles fan, as if that's an essential qualification for his project. In fact, it's the opposite for fans have no objectivity and deal only in gush. When I first heard what Mendes was planning some months ago, it seemed impossible for his source material not to include my four Beatles books, especially the Lennon biography, which had Yoko Ono's co-operation, and the McCartney one, which had its subject's 'tacit authorisation'. I therefore wrote to Mendes offering my help, for instance, on the many period details in the Beatles' Liverpool upbringing that films always seem to get wrong. However, an assistant at his company turned down my offer, saying he'd been 'doing his own research over the past year, talking to the Beatles and their families directly as well as many in their circle'. To which the answer is that there are only two Beatles left neither one capable of saying anything new and their families and inner circle when they were Beatles are now largely deceased. In other words, the great director would rather not be confused by facts as he brings his personal Beatlemania to the screen, nor admit there might be something about the subject he doesn't know, nor - Heaven forbid! - pay someone for enlightening him. The four actors set to play the Beatles appeared together at CinemaCon 2025 in Las Vegas this week Philip Norman has written biopics for John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison, but not Ringo Starr (pictured) So I guess I'll have to live with the shrieks of the biographies on my shelves as once again the guts are torn out of them. As I know better than most, John, Paul and George richly deserve an individual biopic but Ringo? Though essential to the band's chemistry, like the adorable runt in a litter of puppies, he was hardly on the same creative level. Hence my reply when people ask why I don't do a book about him. 'It would have to be a booklet,' I say. What would we think if the Fire Brigade stopped putting out fires because it was too busy? I suspect we would be pretty unhappy. But if firemen then started coming round to our homes in big shiny fire engines - while houses and shops burned merrily away just round the corner - to detain us for saying things on the internet, we would be enraged. So why do we just put up with the police being so useless with burglary, anti-social behaviour, nuisance, vandalism, street disorder, shoplifting and mugging while almost every week there is another case of heavy-handed thought policing? We pay these people, and we pay them a lot, as your council tax bill will tell you if you look. So why do they treat us as a nuisance and worse? What amazes me about the British public and the police is that we are not much, much angrier than we are with this body, which at the same time is a pathetic failure and a dark menace. I won't actually get involved in the rights and wrongs of the latest case of police meddling in things that don't concern them. Once they were our police serving our needs. Now they belong to the State, and to authority, and they enforce orthodoxy and correctness instead of the law of the land. Even if Hertfordshire was a crime-free paradise in which nobody was ever robbed or stabbed, the county's police would have no business at all getting involved in an online row between two parents and a school. For all I know, the parents may have behaved badly. So what? It just isn't what the police are for, any more than the ambulance service is. In the same way, they shouldn't go banging on the door of a newspaper columnist for something she may have said on Twitter, even if it was a bit stupid. Being a bit stupid on Twitter is not a crime, and ought never to be. If it were, we would have to turn the Isle of Wight into a prison camp to hold the offenders. Perhaps we will, if we don't set things right soon. But the interesting thing about these events is that, however many times the police are made to look idiotic for such behaviour, they don't stop doing it. I promise you there will be another incident of this kind within a few months. Maxie Allen and Rosalind Levine with their daughters. They were held in a police cell for 11 hours on suspicion of harassment and malicious communications after a 'trivial' dispute on a parent WhatsApp group Hertfordshire Constabulary's chief, Andy Prophet, was not remorseful about his heavy-handed treatment of the couple Hertfordshire Constabulary's wonderfully named chief, Andy Prophet, has no remorse about his force's descent upon the home of Maxie Allen and Rosalind Levine. He has had to endure quite a lot of criticism because the couple are connected with a major media organisation (you have to wonder if we would even have heard about this episode if they had been ordinary citizens with nobody to turn to but the duty solicitor). But Mr Prophet's regrets are about tactics, not the deed itself. What happened was that a large squad of officers arrested the couple and held them for 11 long hours, something that will now be on the record more or less for ever and will do them limitless damage in their future lives. Although the police said the arrests were 'necessary to fully investigate the allegations as is routine in these types of matters', no further action was taken - due to insufficient evidence. So much for 'necessary'. Yet six officers turned up on their doorstep in marked cars. As one cheeky person on the internet has asked: 'Who were they expecting to find there? The Kray Twins?' This citizen had better watch out in future, in case he too finds a platoon of grim-jawed, humourless law enforcers on his doorstep, sooner or later. But is Chief Constable Prophet full of remorse about the action? He is not. He just reckons that the stupid, oppressive thing should have been done more discreetly. He says: 'With the benefit of hindsight we could have done that and should have done that differently. We may have needed six people, but they didn't all need to be uniformed officers. We didn't need to have three marked vehicles and a police van parked outside. 'We probably could have achieved it with one or two uniformed officers and if we needed some people to go in and support, we could have thought about officers in plain clothes and dealing with it a little bit lower key.' So, next time he or any other police force in this country behaves in this fashion, it will try harder to ensure that the story does not get into the papers. But our police will not change their ultimate belief that this is what they ought to be doing. The free institutions in this country are no longer strong enough to restrain police forces from doing this. And in my view it is only a matter of time before this sort of activity includes frequent, directly political arrests of people who have overstepped the line of what some ambitious Blairite copper thinks is acceptable. Compare and contrast, by the way, the astonishing interview in The Mail on Sunday, of a proper old-fashioned officer who believes in deterring, confronting and restraining lawbreakers, former Bognor Regis constable Tim Bradshaw. He was actually prosecuted for tipping two louts (with lengthy criminal records) off their e-bike. He was acquitted by a jury, but has left the force after 22 years, saying that policemen and women like him have an increasingly miserable life. 'Officers are always looking over their shoulders, terrified of doing or saying the wrong thing,' says Mr Bradshaw. 'It makes them reluctant to think on their feet and be hands-on. The police don't necessarily recruit those best suited to the job now. The hope is that they grow into the job. But many of them don't want to get out of the patrol car, they go from job to job with blinkers on.' Tim Bradshaw is seen with his commendation at Arundel Castle in 2014. He was prosecuted for tipping two louts (with lengthy criminal records) off their e-bike, writes Hitchens And that is if there are any police at all anyway. Another ex-policeman, Colin MacDonald, recently visited Nottingham city centre late on a Saturday night and observed not one police officer, either on foot or in a vehicle. He was astonished, saying: 'Twenty years ago, such a thing would have been unthinkable. I would always have expected to see at least a dozen officers on foot patrol or fixed point duty.' There used to be plenty of people like Mr Bradshaw and Mr MacDonald in the police, trained in the old ways of foot patrol, crime prevention and initiative. But they are plainly not welcome any more and are vanishing fast. I have been chronicling the decline in our police for 30 years, since I returned from a stint abroad and realised something major had changed. Once, when you reported on this sort of thing you had to say that most officers were still OK and the police still did a good job. Now you don't, as it isn't true. Criticisms will change nothing. So I now propose a plan that, in the end, will be both cheaper and better than letting this decay of a once-noble institution continue. Start immediately to hire and train new, small, local police forces built on Robert Peel's principles of citizens in uniform deterring crime and disorder by being present everywhere on foot. Once they are ready, close down the failed 'services' who have forgotten who pays them, and what we pay them for. Who then will miss Mr Prophet and his thought police? Those who witnessed the shooting that afternoon would recall it as a cold-blooded execution. Aiming the 9mm through the window of the car, the gunman pumped six bullets into the woman seated within. Then he walked round to the other side, took aim and delivered a final shot. But none who looked on in horror that day September 15, 1991 could have imagined the twisted drama of lies and betrayal of which this was the final act. Michael Haltiwanger, whose mother, Jayne, was the innocent victim, has told that story for the first time in his book 'A Son's Torment: The Story of My Murdered Mom.' He reveals that her assassin was his step-father, a man whom, it transpired, was mired in debt and deceit and living a shocking double life that Jayne was about to expose. Michael, now 50, was living in Jacksonville, Florida with his father, also called Michael, when Jayne met David Miller. Michael's parents divorced when he was just two and his mother had gone on to have two serious partners since the split. One was a short-lived marriage, the second a relationship that lasted five years. Neither relationship fazed Michael. But, then 15 years old, he was totally blindsided when he called his mother on her birthday in March 1991 only for her to reveal she and Miller a man her son had never met had married in a Las Vegas wedding chapel the previous month. Michael Haltiwanger (pictured as a baby), whose mother, Jayne Miller (pictured), was the innocent victim, has told that story for the first time in his book 'A Son's Torment: The Story of My Murdered Mom' Michael (pictured), now 50, was living in Jacksonville, Florida with his father, also called Michael, when Jayne met David Miller. He told the Daily Mail that his mother appeared more infatuated than in love, saying: 'She was like an excited schoolgirl.' She met Miller on a plane between Orlando and Los Angeles on New Year's Day. Jayne Maghy, a saleswoman for a metals company, had been upgraded to business class. She thought the upgrade was serendipitous. It allowed her to chat with her fellow passenger, Miller, who enthused about his job as a tax attorney for Disney. They both lived in Los Angeles, but he explained how he frequently travelled for business to Orlando, where Jayne's parents lived and she had been raised. At 33, Jayne was nine years Miller's junior and she was impressed, gushing to her bemused son that her wealthy and generous new beau treated her 'like an angel'. Michael tried to be happy for his mother, but couldn't hide his concern, especially when she said she'd quit her job because Miller supported her financially. 'She got mad and didn't listen to me,' he says. 'She said I didn't know what I was talking about because I was a kid.' He was underwhelmed when he finally met Miller a couple of weeks later. 'I was expecting chiseled good looks because of the way Mom talked about him,' he says. 'But he was a schlub.' Miller splashed his money around. That April, he bought Michael his first car as a 16th birthday gift and Jayne decorated it with a giant bow. 'I was a sophomore and couldn't believe my luck,' Michael tells me. 'But, looking back, it was all about appearances.' Miller would disappear, apparently for business, for days at a time, sometimes across entire weekends. But, when he was around, he took Jayne to five-star hotels. He bought expensive theater tickets and had them driven around in chauffeured limousines. Three months after their wedding, when Jayne wanted to relocate back to Florida, Miller said he'd negotiated a transfer from Disney's head office in California to Disneyworld in Orlando. Michael accompanied his mother and Miller as they hunted for houses. 'These were mansions with eight or nine bedrooms, libraries and huge swimming pools,' he says. 'Mom was in her element and said she wanted to have another child.' Jayne was thrilled when Miller placed a deposit on their first choice of property. Then, when the deal fell through because his check bounced, she was incensed. The same thing happened with their next choice. 'There were lots of fights and arguments, usually over money,' Michael recalls. 'He was domineering and possessive and Mom was fiery.' He said Jayne appeared to thrive on the disagreements and the inevitable making up. But it all started to wear rather thin during a family trip to Italy funded by Miller, of course. Jayne met David Miller (pictured) on a plane between Orlando and Los Angeles on New Year's Day. The saleswoman for a metals company had been upgraded to business class. Michael's parents divorced when he was just two and his mother had gone on to have two serious partners since the split. One was a short-lived marriage, the second a relationship that lasted five years. (Pictured: Michael and Jayne). At 15, Michael was totally blindsided when he called his mother on her birthday in March 1991 only for her to reveal she and Miller a man her son had never met had married in a Las Vegas wedding chapel on Valentine's Day. (Pictured: Michael and Jayne). Miller claimed they would meet a top business connection from the Kuwait government when they arrived in Rome. He said his contact would arrange extravagant onward travel internationally, including a visit the pyramids in Egypt. But the fixer never showed up. Miller began drinking heavily. One night, he staggered drunkenly into their hotel room and shouted at Jayne because she'd let Michael lie on the bed to watch TV. 'He yelled at us and screamed profanities,' Michael says. 'Then he began to throw up in the bathroom.' Jayne tried to help, but he shoved her away. He threw her and Michael out of the room and broke two doors with his fist. 'I was freaking out because he was acting so irrationally,' Michael says. 'We were in a foreign country with no place to go.' The family was ordered to leave the hotel because of the damage he'd caused and issued with his bill. As soon as they returned to the States, Jayne discovered that another of Miller's checks had bounced. They'd lost a third house. She threw her wedding ring at him in disgust. According to Michael, this time the fight turned violent. He recalls dialing 911 as his mother and Miller grappled on the floor. After the police broke it up, Jayne declared that she and Miller were done for good. Barely five months after they met on that fateful flight, the whirlwind romance and blink-and-you'd-miss-it marriage seemed over. They took out restraining orders against each other. 'It was a terrible experience, but I was relieved,' Michael says. Sadly, that relief was short-lived. Two weeks later, in July, the teenager, who spent most of his time with his father and only visited his mother during school holidays, called her. He was appalled when Miller answered the phone. 'I asked Mom what was going on, but she told me to butt out because she wouldn't discuss it,' Michael says. 'She said there was nothing to worry about and everything was fine.' A few days later, Michael rolled his eyes when she called him about visiting Miller's new office at Disneyworld. She said she burst with pride when she read his name plaque on his door. Her framed photograph was perched on the desk. He kept his thoughts to himself. But behind the scenes the cracks were beginning to show and, for all her boasts about his career, Jayne had become suspicious of her husband. The true state of his finances troubled her with checks bouncing despite his supposedly well-paying job. And she was starting to doubt that the reason for his frequent absences was really 'work' as he told her. She thought he was having an affair. In late August, a month after they'd reunited, Jayne hired a private investigator. The detective didn't take long to deliver what would prove to be a devastating report. Not only was Miller drowning in a sea of debt, he was a bigamist - already married and living an entirely different life in Pennsylvania with a wife of six years. Everything that Miller had told Jayne was a lie. He didn't work for Disney and had faked his office by bribing a janitor to let them into the building. The desk he showed Jayne belonged to another David Miller. 'I guess it was a common name,' Michael says. As for his debts, though he'd clung on to his position as the president of the Chamber of Commerce in Granada Hills, California, he owed a string of creditors tens of thousands of dollars. He'd lied to one claimant by saying he had cancer and needed the money for treatment. Michael only learned of Miller's deception after his mother's death. But he knows one thing for sure: 'Mom wasn't going to take it sitting down.' She got the number of his first, and legal, wife, Dorothy, from the detective and called her. Much to Jayne's surprise, Dorothy was already aware of her husband's deceit having grown suspicious of his increasingly lengthy absences from their marital home. She had confronted him in a telephone call just weeks earlier, now she and Jayne confirmed each other's existence and compared notes. They figured out that when he wasn't with one of them he was with the other. Dorothy told Jayne that Miller had explained his time away by claiming to be a CIA agent. He said that his businesses were simply shell companies and a cover. He boasted about 'retiring' people by making them disappear and completing dangerous missions in the Far East and South America. He said he was on a 'hit list' and frequently came under fire. Once, he shocked Dorothy by pulling up the leg of his pants and showing her a graze on his leg that he claimed was caused by a bullet. When Jayne told Dorothy that she planned expose him in the media the other woman cautioned her not to. Miller, with whom Dorothy had severed all communication was, she told Jayne, dangerous. But Jayne didn't listen. According to court documents, Jayne was at her parents' house when she confronted her 'husband' with the evidence over the phone. 'My grandparents told me there was a lot of screaming and shouting,' Michael, who had just started his senior year in high school, said. Ignoring Dorothy's warning, Jayne threatened to expose her husband. It was a threat for which she would pay the ultimate price. Dorothy (pictured with David) told Jayne that Miller had explained his time away by claiming to be a CIA agent. He said that his businesses were simply shell companies and a cover. At 33, Jayne (pictured) was nine years Miller's junior and she was impressed, gushing to her bemused son that her wealthy and generous new beau treated her 'like an angel' Three months after their wedding, when Jayne (pictured) wanted to relocate to Florida, Miller said he'd negotiated a transfer from Disney's head office in California to Disneyworld in Orlando On September 15, she told Miller that she wanted to collect things from their joint storage unit in Sanford, Florida. They had kept Jayne's furniture in there in advance of the house move that never happened. 'My grandparents told her to come and go quickly in case Miller showed up,' Michael says. But she wasn't quick enough. Witnesses said Miller and Jayne argued in the parking lot before she went back to her car. Miller walked to his car and pulled out a handgun. He shot Jayne seven times in total. 'It wasn't a crime of passion, it was pre-meditated,' Michael says. A group of taxi drivers in the parking lot managed to hold Miller until the police arrived and he was arrested. Michael says the following days passed in a blur as he tried to figure out what happened. 'I was paralyzed with shock,' he says. 'I felt like I was under water.' Miller's subsequent trial became a media circus. Reporters couldn't get enough of the case's outlandish details. He was found guilty of first-degree murder in December 1993 and sentenced to life in prison. Now in his mid-70s, he is eligible for parole in four years' time. 'There was some talk about him getting the electric chair, but, as far as I'm concerned, he'll be judged by God when the time comes,' Michael says. Jayne's murder has, inevitably, cast an inescapable shadow over Michael's life but, for all that, he doesn't want his mother to be defined by her death. He says: 'Mom was my greatest support and cheerleader, and I miss her so much. I want people to know my mother as the very special person she was.' Do you have a powerful story to share with the Daily Mail? Please send a brief summary to jane.ridley@mailonline.com Women are furious at designers because they can't find summer dresses that allow them to wear bras. Content creator Julia Willis shared a viral TikTok video asking, 'Why are all dresses nowadays made for people to have fake boobs?' Julia said she was shopping for a wedding guest dress and quickly found that 'every single dress has no back, you cannot wear a bra with it, it's spaghetti strap.' She joked she would have straight 'chest bone and pecs' in the dresses, but was thinking about women who had a full C or D cup, who wouldn't be able to wear the dresses without a bra because there's no support. 'Your boobs are just supposed to sit beautifully in the dress,' Julia complained. Women quickly flocked to the comments to complain about the skimpy dress options. One woman agreed that all dresses are now 'backless, sleeveless, slit up to the hip, body con, and sheer because it's made of 100 percent polyester.' 'So sick of finding a cute dress and then scrolling through the photos and realizing that it's backless,' another said, which was a common complaint. Women are viciously attacking designers because they can't find summer dresses that allow them to wear bras (stock image) Content creator Julia Willis shared a viral TikTok video asking, 'Why are all dresses nowadays made for people to have fake boobs?' Some brought up the fact that these dresses did seem to require breast augmentation to make them easier to wear without any type of bra underneath. 'Capitalism is ruled under patriarchy, and this is a micro aggression to invalidate women's natural bodies so we buy into fixing what was never wrong,' one commenter accused. 'I have DDD and nothing has support but also can't be worn with a bra. It's made for fake or flat chested women. I'm tired,' a commenter complained. Fittingly, 'internal bras,' a specialized breast lift surgery that gives women a smaller, natural, and perkier look, is a plastic surgery procedure on the rise. 'I have been saying this for years! Companies have special sections for 'bra-friendly' shouldn't that be the standard?' another asked. Trendy celebrity-beloved brands like Reformation offer up a plethora of backless options alongside a much smaller selection of 'bra-friendly' options that leave room for straps. 'I have G cups. I can't wear these girlie dresses anymore. We are regressing to 2000s fashion,' another person said. A woman complained that none of the options are 'appropriate to wear around family.' 'I always thought that these were just made for girls with As or Bs but to hear that it doesn't work for ANYTHING natural makes me even more frustrated,' a commenter summed it up. Trendy brands like Reformation offer up backless options alongside 'bra-friendly' options San Diego-based stylist Cynthia Kennedy explained the lack of backs is 'a mix of trend and cost-saving measures' Personal stylist Cynthia Kennedy, based in San Diego, explained the lack of backs is 'definitely a mix of trend and cost-saving measures.' 'On the design side, backless and strappy dresses have been everywhere lately think 'quiet luxury' meets Euro summer,' Cynthia told DailyMail.com. 'They're meant to look effortless and breezy, which appeals to that minimal, vacation-inspired aesthetic that's been trending on social media and runways alike.' But it's not just about following the runway trends; these tops and dresses are also cheaper to produce. 'From a production standpoint, removing things like linings, back panels, built-in cups, or even structure in the bodice cuts costs significantly,' Cynthia revealed. 'Less fabric, fewer sewing steps, and no need for support layers means a lower price to produce.' By cutting out these steps, fast-fashion retailers can easily save money. 'Brands may say it's 'intentional design,' but a lot of it comes down to skipping structural features to save time and money,' Cynthia said. Unfortunately, the downside is that women with 'fuller busts or those who just prefer a little more coverage feel left out' while shopping, according to Cynthia, especially since 'not every shopper wants to (or can) go braless, and backless designs rarely accommodate that without a little fashion tape and prayer.' Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more The podcasting IT girls of the viral show Almost 30 have spoken and it looks like the one trend we should all tune into is holistic shopping. Dynamic duo and longtime best friends Lindsey Simcik and Krista Williams set off to start a podcast to share their journeys of turning thirty with other women nearly a decade ago. Today, the two have amassed over one hundred million downloads with their viral podcast Almost 30, which takes a deep dive into spirituality, self-development, and wellness. But the pair's success comes from beyond their creative ingenuity. Their witty, authentic episodes have attracted listeners with deep insights into what it is like being a woman transitioning between decades. With years of experience (and stories!) under their belts, the girls of the Almost 30 podcast have a new adventure embarking soon, and we sat down with them to get all the details. Almost 30: A Definitive Guide to a Life You Love for the Next Decade and Beyond Are you turning 30? Do you know someone who is? Well this book is the guide you need to get through the next decade (and beyond). From hosts Lindsey Simcik & Krista Williams of the viral podcast 'Almost 30' comes this deeply personal book about change. Together your new 'cosmic sisters' will share their wisdoms that they've learned along the way and more. From spirituality to body image, this guide to getting older comes with everything you need. Shop Simcik and Williams wrote a new book titled Almost 30: A Definitive Guide to a Life You Love for the Next Decade and Beyond, which you can pre-order ahead of its release on June 3rd, 2025. Readers can expect equal parts wisdom and hands-on exercises with Simcik and Williams acting as the readers, 'Cosmic Sisters. But the duo's debut novel was not the only thing they chose to share with us. The pair also gave DailyMail.com an inside look into all of their wellness must-haves, from their favorite skincare products to their go-to supplements. After gabbing for nearly an hour, it became clear that for the Almost 30 podcasters, holistic is the number one concern. Beauty starts on the inside, and Lindsey Simcik and Krista Williams couldnt agree more. We asked the women to share what brands are on their radars right now, and Thrive Causemetics was at the top of the list. Williams said while speaking about her favorite female-founded makeup that now she looks for brands that are more holistically doing rather than just benefiting me. She also noted that the brand's Buildable Blur CC Cream is her go-to saying: It just makes me glow in a way that I feel like a better person because of it. Thrive Causemetics Buildable Blur CC Cream Full coverage that feels clean. This SPF 40 full face cream is a personal favorite of Krista who says it makes her 'feel like a good person.' The female-founded brands best-seller is cruelty-free and Vegan! You can shop a plethora of shades and enjoy the one of a kind Blur Effect Technology that evens out skin tone instantly. Shop Marie Veronique Gentle Retinol Night Serum It is no secret that women over 30 often are trying to defy time with products such as retinol. Krista named this unique formula as another must-have from female forward brand Marie Veronique. The nightly serum uses a gentle Retinol (the safe Vitamin A derivative) in conjunction with Vitamin A, C, and E. Together the ECO conscious product reduces fine lines and brightens the skin! Shop Simcik, on the other hand, cannot get enough of the powerful femme brand Primally Pure, which offers affordable, clean skincare products. Her personal favorite is the Soothing Cream, which uses powerful herbal ingredients such as Blue Tansy and leaves her skin super moisturized. Primally Pure Soothing Cream A Lindsey must-have! This 'balm' uses blue tansy, antioxidants, and more natural ingredients to actively soothe the skin and reduce redness. The podcaster noted it leaves her skin 'dewy' and that it feel 'so calming.' The cream has over one thousand 5-star reviews and is surprisingly affordable. If you are in the market for a ultra-hydrating, gentle, and effective skin routine addition this is it! Shop But, the recommendations did not stop at beauty. The famous podcasters also had a lot to say about wellness. Williams could not stop raving about JS Health, an Australian supplements brand whose founder, Jessica Sepel, has worked alongside the women on numerous occasions. Williams said: The Magnesium is like my favorite supplement I could ever recommend for your brain health, digestion, and cellular function. JS Health Advanced Magnesium+ Form 'This magnesium is the best supplement I could ever recommend!' Krista swears by Australian female-founded brand JS Health. Designed to deliver therapeutic doses made from holistic ingredients, the brands supplements get the job DONE. Krista highlighted this daily Magnesium Supplement as a must-have for cognitive function, digestion, and more. The formula contains three different forms of bioavailable Magnesium, is Non-GMO, allergy friendly, and is nutritionist created. Shop Another notable add to cart for them was Cymbiotika. Simcik said she is a big fan of the brands 'Glutathione and Vitamin C. I feel like that combo is great for immunity, for cellular health, and for your skin. Cymbiotika Liposomal Vitamin C Lindsey loves this 'more bioavailable' brand that offers high-quality liquid supplements. The unique female-founded brand makes creating potent formulas their top concern with holistic ingredients at the forefront. The brands best-selling Vitamin C boosts collagen, supports immune system health, and even helps skin with aging. You can explore a wide variety of Liposomal supplements on their site including Magnesium and Heart health. Shop Make sure to mark your calendars ahead of the Almost 30: A Definitive Guide to a Life You Love for the Next Decade and Beyond, release on June 3rd and in the meantime pre-order the sure to be best-seller along with Lindsey Simcik and Krista Williams Holy Grail holistic products. From Mrs Hinch to Marie Kondo, there's nothing new about cleaning influencers showing off their organised and tidy abodes. But now, a bizarre trend has emerged online, with mothers instead shaming their own filthy houses in a bid to increase their number of TikTok followers, or advocate for 'messy' living. One such parent is KirstieKins93, who explained on her social media account how she's a 'messy mum who lives in a council house and I'm low income'. 'I want to be known... for having a very messy house', proudly declared the parent of twins, as she went onto say how she hoped her platform would result in some extra money for her family. But she quickly backtracked, insisting 'actually I don't' as she showcased her cluttered property - with rubbish, food and clothes lining the floors. 'I do struggle with keeping on top of house work and organising things. I'd just love to make a bit of extra income so I can get this house fully decorated,' she revealed. 'My house isn't a mess all the time and I do try my best. I also do care for my grandmother as well... Obviously we are struggling financially, I know I haven't got it as bad as others. 'I do try and help as much people on here by commenting, liking, and reposting their content, so if you could do that for me as well that would be amazing.' TikTok was once dominated with clips of influencers showcasing their squeaky clean homes, but now the opposite is happening, with content creators revealing their messy interiors, including UK-based Char (Char's room is pictured) 'I would love to become a decorating account more than me tidying up and organising things,' she later admitted. But Kirstie isn't the only mother to show of her 'filthy' home - with #messyhouse having 37.1K posts on TikTok and #messyhousecheck having 2729 posts. Among them is mother-of-two Char, who goes by @charlellss on TikTok, and branded her home a 's******'. While 'exposing' her home's interiors, which included empty food and drink packets littered in her bedroom, she said: 'I know that as a person and as a mum, I need to get my s*** together and start getting on top of the mess in my house. 'There isn't really any reason for it other than that mess overwhelms me extremely, and when I get in the state of being overwhelmed, I don't know where to start, and it builds up more and more.' However, Char recognised it was 'time to change' and encouraged viewers to watch her videos as she embarked upon a new, clean-living approach. Elsewhere, a London-based 'poor single dad on TikTok', whose username is @tok_savings, shares clips where he cooks for his children in a kitchen with brown stains against the walls and deep grease marks on the cooker. While the father-of-three demonstrates an inspirational approach to feeding his children on a small budget, often as little as 3, and has built up 180,000 followers doing so, viewers can't help but notice the dirt build up in his kitchen. Father-of-three @tok_savings appears to have mastered cooking on a budget - but the same can't be said for his cleaning skills TikTok user Kirstie's hallway was packed with shopping bags, rubbish, decorations, and wrapping paper Dishes, products, and washing filled Kirstie's kitchen countertops, leaving little space for cooking Kirstie isn't the only mother to show her 'filthy' home - with #messyhouse having 37.1K posts on TikTok and #messyhousecheck having 2729 posts. Pictured, Char's home Mother-of-two Char, who goes by @charlellss on TikTok, branded her home (pictured) a 's******' Viewers have blasted the new TikTok trend embraced by some mothers as 'disgusting' and 'scruffy behaviour' One user wrote: 'Can you not clean as a father, it's free'. Another wrote: 'You will get food poisoning out that microwave and the cooker.' A third offered to come and clean the content creator's kitchen, adding, 'Can I come and clean his kitchen cooker?' He appears to have taken the advice of concerned viewers like Char and is attempting to maintain a cleaner kitchen. Viewers have blasted the new TikTok trend embraced by some mother as 'disgusting' and 'scruffy behaviour'. One person wrote in the comments: 'Why would anyone in the right mind want to be known for a dirty house? I don't get it.' Another said: 'Stop trying to glorify this, it's rank,' while a third added: 'You should be ashamed of yourself, not post your laziness on here in hope of getting money from it.' Blake Lively is being called out for a 'disgusting' mistake she made while serving donuts at a friend's cafe this week. Additionally, the embattled actress has also been accused of staging a PR stunt amid her ongoing legal battle with Justin Baldoni that completely 'missed the mark'. The 37-year-old was all smiles as she baked up a storm at a Connecticut donut shop over the weekend, but fans on social media noticed that she hadn't tied her hair back for the culinary endeavor. As she leaned forward at one point, her long blonde locks hung down over her shoulders - just above a tray of donuts that she was serving to customers. When podcaster Zack Peter, host of No Filter, shared the images on Instagram, one fan wrote, 'Why isn't her hair pulled back?' 'First thing I thought, "eeewwwww donuts with hair,"' one person replied. Another wrote, 'Exactly! If she is serving food, then her hair needs to be pulled back.' Blake Lively is being called out for not tying her hair up while serving donuts at a friend's cafe this week A third added, 'Literally my first thought! She shouldn't be allowed in the kitchen without her hair back at least!' Lively is famed for her illustrious mane, and even has her own hair care line called Blake Brown. Meanwhile, Peter also weighed in on the star's donut debacle, calling Lively's baking blitz 'a PR stunt.' 'Looks like Blake Lively is doing everything she can do to look cool and unbothered amid her legal saga with Justin Baldoni,' he wrote. Speaking to DailyMail.com, an insider said, 'Blake did this on her own. She was not advised by her team to do this. She told her team after this happened and everyone thought that it was a harmless idea.' They continued, 'It is not so much a PR stunt as an effort to gain back her fans by showing her softer side which people loved her for. She wanted to show that she truly cares about people. But in hindsight she really missed the mark on this. 'Federal regulations in every state specify that women need to wear hairnets when handling food. Blake wore her long hair down. This is also the responsibility of the donut shop to make sure health regulations are adhered to. But everyone was so excited to have Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds there that this was likely overlooked.' 'Baking with genius food friends and their kitchen mixer the size of a car,' Lively wrote in one post, which showed her slaving over a large mixer filled with dough Lively is actually famed for her illustrious mane, and even has her own hair care line called Blake Brown While naysayers have accused the Gossip Girl actress of dishing out donuts for publicity, Lively revealed that her friend actually owns the store and that she was simply happy to help out. 'Baking with genius food friends and their kitchen mixer the size of a car,' she wrote in one post, which showed her slaving over a large mixer filled with dough. 'This is what my happy place looks like,' she added in another post. According to People magazine, Lively 'is friends with the owner' of Rise Doughnuts in Wilton and was 'in a really happy mood' as she helped out in the kitchen. Lively also seemed to have friendly and fun conversations with customers while working behind the counter, according to the outlet. Her wholesome day of baking sweets comes amid her ongoing legal battle with her It Ends With Us co-star and director Baldoni. Late last year, Lively filed a lawsuit against him as well as film producer Jamey Heath, Wayfarer Studios co-found Steve Sarowitz and more from Baldoni's team. 'She shouldn't be allowed in the kitchen without her hair back at least!' one fan wrote In her complaint, she accused Baldoni and company of sexual harassment and orchestrating a smear campaign to ruin her reputation. In response, Baldoni filed a $400 million defamation lawsuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds and their publicist Leslie Sloane, accusing them of shutting him out of his own film and ruining his career. He also filed a lawsuit against The New York Times' reporting on Lively's allegations. Over a week ago, Lively filed a motion to dismiss Baldoni's $400 million defamation lawsuit, slamming it as 'vengeful and rambling.' In court documents obtained by DailyMail.com, Lively's attorneys slammed Baldoni's lawsuit as a 'profound abuse of the legal process that has no place in federal court' as they asked for all claims against her to be dropped. In a shocking twist, the documents also state that Wayfarer's legal efforts against Lively may end up costing Baldoni's team $100 million due to a mandatory fee shifting provision in California Civil Code Section 47.1, which provides protections to individuals with claims of sexual harassment and similar allegations. Additionally, the embattled actress has also been accused of staging a PR stunt amid her ongoing legal battle with Justin Baldoni that completely 'missed the mark' It's the latest update in the messy legal ordeal between Lively and Baldoni, which officially began in December 2024 after Lively filed her complaint and Baldoni countersued in February. All parties have denied the allegations against them, and Reynolds and Sloane have also filed to be dismissed from the lawsuit. In the introduction and summary of their argument, Lively's legal team argues the lawsuit against her has 'no place in federal court' due to legal protections for individuals who have spoken out about sexual harassment or filed legal claims. 'The law prohibits weaponizing defamation lawsuits, like this one, to retaliate against individuals who have filed legal claims or have publicly spoken out about sexual harassment and retaliation,' the documents state. The former co-stars' trial date is set for March 9, 2026. An Idaho homemaker tragically lost her 22-month-old son in a household accident. Mom-of-three Lindsay Dewey recently shared online that her and husband Eric's youngest son Reed was killed after a large mirror fell on him. 'To make a long story short, apparently Reed had one of his suction cup bowls and stuck it on the mirror and was pulling it "back and forth" to pry it off (we're assuming) and he pulled the mirror down on himself,' she wrote on Instagram. 'I never even heard him playing by/with the mirror - until I heard it fall and then within 5 seconds I lifted it off of him,' she continued. Dewey was in the kitchen making dinner when the accident occurred. Reed didn't die instantly, but was left with a fractured skull and 'severe traumatic brain injury'. Dewey initially thought that the toddler was just in shock from the mirror falling, but quickly realized that something was very wrong. Idaho homemaker Lindsay Dewey and husband Eric tragically lost their 22-month-old son Reed in a household accident 'Never did we expect that it would be so serious that he wouldn't survive it,' she said. Medics arrived on the scene within six minutes, but were unable to save Reed. While Dewey never planned to come forward with the story, she explained on Instagram that she decided to share the tragedy in an effort to warn other parents. She also explained that the mirror wasn't designed to be mounted or anchored to a wall, and that it was so heavy that there was 'no way' that her kids could be strong enough to move it on their own. Dewey said that the family usually had an accent chair in front of the mirror too, but that it had just been moved because their dog had peed on the rug. 'We both are still in complete shock that this is what took our baby from us,' she wrote. 'We're only sharing this because we don't want this happening to anybody.' The toddler was playing with a suction cup, which he used to pull a large mirror down that fractured his skull While Dewey never planned to come forward with the story, she explained on Instagram that she decided to share the tragedy in an effort to warn other parents While Dewey admitted that she was concerned about getting backlash from strangers on the internet over the incident, she said that the backlash would be 'worth it' if they could save another child's life. Sharing a photo of Reed to Instagram, Dewey wrote, 'Mommy misses you so badly and I'm so sorry this happened to you my perfect baby boy.' Since the accident, Dewey has amassed a large social media following of more than 50,000 followers and counting. However, the homemaker has rejected the title of 'parenting influencer' and said she has no interest in gaining followers. 'I'm just your average mama of three, homemaker, fire wife, who is obsessed with her family, living in Idaho,' she wrote. 'To paint the picture that I'm just another self-centered influencer is appalling.' Pocahontas was one of the biggest Disney movies of the 1990s and has stayed a favourite for many families for the last 30 years. But many Disney fans are only just realising that Pocahontas was based on a true story - and her magical romance with John Smith in fact has a very dark history. The 1995 film is loosely based on the real-life story of a native American woman called Pocahontas, who journeyed to the New World with other settlers to begin fresh lives. However in real life, Pocahontas was kidnapped by English colonists at the age of 15 and held for ransom, while being forced to convert to Christianity. When she was 18 she married John Rolfe, 29, and they had a son named Thomas Rolfe. The couple moved to England, where she died at age 21 in 1617. Meanwhile the film's villain, British Governor John Ratcliffe, was actually a real life person who went on to create, and exploit, Jamestown for gold. In Disney flick Ratcliffe can be heard saying: 'This is my land, I make the laws here, and I say anyone who so much as looks at an Indian without killing him on sight will be tried for treason and hanged.' However it appears this power hungry man, who was born in Lancashire, in 1549, got what was coming to him after he suffered from one of the most horrific deaths imaginable. People are only just learning that this Disney villain was based on a real person-who died one of the most horrific deaths ever The real Ratcliffe, who was actually named John Sicklemore before he changed his name, was ambushed and attacked by a group of Powhatan natives. During the 'starving time' of Jamestown in the winter of 1609-1610, which was a severe famine and disease that killed a large portion, Ratcliffe was held captive and tortured for days. It is believed he was snatched and tied to a stake in front of a fire where tribal women skinned him alive using mussel shells. It gruesome detail by a surviving captain, George Percy, the tribe apparently skinned his body right before his eyes before throwing pieces of his skin into fire. Disney has never confirmed that the real Ratcliffe and the Pocahontas villain are the same person, fans assumed that the Governor is probably an inspiration to the story. Much like Pocahontas, who's real name was Matoaka, whose brutal story was made more PG and had a happier ending than in real life. Contrary to Disneys portrayal of this well-known family film, the true story of Pocahontas is not one of a romance, but a tragedy. Disneys version of Pocahontas centres John Smith, the man Pocahontas supposedly fell in love with. It turns out the Disney villain, British Governor John Ratcliffe, was actually a real life power-hungry, pompous, greedy and racist Governor, who went on to create Jamestown and exploit the land in search for gold (Depiction of Ratcliffe (left) and John Smith) Disneys version of Pocahontas centers John Smith, the man Pocahontas supposedly fell in love with. In facts, reports say soon after, the English captain John Smith was captured she befriended and probably pleaded with her father to spare his life Disney's 1995 musical Pocahontas was portrayed as a whimsical romance, however the real story actually has a very dark history In reality, Smith came to her town when she was only nine or 10 years old, while he was 27 years old and despite Disneys narrative, the two were never romantically involved However in reality, Smith came to her town when she was only nine or 10 years old, while he was 27 years old and despite Disneys narrative, the two were never romantically involved. In facts, reports say soon after, the English captain John Smith was captured she befriended and probably pleaded with her father to spare his life. Some accounts say after this Smith and Pocahontas had a special, father-daughter relationship. In 1610 she married an Indian named Kocoum and had a child with him, however he was killed by those who kidnapped her. English colonist Captain Samuel Argall is said to have played a role in her abduction. He reportedly sought to use Pocahontas, the daughter of the chief, as a means to prevent attacks from certain Indigenous tribes and is thought to have made promises to the chief about her temporary absence, which he quickly broke. Some accounts say after this Smith and Pocahontas had a special, father-daughter relationship (portrait of English colonist and soldier John Smith (c. 1580 - 1631)) Pocahontas died from an illness aged just 21, which some historians think might have been due to pneumonia or dysentery (Portrait of the Native American chief's daughter Pocahontas) Following her capture, Pocahontas was taken to Jamestown and later to a small English settlement called Henrico, near present-day Richmond. Her father, Powhatan, agreed to negotiate with the English to secure her release. In 1613 she was kidnapped by Englishmen, and eventually was baptized into Christianity, a year later she married the Englishman John Rolfe; the couple had a child, Thomas. In March 1617, Pocahontas, Thomas and Rolfe got ready to go back to Virginia, but while sailing down the Thames River, she became seriously ill, and they had to land in Gravesend, Kent. Pocahontas died from an illness aged just 21, which some historians think might have been due to pneumonia or dysentery. Pocahontas was laid to rest at St George's Church on 21 March, 1617, despite her family requesting that her body be laid to rest in her tribe. Her father was heartbroken at the news his daughter had died and he ended up dying from grief less than a year after Pocahontas. People have been left devastated after discovering the dark history behind the popular children's toy, Sea Monkeys. Many will be remember the novelty of tearing open a packet of tiny powdered eggs, pouring them into a tubular vessel, and hoping to hatch a family of miniature fish - but fewer are aware of the toy's creator's dark past. Sea Monkeys were at their peak popularity during the 1990s, when millions of youngsters from around the world delighted in raising a farm of tiny fish. But former Sea Monkey parents are now saying their memories of the hatchable pets have been 'ruined' after discovering the murky past of it's creator, Harold von Braunhut. Writing on a Family Lowdown Tips & Ideas page, one user asked: 'Out of interest, have you ever Googled the creator of Sea Monkeys?' The post prompted a flurry of comments from baffled Brits couldn't believe what they were reading after delving into the details of Braunhut's dark past - with one saying their memories had been 'tainted' by the discovery. Before his death in 2003, the toy creator had been linked to several white supremacist groups and was even featured in a list of of 'outstanding Aryan nationalist leaders' in a 1984 Aryan Nations Congress held in Idaho. Born as Harold Nathan Braunhut, the toy creator reportedly changed his name to include the addition of 'von' in an effort to distance himself from his Jewish heritage and sound more Germanic. Sea Monkeys were at their peak popularity during the 1990s, when millions of youngsters from around the world delighted in raising a farm of tiny fish According to a report from the Southern Poverty Law Centre, Braunhut also pledged part of the proceeds of one of his inventions - a spring-loaded weapon known as the Kiyoga Agent M5 - to the legal defense of Aryan Nations leader Richard G. Butler. Much to the horror of his fans, the toy inventor was unapologetic about his right-wing beliefs, once asserting in an interview: 'You know what side I'm on. I don't make any bones about it.' A 1988 article written by The Washington Post titled Contrasts of a Private Persona, additionally described there having been a number of unusual personal belongings found in Braunhut's study after his death. It reported that one particularly unusual find. 'A German war poster autographed in 1940 by Hermann Goering, an inscribed photograph of Benito Mussolini and a print of World War II German aircraft signed by the Luftwaffe's top four aces.' When questioned about his Jewish background for the article, the businessman said: 'I will not make any statements whatsoever.' Harold Braunhut forged his career by using comic book advertisments to sell products - many of which were left revealed to have been misleading. By the time he died, he had a whopping 195 parents, including on a number of culturally famed products. Much to the horror of his fans, the toy inventor was unapologetic about his right-wing beliefs, once asserting in an interview: 'You know what side I'm on. I don't make any bones about it' But former Sea Monkey parents are now saying their memories of the hatchable pets have been 'ruined' after discovering the murky past of it's creator, Harold von Braunhut As well as being the founding father of Sea Monkeys, Braunhut also created X-ray specs and Invisible Goldfish. Sea Monkeys were first invented in thre 1950s after Braunhut discovered a species of brine shrimp that could easily be raised in a tank. Despite being heavily marketed in the 60s and 70s, it wasn't until the 90s that the creatures won the hearts of children - at which point they became extremely popular. Additionally, he patented Amazing Hair-Raising Monsters, a card with a printed monster that would grow 'hair' (grass) when water was added. Elsewhere, the toy maker also raced motorcycles under the name the Green Hornet and also worked as a magician under the name Great Telepo. Another of his controversial creations was his Invisible Goldfish, which were as they sound. The kit even came with a printed guarantee that you'd never see them. Though some thought the invention was tongue-in-cheek, not everyone appreciated the joke and in the 1970s, a New York attorney general, Louis Lefkowitz, filed a lawsuit against him. According to a New York Times article, the attorney had argued that Sea Monkeys were 'fraudulent' because it's 'fantasy'. However, it is not clear from legal record whether the claims were ever vindicated. Responding to the original Facebook post, many were horrified to discover the history behind their beloved childhood pets. One wrote: 'Oh... my childhood memories of Sea Monkeys are tainted by his racial stance.' Others in the comments agreed, with one writing 'yup, I felt the same,' while another simply put 'snap'. Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more A British breadmakers sourdough recipe has proven such a hit with millennial women that his 2 loaves are almost always out of stock. Jason Greary, 53, a fourth-generation baker from Leicestershire, launched his eponymous brand of sourdough in 2020 after he noticed a lack of affordable alternatives in the market. At the time, Jason told The Times, the only places you could find proper sourdough bread was at pricey artisanal bakeries and he wanted to make it more available for more people by providing a reasonably-priced variant. Five years later, the company moves a million loaves of Jasons Sourdough every week - with its founder currently investing 35 million to set up a third production facility as demand for his breads continues to exceed the supply. TikTok is flooded with videos of empty shelves at supermarkets like Sainsbury's and Tesco, with shoppers expressing their disappointment over stock running out early in the day. A majority of these TikToks have been filmed by millennial women, who are 'obsessed' with Jason's Sourdough - now among the ranks of posh pantry staples that have become something of a 'status symbol' in the UK. While a loaf of Sainsbury's own label wholemeal bread costs 75p, any of Jason's sourdoughs will add an additional 1.25 to your weekly food shop bill. However, it's a price many customers appear willing to pay - especially considering most bakeries sell their sourdoughs for upwards of 4 - if only they could get to their local shop before the last loaf was snapped up. A British breadmakers sourdough recipe has proven such a hit with millennial women that his 2 loaves are almost always out of stock TikTok is flooded with videos of empty shelves at supermarkets like Sainsbury's and Tesco , with shoppers expressing their disappointment over stock of Jason's Sourdough running out early in the day A majority of these TikToks have been filmed by millennial women, who are 'obsessed' with Jason's Sourdough - now among the ranks of posh pantry staples that have become something of a 'status symbol' in the UK One TikTok creator, who goes by the handle @everyday_georgia, declared that 'trying to secure Jason's Sourdough is a full-time job' alongside a clip of the few packets of the brand's White Ciabattin left over at a supermarket. Responding to her video, one person shared: 'People in my local Sainsbury's have cottoned onto Jason's sourdough, and honestly it's a gamble every time I go in now whether it's in stock or not.' Another TikTok user @georgialxu compared finding a bag of the bread to winning the lottery while asking: 'Why is Jason's Sourdough so hard to get hold on?' Commenters replied saying that it was 'always out of stock' at Sainsbury's regardless of what time they checked, and that 'my Morrisons hasn't had it for weeks'. In a TikTok shared last December, creator Shakila (@cakeshak) said it felt like 'Christmas has come early' after she 'managed to get my hands on Jason's Sourdough' in her local Tesco. 'They had a full shelf of them so I did something I would probaby mock my mother for, if she did this,' the Manchester-based influencer said, before revealing she purchased three loaves of the White Ciabattin to freeze them. 'Never in my life did I think I would be stocking up on bread and freezing them.' When one follower commented to say their mum 'buys a bunch and freezes it', Shakila replied: 'I'm glad to hear I'm not alone in doing this then.' Jason Greary, 53, a fourth-generation baker from Leicestershire, launched his eponymous brand of sourdough in 2020 after he noticed a lack of affordable alternatives in the market Today, the company moves a million loaves of Jasons Sourdough every week - with its founder currently investing 35 million to set up a third production facility as demand for his breads continues to exceed the supply. Now dubbed the 'internet's favourite bread', Jason's Sourdough is now among a growing number of elevated pantry staples - such as Bold Bean Co's legumes and Belazu's rose harissa paste - finding favour with Britons The bread's texture and flavour is also being widely praised on TikTok, with @nikkisoane telling her followers 'no one does it better' than the Leicestershire-based bakery. 'This is the nicest bread...is there a nicer one out there? I don't think so,' she said. Now dubbed the 'internet's favourite bread', Jason's Sourdough is now among a growing number of elevated pantry staples - such as Bold Bean Co's legumes and Belazu's rose harissa paste - finding favour with Britons. Last month, it was reported that supermarkets across the UK are stocking up on these 'designer' kitchen essentials to meet the rising demand for premium varieties of everyday foods. Waitrose's annual food and drink report for 2024 found that a pantry stocked with beautiful jars, elegant glass bottles, and decorative tins of tuna, olive oil, chili oil, and olives has 'become a status symbol' in the UK. Explaining the 'yassification' of these kitchen essentials, the report highlighted a greater customer interest in the provenance of 'store-cupboard stalwarts' as customers seek out sustainable and healthier alternatives to these products. Shoppers in the UK are also gravitating towards luxe-looking labels that bolster their street credit in the age of Instagram and TikTok, as brand consciousness rises to an all-time high. This has seen the market become flooded with boujie food brands like the purveyors of 19 extra virgin olive oil at Citizens of Soil or Ortiz tuna that's 'individually line-caught' and retails for 5.65 per 112g can. Nutritional therapist Elena Rolt also told FEMAIL that pantry staples like tuna and beans are 'undergoing a transformation from humble essentials to glamorous ingredients' in part because of a social media-fuelled 'glow-up'. When the wildly glamorous Lauren Sanchez announced she was going to space on April 14, fans wondered how she would keep her makeup looking immaculate. Lauren was joined by Katy Perry and Gayle King - as well as the rest of their historic all-female Blue Origin space crew - on the April digital cover of ELLE to discuss their groundbreaking travel plans. The group also includes former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen and film producer Kerianne Flynn. The A-listers discussed getting 'glam before the flight,' and Lauren was quick to weigh in with how she plans on staying fully made up while flying. 'Space is going to finally be glam. Let me tell you something. If I could take glam up with me, I would do that,' pop star Katy revealed. After the all-female crew joked about having 'lash extensions flying in the capsule,' Oprah's best friend Gayle asked, 'Will the lashes stay on? I'm curious.' Lauren was quick to respond, 'Mine are glued on. They're good.' It's most likely Lauren, 55, who is preparing to wed billionaire Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, 61, this summer in Venice, Italy, has professional lash extensions that can stay put for three weeks at a time. Lauren Sanchez was joined by Katy Perry and Gayle King as well as the rest of their historic all-female Blue Origin space crew on the April digital cover of ELLE After the all-female crew joked about having 'lash extensions flying in the capsule,' Oprah's best friend Gayle asked, 'Will the lashes stay on? I'm curious.' Lauren was quick to respond, 'Mine are glued on. They're good' The extensions are put on in advance by a lash tech, and usually cost anywhere from $180 to $350 to apply, depending on the location and the professional offering their services. The appointments usually take about two hours, and require regular maintenance. However, there are some risks that come with the extensions, including lash mites. The philanthropist and former journalist is known for her designer looks, including sexy date night dresses, barely-there yacht looks, and plunging red carpet gowns. Lauren particularly made waves at Donald Trump's inauguration, when she showed off her skintight, curve-hugging ensembles. The Fly Who Flew to Space author is equally infamous for splashing out thousands on her all-designer wardrobe. The women also talked about how they plan on bringing their personal style on the spacecraft - and why it matters. Activist Amanda said 'it's so important for people to see us like that,' adding that it's a 'dichotomy of engineer and scientist, and then beauty and fashion' and that she plans on 'wearing lipstick.' Prior to meeting in person for the ELLE interview, the women had only spend time together via video calls and phone calls where they discussed their upcoming 11-minute journey. The philanthropist and former journalist is known for her designer looks, including sexy date night dresses, barely-there yacht looks, and plunging red carpet ensembles It's most likely Lauren, 55, who is preparing to wed billionaire Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, 61, this summer in Venice, Italy, has professional lash extensions that can stay put for three weeks They're set to take off on Blue Origin Flight NS-31, which is the first crew made up solely of women since Russian astronaut Valentina Tereshkova's solo space flight in 1963. Lauren previously gushed over her future flight on Instagram in footage she shared. The mom-of-three posed with members of the team working behind-the-scenes to make the trip happen. The brunette beauty captioned the post: 'I have watched @BlueOrigin launches from the ground and filmed them from the sky. 'Still can't believe I'm actually going to have the opportunity to go up next and fly with the most amazing crew. #takingupspace,' she added. Sweet-toothed Aussies are rejoicing after a hugely popular American treat was spotted on supermarket shelves. Shoppers have been rushing to stores like Kmart, Woolworths, Big W, and Coles to get their hands on the latest sugary obsession. Nerds Gummy Clusters, a cult-favourite candy from the United States, first arrived in Australia in July 2024. However, excitement has reached new heights with the arrival of the Very Berry flavour, which only hit supermarket shelves in February 2025. Food reviewer Lena from Melbourne took to TikTok to share the news with her followers. She declared that Coles had finally stocked the original Nerds Gummy Clusters before adding, 'If you know, you know.' Her video immediately sparked a wave of excitement, with many viewers thrilled that they no longer had to track down expensive imported versions at speciality stores. Now, with major supermarkets stocking them for as little as $4.80 at Coles, fans are celebrating the fact that they can enjoy the viral candy without breaking the bank. Nerds Gummy Clusters, a cult-favourite candy from the United States, first arrived in Australia in 2024 While Woolworths and Coles have made it easier to find American sweets, one retailer has taken shoppers by surprise. Kmart has become an unexpected hotspot for imported snacks, with many people heading there specifically to pick up treats like Nerds Gummy Clusters, Reese's, Warheads, and other US favourites. American lollies have always had a cult following in Australia, but in recent years, demand has skyrocketed. One of the biggest reasons for the hype is that American confectionery brands tend to go bigger, brighter, and bolder than their Australian counterparts with more intense flavours. Nerds Gummy Clusters have been particularly popular because they combine two completely different textures into one. The tangy crunch of Nerds on the outside contrasts with the soft, chewy gummy centre, creating an unusual but highly addictive snacking experience. They are easy to eat straight from the bag but can also be used as a topping for ice cream, milkshakes, and even cakes. As soon as the Very Berry flavour hit supermarket shelves, Australians flooded social media to share their opinions. Kmart has become an unexpected hotspot for imported snacks, with many people heading there specifically to pick up treats like Nerds Gummy Clusters, Reese's, Warheads, and other US favourites Some people have already declared them better than the original version, while others have admitted they struggled with the artificial colours and flavours. 'I used to buy them last year but the pink pack has been out for ages,' one lamented. 'Thank you for your service,' another said to Lena. A shopper wrote, 'The way I was in the library studying, took a break, saw [them online], closed my phone and walked to the nearest Coles.' Shoppers discovered that some supermarket shelves can be pulled out Supermarket shoppers have been surprised by a TikTok that revealed a little-known shelf function - but Coles has issued a warning to customers not to try it. Content creator Claudia Oz shared a video online showing how some supermarket shelves, particularly in the herbs and spices section, can be pulled out like drawers to make it easier to see products or grab items from the back. 'You saw a TikTok on how herbs are stacked in supermarkets, and now you must fact-check it each time you go to one,' Claudia joked in the clip. 'Why did [people] decide to gatekeep this information?' However, it wasn't long before Coles stepped in to warn customers that shelves at its its stores do not have this feature, and any attempt to pull them out could cause damage. 'For your information, this doesn't work at Coles,' the supermarket giant stated on its official TikTok account. 'Please don't pull our shelves off.' The video brought a wave of reactions from shoppers, supermarket workers, and former employees who have never seen such a feature before. Aussie shoppers have been left stunned after a viral TikTok revealed a little-known supermarket shelf feature One former shelf stacker was surprised, commenting, 'Nobody told me this when I was a shelf stacker.' But not everyone understood the excitement. Another shopper asked, 'Why would this help a customer?' Others warned against testing the theory in stores. 'This is absolutely not a thing everywhere,' one person wrote. 'Please do not pull shelving with force to test this. If you fling spices all over the shop, there will be many tears, and they won't all be from the workers.' Another was eager to investigate for themselves, declaring: 'I must go to a supermarket immediately.' Some supermarket employees debunked the claim entirely. However, it wasn't long before Coles stepped in to debunk the claim, warning customers that their stores do not have this feature 'I used to inventory grocery stores and supermarkets all over my state, and none of their spice sections ever pulled out like this. If you were lucky, each spice would have its own long tray.' Another worker recalled their own shock at discovering the hidden feature. 'Yeah, five months after I started working in a supermarket, I saw a colleague pulling out the shelves like this, and I felt betrayed by the universe.' Others noted that their stores had different mechanisms, with one explaining, 'The spices at our grocery store don't do that - they are in an auto ejector of some sort.' Another worker, who had spent countless hours stocking shelves, was left frustrated by the revelation. 'This may be a very, very niche kind of shelf for stores because I have never stocked a shelf like that for spices ever... I would have saved so many hours if we had those shelves.' A record three in five adults are now unhappy with the NHS following a 'startling collapse' in public satisfaction, a damning survey reveals. Britons blame their frustrations on long waits for a GP, dentist and hospital bed, a shortage of frontline staff and bureaucrat's wasteful spending. Some 59 per cent of adults said they are dissatisfied with the health service, up seven percentage points in a year to a new high. Meanwhile, only a fifth (21 per cent) are satisfied, down from 24 per cent the previous year and the lowest rate since polling began in 1983. The British Social Attitudes (BSA) survey, which is seen as the 'gold standard' measure of public attitudes, found overall satisfaction with the NHS has plummeted 39 percentage points since the pre-pandemic year of 2019, when 60 per cent of adults said they were satisfied. It quizzed 2,945 adults across England, Scotland and Wales in autumn 2024 and is published today [WED] by the Nuffield Trust and the King's Fund think tanks. Mark Dayan, policy analyst at the Nuffield Trust, said: 'These figures make clear that since 2019 and through the Covid-19 pandemic we saw a startling collapse in NHS satisfaction. 'This was no aberration: it is continuing even today. It is by far the most dramatic loss of confidence in how the NHS runs that we have seen in 40 years of this survey.' Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. The figures suggest the public agree with Sir Keir Starmer and Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who described the NHS as 'broken' following Labour's victory at the general election in July 2024. The Prime Minister last month revealed plans to abolish NHS England in a bid to eliminate waste, boost efficiency and free-up money for frontline care. The move will lead to the loss of around 9,300 jobs, with some functions taken over by the Department of Health and Social Care. Only 14 per cent of those polled agree that 'the NHS spends the money it has efficiently', amid a proliferation of management roles and woke diversity schemes. Some 62 per cent of respondents said they are dissatisfied with the length of time it takes to get a GP appointment, 65 per cent dissatisfied with waits for hospital appointments, and 69 per cent dissatisfied with waits to be seen in A&E. Only 11 per cent of people agreed there are enough staff in the NHS, with 72 per cent disagreeing. Nevertheless, 90 per cent of adults continue to support the founding principle of the NHS that it is free at the point of use, and 80 per cent still want it funded from general taxation. Report author Bea Taylor, fellow at the Nuffield Trust, said the findings show 'just how dismayed' people are about the state of the NHS. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. She added: 'The Government says the NHS is broken, and the public agree. 'But support for the core principles of the NHS free at the point of use, available to all and funded by taxation endures despite the collapse in satisfaction. 'Harnessing this support and fixing the foundations of the NHS must be central to the Government's forthcoming reform programme.' A&E is the NHS service with the lowest satisfaction levels, for the first time. A record 52 per cent of adults are dissatisfied with A&E services and 19 per cent are satisfied, down 12 points to an all-time low. Fewer than a third (31 per cent) are satisfied with their GP services, the lowest level on record, while almost half (49 per cent) are dissatisfied. Satisfaction with NHS dentistry 'has continued to collapse', with levels at a record low of 20 per cent, compared with 60 per cent in the pre-pandemic year of 2019, while dissatisfaction levels (55 per cent) are a record high. Inpatient and outpatient hospital care had the highest level of satisfaction among NHS services. A record three in five adults are now unhappy with the NHS following a 'startling collapse' in public satisfaction, a damning survey reveals. Britons blame their frustrations on long waits for a GP, dentist and hospital bed, a shortage of frontline staff and bureaucrat's wasteful spending. Helen Morgan, Liberal Democrat's health and social care spokesperson, said patients are 'at their wits end with a health service that has left people being treated in hospital corridors, or pulling out their own teeth through lack of a dentist'. Overall, 51 per cent of the public said they are very or quite satisfied with the quality of NHS care. But satisfaction with social care remains low at just 13 per cent. Saffron Cordery, interim chief executive of NHS Providers, which represents NHS trusts, said: 'These figures must be a wake-up call for the NHS.' Mr Streeting said: 'The British public's belief in the founding principles of the NHS remains unshaken and I am proud to be part of a government that shares that commitment as we deliver our plan for change to make our NHS the envy of the world once again.' An NHS England spokesperson said staff have worked hard to improve services over the past year but patients are 'understandably frustrated' with waiting times and 'we know we have much further to go to deliver the care patients expect'. Hollywood star Val Kilmer famed for iconic roles in Top Gun, Batman and The Doors has died at 65 after a long health battle. His daughter Mercedes Kilmer, whom he shared with ex-wife Joanne Whalley, revealed he passed from pneumonia in Los Angeles on Tuesday. The screen icon was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014 and underwent surgery, including a tracheotomy which significantly impacted his ability to speak. He was later declared cancer free. But on several occasions he had spoken publicly about the impact the disease and his subsequent cancer treatment had on his health. Kilmer underwent both radiotherapy and chemotherapy as well as a tracheostomy a procedure to create an artificial hole in this neck to help him breathe. The latter permanently damaged his vocal cords and forever altered his speaking voice. Throat cancer is not a medical term, with doctors instead distinguishing cancers that develop in this part of the body into two main types. Hollywood star Val Kilmer famed for iconic roles in Top Gun, Batman and The Doors has died at 65 after a long health battle The actor died from pneumonia in Los Angeles on Tuesday; pictured in a 1986 still from Top Gun The latter permanently damaged his vocal cords and consequentially forever altered his speaking voice; seen with rumored ex Angelina Jolie in 2004 These are cancers of the larynx, the voice box, and those of the pharynx a hollow, muscular tube inside the neck that starts behind the nose and opens into the larynx and windpipe. Cancers that affect the head and neck are the eighth most common form overall in the UK, although they are two to three times more common in men than in women. About 12,500 new cases are diagnosed each year, according to Cancer Research UK, and incidences are on the rise. The disease is also estimated to claim the lives of around 4,000 people every year. Doctors have recently warned they are seeing throat cancer cases in 'much younger patients'. A report in October revealed hundreds more people are dying from the disease than before the Covid pandemic with almost a 50 per cent increase in cases since 2013. Smoking, alcohol and human papillomavirus (HPV) a normally harmless virus that is spread sexually and through skin contact are the primary causes. But the symptoms of throat cancer depend on the specific type you have. Here, MailOnline reveals the key warning signs of the disease. His daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, 33, whom he shared with ex-wife Joanne Whalley, confirmed his passing to the New York Times; Mercedes and Val in Los Angeles in 2019 For many people the first noticeable symptom is a sore throat, but experts warn an earache is a less well-known warning sign A hoarse voice According to Cancer Research UK, a croaky or hoarse voice is one of the most common symptoms of the cancer. But many other things can cause a hoarse voice, such as a cold, shouting too much or laryngitis inflammation of the larynx. Smoking can also make your voice sound more croaky because it irritates the mucous membranes which line the throat. Anyone noticing they have had a hoarse voice for more than three weeks is urged to speak to their GP. It hurts to swallow Struggling to swallow food is another common symptom. Some people report that it feels like something is stuck in their throat or that their food is sticking to it. Others may notice a burning sensation when swallowing. However, Cancer Research UK also warns that seeing a lump or swelling on your neck is also a sign to visit a doctor. He rocketed to stardom as Tom Cruise's co-star in the smash 1986 hit Top Gun (1986), playing naval aviator Tom 'Iceman' Kazansky Despite his permanently damaged voice, he made a brief return to the screen in 2022's Top Gun: Maverick (pictured) A cough that does not go away Many illnesses ranging from hay fever and the common cold to bronchitis produce recurrent coughs. But a chronic cough is often defined as one that lingers for more than three to eight weeks, sometimes even lasting for months. Doctors have long advised that chronic coughs should be diagnosed and treated before they linger too long. Kilmer had previously detailed how he was unaware he had throat cancer until one day he coughed up 'coagulated blood' and called for an ambulance before passing out. He then woke up in a Santa Monica hospital after an emergency tracheotomy for throat cancer. Lump in the neck In some throat cancer patients, a lump in the neck can be the first sign of the disease. A lump can signal various conditions, commonly swollen lymph nodes due to an infection. Yet, medics say if the lump grows in size or feels hard, it fails to go away or is painful or tender to touch, it should be checked out immediately by a health professional. When a lump in the neck is accompanied by other symptoms such as fatigue or difficulty swallowing, medical attention should also be sought. The screen icon was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014 and underwent surgery, including a tracheotomy which significantly impacted his ability to speak Shortness of breath If the cancer is located below the vocal cords, it can lead patients to feel breathless, have more noisy breathing and suffer from a persistent cough. In some cases people may have a cough that doesn't go away or their breathing may become more labored or noisy. But in any case shortness of breath is a serious symptom that should not be ignored, Cancer Research warns. 'It can be tempting to put changes to your body down to getting older or another health condition,' says Maxine Lenza, health information officer at Cancer Research UK. 'But it's important to tell your doctor if you notice anything that's not normal for you, or isn't going away. 'In most cases it won't be cancer, but if it is, finding it at an early stage can make a real difference.' Kilmer had previously detailed how he was unaware he had throat cancer until one day he coughed up 'coagulated blood' and called for an ambulance before passing out. Pictured, Kilmer in 1993 film Tombstone Unexplained weight loss Losing weight is a common sign of many types of cancer and very unlikely to be the only sign of laryngeal cancer. This symptom can be a result of eating less, due to pain or difficulty swallowing food. If you unintentionally lose more than five per cent of your normal body weight, or more than 10lbs (4.5 kg) in less than a year, you should consult your doctor, experts advise. Dr Anthony Cunliffe, a GP and national lead medical advisor at Macmillan said: 'We would want anyone who's got a reduced appetite or trouble eating which is persistent to go early to their GP and especially with unintended weight loss as it can be a symptom of late stage cancer.' Unexplained weight loss, however, could also be caused by cachexia. Also known as wasting syndrome, cachexia is a potential cancer symptom and causes extreme loss of muscle and fat, according to Cancer Research UK. People with early-stage cancers don't usually get cachexia. But up to four in five of people with advanced cancer develop some degree of cachexia, the charity explained. In cancer, it's thought to be driven by inflammation. That's because inflammation can promote muscle wastage and a tumour can take energy away from the rest of the body. Inflammation has also been linked to muscle loss because it causes protein to be broken down faster than it is being made. That's because cancer can damage the mitochondria, the part of the cell responsible for converting nutrients into energy. A young woman with a rare brain disorder has accused medics of 'handcuffing' and restraining her without her consent following a major life-saving operation to repair damage to her skull. Kaitlyn Jenkins, 21, from Texas in the US, has shared a video clip (below) of the terrifying moment she woke up from the procedure, during which medics were forced to restrain her hands to stop her pulling out a breathing tube. Attached to a ventilator, she was also unable to move or speak. 'I was absolutely terrified it felt like I was trapped in a living nightmare,' she told People magazine. 'I couldnt understand why I couldnt talk, and not knowing what was happening made everything feel even more surreal.' She explained that, during a pre-operation consultation, the anesthesiologist had 'quickly mentioned' she may wake up with a ventilator, but 'didnt go into detail' or mention the handcuffs. 'It was exhausting and felt like no one fully understood how scared I was,' she said. 'I wish the hospital had a better system for patients to communicate when theyre on a ventilator and restrained because in those moments, not being able to express myself made an already terrifying experience even harder to endure.' Kaitlyn Jenkins, 21, from Texas in the US, has revealed the moment she woke up 'handcuffed' to the hospital bed and unable to move following skull surgery Unable to communicate, she resorted to tracing letters on her mother's hand to deliver basic requests. The beauty entrepreneur suffers three disorders that affect her brain and spine, and regularly shares video clips about her physical struggles to her TikTok channel. These include chiari malformation type 1 whereby part of the brain bulges through a gap in the back of the skull craniocervical instability, where the ligaments that hold the head up are too loose, and the connective disorder Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS). The combination of illnesses has led to numerous surgeries throughout Ms Jenkins' lifetime, as well as a constant battle with chronic pain. Last year, she came across a neurosurgeon in New York who appeared to offer a solution for many of her symptoms a procedure called craniocervical fusion surgery. The major operation involves fusing the bones at the junction of the skull and upper skine together using metal plates, rods, and screws. It aims to increase stability in the area, allowing for freedom of movement and less pain. While the operation was a success, Ms Jenkins was shocked by the state she woke up in. None of her previous brain surgeries had involved restraint. Eventually, she was once again able to breathe without the help of the ventilator, and medics removed the restraints and the breathing tube. But the emotional impact of the ordeal has left its mark on the young woman. 'It's not just a physical recovery; theres a mental and emotional recovery that takes time, too,' she said. 'This experience has definitely changed my perspective on surgery and medical procedures. 'Ive always known surgery is serious, but this made me realise how important patient communication is especially when youre already facing something as life-altering as brain or spinal surgery.' Following the surgery, Ms Jenkins spent six weeks in hospital due to complications including osteolysis (the breakdown of bone tissue) and nerve pain which can cause her to pass out. It took Ms Jenkins six weeks to learn how to walk again at the hospital, but she still struggles a year on and often needs a walking aid to get around 'Re-learning to walk was already challenging, but frequent episodes of passing out made it even harder,' she said. By the end of February, she began walking again. However she still relies on a walking frame to maintain stability and attends physical and occupational therapy three times a week. She also wears a bone growth stimulator four hours a day, to help the bones grow and fuse together faster. 'This experience has been physically exhausting and emotionally taxing,' she said. 'Its hard not to think about how things might have been different without the complications, but I try to focus on the progress I am making.' Popular chocolate brand Tony's Chocoloney has slapped a 'do not eat' warning on two of its large bars as they may contain 'small stones'. Customers were warned to avoid the Dark Almond Sea Salt and Everything Bar, and return them to supermarkets where they'll receive a full refund. The risk of small stones being present in the product is said to be small, but the brand recalled all affected chocolate bars to 'ensure the safety and satisfaction' of its customers. The urgent safety recall affects the two bars with the specific lot codes: 162633, 162614, 163061, 4331, 4332, 4333. Dark Almond Sea Salt bars (priced from 3.50) with the best before dates 28 February 2026 and 2 April 2026 should be avoided. Everything bars (from 3.00) should be returned if the best before date lies between the 26 and 28 November of this year. In a statement, the company said: 'We are extremely sorry to have to issue this recall, and for the inconvenience that this will cause people who purchased these products. 'Whilst the probability of a product being affected is low, we always put the safety and satisfaction of our consumers first and that is why we have made the decision to recall these products. 'We apologise to consumers and our partners for the impact this will have.' The warning comes a day after Sainsbury's urgently recalled one of its popular own brand chocolate bars over fears it may contain 'fragments of metal'. The major supermarket warned customers not to eat its Belgian Milk Chocolate Honeycomb Pretzel 150g bar, 2.50, and to return any bar bought to their nearest store. The recall affects products with best before dates before the end of April. Food safety watchdogs have stuck 'do not eat' alerts on a number of other items including cereals, cheeses and crisps in recent weeks over allergy, choking and bacteria contamination concerns. The Food Standards Agency (FSA), which publishes the alerts, issues recalls when problems are spotted with food that means it should not be sold. Doctors have revealed the most chilling words dying patients have said in their final moments including the heart-wrenching plea, 'don't let me die'. Medics have also been haunted by the terminally ill who, on their deathbed, 'swear' that there are 'angels' in the room, as well as final, innocent thoughts from young gunshot victims. One dying man called out for a mysterious person named 'Russell' which years after his death was revealed to be a childhood pet. The collection of anecotes have been revealed on a Reddit thread entitled 'doctors, what's the scariest thing a patient has ever done/said?' that's so far garnered 3,600 comments. One particularly heartbreaking report involved a female patient with lung disease who was moments from being made unconscious, in order to attach her to a ventilation machine. She looked the doctor 'dead in the eye' as the anaesthetic was delivered, the medic wrote. 'She had the saddest look in her eyes and said dont let me die. She passed away that night in the operating room. I still see it in my thoughts from time to time.' Another doctor detailed the case of a 16-year-old boy with a gunshot wound that had torn a hole in his aorta the largest and most critical artery that carries blood away from the heart to the rest of the body. Anonymous medics told how patients had described death 'standing behind' them and had pleaded with staff not to let them die. Others even spoke of 'angels' in the room with them. Stock image The collection of 'gut wrenching moments', was posted to a Reddit thread with more than 3,600 comments Shortly before he died of his injuries, he looked up at the doctor on duty and said: 'My stomach hurts'. 'He didnt make it,' the doctor wrote. 'Such innocent last words to hear a kid say. 'He fully didnt grasp his fate at the time. And understandably so. I will never forget it.' Another doctor chillingly told how they are 'still haunted' by one male patient who said: 'I can see death standing behind you.' The man passed away two days later. One nurse, meanwhile, described how they had 'many dying patients say they see family members or angels in the room'. They told the Reddit thread: 'The patients in those instances never seem scared more like comforted. 'I actually encourage them to focus on those family members that they see if it brings them comfort. They usually pass shortly afterwards.' Other medics tell of patients whose final remarks convince them that they are 'at peace' with dying. 'A patient once looked at me with a completely calm face and said, "I know youre trying to help me, but Im going to die today",' wrote one doctor. '"Ive made peace with it, and you cant stop it."' Among the most chilling tale is a story from a non-medic who lost his uncle to ultra-deadly pancreatic cancer. On the day he died, the family were 'gathered around his bed' as his breathing got very shallow and slowed down. 'After a few minutes we thought he had died,' he wrote. 'About 10 minutes passed and people started to leave when suddenly, in a strong clear voice he said, Russell, wait for me, then he was gone. 'Years later his kids found a very old photograph of him when he was maybe five years old. 'He was in a sandbox with a small dog, on the back of the picture in faded ink it read Russell, 1944. Julie McFadden, from Los Angeles in California, (pictured) said she has also heard the patients peacefully tell those around them 'I love you' 'The thought that our pets that have gone before us meet us to help us cross over fills me with comfort.' It comes as one hospice nurse last year revealed people often call out for their parents who had passed away years earlier, or a even a former lover they had not seen in years, in the moments before they pass away. Julie McFadden, from Los Angeles in California, said she has also heard the patients peacefully tell those around them 'I love you.' The 41-year-old has worked in intensive care and hospices for over 15 years, caring for terminally-ill patients in the months leading up to their death. Now, she shares videos on social media on what she says she has learnt about death and dying, in the hopes of destigmatising it. She told this website: 'A lot of people think it's like the movies a dramatic, last proclamation of something they've always regretted or something they always wanted everyone to know. It's not really like that.' 'Most people aren't speaking their last breath, but if they are, or close to it, it's usually "I love you". It's usually, "It's okay", like they're comforting somebody else, or things like "I'm ready".' 'A lot of people will say their parents' names. Or they'll say "mum" or "dad", or the name of an ex-husband who is dead already. 'If they do say something close to death, it's usually brief and short and quiet. It's hard to actually talk.' A shingles vaccine, already offered on the NHS, could dramatically reduce the risk of dementia, a major new study has found. The research has shown that older adults given the jab are 20 per cent less likely to develop the condition compared to those who aren't vaccinated. Shingles, a viral infection that produces a painful rash, is caused by the same virus that causes chicken poxvaricella-zoster. Since 2013, everyone aged 70 to 79 in England is eligible for two shots to help reduce the risk of the condition. The new findings add to mounting evidence it also has an unexpected benefit, in preventing dementiaalthough doctors are still unsure why this happens. In the study, scientists from Stanford University analysed more than 280,000 older adults agedbetween 71 to 88 years oldin Wales. They compared records of people who received the vaccine and those aged 80 and over that at the time of roll out in 2013 who were not eligible under the NHS schemesome just a week apart in age. By 2020, one in eight older adults, who were by then 86 and 87, had been diagnosed with dementia. The shingles vaccine, offered on the NHS, could dramatically reduce the risk of dementia, a major new study has found But those who received the shingles vaccine were a fifth less likely to have developed condition than the unvaccinated, the study published in the journal Nature reveals. 'It was a really striking finding,' said Dr Pascal Geldsetze, who led the study. 'This huge protective signal was there, any which way you looked at the data. 'What makes the study so powerful is that it's essentially like a randomised trial with a control groupthose a little bit too old to be eligible for the vaccine, and an intervention group, those just young enough to be eligible.' Researchers found that the impact of the vaccine on developing dementia was greater in women, which may be due to the fact that women naturally have a stronger immune system reaction to vaccines. Experts have hailed the study as an important step forward. Dr Henry Brodaty, Professor of Ageing and Mental Health at the University of New South Wales, said: 'There has been evidence for some time that older people who receive their vaccinations in general are less likely to develop dementia. 'This is the best evidence yet to show this.' Some warn though that there are still questions left unanswered by the research. Around 900,000 Britons are currently thought to have the memory-robbing disorder. But University College London scientists estimate this will rise to 1.7million within two decades Professor Anthony Hannan, a neuroscientist at the Florey Institute, in Melbourne, Australia said: 'A key question, not answered by this new study, is how the shingles vaccine may have helped protect against dementia. 'The next step is to work out exactly how this vaccine exerts its protective effects against dementia and to use that information to develop new ways to prevent and treat dementia.' The Stanford research team behind the study has replicated the Wales findings in health records from other countries, including England, Australia, New Zealand and Canada, that had similar rollouts of the vaccine. They are also investigating whether a newer version of the vaccinewhich is more effective at preventing shingleshas a greater impact on the risk of developing dementia. There are currently around 982,000 people with dementia in the UK. This number is expected to rise to 1.4 million by 2040. Alzheimer's affects around six in 10 people with dementia. Memory problems, thinking and reasoning difficulties and language problems are common early symptoms of the condition, which then worsen over time. It's an extremely rare form of cancer that usually blights pregnant women. But doctors have revealed how a male patient developed choriocarcinoma - which traditionally starts in the uterus - in his testicles, making it an even rarer form of the disease. It is so rare, there are only a handful of reports of men with the condition. The unnamed 52-year-old man did not know he had the disease and he originally visited a doctor complaining of a painless swelling in the lower right side of his abdomen, in the area where the hip meets the thigh. He said the swelling had progressively increased in size over a three-month period and during a physical examination, doctors discovered it extended into his scrotum. Other symptoms of choriocarcinoma can include breast feminization, shrinking testes, and a loss of libido. However, the only complaint the man presented was abdominal swelling. After an initial check up, he was referred to a urologist for further testing and specialists found he had extremely high levels of beta-hCG, which is a hormone produced by the placenta after a fertilized egg implants in the uterus. The man's beta-hCG levels ranged from 236 to 335 IU/L, which is roughly the same range as a woman who is four weeks pregnant. Doctors have revealed how a male patient developed choriocarcinoma - which traditionally starts in the uterus - in his testicles, making it an even rarer form of the disease (stock image) Your browser does not support iframes. Men do produce small amounts of beta-hCG, but it is not one of their primary hormones and it is most known for its role in pregnancy. In non-pregnant women, beta-hCG levels are usually less than 5 IU/L, while for healthy men, it is less than 2 IU/L. Further scans of the patient's abdomen and pelvis revealed that he had testicular choriocarcinoma, which had spread to to the lymph nodes, liver, lungs and bones. Dr Abdelkader Chaar, an internist who has investigated testicular choriocarcinomas, describes them as the 'most aggressive and rapidly arising germ cell tumors'. He says by the time most cases are diagnosed, the cancer has already spread to other parts of the body. It is estimated that 9,720 new cases of testicular cancer will be diagnosed in 2025 in the US. Of these, Dr Chaar says choriocarcinomas will represents less than two percent of cases. After being diagnosed with testicular choriocarcinoma, the unidentified patient underwent six cycles of chemotherapy in an effort to shrink the tumor. He then underwent surgery to have his testicles removed before more chemotherapy treatments. Despite initially responding well to the treatments, the man started experiencing seizures two months after his surgery. Subsequent CT scans revealed that the cancer had spread to his brain. Ten months after his diagnosis the man, who was married and had three children, passed away due to the disease. The case was reported by a team of doctors from Jalan Hospital in Malaysia. They conclude, in a paper published in the American Journal of Case Reports: 'Testicular choriocarcinoma poses a significant clinical challenge due to its rarity and aggressiveness. 'Individualized and multidisciplinary management approaches are essential for effectively addressing this challenging condition.' Jenny McCarthy has claimed a government agency tried to smear her after she suggested her son's autism was caused by a vaccine. The Hollywood actress, now 52, revealed her son Evan's diagnosis in 2007, saying it came after he received the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine and then suffered from seizures that left him unable to breathe. She went on Oprah Winfrey's show with the claims in 2008, and has written four books on battling her son's condition which causes trouble communicating with others. But now, McCarthy has said that after making the claims she was approached by a public relations worker warning that an unnamed US government agency wanted to hire him as part of a campaign to try to discredit her allegations. Speaking on Maria Menounos' podcast, McCarthy said the man warned the agency would 'come after you with everything they've got.' He added he couldn't accept the job because his own child suffered complications from a vaccine. In the months following the interaction, McCarthy said she was dropped by companies and taken off of advertising campaigns. McCarthy didn't name the person who approached her with the warning or reveal what company they worked for. Despite the warning, she continued to speak out about her son's diagnosis and still says now she believes his autism is linked to the vaccine. Despite her claims, the CDC and several major meta-analyses have failed to establish a link between the MMR vaccine and autism. But Human and Health Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Junior has previously claimed there is a link, and has now tasked the CDC with investigating it once again. Jenny McCarthy, 52, is pictured above with her son Evan. She believes his autism was caused by the MMR vaccine Speaking on the podcast, McCarthy said that after she began speaking out she 'had about six months of just enormous amounts of parents going, "thank you, I am looked at not crazy now, people kept saying I was crazy". 'And then I had someone come to my organization, Generation Rescue, and say to me, "Listen, I was approached by, let's just say a Government agency, to be hired, and what I do is set up PR campaigns to go against the narrative. '[He added]: "And I'm telling you privately, because I turned them down, but I wanted to give you forewarning that it's happening because they're going to hire someone else. '"The only reason I said no is because my child went through the same thing and I didn't want to be part of it."' 'And I said, "Well how are they going to do that when I've clearly said in every interview that I'm not anti-vaccine? Like, I'm just telling the story of my child [and] of what happened." 'And he said, "It doesn't matter, they're going to come after you with everything they've got and they've got the media on their side, so this is just a heads up.' She said following this, she found herself being pulled off jobs and campaigns amid public controversy over her claims. McCarthy has previously said her son was healthy but that after receiving the MMR vaccine, which is given to protect against measles, he started to suffer from seizures, stop breathing and turn blue. Jenny McCarthy, now 52, is shown above speaking on Maria Menounos' podcast He was rushed to the hospital and diagnosed with encephalitis a type of brain inflammation. McCarthy is convinced the vaccine caused the brain inflammation, which she says later led to her son's autism diagnosis. Concerns were raised that the MMR vaccine could cause autism in February 1998, after the Lancet paper published a study by discredited scientist Andrew Wakefield suggesting a link. It took 12 years before the journal finally retracted the paper in February 2010, saying the children studied in the paper were 'carefully selected' and not the result of a random sample. The research was also found to have been partly-funded by lawyers acting for parents involved in lawsuits against vaccine manufacturers. Your browser does not support iframes. More than 20 major studies involving more than 10million children across multiple countries have been carried out since the claims emerged, but none have linked the MMR vaccine to a higher risk of autism. There have been three published reports of encephalitis emerging in people about four to nine months after their MMR vaccination, with one linked to the measles strain used in the vaccine. People who catch measles are known to be at risk of developing this complication. Dr Jess Steier, a public health expert in Massachusetts who reviewed the studies, said: 'Parents can be confident that vaccinating their children protects them from serious diseases without increasing the risk of autism. 'The scientific evidence on this question is not merely suggestive it is overwhelming and conclusive.' It comes amid a major measles outbreak in West Texas where 422 people have been infected and the state saw its first measles death in a decade in a six-year-old girl. The measles vaccine is 97 percent effective at preventing an infection with the disease, which is one of the most infectious in the world. About one to three infections with the virus in every 1,000 children who are unvaccinated is fatal, estimates suggest. When Uri Berliner began his career at National Public Radio 25 years ago, he did so with a sense of pride and the knowledge that his stories would be heard in all corners of the nation. 'One of the things I found really kind of inspiring was, if I worked on a story, there might be a farmer in Nebraska on his tractor first thing in the morning listening to, you know, a story I worked on,' he told the Daily Mail. 'That was one of the reasons I wanted to work at NPR, because of its reach to all kinds of people. But, you know, I don't know that farmer still listens.' Last year, Berliner wrote an article titled: 'How We Lost America's Trust'. It detailed how NPR had become obsessed with diversity and progressive storytelling angles, losing its way journalistically and shedding millions of listeners along the way. On Thursday, his article was submitted as evidence in a hearing of the House DOGE subcommittee, during which Republicans advocated to defund public broadcasters NPR and PBS for becoming 'radical left-wing echo chambers.' The Republican chairwoman, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, said: 'We believe that you all can hate us on your own dime.' People participate in a rally to call on Congress to protect funding for PBS and NPR, outside the NPR headquarters in Washington, DC on March 26 Uri Berliner worked at NPR for 25 years and wrote a viral article: 'How We Lost America's Trust' During the hearing, NPR Chief Executive Katherine Maher admitted the network had been 'mistaken' in not pursuing the Hunter Biden laptop story in 2020, and she disavowed her past social media posts calling Donald Trump a 'racist' and a 'sociopath.' NPR is partly funded through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) which was authorized by Congress in 1967. Each year, the CPB receives $500 million in taxpayer funding that it distributes to NPR and PBS. Berliner resigned as an editor after he was suspended over his article last year. Following the congressional hearing, he reflected on how NPR had reached this point. 'In 2011 our audience was pretty closely divided between people who said they were liberal moderates and conservatives, maybe a little bit to the left,' he explained. 'By 2023 it was six to one progressives and I think the programming, pretty clearly, has been tailored to them. People in in the middle, the moderates, certainly the conservatives, have left. They've just gone, and they've lost that audience.' He added: 'I think it was not sudden, it was gradual and just built on itself. One of the things was Donald Trump, when he won in 2016, I think the newsroom was stunned, shattered. People were distraught, and it was unexpected. 'I mean, I think there were two things going on. One was that people were personally devastated, but also journalistically, we missed the story. We missed the support that Trump had.' President and CEO of National Public Radio Katherine Maher testifies during a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing at the U.S. Capitol on March 26 in Washington, DC Berliner said it was clear by that point that NPR was 'living in a bubble' and needed to 'connect to the rest of the country better.' But that message was not heeded, and storytelling and narratives became 'very fixed and progressive,' including around transgender issues, climate change and Covid-19 school closures,' he said. 'It struck me as wrong, and I was vocal about that, and I thought it was damaging us,' Berliner said. 'I noticed the way our audience was shifting, losing a whole chunk of the country, and that was telling me something.' Meanwhile, NPR's leadership promoted diversity as the organization's 'North Star,' making it 'the crucial thing, even above journalism,' he said. 'I do think a lot of the Covid coverage really was very misleading, and I think being unwilling to consider the idea that it came from a lab and the science there that supported that possibility.' Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has accused NPR and PBS of bias. 'We believe that you all can hate us on your own dime,' she said As to whether the farmer in Nebraska will tune in again, it is always possible. 'I would hope so,' Berliner said. 'I haven't seen real evidence of that. But look, I always have to be optimistic. I think there are still good people who work there. 'I just think they need to really have much more of a reckoning and soul-searching. And I do think they'd need to hire people with different perspectives. 'I would like to emphasize this more than anything else - that NPR, when I was there, was really suffering from a lack of viewpoint diversity, with people with different political viewpoints, and people willing to express different viewpoints.' A consensus developed because 'we were sort of in echo chamber,' Berliner said. He suggested that NPR should 'go out and actively recruit people with different perspectives' such as journalists who went to a religious institution, grew up in a different part of the country, or served in the military. 'There's a way to address that, but I don't think they have,' he said. 'I haven't seen any evidence of that.' Democratic Rep. Robert Garcia questions witnesses during a hearing in front of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, in Washington, DC on March 26 Rep. Garcia speaks in front of poster of Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk during a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing at the U.S. Capitol on March 26, 2025 in Washington, DC Berliner said the congressional hearing had been a bit like 'watching a WWE match.' 'The Republicans were going to attack aggressively, and Democrats were going to sort of want the conversation to be about cuddly animals and local news in Alaska, and I think that's what we got,' he said. 'I don't think anything was resolved. I think both sides are kind of locked into their position.' Berliner offered a different solution: Instead of NPR battling against defunding, it should actively refuse public money and become completely transparent about its progressive political stances. 'NPR says that they receive about four, maybe five percent of their funding either directly from the CPB or indirectly through its member stations when they buy NPR programming,' he explained. Out of NPR's roughly $300 million budget, that would come out to about $15 million. Berliner said the organization could raise that money elsewhere. 'And it would send a message saying, "We're standing on our own, we're independent," he said. 'I think they could. It would be a fundraising opportunity for them to say, "We are a progressive network in this time of Trump." And I think there are wealthy, left-leaning people who might want to support them in that effort.' The headquarters for National Public Radio in Washington, DC Berliner acknowledged that there would be 'some fallout' for small rural radio stations if all public funding was lost, but Congress could dedicate a smaller amount specifically for them. Meanwhile, NPR could get more money from corporate sponsorships, which already make up a large amount of its revenue. Between 2020 and 2024, NPR's weekly listeners plummeted from 60 million to 42 million. Becoming an openly progressive network would be unlikely to entice listeners in all corners of America. 'But I don't think they're getting that now,' Berliner said. 'I think that's the problem.' NewsNation anchor Leland Vittert revealed on the air Tuesday that he has autism and that he was diagnosed with the condition as a child. The 42-year-old former Fox host made the revelation while discussing his new book Born Lucky. The book surrounds his relationship with his father, whom he credits for his success. Aside from his upbringing, Born Lucky will cover his diagnosis in-depth, Vittert said - and how he overcame it. Vittert has since emerged as a beloved on-air talent, covering things like the George Floyd protests and other important events. He first gave a nod to having autism on Father's Day, in an essay he penned in honor of his dad, Mark Vittert. There, he mentioned having grown up 'on the Aspergers/autism spectrum'. The book, however, is set to expand on that, and is set to release in September, Vittert said. It is posed as a 'love letter from a grateful son who, despite his autism, trusted his father and defied all odds,' and a potential source of inspiration for others. Speaking to viewers about it on the set his show 'On Balance', Vittert made the disclosure. He started by teasing: 'We promised you a big announcement today, and here it goes.' '[My book is about] growing up with what we now know as autism.' Scroll down for video: NewsNation anchor Leland Vittert revealed on the air Tuesday that he is autistic, during a deeply personal monologue on his show On Balance Vittert, 42, made the admission while discussing his new book Born Lucky, which discusses his relationship with his father, whom he credits for his success '[It's] about giving hope to tens of millions of parents whose kids are struggling every day,' he went on. 'Not just with autism, but ADHD, learning disabilities, anxiety, bullying, and the difficulties of growing up.' What followed was a surprising glimpse into the correspondent's childhood, over the course of which Vittert said his father 'sacrificed everything' to ensure his success. 'He was my only friend, my protector, cheerleader, and harshest critic,' he said, before revealing how his father stopped his career following his diagnosis. '[A] child psychologist told my parents I have the condition that we now know is autism. I always will,' Vittert said. 'I didnt talk until I was three,' he went on. 'My middle school principal told my parents I was, quote, weird. 'Among many problems, it led to bullying. Of course, I had no friends.' This was four decades ago in Illinois, where he endured obstacles such as isolation, bullying, and more. He made clear the book is less a look into him and more of a tribute to his still alive father, a journalist who helped start the St. Louis Business Journal in 1982 and similar publications in other cities. He made clear the book is less a look into him and more of a tribute to his still alive father, a journalist who helped start the St. Louis Business Journal in 1982 before giving it up to devote himself to his son and sculpting him into a man A host on Fox News for more than a decade, Vittert credits his success to his father and his upbringing '[It's] about giving hope to tens of millions of parents whose kids are struggling every day,' he said of Born Luck, set to release in September It was around that time Mark Vittert 'dropped everything' to be with his son, Vittert said. He framed the decision as one that made him into the man he is today. 'He became my best friend for a long time,' he said. 'He knew the world wouldn't change for me, so he had to change me for the world,' the anchor went on. 'This is that story. He sold his company, stopped his career, and dedicated the next 18 years of his life to helping me. '[He[ decided pushups would whip my seven-year-old body into shape that no schoolyard bully would dare mess with. 'And soon he had me doing 200 a day, unable to read social cues. 'He would take me to dinner, and when I became too loud or off rhythm with his friends or adults at the table, he would casually just tap his watch. 'That was my signal to stop talking.' He recalled tests the pegged his IQ as being somewhere between 'genius... to mentally retarded on others.' 'Not just with autism, but ADHD, learning disabilities, anxiety, bullying, and the difficulties of growing up' 'This is the love story of a father who sacrificed everything, gave so much he doesn't like the word sacrifice to help his son,' Vittert said, 'I've never talked about this before with anybody, but it's time to say thank you'. The book is available for preorder now '[It] would have gotten me significant special treatment that was quite in vogue during the late 80s and 90s,' the former Fox News host said. 'Dad knew a cruel world after high school would not make such accommodations, and he was right. 'He was my only friend, my protector, cheerleader and harshest critic. 'Those lessons took me from a kid who could barely talk and didn't understand basic social interaction to the White House North Lawn, the battlefields of the Middle East, and now the anchor desk of two networks,' Vittert said. 'This is the love story of a father who sacrificed everything, gave so much he doesn't like the word sacrifice to help his son, and how, with a lot of love, hard work and unyielding standards, you anybody doesn't have to be defined by a diagnosis. 'I've never talked about this before with anybody, but it's time to say thank you to my dad,' he added later on. 'The book comes out September 30, and I would be honored if you'd come on this journey with me.' Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that is also classified as a disability. Autistic people may struggle to read social cues and become overwhelmed in places that are busy or loud, or if their daily routine is altered. Autism is a spectrum with some diagnoses more serious than others. But the condition can also confer genius-levels of intelligence, with Albert Einstein and Elon Musk among the most high-profile autistic people in history. Preorders are available on sites like Amazon now. The trend of Chinese manufacturers undercutting luxury German badges continues as the Omoda 9 SHS SUV UK specification has been announced. Omoda is the sister brand to Jaecoo, both of which are owned by China's fourth largest automotive giant, Chery and both brands are in the midst of rapid expansion in the UK. The five-seater, all-wheel drive Omoda 9 SHS SUV will be the brand's flagship model in Britain. And it follows the 'everything as standard' approach that the Chery sub-brand bases its affordable offerings around. Priced at 44,990, the Omoda 9 SHS will in Britain in June and order books are now open. Here's what we know before we get in the driver's seat to test it on the open road: Omoda - a sub-brand of China's largest automotive exporter Chery - has unveiled the UK spec of the Omoda 9 SHS large SUV and it'll cost less than 45k The Omoda 9 is at the forefront of Chery's UK domination plans; the manufacturer only launched in August 2024 with the Omoda 5 and E5 crossover SUVs, and now the 'futuristic crossover SUV' brand has set its sights on the large SUV market with the 9 SHS. Designed around the 'golden ratio for visual harmony of 0.618', the 9 retains the wide-body stance but with the aerodynamic needs of a hybrid and welcomes you with a dramatic 10-second 134 LED lighting sequence. It says the 9 SHS is a 'car that drives like an EV and thinks like a hybrid', as the 'Super Hybrid System' delivers an expected combined range of over 700 mile WLTP, thanks to an EV-only range of 93 miles. And helpfully for new car tax rules its CO2 level is just 40 g/km CO2. It features the same SHS system as the Jaecoo 7 SHS we recently reviewed; a quiet, self-charging powertrain which can be used in town, on longer drives to eke out the miles or theoretically off-roading. It also comes with the Omoda three-speed Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT) and six drive modes: Eco, Normal, Sport, Mud, Snow and Off-Road (which makes the most of the electromagnetic suspension and intelligent four-wheel drive system). The 1.5-litre TGDI engine, dual electric motors and 34.46kWh battery offers a total combined output of 443bhp, managing 0 to 62mph in 4.9 seconds. Omoda says that the high-performance characteristics (it's faster than the Jaecoo 7 SHS which does 0-62 in 8.5s) 'blends' with the 'elegant, thoughtfully equipped interior' to create the 'quiet luxury' the model's going for. The 9 comes with acoustically optimised tyres and double laminated glass, which when combined with the quiet, self-charging promises an 'ultra-quiet cabin experience' for the five occupants. Anh experience that's apparently equivalent to light rainfall or a modern library 45.8 db at urban speeds. The Omoda 9 has a 'Super Hybrid System' which combines 93-miles of EV range with petrol-powered driving to deliver 700 miles of total range The large five-seater promises an ultra-quiet cabin experience' that's apparently equivalent to light rainfall or a modern library 45.8 db at urban speeds Everything-as-standard: What do you get? Omoda is prioritising 'space and sophistication' inside and the 9 is laden with goodies; the Chinese market disruptors are getting a name for delivering as many standard features as the luxury marques for a fraction of the price. So, there's a 24.6-inch HD infotainment and driver's display, along with ambient lighting, a (cooled) wireless charging pad and a 14-speaker SONY surround sound system that is also mounted in the headrests. Then for comfort you get heated and ventilated seating for all four outer passengers and even the back seats are electronically reclining. And the cabin is naturally lit with a 1.3m sunroof, with an air purification system as well. Omoda hasn't scrimped on the safety tech either because there are 20 ADAS features, a 540-degree panoramic view camera with transparent view, and automatic parking assist. The 9 SHS comes with an 'everything-as-standard' philosophy which means that you get all of the above for 44,990 Inside you get a 24.6-inch HD infotainment and driver's display, along with ambient lighting, a (cooled) wireless charging pad and a 14-speaker SONY surround sound system When is it arriving and what's the warranty? It arrives in June here in the UK, but first deliveries will happen in May. Chery has already built up a 73-strong Jaecoo/Omoda dealership network, and you'll be able to buy the 9 from any of them. By the end of the year, it says there will be 100 dealerships as the expansion continues at a lightning rate. As said the Omoda 9 SHS will cost 44,990 and will be covered with a 7-year/100,000 mile warranty alongside an eight-year battery warranty and RAC home start cover as standard. For reference the BMW X3 30e xDrive (plug-in hybrid) costs from 58,000, the Lexus NX450h+ from 55,000, the BMW X5 xDrive50e is a whopping 85,000 and the Skoda Kodiaq costs 41,935. Stating that the 9 SHS will come bring 'large SUV levels' at mid-sized SUV cost, Victor Zhang, of Omoda, said: 'The Omoda 9 is an important step forward for us, and it is representative of what modern living should be beautifully designed, intelligently engineered and with technology that is actually usable. 'The difference is, this isn't a house it's all found within a car.' Topps Tiles faces additional annual labour costs of 4million as a result of changes announced in the Autumn Budget, while household demand remains 'subdued'. The tile and flooring retailer flagged the rising cost of a higher national minimum wage and employer national insurance contributions, which came into effect on Tuesday. It also said spending homeowner sales remained 'subdued', as consumers remained cautious about spending heavily on major DIY projects. However, trade sales performed strongly over the half year to 29 March. Group sales, excluding the CTD Tiles business Topps rescued from administration last year, jumped 4 per cent to 127.7million over the 26 weeks. Underlying growth accelerated to 4.4 per cent in the second quarter, up from 3.3 per cent in the three months to December. Sales were 'slower' in January but improved as the months rolled on, Topps Tiles added. Cautious consumers: Topps Tiles said homeowner sales remained 'subdued' The Leicestershire-based retailer said homeowner sales 'remain subdued' amid caution over spending heavily on major DIY projects. Topps Tiles shares fell 4.89 per cent or 1.65p to 32.35p on Wednesday, having fallen over 26 per cent in the last year. However, it stressed that trade sales were strong over the period, as it also benefited from digital growth. The group said total trade sales in the Topps Tiles brand were 12 per cent higher year-on-year in the period, with the number of active traders at the end of the period up 11 per cent year-on-year to 146,000. On Wednesday, Topps Tiles also said it had made 'good progress in identifying potential candidates' to replace Rob Parker as its next chief executive. Mr Parker revealed plans to leave the company in January after criticism from the group's largest shareholder. Mr Parker said on Wednesday: 'Following our return to sales growth in the early weeks of the year, we are pleased to see this trend accelerate in the second quarter, driven by some initial signs of success from our new strategic initiatives, including an improved trader digital experience and further category extensions. 'Whilst macroeconomic indicators remain mixed, we remain focused on the delivery of our strategy which we are confident will lead to the achievement of our Mission 365 growth initiative goal over the medium term.' The group will announce its half year results on 20 May. Russell Pointon, a director at Edison Group, said: 'Topps Tiles' H125 trading update indicates improving volume and revenue trends through Q225, with an exit rate of high-single-digit revenue growth in March 2025. 'There is a clear message that the Mission 365 initiatives to grow revenue (category extension, greater trade and digital sales) are coming through against a subdued backdrop for the homeowner.' In February, the Competition and Markets Authority warned that Topps Tiles acquisition of 30 stores from rival CTD Tiles could lead to competition issues in four areas of the country. It raised concerns that businesses and shoppers in those areas could face worse deals or service due to the reduction in competition. Topps Tiles bought all the stores for around 9million in August last year after CTD, which was the second largest specialist tile retailer in the UK behind Topps Tiles, fell into administration. Joel Bamford, executive director for mergers at the CMA, said in February: 'Having looked at the evidence, were concerned Topps Tiles purchase of CTD Tiles may reduce competition in Dorking, Edinburgh, Inverness and Aberdeen. 'This loss of competition could lead to worse deals and service in those areas.' On 3 March, Topps Tiles said in a stock market statement: 'Further to its announcement on 17 February concerning the result of the CMA's Phase I investigation, the Company is pleased to note that the CMA has approved in principle its proposed remedies in lieu of a Phase II investigation. 'The Company will continue to work with the CMA in a constructive and professional manner, as it has done throughout this process.' President Donald Trump's planned tariffs have many American consumers and businesses on edge over price hikes - but residents of one deep-red state are bracing to get hit the hardest. Montana - where Trump won with a thumping 20-point margin in last year's election - will be most heavily affected by Trump's import duties and the levies that US trade partners impose in return. The stunning state in the Mountain West is most vulnerable because it exports and imports so many goods to and from Canada, Mexico, and China - the nations most heavily targeted in Trump's trade war. Montana is also at risk because it trades heavily in goods being singled out for tariffs. The state is an importer of crude oil, cars and gasoline, and an exporter of wheat, oilseeds, chemicals, and machinery. The finance site LendingTree ranked Montana as the 'most vulnerable' US state to a trade war, based on 2023 Census data - with a whopping 94.3 percent of its imports coming from Canada, Mexico and China. Montana also sends many of its exports to those three nations. By comparison, the next most vulnerable state in the ranking, New Mexico, had just under 77 percent of its imports coming from the three countries. Trump acknowledged that consumers will be hit by price hikes in the short term, and that his tariffs could push the US economy into recession. But the president has framed the impacts as short-term pain for long-term gain. Tariffs will correct America's trade deficit with other countries, encourage more manufacturing in the US, and strengthen the economy overall, Trump said - claims that are questioned by top economists. Rancher Martin Davis checks on his cattle in Paradise Valley near Livingston, Montana, the state most vulnerable to trade tariffs Your browser does not support iframes. Chris Mehl, former mayor of Bozeman and a one-time commissioner in southern Montana city, said Trump's tariffs are 'ringing alarm bells' among farmers, miners, and others that lean Republican but could be clobbered by a trade war. 'There is concern, especially among the agriculture community,' Mehl told the Daily Mail. 'Prices stand to go up on in both directions, and that's a problem, especially in rural areas.' The Trump administration is set to announce sweeping tariffs on Wednesday that could include reciprocal tariffs all nations, dubbing the event 'Liberation Day.' At the same time, US tariffs on foreign-made automobiles and parts could also take effect. The details of Trump's next round of import taxes are still sketchy. Most economic analyses say average US families would have to absorb the cost of his tariffs in the form of higher prices and lower incomes. But Trump says they will drive up investment in the US, and he has hinted that the tariffs could be short-lived. The president said he is 'certainly open' to cutting a trade deal with foreign governments after imposing them. Wall Street has been rocked by volatility over uncertainty regarding the tariff proposals. The benchmark S&P 500 index is down almost 6 percent for the year, its worst start since 2020. The turbulence has been felt in Helena, Montana's capital, and across the state of 1.1 million people. Montana imports nearly 92 percent of its goods from tariff-hit Canada. This includes more than $6.8 billion per year in potash, which is used in fertilizer, and crude oil headed to refineries around Billings and elsewhere, among other goods. Meanwhile, Montana sends $860 million worth of goods to Canada, much of it in the form of lentils, peas, chickpeas, breeder cattle, and other produce from the state's 58 million acres of farmland. Paul Kanning, a pulse farmer at TomTilda Farm in Flaxville in northeastern Montana, recently warned that tariffs would hurt the state's farmers who depend on exports. Trucks and cars entering the US from Canada at the Sweetgrass crossing in Montana A farmer discusses his crop of corn and soybeans in Rosebud County, Montana Coutts, a village in southern Alberta, Canada on the Montana border, is one of the busiest ports of entry on the US-Canada border During Trump's trade battle with China in 2018, Montana's wheat, soybean, and corn exporters faced months of market turmoil. That year, federal subsidies to Montana grew by $140 million to offset trade-related losses. 'During the last round of tariff wars six years ago, it absolutely wreaked havoc on the prices we get here on farms in Montana,' Kanning told The Missoulian. 'Our overall exports fell by 37 percent. And when you get that large of a drop in exports, there ends up being way too much on the market here in Montana, and that drives prices down.' Back then, Chinese importers started sourcing produce from other suppliers, meaning Montana's farmers lost their customers over the long term. Kanning said it has taken years to rebuild global export lines. Montanans also face price hikes at the grocery store, because so much of what lines their shelves is imported from outside the US, notably from Canada and Mexico. Robert Sonora, a University of Montana economics professor, said that while importers pay the duties when produce crosses the border, about 80-90 percent of those costs are passed on to consumers. Consumers should expect higher prices for 'anything we buy that's imported,' Sonora told MTN News, adding that 'uncertainty' over which tariffs will take effect make it hard to offer definitive predictions. Likewise, Mehl wondered whether the economic pain felt by Montana businesses and consumers will translate into losses for Trump's Republican Party in next year's midterm elections. Too many questions remain unanswered, he added, including whether the tariffs are part of a long-term economic plan to revive US manufacturing, or a negotiating tactic to pressure trade partners to lift their own tariffs or cut subsidies. 'We're a very rural state, and the rural areas are pretty red, and I don't see that changing fundamentally,' Mehl told the Daily Mail. Wayne and Marcy Schottler cut purple prairie clover ahead of seed planting in Bainville, Montana The Par Montana refinery along the Yellowstone River that processes crude oil from western Canada faces economic headwinds from the trade war US President Donald Trump displays his executive order for a 25 percent tariff on steel and aluminum imports Montanans came out to protest the Trump administration's firing of National Park Service staff at an entrance to Yellowstone Park in Gardiner, Montana 'Certainly the grumbling is up, but whether that translates into concrete action is hard to say at this point.' According to LendingTree, Montana is among eight US states that receive at least two thirds of their imports from Canada, Mexico, and China - the exporters most directly impacted by Trump's trade war. New Mexico, Vermont, Michigan, Maine, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Wyoming, Iowa, and South Dakota will also be badly hit, researchers said. Hawaii, New Jersey and Maryland are the least impacted. Advertisement At least 1.8billion of taxpayer cash has gone to countries richer than Britain's poorest borough, shock analysis shows. In the third and final part of our expose laying bare the extraordinary magnitude of the UK's 'wasted' foreign aid budget, MailOnline can disclose 30 countries possessing a higher GDP per capita than Lewisham (16,258) have received handouts since 2009. Oil-rich Guyana (38,100) was the richest benefactor of the UK's generosity. Figures held by the Office for National Statistics suggest 75 per cent of the 361 authorities dotted across Britain come below that GDP threshold. Among the nations who benefited from Britain's donations and were wealthier than Lewisham was China (17,100), one of the world's economic powerhouses. Between 2009-2023, 545m of official development assistance (ODA) was given to Beijing directly, according to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's (FCDO) most up-to-date expenditure breakdown. This went on projects including the Prosperity Fund a purpose-built uni-lateral assistance programme which has channelled 36.4m to China to improve its energy and sustainability credentials. Under that umbrella scheme is one project 'designed to support the internationalisation of the Chinese film industry' and another to 'promote regulatory reform of the Shenzhen private equity market'. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Also in the China aid pool is a 250,000 grant from the now-defunct Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to develop a robot babysitter for chickens. The 'Envirobot' is described as an 'autonomous roving platform' that monitors poultry by going cage-to-cage. It is needed because the 'technologies currently used in facilities in China' aren't good enough, according to its project description. Elliot Keck, head of campaigns at the TaxPayers' Alliance said: 'Taxpayers will be furious that hundreds of millions in aid have been handed to a global superpower like China. 'From propping up the Chinese film industry to funding robot chicken babysitters, this isnt foreign aid its farce. 'The government shouldnt be funnelling cash to Beijing while frontline services at home are suffering.' Some also goes towards Chevening scholarships for Chinese students. According to the British Embassy in Beijing, the scheme 'provides a unique opportunity for Chinese leaders of the future to build a global network of continuing professional significance'. Chevening Scholarship recipients have their flights, accommodation and tuition fees paid for. They are available to 'outstanding emerging leaders' from across the world to pursue one-year master's degrees in Britain. Chevening alumni includes 20 former or current heads of state or government. Receipts published by the FCDO only track bilateral aid that 'provided either directly or indirectly through delivery partners to developing countries'. Billions more is spent each year on multilateral aid, which are the UK's donations to international organisations such as the World Health Organization and The Green Climate Fund, who then divide cash out independently. It means the true sum given to China could be even higher than official documents suggest. Your browser does not support iframes. In terms of the 30 nations richer than Lewisham, only Turkey (with a GDP of 26,710 per capita) pocketed more than China (555m). The rest was split between Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Dominican Republic, Georgia, Guyana, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Mexico, Montenegro, North Korea, North Macedonia, Oman, Panama, Serbia, Seychelles, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, and Uruguay. Latest ONS figures, covering 2022, show Lewisham had the lowest relative GDP. Behind it came South Tyneside (16,624), East Renfrewshire (16,692), Castle Point (16,709) and Ards and North Down (17,635). In total, four authorities across the country had GDPs lower than China. Comparitive figures for nations were taken from OurWorldinData. Current parliamentary targets state the UK must donate 0.5 per cent of gross national income (GNI) to foreign aid. This amounted to 15.3bn in 2023/24. Receipts for 2024/25 won't be totted up until this autumn, although Labour only allocated 13.3bn towards aid. The pot will rise to 13.7bn in 2025/26, although Labour has vowed to slash the pot to just 0.3 per cent of GNI by 2027, under plans to save in excess of 6bn that year alone. This will all instead be pumped into defence spending to bolster Britain's military might should tensions with Russia boil over into a full-blown conflict. Your browser does not support iframes. Tory MP Andrew Mitchell, who served as shadow Foreign Secretary under Rishi Sunak, told MailOnline that Sir Keir Starmer's slashing of foreign aid budgets opens the door for malicious states to gain ground. He said: 'Develop and defence are two sides of the same coin. 'Development tackles pandemics and disease, migration and, crucially, conflict. 'By vacating the field as we are, we open up space for countries who don't wish us well, like China and Russia, to fill the space, which they are already doing.' It comes after MailOnline revealed how nearly a third of the budget is being swallowed by hosting asylum seekers and refugees in Britain. Close to 4.3bn was spent on so-called 'in donor refugee costs' in 2023 a nine-fold rise since before Covid, reflecting the soaring toll of small boat crossings. Up to 8.2m per day goes towards accommodation for asylum seekers, with the rest of the pot divided towards education, health and other social needs. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Sarah Champion, Labour MP for Rotherham, said the spend on in-house migrants represented one of the worst fiscal judgements from the Home Office. The Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI) watchdog, which scrutinises the UK's official development assistance (ODA) or overseas aid budget, warns vital projects will inevitably be canned unless the government slashes the bill. The UK allocated just 2.7bn directly to specific countries in bilateral aid in 2023 down from 5.9bn in 2019. The ICAI said the cut was 'heavily impacted by budget reductions and rising in-donor refugee costs'. An FCDO spokesperson said: 'We are committed to modernising our approach with less money: working with our partners in new ways to maximise our impact. 'These latest changes to the ODA budget will give greater certainty and stability, helping us provide the best value for money for taxpayers. 'The UK ODA budget will be gradually reduced from 0.5 per cent to 0.3 per cent GNI by 2027/28, in order to fund a necessary increase in defence spending. 'To enable us to deliver this change effectively, we are maximising our flexibility by focusing on meeting legally binding commitments and delivering work already underway, while continuing to play a key humanitarian role in Ukraine, Gaza and Sudan. 'Our development spending is a strategic investment that contributes to a safer, more prosperous UK. Global challenges like conflict, the climate crisis and poverty directly affect British lives, through irregular migration pressures, reduced trading opportunities and threats to our national security.' A Turkish medical tourism agent which caters to Brits is trying to scare them against speaking out about their botched operations by forcing them to sign bogus contracts, MailOnline can reveal. Clinic Mono, which brokers treatments from mummy makeovers to penis enlargements for international patients in Izmir, claims to be internationally distinguished and to provide the most qualified physicians and quality hospitals. But numerous patients have reported bungled surgeries. The agent pressures patients not to speak out about failed operations by making them sign a document, described as a customer/patient explicit consent form which says they will be fined $10,000 if they do so. The dodgy form, seen by MailOnline, is riddled with spelling errors and says patients will be charged if they ever talk in a negative way about their clinic or operation. It brazenly claims the punishment is for patients safety and best interest. It says: I accept that I will never talk in a negative or defamatory way in any platform, I will not organise other patients against Clinic Mono. I hereby accept and declare that if I violate these obligations, I will pay a penalty of $10,000. It adds: I accept in the case of any problems I will consult with my doctor, instead of talking or posting bad comments about Clinic Mono. A Turkish medical tourism agent which caters to Brits tries to coerce them against speaking out about their botched operations by forcing them to sign bogus contracts, MailOnline can reveal Clinic Mono, which brokers treatments from mummy makeovers to penis enlargements for international patients in Izmir, claims to be internationally distinguished and to provide the most qualified physicians and quality hospitals The agent makes patients sign a form which says they will have to pay $10,000 if they speak in a 'negative' way in 'any platform' about their surgeries I accept that if Clinic Mono suffers any damage due to my actions and any action that may reflect negatively on Clinic Mono, I will compensate for this damage and also pay the penalty mentioned above. I understand that these rules are for my safety and in my best interest. One patient, who wishes to remain anonymous, told MailOnline that they were fearful to speak about their horrendous surgery which left them disfigured after being told to sign the contract just moments before a serious operation. The agent encourages patients to undergo plastic surgeries by showing dubious or fake examples of celebrities who they claim have had procedures. Without any proof, they display before and after pictures of Paris Hilton, Madison Beer, Anna Kendrick and Carol Vorderman and their supposed plastic surgery journeys. Their website states it is evident the Welsh broadcaster underwent plastic surgery and that unnamed experts confirmed she had a Brazilian butt lift, a tummy tuck, a face lift and a breast augmentation. Clinic Mono has a wave of negative reviews online, with customers warning they have been ignored after suffering complications. Some say they were pressured to delete negative comments. The agent encourages patients to undergo plastic surgeries by showing dubious or fake examples of celebrities who they claim have had procedures Their website makes dubious claims that Welsh broadcaster Carol Vorderman underwent plastic surgery including a Brazilian butt lift Turkish clinics offer cut-throat prices for plastic surgery packages, which include hotels, VIP transfers and aftercare. But at least 28 Brits have died from dodgy surgeries since 2019 Instead of addressing my issues theyve only ever contacted me to ask if I can delete my negative Trustpilot review, one said. Now, theyre doing the same thing again! They sent me messages asking me to remove my review in exchange for help, even saying theyll get me a better price if I delete my comments first. This clinic is more concerned about hiding negative reviews than actually fixing their poor work. If they put half as much effort into quality dental care as they do into manipulating their online reputation, maybe they wouldnt put people like me through the hell Ive been going through for the last two years. Another said they were threatened over posting a one star review. A further patient said she was told her medical paperwork would be withheld unless she deleted her negative online review. Clinic Mono has been contacted for comment. Thousands flock to Turkey each year to undergo cosmetic procedures at a fraction of the cost they would have to pay in the UK. Many are lured by all-inclusive packages which include VIP airport transfers in 'luxury vehicles' and five-star hotel stay. Some even promise free tours of cities like Istanbul and the choice to take another guest at no additional cost, as well as 24/7 emergency lines, overnight nurse visits and even massages. But at least 28 Brits have died, and many more left seriously injured, by dodgy Turkish treatments since 2019. Various procedures which are not offered in the UK are carried out by surgeons in Turkey Janet Savage, 54, (pictured) had travelled to the country to undergo a gastric sleeve operation, supposed to help her lose weight but died after her aortic artery ruptured And last year the advertising watchdog launched a crackdown on cosmetic surgery firms who entice Britons abroad for risky treatment. The Committee for Advertising Practice (CAP) said 'too many' overseas clinics were putting people at risk of harm by promoting their services irresponsibly. It started an 'enhanced monitoring' blitz to identify and tackle adverts that flout the UK's strict rules and demanded offenders 'get their house in order'. A British woman died after undergoing Brazilian butt-lift surgery in Turkey, an inquest heard in November. Hayley Dowell suffered medical complications at a private clinic after her surgeon left half way through the operation, a coroner was told. The 38-year-old Briton went under the knife and had a Brazilian butt-lift (BBL), a tummy tuck, and liposuction - a package that costs more than 7,000 - in October 2023. Another November inquest found a Welsh mother bled to death after her stomach surgery in Turkey went wrong. Janet Savage, 54, had travelled to the country to undergo a gastric sleeve operation, supposed to help her lose weight but died after he aortic artery ruptured in August, 2023. Dr Barabas, NHS consultant plastic and hand surgeon, previously told MailOnline: 'Complications in Turkey are very frequent. I've seen 30 over the past 18 months. Most NHS departments have a steady trickle coming in. One case cost the NHS 120,000. But the tide is changing in the UK. We only cover life threatening or open wounds - not just if you don't like the result. 'In Turkey speed, not safety, is the priority. The problem is a lot of patients go on the cheap and choose the cheapest option. You are taking a bit of a risk getting surgery abroad where you are away from your doctors. A paedophile was caught red-handed stealing intimate videos of a mother and her young sons after she set up a spycam hidden inside a teddy slipper. When Peter Tomlinson, 56, was arrested, police found more than 2,000 images and videos of the family undressed and on the toilet. The single mother-of-two, who MailOnline is not naming, revealed her ordeal has left her unable to 'trust anyone anymore'. Her nightmare started when 'manipulative' neighbour Tomlinson convinced the mother, from Broxtowe, Nottinghamshire, to install her own security cameras in the house. When she noticed there was missing footage, she became suspicious and set about trying to catch the pervert using stealth cameras hidden around her home. She was left 'devastated' by what she found. He had been sneaking into her home and downloading thousands of naked photographs of her and her young sons. Tomlinson, who has previously served time in jail for child sex offences, pleaded guilty to a charge of unauthorised access to computer material as an alternative to voyeurism. But the mother was dealt a second bitter blow when he was spared jail, with the judge handing him a 16-month prison term suspended for two years at Nottingham Crown Court. 'Where is the justice?' she fumed. Peter Tomlinson, 56, was caught stealing eight months worth of footage of a mother and her two kids in intimate moments getting undressed and on the toilet When the mother became suspicious that Tomlinson had been entering her house she set up a spy camera opposite her main security camera, hidden inside these boxes above the fridge The mother also put a camera inside the eye of her teddy slipper to be placed upstairs in her room where she caught him snooping Since discovering the footage, the victim suffers 'horrible panic attacks' and and her family have been 'left to pick up the pieces of our lives'. 'I was just always crying and isolated myself completely. I didn't go out, I didn't meet my friends, I couldn't finish my course or hand in my assignments,' she said. She is also furious that Tomlinson, who had lied to the family about his previous child sex offence conviction in 2003, was allowed to live on a street with so many young families. 'If he's not allowed into schools, how can a paedophile be allowed to live next to young kids? I don't understand how this can happen. 'How can our justice system allow people like him to walk freely around children and women? I feel completely let down.' Tomlinson moved into the Broxtowe area 17 years ago and locals took pity on him for not being able to work because of his criminal conviction. Not knowing the true reason behind his imprisonment, the mother's family would employ him for odd-jobs and DIY handiwork - 'we trusted him, he said that we had become part of his family'. The mother said she feels 'violated' and 'no longer safe in my own home' after the horrifying revelation. 'I was in my own space just doing normal things - cooking, cleaning, dancing in my own world - and he was watching me.' Tomlinson plead guilty to a charge of unauthorised access to computer material as an alternative to voyeurism at Nottingham Crown Court and was sentenced last week. But she is scared that his suspended sentence will let him 'just do the same thing to other people'. Tomlinson was caught on the mother's secret cameras going through the family's home and stealing footage from her main security cameras The mother-of-two first became suspicious when 3,500 went missing in her home after she gave Tomlinson the key to feed her pets while on holiday Missing footage from her main security cameras made her suspicious that someone had been in the house and tampering with them The 'destroyed' mother has been left suffering with 'horrible panic attacks' and struggling to leave her house because she feels she 'can't trust anyone' 'I don't want him to take advantage of a vulnerable woman, I don't want anyone have to experience this,' she added. 'When it first happened, I couldn't sleep, any noise at night would keep me up because I was scared of retaliation,' she said. 'Now if we needed a handyman to fix something in the house, I have to follow them the whole time, I'm just so anxious. You can't trust anyone anymore.' When the mother got a dog in 2022, she wanted to install cameras around her house. At Tomlinson's suggestion, she also installed a camera in her kitchen looking at the backdoor in case of burglaries. After returning from a holiday, the mother discovered that 3,500 had been stolen from her house she was saving to start her business. The only person with access to her home was Tomlinson, who she had asked to feed her cat and dog while she was away. When she checked the cameras, the mother noticed there was missing footage. The mother hid a spy camera inside this box, waiting for the moment he would come into her home when he knew she was away The mother was watching the livestream of him stealing the footage from a hotel room in her hometown of Broxtowe Tomlinson was given a suspended two year sentence, which feels like he is just 'walking away' the mother said 'That was when I got really scared and panicky - I told my boys to not walk out of the bathroom naked and to always close the bathroom door.' The mother said she felt 'fobbed off' after alerting the police, who told her 'to just not let him in the house again'. Instead, she installed cameras to catch Tomlinson in the act by hiding a camera in a box opposite the one he put in the kitchen as well as swapping the eye in her teddy slipper to hide upstairs. She then told Tomlinson she was going to a meeting in London and watched the livestream of him stealing the kitchen camera's SD card from a hotel room that night. 'My heart sank,' the mother said, 'and my first thought was of my boys and what videos he's got of them.' The next day, she handed her footage of Tomlinson over to the police, who went on to find 'tons' of USB sticks and several computers in his house. The devices held eight months worth of footage including 2,025 images and videos of the family undressed going into the bathroom next to the kitchen and on the toilet. Speaking after the sentencing, the mother said 'no one should have to suffer as we have, only to be met with a system that does not hold abusers accountable'. Tomlinson had lied to his neighbours about his previous conviction of a child sex offence and 'manipulated' his neighbours into liking him 'How can our justice system allow people like him to walk freely around children and women? I feel completely let down' 'If real change is ever going to happen, victims must be heard, and those in power must start putting our safety before the rights of those who hurt us,' she added. Alongside his suspended sentence, Tomlinson was ordered to attend 40 rehabilitation sessions and a programme designed to address his offending, while also being given a 10-year restraining order. Recorder Sacha Ackland said this was 'not a sex offence but the offence clearly had a sexual motive', adding that the mother 'trusted you and your actions abused that trust'. Nick Walsh, Tomlinson's barrister, said 'he knows it was a deliberate decision to take the SD card and his actions have turned his life and the lives of his family upside down'. Nottinghamshire Police have been contacted for comment. A Brisbane City councillor has come under fire after claiming neighbouring Redland City had been annexed in a cheeky April Fools prank. Ryan Murphy, the councillor for Chandler ward, made a satirical Facebook post that was a nod to US President Donald Trump's comments about America taking over Greenland. Mr Murphy said 'Brisbane City Council work crews crossed the border and began seizing assets and changing signs in the former Redland City' on Tuesday. The councillor even claimed the move had the backing of Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner, who was tagged in the post and quoted as saying: 'Much like Greenland, the Redlands is better off with Brisbane than going it alone'. Mr Murphy also referenced Trump's televised argument with the president of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He claimed Mr Schrinner refused to address Redlands Mayor Jos Mitchell by name and instead referred to her as 'his little buddy'. The post claimed the smaller Redlands council had been mismanaged and residents could look forward to Brisbane City's lower rates. 'Look what over a hundred years of independence has got them, they don't even have dump vouchers or a 25m long bus,' Mr Schrinner was quoted as saying. Brisbane MP Ryan Murphy faced backlash after joking Brisbane City had annexed neighbouring Redlands (pictured is the Facebook post shared on April 1). Mr Murphy's satirical Facebook post was a nod to US President Donald Trump's comments about taking over Greenland But many would have recognised it as an April Fool's Day prank, more humourless Redland residents and political opponents hit out at the councillor. 'How much are we paying you?' one Aussie commented. 'Sweet - you going to drop our rates to match yours? While Aprils fools is amusing - it's only funny till someone loses revenue,' a second said. Brisbane City Council's Labor leader Jared Cassidy branded the joke as 'tone-deaf' for using movie imagery of a political extremist. 'Cr Murphy has completely missed the mark here,' he said in a statement. 'The use of a movie image depicting a racist, ultra-nationalistic leader of far-right militants, even in jest, is completely inappropriate given the current social climate. 'April Fool's Day can be great lighthearted fun, but this post wreaks of poor taste and clearly shows that Cr Murphy is out of touch. 'The character Cr Murphy has used from the movie "Civil War" murders news reporters because they appear Asian or Hispanic asking, "what kind of American are you?". Mr Murphy also joked the council had approved a fleet of jetskis on the Brisbane River 'It's absurd that the Lord Mayor endorses this content and finds it funny. It's anything but that in the current climate.' Mr Murphy's announcement was just one in a series of April Fools pranks he made. He also claimed Brisbane City would be introducing transparent bins, bins dedicated to vapes and deploying a fleet of jetskis on the Brisbane River. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Mr Murphy's office for comment. The National Crime Agency has laid bare the growing influence of Chinese gangsters by warning they are now the most dangerous foreign criminals operating in Britain. The NCA reveal in a new report that mobsters from the country currently pose the biggest foreign organised crime threat to the UK, a conclusion that even experts admit has taken them by surprise. Chinese criminals play a significant role across a vast swathe of Britain's criminal underworld, including drug smuggling, human trafficking, modern slavery, fraud and cyber crime - the agency warns in its 2025 National Strategic Assessment. They also pointed to the 'increasing' influence of Chinese money launderers, who are widely used by British crooks after honing their skills helping compatriots evade China's strict currency controls to illicitly move money to the UK. They include 'Bitcoin queen' Jian Wen, 42, a one-time London takeaway worker earning 5,979-a-year, who was found in possession of 3billion worth of crypto from an investment scam carried out in China between 2014 and 2017. Another rare insight into this shadow world came with the jailing of a seven-strong gang who laundered 55m as part of a 'shadow banking' network specifically targeted at international university students. Professor Anthony Glees, a security and intelligence expert from the University of Buckingham, told MailOnline he was 'surprised' by the NCA's finding that Chinese gangs now represent the UK's biggest overseas organised crime threat. 'Bitcoin queen' Jian Wen, 42, a one-time London takeaway worker earning 5,979-a-year, was found in possession of 3billion worth of crypto Wen was living in a basement room under a Chinese takeaway in Abbey Wood, south-east London. But within weeks was living in this fabulous six-bedroom house in Hampstead Heath Piles of cash were found by police investigating Wen. She is serving a seven-year sentence 'What it shows is that the experts who are paid to go into this kind of stuff in granular detail understand the danger that they pose,' he said. 'A lot of people would have thought that enemy number one was Russia, but for the people who look in the nooks and crannies it's the Chinese. That's their assessment and it's very alarming.' Asked to explain the ability of Chinese gangsters to infiltrate Britain's underworld, Professor Glees claimed they benefitted from a permissive environment fostered by President Xi's regime. 'The Chinese government won't mind about this - they want us to be weakened and poorer,' he said. In its report, the NCA said that it was 'highly likely' that Chinese criminals based in China or other countries, including the UK, 'pose the biggest non-British serious organised crime threat to the UK'. The agency warned that the 'already high threat from Chinese-speaking money laundering networks in the UK' was growing. Explaining their ability to successfully compete against rival launderers from other hostile states such as Russia, it noted that Chinese groups had become renowned for their 'competitive and rapid service'. This seven-strong Chinese gang laundered 55m as part of a 'shadow banking' network specifically targeted at international university students Large bundles of cash were found during multiple police searches of their headquarters The seven gang members were handed a total of 24 years and 11 months behind bars Their growth has been aided by rules that ban citizens from sending more than $50,000 (38,000) out of China for personal purposes each year. While citizens are meant to send all transactions through a foreign exchange account opened with a registered bank, many circumvent this limit by using 'underground banking'. The ability of these criminals to secretly move money across borders has been seized upon by UK street gangs, who use it to disguise the origin of funds made from drug dealing. High Street shops, including cash-heavy businesses like restaurants, takeaways and nail salons, have long been popular among criminal networks seeking to clean dirty cash. In one operation recently exposed in Ireland, Chinese criminals used an Asian restaurant in Dublin as a drop-off point where Irish gangsters could leave their money to wash through bank accounts or the purchase of luxury goods. The vast profits on offer are inevitably the prime attraction to would-be launderers, who are often able to enjoy lavish lifestyles by taking a commission on any money passing through their hands. Red paint daubed on a house on Chingford Road in Walthamstow, north London this week in an attack linked to Chinese gangs The word 'brothel 'graffitied on the corner of a house in Walthamstow. An expert suggested the attacks were meant to intimidate gang rivals or people in debt to loan sharks In the case of Jian Wen, this included moving into a 5million six-bedroom Hampstead mansion - for which she paid 17,000-a-month in rent - driving a 25,000 E-Class Mercedes and spending 30,000 a month in Harrods. She also sent her son to 6,000-a-term Heathside prep school and enjoyed lavish holidays to Germany, Rome, Zurich, Norway, Thailand, China and Japan, where she saw the sights under the guise of a jewellery business owner trading in diamonds and antiques. The single mother made her fortune by washing dirty money for Yadi Zhang, also known as Zhimin Qian, who fled to the UK in 2017 after ripping off 128,000 investors in China. It was only when she tried to acquire a 23million London home that alarm bells rang in the UK when she failed to pass money-laundering checks. She is currently in jail serving a six-year sentence. Unlike cyber criminals from Russia or drug-peddlers from Albania, Chinese gangs operating in Britain have rarely hit the headlines. A recent wave of attacks on homes using red paint is one exception, with the bizarre crimewave originally thought to be part of a coordinated protest before the finger was pointed at Chinese criminals. The Met is still looking to speak to suspected members of a female blackmail gang who targeted Chinese speakers in north London The women are accused of telling people they would 'get hurt' in the near future if they did not withdraw large amounts of cash and hand it to them This 'sophisticated' cannabis farm run by Chinese and West Balkan organised criminals was discovered by police in Ballymena, Northern Ireland Properties across England have been vandalised and spray-painted with the word 'brothel' during more than a dozen mysterious nighttime attacks over the last year and a half. Oliver Chan, an associate professor of criminology at the University of Birmingham, later suggested the attacks were carried out by gangsters attempting to intimidate rivals running brothels or people in debt to loan sharks. One area that has received significant attention is the role of China-based companies in the manufacture of small boat engines used by cross-Channel smugglers. Foreign Secretary David Lammy vowed to target the firms responsible as part of a new 'world first' sanctions regime announced earlier this year. Sturdier, rigid-hulled vessels with proper engines have almost entirely been phased out by people smugglers in favour of bigger, flimsier craft with one small outboard engine. The issue is of such concern to ministers that it was a topic of conversation with Chinese officials at this week's Organised Immigration Crime Summit in London, MailOnline understands. Shoppers browsing an electronics market in Shenzhen, where there is a large market for second hand phones stolen by organised gangs in the UK Countless stolen phones have been tracked to Huaqiang South Road in Shenzhen, which is known as China's 'Silicon Valley' But the flow of illicit goods goes in the other direction too, with organised criminals making use of the vast Chinese market to dispose of stolen goods. These include mobile phones, which are swiped by street-level gangs in the UK and shipped in huge numbers to warehouses in southern China where they are broken down into parts, reassembled and sold to locals at knock-down prices. Shenzhen is located in the south of China next to the border with Hong Kong. Known as the country's 'Silicon Valley' due to its expertise in electronics, it is also home to large retail outlets selling used consumer goods. Many stolen phones have been tracked to Huaqiang South Road, a route lined by warehouses with a dock at one end. It is a further reminder of the increasingly globalised nature of the organised criminal networks that, like large legitimate companies, will operate anywhere there is money to be made. TV star Narinder Kaur has had a complaint against her dropped by the Metropolitan Police after Laurence Fox accused her of making a 'criminal allegation' against him. Mrs Kaur, a regular contributor to Good Morning Britain and Jeremy Vine on 5, was the subject of a six-month Met Police investigation after Fox claimed she had broken the Malicious Communications Act with a social media post about him. She had hit out at Fox on X after he allegedly shared an invasive upskirting image of her on his account last April - an allegation over which he will appear in court later this month. Failed politician Fox then complained to the Met on in July last year, tweeting in September that he had filing a report at Wood Green Police Station in north London. He claimed that her social media remarks on the alleged upskirting post had caused him 'deep harm and distress'. 'I look forward to the @metpoliceuk investigating these dishonest and vexatious allegations, made without any proof whatsoever of any misconduct on my part, and to see a full examination of the facts laid bare,' Fox had said. But Scotland Yard confirmed to MailOnline it had made the decision not to take any further action after consulting with the Crown Prosecution Service. It is understood the case was dropped due to 'insufficient evidence' of an offence. Narinder Kaur will face no further action regarding a tweet she made last June about Fox's alleged sharing of an indecent image online Fox is due in court later this month on a charge of sharing an explicit photograph with the intention of causing alarm, distress or humiliation, or for sexual gratification A lawyer acting for Good Morning Britain regular Mrs Kaur framed Fox's report to the Met as a 'clear and deliberate attempt to silence Narinder' The Met Police told MailOnline: 'On 4 July 2024 we received an allegation of malicious communication in relation to comments made by a woman aged in her 50s. 'Following an investigation and after consulting with the Crown Prosecution Service a decision was taken there would be no further action. 'Both parties were informed of this outcome.' A lawyer acting for the TV star - who has waived her right to anonymity as an alleged victim of a sexual offence - has accused Fox of diverting vital police resources away from other criminal investigations. Her solicitor, Tasnime Akunjee, said: 'This was a clear and deliberate attempt to silence Narinder. 'The six-month ordeal not only placed unnecessary pressure on Mrs Kaur and her family life, but also diverted public resources away from serious criminal matters. 'The decision by the Metropolitan Police and the Crown Prosecution Service sends a strong message that women should not be targeted or criminalised for speaking out. 'We welcome the their decision and reaffirm Narinder's right to call out behaviour that is harmful, humiliating and rooted in misogyny.' Fox did not respond to MailOnline's request for comment. He has not commented on the case being discontinued on social media. He is due to appear in court on April 24 charged with sharing an explicit photograph with the intention of causing alarm, distress or humiliation, or for sexual gratification - an offence introduced under the Online Safety Act. The former TV star allegedly shared an explicit image of Mrs Kaur - who rose to fame as a Big Brother housemate - getting out of a taxi with his then-400,000 X followers in April last year, in the midst of an online spat with her over politics. The picture was taken in 2009 as she got out of a taxi without her knowledge or consent - prior to legislation being enacted that outlawed upskirting. Fox, of Peldon in Essex, is alleged to have shared the image online - an offence under Section 66A of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. He later deleted the alleged image. Narinder Kaur got her start in television as a contestant on the second series of Big Brother aged 28 (pictured) Fox (pictured at a right-wing rally organised by Tommy Robinson in June) maintains he is the victim after being charged with a criminal offence He labelled the criminal proceedings against him 'untrue, ridiculous, vexatious and malicious nonsense' (pictured in April last year) A Met spokesperson said on March 25: 'A man has been charged with a sexual offence following an investigation by the Metropolitan Police. 'Laurence Fox, 46, will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 24 April charged with an offence contrary to section 66A of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. 'The charge relates to an image that was posted on social media platform in April 2024.' Posting on X at the time Ms Kaur, 52, said the image was 'unimaginably mortifying'. She is best known as an outspoken panelist on shows including Good Morning Britain, Jeremy Vine On 5 and Loose Women - after getting her start on reality show Big Brother in 2001. Fox, meanwhile addressed the alleged post in an extended follow-up the next day, in which he said he 'would like to apologise' to Ms Kaur. However, he then went on to say, 'it's not my fault' the TV star was pictured in the compromising image more than 15 years ago. The online provocateur - best known for his stint in Inspector Morse spin-off Lewis before being dropped by his agent in 2020 over his outspoken views - has since maintained he is the victim. Shortly after news of his charge broke last week, he shared a video on X - days into a self-managed social media absence - to label it 'untrue, ridiculous, vexatious and malicious nonsense'. Donald Trump celebrated two huge victories for his MAGA agenda after the Republicans held two Congressional seats in Florida in special elections. On the eve of the president's much-touted 'Liberation Day' on Wednesday, where the Republican is expected to announce broad tariff policies that will surely impact global markets that are already roiling, Trump has received good news. Republicans Randy Fine and Jimmy Patronis are projected to win the races for Florida's 1st and 6th Congressional Districts Tuesday evening. Trump was thrilled with the news in a post to Truth Social shortly after they'd been declared winners. 'BOTH FLORIDA HOUSE SEATS HAVE BEEN WON, BIG, BY THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE. THE TRUMP ENDORSEMENT, AS ALWAYS, PROVED FAR GREATER THAN THE DEMOCRATS FORCES OF EVIL. CONGRATULATIONS TO AMERICA!!!' He singled out Fine for defeating Josh Weil, who had what Trump called a 'cash avalanche.' Weil spent nearly $8million more on the race than the incumbent Republican Fine. The wins mean Trump's agenda will more easily flow through the House of Representatives, which the GOP currently controls by a razor-thin margin of just a few votes. President Donald Trump has been handed a victory after two Republicans won special elections in Florida on Tuesday evening Florida lawmaker Randy Fine is projected to win Florida's 6th Congressional District Randy Fine, Republican nominee for 2025 Florida's 6th congressional district special election, looks on, as Florida holds a special election for a U.S. House of Representatives seat vacated by National Security Adviser Michael Waltz, in Ormond Beach, Florida, U.S. April 1, 2025 Randy Fine won Florida's 6th Congressional District, according to the AP. The spot was vacated after President Donald Trump tapped National Security Adviser Mike Waltz for his Cabinet earlier this year. Across the state in the 1st District, former state chief financial officer Jimmy Patronis defeated Democrat Gay Valimont. He will fill the seat vacated by embattled former Rep. Matt Gaetz who resigned after a bombshell sex scandal. Fine's victory is especially positive for the MAGA movement after the race there seemed to tighten ahead of Election Day, concerning some Republicans. Republicans have received criticism for the race heating up toward the special election as Democratic fundraising surged. Trump won Florida's 6th Congressional District by a whopping 30 points in November. But National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Rich Hudson, R-N.C., told DailyMail.com before results were announced he was confident Republicans would come out on top. 'I don't think you'll be up very late waiting on Florida. I think we'll know the results pretty early, and I believe we're going to win both seats.' Both races were called within 30 minutes after polls closed. 'Florida six will probably be closer than Florida one, but we're confident we're going to win,' the NRCC chairman told DailyMail.com. He noted Fine had a delayed campaign ad rollout, but that in the end he felt 'very comfortable,' adding, after all, 'a win's a win.' 'Special elections are special,' he said wryly. 'You can't compare the results of a special election to a normal election and try to draw any conclusions.' Fine, 50, a state senator and former gambling executive with stints in Las Vegas and Detroit, overcame Democrat Josh Weil, 40, a single father and public school teacher. Fine also had some concerns about his campaign to replace Waltz, who recently admitted he's responsible for the White House's largest scandal yet after he accidentally included a journalist in a group chat on the messaging app Signal to discuss military airstrikes in the Middle East. The former congressman and current national security adviser to Trump has been under extreme scrutiny as some on the left have called for him to be fired; the president so far has waved off those concerns. Still, the race to fill the seat was much harder than anyone anticipated. Fine received around 55 percent of the vote to Weil's 45 percent, with most of the votes counted. 'You know, wins a win,' Hudson told DailyMail.com. 'I have acknowledged that our candidate in Florida six may have gotten a later start than we'd hoped in terms of advertising on TV, but he got on the air a couple weeks ago and has been up and and we've had a full turnout program.' Patronis will fill the seat vacated by embattled former Rep. Matt Gaetz who resigned after a bombshell sex scandal Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis is projected to win Florida's 1st Congressional District Democratic nominee Josh Weil campaigns on election day near a polling station at the Palatka Women's Club on April 1, 2025, in Palatka, Florida. Polls show that Mr. Weil was within the margin of error in his race against Fine The special elections on Tuesday were to fill seats vacated by former Florida Republicans Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz Meanwhile, Patronis holding onto the deep-red 1st District will also shore up a crucial GOP vacancy. The Republican will take the seat vacated by former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, who resigned from Congress after being involved in a sex and drug scandal involving a minor. Gaetz, 42, who for a brief time was considered by President Donald Trump to be attorney general before his bid was scuttled, is married and post-Congress has begun hosting his own show on conservative broadcast channel OANN. The allegations against Gaetz, which were unsealed after a contentious discussion in the House Ethics Committee, highlighted how the lawmaker allegedly paid for sex. The additional Republican vote will enable the GOP in the House to navigate tough showdowns with Democrats over top Trump priorities like immigration and tax policy. Witnesses testified before Congress that three deceased CIA agents were 'complicit' in the assassination of former President John F. Kennedy. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., led the Task Force on the Declassification of Federal Secrets' first hearing into the JFK files on Tuesday afternoon. The panel of witnesses included documentary make Oliver Stone and authors Jefferson Morley and James DiEugenio, who have written books on JFK's murder. Morley, a liberal former Washington Post reporter and longtime Kennedy assassination author, opened his testimony by alleging three CIA agents were involved in the young president's untimely death. Documents recently unveiled under Trump's declassification efforts helped uncover that some of the CIA agents' testimony to Congress was false, which is a crime, Morley testified. The recent batch of files stunningly reveals that longtime head of CIA counterintelligence James Angleton lied to a Congress during their investigating the JFK assassination in 1978. Angleton's allegedly false testimony is in addition to other false statements given by former CIA Director Richard Helms and officer George Joannides, the author said, noting the pattern is 'incriminating.' Journalist Jefferson Morley testifies before the House Oversight Committee at the U.S. Capitol on April 01, 2025 in Washington, DC. Filmmaker Oliver Stone testifies before the Task Force on the Declassification of Federal Secrets Subcommittee convened a hearing titled 'The JFK Files.' Lee Harvey Oswald reacts as Dallas night club owner Jack Ruby, foreground, shoots at him from point blank range in 1963 two days after JFK was shot 'We know now that Richard Helms, James Angleton and George Joannides were responsible for or complicit in the death of the President, either by criminal negligence or covert action,' Morley told the lawmakers. 'One false statement might be incompetence. A second false statement might be 'CYA' (cover your a**) for the first false statement, but three false statements by top CIA officers about Kennedy's accused killer. That is a pattern. It's a pattern of misconduct. It's a pattern of malfeasance.' Morley suggested the CIA release Joannides' personnel file and ask for the spy agency to provide a statement on why its agents lied to Congress. Joannides notably ran a program based out of Miami that involved communicating with Cubans about operations regarding Fidel Castro. Some of the agents working this case were in contact with Lee Harvey Oswald before the murder. Moreley says the Joannides also lied to lawmakers investigating JFK's murder in 1978, saying at the time he did not know who oversaw the program with the Cubans, despite being the very man overseeing the operation. Another witness, Stone, who was behind the Oscar-nominated movie 'JFK,' called for a new investigation into JFK's murder altogether. 'I ask the committee to reopen what the Warren Commission failed miserably to complete,' he shared. 'I ask you in good faith, outside all political considerations, to reinvestigate the assassination of President Kennedy from the scene of the crime to the courtroom.' The director also mentioned a joke Angleton told near his death calling Helms and another former CIA Director Allan Dulles 'grand masters' that 'you had to believe would deservedly end up in Hell.' Morley testified that Angleton had a file containing information on Oswald on his desk at the CIA one week before the JFK murder. Richard Helms, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency at the CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia Joannides notably ran a program based out of Miami that involved communicating with Cubans who opposed Fidel Castro Former Counter Intelligence Chief James J. Angleton The author noted that the FBI file on JFK's shooter was checked out by the CIA chief's liaison officer on November 14 and 15, 1963, just days before the shooting. But Morley said the CIA officers did not directly kill the president. 'I'm saying that they were engaged in covert activities related to Lee Harvey Oswald that have never been disclosed, and that's the imperative for the task force to obtain those records of that secret operation,' he clarified. Republican lawmakers were shocked with the testimony. 'Three top CIA officials lied to JFK assassination investigators,' Rep. Eric Burleson, R-Mo., said in a statment after the hearing, calling it 'one of the most significant revelations to come out of this.' Tennessee Republican Rep. Tim Burchett said after: 'This thing was a cover-up from the start.' He also lamented how answers about JFK's death may never be known since so many of the main people involved are long dead. Democrats were less moved with the testimony. 'The JFK Files are now public and show no evidence of a CIA conspiracy,' Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas., said, adding the session helped with 'platforming conspiracy theories.' Donald Trump and Elon Musk claimed victory on a new Voter ID law in Wisconsin despite Republican Supreme Court candidate Brad Schimel losing to Democrat Susan Crawford. Tesla CEO and DOGE leader Musk and his groups spent over $20 million to help Schimel, 60, the Wisconsin attorney general from 2015 to 2019, to shift the balance of the bench, according to reports. Crawford, on the other hand, received major funding from billionaires George Soros and J.B. Pritzker. A little more than an hour after the polls closed in the state AP projected that the Democrat would win the contest. Trump and Musk have yet to comment on Schimel's defeat but have instead directed attention to voters decision to enshrine the state's voter ID law in the state constitution. 'VOTER I.D. JUST APPROVED IN WISCONSIN ELECTION. Democrats fought hard against this, presumably so they can CHEAT,' Trump wrote in a post to Truth Social. 'This is a BIG WIN FOR REPUBLICANS, MAYBE THE BIGGEST WIN OF THE NIGHT. IT SHOULD ALLOW US TO WIN WISCONSIN, LIKE I JUST DID IN THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, FOR MANY YEARS TO COME!' Musk quoted a post on X confirming the Voter ID victory and simply exclaimed: 'Yeah!' Donald Trump and Elon Musk claimed victory on a new Voter ID law in Wisconsin despite Republican Supreme Court candidate Brad Schimel losing to Democrat Susan Crawford (pictured right) Tesla CEO and DOGE leader Musk and his groups spent over $20 million to help Schimel (pictured), 60, the Wisconsin attorney general from 2015 to 2019 Wisconsins photo ID requirement for voting will be elevated from state law to constitutional amendment under a proposal approved by voters . The Republican-controlled Legislature placed the measure on the ballot and pitched it as a way to bolster election security and protect the law from being overturned in court. However, the Supreme Court race was one that the eyes of the nation's political junkies were keeping a close eye on. Crawford took a victory lap after the race was called, openly mocking Musk's expenditures on the election. 'I never could have imagined that I'd be taking on the richest man in the world for justice in Wisconsin. And we won.' She added: 'Today, Wisconsinites fended off an unprecedented attack on our democracy, our fair elections, and our Supreme Court. Wisconsin stood up and said that justice does not have a price, our courts are not for sale.' The election outcome ensures that Democrats will keep the Wisconsin Supreme Court's liberal majority. That puts Republicans in a terrible bind as redistricting plans in the battleground state could determine the outcome in the 2026 midterms and 2028 presidential elections. Wisconsin Republican Rep. Derrick Van Orden predicted that he and fellow Rep. Bryan Steil would lose their seats because of redistricting should Crawford win. Trump and Musk have yet to comment on Schimel's defeat but have instead directed attention to voters decision to enshrine the state's voter ID law in the state constitution Elon Musk speaks at a town hall Sunday, March 30, 2025, in Green Bay, Wisconsin to get out the vote for Brad Schimel days before the election A voter hands over their license to a poll worker in a polling location at the Urban Ecology Center during statewide elections on April 1, 2025 in Waukesha, Wisconsin 'We both lose,' he said. 'So that's why everyone's paying attention to this on a national level' To muster support for Schimel, Musk even appeared in the state to speak to crowds of supporters of his America PAC petition that offered cash for signers to come out against 'activist judges.' The full-scale effort also involved the DOGE leader handing out multiple checks for $1 million to a lucky few who backed Musk's political efforts. Schimel also had the backing of President Donald Trump, who offered his endorsement just days before the race. In total, the contest will go down as the most expensive judicial race in history. Nearly $100 million was spent on the race. Schimel's loss proves that Musk's political king-making abilities are limited after the billionaire threw $300 million of his own money behind Trump's campaign. Despite the large funding from the Tesla CEO, the Republican candidate was not able to gain enough support to win a state Trump only won by a small margin in November. The massive nationwide interest and spending in the race comes because the Wisconsin Supreme Court may soon be tasked with organizing the state's congressional districts. The billionaire handed out three $1 million checks to people who signed his political petition ahead of the election Judge Brad Schimel, the Republican-backed nominee for the Wisconsin Supreme Court, after casting his ballot during the Wisconsin Supreme Court election on April 1, 2025 in Genesee Depot, Wisconsin Nearly $100 million was spent on the judiciary race A magnet for cash, the race attracted an unusual amount donations as outsiders poured in funds to impact race ahead of the midterms. 'The judge race will decide whether the Wisconsin districts get redrawn,' Musk said on Fox News Tuesday afternoon. 'They're kind of trying to gerrymander Wisconsin to remove two Republican seats,' he explained. Losing the Wisconsin race, the billionaire explained, will have major consequences in Washington, D.C. 'Losing this judge race has good chance of causing Republicans to lose control of the House,' Musk remarked. 'If you lose control of the House, there will be non stop impeachment hearings. There will be non stop hearings and subpoenas.' Musk's many attack ads and cash for petition signings may have backfired. Crawford's team highlighted how Musk had infiltrated the race with campaign cash. 'I never thought as a little girl growing up in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, that I'd be going up against the richest man in the world to fight for justice in our state but here we are,' she said at an event on Monday. It's the list the nation's global trading partners didn't want to land on. The White House released its full list of more than 60 countries that are set to get hit with reciprocal tariffs as part of President Donald Trump's plan to make the nation 'wealthy again.' All nations now face being hit with 10 percent tariffs on all imports to the U.S. with the highest at 50 percent. The other countries, which include allies like Japan (24 percent), South Korea (25 percent), and Great Britain (10 percent), plus top competitor China (34 percent), face individualized tariffs, based on their own national policies as calculated by the Trump administration. 'My fellow Americans, this is liberation day, we've been waiting for a long time,' Trump proclaimed. 'In a few moments, I will sign a historic executive order instituting reciprocal tariffs on countries throughout the world.' As Trump spoke the stock market tanked - with Dow futures dropping more than 250 points, the S&P 500 falling 100 points and Nasdaq futures dripping more than 400 points. The individualized tariffs take effect April 9 at 12:01 AM. In theory that allows time for negotiation, but a senior administration official didn't advertise that the store was open. 'For the moment, we are very, very focused on getting the tariff regime in place,' the official told reporters. The tariffs are set to impact not only countries, but companies. Nike makes about 25 percent of its shoes in Vietnam, which is getting hit with a 46 percent 'reciprocal tariff.' Adidas also manufactures in the country. The country makes a third of U.S. footwear. European Union countries, who Trump has repeatedly accused of ripping off the U.S., are getting slapped with a 20 percent tariff. 'For decades, our country has been looted, pillaged, raped and plundered by nations near and far, both friend and foe alike,' Trump said in his White House remarks, which ran for 49 minutes. The administration cited the U.S. trade deficit as the legal justification for the 'national emergency' allowing Trump to impose the tariffs. One reason beyond trade policy for the imbalance: the strong dollar and the strong U.S. economy compared to many of its partners. Read the full list of Trump tariffs below: Your browser does not support iframes. A Cornell University student facing deportation after his visa was revoked because of his campus activism said he decided to leave the United States voluntarily. Momodou Taal, a citizen of the United Kingdom and Gambia, had asked a federal court to halt his detention after the Trump administration had forced him to surrender. The government says it revoked Taals student visa because of his alleged involvement in 'disruptive protests.' But he posted on X late Monday that he didn't believe a legal ruling in his favor would guarantee his safety or ability to speak out. 'I have lost faith I could walk the streets without being abducted,' Taal wrote from an unknown location. 'Weighing up these options, I took the decision to leave on my own terms.' He claimed that Donald Trump 'did not want me to have my day in court and sent ICE agents to my home and revoked my visa.' Taal referred to the Trump White House as 'a government that has no respect for the judiciary or for the rule of law.' A Cornell University student facing deportation after his visa was revoked because of his campus activism said he decided to leave the United States, declaring: 'Long live the student intifada!' He claimed that Donald Trump 'did not want me to have my day in court and sent ICE agents to my home and revoked my visa' He then warned others 'that you are not safe either' for remaining silent. Taal asked: 'Is the imprisonment of those who speak out against a genocide a reflection of your values? Is this the kind of nation you want to live in?' He finished by saying that 'history will absolve us' and added: 'Long live the student intifada!' Intifada is an Arabic word for a rebellion or uprising, or a resistance movement. The word has acquired connotations through two Palestinian uprisings against Israel, between 1987 and 1993, and between 2000 and 2005. The government says it revoked Taals student visa in March because of his involvement in 'disruptive protests,' as well as for disregarding university policies and creating a hostile environment for Jewish students. The Trump administration has attempted to remove noncitizens from the country for participating in campus protests that it deems anti-Semitic and sympathetic to the militant Palestinian group Hamas. Students say the government is targeting them for advocating for Palestinian rights. Taal, a 31-year-old doctoral student in Africana studies at the Ivy League school in Ithaca, New York, was suspended last fall after a group of pro-Palestinian activists disrupted a campus career fair. Taal, a citizen of the United Kingdom and Gambia, had asked a federal court to halt his detention. But he posted on X late Monday that he didn't believe a legal ruling in his favor would guarantee his safety or ability to speak out He had been continuing his studies remotely this semester. Taal filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration citing his right to free speech. The lawsuit was withdrawn Monday. In his post, Taal didn't say where he was writing from or where he intended to live next. He didn't immediately respond to a text seeking comment. 'Everything I have tried to do has been in service of affirming the humanity of the Palestinian people, a struggle that will leave a lasting mark on me,' Taal wrote. His attorney, Eric Lee, didn't immediately respond to a message seeking comment. Lee posted on X : 'What is America if people like Momodou are not welcome here?' People with ties to American universities, most of whom have shown support for anti-Israel causes, have been detained in the Trump administrations crackdown on immigrants. Taal filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration citing his right to free speech. The lawsuit was withdrawn Monday Trump and other officials have accused protesters and others of being 'pro-Hamas,' referring to the Palestinian militant group that attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Many protesters have said they were speaking out against Israel's actions in the war against Hamas in Gaza. Trumps administration has cited a seldom-invoked statute authorizing the secretary of state to revoke visas of noncitizens who could be considered a threat to foreign policy interests. More than half a dozen people are known to have been taken into custody or deported by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials in recent weeks. Among them is 30-year-old Turkish student Rumeysa Ozturk, who was detained on Tuesday as she walked along a street in suburban Boston. A senior Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said without providing evidence that an investigation found Ozturk, a doctoral student at Tufts University, 'engaged in activities in support of Hamas,' which is also a U.S.-designated terrorist group. Friends and colleagues of Ozturk said her only known activism was co-authoring an op-ed in a student newspaper that called on Tufts University to engage with student demands to cut ties with Israel. Ozturk has been taken to an ICE detention center in Louisiana. A U.S. District judge in Massachusetts on Friday said Ozturk cant be deported to Turkey without a court order and gave the government until Tuesday evening to respond to an updated complaint filed by Ozturks attorneys. This month, immigration enforcement agents arrested and detained Mahmoud Khalil, a legal U.S. resident, Palestinian activist and graduate student who was prominent in protests at Columbia last year. The administration has said it revoked Khalils green card because his role in the campus protests amounted to anti-Semitic support for Hamas. He is fighting deportation. Milton Keynes residents feel the town is more unsafe than ever after a man carrying a knife was shot dead in a standoff with armed police. Thames Valley Police and British Transport Police were yesterday called to reports of a man carrying a firearm at Milton Keynes Central station at 12.55pm. Armed officers challenged a white man, who has since been confirmed to have been carrying a knife, outside the station on Elder Gate. The armed man, moved at speed towards officers with the knife before a shot was fired by police, Thames Valley Police have said. Despite attempts to save the man's life at the scene, he was pronounced dead at 1.44pm on Tuesday. The man's next of kin have not yet been informed, so he has not been formally identified. The IOPC has launched an investigation into the incident. A large cordon last night remained in place outside the train station, however trains continue to operate as usual. There is also disruption to the bus station and taxi rank outside the station as this area is currently part of the scene. Locals told MailOnline that the town feels 'really unsafe', with many still in shock following the incident. Irisa Gordoni, who moved to the town 10 years ago from Italy, feels that while knife crime was common, the town has begun to feel increasingly unsafe, especially for women. Officers were called to Milton Keynes Central following reports of a man carrying a firearm just before 1pm yesterday (picture from the scene) 'We run a small family business and sometimes you know, so I'm always worried you know that something could happen in my shop or close to my shop,' she said. 'It just makes me feel unsafe really, I feel like everyone feels a bit scared. 'You are scared to say anything to anyone because you don't know how it will go down,' she added: 'The train station is only 15 minutes from here.' She continued: 'I feel the difference, it's become really unsafe to walk around. It used to be different because I was new to the areaI used to like it a lot.' Those who saw the incident have also come forward to share their accounts upon seeing the standoff between police and the armed man. Witness Domenico Scalzo, 38, a delivery driver, said: 'It was very shocking - I will definitely have nightmares.' He described how he rushed outside to see police officers giving the man - who he said appeared to be in his 20s and was bleeding - CPR. 'It's really difficult for the police, there are teenagers around here as young as 12 carrying massive knives, but you don't expect to see people gunned down in the streets by the police in the UK. 'I was having my coffee and I saw a police Volvo arrive. I heard a pop - I used to work with firearms in private security, I knew it wasn't a car backfiring or anything.' Residents living above the station in Milton Keynes reported hearing a loud 'bang' during the incident Police officers could be seen trying to save a man's life after shots were fired at around 1pmon Tuesday The station had a large cordon around it Domenico, an Italian national, said he's lived in the UK for 13 years - seven in London before moving to Milton Keynes. 'I've lived in places that are more dangerous and never seen anything like this before,' he added. A worker at a nearby store added: 'I have never known anything like it. It is obviously concerning, we have never heard anything happen like this before.' Residents living in a flat above the train station reported hearing a single loud 'bang' during the incident. Alan Brockbank, 70, said: 'All I heard sounded like something heavy had been dropped, it didn't sound like a shot or anything. 'We could see the person lying on the floor and they were trying to resuscitate him.' He claimed that he witnessed a man receiving CPR chest compressions who was partly obscured by the awning at the station exit. Mr Brockbank and his wife Edith, 67, who are both retired, assumed someone had suffered something like a heart attack at the time. 'There was all sorts of activity trying to get people back, there was somebody trying to film it, the police were trying to tell them to go back,' Mrs Brockbank said. 'We didn't connect the bang with what was happening. I started looking to see what could have been dropped and I couldn't see anything related to that sound.' Mr Bockbank added: 'It was only later on we saw armed police with automatic weapons. There was two of them.' Thames Valley Police said armed officers responded and challenged the man at the station before shots were fire by police Officers tried to save the man, who a witness said appeared to be in his 20s and was bleeding from his stomach Pictured: Emergency services at Milton Keynes Central railway station after a man has been shot dead A man who lives in the flats above the station, but did not want to be identified, said he thought it was a gunshot immediately 'because it was really loud'. Another resident added: 'I heard the original bang from the shot, I think, but saw quite a lot of commotion outside, but that was pretty much it - they were pretty speedy.' Following the noise, she went downstairs to see the CPR being performed on a man outside the train station. 'There was quite a lot of police already there, they kind of sectioned off the area,' she said. Milton Keynes commander, Chief Superintendent Emma Baillie, said: 'We understand that this incident may cause concern locally, but we would like to reassure the community that there is no wider risk to the public.' Shazna Muzammil, a councillor and Conservative group leader at Milton Keynes City Council, previously said she was 'deeply shocked' by what had happened. She said: 'Our thoughts are with all those there and affected by it. 'Very thankful to the police and emergency services for their swift response in keeping everyone safe.' A spokesperson for the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) previously said: 'We can confirm we have begun an independent investigation into the fatal shooting of a man by Thames Valley Police (TVP) at Milton Keynes railway station today [Tuesday]. Despite attempts to save the man, he was pronounced dead at the scene at 1.44pm It is understood that the station has been closed while a cordon is in place and emergency services continue to deal with the incident There is not believed to be any further risk to the public, police said 'We were notified by TVP shortly after the incident and IOPC investigators have been sent to the station and the police post-incident procedure to begin gathering information. 'Our thoughts are with the family of the man who died and all those who have been affected by this incident. 'Our role in these circumstances is to independently investigate all of the circumstances surrounding this incident, including the actions and decisions taken by the police. 'We declared an independent investigation at 2.26pm. It is in its very early stages and no further information is available at this time.' Peter Dutton has been slammed as a 'hypocrite' for saying that, if elected as Prime Minister, he would base himself at Kirribilli House in Sydney rather than Canberra while proposing to ban working from home for public servants. The Opposition Leader was grilled by the hosts of Triple M's breakfast show on Wednesday after it was announced the Coalition would force federal public servants back into the office five days a week if elected. Triple M Radio host Mick Molloy asked: 'Will you be the first PM to work from home?' 'I don't think it matters where I am,' he replied. 'Wherever you are, wherever you're living it doesn't matter.' Earlier in the week he told the Kyle and Jackie O Show: 'You've got the choice between Kirribilli or living in Canberra. I think I'll take Sydney any day over living in Canberra.' Mr Dutton was accused of double standards in saying he could base himself at the Sydney Harbour-front home and avoid Canberra, yet will not give public servants the same WFH opportunity. One irate commenter described him as a 'f***ing hypocrite'. Peter Dutton (left) dodged a question about whether he would work from home as PM during an appearance on Triple M's breakfast show on Wednesday morning Mr Dutton previously said his family would prefer to live in Kirribilli House in Sydney (pictured) 'He can commute to Canberra every weekday then and not be allowed to work from home as per his own rule,' they wrote online. 'Peter Dutton denouncing public servant remote work while planning to govern from a waterfront home far from Parliament is like a lifeguard shouting "No swimming!" while floating on an inflatable lounge chair,' another wrote. A third remarked: 'Surely not. He said he doesn't want people working from home.' Several Canberra-based politicians hit out at Mr Dutton over his remarks, including independent senator David Pocock. 'Canberrans love the bush capital and we should have leaders who celebrate it, not play cheap politics taking pot shots at it,' Pocock said. Only a handful of Prime Ministers have chosen to live in Kirribilli House over The Lodge (pictured) 'If Mr Dutton doesn't want the Lodge then I'm sure Canberrans can vote in a way that doesn't give him that option.' Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told Perth's Nova FM he thought the Opposition Leader 'showed a fair bit of hubris' with the admission. 'The prime minister's residence, of course, is the Lodge,' Mr Albanese said. 'Not Kirribilli.' Only a handful of Prime Ministers have chosen to live in Kirribilli House over The Lodge, including Liberal leaders John Howard and Scott Morrison, who were both from Sydney. While The Lodge is the primary home for the Prime Minister, Kirribilli House serves as a secondary official residence and was last occupied by Mr Morrison in 2022. Mr Albanese, who also is from Sydney, has used it for functions but is not based there permanently. Kirribilli House is a Gothic-style harbourside mansion on the north shore of Sydney Harbour, opposite the Opera House. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Mr Dutton's office for comment. An Australian war hero has slammed the 'woke agenda' of a public primary school for allowing students to opt out of its Anzac Day service. Sherwood Ridge Public School in Kellyville, northwest Sydney, asked parents last week to advise if they did not want their children to attend a special commemorative assembly and service at the school on April 10. The email sent by Principal Jody Sullivan was purportedly to accommodate a small number of Christian students at the school who don't 'commemorate war'. It's understood those students who will skip the Anzac assembly will take part in other supervised activities instead. Vietnam veteran Michael von Berg MC OAM said the move was part of a trend in Australia to undermine days of national significance on ideological grounds. 'Australia Day was first - I said Anzac Day will be next and here we are,' he told Daily Mail Australia. He called the move by Sherwood an 'insult, and disrespectful to all of the wonderful men and women who we've lost in all wars'. 'It should be beyond any religion or any sort of woke agenda,' Mr von Berg said. Michael von Berg (pictured) was a platoon commander in Vietnam who was awarded a Military Cross for his actions in 1966 'The kids didn't come up with it and I don't think it's the parents either - I suspect it's the teachers. 'You've just got some people that for whatever reason hate our country and hate our flag. And that's very unhealthy for a country. 'It's the woke agendas that haven't been helped by the government, because we haven't been hard enough or strict enough in coming down on it.' Mr von Berg was a platoon commander in Vietnam who was awarded a Military Cross for his actions in 1966. His citation states that he 'showed a complete disregard for his own safety' to lead his troops in successfully driving back an enemy attack after they were ambushed in a ravine, saving their lives. Addressing the school's claim that it was offering an Anzac service opt-out to Christian students, he pointed out that many religions were represented in the Australian Defence Force and 'we had some wonderful padres with us on active service from all denominations'. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was question on Wednesday whether schools should allow students to sit out on the day. 'I support Anzac Day. It's as simple as that. I'll be at Anzac Day: I'll be at the Australian War Memorial, that's the appropriate place to be,' he said. Sherwood Ridge Public School in Kellyville, northwest Sydney , asked parents last week to advise if they did not want their children to attend a special commemorative assembly and service at the school on April 10 'My job is to support Australians and I support Anzac Day very strongly.' The controversy at Sherwood Ridge Public School comes a year after a group of teachers proclaimed they wanted to 'dismantle the Anzac legacy'. Pippa Tandy, a spokesperson for Victorian group Teachers for Palestine, said in April 2024 she wanted to change how Australia's history is taught in schools because she is 'sick of having to do ideological work for arms companies and the government'. Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance of the first major military action of Australian and New Zealand soldiers in the First World War. More than 8,000 Australian soldiers died during the Gallipoli campaign launched on April 25, 1915. This year's commemorations mark the 110th anniversary. Daily Mail Australia has contacted the NSW Department of Education for comment. A thug who launched a horror attack on a police officer and left him unconscious on the pavement has been jailed. PC Nathan Attwell had responded to reports of an 'aggressive and intoxicated man' in Cwmbran, south Wales, when he found the drunken Richard Nodwell. After being confronted, the thug launched a brutal attack on PC Attwell which left him with a fractured eye socket, broken cheek bone and broken nose. Bodycam footage of the violence, which unfolded on December 20, shows the policeman initially pleading with the suspect to 'show me your hands' to which Nodwell, who has previous convictions, responds: 'Don't touch me, don't touch my personal body!' PC Attwell, commentating on the video released by Gwent Police, then describes how he threatened to use his 'spray' in order to make the suspect comply. With the smirking Nodwell becoming increasingly irate, PC Attwell attempts to grab the thug's hands himself, which is when the criminal throws his first right hook. As the policeman falls to the floor, the enraged thug continues his attack, throwing punches with both hands at the officer who lies wailing on the ground. Eventually, after throwing at least 12 blows in a heartless onslaught lasting some 50 seconds, Nodwell fled the scene leaving his victim unconscious. PC Nathan Attwell confronted Richard Nodwell (pictured) in Cwmbran, south Wales, on December 20, 2024 In a video captured by the officer's bodycam, PC Attwell is initially seen pleading with Nodwell to show him his hands With Nodwell smirking and refusing to co-operate, PC Attwell attempts to grab the thug's hands himself, which is when the criminal throws his first right hook But the criminal was found a short time later by two police officers who he also assaulted - spitting at one and biting the other. Nodwell was immediately arrested by Gwent Police on suspicion of section 18 assault and two counts of assaulting an emergency worker before later being charged. After pleading guilty, the thug was sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court to six years and four months in prison with an extended license of three years. PC Attwell, who is doing well in his recovery, recalls not being able to sleep after the battering for fears that he wouldn't wake up. 'When you join the police service, there's a stigma that sometimes you've got to put up with abuse, whether that be shouting, swearing, spitting, or kicking,' he said. 'However, no one goes to work to be assaulted, especially when they are just trying to help someone. 'The night of the assault I was afraid to go to sleep in case I didn't wake up. 'Why is it, that people like Nodwell feel it's ok to assault police officers and expect no consequences for doing so?' PC Nathan Attwell (pictured) suffered a fractured eye socket, broken cheek bone and broken nose The night of the assault, PC Attwell was afraid to go to sleep for fears that he would not wake up Violent thug Richard Nodwell was sentenced to six years and four months behind bars for the attack PC Attwell is recovering well from his injuries, Gwent Police said 'No one goes to work to be assaulted, especially when they are just trying to help someone,' the policeman said Chief Constable Mark Hobrough of Gwent Police said in a statement following Nodwell's sentencing: 'I would like to commend Nathan for bravely speaking out about this awful attack which has significantly affected him, his family, the wider community, and all of us at Gwent Police. 'Our officers, Nathan included, are more than their uniform they are members of our community, they are parents, siblings, and friends, who love and are loved. 'They come to work to make a difference and will be there during your time of need. Just like you wouldn't expect to be assaulted while carrying out your job, they shouldn't either. 'Regardless of what you think of the police, our officers will put themselves between you and danger, without hesitation. Too often I see the devastating impact these assaults have on police officers and other emergency workers. 'Nodwell will now be behind bars for a significant amount of time, he is a dangerous man with prior convictions, and I am glad he is no longer living in our community. 'Let this be a lesson to those who may think it is ok to assault emergency workers, we will take action and you will be held accountable.' Elon Musk has unveiled his plan to fight what he calls 'domestic terrorists' targeting Tesla cars and showrooms. The electric vehicles and its dealerships have been targeted in a string of attacks across the country as infuriated liberals protests Musk's drastic cuts to the federal government. Donald Trump declared last month that anybody caught engaging in the vandalism would be considered domestic terrorists - a claim Musk reiterated on Tuesday. 'This is fundamentally a case of terrorism,' he told Jeanine Pirro on Fox News' The Five. 'It's wide-scale domestic terrorism with the purpose of intimidation, and it's harming innocent people. It's really terrible.' He went on to say he thinks the federal government should take specific aim at those who are organizing the protests - including the Global Day of Action over the weekend, which targeted 500 different Tesla showrooms across the world. 'What we actually have to get to are the people who are organizing and paying for these attacks and protests,' Musk suggested. 'That's who we really need to go after, because the people that are actually throwing the Molotov cocktails, they're the foot soldiers - but we need to go after the generals. 'The president has made it very clear that we're going to go after those who are paying and organizing these violent attacks and Attorney General Bondi has said the same thing,' he added. 'I believe that is exactly what will happen.' DOGE Chief Elon Musk unveiled his and the Trump administration's plan to fight what he calls 'domestic terrorists' targeting Tesla cars and showrooms on Tuesday He called the attacks 'wide-scale domestic terrorism' in his remarks to Janine Pirro The electric vehicles and its dealerships have been targeted in a string of attacks across the country as infuriated liberals protests Musk's drastic cuts to the federal government He also claimed that the Trump administration knows who these 'generals' are, without revealing any names. But Musk has previously claimed that an 'investigation' into the sometimes fiery protests at Tesla dealerships found that LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman and investor George Soros, 94, were financing the protests through the Democratic fundraising platform ActBlue. 'An investigation has found 5 ActBlue-funded groups responsible for Tesla 'protests': Troublemakers, Disruption Project, Rise & Resist, Indivisible Project and Democratic Socialists of America,' Musk shared on X. 'ActBlue funders include George Soros [and] Reid Hoffman,' his post continued. 'ActBlue is currently under investigation for allowing foreign and illegal donations in criminal violation of campaign finance regulations. 'This week, 7 ActBlue senior officials resigned, including the associate general counsel. If you know anything about this, please post in replies,' Musk finished his note, prompting his over 200 million followers to send over information they may know. Soros and Hoffman are both notable Democratic donors, shoveling out millions to support liberal candidates and initiatives. But Soros' group, Open Society Foundations, told DailyMail.com that it is 'not funding these protests or attacks. 'Any claims suggesting otherwise are false. We do not coordinate, train, or strategize with protest organizers or participants.' Hoffman has also denied the allegations, writing in a post on social media: 'I don't condone violence. But it's clear Americans are angry at him it's easier to explain away their anger, than to accept that actions have consequences.' Musk said he thinks the federal government should take specific aim at those who are organizing the protests. An ATF investigator and a member of the Seattle Fire Department are pictured inspecting burned-out Tesla Cybertrucks on March 10 Over the weekend, protesters targeted 500 different Tesla showrooms across the world Musk has previously claimed George Soros and LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman are funding the anti-Tesla protests Musk's remarks on Tuesday came just one day after Attorney General Bondi warned those thinking of destroying Tesla dealerships and properties that they will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. In a less than one-minute long video posted to X on Monday, Bondi doubled-down that any vandals and attackers who target Teslas and their dealerships will be treated as 'domestic terrorists.' 'I've made it clear if you take part in the wave of domestic terrorism against Tesla properties, we will find you, arrest you, and put you behind bars,' Bondi said. She warned: 'Justice is coming.' Bondi then went on to announce that the Department of Justice unsealed its federal charges against Cooper Frederick, 24, for 'firebombing' a Tesla dealership in Loveland, Colorado on March 7. The FBI tracked Frederick down and arrested him in Plano, Texas. 'Let this be a warning you can run, but you cannot hide,' Bondi said of the cross-country chase to find and arrest the perpetrator. 'All of these cases are a serious threat to public safety. Therefore, there will be no negotiating,' Bondi said. 'We are seeking 20 years in prison,' she said of the charges being brought against Frederick. In a less than one-minute long video posted to X on Monday, Attorney General Pam doubled-down that any vandals and attackers who target Teslas and their dealerships will be treated as 'domestic terrorists' She also announced charges against Cooper Frederick, 24, who attacked a dealership in Loveland, Colorado and was arrested in Plano, Texas Bondi had previously announced charges against three other men. The first was Adam Matthew Lansky, 41, who is accused of throwing Molotov cocktails at a Tesla dealership in Salem, Oregon on January 20. Prosecutors say he was armed with a suppressed AR-15 at the time of the attack. Just one week later, 42-year-old Lucy Grace Nelson, also known as Justin Thomas Nelson, was taken into custody in Loveland, Colorado after allegedly being caught attempting to light Molotov cocktails near a dealership. Nelson was allegedly found to have been in possession of a container of gasoline, bottles and wicks, which prosecutors say were intended to be used to create incendiary weapons. Then on March 7, Daniel Clarke-Pounder, 24, allegedly vandalized a dealership in Charleston, South Carolina, by spray-painting messages reading 'f*** Trump' and 'Long Live Ukraine ' before lighting three charging stations on fire. Lanksy and Nelson are charged with arson of property in interstate commerce and possession of unregistered destructive device, while Clarke-Pounder was charged with arson of property in interstate commerce. All three suspects face up to 20 years in prison if convicted, the DOJ said. Ministry slams US' gross interference in affairs of Xizang autonomous region 10:52, April 02, 2025 By Zhang Yunbi ( Chinadaily.com.cn Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun. (Photo/fmprc.gov.cn) China urged the United States on Tuesday to stop interfering in its internal affairs under the pretext of Xizang-related issues, saying that it will take necessary measures to "resolutely and reciprocally counter the US' wrongful acts". US Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a statement on the State Department's website on Monday announcing visa restrictions on some Chinese officials over access to Southwest China's Xizang autonomous region. Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun responded on Tuesday that the US move is gross interference in affairs concerning Xizang, which are China's internal affairs, and the move is a serious violation of international law and the basic norms governing international relations. "China strongly deplores and firmly rejects this," he said at a regular news conference in Beijing. Guo emphasized that Xizang is open and no regulations have been made to restrict foreigners from entering the region. He cited the fact that Xizang receives a large number of foreign tourists and people from all walks of life every year, and the region received a total of 320,000 foreign tourists in 2024. Considering Xizang's special geographic and climatic conditions and other factors, the Chinese government has taken some regulatory and protective measures in accordance with laws and regulations regarding foreigners entering the region, the spokesman said, adding that this is completely necessary. China welcomes foreigners to visit, travel and do business in Xizang, but they "must abide by China's laws and relevant regulations", Guo said. "We oppose the groundless slander of the status quo of human rights, religion, and cultural development in Xizang, and oppose the interference and sabotage practices of foreign officials in the name of performing their duties in the region," he said. "China urges the US to strictly honor its commitments on issues related to Xizang, stop abetting and supporting 'Tibet independence' forces, and stop interfering in China's internal affairs under the pretext of issues related to Xizang," Guo said. "China will take necessary measures to firmly and reciprocally counter the wrongful acts of the US," he added. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) A GOP senator who was confronted about the Trump administration's mass layoffs of federal workers had a brutal four-word clapback at a disgruntled employee who lost his job. Indiana senator Jim Banks was walking briskly into an elevator when he was approached by a man holding a camera and berating him about staff cuts. The man said he was among the thousands of workers laid off since Trump returned to the White House as part of his sweeping pledge to cull the federal workforce and eliminate wasteful spending. 'I was a worker at HHS I was fired illegally on February 14. There are many people who are not getting social service programs, especially people with disabilities, are you going to do anything to stop what's happening?,' the disgruntled worker said. Instantly, Banks fired back, telling the man: 'You probably deserved it.' As the elevator doors closed, Banks rubbed salt in the wound, adding that the man 'seems like a clown.' Infuriated by the response, the person behind the camera repeatedly asked why he deserved it, adding: 'Wow. That's great to hear.' A female companion chimed in, telling Banks his comment was 'sad', before noting: 'Okay sir you shouldn't have said that on [camera].' As the elevator doors closed, Banks rubbed salt in the wound, adding that the man 'seems like a clown' The man said he was among the thousands of workers laid off since Trump returned to the White House as part of his sweeping pledge to cull the federal workforce and eliminate wasteful spending YO. Senator Jim Banks just called a wrongfully terminated HHS worker a clown and said he deserved to lose his job. Seriously?!? That is not how U.S. Senators should talk to civil servants. That is egregious. pic.twitter.com/acuRNXh1l0 Marissa D. Barrera (@mdb2) April 1, 2025 'That is not how US Senators should talk to civil servants. That is egregious,' said critic Marissa D. Barrera - who once oversaw the health care portfolio for Bernie Sanders when he was Senate Budget Committee Chairman. But Banks hit back with a social media post of his own, resharing the video with a short statement standing by his words. 'Hard truth,' he wrote, before ultimately changing his profile photo on X to be a snippet from the video of him smirking as the elevator doors closed. Banks, an ardent supporter of Trump, previously criticized the the Health Department for celebrating Pansexual and Panromantic Pride Day. 'Glad this type of bulls*** will end on Jan 20! Cant come soon enough,' Banks replied to the HHS post. The post on X read: 'Today on Pansexual and Panromantic Pride Day, everyone deserves to feel seen, respected and supported - no matter who they love. Create a world where everyone feels proud to be themselves!' While the first tranche of employees at the massive Health and Human Services Department were let go in February, more learned their jobs had been cut on Tuesday. Emails were sent out on Tuesday telling employees that their jobs were being eliminated. Indiana senator Jim Banks was walking briskly into an elevator when he was approached by a man holding a camera and berating him about staff cuts While the first tranche of employees at the massive Health and Human Services Department were let go in February, more learned their jobs had been cut on Tuesday Banks, an ardent supporter of Trump, previously criticized the the Health Department for celebrating Pansexual and Panromantic Pride Day The cuts include researchers, scientists, doctors, support staff and senior leaders, leaving the federal government without many of the key experts who have long guided US decisions on medical research, drug approvals and other issues. 'The revolution begins today!' Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. wrote on social media. He later added: 'Our hearts go out to those who have lost their jobs' but said that the department needs to be 'recalibrated' to emphasize disease prevention. At the time of his announcement, it was anticipated that it would result in 20,000 fewer jobs at the Department of Health and Human Services. About 10,000 were to be eliminated through layoffs. Banks' comeback comes days after he sparked fury among Democrat constituents by sending donuts instead of attending a town hall meeting they'd organized to air their grievances. The 54,-year-old sent boxes of Parlor donuts and a film crew to the event, where he was represented by an empty chair filled with a cardboard cutout. 'Hey guys, we got some donuts here courtesy of Senator Jim Banks,' an unidentified staff member of Banks' office told the crowd, which erupted in annoyed laughs. 'I'm going to throw up on them,' one woman yelled as he opened the boxes. The cuts include researchers, scientists, doctors, support staff and senior leaders, leaving the federal government without many of the key experts who have long guided US decisions on medical research, drug approvals and other issues As one man dug into the treats, he told the staff member to tell Banks to 'go to hell.' 'Oh well, I'll pass it along,' the worker replied. Banks was Indiana's representative from the third district since 2017 before running for Senate in 2024. The seat was vacated by Mike Braun who ran for Indiana governor this cycle and won. Kennedy has criticized the department he oversees as an inefficient 'sprawling bureaucracy' and said the department's $1.7 trillion yearly budget 'has failed to improve the health of Americans.' He plans to streamline operations and fold entire agencies - including the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration into a new Administration for a Healthy America. On Friday, dozens of federal health employees working to stop infectious diseases from spreading were told they'd be put on leave. Several current and former federal officials told the AP that the Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy was hollowed out that night. Hamas has quietly dropped thousands of deaths from its count of the number of people killed by Israel in Gaza, a pressure group has claimed. Salo Aizenberg, from the US-based Honest Reporting group, told the Telegraph that the terror group's March 2025 casualty update had removed thousands of people it previously listed as dead. Hamas says that more than 50,000 Palestinians, including women, children and combatants, have been killed since Israel retaliated in response to the deadly October 7 attack, But Aizenberg told the newspaper: 'Hamas's new March 2025 fatality list quietly drops 3,400 fully 'identified' deaths listed in its August and October 2024 reports including 1,080 children. These 'deaths' never happened. The numbers were falsified again.' The Hamas-run Gaza ministry of health has released casualty lists in PDF form, detailing those killed in Israeli military actions. Israel, meanwhile, says it has killed 20,000 Hamas combatants in its battle in the enclave, and claims to do all it can do mitigate civilian casualties. But Israel has also been accused of systematically starving the Gaza Strip, which it denies. Yesterday, the UN dismissed as 'ridiculous' an assertion by Israel that there was enough food in the Gaza Strip to last for a long period of time, despite the closure of all 25 bakeries in the enclave supported by the World Food Programme. Palestinians visit the graves of their relatives at a cemetery, on the first day of Eid al-Fitr that marks the end of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, in Jabalia, in the northern Gaza Strip March 30, 2025 Internally displaced Palestinians walk along a street near the rubble of destroyed buidlings after fleeing northern Gaza following an Israeli army evacuation order, in Gaza City, Gaza Strip, 01 April 2025 Buildings that were destroyed during the Israeli ground and air operations stand in northern of Gaza Strip as seen from southern Israel, Tuesday, April 1, 2025 No aid has been delivered to the Palestinian enclave since March 2. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office has said it would not allow the entry of all goods and supplies into Gaza until Hamas releases all remaining hostages. Then later in March Israel resumed its bombardment of Gaza after a two-month truce and sent troops back into the enclave. COGAT, the Israeli military agency that coordinates aid deliveries, said on Tuesday that during the truce some 25,200 trucks entered Gaza, carrying almost 450,000 tons of aid. 'That's nearly a third of the total trucks that entered Gaza during the entire war, in just over a month,' COGAT said in a post on X. 'There is enough food for a long period of time, if Hamas lets the civilians have it.' When asked about the statement, U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters: 'As far as the UN is concerned, that's ridiculous ... we are at the tail end of our supplies.' 'You know, WFP doesn't close its bakeries for fun. If there's no flour, if there's no cooking gas, the bakeries cannot open,' Dujarric added. Mike Johnson appeared to put the brakes on Donald Trump running for a third term in 2028, noting the Constitution stands between the president and another stint in the White House. Trump has said in recent interviews that he's open to being president for more than eight years. 'A lot of people want me to do it,' the 78-year-old president said on Meet the Press this past Sunday. Johnson, the Speaker of the House and a Constitutional lawyer, was asked if there was a legal path to Trump winning and if he would support the president if he ran again. He said that there 'is a Constitutional path' but that road requires you to 'amend the Constitution to do it.' 'And that's a high bar,' he added, ultimately claiming that he believes Trump understands that. However, Johnson said that he has discussed this with Trump in private, and said that he takes him at his word. 'I understand why so many Americans do wish that he could run for a third term, because he's accomplishing so much in this first 100 days that they wish it could go on for much longer,' Johnson said. Mike Johnson (pictured) appeared to put the brakes on Donald Trump running for a third term in 2028, noting the Constitution stands between the president and another stint in the White House Trump has said in recent interviews that he's open to being president for more than eight years Johnson also argued that there's no current movement to amend the Constitution but at least one member of the GOP has started a pathway to Trump being able to run one more time. Just three days into Trump's second term, Rep. Andy Ogles, a Tennessee Republican, sent out a proposal to amend the 22nd Amendment to open the door for a Trump third term. Ogles' Constitutional amendment would allow for Trump to run for a third term - but prohibit Obama from doing so, because the Democrat had already served two consecutive terms. The other former two-term living presidents, Republican George W. Bush and Democrat Bill Clinton, also wouldn't be eligible if this amendment was passed. 'No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than three times, nor be elected to any additional term after being elected to two consecutive term,' the text of the Ogles' Amendment read. There's an incredibly high bar to pass a Constitutional amendment - as two-thirds of both the House and Senate would need to sign on - as well as three-fourths of the state legislatures. With the current nearly 50/50 split in the country of Republicans and Democrats it's extremely unlikely an amendment of this kind would pass - especially one that only aims to allow Trump to serve thrice. Yet the topic of a Trump third term again came up over the weekend, when the president talked to NBC Meet the Press host Kristen Welker by phone Sunday morning. Johnson also argued that there's no current movement to amend the Constitution but at least one member of the GOP - Tennessee Rep. Andy Ogles - has started a pathway to Trump being able to run one more time Trump was asked about his comments to NBC News about serving a third term while on board Air Force One Sunday, returning to Washington, D.C. after spending the weekend at Mar-a-Lago 'A lot of people want me to do it,' the 78-year-old president said. A chant of 'four more years' broke out at the White House last week during the president's Greek Independence Day event. 'But, I mean, I basically tell them we have a long way to go, you know, it's very early in the administration,' he continued. 'I'm focused on the current.' When asked why he'd want another term, the president responded, 'I like working.' 'I'm not joking,' he continued. 'But I'm not - it is far too early to think about it.' He was then asked if he'd been presented with plans on how to serve a third term. 'There are methods which you could do it,' he said. He was asked about those comments on board Air Force One Sunday as he traveled back to Washington, D.C. 'I don't want to talk about a third term now because no matter how you look at it, you've got a long time to go,' Trump said. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt pushed Monday that reporters needed to calm their reactions to Trump's third term musings. 'You guys continue to ask the president this question about a third term and then he answers honestly and candidly with a smile and then everybody here melts down about his answer,' Leavitt told reporters outside the White House Monday. His comments have prompted concerns in light of Trump's refusal to concede the 2020 election to President Joe Biden - which he still falsely claims was 'totally rigged' - and his role in the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack. Leavitt had just gone on Fox News Channel's America Reports, where she was asked about Trump's third-term comments too, and gave as similar answer. 'It's funny to me that journalists ask the president this question. He gives an honest and candid answer, and then they spiral about his answer,' Leavitt told Fox News Channel's John Roberts. 'He was asked this, and you heard him, and he's right,' she continued. Leavitt said Americans are talking about a Trump third term because 'people love the job this president is doing.' 'We have four more years to go and look at what the president has done in more than 60 days,' she said. The University of Oxford is calling on council bosses to allow the addition of five soldiers on a war memorial - even though they fought against Britain during the First World War. Queen's College has put in a bid to planning officials to add 'members of the college community' to the 121 names already on the memorial, located in High Street, Oxford. Critics however say the move - which would allow the inclusion of three German soldiers - amounts to 'wokery'. Designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield and unveiled in October 1920, the memorial pays tribute to those who fought for the Allied forces, but a new application submitted to Oxford City Council has requested that 'all' connected to the college should now be remembered, 'irrespective of nationality.' The names set to be added include German-born Carl Heinrich Hertz, who was born in Hamburg and Gustav Adolf Jacobi, originally from Weimar. Erich Joachim Peucer, who was born in Colmar, then a part of the German Empire and who died in Italy in 1917, is also listed within the additional names. The other two are Hungarian Paul Nicholas Esterhazy, who matriculated in 1901 and died in 1915 in Poland, and Emile Jacot who was wounded in battle, but died of his injuries in 1928. Featuring two long stone tablets, each with a bronze wreath, the memorial carries the inscription: 'So they gave their bodies to the Commonwealth and received each for his own memory', and 'Praise that will never die.' The University of Oxford is calling on council bosses to allow the addition of five soldiers on a war memorial - even though they fought against Britain during the First World War Critics say the move - which allows the inclusion of three German soldiers - is 'wokery' Queen's College argues that 'all' connected to the college should now be remembered, 'irrespective of nationality' The planning application stated: 'The First World War memorial outside the library omits those who did not serve on the British side. 'This was usual at the time the memorial was erected (1921): no colleges, when they first put up their memorials, commemorated those who died fighting against the Allies, whether as a deliberate decision or because it did not occur to them. 'In summary, we feel that these proposals are an appropriate and unobtrusive response to the architectural context and are justified by the need to remember all members of the college community who died in the First World War, irrespective of nationality.' Of the 14,561 members of Oxford University that enlisted, around 20 per cent had died by the end of the First World War But Richard Tice, Reform UK's deputy leader, said the memorial should only serve as a tribute to those who fought for Britain and the Allied forces. He told The Telegraph: 'War memorials in the UK should be to remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice to protect and defend the Allied nations. 'Where will this wokery end?' Of the 14,561 members of Oxford University that enlisted, around 20 per cent had died by the end of the First World War. Among the alumni who perished were renowned military commander Douglas Haig, 1st Earl Haig and composer George Butterworth. Oxford City Council is expected to announce its decision over the next few weeks. MailOnline has contacted Oxford University for comment. France has admitted it needs to stop more small boats entering the UK and said it would consider taking migrants back from Britain. President Emmanuel Macron's border chief explained returning the illegal settlers is likely to send a clear message they should not risk their lives to make the dangerous crossing. It comes as the French have been under increasing pressure to put an end to the flow of migrants despite a 500million deterrence boost from UK taxpayers. There are calls the country's navy escorting boats should travel across busy shipping lanes until the are picked up by the UK Border Force. Speaking to The Sun, Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau said: 'We have to deal with the crossings. 'Up until now, we considered it to be a French doctrine that we would save people on the seas but that we would take no risk whatsoever. 'I've seen a number of videos where the taxi boats come close to the coast to pick up the migrants in water that's not very deep, and I think that our gendarmes cannot intervene.' Of the 150,000 migrants who have crossed since 2018, three per cent have been deported to their home country. There have been almost 6,000 arrivals so far in 2025, according to provisional Home Office figures Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau said: 'We have to deal with the crossings' Your browser does not support iframes. But a returns deal would be an attempt to break the smugglers' business model. Mr Retailleau said he thought there should be an bilateral agreement between governments as currently many of those landing on British soil 'don't come back'. He added other European countries also ought to close smuggling routes, singling out Belgium and Germany. But speaking at the Policy Exchange think tank in London, he made reference to some of the difficulties in trying to stop the gangs. Mr Retailleau said: 'As we dismantle one, another one crops up.' He also said Home Secretary Yvette Cooper needed to crack down on illegal working, a source of attraction for Channel migrants to the UK. Last month, French navy officers refused to rescue 60 distressed migrants on a cramped boat filled with water in its territory - and instead asked Border Force for help. Officials spent hours this morning shadowing a packed migrant boat - mostly men - across the Channel, sparking extraordinary scenes. The French Navy had been following a dinghy of 60 migrants since the early hours of the morning A Border Force vessel is seen rescuing a dinghy with around 60 migrants on the English Channel But the situation quickly went awry, as they could be heard shouting and screaming 'help' and waving their hands at a nearby French navy boat. Fours hours after the French Navy had began following a dinghy at 5.50am, around 1.3 miles away from the French coast, they radioed the UK Border Force about the distressed boat. During the conversation on a public radio system - which can be listened to on any boat - one French official could be heard informing the British service that the boat was full of water and migrants were waving their hands. One said: 'Do you have a rib to clear the situation if possible?' Border Force replied: 'Regarding sending our rib into French water. If possible, it would be preferred if you could launch your rib in your side and if there is any distress, we will come into French waters. But yeah, are you able to launch your rib over?' The French did as requested and nine miles later handed over the migrants to a UK Border Force vessel, who were then returned to Dover. One witness said: 'This was a complete taxi service. The French said these migrants were distressed and needed help. But it didn't rescue them. Instead they asked Britain. 'When Britain were not keen, the French simply escorted them into British water. It's appalling.' A popular beach club is facing a damage bill worth hundreds of thousands of dollars after monster waves pounded the NSW coast. A huge king tide and storm surges hit Sydney overnight on Wednesday with large swells of up to 5.5metres recorded at Bondi Beach in the city's east. Glass was reportedly smashed at Bondi Icebergs Club with CCTV footage showing seawater rushing through the reception area of the pool. 'I have never seen anything like it,' general manager Bob Tate told The Daily Telegraph. 'It's the first time in 20 years the pool has been closed at low tide.' He said the damage to the club could amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars and the pool will be closed for two weeks. The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a hazardous surf warning for all of Wednesday, cautioning against coastal activities such as rock fishing, boating, and swimming. The warning zone extends south to Eden and as far north as Byron Bay, with NSW Police advising people to stay out of the water and avoid walking near surf-exposed areas. A woman is seen sweeping up glass at the Bondi Icebergs pool on Wednesday Massive waves pounded a string of beaches along Sydney's coastline Police taped off the Bondi Icebergs Club pool and advised Sydneysiders to stay out of the water Former boxer-turned-real estate agent Ibrahim Yaghmour said the ground shook at his home in Sans Souci, in Sydney's south, on Tuesday night. 'The floor was shaking and, as soon as I left my house, I knew something was odd,' he told Daily Mail Australia. 'By the time I got to Ramsgate Beach, it just kept getting worse. 'I have seen the devastating damage happen right in front of my eyes.' Bayside Council said significant swells caused damage to pedestrian areas and roads near the shore during the early hours of Wednesday morning. 'Council staff are working diligently on site to help with clean up and traffic flow,' it said. Carruthers Drive at Dolls Point is currently closed and residents have been told, where possible, to avoid the area. Deputy Mayor Heidi Lee Douglas said Carruthers Drive and Pine Park were also being severely impacted by the giant seas and king tide. Large swells of up to 5.5metres were recorded at Bondi Beach in the city's east (pictured) The significant swells caused damage to pedestrian areas and roads on shore (pictured) Surfers could be seen taking advantage of the massive swells on Tuesday '[There was] sand approximately 30-40metres over the sea wall,' she said. The deputy mayor said it would take two to three days to complete the clean-up. Fire and Rescue NSW and the SES have also provided sandbags. Locals took to social media to share their experience of the massive swells. 'My house was vibrating with every wave crashing,' one person said. A Carruthers Drive resident said it was a 'disaster' in their suburb. 'Thank you Bayside Council for sending in the teams so quickly,' they added. Meanwhile, surfers could be seen taking advantage of the swell, with one spotted riding a large wave at Bondi Beach. Sex trafficking victim Virginia Giuffre was charged with breaching a family violence restraining order just days before the bus crash which she initially claimed had fatally injured her. Giuffre, nee Roberts, 41, posted a photograph on Instagram on Sunday night, allegedly from her hospital bed, claiming she had just four days left to live. She said her car had been hit by a school bus travelling at 110km/h which had left her with kidney failure, and doctors had told her she would be dead within days. A spokesman for Giuffre admitted on Wednesday that she had 'made a mistake' and had not intended to publish the post publicly. Medical sources have said she does not just have days to live. Now Daily Mail Australia can reveal Giuffre was listed at a Perth Magistrates Court ten days before the crash over the alleged breach of the family violence restraining order. Her estranged husband Robert Giuffre was also listed at the same court the month before for allegedly 'providing inadequate storage facility for firearms'. It is understood the couple recently separated after 22 years of marriage, and no longer live together at their lavish $1.9million mansion in Perth's beachside suburb of Ocean Reef. They bought the six-bedroom home five years ago, putting down a deposit on it six months before Ms Giuffre launched her lawsuit against Prince Andrew for allegedly sexually abusing her when she was a teenager. The purchase was finalised before the matter was settled out of court with a reported $20million payout from the Duke. Virginia Giuffre was charged with breaching a family violence restraining order days before the bus crash which she initially claimed had fatally injured her Giuffre, 41, posted on Instagram about the crash on March 24, which occurred ten days after she was listed at the court near her $2m family home Virgina Giuffre is reportedly estranged from husband of 22 years Robert (above the couple in 2019) and in March she was charged with alleged breaching a Family Violence Restraining Order They now appear to be locked in a messy tug of love over their teenage son and daughter. Two days before the car crash, Giuffre posted a sun-dappled picture of her children on a beach on March 22, accompanied by an apparent desperate plea to see them. 'My beautiful babies have no clue how much I love them and theyre being poisoned with lies,' she posted. 'I miss them so very much. I have been through hell and back in my 41 years but this is incredibly hurting me worse than anything else. 'Hurt me, abuse me but dont take my babies. My heart is shattered and every day that passes my sadness only deepens.' In the post from hospital a week later, she added: 'Ive gone into kidney renal failure, theyve given me four days to live, transferring me to a specialist hospital in urology. 'Im ready to go, just not until I see my babies one last time. My heart is shattered and every day that passes my sadness only deepens.' Giuffre met her future husband when she was just 19 while training as a masseuse in Thailand. Virginia Giuffre (above in Cairns six years ago) and her estranged husband Robert moved to their beachside mansion in Perth after her reported $20million payout from Prince Andrew The famous photograph of the-then Virginia Roberts and Prince Andrew and Ghislaine Maxwell that led to the royal's downfall and the reported $20million payout The course had been paid for by the late paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, who had sex trafficked Giuffre with his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell. On Tuesday, Western Australia Police revealed Giuffre was a passenger in a car involved in a 'minor collision' with a bus in Neergabby, 80km north of Perth, on March 24, and no-one had been injured. According to 9News Perth, Giuffre's 71-year-old 'carer' was driving the car at the time. Police said the collision was reported by the bus driver the following day. The car sustained approximately $2000 worth of damage. 'We have no report of any serious injuries,' Acting Western Australian Police Commissioner Kylie Whiteley said. Giuffre is understood to have been treated at a local health centre afterwards for a pre-existing condition and released. She later checked into another hospital in the early hours of Tuesday, after the disturbing Instagram post - which appeared to show her badly bruised - went public. She rescinded the 'deathbed' farewell claims via a spokesperson on Wednesday and said she mistakenly posted them to her public Instagram page. Virginia Giuffre with a photo of her younger self (left) and the late Jeffrey Epstein with Ghislaine Maxwell, decades before they would each be jailed in the US on sex trafficking charges Her father Sky Roberts told DailyMail.com that he is 'sick to my stomach' and would do anything to be able to fly from his home in Florida to be by his daughter's hospital bedside in Australia. Daily Mail Australia is not suggesting Ms Giuffre made the incident up or exaggerated it. A teenage girl was gunned down in a 'tit-for-tat' shooting between rival gangs triggered by one member being humiliated on social media, a court has heard. Tanesha Melbourne-Blake, 17, was standing with her boyfriend and friends on a road in Tottenham on April 2, 2018, when she was shot in an alleged drive-by shooting. The hearing was told that a car pulled up and an occupant opened fire. A witness described seeing three bright sparks and hearing a 'pap, pap, pap'. Tanesha was hit in the chest and died at the scene. Jurors were told that as she collapsed, she told her friend: 'Jace, I've been shot'. Prosecutor Jocelyn Ledward KC said the shooting was the result of a 'long-standing enmity' between rival gangs in Wood Green and Northumberland Park. She added that Tanesha - who died of internal blood loss - may not have been the intended target. Marcus La Croix, 37, and Michael Clarke, 35, have been accused of her murder. They are said to have been among a group of men who travelled from Wood Green into rival territory that night, before fatal shots were fired. Opening the trial at the Old Bailey on Tuesday, Ms Ledward said the shooting followed a violent attack on La Croix by men linked to the Northumberland Park gang 'Sin Squad' in the early hours of April 1. Tanesha Melbourne-Blake, 17, (pictured) was standing with her boyfriend and friends in Tottenham on April 2, 2018, when she was shot in a drive-by shooting Forensic officers pictured searching the road in Tottenham where Ms Melbourne-Blake was shot dead She said: 'The ride-out was intended to result in death or serious injury - through the use of a self-loading pistol. 'Although Tanesha may not have been the intended target.' Jurors were told La Croix, known to friends as 'Bobby Slater', from Hackney, had suffered a 'very public humiliation' days earlier, when he was attacked by rival gang members inside a restaurant. The jury was shown CCTV footage of the assault on La Croix and his girlfriend - which was shared widely across social media. Ms Ledward told jurors he and Clarke, known as 'Da Gaffa', from Luton, sought revenge the following day. Both men deny murder and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. The Old Bailey trial continues and is due to last six weeks. A paedophile who sexually assaulted a five-year-old girl he was babysitting will have a secret parole hearing instead of a public one so he is not 'distressed'. Tyler Eastley, 26, was jailed for nine years in 2018, with an extra year on licence, for sexually assaulting the little girl whilst he was babysitting four young children for a couple who trusted him. The vile attack happened in 2017 when Eastley, a known drug user, had lost his job and been in court for racially aggravated harassment and resisting a police officer. Twisted Eastley, who was described as 'an offender of particular concern', groomed the child but pleaded not guilty, forcing a trial to take place where he was subsequently found guilty. Passing sentence on November 2, 2018, Judge Alexia Durran described Eastley as 'an immature young man' with a history of substance abuse who had engaged in 'a degree of grooming' before assaulting the child. Reading a statement from the victim's mother, prosecuting barrister Allister Walker said of the victim: 'She has become a different child since the incident.' But reports now show the paedophile has successfully argued his parole hearing should take place behind closed doors - despite an application for a public hearing that was backed by Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood. Twisted paedophile Tyler Eastley, 26, who sexually abused a five-year-old girl, has been allowed to have a private parole hearing because a public one would 'distress' him Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood (pictured) was said to be 'disappointed' by the Parole Board's decision not to hold a public hearing Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick (pictured) said the decision was a 'perversion of justice' The Parole Board accepted claims by Eastley's lawyers that a public hearing would be 'distressing' for child abuser and could impact his ability to put forward his arguments as to why he should be released. Ms Mahmood was said to be 'disappointed' by the Parole Board's decision not to hold a public hearing. Robert Jenrick, the Shadow Justice Secretary said: 'Why are the interests of a disgusting sex offender to not feel distressed being placed above those of victims and the public? This is a perversion of justice.' A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: 'The Lord Chancellor supported an application for Tyler Eastley's parole hearing to be held in public. We are disappointed that this was rejected, but respect the independent Parole Board's decision. Victims have been locked out of the parole system for too long. That is why we are now giving victims the right to apply to attend private parole hearingings and see first-hand how offenders are held accountable for their crimes.' The Parole Board did not reveal the identity person who applied for a public hearing, but said: 'The applicant has no wish to cause distress to Eastley or to have a negative impact on him, but wishes to see him in person and to see what changes there have been in him and what progress there has been in his rehabilitation.' A Parole Board panel, chaired by a former judge, said 'even though the offence was extremely serious with a long-lasting and extensive impact on the victims, it was not a case which was nationally notable at the time or which involved multiple victims or an offence that occurred over an extensive period.' The panel added: 'One potential disadvantage of a public hearing is the media attention which it would be likely to attract. 'At the moment there does not appear to be much, if any, media interest in this case, but that would probably all change if there is a public hearing, and I agree with the legal representative that the media attention might very well be distressing not only for Mr Eastley but also for the victim and her family. 'I do not think that a public hearing of this case would be likely to give the public a better understanding of the parole process.' Speaking to press after Eastley was convicted in 2018, the victim's mother said: 'We are devastated by what has happened. We feel it is very important for people to be made aware of what he has done to such a young child and we sincerely hope that this will never happen again.' A North Carolina mom was killed alongside her 15-year-old child by her older son days after she celebrated his release from prison, police allege. Da'ron Donta Jenkins, 25, of Wilson, has been charged with two counts of murder in the callous slayings of his mom, Dana and little brother, Daryn. He was released from prison on parole on March 25 after more than three years behind bars relating to a string of other offenses, including break and enter and larceny. In an emotional Facebook post on the day of Da'ron's release, Dana thanked God for her son's freedom. 'My baby home,' she wrote. 'My mf [sic] baby!! My baby is home!! Lord I thx u.' She was inundated with supportive messages from loved ones who said they were happy for her family ahead of the reunion. 'Welcome home, Big D,' one friend said, while another celebrated her announcement as 'great news.' But at 5.30pm on Monday, police responded to a call on Snowden Drive. When they arrived, they found the two bodies, already dead, inside the house. Da'ron is being held in Wilson County jail with no bond and had his first appearance in court relating to the charges on Tuesday. Dana has been remembered as a 'great mom' who loved God in tribute posts on Facebook 15-year-old Daryn was tragically murdered alongside his mom, police allege In an emotional Facebook post on the day of Da'ron's release, Dana thanked God for her son's freedom Dana's cousin Juanilla Kornegay told ABC11 the family was reeling from the tragic loss. 'I would have never thought that,' she said. 'I would never have thought he would do something like that.' Kornegay said her cousin was a 'very kind... sweet person [who] always smiled.' 'I can see her smile right now. She always smiled. She went to work and came home. She took care of her youngest son.' She said that it 'really bothered' and hurt her to think that Da'ron had only just walked free from prison when he allegedly murdered his family. 'I still haven't got over it,' she said. 'It's going to take a while.' Prior to his 2021 charges which he was most recently in custody for, Da'ron was also convicted in September 2020 for violating a protection order and trespassing. Others have remembered Dana as a 'great mom' who loved God in tribute posts on Facebook. One loved one said even if she couldn't attend church, she would 'make sure Daryn' was there, 'dropping him off in [her] night clothes.' Da'ron Donta Jenkins, 25, of Wilson, has been charged with two counts of murder in the callous slayings of his mom, Dana and little brother, Daryn A North Carolina mom was killed alongside her 15-year-old child by her older son days after she celebrated his release from prison, police allege Bishop Sherman Blandon at their local Mount Moriah Community Church said Daryn was at church every Sunday and played music. He said both mother and son were 'joyful' with smiles that were infectious and would 'light up a room.' The church later issued a statement about the monumental loss, writing on Instagram: 'MMCC-Wilson has suffered a heartbreaking loss in our church family. It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved brother, Daryn Cox. 'His presence and his joy, will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Please keep his family and our MMCC-Wilson family in your prayers as we navigate this difficult time. 'We are grateful for the outpouring of love and support already shown, and we appreciate each of you for standing with us in this season of grief.' Wilson Police say the investigation into the double murder is ongoing, and are urging members of the community with information to come forward. She is rumoured to have moved out after splitting with martial arts instructor Giuffre and her husband bought palatial pad while preparing to sue Andrew Jeffrey Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre had moved out of her extravagant beachside mansion in a lovesplit with her Australian husband of 22 years, before the firestorm that erupted this week when she said she was on her deathbed after a bus crash. Giuffre and her martial arts instructor partner Robert bought the sprawling six-bedroom home in Perth's seaside suburb of Ocean Reef, Western Australia, for $1.9million in November 2020. The couple snapped it up just one year after Giuffre pocketed a reported six-figure fee for her exclusive TV interview with Nine Network's Tara Brown about her sex abuse allegations against Prince Andrew. Giuffre told Nine's 60 Minutes Australia program about her life as Jeffrey Epstein's sex slave, and described in detail how she was 'trafficked' to the Duke of York when she was 17. At the time of the story, broadcast just three months after Epstein was found dead in his cell at New York's Metropolitan Correction Centre, Giuffre had been living with her family on the outskirts of Cairns in far north Queensland. But she moved west with her husband and children the following year, to start a new life away from the spotlight as she prepared to launch a civil lawsuit against Prince Andrew, alleging she was coerced into having sex with the royal as a minor. The family soon picked up the circa-1990 new-build which boasted six bedrooms, and bathrooms across its two stories along with a self-contained 'granny flat' and 'breathtaking' ocean views. 'Quiet and peaceful cul-de-sac location just one street back from the Indian Ocean, close to parks, schools, shopping and Ocean Reef Boat Harbour,' the advert boasted. Virginia Giuffre moved to Western Australia to start a new life four years ago after speaking out about her experiences with Jeffrey and Prince Andrew on Nine's 60 Minutes The couple snapped up the $1.9million seaside mansion with unparalleled views of the Indian Ocean, just a half-hour drive north of Perth's bustling CBD The expansive home also came with 'a massive parent's retreat' and 'a deluxe upper-level master ensemble with balcony access, a huge walk-in robe and a sizeable fully-tiled ensuite bathroom - with a bubbling spa with sea views'. '[It also has a] giant tiled balcony at the rear with an awesome 180-degree ocean panorama stretching from Rockingham to Two Rocks and with Rottnest Island in between,' its online sales campaign added. 'A shimmering rear below-ground solar-heated concrete swimming pool - along with an exquisite panoramic seascape. 'And an outdoor entertaining underneath both a lined alfresco and a cedar-lined English-thatch gazebo with sprawling views all the way to Fremantle.' The family moved into the home after settling on the sale in January 2021, before Giuffre filed her claim against the Duke of York in New York on August 9 that year. In the lawsuit, she alleged Andrew sexually abused her at Epstein's Manhattan mansion and a number of other locations when she was 17 years old. She also accused the Duke of refusing to engage with her legal team or explore alternative methods to resolve the dispute. The Duke of York vigorously denied her allegations - while Buckingham Palace labelled her claims 'false and without foundation' - and Prince Andrew spent six months fighting to have her legal case dismissed. Virginia was living in the six-bedroom home with her husband and children while preparing her landmark civil lawsuit against the Duke of York The sprawling mansion was built in 1990 and features a gleaming marble cocktail bar His last-ditch legal challenge failed in January 2022, when U.S. judge Lewis Kaplan ruled that the sexual abuse lawsuit could proceed. Prince Andrew reached an out-of-court settlement with Giuffre the following month. The confidential deal, reportedly worth $20million, is understood to include a statement expressing regret for his connection to Epstein, but no admission of any wrongdoing or apology. It is understood Giuffre split with her husband after a major family bust-up this year and has moved out of their home, which remains in his name, and spent the past few months living on a rural retreat outside of Perth. Giuffre made headlines again this week after posted a photograph on Instagram on Sunday night, allegedly from her hospital bed, claiming she had just four days left to live. The 41-year-old said her car had been hit by a school bus travelling at 110km/h which had left her with kidney failure, and doctors had told her she would be dead within days. A spokesman for Giuffre admitted on Wednesday that she had 'made a mistake' and had not intended to publish the post publicly. Medical sources have said she does not just have days to live. Giuffre, 41, posted on Instagram about the crash on March 24 The famous photograph of the-then Virginia Roberts and Prince Andrew and Ghislaine Maxwell that led to the royal's downfall and the reported $20million payout Her estranged husband was listed at a Perth magistrates court in February for allegedly 'providing inadequate storage facility for firearms'. They now appear to be locked in a messy tug of love over their teenage son and daughter in the wake of the lovesplit. Two days before the car crash, Giuffre posted a sun-dappled picture of her children on a beach on March 22, accompanied by an apparent desperate plea to see them. 'My beautiful babies have no clue how much I love them and theyre being poisoned with lies,' she posted. 'I miss them so very much. I have been through hell and back in my 41 years but this is incredibly hurting me worse than anything else. 'Hurt me, abuse me but dont take my babies. My heart is shattered and every day that passes my sadness only deepens.' In the post from hospital a week later, she added: 'Ive gone into kidney renal failure, theyve given me four days to live, transferring me to a specialist hospital in urology. 'Im ready to go, just not until I see my babies one last time. My heart is shattered and every day that passes my sadness only deepens.' Virginia Giuffre is estranged from husband of 22 years Robert (above the couple in 2019) Giuffre met her future husband when she was just 19 while training as a masseuse in Thailand. The course had been paid for by the Epstein, who had sex trafficked Giuffre with his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell. On Tuesday, Western Australia Police revealed Giuffre was a passenger in a car involved in a 'minor collision' with a bus in Neergabby, 80km north of Perth, on March 24, and no-one had been injured. Police said the collision was reported by the bus driver the following day. The car sustained approximately $2000 worth of damage. 'We have no report of any serious injuries,' Acting Western Australian Police Commissioner Kylie Whiteley said. Giuffre is understood to have been treated at a local health centre afterwards for a pre-existing condition and released. She later checked into another hospital in the early hours of Tuesday, after the disturbing Instagram post - which appeared to show her badly bruised - went public. Giuffre rescinded the 'deathbed' farewell claims via a spokesperson on Wednesday and said she mistakenly posted them to her public Instagram page. Daily Mail Australia is not suggesting Ms Giuffre made the incident up or exaggerated it. Giuffre urged Prince Andrew to 'stop with the lame excuses' during her 60 Minutes interview five years ago after sources close to the royal claimed the photo of the two of them was fake In the 60 Minutes interview five years ago, Giuffre blasted Andrew, saying she is 'sick of hearing his lame excuses', after friends close to the royal claimed the now infamous photo of him posing with her as a teenager was fake. 'This photo has been verified as an original and has since been given to the FBI and they've never contested that it's a fake,' she said in the interview. 'I know it's real and he needs to stop with all of these lame excuses, we're sick of hearing it. 'This is a real photo. That's the very first time I met him.' Her comments came after Prince Andrew's legal team cast doubt on the veracity photograph saying he has 'absolutely no recollection' of it being taken. Giuffre claimed she had sex with Andrew three times, once in London, another time at Epstein's New York City mansion, and again at Epstein's private island in the Caribbean. During one occasion she claimed about eight other young girls were also present. She said she did not have any conversations with Andrew beyond their alleged sexual encounters and described feeling 'disgusted' each time. Giuffre visited Epstein's former Manhattan mansion with 60 Minutes reporter Tara Brown as part of the big budget Nine Network exclusive Giuffre (pictured in her youth) also used the interview to describe the moment she was recruited as a teen by Ghislaine Maxwell who told her she was looking to hire a masseuse 'You're not even acknowledged as being alive, or there, or important, or cared for. None of those human emotions were attached to me when I was trafficked to Prince Andrew. 'There wasn't one time that I was trafficked to any individual that I thought, "He's an okay guy." No. 'I was always disgusted that there were so many people involved in this highly-organised sex trafficking operation.' Prince Andrew was been dragged into the allegations surrounding paedophile Jeffrey Epstein after Giuffre first claimed she had sex with him in a 2015 lawsuit which ended up being struck out by a US judge for being 'immaterial and impertinent.' Australian consumers could end up paying more than $50 a kilo for steak at the supermarket as a result of Donald Trump's tariffs on agriculture exports, farmers say. A kilogram of rump steak at Woolworths is now selling for $28. But the Australian Food Sovereignty Alliance, representing 350 small-scale farmers, fears rump steak will end up costing Australian consumers $56 at the supermarket. Spokeswoman Tammi Jonas, an organic beef cattle producer from Daylesford in Victoria, said the American tariffs on agricultural imports would see more countries buy Australian beef to avoid trading with the US. 'We already know there's high demand for Australian beef around the world and I think that's just going to get higher,' she told Daily Mail Australia. 'In a global supply crunch like this, we could see rump steak climb past $50 per kilogram. 'That's not a family dinner - that's a premium luxury.' Dr Jonas said higher export prices would see less Australian meat sold to domestic consumers. Australian consumers could end up paying more than $50 a kilo for steak as a result of Donald Trump 's tariffs on agriculture exports, farmers say (pictured is a Coles supermarket) 'I would say there's a strong likelihood of that, yes,' she said. 'And even if we still have enough beef sold within Australia, the prices are certain to go up. 'Whenever you're in those global markets, you roll with the volatility and if they can get a really high price overseas, they're not going to charge less for domestic sales.' But Angus Gidley-Baird, a senior analyst in animal protein with RaboResearch, said more expensive steak at the supermarket was unlikely, given the strong supply of Australian beef with the recent rainfall. 'We produced record volumes of beef last year, I don't see why there would be a shortage in the domestic market that would cause prices to rise,' he told Daily Mail Australia. 'The exports are effectively our markets that we sell the additional production into.' Meat and Livestock Australia data showed the US was Australia's biggest market for beef exports in 2024, putting it well ahead of Japan, South Korea and China. Of the beef sent to the United States, 96 per cent of it was the leaner, grass fed variety that was either chilled or frozen. The Australian Food Sovereignty Alliance fears rump steak will end of costing Australian consumers $56 at the supermarket. Spokeswoman Tammi Jonas (left) said the American tariffs on agricultural imports would see more countries buy Australian beef to avoid trading with the US The Americans have been in the grip of a drought, and most of their beef is fattier, grain-fed. South American beef exporters Argentina and Brazil are also dealing with a lack of rainfall, which means demand for Australian beef would continue to be strong. Mr Gidley-Baird said the Americans, who produced fattier, grain-fed beef, would still need the leaner, Australian grass-fed beef to make hamburger patties, regardless of import tariffs. 'The US still continues to need imported product because they're not producing as much themselves,' he said. 'They'll still need Australian beef - the drought, it's getting better in the US but they've liquidated their herd and production volumes are down. 'What Australia sends to the US complements their production system over there in that it balances out the fatter product they're producing for hamburger production. 'They need the product and we're one of the biggest suppliers of it - me being rational would still say that they would still buy it.' At the margins, strong American demand for grass-fed beef had pushed up prices for Australian lean mince, now selling for $15.50 a kilo at Woolworths. The Trump Administration's tariffs of up to 25 per cent on agricultural imports are coming into affect on Thursday, along with tariffs on pharmaceutical products (President Donald Trump is pictured in the White House) 'The US market has been very strong - it's demanding a fair amount of product which is putting a bit of pressure on mince prices, lean product prices,' Mr Gidley-Baird said. The Australian Food Sovereignty Alliance sees mince prices more than doubling to $36 a kilo. But Dr Jonas predicted possible tariffs of up to 25 per cent on Australian beef would see American demand plunge, despite the fact they are in drought with an undersupply of grass-fed beef. 'I think with a 25 per cent tariff they won't be able to afford it - Americans are in as big a cost-of-living crisis as Australians are and they can't handle a 25 per cent tariff on top of the higher meat price of imported Australian beef,' she said. The Australian Food Sovereignty Alliance didn't do specific economic modelling on Australian beef prices, as a result of the Trump tariffs on agriculture coming into effect on Thursday. But it argued China's African swine flu in 2019 led to a doubling of pork prices, as supply fell by 40 per cent. The alliance campaigns against agribusiness giants like JBS Foods Australia, which owns feedlots and abattoirs. 'The local farmers like us are losing access to the facilities to slaughter,' Dr Jonas said. 'While that sounds like a good thing for Australia - when we think, "We can export more" - the reality of that is very few people profit from that higher export.' The Trump Administration's tariffs of up to 25 per cent on agricultural imports are coming into effect on Thursday, along with tariffs on pharmaceutical products. 'If it's a large tariff but applied to everyone, our competitive position remains the same,' Mr Gidley-Baird said. They follow 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium, introduced on March 12. A five-year-old girl is fighting for life after being struck by a ute when she ran onto a busy road while fleeing an aggressive dog. The young child suffered serious head injuries when she was hit on the Great Western Highway at Kingswood, in western Sydney, about 4.50pm on Monday. Her little brother watched in horror from a nearby store as her father was seen dropping his belongings and running to her. CCTV from the scene showed a dog, which appeared to be a Staffordshire bull terrier, chasing after the brother and sister moments earlier. The boy took refuge in a nearby restaurant before his sister disappeared from view as she ran onto the highway. Witnesses said they heard tires screeching and saw the father's desperate bid to catch up to his girl, Seven News reported. NSW Ambulance paramedics were across the road at the time and raced to treat the girl. The five-year-old was rushed to Westmead Children's hospital in a serious condition. A five-year-old girl left fighting for life after she was struck by a ute on a busy road had been running away from an aggressive dog CCTV from the scene showed a dog, which appeared to be a Staffordshire bull terrier, chasing after the brother and sister moments earlier Kingswood locals reportedly have no idea who the dog belongs to. 'Luckily the ambulance was literally on the other side (of the road) so it came straight away,' witness Ahmed Mansour said. 'It was pretty traumatising.' The highway was partially closed on Monday afternoon as police lay cones around the crash site. A young boy was treated for shock and taken to Nepean Hospital in a stable condition. The 33-year-old ute driver was uninjured in the accident. NSW Police took the driver to hospital for mandatory testing. He is not expected to be charged. Police seized drugs, firearms and tens of thousands of dollars in cash during raids on a western Sydney drill rap gang. Strike force detectives carried out 11 search warrants across the city's west on Tuesday and charged nine men and women between the ages of 22 and 39. During the searches, officers found six firearms, several hundred rounds of ammunition, $43,000 in cash, a taser and numerous encrypted criminal communication devices, which are prohibited. They also seized 3kg of cocaine, 2.6kg of methylamphetamine, 644 grams of cannabis, and 126 grams of MDMA. Of the nine, all but one faces a raft of charges. A 25-year-old man arrested in South Penrith has been charged with 23 offences relating to the supply of drugs and firearms, and knowingly directing the activities of a criminal group. Another 25-year-old man faces 15 offences relating to the supply and possession of drugs and firearms. Eight of the men and women arrested were refused bail to appear in Penrith Local Court on Wednesday. Strike force detectives (pictured) carried out 11 search warrants across west Sydney on Tuesday, with nine people charged A 25-year-old man is seen being arrested by strike force detectives on Tuesday Police discovered a sock full of ammunition and several firearms during the raids Officers discovered six firearms during the raids as well as $43,000 in cash Heavily-armed officers also discovered numerous encrypted criminal communication devices A 28-year-old woman arrested in Rooty Hill was refused bail to appear in Mt Druitt Local Court on Wednesday. Strike Force Cipolin was established in December 2024 by the State Crime Command's Raptor Squad to investigate the drug and firearm supply of members and associates of a drill group hailing from Sydney's west. Prior to yesterday, police had seized five firearms and more than 800g of methylamphetamine as part of investigations into the group. Investigations under Strike Force Cipolin continue. Lauren Boebert confused Oscar-winning director Oliver Stone with long-time Donald Trump ally and political fixer Roger Stone during the JFK files hearing in Congress Tuesday. Witnesses testified before Congress that three deceased CIA agents were 'complicit' in the assassination of former President John F. Kennedy. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., led the Task Force on the Declassification of Federal Secrets' first hearing into the JFK files on Tuesday afternoon. The panel of witnesses included filmmaker Oliver Stone, who directed the infamous film 'JFK' in 1991. However, the firebrand Colorado Congresswoman Boebert, questioning the Oscar winner, appeared to confuse her with someone else. She asked: 'Mr. Stone, you wrote a book accusing [Lyndon Johnson] of being involved in the killing of President Kennedy, did these most recent releases confirm or negate your initial charge?' Stone whispers to a man next to her, appearing confused, as Boebert continues to try and jog his memory. However, Boebert is confusing Oliver Stone for Roger Stone, the political consultant and lobbyist who has long been an ally to Trump. Lauren Boebert confused Oscar-winning director Oliver Stone with long-time Donald Trump ally and political fixer Roger Stone during the JFK files hearing in Congress Tuesday Witnesses testified before Congress that three deceased CIA agents were 'complicit' in the assassination of former President John F. Kennedy. The panel of witnesses included filmmaker Oliver Stone, who directed the infamous film 'JFK' in 1991 Stone did indeed write a book in 2013 alleging that Johnson, then Kennedy's vice president, of being part of conspiracy to kill JFK titled 'The Man Who Killed Kennedy: The Case Against LBJ.' The director tries to respond by referencing his blockbuster movie, which 'accuses President Johnson of being part of a coverup of the case but not in the assassination itself which I don't know,' according to Stone. Jefferson Morley, a liberal former Washington Post reporter and longtime Kennedy assassination author who was also called to testify, then chimes in. 'I think you're confusing Mr. Oliver Stone with Mr. Roger Stone. It's Roger Stone who implicated LBJ, it's not my friend, Oliver Stone.' As Morley explains, Boebert can be heard trying to brush it off and say 'sorry' and adding that she 'may have misstated.' When the director hears what Morley is getting at, he turns away and can clearly be seen chuckling. Boebert then appears to admit to a mistake: 'I may have misinterpreted that and I apologize for that.' James DiEugenio, who has also written books on JFK's murder, joined Stone and Morley on the panel. Jefferson Morley, a liberal former Washington Post reporter and longtime Kennedy assassination author who was also called to testify, points out that Boebert is confusing Oliver Stone with Roger Stone Stone did indeed write a book in 2013 alleging that Johnson, then Kennedy's vice president, of being part of conspiracy to kill JFK titled 'The Man Who Killed Kennedy: The Case Against LBJ' Morley opened his testimony by alleging three CIA agents were involved in the young president's untimely death. Documents recently unveiled under Trump's declassification efforts helped uncover that some of the CIA agents' testimony to Congress was false, which is a crime, Morley testified. The recent batch of files stunningly reveals that longtime head of CIA counterintelligence James Angleton lied to a Congress during their investigating the JFK assassination in 1978. Angleton's allegedly false testimony is in addition to other false statements given by former CIA Director Richard Helms and officer George Joannides, the author said, noting the pattern is 'incriminating.' 'We know now that Richard Helms, James Angleton and George Joannides were responsible for or complicit in the death of the President, either by criminal negligence or covert action,' Morley told the lawmakers. 'One false statement might be incompetence. A second false statement might be 'CYA' (cover your a**) for the first false statement, but three false statements by top CIA officers about Kennedy's accused killer. That is a pattern. It's a pattern of misconduct. It's a pattern of malfeasance.' Morley suggested the CIA release Joannides' personnel file and ask for the spy agency to provide a statement on why its agents lied to Congress. Joannides notably ran a program based out of Miami that involved communicating with Cubans about operations regarding Fidel Castro. As Morley explains, Boebert (pictured center) can be heard trying to brush it off and say 'sorry' and adding that she 'may have misstated' Some of the agents working this case were in contact with Lee Harvey Oswald before the murder. Morley says the Joannides also lied to lawmakers investigating JFK's murder in 1978, saying at the time he did not know who oversaw the program with the Cubans, despite being the very man overseeing the operation. Stone, who was behind the Oscar-nominated movie 'JFK,' called for a new investigation into JFK's murder altogether. 'I ask the committee to reopen what the Warren Commission failed miserably to complete,' he shared. 'I ask you in good faith, outside all political considerations, to reinvestigate the assassination of President Kennedy from the scene of the crime to the courtroom.' The director also mentioned a joke Angleton told near his death calling Helms and another former CIA Director Allan Dulles 'grand masters' that 'you had to believe would deservedly end up in Hell.' Morley testified that Angleton had a file containing information on Oswald on his desk at the CIA one week before the JFK murder. The author noted that the FBI file on JFK's shooter was checked out by the CIA chief's liaison officer on November 14 and 15, 1963, just days before the shooting. But Morley said the CIA officers did not directly kill the president. Stone, who was behind the Oscar-nominated movie 'JFK,' called for a new investigation into JFK's murder altogether Lee Harvey Oswald reacts as Dallas night club owner Jack Ruby, foreground, shoots at him from point blank range in 1963 two days after JFK was shot 'I'm saying that they were engaged in covert activities related to Lee Harvey Oswald that have never been disclosed, and that's the imperative for the task force to obtain those records of that secret operation,' he clarified. Republican lawmakers were shocked with the testimony. 'Three top CIA officials lied to JFK assassination investigators,' Rep. Eric Burleson, R-Mo., said in a statment after the hearing, calling it 'one of the most significant revelations to come out of this.' Tennessee Republican Rep. Tim Burchett said after: 'This thing was a cover-up from the start.' He also lamented how answers about JFK's death may never be known since so many of the main people involved are long dead. Democrats were less moved with the testimony. 'The JFK Files are now public and show no evidence of a CIA conspiracy,' Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas., said, adding the session helped with 'platforming conspiracy theories.' A judge has slammed an ICE agent and held him in contempt after he detained a suspected illegal migrant while the man was on trial for an unrelated matter. Brian Sullivan was waiting in plain clothes outside Boston courthouse and pounced on Wilson Martell-Lebron as he left the first day of his trial last week. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent hauled Martell-Lebron off to a detention facility without allowing him to defend himself against his charge of lying on a license application form. The department alleges Martell-Lebron is also known as Juan Carlos Baez, a 49-year-old Dominican national who has been residing in the United States illegally since 2000. ICE claims Martell-Lebron had prior drug trafficking convictions, Newsweek reported. But Sullivan himself was hauled before Judge Mark Summerville on Tuesday, who said Martell-Lebron had been denied his right to a fair trial and due process when he was taken into custody. 'It's a case of violating a defendant's right to present at trial and confront witnesses against him,' the furious judge said. 'It couldn't be more serious... Brian Sullivan and other agents of ICE conspired in a premeditated manner to take the defendant into custody, but not just that, to not return him to court for his trial.' A Boston judge has slammed an ICE agent and held him in contempt after he detained a suspected illegal immigrant while the man was on trial for an unrelated matter The department alleges Martell-Lebron is also known as Juan Carlos Baez, a 49-year-old Dominican national who has been residing in the United States illegally since 2000 One of Martell-Lebron's lawyers described the arrest as 'reprehensible.' 'Law enforcement agents have a job to see justice is done. Prosecutors have a job to see justice is done. 'There is no greater injustice in my mind than the government arresting someone, without identifying themselves, and preventing them from exercising their constitutionally guaranteed right to a jury trial.' ICE agents hunted down Martell-Lebron without identifying themselves, put him into a pickup truck and sped away. The trial had just begun with opening statements and the first witnesses. Sullivan said Martell-Lebron, who is from the Dominican Republic and living with family in Massachusetts, is now at the Plymouth detention facility for allegedly being an undocumented immigrant. Summerville dismissed the charge against Martell-Lebron of making false statements on his driver's license application because he was no longer available to defend it. He then filed the contempt charge against Sullivan. The contempt case has been referred to the Suffolk district attorney's office and a spokesman there said they were looking into it. The move by ICE is the latest effort to target the sanctuary city over its handling of immigration In a statement, state police said they acted appropriately after learning of the plans of ICE. 'As in any situation where a member becomes aware of federal immigration enforcement, the Troopers responded appropriately by neither assisting nor obstructing the federal action,' the statement said. James Borghesani, a spokesman for the Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden said 'we were dismayed and surprised when our prosecution of Wilson Martell-Lebron was interrupted by ICE apprehending him in the middle of his trial.' 'Any claim that we were aware of an attempt to prevent Mr Martell-Lebron from exercising his right to a trial is false.' 'It was our intention to try Mr. Martell-Lebron and hold him accountable for the crimes alleged in the complaint. Federal authorities should not have detained him and interfered with our efforts to hold him accountable.' The move by ICE is the latest effort to target the sanctuary city over its handling of immigration. Trump's border czar Tom Homan vowed to 'bring hell to Boston' and accused the city of failing to cooperate to get people charged with violent crimes deported. He revealed last month 'nine child rapists that were in jail in Massachusetts' were released before ICE could detain them. In Massachusetts, along with other sanctuary states across the nation, authorities are not permitted to let ICE officials know when a prisoner who is illegally in America is being released from custody. Trump signed an executive order that federal funding could not be used to facilitate any sanctuary policies that would 'seek to shield illegal aliens from deportation.' Homan savaged sanctuary cities for standing in the way of Trump's grand plan, insisting: 'They would rather release these animals back into the community rather than honor ICE detainers or notify ICE when they are scheduled to be release. 'Releasing public safety threats back into the public, rather than working with ICE at the jails, puts the public at great risk.' ICE earlier this month conducted a state-wide raid which resulted in the arrests of 370 illegal migrants - some of whom had been previously released on bail despite their immigration status. Homan revealed at the time that many of the arrested individuals were 'significant criminals.' Mayor Michelle Wu, a Democrat up for re-election this year, said she wants Boston be a welcoming place for immigrants and that city policies limit cooperation with ICE. Trump's border czar Tom Homan revealed last month he counted 'nine child rapists that were in jail in Massachusetts' who were released before ICE could detain them Guatemalan national Stivenson Omar Perez-Ajtzalan, 19, was caught by ICE in January. He had been charged with aggravated child rape and also released on a $7,500 bond Immigration officers were a growing presence at courthouses during Trump's first term, prompting some pushback from judges and other local officials. Trump has gone further in his second term by repealing a policy in place since 2011 to generally avoid schools, places of worship and hospitals. Under current policy, immigration officials can make arrests 'in or near courthouses when they have credible information that leads them to believe the targeted alien(s) is or will be present' and as long as they are not prohibited by state or local law. During the two-day hearing, Sullivan said that the lead prosecution witnessed confirmed that both the Massachusetts State police and prosecutors were aware of ICE plans to arrest Martell-Lebron. Qantas has quietly edited the wording of the Acknowledgments of Country broadcast on flights - as the national carrier dials back its support for 'woke' causes. The airline has long had a policy of paying respects to Indigenous Elders 'past, present and emerging' across all of its services. The broadcasts have sparked criticism from the conservative side of politics, with many resenting being welcomed to what they considered their country. But Daily Mail Australia can now reveal that early last year the airline altered the script, not out of any strike back at political correctness, but after consulting indigenous staff and leaders. Sources said the consultation resulted in the word 'emerging' being removed so the acknowledgement now only includes leaders 'past and present'. The inclusion of the word 'emerging' was contested by some who felt it undermined the importance of Eldership among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Wiradjuri woman and the first Aboriginal councillor at City of Sydney, Yvonne Weldon told NITV in 2023 that 'emerging Elder' is a presumptuous term. 'People have adopted 'past, present and emerging' without fully understanding cultural protocol, but with the intention of acknowledging the younger generations,' she said. As of 2024, Qantas planes have excluded the word 'emerging' when paying respect to Elders in the Acknowledgement of Country (stock image) Under former Qantas CEO Alan Joyce (pictured centre, beside Anthony Albanese), the airline backed a Yes vote in the Voice referendum, with some planes painted with 'Yes23' 'In Wiradjuri law, recognition as an Elder is something that is conferred rather than assumed.' The airline's Acknowledgements of Country have sparked backlash in some quarters. High-profile Canadian psychologist and commentator Jordan Peterson blasted the airline over its 'land acknowledgment propaganda' during a visit in 2023. 'I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels that way. Stick to (1) flying and (2) making money,' he said at the time. 'I don't want or need moral lessons from you or any other corporation.' Qantas declined to comment on the Acknowledgment change on the record. The change came as Qantas chairman John Mullen signaled a reversal of the airline's backing for 'woke' causes under former boss Alan Joyce. Mr Mullen, who was appointed chairman in September, said such campaigning had gone too far and was resented by the public. Qantas (flight attendant pictured) has a longstanding policy of paying respects to Indigenous Elders 'past, present and emerging' at the start of its flights The airline strongly backed a Yes vote in the Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum while Mr Joyce was chief executive, with 'Yes23' painted on planes to support the campaign. Mr Mullen was not working with Qantas at the time the Voice referendum was rejected by a majority of Australians. He said corporate Australia 'did itself no favours' by taking a side on the divisive issue. Further explaining his views in the Australian Financial Review, Mr Mullen wrote that companies were well advised to stay away from social issues and focus on the core task of making profits for shareholders. 'Clearly, in some areas corporates and others overstepped the enthusiastic adoption of some of the more radical or "woke" initiatives, and this has caused a backlash in some quarters,' Mr Mullen wrote. The revelation comes less than a month after Qantas chairman John Mullen (pictured) signaled a reversal of the airline's backing for 'woke' causes under former boss Alan Joyce The airline is taking a different course since Alan Joyce quit in September 2023 Former Qantas CEO Mr Joyce had also strongly backed the same-sex marriage plebiscite. Qantas was one of 30 of Australia's largest companies, including Telstra, Holden, Wesfarmers and the Commonwealth Bank, that urged the government to take action on gay marriage in 2017. Then-Immigration Minister Peter Dutton warned Qantas to stay out of the marriage equality debate. 'I'd prefer publicly listed companies stick to their knitting and that is delivering the services for their customers and providing a return for their shareholders,' he said. But shadow attorney-general at the time, Mark Dreyfus, questioned the remarks at a time when government MPs were debating the merits of changing racial discrimination laws. 'I find it a bitter irony that we've got a Liberal Party that wants to give free speech for racists but not free speech for CEOs,' he told ABC radio. Imitation guns have been seized and a person is in custody after students at two New Zealand schools were plunged into lockdown on Wednesday. Students at Hamilton schools Hillcrest High School and Silverdale Normal School were kept inside their classrooms while police attended an incident near the intersection of Silverdale Road and Masters Avenue at 3pm on Wednesday. Police came to the scene armed 'as a precaution'. According to the Hillcrest High School Facebook page, the school went into lockdown at 3.13pm. 'Please do not come to the school. We will let you know when it is safe to release students,' the post read. One parent, who asked to remain anonymous, said the situation was 'alarming'. 'I saw cop cars coming down Silverdale Road. There were about four and that happened quite quickly, no sirens just lights,' they said. Other witnesses watched on as the Armed Offenders Squad and police with dogs arrived at the scene. Hillcrest High School was one of two schools locked down on Wednesday afternoon 'One person has been taken into custody following a reported firearms sighting in Silverdale this afternoon,' police said in a statement. 'Two imitation firearms have been recovered from the address. 'We want to thank the members of the Silverdale community for their cooperation as Police responded to this event.' Police cordons were lifted and students released from the lockdown about 5.20pm. Charges are being considered. 'We realise this has caused inconvenience and stress to our community but our first priority is the safety of our students and staff,' Hillcrest High School said in a statement. 'The school is satisfied the emergency processes and procedures undertaken were appropriate and carried out in the best interests of students and staff of Hillcrest High School.' Hollywood star Val Kilmer - famed for iconic roles in Top Gun, Batman and The Doors - has died at the age 65 in Los Angeles. His daughter Mercedes, whom he shared with ex-wife Joanne Whalley, revealed he passed from pneumonia on Tuesday night following years of health struggles. The screen icon was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014 and underwent surgery, including a tracheotomy which significantly impacted his ability to speak. He was later declared cancer free. Often described as a difficult personality by directors, Kilmer 's acting career was curtailed after losing his voice but he did reprise his role of Admiral Tom 'Iceman' Kazansk in 2022 for the sequel Top Gun: Maverick. Our live updates have now ended Logos will be banned 'below the waist' on uniforms at hundreds of schools across Victoria to help parents struggling with the cost of living crisis. From term one of 2026, school logos on shorts, pants, skirts and socks will be banned in state schools. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan announced the ban on Wednesday, following consultations with school groups and peak bodies. It's hoped the overhaul to the student dress code policy will assist parents in meeting back-to-school costs. 'Parents are doing it tough right now we're making sure they have one less thing to worry about,' Ms Allan said. 'Government school uniforms should be worn with pride, but we need to make sure they're affordable for families.' Branded uniform items are the 'biggest contributor' to uniform costs, according to Deputy Premier and education minister Ben Carroll. Each item is up to $56 more expensive and are typically available for sale at fewer providers than their generic alternatives. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan (pictured) has announced a ban on branded public school uniform items 'below the waist' Public schools across Victoria need to amend their uniforms before term one next year (stock image) The aim is to help parents to make 'meaningful' savings, particularly for younger high school students. 'If I just use my own example of one child going to secondary school, it would have potentially saved our family between $100 and $200 on that whole new uniform set for the start of a school year,' Ms Allan said. Mr Carroll added: 'School costs can add up, and that's why we're helping with uniform costs and saying goodbye to expensive branded shorts, skirts, trackies and socks. Students with existing branded uniform items will be allowed to continue wearing them under unspecified 'transitional arrangements'. The education department will assist also schools in making make uniforms more affordable. Branded school uniforms have been a 'hot topic for many years', according to Parents Victoria chief executive Gail McHardy. 'We have situations where students, for whatever reason, they may be sent home or get a detention for not having the right uniform item on from the waist down,' she told ABC Radio Melbourne. Students will be allowed to continue wearing branded items for an unspecified period once the ban is rolled out (stock image) Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Ben Carroll (pictured) said it was important that all students have access to the same uniform items despite financial challenges The relaxed uniform code would be of most benefit to high school students, according to Ms McHardy. '[There are] a lot of repeated items that are purchased, not once, but twice through the year, particularly for children with big growth spurts,' she said. The policy update was delivered under the Affordable School Uniform Program, which Victorian Labor has invested more than $75million in since 2015. Applications under the program in the first quarter of 2024 were one-fifth higher than in the same period the year prior. About 23,000 students have received free clothing and other school items under the program in the last year. On his final day at work, a baggage handler seeking a memento stripped down to his shorts and jumped into a moving jet engine. Preslie Ginoski's video of him flexing his biceps and doing push-ups centimetres from the engine fan went viral on TikTok in January. Captioned 'quick pump before flight', it sat beside a slew of his other fitness clips until police saw it - and didn't see the funny side. The bodybuilding fan, 23, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to threatening aviation safety and failing to wear a safety lanyard in Sydney Airport's security zone as a magistrate slammed him for being stupid, vain and irresponsible. A court was told the now-former baggage handler had been following a social media 'fad' with six videos found on his phone showing him near or on the turbine. Ginoski's lawyer pointed to a photograph of a female flight attendant who had separately filmed herself in a turbine. 'He was doing it for that purpose, to try and gain social media attention,' lawyer Ahmed Dib told Downing Centre Local Court. On top of criminal charges, the attention also resulted in Ginoski losing a cadetship with a construction firm. Former baggage handler Preslie Ginoski (pictured) filmed himself doing push-ups centimetres from a plane turbine on his final day of work Ginoski expected a second cadetship would be rescinded if convicted. He also suffered stress because his university professors said they did not want him bringing the same sort of conduct on campus, Mr Dib said. 'What it has done is put a target on his back,' his solicitor told the court. Magistrate Greg Grogin replied: 'He put it there.' Magistrate Grogin described Ginoski as stupid, vain and irresponsible but not naive because he knew what he was doing when he filmed the video and uploaded it to social media. His actions were more than reckless because he jeopardised the safety of a number of people in seeking a memento of his last day on the job. 'He took off his top, he took off his required security badges and decided to show off his body,' Magistrate Grogin said. 'I am really at a loss as to what motivates people to do such things. Magistrate Greg Grogin blasted Ginoski (pictured) as stupid, vain and irresponsible Preslie Ginoski (right) laughed off the stunt when he was bombarded by reporters while leaving court 'You chose the wrong day, the wrong thing to do and the wrong memento.' Mr Grogin agreed with prosecutors that a conviction was necessary after hearing the consequences could have been 'catastrophic' had a foreign object fallen into the plane's engine. Ginoski was convicted of both offences and fined $2,400. He tried to make light of the stunt when he was bombarded by reporters while leaving court. 'Thank God the engine had been off,' he joked when asked if he had anything to say about his actions. He added that he didn't regret his actions and that he was looking forward to a holiday in Europe in July. It comes after Ginoski defended the stunt at the time, telling Daily Mail Australia that he 'just wanted people to get a laugh about it'. 'Like it's [as if] I've just got off the plane and I'm going to work out, ' he said. 'The plane was parked on bay and wasn't moving until the next day. 'A lot of people have missed the fact that it was totally safe.' AFP Sydney Airport Police Commander Davina Copelin warned airports are not a playground for social media stunts. Ginoski (pictured) was convicted of both offences and fined $2,400 'The AFP remains committed to the safety and security of all major Australian airports, irrespective of the crime type,' Commander Copelin said. 'Airside security zones are highly regulated and secure areas, and the AFP will not tolerate breaches which may compromise the safe operations of the airport, no matter how harmless they may seem.' Sydney Airport head of security Graham White added the facility has a 'zero-tolerance policy for unsafe behaviour'. 'The safety of passengers, airport staff and airport operations is our top priority, and we have stringent protocols in place to uphold all safety policies. 'We commend the swift response by the AFP and will continue to work closely with them to ensure the highest standards of safety are maintained for passengers, staff and visitors.' Israel's defence minister has announced that its army will seize 'large areas' of Gaza in a major expansion of its military operations in the war-torn Palestinian territory. Israel Katz said in a statement that Israel would expand its presence in Gaza to 'destroy and clear the area of terrorists and terrorist infrastructure'. The expanded operation would 'seize large areas that will be incorporated into Israeli security zones', he said, without saying how much territory Israel would take. The campaign will see Israel try to occupy 25 per cent of the besieged territory over the next two to three weeks, according to a senior Israeli official. They told Axios that the mission is part of a 'maximum pressure' strategy aimed at forcing Hamas to released more hostages. If no new ceasefire deal is reached, the operation could displace most of the two million Palestinian civilians, who already live in one of the world's most densely populated territories, to a small 'humanitarian zone'. According to the Israeli rights group Gisha, Israel has already taken control of 62 square kilometres of Gaza - around 17 per cent of the total area. 'Expanding the operation this morning will increase the pressure on the Hamas murderers and also on the population in Gaza and advance the achievement of the sacred and important goal for all of us,' Katz said on social media this morning. 'I call on the residents of Gaza to act now to remove Hamas and return all the hostages. This is the only way to end the war.' Internally displaced Palestinians walk along a street near the rubble of destroyed buidlings after fleeing northern Gaza following an Israeli army evacuation order The campaign will see Israel try to occupy 25 per cent of the besieged territory over the next two to three weeks Israel Katz said in a statement that Israel would expand its presence in Gaza to 'destroy and clear the area of terrorists and terrorist infrastructure' The announcement comes after sweeping evacuation orders and warnings from Katz last week that the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) would soon 'operate with full force' in additional parts of Hamas-run Gaza. He said he had directed troops to 'take control of more ground and hold it permanently' if hostages were not released. Israel restarted intense bombing of Gaza on March 18 before launching a new ground offensive, ending a nearly two-month ceasefire in the war with Hamas. Benjamin Netanyahu's government blamed Hamas for rejecting a new US proposal to extend the ceasefire and free the remaining 59 hostages still held in Gaza, while Hamas accused Israel of violating the original deal they made in January. The war was sparked by Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people, while Israel's retaliatory campaign has killed more than 50,000 people in Gaza, the majority of them civilians, according to the territory's health ministry. It was claimed yesterday that Hamas has dropped some 3,400 deaths from its count of the number of people killed by Israel in Gaza. Salo Aizenberg, from the US-based Honest Reporting group, told the Telegraph that the terror group's March 2025 casualty update had removed thousands of people it previously listed as dead. The Hamas-run Gaza ministry of health has released casualty lists in PDF form, detailing those killed in Israeli military actions. Israel says it has killed 20,000 Hamas combatants in its battle in the enclave, without providing evidence, and claims to do all it can do mitigate civilian casualties, despite large scale bombing and ground assaults. Behind a tent camp for displaced Palestinians, smoke rises from a building after it was targeted by an Israeli army strike in Gaza City Journalist Mohammed Saleh al-Bardawil, his wife and children were killed in an attack on a residential area on April 1 Israeli security forces block protestors as they try to disperse an anti-government demonstration calling for an end to the war in Gaza and the return of all the hostages Gaza's civil defence agency said Israeli air strikes on two homes in the war-ravaged Palestinian territory on Wednesday killed at least 15 people overnight, including children. 'Thirteen martyrs, including children, were killed at dawn when occupation forces (the Israeli army) bombed a house sheltering displaced people in central Khan Yunis, in southern Gaza,' civil defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal told AFP, adding two other people were killed in an Israeli strike on a house in the Nuseirat camp, in central Gaza. About a fifth of the territory is now covered by Israeli evacuation orders, with the IDF warning residents in large parts of the south on Monday that its forces were 'returning to intense operations' in the area. Citizens in Rafah and parts of neighbouring Khan Younis were told to leave immediately for the al-Mawasi humanitarian zone, with many who had returned to their homes during the two-month ceasefire being forced to flee again. Foreign Office Minister Hamish Falconer told MPs last night: 'We are deeply concerned about the resumption of hostilities in Gaza. 'The UK does not support an expansion of Israels military operations. Continued fighting and more bloodshed is in nobodys interest.' The Hostages and Missing Families Forum in Israel said they were 'horrified to wake up' to the news of the expanded military operation. In a statement, the group urged the Israeli government to prioritise securing the release of all hostages still held in Gaza. Kobi Ohel, the father of one of the remaining Israeli hostages in Gaza, Alon, told Hebrew media outlet Ynet: 'I woke up to another day that I am worried and afraid for Alons fate. 'From what we know and have seen, fighting did not bring the kidnapped people home, and the way to return them is through a deal. Alon needs to be returned and saved.' UK Green Party Foreign Affairs spokesperson Ellie Chowns MP told MailOnline: 'Seizing large areas of territory and forcibly displacing countless Gazans to create so-called security zones would be a further violation of international law against a population already devastated by 18 months of conflict. 'This is not security; it is domination and erasure. It would constitute ethnic cleansing and further collective punishment on a mass scale, and it would only deepen the unimaginable suffering already endured by the people of Gaza.' But negotiations over a new ceasefire deal that includes their release have failed to progress. A Palestinian man walks near a bakery that has stopped operating due to a lack of flour and fuel Displaced Palestinians carry their belongings on the outskirts of Gaza City Palestinians who fled Rafah after Israeli evacuation orders, arrive in Khan Younis Israel has reportedly rejected a deal proposed by White House envoy Steve Witkoff that would have brokered a 40 to 50 day cessation in hostilities. They are now demanding the release of 11 living hostages and 16 dead hostages for a 40-day ceasefire, according to reports. The humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip has dramatically deteriorated in recent weeks, according to aid workers on the ground, with Israel accused of systematically starving residents, which it denies. On Monday, the UN dismissed as 'ridiculous' an assertion by Israel that there was enough food in the Gaza Strip to last for a long period of time, despite the closure of all 25 bakeries in the enclave supported by the World Food Programme. No food, water, fuel or medicine has entered the Gaza Strip since Israel imposed a total blockade on March 2. Meanwhile, a new report by UNICEF, Save the Children and other groups in Gaza says 95 percent of the territorys schools have been damaged since conflict broke out. Israeli forces have also continued their military operation in the occupied West Bank, with one man shot dead in Nablus this morning and others detained in other areas. Dramatic video has revealed the moment a heroic father jumped across a gap 600ft in the air to get to his wife and child as an earthquake tore their apartment block apart. Devoted dad Kwon Young Jun, 36, made the Hollywood-style leap as the walkway connecting his block to a neighbouring high-rise collapsed in Bangkok, Thailand, on March 28. Shocked onlookers on the ground below who were recording the effects of the 7.7-magnitude quake captured the moment. Kwon, who is originally from Seoul in South Korea, was later pictured with his family on the street outside. The father-of-one said: 'All I could think about was getting back down to the room to save my wife and child. 'I realised it was an earthquake and the building was breaking apart, but I saw the gap and just jumped.' Kwon's wife Sukanya Yutuam, 35, said: 'It's very dangerous. When I saw the clip, I was shocked like everyone else.' She said her husband had been exercising on the 52nd floor of one of the three blocks in the condominium complex - each of which are connected by an air bridge - when the quake struck. The adjoining buildings begin shaking in the footage before debris from the air bridge is seen falling hundreds of feet to the ground As the video zooms in a faint figure is seen leaping between the two buildings and running across the separated bridge Devoted father-of-one Kwon Young Jun made the leap to get back to his wife and child as the earthquake struck 'The events that day happened so fast,' Yutuam, a beauty influencer said. 'No one was at their most mindful. Instinct took over and he jumped across the buildings.' Incredibly, Kwon was largely unscathed, suffering just minor scratches on his arm despite his audacious rescue attempt. He said the concrete bridge had not been separated at first, and, thinking only of getting to his family, he decided to run and not look back, even as he heard a loud bang. His wife and daughter had been in their apartment on the 30th floor when the quake struck. After making it back to his building, Kwon reportedly realised that they had already evacuated and walked down more than 40 floors to reunite with them outside. Yutuam, who goes by Ms Bowyuri online, said her husband 'always thinks about his family first no matter what he does, to the point where he forgets that crossing over to another building is very dangerous,' adding: 'I did not choose the wrong person.' The developer of Park Origin, the complex where the family lived, said the building remains safe after Friday's quake after a series of safety checks had been conducted, The Straits Times reports. Kwon Youngjun, 36, a man who jumped over a bridge connecting two apartment blocks breaking during earthquake, poses with his wife Sukanya Yatuam, 35, during an interview Kwon's wife Sukanya Yutuam, an online beauty influencer, said: 'When I saw the clip, I was shocked like everyone else' The company added that the structure of the connecting bridge was still strong, and that it had been designed to disconnect from building and remain attached to another so the blocks could move freely in the even of earthquakes. Bangkok was shaken by the huge quake on Friday, with high-rise apartment blocks shaken and some even destroyed as it hit. A high-rise building under construction in the Thai capital collapsed, burying dozens of people alive. Two bodies were pulled from the rubble on Monday but dozens were still missing and at least 20 have been confirmed dead. Meanwhile in neighbouring Myanmar, where the epicentre of the quake was detected, the death toll has reached 2,886, with 4,639 injured and 373 missing, China's state-run Xinhua reported, citing Myanmar's state administration council information team. Myanmar and Chinese rescuers carry the body of a victim that was trapped under the rubble of the collapsed building 'Sky Villa Condominium development' in Mandalay on April 2, 2025 Horrified onlookers see the cloud of dust rising moments after a building under construction in Bangkok collapsed on Friday The country's ruling military junta has been accused of suppressing the scale of the disaster, leading the BBC to speculate the death toll could be far higher, as the UN warned the quake had compounded 'an already dire crisis' amid a four-year civil war. Five days after the earthquake struck, many people are still sleeping outdoors without any aid, either unable to return to ruined homes or afraid of further aftershocks. Meanwhile, the US Geological Survey's predictive modelling estimated that the number of casualties could top 10,000 and economic losses could exceed the country's annual economic output. Ryanair is suing Britain's air traffic control HQ for 5million after 700,000 passengers had their holidays ruined when an engineer working from home could not enter his password. The technician spent more than an hour attempting to log on remotely to fix a glitch at the National Air Traffic Service. He struggled to login remotely because the system had crashed, so it would not accept his password. The specialist eventually got in his car and began heading towards the Southampton HQ on the August 2023 Bank Holiday weekend. But traffic congestion meant his journey took 95 minutes, by which time flights had been grounded around the country. Ryanair claims NATS took three hours to alert the company of the problem, leading to 1,000 of its flights being delayed or cancelled. The Irish-based airline has accused NATS of negligence and is seeking around 4.52million in compensation, plus legal costs and interest on losses, The Sun reported. Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary, speaking at the time, criticised NATS engineers for sitting 'at home in their pyjamas' on one of the busiest weekends of the year. Ryanair Chief Executive Michael O'Leary criticised NATS engineers for the disruption caused Passengers were stranded overnight at London Gatwick Airport during the disruption leaving many to resort to sleeping on the floor Chaos erupted when the UK's air traffic control system crashed, and IT engineers were working from home so couldn't help He described the management at NATS as 'numpties', saying they were at fault for the 'collapse' of the system and had failed to give airlines proper warning. A report by the Civil Aviation Authority last year called for technicians to work from the headquarters permanently. While thousands of holidaymakers were stuck at airports or on the tarmac, advice was sought from an off-site senior engineer, who also did not understand why the system had failed so dramatically. Finally, four hours after the initial incident, someone phoned the system's German manufacturer, Frequentis Comsoft, and the issue was identified. By the time it was resolved, the backlog was so huge that many passengers did not fly until days later, so holidays were cut short or cancelled completely. The inquiry found the NATS system crashed while trying to process an unusual route plan for a flight from Los Angeles to Paris that would enter UK airspace. This was because two 'waypoints' on the journey Devils Lake in North Dakota and Deauville in France share the same three-letter code. Passengers queue for check-in in the car park at Manchester Airport's Terminal One after the air traffic control meltdown ground terminals across the UK to a halt Passengers queue for check-in at Manchester Airport's Terminal Two during the air traffic control meltdown on August bank holiday in 2023 The system became confused because the original flight plan appeared to suggest it would leave UK airspace into Deauville before it had arrived. Within 20 seconds of receiving the plan, the main processor and its backup had crashed when they failed to reconcile this apparently impossible route. Flight plan processing then reverted to a manual system, meaning the number of flights being processed per hour went from 800 down to just 60. The inquiry report said: 'The impact of the failure was considerable. The CAA has estimated that there were over 700,000 passengers and others who were affected by the failure, often for several days, and this had considerable financial and emotional consequences for them.' The family of a 95-year-old great-grandmother who was Tasered to death by a police officer have applauded the decision by prosecutors to appeal her killer's sentence. Former NSW Police senior constable Kristian White avoided jail time when he was sentenced to a two year community correction order in the NSW Supreme Court last Friday for the manslaughter of Clare Nowland in May 2023. The great-grandmother had been armed with a knife inside her Cooma, southern NSW, nursing home when she was Tasered, causing her to fall and hit her head. Ms Nowland suffered from dementia and relied on a walking frame to get around. CCTV of her confrontation with police showed White spent less than three minutes talking to her before firing the Taser. White later told the court he'd felt threatened by the 95-year-old. White was ordered to complete 425 hours of community service on top of the two year community corrections order. The Office of Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) on Wednesday revealed it would appeal the court's decision. Former NSW Police officer Kristian White avoided jail time for the manslaughter of Clare Nowland (pictured) Ms Nowland's eldest children (pictured) welcomed news the Office of Director of Public Prosecutions would appeal the sentence The appeal was welcomed by the great-grandmother's two eldest children, daughter Lesley Lloyd and son Michael Nowland. When asked by Nine News if he believed White deserved jail time, Michael said: 'Absolutely. For a deliberate, inhumane act that he did, absolutely.' His sister added the family would 'never' come to terms with Ms Nowland's violent death. 'At 95, we could accept our mother would die but to go the way she has is just unacceptable,' Ms Lloyd said. 'It's just something I'll never ever get over.' The siblings also shared new footage of their mother just hours before her death. The video showed Ms Nowland enjoying a cuppa and expressing how content she was in life. They also spoke about their mother's passion for her beloved South Sydney Rabbitohs NRL team and sense of adventure. The siblings dismissed White's claim he was intimidated by their mother, insisting she was a kind-natured person and 'frail'. New footage has emerged of Clare Nowland enjoying an afternoon cuppa and chatting to her family hours before she was Tasered Kristian White (pictured) was handed a two-year community corrections order and ordered to complete 425 hours of community service after he was found guilty of manslaughter 'He had control of that weapon, he loaded the weapon, and he pointed the weapon and discharged the weapon it's a deliberate action that needs to be punished,' Mr Nowland said. 'We've just got to get a sentence that matches the crime all we want is justice.' Ms Lloyd added it felt as though White had 'gone home as normal'. Justice Ian Harrison found White did not pose a risk to the community and showed remorse over Ms Nowland's death. Clare Nowland (captured on CTTV shortly before she was tasered) suffered dementia and relied on a walking frame The judge said there was 'adequate precedent for a sentence other than full-time imprisonment in cases of wrongful death such as the present', and found the ex-cop's case was 'suitable' for a CCO. Community Corrections advised it could 'provide the equivalent of up to 18 hours of work per month' for White. His community order will expire in March 2027. A British couple were found dead in an apparent murder-suicide at their property in New Zealand, police revealed today. The couple were found late on Monday after police forced their way into a property they were renting on Palliser Road, in Roseneath, the shore-front region of Wellington. Detective Inspector Haley Ryan said they had been contacted by a family member concerned with their welfare. Police told MailOnline they were unable to confirm the identities of the deceased until the Coroner's report is completed. The male partner had reportedly been living and working in New Zealand, while she had settled with him in December, a neighbour told local media. He is believed to have worked in academia at universities in Britain and New Zealand, while she worked as a teacher. The couple had adult children living in the country, and had been considering moving to Otago to be closer to them, the neighbour said. In the wake of their deaths, the couple were described by their landlord as 'passionate about being in NZ and giving their family the experience of living here.' A general view of Palliser Road, Roseneath, where police said two people died 'Both they and their family lived life to the absolute full and were always planning or doing amazing adventures,' the landlord said of 'my British lodgers'. 'He was a clever, caring, charming man. She was vibrant, kind, intelligent and both of them made friends wherever they went. They were both absolutely wonderful human beings.' 'They were both such positive and incredible parents, friends, and members of many communities. 'We send our love and condolences to their [family] and friends.' Police said they were supporting the family. Neighbour Paul Prestidge told local media that the couple were 'very friendly people', with whom he would have dinner parties. He said that the couple had a son who did not live with them. Prestidge said he believed the woman may have been a teacher, though this has not been officially confirmed. He said he remembered seeing the couple the week before last, but did not recall if he had seen them more recently. Neighbour Emma Prestidge told Radio New Zealand that they had moved from London. 'My understanding is they'd finally... packed up their lives in London and all their stuff was in a shipping container, and they were kind of looking to move here for good. 'They were... in the next phase of their life, I guess, and ready to kind of set themselves up for the next part of their chapter, which is... truly sad.' Police are still conducting inquiries, and have told local residents to expect an increased presence in the area. They said they were not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths. It is not currently known how the British couple died, but Detective Inspector Haley Ryan from New Zealand Police said: 'I want to provide assurance that there is no ongoing risk to the Roseneath community.' Police are still conducting inquiries, and have told local residents to expect an increased presence in the area (File image of New Zealand police) A FCDO spokesperson said last night: 'We have not been approached for consular assistance in this case, but our staff stand ready to support British Nationals overseas 24/7.' A statement from the New Zealand police read: 'We continue to appeal to anyone who may have information that can help our enquiries, and anyone with residential CCTV that captures traffic movements in the Roseneath area, particularly on Palliser Road and surrounding streets, to contact Police. 'Please update us online now or call 105, and reference the file number 250401/2474 or 'Operation Palliser'.' MailOnline contacted the FCDO for comment. Swiss experts have issued a dire warning that hospital machines could be turned into weapons of murder by cyber hackers. In a terrifying new report from Zurich-based cybersecurity Scip AG, experts revealed how they were easily able to hijack medical devices in a major hospital and manipulate them remotely. Png pacemakers, insulin pumps and painkiller drips can then all be turned automatically into twisted tools of assassination. 'We could have overdosed patients with lethal amounts of drugs within minutes,' said Marc Ruef, head of research at Scip. 'And we even hacked the monitors to fake the vital signs so no one would know it had happened.' One expert admitted he managed to hack his own pain pump during a hospital stay just out of boredom. But the matter is far more seriously, for not only could attackers silently kill patients in their beds, they could also even cover their tracks by showing totally normal health readings. It's not the first red flag either. Last year, a German university warned that pacemakers could be a 'prime target for assassination.' Hospital machines, including painkiller drips (pictured), could be turned into weapons of murder by cyber hackers, Swiss experts have warned Experts revealed how cyber hackers were easily able to hijack medical devices in a major hospital and manipulate them remotely Png pacemakers, insulin pumps (pictured) and painkiller drips can then all be turned automatically into twisted tools of assassination And Cybersecurity specialist Johannes Rundfeldt, digital expert and spokesperson for the independent expert group AG Kritis, said this even means extremely powerful individuals such as world leaders who could be quietly taken out with a hacked heart device. 'These can involve individual attacks on individuals: heads of state, generals, ministers, or similar individuals.' 'How would we even prove it?...A sudden cardiac arrest wouldn't raise suspicion and hackers leave no fingerprints.' And it's not just devices entire hospitals have been paralysed recently by cyber attacks. In January, hackers took down a clinic in Lower Saxony, western Germany, demanding ransom money to restore systems. The first ever case of a patient's death being linked directly to a cyberattack happened in 2020. Prosecutors in Cologne said a female patient from Dusseldorf was scheduled to undergo critical care at Dusseldorf University Hospital in Germany when the September 9 attack disabled systems. The ransomware attack hit the hospital during the night, scrambling data and making computer systems inoperable. When Dusseldorf could no longer provide care, she was transferred 30km away to another hospital to receive life-saving treatment. Former chief executive of the UK's National Cyber Security Centre Ciaran Martin said at the time: 'If confirmed, this tragedy would be the first known case of a death directly linked to a cyber-attack. 'It is not surprising that the cause of this is a ransomware attack by criminals rather than an attack by a nation state or terrorists. 'Although the purpose of ransomware is to make money, it stops systems working. So if you attack a hospital, then things like this are likely to happen. 'There were a few near misses across Europe earlier in the year and this looks, sadly, like the worst might have come to pass.' Globally, more than a staggering 183 million patient records were hit by cyberattacks in 2024 alone, according to the Horizon security report. Police swooped on a Liverpool primary school last week after an 11-year-old girl pulled out a kitchen knife whilst playing with friends. Officers from Merseyside Police are investigating after the weapon, said to be brought from the girl's home, was found at Lingham Primary School, Wirral on March 25. A group of girls had been playing when one of them brought out the knife, it has been reported. The school later became aware of the incident and the police were called at around 2.20pm. When officers attended, the knife was located and it was confirmed that no-one had been hurt. Merseyside Police said that 'appropriate safeguarding measures' were put in place. Officers from Merseyside Police are investigating after the weapon, said to be brought from the girl's home, was found at Lingham Primary School, Wirral on March 25 Wirral Local Policing Chief Inspector Dave Morgan said: 'We understand the concern that such incidents can cause, especially at one of our junior schools. 'Officers will remain in liaison with the school and our partners to offer reassurance to pupils, parents, carers and staff alike. 'In the meantime, should you have any information about young people carrying weapons, please come forward.' Lingham Primary School staff have confirmed there was an incident on March 25. Merseyside Police asked anyone with information about young people carrying weapons to contact them via @MerpolCC on X, 101 or through Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Lingham Primary School has been contacted for comment. A Sydney principal who came under fire for telling parents their kids could opt out of an Anzac Day service has backflipped on her 'disrespectful' decision. Sherwood Ridge Public School in Kellyville, north-west Sydney, told parents last week to inform teachers if they did not want their kids to attend a special Anzac Day assembly and service on April 10. After major backlash from parents and veterans, principal Jody Sullivan sent a follow-up email to families on Wednesday telling them it was now the school's expectation that 'all students' would attend. It was sent after department of education officials intervened on Wednesday. The email, which was seen by The Daily Telegraph, has sparked further backlash from the veteran community. 'The message sent out last month was seen as disrespectful by some members of the broader community and has detracted from our longstanding tradition of acknowledging and respecting Anzac Day in our school,' the email read. 'I want to apologise for this.' Families of Veterans Guild chief executive Renee Wilson appreciated the principal's apology but took issue with its wording. Sherwood Ridge Public School principal Jody Sullivan (pictured) walked back her email, acknowledging it had been seen as 'disrespectful' by members of the community Sherwood Ridge Public School had planned to provide alternative options for students who wished not to attend a special Anzac Day service 'The apology is appreciated however the wording indicates that perhaps Anzac Day and the significance of what our defence members and their families give and do for Australia isn't well understood and speaks to the need for greater and deeper education,' Ms Wilson told Daily Mail Australia. 'One in five households in Australia contain a veteran. 'People who have voluntarily sacrificed their freedom, peace and security to protect that of their fellow Australians. If that doesn't deserve respect, I don't know what does.' Ms Wilson said it was 'imperative' that students understand the historic significance of Anzac Day and the ongoing sacrifices of Australia's veterans. 'Australia isn't the lucky country because of luck, it is intentional it is by design, and it is because of our men and women in uniform and their families,' she said. 'Anzac Day is about remembering what was given for the country we have today. 'It is about acknowledging the courage, bravery and sacrifice of everyday Australians who gave their lives so we may have choices, freedoms and live in peace and security today.' The initial email prompted NSW education minister and deputy premier Prue Car to intervene. 'The principal should not have sent out that email to the school and the Secretary will be speaking to her this morning,' she said. Veterans were outraged by the decision which they claimed undermined the historic significance of the national day of remembrance Mr Car added that all schools were expected to 'respect (the) tradition' of Anzac Day. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was also dragged into the controversy on Wednesday 'I support Anzac Day. It's as simple as that. I'll be at Anzac Day: I'll be at the Australian War Memorial, that's the appropriate place to be,' he said. 'My job is to support Australians and I support Anzac Day very strongly.' Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance of the first major military action of Australian and New Zealand soldiers in the First World War. More than 8,000 Australian soldiers died during the Gallipoli campaign launched on April 25, 1915. This year's commemorations mark the 110th anniversary. The principal's initial 'opt out' email was intended to accommodate a small number of Christian students at the school who don't 'commemorate war'. The school is understood to have received requests from a small number of parents for their children not to attend the commemoration assembly in line with their faith. and had planned to provide alternative supervised activities for those who didn't want to take part. It's unclear whether those alternative arrangements will still be offered. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Department of Education for comment. Before Ms Sullivan issued her apology, Vietnam veteran Michael von Berg MC OAM said the move was part of a trend in Australia to undermine days of national significance on ideological grounds. Michael von Berg (pictured) was a platoon commander in Vietnam who was awarded a Military Cross for his actions in 1966 'Australia Day was first - I said Anzac Day will be next and here we are,' he told Daily Mail Australia. He branded the school's move an 'insult, and disrespectful to all of the wonderful men and women who we've lost in all wars'. 'It should be beyond any religion or any sort of woke agenda,' Mr von Berg said. 'The kids didn't come up with it and I don't think it's the parents either - I suspect it's the teachers. 'You've just got some people that for whatever reason hate our country and hate our flag. And that's very unhealthy for a country. 'It's the woke agendas that haven't been helped by the government, because we haven't been hard enough or strict enough in coming down on it.' Mr von Berg was a platoon commander in Vietnam who was awarded a Military Cross for his actions in 1966. His citation states that he 'showed a complete disregard for his own safety' to lead his troops in successfully driving back an enemy attack after they were ambushed in a ravine, saving their lives. Vladimir Putin's leading TV mouthpiece has warned Sir Keir Starmer that any British troops he sends to Ukraine will die amid a new Russian nuclear weapons threat. Vladimir Solovyov claimed the same fate awaits French forces sent by President Emmanuel Macron. He told viewers on his propaganda show that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was in negotiations with London for the UK military to train the Ukrainian armed forces under a peace settlement. Starmer has said he is willing to station thousands of British soldiers in Ukraine for years to help enforce any peace deal and deter further Russian incursion. He is prepared to make an open-ended commitment to deploy troops for 'as long as it takes' alongside Western allies - as long as MPs approve. Meanwhile, Putin has called up 160,000 men aged 18-30 as Russia moves to expand the size of their military. Solovyov - who nightly parrots Kremlin scripts - mockingly urged Starmer to personally lead the troops. He declared: 'What contingents can Britain prepare? He told viewers on his propaganda show that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was in negotiations with London for the UK military to train the Ukrainian armed forces Vladimir Solovyov has warned Sir Keir Starmer that any British troops he sends to Ukraine will die Solovyov - who nightly parrots Kremlin scripts - mockingly urged Starmer to personally lead the troops Vladimir Solovyov [Right] pictured with Vladimir Putin. 'Well, we've already buried a lot of Brits here, and a lot of Frenchmen. 'Well, come [to Ukraine], all of you, all of you die.' He told his state TV viewers: 'It would be good if the columns of French and British troops were led directly by their supreme commanders. 'So that if we use tactical nuclear weapons, we use them wisely. 'Why? Would anyone feel sorry for them? 'Yes, in my opinion, well, no one will even remember [Sir Keir] Starmer's name, because except for me and a couple of other people, no one remembers the name of the current [prime minister].' State media commentator Vladimir Kornilov pointed out that King Charles and not Starmer was the commander in chief in the UK. 'The king is supreme,' he said. But Solovyov said: 'No, there the king is only nominal.' Zelensky called on Western allies to pile 'new and tangible' pressure on Moscow following attacks on Khakiv Rescuers are extinguishing a fire that broke out after a Russian drone hit a private house in Kharkiv People inspect a car destroyed by a Russian drone in the center of Kharkiv last week Last month Solovyov unleashed a similar rant on state television, telling British and French troops that 'we will kill you all' if they are deployed to Ukraine. The Kremlin propagandist has also claimed that US President Donald Trump would side with Russia if global conflict breaks out. Last week the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) documented and filed criminal charges of genocide against Solovyov for calling for attacks on Ukraine and promoting ther Russian invasion. Earlier today Zelensky called on Western allies to pile 'new and tangible' pressure on Moscow following attacks on Khakiv last night. He said: 'This systematic and constant nature of Russian strikes clearly indicates that Moscow despises the diplomatic efforts of partners. 'Putin does not even want to ensure a partial ceasefire. 'Action must be taken as soon as possible.' Starmer and Zelensky had a phone call on Monday during which they discussed deploying troops in Ukraine. Zelensky said that 'action must be taken as soon as possible' to deter Russia Downing Street confirmed that British, French and Ukrainian military leadership would meet to 'drive forward the next stage of detailed planning'. Macron has revealed that Britain and France will lead a 'reassurance force' in Ukraine if a peace deal is reached. 'These reassurance forces are a British-French proposition that is desired by Ukraine,' he announced last Thursday. The force will be deployed not to contact lines but instead at 'strategic areas'. Starmer added: 'This is a force designed to deter, in order to send that message to Putin that this is a deal that is going to be defended - that's the best description of it.' China has released a cartoon depicting Taiwan's president as a parasite held by chopsticks to be cooked over a fire - as Beijing's armed forces have surrounded the island in a show of strength. Its military released a series of propaganda videos in quick succession, depicting Chinese warships and fighter jets encircling Taiwan, Taipei being aimed at from above, and military vehicles patrolling city streets. A video of a poster accompanying the drills titled 'Closing In,' and showing Chinese forces surrounding the island, was released on the Eastern Theatre Command's Weibo. This was followed by a video titled 'Shell', depicting president Lai Ching-te as a green cartoon bug spawning parasites across the island, on the Eastern Theatre Command's WeChat page. 'Parasite poisoning Taiwan island. Parasite hollowing Island out. Parasite courting ultimate destruction,' the animation said. Taiwan Defence Minister Wellington Koo said such rhetoric was not conducive to peace and 'shows their provocative character,' when asked about Lai's cartoon depiction. The propaganda videos were posted alongside an announcement by the Eastern Theatre of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), which said it conducted drills in waters to the north, south and east of Taiwan on Tuesday. As many as 19 warships surrounded the democratically-governed island in a space of just 24 hours, including the Shandong aircraft carrier group, Taiwan's defence ministry said. China has released a cartoon depicting Taiwan's president as a parasite held by chopsticks to be cooked over a fire 'Parasite poisoning Taiwan island. Parasite hollowing Island out. Parasite courting ultimate destruction,' the animation said An image of Taiwan from a video titled 'Subdue Demons and Vanquish Evils', released by the Eastern Theatre Command of China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) on April 1, 2025 A third video published by the PLA, 'Subdue Demons and Vanquish Evils', featured Sun Wukong, the magical monkey king from the Ming Dynasty epic 'Journey to the West' as he is depicted in the 'Black Myth: Wukong' hit video game. It opens with the video's title flashing across the screen and the Chinese mythical warrior riding on clouds before cutting to footage of Chinese fighter jets. 'The joint exercise and training conducted by the PLA in the vicinity of Taiwan Island is a resolute punishment for the Lai Ching-Te authorities' rampant "independence" provocations,' said Zhu Fenglian, a spokesperson for China's Taiwan Affairs Office. Taiwan's Koo told reporters the PLA should focus first on resolving its issues with corruption instead of destroying peace and stability in the region. China said the drill was a 'stern warning' against separatism to Taiwan, which China views as its own territory and has never renounced the use of force to bring under its control. Lai, who has been labelled a 'separatist' by China, called Beijing a 'foreign hostile force' last month. Following the PLA announcement, Taiwan dispatched its own aircraft and ships and deployed land-based missile systems, in response to the exercises and accused Beijing of being the world's 'biggest troublemaker'. The drills came after US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Sunday in Japan that the United States would ensure 'credible deterrence' across the Taiwan Strait. China's military released a series of propaganda videos in quick succession. Above is a depiction of Taiwanese president Lai Ching-te as a green bug, pinching Ke Wenzhe with one hand and pushing Chiang Kai-shek with the other Lai (pictured centre), who has been labelled a 'separatist' by China, called Beijing a 'foreign hostile force' last month As many as 19 warships surrounded the self-ruled island in a space of just 24 hours, including the Shandong aircraft carrier group (Shandong pictured) China insists democratic Taiwan is part of its territory and has threatened to use force to bring it under its control. Beijing has increased the deployment of fighter jets and naval vessels around Taiwan in recent years to press its claim of sovereignty, which Taipei rejects. Tuesday saw the most Chinese warships recorded around Taiwan since May last year when 27 navy vessels were reported, according to an AFP tally of the ministry's daily figures. Tensions across the 112-mile Taiwan Strait have escalated since Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te took office in May 2024. Chinese leaders loathe Lai, who has been more outspoken than his predecessor Tsai Ing-wen in defending Taiwan's sovereignty. Lai last month called China a 'foreign hostile force' and proposed measures to combat growing Chinese espionage and infiltration. Tuesday's exercises were aimed at sending a 'stern warning and forceful deterrence' to alleged separatists in Taiwan, Beijing said. They involved 'sea-air combat-readiness patrols, joint seizure of comprehensive superiority, assault on maritime and ground targets, and blockade on key areas and sea lanes', said Senior Colonel Shi Yi, spokesman of the Chinese military's Eastern Theater Command. Beijing's armed forces 'close in on Taiwan Island from multiple directions', he said. Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong sailing in waters off Taiwan on March 31, released April 1 China on April 1 sent its army, navy, air and rocket forces to surround Taiwan for drills Beijing said were aimed at practising a blockade of the self-ruled island (Pictured March 31) China's coast guard said it also conducted 'law enforcement patrols' around the island. 'Pursuing 'Taiwan independence' means pushing the people of Taiwan into a dangerous situation of war,' Zhu Fenglian, a spokeswoman for Beijing's Taiwan Affairs Office, said. Taiwan's Presidential Office condemned 'China's escalatory behaviour', and Premier Cho Jung-tai said 'resorting to displays of military force is not what modern, progressive societies should pursue'. China has carried out multiple large-scale exercises around the island in recent years, often described as rehearsals for a blockade and seizure of the territory. Analysts have speculated that China was more likely to attempt a blockade of Taiwan than launch an all-out invasion, which was riskier and would require a huge military deployment. Taipei military expert Su Tzu-yun told AFP the drills appeared to be of similar size to the 'Joint Sword' exercises in May and October. Holding drills straight after Hegseth's visit to the region showed China was testing the Trump administration, said Lin Ying-yu of Tamkang University. 'China wants to test the US's bottom line ahead of a Trump-Xi summit through military exercises,' Lin told AFP. Taiwan - a powerhouse in semiconductor chip manufacturing - is a potential flashpoint for conflict between China and the United States, which is the island's most important security partner. While the United States is legally bound to provide arms to Taiwan, Washington has long maintained 'strategic ambiguity' when it comes to whether it would deploy its military to defend the island from a Chinese attack. A Taiwanese military warship is seen at a harbour in Keelung on April 1, 2025 Taiwanese military warships are seen at a harbour in Keelung on April 1, 2025 There have been concerns about US President Donald Trump's willingness to protect Taiwan. Trump said last month that a Chinese invasion of Taiwan would be 'catastrophic', as the island's chipmaking titan TSMC announced a $100 billion investment in the United States. The dispute between China and Taiwan dates back to 1949 when Chiang Kai-shek's Kuomintang nationalist forces fled to Taiwan after losing the Chinese civil war with Mao Zedong's communist fighters. Taiwan sees itself as a sovereign country, but has stopped short of declaring formal independence, which is a red line for Beijing. Only 11 countries and the Vatican recognise Taiwan's claim to statehood. Police have launched a manhunt for three men accused of snatching high-value cookware items from department store John Lewis in a series of raids. Dorset Police released CCTV images of three men they wish to speak to after the alleged shoplifting incidents between December and February this year. Officers received four separate reports of the three men entering John Lewis at the Poole Retail Park in Redlands, removing security tags from items and leaving without paying. It comes amid an epidemic of theft from UK high streets, with latest figures showing retail theft soared by 22 percent across England and Wales in 2023-2024. The men, dressed largely in dark coats, glasses and hats, are seen on CCTV footage in the kitchen area of the department store. The first incident saw a frying pan set taken at 9.20am on December 3. A saucepan set was then stolen at 11.25am on January 27, before the alleged thieves targeted a Le Creuset set at 9.45am on February 7. Finally another cookware set was taken on February 10 at around 9.30am. Dorset Police released CCTV images of three men they wish to speak to after the alleged shoplifting incidents between December and February this year Officers received four separate reports of the three men entering John Lewis at the Poole Retail Park in Redlands, Dorset The men, dressed largely in dark coats, glasses and hats, are seen on CCTV footage in the kitchen area of the department store The latest figures from the British Retail Consortium's (BRC) crime survey found that just two percent of shoplifting offences reported to police resulted in a conviction Police Constable Robert Roaf, of Dorset Police, said: 'As part of my enquiries, I have obtained CCTV images of three men I would like to identify. 'I would ask anyone who recognises them to please get in touch.' Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police online or by calling 101 and quoting incident number 55250014300. Crimestoppers can also be contacted on 0800 555111 for anonymous information. The latest figures from the British Retail Consortium's (BRC) crime survey found that just two percent of shoplifting offences reported to police resulted in a conviction. The crisis is most acute in London, where the capital has recorded a shocking 50 per cent boom in shoplifting, up from 53,202 in 2023 to 80,041 last year. About 55,000 crimes are reported every day nationwide - with 38 stores targeted every second, BRC data has revealed. Meanwhile, workers are increasingly being attacked by yobs, with stats showing 45,000 violent incidents took place during the last year - more than 124 a day. Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police online or by calling 101 and quoting incident number 55250014300 The thefts at the store at Poole Retail Park (pictured) come amid an epidemic of theft from UK high streets, with latest figures showing retail theft soared by 22 percent across England and Wales in 2023-2024 Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Retailers are reporting unprecedented levels of violence towards their staff, with the number of incidents involving a weapon more than doubling to 70 per day. Police are attempting to crack down on the alarming surge of shoplifting offences. A national unit set up to tackle the scourge across Britain has identified more than 20 gangs and 200 criminals fuelling the epidemic. The gangs, many believed to be East European according to security sources, are responsible for millions of pounds of thefts each year, and are also suspected of human trafficking and exploiting vulnerable individuals. Operation Opal, an intelligence-gathering unit set up six months ago to uncover the organised criminal groups behind shop thefts, has also identified 61 vehicles the gangs use to move shoplifters and goods around the country. The unit's evidence has already led to dozens of arrests, with some persistent thieves put behind bars and deported back to countries such as Romania. John Lewis has been contacted for comment. Tributes have poured in for an Aussie teen who was killed in a high speed motorbike crash while holidaying in Thailand. Melbourne plumber Carlos Guirguis, 19, was visiting Koh Samui, Thailand's second-largest island, when tragedy struck in the early hours of March 27. The young tourist was on a motorbike attempting to overtake a Thai motorist while when they collided. Mr Guirguis was thrown from the motorbike and hit a road sign in front of a nearby 7-Eleven. He was not wearing a helmet at the time and suffered catastrophic injuries after his cracked open when it hit the kerb. Emergency services were unable to revive him at the scene. 'A Honda brand motorcycle was found parked on its side next to the sign of a 7-Eleven convenience store. Nearby, the body of a white foreign man was found,' Thai police said in a statement. '(He) was not wearing and was lying dead with a serious wound. There were pieces of his body scattered on the floor and a lot of blood flowing.' Melbourne teenager Carlos Guirguis (pictured) was killed while holidaying in Thailand The Melbourne tradie (centre) was remembered for 'his laughter, kindness and countless moments that made him so special' The Aussies tourist was thrown from the motorbike he was riding and hit a road sign in front of a nearby 7-Eleven (street view pictured) Early investigations indicated Mr Guirguis was travelling at a high speed and swerved into the Thai driver, causing the collision. Mr Guirguis' shattered colleagues at Neighborhood Plumbing led the outpouring of tributes for the teen. 'It is with heavy hearts we say goodbye to one of our own, Carlos Guirguis,' the post read. 'Loved by all, he was a beautiful, kind and gentle soul who brought warmth everywhere he went. His infectious smile lit us all up and his genuine care for others was felt by each of us. 'Taken too soon, he remains close to our hearts. We will remember his laughter, kindness and countless moments that made him so special. 'Rest easy Carlos, we love you.' A relative confirmed Mr Guirguis' death in a post on Sunday and asked their family be given time to grieve. 'Our family is still processing this profound loss, and we are finding comfort in the support of those around us during this incredibly difficult time,' they wrote. Mr Guirguis (pictured) suffered catastrophic head injuries after colliding with a Thai driver Mr Guirguis (pictured) was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash 'At the moment, we are still working out the details regarding the funeral arrangements, and we do not yet have a confirmed date. 'Your thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated as we navigate through this sorrowful period. Please know that your support means the world to us.' An autopsy has been completed and an investigation into the fatal crash is underway. Daily Mail Australia has contacted the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for comment. Armed officers 'challenged a white man who was carrying a knife' moments before shooting him dead outside Milton Keynes railway station, police have revealed. Officers from Thames Valley Police (TVP) and British Transport Police (BTP) were initially called to reports of a man carrying a 'firearm' at 12.55pm yesterday. Detectives told how they arrived at the station and challenged the man but he 'moved at speed towards officers' with the knife before a shot was fired by police. Officers were then seen carrying out CPR on the man - who has not yet been named outside the station's Pret A Manger cafe, but he was pronounced dead at 1.44pm. In its first press release at 2.26pm, TVP labelled the individual as a 'man' but in an update at 9.10pm, he was described as a 'white man'. Police also confirmed in the update that the weapon was a knife, despite them being called to reports of a firearm. The man's age has not yet been revealed, although MailOnline understands that he appeared to be in his 20s. TVP also confirmed the man has not been formally identified at this stage because the force has 'not yet informed the man's next of kin'. TVP's Milton Keynes commander Chief Superintendent Emma Baillie said last night: 'We understand that this incident may cause concern locally, but we would like to reassure the community that there is no wider risk to the public.' The force added that it had made a 'mandatory referral' to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which has begun to carry out an independent investigation. A man receives CPR after being shot by armed police outside Milton Keynes station yesterday Officers from Thames Valley Police and British Transport Police were called to Milton Keynes TVP also said: 'Officers remain at the scene, which is covering a large area outside the train station. However, the station remains open and trains are running as usual. 'There is disruption to the bus station and taxi rank outside the station as this area is currently part of the scene. Please check before you travel as you may need to seek alternative travel arrangements.' The shot was fired in the station square outside the building and police put a cordon in place around the area. Matthew Barber, Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley, said in a statement issued at 7am today: 'Early yesterday afternoon Thames Valley Police received a report of a man carrying a gun at Milton Keynes railway station. 'When challenged, the man moved at speed towards officers with a knife and was shot by the police. Despite attempts by police officers to provide life-saving first aid the man was pronounced dead at the scene. Whilst this is of course a shocking incident there is no ongoing risk to the public.' He added that it was 'of course' right that the IOPC reviews the incident, but continued: 'From what I understand at this early stage I am confident that the officers should be praised for their actions to protect members of the public. 'As a society we ask the police to put themselves in harm's way every single day on our behalf, most of those officers are unarmed. The small number of armed officers often face even greater risks and carry a still greater responsibility. 'Whilst it is right that yesterday's incident is independently reviewed, it is important that we also recognise exactly what we are asking of our armed police officers. 'It is tragic that a man died in yesterday's incident, but I am thankful to the police officers who responded bravely and acted decisively in order to protect the public. If they had not done so the outcome could have been much worse.' A large plastic barrier was initially erected immediately outside the exit to the station, with a 'police line do not enter' sign in place as an officer stood guard. Police and rail passengers at Milton Keynes train station yesterday after a man was shot dead Police and rail passengers at Milton Keynes train station yesterday after a man was shot dead Extra barriers were then put up obscuring exits to the station, with multiple doors closed to the public and groups of passengers at times being staggered entering and leaving the station. Witness Domenico Scalzo, 38, a delivery driver, told MailOnline : 'It was very shocking - I will definitely have nightmares.' He described how he rushed outside to see police officers giving CPR to the man who was bleeding. Mr Scalzo added that the man appeared to be aged in his 20s. He said: 'It's really difficult for the police, there are teenagers around here as young as 12 carrying massive knives, but you don't expect to see people gunned down in the streets by the police in the UK. 'I was having my coffee and I saw a police Volvo arrive. I heard a pop - I used to work with firearms in private security, I knew it wasn't a car backfiring or anything.' The Italian national said he had lived in the UK for 13 years - seven in London before moving to Milton Keynes. 'I've lived in places that are more dangerous and never seen anything like this before,' he added. Residents in flats above the station reported hearing a single loud noise before a large police and ambulance presence arrived. Alan Brockbank, 70, said: 'All I heard sounded like something heavy had been dropped, it didn't sound like a shot or anything.' A large police presence attended around ten minutes later, he said, adding: 'Then, of course, they were all around the front of the building, actually we could see the person lying on the floor and they were trying to resuscitate him.' He saw a man receiving CPR chest compressions who was partly obscured by the awning at the station exit. Mr Brockbank and his wife Edith, 67, who are both retired, assumed someone had suffered something like a heart attack. Mrs Brockbank said: 'There was all sorts of activity trying to get people back, there was somebody trying to film it, the police were trying to tell them to go back. 'We didn't connect the bang with what was happening. I started looking to see what could have been dropped and I couldn't see anything related to that sound.' Residents living above Milton Keynes station reported hearing a loud 'bang' during the incident The husband added: 'It was only later on we saw armed police with automatic weapons. There was two of them.' Another man who lives in the flats above the station, but did not want to be identified, said he thought it was a gunshot immediately 'because it was really loud'. Another resident, who asked not to be named, said: 'I heard the original bang from the shot, I think, but saw quite a lot of commotion outside, but that was pretty much it - they were pretty speedy.' After hearing the noise, she went downstairs. 'I didn't actually realise what had happened but saw them giving CPR,' she said. 'There was quite a lot of police already there, they kind of sectioned off the area.' Irisa Gordoni, who moved to Milton Keynes ten years ago from Italy, said that while knife crime was common, the area had begun to feel increasingly unsafe, especially for women. She said: 'We run a small family business and sometimes you know, so I'm always worried you know that something could happen in my shop or close to my shop. 'It just makes me feel unsafe really, I feel like everyone feels a bit scared. You are scared to say anything to anyone because you don't know how it will go down. The train station is only 15 minutes from here. 'I feel the difference, it's become really unsafe to walk around. It used to be different because I was new to the areaI used to like it a lot.' A worker at a nearby store added: 'I have never known anything like it. It is obviously concerning, we have never heard anything happen like this before.' Two police cars remained parked by two forensic tents inside the cordon by yesterday evening. Forensic investigators at Milton Keynes train station after a man was shot dead yesterday Emergency services at Milton Keynes Central railway station after a man was shot dead One was on the pavement and had a red asterisk in the rear window, which can indicate an armed response vehicle. Another was straddling the pavement and the street. Both vehicles were immediately outside a Pret A Manger close to the station exit. Shazna Muzammil, a councillor and Conservative group leader at Milton Keynes City Council, said she was 'deeply shocked' by what happened. She wrote on X: 'Our thoughts are with all those there and affected by it. It must have been quite a shock. Very thankful to the police and emergency services for their swift response in keeping everyone safe.' BTP said its officers remained on scene yesterday to assist colleagues from TVP. A spokesman said: 'BTP received a report from Thames Valley Police at 1pm of a man carrying a firearm at Milton Keynes station. 'Armed officers from Thames Valley Police responded and he was shot and pronounced dead outside of the station.' The Independent Office for Police Conduct confirmed it began an investigation at 2.26pm yesterday - the same time the first TVP press release was issued - after being contacted by the force. A spokesman, who described the investigation as being 'in its very early stages,' added: 'We were notified by TVP shortly after the incident and IOPC investigators have been sent to the station and the police post incident procedure to begin gathering information. 'Our thoughts are with the family of the man who died and all those who have been affected by this incident. 'Our role in these circumstances is to independently investigate all of the circumstances surrounding this incident including the actions and decisions taken by the police.' Locals living in the village where The Holiday was filmed have hit out at new flowerbeds, saying they look more like bins. Residents say the street planters are 'not exactly in keeping with' the chocolate box look of Shere, Surrey. Surrey County Council introduced the wooden boxes as part of a push to make the centre of the village pedestrianised, and said it is an 'experiment' and the council plans to replace them with something better - eventually. Some locals say the plan could have been executed better and don't understand why they were needed in the first place - but are hoping the job may only be half done. They slammed them as 'ugly' and one young couple laughed outright when they saw the flowerbeds. However, others have backed the move - calling it a 'great idea'. Shere, which is around six miles to the east of Guildford, provided the backdrop for the 2006 Christmas flick The Holiday and parts of Bridget Jones. The festive romcom starred Jude Law, Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet, and has become a cult classic. Locals living in the village where The Holiday was filmed have hit out at new flowerbeds, saying they look more like bins Residents say the street planters are 'not exactly in keeping with' the chocolate box look of Shere, Surrey Shere, which is around six miles to the east of Guildford, provided the backdrop for the 2006 Christmas flick The Holiday Andrew Bullman, 46, doesn't understand why the planters are needed Discussing the scheme, local Andrew Bullman, 46, said: 'They're not exactly in keeping with such a quaint old town. They look like unsightly bins. 'I also don't really understand the need for them. I mean, this isn't exactly an area with major traffic congestion. It's already a pretty pedestrianised area. 'I imagine the money could have been used better elsewhere.' Former local architect Martin Johnson, 78, also felt the planters' aesthetic needed some improving. He said: 'They're pretty ugly at the moment but I assume they're half-finished. 'They're not a great colour - it would be better if they matched the trees or fencing - and they're too high. 'For planters to look good, they need to be lower. Then, they'll look better once they have flowers or trees in them.' His friend Katherine Davies-Samway, 79, who was visiting from the US, agreed. She said: 'They definitely need to be a different colour. They don't suit the surroundings at the moment.' Anna Velody and Sam Mulligan, both 24, often enjoy a day out in Shere - and couldn't help laughing when they spotted the recent additions. Anna said: 'They could have been a better colour - they're not very subtle at the moment. But I'd be surprised if people were really bothered by them.' Sam added: 'They're not exactly matching but they're better than bollards. And I'm sure the Tea Shop is happy.' On its website, Surrey County Council said the planters were recently introduced as part of a scheme to 'create a pedestrianised area and introduce a seating area for residents to use' in Shere's The Square. Katherine Davies-Samway and Martin Johnson don't think the boxes suit the area A singular planter hanging from the back of a sign near the planters Local mother Izzi Lee-Pearse thinks the planters are a good idea One of the planters which locals think look like bins And Dean Hart, 44, manager at Hilly's Tea Shop, said he was excited by the new pedestrian area - and was confident it would be good for the community. He explained that during Covid, the family-run business was allowed a pedestrianised area - but it came to an end once lockdown was over. He, his wife, and his mother-in-law decided to apply for an area again, and three years on, the council granted the request. However, he's been receiving the brunt of the backlash - which has forced him to take the business off social media. Mr Hart said: 'The vision was about creating a space where people can relax in the village. 'It's a place where parents can bring their kids without worrying about cars and roads - and where members of the community can come together. 'It was all always about the community. And already - people are using it. 'Loads of people have been using these benches since they were put in. 'But of course there are a lot of people who are unhappy. It's an old school village and people often don't like change. 'And unfortunately, we're getting the brunt of it. Anna Velody and Sam Mulligan, both 24, often enjoy a day out in Shere - and couldn't help laughing when they spotted the recent additions Dean Hart, 44, manager at Hilly's Tea Shop, said he was excited by the new pedestrian area - and was confident it would be good for the community Shere, where street planters have been installed Surrey County Council introduced the wooden boxes as part of a push to make the centre of the village pedestrianised, and said it is an 'experiment' and the council plans to replace them 'There's been a lot of abuse. We've taken our business off social media. 'And I get the arguments - they've been placed a bit haphazardly. 'But they're not finished. And I think they're considering making the planters smaller. 'At the end of the day, though, this will be good for the community.' Local mother Izzi Lee-Pearse, 34, agreed. She said: 'People have been negative but this is a great idea. 'I grew up in Spain so I know how important the use of outdoor space is for communities - and this is a great example of that. 'I visit Hilly's Tea Shop a lot so it's a nice space to sit - and there are also benches and bike racks for people. 'It gets really busy around here at the weekend so the more space the better. Some locals say the plan could have been executed better and don't understand why they were needed in the first place - but are hoping the job may only be half done They slammed them as 'ugly' and one young couple laughed outright when they saw the flowerbeds Former local architect Martin Johnson, 78, felt the planters' aesthetic needed some improving 'I think people are just reacting too quickly as they're not done yet. Wait until they're all planted up. 'As for the size, they need to be big so it's obvious it's a sectioned off area.' Paul Colonna, 67, echoed Izzi's thoughts. He said: 'The planters have to be big as they have to protect people from cars. 'Otherwise drivers might just ram into them. 'A lot of other locals might not like them but I do. I think it's good to have an area - especially for children. 'And I also think we should all be supporting Hilly's Tea Shop. It's a wonderful family-run business that is welcoming to everyone. 'So this is a great way to add to that community spirit.' A Surrey county councillor told the BBC the planters were 'an experiment' and something 'more appropriate' would eventually replace them. Heathrow bosses were warned of potential substation failures just days before the airport was forced to close for a day after a fire sparked a major power outage, MPs have been told. Nigel Wicking, the chief executive of Heathrow Airline Operators' Committee, told MPs there were a 'couple of incidents' which made him concerned - including the lights on a runway being taken out. Speaking in front of the Transport Select Committee, Mr Wicking also said he believed Heathrow's Terminal 5 could have restarted departure flights by 'late morning' rather than being shut for a day. On March 21, Heathrow was plunged into chaos after a devastating electrical fire forced the UK's busiest airport to close for the day. Some 270,000 passengers' journeys were disrupted after the airport's main electrical substation exploded and set alight less than two miles away in the west London suburb of Hayes. Heathrow is supplied by three substations, but knocking out one caused a huge power outage at the airport. The impact of the fire from a single power source has raised questions over Heathrow's resilience and disaster plans, including from Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer who said he was 'deeply concerned' in the days after the incident. Mr Wicking told the Transport Select Committee he spoke to the Team Heathrow director on March 15 about his concerns, and the chief operating officer and chief customer officer on March 19. Nigel Wicking (pictured), the chief executive of Heathrow Airline Operators' Committee, told MPs of the Transport Committee said there were a 'couple of incidents' which made him concerned Heathrow bosses were warned of potential substation failures just days before the airport was forced to close for a day due to a major power outage, MPs have been told. Pictured: The fire at Hayes electrical substation The smouldering North Hyde electrical substation which caused a power outage at Heathrow Heathrow chief executive Thomas Woldbye (pictured) said keeping the airport open during the outage would have been 'disastrous' Your browser does not support iframes. He said: 'I'd actually warned Heathrow of concerns that we had with regard to the substations and my concern was resilience.' Mr Wicking, head of the body representing more than 90 airlines using Heathrow, explained: 'It was following a couple of incidents of, unfortunately, theft of wire and cable around some of the power supply that, on one of those occasions, took out the lights on the runway for a period of time. 'That obviously made me concerned and, as such, I raised the point I wanted to understand better the overall resilience of the airport.' Mr Wicking said he believed Heathrow's Terminal 5 could have been ready to receive repatriation flights by 'late morning' on the day of the closure, and that 'there was opportunity also to get flights out'. But Heathrow chief executive Thomas Woldbye said keeping the airport open during the outage would have been 'disastrous'. He told the committee: 'It became quite clear we could not operate the airport safely quite early in this process, and that is why we closed the airport. 'If we had not done that, we would have had thousands of passengers stranded at the airport at high risk to personal injury, gridlocked roads around the airport, because don't forget 65,000 houses and other institutions were powered down. 'Traffic lights didn't work, just to give you an example, many things didn't work. Parts of the civil infrastructure didn't work. 'So the risk of having literally tens of thousands of people stranded at the airport, where we would have nowhere to put them, we could not process them, would have been a disastrous scenario.' On March 21, Heathrow was plunged into chaos after a devastating electrical fire forced the UK's busiest airport to close for the day Pictured: Firefighters douse the remainder of a fire that broke out at a substation supplying power to Heathrow Airport in Hayes, west London Mr Woldbye told the committee the substation which caught fire was 'by far the biggest' that served the airport, with a capacity of 70 megawatts. Asked if some of the airport's terminals could have reopened sooner, he said: 'The fact that the lights were on at Terminal 5, which is entirely correct, doesn't mean the terminal was operational. 'We didn't have all CCTV, we didn't have fire surveillance. The fire systems would work... but the fire surveillance systems of the airport (were) down, so we didn't know where the systems were up and safe. 'All that had to be secured before we started operation.' Mr Woldbye added: 'I cannot guarantee you whether T5 could have opened an hour earlier. 'We did all we could to get it open as soon as we could, because we fully understand the airlines' concerns around getting repatriated flights, repatriated passengers, and also getting flights in there.' Mr Woldbye said the airport has contracts with energy company Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks for 'resilient power set-ups', and 'we have to rely on the contracts we have'. A firefighter helps putting out a fire that broke out at a substation supplying power to Heathrow Airport on March 21 He added: 'Should we have further resilience? But that, of course, comes at a very high cost, and that is the discussion we have to have with airlines, because we cannot make investments without having airlines (agree to them).' Mr Wicking responded: 'We already pay enough for Heathrow. I don't feel that we should be paying more for further resilience. 'The resilience should have been there in the first place, frankly.' Asked by the committee if the estimated 10 hours it would take to re-power Heathrow sounded resilient, Mr Woldbye said: 'I think under an event like this one, which is as unlikely as has been described, that is the resilience that is in place. That is the playbook that is in place.' Mr Woldbye told the committee there was 'not endless, seamless switch-over for everything in the airport' and that bosses were 'still at a stage where we don't know why it happened'. Mr Wicking said: 'Ten hours for me were too long, and actually the time it took to make the decision to go into the 10-hour process seemed too long.' An investigation into the fire and outage was ordered by the Government, with initial findings to be provided within six weeks. For years, her statue has stood proudly in Dublin, an embodiment of Irish spirit and culture. But now Molly Malone is to be assigned stewards, following complaints that spirit has been sullied by people groping the famous bronze sculpture. The introduction of a security presence will be trialled for a week in May after the tradition of touching the effigy's breasts, a custom said to bring good fortune, tarnished the likeness of the local folk hero. The city council has pledged to repair discolouration around the affected area, while also moving to discourage locals and tourists from handling the bronze. 'Dublin City Council have received complaints about members of the public, particularly tourists, touching the Molly Malone statue,' said a spokesperson. 'Plans to repatinate (re-cover) parts of the statue are in hand and will occur in May, and this process has been repeated over the years because of repeated rubbing of the figure. 'Dublin City Council do not want anyone to touch any work of art whether indoors or outdoors to avoid damage and costly repairs.' The statue, by the late Irish sculptor Jeanne Rynhart, was unveiled on Grafton Street in 1988 before the construction of a tram line prompted a move to Suffolk Street, just over half a mile away, in 2014. The council has not discounted the possibility of relocating it once again, and has also mooted the possibility of rendering the bronze less accessible by installing a taller plinth or railings. Dublin City Council will deploy stewards to deter people from groping a statue of Irish folklore figure Molly Malone, seen here, in the belief that it will bring good luck Touching the statue's breasts, a custom said to bring good fortune, has tarnished the effigy Concerns about the practice have been raised by Tilly Cripwell, above, a student who busks near the statue. She said plans to introduce stewards were 'short sighted and quite short term' But those considerations must be balanced against the expense involved and the need to maintain the sculpture as a safe tourist attraction, said the council. 'The low plinth height and space around the statue allows crowds to congregate easily and the Molly Malone statue is a feature of tours given by tour guides,' the spokesperson added. 'Moving the statue or raising the plinth are costly options and placing railing around this work may increase risk. However all options are under review by Dublin City Council for this statue at this time. 'A pilot week of stewarding will occur in May to begin educating those who are interacting with the statue and requesting they do not touch the statue or step on the plinth, and discussing the reasons for not doing so.' The decision to deploy stewards follows a campaign launched last year by Tilly Cripwell, a student who busks near the statue, who demanded an end to the 'misogynistic tradition' of touching it. But while she welcomed plans to restore the sculpture, she branded the idea of using stewards 'short sighted and quite short term', insisting the addition of a raised plinth would be preferable. 'A lot of people clamour around her, kiss her on the cheek, kiss her boobs, its all inappropriate,' Cripwell told the Telegraph last year. 'Its reducing her to this derision and not giving her the status of being a national treasure.' Molly Malone, the subject of a famous folk song about a fishmonger's daughter who sells cockles and mussels from a wheelbarrow, has become engrained in the fabric of Irish folklore. The song describes how 'her ghost wheels her barrow / through streets broad and narrow' after she died of a fever. But now it is the need to balance safety with sightseeing that is haunting officials. For Catherine Scuffil, Dublin City Council's historian in residence, respect for the memory of a woman whom, researchers increasingly believe, may have been a real person from the Liberties area of the city, is paramount. 'Poor Molly doesn't deserve it,' she said of the overly tactile approach of visitors. 'Think for a minute what she represents to us. She's an image of our city. She represents the people of our city, but more importantly, she represents the women of our city. So maybe we shouldn't be treating her quite the way we are at the moment.' 'Molly means a lot to a lot of people,' Scuffil, a relative of the statue's sculptor, told RTE. 'We always use Molly Malone as our anthem, as our slogan, as our story. So she represents all of those things. 'A woman, independent means, her own trade, working in the city, you know, we should respect her a bit more.' A woman accused of assaulting, torturing and neglecting a four-year-old girl over 10 months is seeking access to a doctor's specialist medical evidence, a magistrate has heard. The woman, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, had her case mentioned for the second time on Wednesday at Beenleigh Magistrates Court, south of Brisbane. Queensland Police laid 29 charges against the 32-year-old woman after her arrest in late January over claims she failed to provide the girl the necessities of life in a manner that left her 'likely to be permanently injured'. Police allege the woman committed torture, grievous bodily harm and six counts of assault with bodily harm as domestic violence offences against the girl at the Logan suburb of Slacks Creek, near Beenleigh, between March 4, 2024 and January 9 this year. The woman was due to appear in court via video link from Brisbane Women's Correctional Centre but she was excused on the day. Solicitor Adriane Hillier told Acting Magistrate Gary Finger that she had received a partial brief of evidence from prosecutors on Wednesday. 'There is some medical material that remains outstanding... I understand the brief is quite voluminous. We are seeking an adjournment to review the brief,' Hillier said. Police prosecutor Sergeant Darrel Armfield did not oppose the application. Queensland Police have released footage of the January 24 arrest of the woman who allegedly assaulted, tortured and neglected a four-year-old girl The woman was charged with 29 offences including torture and grievous bodily harm The accused woman did not apply for bail. Finger adjourned the matter until May 7 and remanded the woman in custody. Logan Child Protection and Investigation Unit detectives previously alleged the woman was arrested after they received a tip-off regarding a young girl suffering significant injuries. Police alleged medical staff found the girl had extensive injuries, including bruising, burns, fractures and disfigurement. Detective Acting Inspector Kent Ellis at the time claimed the actions of uniformed police and investigators had saved the child's life. The woman was excused from appearing at Beenleigh Magistrates Court on Wednesday and remains in custody 'The alleged physical abuse this little girl endured is amongst the worst I have seen in my career,' Detective Ellis said. The woman was additionally charged with 18 counts of supplying cannabis between April 2023 and late December 2024. She was also charged with possessing scales, clip-seal bags and a mobile phone suspected of being used in drug crimes. If you or anyone you know needs support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 and 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732). This morning the world's focus is on Donald Trump's decision to launch a global trade war. But in a few weeks' time, the man who last month pledged to deliver 'peace through strength' is planning to embark on a real war. I'm currently in Tel Aviv, and according to several senior political, military and diplomatic sources, the United States and Israel are preparing to launch a strike on Iran that will finally eradicate the threat posed by the country's nuclear weapons programme. 'This should have been avoided a long time ago', a senior Israeli government source told me. 'It's time to draw a line.' On Monday, Trump announced with typical grandiloquence: 'If they [Iran] don't make a deal, there will be bombing it will be bombing the likes of which they have never seen before.' Some observers believed this was just more hyperbolic rhetoric. But the Israeli source was clear. 'It's not just a crazy insistence. It's extremely important for the stability of Israel and the world.' Threats of military action against Iran's nuclear weapons programme have been made before. But there's now clear evidence that, this time, both the US and Israel intend to do more than just rattle their sabres. A week ago the US deployed a trio of B2 'Spirit' stealth bombers, accompanied by long-range refuelling assets, to its Chagos Islands base on Diego Garcia, bringing the total strength of the bomber force there to seven. This was significant because it's rare to see such a major concentration of these sophisticated and expensive assets, and the B2s have the capability to deploy the GBU-57 'Bunker Buster' which can penetrate Iran's hardened nuclear shelters. Donald Trump watches as military strikes are launched against Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis last month Missiles are fired from a ship during strikes against the Houthis. The renewed assault significantly degraded the rebels' capacity to launch long-range missiles at Israel According to a second senior diplomatic source: 'From Israel's perspective, with Trump in the White House, this represents the optimum moment to deal with Iran. There won't be a better chance.' The decision to prepare for such a major escalation is partly being driven by February's report from the International Atomic Energy Agency that Iran's stock of enriched Uranium had significantly increased. 'Iran is the only non-nuclear weapon state enriching to this level, causing me serious concern', said director-general Rafael Mariano Grossi. According to the diplomatic source: 'Obtaining precise intelligence on just how far Iran's nuclear programme has advanced has always been hard. But the reality is they're much, much closer than anyone can be comfortable with. And they have been for some time.' But an equally significant factor is that Israel now regards Iran as the ultimate perpetrator of the October 7 attacks. 'They are the head of the snake,' one Israeli politician claimed. As a result, Israel has spent the past few months 'ploughing the road' to prepare for major air strikes. According to a senior Israeli military source: 'Over the past year, we struck in Yemen three or four times, and we had three air campaigns in Iran, eliminating on the way most of the aerial defence systems in Syria, Iraq and Iran. They were the main obstacle when thinking about a big aerial operation on the way to Iran - their proxy aerial defence systems.' This emphasis on proxies is an important component of Israeli military planning. A key factor influencing a US and Israeli decision to launch a major strike was Iran's capacity to hit back, both on land and in the air. But the campaign in Lebanon is seen to have effectively neutralised the threat of Hezbollah. The Gaza assault has removed Hamas's ability to strike inside Israel. And the renewed assault on the Houthis has significantly degraded the rebels' capacity to launch long-range missiles at Israel. Iranians burn an Israel flag during a rally marking Al Quds Day in Tehran on March 28, in solidarity with Palestinians And most significantly, the collapse of the Assad regime in Syria has removed Irans most important strategic partner in the region. According to one senior Israeli analyst the Iranians strategy was to ensure that they could fight their enemies in Syria, rather than have to fight them in Iran. But now that buffer has been removed. Which effectively leaves Iran isolated. Last April they launched a major assault on Israel, with 170 drones, 30 cruise missiles and 120 ballistic missiles. This was followed in October by an attack involving an additional 200 ballistic missiles. But Israel's air defence network comprised of the Iron Dome, Arrow and David's Sling systems, augmented by recently deployed US Thaad anti-missile batteries effectively neutralised the threat. According to a senior Israeli government source: 'It was an unprecedented attack. 300 missiles. And it failed. It didn't do any serious damage.' The timetable for a proposed attack is still in flux. But Donald Trump has presented the Iranians with a deadline of the end of May to agree to begin to dismantle their nuclear weapons capability. And, in an echo of the build-up to the Iraq war, to readmit the nuclear inspectors ejected from Iran in 2023. There is still the possibility Iran could back down in the face of Trump's ultimatum. But a senior British diplomatic source I spoke to expressed pessimism. 'This is where the problem of Trump's management of Putin kicks in', they explained. 'Tehran has seen him spending the first months of his presidency telling everyone "Putin has nukes. I'm going to do everything I can to avoid a nuclear war". They see nuclear weapons as the one thing that has Donald Trump genuinely scared. So their calculation is, "if they scare him, we need them".' Even if the Iranians do grant significant concessions, there is still no guarantee it would stay Israel's hand. We have all witnessed the horrific images of October 7. But you have to walk around the Nir Oz kibbutz, stand outside the Bibas family home and see the small pile of children's toys heaped in a plastic box just outside the front door. Or stand in the field that backs on to the Nova Festival site, and attempt to count the rows and rows of individual trees that have been planted in memory of the more than 360 people who were so brutally murdered there. Only then can you properly understand. Israel is a nation traumatised some might say blinded by grief and guilt and fear. It has not even begun to properly process the events of 18 months ago. Indeed, it may never adequately do so. But there is one thing Israel is clear on. It wants a reckoning with its enemies. And in particular, it wants a reckoning with Iran. Donald Trump's trade war is a sideshow. A real war is coming. A group of travellers have parked a fleet of caravans on a much-loved beauty spot as locals are warned to stay away. Dozens of vehicles and trailers parked-up on playing fields at Swanshurst Park, in Birmingham on Sunday 30 March just weeks after their last visit. While Birmingham City Counil has promised to 'recover the land', other local groups in the meantime have warned people to stay away from the grounds if they feel 'uncomfortable'. Friends of Swanshurst Park, a volunteer group with an interest in caring and advocating for the park, often tend to a wildflower meadow in the area. It said an eviction notice would be served on the community and posted on Facebook: 'It has been reported to me that travellers are back on Swanshurst Park. 'We think it best if members of the public do not put themselves in a position in which they feel uncomfortable by working on the wildflower patch while the travellers are in close proximity. 'The notice will be served as soon as possible for them to leave but realistically, they will not be gone before the end of the week.' A group of travellers have parked a fleet of caravans on a much-loved beauty spot as locals are warned to stay away Dozens of vehicles and trailers parked-up on playing fields at Swanshurst Park, in Birmingham on Sunday 30 March just weeks after their last visit Your browser does not support iframes. A council spokesperson said: 'Birmingham City Council is committed to actively protecting its land and will take steps to recover this land where unauthorised encampments encroach upon it. 'The council has usable transit sites and plots for use by the gypsy, Roma and traveller community - which is in line with Government policy - and details of the gypsy and traveller accommodation assessment carried out and updated in 2019 can be found on our website.' The travellers also occupied the park in May and October last year forcing the council to step in again to remove them. The council said it would liaise with communities and businesses who may be impacted by plans to introduce up to 15 temporary sites for travellers. A pilot programme, set to begin in the summer, could see 'negotiated stopping' sites made available and would involve unused pieces of land. They typically provide hard standing for holding caravans, a secure boundary and basic sanitary provision, while some also provide electricity. But due to factors such as repeated vandalism and unauthorised encampments, the council's two operational transit sites have often been closed. This comes as the number of 'illegal' traveller sites being set up across the UK is on the rise with local councils increasingly unable to remove them, a planning enforcement officer has claimed. New planning policy announced by Labour housing secretary Angela Rayner in December will force councils to release green belt land for travellers to create permanent encampments if there is an 'unmet need'. Angela Rayner introduced new planning proposals that will compel local councils to house travellers on greenbelt land if they fail to provide nomadic communities with sufficient land One of the new proposed locations for a travelers site in South Gloucestershire is on greenbelt land at Shortwood Hill A new site for travellers and Gypsies in Darlington has been recommended for approval by the Borough Council. The new site could be built on land to the east of Neasham Road on Hurworth Moor (pictured) At present neither temporary or permanent travellers sites are allowed on green belt land as they fail to qualify as 'very special circumstances' - but that is about to change. In the original consultation published to the National Planning Policy Framework in August, the document states: 'We intend our proposals to support the release of green belt land to address unmet needs for traveller sites.' The response to the consultation, published in December, made clear that proposals should not be regarded as 'inappropriate' in cases where there is an 'unmet need' for the type of development - including traveller sites. In January this year South Gloucestershire Council announced the location of 100 new traveller sites, many of them on greenbelt sites. The plan also includes safeguarding 15 existing sites for travelling showpeople - and one new site for travelling showpeople in Pucklechurch. The local authority was reprimanded by a government planning inspector back in 2022 for a 'history of policy failure' after failing to provide sufficient land for travelling communities. Now the council has proposed the 'expanding or intensifying' of numbers of already-existing sites and the creation of 14 brand new locations over the next 15 years. That includes the safeguarding of greenbelt land in Pucklechurch and Hambrook for traveller communities to reside on. The Trump administration is reportedly exploring the possibility of deporting migrants to Rwanda as the US continues its crackdown on immigration. The East African nation is said to be among several locations being considered by Washington to host migrants along with Benin, Moldova, Mongolia and Kosovo, according to anonymous administration officials cited in a Wall Street Journal report. It comes months after Britain's Labour government scrapped a Tory scheme that aimed to send migrants on a one-way flight to Rwanda to have their asylum claims processed as part of efforts to stop small boat crossings to Britain. It was claimed the threat of being sent thousands of miles away from the UK would act as a deterrent to potential migrants thinking of making perilous journeys across the Channel. But a succession of Tory prime ministers ran into legal blocks on the plan, which was scrapped by Sir Keir Starmer as soon as he took office after Labour's general election win. The UK invested some 715 million in the now-junked scheme, and Rwanda's government used some of these funds to develop complexes and hostels designed to house migrants while their asylum claims were examined. Such infrastructure means Kigali may be at the top of the Trump administration's list of countries that could feasibly house large numbers of migrants deported from American shores. But details of the proposals between the US and foreign nations are scant, with the anonymous officials telling the WSJ that they 'aren't necessarily looking to sign formal agreements'. It is expected the US would offer financial incentives along with political support to any nation willing to house migrants. A State Department spokesperson did not confirm the plans but said in a statement: 'Enforcing our nation's immigration laws is critically important to the national security and public safety of the United States including ensuring the successful enforcement of final orders of removal.' US President Donald Trump delivers remarks from the Oval Office of the White House Former British Home Secretary Priti Patel shakes hands with Rwandan Foreign Minister Vincent Biruta in 2022 when Britain and Rwanda agreed a 'migration and economic development partnership' Rwanda has built hostels to accommodate hundreds of migrants but Britain scrapped the plan last year Gang members are forced to crouch in rows in El Salvador's infamous CECOT prison where hundreds of migrants have been sent by the US The Trump administration's reported consideration of more destinations to house migrants comes as the US President continues to trumpet his harsh immigration policies as a crackdown on gang members and other violent criminals. But mounting claims that a number of individuals with flimsy or no connection to organised crime have been summarily deported has prompted anger among rights groups, Democrats and even some Trump allies. As part of his sweeping measures, Trump last month invoked the Alien Enemies Act, an 18th-century law that historically has been used only in wartime, to target alleged members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. This enabled his administration to deport anyone suspected of involvement with the gang, now designated a foreign terrorist organisation, without a trial - a move that faced widespread condemnation and legal challenges. A US appeals court last week upheld a decision to block Trump's use of the law, leading the administration to appeal to the Supreme Court. Despite its criminal activities in Latin America, Tren de Aragua does not have a significant presence in the US, according to Rebecca Hanson, an expert on Venezuelan gangs and assistant professor at the University of Florida. But last month, 238 migrants were ushered onto planes and deported to El Salvador with no chance to contest their detentions in court. An investigation of their cases by Reuters found that at least 27 of the Venezuelans were never even ordered deported and had upcoming immigration court hearings to make their asylum and other claims to stay in the United States. Among the deportees was Andry Jose Hernandez Romero, 31, a gay makeup artist and hairdresser who was detained at the Mexico-US border last year when he requested entry to attend a pre-arranged asylum hearing in San Diego, California. Border agents arrested him after noticing tattoos on his wrists that read 'Mum' and 'Dad' adorned with a pair of crowns. US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) claimed that Hernandez's crown tattoos 'are consistent' with those adopted by members of Tren de Aragua - a notorious Venezuelan gang known for human trafficking and extortion throughout Latin America. In reality, the makeup artist's tattoos were derived from his upbringing in his hometown of Capacho, famed for its 'Three Kings Day,' which sees thousands of Christians turn out in the streets to participate in carnival-like celebrations every year. Many residents of the town are inked with the same tattoos to signify their faith and culture, according to Miguel Chacon, the president of Capacho's Three Kings Day foundation. Inmates remain in a cell at the Counter-Terrorism Confinement Centre (CECOT) mega-prison in Tecoluca, El Salvador The make up artist's tattoos were derived from his upbringing in his home town of Capacho, famed for its 'Three Kings Day' - but border agents suspected they were gang symbols Hernandez waited months in detention for an immigration court hearing on March 13, but instead was put on one of three planes with 237 other migrants and deported Despite no other evidence to suggest Hernandez had any gang connections, he languished in detention for months until his immigration court hearing on March 13, after which he was put on one of three planes with 237 other migrants and deported. When asked for comment, a Trump administration official said that the administration had confidence in the process of identifying gang members. 'Intelligence assessments go well beyond a single tattoo,' the person said on condition of anonymity. On Monday, the White House also admitted authorities had deported a Salvadoran man who was living in Maryland under protected legal status. Kilmar Abrego Garcia was accused of being a gang member in 2019 but not convicted of any crime, and a judge had previously ordered that he should not be deported because he could be harmed in El Salvador. In Monday's court filing, government lawyers admitted he had been deported in an 'administrative error' but argued US courts did not now have jurisdiction to secure his release. Pressed on the issue Tuesday, the White House was defiant, claiming unreleased evidence showed Abrego Garcia was 'actually a leader of the brutal MS-13 gang'. Like Tren de Aragua, the Salvadoran group was declared a foreign terrorist organisation by Trump. 'Foreign terrorists do not have legal protections in the United States of America anymore and it is within the president's executive authority and power to deport these heinous individuals from American communities,' White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told a briefing. While the controversy rages on, migrants deported under the Alien Enemies Act must endure horrific conditions at the supermax Centro de Confinamiento del Terrorismo (CECOT) prison in Tecoluca, El Salvador. The sprawling complex contains thousands of hardened gangsters and stands as a symbol of Salvadoran president Nayib Bukele's harsh crackdown on gang violence since it opened in 2023. This handout picture released on March 16, 2025, by El Salvador's Presidency press office shows the arrival of alleged members of the Venezuelan criminal organization Tren de Aragua at the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) in the city of Tecoluca, El Salvador The arrival of alleged members of the Venezuelan criminal organisation Tren de Aragua at the Terrorism Confinement Centre The gang has been linked to kidnapping, extortion, organised crime and contract killings Salvadoran police officers cut the hair of alleged members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua Prisoners are made to run while leaning forwards with their hands cuffed behind their backs as they move into the prison, Feb 2023 Bukele recently struck a deal with the United States to house purported gang members deported from American shores. For him, it is an opportunity to show the world the brutal efficacy of his repressive 'State of Exception' regime that grants his administration wide ranging powers to crack down on criminal activity at the expense of public freedoms. For the prisoners, a 'black hole of human rights' awaits, according to monitoring groups. CECOT, built in 2023, has been heralded by Bukele as a superweapon in the war on gang violence. At the prison, the suspected gang members spend 23-and-a-half hours each day locked in overcrowded cells with just 30 minutes a day to stretch, even while chained in the middle of the hallway. Huge concrete walls separate some 20,000 of the country's most violent prisoners from the rest of society. To enter the jail, staffers, guards and prisoners have to go through a complex registration system before making their way through three sections safeguarded by gates. Each cell comes equipped with 80 bare iron bunks - mattresses are not included - along with two toilets and two sinks. Windowless solitary confinement rooms await any prisoners who step out of line. Passengers aboard a cruise ship endured massive 40ft waves as they travelled through the rough waters of the notorious Drake Passage. Lesley Ann Murphy, a travel blogger aboard Quark Expeditions' Ocean Explorer ship, captured heart-stopping footage of the vessel making its way through the giant waves and crashing water. Murphy estimated some of the waves were between 30 to 40 feet, and her video showed them towering up over the ship and smashing into the paneled windows. In her clip, which was posted to Instagram, several passengers could be seen gathering at the large windows as the blue waves rose up before violently hitting the viewing platform. The foamy white water crashed against the walls, sending the boat rocking back and forth as people lost their balance and fell over. In one shot, a group of passengers can be seen running from side to side as the boat swayed in the currents, and a TV was seen swinging from a wall due to the force of the waves. One man challenged the ferocious swells and attempted to balance on the floor of the ship like a surfboard as a gigantic wave formed in front of the vessel. In her video caption, Murphy described the experience sailing through the waters located between the tip of the South American continent and Antarctica, as being on a '48-hour rollercoaster'. Terrifying footage captured the moment huge waves crashed into a cruise ship as it sailed through the Drake Passage Massive swells of water surrounded the boat and made it rock from side to side Travel blogger Lesley Ann Murphy said the waves were between 30 to 40 feet 'I am proud to say we survived not one but two Drake Shakes! For context, the Drake Passage is the body of water between the tip of Argentina and Antarctica. Its infamous for its extremely rough seas,' she wrote. 'If youre lucky, you get the Drake Lake. If youre like us, you get the Drake Shake with 35 ft waves. 'Yes, we were safe and it was insaneand at times, even fun? 1000% worth it for this trip of a lifetime!,' she added. 'We were told to stay in our cabins for an entire afternoon yesterday, and there were definitely some silver linings amongst this whole ordealwe got some down time, we laughed *a lot*, I processed some of this amazing voyage, I FaceTimed my girls and I learned that wildly enoughI dont get seasick!' But Murphy is not the first to have come face-to-face with the terrifying waves. Last year footage emerged from a luxury cruise liner negotiating a ferocious storm off Antarctica, capturing the moment waves measuring almost 100ft smashed the vessel and swamped the deck with freezing seawater. The Atlas World Voyager cruise ship was traversing the Drake Passage when it was caught in a punishing tempest. Winds of up to 115mph whipped the sea into a frenzy and sent 30 metre (93ft) waves slamming into the luxury yacht during the perilous journey. The heart-pounding clip taken from the deck shows how the yacht was lifted to the top of massive waves before angling over and plunging several storeys down. People were seem running through a corridor before bashing into the walls as the boat swayed in the rocky waters Passengers were seen gathering around a huge window to watch the monster waves hit the vessel One man was seen attempting to balance as the boat made its way through the rough waters The water could be seen smashing into the windows from cabins on board the ship Tables, chairs, sunloungers and all sorts of other detritus were seen floating about after the deck was overrun by the deluge. Fortunately, the crew managed to expertly navigate the treacherous waters and the yacht reached its destination - Ushuaia in southern Argentina - without suffering major damage. Despite the unforgiving environment, the yacht was able to traverse the Drake Passage without incident. The same cannot be said for MS Maud, a Norwegian cruise liner that was sailing through the North Sea just days before Christmas 2023 when a freak wave battered the ship with such force that it lost power and was left adrift. MS Maud was sailing some 162 miles off Denmark's west coast and about 217 miles off Britain's east coast when the monster wave shattered its windows on the bridge. The ship, which was carrying 400 passengers and crew, had started a 14-day Northern Lights expedition sailing from Tilbury on December 9 and was due to return to the Essex port on December 23. Dramatic footage obtained by MailOnline shows the exact moment the rogue wave hit, leaving the ship impossible to navigate and requiring a tow to Germany. The passenger who filmed the moment said: 'I had the bridge camera showing on the TV to try to stop dizziness and just randomly decided to film it! 'As soon as the wave struck, the TV screen went blank and the ship's horn distress signal sounded so I knew something was wrong.' Goods exports to the United States worth more than 60billion to the UK economy are firmly in the sights of Donald Trump's Liberation Day tariff frenzy. Tonight the US president is expected to include Britain in his protectionism attempts to help American manufacturers and 'make America wealthy again'. The tariffs - up to 20 per cent across the board - could knock up to 1 per cent off the size of the UK economy if there is a full-blown trade war where the UK retaliates to Trump's measures. The sectors most at risk are the UK car industry and other manufacturing efforts including medicines and pharmaceuticals, chemicals, power generators and scientific instruments. These six fields between them accounted for almost half of the value of UK exports to the United States, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Other key industries include food and drink, with Americans buying large amounts of commodities including Scottish whisky and smoked salmon. The imposition of tariffs will make British goods more expensive in the US, which is likely to reduce demand. The Prime Minister has said he expects the UK will be hit, and Chancellor Rachel Reeves warned Cabinet ministers there would be an economic impact from the tariffs. Find out which industries are likely to be worst affected in our graphic below. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. The US president is expected to include Britain in his protectionist attempt to protect UK manufacturers and 'make America wealthy again' tonight Economists at the Office for Budget Responsibility have warned that the tariffs could eliminate Ms Reeves's 'headroom' against her day-to-day spending plans, requiring her to make more cuts or hike taxes to meet the rules she has set herself. Tariffs on cars could threaten 25,000 jobs Donald Trump's 25 per cent tariffs on US car imports from Wednesday could put 25,000 UK jobs in the automotive manufacturing sector at risk, a think tank has warned. The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) said the US president's levies on UK-made cars entering the United States - which could make Range Rovers almost $30,000 pricier when sold in the country - would put 'extreme pressure' on Britain's car makers and 'threaten jobs and economic growth'. With exports to America predicted to fall with Trump's 'reciprocal' tariffs on 'friends and foes', the IPPR says employees at Jaguar Land Rover and the Cowley Mini factory will be among the most exposed. With exports to America predicted to fall, the IPPR says employees at Jaguar Land Rover and the Cowley Mini factory (pictured) will be among the most exposed Eight in ten motors produced in Britain are exported. And three quarters of the 603,565 cars built for overseas markets in 2024 were made for just three regions - one of these being the US. While the EU accounted for 54 per cent of exports and China 6.6 per cent, some 16.9 per cent were destined for US ports. It means some 102,000 cars - estimated to be worth 9billion - that came off British assembly lines ended up in the US last year. That accounts for one in eight (13 per cent) of all passenger cars made in the UK in 2024. Pranesh Narayanan, research fellow at IPPR, said: 'Trump's tariffs have huge potential to completely destabilise the UK car manufacturing industry, affecting tens of thousands of jobs and putting the government's growth plans at jeopardy.' Tax on UK medicine exports could limit US access to cures Medical and pharmaceutical are the single largest group of UK exports to the United States and were worth 8.7billion in 2023. Steve Bates, chief executive of the UK Bioindustry Association trade group, this week cited a US study showing that almost 90 per cent of US biotech companies rely on imported components for at least half of their FDA-approved products. He warned this would make 'the supply of medicines for US patients and families especially vulnerable'. Drugmakers are lobbying Trump to phase in the tariffs on imported pharmaceutical products in hopes of reducing the sting from the charges and to allow time to shift manufacturing. Large firms have global manufacturing footprints, mainly in the US, Europe and Asia, and moving more production to the US is a major commitment of resources. Industry trade group PhRMA has said it can take five to ten years and $2billion to bring on a new production facility in the US in part because of regulatory requirements. PhRMA used this point in meetings in February and March with the US administration to urge it to consider a staggered tariff rate increase over several years to reflect the time companies need. Whisky tariffs could hammer Scottish economy Scottish economic growth is forecast to slow amid concerns over US tariffs on whisky, with the US its largest export market by value. The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) said that Americans wanting a dram of something better than their domestic brands bought 132 million bottles worth 971million in 2024. The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) said that Americans wanting a dram of something better than their domestic brands bought 132 million bottles worth 971million in 2024 A 25 per cent tariff imposed in October 2019 led to the industry losing hundreds of millions of pounds, before the levy was suspended for five years in 2021. Last month Johnnie Walker maker Diageo warned a new round could deal a $200million (161million) blow to profits. No chlorinated chicken, but cheaper US meat on UK shelves? The Government has been warned not to 'sacrifice' British agriculture to seal a US trade deal amid growing concerns over biosecurity. Farming and food sector leaders said they were 'very concerned' about the concessions ministers could make while trying to secure an exemption from Donald Trump's tariffs. Lord Rooker, former Food Standards Agency chairman; Tom Bradshaw, president of the National Farmers' Union; and Rob Mutimer, National Pig Association chair, were among the sector leaders who spoke about biosecurity at a briefing on Tuesday. The group called for the Government to step up disease prevention measures as Europe grapples with the threat of African swine fever and foot and mouth disease. Critics say the process covers up poor hygiene processes elsewhere in the food chain that allows producers to keep prices low - undercutting UK producers - and is also not always effective. It came after Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds told Times Radio food standards were a 'red line' in trade talks for the UK, suggesting the country would not accept US hormone-treated beef and chlorine-washed chicken a major sticking point in previous negotiations. However, the Government could compromise in other areas, like eliminating tariffs of up to 12 per cent on US beef, chicken, and pork, the Times reported. This would give US producers who have lower standards and a competitive advantage greater access to the UK market, putting struggling British farmers under further pressure. A teenager who was one of the world's best gamers killed himself after failing his maths GCSE, only for his parents to find out he'd passed a day later. Alex Henshaw unexpectedly took his own life the month after his exam results came out, an inquest heard. However, the following day his result was upgraded after a remark meaning he had actually passed the exam. In statement read by the coroner, his mother Lisa Hamilton said: 'He had been very distressed, he had just failed a GCSE maths paper. 'The re-mark came back as a pass, I got an email the next day.' The 17-year-old, who had autism and ADHD, regularly ranked fifth in the world during online tournaments, a coroner was told. Despite his challenges, the teenager from Winchester, Hampshire, was studying for a BTEC in game design at Basingstoke College of Technology. The inquest heard he was 'excelling' on the course, even being called in to explain his work because the tutor thought it was so good he must have cheated. Alex Henshaw unexpectedly took his own life the month after his exam results came out, an inquest heard The 17 year old, who had autism and ADHD , regularly ranked fifth in the world during online tournaments, a coroner was told The day after he took his own life result was upgraded after a remark meaning he had actually passed the exam Alex had lots of plans for his future including a visit to Japan with his father and work experience with a game design company. Winchester Coroner's Court, Hampshire, was told that on the morning of her son's death in September last year, Ms Hamilton called the fire brigade because she could not get his door unlocked. They used a sledgehammer to get into the room where they found Alex's body and pronounced him dead. The cause of death was recorded by the inquest as compression of the neck resulting from a ligature. The inquest heard that as well as his exam, Alex had also been told he would have to do a presentation in front of his class which concerned him. However, the teenager left no note and so area coroner for Hampshire, Rosamund Rhodes-Kemp, said she 'could not explain' why he had done the 'impulsive act'. Recording a conclusion of suicide, Ms Rhodes-Kemp reassured his family there was nothing they could have done to 'prevent or predict' his death. She said: 'It was quite obvious that Alex Henshaw was very gifted in the studies in which he was enrolled and was likely to have a bright future in the field he had chosen, he was regularly in the top 10 gamers in the world. Paying tribute to Alex, his mother said he was a 'happy' child and 'really looking forward to the next year'. Pictured: Alex celebrating his 6th birthday 'For whatever reason, we will never know, he decided to end his life on the 10 September, 2024. 'Alex had enormous challenges, he had a number of conditions both physical and of a neurological nature. 'These would have affected not just his physical health but his ability to make friends, it is a credit to him that he managed in a society that is not always as sympathetic as it could be. 'I am very very sorry for whatever it was that caused him to take the action he did. 'I am in no doubt that this was a deliberate act, the reason for which I can't explain, there was no sign on the day or in the weeks prior that Alex would do anything of this kind. 'It was an impulsive act that could not have been prevented or predicted by his family. 'He was sadly pronounced deceased at his home, I do feel Alex took his own life and intended to do so, the conclusion is suicide.' Paying tribute to Alex, his mother said he was a 'happy' child looking forward to the next year of his course. 'He was really looking forward to the next year,' Ms Hamilton said. 'Alex was excited about going to Japan with his father, he was happy despite having autism. 'He was doing so well at college.' In her statement she also criticised the 'underfunding' of the NHS and the difficulty of getting specialist educational support for her three children with autism. She said: 'The SEND system is like pushing a river uphill. I fought everyday to get them help. 'I came up against the underfunding of the NHS which forced me to sell my belongings for private diagnosis and gastroenterology for Alex.' Mr Henshaw said that his son visited him most weekends and they enjoyed watching films and cooking together. He said: 'We had a good relationship, we would chat, cook, watch films. 'Alex did not say anything was upsetting him, there were no signs. I miss my son very much, he was also my friend.' The British couple found dead in an apparent murder-suicide in New Zealand have been identified by local media as Claire and Ben Anderson. The couple, believed to have been in their 50s, were found late on Monday after police forced their way into a rented property in the upmarket suburb of Roseneath. Neighbour Emma Prestidge told the New Zealand Herald that they had only recently moved from London to Wellington and were 'dream neighbours'. 'The lady said to me that previously in London, she felt a little bit unsafe wherever she went. In New Zealand, she just felt a sense of calm and just felt like she was able to really enjoy her life here,' she said. Ben Anderson had been living and working in New Zealand, while Claire had settled with him in December, a neighbour told local media. He is believed to have worked in academia at universities in Britain and New Zealand, while she worked as a teacher. The couple had adult children living in the country, and had been considering moving to Otago to be closer to them, the neighbour said. They were found late on Monday night after police were contacted by a family member concerned with their welfare. Ben Anderson had worked at universities in Britain and New Zealand Claire Anderson moved out to join her partner in December. They were thinking of moving to Otago to be closer to their adult children, neighbours said In the wake of their deaths, the couple were described by their landlord as 'passionate about being in NZ and giving their family the experience of living here.' 'Both they and their family lived life to the absolute full and were always planning or doing amazing adventures,' the landlord said of 'my British lodgers'. 'He was a clever, caring, charming man. She was vibrant, kind, intelligent and both of them made friends wherever they went. They were both absolutely wonderful human beings.' 'They were both such positive and incredible parents, friends, and members of many communities. 'We send our love and condolences to their [family] and friends.' Police said they were supporting the family. Neighbour Paul Prestidge told local media that the couple were 'very friendly people', with whom he would have dinner parties. He said that the couple had a son who did not live with them. Prestidge said he believed the woman may have been a teacher. He said he remembered seeing the couple the week before last, but did not recall if he had seen them more recently. Emma Prestidge told Radio New Zealand that they had moved from London. 'My understanding is they'd finally... packed up their lives in London and all their stuff was in a shipping container, and they were kind of looking to move here for good. 'They were... in the next phase of their life, I guess, and ready to kind of set themselves up for the next part of their chapter, which is... truly sad.' Police are still conducting inquiries, and have told local residents to expect an increased presence in the area. They said they were not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths. It is not currently known how the British couple died, but Detective Inspector Haley Ryan from New Zealand Police said: 'I want to provide assurance that there is no ongoing risk to the Roseneath community.' A general view of Palliser Road, Roseneath, where police said two people died Police are still conducting inquiries, and have told local residents to expect an increased presence in the area (File image of New Zealand police) A FCDO spokesperson said last night: 'We have not been approached for consular assistance in this case, but our staff stand ready to support British Nationals overseas 24/7.' A statement from the New Zealand police read: 'We continue to appeal to anyone who may have information that can help our enquiries, and anyone with residential CCTV that captures traffic movements in the Roseneath area, particularly on Palliser Road and surrounding streets, to contact Police. 'Please update us online now or call 105, and reference the file number 250401/2474 or 'Operation Palliser'.' MailOnline contacted the FCDO for comment. Claimed his wife was 'asking for it' A short video of a bruised and scarred young mother brought three years of extreme violence and deprivation of liberty to an end. Police found the woman in her bathroom, shaking and with two black eyes, where she apologised and said it was her fault. After making his wife a prisoner in their home, subjecting her to daily beatings with poles, belts and cords, taking her money and cutting off her access to family, the woman's husband said she was 'asking for it'. 'I give her consequences,' he told police, before admitting his wife had not been allowed outside of their home without him for a year. The man, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, became the first person in Australia to be sentenced for servitude on Wednesday as Justice Jane Dixon jailed him for up to 12 years. He pleaded guilty in the Victorian Supreme Court to an aggravated charge of the Commonwealth offence of causing a person to enter into or remain in servitude, and two assault charges. 'As well as being subjected to regular violent assaults, she was deprived of personal freedom and liberty in almost every aspect of her life,' the judge told him. 'The aggravated servitude in the present case involved a regime of extraordinary cruelty and tyranny perpetrated over a lengthy period.' In the first sentencing under Australia's servitude laws, the unidentified man will face up to 12 years in prison (stock image) The abuse occurred over a three-year period from 2020 and ended only after the woman sent a video of her bruises to her mother (stock image) The abuse began in 2020 and only ended three years later when the woman sent her mother a 27-second video of her body covered in cuts and bruises, which she took to police. The husband did not allow her to go to university, use the toilet without him, or seek medical care alone, even when she became pregnant. He would strike her and beat her for not performing domestic duties to his standard, including failing to wash his clothing 'properly', Ms Dixon said. She said the violence and 'extensive coercive control' escalated after she gave birth in October 2021 and started to involve their child. 'At first she was hit once or twice a week, but soon you began to hit her every day even for the most trivial of reasons, such as that she yawned or looked at you,' Justice Dixon said. 'By July 2023 you began to lose your temper with (your child), on one occasion yelling in her face that you would kill her. 'And on another occasion placing a belt around her neck and doing it up tight enough to make her scared and cry.' He was not charged with specific offences against his child, but it was used as evidence of his control over her mother. Victorian Supreme Court Justice Jane Dixon described the husband's regime as one of 'extraordinary cruelty and tyranny' Prosecutors submitted more than 150 videos of the woman and baby to court, which Ms Dixon said were too graphic to show to the public but depicted the victim's 'stress, fear and servitude'. The man maintained an active social life over this time and would imprison his wife and child in a bedroom while he was out of the home. He would force her to send him videos to show she did not leave the room, or place a rubber hand over the door handle. On top of the physical and emotional abuse, he deprived his wife of financial freedom and forced her to transfer all money to him, amounting to more than $50,000. The man would imprison his wife and child in a bedroom while he was out of the home (stock images) The man, who has served 19 months of his sentence, will be eligible for parole in nine years and may then be deported to Indonesia. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 The world's richest people have been named on an updated list which puts their combined wealth at more than $16trillion. Tech mogul Elon Musk, 53, is leading the Forbes' billionaires list 2025 with a net worth of $342billion (264.73billion) after co-founding companies like Tesla, SpaceX and artificial intelligence firm xAI. Musk moved to the top of the list after his net worth increased by 75 per cent, giving him a $126billion (97.4billion) lead over the second billionaire listed, Forbes said. The jump was due to new evaluations of SpaceX, xAI and Tesla, even though the latter has recently seen a plunge in stock price after Musk joined President Donald Trump's administration and came out in support of hard-right parties in Europe. Trump also featured on the list - albeit lower down - after his net worth more than doubled compared to the 2024 Forbes list from $2.3billion to $5.1billion due to his investments into crypto currencies and his Truth Social company going public. Facebook and Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg, 40, has come in second with a net worth of $216billion (167.4billion), while Jeff Bezos, the 61-year-old founder of e-commerce giant Amazon, came in third with a net worth of $215billion (166.6billion). In Forbes' annual billionaires list, which has been published for 39 years, the publication gives a 'definitive ranking of the world's richest people'. The top ten spots were all taken by men, the majority of whom made their billions in the tech sphere. Included on the 2025 compilation are 3,028 billionaires worldwide, which are 247 more than last year. Their combined net worth is an astonishing $16.1trillion. There are also several celebrities who have recently joined the billionaire's club, with musician Bruce Springsteen ($1.2billion) in 2,623rd place, while actor Arnold Schwarzenegger ($1.1billion) and comedian Jerry Seinfeld ($1.1billion) rank at 2,790. Tech mogul Elon Musk (pictured), 53, is leading the Forbes' billionaires list 2025 with a net worth of $342billion (264.73billion) after co-founding companies like Tesla, SpaceX and artificial intelligence firm xAI Facebook and Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg (pictured), 40, has come in second with a net worth of $216billion (167.4billion) Jeff Bezos (pictured), the 61-year-old founder of e-commerce giant Amazon, came in third with a net worth of $215billion (166.6billion) In fourth place is Larry Ellison, 80, who co-founded tech company Oracle. His net worth is listed as $192billion (148.7billion). Rounding off the top five is Bernard Arnault, 76, and his family with $178billion (137.9billion). The Arnault family owns luxury goods conglomerate LVMH including brands like Louis Vuitton, Givenchy and Tiffany & Co. The fifth rank is Arnault's lowest spot on the list since 2017, according to Forbes, which attributed the change to a drop in LVMH shares. Warren Buffett, a 94-year-old investor, takes sixth place due to his $154billion (119.3billion) fortune, while Google founders Larry Page, 52, at $144billion (111.6billion) and Sergey Brin, 51, at $138billion (107billion) took the seventh and eighth spot. In ninth comes Amancio Ortega, 89, who is the only non-American billionaire in the top ten of the Forbes list. The Spaniard owns brands like Zara and Bershka as part of his Inditex fashion conglomerate. The last spot in the top ten is taken by Steve Ballmer, 69, who used to be the CEO of Microsoft. He amassed a net worth of $118billion (91.4billion). There are 55 British billionaires on the list, with five making the top 200 cut. In fourth place is Larry Ellison (pictured), who co-founded tech company Oracle. His net worth is listed as $192billion (148.7billion) Rounding off the top five is Bernard Arnault (pictured) and his family with $178billion (137.9billion). The Arnault family owns luxury goods conglomerate LVMH including brands like Louis Vuitton, Givenchy and Tiffany & Co Warren Buffett (pictured), an investor, takes sixth place due to his $154billion (119.3billion) fortune The richest Briton is Michael Platt, 57, on rank 106 with a net worth of $18.8billion. Platt is the cofounder and CEO of BlueCrest Capital Management, which he started in late 2000 after nearly a decade at JP Morgan. The next British billionaire follows on the 134th spot. Former chemical engineer James Ratcliffe, 72, has a fortune of $16billion. He is the founder, chairman and majority owner of $68 billion (2022 revenue) chemical powerhouse Ineos Group. Next up, in 153th place, is James Dyson, 77, with a net worth of $14.6billion. He invented a revolutionary vacuum cleaner using a cyclone to lift dirt in 1978. The 185th position is shared by British brothers David Reuben, 86, and Simon Reuben at $12.8billion each. They share their real estate, technology and investment fortune. There are 288 new billionaires listed by Forbes, among them Springsteen ($1.2billion) Schwarzenegger ($1.1billion) and Seinfeld ($1.1billion). Springsteen's decades of massively successful music releases - including 21 studio and ten live albums - and the sale of his music rights to Sony Music for $500million helped to catapult him onto the list. Schwarzenegger made his fortune from his movies as well as investments into real estate, private equity and stocks. Seinfeld made it onto the list after signing a $500million Netflix deal to stream his sitcom Seinfeld on the platform. There are also several celebrities who have recently joined the billionaire's club, with musician Bruce Springsteen ($1.2billion) in 2,623rd place (Springsteen is pictured above) Schwarzenegger (pictured) made his fortune from his movies as well as investments into real estate, private equity and stocks Seinfeld (pictured with his wife in 2019) made it onto the list due to his $500million Netflix deal to stream his sitcom Seinfeld Another newcomer is Sundar Pichai, who leads Alphabet, the parent company of Google. He has a net worth of $1.1billion (850million) due to an increase in the value of his Google shares. The newcomers also include the world's youngest new billionaire, 19-year-old Johannes von Baumbach with $5.4billion. Von Baumbach is one of 14 heirs to the Boehringer Ingelheim fortune, a company best known as the largest private pharmaceutical company. Other than Springsteen, Schwarzenegger and Seinfeld who joined the billionaire's list this year, some celebrities have already featured in previous years like Oprah Winfrey ($3billion), Taylor Swift ($1.6billion), Kim Kardashian ($1.7billion), Dick Wolf ($1.2billion), Rihanna ($1.4billion), Tyler Perry ($1.4billion), Jay-Z ($2.5billion), George Lucas ($5.1billion) and Steven Spielberg ($5.6billion). But 107 people who were included in the 2024 ranking saw their net worth dip so much they didn't make the cut anymore to be considered a billionaire. Among them is Nicholas Puech, one of the heirs to luxury goods conglomerate Hermes, who says his fortune has vanished, according to Forbes. Included in the 2025 list are people who Forbes believes to have a net worth of at least $1billion as of March 7, 2025. The outlet also publishes a daily billionaires ranking that takes stock changes and other factors into account. The daily ranking is also led by Musk, whose net worth is listed as $345.6billion today, which is $3.6billion more than on the annual list. A beloved celebrity chef was tragically killed in a freak accident while hiking in Hawaii with her boyfriend. Gianna Buzzetta, 26, was fatally struck by a falling boulder while visiting the Makaleha Falls in Kauai with her partner Connor Quinton on March 23. 'They heard a really loud noise. He looked up, but couldn't figure out where the noise was coming from. Within a second, it happened The rock dislodged from quite a ways up then it landed on her,' Gianna's father Sal Buzzetta told 10 News. Gianna's boyfriend Connor frantically pulled her from the water but had to run three miles to get her help, as there was no cell phone service in the beauty spot. The chef was eventually airlifted to a hospital, before she was transferred to another facility, where she was declared dead. Gianna was a rising star in the culinary world - and the pastry chef at the Michelin-starred Jeune et Jolie restaurant near San Diego, California. Her family said she was fulfilling a lifelong dream of visiting the waterfall when she was killed. Gianna Buzzetta, 26, died after being struck by a falling boulder while on a hike in Hawaii Gianna's boyfriend Connor had to run three miles to get her help after she was struck by the rock Gianna's family said she was fulfilling a lifelong dream of visiting the Makaleha Falls in Kauai John Resnick, the owner of Jeune et Jolie, told Fox 5 that news of Gianna's death has been 'paralyzing' for the community. 'She was a huge part of the team. Super creative, super talented, incredibly hardworking,' Resnick said. 'Humble, confident, I mean all these things that we want to see in the people we work with, and so from that professional talent standpoint, she was incredible and then just as a person you wanted to be around. Our whole team loved working alongside her.' Jeune et Jolie will be donating all its proceeds from April 7 to help cover Gianna's medical bills. The French eatery posted a tribute for Gianna on social media noting the chef's joy for her job. 'Her sudden loss leaves all of us heartbroken, and searching for ways to be of help to her family,' the French eatery said on Instagram. Gianna was the pastry chef at the Michelin-starred Jeune et Jolie restaurant near San Diego, California 'She was a huge part of the team. Super creative, super talented, incredibly hardworking,' said the restaurant's owner 'And so, we are doing the one thing we know how to do. We are coming together as a restaurant, and welcoming guests in to celebrate the relationships that give our lives meaning.' Gianna's family has also started a donations page to cover the medical costs. The page has received more than $40,000 of its $225,000 goal. 'Giannas passion for life was evident in her love of family, friends, colleagues and those in need,' the donation page reads. 'She enjoyed volunteering at animal rescue shelters and desired happiness for others above herself. Recognizing, listening and assisting them to get help was important. Her quiet and often spicy resilience, determination, tenacity, intuitive insight and gentleness left a lasting impression on everyone she met. Her crazy sense of humor lit up a room of laughter that was infectious.' The barrister representing convicted baby killer Lucy Letby will tomorrow personally hand-deliver two expert reports he believes will exonerate her to the body investigating whether she has been the victim of a miscarriage of justice. Mark McDonald said he would be presenting the fresh evidence to the Criminal Cases Review Commission, at its headquarters in Birmingham at 12pm. Compiled by an international panel of 14 experts, the first, 698-page report, claims Letbys infant victims were not murdered or deliberately harmed but instead collapsed or died due to natural causes or poor hospital care. It concludes there was no medical evidence to support malfeasance causing death or injury for the 17 children involved in Letbys original trial. Mr McDonald will also hand over a second, 86-page report, which focuses specifically on two of those 17 infants two baby boys Letby was accused of trying to poison with insulin, eight months apart, known as Babies F and L. Both were twins and their brothers were also attacked by Letby, who injected air into their bloodstreams. Baby Fs brother, Baby E was killed but Baby M, the twin of Baby L, miraculously survived after almost 30 minutes of CPR. The former neo-natal nurse, 35, was found guilty in August 2023 of murdering seven children and attempting to murder six more at the Countess of Chester Hospitals neo-natal unit, between June 2015 and June 2016. The jury failed to reach verdicts or cleared her of attempted murder charges relating to another four children following ten months of hearings at Manchester Crown Court. Serial killer Lucy Letby, 35, is serving 15 whole life sentences after being convicted of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven more Image taken from body worn camera footage issued by Cheshire Constabulary of the arrest of Lucy Letby in 2018 Letby, 35, was found guilty in August 2023 of murdering seven children and attempting to murder six more at the Countess of Chester Hospitals neo-natal unit between June 2015 and June 2016. She was subsequently convicted of attempting to murder a baby girl known as Baby K, following a retrial, in July last year She was subsequently convicted of attempting to murder one of those infants, a baby girl known as Baby K, following a retrial, in July last year. Letby is serving 15 whole life terms and has twice tried and failed to appeal her convictions, meaning her only route to freedom now lies with the CCRC. They have confirmed they have assigned commissioners to look into Letbys case but have not put a timescale on how long it will take to evaluate whether it should be referred to the Court of Appeal a third time. According to Mr McDonald, the second report, which focuses on Babies F and L, has been compiled by seven of the world's leading experts in insulin testing, paediatric endocrinology and hyperinsulinism, a condition which causes over-production of insulin and persistent low blood sugar. He said their findings undermine the validity of the assertions made about insulin testing at Letbys original trial and the experts unanimously agree the jury was misled on medical and evidential facts around the testing, which did not meet forensic standards. Peter Hindmarsh, a consultant and specialist in childhood diabetes at Great Ormond Street Hospital and emeritus professor at University College London (UCL), gave evidence at the trial that blood tests from both children proved they had been poisoned with exogenous insulin insulin not produced naturally by their own bodies. Letby also accepted that the babies were poisoned when she gave evidence in the witness box in her defence, although she insisted the insulin had not been administered by her. Mr McDonald said: The fresh evidence I will hand in to the CCRC tomorrow totally undermines the prosecution case at trial. 'This is the largest international review of neonatal medicine ever undertaken, the results of which show Lucy Letby's convictions are no longer safe. Barrister Mark McDonald, during a press conference on February 4 where he announced 'new medical evidence' from an international panel of neonatologists regarding the safety of Lucy Letby's convictions The Countess of Chester Hospital where convicted baby killer Lucy Letby worked The conclusions of the report on Babies F and L clearly demonstrate that the case must go back to the Court of Appeal as a matter of urgency. I hope the CCRC will realise this and refer the case without undue delay. Lucy Letby is currently serving 15 whole life terms in prison, when overwhelming independent expert evidence indicates that no babies were murdered. Earlier this month barristers representing families of Letbys victims criticised Mr McDonalds tactic of calling press conferences, where evidence cannot be as robustly analysed or tested as in a court of law, describing them as publicity stunts designed to help the serial killer control the narrative from prison. Richard Baker KC told the public inquiry investigating Letbys crimes that she has never explained why she chose not to call such evidence at her original trial and said: The only reason why a defendant would choose not to call their own experts to give evidence is because they know that those experts, if tested in court, would be likely to convict them. 'A defendant cannot choose not to call their experts at trial and then ask for permission to roll the dice again when the gamble doesn't pay off. 'That is the definition of "expert shopping". Mr Baker also debunked much of the evidence presented by Mr McDonalds expert panel, whose summary reports on the first seven infants were handed to the media at a press conference in February, saying it was flawed, nothing new and simply a re-hash of evidence already ventilated before the jury. Mr Baker said the panels breadth of expertise was narrower than those experts called to give evidence at trial and pointed out that almost all were neonatologists or paediatricians without the specialisms in pathology or radiology or haematology of those who attended Manchester Crown Court. And he said they didn't appear to have access to all of the available witness statements, for example from the parents, such as the mother of Baby C or Baby I or Baby E, who witnessed Letbys strange behaviour. Letby worked at the Countess of Chester Hospital from 2012 until her arrest in 2018 Supporters of Letby at a rally outside the High Court in London last year In Baby Es case his mother managed to prove with phone records that Letby had altered the medical notes in relation to the timing of the collapse of her son. Mr Baker concluded that focusing simply on the medical evidence and dismissing other important factors, such as Letbys strange behaviour when infants collapsed, her confession notes, her alteration of medical records, her Facebook searches for parents and the fact that many of the babies killed or harmed also had siblings who were attacked, meant the expert panel risked ignoring the bigger picture. The families would think it obvious that when trying to consider evidence as a jury might have done, it is important to look at that evidence as a whole, not in silos, he said. For more exclusive, behind the headlines coverage of the Lucy Letby case, follow the Mails No.1 True Crime series, The Trial, wherever you get your podcasts now. Plus, subscribe for exclusive weekly bonus episodes from The Trial+, the Mails new members-only series - available now. A series of posts featuring podcast episodes from reality star turned influencer Abbie Chatfield will be investigated by the Australian Electoral Commission. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Greens leader Adam Bandt have both shared several social media posts featuring snippets of their interviews on Chatfield's podcast 'It's A Lot'. Mr Albanese shared three posts that will be subject to investigation, including one summing up Labor's Medicare policies while slamming the Coalition over its health policies. His Greens counterpart shared four posts that will be examined. While the episodes featured both politicians light-heartedly speaking about their policies, and taking jabs at Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, the AEC faces the serious task of setting a precedent for new media's role in electoral campaigns. If the AEC finds the social media posts are political content, they will be legally required to carry an authorisation message, as seen on television. A spokesman for the AEC explained traditional media is often excluded from the authorisation message requirement as 'electoral matter' does not include the reporting of news and current affairs, or 'any genuine editorial content'. 'There are many circumstances in which the content produced by social media influencers would meet this definition and be excluded from authorisation requirements, in the same way as editorial or opinion content produced by traditional media would also be exempt,' he told News Corp. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will be subject to an AEC investigation regarding social media posts of his interview with Abbie Chatfield. Pictured are the pair on the podcast Social media posts shared by Greens leader Adam Bandt (pictured left with Chatfield) will also be investigated 'When it comes to any content on social media, the AEC's advice is always 'if in doubt, authorise'.' The use of social media as a tool for politicians to gain popularity with young voters was highlighted by Chatfield on Monday. The podcaster shared her thoughts on Liberal Senator Jane Hume's claim influencers could be cashing in on electoral campaigns. 'We've seen MPs do collaborative posts with influencers,' Senator Hume told a Senate Estimates hearing last week. 'There are some influencers potentially being paid to produce political social media.' Acting electoral commissioner Jeff Pope confirmed he would review at the posts. 'We'd have to look and see whether content was being produced of the own volition of the person who's the influencer or [if there] is another buying, potentially using that as advertising and promotional content,' he told the hearing. Chatfield slammed Senator Hume's comments on her podcast this week and denied receiving any payment for her politically-charged posts. Abbie Chatfield (pictured) has denied receiving any payment for making social content with politicians 'So funny the Liberal Party just can't comprehend maybe younger people, AKA influencers, just f***ing hate the Liberal Party,' she said. 'Their only answer is well, were they paid? I was not paid to post for the Greens. 'There's this like moral panic about influencers in politics as well, this whole idea influencers can't be trusted with something as high brow as politics.' Chatfield has been a outspoken supporter for the Greens and regularly encourages her 532,000 followers to vote for the minor party in the upcoming federal election, which will be held for May 3. 'Share it far and wide to show people the opportunity we have this year to give more power to an alternative party, while still keeping Dutton out,' a recent post read. One of her biggest endorsements for the Greens was when she hosted Mr Bandt's debut DJ gig last month. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese shared three social media posts featuring snippets of his interviews on Chatfield's podcast 'It's A Lot' The show was held at inner-city Fitzroy venue Night Cat and attracted 500 fans. Tickets for the event reportedly sold out in less than 24 hours. Another podcast clip shows Chatfield describing Bandt as an 'incredible leader'. Chatfield has declared multiple times that she has invited the Coalition leader onto her podcast but that Mr Dutton has so far declined. Showing Adolescence in schools could be 'catastrophic' and spur children on to seek out violent content online, a leading victim support organisation has warned. The news comes after it was announced the chilling Netflix drama would be made available for free at secondary schools across Britain. The four-part show has proven a global phenomenon, being viewed almost 100million times since its release, and sparking a nationwide debate on misogyny and online safety for children. It depicts the horrifying story of 13-year-old Jamie Miller who stabs his female classmate to death after becoming sucked into the so-called 'incel' (involuntary celibate) culture. So potent is its story, it led to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer meeting with Adolescence's creators in Downing Street before saying he backed the move to make the 'groundbreaking' series available in schools. But the PM has today been accused of a 'knee-jerk' reaction 'based on fear' by the heads of VictimFocus, who said the Government was trying to seize upon the 'public spectacle' stirred up by Netflix drama. Jaime Shrive and psychologist Dr Jessica Taylor have urged Labour to U-turn on the decision, warning in an open letter that to plough ahead with it risked 'triggering' vulnerable young children and 're-exposing them to trauma'. 'It is very much a knee-jerk reaction,' Ms Shrive, director of VictimFocus, told MailOnline. 'The Government are wanting to home in on the public spectacle Adolescence has caused but all of this is absolutely happening too quickly. Fears have been raised about Adolesence being shown in secondary schools. Pictured is a scene from the Netflix series, showing 'Jamie' (played by star Owen Cooper) being arrested Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has been accused of a 'knee-jerk' reaction by saying he backed the move to have Adolescence shown in schools (the PM is seen on Monday in Downing Street) Jaime Shrive (pictured), director of VictimFocus, warned Adolescence should not be rolled out in schools as it could potentially do more harm than good 'We cant just blanket-roll something like this out to secondary schools, where children as young as 11 will see it. 'We know the damage that may be caused could be potentially catastrophic.' She added: 'Its important that Adolescence has sparked those conversations - and it is an excellent drama... But rolling it out across secondary schools is absolutely the wrong thing to do. Topics like this need to be done in a controlled and thought-through environment, not just rushed up.' VictimFocus is an organisation working internationally with police, government, and professionals to improve responses to abuse, trauma, and violence through 'evidence-based, trauma-informed practice'. The group's letter has been backed by more than 1,000 people. A large number of supporters were parents, teachers, psychologists and therapists who work with children, Ms Shrive said. In it, it warns teachers are 'not equipped or resourced to manage the impact' of showing Adolescence to pupils. Highlighting a 'lack of guidance, structure or testing as an educational resource', the letter warned: 'Teachers are not specialists in male violence, trauma, radicalisation or abuse, and yet they would be expected to handle disclosures, emotional distress, defensive and triggered responses, and controversial discussions following this content. This is neither fair nor safe.' The document continued by claiming there was 'no evidence' that showing 'distressing content' to pupils would lead to a change in behaviour. Campaigners fear some of the content in Adolescence is too risky to show to children in secondary schools. Pictured is a worried-looking Jamie Miller in the show Jamie and his father (played by Stephen Graham, seen right) speak to a solicitor before police interview him over the death of one of his classmates in Adolescence In fact, Ms Shrive and Dr Taylor warned the exact opposite could happen, potentially 'normalising radicalisation rather than preventing it'. 'With Adolescence being shown with no support or guidance, it will cause more curiosity for some children already at risk of racialism,' Ms Shrive told MailOnline. 'The likelihood of them ending up on dangerous sub-Reddits and in Twitter groups could increase and push that radicalisation further.' She continued: 'It is also likely to distress some children. We already know pastoral care and school counsellors are stretched to their maximum capacity. 'We also know a significant amount of children have already faced some form of domestic physical abuse, whether in the family or by peers. If this isnt handled carefully, those children could become triggered and disassociated.' In a post on X, psychologist Dr Jessica Taylor also feared the rollout could cause more harm than good. In a post on X, psychologist Dr Jessica Taylor feared the rollout could cause more harm than good. Psychologist Dr Jessica Taylor (left) and Jaime Shrive (right), head of VictimFocus, have urged Labour to U-turn on the decision 'Whilst it is a fantastic, gritty piece of writing, Adolescence is not an educational resource and is not suitable for schools,' she wrote. 'Teachers cannot be expected to roll this out, and this cannot be a knee jerk response.' The drama explores how online influencers, such as self-described misogynist Andrew Tate, can impact children's views and lead them to violence. Speaking on Monday, Sir Keir admitted he 'found it really hard' to watch the programme with his teenage children, said he supported the decision to make the 'groundbreaking' series available at schools. 'As a father, watching this show with my teenage son and daughter, I can tell you - it hit home hard,' the PM said in a statement after the meeting with co-writer, Jack Thorne. 'As I see from my own children, openly talking about changes in how they communicate, the content they're seeing, and exploring the conversations they're having with their peers is vital.' Showing the series will 'help students better understand the impact of misogyny, dangers of online radicalization and the importance of healthy relationships,' his office added. In the wake of the issues raised by the four-parter, schools are now set to give students anti-misogyny lessons in wake of the show. Adolescence director Philip Barantini has celebrated after it was announced the hit Netflix drama will be made available for free at all schools across Britain Netflix's decision comes after Prime Minister Keir Starmer met with creators of Adolescence at Downing Street on Monday The classes will form part of the Government's new relationships, health and sex education (RHSE) guidance, which will be introduced before the end of the academic year. Though Labour's classroom guidance is still being developed, it is understood to include content to 'support healthy relationships', to 'enable schools to tackle harmful behaviour and ensure that misogyny is stamped out and not allowed to proliferate', an insider source said, the Times reported. From as early as primary school, children will be encouraged to 'express and understand boundaries, handle disappointment and pay attention to the needs and preferences of oneself and others', with content modified for older children to reflect the 'real-life complexities of romantic and sexual relationships', the source added. However, Ms Shrive has insisted Adolescence has no place in the classroom. 'It's commendable the new Government are doing so much in this area around children offending, abuse and toxic masculinity - and I do think its done with a good heart,' she said. 'But rolling Adolescence out to secondary schools is the wrong approach... it should be stopped.' To view VictimFocus's open letter or to sign it, click here. MailOnline has approached the Department for Education for comment. This is the moment police raided a string of Turkish barber shops and seized more than 500,000 in illegal cash during a crackdown on money laundering. Bodycam footage shows officers smashing their way into the businesses, which are increasingly used as fronts by criminal gangs. They seized more than 500,000 in dirty cash and arrested seven people after swooping on 33 premises last month. The raids were carried out by West Mercia Police, together with Trading Standards West Midlands Fire and Rescue, Immigration Enforcement and HMRC. They formed part of Operation Machinize - a crackdown on gangs using barber shops for fraud, money laundering and selling illicit goods. More than over 6 million in criminal assets have been seized in the year it has been underway. It coincides with a broader crackdown by the National Crime Agency, which has overseen dozens of raids in recent months. More than 750 barbers opened in the UK last year despite a broader High Street downturn - raising suspicions that some are being used by gangs. A West Mercia Police officer speaks to a man inside one of the raided Turkish barbers Sniffer dogs were brought along on the raids on the shops, which were allegedly being used as fronts for criminal activity Detective Inspector Dan Fenn, of West Mercia Police's Economic Crime team, said: 'Organised crime groups are opportunistic and exploit legitimate businesses, such as barbershops, to hide their illegal cash flow. 'The high cash turnover of these businesses makes them ideal for disguising illicit activities. 'Our work during Operation Machinize sends a clear message to these crime networks: we will not tolerate criminal activity in our communities. 'Following these warrants, 34 intelligence reports have been submitted, helping to build a stronger intelligence picture and supporting future operations. 'Community intelligence played a key role in this operation. Some of the information used to plan these raids came from public tip-offs. 'That local support is invaluable, and we encourage anyone with information about businesses involved in money laundering to report it.' Drugs expert Gary Carroll, who spent more than 10 years in law enforcement and now gives court testimony on street drug gangs, recently revealed there was a 'copycat' aspect to the exploitation of the Turkish barber format by criminals. 'It's a well trodden path that one crime group will just copy another when they see something is working,' he told MailOnline. Bodycam footage shows officers smashing their way into the barber shops An officer in a police car drives down a high street in the West Midlands before entering a shop They seized more than 500,000 in dirty cash, along with 16,000 and arrested seven people after swooping on 33 premises last month. Pictured is an officer inspecting a document Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Boss Crew Barbers in West London, whose owner was sentenced to 12 years last year for sending 11,000 to ISIS supporters in Syria 'And while we are increasingly moving away from cash as a society, barbers are still predominantly cash based - something they can get away with because the fees they charge are relatively low. 'Then there's the added attraction of this being an unregulated market that isn't monitored by any government body. So there's a lack of enforcement, without the one-off hygiene checks you'd get with food businesses.' Shops marketing themselves as 'Turkish' barbers are often run by other nationalities, including Kurds and Albanians. Even so, Mr Carroll drew a link between the rise of Turkish barber shops and the continuing popularity of heroin trafficked by gangs from the country and elsewhere in Asia. 'When we look at money laundering there's the well established affiliation with Turkish heroin, and the demand for that is certainly not decreasing in the UK,' he said. Traditional Turkish-style barbers are known for stylish haircuts - usually completed with a hot towel and cut-throat razor. But there have long been concerns about criminals infiltrating the trade. In the UK barbers do not have to register as a business with Companies House, with the option to instead operate as a sole trader. Your browser does not support iframes. Barber Hewa Rahimpur, 30, was the lynchpin of a vast cross-Channel people smuggling operation He is seen here being arrested by NCA officers in East London. He was later extradited to Belgium to face trial Some shops also let individual chairs to hairdressers. The arrest of people smuggler Hewa Rahimpur in 2022 was one of the early signs of the dark reality behind the barber shop boom. Rahimpur and his gang of fellow Iranian Kurds were detained on suspicion of bringing 10,000 migrants into Dover from the French coast on small boats. The 30-year-old, who had arrived in the UK illegally and was granted asylum after claiming to have suffered 'political oppression' in his home country, was driving a top-of-the-range Mercedes when he was caught by police. His gang had netted 13million in cash from the crossings and it needed to be laundered somehow, so Rahimpur, a former barber, entered the hairstyling business a few years ago in Camden, North London. He was extradited from the UK to stand trial in Belgium last year and is now serving an 11-year sentence for people-trafficking. In a second high-profile trial, 33-year-old Afghani Gul Wali Jabarkhel was accused of using his barber shop in Colindale, North London, as a base for a smuggling racket in which he tried to recruit lorry drivers to bring migrants to the UK hidden in their cargo. After realising police were watching him, in 2020 Jabarkhel fled to Kabul, Afghanistan. The legitimate face of the trade: Reza Jafari, owns a legitimate Turkish barber shop in Kent and has become fed up with allegations of crime Pictured is the street in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, where Mr Jafari's shop is located Jabarkhel was convicted alongside three others after a trial two years ago at Kingston Crown Court for his role in what the NCA described as a 'ruthless operation when human beings were little more than goods to profit from'. Some salons have also been linked to terrorism, with Tarek Namouz, proprietor of West London hairdresser Boss Crew Barbers, sentenced to 12 years last year for sending 11,000 to Syria to 'purchase weapons and explosives' to use against President Assad's government forces. The barber, who lived above his salon in Hammersmith, boasted to a prison visitor while on remand awaiting trial that he had actually managed to send 25,000 to the ISIS supporters that he was financing. However, growing allegations of criminality relating to barber shops has prompted a backlash among legitimate traders. Last year, Reeza Jafari told MailOnline that he has had enough of those who harbour suspicions about shops like his. The 31-year-old, who runs Pasha in Tunbridge Wells, said: 'People assume that if you own a Turkish barbers then you must have something to hide, that you have these links to organised crime. 'But in most cases, it's not true. We just want to make money and have a livelihood like anyone else. 'But the small number of bad ones are harming the good ones. Those that exist just to launder cash for criminals reflect badly on us all because we get viewed the same way.' A father who appeared on Channel 5 show The Accused has today been jailed for murdering his daughter - 11 years after violently shaking her 'in a moment of anger' as a baby. Kyle Kitchen, 38, assaulted his eight-week-old daughter Primrose Kane in a matter of seconds in November 2014, causing catastrophic injuries, the Old Bailey heard. She suffered a skull fracture from being hit or thrown against a hard surface and brain damage from being shaken, which led to profound disability. Primrose, who was placed in the care of her grandmother, spent years living in agony before she tragically died aged six on May 17 2021. Kitchen was today handed a life sentence with a minimum term of 17 years for a 'moment of anger and frustration' that caused the death of his baby daughter six years later. Following a trial at Blackfriars Crown Court in 2016, Kitchen was jailed for 18 years for two charges of causing Primrose grievous bodily harm with intent. That sentence was reduced to 15 years on appeal. Primrose's mother, Kenzey Kane, 31, was jailed for three-and-a-half years for causing or allowing serious injury to a child by failing to protect her daughter and child cruelty due to her delay in getting medical help. Kitchen had previously appeared on Channel 5 documentary The Accused, which centred around Primrose's mother. Kyle Kitchen, 38, attacked Primrose Kane at their flat in Camden, northwest London, on 3 November 2014 Kitchen was today handed a life sentence with a minimum term of 17 years for a 'moment of anger and frustration' that caused the death of his baby daughter six years later The defendant, who had served six years and nine months in jail for the assaults, was found guilty of Primrose's murder in March following an Old Bailey trial. Mr Justice Murray today jailed him for life with a minimum term of 17 years. He then reduced the time Kitchen must serve before being eligible for parole to seven years, eight months and 12 days to reflect time he has already served in jail, including on remand. The senior judge noted the background of domestic violence and Kitchen's lack of remorse or acceptance of responsibility for Primrose's death. Her injuries were caused as a result of a single act of violence in a 'moment of anger and frustration' lasting a few seconds, he said. The judge added: 'Disastrously, those seconds led to Primrose's catastrophic injuries, led to years of disability and chronic pain and ultimately led to her death at the age of six years and eight months.' In mitigation, Jane Bickerstaff KC said Kitchen 'loved that little girl' and her death was a 'cross he will have to bear for the rest of his life'. She described his relationship with Primrose's mother as 'toxic' but added: 'There are many, many couples who for one reason or another are not as fit as society would like to parent a child - and yet they have children.' The Channel 5 documentary highlighted Kitchen's jealousy of the attention his baby was given by Kenzey. Kane claimed her boyfriend had called their daughter a 'greedy c***' and sent her a text message admitting his daughter was not safe in his care days before the assault in 2014. Kitchen was charged with murder following his daughter's death in 2021. He still denied assaulting his daughter at a trial earlier this year and wept as he told the court he performed CPR on Primrose when she stopped breathing. 'I'd die for my little girl, I swear I don't know what happened,' he said. Kitchen was asked about a post on Kenzey's Facebook page entitled 'my confession about Primrose.' In the post he said: 'She is unwell because I shook her and caused her to stop breathing. Whether intentional or not I can't say. 'I'm a very messed up person and the police can use this as evidence because I don't care because I am going to take my life as soon as I'm convicted because I deserve that. 'I'm a child abuser and Kenzey didn't do nothing to that little girl.' Kitchen (right) had previously appeared on Channel 5 documentary The Accused, which centred around Primrose's mother (left) Primrose suffered a skull fracture from being hit or thrown against a hard surface and brain damage from being shaken, which led to profound disability Kitchen said the post was not true and claimed he made it up because Kenzey's family were accusing him of shaking the baby after expert reports suggested the baby had been shaken. He said: 'The harassment, essentially bullying from multiple parties about new reports which came out with this shaken baby syndrome theory and I'm constantly being bombarded, that's why this message took place. 'I was being bombarded like all the time I'm in very difficult emotional state, I'm homeless going pillar to post in my head being supported by a mental health crisis team.' Wearing a checked shirt, Kitchen showed no emotion as he was jailed for life today. Mr Justice Murray said: 'Unless and until you acknowledge what you did to your daughter we will never know how or precisely when you assaulted Primrose. 'Although Primrose had survived her assault she suffered as a result of her injuries complex and profound disability for the rest of her life. 'She was admitted to hospital several times. 'Her quality of life was very low. He added: 'You have never showed any remorse or accepted responsibility for Primrose's death.' Primrose's mother, Kenzey Kane (pictured), 31, was jailed for three-and-a-half years for causing or allowing serious injury to a child by failing to protect her daughter and child cruelty due to her delay in getting medical help Prosecutor Jenny Burgess said the incident may have arisen as Kitchen became frustrated with being unable to stop Primrose crying. She said Kitchen and Kenzey had disagreements about the care of Primrose and Kitchen felt she did not trust him with the child. Ms Bickerstaff, KC, defending Kitchen, said it is normally 'fatigue or frustration' which causes a parent to 'lose the plot for a few moments'. 'Whilst the harm caused is always at the highest level one can possibly imagine, the culpability of these situations is usually at a relatively low level compared to other types of murder. 'There is usually no premeditation whatsoever and there is no evidence there was here. 'The reason defendants have such trouble admitting and acknowledging what happened is because the consequences are so horrific and it is difficult to accept- and they have to live with it for the rest to their lives. 'He loved that little girl with everything he had and he's had to live with the suffering that she suffered.' She said Kitchen spoke to Primrose on the phone daily while he was in prison. Ms Bickerstaff said Kitchen and Kenzey were 'two immature individuals not entirely equipped, because of their own inadequacies, background and demons, to look after a baby as well as society would expect.' She said it was a 'toxic relationship' on both sides. Ms Bickerstaff said Kitchen has been teaching people English in prison and has been trained by Samaritans to listen to other prisoners when they are going through a tough time. He has recently been diagnosed with ADHD. Prosecutor Jennifer Knight, KC, earlier said Primrose was born on 6 September 2014. 'Kyle Kitchen and Kenzey Kane had been in a relationship for just over a year when Kenzey Kane became pregnant with Primrose. She was their first child. 'It's fair to day that the relationship between was frequently volatile. 'On 29 September 2014, when Primrose was just three weeks old, Kyle Kitchen was arrested and cautioned for common assault following an argument about Primrose's crying, during which Kyle Kitchen slapped Kenzey Kane around the face more than once, while she was holding Primrose. 'In the early weeks of Primrose's life, Kyle Kitchen's grandparents Anne and Ernest Kitchen saw the couple with Primrose on several occasions. 'They noticed that as the weeks progressed, the couple seemed to be getting increasingly irritable with each other and it seemed to them that that Kyle Kitchen liked to be in control of how things were done with Primrose. 'On Sunday 2 November, they spent the day with Kenzey Kane and Primrose. 'Anne Kitchen noticed that Kenzey seemed a bit flustered and rather disorganised, which she said was unusual. 'Once Kenzey Kane arrived home, she and Kyle Kitchen were alone with their daughter Primrose for the rest of 2 November 2014. 'At 05.54am on 3 November 2014 Kenzey Kane called 111. 'She told the call handler that Primrose had been twitching her head and making odd movements and sounds during the night and she said that she was now very floppy and they couldn't wake her up. 'During that call Kyle Kitchen can be heard in the background telling Kenzey Kane that Primrose has got blood around her nose and that she isn't breathing. 'The call handler began to give instructions for CPR and paramedics arrived at 06.03am and found Primrose floppy and unresponsive. She was not breathing and she had a very slow heart rate. 'The paramedics began resuscitation, but Primrose remained unconscious. 'She was taken to the Royal Free Hospital and on arrival there, Primrose was received and treated by the paediatric team in the emergency department. 'They continued resuscitation and succeeded in restoring her heart rate. Primrose was intubated, ventilated and sedated. 'A CT scan was performed which revealed a skull fracture in the left parietal area with associated soft tissue swelling. 'Kyle Kitchen and Kenzey Kane were informed that Primrose had suffered a serious brain injury, but neither offered any explanation of Primrose's injuries. Kenzey Kane said 'it's not like we knocked her or anything'. Primrose was transferred to Great Ormond Street Hospital and further scans found extensive injuries to the head. She was discharged on December 16 2014 and placed in the care of her grandmother Maria Kane. Primrose's injuries left her with complex and profound ongoing neuro-disability. 'she was a gravely disabled child from the time that she was injured,' said the prosecutor. 'A large multi-disciplinary team of health care professionals was needed to manage Primrose's condition.' Experts found Primrose's injuries were non-accidental and had been caused by 'vigorous shaking combined with an impact with some kind of unyielding surface or object that had fractured her skull.' Kitchen and Kane were arrested on November 4 2014 and stood trial at Blackfriars Crown Court two years later. Kitchen was convicted of two offences of causing grievous bodily harm with intent relating to Primrose's fractured skull and brain injuries. He was jailed for 18 years in 2015 for causing GBH with intent to Primrose which was reduced to 15 years on appeal in 2016. He served seven and a half years and was about to be released when he was re-arrested and returned to jail when Primrose died. Kane was convicted of causing or allowing serious injury to a child and child cruelty and jailed for three-and-a-half years. Primrose had developed multiple neuro-developmental and physical problems including cognitive delay, cerebral palsy and an inability to communicate verbally. In 2016 the severity of her condition led to the implementation of a do-not-resuscitate order. 'Despite her profound disability, Primrose was educated at Willow Dene School in Plumstead, a special school for children with complex learning and developmental needs from the age of nearly three-years-old until her death. 'Primrose's Head Teacher Rachel Harrison described Primrose as a characterful child. 'In late April 2021 Primrose was admitted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital with a chest infection. She was treated with antibiotics and allowed to return home the following day. 'By May 2021 she seemed to have recovered from her chest infection. 'Maria Kane noticed that her breathing had deteriorated but she thought that was due to the progression of Primrose's, by now very severe, scoliosis which impeded her lung function. 'On the night of 16 May 2021, Primrose slept with Maria Kane in her double-bed as usual. 'A little after midnight Maria Kane gave Primrose her nebuliser and the pair fell asleep at about 1am. 'Just before 5am on 17 May 2021, Maria Kane awoke and she immediately noticed that Primrose was quiet and not breathing in her usually noisy, laboured way. 'Touching her face Maria Kane found that Primrose was cold and realised that she was not breathing. 'Paramedics attended but due to the DNR order in place, they made no attempt at resuscitation.' Kitchen has convictions for burglaries and theft between 2008 and 2016. Kitchen, previously of Queens Crescent, Camden, denied but was convicted of murder. Three people have been injured in Iraq after a man armed with an axe attacked a parade hosted by Assyrian Christians as they marked their new year, officials said. The event in, held every year on April 1, drew thousands of Assyrians who marched through Dohuk in northern Iraq waving flags and wearing colourful traditional clothes. But witnesses of Wednesday's horror said an attacker, who has not been officially identified, ran towards the crowd chanting Islamic slogans before carrying out his stabbing spree. He brutally struck three people with the axe before being overpowered by participants and security forces. Videos circulating online show him pinned to the ground by a brave member of public, as he repeatedly shouted: 'Islamic State, the Islamic State remains.' A 17-year-old boy and a 75-year-old woman suffered skull fractures following the viscous attack at the annual parade. A member of the local security forces, who was operating a surveillance drone, was also wounded. All three were taken to hospital, local security officials said. At the hospital where her 17-year-old son Fardi was being treated after suffering a skull injury, Athraa Abdullah told The Associated Press that the teenager had gone to the parade with his friends. An unnamed attacker brutally struck three people with an axe before being overpowered by participants and security forces The man had been chanting Islamic slogans while carrying out his stabbing spree in Iraq The attacker had been carrying an axe through the crowd and left three people injured by the weapon Revellers were seen fleeing the scene as the attacker made his way through the crowds with an axe. Three people were left inured He was sending photos from the celebrations shortly before his friends called to say he had been attacked, she said. Ms Abdullah, whose family was displaced when so-called Islamic State (IS) militants swept into their area in 2014, said: 'We were already attacked and displaced by IS, and today we faced a terrorist attack at a place we came to for shelter.' Janet Aprem Odisho, whose 75-year-old mother Yoniyah Khoshaba was injured, said they had been shopping near the parade when the attack happened. 'He was running at us with an axe,' she said. 'All I remember is that he hit my mother, and I ran away when she fell. He had already attacked a young man who was bleeding in the street, then he tried to attack more people.' Her family, originally from Baghdad, was also displaced by past violence and now lives in Ain Baqre village near the town of Alqosh. Assyrians faced a wave of hate speech and offensive comments on social media following the attack. Ninab Yousif Toma, a political bureau member of the Assyrian Democratic Movement (ADM), condemned the regional government in northern Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdish region and asked Iraqi federal authorities to address extremist indoctrination. 'We request both governments to review the religious and education curriculums that plant hate in people's heads and encourage ethnic and religious extremism,' he said. Assyrian revellers dressed in traditional clothing attend 'Akitu,' the Assyrian New Year celebrations, in Dohuk, Iraq, Tuesday, April 1, 2025 Three people were stabbed during the parade on Wednesday. Pictured: A scouts marching band performs during 'Akitu,' the Assyrian New Year celebrations, in Dohuk 'This was obviously an inhumane terrorist attack.' However, he said that the Assyrian community had celebrated their new year, known as Akitu, in Duhok since the 1990s without incidents of violence and acknowledged the support of local Kurdish Muslim residents. 'The Kurds in Duhok serve us water and candy even when they are fasting for Ramadan. This was likely an individual, unplanned attack, and it will not scare our people,' he said, adding that the community was waiting for the results of the official investigation and planned to file an official lawsuit. 'The Middle East is governed by religion, and as minorities, we suffer double because we are both ethnically and religiously different from the majority,' he said. 'But we have a cause, and we marched today to show that we have existed here for thousands of years. This attack will not stop our people.' Despite the attack, Assyrians continued the celebrations of the holiday, which symbolises renewal and rebirth in Assyrian culture as well as resilience and continuous existence as an indigenous group. At one point, as the injured teenager was rushed to the hospital, some participants wrapped his head in an Assyrian flag, which was later lifted again in the parade - stained with blood but held high as a symbol of resilience. An Illinois mom who lost all three of her children in a house fire has revealed they spent their final moments crying out for her. Josephine Beauchane has been left stricken by the deaths of her one-year-old son Xander and two-year-old twins, Jayden and Kayden. The tots died after a massive fire broke out at their grandmother's house in Carpentersville on Sunday. 'They were crying for mama and trying to find out where mama was, and mama was racing over here to find out if they were okay,' Beauchane told Fox8 Live. 'These were my kids, my life, my story, and now they're gone.' Xander and Jayden perished in the blaze, while Kayden died later in the hospital. 'I felt his heart stop,' Beauchane added. 'I watched as he took his last breath, and had to sit there and listen as the doctors told me they wouldn't be able to save him anymore.' The fire, which broke out in the basement, was so strong it had engulfed the home by the time firefighters arrived. An Illinois mom who lost all three of her children in a house fire has revealed they spent their final moments crying out for her. Pictured: Xander, one, who perished in the blaze Xander was killed along with his two-year-old twin brothers Jayden and Kayden The boys' grandmother tried desperately to save them, but was overcome by thick smoke. 'She tried so hard to save those kids,' their great-grandmother Christina Castillo said. 'She kept running into the house trying to find those children. 'She could not find them, the smoke was too strong.' Their grandmother is expected to recover, but has lost her home as well as her grandchildren. 'Don't leave without saying goodbye because you won't know if it's your last time, Beauchane said. A friend of the family has since set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for the boys' funerals. 'It's never easy losing your children, and it's a pain that will never ease,' Daphney Lewis said. 'Jayden, Kayden and Xander will be greatly missed. Josephine Beauchange's children died after a massive fire broke out at their grandmother's house in Carpentersville on Sunday Their grandmother escaped and is expected to recover, but has lost her home along with her grandchildren 'I am asking all with hearts to give what they can to help these young parents with proper burial arrangements for their three precious baby boys.' A memorial which has been set up for the brothers has attracted dozens of tributes and gifts. The fire service said that the cause of the blaze is under investigation and will take time to determine. 'Upon arrival, the crews had fire coming out of all four windows of the building here,' Carpentersville Fire Chief William Anaszewicz told Cafe Mom. 'So, their immediate response was to try to put the fire out, and then initiate the searches, then made it in through the front door, and were able to take two of the older victims out, and then conducted the searches in the lower level, where the children were reported.' The Royal Family has been targeted by 35 deranged stalkers assessed as likely to do serious harm in the last three years. Protection officers have identified almost 500 potential stalkers during this timeframe. And the number posing the highest level of risk has risen by almost 50 per cent, from 24 during the previous three years to 35, according to figures from Scotland Yard. The forces Fixated Threat Assessment Centre found the number of potential stalkers had risen from 433 to 480 during this time. The potential threats had been pinpointed by the Metropolitan Polices Royalty and Specialist Protection team, responsible for protecting government ministers as well as members of the Royal Family. In 2023, a crossbow-wielding fanatic was jailed for nine years for treason after arriving at Windsor Castle on Christmas 2021 and telling police he was here to kill the Queen. Supermarket worker Jaswant Singh Chail, who was 21 at the time, said he had been encouraged by his artificial intelligence girlfriend chatbot and was detained under the Mental Health Act. Jaswant Singh Chail was arrested at the official royal residence on Christmas Day and said he planned to kill the Queen Chail had been wielding a crossbow and said he had been encouraged to kill the monarch by his AI chatbot girlfriend The Duchess of Sussex has been subject to multiple disgusting threats against her life, former Met assistant commissioner Neil Basu has previously revealed. Many of the threats were deemed credible, he added, and would have left Meghan feeling under threat all the time. Former head of the Mets Royal Protection Command, Dai Davies, told the Mirror: Unfortunately there will always be deranged people who want to do harm to the Royal Family. The difficult job for the police is determining which of them have the means and determination to go through with any plan. There are probably 50 to 100 people they are currently monitoring who they feel could pose a significant risk. Quite often these people will be mentally unwell and some will be quite unsophisticated. Its not unknown that these people will be so obsessed they have written to the object of their fixation and revealed their own name and address. Experts warned that the Royals are targeted by a wide range of individuals, including Islamic terrorists, far-right activists and lone fanatics He added: These [pinpointed risks] are only the ones that have been brought to the attention of the authorities. There may be many more lurking in the shadows. It is impossible for the police to be 100 per cent confident of weeding out all the people who might want to harm the Royal Family. Experts warned that the Royals are targeted by a wide range of individuals, including Islamic terrorists, far-right activists and lone fanatics. In 2021, a woman triggered a major security alert when she was found wandering around Prince Andrews Windsor home claiming she had arranged to meet him for lunch. She had been waved into the grounds by bungling guards who even paid her taxi fare, but was later detained under the Mental Health Act. The five-year-old daughter of a Georgia state trooper who was set to start kindergarten this year has died of an 'unexpected medical illness,' according to the state's Police Benevolent Association. Sergeant Royce Zah and his wife Brittany said goodbye to their daughter, Navi, on March 28 after she spent days fighting for her life in the hospital. Navi died at the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta surrounded by her family, according to the police benefit organization. 'Sgt. Zah is a respected member of the Patrol and a 13-year veteran. His family has always stood as a pillar of strength and service to others. Now, they are facing a loss no parent should ever endure,' the organization wrote. The Police Benevolent Foundation has begun a donation fund for the Zah, his wife and their two surviving daughters. Another fundraiser started on behalf of the family has already raised more than $25,000 toward its $30,000 goal. Those who want to donate also have the option to provide a meal or groceries. Brittany made her first post on Facebook about Navi's sudden illness on March 25. Five days later, she shared the awful news. 'This is the hardest thing weve ever had to say or do but our beautiful, precious, purist baby girl Navi was given her wings and went home with Jesus on Friday, March 28 at 7:04 pm,' the grieving mother wrote on March 30. Sergeant Royce Zah is pictured with his five-year-old daughter Navi, who died in the hospital last week from a sudden illness Navi is survived by her two older sisters, her father and her mother, Brittany Brittany (pictured next to her Sergeant Zah) said doctors believed Navi developed sepsis, a serious, life-threatening condition for children especially 'Thank you for all the love and support, it means the world to us and would love for everyone to join us for her celebration of life once we figure it out. Love you all,' she concluded. Brittany said that following a CT scan, doctors told her Navi's white blood cell count was elevated, which led them to believe she was suffering from sepsis. After this, Navi was transported to Arthur M. Blank Hospital, a new 19-story medical facility in northeast Atlanta. Specifically, she was transported to the cardiac intensive care unit because doctors were worried about her heart function. On March 28 at 11:28am, less than eight hours before Navi would pass away, Brittany wrote: 'We need a miracle today. Our girl is fighting hard and we we need a miracle.' Sepsis kills roughly 7,000 children a year in the United States, according to the Children's Hospital Association. And as many as 75,000 children are hospitalized for the condition annually. 'Sepsis is the immune system overreacting to an infection of any kind. It can spread rapidly in childrens small bodies,' according to the association. 'Children with compromised immune systems, like hematology and oncology patients, are particularly susceptible to sepsis.' The window for diagnosing sepsis in children is incredibly short, only one to four hours, which makes it crucial that it is spotted early. An Ohio woman has said she can no longer smile after an unlicensed dentist badly cracked and damaged her teeth, leaving her in excruciating pain. Nylah Martin said she paid more than $3,000 for composite veneers in February at The Smile Lounge in Shaker Heights, a streetcar suburb about nine miles east of Cleveland. However, days after the procedure, Martin realized the treatment had dramatically re-shaped her teeth - and not in the way she had envisaged. 'I was having breakage and having them fall off,' she told Cleveland 19 News. Martin returned to the clinic to get the damage fixed. But the procedures became increasingly painful each time she went back. 'It was hurting. Almost excruciating. She was like drilling through my teeth,' Martin said. She now has one cracked tooth and several others damaged. 'I don't want to smile anymore. I don't want to go anywhere. It is very embarrassing,' she said. According to online court records, Jazemen Lyons is the owner and operator of The Smile Lounge. Ohio woman Nylah Martin (pictured) has said she can no longer smile after an unlicensed dentist badly cracked and damaged her teeth, leaving her in excruciating pain Martin said she paid more than $3,000 for composite veneers in February at The Smile Lounge in Shaker Heights, a streetcar suburb of Cleveland. (Pictured: Martin before the procedure) She has been accused of unknowingly offering dental services without a license, according to the Ohio Dental Board. Investigators with the board determined that Lyons did not possess a certified dental license. It's unclear why she has been able to continue practicing. 'Lyons noted she received her dental assistant certificate in Colombia (the country)', court records state. Martin said she has filed complaints with the state dental board in the hopes the clinic is dealt with. She had a messaged for Lyons. 'Stop practicing. You've wasted money, people's time. You are portraying yourself to be a real dentist and you are not,' she said. Days after the procedure, Martin realized the treatment had dramatically re-shaped her teeth - and not in the way she had envisaged. (Pictured: Martin's teeth now) According to online court records, Jazemen Lyons is the owner and operator of The Smile Lounge (pictured) in Shaker Heights, a streetcar suburb of Cleveland, Ohio It follows the arrest of a New York woman who allegedly ran at least two dental practices without a license and seriously injured several patients. Yolany Y. Mejia Carranza, 55, was running a 'fully functioning illegal dental office' out of her home in Bay Shore, a town in central Long Island, according to a statement from the Suffolk County Police Department. The police commissioner, Kevin Catalina, told reporters that the .investigation into Carranza began when detectives received multiple tips from people claiming she had injured patients. One patient of hers suffered 'severe nerve damage that led to partial facial paralysis,' Catalina said at a press conference. Detectives believe that Carranza also once had a fake dental practice in Huntington Station, which is about a 30-minute car ride from Bay Shore. 'She did not use anesthesia, but she used a local anesthesia, but no one was getting the anesthesia for the complex dental procedures she was doing,' Catalina said. 'She was a full-service dentist.' Police say her illegal practice has been operating for eight years, adding that her clientele were mostly low-income people who lacked dental insurance. She accepted cash for her work, police said. 'We think she was targeting the Hispanic community, mostly people who did not have health insurance and many of whom may have been in the country illegally,' Catalina said. 'I think her patients were in grave danger.' Yolany Y. Mejia Carranza, 55, was allegedly running a 'fully functioning illegal dental office.' Police said she's been doing this for eight years from two different locations on Long Island, New York Suffolk County Police detectives took this picture of the dentist office inside her home in Bay Shore on the day of her arrest on Thursday The dental office was found inside this home. Neighbors who spoke to local media said the Carranza never mentioned doing dental work Because detectives believe Carranza has other victims that aren't yet known about, Catalina promised that officers would not ask anyone who comes forward about their immigration status. Carranza was arrested at her Bay Shore home at 3:15pm on Thursday, ABC 7 reported. During the raid of the home, police discovered antibiotics that were ordered from overseas. Alfredo Valle, Carranza's neighbor, said he saw 15 police cars show up at her home, adding that he hoped anyone who used her services is okay. Another neighbor, Steve Contreras told CBS New York that Carranza was a 'normal neighbor' and never mentioned to him that she was doing any dental work. Carranza has been charged with three counts of Unauthorized Practice of a Profession, a class E felony. Class E felonies, the lowest level of felonies, have a maximum sentence of four years in prison, according to New York law. Carranza has pleaded not guilty to the charges and has surrendered her passport. She is due back in court on April 1. The judge has ordered her to stay away from one of the patients who is acting as a witness. When planning a vacation, most travelers map out their itinerary in immense detail, pack more clothes than they'll likely need, and research the safest neighborhoods and best bars and restaurants to visit. However, very few consider taking steps to safeguard themselves from carbon monoxide poisoning in their hotels or Airbnb rentals, and that, according to Kris Hauschildt, founder of the Jenkins Foundation, needs to change urgently. Hauschildt established the Jenkins Foundation after her parents, Daryl and Shirley Jenkins, died from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning at a hotel in Boone, North Carolina, in April 2013. She now advocates for CO detector reform in the hotel and rental sectors and educates travelers on the dangers the 'silent killer' gas poses. CO poisoning claims the lives of more than 400 Americans each year and sickens over 100,000 others, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows. What makes the gas so dangerous is how difficult it is to detect, Hauschildt told DailyMail.com. Carbon monoxide has no odor, taste, or color. Symptoms of CO poisoning are almost as difficult to spot as the condition can often mimic other illnesses, such as the flu or food poisoning, which travelers are often reluctant to seek treatment for, Hauschildt added. Two suspected CO fatalities involving American tourists abroad have unfolded within just the last few weeks. Miller Gardner, the 14-year-old son of former New York Yankees star Brett Gardner, was found dead in a hotel room in Costa Rica last month in a tragedy local authorities have tentatively suggested bears the hallmarks of CO poisoning. Three women on vacation in San Pedro, Belize - Kaoutar Naqqad, 23, Imane Mallah, 24, and Wafae El Arar, 26 - were similarly found dead in their room at the Royal Kahal Beach Resort in late February, having succumbed to CO. Hauschildt said she is always anguished to learn of new carbon monoxide-related fatalities, adding it's 'heartbreaking to see this continue to happen when it's so easily preventable.' 'I've been following this issue for the last 12 years, and it's such a misunderstood problem, and it's something most travelers aren't even aware of,' she said. 'We have no human ability to detect the toxin itself, so we as travelers must educate ourselves on how to best protect against it wherever you travel, whether that's to a hotel, a vacation rental, or even a relative's home.' Kris Hauschildt, founder of the Jenkins Foundation, lost her parents Daryl and Shirley Jenkins to carbon monoxide poisoning in 2013 Brett Gardner's son Miller, 14, died suddenly while on vacation in Costa Rica on March 21 Kaoutar Naqqad, 23, Imane Mallah, 24, and Wafae El Arar, 26, of Revere, Massachusetts, were found dead in Belize on February 22 Carbon monoxide poisoning occurs when CO fumes are inhaled in large quantities, starving the body of oxygen, which can cause damage to the brain, heart, and other vital organs. Typical side-effects include headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, vomiting, weakness, chest pain, and confusion. CO is produced from burning fuels, including gasoline, wood, propane, or charcoal, meaning accidental poisonings often caused by malfunctioning appliance systems like heaters, air conditioning units, and generators. Victims are most vulnerable when they're sleeping, Hauschildt said. In Miller Gardner's case, local officials reported on Monday that a 'machine room' adjacent to the family's hotel room had suffered an unknown contamination and tested positive for high concentrations of the gas. The hotel has refuted the authorities' findings, and Gardner's family is waiting on a toxicology report to confirm the teenager's cause of death. In Belize, officials said they believe the deaths of Naqqad, Mallah, and El Arar were caused by a malfunctioning water heater inside the women's room. Two tourists who stayed at the Royal Kahal in the days after the three women were found dead, believe they were also sickened by CO and told DailyMail.com that - while relieved to have escaped the same grisly fate - they feel 'stupid' for not connecting the dots earlier and taking more evasive action to protect themselves. Hauschildt said the best way to ensure your safety is to travel with a portable carbon monoxide detector, and familiarise yourself with the device before setting off on your trip. 'The only way to know you're in the presence of carbon monoxide is with a detection device, so it's essention you travel with one so you can be make aware, get out of the environment you're in, and call 911, particularly if you're in a public building, to prevent death and injury to anyone else. 'We like to think that when we're staying in hotels or other public buildings, that we're safe and protections are already in place, but the lack of regulation for installing CO detectors is a huge problem, so it's important to take fate into your own hands.' Hauschildt added: 'This really is a universal problem, and it needs to be recognized as a universal problem. 'We need to stop treating this as though carbon monoxide behaves differently when it's in a different kind of building. 'Carbon monoxide behaves very predictably, and the best remedy to thwart it is installing CO detection in the appropriate places - and enforcing those rules no matter where in the world they are.' Three women were found dead in the above hotel room at the Royal Kahal Beach Resort. A malfunctioning water heater is believed to have been the source of toxic levels of CO The women died from acute pulmonary edema, a build-up of fluid in the lungs. Each of the women registered carbon monoxide saturation levels of around 60 percent The Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort in Manuel Antonio, where Miller Gardner was found dead, has denied CO caused his death A private celebration of life will be held for Miller at an undisclosed later date The two tourists who stayed at the Royal Kahal after the deaths of Naqqad, Mallah, and El Arar, who DailyMail.com is identifying under the pseudonyms 'Jane' and 'Alice', said they travelled with a CO detector but were unsure how to properly use it. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends keeping a portable detector near 'sleeping areas' within a hotel or rental property and ensuring the alarm is loud enough to wake you from your sleep. Hauschildt said, even if a hotel or rental has carbon monoxide detectors installed, it's still important to bring your own abroad because the country of your destination may not have appropriate safety measures in place. After the deaths of the three women in Belize made headlines back in the U.S., Jane and Alice reached out to the Royal Kahal, asking if it was still safe for them to stay at the beachfront resort. On February 25, a concerned Jane reached out to the hotel on Facebook asking, Is it safe to come? messages shared with DailyMail.com show. In response, a representative identified as Daniel assured her there are no safety issues at the Royal Kahal and the sad incident involving Naqqad, Mallah, and El Arar was out of their control. While we are still waiting on the authorities to formally release their findings, all signs indicate that this was a drug overdose, wrote Daniel. As unfortunate as these circumstances are, there is nothing the hotel couldve done to prevent these deaths. The hotel representative also assured Jane the Royal Kahal had smoke and CO detectors in every suite in the hotel, adding: 'rest assured that you will have nothing to worry about in regard to your stay.' Alice sent a similar note to the hotel but never received a response. The two women, along with a group of friends, decided to go ahead with the trip and arrived on the island of San Pedro on March 1 - one week after Naqqad, Mallah, and El Arar were found dead. Almost immediately, they realized something was off, Jane and Alice said. Though the staff were welcoming, there were signs plastered all over saying the hotel would be conducting smoke detector tests the following day between 9 am and 3 pm. The women never heard any alarm tests being conducted, but when they returned home on the second day of their trip, they found that all of the smoke detectors inside their room had been removed from the wall. At the time, the investigations into the deaths of Naqqad, Mallah, and El Arar, were still ongoing, though local officials had publicly ruled out the possibility of CO poisoning, claiming initial tests found nothing untoward at the resort. Excerpts from a text exchange between Jane and a representative of Royal Kahal show the hotel assuring Jane's safety, insisting the women's deaths were caused by a drug overdose Curious as to why the detectors were removed, Alice called the front desk to ask whether they should reinstall them, but were told no and instructed to leave them on the counter where they remained for the rest of their stay. Then, on March 5th, and for the majority of the 6th, the gas and hot water were switched off. The gas was cut off for a second time on March 8th. In light of what has happened since, the women believe the gas and water being shut off was an attempt by the hotel to get a handle on the dangerous CO levels present inside the resort that local authorities would later reportedly discover. 'I really wish we'd questioned it more at the time, but we honestly weren't thinking that anything was wrong,' said Alice. 'It was a nice hotel, and you don't go on vacation thinking I'm not going to wake up the next day because of carbon monoxide poisoning or something weird. 'I mean, we already know not to drink the tap water or be careful eating certain foods along the street, so we weren't completely naive. 'But we were told the hotel was the newest on the island, and had all of the most up-to-date stuff, and they charged so much for the suite, we just presumed it was safe.' Five days into the trip, Jane suffered a scare. She awoke early in the morning to find her left leg had gone completely numb, and she was also experiencing dizziness, blurred vision, and a headache. When she attempted to get up to go to the restroom, Jane said she collapsed to the floor where she stayed for almost 40 minutes, unable to move. After, she spent the next three hours seated next to an open window before she was finally able to walk uninhibited again. Jane's symptoms persisted for a week after she returned home, she claimed. Alice and other friends on the trip were also experiencing strange symptoms, including blurred vision, fatigue, and recurring headaches - all of which are textbook signs of carbon monoxide poisoning. 'My symptoms weren't as bad [as Jane's], mine were mostly headaches and my blurred vision,' said Alice. 'It was so bad, I remember telling my husband I needed to find my glasses and he told me they were already on my face.' Daryl and Shirely Jenkins, died from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning at a hotel in Boone, North Carolina , in April 2013. Weeks after, a mom and son checked into the same room and were also killed The women's families paid tribute to each of them in a heartfelt statement on Monday It wasn't until returning home, and in the wake of a series of reports by DailyMail.com, that the two women linked their symptoms to possible carbon monoxide poisoning. They just believed they were suffering from the usual fatigue that can come with traveling abroad and spending too much time in the sun. Alice had brought with her a portable carbon monoxide detector but said she was unsure how to use it, having not tested it out before they set off. She kept the detector in her bedroom, which was situated the furthest away from the suite's kitchen and water heater. Alice said she was getting ready one morning when she looked down and said 'three digits' visible on the CO detector's reader. 'I can't remember if it was in the hundreds, two hundreds, or three hundreds, or what,' said Alice. 'But it was only after I got back home, unpacked my bag, and saw that it read 0 that I realized something had been wrong [at the hotel]. 'I feel so stupid now, because we should've known better. But we were told the other guests had died from an overdose, so we weren't even thinking about carbon monoxide.' It was a text message from the U.S. Embassy on March 7th, the last night of their trip, that really unnerved Jane, Alice, and their friends. The group had been out on a booze cruise around the island and returned to shore to a series of missed calls and a message urging them to call the embassy back 'ASAP'. A male friend called and was told that it was in their best interest to leave the hotel and find somewhere else to stay for the night. When the male friend asked why, the embassy refused to elaborate, sharing only that it was in the best interests of their safety. The Royal Kahal reopened for business on March 19 Naqqad, 23, (left) had aspirations to become a police officer. Imane Mallah, 24, (right) was remembered as her family's 'greatest love' El Arar (above) was remembered as 'honest, kind, and deeply devoted to the people she loved' Jane, Alice, and their group returned to the hotel to find several individuals wearing suits standing in the lobby of the hotel. One of the individuals, who Jane believes was Royal Kahals general manager, informed them the hotel would be shutting down for the week - but they had the option to stay for their final night if they felt safe to do so. Having been out drinking all day and with nowhere else to go at such short notice, the group decided to stay at the hotel. They were the only guests on the property that night and flew back to the U.S. the next day. Alice said she followed up with the embassy when she returned home and was informed that several of the hotels rooms were found to contain high levels of carbon monoxide. The embassy declined to comment, referring DailyMail.com to local authorities who fielded multiple requests for comment. In the weeks since, a toxicology report has confirmed Naqqad, Mallah, and El Arar all died from acute pulmonary edema, a build-up of fluid in the lungs, that was triggered by a toxic exposure to carbon monoxide. Local police believe a malfunctioning water heater in the womens room caused their deaths. Each of the women registered carbon monoxide saturation levels of around 60 percent. Saturation levels of 40 percent are enough to cause death. In a statement to DailyMail.com, a spokesperson for Royal Kahal called the deaths an 'isolated incident' and shared the hotel has since reopened for business. While the cause of this tragedy has not been officially released by authorities, we are hearing indications that the results of the toxicology report will point to carbon monoxide poisoning as the cause of death, the statement, dated March 26, read. 'From the time this isolated tragedy was discovered, we have been taking all possible steps to ensure that the Resort is safe, and it has been reopened for guests since March 19. We have worked with the Belizean government, and authorities have conducted multiple careful assessments of every unit on the property. These assessments have found no further indication of dangerous levels of carbon monoxide in any of the units. This tragedy has deeply affected all of us at the Royal Kahal Beach Resort. Our thoughts remain with the families and loved ones of the young women during this incredibly difficult time. Miller Gardner (second right) died suddenly while on a vacation with dad Brett (right), mom Jessica (second left) and older brother Hunter, 16 (left) The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in the womens home state of Massachusetts is conducting a second autopsy on the three women, which remains ongoing. The hotel has not commented on Jane and Alice's claims. A review posted to the hotel's TripAdvisor page also complained of 'dangerously high' levels of CO from a guest who stayed at the hotel in February. Jane and Alice say they feel incredibly lucky to have escaped with only minor symptoms, but their hearts break for the families of Naqqad, Mallah, and El Arar. Their hearts also break for Miller Gardner's family. 'It's just all so tragic,' said Jane. A doctor accused of trying to kill his nuclear engineer wife in Hawaii tried to cover his face as he was transferred for his first court appearance. Gerhardt Konig, 46, allegedly tried to push his 36-year-old wife Arielle Konig off a cliff before he hit her in the head with a rock and attempted to inject her with an unknown substance atop the scenic Pali Lookout in Oahu. Konig was indicted on attempted second-degree murder charges on Friday by a grand jury. He is now locked up at the Oahu Community Correctional Center in Honolulu while his wife is recovering at The Queen's Medical Center with her mother by her side. Arielle told police that during the terrifying attack, the anesthesiologist grabbed her by the arms and started pushing her toward the edge of a cliff before attempting to inject her with a syringe. The couple was in Oahu to celebrate Arielle's birthday while their sons, ages 2 and 4, stayed at their $1.5million Maui home with a nanny and family. Arielle said Konig suggested they go on a hike in Honolulu that she described as having 'narrow ridge sections with steep drop-offs on both sides.' 'During the hike, I became uneasy and informed Gerhardt that I did not want to continue,' she said. 'Gerhardt hiked a little further and then came back to get me.' She then climbed a tree so that her husband could take a photo of her, while he held her phone and hiking bag. He then reportedly suggested taking a photo near the edge of a cliff. Dr Gerhardt Konig tried to cover his face as he was transferred to face charges of second-degree attempted murder last week Konig has been accused of trying to push his wife Arielle off a scenic Hawaiian hiking trail The doctor was officially indicted on second-degree attempted murder charges on Friday 'I asked him to move so that I could move away from the cliff, because I was feeling dizzy,' she said. He moved. The renowned anesthesiologist, 46, can be seen looking disheveled in his booking photo Later, he grabbed her by her upper arms and started pushing her toward the cliffs edge while yelling that he was sick of her, Arielle said. 'At first I thought he was joking, but I quickly realized he was seriously trying to make me fall off the cliff,' she added. They began wrestling and she screamed and pleaded for him to stop, fearing for her life, the petition said. During the struggle, she said he grabbed his bag and took out a syringe and tried to inject her. 'I do not know what was in the syringe, but Gerhardt is an anesthesiologist and has access to several potentially lethal medications as part of his employment,' she said. Konig then appeared to calm down, but then grabbed a nearby rock and 'began bashing me repeatedly on the head with it,' she said. The beauty spot is located more than 1,000ft above the coastline and offers stunning views of the Koolau cliffs and Windward Coast Two women on the trail saw what was happening and said they were calling 911. The women helped Arielle down the trail while Konig went in another direction. An ambulance took her to a hospital and her husband was arrested that evening. Arielle said Konig called one of his adult children from a previous marriage on FaceTime while still covered in blood. The doctor then allegedly told his son,' I just tried to kill Ari, but she got away.' In a petition for a restraining order, Arielle said that in December, Konig accused her of having an affair, 'which led to extreme jealously on his part.' They have been in therapy and counseling since, she said. Arielle said Konig 'has sexually abused and assaulted me over the last few months,' according to court documents obtained by DailyMail.com. A judge signed an order Friday that says Konig must stay away from his wife and their children. Gerhardt Konig's alleged brutal attack on his wife Arielle occurred on her 36th birthday, DailyMail.com has learned, while they were on a hike near Oahu's scenic Pali Lookout Friends of the couple have been left stunned by Konig's arrest, with some neighbors saying they saw no sign of trouble between the two Gerhardt was previously married to sex worker Jessica Patella; The two married when they they were both just 20 and stayed married for over 15 years, sharing two children. Neighbors said the Konigs appeared to be a happy family who rarely socialized with them but were devoted to their young sons Olin and Viggo. They moved to Maui in 2022 after Konig secured his 'dream job' as a partner at the Anesthesia Medical Group a medical contracting firm based in the picturesque town of Kahului that supplies anesthesiologists to hospitals throughout Hawaii. Arielle, meanwhile, worked for Bellevue, Washington, company TerraPower LLC which specializes in nuclear fuels. Democrats have long touted California as the 'engine' of the US economy, fueled by Silicon Valley investment and industrial booms that lead the nation. But while California is the equivalent of the fifth largest economy in the world by itself, recent employment data show its major cities are going backward. Residents have often praised California's jobs economy, however figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics found much of the state's jobs base is subsidized by the government. From January 2023 to January 2025, California gained over 180,000 jobs directly and indirectly from the government. However, over that same time span, the state lost over 173,000 jobs in the private sector, the data found. Six of the top 10 metros for population decline in America in 2024 were also found in California, including Los Angeles losing 13,900 jobs, San Francisco losing 10,500, and Anaheim losing 10,400, per Globest. Part of the decline has been fueled by large numbers of people choosing to leave California in recent years in favor of states including Florida and Texas. Residents have departed California's high taxes, soaring cost of living and declining quality of life, with the pandemic often cited as one of the turning points in California's decline. New job data has undercut Democrats' long-held assertion that California is the 'engine' of the US economy after droves of people left the state in recent years Democrats such as California Governor Gavin Newsom have often praised California as the model for Blue states, but it has seen a decline in recent years following the pandemic The large migration of Americans in recent years has led Florida's population to cross the 23 million resident mark for the first time ever last year. California still stands in first at 39.5 million people, but experts say Texas will overtake the number one spot with 42 million residents by 2045. In 2023, California's state population rose 0.17%, marking the first year of growth since it was hit with a mass exodus that began in 2019. The recent jobs numbers showed how everyday Americans have fled California in droves, as almost 180,000 private sector jobs have left the state since January 2023. This number was only offset by 181,000 government jobs, but according to The Center Square, these were largely part time. This included 38 percent of these new 'government jobs' being from elderly or disabled individuals using government funds to pay for minimum wage part time care and assistance roles. The outlet added that average working hours have gone down in the state, suggesting employers are reducing hours to bring down labor costs - following moves from California's Democratic leadership to impose higher minimum wages. In 2023, California's state population rose 0.17%, marking the first year of growth since it was hit with a mass exodus that began in 2019 Aaron Pankratz, an economics instructor at Fresno City College, told KMPH that the population and jobs declines seen in recent years can be largely explained by the culture of the state. 'Right now, it costs 1.5 times as much to live in California as it does in the rest of the United States,' he said. 'First and foremost probably has been the very liberal politics in Sacramento,' Pankratz continued. 'Some people love it, enough people are fed up with it that they're leaving the state. 'And for businesses, you've got an extremely costly business environment, we've got high regulatory type of costs for businesses, high business taxes, it takes a very long time to get projects approved if they are approved. 'And so businesses are finding it so much cheaper and faster to get projects started in other states, people are finding out it's so much cheaper to live in other states.' While California cities such as Los Angeles and San Francisco have been plagued by rampant homelessness and vagrancy in recent years, residents in states such as Texas say they are not as burdened by the issue. Huge numbers of former Californians say they have left the state in recent years to escape high taxes, rampant homelessness and the poor quality of life on the West Coast A survey from Business Insider found that those who moved from California to Texas said they did so for housing, jobs and climate. One of those who made the move, Jackie Burse, said she moved from California to San Antonio because she felt overpowered by the locals' liberal agenda. 'I'm a conservative and I feel like it's difficult to have any opinions in California other than liberal,' Burse told Insider. 'Especially when you're living in the cities.' Burse said she is religious and feels more comfortable being open about her faith in Texas than in California. 'For now, I don't have any plans to leave Texas anytime soon. I've found a great church, made many friends, and feel safe here.' Another person to make the switch, Janelle Crossan, said she moved with her son from Costa Mesa, California to New Braunfels, Texas, one of the fastest growing cities in the US, in 2020. While in Costa Mesa, she paid $1,750 for a 'crappy' apartment in an unsafe area. 'I never felt safe in my area. I felt like a prisoner in my apartment,' she said. Not only has she found a higher-paying job, she now pays $1,800 a month for a three-bedroom home she purchased - property taxes included. 'Something as simple as moving across the country has made my life go in such a different direction,' she said. A Georgia plastic surgeon accused of butchering the faces of multiple female patients has had his medical license renewed. Dr. Harvey 'Chip' Cole is being sued by ten former patients who claim he permanently disfigured them with botched procedures at Northside Hospital facilities. But last month, the Georgia Composite Medical Board renewed his license for a further two years, online records show. However, his profile indicates that he does not have any hospital privileges the Atlanta-Journal Constitution first reported. Attorney Alex Seay who represents Cole's former patients called the decision a, 'slap in the face to our clients'. 'This is why our civil justice system is so important, he said. 'The agencies in charge of protecting Georgians are not doing it.' Cole, also known as 'the eye guy', denies any wrongdoing. He operates Oculus Plastic Surgery and promises 'unparalleled expertise', according to his website. He is accused of botching patient's surgeries at various Northside Hospital locations between 2022 and 2023. A plastic surgeon accused of butchering the faces of multiple female patients has had his medical license renewed Harvey 'Chip' Cole of Oculus Plastic Surgery is being sued by ten patients who claim he permanently disfigured them with botched procedures Former patient Kayla Cannon, 29, provided photos which she claims show how she was left with sunken eyes following a surgery by Cole in 2022 The hospital group is also being sued over allegations of negligence and confirmed in December that Cole is not an employee. Among those suing Cole is Julie Kimmerling, who claims the surgeon nicked a blood vessel and nerves in her neck during a procedure in January 2023. Kimmerling was left with permanent brain injuries and facial paralysis after losing more than a liter of blood, according to her complaint. Cole denied all allegations in the lawsuit and said that her treatment is described in her medical records, which 'speak for themselves.' Former patient Kayla Cannon, 29, provided photos which she claims show how she was left with sunken eyes following a surgery by Cole in 2022. She claims that Cole cut away too much tissue from her eyelids, damaged her eye and also failed to remove cheek implants after they got infected. Cannon was born with a birth defect that means she has no muscles at the bottom of her eyelids, and has already undergone multiple surgeries. 'He said that I can fix you, I can make you better,' she told WSB. 'Ive always struggled with my appearance, and I was just very excited to finally get to be happy.' She told the outlet that she was talked into have cheek implants as well as the eye surgery. Cole has denied the allegations against him which come from several patients who went under the knife in 2022 and 2023 'He took half my lid off, so it was extremely tight. And he kept saying, I'll fix it. I'll fix it. Then I got infections on my cheeks', she added. Cannon has now had seven more surgeries to try and fix the injuries, adding: 'I look worse than when I started seeing him. Permanent scarring that will never go away.' The doctor has also previously been the subject of malpractice lawsuits featuring similar allegations. Kimmerling's case cited five former examples including a settlement over the 1999 death of Jeannie Huff during an eyebrow lift surgery. Another woman alleged that her face became infected after Cole used dirty surgical tools for her operation, according to her attorney. While in 2008, Betty Nestlehutt and her husband won a $1.2 million payout after accusing Cole of destroying the blood supply to her face and leaving her with permanent disfiguration. Last year, Cole and his wife Susan Cole filed for bankruptcy after four patients sued him for malpractice. The couple declared $13.6 million in debts and $37,000 in assets. Since then, a further six patients have launched legal action. Betty Nestlehutt and her husband won a $1.2 million payout after accusing Cole of destroying the blood supply to her face and leaving her with permanent disfiguration. Jason Jones, the Georgia Composite Medical Board's executive director, said that the board treats complaints with, 'the utmost seriousness', but that no public action has been taken against Coe. 'Every investigation is unique and requires time to ensure that all concerns are thoroughly addressed,' Jones said. 'We are currently reviewing and assessing all internal processes to ensure continued integrity and effectiveness in our regulatory responsibilities.' A wild house party with about 200 underage teens has led to more than a stern talking to for a dozen of the rowdy kids, some who were filmed swinging on a chandelier in a rager that caused $16,000 in damages. The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department arrested four 17-year-olds, five 16-year-olds, and three 15-year-olds from multiple Tennessee high schools for allegedly breaking into the empty luxury home in February. Police are expecting at least one more arrest to face charges of felony vandalism and aggravated criminal trespassing. The property in East Nashville was up for sale when the teens stole a key from a lock box to get inside, according to police. Neighbors eventually caught on to the commotion and called owner Kyle Grasser, 35, around 9:30 pm on February 28. Grasser raced over and found over 100 kids fleeing from the front door. He made sure to record the kids and tracked down footage they posted on social media. He told local NBC affiliate WSMV that he found an Instagram post advertising the party at his address, with at least 25 students identified who posted about it. One video even showed teens swinging on a chandelier. Four 17-year-olds, five 16-year-olds, and three 15-year-olds from multiple Tennessee high schools were arrested and charged with felony vandalism and aggravated criminal trespassing Police are expecting at least one more arrest Nashville Police have made 12 arrests after teenagers broke into a house and threw a wild party in February 'You could smell the smoke from outside. You walked in, and the floors are saturated with beer and party juice of all different kinds,' Grasser told local ABC affiliate WKRN at the time. 'They blacked out the lights [and] ripped out a few of the fixtures, so it was relatively dark in here. 'It was just a mess in here. You put a lot of work into making something like this happen and you just feel helpless against that kind of crowd.' Nashville PD then arrived on the scene and found alcohol bottles and cans and signs of drug use. The homeowner received a call from a neighbor notifying him of the party and he rushed over to find his newly-listed house trashed and 200 teenagers flooding the home The house was significantly damaged, with the floors soaked in alcohol, light fixtures ripped from the ceiling, cabinets broken, and the paint job ruined. Grasser is a real estate agent who had recently listed the property for sale. 'It's heartbreaking. I am not some big developer. I am just a guy. I've got my whole life savings into these houses. You roll up and see everybody destroying that, you feel helpless,' he told WSMV. The four-bedroom, three-bathroom home was listed for $860,000. Kyle Grasser (pictured) is a real estate agent who listed the property. He told local news that he didn't want to ruin any of the teenager's lives but wanted retribution for the damage they caused Grasser said that he learned his lesson the hard way and beefed up security after the teens broke into the home. He told WSMV that he changed the lock box adding, 'You are never sure who is in the house and who is sharing that information.' Grasser added that he didn't want to ruin any of the teens' lives over a mistake, but said he needed retribution for the $16,000 in damages. DailyMail.com reached out to Metropolitan Nashville PD for more information on the arrests but didn't immediately hear back. A Massachusetts maternity ward has seen a spike in nurses diagnosed with brain tumors - as staff fear conditions are making them sick. Workers at Newton-Wellesley Hospital have been struck with different types of brain tumors over the years. One claimed as many as ten nurses on the same floor - including herself - had been diagnosed. While some have been benign and some cancerous, she believed that the diagnoses were serious cause for concern for the site. The nurse told WBZ-TV: 'It's getting to the point where the number just increases, and you start saying am I crazy thinking this. This can't just be a coincidence.' She told the outlet three of them have had surgery, but believed the hospital has not been supportive enough. 'We want reassurance because this has not been a reassuring past few months for a lot of the staff members,' she said. 'We want to feel safe, the same way we want to make our patients feel safe.' One Newton-Wellesley Hospital nurse claimed that as many as ten nurses on the same floor, including herself, received a brain tumor diagnosis. This can't just be a coincidence,' she said The hospital claimed that there were 'no environmental risk' after conducting an investigation since December Concerns had been growing in the department among nurses, as the number of their colleagues struck with the diagnosis only increased. 'You're going into work every day with that feeling in your gut, and it's a lousy feeling,' she told the outlet. The hospital, however, gave a shocking response claiming there were 'no environmental risk' after investigating since December. In a statement the hospital said: 'After we became aware of reported brain tumors in individuals who currently or previously had worked in the same area of the hospital, we conducted an extensive investigation in collaboration with the Department of Occupational Health and Safety, Newton-Wellesley Safety Officer, radiation and pharmaceutical safety offices, and external environmental consultants.' The hospital told the outlet it had interviewed ten nurses, five of which were said to have different types of brain tumors. 'Every staff member who came forward was given the opportunity to be interview by the Occupational Health and Safety team to evaluate each diagnosis in the context of their individual medical history and risk factors. 'To evaluate for any possible environmental exposures in that area of the hospital, comprehensive environmental assessments following CDC guidelines began in December. 'The investigation found no environmental risks which could be linked to the development of a brain tumor. We presented these findings to relevant stakeholder groups, including the staff on the unit and the Massachusetts Nursing Association, and have held forums to meet with clinical and Occupational Health leaders to answer their questions. 'You're going into work every day with that feeling in your gut, and it's a lousy feeling,' the nurse said Sandy Muse (pictured), the Chief Nursing Officer, signed the hospital statement which said it can 'confidently reassure' the nurses there was no environmental risk at the facility 'The hospital is proving the MNA with the test results from the investigation, including those of several external environmental firms,' the statement continued. 'Based on these results, we can confidently reassure our dedicated team members at mass General Brigham/Newton-Wellesley Hospital and all our patients that there is no environmental risk at our facility. 'As always, the health and wellbeing of our staff, clinicians, and patients is our absolute top priority.' The statement was given by Jonathon Sonis, the Associate Chief Medical Officer and Vice President of Medical Affairs, and Sandy Muse, the Chief Nursing Officer and Senior Vice President of Patient Care Services. Yet despite the investigation, as worries persist, the nurses are calling for an independent investigation. Paula Ward of the Massachusetts Nurse Association told the outlet:' I think the concern is [that] we don't know what it is, and nurses are scared, they're worried, and they want to make sure they're not working in an unsafe place.' 'I think the nurses should be the first people - because we're the ones that brought it to their attention - to be told, and we feel like we have been the last to be informed on anything,' the anonymous nurse added. A spokesperson for Newton-Wellesley Hospital confirmed that not all of the nurses were on the unit at the same time and noted that some of the diagnoses pre-date the Covid-19 pandemic. A heart-breaking video has captured the moment sanitation workers rescued an abandoned newborn after it fell out of a trash bag on a Rio de Janeiro street. Now one of the street cleaners, who is already father of two, is looking to adopt the baby girl. Samuel Santos told Brazilian news outlet G1 that his crew was removing garbage during the early hours of Tuesday on a road linking the northern Rio de Janeiro neighborhoods of Quintino and Cascadura when he flipped a trash can into the truck. Santos was walking back to the garbage truck when he spotted what he thought was a new 'doll' wrapped in a blanket and decided to pick it up as a gift for his daughter. The cleaner was startled when he touched one of the hands and it made the baby cry. Anderson Nunes, who has been working for the sanitation company for 16 years, said they were moved by knowing they had just saved the girl's life. 'We named the baby Vitoria Let's hope they find her family,' Nunes told the outlet. 'If they do, I'll be visiting them no matter what.' Santos visited the baby girl at Herculano Pinheiro Maternity Hospital, where she is in stable condition. Samuel Santos, who works for a sanitation company in Rio de Janeiro, was removing garbage from a street when a newborn girl fell out of a garbage bag. The father of two now wants to adopt the baby Samuel Santos said he wants to adopt the newborn girl so that he can 'tell the story of how she was found, so that she doesn't get lost in the world' He and his wife are taking the necessary steps to provide the baby with a loving home. Their children, aged 10 and 14, have even begun to set aside a room for her. 'I told them that they have to wait, there is a lot of work to be done,' Santos said. Santos's wife initially thought that they could adopt the child on the spot. 'I had to tell her that she couldn't take her home without going through the courts,' he said. For now, Santos and his family will have to let the process play out before they can apply for adoption. A newborn girl was abandoned inside a trash bag and rescued by street cleaners in Rio de Janeiro. The baby fell to the ground and was picked up by one of the workers, who confused her with a doll before he grabbed one of the hands and made her cry. The child is recovering in hospital Samuel Santos (left) and Anderson Nunes (right) rescued a newborn baby that was abandoned and named her Vitoria The Rio de Janeiro Child and Youth Court will have to wait for the baby to be healthy enough to be discharged and placed with a foster care unit. Then it will need to track down the child's parents and immediate family members. If nobody comes forward or the baby is rejected, then she will be put up for adoption. 'By legal determination, before referring a child or adolescent for adoption, it is necessary to exhaust the possibilities of family (re)integration,' the court said, according to G1. 'I want to tell the story of how she was found, so that she doesn't get lost in the world,' Santos said. 'But for now, I'm going to wait for all the procedures to be completed before filing the claim.' Pictures have been released of a mother who was stabbed alongside her son in a terrifying knife attack at their home that left her husband dead. Maria Marvin and her son Mario, 11, suffered horrendous injuries in the knife rampage at their home yesterday morning at around 7.30am. Her husband Emad Botros-Farag, 57, suffered catastrophic injuries in the attack and was later pronounced dead. Police arrested a 19-year-old man, who is known to the family, in the house and said they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the murder. Emergency services were called after neighbours heard 'loud screaming and shouting' coming from the three-bedroom home in Brighton. Neighbours said the couple's daughter was shouting and banging on an upstairs window begging people to call the police. They said they could hear a child screaming: 'No, No! Stop. Help! Help!' Maria is then understood to have stumbled out of the neat terraced house and collapsed, bleeding on the lawn. Maria Marvin stumbled out of the neat terraced house and collapsed, bleeding on the lawn Pictured: Giulia Botros and her mother, Maria Marvin Police and paramedics rushed to the house in Hartfield Avenue, Hollingbury to find a scene of carnage. Inside the property police officers discovered Mr Farag - who was a Deliveroo driver - lying dead. Little Mario was found suffering from serious injuries while his sister Giulia, is believed to be unharmed. Friends, neighbours and delivery driver colleagues paid tribute to the 'hardworking family man' who lived for his children who he doted on. They said the family, who are Egyptian but have lived in the UK for many years, were looking forward to an upcoming Easter holiday in Egypt. Andrew George, a colleague, said: 'Emad was a lovely man, really kind and friendly. 'He was very well-liked by everyone and he would do anything for anyone. I can't believe he's gone. It's tragic.' Ollie Johnston said: 'It's so shocking. Emad loved his family and was dedicated to his kids. He adored Mario and would have him with him in the car at weekends. They were were inseparable. 'We just can't believe it. He had been a delivery driver for years and he was very much part of our community. We're pretty tight-knit and he was just part of our group. 'He would do anything for anyone. He was a really lovely guy. He was a bit older than us and wasn't so good with the technology side of things. We were like his IT support.' Maria and Giulia were in the house at the time of the attack Richard Cobb said: 'We just can't believe it. What a thing to happen. We all liked him a lot and want to pay our respects.' Colleagues Dirceu Antunes and Mustafa Dayanc also paid tribute to Emad saying he was a 'hardworking driver' and 'loving father'. Dirceu said: 'He was just such a nice guy. He had a good sense of humour and he was a loving father.' Neighbours described the terrifying moment the calm of a Tuesday morning was broken on the quiet residential road. Martin, a neighbour, was getting ready for work when he heard screams and shouting coming from across the road. 'I heard a child screaming: 'No, no. Stop! Help! Help!' and then shouts of 'Call the police, call the police.' He said: 'I looked out and saw the daughter hammering on the upstairs window shouting and screaming for help. It was so shocking. I was stunned. I called the police immediately. 'Then the wife came out of the house and I think she collapsed on the lawn. I think she was seriously injured. I saw a lot of blood.' He said the family had lived in the house for around two years and had been very good neighbours. He said: 'They are a very nice family. They keep themselves to themselves, they're very private, but they seem very pleasant. They always greet you if you say hello. 'It's just so tragic and shocking. I'd see the father going out to work in his silver car. He was a nice guy. He smiled a lot.' Another neighbour said: 'I saw the daughter hammering on her window. She was screaming: 'Call the police! Call the police! She looked totally distraught - there were tears pouring down her face. Giulia Botros is thought to be unharmed 'The police arrived really quickly and I could just hear shouts of: 'Get on the floor! Get on the floor!' and then they led out this young man in handcuffs. He was put into a van and taken off. They found a knife, possibly a kitchen knife. 'It's just so alarming. I can't believe it. I can't believe someone lost their life in that house. I think I'm still in shock.' Another neighbour, John, said: 'I heard someone went berserk inside the house. IT was pandemonium. I heard the shouting and the crying and then armed police arrived en masse. 'It was over quite quickly and they led out this young lad in cuffs. He didn't seem to be injured. I couldn't see any blood on him.' Another neighbour said: There were ambulances and police officers everywhere and everyone was quite alarmed. Initially people though someone might be armed and loose but it quickly became apparent officers had arrested someone. It's very, very alarming and it sounds tragic. My heart goes out to the family.' Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent Rachel Carr said: 'A suspect is in custody and a fast-moving investigation is underway to establish exactly what happened and why.' A Russian wife who was recorded urging her soldier husband to rape Ukrainian women has been sentenced to five years in prison. Olga Bykovskaya was convicted in absentia of violating the laws and customs of war by the Shevchenkivskyi District Court of Kyiv on March 24. It comes after the woman, from Oryal Oblast, was placed on an international wanted list by the Ukrainian authorities in December 2022. In April of the same year, the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) released audio of an intercepted conversation between a Russian soldier named Roman Bykovsky and his wife, Bykovskaya. The woman was heard giving her husband permission to rape Ukrainian women as long as he 'uses protection'. The shocking 30-second clip was released on April 12, 2022, as Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russian troops of carrying out 'hundreds of rapes' including sexual assaults of small children in his country. Bykovskaya's paratrooper husband, who took part in Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, has claimed that the male voice in the SSU recording is not his. However, his voice is reportedly the same as the one in the law enforcement officers' recordings. Olga Bykovskaya was convicted in absentia of violating the laws and customs of war by the Shevchenkivskyi District Court of Kyiv on March 24 and sentenced to five years in prison Bykovskaya's actions were found to violate Article 27.2 of the Convention on the Protection of the Civilian Population in Time of War and the Geneva Conventions. The court has now sentenced the wife to five years behind bars starting from the date of her arrest. She will also be required to compensate the Ukrainian state for over 280 in legal costs. Initially, Bykovskaya faced a prison sentence of up to 12 years. The audio clip shared by the SSU opened with the blue and yellow title: 'SECURITY SERVICE INTERCEPT: Wives of Russian invaders allow their men to rape Ukrainian women.' The voice of a woman is then heard saying: 'So yeah, do it over there'. It quickly becomes clear what she is agreeing to. 'Ukrainian women there. Rape them. Yeah. Don't tell me anything, understand,' she adds with a shy laugh. A man's voice is then heard. 'Uh-huh,' he says. 'So I should rape and not tell you anything,' he asks, clarifying that the woman is giving him permission. 'Yes, so that I wouldn't know anything,' the women's voice says, before they are both heard laughing this time. 'Why do you ask?' she adds. 'Can I really?' he asks again. 'Yeah, I allow you,' she says, with a giggle.' Just use protection,' she adds. The man replies again: 'Ok.' Investigative journalists at Radio Liberty worked with law enforcement in Ukraine to track the phone involved in the call, with one of the numbers being traced to the Kherson region in 2022. In an audio clip, Bykovskaya is heard telling her husband Roman Bykovsky (pictured) that he has her permission to rape Ukrainian women while he is serving in Russia's invading forces, so long as he does not tell her and uses contraception Kyiv's security forces released an audio clip of a conversation between the couple in 2022, who wee identified as Roman Bykovsky and his wife Olga Bykovskaya (pictured together in a photograph on their social media) by Radio Liberty The investigators then found that the two phone numbers were linked to two accounts on Russia's VKontakte social network - belonging to Bykovsky and Bykovskaya. Roman's account was closed to the public, however reporters found him pictured in photographs uploaded by one of his friends - Alexei Zabrusov - which showed that they served together in 2016 in the same army division. From there, the investigators were able to find other friends and family members of Roman, which led them to more pictures of him in military uniform which established that he is now part of Russia's 108th Guards Airborne Assault Regiment - a unit known for its involvement in the annexation of Crimea in 2014. They also learned that the couple had moved to the Russian occupied Crimean peninsula, approximately around 2018. Olga's social media account meanwhile was open (until it was deleted on April 13, 2022). On her account, she was shown in pictures with the man identified as Roman Bykovsky. It also showed the pair share a four-year-old child together. Radio Liberty tried calling the couple using the numbers that were discovered. Roman's account was closed to the public, however reporters found him pictured in photographs uploaded by one of his friends which showed that they served together in 2016 in the same army division Bykovsky reportedly answered, and denied that he was still in the Kherson region, and once he learned that he was being contacted by reporters also denied he was the man in the audio recording. However, Radio Liberty said his voice was a match. Bykovska also answered, and confirmed to Radio Liberty that her husband was in Sevastopol being treated for an injury. After revealing that, she quickly cut the phone call off. Her social media account was deleted soon after that. The 30-second audio clip of the conversation was posted to the telegram channel of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU). 'Wives of Russian aggressors call on their husbands to rape Ukrainian women,' the agency wrote on Telegram, along with the clip. 'This shocking interception by the SBU reflects the moral values not only of the occupiers but also of their relatives, 80 per cent of whom now support the war in Ukraine,' the agency claimed in its description of the recording. Its only a week since Rachel Reeves unveiled her Spring Statement. But her plan to balance the nations books could be blown out of the water as Donald Trump prepares to unleash sweeping tariffs later today that could trigger an all-out trade war. Having failed to secure a special carve-out for the UK, ministers are braced for a new wave of taxes on goods entering the United States, which is Britains biggest single export partner. If the US President slaps a 25 per cent tax on all goods imported into the US, experts fear transatlantic trade would sink. In this worst-case scenario UK exports would plunge by almost half and imports from the US slump by two-thirds, knocking economic growth for six. Against this dire backdrop, we look at some of the British companies who are exposed to Trumps tariff tsunami. If the US President slaps a 25 per cent tax on all goods imported into the US, experts fear transatlantic trade would sink Jaguar Land Rover One in eight cars built in the UK is exported to the US, worth 6.4billion in 2023, leaving the sector especially exposed to Trumps tariffs. Trump wants carmakers to move production to the US to swerve tariffs but research from GlobalData shows that Jaguar and Land Rover owner JLR makes no cars in America, making it the most at risk of any car brand from a transatlantic trade war. Some 25,000 UK jobs exist at places like JLR in the West Midlands and the BMWs Mini factory in Oxford, according to the Institute for policy Research think-tank. Most of the UK-made vehicles that go to the US are luxury cars, including Aston Martin and Volkswagen-owned Bentley. Others are high-end vehicles such as McLaren supercars, selling just over 2,100 annually, some costing upwards of 250,000. That makes them vulnerable to tariffs, though they will hope to pass the cost to their wealthy customers without denting their sales. The US is a key market for Midlands-based car maker JLR, which is owned by Indias Tata Group and has factories in Coventry, Solihull and Wolverhampton. Just over 26,000 Mini brand vehicles were sold in the US in 2024, according to BMWs North American operations, although this was 21 per cent lower than the 33,500 cars it sold there in 2023. All Minis are made at its Cowley factory near Oxford. The US is also a key market for Aston Martin, which makes cars at Gaydon in Warwickshire. The loss-making manufacturer generated around a third of its 1.6billion revenue for 2024 in the US, selling 6,030 cars a drop of 9 per cent on the prior year. Your browser does not support iframes. One in eight cars built in the UK is exported to the US, leaving the sector especially exposed to Trumps tariffs AstraZeneca and GSK The UKs two largest drug makers, Cambridge-based AstraZeneca and London-headquartered GSK, are among the jewels in the British economy with a combined value of 237billion. Both companies rely heavily on the US for sales, with AstraZeneca raking in 18billion from American customers last year, around 43 per cent of its total sales. GSK, meanwhile, received 16.4billion, more than half of its sales for 2024. The US is the main destination for pharma exports from the UK. Around 8.8billion worth of medicinal and pharmaceutical products were shipped to America in 2023, according to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). This is around the same value as goods exported by the British car industry to the US. Overall, the UK's pharma sector employs over 73,000 people, meaning a slump in demand from the US could jeopardise a key British industry. The industry also relies on a complex web of supply chains that source ingredients for its drugs from all over the world, including the US, which could be upended by tariffs. US pharma giants with operations in the UK could also be disrupted by fresh tariffs, potentially putting more British jobs at risk. Johnnie Walker whisky Diageo, the owner of brands such as Johnnie Walker whisky, is bracing itself for a hard hit from Trumps tariffs measures, which are expected to include levies on scotch. Americans have long loved quintessentially British whisky brands, with the UK exporting around 1billion worth of scotch to the US every year. There are fears among distillers that the sector will see a repeat of a previous 25 per cent US tariff on scotch that was imposed under the previous Trump administration in 2019 which cost the industry over 600million in sales before it was repealed in 2021. It is a particularly worrying time for Diageos 4,500 UK employees including staff at its 29 distilleries in Scotland. Overall, the UKs scotch industry employs 41,000 people in Scotland and 25,000 elsewhere in Britain. Your browser does not support iframes. Diageo is also at risk from Trumps levies against Canada and Mexico. The drinks giant owns Canadian whiskey brand Crown Royal as well as Mexican tequila sellers including Don Julio and George Clooney's Casamigos. In February, Diageo boss Debra Crew warned that tariffs on Canada and Mexico could wipe 161million from the groups profits, a number that could grow if similar levies are applied to the UK. Rolls-Royce Jet engine maker Rolls-Royce forms a key chunk of the UKs aerospace industry, one of the largest in the world. The company relies heavily on the US as a source of demand for its engines, exporting around a quarter of its new models to America last year. As a result, there are fears levies on UK aerospace exports could damage the companys business, which currently employs around 22,000 people in Britain. Last month reports emerged that Rolls-Royce was drawing up emergency plans to shift production to its factories in the US and expand operations in North America to avoid any new tariffs imposed by Trump. Rolls-Royce raked in around 5.5billion from the US last year, around a third of its total sales for 2024 and more than double the 2.6billion of revenue it made from the UK. It is a key supplier to the US Department of Defense as well as major aerospace manufacturers such as Lockheed Martin and Boeing. The company previously warned investors that rising protectionism from Trump could lead to higher costs and realign global supply chains. Alongside Rolls-Royce, fresh tariffs threaten to deal a heavy blow to the UKs wider aircraft sector, which made 2billion from US exports in 2023. Rolls-Royce relies heavily on the US as a source of demand for its engines, exporting around a quarter of its new models to America last year BAE Systems UK defence giant BAE Systems makes a large chunk of its money in the US. Sales to America were worth 12.5billion last year, nearly half of the 28billion the company made in 2024. As a result, a blanket levy on goods entering the US is likely to weigh heavily on the firms profit margins. One potential upside is renewed demand for defence spending in the UK and Europe, which has seen the value of arms makers on the continent surge as countries look to beef up their armed forces and reduce reliance on the US. This has been helped by recent commitments from Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves to boost British defence spending to 2.6 per cent of national income by 2027 from its current level of 2.3 per cent with plans to lift it to 3 per cent after 2029. ADS, the UK aerospace and defence trade association, previously warned that tariffs would put businesses at risk as new levies will drive up the costs of assembly equipment and materials that are imported by the US. British Steel The UKs struggling steel sector is already feeling the heat from Trump after the US president last month slapped a 25 per cent tariff on steel and aluminium imports from Britain. The bosses of British Steel and Tata Steel, the two major players in the industry, previously warned MPs that the levies were driving away business. There are also concerns that cheap steel could flood the UK market from abroad as overseas producers such as China look for new customers outside the US. British Steel in particular is facing an existential threat fuelled by the new levies after talks between its Chinese owner Jingye and the Government over a funding package broke down last week. The company is now planning to close two blast furnaces in Scunthorpe, putting 2,700 jobs at risk. The shutdown would also leave the UK as the only country in the G7 group of developed nations without the ability to produce its own steel. Earlier this week, local councillors in North Lincolnshire called on the government to nationalise British Steel to safeguard jobs at the Scunthorpe plant. The move has not been ruled out, but industry minister Sarah Jones has said the preferred approach would be to hash out a deal with Jingye to keep the plant open. Burberry Burberry, the maker of the iconic trench coat, is one of the UK luxury goods companies set to be hit by tariffs. The Americans buy 13billion worth of British luxury products of every type each year. But they have a particular passion for Burberrys cool Britannia style. In the last financial year, the companys North American sales amounted to 603million, 20 per cent of total turnover. Last Christmas a return to the classic Burberry plaid and other ranges caused a bounce in demand at Burberrys 50 stores in the US which are in upmarket retail districts in New York and Los Angeles. In the last financial year, Burberrys North American sales amounted to 603million, 20 per cent of total turnover The importance of the US to the brand is reflected in the appointment of an American Joshua Schulman to the post of chief executive last summer. Burberry, which makes some of its coats in Yorkshire, is not the only British brand close to the hearts of American luxury lovers. Others include Mulberry, 40 per cent of whose handbags are manufactured in Somerset, and Watches of Switzerland which, despite its name, is a British company with stores in the US. Other smaller businesses include Smythson, the stationery group and small craft furniture firms whose bespoke output adorns uptown Manhattan penthouses. Walpole, the British luxury goods trade body, says that North America is one of the biggest global markets for our upmarket brands, representing 24 per cent of exports of such items. Horrifying images show the mangled remains of a small plane that crash-landed on farmland in Ohio, killing the pilot. The six-seater plane, a 1973 Cessna 310Q, came down on Tuesday afternoon in Mill Township, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol. The pilot, who has not been named, was the only person aboard the plane, which took off from Harry Clever Field Airport in New Philadelphia. Footage from the scene of the crash shows the plane was completely mangled, with only the tale of the aircraft surviving the impact. Officials with highway patrol have opened a probe into the cause of the crash, according to Fox 8 The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration will also conduct a probe. The deadly crash came just days after a plane crashed into a Minnesota home, killing everyone on board. The single-engine aircraft plummeted from the sky in a quiet residential neighborhood of Brooklyn Park around 12:30pm on Saturday, according to Fox 9. The entire home erupted into flames, leaving billows of black smoke rising in the air, causing first responders to evacuate the area. A small plane was destroyed when it crashed into farmland in Ohio, killing the pilot Officials have opened a probe into the cause of the crash on Tuesday afternoon The pilot, who has not been named, was the only person aboard the small plane There were no survivors on the plane, the fire chief said at a press conference. It was not clear how many people were aboard. Terry Dolan, 63, the Vice Chair and Chief Administration Officer of US Bancorp, was the pilot. Luckily, no one was inside the home at the time of the crash. The plane was a SOCATA TBM7, a single-engine business aircraft. It departed from Des Moines International Airport and was headed for Minneapolis, according to the outlet. Several planes have been involved in serious incidents since the start of the year. The most deadly this year was when an American Airlines flight and a Blackhawk collided nearly Reagan National Airport in Washington DC, killing 67, including many young ice skaters. Near the same airport, a US Air Force jet nearly collided with a Delta airplane last week. The flight, with 137 people on board, had just departed for Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota, when it suddenly received an emergency notification of a nearby aircraft. Meanwhile five people were rushed to the hospital last month after a plane crash-landed in a retirement home parking lot in Pennsylvania. The plane took off as scheduled, but quickly requested to land back on the tarmac because its door had opened. The Ohio plane crash came just days after a plane crashed into a Minnesota home, killing everyone on board Horrifying air traffic control audio revealed the pilot telling ground agents that they needed to turn around - but at one point he said that he couldn't hear the radio because of all the wind noise, caused by the unlocked hatch. The air traffic controller can be heard saying: 'Pull up... the aircraft is down just behind the terminal in the parking lot tree area.' In a statement to DailyMail.com, an FAA spokesperson said five people were on board the plane. They have all been transferred to local hospitals with various injuries. Residents of the retirement home were instructed to 'shelter in place' as a precaution as initial investigations took place, but authorities have confirmed the pilot avoided nearby buildings and that nobody on the ground was injured. Police have dismantled a major child pornography platform with 1.8million users worldwide and over 91,000 videos of child sexual abuse material. Authorities in 38 different countries, including the UK, supported German police and Europol, the law enforcement agency of the European Union, in carrying out 'one of the biggest blows against child pornography in recent years, if not ever'. The website, KidFlix, was said to have hosted over 6,200 hours of horrific abuse on film. Authorities were able to identify almost 1,400 individual users of the platform, which was hosted on the so-called darknet. Police in March carried out searches at locations in 31 countries in the 'largest operation ever' organised by Europol, according to deputy head of the Bavarian criminal police Guido Limmer. This included raids at 96 different locations, targeting 103 individual suspects, according to Bavarian police. UK intelligence has identified 63 UK-based users of the platform, with 30 arrests made. A joint raid by German and Dutch forces also resulted in the seizure of a hard drive with around 72,000 videos of child sex abuse. Police in March carried out searches at locations in 31 countries in the 'largest operation ever' organised by Europol Authorities were able to identify almost 1,400 individual users of the platform, which was hosted on the so-called darknet Kidflix was created in 2021 by a cybercriminal who made a 'huge profit' from the platform, according to Europol. Unlike other known platforms of this kind, it allowed users to both download and stream video files, making payments using cryptocurrencies which were then converted into tokens. The investigation into the website started in 2022 and concluded with two weeks of raids from March 10 to 23. Prior to the latest wave of arrests, a 36-year-old man was arrested in the eastern German city of Chemnitz in January 2024, and his son was handed over to child protection services. Another suspected abuser was arrested in the US based on cryptocurrency data linked to the platform. Overall, 79 suspects have been arrested and over 3000 electronic devices seized. Magnus Brunner, the EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, said: 'The dismantling of this criminal network demonstrates the added value that EU agencies like Europol provide. 'This is precisely why the European Commission has presented a strategy for greater security in Europe. 'Criminals operate across borders, so we must also support investigators in doing the same.' Many nations outside the European Union contributed to Europol's operation, including the UK-based National Crime Agency (NCA) Magnus Brunner, the EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, said: 'The dismantling of this criminal network demonstrates the added value that EU agencies like Europol provide' Many nations outside the European Union contributed to Europol's operation, including the UK-based National Crime Agency (NCA), the Australian Federal Police, US Homeland Security Investigations, as well as agencies from Canada, Colombia and New Zealand. NCA Senior Manager Neil Keeping said: 'With thanks to our law enforcement partners in Germany and Europol, a dangerous site hosting tens of thousands of child sexual abuse videos has been taken down. 'NCA intelligence officers worked quickly to identify the UK users of the site, providing a package of intelligence to forces across the country so arrests could be made and children could be safeguarded. 'Providing this global to local response is paramount in our role to protect children from child sexual abuse and criminals who seek out this content.' Labour's law chief has mounted a passionate defence of the European human rights system amid calls for the UK to pull out of it altogether to tackle illegal migration. Attorney General Lord Hermer said the UK should use the 75th anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights to 'celebrate' what it does. Appearing in front of the Joint Committee on Human Rights he also said that Britain should take 'national pride' in having played a central role in setting it up under the leadership of Sir Winston Churchill. Opposition critics including Nigel Farage's Reform UK and some Tories want the UK to withdraw from the system, arguing it prevents ministers from expelling migrants. Ministers are reviewing how Article Eight of the ECHR the right to family life applies to migration law. Lord Hermer said it was right to carry out the review but hit out at 'disinformation' about a specific case where it was reported an Albanian man was able to remain partly because of his young son's aversion to foreign chicken nuggets.' And he warned that if the UK quit the ECHR there was 'no hope' of achieving deals with foreign countries to take back migrants. Attorney General Lord Hermer said the UK should use the 75th anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights to 'celebrate' what it does. Opposition critics including Nigel Farage's Reform UK and some Tories want the UK to withdraw from the system, arguing it prevents ministers from expelling migrants. He told peers and MPs: 'On this 75th anniversary of the creation of the convention this is a moment to celebrate it. 'It is also a moment to reflect on it, to reflect upon the nature of the values that are contained in the convention, which I think are as relevant today as they were at the time when it was formed. 'It is also a point of national pride; the Council of Europe created under the leadership of Winston Churchill and many of the provisions drafted by British lawyers, not least (later Tory home secretary) David Maxwell Fyfe. 'Although the convention reflects universal values they are a reflection of great, long-standing British value enshrined in our common law.' The Attorney General said the Home Secretary is 'entirely right' to conduct a review into the use of Article 8 in how it is applied to migration cases. He said there has been a number of decisions reported at immigration tribunals on the basis of Article 8, the right to private and family life, that are 'capable of suggesting that it is not being applied properly or appropriately.' He told the committee: 'I want to make clear in all my comments about decisions of any court that I am categorically not criticising judges. 'I think there is real merit in checking that Article 8 is being properly understood and applied, because, as I've said, you can have a very, very robust but fair process in asylum and immigration context that is entirely compatible with Article 8. 'We need to just check that there's a right calibration on casework decisions. 'We may also need to checkthat government is being robust in appealing decisions that we don't like, that there's a litigation strategy that meets that aim.' He added: 'There is clearly a lot of information, misinformation, that is being whipped up in the context of asylum and immigration in particular, Article 8,' he said. 'Many of you will have heard banded around the idea that the courts have allowed a foreign national offender to stay here because his child will miss chicken McNuggets. 'That is doing the rounds. What is not doing the rounds is that that case went to the Upper Tribunal, who categorically rejected that as an Article 8 argument. They rejected the claim. 'Courts are always going to make mistakes. That's why we have appeal courts, and that's what's happened here.' Female nurses forced to share a changing room with a trans-woman called 'Rose' have launched a landmark legal battle with the NHS. The eight nurses say that allowing a male-born colleague to use the women's facilities at Darlington Memorial Hospital puts them at risk, deprives them of dignity and breaches their human rights. They claim Rose Henderson, who was born male but now identifies as a woman, has stared at their breasts and 'lingered too long' in the changing room, as well as repeatedly asked them whether they are getting changed. Seven of the eight nurses appeared at a preliminary hearing at Newcastle Tribunal Centre today. Their case was adjourned until October while the NHS carries out an internal investigation. Tribunal Judge Stuart Robinson said: 'These are important proceedings. The issues are complex.' One of the women, Bethany Hutchison, said outside court: 'We are nurses who love our jobs and our patients and only want to be afforded the dignity of getting dressed and undressed for work without a man present. 'I would like to remind everyone that we are doing this for the safety and dignity of every woman and girl across society and that we will continue to fight these unlawful policies. 'Thank you again to our many supporters. We see you and hear you and are delighted to stand with you.' Tracey Hooper, Annice Grundy, Karen Danson, Bethany Hutchinson and Lisa Lockey are among eight nurses taking legal action against the NHS because they are forced to share a changing room with a male-born colleague The nurses claim their trans colleague has made them feel uncomfortable and 'quite intimidated' Health secretary Wes Streeting posted in support of the nurses last year The women are bringing their case against County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust on the grounds of sexual harassment, discrimination, victimisation and breaches of the right to a private life under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights. They are being supported by Christian Legal Centre. The NHS trust claimed a postponement was necessary to allow more time for an internal investigation to be completed. Judge Robinson said the case will take four weeks and adjourned it until October 20. Outside court, Andrea Williams, of the Christian Legal Centre, accused the NHS of dragging its feet. 'It is difficult to imagine any other party in legal proceedings prioritising its own internal investigation over compliance with court orders, yet NHS management has done just that,' she said. 'This level of bureaucratic arrogance has condemned these dedicated nurses to four more months of uncertainty and distress at the hospital. 'It is completely unacceptable that ideological radicals within NHS management have turned what should be a safe and supportive workplace for hardworking nurses into a cultural battleground. After the HR complaint, a sign appeared on the female changing room saying 'inclusive changing space' The 'temporary changing rooms' which the nurses were forced to use after the complaint 'Accountability and justice in this case are long overdue. We stand firmly with the Darlington nurses and will continue to do so until they receive the justice they deserve. 'How difficult can it be for the NHS to acknowledge the simple reality that men are men and women are women? Instead, equality and diversity policies are being weaponised against dedicated nurses who are simply asking for common sense to prevail. 'It is the nurses not those imposing these radical policies who are being punished and marginalised for taking an honest stand. We urge Wes Streeting to step in and ensure that this injustice is addressed across the entire NHS.' At an earlier hearing, the nurses claimed that after raising their concerns with HR, they were told they need to be 're-educated' and 'more inclusive'. They also said Rose's behaviour changed after the complaint. Bethany Hutchinson said they 'started to feel quite intimidated'. A sign appeared on the door of the female changing room saying 'INCLUSIVE CHANGING ROOM'. The nurses who complained were forced to change in a side office re-branded as 'temporary changing rooms', while Rose continued to use the female changing room. The nurses have previously handed a petition to Downing Street about the issue and met health secretary Wes Streeting in person. Last year, Mr Streeting posted on social media: 'I support the nurses and I'm horrified that they've had to resort to legal action. 'We've got to find a way through that treats trans people with respect and respects women's safe spaces.' A fashion and beauty influencer has revealed the terrifying incident in her former New York City apartment that now has her religiously locking and deadbolting her door. Kate Bartlett, 24, said in a recent TikTok video that a man broke into her unit in the middle of the night two years ago, despite the fact that her building was a luxury high-rise with a 24-hour doorman. She didn't reveal exactly where this happened but said she was living in a 'very safe' neighborhood area of the city. Bartlett's warning was a departure from the light-hearted content she's known for, including get-ready-with-me videos, fashion trends and updates on her life. However, she said she felt if her warning could 'keep one person safe then it is worth sharing.' She went on to tell her 1.5 million followers that at around 11:45pm on the night of the break-in, she was about to go to bed and was already half asleep. Some time later, she said she heard her apartment door open and then close. This wasn't something that frightened her at first because she said it was normal for her then-boyfriend to let himself in at that hour. Plus, you needed a key card to open her apartment door, she explained. Kate Bartlett, 24, shared a story on her TikTok about how a man broke into her apartment around midnight two years ago. He fled after she went into the living room to confront him, she said 'I would say about five minutes went by and I was hearing rustling around, somebody trying to turn on the light switches...moving things around,' she said. Eventually she called out to who she thought was her boyfriend, but to her shock and horror, a man whose voice she didn't recognize answered her. 'No, this is housekeeping,' Bartlett recalled the man saying. 'At this moment, my heart just sunk to my feet. I knew a random man was in my house, and you're alone, as a girl,' she said. She said she grabbed her tripod as a weapon and marched out into her living room, but by the time she made it out there, the man was already gone. 'The door slammed shut. I open the door and I see a man running down the hallway and down the stairs,' she said. 'I called my building, I called the police. The doorman came, and basically everyone in the building told me that they didn't believe me, which was really horrible, and they literally asked me if I was hallucinating,' she added. That changed the next night, after the same thing happened to another girl in Bartlett's building. 'A few days pass, and they actually end up catching this man in the service elevator,' she said. But this apparently wasn't the end of the saga. Bartlett said they let the man go because there was an absence of 'No trespassing' signs in her apartment building. New York State law says people can be prosecuted if they trespass on private property regardless of the presence of signs Her followers flocked to the comments to share their sympathy and outrage at what happened to her 'Because my building did not have any "No trespassing" signs anywhere, legally, they couldn't do anything,' she claimed. 'So they just had to let him go. The same thing happened to about I want to say three or four women in the building I was living in, and I really don't think that it was targeted, but I actually don't know.' New York state law stipulates that people who trespass on private property can be prosecuted, regardless if there are signs posted that say 'No trespassing.' Bartlett said the man who broke into her apartment was arrest him several months later, though she didn't say whether he worked at her building or how he managed to get access. 'The moral of my story is that even if you are living in a luxury building and you have a key card door, please, please, please lock your doors at all times even if you are home, even if you have a doorman,' she said. Her followers flocked to the comments to share their sympathy and outrage at what happened to her. 'Doesnt the building have any CCTV?! Surely they could see the man running down the hallway!!! Infuriating that they didnt believe you!' one person wrote. 'Interesting how he knew to break in only to womens apartments?? Sounds like inside job for real,' another theorized. 'I really hate the keycard doors in nyc. This is exactly my fear. So glad youre safe though,' a third commented. New York City Mayor Eric Adams' federal corruption case has been sensationally dismissed. The mayor's case was ordered to be dropped with prejudice on Wednesday in a bombshell ruling from a judge. It comes weeks after Donald Trump ordered his Justice Department to push prosecutors in Manhattan to drop the case against Adams. In September, Adams became the first New York City Mayor in history to face criminal charges as he was hit with a five-count indictment including bribery and fraud. He was accused of receiving perks including flight upgrades and penthouse suites from Turkish officials looking to buy influence with the mayor, and prosecutors said he took in over $100,000 in illegal campaign contributions. But Adams insisted the prosecution was politically motivated and he was targeted because of his opposition to weak immigration policies. He turned to Trump for help in turning the tide in the case, and even appeared alongside his Border Czar Tom Homan to call for mass deportations. Critics had alleged Adams' case had only been dismissed after he sided with the president, and in his ruling on Wednesday, Judge Dale Ho said: 'Everything here smacks of a bargain - dismissal of the indictment in exchange for immigration policy concessions.' New York City Mayor Eric Adams' federal corruption case has been sensationally dismissed Ho explained in his ruling that the case was being dismissed with prejudice, meaning prosecutors cannot re-charge Adams with the same crimes as in his indictment. The case had been challenged by Trump's Department of Justice as they argued it was politically motivated, particularly over Adams' outspoken rhetoric on illegal immigration. Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove had pushed for federal prosecutors to drop the case shortly after Adams visited Trump at Mar-a-Lago, leading to allegations Adams was working with Trump's immigration crackdown in exchange for leniency. Ho wrote in his ruling that the argument put forward by Trump's Department of Justice that immigration is to blame 'is both unprecedented and breathtaking in its sweep.' 'DOJ cites no examples, and the court is unable to find any, of the government dismissing charges against an elected official because doing so would enable the official to facilitate federal policy goals,' the judge said. The DOJ had asked the case to be dropped without prejudice, meaning the charges could be brought again in the future, but Ho ruled against this to avoid the indictment being used to blackmail Adams. Ho wrote that dismissing the charges with prejudice 'ensures that, going forward, the charges in the indictment cannot be used as leverage over Mayor Adams or the City of New York.' In September, Adams became the first New York City Mayor in history to face criminal charges as he was hit with a five-count indictment including bribery and fraud Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove (pictured) had pushed for federal prosecutors to drop the case shortly after Adams visited Trump at Mar-a-Lago, alleging the case was politically motivated Ho wrote in his ruling that if he had not dropped the case against Adams with prejudice, it 'would create the unavoidable perception that the mayor's freedom depends on his ability to carry out the immigration enforcement priorities of the administration. 'And that he might be more beholden to the demands of the federal government than to the wishes of his own constituents.' After Trump re-took the White House and the approach to Adams' case eased, Danielle Sassoon, the interim US Attorney for Manhattan, resigned in protest. While news of Adams' case being dropped will likely do little to calm calls for his resignation, the mayor maintains that he is still running for re-election this year. Adams faces an uphill struggle to remain in office, however, with former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo leading polls after entering the race weeks ago. It comes as Adams insists he is still running for re-election this year, but polls have him trailing far behind current frontrunner, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo (pictured Monday) Other than Cuomo, State Senator Zellnor Myrie, Brad Lander, the city's comptroller, State Senator Jessica Ramos, former Comptroller Scott Stringer, State Assemblyman Zoharn Mamdani and former assembly member Michael Blake are in the running as well. A recent poll from Emerson/ PIX11/ The Hill found Cuomo holds a healthy lead in the race, picking up 38 percent support. Mamdani came in second at 10 percent, while Adams sits in third at eight percent. Londoners have been urged not to have barbecues after warnings of an 'extreme' wildfire risk were issued following a series of blazes across Britain in recent days. The Met Office has imposed a rare amber warning for fire severity across parts of England, southern Scotland and Northern Ireland as temperatures soar to 22C (72F). The London Fire Brigade has asked people hoping to enjoy the weather to avoid having barbecues in open spaces or on balconies, including disposable barbecues. Officials have also requested that Londoners ensure they throw their rubbish away and to carefully dispose of cigarettes to avoid inadvertently starting a wildfire. Temperatures will build from highs of 18C (64F) in southern England today, up to 20C (68F) tomorrow and 22C (72F) on Friday as the sunny conditions continue. It comes after England saw its sunniest March on record and its sixth driest March since records began in 1836, according to the Met Office. Last month was also Wales's second sunniest March on record and its fourth driest since 1836. People walk past beach huts on Avon Beach in Dorset today as the sunny weather continues People enjoy the sunshine and warm spring weather at St James's Park in London today A blustery but sunny afternoon along the River Thames at Caversham in Berkshire today People relax on the grass beside the Royal Crescent in Bath under sunny and clear skies today People windsurf in the sea off of Avon Beach in Dorset today amid a week of dry weather The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has also warned of a 'very high to extreme risk' of wildfires into next week. Group commander Garry Douglas said: 'There is a very high to extreme risk of wildfire from Wednesday, April 2 until Monday, April 7 and we are urging the public to avoid lighting fires outdoors across all areas of Scotland during this period. 'During any period of heightened risk, fires can ignite easily, spread very quickly and burn with high intensity.' Met Office spokeswoman Nicola Maxey said the risk is due to 'dry weather which has been ongoing for a while now'. She added: 'We have got dry, warm weather with some fairly strong winds. High pressure is dominating our weather at the moment, which is caused by the heat that we have been seeing. 'Early in the winter we also had a very wet period which produced a lot of plant growth. This exacerbates the risk with fuel for the fire.' Firefighters tackled blazes in the Kilpatrick Hills near Glasgow yesterday. The Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service also said it has responded to more than 40 incidents since Monday in areas spread across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Neath Port Talbot, Pembrokeshire, Powys and Swansea, including one case affecting some 50 hectares of land in Llanllwni, Carmarthenshire. A view of the UK from space today, showing clear skies and sunshine for the whole country The service said it received an 'exceptionally high' number of calls relating to grass fires yesterday. London Fire Brigade urged people in the capital to take precautions against wildfires, as forecasts project temperatures hotter than Barcelona and Athens this week. Assistant Commissioner Paul McCourt said: 'We want everyone to enjoy the sunshine but we urge people to take the necessary precautions to stay safe and help prevent a grass fire from starting. 'Recent events in Los Angeles and South Korea have demonstrated how rapidly fires can spread outdoors even when temperatures are not at their highest. 'The Met Office has issued an amber wildfire warning, covering London, and this will be in place for the rest of the week. 'As the weather warms up and we head towards Friday and the weekend, we would urge Londoners not to have barbecues in open spaces or on balconies, including disposable barbecues, to throw rubbish away, and to dispose of cigarettes carefully to avoid inadvertently starting a fire. 'We're also working closely with partners, such as local authorities, to help manage the risks in outdoor spaces and ensure the public are following the safety advice.' Met Office data showed England had its sixth driest March since records began in 1836 England saw its sunniest March on record last month, according to the Met Office Firefighters tackle blazes in the Kilpatrick Hills near Glasgow yesterday amid the warm weather A wildfire burns at Midlothian Snowsports Centre at Hillend near Edinburgh yesterday The last time London was hit by wildfires was in the 2022 heatwave, when UK temperatures soared above 40C (104F) for the first time. The Met Office has a 'Fire Severity Index' (FSI) which is in the process of being relocated from its website to the Open Access website, which is expected to be completed by early next month. Last month, persistent high pressure brought long spells of clear weather. Some 185.8 hours of sunshine were measured across England in March, 59 per cent more than the long-term average, according to provisional figures from the Met Office. This beats the previous record of 171.7 hours set in 1929. Wales saw its second sunniest March, with 53 per cent more hours than average. Scotland and Northern Ireland also saw an above average amount of sunshine, at 20 per cent and 13 per cent respectively, though neither nation came close to record levels. Across the UK as a whole there were 158.1 hours of sunshine, the third highest total recorded for March, behind 165.5 hours in 2022 and 166.9 hours in 1929. Met Office records for sunshine begin in 1910. The last time London was hit by wildfires was in the 2022 heatwave, when UK temperatures soared above 40C for the first time. A blaze at Wennington on July 19 that year is pictured Last month was also very dry, with the UK seeing just 43 per cent of its average rainfall for March. Most of the southern half of England and parts of South Wales recorded only a fifth of their long-term average. Wales experienced its fourth driest March on record, England its sixth and Northern Ireland its ninth, based on Met Office data for rainfall beginning in 1836. By contrast, Scotland saw nearly two-thirds (64 per cent) of its average rainfall for the month. Many counties had a very dry March, with Norfolk, Suffolk, Devon, Cambridgeshire and Gwynedd all within their top three lowest rainfalls for the month. The long periods of high pressure meant temperatures were able to build during the day, before falling overnight as heat escaped under clear skies, the Met Office added. This led to the UK experiencing its tenth warmest March on record, with a mean temperature across the month of 7.0C (44.6F), 1.3C above the long-term average. The warmest ever March was in 1938, when the mean temperature reached 8.0C (48.2F), according to records dating back to 1884. The devastating might of one of Royal Navy's most fearsome warships has been unleashed in a rare display of military power. HMS Dauntless let loose with almost with every weapon system at the ship's disposal to destroy swarms of drones during a high-octane live-fire drill off the Welsh coast. The 1billion Type 45 vessel and her 190-strong crew fended off attack after attack from unmanned aircraft and boats as they raced towards it. Helicopters armed with missiles blasted aircraft out of the sky, while ferocious machine guns on the ship, able to spew thousands of rounds a minutes, ripped into mock suicide drones. The action, which unfolded on Tuesday, is part of the final round of drills before Dauntless joins a major deployment to Asia in the coming weeks protecting one of Britain's two, 3billion aircraft carriers. The voyage could take the carrier strike group through dangerous waters in the Red Sea - and into the sights of Houthi rebels in Yemen, who have threatened to blast warships with their Iranian-made missiles and drones. It means the heavily-armed destroyer - which is a critical part of the defensive shield protecting HMS Prince of Wales - may come under attack for real. Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard witnessed the spectacle from ship's bridge. He said: 'The speed and skill shown by the crew of HMS Dauntless in defending the ship against a complex and sustained series of drone attacks was incredibly impressive. HMS Dauntless unleashed an awesome display of military might on Tuesday during a live-fire drill. Pictured is the destroyer's 4.5in gun firing Sailors were tasked with defending the ship from repeated drone attack. Pictured is one of the crew firing a heavy machine gun As well as aerial drones, Dauntless had to contend with attacks from unmanned 'suicide' boats 'This test shows how the Royal Navy is adapting to face evolving threats, including from drone attacks in the Red Sea, as well as how we are working closely with industry to harness the latest technology to keep the UK secure at home and strong abroad.' The deployment comes ahead of escalating tensions between American and Iran, which has seen the US deploy B-2 stealth bombers to Diego Garcia - which is in striking distance of Iran's capital, Tehran. Donald Trump has already threatened to launch strikes against Iran if the regime does not reach a deal with Washington over its nuclear programme. The simmering tensions mean that Dauntless and the hundreds of men and women from Britain's military who will be steaming towards Asia could find themselves in the line of fire, should the situation explode. Sharpening their skills ahead of their mission, Dauntless' ship's company used its advanced array radars sensors - as well as binoculars and the "mark one eyeball" - to scan the area for enemy threats. A large portion of the exercise involved simulated threats, such as pretend swarms of drone assaults, as well as cruise missiles and hostile fighter jets. But it also saw Dauntless having to fend off attack runs by unmanned Banshee aircraft capable of flying at 200mph and Hammerhead boat drones. Suicide vessels, packed with explosives, have become an increasing threat in recent years, with Ukraine having used them to devastating effect to cripple Russian tyrant Vladimir Putin's prized Black Sea Fleet. A sailor is seen opening up with one of Dauntless' 30mm guns. Pictured in the background is the ship's Phalanx gun - which is capable of spewing out 3,000 rounds of armour-piercing shells in a minute Sailors were in fully battle dress, wearing protective clothing designed to protect them from fires Explosions could be seen in the area as drones were destroyed during the drill Dauntless used its Phalanx gun - which is capable of spewing out 3,000 rounds of armour-piercing shells in a minute - its might 4.5in and 30mm guns, as well as its array of general purpose machine guns, to destroy the hostile threats. And the ship's embarked Wildcat helicopter, armed with Martlet missiles capable of bringing down targets up to almost four miles away, was also used. Dramatic footage filmed by the Royal Navy showed rounds bouncing off the sea as Dauntless 'went to war' close to the Cardigan Bay area of the Welsh coast. The drill, the first of its kind for the navy, gave Dauntless and her ship's company a taste into what her sister ship, HMS Diamond, faced when she operated in the Red Sea last year. Diamond was forced into action to protect the critical commercial shipping routes, which saw it become the first Royal Navy vessel to shop down a ballistic missile using its hi-tech Sea Viper missile. Dauntless' captain, Commander Ben Dorrington oversaw the action. He said: 'The realism of the exercise and training delivered provided a unique opportunity for the ship's company to demonstrate they are ready to defend, ready to fight and ready to win. HMS Dauntless (pictured) will be deploying overseas later this year to protect aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales A sailor is pictured manning one of Dauntless' machine guns The bridge of the ship was a hive of activity as personnel tracked incoming threats 'As we reach the pinnacle of our comprehensive training package with the conclusion of "Exercise Sharpshooter", we look forward to some well-deserved Easter leave before deploying as part of the carrier strike group in the spring.' The Royal Navy, along with the British Army and RAF, have struggled to hit recruitment targets in recent years. However, the Prime Minister has vowed to ramp up defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP, in a bid to boost Britain's military. Last week, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a further 2.2billion boost - which will see four of the Navy's six Type 45 destroyers being fitted with cutting edge lasers. The space-aged DragonFire 'directed-energy weapon' is so accurate it can hit a 1 coin from a mile away. It will be used to shoot down drones, missiles and jets, with each shot of the laser costing around 10 - vastly cheaper than the cost of a missile or hundreds of rounds of armour-piercing shells. DragonFire will be installed on the warships by 2027. Dauntless is believed to be one of those set to receive the new kit. Leaked messages from a prison where 17 inmates died last year show staff laughing at beating inmates and joking about self-harm. The messages allegedly show staff members at HMP Parc, a privately run prison in Bridgend, south Wales, mocking one inmate who had self harmed as 'daft' and boasting of 'punching the f*** into' another. In another of the leaked messages - seen by the PA news agency - a staff member said 'they smashed him into the shower lol' with someone else responding 'good, I hope they hurt him too'. G4S, which runs Parc, insisted they are committed to 'rooting out wrongdoing' and have a zero-tolerance approach to staff behaviour that falls short. The prison has come under increased scrutiny in recent years, with 17 inmates having died at HMP Parc in 2024 - more than at any other prison that year. Four staff members were arrested in September on suspicion of assault and misconduct in public office but were later released. In May, the government faced calls to take over the running of the prison amid concerns over drug use and deaths at the prison. Just months later, in December, MPs heard contraband was being taken into the prison in 'children's nappies', while there were 'industrial specification drone drops' from organised crime gangs. Leaked messages from HMP Parc (pictured) where 17 inmates died last year show staff laughing at beating inmates and joking about self-harm The messages allegedly show staff members at the prison (pictured) mocking one inmate who had self harmed as 'daft' and boasting of 'punching the f*** in to' another. In one of the leaked messages, an officer said: 'I punched the f*** into him after he bit me so there's some closure (laughing emoji). 'He threw his food tray in (redacted's) face so I dropped him.' Another said a man who self-harmed was 'daft' and needed to go 'to a f****** lonnie (sic) bin'. Further messages also show one staff member at HMP Parc suggesting they will provoke an inmate into an altercation. 'Let's push him to go tomorrow so we can drop him,' they said. Another message said 'they smashed him into the shower lol' with someone else responding 'good, I hope they hurt him too'. South Wales Police confirmed several custody officers had been arrested following incidents at the prison, but no charges have been brought. A spokeswoman said an 'additional arrest phase' took place in January 2025. HMP Parc (pictured) became one of the UK's first privately owned prisons when it originally opened in 1997 and it received a 10-year contract to continue operating it in 2022 A 35-year-old man from Bridgend; 40-year-old man from Swansea; 38-year-old man from Barry; 50-year-old man from Taibach and a 23-year-old woman from Cardiff have been bailed pending further inquiries until the end of April 2025. A 36-year-old man from Llanelli has also been released under investigation. Detective Chief Inspector Dean Taylor said: 'The investigation remains ongoing, and officers are continuing to work closely with G4S.' A spokesperson for HMP Parc said: 'Our staff are expected to treat everyone with dignity and respect and we have a zero tolerance approach to dealing with any staff behaviour that falls short of our standards. 'Of the four individuals who were arrested and released without charge by South Wales Police, three have been dismissed from the company and one remains suspended from duty pending the outcome of a disciplinary process. 'The vast majority of our staff are hardworking and honest. 'We are absolutely committed to rooting out any wrongdoing.' Hundreds of Jellycats worth up to 20,000 have been stolen after a masked couple rammed a car into a shopfront before making off with a fortune of the highly-collectable toys. The early morning ram raid, which took place at around 4.40am on Sunday, left The Gorge Bear Company in Cheddar's frontage completely destroyed. The thieves, who were caught on CCTV cameras ramming a vehicle repeatedly into the shop, smashed through the entrance and stole a large quantity of goods including the popular Jellycat toys. At around 4.20am, security cameras caught a masked man and woman peering into the windows and using a torch to look at the stock inside. Shortly afterwards they are seen returning in a Renault Twingo and pulling up outside the shop. While one thief gets out and attempts - somewhat unsuccessfully - to set up a wooden plank system to force the door open, the other remains in the car and then repeatedly reverses into the shop door. Footage shows it repeatedly ramming the door using a wooden post as a battering ram. The pair are then seen stuffing hundreds of the toys from shelves into large bags before fleeing the scene. The thieves, who were caught on CCTV cameras ramming a vehicle repeatedly into the shop, smashed through the entrance and stole a large quantity of goods including the popular Jellycat toys The pair were seen stuffing hundreds of the toys from shelves into large bags before fleeing the scene The George Bear Company lost more than 300 items in the theft after opening more than 25 years ago Officers were called to the shop just minutes later and Avon and Somerset Police has launched an investigation. In total, more than 300 soft toys were taken by the thieves, according to store management, with both Jellycats and Charlie Bears missing. The British toy brand Jellycat has boomed over the last year with a wide range of items and collectables fuelling a crime wave of gangs targeting shops stocking the toys. They come in an array of designs from food and drinks such as the 'Sassy Sushi Egg' and animals like the 'Clunky Cockerel', and are typically sold for between 12 and 200. But as demand has skyrocketed so has the numbers of 'steal to sell shoplifters', who typically take a large number of toys to then resell online on sites such as Vinted and eBay. Rare Jellycats can be sold for up to thousands of pounds online, with some shopkeepers resorting to desperate measures to avoid theft, such as security tags and putting the plush toys behind heavy glass cabinets. Paul Pimlott, company secretary of The Gorge Bear Company which was targeted in the burglary, was unfazed and vowed to carry on trading. The shop located next to the world famous Cheddar Gorge and Caves has been there for more than 25 years. Officers were called to the shop just minutes later and Avon and Somerset Police has launched an investigation One of the thieves swept armfuls of the soft toys into large bags before fleeing the scene Mr Pimlott said: 'We had over 300 soft toys stolen in the raid. We've been here since 1999 and nothing like this has happened before. 'But we've had lots of support from the community and we will continue. 'We also own World of Bears in Taunton and have staff to look after. So as a local business we want to carry on contributing locally.' He urged people to look out for items at car boot sales, on Vinted and eBay. The shop has been closed since the incident but is due to reopen on Thursday. An Avon and Somerset police spokesperson added: 'An investigation is underway into a burglary at a shop in Cheddar which happened in the early hours of Sunday 30 March. 'We were called at 4.42am to a report that a car had been used to force access to the property in Queens Row with a significant quantity of soft toys having been stolen. 'Officers were deployed within minutes of the call being made and a search of the area was carried out to try and locate the vehicle involved - a silver Renault Twingo. 'The investigation is continuing and anyone with any information or footage that could help our enquiries is asked to call 101 and give the call handler the reference number 5225090991.' Melinda Gates has recounted the emotional moment she told ex-husband Bill Gates she wanted to live separately after struggling with his links to pedophile Jeffrey Epstein. The philanthropist, 60, describes the heartbreaking exchange in her forthcoming book 'The Next Day: Transitions, Change and Moving Forward', which was obtained by Page Six. The mom-of-three recalled how she and Bill took a trip to New Mexico together in February 2020 which she had initially planned to take alone. On the final night, she sat the billionaire Microsoft founder down and told him she wanted to start living apart. 'It was one of the scariest conversations I'd have had,' Melinda wrote. Her agonizing decision came in the wake of controversy over her ex-husband's friendship with sex trafficker Epstein, who was found dead in his jail cell while awaiting trial in 2019. Melinda has previously said the friendship was a factor in her pushing for divorce. Bill has said he deeply regrets spending time with Epstein but has never been accused of any wrongdoing in relation to the predator. In the book she revealed that Bill was, 'sad and upset' but also 'understanding and respectful.' Melinda Gates has recounted the emotional moment she told ex-husband Bill Gates she wanted to live separately Melinda, 60, has been open about her disapproval of her ex-husband's friendship with sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein Melinda writes about the painful conversation they had which kickstarted their separation in her forthcoming book As the youngest of their children, Phoebe, was still in high school, the couple decided to continue living together until her graduation. The couple continued putting on a united front for their charitable organization, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. However, Melinda revealed that she began suffering 'panic attacks'. 'Bill has a reputation for being one of the toughest negotiators in the world,' she said of their impending divorce. However, after a long and at times 'tender' chat, they decided to end their 27 year marriage, going public with a joint statement in 2021. Melinda described the process as 'grueling', but today the former couple remain cordial and committed co-parents to Jennifer, 28, Rory, 25, and Phoebe 22 and grandparents to their two grandchildren. She has been open about some of the reasons for their divorce, including her ex-husband's ties to Epstein who was 'I did not like that he had meetings with Jeffrey Epstein,' she told CBS' Gayle King. The Gates' went public with their divorce in May 2021 after a year of living apart Melinda recalled how they decided to stay living together until their youngest daughter Phoebe graduated high school. Pictured: The former couple with their children 'I made that clear to him. I also met Jeffrey Epstein exactly one time. I wanted to see who this man was and I regretted it from the second I stepped in the door. 'He was abhorrent, evil personified. I had nightmares about it afterwards. That's why my heart breaks for these young women. That's how I felt, and I am an older woman. He was awful.' Bill has said in the past that meeting with Epstein multiple times was a 'huge' mistake and error in judgement. In a statement to CBS, he said: 'Meeting with Epstein was a mistake that I regret deeply. It was a substantial error in judgement.' Melinda also alluded to alleged infidelities by Bill and suggested they may have contributed to the divorce. The billionaire admitted to an affair with a Microsoft employee in 2000 and while the couple worked through it, Melinda said it left her struggling to trust him. Bill Gates is now in a relationship with Oracle CEO Paula Hurd Since their split, both Bill and Melinda have found new love. Melinda is reportedly dating entrepreneur Philip Vaughn, founder of craft beer delivery service Tavour. Bill went public with his relationship with Paula Hurd, CEO of software company Oracle, with an appearance on the red carpet last year. Melinda's book 'The Next Day: Transitions, Change and Moving Forward' is out April 15. Alaska has risked Donald Trump's wrath by staking its support for Canada amid the president's plans to turn it into the 51st state. The deeply Republican region asserted its stance against his proposal after State Rep. Chuck Kopp announced they 'can't imagine Alaska without Canada.' Kopp and around a dozen other lawmakers have sponsored a resolution which suggests 'recognizing and honoring' their relationship as it currently stands. The Senate Resources Committee considered the resolution on Monday to include public testimony after a formal passage was given in the House earlier this month. 'This resolution, more than anything, is to present a unified voice of restoration and reconciliation among old allies and friends at the same time when trade restrictions have jeopardized and challenged that relationship,' Kopp said in testimony this week before the committee. 'The trust and affection that we hold for our Canadian neighbors extends to their identity as citizens of the sovereign nation of Canada... we have a history that's woven together. We can't imagine Alaska without Canada,' he continued. The resolution passed in the house and was set to be heard again before the senate, The Globe and Mail reported. It furthers that a copy of the resolution be sent to several officials, including Trump and Prime Minister Mark Carney. Alaska took a stance against Donald Trump's tariff war with Canada as well as his hopes to turn the country into a US state after a resolution between the state and the country highlighted their long relationship and continued support 'Keeping our relationship with Canada isn't just a good policy. It's really who Alaskans are, and we recognize it's essential to our way of life,' State Rep Chuck Kopp said, pointing out that 20,000 Alaskan jobs reply on the state's relationship with Canada. Kopp (pictured) announced they 'can't imagine Alaska without Canada.' Kopp sponsored House Joint Resolution 11 which proposes 'recognizing and honoring' the relationship between Alaska and Canada and affirming that the two 'must continue to work together' 'I think it represents the alignment of Artic people, Canadian and US, which, sometimes, is disconnected from the East Coast of our two countries,' Committee Chair Senator Cathy Giessel said. The resolution proposes that their continued collaboration would work to 'make our citizens' lives better, safer, more prosperous, and more affordable.' It furthers that the Legislature 'opposes restrictive trade measures or tolls that would harm the unique relationship between Canada and Alaska or negatively affect our integrated communities.' Alaska and Canada's long relationship began long before the border between the two was established, as Indigenous people were able to move freely between the two. Kopp referenced the collaborative work during World War II to build the Alaska Highway. 'What started as a wartime necessity became a permanent economic artery between Alaska and Canada,' Kopp said. 'Our grocery stores are literally filled with fresh vegetables, dairy, and packaged goods that arrive through Canadian supply chains.' 'Keeping our relationship with Canada isn't just a good policy. It's really who Alaskans are, and we recognize it's essential to our way of life,' he added, pointing out that 20,000 Alaskan jobs reply on the state's relationship with Canada. Ranj Pillai, the Premier of Yukon which shares a border with Alaska, appeared before the committee on Monday and said: 'Like all good neighbors, when times are tough, Alaskans and Yukoners are there for each other' 'I think it represents the alignment of Artic people, Canadian and US, which, sometimes, is disconnected from the East Coast of our two countries,' Committee Chair Senator Cathy Giessel said Ranj Pillai, the Premier of Yukon which shares a border with Alaska, appeared before the committee on Monday and bolstered the idea that the relationship between the country and state was imperative to preserve. 'We must continue to work together to protect the livelihood of our citizens and our economies,' Pillai said. 'Like all good neighbors, when times are tough, Alaskans and Yukoners are there for each other,' he continued. Pillai then clarified that despite the country's response to Trump's tariffs with the promise of retaliatory tariffs, the 'efforts to protect our economy and sovereignty are not a reflection of our feelings toward the American people.' 'We remain your greatest friends and your closest allies. We want to keep working together, just like we've done for the past 150 years,' he concluded. 'The Alaska State Legislature honors Alaska's alliance with Canada and looks forward to many more years of cooperation, friendship, trade, tourism, cultural exchange, and good will,' the resolution states. Tensions between the United States and Canada, however, have increased as Trump threatens what many are concerned will morph into a trade war. Last week saw Canadian Prime Minister Carney promising retaliation with tariffs of its own should the Trump administration go forward with plans to tax and tariff the country. 'Canada is a Tariff abuser, and always has been, but the United States is not going to be subsidizing Canada any longer. We don't need your Cars, we don't need your Lumber, we don't your Energy, and very soon, you will find that out,' Trump threatened in March Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney promised to retaliate against Trump's tariffs last week as fears of a trade war loom Ontario Premier Doug Ford hit back at Trump's tariff threats with the promise that 'if the United States escalates, I will not hesitate to shut the electricity off completely' 'Canada is a Tariff abuser, and always has been, but the United States is not going to be subsidizing Canada any longer. We don't need your Cars, we don't need your Lumber, we don't your Energy, and very soon, you will find that out,' Trump threatened in March. Trump's newest tariffs are expected to go into effect April 2. Ontario Premier Doug Ford hit back with the promise that 'if the United States escalates, I will not hesitate to shut the electricity off completely.' 'Believe me when I say I do not want to do this, I feel terrible for the American people, because it's not the American people who started this trade war. It's one person who's responsible. That's President Trump,' he added. Ford later told Fox Business that he would consider relenting on the reciprocal tariffs once Trump stopped threatening his allies. 'Canadians love Americans. I love Americans. Its been 20 years of my life. But in saying that, no, were going to put a 25 percent tariff on electricity coming from Ontario to Michigan, New York and Minnesota,' he said. 'Isnt this a shame. Its an absolute mess... he's created chaos.' A zookeeper and her gorilla friend, who welcomed their babies into the world just 10 days apart, introduced the two infants in a heartwarming moment for the new mothers. Catherine Tidwell has cared for a 12-year-old gorilla named Adelina at the Little Rock Zoo in Arkansas since the animal was born. Tidwell is a part-time zookeeper primarily working with apes. She loves primates and developed a strong connection with Adelina. After watching the gorilla grow up, she found out that Adelina was expecting at the same time that she was. Tidwell told local NBC affiliate, KARK-TV, that her due date was right in the middle of Adelina's birth window. Similarly to humans, a gorilla's pregnancy typically lasts around 8.5 months. There is no fixed breeding season for the primates and they give birth around every four years. The baby gorilla was born on March 1 and Tidwell gave birth to her baby girl, Caroline 10 days later. 'It's actually really cool, because I was here when she was born. So I've known her her whole life,' Tidwell told KARK. Catherine Tidwell, a zookeeper in Arkansas, watched after gorilla Adelina from the day she was born until she got pregnant Adelina gave birth to her gorilla baby on March 1, just days before her zookeeper had her infant Tidwell said that it was 'surreal' to introduce her infant to Adelina's baby and that the whole situation was 'like a dream' Tidwell said that she and Adelina went through their pregnancies together and she would let the gorilla know when they were approaching the big day. 'I, very often, was like, "We're in our second trimester now," "We're in our third trimester," "We're getting close any day!"' she joked. The zookeeper brought her infant to the zoo on Tuesday and introduced Caroline to Adelina's baby gorilla. Tidwell said that the experience was 'such a dream,' and she described the first moment Caroline met Adelina's gorilla baby as 'surreal.' The zookeeper said that she looks forward to watching the two babies grow up and hopes that her daughter will be able to see the gorilla baby more. The Little Rock Zoo announced Adelina's birth on social media, writing that the gorilla baby arrived within the expected birth window and appears to be doing well. Adelina was the first gorilla that was born at the Little Rock Zoo and later gave birth there. The gorilla's father's name is Kivu and is 33 years old. Little Rock said that Kivu 'is a proud dad, who is taking his role seriously.' Tidwell told local news that she hopes her and Adelina's babies can grow up together and she's excited to bring her daughter, Caroline, back to the Little Rock Zoo The Little Rock Zoo said that Adelina's gorilla baby was doing well and that she was the first gorilla to be born and give birth at the zoo Adelina and Kivu were recommended for breeding by the Gorilla Species Survival Plan, which manages the health and well- being of gorillas across 51 American zoos. The Little Rock Zoo shared an update on Adelina and her baby on social media last Tuesday. The zookeepers said that the baby gorilla is nursing and growing stronger each day. She is also able to control her head. 'Adelina (mom) is more confident going outside regularly but still enjoys playing with baby while insideshes even been seen holding the baby up while laying on her back,' the Little Rock Zoo said. The zoo has set up an online registry with Otto Environmental, a group that works with zoos and animal sanctuaries to provide resources. Adelina has been keeping her baby close, so the zookeepers haven't determined the gorilla's gender or given them a name. Adelina is keeping her gorilla baby close so the zoo staff has yet to determine the baby's gender or give them a name The zoo shared images of Adelina and her baby on social media and many users rushed to the comments to express how cute the photos were The zoo's online announcement has taken off on social media, with comments flooding in about the gorilla baby. 'Such a sweet little nose and expressive face!! Adelina is doing a wonderful job!!' one comment read. 'Cant wait to come see the little sweetie!!' another added. 'How sweet! She's a good mommy!' wrote a third. An elderly Texas teacher had her leg amputated and ultimately died after tripping during a school fire drill. Evangeline Riojas, who worked as a San Antonio educator for more than 50 years, was holding a child's hand while guiding them outside for the drill at Passmore Elementary School in August 2024. The 80-year-old suddenly lost her balance and plummeted to the ground. The agonizing fall left her unable to move - her shattered leg was covered in blood. 'She kind of twisted and landed everything on her knee, which in turn broke her femur and broke part of her kneecap,' her heartbroken son Chris Riojas told KSAT. The elderly woman fought hard to recover, undergoing more than a dozen grueling surgeries and bearing the pain of her severe injuries. But an infection in her leg left her doctors with no choice but to amputate it. And even after that procedure, Chris said his mother was eager to get back into the classroom. 'She was saying, Let me, let me go til the end of ... until Christmas so that I can see the kids and tell them Im leaving,' he told KSAT. Evangeline Riojas had her leg amputated and ultimately died after tripping during a school fire drill The beloved teacher passed away on March 6 after her family took her off the respirator 'And then Ill retire going into the spring.' Unfortunately, Evangeline was never able to go back to school. She spent months in the hospital and at a rehab center after her leg was removed before she passed away on March 6. It is unclear what her exact cause of death was. 'The world lost a beautiful soul last night,' Chris announced on Facebook. He had previously noted she was taken off of her respirator the night before she died. Despite being a devoted teacher for the Northside Independent School District (NSID) in San Antonio for her entire career, Chris expressed frustration with district administrators. He accused them of turning their backs on his mother while she was in desperate need of support. In a February open letter addressed to John Craft, the NSID superintendant, Chris outlined his concerns. 'I have watched her work countless hours and weekends shopping for festivals and generally doing anything to benefit the children. Underpaid & overworked!' He claimed that after being injured on the job, she suffered not only extensive injuries that led to her death, but a 30 percent pay cut. Chris claimed the school district was no looking out for his mother during her times of need 'And, she has not even received a card, a flower arrangement, a phone call, or even a short hand written note from central office,' he wrote. 'Her school had been wonderful checking on her and coming to visit, but no acknowledgment from the central office at all. I am very disappointed in NISDs lack of response to what has happened to my mother.' Later that month, Chris posted another statement, expressing gratitude for Board of Trustees member David Salcido for mentioning his mother during a board meeting. He wrote: 'I want to personally thank David Salcido for mentioning my mom at the last board meeting. Maybe all you people in administration could learn from him.' Chris told KSAT that once his mother ran out of sick days and paid time off, the school district cut off all of her health benefits. 'She got punished for getting hurt at a school doing her job,' he said to the outlet. NISD Assistant Superintendent of Communications Barry Perez responded in a statement to KSAT: 'The Workers Compensation program pays for benefits like medical care to treat employees who are injured while on the job.' Evangeline worked as a San Antonio educator for more than 50 years and taught at Passmore Elementary School before she died Chris told KSAT that once his mother ran out of sick days and paid time off, the school district cut off all of her health benefits The NSID also said staff members of both the school and the district had been checking in on Evangeline while she was hospitalized. Before the fatal fall, Chris had been urging his mother to retire for years - but she refused to budge. 'When I stop loving what Im doing, Ill think about retiring,' she would reply, according to her grieving son. A loverboy prisoner who had phone sex with a prison officer and a fling with a jail nurse at the same time has been arrested - after allegedly spending a week on the run. Harri Pullen, 27, was wanted by police after being released from behind bars where he has been accused of romances with staff members. He was wanted over suspected drug dealing but allegedly escaped in handcuffs from hospital with four more women quizzed over helping him flee. But officers say a week after his disappearance from the Grange Hospital in Cwmbran Pullen has been arrested. A court heard Pullen had an 'inappropriate relationship' with prison nurse Elyse Hibbs, 27, and also repeatedly phoned prison officer Ruth Shmylo, 26, to tell he he loved her in a series of calls from his cells. She was accused of having a five month relationship with Pullen - and calls between them were recorded by prison bosses. Gwent Police said: 'We recently appealed for information to find 27-year-old Harri Pullen from Newport. He has since been arrested.' Officers were looking for Harri Pullen, 27, after being released from behind bars where he struck up his romances Pullen had an 'inappropriate relationship' with prison nurse Elyse Hibbs, 27, pictured He also also repeatedly phoned prison officer Ruth Shmylo, 26, pictured, to tell he loved her in a series of calls from his cell In the previous appeal, a force spokersperson said: 'Harri was last seen at around 3.45pm on Wednesday 26 March outside the Grange University Hospital, Cwmbran where he had been taken following his arrest on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs. 'Pullen left the Grange University Hospital car park after being picked up by someone in a black Vauxhall Insignia. 'Four women, aged 28, 31 41, and 58, were later arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. The 58-year-old woman has since been released on police bail while the other three remain in police custody at this time. 'Anyone with information on his whereabout is asked to contact us quoting log reference 2500095727.' Glamorous officer Shymlo - described in court as 'very pretty' - was cleared of wrongdoing following a nine day trial in December 2023. She was sacked from her job at HMP Parc in Bridgend and Pullen moved to another prison after officials at the G4S-run jail over their alleged affair. Pullen was moved to HMP Manchester - also known as Strangeways - and added Shmylo to his approved calls list but their conversations were recorded by officials. The calls, played to the court, included Pullen repeatedly telling her 'I love you.' Pullen was released from jail after serving his time Ms Shmylo, pictured, described by her barrister as 'very pretty', told the court Pullen 'fixated' on her and forced her to take his calls The court heard complaints about her included 'flirtatious' behaviour with inmates and wearing 'skin-tight trousers' to work. But the court heard she had previously made corruption reports of her own against other staff who were colluding with inmates to tamper with prisoner's food. Claire Wilks, defending, said Shmylo should have been treated as a whistleblower but was instead 'hung out to dry' by prison bosses and called 'a grass' by her colleagues and assaulted. Ms Wilks said it was no surprise that given her previous treatment at the jail she wouldn't report phone calls with Pullen as she feared the consequences. Prosecutor Matthew Cobbe told the court that after being arrested Shmylo admitted she had phone sex with Pullen. Mr Cobbe said: 'She conceded during the course of her interview that she had had phone sex with the inmate. 'She explained this was principally the inmate saying things to her, noting that 'I was listening for the best part of it'. 'That means she was actively engaging in phone sex with the inmate - or some of it.' Shmylo told the jury she cried when Pullen tried to initiate phone sex. Ms Wilks asked her: 'Did you have any sexual arousal from the phone calls?' Shmylo answered: 'No. The first time when I came to be aware Harri was masturbating I asked him to stop. I repeatedly asked him to stop and I cried. 'It made him really angry and his exact words were: 'You're making out like I'm kind of nonce. 'It was like I had insulted him because I was crying and I was repeatedly saying: 'I'm not doing this I'm not doing this.' Shmylo, of Treforest, Pontypridd was cleared of one charge of misconduct in a public office. Shmylo was sacked from her job at HMP Parc in Bridgend, and Pullen was moved to another prison Hibbs, pictured, met the prisoner while giving him medical treatment in her jail, and he contacted her on Instagram Prison nurse Elyse-May Hibbs, 25, was one of two alleged romances with female jail staff by 'manipulative' inmate Pullen behind bars. Hibbs was jailed after her relationship with Pullen while he was serving time for being part of a drugs gang. The nurse claimed she was 'pressurised' into flirting with him - but a judge sent her to prison for six months. After being released Hibbs was taken to disciplinary hearing by the Nursing Midwifery Council to decide if she was fit to carrying on her career. The hearing found that her 'fitness to practise' was impaired by her conviction, and she was handed a 12 months suspension order. This means that she may practice nursing again once the 12 months order is lifted to carry on her career. Qualified health worker Hibbs met the prisoner while giving him medical treatment in her jail and he contacted her on Instagram. Prosecutor Matthew Cobbe said jail chiefs suspected the inmate was involved in an inappropriate relationship at the prison so transferred him to HMP Manchester. But investigators then found Hibbs' phone number on his approved calls list for inmates. Mr Cobbe said: 'Having been moved the inmate's calls were monitored in HMP Manchester and it was quite plain the relationship with this defendant had was being nurtured by the inmate. 'He contacted the defendant very many times and the bulk of it occurred when she was employed at HMP Parc.' Mr Cobbe said the inmate used his mother and a friend to initiate contact with Hibbs after he searched for her on Instagram. He said: 'The calls between them were flirtatious. They talk about the prison, staff within the prison, he tells her that he loves her and she tells him he doesn't know her to love her. 'He tells her that he loves her and she tells him that she loves him too. The calls included references to the defendant's existing partner and the inmate continuously suggested he would replace him and be in a relationship with her.' Cardiff Crown Court heard the two swapped messages on Instagram by contacting each other through an account held by the inmate's friend. Hibbs quit her post at HMP Parc in July 2021 and was arrested a week later and admitted exchanging messages with the prisoner. She told police she was scared to end the contact after he had previously threatened her. Mr Cobbe said: 'She explained that she and the inmate were never in a sexual relationship of any kind at all. 'She accepted she should have reported the matter but that she got in too deep and couldn't get out.' Elyse-May Hibbs, 25, was jailed for six months after admitting misconduct in a public office Hibbs, of Newbridge, Gwent, admitted misconduct in a public office. Adam Sharp, defending Hibbs, said the prisoner was known within the system to be a 'particularly manipulative individual'. He said: 'She was young, impressionable, inexperienced and vulnerable to the malign influence of the inmate who sought to exploit her.' Mr Sharp said Hibbs had 'dedicated a significant part of her adult life' to nursing but her conviction meant she would be banned from the profession. Recorder of Cardiff Tracey Lloyd-Clarke, told Hibbs: 'You knew what you were doing was wrong, you had training but nevertheless you went ahead and formed what was clearly an emotional relationship with this prisoner. 'Although you were young you held a position of responsibility as a nurse and as a member of prison staff. You failed to report initial contact despite advice from a colleague and training you had had. 'You engaged in flirtatious relationship initially, you failed to report the on-going contact and you failed to report that this inmate had upon him and in custody an unlawful device.' Tesla sales have plummeted 13 per cent as the firm bears the financial brunt of Elon Musk's fervent posting on X and growing competition in China from homegrown brands. The world's richest man and self-declared Tesla 'Technoking' has attracted widespread international condemnation for his social media activity and actions such as an alleged Nazi salute at Donald Trump's inauguration - a claim he denies. His actions have sparked a recent wave of anti-Tesla protests and vandalism targeting vehicles made by the company, which include the Model 3 saloon, Model X SUV and the controversial Cybertruck. Today Tesla said it had delivered 336,681 vehicles in the three months to the end of March - its weakest sales performance since the second quarter of 2022. Tesla said it produced 362,615 vehicles in total over the quarter. Its share price dropped two per cent on Wednesday, continuing a run of weakness that has cost the company around 45 per cent of its value since December. The latest sales figure was also significantly below the roughly 390,000 figure predicted by industry analysts. Musk is reportedly preparing to step back from the US Government's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) as of today following the news - prompting an uptick in the firm's share price. There were warning signs of an imminent sales dip. Tesla slashed the prices of its cars, offered cheap financing and tried to bring in buyers with other incentives such as two years of free charging with Tesla's own Supercharger units. Tesla sales have dipped amid competition from cheaper Chinese brands and a global backlash against Elon Musk (pictured: a protest in London) Speculation of an imminent dip in sales intensified after US President Donald Trump held what appeared to be an impromptu Tesla sales event at the White House Tesla vehicles have been the subject of vandalism and alleged destruction (pictured: a Tesla Cybertruck that caught fire in Seattle, the cause of which remains under investigation) Speculation of a drop in trading intensified after US President Donald Trump turned the White House lawn into a temporary Tesla sales showroom last month. Trump went viral as he appeared to read from a crib sheet about the cars alongside Musk and Musk's son X A-12, before proclaiming: 'I'm president, so I want to pay full price.' As he climbed into the electric car and surveyed the largely minimalist interior, dominated by a large touch screen, he sagely noted: 'Wow... everything's computer.' Some Tesla owners have traded in their vehicles, no longer wanting to be associated with Musk. The fall is likely due to a number of factors, including Musk's posting with impunity on X about matters on immigration, gender and the government - in which he has become Donald Trump's 'First Buddy'. The firm is facing heavy competition from other car manufacturers who are now investing heavily in electric vehicles - particularly in China. But Tesla has also been hit by its own work at factories to make its redesigned Model Y mini-crossover. In a statement, the Texas-based company said: 'While the changeover of Model Y lines across all four of our factories led to the loss of several weeks of production in Q1, the ramp of the new Model Y continues to go well. 'Thank you to all our customers, employees, suppliers, shareholders and supporters who helped us achieve these results.' Musk has faced widespread international criticism over his political views and gestures - including an alleged Nazi salute at Donald Trump's inauguration (pictured) Tesla vehicles have been the target of vandalism that appears to be directed at Elon Musk following the alleged far-right gesture Tesla infrastructure such as its Supercharger car charger network has been targeted by firebugs Others have staged protests outside Tesla dealerships across the world (Pictured: a protest in Germany earlier this week) Tesla said sales were hit due to logistical problems associated with the manufacture of its revamped Model Y crossover (pictured) Figures from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) earlier this week showed that Tesla sales in the company have dropped by around 11.5% year-on-year. Many buyers in China, as well as in the likes of the UK, are now considering buying Chinese electric cars made by firms such as BYD, Geely and Chery. Matt Britzman, senior equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: 'There's no way to sugarcoat it, Tesla's first-quarter delivery numbers are a disappointment, though many investors were already preparing for a soft number. 'A drop from last year is no surprise, but the scale is worse than many had expected.' Wedbush's Dan Ives, a prominent technology analyst who has been a longtime believer in Tesla's growth potential, called the figures 'a disaster on every metric,' according to a note seen by AFP. 'It's a fork in the road moment,' said Ives, who has called for Musk to publicly outline how he is balancing his Tesla commitments with his work for Trump. 'The more political he gets... the more the brand suffers, there is no debate. This quarter was an example of the damage Musk is causing Tesla,' he added. Sales of the firm's cars are likely to take a further hit with the imposition of 25 per cent car import tariffs in the US. Other countries are likely to lay out tariffs of their own on American imports, pushing up Tesla prices. The firm - of which Musk became a later 'co-founder' following a settlement, despite not joining until nearly a year after its formation - is also hedging its bets on battery technology and robotics, pushing ahead with development of its Optimus robots. Tesla dealerships have been picketed by protesters in recent weeks and its vehicles and infrastructure targeted by vandals and firebugs. Many of the materials distributed by protesters highlight the alleged far-right gesture made by Musk during the inauguration, in which he said: 'My heart goes out to you.' Musk has denied that the salute was Nazi in nature, calling criticism of it 'dirty tricks' by the media. However, those who have then used the gesture in apparent solidarity have found themselves in trouble, including commentator turned alleged man of the cloth Calvin Robinson, who was dropped by the Anglican Catholic Church after performing it. Ahead of the drop in deliveries being disclosed, Musk tweeted to claim Tesla's Model Y was the best-selling car in China and Norway in March. By manufacturer, BYD was the best-selling car maker in China last month, selling 371,419 cars, according to the CPCA, followed by Geely which sold 119,696. Tesla sold 78,828 cars in the same time period, according to the figures. A family dynasty based out of a $7million Miami mansion has been devastated after the patriarch and his son pleaded guilty to insider trading. Mauro Nannini, 64, and his son Federico, 26, admitted to profiting more than $1 million thanks to a scheme they conducted alongside Alejandro Thermiotis - who is the brother-in-law of Jordan's Princess Iman. Federico Nannini shared confidential information with the group that he obtained through his position as an adviser for MasTec on its planned acquisition of Infrastructure and Energy Alternatives. Mauro Nannini and Thermiotis then used the information to buy shares at a lower price before the information became public. The three men pleaded guilty to the scheme on Monday, with District Judge Rodolfo Ruiz describing them as 'products of privilege,' per the Miami Herald. Federico Nannini was sentenced to six months in prison, Mauro Nanninni to three and Thermiotis to five. Hundreds of Nannini relatives and supporters were in the courtroom for the sentencing. Judge Ruiz said Mauro Nannini, a prominent former stock broker from Venezuela, 'should have stopped' the scheme, which he called 'boneheaded' and 'careless,' as the young men conducted the fraud through text messages. Federico Nannini, far left, and his father Mauro Nannini, third from the left, pleaded guilty to insider trading. Federico is also seen with his sister, mother and younger brother Alejandro Thermiotis, far right, was also part of the insider trading scheme. He is the brother of Jameel Thermiotis, pictured left, who married the princess of Jordan in 2022 The Nannini family lives in a $7million home in Coral Gables, Florida Federico Nannini cried as he apologized to the court and said his dream was a 'career in finance.' 'But then I made a terrible decision that I will regret for the rest of my life. ... The day I got arrested was the lowest point of my life,' he said. The scheme began in June 2022 when Federico Nannini began working for MasTec -an engineering and construction company based in Coral Gables that provides infrastructure services for the energy, utility and communications industries. Federico Nannini then started sharing the confidential information with his father, Mauro Nannini, and Thermiotis, a close friend. Federico and Thermiotis and Tonarely all met at one of Miami's private schools. Mauro Nannini bought shares in Infrastructure and Energy Alternatives the day after his son got access to the financial information about the proposed MasTec acquisition. Thermiotis also passed along the insider information about the deal to Tonarely. As the MasTec acquisition progressed, Federico Nannini continued to update his father and close friend, Thermiotis, about the deal. In turn, Thermiotis continued to share the insider information with Tonarely, prosecutors said. Thermiotis brother, Jameel, married King Abdullas daughter, Princess Iman, in 2022 Thermiotis is pictured with his parents, left, and older brother Jamaal, right Fernando Nannini's mother is a fitness influencer in Miami, pictured above. She often posts content from the family's mansion in Coral Gables At one point in July 2022, when Federico Nannini became worried the acquisition would not go through, Mauro Nannini sold his IEA stock, according to the indictment. When Federico Nannini received confidential financials that indicated the acquisition was going forward, he texted Thermiotis, who responded. At that point, Mauro Nannini began to buy back his position in IEA stock and options, the indictment said. When MasTecs acquisition of IEA was reported publicly on July 25, 2022, Mauro Nannini, Thermiotis, and Tonarely all sold their shares and option contracts in IEA at a profit. A couple days later, Federico Nannini texted Thermiotis a picture of a Rolex Daytona and wrote: 'You wanna hook it up for the boy. I know its a little over budget but this is the one.' Thermiotis replied: 'Haahaha yeah but give it a bit. ... Prices should come down a bit on everything.' The men were arrested in September, 2024. Thermiotis is the King of Jordan's relative. Thermiotis brother, Jameel, married King Abdullas daughter, Princess Iman, in 2022. It was late summer 2024 when handsome former Green Beret Clint Bonnell started taking classes at Kelli Edwards yoga studio in Fayetteville, North Carolina. They 'clicked' right away, quickly realizing how much they had in common. Both were in their 50s. Both were coming out of long-term relationships. And both had undergone major changes in their lives - Edwards having quit her corporate career to become a yoga teacher several years ago, and Bonnell recently retiring from a 20-year military career to become a physicians assistant. A close friendship soon blossomed and sparks began to fly. I was coming out of a long-term relationship and he was coming out of a marriage, Edwards tells DailyMail.com in an exclusive interview. We were friends at first - but then we just had a really strong connection. It wasnt long before this friendship deepened into a passionate romance. It became romantic after a while as we just really liked each other and just clicked - it was like two puzzle pieces coming together, Edwards says. It was a new relationship but it was very powerful and strong where you just meet someone and have that unison. People in our presence said it was electric - and it was. But neither of them could have imagined that this 'electric' relationship would come crashing down in an appalling act of brutality and violence. Former Green Beret Clint Bonnell started taking classes at Kelli Edwards yoga studio in Fayetteville, North Carolina, last summer and they soon struck up a romance Clint Bonnell and his wife Shana Cloud pictured together with her daughter. She is accused of murdering and dismembering her husband - and throwing his remains in a pond On January 27 - months into their love affair and just hours after meeting with a divorce attorney - Bonnell vanished without a trace. Four weeks later, his headless torso was found floating in a pond three miles from his home. And the murder suspect is Bonnell's wife Shana Cloud, 50. According to investigators, the licensed nurse shot her 50-year-old husband multiple times, then chopped up his body and threw his dismembered remains in the water. Only his torso has been found. The whereabouts of the rest of his body - including his head - is currently unknown. Now, Bonnells distraught yoga teacher girlfriend is speaking out to share new details about his doomed marriage to Cloud and her own short-lived relationship with the former Green Beret - and revealing the ominous warning signs in the days leading up to his death. Edwards says that Bonnell had been honest from the get-go that he was still married. I knew he was married and that he was going through the process of a divorce - it was my choice to be friends with him and have a relationship with him, Edwards says. He and Cloud had been together for around 16 years and he was a doting stepfather to her 19-year-old daughter. The couple were both still living under the same roof in their $500,000, two-bed, two-bath rustic cabin set on a remote 15-acre property along Butler Nursery Road. But, from what Bonnell told her, the couples marriage had actually been over for many years. They had tried marriage counseling but it wasnt enough - and the couple had for years spoken about getting a divorce and the process of dividing up their assets, she says. By the fall of 2024, Cloud was rarely staying at the family home, she adds. The divorce wasnt a new idea, Edwards says, adding but I think there must have been some denial and delusion. As Bonnell and Edwards relationship grew more serious, he told his wife in November that he had met someone else and that he wanted to finalize their long-term discussions about divorcing, Edwards says. She knew there was someone significant in his life. She did not know who I was until after Clint was gone, she says. But she was trying really hard to find out. Bonnell and Cloud were both still living under the same roof in their $500,000, two-bed, two-bath home set on a remote 15-acre property along Butler Nursery Road (pictured) She adds: You dont think that that someone is going to harm you. But in the two months between that moment and Bonnells disappearance, Clouds behavior started to raise alarm bells, Edwards reveals. While she could not provide details about what was going on - citing the active police investigation - Edwards says cryptically that there was a lot in the last two months before his passing. There were also some mystery occurrences in the few days prior to his disappearance, which Cloud did not want to allude to. So much so that Bonnell actually brought forward a meeting with a divorce attorney by a day because of the nature of the energy he was around, Edwards reveals. But, despite the apparent warning signs, Bonnell didnt fear Cloud would harm him, Edwards says. The 50-year-old always saw the good in people, she says - something that may have cost him in the end. I don't think he was fearful of anybody - he was a Green Beret, she says. Missing poster for Clint Bonnell. The 50-year-old former Green Beret was last seen alive on January 27 Clint Bonnell with his stepdaughter. The day he went missing he had met with a divorce attorney He saw the glass half-full all the time. He saw the best in everybody which is a great attribute. But unfortunately he didn't see some things. On January 27, Bonnell met with the divorce lawyer. Following the meeting, he visited Edwards at her yoga studio and told her about the meeting - before going home to the property he shared with Cloud. That night, Bonnell texted Edwards telling her he had told Cloud about the meeting with the divorce lawyer. He then sent a final text message to his girlfriend at 7.53pm saying he was going to bed and that he loved her. That was the last time anyone ever heard from him. At 8.15am the next morning, Bonnells cell phone stopped sharing location data, court records show. Officers search for evidence following the disappearance of former Green Beret Clint Bonnell The 50-year-old's torso was found in a pond about three miles from Cloud and Bonnell's home Edwards sent a message to his phone around 20 minutes later - but it failed to deliver. Edwards says it was very unusual for Bonnell not to respond to her and to have his phone off and so she instantly had a gut feeling that something was wrong. I was concerned based on the few days that led up to that Monday, she says. I felt something that morning was off I knew a lot of stuff had happened that Monday. But she also knew that Bonnell had a long day of lessons that Tuesday at Methodist University where he was studying. So she tried not to worry and got on with her own busy day running her yoga studio. After all, they had plans that night so she would see him in a few hours. That day was a long day and I waited and waited and waited, she says. Then that evening, he never showed up. Shana Cloud, 50, (seen in mugshot) is now charged with her husband's murder and dismemberment Clint Bonnell (pictured with his sister Stefanie Firkins) had recently retired from the military Bonnell had also never made it to his classes that day. An employee at the school first reported him missing to the Cumberland County Sheriffs Office that afternoon. Hours later, Edwards also reported him missing. Cloud, meanwhile, did not. According to search warrants executed at Bonnells vast property, Cloud told investigators that he had never come home the night before. However, according to the court documents, this contradicted cell phone evidence in the case and the fact his vehicle was in the driveway. Investigators also allegedly found Bonnells wallet, laptop and a backpack with a bullet hole in it and bullet fragments inside. Finally, Cloud admitted that she had confronted her husband earlier that day at the Fit4Life Health Club about a note from his girlfriend - but continued to deny any involvement in his disappearance. Edwards knows the note at issue. Clint Bonnell and his stepdaughter in a photo shared on social media. He was studying to be a physician's assistant at Methodist University She exclusively tells DailyMail.com it was not some sort of love letter but a simple, inspirational quote that had meant a lot to her. Life begins at the end of your comfort zone, reads the famous Neale Donald Walsch's quote. When I was transitioning out of my corporate career years ago, a friend gave me a card with it on - and I kept it for a long time to give to other people transitioning from one life to another, she explains. He was leaving the military after 20 years to be a PA. Edwards adds: It wasn't a love note. It was a quote from a poem. Several searches were executed at the Bonnell home - and Clouds cell phone and car were seized. But it would be several grueling weeks before his whereabouts would finally come to light. It was horrible, Edwards says. I showed up the best I could to be a mom and a business owner and a yoga teacher. Shana Cloud initially claimed her husband had not come home that night - but cell phone records allegedly dispute this I cant explain it. Theres just no words for not knowing where someone you care about is at. Not knowing if theyre alive or dead or injured or kidnapped. Then came a discovery that confirmed the worst fears of all who loved Bonnell. On February 25, a man spotted human remains floating in a pond on Gainey Road - around three miles from his home. Authorities responded to the scene and recovered a human torso. More than a month would pass before - on March 28 - it was confirmed as belonging to Bonnell, using DNA on file in his military records. A preliminary autopsy found that he had been shot twice in the back. There are no words, Edwards says. Killing someone is never acceptable but to dismember someone is so disrespectful. She adds: Im still trying to wrap my head around it. Cloud was charged with first-degree murder and concealment of death. At her first court hearing Monday, she was denied bond. Cloud now faces the death penalty if convicted. For Edwards, its been a really rocky eight week rollercoaster. Now, she is left thinking about Bonnells future plans that he will now never see through. The 50-year-old was looking forward to his new career as a physicians assistant. He was also considering moving closer to his family in Austin, Texas. And, they were both enjoying their relationship going from strength to strength. He looked different. He had found a lot of happiness, she says. He saw the best in everybody he would walk into a room and talk to people. He was a butterfly. She adds: He had a lot of life ahead of him so its so heartbreaking as I cant understand how this could happen. A millionaire businesswoman who was 'violently attacked' on a London tube has called for an urgent review of the network's Help Points after she was left waiting for 30 minutes. Sally Wynter was travelling home from work on the Victoria line when she 'felt a punch' and a man 'knocked her sideways' into the train's glass window. Ms Wynter stood was left waiting for half an hour for a response from the intercom despite being 'traumatised' by the assault last Thursday. A man in 30s was arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of assault following the incident just after 4.30pm on March 27. The suspect left the carriage at Green Park after the 'frightening' attack which left Ms Wynter 'completely in bits' . After getting off at Oxford Circus she went to one of the tube network's emergency Help Points where she was hoping to get immediate assistance. Taking to TikTok, the entrepreneur who sold her alcohol brand MUHU five years ago in a deal worth over 1 million after growing up on benefits, said: 'I pressed the emergency button and it made a flashing light. It made an intercom connection sound and then nothing happened. 'I pressed it again, nothing happened. I thought maybe someone was coming. No one was coming.' Sally Wynter (pictured) was travelling on home from work on the Victoria line when she 'felt a punch' and man 'knocked her sideways' into the train's glass window After getting off at Oxford Circus she went to one of the networks emergency help points where she was hoping to get immediate assistance While she was waiting at the help point Ms Wynter, who was raised in Haringey, North London, rang the police and was told to wait for a British Transport Police (BTP) officer to arrive. 'I was waiting for about 30 minutes at the [emergency] point underground after pressing the button like four times,' she continued. 'No replied, no one showed up.' She went on to ask: 'Do these help points even work?'. She was told by police on the phone that her suspected attacker matched the description of someone who kicked a child at the Green Park ticket hall shortly after her incident. However, they allegedly walked free after the children's parents decided against pressing charges. Speaking to the Standard, she said: 'There were tears streaming down my face and I actually talked to two old ladies to ask them for some tissues. 'That phases me as a sad reflection on the lack of care we have for each other as human beings in a big city like London.' After posting her ordeal on TikTok she was contacted by Transport for London (TFL) but said it is 'difficult' to have 'confidence' in TfL and the police following the incident. Ms Wynter has called for an urgent meeting with London Mayor Sadiq Khan to lobby for an audit of all emergency Help Points at major stations Ms Wynter stood was left waiting for half an hour from a response from the intercom despite being 'traumatised' by the assault last Thursday Ms Wynter has now called for an urgent meeting with Mr Khan to lobby for an audit of all emergency Help Points at major stations. She has also called on Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander to review all rail Help Points across Britain. It comes after last year an Office of Rail and Road audit last year found 25 per cent of stations had at least one machine reported as broken. A spokesperson for the Mayor of London: 'The Mayor's thoughts are with Sally Wynter following the incident she experienced on the London Underground last week. Everyone should be and feel safe in London. 'The British Transport Police are investigating and an arrest has been made. The Mayor urges anyone with information to get in touch with them. 'All passengers who use the TfL network deserve to be and feel safe, with complete confidence that if things do go wrong, help is always available. In most cases, TfL staff serve Londoners incredibly well, taking deep pride in delivering an excellent service and supporting customers when needed, including in complex and sometimes distressing situations.' Siwan Hayward, TfL's Director for Security, Policing and Enforcement, said: 'Safety is our top priority and we are truly sorry for the experience that Ms Wynter had seeking help at one of our stations. 'It must have been very distressing and it should not have happened. Everyone should feel safe when travelling on our network. 'If anyone is a victim or witness of a crime they should be able to access help and support straight away. 'We train our staff to support customers and to help report incidents to the police. We are investigating as a matter of urgency why Ms Wynter did not get the help she should have and have reached out to her to offer support.' A BTP spokesman said: 'A man in his 30s from the South Norwood area has been arrested on suspicion of assault, following an incident on a Victoria Line train on March 27. He remains in police custody. 'We continue to appeal to witnesses or anyone with information to get in touch by texting 61016 or calling 0800 405040 quoting reference 523 of 27 March.' MailOnline has approached the Mayor's office for comment. The top police officer investigating serial baby killer Lucy Letby today hit back at ill-informed and insensitive critics questioning her guilt. In a strongly worded statement, Detective Superintendent Paul Hughes insisted the former neo-natal nurses case had been rigorously and fairly tested by two juries and two sets of appeal court judges after a painstaking and complex six-year police investigation. Yet still his inquiry, the judicial process and the medical experts who gave evidence at the former neo-natal nurses trial are being scrutinised by ill-informed critics with very partial knowledge of the facts and totality of the evidence, the senior officer said. Mr Hughes made the unprecedented intervention as Letbys barrister, Mark McDonald, announced that tomorrow he will be personally hand delivering two expert reports he believes will exonerate her to the Criminal Cases Review Commission. Mr McDonald claims the fresh evidence demonstrates her convictions are no longer safe and has urged the CCRC, the body that investigates miscarriages of justice, to refer her case to the Court of Appeal without undue delay. Mr Hughes said Cheshire police had chosen not to enter into the public debate about Letbys convictions for the sake of the families of the babies murdered and harmed who are at the very heart of this. He said they had experienced a decade of trauma and grief and had spoken movingly at the close of the public inquiry into Letbys crimes earlier this month about the significant impact the case continues to have upon them. Although Mr Hughes said everyone is entitled to an opinion, he insisted the families voices must not be lost in a sea of noise. Their dignity and composure in the face of intense public discussions with little sensitivity or humanity is remarkable, he said. Their words are incredibly honest and powerful and must not be lost in a sea of noise. Serial killer Lucy Letby, 35, is serving 15 whole life sentences after being convicted of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven more Image taken from body worn camera footage issued by Cheshire Constabulary of the arrest of Lucy Letby in 2018 It is out of a deep sense of respect for the parents of the babies that we have not and will not get drawn into the widespread commentary and speculation online and in the media. They have suffered greatly and continue to do so as this case plays out in a very public forum. There is a significant public interest in the reporting of this case, and everyone is entitled to an opinion. However, every story that is published, statement made, or comment posted online that refers to the specific details of a live investigation can impede the course of justice and cause further distress to all those involved. Letby, 35, was convicted in August 2023 of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder six more at the Countess of Chester Hospitals neo-natal unit, between June 2015 and June 2016. The trial, which sat for 10 months at Manchester Crown Court, was one of the longest murder trials in British legal history. The jury failed to reach verdicts or cleared her of attempted murder charges relating to another four children but she was subsequently convicted of attempting to murder one of those infants, a baby girl known as Baby K, following a re-trial, in July last year. Following two failed appeals, Letbys new defence team, led by Mr McDonald, mounted a public campaign branded a misinformed circus by parents of her victims to free her. At a press conference in February a panel of 14 international experts claimed none of Letbys infant victims were murdered or deliberately harmed but instead collapsed or died due to natural causes or poor hospital care. But, in their closing statements to the Thirlwall Inquiry, lawyers representing the babies families debunked much of the evidence presented by the panel, saying it was flawed, nothing new and simply a re-hash of evidence already ventilated before the jury. Richard Baker KC questioned why Letby failed to call experts first time around and also described the press conferences as publicity stunts designed to help the serial killer control the narrative from prison. Focusing simply on the medical evidence and dismissing other important factors, such as Letbys strange behaviour when infants collapsed, her confession notes, her alteration of medical records, her Facebook searches for parents and the fact that many of the babies killed or harmed also had siblings who were attacked, risked ignoring the bigger picture, the barrister said. Letby, 35, was found guilty in August 2023 of murdering seven children and attempting to murder six more at the Countess of Chester Hospitals neo-natal unit between June 2015 and June 2016. She was subsequently convicted of attempting to murder a baby girl known as Baby K, following a retrial, in July last year Barrister Mark McDonald, during a press conference on February 4 where he announced 'new medical evidence' from an international panel of neonatologists regarding the safety of Lucy Letby's convictions In his statement Mr Hughes appeared to agree with the families assessment. He also pointed out that the seven experts enlisted by the Crown, whose evidence was cross-examined in court by Letbys barrister, were specialists in multiple disciplines. In comparison, most of the experts who make up Mr McDonalds expert panel are paediatricians and neonatologists without specialisms. Mr Hughes said: The investigation into the actions of Lucy Letby, the trial process and medical experts continues to face scrutiny and criticism, much of it ill-informed and based on a very partial knowledge of the facts and totality of evidence presented at court and at the Court of Appeal. This case has been rigorously and fairly tested through two juries and subsequently scrutinised by two sets of appeal court judges. Lucy Letbys trial was one of the longest running murder trials in British criminal history with the jury diligently carrying out their deliberations for more than 100 hours. It followed an investigation that had been running for six years an investigation like no other in scope, complexity and magnitude. It was a detailed and painstaking process by a team of almost 70 police officers and no stone was left unturned. Preparing for the trial was a mammoth task with 32,000 pages of evidence being gathered and medical records running into thousands of pages being sifted through. Around 2,000 people were spoken to and almost 250 were identified as potential witnesses at trial. As the case unfolded, multiple medical experts specialising in areas of paediatric radiology, paediatric pathology, haematology, paediatric neurology and paediatric endocrinology and two main medical experts (consultant paediatricians) were enlisted to ensure that we carried out as thorough an investigation as possible. All are highly regarded in their area of expertise and were cross examined whilst giving their evidence in court. The Countess of Chester Hospital where convicted baby killer Lucy Letby worked Letby worked at the Countess of Chester Hospital from 2012 until her arrest in 2018 Letby is serving 15 whole life terms and has twice tried and failed to appeal her convictions, meaning her only route to freedom now lies with the CCRC. They have confirmed they have assigned commissioners to look into Letbys case but have not put a timescale on how long it will take to evaluate whether it should be referred to the Court of Appeal a third time. Last year Cheshire police revealed they had questioned Letby in jail in connection with more murders. Their inquiry, named Operation Hummingbird, is looking at the 4,000 babies she cared for at the Countess of Chester Hospital and Liverpool Womens Hospital, where she completed student placements, during her four-year career. Mr Hughes said Cheshire Constabulary was ready to support the CCRC and any appropriate review processes in order to inform any questions that may arise. Our priority is to maintain the integrity of our ongoing investigations and to continue to support the many families who are affected by this, he added. For more exclusive, behind the headlines coverage of the Lucy Letby case, follow the Mails No.1 True Crime series, The Trial, wherever you get your podcasts now. Plus, subscribe for exclusive weekly bonus episodes from The Trial+, the Mails new members-only series - available now. A British tourist was 'really shocked, sad and distraught' after charges against the five Israeli men she accused of gang-raping her in a hotel were dropped by a court in Cyprus, her lawyer has said. A court ruled on Monday that the testimony of the 20-year-old woman, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, had not been credible as it 'lacked coherence and contained numerous substantial contradictions', The Guardian reported. But her lawyer, Michael Polak, said she was 'really sad and really upset' about the acquittals, which saw all five of the men walk free from court. 'She is openly gay, not interested in men at all and the defence was that she consented to group sex with these Arab Israeli men who do not speak English. So she is really shocked by the verdict,' he said. Police said she had picked the men out of a line-up as having raped her during a hotel pool party in the coastal resort town of Ayia Napa on September 3 2023. A British woman claimed she had been raped at a hotel pool party in Ayia Napa (pictured) in 2023 Lawyer Nir Yazlovitz is seen alongside two of his clients who were acquitted on all charges The defendants, who were then aged 19 and 20, had pleaded not guilty to all the charges. The woman, who cannot be legally identified, was "highly distressed" as she told police that she was "taken by force" during a party and was then sexually assaulted in a hotel room, it was reported. Mr Polak, who is director of the Justice Abroad organisation, added he is "not surprised" by the ruling. It comes after the European Court of Human Rights ruling earlier this year that Cyprus' law enforcement authorities failed to live up to their obligation to thoroughly and effectively investigate a British teenager's claims. Mr Polak has written to the Attorney General in Cyprus to appeal against the verdict in this week's case. He said: "We think one of the higher courts should look at it and look at it properly," before adding: "We'll see what happens but we don't have great hope." Mr Polak said it is "very difficult to assess" the criticisms that have been made about the 20-year-old's testimony, saying he has yet to see the full judgment. He added: "But I do know that she has no interest in men or entering into a group sex act people she did not know or speak the same language - none of that has been mentioned." An Irish woman is suing a Wyoming ranch, claiming her foot was 'irreversibly' shattered after a wrangler sprayed the horse she was riding with bear spray. Lorraine Learmont filed the lawsuit against Triangle C Ranch in U.S. District Court on March 26 through her attorney, Rachel Berkness. A copy of the complaint obtained by DailyMail.com claimed that Learmont, a self-described 'intermediate rider,' and her beginner-level husband went on a guided horseback riding excursion at the dude ranch in Dubois on July 16, 2024. While on the trail, the lawsuit alleged that the lead wrangler carried bear spray beside her water bottle, which she frequently drank from throughout the ride. The wrangler warned the group that horses could become agitated from walking in close proximity, according to the filing. 'Learmonts horse spooked after two horses behind her had an altercation due to close contact,' the document said. 'However, Ms. Learmont was able to quickly bring her horse back under control using her seat and hand aids.' After the group stopped to take photographs, the lead wrangler allegedly reached into her bag for water while the horses walked, sparking the painful disaster. Lorraine Learmont (left) claimed her foot was 'irreversibly' shattered after a wrangler sprayed the horse she was riding with bear spray 'Rather than grab her water bottle, the lead wrangler engaged the bear spray into the eyes of Ms. Learmonts horse,' said the lawsuit. The spray caused Learmont's horse to jerk sharply and fall with the Irish tourist still on its back. 'Ms. Learmonts horse bucked wildly, shaking its head due to the effect of the spray. It then fell backward with Ms. Learmont,' the document said. 'The horse crushed Ms. Learmonts foot during the ordeal, causing permanent and irreparable crush injuries to her ankle.' While the staff rushed the couple to safety, the lawsuit alleged the lead wrangler apologized and claimed the horse would not have bucked her if it had not been in pain from the spray. 'At the hospital, Ms. Learmont learned that she had suffered a broken ankle and was placed in a boot to immobilize her foot,' the filing said. After returning to Ireland, the tourist said she immediately went to the hospital and was forced to stay for nearly a month. 'Once she arrived at Beaumont Hospital in Ireland, Ms. Learmont was immediately admitted for surgery for the injuries to her ankle, the lawsuit said. Learmont filed the lawsuit against Triangle C Ranch (pictured) in U.S. District Court on March 26 for the July 16 incident 'It was determined that Ms. Learmont suffered a blunt force crushing injury to her ankle, destroying her cartilage and rendering it unrecoverable. 'Ms. Learmont was admitted to the hospital on July 22, 2024, and ended up spending a total of 28 days in the hospital and rehabilitation facility. Ms. Learmont continues to suffer with limited mobility.' A Facebook profile for Learmont, identified by Cowboy State Daily, showed the Irish tourist posted a photo of herself on a horse on August 3, 2024. One commenter said, 'Fair play Lorainne, hope the leg is doing well and that you are having a wonderful holiday.' Learmont's lawsuit is seeks over $75,000 in damages and is accusing Triangle C Ranch of violating the Wyoming Recreation Safety Act, committing negligence and asserting vicarious liability. DailyMail.com contacted Triangle C Ranch for comment. A Walgreens employee was randomly executed by a gunman who allegedly told police he has a hatred for 'large-scale pharmacies'. Narciso Gallardo Fernandez, 30, gunned down Erick Velasquez shortly after waving and shooting at a surveillance camera, according to authorities. The shocking moment captured on camera comes amid warnings for the potential of violence inspired by the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Police Chief Gino Chiaramonte said detectives are investigating the motive of the latest shooting but have not yet found links between the suspect or Thompson's alleged killer, Luigi Mangione. The chaos unfolded Monday night in the Fresno suburb of Madera, about 240 miles north of Los Angeles. Velasquez called 911 moments before the gunman began firing, with the dispatcher hearing gunshots over the phone. Police arrived to find Velazquez with a gunshot wound inside the Walgreens, where he was pronounced dead. Customers took shelter hiding inside the pharmacy as Fernandez went to his car to reload, according to police. Fernandez allegedly surrendered when confronted by officers in the store's parking lot. 'We do know he has a general disdain or grudge against pharmacies, large-scale pharmacies,' Chiaramonte told local ABC affiliate, KFSN-TV . Disturbing surveillance camera footage revealed the moment Narciso Gallardo Fernandez opened fire at a Walgreens and killed employee and father Erick Velasquez The public drew comparisons between Fernandez's alleged actions and the infamous case of Luigi Mangione, who was also allegedly seen with a gun on a surveillance camera Police said that Fernandez drove over 80 miles to target that Walgreens location and fired at least five shots while inside. Investigators believe that the disturbing footage of Fernandez waving his gun at the camera happened while Velazquez attempted to call 911. In the wake of Velazquez death his family has set up a GoFundMe account, which has currently raised over $25,000. The description in the fundraiser referred to the Walgreens employee as a 'truly loving husband , father , son , brother and friend.' His family said that he loved to travel, hike, play sports, and spend time with his two young children. 'He would always encourage us to live life to the fullest just like he did .Erick will truly be missed by his family and his Walgreens family,' the description continued. A frequent customer at the pharmacy told KFSN that Velazquez was a valued member of the community and his shocking death was scary for all those in Madera. 'It's really scary because he (drove) to come kill the boy, and it's really scary,' Isabel Hernandez told the outlet. Police responded to the Walgreens and found Fernandez with a gun in the parking lot and Velazquez inside with a gunshot wound Fernandez was booked into jail on homicide charges after telling investigators that he had a 'disdain' for pharmacies The public accused Mangione of inspiring copycat killers, although Madera Police Chief Gino Chiaramonte said he didn't believe there were any connections between the two cases 'It's very, very sad for the community,' she added. Observers have drawn comparisons between Fernandez's case and Mangione's alleged slaying of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in broad daylight. 'Walgreens employee k*lled in a Luigi-style ambush in California by a man with a grudge against big pharmacies,' one social media user wrote on X. 'This tragedy was a copycat inevitability, as wannabe vigilantes saw their opportunity to be similarly glorified as "martyrs,"' another comment agreed. However, Chief Chiaramonte clarified that detectives are still investigating a motive and police haven't found a connection between Fernandez and Mangione. He added that he didn't see Fernandez's alleged actions as inspired by the infamous Thompson case. Velasquez was not a pharmacist at the store and the pharmacy was closed at the time of the shooting. News of the California shooting came as Attorney General Pam Bondi directed federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty for Mangione . 'Mangione's murder of Brian Thompson -- an innocent man and father of two young children -- was a premeditated, cold-blooded assassination that shocked America,' Bondi wrote in a statement. 'After careful consideration, I have directed federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty in this case as we carry out President Trump's agenda to stop violent crime and Make America Safe Again.' Velasquez was a father and an employee at the local Walgreens. He was remembered as a loving father, husband, brother, and friend There were no other injuries in the Walgreens shooting and police are still investigating a motive Mangione's lawyer, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, called the move 'political' and accused the federal government of, 'defending the broken, immoral, and murderous healthcare industry that continues to terrorize the American people.' Fernandez has been booked into jail for homicide, but he hasn't yet been formally charged or appeared in court. District Attorney Sally Moreno confirmed that Fernandez would be arraigned on murder charges and the investigation is ongoing. Lieutenant Mark Adams with the Madera Police Department told DailyMail.com that there are no new updates on the case. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had been conspicuously quiet amid a major U.S. disease scare, leading to frustrations within the White House. RFK Jr. is a noted vaccine skeptic, and the agency he oversees failed to mention anything about a Texas child dying from a measles outbreak until days after the tragedy on February 26. The school-age child who passed lived in the state's panhandle and was not vaccinated. As the story swirled and fears over a new outbreak were stoked, the Trump administration fumed over HHS's failure to address the tragedy. 'The White House was like, 'Where the f**k is the statement?' a White House official told Axios. West Wing staffers blamed a longtime RFK Jr. advisor Stefanie Spear for the lapse in messaging. After working with Kennedy for the last decade Spear was named his deputy chief of staff. 'CNN was blaring this chyron about how Kennedy was silent, and there was just nothing from the department because of Stefanie,' the staffer claimed. 'This shouldn't be the White House's job, but here we are,' a White House advisor told the outlet. Officials in the White House have been frustrated with the staff of RFK Jr., Axios reports White House staff have been miffed with Health and Human Services Sec. Robert Kennedy Jr. because his staff closely insulates him and his agency's messaging has been deemed poor by Trump administration officials Stefanie Spear, Principal Deputy Chief of Staff / Senior Counselor to the Secretary of HHS has been slammed by some at the White House Spears did not respond to DailyMail.com's request for comment. One White House official confirmed to DailyMail.com the West Wing's frustrations with HHS. 'I've been in meetings where they've been roasted for f***ing everything up,' the White House official told DailyMail.com. 'They just don't seem to communicate very well.' They said the HHS staffers 'kinda do their own thing and we find out about it on TV versus going through the White House like other agencies and departments do.' Days after the announcement of the measles death in Texas, on March 3, Kennedy penned an op-ed in Fox News to talk about the deadly outbreak. A week later RFK's team was slow to respond to reports indicating the CDC will study links between autism and vaccines. The White House forced HHS to answer the autism inquiry, according to Axios. Days later a 'Make America Healthy Again' event was planned at the White House but no press were there, not even a photographer to capture the event which featured several Cabinet secretaries, the report states. People demonstrate outside the main campus of the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on April 1, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. laid off thousands of employees across multiple agencies today, as part of an overhaul announced in March The White House responded to the reported friction in a statement Wednesday afternoon. 'The White House has a great relationship with Stefanie and HHS. We work closely day in and day out to Make America Healthy Again.' 'It's disappointing that bitter, anonymous sources are attempting to create conflict where none exists.' Earlier this week it was announced that HHS will begin mass layoffs. The scene outside the department's headquarters in Washington, D.C. after the announced layoffs was somber, with workers hugging and shedding tears as they lined up to pack away their desks. Kennedy revealed last week he plans to cut the workforce by 20,000 in total. The workforce is expected to shrink from around 82,000 to 62,000. The Food and Drug Administration will be particularly impacted, suffering as many as 3,500 firings. Around 2,400 will be axed from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While the Senate is deeply divided ahead of President Trump's planned tariff announcement, the U.S. imposing tariffs that hit one country in particular has bipartisan support. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal on Tuesday announced new legislation on Tuesday that would slap 500 percent tariffs on countries that buy Russian oil, gas, uranium or other products. The move is an effort to get Russia to engage in good faith negotiations to end the war in Ukraine as the Trump administration pushes for peace deal. The sanctions would be imposed if Russia refuses to work toward an agreement or initiates another effort such as military invasion. The senators signaled their proposed legislation against Russia has overwhelming bipartisan support. A bipartisan group of senators is supporting legislation that would impose 500 percent tariffs on countries that buy Russian oil, gas, uranium or other products if Russia doesn't engage in good faith negotiations to end the war in Ukraine Besides Graham and Blumenthal, the bill has 48 other cosponsors in the Senate including a balance of Democrats and Republicans from across the country. A bipartisan group of lawmakers are also introducing companion legislation in the House. 'The dominating view in the United States Senate is that Russia is the aggressor, and that this horrific war and Putins aggression must end now and be deterred in the future,' Graham and Blumenthal wrote. They said they shared Trump's frustration with Russia when it comes to obtaining a ceasefire and support his desire to get a lasting peace. 'It is our hope that in 2025, President Trump and his team will achieve what has eluded the world in the past: ending Russian aggression against Ukraine permanently and ensuring the survivability of a free and democratic Ukraine,' they said. They noted their sanctions against Russia are 'at the ready.' US President Donald Trump (pictured Monday) scolded Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday, expressing frustration at the continued fighting in a war that he had pledged to swiftly stop Russia says it is giving serious consideration to US proposals on ending the war in Ukraine, but 'cannot accept' the deal in its 'current form'. Russian President Vladimir Putin is pictured at the Kremlin in Moscow on Monday, March 31, 2025 It comes after the president on Sunday expressed frustration as the fighting continued in Ukraine despite his vow to facilitate an end the the war quickly. The president told NBC News he was 'pissed off' that Russian President Vladimir Putin criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's credibility. Trump insisted progress was being made in the negotiations, but he said that he would consider imposing further sanctions to put pressure on Moscow. A Florida influencer hung her head in shame as she was perp walked following her arrest for allegedly having sex with her Chihuahua. Logan Guminski, 27, is accused of filming herself having intercourse with the dog for one of her social media followers in exchange for money. She was seen walking with police in handcuffs while keeping her head down after her shocking arrest last month. The influencer faces two felonies, sexual activity involving an animal and filming sexual activity involving an animal, with her arrest coming after a horrified viewer saw one of her videos and reported her. The tip was reportedly made in January after Guminski shared a video of her with her chihuahua to her 15,000 Instagram followers. When detectives confronted Guminski, she reportedly told them that she was a 'content creator who generates explicit photos and videos to sell on the internet.' The Marion County Sheriff's Office said Guminski did not deny making the video with her chihuahua, but said she made it for a social media follower who 'paid $500', reports NBC Miami. Logan Guminski, 27, hung her head in shame as she was perp walked following her arrest for allegedly having sex with her Chihuahua The Florida influencer allegedly shared a video of herself in a sex act with her pet chihuahua, and police said that she admitted to being paid $500 for the video During the investigation into Guminski, authorities said they found 'several photos and videos' of her 'with the abused animal' seen in the alleged clip. When she was interviewed, Guminski also allegedly admitted to being involved in sexual activity with a different animal. She added that she had videos of both incidents stored on her cell phone, according to cops. She was released on a $10,000 bond on March 22. Guminski is due to appear in court for her arraignment hearing on April 22, documents obtained by DailyMail.com show. Major Crimes Detective Jordyn Batts with the Marion County Sheriff's Office told 13 News that following Guminski's arrest, 'Unfortunately, this isn't my first case of this nature.' 'It's always shocking, it'll never not be shocking especially when you have to watch the video but I have seen it before so it's not out of the ordinary unfortunately,' she said. The influencer faces two felonies, sexual activity involving an animal and filming sexual activity involving an animal, with her arrest coming after a horrified viewer saw one of her videos and reported her When detectives confronted Guminski, she reportedly told them that she was a 'content creator who generates explicit photos and videos to sell on the internet' During the investigation into Guminski, authorities said they found 'several photos and videos' of her with abused animals on her phone Guminski has built a small following on social media, and often shared pictures of herself with her pet dogs. On March 13, she posted a compilation video of her and her dogs and captioned it: 'What can I say they are quite literally my whole [world emoji].' She appeared to own multiple chihuahuas. It is unclear where the dogs are now. Just days later on March 19 she shared a video of a new dog she got named Juniper. 'Introducing the newest member of the family. Guys say hi to Juniper, aka Junebug,' she wrote. Her page does not currently show any clips of her engaging in sexual activity with her dogs. In another image, she posed in a mirror with a tan chihuahua, while other posts showed her with a black and white chihuahua. Another recent clip showed the tan dog sleeping in her arms while she petted the animal and smiled at the camera. Labour have admitted they rejected calls to exempt children with special needs from private school VAT partly because it was revenue diminishing, judges have been told. In an extraordinary disclosure in the High Court, the Government said sparing these children from the tax would be incompatible with the principles underpinning the policy. These included raising additional tax revenues, according to documents submitted to the court by lawyers representing Chancellor Rachel Reeves. Separately, an expert also told the court up to 6,500 children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) may be displaced because of the policy. The new 20 per cent VAT on private school fees, promised in Labours election manifesto, came into force in January. Three groups of families most of whom are anonymous are joining private schools in bringing a judicial review claim against the tax. In written submissions, Sir James Eadie KC, representing the Government, said ministers consulted extensively and weighed the pros and cons of various possible exemptions including those for SEND children. In addition, they considered the benefits and disbenefits of introducing the measure later for example, in September 2025 at the beginning of the school year. Labour have today admitted they rejected calls to exempt children with special needs from private school VAT (pictured: children not involved in the case protesting) The High Court heard exempting special needs pupils from VAT would be incompatible with the principles underpinning the policy (pictured: children not involved in the case protesting) Judges were told one reason for not allowing a VAT exemption for special needs children was because it would be 'revenue diminishing' (pictured: families not involved in the case protesting) However, he added: Having considered 17,502 consultation responses, the Government rejected the exemptions and the delay sought because they were incompatible with the principles underpinning the policy, namely being revenue diminishing, unfair, unworkable and/or administratively onerous. He said the central objectives in implementing the tax included raising additional tax revenue annually by 2029-2030 to invest in public services, including the state education system, and enhancing the fairness of the tax system overall. And he added that the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) projects the measure will yield exchequer revenue of 1.5billion in 2025/26, rising to 1.7 billion per year by 2029/30. Jeremy Hyam KC, representing some of the families, told the court that the Government had estimated it would lose out on 450 million per year from VAT revenue if they created an exemption for all children with SEND. This costing included the assumption that some extra families may try to falsely claim their child had SEND to avoid the VAT, he said. Mr Hyam said ministers took the view that it would be unaffordable for the Treasury to let SEND children off paying the tax. And Barry Huggett, an expert witness supporting the families cases, said the tax could displace up to 6,500 children with SEND out of the private sector. He said the effect of pricing out such vulnerable children appears to be something ministers simply did not consider. Charlie Gunns, 12, who has transverse myelitis, and his mother Leanne, travelled from their home in Norwich to support the claimants The case has attracted supporters from all over the country, with protesters not involved in the case attending the High Court with placards Claimants Stephen White and son Josiah, 14, who have chosen not to be anonymous, attended the High Court with sister Joy Mr Huggett is the principle adviser for SEND to the Independent Schools Association (ISA) and chair of the advisory group on SEND for the Independent Schools Council (ISC). The former head teacher was awarded an OBE in 2014 services to SEND education. In a witness statement to the court, Mr Huggett said his calculation is based on the fact that the Governments own estimate suggests 35,000 pupils overall could be displaced, with a proportion of these expected to have SEND. Mr Hyam told the court: There is a real problem and the Government knew about it. He said based on the Governments own evidence, of the SEND families using private schools, 6,500 who presumably cant afford it any more will be displaced. He added: It is not fair to remove a vulnerable child who needs SEND support from an environment where their needs are met to one where they are not met without reasonable justification. And he said far from being wealthy, parents of SEND children choose private schools as a consequence of desperation because their needs cannot be met in the state sector. It is not fair because those children have been failed by the mainstream system, he added. One claimant family is paying for their child with autism to attend a private school using disability living allowance but will have to pull them out due to the VAT. Chancellor Rachel Reeves is facing a judicial review claim in the High Court over the Government's new VAT on private school fees Children not involved in the case joined the protest on April 1 outside the High Court Labour have put an exemption in place for SEND children who have an education, health and care plan (EHCP), which entitles them to a higher level of state-backed support. However, only a small proportion are able to get an EHCP, leaving the vast majority of SEND families having to pay the tax. In October 2024, the OBR estimated the policy would lead to 35,000 fewer pupils in private schools. The Governments submissions to the court say the 6,500 figure is a flawed assumption but does not offer an alternative estimate. The challenge is being brought on the basis the tax is a breach of childrens right to education under the European Convention of Human Rights. The various families also say it is discriminatory either because their child has SEND, has a preference for a religious education, or because they need an all-girls environment. Among the claimants are Jewish pupils at specialist religious private schools who fear anti-Semitic attacks if they go into the state sector. There is also a girl who had to attend a single-sex private school the only all-girls school in her area due to harassment by boys at her co-educational state school. And there are also claimants using Christian private schools because they cannot obtain the same religious education in the state system. One is Stephen White, who has chosen not to be anonymous, and whose eldest four children are at Bradford Christian School, a private Christian school in West Yorkshire. On Tuesday, he helped stage a protest outside the High Court to mark the opening of the case, joined by dozens of other parents from around the country not involved in the case. A Government spokesman said: We do not comment on ongoing litigation.' Authorities in Nevada seized seven tigers from a small remote desert home owned by an exotic animal owner. The wild animals were snatched from Karl Mitchell's home in Pahrump - about an hour outside of Las Vegas - around 7am Wednesday morning, according to the Nye County Sheriff's Office. The department posted images of the tigers to Facebook, telling the public the seizure of the animals will 'take the better part of the day' to complete alongside Code Enforcement and Animal Service officials. The animals were seen behind fences as the department added: 'This is taking place on private property and there is no public access.' Mitchell, 71, has reportedly been violating special condition permits and ordinances related to the ownership of his tigers for several years. Mitchell was also taken into custody for resisting a peace officer, a spokesperson with the Nye County Sheriff's Office told DailyMail.com. He is currently being held at Nye County Detention Center in Pahrump while the tigers are set to be taken to 'an undisclosed sanctuary where they will be held until ordered to be released.' The exotic cats are also being examined by a vet. Their conditions 'seemed good but there were some concerns about the living conditions,' the spokesperson added. The Nye County Sheriff's Officer seized seven tigers from exotic animal owner Karl Mitchell's home in Pahrump, Nevada Wednesday morning Mitchell has reportedly been violating special condition permits and ordinances related to the ownership of his tigers for several years. (Pictured: The home the wild animals were found) Mitchell (right) was also taken into custody for resisting a peace officer Nye County Sheriff Joe McGil told 8 News Now the seizure of the tigers will likely take most of the day because the animals have to be sedated. It is illegal for a person, partnership, corporation, or other legal entity to sell, transfer, import, purchase or possess an animal that is classified as special conditions in Nye County, according to county code. People are only allowed to do so if they hold a permit or are exempt from holding a permit. Mitchell has long been involved in several legal battles related to the ownership of his tigers. He has also been cited dozens of times for violating basic animal care standards. His license for the animals was previously revoked by the federal government, but in 2019 he won an appeal with the Nye County Commission to keep 10 exotic cats at his Pahrump ranch legally after claiming they were 'therapy animals,' Animals 24-7 reported. During a dispute over the ownership of his tigers in 2015, Mitchell said the judge who ruled against him keeping them, was driven by 'racial hatred,' according to Pahrump Valley Times. Mitchell, who is black, previously said: 'I'm not disappointed, I expected it. She's afraid of controversy. She claims to read everything, but if she read everything, she wouldn't have made the decision that she made.' The exotic cats are being examined by a vet and are set to be sedated. (Pictured: One of the tigers laying down in a cage) Their conditions 'seemed good but there were some concerns about the living conditions,' a spokesperson with the sheriff's office told DailyMail.com Mitchell has long been involved in several legal battles related to the ownership of his tigers. He was also cited dozens of times for violating basic animal care standards 'Racial hatred and animus is behind all of this. I've been trying to be a good man, but I'm continually picked at and probed. 'People need to understand that there are four other facilities in town that are not required to have conditional use permits. There's one facility one mile from here and they have cats but they are not required to have a conditional use permit.' Mitchell is an 'animal trainer and expert' at Big Cat Encounters, according to the company's website. DailyMail.com contacted Mitchell for comment but did not immediately hear back. Stickers saying 'I Love JK Rowling' were not a 'dog whistle' for transphobia, a university professor has told an employment tribunal. Academics Deirdre O'Neill and Michael Wayne are suing the University and College Union (UCU) after its Edinburgh branch said their film Adult Human Female was an attack on transgender identity. The film challenges trans rights claims and sparked protests when they tried to show it at the University of Edinburgh, the tribunal heard. The academics say that this was unlawful discrimination by the UCU against their belief that there are only two sexes. On Wednesday, the tribunal heard that the film screening took place amid online reports about the discovery of 'transphobic' stickers on the campus, including some saying 'I Love JK Rowling'. Rowling, 59, who wrote the Harry Potter books in the Scottish capital, has outspoken views on gender issues that have seen her called transphobic by activists, which she has denied. Although it was accepted that Mr Wayne, a professor at Brunel University, may not have been aware of the stickers, he was asked if he believed they could be a 'dog whistle'. He replied: 'So you're saying that the author JK Rowling is what?' Stickers saying 'I Love JK Rowling' were not a 'dog whistle' for transphobia, a university professor has told an employment tribunal Academics Deirdre O'Neill and Michael Wayne (pictured together) are suing the University and College Union (UCU) after its Edinburgh branch said their film Adult Human Female was an attack on transgender identity Rowling (pictured), 59, who wrote the Harry Potter books in the Scottish capital, has outspoken views on gender issues that have seen her called transphobic by activists, which she has denied Tom Brown, for the UCU, said: 'Professor Wayne, are you saying that you don't appreciate that JK Rowling is a very well-known proponent of gender critical views?' Mr Wayne replied: 'Yes, but she's not a transphobe in my opinion, you used the word 'dog whistle', the word 'dog whistle' is a reference to coded messages underneath something that is apparently innocuous. 'So I can't accept that this is a dog whistle because that would be implying that I believe JK Rowling is a transphobe. 'She's gender critical, the two things are not the same and that is the nub of the disagreement between us.' Mr Wayne said the stickers were 'clearly a statement', but not transphobic. The tribunal also heard reports about other stickers on campus and Mr Brown asked: 'Do you accept that the context to the showing of your film on the campus of Edinburgh University was stickers such as these being spotted on campus?' The academic responded: 'If the respondent says that these stickers were on campus then I'm happy to accept that they were on campus, yes.' Mr Brown said: 'If somebody was a trans member of staff or a trans student that being on the campus with stickers like this could have an impact on how somebody felt?' The film challenges trans rights claims and sparked protests when they tried to show it at the University of Edinburgh, the tribunal heard The academics say that this was unlawful discrimination by the UCU against their belief that there are only two sexes Dr Shereen Benjamin, who works for the University of Edinburgh and is part of a group called Academics For Academic Freedom, appeared in the film and arranged for it to be screened originally Mr Wayne replied: 'It could have an impact on how they felt, yes.' Pressed if this could have had a negative impact, Mr Wayne added: 'It's possible, yes, that doesn't mean to say the stickers were illegitimate.' Mr Wayne told the tribunal that the film was recognising concerns that women's rights were being 'marginalised' and was 'not an attack on trans identities'. He said attempts to stop it being screened were an 'attack on academic freedom' and that it was not possible to express their beliefs 'without being classified as transphobic'. The academic added: 'We shouldn't be here, we should have had these discussions and the debate on the university campus but it was not us who cancelled that, it was the respondent who cancelled that.' In November 2022, Ms O'Neill, a lecturer at Hertfordshire University, and Mr Wayne released Adult Human Female, which examines claims that 'trans women are women and should be treated as women in all legal and social contexts', the tribunal heard. When UCU's Edinburgh branch became aware of a planned screening in December 2022, it demanded the event be cancelled and called the film transphobic, the tribunal was told. Protesters blocked the venue, preventing 100 to 150 attendees from watching the film, it was said. The screening was rescheduled for April 2023 but was again blocked by protesters. It went ahead in November 2023 with extra security, the tribunal heard. Dr Shereen Benjamin, who works for the University of Edinburgh and is part of a group called Academics For Academic Freedom, appeared in the film and arranged for it to be screened originally. She told the tribunal: 'Gender critical beliefs are protected in law and if you are harassed on the basis of gender critical beliefs your union has a duty to defend you from harassment.' The UCU says its actions were in support of the rights of trans and non-binary people, and denies discriminating against or harassing Ms O'Neill and Mr Wayne, according to tribunal documents. The tribunal, which is being held remotely, continues. An American Airlines flight from New York to Japan was diverted back to the United States despite being 12 hours into its 14 hour journey. American Airlines Flight 167, bound for Tokyo's Haneda Airport, departed from John F. Kennedy International Airport at 10:45 a.m. ET on Monday, according to FlightAware. The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft had crossed the entire continental United States and was flying over the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of Alaska, when the pilots were forced to turn around, reported The Daily Beast. Instead of returning to an airport along the West Coast, the plane flew for another five hours, crossing half of the United States, and landed at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport around 10 p.m. CT. American Airlines confirmed to Fox 4 that the diversion was due to a maintenance issue. Outraged passengers aired their grievances with the airline for the disruption on social media. 'Spent $2500 a person on premium economy from JFK to Tokyo. @AmericanAir diverts us to DFW, reserves us a room in a Super 8 & gives us $12 food vouchers. This is not going to end well,' one person said. Business Insider reported that one Reddit user who said they were on the flight claimed there was no meal service on board writing, 'so we've gone 14 hours with only dried snap peas as a snack.' American Airlines Flight 167, bound for Tokyo's Haneda Airport, departed from John F. Kennedy International Airport at 10:45 a.m. ET on Monday The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft had crossed the entire continental United States and was flying over the Pacific Ocean when the pilots were forced to turn around Passengers were reportedly put in a hotel in Texas then departed for Tokyo again the next day. Last week, a United flight bound for Shanghai was diverted back to California three hours into the trip because the pilot forgot their passport. UA Flight 198 left Los Angeles International Airport at 1:44 p.m. PT and was scheduled to land at Shanghai Pudong International about 14 hours later until the pilot discovered his disastrous mistake. The flight was then diverted back to California and landed in San Francisco just after 5 p.m., per flight logs tracked on Flight Aware. Passengers on the Boeing aircraft 787-9 then finally took off for Shanghai around 9 p.m. and arrived just after 12:30 a.m. local time. United arranged for a new crew to take the 257 passengers to Shanghai and provided them with meal vouchers and compensation for the inconvenience, the media representative said. The flight eventually landed at its destination six hours behind schedule, which impacted some of the passengers' plans. One passenger, who was flying for business, told CNN, that they had to reschedule their plans for Monday after the significant delay. Instead of landing at Tokyo's Haneda Airport (pictured) the plane flew an addition five hours and landed at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport A second traveler said they had to drive another two hours after landing in Shanghai, leaving them exhausted. Yang Shuhan, another traveler on the flight, said that the pilot announced his embarrassing mistake over the intercom and sounded 'very frustrated.' Yang told CNN that she received two meal vouchers totaling $30 to use for a meal at the San Francisco airport. A Good Samaritan was shot and killed after he ran over a robbery suspect in the Brazilian city of Sao Paulo. Haunting surveillance footage showed the mugger intercepting the woman to steal her cell phone and wedding ring on Tuesday. Jefferson Dias, a 43-year-old architect, was with a friend when he spotted the crime from his pickup truck and trailed the perp, who could be seen riding his own motorcycle over a sidewalk. The suspect jumped back on the street to continue his escape when Dias mowed him down. The impact of the crash ejected the thug off the motorcycle and into the hood of Dias' vehicle before he fell to the ground. The perp stood up from the pavement and fired three shots at Dias, who was about to step out to confront him. Dias was struck twice in the right arm and once in the back of the neck before he crashed to the ground as the gunman fled on foot. Dias was rushed to University Hospital, where he died from the gunshot wounds. Jefferson Dias, a 43-year-old architect, was shot and killed Tuesday in Sao Paulo, Brazil after he attempted to stop a mugger from fleeing on a motorcycle after robbing a woman of her wedding ring and cell phone The gunman ran away from the scene after he shot Jefferson Dias twice on the right arm and once in the neck. Dias was rushed to a hospital, where he died The suspect remained on the run as of Wednesday afternoon. The senseless murder stunned Dias' loved ones. 'He was a person with a very good heart. He helped everyone, the whole family, he was always there, always together,' his sister, Jaqueline Dias, told TV Globo. Dias got married in 2023 and had dreams of starting a family. 'It was their wish to have a family and children and, unfortunately, [that] was interrupted,' Jaqueline said. 'He will be missing from all the lunches here at home, he will be missing from sending messages. 'It will be horrible, there will be a huge part of him missing.' A mugger aims a gun at a woman to rob her wedding ring and cell phone moments before he shot and killed a Good Samaritan who tried to stop him from escaping The gunman approached Jefferson Dias just as he was about to step out of his car and fired three shots. The shooter, who had robbed a woman's wedding ring and cell phone, was still on the run as of Wednesday Dias opened his own architecture firm in 2012 and closed it in 2015. He worked designing furniture for homes and offices. 'For those who say that architecture is a privilege for a few and deny themselves the comfort of living well,' said in a Facebook post while describing his work. The Scottish Prison Service should no longer be safe from criminal prosecution, the chief of the service has said. The claim came as the head of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) met the loved ones of two young people who took their own lives in Polmont Young Offenders Institution. The families of Katie Allan, 21, and William Lindsay, 16, who died within months of each other in 2018, had a robust and painful meeting with the services chief executive Teresa Medhurst. And during the meeting, Ms Medhiust accepted Crown immunity - which means the prison service cannot be prosecuted - should end. Miss Alans mother, Linda, also said the meeting was the first time the families had not felt demonised by the prison service. Ms Allan, a student at Glasgow University, was found dead on June 4 while serving a 16-month sentence for drink-driving and causing serious injury. Mr Lindsay - also known as William Brown - who had made repeated attempts on his life in 2017 which were detailed in reports provided on his admission, was found dead in his cell on October 7, three days after he was remanded due to a lack of space in a childrens unit. The families lawyer Aamer Anwar said it was important that Ms Medhurst had agreed Crown immunity for the prison service should be abolished. Student Katie Allan, 21, hanged herself in Polmont Young Offenders Institution in 2018 William Lindsay, 16, also took his own life at the Young Offenders Institution He said: When you have a situation where the SPS agrees with the lifting of Crown immunity, when the Scottish Government and every opposition party in the Scottish Parliament agrees with the lifting of Crown immunity, the question really is now for the UK Government to deliver on that. The next stage for the families, and for a number of other families we act for, is for a meeting with [Prime Minister Sir] Keir Starmer and the Justice Minister, because they carry the power to do this. There is clearly unity right across Scotland, from all the institutions as well as the family, to remove Crown immunity. Its unacceptable. Mr Anwar recalled that a former Police Scotland chief constable had once raised this issue with him, asking why the police can be prosecuted but that the prison service, which can lock people up for 24 hours, seven days a week, cannot. He added that the SPS had gaslighted families for years but, having fully accepted the findings and recommendations of the FAI, it had no choice but to change. A fatal accident inquiry (FAI) was held last year at Falkirk Sheriff Court into their deaths and 25 recommendations were made by sheriff Simon Collins. Both the Scottish Government and SPS have already accepted in full the findings and recommendations of the inquiry. Linda Allan described the meeting as the beginning of a dialogue with the SPS, which she said was a complete reversal of what the families had experienced over the past seven years. The families of Katie Allan and William Lindsay at the meeting with the CEO of the Scottish Prison Service, Theresa Medhurst Polmont Young Offenders Institute near Falkirk She thanked Ms Medhurst and deputy chief executive Linda Pollock for what she said was a very positive, honest and robust response today, and their honesty and their obvious willingness to see change. She added: For the first time we didnt feel demonised by the prison service, but we felt listened to, and we found that very restorative. Speaking after the meeting, Ms Medhurst said: This was just an opportunity to meet personally with the families, to offer our apologies for their loss, the tragic loss of Katie and William, and to apologise for the failures of the past. And to ensure that they understand we are committed and determined to not only action the recommendations that we have accepted in full, but to ensure that there is systemic change across the organisation, which will be impactful and lasting. Ms Medhurst later added the SPS was grateful the two families agreed to the meeting and said the change needed would be delivered at pace and also be transparent. She continued: We have listened carefully and recognise they want immediate action and accountability. The meeting comes just days after the families met with Justice Secretary Angela Constance at Holyrood, ahead of a statement to Parliament in which she pledged lasting change. The SSP yesterday confirmed Ms Medhurst is supportive of the end to the Crown immunity but that its a decision for others. The Scottish and UK Governments and have been approached for comment. * For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit samaritans.org Armored vehicles maneuver towards designated area China Military Online) 11:22, April 02, 2025 Armored vehicles attached to a combined-arms brigade under the Chinese PLA 72nd Group Army maneuver towards the designated area during a day-and-night training exercise in early March, 2025. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Zhang Mao) An infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) attached to a combined-arms brigade under the Chinese PLA 72nd Group Army fires at the mock target during a day-and-night training exercise in early March, 2025.(eng.chinamil.com.cn/Zhang Mao) A wheeled assault vehicle attached to a combined-arms brigade under the Chinese PLA 72nd Group Army fires at the mock target during a day-and-night training exercise in early March, 2025.(eng.chinamil.com.cn/Zhang Mao) Soldiers assigned to a combined-arms brigade under the Chinese PLA 72nd Group Army march in combat formation during a day-and-night training exercise in early March, 2025.(eng.chinamil.com.cn/Zhang Mao) (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) City officials have argued that the grueling, hours-long waits at a Florida DMV should be celebrated... because they result from a crack down on scammers selling free appointments. Miami-Dade commissioners took action on Tuesday and passed legislation to prevent scalpers from securing appointments for the Department of Motor Vehicles, a problem they blame for the agonizingly long lines outside the department's front doors. Dariel Fernandez, the county's debt collector in charge of the DMV, revealed that they had uncovered a network of scalpers hoarding free appointments and selling them for between $25 and $250, NBC Miami reported. 'This legislation is about protecting working families and restoring trust in our public institutions,' Commissioner Kevin Marino Cabrera said in a statement. 'No one should have to pay a third party just to access basic government services,' he added. 'I'm proud to have partnered with Tax Collector Dariel Fernandez to put an end to this abusive practice.' Residents of the sweltering city have been frustrated by their inability to book appointments for basic tasks like road tests or license renewals at the DMV, often finding themselves waiting in a line that wraps around the building with no guarantee of being seen. 'Honestly this is ridiculous, I'm here in line before 4.30' said Majd Yahya, a resident physician in line to get her driver's license Wednesday, in an interview with NBC. Wednesday's wait, which Yahya joined in the early morning hours on her day off, was the third line she had stood in over the past few weeks, after she was forced to try and schedule her appointments around work commitments. City officials have argued that the grueling, hours-long wait times at Miami-Dade DMV are actually a good thing, as they are cracking down on scalpers, or scammers selling free appointments for a profit On Tuesday, Commissioner Kevin Marino Cabrera announced the unanimous approval of an ordinance created to target the illegal practice of reselling appointments City officials have blamed scalpers for the agonizingly long lines outside the department's front doors, a problem they believe will be at ease with the ordinance 'The other times I couldn't get in, because when it turns like 9 or 9.30, they stop taking walk-ins and I have to go to work,' she told the outlet. 'With my work it's not very flexible so when I have the time off, like, months ahead, I still can't get an appointment.' Other residents have turned to platforms like Reddit to express their frustrations with the DMV and seek advice from the public on how to secure an appointment. 'Whenever I miss Miami, I think about the DMV. It's unbelievable, and never gets old,' one comment read. Another resident wrote: 'It's so frustrating that the DMVs down here are still running by appointment only and for no good reason at that.' 'Ridiculous doesn't even begin to describe it,' said another. 'It's almost impossible to get an appointment.' 'A complete f***ing nightmare,' read a fourth comment. On Tuesday, Cabrera announced the unanimous approval of the ordinance created to target the illegal practice of reselling appointments. Majd Yahya, a resident physician on line to get her driver's license Wednesday, waited on two other agonizing lines previously but was unable to get an appointment each time Dariel Fernandez, the county's debt collector in charge of the DMV, revealed that they had uncovered a network of scalpers hoarding free appointments and selling them for between $25 and $250 Residents have turned to platforms like Reddit to express their frustrations with the DMV, with many referring to the appointment-only process as existing for 'no good reason' The ordinance prohibits any person, entity or platform from either listing, selling or promoting the sale of public service appointments, with violators facing fines of up to $500 or 60-days in jail. 'We will no longer tolerate fraud in our community. These predatory practices are unfair, unethical, and disproportionately harm our most vulnerable residents,' Fernandez said in a statement. 'Thanks to Commissioner Cabrera's leadership and the unanimous support of the Board of County Commissioners, we now have the legal tools to go after bad actors who have taken advantage of our residents for far too long.' City officials now believe that the ordinance will ease the hellish wait times freqently seen outside of the DMV. Fernandez's office previously told the Miami Herald that it is believed much of the blame lied with driving schools in the area, which appeared to have been booking appointments under random names to sell them on to customers. 'We are still investigating, but it appears that many of the people scalping appointments were part of driving schools in Miami-Dade and Broward County, which has been collapsing our system,' the Tax Collector's Office told the outlet. 'Some of the residents on the list never showed up to their appointments, possibly because they were simply placeholders for individuals to whom they resold the appointments.' The office further estimated a suspected 200 appointments were made through scalpers in the three weeks since Fernandez's office opened up a downtown Miami DMV. Scalpers were believed to have utilized bots or fake accounts to secure slots on the DMV online booking systems, the office added. DMV locations in Miami-Dade, which are currently mostly run by the state, are slowly in the process of being taken over by the Tax Collectors Office under a change mandated by state law. Fernandez's office estimated a suspected 200 appointments were made through scalpers in the three weeks since Fernandez's office opened up a downtown Miami DMV (pictured: Fernandez) The new ordinance prohibits any person, entity or platform from either listing, selling or promoting the sale of public service appointments, with violators facing fines of up to $500 or 60-days in jail Scalpers were believed to have utilized bots or fake accounts to secure slots on the DMV online booking systems Fernandez hopes to begin urging changes in the law to ban appointment scalping. 'We believe this type of activity has been happening for a long time at other DMV state-run locations. We are taking action to make this illegal and enforce the law to stop the fraud,' Fernandez said in a statement to the Miami Herald. 'I'm here to fix it, and in the coming days, we will be working with our local and state partners to find a solution to this problem.' The new ordinance announced on Tuesday would require written consent from the Miami-Dade Tax Collector's Office to resell appointments. Republicans are unsure of DOGE leader Elon Musk's fate as a White House staffer after a bombshell report indicated that the world's richest man may soon step down from his post. President Donald Trump reportedly informed his Cabinet and senior staff that the billionaire would be stepping back from his high-visibility role atop the government reform group. Soon the Tesla CEO will return to the business world, Politico first reported. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called the report 'garbage' and noted that the plan was always for Elon to 'depart from public service' after his 'incredible work at DOGE is complete.' But GOP lawmakers were seemingly confused by the news. Yeah, I don't know that he's going to leave totally,' House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain, R-Mich., told DailyMail.com. 'I've heard mixed on this so, and I haven't heard anything from the horse's mouth, so to speak.' The Republican shared that there may be special rules dictating how long Musk can stay with the administration. 'I've heard everything from as a special appointee to the president, you're only allowed to stay X number of days,' she said before adding 'I'm just giving you speculation.' President Donald Trump reportedly told his Cabinet this week that DOGE leader Elon Musk will soon step away from the administration The White House was quick to condemn the reporting from Politico, calling it 'garbage' Musk has been by the Republican's side since the 2024 campaign. Musk reportedly spent $300 million to get Trump elected Musk is considered a 'special government employee' (SGE), a classification that comes with restrictive work terms. Under the arrangement, SGE's are expected not to serve over 130 days. The DOGE leader's term is expected to be up on May 30, though the White House may take steps to keep the billionaire on staff longer. 'I think it was Musk who even said he was here on the front end [that he] wasn't going to be here for a long time,' Sen. Tom Tillis, R-N.C., told DailyMail.com. 'I don't think anybody thought he'd be here for four years.' 'I think that there's always a place for people pushing change, but at the end of the day, you have to institutionalize these efficiency measures in the agencies themselves,' the Republican continued. Musk also responded to the Politico report calling it 'fake news.' Still, the prospect that the Tesla CEO would return to his electric car company to steady the organization rocked with protests and a flailing stock price enthused investors. Republican lawmakers told DailyMail.com that Musk was always supposed to walk away from DOGE after a period of time Trump hosted an event for Tesla at the White House in March After the report surfaced Tesla stock jumped over five percent. Tesla has recently been rocked with protests, vandalism and violence related to Musk's actions at DOGE. The billionaire's departure from the Trump administration may be a positive development for the Republican White House. Musk has become unpopular because of DOGE's sweeping efforts to cut government spending, mainly due to his directives cutting tens of thousands of federal jobs. On Tuesday the SpaceX boss was dealt another blow when Republican candidate for Wisconsin's Supreme Court, Brad Schimel, lost to Democrat Susan Crawford. The DOGE leader spent over $20 million dollars on the race, though his preferred candidate lost by 10 points. A suspected killer was caught in shocking footage throwing a tantrum over his prison uniform as he refused to sit down for a TV interview. Christopher Eaves, 49, is accused of shooting and killing his brother, renowned Arizona attorney James 'Artie' Eaves, 51, on March 21 at his home in Arcadia. He was seen this week preparing to sit down for his first interview since his arrest with AZ Family, before growing emotional and storming off. The outlet said he agreed to sit with crime correspondent Briana Whitney, but as her cameras were rolling while he set up, Eaves lost his temper. 'Are any of you working for a law enforcement agency or working on behalf of a law enforcement organization?' the suspect asked the camera crew. Eaves then insisted on their being 'no walk-in footage', and said that he wouldn't be sitting for the interview at all unless he was given another set of clothes. 'I need to be afforded a suit of clothes for any interviews I was going to (do),' he said. 'I dont wanna take interviews in these clothes, so no footage.' Eaves went into a shocking rant claiming he had been denied his rights, before he was escorted out of the room as the planned interview was dramatically called off. Accused killer Christopher Eaves, 49, was caught in shocking footage throwing a tantrum over his prison uniform as he refused to sit down for a TV interview this week Eaves allegedly shot his brother outside his home, and investigators are yet to offer a motive for the slaying but said they believe Eaves suffered from mental illness Christopher is accused of shooting and killing his brother, renowned Arizona attorney James 'Artie' Eaves, 51, on March 21 at his home in Arcadia After Eaves insisted that he wouldn't give any interviews while still in his orange prison jumpsuit, a deputy told him in the footage: 'Well, then we can't do an interview. 'Then I need to speak to the ACLU,' Eaves responded. 'Ive been trying to reach my attorney, still havent afforded access to counsel. And I have not been afforded a lawyer. 'Afforded me a public attorney that I denied as counsel, and I have not been read my rights or Mirandized (inaudible). USSE-6345 and USSE-61342 are published. 'And in Blacks Law dictionary, if you can look those up, youll have a number of answers about this case.' Eaves' brother James, 51, was a high-profile attorney at Sanders & Parks law firm, and police said he was found dead in the driveway of his home last month. A probable cause affidavit stated that evidence at the scene included a substantial amount of damage to James' garage door and patio, and five shell casings were found in the driveway and another inside the home. According to the statement, a witness told police he was walking down the street when he heard a 'single gunshot, followed by several additional gunshots.' 'Within 30 seconds the witness saw a white BMW SUV vehicle driving northbound,' according to the statement. 'The witness described the driver as being either bald or short-haired male.' Eaves' brother James, 51, was a high-profile attorney at Sanders & Parks law firm, and police said he was found dead in the driveway of his home last month Christopher Eaves (left) stands alongside his parents at the scene of his brother's murder, seen before cops arrested him for the slaying The witness, who has not been named, was also able to confirm the Arizona license plate number, which police said was linked to Christopher Eaves. Investigators obtained home surveillance video allegedly showing a BMW backing into the garage door before pulling forward and coming to a stop. Christopher was then allegedly seen exiting the vehicle wearing a dark hooded shirt with a logo on the left breast, a patch on the right sleeve and a large graphic on the back. He was then seen removing a firearm from his left waistband area, per the affidavit. Phoenix Police said Christopher then allegedly walked towards the home, near Camelback Road and 44th Street, with the firearm. Investigators later discovered a hoodie, matching the one seen on the home surveillance video, inside Christopher's parent's vehicle, according to the probable cause statement obtained by People. However, another surveillance video details James arriving at his home, noticing the BMW in the driveway and entering the house anyway. City of Phoenix Police said officers were executing a search warrant at the crime scene when Christopher arrived along with his parents Investigators later discovered a hoodie, matching the one seen on the home surveillance video, inside Christopher's parent's vehicle, according to the probable cause statement Police also allegedly discovered the 40-caliber firearm used in the murder in Christopher's bedroom perched atop his bedside table. 'The firearm was on top of the nightstand,' the statement reads. 'The firearm had one round chambered, the hammer was cocked back, and the safety was on. The headstamps on the chambered cartridge and the magazine matched the headstamps on the casings at the scene.' When he was arrested, City of Phoenix Police said officers were executing a search warrant at the crime scene when Christopher arrived along with his parents. Christopher was detained at the scene and now faces a first-degree murder charge, which if convicted in the state of Arizona, demands a lifetime prison sentence or the death penalty. He was also accused of burglary, according to the document. His parents told investigators that their son suffers from mental illness but did not know if he had been officially diagnosed with a mental disorder. According to the filing, Christopher was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the alleged crime. Eaves seen in his first court appearance, where a judge set a cash bond at $1.5 million During his initial court appearance on March 24, a judge set a cash bond at $1.5 million. Just as he did in his interview this week, Eaves claimed at his first court hearing that he was 'never Mirandized' or read his Miranda rights. However, the judge said that some people have a misconception that not being read Miranda rights can do away with charges. He told Christopher that the 'evidence gathered has nothing to do with Miranda.' Christopher was then ordered by the judge to have 'no contact' with his parents because they are James' next of kin. James' shocking death struck a chord within the community as many have since aired their grievances online. 'Artie Eaves was a dear friend and colleague to so many of us at the Maricopa County Atty's Office,' Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell wrote on X. 'Today's tragedy has not yet sunk in but one thing is for certain: Artie will be deeply missed. I am praying for his entire family and would ask others to do the same.' 'This tragedy has left us shattered. Words cannot adequately express the depth of this loss,' Sanders & Parks President Robin Burgess said in a statement provided to The Arizona Republic. US president Donald Trump has moved another aircraft carrier to the Middle East after amassing stealth bombers to the nearby Chagos Islands, amid fears he may be gearing up to strike Iran. The US is moving the USS Carl Vinson from Asia, where it normally patrols the South China Sea, to the Persian Gulf, directly south of Iran, to join its sister carrier USS Harry S. Truman. Trump appears to be making good on a threat to attack Iran with a 'bombing the likes to which they have never seen before' should its supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, refuse to destroy its nuclear programme and stop supporting proxy wars in the Middle East. America has already moved six B-2 Spirit stealth bombers to the Chagos Islands, a third of its fleet, with satellite imagery showing them resting at the Diego Garcia military base on the UK-controlled island. These high-tech planes have the capability of carrying bunker busting bombs across Iran that could destroy its military and nuclear sites. The B-2 Spirits will likely be supported by a fleet of six Stratotanker in-flight refuelling craft, which were seen at Diego Garcia. These would give the Spirits the capability to fly to Iran, deliver payloads and fly back to the Chagos Islands in a roughly 5,000-mile round trip. But Iran appears to be stepping up to the military challenge, with Khamenei adviser Ali Larijani telling local media: 'If America or Israel bomb Iran under the nuclear pretext, Iran will be compelled to move toward producing an atomic bomb.' US president Donald Trump has moved another aircraft carrier to the Middle East after amassing stealth bombers to the nearby Chagos Islands Iranian missiles are displayed at the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force Museum in Tehran, Iran, November 15, 2024 The US is moving the USS Carl Vinson (pictured) from Asia, where it normally patrols the South China Sea, to the Persian Gulf, directly south of Iran Last month, the International Atomic Energy Agency reported that Iran had substantially increased its production of nuclear-capable uranium, and had increased its stockpile of near-weapons grade material. The US is also exerting financial pressureon Iran, with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Wednesday meeting in Washington with 16 global banks and federal law enforcement agencies on U.S. sanctions policy on Iran including efforts to cut its oil exports. Bessent said President Donald Trump's administration is applying economic pressure to the maximum extent possible to disrupt Iran's access to financial resources that help it fund Hamas and other militant groups throughout the Middle East and its efforts to obtain a nuclear weapon. 'This includes the billions of dollars each year that Iran generates via its oil sales, which the regime also uses to finance its dangerous agenda and support its multiple terrorist proxies and partners,' Bessent said, according to a copy of his remarks. Iran says its nuclear program is for civilian purposes. Trump restored his policy of maximum pressure on Iran in February that includes efforts to drive its oil exports down to zero. In March Treasury slapped sanctions on tankers carrying Iranian oil and on a Chinese 'teapot' refinery for processing the oil. Teapots are small, independent refineries in China. China's national oil company refineries have stopped buying Iranian oil over concerns about sanctions. Bessent mentioned the U.S. sanctioning of Shandong Shouguang Luqing Petrochemical Co., Ltd, the small refinery, and its chief executive officer for purchasing and refining hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of Iranian crude oil, including from vessels linked to the Houthis and the Iranian Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics. Iran threatened to target British forces if Donald Trump attacks the Middle Eastern nation in the absence of a new nuclear deal (pictured: Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei) Iran has threatened to strike American bases and 'blow up' the entire Middle East if Donald Trump follows through on his warning of military action in the absence of a new nuclear deal. The image shows an Iranian rocket launched during a drill earlier last year Pictured: An Iranian nuclear power plant stands March 30, 2005 some 322 km south of Tehran, in Natanz, Iran Donald Trump vowed to bomb Iran unless it agrees to a new nuclear deal with Washington 'Teapot refinery purchases of Iranian oil provide the primary economic lifeline for the Iranian regime,' Bessent said. Bessent also warned the banks that Iran conducts its foreign exchange activities through a covert shadow banking network. 'My message to financial institutions worldwide is unequivocal: safeguard your institutions from being exploited by this malign network, so you can continue to serve your legitimate clients with integrity,' Bessent told the banks, according to the Treasury Department. The department did not immediately respond to a request about which banks and agencies participated. Bessent said Treasury uses tools such as Wednesday's meeting to bring together financial institutions, regulatory agencies, and law enforcement, to disrupt what it calls Iran's illicit revenue streams. In an NBC interview over the weekend, Trump also threatened so-called secondary tariffs, which affect buyers of a country's goods, on both Russia and Iran. He signed an executive order in March authorizing such tariffs on buyers of Venezuelan oil. A San Francisco sex worker was found guilty of manslaughter over the gruesome death of an unhappy customer, who asked for a refund after she completed her task. Leniyah Butler, 21, was convicted on Monday of voluntary manslaughter after being acquitted of murder in the second degree by a federal jury over the shooting death of Hamza Walupupu, 32. Walupupu was killed in the early morning of November 12, 2023, in Crissy Field - right near the Golden Gate Bridge - after he picked up Butler from the Tenderloin District in a Hyundai Accent. After performing a sex act on the victim, Walupupu asked Butler for a refund and to get out of his car, which led her to shoot him once in the eye with a gun she kept in her purse, The Sacramento Bee reported. After killing him, Butler dragged her client's body out of the car before stealing it and driving to Hunter's Point, where she 'tried to wipe away the fingerprints and DNA' before 'scattering the physical evidence, including the murder weapon,' the U.S. Attorney's Office said. While covering up the evidence in the case, Butler asked her mother to help her, according to court documents obtained by San Francisco Public Safety News. The victim's stolen car was later found by police days later, as Butler allegedly got rid of all his belongings, wiped it down clean and disposed of the gun to an unnamed person. A week after that, her home in Excelsior was raided by FBI agents, leading her to jump out a second-story window before being arrested in a neighbor's garage on November 20, per San Francisco Public Safety News. Leniyah Butler, 21, (left) was convicted on Monday of voluntary manslaughter after being acquitted of murder in the second degree by a federal jury over the shooting death of Hamza Walupupu, 32 (right) Leniyah Butler is seen covering her eyes during her trial (court sketch) The transgender sex worker, born Christopher Butler, was indicted as Leion Butler and used the name Leniyah Butler during her trial which started on March 17. In an advert on social media, Butler, who went by 'Yasmine' as her professional name, posted risque photos of herself, telling prospective clients that she wanted them to 'feel my lady stick inside you.' She also told them to not 'try negotiating my set price' and that 'all the unnecessary questions are uncaused and unwanted.' Medical history that was submitted during her pretrial also revealed that Butler had HIV, according to San Francisco Public Safety News. After learning of her diagnosis, which was kept from the jury, Butler obtained a gun, the outlet said. During her time with Walupupu, he told Butler 'he wanted more,' to which she told him she was transgender. After learning that, the 32-year-old asked Butler for his money back, but she refused. Butler then worried that she would be left 'stranded' and 'cold as f**' if left in the middle of the field, and believed Walupupu should 'take her back to where he picked her up,' the outlet reported. He then tried to get out of his car, but as he did so, Butler pulled the trigger on a .38- handgun. A blurred photo of Butler - who went by Yasmine online - in one of her adverts In an advert on social media, Butler, who went by 'Yasmine' as her professional name, posted risque photos of herself, telling prospective clients that she wanted them to 'feel my lady stick inside you' After driving away around 6.12am that day, Walupupu's body was found by someone on an early morning walk. Security camera footage then captured Butler parking the victim's car at Hunter's Point at 6.37am, the outlet said. The footage also caught Butler and her mother Leslie Blueford cleaning the car after she pulled up to meet her daughter in a black Jeep Commander. Shortly after that, investigators discovered an array of internet searches on Butler's phone, including pornography, and information on Crissy Field - where she left Walapupu's deceased body. The FBI also obtained footage of a 'heavy set adult black female' driving the victim's car on Kiska Road. Jailhouse calls, that were also presented during her trial, revealed Butler had no remorse for murdering her client that morning. 'I dont think I should say sorry to nobody cos, b****, I dont feel sorry for smoking him cos he tried it,' she told family members in the phone calls, reported San Francisco Public Safety News. In other calls Butler sounded like she regretted what she did, as she said: 'I really apologize for anybody that I hurt, but my life was in danger and I felt like I needed to defend myself at that moment or it would have been me.' She also said: 'I deserve freedom. I deserve happiness. I deserve to be with my family.' This is not the first time Butler has been in trouble with the law, as court records, obtained by the outlet, revealed that she pepper-sprayed and punched multiple people just 17 days before the murder. During this incident, Butler sprayed mace at police officers and civilians during a Pride celebration. Pictured: Crissy Field in San Francisco, where the ordeal took place Leniyah Butler (second from right) is seen in a court sketch from her trial, wearing her hair in a bun and a mask over her face She also sprayed a security officer and employee after stealing from a CVS store, court documents said. Butler then sprayed another person who tried to prevent her from fleeing from the car she was being transported in. She also punched a retail store employee she was trying to steal from, as well as a bus passenger she was trying to pickpocket, records show. U.S. District Attorney Patrick D. Robbins, spoke directly to Walupupu's family, and commended the FBI's 'swift actions' throughout the case. 'We extend our sincere condolences to the victims family, whose son and brother was taken from them prematurely, and hope todays verdict brings some measure of justice,' Robbins said. 'We commend the swift actions of the FBI agents, who promptly and thoroughly investigated this case from the moment the victims body was found in the Presidio.' The victim's family was present throughout the trial, but did not show up for the reading of the verdict, according to The Bay Area Reporter. Shortly after his murder, Walupupu's family created a GoFundMe page to raise money for funeral costs. 'He touched the lives of so many and its our turn to give back to his family in their time of need,' the page read. Butler is currently being held in custody with her sentencing hearing set for June 27. Simon Hopkinson is one of Britains most genial, unpretentious and esteemed chefs. As a young man, he became a particular pet of the late, great Elizabeth David especially as he had the sense, in her presence, to never to mention Robert Carrier, a name guaranteed to have her chewing carpets. Carrier, a plump and fruity American with a weakness for cashmere sweaters, was Britains first great celebrity chef, made far more money than cookery writer Mrs David and, worse still, shamelessly nicked her recipes. And in 2005 and to widespread astonishment a Waitrose survey of Hopkinsons peers found his 1994 tome, Roast Chicken and Other Stories, ranked as the most useful cookery book of all time. Eclipsing Jamie Oliver, Gordon Ramsay and even Delia. But what does Hopkinson like to fix up for his tea when not on duty? Why, a tinned Fray Bentos steak-and-kidney pie, of course. He is in surprisingly good company. As one of her pilots once let slip, our late Queen was also partial to this delicacy in flight. As, to this day, is her unfussy daughter, even when entertaining friends at Gatcombe Park. Nor was it unknown for Her Majesty, on her annual Balmoral sojourn, to send out to the Ballater chippie for a soothing fish supper. Our grandmothers, of necessity, cooked every day even when, till very recent decades, most homes lacked a freezer, a microwave or even any sort of oven. Most of us do not. Most of us are hobby cooks, happy of a weekend to prop open the pages of a Jamie or a Nigella and make something special from scratch. Simon Hopkinson's Roast Chicken and Other Stories was ranked as the most useful cookery book of all time Otherwise I tend to abide by the Elizabeth David maxim: that bread, cheese and fruit is a complete meal and generally stay clear of the sad realm that is the TV dinner, in its tragic little plastic tray, or the clammy supermarket sandwich. Serious cooking can, of course, be great fun. A few days ago I whipped up my chicken Forestiere, a delicious one-pan feast, finished in the oven, with mushrooms, shallots, garlic, a splash of white wine, a slosh of stock, the vital sprigs of thyme and, finally, some emulsifying cream. The French recipe is uncannily similar to an Italian one, pollo alla crema di funghi, and is even better when you leave half of it to chill overnight and further develop flavour. But we all occasionally slum it, be it a hankering for Heinzs cream of tomato, hotdogs in a jar from the supermarket (not that the ingredients bear close scrutiny) a bag of cheesy Wotsits or hitting Just Eat to order takeaway. When I have a hankering for glorious trash, my go-to at the moment is Southern fried chicken. Crumbed and spicy thighs and drumsticks from Tesco, moreish French fries from the Co-op, and a KFC-style chicken gravy I whip up myself. I melt a generous tablespoonful of butter in a pan, add another of plain flour (with half a teaspoon of onion or garlic salt) and, this roux complete and the flour cooked out, then slowly blend in a pint of hot stock. Made from two cubes not those little plastic bobbles and, critically, one beef and one chicken, even as the oven tends to the fries and fowl. A twist of pepper in the gravy, and thats a tasty, if frightfully common, feast on the table before you can say Colonel Sanders. Any gravy left over will keep happily in the fridge for up to five days. All our kitchen exploits are shaped to greater or lesser degree by broader circumstances. Unless you stay in a major city, you will struggle to source, say, fresh tarragon, Italian sausages, banana-shallots, cured ox tongue, or the exotics essential for a Thai curry keffir lime leaves, their distinctive basil, and galangal. Not that I ever venture a Thai curry myself though Nigel Slater made a brave attempt, even he struggled to minimise the long, long list of ingredients. Though I can vouch for the ease and excellence of two Indian recipes chicken tikka masala, and chicken korma in Jamie Olivers Ministry of Food, a cookbook rather brilliantly framed for people convinced they cannot cook. I do frequently whip up a pan of cream of mushroom soup from scratch, because no one sells a good one and it is rare, these days, to spot it on a restaurant menu. I like to make gooseberry jam, in high summer, not just because it is so easy to make (needing no added pectin) but because it is so hard to buy. And I remain a purist about Christmas dinner, even though absorbing as is the execution of Jamies Get-Ahead Christmas Gravy I know in my heart of hearts you can buy something just as good in a tub from Aldi. I occasionally lament our lost ingredients. Tinned clams are now all but unobtainable in this country and, though Robert Carrier decreed cans of it for your emergency larder, turtle soup vanished from our shelves decades ago. Though I do have a recipe for it. Procure a fine, lively fat turtle kill it overnight so that it may be left to bleed in a cool place The dish, a particular favourite of King Edward VII, also calls for a leg of beef, a knuckle of veal and one old hen. Not for nothing did his friends (behind his back, of course) talk affectionately of Tum-Tum. Dining is not just food, of course: it is ritual. I have to eat off a white plate; it must be prewarmed, if the course is hot; and I always eat at the table. Scoffing something off a tray, as you veg out before the telly, is distinctly Wayne and Waynetta. And, if cheese is part of my dinner, I prefer the civilised French custom of enjoying it after the main course but before any pudding. I do mean pudding, not dessert, properly, dessert is a final course of fruit, nuts and petit fours, enjoyed with a glass of port and which I am unlikely to meet till my first invitation to Birkhall. The other course that has long vanished from formal dining is the savoury, largely because the dainties had to be prepared at the last minute and no one, these days, has the staff. The savouries acceptable at a dinner party are very few, harrumphed Elizabeth David in 1951, should be very hot and preferably composed of cheese She did make reluctant exception for the delicious Angels on Horseback, oysters wrapped up in the slimmest slices of bacon, threaded on skewers, grilled, and served on squares of freshly fried bread. Which rules them out for the cook hostess who does not wish to leave her guests while she disappears to the kitchen for ten minutes, emerging breathless and crimson in the face. However you cook or, better still, entertain the important thing is to relax. The ability to cook even two or three dishes to entire perfection has cemented many a hosts reputation and, as long as you go all-out on the main course, no oner will judge you for a quickly assembled salad or a tub of bought, high-end ice cream. Vaunting his 30-minute chicken korma, Nigel Slater once wrote reproachfully, Some will find my version pure heresy. I am only making something for supper, you know not entertaining a Moghul emperor. A British father is said to have died from septic shock after he was caught up in a suspected gas explosion that destroyed his holiday B&B. Grant Paterson, 54, had been left in a critical condition when the horror blast brought down a three-storey building while he holidayed in Rome on March 22. The Scottish tourist, from East Kilbrade, suffered burns to 75 per cent of his body and underwent an operation to remove debris from his body and skin grafts. Sadly, he passed away at Sant'Eugenio Hospital on Tuesday - more than a week after the blast. Mr Patterson died as a result of septic shock after one of his major surgeries, DailyRecord reported. An investigation is ongoing to identify the cause of the blast. Mr Paterson's family, including his daughter, joined him in Italy last Monday before he underwent his first operation to remove the burnt debris, according to the Daily Record. Doctors were scheduled to perform surgery to replace his damaged skin with that of a donor last week. However, it was yesterday confirmed he had passed away. Facebook picture of Grant Paterson in Rome. He was left in a critical condition when the horror blast brought down a three-storey building The B&B, named Mamma Roma, was situated in busy neighbourhood of Monteverde, in southwest Rome Workers spent nearly an hour trying to free Paterson before rushing him to hospital Mr Paterson, who arrived in Rome a few days before the building collapsed, was described as a 'true gentleman' by former colleagues at ferry operator CalMac. Diane Burke, the company's Chief Operating Officer, said: 'Everyone at CalMac is distraught that Grant has passed away. He was a true gentleman and a credit to MV Clansman, the vessel he served aboard. 'During a distinguished 12-year career with us, he embodied the very best of CalMac and, with his larger-than-life character, he was much-loved by colleagues and passengers alike. 'Our thoughts are with Grant's friends and family at this extremely difficult time.' The Glasgow Shipping Branch of the RMT union said on social media: 'The thoughts and prayers of all at the Glasgow Shipping Branch are with the family and friends of our branch member Grant Paterson who has tragically passed away following an accident on holiday. 'Fair winds and following seas.' Chris Gibson, another CalMac employee, said: 'Devastated at the news today that Grant Paterson has lost his battle for survival. RIP and fair winds. You will be sorely missed big guy.' A fundraiser to support Paterson's family while they are in Rome has raised over 11,000, despite the initial target being 1,000. Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri has ordered a probe into the building's collapse One donor, who called themselves Loraine Foy, said: 'So sorry to hear what happened. I saw you two weeks ago after not seeing you for many years, we had a lovely chat and you said how much you were looking forward to the trip. Thinking of you.' Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri has ordered a probe into the building's collapse, which saw emergency crews scramble to the scene after the alarm was raised. He said: 'Initial findings seem to indicate that it was a gas leak, perhaps from a cylinder that exploded, causing very significant damage. 'There is one injured person. He is reportedly a guest of an accommodation facility, and investigations are under way into the B&B.' The State Attorney's Office in Rome has opened a probe against 'unknown persons' as well as seizing the building, according to Italian media. The B&B, named Mamma Roma, was situated in the busy neighbourhood of Monteverde, in southwest Rome. It was believed to be a former stables which had been converted into a guest house. Posts on his Facebook page showed he had previously visited the Colosseum and the Trevi Fountain on his solo trip. He had been due to return on March 24. Gualtieri visiting the scene of the devastation. One witness compared the blast to a bomb going off as all her windows started to shake In a written post, he said: 'Arrived in Rome, trains planes, buses and foot... Accommodation is beautiful. This should be a good week... if I don't get killed in some ungodly way...' Emergency workers reported hearing cries coming from the rubble of the property and spent nearly an hour trying to free Mr Paterson before rushing him to hospital. A witness told Rai television news: 'I was stopped at the traffic lights at the intersection when I heard an explosion. It was like a bomb, a terrifying bomb.' Another witness, who lives on the same street, compared the blast to a bomb going off as all her windows started to shake. Police set up an exclusion zone round the blast site following the explosion as a precaution. The wall of a nearby villa was also damaged in the incident. A spokesman for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) told MailOnline: 'We are supporting the family of a British man who died in Italy and are in touch with the local authorities.' It's the latest in a string of shocking driving incidents involving the Biden family. The former president's first wife and baby daughter were tragically killed in a car crash in 1972, his younger brother Frank was found liable for killing a man crossing the road in California in 1999, and his son Hunter crashed and abandoned a rental car with crack cocaine inside in 2017. Now, DailyMail.com can reveal Joe's sister-in-law Sara Biden, 65, was caught driving almost 100mph in a 50mph zone on a Maryland country road on the morning of February 16, 2024. Records show Sara, the wife of Joe's brother Jim Biden, was driving her black 2023 Jeep Rubicon at 96mph down Route 33 near Leehaven Road at 9:30am. The country road, in a rural area across the Eastern Bay from Washington DC, has a single lane for traffic in each direction. Court records seen by DailyMail.com reveal Sara ended up pleading guilty to a lesser offense of speeding at 60mph and was ordered to undergo a 'driver improvement program' as part of her conviction. Sara gained notoriety when she and her husband were tied to Hunter's shady dealings with foreign oligarchs and a Chinese government-linked energy company as part of the IRS tax fraud probe into the felon former First Son. A House Oversight Committee investigation into Hunter's business deals traced a money trail from Chinese oil giant CEFC - one of his joint ventures - that snaked through bank accounts belonging to Hunter, Sara and Jim, and Joe, in 2017. DailyMail.com can reveal Sara Biden, 65 - who is married to Joe's brother Jim Biden - was charged with speeding in a 50mph zone in Talbot County, Maryland on the morning of February 16, 2024 The former president's sister-in-law, pictured in June 2024, was pulled over for driving her black 2023 Jeep Rubicon doing almost 100mph on a country road WhatsApp messages from August 2017 previously published by DailyMail.com, showed Hunter demanded $10million from CEFC, and claimed his father was 'sitting here' next to him during the exchange. After an initial $5million from CEFC was put in the joint venture on August 8, 2017, and a transfer of $400,000 was placed into Hunter Biden entity Owasco, P.C. on the same day. Then, $150,000 was transferred directly from Owasco into the bank account of Jim and Sara Biden on August 14, 2017. Then on September 3, 2017, Sara wrote a $40,000 check direct to Joe - just six days after she took out $50,000 in cash, according to the obtained documents. That same year, Sara's daughter Caroline was busted for a DUI and spent 20 days in rehab after crashing her car into a tree in Pennsylvania. Joe's youngest brother Frank Biden also got a DUI in 2003. According to a police affidavit, he had an open and almost empty 375ml bottle of Popov Vodka in his car, 'red watery eyes, slurred speech, flushed face'. The document stated that Frank 'did not know where he had been or where he came from'. It's the latest in a string of shocking driving incidents involving the Biden family who have a long history of road woes Records seen by DailyMail.com show Sara was driving 96mph down Route 33 near Leehaven Road, in Maryland at 9:30am on February 16, 2024 Sara gained notoriety when she and her husband Jim were tied to nephew Hunter's shady dealings with foreign oligarchs. The couple are pictured arriving at Hunter's trial last June As for the 1999 case, Frank was found partially legally responsible for the death of Michael Albano in August that year. Albano died when he was crossing the road on Highway 101 in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, beside Encinitas, California, when a high-powered Jaguar XK8 convertible rented by Biden hit him. The car was reportedly traveling as fast as 80mph. The speed limit was 35mph. Frank, then 43, was riding shotgun when he shifted the 290hp car into manual and told the driver, Jason Turton, 25, to 'punch it,' just before hitting Albano. But the former president's younger brother never acknowledged his liability and never even turned up in court when Albano's family sued him, according to court documents. After dodging creditors for two decades, DailyMail.com revealed in October 2020 that he had agreed to a settlement in the case. While it's not known exactly how much he agreed to pay, it was understood to be a significant amount. A hyper-leftist professor at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire has been accused of an appalling act of violence against students for their unacceptable offence of being Republican on campus. The UWEC College Republicans accused Associate Professor and Chair of the English Department Jose Felipe Alvergue of flipping over their table in anger while they were attempting to campaign for the recent Wisconsin Supreme Court election. The group shared a video on social media of their table in shambles, with pins, flyers, and lollipops scattered on the ground as the professor appeared to walk away. UWEC College Republicans were campaigning for conservative Brad Schimel for the Wisconsin Supreme Court against Susan Crawford and state superintendent candidate Brittany Kinser, who ran against incumbent Jill Underly. The student-led group shared footage of the aftermath on their Instagram account and captioned the video, 'Violent Crawford supporter flipped our table this morning. Vote Schimel to bring back justice and civility!' The state Supreme Court race was the most expensive in judicial election history, with Elon Musk rallying for Schimel and handing out $1 million checks to voters at a campaign event. Despite conservative's efforts, both Democrats won their respective races. Tatiana Bobrowicz, the chair of the group posted a separate video telling followers that shortly after they set up their election-day table in the morning, a professor targeted them in a 'violent attack.' 'This is unacceptable. The university has since confirmed that this attacker was the chair of the university's English department. Once again, this type of violent attack will not be tolerated,' Bobrowicz said. The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire College Republicans posted a video showing a professor walking away from their table after allegedly flipping it over while they were campaigning The College Republicans group named Associate Professor and Chair of the English Department Jose Felipe Alvergue as the professor who flipped their table on Election Day Chair of the student-led political group, Tatiana Bobrowicz, posted a video on Instagram condemning the professor's actions as 'unacceptable' The video generated mixed reactions, with some students slamming the group as hypocrites, while others condemned the woke professor's actions. 'So this was a violent attack, but the capital insurrection was a protest. Right' one comment read. 'And you call us snowflakes. Can't have these violent attacks on this campus. Please explain to me how Jan 6th wasn't a violent attack,' another wrote. However, some stood by the group, writing, 'We stand with UWEC Republicans! Professors should encourage open dialogue, not lash out at students for their beliefs. If this is what education looks like now, only God knows what the future holds!' 'A PROFFESOR? I thought it was a student. This is unacceptable,' another agreed. Alvergue, who the group named as the professor that flipped their table, has a PhD from SUNY Buffalo, according to his biography on the university's website. 'I believe that we can't unlock the empathy hidden behind words if we don't understand what is at stake in the risk writers and artists take when they decide to transform the matter which makes up the world around them into the story words communicate,' he wrote in his profile. Interim Provost Michael Carney released a statement sharing that he was 'deeply concerned' about the situation. There were mixed reactions to the group's video, with some students slamming them as hypocrites, while others sympathized with their situation The university released a statement saying they were 'deeply concerned' with the situation and said the professor would be put on leave pending an investigation 'UW-Eau Claire strongly supports every person's right to free speech and free expression, and the university remains committed to ensuring that campus is a place where a wide variety of opinions and beliefs can be shared and celebrated,' the statement continued. 'Civil dialogue is a critical part of the university experience, and peaceful engagement is fundamental to learning itself.' Carney went on to confirm that the university is working with the Office of General Counsel, which is investigating the matter. The interim provost confirmed that the faculty member had been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation, but didn't confirm that the professor was Professor Alvergue. An American Airlines plane filled with smoke shortly after it landed, forcing terrified passengers to flee. The Bombardier CRJ900, operated by sister airline American Eagle, got into trouble after landing at Augusta Regional Airport in Georgia shortly before 10am ET Tuesday. Flight 5406, which had taken off from Charlotte Douglas Airport in North Carolina, landed about 30 minutes earlier than scheduled. But the aircraft stopped on the runway - with passengers forced to urgently evacuate. Shocking footage captured by Sean O'Conor, who was onboard the aircraft, showed horrified and confused passengers crawling onto the wings of the plane before jumping a few feet down to the ground. The plane has experienced a 'maintenance issue after landing safely in Augusta. All passengers deplaned and were escorted to the airport terminal,' American Airlines told ABC 7. No-one was injured and the FAA is investigating the incident. On Tuesday, some flights leaving out of Augusta were delayed as a result of the evacuated plane. 'I wont be able to make it to work tomorrow morning, whoever is watching,' one impacted passenger, Carlene Shropshire, told WRDW. The Bombardier CRJ900, operated by sister airline American Eagle, got into trouble after landing at Augusta Regional Airport in Georgia shortly before 10am ET Tuesday (stock image) Shocking footage captured by Sean O'Conor, who was onboard the aircraft, showed horrified and confused passengers crawling onto the wings of the plane before jumping a few feet down to the ground 'I overheard somebody talking randomly that it was a problem about a fire. The fire department was on the plane, but I didnt actually see it, so I dont know for sure. 'All I know is that they canceled the flight.' This smoky landing comes just two months after an American Eagle jet collided with a military helicopter just above Reagan Airport in Washington DC, killing 67 and causing a massive explosion over the Potomac River. The passenger jet with 64 people on board has crashed mid-air into the chopper, carrying three soldiers, while attempting to land in Washington DC on January 29. Passengers of the commercial flight included members of the US figure skating team who were returning from the US Figure Skating Championships. On March 27, a congressional hearing reiterated the their stance that the January crash was preventable, the Associated Press reported. High-profile plane crashes have instilled fear in frequent fliers, but aviation specialists say the risk is not as great as it seems. 'Flying is so safe that your most dangerous part of the flight is actually driving to the airport and driving home,' Jeff Baum, a pilot of over 50 years and the president of Wisconsin Aviation, told WMTV. He recognized that the series of 'high-profile accidents' was a 'very bad start for aviation' this year. Flight 5406, which had taken off from Charlotte Douglas Airport in North Carolina, stopped on the runway - with passengers forced to evacuate On Tuesday, some flights leaving out of Augusta were delayed as a result of the evacuated plane (stock image) The number of American adults who feel 'somewhat safe' or 'very safe' on an airplane has dipped since last year, according to data collected by The Associated Press-NORC Center. Last year, about 71 percent of survey participants fell in one of the two above categories. This year, only 64 percent voted feeling any kind of safety on flights. In the wake of what many see as chaos, about two in every 10 US adults feel that air transportation is 'very' or 'somewhat' unsafe - a 12 percent increase from last year. Four people have been injured during their flight from Australia to Fiji after the plane was hit with severe turbulence. Fiji Airways flight FJ910 was heading from Sydney to Nadi, a city on Fiji's main island, on Wednesday night. Four people - one passenger and three cabin crew - suffered 'minor injuries' as a result, the Fiji Times reported. They were met and treated by medical staff upon arrival at the airport. 'Fiji Airways takes the safety and well-being of its guests and crew very seriously and regrets the occurrence of this event,' Fiji Airways said in a statement. Four people, including one passenger and three cabin crew, were injured during a flight from Sydney to Fiji after the plane experienced severe turbulence It comes after Fiji Airways joined the Oneworld alliance this week, making it the fourteenth member of the global airline group. Fiji Airways joined the ranks along with Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Oman Air, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Royal Jordanian and SriLankan Airlines. Two glamorous drug mules were caught with more than 160,000 worth of cannabis concealed in their suitcases as they landed back on UK soil from a trip to New York. Sophie Bannister and Levi-April Whalley, both 30, from Blackburn, told border officials they had been on a three-day shopping spree in the Big Apple. But when the pair were stopped at Birmingham International Airport on December 9, 2023, authorities found 35kg of the Class B drug hidden in their luggage. Text messages between Bannister and Whalley later revealed that the pair had become involved in a lucrative plot to import cannabis into the UK. Both women initially said they had packed their own cases and knew it was illegal to bring drugs into the country. However when their luggage was checked, officers found 34 sealed packages of cannabis in Bannister's case and a further 39 packages in Whalley's luggage. The drugs in Bannister's suitcase had an estimated street value of 40,500 and Whalley's were estimated at 121,500. Whalley, a nurse who has since been suspended from practice, told officials she believed the packages contained watches. Two glamourous drug mules were caught with more than 160,000 worth of cannabis concealed in their suitcases (Pictured: Levi-April Whalley) Sophie Bannister (pictured) and Levi-April Whalley, both 30 from Blackburn, told border officials they had been on a three-day shopping spree in the Big Apple The drugs in Bannister's suitcase had an estimated street value of 40,500 and Whalley's were estimated at 121,500 However both women later pleaded guilty to fraudulent evasion of a prohibition and appeared at Preston Crown Court today to be sentenced. The court heard both women were vulnerable to exploitation due to their own personal and financial circumstances. Since their arrest, neither has committed any other offences and Whalley has become a mother to a young baby, the court heard. Judge Richard Archer, sentencing, said: 'You were both aware that having travelled from New York to Birmingham via Paris that you had in your respective suitcases a significant quantity of heat sealed bags, containing 35.5kg of cannabis. 'This was not your cannabis but cannabis you were carrying on behalf of another but you were expecting significant financial advantage for doing what you did. 'You discussed it in relation to this particular trip to New York, with a clear view of the money you were going to make from behaving this way. 'You perhaps had little regard to the seriousness or consequences of your offending. It must have been in the back of your mind that you would be caught but you probably thought very little about sitting in the dock this afternoon. 'I very much hope that you don't involve yourselves in this behaviour again.' He sentenced Bannister to 20 months in prison, suspended for 18 months with 30 days of rehabilitation activities and 200 hours of unpaid work. Text messages between Bannister (pictured) and Whalley later revealed that the pair had become involved in a lucrative plot to import cannabis into the UK Officers found 34 sealed packages of cannabis in Bannister's case and a further 39 packages in Whalley's luggage Since their arrest, neither has committed any other offences and Whalley (pictured) has become a mother to a young baby, the court heard Whalley was handed a 16-month sentence suspended for 18 months, with 10 days rehabilitation and 80 hours of unpaid work. Taking to social media after walking free from the dock, Bannister said: 'Thank you for the people who have stood by us [during] truly the most mentally and emotionally challenging times of our life. '15 months of torture. HUGE lessons learnt. A LOT of tears along the way. But stood by each others side no matter what. 'A true friendship which will never be broken which was proven today holding hands not knowing the outcome. 'Finally some closure and moving forward with our life. Ready for the biggest fresh start and realising how important freedom really is. Levi Whalley no matter what people have said we really have an unbreakable friendship.' Marjorie Taylor Greene's former husband is under fire for a shocking attack on young Muslim girls who were praying in a mall car park. Perry Greene shouted at the girls in a profanity-laden tirade, telling them to go back to their country. Even when they told him they were born in the United States, Perry insisted they were wrong. 'No you weren't,' he said. The three-minute Instagram video of Greene's attack has already prompted commenters to call for his arrest and for him to be fired from his job. Greene, 53, a contractor, did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com's request for comment. It is not clear when the video was made but it shows Greene driving a Tesla Cybertruck in the parking garage of the Avalon shopping mall in his hometown of Alpharetta, Georgia. He rolls past the women with his passenger side window rolled down and immediately starts harassing them. 'Go back to your country please. We don't want y'all. We don't want any Muslims,' he says. Congressman Marjorie Taylor Greene divorced from her ex-husband Perry Greene two years ago - but both have shown an intolerance for the Islam faith The video shows Greene behind the wheel of a Tesla Cybertruck with the front passenger down as he berated the group of girls for praying The nearly three minute video shows Greene following the group of girls in his car telling them to go back to their country and shouting at least 20 curse words that had to be bleeped out One of the women responds politely: 'OK, Thank you.' When they ask if they have done anything to offend him, Greene who divorced the Republican congresswoman two years ago responds 'Yes'. 'Ok, I'm sorry', the woman responds, remarkably keeping her composure. 'Y'all want to kill gays. Y'all want to do all kind of crazy s**t,' Greene continues. 'Where y'all from? What country are you from?' 'It doesn't matter where we're from,' one of the women says, to which Greene, the father of Marjorie's three children replies 'Yes it does'. When they ask if they have done anything to offend him, Greene responds 'Yes' He then attacks Islam, telling them it matters because 'you're worshiping a false god.' The women try to walk away telling Greene to have a nice day, but he follows them, calling them 'pieces of s**t'. 'I want y'all to think about what y'all's process is,' he says. 'What y'all are thinking. Y'all have been brainwashed. Don't come to America and believe this s**t. Go back to your f***ing country and leave your crazy (expletive) (expletive).' Congressman Greene has been caught on camera telling Muslims to stay in the Middle East in 2021 When the girls said they were peacefully praying, he shouted back to go back to their 'demolished poor' country One of the women says 'We're sitting here. We were quiet. We were peaceful. Praying, what does that have to do with you?' 'Go back to your country, your demolished poor (expletive) (expletive) Middle Eastern country. It is then that Greene refuses to believe the women are American. 'First off, we're actually born here,' one of the women says. 'No you weren't,' he replies When he questions why they are wearing modest Muslim garments, one replies: 'Don't nuns wear covering?' At the very end of the video, he drives off and the woman shooting the video gets the Cybertruck's Georgia license plate. That prompted people online to say he should be tracked down and prosecuted. The girls tried to remove themselves and repeatedly said 'have a nice day' but this didn't stop Greene's tirade The comments identified Greene's identity People online said Greene should be tracked down and prosecuted, with one commenting: 'Glad they got his plates now call the cops ASAP' A lot of Instagram users made fun of Greene's Cybertruck with one commenter saying 'the car told me everything I need to know!' 'Would love to see an update in a few days of this man's arrest,' wrote one commenter. 'Glad they got his plates now call the cops ASAP,' wrote another. A third posted: '"We don't want y'all" uhhh yes we do. I'd trade these sweet girls who bring beautiful diversity and kindness in the face of adversity, for you any day PERRY.' There were also calls for the owners of the mall to take action. 'One of your visitors was verbally assaulting little girls in your parking lots. What are you doing to ensure people are safe, and free from harm or harassment while at the avalon?' Others made fun of his Cybertruck, with one user commenting: 'The car told me everything I needed to know!' Marjorie Taylor Greene has an outspoken record bashing Muslims in addition to embracing white supremacist and antiSemitic conspiracy theories. In 2021, she notoriously tried to force U.S. Reps Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib to swear their oaths of office on a Bible instead of the Koran. She has said that Muslims do not belong in government. Marjorie Taylor Green had an affair with Justin Ivey (left) while working at a Georgia gym in 2012. She also dated 'polyamorous tantric sex guru' Craig Ivey Taylor Greene has now moved on with Brian Glenn, the chief White House correspondent of the extreme right wing Real America's Voice Perry Greene and Marjorie Taylor married in 1995 while they were both in college. He worked as an accountant before being appointed as general manager and later president of Taylor Construction, a company founded by his then-wifes family. Their marriage had many bumps with Marjorie, 50, having at least two affairs, as DailyMail.com reported in 2021. She had met both Craig Ivey and Justin Tway while working at a gym in Georgia. She filed for divorce in July 2012 while dating Ivey, who later moved to Washington State where he promotes polyamorous tantric sex. But two months later she had a change of heart and the couple reconciled. But after she won her seat in the US House of Representatives in 2021 she moved on with Brian Glenn, now chief White House correspondent of the extreme right wing Real America's Voice. Perry filed for divorce in 2022, saying the marriage was irretrievably broken. An Illinois art teacher has hit out at her employer after a student stole her wallet and made hundreds of dollars in purchases - claiming the district is trying to sweep the situation under the rug. Tammy Huggins, an art teacher at Mason-Clark Middle School in the East St. Louis School District, claimed that one of her 13-year-old students lifted her wallet in early March. She did not realize what had happened until March 21 when she started to receive text messages from her credit card company about suspicious purchases. 'I saw there was a $220 charge for Shein and immediately I went to check my purse,' Huggins told First Alert 4. 'I was like, "Oh, Shein. I know who did this,"' she added. Her suspicions were then confirmed when several students told her that their classmate bragged about stealing her wallet to make Shein and Doordash purchases. When the student's family found out, school Principal Renaldo Jackson told Huggins they want 'to make you whole' and the student 'wants to apologize.' At that point, Huggins said Jackson handed her just one of her credit cards. Tammy Huggins, an art teacher at Mason-Clark Middle School in the East St. Louis School District, claimed that one of her 13-year-old students tole her wallet in early March She is now accusing school officials of trying to sweep the incident under the rug She says she has still not received all of the cards, her wallet, nor $200 she had inside. 'I'm a teacher, I live paycheck to paycheck,' Huggins lamented as she hit out at the principal for what she sees as his blase attitude. 'Even if it was $2, it's still money taken from your personal belongings - and that's not right,' she said. In a letter to parents following the incident, however, Jackson claimed the school district helped Huggins file a police report and said that the thief wrote Huggins a formal apology. Principal Renaldo Jackson told Huggins the family wants 'to make you whole' and the student 'wants to apologize' In a statement to First Alert 4, school district officials also said they 'take all reports of lost or missing property seriously and address them in accordance with our policies and procedures. 'Our priority is to maintain a safe and respectful learning environment for all students and staff,' the district said. 'While we cannot comment on specific situations, we remain committed to fostering a culture of integrity and responsibility within our schools.' Still, Huggins denied that school officials helped her with the report or that the student took any accountability for what had happened. Instead, she says she is left hoping that the local police department will hold the student and her parents accountable. DailyMail.com has also reached out to the school district and Huggins for more information. A man has died and another injured after a truck burst into flames following a two-vehicle crash on a busy motorway in Sydney's southwest, causing peak hour chaos. Emergency services rushed to the Hume Highway at Blair Athol after reports two trucks had collided near Narellan Road at about 6.30am on Thursday. Footage filmed by a passing motorist showed one of the trucks rolled on its side and engulfed in flames on the nature strip next to the road. One driver died at the scene and has yet to be formally identified. Paramedics treated the second driver, a man in his 40s, before taking him to St George Hospital. 'Fire and Rescue NSW officers attended and extinguished the blaze,' NSW Police said. 'NSW Ambulance paramedics have treated the second driver at the scene for various injuries before being taken to hospital.' The southbound lanes remain closed, with authorities urging motorists to avoid the area. Drivers are being told to expect delays and are being advised to seek alternate routes via Campbelltown Road. The two trucks collided on the Hume Highway at Blair Athol near Narellan Road, causing one to burst into flames Southbound lanes remain closed as emergency crews clean up the area Police have established a crime scene and emergency crews are cleaning up the crash site. An investigation has been launched into the exact circumstances surrounding the crash, with officers from the Crash Investigation Unit commencing inquiries. A report will be prepared for the coroner. Anyone one who may have witnessed the incident or has dashcam or CCTV footage is being urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has slammed Donald Trump's 'totally unwarranted' tariffs but said Australia will not reciprocate. Donald Trump delivered his 'Liberation Day' address at 7am (AEDT) on Thursday morning announcing new global tariffs, with Australia among several countries affected. 'It is the American people who will pay the biggest price for these unjustified tariffs,' Mr Albanese said on Thursday. The Trump administration released a table of reciprocal tariffs following the President's announcement, showing Vietnam and Cambodia would be among the worst-hit countries as they have very high tariffs on US goods. Australian goods exported to the US will cop a tariff of at least 10 per cent but the Prime Minister said he will not get involved in any tit-for-tat measures. 'Australia won't reciprocate: This is why our government will not be seeking to impose reciprocal tariffs,' he said. 'We will not join a race to the bottom that leads to higher prices and slower growth.' The Australia-US free trade agreement signed two decades ago had eliminated tariffs being imposed on each other's products. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (pictured)warned Americans will 'pay the biggest price' after Donald Trump announced new global tariffs Now the Trump administration has re-introduced tariffs to give US products a price advantage in the domestic market and thereby boost its primary industry and manufacturing base. Shadow Trade Minister Kevin Hogan said that policy was a mistake. 'Tariffs are a bad idea. It's going to be bad for the US economy. It's going to be bad for the global economy,' Mr Hogan said. 'They won't have the capacity to do or replace a lot of what they put tariffs on today, so that's going to cause a real issue for them.' During his address, Donald Trump took aim specifically at Australia's ban on fresh beef imports. 'Australia bans and they're wonderful people, and wonderful everything but they ban American beef,' he said. 'Yet we imported $US3billion of Australian beef from them just last year alone. 'They won't take any of our beef. 'They don't want it because they don't want it to affect their farmers and I don't blame them, but we're doing the same thing right now starting at midnight tonight.' US President Donald Trump (pictured) took aim at Australia's ban on fresh beef imports Meat and Livestock Australia data showed the US was Australia's biggest market for beef exports in 2024, putting it well ahead of Japan, South Korea and China. Of the beef sent to the United States, 96 per cent of it was the leaner, grass fed variety that was either chilled or frozen. Restrictions on the importation of American beef to Australia are ostensibly for biosecurity reasons, to prevent the inadvertent importation of foreign pests and disease. The president of the National Farmers' Federation David Jochinke said Australian biosecurity is 'not for sale'. 'It is not for negotiation, it is there not only to protect Australian farmers but also the Australian public as well,' he told ABC Radio National's Breakfast program. Northern Co-operative Meat Company's chief executive Simon Stahl said Australia's import bans had very little effect on US graziers. 'We're just collateral damage because, if you look at the US beef industry, they're the largest in the world,' he said. During trade negotiations, the US had also objected to Australia's Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme which subsidises the cost of medicines, and prevents US drug companies from being able to sell their products in Australia at market prices. Mr Albanese had refused to budge on that policy. 'The investments we're making in the PBS mean that life-saving and life-changing medicines which would otherwise cost people thousands of dollars will be no more than $25 a script,' the Prime Minister said. 'Under Labor, that will never be up for negotiation. We don't want our health system to be more American, we only want it to be more Australian.' The White House is furiously pushing back against an explosive report that First Buddy Elon Musk will be leaving the Department of Government Efficiency 'in the coming weeks'. Citing four anonymous 'Trump insiders,' the Politico website wrote that President Donald Trump and Musk had 'decided' that the 53-year-old billionaire entrepreneur will soon 'be stepping back' to take on a 'supporting role' and returning to the private sector to lead his businesses. The article hit official Washington like a ton of bricks as it suggested that a long-anticipated rift had finally opened between Trump and the eccentric genius who bankrolled the president's 2024 campaign to the tune of $288 million. The report leaned heavily on sources who said that Musk had become an 'unpredictable, unmanageable force' who incites political turmoil and clashes within Trump's inner circle including with White House enforcer and Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, aka the 'Ice Maiden'. Indeed, there is no doubt that Musk's unconventional approach to public relations and his machete-style reform of the federal bureaucracy has ruffled feathers in DC. But sources close to the administration now tell the Daily Mail that the report is 'garbage' and 'fake news', adding that Trump and Musk have reached no such decision and there are no plans for the billionaire to leave before his work with DOGE is done. These sentiments were reflected in a post from White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on X: 'This "scoop" is garbage. Elon Musk and President Trump have both *publicly* stated that Elon will depart from public service as a special government employee when his incredible work at DOGE is complete.' Musk himself retweeted Leavitt's message and, with his characteristic off-handedness, said: 'Yeah, fake news.' The White House is pushing back against an explosive report that First Buddy Elon Musk will be leaving the Department of Government Efficiency 'in the coming weeks' The Tesla billionaire has reportedly butted heads with Trump's Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, nicknamed the 'Ice Maiden' thanks to her cold determination Even the billionaire's father, Errol Musk, reached by the Daily Mail in South Africa, leapt into the fray: 'Elon will never walk away from DOGE until his commitment is over. Everything they are claiming about Elon leaving DOGE has been made up and is not true.' But this Politico report and the vehemence with which the White House and allies have responded has fanned even more wild speculation in political circles, as many suggested that Musk had been forced out of the administration by rivals. And insiders conceded that there are pockets of discontent in the administration over Musk's role. One of the most influential people Musk has reportedly butted heads with is Trump's Chief of Staff Wiles, nicknamed the 'Ice Maiden' by Trump, thanks to her cold determination. Wiles has reportedly been frustrated by Musk's failure to keep her abreast of his agency-gutting plans, and by his insistence on tweeting out key information before it has been vetted by Wiles' team. Vanity Fair reported last month that Wiles has been leading a behind-the-scenes effort to bring Musk to heel and even encouraged cabinet secretaries to air criticism of Musk directly to the president. Given Wiles's reputation as a political operator who understands the 'dark arts' of manipulating media coverage to kneecap her opponents, insiders have suggested that she could be behind the Politico piece. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed the claims on X, posting 'This "scoop" is garbage' But it was reported last month that Wiles, left, has been leading a behind-the-scenes effort to bring Musk to heel There is a widespread belief among political observers that Musk is a political liability for Trump. That was furthered this week, when the candidate for the Wisconsin Supreme Court, Brad Schimel, to whom Musk endorsed and donated $20 million, lost. Musk's high-profile campaigning for Schimel has even led some to see the election as a referendum on Musk himself - and sources told the Daily Mail that Trump was highly disappointed by the result. Regardless of Musk's political rivalries, there are definitely financial incentives for him get out of his DOGE role sooner rather than later. His work has sparked waves of protests, boycotts and violent attacks on Tesla stores and vehicles around the world, causing his Tesla stock to tank. 'My Tesla stock and the stock of everyone who holds Tesla has gone, went roughly in half,' Musk said on Sunday night. 'This is a very expensive job is what I'm saying.' Musk has also come under pressure from his investors to relinquish the role too, with one New York Pension Fund calling on Monday for a shareholder lawsuit against Tesla, accusing Musk of causing the company's shares to plunge because of his work at DOGE. Additionally, there are signs that if Musk does leave DOGE, the Tesla stock will rebound, given it rose five percent after the Politico report was published on Wednesday. Critics have questioned whether Musk and Donald Trump, pictured together in the Oval Office in February, have fallen out Finally, some have speculated that there may be a simpler, more personal reason for Musk to leave his role sooner than planned: perhaps he has fallen out with Trump. Just two months ago, Musk Tweeted: 'I love @realDonaldTrump as much as a straight man can love another man.' But critics have long questioned how long two men, both with such large egos, could work closely together without upset. And commentators have suggested that their relationship would end whenever Trump felt threatened by Musk. 'Trump and Musk: The Bromance That Cannot Last', read one such New York Times headline in November. Again, sources have insisted to the Daily Mail that that is not what is happening here and that Trump remains impressed with Musk's work, viewing his efforts as a net positive. For his part, Errol says any suggestion that his son has a personality problem with the president or anyone else is rubbish. 'I don't see Elon walking away from Trump. Claims that they might be bashing heads because there are two egos in the room are unfounded,' he said. 'There is absolutely no difficulty between Elon and the Congress or Elon and Trump or Elon and anyone with his work that he is doing with DOGE,' he added. 'They are simply spreading these rumors to try to hurt him.' Musk, 53, has previously suggested he will walk away from DOGE in May, saying: 'I think we will have accomplished most of the work' Republican candidate Brad Schimel, who was endorsed by Musk, lost the race for the Wisconsin Supreme Court - raising concerns that the billionaire may be a liability The White House and sources close to the administration insist that Musk's time with DOGE will end only when his work has been completed - and they add that this will likely be by the end of May given his status as a 'special government employee'. Special government employees are only allowed to work for the federal government for '130 days in a 365-day period,' according to the Office of Government Ethics. Musk's 130-day timeframe it is set to run out on May 30. There is no doubt that Trump could try to extend this deadline - or find another way to employ Musk - if he so desired, but Musk himself has insisted there is no need to. Last Thursday, in a response to a question from Fox News' Bret Baier Musk suggested that he would walk away from DOGE in May: 'I think we will have accomplished most of the work required to reduce the deficit by a trillion dollars within that time frame.' Trump too has publicly alluded to Musk's time at DOGE coming to an end. At a White House event on Monday, the President said: 'I think he's amazing but I also think he's got a big company to run. At some point he's going to be going back. He wants to I'd keep him as long as I can keep him. He's a very talented guy.' Donald Trump's new 10 per cent 'Liberation Day' tariffs on Australian exports to the US could end up costing local consumers more at the supermarket checkout. The American president slammed Australia for refusing to relax its strict biosecurity measures that banned imports of American beef, saying that justified the introduction of a tariff. 'Australia bans and they're wonderful people, and wonderful everything but they ban American beef,' he said. 'Yet we imported $US3billion of Australian beef from them just last year alone. 'They won't take any of our beef. 'They don't want it because they don't want it to affect their farmers - and I don't blame them - but we're doing the same thing right now starting at midnight tonight.' A kilogram of rump steak at Woolworths is now selling for $28. But the Australian Food Sovereignty Alliance, representing 350 small-scale farmers, fears rump steak will end up costing Australian consumers $56 at the supermarket. Donald Trump 's new 10 per cent 'Liberation Day' tariffs on all Australian exports to the US could end up costing local consumers more. If a trade war erupts over beef, many countries may switch away from the US product and instead buy from Australia. That increased demand will see a lot of Australian beef exported which will reduce the amount sold on the local market, and the consequent shortage could send prices spiralling at local supermarkets and butchers. Tammi Jonas, an organic beef cattle producer from Daylesford in Victoria and spokeswoman for the Australian Food Sovereignty Alliance, said the increased global demand for Aussie meat is good news for graziers but a potential nightmare for local consumers. 'We already know there's high demand for Australian beef around the world and I think that's just going to get higher,' she told Daily Mail Australia. 'In a global supply crunch like this, we could see rump steak climb past $50 per kilogram. 'That's not a family dinner - that's a premium luxury.' Dr Jonas said higher prices available to graziers on the export market would see less product sold locally despite the likely sharp drop in shipping to the US. 'I would say there's a strong likelihood of that, yes,' she said. A kilogram of rump steak at Woolworths is now selling for $28 (pictured is a Woolworths supermarket) 'And even if we still have enough beef sold within Australia, the prices are certain to go up. 'Whenever you're in those global markets, you roll with the volatility and if they can get a really high price overseas, they're not going to charge less for domestic sales.' But Angus Gidley-Baird, a senior analyst in animal protein with RaboResearch, said the local market was the core for Australian producers so prices will still be largely determined by local conditions. 'We produced record volumes of beef last year, I don't see why there would be a shortage in the domestic market that would cause prices to rise,' he told Daily Mail Australia. 'The exports are effectively our markets that we sell the additional production into.' Australia has been slapped with blanket 10 per cent tariffs, as had the UK, Singapore, Brazil and Chile. But China is being hit with a much higher 34 per cent tariff, along with 25 per cent for South Korea and 24 per cent for Japan. Meat and Livestock Australia data showed the US was Australia's biggest market for beef exports in 2024, putting it well ahead of Japan, South Korea and China. Australia has been slapped with blanket 10 per cent tariffs, in line with the UK, Singapore, Brazil and Chile. But China is being hit with a much higher 34 per cent tariff, compared with 25 per cent for South Korea and 24 per cent for Japan Of the Australian beef sent to the United States, 96 per cent of it was the leaner, grass fed variety that was either chilled or frozen. The Americans have been in the grip of a drought, and most of their beef is fattier, grain-fed. South American beef exporters Argentina and Brazil are also dealing with a lack of rainfall. Like Australia, they would also be subjected to 10 per cent tariffs into the US, which means other beef producing nations are under similar pressure. 'If it's a large tariff but applied to everyone, our competitive position remains the same,' Mr Gidley-Baird said. The Australian Agricultural Company, Australia's biggest integrated beef producer, and Elders are set to face share market pressure on Thursday as a result of the tariffs. Australian meat exports to the US were last year worth $4.2billion with 400,000 tonnes of beef sent to the American market. Moomoo market strategist Jessica Amir said Australia's biggest export to the US was under serious threat. The Australian Food Sovereignty Alliance fears rump steak will end of costing Australian consumers $56 at the supermarket. Spokeswoman Tammi Jonas (left) said the American tariffs on agricultural imports would see more countries buy Australian beef to avoid trading with the US 'Donald Trump said "no more". Just like that, Australia's biggest export to the US seems hit,' she said. 'It sounds like Trump is going to ban imports of Australian beef, but no one can be sure yet as we await more detail.' Mr Gidley-Baird thought a ban unlikely given the Americans are still going to want leaner, Australian grass-fed beef to make hamburger patties, even if they are now going to be 10 per cent more expensive. 'The US still continues to need imported product because they're not producing as much themselves,' he said. 'They'll still need Australian beef - the drought, it's getting better in the US but they've liquidated their herd and production volumes are down. 'What Australia sends to the US complements their production system over there in that it balances out the fatter product they're producing for hamburger production. 'They need the product and we're one of the biggest suppliers of it - me being rational would still say that they would still buy it.' Strong American demand for grass-fed beef had pushed up prices for Australian lean mince, now selling for $15.50 a kilo at Woolworths. Angus Gidley-Baird, a senior analyst in animal protein with RaboResearch, said the local market was the core for Australian producers so prices will still be largely determined by local conditions (pictured is a farm at Gunnedah in New South Wales) 'The US market has been very strong - it's demanding a fair amount of product which is putting a bit of pressure on mince prices, lean product prices,' Mr Gidley-Baird said. The Australian Food Sovereignty Alliance sees mince prices more than doubling to $36 a kilo. But Dr Jonas predicted tariffs on Australian beef would see American demand plunge, despite the fact they are in drought with an undersupply of grass-fed beef. 'Americans are in as big a cost-of-living crisis as Australians are,' she said. The Australian Food Sovereignty Alliance didn't do specific economic modelling on Australian beef prices ahead of the tariff decision. But it noted that China's swine flu in 2019 led to a doubling of pork prices, as supply fell by 40 per cent. The alliance campaigns against agribusiness giants like JBS Foods Australia, which owns feedlots and abattoirs. 'The local farmers like us are losing access to the facilities to slaughter,' Dr Jonas said. 'While that sounds like a good thing for Australia - when we think, "We can export more" - the reality of that is very few people profit from that higher export.' The latest 'Liberation Day' tariffs on Australian agriculture exports follow 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium, introduced on March 12. They also contravene the Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement that came into effect in January 2005. Australian Industry Group chief executive Innes Willox said the price of American-made manufactured goods was likely to rise as tariffs were levied on Australian exports of metals, chemicals and engineered products needed for production. 'At least 50 per cent of goods moving around the world are intermediate goods not finished products, but their components,' he said. 'This means the impacts will be far reaching and go much further than just the products subject to the tariffs.' The mega-rich are still snatching up nine-figure mansions in perilous flood zones and other areas devastated by natural disaster, according to sales data - but why? In 2024 alone, 27 catastrophic weather events, each causing losses exceeding $1 billion, plagued affluent areas across the country, with devastating flooding in Florida and wildfires in California. As homeowners grapple with the decision to stay and brace for the inevitable or relocate to safer areas, the super-rich are flocking to these high-risk zones and paying record amounts for the priviledge. The brutal truth is that while those with less means are anxious to avoid having a primary residence in the path of destruction, the super-rich can afford second homes wherever they like. Anyone selling up present opportunities for the wealthy to snag a relative bargain safe in the knowledge that if disaster strikes they can afford the repairs. 'There are rational reasons why they are moving to these locations,' Milton Pedraza, CEO of the research and consulting firm Luxury Institute, told The Wall Street Journal. 'The love of the ocean, the love of the people who are there, the restaurants, the culture,' he added. 'Also, where are my people? Where's my tribe going?' Palm Beach, famously a billionaires' enclave, was hit with significant flooding in 2024 as the state experienced heavy rain events throughout the year. Hurricane Milton, which later became a tropical storm, caused torrential rain as residents also braced for King Tides, resulting in higher than expected sea levels. The frequent and increasingly intense storms led to Palm Beach County being added to the updated FEMA flood map, with thousands of properties classified as high-risk flood zones. The mega-rich are still snatching up nine-figure mansions in perilous flood zones, including areas of Florida and California, because they can afford to rebuild without breaking the bank if disaster strikes (pictured: Palm Beach) In February, William Lauder, chair of the board of directors of the Estee Lauder Companies, entered a contract to sell a vacant double waterfront lot in Palm Beach for around $200 million (Pictured with his daughters) Palm Beach, famously a billionaires' enclave, was hit with significant flooding in 2024, leading to thousands of properties being classified as high-risk zones in the updated FEMA flood map However, William Lauder, chair of the board of directors of the Estee Lauder Companies, knew he would have no trouble finding a buyer for his property in a ritzy Palm Beach neighborhood. In February Lauder entered into a contract to sell a vacant double waterfront lot for around $200 million, according to the WSJ. Successfully selling the home for that amount would set a new Palm Beach record. By 2040, Miami is projected to experience a sea level rise of 10 to 17 inches above what they were in 2000, according to Unified Sea Level Rise Projection for Southeast Florida. Both Hurricane Milton and Helene caused significant storm surges and rainfall flooding across the Gulf Coast, while studies this year revealed that sea levels have already risen much faster than anticipated. Despite the rising risks, a record was set in Miami-Dade County in February, when a home on the city's exclusive Star Island sold for an astounding $120 million, the WSJ reported. In Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, there were 52 major floor events between the years of 1922 and 2023 - 38 of them occurring since 2015. Yet a record was broken there when an unidentified buyer paid $18.25 million for a historic home located on a waterfront property on the Battery. Paradise Valley, a desert and mountain town in Arizona lying east of Phoenix, endured an unprecedented 113 consecutive days of temperatures surpassing 100 degrees. Larry Ellison, the co-founder of Oracle, had one of his homes destroyed in the January wildfires in Malibu Ellison's old home was previously valued on Zillow for about $21.5 million, accounting for only about 0.01 percent of his overall net worth of $216 billion By 2040, Miami is projected to experience a sea level rise of 10 to 17 inches above what they were in 2000, making the sunshine state a high risk for future disasters Money also buys protection, including top-rated construction techniques, fireproof materials, private firefighting brigades, flood barriers and elevated homes - measures that make the ultrarich properties more likely to withstand the inevitable forces of nature The area still saw a record-breaking sale of a $33.5 million home this past January. Oceanfronts, mountainsides, deserts, pristine neighborhoods - attractions that drive the rich and wealthy to certain areas - show no sign of slowing down, especially among those newly accustomed to their fortune. Clay Cockrell, a licensed clinical worker with dozens of wealthy clients, explained that many of them have a particular mindset: '[They think:]"I have always strived for this, I'm going to have it, damn it, whether it floods or not",' he told the WSJ. Others, not in the same tax bracket, are questioning why the ultrarich are driving up home values in areas that could easily be wiped out in Earth's next disaster. When Madeline Levine, a psychologist in San Francisco, posed this question to one of her wealthy clients, they replied, 'Why not? We can take the hit.' And many times, they can. Larry Ellison, the co-founder of Oracle, had one of his homes destroyed in the January wildfires in Malibu. Yet the home, previously valued on Zillow for about $21.5 million, accounted for only about 0.01 percent of his overall net worth of $216 billion. Money aside, Brad Klontz, a financial planner and psychologist, told the WSJ that it takes a bit of delusion to move to these high-risk areas, as lower-tier wealthy homeowners would ultimately lose a much larger percentage of their net worth if their home were destroyed. In Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, there were 52 major floor events between the years of 1922 and 2023 - 38 of them occurring since 2015 Another record was broken in Charleston when an unidentified buyer paid $18.25 million for a historic home located on a waterfront property on the Battery, despite the increasing risks of disaster Paradise Valley, a desert and mountain town in Arizona lying east of Phoenix, endured an unprecedented 113 consecutive days of temperatures surpassing 100 degrees, yet still saw a record-breaking sale of a $33.5 million home this past January Any departures from a ritzy neighborhood present opportunities for the wealthy to pick up a relative bargain, safe in the knowledge that if disaster strikes they can afford the repairs and can 'take the hit' 'These people look around and say "this looks like a dangerous place,"' Klontz said. 'But everyone seems to be calm and smiling and happy and you think, "yeah, I guess we're safe. What are the odds it will happen here?"' Money also buys protection, including top-rated construction techniques, fireproof materials, private firefighting brigades, flood barriers and elevated homes - measures that make the ultrarich properties more likely to withstand the inevitable forces of nature. Legend has it that the Ark of the Covenant disappeared more than 1,500 years ago, but a former CIA spy claims to know exactly where the sacred chest is hidden. Major Ed Dames, who worked for the agency in the 1980s, was part of a secret Army program that used individuals, known as remote viewers, who claimed they could perceive information about distant objects, people or locations. Documents show he was involved in the Stargate project, which ran from 1977 until it was terminated in 1995 when it was deemed unsuccessful in collecting intelligence. Maj Dames told DailyMail.com that he recently use his remote viewing skills to track down the missing Ark, claiming he located it inside the Cave of the Patriarchs.This religious site is located in Hebron, West Bank. According to Jewish, Christian and Islamic traditions, it is thought to be the burial place of several key Biblical figures, including Abraham and Jacob. The Bible describes the Ark of the Covenant as a gold chest built by the Israelites shortly after they fled Egypt around the 13th century BC. Moses placed the Ten Commandments inside this chest, which some Biblical historians believe was then kept inside the Holy of Holies: the innermost chamber of the ancient Temple of Jerusalem. During the Babylonian sack of Jerusalem in 586 BC, the Ark vanished without a trace, according to the Bible. Maj Dames used his mind to search for the relic, finding himself 'inside some type of a stone tunnel.' According to Biblical history, the Ark of he Covenant was a sacred, gold-covered wooden chest that was constructed sometime around 1445 BCE to hold the Ten Commandments Major Ed Dames, who worked for the CIA in the 1980s, said the Ark is in an underground the Cave of the Patriarchs In this role, he said he taught others how to use remote viewing and assigned training exercises including a search for the Ark of the Covenant. Today, Maj Dames still teaches remote viewing. But he primarily uses his own abilities to find lost children. Last year, he performed a search for missing French toddler Emile Soleil, pinpointing a field that turned out to be immediately next to the site of the boy's remains. Maj Dames said he conducted a remote viewing search for the lost Ark last year. Recalling his experiences during the session, he said: 'I'm inside a dark place, and I feel very insecure because theres a feeling that I cant describe. Never felt it before, and it scares me.' Im inside some type of a stone tunnel, and theres an object, and the object is boxy and its heavy and dense,' he added. Its dark, Im still a little bit antsy, but I am still in control of my unconscious,' he said. Major Ed Dames served as a training officer for the Stargate project in the 1980s. This secret US Army unit investigated the use of psychic phenomena to gather intelligence The tangible ideas associated with the target are a boxy structure.' But its intangible details began to emerge too, and Maj Dames had a sense that the target was a 'holy relic' that he'd never seen or experienced before. As he continued to explore, more intangible details about the target surfaced, and he began to sense that it was historic and biblical.' Maj Dames then conducted another remote viewing session which he said allowed him to pinpoint the Ark's location 'within meters,' concluding that it was in the Cave of the Patriarchs. He also claimed that this wasn't the first time he was involved in the hunt for this sacred chest, he said. While working for the Stargate program, he claims he assigned the target as a training exercise. A recently resurfaced CIA document describes what was uncovered during this exercise, tracing the Ark to an unspecified location in the Middle East. While that initial search narrowed down the Ark's possible location to the Middle East, Maj Dames believes he now knows its exact location. To locate this target, he performed a 'technical' remote viewing search. This is the most commonly used form of remote viewing, he said. In this type of session, the operator enters an altered state of consciousness that allows them to observe a distant target. During the session, the operator uses their five senses vicariously to discern the target, essentially locating it through the minds eye, Maj Dames explained. The psychic's eyes are open the entire time, and they use a pen and paper to document their observations. Well use textures, color, smells, taste, temperatures and sounds to get a basic idea about the target, and then well use dimensions and densities hollow, thick, heavy and were very precise in these kinds of things,' Maj Dames said. A recently resurfaced CIA document describes the events of a remote viewing training exercise, which traced the Ark to an unspecified location in the Middle East This unnamed operator claimed the Ark was hidden somewhere underground and that it is 'protected by entities' who will 'destroy' those who attempt to break into it The Ten Commandments are a list of directives given to Moses by God, including rules such as 'thou shalt not kill' and 'honor thy mother and father,' according to the Bible He admitted that the 'working hypothesis' behind remote viewing 'does not meet Western scientific theory,' as there is no evidence to support the existence of psychic phenomena. But in the 1970s and 80s, the US government thought psychics could be a valuable asset to their intelligence operations, and spent up to $20 million in taxpayer dollars on the Stargate project and other related programs, the LA Times reported in 1995. The Bible describes the Ark of the Covenant as a sacred, gold-covered wooden chest built by the Israelites shortly after they fled Egypt around the 13th century BC. Moses placed the Ten Commandments a list of directives given to him by God inside the chest, according to the Bible. Some Biblical historians believe the Ark was housed inside the ancient temple of Jerusalem for centuries. During this time, only the High Priest of the Israelites could see it, and even he was only allowed near it on Judaism's holiest holiday, Yom Kippur. And then, it vanished. Today, there is no archaeological or historical evidence to suggest the Ark ever existed. But Maj Dames strongly believes it is real hidden deep underground in the Cave of the Patriarchs. No one is permitted to enter these caves, which are regarded as as ancient, holy burial sites. Unless that changes, Maj Dames' theory about the Ark's location may never be verified. A massive storm is set to bring life-threatening tornadoes and potentially historic floods in what could be the worst 24 hours of extreme weather this year. The National Weather Service (NWS) warn that over 15 states are in the path of this major storm which is bringing intense rainfall to millions of people from the Gulf Coast to the Northeast. The storm watches now include Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Illinois, Arkansas, West Virginia, and portions of Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas. More than a foot of rain will accumulate in some areas between Wednesday and Saturday. There could be well over 18 inches of rainfall in parts of Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee, and Kentucky, AccuWeather warned. Very large hail and 'significant' damaging winds are also expected in these states. The rest of the Mid-South is also facing a 'severe threat' today. These areas can expect to see a 'more scattered but still significant threat of tornadoes, large hail, and damaging winds,' the NWS stated. AccuWeather senior storm warning meteorologist William Clark warned that this storm could bring four to five months' worth of rain to a 1,000-mile-long swath of the country in just four days. The worst of this historic flood event is expected to submerge portions of Arkansas, Missouri, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, and Indiana starting Wednesday night. AccuWeather warned that there could be well over 18 inches of rainfall in parts of Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee, and Kentucky this week Meteorologists with the National Weather Service warn that at least 12 states in the South and Midwest are already under a severe flood watch (Stock) Meteorologists warn that this week's storm could bring the equivalent of 4 to 5 months of rain to the South and Midwest in just 4 or 5 day (Stock) AccuWeather chief meteorologist Jonathan Porter warned: 'Dangerous situations can escalate to life-threatening emergencies in a matter of seconds with a flash flooding threat as serious as this.' 'Should the amount of rain occur that we anticipate over the middle of the nation, it would exceed the 500 to 1,000-year average,' Clark added. 'Truly, the potential is there for a historic flash flooding event.' At least 10 states, from Texas to Michigan, face a moderate to high chance of deadly twisters forming tonight. AccuWeather says the high tornado risk zone includes parts of Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri, Arkansas, and northern Louisiana. Tornado watches already started going out Wednesday morning in parts of Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas, and Missouri, urging residents to 'be prepared.' 'TAKE COVER NOW!' agency officials wrote in the Kansas City alert. 'Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building.' 'Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.' This newest tornado threat comes less than three weeks after a 'mega storm' ripped through this same part of the US in March. Over 40 people died due to the extreme weather event, which dropped more than 70 tornadoes on communities throughout the South and Midwest. However, that storm did not come close to delivering the amount of rain and potential for historic flooding meteorologists are warning this new storm could bring. Meteorologists say Wednesday's downpour could break 500 and 1,000-year rainfall averages, turning this into a historic and deadly flood event The severe storm started ripping through parts of the US, sparking a tornado watch in four states Wednesday morning 'Parts of Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri, and Arkansas could see one to nearly two feet of rainfall by the end of the weekend,' Porter added. 'This is essentially an atmospheric river setup that will pull tremendous amounts of moisture from the tropics into the central U.S.' The AccuWeather team warns that the period from Wednesday morning through Wednesday night will likely carry the greatest threat of extreme weather the US has seen so far this year. It's already been a chaotic first three months of 2025, with waves of winter storms, tornadoes, and floods pummeling most of the country. In February, a 'polar vortex collapse' left a mess across much of the US, bringing feet of snow, landslides, and cancelled flights to millions of Americans. A 'polar vortex collapse' basically means the big, cold swirl of air that constantly spins tightly around the North Pole begins to wobble or break apart, letting frigid Arctic air spill down into places like the US or Europe. Meteorologists noted that the jet stream bringing cold air from the north was locked in an almost perfectly straight line over America, moving from west to east that entire month. This nonstop weather system continued to fuel winter storms, which developed in the Plains and Midwest and swept up into the Northeast and New England. Things didn't get any better in March, as another polar vortex collapse in the middle of the month had forecasters predicting a late start to spring. Forecasters say several areas face a high likelihood of seeing a tornado develop on Wednesday, including Arkansas, Tennessee, and Kentucky Recent floods in Texas brought rainfall totals that exceeded records that go back over 100 years, killing at least 3 people on March 27 On March 14, the weekend mega storm demolished communities throughout the South, from Oklahoma to Missouri to Mississippi. Roughly a quarter-million people were left without power in Missouri, Georgia, North Carolina, Alabama, and Michigan on March 16 alone. On March 27, at least three people were killed in Texas as floods overwhelmed roadways and forced many drivers to leave their cars behind. Between six and 12 inches of rain fell in parts of South Texas over a 24-hour period, according to the National Weather Service. This week's downpour throughout the country could bring similarly deadly conditions, with the AccuWeather team projecting that intense rainfall will bring flooding risks as far south as Texas and Louisiana and as far north as Michigan and Pennsylvania. Thunderstorms are expected to still be intense moving into Friday and Saturday, bringing more hail and wind gusts between 60 and 70 mph. As the torrential downpours persist through the weekend, more than 46 million people across the central US will be impacted, and at least 13 million will be within a high to extreme-flood risk zone, AccuWeather reported. Iceland's fears were confirmed on Tuesday morning as a volcano erupted just south of the capital following a 'swarm' of earthquakes in the Reykjanes Peninsula. The nearby fishing town of Grindavik and the five-star Blue Lagoon hotel were evacuated as a 1,200-metre-long fissure sent lava pouring through defensive barriers. Now, scientists have revealed the terrifying sounds that hinted the eruption was about to occur. Earthtunes, an app developed by Northwestern University, turns the lines scratched onto a seismograph by tremors in the Earth into a soundtrack worthy of a horror film. In this terrifying recording, you can hear the approach of the 'earthquake swarm' which preceded the eruption. According to the Iceland Meteorological Office (IMO), the swarm began around 6:30am local time (07:30 BST). The IMO says these tremors were a 'clear sign of the onset of a magma intrusion' ahead of the eruption which began at 09:45 local time (10:45 BST). Later in the clip you can even hear the boom of a magnitude 5.3 earthquake that could be felt throughout southwest Iceland. Iceland's fears were confirmed on Tuesday morning as a volcano erupted just south of the capital following a 'swarm' of earthquakes in the Reykjanes Peninsula The nearby fishing town of Grindavik and the five-star Blue Lagoon hotel were evacuated as a 1,200-metre-long fissure sent lava pouring through defensive barriers The Earthtunes app, created by Northwestern University, converts seismic data into audio you can hear. The earthquake swarm is audible as a distinct rumble while volcanic activity registers as knocks and bangs Your browser does not support iframes. Yesterday's eruption was the eighth to hit the Reykjanes Peninsula since 2021, when the region entered its latest active period. However, as the lava began to burst from the Sundhnukur crater row, experts warned that this would be 'much larger' than previous events. In the recording, you can hear the slight rumble of the fissure opening at 09:45, just north of the protective barriers around the town of Grindavik. While the seismic audio captured by Earthtunes appears to become quiet, the fissure continued to grow into the morning. By 12:35 local time, the IMO reported that the eruptive fissure had grown to about 1,200 metres in length. Additionally, a second fissure had opened a few hundred metres inside the protective barriers around Grindavik, between the barriers and the town itself. Later, the IMO reported that a hot water pipeline in northern Grindavik had been broken, which 'confirms that significant fault movements have occurred within the town.' In addition to seismic activity, the Earthtunes audio also records what appears to be a 'clinking' sound. Professor Valentin Troll, a volcanologist from Uppsala University, told MailOnline this could be the sound of rocks blasted into the air by the eruption landing around the recording device. Professor Troll says that this sound is 'very characteristic' of volcanic eruptions he has studied in the past. Yet, even as volcanic activity diminished and the lava flow slowed, intense earthquake activity continued all along the line of the magma intrusion. The largest of these tremors could be felt in the town of Volgar, about 4.3 miles (7km) north of the eruption area. According to data from the United States Geological Survey, three major earthquakes struck the Reykjanes Peninsula around the time of the eruption. A pair of magnitude 4.6 and magnitude 5.2 earthquakes struck to the north of Grindavik shortly before 18:00 local time (19:00 BST). Meanwhile, a magnitude 4.9 tremor occurred under the sea just 3.7 miles (6km) to the south of the fishing village. Around this time, the Earthtunes recording reveals a booming sound like a slamming door which Professor Valentin says is 'absolutely' the sound of an earthquake. A second fissure had opened a few hundred metres inside the protective barriers around Grindavik (pictured), between the barriers and the town itself forcing remaining residents to evacuate According to the United States Geological Survey, there were three large earthquakes in the Reykjanes Peninsula around the time of the eruption (pictured as orange dots). This includes a large magnitude 5.2 earthquake which registers on the Earthtunes recording as a deep boom This is the eighth eruption from the Reykjanes Peninsula since the region entered its eruptive phase in 2021 Aerial footage captured vast plumes of lava rising from the fissure and spreading towards the town of Grindavic and the Blue Lagoon Hotel. Experts are concerned that this eruption may be significantly larger than previous events Worryingly, this recording suggests that seismic activity is shifting further northwards towards the more populated regions. 'The earthquake swarms have migrated further north than in any of the previous eruptions,' says Professor Troll. 'This likely heralds that there may be a fracture forming in the next eruption which could hit the northern highway which connects the airport with Reykjavik.' With some earthquakes now emerging less than a kilometre from the highway, Professor Troll warns there could be an eruption that destroys the road in the coming weeks or months. Since Iceland is so dependent on imports for much of its food supply, this would cause a 'severe infrastructural problem'. Icelandic authorities have been preparing the smaller domestic Reykjavik Airport to accommodate larger planes and have made provisions for emergency alternative routes. Iceland is a particular hotspot for seismic activity because it sits on a tectonic plate boundary called the Mid-Atlantic Ridge which is gradually pushing North America and Eurasia away from each other. There are only a few places on Earth where the Mid Atlantic Ridge is exposed on land, but Iceland which is slap bang in the middle of the ridge is one of them. Experts are concerned that the earthquake swarms will continue to migrate northwards, threatening the critical highway connecting the capital Reykjavik to the island's international airport Iceland is a particular hotspot for seismic activity because it sits on a tectonic plate boundary called the Mid Atlantic Ridge. As two tectonic plates pull apart, it allows magma to rise up through the crust and trigger an eruption An eruption rocked the region in November, which in turn was the seventh eruption in a year. Most of Grindaviks 4,000 residents were evacuated in late 2023, shortly before the first volcanic eruption in the area. Since then, almost all the houses have been sold to the state, and most of the residents departed. Regional police said they had completed the evacuation of Grindavik, with the exception of a small number of residents who had refused to leave. Runolfur orhallsson, Icelands director of civil protection, urged those who had chosen not to leave the town to evacuate. It took 20 years and 6 billion to build the Large Hadron Collider, the world's biggest particle accelerator. Now, scientists want to make another one that's even larger and twice as expensive. The 13 billion 'Future Circular Collider' (FCC) will loop a whopping 56.5-miles (91km) deep underground at the Swiss-French border. FCC will be nearly four times more powerful than the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), which has been in operation since 2010. Dubbed the 'world's biggest atom smasher', FCC could provide new physics discoveries that explain the structure and evolution of the universe. CERN (The European Organization for Nuclear Research) Director-General Fabiola Gianotti said it could become 'the most extraordinary instrument ever built by humanity to study the constituents and the laws of nature at the most fundamental levels'. However, not everyone is on board with the project - with sceptics urging CERN to abandon it on the basis that it could emit millions of tons of dangerous climate-warming CO2. What's more, critics have raised concerns that the FCC would begin operations in the mid-2040s but run for only about two decades or less. Your browser does not support iframes. Artistic depiction of the tunnel for the FCC, which would be arranged in a ring across the French-Swiss border CERN has released detailed plans for the FCC - a concept mooted over a decade ago. The organisation estimates that it will cost 13.4 billion ($17.4 billion) to dig a 56.5-mile (91km) circumference tunnel and build the machine. The proposed Future Circular Collider would be active for 15 to 20 years from around 2040, around the time the LHC comes offline. Just like the LHC, the FCC would accelerate subatomic particles to almost the speed of light in its underground ring, before smashing the particles into each other. Physicists use superconducting magnets to beam the particles at these high speeds and then use detectors to capture the collisions. These collisions produce a burst of new particles, which physicists record and study in order to better understand the basic building blocks of nature. Not only will the upcoming machine be nearly four times as large, but it will be equipped with double-strength magnets for more power. It could ultimately help to solve many of the universe's unanswered mysteries, including dark matter and dark energy, both invisible to us. The projected cost of about $17 billion is more than twice the $8 billion price tag of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC, pictured) CERN Director-General Fabiola Gianotti said the future collider could become 'the most extraordinary instrument ever built by humanity to study the constituents and the laws of nature at the most fundamental levels' Future Circular Collider vs. Large Hadron Collider The LHC spins around a 6.7-mile (27km) tunnel deep under the border between France and Switzerland. The Future Circular Collider would be more than three times this size, stretching around 56.5 miles (91km), also under the two countries. That extra runway would allow it to smash particles into each other with eight times more energy. It would also have far more sensitive detectors. The hope is that this will allow the collider to discover lighter or heavier particles than the ones scientists already know about. Advertisement CERN said it is not possible to say exactly what benefits the new collider would bring to the world, but pointed out that the discovery of the electron in 1897 led to the electronics industry. In 2012, the LHC made headlines when it proved the existence of the Higgs boson, the elusive particle dubbed the God particle, which helped explain how matter formed after the Big Bang. Higgs boson is a key element of the Standard Model of particle physics, which is our best understanding of how the universe works. However, there are questions over how the project will be funded and it remains unclear if CERNs member states will pay for it. CERN's member states 23 European countries including the UK plus Israel need to decide by 2028 whether to release the funds needed. CERN spokesman Arnaud Marsollier tried to allay those concerns, insisting that up to 80 per cent of the FCC's cost could be covered by the organization's budget. But scientists, eco-friendly groups and local farmers are not convinced it is even necessary or safe for the environment. In a report, environmental association Noe21 criticised the 'excessive' project, pointing to its 'astronomical electricity consumption', cost and impact on the climate. Particle colliders accelerate subatomic particles to almost the speed of light around giant underground rings, before smashing them into each other. To do so, they use superconducting magnets to beam the particles at incredible speeds around giant underground rings, using detectors to capture the collisions Artistic view of a collision event at the FCC. Expanding our understanding of the fundamental laws of nature requires the energy frontier to be pushed much further, CERN researchers said of the upcoming collider What is the Higgs boson? The Higgs boson is the simplest yet most perplexing particle discovered so far, with properties that have far-reaching implications for our existence, according to CERN. It is related to the mechanism that enabled elementary particles such as electrons to gain mass a fraction of a nanosecond after the Big Bang, allowing atoms and thus structures to form. It may also be connected to the fate of the universe and could potentially shed light on the many unsolved mysteries of modern physics. Advertisement It would require the excavation of 16 million tons of rock and could emit millions of tons of CO2 a concern especially considering the scientific benefits are uncertain. Thierry Perrillat, a dairy farmer in Roche-sure-Foron in France, said the planned collider would swallow 'five hectares of our farm', describing it as 'like David and Goliath'. Sabine Hossenfelder, a theoretical physicist at the Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies, said the money needed to build the FCC could be better used elsewhere. It could be better spent on a radio telescope on the moon, a gravitational wave detector in space, or more direct research funding. 'There is no reason to think that there should be new physics in the energy regime that such a collider would reach,' Hossenfelder told Nature. 'That's the nightmare that everyone has on their mind but doesn't want to speak about.' Physicist Olivier Cepas at the Neel Institute at the University of Grenoble called the 'financial, ecological and operating costs 'astronomical'. 'It would be better to fund smaller scientific projects,' he told AFP. An illustration of the layout of the FCC including locations of tunnels and experiments Artistic impression of the FCC accelerator and tunnel. Not only will the machine be larger, but it will be equipped with double strength magnets for more powerful collisions Sir David King, a former chief scientific adviser to the UK government, said he is 'not in favour' of FCC and admitted the particle physics community is split. 'We can keep building higher and higher energy systems, and we will find new particles,' he told the Times. 'But this science wouldnt be relevant to the most pressing challenges we face on Earth.' FCC has already had unanimous approval by the CERN council, but now CERN has released feasibility studies regarding the physics, technical infrastructure, safety and more. However, approval from CERN doesn't mean it will definitely be going ahead as it will still need to secure funding from CERN's member countries. From slices of toast to patches of clouds, Jesus's face has a habit of appearing in some unusual places. But this mind-boggling optical illusion might be his most bizarre appearance yet. At first glance, the picture looks like an ordinary photograph of young women smiling and drinking coffee beside a busy road. However, if you squint your eyes, this should triggers an illusion that tricks your brain into seeing Jesus. On social media, thousands of commenters were amazed and overjoyed to discover the hidden face. One excited commenter wrote: 'I saw Jesus! Amazing creativity!' While another wrote: 'I can't unsee him and I don't want to.' So, does this baffling illusion work for you? This incredible optical illusion may look like a normal image of young women enjoying a coffee, but closing your eyes slightly reveals a hidden face By closing your eyes and slightly opening them, you should be able to see the face of a bearded man with long hair. Many commenters on social media say that this looks like the face of Jesus One commenter wrote that they had seen Jesus in the illusion and praised the illusion's creativity Another social media user said that they could no longer 'unsee' the face in the image In a viral post sharing the illusion, viewers are instructed to 'close your eyes and barely open them'. Doing this, you should be able to briefly see what appears to be the face of a man with long hair and a beard - bearing a strong resemblance to the standard portrayal of Jesus. On social media, commenters of all religions expressed their amazement at the power of the illusion. 'Oh my gosh, I see it. He's my favorite person in the whole world. This made my day thank you,' one commenter gushed. Another chimed in: 'Love u Jesus Christ but HOW DID THEY FORM THAT PIC!?!?!?' One commenter added: 'I'm not a believer but damn that's so cool!' While one excited social media user wrote: 'Oh! I see Jesus. BTW I'm Muslim from Indonesia.' Although the illusion is powerful, some viewers were convinced that it actually revealed the face of another famous long-haired man. Not every commenter said they saw Jesus, and some even said they thought the face bore a strong resemblance to Keanu Reeves One commenter joked that they first thought the face belonged to Keanu Reeves With long hair and a beard, it is no surprise that many pointed out the hidden face also bore a strong resemblance to the actor Keanu Reeves (pictured) 'I couldn't tell if it was Jesus or Keanu Reeves,' one commenter joked. Another remarked: 'At first I thought it was Keanu.' Some eagle-eyed social media users even spotted a clue to how this strange illusion was made. Looking at the picture more closely, there are a number of strange details which show this is not a real photograph. For example, the car in the background which forms Jesus's 'eye' in the illusion has clearly been warped in an editing process. One commenter wrote: 'I like how they stretch the wheels on the car in the background just for the eyes.' Another joked: 'What kind of car is that, I need one NOW'. Likewise, the woman dressed in blue at the front right of the image is holding a coffee cup in her outstretched left hand. However, some sharp-eyed commenters also spotted what appear to be signs of editing. In particular, a car in the background that appears to be extremely warped A commenter joked: 'What kind of car is that' This car in the background of the image has been warped to form Jesus's eye in the hidden picture. Alongside a few other strange details, this led some to speculate that the photo may have been made using AI However, she also appears to be holding a second coffee cup in a second left hand. These characteristic details have led many online to speculate that the illusion was made using a specialised AI tool. This illusion works because of a psychological effect called pareidolia, which refers to the brain's habit of detecting patterns in information that might not really be there. This phenomenon occurs in lots of different contexts but is most famous for tricking the brain into seeing faces in all sorts of places. This is the effect which makes people see a smiling face in the clouds or Jesus in a slice of toast. Scientists think this happens because our brains are constantly working to try and make sense of the world around us and make a lot of assumptions along the way. Since faces are something we need to pay a lot of attention to, our brain is already predisposed to see them everywhere we look. In 2014, researchers from the University of Toronto found that even watching static activates parts of the brain associated with recognising faces if we have been told to look for them. The illusion works due to a psychological effect called pareidolia which causes the brain to see patterns in otherwise random information. This is what causes people to see a face in NASA's images of Mars (left) and in slices of toast (right) So, when you squint your eyes and blur out the details in the image, your brain puts together a face out of the remaining information. However, seeing Jesus's face in this image doesn't mean you are gullible or prone to flights of fancy. Not only is pareidolia natural and extremely common, but it could also be a sign of heightened creativity. Recently, a team of German researchers found that people with a greater tendency to find meaningful patterns in natural scenes scored higher for creativity in standard tests. That meant they were better at creative tasks such as coming up with new uses for everyday objects. In parts of the ancient word, wine has long been thought as a luxury reserved only for the elite. But a new study reveals the mighty ancient city of Troy may have been the exception. Scientists in Germany have performed chemical analysis on drinking vessels uncovered in ruins of the settlement in western Turkey. Their findings prove for the first time that just about everyone in Troy was a wine drinker whether or not they belonged to the upper classes or the common masses. The findings 'rewrite the story of wine' in the early Bronze Age, around 5,000 years ago. And they come as something as a surprise, as wine was the most expensive drink at the time. 'Wine was far from being reserved solely for the rich and powerful,' said study author Professor Stephan Blum, an archaeologist at the University of Tubingen. 'It is clear that wine was an everyday drink for the common people too.' Their findings prove for the first time that just about everyone in Troy was a wine drinker whether or not they belonged to the upper classes or the common masses. Pictured: Eric Bana and Orlando Bloom in the 2004 movie, Troy Your browser does not support iframes. Pictured, a depas goblet (depas amphikypellon), excavated by German archeologist Heinrich Schliemann in the 19th century, measuring about 6 inches (15cm) high. This was one type of goblet from which the people of Troy drank wine Back in 1871, German archeologist Heinrich Schliemann discovered the legendary fortress city of Troy in western Turkey, near the Aegean coast. During excavations, Schliemann found several hundred gold and silver objects at Troy, including jewellery, masks, buttons, headwear, weapons and sculptures. But he was 'captivated' by a more humble item mentioned in Homer's Iliad the Depas Amphikypellon, a distinctive Bronze Age drinking cup with two handles. 'He discovered numerous cylindrical, double-handled goblets thought to be the cup mentioned in the epic tale,' said Professor Blum in a piece for The Conversation. 'Schliemann believed the vessels had been used either for ritual wine offerings to the Olympian gods or, more likely, by the royal elite for drinking. 'These ceramic vessels were often made on the potters wheel, a technological innovation introduced from the near east during this period.' According to the team, more than 100 of these distinctive goblets have been found to date in Troy alone covering the period of 2500 to 2000 BC. Likely the characteristic double handles allowed the vessels to be passed easily between participants seated next to each other. Pictured, Depas Amphikypellon (two-handed drinking cup) found outside the citadel wall of Troy The site of Troy was first settled in the Early Bronze Age, from around 3000 BC. Troy fell into ruin at the end of the Bronze Age, around 1180 BC What was Troy? Troy is an ancient city and archaeological site in western Turkey. The site of Troy was first settled in the Early Bronze Age, from around 3000 BC. Troy fell into ruin at the end of the Bronze Age, around 1180 BC. The ancient Greek poet Homer told the story of the ill-fated city of Troy and the great Trojan War (fought between the early Greeks and the people of Troy) in his powerful epic, the Iliad. In the 1870s, German businessman and self-taught archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann uncovered remains of the city - proving the city was real. Source: British Museum Advertisement After analysing Depas Amphikypellon fragments, Professor Blum and colleagues found high concentrations of fruit acid traces 'indicative of regular use specifically for wine'. Firstly, this proves for the first time that they were used for wine-drinking something that was contested by Schliemann's contemporaries two centuries ago. But even more intriguingly, these same fruit acids were also found in remains of plainer cups and beakers from Troy that would have been used by common folk suggesting wine-drinking was widespread throughout the classes. It also suggests any type of vessel would do for the act of wine-drinking with no particular one set aside for the task. The team think farmers, craftsmen and other poorer people living in Toys outer settlements, further away from its important fortified citadel, consumed wine as 'an everyday drink'. Doing so could have been tied to religious practices, rituals and public banqueting, or simply just for pure enjoyment like today. It's surprising as written sources suggest wine was regarded as particularly precious during this time, according to Professor Blum. However, Troy was located in a region particularly favourable for the cultivation of wine, which means it would have been more widely available. In this image from the paper, (a) and (b) are the Depas Amphikypellon fragments; (c) and (d) are fragments of plainer cups/beakers The scientists found traces of grape products in both the standard cups/beakers as well as the Depas Amphikypellon fragments The ancient Greek poet Homer told the story of the ill-fated city of Troy and the great Trojan War (fought between the early Greeks and the people of Troy) in his powerful epic, the Iliad. This depicted building was part of Troy's important citadel (strongly fortified area) The new study, published in American Journal of Archaeology, shows for the first time that wine-drinking in ancient Troy wasn't just for upper classes 'as has long been supposed'. 'Further examinations at other sites could reveal whether a wider range of vessels were utilized for wine elsewhere,' the study authors say in their paper. '[This is] potentially challenging current assumptions about the distribution and consumption of wine during the third millennium BC.' The findings also shine more light onto the city of Troy, which was thought to have been purely mythical until Schliemann's discovery. The people of Troy fought the great Trojan War against the early Greeks, who famously deceived them with the Trojan Horse. Unbeknown to the Trojans, the wooden horse was filled with hidden Greek warriors who were able to enter and destroy the city, ending the war. About 400 years later Homer wrote his epic and the story has inspired spinoffs from Virgil's Aeneid, to Shakespeare's Troilus And Cressida and Berlioz's great opera The Trojans. It's best known for its rugged landscapes, picturesque fishing villages and medieval castles. But the Isle of Skye used to be a social hotspot for dinosaurs including Tyrannosaurus rex's ancestors according to a new study. Experts have discovered massive meat-eating and plant-eating dinosaurs drank together from the island's shallow freshwater lagoons 167 million years ago. A team at the University of Edinburgh analysed 131 dinosaur footprints at Prince Charles's Point on the island's Trotternish Peninsula. The tracks include rarely-seen footprints of carnivorous megalosaurs - cousins and ancestors of T.Rex - alongside those of herbivorous sauropods. Researchers said the large, circular impressions made by the latter point to a long-necked dinosaur two or three times the size of an elephant, while the megalosaur would have been 'jeep-sized'. The team said the site provides a 'fascinating insight' into the environmental preferences and behaviours of dinosaurs from the Middle Jurassic period. Analysis of the multi-directional tracks and walking gaits, they explained, suggest the prehistoric beasts milled around the lagoon's margins, similar to how animals congregate around watering holes today. An artist's impression of the meat-eating and plant-eating dinosaurs mingling at the site on the Isle of Skye A pair of megalosaur footsteps seen at the site. These dinosaurs were the older 'cousins' and ancestors of the famous T.Rex Your browser does not support iframes. They added that the tracks show that regardless of dominance, the meat-eating therapods and plant-eating sauropods habitually spent time in lagoons, as opposed to exposed, drier mudflats. Research lead Tone Blakesley said: 'The footprints at Prince Charles's Point provide a fascinating insight into the behaviours and environmental distributions of meat-eating theropods and plant-eating, long-necked sauropods during an important time in their evolution. 'On Skye, these dinosaurs clearly preferred shallowly submerged lagoonal environments over subaerially exposed mudflats.' The first three footprints at the site were discovered five years ago by a University of Edinburgh student and colleagues during a visit to the shoreline. Subsequent discoveries of other footprints in the area made it one of the most extensive dinosaur track sites in Scotland, with scientists saying they expect to find more. The research team studied the tracks by taking thousands of overlapping photographs of the entire site with a drone, before using specialist software to construct 3D models of the footprints via a technique called photogrammetry. Steve Brusatte, personal chair of palaeontology and evolution at the University of Edinburgh, reflected on the fact the remote bay on the Trotternish Peninsula was also where Bonnie Prince Charlie hid in 1746 while on the run from British troops. 'Prince Charles's Point is a place where Scottish history and prehistory blend together,' he said. Researchers said the large, circular impressions made by the latter point to a long-necked dinosaur two or three times the size of an elephant. The Isle of Skye, connected to Scotland's northwest coast by bridge, is known for its rugged landscapes, picturesque fishing villages and medieval castles The terrifying T.Rex is widely regarded as the most famous dinosaur. This is partly because it was the first very large carnivorous dinosaur to be discovered and it was long believed to have been the largest that ever lived (stock image) 'It's astounding to think that when Bonnie Prince Charlie was running for his life, he might have been sprinting in the footsteps of dinosaurs.' The research, published in PLOS One, was funded by the Leverhulme Trust and National Geographic Society. Last year, scientists discovered a new species of pterosaur on the Isle of Skye in Scotland. Named Ceoptera evansae, the winged reptile lived between 168 to 166 million years ago during the Middle Jurassic period. Palaeontologists spotted the fossil remains in 2006 during a field trip to Elgol, on the south-west coast of the island. Since then, the team have spent years physically preparing the specimen and taking scans of the bones, some of which remain completely embedded in rock. Despite the skeleton being incomplete with only parts of the shoulders, wings, legs and backbone remaining the researchers said it provides key insights into the evolutionary history and diversity of pterosaurs. The teenaged daughter of NASA astronaut Butch Wilmore has spoken out about his health challenges after spending more than nine months in space. Daryn Wilmore, 19, said that while her dad has 'been adjusting to gravity well,' he has been struggling with his muscles, joints and inner ears. That was 'because [he's] not used to gravity or having to hold up weight,' she said in response to a comment in a TikTok video. Wilmore and his crewmate, Sunita Williams, were initially scheduled to spend eight days on the International Space Station (ISS), but were left for 286 days after the craft that brought them there malfunctioned. Research has shown that astronauts who complete long-term mission on the ISS which usually last six months experience muscle and bone loss as well as fluid shifts inside the inner ear due to low gravity. While it typically only takes a few days for the inner ear to readjust to Earth's gravity, regaining physical strength can take weeks to months. Some former astronauts have found that it can take up to 1.5 times the length of their mission to really feel like themselves again. On Monday, Wilmore looked healthy during his first public appearance since returning to Earth, but his daughter's statement suggest he will still face some challenges in the weeks ahead. Daryn Wilmore (L), the teenaged daughter of NASA astronaut Butch Wilmore (center) has spoken out about her dad's health challenges after spending more than nine months in space Astronauts on the ISS experience inner-ear fluid shifts that can disrupt hearing, balance and lead to motion sickness or dizziness. 'Your inner ear kind of shuts off more or less in weightlessness,' NASA flight surgeon Dr Natacha Chough told NPR. 'So when you reintroduce that sense of gravity, it can be a little bit disorienting.' Once astronauts return to Earth, it can take a few days for the inner ear to readjust to normal gravity. But to help this along, they may do special walking exercises. Retired NASA astronaut Leland Melvin, who completed two ISS missions, told NPR that he had to walk in a straight line and then gradually start turning. 'You start turning and your vestibular system is all whacked out and you can just fall over,' he said. 'So, you walk straight and then you turn. And then you walk straight and then you turn.' While living on the ISS, astronauts also experience significant muscle and bone loss because their bodies do not have to work as hard in low-gravity. To reduce these impacts, they exercise for at least two hours per day on the space station. But when they return to Earth, they still need rehabilitation to help them get back to their pre-flight status. When Wilmore (pictured) and Williams first returned to Earth, they were immediately helped out of the Dragon capsule and onto stretchers, then wheeled away for health checks This is all standard procedure for astronauts coming back from long-term ISS missions, but the crushing weight of gravity was evident as the pair struggled to raise their arms Wilmore and Williams finally returned to Earth on March 18, splashing down off the coast of Florida inside a SpaceX Dragon capsule. The pair will likely undergo NASA's 45-day reconditioning program, which is split into three phases and requires them to exercise for two hours per day, seven days per week. Phase one focuses on regaining strength, flexibility and the ability to walk. This may include gait training exercises, range of motion exercises and obstacle training. Once the astronauts have made sufficient progress, they move on to phase two, which adds proprioceptive exercises and cardio reconditioning. Proprioceptive exercises strengthen the body and improve the mind's perception of its movement and position. Examples include reverse lunges, banded toe taps and sumo squats with leg raises. Phase three, the longest phase, focuses on returning the astronaut to their optimal level of physical performance through functional development training. This helps astronauts regain the skills and abilities they need in order to do their jobs and fully participate in their daily lives with ease and efficiency. When Wilmore and Williams first returned to Earth, they were immediately helped out of the Dragon capsule and onto stretchers, then wheeled away for health checks. On Monday, Williams and Wilmore made their first public appearances since returning to Earth, participating in a NASA press briefing where they appeared fit and healthy The astronauts also participated in a Fox News interview aired Monday This is all standard procedure for astronauts coming back from long-term ISS missions, but the crushing weight of gravity was evident as the pair struggled to raise their arms. NASA shared photos of Williams and Wilmore the day after they splashed down, which showed them up and walking. But Williams looked noticeably frail. Now that they have been back on Earth for two weeks, they seem to be adjusting quickly. On Tuesday, the astronauts made their first public appearances since splashdown, participating in a NASA press briefing and a Fox News interview. Both seemed to be fit and healthy. Williams, who once sparked health concerns due to photos showing her apparent weight loss while on the ISS, even said she had been able to start running after just two weeks in Earth's gravity. Speaking at the press conference, Williams said: 'It's pretty much a miracle to see how your human body can adapt.' As the debate over what lies beneath Egypt's Giza pyramids continues, the scientists at the center of the dispute have shared new details they believe will silence critics. The row began when Italian researchers said they used radar pulses to map more than 4,000 feet below the Khafre Pyramid, finding enormous shafts, chambers and a possible 'vast city.' Independent experts claimed the technology could not reach such depths, deeming the findings as 'unscientific' and 'outlandish.' Filippo Biondi, who specializes in radar technology, told DailyMail.com: 'Most [people are] convinced that we are using radar to scan below the earth [and] that is completely false.' He explained they collected acoustics from deep in the ground, including seismic waves, noise from human activity and photon interactions, to map the newly found shafts and chambers that extend more than 2,000 feet below the surface. Biondi said these waves were collected by radar, specifically by analyzing Doppler centroid abnormalitiesshifts or distortions in frequency patterns used to detect underground structures or changes. However, Professor Lawrence Conyers, a radar expert at the University of Denver, who specializes in archaeology and was not involved in the study, still raised doubts. 'Photon interactions? This is science fiction. And frequency shifts of what? We now have three different energy sources moving around: radar (electromagnetic), sound (seismic) and light (photons). This is all gobbly-gook.' As the war over what lies beneath Egypt's Giza pyramids continues, the scientists at the center of the debate have shared new details they believe will quiet critics Your browser does not support iframes. Biondi commended Professor Conyers on his expertise in in Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), but noted what he and his team are doing are 'almost at opposite ends of the spectrum.' In GPR applications, the short-range nature of the system effectively mitigates this attenuation, allowing for detailed imaging of the subsurface down to a depth of a few tens of meters,' he said. 'However, the inherent limitations of GPR prevent penetration beyond this range due to the severe attenuation of electromagnetic waves in dense materials.' Biondi added that he and his team's approach is different in that it deploys Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), a remote sensing technique that uses radar waves to create high-resolution images of the Earth's surface, from satellites 372 miles above the surface. 'Unlike GPR, which injects energy directly into the ground, SAR transmits photon-modulated electromagnetic bursts from space and records the echoes that reflect off the Earth's surface,' he continued. 'At first glance, SAR appears to provide only superficial information, as the received signals are predominantly reflections from the surface. However, this assumption overlooks a critical aspect of SAR data processing.' The satellite moves so fast that the echoes it sends back change in frequency, spreading over a wide range from 0 Hz to tens of kHz. This effect is crucial for creating clear SAR images, especially for focusing in the azimuth (side-to-side) direction. 'Established scientific literature confirms that any target with a nonzero radial velocity relative to the sensor will experience a shift in azimuth position and distortions in range, as described by the well-known stop-and-go approximation,' said Biondi. Biondi, Mei and Corrado Malanga of Italy's University of Pisa announced the discovery last month that took the world by storm. While the team is positive their technology has uncovered what would turn Egyptian - and human - history on its head, if true, they have yet to publish the research in a scientific journal for independent expert review. This has led much of the scientific community to question the validity of the images that captured massive structures deep in the ground. Dr Zahi Hawass, Egypt's former Minister of Antiquities, told The National: 'The claim of using radar inside the pyramid is false, and the techniques employed are neither scientifically approved nor validated.' However, Biondi and Mei spoke with DailyMail.com to clear up misconceptions surrounding their methods. Biondi said that by analyzing Doppler anomalies in the synthetic radar data, he and his team can extract acoustic information from the Earth, similar to how a microphone captures sound. 'With a historical record of the Earth's acoustic data, we can apply a technique called tomographic inversion, which is based on the Fourier transform,' he added. 'This allows us to create detailed scans of subsurface structures.' Filippo Biondi (left), Armando Mei (center) and Corrado Malanga announced the discovery last month that took the world by storm. They are asking Egyptian officials to let them do field work under the pyramids Researchers believe there are other structures reaching more than 4,000 feet below the surface. The scans captured structures extend along the northern side with a tuning fork shape The images captured eight descending wells, each measuring between 33 and 39 feet in diameter and extending at least 2,130 feet below the surface. The results also revealed staircase-like structures wrapping around each of the wells that connect to two massive rectangular enclosures in the middle. Each chamber measured around 260 feet per side. During a news briefing last week, the team also announced the discovery of a water system beneath the platform, with underground pathways leading even deeper into the Earth. They stated that unknown chamber-like structures below this system could be part of a hidden city. 'This discovery represents a fundamental departure from traditional radar methodologies and opens new possibilities in geophysical exploration,' Biondi said. 'While GPR and SAR serve distinct purposes and operate under entirely different physical constraints, they each contribute valuable insights in their respective domains. 'In this light, we welcome continued discussion and collaboration within the scientific community, as such exchanges are essential to advancing our collective understanding of the Earth's hidden structures.' The said the technology captured enormous chambers (pictured) in the middle of the shafts Mei explained that the theory of the lost city is based on ancient Egyptian texts, specifically Chapter 149 of the Book of the Dead, which refers to the 14 residences of the city of the dead. 'It describes certain chambers and some inhabitants of the city. That is why we believe it could be Amenti, as described in ancient texts,' he said. 'Of course, we must be certain, but we believe this could be the case because the pyramids are located exactly where the texts say. 'The texts state that the pyramids were built on top of the city, sealing its entrance.' Biondi also noted that the unknown chambers more than 4,000 feet below the pyramid could be related to the legendary Hall of Records. The Hall of Records is a long-standing myth in Egyptian lore, believed to be a hidden chamber beneath the Great Pyramid or the Sphinx, containing vast amounts of lost wisdom and knowledge about ancient civilizations. However, there is no reliable evidence proving its existence. The team explained they collected acoustics from deep in the ground, including seismic waves, noise from human activity and photon interactions, to map the newly found shafts (pictured) and chambers The row began when Italian researchers said they used radar pulses to map more than 4,000 feet below the Khafre Pyramid, finding enormous shafts, chambers and a possible city . The team created a 3D model of the images, showing the shafts leading into two giant chambers The researchers hope to obtain permission from Egyptian authorities to excavate the Giza Plateau and validate their findingspotentially rewriting human history. 'We have the right. Humanity has the right to know who we are because, right now, we don't,' Biondi said. They believe the city was constructed by a pre-existing civilization 38,000 years old, which predates the oldest known man-made structure of its kind by tens of thousands of years. Professor Conyers said: 'That is a really outlandish idea.' He added that at that time in human history people 'were mostly living in caves' 38,000 years ago. 'People did not start living in what we now call cities until about 9,000 years ago,' he said. 'There were a few large villages before that but those only go back a few thousand years from that time.' Professor Conyers, however, agreed a 'well or tunnel' may exist beneath the pyramids, having been there before the pyramids were built, because the site was 'special to ancient people.' He highlighted how 'the Mayans and other peoples in ancient Mesoamerica often built pyramids on top of the entrances to caves or caverns that had ceremonial significance to them.' A cruise expert has revealed the best trips to take to avoid the crowded party boats. With a growing number of younger travellers opting to take cruises and following a record year for passenger volumes, some seafarers are now looking to travel in sea lanes less travelled. Cruise expert Mark Barton, who has 25 years of maritime experiences, has unveiled a list of three alternative destinations for travellers looking to avoid the crowds and enjoy a quieter, more relaxing escape. Mr Baton said: 'Rowdy crowds are the last thing you want on a holiday that's supposed to be relaxing. 'With Royal Caribbean reporting more young people than ever before embarking on cruise holidays and videos of wild onboard parties going viral on social media, it's understandable why you might be sceptical of which route to choose, especially with so many on offer.' With its year-round sunny weather, many Brits love taking a cruise around the Caribbean. However, this popularity has its drawbacks with many of the ports in the region suffering from overcrowding. Instead Mr Baton suggests travelling to the Pacific Ocean for a trip around the Sea of Cortez in Mexico's Baja peninsula. A crowded cruise ship in the Caribbean. Cruise expert Mark Barton, who has 25 years of maritime experiences, has unveiled a list of three alternative destinations for travellers looking to avoid the crowds and enjoy a quieter, more relaxing escape Instead of the Caribbean, Mr Baton suggests visiting Mexico's Baja peninsula. Pictured: Playa Balandra, an iconic beach in La Paz in Baja Mr Baton suggests visiting Vietnam instead of China or Japan. A highlight of a trip to the south-east Asian nation is Ha Long Bay The cruise expert said: 'Famous for its abundant marine life, a cruise in the Sea of Cortez and Baja Peninsula offers a refreshing alternative to the bustling ports of the Caribbean. 'Cruise routes in this destination offer the chance to explore vibrant markets, absorb rich local history, admire scenic natural parks, and try delicious regional dishes like fish tacos and ceviche.' Highlights in the area include La Paz - one of the largest cities on the Peninsula - which is known for its stunning coastline and Cabo San Lucas which is considered one of the world's premier resort destinations. Next, Mr Baton suggests swapping Japan and China for Vietnam and the Philippines. He said: 'Springtime brings delightful weather across Vietnam and the Philippines, with warm weather and plenty of sunshine. 'This route is perfect for those craving tranquility, as this part of Asia offers a relaxed travel experience, with rich culture, stunning natural landscapes, and a range of activities from kayaking and snorkelling to hikes and deep-sea diving.' Popular sites in Vietnam include the historic city of Hue and breathtaking Ha Long Bay. Meanwhile, in the Philippines, seafarers can explore Palawan's UNESCO World Heritage Site underground river and the bustingly capital of the archipelago Manila. French Polynesia is a popular alternative to Hawaii. Pictured: A tropical island off the coast of Tahiti With a growing number of younger travellers opting to take cruises and following a record year for passenger volumes, some seafarers are now looking to travel in sea lanes less travelled (file image) Finally Mr Baton proposes visiting French Polynesia as an alternative to Hawaii. 'Renowned for world-class snorkelling and deep-sea diving, cruises in French Polynesia are perfect for breathtaking views and once-in-a-lifetime experiences without the bustling crowds. The weather is good all year round, making it a great springtime destination', he said. 'As you island-hop between idyllic locations such as Bora Bora and Tahiti, you'll enjoy the tranquil lagoons and pristine beaches that are much quieter compared to the tourist-heavy beaches of Hawaii.' Mr Baton also shares three expert tips that holidaymakers should consider when making the most of Wave Season discounts: 'Firstly, river cruises are often quieter than sea cruises, with fewer young families and overall passengers. These trips visit smaller, off-the-beaten-path ports, offering a more intimate and peaceful experience rich with scenic views. 'My favourite routes include the River Nile through Egypt, which runs all year round; the Danube River through Central Europe, with stops in cities like Budapest and Vienna; the Rhone River in France, exploring towns like Avignon and Lyon. 'And the Mekong River in Southeast Asia, where you can discover vibrant markets and ancient temples.' 'Another way to avoid the hefty crowds is by avoiding inaugural seasons; this is the first sailing season of a brand-new cruise ship,' Mr Baton said. Sales data backs up his insight, bookings for Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas maiden season broke records for demand, with the company naming it their fastest-selling product to date. The historic city of Hue is a must-see when cruising in Vietnam In the Philippines, seafarers can explore Palawan's UNESCO World Heritage Site underground river The first commercial voyage was almost completely sold-out mere hours after tickets went on sale. 'I always say that people love the smell of fresh paint, as inaugural seasons always tend to be fully booked! If you're craving a quieter atmosphere, I'd recommend choosing a ship that isn't on its first season; older ships are just as trustworthy as the flashy new vessels.' Finally the cruise expert, who has help curate Avanti's Quiet Cruise Guide, reminds upcoming cruisers to secure cruise insurance cover for that all important piece of mind. He said: 'Cruise insurance differs from regular travel insurance because it includes comprehensive cover for the unique risks that come with a cruise holiday. 'As well as the financial cover for emergency medical situations, repatriation, cancellation and your luggage it also includes cover for things like a missed a port departure, potential itinerary disruptions due to rough seas, and cabin confinement should you fall ill onboard, Avanti's cover even has a benefit for emergency evening wear. 'Buying your cruise cover as soon as you've booked your cruise should be the final item on your booking tick-list for a stress-free and serene experience.' A flight passenger has been hailed as a genius after sharing his inventive hack for tackling airplane food. Oli Paterson, who goes by the name ElBurritoMonster on Instagram, was flying from London to Phoenix, Arizona when he realised he had a pack of tortilla wraps in his bag and decided to assemble his meal into a burrito. The content creator filmed his in-flight trick and shared it with his followers. Footage shows Paterson taking out a bag of flour tortillas after his meal arrives, before he moves his container of chicken curry onto the wrap so as to assemble a burrito. 'Sick of eating your [airplane] meal with a knife and fork? Just turn it into a burrito', the video caption says. The camera then pans to Paterson, who boasts 1.4 million followers on Instagram, who is seen smiling as he tucks into his his makeshift Mexican dinner. 'This airplane chicken tikka masala burrito was a solid 7/10 I can't lie', Paterson said about his food. Speaking to MailOnline, Paterson said: [I] realised I had a pack of wraps in my bag and didnt fancy playing elbow wars with the person next to me so decided to wrap it up into one convenient burrito'. Followers were quick to praise the passenger for the clever trick. A flight passenger has been hailed as a genius after sharing his inventive hack for tackling airplane food Food content creator showed his Instagram followers how he turned his in-flight meal into a burrito by bring tortilla wraps with him Paterson's video has since garnered more than 20,000 views 'This is genius', one viewer wrote, while another said: 'Game changer. A third user said: 'This would actually work with a lot of airplane food'. The video has since garnered over 20,000 views. Content creator Paterson is known for making videos about food. Airline meals are often a hot topic. While some passengers love eating reheated meals served on planes, others will often complain about it being overcooked and bland, so its no surprise why Paterson's video has gathered so much online attention. Paterson's airplane food video comes after a British traveller complained about a six-hour 'flight from hell' after he was served 'smelly' pasta that made him ill. Cameron Callaghan was flying from Manchester Airport to Bangkok via Abu Dhabi on January 6 ahead of a trip around South East Asia. The debate around airline food is often a hot topic, which is probably why Paterson's video drew so much attention However, before his adventure across Asia had even began he became violently ill on the plane and had to be rolled off the flight in a wheelchair. Callaghan, 27, ate an egg sandwich three hours before boarding the plane then was served a tomato and chicken pasta dish after take-off. He says that 20 minutes after eating the 'smelly' plane food he began feeling unwell, and later suffered from diarrhea. He then threw up 'every five minutes' for the rest of the six-hour journey. The former delivery driver was then left lying in 'the fetal position' on the bathroom floor and when he wasn't spewing he was sat with an air hostess who kept the cubicle free. He claims he was carefully ushered off the flight in a wheelchair and given an urgent medical assessment. The 'flight from hell', as Callaghan described it, left him bed-bound for his first few days in Thailand. He claims it was Etihad Airways' in-flight meal that caused the violent bout of sickness, explaining the meal 'smelled a bit' but the airline say the food was prepared and stored under strict temperature-controlled conditions and they received no reports of illness from other passengers who were served the same meal. The flight had been delayed for five hours and Cameron says he believes the food hadn't been stored properly during that time. April 2, 2025: The Military Sealift Command/MSC is having problems recruiting sufficient personnel to man the growing number of ships used by MSC to support American military and diplomatic missions overseas. The MSC is in the process of expanding to 390 ships by the end of 2025. That wont mean much if the personnel shortage problem cannot be solved. So far at least 17 ships have been sidelined because no crews were available. MSC needs to fill at least 95 percent of its 4,500 jobs to be fully functional. To operate at that level MSC needs 5,500 personnel to provide enough people to allow merchant sailors one month off-duty for every four months at sea. This plan became less attractive to MSC sailors. The solution is to change the work routine to four months at sea and two months of downtime. MSC has been having manning problems since 2020 and the two month downtime policy is another effort to find a solution. Meanwhile MSC continues to expand and evolve. Back in 2018 the U.S. Navy completed the conversion of a cargo ship into a Maritime Support Vessel/MSV for Special Operations Command/SOCOM. The ship to be converted had been built in 2011 for commercial service with Maersk Lines. It was quietly purchased by the U.S. Navy and in early 2014 an American shipyard began converting the 20,000 ton Roll On/Roll Off, or RO/RO, cargo ship MV Craigside to serve as a seagoing base for SOCOM commandos and support troops. This included renaming the ship to Ocean Trader. About $80 million was spent on the conversion, which consisted of turning the deck into a landing pad for at least two helicopters plus a hangar in the forward part of the ship to house three helicopters for maintenance or just to keep them out of bad weather. The ramp for RO/RO of vehicles is in the rear and remains. The Ocean Trader had special windowless communications and planning areas built as well as spaces for launching and recovering Scan Eagle UAVs. There was a dive locker/chamber for U.S. Navy SEALs to quietly slip into sea as well as storage and launch facilities for Rigid Inflatable Boats/RIB like the 11 meter RHIB used by SOCOM and the 12.8 meter Combat Craft Assault/CCA for more difficult insertions of SEALs to a hostile shore. The CCA was built of composites and shaped to be stealthy for coastal and riverine operations. Carrying up to eleven personnel, the CCA can be airdropped from a C-17 but is usually launched from larger ships like the Ocean Trader. There is still a large vehicle deck on the Ocean Trader and it can carry a wide variety of vehicles used by SOCOM personnel. There are climate controlled storage areas for a wide variety of supplies and a small hospital area including an operating room and recovery areas. In 2015, the Craigside was renamed Ocean Trader and by 2016 was spotted in the Mediterranean. Commercial ships can easily be tracked using the Automatic Identification Systems/AIS, and Ocean Trader showed up for a while at Crete in May 2016, Gibraltar in May 14, 2017, and Amsterdam in August 16, 2017. Since then the AIS has been turned off most of the time, as is the case with warships. Without AIS you have to rely on visual spotting and that has put Ocean Trader in the Baltic, Mediterranean, Persian Gulf and Black Sea during 2017 and 2018. The Ocean Trader has a top speed of 36 kilometers an hour, even in heavy seas. Internal fuel enables it to go about 14,000 kilometers and it has been equipped for resupply, including fuel, at sea. The ship crew consists of 50 civilian personnel. These ship handlers require security clearances and lots of experience running cargo ships. There are at least two crews and they are periodically switched to give the crews time at home and the Ocean Trader the ability to remain at sea for long periods. The ship has berths for about 200 special operations personnel or contractors for operating special electronic or transport equipment, and whenever it docks somewhere there is activity as personnel and some equipment are changed and supplies taken on. Whats interesting about the Ocean Trader is that its an old idea. Back in 2004 the U.S. Navy was asked by SOCOM to look into the idea of modifying a container ship for use as a seagoing base for Special Operations troops. This idea was apparently inspired by incidents in the past decade where SOCOM forces had been based temporarily on navy ships. Off Haiti in 1996 and Afghanistan in 2001 the Navy provided an aircraft carrier with most of its air wing withdrawn and replaced with Army or Special Operations helicopters and personnel. While this tactic demonstrated tremendous flexibility on the part of the navy it could not be done on a regular basis because it tied up carriers and their crews which are the most valuable navy assets. Then in 2001, the Navy began converting four Ballistic Missile Firing Nuclear subs/SSBNs to carry 154 cruise missiles as well as SOCOM commandos. This includes commando equipment and special boats to get them ashore. But these SSGNs did not have the capabilities of a MSV like the Ocean Trader. The SSGNs have proved useful for some largely classified SOCOM missions but not for all the missions SOCOM needed an MSV for. The 2004 SOCOM proposal was to buy or lease a container ship, paint it gray and fit it out with crew quarters similar to those used by oil platform crews, for up to 800 SOCOM operators and 200 support troops got some serious consideration. The facilities on board would include command, medical, recreation and storage for weapons, ammunition and explosives. All would all be built into standard modular containers, as the U.S. later did extensively in Iraq and Afghanistan. Container ships have power generating capability to support refrigerated cargo so there is plenty for military needs, especially communications). The use of modified onshore containers would also provide some bolted together to serve as a helicopter hangar and flight deck. With this setup, the ship could operate over a dozen SOCOM helicopters, especially the larger MC-47s and V-22. Other containers would hold at least half a dozen RHIB boats and equipment for launching and recovering them. The concept had several major advantages over the traditional approach of building a new type of military ship. Commercial vessels, even ones the size of aircraft carriers like large tankers and container carriers, typically require crews of less than fifty rather than thousands for military ships of the same size. A large container ship used for military purposes could be operated by fewer than a hundred sailors compared to 1,100 on an LHD or 3,200 on a Nimitz-class carrier. It would also be easier to upgrade, as the modules could be removed and replaced independently. MSC would own and operate these ships using civilian crews. The navy would keep one or two of these ships ready at all times plus a reserve of special containers ashore for use on additional MSC-owned ships or those leased from commercial users. The container ship conversion never took place but there were some MSC ships that quietly moved SOCOM personnel and equipment around, but nothing as customized as the Ocean Trader. While the Ocean Trader was created quietly there was no keeping it secret. The Ocean Trader had to frequently make port calls and was subject to being photographed by anyone with a smartphone. That was done often and the photos made their way onto the Internet and suddenly a lot was known about the Ocean Trader. While SOCOM remains quiet on the subject, the fact that the Ocean Trader has been constantly at sea or briefly in some foreign port for over two years indicates the ship is being used regularly. An Instagram famous island which has been hailed as the most beautiful in the Mediterranean is now a rat infested nightmare that 'resembles a run-down favela in a forsaken country', according to campaigners. Across the world, the tiny Maltese island of Comino has gained notoriety for it's beautiful light blue waters and its famous limestone cove known as the Blue Lagoon. The idyllic island's popularity has been bolstered by social media influencers flocking to Comino to get the perfect picture and by its appearance in hit Hollywood films such as Troy. However, despite being described as the 'most beautiful spot in the Mediterranean' by Malta's tourism authority, Comino is now being devastated by overtourism, say activists. During the summer, boatloads of up to 10,000 tourists are dropped off every day who are then crammed into the packed bay. Makeshift bars playing loud music surround the guests serving alcoholic drinks and snacks which are then left as litter which provides an easy food source for Comino's ballooning rat population. Campaigners in Malta are now fighting to protect Comino, which is supposed to be a protected nature reserve and a bird sanctuary, from future devastation. One group is Moviment Graffitti, a civil society organisation, who are campaigning for radical change to the way the island is managed. A large group of tourists at the Blue Lagoon. Despite being described as the 'most beautiful spot in the Mediterranean' by Malta's tourism authority, Comino is now being devastated by overtourism The idyllic island's popularity has been bolstered by social media influencers flocking to Comino to get the perfect picture A rat spotted on Comino. Litter left by the thousands of tourist that visit the island each day has caused the rat population to balloon And in 2022 they staged a huge protest where they forcibly removed sun loungers and parasols. A member of the group Andre Callus described the current situation as 'unbearable'. 'For the people of Gozo and Malta, it's a nightmare and they don't go there anymore. Comino has been taken over by intense commercial interests. It is a very small place and yet there are 11 kiosks selling food and drink. They want to extract as much profit as possible from the island,' he told The Daily Telegraph. Maltese NGOs have alleged that a study into how many tourists the island could support was buried by the Maltese authority but many locals the damage of overtourism is clear to see. Writing to newspapers in the small island nation, residents have blasted the state of Comino. One said the famous Blue Lagoon now looked like 'some run-down favela in some forsaken country'. Another wrote: 'This once beautiful island has been turned into a circus and I wouldn't go near it again if you paid me.' The government of Malta is trying to strike a delicate balance between protecting the natural beauty of Comino and supporting Malta's tourism sector - which makes up 15 per cent of the country's GDP During the summer, boatloads of up to 10,000 tourists are dropped off every day who are then crammed into the packed bay One campaigner has described the current amount of tourists being allowed to visit Comino as 'unbearable' Ian Borg, the minister for tourism, has proposed halving the number of daily visitors allowed to visit the island from 10,000 to 5,000. To enforce this law, the government will need to check with commercial boat operators to see how many passengers they carry and how many trips they make each day. Mr Borg has also pledged to review the number of bars that are allowed to operate and to have public toilets installed. However campaigners such as Birdlife Malta would like Comino's status as a nature reserve to be respected with rubbish removed daily and a cap on tourists. Comino is symbolic of the wider issues tourism are causing for Malta, the island nation which has a population of just over 500,000 saw a whopping 3.6million visitors last year. To accommodate the tourists, huge coastal developments have been approved which campaigners claim are damaging Malta's environment irreversible. Mark Sultana, the chief executive officer of BirdLife Malta, hopes that the state of the Blue Lagoon is a wake up call for politicians and developers alike. 'The cow has been milked for too long,' he said. Japan has long been celebrated for its unique blend of ancient traditions, cutting-edge technology, world-renowned cuisine, and vibrant pop culture. In 2024, over 36 million international tourists flocked to the East Asian nation to explore its diverse cities and scenic islands, from the bustling neon-lit streets of Tokyo to the peaceful, natural wonders of Hokkaido. However, despite the overwhelming admiration for Japanese culture expressed by many visitors, some tourists are unknowingly violating social norms, which can lead to frustration among locals. While incidents are rare, some high-profile occurrences have sparked tension in recent years. Last year, a giant 65ft barrier to block Mount Fuji from view was installed in a popular photo spot to deter badly behaved foreign tourists, and, in 2023, a Japanese store slammed foreign tourists for littering and being rude to staff. In a country known for its deep respect for tradition, order, cleanliness, and efficiency, here are three common missteps that visitors should avoid when traveling to Japan. Do not walk and eat/drink at same time In Japan, it's considered impolite to walk and eat or drink at the same time - a practice referred to as 'tabearuki.' Despite the overwhelming admiration for Japanese culture expressed by many visitors, some tourists are unknowingly violating social norms, which can lead to frustration among locals In Japan, it's considered impolite to walk and eat or drink at the same time - a practice referred to as 'tabearuki' A frequent visitor to Japan, @hangrybynature shared that even sipping a takeaway coffee whilst walking counts as bad etiquette This habit is frowned upon because it is seen as disrespectful to the food and a distraction from the enjoyment of eating. Visitors are encouraged to find a quiet spot, such as a park bench, to sit and enjoy their snacks, as reported by Euro News. In some settings like food markets or festivals, it's acceptable to eat while standing, but it's still polite to step aside from the crowd to avoid causing inconvenience to others. Messy foods and open drinks are also best avoided in crowded areas, where there's a higher risk of accidents or spills. A frequent visitor to Japan, @hangrybynature, shared in a TikTok clip, that even sipping a takeaway coffee whilst walking counts as bad etiquette. Don't leave a tip Unlike many Western countries, Japan does not expect, and often discourages, tipping. In fact, tipping can be seen as rude or unnecessary in most situations, such as in restaurants, hotels, or taxis. Locals place great emphasis on respect and dignity, believing that good service is already included in the price you pay. Unlike many Western countries, Japan does not expect, and often discourages, tipping Public transport in Japan, particularly trains and buses, is known for its quiet and orderly environment A frequent visitor to Japan, @hangrybynature shared in a TikTok clip that those who speak on the phone during train rides can expect to be met with 'judgy stares' from fellow commuters However, there are exceptions. Tourists may tip private guides, interpreters, or staff at certain tourist accommodations like ryokans (traditional inns). If you do tip, it's best to place the money in an envelope rather than handing it directly, as this is seen as a more respectful and thoughtful gesture, according to Interac Network. Do not talk loudly/be on phone on public transport Public transport in Japan, particularly trains and buses, is known for its quiet and orderly environment. Tourists who speak loudly or answer phone calls in these spaces are likely to attract disapproving stares from fellow passengers, as reported by Travel and Leisure Asia. In Japan, public transport is considered a time for personal reflection and relaxation, and disruptive behavior, such as speaking on the phone or listening to loud music, is frowned upon. In the same clip shared by @hangrybynature, she revealed those who speak on the phone during train rides can expect to be met with 'judgy stares' from their fellow commuters. To avoid uncomfortable situations, its best to keep conversations to a minimum and silence your phone while riding public transit. ITV viewers are in for a nasty surprise as a major daytime show is pulled from screens this week. The Grand National Festival at Aintree is set to take over the network on Thursday and Friday, causing major disruptions to the usual schedule. This Morning will be extended by 30 minutes, with hosts Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard staying on air until 1pm instead of 12:30pm. However, Loose Women fans wont be as lucky. The beloved lunchtime talk show will be taken off the air on both Thursday and Friday to make room for live racing coverage. Instead, ITV Lunchtime News will air at 1pm, followed by a regional news update at 1:20pm. ITV viewers are in for a big surprise as their favourite daytime shows get an unexpected shake-up this week Loose Women will be axed on Thursday and Friday The Grand National Festival at Aintree is set to take over the network on Thursday and Friday, causing major disruptions to the usual schedule (pictured 2024) At 1:30pm, ITV will switch to live coverage of the racing, hosted by Ed Chamberlin for three and a half hours each day. This is not the first time ITV daytime shows have faced shake ups over the past few weeks. Loose Women, which usually airs weekdays from 12:30pm to 1:30pm, was also cancelled last month (March 26). Anchor of the programme Ruth Langsford announced the news at the end of Tuesday 25's instalment of the programme. Instead The Chancellor's Statement was broadcast. Ruth told viewers: 'We've got to go unfortunately! We'd love to stay for the afternoon... 'We're not here tomorrow either because of the spring statement. I'm sure you're all looking forward to that!' This is not the first time ITV daytime shows have faced shake ups over the past few weeks. Loose Women, which usually airs weekdays from 12:30pm to 1:30pm, will be be off air on Wednesday (April 2). This means that This Morning, which is hosted by Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard (pictured) will also finish 15 minutes earlier Mariella Frostrup asked: 'It's not called a budget anymore?' 'No it's the spring statement tomorrow,' Ruth replied. 'We are going to be back on Thursday with Adolescence actor Mark Stanley. 'Hopefully you can join us then. Till then have a lovely afternoon, good bye!' The Chancellor's Statement started at 12:15pm and wrapped at 1:50pm, running for one hour and 35 minutes. The TV guide stated: 'What the Chancellor's Statement means for households around the UK.' Kaye Adams, 62, told viewers: 'We're off for the rest of the week sadly, but we will be back next Wednesday' Loose Women also didn't air between March 11 and 14. After a very emotional episode surprising Coleen Nolan's 60th birthday, the panel revealed the devastating news. Kaye Adams, 62, told viewers: 'We're off for the rest of the week sadly, but we will be back next Wednesday.' Instead viewers saw footage from Cheltenham Festival from 12:45pm until 5pm from Tuesday until the end of the week. This was followed by the usual instalments of The Chase and ITV News. Cheltenham Festival ran from Tuesday 11 March 2025 to Friday 14 March 2025. Loose Women airs Monday to Friday from 12:30pm on ITV1 and is available to stream on ITVX. The release date for Clarkson's Farm series four has been revealed alongside a string of first look photos, and Jeremy faces a huge new challenge. Fans will be welcomed back to the TV star's Diddly Squat Farm soon in a brand new instalment coming to Prime Video. The show is set to return to the streaming platform on May 23, with two additional episodes released a week later on May 30, followed by the final two on June 6. Life at Diddly Squat has changed massively since series three, and Jeremy will face the challenge of handling the farm alone. His co-star Kaleb Cooper has gone on a nationwide tour while Jeremy's partner Lisa Hogan is working on a new product line. It leaves Jeremy to 'navigate new challenges, ambitious projects, and hilarious moments'. The release date for Clarkson's Farm series four has been revealed alongside a string of first look photos, and Jeremy (pictured, left) faces a huge new challenge The show is set to return to the streaming platform on May 23, with two additional episodes released a week later on May 30, followed by the final two on June 6 Life at Diddly Squat has changed massively since series three, and Jeremy will face the challenge of handling the farm alone First look images of the new series show Jeremy back at Diddly Squat with his team. In one photograph, the star is sat in the wheel of his iconic Lamborghini tractor alongside Kaleb. Another shows Charlie Ireland posing with crates of glass bottle drinks, while a third sees Jeremy stood behind a bar, holding a pint. In a separate shot, Jeremy can be seen handing over a pint to an eager customer. The new series will see the former Top Gear legend attempt to purchase a pub after his Farm to Fork restaurant plans were thwarted. He has to deal with 'derelict buildings, red tape and a picnic site with a colourful past' during his mission to become a pub landlord. Fortunately, Jeremy will have some help from Charlie Ireland - known as 'Cheerful Charlie'. The show has received huge viewing figures, and is particularly popular in China. His co-star Kaleb Cooper (pictured, right) has gone on a nationwide tour while Jeremy's partner Lisa Hogan is working on a new product line First look images of the new series show Jeremy back at Diddly Squat with his team and one sees Jeremy stood behind a bar, holding a pint Another shows Charlie Ireland (pictured) posing with crates of glass bottle drinks, while in a separate shot, Jeremy can be seen handing over a pint to an eager customer When the third series hit Prime Video back in May, it earned an impressive 10.7 million views. Jeremy previously announced that a fifth season was confirmed, before the fourth was even announced, back in November. In a fun clip, a huge number five firework lit up the sky as Jeremy told his followers: 'Over the years bright lights in the sky have been used to make many important announcements. 'The birth of baby Jesus for example, but tonight they're being used to make an announcement that's even bigger than that. 'Season 5 of Clarkson's Farm is coming,' Jeremy finished, before pointing towards the gold number five. He captioned the post: 'It's the 5th November this just felt right, Clarkson's Farm S5 is officially in production.' Jeremy's announcement sparked delight from many of his followers, who quickly shared their excitement in the comments. It comes as The Mail's Richard Eden previously revealed that Jeremy Clarkson's, popular sidekick Kaleb pocketed 910,000 profit at Kaleb Cooper Productions, the company into which he channels his earnings from the series. When the third series hit Prime Video back in May, it earned an impressive 10.7 million views Jeremy previously announced that a fifth season was confirmed, before the fourth was even announced, back in November Accounts report 960,000 in assets before bills, including 400,000 in cash. Meanwhile, his takings, in the year to June 2024, include a 666,000 profit for the year. He set up his TV company in 2021 and runs it alongside farming businesses K Cooper Contracting and K Cooper Holdings. Profits made there amount to 100,000 combined, meaning Cooper has now made his first million at 26. The Chipping Norton native has long spoken about his dream of owning his own farm - something that now seems more achievable due to his newfound fame. Clarkson's Farm series one to three are available to stream exclusively on Prime Video. Given the 29-year age gap, would it be any surprise if Brad Pitt and his younger girlfriend are feeling a little, well, stale? But while issues of time are certainly forcing the 61-year-old Hollywood actor to do 'everything he can' to 'keep the love alive' with Ines de Ramon, 32 - it's not for the reason one might think. You see, Pitt has been shooting his latest movie in New Zealand while Ines, a jewelry executive, remains at their home in Los Angeles. And it seems the 20-hour time difference is taking a toll. 'Brad is struggling to keep the love alive,' the source tells the Daily Mail. 'He is doing everything he can to keep Ines happy. That means he is flying her to New Zealand to visit and showering her with special surprises and gifts. He is really in love with her and wants to keep the relationship as solid as can be.' Brad Pitt, left, is doing 'everything he can' to 'keep the love alive' with Ines de Ramon, right Canadian actress Anna Lambe, 24, is starring with the Hollywood actor in his new survival thriller Heart Of The Beast The couple, who went public with their relationship in November 2022, will mark their third anniversary this spring. And, our insider adds, Pitt is hoping they make the milestone. 'They are very much in love and happy to be in a healthy relationship,' the source says. 'Brad loves being with a woman who is not an actress because there is no competition at all, they have their own careers and there is zero jealousy.' Indeed, a relationship with a non-celebrity has marked a stark shift for Pitt whose previous partners have included A-list actresses Jennifer Aniston, Gwyneth Paltrow and his wife Angelina Jolie, whom he divorced after ten years in December. Pitt is not Ramon's first famous boyfriend, either. She was previously married to The Vampire Diaries star Paul Wesley, but they divorced after five years in November. Pitt's current shoot marks the longest time the couple have spent apart since moving in together in his LA mansion last year. The actor bought the luxury $8.3million mansion in the exclusive Los Feliz suburb in 2023, and has decked it out with a sauna, massage table and solar panels. The couple, who went public with their relationship in November 2022, will mark their third anniversary this spring Pitt famously finalized his divorce from his ex-wife Angelina Jolie in December Since March, Pitt has been on New Zealand's south island to shoot survival thriller, Heart Of The Beast. The film, which is being co-produced by his Plan B company, also stars the 24-year-old Canadian actress Anna Lambe. Pitt plays a former US Navy SEAL who becomes stranded in the wilderness with his retired 'combat dog' after a plane crash. It is not yet known what role Lambe, who starred in the TV show True Detective, will play. The actor has already been pictured on set wearing cargo pants and a camouflage-print top as he stood near a fire pit and bright yellow tent. He was also seen kayaking across a lake in a green canoe before filming scenes at the campsite. At one point, Pitt was seen chatting to the film and camera crew before getting back into character. Filming locations include the Kiwi resort Queenstown and the world-famous fjord, Milford Sound, which will be used as 'stand-ins' for Alaska where the film is meant to be set. Pitt is expected to be back in the United States in around six weeks to start promoting his new Formula One movie F1, which also stars Oscar-winner Javier Bardem and The Crown actor Tobias Menzies. Set in the high-stakes world of Formula 1 motor racing, Pitt plays a champion driver who comes out of retirement to challenge a young up-and-comer. They've been married for over 20 years however Brian Cox and his wife Nicole Ansari didn't have the smoothest of starts to their relationship. The couple, who tied the knot in 2002 and share two sons Orson Jonathan and Torin Kamran, met eight years before they eventually had their first date. Appearing on the week's Dish podcast with hosts Nick Grimshaw and Angela Hartnett, Brian, 78, and Nicole, 56, revealed how they first met and how Nicole left the Succession star feeling like a d***head. Speaking on the show, Brian explained the pair met for the first time in 1991 in Hamburg when he was performing in King Lear. Meeting at a party after the show he admitted: 'So, what happened was that, there was a party arranged after the show, and there was this rather vivacious young woman with lots of hair. She's still got a bit of it...' Describing how the couple hit it off he said: 'And we talked for, I don't know, for hours. And I thought, wow, this is amazing, this is incredible.' Brian Cox has revealed how he waited eight years for his first date with his now wife Nicole after she left him feeling like a 'd***head' in a Milan restaurant in 1991 (pictured last month) The couple tied the knot in 2002 and share two sons Orson Jonathan and Torin Kamran, but Brian was originally left looking like an 'idiot' after they first met (pictured 2003) Yet it wasn't the fairytale story he hoped as Nicole was already in a relationship at the time. He continued: 'And then it turned out that she was having a relationship with another actor in the company, as she does, I mean, they do.' Later the pair met in Milan where Brian falsely assumed Nicole had come to visit him. 'So I was in Milan, and she turned up in Milan and I thought, "oh!" And I got up, it was in a restaurant, and I got up and I [thought] "She's come for me." Like an idiot, you know? 'And everybody came in and I felt like a d***head, you know, because I stood up going, "Oh," and it wasn't the case.' Nicole confirmed: 'But I saw him, and my lover was behind me, and I thought, oh, I've come for him, not for him.' Explaining how the two then crossed paths eight years later, it was Nicole who made the first move. Brian explained: 'Then what happened was eight years later, I'm on Broadway doing Art, playing an Art, and I got into the theatre late. Appearing on Dish together he said: 'So I was in Milan, and she turned up in Milan and I thought, "oh!" And I got up, it was in a restaurant, and I got up and I [thought] "She's come for me." Like an idiot, you know?' He added: ''And everybody came in and I felt like a d***head, you know, because I stood up going, "Oh," and it wasn't the case' 'I came in and Jerry, the stage doorman said, "Hey Brian, You got a note. This broad left this note last night. She's got a note that's it's up there in your cubby hole, that's the note." 'So I rang the number, and it was where she was staying, and of course it was before mobile phones. So I said, "Well, can you tell her?" and she said, "Oh, she's on the other line." 'Then just as that happened, somebody came and said, "You've got a no-show tonight, you've got a ticket." 'So when I spoke to Nicole, I said, "There's a ticket. You can come to the show tonight if you want". 'So she ran all the way and she got a ticket, and so what I did, very cleverly.I pulled the card. I took a tango dancing that night. 'I was hopeless as a tango dancer. I thought I'd try my luck anyway. So she came and that was it...' Previously Brian has admitted that their marriage hasn't been without trying times, and they suffered a make or break evening in Texas two years into their romance, where Brian declared that either they needed to split or get married. He said last year: 'We went to the Little White Chapel in Vegas the next day. That was 24 years ago. It was great fun and that's been our relationship ever since.' Previously Brian has admitted that their marriage hasn't been without trying times, and they suffered a make or break evening in Texas two years into their romance (pictured 2020) Nicole also confessed their relationship has faced struggles, as she claimed there were 'four years of pure hell', which was aided by therapy. She said 'Our 25 years together have not been a fairytale. We had four years that were pure hell. We went to couples therapy and it helped a lot. 'He was always willing to work at it. Because after that first burst of falling in love, inevitably every relationship has moments where you have to decide: is this worth my time.' In 2023 the couple renewed their wedding vows in a surprise Vegas ceremony. Dish from Waitrose is available on all podcast providers. Advertisement Blake Lively has come under fire from furious fans who have lambasted her for a 'disgusting' act while filming A Simple Favor in 2018. The actress is currently embroiled in a lawsuit with her It Ends With Us co-star Justin Baldoni, after accusing him of sexual harassment and plotting a smear campaign to ruin her reputation. But in the wake of Justin's counter lawsuit, Blake's behaviour on various film sets has come under fire, with rumours surfacing there has been long-running tension with her co-star on A Simple Favor, Anna Kendrick. Due to her ongoing legal woes, Blake is not expected to partake in promotional duties for sequel Another Simple Favor, which will be released next month, and so far she has made just one appearance for the film's premiere at the SXSW Film Festival. Now a clip has emerged that shows a surprising side to Blake's behaviour on the set of A Simple Favor, when she confessed that she improvised a scene where she grabbed her co-star Henry Golding's privates. The Gossip Girl star first made the admission while recording a commentary for the film's Blu-Ray release, and lawyer and YouTuber @elsrich who has been following the Baldoni saga has drawn fans' attention to it again in the light of the legal battle. Blake Lively has come under fire from furious fans for a 'disgusting' act, after she confessed she improvised a scene where she grabbed her co-star's privates A clip has emerged that showed Blake in a scene from A Simple Favor, and in commentary for the Blu-Ray, she confessed it was her decision to perform the act on co-star Henry Golding The clip was then re-shared by Norwegian journalist Kjersti Flaa, who went viral earlier this year when she revealed how an awkward interview with Blake in 2016 nearly led her to quit her profession. The video showed a clip from A Simple Favor when Blake's character Emily Nelson taunts her husband Sean, played by Golding. In the tense scene, the pair lean in for a kiss while she grabs his manhood, and in the commentary, Blake admits she improvised the move as she felt it was something that her character would do Director Paul Feig can be heard saying: 'One of my favourite additions you came up with was you grabbed his nuts, and you really went for it too.' Blake then adds: 'That's always awkward, when you're like, "Hey nice to meet you! Can I grab your nuts really hard?". Not because I want to, because I feel like she would.' While Kjersti herself reprimanded Blake's behaviour, many fans also took to the comments to share their fury. Comments under her video included: 'This is absolutely unbelievable! 'OMG poor Henry looks so uncomfortable. This woman is shameless; Many fans have shared their fury for Blake in the comments Due to her ongoing legal woes, Blake is not expected to partake in promotional duties for sequel Another Simple Favor, which will be released next month 'Where was the ''intimacy coordinator'' lmao;' 'Maybe this is why he doesn't follow BL on Insta but he does follow Anna Kendrick.' MailOnline has contacted representatives for Blake Lively for comment. Blake seemingly attempted to shut down any rumours of tension between herself and co-star Anna in her latest Instagram post, but there was a very telling clue that all is not well. On Tuesday night, Blake shared a gallery of photographs from the movie's promotional tour in Austin and gushed over working with 'each of you' in a caption. She featured pictures of her co-star Anna and the film's director Paul Feig at Friday's SXSW Film Festival, but they weren't in any of the behind-the-scenes snaps. Another Simple Favor's director Paul tried to shut down any claims of tension between Blake and Anna amid the ongoing rumours. When a YouTube star claimed on X that Blake was 'terrified to walk the red carpet' with Anne at the Another Simple Favor premiere on Friday, Paul hit back with: 'Um youre wrong.' In an interview with People, he also gushed that making the film 'was too much fun' as he brushed off the allegations of behind-the-scenes tension. 'I mean, I had such a great experience on the first one. It always kind of stuck with me, like, "God, I love working with the two of them",' he said. Late last year, Lively filed a lawsuit against him as well as film producer Jamey Heath, Wayfarer Studios co-found Steve Sarowitz and more from Baldoni's team. In her complaint, she accused Baldoni and company of sexual harassment and orchestrating a smear campaign to ruin her reputation. In response, Baldoni filed a $400million defamation lawsuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds and their publicist Leslie Sloane, accusing them of shutting him out of his own film and ruining his career. He also filed a lawsuit against The New York Times' reporting on Lively's allegations. Over a week ago, Lively filed to dismiss Baldoni's $400 million defamation lawsuit, slamming it as 'vengeful and rambling.' In court documents obtained by DailyMail.com, Lively's attorneys slammed Baldoni's lawsuit as a 'profound abuse of the legal process that has no place in federal court' as they asked for all claims against her to be dropped. Late last year, Lively filed a lawsuit against her It Ends With Us co-star Justin Baldoni, where she accused him of sexual harassment In response, Baldoni filed a $400 million defamation lawsuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds and their publicist Leslie Sloane, accusing them of shutting him out of his own film In a shocking twist, the documents also state that Wayfarer's legal efforts against Lively may end up costing Baldoni's team $100 million due to a mandatory fee shifting provision in California Civil Code Section 47.1, which provides protections to individuals with claims of sexual harassment and similar allegations. It's the latest update in the messy legal ordeal between Lively and Baldoni, which officially began in December 2024 after Lively filed her complaint and Baldoni countersued in February. All parties have denied the allegations against them, and Reynolds and Sloane have also filed to be dismissed from the lawsuit. In the introduction and summary of their argument, Lively's legal team argues the lawsuit against her has 'no place in federal court' due to legal protections for individuals who have spoken out about sexual harassment or filed legal claims. 'The law prohibits weaponizing defamation lawsuits, like this one, to retaliate against individuals who have filed legal claims or have publicly spoken out about sexual harassment and retaliation,' the documents state. The former co-stars' trial date is set for March 9, 2026. Advertisement Roxy Jacenko has shared an embarrassing 'mum' moment after her 10-year-old son reprimanded her over his 'sweet drawer'. Taking to her social media, the PR queen, 44, explained that her boy, Hunter, had a 'small meltdown' because his cache of treats was not 'organised' to his liking. Roxy included a picture of the enormous drawer, which featured large glass jars clearly labelled to identify their contents. According to the photo, Hunter appears to have a wide selection of treats at his disposal, including chocolate, biscuits, mint slices, 'sour bears', and 'chewy lollies'. Captioning the Instagram story Roxy said: 'Small meltdown last night when the sweet drawer wasn't organised to a certain 10-year-olds liking.' Roxy added: 'I am certain this will meet in his requirements,' and included a series of laughing emojis. Roxy Jacenko has shared an embarrassing 'mum' moment after her 10-year-old son reprimanded her over his 'sweet drawer'. Pictured: Roxy and her son Hunter Taking to her social media, the PR queen, 44, explained that Hunter, had a 'small meltdown' because his cache of treats was not 'organised' to his liking She also included a second picture showing the jars organised into neat rows and added a joke caption: 'Hunter, is this what you were thinking?' Roxy, who often shares her parenting experiences online, recently posted a video of another domestic drama featuring her son. In March Roxy revealed that Hunter's pet hamster had become trapped behind some furniture. She included a video of Hunter in the share in which he could be seen attempting to coax the tiny rodent out from underneath a set of built-in drawers. Roxy had to resort to calling in a home service provider to rescue the pet after Hunter went into a 'complete meltdown' over the drama. In the footage, which was shared to Instagram, Hunter can be heard pleading with the animal to 'please come out'. Servicemen then attempted to rescue the distressed creature from its hiding spot underneath a set of drawers. 'Hunter is now having a full-blown meltdown, and all I can think of if it dies in there, it will stink,' she joked in the caption. Roxy included a picture of the enormous drawer which featured large glass jars, which were clearly labelled to identify their contents. (Pictured) Roxy shared this picture of Hunter's 're-organised' drawer Eventually, the servicemen were able to rescue the tiny grey hamster, and Roxy shared an image of the rodent being reunited with Hunter. 'Tears of joy from one member of the house,' she captioned the photo, in which Hunter can be seen crying. 'It was not me I assure you,' Roxy added. Roxy and husband Oliver Curtis relocated to Singapore with their children, daughter Pixie, 13, and son Hunter, 10 from Sydney in 2023. They made the move when Oliver got a job in the country, with Roxy then shut down some of her Australian businesses to join him there. However, she has since returned to Sydney and relaunched Sweaty Betty PR, two years after stepping down as director. Confirming her return in September, Roxy explained she was not born for 'housewifery' and actually finds it much 'easier' to run six businesses. Neil Young expressed his concerns about President Donald Trump preventing him from returning to America following his European tour. Born in Canada, the 79-year-old music legend, a dual U.S. and Canadian citizen, has been an outspoken critic of Trump, 78, calling him 'the worst president in the history.' With his first European tour in six years just over two months away, the Heart of Gold hitmaker fears Trump might 'bar' him from returning, or even put him 'in jail.' 'When I go to play music in Europe, if I talk about Donald J. Trump, I may be one of those returning to America who is barred or put in jail to sleep on a cement floor with an aluminum blanket,' he wrote on his website on Tuesday. He continued: 'That is happening all the time now. Countries have new advice for those returning to America. You can read about it at the CANADA Desk. If I come back from Europe and am barred, cant play my USA tour, all of the folks who bought tickets will not be able to come to a concert by me.' 'Thats right folks, if you say anything bad about Trump or his administration, you may be barred from re-entering USA,' he went on. Neil Young, 79, expressed concerns about President Donald Trump, 78, preventing him from returning to America following his European tour; seen performing in New Orleans in 2024 Born in Canada, the music legend, a dual U.S. and Canadian citizen, has been an outspoken critic of Trump, calling him 'the worst president in the history'; Trump pictured March 13 'If you are Canadian. If you are a dual citizen like me, who knows? Well all find that out together.' Young characterized the situation as a threat to freedom of speech. 'If the fact that I think Donald Trump is the worst president in the history of our great country could stop me from coming back, what does that say for Freedom? I love America and its people and its music and its culture. Remember Freedom of Speech?' The rocker went on: 'By these latest actions of our US government, it seems that those who speak out freely with their own opinions are now vulnerable to a non-existent Trump law. Then it seems to me that if you voted for Kamala Harris over Trump, that makes it possible for you to go to jail or be detained, punished in some way for not showing allegiance to what? How spineless is that?' 'Trump is not be able to stand up to anyone who does not agree with his ideas? Remember, all months have 30 days.' He concluded: 'One country, indivisible, with Liberty and Freedom for all. Remember that? I do.' Though Young posted the comments on April Fools Day, which typically warrants skepticism, his message aligns with his recent criticisms of Trump. Young will tour Europe from June 8 to July 13, followed by a U.S. tour with his band, Crazy Horse, beginning August 8 in Charlotte, which includes a September 15 performance at the Hollywood Bowl. With his first European tour in six years just over two months away, the Heart of Gold hitmaker fears Trump might 'bar' him from returning, or even put him 'in jail'; pictured February 'When I go to play music in Europe, if I talk about Donald J. Trump, I may be one of those returning to America who is barred or put in jail to sleep on a cement floor with an aluminum blanket,' he wrote on his website on Tuesday 'Thats right folks, if you say anything bad about Trump or his administration, you may be barred from re-entering USA,' he added; pictured 2009 Young will tour Europe from June 8 to July 13, followed by a U.S. tour with his band, Crazy Horse, beginning August 8 in Charlotte, which includes a September 15 performance at the Hollywood Bowl; pictured in 2015 The day prior he posted a similar message, writing, 'What's happening in our America right now, Our rights to free speech are being taken away and buried by our government. Reporters who do not agree with our government have been banned from interviewing our President.' 'Canadian-Americans like me have had their freedom threatened by activities such as taking private info from their devices and using it to block them from entering our country ie: If you dont agree with our government, you are barred from entering or sent to jail.' He went on: 'Dont let your knowledge be limited by todays politics and the controlling Trump agenda that challenges your basic American freedoms. You elected this president. He is your President.' In the same post he also blasted CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, Elon Musk, who has been spearheading the Trump administration's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). 'Elon Musk? Really? Think about it. He is a threat to America, enabled by our president because of the millions he spent supporting our presidents election.' In 2020, Young sued the Trump campaign to try to get them to stop using his music at their rallies. The rocker objected to the divisive politician playing his hits Rockin' in the Free World and Devil's Sidewalk in legal documents obtained by TMZ. The hitmaker said he 'in good conscience cannot allow his music to be used as a "theme song" for a divisive, un-American campaign of ignorance and hate.' The day prior he also blasted Elon Musk calling him 'a threat to America'; Musk seen in 2025 Young asked for damages and an injunction to ban Trump from playing his songs at future campaign rallies. 'This is NOT ok with me,' the musician tweeted from his official account, alongside a video of his 1989 hit Rockin' in a Free World blaring out over the event's speakers. And in 2020 he wrote an open letter to the US president, telling him, 'you are a disgrace to my country.' He added that Trump's 'bragging about the US economy does not disguise the fact' that he's boasting about figures he 'inherited 4 years ago', in a reference to his predecessor, Barack Obama. Lara Worthington let her natural beauty shine through as she went for a solo stroll in New York City on Tuesday. The Australian model, 37, flaunted the results of her regimented and very expensive skincare routine as headed out makeup free. As temperatures in New York hit a crisp 11C, Lara rugged up in a Renew X Dani Levi Balenciaga Firefighter Jacket. She threw the designer coat, which retails on secondhand designer sites for upwards of $2800, over a pair of straight leg blue jeans and a pair of classic sheepskin Ugg boots. The mother-of-three ran errands on foot and appeared engrossed on her phone. The outing comes as Lara (nee Bingle) announced she is gearing up to re-launch her cult beauty brand The Base in the coming months. Lara Worthington let her natural beauty shine through as she went for a solo stroll in New York City on Tuesday As temperatures in New York hit a crisp 11C, Lara rugged up in a Renew X Dani Levi Balenciaga Firefighter Jacket Millennials who came of age around 2013 will remember it consisted of a single tinted moisturiser called The LB Cream. LB was one of the few no-make up makeup products that felt effortless and did what it said on the tin. But by 2018, its cult following had tapered off and amid closure rumours, Lara relaunched the brand as a not-for-profit called Share The Base. Then it was gone. Two weeks ago, Lara made good on the hints she dropped in 2024 about a return to market. 'Its gonna be shiny and sexy, not the formulation lol the packing,' she penned in an announcement on her Substack. The Base and her newly fledge beauty brand Ommage Beauty will finally be available in the next few months. Lara confirmed that the original formula will remain the same, but that she has expanded from five to 12 shades for all skin tones. Perhaps drawing inspiration from her time as the face of New Zealand-born eco skincare 'It Girl' Emma Lewisham, Lara also noted her rebirthed brand will be refillable, vegan, fragrance free, and Australian made. The outing comes as Lara (nee Bingle) announced she is gearing up to re-launch her cult beauty brand The Base in the coming months Lara and her husband Sam Worthington relocated to New York City in 2022, leaving behind sunny Los Angeles and their native Sydney for a change in pace 'This product is my favourite white t-shirt of my makeup draw,' Lara said. 'Super blendable, you can control the coverage with minimal effort to apply. The coverage sits in between a foundation and a tinted moisturiser. Its the perfect amount of perfectnessssss for a speedy morning routine. 'Yes it has built in SPF!!! Ummmmmm what else?!?! Its Vegan! Its Cruelty free! Its Fragrance free! 'It sells out quickly but I will try and keep our stock levels more constant then before 'Its made in gods country Australia! 'My mum loves it.' Lara and her husband Sam Worthington relocated to New York City in 2022, leaving behind sunny Los Angeles and their native Sydney for a change in pace. Lara and Sam began dating in 2013 and married in secret a year later. They share three sons - Rocket, Racer and River. April 2, 2025: The war torn African nation of Congo recently suffered yet another disaster when Rwanda-based March 23 Movement/M23 rebels captured Goma, the provincial capital of North Kivu province. As of March the rebels continue to hold the city. M23 operations in the area caused a breakdown in medical care and government in general. In 2024 the Congolese Army continued to confront M23 rebels in North Kivu province. The ceasefire negotiated in early 2023 with M23 broke down in late 2023. Fighting intensified in early 2024. By May 2024 fighting with M23 had displaced an estimated 1.7 million people. In June 2024 an M23 unit threatened to attack Goma. Most of the North Kivu combat between government forces and M23 occurs near or along the Congo-Rwanda border where Goma is on the border. Congo claims the Rwandan government backs M23 and has threatened to attack Rwanda, which denies the charge. In June 2024 UN observers estimated up to 3,000 Rwandan Army soldiers were deployed in North Kivu. Tribal loyalties play a major role in this conflict. Rwandan Tutsis dominate Rwandas government. M23 is dominated by ethnic Tutsis from eastern Congo. Congolese Tutsis are often referred to as Banyamulenge Tutsis. The term originally referred to ethnic Tutsis from a specific area in South Kivu province but has come to mean any ethnic Tutsis who live in Congo. Felix Tshisekedi, the President since 2019, easily won the presidential and National Assembly elections at the end of 2023. Tshisekedi won because he had made considerable efforts to implement economic improvements that raised the standard of living for many Congolese. He was less successful in dealing with the growing threat from the M23 militia in eastern Congo, where the mining operations are. Tshisekedi just defeating then-President Kabila in an election was a remarkable feat because the former president had enriched himself with corrupt dealings. The worst corruption was in eastern Congo including Ituri, North and South Kivu provinces) and the southern Katanga province. These provinces are where foreign firms mine and export valuable minerals. The Congo government should have prospered from royalties earned from these foreign operations. Unfortunately, many of these foreigners, especially the Chinese, found it easier and cheaper to bribe key local officials and then do as they pleased. These corruption payments also enriched many Kabila allies in parliament. Once in office Tshisekedi took on Kabila and his powerful parliamentary coalition. Tshisekedi found allies in the UN and among donor countries and blocked Kabilas efforts to hide his corrupt activities while president. By 2021 the mining contracts Kabila agreed to with China were being audited. The audits found evidence of extensive wrongdoing by Kabila and China, which lost those contracts. Kabila is very much on the defensive, as are his cronies in parliament and the courts. Despite these setbacks and accusations that he embezzled $139 million, the investigation continued into 2024. Tshisekedi wanted to do this by the book so an ample quantity of relevant documents and sworn testimony was collected. Everyone knows Kabila is guilty, but doing something about it took a lot of time and effort. Meanwhile Kabila and his family live on a large farm outside the capital of Kinshasa. The investigation includes informing foreign nations that Kabila might flee if he was about to be arrested and prosecuted. The potential sanctuary states are regularly receiving updates on the investigation. This will make it difficult, if not impossible, to find a suitable sanctuary. Unsuitable sanctuaries like Cuba and a few other outlaw states are still available for a price. Tshisekedi originally used diplomatic and local opposition in 2019 to persuade President Kabila to stop trying to become a president-for-life. Kabila tried to revive the one-party dictatorship based on corruption and exploiting ethnic divisions. Kabila and father, who was president from 1997 until his assassination in 2001, had grown up opposing that sort of thing but here it was again. Kabila was supposed to leave office after the 2016 elections selected a new president. He could not run again and was unable to get the constitution changed. He was forced to allow elections at the end of 2018 but was able to rig the vote to get someone willing to cooperate with the corrupt system Kabila wanted to keep going. Felix Tshisekedi, the new president, would presumably benefit if he went along. Tshisekedi instead took on Kabila and his powerful parliamentary coalition. Tshisekedi found allies in the UN and among donor countries and blocked Kabilas efforts to hide his corrupt activities while president. China is losing those contracts, so Kabila is very much on the defensive, as are his cronies in parliament and the courts. The misdeeds of Kabila were the reason Congo was facing widespread chaos and civil war that was made worse by the ongoing ethnic divisions. Solutions have been sought since the 1960s and in 2013 the UN tried something novel, a special combat brigade of peacemakers called the Force Intervention Brigade. This brigade was given a license to kill, and kill as often as needed, to eliminate the last few rogue militias operating in the east. This solved many of the peacekeeping problems there, at least temporarily. Despite that, multiple tribal and political militias, plus an increasing number of bandits, continue to roam the eastern border area, perpetuating the bloodiest and least reported war of the 21st century with over six million dead. There is similar but less intense unrest in other parts of the country, especially the separatist minded southwest. The Congolese government discovered that it had to cope with the continuing corruption and lack of order in the east and southwest. The reason was always money, the millions of dollars available each year to whoever has gunmen controlling the mines that extract valuable ores and allow the stuff out of the country. Congo is finally emerging from this deadly chaos. In eastern Congos North Kivu province thousands of people have been driven from their homes because of rebel and Islamic terrorist violence. Most of the violence has been caused by the Allied Democratic Forces/ADF rebels. This is a Ugandan organization with strong connections to Moslem tribes in northern Uganda. In fact, since 2014 it has been regarded as an Islamist group. Peacekeepers launched several operations in 2014 against ADF bases in Congo. The 2014 operations weakened the ADF but did not eliminate it. After the massive 2014 anti-ADF operation, the ADF was found to still have around 500 fighters in Congo. Its bases near the Ugandan border could have supported up to 2,000 fighters. Interrogators spoke with several captured ADF fighters who reported that the ADF had a very active recruitment network in east Africa. The ADF made money smuggling illegal timber in the form of logs. This is a major source of income because most of it was from rare and exotic trees. The ADF also enforced its own interpretation of Islamic or sharia law. ADF fighters enslave Congolese women and children who are not Moslem. If someone was caught trying to escape from an ADF camp, they faced death by beheading or crucifixion. Such practices were popular among Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant/ ISIL groups in Syria, Iraq and Nigeria but there is no evidence that ADF considers itself part of ISIL. ADF justifies its use of slavery and brutal forms of execution by claiming to be defending Islam from Christians. Over 90 percent of Congolese are Christian. In southeastern Congos Lualaba province, the state-owned cobalt monopoly, Entreprise Generale du Cobalt/EGC, had been paying artisanal, or informal, cobalt miners a minimum price of $30,000 a ton for cobalt that was selling for $50,000 a ton. The government contended that unregulated mineral brokers paid artisanal miners much less than $30,000 a ton. For a long time these independent miners have produced about ten percent of Congos Cobalt. Most of those mineral brokers work with or for Chinese companies which control an estimated 70 percent of Congos mineral deposits and mining industry. The Chinese state-owned China Nonferrous Metal Mining Company Ltd./CNMC owns huge cobalt and copper reserves in Congo. CNMC is actually a group, with four very large subsidiary corporations. The Mineral and Mining Group/MMG, another Chinese organization, has stakes in several Congolese mines. In Lualaba province there is China Molybdenum Company/CMOC that acquired, in 2021, a 95 percent interest in Congos huge Kisanfu copper and cobalt deposits. CMOC bought the interest from an American company, Freeport-McMoran, and reportedly paid around $550 million. Since 2012 Chinese companies have invested over $10 billion in Congolese mineral assets. Thats the common open-source figure but some analysts contend the figure is somewhere over $12 billion. Given the high levels of corruption in Congo and the opacity of many Chinese business operations, the appropriate answer is who knows. Chinese production of electric vehicles is a major reason China invests in Congolese minerals. Congo is the worlds biggest cobalt producer, each year producing a growing majority of the worlds total cobalt. In 2020 Congo produced about 100,000 tons of cobalt, which was 71 percent of the world total. In 2024 Congolese and Ugandan soldiers continued to fight Cooperation for the Development of Congo/CODECO rebels. These rebels are based in eastern Congos Ituri province. The fighting spills into northwest Ugandas West Nile province. The CODECO rebels are armed with guns, bows and arrows and machetes. Advertisement Love Island Australia star Grant Crapp and his girlfriend Lucy Cartwright have welcomed their third child - a baby boy. The former reality TV star, 30, shared a sweet photo to social media on Wednesday which captured their newborn being hugged by his two older siblings. Grant revealed their son's name in the caption. 'Oliver Benjamin Crapp. Welcome to the family,' he wrote. Many of Grant's celebrity friends took to the comment section with their well-wishes. 'Party of 5!!' wrote I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! co-host Julia Morris. 'What a beautiful family,' added Olympic swimmer Emily Seebohm. Love Island Australia star Grant Crapp and his girlfriend Lucy Cartwright have welcomed their third child - a baby boy Grant and his partner Lucy are already the proud parents of daughter Charli, four, and son Levi, two. The couple's relationship caused quite the stir in 2018 when Grant won season one of Love Island Australia with his on-screen partner Tayla Damir. Despite leaving the reality show in a relationship with Tayla, it was quickly revealed he had a 'secret girlfriend' back in Canberra. Grant and Tayla then split up, with the star getting back together with Lucy in the weeks that followed. Despite this controversy, the pair have gone from strength to strength ever since, and have purchased two homes together, in addition to having three children. In 2019, Grant bought their first home together in Malua Bay, New South Wales. And after snapping up the three bedroom cabin up for $380,000, the electrician has been renovating it ever since. Grant has completely transformed the property, which is located two hours from his former home of Canberra, since becoming a first time homeowner. The former reality TV star, 30, shared a sweet photo to social media on Wednesday which captured their newborn being hugged by his two older siblings Grant and his partner Lucy are already the proud parents of daughter Charli, four, and son Levi, two The star stripped the kitchen of its former fixtures, swapping the orange design for a an all white look and vibrant yellow countertops and tiles. He has created a more intimate lounge space, away from the vast open plan layout that the house previously had. Centered around the original slow combustion wood burner, Grant has set up a bold blue corner sofa with additional two seater couch. 'I am a perfectionist,' joked Grant, while highlighting the his wall-mounted TV which features no visible wires or cables. Mocking the original walls and woodwork in the room, Grant added: 'What the F is with "mission brown" skirting [boards]?' Grant described the original look as 'very 80s and old fashioned' with 'weird colours' before having the room professionally re-designed. With everything fitted new, the reality star went on to reveal that the entire room was made-over for just $1,500. Grant claims the modest price covered $900 in labour for the plumbing and tiling, and $600 for the materials that were 'mostly bought from Bunnings'. The Smallville actress Erica Durance's marriage of nearly 20 years is officially over. Durance has finalized her divorce from her husband David Palffy, her rep told TMZ on Tuesday. But the actress, who played Lois Lane on Smallville, may have now found her own Clark Kent after revealing over the weekend that she is seeing a new man. The latest shakeup for the cast of Smallville comes after the series' star Tom Welling was arrested for a DUI in Northern California earlier this year. Durance's rep revealed that she and Palffy had finalized their divorce last year, and since then she has already moved on to a relationship with a new man. The actress was first reported to have separated from her then-husband in April 2023. The Smallville actress Erica Durance's marriage of nearly 20 years is officially over ; (LR) Smallville stars John Glover, Durance, Kristin Kreuk and Tom Welling seen in 2022 in NYC Durance has finalized her divorce from her husband David Palffy, her rep told TMZ on Tuesday. She revealed she was dating a new man over the weekend as well; Durance pictured with David Palffy in 2005 in Paris However, it wasn't clear how long she and Palffy had been separated at the time, but her representative clarified that the two separated earlier in 2022. The news that her divorce has been finalized comes just as Durance revealed that she has moved on with a new man. She reportedly debuted the relationship over the weekend with a since-expired Instagram Stories post featuring a photo of herself and her boyfriend. 'To my magic man, Lets keep walking together in the rain,' she sweetly captioned the photo. However, the Saving Hope star covered up his face with an emoji, and she doesn't appear to have revealed his identity elsewhere. Durance's representative did confirm she was dating someone, calling it a 'great relationship.' However, they declined to share her new boyfriend's identity or reveal when they began dating. Both Durance and her ex-husband Palffy were Canadian, and their divorce was carried out in Canada. A rep said Durance and Palffy had separated in 2022. Their divorce was finalized in 2024; Durance and Palffy pictured in 2006 in NYC The actress starred as Lois Lane on Smallville. ; pictured with costar Tom Welling Durance and Palffy began dating in 2001 and married in 2005. They share two young sons, and eight-year-old and a six-year-old Over the weekend, Durance posted a photo of herself with her new boyfriend, but she blocked his face with an emoji and didn't reveal his identity; seen in 2017 in Toronto, Canada The couple began dating in 2001 and wed in 2005. They share two young sons, an eight-year-old and a six-year-old. Prior to her relationship with Palffy, Durance was married to Wesley Parker from 1996 until their 1999 divorce. Palffy's last credited performance on IMDb was from 2013, and he has primarily appeared on television in small supporting roles. His most prominent role was on Stargate SG-1, in which he appeared as the characters Anubis and Sokar in 11 episodes from 1999 to 2004. Durance is primarily known for her work in television, though she did play a lead in the direct-to-video sequel to The Butterly Effect. After her breakout role in Smallville, she starred on the medical drama Saving Hope from 2012 to 2017. She also returned to superhero shows in recent years with a recurring role on Supergirl, as well as a return to playing Lois Lane on one episode of the short-lived Batwoman series in 2019. Advertisement Michelle Williams modeled a slinky, plunging slip dress for a press day in New York City on Tuesday. The 44-year-old Dawson's Creek alum is promoting her forthcoming sex-positive FX series Dying for Sex. Her delicate babydoll-style frock was accented with ivory lace trim and included a slightly billowy ruffled skirt. Ever a fashionista, Williams whose A-list BFF recently spoke on their decades-long friendship teamed the fun and flirty ensemble with a pair of thigh-high, black, leather boots. 'The show careened from dramatic to absurd to hilarious to unbelievable and then back again,' Williams described in a New York Magazine cover story Monday. Based on the hit Wondery podcast of the same name, the miniseries tells the story of Molly (Williams), a woman diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer who leaves her husband of 15 years (Jay Duplass) and begins to explore her sexuality, according to Deadline. Michelle Williams modeled a slinky, plunging slip dress for a press day in New York City on Tuesday The 44-year-old Dawson's Creek alum is promoting her forthcoming sex-positive Hulu series Dying for Sex Molly is encouraged to make the life-altering change by her best friend Nikki Boyer, played by Jenny Slate. 'She was healing wounds on her deathbed,' Nikki told The New York Post in 2020. 'Her lifelong dream was to write a book and be a published author. She waited until the last few months of her life to do it. She was thinking the clearest she ever had in her life.' Directed by Leslye Headland with a script co-written by Elizabeth Meriwether and Kim Rosenstock, the cast also includes Rob Delaney, Esco Jouley and Sissy Spacek. Meriwether and Rosenstock also serve as showrunners and executive producers with Headland, Katherine Pope, Boyer, plus Jen Sargent, Marshall Lewy, Aaron Hart and Hernan Lopez. Production began years ago and picked up momentum in spring 2023 before the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes put it on hold. The show, which marks Michelle's return to acting following a hiatus, is her first project since she shot The Fabelmans. It also marks Williams' return to FX, where she starred as Gwen Verdon in the limited series Fosse/Verdon (2019). For a hotel masturbation scene, Michelle had to get creative, coming up with six different ways to climax. 'You've already done, like, four scenes, and then it's five o'clock at night and you have to do six masturbation sequences with six sculpted, individuated orgasms, and youre like, "Woo! Okay,"' she recounted. Her delicate babydoll-style frock was accented with ivory lace trim and included a slightly billowy ruffled skirt. Ever a fashionista, Williams teamed the fun and flirty ensemble with a pair of thigh-high, black, leather boots Williams accessorized with a plum-colored purse and gold jewelry 'The show careened from dramatic to absurd to hilarious to unbelievable and then back again,' Williams described in a New York Magazine cover story Monday She added, 'I just kept joking, like, "Just so you know, this is how Molly comes, not Michelle. This is not my come face."' And she mused: '[The show] definitely opened my eyes in a way that was also like, "God, I'm such a dummy for not having realized this stuff sooner!"' Amid the press tour for Michelle's new show, one of her closest friends, Busy Philipps, shared rare remarks about their friendship including the 'moments' she felt they 'might not recover from.' They first crossed paths in the 1990s while filming the hit teen drama series Dawson's Creek, and quickly became close pals. 'We just know each other and get each other in such a deep, fundamental way at this point,' Philipps, 45, expressed to Page Six on Saturday. She added that both she and Williams have experienced 'so many different moments in each other's lives,' from 'wonderful ones' to ones they thought they 'might never, ever recover from.' However, Busy gushed, 'When you have a friend like that, you're blessed. That's all you can really ever hope for in this life.' Advertisement Andy Lee has spoken about the lengths he is prepared to go to to make his home renovation dream a reality. The funnyman, 43, is currently restoring a 150-year-old derelict mansion by the river in Hawthorn, Melbourne. Andy revealed on the Fifi, Fev and Nick show that he and fiancee Rebecca Harding, 35, squeezed themselves into a one bedroom apartment for more than a month amid their extensive $5million overhaul. 'We were in the Quest Apartments for quite a while,' Andy explained. 'It was a few more weeks than we wanted it to be - it was about six weeks.' While Andy admitted he and his Welsh Terrier Henrietta didn't mind the scaled-down digs, it was a different story for Bec. Andy Lee has spoken about the lengths he is prepared to go to to make his home renovation dream with fiancee Rebecca Harding a reality 'Bec was like, "you realise we could go and live somewhere else,"' he said. 'I was like, "this is fine, the dog loves it."' He then admitted that Bec's main issue with the apartment wasn't space, but rather a lack of readily available laundry detergent. 'She goes, "yeah, but we have to go and ask for laundry detergent when they don't fill our little pods,"' Andy continued. Fill-in host Jules Lund agreed with Bec, claiming that asking staff for detergent may not give off the right vibe. 'And you just sound like a tweaker,' Jules declared. 'We're renovating a mansion down by the river Can I have some dishwashing tablets? 'Oh no, we've got some cookers in at The Quest.' Elsewhere in the lighthearted chat, Andy rubbished the suggestion from Jules that the comedian might one day enter politics. Andy revealed on the Fifi, Fev and Nick show that he and Rebecca squeezed themselves into a one bedroom apartment for more than a month amid their extensive $5million overhaul 'We were in the Quest Apartments for quite a while,' Andy explained. 'It was a few more weeks than we wanted it to be - it was about six weeks' 'Definitely not,' Andy said. 'I get asked that a bit, weirdly.' When he asked if he gave off 'pollie vibes' co-host Fifi Box replied with a resounding, 'no'. 'Its an offensive thing to be considered, I reckon.' Andy added. Andy and Rebecca have grand plans for their Italianate manor, with the planned renovation worth an estimated $5 million having begun in 2023. The comedian has been hard at work on the derelict Melbourne mansion, called Ravenswood, he bought in 2021, in a Block-style rebuild. The couple won council approval for their development application back in June 2023. Plans for the site include adding a second building which will be connected by a tunnel to the original Italianate mansion, which was built around 1876. Other highlights planned for the 1950square metre holding include a home theatre, a gym, a swimming pool and a 'mega bedroom'. Andy and Rebecca have grand plans for their Italianate manor, with the planned renovation worth an estimated $5 million having begun in 2023 The comedian has been hard at work on the derelict Melbourne mansion, called Ravenswood, he bought in 2021, in a Block-style rebuild In a statement to the Herald Sun, Boroondara Council confirmed it had issued a notice of decision to grant a planning permit for the Yarra Grove address. One neighbour told the Sydney Morning Herald in December that the construction cacophony had caused the couple to lose 'a lot of community goodwill'. 'The noise is just horrendous,' the disgruntled neighbour told the publication. 'Some residents just leave they go away for a week at a time and come back on the weekend.' The publication also reported that residents are angry over construction noise that had continued for 26 weeks. The noise was due to piling reinforced steel pillars and it was also reported that dust from 'constant' rock breaking, had coated the solar panels on nearby houses. Former TOWIE star Shelby Tribble showcased her 'huge' baby bump with a comparison snap to her first pregnancy on Tuesday, as she revealed her due date. The reality star, 32, announced last year that she is expecting her second child with her partner Sam Mucklow, 32. And now, looking back at her first pregnancy, Shelby posted a picture of her blossoming bump now and compared it to her pregnancy bump when she was expecting her first child, Abel. She revealed that she 'feels huge this time around' as she showed her fans the noticeable difference. Next to the pictures, Shelby quipped: 'Abel bump, 7th Nov 2020 was Abel's due date. But he was born on the 15th.' Revealing her baby's due date, which is in a matter of days, she added: 'My bump with Abel felt big but looks tiny compared to the new baby who is due on the 17th.' Former TOWIE star Shelby Tribble showcased her 'huge' baby bump with a comparison snap to her first pregnancy on Tuesday, as she revealed her due date She revealed that she 'feels huge this time around' as she showed her fans the noticeable difference (pictured while pregnant with her first child in 2020) Shelby went on to showcase her bump in a new Instagram video ahead of her gender reveal. She was glowing as she cradled her bump and slipped into a white bralette and blue jeans to film the clip for her 437,000 followers. The brunette beauty held up two knitted baby beanies with adorable bear ears - one embroidered with 'brother' and one with 'sister'. She wrote: 'Blue or Pink what do you think? We know what baby number two is but what are your thoughts' Shelby and Sam shared their happy news that they're expecting their second child with a sweet post on social media in October alongside their son Abel, two. They posted a photo of a yellow cake with 'oh baby' written on it alongside a photo of their ultrasound scan. Shelby and Sam then shared two adorable black and white snaps of them cutting into the cake with wine glasses with Abel. The skin clinic owner captioned the post: 'Baby Number 2 coming soon' The couple met while starring on the ITVBe reality show in 2018 and confirmed their relationship the following year. Shelby went on to showcase her bump in a new Instagram video ahead of her gender reveal She was glowing as she cradled her bump and slipped into a white bralette and blue jeans to film the clip for her 437,000 followers The brunette beauty held up two knitted baby beanies with adorable bear ears - one embroidered with 'brother' and one with 'sister' The reality star, 32, announced last year that she is expecting her second child with her partner Sam Mucklow, 32 They posted a photo of a yellow cake with 'oh baby' written on it alongside a photo of their ultrasound scan They then welcomed their first child, a son called Abel, into the world in 2020 but announced their split in October 2020. Despite their separation, it was reported the couple were determined to keep things 'normal' for their baby boy. The news did not come as a shock to fans, since the last photograph Shelby posted of herself and Sam together was back in June, during a family holiday. Shelby had also been hinting at problems on social media, writing in August: 'Go where you are celebrated not tolerated,' alongside a solo shot on a night out. Sparking speculation that she is single, she shared a TikTok video featuring audio that said: 'This is a song i wrote about men... It is called ew...' with the caption: 'Am I speaking for the majority of us at this point?'. A source told The Sun at the time: 'They're still co-parenting their child together and want to keep things normal for Abel but the romantic relationship is over - Shelby's being supported by family and friends.' Shelby and Sam have had a turbulent on/off relationship, which was well documented on TOWIE. The couple began sleeping with each other on a 'friends with benefits' basis but things soon turned sour when Sam decided to pursue a romance with Demi Sims while on a group trip to Thailand in 2019. Shelby and Sam reunited in March five months after their shock split The couple announced her first pregnancy in May 2020, posting a loved-up picture holding a baby scan photo while she showcased her blossoming bump Shelby and Sam have had a turbulent on/off relationship, which was well documented on TOWIE (pictured on the show) During a heated row, Sam called Shelby a 's**g' but months later, the couple decided to give things another go. However, they were met with opposition when Shelby's best friend Clelia Theodorou told her she had felt deserted because Shelby was spending all her time with Sam. The former BFF's had several bitter rows, with Clelia accusing her of not being there for her when she was at her lowest point after splitting from her boyfriend (Sam's best friend). It was then Shelby and Sam decided to step back from TOWIE in order to focus on their romance. In a statement shared on Instagram, the property manager said: 'Me and @shelbytribble have never been happier and we are continuing our little fairytale away from the pressure and anxiety from the show. 'I really feel I have made the right decision to focus on the things that are truly important to me!" Prior to this, Shelby had been dating TOWIE's Tom McDonnell and Pete Wicks. Sam was previously in a romance with Ex on the Beach's Nicole Bass. Advertisement Married At First Sight star Bronte Schofield has broken her silence in an explosive, no-holds-barred interview. The outspoken bride has finally set the record straight on her controversial link to current groom Adrian Araouzou, her infamous relationship with ex-TV husband Harrison Boon, and her eyebrow-raising stint on OnlyFans. The former bride, who famously endured one of the show's most chaotic relationships with 'gaslighting' groom Harrison in 2023, admitted she knew the Adrian saga would explode the second she was snapped out with him in Perth last month. 'As soon as that photo was taken, I knew it was going to go crazy,' Bronte said, laughing. The Perth-based beauty confirmed that it wasn't her who initiated contactbut Adrian himself, who slid into her DMs off his own free will. 'I have literal receipts. Everyone's saying I chased him, but it was him who chased me,' she insisted. Married At First Sight star Bronte Schofield has broken her silence in an explosive, no-holds-barred interview. Pictured The former bride, who famously endured one of the show's most chaotic relationships with 'gaslighting' groom Harrison in 2023, admitted she knew the Adrian saga would explode the second she was snapped out with him in Perth last month. Both pictured 'He even admitted he wished he was matched with me instead of Awhina,' she continued. While Bronte made it clear she 'felt for Awhina' after Adrian's cheeky comments, she also added she's been in Awhina's position before. 'I know what it's like to be matched with someone who wishes they were with someone else,' she said. 'But I never told Adrian to message me - that was all him. And when Cleo [Awhina's sister] jumped online slamming me, I was disappointed. She could've just reached out to me privately and I would've cleared the air.' For those wondering if the flirty DMs sparked a real romance, Bronte shut down the speculation. 'No, I'm not dating Adrian. I'm very single and very happy that way. If I choose to date anyone, that's my choice. 'But let's be realhe's not my type and I'm definitely not signing up for another Harrison 2.0.' Bronte also lifted the lid on what really went down behind closed doors with Harrison during their tumultuous season. The Perth-based beauty confirmed that it wasn't her who initiated contactbut Adrian himself, who slid into her DMs off his own free will While Bronte made it clear she 'felt for Awhina' after Adrian's cheeky comments, she also added that been in Awhina's position before. (Awhina pictured with Adrian) 'Of course I had feelings for Harrison at some point,' she confessed. 'People think I was crazy for staying, but what they didn't see was how heavily producers manipulated me. I wanted to leave so many times, but producers would wind me down for hours, telling me Harrison had feelings for me and I shouldn't throw that away.' 'I would literally sit backstage during commitment ceremonies, so sick to my stomach, being begged to stay.' Despite their explosive fights and Harrison's behaviour, Bronte admitted there were moments she genuinely wanted to make it work. 'I'll never deny that I did care about him during the experiment. But we were never, ever going to work. We are chalk and cheese.' Bronte didn't shy away from addressing her time on adult platform OnlyFans either, revealing she raked in significant earnings during her short stint on the site. 'I left OnlyFans a long time ago. It was a hot minute - I made my money and dipped,' she said unapologetically. 'People criticised me, but honestly, I was fresh off the show, traumatised, paying $45 for a head of lettuce during the cost-of-living crisis - why wouldn't I capitalise off being on one of the biggest shows in Australia?' Despite their explosive fights and Harrison's behaviour, Bronte admitted there were moments she genuinely wanted to make it work Bronte didn't shy away from addressing her time on adult platform OnlyFans either Her advice to any future MAFS contestants considering joining? 'If you want to do it, have a thick skin. People will judge you, but they're just jealous. Do it, make your money and leave.' Since leaving the spotlight, Bronte has reopened her beauty business in Perth and is focused on rebuilding her life away from the cameras. But she admits it's taken her nearly three years to feel like herself again. 'I left that experiment a shell of a woman. My parents even told me they saw the light go out of my eyes on TV.' 'It's taken me years to bounce back, but I'm finally in a good place. I'll never do reality TV again. You couldn't pay me enough.' And while she laughs off the trolls these days, Bronte admits she wishes she hadn't let the online noise get to her in the past. 'My biggest mistake post-show was feeding the trolls. That's all they want - a reaction.' While Bronte says she'd never return to MAFS or any heavy reality show, she joked she'd consider something more light-hearted. 'I was meant to be on I'm A Celebrity this year but pulled out when I heard Harrison might be on. No chance in hell was I doing that.' 'But I'd love to do The Amazing Race with my sister Kirra or even Dancing With The Stars - I actually can dance!' Married At First Sight continues Sunday at 7pm on Channel Nine. John Boyega slammed the Star Wars franchise and its fans while reflecting on the racist backlash he received after being cast in the iconic saga. The British actor, 33, said the franchise is 'so White that it's like, a Black person existing in [it] was something,' while appearing in the new two-part AppleTV+ documentary, Number One on the Call Sheet. 'Star Wars always had the vibe of being in the most whitest, elite space,' the actor who previously claimed his role was 'sidelined' for white co-stars Daisy Ridley and Adam Driver said, as he criticized fans who can't accept diverse casting. 'They're okay with us playing the best friend, but once we touch their heroes, once we lead, once we trailblaze, it's like, "Oh my God, it's just a bit too much! They're pandering!"' he added. Boyega played the franchise's first black ex-stormtrooper, Finn, in The Force Awakens (2015) and its two sequels, The Last Jedi (2017) and The Rise of Skywalker (2019). He also pointed out how fans tend to make a big deal out of the few Black characters in the franchise. John Boyega, 33, slammed the Star Wars franchise and its fans while reflecting on the racist backlash he received after being cast in the iconic saga; pictured March 12 in Hollywood Boyega played ex-stormtrooper Finn in The Force Awakens (2015) and its two sequels, The Last Jedi (2017) and The Rise of Skywalker (2019); seen in a still from The Force Awakens 'You can always tell it's something when some Star Wars fans try to say, "Well, we had Lando Calrissian and had Samuel L. Jackson!" It's like telling me how many cookie chips are in the cookie dough. It's like, they just scattered that in there, bro!' Despite his issues with the franchise, Boyega admitted that his first Star Wars film was 'a fundamental moment' in his career, and called it the 'opportunity of a lifetime.' 'We waited months for that. When that big call came in, that's that call that all those stars talk about that changed their life and stuff. It's like, "That's it? That's the call!" It's such an attack on reality.' Boyega previously criticized the franchise for significantly reducing his character's importance from a co-lead in The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi to a smaller role in The Rise of Skywalker. 'What I would say to Disney is do not bring out a Black character, market them to be much more important in the franchise than they are and then have them pushed to the side. It's not good,' he said in a 2020 interview with British GQ. At the time he claimed that the trilogy gave 'all the nuance' to main characters Rey (played by Ridley) and the villainous Kylo Ren (played by Driver.) Discussing his experience of being a black cast member in the films, the actor suggested his white co-stars Driver and Ridley were given more complex characters in comparison to himself or Kelly Marie Tran, who is of Vietnamese descent. He said: 'Like, you guys knew what to do with Daisy Ridley, you knew what to do with Adam Driver.' He said the franchise is 'so White that it's like, a Black person existing in [it] was something,' while appearing in the new two-part AppleTV+ documentary, Number One on the Call Sheet 'Star Wars always had the vibe of being in the most whitest, elite space,' the actor said, as he criticized fans who can't accept diverse casting; seen in a still with Daisy Ridley 'They're okay with us playing the best friend, but once we touch their heroes, once we lead, once we trailblaze, it's like, "Oh my God, it's just a bit too much! They're pandering!"' he added; pictured in a still with Kelly Marie Tran He previously claimed his role was 'sidelined' for white co-stars Daisy and Adam Driver, whose characters Rey and Kylo Ren were given 'all the nuance'; Driver, Ridley and Mark Hamill seen in a promotional photo for The Last Jedi 'You knew what to do with these other people, but when it came to Kelly Marie Tran, when it came to John Boyega, you know f**k all.' 'So what do you want me to say? What they want you to say is, "I enjoyed being a part of it. It was a great experience" Nah, nah, nah. I'll take that deal when it's a great experience.' 'They gave all the nuance to Adam Driver, all the nuance to Daisy Ridley. Let's be honest. Daisy knows this. Adam knows this. Everybody knows. I'm not exposing anything.' At the time, the Peckham-born star also discussed his experiences with racism after he was cast in Star Wars, explaining how he was the only member of the cast who had people saying they were going to 'boycott' the franchise because he was in it. He said: 'I'm the only cast member who had their own unique experience of that franchise based on their race.' 'Let's just leave it like that. It makes you angry with a process like that. It makes you much more militant; it changes you.' 'Because you realize, "I got given this opportunity but I'm in an industry that wasn't even ready for me." 'Nobody else in the cast had people saying they were going to boycott the movie because [they were in it].' 'You guys knew what to do with Daisy Ridley, you knew what to do with Adam Driver. You knew what to do with these other people, but when it came to Kelly Marie Tran, when it came to John Boyega, you know f**k all,' he said in a 2020 interview with British GQ; seen with Ridley 'Let's be honest. Daisy knows this. Adam knows this. Everybody knows. I'm not exposing anything,' he said; (L-R) Tran, Driver, Hamill, Ridley, and Boyega seen in 2017 'Nobody else had the uproar and death threats sent to their Instagram DMs and social media, saying, "Black this and black that and you shouldn't be a Stormtrooper." 'Nobody else had that experience. But yet people are surprised that I'm this way. That's my frustration.' Despite his frustrations, in a 2020 interview with Jakes's Takes, Boyega seemingly signaled that he would be open to returning for more films under some conditions. 'I'm open to the conversation as long as it is [Kathleen Kennedy], J.J. [Abrams] and maybe someone else [on their] team. [Then] it's a no-brainer,' he said. Boyega currently has a few projects in pre-production, including Otis & Zelma and Attack the Block 2. His most recent role includes the 2023 film, They Cloned Tyrone, where he played Fontaine, and the 2022 historical epic The Woman King, where he starred as King Ghezo. Advertisement Hollywood star Bill Murray has been slammed by fans after an awkward moment with Aussie actress Naomi Watts on US television. The pair were appearing on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen to promote their latest film The Friend, when Murray became a little too familiar. It occurred during a Q&A portion of the show when viewer Amina called in asking Watts, 56, to nominate her favorite on-screen kiss. Before the Mulholland Drive star could give her answer, Murray, 74, pounced on his co-star and grabbed her face and planted a kiss square on her lips. It appeared the kiss was not rehearsed and Watts looked taken aback after the exchange. Murray, who had previously starred alongside Watts in the 2014 dramedy St Vincent, offered a thumbs-up to the camera after his impromptu move. Hollywood star Bill Murray has been slammed by fans after an awkward moment with Aussie actress Naomi Watts on US television 'Youve got lipstick on your face,' Watts said to her co-star, before asking 'did I go red?' The Ghostbusters star merely stared down the barrel of the camera before declaring: 'That was too easy.' Murray's impromptu PDA was met with a chorus of disapproval from viewers, who branded the actor as 'gross'. 'I feel so bad for her that she had to pretend to be okay afterwards,' one commenter wrote. 'He just humiliated her on live TV.' Another chimed in with: 'The death grip on her face... poor Naomi' while a third added 'I would throw up.' Another angry viewer wrote: 'The look he gives the camera like...yep and wtf are you gonna do about it?' Watts did eventually get the chance to answer the question, admitting that her favorite on-screen kiss was with husband Billy Crudup. The pair were appearing on Watch What Happens Live to promote their latest film The Friend, when Murray became a little too familiar It occurred during a Q and A portion of the show when viewer Amina called in, asking Watts to nominate her favorite on screen kiss Before the Mulholland Drive star could give her answer, Murray pounced on his co-star and grabbed her face and planted a kiss square on Naomi's lips It comes after Watts revealed how Crudup put her at ease during their first sexual encounter after she told him about going through early menopause. In an extract from her forthcoming book published by The Times, she candidly reflected on her and Crudup's romance that blossomed after she experienced menopause at the age of 36. The Oscar-nominated actress admitted she wasn't looking for love when their paths crossed while filming the Netflix thriller Gypsy - shortly after her split from American actor Liev Schreiber in 2016. However, Watts began to see Crudup in a different light after one of their steamy scenes when he 'spontaneously flung a pillow across the room while ravishing me with such passion that I blushed and broke character'. Recalling their first time together, Watts said she excused herself to go to the bathroom and remove her hormone therapy patch - but became conscious after it left a mark on her body. She dwelled on how Crudup might react to her being menopausal, while worrying about whether he wanted more children, for so long that he eventually called out to her. 'I came out mortified,' she continued, before telling him everything about being in early menopause. Murray's impromptu PDA was met with a chorus of disapproval from viewers, who branded the actor as 'gross' 'I feel so bad for her that she had to pretend to be okay afterwards,' one commenter wrote. Murray and Watts are pictured in a scene from the 2014 film St Vincent 'I wear these hormone patches, and I didn't want you to see it because then you would know I'm in early menopause, which means I am old, and you wouldn't want me and, oh my God, should I just leave?' Watts recalled their conversation. However, Crudup's response instantly quelled her fears about ageing, as he quipped: 'Hey, if it makes you feel better, I've got grey hairs on my b***s.' Elsewhere in the book extract, Watts opened up about rediscovering her sexuality after menopause, grappling with its lesser-known symptoms and other 'gory details', as well as challenging Hollywood's ageism. On her initial reluctance to write about her menopause experience, she said: 'My fear was too great. 'I was told I would never work again if I admitted to being menopausal, or even perimenopausal. Hollywoods lovely term for such women was unf***able."' Advertisement Married At First Sight star Michael Goonan has left fans stunned after sharing photos of himself wielding a heavy-duty machine gun while on holiday in Cambodia. The reality TV veteran, 33, recently took to social media to post images from his visit to an army base. In the pictures, he was seen posing with high-powered weaponry and checking out military equipment. In one photo, Goonan knelt down while gripping a large machine gun with a belt of bullets draped around his shoulders. Behind him an armoured tank and a missile were on display, adding to the dramatic scene. A second image showed him at a shooting range aiming a rifle at a set of targets as he tested his marksmanship skills. Married At First Sight star Michael Goonan has left fans stunned after sharing photos of himself wielding a heavy-duty machine gun while on holiday in Cambodia In 2021, Michael revealed he had 'made peace' with his ex-girlfriend KC Osborne after their stint on Celebrity Ex on The Beach. Michael told fans during an Instagram Q&A: 'I've made my peace with KC, but I haven't made my peace with Stacey yet.' The Adelaide businessman then asked his former MAFS bride Stacey Hampton if she was also willing to put their differences aside and be friends again. 'You want to make peace? I know you're seeing this?' he cheekily asked. Michael described his relationship with KC as a lot more 'mature' compared to his on-screen relationship with Stacey. 'When it comes to feelings and that, Stacey and I would just fight for days on end, so I don't know,' he explained. In 2020, Michael's split with KC Osborne sent shock waves among MAFS fans. KC announced their parting and admitted while she thought he was her 'forever,' they just simply couldn't go the distance. A second image showed him at a shooting range aiming a rifle at a set of targets In 2020, Michael's split with KC Osborne sent shock waves among MAFS fans 'It hurts my heart to write this. It's with sadness that I have chosen to end my relationship with Michael,' she wrote. KC went on to explain that the pair had been together for almost five months and that their time living together in lockdown in Melbourne 'felt like a lifetime while isolating'. 'Michael became my best friend and five months felt like a lifetime while isolating. I packed my bags and moved in with him with hopes this would be my forever,' she said. While not going into detail about the split, KC said she hoped Michael can 'make some changes' and said she wishes him nothing but the best. 'It's not my place to talk personally about Michael, however I do hope Michael makes some changes as I will always believe in his potential and wish blessings on his life,' she added. Michael meanwhile told Daily Mail Australia in a statement that he's a 'workaholic' and 'hadn't been able to give KC the time she deserves'. Advertisement Madeleine West has opened up about her pregnancy at the age of 47 as she prepares to welcome her seventh baby into the world. The Neighbours star already shares five daughters and one son with her ex-partner, celebrity chef Shannon Bennett. In a preview for an upcoming interview on 60 Minutes, West said she is not letting naysayers get to her and is determined to keep 'dancing to the beat of my own drum'. She said many people were shocked to learn she was pregnant with yet another child at her age, but she was also 'surprised' by the sheer amount of support she received. 'There was a lot of shock, naturally. And then, "Are you sure? You're at this point in your life. Your career is blossoming. You've got all these kids,"' West told host Tara Brown. 'But I am surprised by so many people who have reached out saying, "I've done what you're doing and I felt so alone. I felt like everyone would see me at the playground and they would think I'm grandma."' Madeleine West has opened up about her pregnancy at the age of 47 as she prepares to welcome her seventh baby to the world When asked if she had ever been called a 'grandma at the playground', the actress responded: 'Oh yeah, naturally. But my argument has always been I've always danced to the beat of my own drum. 'I've always done things a little bit different. A little bit outside the norm.' It comes after West revealed the response she received from her friends after she announced her pregnancy in January. On Sunday, the TV starwho shares Phoenix, 19, Hendrix, 16, Xascha, 14, Xanthe, 12, and twins Xalia and Margaux, 10, with Shannon, 49said her pals' initial reaction to her pregnancy news was surprise. 'When I first reached out to my circle and revealed the big news, there was certainly a look. A bit of a stunned mullet, I would say,' she shared. However, she added the shocked expression was soon followed by 'wow' as her friends asked if she was going to 'keep' the baby. The controversial question also opened up a conversation about 'geriatric pregnancies' and the risks which come with them, which she expanded on in her interview with Stellar Magazine. 'I strive to not see motherhood as a limitation on my capacities,' she told the publication, but rather something that 'adds to it exponentially'. In a preview for an upcoming interview on 60 Minutes, West said she is not letting naysayers get to her and is determined to keep 'dancing to the beat of my own drum' She went on to say while falling pregnant certainly wasn't something she was expecting, it was a welcome surprise nonetheless. 'I feel like this little person has come along at the best possible time when I'm so very ready,' she said. West went on to say she now has 'more time, wisdom and experience' when it comes to parenting. Reflecting on what is often coined as a 'geriatric pregnancy', the soon to be mum-of-seven expressed her frustration with the world's lack of conversations around later pregnancy. West said it's not something 'society discusses at large' despite 'the very real fact that the rate of women having babies in their 40s is increasing'. Back in January, West announced she was pregnant with her seventh child a decade on from her most recent birth. She revealed the surprising news in an Instagram post. In the photo, she flaunted her growing baby bump in a tight-fitting tank top which was lifted to reveal her bare tummy. 'WHOOPS!' she captioned her post. 'Thought it was #perimenopause. I thought WRONG! It's not too much Christmas pudding either. I couldn't be happier.' Amid her life-altering battle with facial paralysis, Bristol Palin has shared a shock revelation with fans. The daughter of Sarah Palin, 34, revealed on Monday that she's been sober from alcohol for an entire year. It marks the first time that Bristol has openly discussed her relationship with alcohol and her sobriety journey. Bristol celebrated the milestone in a now-expired text post uploaded to her Instagram Story. '365 days without alcohol.. *which sounds dramatic because I've never been a big "drinker,"' wrote the influencer, who boasts over 550,000 followers. Bristol went on to say that she prefers navigating life with a 'completely sober mind' and she recommended her fans do the same. Amid her life-altering battle with facial paralysis, Bristol Palin has shared a shock revelation with fans The daughter of Sarah Palin, 34, revealed on Monday that she's been sober from alcohol for an entire year She continued: 'But this year of having a completely sober mind has allowed me to reevaluate a lot. I don't want to alter the state of my mind, and don't want to 'take the edge off' of anything. 10/10 would recommend.' One day after revealing she's one-year sober, Palin returned to Instagram to provide an update on her facial paralysis, which she's been battling for 10 weeks. The mystery condition has left her with 'no muscle movement' on the left half of her face. And as of Tuesday, Bristol reported that she's experienced little improvement in the last 71 days. 'this feels so vain to talk about, but here's the update.. 71 days and my face is still half paralyzed,' wrote Bristol, who included footage of herself struggling to make facial expressions. She also spoke in the video about getting 'nerve blocks' in her neck and back during her recent visit to Alaska. According to the Cleveland Clinic, nerve blocks are an 'injection of medication close to a targeted nerve or group of nerves to provide temporary pain relief.' Bristol believes that the injections 'have improved' her condition and she is experiencing 'a lot less' of a pulling sensation in her face and neck. One day after revealing she's one-year sober, Palin returned to Instagram to provide an update on her facial paralysis, which she's been battling for 10 weeks 'this feels so vain to talk about, but here's the update.. 71 days and my face is still half paralyzed,' wrote Bristol, who included footage of herself struggling to make facial expressions She also spoke in the video about getting 'nerve blocks' in her neck and back during her recent visit to Alaska While she is now able to move her left eyebrow 'a little,' Bristol said that's the extent of the improvement. She concluded her update by revealing her plans to return to Alaska in a few weeks to get 'something more extreme because this is a very bad case [of facial paralysis].' Bristol first revealed her shock ailment in January. She said that the first sign something was wrong was when she noticed that her face had suddenly started 'pulling' to the left. 'I woke up nine days ago with a little weird sensation in my face - my mouth was pulling [to the left], and it just felt a little off,' she said in a January 29 Instagram video. 'Within a couple of hours, the entire left side of my face was numb and just paralyzed,' she said at the time. She said she couldn't blink her eye and 'definitely had no movement on the side of [her] face.' At the time, Bristol said that her doctor believed she had a case of Bell's palsy which is temporary paralysis or weakness of the facial muscles as the tests she underwent turned up 'nothing.' Since then, the mother-of-three has been doing acupuncture '4 times a week' as part of her ongoing search for a cure. Bristol's recent Alaska trip wasn't entirely medical related. She was also there to visit her son Tripp, 16, who moved to Alaska last year to live with his father and Bristol's ex-fiance Levi Johnston. Bristol first revealed her shock ailment in January Since then, the mother-of-three has been doing acupuncture '4 times a week' as part of her ongoing search for a cure During the trip, Bristol got to see Tripp attend his first prom. On Monday, the proud mom uploaded a photo of Tripp, rocking a navy blue suit and Nike sneakers, twirling around his prom date before heading to the dance. 'tripp had prom this weekend, how is this even possible [smiling teary-eyed emoji,' Bristol captioned the post. Bristol is based in Texas with her other two kids daughters Sailor Grace, eight, and Atlee Bay, seven who she shares with ex-husband Dakota Meyer, 36. She revealed that Levi had moved out of their Texas home in an August 2024 Instagram post. Bristol had posted an image of her two daughters on the doorstep of their house to commemorate their first day of school, while detailing the changing dynamic in her family. The Wasilla, Alaska native posted an image of her younger two daughters in the post, with text explaining how she's dealing with the move. 'This has been the hardest 'first day of school' yet with one of the biggest pieces of my heart missing,' Bristol said. 'Tripp has decided to finish out high school in Alaska to be closer to his dad and our entire family. 'If you know Tripp, you know he lives for hunting/fishing and I honestly can't blame him for wanting to be back home.' Bristol said she was doing her best to cope with the change. 'As hard as it is has been to come to this decision it's truly not about what I want,' she penned. Bristol cited her son growing older and the value of him spending time with his father in explaining how she's handling the family issue. 'He's almost 16 years old and that relationship with his dad is a lot more important than my own selfish desires of having him with his mama forever!' Bristol said. Over the weekend, Bristol got to see her son Tripp, 16, attend his first prom in Alaska, where he now lives with his dad Levi Johnston Bristol pictured in May of 2022 along with her son Tripp, 16, daughters Sailor Grace, nine, and Atlee Bay, seven, and ex-husband Dakota Meyer, 36 Bristol was thrust into the national limelight in 2008 amid her mother's vice presidential campaign alongside then Republican presidential candidate, late Arizona Sen. John McCain; Bristol seen in 2018 Bristol said she was still highly emotional about the situation, and hoping for as seamless a transition as possible. 'I can't talk about it yet without crying,' Bristol said, 'but selfishly praying for a quick year and easy transition for us.' Bristol was thrust into the national limelight in 2008 amid her mother's vice presidential campaign alongside then Republican presidential candidate, late Arizona Sen. John McCain. She appeared at the Republican National Convention in September 2008 alongside Johnston, as her pregnancy with Tripp when she was 17 made headlines, amid her mother's swift rise to political prominence as McCain's running mate. Advertisement Hollywood star Val Kilmer - famed for iconic roles in Top Gun, Batman and The Doors - has died at 65 after a long health battle. His daughter Mercedes Kilmer, whom he shared with ex-wife Joanne Whalley, revealed he passed from pneumonia in Los Angeles on Tuesday. The screen icon was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014 and underwent surgery, including a tracheotomy which significantly impacted his ability to speak. He was later declared cancer free. Kilmer was known for his role as Iceman in the 1986 hit movie Top Gun and as Batman/Bruce Wayne in the 1995 Batman Forever. Despite his permanently damaged voice, he made a brief return to the screen in 2022's Top Gun: Maverick, reprising his role as Iceman opposite Tom Cruise. It was his final big screen appearance. The Los Angeles native also famously played musician Jim Morrison in the 1991 film The Doors. Aside from Mercedes, 33, he is also survived by son Jack Kilmer, 29. Kilmer was married to their mother, fellow actress Joanne, from 1988 until 1996. Hollywood star Val Kilmer - famed for iconic roles in Top Gun, Batman and The Doors - has died at 65 after a long health battle; seen in July 2019 in New York City The actor died from pneumonia in Los Angeles on Tuesday; pictured in a 1986 still from Top Gun In 1991, he famously played musician Jim Morrison in The Doors; pictured in a still from the movie His death was confirmed by the New York Times on Tuesday. Kilmer underwent both radiotherapy and chemotherapy for his cancer as well as a tracheostomy a procedure to create an artificial hole in this neck to help him breathe. The latter permanently damaged his vocal cords and consequentially forever altered his speaking voice. Kilmer reported in 2020 that he had been cancer-free for four years. Leading the tributes to the fallen star was his friend and fellow actor Josh Brolin. The No Country For Old Men star who shared a throwback photo of the two actors grinning ear-to-ear sometime prior to an emergency tracheotomy Kilmer had in 2014 after his throat cancer was discovered. 'See ya, pal,' Brolin captioned the photo affectionately. 'I'm going to miss you.' He praised Kilmer as a 'smart, challenging, brave, uber-creative firecracker,' adding, 'There's not a lot left of those.' His daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, 33, whom he shared with ex-wife Joanne Whalley, confirmed his passing to the New York Times; Mercedes and Val in Los Angeles in 2019 Kilmer underwent both radiotherapy and chemotherapy for his cancer as well as a tracheostomy a procedure to create an artificial hole in this neck to help him breathe; pictured with Ben Donenberg in 2019 The latter permanently damaged his vocal cords and consequentially forever altered his speaking voice; seen with rumored ex Angelina Jolie in 2004 'I hope to see you up there in the heavens when I eventually get there,' Brolin continued. 'Until then, amazing memories, lovely thoughts.' In a post on Instagram, the actor Josh Gad shared a photo of Kilmer in glories days from the filming of Top Gun. 'RIP Val Kilmer. Thank you for defining so many of the movies of my childhood. You truly were an icon,' he captioned the post. The comic actor and filmmaker Jorma Taccone, who is part of The Lonely Island with Andy Samberg and Akiva Schaffer, simply wrote 'love you, Val' in a post on X (formerly Twitter). The sports guru and podcast Bill Simmons shared what looked like a photo of a polaroid of Kilmer in costume on the set of Heat. 'There wasn't anyone quite like Val Kilmer. Really enjoyed his work. RIP,' he wrote. In the Amazon Prime documentary entitled Val, Kilmer spoke candidly about living with the consequences of throat cancer including having to use an electric device called a voice box on the artificial hole in his throat to talk. 'I obviously am sounding much worse than I feel. I can't speak without plugging this hole [in his throat],' he said. A voice box device is most commonly a battery-operated machine that produces sound to create a voice, and is used to help those suffering with throat cancer communicate. The actor, who also had to have meals through a feeding tube, explained some of the other challenges. Less than two months before his death, Kilmer published what would be one of his final social media posts on February 23, 2025. He uploaded haunting footage of himself hanging out in a padded room with artist/musician David Choe, which was originally filmed in 2021 Leading the tributes to the fallen star was his friend and fellow actor Josh Brolin, who shared a photo of the two of them 'See ya, pal,' Brolin captioned the photo affectionately. 'I'm going to miss you' Tributes poured in for the actor 'You have to make the choice to breathe or to eat. It's an obstacle that is very present with whoever sees me,' he said. Val's son provided the voice-over narration of the documentary but his lines were written by Val himself. Kilmer has previously detailed how he was unaware he had throat cancer until one day he coughed up 'coagulated blood' and called for an ambulance before passing out. He then woke up in a Santa Monica hospital after an emergency tracheotomy for throat cancer. Speaking to the New York Times about denying he had throat cancer, he explained: 'They said I was denying that I had cancer, and when they asked me, I didnt have cancer. It was a bit like do you have a broken bone? And if you broke it in high school, you would say no.' He added that radiation and chemotherapy 'caused his suffering', not the cancer itself. His parents were Christian Scientists, a movement to which Kilmer would adhere for the rest of his life. Christian Scientists believe that sickness and sin are mental errors, not physical problems, and can be healed through prayer and understanding of spiritual truths. Val said he believes it was 'prayers' that cured him, not the chemotherapy. In 2020, Kilmer said he 'healed very quickly' following his throat cancer diagnosis, in an interview with Good Morning America. 'This is a tracheotomy,' he said while holding his hand to his throat, 'to help me breathe because the glands in my throat swelled up as well'. When asked what he misses the most about his voice, Kilmer told GMA: 'That I had one! And that I didn't laugh like a pirate.' While he stopped attending red carpet events in 2019, Kilmer kept up with fans by sharing his artwork and rare selfies to his Instagram. And less than two months before his death, Kilmer published what would be one of his final social media posts on February 23, 2025. He uploaded haunting footage of himself hanging out in a padded room with artist/musician David Choe, which was originally filmed in 2021. The star looked relatively healthy with a slim build, clean-shaven face and his hair worn slightly long. He rocketed to stardom as Tom Cruise's co-star in the smash 1986 hit Top Gun (1986), playing naval aviator Tom 'Iceman' Kazansky Despite his permanently damaged voice, he made a brief return to the screen in 2022's Top Gun: Maverick (pictured) He also played Batman/Bruce Wayne in the 1995 Batman Forever (pictured in a still) WHAT IS PNEUMONIA? Pneumonia is a type of chest infection that affects the tiny air sacs in the lungs. The condition causes these sacs to be become inflammed and fill with fluid, making it harder to breathe. Pneumonia is caused by bacteria or viruses, with the most common being Streptococcus pneumoniae. It affects between five and 11 out of every 1,000 adults every year in the UK. Anyone can suffer from pneumonia, however, at-risk groups include: Babies and young children People over 65 Those with long-term heart, lung or kidney disease People with cancer, particularly those having chemotherapy Smokers Those on drugs that suppress their immune systems Antibiotics or mechanical ventilator use in hospitals also raise the risk. Symptoms include Coughing up mucus Fever Chest pain Loss of appetite Fatigue In severe cases, sufferers may cough up blood, vomit or have a rapid heart rate. Treatment is usually antibiotics, which may need to be given intravenously in hospital in severe cases. Source: British Lung Foundation Advertisement In the clip, Kilmer spoke briefly before trying on a custom Batman mask made for him by Choe. Kilmer quipped that it's 'been awhile' since he's relived his Batman glory days. After putting the mask on, Kilmer stared into the camera before panning to a colorful Batman portrait that was presumably painted for him by Choe. Along with the video, Kilmer shared visuals of Choe's other Batman-related artwork as well as clips of the artist talking about his love for the superhero. Kilmer did not caption the February 2023 post, which garnered nearly 30,000 'likes' from his 634,000 Instagram followers. Kilmer's actual final Instagram post was published on March 22. It featured a photo of one of his original paintings, which he'd signed and posted on his website for sale. 'It's got that late-night glow,' he wrote of the artwork. 'Cool tones with a low burn, like when the camp fire cools down but you're still wide awake.' Kilmer was one of Hollywood's most prominent leading men in the 1990s before numerous spats with directors and co-stars and a series of flops dented his career. Over the years, Kilmer gained a reputation as temperamental, intense, perfectionistic and sometimes egotistical. 'When certain people criticize me for being demanding, I think that's a cover for something they didn't do well. I think they're trying to protect themselves,' Kilmer told the Orange County Register newspaper in 2003. In the 1993 Western Tombstone, he played Old West gunfighter Doc Holliday (pictured in a still) 'I believe I'm challenging, not demanding, and I make no apologies for that.' Kilmer was born December 31, 1959, in Los Angeles to Gladys Swanette and Eugene Dorris Kilmer. His parents divorced in 1968 when he was 8 years old. His younger brother Wesley drowned in a jacuzzi at the age of 15. Kilmer attended Chatsworth High School with Kevin Spacey, and later became the youngest person at the time to be accepted into the famed Juilliard Schools Drama Group. He made his film debut starring in the spy spoof Top Secret! (1984) before appearing in the goofy comedy Real Genius (1985). He rocketed to stardom as Tom Cruise's co-star in the smash 1986 hit Top Gun (1986), playing naval aviator Tom 'Iceman' Kazansky, and decades later appeared alongside Cruise again in the 2022 sequel Top Gun: Maverick. Kilmer was thrilled for the opportunity to reprise his role as Iceman in Top Gun: Maverick. The actor was famous for playing the calm, cool rival to Tom Cruise's Maverick in the original 1986 film. However, when the actor admitted in a 2013 interview will Larry King that he had not been approached about appearing in a proposed Top Gun sequel, Cruise reportedly rallied the troops to ensure his buddy was included. In an interview with People, producer Jerry Bruckheimer declared, 'Tom said he wasn't going to make the movie without him.' As such, once the final script was approved, it made allowances for Ice who had been promoted to Admiral to take part in the fun. 'So the fact that he was able to do it and he worked with us on the script,' explained the producer, 'to have him there and be a part of it was a really emotional day when we filmed him. Because you want to see those two on the screen again, Iceman and Maverick going at it. And that's what movie making and audiences love.' Aside from Mercedes, he is also survived by son Jack Kilmer, 29; the siblings seen in 2021 Kilmer was married to their mother, fellow actress Joanne from 1988 until 1996; the couple seen in 1990 That particular element is one that received high marks from critics and fans alike. Val's son, Jack recalled how 'stoked' his father was to be joining the cast. '[My sister,] Mercedes, and I went down to San Diego to that big naval base for the shoot with Tom Cruise and everyone. And there were hundreds of extras of real pilots coming up to us and telling us that the first Top Gun inspired them to join the Navy and the Air Force.' 'It was one of the proudest moments of being American that you could think of really.' Kilmer starred in director Ron Howard's fantasy Willow (1988) and married his British co-star Joanne, with whom he had two children before divorcing. One of his most challenging roles came in director Oliver Stone's The Doors (1991) in which he played Jim Morrison, the charismatic and ultimately doomed lead singer of the influential rock band The Doors. To try to persuade Stone to cast him, Kilmer put together an eight-minute video of himself singing and looking like Morrison at various points in his life. Kilmer's own singing voice is used in the film. The Doors ushered in the highest-profile years of his career. In the 1993 Western Tombstone, he played Old West gunfighter Doc Holliday. He had two commercial successes in 1995, co-starring with Al Pacino and Robert De Niro in the crime drama Heat and succeeding Michael Keaton as the Caped Crusader in Batman Forever, the third installment in the Batman series. Batman Forever was received tepidly by critics, and Kilmer was upstaged by co-stars Tommy Lee Jones and Jim Carrey. Kilmer pulled out of the next Batman movie. Director Joel Schumacher called Kilmer 'the most psychologically troubled human being I've ever worked with.' In 2020, Kilmer revealed he had been single since the year 2000 in his memoir, I'm Your Huckleberry. Over the years, Kilmer gained a reputation as temperamental, intense, perfectionistic and sometimes egotistical; seen with ex-girlfriend Cher 'I haven't had a girlfriend in 20 years. The truth is I am lonely part of every day,' he wrote. 'I've always found women infinitely more interesting than men. Perhaps that's why we've always gotten along. We are big oafy elephants...and they are butterflies.' Val was pictured kissing Winona Ryder in 2005 and claimed to have dated his Alexander leading lady Angelina Jolie in 2004, but apparently they were not committed relationships. Kilmer has loved some of the most beautiful women in the world including romances with Daryl Hannah and Cindy Crawford. The Jay and Silent Bob Reboot actor has especially kind words for his ex-girlfriend Cher, who allowed him to move into her Malibu guest house after he was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2015. 'Once Cher works her way inside your head and heart, she never leaves. For her true friends, her steadfast love and loyalty never die,' Val wrote. Despite his acclaimed career, Kilmer never received an Oscar or Emmy nomination, with his closest brush with a major award being a 2012 Grammy nomination for Best Spoken Word Album for The Mask of Zorro. Advertisement After a devastating years-long battle with throat cancer and deteriorating health, Val Kilmer has passed away at the age of 65. The death of the beloved actor - known for his work in Top Gun (1986) and Batman Forever (1995) - was confirmed by his family to the NYT on Tuesday night. HIs throat cancer battle, which began in 2014 and saw him undergo chemotherapy, radiation and surgery before being declared cancer-free in 2021, forced him to step back from the Hollywood spotlight. While he stopped attending red carpet events in 2019, Kilmer kept up with fans by sharing his artwork and rare selfies to his Instagram. And less than two months before his death, Kilmer published what would be one of his final social media posts on February 23, 2025. He uploaded haunting footage of himself hanging out in a padded room with artist/musician David Choe, which was originally filmed and posted by Choe in 2021. Val Kilmer's haunting final post has been revealed in wake of news that the actor passed away at age 65 The star looked relatively healthy with a slim build, clean-shaven face and his hair worn slightly long. In the clip, Kilmer, whose vocal cords were damaged by his throat cancer treatments, spoke briefly before trying on a custom Batman mask made for him by Choe. Kilmer, who famously played the caped crusader 30 years ago, quips that it's 'been awhile' since he's re-lived his Batman glory days. After putting it on, Kilmer stares into the camera before panning to a colorful Batman portrait that was presumably painted for him by Choe. Along with the video, Kilmer shared visuals of Choe's other Batman-related artwork as well as clips of the artist talking about his love for the superhero. Kilmer did not caption the February 2023 post, which garnered nearly 30,000 'likes' from his 634,000 Instagram followers. Kilmer's actual final Instagram post was published on March 22. It featured a photo of one of his original paintings, which he'd signed and posted on his website for sale. 'It's got that late-night glow,' he wrote of the artwork. 'Cool tones with a low burn, like when the camp fire cools down but you're still wide awake.' On February 23, 2025, the Batman Forever star shared footage of himself with artist David Choe, which was originally captured in 2021 In the clip, Kilmer, whose vocal cords were damaged by his throat cancer treatments, spoke briefly before trying on a custom Batman mask made for him by Choe While Kilmer's passion for art stemmed from childhood, he made it his primary focus after his ailing health forced him to give up acting. News of Kilmer's untimely death has shocked fans and Hollywood. His daughter Mercedes Kilmer, whom he shared with ex-wife Joanne Whalley, revealed he passed from pneumonia in Los Angeles on Tuesday. Aside from Mercedes, 33, he is also survived by son Jack Kilmer, 29. Kilmer was married to their mother Joanne from 1988 until 1996. Kilmer was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014 and underwent surgery, including a tracheotomy which significantly impacted his ability to speak. He was later declared cancer free. Kilmer was known for his role as Iceman in the 1986 hit movie Top Gun and as Batman/Bruce Wayne in the 1995 Batman Forever. He also famously played musician Jim Morrison in the 1991 film The Doors. Kilmer last attended a public red carpet event in 2019. He joined fellow actors, like Ben Donenberg, at Simply Shakespeare's Live Read of The Merchant Of Venice, which was held at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles on October 28, 2019. Kilmer, who covered his 2015 tracheostomy with a neck scarf, appeared in high spirits as he posed for photos with his daughter Mercedes. Kilmer underwent both radiotherapy and chemotherapy for his cancer as well as a tracheostomy a procedure to create an artificial hole in this neck to help him breathe. The latter permanently damaged his vocal cords and consequently forever altered his speaking voice. The star looked relatively healthy with a slim build, clean-shaven face and his hair worn slightly long Kilmer did not caption the February 2023 post, which garnered nearly 30,000 'likes' from his 634,000 Instagram followers In the Amazon Prime documentary entitled Val, Kilmer spoke candidly about living with the consequences of throat cancer including having to use an electric device called a voice box on the artificial hole in his throat to talk. 'I obviously am sounding much worse than I feel. I can't speak without plugging this hole [in his throat],' he said. A voice box device is most commonly a battery-operated machine that produces sound to create a voice, and is used to help those suffering with throat cancer communicate. The actor, who also had to have meals through a feeding tube, explained some of the other challenges. 'You have to make the choice to breathe or to eat. It's an obstacle that is very present with whoever sees me,' he said. Kilmer has previously detailed how he was unaware he had throat cancer until one day he coughed up 'coagulated blood' and called for an ambulance before passing out. He then woke up in a Santa Monica hospital after an emergency tracheotomy for throat cancer. In 2020, Kilmer said he 'healed very quickly' following his throat cancer diagnosis, in an interview with Good Morning America. 'This is a tracheotomy,' he said while holding his hand to his throat, 'to help me breathe because the glands in my throat swelled up as well'. When asked what he misses the most about his voice, Kilmer told GMA: 'That I had one! And that I didn't laugh like a pirate.' Kilmer was one of Hollywood's most prominent leading men in the 1990s before numerous spats with directors and co-stars and a series of flops dented his career. Over the years, Kilmer gained a reputation as temperamental, intense, perfectionistic and sometimes egotistical. 'When certain people criticize me for being demanding, I think that's a cover for something they didn't do well. I think they're trying to protect themselves,' Kilmer told the Orange County Register newspaper in 2003. The death of the beloved actor known for his work in Top Gun (1986) and Batman Forever (1995) was confirmed by his family to the NYT on Tuesday night; seen in July 2019 Kilmer was known for his role as Iceman in the 1986 hit movie Top Gun He also famously played musician Jim Morrison in the 1991 film The Doors 'I believe I'm challenging, not demanding, and I make no apologies for that.' He made his film debut starring in the spy spoof Top Secret! (1984) before appearing in the goofy comedy Real Genius (1985). He rocketed to stardom as Tom Cruise's co-star in the smash 1986 hit Top Gun (1986), playing naval aviator Tom 'Iceman' Kazansky, and decades later appeared alongside Cruise again in the 2022 sequel Top Gun: Maverick. Kilmer was thrilled for the opportunity to reprise his role as Iceman in Top Gun: Maverick. The actor was famous for playing the calm, cool rival to Tom Cruise's Maverick in the original 1986 film. However, when the actor admitted in a 2013 interview will Larry King that he had not been approached about appearing in a proposed Top Gun sequel, Cruise reportedly rallied the troops to ensure his buddy was included. In an interview with People, producer Jerry Bruckheimer declared, 'Tom said he wasn't going to make the movie without him.' As such, once the final script was approved, it made allowances for Ice who had been promoted to Admiral to take part in the fun. 'So the fact that he was able to do it and he worked with us on the script,' explained the producer, 'to have him there and be a part of it was a really emotional day when we filmed him. Because you want to see those two on the screen again, Iceman and Maverick going at it. And that's what movie making and audiences love.' Kilmer's final ever film role left tears in fans' eyes as he returned to screens and his poignant final appearance has reemerged online in light of his death aged 65. Val Kilmer's final ever film role left tears in fans' eyes as he returned to screens as Tom 'Iceman' Kazansky in the Top Gun sequel alongside Tom Cruise's Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell He was famed for his role as Iceman in the 1986 smash hit original Top Gun movie (pictured) and lead star Tom, 62, rallied to make sure Kilmer could return as his on-screen rival Kilmer last attended a public red carpet event in October 2019 (pictured) Kilmer's vocal chords were damaged after a tracheotomy in 2014 following a throat cancer diagnosis but AI technology was used to regenerate his voice in the 2022 blockbuster AI technology was used to regenerate his voice in the 2022 blockbuster after Kilmer's vocal chords were damaged following his tracheotomy in 2014. Iceman communicated with Maverick via typed words on a screen, with some of Kilmer's words regenerated via AI being heard out loud. After their emotional on-screen conversation, where Iceman advised Maverick to 'let go' of the past and move on, scenes saw Maverick attending his friend's funeral. Viewers were reduced to tears at the emotional scenes at the time and fans have been re-watching the poignant moment after the news of Kilmer's death. Comments included: 'This Scene hits 10 times harder now RIP Val'; 'Time to watch Maverick again. There couldn't have been a better sendoff. RIP Val Kilmer'; 'What a fitting send off for Val Kilmer, thank you for giving us Iceman. Rest in peace'; 'Rest in Peace Mr. Kilmer, a great actor and a beautiful final film performance'; 'This is how you show respect and honor for legacy characters and their relationships. Beautiful scene'; 'We love you Iceman. Fly high in paradise. RIP Val.' The scene was equally as moving for Kilmer and Cruise as the American actor previously revealed there wasn't a dry eye in the house during filming. Speaking in his Amazon Prime documentary in 2021, Kilmer admitted: 'I would purposely play up the rivalry between Tom's character and mine, and what ended up happening is true method fashion.' He added: 'It was fun to play up the rivalry between our characters, but in reality I've always thought of Tom as a friend - and we've always supported each other.' Kilmer said of their friendship: 'It was fun to play up the rivalry between our characters, but in reality I've always thought of Tom as a friend - and we've always supported each other' Speaking specifically on working with Tom he added: 'He's an actor that I greatly admire, so it was wonderful' (pictured in 1986) He goes on to use his actual voice to communicate with his longtime pal in a moment which Kilmer described as: 'Very personal and moving.' It definitely seemed to be a rollercoaster of emotions for the two A-listers as director Joseph Kosinski described a touching moment between the longtime pals. He said: 'After one of the takes (we only did a few) I noticed that both Tom and Val had tears in their eyes. It felt like a genuine moment between two old friends.' Kosinski added that the two stars helped each other raise their acting performances in a show of true spirit. He said: 'Youve got two masters at the top of their game playing the most iconic characters of their careers. I think there is a lot of Maverick in Tom, and Iceman in Val, so what you are seeing onscreen is an authentic friendship that has lasted over 36 years.' Kilmer also gushed over being a part of the film second time around as he said: 'It was lovely. The whole experience, you know, 36 years to make this film. There were so many moments in making it that were very special, incredibly unique.' Speaking specifically on working with Tom he added: 'He's an actor that I greatly admire, so it was wonderful.' Tom also admitted emotions were high on set as he spoke about reuniting with his on screen rival on Jimmy Kimmel in 2023. He confessed: 'I just want to say that was pretty emotional. Ive known Val for decades, and for him to come back and play that character hes such a powerful actor that he instantly became that character again. 'I was crying, I was crying. I got emotional. He's such a brilliant actor, I love his work.' He joined fellow actors, like Ben Donenberg, at Simply Shakespeare's Live Read of The Merchant Of Venice, which was held at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles on October 28, 2019 Val's son, Jack recalled how 'stoked' his father was to be joining the cast. '[My sister,] Mercedes, and I went down to San Diego to that big naval base for the shoot with Tom Cruise and everyone. And there were hundreds of extras of real pilots coming up to us and telling us that the first Top Gun inspired them to join the Navy and the Air Force.' 'It was one of the proudest moments of being American that you could think of really.' Kilmer starred in director Ron Howard's fantasy Willow (1988) and married his British co-star Joanne, with whom he had two children before divorcing. One of his most challenging roles came in director Oliver Stone's The Doors (1991) in which he played Jim Morrison, the charismatic and ultimately doomed lead singer of the influential rock band The Doors. To try to persuade Stone to cast him, Kilmer put together an eight-minute video of himself singing and looking like Morrison at various points in his life. Kilmer's own singing voice is used in the film. The Doors ushered in the highest-profile years of his career. In the 1993 Western Tombstone, he played Old West gunfighter Doc Holliday. He had two commercial successes in 1995, co-starring with Al Pacino and Robert De Niro in the crime drama Heat and succeeding Michael Keaton as the Caped Crusader in Batman Forever, the third installment in the Batman series. Batman Forever was received tepidly by critics, and Kilmer was upstaged by co-stars Tommy Lee Jones and Jim Carrey. Kilmer pulled out of the next Batman movie. Director Joel Schumacher called Kilmer 'the most psychologically troubled human being I've ever worked with.' Despite his acclaimed career, Kilmer never received an Oscar or Emmy nomination, with his closest brush with a major award being a 2012 Grammy nomination for Best Spoken Word Album for The Mask of Zorro. Kilmer, who covered his 2015 tracheostomy with a neck scarf, appeared in high spirits as he posed for photos with his daughter Mercedes (second from left) on the red carpet While he was surrounded by family and friends when he slipped away, Kilmer 'hadn't had a girlfriend in 20 years' and 'felt lonely every day'. Despite being single at the time of his death, Kilmer was one of the 1980s' biggest Hollywood heartthrobs who certainly had his choice of the industry's most beautiful women. The admission that he had been single since the year 2000 in I'm Your Huckleberry would have come as a surprise to anyone familiar with Kilmer's star-studded dating life from the 1980s to the 2000s. 'I haven't had a girlfriend in 20 years. The truth is I am lonely part of every day,' he wrote. Kilmer dated some of the world's most famous women, seducing the likes of Cindy Crawford, Angelina Jolie and Daryl Hannah, marrying just once to Joanne Whalley. 'I've always found women infinitely more interesting than men,' Kilmer wrote in his 2020 memoir. 'Perhaps that's why we've always gotten along. We are big oafy elephants and they are butterflies.' Despite having a string of A-list girlfriends as his career reached its heyday, there was one star Kilmer never truly got over, admitting he had 'cried every day for six months' following their break-up. Cher said that Kilmer was one of the few men to have ever broken up with her. She admitted that their age gap had come into play, admitting Val was 'really young'. The pair dated for two years from 1982 to 1984, when Cher was 36 and Val was 23. Their 13-year age gap raised many eyebrows in Hollywood at that time. In a 2021 interview with People Magazine, Cher said she'd fallen 'madly in love' with the beloved actor. 'He's like nobody I've ever known,' she said. 'He is exasperating and hysterical. Thrilling and funny, and doesn't do what anyone else does.' In 2020, Kilmer revealed he had been single since the year 2000 in his memoir, I'm Your Huckleberry; the star seen in 1994 The Jay and Silent Bob Reboot actor had especially kind words for his ex-girlfriend Cher, who allowed him to move into her Malibu guest house after he was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2015; the exes pictured 'Our sense of humor, and what we would put up with from one another, was more than I think I've ever had with any other guy. He would just go off and do his own thing and you just had to be prepared. And he was so beautiful. It went from madly in love and laughing hysterically to respecting each other's ability.' Having met at Cher's birthday party, they remained friends for years after they dated. After he was diagnosed with throat cancer, it was Cher who offered him support, allowing him to move into her Malibu guest house. 'Once Cher works her way inside your head and heart, she never leaves. For her true friends, her steadfast love and loyalty never die,' he wrote in his memoir. Shortly after his whirlwind romance with Cher came to a close, Val turned his attention to Michelle Pfeiffer. The 66-year-old American actress met Val in the 1980s while the two on the set of an ABC Afterschool Special, One Too Many, and they quickly became friends. He said he had always felt comfortable talking to Michelle, and was able to open up to her about his parents, with who he shared a strained relationship. In turn, Michelle was able to confide in Val the inner working of her rocky marriage to Peter Horton, from who she later divorced. Val claimed to have adored her but confessed that he had always had an 'all consuming crush' on her younger sister, who 'did not seem to reciprocate, even a little. In fact, she seemed to not even know I existed.' While the details of their alleged romance are unclear, the pair are thought to have dated at some point during the 1980s. Among his pool of high profile beaus also was the American actress, Ellen Barkin - though comparably less has been published about their relationship. Writing in his memoir, I'm Your Huckleberry, he recalled unexpectedly falling Ellen, who was six years his senior, during the 1980s. He wrote that Emmy-winning actress had 'the best smile in all five boroughs', and specifically recalled the softness of her hair. He said the two enjoyed months of window-shopping on Rodeo Drive by day and barbecuing at night,' adding that she was 'one of the enchantresses who got away, no doubt due to my unmanageable preoccupations, my neglect.' With Ellen, their romance was as 'whimsical as it was whirlwind,' he reflected. Val and Michelle Pfeiffer are pictured on the set of One Too Many in 1985 Among his pool of high profile beaus was the American actress, Ellen Barkin (pictured in 1994) Val had wanted to be with Carly Simon (pictured in her 1972 music video for You're So Vain) for 'the rest of my life' At the New York premiere of Top Gun in 1986, Val met the American singer-songwriter Carly Simon. A week later, he would visit her at her home in the Upper West side, where he said they 'talked all day about everything under the sun'. Writing in his book, he said: 'We talked about shyness. We talked about Harry Nilsson. We talked about Bob Dylan and the evils of yellow journalism and the exquisite phrasing of Frank Sinatra. We talked and talked and talked. We had dinner.' He wrote that he the 'You're So Vain' singer had invited him to spend the night at her home, where he stayed in the guest room and was woken to a tray or organic eggs and jams, adding that it was the 'best breakfast of all time'. 'I wanted to be with Carly every day of the rest of my life. She had utter power over me Our friendship flowered. 'I think the reason we soon stopped seeing each other was her realization that it was too overwhelming for me. Her shy sensitivity saw through my soul. She saw that I was madly, hopelessly in love with her. I'm not sure I ever spoke those words, but you must have known, Carly.' Later came Joanne Whalley, the only woman Kilmer ever married. They were married from 1988 to 1996 and had two children - Mercedes and Jack. The couple first met on the set of fantasy film Willow, but the married struggled due to 'constant rumours' around his on-set romances and reputation as a heartthrob. The eventual divorce was fiendishly expensive, with Kilmer dubbing it 'the second most expensive in New Mexico' and came only 'two months after the birth of their second child'. For their 1995 split, Joanne cuted 'irreconcilable differences' as the reason for their marriage, with many believing it had struggled due to Val's sex symbol status. Val Kilmer and Joanne Whalley, in the film Kill Me Again in a casino in Las Vegas February 12, 1989 Val met his only wife, Joanne Whalley in 1988 after meeting on the set of the film Willow (pictured) After divorcing, Val was undoubtedly looking for a shoulder to cry on. And there to be that shoulder was Cindy Crawford, who went on to date the actor for two years. Val has previously credited the now 59-year-old model with having supported him through his divorce. Speaking to The Guardian in 2005, he said: 'Did I date Cindy Crawford? Yeah, she's very nice. A smart girl with a great sense of humour. She's a fantastic cook, too, always carried recipes around when she travelled,' he added. His memories of the star are clearly fond. Describing her after their breakup, he said: 'I thought I could have died from her love, not because it was difficult but because its delight was simply too much to bear.' 'You have to be committed with a woman that's as dynamic and as committed to their work as someone like Cindy Crawford who was the number one model on the planet at the time,' he told Good Morning America of their romance in 2020. But Kilmer said 'by far the most painful of all' splits was from Daryl Hannah, even though they never married. Writing about The Fury actress, 64, he revealed he couldn't stop crying after their break-up. 'I knew I would love her with my whole heart forever and that love has lost none of its strength,' he wrote. 'I am still in love with Daryl. When we finally broke up, I cried every single day for half a year.' The pair dated in 2001 after working on the film In God We Trust. She later married Neil Young in 2018. In his 2020 memoir, Kilmer also admitted he was a 'slave to love' and recalled being with Angelina Jolie. The star opened up about their 'tragic' and 'soulful' fling, which began when they first crossed paths on the set of their film Alexander. Val Kilmer admitted he 'cried every single day for half a year' following his break-up from Daryl Hannah (pictured in 2003) Val was looking for a shoulder to cry on following his divorce from Joanne Whalley - and found solace in Cindy Crawford (pictured 1996) Val Kilmer and Angelina Jolie during 'Alexander' Los Angeles Premier in 2004 Val wrote how he 'couldn't wait to kiss her' when they were on set together, saying he also wanted to 'buy her a Gulfstream jet and have V+J painted in rainbow glory on the trail'. 'We developed a friendship,' he wrote in his book. 'I was around when Angie's mom [Marcheline Bertrand] was losing her battle with cancer. They were living in her mom's favorite hotel. Or maybe it was Angie's. I happened to be staying there myself. It was meaningful and mortal and effortless and exquisite.' They didn't begin dating until after it was released in 2004, when Kilmer said she 'released' him from his 'solitude'. However, their relationship faded and shortly after Angelina would meet Brad Pitt while filming Mr & Mrs Smith and start to date him. Val was later pictured kissing Winona Ryder in 2005. Claire Danes and Hugh Dancy's longtime New York City townhouse has sold for nearly $10 million. The 45-year-old Fleishman Is In Trouble actress and her 40-year-old actor husband's West Village home was listed for $9.75 million last August. Per the Wall Street Journal, the new owner scooped up the place for $9.9 million. After marrying in 2009, they went on to welcome sons Cyrus, 12, Rowan, six, and a 19-month-old daughter. The lovebirds purchased the love nest in 2012 for $6.9 million, when Claire was pregnant with their first child. Claire Danes and Hugh Dancy's longtime New York City townhouse has sold for nearly $10 million; pictured on March 9 The 45-year-old Fleishman Is In Trouble actress' West Village home was listed for $9.75 million last August 'Its been incredibly well-modernized, while still preserving its original West Village charm,' real estate agent Tamer Howard said last year. 'Its a really happy, romantic, special place' The New York Times reported last summer that the couple was looking for a larger space to accommodate their brood and other loved ones. According to their real estate agent Tamer Howard, the family-of-five will remain living downtown in the Big Apple. 'Its been incredibly well-modernized, while still preserving its original West Village charm,' Howard mused. 'Its a really happy, romantic, special place.' The residence boats 3,890 sq ft which holds four bedrooms, four full bathrooms, plus three outdoor areas. The townhouse, erected in the 1880s, has four floors and rooftop access. On the first floor there is a powder room, coat closet, and mudroom, People reported this week. Residents can also enjoy a home office with the option for privacy with floor-to-ceiling sliding doors. The living room leads straight into the kitchen and dining areas, which feature a fireplace and 11-foot ceilings. The residence boats 3,890 sq ft which holds four bedrooms, four full bathrooms, plus three outdoor areas The townhouse, erected in the 1880s, has four floors and rooftop access The kitchen ceiling was replaced with glass blocks that also serve as the floor to the upstairs terrace In addition, the kitchen has heated floors, automatic blinds and a retractable glass wall with terrace access. The kitchen ceiling was replaced with glass blocks that also serve as the floor to the upstairs terrace, the outlet said. 'Upon entering, you'll be enchanted by the home's original charm, seamlessly modernized with thoughtful updates,' Howard wrote in the listing about Claire and Hugh's remodel. Danes wanted the home to have loft characteristics as she 'grew up in lofts,' according to Joan Krevlin, founding partner of BKSK Architects, who worked with the actress to fulfill her dreams. 'The home they were choosing to make was a townhouse, intentionally, but there were characteristics of a loft that were very important to her,' the architect said. The abode earned an American Architecture Prize for Interior Design, according to the listing. After marrying in 2009, Claire and Hugh went on to welcome sons Cyrus, 12, Rowan, six, and a 19-month-old daughter; pictured in February It was reported last summer that the couple was looking for a larger space to accommodate their family and other loved ones The lovebirds purchased the love nest in 2012 for $6.9 million, when Claire was pregnant with their first child The abode earned an American Architecture Prize for Interior Design, according to the listing. New residents will enjoy plenty of natural light, and being near three of the most popular Manhattan neighborhoods - West and Greenwich Villages and SoHo One of the rooftop areas includes a small grill, large island with a built-in cooler, and a sink, ideal for entertaining New residents will enjoy plenty of natural light, and being near three of the most popular Manhattan neighborhoods West and Greenwich Villages and SoHo. The tasteful home has an exterior with dark wood and a bright red door that leads into the brick townhouse. The inside, which has a base of mostly white walls and natural-toned furniture, is bright and airy. Inside the master bathroom there's a fireplace, standalone tub, seating area, and large vanity sink. One of the rooftop areas includes a small grill, large island with a built-in cooler, and a sink, ideal for entertaining. There is also a basement containing a large closet, laundry room, and a wine cellar. Francesca Packer dressed to impress as she enjoyed a fancy lunch with her mother Gretel and grandmother Roslyn in Sydney on Tuesday. The 30-year-old billionaire heiress stepped out in a mini designer floral dress as she arrived to the Chiswick restaurant in Woollahra. She completed her look with a pair of white heels and wore sunglasses as she walked alongside her mother. Gretel also looked stylish for the outing in black pants, a silk green shirt and a printed jacket. She accessorised with a pair of black boots and statement earrings. Gretel's mother Roslyn was seen arriving to the establishment in a long printed dress with the help of a friend. Francesca Packer dressed to impress as she enjoyed a fancy lunch with her mother Gretel and grandmother Roslyn in Sydney on Tuesday The 30-year-old billionaire heiress stepped out in a mini designer floral dress as she arrived to the Chiswick restaurant in Woollahra with her mother The 86-year-old carried a stylish pink bag and wore pearl earrings for the lunch. Francesca is the daughter of Australian investor Gretel and the granddaughter of the late media mogul Kerry Packer. Her uncle is Australian billionaire James Packer, the former owner and chairperson of of the high-profile Crown Resorts. Francesca recently offloaded her amazing Sydney apartment after first listing the luxury pad almost a year ago. The heiress reputedly pocketed $30million in the sale after purchasing the five-bedroom spread back in 2019 for $16.75million. Located in Darlinghurst, 2km from the CBD, the penthouse covers an entire floor of the prestigious Horizon building and features spectacular views of the city skyline. Francesca first listed the luxury flat in November 2023 for an eye-watering $32million. But after languishing on the market for seven months, the beautifully appointed apartment was re-listed in June 2024 for $30million. She completed her look with a pair of white heels and wore sunglasses Gretel's mother Roslyn was seen arriving to the establishment in a long printed dress with the help of a friend Francesca is the daughter of Australian investor Gretel and the granddaughter of the late media mogul Kerry Packer Francesca recently offloaded her amazing Sydney apartment after first listing the luxury pad almost a year ago She was spotted leaving the venue with a large bouquet of flowers Francesca carried a white bag and left her long brunette locks out Gretel also looked stylish for the outing in black pants, a silk green shirt and a printed jacket Roslyn, 86, carried a stylish pink bag and wore pearl earrings for the lunch The agent involved in the sale would not confirm the purchase, reported the Wentworth Courier. However, real estate insiders informed the publication that Francesca's apartment recently went under the hammer to a local buyer for 'close to' the asking price. According to the report, the cashed-up heiress sold off the pad because she wanted to spend more time in her alternate home base of London. Designed by famed Australian-Austrian architect Harry Seidler, the apartment boasts five-bathrooms, Cote D'Azure marble. A balcony that offers a 360-degree view of Sydney's famed harbour. Advertisement Matt Doran looked completely unrecognisable in his latest social media post after moving to the United States. The former Sunrise host, 42, took to Instagram to share a video of him and his wife Kendall Bora eating food in the car, however the TV personality looked very different since moving abroad. In the clip, the couple could be seen reviewing their order from US restaurant Calabama, which included an egg, bacon, avocado and grilled onion toasted sandwich, maple hot sauce and biscuits; an American take on savoury scones. Matt looked very different from his younger years, rocking a thick beard and messy hair - a major departure from his clean shaven look on Sunrise. Kendall looked the same as ever, wearing her brunette locks down and flaunting a bronzed makeup look as she tasted the delicious looking grub. In February, it was revealed Matt and his wife would be kicking off a new chapter in the United States as Kendall announced she was leaving her role as executive producer of Nine's Today show. Matt Doran looked completely unrecognisable in his latest social media post after moving to the United States Matt looked a little different from his younger years, rocking a thick beard and messy hair - a major departure from the clean shaven look when appearing on Sunrise She told Nine staff that she and her TV presenter husband were moving to Los Angeles in order for her to take up a new role as US bureau chief. 'Kendall has had a stellar run at Today Show as EP and has spearheaded a number of transformative projects, including the streamlining of the entire Today Show team,' said Fiona Dear, Nine's director of news and current affairs. 'Kendall and Matt have been looking forward to starting a new chapter in their lives together,' a TV source said. 'The was a lot of dramas surrounding the end of his time at Seven and theyre really looking forward to the chance to start afresh.' Matt announced his departure from Seven in November, saying he had 'agonised' over leaving 'one of the best jobs on earth' but that he and Bora thought the time was right for a new challenge. 'While I'm sad... where I am right now is honestly a place of incredible gratitude,' he said. 'For the laughs, the lessons, the tears, the phenomenal sense of life perspective, the carousels of astonishing snacks (even the tofu).' Previously a crime reporter, Matt joined Seven in 2017, signing on to the network's then-flagship current affairs show, Sunday Night. He was replaced on Weekend Sunrise by US correspondent David Woiwod. Matt announced his departure from Seven in November, saying he had 'agonised' over leaving 'one of the best jobs on earth' but that he and Bora thought the time was right for a new challenge Matt has sparked concerns in recent years after he mysteriously disappeared from work on two separate occasions. In June, he failed to arrive to the Seven studios for work on Weekend Sunrise. He was replaced by news reporter Chris Reason who returned to host the breakfast show alongside Monique Wright on Saturday, June 8. A Channel Seven spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia at the time that Matt was 'on leave'. Matt's disappearance came one year after he sparked a frantic police search when he vanished during a work assignment in the Hunter Valley in June last year. The star reporter had been sent to cover a wedding bus crash that claimed the lives of 10 people but failed to show up for his 5:30am shift. Insiders said when producers went to look for Matt in his Singleton hotel, knocks on his door went unanswered. Matt was eventually found at a nearby cafe and was swiftly replaced by his colleague Liam Tapper on air. Advertisement Val Kilmer's final ever film role left tears in fans' eyes as he returned to screens as Lieutenant Tom 'Iceman' Kazansky in the Top Gun sequel. The Hollywood star died at the age of 65 on Tuesday after a long health battle, his daughter Mercedes Kilmer confirmed. Following the sad news of his death, his poignant final film appearance in Top Gun: Maverick alongside Tom Cruise has reemerged online. He was famed for his role as Iceman in the 1986 smash hit original Top Gun movie and lead star Tom, 62, rallied to make sure Kilmer could return as his on-screen rival. Kilmer's vocal chords were damaged after a tracheotomy in 2014 following a throat cancer diagnosis but AI technology was used to regenerate his voice in the 2022 blockbuster. Fans were reduced to tears when Iceman, who had been promoted to Admiral, returned to screens alongside Tom Cruise's Captain Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell. Val Kilmer's final ever film role left tears in fans' eyes as he returned to screens as Tom 'Iceman' Kazansky in the Top Gun sequel alongside Tom Cruise's Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell Iceman communicated with Maverick via typed words on a screen and AI technology was used to regenerate Kilmer's voice so some of his words could be heard out loud. After their emotional on-screen conversation, where Iceman advised Maverick to 'let go' of the past and move on, scenes saw Maverick attending his friend's funeral. Viewers were reduced to tears at the emotional scenes at the time and fans have been re-watching the poignant moment after the news of Kilmer's death. Comments included: 'This Scene hits 10 times harder now RIP Val'; 'Time to watch Maverick again. There couldn't have been a better sendoff. RIP Val Kilmer'; 'What a fitting send off for Val Kilmer, thank you for giving us Iceman. Rest in peace'; 'Rest in Peace Mr. Kilmer, a great actor and a beautiful final film performance'; 'This is how you show respect and honor for legacy characters and their relationships. Beautiful scene'; 'We love you Iceman. Fly high in paradise. RIP Val.' The scene was equally as moving for Kilmer and Cruise as the American actor previously revealed there wasn't a dry eye in the house during filming. Kilmer described his return to the franchise after 36 years as 'very personal and moving' as he lauded his friendship with Cruise. He was famed for his role as Iceman in the 1986 smash hit original Top Gun movie (pictured) and lead star Tom, 62, rallied to make sure Kilmer could return as his on-screen rival Kilmer's vocal chords were damaged after a tracheotomy in 2014 following a throat cancer diagnosis but AI technology was used to regenerate his voice in the 2022 blockbuster He shared: 'Tom and I get along really well. We giggled like little kids in school between takes. 'I consider him a real friend. We shared intimate stories and challenges about our different lifestyles!' Director Joseph Kosinski also told how both of the actors had tears in their eyes while shooting the touching scene. 'After one of the takes (we only did a few) I noticed that both Tom and Val had tears in their eyes. It felt like a genuine moment between two old friends,' he shared. London-based firm AI company Sonantic recreated Kilmer's voice in a lifelike yet artificial mock-up, which he was able to use to help him communicate in everyday life. Praising the results, Kilmer shared: 'Im grateful to the entire team at Sonantic who masterfully restored my voice in a way Ive never imagined possible. 'As human beings, the ability to communicate is the core of our existence and the effects from throat cancer have made it difficult for others to understand me. 'The chance to tell my story, in a voice that feels authentic and familiar, is an incredibly special gift.' Kilmer described his return to the franchise after 36 years as 'very personal and moving' and admitted both he and Cruise were reduced to tears while filming the scenes Kilmer was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014 and underwent surgery, including an emergency tracheotomy, which significantly impacted his ability to speak. A tracheostomy is a procedure which creates an artificial hole in the neck to help breathing. In 2020, Kilmer revealed that he had been cancer-free for four years. While he stopped attending red carpet events in 2019, Kilmer kept up with fans over the years by sharing his artwork and rare selfies to his Instagram. Less than two months before his death, Kilmer published what would be one of his final social media posts on February 23, 2025. He uploaded footage of himself hanging out in a padded room with artist/musician David Choe, which was originally filmed in 2021. In the clip, Kilmer spoke briefly before trying on a custom Batman mask made for him by Choe, quipping that it had 'been a while' since he'd relived his Batman glory days. Kilmer's final Instagram post was published on March 22, featuring a photo of one of his original paintings, which he'd signed and posted on his website for sale. Kilmer (pictured in July 2019) died from pneumonia at the age of 65 in Los Angeles on Tuesday after a long health battle Less than two months before his death, Kilmer published what would be one of his final social media posts on February 23, 2025. He uploaded footage of himself discussing Batman in 2021 One of Hollywood's most prominent leading men in the 1990s, Kilmer was also famed for playing Batman/Bruce Wayne in the 1995 hit Batman Forever 'It's got that late-night glow,' he wrote of the artwork. 'Cool tones with a low burn, like when the camp fire cools down but you're still wide awake.' The Hollywood legend died from pneumonia at the age of 65 in Los Angeles on Tuesday after a long health battle. He is survived by his daughter Mercedes, 33, and a son Jack, 29, who he shared his his ex-wife Joanne Whalley. He was married to Joanne from 1988 until 1996. Kilmer was one of Hollywood's most prominent leading men in the 1990s before numerous spats with directors and co-stars and a series of flops dented his career. 'When certain people criticize me for being demanding, I think that's a cover for something they didn't do well. I think they're trying to protect themselves,' Kilmer told the Orange County Register newspaper in 2003. 'I believe I'm challenging, not demanding, and I make no apologies for that.' He made his film debut starring in the spy spoof Top Secret! (1984) before appearing in the goofy comedy Real Genius (1985). He then rocketed to stardom as Tom Cruise's co-star in the smash 1986 hit Top Gun and was also famed for playing Batman/Bruce Wayne in 1995's Batman Forever. Glenn Powell looked on cloud nine during a dinner date in New York on Tuesday, as reports on his love life continue to heat up. The Hollywood hunk has seen romance rumours with his Anyone But You co-star Sydney Sweeney reignite in recent days following the actress' split from her fiance. Dressed in an unbuttoned green suede shirt and slim-fit jeans, Glenn flashed a smile as he strolled to an event for his organic condiments line Smash Kitchen. Just days ago it was revealed Sydney had called off her wedding to fiance Jonathan Davino amid claims she felt 'overwhelmed' by their seven year relationship. And following news of her and Davino's split, Sydney had a friendly reunion with her former costar Glen, at his sister Leslie's wedding. The day after the ceremony on Saturday, the Anyone But You co-stars grabbed a bite together at a local Dallas restaurant, as seen in photos shared by gossip site DeuxMoi on Instagram. Glenn Powell looked on cloud nine during a dinner date in New York on Tuesday, as reports on his love life continue to heat up The Hollywood hunk has seen romance rumours with his Anyone But You co-star Sydney Sweeney reignite in recent days following the actress' split from her fiance Fan speculation went into overdrive at the reunion, despite insiders insisting to Us Weekly that there was 'nothing going on romantically between Glen and Sydney.' 'Sydney is close with the entire family,' the source said before adding that Sydney and Glenn's sister have 'been close friends for a long time.' The star responded to the wedding invitation 'months ago' with plans to attend with a plus-one. 'Sydney brought one of her girlfriends to the wedding as a guest and she RSVP'd months ago,' the insider told the outlet. Back in 2023, the two stars were notably embroiled in romance speculation while they promoted their romantic comedy Anyone But You. During a past interview with Business Insider, the actor opened up about using their 'authentic chemistry' when it came to promoting Anyone But You. 'I don't have the mental capacity to pull anything like this off, but she's very smart. She's very smart. I had such a wonderful journey with her on this thing. But in terms of actual dating and actually being together? [Laughs.].' Also in 2023, Glenn split from his girlfriend Gigi Paris and expressed, 'Well, look, the only reason it made things harder for me to lean into that stuff was that I was going through a very real breakup amidst a promotional tour. Dressed in an unbuttoned green suede shirt and slim-fit jeans, Glenn flashed a smile as he strolled to an event for his organic condiments line Smash Kitchen Just days ago it was revealed Sydney had called off her wedding to fiance Jonathan Davino amid claims she felt 'overwhelmed' by their seven year relationship (seen with Davino in 2018) Following news of her and Davino's split, Sydney had a friendly reunion with her former costar, Glen , at his sister Leslie's wedding; seen in 2024 'I was with someone that I really loved and cared about and was trying to kind of make sense of a lot of stuff.' In late 2023 on the Today show, Glenn denied that there was anything romantic between the two but said, 'No, but we do love each other. And, honestly, this is one of the most spectacular humans I've ever met. She's really great.' With the new series of Doctor Who just around the corner, it was a welcome sight when I received an invite to the show's premiere last month. But it cannot be ignored that in recent weeks, speculation has been rife about the show's future, with sources claiming that star Ncuti Gatwa is poised to depart after this upcoming run of episodes. With this in mind, and as a fan of the show since its revival in 2005, I headed to London to see the new series' first episode, titled The Robot Revolution, which will be released on April 12. And while I won't be divulging any details about the opener, it became clear that watching the cast's Q&A at the event, they were equally fearful about giving away any plot points that this new series could contain. Likewise, there was no mention of any episodes beyond this second series, echoing the BBC's insistence that Disney will make a decision on its deal with the channel when these episodes, and the recently-filmed spin-off, have hit screens. Taking to the stage were frontman Ncuti, as well as his new companion Varada Sethu, who makes her debut this series as the outspoken new companion Belinda Chandra. As Doctor Who returns to screens next week, rumours have been swirling about the show's uncertain future (pictured stars Varada Sethu, Ncuti Gatwa and Millie Gibson) While I won't be divulging any details about the opener, it became clear that watching the cast's Q&A, they were equally fearful about giving away any plot points Millie Gibson has also returned to reprise her role as Ruby Sunday, with Anita Dobson also back as Mrs Flood, a character who, unsurprisingly, has sparked wild theories from fans online. Now, it's clear that the BBC's collaboration with Disney+ has taken the 'Whoniverse' in a new direction, hoping to bring the beloved sci-fi to greater heights by bringing in a whole new audience of viewers. But in a world where streaming services such as Netflix dominate the landscape, the show has had to change its broadcast model after decades as a fixture of terrestrial Saturday night TV, meaning overnight figures seem far lower than just a decade earlier. It's a move that's been praised by showrunner Russell T Davies, who noted that since the entire archive of Doctor Who episodes was released on BBC iPlayer, it's amassed huge viewing figures. However, he was also quick to note that BBC bosses should do more to promote the show on the platform, again echoing the shift by younger viewers to consuming content online. He said 'I think the most fantastic thing we've done, and I'm so proud of it, is to put all the episodes from 1963 onto the iPlayer, which last year got 70 million viewing hours. 'That's astonishing, and that's hours, which is amazing, and that all helps feed the current show, Ncuti your Christmas episode, is now up to 7.4 million viewers. 'If you're eight years old, imagine how much of that there is to explore. I still think the iPlayer is a sleeping giant, I keep asking the BBC to do a trailer for it, because there's three generations of people sitting here, who don't actually know you can watch the first Dalek story, Ncuti's first story. Advertise it for God's sake!' This new series, which sees Millie Gibson reprise her role as Ruby Sunday (pictured), has faced swirling rumours that it could be shelved following this second series Low ratings have been a key issue in the claims around Doctor Who's future, as well as repeated accusations that the show has become bogged down by 'woke' storylines. A select number of fans have vented their fury at the introduction of transgender and non-binary characters who would lash out at people 'assuming their gender', as well as a deranged new villain played by a drag queen. However, Russell, who previously earned critical praise for his hard-hitting AIDS drama It's A Sin, has hit back, insisting: 'I think we don't think about it at all, its just like breathing. 'That's just life, that's like opening your front door and there is the world. There's nothing special or unique about that, although there is something important about that, to open that door and show the world, and then you see yourself on television, you feel visible, you feel seen, and that's a better day. That's a wonderful thing to do.' Ahead of the second series, it's also been claimed that star Ncuti is poised to depart following this run of episodes, with sources previously claiming his team 'doesn't want him to be tied the show,' with a string of Hollywood offers lined up. Of course there were no signs of tension as he posed for snaps with his co-stars, and he said that for this second run, he felt 'more settled' in the role. He also touched on the show's fiercely loyal fanbase, who are quick to dissect and speculate every little detail of episodes, and have already come up with various theories about how this series could unfold. Showrunner Russell T Davies said he's urging BBC bosses to promote the series on iPlayer, after its entire archive of episodes drew in huge streaming figures Ahead of the second series, it's also been claimed that star Ncuti is poised to depart following this run of episodes Ncuti said: 'There is a lot of opinions, but I process it in a way of, it feels like an honour to be a part of a show that has such love behind it and thats been building for 60 years... 'Its beautiful to be a part of something like that, the fans feed the show and the show feeds the fans, and it feels like a very rich relationship. 'It's exciting to be a part of something that's so fueled by the fans... They don't miss an ounce of every single piece of work that's poured into it, no matter how small the minute, they pick up on everything, every subtle little thing. 'So you feel like your work is really appreciated, which I don't think that's arrogant to say, but it's like they really think.' Varada has also joined the cast as The Doctor's new companion Belinda, and far from a wide-eyed Earthling in awe of the Time Lord and his time machine, she is just focused on getting back to her home world. This new series also features a string of guest stars, with Rylan Clark set to cameo as himself, in an episode that features a big-budget, interstellar take on the Eurovision Song Contest, and Rose Ayling-Ellis starring in an episode that's been dubbed one of the show's 'scariest ever.' However, with the BBC tight-lipped on Doctor Who's future beyond this current chunk of episodes, it remains to be seen whether this new run will be a hit with fans. Doctor Who returns on Saturday, April 12, on BBC One and iPlayer. Advertisement Bella Hadid displayed her incredible figure as she modelled skimpy crochet briefs and an array of chic denim looks for Miss Sixty. The model, 28, is the face of the Milan designer's summer 2025 collection with a grocery shopping-inspired campaign. Bella showed off her enviable figure as she posed on a fruit bowl background sporting a cream fitted bardot top and a pair of skimpy crochet briefs. The ensemble was completed with a brown studded belt featuring a huge Miss Sixty buckle, and she accessorised with chunky gold bangles and earrings. Another piece from the collection Bella was seen modelling was a chic denim halterneck mini dress, which had a button-up front and collar as well as an asymmetric skirt design, as she sipped on bottles of colourful soda. Taking to the street in another snap Bella was seen carrying a bouquet of red, orange and yellow flowers and two brown paper grocery bags. Bella Hadid displayed her incredible figure as she modelled skimpy crochet briefs and an array of chic denim looks for Miss Sixty Another piece from the collection Bella was seen modelling was a chic denim halterneck mini dress, which had a button-up front and collar For the running errands snap, Bella sported a pair of low-rise flared jeans with a huge back and gold buckle belt, and a khaki ruffled cropped blouse, finishing it off with denim strap stilettos. She also displayed the bright red Miss Sixty Soda which she carted along the street in a shopping trolley while wearing a skintight plunging black knitted sweater complete with a cut-out at her belly button and huge blue platform heels. Bella paired the top with knee-length fitted light denim shorts which were accessorised with a huge black belt adorned with silver metal studs and a giant red heart applique. The shoot comes days after Bella was reportedly involved in a blazing row with her longtime friend Fai Khadra during Paris Fashion Week this month. Bella and Khadra, 33, allegedly got into a heated verbal argument, according to TMZ. An eyewitness told the publication that the two reportedly argued at an Yves Saint Laurent after-party on Tuesday, March 11, and did not leave on speaking terms. The eyewitness claimed Bella repeatedly asked Fai to leave her alone throughout the night. The publication alleges that Fai disregarded her requests, engaging in 'inappropriate' behavior that included aggressive gestures. Taking to the street in another snap Bella was seen carrying a bouquet of red, orange and yellow flowers and two brown paper grocery bags She also displayed the bright red Miss Sixty Soda which she carted along the street in a shopping trolley Bella sported a brunette slicked high ponytail for the show as well as an array of chunky jewellery She wore a skintight plunging black knitted sweater complete with a cut-out at her belly button and huge blue platform heels Although no physical altercation occurred, sources describe the situation as hostile, with Fai reportedly 'verbally harassing' Bella. Witnesses noted her discomfort, and the two parted on bad terms. DailyMail.com reached out to Hadid's and Khadra's representatives for comment. While law enforcement wasn't involved, several guests at the party lodged complaints about Fai's behavior with senior YSL officials. Fai, who boasts over two million Instagram followers, has a number of famous friends, including Hailey Bieber, Kendall, and Kylie Jenner. Bella was pictured walking the the runway during the Saint Laurent Womenswear Fall/Winter 2025-2026 on March 11. Fai also attended the show. The two have been friends for many years, and it's unclear what the argument was about. Bella was seen wearing a khaki ruffled cropped blouse, finishing it off with denim strap stilettos for a clip For the running errands clip, Bella sported a pair of low-rise flared jeans with a huge back and gold buckle belt In January, Fai was pictured attending the Jean Paul Gaultier show with Kylie during Paris Fashion Week. That same month he was also spotted with Kylie, Kendall, as well as Hailey Bieber and husband Justin Bieber in Aspen. Khadra is a model with Palestinian roots who was born in Los Angeles but raised between Dubai. He later moved back to LA as a young adult to pursue his modelling career and is the older brother of DJ duo Simi and Haze. Val Kilmer had a string of high-profile relationships after soaring to fame in the 1990s but shared his upset over not finding love later in life. The Hollywood icon died at the age of 65 on Tuesday after a long health battle, his daughter Mercedes Kilmer confirmed. Following the sad news of his death, Kilmer's heartbreaking comments about how 'lonely' he felt in his later years have reemerged. In his 2020 memoir, I'm Your Huckleberry, Kilmer shared his desire for a relationship and revealed he had been single for around 20 years. 'I haven't had a girlfriend in 20 years. The truth is I am lonely part of every day,' he emotionally wrote. 'I've always found women infinitely more interesting than men. Perhaps that's why we've always gotten along. We are big oafy elephants...and they are butterflies.' Val Kilmer (pictured in July 2019) had a string of high-profile relationships after soaring to fame in the 1990s but shared his upset over not finding love later in life Kilmer was married to actress Joanne Whalley (both pictured in 1989's Kill Me Again) from 1988 until 1996 and they share two children - a daughter Mercedes, 33, and a son Jack, 29 Kilmer was married to actress Joanne Whalley from 1988 until 1996 and they share two children - a daughter Mercedes, 33, and a son Jack, 29. The couple reportedly struggled due to 'constant rumors' around his on-set romances and reputation as a heartthrob. Their divorce was fiendishly expensive, with Kilmer dubbing it 'the second most expensive in New Mexico' and it came only two months after the birth of their son. They cited 'irreconcilable differences' as the reason for their divorce and Joanne was the only woman he ever married, despite his star-studded relationship history. During his Hollywood heyday, Kilmer had notable relationships with huge stars including Cindy Crawford, Angelina Jolie, Cher and Daryl Hannah. However, the high-profile flings were all short-lived, though he remained very close friends with Cher over the years and she supported him after his cancer diagnosis. Cher revealed that Kilmer was one of the 'few' to have ever broken her heart, telling Howard Stern's SiriusXM: 'I was madly in love with Val Kilmer and he left.' Cher revealed their age gap had come into play, admitting Kilmer was 'really young' as he was just 23 at the time of their two-year romance, while she was 36. Kilmer was single ever since his devastating split from Daryl Hannah (pictured) and hoped for another relationship in his later life, admitting he was 'lonely' in his later years But Kilmer also suffered much heartache during his life, describing Daryl Hannah as 'by far the most painful of all'. 'I knew I would love her with my whole heart forever and that love has lost none of its strength,' he wrote in his memoir. 'I am still in love with Daryl. When we finally broke up, I cried every single day for half a year.' The pair dated in 2001 after working on the film In God We Trust. She later married Neil Young in 2018. Kilmer has been single ever since his devastating split from Hannah and hoped for another relationship in his later life. He was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014 and his ex-girlfriend and close friend Cher rallied around to support him at the time. Kilmer was unaware he had throat cancer until one day he coughed up 'coagulated blood' and called for an ambulance before passing out. He then woke up in a Santa Monica hospital after an emergency tracheotomy - where a hole is created in the neck and windpipe for a tube to be inserted to breathe. During his Hollywood heyday, Kilmer had notable relationships with huge stars including Cher (pictured in 1990), who remained his close friend and supported him in his 2014 cancer battle In his memoir, Kilmer told how 'Cher stepped in and stepped up' after he was hospitalized and was able to cheer him up even during the difficult time. 'Even in my grave condition, I saw her scanning the paramedic, who was Gregory Peck drop-dead handsome. Only in Hollywood, right?' he wrote. 'Despite the fact that I was covered in blood, I caught her eye and bounced my brows like Groucho Marx, hubba hubba. 'Cher was bashful to be busted but then couldn't help laughing out loud at the audacity. 'Here we were, joking about beauty and desire, while I looked like a stunt man from Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs and, yes, while my life seemed to be in mortal danger, we laughed out loud before they finished with my vitals and shut me up with an oxygen mask.' After he was released from hospital, Cher allowed him to move into her Malibu guest house. 'Once Cher works her way inside your head and heart, she never leaves. For her true friends, her steadfast love and loyalty never die,' Val added. The cancer caused his tongue to swell and block his lymph passages and after the surgeries, Kilmer had to put a finger to the aperture in his throat to speak and be understood. Kilmer underwent two tracheotomies amid his cancer battle, which affected his ability to speak. He had to use an electronic voice box to communicate afterwards The Hollywood icon died at the age of 65 on Tuesday after a long health battle, his daughter Mercedes Kilmer (both pictured in November 2019) confirmed Kilmer revealed he had been free of cancer for four years in 2020, but the tracheotomies permanently affected his ability to speak. He lost his natural voice and used an electronic voice box to communicate. Kilmer died from pneumonia at the age of 65 in Los Angeles on Tuesday after a long health battle. He is survived by his daughter Mercedes, 33, and a son Jack, 29, who he shared his his ex-wife Joanne Whalley. He was married to Joanne from 1988 until 1996. Kilmer was one of Hollywood's most prominent leading men in the 1990s before numerous spats with directors and co-stars and a series of flops dented his career. 'When certain people criticize me for being demanding, I think that's a cover for something they didn't do well. I think they're trying to protect themselves,' Kilmer told the Orange County Register newspaper in 2003. 'I believe I'm challenging, not demanding, and I make no apologies for that.' He made his film debut starring in the spy spoof Top Secret! (1984) before appearing in the goofy comedy Real Genius (1985). He then rocketed to stardom as Tom Cruise's co-star in the smash 1986 hit Top Gun and was also famed for playing Batman/Bruce Wayne in 1995's Batman Forever. Despite his acclaimed career, Kilmer never received an Oscar or Emmy nomination, with his closest brush with a major award being a 2012 Grammy nomination for Best Spoken Word Album for The Mask of Zorro. Advertisement Val Kilmer's voice was left forever changed after he was forced to undergo an emergency tracheotomy following a throat cancer diagnosis. The Hollywood legend - who died from pneumonia on Tuesday after a long health battle - was diagnosed with throat cancer after coughing up blood in 2014. He was rushed to hospital and had two emergency tracheotomies - where a hole is created in the neck and windpipe for a tube to be inserted to breathe - as well as chemotherapy and radiation. The cancer caused his tongue to swell and block his lymph passages and after the surgeries, Kilmer had to put a finger to the aperture in his throat to speak and be understood. Kilmer revealed he had been free of cancer for four years in 2020, but the tracheotomies permanently affected his ability to speak. He lost his natural voice and had to use an electronic voice box to communicate, opening up about his struggles in his 2021 Prime documentary, Val. Val Kilmer's voice was left forever changed after he was forced to undergo an emergency tracheotomy following a throat cancer diagnosis (he is pictured in October 2019) A voice box device is most commonly a battery-operated machine that produces sound to create a voice, and is used to help those suffering with throat cancer communicate. After stepping back from the public eye, Kilmer emotionally admitted it was 'difficult to talk and be understood' amid his lengthy recovery from throat cancer, which also saw him fed meals through a tube. 'I've tried to see the world, as one piece of life,' Kilmer said using his voice box during his documentary. Though communication became more difficult for Kilmer, the Batman star insisted it was just like any other challenge he had to tackle in life. 'I'm doing great. I feel a lot better than I sound,' Kilmer told Good Morning America in a 2020 interview. Incredibly, Kilmer's voice was recreated using AI technology, which was used when he emotionally returned to screens for the Top Gun sequel in 2022. London-based firm AI company Sonantic recreated his voice in a lifelike yet artificial mock-up, which Kilmer was able to use to help him communicate in everyday life. Praising the results, Kilmer shared: 'I'm grateful to the entire team at Sonantic who masterfully restored my voice in a way I've never imagined possible. The cancer caused his tongue to swell and after the surgeries, Kilmer had to put a finger to the aperture in his throat to speak using an electronic voice box (pictured in his documentary Val) WHAT IS A TRACHEOTOMY? According to the NHS, a tracheostomy is a surgical opening in the wall of the trachea (windpipe) to facilitate ventilation. The term for the surgical procedure to create this opening is tracheotomy. The opening is usually maintained by use of a tracheostomy tube. A tracheostomy may be created for a number of reasons - including to deliver oxygen to the lungs when a person is unable to breathe normally after an injury or accident. Or it can be created because their muscles are very weak. It can also allow a person to breathe if their throat is blocked - this can be caused by a swelling, a tumour, or something stuck in their throat and to reduce the risk of food or fluid going into the lungs. Advertisement 'As human beings, the ability to communicate is the core of our existence and the effects from throat cancer have made it difficult for others to understand me. 'The chance to tell my story, in a voice that feels authentic and familiar, is an incredibly special gift.' Kilmer then reduced fans to tears when he returned to screens as Lieutenant Tom 'Iceman' Kazansky in Top Gun: Maverick, with his voice heard once again using AI. He was famed for his role as Iceman in the 1986 smash hit original Top Gun and lead star Tom Cruise, 62, rallied to make sure Kilmer could return as his on-screen rival. In what would become Kilmer's final ever film role, Iceman, who had been promoted to Admiral, returned to screens for a cameo alongside Tom Cruise's Captain Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell. Iceman communicated with Maverick via typed words on a screen and AI technology was used to regenerate Kilmer's voice so some of his words could be heard out loud. After their emotional on-screen conversation, where Iceman advised Maverick to 'let go' of the past and move on, scenes saw Maverick attending his friend's funeral. Viewers were left in tears at the emotional scenes at the time and fans have been re-watching the poignant moment after the news of Kilmer's death. Comments included: 'This Scene hits 10 times harder now RIP Val'; 'Time to watch Maverick again. There couldn't have been a better sendoff. RIP Val Kilmer'; Incredibly, Kilmer's voice was recreated using AI technology, which was used when he emotionally returned to screens for the Top Gun sequel in 2022 He was famed for his role as Iceman in the 1986 smash hit original Top Gun movie (pictured) and lead star Tom Cruise, 62, rallied to make sure Kilmer could return as his on-screen rival 'What a fitting send off for Val Kilmer, thank you for giving us Iceman. Rest in peace'; 'Rest in Peace Mr. Kilmer, a great actor and a beautiful final film performance'; 'This is how you show respect and honor for legacy characters and their relationships. Beautiful scene'; 'We love you Iceman. Fly high in paradise. RIP Val.' The scene was equally as moving for Kilmer and Cruise as the American actor previously revealed there wasn't a dry eye in the house during filming. Kilmer described his return to the franchise after 36 years as 'very personal and moving' as he lauded his friendship with Cruise. He shared: 'Tom and I get along really well. We giggled like little kids in school between takes. 'I consider him a real friend. We shared intimate stories and challenges about our different lifestyles!' Director Joseph Kosinski also told how both of the actors had tears in their eyes while shooting the touching scene. 'After one of the takes (we only did a few) I noticed that both Tom and Val had tears in their eyes. It felt like a genuine moment between two old friends,' he shared. Iceman communicated with Maverick via typed words on a screen and AI technology was used to regenerate Kilmer's voice so some of his words could be heard out loud Kilmer described his return to the franchise after 36 years as 'very personal and moving' and admitted both he and Cruise were reduced to tears while filming the scenes Kilmer stepped back from the public eye after his cancer diagnosis and health battles and stopped attending red carpet events in 2019. However, Kilmer kept up with fans over the years by sharing his artwork and rare selfies to his Instagram. Less than two months before his death, Kilmer published what would be one of his final social media posts on February 23, 2025. He uploaded footage of himself hanging out in a padded room with artist/musician David Choe, which was originally filmed in 2021. In the clip, Kilmer spoke briefly before trying on a custom Batman mask made for him by Choe, quipping that it had 'been a while' since he'd relived his Batman glory days. Kilmer's final Instagram post was published on March 22, featuring a photo of one of his original paintings, which he'd signed and posted on his website for sale. 'It's got that late-night glow,' he wrote of the artwork. 'Cool tones with a low burn, like when the camp fire cools down but you're still wide awake.' The Hollywood legend died from pneumonia at the age of 65 in Los Angeles on Tuesday after a long health battle. Kilmer (pictured in July 2019) died from pneumonia at the age of 65 in Los Angeles on Tuesday after a long health battle Less than two months before his death, Kilmer published what would be one of his final social media posts on February 23, 2025. He uploaded footage of himself discussing Batman in 2021 One of Hollywood's most prominent leading men in the 1990s, Kilmer was also famed for playing Batman/Bruce Wayne in the 1995 hit Batman Forever He is survived by his daughter Mercedes, 33, and a son Jack, 29, who he shared his his ex-wife Joanne Whalley. He was married to Joanne from 1988 until 1996. Kilmer was one of Hollywood's most prominent leading men in the 1990s before numerous spats with directors and co-stars and a series of flops dented his career. 'When certain people criticize me for being demanding, I think that's a cover for something they didn't do well. I think they're trying to protect themselves,' Kilmer told the Orange County Register newspaper in 2003. 'I believe I'm challenging, not demanding, and I make no apologies for that.' He made his film debut starring in the spy spoof Top Secret! (1984) before appearing in the goofy comedy Real Genius (1985). He then rocketed to stardom as Tom Cruise's co-star in the smash 1986 hit Top Gun and was also famed for playing Batman/Bruce Wayne in 1995's Batman Forever. Maggie Gyllenhaal made a shocking fashion choice as she arrived at CinemaCon wearing a tie made of hair in Las Vegas on Tuesday. The actress, 47, donned a quirky fit for the occasion, pairing a suit and shirt with the Schiaparelli faux-hair tie, which retails for 1,754, at the Warner Bros. presentation. The statement balayage braid started off dark at the neck, before turning into a lighter shade of brown towards the end of the plait. Maggie and her unique accessory co-ordinated perfectly with her actual hair, which was was the same shade and worn in a cropped style. Letting the tie be the centre of attention for her smart black suit, The Dark Knight alum went with minimal makeup and sported a bold red lip to complement her manicure. During the event, Maggie was also joined by Irish actress Jessie Buckley, 35. Maggie Gyllenhaal made a shocking fashion choice as she arrived at CinemaCon wearing a tie made of hair in Las Vegas on Tuesday The actress, 47, donned a quirky fit for the occasion, pairing a suit and shirt with the Schiaparelli faux-hair tie, which retails for 1,754, at the Warner Bros. presentation The beauty, who is currently expecting her first child, debuted her baby bump in a stylish black turtleneck dress, which featured a distressed hem. She added inches to her frame with a pair of black stud-embellished heels and rocked a pair of trendy oval shades. Maggie's appearance at the star-studded event was to debut a theatrical first look at her upcoming horror movie, The Bride. The movie will be her punk rock take on Frankenstein's monster, as she serves as a producer and director for the project. Christian Bale, 51, and Jessie star as Frankenstein's monster and the bride of Frankenstein. Jessie previously worked with Maggie on The Lost Daughter, which earned her an Oscar nomination. 'Here comes the mother f*****g bride,' is The Bride's newly released tagline, Variety reported Tuesday. According to the outlet, the movie's first look opens with the bride falling down a flight of stairs and waking up on an operating table after breaking multiple bones. Though she gets fixed up, she's now only good enough to be the monster's lover. A voice in the trailer says: 'It wasn't any accident, they did it on purpose.' The statement balayage braid started off dark at the neck, before turning into a lighter shade of brown towards the end of the plait During the event, she was also joined by Irish actress Jessie Buckley, 35, who is starring in her upcoming movie which is set for release in the UK on March 6, 2026 The beauty, who is currently expecting her first child, debuted her baby bump in a stylish black turtleneck dress, which featured a distressed hem Maggie's appearance at the star-studded event was to debut a theatrical first look at her upcoming horror movie, The Bride Penelope Cruz, 50, Annette Bening, 66, and Maggie's husband Peter Sarsgaard, 54, also star in the upcoming sci-fi thriller. In December, PEOPLE spoke to the Presumed Innocent star about how he makes his 15-year marriage to Maggie work. He told the publication: 'We take turns in terms of our work. I think that's one of the things that you just sort of have to do is let someone have their dance and then you take your dance. There is great value in that.' The couple tied the knot in May 2009 and share two daughters: Ramona, 18, and Gloria Ray, nine. The Bride is set for release in the UK on March 6, 2026, and opens in theatres in the US on September 26. She rose to fame on TOWIE before becoming a household name with her hit reality show The Mummy Diaries. Now, Sam Faiers has built one of the UKs fastest-growing wellness brands, Revive Collagen, which is now stocked in over 4,000 stores across the globe. She co-founded the brand in August 2020 alongside her long-time business manager John Bailey, and still owns the majority stake in the company. Revive Collagen, which sells ready-to-drink liquid collagen supplements, has exploded in popularity, becoming Europes fastest-growing collagen brand. Sam has also brought serious star power to the table, enlisting Amanda Holden and A-list hair stylist Chris Appleton, the man behind Kim Kardashian and JLos iconic looks, as faces of the brand. Sam joins a long list of celebrities who have swapped brand deals for wellness brands, joining the likes of Coleen Rooney and Holly Willoughby after Gwyneth Paltrow saw huge success with her brand, Goop. Sam Faiers has built one of the UKs fastest-growing wellness brands, Revive Collagen, which is now stocked in over 4,000 stores across the globe She co-founded the brand in August 2020 alongside her long-time business manager John Bailey, and still owns the majority stake in the company A source close to the star said: 'While other celebs were signing branding deals for easy money, Sam put her entire life savings on the line. 'Her and her team have built Revive Collagen from the ground up and its been profitable since day one.' 'With a huge US launch on the horizon later this year, including launching into more than 6,000 retail stores, the brand is now forecasting over 100 million in revenue in the next couple of years. 'Sams firmly got her eye on becoming one of the countrys most successful self-made businesswomen.' The star's beauty company has also been endorsed by celebrities such as Oti Mabuse and Paloma Faith. The MailOnline previously reported that Sam and her sister Billie have signed a brand-new deal with ITV, which will follow Faiers life and growing business empire. The series is due to air later this year. Elsewhere, Coleen credited her glowing complexion to Applied Nutrition's collagen products, which she took before jetting off to film I'm A Celeb in Australia. She said: 'I've had so many lovely messages about my skin since leaving the jungle and how I managed to stay looking so fresh despite some of the most horrendous challenges!' Revive Collagen, which sells ready-to-drink liquid collagen supplements, has exploded in popularity, becoming Europes fastest-growing collagen brand Sam has also brought serious star power to the table, enlisting Amanda Holden (left) and A-list hair stylist Chris Appleton as faces of the brand A source said: 'With a huge US launch on the horizon, including launching into over 6,000 stores, the brand is now forecasting over 100 million in revenue in the next couple of years' Hairstylist Chris was announced as Revive Collagen's global brand ambassador in November 2023 at a Revive Collagen event at Nobu Malibu The range, which includes Coleen's signature Collagen Powder, Debloat, and Immunity supplements, is designed to promote a healthier lifestyle with a focus on skin, hair, and overall wellness. It launched in the UK in January and has been a massive hit. Coleen, and partners at the global nutrition brand Applied Nutrition, are hoping it will be as popular in Ireland. Known for her active lifestyle and passion for wellness, Coleen has long been dedicated to supporting her health and appearance, which she attributes to high-quality supplements. Former This Morning host Holly owns wellness and lifestyle brand Wylde Moon. Selling exotic candles, 'wax melts' and 'diffusers', the brand has been compared to Goop, the brand launched by Oscar-winning Hollywood actress Paltrow in 2008 and has been valued at 200million. Holly, who used to present ITV's This Morning with Phillip Schofield, is prominent in the firm's online marketing, posing on the website. Holly launched her Goop-esque lifestyle brand in September 2021 and it currently sells candles and perfume. The site contains beauty and style advice and a section on spirituality where readers are advised on crystals, healing and auras. The TV presenter said that the idea to launch her own lifestyle brand came to her in 2018 when she was in Australia hosting I'm A Celebrity alongside Declan Donnelly. She said: 'I've always been fascinated with the moon, space, shooting stars and looking up. 'On holiday, I spend more time on the sun lounger at night than during the day. The moon is always there like the sun no matter where you are in the world. 'I'd lost a part of who I was and that rediscovery has led me here, to a whole new place of beauty and power.' Elsewhere, Coleen credited her glowing complexion to Applied Nutrition's collagen products, which she took before jetting off to film I'm A Celeb in Australia She said: 'I've had so many lovely messages about my skin since leaving the jungle and how I managed to stay looking so fresh despite some of the most horrendous challenges!' Holly Willoughby launched her Goop-esque lifestyle brand in September 2021 and it currently sells candles and perfume The site contains beauty and style advice and a section on spirituality where readers are advised on crystals, healing and auras When Gwyneth launched Goop 16 years go as a weekly newsletter, it seemed to generate fans and critics in equal measure with some eyebrow raising products The actress had famously listed a $75 candle, cheekily named 'This Smells Like My Vagina', for sale in her online Goop shop When Gwyneth launched Goop 16 years go as a weekly newsletter, it seemed to generate fans and critics in equal measure with some eyebrow raising products including sex dust and libido boosting supplements, vampire repellent and scented candles, one of which was billed as smelling like Paltrow's orgasm. The actress had famously listed a $75 candle, cheekily named 'This Smells Like My Vagina', for sale in her online Goop shop and revealed that the geranium, citrus bergamot and cedar scented candle originally started as a joke. According to the product's description: 'This candle started as a joke between perfumer Douglas Little and GPthe two were working on a fragrance, and she blurted out, 'Uhhh..this smells like a vagina'but evolved into a funny, gorgeous, sexy, and beautifully unexpected scent. The actress had also previously advised readers to purchase a $15,000 24k gold vibrator and vaginal jade eggs. But Gwyneth has seemingly had no trouble pulling in the big bucks having raised more than $140 million in capital from blue-chip firms She has that she started to feel uncomfortable accepting so much venture capital funding. 'You start fielding questions about scale, especially if you've taken VC money. And that's where I think it can be very, very difficult. And frankly, where I've made mistakes along the way,' Gwyneth said during a Forbes conference last September. Amanda Holden set pulses racing on Instagram on Tuesday as she posed in a skimpy silver bikini. The presenter and TV personality, 54, showed off her incredible physique during the shoot which featured a series of fun-filled holiday snaps from a trip to Dubai. In one photo, a drenched Amanda lay on the sand in the racy two-piece, adding a shiny gold watch and various gold and silver bracelets on each wrist. She sported a gold necklace and gold-rimmed dark-lensed sunglasses for the steamy shoot. In another, she flaunted her washboard abs as she strode through the sea, with the skyscrapers of the Middle Eastern city in the background. The Heart FM host then cooled down in the shade, lying down on a grey sofa before showing off her glossy pink lips with a pout in another snap. Amanda Holden set pulses racing on Instagram on Tuesday as she posed in a skimpy silver bikini The presenter and TV personality, 54, showed off her incredible physique during the shoot which featured a series of fun-filled holiday snaps from a trip to Dubai She captioned the post: 'Wearing @melissaodabash' The incredible shoot comes after Amanda flashed her followers in a tiny lavender skort as she channeled iconic Legally Blonde character Elle Woods at the Heart FM studios last week. The star looked just like the film character played by Reese Witherspoon as she strutted her stuff and filmed a hilarious video for Instagram. She seemed ready for business in a cinched light purple jacket which she wore with a matching skirt that flaunted her tanned legs. Amanda then boosted her height with heels in the same hue and toted a small, stylish bag. With her cute dog in tow, she wore her honey tresses in a perfect bouncy blow dry and opted for a glowing and bronzed makeup look. In her social media clip, she flaunted her ensemble and said: 'Good morning. It's Tuesday and I'm wearing another outfit by the fabulous Dethia. I think they're a Vietnamese brand, they ship worldwide. Super cute, spring colours. She then suddenly said, 'This is a skort!', and dramatically pulled up the skirt to show the hidden shorts underneath. In one photo, a drenched Amanda lay on the sand in the racy two-piece, adding a shiny gold watch and various gold and silver bracelets on each wrist The Heart FM host then showed off her glossy pink lips with a pout in another snap and captioned the post: 'Wearing @melissaodabash' The incredible shoot comes after Amanda flashed her followers in a tiny lavender skort as she channeled iconic Legally Blonde character Elle Woods at the Heart FM studios In a video, she suddenly said, 'This is a skort!' and dramatically pulled up the skirt to show the hidden shorts underneath' The presenter looked just like the film character played by Reese Witherspoon (pictured, left) as she strutted her stuff and filmed a hilarious video for Instagram Amanda continued: 'You think it's a skirt but it's a pair of shorts, which is good because your decency's all intact. 'Nice and fitted, I mean it's the perfect fit for me. 'You also think I've got a shirt on.. well I do not,' she added as she unbuttoned the front of her blazer to reveal nothing underneath. She said: 'It's just one of those things that stick inside so it's not very hot to wear and I just like it. I feel very Legally Blonde.' Jessie Buckley announced her pregnancy after cradling a bump on the CinemaCon red carpet in Las Vegas to promote her latest film, The Big Picture. The Wild Rose actress, 35, who married her mystery boyfriend 'Freddie' in an intimate Norfolk ceremony last year, donned a pair of sunglasses, a black polo neck and a long dark skirt as she posed for cameras. Beaming, the actress wore her hair cropped short with a bold red lip and hung out with her longtime friend and fellow star, Maggie Gyllenhaal. Representatives of Jessie have been contacted by MailOnline for comment. It comes a year after she married her secret boyfriend - known only as 'Freddie' - seven years after her 'acrimonious' split James Norton who she dated from 2015 to 2017. Meanwhile, the Happy Valley actors engagement to his actress girlfriend, Imogen Poots, was broken off last year. Jessie Buckley announced her pregnancy after cradling a bump on the CinemaCon red carpet in Las Vegas to promote her latest film, The Big Picture Jessie secretly married her partner, known only as Freddie, last year in an intimate Norfolk ceremony Previously, Jessie dated her War and Peace co-star, James Norton, for two years before they split acrimoniously in 2017 It emerged the reason behind the split was that Imogen, 35, a 'free-spirited' actress previously spoke about how she 'wasn't ready to slow down' as she wanted to travel the world. However, James has been open about his hopes of wanting a family and admitted three years ago that his 'broody barometer is kicking off'. Jessie refused to reveal the identity of her mysterious partner - but it has now emerged that they tied the knot one year ago and he is a mental health professional who lives in Islington, north London. The couple split their time between London and Norfolk where the actress moved to in 2022. She announced last year during an episode of Table Manners with Jessie and Lennie Ware, sharing that she tied the knot with her mystery man at their home in Norfolk and managed to keep their marriage under wraps for months. She detailed a fun-filled wedding - which featured a keg of Guinness - their 'many moons' instead of one honeymoon and how the pair have been enjoying East Anglia. The wedding was seven years after her self-described 'acrimonious' split from Happy Valley star James Norton, 38. She previously said: 'We have broken up, yes,' she revealed to the BBC at the time. 'It was acrimonious, but it's a tough job to have a relationship and he is a great man and we are great friends. That's it. How diplomatic can I sound?' Jessie appeared to be in good spirits as she flashed a smile while cradling her hands over her stomach The Wild Rose actress, 35, donned a pair of sunglasses, a black polo neck and a long dark skirt as she posed for cameras holding her stomach She showed off her bump in the figure-hugging ensemble as she stormed the event at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas Beaming, the actress wore her hair cropped short with a bold red lip and hung out with her longtime friend and fellow star, Maggie Gyllenhaal Jessie and James' split was confirmed in 2017 after he was spotted kissing his theatre co-star Imogen Poots (both pictured in December 2022), 36, later that year Jessie insists she and James (pictured) remain good friends after secretly splitting and is now married to her mysterious partner, Freddie, a mental health worker from North London Jessie and James dated from 2015 to 2017 after meeting on the set of the BBC's six-part dramatisation of Tolstoy's War And Peace, where they played an aristocratic brother and sister. News of their relationship first broke in 2016, when they were seen kissing at the Brit Awards after-party. They were shortly afterwards seen out jogging by his home in South London. The pair were then said to have secretly split in the summer of 2017 - which was confirmed when James was spotted kissing his theatre co-star Imogen Poots that December. Speaking about her husband, Freddie, she gushed: 'He is gorgeous!' The couple split their time 50/50 between east London and Norfolk, where they have a home together. Jessie and Freddie met on a blind date set up by mutual friend Marc Robinson, with whom she worked on her 2018 breakout film Wild Rose. They initially considered settling down in Suffolk where they met due to their associations of falling in love in the place, but were won over by Norfolk. Advertisement Bella Hadid sent temperatures soaring on Tuesday as she modelled a stunning collection of bikinis from her new Frankies Bikinis range. The supermodel, 28, looked incredible as she showcased her slender figure in a stylish blue denim underwired bikini top and skimpy shorts. Bella paired the two-piece with statement brown leather gloves, which featured a tassel trim, and sported a pair of brown cowboy boots as she struck a sultry pose for the camera. She later slipped into a gorgeous deep red halter bikini top and matching tie-side bikini bottoms, featuring a turquoise and silver bead detailing. The brunette beauty styled her medium tresses up in a chic half-up-half-down hairstyle as she pouted for the camera. Flashing her pert bottom for the camera, Bella completed her look with a radiant makeup palette. Bella Hadid sent temperatures soaring on Tuesday as she modelled a stunning collection of bikinis from her new collaboration with Frankies Bikinis The American supermodel, 28, looked incredible as she showcased her slender figure in a stylish blue denim underwired bikini top and skimpy shorts The shoot comes days after Bella was reportedly involved in a blazing row with her longtime friend Fai Khadra during Paris Fashion Week this month. Bella and Khadra, 33, allegedly got into a heated verbal argument, according to TMZ. An eyewitness told the publication that the two reportedly argued at an Yves Saint Laurent after-party on Tuesday, March 11, and did not leave on speaking terms. The eyewitness claimed Bella repeatedly asked Fai to leave her alone throughout the night. The publication alleges that Fai disregarded her requests, engaging in 'inappropriate' behavior that included aggressive gestures. Although no physical altercation occurred, sources describe the situation as hostile, with Fai reportedly 'verbally harassing' Bella. Witnesses noted her discomfort, and the two parted on bad terms. DailyMail.com reached out to Hadid's and Khadra's representatives for comment. While law enforcement wasn't involved, several guests at the party lodged complaints about Fai's behavior with senior YSL officials. She later slipped into a gorgeous deep red halter bikini top and matching tie-side bikini bottoms, featuring a turquoise and silver bead detailing Flashing her pert bottom for the camera, Bella completed her look with a radiant makeup palette The beauty, who is the founder of luxury fragrance brand Orebella, has partnered up with the brand to release a collection of stunning bikinis as well as a limited edition parfum set Fai, who boasts over two million Instagram followers, has several famous friends, including Hailey Bieber, Kendall, and Kylie Jenner. Bella was pictured walking the runway during the Saint Laurent Womenswear Fall/Winter 2025-2026 on March 11. Fai also attended the show. The two have been friends for many years, and it's unclear what the argument was about. In January, Fai was pictured attending the Jean Paul Gaultier show with Kylie during Paris Fashion Week. That same month he was also spotted with Kylie, Kendall, as well as Hailey Bieber and husband Justin Bieber in Aspen. Khadra is a model with Palestinian roots who was born in Los Angeles but raised between Dubai. He later moved back to LA as a young adult to pursue his modelling career and is the older brother of DJ duo Simi and Haze. Denise Richards has revealed she was forced to tell her daughters that their father, Charlie Sheen, is HIV positive. The actress, 54, shares Sami, 21, and Lola, 19, with the actor, 59, who revealed in 2015 that he had been diagnosed with HIV several years before, but thanks to retroviral drugs, the virus is undetectable. She shared that she had to tell them about their father's HIV diagnosis after he unexpectedly made the reveal on the Today show in 2015. She told host Jana Kramer on Monday's episode of the Whine Down podcast: 'It was everywhere. 'I think I picked them up early from school that day because I didn't want kids at school to tell them.' Denise added she was 'kind of upset with Charlie' because he 'didn't warn' her beforehand, and admitted it was 'hard to explain'. Denise Richards has revealed she was forced to tell her daughters that their father, Charlie Sheen , is HIV positive The actress, 54, shares Sami, 21, and Lola, 19, with the actor, 59, who revealed in 2015 that he had been diagnosed with HIV several years before The Mad Families star has been sober since 2017, revealing that being too drunk to drive one of his daughters to an appointment was the final straw for him. Sheen credits that decision with making him a better father to all of his children. 'I have a very consistent lifestyle now. Its all about single dad stuff, and raising my... twin boys Max and Bob,' he said of the now 16-year-olds he shares with ex Brooke Mueller to People in December 2023. Richards is also mom to 13-year-old Eloise, whom she adopted. When the girls were little, Richards said she put up a good front for her children, in spite of their father's struggle with drugs and the law, including charges of domestic assault. 'I never talked bad about him in front of the kids, and that's hard to do to hold your tongue and not say certain things at times,' the World Is Not Enough actress said. 'I don't know if I did a disservice to them with that as well because now that they're older, they're discovering things that they didn't know.' Richards and Sheen have mended their fences enough for Sheen to appear on the latest episode of her reality show, which debuted Tuesday on Bravo. In the episode, the exes get together for a dinner with their daughters, and Sheen gives advice to Lola about how to deal with fame. The famous pair were married from 2002-2006; Pictured in Los Angeles in January 2004 Richards and Sheen have mended their fences enough for Sheen to appear on the latest episode of Denise Richards and her Wild Things, which debuted Tuesday on Bravo What is HIV? HIV damages the cells in the immune system and weakens the body's ability to fight every day infections and disease. The virus is spread through the bodily fluids such as semen, vaginal and anal fluids, blood and breast milk of an infected person. However, it cannot be spread through sweat, saliva or urine. It is most commonly transmitted through having condom-less anal or vaginal sex. Tests are the only way to detect HIV. They are available from GPs, sexual health clinics, some charities and online and involve taking a sample of saliva or blood. A preventative HIV medication, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), can also be prescribed to over-16s. It slashes the risk of contracting HIV, if it is taken correctly. Those who take post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) an anti-HIV medicine within 72 hours of exposure may avoid becoming infected at all. For those who are infected, no cure is available for HIV. But antiretroviral therapy (ART) which stops the virus replicating in the body, allowing the immune system to repair itself enable most to live a healthy life. Advertisement 'Don't read anything,' the Emmy nominee advised. 'Don't read anything about it. Because if you don't read it, it doesn't exist.' The first few episodes that have already dropped focus on siblings Lola and Sami's rivalry and how the actress tries to repair their months-long feud. Apart from their differences, the sisters grew further apart after drama that unfolded following Sami's breakup with her boyfriend, who happened to be Lola's best friend. In an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com, Lola, Denise and Charlie's youngest daughter who was recently baptized, opened up about her tarnished relationship with her sister, shared her thoughts on OnlyFans and plastic surgery and where her relationship with her famous father stands now after her parents went through a nasty custody battle that played out in the public. Prior to filming the show over the summer of 2024, Lola said that she didn't know whether she'd sign on to be a part of it - until three days before filming began. 'I sat with the Lord on it for a really long time and then I decided it would be a good opportunity to spread his light in that business where it's not really common for people to talk about Jesus,' she revealed. Filming her personal life - something that she's kept private all these years - was something 'so vulnerable' to her, but she realized that because she 'serves an audience of one' - referring to Jesus - it 'doesn't really matter what people think' of her. 'I was very judgmental of myself in the beginning, but I realized, like, "It's okay to be different. It's okay to not be like everybody else on TV." 'So that was the hardest part for me I think,' she said. During the March 4 debut, fans found out for the first time that Lola and Sami did not speak to each other for a year because of drama with a man - which was 'very misinterpreted on the show,' according to Lola. The Sheen sisters shocked fans in a recent episode of their Bravo show by telling cameras that they've been feuding for an entire year During the March 4 premiere episode, fans learned that their feud initiated over drama with a guy, which, Lola told DailyMail.com was 'very misinterpreted' The restaurant hostess summarized it to DailyMail.com as when she was 16, she, her boyfriend at the time and his friend ended up getting into a car crash. Afterwards, she ended up becoming really close to her boyfriend's friend because of the 'traumatic experience.' Her sister then met her guy friend and they dated for a short time before breaking up. 'I didn't want to just end my friendship with him because I still had sort of the same friends,' she explained. 'So initially, she was just upset that I still had him a part of my life, but it felt unfair to me, because I was best friends with him before.' Lola revealed that everything is 'definitely good today' between her and Sami and teased that Sami could be back together with the man that drove a wedge between them in the first place. The content creator, who just launched her own Heavenly Bonded podcast, went on to say that she and Sami mended their relationship on Thanksgiving 2024 when the family was celebrating together at Denise's house. 'It was so special. We just like ended up talking. And then our best friends were there,' she recalled. 'So they were like, "Guys, you just have to work this out." 'And then we ended up talking and laughing together, and it was really sweet.' New episodes of Denise Richards and Her Wild Things every Tuesday at 9pm ET on Bravo Shedding light on their sibling dynamic, she stated, 'We have never been really best friends. When I was young, maybe. 'We've never been the sisters that are like really best friends, you know. It's like she gets weirded out if I even try to hug her. That's just normal - she loves in a different way towards me. It's always been that way.' Lola and Sami had their big fight while filming was going on, with Lola recalling it was 'hard to film with her' because the duo were 'at such odds.' Going through filming together, however, actually brought the sisters 'closer again,' she spilled since they had to film scenes together. 'I think we will always fight, but it's not so intense like sisters always fight, whether it's clothes or whatever it is,' she said, explaining they have 'different styles' and aren't the kind of sisters that share each other's clothes and accessories. Lola told DailyMail.com that, if there is a second season of the show, she'd love for fans to see that the two are back to their old ways and how their relationship has evolved. Chloe Meadows flaunted her jaw-dropping figure in a slew of sizzling social media snaps on Tuesday. The TOWIE star, 33, showed off her toned physique in Beach Cafe's white Tallulah bandeau bikini top and matching bottoms, with a cream mesh sarong wrapped around her waist. She accessorised with a shell necklace and stylish shades, and opted for a radiant bronzed makeup look. Chloe is enjoying a luxurious holiday in Dubai alongside co-stars Amber Turner, Courtney Green and Harry Derbidge. The group enjoyed a morning padel session, before before heading to Starbucks for refreshments. It comes after her recent trip to Indonesia where she filmed series 35 on TOWIE, which will air later this year on ITVBe & ITVX. Chloe Meadows flaunted her jaw-dropping figure in a slew of sizzling social media snaps on Tuesday The TOWIE star, 33, showed off her toned physique in Beach Cafe's white Tallulah bandeau bikini top and matching bottoms, with a cream mesh sarong wrapped around her waist The Essex gang have jetted off to Indonesia to film a dramatic new series of the long running ITVBe series at the five star Renaissance Bali Nusa Dua Resort. However, Roman Hackett's new girlfriend Matilda Draper has not joined them as she revealed she didn't get her visa in time. The Love Island star officially joined TOWIE in December and she began filming scenes with Roman last month. Matilda was thrown in at the deep end as she met Roman's ex Dani for the first time in some of her first scenes. But she isn't the only TOWIE star not joining the Bali trip for the new series as TV favourites Lauren Goodger and Amy Childs have decided not to go. Instead, the two OGs will remain in Essex and continue to film their own storylines. A source previously explained: 'With the trips it's always storyline dependent, so not everyone will go as it's about getting the right mix of people with interacting plots'. Dan Edgar has also has remained in the UK as he is currently competing in ITV series Dancing On Ice. She accessorised with a shell necklace and stylish shades, and opted for a radiant bronzed makeup look Chloe is enjoying a luxurious holiday in Dubai alongside co-stars Amber Turner, Courtney Green and Harry Derbidge The group enjoyed a morning padel session, before before heading to Starbucks for refreshments However, his girlfriend Ella Rae Wise has joined the cast in Bali, after the couple confirmed their romance was back on as Dan, 34, made his skating debut last month. Ella, 24, sat in the audience to support her boyfriend - who is 10 years her elder - and host Holly Willoughby and Stephen Mulhern grabbed the opportunity to bring up their on-off fling. Ella kept tight-lipped on the pair's relationship status as she replied to Stephen with one word. He jokingly asked Ella if she would go on a date with him if she is currently single, to which she replied: 'No.' Ella also took to Instagram to share a snap from the Dancing On Ice studio to ask fans to 'vote for Dan', also setting tongues wagging. Shiloh Jolie debuted a fresh new hairstyle while attending a dance class in Los Angeles on Tuesday, showcasing a softer look. The 18-year-old daughter of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, long known for her tomboy aesthetic, was spotted embracing a more feminine style. Dressed in a sleek dark sweatsuit ideal for a workout, she wore her hair in soft buns and accessorized with bold gold hoop earringsan effortlessly chic departure from her usual laid-back fashion. Shilohs evolving style is a striking contrast to the blunt haircuts, hoodies, and tailored suits she often favored in the past. Yet, no matter what look she embraces, she continues to turn heads with her natural beauty, just like her equally fashionable siblings. Jolie, 49, and Pitt, 61, share six children: three biologicalShiloh and twins Knox and Vivienne, 16and three adoptedMaddox, 23, Pax, 21, and Zahara, 19. Shiloh Jolie debuted a fresh new hairstyle while attending a dance class in Los Angeles on Tuesday, showcasing a softer look The 18-year-old daughter of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt , long known for her tomboy aesthetic , was spotted embracing a more feminine style Dressed in a sleek dark sweatsuit ideal for a workout, she wore her hair in soft buns and accessorized with bold gold hoop earringsan effortlessly chic departure from her usual laid-back fashion; (Shiloh and Angelina Jolie in 2018) Shiloh, who recently dropped her fathers surname, has been seen at this dance class multiple times, further showcasing her passion for the artsjust like her parents. In December, the former power couple finally ended their bitter, eight-year divorce battleofficially closing the chapter on one of Hollywoods most high-profile breakups. 'Its hard for her to trust men after what she went through with Brad, a source told Us Weekly last month. 'She hasnt sworn off men, but shes not looking for anything serious right now.' The insider added that the Malificent star 'doesnt think shell ever get over the trauma of her relationship with Pitt, reinforcing that 'shes not looking for love right now.' A different source close to Jolie described the divorce process as a nightmare for her and her family. 'These last eight years have been such a horrendous time for her and her family,' a different source told People. A source close to Pitt, however, pushed back on Jolies claims, telling People, 'Jolie has engaged in one-sided attacks for the past eight years, including a never-ending distortion of facts and projecting their own behavior onto others, causing tremendous collateral damage to those in and around the family.' Shilohs evolving style is a striking contrast to the blunt haircuts, hoodies, and tailored suits she often favored in the past The star sported a shorter look at dance class last year Yet, no matter what look she embraces, she continues to turn heads with her natural beauty, just like her equally fashionable siblings Jolie, 49, and Pitt, 61, share six children: three biologicalShiloh and twins Knox and Vivienne, 16and three adoptedMaddox, 23, Pax, 21, and Zahara, 19 Shiloh, who recently dropped her fathers surname, has been seen at this dance class multiple times, further showcasing her passion for the artsjust like her parents However, one major sticking point remains unresolvedtheir $62 million dispute over the French chateau and vineyard they once co-owned. The former couple, famously known as 'Brangelina,' signed off on their divorce paperwork at the end of the year. Jolies attorney, James Simon, told DailyMail.com that the actress is relieved to have closed this chapter. 'Frankly, Angelina is exhausted,' Simon said. 'More than eight years ago, Angelina filed for divorce from Mr. Pitt. She and the children left all of the properties they had shared with Mr. Pitt, and since that time, she has focused on finding peace and healing for their family,' he added. Following the split, Zahara, Shiloh, and Vivienne have reportedly dropped Pitt from their last name. While its believed that Knox and Vivienne still maintain some contact with their father, Maddox and Pax are said to be estranged. Following the split, Zahara, Shiloh, and Vivienne have reportedly dropped Pitt from their last name Jolies attorney, James Simon, told DailyMail.com that the actress is relieved to have closed this chapter Although their divorce has been finalized, the legal battle over Chateau Miraval, a celebrated French wine estate, remains contentious.; (Jolie and Pitt in 2009) Although their divorce has been finalized, the legal battle over Chateau Miraval, a celebrated French wine estate, remains contentious. Pitt has accused Jolie of selling her stake in the winery to the Stoli Group, known for its Stolichnaya vodka, without his consent. Despite progress in their divorce proceedings, the vineyard dispute shows no signs of resolution. Sources told DailyMail.com that both parties are prepared to take the matter to a jury trial or pursue mediation if necessary. Michelle Pfeiffer has broken her silence on the death of former co-star and friend Val Kilmer at 65 as she was one of the most beautiful women in Hollywood he had seduced. The 66-year-old actress paid tribute to the Hollywood legend on her Instagram Story as he previously revealed the 'intimacy' between them but candidly revealed that he actually had a crush on her younger sister Lori Pfeiffer, now 59. Val - famed for iconic roles in Top Gun, Batman and The Doors - tragically passed away at 65 from pneumonia after a long health battle. Michelle shared a black and white snap of them embracing on set of 1985 ABC afterschool special One Too Many with the caption: 'Rest In Peace, Val [red heart emoji]' The two had become friends after starring together in the special. He said he had always felt comfortable talking to Michelle, and was able to open up to her about his parents, with who he shared a strained relationship. Michelle Pfeiffer has broken her silence on the death of former co-star and friend Val Kilmer at 65 as they became friends after starring on 1985 ABC afterschool special One Too Many Val previously revealed the 'intimacy' between them but candidly revealed that he actually had a crush on her younger sister Lori Pfeiffer, now 59, as the two sisters are seen in January 2024 In turn, Michelle was able to confide in Val the inner working of her rocky marriage to Peter Horton, from who she later divorced. 'The secret pain that Michelle and I shared created an intimacy between us,' he wrote in his book. Val claimed to have adored her but confessed that he had always had an 'all consuming crush' on her younger sister Lori, who 'did not seem to reciprocate, even a little. In fact, she seemed to not even know I existed.' While the details of their alleged romance are unclear, the pair are thought to have dated at some point during the 1980s. Back on November 15, 2018 Val reflected on his bond with Michelle and even touched on his longing for Lori. He shared the same photo that Michelle had recently posted with the caption: '#tbt I first met Michelle through her husband Peter and Mare Winningham, who was my first girlfriend in high school. 'It was so amazing to work with all 3 such talented people in one after school special which was to my memory always a morality play that was designed to educate kids just home from school. Dah.' Val went on to explain that his costar-was so stunning, no doubt it came as a surprise that he had feelings for her youngest sibling instead. The 66-year-old actress paid tribute to the Hollywood legend on her Instagram Story He said he had always felt comfortable talking to Michelle (pictured in London back in June 2022), and was able to open up about his parents, with who he shared a strained relationship Back on November 15, 2018 Val reflected on his bond with Michelle and even touched on his longing for Lori Hollywood Val - famed for iconic roles in Top Gun, Batman and The Doors - died at 65 after a long health battle; seen in July 2019 in New York City He wrote: 'And Michelle was so incredibly beautiful and talented and fun, she must have been surprised that I had a crush on her little sister Lori instead! 'We all had so much fun. Id love to see it again after all these years. All about being a teenage drunk. And the rrest is history. Mare has I think 15 Emmys and Michelle has at least one Oscar and I have very fond memories of way too much fun in the Pecos wilderness in New Mexico...www.valKilmer.com' His daughter Mercedes Kilmer, whom he shared with ex-wife Joanne Whalley, revealed Val passed from pneumonia in Los Angeles on Tuesday. The screen icon was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014 and underwent surgery, including a tracheotomy which significantly impacted his ability to speak. He was later declared cancer free. Kilmer was known for his role as Iceman in the 1986 hit movie Top Gun and as Batman/Bruce Wayne in the 1995 Batman Forever. Despite his permanently damaged voice, he made a brief return to the screen in 2022's Top Gun: Maverick, reprising his role as Iceman opposite Tom Cruise. It was his final big screen appearance. The Los Angeles native also famously played musician Jim Morrison in the 1991 film The Doors. Aside from Mercedes, 33, he is also survived by son Jack Kilmer, 29. Kilmer was married to their mother, fellow actress Joanne, from 1988 until 1996. His death was confirmed by the New York Times on Tuesday. The actor died from pneumonia in Los Angeles on Tuesday; pictured in a 1986 still from Top Gun In 1991, he famously played musician Jim Morrison in The Doors; pictured in a still from the movie Kilmer underwent both radiotherapy and chemotherapy for his cancer as well as a tracheostomy a procedure to create an artificial hole in this neck to help him breathe. The latter permanently damaged his vocal cords and consequentially forever altered his speaking voice. Kilmer reported in 2020 that he had been cancer-free for four years. Kathleen Turner looked frail as she made a rare public outing in NYC this week - months after her failing health caused her to drop out of a play. The Body Heat and Romancing The Stone star, 70, looked shaky as she leaned on a walker after stepping away from the spotlight. For the trip, Turner wore a long, dark overcoat, over a blue sweater, black pants, and black sneakers, as she made her way to an awaiting vehicle with the help of two people. The Academy Award nominee has been open about her struggles with rheumatoid arthritis, a debilitating autoimmune disease that affects the joints and organs, which was diagnosed during the peak of her career in the early 1990s. Last summer, after gravitating her attention more to theatre, Turner fell ill on stage during the production of A Little Night Music at the Ogunquit Playhouse in Ogunquit, Maine, and had to be replaced in the role of Madame Armfeldt, per MSN. A spokesperson for the theater said the actress left the stage during the matinee performance - with guests claiming the screen legend 'forgot some of her lines' and was 'slurring her words' before abruptly leaving. Kathleen Turner, 70, looked shaky during a rare public outing in Downtown New York City on Tuesday, when she was seen using a walker to get to an awaiting vehicle The one-time A-list actress has sparked concern over her health since abruptly leaving the stage during a performance of a play after falling ill last summer Turner would ultimately miss the final two shows. In the proceeding years, her career as a leading lady went into a steep decline and she was seen in fewer and fewer very successful films. After the illness had drastically altered her life and her appearance, caused by medications and chemotherapy, Turner turned to alcohol as a way to ease the pain, but maintained she was careful never to drink while working, according to The Guardian. Over time, the drinking eventually became a real problem, prompting her to check herself into a rehabilitation center to nip the issue in the bud. 'It was incredibly stupid. I had this thing in my head where I thought: "I'm not taking pain pills they are addictive and dangerous." But it was OK to have that second or third vodka,' she confessed. But ultimately, she had a sudden moment of clarity, revealing, 'I thought: "I am wasting my entire day with my daughter, with my husband, because Id close myself down and drink."' Despite drug therapy to help her rheumatoid arthritis, the disease progressed for about eight years. Then, thanks to newly available treatments, it went into remission, opening up her to be able to start acting again on a regular basis in film and television. Turner got an Oscar nomination for Peggy Sue Got Married (1986), years before her rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis began to have an effect on her life and career Last summer, after gravitating her attention more to theatre, Turner fell ill on stage during the production of A Little Night Music at the Ogunquit Playhouse in Ogunquit, Maine, and had to be replaced The Oscar-nominated actress has been open about her struggles with rheumatoid arthritis, a debilitating autoimmune disease that affects the joints and organs, since the 1990s For the trip, Turner wore a long, dark overcoat, over a blue sweater, black pants, and black sneakers, as she made her way to an awaiting vehicle with the help of two people Moat recently, the actress fell ill on stage during the production of A Little Night Music at the Ogunquit Playhouse in Ogunquit, Maine, and had to be replaced Turner made her film debut in erotic thriller film Body Heat (1981) alongside William Hurt The Hollywood legend garnered critical acclaim for her performances in film, that dates back to her debut in Body Heat (1981), along with Romancing The Stone (1984), Prizzi's Honor (9185), Peggy Sue Got Married (1986), which earned her Oscar nomination and War Of The Roses (1989). Her extensive film credits also include The Man With Two Brains, Jewel Of The Nile (1985), The Accidental Tourist, V.I. Warshawski (1991), Naked In New York (1993), Serial Mom (1994), Moonlight And Valentino (1995), The Real Blonde (1997), The Virgin Suicides (1999), and Dumb and Dumber To (2014). She has also performed in such popular TV series as The Simpsons (1994), Friends (2001), Law & Order (2006), Nip/Tuck (2006), Californication (2009), Family Guy (2017), and The Kominsky Method (2019 and 2021). Along with her theatrical work, most recently she starred in the satirical political drama series White House Plumbers (2023) with Woody Harrelson and Justin Theorux. Denise Richards daughter Sami opened up about her fractured relationship with her father Charlie Sheen, who previously disapproved of her OnlyFans career. On Tuesdays episode of Denise Richards & Her Wild Things, the reality star, 21, declined the chance to reunite with her dad, 59, over lunch with her mom and sister, Lola, 19. 'I would rather do literally anything else than go to lunch with my father,' Sami said in a confessional. Richards, 54, explained to the cameras that Sami and Charlie have butted heads over the years and that both their 'girls have been through a lot with their dad.' Sami went on to note that she and the Two and a Half Men alum 'havent really spoken much in the past five months.' Denise Richards daughter Sami opened up about her fractured relationship with her father Charlie Sheen, who previously disapproved of her OnlyFans career 'It goes in very big chunks with him. I think for the first 13 years of my life, it was pretty bad, and then we were okay for a couple years, and now its just like, okay,' Sami told viewers. Due to past friction with their dad, who has battled drug and alcohol abuse, Richards added that understands 'why Sami feels the way she does.' 'It hasnt always been perfect with he and Lola, either with any of his kids. So I hope that he does recognize that because hes missing out,' the former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star continued. Sami, then, declared that Charlie was 'really' missing out on not having a close relationship with her. In addition to his two daughters with Richards, Charlie shares his daughter, Cassandra Estevez, 40, with his high school girlfriend, Paula Profit, and his twin boys, Bob and Max, 17, with ex, Brooke Mueller. When she was 17, Sami moved out of her mother Denise Richards' home and moved in with her father. Sami famously joined OnlyFans in June 2022, a few months after her 18th birthday, to Charlie's dismay. In 2023, he admitted to having a 'knee-jerk reaction' to her becoming an adult content creator on the site. On Tuesdays episode of Denise Richards & Her Wild Things , the reality star, 21, declined the chance to reunite with her dad, 59, over lunch with her mom and sister, Lola, 19 'I would rather do literally anything else than go to lunch with my father,' Sami said in a confessional 'I had a knee-jerk reaction to it because of the reputation that preceded it,' he said of his initial concerns over her career choice. During the latest Denise Richards & Her Wild Things episode, Lola revealed that their relationship 'has definitely improved' and views their closeness as 'a blessing.' 'We started getting pedicures together like every two to three weeks, and thats like our favorite thing to do together,' she gushed. Over lunch, Lola noted that her sister definitely inherited their dads 'dark humor.' 'How is she? Is she good?' he asked, to which Lola confessed she didn't know as they were also embroiled in a bit of a rift. When she was 17, Sami moved out of her mother Denise Richards' home and moved in with her father (pictured in 2019) The pair and Richards opted to have lunch at a restaurant that Lola use to work at as a hostess. 'The staff here, nobody knew that you were my dad,' Lola recalled. 'And when we took a photo they thought I was a fan.' After Charlie asked if she kept her identity 'a secret out of shame' or to protect him, Lola explained she just didn't want to be treated differently. During the premiere episode of Denise Richards & Her Wild Things, Lola revealed that she typically turns to her dad for guidance. 'Sometimes I get super amped up when I'm talking to my mom and Sami, so I called my dad for a while, and he really helped me,' she said. 'He's so good at helping my brain because he's so logical.' Sami went on to note that she and the Two and a Half Men alum 'havent really spoken much in the past five months' Lola (L), however, revealed that their relationship 'has definitely improved' and views their closeness as 'a blessing' (seen with mom Denise Richards and sister Sami last month) Lola explained that her sister, Sami, 'cannot understand' her way of thinking. 'A lot of people say it's surprising that I'm a woman of God,' noted. 'I actually saw an article that said, "Lola an apple that fell far from the tree," or something.' She went on to joke that the only thing she and Sami 'have in common is that' they're 'in the same family.' During the same episode, Richards described Lola as 'like a fairy.' 'She's just very soft. She's light. Because of her innocence, I feel that she's not what I would say is your typical 19-year-old, growing up in a Hollywood family in Los Angeles,' the actress said. During the premiere episode of Denise Richards & Her Wild Things, Lola revealed that she typically turns to her dad for guidance Earlier this year, Lola revealed on Instagram that she got baptized after hitting 'rock bottom.' 'I felt so lost and hopeless, and was just doing my best to make it to the next day. I just accepted my life was going to be like that forever, and thought I would never genuinely laugh again,' she recalled. After finding her faith, she said religion rescued her 'from the darkness' and made her 'life worth living' after previously battling severe anxiety. 'I chose to get baptized at the beginning of this year, because I made it through this year only by the strength of Jesus, and I am so happy to go into this next year,' she concluded. Legendary comedian Paul Rodriguez has threatened legal action against police over his shock fentanyl raid which he claims was 'racially motivated' as law enforcement has a different story. The 70-year-old comedian is currently embroiled in a war with the Burbank Police Department coming off the heels of his recent arrest for drug possession as he claimed a 'white cop slapped him'. DailyMail.com has received conflicting statements between the attorney for the former El Pollo Loco spokesman and the law enforcement agency. Rodriguez's lawyer Bobby Samini said the arresting police officer's actions constituted a civil rights violation. Samini said in a statement to DailyMail.com on Wednesday: 'The assertion that Mr. Rodriguez was in possession of any controlled substance is absolutely false. 'Statements by anonymous sources that to the contrary are solely intended to defame Mr. Rodriguez are cowardly and irresponsible. Mr. Rodriguez will defend these allegations and take all appropriate legal action against those responsible.' Legendary comedian Paul Rodriguez has threatened legal action against police over his shock fentanyl raid which he claims was 'racially motivated' as law enforcement has a different story The attorney went on to list out Rodriguez's contributions to the nation in the form of his military service. Samini continued: 'Aside from Mr. Rodriguezs storied career in Hollywood, he is a retired United States Air Force veteran. He served this Country honorably and held the highest levels of security clearance. 'Although he fully cooperated with law enforcement, he was forcibly removed from the vehicle, arrested, and subsequently strip-searched. No controlled substances were found in his possession or on his person. This conduct was not intended to protect and serve the community but intended to humiliate and demean Mr. Rodriguez.' Rodriguez was arrested with a female friend who was driving at the time and law enforcement conducted a search as they found drugs in the unidentified woman's purse. Samini concluded: 'Mr. Rodriquez, a passenger in the vehicle, was treated like a dangerous criminal. 'My client believes in the judicial system and will seek justice from a jury of his peers. Mr. Rodriguez will exercise his legal rights and clear his name.' Now Sergeant Stephen Turner has responded to Rodriguez's allegations - on behalf of the Burbank Police Department - in a statement to DailyMail.com on Wednesday. The officer said that the agency is aware of the alleged misconduct and 'the incident is being administratively reviewed by the Department. The 70-year-old comedian is currently embroiled in a war with the Burbank Police Department coming off the heels of his recent arrest for drug possession as he claimed a 'white cop slapped him' Now Sergeant Stephen Turner has responded to Rodriguez's allegations - on behalf of the Burbank Police Department - in a statement to DailyMail.com on Wednesday as the officer said that the agency is aware of the alleged misconduct and 'the incident is being administratively reviewed by the Department' Turner also told DailyMail.com that 'Mr. Paul Rodriguez spoke with a Watch Commander upon his release from jail and he did not allege any misconduct.' This came days after Rodriguez broke his silence following his arrest on Friday. The entertainer, known for his stand-up comedy and film roles, was pulled over by police in Burbank, California, for a traffic violation, according to TMZ. While the specific details of the violation remain unclear, sources claim that during the stop, officers searched Rodriguezs vehicle and allegedly found narcotics inside. He was arrested and taken into custody on misdemeanor drug possession charges. However, in a statement to TMZ on Saturday, Rodriguez denied the drugs were his, claiming that one of the officers acted inappropriately during the arrest. He also suggested the incident may have been racially motivated. DailyMail.com had reached out to Paul's reps for comment at the time. Legendary Rodriguez was arrested on drug possession charges Friday, according to law enforcement sources Rodriguez explained that while his car was pulled over, he was asleep in the passenger seat when the officer, who he described as 'Caucasian,' allegedly slapped him to wake him up, accusing the officer of being on a 'power trip.' As for the narcotics, Rodriguez claims they belonged to his friend, who was driving at the time. According to the comedian, his friend admitted to police that the drugs were hers. Despite this, Rodriguez says he was "roughed up" and arrested along with her. The vehicle was impounded. Police officials confirmed that Rodriguez was cited and released on misdemeanor drug possession charges, and the case will be forwarded to the city attorney for review. However, authorities have yet to comment on Rodriguezs allegations. Rodriguez revealed that he is considering filing a formal complaint regarding the officers conduct. Meanwhile, his friend is being held for outstanding warrants. This incident comes amid a challenging period for the comedian. In November of last year, Rodriguez's longtime friend, Donald Serrato, passed away from natural causes while staying at Rodriguezs Los Angeles home. Additionally, in 2021, the comedian underwent quadruple bypass surgery. Serrato had sold his own home in Torrance and was staying at Rodriguez' residence in the Los Angeles area for some days before moving to Montana at the time of his death. Law enforcement sources said the authorities believe Serrato died of natural causes, and do not suspect drugs or foul play were involved. At the time, Rodriguez said he felt Serrato's alleged heavy drinking and smoking - as well as his grief over two bereavements in his family - may have contributed to his demise. He explained that he left the house at about 6am Thursday to go to a film shoot and then rang Serrato at approximately 12pm to make lunch plans. However he received no answer to his phone call, so he contacted Serrato's girlfriend who then visited the house to check in on him, he told TMZ. Emergency services responded by visiting Rodriguez' home and finding Serrato, whom they pronounced dead on the scene. Rodriguez, who was born in Sinaloa before immigrating to Compton with his family, has been a comedian for more than four decades. His son is a famous skateboarder also called Paul Rodriguez (right), who goes by P-Rod on social media and boats over a million followers on Instagram He is a regular on the stand-up circuit, and is one of the elite group of comedians whose photos are on the wall of the iconic Comedy Store in Los Angeles. Early in his career, Rodriguez even led the cast of his own sitcom a.k.a. Pablo in 1984, thought it was canceled after six episodes. Over the years, fans have seen him on top television programs including The Golden Girls, Touched By An Angel and The Twilight Zone. He has also lent his voice to cartoons like King Of The Hill, Dora The Explorer and The Proud Family, and the animated film Cats & Dogs: The Return Of Kitty Galore. Rodriguez has featured in live-action movies like the 2002 Clint Eastwood film Blood Work and the 2021 release Clifford The Big Red Dog. His son is a famous skateboarder also called Paul Rodriguez, who goes by P-Rod on social media and boats over a million followers on Instagram. Hey, SNL snobs the joke's on you. Morgan Wallen is one of the biggest stars in the world, but after he broke protocol on Saturday Night Live last weekend rushing off stage as soon as credits rolled, rather than hugging it out with the cast and guest host Mikey Madison insiders wasted little time trashing him. 'He was unprofessional the entire time and came in with a chip on his shoulder,' an SNL staffer told the Mail. 'He thought that he was this massive star that deserved to be treated as if they were lucky to have him and when he wasn't getting that he threw a tantrum.' Oh, unlike other major guest hosts and SNL cast members? You mean to tell us that no one in the history of this show Chevy Chase is but one example has behaved like a prima donna? Perhaps SNL insiders are complaining because Wallen is a country music artist who once rocked a mullet and appeals to middle America. Ergo: He is MAGA. And we all know what coastal elites think about anyone who voted for Donald Trump. Morgan Wallen is one of the biggest stars in the world, but after he broke protocol on Saturday Night Live last weekend - rushing off stage as soon as credits rolled, rather than hugging it out with the cast and guest host Mikey Madison (pictured) - insiders wasted little time trashing him. The Mail's source admitted as much in the wake of SNL's cold open, a spoof of what went down in the leaked Signal group-chat scandal: A depiction of defense secretary Pete Hegseth drunkenly texting those attack plans to three teenage girls a skit that may have angered the 31-year-old performer. 'Morgan wears his political affiliation on his sleeve,' this source said. 'But did not talk about it outright.' Sounds pretty professional to me. But that doesn't seem to matter in the hallowed halls at 30 Rock, because, the source continued, Wallen 'is MAGA and everyone knows it'. God forbid. Perhaps Wallen walked off because he could sense the disdain dripping from the cast. Perhaps there were one too many smirks his way in the writer's room. Perhaps he opted not to participate in a musical sketch about dimwit New York City hipsters waiting in line for metropolitan fixations like matcha and cronuts because his core audience wouldn't get it or, worse, wouldn't find it funny. More likely, having probably suffered backstage slings and arrows from the ultra-progressive SNL cohort, maybe Wallen decided to do the bare minimum rather than be a team player when he clearly wasn't wanted his booking purely commercial. 'They had hopes [Wallen] would do the pre-tape and perhaps more,' another SNL insider said, 'but no joy.' Let's talk joy, shall we? SNL which has spent this entire season celebrating its 50th anniversary with no shortage of specials, books, magazine articles and a concert at Radio City Music Hall makes no secret of its political favorites, including that ostensible personification of 'joy', Kamala Harris. How lightly and lovingly she, the queen of word salad, was mocked. Joe Biden, so dangerously cognitively impaired, was played by SNL alum Dana Carvey as 'a sympathetic, well-meaning elderly man with a poor memory' to quote the official finding by Robert Hur that sent the left into paroxysm of outrage. Other pets of producer Lorne Michaels who have never been touched by SNL's otherwise no-holds-barred writers include, but are not limited to: Alec Baldwin, who savagely played Donald Trump until Baldwin accidentally shot and killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, a young wife and mother, on the set of 'Rust'. Baldwin's wife Hilaria, who claimed for years to be Spanish, from Spain, until she was unmasked a few years ago as a privileged white woman from Boston named Hillary Thomas-Hayward. Harry and Meghan. Hillary Clinton, whose 2016 loss to Donald Trump wasn't pilloried as it should have been but mourned by former cast member Kate McKinnon, dressed as Hillary singing Leonard Cohen's classic 'Hallelujah'. Yet these writers and poor excuses for comics have the nerve to think that they, and they alone, determine what America should find hilarious, or who is a worthy target for satire and who is untouchable. Lorne Michaels, age 80, allowed Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, currently two of the most toxic people in show business, to use that live 50th anniversary show to rehab their image as they seek to destroy Lively's director Justin Baldoni. Funny stuff. Truly. For those who would say Wallen had it coming that he's been arrested before and was caught on tape using the N-word, which is truly terrible remember that SNL still booked him. So it was their job to treat Wallen right, or at least with a modicum of professionalism. Lorne Michaels, age 80, allowed Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, currently two of the most toxic people in show business, to use that live 50th anniversary show to rehab their image - as they seek to destroy Lively's director Justin Baldoni. Perhaps SNL insiders are complaining because Wallen is a country music artist who once rocked a mullet and appeals to middle America. (Pictured: Morgan Wallen's social media post after walking off SNL). It's incredible to watch the hypocrisy on display. Just the other night, sainted SNL fixture Bill Murray, while promoting his new movie on Watch What Happens Live! owned, just like SNL, by NBC's parent company grabbed co-star Naomi Watts by the head and forcibly kissed her, on the mouth, for a lengthy amount of time. What did Bill and host Andy Cohen do? Laugh, laugh, laugh. These are the same people who preach to America about kindness, inclusivity, women's rights. About what to think and who to vote for. But, sure, Morgan Wallen is the deplorable one here. He's the one who should be doubly castigated for posting a photo of his private plane with the caption 'Get me to God's country' after fleeing SNL. Cast member Kenan Thompson who has been on SNL forever, unwilling or unable to graduate like other cast members claimed confusion over Wallen's post. 'You trying to say that we are not in God's country?' Thompson asked. 'We're all not under God's umbrella? That's not necessarily my favorite.' Well, Kenan, sometimes you get what you give. And a show that treats its few MAGA viewers as dirt under your shoe sure doesn't feel like you think they, too, are under God's umbrella. So take that fake sentiment, your doe-eyed act of wounded confusion, and try to make it funny. Dare you. Kathy Griffin appears to be reigniting her long-standing feud with Will Smith. The controversial comedian, 64, claimed the actor gave her the cold shoulder when they worked together decades agoyears before she would go on to slam him for his infamous Oscar slap. During Tuesdays episode of her Talk Your Head Off podcast, the actress recalled her early days in Hollywood when she landed a guest role on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air in 1990. But according to Griffin, Smith, then a rising star, completely ignored her until the moment they filmed. 'This was the first big gig I had,' she said, adding, He did not talk to me until show day. DailyMail.com has reached out to Smith's reps for comment. Kathy Griffin appears to be reigniting her long-standing feud with Will Smith; (seen in 2022) The controversial comedian, 64, claimed the actor gave her the cold shoulder when they worked together decades agoyears before she would go on to slam him for his infamous Oscar slap; (Smith During Tuesdays episode of her Talk Your Head Off podcast , the actress recalled her early days in Hollywood when she landed a guest role on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air in 1990. Griffin explained that the episode was shot before The Fresh Prince had even premiered, at a time when Smith was primarily known as a rapper. She explained that Smith had 'ignored her all week because hes launching a gigantic show.' When I finally got to talk to him on shooting day, which was Friday, I said, What would you like me to call you, Fresh Prince or Will? And he said, You can call me Will, she continued. 'So I did, and I was, you know, nervous around him, because Id seen all his videos, and Jazzy Jeff was there for a day, which was great, and the live audience went crazy when they saw Jazzy Jeff. He may have even DJd, if I recall correctly. While she acknowledged the pressure Smith was under as the face of a brand-new show, she claimed he was distant all week, only warming up when cameras rolled. He really took his time to kind of get to know me a little bit, she said. 'And he was asking about me and helping me relax. 'I didnt tell him I was nervous, but I think he could tell that I hadnt done a show this big before. The resurfaced tension between Griffin and Smith follows years of her publicly dragging him over the 2022 Oscars controversy, when he stormed the stage and slapped Chris Rock. But according to Griffin, Smith, then a rising star, completely ignored her until the moment they filmed 'This was the first big gig I had,' she said, adding, He did not talk to me until show day.' At the time of the Oscars incident, she also issued a warning about the fallout for comedians, tweeting, Let me tell you something, its a very bad practice to walk up on stage and physically assault a comedian. Now we all have to worry about who wants to be the next Will Smith in comedy clubs and theaters' Ahead of the 2024 Academy Awards, Griffin reignited her criticism by posting a throwback clip of Joan Rivers slapping her during a roast, joking, Joan and I walked so Chris and Will could run my jaw still hurts.' At the time of the Oscars incident, she also issued a warning about the fallout for comedians. Taking to X, she wrote, Let me tell you something, its a very bad practice to walk up on stage and physically assault a comedian. 'Now we all have to worry about who wants to be the next Will Smith in comedy clubs and theaters. With her latest claims, it seems Griffin isnt ready to let go of her long-running beef with the Oscar winner anytime soon. Donna Air showed off her age-defying figure in a red and white swimsuit as she posed for a sexy Instagram snap on Wednesday. The English actress, 45, flashed her model svelte physique as she struck a pose in the mirror before taking a dip. The Split star, who shares daughter Freya Aspinall with ex Damian Aspinall, looked nothing short of sensational in the swimsuit snap. Donna shot to fame at just ten years old on the iconic BBC series Byker Grove. She was just 21 when she met and fell in love with multimillionaire Damian, who was 40 at the time. They were introduced at a dinner party in 2000 by their mutual friend, former It Girl Tara Palmer-Tomkinson, and went on to have a seven year relationship, before their amicable split in July 2007. Donna Air, 45, showed off her age-defying figure in a red and white swimsuit as she posed for a sexy Instagram snap on Wednesday Damian, owns The Aspinall Foundation, which partners with Howletts Wild Animal Park, founded by his father John Aspinall. The Aspinall Foundation is British charity founded in 1984 that strives to promote wildlife conservation and return captive animals back to the wild, while also running projects abroad to protect endangered species. It runs both Howletts and Port Lympne park, which is set in 600 acres and houses many rare and endangered species, with the largest breeding herd of black rhinos in the UK. Freya has inherited her father's love of conservation and dedicates her time to caring for various animals in the sanctuary and is being lined up to one day inherit his position as chair of the Aspinall Foundation. She has also inherited her mother's stunning good looks and became the youngest model on the books of Storm, the agency discovered by Kate Moss, in 2018. But rather than pass most of her time on the runway, she spends her days in the park caring for orphaned lion cubs and gorillas, or in Africa to release them back into the wild. The influencer uses her Instagram to promote the importance of conversation work, sharing heartwarming videos of her cuddling with big cats and feeding gorillas by hand in their enclosures, raking in an impressive 1.5million followers. Freya has shown she's not a typical 'nepo baby', with it being reported that when she signed her modelling contract she insisted she would use her profile to promote conservation issues. Donna shares daughter Freya Aspinall with ex Damian Aspinall (pictured in 2024) Actress Donna was just 21 when she met and fell in love with multimillionaire Damian, who was 40 at the time, dating for seven years and welcoming Freya in 2001 (trio seen in 2013) Freya has inherited her father's love of conservation and dedicates her time to caring for various animals in the sanctuary and is being lined up to one day inherit his position as chair of the Aspinall Foundation (pictured together) She has also inherited her mother's stunning good looks and became the youngest model on the books of Storm, the agency discovered by Kate Moss, in 2018 (seen with Donna in 2023) Calling herself a 'mini version' of dad Damian, she has said if she ever books a magazine cover it will be as a conservationist rather than a model. Speaking to the Financial Times, she admitted: 'I grew up with animals and couldn't imagine my world without them. This is in my blood I've always known what I wanted to do.' And it's no wonder she shares such a close bond with animals, after being placed in in a gorilla enclosure at Howletts as a baby to be carried off by the female of the group. It was a ritual Damian had carried out with his first two daughters, Tansy and Clary, from his 15-year marriage to Louise Sebag-Montefiore. Describing his plans for Freya at the time, he told London's Evening Standard: 'It's a ritual. I'll probably give her to the dominant female who will take her off, sex her, and introduce her to the others. I did this with my other daughters, now it's Freya's turn.' While Donna fully approved of the plan because she did not believe that Freya would be in any danger. Damian added: 'Why would I not trust them? I know them, I grew up with them. They are my friends'. And Freya is certainly not afraid of getting up and close to exotic animals at the family wildlife park. But rather than pass most of her time on the runway, she spends her days in the park caring for orphaned lion cubs and gorillas, or in Africa to release them back into the wild Freya has shown she's not a typical 'nepo baby', with it being reported that when she signed her modelling contract she insisted she would use her profile to promote conservation issues And it's no wonder she shares such a close bond with animals, after being placed in in a gorilla enclosure at Howletts as a baby to be carried off by the female of the group (seen as a child) She has described Port Lympne Wild Animal Park in Kent where she loves to feed the giraffes as one of her 'favourite places to be'. She's often seen cuddling and feeding treats to a pair of gorillas, Silverback Kifu and Tambabi, that she has known since birth. After building up decades of trust with the pair, Freya and her father are the only people who are able to interact with the gorillas like this safely. Howletts Wild Animal Park said: 'This type of interaction takes years of trust, love and respect. 'Nobody other than Freya or Damian enters their enclosure with them. [Building this trust is done via] No tricks, no shortcuts, just years of love, mutual respect and trust.' They added: 'Freya has been around animals in this way since she was a baby. 'Animals are honest. If the gorillas didn't want to interact with Freya and Damian they would let them know with their body language before they enter the enclosure.' While Freya celebrate her 20th birthday by having a slumber party with one of the lion cubs she's helping to raise, describing herself as a 'Lion mama'. Freya is certainly not afraid of getting up and close to exotic animals, describing Port Lympne, where she loves to feed the giraffes as one of her 'favourite places to be' She's often seen cuddling and feeding treats to a pair of gorillas, Silverback Kifu and Tambabi, that she has known since birth While Freya celebrate her 20th birthday by having a slumber party with one of the lion cubs she's helping to raise, describing herself as a 'Lion mama' (pictured) She reared cubs, Zemo and Zala, after their mother sadly died from a uterus infection and has shared touching footage of her sharing a bed with the orphaned lions, who she's preparing for life in the wild She gushed: 'Ever since I left school at 16, Ive really devoted my life to this. The animals have really hijacked me; they are who I am now. Im with these animals every day' She reared cubs, Zemo and Zala, after their mother sadly died from a uterus infection and has shared touching footage of her sharing a bed with the orphaned lions, who she's preparing for life in the wild. However, she makes it clear to her followers that she does not plan to domesticate the animals, explaining: 'If you are wondering why there are lions in the house, don't get the wrong impression they are not pets at all. 'I have to hand raise them after their mother died and at night they sleep with me as they would with their mother as I am their primary carer when they are old enough they will be rewilded back to Africa. 'There is NO humanising or domesticating at all!!! If anything they lionise me! Anyone that meets the lions can testify this. This needs to be explained as their are a lot of people on social media that use animals and domesticate them as pets this is not the case at all! 'If I was not doing this and hand raising them they would be dead. We will rewild them where they belong. 'I wanted to post this photo to change the narrative for people to stop just seeing animals as pets instead look at this image and see the beauty behind it with the story of rewilding and sending animals back to the wild'. Advertisement Married At First Sight bride Beth Kelly has teased a shock career move, after failing to find love with her groom Teejay Halkias. The 28-year-old hair salon manager, who is originally from England, admitted she's open to appearing on MAFS UK if given the opportunity. 'Of course I f***ing would! Why not? I would love to do it. I'd do it in a heartbeat,' Beth told Yahoo Lifestyle. 'I've obviously not been able to find myself an Australian lad, so I may as well go back to my home roots and try and find a Brit. Sign me up!' MAFS UK premiered in 2015, just two months after the Australian edition, and features Aussie relationship expert Mel Schilling alongside Paul Brunson and Charlene Douglas. It comes after Beth dramatically ended her relationship with groom Teejay just days before the couple were due to face one another at Final Vows. Married At First Sight bride Beth Kelly has teased a shock career move, after failing to find love. Pictured During Sunday night's emotional episode, the hair salon manager from the Gold Coast made the heartbreaking decision to walk away from the experiment after weeks of feeling rejected by her TV husband. Beth blindsided viewers and Teejay alike by calling it quits as the pair packed up their belongings at the eleventh hour, following an emotional fallout at the final dinner party. Breaking down in tears, Beth confessed: 'That conversation [at the Dinner Party] has made me feel so s**t. 'It's obvious he doesn't want me, doesn't want this relationship, and I can't go to Final Vows and stand in front of someone that I've had feelings for, confess that I wanted a future with them, for them to tell me that again.' Visibly upset, she added: 'I don't see a future with you. I'm not gonna put my energy into it. I'm not wasting my time anymore. Oh God, I'm so sick of crying'. The brunette beauty, who wore minimal makeup and a simple white tank top as she sobbed during the emotional scene, reflected on how far they had fallen from the promising start of their relationship. 'I genuinely thought that we would walk out of this experiment together,' she said. 'I thought we were perfectly matched and now from going from that to where we are it's so sad it didn't work out.' Beth's shock decision came just days after she sat down with Daily Mail Australia to reveal the real reason behind her choice to quit the experiment early. The 28-year-old hair salon manager, who is originally from England, admitted she's open to appearing on MAFS UK if given the opportunity It comes after Beth dramatically ended her relationship with groom Teejay Halkias just days before the couple were due to face one another at Final Vows She admitted she reached breaking point after Teejay, a business development manager from Melbourne, repeatedly made it clear he wasn't invested in their relationship. 'My reason for leaving was purely because Teejay wrote 'leave.' He was obviously completely checked out,' Beth said last week. 'I don't think you can tell a person you don't wanna be with them any more than that.' The fiery brunette admitted she initially tried to salvage their relationship but eventually realised she was 'chasing someone who didn't want me'. Beth's exit followed a tense final dinner party where she and Teejay put on a united front, walking in together despite their fractured bond. The breaking point in their relationship came after the controversial partner-swap date week, when both Beth and Teejay were sent on dates with other people in a bid to test their connections. Beth confessed that participating in the challenge only amplified her heartache. 'To be honest, going made me feel worse,' she admitted. 'I definitely wasn't attracted to [my date] I felt like I played off that I had a better time than I did because truthfully, I was just thinking about TJ the entire time.' She said she hoped the experiment would encourage Teejay to appreciate what they had but instead, she was left crushed. While Beth confessed she felt deeply hurt and humiliated by how her marriage crumbled, she maintained she had no regrets about signing up for the reality experiment. Jim Carrey has paid tribute to his late Batman Forever co-star Val Kilmer following the Top Gun star's death at age 65. Kilmer, who died Tuesday of pneumonia, played the titular caped crusader in the 1995 film and Carey portrayed the Riddler. In the statement obtained by People, Carrey, 63, said history will remember Kilmer for his 'indelible acting performances'. He also sent his sympathies to Kilmer's family. 'Im remembering Val Kilmer today with great admiration for him as a man and as a generational talent who left us an enviable legacy of indelible acting performances,' he said. 'His greatest artistic achievements were rivaled only by the grace and courage with which he endured his lifes most challenging moments. Wishing his family so much love.' Jim Carrey has paid tribute to his late Batman Forever co-star Val Kilmer following the Top Gun star's death at age 65 While Kilmer played the caped crusader, Carrey portrayed the Riddler Carrey isn't the only Batman Forever co-star to have paid tribute to Kilmer. Debi Mazar, who played Spice, described meeting Kilmer 'in a dilapidated van' with a missing door following filmmaker Vincent Gallo's wedding. She called him a 'fighter' as she noted the struggles he faced with his health. The actor was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014 and underwent surgery, including a tracheotomy which permanently damaged his vocal cords and consequentially forever altered his speaking voice. 'So sad to hear that Val Kilmer has passed. I met Val in 1984 ,in a dilapidated van that had a door missing. We had just attended Vincent Gallos wedding to a girl named Denise(?) in NYC. 'The van took a bunch of us to the wedding reception in Jamaica , Queens. Super fun memory of that day Years later ,Id work with him in The Doors & Batman Forever 'He was so talented & interesting. I know he struggled over the years with his health, and was a fighter. 'My condolences to his family &loved ones .May he R.I.P.' One of Kilmer's best known was his role as Batman/Bruce Wayne in the 1995 Batman Forever, however the film received a halfhearted reception from critics Kilmer pictured with Batman Forever co-stars Jim Carrey and Nicole Kidman in 1995 One of Kilmer's best known was his role as Batman/Bruce Wayne in the 1995 Batman Forever, however the film received a halfhearted reception from critics. Meanwhile director Joel Schumacher and Val clashed during the making of the film, with Joel describing the star as 'childish and impossible'. He said at the time that Val fought with the crew and refused to speak to him for two weeks. Joel later called Val: 'The most psychologically troubled human being I've ever worked with.' Val pulled out of the next Batman movie and George Clooney replaced his role as the superhero in the follow up Batman & Robin in 1997. Kilmer landed the role of Batman after following a gut instinct to call his agent. In a 2020 profile with the New York Times, Kilmer said he first learned about the Batman role during a 1994 trip to Africa. The Top Gun actor has passed at age 65 following a battle with pneumonia; pictured 2019 While there, he visited a bat cave and later followed a gut feeling to call his agent. Once they were in touch, his agent pitched him the role. Kilmer maintained that it was scheduling difficulties with his next movie, The Saint, which led to him dropping out of the role. Charlie Sheen's voice has sparked some concern among fans of ex-wife Denise Richards' reality show. The 59-year-old actor appeared on the Tuesday episode of Denise Richards & Her Wild Things as he reunited with his 54-year-old ex and their 19-year-old daughter Lola. It was a heartwarming moment for the three - though Charlie's 21-year-old daughter Sami opted to not join them after their relationship fractured over her OnlyFans career - but many on social media expressed their concern for the former Two And A Half Men star over his voice. Fans of the reality series to post about Charlie's voice as he has previously revealed he speaks like that due to a 'laryngeal inflammation' due to a case of acid reflux. A short video featuring a clip from the reality series was posted onto TikTok as one comment said: 'His facelift has made his voice higher.' Others compared his looks and voice to that of another reality star: Caitlyn Jenner. Charlie Sheen's voice has sparked some concern among fans of ex-wife Denise Richards ' reality show The 59-year-old actor appeared on the Tuesday episode of Denise Richards & Her Wild Things as he reunited with his 54-year-old ex and their 19-year-old daughter Lola Fans of the reality series to post about Charlie's voice as he has previously revealed he speaks like that due to a 'laryngeal inflammation' due to a case of acid reflux 'He sounds like Caitlyn Jenner,' one wrote as another chimed in: 'Why does he look and sound like Caitlyn Jenner?' Another talked about Charlie and Denise's distinct voices as they wrote: 'He's an octave higher and she's an octave lower.' Back in 2014, Charlie revealed the real culprit of his voice problems in an interview with the National Enquirer. as he said it was a result of acid reflux which turned into 'laryngeal inflammation.' Acid reflux (or gastroesophageal reflux disease, GERD) is a chronic condition where stomach acid drains backward into the esophagus, causing symptoms such as heartburn, coughing, wheezing, hoarseness, and that 'lump in your throat' feeling. And it can sometimes seem like a more serious condition, like cancer or a heart attack. Meanwhile, on the same episode Charlie and Denise's daughter Sami opened up about her fractured relationship with her father, who previously disapproved of her OnlyFans career. The reality star had declined the chance to reunite with her dad over the aforementioned lunch with her mom and sister, Lola. 'I would rather do literally anything else than go to lunch with my father,' Sami said in a confessional. Richards explained to the cameras that Sami and Charlie have butted heads over the years and that both their 'girls have been through a lot with their dad.' Charlie greeted his ex-wife with a warm hug It was a heartwarming moment for the three but many on social media expressed their concern for the former Two And A Half Men star over his voice A short video featuring a clip from the reality series was posted onto TikTok as one comment said: 'His facelift has made his voice higher' Twitter users also commented on his voice Sami went on to note that she and the Two and a Half Men alum 'havent really spoken much in the past five months.' 'It goes in very big chunks with him. I think for the first 13 years of my life, it was pretty bad, and then we were okay for a couple years, and now its just like, okay,' Sami told viewers. Due to past friction with their dad, who has battled drug and alcohol abuse, Richards added that understands 'why Sami feels the way she does.' 'It hasnt always been perfect with he and Lola, either with any of his kids. So I hope that he does recognize that because hes missing out,' the former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star continued. Sami, then, declared that Charlie was 'really' missing out on not having a close relationship with her. In addition to his two daughters with Richards, Charlie shares his daughter, Cassandra Estevez, 40, with his high school girlfriend, Paula Profit, and his twin boys, Bob and Max, 17, with ex, Brooke Mueller. When she was 17, Sami moved out of her mother Denise Richards' home and moved in with her father. Sami famously joined OnlyFans in June 2022, a few months after her 18th birthday, to Charlie's dismay. In 2023, he admitted to having a 'knee-jerk reaction' to her becoming an adult content creator on the site. Meanwhile, on the same episode Charlie and Denise's daughter Sami opened up about her fractured relationship with her father, who previously disapproved of her OnlyFans career On Tuesdays episode of Denise Richards & Her Wild Things , the reality star, 21, declined the chance to reunite with her dad over lunch with her mom and sister Lola 'I would rather do literally anything else than go to lunch with my father,' Sami said in a confessional 'I had a knee-jerk reaction to it because of the reputation that preceded it,' he said of his initial concerns over her career choice. During the latest Denise Richards & Her Wild Things episode, Lola revealed that their relationship 'has definitely improved' and views their closeness as 'a blessing.' 'We started getting pedicures together like every two to three weeks, and thats like our favorite thing to do together,' she gushed. Over lunch, Lola noted that her sister definitely inherited their dads 'dark humor.' 'How is she? Is she good?' he asked, to which Lola confessed she didn't know as they were also embroiled in a bit of a rift. When she was 17, Sami moved out of her mother Denise Richards' home and moved in with her father (pictured in 2019) The pair and Richards opted to have lunch at a restaurant that Lola use to work at as a hostess. 'The staff here, nobody knew that you were my dad,' Lola recalled. 'And when we took a photo they thought I was a fan.' After Charlie asked if she kept her identity 'a secret out of shame' or to protect him, Lola explained she just didn't want to be treated differently. During the premiere episode of Denise Richards & Her Wild Things, Lola revealed that she typically turns to her dad for guidance. 'Sometimes I get super amped up when I'm talking to my mom and Sami, so I called my dad for a while, and he really helped me,' she said. 'He's so good at helping my brain because he's so logical.' Sami went on to note that she and the Two and a Half Men alum 'havent really spoken much in the past five months' Lola (L), however, revealed that their relationship 'has definitely improved' and views their closeness as 'a blessing' (seen with mom Denise Richards and sister Sami last month) Lola explained that her sister, Sami, 'cannot understand' her way of thinking. 'A lot of people say it's surprising that I'm a woman of God,' noted. 'I actually saw an article that said, "Lola an apple that fell far from the tree," or something.' She went on to joke that the only thing she and Sami 'have in common is that' they're 'in the same family.' During the same episode, Richards described Lola as 'like a fairy.' 'She's just very soft. She's light. Because of her innocence, I feel that she's not what I would say is your typical 19-year-old, growing up in a Hollywood family in Los Angeles,' the actress said. During the premiere episode of Denise Richards & Her Wild Things, Lola revealed that she typically turns to her dad for guidance Earlier this year, Lola revealed on Instagram that she got baptized after hitting 'rock bottom.' 'I felt so lost and hopeless, and was just doing my best to make it to the next day. I just accepted my life was going to be like that forever, and thought I would never genuinely laugh again,' she recalled. After finding her faith, she said religion rescued her 'from the darkness' and made her 'life worth living' after previously battling severe anxiety. 'I chose to get baptized at the beginning of this year, because I made it through this year only by the strength of Jesus, and I am so happy to go into this next year,' she concluded. A record number of Americans are expected to wave goodbye to some of their favorite mall brands. As corporations report dwindling customer interest and increase store closure lists, many Americans are left grappling with their once-popular malls. One mall in Toledo, Ohio, is a microcosm of the trend sweeping America. 'It is nice right now because there are deals on things,' Tori Klepsky, a fan of Forever 21, told local CBS affiliate WTOL. 'But then they're going to be gone and where do I go from there?' Klepsky said she has gone to the Franklin Park Mall for years to purchase clothes from her favorite stores. But Forever 21 recently filed for its second bankruptcy in five years and announced it will shut down all of its stores. Klepsky's go-to clothing store officially shuttered its doors in the mall on Sunday, March 30. Tori Klepsky (right) and Dyllan Miracola (left) spoke about some of their favorite stores closing in a nearby mall And the fast-fashion chain is not alone. Macy's, another brand going through a nationwide cutback of store locations, also created a recent vacancy in the mall. 'There are still plenty of things to do,' Dyllan Miracola, another resident, told the station. '[But] once those stores are gone, there's not a reason to go anymore.' City business leaders are adament the store closures are not a reflection of the money flowing through the local economy. Both Toledo's director of economic development and Franklin Park Mall's spokesperson told WTOL that multiple companies have expressed interest in snapping up some of the now empty stores. But national retail brands are struggling to excite shoppers at a shocking rate. Last year, another 7,000 storefronts closed across the US. Dozens more have filed for bankruptcy in the past year, including Party City, Joann's, and Hooters. Some malls are seeing new vacancies as corporate chains announce massive closure lists A record number of retailers will shutter this year, experts predict And while some once-thriving chains continue to hit financial distress, others are reaching record-setting sales numbers. 'There is not enough growth in the retail market for every player to do well,' Neil Saunders, a retail expert at GlobalData, previously told DailyMail.com. 'That is why we are seeing polarized results with some retailers doing badly and closing stores.' Walmart, for example, is booming. The company reported 9 percent growth in 2024 as it reached record-setting profits. As popular retailers close and leave malls with dusty storefronts, retail experts say the mix of record-breaking sellers and struggling chains is common. 'The shake-out among unremarkable retailers has been going on for years,' Steve Dennis, a retail analyst and co-founder at Sageberry Consulting, told DailyMail.com. 'Retailers have been plagued by over-expansion, weak execution, and competition from Walmart and Amazon in particular.' The co-founders of Ben & Jerry's ice-cream has appealed to its parent company to sell their namesake brand back to them. Ben Cohen, who started the much-loved brand with Jerry Greenfield, has been rallying like-minded investors to join him buy back the company, which has been known for its activism since its founding in Burlington, Vermont, in 1978. It comes weeks after woke CEO David Stever was fired by the ice cream company's fed-up parent company Unilever. Bosses grew tired of Ben & Jerry's advocating for divisive progressive causes like Black Lives Matters, DEI, defunding the police and Palestinian rights. When Unilever acquired Ben & Jerry's for $326 million in 2000, it agreed to let an independent board oversee the brands social justice mission. However, that mission has repeatedly clashed with Unilevers corporate priorities. Tensions escalated in 2021 when Ben & Jerrys halted sales in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, sparking a public battle between the brand and its parent company. Now, as Unilever considers spinning off its ice cream division which includes brands like Magnum Cohen wants Ben & Jerrys to go its own way. 'In the year 2000, Unilever loved us for who we were,' Cohen told the Wall Street Journal. 'Now we've gone separate ways in our relationship. We just need them to set us free.' Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield have begun initial discussions to buy Ben and Jerry's back from Unilever Unilever has held firm that Ben & Jerry's is an important part of its ice-cream business and is not for sale. Tensions are fraught between Ben & Jerry's board and Unilever after the consumer goods giant fired its CEO David Stever earlier this month. Although Cohen and Greenfield are no longer on the company's board they wrote a letter in support of Stever. Ben & Jerry's remaining bosses also filed a lawsuit in response accusing the parent company of firing Stever for his political activism. They also say Unilever violated an agreement struck when the conglomerate bought Ben & Jerry's that allowed it to continue its 'social mission' and advocate for causes. 'We spent a tremendous amount of time and energy working on that document and negotiating it,' Cohen, 74, told the Journal. 'If not for that agreement, Ben & Jerry's would have died by now, and it would be just another ice cream brand.' Ben & Jerry's claims Unilever went against the agreement when it stopped the brand speaking out against Donald Trump after he won his second presidential election in November 2024. Ben & Jerry's claims its CEO was fired by its parent company because of his political activism Ben & Jerry's had planned to take the Trump administration to task on minimum wage, universal health care, abortion, and climate change, per the suit. 'Despite four decades of progressive social activismand years of challenging the Trump administration's policies, criticizing Trump was now too taboo for the brand synonymous with "Peace, Love, and Ice Cream,"' Ben & Jerry's said in the lawsuit. Unilever in turn says the brand has pivoted to supporting 'one-sided, highly controversial, and polarizing topics' that put its other business interests at risk. However, Cohen - who remains an employee of Ben & Jerry's - is not ready to throw in the towel. 'Ben & Jerry's is a company with a soul,' he told the Journal. 'Business is the most powerful force in our society, and for that, it has responsibility to the society.' The Siliguri corridor is not just a passage but a strategic artery vital to Indiaas national integrity. As power dynamics evolve in the region, India must remain vigilant, continuously adapting its policies to secure this fragile yet indispensable lifeline A nationas lifeline can sometimes be as slender as a thread, for India, the Siliguri corridor is that vital strand connecting the heart to its northeastern limbs. The Siliguri corridor, often dubbed the aChickenas Neck,a is a narrow stretch of land in West Bengal that serves as the sole terrestrial link between Indiaas northeastern States and the rest of the country. Flanked by Nepal to the west, Bhutan to the north, and Bangladesh to the south, this corridoras strategic importance cannot be overstated. The corridor is only about 22 kilometres wide at its narrowest point and approximately 200 kilometres long, making it one of the most sensitive chokepoints in the world. Its vulnerability has become a focal point in the complex geopolitical dynamics of South Asia, especially in light of recent developments involving Bangladesh and China. Bangladeshas deepening ties with China have raised eyebrows in New Delhi. The burgeoning relationship between Dhaka and Beijing encompasses extensive infrastructure projects, military cooperation and significant investments under Chinaas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). This growing camaraderie has led to concerns about Chinaas expanding influence in Indiaas immediate neighbourhood and the potential implications for the security of the Siliguri corridor. Adding to Indiaas concerns is the recent statement by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus in China: aWe are the only guardian of the ocean for all this region. So, this opens up a huge possibility. So this could be an extension of the Chinese economy. Build things, produce things, market things, bring things to China, bring it out to the whole rest of the world.a Such remarks align with Chinaas strategic vision and highlight the potential shift in Bangladeshas foreign policy, which could challenge Indiaas dominance in the Bay of Bengal and its connectivity to the northeast. The corridoras significance is multifaceted. Economically, it is the main artery for trade and transit between mainland India and its northeastern States. Militarily, it is crucial for the movement of Defence forces to and from the northeastern frontier, particularly in the context of Indiaas border tensions with China. The 2017 Doklam standoff, where Indian and Chinese troops faced off near the trijunction of India, Bhutan, and China, underscored the corridoras strategic sensitivity. Any disruption here could effectively sever Indiaas access to its northeastern territories, posing a severe threat to national integrity. If the Siliguri corridor is acuta or blocked, Indiaas entire North East a comprising seven States a would be physically isolated from the rest of the country. This scenario could lead to economic paralysis, logistical nightmares, and security risks, making it a nightmare for Indiaas defence establishment. Given the presence of active insurgent groups and Chinaas influence in the region, the possibility of a blockade in times of conflict poses a major national security challenge. Chinaas strategic manoeuvres in the region are not limited to its relationship with Bangladesh. The aFive Fingersa strategy, attributed to Mao Zedong, envisions Tibet as Chinaas palm with Bhutan, Nepal, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Ladakh as its five fingers, all purportedly awaiting aliberation.a This doctrine reflects Beijingas broader ambitions in South Asia and highlights the geopolitical chessboard on which the Siliguri corridor sits. Moreover, Chinaas economic engagements often lead to debt dependencies, a phenomenon termed the adebt trap.a Countries ensnared in this trap may find themselves compelled to align with Beijingas strategic interests, sometimes at the expense of their sovereignty. Sri Lankaas handover of the Hambantota Port to China on a 99-year lease after struggling to repay Chinese loans is a cautionary tale that resonates in the region. India fears a similar scenario could unfold in Bangladesh, potentially compromising the security dynamics of the Siliguri corridor. The aThucydides Trapa, a concept describing the tendency towards conflict when a rising power challenges an established one, is increasingly relevant in the Indo-China context. As China asserts itself more aggressively in South Asia, the strategic importance of the Siliguri corridor becomes even more pronounced. Ensuring its security is paramount for India to maintain regional stability and counterbalance Chinaas expanding influence. India has undertaken several measures to bolster the corridoras security and infrastructure. Enhancements in road and rail connectivity aim to facilitate rapid military and civilian movement. The Government is actively developing alternative connectivity routes, such as the Bogibeel Bridge in Assam, the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project through Myanmar, and the Agartala-Akhaura rail link with Bangladesh, to reduce dependency on the Siliguri corridor. Additionally, military fortification in the region has been intensified. The presence of the Indian Armyas 33 Corps, the deployment of additional Border Security Force (BSF) and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel and infrastructure upgrades along the Bhutanese and Nepalese frontiers aim to safeguard the corridor from potential incursions or blockades. However, the challenges remain formidable, requiring constant vigilance and proactive strategies. The need for a robust Defence strategy, diplomatic engagement with neighbouring countries, and infrastructure diversification is more urgent than ever. The Siliguri corridor is not merely a geographical passage but a linchpin in Indiaas national security and regional strategy. As geopolitical currents shift, safeguarding this slender lifeline is imperative to ensure the unity and integrity of the nation. The Siliguri corridor remains a critical lifeline for India, linking its northeastern States to the rest of the country amid growing geopolitical tensions. As Bangladesh strengthens its ties with China, Indiaas strategic concerns over the corridoras security have intensified. Chinaas expanding influence in South Asia, coupled with historical territorial ambitions, underscores the corridoras vulnerability. Any disruption to this narrow stretch of land could have severe economic, logistical, and security consequences, potentially isolating Indiaas northeastern States. India has taken proactive measures, strengthening infrastructure, fortifying military presence, and diversifying connectivity routes to mitigate risks. However, ensuring the corridoras security requires a multidimensional approach a combining military preparedness, strategic diplomacy and regional partnerships. By reinforcing alliances with Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal, India can counterbalance Chinaas growing footprint and safeguard its interests.The Siliguri corridor is not just a passage but a strategic artery vital to Indiaas national integrity. As power dynamics evolve in the region, India must remain vigilant, continuously adapting its policies to secure this fragile yet indispensable lifeline. (The writer is an Associate Professor at the Centre For South Asian Studies, School of International Studies and Social Sciences Pondicherry Central University. Views expressed are personal) Delhi Police Crime Branch has dismantled a narco-syndicate operating across multiple states and arrested seven key operatives, including three Nepalese nationals. The operation led to seizure of above 17 kilograms of acharasa (hashish) worth approximately `8.75 crore in the international market, police said. The syndicate was supplying acharasa from Nepal and Kasol (Himachal Pradesh) to Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan. Special Commissioner of Police (Crime) Devesh Chandra Srivastva said the aoperation was initiated following a tip off on November 20 regarding the supply of hashish in Delhias Majnu Ka Tila areaa. aA police team arrested two suspects a Prem Thapa and Md Jameel a recovering 1.192 kg of charas from them. Subsequently, an FIR was registered and further investigation was launched,a he added. The senior police official said the interrogation of the arrested suspects led to identification and arrest of other key operatives. Ganga Gurung Thapa, a Nepalese national, was apprehended in Wazirabad with 712 grams of charas. Further searches at her residence resulted in the recovery of an additional 13.766 kg of drug, police said. Based on Thapaas disclosures, the police arrested Ankit Budha, a Nepalese resident of Kasol, who was supplying drug to the syndicate. Another accused, Pradeep Kumar from Haryana, was arrested for distributing acharasa to the drug users in Faridabad and Ballabhgarh. The operation also led to the arrest of Manjeet from Punjabas Kharar. He was caught while transporting 1.856 kg of drug hidden in the stepney of his SUV. He was on his way to deliver the contraband to Moti Lal in Jaipur who was also arrested. Both have previous drug-related cases against them, police said. The investigation revealed that acharasa was smuggled from Nepal and Himachal Pradesh through well-organised routes, with local traffickers acting as middlemen, they said. The accused were involved in interstate drug distribution, making deliveries to various states using different modes of transport. Further investigation is underway, police said. An Indian national was charged with criminal intimidation on Tuesday for allegedly causing a ruckus on board a Singapore-bound flight from Sydney and threatening to kill a male crew member. Kolathu James Leo, 42, faces multiple charges, including using criminal force against a flight attendant and being intoxicated on board, which jeopardised order and discipline, The Straits Times reported. Leo also allegedly threatened to kill the male crew member, it said. According to a police spokesperson, following his aggressive behaviour on board the Singapore-bound Scoot flight on Feb 27, Leo was aplaced under restraints by the cabin crew for the rest of the journey. Upon arrival at Changi Airport, he was arrested by officers from the Airport Police Divisiona. The incident occurred when Kolathu, allegedly intoxicated, began shouting mid-flight. He is accused of attempting to detach a seat pocket and hitting the seat in front of him. His behaviour reportedly escalated when the cabin crew attempted to calm him down. Kolathu is also accused of grabbing the flight attendantas right wrist. In a statement on March 31, police said the Indian national became compliant only when he was told that the aircraft would return to Australia if he continued with his disruptive behaviour. If convicted of using criminal force on the crew member, he can be jailed for up to three months and fined up to SGD1,500. As per Singaporean laws, threatening to kill another person carries a maximum jail term of 10 years and a fine, while being intoxicated on board a flight could result in up to a year in jail and a fine of up to SGD 20,000 Thousands of Serbians marched in four cities on Monday protesting government pressure and hate speech directed at university students and professors behind months of anti-corruption protests shaking populist President Aleksandar Vucic. The marches were organised a day after a woman attacked a faculty dean in Serbiaas south with a knife, which protesters blamed on a hate campaign that they say is fuelled by top officials and pro-government media. Increasingly authoritarian Vucic has struggled to quell persistent demonstrations triggered by a train station canopy collapse in November, which killed 16 people. Critics have blamed the deadly crash on rampant government corruption leading to sloppy and unsafe renovation work on the station building. Serbian university students and their professors have been a key force behind the nationwide demonstrations also reflecting a wider discontent with Vucicas rule. He has accused protesters of working against the state interests. Serbia is formally seeking European Union entry but Vucic has maintained close ties with Russia and China while facing accusations of stifling democratic freedoms. Ivan Videnovic, assistant professor at Belgrade Universityas faculty of physics, said he joined the march Monday in the capital city abecause of repression against people. Because of physical and verbal attacks on university professors and deans.a Natalija Jovanovic, dean of the Faculty of Philosophy in Nis on Sunday, suffered a hand injury in Sundayas knife attack in the southern city of Nis. She blamed the attack on Vucic, who has repeatedly branded her a acriminal.a Last week, a senior government official called for the arrest of Vladan Djokic, the head dean of the University in Belgrade. Apart from Belgrade, demonstrations were held in the northern city of Novi Sad, the central city of Kragujevac and Nis, in the south. Around 1,000 Chinese exhibitors attend Hannover Messe 2025 Xinhua) 13:07, April 02, 2025 This photo taken on March 31, 2025 shows the exhibition booth of "Invest in China" at Hannover Messe 2025 in Hannover, Germany. Held under the theme "energizing a sustainable industry," the five-day event has drawn more than 3,800 exhibitors from around 60 countries and regions. Chinese companies make up a significant portion of participants, with around 1,000 exhibitors, making China the second-largest exhibitor group after host country Germany. (Xinhua/Du Zheyu) A visitor talks with staff members at the exhibition booth of Jufeng Power at Hannover Messe 2025 in Hannover, Germany, on April 1, 2025. Held under the theme "energizing a sustainable industry," the five-day event has drawn more than 3,800 exhibitors from around 60 countries and regions. Chinese companies make up a significant portion of participants, with around 1,000 exhibitors, making China the second-largest exhibitor group after host country Germany. (Xinhua/Du Zheyu) People visit the exhibition booth of NIO at Hannover Messe 2025 in Hannover, Germany, on April 1, 2025. Held under the theme "energizing a sustainable industry," the five-day event has drawn more than 3,800 exhibitors from around 60 countries and regions. Chinese companies make up a significant portion of participants, with around 1,000 exhibitors, making China the second-largest exhibitor group after host country Germany. (Xinhua/Du Zheyu) Visitors talk at the exhibition booth of Epsea at Hannover Messe 2025 in Hannover, Germany, on April 1, 2025. Held under the theme "energizing a sustainable industry," the five-day event has drawn more than 3,800 exhibitors from around 60 countries and regions. Chinese companies make up a significant portion of participants, with around 1,000 exhibitors, making China the second-largest exhibitor group after host country Germany. (Xinhua/Du Zheyu) Visitors talk with staff members at the exhibition booth of Deman at Hannover Messe 2025 in Hannover, Germany, on April 1, 2025. Held under the theme "energizing a sustainable industry," the five-day event has drawn more than 3,800 exhibitors from around 60 countries and regions. Chinese companies make up a significant portion of participants, with around 1,000 exhibitors, making China the second-largest exhibitor group after host country Germany. (Xinhua/Du Zheyu) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Entrance awards Dalhousie offers entrance awards ranging from $500 to $41,900. Apply by February 15 by completing the general awards application. Bursaries Dalhousie offers a variety of bursaries that you can apply for in your first year. Canadian student loans Loans come from federal, provincial or territorial governments. Fill out an application for your home province/territory for each year that youre studying. U.S. student loans Financial assistance is available for citizens and permanent residents of the United States. Dalhousie is a participant in the Direct Loan program by the US Department of Education. Greece has announced a significant escalation in its defense spending, unveiling a comprehensive 12-year plan that will allocate 25 billion euros, approximately $27 billion, to modernize and transform its armed forces. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis revealed the ambitious strategy in a parliamentary address on Wednesday, emphasizing the critical need for robust national security in an increasingly volatile global landscape. Get alerts: Price of Freedom Underpins Massive Investment Prime Minister Mitsotakis addressed lawmakers and emphasized that the multi-billion euro defense allocation is a strategic investment in Greeces sovereignty and national dignity. He invoked the timeless principle of national defense, stating, The price of freedom is eternal vigilance. Mitsotakis framed the defense investment as integral to Greeces overall national development, asserting that security is not merely a prerequisite for stability but also an essential foundation for broader national progress. There can be no progress without security, he declared. Fiscal Prudence Remains a Priority While classified details of the plan remain confidential for discussion within the Parliaments defense procurement committee, Mitsotakis described the plan as a profound and comprehensive overhaul of the Greek military. Despite the significant financial outlay, Mitsotakis reassured the nation that fiscal responsibility would remain paramount. He stressed that the necessary fiscal flexibility to fund the defense plan would not translate into unchecked spending or financial mismanagement. Not only because the markets are closely monitoring and assessing us, but also because the overall performance of the economy is a vital factor for security and stability, he explained. This acknowledgment of economic considerations indicates a balanced approach, seeking to bolster defense capabilities without jeopardizing the nations financial health. Elevated Defense Spending in NATO Context Greeces commitment to defense spending is already notable within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Alongside Poland, Estonia, and Latvia, Greece stands out as one of the few member states that consistently allocates more than 3 percent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to defense, surpassing the alliances 2 percent guideline. This year, Greece has demonstrably reinforced its defense commitment by doubling its military budget to 6.13 billion euros ($6.6 billion) for 2024, further solidifying its position as a significant defense spender within the alliance. With a population of approximately 10.5 million, this level of expenditure reflects a substantial per capita investment in national security. Domestic Industry at the Forefront of Procurements A defining characteristic of Greeces new defense strategy is an emphasis on domestic defense industries. Mitsotakis stated that all future defense procurement contracts will mandate significant Greek industrial involvement. This requirement extends beyond assembly, demanding meaningful participation through component manufacturing and the integration of Greek personnel into defense projects. This policy aims to foster self-reliance and stimulate economic growth within Greeces defense sector. Existing national defense enterprises are slated to play a central role in realizing this industrial objective. Companies such as Hellenic Aerospace Industry (EAB), Greek shipyards, and Hellenic Defense Systems (EAS) are expected to be beneficiaries of this initiative, leveraging their established co-production capabilities and expertise. The plan envisions domestic firms contributing to the production of naval vessels, submarines, armored vehicles, and munitions, reducing reliance on foreign suppliers and fostering indigenous technological development. Modernization Priorities: Naval, Air Defense, and Advanced Technologies While specific procurement details are forthcoming, the training material offers insights into key areas of focus for Greeces defense modernization efforts. Naval capabilities appear to be a high priority, exemplified by a recent proposal from French shipbuilder Naval Group. The proposal aims to deepen French-Greek cooperation in maritime defense and technology, specifically suggesting the local construction of three additional Kimon-class (FDI HN) frigates within Greece. This would augment the four frigates already slated for acquisition, with the finalization of the fourth expected imminently. Furthermore, Greece is strategically targeting advancements in cutting-edge defense technologies. This includes a concerted effort to expand its capabilities in artificial intelligence, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and electronic warfare systems. The Hellenic Defense Innovation Center (ELKAK) is positioned to be a crucial hub for fostering innovation and development in these critical technological domains. Strengthening air and missile defense systems is another identified priority. Athens is reportedly engaged in negotiations with Israel to acquire an advanced anti-missile shield, which would also incorporate enhanced anti-drone capabilities, addressing evolving aerial threats. In addition to Israel, France, Italy, and Norway have been identified as potential suppliers for a range of new weaponry, including unmanned vessels, drones, and advanced radar systems. Strategic Shift Towards Self-Reliance Greeces newly announced 12-year, $27 billion defense plan represents a watershed moment in the nations defense posture. Beyond the sheer scale of the financial commitment, the strategy signals a decisive shift towards greater self-reliance, prioritizing domestic industrial involvement and technological advancement. By focusing on modernizing its armed forces across naval, air defense, and advanced technology domains, Greece is positioning itself to meet the evolving security challenges of the 21st century while simultaneously stimulating its national economy and reinforcing its sovereign capabilities. The coming years will be crucial in observing the implementation and impact of this ambitious and transformative defense strategy. easyJet has announced the launch of a new route from City of Derry Airport to Birmingham. The new route will be the third new service easyJet has added to its City of Derry network in the last 12 months, following the introduction of new flights to Edinburgh and Liverpool, helping provide even stronger domestic connectivity between Northern Ireland and key cities across the UK. Flights to Birmingham are scheduled to take off on 1 September 2025, with the choice of flying on Monday and Friday throughout the year, perfect for those looking for a staycation, visiting friends and family, or when doing business. Birmingham offers much more than the setting for the iconic Peaky Blinders series - a vibrant city with a blend of historic and cultural landmarks, a bustling music and shopping scene as well as being home to the famous Cadbury World. easyJet has also extended its winter routes from City of Derry Airport to operate throughout the summer, providing key connectivity and more choices to Liverpool and Edinburgh year-round. READ NEXT: Feile launch new film exploring history of Ballymoor FC Seats are now on sale at easyJet.com and via the app from 24.99* Ali Gayward, easyJet's UK Country Manager, said: It is fantastic to be able to offer yet another new route from City of Derry to Birmingham which will appeal to leisure and business customers alike. We are proud to be the largest airline in Northern Ireland and by continuing to strengthen our network at City of Derry we are providing our customers in the Northwest with even greater choice and connectivity, all with great value fares and friendly service, and we look forward to welcoming them on board. Steve Frazer, Managing Director at City of Derry Airport said: We are thrilled to expand our route map with easyJet and provide another much-needed service for our local catchment area across Derry City and Strabane, the Causeway Coast and Glens, Donegal and beyond. A direct connection to Birmingham has previously proved to be one of the most popular routes from our Northwest gateway, particularly for those commuting to work, study or visit family and friends, and we are delighted that easyJet will be adding to their existing services to Liverpool & Edinburgh, which will make them the biggest carrier by volume operating from City of Derry Airport. As part of our long-term commitment to support and develop the Northwest economy and tourism sector, we hope this new service will help bring new inbound investment opportunities and a new tourism market from the UK midlands area into the Walled City and surrounding areas. For more information on easyJets network from Northern Ireland and to book visit easyJet.com. (*flights one way per person including taxes) Eglinton Primary School, based in Derry, has received a nine-seater Toyota electric minibus for one year thanks to Donnelly Group. Following a nomination from the team at its Northwest showroom, Donnelly & Taggart Toyota, which is located on Campsie Industrial Estate, Eglinton Primary School was selected as one of the first recipients of Toyotas new Community Loan Vehicle Programme. The programme, which aligns with Donnelly Groups drive for sustainability, empowers Toyota distributors to nominate deserving charities and educational institutions to receive an electric vehicle and the financial support to purchase and install a charging station. Michael Nutt, Toyota Dealer Principal at Donnelly & Taggart, commented: At Donnelly Group, we work with our partners to enhance our local community, creating educational opportunities that enable young people to develop the skills required to realise their full potential. Its incredibly rewarding to see firsthand how we are making a real difference in the lives of school children, offering them the chance to engage in new experiences beyond the classroom whilst teaching them about the future of the motoring industry. Donnelly Group, which is Northern Irelands largest independent motor retailer, is located only five minutes from Eglinton Primary School. Michael continued: We pride ourselves on delivering tailored solutions that help meet the evolving needs of the areas in which we operate, helping us create a greener future together. We look forward to seeing how Eglinton Primary School utilises its new minibus to benefit its students and the wider community" Emma McGuinness, Principal at Eglinton Primary School said: We are incredibly thankful to Donnelly Group for nominating Eglinton Primary School forn Toyotas Community Loan Vehicle Programme, especially at a time when schools across the country are facing budget cuts. Our new electric minibus will make a huge difference in our ability to provide hands-on learning experiences for our students while supporting our commitment to sustainability. For more information, visit donnellygroup.co.uk Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. Claire Sugden MLA has said the crisis in healthcare waiting lists is having a devastating impact on patients across Northern Ireland leaving many in pain, battling anxiety, and facing delayed diagnoses that can significantly worsen treatment outcomes. "Too many people are waiting far too long for vital healthcare. Whether its breast screening, orthopaedic surgery, or dermatology referrals lives are being disrupted, and in some cases, put at serious risk," Ms Sugden said. The East Derry MLA has submitted a series of Assembly Questions to the Minister of Health to seek clarity on how waiting times are being managed, and what is being done to restore public confidence in the system. "Im asking the Minister to publish the current and target waiting times for breast screening services across all Trusts. Women are contacting me terrified as they wait for appointments that may confirm a cancer diagnosis this is simply unacceptable. "Many people are waiting months with a potential cancer diagnosis looming and are unsure when theyll l even be seen. The anxiety is overwhelming. And then there are those living in daily pain, unable to walk properly, work, or care for loved ones while they wait for surgery. This is not the care people deserve." In her questions to the Minister, she is also pressing for details on when single regional waiting lists will be fully rolled out, and how patient experiences especially those who must travel further for care are being monitored. "If patients are being asked to travel outside their local area for treatment, we need to make sure those systems are working, that communication is clear, and that no one is being left behind because they cant access transport or digital updates. "Theres a deep frustration and loss of faith in the system. People arent getting answers. They arent being kept informed. We need to rebuild confidence by being honest about the challenges, but also clear about the solutions and timelines. Our healthcare workers are working incredibly hard and doing everything they can but the system itself is failing. We must do more. We owe it not only to the people waiting in pain, in fear, but also to the staff who are under an immense amount of pressure which is unsustainable. Change must come for the patients, for the staff, and for the future of our health service. The "heavy handed actions" of An Garda Siochana against a group of women participating in a Mothers Day vigil and sleep-out protest at Leinster House have been condemned by Derry City and Strabane District Council. The women who belong to Mothers Against Genocide had been highlighting the impact of displacement and violence on women and children in Gaza. At Tuesday afternoons March meeting of Councils Governance and Strategic Planning committee, Cllr Gary Donnelly (Independent) proposed the following motion: Council deplores the heavy handed actions of the 26 county police force against peaceful women protesters against Israeli genocide, known as Mothers Against Genocide, outside Leinster House and during their subsequent detention on Monday, March 31. Council will contact Mothers Against Genocide and express out solidarity with them. In the discussion which followed, Cllr Donnelly described the action taken against Mothers Against Genocide as assault. He also referenced an item on zero tolerance of violence against women and girls which was to be discussed later in the meeting. He added: A number of mothers gave up their Mothers Day to highlight the slaughter of particularly non combatants - women and children - in Gaza. The fact that they were manhandled and arrested on Monday morning, the fact that some of these women were strip searched and one had a cavity search, I think is completely unacceptable. I think we need to be sending out a message from here, said Cllr Donnelly. Seconding the motion, Cllr Catherine McDaid (SDLP) said before the women from Mothers Against Genocide were arrested An Garda [Siochana] trampled over dolls that were wrapped in blankets, as if babies. So they came essentially and trampled over what was supposed to be babies and then manhandled these women away who had given up their Mothers Day. When I read about strip searching and a cavity search, I genuinely was nearly sick. I cant believe that was in any way acceptable in this day and age. I fully agree with and endorse the proposal and we within the SDLP will be supporting it, said Cllr McDaid. Cllr Sandra Duffy (Sinn Fein) said she, like others, had been watching this on social media over the last couple of days. I am absolutely horrified at the scenes. We had mothers come out on Mothers Day to protest. We have seen the horrific scenes coming out of Gaza, coming out of the West Bank, of mothers, children, amputees. I actually saw a video of a man who was burying a head, that was what he had left of his son. So these are the scenes we are seeing coming out of Gaza and out of Palestine and we have a duty to use our voices to be heard and to be seen around these issues. These women came together with their children, came outside the Dail and the heavy handed response from An Garda Siochana has been absolutely shocking and disgraceful. I dont know who gave the order. I dont know what was going on in their heads around it, were they attacked a group of women protesting peacefully, in this manner. It does need to be called out and we do need to show our solidarity with Mothers Against Genocide, said Cllr Duffy. Cllr Shaun Harkin (People Before Profit) said it was important to be clear in our condemnation of the police actions. This was a peaceful protest, he added. There have probably been thousands of peaceful protests across Ireland since this genocide began and the vast majority of them have not ended like this. So there is a question about what the Dail Government is doing right now. As Cllr Duffy said, we need to establish what this order was given for this crackdown. Why was there strip searching? I see this as violence against women, state led violence against women and if there were girls there too, and it was disgraceful. But it also seems to me that there is an attempt to criminalise Palestinian solidarity and this is one example. Scaring people that if you participate in this, you are going to be confronted by the state, that you are doing something wrong. There was a documentary on Friday night here in Derry about the Filton 18 - a group of young people who occupied an arms manufacturer in England whove been thrown in jail and it is absolutely wrong. Thrown in jail for trying to stop a genocide. Just to mention there was an action that a number of people, including Cllr Donnelly, participated in at Home Bargains here in Derry were the police turned up and arrested people, took people to the barracks. Those charges fortunately have been dropped and they were dropped in Strabane as well. This seems to be, whether it is the PSNI, the Garda or the British police, attempts again and again to criminalise people in order to break up this movement and stop the solidarity, said Cllr Harkin. Cllr Harkin added that the State was trying to do goes against the wishes of many millions of people across this island. Police in Derry are appealing for witnesses following an incident in the city centre yesterday evening, (Tuesday, April 1) which resulted in an arrest. Police on patrol on Strand Road were flagged down by members of the public at around 6.25pm. At this time, a male was being restrained by another male on the footpath. It was reported the male being restrained may have been involved in an incident inside a shopping centre earlier. Its reported that two males who intervened were assaulted by this male. Police arrested the man being restrained at the scene, aged 41-years-old, on suspicion of offences including common assault. He remains in custody at this time. Enquiries are ongoing. Detective Inspector Gareth Lavery said: "We know this was a busy time of the evening and we appeal to witnesses, or anyone with information to come forward, or who may have footage that can assist our enquiries to get in touch on 101, quoting reference 1388 of 01/04/25. You can also submit a report online via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport Reports can also be made to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald has today announced funding to ensure the continuation of the flights from the City of Derry Airport (CoDA) to London Heathrow. The route, which is jointly funded by the Department for the Economy and the Department for Transport, provides critical connectivity from the North West to London. The joint funding of 4.626m is for the next two financial years from 1 April 2025 to 31st March 2027, with airline Loganair set to continue operating the flights. The Minister said: I am pleased to announce the funding of this important route between the City of Derry Airport and London Heathrow for an additional two years. This route plays a vital role in providing the North West with connectivity to other parts of Europe and the Rest of the World through the PSO route to London Heathrow. CoDA acts as a catalyst for the local and regional economy by providing enhanced air connectivity and tourism benefits, whilst also contributing to the wider economic growth of the North West region." In 2017 the UK Department for Transport granted a Public Service Obligation between CoDA and London. The CoDA-London PSO has been in operation since May 2017. Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn has said there is an issue in respect to Northern Ireland if the EU imposes retaliatory tariffs on the US. Mr Benn told MPs that any impact of tariffs from the US would be felt equally across the UK but if the EU responds with their own tariffs then businesses may have to demonstrate that goods imported from the US are not leaving the UK to have the expenses reimbursed. US President Donald Trump is expected to slap import taxes on goods arriving in the US from around the world as part of his liberation day tariffs. Head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has said the EU will negotiate but are also considering retaliating by adding tariffs on US goods. Post-Brexit, Northern Ireland continues to follow the EUs rules in some areas of trading due to the Windsor Framework arrangement. Shadow Northern Ireland secretary Alex Burhgart told the Commons: Later today, we are expecting Washington to announce the biggest changes to its tariff regime in a generation. This may cause huge disruption to industry and business throughout the United Kingdom, and that disruption may be particularly felt in Northern Ireland. Mr Benn replied: We dont yet know what, apart from the tariff on cars and the tariff on steel and aluminium, what else the US administration may announce later today, but the effects of any tariffs, if they are imposed, will be felt equally in Northern Ireland and across the rest of the United Kingdom. We will have to deal with the consequences when we know what the US administration has decided. Mr Burghart then said: Northern Ireland because of its unique arrangements may be particularly disadvantaged in a trade war. If that happens, will the Secretary of State confirm to the House that the Government will be prepared to use article 16 of the Windsor Framework to take unilateral safeguarding measures to protect businesses in GB and Northern Ireland? Mr Benn replied: In respect of tariffs that affect the whole of the United Kingdom as Ive already said to (Mr Burghart), well have to see what they are and take the appropriate action in response. If the EU retaliates, then there is an issue in respect to Northern Ireland, as he will be well aware, but there is the tariff reimbursement scheme, which he will be aware of, and that means that provided those businesses can demonstrate that the goods they have bought from the United States of America are not leaving the United Kingdom, then they can get that tariff reimbursed. UUP MP Robin Swann (South Antrim) asked what assessment had been made in regards to the UK industrial strategy acting on the impact of US tariffs that may come. The Secretary of State replied: We will discover more later on today about the decision that were told the US administration is about to make. Tariffs are not good for any country, they are not good for the global trading system but we will have to see what the consequences are. Any tariffs that the United States of America puts on the United Kingdom will be felt equally in Northern Ireland and in Great Britain. But we will not hesitate to take the action that is necessary to respond, but were not going to take snap decisions, because we are also trying to negotiate an economic agreement with the United States of America. SDLP MP Colum Eastwood (Foyle) said investment from US companies in Northern Ireland has been very important for economic growth and cementing the peace process in the region as he asked for support to businesses that could be very detrimentally affected by any potential tariffs. Mr Benn said the Government will take the steps that are necessary in the national interest and are continuing to negotiate a deal with the US. Northern Irelands water infrastructure system is under significant strain due to years of inadequate investment, MLAs have been told. Ulster Unionist MLA John Stewart warned that the prolonged under-investment would lead to significantly higher costs in the future. The Infrastructure Committee was hearing evidence from representatives of the Northern Ireland Audit Office (NIAO) about its report into the funding of water infrastructure in the region. Northern Ireland Water, which is funded by the Department for Infrastructure, provides water and sewerage services. It has previously warned that uncertainty around financial support and historic under-funding are having a serious impact on services. Audit Office director Colette Kane told the committee that their report had called on the department and NI Water to complete a comprehensive review of potential alternative funding arrangements. She said: This comes on the basis of the findings of the report which clearly show a system under significant strain due to inadequate investment in water infrastructure over a number of years. Mr Stewart asked about the long-term assessment of the sustainability of the water infrastructure network. He said: At what point does the system start to break down? Northern Ireland Water has a colossal logistical and infrastructural base that isnt being maintained to the need that it needs to be maintained to. That therefore leads to a more costly maintenance programme every year. Eventually the system breaks down. The money is not there at the minute but it wont be there next year or the year after and the costs will be even higher. Michael Heery, audit manager at the NIAO, described what the MLA was referring to as compounding inefficiency. Mr Stewart added: If we think its bad now, we aint seen nothing yet in terms of what it is going to look like in 10 years time without that investment. By under-investing year after year the cost of standing still is so much more significant, never mind the development that is required on top of that. Until the Government realise that we have a serious problem. Last week, Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins told the Northern Ireland Assembly that she had asked forensic accountants to investigate a projected budget overspend at NI Water. She said the decision came after being informed that the board of the utility company was proposing it should overspend unless additional money is made available. Sinn Fein MLA Nicola Brogan told the committee that the ministers decision was a good first step. She said: I think it shows they are taking it seriously and know there is work to be done on it. China hits its 'ChatGPT moment' with DeepSeek, says 01.AI CEO Kai-Fu Lee At the 2025 ZGC Forum in Beijing, held from March 27 to 31, artificial intelligence (AI) dominated the agenda. At the event's flagship "Future AI Pioneer Forum," 01.AI CEO and Sinovation Ventures founder Kai-Fu Lee shared his perspective on the trajectory of generative AI in China. Just nine months ago, Lee remarked that China was still awaiting its "ChatGPT moment"a defining breakthrough in large language models (LLMs) capable of powering both enterprise (B2B) and consumer (B2C) use cases. Today, he believes that moment has arrived, dubbing it China's "DeepSeek moment." DeepSeek narrows AI innovation gap with the US Lee highlighted DeepSeek's achievement in reverse-engineering and open-sourcing the reasoning training pipeline behind LLMs, calling it a key step in closing the AI capability gap between China and the US. He praised DeepSeek-R1 for mastering chain-of-thought (CoT) reasoning and publicly releasing the methodologya move he called "stunning." Lee noted that DeepSeek stands out for its engineering efficiency and uniquely Chinese development model, which diverges sharply from OpenAI's approach. In benchmark comparisons, he claimed that DeepSeek-R1 runs faster and is five to ten times more cost-efficient than comparable US models. According to Lee, the pace of AI development is accelerating. He pointed to the two-year cycles between ChatGPT 2.0, 3.0, and now 4.5 as evidence. Each leap, he said, has been driven by human-led training, including algorithmic advances, cost optimization, and access to higher-quality data. AI-to-AI learning signals a new training paradigm "We've entered an era where AI is teaching AI," Lee said. Advanced models now exhibit slow thinking, self-reflection, and the ability to iteratively improve. He described a shift toward a teacher-student framework, where larger models train smaller ones using techniques like model distillation, labeled datasets, and synthetic data generation to accelerate deployment. Lee sees DeepSeek's biggest achievement in proving that open-source LLMs can rivaland even commercialize at the level ofstate-of-the-art closed models. "The closed-source route is unsustainable," he said. "Open source is the only viable path forward." Had DeepSeek remained closed, Lee speculated, it would never have reached its current level of global influence. In US-based open-source communities and on social media platforms, DeepSeek is receiving rare levels of enthusiasmsomething Chinese software has historically struggled to achieve. Compared with closed platforms like OpenAI, DeepSeek's openness is winning hearts. 01.AI pivots to enterprise solutions powered by DeepSeek Riding this momentum, Lee believes China is undergoing its own AI awakening. The "DeepSeek moment," he said, has educated the market at scale, removing key barriers to nationwide AI-first adoption. Lee disclosed that 01.AI has strategically pivoted to fully integrate DeepSeek, with plans to develop it into an enterprise-grade solution. "We see DeepSeek as the core kernel of an AI 2.0-era Windows system," he said, positioning 01.AI as the architect of that future platform. Lee closed with a blunt message: the industry must prioritize performance-to-cost optimization. For LLM developers, the focus has shifted from chasing milestones to creating real business value. His slogan for 2025? "Make AI work." Article edited by Charlene Chen TSMC's JASM doubles workforce amid production delays On April 1, 2025, TSMC's Japanese subsidiary, JASM, hosted its annual new employee enrollment ceremony, a tradition for many Japanese companies, at its headquarters in Kikuyo Town, Kumamoto Prefecture, Kyushu. Despite delays in the installation of some equipment at JASM's first wafer plant and a postponed construction schedule for the second plant, the company saw a significant increase in the number of new hires this year. According to Nikkei, this marked the third enrollment ceremony for JASM, with a record 527 new employees attendingmore than double the 256 hired in 2024. These new hires are mostly fresh graduates from universities and research institutions. JASM also highlighted its ongoing efforts to strengthen local talent recruitment, signaling its commitment to expanding its workforce in the region. During the ceremony, JASM's CEO, Y.H. Liaw, addressed the new employees, emphasizing the company's goal of driving continuous innovation and contributing to the economic growth of Japan, the Kyushu region, Kumamoto Prefecture, and Kikuyo Town. JASM's manufacturing status and challenges JASM's first wafer fab in Kumamoto began mass production by the end of 2024. It currently employs about 1,700 people, including expatriates from Taiwan and the Sony Group, recent graduates from local universities, and mid-career professionals. This facility is set to manufacture chips with 12/16nm and 22/28nm process technologies. However, production is currently focused on the 22/28nm chips, primarily serving clients like Sony, Denso, and Renesas. Reports indicate that the installation of equipment for the 12/16nm chips will be delayed until after 2026 due to sluggish demand in consumer electronics, automotive, and industrial chips. The uncertainty caused by the Trump administration's tariff policies has further contributed to the cautious approach to expanding production capacity. Expansion plans remain on target despite delays TSMC is also planning to build a second wafer fab on the eastern side of its first Kumamoto facility. The new fab will produce chips with 6nm and 40nm process technologies. Although the construction of the second plant was initially scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2025, this has now been delayed to later in the year. However, JASM has emphasized that the projected timeline for the plant's production to start by the end of 2027 remains unchanged. Article edited by Jerry Chen Qualcomm acquires Vingroup's AI division for talents According to a press release, Qualcomm has acquired MovianAI, the former generative AI division of VinAI, which is part of the Vingroup. This acquisition will enhance Qualcomm's R&D capabilities, potentially fostering significant innovations. Qualcomm said VinAI is known for its expertise in generative AI, machine learning, computer vision, and natural language processing. The company added that for over two decades, it has collaborated with Vietnam's tech ecosystem, contributing to advancements in 5G, AI, IoT, and automotive sectors, which have spurred growth in Vietnam's ICT industry and supported local companies' entry into global markets. Jilei Hou, senior vice president of engineering at Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., stated, "This acquisition highlights our commitment to R&D, positioning us as a leader in AI innovation. By integrating top talent from VinAI, we enhance our capability to deliver advanced AI solutions across various industries and for consumers." Hung Bui, founder and CEO of VinAI and a former Google DeepMind scientist, expressed readiness to support Qualcomm's mission in advancing AI research across various industries, including smartphones and software-defined vehicles. He noted that his team's expertise in generative AI and machine learning will drive the development of transformative solutions. Established foundation In 2019, Vingroup established VinAI, a machine-learning lab focused on AI development in sectors like autonomous vehicles, healthcare, and consumer services. In 2021, Nvidia's blog highlighted Vingroup as the first Southeast Asian company to install the Nvidia DGX SuperPOD AI supercomputer. This system significantly boosts VinAI's data processing capabilities, particularly for developing level 3 autonomous driving for VinFast, Vingroup's automotive arm. The DGX SuperPOD is projected to accelerate AI model training tenfold, allowing daily updates using real-world data from vehicles in the US and Europe. Collaborative innovations VinAI and Qualcomm launched GuardPro in 2023, an AI-powered system for safety and compliance monitoring in smart cities. GuardPro uses AI and computer vision to analyze up to 150 camera streams per AI accelerator, detecting non-compliance and security issues in real-time for residential and commercial buildings. Article edited by Jerry Chen Subscriber content preview SEATTLE A small apartment building at 1510 E. Olive Way sold this week for $4 million, according to King County records. The seller was Olive Crest Investors LLC, which acquired the property in 2006 for almost $2.8 million. . . . The community of Blackrock is coming together in an inspiring show of support for six-year-old Cliodhna Diamond, a First Class student at St. Francis NS, Blackrock, who has faced an incredibly challenging journey over the past year. In May 2024, Cliodhna was diagnosed with Ewings Sarcoma, a rare form of childhood cancer. This diagnosis led to nine months of intensive treatment, including major surgery. Thanks to the care of her local GP, Dr. Eoin McDermott, oncologist Dr. Cormac Owens, and orthopaedic oncology surgeon Mr. Alan Molloy at CHI Crumlin, Cliodhna is now in remission and bravely relearning how to walk. Her parents, Ciara and Chris, express immense gratitude to the Oncology Team and the compassionate staff of St. Johns Ward, CHI Crumlin for their expertise and empathy as they guided Cliodhna through what has been a very traumatic year for her. A Colour Fun Run and Family Day will take place at DkIT in Dundalk on Sunday, May 4th to raise awareness and funds for St Johns Ward, CHI Crumlin, that has played a crucial role in brave Cliodhna's recovery. Throughout Cliodhnas gruelling treatments, extended hospital stays and long separations from friends and her school community, the unwavering support and child-centred approach of the medical team made a significant difference. Despite the hardships, Cliodhna often remarked that she felt loved in St. Johns Ward, a testament to the care and kindness she received. In recognition of this incredible support, the Diamond family is eager to give back by raising awareness and funds for St. Johns Ward. Their efforts have been warmly embraced by the St. Francis National School Parents Association, led by Chairperson Elise Kierans, who proposed a community-driven fundraiserthe 2km Colour Fun Run & Family Fun Day. Scheduled for Sunday, May 4th, 2025, at DkIT, Dundalk, this event aims to rally the local community and raise funds for the oncology unit that has played a crucial role in Cliodhna's recovery. All funds raised through the Colour Run will go directly to St. Johns Ward, CHI Crumlin, where expert staff will decide how best to use those funds to the benefit of the ward and of the children who attend it. The Parents Association is actively seeking sponsorships and community involvement to make this event a success. Local businesses can support the fundraiser through monetary donations, in-kind contributions, or promotional sponsorships. Cliodhna's proud parents told how she is a courageous, resilient and determined young girl and her strong spirit has got her through a very tough time and will continue to help her as she negotiates her journey of recovery. Read Next: See the 18 Louth Tidy Town projects getting a share of over 100k They said the constant support and prayers of her friends, her neighbours, and of her school community, have provided comfort and strength to them. Cliodhna and her family are very thankful to the Parents Association of St. Francis NS for organising the Colour Run May 4th 2025 and to all who support it. Those wishing to participate in the Colour Run can find more details and purchase tickets via Eventbrite or the fundraising website. For more details or to support the fundraiser, contact the St. Francis NS Parents Association at pastfrancisnsblackrock@gmail.com. Representatives of Louth group Dignity4Patients were recently invited to give a presentation at Leinster House by Louth/East Meath Sinn Fein TD Joanna Byrne. Dignity4Patients represent the over 360 victims and survivors of former surgeon and convicted sexual offender Michael Shine. Speaking after the event, Deputy Byrne said: I did warn all those attending the briefing, to listen to the survivors testimonies, that what they would hear would be difficult and emotionally taxing. To hear the personal testimonies from the victims of Shines, and their experiences of being ignored, their pursuit of the truth, and the failure of authorities to stop Michael Shine for 30 years. It took tremendous courage for them to come to Leinster House, stand up and tell their truths to Oireachtas Members from all parties, from Louth and across the state. Since 2009 when Dignity4Patients was established as a charity, they have been determined to highlight the plight of sexual abuse victims in Irelands healthcare system. It is now 2025 and they are still fighting. To date, the victims have been failed by the state. Promises, including those to initiate proceedings, have not been kept. Their asks are very simple, the victims are seeking a Commission of Investigation into, not just the actions of Michael Shine, but the failings of the public authorities and how it was allowed to go on for such a period of time as it was. They want supports for the victims of the abuse put in place. They want all of those responsible to be held to account, and they want mechanisms in place to ensure crimes committed by Michael Shine over such a period of time can never occur again. When the meeting concluded, Deputy Byrne raised the matter directly with the Taoiseach under questions on promised legislation in the Dail chamber. Read Next: 2.2 million cigarettes seized in Louth Deputy Byrne said: There were many tears during the briefing. There were commitments to support the Dignity4Patients ask for a commission of investigation. That needs to be followed through on and I will pursue this matter until the government initiate that commission. In response Taoiseach Micheal Martin said: I am meeting the group and I pay tribute to it for its work and advocacy. I will engage with it. I am not making any commitments in advance of meeting it. I will work to determine the best method of getting to the truth in a timely manner. I am also conscious that on previous occasions, people might not have been entirely satisfied with the outcomes of other types of inquiries that took place. A community project in Louth is to receive funding under the Peatlands and Natura Community Engagement Scheme, it was announced today by Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Friends of Ardee Bog is to receive 3,357 for a hydrology restoration project. It is one of 45 community groups in seventeen counties around the country to receive funding assistance with their conservation work. The Peatlands and Natura Community Engagement Scheme supports local initiatives for the conservation and revitalisation of Natura 2000 Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection Areas (SPA) and all peatland areas. It is aimed at community-led and volunteer groups and promotes awareness of, and engagement with our natural heritage and environment. Announcing the funding, Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity Christopher OSullivan TD said: The health of our natural world is inextricably linked to the health of our communities. Successful conservation efforts must be driven by and rooted within those communities. Read next: Rejection of Louth application for funding for St Patrick's Day queried "Local knowledge, and a sense of ownership are vital to safeguarding our precious ecosystems and species and mitigating the impact of climate change. This scheme is an example of how we will solve the biodiversity crisis in Ireland by fostering strong partnerships, empowering local initiatives, and putting communities at the heart of nature conservation." The National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI), which represents organisations working with young people nationwide, has launched its Local Champions initiative for 2025, with two from Louth selected. The campaign aims to ensure increased investment in young people and youth work locally and nationally. Frank Rukundo from Dundalk and Niall Brady have been selected as Local Champions for Louth. Grace McManus, NYCI campaigns manager explained: As part of the Local Champions project, a group of passionate and dedicated young people have been selected as representatives from their communities, tasked with meeting their local politicians and championing the cause of youth work. The Local Champions received training and support from NYCI to effectively convey the positive impact youth work has on their lives and the lives of young people in the local area, as well as the importance of investing in youth work. NYCI is calling for an increased investment of 21 million in youth work in Budget 2026, to support services with increasing pressures, and ensure equal access to youth work for all young people nationwide. The representatives Local Champions in Louth are engaging with TDs Paula Butterly, Joanna Byrne, Erin McGreehan, Ged Nash and Ruairi O Murchu. The Local Champions initiative will include activities such as engaging with policymakers, sharing personal stories, and using social media to raise awareness and mobilise support. Through these efforts, NYCI and the Local Champions aim to create a broader understanding of the significance of youth work and its positive impact on society. The initiative is part of NYCI's campaign ahead of Budget 2026 later this year, to ensure that young people and youth work receive the necessary investment and support they deserve. The Local Champions initiative is supported by the Community Foundation Ireland. Denise Charlton, Chief Executive of Community Foundation Ireland added: "Empowering Generations is central to our mission as a philanthropic hub for Ireland. To achieve that goal were delighted to be partners with NYCI. The Local Champions network aims to amplify the voices of young people and showcase the transformative power of youth work. "It is bringing together an inspirational group of young people, and we look forward to seeing them connecting with their local representatives to share how youth work changes lives. Read next: Japanese Film Festival returns to Louth this April To learn more about the Local Champions Initiative and NYCI's efforts to advocate for increased investment in youth work, please visit youth.ie How did you end up in Boston, Suzanne? We have been living in Boston for the last two-and-a-half years, but before that we lived in Chicago for six years. My now husband Steve and I moved to Chicago in 2016, fresh-faced and newly engaged. I had just taken a job with IDA Ireland, and he was working on his Masters. We lived downtown and enjoyed socialising and travelling - we were so excited about the opportunity to live and work in the USA. Fast forward eight-and-a-half years later, and we are proud parents to three kids - Saoirse, aged five, Teagan, aged three, and three-month-old Jack, and we have a dog called Wrigley. We live a more suburban lifestyle outside of Boston now, since I moved here with my role in the IDA, and Steve works as a Supply Chain Manager in JDE. Now, our socialising comprises of playground conversations and our travel is chaotic plane rides, bringing the kids to Cork to see our family. What is your life like in your new home? Our life here is centred around our children and doing things we enjoy as a family. We spend most of our time outdoors, especially during the better weather. Youll find us out for walks, swimming, exploring woods, at the zoo... and I can tell you anything you want to know about every playground thats a five-mile radius from our house. Of course, were in Canton GAA grounds most weekends, bouncing from adults to kids games and training sessions. What has been the biggest challenge for you living abroad? The biggest challenge of living abroad for us is undoubtedly raising young kids without extended family nearby. Suzanne White, her husband Steve, and their children, Saoirse, aged five, Teagan, aged three, and three-month-old Jack, with their dog Wrigley. Of course, were in Canton GAA grounds most weekends, bouncing from adults to kids games and training sessions, said Suzanne of her life in Boston I think when young parents speak about that, people assume you mean you want a break or a date night, but in reality, its a matter of health and safety. I can remember moving to a new city and registering my eldest for school and having no name or number to put down as emergency contact. A few weeks later, I was in a car crash on the way to pick her up from school. We only had one car at the time and Steve was at home with our middle child who was a baby, so he couldnt even jump in an Uber without a car seat. It was one of those moments where you realise how isolated you are in the event of an emergency. Tell us a bit about how sport has played a part in your life? Sport in Ireland has created so many opportunities for me. Camogie was an important outlet for me growing up, and I learned so many skills through sport that would support me off the field as much as on the field. When I was in 6th year, I was playing Cork Minor and Cork Intermediate. Steve was playing Cork Minor, Cork under 21, and had just been called up to the Cork Senior hurling panel. On top of that, we were playing for numerous club teams and our school team. There were nights when Steve would be training in Pairc Ui Chaoimh, and Id be in the car outside studying. Steve and I were both GAA-obsessed but at the same time knew how important it was to travel and grab other life experiences. So, even though we were both playing club and county during our college years, we still managed to squeeze in J1s and Thailand back- packing trips with our own groups of friends. In 2012, after we graduated from college, we decided we would move to Australia for a year. We bought our tickets, I quit my job and moved out of my apartment. Then Stephen called me at work one day and said that Jimmy Barry Murphy had just called him about the year ahead and was eager for Stephen to stick around - that he had a good feeling about this upcoming season. Steve called me and said, What do you think we should do? I told him he had to go for it, Australia will always be there, but this could be a big turning point for him in his sporting career. He went on to play Clare in the All-Ireland final in Croke Park that season, and I know how much it meant to his family and everyone in Ballygarvan. While sport kept throwing these incredible opportunities at us, our itch to travel was still there. So, in 2016 we decided to do Route 66, and while on the trip I turned to Steve and said, Wow, I always thought Id work in the States at some stage, looks like its not meant to be. A few days later, while standing at the Chicago River I got a LinkedIn email from a recruiter asking me to take a look at a role with the IDA in Chicago - the very city I was standing in. I took a call and was put through to the next round. Steve White in action for Cork in the 2013 All-Ireland hurling final replay against Clare. Wife Suzanne says: I know how much it meant to his family and everyone in Ballygarvan That very same day, I called my mom, who I would usually speak to most days, and I was starting to wonder why I wasnt getting her typical Irish mammy calls telling me what the weather was like that day in Cork. I get through to her and ask her whats up. She comes clean and tells me shes in hospital after getting two strokes. My world comes crashing down. Im no longer thinking about our next stop along Route 66, or my next round interview for my dream job, I just want to be in CUH with my mom. But she makes it clear that she didnt want me to even know about what happened to her because she wanted to me to finish the trip. A few weeks later, when were in her kitchen and well into recovery, I tell her and my dad, who was also battling cancer, that Ive been offered a job with the IDA in Chicago but that I wouldnt go if it was too much for the family right now. They both laughed me off the stage and told me to get packing. Since becoming a parent myself, I totally get where they were coming from. I think every parent wants their kids to grab opportunities and dont look back. Whenever I think about that time, its a good reminder of how life will always have ups and downs, but you must persevere. What has been your most memorable moment in your new location so far? Of course, its been the arrival of our three kids here, who now sport American accents. But outside of family moments, its been access to top class events. My favourite sporting event so far was the 2021 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits, and I have to mention going to Taylor Swifts Eras tour in Gillette Stadium in 2023. Any special mentions to friends or family back in Cork? My aunt Geraldine passed away a few months ago and one thing she always did was call my mom if my name was in any way featured in the Echo after a Camogie game. Shed be straight on the phone, saying, Noreen, I just got the Echo and Suzanne is on it, make sure you run out to get a copy. Shed make it sound like I was on the front page when in reality it was the results section after a weekend of games. Im also thinking of my cousin Joan Forde who is 96 years old and living in Ballinhassig. Hopefully, Ill get the chance to read some of this interview to her when Im home this summer. If you were back in Cork for one day, what would be the ideal day for you? After a morning of being on the farm with the kids, wed all head over to the pitch for training. From there, wed make our way into the Pairc where Cork hurlers would have a home game. Wed pick up a KCs on the way home and all watch The Sunday Game analysis together. Donal Og Cusack would be head pundit and wed agree or disagree on his analysis, pressing pause every few minutes to argue our case. What are you looking forward to in the coming months? We have our son Jacks christening coming up over the Easter break. In June, we are going to Marthas Vineyard, which has become a new annual tradition thanks to our wonderful neighbours Larry and Jen, who generously invite us to stay at their place there. Towards the end of the year, I am getting major surgery to correct some problems I have since having my three babies. I suffered with HG (hyperemesis gravidarum, severe sickness and vomiting) on all of my pregnancies, had three big babies, all while juggling work and toddlers, so its definitely taken its toll. The reason Im looking forward to the surgery is because I want to go back playing camogie next year once I navigate recovery. Keeping my eye on the prize! But most importantly, the five of us will be spending a month in Ireland in July/August. Youll hear us before you see us. The children are obsessed with their cousins in Ireland and our annual trip home is their time to play freely outside with them all. I love watching the multi-generational play between the nine cousins, which range in age from three months to 11 years old. Its also lovely to see them enjoy the freedom the countryside offers. Their favourite thing to do when we are home is to spend their mornings at their Grandads farm and their evenings with their cousins. We are so grateful to everyone in our lives who loves to spend time with our children, especially my sister Jennifer. Where were you born? The Bons! in Cork. Where do you live? I now live in Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin Family? Last year I visited An Sugan in the Muskerry Gaeltacht with my Dad (a new Irish language Museum opening down there) where he grew up. One of the characters proposed for the audio tour is my great grandad, who taught there and was a prominent member in establishing the college. Rehearsals for Making History have involved a lot of detailed research, facilitated by the brilliant team on the show. The play asks questions of how our stories and histories are passed down. Best friend? A gang of friends from where I grew up in Monkstown had a reunion last year, as some of them have started moving back to Cork. Most of us know each other since primary school and have still stayed in touch, which I know can be rare! Earliest childhood memory? We grew up in a house looking out to the bay. So I always remember the horizon (where sometimes youd be able to see a storm approaching). Person you most admire? At the moment? Des Kennedy, our Director on Making History. Hes a very passionate and brilliant individual. And he leads a rehearsal room where you feel comfortable to contribute, fail and create which is not always the case on a gig. He can unlock something in a playful way which all just leads to people making better choices. And it gives an actor more agency over their work. I have a lot of respect for the type of atmosphere he creates. Person who most irritates you? Without getting specific, what frustrates me most are polarised, black and white opinions online. I dont feel like the online arena is always the healthiest place for debate. Where was your most memorable holiday? From never having been, I finally made it to Rome a couple of years ago. And have been obsessed since. Its been useful to have a sense of the setting, as my character, the younger Peter Lombard, Archbishop of Armagh, is closely connected to the Pope of the time. And, as an agent of Hugh ONeills, is trying to garner support from Rome and military support from Spain. Favourite TV programme? What We Do In The Shadows (TV Series) which has recently had its final season. Its delicious fun. And Wolf Hall. Its made with such attention to detail. It never feels like a period piece - its delivered so naturally. And the acting is excellent across the board. Just like the amazing cast on Making History - some of which have never seen it, so Ive envied them watching it for the first time. Favourite radio show? Cerys Matthews show on BBC Radio 6 is the perfect soundtrack to a Sunday morning. A great mix of guests, poetry and music curated with real care and passion. And an honourable mention to my old mucker, Cathal Murray, who presents Late Date on RTE Radio 1. Cathal was in my first play out of UCC Dramat, Breathing Water. We toured it to the Edinburgh Fringe in 2000. An unforgettable time. Your signature dish if cooking? Moussaka. Favourite restaurant? Glas in Dublin. Best book you read? Trainspotting was a very important book when I was first starting to write as a late teen. Irvine Welsh wrote in a phonetic vernacular which suddenly made everything possible. You felt you could write about the youth culture of your own city, to use your own slang-uage. (And Danny Boyles adaptation is the rare case where a film version does the book justice and creates something new. Not to mention the soundtrack.) Favourite song? At the moment? Perfume Genius (feat. Aldous Harding) No Front Teeth. All time? Prince - Raspberry Beret. One person you would like to see in concert? Id love to see Arooj Aftab at the Brighton Festival this summer. Anoushka Shankar is the guest director of the festival. The programme looks huge! Do you have a pet? I dont currently own a pet. But we had a blue budgie growing up. Dont laugh. I recently defended budgies at a party where the guests were comparing house pets. I showed my friends a clip on Youtube (just look up any clip of a budgie talking/mimicking). They are remarkable creatures. Incredibly intelligent for their size. And full of personality. Dont underestimate the budgie! Morning person or night owl? Its changed over the years. When I lived in Cork, you would have found me walking home on a Sunday morning from Sir Henrys nightclub. Now Im asleep most nights by 10pm! Your proudest moment? Winning Best Sound Design and Composition with Ben Delaney at the Irish Times Theatre Awards for our work on Philly MacMahons Town Is Dead, a show which was produced at the Abbey on which I was the composer. Spendthrift or saver? Something in between. Name one thing you would improve in your area in which you live? More supports for addiction treatment, in Dublin (but also countrywide). And not just frontline help ongoing supports, like the brilliant SAOL project. I once worked with artist Veronica Dyas who led a group at SAOL, creating a song of empowerment - which I was employed to write (in collaboration with the group). The organisation is doing amazing work. Our understanding of addiction has come a long way but it can still be largely misunderstood and stigmatised in Ireland. And there are good news stories too, which rarely make the news. What makes you happy? Sharing time with people who make you feel 100% comfortable being yourself. What else are you up to at the moment? Ive been approached to work as the playwright on a project developing Conal Creedons novel Passion Play to the stage. Its a privilege. Conal Creedon is a hero. And as we all know, is the Dickens of Cork. The Mercy Hospital Foundation has announced the appointment of a new chief executive officer. The Cork charity has appointed Rachel Stevenson, who for the past 23 years has served as director of fundraising at Cork Simon Community where she also served as a member of its senior management team. Ms Stevenson has almost three decades of experience in the voluntary sector, beginning her career in London, and has championed causes across disability, social disadvantage, black and minority ethnic issues, and homelessness. She is committed to building capacity within the not-for-profit sector and has volunteered on the boards of various charities over the years. She currently serves as chair of Charities Institute Irelands Munster fundraisers network. Ms Stevenson follows in the footsteps of Micheal Sheridan, the foundations previous chief executive, who died last June following a brief battle with cancer. Joining the foundation initially in 2007, Mr Sheridan helped to grow it to one of the countrys leading hospital charities. He left for three years to become CEO of Irish Community Air Ambulance, returning to the Mercy Foundation in early 2024. In his role, Mr Sheridan had helped to raise millions for the hospitals cancer services. Ms Stevenson said she was honoured to join the Mercy Hospital Foundation and looked forward to contributing to the work of the foundation team, its voluntary board of directors, and the Mercy University Hospital staff. Together, we will continue to ensure that the people of Cork have access to the highest quality healthcare through The Mercy, she said. Welcoming Ms Stevenson to the role, chairperson of the Mercy Hospital Foundation board of directors Eoin Tobin said he was delighted at the appointment. Her extensive experience, passion for making a difference, and strong leadership skills make her the ideal person to drive our mission forward, he said. We look forward to working with her to continue supporting the incredible work of The Mercy. A Cork senator has published a bill seeking to criminalise the act of soliciting sexual services in exchange for a reduced rent or in lieu of rent. Yesterday, Labours Laura Harmon launched the Prohibition of Advertising or Importuning Sex for Rent Bill 2025. It proposes a fine of up to 50,000 for those convicted of advertising rental spaces under such terms. It follows the recent publication of a report featuring testimony from a Cork student who had to share a bed with strangers. Predatory tactics Ms Harmon said the practice was abuse of power, and must be stopped. While we all know of rogue landlords using the housing crisis as an opportunity to make a quick buck, I am increasingly aware of a growing trend of people using nothing short of predatory tactics to demand sex from tenants in lieu of rent, she said. The housing crisis has permeated every section of our society. Many of our friends, family, and loved ones are struggling with insecure housing, astronomical rents, and the complete lack of affordable homes to buy, said Ms Harmon. But there is also an unseen side to this crisis one that preys on the most vulnerable. Abuse of power Ms Hamon said that this is occurring on leading rental platforms. Youll rarely see it committed to print, but once someone enquires about a property, the seedy text messages start suggestions of sharing a bed, or an expectation of sex in return for shelter. This is an appalling abuse of power, and it must be outlawed. My bill will cover all forms of communication in terms of these ads and all electronic communication. Those who engage in this behaviour are calculated in their approach. They predominantly target migrants and young people. Ms Harmon said recent reports have shown that some landlords are shamelessly exploiting marginalised women, particularly those at risk of homelessness. She added that the previous minister for justice, Helen McEntee, promised to address this issue through the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking) Bill 2023, with amendments, but this failed to materialise. She called on the new minister for justice, Jim OCallaghan, to put an end to the practice. Coercive and abusive The Irish Council for International Students (ICOS) welcomed the introduction of the bill, saying that a recent report of theirs found that 5% of female international students said they had either received an offer to rent a room in exchange for sex, or had seen a room that was being advertised in exchange for sex. Offering accommodation in exchange for sex is a coercive and abusive practice that must be outlawed, said a spokesperson. ICOS has been calling for the introduction of this legislation for several years, and we urge members of the Oireachtas to support this bill. Cork politicians and the business community have said they are concerned and anxious about the tariffs set to be imposed today by US president Donald Trump. Speaking to The Echo, Cork Fianna Fail MEP Billy Kelleher said the feeling in the EU was that it would not be a day of liberation as described by Mr Trump, but rather a weeping Wednesday. Everybody is concerned and anxious. We dont know what the intention of the White House is. Is it going to be 20% across all goods and services, or will it be sector-specific or country-specific? Some EU countries have no pharma sector at all, so if its sector-specific, it will disproportionately affect Ireland, said Mr Kelleher. Thats why its important that the European Commission doesnt have a knee-jerk reaction and start imposing tariffs on American products, because the pharmaceutical industry has a complex supply chain with lots of ingredients coming from the US. Tariffing them could lead to a double disproportionate effect on Ireland. While Taoiseach Micheal Martin said that nobody knows yet how high the tariffs will be, once imposed, he said it will be a matter for the Irish economy and the European economy to adapt to that, diversify our markets, look at our competitiveness. Order is changing Mr Martin said: There are a lot of measures we can take, but fundamentally, the old order is changing in terms of the economic model. Weve got to try and mitigate it as much as we possibly can. There will be a lot of consultation within the European Union on this issue, to endeavour to get to a strategic response that doesnt bring more damage. Economists are fairly strongly of the view that it needs a calm, collective sort of measured response to make sure we dont feel damage to ourselves in the process." Social Democrats TD for Cork South-Central, Padraig Rice, said that Ireland, as a small open economy with huge trade with the US, is more exposed than most by President Trumps global trade war. Mr Rice said that Ireland must push to have its voice heard in EU negotiations. Independent Ireland TD for Cork North-Central, Ken OFlynn, said that the Government needed to react swiftly, gently, but forcefully. Critical He was critical of preparations for the imposition of tariffs, telling The Echo that, in his view, the Government has been very neglectful. This has been coming down the road for a very long time, but the Government hasnt swung into action at all, said Mr OFlynn. Now were facing D-day with nothing done. Cork Chamber chief executive Conor Healy said there was still quite a bit of uncertainty as to what will be announced. The areas mentioned as potential targets pharma, food and drink each of those are really strong fundamental aspects of the Cork economy, said Mr Healy. Knock-on-effect Cork Business Association president Dave OBrien said that while he hoped the tariffs would be short term, this is still uncertain, adding: In the main, tariffs will affect the larger companies, but there will, no doubt, be a knock-on effect on SME. Mr OBrien said people could help support indigenous Irish businesses by shopping locally, and encouraged businesses to look at different markets in countries such as China and Canada, and in the rest of Europe. This is what Bhagya Barrett, co-founder of the Rebel City Distillery in Cork, said they are working on now. We launched in America two years ago, and have been doing big pushes of our products, he said. Now nobody wants to commit to new orders, theres so much uncertainty. We have been looking in other markets, exploring Asia, but at the moment our strategy is wait and watch. People making a difference in their communities in Cork are set to be recognised at the 2025 Cork City Lord Mayor Community and Voluntary Awards, with nominations for the forthcoming edition of the awards closing this coming Friday April 4. Since 2004, the Lord Mayor Community and Voluntary Awards have recognised over 130 voluntary and community groups across Cork City for their contribution to life in the city. The winner of the overall award in the 2024 Cork Lord Mayors Community and Voluntary Awards was the Kalyna Ukrainian Choir. Speaking to The Echo, Victoria Tymoshchuk of Kalyna Choir and a facilitator with the Ukrainian community in Cork, described how much winning the award meant to them. We didnt expect to get this award, she said. For the Ukrainian community, it meant a lot. The Kalyna choir promotes Ukranian culture and helps people from Ukraine to integrate and support local communities. It was a great recognition of what we are doing. Winning this award meant we are seen as a community and we are doing something right, something valuable for local communities as well. Ms Tymoshchuk added: Cork became a safe hub for Ukranians. We felt welcomed and included in the community. For our Ukranian community, this award meant a lot because people felt this support for local communities and local authorities. We all follow the news and the situation in the world and the situation around Ukraine. This award was a sign for people, a sign of hope, and [to ] never give up. Keep on going, and that everything will be fine. The Kalnyna Ukrainian Community Choir of Cork was founded in 2022 with the support of Carraig centre (Ballincollig), within the Ukrainian community support project. The choir now unites up to 50 participants from all parts of Ukraine under temporary protection in Cork. The Kalyna choir was established to provide emotional and spiritual support for Ukrainians, who received temporary protection in Ireland. They take part in local events and concerts, while also supporting local initiatives and fundraising events. The Kalyna choir represented all of what these awards are about. That being about inclusion, participation and very much making Cork their home. We are an amateur choir and we sing with our hearts, Ms Tymoshchuk said. There is a saying that you always get what you give. So we give our love to the people of Ireland, now we have love from them in return. So I think this is the secret of winning this award to love your neighbours and to love the people of Cork and Ireland. Kalyna Choir are a prime example of the contribution made by volunteer groups to the fabric of Cork city, something which Ms Tymoshchuk hopes the choir can continue to do in the months and years ahead. The categories for the 2025 Cork City Lord Mayor Community and Voluntary Awards are: Arts, Culture, Recreation & Heritage Climate Action, Active Travel & Sustainable Development Community Development & Lifelong Learning Recreation, Sport, Heath & Wellbeing Social Inclusion, Advocacy & Integration Social Services, Charities & Environment The Echo will be sharing the stories of the nominees and the award winners over the next few weeks and months ahead. The closing date for nominations is Friday April 4. The winners will then be announced at a Civic Ceremony in Cork City Hall on Wednesday May 7. Members of the public are invited to nominate community and voluntary groups they would like to see recognised for the good work in which they do. Applications for the 2025 Cork City Lord Mayor Community and Voluntary Awards can be made online at corkcity.ie/lordmayorawards. Essential onshore cable ducting works on the Celtic Interconnector project crossing Claycastle Beach in Youghal have been successfully completed. EirGrid, the operator and developer of Irelands electricity grid, has welcomed the news, and said that nearshore works and ducting across the carpark should be completed shortly. The latest works mark a key step in preparation for cable installation commencement later this year for the subsea link, connecting the electricity grids of Ireland and France. The Youghal works, which took place over the weekend, involved ducting pipes being lifted to the trench by five separate cranes, before being lowered into place. The works were carried out between tidal windows at the beach. This ducting will now be buried using material previously excavated from the beach, ensuring they are ready to receive the marine cable which is to be laid from France and into Irish waters in the next stage. The beach will be fully reinstated following the completion of the installation works. Michael Mahon, the chief infrastructure officer for the project, said that collaborative efforts of all stakeholders including local authorities and community representatives have played a crucial role in reaching this milestone. The success of this phase of works is a testament to the expertise and dedication of the entire project team including engineers, contractors, and project partners from both countries, he said. The patience and support of the local community of Youghal has also been invaluable, ensuring that the work could be completed efficiently and safely. Meanwhile, progress is also being made on other aspects of the energy project. This includes works at the converter station site at Ballyadam, near Carrigtwohill, where cladding and internal fit-outs of buildings are taking place. The converter station is where high voltage direct current (HVDC) is converted to high voltage alternating current (HVAC) for use on the Irish grid. On the HVAC cable route between Carrigtwohill and Knockraha, jointing, backfilling, and road reinstatement continues with passing bay removal nearing completion. On the HVDC route, trenching and ducting works are continuing on the N25 between Killeagh and Youghal. Coinciding with works reaching a mid-way point, applications for the second phase of the 2.4m fund are currently being considered with 841,013 in funding available to eligible communities and voluntary groups. A local campaign group is urging residents, businesses, and community groups in Glanmire to oppose the proposed eastern access point of the Cork Northern Distributor Road. The campaign, Save Glanmire from Gridlock, is calling attention to the proposed eastern access point of the project. It makes provision for a primary access point between Vienna Woods and the Grotto, which would pass through a wooded hillside to connect the four-lane distributor road to the centre of Glanmire. The group says the proposed route will result in severe traffic congestion, environmental harm, and long-term disruption to the community. A secondary connection has also been proposed between The Barn and New Inn National School, which the campaign group says would have a negative impact on the safety of children and local residents. Speaking to The Echo, a spokesperson for Save Glanmire from Gridlock said: People do welcome the Northern Distributor Road, thats a road thats badly needed, but whats surprising for people in Glanmire is the eastern access point. Its quite a small road, and to get down to it would require a lot of destruction to woodland. People are shocked, most people were expecting it to go north of Glanmire. The concerns that we have is the impact that this will have on Glanmire, [because] that road is already very congested, said the spokesperson. Cork Business Association (CBA) has described the Cork northern distributor road project as a vital investment towards a more sustainable and connected Cork. To land a four-lane road there, with additional vehicles and trucks, it doesnt make sense its quite concerning for people, it would make Glanmire far more congested from a traffic standpoint. If traffic was coming from the northside and trying to access this end [of the city] from the eastern side, its unlikely that a truck would go all the way down into this access point and through the Dunkettle Interchange most people would expect that truck would get off at New Inn and go down Barnavara Hill, to avoid congestion, they added. There are many other consequences of it more traffic will start coming into Glanmire, and were already seeing lots of trucks doing that from the existing ring road. Glanmire roads are not set up for that. The campaign is to make people aware and to encourage them to input into the public consultation. Our message is to request that the city council considers alternate routes that wouldnt have a detrimental effect on Glanmire. A community information event, hosted by the Save Glanmire from Gridlock group, will take place tomorrow evening from 7.30pm at the Glanmire GAA Club. The deadline for feedback submissions on the Cork Northern Distributor Road has been set for April 10. For more information on the Cork Northern Distributor Road, visit: https://shorturl.at/XQZu1, or to make a submission to the consultation process, visit: https://shorturl.at/YsUif. The man accused of murdering his wife by slashing her throat with a carving knife he bought two days earlier said it was an accident that happened in a struggle when she picked up the knife. He also claimed that he covered her body with a duvet to protect her dignity but the prosecution said the last thing in the world that Regin Rajan cared about was the dignity of 38-year-old Deepa Dinamani. The accused man cried and wiped his eyes in the witness box saying it was a tragic accident where she picked up the knife to tell him to get out of her bedroom, that he took it, she grabbed his hand and the slashing of her own throat happened in a struggle. She took the knife from the table, I think, I am not sure, and told me to go back. The knife was the one I purchased two days back. My immediate reaction was to take the knife from her. I took the knife. We had a struggle. The knife was in my hand. And falling down, her throat got cut. There was blood everywhere. Such a shock for me. I dont know what to do, Regin Rajan told the judge and jury at the Central Criminal Court in Cork this afternoon. Senior counsel Brian McInerney asked his client: Did you intend to stab your wife? The man who denies murder replied, No, never. Asked, Did you intend to kill your wife? he replied, No, never. Asked how he felt when his wifes throat was cut, Regin Rajan replied: My initial reaction was, I dont know what to do, to be frank. I just tried to stop the blood from the neck. I dont know. My mind was blank. I cannot think straight. I dont know. He accepted that he told his friend and the 999 call taker and the police that evening that he stabbed his wife. I never had any intention to stab her I never thought my wife was going to hide my passport (which he wanted in order to travel back to India) and tells me I can go back to India when she comes back from Dublin. I never had an intention to harm her in any way, not even to give her a slap. To get the passport back I went into the room, just my passport, nothing else. I wish I can turn back the clock. I wish she is alive, he said and cried. He claimed that when he entered his wifes room that day she was dressed only in a t-shirt and was holding her phone in her hand and then picked up the knife and told him to get out. Cross-examined Prosecution senior counsel, Sean Gillane, cross-examined the accused man, 43-year-old Regin Parithapara Rajan, who denies the single charge of murdering his wife, 38-year-old Deepa Paruthiyezhuth Dinamani at their home at Cardinal Court, Wilton, Cork, on July 14, 2023. When your wife began to die because of the blood she was losing and to drown from the blood she was swallowing, what did you do to help her? Mr Gillane asked and he replied, I was just trying with my hand to stop the blood. Mr Gillane said: You did not pick up the phone to get help. Mr Rajan said: My mind was blank. I was shocked. You wrapped her in the duvet why? Mr Gillane asked and the accused replied, Just to protect her dignity. Mr Gillane commented: The last thing in the world you cared about was her dignity. The accused said: I covered her to protect her dignity. I always loved her. Mr Gillane asked the accused to explain how Deepa was slashed from earlobe to midpoint on her neck in a single swiping action. He replied: She was really mad. She would do anything to get the knife from me. It just happened in a fraction of a second She fell to the bed, she pulled my hand, it happened during the fall. Mr Gillane said it seems odd that the accused was dressed only in his boxer shorts and t-shirt and the accused said that was how he dressed at home. Mr Gillane suggested the accused was saying that to explain why his boxers were soaked in his wifes blood. Asked what he did after his wife was fatally injured, he said: I cannot recall. I was shocked. My mind was blank. He said he could not say what time it happened or how long he was in the room afterwards. Mr Gillane asked how the deceased suffered a wound in her left forearm and he said: Maybe it was when I was trying to get the knife from her in the struggle She attacked me, I did not attack her. He did not know how the knife got into the bedroom in the first place. He said he bought it two days earlier because Deepa told him to buy the knife for preparing rockfish. Mr Gillane wondered if it was another tragedy in the life of Deepa that she asked for the purchase of a knife that ultimately brought her life to an end. Asked why he had Google searches on prison conditions in Ireland, he replied that he had been watching a Netflix programme on prisons around the world and was interested in what the conditions were in Ireland. Mr Gillane asked if the last text on Deepas phone, the word, Yups, was texted by the accused on her phone as he had used this word 130 times on his own phone but she never once used the word. As she was dying in her bed or already dead you are using her phone to communicate with Jay. Jay is the man the deceased met on a dating website who was exchanging WhatsApp texts with Deepa in the weeks before her death. He replied a number of times as the question was repeated, I dont know. Arrest Mr Gillane said that on his arrest the accused had his own phone and his wifes phone in his pockets. Mr Gillane put it to the accused the words he spoke to a garda at the scene that day: I just stabbed her, I stabbed her with the knife in the throat, that she was cheating on him, that he could not tolerate it, and he never said at that time anything about an accident. He said that following his arrest he thought the police would beat and torture him, adding: I was speaking with my unconscious mind. Referring to the note on a table in the bedroom asking for forgiveness for what he has done, Mr Gillane asked: Is that your handwriting? The accused replied: I never had bad handwriting like that. Concluding, Mr Gillane said: I am going to put it to you squarely this account of an attack on you by the deceased is wrong, it is untrue, it is a contrivance by you to avoid responsibility for what you did and well knew what you did. You purchased the knife. You researched knives. You removed your child from the house. You cut your wifes throat in a single swiping movement which brought her life to an end and what you said today is untrue. The accused disagreed. A former employer, Rahul Sobti, said by video link from India that the accused as an employee was very sincere, highly skilled and hardworking. The trial continues before Ms Justice Siobhan Lankford and a jury of seven women and five men. Progress has been made in bringing the new elective hospital in Cork a step closer to construction but a Cork TD has called for the process to be swifter. When the design phase is completed a detailed business case will be prepared in order to seek the necessary funding approvals to proceed to construction. The HSE confirmed that they have appointed an Integrated Design Team (IDT) and Project Control Team to support the detailed design of the elective hospital. The IDT are to provide architectural, design, and engineering services in regard to the St Stephens Hospital site, while the Project Control Teams aim is to support the HSE to manage, control, and administer the design/construction programme. In a written response to Sinn Fein TD for Cork North Central Thomas Gould, who put a query to Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, the health minister, for an update on the elective hospital in Cork, the HSE said: The IDT are currently finalising the site option appraisal assessments at both St Stephens in Cork and Merlin Park in Galway. Once the preferred option is selected, the IDT will then progress with the development of their site layout and overall plan for the selected development plot. The IDT are working at pace to progress the detailed design to inform planning submissions and the range of statutory and regulatory approvals necessary to proceed to tender and construction. This involves a detailed and comprehensive workplan in 2025 to inform the planning approach and work with HSE to finalise the design option. This comprehensive work will take time and will be underpinned by significant engagement with multiple stakeholders including local authorities. The elective hospital in Cork at St Stephens is to be separate from existing hospitals and only carry out planned elective procedures. Mr Gould criticised the pace of the project. It is time for the minister to take control of healthcare and particularly invest in Corks healthcare service, he said. It is on its knees and it needs a government who cares. The previous timeline we were given was for construction to commence in 2026 with the first patients to be seen in 2027. This response however seems to indicate that theyll only be applying for planning in 2026. We have already seen significant delays with surgical hub delivery in Cork. All the while, the numbers waiting on hospital trolleys and the numbers delaying healthcare are increasing, he said. The government must come clean on this timeline. They cannot keep pointing to this hospital as the solution to our healthcare crisis in Cork without any credible timeline. The Cork Summer Show has announced that My Canine Companion will be the official charity partner for the 2025 event. My Canine Companion provides accredited service dogs to individuals with disabilities, with a particular focus on supporting children and families that are affected by autism. The charity announcement was made at the annual Munster Agricultural Society Ball. Cliona ORourke, the founder of My Canine Companion, welcomed the partnership with the Cork Summer Show. We are thrilled to be named the official charity partner for the 2025 Cork Summer Show. This platform offers a wonderful opportunity to raise awareness about the life changing work our service dogs do every day. The shows strong focus on accessibility and inclusivity makes it the perfect setting to highlight how autism service dogs can empower children and families to engage more confidently with the world around them. Gerard Murphy, the president of the Munster Agricultural Society, said that My Canine Companion is reflective of what the Cork Summer Show stands for. My Canine Companion changes lives across Ireland and we are honoured to support their incredible work at this years show, he said. We believe this partnership will resonate deeply with our visitors, many of whom understand the powerful role animals play in human lives. We would like to extend our deepest thanks to all those who donated and contributed to the [societys] annual fundraiser ball. This years Cork Summer Show returns to the Munster Agricultural Society Showgrounds in Curraheen, Bishopstown, on Saturday June 14 and Sunday June 15. Early bird tickets are now available, with a full programme of events and competition classes to be announced at corksummershow.com. Donations to the My Canine Companion charity can be made online via iDonate. Youre kidding me, I said to the butcher. He wasnt. See, the thing is, Id a mind for a bit of lamb. Maybe it was simply association Spring is here and were coming up to Easter and all - but I was thinking of getting in a leg of lamb and maybe some stewing pieces and a few lamb shanks for the freezer. Once I got to the counter, it emerged that the relatively modest-sized leg of lamb Id requested would set me back more than 44. My mouth shaped into a silent O. You think thats bad, the butcher said dolefully. The man before you asked me for the very same thing and he walked away without it too. The thing is, next week the same weight will likely cost you 52. What? I said disbelievingly. Lambs gone hideous expensive, he said. I cant sell it. Right so. I decided Id give the leg of lamb a skip and just make a lovely succulent lamb curry from scratch. As well as a few shanks for the slow cooker. I pointed to a smallish container of stewing lamb pieces inside the glass. I estimated that it was about a pound and a half, give or take. How much? I said. Nearly 16. I gaped at him. I know, he said. Sure, isnt that what Im telling you? Well, what about a few lamb shanks then? I asked. Surely be to God a few lamb shanks wouldnt sink the bloody boat. He shook his head. I dont have any. I stared. Hed never let me down on lamb shanks before in all the time Ive been going to him, and thats a bit of time. Ill be honest with you, the butcher continued. I wont have them in for you anymore either. Theyre gone too expensive. People arent buying them. Im worried Ill end up throwing out the meat. Now my jaw crashed to the floor. Last time Id done slow-cooked lamb shanks, in late November or early December, I had, without thought, very casually, purchased four large, generous ones from the same butcher for 16. I got six big dinners out of them, four on the day, two the day after on the very generous leftovers. In the end, I told the butcher to just give me a bit of minced beef and a few chicken thighs and maybe a few pork chops. Beef and lamb prices have shot up, he told me as he wrapped up the mince, a few pork chops and the chicken. It was to do with exports, he said. Big demand from the UK market was exerting pressure on Irish supplies and it was a sellers market. Same with beef. Hed never seen the like of it. It was, he told me, hardly worth his while making his homemade burgers anymore because people wouldnt buy them if he upped the price, and if he didnt increase his prices, his profit margin would be so narrow as to not even register. Between a rock and a hard place, the butcher said. God help the restaurant sector, he observed. He could think of a few that would suffer on the heels of this. More closures would be coming down the tracks because prices were going to rise further. I quickly googled it on my phone. Yes. The price of beef and lamb had been rising. I recalled a comedy sketch I saw on TV years ago about a massive surge in meat prices in Australia. The Australian butcher came out and displayed, to the impressed and humbled customer, a piece of beef on a purple velvet, gilt-fringed cushion. We all fell around laughing at the time. Well, were laughing out of the other side of our mouths now. Later that day, I tried another butcher shop for the shanks, but only because I was passing the door. When I asked him for four lamb shanks I didnt bother talking about a leg of lamb or a pound- and-a-half of stewing lamb this time this butcher also looked at me very thoughtfully. There was a pause. Ill get them for you, he said. Give me a minute or two Ill have to cut them. I waited. After a while the butcher came out with four large lamb shanks. Now, before you say anything, he said, I have to ask you if youre been following the news. I had, I said cautiously. Well, he said, thered been a very recent increase in the price of lamb and beef and this, he said, would affect the price of the lamb shanks. There was another, rather curious pause. Then the butcher quoted me 24 for the four shanks. Eight euro more than the 16 that the quartet of shanks had cost before Christmas. In a matter of three or four months, the price of a humble lamb shank not at all regarded as one of the royal cuts has shot up by 50%. Look, I bought them anyway, thinking the way things were going I probably wouldnt be able to afford them at all next month. As he wrapped them for me, he commented that the price of beef was expected to go up by 20% that very day. And whats the government doing about it, he asked? We looked at each other. The government was far too busy making a show of itself over speaking time privileges in the Dail to even look out to see what was going on outside its own windows. The government was far too busy not seeing the wood for the trees. The government didnt even seem to wonder why Conor McGregor and not the Taoiseach was received in the White House on St Patricks Day and held an actual press conference and what all of that potentially means, going forward, for the Irish governments relationship with Donald Trumps America. We agreed, and other customers chimed in, that the government doesnt seem to be tackling the massive tide of seething resentment that has built up out here in the real world as a result of other things its not tackling, like the cost of living, lifestyle, homelessness and the cost of housing, the pressure on small businesses, the impact of immigration, the sense that there is a lack of priority regarding the needs and concerns of citizens, and the fear, stress and fury at the perceived absence of government or judicial support for An Garda Siochana and their work, or any realistic, effective consequences for either serious criminal behaviour or a whole spectrum of anti-social behaviour. So the last thing this government is going to worry about, we all agreed in the end, was the price of a lamb shank. Dear God. By Grainne Ni Aodha, PA The proposal to lift rent pressure zones was called unsettling, alarming and draconian in correspondence sent to the Housing Minister. Renters outlined their concerns and personal situations to James Browne after Taoiseach Micheal Martin said that rent caps could be lifted. Correspondence released to the PA news agency under a Freedom of Information request shows that two emails were sent to Mr Browne from Mr Martin, who asked his Fianna Fail colleague to examine his constituents concerns. The Taoiseach has said the Government will consider abolishing 2 per cent rent caps at the end of the year. A review by the Department of Housing said there were challenges with rent pressure zones (RPZs) but it also acknowledged a need to regulate the rental market in a way that provides sustainable rents. Taoiseach Micheal Martin (PA) On February 11, Mr Martin forwarded two emails to the Housing Minister he had received from Cork South-Central constituents concerned about abolishing RPZs. I would be grateful if the points raised could be examined and if you could advise me of the position, Mr Martin said in both cases. One email to the Taoiseach said: Dear Mr Martin, I am absolutely appalled by your proposal to end rent pressure zones by the end of this year. I am frankly dumbfounded as to how one could think that this would in any way help with the housing emergency which Ireland and Cork have been facing for the past 10 years. Another, sent to all TDs in the Taoiseachs constituency on February 11th, said: I strongly disagree with removing this vital renter protection without first addressing the lack of housing. I sincerely doubt that many landlords have gotten out of the rental game explicitly because of rent pressure zones, which actually still allow them to incrementally increase rates. With houses as catastrophically expensive as they are, I do not know what renters like me are to do. Renters rely on a modicum of protection from our government to be able to afford to live, work and make a contribution in a town like Cork. I can stomach being unable to find a decent, affordable home to buy, but paying 100s of euro more in rent every year is pushing me and people in my position to breaking point, and ever further away from the simple wish of having a place of my own in a town I have made my home. Housing Minister James Browne and Taoiseach Micheal Martin at the official sod-turning of a Land Development Agency site in Clongriffin, north Dublin (PA) A third-level student, who is renting in Dublin and a member of Fianna Fail, wrote to the Housing Minister to express their concern at Mr Martins comments. I understand there is a constant stream of discontent across the entire country about rent levels at the moment but this proposed scrap would be beyond detrimental to the young people of this country. I am currently paying 950 euros for a small room in a house which was recently increased by the maximum 2%. If this rent cap was abolished I have no doubt that this would increase even further. As a student, even with substantial support from my parents any further increase would be extremely tough to come up with and would be detrimental to my education. Please consider strongly opposing this change if it indeed does come to discussion in the coming months. Figures have revealed that Ireland had the fastest growing house prices in Europe during the summer of 2013 and 2014 increasing by 15 per cent compared to a European average of 2.3 per cent (PA) On February 12th, a renter told the Housing Minister that the only thing thats keeping a roof over my head is that their rent could not be put up by more then 2 per cent. If its lifted I can see a considerable raise in my rent overnight, they said. In separate correspondence, a HAP recipient said removing RPZs could leave them homeless. This would be catastrophic for a large proportion of the vulnerable population of Ireland including ourselves, an email sent on February 11th said. I understand the need for private investment in future housing projects in Ireland but surely it cannot come at the expense of all us who are already unfairly burdened with extortionate rents. They said their HAP payments do not cover their rental costs, and they have to deal with issues such as black mould that the property management has not tackled in three years. The Department of the Taoiseach (PA) We are in no position to pay an increased rent and will alarmingly find ourselves homeless if the rent pressure zone cap is abolished at the end of 2025 as apartments in our complex in (redacted) are currently renting in excess of 2,000 euro monthly. In the current climate I implore you all to reconsider such draconian measures and to think about the significant proportion of vulnerable people of this country that this change will adversely impact. Another renter wrote on February 12th that they and others they had spoken to were having sleepless nights due to the uncertainty in rent regulations. As someone who relies on the protection that RPZs currently provide, I am deeply worried about what a shift to rent referencing, as suggested by the Taoiseach, could mean for renters like myself. While I understand that the Government is aiming to create a more stable environment for investment, I want to stress that its just as crucial to create stability for those of us who are renting, especially when rents are already through the roof. They expressed concern about whether reference rents would price them out of the market. The constant worry over whether the next rent hike will push us out of our homes has already taken an emotional toll, they said. In correspondence sent on February 12th, a renter said they were already paying excessive amounts in rent and the possibility this could increase by more than 4 per cent was extremely unsettling. I understand in order for a rental marker to exist, private landlords need benefits and profit. However, I dont see how landlords receiving over 2,500 euro for one and two-bedroom apartments are not making a huge profit. Several landlords also wrote to the housing minister: one argued that RPZs limited their ability to repay their mortgage, another said that their area should not be a rent pressure zone and a third said the lifting of rent caps was not enough to keep them from exiting the market. Eimear Dodd A man who punched his ex-partner at a Dublin theatre and then assaulted her outside the venue, leaving her with a scar on her face, has been jailed for 20 months. Sean O'Faolain (48), of College Grove, Castleknock, Dublin 15, came forward from the District Court on signed guilty pleas to assault causing harm on April 13th, 2024. He has no previous convictions. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard evidence on Wednesday that O'Faolain's ex-partner invited him to go to a show at the Olympia Theatre with her as another friend was unable to attend. They went to dinner and for drinks before going to the theatre, where O'Faolain became aggressive and started to punch the injured party, who received a blow to the left side of her face. O'Faolain was looking for more alcohol, but she ignored him before leaving through a side entrance during the interval. On a side street outside the theatre, O'Faolain pushed her, and the victim fell to the ground. He then stood over her and punched her in the face. Passerbys tried to intervene, but O'Faolain was aggressive towards them. Staff from the Olympia Theatre brought the woman inside, then contacted emergency services. The victim was taken to the hospital by ambulance. She sustained a deep cut to her chin, and her jaw was fractured in two places. Damage was also caused to her teeth, and she had bruising to her face and neck. She told gardai she was shocked by what happened, was in pain, and the incident meant she missed work, which caused embarrassment and has had financial implications for her. The court was told she wore a scarf and a face mask to disguise the bruising so she could return to work. She has a permanent visible scar on her face, which she is conscious about and tries to disguise with makeup. She developed anxiety and attends counselling. The victim also faces ongoing medical and dental bills. The court heard the woman declined to make a victim impact statement as she felt the effects of the assault were outlined in her complaint to gardai. The investigating garda agreed with Carol Doherty BL, defending, that her client surrendered his bail ahead of the sentencing date and has accepted responsibility for his actions. Ms Doherty said this was a shameful incident, which occurred when her client was highly intoxicated. She said O'Faolain has had difficulties with alcohol over the years, and while this is not an excuse, it provides context to his offending. She asked the court to take into account O'Faolain's early guilty plea, his work history and the contents of three character references. She said his behaviour was appalling but asked the court to look at his previous good character and to consider suspending a portion of any sentence imposed. Judge Martin Nolan said O'Faolain became angry and hostile before he punched the victim in the theatre, then continued the assault outside the venue. He noted the victim sustained serious injuries but described her as an accomplished lady who has done her best to carry on with her career. The judge noted that O'Faolain has no previous convictions, a good record of work and pleaded guilty at an early stage. Judge Nolan said O'Faolain deserved a custodial sentence and handed him a 20-month prison sentence, backdated to February 19th last when he went into custody. Founded in 2005 as an Ohio-based environmental newspaper, EcoWatch is a digital platform dedicated to publishing quality, science-based content on environmental issues, causes, and solutions. A Stand Up for Science rally at Civic Center Plaza in San Francisco, California on March 7, 2025. Gabrielle Lurie / San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images More than 1,900 scientists who are members of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) have signed a letter warning the American public of the danger of Trump administration attacks on science. The administrations attack on scientific institutions in the United States has included cancellations of federal grants to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions; the firing of NASA, NOAA and other government employees; investigations and threats to private universities; resignations; and censorship, reported The Guardian. We see real danger in this moment. We hold diverse political beliefs, but we are united as researchers in wanting to protect independent scientific inquiry. We are sending this SOS to sound a clear warning: the nations scientific enterprise is being decimated, the scientists stated in the letter. Established by Congress in 1863 during the administration of Abraham Lincoln as the National Academy of Sciences, today the organization is a nonprofit and includes the National Academies of Engineering and Medicine. Together, the academies have over 6,800 peer-elected members. The quest for truth the mission of science requires that scientists freely explore new questions and report their findings honestly, independent of special interests. The administration is engaging in censorship, destroying this independence, the letter stated. It is using executive orders and financial threats to manipulate which studies are funded or published, how results are reported, and which data and research findings the public can access. The administration is blocking research on topics it finds objectionable, such as climate change, or that yields results it does not like, on topics ranging from vaccine safety to economic trends. The signatories are all elected members of NASEM and represent some of the top scientists in the country. The letter describes researchers removing scientifically accurate terminology from papers and grant proposals to comply with federal agencies; removing their own names from work; and abandoning studies, The Washington Post reported. Richard Aslin, Yale School of Medicine senior scientist and an author of the letter, said the scientists wanted to make sure the American public is aware that this is not just about us losing our jobs. Its about the whole country losing a tremendously valuable resource that has made us, honestly, the envy of the world, reported The Washington Post. The Trump administrations upheaval of scientific institutions has some wondering if the cuts are a precursor to privatization, The Guardian reported. The administration is slashing funding for scientific agencies, terminating grants to scientists, defunding their laboratories, and hampering international scientific collaboration. The funding cuts are forcing institutions to pause research (including studies of new disease treatments), dismiss faculty, and stop enrolling graduate students the pipeline for the next generations scientists, the letter said. U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced last week that the administration plans to reduce the HHS workforce by 20,000 about a quarter of its employees. Agencies on the chopping block include the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dr. Peter Marks, who was the FDAs director of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, resigned last weekend, citing the administrations unprecedented assault on scientific truth. It has become clear that truth and transparency are not desired by the Secretary, Marks resignation letter stated. But rather he wishes subservient confirmation of his misinformation and lies. In an unprecedented attack on environmental science, the administration also sought to dissolve the Environmental Protection Agencys Office of Research and Development by firing more than 1,100 scientists. The nations scientific enterprise is being annihilated and the silence of too many of our scientific leaders is only making the ongoing catastrophe worse, said Dr. Robert Steinbrook, director of the Health Research Group at nonprofit consumer rights advocacy organization Public Citizen, a think tank based in Washington, DC, as reported by The Guardian. The SOS signal from 1,900 scientists must be a wake-up call for our leading scientific and medical organizations to show courage and speak out at this critical moment, Steinbrook said. If scientists and scientific and medical organizations will not forcefully speak out in defense of science and public health, who will? There is no alternative. According to a recent Digital Education Council survey, as many as 86 percent of university students globally use artificial intelligence to assist with their coursework. Its a staggering statistic thats likely to have far-reaching consequences for years to come. So its not surprising to see a company like Anthropic announce Claude for Education, an initiative it says will equip universities to "play a key role in actively shaping AI's role in society." At the heart of Claude for Education is a new Learning mode that changes how Anthropics chatbot interacts with users. With the feature engaged, Claude will attempt to guide students to a solution, rather than providing an answer outright, when asked a question. It will also employ the Socratic method in conversations, asking questions like What evidence supports your conclusion? as a way to guide users to understanding. All of this is powered by 3.7 Sonnet, Anthropics new hybrid reasoning model, and tied to Claudes Projects feature, which gives you a way to organize your chats around specific topics. Claude for Education is available to all Pro users with an .edu email address. Additionally, Anthropic is partnering with Northeastern University, the London School of Economics and Political Science as well as Champlain College to make Claude available to all students at those institutions. At the same time, the company is launching two new programs. The first, Claude Campus Ambassadors, gives students the chance to work directly with Anthropic to launch educational initiatives at their school. The second, meanwhile, will see Anthropic award API credits to students working on projects involving Claude. Separately, the company says it will work with Instructure, the company behind the Canvas learning software, to increase access to tools universities are using to integrate AI into their teaching. Roblox is again updating its parental control features in an effort to give parents more visibility into (and control over) their childrens activities on the platform. The company is updating its in-app Safety Center to counter concerns that Roblox, which unlike social media apps allows children under 13, puts its youngest users at risk. The company added the centralized hub for parental controls last year, in an update that also added new restrictions on younger kids ability to exchange private messages with other users. But while that update gave parents the ability to control some of their childrens settings from their own devices, it was missing some key features like blocking. With the latest update, parents can now view their childs friend list and block users on their behalf. Once another user has been blocked, theyll no longer be able to exchange direct messages with the child and kids will need to get parental approval to unblock the person. Similarly, parents will now be able to block specific experiences within Roblox. Parents have already had the ability to limit in-app content based on its age rating, but parents have still at times complained about inappropriate content surfacing in certain games. Now, parents can block their young kids from participating in certain experiences. (Importantly, Roblox notes that kids will be able to remove apps from the blocked experiences list once they turn 13.) Finally, Roblox is adding more granular insights to the in-app screen time metrics that allow parents to see how their kids are spending their time on the platform. The Safety Center will now list the 20 experiences in which their child has spent the most time over the last week, sorted by total time. Parents can then opt to block specific games or experiences directly from the screen time menu if something seems off. Colorado Governor Jared Polis is having some fun at Donald Trump's expense after the former president's portrait was removed from the state Capitol. Following Trump's complaints that his painting hanging in Colorado's State Capitol was "purposefully distorted," Polis took to social media on April Fool's Day to unveil his own updated "official portrait"a South Park animation style image photoshopped into a gold frame hanging on the wall of the Capitol. "I've always been proud to support Colorado art," Polis wrote, alluding to South Park creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker, who grew up in Colorado. "This portrait was an exciting opportunity to do exactly that while embedding my image into the fabric of Colorado's history. I'm proud of the final product and want to thank the artists for their artistic vision, and personally feel that I have never looked better." Polis' tongue-in-cheek response follows a controversy sparked by Trump's Truth Social rant, in which he criticized the artist's depiction of him and accused Polis of being responsible for its placement. In reality, the portrait had been commissioned by Colorado Republicans in 2019, and was promptly removed following Trump's complaint. Polis is a vocal fan of the South Park series and issued an official proclamation naming August 10, 2022, as South Park Day. The April Fool's Day joke was an opportunity for Polis to dismiss Trump's accusations regarding his Colorado State Capitol portrait in a lighthearted way, though it's unclear if the president will be amused or offended as he has not yet responded publicly. Originally published on Latin Times Luigi Mangione, the 26-year-old accused of assassinating UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, is now facing the possibility of the death penalty after a direct order from Attorney General Pam Bondi. Federal prosecutors have been instructed to pursue capital punishment, a move that has sparked heated debate and legal pushback. According to Mirror, Bondi announced the decision on Tuesday, emphasizing the severity of the crime. "Luigi Mangione's murder of Brian Thompson an innocent man and father of two young children was a premeditated, cold-blooded assassination that shocked America," she said. "After careful consideration, I have directed federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty in this case as we carry out President Trump's agenda to stop violent crime and Make America Safe Again." The case has drawn national attention due to its shocking nature. Thompson was gunned down in broad daylight on a busy Manhattan street on December 4, 2024. The murder, caught on video and widely circulated online, triggered a five-day manhunt that ended in Pennsylvania, where Mangione was apprehended. Mangione now faces multiple charges across different jurisdictions. In New York, he has been indicted on 11 state charges, including first-degree murder, second-degree murder as an act of terrorism, and multiple weapons offenses. At the federal level, he faces four serious charges, including murder with a firearm, a crime that carries the possibility of execution if convicted. Luigi Mangione faces the possibility of the death penalty, yet the media constantly treats him as content. His current situation is not entertainment. He deserves to be seen as a human. pic.twitter.com/Spq721D5iS The Luigi Case (@LuigiCaseFiles) March 30, 2025 Attorney Blasts Death Penalty Push, Calls Mangione a Political Pawn The decision to pursue the death penalty has faced strong opposition from Luigi Mangione's legal team. His attorney, Karen Agnifilo, criticized the move as politically motivated, arguing that it contradicts both legal standards and historical precedent, TMZ said. She also condemned the Justice Department's actions as extreme, stating that opting for execution reflects a shift toward barbarism. Agnifilo also criticized what she called a "corrupt web of government dysfunction," claiming Mangione is being used as a pawn in a battle between state and federal prosecutors. "Luigi is caught in a high-stakes game of tug-of-war, except the trophy is a young man's life," she added. Despite the seriousness of the allegations, Mangione has garnered a vocal group of supporters. Crowds have gathered outside New York courthouses during his hearings, with some expressing sympathy for his medical condition. Mangione suffers from spondylolisthesis, a spinal condition caused by a childhood surfing accident, which some speculate may have played a role in his actions. The case has also sent shockwaves through the corporate healthcare sector, where concerns over security have escalated in the wake of Thompson's murder. Iconic actor Val Kilmer's final Instagram post was an homage to one of his most iconic roles. In a the video posted to his account on Feb. 23, Kilmer is seen sitting next to a painting of Batman, a character he played in the 1995 movie 'Batman Forever.' The clip sees Kilmer grab the mask and wear it for the final time to the public. "It's been a while," Kilmer says in the video. Kilmer played the role of Batman and Bruce Wayne in the film and has previously shared his thoughts about the role. According to Gulf News, Kilmer revealed that he accepted the role of Batman without ever reading the script after Michael Keaton had decided not to take part in the movie. "The size of the character and how strange it was that Michael Keaton had decided not to do it I just said yes, without reading the script," he said. Kilmer also shared that the experience he had while playing Batman was that anything he has done before. "Everything was different about this job than I'd experienced before," he shared. However, Kilmer has also shared that he had conflicting feelings about playing the caped crusader. Kilmer originally hoped that he could be a "radical" version of the superhero, but Kilmer later referred to wearing the suit as a "trap." "The trap was the suit," he shared. Kilmer shared that in his documentary, 'Val,' that his childhood excitement over playing the role was ultimately crushed. "Whatever boyhood excitement I had was crushed by the reality of the Batsuit. Yes, every boy wants to be Batman. They actually want to be him...not necessarily play him in a movie," he said according to The Hollywood Reporter. Kilmer went on to reveal that the role of Batman was very isolating. "I couldn't hear anything and after a while people stopped talking to me," he added. Kilmer tried to solve the problem during his scenes with Nicole Kidman. "I think it made no difference what I was doing. I tried to be like an actor on a soap opera. When I would turn to Nicole...I couldn't count how many times I put my hands on my hips," he said. After being asked to play the role of Batman for a second time, Kilmer turned down the role in order to take on a role in 'The Saint.' "It was like 10 roles in one," he claimed. Kilmer died at the age of 65 on April 1. His cause of death has been attributed to pneumonia. Foreign envoys praise Xinjiang's development at exchange meeting People's Daily Online) 13:54, April 02, 2025 BEIJING, April 1 (Guangming Online) -- 70 foreign diplomats from 43 countries and international organizations attended an exchange meeting held in Beijing on Monday, to exchange views on economic and social development and human rights protection achievements in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Foreign diplomats praised Xinjiang's development and shared their personal experiences of their visits to Xinjiang. Secretary-general of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Nurlan Yermekbayev said Xinjiang has made significant contributions to advancing cooperation within the SCO across multiple areas, including security, stability, counter-terrorism, counter-extremism, counter-separatism, and more. He visited Xinjiang many times and was marveled at the remarkable progress Xinjiang had made each time, said Yermekbayev. Uzbekistan's Ambassador to China Farhod Arziev said Xinjiang is China's key "gateway" to Central Asia as well as Uzbekistan's primary "land bridge" for trade with China. He expressed his confidence in cooperation with Xinjiang, saying, "I am confident that further expansion of practical cooperation between Xinjiang and the regions of Uzbekistan will open new opportunities for business and investment." Pakistani Ambassador to China Khalil-ur-Rahman Hashmi gave positive comments on Xinjiang's evident progress in infrastructure, green energy hubs, digital economy, and increasing openness to the world. "I must say numbers and actions speak louder than words! The social and economic progress is indeed very impressive, " said Hashmi. Source: Guangming Online Foreign diplomats visit an exhibition on Xinjiang specialty products before the exchange meeting for foreign diplomats to share views on Xinjiang's economic and social development and human rights protection achievements in Beijing, capital of China, on March 31, 2025. (Photo by Zhang Zhou/ Guangming Online) Foreign diplomats visit an exhibition on Xinjiang specialty products before the exchange meeting for foreign diplomats to share views on Xinjiang's economic and social development and human rights protection achievements in Beijing, capital of China, on March 31, 2025. (Photo by Zhang Zhou/ Guangming Online) Foreign diplomats visit an exhibition on Xinjiang specialty products before the exchange meeting for foreign diplomats to share views on Xinjiang's economic and social development and human rights protection achievements in Beijing, capital of China, on March 31, 2025. (Photo by Zhang Zhou/ Guangming Online) Photo taken on March 31, 2025 shows Xinjiang's specialty products exhibited at the Xinjiang specialty products exhibition before the exchange meeting for foreign diplomats to share views on Xinjiang's economic and social development and human rights protection achievements in Beijing, capital of China. (Photo by Zhang Zhou/ Guangming Online) Photo taken on March 31, 2025 shows Xinjiang's specialty products exhibited at the Xinjiang specialty products exhibition before the exchange meeting for foreign diplomats to share views on Xinjiang's economic and social development and human rights protection achievements in Beijing, capital of China. (Photo by Zhang Zhou/ Guangming Online) Photo taken on March 31, 2025 shows Xinjiang's specialty products exhibited at the Xinjiang specialty products exhibition before the exchange meeting for foreign diplomats to share views on Xinjiang's economic and social development and human rights protection achievements in Beijing, capital of China. (Photo by Zhang Zhou/ Guangming Online) Photo taken on March 31, 2025 shows Xinjiang's specialty products exhibited at the Xinjiang specialty products exhibition before the exchange meeting for foreign diplomats to share views on Xinjiang's economic and social development and human rights protection achievements in Beijing, capital of China. (Photo by Zhang Zhou/ Guangming Online) (Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing) When ovarian tumors are diagnosed early, the odds of survival are good. Indeed, when the most common type of ovarian cancer is diagnosed before it has spread, or metastasized, five-year survival rates (a measure often considered indicative of a cure) are above 90 percent, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). The rub: Only 20 percent of ovarian cancers are discovered at an early stage, according to the ACS, because ovarian tumors are very difficult to detect. One of the main reasons that early detection of ovarian cancer is so difficult is that we dont have efficient screening tools for it, as we do for breast cancer, and its signs and symptoms are usually vague and nonspecific, says Marilyn Huang, MD, the director of gynecologic oncology at UVA Health in Charlottesville, Virginia. Some of these signs such as abdominal bloating, indigestion, nausea, and changes in bowel movements overlap with and are often confused with the symptoms of a very common gastrointestinal problem: irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). RELATED: Home Remedies for Gas and Bloating What Are the Symptoms of IBS Versus Ovarian Cancer? If you compare the symptoms of IBS and ovarian cancer, youll see why ovarian cancer sometimes gets mistaken for IBS in the beginning stages. The symptoms of ovarian cancer include: Abdominal bloating Indigestion Nausea Pressure in your pelvis and back Decrease in appetite or feeling full soon after eating Unexplained weight loss Changes in bowel movements More frequent urination or urgency Meanwhile, the symptoms of IBS include: Abdominal pain (often accompanying bowel movements) Changes in bowel movements Bloating Feeling of having incomplete bowel movements Whitish mucus in your stool RELATED: 7 Ways to Get Rid of Bloating After a Big Meal IBS and Ovarian Cancer: Sorting Out Symptoms Why are the symptoms so similar? The ovaries are attached to the uterus and dangle off the uterus, meaning theyre free-floating in the pelvis, explains Dr. Huang. The small bowel also free-floats in the abdominal pelvic cavity. As an ovarian mass grows, it can become attached to the intestines and affect how they function, she explains. Because of that, the initial symptom one often ignored by women and even the initial providers they see is a vague sense of pressure or discomfort in the abdomen, along with crampiness. Another defining symptom of ovarian cancer that the two disorders share is bloating. In the case of ovarian cancer, it occurs as a result of fluid collecting in the belly. In the case of IBS, bloating may be triggered by what people consume, such as fiber-rich foods, fried fatty foods, and carbonated drinks. In each case, though, the bloating sensation is remarkably similar, notes the Gastrointestinal Society, a Canadian research organization. With the overlap in symptoms, it can be hard to tell whats causing them. But one clue may be whether the symptoms come and go or get progressively worse. Irritable bowel syndrome is a chronic problem, and its symptoms are intermittent, says Adnan R. Munkarah, MD, the chief clinical officer of the Henry Ford Health System in Detroit. Cancer is a disease where symptoms continue to progress. If youre concerned about symptoms, your best bet is to talk to your gynecologist and ask if testing is necessary. Testing for Ovarian Cancer Vague abdominal symptoms should raise suspicion, especially if you are a woman in her mid-fifties to early sixties, when ovarian cancer is most commonly diagnosed, according to The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. In this case, your gynecologist should be your first stop. Ovarian cancer [should] be considered as a possible diagnosis when a woman has these symptoms, says Dr. Munkarah. Proper radiologic imaging needs to be performed to rule out ovarian cancer before a woman is given the diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome. The most common tools used to begin to evaluate whether ovarian cancer is present are an ultrasound and a blood test known as CA-125, which tests for proteins associated with ovarian cancer, per the ACS. If those tests are negative, your doctor will discuss next steps including whether you should be evaluated for IBS. You Might Also Like Satellite images analyzed by The Associated Press show the deployment of at least six nuclear-capable B-2 Spirit bombers to Camp Thunder Bay on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Plastics Research Council Cincinnati, Ohio, USA Phone: (601) 620-8080 Email: info@plasticsresearchcouncil.com Website: www.plasticsresearchcouncil.com? Dr. Chris DeArmitt Establishes the Plastics Research Council to Promote Science-Based Understanding of Plastics and the Environment CINCINNATI, OHIO April 1, 2025 Dr. Chris DeArmitt, a globally recognized plastic materials expert and environmental scientist, has announced the formation of the Plastics Research Council (PRC), a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing trusted, science-based information about plastics and their impact on the environment. The PRC aims to combat misinformation and promote informed decision-making among consumers, policymakers, educators, and the media.?plasticsresearchcouncil.com "In today's landscape, misinformation about plastics is rampant, leading to misguided policies and public perceptions," said Dr. DeArmitt. "The Plastics Research Council was founded to serve as a beacon of factual, peer-reviewed information, enabling society to make choices grounded in science rather than ideology." The PRC's mission encompasses several key initiatives:? Information Gathering: Continuously reviewing and summarizing thousands of peer-reviewed studies on materials, waste, litter, ocean plastics, degradation, microplastics, and more.? Continuously reviewing and summarizing thousands of peer-reviewed studies on materials, waste, litter, ocean plastics, degradation, microplastics, and more.? Independent Expert Analysis: Providing unbiased interpretations of complex data through a team of renowned international experts, ensuring clarity and accuracy in public discourse.? Providing unbiased interpretations of complex data through a team of renowned international experts, ensuring clarity and accuracy in public discourse.? Solutions that Work: Identifying and presenting evidence-based solutions to environmental challenges, offering guidance to the public, companies, and policymakers. Dr. DeArmitt brings over three decades of experience in polymer science and environmental research. As the President of Phantom Plastics, he has consulted for Fortune 100 companies, including Hewlett-Packard, Apple, Procter & Gamble, and Disney, solving complex technical challenges with unparalleled speed. He is the author of "The Plastics Paradox," a comprehensive scientific overview addressing common misconceptions about plastics and the environment. His expertise has been featured on major platforms such as CBS's "60 Minutes," BBC, and Sky News.? The PRC's expert team includes distinguished academics, a toxicologist and an LCA expert - each bringing extensive experience. This collective expertise positions the PRC as a leading authority in the field.? "Our goal is not to advocate for or against plastics, but to ensure that decisions are based on solid scientific evidence," Dr. DeArmitt emphasized. "By providing comprehensive, unbiased information, we can pave the path to a better tomorrow."? The Plastics Research Council invites individuals and organizations to join its mission by supporting its initiatives, leveraging contacts to spread accurate information, and contributing financially to counteract well-funded misinformation campaigns.? For more information about the Plastics Research Council and its initiatives, please visit www.plasticsresearchcouncil.com. Myanmar's junta announced a temporary ceasefire on Wednesday as the death toll from a devastating earthquake rose and desperate survivors pleaded for more help amid frantic scenes of aid distribution. The shallow 7.7-magnitude earthquake on Friday flattened buildings across Myanmar, killing nearly 3,000 people and making thousands more homeless. The military government said it would observe a ceasefire from Wednesday until April 22 to make quake relief efforts easier, after other armed groups fighting the country's bloody four-year civil war made similar pledges. Rights groups and several foreign governments had earlier condemned the junta for continuing to carry out air strikes even as the country grappled with the quake aftermath. The junta said in a statement the ceasefire had "the aim of speeding up relief and reconstruction efforts, and maintaining peace and stability". But it warned its opponents -- a complex array of pro-democracy and ethnic minority armed groups -- it would still respond to attacks, acts of sabotage or "gathering, organising, and expanding territory that would undermine peace". The junta also said Min Aung Hlaing will travel to Bangkok on Thursday for a summit of South Asian countries plus Myanmar and Thailand, where he will discuss the quake response. It is a rare foreign trip for the leader, and something of a diplomatic coup as it breaks with a regional policy of not inviting junta leaders to major events in the wake of the putsch. - Scramble for food - AFP journalists saw frantic scenes as hundreds of desperate people scrambled for aid distribution in Sagaing, the city closest to the epicentre of the quake, with some running through traffic to join the queues. Volunteers handed out water, rice, cooking oil and other basic supplies to residents clamouring for assistance. "I have never queued for food like this before. I can't express how worried I am. I don't know what to say," Cho Cho Mar, 35, carrying her baby and clutching instant coffee packs and mosquito repellent, told AFP. Destruction in the city is widespread, with the World Health Organization (WHO) reporting that one in three houses have collapsed, and five days after the quake locals complained of a lack of help. Aye Thi Kar, 63, head of a school for young nuns razed to the ground by the tremors, said food supplies were low but shelter was a bigger priority -- along with nets to ward off mosquitos in the stifling tropical heat. Many people have been sleeping in the streets since the quake hit, unable to return to damaged buildings or fearful of aftershocks. "Right now we need roofing and walls to have proper shelter for the night," she told AFP. "We also need nets and blankets for sleeping, as we don't want to sleep directly on the ground." Healthcare facilities, damaged by the quake and with limited capacity, are "overwhelmed by a large number of patients", while supplies of food, water and medicine are running low, WHO said in an update. Hopes of finding more survivors are fading, but there were moments of joy on Wednesday as two men were pulled alive from the ruins of a hotel in the capital Naypyidaw. - Call for peace - The junta said Wednesday that the death toll had risen to 2,886, with more than 4,600 injured and 373 still missing. But with patchy communication and infrastructure delaying efforts to gather information and deliver aid, the full scale of the disaster has yet to become clear, and the toll is likely to rise. Relief groups say the overall quake response has been hindered by continued fighting between the junta and the complex patchwork of armed groups opposed to its rule, which began after the military seized power in a 2021 coup. Even before Friday's earthquake, 3.5 million people were displaced by the fighting, many of them at risk of hunger, according to the United Nations. Late Tuesday, an alliance of three of Myanmar's most powerful ethnic minority armed groups announced a one-month pause in hostilities. The announcement by the Three Brotherhood Alliance followed a separate partial ceasefire called by the People's Defence Force -- civilian groups that took up arms after the coup to fight junta rule. A junta spokesman said soldiers fired warning shots on Tuesday when a Chinese Red Cross convoy failed to stop while approaching a village in conflict-ridden Shan state to deliver aid to earthquake victims. Hundreds of kilometres away, in the Thai capital Bangkok, workers continued to scour through the rubble of a 30-storey skyscraper that was still being built when it collapsed on Friday. The death toll at the site has risen to 22, with more than 70 still believed trapped in the rubble. burs-pdw/dhc Paige Schladetsch thought she landed her dream job when she became music teacher at Gallatin Gateway School in 2023. It seemed like the ideal situation, Schladetsch said of her hopes to build a music program at the PreK-8 school. It didnt turn out as hoped. Schladetsch, who grew up in Belgrade and graduated from Belgrade High School, resigned last month, citing a difficult workplace environment and treatment by school administration. I was yelled at in front of my students, Schladetsch said of a classroom interaction with administrator Kelly Henderson on Valentines Day over coverage of physical education classes while another teacher was absent. Schladetsch said she had other adverse interactions with the school administrator and she wanted the school board to hear about it and potentially address the issue. It was stressful, she said. It was a very hostile environment. Schladetsch said she reached out to the school board about what she considered an unprofessional incident, the overall workplace climate and turnover at the school. Their response was disappointing, she said. Kelly Henderson serves as both principal and district superintendent for the Gallatin Gateway School. That creates a unique structure in addressing personnel issues. Schladetsch worked as a music teacher in Billings previously when she found out about the Gallatin Gateway School job. She was working on one-year contracts at Gateway School, which has approximately 135 students. The district has approximately 22 staff members. I love my job and I love teaching music. It was the hardest decision I ever had to make, she said. Our good-bye was heartbreaking, Schladetsch said of leaving her students, which ranged from pre-kindergarten to eighth grade. Her departure from the preK-8 public school has sparked an online petition from concerned parents worried about staff turnover and Schladetschs exit. Erica Parrish, a parent with a student at Gateway School, helped organize the petition. It has 133 signatures asking the school board and one-school district for more information on Schladetschs resignation and for a public forum for parents, staff and students to voice concerns. I want the best teachers to stay and feel supported, Parrish said. They shouldnt be intimidated or harassed by the administration. The concerned parents are also not happy with Gallatin Gateways School Board response (or lack thereof) to their concerns about staff turnover (including the music teacher's resignation) during the current tenure of Henderson. School Board President Tim Melton said the district is aware of the petition and cited privacy laws in declining to talk about personnel situations. The board is aware of the petition and I recently declined a request from its authors to be placed on a board meeting agenda. As you may be aware, employees of public school districts in Montana enjoy a constitutional right of privacy and the District will honor the privacy rights of individuals, Melton said in a statement. As such, the district is not at liberty to discuss matters that involve individual privacy rights. Melton did say the petition is treated as public input but not to the level of an official public complaint. Melton said staff and teacher retention are a challenge statewide. As is the case throughout Montana given our current environment, it is my understanding that most of our public schools are challenged by recruitment and retention issues, he said. Melton said Gallatin Gateway Public Schools are thriving, citing staff development and support. We are thriving as a district and as noted by some of our staff at our last board meeting, in collaboration with our administration and staff, we have created an aligned curriculum in every subject that provides continuity across grade levels, we have developed a mentor program that has successfully supported eight incoming staff members over the past two years, we have significantly overcome financial challenges, and the administration has built a team of staff members who are collaborative, supportive, and highly focused on meeting the needs of our students and community. A group of teachers signed a letter presented to the school board supportive of Henderson, "enthusiastically endorsing leadership" and countering hostile work environment assertions. Henderson joined Gallatin Gateway in 2022. She previously held school administration and superintendent jobs in Arizona. Henderson resigned as superintendent of the Fountain Hills School District in Arizona in 2022, after an independent investigation found no wrongdoing related to some workplace concerns. She has not yet responded to requests for comment. Parrish said she requested a public forum and independent investigation into the music teachers resignation for the March 26 meeting, but was denied. Parrish said some parents had problems gaining access to information about the March 26 meeting. She also recommended those with concerns file official complaints with the Montana district. Two other Gateway School parents voiced concerns about the atmosphere at the school but asked that their names not be disclosed. The school has been turning over five to seven employees annually in recent years, according to Parrish and Schladetsch. It is part of a trend nationally during and since the pandemic that has seen significant teacher turnover and school districts having problems to hire and retain staff. Schladetsch, who is currently teaching piano lessons, said workplace cultures at schools and districts are part of the turnover equations. She said it also isnt easy to come forward about her concerns, but hopes it makes for a better climate. If Im the ripple that makes the wave, so be it, Schladetsch said. Montana State University has received multiple reports of alleged drugging incidents, prompting a timely warning message to the campus community on March 6. This alert referred to incidents at social gatherings in residence halls and fraternity and sorority life events. MSU issued the warning in compliance with the 1990 Clery Act. The federal act requires universities to notify their communities about ongoing safety threats to campuses, according to the University Police Department Deputy Chief Adam Pankratz. Timely warnings inform the campus community whats going on and, importantly, provide information for how to keep themselves safe, he said. According to the Clery Act, it is up to universities to decide what constitutes an ongoing threat and when to send out a warning. UPD is investigating the incidents. MSU takes all reports of criminal activity seriously, especially those that pose a threat to student health and safety, Pankratz said. Pankratz said investigating cases of suspected drugging presents challenges. First, drugging incidents can happen very quickly, he said. Leaving a drink unattended for even a minute or two could be enough time for someone to slip something into it. In addition, Pankratz said encouraging victims to come forward is another major obstacle. When alcohol is involved, it may lead to doubt about circumstances and events, he said. We encourage people to call 911 immediately if they suspect their drink has been tampered with and to seek medical attention. Anyone who has witnessed suspicious behavior should contact (UPD). Once UPD finishes its investigation, the university has a separate process for handling these situations. We do a different level of investigation after what (UPD) has done, but right now we are waiting to see the results of their work, MSU Dean of Students Matthew Caires said. While the allegations are under investigation, the university places any groups involved such as fraternities on interim restrictions, according to Caires. Typically, we would notify the group that was alleged and schedule a meeting with them, Assistant Dean of Students Amber King said. We collect information and ask questions and make the determination, did they break the student code of conduct? King said the organizations involved remain cooperative. All of the fraternities agreed that they were not going to throw events (the weekend after the warning was sent out) because they were respecting the investigation process, she said. Upon the conclusion of the investigation, the university cant close a fraternity, but can revoke registration if the behavior warrants such a reaction, Caires said. King clarified, however, that this is not the first step. We focus on education. If something went wrong, there has to be a hole there that we can fill to help them fix it, she said. As the investigation continues, university and UPD officials have reiterated their commitment to student safety. Looking out for one another and reporting suspicious activity can play a crucial role in preventing harmful situations, Pankratz said. The university shared several safety recommendations, including keeping drinks in sight, being cautious when accepting drinks from others and staying with friends. MSU also advised people to watch out for one another and call 911 immediately and seek medical attention if drink tampering is suspected, as stated in the March 6 timely warning message. Look out for each other, and if you are drinking alcohol, there is always a potential danger no matter where you are, Caires said. Pankratz stressed that the responsibility always lies with the perpetrators, not the victims. Its important to remember that survivors of crimes are never to blame, he said. Students seeking resources on campus have options, such as Campus Civil Rights. CCR provides resources for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and discrimination, according to its website. CCR also helps with academic support and safety options to keep anyone impacted safe and successful, Pankratz said. Additionally, Counseling and Psychological Services offers assistance to those affected by traumatic events. To access these resources, visit https://www.montana.edu/counseling/index.html. Students can report drugging and assault incidents anonymously through the Silent Witness Program, available via the SafeCats app or by emailing silentwitness@montana.edu. Any outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) in the UK would have catastrophic consequences for the entire pork supply chain, industry bodies warn in a new letter. A coalition of pig and meat sector groups has written to Defra Secretary Steve Reed urging him to take immediate action to strengthen the UKs national disease control measures. The coalition warn that recent African swine fever (ASF) and foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreaks in the EU "underscore the imminent risk to the UK". They also say in the open letter to Mr Reed that there is "little confidence" that the Animal and Plant Health Authority (APHA) possesses the capability to detect or control an exotic disease outbreak. Without immediate and effective controls, there is a "very real danger" of ASF reaching UK pig herds, which would have "catastrophic consequences for the entire pork supply chain", the coalition states. Whilst ASF doesnt affect humans, it is a highly contagious and fatal notifiable disease that is present in parts of Europe, Asia and Africa. The new warning comes a day after the NFU called for a new cross-government biosecurity plan and sufficient border investment to counter the biosecurity risks that British farmers now face. Today's letter touches on the same issue, highlighting how illegal meat imports, poor border biosecurity and inadequate control measures are increasing the risk of spread to the UK. It was sent by the Association of Independent Meat Suppliers, the British Meat Processors Association and three pork processing firms, Cranswick, Pilgrims Europe and Sofina, with support from the National Pig Association and the British Pig Association. They warn that an ASF outbreak would result in the culling of thousands of pigs, leading to significant animal welfare concerns and a nationwide movement standstill. It would also include the suspension of pigmeat exports, worth 663m in 2022, and a domestic pork supply shortage, pushing up prices and further harming UK food security. Despite these risks, the UKs Border Target Operating Model (BTOM)intended to control and monitor commercial importsis not functioning effectively, the letter states. At Sevington Border Control Post, there should be 100 physical inspections per day, yet reports indicate that fewer than 10% of these are actually being completed. Additionally, the auto-clearance of loads without physical inspection is increasing the risk of illegal, contaminated meat entering the UK. "Personal imports of up to 2kg of meat remain unchecked, despite government reassurances that stronger measures would be introduced. The letter also addresses the risk posed by illegal meat imports, 90% of which arrive via Dover. We believe the government must urgently invest in targeted enforcement at key ports of entry. "DPHA estimates that 4m would allow for the continuation and expansion of an inspection regime that could drastically reduce the risk of contaminated meat entering the UK, the letter adds. The organisations call for an outright ban on the personal import of all meat products, as is already the case in many countries worldwide. They argue that this would provide a clear policy across all UK entry points, prevent contaminated meat from being smuggled and ensure greater control at the border. The letter adds that the industry has "little confidence" in APHAs ability to effectively detect and control exotic disease outbreaks. They have "serious concerns that APHA lacks the trained personnel, operational infrastructure, and leadership required to respond to a large-scale animal health emergency." A meeting hosted by Cranswick with Defra in March 2024 highlighted the lack of clear and timely disease management plans for ASF. We were informed that, in the event of an outbreak, it would take at least two weeks to pass emergency disease legislationa delay that is wholly unacceptable given the rapid spread of such diseases, the letter adds. Recent Pilgrims Europe and Defra discussions were against the backdrop of the continued ASF threat and FMD outbreaks in Europe, and have reignited concerns about the UKs ability to respond effectively. Nidhi Tewari, an officer from the 2014 batch of the Indian Foreign Service (IFS), has been in the news lately for her new post at the Prime Ministers office. She has been appointed as the private secretary to PM Narendra Modi. Having previously served in key government roles, her appointment reflects her strong background in diplomacy and governance. She hails from Mehmurganj in Varanasi, a city that has been PM Modis parliamentary constituency since 2014. Her professional growth and leadership in government affairs highlight her dedication in this field and capability in handling critical assignments. Nidhi began her career in the civil services after securing an impressive 96th rank in the UPSC Civil Services Examination in the year 2013. Before joining the diplomatic service, she worked as an Assistant Commissioner (Commercial Tax) in Varanasi. Her expertise in international relations was further shaped during her tenure at the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), where she contributed to the Disarmament and International Security Affairs Division. Nidhis association with the Prime Ministers Office (PMO) began in 2022 when she was appointed as an Under Secretary who was later promoted to Deputy Secretary in January 2023. She played a significant role in the Foreign and Security Division, working closely on matters related to atomic energy, external affairs, and national security. Her contributions were particularly valuable during Indias presidency of the G20. Nidhi's new role and her experience in policy-making and international diplomacy is likely to further strengthen governance at the Prime Ministers Office. She will be replacing the current officer Vivek Kumar and, as she steps into this high-profile role, she is expected to support the Prime Minister in key administrative and diplomatic responsibilities. Filmfare was the first to reveal that Salman Khan and Sanjay Dutt are working together for an action film. Our trusted sources had noted that the duo was excited to star in the project and have been eagerly waiting for a script like this. Now, recent reports state that the project has been named Ganga Ram. The shooting of Ganga Ram is expected to kick off around June or July 2025. See Also: Salman Khan On Industry Insiders Not Supporting His Films Salman Khan and Sanjay Dutt were clicked in Dubai some time back, where they were shooting for their international project. It is a remake of the Argentinian movie Seven Dogs (2021). Sanjay is reportedly working with Prabhas in Spirit and thats another exciting project in the offing. Salman Khan has recently released his highly anticipated movie, Sikandar. Alongside Khan, the movie also stars Rashmika Mandanna, Kajal Aggarwal, Prateik Babbar, Sathyaraj, Sharman Joshi and Anjini Dhawan. During the movie's trailer launch, Salman had noted, "Eid, Diwali, New Year, festive, non-festiveit's the love of the people. Whether a film is good or bad, they still make sure it crosses aAAAAA100 crore." We also exclusively shared that the movie will be directed by a debutant director. We noted, "Salman and Sanjay love working together. They havent come together in a while, but once they got wind of this action flick project both stars were excited. Their new action, adventure caper is going to be directed by a debutant director. Recent reports suggest that debutant Krrish Ahir has been roped in to direct the project. Some reports also suggest that the movie is developed by Salman and his production house. The crew is reportedly also excited for Salman and Sanjay to reunite on the big screen.Salman Khan and Sanjay Dutt were clicked in Dubai some time back, where they were shooting for their international project. It is a remake of the Argentinian movie Seven Dogs (2021). Sanjay is reportedly working with Prabhas in Spirit and thats another exciting project in the offing.Salman Khan has recently released his highly anticipated movie, Sikandar. Alongside Khan, the movie also stars Rashmika Mandanna, Kajal Aggarwal, Prateik Babbar, Sathyaraj, Sharman Joshi and Anjini Dhawan. During the movie's trailer launch, Salman had noted, "Eid, Diwali, New Year, festive, non-festiveit's the love of the people. Whether a film is good or bad, they still make sure it crosses aAAAAA100 crore." According to Sacnilk's estimates, the movie has earned around Rs 74.50 crores. The couple, who got married in October 2019, also has a three-year-old son named Cy. Days after the birth of her second child, the No Hard Feelings actress was clicked with her husband, strolling together in New York City. The couple, who got married in October 2019, also has a three-year-old son named Cy. Days after the birth of her second child, the No Hard Feelings actress was clicked with her husband, strolling together in New York City.She announced her pregnancy in October last year through the Instagram page of a leading publication and a feature article. The caption of the post read, "Congratulations are in order for Jennifer Lawrence! The Oscar-winning actor will be welcoming her second child with art gallerist husband Cooke Maroney." Following the announcement, People magazine quoted a source as saying, "She loves being a mom. Shes thrilled to be pregnant again. It feels like the perfect timing to her. Her son will be 3 when the new baby arrives."A couple of years ago, she opened up about having a kid and balancing her career and said, "Theres no squeezing when you have a baby. Theres just home, and its the best. It definitely helps weed out projects- 'Yes. No. Yes. No. Yes. No. Is this worth being away from my child for half the day?'" Jennifer Lawrence and Cooke Maroney started dating in 2018. The latter is an art gallery director, and the actress was introduced to him by Laura Simpson. They got engaged in February 2019 and got married in October of the same year. She once revealed that she had two miscarriages before she welcomed her first child. The first time she got pregnant, the actress was in her 20s and planned on aborting the baby but miscarried it. She suffered a second miscarriage while filming Don't Look Up. See Also: On the work front, Jennifer Lawrence will be seen in the film Die, My Love.See Also: Robert Pattinson joins Jennifer Lawrence in Lynne Ramsays new film Congratulations are in order as actress Jennifer Lawrence has embraced motherhood once again. According to People magazine, she welcomed her second child with her husband, Cooke Maroney. This is not a drill! Keanu Reeves will be back as the beloved hitman in the next chapter of John Wick. The action-filled franchise will continue with Reeves and director Chad Stahelski set to return as producers. With the announcement dropping at CinemaCon 2025, heres what we know so far.During the ongoing CinemaCon in Las Vegas, Lionsgate announced that Keanu Reeves will return as the relentless hitman in a fifth installment. Reeves and Stahleski are onboard as producers for the upcoming film. John Wick: Chapter 4 ended with the titular characters death. The climax of the 2023 film was largely considered a fitting end for the film series. Having said that, Adam Fogelson, Lionsgate Motion Pictures groups chairman, shared, Keanu, Chad, Basil and Erica would not return unless they had something truly phenomenal and fresh to say with these characters and this world. We cant wait for audiences to see where the journey takes us next.Lionsgate also announced an anime prequel that will flesh out the backstory of John Wick. It will also shed light on the Impossible Task that allowed him to leave the High Table. Shannon Tindle is directing the film with a script by Vanessa Taylor. Keanu will voice his character. Stahleski shared, Anime has always been a huge influence on me, especially with the John Wick series. To develop a John Wick anime seems like the perfect progression."A John Wick spin-off focusing on the fan-favourite character Caine was also announced at CinemaCon. The film will mark Donnie Yens return as Caine and will revolve around the visually impaired assassins life after being released from the High Table. Yen is also attached as director. Production is expected to begin in Hong Kong towards the end of the year.See Also: John Wick: Chapter 4s finale was inspired by Cowboy Bebop anime? Heres what the director revealed The visionary advocate for children's rights will lead ECW's global efforts to mobilize more resources to ensure children living on the frontlines of the world's most severe humanitarian crises are able to access quality education. NEW YORK, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Education Cannot Wait (ECW), the global fund for education in emergencies and protracted crises in the United Nations, is proud to announce the appointment of Sigrid Kaag of The Netherlands as the new Chair of ECW's High-Level Steering Group. As the Chair, Kaag will serve as a champion and advocate to strengthen political will and increase global funding for education in emergencies and protracted crises as world leaders race to deliver on the promise of universal education outlined in the Pact for the Future and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Through its four-year strategic plan, ECW is working with donors, member states, the private sector, UN agencies and civil society to raise US$1.5 billion to reach 20 million crisis-impacted children with the safety, hope and opportunity of a quality education. The needs are more pressing than ever. When ECW was founded in 2016 by The Rt. Hon. Gordon Brown, it was estimated that approximately 75 million crisis-impacted children required urgent education support. Today, that number has more than tripled to almost a quarter of a billion crisis-affected girls and boys. "Education Cannot Wait and its strategic partners transform the lives of millions of girls and boys impacted by armed conflicts, forced displacement and climate-induced disasters. Our investment in their right to quality education is our shared responsibility and is the best investment towards economic resilience, global security and sustainable development," said Kaag. "With continued, generous and expanded support of public and private sector donors, we can increase ECW's remarkable results, which have already reached more than 11 million children. I thank The Rt. Hon. Gordon Brown for his visionary leadership in creating and leading ECW - from a start-up just a few years ago to the billion-dollar global fund it has become. I look forward to working with the High-Level Steering Group and the Director, along with the support of the Executive Committee to continue his legacy." Brown served as the Chair of ECW's High-Level Steering Group from 2016 to 2024 and will continue his global advocacy through his ongoing role as the UN Special Envoy for Global Education. "With her diverse and deep international experience and passion for the needs of crisis-affected children, refugees and displaced young people, Sigrid Kaag will be a brilliant Chair for the ongoing evolution of Education Cannot Wait," Brown said. "Under the strategic and visionary leadership of The Rt. Hon. Gordon Brown, Education Cannot Wait and our partners created a new vision to deliver quality education with humanitarian speed and development depth on the frontlines of the world's humanitarian crises," said ECW Director Yasmine Sherif. "We are delighted to welcome Sigrid Kaag as our new High-Level Steering Group Chair. Through her leadership, we will continue our efforts to reach millions of crisis-impacted girls and boys worldwide." Kaag's appointment included a broad consultation, selection and approval process with senior United Nations leaders, including UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed, UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell, and senior members of the ECW High-Level Steering Group. ECW's High-Level Steering Group provides strategic guidance to the Fund's operations. Convened at the ministerial level, it is comprised of partner organizations - including heads of UN agencies and multilateral aid agencies, CEOs of civil society organizations and foundations, and private sector representatives - and works closely with ECW's Director and Executive Committee. Kaag brings a wealth of experience in political, humanitarian and development affairs, as well as in diplomacy. In 2025, she was appointed by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres as the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, a.i. Kaag has just concluded her mandate as Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza, a role she held since 2024. She served as the first Deputy Prime Minister and first female Minister of Finance in the Dutch government starting in January 2022. Prior to this, she was Dutch Minister for Trade and Development Cooperation from October 2017 until May 2021, and Minister for Foreign Affairs until September 2021. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2655902/Quote_card.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/education-cannot-wait-welcomes-sigrid-kaag-of-the-netherlands-as-new-chair-of-its-high-level-steering-group-302417664.html MedMira Inc. (MedMira) (TSXV:MIR), reported today on its financial results for the quarter ended January 31, 2025. Corporate update In Q2 FY2025, MedMira has received the Health Canada approval of its Multiplo Rapid TP/HIV Test (Multiplo TP/HIV) and Reveal Rapid HIV Test. In addition, the Company continued its regulatory work in Canada on two new products and is in the final stages for its clinical trials for the Reveal G4 HIV-1/2 rapid test CLIA-waiver. Furthermore, the Company signed additional distribution agreements in Canada and the USA to expand its market reach in North America. Major milestones On the 24th of December 2024, MedMira received the Medical Device License for its Multiplo TP/HIV for professional use. Subsequent to this approval, the Company received in January 2025, the Medical Device License for its latest generation of the Reveal Rapid HIV Test. With these approvals, the Company was able to launch the products in January 2025 and work directly with its exclusive Canadian distributor Trimedic Inc. Currently, the Company is awaiting the regulatory clearance of its Reveal TP (Syphilis) Antibody Test from the regulatory body. At the time this approval has been received, the Company is able offer the only Health Canada approved single syphilis antibody rapid test in Canada. As a result, MedMira is able to provide a highly flexible product offering that allows customers to choose which test they prefer and with it increases testing options and market share. Given the substantial demand for affordable and high-quality testing solutions, the Company anticipates a higher-than-expected revenue growth in the Canadian market over the coming financial quarters. In Q2 FY2025, the Company in partnership with REACH Nexus applied for the ITA (investigational testing authorization) for non-professional use and home testing application for its Multiplo TP/HIV. This would allow the Company to be the first TP/HIV home test in Canada and reach markets and customers beyond the traditional healthcare setting. At this stage, the Company is awaiting the green light by the regulators to commence the clinical trials in three provinces. During Q2 FY2025, MedMira in partnership with REACH Nexus at St. Michael's Hospital's MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, and fully funded by the Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR), continued its regulatory work on its unique Multiplo Complete Syphilis (TP/nTP) Antibody Test (Multiplo TP/nTP). In December 2024, the Company received the ITA (investigational testing authorization) from Health Canada and started clinical trials. In Q2 FY2025, the Company has made significant progress with its clinical trials in the United States for the US FDA CLIA-waiver of its FDA approved Reveal G4 HIV-1/2 rapid test. During the financial quarter, the Company generated over 1,000 patients' data points and with it has reached a significant step forward in obtaining the clinical trial data to achieve the US FDA CLIA-waiver. As a result of the important progress with the clinical trials, the Company recorded higher expenses in its General and Administrative Costs. This increase in costs is in direct relation to the positive progress made with the clinical trials and have been an expected investment by the Company to gain access to the CLIA-waiver HIV rapid testing market. Profit and Loss Highlights Revenue: The Company recorded revenues in Q2 FY2025 of $69,001 compared to Q1 FY2025 $61,723 and $148,696 in the same period last year. Gross Profit: The Company recorded a gross profit in Q2 FY2025 of $45,643 compared to $52,778 in Q1 FY2025 and $68,137 in the same period last year. Operating expenses: The Company recorded for this quarter operating expenses of $1,141,481 compared to $1,111,283 in Q1 FY2025 and $579,374 in the same period last year. Net loss: The Company recorded a net loss in Q2 FY2025 of $1,199,918 compared to a net loss of $590,789 for the quarter last year. Balance Sheet Highlights Assets: The Company recorded decrease of its assets by $793,437 between Q1 FY2025 and Q2 FY2025 which was mainly due to the cash required to pay the expenses for the clinical trials. Liabilities: The Company's liabilities increased by $406,480 between Q1 FY2025 and Q2 FY2025. The Company's current liabilities increased by $454,163 which was mainly due to an increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities. Loans in default decreased by $3,761 due to the fluctuations in the United States Dollar and the Swiss Franc. All long and short terms debts are currently under negotiation to restructure terms and conditions of repayment. Working Capital deficit: As a result of the changes noted above, the Company recorded a higher working capital deficit of $1,172,705 or an increase of 6% compared to last quarter. The Company's financial statements and management's discussion and analysis are available on the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com . For matters of going concern, reference is made to the Auditor's Emphasis of Matter statement in the fiscal year ended 2024 Auditors Report and note 2b in the audited financial statements which are also available on SEDAR. About MedMira MedMira is the developer and owner of Rapid Vertical Flow (RVF) Technology. The Company's rapid test applications built on RVF Technology provide hospitals, labs, clinics and individuals with instant diagnosis for diseases such as HIV and hepatitis C in just three easy steps. The Company's tests are sold under the Reveal, Multiplo and Miriad brands in global markets. MedMira's corporate offices and manufacturing facilities are located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada and the Company has a sales and customer service office located in the United States. For more information visit medmira.com . Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn . This news release contains forward-looking statements, which involve risk and uncertainties and reflect the Company's current expectation regarding future events including statements regarding possible approval and launch of new products, future growth, and new business opportunities. Actual events could materially differ from those projected herein and depend on a number of factors including, but not limited to, changing market conditions, successful and timely completion of clinical studies, uncertainties related to the regulatory approval process, establishment of corporate alliances and other risks detailed from time to time in the company quarterly filings. Neither 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. MedMira Contacts: Markus Meile, CFO Tel: 902-450-1588 Email: ir@medmira.com SOURCE: MedMira, Inc. HANGZHOU, China, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Hikvision announces the release of HikCentral Professional (HCP) v3.0, an advanced software platform for integrated security management. The new version introduces a powerful new clustering architecture designed to scale seamlessly with business growth. This delivers exceptional capacity and performance, making it ideal for large-scale applications in retail chains, multi-site banking networks, smart communities, and more. Fred Wu, Product Director at Hikvision, emphasized the upgrade's significance: "The release of HCP v3.0 marks a transformative leap in security management. By integrating clustering architecture and load-balancing technologies, the new version empowers enterprises to future-proof their operations while maintaining performance. This is more than an incremental upgrade-it introduces a new strategic tool for enterprises that need to thrive in dynamic environments." Scalable clustering architecture: built for growth Many system administrators know that a single server can struggle under the system processing loads demanded by large projects. In previous versions, a single server could support up to 10,000 video channels, but with HCP v3.0, this capacity has been doubled to 20,000 video channels per server. However, for enterprises with even greater demands, HCP v3.0 introduces a robust and flexible clustering architecture that allows businesses to expand server resources on demand. Key features include: Master-slave clustering A single master server can be dynamically scaled to 5 slave servers, supporting up to 55,000 devices and 50,000 video channels-ideal for enterprises managing vast security networks. Hot standby solutions The new architecture ensures uninterrupted operations even during server failures with the introduction of hot standby master and slave servers. This failover capability is constantly powered on and continuously synchronized with the master server, ready to take over immediately. Users can customize the number of standby servers based on budget and risk tolerance. Elevated streaming performance As video processing demands grow, HCP v3.0 delivers unparalleled efficiency. The ability to support external streaming media has been optimized. Moreover, HCP v3.0 now supports the streaming server cluster powered by load-balancing technologies. These dynamically allocate new requests to the least loaded servers, optimizing resource use and guaranteeing smooth video retrieval even during peak usage. Enterprise-grade data management and security HCP v3.0 addresses escalating data needs with robust storage and redundancy. The external PostgreSQL database supports billions of records for rapid storage and retrieval. This is particularly beneficial for applications including on-board security, access control, portable enforcement, and more, each of which can store up to 1 billion records. Meanwhile, the hot backups safeguard against storage failures, ensuring zero data loss. Unified visual management HCP v3.0 gives administrators complete control through an intuitive interface which visually represents the configured architecture. Users can quickly add, remove, or modify servers by dragging and dropping. Dynamic dashboards enable real-time monitoring of server health and data migration status. Explore HikCentral Professional v3.0's full capabilities here, and stay tuned for more advancements as we continue to expand the boundaries of integrated security solutions. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2655088/Hikvision_HikCentral_Professional_v3_0.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/hikvision-launches-hikcentral-professional-v3-0-with-an-upgraded-clustering-architecture-302417760.html SAO PAULO , April 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The China-Brazil Economic and Commercial Forum took place in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on March 28, bringing together high-profile government officials and business leaders from both countries. Keynote speakers included Ren Hongbin, Chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT); Luiz Augusto de Castro Neves, President of the Brazil-China Business Council; and Yu Peng, Consul General of China in Sao Paulo. In his address, Ren Hongbin highlighted the enduring partnership between China and Brazil, emphasizing CCPIT's commitment to expanding economic collaboration under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Leading a delegation of Chinese entrepreneurs, Ren engaged in high-level talks with Brazilian Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, exploring new opportunities in industrial integration, supply chain resilience, and multilateral innovation. China reiterated its support for Brazil's 2024 BRICS presidency and the mutual goal of a "Golden 50 Years" of robust bilateral cooperation and solidarity among Global South nations. Brazilian participants emphasized the resilience and complementary strengths of economic ties between the two nations in the face of global challenges, including rising protectionism, climate change transitions, and technological disruptions. Key opportunities were identified in green energy, high-value industries, and integrated supply chains, with calls for businesses to leverage platforms like the China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) to advance sustainable growth. Co-organized by CCPIT and the Brazil-China Business Council, the forum attracted over 100 delegates from trade agencies, chambers, and companies, culminating in on-site agreements worth over US$2 billion spanning agriculture, mining, and CISCE participation. During the visit, Ren Hongbin headed a delegation of over 40 companies, representing key sectors, including agriculture, food processing, finance, infrastructure, energy, telecommunications, and healthcare. The delegation engaged in strategic talks with Brazilian government and business leaders while touring local companies to identify and pursue collaborative opportunities. For more information, please visit https://en.cisce.org.cn/ Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2656062/image.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2427202/CISCE_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/china-brazil-economic-and-trade-forum-convenes-in-sao-paulo-strengthening-bilateral-ties-302417804.html Ende Mai leitete US-Prasident Donald Trump mit der Unterzeichnung mehrerer Dekrete eine weitreichende Wende in der amerikanischen Energiepolitik ein. Im Fokus: der beschleunigte Ausbau der Kernenergie. Mit einem umfassenden Manahmenpaket sollen Genehmigungsprozesse reformiert, kleinere Reaktoren gefordert und der Anteil von Atomstrom in den USA massiv gesteigert werden. Ausloser ist der explodierende Energiebedarf durch KI-Rechenzentren, der eine stabile, CO-arme Grundlastversorgung zwingend notwendig macht. In unserem kostenlosen Spezialreport erfahren Sie, welche 3 Unternehmen jetzt im Zentrum dieser energiepolitischen Neuausrichtung stehen, und wer vom kommenden Boom der Nuklearindustrie besonders profitieren konnte. Holen Sie sich den neuesten Report! Verpassen Sie nicht, welche Aktien besonders von der Energiewende in den USA profitieren durften, und laden Sie sich das Gratis-PDF jetzt kostenlos herunter. Dieses exklusive Angebot gilt aber nur fur kurze Zeit! Daher jetzt downloaden! Sungrow announces the launch of its fully compatible with optimizers Commercial & Industrial (C&I) PV inverter range at Solar & Storage Live London 2025. Sungrow is showcasing its latest innovations in PV and energy storage at Solar & Storage Live London (ExCel, Booth 23, 2-3 of April). LONDON, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Sungrow, a global leading PV inverter and energy storage system provider, proudly announces the launch at the Solar & Storage Live London (2nd & 3rd of April, ExCel), of its latest Commercial & Industrial (C&I) PV inverter range, now fully compatible with optimizers. This new product line further enhances the performance and safety of PV projects, ensuring maximum efficiency and full compliance with UK safety regulations. Maximizing Performance and Safety with Module-Level Optimization The newly introduced C&I PV inverters feature module-level optimization, ensuring that PV modules operate at their peak performance under varying environmental conditions. By utilizing optimizers, energy yield is maximized, even in cases of shading or mismatched modules, significantly improving overall system efficiency. As safety remains a top priority for Sungrow, the new C&I inverters comply with the highest industry safety requirements, including NEC 2017 and 2020 standards for module-level rapid shutdown. This feature ensures that, in case of an emergency, PV systems can be swiftly de-energized, reducing potential hazards and enhancing overall system safety. This feature further enhance the high level of safety that Sungrow's C&I inverters provide, as they are coming equipped with integrated Type I+II DC and Type II AC Surge Protection Devices (SPDs), offering comprehensive defense against excessive electrical voltages and impulse currents. These surges, often caused by lightning strikes or grid-switching operations, can lead to costly system failures. By incorporating high-quality SPDs, Sungrow's inverters provide superior protection, significantly reducing downtime and maintenance costs. Sungrow ensures that all its C&I inverters comply with the most rigorous safety regulations, including BS EN 61643-11 and 61643-31 standards for Type I+II DC SPDs. This unwavering commitment to safety guarantees that PV installations are fully protected against electrical surges and system malfunctions. Cost and Time Savings for Installers The integration of SPDs within Sungrow's inverters eliminates the need for external surge protection devices and complex wiring, simplifying the installation process and reducing overall project costs. The dual protection on the DC side ensures that additional external surge protection is unnecessary, delivering both financial and logistical advantages to PV project developers and installers. At the same time, Sungrow's optimizers our designed to provide easy and trouble free installation and commissioning, further reducing installers' effort. Supporting the Growth of the UK C&I Solar Market The UK's C&I solar sector continues to experience strong growth, driven by businesses seeking energy independence, reduced electricity costs, and a commitment to sustainability. C&I solar installations play a vital role in the country's renewable energy transition, contributing significantly to the UK's net-zero ambitions. Sungrow's latest range of C&I PV inverters directly supports this movement by providing businesses with efficient, high-performance, and safety-compliant solutions tailored to the UK market's specific needs. "Sungrow is committed to optimizing the performance of PV plants while maintaining the highest safety standards," said Richard Collins, Distribution Manager of Sungrow for the UK and Ireland. "By integrating module-level optimization and advanced safety features into our C&I inverters, we are ensuring that businesses in the UK can benefit from efficient, reliable, and fully compliant solar energy solutions." With this new inverter range, Sungrow reinforces its position as a leader in the renewable energy sector, providing cutting-edge solutions that enhance energy security and sustainability for commercial and industrial users across the UK. With the utmost focus on the safety and support of installers, Sungrow provides free training sessions via the following link: The New Commercial Extreme Series | Sungrow The Sungrow UK is looking forward to meeting you at the Solar & Storage Live London 2025 (Booth B23). For more information on Sungrow's new C&I PV inverter range, visit Sungrow UK website or contact Sungrow's Distribution Network in the UK and Ireland. About Sungrow Sungrow, a global leader in renewable energy technology, has pioneered sustainable power solutions for over 28 years. As of December 2024, Sungrow has installed 740 GW of power electronic converters worldwide. The Company is recognized as the world's No. 1 on PV inverter shipments (S&P Global Commodity Insights) and the world's most bankable energy storage company (BloombergNEF). Its innovations power clean energy projects in over 180 countries, supported by a network of 520 service outlets guaranteeing excellent customer experience. At Sungrow, we're committed to bridging to a sustainable future through cutting-edge technology and unparalleled service. For more information, please visit: www.sungrowpower.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2656110/Sungrow_CXrange_CompatiblewithOptimizers.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1344575/Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/higher-efficiency-ultimate-safety-sungrow-reveals-its-new-range-of-ci-pv-inverters-compatible-with-optimizers-at-solar--storage-live-london-2025-302417935.html Die Finanzwelt ist im Umbruch! Nach Jahren der Dominanz erschuttert Donald Trumps erratische Wirtschaftspolitik das Fundament des amerikanischen Kapitalismus. Handelskriege, Rekordzolle und politische Isolation haben eine Kapitalflucht historischen Ausmaes ausgelost. Milliarden stromen aus den USA und suchen neue, lukrative Ziele. Und genau hier kommt China ins Spiel. Trotz aller Spannungen wachst die chinesische Wirtschaft dynamisch weiter, Innovation und Digitalisierung treiben die Markte an. Im kostenlosen Spezialreport stellen wir Ihnen 5 Aktien aus China vor, die vom US-Niedergang profitieren und das Potenzial haben, den Markt regelrecht zu uberflugeln. Wer jetzt klug investiert, sichert sich den Zugang zu den neuen Wachstums-Champions von morgen. Holen Sie sich den neuesten Report! Verpassen Sie nicht, welche 5 Aktien die Konkurrenz aus den USA outperformen durften, und laden Sie sich das Gratis-PDF jetzt kostenlos herunter. Dieses exklusive Angebot gilt aber nur fur kurze Zeit! Daher jetzt downloaden! CMR Surgical has closed a financing round of more than $200 million, backed by existing investors and new investor Trinity Capital The latest funding will fuel the global commercialisation of its Versius Surgical Robotic System, particularly in the U.S. market, and support continued investment in surgical robotics innovation Versius is the 2nd most adopted soft tissue surgical robot, having been used in over 30,000 surgical procedures worldwide across a wide range of specialties Cambridge, UK 2 April 2025 07:00 (BST). CMR Surgical ("CMR" or "the Company") - the global surgical robotics company - today announced the successful closing of a financing round of over $200 million through a combination of equity and debt capital to support the company's ambitious growth plans. The fundraising, which was supported by all the Company's existing major investors, includes a new debt investment from Trinity Capital, reflecting strong investor confidence in CMR's vision. CMR will use the funds to accelerate commercial expansion of the Versius Surgical Robotic System to more hospitals around the world - with a major focus on launching Versius in the United States - and to continue advancing surgical robotics innovation and product development, including the launch of the newly enhanced Versius Plus*. Versius, the second most utilised soft tissue surgical robot in the world, has been used to complete more than 30,000 surgical cases globally in more than 30 different countries across a wide range of specialities including colorectal, general, gynaecology, thoracic and urology surgeries. The increase in Versius installations has been fuelled by increasing adoption of surgical robotics and is a testament to the versatility of CMR's system and its strong market differentiation. CMR is also actively expanding its clinical footprint with two ongoing clinical trials: a pioneering paediatrics study, which is the world's first multicentre prospective trial on the use of Versius in paediatric surgery, and a transoral robotic surgery (TORS) trial, further demonstrating the versatility and capability of Versius in new surgical applications. Massimiliano Colella, Chief Executive Officer at CMR Surgical, commented: "CMR is a competitive, well-established company with a transformative product providing clear clinical value. We are now at a pivotal stage, poised to capitalise on significant opportunities for market expansion, including in the U.S., while continuing to penetrate deeper into existing markets. I would like to give thanks to our CFO, Andre Nel, and the team for securing this financing to provide the foundation for realising our strategic vision of making robotic assisted surgery accessible to all patients who need it whilst accelerating future product development. I would also like to thank our investors for their continued support and look forward to delivering sustainable growth and life-changing solutions to the global healthcare community." Rob Lake, Senior Managing Director, Life Sciences at Trinity Capital, added: "Trinity Capital is excited to partner with CMR Surgical at this important juncture. CMR has established itself as a trailblazer in surgical robotics, with Versius already proving its value to surgeons and patients worldwide. We are confident in CMR's vision and leadership, and our investment reflects our belief that Versius will continue to drive a new era in minimally invasive surgery. We look forward to supporting CMR as it continues to scale and transform surgical care on a global level." Dan Moore, Non-Executive Chairman at CMR Surgical, added: "The recent funding is a strong vote of confidence in the future of surgical robotics and in CMR as a leader within this space. This investment is a significant endorsement of Max and his leadership team and provides them with the resources needed to execute on their strategic plan. We are pleased to have the continued support of our investors as we embark on this next phase of growth." UK Science Minister and Oxford Cambridge Corridor Champion, Lord Vallance said: "This successful funding round of more than $200M is a clear vote of confidence in the company, the potential of surgical robotics, and in the UK's life science ecosystem, which continues to produce innovative companies at an impressive rate. "We will continue to back world-class innovation and companies like CMR Surgical as they realise their global ambitions and support the creation of high-quality jobs in the UK." Armentum Partners acted as CMR's financial advisor on the debt financing. - ENDS - Media Contacts: For more information, please contact: ICR Healthcare T +44 Press Office, CMR Surgical T +44(0) 1223 755801 Epressoffice@cmrsurgical.com Notes to editors: The Versius Surgical System is a robotically assisted surgical device that is intended to assist in the precise and accurate control of Versius Surgical endoscopic instruments including rigid endoscopes, blunt and sharp endoscopic dissectors, scissors, forceps/pick-ups, needle holders, electrosurgery, and accessories for endoscopic manipulation of tissue, including grasping, cutting, blunt and sharp dissection, approximation, ligation, electrosurgery and suturing. In the United States, the Versius Surgical System is indicated for adult patients 22 years of age and older, eligible for soft tissue minimal access surgery, for cholecystectomy. *Versius Plus is CE and UKCA marked. Please check availability of the product in your country with your local sales representative or your local customer service. The Versius Plus Instructions for Use, including the approved indications, contraindications and warnings can be found in the product labelling supplied with each Versius System. Versius Plus is not available for sale in the United States. The Versius Surgical Robotic System Versius resets expectations of robotic surgery. Versius fits into virtually any operating room set-up and integrates seamlessly into existing workflows, increasing the likelihood of robotic minimal access surgery (MAS). The small, portable and modular design of Versius allows the surgeon to only use the number of arms needed for a given procedure. Biomimicking the human arm, Versius gives surgeons the choice of optimised port placement alongside the dexterity and accuracy of small fully-wristed instruments. With 3D HD vision, easy-to adopt instrument control and a choice of ergonomic working positions, the open surgeon console has the potential to reduce stress and fatigue and allows for clear communication with the surgical team. By thinking laparoscopically and operating robotically with Versius, patients, surgeons and healthcare professionals can all benefit from the value that robotic MAS brings. But it's more than just a robot. Versius captures meaningful data with its wider digital ecosystem to support a surgeon's continuous learning. Through the Versius Connect app, Versius Trainer and CMR clinical registry, Versius unleashes a wealth of insights to ultimately improve surgical care. About CMR Surgical Limited CMR Surgical (CMR) is a global medical devices company dedicated to transforming surgery with Versius, a next-generation surgical robot. Headquartered in Cambridge, United Kingdom, CMR is committed to working with surgeons, surgical teams and hospital partners, to provide an optimal tool to make robotic minimal access surgery universally accessible and affordable. With Versius, we are on a mission to redefine the surgical robotics market with practical, innovative technology and data that can improve surgical care. Founded in 2014, CMR Surgical is a private limited company backed by an international shareholder base. Regulatory News: Llama Group (Paris: ALLAM) (Brussels: ALLAM): Winamp for Creators continues its mission to build the most comprehensive platform available today-one that unifies all the essential tools artists need to manage and monetize their music effectively. Today, Winamp for Creators is proud to announce a completely revamped onboarding experience for new users. Every artist joining the platform will now be guided seamlessly, enabling them to access and utilize the tools and services with ease. In addition to its all-in-one monetization services-including distribution, licensing, copyright collection, Content ID, Fanzone, and collectibles-Winamp for Creators is introducing two game-changing marketing tools: A Link-style webpage that allows artists to aggregate all their important links in one place. that allows artists to aggregate all their important links in one place. A powerful social media publishing tool that lets users write a single post and push it to all their social media channels simultaneously. Alexandre Saboundjian, CEO of Winamp, states: "Now more than ever, independent artists need to be empowered and take full control of their careers. That's precisely the mission of Winamp for Creators. These new marketing tools simplify their lives, allowing them to manage and promote their music from a single platform. No more juggling between different services or managing multiple logins and passwords-everything they need is right here in Winamp for Creators. We're thrilled to share it with the world." Next Meeting May 28, 2025 General Ordinary Meeting About Winamp - www.winamp.com Winamp is redefining the music experience by creating an innovative platform that strengthens the connection between artists and fans. We provide powerful tools that empower creators to manage their music, grow their audience, and maximize their revenue-all while delivering a seamless listening experience through the Winamp Player. Winamp for Creators is our dedicated platform designed to give music artists everything they need to succeed. From monetization tools to music management services, it brings together essential resources to help creators take control of their careers. About Llama Group Llama Group is a pioneer and leader in the digital music industry. With extensive expertise across various sectors, the group owns the iconic Winamp platform, the Bridger copyright management company, and the Jamendo music licensing company. Llama Group's ambition is to build the future of the music industry through sustained investment in a range of innovative solutions and in the talent and skills of people who love music. The group stands by its brand values: empowerment, access, simplicity, and fairness. Winamp's vision is a world where a cutting-edge music platform connects artists and their fans like never before. Bridger's mission is to support songwriters and composers by providing a simple and innovative solution for collecting royalties. Jamendo enables independent artists to generate additional income through commercial licenses. Finally, Hotmix offers a bouquet of more than sixty thematic and free digital radio stations. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250401216530/en/ Contacts: Investors Relations Olivier Van Gulck investors@llama-group.com KALMAR CORPORATION, PRESS RELEASE, 2 APRIL 2025 AT 10:00 AM (EEST) Kalmar reachstackers and maintenance expertise to support SSAB's green steel production at Oxelosund, Sweden Kalmar has concluded an agreement with leading Swedish steelmaker SSAB to supply five Kalmar Super Gloriareachstackers for its Oxelosund mill in Sweden. The significant order, which also includes a Kalmar Complete Careservice agreement for all five machines, was booked in Kalmar's Q1 2025 order intake. The machines are scheduled for delivery during Q2 2026. SSAB is a leading global steel company with employees in over 50 countries. Its production plants in Sweden, Finland and the US have an annual capacity of approximately 8.8 million tonnes. The company has introduced two unique decarbonised steels and aims to largely eliminate carbon dioxide emissions from its operations. The Oxelosund mill is an important site with regard to the green transition of SSAB's entire Nordic production system, replacing the blast furnaces with an electric arc furnace, among other things. Kalmar already has a strong local presence on the site, with a dedicated team of service technicians delivering expert support including preventive and corrective maintenance as well as other services. The reachstackers supplied to SSAB will be partially manufactured using SSAB Zero, a fossil carbon emission-free recycled steel. They will be used to transport scrap steel to feed the electric arc furnace at the mill, using a specialised rotator to enable them to rotate containers full of scrap steel at a load centre of 5300 mm. To ensure maximum operational efficiency, the reachstackers will be backed by Kalmar's on-site workshop, which will provide expert support, preventive maintenance, and rapid response to any service needs. This ensures uninterrupted operations and enhances equipment longevity, supporting SSAB's sustainable steel production. Karin Palmqvist, Site and Production Manager, SSAB Oxelosund: "We're happy to continue our partnership with Kalmar and look forward to furthering our joint efforts to reduce the carbon footprint throughout the steel value chain. Demand for zero-emission steel continues to increase, and these new machines, supported by the on-site maintenance, will play a key role in scaling up our production at Oxelosund." Erik Silfverberg, Key Account Manager, Kalmar Sweden: "We are proud to continue our strong partnership with SSAB at the Oxelosund mill. As a zero-emission and circular solution, SSAB Zero represents an important step on the journey towards fossil-free steel. We are delighted to support SSAB with their ongoing commitment to reduce carbon emissions in steel making with our industry-leading reachstacker technology. Additionally, our service partnership with SSAB ensures peace of mind. With on-site expertise and digital tools, we enable proactive maintenance that will maximise uptime and advance sustainable steel logistics." Further information for the press: Erik Silfverberg, Key Account Manager, Kalmar Sweden, tel. +46 7221 63220, erik.silfverber@kalmarglobal.com Maija Eklof, Vice President, Marketing and Communications, Dealer Management and Customer Insight, Kalmar, tel. +358 20 777 4096, maija.eklof@kalmarglobal.com Kalmar Attachments PARADISE VALLEY, Ariz., April 02, 2025 Technology Corporation today announced it has completed Series E funding from a London-based investor, 57 Stars LLC , and earlier stage USA investors. The company headquartered in Paradise Valley, Arizona, has a manufacturing center of excellence located in Northern Ireland, an advanced research innovation center in Arizona, and a design center in Tokyo, Japan. IceMOS Technology is an industry-leading developer of next generation silicon power devices. These products, called mSJMOSTM, are developed using a novel semiconductor technology based on IceMOS Intellectual Property of which the company holds over 70 patents. The silicon-based mSJMOSTM, exhibits a new phenomenon resulting from the integration of Silicon MEMS manufacturing techniques with mature node CMOS Super-junction Power MOSFET structures resulting in power MOSFETs that deliver dramatic semiconductor energy efficiency. The investment, which values IceMOS at a market capitalization of $110 million USD (85million) post money, will enable IceMOS to increase strategic manufacturing in Northern Ireland, device design capability, applications engineering, marketing and sales worldwide as it starts preparation to launch mSJMOSTM platforms. "Our sensing and power technologies are paving the way for more energy-efficient and CO2-saving solutions that support decarbonization," said Dr. Samuel J. Anderson, MBE, IceMOS Technology Founder and Chairman. "Products based on this advanced technology represents a new class of semiconductors, essential to serve the efficiency demands of the massively complex market segments like artificial intelligence (AI), internet of things (IoT), big data, renewables wind and solar, electric vehicles and aerospace applications. The merging of mSJMOSTM structures and MEMS manufacturing techniques presents a revolutionary silicon-based technology that can compete with wideband gap devices at 650 Volts, 750Volts, 900Volts, and 1200Volts." IceMOS will be expanding its global workforce to more than 100 employees on post funding. IceMOS is pleased to announce that Niall Lyne has accepted the position of IceMOS Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President, Global Sales. Niall an Industry veteran held numerous positions with Analog Device, Inc., Intersil and more recently Renesas Electronics. In this position, he will be responsible for optimizing company objectives, operations, and revenue growth. The new Investors in the IceMOS Series E attended the Northern Ireland Investment Summit in September 2023 which was a collaboration by the Department for Business and Trade, the Northern Ireland Office, and Invest Northern Ireland, which hosted around 200 investors from across the world to visit Belfast with the aim of turbocharging inward investment into all corners of Northern Ireland. Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn said: "Northern Ireland's track record of delivering innovation, its supportive business environment, competitive operating costs and the creative ingenuity of its people make it an attractive destination for businesses of all sizes to start up and scale up. Northern Ireland has huge potential for significant economic growth, so it's great to see IceMOS secure this funding as a result of the Northern Ireland Investment Summit, leading to investment and job creation." Dr. Caoimhe Archibald, Minister for the Economy, added: "IceMOS Technology's multi-million funding success showcases the North's strengths in advanced manufacturing and engineering. This investment highlights the confidence global investors have in the North and aligns with my vision to drive innovation, productivity, and technological advancement. The 2023 Investment Summit played a key role in showcasing the opportunities here and it's encouraging to see significant outcomes like this. I look forward to seeing IceMOS continue to push the boundaries of semiconductor technology, creating high-value jobs in West Belfast and pioneering solutions in sectors from AI to renewable energy." Bernard McGuire, Managing Director of 57 Stars LLC: "IceMOS' new architecture for silicon semiconductors represents break-through technology for power management systems in high-growth sectors such as electric vehicles and data centers," said Bernard McGuire, Managing Director of 57 Stars. "The hiring of industry veteran Niall Lyne both validates the strength and potential of its innovative products and enhances the management team to start scaling the business." 57 Stars is the largest investor in this round of financing, having committed $7.5 million dollars. McGuire further commented: "Given the company sits squarely in our sustainability and technology focus sectors, 57 Stars invested in IceMOS out of multiple private equity funds we manage and are thrilled to be partnering with and supporting the Company at this pivotal moment for its growth and development." 57 Stars was supported by EY on financial and tax due diligence, Tughans LLP and Purrington Moody Weil LLP on legal advisory, and SLR Consulting on environmental, health, and safety (EHS) due diligence assessment. Hugh Griffin, Chief Sales Officer (Eng Sub & Sensor Products) & Chief Strategy Officer, IceMOS Technology: "Building on our 2024 'Made in the UK, Sold to the World' award, this investment will further strengthen our manufacturing excellence in Belfast, expand our global workforce, and deepen our export footprint-already serving hundreds of customers worldwide. As a leader in advanced semiconductor exports, we are poised to diversify markets, enhance R&D, and deliver cutting-edge solutions that solidify the UK's position as a hub for high-tech innovation. Together with our investors and partners, we're not just scaling operations; we're powering a sustainable future." About IceMOS Technology IceMOS is an equity-financed private Delaware semiconductor corporation and manufacturer of a new class of Silicon MEMS based Power MOSFETs and Sensing Device technology that serves wide-ranging applications anywhere that power efficiency and sensing matters. The company has a manufacturing center of excellence located in Belfast, Northern Ireland, an advanced research innovation center in Arizona, and a design center in Tokyo, Japan. Company and Media Contact: Brenda Monaghan Investor Relations IceMOS Technology Email: brendamonaghan@icemostech.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5c918f39-bf4f-4b25-989a-7aade69e17eb Alligator Bioscience (STO:ATORX) - The shareholders of Alligator Bioscience AB, Reg. No. 556597-8201, are invited to the annual general meeting to be held on Wednesday 7 May 2025, at 10.00 a.m CEST at Medicon Village, conference room Bengt, Scheelevagen 4 in Lund, Sweden. RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE Shareholders that want to participate in the annual general meeting must be recorded in the company's share register kept by Euroclear Sweden AB as of Monday 28 April 2025 and, further, have given notice of their intent to participate to the company no later than on Wednesday 30 April 2025, by mail to address, Alligator Bioscience AB, att Greta Hoog, Medicon Village, Scheeletorget 1, SE-223 81 Lund, Sweden, by phone to +46 (0)46-540 82 00, or by e-mail to anmalan@alligatorbioscience.com . The notice should specify the shareholder's name, personal identity number or company registration number, telephone number during work hours and the number of shares held by the shareholder and, when applicable, information on the number of advisors (2 at the most). TRUSTEE-REGISTERED SHARES Shareholders whose shares are trustee-registered in the name of a bank or other trustee must, to be able to exercise their voting rights at the general meeting, request the trustee to register their shares in their own name with Euroclear Sweden AB (so called "voting rights registration"). Such voting rights registration must be implemented by the trustee no later than as of Wednesday 30 April 2025. Accordingly, shareholders must well in advance before this date notify their trustee of their request of such voting rights registration. PROXY Shareholders participating by proxy must issue a dated and signed proxy. Should the proxy be issued by a legal entity, a certified copy of the valid registration certificate ( Sw. registreringsbevis) of the legal entity (or corresponding document) must be presented. Proxies should be in writing and submitted at the latest at the annual general meeting, but should preferably be sent before the general meeting. The validity term of the proxy may be at the longest five years if this is specifically stated. In case no validity term is stated, the proxy is valid for at the longest one year. Proxy forms are available at the company's website ( www.alligatorbioscience.com ) and at the company (see address above), and will also be sent to the shareholders that request it and state their address. PROPOSED AGENDA 1. Opening of the meeting 2. Election of Chairman of the meeting 3. Preparation and approval of the register of voters 4. Election of two persons to confirm the minutes 5. Approval of the agenda 6. Determination as to whether the meeting has been duly convened 7. Presentation by the CEO 8. Presentation of the Annual Report and Audit Report and the Consolidated Annual Report and Consolidated Audit Report as well as the statement by the auditor on the compliance of the applicable guidelines for remuneration to senior executives 9. Resolution on a) adoption of the profit and loss statement and balance sheet, as well as the consolidated profit and loss statement and the consolidated balance sheet; b) distribution of the company's result according to the adopted balance sheet; and c) discharge from liability of the board members and the CEO 10. Determination of the number of board members as well as auditors and deputy auditors 11. Determination of remuneration for the board members and the auditors 12. Election of board members, Chairman of the board of directors as well as auditors and deputy auditors 13. Resolution on approval of remuneration report 14. Resolution on authorization regarding issues 15. Closing of the meeting PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS Item 2: Election of Chairman of the meeting The Nomination Committee, consisting of Bertil Brinck (Chairman), representing Koncentra Holding AB, Lars Bergkvist, representing Roxette Photo SA, Magnus Pettersson, representing own shareholding, and the Chairman of the board of directors, Anders Ekblom, proposes that lawyer Ola Grahn is elected as Chairman of the annual general meeting or, in his absence, the person appointed by the Nomination Committee instead. Item 9 b: Resolution on distribution of the company's result The board of directors proposes that no dividends are paid and that the accumulated loss of SEK 127,127,801 shall be carried forward to a new account. Item 10: Determination of the number of board members as well as auditors and deputy auditors The Nomination Committee proposes that the board of directors shall consist of three ordinary board members elected by the annual general meeting. Furthermore, the Nomination Committee proposes, in accordance with the recommendation from the Audit Committee, that one registered public accounting firm without deputy is appointed. Item 11: Determination of remuneration for the board members and the auditors The Nomination Committee proposes that the board remuneration and the remuneration for committee work is unchanged compared to the year 2024; meaning SEK 650,000 to the Chairman of the board of directors and SEK 300,000 to each of the other board members who are not employed by the company. Furthermore, remuneration for committee work is proposed to be SEK 125,000 to the Chairman of the Audit Committee, SEK 50,000 to each of the other members of the Audit Committee, and SEK 50,000 to the Chairman of the Remuneration Committee and SEK 25,000 to each of the other members of the Remuneration Committee. Furthermore, the Nomination Committee proposes that remuneration for the auditor shall be paid in accordance with customary norms and approved invoice. Item 12: Election of board members, Chairman of the board of directors as well as auditors and deputy auditors The Nomination Committee proposes that Hans-Peter Ostler, Eva Sjokvist Saers and Denise Goode are re-elected as board members and that Hans-Peter Ostler is elected as new Chairman of the board of directors. Anders Ekblom and Staffan Encrantz have declined re-election. Information on the board members proposed for re-election can be found at the company's website and in the Annual Report (see www.alligatorbioscience.com ). Furthermore, the Nomination Committee proposes, in accordance with the recommendation from the Audit Committee, that the registered accounting firm Ohrlings PricewaterhouseCoopers AB (PwC) is re-elected as auditor. PwC has informed that the authorized public accountant Ola Bjarehall will continue to be appointed as the responsible auditor. Item 13: Resolution on approval of remuneration report The board of directors proposes that the annual general meeting resolves to approve the board of directors' remuneration report for the financial year 2024. Item 14: Resolution on authorization regarding issues The board of directors proposes that the annual general meeting resolves to authorize the board of directors, up until the next annual general meeting, at one or several occasions, with or without deviation from the shareholders' preferential rights and with or without provisions regarding contribution in kind, set-off or other conditions, to resolve to issue new ordinary shares, convertibles and/or warrants with right to convert into and subscribe for ordinary shares respectively. The reason for why a deviation from the shareholders' preferential rights should be possible is to enable the company to be able to source working capital, to be able to extend the ownership base with one of more owners of strategic importance, to be able to execute acquisitions of companies or operating assets as well as to enable new issues to industrial partners within the framework of partnerships and alliances. The total number of ordinary shares that may be issued (alternatively be issued through conversion of convertibles and/or exercise of warrants) shall not exceed 20 per cent of the number of outstanding ordinary shares as per the date when the issue authorization is utilized for the first time. In case the authorization is used for an issue with deviation from the shareholders' preferential rights, the issue shall be made on market terms. The company's CEO shall be authorized to make the minor formal adjustments of the resolution which may be required for registration with the Swedish Companies Registration Office ( Sw . Bolagsverket). PARTICULAR MAJORITY REQUIREMENTS For a valid resolution on the proposal pursuant to item 14, the proposal has to be supported by shareholders representing at least two-thirds of the votes cast as well as of all shares represented at the annual general meeting. GENERAL MEETING DOCUMENTS AND OTHER INFORMATION Accounting documents, the audit report, the board of directors' remuneration report, the statement by the auditor on the compliance of the applicable guidelines for remuneration to senior executives, the complete proposals for resolutions and other documents for the general meeting will be kept available at the company's office at Medicon Village, Scheeletorget 1, SE-223 81 Lund, Sweden and at the company's website ( www.alligatorbioscience.com ) as from no later than three weeks prior to the general meeting. Copies of documents will be sent to shareholders who request it and provide their address and will also be available at the annual general meeting. At the annual general meeting, the board of directors and the CEO shall, if any shareholder so requests and the board of directors believes that it can be done without significant harm to the company, provide information regarding circumstances that may affect the assessment of items on the agenda, circumstances that can affect the assessment of the company's or its subsidiaries' financial position and the company's relation to other companies within the group. As per the date of the notice, the total number of shares and votes in the company amounts to 16,905,477, of which all outstanding shares are ordinary shares. PROCESSING OF PERSONAL DATA For information on how your personal data is processed, see https://www.euroclear.com/dam/ESw/Legal/Privacy-notice-bolagsstammor-engelska.pdf . Lund in April 2025 ALLIGATOR BIOSCIENCE AB (PUBL) The Board of Directors Attachments Notice of annual general meeting in Alligator Bioscience AB SOURCE: Alligator Bioscience N-acetylcysteine (NAC) shows promise to treat hereditary cystatin C amyloid angiopathy (HCCAA) HCCAA - a subtype of cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) - is an ultra-rare Icelandic amyloid disease due to a mutation in the CST3 gene encoding for the protease inhibitor, cystatin C. gene encoding for the protease inhibitor, cystatin C. HCCAA causes cerebral hemorrhages in asymptomatic carriers of the L68Q variant due to amyloid aggregation with precipitation in brain vessels and tissue. Findings could guide the development of preventative therapies for related CAAs. REYKJAVIK, Iceland, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Icelandic drug discovery and development company Arctic Therapeutics (ATx) today announced the publication of research in JAMA Neurology, which informs a possible therapeutic strategy to treat a rare form of familial dementia. The publication, titled N-Acetylcysteine for hereditary cystatin C amyloid angiopathy (HCCAA), a nonrandomised clinical trial, details a new treatment approach for HCCAA, a rare and fatal genetic brain disorder that primarily affects young Icelandic adults, with the disease process beginning in childhood. The research provides insights into the potential of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) as a treatment for HCCAA, a disease with no currently approved therapeutic options. The study highlights how NAC may reduce disease-associated biomarkers and slow disease progression. The study is the first phase 2a clinical trial to assess the safety and therapeutic potential of high-dose NAC in patients carrying the L68Q-CST3 sequence variation of HCCAA. Results indicate that NAC is well tolerated, reduces disease specific biomarkers and stabilises disease progression, suggesting NAC may offer a preventative strategy against HCCAA. These findings could accelerate the development of preventative therapies for individuals at risk of HCCAA and other forms of CAAs. "These promising results provide hope to HCCAA patients and their families," Dr Asbjorg Osk Snorradottir, lead author of the study explained. Senior author, Dr. Hakon Hakonarson, director of the Center for Applied Genomics at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and founder of Arctic Therapeutics added: "This study provides the first clinical evidence that NAC, by breaking disulfide bonds and other aberrant molecular interactions, can disrupt cystatin C oligomers and prevent amyloid aggregation that ultimately accumulates in brain vessels. By targeting the root biochemical process behind HCCAA pathology, NAC may ultimately offer a novel disease-modifying approach, not only for this devastating condition, but potentially for other forms of CAAs and protein aggregation disorders where toxic oligomers are central to disease progression." The open-label phase 2a clinical trial was conducted at Iceland's Landspitali University Hospital from March 2019 to December 2021. A total of 17 participants were enrolled, all confirmed carriers of the L68Q-CST3 mutation. The study assessed: Safety & tolerability : NAC was well tolerated, with no drug-related severe adverse events. Five participants experienced cerebral hemorrhages, but none resulted in permanent neurological damage. : NAC was well tolerated, with no drug-related severe adverse events. Five participants experienced cerebral hemorrhages, but none resulted in permanent neurological damage. Biomarker reduction : Significant reductions were observed in collagen IV, fibronectin, vimentin, and SMAD levels-key indicators of disease progression. : Significant reductions were observed in collagen IV, fibronectin, vimentin, and SMAD levels-key indicators of disease progression. Plasma & skin biomarker changes : NAC was shown to increase reduced glutathione levels, a protective antioxidant, and reduce high-molecular-weight cystatin C aggregates, which are linked to amyloid buildup in the brain. : NAC was shown to increase reduced glutathione levels, a protective antioxidant, and reduce high-molecular-weight cystatin C aggregates, which are linked to amyloid buildup in the brain. Cognitive stability: No measurable decline in cognitive function was observed during the study period. Building on these findings, as well as internal in-vitro data that demonstrates that NAC-amide (NACA) has more than 10-fold higher potency in preventing or dispersing amyloid complex aggregates than NAC and increased ability to penetrate the blood brain barrier and get into cells involved in the disease pathogenesis, ATx has launched a European Medicines Agency-approved registration study to monitor safety, tolerability, and efficacy using NACA in patients with HCCAA. For more details, read the full study in JAMA Neurology: Original Investigation. About Arctic Therapeutics Arctic Therapeutics is an Icelandic drug discovery and development company established in 2015, which has licensed intellectual property from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. ATx leverages the transformative power of applied genomics, steering the course of drug development towards safer, more effective treatments for some of the world's most challenging diseases. The company has operations in Iceland, the US and multiple collaborations across Europe. For more information, please visit: www.arctictherapeutics.com and follow us on LinkedIn For media inquires Gulli Arnason, Chief Strategy Officer gulli@arctictherapeutics.com +354 660 0053 This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/arctic-therapeutics/r/arctic-therapeutics-research-suggests-preventative-strategy-against-hccaa,c4128916 The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Main/23541/4128916/3360257.pdf Press release (PDF) https://news.cision.com/arctic-therapeutics/i/logo,c3394042 Logo View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/arctic-therapeutics-research-suggests-preventative-strategy-against-hccaa-302418195.html Ancoris and Sundown are combining forces to create a market-leading, end-to-end provider for innovation: Telana. The unprecedented combination of two pure-play technology partners creates a team of experts in applied innovation focused on delivering business outcomes through AI, data, software development, and cloud engineering expertise. Serving existing and new customers across Global Enterprises and UK Public Sector, Telana provides a broader depth of capability and expertise to deliver outcomes in a new way - on the technology platform that's right for its customers, wherever they are on their innovation journey. LONDON, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Ancoris and Sundown Solutions today announced the launch of Telana-a new market-leading, end-to-end provider for innovation, focused on delivering business outcomes through AI, data, software development, and cloud engineering expertise. Telana represents an unprecedented combination of two pure-play technology partners, combining Ancoris's renowned expertise in AI, data, analytics, and application development with Sundown's robust security, managed services, and highly-regulated cloud infrastructure capabilities. This synergy represents a powerful evolution, and creates a market-leading team focused on delivering actionable, outcome-focused solutions to solve its customers' biggest challenges. "This is a significant milestone for both businesses and one that we are all excited about," says Andre Azevedo, Telana CEO. "By combining our strengths, we are creating a unique provider that can deliver unparalleled value to our customers - and increasingly exciting growth opportunities for our people. The services market has evolved to become more business case driven, and customers need partners who can deliver outcomes across different technology stacks with both innovative and foundational capabilities - Telana is setting the standard on this front." "Telana is built on the foundation of applied innovation -" Azevedo continues; "a recognition that innovation means something different to every organisation, and that technology solutions only provide real value when delivered within the context of their businesses. I've always been proud of Ancoris' focus on solving customer problems, and am so excited to take this same capability to new customers and across a broader scope of challenges as Telana." "We have enjoyed a long standing relationship with Ancoris, who have proven to be a valued partner for Lush," says Mike West, Financial Director, Lush. "They have supported us in achieving many key business objectives in our digital arm of the business and we see this acquisition and expansion of capabilities as a way to enhance this further. We look forward to working with Telana in the future." Formed through the strategic acquisition of Sundown by Ancoris, Telana holds top tier partnerships with the two leading AI and cloud companies in the world - Google Cloud and Microsoft - which validates its extensive capabilities to deliver unparalleled expertise and support across both platforms. "For years, Sundown's reputation has been built on delivering secure, automated, and highly-regulated cloud infrastructure and managed services on Microsoft Azure. Now, as part of Telana, we're thrilled to extend that same level of trust and expertise to Google Cloud customers. This is an exciting opportunity to broaden our reach and, crucially, to empower our existing Microsoft-focused clients to flex their innovation muscle with the combined power of Telana," says Heath Groves, Sundown CEO. "Collectively, we're all gaining new team members, expanding our technology portfolio, and welcoming exciting new customers and partners - these are fantastic opportunities for our people to grow and develop. Being part of a market-leading, innovative technology company opens doors to broader career paths and the chance to work with diverse technologies that enhance skills and expertise," Groves continues. "My aim is that In 10 years time, our employees will look back and say that Telana was the highlight of their careers!" concludes Azevedo. About Telana Telana are experts in applied innovation, focused on delivering business outcomes through AI, data, software development, and cloud engineering expertise. Formed by the combination of Ancoris and Sundown Solutions, together we leverage our problem solving skills and end-to-end capabilities to help you create better digital experiences for your customers and employees. As a top-tier partner of Google Cloud and Microsoft, the market leaders for AI, Data, and Cloud, we partner with some of the world's biggest brands and government organisations to attract new customers, drive efficiency, improve experiences, and identify future opportunities for growth. We have received impressive external recognition for its innovative offerings, best-in-class capabilities, and tangible impact for customers across various industries. Ancoris was recognized as a Leader for Data, Analytics, and Machine Learning in the ISG Provider Lens for Google Cloud Partner Ecosystem in 2024, and a Rising Star in 2022 and 2023. Sundown is accredited as an Azure Expert MSP provider. Ancoris was also awarded Google Cloud's 2024 EMEA Public Sector Partner of the Year award. Media Contact Holly Norman Chief Marketing Officer at Telana hnorman@telana.com 07368452170 Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2655864/telana_team.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2655525/Telana_Announcement_Logo.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/ancoris-and-sundown-combine-to-form-telana-experts-in-applied-innovation-302417634.html Reduces operational complexity, integrates with full-stack NVIDIA accelerated computing and software, as well as other technologies KUBECON--Mirantis, a leader in open-source cloud infrastructure and platform engineering, today announced that Netherlands-based private cloud service provider Nebul has deployed open source k0rdent to deliver an on-demand service that enables customers to run production AI inference (applying a trained model to new data to generate predictions or decisions) workloads. Nebul has always focused on privacy and sovereignty with a broad European reach, and is a pioneer in high-performance computing, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technologies. The company an NVIDIA elite partner, NVIDIA Cloud Partner and elite NVIDIA Solution Provider is leveraging k0rdent Kubernetes-native multi-cluster management that is integrated with NVIDIA GPU Operator and Gcore Everywhere Inference. (More details in this case study.) Nebul can support distributed AI inference across its NVIDIA-accelerated infrastructure that deliver low-latency and high performance, with dynamically provisioned processing resources to meet demand and policy-driven automation that optimizes GPU utilization for maximum efficiency. "We believe open source is the enabler for infrastructure to support AI," said Alex Freedland, co-founder and CEO, Mirantis, the maintainer of k0rdent. "Nebul is demonstrating the enormous potential of open technologies to solve one of the most complex challenges in IT today delivering AI workloads reliably at scale." Launched last month, k0rdent helps platform engineers manage infrastructure sprawl and operational complexity across cloud service providers, on-premises infrastructure, and edge devices. It simplifies maintenance with declarative automation, centralized policy enforcement, and production-ready templates optimized for modern workloads. k0rdent is fully composable and leverages the open source Cluster API so that Kubernetes clusters can be created and existing clusters can be deployed anywhere. "As demand for AI services grows, our challenge was transitioning our existing infrastructure," said Arnold Juffer, CEO and founder at Nebul. "Using k0rdent enables us to effectively unify our diverse infrastructure across OpenStack, bare metal Kubernetes, while sunsetting the VMware technology stack and fully transforming to open source to streamline operations and accelerate our shift to Inference-as-a-Service for enterprise customers. Now, they can bring their trained AI model to their data and just run it with assurance of privacy and sovereignty in accordance with regulations. It's as simple as that." "As Nebul is demonstrating, AI inference at scale requires infrastructure that dynamically adapts to end customer needs, ensuring AI applications meet the business requirements from a cost and performance stand point," said Seva Vayner, product director of Edge Cloud and Edge AI at Gcore. "Our Everywhere Inference product provides a super super-simple portal to deploy and manage AI inference, while Smart Routing ensures inference tasks are sent to the nearest GPUs for the lowest latency." According to NVIDIA, "AI models are rapidly expanding in size, complexity, and diversity pushing the boundaries of what's possible. For the successful use of AI inference, organizations need a full-stack approach that supports the end-to-end AI life cycle and tools that enable teams to meet their goals in the new scaling laws era." Mirantis and Gcore announced an agreement at NVIDIA GTC on March 18. Anyone attending KubeCon in London can learn more about k0rdent and see a demo for AI inference at one of the following locations: KubeCon main event (April 2-4): Mirantis booth N331 Cloud Native Kubernetes AI Day Europe (colocated at KubeCon on April 1): Mirantis table on Level 1 in the N10 area. Go here to request a personalized demo. About Mirantis Mirantis helps organizations simplify operations, reduce complexity, and accelerate innovation by providing open-source solutions for delivering and managing modern distributed applications at scale. The company enables platform engineering teams to build and operate secure, scalable, and customizable developer platforms across any environment-on-premises, public cloud, hybrid, or edge. As AI-driven workloads become a core component of modern architectures, Mirantis provides the automation, multi-cloud orchestration, and infrastructure flexibility required to support high-performance AI, machine learning, and data-intensive applications. Committed to open standards and avoiding vendor lock-in, Mirantis empowers organizations to deploy and operate infrastructure and services on their terms. Mirantis serves many of the world's leading enterprises, including Adobe, Ericsson, Inmarsat, PayPal, and Societe Generale. Learn more at www.mirantis.com. About Nebul Nebul's European Private Sovereign AI Cloud provides world-class AI capabilities at your terms. We assure privacy to the core through military-grade isolation, sovereignty through the use of Open-Source standards, and Compliance with EU legislation by complying with all the required regulations and certifications. Nebul's AI applications provide industry-specific alternatives to Public AI like ChatGPT, Microsoft Co-Pilot, Amazon Bedrock, and others, and are built for (European) organizations that enable AI and connect it to corporate data without the risk of data and IP loss. As an official NVIDIA Elite Partner we are optimally equipped to help you navigate the complexities of deploying supercomputing solutions based on the latest NVIDIA technologies optimized for training, fine-tuning or inference and strategically located in datacenters across the European Continent Learn more at https://www.nebul.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250402438159/en/ Contacts: Joseph Eckert for Mirantis jeckert@eckertcomms.com POTSDAM, Germany, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Data4Life, the nonprofit digital health organization, today announced the open-source release of its research platform Data2Evidence (D2E). With this move, Data4Life is equipping researchers and developers worldwide with powerful tools to integrate, manage, and analyze heterogeneous health data. By adopting an open-source strategy, the organization aims to foster scientific collaboration, accelerate innovation, and strengthen the interoperability of health data. Open source for better research and greater transparency Data2Evidence is a digital platform built around the OMOP Common Data Model (CDM), designed to streamline the standardization of health data. It enables seamless collaboration between research institutions and public health organizations by supporting interactive data integration, cohort-based exploration, and privacy-preserving data management. The platform is flexible enough to meet the demands of a wide range of scientific use cases-from longitudinal studies to real-world evidence generation. Open source, open science: driving innovation in health research The open-source release of Data2Evidence marks a milestone for the global research community. Key features include: Efficient data processing Built-in data pipelines allow for seamless ingestion, enriched by integrated quality control tools. Built-in data pipelines allow for seamless ingestion, enriched by integrated quality control tools. Flexible analysis tools Researchers can identify relevant data, build interactive cohorts, and conduct in-platform analysis or connect with machine learning systems. Researchers can identify relevant data, build interactive cohorts, and conduct in-platform analysis or connect with machine learning systems. Advanced visualization A customizable dashboard provides anonymized, aggregated insights and cohort comparisons to support exploratory analysis. A customizable dashboard provides anonymized, aggregated insights and cohort comparisons to support exploratory analysis. Interoperability and scalability Based on OMOP CDM, the platform supports open standards, making health data easier to compare, reuse, and build upon. Why open source matters Trust through transparency Open access to source code allows for independent review of security and privacy standards. Open access to source code allows for independent review of security and privacy standards. Cost efficiency Free from licensing fees, the platform offers institutions increased flexibility and long-term sustainability. Free from licensing fees, the platform offers institutions increased flexibility and long-term sustainability. Accelerated innovation Global collaboration and community-driven development speed up the creation of new features and applications. Supporting a global research community Data2Evidence is designed for multidisciplinary research-from epidemiology, pharmacovigilance, and public health to medical informatics, data science, and health software development. Research institutions, public health agencies, and the open-source community can use the platform to unlock insights from health data and drive scientific breakthroughs. With over 4,200 researchers in the OHDSI community already working with OMOP CDM, Data2Evidence has the potential to support thousands of scientists in making use of standardized, interoperable health data. An open invitation to collaborate Data4Life invites developers to join the open-source community around Data2Evidence and actively contribute to its ongoing development. The source code is available on our solution page at www.data2evidence.org , along with detailed documentation and onboarding support. Researchers who are interested in using Data2Evidence for their own studies or have specific use cases in mind are encouraged to reach out to our team directly - we're happy to explore how D2E can support your research needs. "The open-source release of Data2Evidence is a significant step toward making health data research more transparent, efficient, and collaborative. We look forward to advancing evidence-based digital health together with a global community." - Christian Weiss, CEO of Data4Life About Data4Life D4L data4life gGmbH is a nonprofit digital health organization funded by the Hasso Plattner Foundation. Our international team works toward a future where health data is available for research to improve prevention, diagnosis, and treatment worldwide. Since its founding in 2017, Data4Life has partnered with renowned research institutions including the Charite in Berlin and Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. Data4Life is headquartered in Potsdam, Germany, with offices in Berlin and Singapore. Learn more at www.data4life.care . Media Contact Daniela Wilberg media@data4life.care Mobile: +49 162 2729163 View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/data4life-releases-data2evidence-as-open-source-a-new-chapter-for-global-health-research-302417245.html Successful live trials in the Heathrow FRZ mark a major milestone in the future of secure autonomous drone operations READING, England, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- OSL has announced the successful completion of the final phase of Project HADO, a UKRI-funded research and development initiative aimed at enabling secure, repeatable Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone operations across UK airspace. The milestone marks the conclusion of more than two years of intensive innovation, consortium collaboration, and field testing. OSL led the consortium as prime integrator, bringing together key organisations including Heathrow, Thales, Cranfield University, UAVTEK, Carmenta, HEROTECH8, and Dynamic Intelligence Solutions-each contributing critical expertise across aviation, autonomy, surveillance, and airspace management. Project HADO - short for High-Intensity Autonomous Drone Operations - focuses on enabling fully autonomous drone missions in busy, safety-critical environments such as airports, ports, urban centres, and transport hubs. These are spaces where complex air and ground activity makes uncrewed flight especially challenging. While many BVLOS projects explore long-range corridor travel, HADO was designed to address the far more difficult task of operating autonomously within high-density, operationally complex areas. In the final series of live trials, OSL deployed its system within the Heathrow Flight Restriction Zone (FRZ), demonstrating two core use cases: perimeter patrol, using visible and thermal cameras to detect loiterers or intrusions along a fence line; and building survey, using automated point-to-point flight and image capture to generate both visual and thermal inspection data. These missions were supported by a detailed digital twin of the environment, developed in collaboration with Cranfield University. This synthetic modelling environment enabled precise flight planning, environmental awareness, and robust training of the autonomous behaviours required for safe and repeatable operations. The system is fully integrated into OSL's proprietary platform, FACE, which incorporates drone-in-a-box infrastructure, layered sensor fusion, Uncrewed Traffic Management (UTM) tools, and a real-time operator interface. This end-to-end capability allows for safe, automated missions even in GPS-denied or dynamically changing environments. One of the outcomes of this final phase is the development of a rapidly deployable mobile HADO system-allowing organisations to set up autonomous drone operations on-site within a single day. This flexibility opens the door to a wide range of applications, from critical infrastructure inspection to urban safety and emergency response. The project also delivered significant advances in detect-and-avoid functionality-widely considered one of the key challenges to safe BVLOS flight. By combining radar, optical sensors, and real-time environmental scanning with AI-driven logic, the system can autonomously detect risks, adjust its flight path, or safely return to base. "Project HADO has been a defining moment for OSL," said Mark Legh-Smith, Chief Executive Officer at OSL. "We've taken a bold vision and delivered a functioning, field-tested system that brings together autonomy, safety, and situational awareness. It's a milestone not just for our team, but for the future of UK airspace." OSL continues to work closely with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to support the safe expansion of BVLOS operations in the UK. The comprehensive safety framework, operational data, and successful trials at OSL's test facility near Reading are helping to inform the evolution of the UK's regulatory environment. Looking ahead, the technologies developed in HADO are intended to support a wide range of civil and commercial use cases beyond the security domain - including infrastructure monitoring, transport hub management, and smart city applications. OSL and its partners are actively exploring future opportunities to deploy and evolve the system in line with operational needs. About OSL OSL is a UK-based security technology company specialising in adaptive, multi-layered solutions to protect high-value, risk-prone environments from unauthorised drones and other emerging threats. Founded by security and operational experts, OSL delivers advanced, technology-agnostic systems that integrate layered sensors, proprietary AI, and real-time data fusion to safeguard complex 3D spaces. Its core platform, FACE, enables centralised monitoring, precise threat detection, and autonomous response capabilities across both aerial and ground domains. From design and deployment to 24/7 remote monitoring and lifecycle support, OSL provides full-spectrum protection tailored to each operational environment. www.osltechnology.com View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/osl-completes-final-phase-of-project-hado-setting-new-standards-for-autonomous-drone-operations-in-the-uk-302417362.html Strategic acquisition strengthens IndySoft's global footprint and customer support across Europe CHARLESTON, S.C., April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- IndySoft (www.indysoft.com), a global leader in measurement-driven asset management software, is excited to announce the acquisition of its UK distributor, IndySoft Europe LTD, effective April 1, 2025. This acquisition marks a major milestone in the two-decade relationship between the companies and reflects IndySoft's ongoing commitment to international expansion and deeper support for its global customer base. "For over 20 years, IndySoft Europe has represented our brand with integrity, professionalism, and a deep understanding of the calibration industry across the UK and Europe," said Rhett Price, CEO of IndySoft Corporation. "We're thrilled to officially welcome them into the IndySoft family. This move brings us even closer to our customers in the region and allows us to deliver even more consistent service, support, and innovation moving forward." Jake Bishop, former Managing Director of IndySoft Europe and now Director of Global Sales at IndySoft, added, "Having been a part of the IndySoft Europe team for many years, I am incredibly excited about this next chapter. This acquisition is a natural evolution of our strong partnership and will allow us to deliver even greater value to our current and future customers across the UK and Europe by providing direct access to IndySoft's global resources and expertise. I look forward to continuing to serve our customers in this expanded capacity." Existing customers will experience a seamless transition and will continue to work with the same dedicated team, now operating as an integrated part of the IndySoft global organization. This acquisition will allow IndySoft to leverage the established relationships and expertise of IndySoft Europe to further expand its reach and capabilities within the European market, contributing significantly to the company's broader global expansion strategy. The move further strengthens IndySoft's leadership position in enterprise calibration and measurement-driven asset management, reinforcing its focus on innovation, customer success, and global service excellence. About IndySoft: Founded in 1998, IndySoft delivers the world's most powerful calibration management software as part of its comprehensive measurement-driven asset management platform. Serving highly regulated and measurement-critical industries, IndySoft's innovative platform helps businesses achieve compliance, streamline operations, and maximize efficiency. For more information, visit www.indysoft.com. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2611991/5248030/Indy_Transparent_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/indysoft-acquires-longtime-uk-partner-indysoft-europe-ltd-302418190.html Eurostar becomes the first train provider to launch Klarna's BNPL products. LONDON, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Klarna, the AI-powered payments and shopping network, today announces its launch with Eurostar, enabling travelers in the UK and France to book their journeys with greater flexibility. Customers checking out on Eurostar.com can now choose Klarna's Pay in 3, allowing them to split the cost of their ticket into three equal, interest-free payments, or Pay in Full for a seamless one-time transaction. With record-breaking passenger demand and Eurostar's commitment to making sustainable high-speed rail more accessible, this new payment solution will give even more travelers the flexibility to book their journeys with ease. Raji Behal, Head of Western and Southern Europe at Klarna, says, "Hello, bonjour, and bienvenue to a smoother way to book your Eurostar trip. Eurostar has changed the way we travel between the UK and Europe-now Klarna is changing the way we pay for it. Whether you're heading to Paris for a weekend getaway or Brussels for business, you can now check out with Klarna and choose to pay in full or split the cost over time. Fast, flexible, and now even easier to book-just like train travel should be." Francois Le Doze Chief, Commercial Officer at Eurostar, added, "At Eurostar, we're always looking for ways to enhance the customer experience and make high-speed rail the most convenient and accessible way to travel in Europe. By partnering with Klarna, we're giving our passengers more choice and flexibility at checkout, making it even easier to plan their journeys across our expanding network. Whether it's a luxury weekend getaway to Paris or booking one of our great value Train + Hotel packages in Amsterdam, Klarna's flexible payment options align perfectly with our vision of seamless, sustainable, and customer-friendly rail travel." In 2024, Eurostar carried a record-breaking 19.5 million passengers, a 5% increase from the previous year, as more travelers choose rail over air for its convenience, comfort, and 90% lower CO2 emissions per passenger-kilometer compared to flying. At the same time, Klarna is seeing strong growth in the UK and France, with more consumers turning to interest-free credit to manage their spending flexibly. This partnership marks Klarna's continued expansion in the travel sector, offering smoother, more flexible payment options to passengers across Europe. Rail travel is also playing an increasing role in sustainable transport choices, with trains emitting up to 11 times less CO2 per passenger-kilometer than flights. CONTACT: press@klarna.com This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com. https://news.cision.com/klarna-bank-ab--publ-/r/eurostar-introduces-klarna-for-flexible-payments-in-the-uk-and-france--making-high-speed-rail-more-a,c4129473 The following files are available for download: https://news.cision.com/klarna-bank-ab--publ-/i/eil-thi-train-render-01-1-1,c3394371 EIL THI TRAIN RENDER 01-1 1 View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/eurostar-introduces-klarna-for-flexible-payments-in-the-uk-and-france-making-high-speed-rail-more-accessible-302418225.html LONDON, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- British businesses are facing soaring border costs and mounting delays, with some abandoning UK-EU supply chains altogether, according to a new report published today by the international trade consultants, clearBorder. The State of the Border report, based on the experiences of 900 businesses across the UK, France, and Germany, warns that the post-Brexit border has become significantly worse over the last twelve months, with 64% of firms reporting increases in fees and delays. As the UK and EU negotiate a supposed 'reset' in relations, the report's authors found consistently poor experience for businesses from the UK, France and Germany, with many bearing higher costs and enduring delays. The report found that: Almost 3 in 5 businesses have experienced significant delays Border costs have risen adding to costs for UK, French and German businesses German businesses remain most optimistic about trade recovery, despite reporting some of the worst border experience French businesses are the most pessimistic, and are particularly concerned about increased domestic instability All three countries anticipate improvements in EU/UK trade. UK businesses were more optimistic about trade with the US than French and German counterparts The report builds on more than three years of research conducted in the UK. Today's report includes businesses in Germany and France, to offer valuable insights into how businesses are navigating the complexities of cross border trade. As countries ready themselves for US tariffs, the research highlights how businesses respond as trade becomes more complex. Many are adapting, with investment in software, staff and automation. "The numbers speak for themselves," says Christopher Salmon, CEO and Founder of clearBorder. "Over four years of research we have seen no improvement in the performance of the border. What has improved about businesses' experience is down to them investing, adapting and growing in confidence. "This year we can see that French and German businesses' experience is similar - sometimes worse. As the UK government and EU negotiate, they should recognise that a better border benefits both sides. "That means investment: investment in automation, trade facilitation and cooperation over data. That would bring huge gains - without the need to challenge any negotiating red lines." Nevertheless, organisations across the three countries surveyed remain optimistic that they can adapt to border difficulties, and most have reported that they have made at least one change to their operations in the past year. Note to journalists The State of the Border report is published by clearBorder. Data comes from more than 900 respondents surveyed in January - February 2025, from organisations across 22 sectors in the UK, Germany and France. In-depth interviews were also conducted with 11 decision-makers at 10 businesses with direct experience of using the UK border. Interviews were conducted online and lasted 30-45 minutes. You can access the full report here About clearBorder clearBorder provides advice, consultancy and insights for long-term strategic and robust planning to assist seamless trade across international borders. This is underpinned by practical and real-world expertise and experience from our independent team of international trade specialists. From problem identification to solution implementation, specific and immediate challenges to longer-term futureproofing, we help clients maximise efficiency and to continue competing and growing in international markets. clearBorder is the trusted partner needed to help navigate an increasingly complex world. With highly tuned supply chains, heightened security risks, political uncertainty, and global turbulence having an ever-greater impact on imports and export controls, being reactive is not enough. We not only deliver the 'so what?' but proactively help answer the 'what next?' and 'what if?' www.clearborder.co.uk Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2655331/clearBorder_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/eu-uk-border-costs-surge-clearborder-report-warns-302417222.html Capital Gearing Trust P.l.c. - Compliance with Market Abuse Regulation PR Newswire LONDON, United Kingdom, April 02 2 April 2025 Capital Gearing Trust P.l.c. (the 'Company') Compliance with Market Abuse Regulation ('MAR') Legal Entity Identifier: 213800T2PJTPVF1UGW53 Information disclosed in accordance with UK Market Abuse Regulation ('UK MAR') Article 19, paragraph 11 The Company's mandatory closed period under UK MAR will commence on 17 April 2025 and will last until the publication of its results for the year ended 31 March 2025, which is expected to be on or around 29 May 2025. The Company confirms that: a) all inside information which the Directors and Company may have had has been notified to a Regulated Information Service ('RIS'); b) the Company's net asset value per share is calculated and announced through a RIS on a daily basis; c) the Company has no reason to believe that there will be any material difference between the net asset value per share as at close of business on 31 March 2025, which was announced on 2 April 2025, and the financial information to be published in the announcement of its results for the year ended 31 March 2025. The Company is, therefore, not prohibited from dealing in its own securities during the closed period, as defined by UK MAR. -ENDS- For further information please contact: Frostrow Capital LLP - Company Secretary Alison Vincent 0203 709 2481 LONDON, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Biopharm, a leading pharmaceutical company in Algeria, has been awarded the prestigious title of 'Excellence in Generic Medicine Development, Algeria, 2024' by Global Brands Magazine (GBM) at the renowned Global Brand Awards. This distinguished recognition underscores Biopharm's exceptional dedication to pioneering innovation and advancing public health through high-quality generic medicines. The Global Brand Awards celebrate the highest achievements across industries worldwide. Biopharm received this award for its dedication to healthcare innovation and excellence in developing generic medicines. Jay Reddy, CEO of Global Brands Magazine, commented, "We are pleased to honour Biopharm with the Excellence in Generic Medicine Development award in Algeria. This accolade is a testament to their unwavering commitment to innovation, quality, and accessibility in the pharmaceutical industry. It's an honour to celebrate their dedication to improving lives through ground breaking solutions." "By placing the patient at the heart of our research and activities, Biopharm continues to develop accessible and effective therapeutic solutions, while adopting sustainable and responsible practices. Thereby, this award illustrates perfectly our ability to combine operational excellence, scientific commitment, and the desire to improve the health of patients. Developing quality medicines accessible to as many people as possible is at the core of our mission," said Abdelhalim BENMERAD,CEO, Biopharm. ABOUT BIOPHARM Founded in 1992, Biopharm is a major Algerian pharmaceutical group with a vertically integrated business model covering manufacturing, logistics, distribution, medical promotion, and regulatory services. The company opened its capital to private equity investors in 2013 and went public in 2016, offering 20% of its shares on the Algiers Stock Exchange. With over 3,000 employees, Biopharm operates four advanced production units, manufacturing over 104 million boxes annually across 18 therapeutic areas. The company collaborates with global pharmaceutical firms and runs two research and development centers, having developed over 200 products. Biopharm upholds the highest industry standards, adhering to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and holding multiple international certifications, including ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and certification from the French National Agency for the Safety of Medicines (ANSM). Its strong logistics network includes two distribution centers, eight hubs, and a fleet of 350 vehicles, ensuring nationwide coverage. Committed to innovation, Biopharm partners with universities and research institutions to advance pharmaceutical research. Guided by values of integrity, compliance, and transparency, the company remains dedicated to enhancing patient care and building trust-based partnerships. Learn more at http://www.biopharmdz.com. ABOUT GLOBAL BRANDS MAGAZINE (ENGLAND) Global Brands Magazine (GBM) is one of the largest Brands publication in the world leading the way in delivering insights, news, and opinions on brands shaping the future of their industries. Based in the UK, the magazine keeps readers informed about 'best-in-class' brands worldwide. Each year, GBM recognizes companies that demonstrate innovation, exceptional service, and consumer-focused solutions in their respective industries. With over 8.4 million annual visitors and 14 million page views, GBM is the world's premier Brand magazine. The magazine also boasts a robust social media presence, engagement including 35k+ Facebook followers, 20k+ Instagram followers, 25k+ Twitter followers, and 4k+ LinkedIn followers. ABOUT THE GLOBAL BRAND AWARDS The Global Brand Awards celebrate excellence in brand performance, recognising companies and organisations that excel in quality, innovation, and customer-centric services across various sectors, including finance, education, hospitality, technology, and more. In 2024, over 10,000 companies were evaluated for the Global Brand Awards.. Some of the Global Brand Awards events were held at some of the most iconic properties in the world, including The Address Downtown, Waldorf Astoria, Emperors Palace, JW Marriot Marquis, Galaxy Macau Athenee Hotel, to name a few. The next awards ceremony will take place on the 13th of June 2025 at the Grand Hyatt in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. For a complete list of the winners of the Global Brand Awards, please visit: https://www.globalbrandsmagazine.com/brand-awards-winners/. To nominate your company or leader for the Global Brand Awards 2025, visit: https://www.globalbrandsmagazine.com/nomination-form/ Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2377199/GBM_2024_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/biopharm-wins-excellence-in-generic-medicine-development-in-algeria-at-the-global-brand-awards-2024-302418268.html Growth Credit Partners (GCP), a European-focused credit investment firm providing loans to growth stage technology companies, is pleased to announce the appointment of John McCormick as a Senior Advisor. In this role, John will provide strategic guidance to GCP's leadership and investment teams while also participating as an investor in GCP's maiden fund. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250402336163/en/ John McCormick joins Growth Credit Partners as Senior Advisor John McCormick is a globally recognized leader in asset management and financial services, with a strong track record of innovation and delivering exceptional investment performance for institutional clients and shareholders. Previously, John served as Global Group Head of Blackstone Alternative Asset Management (BAAM), the c.$80 billion AUM hedge fund and asset management division of The Blackstone Group. He was a member of all BAAM investment committees as well as Blackstone's firm-wide Operating Committee. Under his leadership, BAAM achieved record financial results, and he was instrumental in launching Blackstone's data science initiative. During his nearly 17-year tenure at BAAM, John was responsible for several key business units, including GP Stakes Seeding, Global Business Development, Global Strategy, and Product Development. He holds a J.D. from Yale Law School and a B.A. from Vassar College and served as an Associate Research Scholar at Yale Law School in the spring of 2022. Dennis Klieber, Founder and Co-CIO of GCP, commented: "John has been strategically supporting us since GCP's inception in 2022, and we are thrilled and honored to formally welcome him to our Senior Advisory Committee. It is a pleasure to reconnect after our time together at Blackstone while also sharing Yale as our alma mater. His deep expertise in alternative asset management and his ability to drive transformative growth align perfectly with GCP's mission of empowering European technology companies through flexible and impactful credit solutions. John's insights and network will be invaluable as we scale our operations and continue delivering strong value to both investors and portfolio companies." John McCormick added: "I am honored to work with Dennis and Damian as they build a leading franchise focused on European technology and growth companies. The team leverages its creativity, relationships, and years of credit underwriting expertise to structure attractive senior secured investments, often with equity-like upside. For founders, they are trusted partners, facilitating the next stage of growth and expansion with less dilutive capital. GCP is an exciting new player in the European credit and technology space." About Growth Credit Partners Limited Founded in 2022, Growth Credit Partners (GCP) is a European-focused credit investment firm dedicated to generating attractive yields and equity upside in an underserved market. GCP provides private credit solutions to European tech-enabled growth companies, emphasizing downside protection and fundamental credit underwriting. The firm offers senior secured instruments, typically with additional equity upside in the form of warrants, with ticket sizes ranging from 20 million to 100 million+. Growth Credit Partners Limited is registered in England and Wales with company number 14083863 (FRN:989198) as an Appointed Representative of Aldgate Advisors Limited (FRN:763187) which is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250402336163/en/ Contacts: ir@growthcreditpartners.com +44 (0)7713629502 PARIS and MUNICH, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Nagarro, a global leader in digital engineering, announced today the business transfer of Notion Edge France, an SAP gold partner specializing in the SAP Customer Experience (CX) suite. The strategic transfer of business expands Nagarro's CX offerings to key players in retail, CPG, manufacturing, and other sectors in France. The transfer also enables wider access to the African market while reinforcing Nagarro's market position in Europe. Notion Edge (NE) France has expertise in delivering end-to-end SAP-enabled innovative solutions to help businesses in digital transformation. Notion Edge has delivered successful projects across Europe, the USA, and Africa, particularly within the retail, CPG, B2B manufacturing, and digital commerce sectors, delivering integrated services ranging from consulting and implementation to maintenance and licensing. This transaction strengthens Nagarro's access to key industry players and allows clients to benefit from an expanded portfolio of customized end-to-end CX solutions that are aligned with the highest standards of delivery excellence. Amine Gaiji, CEO, Notion Edge, states: "This milestone marks a new and exciting chapter for Notion Edge. Joining forces with Nagarro brings powerful synergies, combining our boutique expertise in SAP CX, BTP, and FSM with Nagarro's robust capabilities in SAP S/4HANA ERP and advanced innovation. This complementarity allows us to deliver an offering that is not only stronger but also fully aligned with SAP's vision of an integrated Business Suite covering end-to-end enterprise processes. Together, we are uniquely positioned to help our clients scale their digital transformation journeys with agility, innovation, and simplicity at the core." Amit Sharma, Nagarro's Retail, CPG & Digital Commerce business unit lead, states: "Nagarro has deep expertise in offering products and solutions enabling intelligent customer experiences (CX) in retail, CPG, manufacturing, and other sectors. By joining forces with Notion Edge, we are embarking together on a strategic journey to offer SAP-enabled innovation solutions to customers worldwide. Notion Edge's deep consulting and implementation expertise in the SAP Customer Experience (CX) suite strengthens Nagarro's offerings in end-to-end intelligent customer experiences across digital commerce, customer service, sales automation, marketing, customer data platforms, BTP, CPQ, FSM, AI, and others. I extend a warm welcome to Notion Edge's team into the Nagarro family and look forward to achieving remarkable success together." Christian Haller, Managing Director, Nagarro France, states: "Collaboration with Notion Edge will allow us to address even more customer needs and strengthen our position not only in France but also globally. We will now address a larger portfolio for our SAP clients by integrating the SAP Customer Experience. The teams are also looking forward to working together more widely. We appreciate the skills and enthusiasm of the Notion Edge team. We already shared our Paris offices with Notion Edge colleagues, and now we will share the 'CARING' values and the Nagarro adventure!" About Notion Edge France Founded in 2017 by SAP alumni, Notion Edge France is an SAP partner focused on SAP CX, FSM and BTP implementation, providing a range of integrated services of digital transformation, SAP consultancy and implementation services to its clients. About Nagarro Nagarro, a global digital engineering leader, helps clients become innovative, digital-first companies and thus win in their markets. The company is distinguished by its entrepreneurial, agile, and global character, its CARING mindset, and its approach of thinking breakthroughs. Nagarro employs nearly 18,000 people in 39 countries. Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/844192/3850575/Nagarro_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/nagarro-strengthens-its-sap-cx-capabilities-with-the-strategic-business-transfer-of-notion-edge-france-302418291.html StrategiQ, the fast-growing strategic communications and marketing agency, has announced a significant 3 million investment in growth to fuel its ambition of becoming a leading force in the creative services industry. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250402127637/en/ The InQubator The investment will generate new client and agency acquisition opportunities for StrategiQ across the UK and internationally, and give the team access to more of the industry's top talent. As part of this next chapter, StrategiQ The Value Creation Agency has relocated to a new headquarters in Shoreditch, placing the agency at the perfect intersection of city energy and creative inspiration. The move reinforces the company's commitment to collaboration, with the team coming together in the new space at least three days a week to spark fresh ideas and elevate strategic thinking. The recently renovated office at Norton Folgate once featured in the BBC Dragons Den series and is a nod to the part StrategiQ also plays in driving early stage businesses forward through its InQubator programme. Andy Smith, CEO of StrategiQ: "This investment marks a pivotal moment for StrategiQ it's our next exciting chapter. Our belief has always been that the best creative and strategic thinking comes from working together, and our decision to get everyone back in the office working on creative campaigns and strategy in a cool buzzing environment is what our team and clients want. As CEO it's my responsibility to ensure we prosper by being ambitious and to drive growth. With a culture built on ambition, curiosity, and collaboration, we're excited to push new boundaries, deliver even greater impact for our clients, and take StrategiQ further onto the local and international stage." StrategiQ's investment also extends to a new and experienced leadership team: Daniel Henderson formerly Managing Director of Athlon joins as COO, Sarah Pettinger formerly of Omobono heads up People and Culture, and Will Anderson formerly of Brunswick, Careem/Uber and Featurespace, joins as the new Chief Growth Officer and Board Member. Will Anderson, Chief Growth Officer, added: "StrategiQ is a thinking and doing agency. We create work that is not only creatively brilliant but also commercially effective. Our mission is to drive real growth for our clients and prove the impact of everything we do through the best measurement and insight. With a smart Client Growth Team, fantastic clients, and a strong culture of excellence, we have a huge opportunity to build something truly special together. I couldn't be more excited about what's ahead." StrategiQ was awarded Sunday Times Top 100 Companies and Campaign Best Places to work in 2024 alongside the prestige of being recognised as a Drum Elite Agency. With a thriving team of 60 experts and a roster of leading brands such as Zebra Technologies, Reuters, GoreTex, Jacada and Oka, StrategiQ is entering this next phase with confidence, ambition, and an unwavering commitment to delivering high value work. As the agency expands, it remains dedicated to hiring the best minds in the industry, fostering a high-performance culture, and ensuring every client engagement drives measurable, sustainable, and socially conscious success. StrategiQ is the Value Creation Agency. Founded in 2013, StrategiQ is an award-winning, full-service growth agency that helps ambitious brands scale through the power of strategy, creativity, and technology. With a relentless focus on business impact, we partner with founders, CEOs, and CMOs to transform marketing into a true growth engine, breaking down silos between brand, performance, and commercial success. Named Agency of the Year at the UK Agency Awards 2023 and recognised for its excellence in digital, creative, and brand strategy, StrategiQ operates at the intersection of business, brand, and technology, delivering high-impact solutions that drive measurable results. With a team of world-class strategists, creatives, and digital experts, we help businesses sell more, scale faster, and build enduring value. StrategiQ is headquartered in London, UK with a growing global client base. For more information, visit strategiq.co. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250402127637/en/ Contacts: Media Contact: press@strategiq.co DUBAI, UAE, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- BLUETTI, a global leader in energy storage solutions, will unveil its EP2000 high-voltage Energy Storage System at Middle East Energy (MEE) Dubai 2025, taking place from April 7 to 9 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. This scalable ESS system, with up to 150kWh capacity and 60kW output, provides efficient energy storage for both residential and commercial sectors. "At Booth F10, Hall 7, we will demonstrate how the EP2000 can redefine clean energy storage in real-world scenarios," said Anne Liang, BLUETTI Middle East Distribution Director. "From off-grid villas to convenience stores and construction sites, the EP2000 offers a tailored power solution that helps reduce energy costs while empowering a greener future." Flexible Energy System for Homes and Businesses The EP2000 ESS is expandable for diverse energy needs. A single EP2000 hybrid inverter can output 10.5kW power and scale its capacity from 14.7kWh to 51.6kWh with multiple B700 batteries. This is an ideal backup power solution for homes and small businesses. For larger applications, such as warehouses,hospitals and hotels, up to three EP2000 systems can be connected in parallel, providing an impressive 60kW power output and 150kWh of storage. Industry-Leading Efficiency for Maximum ROI The EP2000 boasts a 98% conversion efficiency, surpassing conventional ESS systems (88%) and saving approximately 700kWh of energy per year. Additionally, with up to 30kW solar input per unit (or 90kW in parallel), homeowners can reach up to 90% energy self-sufficiency and achieve a return on investment within just five years. This solar capability also enables businesses to slash their operational costs by using sustainable energy. On-stop, Hassle-Free Solution From One Brand The EP2000 is a fully integrated solution, developed and supported by BLUETTI to eliminate compatibility concerns. It's built to last and works in extreme temperatures up to 50C. Its straightforward installation can be completed by two installers in as little as two hours. BLUETTI backs it with a 10-year warranty and local service support, guaranteeing a secure investment. Visit BLUETTI at MEE2025 Join BLUETTI at Booth F10, Hall 7 to explore the EP2000 ESS and a rang of portable power solutions, including AC70P, Handsfree Series, and Premium200V2 portable power station. For more information, contact mena-sales@bluetti.com and follow BLUETTI on social media. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2656310/Image.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2637648/logo_bluetti_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/bluetti-to-showcase-ep2000-high-voltage-energy-storage-system-at-mee-dubai-2025-302418338.html Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 2, 2025) - Daura Gold Corp. (TSXV: DGC) (formerly Daura Capital Corp.) (the "Company" or "Daura") is pleased to announce the completion of its previously announced shares for debt transaction and the settlement of additional indebtedness for securities of the Company. Further to the Company's news releases dated February 19, 2025 and February 21, 2025, the Company has completed its previously announced securities for debt settlement (the "February Debt Settlement"), issuing 1,124,444 units (each a "February Debt Settlement Unit") at a price of $0.09 per February Debt Settlement Unit to settle $101,200 in indebtedness owed to an arms-length third party investor. As previously announced, each February Debt Settlement Unit consisted of one common share of the Company and one common share purchase warrant exercisable at a price of $0.115 per share for two years from the date of issuance. In addition, the Company has agreed to settle (the "April Debt Settlement") an additional $27,033.35 in indebtedness owed to a separate arms-length third party for 200,247 units (the "April Debt Settlement Units") at a price of $0.135 per April Debt Settlement Unit. Each April Debt Settlement Unit will consist of one common share of the Company and one common share purchase warrant exercisable at a price of $0.175 per share for two years from the date of issuance. Closing of the April Debt Settlement is subject to customary closing conditions, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV"). The securities to be issued pursuant to the February Debt Settlement and the April Debt Settlement will be subject to a hold period of four months and one day following the date of issuance, in accordance with applicable securities laws and TSXV policies. About Daura Gold Corp. Listed on the TSX Venture Exchange, Daura Gold Corp is advancing high-impact exploration projects in Peru's renowned Ancash region. Daura Gold owns a 100% undivided interest in over 8,100 hectares of exploration concessions in Ancash, including the 900-hectare Antonella target, which is the primary focus of Daura Gold's current exploration efforts. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Information: Information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations; they are not guarantees of future performance. Daura cautions that all forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond Daura's control. Such factors include, among other things: future prices and the supply of gold and other precious and other metals; future demand for gold and other valuable metals; inability to raise the money necessary to incur the expenditures required to retain and advance the property; environmental liabilities (known and unknown); general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; results of exploration programs; risks of the mineral exploration industry; delays in obtaining governmental approvals; and failure to obtain necessary regulatory or shareholder approvals. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Daura disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/247023 SOURCE: Daura Gold Corp. (Stockholm, 2 April, 2025) Telenor expands into the defence industry: Subsidiary KNL signs a ten-year contract with the Finnish and Swedish Defence Forces through NORDEFCO (Nordic Defence Cooperation) for advanced military communication technology. In a time marked by cyber threats and geopolitical tensions, Telenor has increased its presence in the defence industry. Through its Finnish subsidiary KNL, Telenor now provides critical technology for modern military operations. Pioneering Military Communication Technology "Five years ago, Telenor acquired KNL Networks, which at the time was developing dual-use solutions for both civilian and military markets. Since then, KNL has focused exclusively on the defence industry and has now developed unique and innovative technology that is a game changer for military operations," says Dan Ouchterlony, Head of Telenor Amp. Over the past decade, KNL has developed high-frequency (HF) communication solutions that operate independent of any infrastructure - including satellites or GPS systems - an essential capability for military missions. The solution is portable and enables reliable communication in the most demanding situations, even under jamming and other disruptions. At a signing ceremony today, KNL signed an agreement with the Nordic defence cooperation called NORDEFCO, which has gained new momentum after Sweden and Finland joined NATO. The framework agreement, which is between KNL, the Swedish Defence Material Administration, and the Finnish Defence Forces, is effective from 2025 to 2035. The financial details remain confidential. "We are proud to have developed world-class technology, and this agreement is a recognition of that. KNL's communication systems have proven to work even under the most extreme conditions, including when traditional infrastructure is down or when the enemy actively tries to disrupt communication," says Toni Linden, CEO of KNL. As Nordic defence cooperation deepens, joint procurement efforts are increasing. This means Nordic countries aim to standardise equipment purchases, favouring common solutions across forces. The agreement with NORDEFCO paves the way for KNL to expand further, especially if additional Nordic countries adopt its technologies. Global Market Potential In addition to the framework agreement with NORDEFCO, KNL has established close dialogue and collaboration with several NATO countries. Telenor has high expectations for the company's development and sees significant growth potential internationally. "This is just the beginning of something big. Our technology meets a critical need in today's security situation, and the interest we see from several NATO countries confirms that we have developed something truly valuable and unique. With this agreement as a foundation, we can accelerate further development and strengthen our position in the international defence market," says Linden. "We see significant growth potential in this market, and with this innovative technology and Telenor's resources behind us, we expect KNL to develop into a prominent player in the years to come," concludes Ouchterlony. Media contacts: Telenor: David Fidjeland, Director Media Relations, Telenor Group +47 93 46 72 24 | david.fidjeland@telenor.com KNL: Toni Linden, CEO, KNL +358 50 5867161 | toni.linden@knl.fi Attachment LONDON, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- MyGuava Business helps small and medium-sized businesses in the UK to manage the challenge of payment processing fees, which have long been an unavoidable cost of operation. Whether through in-store POS terminals or online transactions, these fees directly impact profit margins, often leaving smaller businesses at a disadvantage compared to larger enterprises. Lowering Costs, Elevating Business Traditional payment providers have maintained high transaction fees for years, offering limited alternatives to smaller businesses. MyGuava Business is changing this by providing local businesses with high-quality payment solutions that big enterprises enjoy but at a significantly lower cost, thanks to technology that was built in-house. For in-store payments, our advanced POS terminals enable seamless transaction processing at just 0.6% per transaction on debit cards - a stark contrast to the industry standard range of 0.99%-2.5% (according to startups.co.uk report). This cost reduction translates into significant savings. Last year alone MyGuava Business onboarded a sizable number of small and medium size businesses across the UK. "We help SMEs save on transactions with our advanced fintech solutions - so they can focus on growth," said Anar Jafarli, Head of Sales at Guavapay. Beyond Payments: A Comprehensive Business Tool A payment terminal should do more than process transactions. With every POS terminal purchase, a free corporate account is provided. This account functions as a fully integrated platform that allows these businesses to: Track transactions in real time Manage business finances more effectively Streamline reconciliation and reporting These added features ensure that businesses not only save on transaction fees but also gain greater control over financial operations - without incurring additional costs. This means UK local businesses can operate with confidence, knowing they have a secure and cost-effective payment solution that works for them - not against them. A Transparent, Business-First Approach MyGuava Business does not rely on hidden charges or complex pricing structures. Instead, our model is built on: Predictable, low-cost transaction fees Cutting edge technology for seamless in-store and online payments A free corporate account for enhanced financial visibility and control For small and medium-sized businesses looking to maximise revenue retention while maintaining operational efficiency, this approach presents a clear advantage. The Future of Business Payments Starts Now In an economic world where efficiency and cost management are critical, businesses must reassess how payments are handled. MyGuava Business provides a modern, financially viable alternative - one that enables local businesses to reduce costs, increase control and focus on growth. About MyGuava Business MyGuava Business is a complete end-to-end B2B payments solutions provider which enables local, national and international organisations to access the financial tools they need to function, succeed and grow. Users can access multicurrency accounts from which funds can be held, sent and received via UK, European and global payment networks. For retailers, there are a range of Point of Sale and e-commerce solutions that enable businesses to accept payments with no fuss. In addition, MyGuava Business offers free corporate cards for business owners and their employees. To find out more, please visit www.myguava.com/business. About Guavapay Guavapay offers end-to-end payments solutions for retail customers and business clients. Our comprehensive ecosystem of products has been built with a view to delivering a complete solution that caters for any and all payment requirements. The MyGuava App is a universal financial tool that blends convenience, transparency and flexibility to meet the needs of global citizens, whether you're on an international adventure or handling daily expenses. MyGuava Business is a payments solution provider for SMEs. Guavapay Limited, a company registered in England with company number 10601900 and its registered address at Salisbury House, 29 Finsbury Circus, London, EC2M 5QQ, United Kingdom. Guavapay Limited is registered with the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom as a Small Electronic Money Institution with reference number 900888. Guavapay Limited's ICO registration number is ZA274504. For more information, please visit www.guavapay.com. Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2593825/MyGuava_Business_Logo.jpg Contact: Nikki Suleymanova Nigar.suleymanova@guavapay.com +442045773333 View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/myguava-business-is-helping-local-businesses-in-the-uk-save-money-on-payments-302418374.html Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec--(Newsfile Corp. - April 2, 2025) - Radisson Mining Resources Inc. (TSXV: RDS) (OTCQB: RMRDF) ("Radisson" or the "Company") is pleased to announce drill assay results from three new drill holes at its 100%-owned O'Brien Gold Project ("O'Brien" or the "Project") located in the Abitibi region of Quebec. The three holes reported are all wedges completed from the previously reported pilot hole OB-24-337 (see Radisson News Release dated December 16, 2024; Figure 1). OB-24-337 was the deepest hole ever drilled at the Project and the first hole drilled directly below the historic O'Brien Mine workings. It intersected 242.0 grams per tonne ("g/t") gold ("Au") over 1.0 metre within a mineralized interval that averaged 31.24 g/t Au over 8.0 metres at approximately 1,500 metres vertical depth. Now, three new wedges have all returned additional high-grade gold intercepts, delineating a large zone of multiple veins with good continuity. Highlights include: OB-24-337W3 intersected 29.93 g/t Au over 2.2 metres, including 53.50 g/t Au over 1.2 metres and 4.54 g/t Au over 3.0 metres, including 7.61 g/t Au over 1.5 metres; OB-24-337W1 intersected 4.44 g/t Au over 6.4 metres, including 18.65 g/t Au over 1.2 metres; and, OB-24-337W2 intersected 9.62 g/t Au over 1.4 metres. Matt Manson, President & CEO, commented: "On December 16, 2024 we reported that a deep pilot hole had intersected significant high-grade gold mineralization a full 500 metres below the base of the historic O'Brien Gold Mine. Today, we are reporting the results from the first three wedges drilled from this hole, all of which have hit multiple instances of gold mineralization in classic quartz-sulphide veins hosted in sheared and mineralized rocks of the Piche Group, the dominant host rocks for O'Brien gold mineralization. In fact, we are able model up to four such veins individually, with clear continuity between the drill holes and upwards towards mineralization documented at the base of former mine. Results are pending for two additional wedges that have been drilled, both of which show vein mineralization and visible gold consistent with the developing model." Matt Manson continued: "A primary focus of our 22,000-metre drill program this year is deep-step-outs below the Project's existing mineral resources and the historic mine workings, in a 'proof-of-concept' approach that aims to identify the extension of mineralization to depth. We believe 2 kilometres is an appropriate exploration horizon, with 75% of the current mineral resources defined down to depths of only 600 metres. Today's results are extremely encouraging and suggest that classic O'Brien gold mineralization is indeed extensive at depth, with important implications for the future scale of the Project." Figure 1: Long Section and Plan View of Gold Vein Mineralization and Mineral Resources at the O'Brien Gold Project, with Today's Drill Holes Illustrated. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10977/247044_cc374cc104fd8a1a_002full.jpg Table 1: Detailed Assay Results from Drill Holes OB-24-337, and OB24-337W1 to 337W3 DDH Zone From (m) To (m) Core Length (m) Au g/t - Uncut Host Lithology OB-24-337-Pilot (Previously Released 16th December, 2024) O'Brien Mine 1,507.6 1,508.6 1.0 5.57 POR-S 1,517.7 1,525.7 8.0 31.24 POR-S Including 1,517.7 1,518.7 1.0 242.00 POR-S 1,610.5 1,611.9 1.4 5.49 V3-N 1,660.5 1,662.7 2.3 3.78 S3P Including 1,660.5 1,661.6 1.2 5.78 S3P OB-24-337W1 O'Brien Mine 1,513.3 1,514.8 1.5 3.82 V3-CEN 1,575.5 1,581.9 6.4 4.43 V3-N Including 1,575.5 1,576.7 1.2 18.65 V3-N 1,618.7 1,619.7 1.0 3.67 V3-N OB-24-337W2 O'Brien Mine 1,378.5 1,379.8 1.3 6.70 V3-N 1,486.1 1,487.5 1.4 9.62 S1P 1,530.0 1,532.0 2.0 4.36 V3-N Including 1,531.0 1,532.0 1.0 5.90 V3-N OB-24-337W3 O'Brien Mine 1,350.4 1,353.4 3.0 4.54 V3-S Including 1,350.4 1,351.9 1.5 7.61 V3-S 1,420.5 1,422.0 1.5 3.18 POR-S 1,443.0 1,445.2 2.2 29.93 V3-CEN Including 1,444.0 1,445.2 1.2 53.50 V3-CEN 1,554.0 1,556.1 2.1 5.48 S3P Notes on Calculation of Drill Intercepts: The O'Brien Gold Project March 2023 Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") utilizes a 4.50 g/t Au bottom cutoff, a The O'Brien Gold Project March 2023 Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") utilizes a 4.50 g/t Au bottom cutoff, a US$1600 gold price, a minimum mining width of 1.2 metres, and a 40 g/t Au upper cap on composites. Intercepts presented in Table 1 are calculated with a 3.00 g/t Au bottom cut-off, representing the lower limit of cut-off sensitivity presented in the March 2023 MRE. This methodology differs from previous Radisson disclosure, and intercepts reported in this release may not be directly comparable to historical published intercepts. Sample grades are uncapped. True widths, based on depth of intercept and drill hole inclination, are estimated to be 30-80% of core length. Table 2 presents additional drill intercepts calculated with a 1.00 g/t bottom cut-off over a minimum 1.0 metre core length so as to illustrate the frequency and continuity of mineralized intervals within which high-grade gold veins at O'Brien are developed. Lithology Codes: PON-S3: Pontiac Sediments; V3-S, V3-N, V3-CEN: Basalt-South, North, Central; S1P, S3P: Conglomerate; POR-S, POR-N: Porphyry South, North; TX: Crystal Tuff, ZFLLC: Larder-Lake-Cadillac Fault Zone. Gold Mineralization at O'Brien Gold mineralizing quartz-sulphide veins at O'Brien occur within a thin band of interlayered mafic volcanic rocks, conglomerates, and porphyric andesitic sills of the Piche Group occurring in contact with the east-west oriented Larder Lake-Cadillac Break ("LLCB"). Gold, along with pyrite and arsenopyrite, is typically associated with shearing and a pervasive biotite alteration, and developed within multiple Piche Group lithologies and, occasionally, the hanging-wall Pontiac and footwall Cadillac meta-sedimentary rocks. As mapped at the historic O'Brien mine, and now replicated in the modern drilling, individual veins are generally narrow, ranging from several centimetres up to several metres in thickness. Multiple veins occur sub-parallel to each other, as well as sub-parallel to the Piche lithologies and the LLCB. Individual veins have well-established lateral continuity, with near-vertical, high-grade shoots developed over significant lengths. Figure 3 illustrates modelling of four veins extending from the OB-24-337 pilot hole and wedges upward to the deepest underground working at the historic O'Brien mine. Vein V3-S_20 intersects OB-24-337W2 and W3 and is further supported by underground mapping in an exploration drift located to the south of the main mined out vein at level 3450. Vein V3-C_03 is intersected by the pilot hole and all three wedges and is further supported by underground mapping and the historic stope locations. Vein V3-N_02 is also intersected by the pilot hole and all three wedges and is further supported by historic underground drilling from the 3450 level. V3-N_03 is intersected by all four deep holes. Radisson's vein modelling is undertaken dynamically as drilling proceeds and is used to guide future exploration and, ultimately, domaining for future resource estimation. The historic O'Brien mine produced over half a million ounces of gold from such veins and shoots at an average grade exceeding 15 g/t and over a vertical extent of at least 1,000 metres. Recent exploration has focussed on delineating well developed vein mineralization to the east of the historic mine, with additional high-grade shoots becoming evident in the exploration data over what has been described as a series of repeating trends ("Trend s 0 to 5"). Based on drilling complete to the end of 2022, the Project has estimated Indicated Mineral Resources of 0.50 million ounces (1.52 million tonnes at 10.26 g/t Au), with additional Inferred Mineral Resources of 0.45 million ounces (1.60 million tonnes at 8.66 g/t Au). Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. QA/QC All drill cores in this campaign are NQ in size. Assays were completed on sawn half-cores, with the second half kept for future reference. The samples were analyzed using standard fire assay procedures with Atomic Absorption (AA) finish at ALS Laboratory Ltd, in Val-d'Or, Quebec. Samples yielding a grade higher than 10 g/t Au were analyzed a second time by fire assay with gravimetric finish at the same laboratory. Mineralized zones containing visible gold were analyzed with metallic sieve procedure. Standard reference materials, blank samples and duplicates were inserted prior to shipment for quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) program. Qualified Person Disclosure of a scientific or technical nature in this news release was prepared under the supervision of Mr. Richard Nieminen, P.Geo, (QC), a geological consultant for Radisson and a Qualified Person for purposes of NI 43-101. Mr. Nieminen is independent of Radisson and the O'Brien Gold Project. Figure 2: Cross Section through the historic O'Brien mine including drill holes OB-24-337, and 337W1 to W3. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10977/247044_cc374cc104fd8a1a_003full.jpg Figure 3: Vein Modelling Across Drill Holes OB-24-337, and 337W1 to W3. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10977/247044_cc374cc104fd8a1a_004full.jpg Table 2: Detailed Assay Results (see "Notes on Calculation of Drill Intercepts") DDH Zone From (m) To (m) Core Length (m) Au g/t - Uncut Host Lithology OB-24-337-Pilot (Previously Released 16th December, 2024) O'Brien Mine 1,507.6 1,508.6 1.0 5.57 POR-S 1,517.7 1,525.7 8.0 31.24 POR-S Including 1,517.7 1,518.7 1.0 242.00 POR-S 1,550.5 1,552.0 1.5 2.38 V3-CEN 1,610.5 1,611.9 1.4 5.49 V3-N 1,660.5 1,662.7 2.3 3.78 S3P including 1,660.5 1,661.6 1.2 5.78 S3P OB-24-337W1 O'Brien Mine 1,488.5 1,489.5 1.0 1.13 POR-S 1,513.3 1,519.3 6.0 1.89 V3-CEN Including 1,513.3 1,514.8 1.5 3.82 V3-CEN 1,540.4 1,543.3 2.9 1.98 V3-CEN/S1P 1,575.5 1,581.9 6.4 4.43 V3-N Including 1,575.5 1,576.7 1.2 18.65 V3-N 1,591.2 1,593.7 2.5 1.51 V3-N 1,618.7 1,621.8 3.1 2.49 V3-N Including 1,618.7 1,619.7 1.0 3.67 V3-N OB-24-337W2 O'Brien Mine 1,378.5 1,379.8 1.3 6.70 V3-N 1,445.0 1,446.1 1.1 2.58 POR-S 1,448.9 1,450.4 1.5 1.92 POR-S 1,454.8 1,456.3 1.5 1.37 V3-CEN 1,486.1 1,487.5 1.4 9.62 S1P 1,510.8 1,512.1 1.3 1.06 V3-N 1,530.0 1,532.0 2.0 4.36 V3-N Including 1,531.0 1,532.0 1.0 5.90 V3-N 1,549.9 1,551.4 1.5 1.72 S3P 1,565.4 1,566.5 1.1 1.16 S3P OB-24-337W3 O'Brien Mine 1,350.4 1,353.4 3.0 4.54 V3-S Including 1,350.4 1,351.9 1.5 7.61 V3-S 1,411.0 1,422.0 11.0 1.22 POR-S Including 1,420.5 1,422.0 1.5 3.18 POR-S 1,440.5 1,442.0 1.5 1.03 V3-CEN 1,443.0 1,445.2 2.2 29.93 V3-CEN Including 1,444.0 1,445.2 1.2 53.50 V3-CEN 1,480.0 1,481.5 1.5 1.74 S1P 1,525.3 1,526.7 5.4 1.34 V3-N 1,554.0 1,556.1 2.1 5.48 S3P Radisson Mining Resources Inc. Radisson is a gold exploration company focused on its 100% owned O'Brien Gold Project, located in the Bousquet-Cadillac mining camp along the world-renowned Larder-Lake-Cadillac Break in Abitibi, Quebec. The Bousquet-Cadillac mining camp has produced over 25 million ounces of gold over the last 100 years. The Project hosts the former O'Brien Mine, considered to have been Quebec's highest-grade gold producer during its production. Indicated Mineral Resources are estimated at 0.50 million ounces (1.52 million tonnes at 10.26 g/t Au), with additional Inferred Mineral Resources estimated at 0.45 million ounces (1.60 million tonnes at 8.66 g/t Au). Please see the NI 43-101 "Technical Report on the O'Brien Project, Northwestern Quebec, Canada" effective March 2, 2023, Radisson's Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2023 and other filings made with Canadian securities regulatory authorities available at www.sedar.com for further details and assumptions relating to the O'Brien Gold Project. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation that is based on expectations, estimates, projections, and interpretations as at the date of this news release. Forward-Looking statements including, but are not limited to, statements with respect to planned and ongoing drilling, the significance of drill results, the ability to continue drilling, the impact of drilling on the definition of any resource, the ability to incorporate new drilling in an updated technical report and resource modelling, the Company's ability to grow the O'Brien project and the ability to convert inferred mineral resources to indicated mineral resources. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, interpretations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "interpreted", "management's view", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking information and are intended to identify forward-looking information. Except for statements of historical fact relating to the Company, certain information contained herein constitutes forward-looking statements Forward-Looking information is based on estimates of management of the Company, at the time it was made, involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the companies to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such factors include, among others, risks relating to the drill results at O'Brien; the significance of drill results; the ability of drill results to accurately predict mineralization; the ability of any material to be mined in a matter that is economic. Although the forward-looking information contained in this news release is based upon what management believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, the parties cannot assure shareholders and prospective purchasers of securities that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking information, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended, and neither the Company nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of any such forward-looking information. The Company believes that this forward-looking information is based on reasonable assumptions, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included in this press release should not be unduly relied upon. The Company does not undertake, and assumes no obligation, to update or revise any such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information contained herein to reflect new events or circumstances, except as may be required by law. These statements speak only as of the date of this news release. 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 news release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/247044 SOURCE: Radisson Mining Resources Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for release, publication, distribution or dissemination, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, in or into the United States. KALO GOLD CORP. (TSXV:KALO) ("Kalo", "Kalo Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement of up to 40,000,000 units (the "Unit") at a price of $0.05 per Unit for gross proceeds of up to $2,000,000 (the "Offering"). Each unit will consist of one common share (each, a "Share") in the capital of the Company and one common share purchase warrant (each, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to acquire an additional Share at an exercise price of $0.08 per Share for a period of twenty-four months from the date of issuance. In addition, the expiry date of the Warrants is subject to acceleration if the volume weighted average trading price of the Shares on the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") (or such other stock exchange where the Shares are then listed or quoted) is greater than $0.15 for a period of twenty (20) consecutive trading days, in which case the expiry date of the Warrants may be accelerated to a date that is thirty (30) days following the date the Company provides notice to the Warrant holders, by way of a news release, that the expiry date has been accelerated. The Offering is subject to TSXV approval. The Units and the underlying Shares and Warrants (including the Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants) will be subject to a four-month hold period, in accordance with applicable securities laws. The Company may pay a finder's fee on the Offering within the maximum amount permitted by the policies of the TSXV. In addition, the Company has appointed 3L Capital Inc. as financial adviser to the transaction. The Company will pay a finders' fee of 7% in cash and 7% in finders' warrants. The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering as follows: a. an up to 9,000-metre diamond drilling program on the Company's 100% owned, 367 square kilometre, Vatu Aurum Project located in the Republic of Fiji: Initial focus -- Namalau trend: Drilling, expected to commence in April, 2025, will initially focus on eight high-priority upwelling zones along the Namalau trend. Advancing other targets: As new information emerges from concurrent trenching and geological work, the campaign will expand to test additional epithermal upwelling zones in the Loma and Buca trends. Qiriyaga complex drilling: The Company is also planning further drilling at the Qiriyaga complex, targeting high-grade diatreme and surge deposits that have emerged as priority zones. Fully preserved, untested system: The company's geological modelling suggests that Vatu Aurum hosts a vertically intact epithermal system -- largely untested by drilling -- offering an exceptional discovery opportunity. b. general working capital; and c. marketing purposes. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in the United States. The securities described herein have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons (as defined in the U.S. Securities Act) unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. This press release is not for distribution to U.S. newswire services nor for dissemination in the United States. Any failure to comply with this restriction may constitute a violation of U.S. securities laws. ABOUT 3L CAPITAL INC. ( https://www.3l-capital.com ) 3L Capital is a premier financial services firm led by a veteran team with over 35 years of combined experience spanning major financial institutions. 3L offers tailored financial solutions, extensive distribution channels, and have a proven track record of success in equity offerings and strategic relationships. Since inception, 3L Capital's platform clients have consistently outperformed industry benchmarks, demonstrating our commitment to delivering exceptional value through corporate marketing, customized research, and pivotal relationship introductions within the investment community. ABOUT KALO GOLD CORP. Kalo Gold Corp., a gold exploration company, focused on epithermal gold deposits on the Company's Vatu Aurum Project, located on Vanua Levu (North Island). Kalo holds 100% of two Special Prospecting Licenses covering 367 km, encompassing a regional back-arc basin with volcanic calderas. Historical and ongoing exploration has identified numerous priority epithermal gold targets. On behalf of the Board of Directors of Kalo Gold Corp. Terry L. Tucker, P.Geo. President and Chief Executive Officer Kevin Ma, CPA, CA Executive Vice President, Capital Markets and Director For more information, please write to info@kalogoldcorp.com . Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. Forward Looking Statements Disclaimer This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") related to the closing of the Offering, use of proceeds and other such future events and Kalo's future business, operations, and financial performance and condition. Forward-looking statements normally contain words like "will", "intend", "anticipate", "could", "should", "may", "might", "expect", "estimate", "forecast", "plan", "potential", "project", "assume", "contemplate", "believe", "shall", "scheduled", and similar terms. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, actions, or developments and are based on expectations, assumptions, and other factors that management currently believes are relevant, reasonable, and appropriate in the circumstances. Although management believes that the forward-looking statements herein are reasonable, actual results could be substantially different due to the risks and uncertainties associated with and inherent to Kalo's business. Additional material risks and uncertainties applicable to the forward-looking statements herein include, without limitation, the impact of general economic conditions, and unforeseen events and developments. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect the Company's forward-looking statements. Many of these factors are beyond the control of Kalo. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as at the date hereof, and Kalo undertakes no obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. Risks and uncertainties about the Company's business are more fully discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in its most recent management's discussion and analysis. They are otherwise disclosed in its filings with securities regulatory authorities available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. SOURCE: Kalo Gold Corp. London, United Kingdom--(Newsfile Corp. - April 2, 2025) - anynines, a key sponsor and core maintainer of the open-source Klutch project, is expanding Klutch as a comprehensive data service integration platform that supports both on-premises and public cloud environments. Klutch provides a unified control plane for managing diverse data services in Kubernetes, enabling organizations to seamlessly integrate cloud provider-managed services alongside their own infrastructure. anynines Expands Open-Source Klutch Project as a Multi-Cloud Data Service Integration Platform To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8814/247061_f48c20e3d4099a93_002full.jpg anynines is introducing initial integrations with Amazon Web Services (AWS), starting with Amazon S3 for storage and Amazon RDS for database management. These integrations serve as the foundation for a broader strategy to support multi-cloud environments, including services from Azure, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), and other infrastructure providers. Klutch: A Flexible and Scalable Data Service Integration Platform Klutch simplifies database and data service management across Kubernetes application clusters, enabling application developers with on-demand self-service and providing platform teams with centralized governance. As part of anynines' broader mission, Klutch extends its capabilities to seamlessly integrate vendor-managed services from cloud providers, making it easier for organizations to standardize and scale their database operations without vendor lock-in. "Our vision for Klutch goes beyond any single cloud provider," said Julian Fischer, CEO of anynines. "We are building a platform that enables organizations to integrate and manage data services across on-premises infrastructure and multiple public cloud environments. Starting with AWS services like S3 and RDS, we are laying the foundation for expanding support to additional services from Azure, GCP, and beyond." Expanding Klutch's Multi-Cloud Capabilities While Amazon S3 and RDS are the first cloud services to be integrated, Klutch is designed to support an evolving ecosystem of automation backends. This approach ensures enterprises can optimize their use of vendor-provided cloud services while maintaining centralized automation and governance within Kubernetes. Klutch simplifies the management of databases and other data services across Kubernetes application clusters, enabling application developers with on-demand self-service and providing platform teams with centralized control and governance. By extending Klutch with new advanced features, anynines strengthens its core data service offerings, ensuring secure, scalable, and efficient database operations in dynamic cloud-native landscapes. "Our advanced features for Klutch are designed to meet the evolving demands of enterprises seeking robust, secure, and scalable data service management across diverse environments," said Julian Fischer, CEO of anynines. "As core maintainers of the Klutch project, we are uniquely positioned to deliver the deep expertise and advanced capabilities required to maximize the potential of Klutch deployments." Expanding Klutch's Role as a Multi-Cloud Connector Klutch is a foundational framework designed to help organizations with many Kubernetes application clusters seamlessly consume vendor-provided infrastructure services from AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP). As a consistent control plane for database and data service automation, Klutch enables organizations to integrate and manage cloud provider services efficiently within their Kubernetes environments. By providing a flexible integration framework, Klutch allows enterprises to orchestrate, govern, and automate data services in both private and public clouds, ensuring a consistent and scalable data management experience. Key Enhancements to Klutch by anynines Amazon S3 Integration : Direct integration with S3 to streamline data backups, storage, and recovery processes, ensuring secure and efficient handling of large datasets. : Direct integration with S3 to streamline data backups, storage, and recovery processes, ensuring secure and efficient handling of large datasets. Amazon RDS Integration (In Development) : Enabling organizations to extend Klutch's control plane to manage Amazon RDS instances directly, further simplifying cloud database operations. : Enabling organizations to extend Klutch's control plane to manage Amazon RDS instances directly, further simplifying cloud database operations. Multi-Cloud Suppor t: Future expansions will include connectors for Azure Database for PostgreSQL, Azure Blob Storage, Google Cloud SQL, Google Cloud Storage, and additional services to standardize Kubernetes-based infrastructure automation across cloud providers. t: Future expansions will include connectors for Azure Database for PostgreSQL, Azure Blob Storage, Google Cloud SQL, Google Cloud Storage, and additional services to standardize Kubernetes-based infrastructure automation across cloud providers. Expert Support from Core Maintainers : Direct access to the Klutch core development team for architectural guidance, performance optimization, and advisory services. : Direct access to the Klutch core development team for architectural guidance, performance optimization, and advisory services. Advanced Access & Security Controls : Security measures, including granular role-based access control (RBAC), comprehensive audit trails, policy enforcement, and detailed usage tracking. : Security measures, including granular role-based access control (RBAC), comprehensive audit trails, policy enforcement, and detailed usage tracking. Seamless Infrastructure & Multi-Cloud Integration : Support for custom automation backends, multi-cloud deployments across major public and private cloud platforms, and advanced networking configurations. : Support for custom automation backends, multi-cloud deployments across major public and private cloud platforms, and advanced networking configurations. Network Connector : A dedicated networking connector that ensures secure, scalable application-to-data-service connectivity by handling infrastructure-specific networking details. The network connector provides flexibility for organizations implementing cloud-native, Kubernetes-native, or custom on-prem solutions. : A dedicated networking connector that ensures secure, scalable application-to-data-service connectivity by handling infrastructure-specific networking details. The network connector provides flexibility for organizations implementing cloud-native, Kubernetes-native, or custom on-prem solutions. Simplified Service Discovery & Cross-Cluster Connectivity: Automatic cluster binding for easy service discovery, policy-driven access management, and certificate lifecycle management to ensure encrypted communications. Custom-Built Data Services & Automation Backends anynines specializes in data service automation and provides integrations with Klutch for PostgreSQL, RabbitMQ, MongoDB, MariaDB, Prometheus, Valkey, and more. These solutions form the foundation of enterprise-grade Database-as-a-Service (DBaaS) offerings, ensuring reliability, automatic scaling, disaster recovery, and continuous updates without the complexity of infrastructure management. By reducing operational burdens, these services empower technical teams to focus on innovation and accelerate digital transformation. Beyond its existing portfolio of data services as automation backends, anynines also offers custom-built automation backends tailored to customer needs. Currently, anynines is actively developing integration with Amazon RDS, but this is only the beginning. Klutch's vision is to act as a multi-cloud automation enabler, allowing enterprises to connect seamlessly to the most popular cloud infrastructure services across AWS, Azure, and GCP. Future iterations will focus on expanding automation capabilities to cover a broader range of storage, networking, and managed database services from leading cloud providers. "Klutch is the missing piece in the puzzle of Kubernetes-native data service automation," Fischer said. "By enabling seamless integration with cloud-provider-managed services while maintaining control over on-premises data services, organizations can standardize and automate their operations with greater confidence." Join the Klutch Community & Explore anynines' Data Services As the Klutch project continues to grow, anynines and the open-source project are actively seeking additional sponsors, partners, and contributors to help shape the future of database and data service management in Kubernetes environments. Organizations interested in exploring anynines' professional services for Klutch or their data service automation solutions can schedule a consultation, request a demonstration, or plan a technical assessment and proof of concept with anynines' expert team. For more information about anynines' features for Klutch, visit anynines.com/klutch. To learn more about Klutch's open-source features, visit klutch.io. About anynines anynines is a cloud computing and automation company dedicated to empowering organizations and enterprises with innovative tools for operational efficiency, developer productivity, and compliance in on-premise and multi-cloud environments. For more than 15 years, the Germany-based company has specialized in building and operating large-scale application development platforms and data services for enterprises on their digital transformation journey. Learn more at anynines.com. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/247061 SOURCE: Plentisoft Celonis, the global leader in Process Mining and Process Intelligence, today announced the appointment of Kaushik Mitra as Vice President and Head of India Go-to-Market (GTM). Mitra will lead Celonis' expansion in this fast-growing market by driving strategic growth initiatives, deepening customer and partner relationships, and scaling business operations. India is a critical hub for Celonis; its Bengaluru office, which opened in 2021, hosts close to 200 team members. The company works with leading brands that have global capability centers (GCCs) in India, such as Dell Technologies, Wells Fargo, Mercedes-Benz, Siemens, Merck and ABB. Celonis also partners with the largest global consulting firms and system integrators (GSI) in the country, such as Capgemini, Deloitte, EY, KPMG, PwC and TCS amongst others. Celonis is expanding its presence in India by scaling both its GCC and domestic customer base, strengthening its regional Center of Excellence (CoE), and growing the Celonis Academic Alliance community. With Mitra's leadership, Celonis is perfectly positioned to help organizations, including large Indian enterprises (G2K+), GCCs and GSIs leveraging Process Intelligence and AI to unlock billions in value. "We are committed to investing in India and enhancing our capabilities there as we scale. Kaushik's deep expertise in the SaaS domain and proven industry leadership will be instrumental for growth," said Malhar Kamdar, Chief Customer Officer and Executive Leader for Celonis India. "With India advancing its ambitious digital transformation agenda, Kaushik will play a pivotal role in helping our current and future customers harness the power of Process Intelligence to optimize operations, drive efficiency, and make AI work supporting these organizations in their journey toward greater resilience and innovation." "Enterprises are under increasing pressure to maximize efficiency, reduce complexity, and generate ROI from their AI investments. Celonis is uniquely suited to help companies respond to the challenges and to reach their goals by providing the visibility and insights needed through Process Intelligence and AI," shared Mitra. "I look forward to growing our presence in India, deepening our partnerships and delivering value to our customers." Mitra brings over 25 years of leadership experience in the IT industry, having held key roles at Oracle, Sify Technologies and Microsoft. Most recently, he served as President and Business Head at Sify Technologies and Senior Director and Pillar Lead SAAS at Oracle, where he played a critical role in expanding Oracle's Applications business in India. For more information on Celonis, visit celonis.com. About Celonis Celonis makes processes work for people, companies and the planet. The Celonis Process Intelligence Platform uses industry-leading process mining and AI technology and augments it with business context to give customers a living digital twin of their business operation. It's system-agnostic and without bias, and provides everyone with a common language for understanding and improving businesses. Celonis enables its customers to continuously realize significant value across the top, bottom, and green line. Celonis is headquartered in Munich, Germany, and New York City, USA, with more than 20 offices worldwide. 2025 Celonis SE. All rights reserved. Celonis and the Celonis "droplet" logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Celonis SE in Germany and other jurisdictions. All other product and company names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250402737872/en/ Contacts: Media Contact press@celonis.com Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 2, 2025) - Lorne Park Capital Partners Inc. (TSXV: LPC) ("LPCP") is pleased to announce that its Board of Directors has approved the declaration of a cash dividend of $0.01 per common share, payable on April 30, 2025, to the shareholders of record as of April 16, 2025. This represents a 25% increase over the previous quarterly dividend. The dividend payments qualify as eligible dividends for Canadian income tax purposes. The declaration, amount and payment of future cash dividends are subject to the Board of Directors' continuing determination that the payment of dividends is in the best interests of the Company, its shareholders and is in compliance with all laws and agreements of the Company applicable to the declaration and payment of cash dividends. The ability of the Company to pay future dividends will be reviewed on a quarterly basis taking into consideration actual and forecasted cash flows and the macroeconomic outlook at that point in time. About Lorne Park Capital Partners Inc. LPCP was created to bring together boutique investment management and wealth advisory firms in order to deliver robust, cost-effective investment solutions to affluent investors, foundations, estates and trusts. LPCP's unique strategy creates better alignment between investment managers and wealth advisors while providing them with additional resources to accelerate their growth. Cautionary Notes 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. This news release contains statements which constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information may be identified by such terms as "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "estimates", "may", "could", "would", "will", "plan", and other similar expressions. Forward looking information in this news release includes, without limitation, LPCP's objectives, goals and future plans. Forward-looking information addresses possible future events, conditions and financial performance based upon management's current expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions. In particular, the forward-looking information contained in this news release reflects assumptions about the timing and results of the amalgamation and regulatory approvals. Management of LPCP considers the assumptions on which the forward-looking information contained herein are based to be reasonable. However, by its very nature, forward-looking information inherently involves known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such information. Such risks include, without limitation, changes in economic conditions, applicable laws or regulations. Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. LPCP disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. /NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION IN THE UNITED STATES, ANY FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS RESTRICTION MAY CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF U.S. SECURITIES LAW/ To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/245978 SOURCE: Lorne Park Capital Partners Inc. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 2, 2025) - Lorne Park Capital Partners Inc. (TSXV: LPC) ("Lorne Park" or the "Company") today announced it has been recognized on the Financial Times list of The Americas' Fastest Growing Companies 2025, marking the fourth consecutive year of inclusion. This prestigious award, presented by the Financial Times and Statista Inc., the world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider, highlights companies that have demonstrated exceptional revenue growth. The full list, which was announced on April 2, 2025, is available on the FT.com website. The Americas' Fastest Growing Companies 2025 ranking identifies companies with the strongest revenue growth between the years 2020 and 2023. "We are extremely proud to be recognized once again as one of the fastest-growing companies in the Americas," said Robert Sewell, President and CEO. "This achievement for the fourth consecutive year reflects the hard work and commitment of our talented team, as well as the ongoing trust and loyalty of our clients. We remain focused on delivering value and executing on our growth strategy, and this recognition reinforces our commitment to expanding our capabilities and continuing to serve our clients with excellence." The Company, through its subsidiaries in Canada and the USA, has implemented a focused growth strategy successfully integrating and expanding wealth management businesses. By partnering with like-minded portfolio managers and family wealth advisors, the Company has developed a robust offering that provides clients with a range of cost-effective public and private market investment solutions and continues to build an extensive network of advisors that serve the needs of affluent families in many major centers across Canada and the USA. About Lorne Park Capital Partners Inc. Lorne Park was created to bring together boutique investment management and wealth advisory firms in order to deliver robust, cost-effective investment solutions to affluent investors, foundations, estates and trusts. Lorne Park's unique strategy creates better alignment between investment managers and wealth advisors while providing them with additional resources to accelerate their growth. About Bellwether Investment Management Inc. Bellwether is a boutique investment manager that offers tailored investment solutions for affluent investors, foundations, estates and trusts utilizing its proprietary "Disciplined Dividend Growth" Investment Process. Bellwether provides discretionary investment management focused on North American Dividend Growth investing and is dedicated to serving the distinct needs of affluent families. Bellwether's suite of investment solutions includes Canadian, US and global equity and fixed income strategies. Bellwether is a subsidiary of Lorne Park, and is registered as a portfolio manager in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec and Saskatchewan, an exempt market dealer in Alberta, Ontario and Quebec, and an investment fund manager in Ontario and Quebec. Cautionary Notes 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. This news release contains statements which constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information may be identified by such terms as "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "estimates", "may", "could", "would", "will", "plan", and other similar expressions. Forward looking information in this news release includes, without limitation, Lorne Park's objectives, goals and future plans. Forward-looking information addresses possible future events, conditions and financial performance based upon management's current expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions. In particular, the forward-looking information contained in this news release reflects assumptions about the timing and results of the amalgamation and regulatory approvals. Management of Lorne Park considers the assumptions on which the forward-looking information contained herein are based to be reasonable. However, by its very nature, forward-looking information inherently involves known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such information. Such risks include, without limitation, changes in economic conditions, applicable laws or regulations. Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Lorne Park disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/246560 SOURCE: Lorne Park Capital Partners Inc. Greene Concepts Inc. (OTC PINK:INKW) is pleased to share a touching customer story that underscores the impact of its BE WATER spring water brand. A longtime shareholder recently visited the Camping World location in Avondale, Arizona, where he purchased BE WATER six-packs, a Camping World hat, and signed up for a Good Sam membership. Camping World is a leader in the $65.1 billion camping and caravanning industry. During the shareholder's visit, he and his father stopped in on a warm March day, drawn by the chance to find BE WATER in-store. "I remembered Camping World carrying 24-packs of BE WATER and was excited to find the new six-pack version-perfect for travel. The water tastes great, and with temperatures already in the 80s and 90s, it was refreshing and timely. I encourage everyone to pick up some packs of this fantastic water," he shared. The visit was more than just a shopping trip. "My father, a Veteran, had a meaningful conversation with Camping World staff about his prior positive experience with BE WATER along with stories of his military service in Korea during the late-1960's. The team was incredibly welcoming. Camping World and BE WATER share the same core values-authenticity, service, and community," he continued. "I joined Good Sam, received a gift credit, got the new 2025 North American Campground Guide, and plan to return soon for more BE WATER. It was a special day with my dad, and BE WATER helped make it memorable." Lenny Greene, CEO of Greene Concepts, remarked, "Stories like this one show the heart of our brand. BE WATER isn't just about hydration-it's about connection, family, and creating moments that matter. We're honored to be part of that experience." He added, "Camping World was our first major national retailer and continues to play a pivotal role in our growth. As outdoor travel increases with the warmer weather, we anticipate a boost in BE WATER sales. Our smooth, clean-tasting spring water-paired with uplifting label messages-makes BE WATER a trusted companion for every journey." Follow Greene Concepts, Inc. on Social Media (X) at: @GreeneConcepts About Greene Concepts, Inc. Greene Concepts, Inc. (https://www.greeneconcepts.com) is a publicly traded company whose purpose is to provide the world with high-quality, healthy and enhanced beverage choices that meet the nutritional needs of its consumers while refreshing their mind, body and spirit. The Company's flagship product, BE WATER, is a premium artesian bottled water that supports total body health and wellness. Greene Concepts' beverage and bottling plant is located in Marion, North Carolina, and their water is ethically sourced from spring and artesian wells that are fed from a natural aquifer located deep beneath the Blue Ridge Mountains. Greene Concepts continues to develop and market premium beverage brands designed to enhance the daily lives of consumers. Safe Harbor: This Press Release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements are based on the current plans and expectations of management and are subject to a few uncertainties and risks that could significantly affect the company's current plans and expectations, as well as future results of operations and financial condition. A more extensive listing of risks and factors that may affect the company's business prospects and cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the reports and other documents filed by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission and OTC Markets, Inc. OTC Disclosure and News Service. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, because of new information, future events or otherwise. CONTACT: Greene Concepts, Inc. Investor Relations IR@greeneconcepts.com SOURCE: Greene Concepts Inc. NuRAN Wireless Inc. ("NuRAN" or the "Company") (CSE:NUR)(OTCQB:NRRWF)(FSE:1RN), a leading supplier of mobile and broadband wireless infrastructure solutions, announces 20 new network sites in rural Africa in the month of March 2025. NuRAN previously targeted 42 new sites for the month of March. 21 towers currently in inventory in the DRC remain in transit, delaying their deployment. NuRAN is monitoring the situation daily and hopes to resolve the issue in the coming days. The addition of these 20 new sites marks another important step towards reaching positive EBITDA. NuRAN has deployed 40 new sites so far in 2025 with a target of 204 by the end of June. This short-term delay should not impact the targeted goal. Current live sites continue their growth trajectory, leading to increased revenue per site. This has resulted in NuRAN having already reached its revenue forecast for this reporting period. NuRAN remains focused on executing its expansion plans and maintaining network growth as a top priority. The Company will continue to scale its operations in key markets across Africa, further contributing to economic and social development by bringing connectivity to remote areas. About NuRAN Wireless NuRAN Wireless is a leading rural telecommunications company that meets the growing demand for wireless network coverage in remote and rural regions around the globe. With its affordable and innovative scalable solutions of 2G, 3G, and 4G technologies, NuRAN Wireless offers a new possibility for more than one billion people to communicate effectively over long distances efficiently and affordably. "Bridging the Digital Divide, One Connection at a Time." Additional Information: For further information about NuRAN Wireless: www.nuranwireless.com Francis Letourneau, Director and CEO Francis.letourneau@nuranwireless.com Tel: (418) 264-1337 Frank Candido Investor relations Frank.candido@nuranwireless.com Tel: (514) 969-5530 Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as, "expects", "is expected", "anticipates", "intends", "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements include those relating to the signing of and drawdowns under the Loan Facility, statements with respect to setting up our construction plan and accelerating the achievement of major milestones such as reaching EBITDA positive. Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results projected, expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements, such as the uncertainties regarding include risks such as the uncertainties regarding the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak, and measures to prevent its spread, risks relating to NuRAN's business and the economy generally; NuRAN's ability to drawdown under the Loan Facility and obtain any required consents for the drawdowns under the Loan Facility, NuRAN's ability to adequately restructure its operations with respect to its new model of NaaS service contracts; NuRAN's ability to complete any financing, our ability to collect fees from our telecommunication providers and reliance on the network of our telecommunications providers, the capacity of the Company to deliver in a technical capacity and to import inventory to Africa at a reasonable cost; NuRAN's ability to obtain project financing for the proposed site build out under its NaaS agreements with Orange, MTN and other telecommunication providers, the loss of one or more significant suppliers or a reduction in significant volume from such suppliers; NuRAN's ability to meet or exceed customers' demand and expectations; significant current competition and the introduction of new competitors or other disruptive entrants in the Company's industry; effects of the global supply shortage affecting parts needed for NuRAN's sites and site installations; NuRAN's ability to retain key employees and protect its intellectual property; compliance with local laws and regulations and ability to obtain all required permits for our operations, access to the credit and capital markets, changes in applicable telecommunications laws or regulations or changes in license and regulatory fees, downturns in customers' business cycles; and insurance prices and insurance coverage availability, the Company's ability to effectively maintain or update information and technology systems; our ability to implement and maintain measures to protect against cyberattacks and comply with applicable privacy and data security requirements; the Company's ability to successfully implement its business strategies or realize expected cost savings and revenue enhancements; business development activities, including acquisitions and integration of acquired businesses; the Company's expansion into markets outside of Canada and the operational, competitive and regulatory risks facing the Company's non-Canadian based operations. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward looking information. Other factors which could materially affect such forward-looking information are described in the risk factors in the Company's most recent annual management's discussion and analysis that is available on the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. SOURCE: Nuran Wireless Inc Clareon PanOptix Pro provides unprecedented 94% light utilization, resulting in half the light scatter of Clareon PanOptix 1,2,,* Clareon PanOptix Pro provides more uninterrupted light distribution across the full visual range, and is designed for better image contrast 1, Commercially available in the U.S. in May, Clareon PanOptix Pro is the next generation of the world's leading trifocal IOL3-5, Alcon (SIX/NYSE: ALC), the global leader in eye care dedicated to helping people see brilliantly, announced today the introduction of Clareon PanOptix Pro intraocular lens (IOL) for cataract patients in the U.S. PanOptix Pro leverages proprietary ENLIGHTEN NXT Optical technology which delivers the highest reported light utilization of any trifocal IOL-and the lowest light scatter.1-3,6-10,,** These enhancements also provide more uninterrupted light distribution from distance to near, and a 16% increase in optical image contrast between distance and intermediate.1, PanOptix Pro builds on the clinically-proven low visual disturbance profile, high spectacle independence and exceptionally high patient satisfaction of PanOptix.1,2,11,12,**,,? This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250401378074/en/ Clareon PanOptix Pro Trifocal IOL will also be available in the ClareonAutonoMe preloaded delivery system "As the global leader in eye care, we are committed to improving our technologies to advance patient outcomes through rigorous, world-class R&D-even with our leading products like PanOptix," said Rob Scott, VP, Intraocular Devices, R&D, Alcon. "Our team looked at hundreds of design options, ultimately landing on a targeted diffractive refinement that helped us recover 50% of light lost to scatter, and reposition it to a beneficial focal point for PanOptix Pro.1,2,13-19,* This allowed for specific enhancements while maintaining the features that have driven the success of PanOptix-the world's most implanted trifocal IOL."3-5, "PanOptix has been a game-changer in my practice, allowing me to reliably offer many of my patients complete freedom from glasses after cataract surgery," said Kerry Solomon, MD, Medical Director at Carolina Eyecare Physicians, LLC.11,20 "I was excited to learn that Alcon evolved this leading technology for more light utilization and less light scatter.1,2,* My early patient results with PanOptix Pro support that this advancement builds on the well-established performance of PanOptix." PanOptix Pro will be the first presbyopia-correcting IOL available in the U.S. from Alcon in the single-use Clareon AutonoMe preloaded delivery system. PanOptix Pro will also be available for use with the Clareon Monarch IV delivery system beginning in 2026.12 PanOptix Pro offers powers ranging from +6.0 through +30.0 diopters (in 0.5 diopter increments), +31.0 through +34.0 diopters (in 1.0 diopter increments), with a +2.17 diopter intermediate and a +3.25 diopter near add power. Like all Alcon IOLs, PanOptix Pro will be available with blue light and ultraviolet filtering.12 PanOptix Pro has been introduced to select practices across the U.S., with broad commercial availability in May. Additional markets will begin rollout in late 2025. For surgeons interested in more information on PanOptix Pro, visit MyAlcon.com or visit the Alcon Booth #1815 at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery annual meeting (Los Angeles, April 25-28). For patients interested in learning more about PanOptix Pro, visit MyCataracts.com. About Alcon Alcon helps people see brilliantly. As the global leader in eye care with a heritage spanning over 75 years, we offer the broadest portfolio of products to enhance sight and improve people's lives. Our Surgical and Vision Care products touch the lives of more than 260 million people in over 140 countries each year living with conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, retinal diseases and refractive errors. Our more than 25,000 associates are enhancing the quality of life through innovative products, partnerships with Eye Care Professionals and programs that advance access to quality eye care. Learn more at www.alcon.com. About ClareonPanOptix Pro The Clareon PanOptix Pro Trifocal IOL is a type of multifocal IOL used to focus images clearly onto the back of your eye (retina) to allow clear vision after the cataract removal. In addition, the center of the Clareon PanOptix Pro Trifocal IOL allows for better near (reading) vision and intermediate (computer work) vision versus what a monofocal lens would provide. Potential Side Effects: Due to the design of multifocal IOLs, there are some side effects that can be associated with the Clareon PanOptix Pro Trifocal IOL models. These may be worse than with a monofocal IOL, including visual disturbances such as glare, rings around lights, starbursts (rays around light sources), and reduced contrast sensitivity (decreased ability to distinguish objects from their background, especially in dim lighting). These side effects may make it more difficult to see while driving at night or completing tasks in low lighting conditions such as at night or in fog or in a dimly lit room after surgery, as compared to before surgery. *Compared to Clareon PanOptix. PanOptix has 88% light utilization (12% scatter light)/PanOptix Pro has 94% light utilization (6% scatter light). Based on bench-measured, average white-light modular transfer function (MTF) from 0 to 70 lp/mm at 3mm aperture, compared to PanOptix. Based on worldwide IOL unit sales of Clareon PanOptix and AcrySof IQ PanOptix through Q1, 2024. Based on manufacturer reported values and respective methodology for Clareon PanOptix, Envista Envy, AT Elana, Gemetric and Rayner. **Based on bench and vision simulator studies. Based on data for AcrySof IQ PanOptix Trifocal IOL. Response to the following question on IOLSAT questionnaire (Version 1.0, December 20, 2018) at 6 months post-op "Given your vision today, if you had to do it all over, would you have the same lenses implanted again?"; n=127. References Alcon data on file, 2025. REF-25218 Alcon data on file, 2015. REF-08546 Alcon data on file, 2024. REF-25221 Alcon data on file, 2024. REF-23554 MarketScope LLC. 2023 IOL Market Report: Global Analysis for 2022 to 2028. St. Louis, MO: MarketScope LLC; 2023. Muzychuk, A. Defocus Curve Performance of a Novel Hydrophobic Acrylic Trifocal Intraocular Lens: A prospective, Multicenter Canadian Study. ASCRS Annual Meeting, April 5-8, Boston. Rayner Professional Website. https://rayner.com/en/iol/trifocal/rayone-trifocal/. Accessed March 2025. Carones F. New Concept of Light Distribution for Bilateral Trifocal IOL Implantation. AAO. 2022;2022:53. ZEISS AT LISA tri family. Supplement in Cataract and Refractive Surgery Today (Europe), September 2014. Zeiss Cataract Insights: Laying the Myth or Reality; Digitalization enhances cataract surgery? Supplement in Ophthalmology Times, Europe; May 22, 2024; https://europe.ophthalmologytimes.com/zeiss-cataract-insight-series?page=1. Accessed March 2025. Zhu D, Ren S, Mills K, Hull J, Dhariwal M. Rate of complete spectacle independence with a trifocal intraocular lens: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis. Ophthalmology and Therapy. 2023;12(2):1157-1171.doi:10.1007/s40123-023-00657-5. Clareon PanOptix Pro Trifocal Hydrophobic Acrylic IOL Model PXYWT0 2024 Directions for Use. Kohnen T, Lapid-Gortzak R, Ramamurthy D, et al. Clinical outcomes after bilateral implantation of a diffractive trifocal intraocular lens: A worldwide pooled analysis of prospective clinical investigations. Clinical Ophthalmology. 2023;Volume 17:155-163. doi:10.2147/opth.s377234. Charness N, Dijkstra K, Jastrzembski T, Weaver S, Champion M. Monitor viewing distance for younger and older workers. Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting. 2008;52(19):1614-1617. doi:10.1177/154193120805201965. Government of Canada CC for OH and S. CCOHS: Office ergonomics. Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. April 25, 2023. Accessed May 9, 2023. https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/ergonomics/office/. Gundersen K, Potvin R. Trifocal intraocular lenses: A comparison of the visual performance and quality of vision provided by two different lens designs. Clinical Ophthalmology. 2017;Volume 11:1081-1087. doi:10.2147/opth.s136164. Kohnen T, Titke C, Bohm M. Trifocal intraocular lens implantation to treat visual demands in various distances following lens removal. American Journal of Ophthalmology. 2016;161. doi:10.1016/j.ajo.2015.09.030. Lwowski C, Pawlowicz K, Petermann K, et al. Visual and patient-reported factors leading to satisfaction after implantation of diffractive extended depth-of-focus and trifocal intraocular lenses. Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. 2022;48(4):421-428. doi:10.1097/j.jcrs.0000000000000780. Alcon data on file, 2024. REF-25903 Clareon PanOptix Trifocal Hydrophobic Acrylic IOL. Product Information. 2021. Connect with us on Facebook LinkedIn View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250401378074/en/ Contacts: Investor Relations Daniel Cravens, Allen Trang + 41 589 112 110 (Geneva) + 1 817 615 2789 (Fort Worth) investor.relations@alcon.com Media Relations Steven Smith + 41 589 112 111 (Geneva) + 1 817 551 8057 (Fort Worth) globalmedia.relations@alcon.com TUV-certified efficiency, precisely automated lawn care, AI obstacle avoidance, and open API for immense possibility in homes and commercial settings. BOSTON, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Segway Navimow , a global leader in robotic lawn care solutions, today announced the US retail availability of its Segway Navimow X3 Series, a powerful robot mower designed for large resident and commercial properties up to 2.5 acres, joining Segway's popular i and H Series lineup trusted by over 170,000 customers worldwide. TUV-Certified Efficiency for Large Landscapes The X3 Series operates twice as fast as industry average, covering 5,000m(1.25acres) in 24 hours. Its ultra-fast charging, 6-blade anti-clogging disc, and extended 1,200m(0.3acres) runtime per charge make it ideal for expansive lawns. It the first robotic mower to earn a TUV Rheinland High Efficiency Certification, validating its superior performance through rigorous testing. Precision Navigation, Even in Challenging Layouts Segway Navimow's most advanced EFLS 3.0 system integrates RTK, vSLAM, and VIO(Visual Inertial Odometry) technologies for centimeter-level accuracy. Backed by STMicroelectronics chipset and self-developed dual-antenna RTK algorithm, the system expands signal coverage by 20-30%, eliminating blind spots in complex layouts or areas under dense tree canopies. 300 Vision + ToF Sensors for Smarter Obstacle Avoidance 3 wide-angle cameras and a Time-of-Flight (ToF) sensor (0.1-2m range) give X3 a 300 field of view, allows it to identify over 200 obstacle types-including low-hanging swings, trampolines, and steep 50% slopes. Expandable Design with Open API The X3's innovative Expansion Bay supports custom add-ons via open API, starting with a semi-automatic edge trimmer designed by Segway Navimow. The open API opens up possibilities to empower users to personalize their lawn care experience. Additional features available for X3 Series include anti-theft GPS tracking, pet-friendly obstacle avoidance optimization, Google Home/Amazone Alexa integration, and a dot-matrix status screen to ensure intuitive status display. "The X3 Series isn't just about efficiency-it's about transforming how Americans maintain their lawns," said George Ren, CEO of Segway Navimow. "We've packed it with pro-grade technology so users can reduce labor input, and enhance lawn care experience whether its for their own yard or their business." Pricing & Availability Segway Navimow X3 Series will be available starting today in authorized US retailers. Pricing and SKUs include: X315: $2,299 (0.4 acres) X330: $2,799 (0.75 acres) X350: $3,499 (1.5 acres) X390: $4,999 (2.5 acres) Find local dealers from Here . In 1999, Segway was established in Bedford NH, US and has become a global enterprise in the fields of intelligent short-distance transportation and service robots. The company's businesses are international, selling products in more than 80 countries and regions. Navimow was first introduced by Segway in 2021. Freeing customers from the hassle of perimeter wires, Navimow upped the ante of robotic lawnmower industry and was later applauded by the market following the sales launch in 2022. Now, it serves households in more than 30 countries, including Germany, France, Denmark, US, UK, Australia, etc. Contact: Mia.Wang mia.wang@navimow.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2653497/Navimow_X3_Lifestyle01.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/segway-navimow-x3-series-hits-us-retail-powerful-robotic-mowing-for-large-properties-starting-today-302417651.html LONDON, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Clarivate Plc (NYSE: CLVT), a leading global provider of transformative intelligence, announced today it will report its financial results for the first quarter 2025 before the market opens on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. The press release and earnings supplement, with accompanying financial information, will be available on the Clarivate investor website at https://ir.clarivate.com. The Company will host a conference call and webcast at 9:00 AM Eastern Time on Tuesday, April 29, 2025 to review the results. The webcast is open to all interested parties and may include forward-looking information. The live webcast of the earnings call will be accessible through the investor relations section of the Company's website. To join the webcast please visit https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/743636544. Interested parties may access the live audio broadcast. U.S. participants may call 800-715-9871; international participants may call +1 646-307-1963 (long-distance charges will apply). The conference ID number is 7007526. A replay of the webcast will also be available on https://ir.clarivate.com beginning two hours after the conclusion of the live call and will remain available for one year. About Clarivate Clarivate is a leading global provider of transformative intelligence. We offer enriched data, insights & analytics, workflow solutions and expert services in the areas of Academia & Government, Intellectual Property and Life Sciences & Healthcare. For more information, please visit clarivate.com. Category: Earnings Source: Clarivate Plc Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1159266/Clarivate_Logo_v1.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/clarivate-to-report-first-quarter-2025-results-on-april-29-2025-302418425.html Global Restaurant Chain to Introduce its World-Famous Chicken to Germany, Hungary, Georgia, and Azerbaijan ATLANTA, April 02, 2025 and Texas Chicken , one of the largest quick-service chicken restaurant brands in the world, continues its international expansion into Europe while strengthening its presence in key global markets. The company has recently signed multiple development agreements, including one in Germany with an outstanding franchisee who has exceptional foodservice experience and market presence. With additional deals in other parts of Europe, this marks a significant milestone in the company's growth strategy. Building on this momentum, the company is setting its sights on the UK, France, Italy, and Spain. "We are experiencing tremendous growth both domestically and internationally, with Europe playing a key role in our expansion strategy," said Roland Gonzalez, CEO of Church's Texas Chicken and Texas Chicken. "The European QSR market is evolving rapidly, driven by a growing demand for convenience and quick-service restaurant options. We see huge potential to bring the Texas Chicken experience to new guests across the continent, and this is just the beginning." Over the past year, Church's Texas Chicken and Texas Chicken opened 60 new locations in 14 markets worldwide, strengthening the company's global reach. The latest new development agreements will extend Texas Chicken's footprint into five new countries, including Germany, Hungary, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Morocco, with more than 900 new restaurants planned over the coming years. With many additional deals in the pipeline, the company is on track to grow its international presence by more than 50 percent in the next four years and increase system sales to $2 billion by 2028. "We have been strategic in our approach around entering new international markets, thoroughly assessing both the needs and benefits that Texas Chicken can provide to potential franchisees and guests," said Eric Hanson, Vice President of International Development. "Through our research, we discovered an underserved segment of the marketplace that craves affordable, high-quality chicken. We are proud to fill that gap, offering exceptional taste and value in every meal while continuing to elevate our one-of-a-kind experience to more guests around the world." For more information, visit www.churchs.com and texaschicken.com . You can also follow Church's Texas Chicken on Facebook , Instagram , X and TikTok . More details on franchising opportunities are available at https://franchise.churchstexaschicken.com or https://franchise.texaschicken.com . About Church's Texas Chicken / Texas Chicken Founded in San Antonio, TX in 1952 by George W. Church Sr., Church's Texas Chicken, along with its sister brand Texas Chicken outside of the U.S., is one of the largest quick-service chicken restaurant chains in the world. The brands specialize in Original and Spicy Chicken freshly prepared throughout the day in small batches that are hand-battered and double-breaded, tenders, sandwiches, freshly baked Honey-Butter Biscuits, and classic, home-style sides all for a great value. Church's Texas Chicken and Texas Chicken have more than 1,400 locations in 22 countries and global markets and system-wide sales of more than $1.5 billion. Owned by High Bluff Capital Partners and FS Investments since 2021, Church's celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2022. For more information, visit www.churchs.com and texaschicken.com . You can also follow Church's Texas Chicken on Facebook , Instagram , X and TikTok . More details on franchising opportunities are available at https://franchise.churchstexaschicken.com or https://franchise.texaschicken.com . Contact: Kelly Kaufman K Squared Group kelly@ksquaredgroup.com The premier benchmark for fintech excellence recognizes transformative innovation with winners unveiled at Money20/20 USA in October 2025 www.money2020.com, the world's leading fintech show and the place where money does business, today announces the launch of The Money Awards, a premier global awards program recognizing transformative innovation across the financial technology ecosystem. Celebrating companies and leaders shaping the future of money, the money awardssets a new global benchmark for excellence in fintech. Backed by a rigorous, merit-based judging process and a globally diverse panel of industry leaders, The Money Awards will recognize companies that are redefining industries, pushing the boundaries of technology, and setting new standards for product quality and innovation. "The Money Awards are more than an awards program-they are a platform to showcase those leading the fintech revolution and will become the ultimate benchmark for innovation and impact in financial services," said Scarlett Sieber, Money20/20's Chief Strategy and Growth Officer. "Winning a Money award is a powerful catalyst for growth, investment, and global validation." The program features five awards: Startup, Banking, Payments, Partnerships Strategic Alliance, and the Diamond Award. Each Award will be led by a distinguished Jury President, including Joanne Hannaford, CIO CPO Corporate Bank of Deutsche Bank (Banking), Lynn Martin, President of NYSE Group (Diamond), Anthony Thomas, MD, FinTech at Delivery Hero (Partnerships Strategic Alliance), Howard R. Fields, Chief Ethics Compliance Officer at Mastercard (Payments), and Chetan Puttagunta, General Partner at Benchmark (Startup). "I'm thrilled to serve as a Jury President for the inaugural Money20/20 Awards, recognizing the companies shaping the future of financial services," said Lynn Martin, President of the New York Stock Exchange. "As the listing venue where big ideas come to life, the NYSE looks forward to celebrating the next generation of visionaries redefining the industry and setting the pace for global innovation." The Money Awards will be judged by an independent panel of globally respected leaders, with deep expertise and background in fintech, banking, payments, and technology. Jurors will evaluate submissions through a transparent and impartial process that includes online reviews followed by in-person deliberations at Money20/20 USA in October 2025. "As a Jury President for the Money Awards, I'm honored to recognize the most prestigious global achievements in fintech," said Joanne Hannaford, CIO CPO Corporate Bank, Deutsche Bank. "A global fintech award not only celebrates outstanding accomplishments in our industry but also raises the bar for excellence, fosters innovation, and inspires the next generation of fintech leaders. I look forward to celebrating the groundbreaking companies and leaders redefining the future of financial technology." "I am honored and thrilled to be selected as a Jury President for the prestigious Money20/20 Payments Award," said Howard R. Fields, Chief Ethics Compliance Officer, Mastercard. "This award represents the pinnacle of innovation in the payments industry, recognizing groundbreaking ideas that shape the future of financial technology. I look forward to engaging with the brightest minds in the field and celebrating the transformative advancements that will define the next era of payments." The awards will culminate in the announcement of the inaugural Money Awards Trophy winners at Money20/20 USA, with further celebrations planned for Money20/20 Europe and Asia, ensuring global recognition for winning companies. Winners will receive a bespoke trophy and benefit from year-round visibility through Money20/20's platforms, including exclusive speaking opportunities, media exposure, investor visibility, and networking at Money20/20 shows worldwide. "I'm thrilled to serve as Jury President for this year's Money20/20 Awards for Startups," said Chetan Puttagunta. "Money20/20 has long been an important global platform for recognizing fintech innovation and propelling the industry forward. As an investor focused on early-stage startups, I'm particularly excited about the Startup Award-not only to elevate individual companies and entrepreneurs but also to create further collaboration in the ecosystem to drive the next generation of financial technology." Anthony Thomas, MD, FinTech at Delivery Hero, commented: "I'm excited to be a part of the Money20/20 Awards as Partnerships Strategic Alliance Jury President. The fintech landscape thrives on collaboration, and I look forward to recognizing the companies and leaders who are forging impactful partnerships and shaping the future of financial services." Entries for jury applications are now open. For more information on categories, judging criteria, and how to enter, visit www.money2020.com/awards. About Money20/20 Launched by industry insiders in 2012, Money20/20 has rapidly become the heartbeat of the global fintech ecosystem. Over the last decade, the most innovative, fast-moving ideas and companies have driven their growth on our platform. Mastercard, Wise, J.P. Morgan, SHIELD, Convera, Stripe, Google, VISA, Adyen, and more make transformational deals and raise their global profile with us. Money20/20 attracts leaders from the world's greatest banks, payments companies, VC firms, regulators and media platforms: convening to cut industry-shaping deals, build world-changing partnerships and unlock future-defining opportunities in Bangkok (22-24 April 2025)in Amsterdam (3-5 June 2025), in Riyadh 15-17 September 2025), and in Las Vegas (26-29 October 2025). Money20/20 is where the world's fintech leaders convene to grow their businesses. Money20/20 is part of Ascential plc. Follow Money20/20 on X and LinkedIn for show developments and updates. We're Where Money Does Business. Follow Money20/20 on X for show developments and updates. You can also find us on LinkedIn at Money20/20. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250402656688/en/ Contacts: TIna Loncaric Global Head of PR Money20/20 tina@money2020.com M: +1 469 288 5556 STRASBOURG, France, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- To pioneer new frontiers in life science research, the Human Frontier Science Program has awarded 104 of the world's most ingenious scientists from 30 nations with 2025 HFSP Research Grants and the first round of the new Accelerator Grants. "Our awards provide the world's top scientists with the means to explore new frontiers in scientific research and discover whole new worlds of possibility," said Pavel Kabat, HFSP Secretary-General. Scientists from these nations receive 2025 HFSP Research Grants & Accelerator Awards: Australia China Hungary Norway Spain Belgium Czech Republic India Netherlands Sweden Brazil Denmark Israel New Zealand Switzerland Burkina Faso France Italy Portugal Turkey Canada Germany Japan Singapore United Kingdom Chile Greece Korea South Africa United States of America In 2025, HFSP awarded 30 Research Grants and 12 Accelerator Grants that span the full range of life science research. Highlights include: New insight on epigenetics, the study of how our environment influences our genes by changing the chemicals that attach to them. This project resumes research began more than 100 years ago at the Biologische Versuchsanstalt (BVA) in Vienna, Austria. Research on how tick-borne diseases are being spread over great distances, including by migratory birds, and becoming a global concern. The study analyzes rapidly changing environmental factors driven by climate change that affect tick populations, and, thus, the spread of viral diseases. HFSPO reviewed proposals from over 2,100 researchers for 780 projects. To read the awardees' abstracts, click: 2025 HFSP Research Grant Awardees. To find individual scientists, search the Index by Country. About HFSP Awards: HFSP Research Grants: last for three years and on average, provide $400,000 USD per year. Both early career scientists and those at any stage of their career may apply. HFSP Accelerator Awards: This new program seeks to strengthen the world's life science enterprise by diversifying the pool of expertise by including scientists on groundbreaking research grant teams, who might not otherwise have comparable opportunities. Accelerator awards go to scientists who work at research institutions in these HFSP Member countries: India, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Korea, Singapore, and South Africa. Journalists can view the full press release here. Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2652654/HFSP_2025_Research_Grant.jpg Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2129669/HFSP_logo.jpg For more information or to schedule interviews, contact Rachael Bishop, Science Writer and Editor: phone: +33 (0)7 81 87 62 21 or email: rbishop@hfsp.org. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/human-frontier-science-program-research-grants-awarded-to-104-of-the-most-pioneering-scientists-from-30-nations-302417606.html 1GLOBAL, a technology-driven global mobile communications provider, has unveiled its new Message+ service. It extends the company's industry-leading capturing and recording solutions for financial compliance purposes to text and social communication platforms. Message+ allows investment banks to communicate with their clients across multiple platforms and devices in an integrated, secure and compliant environment. It empowers financial institutions navigating an increasingly complex legal landscape to advance their client-centric strategy while ensuring seamless regulatory compliance. 1GLOBAL's capturing and recording technology is trusted by seven of the world's 10 top investment banks. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250402870819/en/ Message+ is an integrated, trusted communication tool from 1GLOBAL that provides customizable capture options for SMS and WhatsApp communication. The challenge Regulatory requirements for communication capture and archiving present significant hurdles for financial institutions across the globe. Existing and emerging regulation for text and social messaging communications imposes heavy fines for non-compliance. At the same time, clients expect financial institutions to engage with them across diverse messaging platforms and multiple devices. The widespread adoption of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies further complicates consistent recording and integration within the financial sector's stringent compliance framework. The solution The 1GLOBAL Message+ platform effectively addresses these challenges. Employees can conduct SMS- and WhatsApp-based communications with clients through Microsoft Teams, enabling seamless compliant communication workflows while maintaining uninterrupted client contact-even in locations where mobile phone usage is restricted, such as trading floors. Message+ also ensures the comprehensive integration of existing Microsoft communications infrastructure, supporting operational continuity and multi-device accessibility. "Message+ is 1GLOBAL's newest innovation, introducing enhanced flexibility, scalability and unified communication designed specifically for regulatory compliance," said Siobhan Thompson, Head of 1GLOBAL Compliance. "As an integrated, trusted communication tool, Message+ provides customizable capture options for SMS and WhatsApp communication and adapts to the unique compliance needs of each organization. Capturing such communications is a vital part of MiFID II, along with emerging regulations on the horizon from the Australian financial regulator, ASIC." Further information about Message+: Compliance Call Recording SMS Capture: In-network MS Teams About 1GLOBAL: Leading Digital Transformation in Telecommunications 1GLOBAL is a technology-driven global mobile communications provider dedicated to empowering enterprises worldwide to unlock the full growth potential of mobile connectivity. With a best-in-class telecom technology platform, a comprehensive suite of globally viable regulatory licenses, and privileged access to the telecom wholesale market, 1GLOBAL is uniquely positioned to deliver seamless compliance and connectivity solutions. Serving the world's leading banks, corporations, and digital-first businesses-including neo-banks, travel companies, and payment service providers-1GLOBAL connects over 43 million devices globally. With 2024 full-year revenue exceeding US$100 million, 1GLOBAL is a profitable business generating significant cash flows to fund its ongoing investments in infrastructure, transformation, and growth. 2024 saw major client wins and marked 1GLOBAL's evolution from a multi-market telecommunication provider to a global technology-driven mobile connectivity powerhouse. Established in 2022 by experienced tech founders and entrepreneurs Hakan Koc and Pyrros Koussios, 1GLOBAL is a European technology leader driving digital transformation in the global telecommunications market. It operates as a fully regulated Mobile Virtual Network Operator ("MVNO") in nine countries and as a regulated telecommunications operator in an additional 31 countries. Headquartered in the Netherlands, with world-class R&D hubs in Lisbon, Berlin, and Sao Paulo, 1GLOBAL employs over 400 experts across 13 countries. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250402870819/en/ Contacts: 1GLOBAL Press Office Email: press@1global.com ZWILLING J.A. Henckels, a trusted name in kitchenware since 1731, is proud to announce the launch of a new website dedicated exclusively to their HENCKELS brand focused on bringing best-in-class products at a value price. This move marks an exciting new chapter in the brand's storied history, offering consumers a unique HENCKELS experience. HENCKELS Kitchenware Products HENCKELS knives, knife block, flatware and pans. Since its inception in 1895, HENCKELS has been part of the globally renowned ZWILLING J.A. Henckels family, one of the oldest and most respected cutlery & cookware brands worldwide. To better serve consumers, who have been asking for a dedicated experience and to clarify the distinction between its well-loved brands, ZWILLING and HENCKELS will now operate separate websites. The new HENCKELS site will offer the same intuitive shopping experience but with exclusive content, and resources for home cooks looking for everyday kitchen essentials at an accessible price. "Good things are worth waiting for, and 130 years into the HENCKELS brand story, it is getting a distinct website," said Marc Lickfett, Vice President of Digital Transformation at ZWILLING J.A. Henckels. "While many kitchenware brands have engaging and dynamic sites, no other brand has the same heritage or loyalty of US consumers as HENCKELS. The new website ensures HENCKELS customers have a seamless way of exploring the beautiful heritage, quality, and our amazing range of products all in one place online at Henckels.com." HENCKELS is known for its high-quality yet budget-friendly knives, cookware, flatware, and accessories, making professional-grade kitchen tools accessible to home chefs. While ZWILLING continues to focus on premium products for professional and serious home cooks, HENCKELS remains committed to providing exceptional value through time-tested expertise and craftsmanship. The new HENCKELS website will feature: A streamlined shopping experience with easy navigation and direct access to the brand's full product lineup. Expert guides and resources to help customers select and care for their kitchen tools. Exclusive content showcasing HENCKELS history, innovation, and commitment to quality. Direct-to-consumer benefits including special promotions and product launches. -ENDS- About HENCKELS Since 1895, HENCKELS has been creating everyday kitchen essentials to improve your cooking and meal-prepping experience, with cutlery, cookware, flatware, tools, and specialty items the everyday-home chef depends on for durability and quality without compromise. Rooted in German engineering and renowned for their design and performance you can count on, HENCKELS thoughtfully craft and design our products with you in mind-for your kitchenand all life's moments. About ZWILLING J.A. HENCKELS Founded in 1731, ZWILLING is one of the oldest brands on record. Known originally for their premium German-made knives, the company now manufactures cutlery, flatware, cookware, glassware, kitchen electrics, and tools. ZWILLING developed into the Zwilling Group family of brands which now includes ZWILLING , Staub , Miyabi , Demeyere and HENCKELS - all recognized as symbols of quality, innovation, and design. For more information on the ZWILLING brand story please reach out to the contact below. SOURCE: HENCKELS Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 2, 2025) - Stardust Solar Energy Inc. (TSXV: SUN) is pleased to announce a significant territory expansion for its Red Deer, Alberta franchise. Stardust Solar Red Deer has expanded from its original single territory to two expansive territories, now spanning from Banff, AB to the Saskatchewan border. Each additional territory represents approximately 500,000 people, effectively doubling the franchise's market potential. Since joining Stardust Solar's franchise network in February 2022, Stardust Solar Red Deer quickly emerged as the Company's top-performing franchise, achieving the highest gross sales within the Stardust network in 2024. The newly acquired territory includes the Banff region, which offers notable solar incentives, including rebates of up to $15,000 per installation. To better leverage this opportunity, Stardust Solar Red Deer is rebranding its Banff-area operations as "Stardust Solar Banff." This strategic expansion is part of Stardust Solar's broader growth trajectory, highlighted by recent milestones: International and U.S. Expansion : Stardust Solar recently announced its first international franchise in Antigua & Barbuda and expanded significantly within the United States, including new franchises in Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, and Columbia, South Carolina. : Stardust Solar recently announced its first international franchise in Antigua & Barbuda and expanded significantly within the United States, including new franchises in Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, and Columbia, South Carolina. Master Franchisor Growth : In late 2024, the Company applied for master franchisor permits in 42 U.S. states, projecting significant franchise additions annually and aiming to surpass 100 franchise territories by year-end 2025. : In late 2024, the Company applied for master franchisor permits in 42 U.S. states, projecting significant franchise additions annually and aiming to surpass 100 franchise territories by year-end 2025. Strong Backlog : Stardust Solar holds a project backlog exceeding $2 million in signed contracts for solar and energy storage installations set to commence in spring 2025 across the Company's franchise network. In 2024, the Company successfully completed installations totaling 1,200 kilowatts of solar capacity and 189 kilowatt-hours of energy storage. : Stardust Solar holds a project backlog exceeding $2 million in signed contracts for solar and energy storage installations set to commence in spring 2025 across the Company's franchise network. In 2024, the Company successfully completed installations totaling 1,200 kilowatts of solar capacity and 189 kilowatt-hours of energy storage. Alberta Franchise Expansion: Stardust Solar Edmonton also recently expanded from one to four territories, highlighting continued growth and success in Alberta. "We're thrilled by Stardust Solar Red Deer's rapid growth and impressive market achievements," said Mark Tadros, Founder and CEO. "Their success highlights the strength of our franchise model and our commitment to supporting franchise partners in capturing new opportunities, especially in regions like Banff with attractive solar incentives." "We're excited to expand our operations and bring Stardust Solar's industry-leading renewable energy solutions to even more Alberta communities," said Jordan Walsh, the Red Deer franchise owner. "The inclusion of Banff in our territory, combined with local incentives, creates a unique opportunity to make a significant impact on both environmental sustainability and community energy independence." Territories Include: The City of Edmonton, Yellowhead County, Woodlands County, Brazeau County, Barrhead County, Lac Ste. Anne County, Parkland County, Leduc County, Wetaskiwin County, Westlock County, Sturgeor County, Athabasca County, Thorhild County, Strathcona County, Smokey Lake County, Lamont County, Camrose County, Beaver County, Two Hills County, Minburn County, St Paul County, Bonnyville County, Vermilion River County, and Mainwright County. About Stardust Solar: Stardust Solar is a North American franchisor of renewable energy installation services, specializing in solar panels (PV), energy storage systems, and electric vehicle supply equipment. The Company equips entrepreneurs with branded business management services, cutting-edge equipment, and comprehensive support, including marketing, sales, engineering, and project management. With franchises across Canada and the United States, Stardust Solar drives the adoption of clean energy solutions that boost economic development and create a more sustainable future. Disclaimer: Neither 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. The TSX Venture Exchange Inc. has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release. The information in this news release includes certain information and statements about management's view of future events, expectations, plans and prospects that constitute forward-looking statements, including statements relating to the Company's business plans and expected future growth, expected franchise expansions, the outlook of future operations, revenue growth, new opportunities and the demand for the Company's products. These statements are based upon assumptions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Because of these risks and uncertainties and as a result of a variety of factors, the actual results, expectations, achievements or performance may differ materially from those anticipated and indicated by these forward-looking statements. Any number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements as well as future results. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurances that the expectations of any forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention. It assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking statements or otherwise. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/247001 SOURCE: Stardust Solar Energy Inc. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 2, 2025) - Homerun Resources Inc. (TSXV: HMR) (OTCQB: HMRFF) (FSE: 5ZE) ("Homerun" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has appointed DGWA GmbH ("DGWA") as its European financial market advisor to support the Company's expansion into Europe. This appointment seeks to maximize the value of the pre-existing dual listing of the Company's common shares on the Frankfurt, Stuttgart and Munich Stock Exchanges (WKN: A3CYRW). DGWA will assist Homerun to interface with institutional and retail investors in the German-speaking DACH region (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland) with a population of close to 100 million people, as well as in the United Kingdom and the other countries in Europe. DGWA will support Homerun to increase investor awareness of the Company's activities in Brazil and Europe and its advanced silica technologies, which are revolutionizing green energy solutions in Europe. DGWA's CEO, Stefan Muller, comments: "We are excited to work with Homerun Resources as they expand their presence in the European market. The company's focus on advanced silica technologies and their recent acquisition of Homerun Energy SRL (formerly Halocell Europe) positions them well in the rapidly growing green energy sector. With their innovative perovskite photovoltaic technology and strategic partnerships, Homerun is poised to make significant contributions to the European renewable energy landscape. We look forward to helping Homerun connect with investors and stakeholders across the DACH region and beyond, showcasing their potential in revolutionizing solar energy solutions." Brian Leeners, CEO of Homerun Resources, adds: "We are looking forward to collaborating with DGWA as we strengthen our footprint in the European market. The demand for high-purity silica and advanced photovoltaic technologies is growing rapidly, and our recent acquisition of Homerun Energy SRL positions us at the forefront of this transformation. With our expertise in perovskite solar technology and DGWA's strong network in the financial and investment community, we are confident in our ability to accelerate growth and bring innovative, sustainable energy solutions to Europe. We look forward to working closely with DGWA to engage with key stakeholders and drive long-term value for our shareholders." DGWA's engagement is for 12 months, commencing April 1, 2025, to be automatically renewed at the end of the 12 month period unless either party expressly advises in writing at least 4 weeks prior to the end of the 12-month term that they wish to discontinue the contract. In consideration of the services provided, the Company will pay DGWA. 5,000 per month for an initial 3 month period, and 7,500 monthly thereafter. The Company does not propose to issue any securities to DGWA in consideration for the services to be provided to the Company, and DGWA does not hold any securities of the Company. Further to Homerun's news release dated March 17th, Homerun would like to clarify that Blossom Social Inc. and 1822053 Alberta Ltd (d/b/a Evolux Capital) do not hold any securities in Homerun. About DGWA GmbH (www.dgwa.org) DGWA, the German Institute for Asset and Equity Allocation and Valuation ("Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Wertpapieranalyse GmbH"), is a European Investment Banking and Corporate Advisory firm based in Frankfurt, Germany. The management team has a 30-year track record in trading, investing, and analyzing SMEs around the world. DGWA has been involved in over 250 IPOs, financings, bond issues, dual listings, and corporate finance transactions as well as corresponding road shows and awareness campaigns. About Homerun (www.homerunresources.com) Homerun (TSXV: HMR) is a vertically integrated materials leader revolutionizing green energy solutions through advanced silica technologies. As an emerging force outside of China for high-purity quartz (HPQ) silica innovation, the Company controls the full industrial vertical from raw material extraction to cutting-edge solar, battery and energy storage solutions. Our dual-engine vertical integration strategy combines: Homerun Advanced Materials Utilizing Homerun's robust supply of high purity silica sand and quartz silica materials to facilitate domestic and international sales of processed silica. Pioneering zero-waste thermoelectric purification and advanced materials processing technologies with University of California - Davis. Homerun Energy Solutions Building Latin America's first dedicated high-efficiency solar glass manufacturing facility and pioneering new solar technologies based on years of experience as an industry leader in developing photovoltaic technologies with a specialization in perovskite photovoltaics. European leader in the marketing, distribution and sales of alternative energy solutions into the commercial and industrial segments (B2B). Commercializing Artificial Intelligence (AI) Energy Management and Control System Solutions (hardware and software) for energy capture, energy storage and efficient energy use. Partnering with U.S. Dept. of Energy/NREL on the development of the Enduring long-duration energy storage system utilizing the Company's high-purity silica sand for industrial heat and electricity arbitrage and complementary silica purification. With six profit centers built within the vertical strategy and all gaining economic advantage utilizing the Company's HPQ silica, across, solar, battery and energy storage solutions, Homerun is positioned to capitalize on high-growth global energy transition markets. The 3-phase development plan has achieved all key milestones in a timely manner, including government partnerships, scalable logistical market access, and breakthrough IP in advanced materials processing and energy solutions. Homerun maintains an uncompromising commitment to ESG principles, deploying the cleanest and most sustainable production technologies across all operations while benefiting the people in the communities where the Company operates. As we advance revenue generation and vertical integration in 2025, the Company continues to deliver shareholder value through strategic execution within the unstoppable global energy transition. On behalf of the Board of Directors of Homerun Resources Inc. "Brian Leeners" FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE The information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements relate to information that is based on assumptions of management, forecasts of future results, and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. Any statements that express predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements". Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/247065 SOURCE: Homerun Resources Inc. Join the AAA-ICDR and ADR Peers on June 10 at the Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands, to engage with industry experts on the evolving impact of emerging technologies and regulations on dispute resolution in the public and private sectors. NEW YORK, April 02, 2025and its international division, the International Centre for Dispute Resolution, will convene leading voices in the field of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) for "The Hague Future Dispute Resolution" forum on June 10, 2025. From policy to democratizing dispute prevention, the program will explore all ADR methods aimed at better serving parties, particularly those in underserved markets and communities. Held in collaboration with prominent international partners, including the International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution, the International Council for Commercial Arbitration, the Dutch Arbitration Association, the International Mediation Institute, ArbTech, ODR.com, System.Legaland Wolters Kluwer, the event will gather global in-house counsel, government officials and other dispute resolution leaders, including firm sponsor and speakers from Skadden, Dentonsand other leading law firms, to share insights on digital enhancements in arbitration, mediation and online dispute resolution (ODR). "At our 2024 'Future Dispute Resolution' conference at Stanford University, we discussed how ADR was ripe for tech innovation. That innovation is here," said Bridget McCormack, president and CEO of the AAA-ICDR. "We are thrilled to convene the next chapter of our program in The Hague in collaboration with our ADR peers and ahead of the Dutch Arbitration Association's Dutch Arbitration Dayin Amsterdam." The Hague, home to the United International Court of Justice and the Permanent Court of Arbitration, will host the event at the Peace Palace. This full-day forum will feature global speakers discussing AI and ADR, including the opportunities, challenges and evolving regulations surrounding these technological advances. The forum will open with a keynote address by Dr. Hab. Marcin Czepelak, Secretary-General of the Permanent Court of Arbitration. Sessions include: "Unleashing AI or Restraining It? A Counterpoint for Practitioners" "Engineering Ethical AI: Advancing & Defending Procedural Integrity in International Dispute Resolution" "Wiping the Slate Clean: Re-Engineering Dispute Management to Drive Business Outcomes" "Contrast and Collaboration: The Dynamic Relationship Between International Mediation and Arbitration" "How Do We Get Comfortable with AI-Driven Decision-Making?" Speakers include: Steve Andersen, AAA-ICDR, Los Angeles Marine Assadollahi, Fives, France Peter Bekker, Dentons, New York David Evans Murphy & King, Boston Clare Fowler, Mediate.com Simon Leimbacker, Jet Aviation David McIlwaine, Pinsent Masons, London Andrea Menaker, White & Case, London Anna Mills, DLA Piper, London Reza Mohtashami, Three Crowns, London Sophie Nappert, 3VB, London Stan Putter, Dutch Arbitration Association Colin Rule, ODR.com, Palo Alto Dorothee Schramm, Independent Arbitrator, Zurich Anke Sessler, Skadden, Frankfurt Migle Zukauskaite-Totore, Nord Security, Lithuania Eric Tuchmann, AAA-ICDR, New York Leonardo D'Urso, ADR Center, Rome Joshua Walker, System.Legal, New York Full Event Details: June 10, 2025: Conference, including lunch and a cocktail reception. Conference, including lunch and a cocktail reception. Location: Peace Palace, Carnegieplein 2, 2517 KJ Den Haag, Netherlands Register Here:https://go.adr.org/2025-future-of-dispute-resolution.html About the American Arbitration Association The not-for-profit AAA is the leading alternative dispute resolution service provider. It has administered more than eight million ADR cases since its founding in 1926. With offices throughout the United States and Singapore, the AAA provides organizations of all sizes in virtually every industry with ADR services and products. For more information, visit www.adr.org/. About the International Centre for Dispute Resolution The International Centre for Dispute Resolution is the international division of the AAA and the largest international provider of dispute resolution services. Established in 1996, the ICDR serves parties from over 100 countries with multilingual staff experienced in international dispute resolution proceedings and a roster of over 725 arbitrators and mediators. For more information, visit www.icdr.org. About ODR.com and Mediate.com (Resourceful Internet Solutions) ODR.com, an AAA company, is the global leader in online dispute resolution and offers a proven, secure, and scalable ODR platform that is used by hundreds of organizations around the world, including courts, universities, businesses and government agencies. Since its establishment in 1996, Mediate.comhas been the leading mediation website, offering an extensive repository of dispute resolution resources, online courses and a widely utilized directory of global mediators. Lauren Nick American Arbitration Association 212 401 4808 nickl@adr.org Company leaders to speak on global rail innovation at RailFreight Summit and Port Technology International's Intermodal Container Terminal Conference Tideworks Technology Inc. (Tideworks), a full-service provider of terminal operating system (TOS) solutions, is set to take the stage at two key industry events: RailFreight Summit from April 8 9 in Gdansk, Poland, and Port Technology International's Intermodal Container Terminal Conference from April 23 24 in Dusseldorf, Germany. At both conferences, Tideworks will lead discussions on digital transformation, AI and operational performance in the global rail sector. Building on 15 years of Intermodal Pro, Tideworks continues to help rail and intermodal operators solve complex operational and logistics challenges. The company is now sharing those insights with rail stakeholders across Europe. At Port Technology International's Intermodal Container Terminal Conference, members of Tideworks' leadership team will lead the following sessions: "Driving the Future of Rail: Harnessing Data, AI Decision Support for Smarter Operations." Chad Van Derrick, vice president of software product management, will deliver the keynote address. Chad Van Derrick, vice president of software product management, will deliver the keynote address. " Digitalization: First Steps in Building a Foundation for Efficiency, Accuracy, and Connectivity." Scott Duncan, senior professional services consultant, will participate in the panel discussion. Scott Duncan, senior professional services consultant, will participate in the panel discussion. "Trailblazing Intermodal Modernization: Insights on Automation and Integration at Scale." Todd Tatterson, vice president of business development, will moderate the panel featuring Chris Cavanagh, terminal systems manager of Freightliner Group Ltd. and Anton Bernaerd, business development director from Camco Technologies. At RailFreight Summit, Van Derrick will also join the panel discussion, "Cutting-edge Technologies: Wishful Thinking or the Future of Rail?" Julian Galvis, vice president of sales and marketing at Tideworks, will also attend the summit to meet with industry leaders, customers, and partners to discuss how Tideworks' flexible and scalable TOS solutions are enabling rail operators to enhance efficiency, optimize capacity, and support long-term success. As part of Tideworks' growth strategy, Galvis now leads the company's global go-to-market efforts, bringing extensive experience in intermodal and maritime operations and customer engagement to support stakeholders in finding the right solutions for their evolving needs. "We are committed to empowering rail terminal operators with the technology solutions they need to stay ahead in an increasingly complex global market," said Galvis. "It's an exciting time to build on our momentum and help customers achieve long-term success." Tideworks continues to innovate in the rail and intermodal sectors through TOS developments, integrations and partnerships. As terminals look for ways to modernize, the company is committed to helping operators improve performance through automation, digitalization and integrations for end-to-end data visibility. For more information about Tideworks and its solutions for the rail and intermodal sectors, please visit www.tideworks.com. About Tideworks Technology Tideworks is a full-service provider of comprehensive terminal operating system solutions for growing marine and intermodal rail terminal operations worldwide. The company helps more than 120 facilities run their operations more efficiently and profitably. From optimized equipment utilization to faster turn times, Tideworks works at every step of terminal operations to maximize productivity and customer service. For more information about Tideworks Technology, a Carrix solution, visit www.tideworks.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250402266884/en/ Contacts: Media Contact Media Contact for Tideworks Technology Carley Gray, Communique PR Phone: (206) 282-4923 ext. 114 Carley@communiquepr.com KELA outperforms industry standards with the fastest phishing detection, blocking and take-down time, reducing successful phishing attempts by up to 85% TEL AVIV, Israel, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- KELA, a global leader in cyber threat and exposure intelligence solutions, today announced the launch of KELA Brand Control, a cutting-edge Brand Control solution designed to safeguard organizations against phishing, impersonation, and fraudulent activities. Security teams will benefit from the industry's broadest coverage dramatically reducing successful phishing attempts by 75-85% ensuring their brands can maintain customer trust and integrity. In 2023, organizations faced an estimated $17,700 loss per minute, or over $25 million a day, due to phishing-related cyberattacks. KELA Brand Control aims to reduce that risk with real-time monitoring, early threat detection, and rapid takedown capabilities to neutralize cyber threats before they cause damage. Leveraging KELA's vast proprietary dataset and advanced AI-driven analytics, Brand Control delivers comprehensive protection across web domains and social media. "Since implementing KELA's Platform last year, we've helped many of our customers reduce their exposure to credential-based cyber threats, significantly improving their security posture," said Babis Kalevrosoglou, Head of Cyber Defense Services, Neurosoft, a leading Managed Services Provider (MSP). "We're looking forward to leveraging Brand Control to broaden our proactive defenses and further reduce phishing incidents targeting our customers." Proactive Protection in Minutes With the increasing sophistication of cyber threats targeting brands, organizations require fast, automated, and efficient defense mechanisms. KELA Brand Control offers comprehensive coverage including: Early Detection and Monitoring - Combining the industry's largest proprietary dataset, deep and dark web monitoring, and public sources, customers get the industry's most comprehensive view of threats. Threat Assessment and Validation - Receive near real-time alerts, with collected evidence including WHOIS information and screenshots on suspicious sites targeting and misusing a brand to proactively validate and stop phishing attacks. Rapid Automated Takedowns - Block phishing sites within minutes and remove fraudulent domains and pages within hours. KELA Brand Control dramatically reduces the time cybercriminals have to exploit an organization's brand. With a median detection time of five minutes, a block time in minutes, and a takedown time in hours, KELA's solution outperforms industry standards, which often leave threats active for over 21 hours. "Brand trust is invaluable, and organizations cannot afford to let phishing and impersonation attacks undermine their reputation," said David Carmiel, KELA CEO and co-founder, KELA. "With KELA Brand Control we're equipping businesses with the most advanced, automated Brand Control solution on the market-one that identifies, prioritizes, and eliminates threats faster than ever before." KELA Brand Control is now available and is the latest addition to KELA's Comprehensive Cyber Intelligence Platform. It follows the recent introduction of KELA Identity Guard which provides real-time identity protection. Organizations can sign up for a free trial to see the Platform and associated benefits in action. About KELA KELA is an Intelligence-Driven Threat Exposure Management company. We are redefining how organizations discover, monitor, and reduce risk from external threats-both known and unknown, managed or unmanaged. Our unique technology enables automatic, real-time access to the exact places where threat actors communicate, collaborate, and monetize stolen information, allowing organizations to take proactive action. By combining our proprietary CTI Platform with External Attack Surface Management and Third-Party Risk Management, along with direct access to the hidden corners of the cybercrime underground in the Deep and Dark Web, our solutions empower organizations to continuously and proactively reduce their exposure to external threats-at any scale, from a single enterprise to the national level. Learn more at www.kelacyber.com. Press Contact: Nicole Canulla Senior Director Marketing nicolec@ke-la.com Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1714558/Kela_Cyber_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/kela-launches-brand-control-to-proactively-protect-organizations-from-phishing-impersonation-and-brand-abuse-302418410.html RICHMOND, British Columbia, April 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bob Smith is joining General Fusion as a strategic advisor. Smith brings more than 35 years of experience developing, scaling, and launching world-changing technologies, including spearheading new products and innovation in the aerospace industry at United Space Alliance, Sandia Labs, and Honeywell before serving as CEO of Blue Origin. He joins General Fusion as the company's Lawson Machine 26 (LM26) fusion demonstration begins operations and progresses toward transformative technical milestones on the path to commercialization. "I've been watching the fusion energy industry closely for my entire career. Fusion is the last energy source humanity will ever need, and I believe its impact as a zero-carbon energy source will transform the global energy supply at the time needed to fight the worst consequences of climate change," said Smith. "I am thrilled to work with General Fusion. Their novel approach has inherent and distinctive benefits for the generation of commercially competitive fusion power. It's exciting to join at a time when the team is about to demonstrate the fundamental physics behind their system and move to scaling up to a pilot plant." The LM26 program marks a significant step towards commercialization, as the company's unique Magnetized Target Fusion (MTF) approach makes the path to powering the grid with fusion energy more straightforward than other technologies-because it practically addresses barriers to fusion commercialization, such as neutron material degradation, sustainable fuel production, and efficient energy extraction. As a strategic advisor, Smith will leverage his experience advancing game-changing technologies to help guide General Fusion's technology development and strategic growth. "Bob's insights and experience will be invaluable as we execute the LM26 program and look beyond it to propel our practical technology to powering the grid by the mid-2030s," said Greg Twinney, CEO, General Fusion. "We are grateful for his commitment of his in-demand time and expertise to our mission and look forward to working together to make fusion power a reality!" About Bob Smith: Bob is an experienced business leader in the aerospace and defense industry with extensive technical and operational expertise across the sector. He worked at and managed federal labs, led developments at a large government contractor, grew businesses at a Fortune 100 multinational, and scaled up a launch and space systems startup. Bob also has extensive international experience and has worked with suppliers and OEMs in all the major aerospace regions, including establishing new sites and factories in Europe, India, China, and Puerto Rico. Bob's prior leadership roles include Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Blue Origin, President of Mechanical Systems & Components at Honeywell Aerospace, Chief Technology Officer at Honeywell Aerospace, Chairman of NTESS (Sandia Labs), and Executive Director of Space Shuttle Upgrades at United Space Alliance. Bob holds a Bachelor of Science degree in aerospace engineering from Texas A&M, a Master of Science degree in engineering/applied mathematics from Brown University, a doctorate from the University of Texas in aerospace engineering, and a business degree from MIT's Sloan School of Management. Bob is also a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, a Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and an Academician in the International Academy of Astronautics. Quick Facts: Fusion energy is the ultimate clean energy solution-it is the energy source that powers the sun and stars. Fusion is the process by which two light nuclei merge to form a heavier one, producing a massive amount of energy. General Fusion's Magnetized Target Fusion (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HC1q4sFnfxE) (MTF) technology is designed to scale for cost-efficient power plants. It uses mechanical compression to create fusion conditions in short pulses, eliminating the need for expensive lasers or superconducting magnets. An MTF power plant is designed to produce its own fuel and inherently includes a method to extract the energy and put it to work. Lawson Machine 26 (LM26) is a world-first Magnetized Target Fusion demonstration. Launched, designed, and assembled in just 16 months, the machine is now forming magnetized plasmas regularly at 50 per cent commercial scale. It is advancing towards a series of results that will demonstrate MTF in a commercially relevant way: 10 million degrees Celsius (1 keV), 100 million degrees Celsius (10 keV), and scientific breakeven equivalent (100% Lawson). About General Fusion General Fusion is pursuing a fast and practical approach to commercial fusion energy and is headquartered in Richmond, Canada. The company was established in 2002 and is funded by a global syndicate of leading energy venture capital firms, industry leaders, and technology pioneers. Learn more at www.generalfusion.com. General Fusion Media Relations media@generalfusion.com +1-866-904-0995 Follow General Fusion twitter.com/generalfusion instagram.com/generalfusion linkedin.com/company/general-fusion facebook.com/generalfusion A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3972489f-fee9-4710-a608-08454237c560 VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Monument Mining Limited (TSX-V: MMY and FSE: D7Q1) ("Monument" or the "Company") today is pleased to announce that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding ("Collaboration Agreement", or "MOU") with Great Boulder Resources ("Great Boulder", ASX: "GBR") for collaboration to potentially process ore from Great Boulder's Side Well Gold Project through Monument's Burnakura Mill at Meekatharra, Western Australia subject to availability. President and CEO Cathy Zhai commented, "I am very pleased with thanks to Mr. Andrew Paterson, the Managing Director of Great Boulder, for considering Burnakura mill as their treatment option and for his willingness to collaboratively explore the best solution beneficiary to both parties in optimization of potential production. It will give an opportunity for exploration companies to generate cash flow as gold prices surge to historical record highs. While junior companies continue to face their own challenges and navigate the inherent risks of the natural resource industry, we are working hand in hand to find a win-win solution in the region." Background Following the successful commercial production of the upgraded sulphide gold concentrate plant at Selinsing Gold Mine, Monument is now advancing its Murchison Gold Project towards potential commercial production. SRK Consulting (Australasia) Pty Ltd ("SRK") is currently engaged to provide economic assessments, including evaluating the Burnakura mill capacity for initial re-start and potential upgrade options up to 750K tpa. With a proven track record for building-up and advancing operational mines, Monument continues to leverage its strong production management team to drive growth and efficiency. Monument has an estimated Mineral Resource of 5.59Mt @ 2.12g/t for 381koz, comprised of Indicated at 4.04Mt @ 2.3g/t gold for 293k ounces, Inferred Mineral Resource of 1.55Mt @ 1.8g/t gold for 88k ounces at Burnakura); and historical Mineral Resources (JORC Resource) 2.2Mt @ 2.2g/t Au for 153,000oz at Gabanintha, plus 20% free carried interest in the Tuckanarra Gold Project. Great Boulder is a mineral exploration company with a portfolio of highly prospective gold and base metals assets in Western Australia ranging from Greenfields through to advanced exploration. The Company's core focus is the Side Well Gold Project at Meekatharra in the Murchison gold field approximately 48 km north of Burnakura. Figure 1. Figure 1 is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/17051c93-82c2-45cd-8777-c54aa16f929b Collaboration The MOU between Great Boulder Resources and Monument Mining is a non-binding agreement setting a framework for the two companies to evaluate the sustainability of the Burnakura plant to treat GBR's Side Well ore, assess the technical, commercial and logistical requirements for joint operations or toll treatment where applicable, and negotiate commercial terms for ore treatment at Burnakura. With both parties undertaking scoping studies on their respective operations, the MOU allows GBR and Monument to collaboratively share scoping study outputs enabling optimization of mining and ore processing. The MOU also allows collaboration on each company's area of technical expertise, including GBR's knowledge of local geology and gold mineralization, exploration and local stakeholder relationships combined with Monument's expertise in processing, mining and metallurgy. In the event Monument wishes to use Burnakura's milling capacity to toll treat third-party ore sources, the Agreement provides pre-emptive processing rights for GBR subject to availability. During the course of the Agreement each company will remain responsible for its own study costs. The parties will negotiate a definitive agreement when it is appropriate. About Monument Monument Mining Limited (TSX-V: MMY, FSE: D7Q1) is an established Canadian gold producer that 100% owns and operates the Selinsing Gold Mine in Malaysia and the Murchison Gold Project in the Murchison area of Western Australia. It has 20% interest in Tuckanarra Gold Project jointly owned with Odyssey Gold Ltd in the same region. The Company employs approximately 250 people in both regions and is committed to sustainability with practice of the high standards of environmental management, social responsibility, including health and safety for its employees and neighboring communities, and good corporate governance. Cathy Zhai, President and CEO Monument Mining Limited Suite 1580 -1100 Melville Street Vancouver, BC V6E 4A6 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION visit the company web site at www.monumentmining.com or contact: Richard Cushing, MMY Vancouver T: +1-604-638-1661 x102 rcushing@monumentmining.com "Neither 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." Disclaimer Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release includes statements containing forward-looking information about Monument, its business and future plans ("forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements are statements that involve expectations, plans, objectives or future events that are not historical facts and include the Company's plans with respect to its mineral projects, expectations regarding the completion of the ramp-up period to target production level at Selinsing and the timing thereof, expectations regarding the Company's continuing ability to source explosives from suppliers, expectations regarding completion of the proposed storage shed and ammonium nitrate depot and the timing thereof, and the timing and results of the other proposed programs and events referred to in this news release. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". The forward-looking statements in this news release are subject to various risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These risks and certain other factors include, without limitation: risks related to general business, economic, competitive, geopolitical and social uncertainties; uncertainties regarding the results of current exploration activities; uncertainties in the progress and timing of development activities, including those related to the ramp-up process at Selinsing and the completion of the proposed storage shed and ammonium nitrate depot; uncertainties and risks related to the Company's ability to source explosives from suppliers; foreign operations risks; other risks inherent in the mining industry and other risks described in the management discussion and analysis of the Company and the technical reports on the Company's projects, all of which are available under the profile of the Company on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Material factors and assumptions used to develop forward-looking statements in this news release include: expectations regarding the estimated cash cost per ounce of gold production and the estimated cash flows which may be generated from the operations, general economic factors and other factors that may be beyond the control of Monument; assumptions and expectations regarding the results of exploration on the Company's projects; assumptions regarding the future price of gold of other minerals; the timing and amount of estimated future production; assumptions regarding the timing and results of development activities, including the ramp-up process at Selinsing and the completion of the proposed storage shed and ammonium nitrate depot; expectations that the Company will continue to be able to source explosives from suppliers in a timely manner; costs of future activities; capital and operating expenditures; success of exploration activities; mining or processing issues; exchange rates; and all of the factors and assumptions described in the management discussion and analysis of the Company and the technical reports on the Company's projects, all of which are available under the profile of the Company on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Opsera reports 200% revenue growth since raising Series A+ and expands Unified Insights with AI code assistant integrations to improve developer experience. SAN FRANCISCO, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Opsera, the AI-Powered DevOps platform trusted by top Fortune 1000 companies, today announced it has raised $20M in Series B funding, led by Prosperity7 with participation from Hitachi Ventures. The funding culminates a breakout year with several product releases that position Opsera as one of the market's most flexible and intelligent AI-powered DevOps platforms for all apps and teams. Significant accomplishments include signing key industry partnerships with GitHub, Microsoft, AWS, and Databricks, 200% revenue growth since raising Series A+, and adding several key Fortune 1000 customers. Learn More About Opsera: https://www.opsera.io/ Empowering Developers with Agentic AI and Unified Insights The DevOps industry is undergoing a seismic shift driven by AI-driven automation, security integration, and the need for rapid, reliable software delivery. Organizations now prioritize AI Agentic approaches - systems where autonomous AI agents optimize workflows, predict risks, and self-heal infrastructure - to stay competitive. Opsera is pioneering Agentic AI to reshape DevOps workflows, enabling software engineering teams to move beyond static automation toward adaptive, intelligent orchestration. Traditional DevOps automation focuses on predefined workflows, but Opsera's AI-driven approach introduces autonomous AI agents that dynamically analyze, adapt and optimize software delivery in real-time. These AI agents, embedded within Opsera's AI-Powered DevOps platform, act as intelligent copilots that continuously monitor and enhance software delivery processes and the pipelines. By learning from developer interactions and activities, pipeline executions, release flows and operational bottlenecks, these agents proactively recommend optimizations, automate complex decision-making, and self-correct inefficiencies across the software delivery lifecycle. "At Opsera, we are redefining what's possible in DevOps with our AI-powered DevOps Platform for all teams, powered by Agentic AI, and the momentum we're seeing is a direct reflection of the value we're delivering to our customers," said Kumar Chivukula, CEO of Opsera. "We are grateful to Prosperity7, Hitachi Ventures and existing investors (Clear Ventures, Felicis Ventures, Taiwania Capital, Alumni Ventures) for supporting our vision to empower organizations to achieve unprecedented agility, reliability, and automated security remediation in their DevSecOps pipelines. With Opsera Unified Insights, customers gain the deepest and most intuitive metrics across 'Code to Cloud' - Copilot, DevEx, DORA, Security, Quality, GitHub Advanced Security and more - to instrument the software development cycle and to improve developer productivity and experience significantly." "Opsera's AI-powered DevOps platform has completely redefined how we approach DevOps," said Brad Bell, CIO of Qualys. "Opsera has eliminated the friction of custom builds needed to support our complex SaaS platforms. What used to take weeks of manual effort now happens in hours, accelerating software delivery by 80% and unlocking new levels of productivity and agility. Simply put, Opsera empowers us to innovate faster and operate smarter." "Opsera's powerful AI-powered DevOps platform offers forward-leaning software development organizations a game-changing boost in developer productivity and global insights across the entire software lifecycle," said Abhishek Shukla, Managing Director of Prosperity7. "Their partnerships with GitHub, Databricks and AWS are opening new use cases that will continue to drive accelerating growth, which was a very compelling story that gave us confidence to lead this Series B round." "Opsera has gone from strength to strength over the past four and a half years since our initial seed investment," said Rajeev Madhavan, Managing Director of Clear Ventures. "Our original thesis that the DevOps category was ripe for modernization and consolidation has borne out. Opsera continues to innovate and add exciting functionality to its AI-powered DevOps Platform for All - including AI Agentic capabilities, global insights for Generative AI tools like GitHub Copilot, Amazon Q, and Cursor, as well as CI/CD orchestration for all apps and teams." "As demand for data intelligence grows, Opsera's partnership with Databricks is helping bring simplicity and accelerated deployment cycles for clients embarking on AI and LLM deployments. The Built on Databricks partnership brings DevOps for DataOps and modernizes data manipulation and orchestration," said Heather Akuiyibo, VP of GTM Integration at Databricks. "IDC research finds that on average, developers estimate a 35% increase in their productivity with the use of an AI coding assistant. However, it is challenging to have visibility into adoption and measure these gains across the organization," said Katie Norton, Research Manager, DevSecOps at IDC. "The metrics available in Opsera's Unified Insights should enable organizations to demonstrate the ROI of GitHub Copilot adoption, enhancing their ability to track and quantify productivity improvements." Recent Key Milestones Include: Opsera AI Agents: Opsera's Hummingbird AI transforms fragmented DevOps processes into a unified, AI-driven engine. By connecting insights from GitHub Copilot, Jira, VS code, cloud deployments, and security tools, the Opsera AI-powered DevOps Platform delivers proactive risk mitigation (e.g., blocking insecure code), end-to-end visibility (e.g., vulnerability-to-Jira mapping) and self-healing workflows (e.g., auto-patching OS images) Opsera's Hummingbird AI transforms fragmented DevOps processes into a unified, AI-driven engine. By connecting insights from GitHub Copilot, Jira, VS code, cloud deployments, and security tools, the Opsera AI-powered DevOps Platform delivers proactive risk mitigation (e.g., blocking insecure code), end-to-end visibility (e.g., vulnerability-to-Jira mapping) and self-healing workflows (e.g., auto-patching OS images) New Unified Insights Capabilities: Opsera's AI Code Assistant Insights provides actionable intelligence on developer productivity, adoption trends, and the effectiveness of AI-driven code suggestions. Enterprises can proactively measure and optimize the ROI of their AI Code Assistant investments while improving developer experience and productivity across software delivery tools, teams, and environments. Opsera's AI Code Assistant Insights provides actionable intelligence on developer productivity, adoption trends, and the effectiveness of AI-driven code suggestions. Enterprises can proactively measure and optimize the ROI of their AI Code Assistant investments while improving developer experience and productivity across software delivery tools, teams, and environments. Leadership Dashboard: As part of Opsera's Unified Insights, the Leadership Dashboard offers granular, real-time visibility into inner-loop (software development) and outer-loop (software delivery) activities, AI adoption, and the impact of AI-powered tools like GitHub Copilot. Additionally, it delivers Developer Experience (DevEx) insights, DORA metrics, and application security posture insights-empowering leaders to enhance efficiency, innovation, velocity, security, and quality at scale. With these insights, organizations can streamline DevOps and DevSecOps processes, maximize AI-driven development efficiency, and drive continuous improvement across the SDLC. As part of Opsera's Unified Insights, the Leadership Dashboard offers granular, real-time visibility into inner-loop (software development) and outer-loop (software delivery) activities, AI adoption, and the impact of AI-powered tools like GitHub Copilot. Additionally, it delivers Developer Experience (DevEx) insights, DORA metrics, and application security posture insights-empowering leaders to enhance efficiency, innovation, velocity, security, and quality at scale. With these insights, organizations can streamline DevOps and DevSecOps processes, maximize AI-driven development efficiency, and drive continuous improvement across the SDLC. Expanded Strategic Partnerships: GitHub: Opsera deepened its relationship with GitHub, delivering SCM migration services and the most advanced insights and metrics for GitHub Copilot deployments as an ISV partner. Databricks: Opsera joined Databricks' Built on Partner Program and Technology Partner Program. Opsera and Databricks enable AI/ML model deployments with security and compliance guardrails and schema deployments with rollback capabilities. AWS: Opsera was also accepted into the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Independent Software Vendor (ISV) Accelerate Program. By combining Opsera's orchestration capabilities with the power of Amazon Q, users can unlock a new level of efficiency and innovation in their AWS deployments. Opsera empowers leaders to make data-driven decisions that enhance productivity and drive innovation across their teams by providing detailed insights into how developers interact with tools like Copilot. Learn More https://www.opsera.io/solutions/leadership-dashboard About Opsera Opsera is an AI-powered DevOps platform for all apps and teams. From comprehensive pipeline creation and management to a robust marketplace of pre-built integrations and complete analytic and reporting capabilities, organizations achieve faster release cycles, maintain and improve quality, and increase efficiency within their software development processes. Top Fortune 1000 companies are speeding up their time to market by building, testing, deploying, reporting, and monitoring their applications with Opsera's leading DevOps platform. Contact: Olivia Heel Catapult PR oheel@catapultpr-ir.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1313298/OPSERA_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/opsera-raises-20m-to-drive-ai-powered-devops-platform-innovation-accelerating-ai-agent-adoption-and-developer-efficiency-302417821.html The National Comprehensive Cancer Network celebrated its 30th anniversary with a series of presentations on cancer care practice changes-in both treatment and administration-plus new research, and other changes for the oncology workforce and the patients they serve. ORLANDO, Fla., April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN)-an alliance of leading cancer centers-celebrated 30 years of helping people with cancer to live better lives during the NCCN 2025 Annual Conference, March 28-30 in Orlando, Florida. The yearly event brings together leading minds and subject matter experts in front of a multidisciplinary audience to share the latest recommendations for cancer treatment and prevention. "We are proud to honor our founders' vision of sharing evidence-based, expert consensus-driven recommendations through clinical practice guidelines to improve cancer care," said Crystal S. Denlinger, MD, Chief Executive Officer, NCCN. "Over the years our organization has responded to a rapidly accelerating pace of discovery with record numbers of updates to our guidelines. Our work spans the spectrum from prevention and risk reduction through post-treatment survivorship and palliation, focused on ensuring that innovations are accessible for all. That is why we share strategies for ensuring delivery of high-quality, high-value, person-centered cancer care, whether it be standards of care or cutting-edge cancer research. We re-assert our commitment to meet every patient where they are and to treat the whole person. One size does not fit all in oncology-but the NCCN Guidelines and related resources provide everyone with tools to match the right treatment with the right person at the right time in order to get the best possible outcome." More than 1,500 medical professionals across all disciplines on oncology took part in the hybrid meeting in Orlando and online. There were more than200 posters featuring original, high-impact research-curated by the NCCN Oncology Research Program (ORP) and now available as abstracts at JNCCN.org, the online home of JNCCN-Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. Fishbowl discussions provided opportunities for peer-to-peer brainstorming about current concerns in the oncology field, including staff burnout, diversity in clinical trial participation, and the implications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in cancer care. AI and Cancer Care Tools and policies for AI were also the subject of one of the conference's two main plenary sessions. Speakers highlighted ways that digital tools have potential to transform health care delivery for the better. They pointed out the ability of large language model (LLM) tools to track the accelerating pace of new knowledge at a rate the human brain cannot. However, panelists also noted that AI will never be able to convey the sense that another human being cares, which has therapeutic benefits. They stated that AI-informed care should only occur when it is beneficial and transparent for everyone involved, with a focus on four major considerations: Data and Curation Sharing Bias and Fairness Regulation and Evaluation Integration into Clinical Workflow "As AI becomes increasingly more powerful, it is critical that it maintains human values and has human oversight," commented Dennis Chornenky, MBA, MPH, MS, CEO of Domelabs AI and former Chief AI Advisor at UC Davis Health. Mental Health, Smoking Cessation, Stigma, and Cancer Care A second plenary session dealt with the topic of mental health care for people with cancer. Speakers noted that those with the greatest needs for assistance tend to be the least likely to ask for it. They also pointed out that people whose social-emotional needs are addressed adhere better to treatment, are more likely to complete the full course of treatment, tend to have lower mortality rates, and have a higher likelihood of returning to work. There was also discussion regarding the mental health needs of caregivers. Panelists concluded that is it crucial to routinely ask all patients about their emotional wellbeing - not just at the onset of treatment but also during any transitions in care. Additional sessions, such as one on navigating various stigmas and another on smoking cessation added to the conversation on how to ask patients the right questions and do so in a way that will build trust between them and their providers. The smoking cessation panel called attention to the fact that only 15% of patients with cancer reported being counseled about quitting smoking, despite the fact that it dramatically improves outcomes, reduces long term effects, and can lower the risk for recurrence. Studies found that when providers did engage with their patients about smoking, they had double the rate of successfully breaking the addiction. "Treating patients with cancer is clearly hard. They have a big mountain to climb. But we cannot avoid asking about smoking. It's going to impact their survival. It's going to impact the efficacy of treatment," said Mary E. Reid, MSPH, PhD, Chief of Cancer Screening, Survivorship and Mentorship at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, a Member of the NCCN Guidelines Panel for Lung Cancer Screening. "Keep it short but make it happen," agreed James M. Davis, MD, of the Duke Cancer Institute, Director for Duke Center for Smoking Cessation, and Member of the NCCN Guidelines Panel for Smoking Cessation, who noted that much more advice for both patients and providers across the continuum of care can be found in recently-published NCCN Guidelines for Patients: Quitting Smoking-available for free at NCCN.org/patientguidelines through funding from the NCCN Foundation. Clinical and Administrative Updates The conference featured numerous practice-changing clinical updates from the latest NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines) for treating various cancers, including colorectal, lung, prostate, multiple myeloma, mesothelioma, gastrointestinal, gynecologic, and head and neck cancers. Updates on hereditary and genetic risk across numerous cancer types were also presented. Speakers noted the importance of letting people with cancer know that there is an expectation of change over time; care teams are learning with them and will always do the best they can with the information they have at the time. The conference provided audience members from various roles across the oncology care team with practical information for improving all aspects of cancer care delivery-particularly in the non-academic setting. Additional sessions focused on topics like oncology nursing, oncologic urgent care and dentistry, APPs in the outpatient setting, navigation models, and telehealth. Save The Dates The NCCN Annual Conference will return to the Caribe Royale Orlando on March 27 - March 29, 2026. Before then, NCCN has several additional opportunities for Continuing Education and Policy learning, including: NCCN Oncology Policy Summit: Primary Care and Oncology Collaboration to Improve Patient Outcomes in Washington D.C. at the National Press Club on May 6, 2025. NCCN Oncology Policy Summit: The Evolving Artificial Intelligence Landscape in Cancer Care in Washington D.C. at the National Press Club on September 9, 2025. NCCN 2025 Annual Congress: Hematologic Malignancies at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront, San Diego, California on October 10 - 11, 2025. Visit NCCN.org for more information on events and resources that define and advance quality, effective, equitable, and accessible cancer care and prevention so all people can live better lives. About the National Comprehensive Cancer Network The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) is marking 30 years as a not-for-profit alliance of leading cancer centers devoted to patient care, research, and education. NCCN is dedicated to defining and advancing quality, effective, equitable, and accessible cancer care and prevention so all people can live better lives. The NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines) provide transparent, evidence-based, expert consensus-driven recommendations for cancer treatment, prevention, and supportive services; they are the recognized standard for clinical direction and policy in cancer management and the most thorough and frequently-updated clinical practice guidelines available in any area of medicine. The NCCN Guidelines for Patients provide expert cancer treatment information to inform and empower patients and caregivers, through support from the NCCN Foundation. NCCN also advances continuing education, global initiatives, policy, and research collaboration and publication in oncology. Visit NCCN.org for more information. Media Contact: Rachel Darwin 267-622-6624 darwin@nccn.org Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2655794/NCCN_Annual_Conference.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/441768/NCCN_Logo_v2.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/nccn-2025-annual-conference-illustrates-the-critical-impact-of-cancer-research-on-improving-lives-302418533.html CorWave, a French company developing and manufacturing innovative cardiac assist devices, announces the appointment of Dawn Sadlowski-Buisserez as Vice President of Operations. Dawn Sadlowski-Buisserez brings extensive experience in implantable medical devices to support CorWave's production scale-up. Her expertise is a major asset for CorWave's industrial development and its transition to the clinical phase. Before joining CorWave, Dawn Sadlowski-Buisserez led the Sorin CRM manufacturing plant in Clamart, France. This facility, which produced several tens of thousands of devices each year, housed one of Europe's largest cleanrooms dedicated to active implantable medical devices. A graduate of Rutgers University-College of Engineering, Dawn holds an MBA from Sciences Po. She began her career in 1994 at Alcatel at a fiber optic manufacturing plant in Claremont, North Carolina. Dawn relocated to France in 1997, where she led global industrialization projects and then oversaw a major plant expansion amid the fiber optic market boom, managing a team of over 170. In 2004, she joined Lear Corporation, a global leader in automotive interiors, and became Continuous Improvement Champion for Western European manufacturing sites in 2007. In 2009, she joined the Sorin CRM manufacturing facility in Clamart (which became LivaNova in 2015 and was acquired by MicroPort in 2018), initially overseeing industrial quality. Between 2012 and 2016, she oversaw the manufacturing of pacemakers and implantable defibrillators. She then became Director of Operations, managing the Clamart plant, a position she held until 2021. Following the acquisition by the Chinese group MicroPort, she was responsible for implementing strategic projects, including developing CRM activities in China by duplicating a product line and managing the product portfolio, as well as leading a product re-approval project in the transition from MDD to MDR regulations. She succeeds Michael Webb, who has decided to return to Australia after four years at CorWave. Dawn Sadlowski-Buisserez, Vice President of Operations at CorWave, stated: "I am thrilled to join CorWave, an industrial medtech company striving for global excellence in medical devices. Following the inauguration of the production facility in October 2023, CorWave continues its development to address a major public health issue: heart failure." Louis de Lillers, CEO of CorWave, added: "I am delighted to welcome Dawn to our leadership team to support the ramp-up of our production system in preparation for clinical and commercial phases. As a French-American, she reflects the cross-Atlantic nature of our team. She brings 30 years of valuable experience in some of the most demanding industries. Moreover, she is one of the few people in Europe with such in-depth knowledge of large-scale manufacturing of active implantable medical devices. She will be a major asset as we enter the clinical and soon the commercial phase." Following its inauguration in 2023, CorWave's urban factory experienced significant growth in 2024, producing close to one hundred devices as part of formal validation tests and industrialization. Initially sized to generate about 100 million in annual revenue, the factory can be expanded within the same building to increase its production capacity tenfold. About CorWave CorWave is a French company that develops and manufactures innovative cardiac assist devices. The CorWave undulating membrane is a breakthrough technology that differs from today's commercially available left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) by its physiological operation, designed to mimic a pulse and blood flow rates similar to those of a healthy heart. Ultimately, CorWave's membrane pump technology is expected to reduce the complications associated with current devices and improve the management of heart failure patients. A member of the French Tech 120, CorWave was founded in 2012 by the start-up studio MD Start and is funded by renowned investors including Bpifrance, EIC Fund, M&L Healthcare, Novo Holdings, Seventure Partners, Sofinnova Partners, Ysios Capital and Vlerick Group. The company has secured over 80 million in equity funding and employs more than eighty people. In October 2023, after more than ten years of research and development, CorWave scaled up to industrial production with the inauguration of its state-of-the-art urban factory in Clichy, initially sized to generate annual revenue of about 100 million. For more information: www.corwave.com x.com/corwave www.linkedin.com/company/corwave This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement no. 954151. The SPI fund's investment in CorWave is part of the France 2030 program. CorWave's R&D program is supported by the French government through the Programme d'investissements d'avenir (PIA). CorWave's industrialization program is supported by the Paris Region through the "Relance Industrie" call for projects. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250402165389/en/ Contacts: Press contact: Taddeo Camille Duchiron +33 6 50 52 44 43 camille.duchiron@taddeo.fr Geneva, Switzerland--(Newsfile Corp. - April 2, 2025) - OCIM announces that it has become the owner of the Chala One and Kori One processing plants in Peru following the Inca One Gold Corp. ( Inca One ) receivership proceedings. A decision by the Supreme Court of British Columbia has given OCIM full ownership of all the shares of the companies owning the two processing plants.This brings to a close a period of more than two years during which OCIM has patiently and constructively proposed to Inca One mutually beneficial solutions, including allowing for five debt restructurings, alas to no avail. As a result OCIM has found itself obliged to exercise in 2024 its guarantees as a secured creditor, in judicial proceedings leading to a receivership and a sales process. OCIM's objective is now to restart the two plants and resume gold production in 2025. Listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange, Inca One operated two gold and silver bearing ore processing units, Chala One and Kori One, located in the south of Peru and duly permitted by local authorities. Inca One provided mineral processing services to Artisanal Small-Scale Miners (ASM), an industry estimated at close to US$2 Billion per year in Peru, a country where Mining is the dominant sector. ASM is estimated to account for about 20% of the world gold production and is an underserviced market that OCIM is focusing on. Inca One produced about 20'000 ounces (600 kilos) of gold in 2023, using only 20% of its permitted capacity, which is the second-highest built out ore processing capacity in Peru. OCIM's objective is now to restart operations at the two plants and to resume gold dore production in 2025, relying on an historical and committed local management team, out of headquarters located in Lima. To achieve a successful and perennial restart of production OCIM will further invest in a significant manner, both in capital expenditures and by providing working capital to allow for ore purchase terms that will be competitive in the market. OCIM's objective is also to abide by the most stringent principles in that gold processing business, with guidance from LBMA rules dedicated to the ASM industry. In that endeavour OCIM fully shares the Swiss Better Gold vision of enabling responsible, traceable and resilient supply chains. "We intend to place the Chala One and Kori One Processing Plants at the heart of the transformation of the Peruvian ASM gold sector and to become the best counterpart for local ASM miners by setting an example in each of the ESG criteria components. To achieve this, we are fortunate to be able to count on a long-standing Peruvian team, which has remained committed and patient throughout this period and whose professional quality, experience and ethics we salute" explains Laurent Mathiot, Chairman and CEO of OCIM. ABOUT OCIM Founded in Paris in 1961, the OCIM Group, owned and managed by the holding company OCIM Finance SA, has a long experience of managing and financing tangible assets. In addition to its historic real estate business, OCIM has diversified into other tangible assets considered strategic, in particular precious metals such as gold, silver and platinum grade metals, by carrying out a dual and complementary activity as a trader and financier. As a trader, OCIM buys and sells throughout the value chain of the assets concerned, from producers to end users. As a financier, OCIM funds the operations of the value chain, mainly through prepayment contracts. The subsidiary OCIM Metals & Mining SA carries all the financing and absorbs the credit risks. The trading subsidiary electrum SA absorbs market risks such as commodity fluctuations and exchange rate risks. OCIM has teams based mainly in Paris and Geneva. To learn more about OCIM, visit: www.ocim.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/246351 SOURCE: OCIM Precious Metals The Identity Authority joins companies on the Inc. Regionals: Pacific list that had a median growth rate of 124% Saviynt, a leading provider of cloud-native identity and governance solutions, today announced that it has climbed 40 spots on the fifth annual Inc. Regionals: Pacific list. This marks Saviynt's second consecutive year on the prestigious list, which recognizes the fastest-growing private companies in the Pacific, which includes California, Oregon, Washington, Hawaii, and Alaska. As an extension of the national Inc. 5000 list, the Regionals offer a unique look at the most successful companies within the Pacific economy's most dynamic segment-its independent small businesses. "Being recognized by Inc. as one of the fastest-growing private companies for the second year in a row is a testament to Saviynt's unwavering commitment to its customers and innovation in identity security. In 2024, we achieved remarkable milestones accelerating growth, strengthening partnerships, and helping enterprises modernize their identity programs with our converged, cloud-native platform," said Paul Zolfaghari, president at Saviynt. "As organizations move away from legacy providers, they are choosing Saviynt to secure their evolving digital landscapes. This recognition fuels our momentum as we continue to lead the industry in 2025 and beyond." Ranked 111, Saviynt's recognition on the Inc. Regionals: Pacific list reflects the company's leadership in identity security and the accelerating demand for its cloud-native platform, The Identity Cloud. In 2024, Saviynt achieved over 35% year-over-year ARR growth, expanded its strategic partnerships, and continued to deliver industry-first innovations that help enterprises secure their digital ecosystems. With a focus on customer success and a partner-first approach, Saviynt is empowering organizations to move beyond outdated legacy solutions and adopt a converged, intelligent identity security strategy. As the company continues to scale in 2025, it remains committed to driving innovation, enhancing security at scale, and shaping the future of identity security for enterprises worldwide. The companies on this list show a remarkable rate of growth across all industries in the Pacific. Between 2021 and 2023, these 142 private companies had a median growth rate of 124%; by 2023, they'd also added 7,947 jobs and $5.6 billion to the region's economy. "The honorees on this year's Inc. Regionals list are true trailblazers driving economic growth in their respective regions, industries, and beyond. This list celebrates their achievements and tells the stories of remarkable companies that are fueling growth and adding jobs in local economies throughout the country," said Bonny Ghosh, editorial director at Inc. Complete results of the Inc. Regionals: Pacific, including company profiles, can be found at https://www.inc.com/regionals/pacific starting April 1. You'll also find an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, metro area, and other criteria. To learn more about Saviynt, please visit the website. More about Inc.and the Inc. Regionals Methodology The 2025 Inc. Regionals are ranked according to percentage revenue growth over two years. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2021. They had to be U.S.-based, privately held, for-profit, and independent-not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies-as of December 31, 2023. (Since then, a number of companies on the list may have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2021 is $100,000; the minimum for 2023 is $1 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons. About Inc. Inc. is the leading media brand and playbook for the entrepreneurs and business leaders shaping our future. Through its journalism, Inc. aims to inform, educate, and elevate the profile of its community: the risk-takers, the innovators, and the ultra-driven go-getters who are creating the future of business. Inc. is published by Mansueto Ventures LLC, along with fellow leading business publication Fast Company. For more information, visit www.inc.com About Saviynt Saviynt empowers enterprises to secure their digital transformation, safeguard critical assets, and meet regulatory compliance. With a vision to provide a secure and compliant future for all enterprises, Saviynt is recognized as an industry leader in identity security whose cutting-edge solutions protect the world's leading brands, Fortune 500 companies and government organizations. For more information, please visit www.saviynt.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250402150119/en/ Contacts: Jacklyn Kellick jacklyn.kellick@saviynt.com Survey shows executives turning to automation, AI, and domestic production amid geopolitical and regulatory shifts A Q1 2025 ad hoc survey conducted by Black Book Research of 60 pharmaceutical and biotech manufacturing executives - half based in the U.S. and half operating offshore - reveals mounting momentum for reshoring U.S. healthcare manufacturing. The findings point to tariff-driven incentives, automation adoption, and supply chain vulnerabilities as central catalysts prompting a strategic shift in sourcing strategies across pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, and medical supplies. The data highlights the economic and regulatory realities of rebuilding domestic production capacity in a highly automated, post-pandemic landscape. Prompted by actual and anticipated tariffs, federal incentives, and ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, U.S. industry leaders are accelerating efforts to reshore key manufacturing sectors, including pharmaceuticals, diagnostic instruments, biomedical equipment, and medical devices. A resounding 96% of U.S.-based executives and 94% of offshore respondents expect new or expanded U.S. facilities to operate on highly automated platforms, integrating robotics, artificial intelligence, and predictive analytics across production, logistics, and quality control functions. In 2024, approximately 350,000 jobs were announced in reshoring and foreign direct investment (FDI) initiatives, with medical and pharmaceutical manufacturing comprising 14% of that total. However, 90% of the surveyed healthcare industry executives anticipate that job creation from these efforts will be "limited" or "highly specialized," due to increased reliance on automation and digital manufacturing. This reflects a broader trend, as robotics and AI adoption in U.S. healthcare manufacturing has surged 70% since 2020 according to respondents. "Reshoring doesn't mean reversing automation - it means rethinking workforce needs," said Doug Brown, Founder of Black Book Research. "We're witnessing a pivot away from traditional factory-line labor toward highly skilled, compliance-driven roles in digital pharma, biotech, and medical supply manufacturing." Regulatory complexity also emerged as a defining factor in reshoring strategy. All respondents expect significantly increased oversight for domestic facilities, with FDA, EPA, and OSHA standards creating a more rigorous compliance environment than many offshore locations. While 97% of U.S. executives cite regulatory complexity as one of their top three reshoring challenges, the majority acknowledged that this oversight results in higher product quality and public trust. All thirty U.S.-based executives surveyed anticipate increased production costs stemming from compliance burdens, smart factory infrastructure, and rising labor rates. Nevertheless, 67% of respondents support reshoring as a national strategic imperative. Black Book's consumer sentiment analysis reinforces this stance: 98% of the 100 surveyed Americans favor reshoring critical industries to improve national security, reduce foreign dependency, and stimulate specialized employment. The urgency is further underscored by supply chain dependency data: the U.S. currently imports more than 80% of its active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) from China and India. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed major vulnerabilities, with most domestic manufacturers reporting severe disruptions and initiating reshoring evaluations in its aftermath. "For healthcare providers and systems, reshoring brings dual outcomes - greater product quality assurance and availability, but also higher procurement costs in the near term," Brown said. "These shifts will ripple across payer-provider negotiations, government purchasing, and long-term public health budgets." With U.S. healthcare spending projected to reach $6.8 trillion by 2030 - 10% of which will be pharmaceutical-related - the cost implications of domestic manufacturing are poised to become a critical issue in US healthcare economics. Reshoring is also part of a broader global trend. According to Black Book's manufacturing insights, 80% of surveyed global manufacturers are currently evaluating reshoring or nearshoring strategies to strengthen operational resilience. About Black Book Research Black Book is an independent, unbiased, and vendor-agnostic healthcare research firm dedicated to improving patient care and provider staff experiences through data-driven insights. Founded by Doug Brown, author of the best-selling The Black Book of Outsourcing (Wiley & Sons), the firm was originally known for guiding global organizations through the pros and cons of offshore sourcing during the height of the outsourcing boom. Now, two decades later, Black Book applies its expertise to assess the evolving impact of automation, robotics, and AI-particularly as new U.S. tariffs and policy shifts fuel a renewed reshoring movement. The firm brings decades of experience tracking global sourcing, labor, and automation trends. Today, Black Book applies this expertise to critical issues shaping the future of healthcare manufacturing and technology policy. SOURCE: Black Book Research Strategic acquisition to strengthen OneMind Technologies and expand market reach. Affluence Corporation, (OTC Pink:AFFU), a Smart City Software and Internet of Things (IoT) technology company, announced today the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire Mingothings SL ("MTI"), a specialist in integrated IoT solutions and data analytics for smart cities and connected industries. Once the acquisition is completed MTI, based in Barcelona, will work in partnership with OneMind Technologies ("OMT"), also a wholly owned subsidiary of Affluence. OMT utilizes the proprietary OneMindNG platform to integrate key data from disparate systems into a single dashboard, or Hypervisor, and harnesses the power of Artificial Intelligence to revolutionize how businesses interact with data and make decisions. By integrating cutting-edge predictive and prescriptive analytics into OneMindNG, we will empower organizations to not only anticipate future outcomes but also receive actionable guidance tailored to their needs. OMTs AI-driven approach ensures smarter decision-making, operational efficiency and enhanced user experiences. MTI provides the software and services that enable rapid connection to its IOT platform, of all relevant devices and IoT sensors thereby enabling faster and more cost-effective implementation and deployment. According to Fortune Business Insights, the Smart City and Connected Industries IoT market is projected to grow from $768 billion in 2024 to over $4.6 trillion by 2032, a CAGR of 25.2% during the forecast period. We believe that, when the acquisition is consummated, our newly combined and enhanced product offering, including engineering and integration services, will ensure a streamlined customer experience and allow us to pursue larger opportunities within our target markets. Affluence is also pleased to announce the appointment of William E. Gonyer to the position of Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately. "This is a crucial step in our planned acquisition strategy to scale and profitably grow Affluence. Cost synergies and accelerated growth will ensure that the group is cashflow positive. MTI's large installed base complements OMT enabling greater access to a growing network of world-class partners, resellers and distributors. This is an exciting phase for Affluence. The acquisition brings significant growth potential through expanded market reach," said Williiam Gonyer, CFO of Affluence Corporation. "MTI, through thethings.IO and its IoT platform, will complement the portfolio solutions of Affluence to generate revenue synergies across the group, drive sustainable growth and become a global leader in the IoT market. Our ambition is to work with OMT to push the boundaries of IoT technologies and enable any organization to run smarter operations." said Francesc Domingo, CEO of MTI. Pursuant to the acquisition agreement the outstanding equity of MTI will be exchanged by the shareholders of MTI for shares of preferred stock of Affluence Corporation, providing the former MTI shareholders with voting control of Affluence Corporation. The final step in the acquisition process is the customary notarization of the executed definitive agreement pursuant to the laws of Spain, expected to take place this month. # # # About Affluence Corporation Affluence Corporation (AFFU.PK) is a diversified technology company focused on smart city and industry software and innovative solutions that capitalize on IoT, AI, 5G and edge technologies. We are investing in mid-market businesses to create a cohesive unit which brings together technology for the next generation of internet. For more information go to https://affucorp.com. About OneMind Technologies SL OneMind Technologies ("OMT"), based in Barcelona, Spain, is a recognized provider of IoT, Smart City, and Security Command and Control solutions. With its innovative OneMindNG platform, OMT enables cities and industries to optimize operations, enhance public safety, and support sustainable development. https://onemindng.com/ About Mingothings SL Mingothings SL ("MTI") is a trusted specialist in integrated IoT solutions and data analytics for smart cities and connected industries. With expertise in real-time data processing, sensor integration, and adaptable IoT platforms, MTI provides innovative solutions designed to maximize efficiency, sustainability, and operational performance in diverse IoT applications. https://www.mingothings.com/ # # # This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Statements that are not historical in nature, including the words "anticipate," "expect," "suggests," "plan," "believe," "intend," "estimates," "targets," "projects," "should," "could," "would," "may," "will," "forecast" and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. There are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including: general economic business conditions, competitive and technological factors, markets, services, products and prices, the failure to consummate the proposed acquisition, the failure to retain management and/or key employees of the target company, availability and the cost of capital, success of growth initiatives, limited operating history and other risks discussed in our filings with the OTCMarkets; and the Securities and Exchange Commissions. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and Affluence Corporation assumes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Media and investor contact - press@affucorp.com SOURCE: Affluence Corp Camilla Griffiths named President of 21GRAMS Europe; Mike Nelson relocated to London as President, Integrated Communications, in new International Client Development role for Real Chemistry Real Chemistry, a global leader in healthcare marketing and communications, today announced two strategic leadership moves to strengthen its presence in Europe. Camilla Griffiths has been appointed President, 21GRAMS Europe, bringing her extensive expertise in healthcare advertising and marketing strategy to accelerate the agency's growth across the region. In parallel, Mike Nelson, President, Integrated Communications, has relocated from the U.S. to London to drive international client development. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250402573687/en/ (L-R): Real Chemistry welcomes Camilla Griffiths, President, 21GRAMS Europe; and company vet Mike Nelson assumes new International Client Development role at Real Chemistry. "These key leadership moves reflect our continued investment in global expansion and our commitment to meeting the evolving needs of our clients," said Shankar Narayanan, CEO of Real Chemistry. "Camilla's deep expertise in healthcare marketing and her proven leadership will be instrumental in expanding 21GRAMS' presence in Europe, while Mike's experience and strategic mindset will help us strengthen our international communications offering and cultivate new opportunities for growth." Camilla Griffiths to Lead 21GRAMS Europe Operations Having worked in the healthcare advertising industry for nearly 15 years, Griffiths brings a wealth of experience in overseeing creative campaigns, team leadership and financial management. Prior to joining 21GRAMS, she served as Group Managing Director at Havas Lynx Group, where she was responsible for multiple agency teams and spearheaded successful global campaigns for leading pharmaceutical brands. As President of 21GRAMS Europe, Griffiths will be responsible for driving agency growth, fostering a culture of creativity and collaboration, and strengthening the agency's presence in the UK and European markets. "21GRAMS is known for its bold, creative-first approach to healthcare communications, which aligns perfectly with my own passion. I'm thrilled to be joining, especially at such a pivotal moment of growth," said Griffiths. "I look forward to working with the brilliant team at 21GRAMS to build upon its success to date, push creative boundaries in healthcare and, ultimately, impact people's lives for the better. For me, that's what it is all about." Mike Nelson to Drive International Client Development from London Nelson has relocated to London to enhance Real Chemistry's international communications business and meet the increasing global needs of its clients. With over 13 years at Real Chemistry, Nelson has been a key strategic leader, partnering with clients at critical inflection points to develop and implement impactful global strategies. Recognized for his ability to connect industry leaders and build mission-aligned partnerships, Nelson will focus on serving as a senior client strategist, building teams to meet client needs and uncovering international growth opportunities across both existing and new clients. His extensive client network includes leading pharma companies, as well as a diverse mix of biotech, medical device, diagnostics, non-profit and academic organizations. Nelson's international experience is extensive, having previously worked in Basel, Switzerland, leading global communications, advocacy and policy initiatives for Roche. His return to Europe follows years of deep engagement with global clients and teams at Real Chemistry. "I'm excited to take on this new role in London and help shape the next phase of Real Chemistry's global growth," said Nelson. "As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, we have a tremendous opportunity to deliver innovative, data-driven communications strategies that will make a real impact for our clients, while connecting patients with healthcare innovations that will help them lead better and longer lives." About Real Chemistry Real Chemistry is a trusted partner to the world's most successful life sciences and healthcare companies. As a leading provider of AI-powered audience analytics and insights, we help the healthcare industry better understand, reach and engage patients and professionals using bold ideas to create human-centric healthcare experiences. Anchored by our culture of innovation and boundless creativity, our 2,000+ experts across the life sciences, marketing communications and technology sectors enable modern medical therapies to reach their full potential. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250402573687/en/ Contacts: Media Contact: Lauren Venoy, APR Director, Corporate Communications lvenoy@realchemistry.com (904) 874-5814 Unity (NYSE: U), the leading platform to create and grow games and interactive experiences, today announced that it will provide game developers with official support for Nintendo Switch 2. Support for this platform will be made available soon in Unity 6, as an add-on, for approved Nintendo developers further expanding Unity's commitment to enabling creators to bring their visions to life on the widest range of platforms "We're excited to offer official support for Nintendo Switch 2," said Matthew Bromberg, CEO and President of Unity. "Unity has battle-tested our support for Nintendo Switch 2 through hands-on development of a day-one launch title. The valuable feedback obtained during the development process provided learnings that will drive further enhancements to the Unity engine for those developers building new games for this gaming system." With a robust ecosystem that spans 20+ platforms, Unity continues to deliver on its promise of multiplatform accessibility and day-one support for the newest platforms. Developers using Unity will be able to seamlessly build, port, optimize, and deploy their projects for Nintendo Switch 2 leveraging Unity's powerful suite of tools and technologies to create immersive and engaging experiences. What developers can expect from Unity and Nintendo Switch 2 includes: Rendering and Performance Optimization Scale your games' graphical fidelity with the Universal Render Pipeline (URP), Spatial-Temporal Post-Processing (STP), and GPU Resident Drawer enabling developers to push the power of Nintendo Switch 2 while maximizing performance. Scale your games' graphical fidelity with the Universal Render Pipeline (URP), Spatial-Temporal Post-Processing (STP), and GPU Resident Drawer enabling developers to push the power of Nintendo Switch 2 while maximizing performance. End-to-end Multiplayer solutions Improvements to our multiplayer capabilities extending our existing Nintendo Switch support, launching on Nintendo Switch 2 soon. Improvements to our multiplayer capabilities extending our existing Nintendo Switch support, launching on Nintendo Switch 2 soon. Enhanced Developer Documentation Unity's developer documentation for Nintendo Switch 2 will make it easier for developers to build and optimize their games on the platform. Unity is also making it easier for developers to port their existing Nintendo Switch games to Nintendo Switch 2 by ensuring full compatibility with key features in Unity 6, including the new input system, Build Profiles, and Incremental Build Pipeline, while also integrating built-in support for Nintendo Switch 2's new capabilities-helping developers seamlessly reach players on this new platform. Unity developers interested in getting started on Nintendo Switch 2 must be an approved developer for Nintendo Switch 2. For further details on Nintendo Switch 2 software development and the new platform, please wait for more information from Nintendo by visiting the Nintendo Developer Portal. About Unity Unity [NYSE: U] offers a suite of tools to create, market, and grow games and interactive experiences across all major platforms from mobile, PC, and console, to extended reality. For more information, visit Unity.com. Forward-Looking Statements This publication contains "forward-looking statements," as that term is defined under federal securities laws, including, in particular, statements about Unity's plans, strategies and objectives. The words "believe," "may," "will," "estimate," "continue," "intend," "expect," "plan," "project," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. If the risks materialize or assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. Further information on these and additional risks that could affect Unity's results is included in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) which are available on the Unity Investor Relations website. Statements herein speak only as of the date of this release, and Unity assumes no obligation to, and does not currently intend to, update any such forward-looking statements after the date of this publication except as required by law. Nintendo Switch is a trademark of Nintendo. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250402978799/en/ Contacts: Unity PR Contact: Kelly Ekins UnityComms@unity3d.com Regulatory News: SOCIETE FONCIERE LYONNAISE (Paris:FLY) shareholders are informed that the preparatory documentation for the Annual General Meeting of April 23, 2025 at 11:00 a.m., which will be held at 42 rue Washington Paris 8th, is available on the Company's website: www.fonciere-lyonnaise.com/en/publications/general-meeting. In accordance with the French Commercial Code article R.225-88 provisions, any shareholder in possession of registered shares may ask to receive a copy of the documents and information covered by French Commercial Code articles R.225-81 and R.225-83. Holders of bearer shares may also request these documents from their authorised financial intermediary. Shareholders can also consult these documents at the SOCIETE FONCIERE LYONNAISE headquarters (42 rue Washington, 75008 PARIS). Notice of the meeting was published in the Bulletin des Annonces Legales et Obligatoires (Bulletin of Mandatory Legal Notices or BALO) on 19 mars 2025 (Bulletin n 34 publication n 2500713). This notice contains the agenda and draft resolutions as well as the conditions for participating and voting at this meeting. This notice can also be viewed on Company's website: www.fonciere-lyonnaise.com/en/publications/general-meeting. About SFL Referent in the prime segment of the Parisian commercial real estate market, Societe Fonciere Lyonnaise stands out for the quality of its property portfolio, which is valued at 7.6 billion and is focused on the Central Business District of Paris (cloud.paris, Edouard VII, Washington Plaza, etc.), and for the quality of its client portfolio, which is composed of prestigious companies. As France's oldest property company, SFL demonstrates year after year an unwavering commitment to its strategy focused on creating a high value in use for users and, ultimately, substantial appraisal values for its properties. With its sights firmly set on the future, SFL is committed to sustainable real estate with the aim of building the city of tomorrow and helping to reduce carbon emissions in its sector. Stock market: Euronext Paris Compartment A Euronext Paris ISIN FR0000033409 Bloomberg: FLY FP Reuters: FLYP PA S&P rating: BBB+ stable outlook www.fonciere-lyonnaise.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250402715266/en/ Contacts: SFL Thomas Fareng T +33 (0)1 42 97 27 00 t.fareng@fonciere-lyonnaise.com DELRAY BEACH, Fla., April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The US Electronic Warfare market is expected to reach USD 8.99 billion in 2028 from USD 6.45 billion in 2024, at a CAGR of 8.6% during the forecast period according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets." US is recognized as one of the key manufacturers, exporters, and users of EW systems worldwide and is known to have the strongest EW capabilities. Key manufacturers of EW systems in the US include Lockheed Martin Corporation (US), Northrop Grumman Corporation (US), L3Harris Technologies, Inc. (US), and Raytheon Technologies Corporation (US). The new defense strategy of the US indicates an increase in EW spending to include advanced capabilities in the existing defense systems of the US Army to counter incoming threats. View detailed Table of Content here - https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/electronic-warfare-market-1301.html The recent developments in the US in January 2024 showcase significant advancements in military modernization. Raytheon Technologies held a USD 154 million contract to supply Commander's Independent Viewer (CIV) systems, which support the surveillance capabilities of Bradley Fighting Vehicles. Simultaneously, Lockheed Martin Corporation received a USD 312 million contract modification to produce the AN BLQ 10 sub-man electronic warfare system. The Army prioritizes airborne and ground-based EW programs, while the Marine Corps emphasizes modern EW capabilities for expeditionary operations. The Navy adopts new operational concepts and upgrades EW systems, notably the EA-18G Growler aircraft. The Air Force upgrades EW payloads and procures new aircraft to ensure spectrum access for future operations. These collective efforts underscore a commitment to enhancing electronic warfare capabilities crucial for maintaining military dominance amidst evolving global challenges. Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=1301 In 2024, the Airborne accounted for the largest share by platform in the US Electronic Warfare market. Based on the platform, the US Electronic Warfare market is segmented into airborne, naval, ground, and Space. The airborne EW market covers combat aircraft, transport aircraft, special mission aircraft, military helicopters, and UAVs. Key factors fueling the growth of the UAV market include high demand for military operations, advancements in technologies of drone payloads, and the increase in defense budgets of emerging economies. US leads the UAV market due to the increasing applicability of UAVs in the military, homeland security, and commercial sectors. The ground platform segment covers vehicle-mounted, soldier-carried, and ground-station EW. Ground platform is further segmented into vehicle mounted, soldiers, and ground stations. Vehicle-mounted EW systems are lightweight and installed on the roof of military vehicles. These systems use special analytical intelligence to safeguard the vehicle against incoming threats. Soldiers carry weapon accessories and electronics that allow them to stay connected with their team after exiting vehicles on the battlefield and remain protected from enemy attacks. However, Ground stations provide remote monitoring, mission planning, attitude control, payload control, navigation & positioning, communication & data processing, integrated display and monitoring, and other functionalities through a datalink system. The naval EW segment covers ships, submarines, and unmanned marine vehicles (UMVs). One of the key advantages of naval systems is their mobility. Ground forces may be tactically mobile, but strategically, they are only deployable, requiring ships and planes to put them into position. A ship, by contrast, is the largest possible platform that can still move. New technologies are expected to bring the EW power of ships closer to that of permanent ground installations. Inquiry Before Buying: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_BuyingNew.asp?id=1301 The Electronic Support sub-segment of the Capability segment accounted for the largest share of the US Electronic Warfare market in 2024. Based on capability, the electronic warfare industry has been segmented into electronic support, electronic attack, and electronic protection. Electronic support, also known as electronic support measure (ESM), is integral to electronic warfare. It helps gather intelligence via a range of electromagnetic surveillance and collection devices required for decision-making. Electronic support provides situational awareness insights ranging from detecting foreign signals to identifying adversarial or friendly forces to locations and characterizing tactical threats during missions. The electronic attack involves the use of electromagnetic energy, directed energy, or anti-radiation weapons to attack personnel, facilities, or equipment with the intent of degrading, neutralizing, or destroying enemy combat capability. It also prevents the enemy from exploiting the electromagnetic spectrum. Electronic protection, also called electronic counter-countermeasures (ECCM) or electronic protective measures, refers to the use of the electromagnetic spectrum to counter EW attacks. It involves protecting friendly forces from degrading, neutralizing, or destroying combat capability. The electronic protection segment is further categorized into anti-active and anti-passive. Get 10% Free Customization on this Report: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestCustomizationNew.asp?id=1301 Browse Adjacent Market: Aerospace and Defence Market Research Reports &Consulting About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets has been recognized as one of America's Best Management Consulting Firms by Forbes, as per their recent report. MarketsandMarkets is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. With the widest lens on emerging technologies, we are proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients across the globe. Today, 80% of Fortune 2000 companies rely on MarketsandMarkets, and 90 of the top 100 companies in each sector trust us to accelerate their revenue growth. With a global clientele of over 13,000 organizations, we help businesses thrive in a disruptive ecosystem. The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion in new revenue streams that are replacing existing ones within this decade. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines - TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing. Built on the 'GIVE Growth' principle, we collaborate with several Forbes Global 2000 B2B companies to keep them future-ready. Our insights and strategies are powered by industry experts, cutting-edge AI, and our Market Intelligence Cloud, KnowledgeStore, which integrates research and provides ecosystem-wide visibility into revenue shifts. In addition, MarketsandMarkets SalesIQ enables sales teams to identify high-priority accounts and uncover hidden opportunities, helping them build more pipeline and win more deals with precision. To find out more, visit www.MarketsandMarkets.com or follow us on Twitter , LinkedIn and Facebook . Contact: Mr. Rohan Salgarkar MarketsandMarkets INC. 1615 South Congress Ave. Suite 103, Delray Beach, FL 33445 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: sales@marketsandmarkets.com Visit Our Web Site: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ Research Insight: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/electronic-warfare-market.asp Content Source: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/usa-electronic-warfare.asp Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1868219/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/united-states-usa-electronic-warfare-market-worth-8-99-billion-in-2028---exclusive-report-by-marketsandmarkets-302418041.html GoDaddy: Originally published on GoDaddy Resource Library Tell us a little bit about yourself and your career at GoDaddy. I have been at GoDaddy for nearly nine years and lead the Global Research and Insights Team (GRIT). We are a Center of Excellence, providing insights to drive strategy and business decisions across GoDaddy. I joined GoDaddy Women in Tech (GDWIT) in my first year because I felt strongly about supporting other women across our company and it was a wonderful way to meet other GoDaddy employees. When we had an office in Santa Clara, California, I was the GDWIT leader for our location. We sponsored events and had speakers come into the office. One of my favorite events was an afternoon tea. We had a huge turnout, after all- who can resist tea sandwiches, scones and cookies? My former manager, Laura Messerschmitt, who serves as the Executive Sponsor of GDWIT, encouraged me to get involved. Gradually, my engagement deepened, and I joined the leadership council to help plan events. I then progressed to the role of Co-Vice President and now proudly serve as Co-President. GDWIT has always been a valuable resource for its members and GoDaddy as a whole. I am honored to contribute to such an impactful Employee Resource Group. What inspired you to pursue a career in the tech industry? I found myself unexpectedly drawn to this path. While finishing my Ph.D. in Educational Psychology at UC Berkeley, with a focus on Quantitative Methods, I had initially planned to pursue a career as a professor. An internship opportunity arose with Tandem Computers in their Quality Improvement team, offering an attractive salary. I began working part-time at Tandem and was struck by the swift decision-making process, a stark contrast to the prolonged two-year cycle required for publishing academic research. The team was led by an exceptional woman who became my mentor. Later, I joined Cadence Design Systems and encountered another remarkable female leader who mentored me. These experiences pushed me to continue a career path within the tech industry. What aspects of GoDaddy's company culture do you appreciate the most? I love that GoDaddy is inclusive and values diversity. The culture is incredibly collaborative and I am lucky to have a wonderful team, who are always willing to help one another out. Moreover, GoDaddy is very supportive of a healthy work-life balance and our Wellness Days are a perfect example of that commitment. What advice would you give to other employees who want to get involved in GDWIT? I highly recommend joining GDWIT. By participating, you will benefit immensely from networking with other employees who are passionate about supporting women in technology. You'll have the opportunity to attend informative sessions, webinars, and talks, participate in wellness events, engage in mentor/mentee opportunities, and contribute to the community. What future changes do you hope to see for women in the tech industry? I hope to see more women in senior leadership positions across the industry. GoDaddy is fortunate to have many strong women leaders, and we have had the privilege of hearing their experiences and advice through GDWIT events. Their stories are both inspirational and offer valuable guidance for women early in their careers. What do you enjoy doing outside of work? I enjoy traveling, baking, and spending time with my family (my 24-year-old twin sons, Daniel & Gabriel, and my husband, Fred). Every year, I bake holiday cookies for friends, family and my rockstar GRIT team leaders. I make around 9 different recipes with 2-3 batches of each, which generates hundreds of cookies. With regard to travel, our most recent trips were to Vietnam/Cambodia, Costa Rica, Egypt and Portugal, and my favorite destination is Australia. Are you enjoying this series and want to know more about life at GoDaddy? Check out our GoDaddy Life social pages! Follow us to meet our team, learn more about our culture (Teams, ERGs, Locations), careers, and so much more. You're more than just your day job, so come propel your career with us. Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Twitter TikTok Career Page View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from GoDaddy on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: GoDaddy Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/godaddy Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: GoDaddy First-of-Its-Kind Industry Research Examines Readiness of California Suppliers to Meet New Climate Reporting Regulations As California looks to expand corporate climate disclosure requirements with the newly introduced Senate Bill 755 (SB 755), a groundbreaking analysis from Governance & Accountability Institute (G&A) and supporters Ceres, Carbon Accountable, and Persefoni, reveals that most of California's largest state suppliers do not yet disclose key climate-related information. The findings have implications for the State of California's supply chain as it pursues a goal of carbon neutrality by 2045. The report - "California Supply Chain: Current Practices & Trends in Climate Disclosure" - is the first industry-wide benchmark assessing how major suppliers to the State -representing billions of dollars in procurement spend-are aligned with its ambitious climate strategy, including regulations such as SB 253 (Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act), SB 261 (Climate-Related Financial Risk Act), and the newly introduced, supplier-focused SB 755 (California Procurement Climate Information Act). SB 755 would require suppliers with over $25 million in state contracts to report their climate-related financial risks and Scope 1-3 GHG emissions, and suppliers with $5 to $25 million in State contracts to report their Scopes 1-2 emissions. While not all the suppliers included in this analysis are in scope for SB 253 and SB 261, most would be required to report under SB 755. The research finds low voluntary reporting rates among current suppliers, indicating a lack of readiness to comply with the proposed regulation and pointing to the potential level of transparency to be gained through mandated reporting. An increase in awareness of its supplier base's climate disclosures would support the ability of California to reduce emissions and address climate risk across its supply chain. "California is leading the way in climate disclosure policy, but our research shows that its supplier base largely is not yet aligned with climate disclosure expectations" said Louis Coppola, CEO & Co-Founder at G&A Institute. "With SB 755 on the horizon, we now have a critical baseline to measure progress over time. It's a tool for policymakers, procurement teams, and suppliers themselves as they navigate this rapidly evolving regulatory landscape." Key Findings Most of CA's top suppliers don't report climate data. 25% disclose Scopes 1 & 2 emissions 18% report Scope 3 emissions, the largest portion of most companies' carbon footprints Assurance and target-setting by CA suppliers lags behind expectations. 10% obtained third-party assurance for their reported GHG emissions. 11% have set science-based emissions reduction targets. Climate risk assessments remain a blind spot for CA suppliers. 17% conducted a climate-related risk assessment aligned with the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). These rates suggest state agencies, procurement teams, and policymakers should proactively drive supplier readiness by providing guidance on the specific requirements of each bill and their applicability, education on the complexities of climate reporting, and support for accurately measuring emissions and conducting climate-related risk assessments. Establishing a Baseline for Future Progress This new research provides a baseline for measuring progress in the years to come. As California's climate regulations evolve, this analysis can be updated annually to track improvements, identify remaining gaps, and measure the impact of policies like SB 253, SB 261, and SB 755. The report enables: Procurement teams to assess supplier progress and refine engagement strategies. Suppliers to benchmark their progress against their industry peers and make strategic and targeted improvements. Policymakers to track the effectiveness of climate laws and adjust guidance as needed. "This report is an important resource for California policymakers and taxpayers and demonstrates the continued importance of ensuring that companies manage, measure, and disclose their climate-related risks and opportunities." - Ceres "Suppliers must do their part to help California achieve its ambitious climate goals. This analysis helps clarify where industry gaps exist and where targeted action is needed." - Carbon Accountable "Persefoni is a carbon accounting and management platform that regularly supports customers as they examine their own supply chain risks and supplier specific emissions. Large institutional buyers - governments, universities, healthcare systems, corporations - are increasingly looking to suppliers to help assess and manage climate-related financial risks. This includes whether suppliers measure their own GHGs or consider potential disruptions to their own operations. Everyone is someone's Scope 3, so all companies must be ready to provide emissions data and climate risk analysis. We're only as resilient as our weakest supplier." - Mike Wallace, Chief Decarbonization Officer, Persefoni What's Next? SB 755 is poised to bring even more suppliers into California's climate disclosure framework. Analysis of the kind presented in this new report will be an essential tool for tracking progress, guiding industry engagement, and ensuring companies are prepared for increasing transparency demands. Download the report at: https://www.ga-institute.com/research/research/research-reports/california-supplier-climate-trends-analysis/ About the Supporters Ceres Ceres Accelerator for Sustainable Capital Markets is a center within Ceres that aims to improve the practices and policies that govern capital markets by engaging federal and state regulators, financial institutions, investors, and corporate boards to act on climate risk as a systemic financial risk. Carbon Accountable Carbon Accountable advances policies that increase the availability of the robust GHG emission data needed to inform corporate and investor decision making and empower consumers and policymakers. Persefoni Persefoni is a leading climate management and carbon accounting platform that enables businesses to track, manage, and disclose their carbon footprints in alignment with global standards. About G&A Institute, Inc. Founded in 2006, Governance & Accountability Institute, Inc. (G&A) is a sustainability consulting and research firm headquartered in New York City. G&A helps corporate and investor clients recognize, understand, and develop winning strategies for sustainability and ESG issues to address stakeholder and shareholder concerns. G&A's proprietary, comprehensive full-suite process for sustainability reporting is designed to help organizations achieve sustainability leadership in their industry and sector and maximize return on investment for sustainability initiatives. Since 2011, G&A has been building and expanding a comprehensive database of corporate sustainability reporting data based on analysis of thousands of ESG and sustainability reports to help steer strategy for our clients and improve their disclosure and reporting. More information is available on our website at ga-institute.com. FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES & INTERVIEWS, CONTACT Louis D. Coppola, CEO & Co-Founder Governance & Accountability Institute, Inc. Tel 646.430.8230 ext 14 Email lcoppola@ga-institute.com G&A's Calfornia's Supply Chain Report View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Governance & Accountability Institute on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Governance & Accountability Institute Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/governance-accountability-institute-inc Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Governance & Accountability Institute Cessna Skyhawk, the world's most popular single-engine aircraft, turns 70 Textron Aviation today announced the tenth anniversary of the company's innovative Top Hawk program designed to provide students with access to the world's most popular trainer aircraft, the Cessna Skyhawk. As part of this milestone, which coincides with the 70th anniversary of the iconic aircraft, 2025 participants include United Flight Systems, Lunken Flight Training Center, Flex Air and VNE Aviation, the program's first UK recipient. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250402860623/en/ Textron Aviation celebrates ten years of Top Hawk program with four new recipients (Photo Credit: Textron Aviation). The Cessna Skyhawk is designed and manufactured by Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company. "With a demand for more than 200,000 new pilots globally in the next decade, it's vital to support young people pursuing aviation opportunities," said Lannie O'Bannion, senior vice president, Sales Marketing. "The Skyhawk provides students with a technologically advanced flight training platform, ensuring that students at Top Hawk organizations are equipped with high quality equipment as the cornerstone of their careers." Since the program launched in 2015, Textron Aviation has placed nearly 50 Cessna Skyhawks with participating Top Hawk organizations around the world to inspire the journey of flight and support the industry with a robust pipeline of skilled aviators. As a Top Hawk participant, each organization receives a factory-new, custom-branded Cessna Skyhawk to use for the duration of the program for student pilot training and to promote pilot training at air shows, aviation contests and recruiting events. Celebrating 70 years of the Cessna Skyhawk inspiring the journey of flight The Skyhawk is considered the aircraft of choice for pilot training, and it is the most popular single-engine aircraft in aviation history. Since the aircraft first took flight in 1955, more than 45,000 Cessna 172 aircraft have been delivered to customers around the world a greater number than any other aircraft in the industry. Known for its simplicity, ruggedness and reliability, the Skyhawk quickly became a favorite among flight schools and private pilots alike. The single-engine four-seat, high-wing Skyhawk is renowned for offering a combination of modern features, including the Garmin G1000 NXi avionics with wireless connectivity, a standard angle-of-attack display system and proven dependability. The Cessna Skyhawk's new and modern interior includes features such as power headset plugs at each seat, USB charging ports and upgraded seats for enhanced comfort. The aircraft also features McCauley's aluminum fixed pitch propeller, providing greater reliability and operating time and a Lycoming IO-360-L2A engine with 180 horsepower. About Textron Aviation We inspire the journey of flight. For more than 95 years, Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. company, has empowered our collective talent across the Beechcraft, Cessna and Hawker brands to design and deliver the best aviation experience for our customers. With a range that includes everything from business jets, turboprops, and high-performance pistons, to special mission, military trainer and defense products, Textron Aviation has the most versatile and comprehensive aviation product portfolio in the world and a workforce that has produced more than half of all general aviation aircraft worldwide. Customers in more than 170 countries rely on our legendary performance, reliability and versatility, along with our trusted global customer service network, for affordable and flexible flight. For more information, visit www.txtav.com www.defense.txtav.com www.scorpionjet.com. About Textron Inc. Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell, Cessna, Beechcraft, Pipistrel, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Arctic Cat, Textron Systems, and TRU Simulation Training. For more information, visit: www.textron.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250402860623/en/ Contacts: Media Contact: Heaven Cedeno +1.316.285.4578 hcedeno@txtav.com txtav.com DELRAY BEACH, Fla., April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The global US Clinical Trial Services Market is expected to reach US$39.61 billion by 2030 from US$25.57 billion in 2025, at a CAGR of 9.2% during the forecast period. The growth in the US clinical trial services market is fueled by various factors, such as a well-established pharmaceutical industry, increased demand for clinical trials, high R&D expenditure, and the rising outsourcing of clinical and laboratory testing services by market players. Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=405 Browse in-depth TOC on "US Clinical Trial Services Market" 163 - Tables 62 - Figures 220 - Pages The small molecules segment accounted for the largest share of the US clinical trial services market by modality during the forecast period. Based on modality, the US clinical trial services market is divided into small molecules, biologics, and medical devices. The small molecule segment holds a dominant share of the US clinical trial service market. Cost efficiency, streamlined development timelines, proven clinical success rates coupled with strong demand for targeted therapies, oral drugs, and generics reinforce their commercial viability and long-term market leadership and are contributing to the growth of the segment. The oncology subsegment accounted for the largest share of the US clinical trial service's therapy area segment in 2024. Based on therapy area, the US clinical trial services market is segmented into oncology, neurology, infectious diseases, cardiovascular system (CVS) disorders, metabolic disorders/endocrinology, immunological disorders, respiratory disorders, psychiatry, dermatology, hematology, ophthalmology, gastrointestinal diseases, genitourinary & women's health, and other therapeutic areas. In 2024, the oncology segment dominated the US clinical trial services market. The increase in cancer cases due to aging populations and lifestyle factors, supported by rising demand for new treatments, high commercial potential of oncology drugs, and the growing adoption of biomarker-driven trials, have bolstered the prominence of the oncology segment. The phase III segment is expected to account for the largest share of the phase segment in the US clinical trial services market in 2024. Based on phase, the US clinical trial services market is segmented into Phase I, Phase II, Phase III, and Phase IV. The Phase III segment is likely to grow at a faster CAGR during the forecast period of 2024-2029. High patient enrolment, significant financial investment, and increasing complexity in oncology, neurology, and rare disease trials have fueled the growth of the phase III segment. Request Sample Pages: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=405 Key players in the US clinical trial services market include IQVIA Inc. (US), Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (US), Fortrea (US), Syneos Health (US), Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings (US), Medpace (US), Frontage Labs (US), Pharmaron (US), Parexel International Corporation (US), Worldwide Clinical Trials (US), Allucent (US), Premier Research (US), Clario (US), KCR S.A. (US), Rho, Inc. (US) and Advanced Clinical (US) among others. Study Coverage: The scope of the report covers detailed information regarding the major factors, such as drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges influencing the growth of the US clinical trial services market. A detailed analysis of the key industry players has been done to provide insights into their business overviews; service offerings; key strategies; acquisitions, new service launches, expansions, agreements, and recent developments associated with the US clinical trials services market. For more information, Inquire Now! Related Reports: Cancer Biomarkers Market Cancer Profiling Market Exosome Research Market Next Generation Sequencing Market Multiplex Assays Market About MarketsandMarkets: MarketsandMarkets has been recognized as one of America's Best Management Consulting Firms by Forbes, as per their recent report. MarketsandMarkets is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. With the widest lens on emerging technologies, we are proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients across the globe. Today, 80% of Fortune 2000 companies rely on MarketsandMarkets, and 90 of the top 100 companies in each sector trust us to accelerate their revenue growth. With a global clientele of over 13,000 organizations, we help businesses thrive in a disruptive ecosystem. The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion in new revenue streams that are replacing existing ones within this decade. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines - TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing. Built on the 'GIVE Growth' principle, we collaborate with several Forbes Global 2000 B2B companies to keep them future-ready. Our insights and strategies are powered by industry experts, cutting-edge AI, and our Market Intelligence Cloud, KnowledgeStore, which integrates research and provides ecosystem-wide visibility into revenue shifts. In addition, MarketsandMarkets SalesIQ enables sales teams to identify high-priority accounts and uncover hidden opportunities, helping them build more pipeline and win more deals with precision. To find out more, visit www.MarketsandMarkets.com or follow us on Twitter , LinkedIn and Facebook . Contact: Mr. Rohan Salgarkar MarketsandMarkets INC. 1615 South Congress Ave. Suite 103, Delray Beach, FL 33445 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: sales@marketsandmarkets.com Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1868219/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/us-clinical-trial-services-market-worth-us39-61-billion-by-2030-with-9-2-cagr--marketsandmarkets-302418061.html Regional winners advance to global competition to present ideas using AI to improve urban mobility Four student teams from around the world are regional winners in Otis' Made to Move Communities student challenge. These winning teams will go on to compete in Otis' first global competition. In the fifth year of the annual STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) competition, more than 250 students from 28 schools proposed innovative ways for Artificial Intelligence to improve urban mobility. Otis (NYSE: OTIS) is the world's leading elevator and escalator manufacturing, installation and service company. Over the last several months, high school students, with the guidance of Otis volunteer mentors, designed concepts leveraging AI technology to enable more inclusive mobility in their communities, and presented their ideas to Otis judges in each of the company's four regions: Americas, Asia Pacific, China and EMEA (Europe, Middle East & Africa). Now, for the first time, the four regional winning teams will compete in a final round to determine a global challenge champion. Student teams will share how their solution to local challenges can be scaled globally, and present to a judging panel of Otis senior executives. The global winner will be announced in early May. All schools with teams competing in the challenge receive a grant to further STEM learning. Each of the regional winner schools earned a $20,000 grant and the global champion team's school will receive a total of $35,000 in STEM grants. "It is exciting to witness the creativity and hard work these students have displayed - embracing AI and applying STEM skills to solve local challenges in urban mobility. I look forward to hearing our student participants expand on their outstanding ideas during our first global competition. Knowing our world holds immense potential for STEM-based solutions, we truly hope that this experience has inspired these students to continue exploring STEM programs and fields, setting them on a path to become our future leaders and innovators," said Randi Tanguay, Otis Senior Vice President & Chief Communications Officer and global challenge judge. The four regional winning teams are: Pembroke Pines Charter High School, Florida, United States A smartphone application that uses AI to aid individuals with visual impairments by providing a description of their surroundings to help navigate spaces. Yamagata Higashi High School, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan An AI-equipped mobility scooter to prevent falls and provide a safe mobility experience for the elderly. Tianjin Farragut School, Tianjin, China An AI-powered elevator system that optimizes multi-elevator coordination for efficient resource allocation, while integrating smart hardware to enhance travel comfort. Uskudar American Academy (UAA), Istanbul, Turkiye An AI-based app that sends audio, visual, and vibrating notifications to smartphones and smartwatches, helping individuals with hearing impairment recognize emergency alerts, audible hazards and warnings in their environment. About the Made to Move Communities challenge Launched in 2020, the Made to Move Communities challenge engages young minds to explore real-world urbanization challenges and develop innovative solutions with the potential to create more connected communities and improve mobility for all. This initiative brings together students, educators, and Otis colleagues as mentors with the goals of advancing STEM and leadership skills to help build the next generation of talent, ensure future workforce readiness, and sustain innovation. Each year, the program focuses on a different theme that aligns with global priorities, such as sustainability, accessibility or technology. Students are encouraged to think critically and creatively, applying STEM principles to address mobility-related issues. Through workshops, mentorship, and collaboration, participants gain valuable insights and skills that prepare them for future careers while making a positive impact on society. Participating schools also receive grants at the conclusion of the program to support ongoing STEM education. To date, the Made to Move Communities program has reached more than 1,000 student participants globally, involved more than 950 Otis volunteer mentors, and delivered nearly 100 grants totaling over $1 million to support ongoing STEM education at participating schools around the world. To learn more about the Made to Move Communities challenge, visit www.otis.com/mtmc. About Otis Otis gives people freedom to connect and thrive in a taller, faster, smarter world. The global leader in the manufacture, installation and servicing of elevators and escalators, we move 2.4 billion people a day and maintain approximately 2.4 million customer units worldwide - the industry's largest Service portfolio. You'll find us in the world's most iconic structures, as well as residential and commercial buildings, transportation hubs and everywhere people are on the move. Headquartered in Connecticut, USA, Otis is 72,000 people strong, including 44,000 field professionals, all committed to manufacturing, installing and maintaining products to meet the diverse needs of our customers and passengers in more than 200 countries and territories. To learn more, visit www.otis.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook @OtisElevatorCo. Regional winners from Pembroke Pines Charter High School, Florida, United States View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Otis Worldwide Corporation on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Otis Worldwide Corporation Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/otis-worldwide-corporation Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Otis Worldwide Corporation Former Harris County Felony Prosecutor and U.S. District Court Case Manager Taps AI-Powered Technology to Expand Client Access to Quality Legal Representation ReferU.AI , a leading legal marketing technology innovator, welcomes Houston-based bilingual criminal defense attorney Ray Vazquez as its latest partner, broadening the platform's mission to connect clients with top-tier legal representation. As a U.S. Marine, former police officer, federal case manager, and felony prosecutor, Vazquez draws on his dynamic background to deliver strong, strategic defenses for individuals facing criminal charges. Ray Vazquez, Houston-Based Criminal Defense Attorney "My time working on hundreds of cases-from juvenile to drug crimes to sexual assault and murder-has shown me how critical it is for clients to have a strong advocate who truly understands the nuances of the criminal and juvenile justice system," says Vazquez. "By teaming up with ReferU.AI, I can extend my reach and ensure that more people get the zealous defense they deserve, without a complicated search for quality representation." A Former Prosecutor and Police Officer Turned Fierce Defender From his days serving as a police officer and federal case manager to his role as a Harris County Prosecutor, Vazquez has seen every angle of the criminal justice system. This breadth of experience shapes his trial strategies and helps him craft formidable defenses for clients facing serious charges. Praise from ReferU.AI "Ray Vazquez personifies the blend of experience and dedication that fuels our mission of delivering smarter results, better representation, and the best outcomes for clients," says Joel Geddis, Founder & CEO of ReferU.AI. "His notable background and firsthand knowledge of law enforcement and prosecution will serve our users well. We're thrilled to welcome him to our platform and believe this partnership will enhance the legal services available to the Houston community." About ReferU.AI ReferU.AI was founded in Houston, TX, by serial entrepreneur and tech leader, Joel Geddis. A certified Delaware for Public Benefit C-Corporation, ReferU.AI pledges a portion of its profits to support victims of child abuse and neglect. The company's mission is to provide "Smarter Results, Better Representation, and The Best Outcomes." About Ray Vazquez Ray Vazquez is a Houston-based bilingual criminal defense attorney with extensive experience handling federal, state, and juvenile cases. A former Harris County Prosecutor, federal case manager, police officer, and U.S. Marine, Vazquez has unique insight into the criminal justice system and uses that perspective to develop strategic and effective defenses for his clients. He earned his J.D. from South Texas College of Law, where he was on the Dean's List and a Ryan Eaun Memorial Scholarship recipient, after graduating magna cum laude from the University of Houston. Vazquez is admitted to practice in the State Bar of Texas and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. Ray Vazquez can be reached at (832) 343-8023 (phone, text, or WhatsApp) and via email at ray@rayvazquezlaw.com . In person meetings are done by appointment only. Hablamos espanol. SOURCE: ReferU.AI, a Public Benefit Corporation MUSETTE trial was designed to determine whether a higher dose of the currently approved OCREVUS IV 600 mg would provide additional benefit to people living with relapsing multiple sclerosis The trial did not meet its primary endpoint; results support OCREVUS IV 600 mg as the optimal dose to slow disability progression High dose was well tolerated with an overall comparable safety profile to OCREVUS IV 600 mg and no new safety signals observed These data further support the efficacy and safety profile of OCREVUS IV 600 mg dose for RMS OCREVUS set a new standard of care in multiple sclerosis and is the most prescribed disease modifying therapy in the United States with more than 400,000 people treated globally Basel, 02 April 2025 - Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) announced today that the Phase III MUSETTE trial comparing a high dose of OCREVUS (ocrelizumab) intravenous (IV) infusion to the currently approved OCREVUS IV 600 mg dose in people with relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS) did not meet its primary endpoint in showing additional benefit in slowing disability progression, as measured by a composite disability endpoint over a period of at least 120 weeks of treatment. The rates of disability progression were low and consistent with rates observed in the previous pivotal studies of OCREVUS IV 600 mg. In addition, in several predefined analyses on disease activity, OCREVUS IV 600 mg showed clinically meaningful results with the lowest annualised relapse rate (ARR) observed during the double-blind period of a Phase III study in RMS. The MUSETTE data further support the efficacy and safety profile of the currently approved OCREVUS IV 600 mg dose for RMS. "OCREVUS is the first and only B-cell therapy approved for RMS and PPMS and after more than ten years of treatment, the majority of people with RMS remain free from disease progression," said Levi Garraway, M.D., Ph.D., Roche's Chief Medical Officer and Head of Global Product Development. "These findings reaffirm that the current OCREVUS IV 600 mg is optimally dosed to significantly slow disability progression. Moreover, in several predefined analyses on disease activity, OCREVUS showed clinically meaningful results on relapses with a relapse occurring approximately once every 16 years, a first for an anti-CD20 RMS medicine.' Since its launch, OCREVUS has set a new standard of care in MS and is the most prescribed disease modifying therapy in the United States with more than 400,000 people treated globally. With the recent launch of OCREVUS subcutaneous formulation we aim to improve the treatment experience for people living with multiple sclerosis and expand OCREVUS usage in centres without IV infrastructure or those with IV capacity limitations. In addition, we are developing a novel high concentration formulation for even more convenient on-body device delivery to bring OCREVUS treatment closer to home. In addition to OCREVUS, Roche has a diverse and promising pipeline of formulations and targets, such as Brainshuttle CD20 and a monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) inhibitor in early-stage development and Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor fenebrutinib in Phase III studies for both RMS and primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS). Full data from MUSETTE will be presented at an upcoming medical meeting. About the MUSETTE study MUSETTE (NCT04544436) is a Phase III randomised, double-blind, controlled, parallel-group, multicentre trial to evaluate the efficacy, safety and pharmacokinetics of a high dose of OCREVUS intravenous (IV) infusion (1,200 mg for patients <75 kg or 1,800 mg for patients =75 kg) in adult patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS) compared with the currently approved OCREVUS IV 600 mg dose. Patients received treatment with OCREVUS high dose or IV 600 mg every 24 weeks for a minimum of 120 weeks. The primary endpoint was the time to first onset of 12-week composite confirmed disability progression (cCDP), defined as any of the following events sustained for 12 weeks: an increase of =1.0 point from the baseline Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score if the baseline EDSS score was =5.5 or an increase of =0.5 points if the baseline EDSS score was >5.5; a =20% increase in time to perform the timed 25-foot walk (T25FW); a =20% increase in time to perform the nine-hole peg test (9HPT). About OCREVUS (ocrelizumab) OCREVUS is a humanised monoclonal antibody designed to target CD20-positive B cells, a specific type of immune cell thought to be a key contributor to myelin (nerve cell insulation and support) and axonal (nerve cell) damage. This nerve cell damage can lead to disability in people with multiple sclerosis. Based on preclinical studies, OCREVUS binds to CD20 cell surface proteins expressed on certain B cells, but not on stem cells or plasma cells, suggesting that important functions of the immune system may be preserved. OCREVUS IV and OCREVUS subcutaneous (SC; marketed as OCREVUS ZUNOVO [ocrelizumab hyaluronidase-ocsq] in the U.S.) are the only therapies approved for both RMS (including relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis [RRMS] and active, or relapsing secondary progressive multiple sclerosis [SPMS], as well as clinically isolated syndrome [CIS] in the U.S.) and primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS). Both OCREVUS IV and SC are administered every six months. The initial IV dose is given as two 300 mg infusions two weeks apart with subsequent doses given as single 600 mg infusions. OCREVUS SC is given as a single 920 mg subcutaneous injection every six months. About multiple sclerosis Multiple sclerosis is a chronic disease that affects more than 2.9 million people worldwide. Multiple sclerosis occurs when the immune system abnormally attacks the insulation and support around nerve cells (myelin sheath) in the central nervous system (brain, spinal cord and optic nerves), causing inflammation and consequent damage. This damage can cause a wide range of symptoms, including weakness, fatigue and difficulty seeing, and may eventually lead to disability. Most people with multiple sclerosis experience their first symptom between 20 and 40 years of age, making the disease the leading cause of non-traumatic disability in younger adults. People with all forms of multiple sclerosis experience disease progression from the beginning of their disease. Therefore, delays in diagnosis and treatment can negatively impact people with multiple sclerosis, in terms of their physical and mental health, and contribute to the negative financial impact on the individual and society. An important goal of treating multiple sclerosis is to slow, stop and ideally prevent progression as early as possible. Approximately 85% of people with multiple sclerosis have a relapsing form of the disease (RMS) characterised by relapses and also worsening disability over time. Primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) is a debilitating form of the disease marked by steadily worsening symptoms but typically without distinct relapses or periods of remission. Approximately 15% of people with multiple sclerosis are diagnosed with the primary progressive form of the disease. Until the FDA approval of OCREVUS, there had been no FDA-approved treatments for PPMS and OCREVUS is still the only approved treatment for PPMS. About Roche in Neuroscience Neuroscience is a major focus of research and development at Roche. Our goal is to pursue groundbreaking science to develop new treatments that help improve the lives of people with chronic and potentially devastating diseases. Roche is investigating more than a dozen medicines for neurological disorders, including multiple sclerosis, spinal muscular atrophy, neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease and Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Together with our partners, we are committed to pushing the boundaries of scientific understanding to solve some of the most difficult challenges in neuroscience today. About Roche Founded in 1896 in Basel, Switzerland, as one of the first industrial manufacturers of branded medicines, Roche has grown into the world's largest biotechnology company and the global leader in in-vitro diagnostics. The company pursues scientific excellence to discover and develop medicines and diagnostics for improving and saving the lives of people around the world. We are a pioneer in personalised healthcare and want to further transform how healthcare is delivered to have an even greater impact. To provide the best care for each person we partner with many stakeholders and combine our strengths in Diagnostics and Pharma with data insights from the clinical practice. For over 125 years, sustainability has been an integral part of Roche's business. As a science-driven company, our greatest contribution to society is developing innovative medicines and diagnostics that help people live healthier lives. Roche is committed to the Science Based Targets initiative and the Sustainable Markets Initiative to achieve net zero by 2045. Genentech, in the United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche is the majority shareholder in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan. For more information, please visit www.roche.com . All trademarks used or mentioned in this release are protected by law. Roche Global Media Relations Phone: +41 61 688 8888 / e-mail: media.relations@roche.com Hans Trees, PhD Phone: +41 79 407 72 58 Sileia Urech Phone: +41 79 935 81 48 Nathalie Altermatt Phone: +41 79 771 05 25 Lorena Corfas Phone: +41 79 568 24 95 Simon Goldsborough Phone: +44 797 32 72 915 Karsten Kleine Phone: +41 79 461 86 83 Nina Mahlitz Phone: +41 79 327 54 74 Kirti Pandey Phone: +49 172 6367262 Yvette Petillon Phone: +41 79 961 92 50 Dr Rebekka Schnell Phone: +41 79 205 27 03 Roche Investor Relations Dr Bruno Eschli Phone: +41 61 68-75284 e-mail: bruno.eschli@roche.com Dr Sabine Borngraber Phone: +41 61 68-88027 e-mail: sabine.borngraeber@roche.com (mailto:sabine.borngraeber@roche.com) Dr Birgit Masjost Phone: +41 61 68-84814 e-mail: birgit.masjost@roche.com Investor Relations North America Loren Kalm Phone: +1 650 225 3217 e-mail: kalm.loren@gene.com Attachment In Samarkand, Uzbekistan, the leaders of Central Asia and the European Union, led by Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and Antonio Costa, President of the European Council, are meeting on April 3-4, 2025, to strengthen economic and political cooperation. The first summit between the five Central Asian countries and the European Union opened tomorrow at the initiative of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, with the participation of the leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. The presence of Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa demonstrates both parties' commitment to building a lasting partnership. This event represents a major opportunity to solidify Uzbekistan's role as a diplomatic bridge between Europe and Central Asia, with the goal of strengthening economic and political cooperation between the two regions. "The upcoming summit will be truly historic as it will bring together for the first time the leaders of the five Central Asian countries and the EU in one place. Our regions are linked by deep historical roots, coinciding interests, and a common desire for close partnership. We have a clear vision of the agenda of interaction with the European Union, based on almost thirty years of cooperation. Our partnership with the European Union is a two-way relationship from which both sides should benefit. Central Asia can become a reliable partner, capable not only of ensuring stable energy supply but also of making a significant contribution to global decarbonisation. A major area of cooperation lies in the ongoing project, involving Central Asian countries, to create a Green Strategic Corridor through the Caspian and Black Seas to Europe," stated Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Discussions will focus on several strategic sectors, including energy, the chemical, pharmaceutical, textile, and electrotechnical industries, construction materials production, agribusiness, mining, and logistics. Among the key projects, the Trans-Caspian multimodal corridor aims to improve Central Asian products' access to European markets through an integrated transport infrastructure combining rail, road, and maritime networks. Uzbekistan is establishing itself as a key player in relations between Europe and Central Asia. Trade volume with the European Union has significantly increased in recent years, rising from $2.6 billion in 2017 to $6.4 billion in 2024. During this period, Uzbek exports to Europe grew 3.6 times, reaching $1.7 billion, while imports increased to $4.7 billion. Foreign direct investment has also seen a substantial rise, increasing by 77% in 2024 to $4.1 billion compared to $2.3 billion in 2023. At the same time, Uzbekistan is accelerating its sustainable development efforts, with a $1.3 billion investment in waste-to-energy facilities. This program will process 4.7 million tons of solid waste per year and generate 2.1 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity by 2027, as part of the Uzbekistan 2030 Strategy, which aims to strengthen urban resilience to climate change. "In Uzbekistan, we are consistently creating a favourable business environment, developing market institutions, and improving the investment climate. Key steps in this direction include the introduction of a "one-stop-shop" system for foreign investors, the liberalisation of the foreign exchange market, and the reduction of the tax burden on businesses. More than 1,000 enterprises with European capital now operate in Uzbekistan, and the total volume of investment projects amounts to 30 billion. One of the key results of the summit will be the signing of the Samarkand Declaration, which will reflect the common aspiration of the parties to establish a strategic partnership. This declaration will not only consolidate the agreements reached, but will also lay the foundation for deepening ties between our regions," emphasized Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250402163826/en/ Contacts: Press service of the embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in France dj.mutalov@ouzbekistan.fr HONG KONG, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On March 31st, GAC's global strategic model, the AION V, was officially launched in Hong Kong. The new car is available in two versions: Premium and Luxury, with official guidance prices set at HKD 218,000 and HKD 238,000 respectively. Customers placing advance orders can benefit from early-bird pricing: HKD 208,000 for the Premium version and HKD 228,000 for the Luxury version. Positioned as a "new tough and intelligent driving SUV," the AION V targets family users seeking intelligent technology, extended range performance, spacious comfort, and safety excellence. It delivers a dual proposition to Hong Kong consumers: cutting-edge smart technology paired with premium mobility experiences. The AION V redefines in-cabin comfort through one-touch reclining front seats that seamlessly transform into fully padded, full-length luxury beds. Its flagship-class rear space rivals that of high-end full-size SUVs. Equipped with an 8.88-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.6-inch central touchscreen, the vehicle offers an elevated smart driving interface. Additionally, its 400V+3C ultra-fast charging technology achieves a 30%-80% charge in just 16 minutes, ensuring cost-efficient and stress-free journeys. At the launch event, actor Moses Chan shared his test-drive impressions, stating: "The AION V outperforms million-dollar family cars in functionality, making it the ultimate choice for Hong Kong households." Wang Shunsheng, Vice President of GAC INTERNATIONAL, emphasized: "The AION V epitomizes GAC's technological mastery and stands as a global benchmark under our 'One GAC 2.0' strategy, exemplifying 'Top-tier Quality and Pioneering Technology'." By combining class-leading specifications with aggressive pricing, the AION V delivers unparalleled value to Hong Kong consumers, poised to redefine standards for intelligent mobility experiences. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2656644/image.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/tvb-best-actor-moses-chan-gave-a-thumbs-up-live-aion-v-officially-launched-in-hong-kong-302418744.html BH Macro Limited - Transaction in Own Shares PR Newswire LONDON, United Kingdom, April 02 BH Macro Limited (the "Company") (a closed-ended collective investment scheme established as a company with limited liability under the laws of Guernsey with registered number 46235) Transaction in Own Shares 02 April 2025 BH Macro Limited (the Company) announces today it has purchased the following number of its ordinary shares on the London Stock Exchange from J.P. Morgan Securities plc: Ordinary Shares: - Share Class Sterling Date of purchase: 02 April 2025 Number of ordinary shares purchased: 200,000 Lowest price per share (pence) 375.00 Highest price per share (pence) 376.00 Trading venue London Aggregate volume per date per trading venue: 200,000 Weighted average price per day per trading venue (pence): 375.5813 The Company intends to hold the purchased shares in treasury. Following the above share transactions of the relevant US Dollar and Sterling Shares, the total number of shares in issue in each share class of the Company will be as follows: Ordinary Shares in issue (excluding Treasury) Ordinary Shares held in Treasury 336,680,906 Sterling Shares 39,059,805 Sterling Shares 27,132,086 Dollar Shares Nil Dollar Shares From 02 April 2025, the total number of voting rights in the Company (rounded up to the whole number) is 515,894,278. Enquiries: Company website: www.bhmacro.com William Simmonds JPMorgan Cazenove Tel: 020 7588 2828 The Company Secretary Northern Trust International Fund Administration Services (Guernsey) Limited Tel: 01481 745001 Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis--(Newsfile Corp. - April 2, 2025) - As the world's first and most respected Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme, St. Kitts and Nevis has set the global benchmark for excellence in economic citizenship for over four decades. The Government remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring that the CBI Programme maintains its standards - emphasising transparency, compliance, and the highest levels of due diligence. St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10480/247083_stkitts.jpg The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis has enacted a Zero-Tolerance Policy to eliminate unethical practices within its Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme. Any entity found underselling, misrepresenting, or engaging in unauthorised marketing of the Programme will face immediate blacklisting and legal action under St. Kitts and Nevis law. The Government has taken decisive action to protect the integrity of its CBI Programme by permanently blacklisting licensed international marketing agents (IMA) from all CBI-related activities as they have transgressed the laws of the country. This decision, effective immediately, follows a thorough investigation that uncovered persistent and substantial violations of the Programme's regulations. St. Kitts and Nevis has been clear and resolute in its stance against the discounting of citizenship applications. This issue has long been an underlying challenge in the industry, prompting the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis to take a leadership role in addressing it. By spearheading the Memorandum of Agreement in March 2024 to establish a minimum investment threshold, the Government has set a precedent for transparency and good governance, ensuring that the value and credibility of the CBI Programme remain uncompromised. This initiative underscores the nation's commitment to maintaining the highest standards while fostering trust and confidence among stakeholders worldwide. The Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) will increase its oversight to ensure that all authorised agents, service providers, and stakeholders adhere strictly to the legal and ethical guidelines governing the Programme. Strict Enforcement and Consequences The following actions will be taken against any entity or individual violating the policy: Automatic blacklisting, permanently barring them from any future association with the CBI Programme. permanently barring them from any future association with the CBI Programme. Legal prosecution under St. Kitts and Nevis laws, ensuring accountability and deterrence. The recent blacklisting of IMAs is a decision that signals the Government's unwavering stance on accountability and regulatory enforcement. The investigation revealed clear breaches of the Programme's stringent guidelines, necessitating immediate and permanent action to protect the credibility of the nation's economic citizenship framework. The decision to permanently blacklist these transgressors from all St. Kitts and Nevis CBI activities emanates from the substantiated breaches of the Programme's regulations. A Call for Compliance The Government advises all stakeholders to uphold the highest ethical standards and warns that any deviation will result in severe repercussions. Prospective investors are encouraged to verify offers through officially accredited channels to ensure authenticity and compliance. The CIU will continue rigorously monitoring market practices and take swift action against violations. A Commitment to Integrity and Excellence Over the past year, the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis has implemented transformative policies to fortify its CBI Programme. These reforms are designed to enhance due diligence, prevent misconduct, and align the Programme with international best practices. The CIU, now a dedicated corporate body, continues to rigorously enforce regulations that ensure only the most reputable and compliant partners operate within the Programme. Ensuring the Future of the St. Kitts and Nevis CBI Programme This latest action is part of a broader strategy to safeguard the Programme's reputation and sustainability. By eliminating non-compliant actors, the Government ensures that all stakeholders-applicants, agents, and international partners-can have complete confidence in the integrity of the St. Kitts and Nevis CBI Programme. The decision to permanently blacklist these companies reinforces the country's commitment to upholding the highest standards of governance in the investment migration industry. As the CBI Programme of St. Kitts and Nevis continues to evolve, the Government remains dedicated to innovation, security, and excellence. The message to the global community is clear: St. Kitts and Nevis will not compromise on its principles, and those who fail to meet the Programme's rigorous standards will face the necessary consequences. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/247083 SOURCE: St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Unit Shanghai, China--(Newsfile Corp. - April 2, 2025) - On April 2, AgiBot announced a partnership with the internationally renowned embodied intelligence company Physical Intelligence (Pi). The collaboration will focus on advancing deep technical cooperation in embodied intelligence, particularly targeting long-horizon complex tasks in dynamic environments. Notably, Dr. Luo Jianlan, who recently joined AgiBot, will lead the Embodied Intelligence Research Center and drive in-depth collaboration between the two parties. EN:https://agibot-world.com/collaboration To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10589/247097_bb05f3f3c4bcfa91_001full.jpg Forging a Synergistic Alliance to Scale New Heights in Embodied Intelligence AgiBot and Physical Intelligence (Pi) have achieved preliminary milestones in their collaboration, demonstrating one policy capable of executing multiple tasks based on diverse instruction inputs. This model is compatible with various end-effectors as output, including dexterous hands and grippers, while seamlessly integrating multiple sensor types such as fisheye and pinhole cameras as input. In a groundbreaking demonstration of a human-like task, the robot successfully completes a scarf-tying task through dual arm collaboration. The model observes the relative positions of the scarf and head in the mirror reflection to initiate proper placement first. Then the left hand grasps the asymmetrical end of the scarf and adjusts it to an optimal length ratio. Next the right hand receives the scarf from the left and executes a spiral "wrapping" motion with human-like dexterity. Cannot view this video? Visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0A3z7_Mnw70 Physical Intelligence is a global leader in embodied intelligence technology, dedicated to applying Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) to the physical world. Founded by top-tier scientists, engineers, and robotics experts worldwide, including pioneers in embodied intelligence such as Prof. Sergey Levine and Prof. Chelsea Finn, the company has developed advanced embodied models like n0 and Hi Robot. AgiBot focuses on integrating AI with robots to create general-purpose robotic products and applications. AgiBot has established a cutting-edge full-stack technology, investing in hardware, data, and algorithms at the same time. AgiBot has mass-produced over 1,000 units of general-purpose robots already. As two globally leading innovators in embodied intelligence, AgiBot and Pi will join forces to effectively advance the development and application in this field. Leading innovation with a world-class technical team As a leading scholar in embodied intelligence, Dr. Luo Jianlan has recently officially joined AgiBot as the Chief Scientist. He will lead the establishment of the "AgiBot Embodied Intelligence Research Center", overseeing algorithm development and engineering implementation. Dr. Luo Jianlan graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, and previously conducted research at Google X and Google DeepMind. During his postdoctoral fellowship at the Berkeley Artificial Intelligence Research Lab (BAIR), he served as a core member in Prof. Sergey Levine's team, leading the development of SERL/HIL-SERL, which is the world's first superhuman-level real-world robotic reinforcement learning system. This groundbreaking work has elevated task success rate to 100% for the first time and has been widely adopted globally. The AgiBot Embodied Intelligence Research Center focuses on embodied system 1 and system 2 architectures, spatial intelligence, reinforcement learning, and other areas. By integrating software and hardware algorithms holistically, it comprehensively addresses core challenges in embodied intelligence. Driven by real-world challenges, the center aims to forge an ecosystem spanning foundational research, applied science, and commercialization. The Embodied Intelligence Research Center is currently actively recruiting talent. Visit AgiBot's website to learn more https://www.facebook.com/AgiBot.zhiyuan/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/agibot/ https://www.youtube.com/@About-AgiBot https://www.tiktok.com/@agibot_ https://x.com/AgiBot_zhiyuan To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/247097 SOURCE: 41Caijing Regulatory News: Celyad Oncology (Euronext: CYAD) (the "Company"), today announces its financial results for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, and provides a business update. Matt Kane, Chief Executive Officer of Celyad Oncology, commented: "2024 was an important and highly productive year for the Company as it emerged with a lean and efficient new structure. I am incredibly proud of the resilience and ingenuity demonstrated by the team throughout the year." 2024 business highlights Monetization of its innovative approaches and technologies is a key objective. Celyad Oncology is progressing in this regard and is currently in discussion with potential partners for selected out-licensing of its technologies; The Company continues to address current deficiencies in CAR-T approaches. It has published a review highlighting non-gene editing technologies for allogeneic CAR T-cell therapies in Cells 1 and a review providing an overview of engineering strategies to safely drive CAR T-cells into the future in Frontiers in Immunology 2 and a review providing an overview of engineering strategies to safely drive CAR T-cells into the future in Frontiers in Immunology In response to the request expressed by several companies and academic institutions engaged in gene and cell therapies for cardiac applications, the Company has re-initiated the manufacturing and commercialization of C-Cath, an intra-myocardial injection catheter developed and owned by the Company. 2024 operational highlights Multiplex micro ribonucleic acid (miRNA)-based short hairpin RNA (shRNA) non-gene edited technology platform Last year, the company introduced a chimeric micro-RNA (miRNA) cluster to enable multiplexing of shRNAs, and downregulation of up to four target genes simultaneously in CAR T-cells. In 2024, we further advanced this technology by expanding the platform to a 5-plex system. The novel chimeric cluster demonstrated high efficiency in knocking down five highly relevant genes in CAR T-cells simultaneously. Notably, our non-gene editing technology enabled independent modulation of each target gene to achieve the desired expression levels, thus fine-tuning the functional outcomes based on the specific biology of each target. The feasibility and effectiveness of our multiplex approach to improve allogeneic CAR T-cell viability by avoiding graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) and host-versus-graft (HvG) reaction and promoting cell persistence was demonstrated. Additionally, the feasibility of this platform to withstand the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment was further demonstrated. Lastly, the secretion of specific cytokines was modulated as a way to reduce the risk of CAR T-cell-related toxicity, and cytokine release syndrome, thus enhancing CAR T-cell safety. Multispecific NKG2D-based CAR T-cell platform PSMA/NKG2DL tandem CAR T-cells, that encompass the extracellular domain of the natural NKG2D receptor fused to an anti-PSMA CAR to overcome antigen heterogeneity were developed and demonstrated these CAR constructs are fully functional in vitro against prostate cancer cell lines that are positive or negative for the tumor-associated antigen PSMA. In vivo data confirmed the superiority of both PSMA/NKG2DL tandem CAR T-cells and NKG2DL single CAR T-cells over PSMA single CAR T-cells in a heterogeneous model of prostate cancer. These data provide a proof-of-concept that NKG2DL are valuable targets in a multispecific CAR approach to treat solid cancer indications; In addition, the in vivo proof-of-concept of the previously developed CD19/NKG2DL tandem CAR T-cell candidate was provided in a B-ALL relapse model, showing that the Company's multispecific CAR T-cell candidate has an enhanced anti-tumor efficacy in a lymphoma model of antigen-loss as compared to currently existing treatment options. Full year 2024 financial review As of December 31, 2024, the Company's Treasury position amounts to 4.2 million. The Company projects that its existing cash and cash equivalents should be sufficient to fund operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements into the third quarter of 2025. Hence, its existing cash and cash equivalents will not be sufficient to fund its estimated operating and capital expenditures over at least the next 12 months from the date that the financial statements are issued. Refinancing discussions are ongoing. Key financial figures for full-year 2024, compared with full-year 2023, are summarized below: Selected key financial figures ( millions) Full year 2024 Full year 2023 Revenue 0.2 0.1 Research and development expenses (3.2) (4.6) General and administrative expenses (3.2) (6.0) Other income/(expenses) 0.4 2.1 Operating loss (5.9) (8.5) Loss for the period/year (5.8) (8.5) Net cash used in operations (2.8) (15.2) Treasury position (1) 4.2 7.0 (1) "Treasury position" is an alternative performance measure determined by adding Short-term investments and Cash and cash equivalents from the statement of financial position prepared in accordance with IFRS. Management's purpose of this measure is to identify the level of cash available internally (excluding external sources of financing) within 12 months. Research and Development (R&D) expenses were 3.2 million in 2024 as compared to 4.6 million in 2023, a year-over-year decrease of 1.4 million. The decrease in the Company's R&D expenses is primarily driven by the Company's continuous efforts to reduce significantly the preclinical and clinical costs following the change of business strategy by the Company end of 2022. Furthermore, employee expenses have decreased compared with the year 2023 as a consequence of the Company's reorganization for the new business model in 2022 and 2023. General and Administrative (G&A) expenses were 3.2 million in 2024 as compared to 6.0 million in 2023, a decrease of 2.8 million. This decrease is primarily related to the decrease of insurances costs, the decrease of employee and consulting fees expenses due to headcount reduction and management changes. Until December 31, 2024, Management has determined that there has been no event (such as a firm sublicense or collaboration contract) that led to a change in fair value of the contingent consideration and other financial liabilities towards Dartmouth and Celdara. The Company's other income decrease of 1.9 million is mainly related to lower grants income from the Walloon Region of 0.8 million coupled to a one-time income of 1.1 million generated by the sale of certain fixed assets to Cellistic in 2023. Net loss for the year ended December 31, 2024, was 5.8 million, or 0.14 per share, compared to a net loss of 8.5 million, or 0.34 per share, for the same period in 2023. As noted above, the decrease in net loss between periods was primarily due to the decrease of R&D and General and administrative expenses in 2024. Net cash used in operations for the year ended December 31, 2024, which excludes non-cash effects, amounted to 5.7 million, which is far below the net cash used in operations of 15.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. Alarm bell status The net assets of the Company per 31 December 2024, on a BE-GAAP non-consolidated basis, having fallen below twenty-five percent of the Company's capital, the board of directors will submit to the ordinary shareholders meeting on the 20th of May 2025 the proposal to continue the Company's activities in accordance with article 7:228 of the Belgian Code for Companies and Associations. The board of directors will publish a special report in this respect, by the 18th of April 2024 together with the convening notice with proposed resolutions for the shareholders' meeting. Annual Report 2024 The Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2024 will be published on April 04, 2025, and will be available on the Company's website, www.celyad.com. The Company's statutory auditor, BDO Reviseurs d'Entreprises SRL, has confirmed that the completed audit has not revealed any material misstatement in the consolidated financial statements. BDO also confirmed that the accounting data reported in the press release are consistent, in all material respects, with the consolidated financial statements from which it has been derived. Financial Calendar 2025 May 20th, 2025: Annual shareholders meeting September 25th, 2025: First Half 2025 Interim Results The financial calendar is communicated on an indicative basis and may be subject to change. About Celyad Oncology Celyad Oncology is a cutting-edge biotechnology company dedicated to pioneering the discovery and advancement of revolutionary technologies for chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cells. Its primary objective is to unlock the potential of its proprietary technology platforms and intellectual property, enabling to be at the forefront of developing next-generation CAR T-cell therapies. By fully leveraging its innovative technology platforms, Celyad Oncology aims to maximize the transformative impact of its candidate CAR T-cell therapies and redefine the future of CAR T-cell treatments. Celyad Oncology is based in Mont-Saint-Guibert, Belgium. For more information, please visit www.celyad.com. Celyad Oncology Forward-Looking Statement This release may contain forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding beliefs about and expectations for the Company's updated strategic business model, including associated potential benefits, transactions and partnerships, statements regarding the potential value of the Company's IP, statements regarding the Company's financial statements and cash runway, statements regarding the Company's future fundraising plans, statements regarding the Company's hiring plans, and statements regarding the continuation of the Company's existence. The words "will," "potential," "continue," "target," "project," "should" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Any forward-looking statements in this release are based on management's current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and important factors which might cause actual events, results, financial condition, performance or achievements of Celyad Oncology to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks related to the material uncertainty about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern; the Company's ability to realize the expected benefits of its updated strategic business model; the Company's ability to develop its IP assets and enter into partnerships with outside parties; the Company's ability to enforce its patents and other IP rights; the possibility that the Company may infringe on the patents or IP rights of others and be required to defend against patent or other IP rights suits; the possibility that the Company may not successfully defend itself against claims of patent infringement or other IP rights suits, which could result in substantial claims for damages against the Company; the possibility that the Company may become involved in lawsuits to protect or enforce its patents, which could be expensive, time-consuming, and unsuccessful; the Company's ability to protect its IP rights throughout the world; the potential for patents held by the Company to be found invalid or unenforceable; and other risks identified in the latest Annual Report of Celyad Oncology. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of publication of this document and Celyad Oncology's actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Celyad Oncology expressly disclaims any obligation to update any such forward-looking statements in this document to reflect any change in its expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, unless required by law or regulation. Source: Celyad Oncology SA 1 Cells 2024;13(2):146 2 Front Immunol. 2024:15:1411393 Celyad Oncology SA Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Loss ('000) For the year ended December 31 2024 2023 Revenue 186 102 Cost of sales (12) (69) Gross profit 173 33 Research and Development expenses (3 235) (4 602) General Administrative expenses (3 198) (6 028) Other income 440 2 334 Other expenses (39) (194) Operating Loss (5 858) (8 457) Financial income 153 30 Financial expenses (119) (84) Loss before taxes (5 824) (8 511) Income taxes 0 63 Loss for the period (5 824) (8 448) Basic and diluted loss per share (in ) (0.14) (0.34) Celyad Oncology SA Consolidated Statement of Financial Position ('000) For the year ended December 31 2024 2023 NON-CURRENT ASSETS 3 413 5 161 Goodwill and Intangible assets 405 390 Property, Plant and Equipment 1 493 1 830 Non-current Grant receivables 1 420 2 804 Other non-current assets 95 137 CURRENT ASSETS 6 515 11 121 Inventories 417 Trade and Other Receivables 170 457 Current Grant receivables 628 2 258 Other current assets 1 099 1 402 Cash and cash equivalents 4 200 7 004 TOTAL ASSETS 9 928 16 282 EQUITY 511 6 304 Share Capital 8 216 32 949 Other reserves 35 766 35 734 Capital reduction reserve 320 726 295 993 Accumulated deficit (364 196) (358 372) NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES 6 571 7 046 Lease liabilities 763 902 Recoverable Cash advances (RCAs) 4 195 4 505 Post-employment benefits 1 1 Other non-current liabilities 1 612 1 638 CURRENT LIABILITIES 2 846 2 932 Lease liabilities 142 156 Recoverable Cash advances (RCAs) 639 366 Trade payables 1 233 1 243 Contract liabilities 46 Other current liabilities 786 1 167 TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 9 928 16 282 Celyad Oncology SA Consolidated Net Cash Burn Rate 1 ('000) For the year ended 31 December 2024 2023 Net cash used in operations (5 680) (15 202) Net cash (used in)/from investing activities (103) 407 Net cash (used in)/from financing activities 2 983 9 355 Effects of exchange rate changes (4) (1) Net cash burned over the period (2 800) (5 441) 1 Net cash burn rate' is an alternative performance measure determined by the year-on-year net variance in the Group's treasury position as above defined. The purpose of this measure for the Management is to determine the change of the treasury position. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250402717539/en/ Contacts: Investor Media Contact: David Georges, VP Finance and Administration investors@celyad.com Options Technology (Options), the leading global provider of cloud-enabled managed services, trading infrastructure, and security solutions for the financial sector, today announced its continued partnership with Paget Brown Financial Services, a premier provider of company management solutions for Cayman Islands structures, as they open new office premises in Belfast, Northern Ireland. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250402839556/en/ Options Powers Paget Brown's Expansion into Belfast with High-Performance Managed Services Since 1981, Paget Brown has been a trusted partner for corporate and individual clients worldwide, providing tailored management solutions. The expansion to Belfast is a key milestone for Paget Brown, marking their commitment to leveraging local talent and expanding their global reach while continuing to serve their growing client base. Danny Moore, President and CEO of Options Technology, commented, "We're delighted to support Paget Brown with the recent opening of their office in Belfast. This expansion marks a significant step, and it's great to see them tapping into Belfast's vibrant tech scene. With direct access to our team and resources, they'll have the secure, high-performance infrastructure needed to continue delivering world-class service as they expand into new markets. Belfast is rapidly becoming a hub for tech and innovation, and we're proud to be part of that energy as we welcome Paget Brown to the city's thriving capital markets community." Ryan Cooke, Director of Paget Brown Financial Services, commented, "Paget Brown is delighted to embark on an exciting new phase as we extend our reach to Belfast, Northern Ireland, harnessing the vibrant pool of local talent to enrich our capabilities and continue serving the growing needs of our clients. We remain steadfast in our commitment to excellence, innovation, and client satisfaction and have selected Options Technology as our provider of choice due to their proven ability to offer secure, scalable, and high-performance solutions that align perfectly with our business goals. Their world-class managed services platform and security infrastructure will be pivotal in supporting our global operations, ensuring we maintain the highest standards of service for our clients as we grow." As Paget Brown begins its expansion in Northern Ireland, Options will continue to provide the firm with its cutting-edge, managed platform and security solutions to support seamless operations and enhanced client services across geographies. Today's news comes as the latest in a series of major milestones at Options, including the expansion of its Chicago and Hong Kong offices, its partnership with Data Intellect and the deployment of Cboe Hanweck's European option analytics data feed. Options Technology: Options Technology (Options) is a financial technology company at the forefront of banking and trading infrastructure. We serve clients globally with offices in New York, London, Belfast, Cambridge, Chicago, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Singapore, Paris, and Auckland. At Options, our services are woven into the hottest trends in global technology, including high-performance Networking, Cloud, Security, and AI (Artificial Intelligence). www.options-it.com About Paget Brown Financial Services Paget Brown Financial Services Limited has been providing company management solutions to Cayman Islands structures since 1981. The firm's expertise spans corporate and individual clients worldwide, offering comprehensive services in financial planning, wealth management, and investment strategies. With the opening of their Belfast headquarters, Paget Brown aims to expand its reach to better serve clients across Northern Ireland and beyond. For more information, visit www.pagetbrownfs.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250402839556/en/ Contacts: For media inquiries, please contact Niall McAleer, niall.mcaleer@options-it.com NORWALK, Conn., April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- LBB Specialties (LBBS), a leader in specialty chemicals and ingredient distribution in North America, is pleased to announce a new partnership with Kerry Group, a world leading taste and nutrition partner for the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical markets with innovative, sustainable specialty ingredients for the industry. Through this collaboration, LBB Specialties will become Kerry's preferred distribution partner in the United States, expanding access to high-quality pharmaceutical lactose ingredients. Kerry's Sheffield brand offers a comprehensive range of pharmaceutical lactose excipients in various forms, grades, and particle sizes to provide formulators with optimized solutions for diverse pharmaceutical applications. "Our partnership with Kerry expands our customers' access to high-quality pharmaceutical lactose ingredients. Kerry's long-standing technical expertise and commitment to product consistency provide formulators with reliable, high-performance solutions tailored to their specific needs. Together, we are redefining quality and innovation in pharmaceutical formulation," said Seth Burns, SVP of Life Sciences at LBB Specialties. As an industry leader, Kerry provides the industry's extensive portfolio of anhydrous, spray dried and monohydrate grades of lactose. These include Sheffield brand N.F. Anhydrous Direct Tableting (DT) lactose, which has been regarded as the gold standard for anhydrous direct compression lactose excipients since its original patent, and Sheffield 316 Fast Flo spray dried lactose. This portfolio will enable formulators to achieve enhanced product consistency, supply chain efficiencies, and greater innovation in drug formulation technologies. "The agreement will provide customers with even greater access to Kerry's extensive lactose portfolio, ensuring the highest level of availability and customer service," said Joey Glassco, Regional Sales Manager, Pharma Excipients at Kerry. For more information about Kerry's new line of innovative, sustainable specialty ingredients for the Life Sciences industry, contact LBB Specialties today. About LBB Specialties LBB Specialties is a leader in North American specialty chemicals and ingredients distribution. It is a diversified supplier serving end markets including care, food & nutrition, industrial specialties, and life sciences. www.LBBSpecialties.com About Kerry Kerry is a world leading taste and nutrition partner for the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical markets. We innovate with our customers to create great-tasting products, with improved nutrition and functionality, while ensuring a better impact for the planet. Our leading consumer insights, global RD&A team of 1,100+ food scientists and extensive global footprint enable us to solve our customers' complex challenges with differentiated solutions. At Kerry, we are driven to be our customers' most valued partner, creating a world of sustainable nutrition, and will reach over two billion consumers with sustainable nutrition solutions by 2030. www.kerrygroup.com Media Contact: Ahmed Hanafy media@lbbspecialties.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2537440/LBB_Specialties_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/lbb-specialties-partners-with-kerry-group-to-launch-pharmaceutical-lactose-to-the-life-sciences-market-302418836.html Deep appreciation expressed for nation's swift quake response 14:03, April 02, 2025 By Wei Xiaohao, Li Yingqing, Zhang Xiaomin ( China Daily Residents receive food at a relocation site in Mandalay, Myanmar, on Tuesday, following the magnitude 7.9 earthquake that struck the Southeast Asian nation on Friday. See more, page 11 (Wei Xiaohao/China Daily) An elderly woman was successfully rescued by a Chinese rescue team from under hospital rubble in Myanmar's capital, Nay Pyi Daw, on Sunday morning, nearly 40 hours after the magnitude 7.9 earthquake struck on Friday. "When she was carried onto a stretcher by rescuers, everyone on the scene was excited," said Mu Shuyuan, from China's Yunnan province rescue and medical team. The 37-member team was the first international one to arrive at the earthquake-stricken area. Eighteen of the team members are from China Railway No 2 Engineering Group's National Tunnel Emergency Rescue Team based in Kunming, the capital of Yunnan. They are responsible for rescue efforts, while the others take care of medical needs and help with disease prevention. Carrying emergency rescue supplies, including life detection equipment, an earthquake early-warning system and portable satellite equipment, the team arrived at Yangon International Airport on Saturday morning. Upon landing, they immediately joined forces with the Myanmar fire and rescue department, and after traveling for more than nine hours reached severely affected areas in Nay Pyi Daw. "Without taking a break, we brought demolition tools and communication equipment to the designated location, and quickly engaged in rescue work," said Mu, leader of the rescue squad. At Ottara Thiri Private Hospital, a three-story building was severely damaged, with the ground floor completely collapsed. Using a sign of life detector, Mu's squad located a survivor trapped under the collapsed floor. His deputy Xiao Min crawled in front of a crevice in the rubble, shone a flashlight in the space and called out loudly in Mandarin with a Guizhou accent, "Don't be afraid. We are here to rescue you!" Realizing there was a language barrier, Xiao immediately called for a translator. The translator was able to communicate the message, and a hoarse response was heard emanating from deep within the debris. A 73-year-old woman, who had previously undergone brain surgery and returned to the hospital for a checkup, was trapped in a narrow space between the second and first floors, alongside bodies of the deceased. Due to the complex environment, they devised a rescue plan along with local emergency workers. "During the rescue process, we not only had to consider that drilling vibrations might cause concrete blocks to fall, causing secondary harm to the trapped individuals, but we also had to be vigilant about aftershocks and the risk of collapse," Xiao said. After drilling two access holes, one running horizontally and the other vertically, they still could not reach the woman. They then drilled a third hole, which enabled them to remove the bodies of two deceased people on top of the woman. At 4:56 am on Sunday, after being trapped for nearly 40 hours, she was successfully rescued. "Make sure to lift steadily and slowly," Xiao repeatedly instructed those carrying the stretcher. When she was safely placed in an ambulance, he let out a sigh of relief. Members from the Chinese Red Cross International Emergency Response Team conduct rescue efforts at residential dwellings on Monday in Mandalay, Myanmar. (Wei Xiaohao/China Daily) Heartfelt gratitude After saving the woman, Mu led the squad to the main building of the hospital, where a trembling elderly man grabbed his wrist and spoke in a croaky voice to him. Translators and local firefighters informed Mu that the man was a relative of a victim whose body had been retrieved from the debris. Despite the outcome not being as desired, he expressed deep gratitude for the hard work of the rescue team. "Although we couldn't understand each other's languages, his emotions and sincerity deeply touched us," Mu said. On Sunday morning, Myanmar's leader Min Aung Hlaing visited the hospital and expressed heartfelt gratitude to the entire Yunnan rescue and medical team for their prompt arrival in Myanmar for rescue operations. Medical team member He Jibo communicated and coordinated with accompanying Myanmar health officials. He said that they were very concerned about the occurrence and spread of infectious diseases due to poor hygiene. The Chinese team will work with Myanmar's health department and disease control center to further clarify post-disaster health and epidemic prevention needs, He said. "The rescue operation in the quake-hit area faces various difficulties. Myanmar, both officially and privately, is deeply moved by China's immediate mobilization for disaster relief," said Chin Myint, managing director of Yangon-based Myanmar Weimin Energy Technology Co. "As far as I know, the number of Chinese rescuers who arrived in Mandalay has exceeded 300," he said on Monday. Chin said he was on a business trip to Mandalay on Friday when he felt the strong earthquake while checking into his hotel. He said he immediately went to the hardest-hit area of the city to assist front-line rescue workers and also participated in fundraising for the victims and survivors. "We need to do our best. The buildings have collapsed, but we cannot let hope collapse as well," he said. Members from the Chinese Red Cross International Emergency Response Team conduct rescue efforts at residential dwellings on Monday in Mandalay, Myanmar. (Wei Xiaohao/China Daily) Responsible neighbor The Yunnan rescue and medical team was joined in Myanmar by a Hong Kong search and rescue team, the China Search and Rescue Team, the China International Search and Rescue Team, as well as various civilian rescue forces from different parts of the mainland. The Chinese Red Cross International Emergency Response Team traveled to Mandalay, where its 15 team members were involved in search and rescue efforts, care and transfer of survivors, medical assistance, and provided psychological counseling. On Sunday, while preparing for departure at Kunming airport, they encountered a middle-aged Myanmar overseas Chinese named Sein Yee, who cried with excitement upon seeing the team. Sein had planned to fly back to Mandalay from Mangshi of Dehong Dai and Jingpo autonomous prefecture, Yunnan, on Friday. Due to the earthquake, the flight was canceled so she transferred to Kunming. "On one hand, I was moved because we were in distress, and China promptly came to our rescue," she said. "On the other hand, seeing the disaster scenes sent by friends after the earthquake made me very sad." "My heart has been aching, hoping more people are rescued as soon as possible," she said. Ma Yong, a researcher at the Yunnan Academy of Social Sciences, said that China and Myanmar form a community with a shared future. The two countries share "weal and woe", bound by a profound pauk-phaw ("fraternal" in the Myanmar language) friendship between their peoples. "True solidarity shines brightest in times of adversity," Ma said. "Upon learning of the devastating earthquake in Myanmar, the Chinese government immediately extended assistance, with Chinese rescue teams being the first to arrive on the scene. "They swiftly engaged in relief operations and announced humanitarian aid. The rapid and efficient involvement of Chinese rescue forces has helped people in Myanmar fight the disaster. This has further strengthened the 'heart-to-heart connectivity' between the peoples of China and Myanmar." Ran Aobo, a researcher at Tsinghua University's Institute for Urban Governance and Sustainable Development, said China, as a responsible big country, had sent emergency response teams multiple times to other countries for disaster relief work. China is a participant in Integrated Research on Disaster Risk, an international scientific program co-sponsored by the International Science Council and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, he added. "China has a strong capability and willingness to enhance international cooperation in disaster relief," he said, adding that the country leverages its expertise in technical training and data sharing. As Myanmar is an important neighbor, China's actions are also proof of the two countries' long-lasting friendship, he added. Chen Meiling contributed to this story. A resident rides his motorcycle past debris in Mandalay on Monday. (Wei Xiaohao/China Daily) (Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing) Lupin Healthcare (UK) Limited, the wholly owned subsidiary of global pharma major Lupin Limited (Lupin) announced today the acquisition of Renascience Pharma Limited (Renascience), a UK-based pharmaceutical company and sole supplier of 4 specialty products targeting unmet medical needs in the UK. With this acquisition, Lupin Healthcare (UK) Limited gains full ownership of Renascience which, going forward, will trade as its subsidiary. The portfolio includes branded injectable cephalosporines for infectious diseases, a topical treatment for ear pain and a branded quinazoline-like diuretic for cardio- vascular and renal indications. Commenting on the acquisition, Fabrice Egros, President Corporate Development, Lupin said, "In recent years Lupin has established a highly successful branded business in the UK delivering significant value to patients and the NHS (National Health Service). This strategic move allows Lupin to further enhance our branded medicine portfolio, catering to unmet medical needs and furthering our mission to provide accessible and sustainable healthcare solutions." Co-founder Director of Renascience, Eric Che commented, "Renascience was founded with the goal to improve patient access to speciality, critical medicines and we are extremely proud of what we have been able to revive to date for the benefit of patients. As we looked forward to the future, it was deeply important that Renascience has the best opportunity to build on what has been accomplished and expand its reach to improve outcomes for as many patients as possible, and we are pleased to have found that opportunity with Lupin. Lupin has the cultural fit, capabilities and experience for the next stage of growth, and we are excited to see the products go from strength to strength." About Renascience Renascience Pharma Limited, UK, is a pharmaceutical company specialising in niche branded products for primary and secondary care. The company is the sole supplier of these products in the UK market, with a portfolio that includes injectables for infectious diseases, ear drops for pain management, and oral therapy for cardiology and nephrology indications. About Lupin Healthcare Lupin Healthcare is a subsidiary of the global pharmaceutical leader, Lupin Limited. Entrepreneurial spirit, external focus and pipeline strength elevate Lupin Healthcare from a standard generics company to a more specialist organisation, partnering with the NHS to deliver value in the anti-retroviral, women's health, neuroscience, and respiratory space. To know more, visit www.lupinhealthcare.co.uk About Lupin Lupin Limited is a global pharmaceutical leader headquartered in Mumbai, India, with products distributed in over 100 markets. Lupin specialises in pharmaceutical products, including branded and generic formulations, complex generics, biotechnology products, and active pharmaceutical ingredients. Trusted by healthcare professionals and consumers globally, the company enjoys a strong position in India and the U.S. across multiple therapy areas, including respiratory, cardiovascular, anti-diabetic, anti-infective, gastrointestinal, central nervous system, and women's health. Lupin has 15 state-of-the-art manufacturing sites and 7 research centers globally, along with a dedicated workforce of over 23,000 professionals. Lupin is committed to improving patient health outcomes through its subsidiaries Lupin Diagnostics, Lupin Digital Health, and Lupin Manufacturing Solutions. To know more, visit www.lupin.com or follow us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/lupin View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250402219028/en/ Contacts: For further information or queries, please contact: Rajalakshmi Azariah Vice President Global Head Corporate Communications, Lupin rajalakshmiazariah@lupin.com Victoria, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 2, 2025) - AdButler, a leading ad tech platform that empowers publishers, brands, and agencies to efficiently manage, deliver, and optimize digital advertising campaigns across multiple channels, is proud to announce its inclusion in the Financial Times' prestigious list of The Americas' Fastest-Growing Companies 2025. This recognition highlights AdButler's significant growth and commitment to delivering innovative advertising technology solutions across the Americas. AdButler made the Financial Times' The Americas' Fastest-Growing Companies 2025 list. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11571/247119_abimage.jpg The Financial Times, in collaboration with Statista, annually identifies the top 500 companies in North and South America that have achieved the highest compound annual growth in revenues. The 2025 ranking is based on revenue growth between 2020 and 2023, showcasing companies that have demonstrated resilience and expansion during this period. "We are honored to be recognized by the Financial Times as one of the fastest-growing companies in the Americas," said Rajiv Khaneja, CEO of AdButler. "This achievement reflects the dedication of our team and the trust our clients place in our platform to deliver effective and scalable advertising solutions." AdButler's growth is driven by its powerful ad technology, which helps businesses-from startups to large enterprises-monetize their distribution channels and leverage their data for maximum revenue. By offering customizable and scalable solutions, AdButler empowers clients to take full control of their ad operations, optimize performance, and unlock new revenue opportunities. For more information about AdButler's services and how they can support your advertising needs, please visit www.adbutler.com. About AdButler Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Victoria, British Columbia, AdButler offers a comprehensive ad serving and management platform designed for advertisers, agencies, and publishers. With a focus on flexibility and scalability, AdButler provides solutions that cater to a diverse range of clients, enabling them to manage and optimize their advertising efforts effectively. The company's commitment to innovation and customer support has established it as a trusted partner in the advertising technology industry. For information visit www.adbutler.com. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/247119 SOURCE: AdButler New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - April 2, 2025) - The Benjamin Wey Grant for Finance Students is now accepting applications for the 2025 award, offering a one-time $1,000 scholarship to an undergraduate student pursuing a career in finance. This initiative, founded by Benjamin Wey, a seasoned Wall Street financier and CEO of New York Global Group, aims to support the next generation of financial professionals as they navigate the evolving industry. Benjamin Wey To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8530/247055_54da7f8fe48ca977_001full.jpg The finance sector is rapidly transforming due to technological advancements, shifting global markets, and new economic trends. Recognizing the need for forward-thinking professionals, Benjamin Wey has established this grant to encourage students to critically analyze these changes and contribute innovative solutions to the field. Eligibility and Application Details The Benjamin Wey Grant for Finance Students is open to undergraduate students enrolled at an accredited college or university, with a demonstrated interest in finance or related disciplines. Applicants must submit a compelling 1,000-word essay responding to the following prompt: "The financial world is constantly evolving due to technological innovations, global trends, and economic shifts. Discuss a recent financial innovation or development that you believe will shape the future of the finance industry, and explain how you plan to contribute to this transformation as a future finance professional." Essays should be submitted along with the applicant's full name, contact information, and academic institution to apply@benjaminweygrant.com no later than July 15, 2025. The recipient of the Benjamin Wey Grant for Finance Students will be announced on August 15, 2025. A Commitment to Financial Education Benjamin Wey has built a distinguished career advising Fortune 1000 companies, government entities, and private enterprises across the globe. Through his leadership at New York Global Group, he has successfully guided over 1,000 financial projects, earning recognition in prominent publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and The New York Times. Beyond his contributions to global finance, Benjamin Wey remains committed to fostering educational opportunities for aspiring professionals. By launching the Benjamin Wey Grant for Finance Students, he continues to invest in the next wave of industry leaders who will shape the financial landscape for years to come. Encouraging Future Finance Innovators With finance constantly adapting to technological disruption and economic shifts, professionals entering the field must be equipped with the knowledge, analytical skills, and vision to drive progress. This grant serves as an opportunity for students to demonstrate their understanding of the industry's future while receiving financial support for their education. Students nationwide are encouraged to apply and take advantage of this opportunity to gain both recognition and assistance in their academic journey. For further details, visit https://benjaminweygrant.com/ or https://benjaminweygrant.com/benjamin-wey-grant/. About Benjamin Wey Benjamin Wey is a globally recognized financier, private equity expert, and CEO of New York Global Group, a leading investment firm. With over two decades of experience in capital markets, he has played a pivotal role in financial advisory, corporate strategy, and business growth. In addition to his professional achievements, Benjamin Wey actively supports educational initiatives that help students build successful careers in finance. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/247055 SOURCE: GYT Charlotte, North Carolina--(Newsfile Corp. - April 2, 2025) - The Dr. John Won Grant for Healthcare Students is now open for applications, offering undergraduate students across the United States a chance to receive financial support as they pave their way into the medical field. Dr. John Won, a respected oral surgeon and advocate for accessible healthcare, is at the helm of this initiative. Known for his philanthropic efforts and dedication to mentoring future healthcare professionals, John Won Oral Surgeon introduces this $1,000 grant to inspire young students aiming to make an impact in healthcare. Dr. John Won To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8530/247054_e81366f0f4e049b6_001full.jpg The grant is designed to assist aspiring professionals studying disciplines such as medicine, dentistry, nursing, biomedical sciences, and public health. Eligible candidates are required to craft an essay responding to the prompt: "Healthcare is a field that blends science, innovation, and human connection. In 500 words or less, explain how you plan to contribute to the future of healthcare. What impact do you hope to make, and how will your education help shape your journey?" Applications are open until November 15, 2025, and the winner will be announced on December 15, 2025. Dr. John Won, a distinguished oral surgeon and Columbia University alumnus, has a long-standing legacy of nurturing the next generation of healthcare professionals. By founding this grant, Dr. John Won underscores his commitment to advancing the field of medicine while making education accessible for dedicated students. His work as an adjunct clinical professor and his involvement with volunteer missions, such as those with the American Red Cross, reflect his unwavering dedication to healthcare advancement and mentorship. Dr. John Won emphasizes the importance of education as a transformative tool in healthcare, ensuring this opportunity is not bound by geography, city, or state restrictions. Aspiring applicants from all corners of the United States are encouraged to apply. The winner, who will be chosen based on their thoughtful insights and commitment to shaping the future of healthcare, will receive a $1,000 grant. Dr. John Won hopes this financial assistance will empower students to achieve their academic goals while contributing to the dynamic field of healthcare. This initiative further cements Dr. John Won's role as an oral surgeon and healthcare advocate devoted to creating opportunities for students passionate about making a difference in medical and healthcare-related fields. For more details about the Dr. John Won Grant for Healthcare Students and to begin an application journey, visit https://drjohnwongrant.com or https://drjohnwongrant.com/dr-john-won-grant/. The site provides comprehensive guidelines to ensure a smooth application process. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/247054 SOURCE: GYT New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - April 2, 2025) - The Stuart Piltch Fund for Veterans is now accepting applications for its $1,000 one-time award, designed to support U.S. military veterans pursuing careers in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and entrepreneurship. With a commitment to fostering innovation in the technological landscape, this initiative provides financial assistance to veterans seeking to advance their education and professional expertise. Image 1 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8530/247053_a2205af2d484095d_001full.jpg Founded by Stuart Piltch, a recognized leader in technology, data analytics, and national security, the fund aims to equip veterans with the resources they need to transition into critical roles in the ever-evolving tech industry. Veterans across the United States who meet the eligibility criteria are encouraged to apply before the deadline of November 15, 2025. The recipient of the fund will be announced on December 15, 2025. A Fund Dedicated to Supporting Veteran Education in High-Demand Fields The Stuart Piltch Fund for Veterans seeks to bridge the gap between military service and careers in emerging technology sectors. The fund provides veterans with financial support as they pursue higher education or certification programs in industries that are shaping the future. To qualify for the award, applicants must: Be a U.S. military veteran with proof of service. Be enrolled or planning to enroll in a degree program or certification course in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, machine learning, or entrepreneurship. Demonstrate a strong interest in technology, innovation, and industry advancements . Submit an essay (up to 750 words) addressing the designated prompt. Exhibit a commitment to career growth and contributing to technological advancements through education and expertise. Stuart Piltch's Vision for Veterans in Technology Stuart Piltch has been instrumental in merging complex theories with practical applications to address modern challenges. Through the Stuart Piltch Fund for Veterans, he is committed to ensuring that those who have served in the military can seamlessly transition into careers that contribute to technological progress and industry evolution. Application Process and Deadline Veterans interested in applying for the Stuart Piltch Fund for Veterans can find complete details and application instructions at https://stuartpiltchfund.com/. The submission deadline is November 15, 2025, and the winner will be announced on December 15, 2025. By supporting veterans in their pursuit of education and career advancement, Stuart Piltch continues to strengthen the link between military service and leadership in technology-driven industries. For more information, visit https://stuartpiltchfund.com/stuart-piltch-fund/. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/247053 SOURCE: GYT Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 2, 2025) - Blue Sky Uranium (TSXV: BSK) is pleased to announce that the company is presenting a live virtual corporate update hosted by Red Cloud Financial Services on April 3rd, 2025 at 2:00 PM ET ET. We invite our shareholders, and all interested parties to register for the webinar and participate in the live Q&A session at the end of the presentation moderated by Red Cloud. The replay will be emailed out to all webinar registrants proceeding the event and will also be available on the Red Cloud website. For more information and to register: https://redcloudfs.com/events/rcwebinar-bsk-7/. Blue Sky Uranium Corp. is one of Argentina's best-positioned uranium & vanadium exploration companies with more than 4,000 km2 (400,000 ha) of prospective tenements. Commodities to be covered: Uranium About Blue Sky Uranium Blue Sky Uranium Corp. (TSXV: BSK) (FSE: MAL2.F) (OTCQB: BKUCF) is one of Argentina's best-positioned uranium & vanadium exploration companies with more than 4,000 km2 (400,000 ha) of prospective tenements. The Company's mission is to deliver exceptional returns to shareholders by acquiring, exploring and advancing towards production a portfolio of uranium-vanadium projects, with an emphasis on near-surface deposits with the potential for near-term low-cost production. About Red Cloud Financial Services Inc. Red Cloud Financial Services Inc. is a globally focused capital markets advisory firm that provides a full range of executive strategy, media, marketing, and corporate access services. Our breadth of services combines with our significant knowledge of the junior mining industry combine for unique product offering. The company was founded by capital markets professionals with extensive experience in the junior mining industry. SOURCE: Red Cloud Financial Services COMPANY ANNOUNCEMENT NO. 4-2025 2 April 2025, Copenhagen, Denmark On Wednesday 2 April 2025 at 4:00 p.m. CEST, FLSmidth & Co. A/S held its Annual General Meeting at the offices of the company, Vigerslev Alle 77, DK-2500 Valby, with the following agenda: 1. The Board of Directors' report on the company's activities in 2024 2. Presentation and approval of the 2024 Annual Report 3. Approval of the Board of Directors' fees: Final approval of fees for 2024 Preliminary determination of fees for 2025 4. Distribution of profits or covering of losses in accordance with the approved Annual Report 5. Presentation of the Remuneration Report 2024 for an advisory vote 6. Election of members to the Board of Directors 7. Election of company auditor 8. Proposals from the Board of Directors: 8.1 Amendment of the articles of association 8.2 Treasury shares 9. Any other business ---- Re 1: The General Meeting took note of the Board of Directors' report. Re 2: The General Meeting approved the Annual Report 2024. Re 3: Approval of the Board of Directors' fees: a: The General Meeting approved the Board of Directors' fees for 2024. b: The General Meeting approved the preliminary determination of fees for 2024. Re 4: The Board of Directors' proposal regarding distribution of dividends with DKK 8 per share was adopted. Re 5: The Remuneration Report 2024 was approved by advisory vote. Re 6: The General Meeting re-elected Mr. Mads Nipper, Ms. Anne Louise Eberhard, Mr. Thrasyvoulos Moraitis and Ms. Anna Kristiina Hyvonen to the Board of Directors. Further, Mr. Christian Bruch, Mr. Rune Wichmann and Mr. Lars Engstrom was elected to the Board of Directors. Mr. Tom Knutzen and Mr. Daniel Reimann resigned from the Board of Directors. Re 7: The general meeting adopted the proposal by the Board of Directors to re-elect Ernst & Young Godkendt Revisionspartnerselskab as auditor in respect of statutory financial and sustainability reporting in accordance with the recommendation from the audit committee. Re 8: Proposals from the Board of Directors: Re 8.1: Amendment of the articles of association - extension of the Board of Directors' authorisations to increase the company's share capital - was approved. The authorisation is thereby extended until 2 April 2030 with a total aggregate issue of new shares of DKK 100,000,000. Re 8.2: The Board of Directors' proposal to authorise the company to repurchase treasury shares until the next Annual General Meeting was approved. Re 9: No other business. The Chairman of the Annual General Meeting closed the Annual General Meeting at 5:07 p.m. CEST. 60.15% of the votes and of the share capital were represented at the Annual General Meeting. At the subsequent board meeting, the Board of Directors elected Mr. Mads Nipper as Chair and Mr. Christian Bruch as Vice Chair. Contacts: Investors Relations Andreas Holkjr, +45 24 85 03 84, andh@flsmidth.com Jannick Denholt, +45 21 69 66 57, jli@flsmidth.com Media Jannick Denholt, +45 21 69 66 57, jli@flsmidth.com About FLSmidth FLSmidth is a full flowsheet technology and service supplier to the global mining and cement industries. We enable our customers to improve performance, lower operating costs and reduce environmental impact. MissionZero is our sustainability ambition towards zero emissions in mining and cement by 2030. We work within fully validated Science-Based Targets, have a clear commitment to improving the sustainability performance of the global mining and cement industries and aim to become carbon neutral in our own operations by 2030. www.flsmidth.com. Attachment The Conference of Christian Presidents for Israel (CCPI) hosted a group of National Christian organizations and influential Christian leaders at the Embassy of Israel in Washington, DC on March 27th, 2025, to welcome Dr. Michael (Yechiel) Leiter, the new Ambassador of Israel to the United States, into his new appointment. The leaders were drawn from top think tanks, political organizations, NGOs, and major ministries that have a proven track record of policy achievements and coalition building that advance Christian values. The moving remarks by Ambassador Leiter and his Christian allies spoke to the deep affinity and common purpose between Israel and the United States in these perilous times. Here is what some of the notable attendees had to say about the event: MARIO BRAMNICK, CO-CHAIR OF CCPI AND PRESIDENT OF LATINO COALITION FOR ISRAEL: "On behalf of Christian leaders throughout America, we congratulate Dr. Yechiel Leiter on his recent appointment as Israel's Ambassador to the U.S. The Conference of Christian Presidents for Israel is a coalition of the top presidents of Christian Organizations and influential Christian leaders who represent tens of millions of evangelicals in America. The Conference will advance pro-Israel policy at the executive, legislative, and state levels, and mobilize major grassroots efforts to strengthen the United States - Israel relations at this critical crossroad in our nation's history and will build a firewall against the unprecedented rise of antisemitism in America." RALPH REED, FOUNDER OF THE FAITH AND FREEDOM COALITION: "At this inflection point in the region, it has never been more critical for the U.S. to stand forthright with Israel and against our shared enemies, starting with Iran and its terrorist proxies. There must be no daylight between America and our ally Israel. Our special relationship and collaboration are the road to peace, stability, and prosperity in the Middle East and beyond." LANCE WALLNAU, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF UNITED IN PURPOSE: "The ancient Prophets spoke of a time when nations would enter the 'valley of decision' regarding Israel. The decision to stand with Israel is not driven by convenience, as they have many enemies. Nor is it a decision driven by economics. Standing with Israel is a decision of the heart. Christians owe the Jewish people a debt of gratitude, for through them, we have the scriptures, the patriarchs, the first-century church, and a vibrant faith. Hence the Jewish people have no greater friend than the American Christian community. For us, the decision is already made." TONY PERKINS, PRESIDENT OF THE FAMILY RESEARCH COUNCIL: "Failure to support Israel's sovereignty over Judea and Samaria will not only solidify a broken status quo that has cost countless lives but will put America on the wrong side of history. It is time for clear-eyed leadership that recognizes Israel's historical, strategic, and biblical ties to this land - and upholds our responsibility to steward peace and security wherever we can." LUKE MOON, CO-CHAIR OF CCPI AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE PHILOS PROJECT: "The Conference of Christian Presidents for Israel is needed now more than ever. Too many Christian voices have rejected America First for America Only and are providing fertile ground for antisemitism to take root. We are committed to ensuring the unique relationship between the US and Israel remains strong and rooted in biblical truth." CONCLUSION This important gathering was a preamble to future events where some of the most prominent Christian voices will stand together to promote strategic policy goals that will support a better future for all the peoples in the Holy Land and surrounding nations. In addition to improving the lives of the people in the Middle East, these policies will also strengthen collaboration between the United States and Israel as they stand against the forces that seek to destroy Judeo-Christian values across the globe. SOURCE: Conference of Christian Presidents for Israel Paris, 2 April 2025 - The Company's shareholders are invited to participate in the Annual General Meeting (AGM), which will be held on Wednesday 23 April 2025, at 10:00 am, at Altamir's offices: 61 rue des Belles Feuilles, 75116 Paris. The AGM prior notice, including the meeting agenda and the proposed resolutions, was published in the BALO (French Bulletin of Obligatory Legal Announcements) on 19 March 2025 and the AGM notice will be published in the BALO and in a French journal of legal announcements on 7 April 2025. In conformity with article R. 22-10-23 of the French Code of Commerce, the supporting documents to the AGM are available on the Company's website (www.altamir.fr). The supporting documents to the AGM will also be made available to shareholders as of the AGM notice date. Thus, in conformity with the applicable regulatory provisions: all registered shareholders may, up to and including the fifth day before the AGM, request that the Company forward them the documentation referred to in articles R.225-81 and R.225-83 of the French Code of Commerce, by electronic or other means. Bearer shareholders may exercise this right only after producing a registration certificate stating that their shares are recorded in a bearer securities account on the books of an accredited intermediary; all shareholders may review the documents referred to in articles L. 225-115 and R.225-83 of the French Code of Commerce at the company's headquarters. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * About Altamir Altamir is a listed private equity company (Euronext Paris-B, ticker: LTA) founded in 1995 and with a NAV of nearly 1.3bn. Its objective is to provide shareholders with long-term capital appreciation and regular dividends by investing in a diversified portfolio of private equity investments. Altamir's investment policy is to invest principally via and with the funds managed or advised by Seven2 and Apax, two leading private equity firms that take majority or lead positions in buyouts and growth capital transactions and seek ambitious value creation objectives. In this way, Altamir provides access to a diversified portfolio of fast-growing companies across Seven2's and Apax's sectors of specialisation (Tech & Telco, Consumer, Healthcare, Services) and in complementary market segments (mid-sized companies in continental Europe and large companies in Europe, North America and key emerging markets). Altamir derives certain tax benefits from its status as a SCR ("Societe de Capital Risque"). As such, Altamir is exempt from corporate tax and the company's investors may benefit from tax exemptions, subject to specific holding-period and dividend-reinvestment conditions. For more information: www.altamir.fr Contact Claire Peyssard Moses Tel.: +33 6 34 32 38 97/ E-mail: investors@altamir.fr ------------------------ This publication embed "Actusnews SECURITY MASTER ". - SECURITY MASTER Key: xnBslJZoZZfFy5+eaZ6WmGlmmGlhlJGaaWjLlGdwapfHbnCTyW6SmsaZZnJhnWdu - Check this key: https://www.security-master-key.com. ------------------------ Copyright Actusnews Wire Receive by email the next press releases of the company by registering on www.actusnews.com, it's free Full and original release in PDF format:https://www.actusnews.com/documents_communiques/ACTUS-0-90828-mad_doc-ag-2025_en.pdf Denver, Colorado--(Newsfile Corp. - April 2, 2025) - Rider Justice, the trusted advocate for motorcycle riders and premier resource for personal injury law in Colorado, proudly announces a formal partnership with four renowned Denver-Metro dealerships: Mile High Harley-Davidson Aurora, Mile High Harley-Davidson Parker, Grand Prix Motorsports, and Foothills Motorcycles. Effective April 1, 2025, Rider Justice becomes the preferred law firm for these dealerships, further strengthening its commitment to the greater motorcycle community and the dealerships who serve riders. Scott O'Sullivan Founder of Rider Justice and the O'Sullivan Law Firm in Denver, CO. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10119/247013_scottosullivan.jpg Cannot view this video? Visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HF4dw4b4ZFU By joining forces, Rider Justice will be prominently involved in the dealerships' 2025 signature events, including: 4/19 - Car & Bike Show Block Party - Mile High Harley-Davidson Aurora 5/2 & 5/3 - Indian Motorcycle Demo Days - Grand Prix Motorsports 5/24 - SmokeFest - Mile High Harley-Davidson Parker 6/14 - Dyna Days - Mile High Harley-Davidson Aurora 6/20 & 6/21 - Yamaha Demo Days - Grand Prix Motorsports 6/27 & 6/28 - BMW/Triumph Demo Days - Foothills Motorcycles 9/27 - Car & Bike Show - Mile High Harley-Davidson Parker 12/7 - 40th Annual Children's Hospital Toy Run and After Party - Mile High Harley-Davidson Aurora "We have collaborated with these trusted dealerships for many years, supporting various community events and rider-centric initiatives," said Scott O'Sullivan, founder of Rider Justice. "By formalizing this partnership, we're solidifying an already great relationship. We're proud to stand alongside partners who share our passion for protecting and serving the Colorado riding community." Jim Otto, Vice President of Marketing for Big Iron Sports-the ownership group for these four dealerships-expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership: "We are proud to officially partner with Rider Justice whose team has consistently demonstrated its dedication to the riding community through action. Whether it's actively supporting the hands-free law in Colorado, sponsoring Accident Scene Management training classes, or making a positive impact at countless riding events, Rider Justice has proven its commitment time and again." Otto notes that the dealerships and Rider Justice have a longstanding relationship through beloved annual gatherings such as the Children's Hospital Colorado Toy Run and Sophie's Ride, which highlights Rider Justice's deep roots in the local riding community. As the most trusted motorcycle personal injury law firm in Colorado, Rider Justice focuses on protecting the rights of riders while fostering camaraderie and safety. By cementing this formal partnership with Mile High Harley-Davidson Aurora, Mile High Harley-Davidson Parker, Grand Prix Motorsports, and Foothills Motorcycles, Rider Justice continues its mission to serve as a top legal and community resource for riders throughout the Denver-Metro area and the greater Rocky Mountain region. Rider Justice | The Motorcycle Advocacy Arm of The O'Sullivan Law Firm To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10119/247013_5d97ec9b54c16bcb_003full.jpg Rider Justice is Colorado's leading motorcycle injury law firm and motorcycle rider safety advocate. Founded by attorney Scott O'Sullivan, Rider Justice is dedicated to fighting for motorcycle rider rights after catastrophic injury to ensure they receive the compensation they deserve, and to empowering the riding community through education, legislative advocacy, and community-building events. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/247013 SOURCE: The O'Sullivan Law Firm Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd. (LN:PSH) (LN:PSHD) today announced that its Annual General Meeting of Shareholders ("AGM") will be held on Thursday, May 1, 2025, at 10:00 AM (BST) at Trafalgar Court, Les Banques, St. Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 3QL. The results of the voting will be announced as soon as practicable after the conclusion of the AGM. At the AGM, shareholders will consider the receipt of the annual report and the financial statements, the renewal of PSH's share buy-back authority, the re-appointment of PSH's auditor and authorization of the Directors to determine its remuneration, the approval to disapply pre-emption rights for any share issuance of 10% (as is customary in the London investment fund market), and the re-election of the existing Directors with the exception of Tope Lawani, who is not offering himself up for re-election due to his other commitments. The specific resolutions can be found in the Notice of Annual General Meeting available on PSH's website, https://www.pershingsquareholdings.com/company-reports/notices-shareholders/. About Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd. Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd. (LN:PSH) (LN:PSHD) is an investment holding company structured as a closed-ended fund. Category: (PSH:Events) The document will shortly be available for inspection on the National Storage Mechanism website: https://data.fca.org.uk/#/nsm/nationalstoragemechanism View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250402630827/en/ Contacts: Media Camarco Ed Gascoigne-Pees Julia Tilley +44 (0)20 3781 8339, MediaInquiries@pershingsquareholdings.com AXIS Capital Holdings Limited ("AXIS Capital" or the "Company") (NYSE: AXS) today announced that it expects to release financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025 on Wednesday, April 30, 2025 after the close of the financial markets. Vince Tizzio, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Peter Vogt, Chief Financial Officer, will host an investor teleconference, including a question and answer period, on Thursday, May 1, 2025 at 8:30 a.m. ET to discuss the first quarter results as well as related matters. The teleconference can be accessed by dialing 1-877-883-0383 (U.S. callers), 1-866-605-3850 (Canada callers), or 1-412-902-6506 (international callers), and entering the passcode 7972919 approximately 10 minutes in advance of the call. A live, listen-only webcast of the call will also be available via the Investor Information section of the Company's website at www.axiscapital.com. A replay of the teleconference will be available for one week by dialing 1-877-344-7529 (U.S. callers), 1-855-669-9658 (Canada callers), or 1-412-317-0088 (international callers), and entering the passcode 8595489. The webcast will be archived in the Investor Information section of the Company's website. About AXIS Capital AXIS Capital, through its operating subsidiaries, is a global specialty underwriter and provider of insurance and reinsurance solutions. The Company has shareholders' equity of $6.1 billion at December 31, 2024, and locations in Bermuda, the United States, Europe, Singapore, and Canada. Its operating subsidiaries have been assigned a financial strength rating of "A+" ("Strong") by Standard Poor's and "A" ("Excellent") by A.M. Best. For more information about AXIS Capital, visit our website at www.axiscapital.com. Follow AXIS Capital on LinkedIn and X Corp. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250402663871/en/ Contacts: Investor Contact Cliff Gallant AXIS Capital Holdings Limited investorrelations@axiscapital.com (415) 262-6843 Media Contact Nichola Liboro AXIS Capital Holdings Limited nichola.liboro@axiscapital.com (917) 705-4579 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 2, 2025) - Dolly Varden Silver Corporation (TSXV: DV) (OTCQX: DOLLF) (the "Company" or "Dolly Varden") announces that it has applied to list its issued and outstanding common shares (the "Common Shares") on the NYSE American, LLC (the "NYSE American") to complement its current listing on the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV"). In advance of listing on the NYSE American, Dolly Varden intends to file a Form 40-F registration statement with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Subject to the approval of the NYSE American and the satisfaction of all applicable listing and regulatory requirements, the Company expects its Common Shares to commence trading on the NYSE American around late April. Dolly Varden's Common Shares would trade on the NYSE American under the ticker symbol "DVS". A trading date will be announced once all regulatory requirements are satisfied. The listing of the Common Shares remains subject to the approval of the NYSE American and the satisfaction of all applicable listing and regulatory requirements. Trading on the OTCQX under the ticker symbol DOLLF is expected to cease in connection with the NYSE American listing. In connection with the proposed listing on the NYSE American, the Company intends to proceed with a consolidation of its Common Shares on the basis of one new post consolidation Common Share for every four existing pre-consolidation Common Shares (the "Consolidation"). "Listing on the NYSE American provides enhanced access to the world's largest and most liquid equity markets, which we believe will deliver exceptional value for our shareholders," stated Shawn Khunkhun, President and CEO. "Both institutional and retail investors based in the United States will have significantly greater ability to invest in Dolly Varden through more familiar platforms. With our past producing high grade silver mines and advanced exploration deposits, we believe that Dolly Varden will be a compelling company for American investors interested in high grade silver in a safe jurisdiction." The Company's registration statement has not yet been filed or become effective. Any listing of the Company's Common Shares on the NYSE American will be subject to the registration statement becoming effective. The Company cannot provide assurance that it will be successful in achieving a listing of its Common Shares on the NYSE American. Share Consolidation The Board of Directors of the Company has approved the Consolidation ratio of four pre-Consolidation Common Shares for one post-Consolidation Common Share. The Consolidation will reduce the number of issued and outstanding Common Shares from 318,077,469 to approximately 79,519,367. Proportionate adjustments will be made to the Company's outstanding stock options, warrants and restricted share units. No fractional Common Shares will be issued pursuant to the Consolidation and any fractional Common Shares that would have otherwise been issued will be rounded to the nearest whole Common Share. Subject to final approval from the TSXV, the Consolidation is expected to be effective as of April 7, 2025. A letter of transmittal with respect to the Consolidation will be mailed to the Company's registered shareholders. All registered shareholders will be required to send their certificate(s) representing pre-Consolidation Common Shares, along with a properly executed letter of transmittal, to the Company's registrar and transfer agent, Computershare Trust Company of Canada, in accordance with the instructions provided in the letter of transmittal. Until surrendered, each share certificate representing pre-Consolidation Common Shares will represent the number of whole post-Consolidation Common Shares to which the holder is entitled as a result of the Consolidation. Shareholders who hold their Common Shares through a broker, investment dealer, bank or trust company should contact that nominee or intermediary for their post-Consolidation positions. A copy of the letter of transmittal is posted on the Company's issuer profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. It is anticipated that the post-Consolidation Common Shares will commence trading on the TSXV under the new CUSIP:256827783 and new ISIN:CA2568277834 on April 7, 2025. The Company's ticker symbol "DV" will remain unchanged on the TSXV. About Dolly Varden Silver Corporation Dolly Varden Silver Corporation is a mineral exploration company focused on advancing its 100% held Kitsault Valley Project (which combines the Dolly Varden Project and the Homestake Ridge Project) located in the Golden Triangle of British Columbia, Canada, 25kms by road to tide water. The 163 sq. km. project hosts the high-grade silver and gold resources of Dolly Varden and Homestake Ridge along with the past producing Dolly Varden and Torbrit silver mines. It is considered to be prospective for hosting further precious metal deposits, being on the same structural and stratigraphic belts that host numerous other, on-trend, high-grade deposits, such as Eskay Creek and Brucejack. The Kitsault Valley Project also contains the Big Bulk property which is prospective for porphyry and skarn style copper and gold mineralization, similar to other such deposits in the region (Red Mountain, KSM, Red Chris). Forward-Looking Statements This release may contain forward-looking statements or forward-looking information under applicable securities legislation that may not be based on historical fact, including, without limitation, statements containing the words "believe", "may", "plan", "will", "estimate", "continue", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "potential", "prospective" and similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements included in this news release include: the Company's proposed listing of Common Shares on the NYSE American and registration with the SEC; the benefits of listing the Common Shares on the NYSE American; the Consolidation; and the proposed effective date of the Consolidation. Forward-Looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of Dolly Varden to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, risks associated with the speculative nature of exploration and development of minerals; the anticipates substantial future capital expenditures associated with the exploration and development of its assets and there can be no assurance that debt or equity financing will be available; inherent competition in the mining industry; risks associate with volatility in mineral prices; risks inherent in the estimation of mineral resources; environmental risks associated with the exploration and development of mineral properties; the Company is reliant on key personnel; risks associated with working in remote regions; risks associated with maintaining positive community relations; and the other risks disclosed in the Company's annual information form ("AIF") dated March 28, 2024 for the year ended December 31, 2023 and other documents filed by the Company with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities, which are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. The risk factors identified in the Company's public filings are not intended to represent a complete list of factors that could affect the Company. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and beliefs and assume, among other things, the ability of the Company to satisfy the requirements of listing and registration, and to successfully pursue its current development plans, that future sources of funding will be available to the Company, that relevant commodity prices will remain at levels that are economically viable for the Company and that the Company will receive relevant permits in a timely manner in order to enable its operations, but given the uncertainties, assumptions and risks, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements or information. The Company disclaims any obligation to update, or to publicly announce, any such statements, events or developments except as required by law. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/247149 SOURCE: Dolly Varden Silver Corporation Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 2, 2025) - Gold Digger Resources Inc. (CSE: GDIG) ("Gold Digger" or the "Company"), is pleased to announce that it has entered into an investor relations agreement dated April 1st, 2025 (the "IR Agreement"), with Investor Cubed Inc. ("Investor Cubed") to provide investor relations and shareholder communications services in Canada. The IR Agreement is for a term of 12 months but may be terminated by either party after an initial three-month period by providing 30 days written notice on or before the three months plus one day period ends. The terms of the IR Agreement provide for cash compensation of $7,500 per month. In addition, Investor Cubed has been granted stock options to purchase up to 250,000 common shares of the Company at a price of $0.40 per share, for a period of five years from grant. The options will vest quarterly in equal tranches and will be governed by the provisions of the Company's stock option plan. Neil Simon, CEO of Investor Cubed, stated, "Investor Cubed is thrilled to begin working with Gold Digger, a company we believe is well-positioned to unlock significant value from the massive land position and potential to prove out a large Uranium deposit. The experienced management team has completed significant due diligence on the global uranium market and to develop their assets in Botswana. Gold Digger is poised to deliver strong results for its shareholders." Allan Bezanson, CEO of the Company, stated, "I have known Investor Cubed for over 20 years and we are very excited to have signed with them. With over 20 years of experience, Neil and his team have built an extensive network of retail advisors and institutional investors specializing in small-cap markets. We believe this is the perfect time to enhance our presence and expand our reach within the Canadian investment community." Investor Cubed and its principals are at arm's length to the Company, and do not have any interest, directly or indirectly, in Gold Digger or its securities, or any right to acquire such an interest, except as otherwise stated in this news release. Investor Cubed has headquarters in Toronto, Canada and can be reached at: 647-258-3310 or nsimon@investor3.ca. About Gold Digger Resources Inc. Gold Digger Resources Inc. is a mineral resource exploration company. The Company's material property is currently the Regnault Project, consisting of 71 contiguous mineral claims covering an area of approximately 3,678 Ha located north-northeast of Chibougamau in the Province of Quebec. The Company also holds, indirectly through its subsidiary, a 100% interest in a mineral property comprised of several prospecting licenses in the Republic of Botswana. Neither the "CSE" Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release contains statements which constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Company with respect to future business activities and plans of the Company. Forward-looking information is often identified by the words "may", "would", "could", "should", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" or similar expressions and includes information regarding; the expectation that the Company will receive all necessary approvals to complete the Offering; the expectation that the Company will complete the Offering on the terms disclosed, or at all; the intended use of proceeds of the Offering; the expectation that the Company will start work on its uranium licenses; the intended details of the Company's planned programs; and the expectation that the Company will start yielding results from its uranium properties. Such forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions of management, including, without limitation, that the Company will receive all necessary approvals to complete the Offering; that the Company will complete the Offering on the terms disclosed; that the proceeds from the Offering will be used as anticipated; that the Company will not run into regulatory or other barriers in carrying out its business plans; that the Company will start work on its seven uranium licenses; that the Company will run its planned programs as anticipated; and that the Company will start yielding results from its uranium properties. Additionally, forward-looking information involves a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual plans, intentions, activities, results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future plans, intentions, activities, results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks include, without limitation: that the Company will not receive the necessary approvals to complete the Offering; that the Company will not complete the Offering on the terms disclosed, or at all; that the Company will be unable to use the proceeds received from the Offering; that the Company will not start work on its seven uranium licenses; that the Company will not yield results from its uranium properties; changes in the Company's business plans, including its planned field programs; that the Company may incur unanticipated costs; that the Company's operations could be adversely affected by possible future government legislation policies and controls or by changes in applicable laws and regulations. Such forward-looking information represents management's best judgment based on information currently available. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed, and actual future results may vary materially. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. Neither the Company nor any of its representatives make any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy, sufficiency or completeness of the information in this news release. Neither the Company nor any of its representatives shall have any liability whatsoever, under contract, tort, trust or otherwise, to you or any person resulting from the use of the information in this news release by you or any of your representatives or for omissions from the information in this news release. The forward-looking statements herein speak only as of the date they were originally made. The Company has no intention and undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/247151 SOURCE: Gold Digger Resources Inc. LONDON, April 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Appian Capital Advisory LLP ("Appian"), the investment advisor to long-term value-focused private capital funds that invest in companies in metals, mining, and adjacent industries, is pleased to announce the completion of the sale of Mineracao Vale Verde ("MVV") to Baiyin Nonferrous Group Co., Ltd ("Baiyin Nonferrous") for an all-cash offer of US$420 million. Highlights Funds advised by Appian have completed an all-cash transaction for the 100% sale of MVV to Baiyin Nonferrous for US$420 million Appian has executed its investment thesis and realized significant value for its investors by bringing MVV into production and delivering an attractive mid-scale copper-gold open pit mining operation from greenfield Acquired in 2018 with ten employees, MVV began production in May 2021, just three years after its initial investment MVV's stable operations and strong financial performance have been achieved alongside a leading safety track record with zero Lost Time Incidents ("LTI") in the last three years, with over 1050 people now working on-site MVV will continue to deliver copper over multiple decades with its efficient operations that position the mine in the middle of the industry cost curve Appian's funds remain well positioned with positive exposure to key trends, including the energy transition The transaction marks Appian's 13th successful exit and demonstrates the effectiveness of Appian's operating model in identifying, acquiring, and optimizing undervalued mining projects using technical arbitrage to create significant value for its investors. This approach is underpinned by Appian's leading cross-disciplinary team, which includes geologists, engineers, metallurgists, and finance professionals focused on creating value across all aspects of Appian's portfolio. Michael W. Scherb, Founder and CEO of Appian, commented: "This transaction further validates Appian's ability to identify great overlooked assets and use our in-house technical expertise to realize their potential and optimize their value for our investors. It underlines the strategic positioning of Appian's portfolio to support the growing demand for a reliable supply of high-quality critical minerals." Transaction details The completed transaction encompasses 100% of the equity in MVV owned by the Appian funds. The headline purchase price of US$420 million is on a cash-free, debt-free basis. Appian is committed to ensuring MVV's continued success under new ownership and, following the completion, is now providing operational support to Baiyin Nonferrous to assist with the transition and full takeover of the asset. As part of the Transaction, Baiyin Nonferrous demonstrated its commitment to safety and maintaining MVV's leading ESG practices, which Appian has implemented in alignment with globally recognized best practices. Standard Chartered and Citigroup acted as the financial advisors, and Norton Rose Fulbright was the legal advisor to Appian on this Transaction. MVV acquisition and optimization The Appian funds acquired MVV, owner of the Serrote greenfield open-pit copper-gold asset located in Alagoas, Brazil, from Aura Minerals in 2018 with ten employees. Appian identified Serrote as a rare standalone, construction-ready, copper project with meaningful precious metal by-product credits that could benefit from its technical arbitrage and asset development strategy. Following the acquisition, Appian completed a revised Definitive Feasibility Study based on the internal view of a re-scoped project developed during due diligence. This included reducing plant throughput and focusing production on a higher-grade section of the resources with a lower strip ratio. These changes led to a lower initial CAPEX budget of US$243 million vs US$420 million in the original mine plan and reduced operating costs over the life of mine. Appian actively worked across all aspects of the investment to unlock value. This included building the in-country management team and installing Appian's best practice operating standards and procedures. Appian also secured a US$140 million financing facility for the project from a syndicate of three international banks and signed favorable offtake contracts with global traders and smelters. The mine was constructed during the COVID-19 pandemic and brought to production in May 2021. The project was delivered ahead of schedule and under budget by US$48 million, within three years of Appian's initial acquisition. The ramp-up of commercial operations was completed in Q4 2022. MVV has been in stable operation for two years since and today has over 1050 employees. MVV has a best-in-class safety record and operates with the highest ESG standards. The project has recorded zero LTIs with over 1.9 million hours worked in the last 12 months, and zero LTIs in the past 36 months. Its Scope 1 and 2 emissions intensity per tonne of copper produced was 1.53 t CO 2 e/t in 2023, less than half the industry average reported by the International Energy Agency. In 2024, MVV achieved strong operational and financial results with 18.3kt of copper and 8.2koz of gold produced, generating an EBITDA of US$83.9 million from US$184.4 million of revenue. The mine's average C1 cash cost in 2024 was US$1.74/lb Cu. MVV will continue to deliver copper over multiple decades with its efficient operations that position the mine in the middle of the industry cost curve. The mine is well located with access to three ports and Maceio airport. The site is connected to the national grid via a 230kV powerline with access to low-cost, renewable energy, with Brazil's energy mix being 86% renewable. MVV is the largest regional exporter in the Alagoas state, accounting for 28.2% of the state's total exports by value. 100% of MVV's employees are Brazilian, and over 80% are from the local municipalities. MVV has strong support from both the local community and regional authorities. Community initiatives are a core part of the mine's operations and include providing support for school STEM programs, social projects for female entrepreneurs, and environmental educational courses. For further information: Click hereto view and download a video detailing the history of MVV. Appian Capital Advisory LLP: Andrew Todd, Head of Communications: +44 7990416759 / atodd@appiancapitaladvisory.com +44 About Appian Capital Advisory LLP Appian Capital Advisory LLP is the investment advisor to long-term value-focused private capital funds that invest in companies in metals, mining, and adjacent industries. Appian is a leading investment advisor with global experience across South America, North America, Australia and Africa and a successful track record of supporting companies in metals, mining, and adjacent industries to achieve their development targets, with a global operating portfolio overseeing nearly 5,000 employees. Appian has a global team of 85 experienced professionals with presences in London, New York, Hong Kong, Toronto, Vancouver, Lima, Belo Horizonte, Montreal, Dubai, Johannesburg and Perth. For more information, please visit www.appiancapitaladvisory.com, or find us on LinkedIn, Instagram or Twitter/X. About Baiyin Nonferrous Group Co., Ltd Baiyin Nonferrous engages in the mining, smelting, processing, and trading of various non-ferrous metals in China. Founded in 1954, Baiyin Nonferrous has operations in China and overseas. In China, they own and operate mines and smelters in Gansu, Shaanxi, Inner Mongolia and other provinces. Their overseas operations include Gold One Group in South Africa and Minera Shouxin in Peru. Globally, Baiyin Nonferrous has a production capacity of 400ktpa copper, 400ktpa lead and zinc, 15tpa gold and 500tpa silver. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3fcfc2de-da91-4535-82c9-4e93cec91491 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 2, 2025) - Sixty North Gold Mining Ltd. (CSE: SXTY) (FSE: 2F40) (OTC Pink: SXNTF) (the "Company" or "Sixty North Gold") is pleased to report that further to its news releases of March 18th and March 21, 2025, the Company has closed the second and final tranche of 1,737,500 units (the "Units") at an offering price of $0.0825 to raise additional gross proceeds of $143,343.75 (the "Second Closing"). Each Unit consists of one (1) common share (the "Share") of the Company and one (1) non-transferable share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one additional Share of the Company at a price of $0.11 per Share for a period of eighteen (18) months; provided that if the closing market price of the Issuer's Shares on the Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE") is greater than $0.18 per Share for a period of ten (10) consecutive trading days, the Company may deliver a notice (the "Notice") to the holders of Warrants that the Warrants will expire at 4 p.m. Vancouver time on the date that is thirty (30) days from the date of delivery of such Notice. The securities for the second tranche of the Offering will bear a legend restricting resale until August 3, 2025. Finders' fees of $1,485 in cash and 18,000 non-transferable finders' warrants on the same terms as the Warrants were paid to a finder under the offering pursuant to the policies of the CSE. The total net proceeds raised from the two tranches was $242,094.75 The proceeds from the Offering will be used for further exploration and development of the Mon Gold Property located in NWT, and for the Company's general working capital requirements. About the Company The Company is developing mining operations for gold on its 100%-owned Mon Gold Property, 40 km north of Yellowknife, NWT. Past production of the A Zone extracted 15,000 tonnes at 30 gpt gold from this vein (Company Technical Report, August 3, 2023, on SEDAR or https://sixtynorthgold.com/projects/technical-report/. The Yellowknife gold camp hosts two mines that averaged 30 gpt gold or better (Discovery and Sixty North Gold's Mon Mine), and two that averaged 15 gpt or better for a total production of over 14 million ounces of gold (Con Min and Giant Mine) (ref. Sixty North Gold NI 43-101, August, 2023). The property also hosts an outcropping precious-metals-rich VMS (volcanogenic massive sulphide) showing, and has four modelled geophysical targets along strike within felsic tuffs, lithic and lapilli tuffs. The Company plans to drill these targets with this funding. For more information, please refer to the Company's public filings available on SEDAR ( www.sedarplus.ca ), under the Company's profile. Statements about the Company's future expectations and all other statements in this press release other than historical facts are "forward-looking statements". Such forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including risks inherent in mineral exploration and development, which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any projected future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Further details about the risks applicable to the Company are contained in the Company's public filings available on SEDAR ( www.sedarplus.ca ), under the Company's profile. NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE HAS NOT APPROVED NOR DISAPPROVED THE CONTENT OF THIS PRESS RELEASE. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/247167 SOURCE: Sixty North Gold Mining Ltd. Aventura Private Wealth, a Miami, FL-based investment advisory firm closed its inaugural fund, raising $9.5M for SpaceX-Focused SPV. Aventura Space Fund 1, LLC, provides investors with an opportunity to participate in SpaceXs ongoing innovation and expansion, as the company continues to redefine commercial spaceflight, satellite communications, and deep-space exploration. Led by CEO and Founder Shmuel Maya, Aventura Private Wealth is an investment advisory firm offering wealth management advice, legacy and estate planning, business exit planning and access to private market opportunities. With a commitment to preserving and growing wealth across generations, Aventura Private Wealth partners with families, executives, and entrepreneurs to deliver financial strategies. FinSMEs 02/04/2025 Dubai, United Arab Emirates, April 2nd, 2025, FinanceWire B2BROKER, a global fintech company offering advanced solutions for financial institutions, has partnered with Devexperts, a global software developer for the capital markets industry. This collaboration integrates the DXtrade trading platform into the B2CORE ecosystem, expanding the range of supported platforms and offering brokers and traders advanced tools for trading and account management. The integration allows: Traders to open, manage, and monitor DXtrade accounts directly within the B2CORE interface. Users to deposit, withdraw, and transfer funds seamlessly. Brokers gain access to real-time and historical trading data, enhancing their decision-making capabilities. Direct links between B2CORE and DXtrade to create a smooth transition between account management and trading activities. An upcoming IB module, expected in Q2 2025, to further streamline the management of Introducing Brokers and Affiliate Programs. Administrators can configure DXtrade connections and manage trading products through the B2CORE Back Office, simplifying setup and improving control. This partnership offers brokers a flexible, user-friendly trading environment designed to meet the evolving demands of the financial industry. Arthur Azizov, CEO and Founder of B2BROKER: Integrating DXtrade with B2CORE reflects our commitment to providing brokers with advanced, efficient, and scalable trading solutions. Jon Light, Head of OTC Platform at Devexperts: Were excited to make DXtrade available via B2CORE, offering brokers a high-performing, intuitive platform backed by our 20+ years of industry expertise. About B2CORE B2CORE is the flagship SaaS product by B2BROKER. It is an all-in-one CRM and back office for brokers, exchanges, and financial institutions providing onboarding tools, KYC, multi-currency wallets, risk management, and access to the leading trading platforms. About B2BROKER B2BROKER is a global fintech solutions provider delivering liquidity services, trading technology, and financial infrastructure. Founded in 2014, with key hubs in London, Limassol, Hong Kong, and Dubai, the company operates in 11 countries, serving clients across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Leveraging its extensive network and ecosystem-driven approach, the company provides scalable solutions that help clients streamline operations, maximize efficiency, and drive growth. About Devexperts Devexperts, founded in 2002, develops software for capital markets. Its flagship platform, DXtrade, supports trading in various assets for brokers, banks, and wealth management firms. Headquartered in Ireland, the company has over 800 engineers across the USA, Germany, Bulgaria, Singapore, Portugal, Turkey, and Georgia. Contact Director of B2CORE Morgan Williams B2BROKER [email protected] This is a paid press release and is distributed for general information only and is not intended to constitute investment advice. IceMOS Technology, a Paradise Valley, AZ-based semiconductor manufacturer, raised $22M in Series E funding, at $110M valuation. The round was led by 57 Stars LLC. The company intends to use the funds to increase strategic manufacturing in Northern Ireland, device design capability, applications engineering, marketing and sales worldwide. IceMOS Technology is a developer of silicon power devices. These products, called mSJMOS, are developed using a novel semiconductor technology based on IceMOS Intellectual Property of which the company holds over 70 patents. The company has a manufacturing center located in Northern Ireland, a research innovation center in Arizona, and a design center in Tokyo, Japan. FinSMEs 02/04/2025 Jurny Inc, a Los Angeles, CA-based AI-powered property management platform for hospitality operations, raised an undisclosed amount in funding. Backers included Paz Levy, Eran Danino, and Bryan Leibman. The above investors brokered an agreement to deploy the copmanys AI platform across as many AD1-managed hotels as possible, covering approximately 4,300 rooms. This initial deal will support a new expansion strategy, with new investors already in advanced discussions to extend Jurnys technology to additional hotel groups, including portfolios exceeding 40,000 rooms. Led by CEO Luca Zambello, Jurny provides an AI-powered hospitality automation platform for property management. It automates back-end operations for short-term rentals and hotels, optimizing the entire guest journey from bookings and check-ins to communications and dynamic pricing. To further strengthen its presence in this market, Jurny is establishing a new Miami office, strategically positioning the company to collaborate with developers and operators driving major hospitality investments. The raise brought the total amount to $16M. FinSMEs 02/04/2025 Prophetic Platform Highlight Video Prophetic, a Portland, OR-based provider of a software platform for real estate development opportunity analysis and land acquisition, raised an undisclosed amount in Seed funding. The round was led by Entrada Ventures with participation from SilverCircle, Progression, and others. The company intends to use the funds to expand operations and its development efforts. Led by CEO and Founder Oliver Alexander, Prophetic is an AI-powered platform for real estate development opportunity analysis and land acquisition. Built for developers, homebuilders, brokers, architects, and more, it features automated site planning, statewide development maps, statewide zoning maps and extracted zoning control data, and outreach tools. Prophetics platform includes: SiteAi , which determines ideal lot and road locations and calculates yields net of wetlands and flood plains, including setbacks , which determines ideal lot and road locations and calculates yields net of wetlands and flood plains, including setbacks DevMap , which features a proprietary statewide map of all new developments in progress , which features a proprietary statewide map of all new developments in progress Zoning maps , with zoning maps, for all cities and counties across each state, in one place , with zoning maps, for all cities and counties across each state, in one place Development Intention Search including filtering by key zoning regulations, zone type, and more including filtering by key zoning regulations, zone type, and more Statewide Diligence Maps to rapidly assess environmental conditions with integrated statewide wetlands, FEMA flood zones, Brownfield & Superfund, and other diligence map layers to rapidly assess environmental conditions with integrated statewide wetlands, FEMA flood zones, Brownfield & Superfund, and other diligence map layers Handwritten Letters to be sent to any landowner in 30 seconds within Prophetic to expand off-market acquisition pipeline. Launched in July 2024, it is available in California, Oregon, Washington, Florida, Texas, Georgia, Arizona, Colorado, Utah, Idaho, and Nevada. In the coming months, Tennessee, Maryland, and other states will come online. FinSMEs 02/04/2025 Taking to his X account, Musk wrote- Netflix has a show called Adolescence thats about a British knife killer who stabbed a girl to death on a bus and its based on real life cases such as the Southport murderer. read more Netflixs Adolescence has been hailed by one and all ever since it has released, especially the Bollywood celebrities who have praised it to no extent. Theres someone who has finally slammed it and he is none other than billionaire Elon Musk. Taking to his X account, Musk wrote- Netflix has a show called Adolescence thats about a British knife killer who stabbed a girl to death on a bus and its based on real life cases such as the Southport murderer. Advertisement Netflix has a show called Adolescence thats about a British knife killer who stabbed a girl to death on a bus and its based on real life cases such as the Southport murderer. So guess what. They race swapped the actual killer from a black man/migrant to a white boy and the pic.twitter.com/6EdPFdcLT0 Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) March 20, 2025 His tweet added, So guess what. They race swapped the actual killer from a black man/migrant to a white boy and the story has it so he was radicalized online by the red pill movement. Just the absolute state of anti-white propaganda." How netizens reacted One wrote, That show is not based on Southport. It tells a different story and explores different themes. Its shameful to even make the link and use it to make the ridiculous point raised. Scraping the barrel with these comments. Another added, Adolescence was announced in March 2024. Filming began in July 2024. The Southport murders occurred in July 2024. The show creators have made it clear that Adolescence is not based on a single case. This tweet is a lie. Advertisement The makers of hit Netflix show Adolescence have sparked a conversation in Britain and beyond on how to protect children from violent misogyny and other harmful content on social media. Now they have the ear of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who welcomed the filmmakers to Downing Street on Monday for talks on child protection. Starmers office said he backed an initiative by Netflix to stream the drama series for free to secondary schools across the country, so that as many teens as possible can watch it. The show, filmed in England, explores the difficult questions that arise when a 13-year-old boy is accused of the fatal stabbing of a girl in his school and how much social media interactions that are largely impenetrable to parents and teachers may have played a part. Netflix says since the drama launched in March it has amassed 66.3 million views worldwide and has become one of the most talked-about U.K. series in recent memory. Advertisement Heathrow Airport faced severe disruptions on 21 March after a power substation fire led to a near 24-hour shutdown, impacting over 250,000 passengers. Airlines had warned Heathrow about vulnerabilities in its power supply days before the incident, yet the warnings were allegedly overlooked. Now, questions are being raised about the airports preparedness and response to the crisis read more This frame grab taken from a UGC video shot and posted on X on March 21, 2025 by @chrisjbrogan shows smoke billowing from a fire at a neighborhood electrical substation supplying power to Heathrow Airport in Hayes, west London. File Image/AFP United Kingdoms Heathrow Airport was cautioned about the resilience of its power supply just days before a fire at an electrical substation led to a shutdown, affecting nearly 300,000 passengers. Nigel Wicking, chief executive of the Heathrow Airline Operators Committee (HAOC), testified before a Commons committee that he had raised concerns regarding vulnerabilities in the airports power infrastructure. Wicking, on Wednesday, highlighted that incidents of wire and cable theft had already caused temporary outages in critical runway lighting systems before the fire, prompting him to seek clarity on the airports overall resilience. Advertisement He first voiced these concerns to the Team Heathrow director on March 15 and escalated them to Heathrows chief operating officer and chief customer officer on March 19 just two days before the fire broke out at the North Hyde substation. We should actually have the best service, we should have the best infrastructure, Wicking stated, stating the expectation for Heathrow to maintain top-tier operational stability given its status as the worlds most expensive airport in terms of passenger charges. What happened at the time? On the night of 20 March, a fire erupted in a transformer within the North Hyde electrical substation, which supplies Heathrow. By the early hours of 21 March, red warning lights signalled a loss of power across a third of the airport, heavily impacting Terminal 2 and multiple central systems. Heathrows chief executive, Thomas Woldbye, explained the sequence of events, stating, In our operations centre, you would have seen all the red lights go, that the systems were powering down. We had no information as to why. We then had a slightly later stage call from the fire department that the substation was on fire, he said. Authorities soon confirmed that the fire had caused extensive damage, knocking out power and disrupting thousands of flights. Over 1,400 flights were either cancelled or diverted, with aircraft rerouted as far as mainland Europe and even back to India. A man speaks to the phone near a notice about a power outage at Heathrow International Airport, after a fire at a electrical substation wiped out power at the airport, at the Paddington railway station in London, UK, March 21, 2025. File Image/Reuters National Grids president for UK electricity transmission, Alice Delahunty, described the incident as a very rare and serious event, highlighting the unusual nature of a fire strong enough to disable multiple transformers. Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) later confirmed that Heathrow had access to two alternative power intakes but noted that the airports internal configuration dictated how those power sources were utilised. Advertisement Who took the decision to close? As chaos unfolded, Heathrow leadership made the decision to close the airport entirely. Woldbye justified the move, arguing that safety considerations took precedence. It became quite clear we could not operate the airport safely quite early in this process, and that is why we closed the airport, he said. He added that keeping the airport open without sufficient power would have led to thousands of stranded passengers in high-risk situations, with critical systems such as CCTV and fire surveillance non-operational. Just because the lights were on doesnt mean all the systems were working, he clarified. Despite these explanations, Wicking and airline representatives criticised Heathrows handling of the situation. He argued that Terminal 5 could have resumed operations by mid-morning on 21 March, a full 12 hours before it was eventually reopened. Airplanes remain parked on the tarmac at Heathrow International Airport after a fire at a nearby electrical substation wiped out the power at the airport, near London, UK, March 21, 2025. File Image/Reuters He further claimed that Border Force was prepared to process passengers manually, allowing some flights to land and mitigating widespread travel disruption. The financial consequences of the shutdown were substantial, with Wicking estimating airline losses between 60 million and 100 million. Additionally, the airport and surrounding businesses, particularly those in West London, suffered economic damage, and the reputational impact on Heathrow was significant. Passengers, some of whom missed crucial personal events such as weddings and funerals, faced immense frustration. Advertisement Wasnt Heathrow ready for crisis? The outage raised serious concerns about Heathrows electrical resilience and its ability to prevent similar crises in the future. Heathrow currently pays 135 million for its power supply, and Woldbye maintained that the existing system, which includes backup transformers and three separate power lines, was supposed to be resilient. He argued that upgrading to a completely fail-proof electrical setup would be prohibitively expensive, estimating costs at over 1 billion. Despite Woldbyes assertions, airline representatives remained unconvinced. The resilience should have been there in the first place, Wicking said, rejecting the notion that airlines should bear the financial burden for enhancements to the power infrastructure. As part of its response, Heathrow has commissioned an independent review of the incident, led by former UK transport secretary Ruth Kelly. This inquiry will assess what went wrong and recommend steps to prevent similar occurrences in the future. The fire and subsequent shutdown have prompted a broader discussion about Heathrows infrastructure and its ability to handle unexpected crises. The UK governments plan for Heathrows expansion, including a third runway, further complicates the issue. Woldbye confirmed that the airport would require double its current power capacity to support the expansion raising questions about its ability to handle future demand. Advertisement With inputs from agencies Howard Lutnick, the US Commerce Secretary and a longtime ally of Donald Trump, has become the most vocal advocate for the administrations aggressive tariff policies. As the president unveils sweeping trade measures, critics argue Lutnick could be blamed if the economy falters. His close ties to Trump and Wall Street background make his role highly scrutinised read more US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick walks near the White House in Washington, DC, US, March 13, 2025. File Image/Reuters Howard Lutnick, the former CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald and now United States Commerce Secretary under Donald Trump, has become the face of the administrations aggressive tariff policies. As the architect and vocal advocate of the controversial Liberation Day tariffs, he has championed these measures as essential to balancing the US budget and reducing trade deficits. While some within the administration see him as a key strategist, others view him as a liability, particularly as economic concerns mount and markets react negatively to the unfolding trade war. Advertisement Despite concerns from business leaders and economic analysts, Lutnick has maintained that tariffs will be beneficial for the country. He has argued that they will generate revenue for the government, even though this revenue ultimately comes from American businesses paying the tariffs and consumers absorbing higher costs. His insistence on the necessity of these trade measures has made him both a key ally of Trump and a potential scapegoat should economic instability follow. Howard Lutnick under fire While trade adviser Peter Navarro has long been known for his support of tariffs, Lutnick has emerged as an influential voice, reportedly encouraging even more aggressive policies, reported Politico. However, this has led to internal tensions within the administration. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has been described as a measured voice in the discussions, advocating for a more selective approach. Several officials have voiced concerns that Lutnicks push for sweeping tariffs is exacerbating economic uncertainty. According to multiple sources, dissatisfaction with Lutnick is widespread. His frequent presence in the Oval Office and his influence over Trumps trade policies have raised eyebrows among White House officials. US President Donald Trump holds an executive order about tariffs increase, flanked by US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, US, February 13, 2025. File Image/Reuters Speaking to Politico, one insider described the growing frustration, stating that Lutnick has been pushing more aggressive tariffs and providing bad advice to the president. Another likened the situation to being like a mosquito at a nudist colony where do you even start? His critics believe that should the economy falter due to the tariffs, he will be the most likely to take the blame. White House insiders told Politico that Lutnicks role as Commerce Secretary has made him the de facto fall guy for any negative fallout. Advertisement Some within the administration believe that if the markets plummet, or if businesses suffer substantial losses, Lutnicks position could be at risk. White House officials, however, continue to defend him publicly. Every member of the Trump administration is aligned on finally levelling the playing field for American industries and workers, White House spokesperson Kush Desai said. President Trump has assembled the best and brightest trade team in modern American history to reignite American Greatness. Lutnick remains convinced Trumps upcoming tariff measures remain a source of concern for businesses, investors, and global trade partners. A 20 per cent across-the-board tariff, reportedly considered as a worst-case scenario, could have far-reaching consequences. According to a Moodys analyst, such a policy would disproportionately affect lower-income consumers, increase costs for businesses reliant on imports, and potentially lead to a recession, reported The Washington Post. Stock market volatility has already been apparent, with previous tariff announcements causing market downturns. Lutnick, however, remains resolute in his stance. Donald Trump is bringing growth to America. I would never bet on recession. No chance, he stated during an appearance on NBCs Meet the Press. Meanwhile, Trump himself has taken a more cautious tone, telling Fox News, There is a period of transition, because what were doing is very big. Were bringing wealth back to America. Thats a big thing. And there are always periods of it takes a little time. Advertisement The new tariffs, set to be announced on Liberation Day, will take effect immediately, but their full economic impact will only become clear in the days and weeks following. Some businesses hope the consequences will be swift and severe enough to prompt a reconsideration of the policy, but White House officials suggest that Trump prefers uncertainty and leverage in trade negotiations. Trump likes the shock and awe, a White House official told Politico. Each country needs to panic and call. Trump wants to hear you grovel and say youll cut a deal. What we know about Howard Lutnick Before joining the Trump administration, Lutnick built a successful career in finance. He began his journey at Cantor Fitzgerald in 1983 and quickly rose through the ranks, becoming CEO in 1991. Under his leadership, the firm became one of the dominant players in stock and bond trading. His career, however, was profoundly shaped by the events of September 11, 2001, when Cantor Fitzgerald, headquartered in the North Tower of the World Trade Center, lost 70 per cent of its workforce in the attacks. Lutnick himself narrowly avoided the tragedy because he was taking his son to his first day of kindergarten. His brother, Gary, was among the victims. Over the years, Lutnick expanded his wealth through strategic business moves, real estate investments, and political contributions. While he donated to multiple candidates in the 2016 presidential race, including Jeb Bush and Hillary Clinton, he was known as a longtime friend of Trump. Advertisement Following Trumps victory at the time, Lutnick was asked in an interview with CNN whether he would join the administration, to which he responded, You know what? Ive known him a long time. And Im rooting for him and hoping great things happen to America. Months later, he donated $1 million to Trumps 2017 inauguration and continued to be a major fundraiser. In 2019, he hosted a high-profile fundraiser in Manhattan for Trumps re-election campaign. During the 2024 campaign, he donated $5 million to Trumps PAC and hosted an event that raised $15 million in August. Just days after that fundraiser, Trump announced that Lutnick would co-chair his transition team. Now, as US Commerce Secretary, Lutnick finds himself in a role that traditionally focuses on increasing exports for US businesses. However, his tenure has been defined by a trade policy that threatens to restrict trade rather than expand it. His frequent television appearances, including an endorsement for Tesla stock on Fox News, have drawn additional scrutiny, with critics questioning whether he is fit for such a high-profile policy position. Advertisement With the Liberation Day tariffs set to take effect, the stakes for Lutnick and the Trump administration have never been higher. If the economy suffers, he is likely to bear much of the blame. With inputs from agencies Led by tech billionaire Elon Musk, the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) has been at the forefront of efforts to reduce federal waste and shut down agencies in the US. Now, Donald Trump has said he wants Musk to remain in the White House for as long as he is willing to lead the agency, but suggested that the billionaires tenure may soon end. Heres why read more It could soon be the end of the road for Elon Musk and Doge. In Donald Trumps second term, the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) has been at the centre of efforts to cut federal waste and shut down agencies. But not everyone is on board. The agency has faced pushback, with protests against spending cuts, agency closures, and federal job losses. ALSO READ | Donald Trump buys Tesla but is not allowed to drive it. Heres why Advertisement We explain whether Elon Musk is set to part ways with Doge, what the agencys future holds after his departure, and, most importantly, why the billionaire might step away. Is Musk leaving Doge? US President Donald Trump has suggested that his close ally, Elon Musk, may step down from his role as a senior White House adviser overseeing Doge and could return to running his businesses full-time. Trump said he would like Musk to stay in the White House for as long as he is willing to lead the agency but hinted that the billionaires time there may be coming to an end. I think hes been amazing, but I also think hes got a big company to run, he told reporters on Monday in the Oval Office before signing an executive order aimed at tackling ticket-scalping at live events. #DOGE #MAGA Trump on Elon Musk leaving in May, don't worry there are high IQ folks there pic.twitter.com/P45KaCBlGV Uncle Joon (@joonbug) April 1, 2025 And at some point, hes going to be going back. He wants to. Since taking on the role, Musk has made deep cuts to the federal workforce. He has pushed to shut down agencies such as the United States Agency for International Development and the United States Institute of Peace. Advertisement Elon Musk may step down from his role as a senior White House adviser overseeing Doge. Reuters/File Photo However, these decisions have not been widely welcomed. A recent Quinnipiac poll found that more than half of voters believe Musk and Doge are doing more harm than good, Politico reported. As of April 1, Doge claims to have saved US taxpayers $140 billion, an average of $869.57 per person, according to its website. ALSO READ | Was Trump official, linked to Doge, filming influencer videos while in office? Why could Elon Musk be leaving Doge? Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX and a senior adviser to the White House, is also serving in the Trump administration as a special government employee. What does this mean? A special government employee is a designation for federal workers who serve no more than 130 days in a calendar year. This status is typically used for advisers or consultants brought in for short-term projects, Newsweek reported. If the White House adheres to federal guidelines and Musks role remains unchanged, his tenure will end in May. Donald Trump and Elon Musk in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, US. Reuters/File Photo Interestingly, Musk confirmed in a Fox News interview that he expects to complete Doges goal of cutting $1 trillion in federal spending within the 130-day limit set by law. Advertisement During the interview with Bret Baier, Musk was asked, You technically are a special government employee, and youre supposed to be 130 days. Are you going to continue past that or do you think thats what youre going to do, or? Musk responded that he believes his team will have achieved most of whats needed to cut the deficit by a trillion dollars within that timeframe - meaning his work at Doge would wrap up by the end of May. I think we will have accomplished most of the work required to reduce the deficit by a trillion dollars within that time frame, he said. ALSO READ | Is Elon Musks Grok AI in trouble in India for using Hindi expletives and slang? What happens to Doge if Musk leaves? Under an executive order signed by Donald Trump on his first day back in office, Doge is set to shut down after 18 months, with its operations officially ending on July 4, 2026, the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Donald Trump signs an executive order in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC. Reuters/File Photo On March 31, 2025, a reporter asked Trump whether Doge would continue without Musk. Well, I cant tell you that, he responded. The US President suggested that once Doge shuts down, his Cabinet secretaries could take over its cost-cutting responsibilities. Advertisement At a certain point, I think it will end, but they have also gotten a big education, he said. Therell be a point at which the secretaries will be able to do this work and do it very, you know, as we say, with the scalpel, and thats what we want. The Department of Government Efficiency was created through an executive order on Trumps first day in office, with a clear objective - cut $1 trillion in federal spending within 18 months. Musk has been at the helm, overseeing cost audits, agency mergers, and digital restructuring across government departments. However, his leadership has also drawn criticism. Democrats and other opponents argue that Musks central role in the White House gives the worlds richest man unprecedented influence over policy decisions, raising further concerns about conflicts of interest, especially given SpaceXs multibillion-dollar contracts with the federal government. With inputs from agencies They say blood is thicker than water. But thats not the case for Italy anymore. The government has issued a decree that curbs citizenship through descent. This move has the potential to impact millions of people who hoped to trace their way to the European nation read more Until last week, anyone who had an Italian ancestor who was alive after the country was formed in 1861 could seek citizenship. But a decree has now changed it. File image/Reuters How do you secure citizenship in Italy? For many, it was as simple as digging through ones family tree and finding an Italian ancestor. However, thats not going to work anymore. Thats because the Italian government has announced that it is stripping away jure sanguinis laws, which allowed people with proof of an Italian ancestor to get nationality. Why did Italys government make this decision? Whom will it affect? What will be the fallout of this decision? Advertisement We take a closer look at the issue and get you all the answers you are looking for. Citizenship by descent in Italy Jure Sanguinis (or Jus Sanguinis) is Latin for right of blood and is synonymous with by descent. Until last Friday (March 28), Italy allowed those with Italian ancestors to claim Italian citizenship by descent (Jure Sanguinis). Through this, once a person was granted Italian citizenship, they were given all of the rights and privileges of those born in Italy and could even obtain a European Union passport that provides full access to Italy and all other 27 European Union member states. The law stated that anyone who could prove they had an Italian ancestor who was alive after the country was formed in 1861 would be granted citizenship. However, on Friday, Italys Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said that wouldnt be the case anymore and issued a decree, which now has introduced stringent limits on those who are applicable for such citizenship. This decree now awaits approval from the lawmakers, which has to be passed within 60 days. If parliament were to vote against the decree, citizenship rules would revert to the previous system. However, this is very unlikely, as the ruling coalition relies on a comfortable majority in parliament. Italy has one of the worlds most powerful passports. File image/AFP New citizenship rules to come into effect in Italy As per the decree issued, only people with an Italian parent or grandparent born in Italy, or with an Italian parent who lived in Italy for a minimum of two continuous years, will now qualify for citizenship by descent. Moreover, as per a CNN report, one will also have to prove their Italian language proficiency, which was previously only required for naturalisation through residency or marriage. The proficiency is adjudged through a five-part exam. Also, as per Tajani, Italian citizens with dual nationality will lose their Italian citizenship if they dont pay taxes, vote and renew their passports. What this means is that those whose citizenship was approved in the past but who dont live in Italy may be able to retain it. Advertisement Tourists on St. Marks square in Venice. The decree issued last Friday makes it harder to achieve the Italian way of life. File image/AFP Reasons behind Italys crackdown But what led the Italian government to change the rules? As Tajani noted it stemmed from the fact that the system was being abused. In a press conference, Tajani said, Being an Italian citizen is a serious thing. Its not a game to get a passport that allows you to go shopping in Miami. Unfortunately over the years there have been abuses and requests for citizenship that went a bit beyond the true interest in our country. But what does he mean by this? According to government data, in recent times, Italy has seen a surge in people abroad being granted citizenship. The number of Italians residing abroad has increased 40 per cent between 2014 and 2024 from 4.6 million to 6.4 million. The Italian consulate in Argentina alone has processed 30,000 applications in 2024 up by 10,000 from 2023. Similarly, in Brazil, 20,000 requests were processed, an increase from 14,000 in the previous year. Tajani notes that this surge in applications has also led to some companies minting a fortune by helping people track down their long-forgotten ancestors. Also, its clogging municipal offices with requests for old birth, death and marriage records, time, that Tajani claims could be spent on other important work. The crackdown also comes amid a rising number of complaints about consular appointments being scarce. Advertisement As Alberto Teso, the mayor of San Dona di Piave, a city near Venice, told the public broadcaster RAI in February that half of his staff worked full-time on citizenship applications for people most of them from Brazil who will never set foot in our city. Interestingly, this isnt the first time that such concerns have been raised. Earlier this year, MPs from Italys ruling coalition (Brothers of Italy, Forza Italia and the League) filed a citizenship reform proposal in which they said that citizenship by descent laws created mechanisms that do not consider the existence of a genuine emotional bond with Italy, resulting in an exponential increase in citizens who lack a tangible connection to the country. The colors of the Italian flag are projected onto the Palazzo Senatorio building on Capitoline Hill (Campidoglio) in Rome. The change could impact tens of millions of people hoping for Italian citizenship. File image/AFP Impact of this decision So, what are the consequences of Italy changing its citizenship rules? For many, its the end of a dream. As one family, who had set sail to Italy, told CNN, We were following Italian law, and we were following the procedures at the Italian government and uprooted our whole lives to move to Italy under the laws at the time when we got on the ship March 23. Making this change with no notice at all has stranded a bunch of families in Italy who now dont have a legal standing and has essentially made us homeless in the middle of the Atlantic on a cruise ship. Advertisement However, its important to note here that the decree isnt retroactive. This means if you submitted your citizenship by descent application with an Italian consulate or municipality prior to March 28, previous rules will continue to apply in your case. The decree also has sparked a debate on the identity and future demographics of Italy. Currently, Italys population is an estimated 59 million. However, it has been shrinking for the past decade. But with this move, Italy is believed to have stripped millions of people of the right to apply for Italian citizenship through descent. With inputs from agencies Italys golden visa is among the preferred choices for affluent foreigners seeking residence in Europe. The programme, which was launched in 2017, offers a wide range of investment options, particularly appealing to those wanting to relocate with their families read more A picture taken on July 29, 2021 shows tourists and inhabitants strolling in Duomo Square in center Milan. Italy has an attractive golden visa programme. File Photo/AFP Golden visa is the word of the year. As interest spikes in residence by investment, Firstpost and Moneycontrol bring you a series on popular golden visas. For our next story, we explore the Italian golden visa and why it is appealing Rich cultural heritage, scenic places and sumptuous cuisine Italy has a lot going for it. The European country is one of the favourites of wealthy foreigners seeking residency by investment. Advertisement Italys golden visa has been ranked third on Henley & Partners 2025 Global Residence Program Index. Also described as the Investor Visa for Italy, the programme was launched in 2017 to attract foreign money. To jog your memory, a golden visa is a scheme that entails countries offering temporary or permanent residence to individuals in exchange for investment in real estate or business, or paying a hefty tax. How can you get the Italian golden visa? The Italian golden visa is a ticket for wealthy non-European Union (EU) nationals to secure the right to live, work and study in the Mediterranean country. Uber-rich foreigners can acquire a residence visa through a range of investment options. They can invest at least 2 million (Rs 18.5 crore) in government bonds or put 500,000 (about Rs 5 crore) in Italian shares or 250,000 (Rs 2.3 crore) in an innovative startup. Investing in Italian-listed companies is the most popular option for golden visa seekers due to their risk/return profile and liquidity, Jacopo Zamboni, Managing Partner of Henley & Partners Switzerland AG, told Firstpost in an email. Individuals also have the choice to give 1 million (Rs 9.24 crore) in donations for philanthropic endeavours. According to Gaurav Nalawade, Country-Head India, RIF Trust, wealthy individuals can donate to projects related to research, cultural heritage, environmental protection, or immigration support in Italy. This option is suitable for those interested in contributing to Italys social and cultural development, he told Firstpost. Advertisement After identifying the investment option suitable to their interests, high-net-worth individuals need to get pre-clearance from Italian authorities. Once approval has been granted, a long-term Schengen visa is granted and the applicant needs to make a trip to Italy to complete the registration. Printing of the permit can take a few weeks, and the applicant will have to travel again to Italy to collect it (as it cannot be delegated to someone else), Zamboni said. It takes three to eight months to process the Italian golden visa. The Italian government also allows the family of the applicant, including spouse, children, and dependent parents, to apply for a visa. According to Zamboni, the first permit for the investor visa is issued only to the main applicant. Dependent family members can be added, but this can only be done subsequently. In terms of speed, it does not make a significant difference as the overall process will ultimately be comparable to other investor visas, but it does mean additional trips for the family, he added. Advertisement The visa processing fee differs depending on the family size. Additionally, applicants also have to shell out monies for residence permit fees, and administrative and legal fees. Rental amounts will vary as per the city the visa holder wants to move to. A picture shows apartment buildings behind pine trees in the Prati neighbourhood in Rome, on November 16, 2024. The Italian golden visa applicants have to obtain a residence permit. File Photo/AFP Affluent individuals who want to live in Italy without relying on employment to sustain themselves can apply for an Elective Residence permit, which allows them to relocate to the European nation with their family members. They will have to, however, furnish proof that they will be able to support themselves and their family financially, Zamboni said in the email. The Italian Investor Visa has a validity of two years. After getting the visa, you are allowed entry into Italy and apply for a residence permit. Italys golden residence permit is also valid for two years and can later be extended for three years. The only condition is that the investment has to be maintained throughout the validity of the visa. Advertisement ALSO READ: Why the Greece golden visa is one of the worlds most popular Why is the Italian golden visa popular? Italys bewitching landmarks, high quality of life and strong economy make it a perfect choice for foreign investors. Unlike Switzerland which only allows golden visa holders to live and study in the country, Italy enables its applicants to also work. The Italian golden visa allows travel to Europes Schengen Area without a visa. This flexibility extends to family members, including spouses, children under 18, and dependent parents, who can also obtain residency without extra investment, Nalawade said. People take pictures next to an almost empty Trevi Fountain in downtown Rome on April 8, 2021. Italys stunning landmarks make it an appealing country for wealthy foreigners. File Photo/AFP Italian visa holders can also benefit from a special tax regime by paying a flat tax of 200,000 on income earned outside the European country in lieu of ordinary rates. As per Zamboni, this is beneficial for golden visa investors who decide to relocate to Italy. Italy offers favourable tax regimes, making it an attractive destination for wealth management and investment, Nalawade said. Visa seekers can keep an eye on the Italian stock exchange to decide their investment route. For those investors keener on exposure to strategic sectors (from hospitality to industry in general) returns on private companies can easily exceed easily 15 per cent per year in EUR, Zamboni shared. Advertisement For rich foreigners, Italys golden visa offers a gateway to first-rate education and healthcare. Students can benefit from Italys prestigious universities, while residents enjoy comprehensive public healthcare. The golden visa also allows investors to immerse themselves in Italys rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and Mediterranean lifestyle, making it not just a financial investment but a gateway to a fulfilling life in Europe, Nalawade explained. Italy stands apart from other countries offering golden visas as the investment has to be made only after the applicant gets approval. This helps avoid the unpleasant situation in other countries where applicants make an investment and then must wait months and months for their case to be processed, said Zamboni. It also opens the pathway to becoming an Italian national. Golden visa holders who have lived in Italy for 10 years are eligible for citizenship. Is Italys visa here to stay? For now, yes. While Spain has closed curtains on its golden visa scheme, there are no such concerns for Italy, Zamboni said. Advertisement In fact, the Italian golden visa could become more alluring for foreign investors if the European country halves its residency requirement. Pro-migrant groups and opposition parties have called for easing Italys citizenship laws for foreigners by cutting the mandate of living in the country for 10 years to five years to apply for citizenship by naturalisation. A referendum is pending to decide on these amendments, which could significantly impact future applicants, Nalawade said. General view of Ponte Sisto and dome of St Peters Basilica seen from Rome Italy, April 26, 2021. There has been a surge in interest in Italian golden visas. File Photo/Reuters There has also been a rise in interest in the Italian golden visa, including from wealthy Indians. There has been a significant increase in interest from Indian investors in the Italian golden visa programme, driven by economic, educational, and lifestyle factors. This trend reflects Indias growing global aspirations, with individuals and families seeking opportunities beyond their borders, according to Nalawade. The golden visa appeals to Indian investors looking for global mobility, business opportunities, educational advantages, and a pathway to European citizenship, making Italy a preferred destination for wealth and lifestyle diversification, he added. The Pakistan Army on Tuesday crossed the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmirs Poonch area and fired on Indian positions. The development comes ahead of Home Minister Amit Shahs upcoming visit to Jammu and Kashmir on April 7 and 8. It also comes as security forces have been engaged in an operation against militants in Kathua district for days. But what happened? And what happened last time Pakistani troops crossed into India? read more On Tuesday, the Pakistan Army crossed the Line of Control (LoC), according to several media reports. The incursion occurred in the Poonch area of Jammu and Kashmir. The enemy troops also opened fire on Indian positions. The development comes ahead of Home Minister Amit Shahs upcoming visit to Jammu and Kashmir on April 7 and 8. It also comes as security forces have been engaged in an operation against militants in Kathua district for days. Advertisement But what happened exactly? What do we know? And what happened last time such an intrusion occurred? Lets take a closer look: What happened? The incident occurred at 1.10 pm on Tuesday. As per Indian Express, sources said the violation occurred in the Nangi Tikti area of Krishna Ghati sector. This is not usually the infiltration route of choice for militants. The incursion set off a blast in which five Pakistani soldiers were injured. Troops of the Nangi Tekri Battalion, under the aegis of the Krishna Ghati Brigade, of the Indian Army retaliated strongly to the Pakistani side, ANI reported. India Today reported that four to five enemy troops were killed in retaliatory firing. The outlet quoted the Indian Army as saying it suffered no loss of life or property. Jammu-based defence PRO Lt Col Suneel Bartwal said in a statement that On April 1, 2025, a mine blast occurred in Krishna Ghati Sector due to Pakistan Army intrusion across LoC. This was followed by unprovoked firing and ceasefire violation by Pakistan Army. Own troops responded effectively in a controlled and calibrated manner. Situation is under control and being closely monitored, he said. In this photo, Indian Army personnel are seen deployed in Jammu and Kashmir. PTI Indian Army reiterates the importance of upholding the tenets of 2021 understanding arrived at between the Director Generals of Military Operations of the two countries to maintain peace along the Line of Control, Bartwal was quoted as saying by Indian Express. Advertisement As per NDTV, the top officers during the 2021 meet had reached an understanding to address concerns that may lead to violence. Both sides had agreed that all agreements, understandings and ceasefire along the Line of Control would be observed. India Today reported that there has been a sharp increase in cross-border firings across the LoC in recent months. Sources within the Indian Army told the outlet they are being dealt with swiftly and effectively at the local level. Army sources told the outlet Pakistani forces and terrorists have made multiple failed intrusion attempts in the Krishna Ghati sector of Jammu and Kashmir. They have suffering heavy losses in the process, they added. India and Pakistan in February held a flag meeting along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district in an effort to ease tension after several recent incidents of cross-border firing and an IED attack. The sources said the brigade-commander level flag meeting took place in the Chakkan-Da-Bagh crossing point area with both sides highlighting the need to maintain peace along the borders. Advertisement The meeting took place in a congenial atmosphere and both sides agreed to honour the ceasefire agreement in the larger interest of peace on the borders, the sources said. The ceasefire violations along the borders of Jammu and Kashmir have been rare since the two countries renewed an agreement on February 25, 2021. What happened the last time Pakistan troops crossed LoC? In July 2024, Pakistans Border Action Team (BAT) launched an unprovoked attack on an Indian forward position north of Kupwara, as per The Times of India. Sources told the newspaper the BAT comprises Pakistani military personnel and terrorists. The BAT usually provides cover fire for intruders attempting to cross the LoC. The incident witnessed two to three Pakistani personnel use poor weather and low visibility to cross the LoC. They then launched an attack on the Indian Army post with grenades and gunfire. As per ETV Bharat, one soldier was killed and four others, including a Major rank officer, were injured in the attack. Advertisement The Indian soldier killed was from Jammu and Kashmir. He passed away at a Srinagar military hospital. This is part of a pattern of similar infiltration attempts, actively aided and abetted by the Pakistani Army, exploiting thick foliage and poor visibility conditions. These attempts have been consistently thwarted by alert Indian troops, a military spokesperson told the Times of India. As per ETV Bharat, a Pakistani intruder a civilian working for the enemy as a guide was also killed in the incident. With inputs from agencies An administrative error by US officials landed Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, a Maryland father of three, in one of the worlds most brutal terrorist detention centres in El Salvador, CECOT. Abrego Garcia, who had legal protection from deportation, is now trapped in high-security prison, and the US government says it cant do anything to get him back read more Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, was mistakenly deported to El Salvador by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) last month because of an 'administrative error'. File image/ Reuters The Trump administration has admitted in a court filing on Monday that it mistakenly deported a Maryland father to El Salvador because of an administrative error and now it cant do anything to get him back. Despite having legal protection from deportation, Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran immigrant, was abruptly detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) last month and flown to a country he had fled years ago to escape gang violence. Advertisement Now, trapped in El Salvadors high-security terrorist prison, his fate remains uncertain, while his family in the US fights to bring him home. So, how did Abrego Garcia, a lawful resident, married to a US citizen, end up being deported? And what is the US government saying about its error? Heres a closer look. Who is Kilmar Abrego Garcia? Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, 29, fled El Salvador in 2011 to escape gang violence, seeking safety in the United States. His attorney, speaking with The Atlantic, said Abrego Garcia had been targeted by gangs who stalked, assaulted, and threatened to kidnap or kill him as part of their extortion tactics. He entered the US without inspection and eventually settled in Maryland, where he built a life. Working as a sheet metal apprentice, he supported his wife, Jennifer Stefania Vasquez Sura, a US citizen, their 5-year-old son with autism, and her two children from a previous relationship. In 2019, during Trumps first term, the government accused him of being an active member of MS-13, a notorious Salvadoran gang that was officially designated as a terrorist organisation by the State Department in February. A prisoner with an MS-13 gang tattoo stands in a cell as Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem tours the Terrorist Confinement Center in Tecoluca, El Salvador, Wednesday, March 26, 2025. File image/Reuters A CNN report, citing court documents, revealed that the Police flagged him as a gang member as he allegedly wore a Chicago Bulls hat and a hoodie and also because a confidential informant advised that he was an active member of MS-13 with the Westerns clique. During his 2019 immigration proceedings, his attorney maintained he had no criminal record, ties to the gang, or relation to any criminal group. An immigration judge later granted him withholding of removal, recognising that deporting him to El Salvador could put his life at risk. While he remained technically removable, his deportation specifically to El Salvador was barred. Notably, the government did not challenge this ruling. Advertisement How an administrative error landed him in prison On March 12, Abrego Garcia was arrested by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after finishing a shift at a construction site. The federal law enforcement agency claimed there had been a change in his immigration status, and by Saturday, he was deported to El Salvador. By Monday, ICE admitted in a Maryland federal court filing that Abrego Garcia had been mistakenly sent to the notorious Terrorism Confinement Center, known as CECOTa massive prison infamous for its harsh conditions. Salvadoran police officers escort alleged members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua and M-13 recently deported by the US government to be imprisoned in the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) prison, as part of an agreement with the Salvadoran government. Reuters CECOT, which some human rights groups have called a tropical gulag, is the same facility where the Trump administration had previously sent hundreds of Venezuelans accused of belonging to criminal gangs like Tren de Aragua and MS-13. These deportations were carried out using emergency powers under the wartime Alien Enemies Act, bypassing full court proceedings. On March 15, although ICE was aware of his protection from removal to El Salvador, Abrego Garcia was removed to El Salvador because of an administrative error, the government acknowledged in its filing. Also read: Trump deported 238 Venezuelans to El Salvador despite pending asylum cases The admission came in a suit from Abrego Garcias family, who is seeking court orders barring the US from paying El Salvador for the mans detention and demanding that the federal government request the country return him to the United States. Advertisement However, Justice Department lawyers stated in court papers that there was little they could do to bring him back. They urged the judge overseeing the case to reject his familys petition, arguing that the White House had no power to force El Salvador to release him and that US federal courts had no jurisdiction to intervene. Kilmars wife stated that she had not heard from her husband since March 15. This has been a nightmare for my family, Vasquez Sura wrote in her affidavit. My faith in God carries me, but I am exhausted and heartbroken. My children need their father. I need to know when my husband is coming home, she pleaded. Alleged members of the Venezuela gang Tren de Aragua, recently deported by the US government are processed to be imprisoned in the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) prison. File image/ Reuters How has the Trump administration responded? Despite the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) admitting the mistake, the Trump administration has stood by its decision, reinforcing its tough stance on immigration. Vice President JD Vance has been vocal in defending the administrations actions, taking to social media to justify the deportation. In a post on X early Tuesday, he described Abrego Garcia as a convicted MS-13 gang member with no legal right to be here. Advertisement Its gross to get fired up about gang members getting deported while ignoring citizens they victimise, Vance wrote. Vice President JD Vance has been vocal in defending the administrations actions, taking to social media to justify the deportation. In a post on X early Tuesday, he described Abrego Garcia as a convicted MS-13 gang member with no legal right to be here. File Image/Reuters White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt echoed this sentiment in a press briefing on Tuesday, stating that Abrego Garcia was a member of the brutal and vicious MS-13 gang and will not be returning to our country. She went even further, claiming he was a leader within the gang and asserting that her statements were based on facts, as she had personally reviewed the evidence. The individual in question is a member of the brutal MS-13 gang we have intelligence reports that he is involved in human trafficking, DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin told CNN. Whether he is in El Salvador or a detention facility in the US, he should be locked up. Government lawyers have also argued against efforts to bring Abrego Garcia back, stating that he has been deemed a danger to the community. According to them, public interest does not support ordering the administration to facilitate his return to the US. Advertisement With input from agencies As Ukraine grapples with the ongoing war, discussions about a potential election have resurfaced. While President Volodymyr Zelenskyys term was extended under martial law, speculation is mounting over whether a vote could be held later this year. With pressure from the US and logistical hurdles to consider, the question remains will Ukraine go to the polls soon? read more As Russian missile attacks continue to target Ukrainian cities, discussions about the possibility of a presidential election in Ukraine have resurfaced. Although President Volodymyr Zelenskyy postponed the 2024 election under martial law provisions, recent developments have led to renewed debate on whether a vote could be held later this year. Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022, elections have been off the table, with Ukrainian leaders prioritising national defence over political campaigns. However, as ceasefire negotiations progress, there is growing international and domestic attention on Ukraines democratic process. Advertisement Some reports claim that Zelenskyy has considered calling an election once a ceasefire is in place, though his office has denied such claims. There was no such meeting and no such instruction, a presidential source told BBC News Ukrainian, dismissing the speculation. Is Zelenskyy still the legitimate president of Ukraine? The question of Zelenskyys legitimacy has been a key narrative in Russian propaganda, with the Kremlin insisting that his leadership is invalid due to the postponed elections. Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed that the United Nations oversee a presidential election in Ukraine, suggesting that a new vote is essential for peace talks. This idea has been outright rejected by the United States and Ukrainian authorities. United States President Donald Trump has taken a strong stance on the matter, criticising Zelenskyy for not holding elections. In a February 19 post on his Truth Social platform, Trump stated, He refuses to have Elections, is very low in Ukrainian Polls, and the only thing he was good at was playing Biden like a fiddle. A Dictator without Elections, Zelenskyy better move fast or he is not going to have a Country left. Despite this criticism, the US government continues to recognise Zelenskyy as Ukraines legitimate leader while pointing out that elections should not be postponed indefinitely. US special envoy Steve Witkoff reinforced Washingtons position in a March 21 episode of the Tucker Carlson podcast, stating, Theyve agreed to it. There will be elections in Ukraine. However, Zelenskyys administration has yet to confirm any concrete plans for a vote. Advertisement Is a war-time election possible to hold? Conducting elections during wartime presents numerous legal and logistical challenges. Under Ukrainian law, presidential elections must be held 90 days after martial law is lifted, while parliamentary elections require a 60-day window. With martial law still in effect, holding a vote would require legislative changes, which may be difficult to pass in the current environment. Oleh Didenko, head of Ukraines Central Election Commission, told Ukrainska Pravda that any election would require significant preparation, particularly given the complexities of war. Millions of Ukrainian citizens remain displaced both within the country and abroad while Russian-occupied territories pose additional challenges for organising free and fair elections. Some Ukrainian officials have proposed using the Diia digital platform, a government-developed app that allows citizens to access official documents, reported BBC. Supporters argue that this system could enable displaced Ukrainians to vote securely without requiring physical polling stations. However, experts warn that an electronic voting system could be vulnerable to cyberattacks and manipulation. Furthermore, Western allies may not recognise the legitimacy of elections held under such conditions, while Russia would likely reject any outcome that does not align with its interests. Advertisement Can Zelenskyy win again? Despite the war, recent polling suggests that Zelenskyys approval rating has improved. A March survey by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology found that 69 per cent of Ukrainians trust Zelenskyy, marking a slight increase from the previous month. Some political analysts argue that Zelenskyy could benefit from calling an election while his approval remains strong, rather than waiting for potential political divisions to emerge post-war. Then-Ukrainian presidential candidate Volodymyr Zelenskyy walks out of a voting booth at a polling station during the second round of a presidential election in Kyiv, Ukraine, April 21, 2019. File Image/Reuters If an election were to take place, Zelenskyy could face competition from key political figures. Former army chief and current ambassador to the UK, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, has been widely discussed as a potential challenger. Although he has repeatedly denied having political ambitions, his popularity remains high. While the war continues, we all need to work to save the country, not think about elections, Zaluzhnyi told RBC-Ukraine. Another potential opponent is former President Petro Poroshenko, who has remained an influential political figure. While Poroshenkos team has voiced opposition to holding an election during wartime, his experience and political base could position him as a strong contender if a vote were scheduled. Additionally, reports indicate that Trumps team has engaged in discussions with other Ukrainian opposition figures, including Yulia Tymoshenko, leader of the Batkivshchyna party and a key figure in Ukraines political landscape for over two decades. Advertisement What does the Ukrainian public want? Despite the mounting discussions, most Ukrainians do not support holding elections while the war is ongoing. The March KIIS poll revealed that approximately 78 per cent of Ukrainians oppose holding an election, even after a full resolution of the war. Many believe that political stability should take precedence until a sustainable peace agreement is reached. Elina Beketova, a fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis, spoke about the need for long-term planning before any elections take place. We are talking about six to twelve months of preparation for the elections, Beketova told Newsweek. She stressed that a stable ceasefire, security guarantees from international allies, and logistical planning are all prerequisites for a legitimate election. Also Watch: There is also concern that lifting martial law prematurely could lead to unintended consequences. Some military officials worry that an election campaign could disrupt wartime unity, while security experts warn that Russia could exploit the process through disinformation campaigns or direct military actions against polling stations. For now, Ukraines immediate focus remains on securing a ceasefire and ensuring continued Western military support. With martial law set to be reviewed by Parliament on May 5, there is potential for election discussions to gain further traction. With inputs from agencies During a hearing on an anti-encroachement drive in Uttar Pradesh, the Supreme Court took note of a viral video of an eight-year-old girl, Ananya Yadav, who was seen clutching her prized schoolbooks and running as a bulldozer razed shanties in UPs Ambedkar Nagar. The apex court heavily came down on authorities for the 2021 demolition drive and termed it illegal and insensitive read more The video showed the eight-year-old girl, Ananya Yadav, running with school books in her hands as a bulldozer razed huts during a demolition drive in Uttar Pradeshs Ambedkar Nagar. AI-generated representational image In the middle of a demolition drive in Uttar Pradeshs Ambedkar Nagar, eight-year-old Ananya Yadav found herself running from the rubble, clutching onto her most prized possessionher schoolbooks. Her small shanty, along with several others, was bulldozed in 2021 by the Prayagraj civic authorities, who believed the land belonged to the gangster-politician Atiq Ahmed, who was killed in 2023 in a police encounter. At the time, the little girl had no idea that a video of her running with her schoolbag would catch the attention of the countrys top court. During a hearing on Tuesday, a Bench of Justices AS Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan referenced the viral clip, and called the demolition drive illegal and insensitive. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD UP Govt bulldozer demolishing a house A poor girl runs out holding her books to save herself & her books! No better PR video for Modi Gs Beti Bachao Beti Padaho pic.twitter.com/Kq4YojhOVz SirKazam {blu tik} (@SirKazamJeevi) March 23, 2025 There is a recent video in which small huts are being demolished by bulldozers. There is a small girl running away from the demolished hut with a clutch of books in her hand. It has shocked everyone, Justice Bhuyan remarked, criticising the Uttar Pradesh government and the civic authorities. Heres a closer look at little Ananyas story. What happened? On March 21, the Prayagraj civic authorities carried out a demolition drive in Jalalpur, Ambedkar Nagar, to clear alleged encroachments on village land, PTI reported. Eight-year-old Ananya Yadav, upon hearing about the demolition, rushed to grab her schoolbag, which held her Hindi, English, and ginti ki (maths) books. She believes these prized possesions will help her achieve her dream of becoming an IAS adhikari and protecting the country. I returned from school and kept my bag in the chappar (thatched shed), where my mother had tied the animals. (During the demolition), there was a fire in the chappar next to ours, and I immediately thought of my schoolbag and books. My mother tried to stop me, but I broke free and ran, Ananya, a Class 1 student at the Government Primary School, Arai, told The Indian Express. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Her grandfather, 70-year-old Ram Milan Yadav, claimed that the authorities came to demolish structures on around two biswa of land, which their family has occupied for nearly 50 years. Police officials, however, stated that the demolition was carried out based on an ejection order issued by the Jalalpur tehsildar court, as the land was classified as government property. Ananyas father, Abhishek, a daily wage labourer, told the publication that ever since the video of his daughter running with her schoolbag went viral, several politicians have visited their family. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav shared the clip, while a Congress delegation also met with them. However, officials involved in the demolition claim that no residential structures were affected, nor was the shed where Ananyas bag was kept. , : , ! pic.twitter.com/eSTJKvZZKD Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) March 22, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD We served Ram Milan a notice two months ago to clear the encroached land. When we went to clear it, they started protesting. We do not know how one of the thatched structures caught fire, but it was brought under control. Later, one of the structures was demolished, but it was all non-residential, Pawan Jaiswal, sub-divisional magistrate of Jalalpur, told _The Indian Express. _ Also read: How can house be demolished: What is bulldozer justice that Supreme Court has come down on? Only because they dont have money, theyre suffering: SC As the case reached the Supreme Court, a bench comprising Justice AS Oka and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan strongly criticised the Uttar Pradesh government and Prayagraj Development Authority for the demolition of homes, raising serious concerns about the manner in which such actions were being carried out in the state, India Today reported. The court pointed out that no proper notice had been given before the demolitions, highlighting that not even a 24-hour notice was served to the affected residents. These cases shock our conscience. It is an unfortunate state of affairs where there is illegal demolition, and the persons affected do not have the capacity to reconstruct their homes. Residential premises have been high-handedly demolished without due process, the court observed. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Supreme Court bench comprising Justice AS Oka and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan strongly criticised the Uttar Pradesh government and Prayagraj Development Authority for 2021 demolition drive and termed it illegal" and insensitive". File image/PTI The hearing was based on a plea filed by advocate Zulfiqar Haider, Professor Ali Ahmed, and others, whose homes were demolished in the drive. The appellants had initially approached the Allahabad High Court for relief after their houses were torn down on March 7, 2021, without proper legal procedure. However, when their plea was rejected, they moved the Supreme Court for justice. During the hearing, they informed the court that they lacked the financial resources to rebuild their homes, to which the court remarked, Only because they dont have money, they are suffering. Acknowledging their situation, the court allowed them to construct temporary shelters while their appeals were pending but also stressed that the state must provide fair compensation. We will record this whole thing as illegal, and we will say that as far as rights in the land are concerned, we are not offering any comment, Justice Oka stated. He further added, And fix compensation of 10 lakhs in each case. That is the only way to do this. So that this authority will always remember to follow due process. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With input from agencies Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju tabled the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 in the Lok Sabha today, which aims to bring changes to the Waqf Act, 1995, that governs the management of Waqf properties in the country. The bill was first introduced in the Parliament last year and referred to a joint parliamentary panel. The opposition has objected to the proposed 44 amendments. Heres why read more The BJP-led government introduced the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha. File Photo/PTI The Central government has tabled the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 in the Lok Sabha. Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju reintroduced the bill in the Lower House today (April 2) for debate and passage. A showdown is expected in the Lok Sabha as the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the opposition INDIA bloc have failed to reach bipartisan consensus over the proposed amendments. Despite the opposition likely to reject the bill unanimously, the ruling NDA led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has numbers on its side to get the legislation cleared in the Lok Sabha. Advertisement Lets take a closer look. What is the Waqf (Amendment) Bill? The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, introduces changes to the Waqf Act, 1995, which governs the management of Waqf properties in the country. It renames the 1995 law to the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency, and Development Act. The proposed legislation was first introduced in Parliament last August and later referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) headed by BJP MP Jagdambika Pal. On February 27, the panel cleared 14 amendments recommended by the BJP or its NDA allies. The opposition objected to all 44 amendments proposed by the Centre to the 1995 Waqf Bill and submitted dissent notes. For the unversed, Waqf is the property dedicated for religious or charitable purposes in the name of Allah. The Waqf Act of 1995 defines Waqf as the permanent dedication by a person professing Islam of any movable or immovable property for any purpose recognised by the Muslim law as pious, religious or charitable. Waqf properties, which are managed by a Waqf board, include mosques, idgahs, dargahs, khanqahs, imambaras, qabristans (graveyards), and so on. The dedicated property cannot be taken back and the Waqf remains a continuing entity. Why is Waqf (Amendment) Bill controversial? The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, has faced opposition from various quarters over certain proposed changes to the Waqf Act. Critics argue the proposed law will empower the government to interfere in Waqf matters, including determining whether a property is a Waqf. Section 40 of the Waqf Act empowers the Waqf Board to decide whether a particular property is a Waqf property. The decision of the Board is final until it is revoked or changed by the Waqf Tribunal. Advertisement The new bill extends the Waqf Tribunals power to the District Collector. However, as per Livemint, after the JPCs recommendation, a government officer above the rank of collector will survey the properties claimed as Waqf. The Bill states that any government property identified or declared as Waqf property, before or after the commencement of the Act, shall not be deemed to be a Waqf property. The government says the amendments are necessary for the efficiency of the administration and management of the waqf properties. Another contentious provision of the Bill is the inclusion of non-Muslims in the Waqf Board. The proposed law calls for a non-Muslim Chief Executive Officer, and appointing at least two non-Muslim members by the state government to the Waqf Boards. VIDEO | Waqf (Amendment) Bill: Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) says in Lok Sabha, "Maximum four non-Muslim members, including compulsory two women members, can be there in Waqf Council. At present, there are no women pic.twitter.com/8ronRypx5Q Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 2, 2025 Advertisement Government sources told Indian Express that this amendment was introduced to bring additional expertise to the Waqf Board, without weakening the representation of Muslims as the majority of the members will remain from the community. The amendments also remove the provision of Waqf by use, meaning the property is deemed Waqf because of its use for religious or charitable purposes over a long time, even if there is a lack of original declaration by the owner. The new bill recognises only properties formally declared as waqf are recognized. The government argues that the sweeping power to Waqf Boards for claiming properties results in disputes and litigations. The Bill also proposes to remove Section 107 of the 1995 Act that made the Limitation Act, 1963, inapplicable to Waqf properties. Advertisement Due to this provision, the Waqf Board is not restricted by the deadline of 12 years to file a case to reclaim its properties from encroachment. The amendment bill replaces the Survey Commissioner appointed by the state government to examine waqf with the District Collector or any other officer not below the rank of a Deputy Collector duly nominated by the Collector. Can govt get the bill passed in Parliament? The BJP-led NDA is comfortably placed in the Lok Sabha to get the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, passed. The NDA has 293 MPs in the Lower House, which currently has a strength of 542. The majority mark is 271. The INDIA bloc has 235 MPs in the Lok Sabha. The non-aligned parties like the AIMIM (one MP), YSRCP (four MPs) and Aazad Samaj Party (one MP) have also opposed the Waqf bill, taking the total tally against the proposed legislation to 241. If the bill goes to the Rajya Sabha after being cleared by the Lok Sabha hurdle, the NDA could get it passed even there. In the 236-member Upper House, the ruling NDA has 125 MPs, along with the support of two independents and six nominated members. The bill is expected to easily get the nod in Rajya Sabha. Advertisement With inputs from agencies Susan Crawford, a Dane County Circuit Court judge since 2018, won a pivotal Wisconsin Supreme Court race, securing a 4-3 liberal majority. Defeating former state Attorney General Brad Schimel, Crawfords campaign was marked by record-breaking spending exceeding $90 million. Her victory follows significant financial opposition from billionaire Elon Musk, who contributed over $21 million to Schimels campaign read more Democrat-backed Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate Judge Susan Crawford speaks to supporters after voters elected her to the state Supreme Court, at her election night headquarters in Madison, Wisconsin, US, April 1, 2025. File Image/Reuters Susan Crawford emerged victorious in the highly contested race for a pivotal seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, securing a 10-year term in a contest that set a new record as the most expensive judicial election in US history. Her win ensures that liberals maintain a 4-3 majority on the states highest court, positioning it to weigh in on critical cases concerning abortion rights, labour laws and legislative redistricting. Crawfords triumph, which saw her defeat conservative judge and former state attorney general Brad Schimel, was largely seen as a significant setback for US President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk, who had heavily backed Schimels campaign. Advertisement The election captured national attention, not only because of its implications for Wisconsins judiciary but also due to the vast amounts of money pouring into both campaigns. With over $90 million spent by candidates, political parties, and external groups, the race set a new precedent for judicial campaign financing. Musk and organisations aligned with him contributed over $21 million to Schimels campaign, while Democratic groups and donors provided substantial financial support to Crawford, highlighting the deeply partisan nature of the contest. Who is Susan Crawford? Susan Crawford, 60, has built a career rooted in public service and legal advocacy. Since 2018, she has served as a Dane County Circuit Court judge, winning reelection in 2022. Prior to her judicial tenure, she worked as an assistant attorney general for both the Iowa and Wisconsin Departments of Justice, specialising in criminal appeals. In 2009, Crawford was appointed chief legal counsel to Democratic Governor Jim Doyle, a role she held until Doyle left office in 2011. Following this, she became a partner at a Madison-based law firm known for challenging Republican-backed legislation. In this capacity, she represented Planned Parenthood in legal battles concerning abortion rights and took on high-profile cases defending unions and voting rights. Among her most notable cases, Crawford represented public-sector unions in a lawsuit challenging Wisconsins Act 10 a controversial law enacted under former Republican Governor Scott Walker that severely curtailed collective bargaining rights for most public workers. Advertisement More recently, a Dane County judge struck down key portions of the law as unconstitutional, a decision that is expected to reach the Wisconsin Supreme Court, where Crawfords presence could be pivotal. Her legal career also includes challenges to voter ID laws, advocating for expanded voting access, and defending environmental regulations during her tenure at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Born in 1965 in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, Crawford grew up in a politically engaged family. She earned her bachelors degree from Lawrence University in 1987, followed by a masters degree from Indiana University in 1989. She later attended the University of Iowa College of Law, where she graduated in 1994. During her time in law school, she served as editor-in-chief of the Iowa Law Review. Crawford has lived in Madison for much of her career and is married with two children. She first entered electoral politics in 2018 when she successfully ran for a Dane County Circuit Court judgeship. Advertisement Her campaign focused on her extensive litigation experience and her commitment to defending unions, public education, and womens rights. Her judicial philosophy has been shaped by her work in civil rights, labor law, and environmental regulation. Supporters describe her as a principled and experienced jurist committed to upholding the rule of law and protecting the rights of ordinary citizens. Crawford vs Elon Schimel The Wisconsin Supreme Court election was defined by Crawfords opposition to the influence of billionaire Elon Musk, who played an unprecedented role in a state judicial race. Musk not only provided financial backing to Schimel but also campaigned personally in Wisconsin, framing the election as a crucial battle for conservative judicial control. Crawford made Musks involvement a central theme of her campaign, at one point referring to her opponent as Elon Schimel during a debate. Democrat-backed Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate Judge Susan Crawford speaks after voters elected her to the state Supreme Court, at her election night headquarters in Madison, Wisconsin, US, April 1, 2025. File Image/Reuters The Wisconsin Democratic Party amplified this message, branding the race as The People v. Musk and organising anti-Musk town halls. The strategy resonated with voters, many of whom viewed Musks financial intervention as an attempt to influence state politics from afar. During her victory speech in Madison, Crawford underscored this sentiment, stating, I never thought I would be taking on the richest man in the world for justice. And we won. Advertisement What this means for US politics The election was widely perceived as an early referendum on Trumps presidency and the broader political struggle between conservatives and liberals in Wisconsin. National Democratic leaders celebrated Crawfords win as a crucial victory in their efforts to counteract Republican influence in the judiciary. The Democratic National Committee framed the outcome as a rejection of not only Musks involvement but also of Trumps continued presence in American politics. Ken Martin, chair of the Democratic National Committee, stated, Tonight, the people of Wisconsin squarely rejected the influence of Elon Musk, Donald Trump, and billionaire special interests. For Republicans, Schimels loss represents a missed opportunity to regain judicial control in Wisconsin, a state that has been pivotal in national elections. Conservative justices will face reelection in 2026 and 2027, but with Crawfords victory, liberals are projected to retain their majority on the court until at least 2028. One of the most immediate impacts of Crawfords win will be the courts ability to rule on pending cases concerning the legality of Wisconsins congressional district maps. The current maps, drawn by the Republican-controlled state legislature, have resulted in Republicans holding six out of eight congressional seats in a state that remains politically divided. A liberal-leaning court could mandate new district boundaries, potentially giving Democrats an advantage in future House races. Advertisement With Crawford set to take office on August 1, 2025, attention will turn to the cases that will soon come before the Wisconsin Supreme Court. The states 1849 abortion ban law, currently being challenged in lower courts, is one such case that could have far-reaching consequences. Also Watch: Additionally, legal battles over voting rights and legislative redistricting could redefine Wisconsins political landscape for years to come. With inputs from agencies Multiple reports have surfaced about a mysterious Covid-like virus spreading in Russia, causing high fever and, in some cases, even coughing up blood. Local media and social media posts suggest the illness begins with symptoms similar to Covid-19, like fatigue and muscle aches. It is worth noting that Russias public health agency, Rospotrebnadzor, has dismissed claims of any outbreak read more The symptoms described - initial fatigue and aches, followed by fever and a debilitating cough. Pixabay/Representational Image Reports have emerged of a mysterious Covid-like virus spreading in Russia, which has left patients experiencing severe fever and coughing up blood. One woman told local media that by the fifth day of her illness, she started coughing up blood - and antibiotics had no effect. ALSO READ | Strawberry nose to flat-cake: Why some illnesses are named after food The first mention of the outbreak appeared in the Telegram group SHOT, which is said to include members of Russias federal agencies. Local media later picked up the story. Advertisement In this story, we look at what is known about the virus, what local media is saying, and whether Russian authorities have made any official statement on the alleged outbreak. What is the mystery blood-spluttering virus allegedly spreading in Russia? Reports have surfaced about an unidentified virus causing patients to cough up blood in Russia. According to local media and social media posts, the illness starts with symptoms similar to Covid, including fatigue and muscle aches. However, within five days, these escalate into a high fever of up to 39C (102.2F) and a persistent cough, sometimes accompanied by blood. One woman said that by the fifth day, she started coughing up blood. News18/Representational Image Posts on Telegram, Russias messaging platform, suggest cases have been reported in multiple cities, Daily Mail reported. Patients have described experiencing prolonged fevers, body aches, and a severe cough that lingers for weeks. Some reports claim that those affected have tested negative for Covid and flu, with doctors recording their condition as an acute upper respiratory tract infection of unspecified origin. A Telegram post from March 29, which has been viewed over 430,000 times, warned of a possible outbreak. One account featured a woman named Alexandra, who said she had fallen ill with the unidentified virus. According to Daily Mail, a translated excerpt from the post read: An unknown virus has appeared in Russia. As SHOT has learned, those infected have been suffering from high fever and severe coughing up blood for weeks, while they have negative tests for Covid and flu. Advertisement The symptoms of those who fall ill are the same: it all starts with the usual aches and weakness, but after a couple of days the virus cuts down and it is impossible to get out of bed. Accompanied by a temperature of up to 39 degrees, Russians note a severe cough to tears. Alexandra said that despite taking antibiotics, her coughing continued for a week, and on the fifth day, she noticed blood in her cough. The post suggested she might have mycoplasma pneumoniae. It is a bacterial infection that can cause flu-like symptoms and pneumonia. The symptoms described - initial fatigue and aches, followed by fever and a debilitating cough. Often referred to as walking pneumonia, the illness makes people sick but not necessarily bedridden. ALSO READ | What is the new self-injecting jab that will help avoid pregnancies? What did the Russian media say? Mainstream Russian outlets, including Lenta.ru and Newizv.ru, have covered the reports of a mystery virus, while also noting the lack of confirmation from state health authorities. Newizv.ru cited comments from people who had shared their symptoms in response to a Telegram post by Moscow Live about the outbreak. Advertisement One person wrote: Its a nightmare, my ribs are already hurting from the cough, its impossible to eat, sometimes even the medications make me feel sick. Another added: The cough hasnt gone away for over a month, the fever lasted for almost three weeks. I got over Covid much easier. International experts have been unable to verify the reports, but some have warned that the situation in Russia is deeply political, Daily Mail reported. Sharon Sanders, an independent disease tracker who helped monitor the early spread of Covid, shared her concerns on FluTrackers, writing: Just a reminder the Russia situation is very political. And disease propaganda has been used in the past - globally. I have no idea if this is a big deal or a typical disease outbreak. Often referred to as walking pneumonia, the illness makes people sick but not necessarily bedridden. Pixabay/Representational Image How has Russia responded? Rospotrebnadzor, Russias public health agency, has dismissed the claims. In a statement, the agency said that there was no evidence of a new or unidentified virus circulating on the territory of the Russian Federation. ALSO READ | Why sleeping with a cuddly is good even for adults Advertisement Currently, the epidemiological situation in the Russian Federation for a group of respiratory infections, including SARS, influenza, Covid-19 and community-acquired pneumonia, is stable and fully controlled. There is a decrease in the incidence rate. The epidemiological situation for this group of infections in Moscow is also stable. It further added that ongoing epidemiological monitoring and genomic surveillance in Russia have not detected any new viruses or significant mutations. Gennady Onishchenko, a member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, told the Russian news agency TASS, Most likely, there is no virus there, lets not hype it up now, but lets look at the data of at least one study. The most important thing is where this virus is, where these diseases were registered. The US Agency for International Development (USAID) is under examination in connection with an ongoing inquiry of hedge fund operator George Soros by the Enforcement Directorate read more The US Agency for International Development (USAID), which has been criticized by the Trump administration for promoting a left, liberal, and woke agenda overseas, has come under scrutiny by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an ongoing investigation into hedge fund operator George Soros. The ED, which is investigating three Bengaluru-based companies for allegedly violating the Foreign Exchange Management Act by receiving Rs 25 crore from the Soros Economic Development Fund (SEDF), discovered that one of them, ASAR Social Impact Advisors, also received Rs 8 crore from USAID as a foreign inward remittance in 2022-23. Advertisement Soros provided funding to the three firms between 2021 and 2024. The Times of India quoted sources as saying that ASAR explained that the USAID funding was a reimbursement for services provided to the Council on Energy, Environment, and Water (CEEW), a Delhi-based public policy think tank that, according to its website, focuses on understanding global challenges and implications for Indias development. ASAR authorities were unable to clarify the nature of the services provided to CEEW or how USAID became involved. Responding to the report, the CEEW issued a clarification on Wednesday, saying that it has no link to George Soros or the Open Society Foundations. CEEW has never had any association or received any funding from George Soros or the Open Society Foundations. Its official statement sent to Firstpost by e-mail reads, ASAR Social Impact Advisors was contracted by CEEW to provide specific services for a USAID project related to cleaner air. This project has already ended. CEEW has no current relationship to ASAR at this stage. CEEW has not received any queries from any government authorities related to ASAR. We have no reason nor have any basis on which to comment on any ongoing investigation concerning a third party. CEEW remains dedicated to its mission of conducting independent, rigorous research to support Indias sustainable development. We are aligned with development priorities outlined by governments in India at different levels and will continue supporting evidence-based policymaking and implementation in this spirit. We wish to emphasise that all our work is conducted transparently, in full compliance with relevant regulations, and aligns with our core mission to serve the public interest, the statement reads. Advertisement The TOI quoted sources as saying that the other two Bengaluru-based firms that received funding from SEDF are Rootbridge Services Pvt Ltd and Rootbridge Academy Ltd. SEDF is the impact investing arm of Open Society Foundations (OSF), one of Soros numerous enterprises. The ED is investigating the rationale and purpose of USAIDs payments. According to sources, the Union home ministry placed Open Society Foundations in the prior reference category in 2016 due to undesirable activities, requiring it to obtain prior approval from the government before contributing funds to any Indian non-profit organization. With regard to ASAR and the two other Bengaluru-based firms, the ED probes whether OSF met the statutory requirements. The government is further investigating Soross sponsorship of rights groups, think tanks, and other entities under the guise of foreign direct investment. A Paris court has barred French right-wing leader Marine Le Pen from running in elections for five years over alleged embezzlement of funds, sparking concerns of overreach and leftist bias in the judiciary read more President of the parliamentary group of the French Rassemblement National or National Rally party, Marine Le Pen, leaves the headquarters of the party after a French court sentenced her to a five-year ban on running for elections and a prison term of four years, Paris, France. Image: AFP In a move startling from a republic that is the supposedly modern torchbearer of Liberte (Liberty), Egalite (Equality) et (and) Fraternite (Fraternity), the latest move smacks of a hatchet-job style dictatorship to fix the political arena. Albeit, it was a longish trial, with all the trappings of proper judicial examination and rigour. But is the judiciary in France, along with its now tottering government, infected with leftist bias? Earlier this week, a Paris court judge that banned rightwing leader Marine Le Pen from contesting elections for five years acknowledged that the embezzlement of 4 million of EU funds between 2004 and 2016 to pay staff in her National Rally party, rather than parliamentary aides, did not enrich her or her 24 co-defendants in their personal capacity. Advertisement The Paris Court judge described the diverted payments as a democratic bypass that deceived both voters and the European Parliament, in what seems to many to be judicial overreach. Le Pen has been fined 100,000 and sentenced to four years in prison, two of which will be suspended, and the other two served under house arrest with electronic monitoring. But her ban from running for office is with immediate effect, even though she can continue to serve as a lawmaker till new elections are called for. If she is corrupt, how do these niceties work? All but one of her co-defendants received suspended prison sentences of varying severity, also affecting their ability to participate in the political process going forward. Le Pen has vowed to appeal the rulings, calling the verdict political death for her personally. Le Pens lawyers argued that the distinction between a politicians work as a lawmaker and as a party member was artificial. Seeming to agree with this position, President Donald Trump said he had not expected a guilty verdict at all from the court proceedings. But crucially, with Le Pen banned from contesting for five years, unless the appeal overturns her conviction, the focus has rapidly shifted to her protege, the 29-year-old Jordan Bardella, who could well become the National Rallys presidential candidate in 2027. He may be inexperienced, but Macron himself is still in his forties and began his rising political career much earlier. Bardella called the rulings an execution of democracy on X. Advertisement Le Pen can contest the elections in 2032, when she will be 64. The rampant but unproven suspicion from those who support Le Pen and her National Rally Party is that President Emmanuel Macron and his La Republique en Marche (LREM) may have worked behind the scenes to try and eliminate a formidable challenger from the fray. Marine Le Pen is the leader of the resurgent conservative movement in French politics. Could such a partisan ruling on questionable charges happen in India? Well, it did. When the Allahabad High Court overturned Prime Minister Indira Gandhis election, it resulted in the infamous Emergency. Of course, Indira Gandhi was the sitting prime minister at the time, with the entire machinery of government at her disposal. Nothing so dramatic has been tried by the judiciary since. While Indian politics today routinely tolerates virulent opposition, any such move by the Indian courts against the opposition figures would certainly activate the anti-India lobbies in Europe, America, China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkey, and amongst dissidents such as Islamic militants and Khalistanis. They would unleash a massive vilification campaign. They would howl for the blood of the ruling Hindu Nationalist Party that is dominant in the National Democratic Alliance. Advertisement But surprisingly, little has surfaced by way of criticism in the European media against the bizarre Paris court ruling. Marine Le Pen is being supported, not by all the powers that are proxy fighting Russia in Ukraine, but by the other side. From around the political universe, most conservative leaders have or are beginning to speak up in support. Macron must have thought that with the confusion over Ukraine and beleaguered European support for its resistance, he could get away with this subversion of democracy at this time. However, many members of the French public, as per polls conducted after the verdict, see it in terms of the independence of the judiciary. Will the French general elections in 2027, still two years away, be affected? The Russia-Ukraine War is expected to end well before that. Americas support for the Europeans in NATO has already weakened. Other international fora are also in retreat as America withdraws into its America First stance. Can Macrons France carry its own left-of-centre torch in European politics in 2027? Advertisement The public has been showing growing preference for Le Pens right-wing politics, with her finishing as runner-up to Macron as president in both 2017 and 2022. So, will this suspected skullduggery then work against Macron at the hustings? Support for Le Pen came in promptly from Hungary and Russia after the rulings. Both condemned them as an attack on democracy. Victor Orban, the Hungarian prime minister, expressed solidarity by posting Je Suis Marine! The Russian spokesman said the ruling showed a growing tendency to subvert democratic impulses in Western Europe. Particularly those that were conservative and favoured better relations with Russia. In addition, Italys Giorgia Meloni, US President Donald Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk have all spoken up in disapproval of the attempt to ban Le Pen from contesting elections. India, which enjoys excellent relations with Emmanuel Macron-led France, particularly in the sphere of defence equipment, has been silent on this matter so far. Advertisement President Trump called the verdict a big deal and said Le Pen was the leading contender. He also likened it to what was done to him in the lead-up to the 2024 elections in America. Others who have already spoken up in support of Le Pen are Italian League Party boss Matteo Salvini and Dutch populist Geert Wilders. Whatever the merits and demerits of the case, the timing of the sharp negative verdict raises more questions than it lays to rest about the state of democratic norms in France. The writer is a Delhi-based political commentator. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Technion at Haifa have completed a century of their service. These renowned institutions of higher learning, which antedate the foundation of Israel, prove that the Jewish republic was underpinned by a progressive idea read more On April 1, 1925 a century ago the Hebrew University of Jerusalem opened its doors to the public. It was on this day corresponding to the Jewish date of Nissan 7, 5685 that Lord Balfour, the former Prime Minister of Britain, inaugurated the university on Mount Scopus, a mountain in northeastern Jerusalem. An entry pass for the occasion available shows it was printed in three languages, viz, Hebrew, English and Arabic. Advertisement HUJs admission ticket Today, this university, though no longer Israels biggest, is amongst the top 100 universities in the world by some rankings. The institution can boast of a number of Nobel laureates on its website, like David Gross, Avram Hershiko, Ada E Yonath, Aaron Ciechanover and Roger D Kornberg in physics and chemistry; Field Medal in Mathematics winner Elon Lindenstrauss, etc, not to speak of two Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economics winners, viz Robert J (Yisrael) Aumann and Daniel Kahneman. Yuval Noah Harari, widely known for his ground-breaking books, eg, Homo Deus (2015) and Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind (2011) is a professor in the department of history at the Hebrew University. The opening ceremony of the Hebrew University Einstein, in his last will and testament, bequeathed his literary estate and personal papers to the Hebrew University, with whose foundation the scientist was closely associated during his lifetime. He undertook his first visit to the US in April-May, 1921, in connection with fundraising for the university under construction. Einstein visited Jerusalem only once, in 1923, before the inauguration of the university. The city was then a part of British Mandatory Palestine. The Hebrew University of Jerusalem has recently, to mark its centenary, created an AI-generated video of Albert Einstein capturing the vision of the university. However, the historical significance of the university lies in the fact that its establishment antedates the foundation of the Jewish republic (1948) by more than two decades. Incidentally the Technion, Israels leading institute of technological education, located at Mount Carmel in Haifa, also began functioning around the same time. Previously known as the Technikum, it commenced its classes in the winter of 1924-25. These two leading institutions prove that early Zionist leaders, who envisaged setting up Israel, assigned priority to building the lives of future generations through quality higher education. Advertisement Chaim Weizmann (1874-1952), the biochemist turned politician, who later became the first President of Israel, describes in his autobiography, Trial and Error (1949), how these two institutions were conceived and established. Though the Hebrew University at Jerusalem was conceptualised earlier, the Technion (then Technikum) at Haifa was completed sooner. While Weizmann actively espoused the idea of the Hebrew University ab initio, his association with Technion, was incidental but resulted in Hebrew being the language of instruction at the institution in particular and Israel in general when, on the eve of World War I, it looked all set that Technion was to be funded by the German government and would have German as the language of instruction. The idea of Jewish University, informs Weizmann, had been discussed in the first Zionist Congress in 1897. He credits Professor Herman Shapiro of Heidelberg University for articulating the idea while still a student at Berlin. It might be remembered that the first Zionist Congress was held in Basel, Switzerland, between August 29 and 31, 1897, to consider the idea of creating a Jewish national home in Palestine. Advertisement The province of Palestine was then part of the Turkish Ottoman Empire, and it was not until the end of World War I (1914-18) that it came under British control, under the Sykes-Picot Agreement of 1916 that divided up the Middle East between Britain and France. Weizmann had taken up the university idea with Theodor Herzl, the chairman of the Zionist Congress, as early as 1901. Herzl was sanguine that he could obtain a favourable firman (decree) from the Ottoman Sultan but had to abandon his hopes within a year. Undaunted, Weizmann, who then taught chemistry at the University of Geneva, decided to mobilise public opinion on the subject. Weizmann in collaboration with Martin Buber and Berthold Feiwel published the first pamphlet on the subject, viz, Die Judische Hochshule (The Jewish University), in 1902. It addressed the practical side of the project, including an approximate budget. They opened an office of Judische Hochschule at Geneva and carried out a referendum amongst the Jewish students. Advertisement Belarus-born Weizmann undertook a visit to the university towns in the Czarist empire, viz Kiev (Kyiv) and Kharkov (Kharkhiv), both in Ukraine, to popularise the university idea in 1903. The idea received wide support amongst the Russian Jews. Lazar Brodsky, the Sugar King, though opposed to Zionism, promised to fund the university. However, Brodsky, like Herzl, passed away in 1904. While Weizmann was visiting Ukraine, a riot against the Jews broke out in Kishinev (now Chisinau, Moldova) in April 1903, underscoring the need for a Jewish homeland. The Western Zionist leaders, informs Weizmann, described the university idea as utopian to the point of childishness. They considered it not merely premature but also dangerous to undertake, as any visible mobilisation on the ground might antagonise the Turkish authorities. At that time the emphasis was on trying to secure the necessary land for Eretz Israel peacefully through purchase from the Ottoman Sultan. This approach reveals the mindset of the Jewish capitalists. Advertisement One such proverbially rich Jew was Baron Edmond de Rothschild (1845-1934), the French banker, who was a benefactor of Zionism, provided it was done, paradoxically enough, inconspicuously and silently! Baron Rothschild was rigidly of the opinion that the Hebrew University should be devoted exclusively to the humanities, as it would never be able to compete in sciences with universities of Britain, France and Germany. He, however, put another condition of having Paul Ehrlich, as the head of the University Committee. Ehrlich, winner of the Nobel Prize for Medicine (1908), had little interest besides his subject, viz, biochemistry, and hardly anything about Judaism-related issues. It was a humorous episode when Weizmann went to meet Ehrlich in his laboratory in Frankfurt, Germany, in March, 1914. The latter thought that Weizmann, being a chemist himself, had come to discuss chemistry. When Weizmann, after long, could tactically shift the subject to Jewish University, Ehrlich asked, But why Jerusalem? Advertisement Weizmanns reply that Jerusalem is the only city in the world which deserved a Jewish university pleased him, and he took Weizmann to his house along with him. Subsequently, Ehrlich met Baron Rothschild in Paris and agreed to serve on the university committee. Though a university committee was set up comprising some eminent names, the committees inaugural meeting scheduled for August 4, 1914, at Paris could never take place due to the outbreak of World War I. Ehrlich prematurely passed away in 1915. It was ironic that World War I and its fallout expedited the process of establishing the university that was stuck for a decade. A piece of land on Mount Scopus, identified in 1907, was acquired through Arthur Ruppin in 1916. Ruppin (1876-1943), born in present-day Poland, who migrated to Palestine, is recognised as an innovator of the Israeli kibbutz (commune) system, one of the founders of Tel Aviv city, and a pioneer of sociology in Israel. The plot belonged to the Gray Hill family, originally from Liverpool, England. While World War I was in progress, a particular method of processing acetone, which Weizmann developed, was found highly useful by the British government. It also brought him into touch with the higher echelon of Whitehall. This culminated in the Balfour Declaration of November 2, 1917, wherein the British government supported the cause of a Jewish national homeland in Palestine and promised to do all in its power to achieve the same. The political map of West Asia changed as a result of World War I. When Jerusalem was wrested by the British Expeditionary Force led by General Edmund Allenby on December 9, 1917, it was for the first time in seven centuries that a Christian army gained control of the Holy City. The Turks had secured possession of the city in October, 1187, when Saladin had ousted Balian of Ibelin. It was in the presence of Allenby on July 24, 1918, that the foundation stones of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem were laid at Mount Scopus. The occasion coincided with the visit of the Zionist Commission in Palestine led by Weizmann. An estimated six thousand people were present on the occasion, informs Nahum Sokolow. They included, besides members of the Zionist Commission, the military governor of Jerusalem; staff representatives of French and Italian military detachments in Palestine; the Mufti of Jerusalem; the Anglican Bishop of Jerusalem; representatives of the Armenian and Greek Churches; Chief Rabbis of Cairo and Alexandria from Egypt; and representatives of all Jewish communities from Jerusalem and Jaffa. It was declared a public holiday in Jerusalem by the British mandatory authority (The History of Zionism 1600-1918, Vol-II, P.145-146). The university was planned and built over a period of seven years. The two early faculties developed were that of microbiology and biochemistry. Scottish biologist and town planner Patrick Geddes (1854-1932), who had produced numerous town planning reports on India, designed the university building, though it was not fully built according to his plan. Between April 2 and May 30, 1921, Albert Einstein accompanied Weizmann to his first visit to the US, to raise funds for the Hebrew University. The Hebrew University, says Einstein (1921), is to be organised in such a way as to meet the existing requirements of the country for scientific research institutes. It cannot be compared in its initial stages with a fully equipped university in the West. It must begin with a number of research institutes devoted to scientific investigations of the natural conditions of Palestine (About Zionism: Speeches and Letters, P.60). Einstein was equally emphatic that the university must have a centre of Jewish studies, which could attract students from all over the world. Hebrew University of Jerusalem was finally inaugurated on April 1, 1925. Lord Balfour (77), former Prime Minister of Britain, came all the way from London to inaugurate the university. Around 10,000 persons attended the ceremony held in the open natural amphitheatre on the northeastern slope of Mount Scopus. However, in the 1920s, the Jewish-Arab relationship had begun to take a turn for the worse. There were Jaffa riots in 1921 and later in that decade (1929) more extensive riots in Jerusalem, Safed, Hebron and Jaffa in which numerous persons from both sides were killed and wounded. The Arabs observed Lord Balfours visit with general strike. The Palestine Royal Commission Report (1937) expresses wonder in finding on the fringe of Asia a university which maintains the highest standards of Western scholarship. On its staff, the report informs, are names well known in Europe and America, and its research work could compare with that of older institutions (P.336). It counted 391 students under 27 professors spread across departments like Jewish Studies, Oriental Studies, Humanities, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Botany and a number of allied sciences. There was already a department for cancer research. The report praises the standard of laboratories, classrooms and libraries. No wonder this university makes Israel a leader in the field of applied science and technology. A hundred years since its inception, the Hebrew University has long ceased to be Israels largest university in terms of enrollment, being overtaken by the likes of Tel Aviv University, Bar-Ilan University, etc. Yet, it is going strong and proves that the foundation of Israel was inspired by creative impulses and ideas. The writer is author of the book The Microphone Men: How Orators Created a Modern India (2019) and an independent researcher based in New Delhi. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Greenlands parliament has put a ban on uranium mining, and no hydrocarbon extraction-related activities are happening currently. If Trump wants to have the freedom to access and manage the mineral deposits there, then the US should be in the drivers seat to decide on the policies read more Greenland is in the news since Donald Trump has once again taken over the presidency of the United States. Greenland is an autonomous territory of Denmark with a population of only around 60,000 people. However, the island has a vast geography with around 840,000 square miles of area; more than 80 per cent is covered either by ice caps or smaller glaciers. In late March 2025, US Vice President JD Vance visited Greenland, accompanied by his wife, Usha Vance, US National Security Adviser Michael Waltz, and Energy Secretary Chris Wright. This visit has been globally perceived as a pressure tactic by Trump to advance his agenda of purchasing this autonomous Danish territory or compelling it to merge with the US. Advertisement Trumps obsession with Greenland is not new. During his first term too, he had declared his interest in acquiring Greenland. Greenlands newly elected Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen has made it clear that he will not hand over the territory to the US, and Greenlanders are happy with the existing political structures out there. It is too early to predict the possible fate of Greenland in coming years; however, Trump has made clear his administrations agenda. The issue is, why is Trump so keen to take over Greenland? There could be multiple reasons behind this desire. Territorially speaking, the purchase of Greenland would make the US the second-largest country in the world by area. What is important for the US is not the size but the strategic importance of this region. It is about the rich mineral resources and the need for the US to have a continuous presence of military bases over there, mainly to cater to the missile defence requirements. For centuries, Greenland has been largely covered by ice, making it difficult to estimate the value of its mineral resources accurately. As per some reports, the value could be at least $2.54 trillion. However, global warming leading to rapid glacier melt is now exposing the regions mineral deposits. It has been found that this island is rich in deposits of rare earth elements (RREs), uranium, gold, hydrocarbons and other critical minerals like iron, oil, and uranium. According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the region holds oil and natural gas reserves estimated at around 31 billion barrels. The US is aware that Greenlands parliament has put a ban on uranium mining, and no hydrocarbon extraction-related activities are happening currently. Obviously, if the US wants to have the freedom to access and manage the mineral deposits, then it should be in the drivers seat to decide on the policies. Advertisement There are some hidden surprises under the ice sheet of Greenland. During a scientific flight in April 2024, NASA scientists conducting surveys of Arctic ice sheets found an abandoned city under the ice. It was a Cold War-era US military base built by the military during the 1960s. The images revealed detailed structures of Camp Century, a series of tunnels carved directly into the ice sheet, previously hidden beneath layers of ice. Camp Century was part of a secret Cold War project known as Project Iceworm, which aimed to construct around 4,000 km of tunnels for housing nuclear intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRBMs) targeted at the Soviet Union. During the 1950s and 60s, for almost eight years, the construction for this site was undertaken, but finally the base was abandoned in 1967 due to the high costs and challenges of maintaining the tunnels within the shifting ice. Today, Camp Century site is helping researchers understand how the changing climate affects the ice sheet. Advertisement Even today, Greenland has relevance for the US military. The region plays a critical role in supporting the US space and missile defence capabilities. There is an operational space base at a place called Pituffik (formerly Thule Air Base), which is a cornerstone of the US militarys surveillance and defence infrastructure. Pituffik Space Base (SB), the Department of Defence setup, is operated by the 821st Space Base Group as part of the US Space Base Delta 1. It is an important US military hub for missile warning systems, satellite communications, and space operations. There are five specialised units, which cater for a range of activities from early warnings to managing satellite communications to Arctic scientific research. Greenland is important for astronomical research too, owing to its peculiar location. There is the Greenland Telescope Project, which is playing a major role towards expanding our knowledge about the black holes. This telescope has a 12-metre antenna, which is standing in the Pituffik Space Base. Interestingly, this project is headed by Taiwan. Today, climate change-induced melting in Greenland is opening new, shorter shipping routes through the Arctic. This is likely to save travel time and hence would reduce the cost of operations. Advertisement It is important to realise that the Trump administration is not looking at Greenland for any immediate benefits. It would take a minimum of ten years for the US to establish a profitable infrastructure for mineral excavation, processing and developing effective supply chains. Also, for the US Space Force, more military installations are required to be developed to get maximum advantage of Greenlands strategic location for monitoring and timely responding to any possible threat. For the US, Greenland has long-term strategic, military, and economic significance. The author is Deputy Director General, MP-IDSA, New Delhi. The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. The National Labour Relations Board (NLRB) acknowledged that it has halted investigations into Apples alleged suppression of unionisation attempts. The claims include allegations that Apple intimidated and retaliated against employees who attempted to organise read more The US Labour Department has postponed investigations into Apples treatment of its employees after US President Donald Trump appointed a lawyer from a management-side law firm to lead the agency. Labour advocates have criticised the move, arguing that it represents a reversal of worker protections under the current administration. The National Labour Relations Board (NLRB) acknowledged that it has halted investigations into Apples alleged suppression of unionisation attempts. The claims include allegations that Apple intimidated and retaliated against employees who attempted to organise. Advertisement The agencys decision follows Trumps appointment of John Ring, a veteran attorney at a law firm renowned for supporting corporate interests, as its new chairman. Labour organisations are concerned that the decision signals a pro-business shift at the NLRB. This is a clear indication that the board under Trump is prioritising corporate interests over workers rights, said a spokesperson from a prominent labour organisation. It sends a chilling message to employees who want to exercise their rights. Apples labour policies have come under increased scrutiny in recent years. The corporation has denied any misconduct, stating that it respects workers rights and complies with labour laws. However, many employees have claimed that Apple has employed anti-union tactics, such as compulsory meetings to discourage union participation and disciplinary action against organisers. The suspension of investigations raises concerns about the future of labour enforcement under the Trump administration. According to some analysts, the move may encourage other firms to adopt a more aggressive stance against unionisation efforts. This decision could have a ripple effect across industries, warned a labour law professor. Employers may feel less pressure to comply with labour regulations if they believe enforcement is weakening. Despite the setback, labour organisations vow to continue advocating for worker protections. Were not going to stop fighting, said one union representative. If the NLRB wont act, well explore other legal avenues to hold corporations accountable. Advertisement The situation remains fluid, and it is uncertain whether the NLRB will resume its investigation into Apple in the future. Meanwhile, labour organisers are urging politicians to ensure that workers rights are upheld. The Constitutional Court, which is reviewing Yoons impeachment over the shock martial law order, said it will announce its decision on whether to remove him from office permanently or reinstate him on Friday, April 4 read more South Koreas interim leader called on the nation on Wednesday to calmly accept the decision from the Constitutional Court on the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol, as police ramped up security around the court ahead of the ruling on April 4. At a ministerial meeting on safety ahead of the historic ruling, acting President Han Duck-soo said he strongly asked politicians not to make any comments that could incite violence. The government will not tolerate any illegal or violent acts. No matter what decision is made, we must accept the results calmly based on the rule of law, Han said. Advertisement If we can become one again with your strength and wisdom, we can overcome this crisis of confusion and conflicts, he said. The Constitutional Court, which is reviewing Yoons impeachment over the shock martial law order, said it will announce its decision on whether to remove him from office permanently or reinstate him on Friday, April 4. Yoon was impeached by parliament on December 14 after being accused of violating his constitutional duty by declaring martial law in early December with no justifiable grounds. If the court rules to oust him, a new presidential election must be held within 60 days. South Korean police have beefed up security in areas around the court, preparing to deploy all forces from midnight into the ruling day on Friday. The acting chief for the national police force, Lee Ho-young, said the area around the court would be turned into a vacuum state to restrict access and cordon off pro-and anti-Yoon rallies to prevent any potential clashes. Vowing to act sternly against any violence, Lee said police will arrest those who vandalise facilities, threaten justices or assault police officers. In January, hundreds of Yoon supporters stormed a court building after his detention was extended, smashing windows and breaking inside. Han has directed police to step up security for constitutional court justices. Advertisement Amid deepening political strife, opposition parties brought a motion to impeach finance minister Choi Sang-mok in parliament on Wednesday. Cho was the second acting president and had angered opposition parties that have a commanding majority in parliament by repeatedly vetoing bills and not appointing a Constitutional justice approved by the assembly. The opposition parties are however likely to hold off voting on Chois impeachment bill before Yoons ruling. Bracing for big rallies and a heavy police presence on the ruling day, foreign embassies have issued alerts calling for extra caution. The U.S. embassy in Seoul said on Wednesday that it would cancel routine consular operations like visa interviews on the afternoon of April 3 and all day on April 4. The Chinese embassy has told its nationals to stay away from large political protests and not to participate in those rallies. If it materialises, it would be the first official meeting between the two leaders after the interim government was installed in Dhaka in August last year following the ouster of deposed PM Sheikh Hasina read more If it materialises, it would be the first official meeting between the two leaders Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Advisor to Bangladeshs interim government Prof Muhammad Yunus will hold their first official bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Bimstec Summit in Bangkok, reported United News of Bangladesh (UNB) on Wednesday (April 2). The media outlet cited officials in New Delhi and Dhaka and reported that the Bangladeshi side had requested for the meeting. I can tell you that the meeting will take place, the outlet quoted a senior official in Dhaka as saying. It also received positive response from New Delhi. It is expected that theyll meet, told a source from India. Advertisement Meanwhile, High Representative to the chief adviser Khalilur Rahman reportedly told media that they had requested for the meeting. We have requested for the meeting officially. We have reasonable grounds to remain hopeful. There is a high possibility to see the meeting, he was quoted as saying by Dhaka Tribune. If it materialises, it would be the first official meeting between the two leaders after the interim government was installed in Dhaka in August last year following the ouster of deposed PM Sheikh Hasina. Earlier, Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin struck an optimistic tone and said the meeting will help the two nations overcome the strain in bilateral ties. India-Bangladesh ties The bilateral ties nosedived after Sheikh Hasina was forcibly removed from power, owing to massive student protests which saw hundreds being killed and jailed. As Muhammad Yunus took the reins in his hands, attacks on the countrys Hindu minority intensified, causing strains in India-Bangladesh relations. Dhaka also acknowledged the attacks but said they were politically-driven and had no religious angle. As recent as March 1, 2025, the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council released a press statement that violence against religious and ethnic minorities and indigenous communities has continued. Between August 4 and December 31, 2024, there were 2,184 reported attacks targeting minorities. Now, the reports of a potential Modi-Yunus meeting come hot on the heels of the latters controversial visit to China, where he encouraged Beijing to expand its economic influence in Bangladesh, suggesting that the landlocked status of Indias northeastern states could present an opportunity. Yunus, who met President Xi Jinping and signed nine agreements during the trip, said, The seven states of India, the eastern part of India, are called the seven sisters. They are a landlocked region of India. They have no way to reach out to the ocean." Advertisement Calling Bangladesh the only guardian of the ocean in the region, he said this could be a huge opportunity and could be an extension of the Chinese economy. Boeing has suffered for several years from production quality problems, with the latest major incident in January last year involving an Alaska Airlines 737 seeing a door plug fly off mid-flight read more The Boeing logo is seen on the side of a Boeing 737 MAX. File image/Reuters The head of US aerospace giant Boeing will on Wednesday tell senators that the company has made serious missteps in recent years and commit to restoring consumer and investor confidence, according to an advance copy of his remarks. On the eve of the hearing before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, Kelly Ortberg sent a message to the companys 160,000 employees saying his testimony would be key to restore trust in the crisis-plagued manufacturer. Advertisement Boeing has made serious missteps in recent years and it is unacceptable, Ortberg will say, according to the prepared remarks, which the company made public Tuesday. Boeing has suffered for several years from production quality problems, with the latest major incident in January last year involving an Alaska Airlines 737 seeing a door plug fly off mid-flight. In January, it reported a loss of $3.9 billion as the company continued to experience a hit from a more than seven-week labor strike that shuttered two major assembly plants. Ortberg took over in August, and will testify on Boeings restructuring efforts. We have made sweeping changes to the people, processes, and overall structure of our company, he will say. While there is still work ahead of us, these profound changes are underpinned by the deep commitment from all of us to the safety of our products and services. In his message to employees, he said we are starting to turn the corner in our recovery, although he added that turning the company around would take time and action. Ortberg will acknowledge two 737 MAX 8 crashes in October 2018 and March 2019, which killed a total of 346 people some of whose relatives are expected at the committee hearing on Wednesday. Advertisement He will offer a pledge to make the necessary changes so this never happens again. Boeing has acknowledged that the design of its MCAS stall protection software contributed to the accidents, which occurred on new aircraft shortly after takeoff. Ortberg will testify that the aircraft manufacturer is implementing a new Safety Management System (SMS) that is a framework built on proven aviation industry best practices, to proactively identify and manage safety risks that may impact our commercial and defense products. The drills are taking place in the straits central and southern regions, according to the military, which is a critical artery for world trade read more A Navy miniature is seen in front of displayed Chinese and Taiwanese flags in this illustration. Reuters The Chinese military planned additional exercises on Wednesday in crucial waters near Taiwan, a day after Beijing began operations to surround the self-ruled island it claims as its own. The drills in the crucial Taiwan Strait waterway aim to test the troops capabilities in areas such as blockade and control, and precision strikes on key targets, Senior Colonel Shi Yi, spokesperson for the Chinese militarys Eastern Theatre Command, said in a statement. Advertisement The drills are taking place in the straits central and southern regions, according to the military, which is a critical artery for world trade. The current manoeuvres came a day after China dispatched its army, naval, air, and rocket forces to surround Taiwan, forcing Taipei to send its own troops. Beijing has increased the deployment of fighter jets and naval vessels around Taiwan in recent years to press its claim of sovereignty, which Taipei rejects. Taiwan is a potential flashpoint between China and the United States, which is the islands most important security partner. China opposes Washingtons support for Taipei, which Beijing insists is part of its territory and has threatened to forcefully bring under its control. Tensions across the Taiwan Strait have escalated since Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te took office in May 2024. Ahead of the rollout of US President Donald Trumps reciprocal tariffs, China has reached out to fellow Asian countries in an apparent bid to create partnerships to minimise the fallout from tariffs read more China appears to use the chaos created by US President Donald Trumps reciprocal tariffs to its advantage. In the wake of uncertainty and topsy turvy economic and trade policies in the run-up to the tariffs announcement, the world has been scrambling to cut deals with the Trump administration, prepare retaliatory package, and make partnerships to minmise the impact. Trump is expected to start the rollout of tariffs shortly after Wednesday midnight (India time). While there is complete uncertainty around the nature and scope of tariffs to be announced, it is almost certain that the announcement would upend world trend. A study by Englands Aston Business Scale found that a trade war could cost the world as much as $1.4 trillion. Economists have also warned that tariffs could also be a self-goal as they could drive the United States into a recession. Advertisement Read complete coverage of Trumps rollout of reciprocal tariffs In the midst of such anxieties, China appears to be not just preparing its retaliatory packages but also strengthening partnerships with Asian countries to put up a united front. China has reached out to India, Japan, and South Korea and is using the chaos of tariffs to boost bilateral relationships as well. Chinas outreach to India Ahead of Trumps tariffs announcement, China has said that it is willing to buy more Indian goods as trade with the United States is set to be expensive. Trump has already imposed 20 per cent tariffs on China in two tranches on top of steep targeted tariffs that were imposed by the previous Joe Biden administration. The reciprocal tariff regime is expected to bring fresh tariffs on top of existing ones. We are willing to work with the Indian side to strengthen practical cooperation in trade and other areas, and to import more Indian products that are well-suited to the Chinese market, said Xu Feihong, the Chinese ambassador to India, according to Global Times. ALSO READ: Wall Street doubles risk of recession ahead of Trumps reciprocal tariffs Chinese leader Xi Jinping also reached out to India on Tuesday. In a message marking the 75th anniversary of the two nations establishing diplomatic relations, he said that peaceful coexistence, mutual trust, mutual benefit, and common development to get along with each other and jointly promote a multipolar world and greater democracy in international relations, according to Xinhua news agency. The outreach also comes at a time when India and China are trying to mend the bilateral relationship that Chinese aggression at the de facto border of Line of Actual Control (LAC) destabilised. In 2020, China mounted multiple incursions along the LAC and clashed with Indian soldiers, which included fatal skirmishes in eastern Ladakh in which at least 20 Indian soldiers were killed. The clashes plunged the bilateral relationship to its worst since 1962 when the two countries fought a war and triggered a military stand-off that is yet to be completely resolved. Advertisement China finding common cause with Japan, South Korea Besides India, China has also reached out to Japan and South Korea. The way China has reached out to Asian countries is yet another example of how Trumps policies are helping increasing its global profile and ramping up influence across the world. Almost every step that Trump has taken so far, ranging from the shutdown of foreign aid programmes or withdrawal from Europe and elsewhere, has created a power vacuum that China is stepping in fast to fill. For the first time in five years, China, South Korea, and Japan held a meeting on economy on Sunday. Chinese state media reported that the three countries agreed to jointly manage the impact of Trumps tariffs. However, South Korea and Japan set to downplay such accounts of their meeting. South Korea told Reuters that such an account of the meeting seems to have been interpreted somewhat broadly. However, Chinese state media reported that Japan and South Korea have agreed to import semiconductor raw material from China and China has expressed interest in purchasing finished semiconductors from Japan and South Korea. Advertisement Named Strait Thunder-2025A, the drills are located in the middle and southern parts of the strait, the military said, which is a vital artery for global shipping read more Boats sail next to Pingtan island, the closest point between China and Taiwan's main island, in Fujian province on April 2, 2025. AFP Chinas military said it practised hitting key ports and energy sites during live-fire drills Wednesday as part of exercises aimed at Taiwan, the democratic island it claims as its own. The surprise manoeuvres were criticised by Washington as intimidation tactics and come after Taiwan President Lai Ching-te called China a foreign hostile force. Named Strait Thunder-2025A, the drills are located in the middle and southern parts of the strait, the military said, which is a vital artery for global shipping. Advertisement The military said it held long-range live-fire drills and practised hitting simulated targets of key ports and energy facilities during the exercises. Wednesdays exercises aim to test the troops capabilities in areas such as blockade and control, and precision strikes on key targets, said Senior Colonel Shi Yi, spokesman of the Chinese militarys Eastern Theater Command. Taipei has condemned Chinas drills. The island of 23 million people is a potential flashpoint between China and the United States, which is Taiwans most important security partner. The US State Department said Beijings aggressive military activities and rhetoric towards Taiwan only serve to exacerbate tensions and put the regions security and the worlds prosperity at risk. Chinese leaders vigorously oppose Washingtons support for Taiwan and detest Lai, who they call a separatist. Drills in the strait come a day after China sent its army, navy, air and rocket forces to surround Taiwan for exercises Beijing said were aimed at practising for precision strikes and a blockade of the island. That prompted Taipei to dispatch its own air and maritime forces as part of a Rapid Response Exercise. Taiwans defence ministry said Tuesday China had deployed 21 warships around the island, including the Shandong aircraft carrier group, along with 71 aircraft and four coast guard vessels. That was the highest number of warships detected during a single day in nearly a year, and the most aircraft since October 2024. Advertisement Chinas Eastern Theater Command kept up its propaganda on Wednesday, posting a Paralysing Strikes poster on its Weibo account, showing Chinese forces surrounding Taiwan and firing missiles at the island. Meng Xiangqing, a professor at the PLA National Defence University, warned Taiwan was vulnerable to supply disruptions due to its lack of energy and other resources. In the end, it will be the regular people of the island who suffer, Meng said in a video carried by state broadcaster CCTV. Robust deterrence Beijing has increased the deployment of fighter jets and naval vessels around Taiwan in recent years to press its claim of sovereignty, which Taipei rejects. Tensions have escalated since Lai took office in May 2024 and adopted tougher rhetoric than his predecessor Tsai Ing-wen in defending the islands sovereignty. While Taiwan sees itself as a sovereign country, only 11 mostly Pacific and Caribbean countries and the Vatican recognise its claim to statehood. Last month, Lai called China a foreign hostile force and proposed 17 measures to combat growing Chinese espionage and infiltration. Advertisement US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth vowed robust, ready and credible deterrence in the strait during a visit to the region last week. Taipei analyst Wen-Ti Sung said China was using stress test after stress test to gauge the strength of US President Donald Trumps support for Taiwan and other allies in the region. China is creating occasion after occasion for the Trump administration to publicly show how its support is weaker or more conditional than in years past, Sung told AFP. The United States is legally bound to provide arms to Taiwan, but Washington has long maintained strategic ambiguity when it comes to whether it would deploy its military to defend the island from a Chinese attack. There have been concerns over Trumps willingness to protect Taiwan, especially after he upended US support for Ukraine. China has carried out several large-scale exercises around the island in recent years, often described as rehearsals for a blockade and seizure of the territory. Advertisement Analysts have speculated that China was more likely to attempt a blockade of Taiwan than launch an all-out invasion, which was riskier and would require a huge military deployment. Communist China claims Taiwan has been part of its territory since ancient times, but it has never governed the island. The island was partly or totally ruled at various times by the Dutch, Spanish, Chinas Qing dynasty and Japan, and has been inhabited by indigenous tribes for thousands of years. Dane County Judge Susan Crawford has won a crucial seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, securing a 4-3 liberal majority. The victory maintains the courts liberal-leaning majority ahead of key cases on abortion, voting rights, and congressional districts read more The Associated Press declared that Dane County Judge Susan Crawford won a pivotal seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court based on the large leads she built in the states population centers and Democratic strongholds. That outweighed Waukesha County Judge Brad Schimels leads in more Republican areas across the state. Crawfords victory allows liberal-leaning justices on the court to maintain their current 4-3 majority. The AP only declares a winner once it can determine that a trailing candidate cant close the gap and overtake the vote leader. It declared Crawford the winner at 10:16 p.m. EDT Tuesday, with roughly two-thirds of the estimated total vote counted. Advertisement The APs analysis of the race determined that the remaining votes to be counted throughout the state particularly in the city of Milwaukee greatly favored Crawford and closed off any path for Schimel to take the lead. Although seats on the court are officially nonpartisan, Crawford had the backing of the state and national Democratic establishment. Schimel was the favorite of Republicans, winning an endorsement from President Donald Trump and getting sizable financial backing from top Trump adviser Elon Musk. Liberal-leaning justices gained a 4-3 majority on the Wisconsin Supreme Court in 2023 for the first time in 15 years. But the retirement announcement of a liberal justice last April gave conservatives an opportunity to retake the majority ahead of high-profile cases on abortion, unions, congressional district boundaries and voting rights. The election is the first major indication of Wisconsins political climate since Trump carried the state and recaptured the White House in November. The race has gained national attention, with spending approaching $100 million, much of it from Musk and his affiliated political action committees. In the 2023 Supreme Court race, Democrat-backed Janet Protasiewicz defeated Republican-backed former Justice Dan Kelly by an 11-point margin, 55% to 44%. The following year, Trump edged Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris by a margin of 0.86 percentage points, the closest outcome of any state in the presidential election. WHY AP CALLED THE RACE: Advertisement At the time the race was called, Crawford was outperforming President Joe Bidens 2020 victory over Trump throughout the state, most notably in the most populous counties of Milwaukee and Dane, which is home to Madison. Schimel, on the other hand, was underperforming Trump in almost every county in the state, including in the so-called WOW counties outside of Milwaukee that successful Republican-backed candidates typically rely on to help offset Democratic advantages in urban areas. Schimel lead Crawford in the counties of Washington, Ozaukee and his home base of Waukesha but fell short of the benchmarks set by Trump in his presidential campaigns. Crawford had received more that three-quarters of the vote in the states most Democratic-friendly areas, far greater than Schimels lead over Crawford in the states most Republican areas. Schimel was comfortably ahead of Crawford in Brown County, home to Green Bay, one of the states population centers that tends to favor Republicans. Protasiewicz carried the county over the conservative candidate in the 2023 Supreme Court race. Advertisement Frances foreign minister warned on Wednesday that if world powers were unable to quickly reach a new agreement with Iran over its contested nuclear programme then a military confrontation seemed almost inevitable read more Frances foreign minister warned on Wednesday that if world powers were unable to quickly reach a new agreement with Iran over its contested nuclear programme then a military confrontation seemed almost inevitable. Speaking after President Emmanuel Macron convened a rare and undisclosed meeting of key ministers and experts on Wednesday to discuss the Iran dossier, Jean-Noel Barrot appeared to ramp up the pressure on Tehran. European powers are seeking to create a diplomatic path with a view to getting an agreement to curb Irans uranium enrichment activity by the summer and ahead of an October 2025 deadline, when UN sanctions related to a 2015 accord on Irans nuclear programme with world powers expire. Advertisement Western powers say the nuclear programme amounts to a disguised effort to develop an atomic bomb. Iran has long denied seeking nuclear weapons. The window of opportunity is narrow. We only have a few months until the expiration of this (2015) accord. In case of failure, a military confrontation would seem to be almost inevitable, Barrot told a parliamentary hearing. The earlier cabinet meeting, confirmed by three diplomatic sources, is rare and highlights mounting concern among Washingtons European allies that the United States and Israel could launch airstrikes on Irans nuclear facilities unless there is a quick negotiated deal on its nuclear programme. The US has reinforced military capabilities in the Middle East with more warplanes, the Pentagon said on Tuesday, amid a US bombing campaign against the Houthis who control much of Yemen and are supported by Iran. A senior European official said European strategists were asking themselves whether the campaign could be a precursor to a US strike on Iran in the coming months. Trump, who has urged Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to engage immediately in negotiations, threatened Iran on Sunday with bombing and secondary tariffs if it did not come to an agreement over its nuclear programme. The foreign minister of Irans direct adversary Israel will be in Paris on Thursday. Diplomatic sources said ministers from France, Britain and Germany, all party to the 2015 deal, were hoping to discuss the Iran dossier with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio when they convene in Brussels for a NATO ministerial meeting this week. Advertisement Trump withdrew the U.S. from the 2015 deal that placed strict limits on Tehrans nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. Since then, Iran has far surpassed that deals limits on uranium enrichment, producing stocks at a high level of fissile purity, well above what Western powers say is justifiable for a civilian energy programme and close to that required for nuclear warheads. The European powers have sought to raise pressure on Iran to coax it back into nuclear discussions. They have held several rounds of talks with Iran including at technical level last week, to try to lay the groundwork. But the Trump administration has focused initially on a campaign of maximum pressure, and the Europeans have found coordination complicated, diplomats say. The European powers, who can invoke a return of full UN sanctions before October, had hoped to convince Iran to begin negotiating new restrictions on its nuclear activities with a view to having a deal by August at the latest. Advertisement That would give enough time to set new limits for Irans programme and begin lifting sanctions before the 2015 accord expires in October 2025. The White House is preparing an estimate of how much it would cost to occupy Denmarks Greenland and how much income could be generated from the islands purported natural resources, according to a report read more The White House is preparing an estimate of how much it would take to occupy Greenland, according to Washington Post. US President Donald Trump has vowed to annex Denmarks Greenland island and has threatened a military invasion for the purpose as well. Greenland is one of the many foreign territories that he wants to annex others being the nation of Canada, the Panama Canal, and the Gaza Strip. The Post has reported that White House is preparing an estimate of how much it would cost to provide government services to Greenlands population of around 55,000 once the United States occupies it. The White House is also estimating how much income can be generated from the islands natural resources. Advertisement Among the reasons cited to annex Greenland are the islands purported natural resources, ranging from unexplored oil and critical and rare earth minerals. The newspaper has reported that the White House is planning to throw more money at islanders than the Danish government to convince them that the US occupation would be better than the Danish rule. Currently, the Danish government subsidises life on the island with around $600 million a year. This is a lot higher than that. The point is, Well pay you more than Denmark does. There is a discussion about what would be the cost-benefit to the United States of America if we were to acquire Greenland. What would it cost us to maintain Greenland as a United States territory? one official familiar with the plans told the newspaper. The official added that the estimate would be based on the premise if the Greenlanders vote and support this. This indicates that the scenario under consideration does not amount for an invasion and forced occupation at least for now. If we acquire it, then what does it cost us to take care of these people as part of our Arctic umbrella? the official further said. The report comes just days after a provocative visit to Greenland by Vice President JD Vance. He had said that the island had to come under US control because the desires of Trump to control the island could not be ignored. He further accused the Danish government of not doing enough to the island. Advertisement Vance sad, Our message to Denmark is very simple. You have not done a good job by the people of Greenland. You have underinvested in the people of Greenland, and you have underinvested in the security architecture of this incredible, beautiful landmass filled with incredible people. We cant just ignore this place. We cant just ignore the presidents desires, but most importantly, we cant ignore what I said earlier, which is the Russian and Chinese encroachment in Greenland. We have to do more. The Pakistan Army crossed the Line of Control (LoC) and opened fire in the KG sector of Jammu and Kashmirs Poonch, violating the existing ceasefire. read more The Pakistan Army crossed the Line of Control (LoC) and opened fire in the KG sector of Jammu and Kashmirs Poonch, violating the ceasefire, Hindustan Times reported, citing army sources. On 01 Apr 25, a mine blast occurred in Krishna Ghati Sector due to Pakistan Army intrusion across LC. This was followed by unprovoked firing and ceasefire violation by Pakistan Army. Own troops responded effectively in a controlled and calibrated manner. Situation is under control and being closely monitored, the official said. Advertisement The Indian Army responded in a controlled and measured manner. Officials assured that the situation is under control and is being closely monitored. The Army official also emphasised the need to uphold the 2021 agreement between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGsMO) to maintain peace along the LoC. An Indian Army official said the Nangi Tekri Battalion, under the Krishna Ghati Brigade, responded strongly to the unprovoked attack. counter terror ops continues across J&K The ceasefire violation happened as security forces were already conducting operations in Panjtirthi, Kathua. They had stepped up efforts after an earlier exchange of fire with terrorists. On the night of March 31, suspicious movement was spotted, leading to a joint operation by the Indian Army, J&K Police, and CRPF. A fresh encounter followed in the early hours of April 1. In response to the encounter, security forces launched a search operation at dawn. Surveillance and ambush teams were set up based on intelligence, and the area remains on high alert. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation, Hindustan Times reported. The Indian Armys Rising Star Corps confirmed the operation, stating that based on intelligence, multiple surveillance and ambush teams were deployed in Panjtirthi, Kathua. Suspicious movement was detected on the night of March 31, leading to an exchange of fire. A search-and-destroy operation began at first light on April 1 and is still ongoing. On Tuesday (April 1), Pakistan media reported that the president was shifted to a Karachi hospital after he offered Eidul Fitr prayers at Nawabshah, a city in the countrys Sindh province. Some reports also hinted that Zardari may be shifted to Dubai for his treatment read more Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday (April 2) tested positive for coronavirus, a day after he was hospitalised in Karachi. A statement issued by the presidency confirmed the same, with the presidents personal physician quoted as saying that multiple tests were conducted to ascertain Zardaris health condition. Dr Asim Hussain, the physician, said, The president is suffering from coronavirus and he has been advised to remain in isolation at this time. He further said that a team of experts was taking care of the president and his condition was improving. Advertisement On Tuesday (April 1), Pakistan media reported that the president was shifted to a Karachi hospital after he offered Eid ul Fitr prayers at Nawabshah, a city in the countrys Sindh province. Is Pak President Zardari being shifted to Dubai? Some reports also hinted that Zardari may be shifted to Dubai for his treatment; however, the presidents Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) dismissed those speculations as mere rumours. PPPs senior leader and a senior minister in Sindh province, Sharjeel Inam Memon, earlier said the presidents health was improving. Taking to X, he wrote, The reports about President Asif Ali Zardari being shifted to Dubai for treatment is inaccurate. He further added that his health was improving and Inshallah (God-willingly), he will be fine very soon. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is also believed to have talked to the president to enquire about his health and wish him a speedy recovery. Meanwhile, Pakistans Dawn reported, citing PPPs sources, that the president was likely to be discharged soon. Zardaris recent health issues At 69 years old, President Zardari has faced multiple health issues in recent years. In July 2022, he tested positive for COVID-19, but had mild symptoms, according to his son Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari. In October 2024, he reportedly fractured his foot while deboarding a plane, requiring a cast after treatment. In March 2023, the PPP leader underwent eye surgery in the United Arab Emirates. According to Israeli media, the minister walked up straight to the flashpoint site, holy to both Jews and Muslims. His visit came shortly after nearly two-week period of Ramadan, during which Jews are prohibited from visiting the Temple Mount read more Israels far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir on Wednesday (April 2) set the cat among the pigeons by visiting the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem, drawing stern criticism from Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Hamas. According to Israeli media, the minister walked up straight to the flashpoint site, holy to both Jews and Muslims. His visit came shortly after nearly two-week period of Ramadan, during which Jews are prohibited from visiting the Temple Mount. Advertisement The Temple Mount is the holiest site in Judaism, as it is considered home to the two biblical Temples. For Muslims, it is called the Noble Sanctuary and houses the Al-Aqsa Mosque, Islams third-holiest site. Contentious developments regarding the Al-Aqsa Mosque from Israeli side often trigger strong emotions and even violent reactions from Palestinian Muslims. Ben Gvir is known for publicising his visits to the religious sites. He has also been pushing for changing the decades-old unwritten status quo which prohibits Jews from worshipping on the Temple Mount. The minister has even disputed PM Benjamin Netanyahus clarification that the status-quo still remains in place. Criticism Ben Gvirs visit to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound drew strong criticism from ultra-Orthodox Member of Knesset (MK) Moshe Gafni (United Torah Judaism), who said the visit amounted to an attack on the sanctity of the holiest place. The visit does not demonstrate sovereignty; on the contrary, it constitutes desecration and causes unnecessary incitement in the Muslim world, he posted on X, appealing to the minister to stop ascending the Temple Mount. Saudi Arabia also condemned the move. In a statement, the foreign ministry said, The Kingdom reiterates its denunciation of the continued blatant Israeli attacks on the sanctity of Al-Aqsa Mosque. Advertisement Jordan too criticised the move, labelling his visit as a dangerous escalation. The Hashemite kingdom described the ascent as a storming and unacceptable provocation that stands to further enflame tensions in the region. Palestinian militant group Hamas took the opportunity to call on Palestinians to escalate their confrontation with Israel in defence of our land and our holy sites, foremost among them the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque. (With inputs from agencies) Le Pen accused the system of delivering the nuclear bomb to crush her chances of becoming president in a speech to her parliamentarians on Tuesday read more President of the parliamentary group of the French far-right Rassemblement National (RN) party, Marine Le Pen leaves the headquarters of the French far-right Rassemblement National (RN) party, after a French court sentenced her to a five-year ban on running for office and a prison term in a trial on charges of embezzlement of European public funds, in Paris. AFP A French appeals court indicated on Tuesday that it would review Marine Le Pens case in a timely manner, potentially allowing the far-right leader to run for president in 2027 if her conviction is overturned. In a court verdict described as a political earthquake by many pundits, Le Pen was sentenced to jail and fined on Monday after being found guilty of a bogus job program in the EU parliament. The most important aspect of the conviction was a five-year prohibition on running for office, which begins immediately and excludes her from the race. Advertisement Le Pen was convicted for a scheme where her National Rally (RN) party was found to have eased the pressure on its own finances by using European Parliament monthly allowances to pay fictitious parliamentary assistants, who actually worked for the party. All 24 convicted individuals were RN party officials or their helpers, including Le Pen. Le Pen, who believes she will win the 2027 election, which President Emmanuel Macron cannot win again, accused the system of delivering the nuclear bomb to crush her chances of becoming president in a speech to her parliamentarians on Tuesday. If they use such a powerful weapon against us, its obviously because were about to win an election, said Le Pen, 56. The Paris Court of Appeal said later Tuesday that it would examine Le Pens case within a timeframe that should allow a decision to be reached in the summer of 2026. This could mean that the new trial would be held by early 2026, and that the decision would therefore be handed down well before the 2027 presidential election, in which Le Pen wants to run for the fourth time. Late on Tuesday Le Pen called the promise of the summer 2026 timeframe very good news which nonetheless highlighted the turmoil created by the ruling in the first place. Advertisement In an interview in Le Parisien newspaper the veteran Eurosceptic said she would refer the matter to the European Court of Human Rights to argue that the verdict creates irreparable harm. Reasonable timeframe In a statement the court said it had received three appeals against the rulings handed down on Monday. The announcement was made after Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin, speaking during a tense parliament session, expressed hope that Le Pens appeal would be heard within the most reasonable timeframe. Le Pens National Rally, which is the largest single party in parliament, can complicate life for Prime Minister Francois Bayrou, who does not have a majority in the lower house National Assembly. Should Le Pen lose her appeal, there is also a plan B, a candidacy by her protege and RN party leader Jordan Bardella, a 29-year-old with a slick television and social media presence. The atmosphere in parliament was particularly tense on Tuesday. Le Pen, who is head of her partys parliamentary faction, attended the session and was seen laughing and chatting. Advertisement I dont want to let it be said here that our democracy is being undermined by the judiciary, said Bayrou. Thats not true. Le Pens conviction sparked angry reactions from far-right figures across Europe but also from the Kremlin, X owner Elon Musk and Trump, while Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed concern. She was banned from running for five years and she is the leading candidate. That sounds like this country, said US President Donald Trump, comparing her conviction to the lawfare he says was waged against him before becoming president. I am counting on you The National Rally said it would organise a rally in Le Pens support in Paris on Sunday. Im counting on you! she said on X. Speaking to Europe 1 radio, Bardella said that Le Pen had been judged with brutality and violence, adding: Everything will be done to prevent us from coming to power. He added that the situation could boost the fortunes of the RN. Advertisement Frances prosecutor general Remy Heitz said the verdict was not a political decision but a legal one. Le Pen took over the former National Front (FN) from her father Jean-Marie Le Pen in 2011 and has since sought to clean up its image. Her father, who died in January, was often accused of making racist and anti-Semitic comments. After three unsuccessful presidential campaigns in 2012, 2017 and 2022, polls had shown Le Pen to be on course to easily top the first round with a chance of winning the presidency in the second round run-off. The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme mandates that all visitors who do not require a visa to enter Britain purchase pre-travel authorisation online for 10 (12 euros), with the cost increasing to 16 on April 9 read more A sign is seen at the arrivals passport control area of Terminal 5, at Heathrow Airport, London, Britain, on March 23, 2023. Reuters File The UK has launched new online entry requirements for European visitors starting Wednesday, introducing a digital Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) permit as part of enhanced security measures. According to a Reuters report, the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme mandates that all visitors who do not require a visa to enter Britain purchase pre-travel authorisation online for 10 (12 euros), with the cost increasing to 16 on April 9. Irish citizens are exempt from this requirement. Advertisement This system was first implemented for non-European nationals last year, including travellers from the United States, Canada, and Australia. Expanding ETA worldwide cements our commitment to enhance security through technology and innovation, Reuters quoted Migration Minister Seema Malhotra as saying last month. Britains Home Office, or interior ministry, said applying for an ETA should be simple through the UK ETA app, with the vast majority of applicants receiving a decision automatically in minutes. Applicants provide a photo and biographic details and answer questions on suitability and criminality. Once an applicant has successfully applied, their ETA is digitally linked to their passport. An ETA allows multiple visits to the UK of up to six months over a two-year period. Airlines, ferry and train companies will be responsible for verifying the ETA status of travellers before they board. Budget airline easyJet said on Tuesday it did not expect the new permit requirement to dent demand for Europe to UK travel. The United Kingdom received 22.5 million visitors from the European Union in 2023, up from 19.0 million in 2022, according to official data. The EUs much delayed post-Brexit border security checks for UK nationals entering the bloc are slated to be introduced in October. Britain left the EU in 2020. The EUs Entry/Exit System (EES) will remove the requirement to manually stamp passports at the EUs external borders and instead create digital records that link a travel document to a persons identity using biometrics. Advertisement EES will be a precursor to an enhanced system, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), which will also require non-Schengen area citizens to pay a fee before they travel. Britons currently pay about 17 pounds for a similar permit to enter the US. With inputs from agencies Elon Musk and President Trump have both publicly stated that Elon will depart from public service as a special government employee when his incredible work at DOGE is complete, said White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, calling the report scoop [that] is garbage read more Elon Musk speaks next to US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on., February 11. He heads the Doge, which is tasked with cutting costs of the US government. Reuters File White House on Wednesday refuted reports suggesting that President Donald Trump has informed his inner circle that Elon Musk will be stepping back from the Trump administration. Calling the report from Politico a scoop [that] is garbage, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, said, Elon Musk and President Trump have both publicly stated that Elon will depart from public service as a special government employee when his incredible work at DOGE is complete. Advertisement Citing three Trump insiders, Politico on Wednesday reported that while President Trump continues to appreciate Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency initiative, both have agreed recently that it is time for Musk to return to his business ventures and assume a more supportive role. Musk is likely to keep an informal advisory role and occasionally appear at the White House, added the report, citing a senior official, while another official warned that anyone expecting him to vanish completely from Trumps circle is fooling themselves. On Tuesday, Musk and Trump suffered a setback as a liberal judge in Wisconsin won election to the state Supreme Court, easily defeating a conservative judge whose campaign had been heavily bankrolled by Musk and groups tied to him. The vote had been seen as an early referendum on Trumps presidency and Musks campaign to remake the U.S. civil service. Shares of some government contracting companies rose following the reports of Musks possible impending return to the private sector. Shares of Musks Tesla, which had been down more than 6% in early trading after a sharper-than-expected fall in first-quarter deliveries, reversed course and were up about 5% on Wednesday afternoon. Musk told Fox News Special Report with Bret Baier last week that he was confident he would finish most of his stated aim of cutting $1 trillion in federal spending by the end of his 130 days. But in a March 10 interview with Fox Business Networks Kudlow, when he was asked by host Larry Kudlow, You going to go another year? Musk replied, Yeah, I think so. Advertisement There has been growing unease across the U.S. over Musks blunt approach to mass layoffs from the government workforce. Nearly 200,000 employees have been fired, earmarked for termination or have accepted buyouts. Republican lawmakers have faced the wrath of angry voters at unruly town halls, while many of DOGEs efforts have become the subject of lawsuits. With inputs from agencies Sonic weapons, controversial and banned under Serbian law, incapacitate targets using powerful sound wave emissions, potentially causing severe nausea, headaches, and ear damage read more Supporters welcome students from across Serbia as they converge in the capital Belgrade for mass protests over the fatal November 2024 Novi Sad railway station roof collapse, in Belgrade, Serbia. Reuters Thousands gathered in central Belgrade on March 15, standing united in protest against the Serbian government. Suddenly, a peculiar and terrifying sound interrupted the peaceful demonstrationa noise witnesses described as akin to some powerful machine hurtling up from behind. Tamara Bojanovski, among the crowd of protesters, remembered clearly how the mass of people swiftly parted, scrambling for sidewalks in panic. Stefan, a student, recounted feeling a rumble quickly followed by a whoosh, an invisible force seemingly speeding towards them. Another student, Dragica, described it vividly as a wave travelling through us. Advertisement People felt faint, and some fell over, explained Bozo Prelevic, a lawyer and former joint interior minister, recounting the alarming incident. Though the unsettling noise lasted mere seconds, its aftermath sparked widespread speculation, igniting headlines, flooding social media, and dominating talk shows. The theory: authorities had illegally deployed a sonic weapon to disperse protesters. Sonic weapons, controversial and banned under Serbian law, incapacitate targets using powerful acoustic emissions, potentially causing severe nausea, headaches, and ear damage. Initially, Serbian authorities flatly denied possessing such equipment. That position shifted dramatically when Interior Minister Ivica Dacic admitted the police had indeed purchased Long-Range Acoustic Devices (LRADs)equipment commonly used for crowd control in the US, Australia, Greece, and Japanfrom the United States in 2021. Despite this admission, Serbias police, intelligence agency (BIA), and military uniformly denied any use of the devices during the protest. President Aleksandar Vucic, now under immense pressure amid ongoing civil unrest, sought external expertise. He announced Russias FSB intelligence agency had dispatched investigators at Serbias request. American FBI investigators, he added, were also expected shortly. However, the US Department of Justice has not commented on these developments. Human rights watchdog, The Omega Foundation, reviewed photos, witness accounts, and audiovisual footage obtained by Reuters. Their findings were inconclusive, yet researcher Neil Corney remarked, We really havent seen an effect like this. It was so distinctive. Earshot, a non-profit specialising in audio investigations, noted the possibility that the noise originated from a vortex ring gunan experimental non-lethal device designed for crowd dispersal through high-energy air vortices. They stressed, however, that more research was needed. Advertisement Genasys, the US company manufacturing LRADs, directly refuted claims regarding their devices use, stating the available audio and video evidence does not support the use of an LRAD. The dramatic incident occurred amid widespread outrage sparked by a deadly accident in Novi Sad, where 15 people died due to a train station roof collapse attributed to corruption and substandard construction. The tragedy has driven hundreds of thousands to protest, ultimately forcing Prime Minister Milos Vucevics resignation and significantly challenging Vucics presidency. Geolocation data indicated the mysterious sonic wave travelled along Belgrades Kralja Milana Street, extending over 500 metres. Zoran Radovanovic, an epidemiologist present during the protest, described the chaotic aftermath vividly: The street emptied like when Moses parted the Red Sea. As investigators from both Russia and the U.S. converge on Belgrade, the mysterious sonic incident remains shrouded in intrigue, its echoes resonating through Serbias turbulent political landscape. With inputs from Reuters There would be two [responses]. There will be the first response to the steel and aluminum tariffs from the US. And there will be a second response that clusters together everything else, said Olof Gill, the European Commissions spokesperson for trade read more US President Donald Trump displays a signed executive order in the Oval Office about tariff increase. The US president has said that reciprocal tariffs will make trade fair for America. File image/AFP The European Commission has said that it will deliver a unified response to US President Donald Trumps announcement of auto and reciprocal tariffs later on Wednesday. There would be two [responses]. There will be the first response to the steel and aluminum tariffs from the US. And there will be a second response that clusters together everything else, Politico quoted Olof Gill, the Commissions spokesperson for trade, as saying The first is going through the internal process And the second, as I mentioned, will be issued after the expected announcements from Washington later today, Gill added. According to a Politico report, while specifics are still unclear, Brussels expects that Trump will announce tariffs as high as 20-25% on all EU exports to the US. This level of protectionism has not been seen since the Great Depression of the 1930s and poses a risk of disrupting global trade, impacting economic output in Americas trading partners, and i ncreasing costs for US consumers, added the report. Advertisement The Commission is in the process of finalising two lists of countermeasures, totaling 26 billion ($28 billion), to respond to Trumps steel and aluminum tariffs, in collaboration with EU member countries and businesses. On Friday, Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic is scheduled to meet with EU ambassadors for lunch to discuss the next steps ahead of a meeting of the blocs trade ministers in Luxembourg on Monday, according to the report, citing two EU diplomats, Last week, Trump announced a 25% tariff on foreign-made cars, which will take effect on Wednesday. Gill did not provide further details on the timing of the EUs response, emphasising that it would be issued at an appropriate time. He also noted that there are currently no plans for Sefcovic to visit Washington to negotiate with the Trump administration, following an unproductive six-hour meeting with US trade officials last week. With inputs from agencies Donald Trump tariffs announcement live updates: Economists and analysts have expressed concerns about the potential repercussions of these tariffs. There is apprehension that levies could hike consumer prices, disruptions in global supply chains, and lead to trade wars read more President Donald Trump speaks during an event to announce new tariffs in the Rose Garden at the White House, April 2, 2025, in Washington. AP Trump's reciprocal tariffs aim to address what the Trump administration views as persistent and unfair trade imbalances, targeting specifically the 'Dirty 15,' a group of nations including China, Canada, Mexico, Japan, Germany, and India, among others. Countries such as Canada and Mexico have already voiced their readiness to counteract, while India, Japan, and China seek diplomatic routes to soften the blow and protect their economic interests. The Economic Reciprocity Law was unanimously approved by the House of Representatives after the Senate passed it on Tuesday. Brazil Congress approved a law on Wednesday allowing the government to respond to trade restrictions. This came after US President Donald Trump announced a 10 per cent tariff on Brazilian exports. Andrew McKellar, CEO of the Australian Chamber of Commerce, said Australia fared better than some of Americas other major trading partners but called the tariffs an unfriendly act. He added that businesses would work with the government to oppose them. The ASX 200 dropped 142 points (1.79 per cent), with tech stocks, banks, and property sectors hit the hardest. Australian markets saw a sharp fell Thursday after US President Donald Trump announced a 10 per cent tariff on the countrys exports. Tokyos Nikkei index dropped over 3 per cent at the open on Thursday after US President Donald Trump announced major global trade tariffs. The Nikkei 225 fell 3.42 per cent (1,222.77 points) to 34,503.10, while the broader Topix index dropped 3.32 per cent (87.93 points) to 2,562.36. Han is leading the country while President Yoon Suk Yeol remains impeached over his December martial law decision. He held the meeting after Trump announced a 25 per cent tariff on South Korean imports. At an emergency meeting, Prime Minister said to officials to work with business groups to assess the impact and negotiate with Washington to minimize damage to South Koreas economy, the trade ministry said. South Koreas acting leader Prime Minister Han Duck-soo urged quick emergency measures to help the auto industry and other businesses hit by Trumps new tariffs, calling it a looming global tariff war, news agency AP reported. 10-Year US Treasury Yield: Fell to 4.11 per cent in the morning but rebounded to 4.18 per cent. South Koreas Kospi: Dropped 1.9 per cent to 2,459.30 after Trump announced a 25 per cent tariff on South Korean imports. Tokyos Nikkei 225: Initially fell 3.4 per cent, later recovering slightly to -2.9 per cent (34,699.52). Markets across the globe remain volatile as investors react to US President Donald Trumps sweeping tariff increases. Hong Kongs stock market opened sharply lower on Thursday after Donald Trump announced major tariffs, including a 34 per cent tax on Chinese imports. The US is a key market for German automakers. It is being speculated by the experts that the tariffs could lead to higher inflation and fewer product choices for American consumers. It urged the EU to respond strongly while remaining open to negotiations. The EU is now called upon to act together and with necessary force, while continuing to signal its willingness to negotiate, the VDA said in a statement. The German Automotive Industry Association (VDA) criticised the new US tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump, warning they will only create losers. A 25 per cent tariff on imported autos starts Thursday. Meanwhile steel and aluminium tariffs will expand to canned beer and aluminium cans from Friday. Products like copper, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, gold, and energy are excluded. Canada and Mexico remain exempt but still face earlier 25 per cent duties. Cuba, Belarus, North Korea, and Russia are excluded as they are already facing high sanctions from the US. The European Union (20 per cent), India (26 per cent), South Korea (25 per cent), and Japan (24 per cent) will see steep increases. A ten per cent tariff will apply globally from April 5, with higher rates for some nations from April 9. China faces the highest at 54 per cent, including an existing levy. US tariffs do not comply with international trade rules and seriously harm the legitimate rights and interests of the relevant parties, the Commerce Ministry in Beijing said in a statement. China said on Thursday that it firmly opposes the new US tariffs on its exports and vowed to take action to protect its interests, news agency AFP reported. Costa Rica 10 per cent, Panama 10 per cent, Honduras 10 per cent, Guatemala 10 per cent, El Salvador 10 per cent, Dominican Republic 10 per cent, Trinidad and Tobago 10 per cent, Haiti 10 per cent, Bahamas 10 per cent, Nicaragua 18 per cent Australia 10 per cent, New Zealand 10 per cent, Fiji 32 per cent South Africa 30 per cent, Botswana 37 per cent, Namibia 21 per cent, Madagascar 47 per cent, Lesotho 50 per cent, Mauritius 40 per cent, Ethiopia 10 per cent Egypt 10 per cent, Tunisia 28 per cent, Algeria 30 per cent, Morocco 10 per cent United Arab Emirates 10 per cent, Qatar 10 per cent, Saudi Arabia 10 per cent, Oman 10 per cent Vietnam 46 per cent, Thailand 36 per cent, Indonesia 32 per cent, Malaysia 24 per cent, Brunei 24 per cent, Philippines 17 per cent, Cambodia 49 per cent, Laos 48 per cent, Myanmar (Burma) 44 per cent India 26 per cent, Pakistan 29 per cent, Bangladesh 37 per cent, Sri Lanka 44 per cent China 34 per cent, Japan 24 per cent, South Korea 25 per cent, Taiwan 32 per cent Ukraine 10 per cent, Serbia 37 per cent, Bosnia and Herzegovina 35 per cent, North Macedonia 33 per cent European Union 20 per cent, Switzerland 31 per cent, United Kingdom 10 per cent, Norway 15 per cent, Iceland 10 per cent Brazil 10 per cent, Argentina 10 per cent, Chile 10 per cent, Colombia 10 per cent, Ecuador 10 per cent, Peru 10 per cent, Venezuela 15 per cent, Bolivia 10 per cent, Uruguay 10 per cent, Guyana 38 per cent Im delighted today that that is the outcome, said Peters. Many of our exporters need to know that theyve got a 15 percent-plus advantage over their competitors in the United States, and well turn this around real fast if they take it positively. New Zealand is among the nations subject to a 10 per cent baseline tariff, which takes effect on Saturday. New Zealands Foreign Minister Winston Peters said the US tariffs on New Zealand exports were a reason for celebration since other countries face even higher rates, RNZ reported. In his speech, Trump introduced a 10% tariff on all imported goods. Additionally, he imposed higher tariffs on 60 countries, including India, which faces a 26% levy under discounted tariffs. US President Donald Trump shocked the world on Wednesday by announcing broad new tariffs. He said these tariffs aim to tackle Americas soaring trade deficit. President Trumps decision to impose tariffs worldwide, including on the EU, is a major setback for the global economy. I deeply regret this move, the European Commission president said on Thursday from Samarkand, Uzbekistan, where she is attending the first EU-Central Asia summit. The EU is planning more measures to protect its interests, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said after Donald Trump announced a 20 per cent tariff on European goods. She urged the US to shift from confrontation to negotiation. Defending his policy, Trump said the US had been exploited for decades by both allies and rivals. He even claimed that trade abuses by friendly nations were sometimes even worse. US President Donald Trump announced major new tariffs, calling it a declaration of economic independence. A 25 per cent tariff now applies to foreign-made cars and light trucks from 12:01 AM (0401 GMT), with auto parts facing tariffs by May 3, according to a Federal Register notice. The Trump import tariffs on imported cars and automobile kicked-in Thursday, raising trade tensions and concerns over rising consumer prices. He said he spoke to US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick before Trumps announcement of a new 10-percent baseline tariff and extra levies on selected countries including close strategic ally Japan. I have conveyed that the unilateral tariff measures taken by the United States are extremely regrettable, and I have again strongly urged (Washington) not to apply them to Japan, Yoji Muto, trade and industry minister, told reporters. Japan slammed US President Donald Trumps new tariffs on Thursday, calling them extremely regrettable and possibly against WTO rules and their trade deal. The meeting, set for 1400 GMT, comes after US President Donald Trump announced a 20 per cent tariff on EU goods on Wednesday. French President Emmanuel Macron will meet on Thursday with representatives of industries affected by US tariffs, his office said. Canada: Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada will fight back with countermeasures to protect workers. Italy: Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni criticizes the tariffs, warning they will weaken the West and urging a negotiated solution. UK: The government remains calm and committed to a US trade deal but warns it will take action if necessary. India: Export organizations say the tariffs will hurt demand but note that China and Vietnam are hit harder, possibly opening market opportunities for India. Japan: Trade Minister Yoji Muto calls the 24 per cent tariffs on Japanese exports extremely regrettable and urges the US to reconsider. Officials warn they may violate trade agreements. Germany: The automotive industry warns the tariffs will harm all sides, urging the EU to respond firmly but wisely. The chemical sector advises caution to avoid escalation. European Union: EU chief Ursula von der Leyen calls the tariffs a major blow to the world economy. The EU is preparing countermeasures but remains open to negotiations. China: Beijing strongly opposes the new tariffs and vows countermeasures. The Commerce Ministry says they violate trade rules and harm global economic growth. US President Donald Trump announced new tariffs on imports worldwide on Wednesday. Taipei had tried to avoid the tariffs by promising more US investments, energy purchases, and higher defense spending. Taiwan called US President Donald Trumps tariffs highly unreasonable and said it would begin serious talks with Washington. Ajay Srivastava, a trade expert, said the tariffs might push India to gain from changes in global supply chains. These tariffs pose challenges, but India is in a better position than its Asian peers, said S.C. Ralhan, head of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations. India faces a 26 per cent tariff, lower than China (34 per cent), Vietnam (46 per cent), Bangladesh (37 per cent), and Thailand (36 per cent). While the tariffs may hurt industries and jobs, experts say India could benefit as businesses shift from higher-taxed countries. Indian exporters and analysts see Trumps new tariffs as both a challenge and an opportunity, AP reported. These volcanic islands, located between Madagascar and Antarctica, are home to elephant seals, penguins, and visiting researchers. Trumps tariff list includes a 10 per cent tax on the Heard and McDonald Islands, despite having no permanent residents. Gold hit a record $3,167.84 per ounce on Thursday before settling at $3,148. The metal, a popular choice during market uncertainty, has risen nearly 19 per cent this year amid concerns over Trumps tariffs. With global stocks falling, investors are turning to gold to protect their money. It is a mixed bag and not a setback for India, Times of India quoted the official as saying, adding that discussions with the US to finalise a first-phase bilateral trade agreement are ongoing, with hopes of conclusion by September or October. In response to the imposition of 26 per cent so-called reciprocal tariffs on India by US, a senior Indian official confirmed that the Ministry of Commerce is currently assessing the impact of the proposed tariff, with the implications under close review. Hong Kongs Hang Seng index was down 1.67 per cent or 388.57 point at 22,813.56 around 3:30 pm HKT (1 pm IST). Heft tariffs on China, threats of countermeasures from Beijing that have spurred fears of a trade war, and overall dampened investor sentiment were likely factors behind the downturn. China had previously vowed countermeasures in response to the tariffs, sparking fears of yet another trade war between two of the largest economies in the world. The trade and economic departments of China and the United States have been maintaining communication, commerce ministry spokesman He Yadong said. Beijing on Thursday (April 3) said that it was maintaining communication with Trump administration over economic and trade issues after he announced sweeping tariffs on the Asian giant. Given the non-seriousness of this entire exercise, it is clear now that the US has pulled all its trading partners into a giant "Chicken's Game". https://t.co/mMaLOD10Om By chickens game, the expert likely meant that US was trying to threaten its trading partners with tariffs to bring them to the negotiation table. From thereon, it would be a game of who gets scared first and offers a favourable deal the US or its trading partner. Professor Shamika Ravi, an expert who is on Prime Minister Narendra Modis Economic Advisory Council, on Thursday critiques President Donald Trumps tariffs, calling the way his administration has fone about deciding tariffs non-serious. Responding to an analysis of how overly-simplified Washingtons calculation for deciding the so-called reciprocal tariffs was, Ravi said, Given the non-seriousness of this entire exercise, it is clear now that the US has pulled all its trading partners into a giant Chickens Game. Dr Sharma also mentioned that Domestic firms and industries must retool their inputs, outputs, and finished products to slash costs and achieve operational efficiency and an uninterrupted supply chain for growth, structural transformation, and resilience. Dr. Manoranjan Sharma, Chief Economist at Infomerics Valuation and Rating, said that Likely bilateral pacts between India and the UK/ EU, and securing trade agreements with ASEAN and Gulf countries will help diversify and expand Indias export markets and provide a level playing field for competitors, who may have already entered FTAs with partner countries. Such pacts will enhance trade and investment by reducing tariff and non-tariff barriers, improving market access, and helping expand opportunities in technology, healthcare, and education. President Trump has imposed a 26 per cent reciprocal tariff on India. It is likely to hit the countrys exports by 3 to 3.5 per cent and GDP growth in FY26 by 40-60 bps. Buyers will turn to other cost-competitive markets, and this will severely impact our industry, said Rakibul Alam Chowdhury, chairman of RDM Group, a major manufacturer with an estimated turnover of $25 million. We will lose buyers. Leaders of the Bangladeshi textile industry expressed on Thursday that US tariffs have dealt a massive blow to the worlds second-largest garment manufacturer, which accounts for approximately 80 percent of the countrys exports. This is important because, under the executive order implementing Trumps reciprocal tariff policy, all US trading partners start at a global 10 per cent tariff from April 5. Four days later, those listed in the annex and only those in the annex would have their rates elevated to those set out in that document. This was the case for India as well. Trumps card had shown 26 per cent, while in the annex document, Indias rate was listed at 27 per cent. A White House annex listing future reciprocal tariff rates differed for at least 14 economies from what was on the charts presented when President Donald Trump announced his Liberation Day tariffs in the Rose Garden. In each case, they were higher by exactly one percentage point, Bloomberg reported. This is an attack on a trade order that has created prosperity all over the globe, a trade order that is essentially the result of American efforts, Scholz told a press conference. Outgoing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Thursday said that the new US tariffs were fundamentally wrong but that Europe was open to further talks to end a worsening trade war. In an official statement, the Ministry said, The ongoing talks are focused on enabling both nations to grow trade, investments and technology transfers. We remain in touch with the Trump Administration on these issues and expect to take them forward in the coming days. Indian Commerce Ministry said it is in talks with the officials of the United States for a mutually beneficial, multi-sectoral bilateral trade agreement, hours after President Donald Trump announced a 26 per cent reciprocal tariff on the country. I know everyone is laughing about the tariffs on the uninhabited island where the penguins are but I wouldnt mess with them guys, did you even watch Madagascar???? Theyll destroy us pic.twitter.com/v3ktrxiRs3 The penguins are going to pay for what they did to our country. Believe me. pic.twitter.com/8142XsMGN8 Trumps imposition of tariffs on these territories has spurred a memefest online. As part of his big Liberation Day announcement, US President Donald Trump has slapped a 10 per cent tariff on a group of barren, uninhabited islands that are an external territory of Australia. While the Heard and McDonald Islands have no human habitation, they are home to marine birds and mammals, including seals and penguins. Tariffs are taxes on imports, collected by US border by Customs and Border Protection when foreign goods cross into the country. The money about $80 billion last year goes to the US Treasury to help pay the federal governments expenses. Congress has the authority to say how the money will be spent, AP reported. However, the legislation has little chance of passing the Republican-controlled House. Still, given that it passed in the Senate, it shows the limits of Republican support for Trumps vision of remaking the US economy by restricting free trade. A Senate resolution, passed 51-48, has rebuked Trumps tariffs and presentes the possibility of ending the presidential emergency declaration on fentanyl that underpins tariffs on Canada. The IT and auto sectors experienced selling pressure due to US slowdown concerns and disruptions in the supply chain. Conversely, pharmaceutical stocks benefited from being exempt from the tariffs. Nonetheless, robust domestic macroeconomic data and lower crude oil prices aided the broader market performance. Although the tariff presents short-term challenges, Indias economic resilience and bilateral trade agreement may help mitigate the overall impact, said Vinod Nair of Geojit Financial. The 30-share BSE Sensex closed at 76,295.36, down 322.08 points or 0.42 per cent. The broader Nifty 50 index ended the day with loss of 82.25 points or 0.35 per cent at 23,250.10 points. The Indian equity market, which had initially shown signs of recovery on Thursday, ended with modest losses after the announcement of the 27 per cent tariff on US imports were announced early this morning. Gold has continued to build on last years rally, with prices rising 19% in 2025 as a combination of factors including economic and geopolitical uncertainties, robust central bank purchases and increased flows into gold-backed exchange-traded funds has supported the metal. Gold prices on Thursday stabilised after surging to yet another all-time high after US President Donald Trumps announcement of sweeping import tariffs drove investors to the safe-haven asset. Spot gold was steady at $3,130.21 at 0834 GMT amid some profit-taking, after hitting a record peak of $3,167.57 earlier in the session. The Spanish government on Thursday said that it would implement a new multi-billion dollar plan to cushion the impact of a fresh wave of US tariffs on the European nation. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said his administration would implement a 14.1 billion euro ($15.66 billion) plan, including 7.4 billion euros in new financing for the Spanish economy. The rest of the aid package will comprise existing instruments, Sanchez confirmed. The logical consequence is: then he needs to feel the pressure, Habeck said in Berlin, adding that Trump only folds when hes under pressure. He referred to the new tariffs a uniform 10 percent levy on all US imports, along with significantly higher rates for numerous countries as the most disruptive tariff increase in 90 years. Germanys outgoing Economy Minister, Robert Habeck, launched a fierce critique on US President Donald Trumps new global tariff regime on Thursday, urging Europe and like-minded partners to establish new trade alliances in response, Politico reported. S&P 500 futures fell by 3.1 per cent, while Dow Jones Industrial Average futures decreased by 2.5 per cent, resulting in a loss of over 1,000 points. Nasdaq 100 futures, which are heavily weighted with technology stocks, saw the largest decline, plummeting by 3.5 per cent. US stock futures experienced a significant drop on Thursday following President Trumps announcement of a 10 per cent tariff on all US trading partners. This decision triggered widespread uncertainty in the market and shook the global trade landscape. And France said Brussels was ready for a trade war and plans to target online services in response. European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen called Trumps announcement a major blow to the world economy but vowed the bloc was prepared to respond. Load More On April 2, 2025, President Donald Trump announced a series of sweeping tariffs aimed at addressing what he described as longstanding trade imbalances. This policy introduced a universal 10 per cent tariff on all imports, with significantly higher rates for specific countries. The tariff on Chinese imports would be 34 per cent, for those from EU 20 per cent, while imports from China would be 26 per cent. These tariffs were set to take effect on April 5 for the baseline 10 per cent rate, and on April 9 for the country-specific rates. The administration justified these measures as reciprocal, aiming to counteract what it perceives as unfair trade practices by these nations. President Trump asserted that the tariffs would bolster domestic manufacturing and address a reported $1.2 trillion trade deficit from the previous year. How countries reacted China: Beijing said it firmly opposes the new tariffs on its exports, and vowed countermeasures to safeguard its own rights and interests. The tariffs do not comply with international trade rules, Chinas Commerce Ministry said. EU: The tariffs are a major blow to the world economy, warned EU chief Ursula von der Leyen. She said Brussels was preparing for further countermeasures but added it was not too late to address concerns through negotiations. India: Indias commerce ministry reacted cautiously, saying it is carefully examining the implications of the various measures. It also said it was studying the opportunities that may arise due to this new development, a likely reference to regional competitors being hit harder. Germany: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz slammed the tariffs as fundamentally wrong as Berlin warned that the European Union could retaliate by targeting American tech titans. What experts fear Economists and business leaders expressed concerns that these tariffs could lead to: Increased consumer prices : Higher import costs may be passed on to consumers, leading to inflationary pressures. Supply chain disruptions: Companies reliant on global supply chains might face increased costs and logistical challenges. Potential for a global recession: Escalating trade tensions and retaliatory measures could dampen global economic growth. How markets reacted The announcement had immediate and significant effects on global financial markets: US markets: Futures tracking the S&P 500 fell 3.33 per cent, Dow futures dropped 2.73 per cent, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis tumbled 3.83 per cent. Asian markets: Major indices in Asia experienced significant declines. Japans Nikkei 225 closed with losses of 2.8 per cent at 34,735.93. Hong Kongs Hang Seng Index was down 1.5 per cent at 22,849.81, and Shanghai Composite index was down 0.2 per cent at 3,342.01. Indias Sensex saw a modest dip of 0.4 per cent to close at 76,295.36 Investors sought refuge in gold, pushing its price to a record high of $3,139.90 per ounce, marking a nearly 20 per cent rise since the start of the year. Following the 2018 tariffs, firms manufacturing goods in China initially expanded into Asian countries such as Vietnam, Indonesia, and India. However, the current uncertainty surrounding trade policy has made planning unpredictable, with the potential to reshape the global industrial landscape read more When President Trump initially imposed tariffs on Chinese imports in 2018, firms that had previously relied on China scrambled to find alternative options. The goal was to boost US manufacturing, reduce the trade imbalance, and penalise China for what Trump described as unfair trade practices. Now in his second term, Trump has increased steel and aluminium import levies to 25%, imposed fresh 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, and introduced a 10% duty on Chinese products. Advertisement On 24 March, he announced a 25% duty on vehicle imports, and with his new reciprocal tariff proposal set to be published on Wednesday, other nations are also expected to be targeted. Following the 2018 tariffs, firms manufacturing goods in China initially expanded into Asian countries such as Vietnam, Indonesia, and India. However, the current uncertainty surrounding trade policy has made planning unpredictable, with the potential to reshape the global industrial landscape. According to Robin Song, a China and Asia supply chain specialist at Kuehne+Nagel, a Swiss logistics company that advises clients on expanding their manufacturing operations, the 2018 trade war affected appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines, as well as mechanical and electrical components. In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, he stated that these companies subsequently began establishing plants in Thailand and other parts of Southeast Asia. He also noted that, since renewable energy was the next target, US tariffs on items such as solar panels prompted Chinese renewable energy businesses to expand their supply chains in Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia. During the interview, Song stated that in the final months of President Bidens administration, US officials imposed tariffs on goods from Southeast Asia, disrupting investment in the region and causing solar panel companies to suspend operations or consider shifting production elsewhere. Song described the consequences of the ongoing trade war as a catch me if you can situation. Some companies are relocating manufacturing to countries that are not on the United States anti-dumping or countervailing duty lists. Advertisement While some businesses are moving operations to Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and the Middle East have also become attractive alternatives. Some companies have even considered Oman and Egypt. Chinas dominance in electric vehicles (EVs) led the United States to impose tariffs on Chinese EVs. According to Song, with Europe levying 10% to 30% tariffs on Chinese EVs, one alternative approach is for Chinese manufacturer BYD to establish a manufacturing plant in Hungary. Song added that other Chinese EV manufacturers have pursued joint ventures or acquisitions, such as Chery acquiring a former Nissan facility in Spain and Geely entering into a joint partnership with French manufacturer Renault. These collaborations utilise existing manufacturing sites and assets to produce EVs under a new cooperative model. However, the trend differs for EV batteries. Countries such as Indonesia and Morocco possess abundant natural resources, while Hungary offers political stability. This has resulted in significant battery investment in new facilities. Although Vietnam has been a popular choice for industries seeking to expand beyond China, Song pointed out that the trade gap between the United States and Vietnam remains over $100 billion. Additionally, as China is Vietnams largest export market, Vietnam has a trade deficit with China, much like the US has with Vietnam. Advertisement Song further noted that the US is aware of the loophole allowing Chinese goods to enter the country. He suggested that Vietnam may only be able to satisfy US demands by developing its own independent supply network. During the interview, Song revealed that some Taiwanese manufacturers are beginning to move production modules from mainland China to Vietnam as an experiment. If complications arise, they can simply halt operations and relocate again. Song also observed, I havent seen many big names investing in Vietnam, but they are pushing their upstream suppliers to invest instead. They say, Ill commit to this sales order to you, then you invest, which means everyone is currently leveraging their supply chain positionwholesalers, distributors, dealersto push suppliers to move to Southeast Asia. As per Russias designation as a national security threat, all those working for Russian interests have to register themselves as Russian agents under the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (Firs) or face up to five years in jail read more President-elect Vladimir Putin arrives for his inauguration ceremony at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, on May 7, 2024. (Photo: Kremlin) For the first time, the United Kingdom has declared Russia has a national security threat'. As per the designation, all those working for Russian interests have to register themselves as Russian agents under the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (Firs) or face up to five years in jail, according to British Security Minister Dan Jarvis. The development comes at a time when Russia has plunged Europe into the worst security crises since the World War II with the invasion of Ukraine and the shadow war on the continent. It has been accused of spying, assassinations, political interference, and sabotage of critical infrastructure across the continent. Advertisement Just last month, six Bulgarian nationals living in the UK were convicted of being Russian spies. They were part of a group that spied on a journalist, a former politician, and a US military base in Germany for Russia between 2020 and 2023. Before Russias designation, only Iran had been designated as such a national security threat. There are calls to add China as well to the list. Since the Salisbury poisoning in 2018, the UK has expelled more than 20 Russian spies, including diplomats found to be spying in th UK. After Russias designation, British Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said that the new powers under Firs allow the government to take much stronger action and make it harder for Russia to conduct hostile acts against the UK. In 2018, Russian operatives tried to kill former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia Skripal in Englands Salisbury with nerve agent Novichok. The episode brought to fore the transnational campaign that Russian leader Vladimir Putin had been waging against his critics and defectors of the regime. Previously, in 2006, a former Russian intelligence operative, Alexander Litvinenko, was similarly targeted. Unlike the Skripals, he did not survive. It has been believed that his killing was ordered by top Russian officials, possibly by Putin himself. Litvinenko is one of the many critics of Putin whose deaths have been attributed to his systemic repression. Among the latest of such deaths is that of Russian Opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who died under suspicious circumstances in a Russian penal colony in February 2024. He had previously survived Novichok poisoning in 2020 that was also attributed to Putins regime. Advertisement While President Trump continues to appreciate Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency initiative, both have agreed recently that it is time for Musk to return to his business ventures and assume a more supportive role, according to a report read more Elon Musk listens to US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., US, on February 11, 2025. Reuters File President Donald Trump has informed his inner circle, including Cabinet members, that Elon Musk will be stepping back from his current roles as governing partner, prominent supporter, and political strategist in the coming weeks. According to a Politico report, citing three Trump insiders who requested anonymity to discuss their changing relationship, while the president continues to appreciate Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency initiative, both have agreed recently that it is time for Musk to return to his business ventures and assume a more supportive role. Advertisement Musks looming retreat follows growing frustration among Trump administration insiders and allies over his unpredictability, with many now viewing him as a political liability. This was highlighted when a conservative judge Musk supported lost a Wisconsin Supreme Court bid by 10 points. This shift contrasts sharply with last month, when White House officials believed Musk would remain influential and help Trump navigate political challenges. According to the Politico report, citing a senior official, Musk is likely to keep an informal advisory role and occasionally appear at the White House, while another warned that anyone expecting him to vanish completely from Trumps circle is fooling themselves. The transition coincides with the expiry of Musks special government employee status, which exempts him from some ethics rules and is set to end in late May or early June. Supporters believe its the right time for Musk to step back, arguing he has limited room to cut further without risking vital services, reported Politico. However, many view him as unpredictable and difficult to manage, often causing chaos with off-message comments on X, his social media platform, and sharing uncoordinated plans to overhaul federal agencies, added the report. Advertisement The political stakes were underscored Tuesday when Democrats targeted Musks $20 million investment in a Wisconsin race, framing it as a referendum on him. Trump began facilitating Musks exit over a week before the election, including a March 24 Cabinet meeting where he announced Musks transition. Afterward, he invited reporters to witness his praise for Musk, who attended wearing a red MAGA hat, while Cabinet secretaries who had previously clashed with Musk applauded his aggressive cuts. Elon, I want to thank you I know youve been through a lot, Trump was quoted as saying, mentioning death threats and the spate vandalism directed at the cars built by Tesla before calling him a patriot and a friend of mine. Both men subsequently hinted publicly at a transition. When Fox News Bret Baier asked Musk whether hed be ready to leave when his special government employee status expires, he essentially declared mission accomplished. I think we will have accomplished most of the work required to reduce the deficit by $1 trillion within that time frame, Musk was quoted as saying. On Monday night, Trump told reporters that at some point Elons going to want to go back to his company, adding, He wants to. Id keep him as long as I could keep him. Advertisement As the President said, this White House would love to keep Elon around for as long as possible, Politico quoted White House spokesperson Harrison Fields as saying on Tuesday as election results from Wisconsin rolled in. Elon has been instrumental in executing the Presidents agenda, and will continue this good work until the President says otherwise, Fields added. Many close to Trump are relieved that Musk is expected to step back from his central role, hoping the series of unpredictable DOGE surpriseslike demanding federal workers report their output and unintentional cuts to Ebola prevention programmeswill soon end. Their concerns also extend to Musk as a political liability, having become a rallying point for divided Democrats. With inputs from agencies On Friday, Congress was notified that almost all of USAIDs own employees are being fired by September, all of its overseas offices shut, and some functions absorbed into the State Department read more The USAID building sits closed to employees after a memo was issued advising agency personnel to work remotely, in Washington, D.C., US. Reuters Elon Musks cost-cutting team is finalizing the dismantlement of the U.S. Agency for International Development, ordering the firing of thousands of local workers and American diplomats and civil servants assigned to the agency overseas, two former top USAID officials and a source with knowledge of the situation said on Tuesday. On Friday, Congress was notified that almost all of USAIDs own employees are being fired by September, all of its overseas offices shut, and some functions absorbed into the State Department. Advertisement The latest move by Musks Department of Government Efficiency effectively will eliminate what is left of the agencys workforce. This is definitely the final closing out, said one of the former senior USAID officials. President Donald Trump and Musk, his hand-picked adviser to oversee government cost-cutting, in February began the process of shuttering USAID and merging its operations into the State Department to ensure they conformed with Trumps America First policies. The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The former officials and source familiar with the situation, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that USAIDs human resources office told regional bureaus in a conference call that layoff notices were going to all of the more than 10,000 locally hired foreign nationals, effective in August. The first former official said the call took place on Monday, adding that the local staff terminations could run afoul of labor laws in the countries where the fired workers are employed. Notices also will be sent to U.S. diplomats and civil servants assigned to work abroad for what has been the leading U.S. foreign aid provider for more than 60 years, the former officials and the source said. Trump has claimed without evidence that the agency was rife with fraud and run by radical left lunatics, while Musk falsely accused it of being a criminal organization. Advertisement Thousands of USAIDs own staff were placed on administrative leave - they received layoff notices on Friday - hundreds of contractors fired and more than 5,000 programs terminated, disrupting global humanitarian aid efforts on which millions depend. According to the non-partisan Congressional Research Service, USAID maintains missions in more than 60 countries, with most of its funds going to humanitarian aid and health programs. Top recipients included war-torn Ukraine and Democratic Republic of Congo, U.S. ally Jordan, and the Israeli-occupied West Bank and the combat-shattered Gaza Strip. A summary of the conference call circulated by one regional bureau and reviewed by Reuters confirmed the terminations of all locally hired foreign nationals and American diplomats and civil servants on assignment with USAID abroad. It said more than 600 U.S. diplomats are on secondment to USAID overseas, but provided no figure for the number of U.S. civil service members. Most are to be terminated in July, when the intent is to close all programmatic work. Advertisement Every position eliminated; 100 percent of the agency is rifd (Reduction in Force) or will be, the summary said, and advised personnel that no one would be retained and to focus on things to make sure youre getting the right benefits. Finlands decision to withdraw from the Ottawa Treaty signals a decisive shift in European security policy as growing concerns over Russian aggression prompt Nordic and Baltic nations to prioritise military preparedness over past disarmament commitment read more In a significant policy shift, Finland has announced its intention to withdraw from the 1997 Ottawa Convention, a global treaty banning anti-personnel landmines. This decision aligns with growing security concerns among Nordic and Baltic states, driven by Russias aggressive military posture. According to Reuters, the Finnish government, led by Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, stated that withdrawing from the treaty would enable the country to stockpile landmines as a defensive measure against potential threats from its eastern neighbour. Advertisement The Ottawa Treaty, formally known as the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty, prohibits the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of anti-personnel landmines. It has been ratified by over 160 countries, with notable exceptions such as the United States, Russia and China. The treaty aims to eliminate the humanitarian consequences of landmines, which have caused tens of thousands of civilian casualties globally. Finland originally joined the treaty in 2012 after prolonged internal debate. The country dismantled its stockpiles of anti-personnel mines by 2016 aligning with the treatys objectives. Longest Nato border with Russia Among Nato countries, Finland shares the longest border with Russia, spanning approximately 1,340 km (830 miles). This extensive border has historically shaped Finlands defence strategies and recent developments have only intensified the need for robust deterrence. Finland formally joined Nato in 2023 moving away from decades of military nonalignment following Russias invasion of Ukraine. The decision to leave the Ottawa Treaty is part of a broader shift in Finnish security policy reflecting a pragmatic approach to the evolving security situation around it. Historically, however Finland maintained a robust national defence posture due to its experiences in the Winter War (1939-1940) and the Continuation War (1941-1944) against the Soviet Union. During these conflicts, Finland relied heavily on landmines as a deterrent against a numerically superior adversary. Finlands strategic use of terrain, guerrilla tactics and fortifications allowed it to resist Soviet advances effectively. This historical experience has instilled a strong national defence ethos, reflected in Finlands constitutional requirement for citizens to defend the nation. Military service remains mandatory for Finnish men, ensuring a well-trained and disciplined reserve force. The war in Ukraine has demonstrated the effectiveness of mine warfare in delaying and disrupting enemy advances. Advertisement Ukrainian forces have successfully used anti-personnel and anti-vehicle mines to slow down Russian offensives reinforcing the argument that landmines remain a crucial tool in modern conflict scenarios. Landmines have long been criticised for their indiscriminate nature posing risks to civilians long after conflicts end. Finland, however, has stated that any potential use of landmines will comply with international humanitarian law and will prioritise defensive, controlled deployment. Increased defence spending and military readiness Finland is not merely withdrawing from the treaty. It is also significantly increasing its defence investments. The government has committed to raising defence spending to at least 3 per cent of GDP by 2029, surpassing Natos target of 2 per cent, the Reuters reported. This move shows Finlands determination to enhance its military capabilities and readiness. The additional 3 billion euros allocated for defence will likely be channelled into modernising equipment, bolstering border security and reinforcing Finlands deterrence measures. Parallel to these strategic moves, Finland has emerged as a hub for defence technology innovation. With 368 defence tech companies operating in the country, Finland has become a leader in military and dual-use technology. Advertisement Firms such as Varjo are developing advanced mixed-reality headsets that enhance military training, allowing Nato forces to conduct simulations more efficiently, a BBC report said. Other Finnish startups, such as Iceye and Re-orbit, specialise in microsatellite imaging and satellite software, further strengthening Finlands surveillance and intelligence capabilities. The decision to leave the Ottawa Treaty and the surge in defence spending are part of a larger shift in global security dynamics. Historically, investments in military technology were viewed with scepticism by some investors due to ethical concerns. However, Russias invasion of Ukraine has fundamentally altered perceptions. European nations are now prioritising defence investments with private sector involvement increasing significantly. Finnish defence tech firms have seen a surge in funding, particularly from investors who previously avoided military-related industries. A broader trend in Eastern Europe Finlands decision is not an isolated one. Several countries in Eastern Europe, particularly Poland and the Baltic statesEstonia, Latvia and Lithuaniahave also declared their intent to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention. These nations cite Russias military aggression in Ukraine as a primary factor influencing their defence policies. Advertisement The shifting security scenario is not limited to landmine policies. Norway, another key Nordic country, is taking steps to restore its Cold War-era military bunkers. These underground facilities, originally designed to withstand potential Soviet invasions, are now being reactivated as a precautionary measure. Given Norways geographical proximity to Russia and its strategic importance within Nato, these developments highlight the broader European efforts to fortify defences against potential Russian aggression, a port by BBCs Mark Piesing said. On Monday, Poland and the United States inked an agreement worth nearly $2 billion for the delivery of logistical support for the Patriot air defence system, Polands defence minister said. According to Reuters, Poland is ramping up its defence capabilities, positioning itself as a key player on Natos eastern flank in the face of an assertive Russia and also of a US administration under Donald Trump that has sharply criticised Europe over security matters. A necessary shift Finlands withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention marks a significant turning point in European security policy. While human rights organisations may argue that landmines pose long-term risks to civilians, Finnish leaders emphasise the need for practical defence measures in the face of Russian aggression. Advertisement With Poland, the Baltic states and Norway also taking steps to enhance their military readiness, it is clear that Europe is entering a new era of defence policyone where deterrence and preparedness take precedence over past disarmament commitments. The US said that the warplanes would boost the Philippine Air Forces maritime surveillance capabilities and improve its ability to neutralise enemy air defences read more F-16 fighting aircraft are seen in the air in an undisclosed location in Ukraine. Image used for representative purpose/Reuters The United States on Tuesday (April 1) approved a potential $5.58bn sale of F-16 fighter jets to the Philippines. The US State Department confirmed it had authorised the sale, which includes 20 F-16 jets and associated military equipment. The deal is designed to strengthen the Philippines, a key Washington ally, amid escalating regional tensions with China. The US said that the warplanes would boost the Philippine Air Forces maritime surveillance capabilities and improve its ability to neutralise enemy air defences. Advertisement The announcement comes after months of intensifying confrontations between the Manila and Beijing over disputed territories in the South China Sea, which China claims almost entirely despite an international tribunal ruling that has stated otherwise. How Beijing, Manila reacted Philippine defence spokesperson Arsenio Andolong, however, suggested that Manila had not yet received official notification of the US decision. Under President Ferdinand Marcos, the Philippines has increasingly challenged Chinese maritime claims. In December, Manila further angered Beijing by announcing plans to procure the US Typhon missile system, sparking warnings from China about a possible regional arms race. Beijing reacted critically, cautioning the Philippines against actions that might threaten regional peace or exacerbate regional tensions. The Philippines defense and security cooperation with other countries should not target any third party or harm the interests of a third party. Nor should it threaten regional peace and security or exacerbate regional tensions, foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said. The Taiwan angle The statement comes as US President Donald Trump seeks to shift Washingtons military focus toward countering Chinas influence in Asia, particularly amid heightened fears of conflict over Taiwan. On Tuesday, Philippine military chief General Romeo Brawner acknowledged that his country would be inevitably drawn into any conflict involving Taiwan, underscoring the urgency of preparedness. China also promptly warned Philippines against involvement in Taiwan-related issues, emphasising that those who play with fire will only get burned. With inputs from AFP The election was widely seen as an early referendum on Trumps presidency, and the campaign easily became the most expensive judicial contest in U.S. history with more than $90 million spent by the candidates, the state parties and outside groups, according to New York Universitys Brennan Center read more Democrat-backed Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate Judge Susan Crawford speaks after voters elected her to the state Supreme Court, at her election night headquarters in Madison, Wisconsin, U.S. Reuters Wisconsin voters elected Susan Crawford to the state Supreme Court on Tuesday, maintaining the courts 4-3 liberal majority in a setback for President Donald Trump and his billionaire ally Elon Musk, who had backed her conservative rival. The election was widely seen as an early referendum on Trumps presidency, and the campaign easily became the most expensive judicial contest in U.S. history with more than $90 million spent by the candidates, the state parties and outside groups, according to New York Universitys Brennan Center. Advertisement Crawford, a county judge, defeated conservative Brad Schimel, a former Republican state attorney general and also a county judge, who conceded in a phone call to Crawford and in a speech before his supporters. Crawford held a 9-point lead with a margin of some 191,000 votes and 88% of the vote counted. With the balance of the court at stake, Musk and political groups tied to him spent more than $21 million to support Schimel. Crawford framed the race as a contest between her and the out-of-state billionaire. Ive got to tell you, as a little girl growing up in Chippewa Falls, I never could have imagined that Id be taking on the richest man in the world for justice and Wisconsin. And we won! Crawford told supporters in a celebration in Madison, the state capital. Trump chose not to comment on the Supreme Court election in a social media post, instead celebrating the victory of a separate Wisconsin ballot measure requiring greater levels of identification for voters. National Democrats claimed victory, calling the Wisconsin result one step toward their goal of reclaiming the House of Representatives in 2026. Tonight, the people of Wisconsin squarely rejected the influence of Elon Musk, Donald Trump, and billionaire special interests, Ken Martin, chair of the Democratic National Committee, said in a statement. Wisconsin voters appeared to be aware the election had ramifications beyond the state borders. Advertisement Supporting everyday people is more important than people who were supporting Elon Musk or the multi-billionaires, said Crawford voter West Roberts, 26, speaking in Madison before polls closed on Tuesday evening. In Genesee, retiree Gary Christenson pledged his vote for Schimel. If a liberal gets in there, theyre going to continue to try to destroy Trumps efforts to downsize the government, he said. Florida Republicans win In another test of Trumps popularity, two Florida Republicans won their special elections to fill U.S. House vacancies created by Trumps cabinet picks. The victories give Republicans a House majority of 220-213. Republicans had been expected to easily hold both seats, so the parties were watching to see how close the Democrats might come. In one district that includes Daytona Beach, Republican state Senator Randy Fine defeated Democrat Josh Weil, a public school educator. Fine was up around 14 points, after Michael Waltz, now Trumps National Security Advisor, won the seat by 33 points in November. Advertisement In the other race around Pensacola, Republican state Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis defeated Democrat Gay Valimont, a gun violence prevention activist. Patronis was up nearly 15 points, after Valimont had lost the seat to Matt Gaetz, once Trumps nominee for Attorney General, by 32 points in November. Battleground state Wisconsins top court is likely to issue critical rulings on voting rights and election rules ahead of the 2026 midterms and the 2028 presidential race, when the state is expected to remain a central battleground. Trump won Wisconsin in November by less than a percentage point - the closest margin of any state. The court is also poised to decide whether abortion rights should remain legal statewide and could revisit a Republican-backed law that stripped most public employee unions of collective bargaining rights. Musk, whose so-called Department of Government Efficiency is overseeing Trumps unprecedented cost-cutting campaign at the federal government, became a central figure in the race. He held a rally on Sunday night where his main super PAC, or political action committee, handed out $1 million checks to two voters. Advertisement The Tesla CEO, who spent more than $250 million to help Trump win election in November, also promised to pay volunteers $20 for every voter they recruited before the election. On Tuesday he offered $100 to voters to upload a photo of anyone holding a picture of Schimel while gesturing thumbs up. Musk had said the future of Western civilization is at stake, because the court may potentially rule on redistricting, or redrawing political maps. Redistricting could tip the balance between Republicans and Democrats in the closely divided U.S. House of Representatives, affecting Trumps ability to govern. Crawfords campaign had gotten a boost from billionaire Democratic megadonors, including philanthropist George Soros and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker. Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font has commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his significant role in global diplomacy, calling him a key player in geopolitics. read more 'You can talk to Putin, Trump & Zelenskyy': Chile's Gabriel Boric hails PM Modi as 'a key geopolitical player'. Image: PTI Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a key player in geopolitics for his ability to engage with world leaders, including US President Donald Trump and Ukraines Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He is on a state visit to India. Boric spoke at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where he praised PM Modi for his engagement with world leaders. President Modi, you have the status to talk to every global leaderwhether its Trump, Zelenskyy, the European Union, or Latin American leaders. No other leader has this reach today, making you a key figure in global geopolitics, Boric said. Advertisement #WATCH | Delhi | Speaking on India's geopolitical stance, Chile President Gabriel Boric Font says, "... India is committed to peace in the world. PM Modi has a weird status nowadays that he can talk to every leader of the world, Mr Putin, Mr Trump, Mr Zelenskyy and the European pic.twitter.com/5rm8YhgKxF ANI (@ANI) April 2, 2025 While speaking at the event about PM Modi, he referred to the Prime Ministers meeting with Putin in Moscow last July and his meeting with Zelenskyy the following month during his historic visit to Ukraine. Boric praised Indias democratic values, highlighting its commitment to global peace. He emphasised Indias successful democratic institutions, noting that as the worlds largest democracy, it upholds the separation of powers, freedom of expression, and efforts to combat poverty and inequality. He also said Chile wants to strengthen its relationship with India. Chile is a country that is connected to the world. We do not depend on any one country, but we have relationships with China, the United States, the European Union, and nations across Latin America and the Asia-Pacific, including Japan, Indonesia, and Australia. Now, we want to deepen our relationship with India, and we have taken some important steps today," he said. Advertisement The Ukrainian leader told a press conference with Germanys foreign minister that he was waiting for more concrete responses from Kyivs partners on their willingness to join such a force, an idea that Russia vehemently opposes read more Ukraine will conduct in-depth negotiations with a limited number of foreign nations on Friday about providing forces to a contingent that would serve as Ukraines security guarantee, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Tuesday. The Ukrainian leader told a press conference with Germanys foreign minister that he was waiting for more concrete responses from Kyivs partners on their willingness to join such a force, an idea that Russia vehemently opposes. As far as the matter of a contingent goes, we will have a meeting on Friday. It will be a meeting of our military teams, several countries, a narrow circle of countries that will be ready to deploy a contingent in one form or another, he said. Advertisement Zelenskyy stated that the contingent would include a land component, an aviation component, and a presence at sea. U.S. President Donald Trump has stated that he wants to end the three-year conflict in Ukraine, which began with Russias full-scale invasion in 2022. Last week, Washington mediated an agreement between the two countries to suspend strikes on one others energy infrastructure. The United States has hoped for a complete cease-fire, followed by a long-term peace solution. However, despite Trumps vows to resolve the war quickly, a solution looks to be a long shot. Kyivs European partners have shown a willingness to deploy troops to a force that would give security assurances to Ukraine during a truce and enhance Ukraines military in the long run. This will be the first in-depth meeting, (before that) there were consultations. I think we will see some clarifications and some details, Zelenskyy said of Fridays meeting. He added that it was not only the contingent under discussion. It is very important how the future of the Ukrainian army will look like, he said. A spokesperson for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Monday that British, French and Ukrainian military leaders would meet in the coming days to build on real momentum in efforts to boost Ukraines security. Advertisement The Ukrainian leader also used the news conference to urge the United States to ramp up sanctions on Russia for what he said were violations of the ceasefire on energy infrastructure. He said that the United States had told the Ukrainians privately that it had seen Russian violations of the agreement, which emerged from talks held in Saudi Arabia last week. Russia has itself accused the Ukrainians of continuing to strike energy infrastructure, something Kyiv denies. Trump rapidly reoriented American policy on the war since taking office in January, resuming direct dialogue with Russia, while at times piling pressure on Ukraine, for instance by temporarily cutting arms supplies and intelligence sharing. This week, the United States proposed a dramatically expanded minerals deal with Ukraine, a summary of which seen by Reuters suggested that Washington was demanding all Ukraines natural resources income for years. Zelenskyy, who wants the White House as a close partner and has been cautious in his public pronouncements on the deal, told reporters on Tuesday that Ukrainian and American teams were working on a draft. Advertisement But Ukraine, he said, would have to nominate a legal company to work on the draft, a decision that would be made in the coming days. Sony is gearing up to release the Xperia 1 VII, the successor to the Xperia 1 VI. Leaked 5K CAD renders and a 360-degree video, shared by XpertPick and tipster OnLeaks, offer a glimpse of the upcoming flagship. The Xperia 1 VII measures 161.9 x 74.5 x 8.5mm, slightly wider and thicker than the Xperia 1 VI (162 x 74 x 8.2mm), with the rear camera bump increasing the thickness to 11mm, according to reports. The 6.5-inch display size remains unchanged, featuring thick bezels at the top and bottom. The upper bezel houses a selfie camera, the report noted. Design-wise, the renders reveal a black finish. The right edge includes a power button with an integrated fingerprint sensor, a volume rocker, and a dedicated camera shutter button, consistent with its predecessor. The left edge stays clean, with no buttons. The bottom edge has a hybrid SIM slot supporting microSD, a microphone, and a USB-C port. On the top edge, a 3.5mm audio jacka rarity among recent flagshipssits alongside a microphone. Dual front-firing speakers enhance the audio experience, added the report. The rear retains a vertical camera module with three lenses, including a periscope zoom lens. Additional cutouts suggest possible laser autofocus, microphones, or an LED flash. Specifications (Rumored) Reports indicate the Xperia 1 VII will feature: 6.5 OLED 120Hz display with a 19.5:9 aspect ratio, 4K resolution Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform 12GB / 16GB RAM and 256GB / 512GB storage 5000mAh or more with 30W fast charging A rear camera setup with a 48MP main lens (OIS-assisted), a 12MP ultra-wide lens, and a 12MP periscope telephoto lens (70-200mm focal length) A 12MP front camera Android 15 preinstalled Launch and Pricing (Expected) Sony is expected to unveil the Xperia 1 VII globally in May, with a rumored starting price of USD 1,399 (Rs. 1,19,60 approx.). Source Qualcomm just announced the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4, the companys latest top-end SoC and the successor to last years 8s Gen 3, as expected. Unlike the 8 Elite that uses custom Oryon cores, this still uses the same architecture as the 8 Gen 3 and the 8s Gen 3 and TSMCs 4nm process tech, but with different combination. This promises 31% better CPU performance, 49% faster GPU performance and 44% improvements in AI performance compared to the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3. Energy efficiency increased by 39% compared to the predecessor, said the company. This uses new sliced GPU architecture and the full suite of Snapdragon Elite Gaming features offering Hardware-Accelerated Ray Tracing with Global Illumination, Qualcomm Adaptive Performance Engine and Snapdragon Game Super Resolution 2.0. It still has 18-bit Triple AI ISP and gets 4K Limitless Segmentation, recognizing and enhancing over 250 objects in real-time. Night Vision 2.0 captures detailed videos in low light in 4K at 30 FPS. NPU supports on-device multimodal and multilingual generative AI, and a variety of leading LLMs and LVMs. Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 (SM8735) specifications 1 x Kryo Prime CPU (Arm Cortex-X4 based) at up to 3.2GHz, 3 x Kryo Performance CPUs (Arm Cortex-A720 based) at up to 3.01GHz, 2 x Kryo Performance CPUs (Arm Cortex-A720 based) at up to 2.80GHz, 2x Kryo Performance CPUs (Arm Cortex-A720 based) at up to 2.02GHz, ARMv9 architecture 4nm TSMC Process Technology Built-in Qualcomm Snapdragon 5G modem-RF system 5G speeds of up to 4.2Gpbs down, Sub-6 GHz, standalone (SA) and non-standalone (NSA) modes, FDD, TDD, Sub-6 GHz: 44 MIMO, 230 MHz, 256 QAM, Qualcomm 5G AI Suite, Qualcomm AI-Enhanced Signal Boost, Qualcomm 5G PowerSave Gen 3, Qualcomm Smart Transmit 5.0 technology, Qualcomm Wideband Envelope Tracking, Qualcomm 5G Ultra-Low Latency Suite, Global 5G multi-SIM, including 5G+ 5G/4G SA Dual-SIM, Dual-Active (DSDA) Qualcomm Adreno 825 GPU, Real-time Hardware-Accelerated Ray Tracing with Global Illumination, Snapdragon Adaptive Game Configuration, Qualcomm Adaptive Performance Engine, Snapdragon Game Super Resolution 2.0, Adreno Frame Motion Engine 2.0, Snapdragon Game Post Processing Accelerator, HDR gaming (10-bit color depth, Rec. 2020 color gamut), Snapdragon Shadow Denoiser, API support: OpenGL ES 3.2, OpenCL 2.0 FP, Vulkan 1.3 Hardware-accelerated H.265, VP9, AV1 decoder, HDR Playback Codec support for HDR10+, HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision Qualcomm Aqstic audio codec, Qualcomm Aqstic smart speaker amplifier Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise (THD+N) Playback: -108 dB, Qualcomm Audio and Voice Communication Suite, Spatial audio with head tracking Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise (THD+N) Playback: -108 dB, Qualcomm Audio and Voice Communication Suite, Spatial audio with head tracking Up to 36 MP triple camera, Up to 108 MP single camera with ZSL, Up to 320MP single camera, Qualcomm Spectra Image Sensor Processor (AI ISP, 18-bit triple-ISP) AI-based face detection, AI for 3A (auto-focus, autoexposure, and auto-white balance), Rec. 2020 color gamut photo and video capture, Up to 10-bit, color depth photo and video capture Video capture HDR formats: HDR10+, HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision 8K HDR video playback @ 60 FPS 4K HDR video capture @ 60 FPS Slow-mo video capture at 1080p @ 480 FPS Hardware Bokeh Engine 2 for video capture Pro Sight video capture Ultra-low light video capture with AI Noise Reduction in 4K30 FPS, Computational HDR video capture: Up to 4 exposures (with QDOL image sensors) QDOL image sensors) On-Device Display Support: WQHD+ @ 144 Hz , Maximum External Display Support: up to 4K @ 60 Hz, Variable Refresh Rate support for 240 Hz to 1 Hz, 10-bit color depth, Rec. 2020 color gamut, HDR10, HDR10+, HDR vivid, and Dolby Vision Qualcomm Hexagon NPU, Fused AI accelerator architecture, Hexagon scalar, vector, and tensor accelerators, Hexagon Direct Link, Support for precisions (INT4, INT8) Support for LP-DDR5x memory up to 4800 MHz, Memory Density: Up to 24 GB Wi-Fi 7 Peak speed: 5.8 Gbps, Wi-Fi 6E 802.11be, 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) Multi-gigabit, Integrated 802.11ac 22 (2-stream) MU-MIMO, 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz and 6GHz, Bluetooth Core Specification 6.0, LE Audio, Dual Bluetooth antenna, Bluetooth Channel Sounding Bluetooth Audio: Snapdragon Sound Technology Suite, Qualcomm aptX Voice, aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive, and LE Audio Concurrent GPS, Glonass, BeiDou, Galileo, QZSS, NavIC Triple frequency GNSS (L1/L2C/L5), Sensor-Assisted Positioning 6.0, With global map aiding, Urban pedestrian navigation with sidewalk accuracy, Global freeway lane-level vehicle navigation USB Version 3.1 Gen 2; USB Type-C Support, UFS 4.0 Qualcomm Quick Charge 5 technology Availability Qualcomm has announced that many leading OEM manufacturers and brands such as REDMI, iQOO, Xiaomi, OPPO and Meizu will be the first to adopt the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 SoC, and the first batch of devices are expected to be available in the next few months. iQOO has confirmed that iQOO Z10 Turbo Pro will be one of the first to be powered by the chip and will arrive later this April in China. Samsung has launched the Galaxy Tab S10 FE and Galaxy Tab S10 FE+, expanding its Galaxy tablet lineup, after rumors. The company describes these devices as having a premium tablet design, offering accessible entry points into the Galaxy ecosystem. The Galaxy Tab S10 FE features a 10.9-inch display, while the Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ has a 13.1-inch screenabout 12% larger than the previous FE+ model. Both screens support a 90Hz refresh rate and reach up to 800 nits of brightness for sharp visuals. Other display features include Vision Booster, which adjusts brightness for outdoor viewing, and reduced blue-light emission to lessen eye strain. Powered by the Exynos 1580 processor, these tablets handle multitasking and gaming smoothly, allowing easy app switching. They include a 13MP rear camera and a 12MP ultra-wide front camera for clear photos. The Galaxy Tab S10 FE is over 4% lighter than its predecessor, enhancing portability with its slim design. Both models feature an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance. Storage options are 8GB RAM with 128GB or 12GB RAM with 256GB, expandable up to 2TB via MicroSD. The Galaxy Tab S10 FE has an 8,000 mAh battery, while the FE+ offers a 10,090 mAh batteryboth support 45W charging. Smart Features and AI Tools Running on Android 15, the series introduces AI-driven tools to boost productivity: Circle to Search with Google enables on-screen searches without app switching, offering text translation and homework help. Samsung Notes includes Math Solver for quick calculations from handwriting or text and Handwriting Assist to tidy notes. An AI Hot Key on the Book Cover Keyboard or Slim version launches customizable AI assistants with one tap. Object Eraser removes unwanted photo elements with automatic suggestions, while Best Face combines the best expressions in group shots. Auto Trim compiles highlight reels from multiple videos. Creative apps like LumaFusion, Goodnotes, Clip Studio Paint, Noteshelf 3, Sketchbook, and Picsart support artistic work. The tablets integrate with other Galaxy devices, offering features like the Home Insight widget and 3D Map View to provide updates on SmartThings-connected home devices. Security is provided by Samsung Knox, a multi-layer platform with end-to-end hardware protection and real-time threat detection. Quick specifications: Galaxy Tab S10 FE and FE+ (2025) Pricing and Availability The Galaxy Tab S10 FE and FE+ will be available in several markets starting April 10 through Samsung.com, national retailers, and carriers. Pre-reserving on Samsung.com in the US offers a $50 credit toward qualifying purchases. Both tablets come in Gray, Silver, and Blue. US Pricing Galaxy Tab S10 FE: Starts at USD 499.99 (Rs. 42,700 approx.); 5G version at USD 599.99 (Rs. 51,240 approx.) (Gray only). Galaxy Tab S10 FE+: Starts at USD 649.99 (Rs. 55,510 approx.). Buyers before May 11, 2025, can get up to 50% off a Book Cover Keyboard Slim. EU Pricing Galaxy Tab S10 FE Wi-Fi: From 579 (Rs. 53,540 approx.). Galaxy Tab S10 FE 5G: From 679 (Rs. 62,785 approx.). Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ Wi-Fi: From 749 (Rs. 69,260 approx.). Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ 5G: From 849 (Rs. 78,505 approx.). UK Pricing Galaxy Tab S10 FE: From 499 (Rs. 55,200 approx.). Galaxy Tab S10 FE+: From 649 (Rs. 71,790 approx.). Speaking about the launch, Changtae Kim, EVP & Head of New Computing R&D Team, Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics, said: Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun expresses condolences, pledges full cooperation after fatal accident involving SU7 Global Times) 14:05, April 02, 2025 A Xiaomi SU7 car is on display during Chengdu Motor Show 2024 in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 30, 2024. The Chengdu Motor Show 2024 kicked off here on Friday. Nearly 130 Chinese and foreign car companies made appearance during the motor show, with more than 1,600 vehicles on display. (Xinhua/Tang Wenhao) Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun on Tuesday night expressed his deepest condolences after a fatal accident involving a Xiaomi SU7 electric vehicle (EV), saying that the accident is still under investigation and pledging that the company will continue to cooperate with the police investigation. "I'm deeply saddened by the accident on the night of March 29th. The lives of three young girls were lost a heartbreaking loss for their families, friends, and for all of us. On behalf of Xiaomi, I extend my deepest condolences and sincere sympathies to the families," Lei said in a post on his social media account on Tuesday night. Lei said that the company immediately set up a special task force, arrived at the scene on Sunday, and submitted all available vehicle data to the police on Monday. He noted that as the investigation is ongoing, Xiaomi has not had access to the vehicle, and many questions cannot be answered at this stage. Lei further noted that it was no longer the time to remain silent. "I must step forward and make this clear on behalf of Xiaomi: no matter what happens, we will not shy away," he said, adding that the company will continue to fully cooperate with the police, follow up on the investigation, and do its utmost to address the concerns of the families and the public. In responding to Lei's post on Sina Weibo, a Weibo user verified as the mother of one of the killed in the accident said that "[I] hope you will do what you say." Also on Tuesday night, Xiaomi Automobile Co. posted a statement on its Sina Weibo account, responding to six questions regarding the accident. Regarding a question online about why Xiaomi did not contact the family after the accident, the statement said that the company "immediately" contacted the owner after the accident and learned that the car was not driven by its owner at the time of the accident. It has also tried to meet the families on Tuesday afternoon under the guidance of police, but was still waiting for information about the meeting as of the release of the post on Tuesday night. The company also refuted rumors that the car involved in the accident was transported back to Beijing. Regarding other questions, such as why the car caught on fire after the accident, the company mostly referred to the ongoing investigation. On Tuesday, the company revealed details of a reported fatal highway accident involving one of its electric vehicles on March 29 that reportedly killed three people, according to a report from thepaper.cn. The accident received widespread attention on Chinese social media platform Weibo on Tuesday. Many users expressed concern over the EV's safety protocols and called for a thorough investigation. Local traffic authority in Tongling, East China's Anhui Province has started an investigation to examine the cause of the accident, according to local news portal news.chengdu.cn. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing) Two proposed North Fork Valley drilling projects totaling a couple of hundred wells and dating back about a decade are up for further environmental review. The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public comment on enhanced air quality analysis on projects that combined could involve the drilling of 226 wells about 15 miles northeast of Paonia. SG Interests Bull Mountain master development plan would entail drilling up to 146 wells involving federally owned minerals, and 55 wells targeting privately owned minerals, from dozens of pads north of Paonia Reservoir and mostly west of Colorado Highway 133. A separate plan involving both SG Interest and Gunnison Energy involves drilling up to 25 wells from five pads west of the Bull Mountain project. The Bureau of Land Management, which administers federally owned minerals, and U.S. Forest approved the 25-well project in 2015. In 2017 the BLM approved the Bull Mountain project, which doesnt involve any national forest lands. However, a federal judge in 2019, while upholding aspects of the agencies analysis of the impacts of the projects, found that they failed to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act. Thats because they didnt take a hard look at the foreseeable indirect effects resulting from end users burning the oil and gas produced by the two projects, when it comes to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change, he ruled. The agencies were directed to do further analysis. The judge was ruling in a case brought by Paonia-based Citizens for a Healthy Community. While that group also has been involved over the years in seeking to limit the extent of new federal oil and gas leasing in the North Fork Valley, the Bull Mountain and 25-well projects involve existing leases. A few wells already were drilled on the two projects before the judges ruling. The BLM did the supplemental review after the judges ruling, but last February the BLM Colorado state office, acting on a request to review the matter, directed that additional analysis be done based on other environmental analysis the BLM has done and recent court opinions and cases. In 2023, the BLM also issued a supplemental environmental assessment and approved another North Fork Valley drilling project west of Highway 133 after doing additional analysis of greenhouse gas emissions and climate change impacts. Gunnison Energy hopes to drill 35 wells in that project. Drilling on approved projects also is contingent on approval of applications to drill individual wells. The BLM now projects that if all three projects are fully built out, average annual carbon dioxide equivalent emissions from the combined 206 federal wells involved during the life of the projects could be up to 4% of total annual Colorado federal oil and gas greenhouse gas emissions. The BLM noted in a news release that the 2017 environmental impact statement for the Bull project estimated more than 600 jobs and $115 million in economic impacts over the life of the project. The BLM is accepting public comments on the draft supplemental environmental assessment for the Bull Mountain and 25-well projects through April 14. BLM is completing this updated analysis to ensure we consider impacts from developing oil and gas resources, allowing resources to be developed in an environmentally responsible manner, BLM Southwest District Manager Stephanie McCormick said in the release. Comments may be submitted at https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2036199/510 or by emailing to blm_co_si_crvfo_webmail@blm.gov and including BMUMDP-5Pad SEA comment in the subject line. Maps and further information are available at the above website. For further information people also can contact BLM planning and environmental specialist Jacob Casey at 970-876-9000 or jcasey@blm.gov. Sat Saturday 95 /64 More sun than clouds. Highs in the mid 90s and lows in the mid 60s. The market report for the Glasgow Stockyards on March 27 show 341 cattle sold. There was a light run of cows and bulls. Utility and commercial cows brought in $125 to $150; canner and cutter cows $95 to $125; and bulls $155 to $180. Gibbs Red Angus B... A $1.2 Billion Piece Of Montanas Economy Is Likely To Face Tougher Markets As Tariffs Erode Favorable Trade Terms In Canada and China Editors Note: This story was originally published in the March 21, 2025, issue of the Montana Free Press, https://montanafreepress.org/2025/03/21/montana-farmers-troubled-by-tariffs/. Montana farmers are worried about being whipsawed in a trade war... Editor's Note - Since the publication of this article, the court date has been changed to May 6, 9 a.m., at the Valley County Courthouse. Former Valley County Sheriff Deputy Luke Strommen reached a plea agreement with the State of Montana in February... Feb. 18 During the regular Glasgow City Council meeting on Feb. 18, Patrick Gilchrist was in attendance to talk to the council about a new food bank location. He mentioned the current food bank is located behind the county shops and its on a small l... The Glasgow City Council will meet in regular session, Monday, April 7, 5 p.m., in the Council Chambers, located inside of the Glasgow Civic Center. Click on the image above to view the full agenda. The public is welcome to attend. The Glasgow School Board will hold their regular meeting on Wednesday, April 9, 6 p.m., in the Gary F. Martin Board Room, located at 229 7th Street N., Glasgow. Click on the image above to view the full agenda. The public is welcome to attend. April 1, 2025 By C. Todd Lopez, DOD News Nominee for Chairman: Military's Top Job is Creating Peace Through Strength The U.S. military must fight America's wars when needed. Still, the military's top priority is to prevent those wars by signaling to adversaries its readiness to fight and win in any scenario, said President Donald J. Trump's nominee for chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. "Our adversaries are advancing, global nuclear threats are on the rise and deterrence is paramount," said retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Dan Caine, speaking today before the Senate Armed Services Committee. "Our national defense requires urgent action and reform across the board. We must go faster. We must move with a sense of urgency. We can never forget that our No. 1 job is to create peace through overwhelming strength and, if need be, fight and win our nation's wars." If confirmed, Caine, will return to military service and be promoted to general, taking on the role of the highest-ranking officer in the U.S. military. As chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Caine will serve as the chief advisor to the president on military matters. Pentagon reform, acquisition and modernization were all top priorities for lawmakers during Caine's hearing. As the Trump administration calls for reforms across the government, inside the Pentagon Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has been busy implementing those reforms. Caine, who has a broad background in government and the private sector said he's on board with those changes, particularly in how the department can get after acquisitions so tools most needed by warfighters are delivered quickly to the battlefield. "For me, we have to stop admiring the problem, and we have to start executing," Caine said. "We have to take an ownership and an entrepreneurial mindset to all of these reforms that are in front of us. And we can't do this alone. We have to do it with you here in the Congress in order to actually make these changes." Caine comes from private sector work involving finance. Civilian leaders who have recently onboarded into the department share similar business backgrounds. Working with them to streamline the Pentagon, he said, is something he looks forward to. "I'm encouraged by the leaders who are coming into the department who have deep, substantive business backgrounds that are not known as people who admire problems," he said. "If confirmed, I look forward to working with the various leaders in order to actually move the ball, and, of course, working with the Congress to execute these things without continuing to admire these challenges in front of us." Speeding up acquisition so that the promise of new technology doesn't fade before it's finally delivered to the warfighter, sometimes years later, is also a priority. "Technology is evolving so quickly that every time we field capabilities, they're obsolete, oftentimes when they hit the force," Caine said. "And that's not acceptable." The department, he said, must have greater agility in developing requirements to take advantage of the latest technologies. "If confirmed, I'll work with the joint staff, the joint chiefs and, of course, [the Office of the Secretary of Defense] to pick up the speed, pace and tempo of fielding the capabilities that we need that are not obsolete," Caine said. New technology is in startup companies and small businesses, not just in existing prime defense contractors, Caine said. So, the department will need a mix of input from both. But when it comes to small businesses, it's long been a challenge to get on board with the government, and the department must work to ease that burden so the best technologies from the smallest and newest companies can end up in the hands of warfighters. "The ability to bring advanced technologies from new companies, the startups, into the joint force and make it easier for them to bring their products and services into the military is something that I'm passionate about, given my background and experience," Caine said. "If confirmed, I think that'll be an area where I spend some time." Maintaining America's strategic deterrent, the nuclear triad, is a top priority, Caine said, and he'll work with U.S. Strategic Command to make that happen. Additionally, continued partnerships with American allies remain important, including with NATO in Europe. "Allies and partners are a critical component to our ability to protect and defend our values and virtues around the world. NATO is a key component to that," he said. "For me in particular, I value our allies and partners, and if confirmed, that'll be a significant portion of the job that I have ahead of me." Caine has served in the Air Force and Air National Guard as an F-16 Fighting Falcon multirole fighter aircraft pilot, as an advisor at the Central Intelligence Agency, with the interagency at the White House, and as an entrepreneur and investor in the private sector. Taking on the role as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff will bring new challenges, with the top concern, he said, making sure the joint force is always ready to fight and win. "[My] No. 1 concern is the passage of time and ensuring that the joint force is ready, properly armed, with the right capabilities out at the tactical edge, properly globally integrated with the services themselves, with the other elements of the interagency, with our allies and partners, and with the private sector, and ready to go tonight," Caine said. "And that means their families are ready, they're ready, [and] they're properly trained and equipped. So, we have much to do." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address April 1, 2025 By Army Maj. Wes Shinego, DOD News 'Forge Warriors, Rebuild Strength, Restore Deterrence,' Hegseth Tells Midshipmen During Academy Visit The Brigade of Midshipmen greeted Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth with thunderous applause upon his arrival to King Hall at the U.S. Naval Academy this afternoon to kick off the defense secretary's first visit to the academy since his confirmation in January. Hegseth shook hands with the future officers, before stepping to the podium at the dining hall's center to deliver remarks. "I'm honored to stand before you," Hegseth began. "About 30 minutes ago, I was sitting in the Oval Office with the Commander in Chief, Donald [J.] Trump. I have never witnessed a leader more focused ... on directly advancing America first in every single decision he makes, including how he leads the military and how he deploys troops." Hegseth extended the president's greetings to the brigade. "The president sends his best" he said. "He and I want you to know that our job is to make sure that the military you are entering is prepared to deter the wars we don't need to fight and then close with, destroy and defeat the enemies we must." After lunch, Hegseth joined the brigade at Alumni Hall, where he articulated President Trump and the Defense Department's priorities to over 4,000 of the school's students and faculty, by reflecting on his recent trip to the Indo-Pacific and likening the veterans of the World War II Pacific campaign to the young people before him. "I looked at those 95-year-old men [at Iwo Jima] and thought of them as 18-year-olds," he said, recalling his recent visit to mark the battle's 80th anniversary. "Would my 14-year-old son, four years from now, muster the courage to charge a beach like that? When I look at you, I know our country still produces such men and women." Hegseth first called for a renewed warrior ethos. "I don't care if you're a mechanic, a lawyer, or a Marine [infantryman] you are a warrior on behalf of this nation, held to standards and accountable," Hegseth said. Past distractions, he argued, had diluted military focus. "Our differences don't make us strong. Our shared mission does." "We're not chasing electric tanks in the desert," he added. "We're focused on readiness and excellence." The defense secretary then pivoted to the department's second priority: rebuilding the military. He leveraged his own experiences as a young platoon leader deployed to Iraq to explain his vision for a mission-focus, agile and adaptable armed forces, guided by accountable leadership. "The only thing I cared about ... was to know that my command and my commander had my back," Hegseth said. "That if I had to make a difficult decision with little sleep, limited information ... my chain of command would have my back." He brought reassurance from the top. "Your Commander in Chief, President Donald [J.] Trump, has your back," Hegseth affirmed. "He is going to make sure ... you're given all the resources necessary to do your job." "It's my job ... to ensure you have everything you need," he added. "Your formations have everything you need." Rebuilding the military forms his second pillar. "Projecting power requires investment," Hegseth said, pointing to President Trump's unveiling of the F-47 sixth-generation fighter jet. "Our kids and grandkids will thank President Trump for that decision." "That power projection platform will help maintain ... air dominance ... for the fights in the future that you will undertake," he told the midshipmen. Investments now, he argued, secure victories tomorrow. "We are matching threats to capabilities," Hegseth emphasized. "My only job is to make decisions that I believe will put the best tools in the hands of warfighting." The secretary explained that Trump's directive was blunt. "He said to me, 'I need you to restore the warfighting piece of the military. It's gotten distracted by a lot of other things,'" Hegseth recounted. "Bring it back to basics." "Your hands are united in that fight, in bringing lethality and violence on the enemy," he promised. "Decisions are pushed down to the lowest level possible ... by warfighters who understand the nature of the threat." "That's all I ever really wanted or needed," Hegseth said, recalling his days in the field. "That's my pledge to you." To communicate the department's third pillar reestablishing deterrence in a world where increasingly bold adversaries have violated international norms without consequence Hegseth pointed to recent failures, including Afghanistan, Israel and Ukraine. "When deterrence fails, other people take opportunity inside that space," Hegseth said. "In the years previous, we've had situations that have created the perception ... of American weakness." "Re-establishing deterrence is about declaring what you stand for ... and then you're willing to enforce it," he told the brigade. "You are the faces of American deterrence." The defense secretary also spotlighted the southern border. "We've spent a couple of decades policing other people's borders ... while we had tens of millions of people ... enter our country illegally," Hegseth said. "Illegal crossings ... are down 94% since Inauguration Day." "That's a function of the United States military," he added. "Northcom ... hopped to ... on that southern border to begin sealing it the first day we took over." In the Indo-Pacific, he named the challenge. "The People's Liberation Army has global ambitions ... opposite of American freedom," Hegseth warned. "We're shifting resources to create dilemmas for Xi Jinping." Allies must share the load, he insisted. "An alliance without military capable capabilities is just a conference table with flags," he said, recalling a NATO ministerial. "We can shift toward the biggest threats ... an ascendant ... Communist Chinese." "You are the reason why we're able to execute ... a strategy that brings about peace," he told the midshipmen. "Some of your classmates ... are somewhere in the Middle of the Red Sea executing American deterrence. And that's what deterrence looks like." "We're in the business of lethality, of deterrence and lethality," Hegseth continued. "To outmatch and destroy the enemy." To close out his visit, Hegseth met with Superintendent Navy Vice Admiral Yvette M. Davids and Commandant Capt. Walter Allman III in Larson Hall, where each shared the institution's mission. "We're building young people into officers of character ready to command at sea," Davids said. From small boats to summer cruises, the academy instills maritime mastery and leadership to deter threats and prevail in conflict. Captain Allman reinforced this commitment. "We're giving them real-world experience whether it's a three-week block with the Marines at Quantico or supporting cyber operations at [the National Security Agency]," he said. Such training ensures graduates embody the merit and discipline Hegseth demands. Allman went on to describe the academy's rigorous programs that align with that vision summer assignments to submarines, ships and special warfare units. "It's about matching merit to mission," he said. Hegseth approved, noting the academy's focus on physical fitness, grooming standards and accountability. "For too long, we got distracted by things that didn't make us lethal," Hegseth said. "Here, you're learning the basics. That's how you build readiness." He invoked a policing theory to drive the point home. "If anything goes, nothing's locked tight when you need to be ready," he urged, calling midshipmen to uphold standards as future officers. Hegseth's visit cemented the academy's role in advancing the Department's priorities. "You are the reason we can execute American deterrence," he told midshipmen. "President Trump and I have your back, and we'll never apologize for putting America first." The academy stands poised to meet global challenges, from China's rise to cyber threats and border security. And Davids captured that spirit. "These midshipmen have a different energy optimistic, accountable, ready to serve," she said. "We're confident they'll make us the best." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address DRI Relays Inc. to Pay $15.7M to Settle False Claims Act Allegations Involving the Sale of Non-Military Grade Parts to Department of Defense Tuesday, April 1, 2025 For Immediate Release Office of Public Affairs DRI Relays Inc. (DRI), a subsidiary of TE Connectivity Corporation (TEC), has agreed to pay $15.7 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by supplying military parts that did not meet military specifications, the Justice Department announced today. TEC acquired DRI in October 2020. DRI manufactures electrical relays and sockets for numerous military platforms and has manufacturing locations in Long Island, New York, and Bangalore, India. In January 2011, TEC disclosed to the Department of Defense that DRI had not conducted certain required tests on MIL-PRF-83536 relays and MIL-DTL-12883 sockets, and cooperated with the government's investigation. The United States subsequently alleged that between 2015 and 2021, under various Department of Defense (DoD) contracts and subcontracts, DRI invoiced for military grade electrical relays and sockets when it knew those parts had not met the testing requirements to be deemed military grade. "It is essential to the safety and operational readiness of our military that contractors comply with applicable military specifications," said Acting Assistant Attorney General Yaakov M. Roth of the Justice Department's Civil Division. "We will continue to hold accountable those who knowingly supply equipment to the U.S. military that fails to meet their contract obligations." "Maintaining the integrity of the U.S. Department of Defense supply chain is a top priority for the DoD Office of Inspector General's Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS)," said Special Agent in Charge Patrick J. Hegarty of the DCIS Northeast Field Office. "The DoD expects its suppliers to adhere to contract specifications and perform required testing on products sold to the U.S. military. We are committed to working with our law enforcement partners to investigate allegations of contractors failing to meet testing protocols and disclose product deficiencies." "This settlement demonstrates the resolve of the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division (Army CID) and our law enforcement partners to ensure the integrity of the equipment and materiel procured or used by the United States Army," said Special Agent in Charge Keith K. Kelly of the Department of the Army CID Fraud Field Office. "Failures to adhere to established standards when providing military parts can place our Soldiers at significant risk and adversely impact the Army's warfighting capabilities." This matter was handled by Senior Trial Counsel Art J. Coulter of the Civil Division's Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section. DCIS, Army CID, and the Defense Contract Audit Agency assisted in this investigation. The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability. Topic: False Claims Act Component: Civil Division Press Release Number: 25-330 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Philippines - F-16 Aircraft Media/Public Contact: pm-cpa@state.gov Transmittal No: 25-11 WASHINGTON, April 1, 2025 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of the Philippines of F-16 Aircraft for an estimated cost of $5.58 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today. The Government of the Philippines has requested to buy sixteen (16) F-16 C Block 70/72 aircraft; four (4) F-16 D Block 70/72 aircraft; twenty-four (24) F110-GE-129D or F100-PW-229 Engines (20 installed, 4 spares); twenty-two (22) Improved Programmable Display Generators (iPDG) (20 installed, 2 spares); twenty-two (22) AN/APG-83 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Scalable Agile Beam Radars (SABR) (20 installed, 2 spares); twenty-two (22) Modular Mission Computers 7000AH (or available mission computer) (20 installed, 2 spares); twenty-two (22) Embedded Global Positioning System (GPS) Inertial Navigation Systems (INS) (EGI) with Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM) or M-Code capability and Precise Positioning Service (PPS) (20 installed, 2 spares); eighty-eight (88) LAU-129 guided missile launchers; twenty-two (22) M61A1 anti-aircraft guns (20 installed, 2 spares); twelve (12) AN/AAQ-33 Sniper Advanced Targeting Pods (ATP); twenty-four (24) Multifunctional Information Distribution System-Joint Tactical Radio Systems (MIDS-JTRS); one hundred twelve (112) Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs) Air Intercept Missile (AIM)-120C-8 or equivalent missiles; four (4) AMRAAM guidance sections; thirty-six (36) Guided Bomb Unit (GBU)-39/B Small Diameter Bombs Increment 1 (SDB-1); two (2) GBU-39(T-1)/B SDB-1 Guided Test Vehicles; forty (40) AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder missiles; thirty-two (32) AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder Captive Air Training Missiles (CATMs); four (4) AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder guidance units; three (3) AIM-9X Block II Captive Air Training Missile (CATM) guidance units; sixty (60) MK-82 500-lb general purpose bombs; sixty (60) MK-84 2,000-lb general purpose bombs; thirty (30) Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) KMU-572 tail kits for GBU-38 or Laser JDAM GBU-54; sixty (60) FMU-152 fuze systems; thirty (30) MAU-210 enhanced computer control groups (ECCG) for GBU-50 Enhanced Paveway II (EP II); and thirty-two (32) MXU-651 air foil groups (AFG) for GBU-50 EP II. The following non-MDE items will also be included: AN/ALQ-254 Viper Shield (VS) electronic warfare (EW) or equivalent systems; AMRAAM CATMs; AIM-9X Sidewinder training missiles and active optical target detectors (AOTD); Infrared Search and Track (IRST) systems; Air Combat Maneuvering Instrument (ACMI) range systems; FMU-139 Joint Programmable Fuzes (JPFs); missile containers; AN/ARC-238 radios; AN/APX-127 or equivalent Advanced Identification Friend or Foe (AIFF) Combined Interrogator Transponders (CIT) with Mode 5; KY-58 and KIV-78 cryptographic devices; AN/PYQ-10 Simple Key Loaders (SKLs); KGV-250X cryptographic devices; Scorpion Hybrid Optical-based Inertial Trackers (HObIT) or Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems II (JHMCS II) helmet mounted displays; night vision devices (NVDs); spare image intensifier tubes; AN/ALE-47 Airborne Countermeasures Dispenser Systems (CMDS); AN/ALE-47 countermeasure processors; AN/ALE-47 sequencer switching units; AN/ALE-47 Control Display Units (CDUs); precision navigation; Joint Mission Planning Systems (JMPS); GPS Antenna System (GAS-1) antenna electronics; Sniper pod pylons; ADU-890 and ADU-891 adapter units, LAU-117 and LAU-88 Maverick launchers, impulse cartridges, chaff, flares, ammunition, and other bomb components; BRU-57 bomb racks; BRU-61 munitions carriage assemblies; MAU-12 bomb racks and TER-9A triple ejection racks; Common Munitions Built-in-Test (BIT) Reprogramming Equipment (CMBRE); Rackmount Improved Avionics Intermediate Shop (RIAIS); Cartridge Actuated Devices/Propellant Actuated Devices (CAD/PAD); targeting systems; aircraft refurbishment after maintenance training; spare and repair parts, consumables and accessories; repair and return support; aircraft, engine, ground, and pilot life support equipment; classified and unclassified computer program identification number (CPIN) systems; pylons, launcher adapters, weapon interfaces, and bomb and ejection racks; fuel tanks; Precision Measurement Equipment Laboratory (PMEL) and calibration support; National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) maps and mapping data; ferry and fuel support; classified and unclassified software and software support; classified and unclassified publications, manuals, and technical documentation; facilities and construction support; simulators and training devices; personnel training and training equipment; studies and surveys; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total cost is $5.58 billion. This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a strategic partner that continues to be an important force for political stability, peace, and economic progress in Southeast Asia. The proposed sale will enhance the Philippine Air Force's ability to conduct maritime domain awareness and close air support missions and enhance its suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD) and aerial interdiction capabilities. This sale will also increase the ability of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to protect vital interests and territory, as well as expand interoperability with the U.S. forces. The Philippines will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces. The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region. The principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin, located in Greenville, SC. At this time, the U.S. Government is not aware of any offset agreement proposed in connection with this potential sale. Any offset agreement will be defined in negotiations between the purchaser and the contractor. Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to the Philippines. There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale. The description and dollar value are for the highest estimated quantity and dollar value based on initial requirements. Actual dollar value will be lower depending on final requirements, budget authority, and signed sales agreement(s), if and when concluded. All questions regarding this proposed Foreign Military Sale should be directed to the State Department's Bureau of Political Military-Affairs, Office of Congressional and Public Affairs, pm-cpa@state.gov. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ecuador - M4A1 Rifles and Support Media/Public Contact: pm-cpa@state.gov Transmittal No: 25-21 WASHINGTON, April 1, 2025 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Ecuador of M4A1 Rifles and Support and related elements of logistics and program support for an estimated cost of $64 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today. The Government of Ecuador has requested to buy M4A1 rifles. The following non-MDE items will also be included: Magpul PMAG M4 magazines; technical manuals; training and support; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total cost is $64 million. This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of Ecuador, an important force for political stability and economic progress in South America. The proposed sale will improve Ecuador's capability to meet current and future threats by improving the ability of its armed forces to conduct and execute military operations to counter transnational organized crime. The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region. The principal contractor will be determined after case implementation. At this time, the U.S. Government is not aware of any offset agreement proposed in connection with this potential sale. Any offset agreement will be defined in negotiations between the purchaser and the contractor. Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to Ecuador. There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale. The description and dollar value are for the highest estimated quantity and dollar value based on initial requirements. Actual dollar value will be lower depending on final requirements, budget authority, and signed sales agreement(s), if and when concluded. All questions regarding this proposed Foreign Military Sale should be directed to the State Department's Bureau of Political Military-Affairs, Office of Congressional and Public Affairs, pm-cpa@state.gov. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Human Rights: Speech by High representative/Vice-President Kaja Kallas at the EP plenary on the 2024 Annual report on Human Rights and Democracy in the world European External Action Service (EEAS) 01.04.2025 Strasburg, 01/04/2025 EEAS Press Team Check against delivery! Opening Remarks President, Honourable Members, Let me thank the Rapporteur, Ms Isabel Wiseler Lima, the shadow rapporteurs, and other Members who have contributed to the [European] Parliament's Report on Human Rights and Democracy. I would like to share with you what I said three weeks ago at the United Nations Security Council. The rules-based international order, enshrined in the UN Charter, is a set of universal principles that create the conditions for peace, prosperity, human rights, dignity and development for all. Yet, eighty years on, we see these principles under heavy fire. We witness blatant violations of international law, the erosion of democracy, backsliding of human rights, a strong pushback against gender equality, invasions of sovereign states, and the silencing of media and human rights defenders. We see attempts to replace the rule of law with the rule of force. As close to home as it can get, Russia's unprovoked and full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine is a direct challenge to the rules-based international order and an assault on sovereignty. Human rights are continuously trampled on in this war. In the Middle East, the conflict between Israel and Gaza is another reminder of how fragile human rights are in times of violent conflict. And as your 2024 report underlines, the threat from authoritarian and illiberal regimes on human rights is only increasing. I will spare you with listing too many recent examples. We all know and see what is happening throughout the world from our direct neighbourhood to all other directions. But hope is never lost. The fall of the Assad regime in December 2024 ended 54 years of brutal dictatorship for the people of Syria. Yes, I agree there are immense challenges ahead. For the transition to succeed, the rights of all Syrians without distinction must be guaranteed and protected. But there is hope, nonetheless. The European Union must do what it can, wherever it can, to keep this hope alive, not least because defending human rights and democracy is not only a Treaty obligation but a strategic interest and an investment in peace and prosperity. Over 10,000 high-risk human rights defenders received EU support in 2024. We have supported over 80,000 people since 2015. At a time of shifting policies, funding cuts and growing unpredictability, the EU remains a steadfast and predictable partner on human rights and democracy. We have renewed our commitment by extending the Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy until 2027. Two weeks ago, the European Union adopted a 349 million package for worldwide human rights and democracy funding up to 2027. And we will counter the pushback against gender equality, the rights of women, girls and LGBTIQ+ people. As your report shows, the European Union remained an active supporter of the UN's work to protect human rights in 2024. We advocated for adequate funding of the UN human rights pillar, supported the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and pushed for fact-finding and accountability. The EU has always underlined that the respect of international humanitarian law by state and non-state actors, and accountability for violations committed, are the cornerstone for peace and security. This is why the European Union also stands by the International Criminal Court and the principles enshrined in the Rome Statute. We are all aware of the growing urgency of supporting the Court, both financially and diplomatically, and we are exploring available tools and possible measures that could be put in place to protect the Court and its personnel, and mitigate the risks. I met the President of the Court last month to reiterate the support of the EU. We also have the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime, established in 2020, which enables the EU to impose restrictive measures on individuals or entities that commit serious human rights violations or abuses. In 2024, we moved fast to impose several restrictive measures under the sanctions regime in particular in Russia, the Middle East and North Korea. This demonstrates our determination to strengthen our role in addressing serious human rights violations and abuses worldwide. Last year was a 'super election year' with over 75 countries holding elections. EU Election Observation Missions remained essential for enhancing the integrity of electoral processes and reinforcing democratic governance. We will continue to support strong parliaments, independent media, journalists, and democratic actors at the frontline in the most challenging contexts. And I will work with the European Parliament in this field. I also look forward to publishing my own annual report on human rights and democracy for 2024. I look forward to the discussions. Thank you. Link to the video (starting 05:06): https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-270223 Closing remarks Honourable Members, Thank you for this exchange of views. When we discuss the challenges posed to human rights and democracy today, at the heart of these challenges, of course, is peace. And peace is not simply the absence of war; it is active cultivation of justice; it is protection of the most vulnerable, the realisation of all human rights, and commitment to dialogue and reconciliation. And peace cannot come at the expense of human dignity and human rights. Peace endures, because human dignity and human rights are protected. Therefore, protecting human rights and human dignity is also a fundamental strategic interest for the European Union. Because, like many of you said, the European Union is founded on peace, democracy, [and] unity, and we must make very clear that we will not tolerate the erosion of these rights and freedoms that really define us. Now more than ever, we must unite in defence of our common values. Defending human rights and democracy is an opportunity for the European Union to also play on its strength, because third countries are also looking towards us in this regard. [This is] an opportunity to grow the European Union's partnership around a model that combines mutually beneficial investments with sustainable progress for all parts of society. And to address global challenges [with] integrity and reduce global inequalities all together. So, the European Parliament here is a crucial ally. Thank you for your work and I continue to count on your support. Thank you. Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-270225 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Remarks by Executive Vice-President Virkkunen and Commissioner Brunner on the European Internal Security Strategy European Commission Speech Apr 01, 2025 Strasbourg "Check against delivery" Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. We have adopted today an ambitious new European Strategy for our Internal Security, ProtectEU. Commissioner Brunner and I will provide you with an overview of the Strategy and answer your questions in a moment. Europe has long been a beacon of freedom, security and prosperity, grounded in the rule of law, democracy, and shared values. We remain steadfast in our commitment to upholding these core values. In today's rapidly evolving world, our security landscape has changed. The threats we face are larger, more global, and increasingly online. Ranging from powerful organised crime networks and terrorism, to hybrid threats fuelled with disinformation, fear, and sabotage to our critical infrastructure. Often by hostile foreign state actors. Our citizens expect us to act: 64 per cent are troubled about the EU's security. No Member State can tackle these challenges alone. We need a powerful, coordinated European response. The Internal Security Strategy is our response. It is a key milestone in the new era of Defence and Security for the European Union. Together with the White Paper on the Future of Defence, the Preparedness Union Strategy and the forthcoming Democracy Shield, ProtectEU sets the vision for a safe, secure and resilient EU. Over the past decade, we have made significant progress in building a solid European internal security architecture. With many achievements. However, the scale and complexity of threats require us to go further. This strategy lays out a clear and ambitious workplan for the coming years. With concrete measures to enhance the EU's resilience and the collective ability to anticipate, detect, prevent and respond to all threats.New and old, offline and online. We will sharpen and modernise our legal toolbox, notably revising the mandates for our EU agencies, that are so crucial to support Member State authorities: Europol of course, but also Eurojust, Frontex and ENISA - the EU cybersecurity agency. We will equip the EU with new ways of combining and sharing information and improving our anticipation and reaction capacity. With regular EU internal security threat analyses. And a new system of governance at EU level. The EU is a place of freedom and security. We have the strongest protections and checks and balances in the world. The Commission has always championed the rule of law, protection of fundamental rights and of privacy. This is the foundation for our democracies and we will continue defending that strongly. At the same time, we also need to make sure Europeans are safe and that criminals are not free riding. Today around 85% of criminal investigations rely on law enforcement authorities' ability to access digital information. The authorities need to be able to investigate and take action against crimes. We need therefore a framework for lawful access to data. But one which does not undermine cybersecurity. We need to ensure that digital systems remain secure from unauthorised access and that privacy is protected. Rule of law, privacy, security. This is what we stand for and what we will defend and promote with the upcoming initiatives. And we will build resilience against hybrid attacks. We will revise the Cybersecurity Act, help Member States implement the new rules on critical infrastructure, and strengthen transport security. We will launch a new Nordic/Baltic regional hub for integrated surveillance of submarine cablesa direct response to growing vulnerabilities in our digital infrastructure. Another key priority of this strategy is to reduce the EU's reliance on third-country technologies, especially in strategic fields like AI, quantum computing, and post-quantum cryptography. This is critical for securing our digital future and technological autonomy. And in everything we will do, from tackling terrorism and organised crimes to the new threats, fundamental rights protection will be a priority. We encourage the co-legislators to complete essential legislative work on child sexual abuse. In parallel, we will continue to enforce the Digital Services Act - we will hold platforms accountable for their role in online security. Finally, Europe will continue playing a strong, multilateral role globally. We are committed to strengthening partnerships with third countries, contributing to global security and ensuring our collective safety. The success of this strategy relies on its robust implementation. It relies also on a real change of culture, on a whole of society approach, where each citizen, civil society, researchers, businesses feels concerned. As President Niinisto put it, security is a public good. We need to jointly protect it. The Commission will take its part. We will mainstream security in all our initiatives. And we will work very closely with everyone to transform our work program in reality on the ground. For a strong and autonomous European security. I will now give the floor to my colleague Magnus, with whom we worked very closely to put forward this ambitious strategy. Which has been a genuine 'whole of Commission' approach. Commissioner Magnus Brunner: Good afternoon everyone, Thank you, Henna, also for the good cooperation on this file. Because what we are presenting today is very much a joint product, and a shared vision for how we can make Europe more secure for all the people who live within it. Security is very much the task of our times. It is the starting point from which all our freedoms derive: prosperity, democracy, and the rule of law. A lot has been done over the last decade to start building a European security apparatus. But the nature of today's threats requires us to go further, and I am convinced that together, we can rise to the challenge. Let me highlight six elements. I will start where Henna ended. The ProtectEU strategy takes as its starting point that we need to change the way we do things on security. The threats we are facing are constantly evolving, and it is time our response evolved too. And we are starting with ourselves - that means shaking up the way we do things in the Commission and pooling the knowledge and focusing the energy of our services towards our common security. First, you have seen it with the creation of the Security College. Second, you see it in the large number of services that have contributed to this Strategy. This is a true team effort. And third, you can see it up here on this podium. Henna is not only our Executive Vice-President, she is also in charge of DG CONNECT, and I am in charge of DG HOME. But when it comes to working on things like protecting children online, or keeping our critical infrastructure secure, we can only succeed by working very closely together. And beyond that, from now on the Commission will factor in security considerations into all our policies. From inception to implementation. And we will develop a new threat analysis that will allow us to calibrate and readjust our priorities in a more agile way based on a clearer picture of what is needed. The second thing we need to do is strengthen our capabilities. I often hear the sentence that "criminals are always one step ahead". This is not hard for them to do, if law enforcement authorities are not equipped or have their hands tied. The ProtectEU strategy aims to give law enforcement the tools they need to act. Part of this is the support they get from EU Agencies like Europol, and Frontex. Next year we will present new mandates for both. The same can also be true for data access and encryption. We need to equip our law enforcement with the tools they need to do their job, and the evidence they need to secure convictions. And with Henna, we will work on the right and balanced solutions for that. And we will look at presenting new EU rules on data retention - if this can be done in a way that improves Member States' ability to act. Third, and as Henna detailed, we will build resilience against hybrid threats by enhancing the protection of critical infrastructure, reinforcing cybersecurity, securing transport hubs and combatting online threats. Fourth, we will get serious about tackling organised crime. Powerful organised crime networks are spreading in Europe, nurtured online and spilling violence onto our streets. They make money by infiltrating our economies and societies, and by running vast smuggling networks. They operate across borders and so must we. We will update the EU criminal code on organised crime and for the first time introduce a harmonised definition - and a set of penalties for the most dangerous criminal activities. We will share information to get a better intelligence picture of organised crime. This will be the basis for the EU's sanction's regime against individuals and entities involved in organised crime, including entry bans and asset freezing. These criminals need to know that there will be nowhere to hide in Europe. And we will take specific measures to tackle the hugely profitable drug trade that feeds these groups, including a new Drugs Strategy and an expansion of the EU's ports alliance. Fifth, we will introduce a comprehensive counter-terrorism agenda to prevent radicalisation, secure online and public spaces, throttle financing channels and respond to attacks when they occur. The best way to counter terrorism is of course to stop attacks before they occur. This begins with the battle against the radicalisation of our youth. We see too often how the merchants of hate prey on children, with their twisted lies. Henna and I are working on a dedicated strategy to protect children both from radicalisation and from falling into a life of crime. New technology provides new tools for influencing. We need to hold tech companies to account when it comes to online content that is hateful, criminal and that radicalises our youth. As Henna said, we are vigorously enforcing the Digital Services Act. And we need to complete our rules. A final novelty in the strategy is that ProtectEU puts a strong accent on global action. This is very important. The goal is to build a catalogue of security partnerships with third countries, similar to the EU-Brazil Europol cooperation agreement we recently signed. This also led to the large cocaine bust two weeks ago in Ecuador: together with Europol and national customs and police authorities, the Ecuadorian police dismantled a criminal cell leading to 36 arrests after 73 tonnes of drugs were seized. Going beyond that, we should engage in more 'security diplomacy', in other words, asserting our security interests as a part of all our dealings with third countries. As you can see, ProtectEU has a high level of ambition. Nothing less will do. We need to become a less easy target for criminals. Our openness, tolerance and respect for rights must not be exploited to victimise people in the EU or elsewhere. This strategy puts us on a good track. Thank you. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Questions and answers on ProtectEU - a new European Internal Security Strategy European Commission Questions and answers Apr 01, 2025 Strasbourg Why is a European Internal Security Strategy needed? Faced with new and evolving security threats and an evolving geopolitical landscape, EU Member States' ability to guarantee security for their citizens needs a unified, European approach to protecting our internal security. The European Internal Security Strategy aims to facilitate coordinated action, deepening cooperation through information sharing and enhancing our resilience and collective ability to prevent, detect and respond effectively to security threats. It will ensure that security considerations are integrated in the development and implementation of Union policies across Member States, promoting a cohesive and comprehensive whole-of-society approach to security. It will support Member States to harness the power of technology to strengthen security, while promoting a secure digital space for all. It supports a common response by Member States to global political and economic shifts affecting the Union's internal security. How does it relate to the White Paper for European Defence and the Preparedness Union Strategy? Building on the Recommendations of the Report by former Finnish President Sauli Niinisto, the European Internal Security Strategy is closely linked to the Preparedness Union Strategy and the White Paper on European Defence - Readiness 2030, which together set out a vision for safe, secure and resilient EU. The European Internal Security Strategy provides a comprehensive response to man-made threats to the EU's internal security such as hybrid threats, organised crime, and terrorism. The Preparedness Strategy presented on 26 March focused on strengthening civilian and military crisis readiness, while the White Paper on European Defence presented on 18 March sets out a strategic vision for European defence cooperation, investments, and industrial capabilities. The Commission will also propose a European Democracy Shield to promote and strengthen democratic resilience in the EU. How will the Commission mainstream security considerations across EU policies? In complementarity with the Preparedness Union Strategy, preparedness and security considerations will be integrated and mainstreamed across EU legislation, policies and programmes from the start and throughout the negotiation process. When preparing new legislation or reviewing existing legislation in relevant areas, the Commission will consistently identify potential impacts of the preferred policy option on preparedness and security. This will be supported with regular training for policy makers in the Commission. As part of the new European internal security governance, regular threat analyses related to internal security will be prepared and support the work of the Security College as well as the exchanges with Member States in the Council. How will Europol be strengthened? Europol plays a crucial role in supporting Members States' law enforcement authorities in the fight against serious and organised crime, including on the fight against migrant smuggling, and terrorism. The current security context requires Europol to be strengthened and equipped to reinforce its operational support to Member States. In close consultation with Member States, the Commission will propose an ambitious overhaul of Europol's mandate. Concretely, this means strengthening Europol's role in investigating cross-border, large-scale, and complex cases posing a serious threat to the internal security of the Union; and working more closely with other EU Agencies, notably Eurojust and the EPPO, to strengthen law enforcement and judicial cooperation. Europol's enhanced support should also aim at strengthening Member States' capacities to conduct effective investigations through digital forensics, decryption, processing growing amounts of data, the operational use of emerging and innovative technologies, tackling illegal profits, an increased role in the digital environment, and more. What is the Commission proposing on data retention and encryption? The Commission will present a roadmap setting out the legal and practical measures it proposes to take to ensure lawful and effective access to data. In the follow-up to this Roadmap, the Commission will prioritise an assessment of the impact of data retention rules at EU level and the preparation of a Technology Roadmap on encryption, to identify and assess technological solutions that would enable law enforcement authorities to access encrypted data in a lawful manner, safeguarding cybersecurity and fundamental rights. How will the Commission balance the need for security with the need to protect individuals' right to privacy? Law enforcement and the judicial authorities need to be able to investigate and take action against crime. According to Europol's SOCTA report, today, nearly all forms of serious and organised crime have a digital footprint. Around 85% of criminal investigations now rely on law enforcement authorities' ability to access digital information. As digitalisation becomes more pervasive and provides an ever-growing source of new tools for criminals, a framework for access to data which responds to the needs to enforce our laws and protect our values is essential. At the same time, ensuring digital systems remain secure from unauthorised access is equally vital to preserve cybersecurity, protect against emerging security threats and ensure that fundamental rights including the right to privacy are respected. The Commission will ensure that security considerations are integrated into EU policies while respecting fundamental rights, including the right to privacy. How does the Strategy improve citizens' security online, in particular children? The Strategy puts forward a number of measures to protect citizens online. The Digital Services Act requires online platforms to take proactive measures to manage risks and remove illegal content. This protects online users, especially children, from the threats of child sexual abuse, human trafficking, and online radicalisation. The Strategy calls for a rigorous enforcement of the DSA. The Commission will also publish comprehensive guidelines to protect minors and introduce a privacy-protective age verification solution in 2025, which will provide an essential safeguard until the EU Digital Identity Wallet becomes available in 2026. The Commission will equally keep fostering collaboration between online platforms, stakeholders, and relevant authorities to ensure online safety through the Code of Conduct on Illegal Hate Speech and the EU Internet Forum. To combat child sexual abuse, the Commission will support the co-legislators in finalising the two legislative proposals to prevent and combat child sexual abuse online and to make law enforcement action against child sexual abuse and exploitation effective. Once the new rules are adopted, the EU Centre to prevent and combat child sexual abuse will be set up to support online service providers to prevent and if needed, detect child sexual abuse online, review reports and channel them to law enforcement. The Centre will also support Member States to prevent child sexual abuse and assist victims. The Commission will develop an Action Plan on the Protection of Children against Crime, which will entail a strong online dimension in protecting children from abuse and recruitment by criminals. The Commission will also adopt an Action Plan against Cyberbullying. To counter the dissemination of terrorist material online, the Commission is evaluating the Terrorist Content Online Regulation and will assess how best to strengthen this framework. To strengthen our ability to combat online fraud, the Commission will present an Action Plan on Online Fraud which will cover prevention measures, more effective law enforcement action, support and protection of victims, including by assistance in recovering their funds. How does the strategy propose to counter terrorism? The Strategy announces a new EU Agenda on preventing and countering terrorism and violent extremism to set out future EU action to anticipate threats, to prevent radicalisation, to protect citizens and public spaces from attacks, and to effectively respond to attacks when they occur. Concretely, the Commission will: Develop a comprehensive prevention toolbox to tackle root causes of radicalisation, to allow for early identification and interventions focused on vulnerable individuals, including minors; Enhance its capabilities to protect public spaces, through reviewing the rules on explosives precursors, strengthening the European Protective Security Advisory programme and expanding available EU funding for the protection of public spaces; Address the challenges posed by terrorist financing, including continued support to counter-terrorism financial investigators and exploring the creation of a new EU-wide system to track terrorist financing. How does the Strategy propose to tackle organised crime? The Commission is developing a comprehensive approach to tackle organised crime, from addressing the root causes of crime, such as poverty, unemployment, and social exclusion to stronger rules and tools for EU Agencies to support Member States to fight crime both online and offline. The Commission will: Strengthen its legal framework to combat organised crime, and propose a revision of the legal framework on firearms trafficking and on drug precursors and present an EU Action Plan against drug trafficking; Enhance its capabilities to combat corruption, including the proposal of a new EU Anti-Corruption Strategy and the strengthening of the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO); Protect victims' rights, including the proposal of a new EU Strategy on Victims' Rights; Present an Action Plan on Online Fraud and an Action Plan on the Protection of Children against Crime, to support and protect people and enhance law enforcement action. How will the additional measures be financed? The whole-of society approach adopted by the European Internal Security Strategy requires serious investment by all relevant actors: the EU, its Member States and the private sector. The future EU financing for internal security will be decided in the context of negotiations for the new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). The Commission already allocates significant funding to security across various programmes, that can support the actions presented in the strategy. With around 9.77 billion for 2021-2027, support is scattered across the Internal Security Fund (ISF) with 1.9 billion, the Border Management and Visa Instrument (BMVI) which also supports security related capacity building and is allocated 6.2 billion. On top of that, Horizon Europe has 1.6 billion for Security research and innovation. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Finland to raise defence spending to at least three percent of GDP Finnish Ministry of Defence 01.04.2025 14:09 Finland will raise national defence spending to at least three percent of GDP by 2029. The aim was proposed by Minister of Defence Antti Hakkanen and endorsed by the Ministerial Committee on Economic Policy on Tuesday. "By increasing national defence spending to at least three percent of GDP we will strengthen Finland's defence even further. We will launch the modernisation of the Army and the strengthening of other defence capabilities based on a threat-informed basis. By this decision we will answer to the current security situation in Europe and the military threat posed by Russia", said Minister Hakkanen. The government has also decided to launch materiel projects for the Army in a frontloaded manner. "The increase in defence expenditure will mean that the Finnish Defence Forces will be granted additional funding in the spring 2025 spending limits decision totalling about 3,7 billion euros over the next four years. The Finnish Defence Forces will also be granted additional procurement authorities in order to frontload the Army's materiel projects planned for the 2030s", Minister Hakkanen said. According to Minister Hakkanen additional funding will be allocated, for example, to securing critical functions and maintaining defence materiel, which build the capability of the defence system to sustain long-term combat. "We will bolster structures that support defence, such as personnel numbers, logistics and infrastructure. Resources available for voluntary national defence and research, development and innovation in the defence sector will also be increased. As far as materiel policy is concerned, the Finnish defence industry plays an important role both in maintaining key weapon systems and in developing new capabilities", Minister Hakkanen continued. This decision of the Ministerial Committee on Economic Policy contributes to the implementation of the policies outlined in the Government Defence Report. Resources for will be increased, and the process for selecting priorities for further boosting Finland's expertise will be accelerated. The spending limits decision on increasing appropriations and procurement authorities will be made as part of the General Government Fiscal Plan for 2026-2029. The current base level of Finland's defence budget was decided before Russia launched its campaign in Ukraine in the spring of 2022. In 2000-2020, Finland spent less than 1.5 percent of GDP on defence. The increase to defence appropriations has been prepared in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance. According to the Government's Defence Report Russia's development of its military capabilities and its political aspirations pose a long-term security threat to Europe and to Finland. Finland must sustain its capability to counter broad-spectrum influencing, resist long-term military pressure and fight large-scale wars that drag on for years, using national resources and as part of NATO. Finland's position on how much the NATO defence spending target should be increased will be decided on later. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Denmark joins CAVS Programme to enable procurement of Armoured vehicles Finnish Ministry of Defence 01.04.2025 13:39 Denmark joins the Finnish-led Common Armoured Vehicle System (CAVS) programme. The Danish Ministry of Defence announced the accession decision in its press release of 1.4.2025. The purpose of the CAVS programme is to develop the 6 x 6 Armoured Vehicle System to meet the common requirements and needs of the participating countries. Minister of Defence Antti Hakkanen welcomes Denmark's swift decision and accession to the programme. "The CAVS programme is a success story for cooperation between the Finnish Defence administration and the Defence industry. It started between the Finnish and Latvian Defence Ministries and has now grown into a multinational, significant European programme also thanks to the Ministry's effective export promotion measures," Hakkanen says. "Denmark is very welcome to join the co-operation." Denmark joins the joint procurement programme as the fifth country in addition to Finland, Latvia, Sweden and Germany. In the first stage of the accession process, the CAVS participating countries and Denmark will sign an appendix to the CAVS arrangement, after which Denmark will be able to join commercial agreements enabling series purchases of CAVS vehicles. Denmark says that the planned acquisition of CAVS vehicles will strengthen the country's national defence capability. Denmark also sees CAVS programme as a very effective form of co-operation between the Nordic countries. Denmark plans to purchase a total of 130 CAVS vehicles from Patria. Th Finnish Patria 6 x 6 vehicle type has already been chosen as the basis for the joint programme. In the ongoing research and development phase of the project, several different vehicle variants and the Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC itself) have been developed. The value of the Danish procurement is approximately DKK 1.9 billion, approximately 250 million euros. Denmark is planning to purchase a smaller batch of vehicles this year and a larger batch next year. "The CAVS programme, led by the Finnish Defence administration, is an excellent example of joint materiel procurement that benefits European countries extensively, as evidenced by the 60 million euros EDIRPA funding (European Defence industry reporting through Common Procurement Act) granted to the programme," says Minister Hakkanen. The funding will enable, among other things, the allocation of resources to the administration of the CAVS programme and the development of cooperation to meet the needs of expanding programme. The CAVS participating countries will benefit from the funding jointly, in accordance with the programme's objectives. The Danish Ministry of Defence has released a press release of the decision. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Government to begin preparations to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention and to increase national defence expenditure Finnish Ministry of Defence 01.04.2025 14:17 The security environment in Finland and Europe has changed fundamentally. Russia poses a long-term threat to Europe. This requires the Government to take action. Finland will continue to strengthen its defence on a threat-informed and needs-driven basis. Government Communications Department, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Defence Finland will begin the preparations for withdrawal from the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction (the Ottawa Convention). The President of the Republic of Finland and the Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy decided on the matter in their joint meeting today. In the new security situation, anti-personnel mines would improve the capabilities of the Defence Forces and strengthen Finland's national defence capacity and security. Finland remains committed to the humanitarian objectives of the Ottawa Convention. "Finland is not currently facing an immediate military threat. Withdrawing from the Ottawa Convention will give us the possibility to prepare for the changes in the security environment in a more versatile way. The most important goals of Finland's foreign and security policy are to safeguard Finland's independence and territorial integrity, to avoid becoming involved in a military conflict and to ensure the safety, security and wellbeing of the people of Finland," said Prime Minister Petteri Orpo. Finland has been a party to the Ottawa Convention since 2012. Since then, the security environment has deteriorated fundamentally and for the long term. Russia is not a party to the Ottawa Convention and it has used anti-personnel mines in its war of aggression against Ukraine. As a NATO Ally, Finland is also defending the Alliance's border with Russia. The Government's decision is based on an assessment completed last week by the Defence Forces and on preparatory work by officials at the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. In the view of the defence administration, anti-personnel mines are well suited for Finland's national defence. Anti-personnel mines make it possible to slow the advance of the attacker and minimise the defender's casualties. Anti-personnel mines are technically simple and are therefore well suited for training and use in a conscription system. They can also be produced quickly and in large quantities in Finland. The Defence Forces will not deploy mines in normal conditions. Finland remains committed to its international obligations concerning the responsible use of mines and to the global work to minimise the impacts of mines. An example of this is Finland's participation in the Lithuania-led Demining Capability Coalition for Ukraine. Withdrawing from the Ottawa Convention requires a government proposal, which will be prepared under the leadership of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. The withdrawal will take effect six months after the Secretary-General of the United Nations, who serves as the Depository, has received Finland's instrument of withdrawal. Finland has notified its closest partner countries and other key actors of its decision. Government proposes increasing defence appropriations Petteri Orpo's Government has decided that Finland will increase the level of its defence appropriations to at least three per cent of GDP by 2029. The Ministerial Committee on Economic Policy agreed on the matter on Tuesday. The Government also decided that the Defence Forces will launch materiel projects for the Army in a frontloaded manner. "The solution will help us further strengthen Finland's defence. It will allow the Defence Forces to take a longer-term approach so that it can immediately begin its work to modernise the Army and strengthen resources on a threat-informed basis," said Prime Minister Orpo. Finland's position on how much the NATO defence spending target should be increased will be agreed on separately before the NATO Summit in The Hague. In the new security environment, the Government will also ensure the strategic capabilities of the internal security actors - the Border Guard, the police and the Finnish Security and Intelligence Service - by increasing their resources. Measures to develop and boost funding for civil defence will also begin immediately. The solution will not jeopardise the Government's fiscal policy objectives or spending limits. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Minister for Foreign Affairs visits Israel and Palestine Government Offices of Sweden Article from Ministry for Foreign Affairs Published 01 April 2025 On 24-26 March, Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard visited Israel and Palestine. The purpose was to examine how Sweden can contribute to the improvement of the current situation and promote bilateral relations. "The situation in the region is very difficult. In conversations with representatives of Israel and Palestine, I highlighted the importance of a lasting cessation of hostilities, humanitarian access Gaza and the release of all hostages, and ultimately a negotiated two-state solution. I also raised the issues of settlement expansion and settler violence in the West Bank," says Ms Malmer Stenergard. During the trip, Ms Malmer Stenergard met with Palestine's Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammad Mustafa and Israel's Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Sa'ar. Ms Malmer Stenergard also visited the Yad Vashem Holocaust Remembrance Center, the memorial for the Nova festival at which almost 400 young people were killed and the Nir Oz kibbutz, which was devastated by Hamas's terror attack on 7 October 2023. Ms Malmer Stenergard also met with UN representatives, civil society representatives, the EUPOL COPPS civilian EU initiative, which supports the Palestinian Authority with legal reforms, and the EUBAM Rafah EU initiative in Gaza. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Sweden procures new tactical transport aircraft Government Offices of Sweden Press release from Ministry of Defence Published 01 April 2025 Sweden is investing billions in the procurement of four new tactical transport aircraft. Together with the Netherlands and Austria, Sweden is purchasing C-390 aircraft from Brazilian manufacturer Embraer. As Sweden is joining an existing contract, delivery times will be shortened. The purchase was made public in connection with State Secretary to the Minister for Defence Peter Sandwall's visit to the LAAD Defence and Security trade fair in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil on 1 April. "New tactical aircraft will enhance Sweden's defence capability. Through joint procurement, we will take delivery more quickly and at a lower cost than procuring the aircraft on our own. This decision will ensure that the Swedish Armed Forces has top-quality tactical transport aircraft capability," says Minister for Defence Pal Jonson. Sweden has committed to procure four C-390 transport aircraft that will be based in Sweden. This procurement will be more affordable with delivery taking place much quicker through joint procurement with the Netherlands and Austria, which are purchasing the same type of aircraft. The procurement will be implemented by the Netherlands acting as agent and representative for the other countries, based on an agreement made on 28 March 2025 between the Netherlands, Austria and Sweden, via the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration. Final negotiations between the Netherlands and Embraer on the aircraft delivery date are ongoing. Sweden's agreement with the Netherlands and Austria ensures that Sweden's new aircraft will be given priority in the production process. The final assembly of the new aircraft will take place in Embraer's production facility outside Sao Paolo, Brazil. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Lebanon's president warns of 'hostile intentions' after Israel targets Beirut building IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Apr 1, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- Lebanese President Joseph Aoun denounced an Israeli raid that targeted Beirut's southern suburbs at dawn on Tuesday, calling the strike "a serious warning of hostile intentions" against Lebanon. "Israel's persistence in its aggression requires more effort from us in addressing Lebanon's friends around the world and rallying them in support of our right to full sovereignty over our land," Aoun said in a statement. "This attack on the outskirts of Beirut, for the second time since the November 26 agreement, constitutes a serious warning of the hostile intentions against Lebanon," he said. Local media reported that an Israeli airstrike hit a multistory building in the southern suburb of Beirut early on Tuesday, without a prior evacuation warning. The Lebanese Ministry of Health said that three civilians were killed and seven others, including a woman, sustained injuries as a result of the strike. On Thursday, the Israeli regime launched its first airstrike on Beirut's southern suburbs since a fragile ceasefire in November ended a year-long war between Tel Aviv and the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah. Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem warned on Saturday that Lebanon remains on Israel's annexation list, adding that "Israel aims to establish a lasting foothold in Lebanon." He also warned that if Israel does not comply with the ceasefire, "we will have no choice but to consider other options." 4354 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The President expresses his condolences over the death of the fourth U.S. soldier found President of the Republic of Lithuania April 01, 2025 President Gitanas Nauseda expresses his condolences over the loss of the fourth United States soldier found, who perished during a U.S.-led training exercise in the Svencionys district of Lithuania. The President is grateful to the services and allies who worked tirelessly under extremely difficult conditions to ensure that the U.S. soldier, who had been training in our country, was finally found. "I convey my sincere condolences to the United States of America and all its people, as well as to the soldier's family and colleagues. We have carried out the search operation tirelessly, driven by a great commitment to our American friends, who are our staunch allies," the Lithuanian leader emphasized. The President's Communication Group NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Battle Group Black brings the aggression at Exercise Sangro New Zealand Defence Force New Zealand Army commanders are being put to the test at Exercise Sangro, having to weave together their experience and knowledge with tactical aggression to win and dominate battle field scenarios. 01 April, 2025 Exercise Sangro has highlighted the lethal effectiveness of the New Zealand Army when combining different Army capabilities onto a specific objective. The exercise has included a range of coordinated effects on targets in the Argo Valley in the Waiouru Military Training Area, including an artillery detachment, New Zealand Light Armoured Vehicles (LAVs), combat engineers, combat signallers, and infantrycollectively operating as Battle Group Black. During one scenario, Lieutenant Trent Morris, a troop commander from Queen Alexandra's Mounted Rifles (QAMR) armoured regiment, manoeuvred his call sign around the battle space to best position his team for success on the assault. "We conducted the manoeuvre on to the position, which included artillery fire support to allow the task group to advance onto an objective, or, by directly assaulting the objective itself," Lieutenant Morris said. "Our task group is lethal; we have different units providing offensive support, anti-armour, engineering and integrated logistics. Combining all of these assets allowed us to accomplish a wide variety of tasks." Once the LAVs were at the objective, infantry soldiers dismounted and advanced on the objective as the leading assault force. The attack required soldiers to both systematically clear enemy positions and hold ground; two core principles of land warfare. Corporal Matthew Schmidt, a section commander from 1st Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment, moved his troops to fight through enemy positions and clear the battle group's objectives. "As soon as we dismount, it's straight into the assault," Corporal Schmidt said. "I commanded the soldiers to assault enemy pits and conduct trench warfare, where we aim to eliminate any enemy that we encounter. "The most rewarding aspect of the exercise for me was the ability for our team's rapid deployment and aggressive assault." 1st (NZ) Brigade Commander Colonel Mike van Welie says high intensity and realistic scenarios like Exercise Sangro are vital in order for Combat Teams to refine their lethality, agility and effectiveness as war fighters, while also enabling seamless integration with partner nations. "The land domain remains the decisive domain where war is won or lost - whether that be in combat situations or through humanitarian assistance - and so every high quality training opportunity we can take advantage of to enhance our soldiers lethality and survivability in conflict, is vital." Exercise Sangro is serving as a lead-up activity to Exercise Diamond Strike and Talisman Sabre, a series of multi-national exercises led by the Australian Defence Force (ADF). NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israeli Attacks Reach 2,637 Crimes in a Single Week Across the Palestinian Territories-----Al-Aqsa and Ibrahimi Mosques subject to violations, and the occupation forces arrest and injure 14 children in the West Bank Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) 01-04-2025 The Israeli occupation forces committed mass crimes in the West Bank. The blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque was subjected to daily raids by settlers and Israeli occupation police, who also deported three Palestinians from the mosque, including two journalists. Thousands of Palestinians on their way to Al-Aqsa to commemorate Laylat al-Qadr were prevented from entering the mosque, and strict restrictions were imposed on the entry of worshippers coming from other West Bank governorates to Al-Quds to perform the fourth Friday prayers of the holy month of Ramadan at Al-Aqsa. Monitoring Israeli crimes between March 25 and 31, 2025, the OIC Media Observatory on Israeli Crimes against Palestinians documented 2,637 crimes across various Palestinian areas. In the city of Hebron, the occupation authorities refused to hand over the Ibrahimi Mosque to the Palestinian Waqf Administration, as is customary for the commemoration of Laylat al-Qadr and on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr. Armed settlers also attacked worshippers at the Sheikh Mosque in the town of Beit Furik in Nablus, and the occupation forces fired sound bombs and tear gas at the worshippers. The number of settler attacks on Palestinian towns and villages reached 38 in one week. In some cases, foreign peace activists confronted these attacks, but were subsequently attacked in the Farisiya area of Tubas, which was subjected to numerous attacks during this period. Settlers cut down 40 olive trees in the village of Suwayya in Nablus. They also grazed their livestock in the village of Al-Mughayyir in Ramallah, the Al-Burj area, and the Al-Mita area in Tubas. They assaulted a shepherd in the northern Jordan Valley in Tubas, killing two heads of cattle. They also stole 50 heads of sheep from the town of Kafr ad-Dik in Salfit, and 9 heads of camels from the village of al-Rashayda. They also attempted to steal several heads of sheep from the village of al-Minya in Bethlehem. Settlers in the "Negohot" settlement, north of the village of Fuqayqis in Hebron, pumped sewage into the village's agricultural lands. Regarding attacks on children in the West Bank, Israeli forces arrested 11 Palestinian children from the villages of Hizma in Al-Quds, Bethlehem, Jenin, Ramallah, Jericho, and the town of Beit Furik in Nablus. Settlers assaulted two children, wounding them and causing bruises in Masafer Yatta. Moreover, occupation forces injured three children in the village of Shuqba in Ramallah and the towns of Beita and Beit Furik in Nablus. The total number of Palestinians arrested by occupation forces in the West Bank between March 25 and 31, 2025, reached 204 detainees of various age groups. In the same context, occupation forces raided the Ein Qiniya Elementary School, terrorizing and threatening children, warning them against throwing stones during their raid on the village of Ein Qiniya in Ramallah. They also broke down the door of the school in the village of Qarawat Bani Zeid, raiding it, and terrorizing students there. Israeli occupation forces demolished two homes in Hebron, four shops in Jenin and Hebron, three warehouses in Jenin, a cow farm in Qalqilya, and razed five dunams of greenhouses planted with vegetables in the western plain of Tulkarm. Israeli occupation forces and settlers also demolished two agricultural rooms in Hebron. They also raided caves used for housing in the Khirbet Janba area in the Masafer area of Yatta, destroying furniture and surveillance cameras, and smashing the windows of two vehicles. The number of settlement activities over the past week reached five. During these activities, the occupation forces continued construction and expansion work on the "Kochav Ya'akov" settlement, built on the Palestinian lands of the town of Kafr Aqab. They paved a new road and installed a barbed wire fence around the settlement. Meanwhile, two settlers plowed 200 dunams of agricultural land in Tubas. Others bulldozed agricultural land in the town of Qusra in Nablus. Settlers established a new settlement outpost in the village of Al-Sawiya in Nablus, and others plowed and cultivated land in the town of Tuqu' in Bethlehem. On another note, 279 Palestinians were murdered, most of them in the Gaza Strip, and 1,033 others were injured. The number of Palestinians murdered from October 7, 2023, to March 31, 2025, reached 51,305, and 121,437 others were wounded. Palestinians in the Gaza Strip performed Eid prayers amid the rubble of mosques as the occupying forces forcibly displaced thousands from Beit Lahia and Beit Hanoun, as well as residents of Abasan, Al-Qarara, and Khirbet Khuza'a, to displacement camps in Al-Mawasi, which were later subjected to Israeli bombardment. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights accused Israel, the occupying power, of violating international law by forcibly displacing Palestinians in Gaza under mandatory evacuation orders. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Trump vows to continue strikes on Yemen's Houthis People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 13:25, April 01, 2025 WASHINGTON, March 31 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump vowed on Monday that strikes on Yemen's Houthis will continue until they are no longer a threat to U.S. ships. "The choice for the Houthis is clear: Stop shooting at U.S. ships, and we will stop shooting at you," Trump said on his Truth Social platform, declaring that the Houthis had been "decimated" by "relentless" strikes over the past two weeks. Trump's threat came as his administration battles a scandal after a text chat was leaked involving senior security officials on the Yemen strikes. The airstrikes were discussed among Trump's national security team on Signal, a commercial messaging app, which accidentally included The Atlantic Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey Goldberg, who released the contents of the chat last week. Tensions between the Houthis and the U.S. military have escalated since Washington launched fresh airstrikes on Yemen on March 15. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 'Full battle test' for this year's Balikatan drills -- AFP chief Philippine News Agency By Priam Nepomuceno April 1, 2025, 3:59 pm MANILA -- Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. on Tuesday said that this year's "Balikatan" exercise will feature a so-called "full battle test" where all military doctrines and procedures will be tested. The AFP chief made this comment during his speech at the 38th founding anniversary of the Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom), based in Camp Servillano Aquino, Tarlac City. "In a matter of days, we will be starting our 'Balikatan' exercises (with American military forces.) This is the 40th iteration of the 'Balikatan' exercises and most of the exercises will be conducted here in the area, the joint operational area of Nolcom," he said. Nolcom covers Ilocos, Cordillera, Cagayan Regions and Central Luzon. This year's "Balikatan" exercise is scheduled for late April up to mid-May. No specific details regarding participating troops, assets and types of drills that will be conducted are still to be released. "Under your joint area of operations or joint operational area, most of the activities of the 'Balikatan' will held there. And then again, our (command and control), will be utilized to ensure that we have a common operational picture while we are conducting our full battle test," the AFP chief said. This, Brawner said, involves testing all of the plans, doctrines, procedures that have developed in the past years. "And this year we are going to test them. It's very important that we prepare for any eventuality," he stressed. However, Brawner did not specify what these plans, doctrines and procedures were for security reasons. "When I talk about warfare, we are already at war. I am not referring to the kinetic warfare that we see between Ukraine and Russia or between Israel and Hamas. But we are experiencing already cyber warfare, information warfare, cognitive warfare, political warfare," he added. Nolcom, a shield against external threats As this developed, Brawner lauded Nolcom for being a formidable shield against external threats. "In fact, Nolcom is our frontliner here in the northern hemisphere. And as we saw a while ago in their shift to territorial defense, they have gone a long, long way already," he added. (PNA) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China: An Anchor for Peace and Development in the South China Sea People's Republic of China Ministry of Foreign Affairs Updated: April 01, 2025 19:02 Keynote Speech by H.E. Chen Xiaodong Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China At the Sub-forum on the South China Sea Of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2025 Boao, March 27, 2025 Your Excellency Special Envoy Liu Zhenmin, Ladies and Gentlemen, Good afternoon! It gives me great pleasure to attend the Sub-forum on the South China Sea of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2025. I would like to extend my hearty congratulations on the launch of this sub-forum and a warm welcome to all the guests present today! As early as some 2,000 years ago, a Chinese scholar Yang Fu had documented today's South China Sea islands in his book, describing them as "a place where many reefs and shoals are hidden in the shallow waters, keeping boats from leaving like magnets holding steel." In fact, in an even earlier dynasty in the second century BC, Chinese people had already been sailing in these waters, and Nanhai Zhudao were gradually discovered over centuries of activities. Since then, through measures such as administrative establishment and governance, naval patrol, resources development, astronomical observation and geographical survey, China has exercised jurisdiction over Nanhai Zhudao and relevant waters continuously, peacefully and effectively. This has been widely recognized by the international community. Based on the practice of the Chinese people and the Chinese government in the long course of history and the position consistently upheld by successive Chinese governments, and in accordance with China's national law and international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), China's rights and interests in the South China Sea have always been clear and definite. First, China has sovereignty over Nanhai Zhudao, including Dongsha Qundao, Xisha Qundao, Zhongsha Qundao and Nansha Qundao; second, China has internal waters, territorial sea and contiguous zone, based on Nanhai Zhudao; third, China has exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, based on Nanhai Zhudao; fourth, China has historic rights in the South China Sea. Before the 20th century, China's sovereignty over Nanhai Zhudao had never been in any dispute. Though some islands and reefs of China were invaded and illegally occupied by force by France and Japan in the 1930s and 1940s, China resumed exercise of authority over these occupied islands and reefs in Xisha Qundao and Nansha Qundao after World War II, which was internationally recognized as a part of the post-war international order. However, since the 1970s, the discovery of vast oil and gas resources in relevant waters of Nansha Qundao has caught the attention of neighboring countries. Many islands and reefs of China's Nansha Qundao were then invaded and illegally occupied by some coastal states in the South China Sea. They started to put forward claims for exclusive economic zone and continental shelf in the South China Sea, and some even claimed extended continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles. Therefore, it is not hard to tell that the South China Sea issue is, in essence, a territorial issue arising from certain coastal states' territorial claims over and their illegal occupation of some of China's islands and reefs, and an issue of maritime delimitation arising from the overlapping claims of maritime rights and interests in some waters of the South China Sea. The evolution of international landscape has made the South China Sea issue even more prominent. Some non-regional countries stepped up military presence in the South China Sea, and frequently played up the issue as a leverage to contain China. At the same time, certain country concerned sought to solidify its illegally obtained interests and unilateral claims, for which it is even willing to act as a pawn of external forces. It kept infringing on others' rights and making provocations at sea, bringing risks and challenges to peace and stability in the South China Sea. As a coastal state in the South China Sea, China firmly upholds its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in accordance with its domestic law and international law. To all sovereign states, this is a right entitled. Meanwhile, as a responsible major country, China is always committed to taking real actions to promote peace and stability in the South China Sea and prosperity and development of the region, fully demonstrating our goodwill and forbearance. Just think, if it were some other major external power whose islands and reefs were occupied and resources plundered, there would be no similar restraint as China has exercised, and we could easily anticipate what would happen in the South China Sea. Going forward, China will act upon the vision of a maritime community with a shared future put forward by President Xi Jinping, and act as an anchor for peace and development in the South China Sea while resolutely safeguarding its own sovereignty and security interests. To this end, China calls for actions in the following areas. We should stay committed to bilateral negotiations to resolve maritime disputes. China delimited its first maritime boundary in the South China Sea in 2000, which was the one in the Beibu Gulf with Viet Nam, and has continued negotiations over recent years with Viet Nam to delimit the waters beyond the mouth of the Beibu Gulf. At the same time, China has announced respective baselines of the territorial sea adjacent to Xisha Qundao, the north part of the Beibu Gulf and Huangyan Dao, to pave the way for future delimitation. We are ready to delimit maritime boundaries through negotiation with all countries directly concerned in the South China Sea in accordance with international law. This has been China's approach, and will remain so. We should stay committed to dialogue and cooperation to manage the situation at sea. To resolve boundary disputes through negotiation is the only right choice, but it is also a complex process. Pending the final delimitation, situation at sea should still be properly managed with provisional arrangements. This is also strongly advocated by international law, including UNCLOS. To this end, China has conducted negotiations on maritime joint development with Viet Nam, Brunei and the Philippines, and signed a consensus document on joint development with Indonesia last year. Even in the case of Ren'ai Jiao, China has, while adhering to its principled position, reached provisional arrangement with the Philippines to cool down the situation. Conflict and confrontation will lead nowhere; dialogue and cooperation is the right way forward. We should stay committed to preventing and opposing external interference and resolutely safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea from disruption. It is a known fact that the South China Sea is the safest waterway in the world, and freedom of navigation has never been a problem here. The real problem is that "upholding freedom of navigation" has been used as an excuse by certain countries outside the region. Large numbers of warships and military aircraft were sent to the South China Sea to stir up trouble, and certain costal state was emboldened by a so-called military alliance treaty to infringe upon the rights of others. We must stay highly alert about these moves, and hold the key to regional security firmly in our own hands. To keep the South China Sea stable, and resolve the South China Sea issue, we must fend off external interference, still less be exploited by external forces. After all, pawns are always discarded in the end. We should stay committed to setting up rules to shape regional order. The Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) signed in 2002 establishes the basic principles and common norms for handling the South China Sea issue. Following the DOC, no more uninhabited islands and reefs of Nansha Qundao were occupied, and effective cooperation has since been active in areas such as marine environment protection, scientific research, maritime shipping and transport, search and rescue, and combating transnational crimes. This fully demonstrates the importance of establishing and observing rules and norms. China is ready to work with all parties to continue the full and effective implementation of the DOC, and, at the same time, to stay clear of disturbances and build consensus for the conclusion of a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) in 2026, with the third reading of the text now completed, so as to improve rules and order in the South China Sea. Friends, Together we have sailed far, yet smoother seas await beyond the bar. China will continue working hand in hand with regional countries and the wider international community to write a new chapter of peace, stability, prosperity and development in the South China Sea. I look forward to in-depth exchanges among all distinguished guests during this sub-forum, and hope you will contribute your wisdom and strength to making the South China Sea a sea of peace, friendship, and cooperation. To conclude, I wish this sub-forum a full success. Thank you! NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel has killed over 300 children since it broke Gaza ceasefire: UNICEF Iran Press TV Tuesday, 01 April 2025 3:24 PM The UN children's fund (UNICEF) says Israeli forces have killed over 300 children since Tel Aviv broke the Gaza ceasefire and renewed its genocidal war on the territory on March 18. UNCIEF said in a statement on Tuesday that Israel's "resumption of intense bombardments and ground operations in the Gaza Strip has reportedly left at least 322 children dead and 609 injured - constituting a daily average of around 100 children killed or maimed over the past 10 days." "Most of these children were displaced, sheltering in makeshift tents or damaged homes." According to the statement, among the victims were children "who were reportedly killed or injured when the surgical department of Al Nasser Hospital, in southern Gaza, was struck in an attack on 23 March." UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said the two-month fragile ceasefire in Gaza "provided a desperately needed lifeline for Gaza's children and hope for a path to recovery." "But children have again been plunged into a cycle of deadly violence and deprivation." Russell urged Israel "to adhere to their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect children." The health ministry in Gaza released a statement on Tuesday, saying that at least 42 bodies and 183 injured people have been received by hospitals across Gaza in the past 24 hours. It said 1,042 people have been killed in the besieged territory since March 18. The figure includes those killed in the past 24 hours. According to the ministry's figures, the overall death toll has reached 50,399 since October 7, 2023. The figures include at least 15,000 children, according to UNICEF. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Qatar joins Israel for 'side by side training' in aerial drills in Greece Iran Press TV Tuesday, 01 April 2025 11:53 AM Qatar is participating in an air exercise hosted by Greece alongside Israel and at least ten other countries, including Bahrain and the UAE. Qatar's participation in Iniochos 2025 air exercise, which also include the US, France, India, Italy, Montenegro, Poland, Slovenia and Spain, is unusual given that it is a key mediator in talks between Israel and Hamas. According to KAN television, Israel was surprised to see the full list of participants published on the Hellenic Air Force's website, given its request to keep its involvement, and that of others like Qatar, confidential. Despite the disclosure, the channel said, Qatari and Israeli air forces are now training in the same sky, attending joint briefings and cooperating in simulated missions. "Qatar and Israel are now training together in Greece," it said. The report comes amid the ongoing "Qatargate" scandal involving two top aides to Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who are said to have transferred money from Qatar. According to the Haaretz newspaper, the aides are suspected of having orchestrated or been involved in a campaign to improve Qatar's image abroad. On Monday, Yonatan Urich and Eli Feldstein, senior cabinet staffers, were arrested and Netanyahu left his corruption trial at a Tel Aviv court abruptly to give evidence in an investigation into possible ties between his aides and Qatar. The deployment phase of the exercise kicked off on March 24. The aerial drills began on Tuesday, and are scheduled to last through April 11. The Hellenic Air Force says the drill is meant to simulate a variety of scenarios, including evading attacks, strikes, and search and rescue. It includes joint air combat simulations and operational coordination. Qatar is reportedly participating with F-15 fighter jets, while the UAE deployed Mirage 2000 aircraft. Greece generally does not publicize the involvement of Arab countries in military drills; however, this year it made an exception by explicitly naming Qatar and the UAE as participants. The Israeli air force has only sent a Gulfstream G550 spy plane for Iniochos exercise this year. This is while it had sent several fighter jet squadrons and refuelers, in addition to spy planes, in previous editions. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address At least four killed in new Israeli aggression on Beirut despite truce Iran Press TV Tuesday, 01 April 2025 6:40 AM In the latest flagrant violation of a shaky ceasefire agreement with Lebanon, the Israeli military has carried out a strike against a residential building in a southern suburb of the capital Beirut, killing at least four people and wounding seven others. The local al-Mayadeen television news channel said the airstrike targeted the densely-populated Sfeir area at around 3:30 a.m. local time (0030 GMT) on Tuesday, destroying a building and damaging nearby structures. The report added that the Lebanese army had arrived at the scene and set up a security cordon in the vicinity of the blast. Civil defense teams and ambulances also rushed to the spot, rescuing people from under the rubble and transporting the injured to hospitals. The Israeli military later announced in a statement that it targeted a member of the Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement "who had recently directed Hamas operatives and assisted them." A joint statement released by the Israeli military and the regime's so-called internal security service, Shin Bet, alleged that the aerial attack had targeted a leading Hezbollah figure in Beirut's southern suburbs. Informed sources, however, dismissed the claim, and told al-Mayadeen TV that an ordinary member of Hezbollah had been martyred in the strike. The Israeli airstrike marks the second such attack on a southern suburb of the Lebanese capital. On Thursday, the Israeli army targeted the southern Beirut's Dahiyeh neighborhood for the first time since a ceasefire went into effect in late November between Israel and Hezbollah. And now, with this second attack, it seems this is Israel's new strategy and the occupying regime is not going to stop. Just two days ago, Hezbollah Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem warned that if Israel continues attacking the group or Lebanon's capital, the resistance movement will retaliate accordingly. After enduring substantial losses over almost 14 months of conflict and not achieving its aims in the offensive against Lebanon, Israel had no choice but to agree to a ceasefire with Hezbollah. The ceasefire was implemented on November 27. Since the initiation of the agreement, the occupying forces have been conducting attacks on Lebanon, violating the ceasefire, which encompasses airstrikes across the Arab nation. On January 27, Lebanon declared its decision to prolong the ceasefire with Israel until February 18. Despite the February 18 deadline having passed, Israel persists in its occupation of five critical areas in southern Lebanon, which include Labbouneh, Mount Blat, Owayda Hill, Aaziyyeh, and Hammamis Hill, located near the border. Lebanon has denounced the ongoing presence of Israeli military personnel, which constitutes a breach of the ceasefire agreement and the stipulated withdrawal timeline. High-ranking officials in Beirut have stated their intention to "employ all measures" necessary to expel the occupying forces from the Arab country. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China deploys army veterans for military, political training in Tibetan schools Tibetan children as young as 6 are subjected to the training and patriotic education, sources say. By RFA Tibetan 2025.04.01 -- China is placing army veterans as so-called "on-campus instructors" in schools across Tibet to impart military and political training to Tibetan children as young as 6, sources inside Tibet say, confirming state-run media reports about the new system. The move is a bid to instill loyalty to the Chinese government from a young age -- an initiative that experts say highlight an escalation in Beijing's assimilation policies aimed at erasing Tibetan identity. State-run TV segments show Tibetan students marching in fatigues, raising the red Chinese flag and standing in formation while responding to commands from the instructors. Other footage shows children diving under their desks for air raid drills and evacuating down stairs with notebooks held over their heads for protection against falling objects. Military personnel are being deployed to schools in Lhasa, Chamdo, and Nagchu in the Tibet Autonomous Region, or TAR, Ngaba and Kyungchu counties in Sichuan province, Sangchu county in Gansu province as well as other regions in Qinghai province, the sources told RFA Tibetan. There, they are tasked with providing "patriotic education" and preparing Tibetan children for future military service, the sources said. Formerly an independent nation, Tibet was invaded and incorporated into China by force over 70 years ago. Ever since, Chinese authorities have maintained a tight grip on the region, restricting the Tibetan people's peaceful expression of cultural and religious identity and use of the Tibetan language. "It's no longer just about China swapping out Tibetan language in textbooks for Mandarin, the first source told Radio Free Asia, speaking on the condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals. "Now, they are sending military personnel and Chinese Communist Party cadres to schools across Tibet to provide ideological education to thoroughly change Tibetan children's values, way of thinking, and overall mannerisms in order to build their loyalty to the party," he said. Instilling 'correct values' in children In Nagchu, for example, 13 retired Han Chinese army veterans were installed as "on-campus instructors" at seven different schools, ranging from primary to middle school, to help instill "correct values" in children, local state-run media reported. At least such two video reports showed that during such training periods, instructors blew whistles in the early mornings to wake up the children and instill army style culture in schools. TV footage also showed instructors dressed in fatigues inspecting bunk beds to see if the beds are made properly. The new system seeks to "let national defense education take root from childhood" and to ready Tibetan children for future military service, in what authorities said creates a "new win-win situation for veterans' services and youth ideological and political education," state-run media reports said. "Usually, the Chinese Ministry of Education creates a list of primary and secondary national defense education demonstration schools," Anushka Saxena, a research analyst at Bengaluru, India-based Takshashila Institution, told Radio Free Asia. "Such schools are those where the PLA feels it needs to inculcate a sense of unity" with the Communist Party's cause, she said, referring to the People's Liberation Army. "Hence, schools in Tibet become an important target, given the need to assimilate and have younger generations feel a sense of loyalty to the country and the military," she said. Goal: Sinicization Experts said the proliferation of uniformed military personnel in various local Tibetan primary and middle schools is a direct result of the recently amended National Defense Education Law, which was passed by the National People's Congress Standing Committee, China's top legislature, and came into effect in September 2024. Under the amendments, branches of the People's Liberation Army will be stationed in colleges, universities and high schools across the country to boost a nationwide program of approved military education and physical training to prepare young people for recruitment, state news agency Xinhua reported at the time. "Together with other coercive means... this law is now being abused as an auxiliary tool to achieve the CCP's - yet still elusive - goal of full Sinicization of Tibetans, by both militarizing and brainwashing the generation of young Tibetan who are coming of age in the current decade," said Frank Lehberger, a Germany-based Sinologist and senior research fellow at Indian think tank Usanas Foundation, referring to the Chinese Communist Party. China has long had a culture of military training in schools and universities, with Tibetan school children aged 8-16 forced to attend military training programs during vacation and Tibetan university students made to participate in military drills and training exercises. But the "on-campus instructor" system is a first, experts say. Chinese authorities chose Sernye district in Nagchu as the first pilot area in Tibet to implement the system, which they refer to as "...the innovative practice of integrating veterans' management with school education." 'Reshaping children's values and thought processes' This, experts say, is in line with goals outlined in China's government work report for 2025, in which Premier Li Qiang said the government will draw up and implement a three-year action plan to strengthen education by adopting "integrated reforms and new approaches" in the "political education curriculum at all levels, from elementary school to university." "These efforts at reshaping Tibetan children's values and thought processes go beyond the classroom," a second source from Tibet told RFA. "These party cadres with extensive military experience enter students' dormitories even after school hours to enforce Han Chinese ideologies and teach their social norms and conducts," he said. "This is aimed at deconstructing Tibetan children's existing thought patterns and cultural practices, which they have learned from their parents and traditions." In Ngaba and Dzoge county in Sichuan province, for example, where Chinese authorities recently closed two monastic schools and forced young monks from these schools into state-administered boarding schools, sources say there is a greater emphasis on providing political education to Tibetan children. The closure of the two schools in July 2024 affected about 1600 students who were then forced to enrol in state-run boarding schools. "I've received essays written anonymously by Tibetan teachers from inside Tibet who have expressed their frustration at seeing the complete changes in school curriculum with heavy propaganda messages. This includes showing soldiers of the People's Liberation Army in a heroic light," said Tsewang Dorji, Research Fellow at the Tibet Policy Institute. The "on-campus instructors" in Tibetan schools serve multiple roles, including as national defense education counselors, behavioral norms instructors, and ideological and political lecturers, local Chinese state media reported. Some of the training they provide and activities they lead in the schools, include Chinese flag-raising march, singing of military songs before meals, and provision of political and ideological education, with an emphasis on stories that glorify the 'Chinese nation' and service to it, reports said. "The PLA finds relevance in cultivating soldiers from Tibet given Tibetan's natural and habitual adjustment with climates of high altitude. When it comes to cultivating professionals capable of conducting mountain warfare against adversaries like India, Tibetans can be an important asset for the PLA," Saxena said. Chinese state media also celebrated the success of the pilot project in Nagchu, saying more than 300 Tibetan students have applied to be "future military service volunteers." Translated by Tenzin Norzom. Edited by Tenzin Pema and Malcolm Foster. Copyright 1998-2025, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content April not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address EU Lawmakers Debate Support For RFE/RL Amid US Funding Freeze By Rikard Jozwiak April 01, 2025 European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos has emphasized the "need to protect Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL)," warning that "if we don't, we hand a gift to autocrats the world over." Her remarks came during a debate in the European Parliament plenary in Strasbourg on April 1 that focused on safeguarding access to democratic media, including RFE/RL. The debate was initiated in response to an executive order signed by US President Donald Trump on March 14, which reduced the size of the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), the body overseeing RFE/RL. Shortly afterward, Kari Lake, a senior adviser to the USAGM CEO, issued a letter stating that the Congress-approved grant funding the broadcaster had been terminated. While the grant termination has since been rescinded, the USAGM has not sent any of the congressionally appropriated funds, prompting RFE/RL to furlough some of its staff on April 1. Kos, speaking on behalf of the EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, said that "the European Union needs to be a refuge for independent media, including from Russia and Belarus, so they can continue their work; holding their political and business elites to account and exposing corruption." While the commissioner refrained from speaking about the potential of the EU stepping in to fund the media organization, several members of the European Parliament did mention the idea. Stormy Discussion Sebastiao Bugalho, a Portuguese member of the largest group in the chamber, the center-right European People's Party, said that "we will pay the price and shoulder the burden." Lithuanian lawmaker Virginijus Sinkevicius from the Greens underlined that "we must ensure that RFE/RL has access to long-term and stable funding, including from the EU." Alexandr Vondra, who was a prominent dissident in communist Czechoslovakia and is now a Czech MEP from the right-wing European Conservatives and Reformists, said that the radio helped spread information in repressive countries such as Iran, Belarus, and Russia, and called on the European Union to contribute to the station's finding. "Let us be open to finance [RFE/RL] also from EU money and find agreement on what form," he said. The one-hour debate became rather stormy at times with lawmakers shouting at each other in between speeches. Several members from populist groups in the Strasbourg chamber spoke against potentially using EU money to finance the broadcaster. Mary Khan, an MEP from the far-right Alternative for Germany party, said that RFE/RL "can finance itself" and added that "media should not be financed by European institutions." Slovak MEP Milan Uhrik, who belongs to the same Europe of Sovereign Nations Group as Khan, said that the EU should instead help farmers in Slovakia battling foot-and-mouth disease among its cattle, adding that "your independent media is the absolute opposite of independent media." Julien Sanchez, a French parliamentarian belonging to the Patriots for Europe, another populist right-wing fraction, said that the chamber was "hypocritical" in talking about this situation and "interfering with the situation in the United States." The debate will have no resolution to be voted on during this plenary session, which ends on April 3, but this could come at a later stage as several European parliamentary officials told RFE/RL that the house will continue to monitor the situation. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/rferl-funding-eu-parliament- debate-trump-grant-cuts/33367900.html Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Fourth Missing US Soldier's Body Recovered In Lithuania By Merhat Sharipzhan April 01, 2025 The body of a fourth missing US soldier has been recovered near Pabrade, Lithuania, the US Army said in a statement on April 1. Recovery operations, bolstered by international cooperation and advanced technology, lasted for several days after a military vehicle with four US soldiers aboard sank in a bog area on March 25. The bodies of the first three soldiers from the US Army's 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, and their M88A2 Hercules armored recovery vehicle had been retrieved a day earlier. "This past week has been devastating. Today, our hearts bear the weight of an unbearable pain with the loss of our final Dogface Soldier," said Major General Christopher Norrie, using an affectionate nickname for a US infantryman. "Though we have received some closure, the world is darker without them." The recovery mission had intensified in the last 24 hours with the arrival of specialized personnel and equipment. Rescue dogs and two advanced drone systems, including one equipped with ground-penetrating radar, had operated on the site to enhance search capabilities. Hundreds of soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Division, alongside US Navy divers, Lithuania's armed forces, Polish engineers, Estonian military police, multinational civilian agencies, and technical experts from the US Army Corps of Engineers, were actively engaged in the recovery. The names of the deceased are being withheld pending notification of their families. Investigations into the tragedy are under way. Authorities are examining the circumstances that led to the incident, including the terrain, weather conditions, and the state of the vehicle. The missing vehicle and troops had triggered a massive multinational rescue effort, and US Major General Curtis Taylor, commanding general of the 1st Armored Division, expressed thanks to everyone who contributed to the recovery operation. "We cannot thank our Allies and fellow service members enough, especially Lithuanians, who spared no resource in support of this mission," he said. "Together, we delivered on our promise to never leave a fallen comrade." Lithuania, a NATO and EU member, hosts more than 1,000 US troops stationed in the Baltic nation on a rotational basis. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/recovery-operations-missing- us-soldier-lithuania/33366821.html Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Dodik Meets With Putin As Visit To Moscow Riles Bosnian Lawmakers By RFE/RL's Balkan Service April 01, 2025 Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik met with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a surprise visit to Moscow as lawmakers back home warned the nationalist leader was putting Bosnia-Herzegovina's EU drive at risk. Dodik, who left Bosnia even though he's the target of an international arrest warrant over accusations that he flouted the Balkan country's constitution, posted a video of himself on social media on April 1 in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier along the wall of the Kremlin. "I start every time I stay here with a visit to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to pay my respects to the 28 million Russians who died in World War II," Dodik said in the video posted on X shortly after he arrived in Moscow. He provided no agenda for his visit but said he would "be here again on May 9 at the invitation of the president of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory over fascism." Hours later, Dodik said on the X social network that he had his "26th meeting" with the Russian president, stressing that "Putin knows the details, the overall situation that is happening" in Republika Srpska" and "is interested in everything" that ordinary residents of the entity are concerned about. Dodik's statement was accompanied with a video showing him shaking hands with Putin before the talks. "Russia is a very important country for Republika Srpska in the [UN] Security Council, and it has always been objective. Russia is the guarantor of the peace agreement and Putin said that at the meeting," Dodik's statement said, adding that Russia will advocate for the end of the work of international institutions in Republika Srpska. Dodik, who is the president of Republika Srpska, is currently under US and UK sanctionsfor actions Western governments say are aimed at the secession of Republika Srpska from Bosnia. The Court of Bosnia-Herzegovina on March 27 requested the international arrest warrant after Dodik failed to respond to a summons from the Prosecutor-General's Office on suspicion that he committed the criminal offense of attacking the constitutional order of Bosnia. The move came after the court issued a national arrest warrant on March 18. Bosnian Foreign Minister Elemdin Konakovic warned after meeting OSCE Secretary General Feridun Sinirlioglu on April 1 that Dodik's moves "are trampling the interests of the state," especially Bosnia's path to European Union membership. Sinirlioglu warned that Dodik's disregard for Bosnia's constitution could lead to serious internal consequences for the country and "also lead to far-reaching consequences for peace and stability in the region." In his video from Moscow, Dodik spoke of the suffering of Russians and Serbs in the defeat of fascism. "Some are trying to revise history. It is impossible to do so, but those who want to do so are openly trying to distort historical facts," he said. "But the historical fact about the suffering of the Russian and Serbian people, and the Jewish people during World War II is simply impossible to change." Dodik also spoke highly of Putin, whom he has met several times since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and described as "the historic leader of the Russian people." He added that Putin has welcomed "another counterpart who is important to him in the fight against the globalist elite, and that is [US] President [Donald] Trump." The Bosnian court requested the international arrest warrant for Dodik and for Nenad Stevandic, speaker of the Republika Srpska Parliament, on suspicion of the same crime -- attacking the constitutional order of Bosnia. Dodik announced his arrival in Moscow on March 29 but did not provide details. Republika Srpska in mid-March adopted a draft of a new constitution that would redefine the Serb entity as a state of the Serbian people, grant it the right to self-determination, and establish its own army. These provisions would be directly in conflict with the Bosnian Constitution and the Dayton peace accords, which established Republika Srpska as one of Bosnia's two entities. Throughout his tenure as president of Republika Srpska, Dodik has faced criticism for authoritarian tendencies, undermining democratic institutions, and fostering a culture of political patronage. Supporters argue that he has brought stability and development to the entity, while opponents charge that his leadership has deepened divisions among the country's ethnic communities and eroded the state's institutional integrity. With reporting by AFP Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/bosnia-dodik-russia-moscow- putin-constitution-arrest-warrant/33366555.html Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address EU Faces Crossroads On Russia Sanctions As Rubio's NATO Debut Looms By Rikard Jozwiak April 01, 2025 Briefing #1: EU Won't Lift Sanctions On Russia -- Yet What You Need To Know: In recent weeks, the United States, Russia, and Ukraine have been sketching out cease-fire frameworks: one aimed at protecting energy infrastructure like power plants and transmission lines and another focused on reducing military activity in the Black Sea. One of Moscow's big asks has been publicly communicated: sanctions relief. In a Kremlin statementissued after the Black Sea cease-fire agreement on March 25, Moscow declared it would only observe the deal if the West partially lifted sanctions imposed following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than three years ago. This demand includes lifting restrictions on fertilizer exports and the insurance companies that cover them, as well as reconnecting several Russian banks to the SWIFT global payment system. Several EU leaders have already dismissed Moscow's request, most notably during a March 27 meeting in Paris, where top officials from more than 30 countries gathered to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine. When I spoke with numerous European diplomats, they all pointed out that the White House statementreleased the same day made no mention of sanctions relief. As one EU ambassador put it to me, referring to the recent cease-fire talks in Riyadh: "No deal was made on this in Saudi Arabia, so therefore nothing to decide for us." Deep Background: The Europeans have obviously not been present at the cease-fire talks, but they do have a rather large say on Russia sanctions. SWIFT is a Belgian company, for starters, and the EU has "de-SWIFTed" 23 Russian banks so far, including big ones such as Sberbank and Bank Otkritie. They are also aware that Russia's trade relations with Europe run deeper than they do with the United States. Even before the full-scale invasion, US exports to Russia amounted to less than 0.5 percent of total American worldwide exports. For the EU, that figure was 6 percent, which is equivalent to 250 billion euros ($272 billion). So, when wide-ranging EU sanctions were imposed, it hit Moscow harder. The EU's sanctions czar, David O'Sullivan, estimates that restrictive measures have deprived Russia of more than 450 billion euros ($490 billion) in revenue since early 2022. So, are the Europeans considering even a partial easing of sanctions on Russia? The answer I consistently hear is a simple "no" or "we will decline this." Officials point to Russia's ongoing drone and missile attacks on Ukraine, as well as the conclusions of a recent EU gathering, which signaled a potential ramping up of measures rather than a relaxation of pressure. As the Main Results of the March 20 European Council meetingon Ukraine put it: "The European Union remains ready to step up pressure on Russia, including through further sanctions and by strengthening the enforcement of existing measures." The European Commission has not yet invited EU member states for so-called sanctions confessionals to discuss a new sanctions package, which would be the 17th in three years, but they are looking into things like closing sanctions circumvention loopholes. Drilling Down The conclusions of the European Council meeting on March 20 were approved by 26 out of 27 EU member states. The one not aligning? Hungary, which for a long time has been critical of EU sanctions . . This is significant for one reason: lifting EU sectoral sanctions requires unanimity, and that simply doesn't exist right now. As noted above, many member states are calling for more sanctions, not fewer. But here's the catch: Every six months, in January and July, the entire sanctions package must be extended -- and that also requires unanimous approval. It is here where Hungary, and potentially others, might want to come in and start scaling down. In January, Budapest was threatening the entire rollover and only gave the green light after getting written assurances that Russian oil would continue to flow into Hungary. that Russian oil would continue to flow into Hungary. EU diplomats I've spoken to are already fearing what the July sanctions extension might look like and what concessions they may have to make to secure a rollover as a whole. The regular EU summit at the end of June will likely involve intense horse-trading on this, with Hungary eyeing more frozen EU funds for itself and several member states eager to launch EU accession talks with Kyiv by the summer -- a move Budapest has blocked so far. De-SWIFTing some banks and allowing Russian fertilizers into the bloc again are obviously low-hanging fruit in this regard. But this will, of course, depend on what the situation looks like on the ground in Ukraine at that time. One thing is clear, however: Despite immediate rejections from European diplomats, Moscow has planted a seed. As one European diplomat put it to me: "I believe it is a smart salami method the Russians have started here. Already into the cease-fire talks, they bring far-reaching demands that, in fact, belong more in a comprehensive peace deal discussion. It should be us this time who are 'transactional' and give this powerful tool away only for a fair price." So what could this fair price be? In a sense, European officials will look to Kyiv to provide the answer. But according to those I've spoken with, the contours could include limited sanctions relief in exchange for freezing the front lines, no recognition of occupied territories as Russian, and continued Western military deliveries to Ukraine, with the snapback option of sanctions if breaches occur. The question is whether Brussels and Kyiv can get Moscow to agree to such a deal and what the United States will think of it. Briefing #2: Rubio Comes To Brussels What You Need To Know: On April 3-4, NATO foreign ministers will gather in Brussels for their regular spring meeting. Much like the defense ministerial in February, all eyes will be on the American representative. Then, it was Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth; this time, it's Secretary of State Marco Rubio. When Rubio was first slated for the role in the new Trump administration, most Europeans rejoiced. He was seen as an ardent "transatlanticist." Now, there is a certain nervousness, according to NATO diplomats I have spoken to. While some say, "He still gets us and the alliance," they wonder what influence he really has within the US government and what he will say when it comes to Ukraine, Russia, and China. Two things, however, are apparent. Just like Hegseth, Rubio will hammer home the message that European allies need to step up on defense spending and burden sharing. And, just like in February, the allies will hope that the United States reconfirms its commitment to NATO and its mutual defense clause, Article 5. Since the only other NATO gatherings before the alliance's June summit are an informal foreign ministers' meeting in Turkey in mid-May and a defense ministers' session in early June, this week's meeting serves very much as a dress rehearsal for the summit in The Hague on June 24-26. The goal for that meeting is clear: Keep the alliance together by ramping up defense spending considerably. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte is pushing for every ally to commit to spending at least 3.7 percent of gross domestic product on defense as quickly as possible and with regular progress reports. This push is aimed at placating US President Donald Trump at the summit, but some European allies will be reluctant to commit too much on defense too soon given they are struggling with low growth and ballooning budget deficits. Deep Background: Perhaps the one thing to look out for during the ministerial is the session devoted to NATO-EU relations, with the latter being represented by the European bloc's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas. Rubio snubbed Kallas when she traveled to the United States earlier this year, and all EU diplomats I have spoken to admit that Washington doesn't see the EU as a serious interlocutor. There is also plenty of tension, not least when it comes to the European Commission's latest defense spending proposal: a potential 150 billion euro ($163 billion) loan for EU member states to buy arms, though not from non-European countries. The United States is especially wary of any moves that would lock it out of a European defense-spending splurge. But the biggest irritant, of course, is the fraying relationship on trade. Just one day before the NATO meeting, the United States is set to impose a 25 percent tariff on all vehicle imports, a move that will hit countries like Germany especially hard. This follows existing US duties on European steel and aluminum, which Brussels is planning to counter with retaliatory measures on April 13. Drilling Down Another guest at the ministerial is Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha. An update on the situation on the battlefield is expected but, again, it will be Rubio who is in the spotlight. Will the United States increase pressure on Russia in case the cease-fire deals concerning infrastructure and Black Sea traffic aren't holding? While Ukraine's membership in the alliance is off the table for now, most European allies are keen to at least get assurances that US weapons will continue to go to Ukraine and that NATO's training mission for Ukrainian soldiers, NSATU, continues to operate. So far, everything is still working. There also haven't been any changes when it comes to US troop posture on NATO's eastern flank. What has changed, however, is that the United States is no longer chairing the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, known as the Ramstein group, which coordinates military support for Kyiv. The United Kingdom already chaired the last meeting of the group in February, and the next one tentatively scheduled for April 11 could be co-chaired by the UK and France. Expect London and Paris to also continue working, at least on the sidelines of the ministerial, on a potential reassurance force in Ukraine should a permanent cease-fire take hold. However, details such as troop numbers, participating countries, and the exact mandate will have to remain sketchy for now. What's become increasingly apparent is that work on a new NATO strategy for Russia has stalled. The strategy -- defining how the alliance should engage with Moscow going forward -- was supposed to be endorsed at the Hague summit. But Washington has indicated that it wants to avoid introducing potential "irritants" on the path to a final peace deal, and such a strategy document could be exactly that. Finally, the foreign ministers of NATO's four Asia-Pacific partners -- Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea -- will also be participating in a session at the explicit request of the United States. While the US administration sees Beijing as a rival, its public criticism of China has so far been relatively muted. In this session, ministers will be keen to hear Rubio's take on how to approach a range of China-related issues. Looking Ahead Look out for the first ever EU-Central Asia leaders' summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on April 4. European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will meet with the presidents of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan to discuss issues that include energy cooperation, Russian sanctions circumvention, and expanding trade opportunities. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/eu-russia-sanctions-debate- rubio-nato-meeting-ukraine-wider-europe/33364600.html Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Houthis Say Shot Down US Drone MQ-9 Over Northeast Yemen With Locally Made Missile Sputnik News 20250401 The Ansar Allah movement (Houthis), which rules northern Yemen, said that its air defense forces had shot down a US reconnaissance drone MQ-9 over the northeastern province of Ma'rib with a locally produced missile, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said. "Our air defenses successfully shot down an American MQ-9 Reaper drone while it was carrying out hostile missions in the airspace of Ma'rib Governorate, using a suitable, locally made missile," Saree said on Telegram. He noted that this was the sixteenth drone that Yemen's air defense had managed to shoot down in the past few years. According to official sources, the average unit cost of a Reaper drone is approximately $56.5 million. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary Rubio's Meeting with Argentine Foreign Minister Werthein US Department of State Readout Office of the Spokesperson April 1, 2025 The below is attributable to Spokesperson Tammy Bruce: Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Argentine Foreign Minister Gerardo Werthein today. Secretary Rubio welcomed Argentina's ongoing partnership on shared economic priorities and reaffirmed the importance of strengthening our cooperation in key sectors. Secretary Rubio and Foreign Minister Werthein discussed the need to continue countering authoritarianism, particularly in Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, as their regimes threaten U.S. national security and destabilize our hemisphere. Both leaders emphasized their support of the courageous Cuban, Nicaraguan, and Venezuelan people as they continue to stand up for their fundamental freedoms and confront oppression at the hands of authoritarian regimes and the harmful influence of malign external actors. Secretary Rubio and Foreign Minister Werthein committed to further strengthen and deepen the diplomatic ties between the United States and Argentina, grounded in our shared values and mutual interests. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN Human Rights Council 58: UK Statement on the Democratic Republic of Congo UK Statement for the Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on the Democratic Republic of Congo. Delivered by the UK Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders. 1 April 2025 Location: Geneva Delivered on: 1 April 2025 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered) Thank you Madame Vice President, We commend the Democratic Republic of the Congo's strong engagement with the Council during its membership so far, recognising, in particular, their leadership in convening the special session of this Council last month. The UK is deeply concerned by the significant deterioration of the situation in eastern DRC, where M23 and Rwanda Defence Force advances have displaced over one million people since January. A resolution to this conflict is vital. We encourage all parties to engage in good faith and refrain from inflammatory rhetoric. We are hearing horrifying accounts of human rights abuses and violations perpetrated by all parties including M23, the Rwanda Defence Force, the Armed Forces of the DRC, Wazelendo groups, and the Allied Democratic Forces. We urge all parties to respect international humanitarian law, protect civilians, particularly from sexual and gender-based violence, and immediately end the abduction and recruitment of children. Lastly, the UK reiterates its objection to the death penalty in all circumstances and, once again, urges the DRC to reconsider its decision to lift the moratorium on the death penalty. Madame Vice President, What more can the UN and the international community do to address the human rights situation in areas under M23 and RDF control? NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN Human Rights Council 58: UK Statement on the OHCHR report for South Sudan UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue on the OHCHR report on technical assistance for South Sudan. Delivered by the UK Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders. 1 April 2025 Location: Geneva Delivered on: 1 April 2025 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered) Madame Vice President, We are grateful for today's update and commend OHCHR's continued provision of technical assistance in South Sudan. As we have heard today, the situation in South Sudan is extremely grave. We are deeply concerned by the increase in fighting in recent weeks. Aerial bombardments have killed civilians, and over 63,000 people are newly displaced. The arrest of the First Vice President, Riek Machar is troubling. President Kiir and all leaders with control or influence over armed groups must order an immediate ceasefire to prevent the collapse of the peace agreement - and a tragic return to full-scale conflict. Legislation on transitional justice institutions has now been passed. But these have not yet come into existence. Elections have also been postponed, further delaying democracy, accountability and peace in South Sudan. The technical assistance and capacity building provided by OHCHR plays an important role. Alongside this, it is clear that the independent scrutiny of the human rights situation provided by the Commission for Human Rights is as vital today as when it was established in 2016. In conclusion, we firmly believe it is time for the peaceful and democratic future promised to the people of South Sudan to be realised. Thank you. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Lebanon: UN expresses deep concern over latest Israeli airstrikes, in call for restraint 1 April 2025 - The United Nations on Tuesday expressed deep concern over the latest escalation of violence in Lebanon, despite the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, following an Israeli airstrike in southern Beirut that reportedly killed four people - including a woman - and injured several others. Tuesday morning's strike reportedly targeted a Hezbollah official who Israel accused of aiding Hamas in planning an imminent terror attack against civilians. It was the second Israeli strike in the southern suburb in five days. "The UN reiterates the calls on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and refrain from further escalatory activities, which endanger civilians and jeopardize the progress already made to restore stability on both sides of the Blue Line," UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told journalists at a regular press briefing at the UN Headquarters in New York. He emphasised the importance of fully implementing Security Council resolution 1701, which was adopted in August 2006 to end the 34-day war between Israel and Hezbollah. The resolution called for a cessation of hostilities, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon, and the creation of a demilitarized zone. "It remains crucial that the parties undertake tangible steps towards the full implementation of Security Council resolution 1701 and uphold their commitments made under the cessation of hostilities agreement," Mr. Dujarric said. He added that the Office of the Special Coordinator for Lebanon and the UN Interim Force in the country (UNIFIL) remain in contact with all stakeholders to dial down tensions. Shots fired at peacekeepers He also reported that over the weekend, the Israeli army fired warning shots from a machine gun at UN peacekeepers across the Blue Line - which separates Israeli and Lebanese armed forces - near Rmeish in the south. The incident was "a clear violation of resolution 1701," Mr. Dujarric said. In a separate incident, the peacekeepers reported that an IDF patrol aimed a laser at them. "Any attempt to interfere with peacekeepers' mandated duties and any act that compromises their safety is unacceptable," Mr. Dujarric stressed, adding that the security of peacekeepers must be respected. He said UN peacekeepers remain in position in southern Lebanon and continue to monitor and report on the situation on the ground. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address DR Congo: Surging violence as armed groups target civilians in the east, Human Rights Council hears 1 April 2025 - Civilians continue to bear the brunt of the violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) with 602 victims of extrajudicial or summary executions in North and South Kivu recorded over just two months, the Human Rights Council heard on Tuesday. The grim revelation emerged during a high-level discussion at the UN in Geneva on the human rights situation in DRC. The Council - the UN's foremost human rights forum - also heard updates on allegations of ongoing abuses in South Sudan and the Central African Republic. Surging violence Despite best efforts, armed groups including the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel forces have made major recent gains - occupying cities such as Goma and Bukavu - causing mass displacement. Conflict-related sexual violence "is being committed by all parties," warned UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, Nada Al-Nashif, citing a 270 per cent spike in reported cases since January. "Any plans for a sustainable peace must tackle the root causes of the conflict, including the illegal exploitation of the national wealth that lies in natural resources," she said, also calling for action against hate speech and corruption. She underscored the alarming scale of the crisis: nearly 26 million people face food insecurity, and over 7.8 million are now displaced nationwide. In the east - where multiple armed groups have battled national forces and allied militia for years - more than 1.6 million children are out of school. Renewed conflict and repression in South Sudan Turning to South Sudan, the UN human rights office (OHCHR) Global Operations Division Director, Maarit Kohonen Sheriff, painted a stark picture of escalating violence and political tension. She noted a "severe security, human rights and humanitarian crisis," including deadly attacks in Upper Nile State and aerial bombardments that have displaced civilians and destroyed infrastructure. The Council heard that arrests and detentions linked to political affiliations, including members of the leading opposition militia, known as the SPLM-IO, have raised serious concerns, with some detainees held without access to legal representation or external monitoring. "The recent house arrest of First Vice President, Riek Machar is alarming," Ms. Sheriff said, warning of threats to the 2018 power-sharing arrangement under the Revitalized Peace Agreement. Despite some progress - including new transitional justice laws and the creation of a human rights defenders' network in Unity State - civic space remains severely restricted, and documented cases of conflict-related sexual violence have risen by 72 per cent compared to the previous year. Urgent funding needs Efforts to train prosecutors and police on investigating sexual violence were highlighted as positive, but Ms. Sheriff emphasised the urgent need for funding and international support. "Human rights technical cooperation efforts will only bear fruit if the parties in South Sudan recommit to the peace agreement," she said. The international community must continue to support nation-building efforts and help "prevent a relapse into civil war," she further emphasised. Fragile gains in Central African Republic The Council also heard updates from the Central African Republic (CAR), with Ms. Sheriff recognising the Government's progress in adopting policies to promote human rights, including new protections for human rights defenders. Nevertheless, she stressed that the situation "remains difficult", with violations still being committed by all parties to the conflict. Ms. Sheriff highlighted atrocities by armed groups such as the Azande Ani Kpi Gbe militia in Haut-Oubangui, compounded by spillover violence from Sudan "An effective decentralisation process is essential for responsible governance," she told the Council, urging inclusive local elections and more civic participation, especially by women and youth. Transparent justice Independent Expert Yao Agbetse echoed her call, urging full implementation of national reforms and increased transparency in justice. While noting progress, he warned that rights violations remain widespread, particularly in areas under armed group control. CAR's Justice Minister, Arnaud Djoubaye Abazene, reaffirmed the Government's commitment to extending judicial institutions across the country. "The population is thirsty for justice," he said, citing efforts to expand courts and upcoming local elections as signs of resolve. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Yemeni forces attack US aircraft carrier with cruise missiles and drones Iran Press TV Wednesday, 02 April 2025 1:42 AM The Yemeni Armed Forces say they have carried out a new operation against the United States, targeting an American aircraft carrier in the Red Sea for the third time in the past 24 hours. The Yemeni Armed Forces said in a statement on Tuesday that in retaliation to the American aggression against Yemen, "the Naval Forces, Rocket Forces, and the Air Force of our Armed Forces have targeted hostile warships in the Red Sea, including the American aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman, using several cruise missiles and drones." "The engagement is ongoing at the time of this statement, marking the third such operation in the past 24 hours," it added. "Our military operations against the American enemy will continue, targeting their warships in the declared operational zone with increasing intensity, God willing," the statement said. The Armed Forces said that Yemen's operations against Israel will also continue by preventing navigation of the regime's vessels in the Red and Arabian Seas and targeting its military and vital facilities. "Additionally, our military operations against the Israeli enemy, by preventing its navigation in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea and targeting its military and strategic facilities, aim to halt the genocide against the oppressed Palestinian people in Gazaa crime being committed in full view of Arabs, Muslims, and the world," the statement said. They stressed that anti-Israel operations will go on until the regime's genocide against the oppressed Palestinian people in Gaza stops and the siege of the territory is lifted. On Monday night, the Yemeni Armed Forces announced the downing of a US MQ-9 drone over Ma'rib Governorate, the 16th drone downed by the country since October 7, 2023. On Sunday night, the United States carried out more acts of aggression against Yemen to force the Arab country to stop its support for Palestinians in Gaza. American warplanes conducted thirteen intense airstrikes on the Yemeni capital, Sana'a. The Yemeni media reported eight attacks on Sana'a's Al-Malikah area and five strikes on the Sarf area. The attacks followed earlier strikes that left one civilian dead and twelve wounded in two districts of Sana'a. Most of the US attacks target civilian buildings in the Yemeni capital. Yemenis have been hitting Israeli and American targets in support of Palestinians in Gaza since the regime launched its devastating war on Gaza on October 7, 2023, and in response to the American-British aggression on their homeland. The operations have effectively shut down the Eilat port south of the occupied territories, causing significant economic setbacks for the Israelis. The Yemeni Armed Forces have said they will not stop their attacks until Israel's ground and aerial offensives in Gaza end. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address At Brussels Foreign Ministers Summit, All Eyes Will Be On Marco Rubio By Rikard Jozwiak April 02, 2025 On April 3-4, NATO foreign ministers will gather in Brussels for their regular spring meeting. Much like at the defense ministerial in February, all eyes will be on the American representative. Then, it was Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth; this time, it's Secretary of State Marco Rubio. When Rubio was first slated for the role in the new Trump administration, most Europeans rejoiced. He was seen as an ardent "transatlanticist." Now, there is a certain nervousness, according to the NATO diplomats I have spoken to. While some say, "He still gets us and the alliance," they wonder what influence he really has within the US government and what he will say when it comes to Ukraine, Russia, and China. Two things, however, are apparent. Just like Hegseth, Rubio will hammer home the message that European allies need to step up on defense spending and burden sharing. And, just like in February, the allies will hope that the United States reconfirms its commitment to NATO and its mutual defense clause, Article 5. Since the only other NATO gatherings before the alliance's June summit are an informal foreign ministers' meeting in Turkey in mid-May and a defense ministers' session in early June, this week's meeting serves very much as a dress rehearsal for the summit in The Hague on June 24-26. The goal for that meeting is clear: Keep the alliance together by considerably ramping up defense spending. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte is pushing for every ally to commit to spending at least 3.7 percent of gross domestic product on defense as quickly as possible and with regular progress reports. This push is aimed at placating US President Donald Trump at the summit, but some European allies will be reluctant to commit too much on defense too soon given they are struggling with low growth and ballooning budget deficits. Will Rubio Snub The EU's Kaja Kallas Again? Perhaps the one thing to look for during the ministerial is the session devoted to NATO-EU relations, with the latter represented by the European bloc's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas. Rubio snubbed Kallas when she traveled to the United States earlier this year, and all EU diplomats I have spoken to admit that Washington doesn't see the EU as a serious interlocutor. There is also plenty of tension, not least when it comes to the European Commission's latest defense spending proposal: a potential 150 billion euro ($163 billion) loan for EU member states to buy arms, though not from non-European countries. The United States is especially wary of any moves that would lock it out of a European defense-spending splurge. But the biggest irritant, of course, is the fraying relationship on trade. Just one day before the NATO meeting, the United States is set to impose a 25 percent tariff on all vehicle imports, a move that will hit countries like Germany especially hard. This follows existing US duties on European steel and aluminum, which Brussels is planning to counter with retaliatory measures on April 13. Will The US Ramp Up Pressure On Russia? Another guest at the ministerial is Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha. An update on the situation on the battlefield is expected but, again, it will be Rubio who is in the spotlight. Will the United States increase pressure on Russia in case the cease-fire deals concerning infrastructure and Black Sea traffic aren't holding? While Ukraine's membership in NATO is off the table for now, most European allies are keen to at least get assurances that US weapons will continue to go to Ukraine and that NATO's training mission for Ukrainian soldiers, NSATU, continues to operate. So far, everything is still working. There also haven't been any changes when it comes to US troop posture on NATO's eastern flank. What has changed, however, is that the United States is no longer chairing the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, known as the Ramstein group, which coordinates military support for Kyiv. The United Kingdom already chaired the last meeting of the group in February, and the next one tentatively scheduled for April 11 could be co-chaired by the UK and France. Expect London and Paris to also continue working, at least on the sidelines of the ministerial, on a potential reassurance force in Ukraine should a permanent cease-fire take hold. However, details such as troop numbers, participating countries, and the exact mandate will have to remain sketchy for now. What's become increasingly apparent is that work on a new NATO strategy for Russia has stalled. The strategy -- defining how the alliance should engage with Moscow going forward -- was supposed to be endorsed at the Hague summit. But Washington has indicated that it wants to avoid introducing potential "irritants" on the path to a final peace deal, and such a strategy document could be exactly that. Finally, the foreign ministers of NATO's four Asia-Pacific partners -- Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea -- will also be participating in a session at the explicit request of the United States. While the US administration sees Beijing as a rival, its public criticism of China has so far been relatively muted. In this session, ministers will be keen to hear Rubio's comments on how to approach a range of China-related issues. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/brussels-foreign-ministers- rubio-nato/33365613.html Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address How Hungary Will Defy An ICC Arrest Warrant When Netanyahu Visits By Ray Furlong and RFE/RL's Hungarian Service April 02, 2025 When Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits Hungary, it is virtually certain he will not be detained despite an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court over alleged war crimes in Gaza. As a signatory to The Hague court, Hungary has an obligation to arrest him, but its domestic legal situation is complicated and has given the government enough wiggle room to welcome him. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban publicly extended an invitation to Netanyahu in November shortly after the ICC issued the warrant. The Israeli leader was scheduled to arrive on April 2 for a four-day visit. "I will guarantee him, if he comes, that the judgment of the ICC will have no effect in Hungary," Orban said. What Are The Political Reasons? The politics are clear. Orban has closely aligned himself with Netanyahu and with US President Donald Trump, who has also criticized the court's warrant. Trump issued sanctions against the ICC last month, criticizing as "baseless" its arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto welcomed the decision with a social media post, accusing the ICC of being a "political tool." The indictment says Netanyahu is "allegedly responsible for the war crimes of starvation as a method of warfare and of intentionally directing an attack against the civilian population; and the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts from at least 8 October 2023 until at least 20 May 2024." What's The Legal Position? The legal situation is more complex. The court cannot arrest anyone; rather, it relies on countries who have signed onto the treaty creating the court -- the Rome Statute -- to enforce its warrants. "It is not for states to unilaterally determine the soundness of the court's legal decisions," court spokesman Fadi El-Abdallah told RFE/RL. He said it was a "legal obligation to the court" to enforce them. This view was endorsed by two senior lawyers who spoke to RFE/RL. "If Mr. Netanyahu visits a state party like Hungary or Germany and is not arrested, this state violates its obligations under the Rome Statute of the ICC," said Kai Ambos, chairman of the international criminal law department at Germany's Goettingen University. "The nonexecution of ICC arrest warrants undermines the court's legitimacy," said Ambos, who served as a war crimes judge at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers, an international court set up for crimes committed during the 1990s Kosovo conflict. Tamas Adany, an associate professor of international law in Hungary, agreed with this but also pointed to a nuance. "Globally speaking, there are countries where, whenever they ratify an international treaty, it becomes part of the law of the land," he said. "Most other countries, where the typical language of multilateral treaties is not an official language...rely on a process called promulgation" to make an international obligation part of national law, he said. Hungary ratified the Rome Statute in 2001 under the first Orban government. But it has never carried out the second step, which basically amounts to incorporating the statute into the country's own national legal code. "The question is hard because Hungary is under a legal obligation from the perspective of international law to comply with this. But Hungarian national law does not make it possible for the authorities [to do so]," Adany said. This reasoning has also been used by the Hungarian authorities. "Thanks to former President Janos Ader, we had the sense to never make it part of domestic law," government spokesman Gergely Gulyas said on March 13. Yet Adany said the law was not entirely clear on this point, because Netanyahu is accused of crimes that have been considered part of customary international law since the 1940s. "I'm very positive that those parts of the Rome Statute, which are considered by a majority of states to be customary international law in nature, should be enforced in Hungary even without a formal promulgation," he said. Is Hungary Alone? Gulyas pointed to another reason for not arresting Netanyahu. When the court warrant was issued, Germany offered an ambiguous response. "I find it hard to imagine that we would make arrests on this basis," government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said, adding that legal questions had to be clarified about the warrant. Then, in January, Christian Democrat leader Friedrich Merz said he would find "ways and means" to invite Netanyahu to Germany. Merz's party subsequently won federal elections, and he is now preparing to take office as the country's next chancellor. Gulyas, the Hungarian government spokesman, seized on this. "Since a country of Germany's size and power thinks that it must disregard its own domestic law because the decision of the International Criminal Court is so absurd, what is the point of the whole thing?" he said. What Would Be The Consequences? Merz's comments were hugely controversial in Germany. Ambos said there could be "sanctions" for not carrying out an arrest warrant, imposed by the ICC's Assembly of State Parties, which is responsible for various court matters, including the election of judges and prosecutors and setting its budget. "Such a situation just arose with regard to Vladimir Putin's visit and nonarrest in Mongolia," he added, referring to the Russian president's visit there in September. Putin is wanted for the war crime of abducting children from Russian-occupied Ukraine. "The consequence for Hungary is that we may possibly lose our voting rights in the Assembly of States Parties," Adany said, adding there could be a "judicial investigation into this conduct of Hungary." The political fallout might be quite limited. Hungary is already highly isolated within the European Union, where it has been accused of democratic backsliding and curtailing media freedom. Its pro-Russia positions have also led to diplomatic problems. "I'm absolutely positive that the arrest is not going to happen," Adany said. "Netanyahu is going to travel home safely." The Hungarian government did not immediately respond to RFE/RL's questions for this article. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/hungary-israel- netanyahu-iccc-arrest-warrant/33366535.html Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russo-Ukraine War - 02 April 2025 - Day 1134 Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace. "To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal] The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that the Sever Group of Forces in Belgorod direction engaged manpower and hardware of three mechanised brigades, two assault regiments of the AFU, and three territorial defence brigades close to Prokhody, Turya, Malaya Rybitsa, Petrushevka, Mikhaylovskoye, Velikiy Prikol, and Miropolskoye (Sumy region). The enemy's losses amounted to more than 95 troops, an armoured personnel carrier, two armoured fighting vehicles, three motor vehicles, and a field artillery gun. The Zapad Group of Forces improved the tactical situation along the front line. The Russian Armed Forces inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of three mechanised brigades of the AFU and a border guard unit near Andreyevka, Kamenka (Kharkov region), Kirovsk, Drobyshevo, Yampol, and Krasny Liman (Donetsk People's Republic). The AFU lost up to 215 troops, a tank, a U.S.-made M113 armoured personnel carrier, seven motor vehicles, and five field artillery guns. Two artillery pieces were foreign-made. Two electronic warfare stations and three ammunition depots have been eliminated. The Yug Group of Forces units improved the tactical situation and inflicted losses on formations of five mechanised brigades, an airmobile brigade, an assault brigade, a regiment of unmanned aerial systems of the AFU, and a territorial defence brigade near Verkhnekamenskoye, Staraya Nikolayevka, Seversk, Aleksandro-Kalinovo, Belokuzminovka, Novoolenovka, Novaya Poltavka, and Konstantinovka (Donetsk People's Republic). The AFU losses amounted to up to 285 troops, a tank, an infantry fighting vehicle, a U.S.-made M113 armoured personnel carrier, a U.S.-made 105-mm M101 howitzer, and four motor vehicles. The Tsentr Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and positions. Russian troops hit manpower and materiel of three mechanised brigades, two assault brigades, an airmobile brigade, a jaeger brigade, a drone brigade, an assault regiment of the AFU, a national guard brigade and, the Omega special forces team near Lenina, Udachnoye, Kotlino, Muravka, Grishino, Krasnoarmeysk, Novosergeyevka, Peschanoye, Petrovskogo, and Belitskoye (Donetsk People's Republic). The AFU losses amounted to up to 435 troops, a tank, two motor vehicles, and five field artillery guns. Units of the Vostok Group of Forces continued advancing into the depth of enemy defence. The Russian Armed Forces inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of two mechanised brigades, an airmobile brigade of the AFU, a territorial defence brigade, and a marine brigade close to Razliv, Zelenoye Pole, Zaporozhye, Voskresenka, Volnoye Pole of the Donetsk People's Republic, and Temirovka (Zaporozhye region). The AFU losses amounted to more than 110 troops, an armoured fighting vehicle, a motor vehicle, three field artillery guns, and an electronic warfare station. The Dnepr Group of Forces' units took more advantageous positions. Russian troops engaged a mechanised brigade, three coastal defence brigades of the AFU, and a territorial defence brigade near Tyaginka, Burgunka, Nikolskoye, Antonovka, and Dneprovskoye (Kherson region). Up to 60 troops, three motor vehicles, an electronic warfare station, and an ammunition depot have been neutralised. Operational-Tactical Aviation, attack drones, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces have engaged the enterprise for the assembly of unmanned aerial vehicles, the training center for pilots of unmanned aerial vehicles, ammunition depots, clusters o manpower and hardware of Ukrainian armed formations and foreign mercenaries in 139 areas. Russian air defence means have shot down two U.S.-made JDAM guided bombs, one Uragan MLRS projectile and 177 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles including 94 over the territory of the Russian Federation. In total, since the beginning of the special military operation the AFU lost 660 aircraft, 283 helicopters, 49,424 unmanned aerial vehicles, 601 anti-aircraft missile systems, 22,632 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,533 MLRS combat vehicles, 23,172 field artillery guns and mortars, 33,592 units of support military vehicles. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation also reported that the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the operation to neutralise AFU formations on the territory of Kursk region. In the course of offensive operations, the Sever Group of Forces inflicted losses on formations of a mechanised brigade, two air assault brigades, and a territorial defence brigade of the AFU near Gornal, Guyevo, and Oleshnya. Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, and Artillery strikes engaged AFU manpower and hardware close to Gornal, Guyevo, Oleshnya as well as Basovka, Belovody, Varachino, Vladimirovka, Vodolagi, Zhuravka, Zapselye, Loknya, Miropolye, Mogritsa, Sadki, Shalygino, Yunakovka, and Yablonovka in Sumy region. In the past 24 hours, the AFU losses amounted to more than 150 troops, eight motor vehicles, and two UAV command posts. Since the beginning of hostilities in Kursk direction, the AFU losses amounted to more than 71,570 troops, 403 tanks, 329 infantry fighting vehicles, 293 armoured personnel carriers, 2,242 armoured fighting vehicles, 2,591 motor vehicles, 592 artillery guns, 53 MLRS launchers, including 13 of HIMARS and seven of MLRS made by the USA, 26 anti-aircraft missile launchers, one self-propelled anti-aircraft system, ten transport-loading vehicles, 123 EW stations, 18 counter-fire radars, ten air defence radars, 56 units of engineering and other materiel, including 23 counterobstacle vehicles, one UR-77 mine clearing vehicle, five bridge launchers, one engineering reconnaissance vehicle as well as 15 armoured recovery vehicles, and one command post vehicle. The operation to neutralise the AFU units is in progress. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address April 1, 2025 By David Vergun, DOD News Leaders Describe Host of Threats to Homeland, Steps to Mitigate Them The Defense Department's No. 1 priority is defending the homeland, said Rafael F. Leonardo, who is performing the duties of assistant secretary of defense for homeland defense and hemispheric affairs. Leonardo testified on a panel today at the House Armed Services Committee on U.S. military posture and national security challenges in North and South America. He said other priorities are developing new capabilities to support national security, helping federal, state and local partners through disaster response and security on the southern border, and advancing America's interests throughout the Western Hemisphere alongside allies and partners. Sealing the borders is vital to stopping illegal immigration, human trafficking, drug cartels, criminal gangs and foreign terrorists, Leonardo said, adding that the flood of fentanyl into the U.S. has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths annually. The department has worked to seal the border, and as a result, he said illegal border crossings have reduced by 97%. Leonardo said other challenges include China's unprecedented military buildup and adversaries seeking to undermine the U.S. military advantage through asymmetric means. The department is working to bolster its influence in the Arctic, where China, which is 900 miles from the Arctic Circle, is attempting to increase its influence and project military power, he said. The creation of the Golden Dome, a next-generation missile shield, is one way the United States will defend the homeland, he said. Leonardo said the department is also developing new technologies to detect, track and counter small unmanned aerial systems. Air Force Gen. Gregory M. Guillot, commander of U.S. Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command, said there are three overarching concerns regarding threats to the homeland. The first concern, Guillot said, is the growing cooperation between China, Russia, North Korea and Iran to challenge the United States. "While their cooperation does not approach the level of complete integration demonstrated by the United States and Canada, the transfer of weapons, military technology and basing access is cause for significant concern," he said. The number of Russian bomber incursions into the U.S. and Canadian air defense identification zones has increased. Additionally, the Russian navy's surface and subsurface vessels conducted deployments off both U.S. coasts, including in the vicinity of Alaska. Guillot noted that the commands have been tracking these incursions as well as joint Russian-Chinese bomber patrols off the Alaskan coast. Second, the general said that evolving technologies producing small UAS and cyberattacks against networks and critical infrastructure demand a whole-of-government approach to defeat these threats. Third, transnational criminal cartels based in Mexico threaten U.S. territorial integrity and the safety of Americans. And, Guillot said, radical Islamic terrorist groups have rejuvenated attack planning and anti-American propaganda intended to inspire lone wolf attacks like the deadly New Year's Day attack in New Orleans this year. He said that in addition to defending the nation against enemy threats, the commands have supported Americans facing natural disasters, such as hurricanes and wildfires, by deploying troops and delivering capabilities. Navy Adm. Alvin Holsey, commander of U.S. Southern Command, said the United States and its partners in Latin America and the Caribbean are linked, not simply by history or geography, but by culture, security, economic cooperation and a steadfast devotion to democratic values. "The enduring commitment to these values is the cornerstone of our collective partnerships," Holsey said. Threats in the Southcom region include strategic competition from China and Russia, the impact of transnational criminal organizations, natural disasters, eroding democracies, and food and water insecurity, he said. Describing China as "our pacing threat," Holsey said it has continued its methodical incursion into shared neighborhoods exerting diplomatic, informational, military and economic influence to export its authoritarian model to the region. "[China's] predatory and opaque investment practices, resource extraction, potential dual use projects from ports to space, threaten the security and sovereignty of our partners while jeopardizing the United States' national security," the admiral said. Russia supports its traditional partners in Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela, using malign propaganda, military engagements, arms sales and force projection, he said, noting that Moscow is attempting to undermine the United States' leadership, interests and influence in the region. "Border security is a concern for us all," Holsey said. "Southcom recently stood up Joint Task Force Southern Guard at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, [Cuba,] in support of the Department of Homeland Security to safely and humanely hold illegal aliens until they are returned to their country of origin." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Australia commences first Operation Argos deployment for 2025 Issued by Defence Media 1 April 2025 A Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft and crew has deployed under Operation Argos, reaffirming Australia's commitment to enforcing United Nations Security Council (UNSC) sanctions against North Korea. This deployment is a critical component of Australia's broader effort to prevent illicit maritime activities, including ship-to-ship transfers of sanctioned goods. Operating from Kadena Air Base in Japan, the P-8A Poseidon will conduct aerial surveillance missions, contributing to regional security and supporting international sanctions enforcement. Operation Argos is Australia's ongoing contribution to a multinational pressure campaign on North Korea to denuclearise. Since 2018, Australia has deployed maritime patrol aircraft 15 times and Royal Australian Navy vessels 12 times under Operation Argos. Quotes attributable to Chief of Joint Operations, Vice Admiral Justin Jones AO CSC RAN: "Through Operation Argos, Australia continues to play a vital role in maintaining peace and security in the Indo-Pacific, working alongside our international partners to enforce UNSC sanctions. "Our deployment reinforces Australia's strong commitment to uphold international law and support the rules-based global order. "This Operation is a multinational effort alongside enforcement operations conducted by Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States. "Australia will continue to work closely with allies and partners to support international security initiatives." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Prime Minister Carney speaks with President of Mexico Claudia Sheinbaum Prime Minister of Canada - Mark Carney April 1, 2025 Ottawa, Ontario Today, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, spoke with the President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum. The leaders had a productive call, discussing the importance of building upon the strong trading and investment relationship between the two countries, to benefit Canadians and Mexicans alike. With challenging times ahead, Prime Minister Carney and President Sheinbaum emphasized the importance of safeguarding North American competitiveness while respecting the sovereignty of each nation. Prime Minister Carney also highlighted his plan to fight unjustified trade actions against Canada, protect Canadian workers and businesses, and build Canada's economy, including through increased trade between Canada and Mexico. The leaders agreed that ministers and senior officials will continue to work together to advance shared priorities. Prime Minister Carney and President Sheinbaum agreed to remain in close contact. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian President Putin meets with visiting Chinese FM Global Times Bilateral ties with strong, intrinsic momentum, promote global justice: expert By Zhang Han and Shen Sheng Published: Apr 01, 2025 11:34 PM Russian President Vladimir Putin met with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi who is in Moscow on a three-day official visit. During their meeting, Putin said as this year marks the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory in the Great Patriotic War, they look forward to the Chinese side attending the commemoration in Russia to jointly celebrate the triumph over Nazi fascism and Japanese militarism, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Tuesday. Russia is making every effort to advance preparations for the event and hopes to use this opportunity to elevate the Russia-China comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era to a new level, while continuously deepening cooperation within multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, and BRICS. In the face of an increasingly volatile international landscape, both sides should continue to send a strong signal to the world on strengthening strategic coordination, Putin said during his meeting with Wang, read the Chinese Foreign Ministry release. Wang, for his part, noted that under the strategic guidance and care of the two heads of state, China-Russia relations have remained mature, resilient, and stable, with deepening political mutual trust, closer strategic coordination, and ever-expanding practical cooperation. The China-Russia relationship will not stagnate but will continue to broaden and deepen. Our friendship is not just for the present but is built for the long-term future, he said. The two sides have fully aligned their efforts in supporting each other's commemorative events for the "80th anniversary," and it is believed that the high-level exchanges between the two heads of state this year will once again usher in a new chapter in China-Russia relations, the Chinese Foreign Minister said. According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Wang also held talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. During the talks with Lavrov, Wang stated that China is willing to work with Russia to implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state, advance bilateral relations and cooperation across various fields, and continue to bring benefits to both peoples. Wang noted that this year marks the 80th anniversary of victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the Soviet Union's Great Patriotic War, as well as the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. Decades ago, the peoples of China and Russia fought side by side, shedding blood and making great sacrifices to defeat Japanese militarism and German fascism, defending human conscience with their lives and securing world peace, according to a release posted on the ministry's website. China stands ready to work with Russia to shoulder the special responsibilities of permanent members of the UN Security Council, resist external interference, uphold the right path, safeguard the victory of World War II and international fairness and justice, and promote global multipolarity and greater democracy in international relations, Wang said. With the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era is bound to gain fresh momentum and reach new heights, Wang noted. Lavrov said Russia and China share a long-standing tradition of good-neighborly friendship, an extensive common border, and broad common interests. Russia is willing to work with China, following the guiding principles set by the two heads of state, to continuously advance bilateral relations and achieve new results. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War and the founding of the United Nations. Amid the current complex and evolving international landscape, Russia and China are closely coordinating efforts to bring stability to the world, he said, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry release. Both sides agreed to strengthen coordination between their diplomatic departments and make thorough preparations for exchanges at all levels within the year. They will deepen practical cooperation across various fields to reinforce the material foundation of bilateral relations. The two countries will also successfully host the "China-Russia Year of Culture," enrich people-to-people exchanges, and enhance friendship among their peoples. Additionally, they will strengthen coordination and collaboration within the frameworks of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, BRICS, the G20 and the United Nations to jointly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Global South countries, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry. The two sides also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis. Wang Yi reaffirmed China's consistent position, emphasizing that China supports all efforts conducive to achieving peace and is willing to continue working through the "Friends of Peace" group to build international consensus and play a constructive role in promoting a political resolution of the crisis. Also on Tuesday, during an interview with Russian media group Russia Today, Wang said under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, the two countries have continuously deepened their comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era, a practice that aligns with the logic of history and has strong self-driven momentum. This is beneficial for both sides to live in harmony and achieve mutual success, and it also promotes the multipolarization of the world and the democratization of international relations. Wang's visit showcases that the momentum of the China-Russia relationship remains stable and strong amid the latest shifts in major power dynamics, Chinese observers said, adding that the visit will be significant in further advancing bilateral relations, and it will enhance strategic coordination and safeguard global justice amid growing complexities in the international landscape. Friends forever, never enemies China and Russia will live in lasting friendship and will never be adversary against one another. China-Russia relations matured on the basis of constantly summarizing historical experience and drawing lessons from the past, Wang told Russia Today during the interview, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry website. Based on the correct strategic understanding of each other, the two countries have found a way of dealing with each other in the long run that aligns with their shared interests, he said. Elaborating on mutual respect and win-win cooperation, Wang said over decades of development, China-Russia relations have been enriched and expanded, and cooperation at various levels has brought tangible benefits to the two peoples as well as huge dividends to the whole world, he said. As major global powers and neighbors, neither alliance nor confrontation serves the fundamental and long-term interests of the two countries or their peoples, Wang said. The commitment to "non-alliance, non-confrontation and not targeting any third party" ensures that the China-Russia relationship does not pose a threat to any other country and keeps it free from external pressure or interference, he noted. The China-Russia relationship serves as an example of a new model of major-country relations and as a stabilizing force in a turbulent and changing world, Wang said, adding that the principle of "non-alliance, non-confrontation and not targeting any third party" is a pioneering undertaking in international relations, representing an inevitable choice for the development of China-Russia relations. "From the implementation of 156 key projects with the help of the Soviet Union to today's trade turnover of $244.8 billion, from Russian agricultural products on the tables of Chinese families to Chinese cars on the street of Russia - all this is evidence that China-Russia practical cooperation continues to deepen and flourish, which gives a powerful impetus to the deepening of bilateral relations," Wang told the media. If comparing China-Russia cooperation to a high-speed train, the scenery along the way may change and weather may vary, but its direction and steady pace will not alter, Wang said. Sun Xiuwen, an associate professor at the Institute for Central Asian Studies at Lanzhou University, told the Global Times on Tuesday that the more turbulent and complex the world becomes, the closer Chinese and Russian strategic coordination will be, showcasing a strong, intrinsic momentum of the relationship in its resilience to external changes. Cui Heng, a research fellow from the Center for Russian Studies at East China Normal University, told the Global Times on Tuesday that trade has become one of the key pillars for consolidating China-Russia relations. In addition to the burgeoning bilateral trade, Sun pointed to cooperation potential in technology, such as biological technology and space, and coordination in multilateral mechanisms. Victoria Panova, vice rector of HSE University, told the Global Times that amid the trend of technological protectionism, China and Russia can leverage their respective strengths and make breakthroughs in cutting-edge areas such as artificial intelligence. Wang specified in the interview with Russia Today the objectives of bilateral cooperation as consolidating the material foundation for bilateral relations by reinforcing the fundamentals of economic, trade, and energy cooperation, while unlocking potential in sci-tech innovation and green development, fostering new growth drivers. The two sides will also expand mutual openness, share innovation dividends, and deepen industrial integration, and inject greater momentum into global development and ensure the security, stability, and smooth flow of global industrial and supply chains through high-quality China-Russia cooperation, according to Wang. Global justice In the last-ditch battle between justice and evil, China and Russia were respectively the main theaters of Asia and Europe, and the Chinese and Russian peoples were two major forces in resisting fascism and militarism, said Wang, the Xinhua News Agency reported. He said the profound friendship forged between the two peoples during World War II provided powerful momentum for the comprehensive development of bilateral relations, per the Xinhua report. This year also marks the 80th anniversary of the recovery of Taiwan. On this occasion, I would like to emphasize that Taiwan's return to China is an integral part of the fruits of victory in World War II and the post-war international order, Wang said during the interview, according to a readout released by the Chinese Foreign Ministry. Cui said in such a year of unique significance, the two sides are set to hold a slew of events to commemorate this history. Russia will have big celebrations for its Victory Day which falls on May 9 and academic symposiums and cultural events will also be held, according to Cui who will participate in a conference in Moscow from May 5 to 7. China and Russia are both staunch defenders who uphold the correct historical perspective of WWII, and stand together against historical revisionism and the glorification of aggression, Cui noted. Sun said China and Russia will join hands not only to safeguard a correct historical view and narrative, but also to uphold the UN-centered international system amid the rise of unilateral sanctions, protectionism and other illegitimate deeds. Through close communication and coordination in multilateral occasions, the two sides can promote sound governance of traditional and emerging international issues concerning security, economy, technology and beyond, Sun said. In the interview with Russia Today, Wang also emphasized the need to champion an equitable and orderly multi-polarization, enhance close cooperation on multilateral platforms such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS, amplify the powerful voice of unity and self-strengthening of the Global South and march toward the goal of a community with a shared future for mankind, Xinhua reported. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China and Russia are friends forever and never enemies: Chinese FM Wang Yi Global Times By Global Times Published: Apr 01, 2025 06:25 PM The China-Russia relationship poses no threat to any country in the world, nor is it subject to interference or influence by any third party. It sets a model for a new type of international relations between major powers in the modern era and a vital stabilizing force in a turbulent and changing world, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told RIA Novosti in an interview on Tuesday during his visit to Russia. Wang made the point that three key characteristics define the current bilateral relationship: China and Russia are friends forever and never enemies; mutual respect and win-win cooperation; non-alliance, non-confrontation and not targeting any third party in response to a question about China-Russia relationship, according to a press release from Chinese Foreign Ministry. China and Russia are each other's largest neighbors, both are major world powers and permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, and both have a special responsibility to maintain world peace and development. Under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Vladimir Putin, the two countries continuously deepen their strategic partnership of coordination, which is entirely in line with the logic of history and possesses strong intrinsic motivation. This is beneficial for both sides to live in harmony and achieve mutual success, and it also promotes the multipolarization of the world and the democratization of international relations, Wang said. Bilateral relationship has matured through continuous reflection on historical experience and lessons from the past. China and Russia, guided by their correct strategic understanding of each other, have found a sustainable path forward that aligns with their shared interests. Over more than seven decades of walking hand in hand, the bilateral relationship has forged unshakable mutual trust, profound depth, substantive substance, and remarkable resilience, Wang said. Elaborating on mutual respect and win-win cooperation, Wang said both sides have kept pace with the trend of the times, accommodated each other's legitimate concerns, and continuously deepened all-round cooperation to expand the pie of shared interests. After decades of development, the scope and depth of China-Russia relations have been significantly enriched, blending high-level strategic collaboration with down-to-earth cooperation, Wang said, noting this has delivered tangible benefits to the peoples of both countries while allowing the world to share in the tremendous dividends of China-Russia cooperation. Over the past decades, through the joint efforts of both sides, China-Russia cooperation has expanded in scale, strengthened in foundation, and broadened in scope, yielding fruitful outcomes. "From the implementation of 156 key projects with the help of the Soviet Union to today's trade turnover of $244.8 billion, from Russian agricultural products on the tables of Chinese families to Chinese cars on the street of Russia - all this is evidence that China-Russia practical cooperation continues to deepen and flourish, which gives a powerful impetus to the deepening of bilateral relations," Wang told media. The minister stressed that "despite the difficulties in global development, our practical cooperation always moves forward, maintains a positive trend both in quantity and quality." The key to the development is the guidance of the two heads of state, Wang said, adding that shared needs in development, stable internal impetus and solid foundation of public opinion are factors contributing to bilateral cooperation. If comparing China-Russia cooperation to a high-speed train, the scenery along the way may change and weather may vary, but its direction and steady pace will not alter, Wang said. Wang specified the objectives of bilateral cooperation as consolidating the material foundation for bilateral relations by reinforcing the fundamentals of economic, trade, and energy cooperation, unlocking potential in sci-tech innovation and green development, and fostering new growth drivers. The two sides will also create more opportunities for shared revitalization by further expanding mutual openness, exchanging best practices, sharing innovation dividends, and deepening industrial integration. The cooperation will inject greater momentum into global development by advancing the synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and the Eurasian Economic Union, leading regional cooperation, and ensuring the security, stability, and smooth flow of global industrial and supply chains through high-quality China-Russia cooperation, according to Wang. Wang in the interview also said this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the Soviet Union's Great Patriotic War, and the World Anti-Fascist War. China and Russia were the two main battlefields in Asia and Europe, while the Chinese and Russian peoples stood as the backbone of the resistance against fascism and militarism. The profound friendship forged between our two nations during WWII has provided strong impetus for the comprehensive development of bilateral relations. Building on the great victory, China and Russia, together with other key members of the anti-fascist alliance, jointly discussed to establish the United Nations and formulated key international documents such as the UN Charter, laying the cornerstone of the modern international order and defining the fundamental norms of contemporary international relations. Facing the profound transformations unseen in a century, we must firmly stand on the side of international justice and, together with peace-loving people around the world, safeguard the history written in blood and sacrifice, and oppose any attempts or actions to deny, distort, or revise the history of WWII, Wang noted. We must work together to uphold the post-war international order, take the 80th anniversary of the UN's founding as an opportunity to safeguard its authority and status, practice true multilateralism, and urge all countries to abide by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. We must advocate for an equal and orderly multipolar world, strengthen close coordination in multilateral platforms such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS, amplify the Global South's collective call for unity and self-strengthening, and advance steadily toward building a community with a shared future for mankind, Wang said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Realizing 'dragon-elephant dance' is the right choice for China, India: Chinese FM spokesperson on 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties Global Times By Global Times Published: Apr 01, 2025 05:02 PM When asked about the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and India and China's assessment of the overall development of bilateral ties as well as future prospects, FM spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Tuesday that, for today's anniversary, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian President Droupadi Murmu, as well as Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Indian PM Narendra Modi, exchanged congratulatory messages in this regard. Guo said that China and India, both ancient civilizations, major developing countries, and important members of the Global South, are in a critical period of their respective modernization drives. The history of China-India relations demonstrates that becoming partners who achieve mutual success and realizing the "dragon and elephant dance" is the right choice for both sides, fully aligning with the fundamental interests of the two countries and their peoples. China stands ready to work with India to follow the strategic guidance of both countries' leaders and to view and handle bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, and take the 75th anniversary as an opportunity to enhance strategic mutual trust, strengthen exchanges and cooperation across various fields, deepen communication and coordination on major international issues, jointly safeguard peace and tranquility in the China-India border areas, and steer bilateral relations toward sound and steady development, said Guo. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China's first systematic regulation on public security videos comes into effect, banning cameras in hotel rooms Global Times By Du Qiongfang Published: Apr 01, 2025 11:37 PM China's first systematic regulation on surveillance camera management came into effect on Tuesday. Through requirements such as banning the installation of cameras in hotel rooms and public bathrooms, and prominent signs must be set up in places where there is a surveillance camera, the rule aimed at better protecting public safety, personal privacy and information. Legal experts believe that the newly enacted regulation will clarify various issues encountered in the collection, storage, use, processing, transmission, provision, disclosure and deletion of video and image information in public places. In recent years, public security video and image information systems have played a crucial role in maintaining social order, preventing and combating crimes, and advancing social governance, whereas issues such as redundant construction, unauthorized installation of cameras, and the arbitrary collection, leakage, and misuse of video and image information have occurred from time to time, posing risks to public security, personal privacy and the safety of personal information, China Central Television (CCTV) reported. In order to better protect personal privacy while safeguarding public security, the State Council formulated the regulation which comprises 34 articles and came into effect on April 1. The regulation explicitly prohibits the installation of image collection devices in certain areas. According to the regulations, the installation of cameras and related facilities inside guest rooms or private compartments in hotels and restaurants is prohibited. Additionally, the installation of cameras is banned in student dormitories, public bathrooms, washrooms, changing rooms, fitting rooms, and other areas where it is possible to photograph or eavesdrop on the privacy of others, read the regulation. According to Liu Weijun, professor of science of investigation from People's Public Security University of China, the regulation urges the government to strengthen overall planning, avoid redundant construction, and organize relevant departments and management entities to build the system according to the relevant standards. Meanwhile, the regulation imposes strict limitations on the entities responsible for installation, and prohibits other unrelated entities and individuals from constructing public security video systems. Moreover, the regulation also specifies that the construction of video systems near military restricted areas, military management areas and other sensitive units must obtain the consent of the relevant authorities, Liu told the Global Times on Tuesday. According to Liu, the public will be reminded that they have entered a video surveillance area and they can report installed cameras to the police if there are no clear signs displayed. After the implementation of the regulation, actions such as livestreaming the video signals from public image collection devices or posting collected content online without the consent of those involved will be subject to stricter legal regulations, the People's Daily reported on Tuesday. The regulation will also serve as a supporting legislation for China's Personal Information Protection Law to refine and specify how to implement the personal information protection law, Guo Bing, a legal professor at Zhejiang Sci-tech University, told the Global Times on Tuesday. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun's Regular Press Conference on April 1, 2025 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China Updated: April 01, 2025 19:37 CCTV: On March 31, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a statement on the website of the State Department, saying that China has refused to afford U.S. diplomats, journalists, and others access to the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) and other Tibetan areas of China, so he is taking steps to impose additional visa restrictions on Chinese officials determined to be substantially involved in the formulation or execution of policies related to access for foreigners to Tibetan Areas, pursuant to the Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act of 2018. Does China have any comment on this? Guo Jiakun: The U.S. move blatantly interferes in Xizang affairs, which are China's internal affairs. This gravely contravenes international law and the basic norms governing international relations. China strongly deplores and firmly rejects this. Let me stress that Xizang is an open region. We have never issued regulations restricting foreigners entering Xizang. Every year, Xizang receives a large number of foreign tourists and people of various sectors. In 2024 alone, 320,000 foreign tourists visited Xizang. In light of the region's special geographical and climatic conditions, the Chinese government has taken some regulatory and protection measures in accordance with laws and regulations regarding foreigners entering the region. This is completely necessary. Foreigners are welcome to visit, travel and do business in China's Xizang region, but they must abide by China's laws and relevant regulations. We reject groundless vilification of Xizang's human rights, religious and cultural cause, and oppose foreign officials' interference and sabotage in the name of performing their duties in Xizang. China urges the U.S. to honor its commitments on issues related to Xizang, stop abetting and supporting "Tibet independence" forces, and stop interfering in China's internal affairs under the pretext of issues related to Xizang. China will take necessary reciprocal countermeasures against the U.S.'s wrong move. TVB: The U.S. State Department released the 2025 "Hong Kong Policy Act Report" and announced sanctions against six Chinese officials. What's China's comment? Guo Jiakun: This so-called U.S. "Hong Kong Policy Act Report" is composed of falsehoods and disinformation. It is a vicious attack on China's One Country, Two Systems, the Law on Safeguarding National Security in the HKSAR and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance. The report seeks to smear Hong Kong's democracy, rule of law, exercise of freedoms, and human rights conditions. It interferes in Hong Kong's handling of national security cases and mischaracterizes the extraterritorial application of the law. The announced U.S. unilateral sanctions on officials representing the central government in Hong Kong and officials of Hong Kong SAR government are groundless and unjustified. The sanctions and the report constitute grave interference in China's internal affairs, including Hong Kong affairs. China firmly rejects and strongly condemns this. It must be pointed out that since the return of Hong Kong, the Chinese government has fully, faithfully and firmly implemented the principles of One Country, Two Systems, Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong and a high degree of autonomy. The central government adopted and put into force the Law on Safeguarding National Security in the HKSAR and the HKSAR government formulated and implemented the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance. The aim is to put in place a stronger legal system of upholding national security, better safeguard the rights and freedoms legally enjoyed by Hong Kong residents, and ensure the steady and sustained implementation of One Country, Two Systems. This move also fully reflects the shared aspiration of all Chinese people, including our Hong Kong compatriots. The HKSAR police took measures in accordance with the law against anti-China rioters who have fled Hong Kong, and the HKSAR judicial authorities handle national security cases in accordance with the law and in an independent and just manner. Such practice is in line with international law and common practice and brooks no interference from the U.S. The U.S. on the one hand keeps overstretching and abusing the concept of national security, stepping up illegal unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction, yet on the other deliberately smearing and attacking the effort of China's central government and the HKSAR government in upholding national security in Hong Kong in accordance with the law, and abusing sanctions. This once again exposes the U.S.'s hypocritical double standard and domineering nature. Let me stress that Hong Kong is China's Hong Kong and Hong Kong affairs are purely China's internal affairs. The Chinese government has unwavering resolve in upholding national sovereignty, security and development interests, implementing the principles of One Country, Two Systems, and opposing interference in Hong Kong affairs by any external forces. We urge the U.S. to abide by the principles of international law and basic norms governing international relations, and stop interfering in China's domestic affairs including Hong Kong affairs in any form. We will take resolute countermeasures in response to the U.S.'s erroneous practice. CCTV: Yesterday, Presidents of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan signed a treaty establishing the junction point of the three countries' borders, marking the final resolution of border issues among the three countries. What's China's comment? Guo Jiakun: China congratulates Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan over the signing of the agreement defining the tri-border point of the three countries and the final resolution of their border issues. We commend the three countries' effort of resolving state border issues through peaceful consultation. This approach echoes the trend of the times for peace and development and is conducive to further promoting regional peace, stability, development and prosperity. As the three countries' friendly neighbor and comprehensive strategic partner, China stands ready to take this opportunity to work with Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and other Central Asian countries in advancing high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, deepening practical cooperation in various fields and delivering more benefit for the local people. The Paper: Recently, many foreign friends have visited China, including some top influencers on social media. They shared what they saw in China by writing and through camera lens. In response, some Internet users overseas said they saw a China that is different from what they had heard about. Did you notice these reports and what's your comment? Guo Jiakun: Recent months witnessed a packed agenda in China's diplomacy and a continuous variety of events of people-to-people exchanges. The one-shot livestreaming by foreign influencers presents China as it is in a panoramic view, one that has not been edited or put in any filter. This again spurs growing enthusiasm for China. This shows that the cultural and people-to-people exchanges between China and other countries enjoy profound support from the people, and such bonds cannot and will not be severed. Having been inspired by virtual tours to China online, more and more foreign friends decide to get a first-hand experience of China and take an on-a-whim trip. Take Beijing as an example, since December 17, 2024,the ports at the city handled over 1.3 million in-bound and out-bound trips by foreigners, and more than 310,000 of them were made under visa-free policy, an increase of 150 percent year on year compared with before the policy was put in place. We will further expand our visa-free "circle of friends" and roll out more facilitation measures for cross-border travel. We welcome more foreign friends to visit China in this beautiful spring. Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting: Donald Trump recently threatened Iran. He says he will bomb Iran, which is completely contrary to the Charter of the United Nations. Does China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs have any comments about it? Guo Jiakun: Earlier this month, China hosted the Beijing meeting on the Iranian nuclear issue where a joint statement was issued putting forward China's five-point proposition on properly settling the Iranian nuclear issue. China maintains that resolving the Iranian nuclear issue through political and diplomatic means is the only right option and that new consensus needs to be reached under the framework of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The implementation of the JCPOA has been disrupted by the U.S.'s practice of insisting on withdrawing from it. The US. needs to show political sincerity and resume talks as soon as possible. Slapping sanctions, pressuring, and threatening with the use of force will lead nowhere. The Iranian nuclear issue is once again at a key crossroads with the risk of escalation and also the important opportunity of reaching political and diplomatic solution through dialogue and negotiation. The current priority is that parties concerned need to have a forward-looking and constructive attitude, expand diplomatic effort and create condition for the resumption of talks. China will continue to promote talks for peace, work for the early resumption of negotiation, find a fair, balanced and sustainable solution that accommodates reasonable concerns of all sides, so as to uphold the international nuclear non-proliferation regime and promote peace and stability in the Middle East. Xinhua News Agency: Today marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and India. How does China characterize the overall development of the bilateral relations? What does China expect of the bilateral relations in the future? Guo Jiakun: Today marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and India. President Xi Jinping and Indian President Droupadi Murmu, and Premier Li Qiang and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi exchanged congratulatory messages respectively. Both China and India are ancient civilizations, major developing countries and important members of the Global South, and both are in a crucial stage of modernization. The historical course of our bilateral relations shows that being partners of mutual success and a cooperative pas de deux of the dragon and the elephant is the right choice for both sides and fully meets the fundamental interests of the two countries and two peoples. Under the strategic guidance of the leaders of our two countries, China stands ready to work with India to view and handle the bilateral relations with a strategic and long-term perspective, and take this occasion of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties as an opportunity to enhance strategic mutual trust, step up exchanges and cooperation in various fields, deepen communication and coordination in major international affairs, jointly maintain peace and tranquility in the border areas and advance China-India relations on the track of sound and stable development. Bloomberg: U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth recently said that he would provide "credible deterrence" in the Indo-Pacific region, including in the Taiwan Strait. And then today we had China holding its latest drills around Taiwan. I'm wondering if you wish to comment on this current situation. Guo Jiakun: The PLA Eastern Theater Command and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council have made announcements on the joint exercises. The drills are a serious warning and an act of containment against "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, and a legitimate and necessary move to defend national sovereignty and uphold national unity. Taiwan is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory. The Taiwan question is purely China's internal affairs that brook no external interference. The DPP authorities are hellbent on seeking "Taiwan independence", and attempt to solicit external support for that agenda and divide the country. Such attempt is just futile and doomed to fail. The historical trend that China will and must achieve reunification is unstoppable. On the remarks made by certain person in the U.S., I've made a response yesterday. Let me stress again that military and security cooperation between the U.S. and Japan should not target any third country, or endanger regional peace and development. By calling China a "threat" and using it as a pretext, the U.S. has been instigating ideological antagonism, and stoking division and confrontation. Regional countries need to stay on high alert and guard against such practice. On the Taiwan question, we urge certain people in the U.S. to give up the illusion of "using Taiwan to contain China", abide by the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques with concrete actions, and honor the commitment made by the U.S. on Taiwan-related issues. AFP: I just have a couple of other questions on the drills that were announced this morning. I wonder if you could give any more information on them specifically, on whether they will or have included live fire exercises and also how long they will go on for. And then the second question is about the cartoon that was posted by the Eastern Theater Command online that shows Lai Ching-te as an insect being roasted over fire. I wonder how do you think that kind of imagery will be interpreted abroad? Guo Jiakun: I have answered the question about the joint military drill just now. As for the specifics you mentioned, I'd refer you to competent authorities. PTI: Further to what you said about the 75th anniversary, previously the indication was both countries plan to start a series of events coinciding or probably to celebrate this particular event. Can you just outline probably when these particular events are going to start and if you can just throw some light on that? Guo Jiakun: As I just said, this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and India. Both sides are willing to further advance the bilateral relations at this important juncture. Last October, President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a successful meeting in Kazan, providing strategic guidance for improving and developing China-India relations. You also noticed that recently the two sides have been earnestly implementing the important common understandings between the leaders of the two countries and strengthening exchanges at various levels as well as practical cooperation. A series of tangible progress has been made in these areas. Regarding the celebration activities on the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties, we will release relevant information in due course. Please stay tuned. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Wang Yi: China Will Not Accept 'America First' Built on 'American Bullying' Sputnik News 20250401 Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi embarked on a three-day official visit to Russia Monday for talks with top Russian officials, including his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov and President Putin. In an exclusive and wide-ranging interview with Sputnik, Wang outlined the current state of play in world affairs. Ukraine Peace Deal Must Account for Root Causes of the Crisis "China is ready...to play a constructive role in a settlement together with the international community, especially the countries of the Global South," China's foreign minister told Sputnik commenting on the ongoing efforts to reach a peace agreement in Ukraine. "We advocate for the eradication of the causes of the crisis through dialog and negotiations, and ultimately, for achieving a fair, long-term, binding peace agreement acceptable to all parties, which would make it possible to achieve truly lasting peace and stability in Eurasia and throughout the world," Wang said. China has been advocating for a political settlement in Ukraine "from the very first day" of the crisis, Wang said, emphasizing that China's position "corresponds to the aspirations of the majority of countries in the world community." Commenting on President Trump's peace push, Wang took note of the fact that Russia and President Putin have always been open to dialogue, and said that even small steps toward peace are "constructive" and "worth taking." "You cannot achieve peace lying down. You need to work and achieve it through hard work," China's top diplomat said. China's Attitude Toward Russia-US Normalization Steps toward a return to normalcy in Russia-US ties are "good for stabilizing the balance of power between the major powers, and instills optimism in a distressing international environment," Wang said, commenting on President Trump's ongoing push to restore relations with Moscow after three years of naked US aggression. "The modern world is facing a growing deficit of certainty," Wang said. "In these conditions, major countries must, by fulfilling their obligations, act as a stabilizing factor in an unpredictable world." "Russia and the United States, as leading world powers and permanent members of the UN Security Council, bear a significant share of responsibility for peace and tranquility on the planet, especially when it comes to global strategic stability," Wang said. China Will Never Accept 'America First' by 'American Bullying' "Instead of fixing its own problems, Washington is trying in every way possible to shirk responsibility and shift the blame, resorting to tariffs, up to and including blackmail and ultimatums," China's foreign minister said, commenting on the Trump 2.0's trade wars. "The US itself is sick but is forcing others to get treatment," Wang said, emphasizing that Trump's trade wars will "cause serious damage not only to the global market and trade order, but the US's reputation" as well. "'America First' cannot be achieved by American bullying, especially to the detriment of the interests of other countries," he said. As for Trump's pretext - using the fentanyl problem to justify a two-fold increase in tariffs, these claims have "no basis," according to the diplomat. "Fentanyl abuse is a US problem which Americans themselves must deal with. China, like no other country in the world, pursues a tough and thoroughgoing anti-drug policy. Nonetheless, guided by the principles of humanism, we have helped the United States in every way possible. How did they respond? Not with kindness, but malice and the groundless tightening of tariffs." Steps US Must Take to Eliminate Nuclear Danger The United States is the central actor when it comes to global strategic insecurity, and must reduce the weight of nuclear weapons in its national security strategy, and take other steps to diminish risks, Wang said, commenting on the nuclear issue and recent discussions undertaken by the Trump administration on reducing arsenals. US "nuclear sharing" and "extended nuclear deterrence," efforts to create a global missile defense system and the deployment of US ground-based intermediate-range missiles and other strategic weapons near the borders of other countries serve to "undermine" global strategic security, Wang explained. "We call on Washington to make serious efforts to reduce the risks of nuclear war, and achieve the goal of denuclearization of the planet,' Wang said. Three Pillars of China-Russia Relations China's foreign minister highlighted three characteristic features of the special relationship between the Eurasian neighbors. 1. "Forever friends and never enemies" (the central principle from the 2001 Russia-China Treaty on Good Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation). 2. "Equality and mutually beneficial cooperation." 3. "Non-alignment, non-confrontation and non-directionality against third parties." "Chinese-Russian relations do not pose any threat to others, much less are they subject to outside interference, and are not only a modern example of a new type of relationship between major powers, but an important stabilizing factor in a turbulent world," Wang said. Russia, China Smashed Fascism Together 80 Years Ago, Now Face New Challenge "Serving as the main theaters of war in Asia and Europe in the brutal war between good and evil" during the Second World War, "China and Russia were the main forces in the joint struggle against fascism and militarism," Wang said, commenting on the 80th anniversary of the conclusion of hostilities being marked this year. The two nations must "preserve the historical truth about the war's innumerable victims, and oppose any attempts and actions to deny, distort or falsify its history," Wang emphasized. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Transcript of Special briefing by MEA on State Visit of President of Chile (April 01, 2025) India - Ministry of External Affairs April 01, 2025 Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Good afternoon, friends. I welcome you to this special briefing by Secretary East, Shri P. Kumaran, on the ongoing State Visit of His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Chile, Mr. Gabriel Boric Font. We also have with us for this press briefing, our Ambassador in Chile, Smt. Abhilasha Joshi, and we have with us the Joint Secretary who looks after Latin America and the Caribbean region, Shri. Prafullachandra Sharma. With that, I invite Secretary Sir to give his opening remarks. Sir, the floor is yours. Shri P. Kumaran, Secretary (East) : Thank you, Randhir. Good afternoon, dear friends. As you are aware, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the President of the Republic of Chile, His Excellency, Gabriel Boric Font, is on a State Visit to India from 1st to 6th April, 2025. He arrived on 1st April, which is today, and will be departing on 6th of April after an extensive program in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. The President is accompanied by a high-powered delegation of Cabinet Ministers, Parliamentarians, senior officials, and a large business delegation. This is President Boric's first state visit to India, although two Chilean Presidents have visited India in the past. Prior to this, President Boric had met our Prime Minister in Brazil on the margins of the G20 Summit in November 2024 in Rio. As you might know, India and Chile share warm and friendly relations. Chile was among the first countries to recognize India's independence. Since then, bilateral relations have strengthened across a number of sectors. Our two countries have commonality of views on a wide range of issues. We cooperate extensively in multilateral fora and share similar views on expansion and reform of the United Nations Security Council. Chile has been consistent in its support to India's claim to a permanent seat in the UNSC. We recently commemorated 75 years of establishment of diplomatic relations. Indian culture and traditions are very popular in Chile. There are a number of Yoga and Ayurveda schools and Yoga practitioners in Chile. You would be happy to know that Chile has its own National Yoga Day, which is celebrated on 4th of November. Ayurveda is also gaining popularity, as I just noted, and there are a few Ayurveda Institutes, Clinics in Chile with close ties to some Indian Ayurveda Institutes. There is also growing interest in Indian classical dances, cuisine, films and tourism. Coming back to the visit, as I said, the President of Chile arrived in New Delhi earlier today. He was warmly received by Shri. Pabitra Margherita, Minister of State for External Affairs and was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the airport. His first engagement of the day was a call on by the External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar. This was followed by extensive bilateral discussions with our Prime Minister and delegation. The two leaders undertook a comprehensive review of the entire gamut of bilateral relations, spanning a wide range of sectors including trade and investment, health and pharmaceuticals, mining and mineral resources, defence and security, agriculture and food security, green energy, ICT, digital economy, innovation and disaster management. The President expressed keen interest in developing cooperation in technology, innovation, cultural exchanges and academic collaboration. You will see a lot of the areas of convergence and the discussion that the two leaders had in the Joint Statement that is being issued. The two leaders also witnessed the exchange of several bilateral documents and MOUs. The joint statement lists that out. These include the letter of intent on Antarctica cooperation, cultural exchange programme for the period 2025 - 29, agreement on co-operative matters, MOU for co-operation in the disability sector; MoU on police co-operation against organized crime, cyber crime and combating corruption; MoU on disaster management; and renewal of the amended MOU in the field of geology and mineral resources. After this, there were press statements by the two leaders. Prime Minister then hosted a lunch in honor of the visiting President. As is customary in a state visit, President Boric visited Rajghat and laid a wreath at the Samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi. He will meet Honorable Rashtrapati Ji in the evening followed by a banquet dinner hosted by the Honorable Rashtrapati Ji in honor of the visiting President and his delegation. As I said, the President is accompanied by a large business delegation with him. Obviously, we expect many business interactions with Indian industry leaders. In fact, business events have been planned in Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru on 2nd, 3rd and 5th April respectively. While in Delhi, the ministers accompanying the President will have over 25 meetings with Indian ministers and business counterparts. The MPs in the President's delegation will visit our Parliament and interact with the parliamentarians. President Boric is expected to have official meetings in Mumbai where the Chief Minister of Maharashtra is likely to pay a courtesy call on the visiting dignitary. There will also be a meeting with the Honorable Governor of Maharashtra. In Bengaluru, President Boric will meet the Governor of Karnataka and the Chief Minister of Karnataka. President Boric is keen to attract Indian investments into Chile. There are several opportunities for Indian businesses in the areas of ports, airports, mining, railway infrastructure, renewable energy and a number of other projects. Technology cooperation is also high on the agenda. President Boric expressed keen interest in collaboration and exchanges in the areas of education, culture, arts and cinema, Ayurveda and Yoga. Chile, as you know, is an important partner for India in the Latin American region. We have complementary trade and economic relations with Chile. While we supply pharmaceutical products, engineering goods, automobiles and chemicals, we import a lot of critical mineral resources from Chile which are important ingredients for our industrial development. Chile is the largest producer of copper in the world. It also has substantial reserves of lithium and other minerals. There is interest on both sides to further strengthen this relationship. Let me give you a couple of sentences on the Indian community in Chile. The origins of the Indian community in Chile can be traced back to 1905. Currently, it is estimated that there are about 4000 overseas Indians, about 1850 NRIs and about a little over 2000 PIOs living in Chile. The majority are from the Sindhi community who are mainly engaged in business and have integrated well into Chilean society. One third of them live in Iquique and the rest are in Santiago, Valparaiso, Vina del Mar and Punta Arenas. In addition, there is a constant flow of professionals and businessmen from India working mainly in the ICT and financial services sectors. Some Indian labor is also present in Chile, working mainly in Indian restaurants and shops. I will stop now and I am open to any questions that you might have. Thank you very much. Huma Siddiqui, The Financial Express: Sir I am Huma Siddiqui. I have two questions, was there any discussion on the expansion of the trade that India has with Chile. And my second question is you mentioned that they are talking about Defence and Security. So what exactly was discussed in that sector, if you can tell that? Andres Schipani, Financial Times: Thank you, Andres Schipani, Financial Times. Sir as a Latin American myself, I am quite interested in this visit. Just to stress, if you can deepen on a point that you made, there seems to be a further outreach of Indians to Latin America. You opened more Embassies recently. Minister Margherita at the Raisina dialogue gave a speech solely on Latin America, with quite a lot of stress on critical minerals. India signed an agreement with Argentina last year. You just opened an Embassy in Bolivia, which holds the largest lithium reserves in the world. And now you have Chile's President here, whose country is part of the Lithium Triangle. How much is this visit about securing lithium and critical minerals for India's energy transition? Thank you. Sahil Pandey, ANI: Sir, Sahil Pandey from ANI. Any update regarding or any development regarding Chile-India FTA, if there is a possibility? Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: First, let's take these three and then we'll come back for more. Shri P. Kumaran, Secretary (East) : Thank you very much. Let me start with the FTA and CEPA. We already have a partial trade agreement with Chile, which addresses about 2,000 lines on the Chilean side and about 1,000 lines... There are concessional duties agreed on both sides. The idea is to try and expand that into a more comprehensive FTA or a comprehensive economic partnership agreement that will also include in addition to trade and goods, services and investment. Therefore, all three parts of a comprehensive economic agreement will be addressed. We just agreed in the run-up to the visit on the terms of reference of the discussions towards CEPA, and that will set the tone for the detailed discussions that will be held. Obviously, both sides try to find a balance on how to secure their interests. Our interests, obviously, include expanding our agricultural exports, securing critical minerals. And on the Chilean side, naturally, the interest is on exporting some of their agricultural products that are not necessarily available in our market that Chile is good at producing. There is also an interest on the Chilean side to try and diversify their trade partners to include other large emerging economies. India naturally offers itself as a very attractive option for this purpose. Therefore, the Chilean side has serious interest in working with us on a fairly comprehensive CEPA that includes concessional duties on a number of lines. Our interest also on the Indian side includes opening up the services market in our partner countries. So that will also be an area of interest for Chile. Naturally, technology, all kinds of other business services will be areas of interest for us. Plus, both sides are interested in attracting investment. Chile wants more investments in mining, agro-processing, renewable energy, etc. We naturally, as part of our Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, want investment in a number of areas that help us develop industrial capacities and help us become a manufacturing hub. So, broadly, those are the areas that we'll target. We'll try, naturally, for both sides to strike a balance that is mutually beneficial. Your second question was about Defense and Security. We are a country where the defense industrial capacity is continuously increasing. We are securing technology from various partner countries. We are also developing our own technologies. So, therefore, we do have an interest in expanding our defense exports. On the other hand, Chile lives in a peaceful regional neighborhood. Their defense requirements are very different from ours. But Chile has a deep interest in the defense industrial sector because it believes that it incubates a number of interesting critical technologies that can be used for other applications, including in civilian sectors. It is an area that interests us. Therefore, it offers opportunities for us to co-develop technologies and find ways to benefit on both sides from these technologies. As I mentioned in my opening remarks, as part of security, we are also trying to work together on transnational crimes, countering transnational crimes, drug smuggling, counter-terrorism, cyber-crime and so on. Chile has very good capabilities in the information technology sector and we hope to work together and find ways to benefit from each other's expertise and experiences. Is it mostly about critical minerals? No, it is much more than that. Clearly, given Chile's strengths in critical minerals. Chile has more than 50% exports. I think copper, 24% of the world output is out of Chile, and 30% of the world's lithium comes out of Chile. So naturally, these are priority areas for Chile, as big exports, mining contributes about 13% to Chile's GDP. And these are areas of interest to India because these are materials that are critical to developing new and emerging technologies, such as EVs, battery technologies, and all kinds of new generation batteries that can increase range, storage generated from renewables, etc. So all these are naturally of great importance to us, but it's not just about, as I mentioned, there are many other areas, pharmaceuticals for us, and healthcare. India is one of the most competitive producers of pharmaceuticals, vaccines, etc. We also want to work with Chile in the area of renewable energy. I understand that Chile wants to expand its energy infrastructure, particularly transmission lines, etc., so that more of the country can be covered, and the renewable energy infrastructure that is available can effectively reach all sections of the population. So those are all areas which are of interest. As I mentioned in my remarks on CEPA, trade and investment, surely. President Boric showed a lot of interest in working together on culture, films. Chile wants to promote itself as a filming destination for Indian films. In Mumbai, I think that is one of the areas that they're going to discuss. In addition, digital public infrastructure, ICT, agro-processing, all these are areas of interest. Naturally, critical minerals are a key piece in the matrix, but there are a lot of other areas of interest, too. FTA, I think I've answered as part of my remarks here, yeah. Rishabh Madhavendra Pratap, Times Now: Secretary good evening, Rishabh from Times Now. Sir, did we discuss anything on mobility aspect of blue collar jobs in Chile, or vice versa? Is there any mobility pact being spoken about between India and Chile? Neeraj Kumar Dubey, Prabhasakshi: Sir, Namaskar, main Neeraj Dubey, Prabhasakshi se. Sir, jaisa ki aapne apni shuruaati tipanni zikr kiya ki Chile copper ka sabse bada utpaadak hai aur lithium ka bhandaar hai. Toh Bharat jab ki navikaraniya urja pe zor de raha hai, electric vehicles par zor de raha hai, toh us sandarbh mein khaas taur par kya samjhauta hua hai? [Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi] Sir, Namaskar, I am Neeraj Dubey from Prabhasakshi. Sir, as you mentioned in your initial remarks that Chile is the largest producer of copper and has reserves of lithium. So, when India is emphasizing renewable energy, and electric vehicles, what specific agreements have been made in this context? Umashankar Singh, NDTV: Umashankar NDTV se. Kya Chilean President ne Pradhan Mantri Modi ko Chile aane ka nyota diya, khastaur pe jo aap Antarctic ka Chilean part hain, usko visit ka nyota diya hain? Kya PM ne isko sweekara hain? [Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi] Umashankar from NDTV. Has the Chilean President invited Prime Minister Modi to visit Chile, specifically to visit the Chilean part of Antarctica? Has the PM accepted this invitation? Ayanangsha Maitra: Sir I have a pair of questions. The first is, is there some sort of arrangement for collaboration in the front of dance when it comes to Cueca dance form, and others with the Indian ones? The second one is, we have seen Chile's interest in the sphere of film, and as a shooting destination ahead of a summit in Chile as well. The Government wanted to shoot there. Is some sort of arrangement done for shooting with Indian producers as well? Thank you. Shri P. Kumaran, Secretary (East) : Thank you very much. On the Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement, we have shared a draft agreement with the Chilean side. There are still discussions ongoing on that. But in the meantime, the Chilean side, in fact the President announced it as part of the visit ... that they are improving their visa processes in such a way as to grant more multiple entry visas. As of now, that is a big improvement in terms of the ability of our business people to visit Chile and to secure visas in a more facile and faster way. But as for the details of the migration and mobility partnership agreement, discussions are still ongoing and we hope to reach agreement at some point. We will also, I think, have occasion to discuss this as a part of our negotiations on CEPA, because a lot of these issues get subsumed under CEPA negotiations under the services sector or the services chapter. So I am sure we get to hear more about it in coming months. Aapne poochha tha critical minerals ke bare mein. Maine abhi comments mein batayatha ki critical minerals humareliye bahut important hain. Aapne khud point out kiya ki electric vehicle sector, battery technology sector keliye. Iske bare mein humne ek MOU sign kiya hai. Main abhi list karunga woh jo MOU humne sign kiya hain for partnership in the critical mineral sector. Toh aage hum technical teams ke level pe discuss karenge ki kaise collaborate karein aur cooperation ko aage kaise badhaya jaye. [Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi] You had asked about critical minerals. I had just mentioned in the comments that critical minerals are very important for us. You yourself pointed out their significance for the electric vehicle sector and battery technology sector. We have signed an MOU regarding this. I will now list the MOUs we have signed for partnership in the critical mineral sector. Going forward, we will discuss at the technical teams' level how to collaborate and how to further enhance cooperation. On the Antarctica visit, there is a lot of interest on our side in Antarctica. Chile is very well placed geographically when it comes to Antarctica. Chile offers itself as a natural partner for us to understand Antarctica better and the challenges associated with polar regions. Obviously, we are very keen to work with Chile in the area of Antarctic research. But to share some of what happened in the discussions, the Prime Minister had noted that President Boric had visited Antarctica last year. Therefore, he wanted him to share some of his experiences about what it feels like to travel in Antarctica. He explained in some detail his experience of traveling to Antarctica. As part of that, he said, it would be nice if you could also visit Chile sometime and undertake a visit to Antarctica. He has not said anything to that. He just smiled and thanked him for the invitation. Critical minerals, I will just add something to what I said. Even as part of the CEPA discussions, we are looking at a chapter on critical minerals. We think that will allow us an opportunity to go into some detail on what arrangements can be worked out which are of mutual benefit to India and Chile. This will naturally involve Indian investments, possibly some kind of value addition in Chile. The Chilean side is very keen that investors come and add value in Chile before taking the refined material out of Chile. I am sure we will have occasion to discuss more about this and the terms and conditions associated with the critical minerals partnership. Dance collaboration, yes, there was a broad discussion about cultural cooperation, dance, yoga, and also about how to take Ayurveda collaboration forward. Not too many specifics, but I am sure we will have occasion to engage at working levels to try and include more items in this regard ... dance and music. Srinjoy: Sir, some years ago, the Indian Defense Minister had gone to Chile and part of the whole proceedings was the possibility of Chile using Indian made helicopters. Now that was a long time ago, but you are aware of it. Is there any move to relook the whole process? In fact, the RM had gone to Antarctica after that, if I am not mistaken. Madhurendra Kumar, News Nation: Sir, Madhurendra Kumar, News Nation se. PM ke speech mein MAHASAGAR, Prashant Mahasagar Indian sector ko le kar kaafi kuch likha hai. Main jaana chahta hoon ki maritime security ko le kar kya dono deshon ke beech chintaye who saanjhi hain. Usko le kar koi baatchit hui. Aur kya aane wale dino mein dono deshon ke beech koi joint exercises, chahe navy ka ho ya phir alag sector ka ho, isko hum plan kar rahe hain? [Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi] Sir, Madhurendra Kumar from News Nation. In the PM's speech, a lot has been written about the ocean and the Indian sector of the Pacific Ocean. I want to know whether both countries share concerns regarding maritime security. Has there been any discussion on this, and are we planning any joint exercises between the two countries in the coming days, whether in the navy or any other sector? Akhilesh Suman, DD: Sir, I am Akhilesh Suman from DD. You talked about Prime Minister Modi and President Boric, about terrorism, anti-terrorism. So can you tell me what are the views on cross-border terrorism that you are making for our neighboring country? And also that, you know, both Prime Minister and President talked about the gateway of Antarctica. So what we aspire in Antarctica? Sarjana Sharma, Sanmarg Newspaper: Namaskar, Sir main Sarjana Sharma hoon Sanmarg Newspaper se. Aapne critical minerals par baar-baar kafi reference aaya hain toh jo -- aur aapne kaha ki hum sabse jyada import Chile se karte hain, toh jo hamare MOUs honge unke sath who kis kism ke MOUs honge? [Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi] Namaskar Sir, I am Sarjana Sharma from Sanmarg Newspaper. You have frequently referenced critical minerals, and you mentioned that we import the most from Chile. What kind of MoUs will we be signing with them? Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Do you have a clarification? Huma? Huma Siddiqui, The Financial Express: Just one. Sir, in his visit to Bangalore, is he going to be visiting HAL and other defense companies which are there? Shri P. Kumaran, Secretary (East) : All right. I think ... Srinjoy's question about helicopters ... there was no specific reference to helicopters as an item. But we broadly offered our capabilities available in various kinds of defense hardware. And there was agreement that we can work together in areas of mutual interest. But there was no specific reference to helicopters or any other kind of platform. Maritime security and exercises, yes, there were discussions on maritime security, especially in terms of transnational crimes, piracy, etc., and sharing of experiences. But I am not aware of any joint exercises, maritime exercises, in which Chile and India are a part. But surely wherever we have an opportunity, we would look forward to working together as countries who are interested in working together in a number of sectors, and who are keen to take our relationship to a higher trajectory. Antarctic research, you know, obviously Antarctica presents a unique set of challenges when it comes to dealing with ultra-low temperatures, how to survive in those temperatures, how to make your equipment work in those temperatures, and what do you do to harden your survival skills and your equipment to work in such conditions. Some of that can be applied to other low-temperature situations like space, etc. So you have ... without going into space, you tend to learn about how you deal with challenges in extremely low temperatures. So it is an area of interest to a number of countries. It is an area of interest for us too, and therefore Chile, given its expertise and its proximity to the South Pole, as I noted, it is something of a natural partner for us to work with, and they have identified that as an area where we can collaborate together. So it is something of interest to us, and we are both keen to ensure the peaceful use of Antarctica in ways that can contribute to the global commons, and therefore we are happy to work together with Chile on that. MoUs, let me try and list out the MoUs that are the outcomes of this visit. We have a letter of intent on Antarctic cooperation, as I just mentioned. The letter of intent will enhance the value of international collaboration in the field of scientific research in areas of interest, common interest, such as the study of global environmental change, and in reaffirming the shared interest in maintaining Antarctica as a natural reserve dedicated to peace and science. The second MoU signed is the Cultural Exchange Program for the period 2024 to 2028. The third one is the MoU between the National Service for Disaster Prevention and Response in Chile and the NDMA in India on disaster management. The fourth one is the Agreement for Cooperation and Exchange of Information between National Copper Corporation of Chile, CODELCO, and Hindustan Copper Limited. It will help us identify and implement joint activities, including strategic partnership in the sphere of exploration of mining properties, meaning the mines, and mineral beneficiation through sharing of experiences and knowledge, allowing both sides to enhance their capabilities. So these are the four outcome documents that came out as a result of the visit. [Inaudible] I don't see anything in the program that specifically involves a visit to any of our defense establishments there or aeronautical establishments. But they are meeting groups of industry leaders, business leaders, and I'm sure they'll have occasion to interact with some of our capability, defense-related establishments too, in addition to other civilian business establishments. I think the interest in Bangalore is mainly on innovation and start-ups and of course software services and IT in general. So those will probably be the priority as part of the Bangalore leg of the visit. Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Thank you, sir. Thank you for taking your time to brief all our friends from the media. And thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for your presence. This is a long visit, so please be in touch with us so that we keep giving you updates. Thank you very much. Shri P. Kumaran, Secretary (East) : Thank you very much. New Delhi April 01, 2025 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Defence exports surge to a record high of Rs 23,622 crore in Financial Year 2024-25, a growth of 12.04% over 2023-24 India - Press Information Bureau Ministry of Defence With 42.85% increase, DPSUs contribute with Rs 8,389 crore of exports; Private sector records the figure of Rs 15,233 crore Under PM Modi's leadership, India is marching towards achieving Rs 50,000 crore target by 2029: Raksha Mantri Posted On: 01 APR 2025 5:24PM by PIB Delhi Defence exports have surged to a record high of Rs 23,622 crore (approx. US$ 2.76 Billion) in the Financial Year (FY) 2024-25. A growth of Rs 2,539 crore or 12.04% has been registered in the just-concluded FY over the defence exports figures of FY 2023-24, which were Rs 21,083 crore. The Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) have shown a significant increase of 42.85% in their exports in the FY 2024-25 reflecting the growing acceptability of Indian products in the global market and the ability of the Indian defence industry to be a part of the global supply chain. The private sector and DPSUs have contributed Rs 15,233 crore and Rs 8,389 crore respectively in defence exports of 2024-25, whereas the corresponding figures for FY 2023-24 were Rs 15,209 crore and Rs 5,874 crore respectively. Through a post on X, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh congratulated all the stakeholders on achieving the feat. He stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India is marching towards achieving the target of increasing defence exports to Rs 50,000 crore by 2029. India has evolved from a largely import-dependent military force to the one increasingly focused on self-reliance and indigenous production. In a major boost to defence exports, wide range of items from ammunition, arms, sub-systems/systems and parts & components have been exported to around 80 countries in the just-concluded FY. The Department of Defence Production has a dedicated portal for application and processing of export authorisation requests, and 1,762 Export Authorisation were issued in FY 2024-25 compared to 1,507 in the preceding year, registering a growth of 16.92%. The total number of exporters also grew by 17.4% in the same period. Many policy reforms have been brought-in by the Government in the past few years to boost the Indian defence industry such as simplification of industrial licensing procedure, removal of parts and components from license regime, extending the validity period of license etc. In addition, SOP for grant of Export Authorisation was further simplified, and more provisions were added in the last financial year to boost exports from the country. *** VK/SR/Savvy (Release ID: 2117348) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NAVIKA SAGAR PARIKRAMA II India - Press Information Bureau Ministry of Defence TARINI ENTERS CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA Posted On: 01 APR 2025 10:51AM by PIB Delhi INSV Tarini entered Cape Town, South Africa, completing the fourth leg of the Navika Sagar Parikrama II expedition, the vessel and the crew were welcomed by Ms Ruby Jaspreet, Consul General of India at Cape Town, Rear Admiral (JG) Lisa Hendricks, Chief of Staff, South African Navy Fleet and the Defence Adviser of India at Pretoria, Captain Atul Sapahia. South African Naval Band also performed welcoming the vessel to the port. The NSP II expedition was flagged off by Adm Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff, on 02 Oct 24, from Goa, and is being undertaken by two women officers of the Indian Navy, Lt Cdr Dilna K and Lt Cdr Roopa A, onboard Indian Naval Sailing Vessel (INSV Tarini). The mission aims to cover more than 23,400 nautical miles (approximately 43,300 kilometers) in eight months, with a scheduled return to Goa in May 2025. The expedition has so far had three stopovers at Fremantle (Australia), Lyttelton (New Zealand) and Port Stanley, Falklands (UK). The vessel will be at Royal Cape Yacht Club for two weeks for scheduled maintenance and repairs. The crew of the vessel will engage and interact with the South African Navy at Simon's Town Naval Base and Gordon's Bay Naval College. Community Outreach events are also planned during their stay. The vessel and the crew having encountered rough seas and extremely cold temperature coupled with stormy weather conditions, made the task of circumnavigation highly challenging and demanding. The passage so far witnessed winds in excess of 50 knots (93 kmph) and waves upto 7 meters (23 feet) high. The indigenously built INSV Tarini is a 56-foot sailing vessel, which was inducted in the Indian Navy in 2018 and has participated in many such expeditions earlier. The vessel is a true testament of 'Make in India' and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative of the Government of India. The Navika Sagar Parikrama-II expedition also promotes women empowerment in the Indian Armed Forces and is expected to motivate many young women to join the Services and Indian Navy in particular. This edition is also aimed at furthering marine and scientific researches. The stopover of Tarini at Cape Town exhibits the growing relations between India and South Africa and how India stands committed to strengthen its maritime cooperation with the friendly countries in the Indian Ocean Region. In the recent past, Indian Naval Ship Talwar participated in the 8th edition of Exercise IBSAMAR in October 2024 in South Africa. The month of January this year also saw the latest stealth frigate of Indian Navy INS Tushil making a port call at Durban and engaging with the South African Navy and the Indian community in Kwa-Zulu Natal. Such visits and engagements bring the Navies together to address the common challenges in the maritime domain and learn from the best practices for ensuring safe and secure seas. The vessel is likely to depart Cape Town on 15 Apr 25. ____________________ VM/SKY 71/25 (Release ID: 2117120) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iranian Company and Two Iranian Nationals Charged with Conspiring to Provide Material Support to Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and for Scheme to Procure U.S. Technology for Iranian Attack Drones Tuesday, April 1, 2025 For Immediate Release Office of Public Affairs Concurrent Action with Department of the Treasury Targets Illicit Iranian Weapons Procurement Network A criminal complaint was unsealed today charging Hossein Akbari, 63, and Reza Amidi, 62, both of Iran, and an Iranian company, Rah Roshd Company (Rah Roshd), with conspiring to procure U.S. parts for Iranian Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs, also known as drones), conspiring to provide material support to the IRGC - a designated foreign terrorist organization - and conspiring to commit money laundering. Akbari is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Rah Roshd. Amidi is the company's commercial manager and was previously the commercial manager of Qods Aviation Industries (QAI), an Iranian state-owned aerospace company. They are both citizens of Iran and remain at large. "Today's charges lay bare how U.S.-made technology ended up in the hands of the Iranian military to build attack drones," said Sue J. Bai, head of the Justice Department's National Security Division. "The Justice Department will continue to put maximum pressure on the Iranian regime. We will relentlessly dismantle illicit supply chains funneling American technology into the hands of Iran's military and terrorist organizations and pursue those complicit in operations that threaten our country." "As alleged in the complaint, the defendants conspired to obtain U.S.-origin parts needed to manufacture drones for military use in Iran and send those parts to Iran in violation of export control laws," said U.S. Attorney John J. Durham for the Eastern District of New York. "The charges filed today demonstrate the commitment by my office and our law enforcement partners to dismantle illicit supply chains and prosecute those who unlawfully procure U.S. technology in support of a foreign terrorist organization. The IRGC and QAI have been core players in the Iranian military regime's production of drones, which threaten the lives of civilians, U.S. personnel and our country's allies. These charges should serve as a warning to those who violate U.S. export control laws and who unlawfully seek to aid Iran's drone program." "The allegations in this case demonstrate the lengths Iranian companies take to evade U.S. sanctions, victimize U.S. businesses, and support the IRGC's production of drones," said Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky of the FBI's Counterintelligence Division. "The FBI and our partners will use all authorities to stop those who seek to evade sanctions and engage in money laundering schemes that support terrorist activities and threaten the lives and interests of Americans and our allies." According to court documents, Akbari and Amidi operate Rah Roshd which procures and supplies advanced electronic, electro-optical and security systems to the Government of Iran and designs, builds, and manufactures ground support systems for UAVs. Rah Roshd's clients include the IRGC and several Iranian state-owned aerospace companies and drone manufacturers, including QAI, Iran's Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL), Shahed Aviation Industries Research Center (SAIRC) and Shahid Bakeri Industrial Group (SBIG). Between January 2020 and the present, Amidi and Akbari used Rah Roshd in furtherance of a scheme to evade U.S. sanctions and procure U.S.-origin parts for use in Iranian-manufactured UAVs, including the Mohajer-6 UAV. At least one of those parts was manufactured by a Brooklyn, New York-based company (Company-1). In September 2022, the Ukranian Air Force shot down an Iranian-made Mohajer-6 drone used by the Russian military in Ukraine. The drone recovered by the Ukrainian Air Force contained parts made by several U.S. companies, including Company-1) To facilitate their scheme, Amidi and Akbari falsely purported to represent companies other than Rah Roshd, including a company based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) (Company-2) and a company based in Belgium (Company-3). The defendants used a "spoofed" email address, containing a misspelled version of Company-2's name, to communicate regarding the procurement of parts, including parts manufactured by U.S. companies. The defendants also used various "front" or "shell" companies to pay for UAV parts and to obfuscate the true end destination and the true identities of the sanctioned end users, including QAI and the IRGC, which were acquiring U.S.-made parts through Rah Roshd. Amidi and Akbari also used aliases to obfuscate their true identities in furtherance of the scheme. Additionally, the defendants conspired to provide material support to the IRGC by providing goods and services, including constructing military shelters, providing cameras and drone field hangers and conspiring to procure drone parts as well as parts to operate drones, including servo motors, pneumatic masts, and engines, for the benefit of the IRGC's military campaign. The investigation uncovered correspondence from the IRGC, signed by the head of the UAV Command for the IRGC's Aerospace Force, thanking Rah Roshd for its work on behalf of the IRGC and praising Rah Roshd's achievements in designing and manufacturing "servo motors" for defense equipment. The letter also included a quote from the Supreme Leader of Iran regarding the importance of self-sufficiency and domestic production to strengthen Iran's economy and "disappoint the enemies of the Islamic Republic." The letter also noted continued efforts of Rah Roshd "in strengthening the defensive capabilities of the Islamic Republic of Iran." Both Amidi and Akbari possessed documents indicating that they had purchased servo motors for delivery to Iran, including a servo motor contained in the Mohajer-6 drone. Akbari also emailed supplier companies located in the People's Republic of China (PRC) and noted that he was purchasing parts for drones to be shipped to Iran. Finally, Amidi and Akbari conspired to commit money laundering. They used at least three shell companies, which were all based in the UAE, to pay a PRC-based company that sent invoices to Rah Roshd for the sale of motors. Those payments were processed through U.S.-based correspondent bank accounts. The defendants also used two of these shell companies to pay a separate PRC-based company for the sale of pneumatic masts, which are a component of the operation of the Mohajer-6 drone. Concurrent with today's criminal complaint, the Department of Treasury announced sanctions targeting a network of six entities and two individuals based in Iran, the UAE, and the PRC responsible for the procurement of UAV components on behalf of QAI a leading manufacturer for Iran's UAV program. According to the Treasury, this network has also facilitated procurement for other entities in Iran's military-industrial complex, including Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company (HESA) and SBIG. Today's action marks the second round of sanctions targeting Iranian weapons proliferators since the President issued National Security Presidential Memorandum 2 on Feb. 4, ordering a campaign of maximum pressure on Iran. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nina C. Gupta and Lindsey R. Oken for the Eastern District of New York are prosecuting the case, with the assistance of Paralegal Specialist Rebecca Roth, Trial Attorney Scott Claffee of the National Security Division's Counterintelligence and Export Control Section, and Trial Attorney Charles Kovats of the National Security Division's Counterterrorism Section. Today's actions were coordinated through the Justice and Commerce Departments' Disruptive Technology Strike Force. The Disruptive Technology Strike Force is an interagency law enforcement strike force co-led by the Departments of Justice and Commerce designed to target illicit actors, protect supply chains, and prevent critical technology from being acquired by authoritarian regimes and hostile nation states. A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Topic: Export Control Components: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) National Security Division (NSD) USAO - New York, Eastern Press Release Number: 25-328 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address New U.S. sanctions target a network allegedly involved in Iran's drone program IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Apr 1, 2025 New York, IRNA -- The U.S. Department of the Treasury has imposed sanctions targeting a network of entities and individuals it accused of being involved in procuring components for Iran's drone program. The Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), in collaboration with the Department of Justice, announced the new sanctions on Tuesday. The Treasury accused the network of six entities and two individuals - operating in Iran, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and China - of being involved in procuring unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) components on behalf of Iran-based Qods Aviation Industries (QAI) a subsidiary of the Iran Aviation Industries Organization (IAIO) and a leading manufacturer of Iranian drones. This marks the second round of sanctions allegedly targeting an Iranian weapons procurement network since U.S. President Donald Trump issued National Security Presidential Memorandum 2 on February 4 as part of a broader "maximum pressure" campaign on Iran. The memorandum outlines measures to restrict Iran's ballistic missile and nuclear programs and curb its support for regional resistance groups. On Tuesday, the Department of Justice also unsealed criminal charges against two Iranian nationals, Hossein Akbari, 63, and Reza Amidi, 62, along with the Iranian company Rah Roshd Company. The charges, filed in the Eastern District of New York, allege that the defendants attempted to supply material support to Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) and tried to acquire U.S. technology for Iranian drones. Both Akbari and Amidi are currently at large. 4353 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia condemns Trump's threat to strike Iran, warns of 'catastrophic' consequences IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Apr 1, 2025 Russia has condemned U.S. President Donald Trump's threat of military strikes on Iran, warning that such a move could have "catastrophic" consequences for the region. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, in an interview with the Russian journal International Affairs, criticized the use of threats and ultimatums following Trump's warning to bomb Iran unless Tehran agreed to a new deal with Washington. "If they don't make a deal, there will be bombing," Trump said in an interview with NBC News over the weekend. During his first term, Trump unilaterally withdrew the United States from a previous agreement with Iran and re-imposed sweeping economic sanctions on the country. Ryabkov described Trump's ultimatums as part of a broader strategy by Washington to impose its will on Iran. "We consider such methods inappropriate; we condemn them and view them as a way for the U.S. to impose its own will on the Iranian side." The Russian diplomat emphasized the urgency of diplomacy, urging all parties to work towards a reasonable agreement to avoid escalation while there is still time. The Kremlin has offered to mediate between the U.S. and Iran. On March 12, Trump sent a letter to Iran via an emissary from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). While the content of the letter has not been fully disclosed, Trump said he had urged Iran to negotiate a "new deal" and warned of potential military action if Tehran refused. Iran responded to Trump's letter through Oman. On Sunday, President Masoud Pezeshkian said that Iran, in its response, had rejected direct negotiations with the U.S. under pressure but indicated that indirect talks remained an option. He emphasized that the U.S.'s behavior would shape the course of negotiations, noting that Washington's history of violating its commitments had eroded trust between the two sides. Iranian officials consider negotiations with Britain, France, and Germanysignatories to the 2015 nuclear dealas indirect talks with the United States. 4353 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Leader's aide: Bombing Iran would push it to develop nuclear weapons to defend itself IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Apr 1, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- A senior adviser to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says Iran doesn't seek to build nuclear weapons but any strike on the country by the United States or Israel on the false pretext that it does would force the country to develop atomic bombs for defensive purposes. "If America or Israel bomb Iran under the nuclear pretext, Iran will be compelled to move toward producing an atomic bomb," Ali Larijani said during a televised interview on Monday. U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday that he would order military strikes against Iran if Tehran did not strike a new deal with Washington on its nuclear program. "If they don't make a deal, there will be bombing," he said in an interview with NBC News. Ayatollah Khamenei has in a religious decree (fatwa) prohibited the development, possession, and use of nuclear weapons. In the Monday interview, Larijani referred to that fatwa and said the religious prohibition is stronger than a mere political order. But, he said, military strikes against Iran would not be without consequences. "The people will pressure us to build a nuclear bomb." Trump sent a letter to Iran via an emissary from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on March 12, requesting that negotiations be opened into a deal that he says would stop Iran from building a nuclear weapon. This is while, in 2018, he pulled out of a multinational nuclear deal with Iran. On February 4, the U.S. president signed a presidential memorandum to restore a hostile policy from his first term of "maximum pressure" on the Islamic Republic. Iran, which has relayed its response to Trump's letter via Oman, has ruled out direct negotiations with the United States as long as the "maximum pressure" policy and the military threats are in place. 4354**4482 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address IRGC Navy seizes two tankers for smuggling fuel in the Persian Gulf IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Apr 1, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy has seized two foreign tankers in the Persian Gulf for smuggling fuel. In a statement on Monday, the Public Relations Department of the IRGC's Second Maritime Region said it had confiscated the tankers, identified as Start 1 and Vintage, earlier in the day while they were smuggling over three million liters of diesel fuel. The statement said that all 25 crew members of the two vessels were also arrested. The tankers were identified through intelligence monitoring by the fighters of the IRGC's Second Maritime Region of Imam Hassan Mojtaba (AS) in Bushehr and were transferred to the Bushehr oil dock with a judicial order to seize and unload the smuggled fuel, it added. In recent years, Iranian authorities have stepped up measures to combat fuel smuggling. Iran, where government subsidies keep fuel prices among the lowest in the world, has struggled for years with fuel smuggling, especially along its southern maritime borders. The substantial price gap between fuel in Iran and neighboring countries has turned smuggling into a highly profitable illicit business. 4354 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran sternly warns the U.S., Israel of swift response in case of any aggression IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Apr 1, 2025 New York, IRNA -- Iran has filed an official protest at the United Nations Security Council against U.S. President Donald Trump's threat to conduct military strikes against the country, warning Washington and Tel Aviv of a swift and decisive response in case of any act of aggression. Permanent Representative and Ambassador to the United Nations Sa'eed Iravani wrote in a letter to President of the Security Council Christina Markus Lassen and U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that the United States will be fully responsible for the grave consequences of any hostile action against the Islamic Republic. "The Islamic Republic of Iran remains firmly committed to regional peace, stability, and security and has no interest in conflict or escalation. However, it strongly warns against any military adventurism and will respond swiftly and decisively to any act of aggression or attack by the United States or its proxy, the Israeli regime, against its sovereignty, territorial integrity, or national interests. The United States will be fully responsible for the grave consequences of any hostile action," the letter read. The following is the full text of the letter: Excellency, Upon the instructions from my government, and further to Iran's previous letters, including the letter dated 17 March 2025 (S/2025/166), I write to you regarding yet another egregious violation of international law and the Charter of the United Nations by the United States of America. In a recent interview on 30 March 2025 with NBC News, the President of the United States, once again, resorted to the language of force, openly threatening the Islamic Republic of Iran with military action, stating, "If they don't make a deal, there will be bombing. It will be bombing the likes of which they have never seen before."1 Such reckless and belligerent statements constitute a flagrant violation of international law and the core principles of the United Nations Charter, particularly Article 2(4), which explicitly prohibits the threat or use of force against any state's territorial integrity or political independence. The President of the United States, since taking office in January 2025, has disregarded and violated all international norms and principles upon which the United Nations was founded. He consistently threatens independent nations with the use of force, a pattern that sets a dangerous precedent in international relations. It is deeply regrettable and concerning that the United States, a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, blatantly ignores its obligations under the U.N. Charter and wields military power as its primary tool of coercion to advance its political and geopolitical objectives. In light of these grave violations and their potential consequences, the Islamic Republic of Iran urges the U.N. Security Council to fulfill its responsibility under the U.N. Charter to maintain international peace and security. The Security Council must unequivocally condemn the U.S. President's threats as violations of international law and the U.N. Charter, and demand that the United States uphold its legal obligations under international law and the U.N. Charter. The Security Council and the International Community cannot remain silent in the face of such warmongering provocations. Failure to act risks catastrophic consequences not only for the region but for international peace and security. The Islamic Republic of Iran remains firmly committed to regional peace, stability, and security and has no interest in conflict or escalation. However, it strongly warns against any military adventurism and will respond swiftly and decisively to any act of aggression or attack by the United States or its proxy, the Israeli regime, against its sovereignty, territorial integrity, or national interests. The United States will be fully responsible for the grave consequences of any hostile action. I should be grateful if you would circulate the present letter as a document of the Security Council. Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration. 4354 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia warns any US attack on Iran would have 'catastrophic' consequences for entire region Iran Press TV Tuesday, 01 April 2025 6:26 PM Russia's deputy foreign minister has warned the United States that any military attack on Iran's nuclear sites would have "catastrophic" consequences for the entire region. Sergei Ryabkov made the remarks during an interview with the International Affairs journal on Tuesday, after US President Donald Trump threatened to bomb Iran if it fails to come to an agreement with Washington over its nuclear program. "Threats are indeed being heard, ultimatums are also being heard," Ryabkov said, noting that "The consequences of this, especially if the strikes are on nuclear infrastructure, could be catastrophic for the entire region." He said Trump's latest comments will only increase tensions and "complicate the situation" regarding Iran. "We consider such methods inappropriate, we condemn them. We consider them a way for (the US) to impose its own will on the Iranian side," he added. Ryabkov further called for intensified efforts to reach a reasonable agreement "while there is still time and the train has not left", saying, "Russia is ready to offer its services to Washington, Tehran and all parties interested in resolving this issue." On Saturday, Trump said that Iran would be bombed if it did not make a new deal with the United States. He also threatened to punish Iran with what he called "secondary tariffs." Iran has strongly condemned Trump's threats against the country, describing them as a flagrant violation of international law and principles of the UN Charter. On March 7, Trump announced he had written to Iran to call for nuclear negotiations and threaten military action. The letter was delivered to Tehran on March 12 by UAE presidential adviser Anwar Gargash. Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said on March 21 that US threats "will get them nowhere" and warned of reciprocal measures "if they do anything malign" against Iran. Ayatollah Khamenei also dismissed Trump's outreach for talks, which he said was an attempt to deceive global public opinion by portraying the United States as willing to negotiate while framing Iran as unwilling to engage. On March 27, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that Iran's official response to a letter from Trump has been sent through Oman. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Sunday that the Islamic Republic's response to his American counterpart's letter leaves open the possibility of indirect talks with Washington. The continuation of the negotiation process depends on the Americans' behavior, he said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address No such thing as 'military option' let alone 'military solution' to nuclear issue: Foreign minister Iran Press TV Tuesday, 01 April 2025 6:21 PM Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has stressed the importance of diplomacy over Iran's nuclear program, warning there is no "military solution" as tensions escalate following US President Donald Trump's threats to bomb Iran's nuclear infrastructure. "Diplomatic engagement worked in the past and can still work. BUT, it should be clear to all that there isby definitionno such thing as a 'military option' let alone a 'military solution,'" he wrote on X on Tuesday. The foreign minister cited past US military interventions in the region, which he said have cost over $7 trillion, as evidence of the catastrophic consequences of such a move. Araghchi said Iran was committed to its pledge under the 2015 nuclear agreement never to seek, develop, or acquire nuclear weapons. He added that this commitment remains intact even though the United States unilaterally withdrew from the nuclear deal during Trump's first term in office. "POTUS (president of the United States) may not like the 2015 nuclear deal. But it contains one vital commitment by Iran which remains in place, and which even the USbeing out of the dealhas benefited from: Iran reaffirms that under no circumstances will Iran ever seek, develop or acquire any nuclear weapons," he wrote. Araghchi pointed out that, a decade after the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was signed, there is no evidence to suggest Iran has violated its obligations. He cited recent remarks by US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, who told a Senate Intelligence Committee last week that the US intelligence community "continues to assess that Iran is not building a nuclear weapon." Araghchi posted the statement shortly after he held a phone call with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, during which he called on the UN nuclear agency to take a clear stance regarding threats being made against Iran's nuclear sites. Trump threatened over the weekend that he might order military strikes against Iran if Tehran refused to enter negotiations to "make a new deal." On March 12, Trump sent a letter to Iran's leadership, asking for negotiations to reach a new deal and threatening military action if Tehran refused. Iran has ruled out direct negotiations with the US under pressure and threats but says indirect talks remain an option. Araghchi said earlier that Iran considers negotiations with Britain, France, and Germany, signatories to the JCPOA, as indirect diplomacy with the United States. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Araghchi tells Grossi IAEA must take a clear stance against threats to Iran's nuclear facilities Iran Press TV Tuesday, 01 April 2025 5:22 PM Iran has called on the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to take a clear stance against threats to its nuclear facilities following US President Donald Trump's recent remarks threatening to bomb Iran's nuclear infrastructure. The demand was made during a phone conversation between Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi on Tuesday. Araghchi briefed Grossi on the latest diplomatic developments surrounding Iran's peaceful nuclear program and reiterated Iran's commitment to cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog. The foreign minister emphasized that the agency must adopt a transparent position regarding the ongoing threats to Iran's nuclear sites. Trump threatened that he could order military strikes against Iran's nuclear infrastructure if Tehran refused to make a new deal with Washington. During his first term in office, Trump withdrew the United States from a previous agreement on Iran's nuclear program and launched a maximum pressure campaign against the country. Trump restored that policy after returning to the White House for a second term in January, but he has since signaled a willingness to make a new deal to replace the 2015 deal, officially called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The US president wrote a letter to Iran last month, asking for negotiations to reach a new agreement and threatening military action if Tehran refused. Iran has ruled out direct negotiations with the US under pressure and threats, citing Washington's history of violating its international obligations. President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Sunday that Iran had responded to Trump's letter and that Tehran was ready to engage in indirect negotiations with Washington. The president added that US behavior would determine the course of the talks. US intelligence agencies have warned that Israel may also launch an attack on Iran's nuclear infrastructure this year. Recent assessments caution that such strikes could ignite a broader conflict that would engulf the entire region and put US military assets in grave danger. Israel has been seeking to involve the United States in a confrontation with Iran, as US officials say it lacks the military capability to target Iran's nuclear and missile programs alone. In the phone call with the IAEA chief, Araghchi warned that Iran would take all necessary measures to safeguard its nuclear facilities in light of the persistent threats. Grossi, in response, said he would engage with other parties to create a conducive environment for resolving the issues. He also requested a visit to Iran, which was agreed upon in principle by Araghchi. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US announces new sanctions targeting Iran's drone program Iran Press TV Tuesday, 01 April 2025 4:14 PM The United States government has announced new sanctions targeting people and entities it claims have been involved in Iran's drone program amid continued efforts by Washington to pile pressure on Tehran to change its legitimate political and military positions. The US Treasury said in a statement on Tuesday that its Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), in coordination with US Department of Justice, had taken actions against three individuals and six companies based in Iran, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and China for their alleged role in the procurement of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) components to an Iranian drones manufacturer. The statement identified the three individuals based in Iran as Reza Amidi, Hossein Akbari, and Abbas Yousefnejad, all serving in top posts in the Rah Roshd International Trade Exchanges Development, a company also designated on Tuesday, saying they have been key in efforts to supply equipment and technology needed in the Iranian drone program. Four UAE-based entities and one China-based entity were also designated under the same allegations. The US Justice Department also announced criminal charges against Akbari and Amidi and against Rah Roshd as part of a lawsuit filed in the Eastern District of New York, according to the Treasury statement. The sanctions are the second such action taken by the US government against Iran since February 4 when US President Donald Trump signed a presidential memorandum ordering a campaign of maximum pressure on the country. They are also in line with broader accusations leveled against Iran by the US and its Western allies about Tehran's alleged supply of drones to Russia for use in the ongoing war in Ukraine. Iranian authorities have repeatedly rejected the drone supply accusations while dismissing the significance of US sanctions and their impact on Iran's military advancement. The US has been imposing recurrent rounds of sanctions on Iran since Trump's first term in 2017-21 when he withdrew Washington from an international deal on Iran's nuclear program. The sanctions have mostly targeted Iran's oil trade and are meant to pressure the country to change its political and military strategies. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran determined to implement all its agreements with Iraq: President Pezeshkian Iran Press TV Tuesday, 01 April 2025 3:03 PM President Masoud Pezeshkian has reaffirmed the Islamic Republic's commitment to strengthening its relations with its friendly neighbor Iraq, saying Iran is determined to implement all the agreements between Tehran and Baghdad in order to thwart enemies' plots in the region. Pezeshkian made the remarks in a phone conversation with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani on Tuesday while congratulating the Iraqi nation and government on Eid al-Fitr. "Iran is determined to implement all its agreements with Iraq so that by further strengthening the brotherly relations between the two countries, we can neutralize enemies' plots aimed at sowing discord in the region," he said. Pezeshkian further reiterated that boosting ties with neighboring nations remains a top priority for Iran, noting that implementing the agreements reached with Iraq in various fields will surely pave the way for stronger ties between the two nations. Sudani, for his part, emphasized the need for strengthening friendly relations between Iran and Iraq, adding that "Unity and reinforced ties are essential to further bolster their stance against the ill-wishers of both nations." He also expressed confidence that Iran, under the guidance of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, will successfully overcome the challenges it faces, stressing that Iraq will continue to stand by its strategic partner against any external pressures. Sudani also congratulated Iran's leadership and people on Eid al-Fitr, expressing hope for greater unity among Islamic nations. The latest development came weeks after the administration of US President Donald Trump decided to revoke Iraq's sanctions waiver for importing electricity from Iran, putting the country's ability to meet its domestic energy needs at risk. US National Security Council Spokesman James Hewitt said on March 9 that the decision to let Iraq's waiver lapse upon its expiration is in line with the so-called National Security Presidential Memorandum 2, which seeks to drive Iran's crude oil exports down to zero. Currently, approximately 80 percent of Iraq's electricity generation depends on natural gas, making the country heavily dependent on Iranian imports to sustain its power grid. In July 2022, Iraq signed a five-year contract with Iran to import 400 megawatts of electricity. In March 2024, another agreement was reached to increase Iranian gas imports to 50 million cubic meters per day, valued at around $6 billion annually. Officials in both countries have already warned that Iraq would face major electricity supply issues if it stops importing electricity from Iran because of US sanctions. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Leader's aide: If US strikes, Iran may have no choice but to go nuclear Iran Press TV Tuesday, 01 April 2025 10:41 AM A senior advisor to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has warned that if the United States and Israel bomb Iran under any nuclear pretext, the Islamic Republic may have no choice but to go nuclear. Ali Larijani sounded the alert on Monday, after US President Donald Trump has in multiple times during the past several days threatened Iran with bombardment if Tehran refused to strike a new agreement on its nuclear program with Washington. "Iran has gained a distinguished position among major powers, and most Western countries want to establish independent relations with Iran. However, due to US pressure, they have not taken a definitive stance," he said in an interview. Back in May 2018, the US began to unilaterally impose sanctions against Iran after Trump pull out his country from the 2015 nuclear deal - officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) - between Iran and world powers. The then-Trump administration launched what it called a maximum pressure campaign against Iran at the time, targeting the Iranian nation with the "toughest ever" embargoes through returning the sanctions that the agreement had lifted, and imposing even more illegal and unilateral bans against Tehran. Retaliating against the measures, Iran took legitimate nuclear steps that have featured its operationalizing advanced centrifuges, among other things. "If the US or Israel bomb Iran under the pretext of Iran's nuclear issue, the Islamic Republic will be forced to move towards producing nuclear bombs. Iranian people will pressure us to develop nuclear weapons," Larijani stressed. Trump revealed in early March that he had sent a letter to Iran. At the same time, he reinstated his maximum pressure policy against Iran by imposing fresh sanctions on the country. The letter was delivered to Tehran on March 12 by UAE presidential adviser Anwar Gargash. On March 27, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that Tehran's official response to the US president's letter had been sent through Oman. Iran has stressed time and again that it will not sit at the negotiating table with the US administration as Trump continues his pressure campaign against Tehran. "Military action against Iran will not be without consequences. The content of Trump's letter is almost the same rhetoric he always repeats," further said Larijani, who served as parliament speaker between 2008 and 2020. Iran has ruled out direct negotiations with the US under pressure but has said it is open to indirect talks. "Indirect negotiations are about understanding each side's demands and concessions. In the nuclear issue, Trump disrupted the agreement, but Iran's nuclear program cannot be destroyed by bombing," Larijani stressed. In an interview with NBC News late last week, Trump threatened that "If they don't make a deal, there will be bombing." On Monday, Ayatollah Khamenei warned that if the US commits any hostile act against the Islamic Republic, "it will certainly receive a heavy blow in return." Elsewhere in his remarks, Larijani noted that most politicians consider Trump's statements to be mere rhetoric, adding that Ayatollah Khamenei did not consider the JCPOA a good agreement because a US president easily broke his country's commitments, "whereas we upheld ours." "The Leader's fatwa prohibits nuclear weapons, but if the US makes a mistake, public pressure will force Iran toward nuclear armament," Larijani stressed. "Western discussions revolve around destabilizing Iran from within. Despite economic discontent, the Islamic Republic enjoys strong public support. The bond between the people and the Revolution is like that between a parent and child," the Leader's advisor further emphasized. Last month, Ayatollah Khamenei dismissed Trump's outreach for talks, criticizing him of attempting to deceive global public opinion by portraying the United States as willing to negotiate while framing Iran as unwilling to engage. Iran remains the most verified Member State of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN's nuclear agency, having put the country's nuclear program under the agency's most comprehensive and frequent verification processes over decades. Ayatollah Khamenei - through a relevant fatwa (religious decree) - has banned pursuance, acquisition, and storage of non-conventional weapons by the Islamic Republic that is among the first signatories to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address In letter to UN, Iran condemns Trump's 'reckless, belligerent remarks' Iran Press TV Tuesday, 01 April 2025 3:10 AM Iran has strongly condemned US President Donald Trump's latest threats against the country, describing them as a flagrant violation of international law and principles of the UN Charter. Iran's permanent ambassador made the remarks in a letter sent to the UN chief and the president of the Security Council on Monday. Amir Saeid Iravani said that since taking office, Trump has disregarded and violated all international norms by threatening independent nations with the use of force. On Saturday, Trump said that Iran would be bombed if it did not make a deal with the United States. "If they don't make a deal, there will be bombing," he said in an interview with NBC News. He also threatened to punish Iran with what he called "secondary tariffs." "Such reckless and belligerent statements constitute a flagrant violation of international law and the core principles of the United Nations Charter, particularly Article 2(4), which explicitly prohibits the threat or use of force against any state's territorial integrity or political independence," Iravani said. "The President of the United States, since taking office in January 2025, has disregarded and violated all international norms and principles upon which the United Nations was founded. He consistently threatens independent nations with the use of force, a pattern that sets a dangerous precedent in international relations," Iravani said. He urged the Security Council to unequivocally condemn Trump's threats as violations of international law and the UN Charter. "It is deeply regrettable and concerning that the United States, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, blatantly ignores its obligations under the UN Charter and wields military power as its primary tool of coercion to advance its political and geopolitical objectives," he stated. He warned that the Council's failure to act risks catastrophic consequences not only for the region but also for international peace and security. "In light of these grave violations and their potential consequences, the Islamic Republic of Iran urges the UN Security Council to fulfill its responsibility under the UN Charter to maintain international peace and security," he stated. Iravani reiterated Iran's firm commitment to regional peace, stability, and security, stressing that Tehran has no interest in conflict or escalation. He warned that Iran would respond swiftly and decisively to any act of aggression or attack by the US or its proxy, the Israeli regime, against its sovereignty, territorial integrity, or national interests. Iravani noted that Washington would be fully responsible for the grave consequences of any hostile action. On March 7, Trump announced he had written to Iran to call for nuclear negotiations and threaten military action. The letter was delivered to Tehran on March 12 by UAE presidential adviser Anwar Gargash. Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said on March 21 that US threats "will get them nowhere" and warned of reciprocal measures "if they do anything malign" against Iran. Ayatollah Khamenei also dismissed Trump's outreach for talks, which he said was an attempt to deceive global public opinion by portraying the United States as willing to negotiate while framing Iran as unwilling to engage. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The Departments of Treasury and Justice Take Action Against Iranian Weapons Procurement Network U.S. Department of the Treasury April 1, 2025 WASHINGTON -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), in coordination with the U.S. Department of Justice, is targeting a network of six entities and two individuals based in Iran, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the People's Republic of China (PRC) responsible for the procurement of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) components on behalf of Iran-based Qods Aviation Industries (QAI)a leading manufacturer for Iran's UAV program. This network has also facilitated procurement for other entities in Iran's military-industrial complex, to include Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company (HESA) and Shahid Bakeri Industrial Group (SBIG). Today's action marks the second round of sanctions targeting Iranian weapons proliferators since the President issued National Security Presidential Memorandum 2 on February 4, 2025, ordering a campaign of maximum pressure on Iran. "Iran's proliferation of UAVs and missilesboth to its terrorist proxies in the region and to Russia for its use against Ukrainecontinues to threaten civilians, U.S. personnel, and our allies and partners," said Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent. "Treasury will continue to disrupt Iran's military-industrial complex and its proliferation of UAVs, missiles, and conventional weapons that often end up in the hands of destabilizing actors, including terrorist proxies." Today's action was taken pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13382, which targets proliferators of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and their means of delivery. OFAC designated QAI pursuant to E.O. 13382 on December 12, 2013 for having provided, or attempted to provide, financial, material, technological or other support for, or goods or services in support of, Iran's Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL), and for being owned or controlled by, or acting or purporting to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The United States designated MODAFL and the IRGC pursuant to E.O. 13382 in October 2007 and designated HESA pursuant to E.O. 13382 in September 2008. SBIG was included in the Annex to E.O. 13382 in July 2005. Concurrent with today's designations, the Justice Department also announced criminal charges against Hossein Akbari, 63, and Reza Amidi, 62, both of Iran, and an Iranian company, Rah Roshd Company (Rah Roshd) in the Eastern District of New York. As alleged, the defendants conspired to provide material support to the IRGC, a designated foreign terrorist organization, and engaged in a scheme to procure U.S. technology for Iranian attack drones. Akbari and Amidi remain at large. "The Justice Department will continue to put maximum pressure on the Iranian regime. We will relentlessly dismantle illicit supply chains funneling American technology into the hands of Iran's military and terrorist organizations and pursue those complicit in operations that threaten our country," said Sue J. Bai, head of the Justice Department's National Security Division. THE RAH ROSHD INTERNATIONAL TRADE EXCHANGES DEVELOPMENT NETWORK Iran-based Rah Roshd International Trade Exchanges Development (Rah Roshd) has contracted with QAI and procured the servo motor model used in the Mohajer-6 combat UAV, as well as various parts and electronic components, on behalf of QAI. Rah Roshd has also sold motors and parts totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars to HESA (which develops and manufactures UAVs, as well as military and civilian aircraft in Iran) and SBIG (which is responsible for the development and production of Iran's solid-fuel ballistic missile program). OFAC -designated Reza Amidi (Amidi), who has served as a commercial manager at QAI, has also served as Rah Roshd's commercial manager. OFAC designated Amidi pursuant to E.O. 13382 in December 2013. Rah Roshd is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13382 for having provided, or attempted to provide, financial, material, technological or other support for, or goods or services in support of, QAI. Iran-based Hossein Akbari (Akbari) is the managing director of Rah Roshd and has procured the servo motor model used in the Mohajer-6 combat UAV on behalf of Rah Roshd. Akbari is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13382 for acting or purporting to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Rah Roshd. Iran-based Abbas Yousefnejad (Yousefnejad) has procured items including parts, cables, and motors on behalf of Rah Roshd and serves as the company's alternate inspector. UAE-based Infracom Communication Networks FZE (Infracom) has facilitated the procurement of motors for Rah Roshd and its personnel. Infracom has also coordinated between Rah Roshd and the manufacturer of the servo motor model used in the Mohajer-6 combat UAV. PRC-based motor manufacturer Zibo Shenbo Machinelectronics Co Ltd (Zibo Shenbo) authorized Rah Roshd to be its distributor in Iran and has supplied Rah Roshd with tens of thousands of motors for the end user SBIG. Yousefnejad, Infracom, and Zibo Shenbo are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13382 for having provided, or attempted to provide, financial, material, technological or other support for, or goods or services in support of, Rah Roshd. FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES FOR RAH ROSHD AND INFRACOM UAE-based Diamond Castle Electronics Trading LLC (Diamond Castle) and Future Trends Goods Wholesalers LLC (Future Trends) have facilitated Rah Roshd's procurement efforts by serving as financial intermediaries between Rah Roshd and international suppliers including Zibo Shenbo. For example, Diamond Castle has facilitated Rah Roshd's procurement of motors ultimately destined for SBIG. Diamond Castle and Future Trends are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13382 for having provided, or attempted to provide, financial, material, technological or other support for, or goods or services in support of, Rah Roshd. UAE-based Phenomena International General Trading LLC (Phenomena) has facilitated Infracom's procurement of electronics by serving as a financial intermediary for Infracom. Phenomena is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13382 for having provided, or attempted to provide, financial, material, technological or other support for, or goods or services in support of, lnfracom. SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS As a result of today's action, all property and interests in property of the designated person(s) described above that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons is/are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. In addition, any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked. Unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC or exempt, U.S. sanctions generally prohibit all transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of designated or otherwise blocked persons. Violations of U.S. sanctions may result in the imposition of civil or criminal penalties on U.S. and foreign persons. OFAC may impose civil penalties for sanctions violations on a strict liability basis. OFAC's Economic Sanctions Enforcement Guidelines provide more information regarding OFAC's enforcement of U.S. economic sanctions. In addition, financial institutions and other persons may risk exposure to sanctions for engaging in certain transactions or activities with designated or otherwise blocked persons. Exports, reexports, or transfers of items subject to U.S. export controls involving persons included on the SDN List pursuant to E.O. 13382 may be subject to additional restrictions administered by the Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security. See 15 C.F.R. section 744.8 for additional information. The power and integrity of OFAC sanctions derive not only from OFAC's ability to designate and add persons to the SDN List, but also from its willingness to remove persons from the SDN List consistent with the law. The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior. For information concerning the process for seeking removal from an OFAC list, including the SDN List, please refer to OFAC's Frequently Asked Question 897 here and to submit a request for removal, click here. Click here for more information on the individuals and entities designated today. ### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Joint PM's Office Finance Ministry and Economy and Industry Ministry Announcement Israel - Prime Minister's Office Media Statements The 37th Government 01.04.2025 Joint PM's Office, Finance Ministry and Economy and Industry Ministry Announcement At the directive of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Economy and Industry Minister Nir Barkat, Israel has cancelled all of the customs duties that have been levied until now on products from the US, Israel's largest trading partner. After the approval of the Knesset Finance Committee and the Economy and Industry Minister's signature on the order, the amendment to the order regarding trade levies and protective measure will take effect and customs duties on all imports from the US will be cancelled. The US is Israel's closest ally and its most significant trading partner. In 2024, the export of goods to the US stood at $17.3 billion, while the export of services was estimated at $16.7 billion. The 1985 free trade agreement with the US has led to the fact that the overwhelming majority (approximately 99%) of goods imported from the US are already fully exempt from customs duties. Therefore, the reduction in customs duties will begin on a very limited number of products, in the category of imported food and agricultural products from the US. The reduction in customs duties will, in effect, expand the US-Israel trade agreement and strengthen bilateral strategic relations. The reduction also entails an assurance to Israeli consumers in the form of a possible reduction in the cost of living with the anticipated expansion in imports of food and agricultural products from the US, which will benefit from a zero customs rate. Prime Minister Netanyahu: "Cancelling the customs duties on American goods is an additional step in the policy that my governments have led for a decade in opening up the market to competition, introducing variety to the economy and lowering the cost of living. In addition to the economic advantages to the market and to the citizens of Israel, the current effort will allow us to further strengthen the alliance and ties between Israel and the US. We will continue to work to reduce barriers and customs, and bolster our special relationship with the US." Finance Minister Smotrich: "The current administration is a genuine opportunity to fashion a new strategic economic future for the countries by strengthening Israel's central role as an economic partner. I ascribe great importance to deepening the economic cooperation, advancing innovation and strengthening the financial and commercial ties between the countries, as was recently declared by the US Treasury Department and the Israeli Finance Ministry. Lowering the customs duties will be good for the State of Israel and is in line with the Government's policy on fighting the cost of living and will even increase competition in the food sector." Economy and Industry Minister Barkat: "We are continuing to strengthen the Israeli economy and the strategic ties between the countries. Cancelling the customs duties on imports from the US is a complementary step to the commercial relationship between the countries that have shared a trade agreement for many years, and which will advance additional economic cooperation in the future and lead to a reduction on imported products. We will continue to work together to open new markets and create economic opportunities that will strengthen both the Israeli economy and the strong partnership with the US, while safeguarding local products." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Press Brief on Operation Brahma (2000 Hrs, April 01, 2025) India - Ministry of External Affairs April 01, 2025 India launched Operation Brahma to provide necessary support, including Search and Rescue (SAR), humanitarian aid, disaster relief and medical assistance, following the devastating earthquake that struck Myanmar on 28th March 2025. Being the First Responder in times of crisis in the Neighbourhood, Operation Brahma is a whole-of-government endeavour by India to respond to widespread destruction in Myanmar. So far, six aircraft and five Indian Naval ships have delivered 625 MT of Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief (HADR) material. 2. India delivered the first tranche of HADR material to Myanmar, including 15 tonnes of supplies such as tents, blankets, essential medicines, and food - supplied by NDRF and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare - using a C-130J aircraft, which landed in Yangon at 7:30 AM IST on 29th March 2025. 3. The second tranche, aboard two IAF C-130J aircraft, included 80 NDRF Search and Rescue (SAR) specialists, equipment, and relief material. One aircraft carried 17 tonnes of personal protective equipment, search & communication equipment, and rescue equipment, and the other carried 5 tonnes of HADR materials such as gensets, hygiene kits, food packets, essential medicines, kitchen sets, blankets etc. These aircraft landed in Naypyitaw on 30th March 2025. 4. The third tranche, involving two IAF C-17 aircraft, transported a 118 member Indian Army Field Hospital Team with over 60 tons of supplies, rapidly deployable surgical and medical shelters, water sanitation and hygiene services and most importantly women and child care services. These aircrafts also landed in Naypyitaw on 30th March 2025. The 200 bedded field hospital in Mandalay is now operational, treating patients and performing surgeries. 5. Indian Naval ships Satpura and Savitri, from the Eastern Naval Command - sailed for Yangon on 29th March 2025 carrying 40 tonnes of HADR material. These were handed over to the Chief Minister of Yangon on 31 March 2025. Indian Navy Ships Karmuk and LCU 52 from the Andaman and Nicobar Command sailed for Yangon on 30 March 2025, carrying 30 tonnes of relief material including HADR pallets comprising essential clothing, drinking water, food, medicines, and emergency stores. These were handed over at Yangon Port on 1 April 2025. 6. Today, on 1 April 2025, in continuation of Operation Brahma, India dispatched further assistance including critical supplies to meet the immediate needs of the affected population. An IAF C-130J aircraft carrying approx. 16 tonnes of HADR material including vital supplies such as tents, gensets, drinking water, food, and emergency medicines, aimed at addressing the urgent needs of those affected by the disaster landed in Mandalay today. 7. Further, Indian Naval Ship Gharial departed from Visakhapatnam Port on 1 April, 2025, for Yangon. The ship will deliver 442 MT of food aid including 405 metric tons of rice, 30 metric tons of cooking oil, 5 metric tons of biscuits, and 2 metric tons of instant noodles. These supplies are intended to meet the immediate food needs of the affected population in Myanmar. 8. India stands ready to deploy more material assistance and resources to Myanmar depending on ground-level needs and requirements. India's ongoing efforts under Operation Brahma reflect its commitment to respond swiftly and in full measure to natural disasters in her Neighbourhood. As a First Responder, India stands with Myanmar, a key partner of our Neighbourhood First and Act East policy. New Delhi April 01, 2025 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Myanmar's junta continues airstrikes, hampering search for earthquake survivors Junta leader Min Aung Hlaing said the death toll is approaching 3,000. By RFA Burmese and Pimuk Rakkanam for RFA 2025.04.01 BANGKOK -- Junta airstrikes continued to hamper rescue workers and aid agencies trying to help the survivors of last week's massive Myanmar earthquake. Adding to the humanitarian crisis caused by a civil war, civilians displaced by Friday's magnitude 7.7 quake that killed more than 2,700 people are now forced to shelter from bombs as well. "From the date of the earthquake, March 28, to yesterday, we've found that the military has launched aerial attacks eight times. Even today in the Magway area, we've seen them bombing again," said Moe Htet Nay, an advisor at Nyan Lin Thit Research Group, which monitors the conflict. Junta forces have bombed Shan state's Nawnghkio township three times, Kachin state's Bhamo township twice, Phyu township in Bago region, Pauk township in Magway region and Demoso township in Kayah state once each, he said Tuesday. Nine people were killed in the post-quake attacks, with seven injured nationwide, according to groups fighting the military government that seized power from elected civilians in a February 2021 coup. Junta leader Min Aung Hlaing said Tuesday the earthquake death toll has risen to 2,719 and is likely to exceed 3,000. Some 4,521 people were injured and 441 missing, he said on television. Friday's earthquake was centered near Mandalay in the middle of the country and caused severe destruction in Sagaing, Magway, Bago, Naypyidaw, Shan state and eastern Taungoo. It also rocked Thailand and other parts of the region. The junta declared a state of emergency in all the affected regions. The ousted National Unity Government and Myanmar residents said the decree has hampered rescue efforts due to a 10 p.m. curfew in many areas where civilian teams are searching for survivors. Human Rights Watch on Tuesday called on the junta to "allow immediate unfettered access to humanitarian aid for earthquake survivors." It said Myanmar's military rulers should lift restrictions including curfews, registration of rescue workers and internet blackouts that are slowing the emergency response. "Myanmar's military junta still invokes fear, even in the wake of a horrific natural disaster that killed and injured thousands," said Bryony Lau, the group's deputy Asia director. "The junta needs to break from its appalling past practice and ensure that humanitarian aid quickly reaches those whose lives are at risk in earthquake-affected areas," she said. Citing a rescue worker in the Sagaing region, Human Rights Watch said the number of bodies for volunteers to cremate is piling up. "Even if they cremate a body every three minutes, they would have to work around the clock," the rescuer said, according to HRW. "Myanmar's junta cannot be trusted to respond to a disaster of this scale," said Lau. "Concerned governments and international agencies need to press the junta to allow full and immediate access to survivors wherever they are." Hopes fade at site of Bangkok building collapse At the site of a Bangkok office tower toppled by the quake, hopes were fading for the dozens of construction workers - many of them from Myanmar - buried in the rubble of the government building. A scan of the site indicated more than 70 people still beneath the concrete and tangled steel wreckage of the state audit office near the famous Chatuchak market, Bangkok Deputy Governor Tavida Kamolvej said Tuesday. The confirmed death toll from the office collapse is 13. Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has ordered an investigation into the building collapse, with some findings expected later this week. She also ordered eight government ministries to remedy their slow response to the quake's aftermath. Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittiput ordered inspections of all high-rise buildings in the capital to allay the concerns of greater Bangkok's 17 million residents. The governor on Monday rescinded the administration's designation of the city as a disaster zone, which had enhanced the powers of the emergency services. "The impact on the public, the damage to basic infrastructure, transportation routes, and assistance in various sectors have been continuously addressed," he said in a statement. "Additionally, the living conditions of most residents have returned to normal." Amid reports of mass cancellations of hotel bookings, tourism minister Sorawong Thienthong held an emergency meeting with industry representatives and the tourism council. He said no visitors had been harmed, hotels had passed safety inspections and tourist police were monitoring key sites. Translated by Kiana Duncan. Edited by Stephen Wright and Mike Firn. Copyright 1998-2025, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content April not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Myanmar earthquake latest: Entire communities flattened, aid teams say 1 April 2025 - As the death toll continues to rise in Myanmar after last Friday's earthquake tragedy, UN humanitarians have been rushing to support severely deprived and traumatized victims, warning that the window for lifesaving response is closing. Speaking to journalists from Yangon on Tuesday, Julia Rees, Deputy Representative of the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) in the country described seeing massive needs rising by the hour, after a 7.7 magnitude quake. "Entire communities have been flattened," she said, with children and families sleeping out in the open with no homes to return to. "I met children who were in shock after witnessing their homes collapsed or the death of a family member... some have been separated from their parents and others are unaccounted for," she explained. Some 72 hours after the quake rocked Mandalay and Sagaing regions as well as Nay Pyi Taw and southern Shan state, the death toll has risen to around 2,000, according to the country's military junta, with hundreds unaccounted for and thousands injured. "The window for lifesaving response is closing," Ms. Rees said, while across the affected areas, families face acute shortages of clean water, food and medical supplies. But conditions remain extremely challenging as aid teams are working "without electricity or sanitation, sleeping outside, like the communities we serve". International response The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that local search and rescue teams, supported by international rescue units from a number of countries including China, India, Russia, Thailand and Bangladesh, have been "intensifying their efforts" particularly in central Myanmar, which has continued to experience aftershocks. Relief chief Tom Fletcher, who leads OCHA, reiterated in a post on X that apart from heavy damage to infrastructure the response "has been hampered by lack of funding." He said the UN is in contact with Myanmar authorities on how the international community can do more, with overseas aid budgets cut in Washington and many European capitals. The UN's top humanitarian official on the ground, Marcoluigi Corsi, freshly back from a visit to the country's capital Nay Pyi Taw said that as the critical window for finding survivors under the rubble was narrowing, conditions in the affected areas continued to deteriorate. "You have no electricity, you have no running water," he said, while people were battling the summer heat. "Often there are aftershocks and people are scared to go inside their homes," he added. Hospitals overwhelmed Dr. Fernando Thushara, the representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Myanmar, said that in Nay Pyi Taw, he saw hospitals "overwhelmed with patients". "The medical supplies were running dry. There were electricity disruptions in some hospitals... and shortages of running water," he said, adding that in some cases power generators were not working and hospitals were short on fuel. Dr. Thushara warned that a lack of fresh water and sanitation could fuel outbreaks of infectious diseases "unless we control them very quickly". He recalled that a few months back, several townships in Mandalay had been affected by cholera. About 800 cases of the water-borne disease had been reported until February across nine states and regions in Myanmar, while other infectious diseases such as dengue, hepatitis, malaria may spread further. The dire health situation is not the only crisis confronting the people of Myanmar. UN refugee agency (UNHCR) spokesperson Babar Baloch stressed that the country is "reeling" from four years of conflict sparked by a military coup in 2021, while the UN's Mr. Corsi said that in the past few years it has suffered a cyclone and massive flooding. Mr. Baloch spoke of a "double tragedy" for the people of Myanmar, highlighting the fact that even before the devastating earthquake hit, all the affected areas already hosted 1.6 million displaced people. Mr. Corsi stressed that the disaster-affected communities' resilience is now highly compromised. Close to 20 million people across the country were already in need of humanitarian assistance before the earthquake hit and over 15 million were going hungry. Over three months into the year, the UN's $1.1 billion humanitarian appeal for Myanmar remains only five per cent funded. "This is time...for the world to step up and support the people of Myanmar," he concluded. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Who Is Mahrang Baloch, The Rights Advocate Arrested By Pakistan On Terrorism Charges? By Abubakar Siddique April 01, 2025 A physician from Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan Province is among the hundreds of individuals and organizations nominated for the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize this year. Yet Mahrang Baloch, 32, a rights campaigner, is languishing in prison on charges of terrorism, murder, and sedition in the provincial capital, Quetta. On March 22, she was arrested after leading a demonstration to demand the release of a leader of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), a civil rights group she leads. Her arrest has been widely condemned and has sparked a series of protests and strikes. Since March 28, the Balochistan National Party, an ethnonationalist group, has embarked on a "long march" protest rally. It has mobilized thousands of supporters from across the vast region, and protesters celebrated Eid al-Fitar, the festival marking the end of Ramadan, near Quetta to press for her release. Experts and activists in Balochistan say the protests and sympathy for Mahrang Baloch are a sign of her growing popularity and leadership stature in a region that has been reeling from a Pakistani military crackdown against Baluch separatists for a quarter-century. Since the early 2000s, thousands have been killed and injured in attacks by Baluch separatist militants and Pakistani security forces. The BYC claims thousands of Baluch men have been forcefully disappeared or extrajudicially killed by Pakistani security forces. Islamabad, in return, says it is fighting terrorists in Balochistan. In recent years, disgruntled members of Pakistan's ethnic Baluch minority have come to view Mahrang Baloch as their authentic voice because of her committed campaign for ending forced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and the exploitation of the region's vast natural resources. Balochistan's 'Most Important Political Figure' "She is the most important political figure in Balochistan because she has an unblemished record of standing up for its rights," Ali Talpur, a writer and commentator who has followed the region's politics for decades. Talpur, now in his 70s, knew Mahrang Baloch's late father, Abdul Ghaffar Langove. The political activist was killed nearly two years after he had been forcefully disappeared in December 2009. Mahrang Baloch has blamed Pakistan's powerful military for the killing, but Islamabad denies killing political activists. "After his extrajudicial killing by the state, her natural response was to see that others don't suffer the same fate," Talpur said of what motivates her campaigning. Mahrang Baloch is the eldest of six children, five girls and a boy. She was only 16 when her father disappeared. Kiyya Baloch, an exiled journalist covering Balochistan, has tracked Mahrang Baloch's struggle since she led a nearly yearlong successful campaign to secure the release of her brother after he disappeared in 2017. "This strengthened her resolve to speak up for others as well," he said. Mahrang Baloch became a household name in Pakistan when she led a protest march over 1,000 kilometers after a Baluch man was killed while in the custody of counterterrorism police in November 2023. She faced constant harassment, road closures, and other obstacles as she led hundreds of protesters from the remote town of Turbat to Pakistan's capital, Islamabad. Kiyya Baloch says the government's brutal treatment of protesters, most of whom were relatives of the Baluch victims of forced disappearances and extrajudicial killings, attracted attention to their plight in Pakistan and abroad. During their stay in Islamabad for several weeks, protesters were arrested and beaten. Authorities attempted to deny them food, heating, and medical treatment. Their camp was ransacked, and police used water cannons to disperse them. "All kinds of pressure were used to wear her down, but she did not break," Kiyya Baloch said. Celebrated Abroad, Persecuted At Home "The march brought unprecedented attention to the Baloch struggle," Time Magazine noted in its citation after including Mahrang Baloch among its 100 emerging leaders last year. The BBC also included her in its 100 Women 2024 list. "She is a woman leading a massive civil rights movement, which attracts international attention," said Kiyya Baloch. But at home, her persecution continued. She was harassed after attending a conference in Norway last July. She was placed on a counterterrorism list and prevented from traveling to New York to participate in the Time Magazine event in October. "All these measures brought more attention to her struggle," said Kiyya Baloch. International human rights watchdogs have condemned Mahrang Baloch's arrest. "We urge the Pakistani authorities to refrain from abusing counterterrorism or public safety measures," United Nations special rapporteurs and human rights experts said a statement on March 26. In a March 27 statement, Amnesty International said the arrest of Mahrang Baloch and other BYC leaders and activists "shows wanton disregard by the law enforcement agencies for the rights of Baloch people under Pakistan's Constitution and the country's obligations under international human rights law." Islamabad, however, rejects such criticism. In a sharp rebuke to the UN, a Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman said such statements need to "adhere to principles of objectivity, avoid selective criticism, reflect factual accuracy, and acknowledge the full context of the situation." Mahrang Baloch's sister, Nadia, has vowed to continue their peaceful campaign in Quetta. "No amount of violence and oppression was able to break us two decades ago, and it will not break us now," she told journalists on March 26. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/pakistan-mahrang-baloch- rights-arrest/33365370.html Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Deputy Secretary Landau's Call with Republic of Korea First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong-kyun US Department of State Readout Office of the Spokesperson April 1, 2025 The below is attributable to Spokesperson Tammy Bruce: Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau spoke today with Republic of Korea (ROK) First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong-kyun. Deputy Secretary Landau and First Vice Foreign Minister Kim discussed pressing security issues in the region, and Deputy Secretary Landau emphasized the American commitment to the complete denuclearization of North Korea. The two also discussed opportunities for economic cooperation, particularly on energy issues, and highlighted growing ROK investments in American industry. The Deputy also offered his sincere condolences for the tragic loss of life and extensive damage caused by wildfires in the Republic of Korea's southeastern region. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Meeting with permanent members of the Security Council Vladimir Putin chaired, via videoconference, a meeting on current issues with permanent members of the Security Counci. April 1, 2025 15:25 The Kremlin, Moscow Attending the meeting were Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko, State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev, Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Anton Vaino, Defence Minister Andrei Belousov, Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Director of the Federal Security Service Alexander Bortnikov, Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service Sergei Naryshkin and Special Presidential Representative for Environmental Protection, Ecology and Transport Sergei Ivanov. * * * President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon, colleagues. Today, we will discuss additional measures to counter the terrorist threat. This is a highly important issue that requires no additional comments. I now give the floor to Director of the Federal Security Service Alexander Bortnikov. Before we begin our discussion, I would like to ask Mr Belousov about the implementation of agreements regarding the cessation of strikes by Russia and Ukraine on their respective energy infrastructure systems. <...> NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Meeting with Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi Vladimir Putin met with Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the People's Republic of China, Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, and Minister of Foreign Affairs, in the Kremlin. April 1, 2025 16:30 The Kremlin, Moscow From the Russian side, the talks were attended by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Aide to the President Yury Ushakov and, on the Chinese side, by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Russian Federation Zhang Hanhui and Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Bin. * * * President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr Minister, friends. Allow me to cordially welcome you to Moscow. I am very pleased to see you again. Before we begin our conversation, I would like to ask you to convey my friendly greetings to the President of the People's Republic of China, our good friend Mr Xi Jinping. We are waiting for him in Russia on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, World War II. We will mark this anniversary - victory over Nazi Germany and victory over militaristic Japan - together. We would like to express satisfaction with the way our relations are developing, including with the direct support of our respective foreign ministries. I am aware that you have an extensive and busy programme for your visit. First of all, it is connected with preparations for the visit of the President of the People's Republic of China to Russia. We will prepare a good and fulfilling programme. I hope it will involve not only participation in solemn events, but will also be a separate visit. The President of the People's Republic of China will be our main guest, and we will have an opportunity to discuss the current state of bilateral relations and our interaction on international venues, primarily the UN - the UN Security Council - as well as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, BRICS and a number of other platforms where we work together with great success. We are very pleased to see you. Welcome, Mr Minister. Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi (retranslated): President Putin, Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to meet with me. First of all, let me convey to you the warmest greetings from your longtime friend President Xi Jinping. Since the beginning of this year, the President has been in close contact with you. Under your leadership, bilateral relations have been developing, multifaceted cooperation has been steadily advancing, and international cooperation between our two countries has been deepening. Thanks to the personal attention and efforts of our respective leaders, political mutual trust constantly gets stronger, strategic coordination tightens, practical cooperation deepens, the great cause of national rebirth of our countries is guaranteed, and our common interests in pressing international regional affairs are protected. Cooperation between China and Russia is never directed against third parties and does not succumb to impediments coming from outside. We will not tread water when it comes to advancing bilateral relations, and we have a broad prospects open to us. Our friendship is not based on fleeting considerations, but is of a long-term nature. You have accurately noted that this year marks the 80th anniversary of Great Victory in the war against Nazism and the 80th anniversary of the founding of the UN. Eighty years ago, the Chinese and Soviet people fought bravely in Europe and Asia, on the main front, suffered heavy national losses, and defeated militaristic Japan and Nazi Germany, thus making a major contribution to peace for humanity. Eighty years later, today we must unite to uphold the outcomes of World War II, the post-war world order, and the UN-centric international system, and join our efforts to promote multipolarity and democratisation of international relations. Mr President, you accurately noted that preparations for President Xi Jinping's visit and his participation in the celebrations to be held in early May are the main purpose of my current visit. Before this meeting with you now, Minister Lavrov and I have met to align every item on our agenda that concerns preparations for this visit. Generally speaking, we can safely say that preparations are going quite well, and we are proceeding as planned. Today, we have a very good in-person opportunity to listen to your valuable opinions, which I will report to the President personally. I am confident that the President's upcoming visit to Russia, as well as your visit to China, will unquestionably give another boost to bilateral relations. Thank you. <...> NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Press release on Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to the Russian Federation 1 April 2025 19:43 511-01-04-2025 On March 31-April 1, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi paid an official visit to Moscow, during which he was hosted by President Vladimir Putin and held substantive talks with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The Russian leader welcomed Wang Yi's visit to Russia, praised the state of Russia-China relations, which continue to make dynamic strides amid intense turbulence, and expressed readiness to continue enhancing comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation with China. Sergey Lavrov and Wang Yi had an in-depth exchange of views on the schedule of bilateral contacts at the highest and high levels, as well as on certain issues of practical and humanitarian cooperation. Both foreign ministers emphasised the importance of building up coordination on international issues within the UN, the SCO, BRICS, the G20, APEC and other multilateral facilities and forums. The ministers also discussed new security risks in the Asia-Pacific region and touched upon a number of regional issues related to the situation on the Korean Peninsula, Iran's nuclear programme, and the situation in Central Asia. They also discussed prospects for building a new security entity in Eurasia amid stagnating Euro-Atlantic mechanisms. The sides exchanged views on the prospects for settling the Ukraine crisis and underscored the importance of eliminating the underlying causes of the conflict as a basis for achieving durable peace agreements. The talks were held in a friendly and open atmosphere which is typical of Russian-Chinese relations. The ministers emphasised overlapping or close positions on the main bilateral issues and global agenda items, which fully meets the high spirit of Russia-China strategic partnership. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's opening remarks during talks with Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi, Moscow, April 1, 2025 1 April 2025 12:34 503-01-04-2025 Mr Minister, Dear friend, Friends, colleagues, We are pleased to welcome Mr Wang Yi to Moscow on an official visit, the objective of which is to prepare for the upcoming Russia-China summit in May. Meetings between President Vladimir Putin and President Xi Jinping consistently provide a powerful impetus for the further advancement of our relations, which, under the leadership of our two heads of state, have reached an unprecedented level and continue to develop dynamically across all dimensions. This year holds particular significance. The Russian Federation, the People's Republic of China, and the entire international community mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Second World War in Europe and the East, as well as the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, in which our two nations play a leading role in upholding the fundamental principles of its Charter. Today, the task of constructing a reliable barrier against the resurgence of fascist, Nazi, and militarist ideologies - as well as all forces seeking to revive these unacceptable phenomena - remains critically urgent. Russia and China are united not only by a historical brotherhood in arms and shared extensive borders but also by centuries-old traditions of good-neighbourliness and a broad alignment of national interests. We noted with interest your recent remarks, Mr Wang Yi, during a media briefing in Beijing, where you emphasised that the comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction between our nations constitute a constant, not a variable. This is precisely the guidance provided by our leaders, President Vladimir Putin and President Xi Jinping. Recently, during their engagement via videoconference - preceded by a telephone conversation - they reaffirmed their mutual commitment to the consistent strengthening of the Russia-China partnership. We will spare no effort to ensure the effective implementation of these agreements. We underscore the responsibility of Moscow and Beijing to maintain close coordination on the international stage. In this era of complex global political developments, the countries of the Global Majority regard our collaboration as the most significant stabilising factor. I am confident that today we will reach consensus on advancing our bilateral relations in the context of preparations for high-level meetings, as well as on further coordination within the United Nations, its Security Council, the SCO, BRICS, the G20, ASEAN frameworks, and other multilateral platforms with a view to establishing a more just and democratic multipolar world order. ns. The ministers emphasised overlapping or close positions on the main bilateral issues and global agenda items, which fully meets the high spirit of Russia-China strategic partnership. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Vladimir Putin Holds Talks With Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Kremlin Sputnik News 20250401 Russian President Vladimir Putin promised that by the time Xi Jinping visits Russia in May, a rich and well-prepared program will be ready. "We want to express our satisfaction with the way our relations are developing, including with the direct support of our foreign ministries. I know that you have a large, rich program for your visit. First of all, it is connected with the preparation of the Chinese President's visit to Russia. We are going to prepare a good and rich program. I hope that it will not only be connected with the participation in ceremonial events, but it will also be an independent visit," Putin said at a meeting with Wang. Putin said that he expects Xi to visit Russia on the occasion of the Victory Day on May 9 to celebrate the victory over Nazi Germany and militarist Japan. Vladimir Putin emphasized that Moscow and Beijing are collaborating effectively across various international platforms, including the United Nations, BRICS, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). Putin stated, "We will have the chance to discuss both the current state of our bilateral relations and our cooperation on international platforms. Among these, we particularly highlight the UN, the UN Security Council, as well as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, BRICS, and other platforms where we work together successfully." "Cooperation between China and Russia is not directed against third countries, it cannot be affected from the outside," Wang said at the meeting with the Russian president. Wang stressed that the friendship between Moscow and Beijing is not temporary, but long-term. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address No live-fire detected in latest PLA drills around Taiwan: MND ROC Central News Agency 04/01/2025 08:16 PM Taipei, April 1 (CNA) The latest round of People's Liberation Army (PLA) joint military drills around Taiwan which started early Tuesday is part of China's ongoing "gray zone" harassment of the country, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND) said Tuesday, adding that it has so far detected no signs of live-fire exercises. At an emergency press event to make public Taiwan's response to the latest round of drills that began at 7:30 a.m., the MND said it had detected 13 PLA naval vessels, four coast guard vessels, and 71 military aircraft, operating around Taiwan as of Tuesday afternoon. Among the 71, 36 crossed the Taiwan Strait median line, said Lieutenant General Hsieh Jih-sheng (), head of the MND's Office of Deputy Chief of General Staff for Intelligence, during the press briefing. On the east of Taiwan, Hsieh said the military has identified an 8-vessel naval fleet led by the Shandong aircraft carrier operating in the Pacific Ocean around 220 nautical miles southeastern off Cape Eluanbi in southern Taiwan. None of the PLA warplanes and warships detected during the ongoing drills have entered the nation's contiguous zone, an area that is adjacent to territorial sea and airspace and extends a maximum distance of 24 nautical miles from the coast, he said, when asked by reporters how close the Chinese military were. Taiwan's armed forces have also not yet detected live-fire drills by the PLA forces, he said, adding that the military has no way to predict when the latest round of exercises will conclude, when asked about the duration of the PLA drills. Hsieh said Taiwan's military sees the PLA's ongoing drills as part of China's years-long "gray zone" harassment of the country. Gray zone activities refer to actions that involve ambiguous or nontraditional methods that aim to achieve strategic objectives without overtly crossing the threshold into open conflict. Meanwhile, speaking at the same press briefing, Major General Tung Chi-hsing (), director of the joint operations planning division under the MND, said the armed forces have established an ad hoc emergency operations center and deployed military aircraft, vessels and coastal missile systems following the PLA's announcement of drills early Tuesday. Currently, Taiwan's military is conducting patrols and monitoring Chinese troops, he said. The armed forces will adjust their combat readiness level based on the level of the PLA threats accordingly, he added. The PLA's Eastern Theater Command announced on Tuesday morning the beginning of a new round of joint exercises around Taiwan, featuring the army, navy, air and rocket forces to "close in" on Taiwan in "multiple directions," according to PLA Eastern Command spokesperson Shi Yi (). The exercises served as "a stern warning" to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, according to China's Taiwan Affairs Office. As of 3 p.m., the PLA's Eastern Theater Command said it had conducted drills in waters to the north, south and east of Taiwan, featuring "air interception, assault on maritime targets, strikes on ground objects, and joint blockade and control." These drills were aimed at testing troops capabilities in terms of carrying out integrated operations, seizure of operational control, and multi-directional precision strikes, the theater command added. (By Joseph Yeh) Enditem/AW NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taipei condemns Chinese military drills around Taiwan ROC Central News Agency 04/01/2025 01:32 PM Taipei, April 1 (CNA) Taiwan's Presidential Office on Tuesday denounced China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) for launching joint military drills around Taiwan earlier the same day while calling Beijing a "troublemaker." In a statement, the Presidential Office said it "strongly condemns" the PLA's military exercises, which Beijing said were incorporating multiple forces to simulate an assault on Taiwanese maritime and ground targets as well as a blockade of critical areas. China has continued to "engage in military provocations and gray-zone tactics" in the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region, the office said, adding that those activities had "undermined regional security and stability." The office said China was "a troublemaker" for unilaterally escalating the regional situation and blatantly challenging the international order. Speaking at the Legislature on Tuesday morning, Defense Minister Wellington Koo () said the Ministry of National Defense (MND) established a "response center" earlier the same day to monitor the PLA exercises. Koo said the MND had been monitoring related PLA activities since March 29. In a statement issued Tuesday, the MND said it detected a Chinese naval fleet led by the Shandong aircraft carrier operating in Taiwan's vicinity on March 29. The fleet entered the country's reaction zone on Monday, it said. According to the MND, the reaction zone comprises the area within the country's air defense identification zone between the Taiwan Strait median line and the easternmost boundary of Taiwan's "contiguous zone," which extends 24 nautical miles from the country's shores. The MND said it deployed military aircraft, vessels and coastal missile systems in response to the threats. Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration said, meanwhile, that around the same time the PLA Eastern Theater Command issued a statement about the drills on Tuesday, it detected China Coast Guard vessels 14607 and 14517 approaching Dongyin Island, one of the Taiwan-controlled Matsu Islands. The CGA dispatched vessels in response to the ships, which the China Coast Guard claimed were "conducting law enforcement patrols." In responding to the exercises, the MND said China's military is plagued by corruption despite government efforts to eliminate graft, and its "false claims of its combat capabilities" "expose how pompous it is." The MND is confident in its ability to protect the country and the people against China's "gray zone activities" without escalating tensions or sparking conflicts, it said. According to Beijing, the exercises served as "a stern warning" against "Taiwan independence" separatist forces. In a statement on Tuesday, China's Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) slammed President Lai Ching-te () for labeling Beijing as "foreign hostile force" and announcing "17 strategies" targeting China in mid-March. TAO claimed the exercises were "a firm punishment" for such provocations, without saying how long the exercises will last. Lai introduced the "17 major strategies" for what he called growing national security threats posed by China, including infiltration and espionage activities targeting the Taiwanese military and society. In response to media requests for a comment on the Chinese military drills, the Kuomintang (KMT), Taiwan's main opposition party, appeared to have taken a softer stance on Beijing. In a separate statement on Tuesday, the KMT called on "the other side [of the Taiwan Strait] to lay down its arms" amid what it called "spiraling hostility across the two sides" of the Taiwan Strait brought about by the Lai administration's national security measures. The American Institute in Taiwan also condemned China's actions. "China's escalating military intimidation tactics only serve to exacerbate tensions and undermine cross-Strait peace and stability," it said in a statement to CNA. "China has shown that it is not a responsible actor and has no problem putting the region's security and prosperity at risk." (By Teng Pei-ju and Sean Lin) Enditem/ls NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China conducts joint exercises around Taiwan ROC Central News Agency 04/01/2025 10:00 AM Taipei, April 1 (CNA) The People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command has started to conduct joint exercises around Taiwan, according to state-run TV. The exercises involved the army, navy, air and rocket forces "closing in" on Taiwan in "multiple directions," Chinese state-run CCTV reported, quoting PLA Eastern Command spokesperson Shi Yi (). The drills serve as a "stern warning and forceful deterrent" against "Taiwan independence" separatist forces and are a "legitimate and necessary" action to safeguard China's sovereignty and national unity, according to the statement. No further details were provided on how long the exercises will last or where they will be concentrated. Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense quickly condemned the move, which it called a disruption to the "status quo," and said it had deployed military vessels and aircraft in response to the threats. (By Sean Lin) Enditem/ls NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Illegal entry of Chinese national ahead of PLA drills probed by prosecutors ROC Central News Agency 04/01/2025 05:26 PM Taipei, April 1 (CNA) The illegal entry of a Chinese national into the outlying county of Kinmen ahead of China's military exercises around Taiwan on Tuesday could signal a new form of gray zone disruption, warned the Coast Guard Administration (CGA). According to a statement issued by the CGA's Kinmen-Matsu-Penghu Branch, its Kinmen personnel spotted a Chinese national in a rubber dinghy attempting to illegally land in Kinmen at 6:49 a.m. The sighting came right before the People's Liberation Army (PLA) announced at 7:30 a.m. that it had begun joint exercises around Taiwan. Local CGA personnel intercepted the individual and brought him and the vessel in for investigation. Shortly afterward, radar detected four China Coast Guard vessels in Taiwan's restricted waters around the Matsu Islands' Xiyin and Wuqiu islets at around 8 a.m. The CGA branch dispatched four patrol vessels to monitor the situation. Given the timing of the incident, authorities "do not rule out a potential connection between the event and China's military exercises, which could even be part of them," said Chen Tai-an (), deputy chief of the Kinmen CGA group that seized the Chinese national, in a recorded statement. The case has been handed over to Kinmen prosecutors for further investigation, he added. The CGA statement highlighted China's use of hybrid tactics in its gray-zone operations and military exercises around Taiwan, vowing to remain on high alert for further developments. Meanwhile, Chinese state-run broadcaster CCTV, citing PLA Eastern Theater Command spokesperson Shi Yi (), reported that the drills involve army, navy, air, and rocket forces "closing in" on Taiwan from multiple directions. No details were provided on the duration or specific focus areas of the exercises. (By Chao Yen-hsiang and Sean Lin) Enditem/AW NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Chinese youth hooked on herbal supplements for 'punk wellness' 14:09, April 02, 2025 By Zhang Yiyi, Chen Qingrui ( Global Times At 1 am in Beijing's CBD, Ye Ran, a 28-year-old office worker, quickly replied to emails while sipping bottled coffee and casually popping a small bag of ginseng slices into her mouth. "Working late is routine, but I still need to look after myself," Ye told the Global Times. Ye's desk holds ginseng capsules, goji berries and bird's nest jelly, and instant cordyceps powder - an emblem of young people's "punk wellness" habits. Ye said that ready-to-eat wellness products are becoming increasingly popular in Beijing, with some stores offering herbalist consultations for personalized DIY blends. "Sometimes when shopping, I'll pick up an herbal tea - it costs about the same as bubble tea, around 20 yuan ($2.75), but the ingredients feel healthier," she said. From herbal snacks to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)-flavored drinks, young Chinese consumers are reshaping the concept of wellness - blending style, personalization, and lifestyle into their daily routines. Unlike older generations who favored simple habits like drinking hot water or bitter herbal decoction, today's youth see wellness as an active, everyday pursuit of self-optimization. A report released by the China Consumers Association in August 2024 showed that the revenue of China's health industry is projected to reach 9 trillion yuan in 2024. Demand is strong for supplements, medical foods, personalized nutrition, and home wellness products. Health spending is shifting from optional to essential daily consumption. Herbal products trending "As the weather warms up, I recently visited Zhong Yao Tang Gelato, a Chinese herbal ice cream shop, and the experience was truly unique," Yan Jingwen, a 23-year-old from Shanghai, told the Global Times on Tuesday. "The decor looks exactly like a TCM clinic, and you're greeted by the strong aroma of medicinal herbs, which feels very fresh for an ice cream shop. I've been staying up late writing my thesis, so eating something herbal makes me feel less guilty," said Yan. Their ice creams combine various herbs or medicinal ingredients like ginger, smoked plum, wild chrysanthemum, Chinese herbal candies, and soft dates, giving them distinct and memorable flavors, and the staff are helpful in explaining them and offering samples, Yan added. "This shop has always been very popular. I remember when it first opened, everything was sold out by the afternoon. Even now, you have to arrive early to get your favorite flavor," she said. The Global Times recently visited a Cantonese herbal tea shop tucked away on Beijing's bustling Gui Jie, a street best known for its spicy crayfish restaurants. Despite its modest size, the shop sees a steady stream of customers drawn to its wide range of herbal teas, formulated to support liver health, ease fatigue from late nights, improve eyesight, or reduce internal heat. The menu also includes herbal jelly and yogurt blended with TCM ingredients. "Young people often drop in while exploring the street - some are curious, others say the tea makes them feel better," the shop owner told the Global Times. "Crayfish lovers especially like to grab a cup after their meal. It helps cut through the grease and spice, which makes them feel more balanced." Herbal wellness is gaining ground not just in China's biggest cities but also in second- and third-tier ones. In Dingxi, a city in Northwest China's Gansu Province, a local hospital has introduced 10 herbal tea blends designed to promote wellness and reduce internal heat. Offering both a refreshing taste and functional benefits, the teas have quickly become popular among residents, according to a report by People's Daily Overseas Edition. Rethinking wellness To attract younger consumers, traditional herbal brands are revamping their image, while a new wave of Chinese wellness startups is rapidly emerging. Beijing Tong Ren Tang, a major TCM brand founded in 1669, is making a push into the youth wellness market with its sub-brand Zhima Health. At its Beijing store that the Global Times has seen, the brand blends old and new - offering herbal consultations alongside a lineup of modern, youth-friendly products designed to make TCM more accessible and appealing to younger consumers. Previously dominated by older consumers, the wellness market is shifting - those aged 18 to 35 now account for over 80 percent of store visitors, Zhima Health said in a statement to the Global Times on Tuesday. "In our interactions with consumers, we've found that many young people are looking for more personalized wellness products and diverse ways to engage with them," Zhima Health's representative told the Global Times. "To meet this demand, we regularly hold in-store events - from wellness talks to DIY workshops where visitors can make herbal incense beads and sachets - bringing TCM culture to life." In October 2024, Nanjing-based Guozishule Food Co. launched its "Sparkling Herbal" drink line, featuring blends like black rice with cassia seed and coix seed with red bean. A representative said the line has performed well in convenience stores and is increasingly popular among young consumers, according to a report by People's Daily Overseas Edition. "Younger consumers are looking for drinks that are tastier, healthier, and easier on the body," the representative of Guozishule said. "Influenced by traditional Eastern food culture, many feel naturally drawn to ingredients like black rice and red beans. The drinks are formulated to be refreshing and not bitter and are packaged in modern Chinese style to attract a wider youth audience." The surge in traditional health supplements among young people signals rising interest in health management and deeper shifts in consumer attitudes, Lai Mingsheng, associate professor at Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, told the Global Times. Lai noted that young consumers have fueled a "micro-health" consumption trend, driving some industries toward a transformation focused on "healthy, light, snackable, and daily" products. As Chinese herbs become more common in food and services, Lai stressed the need for industry standards. He suggested that companies establish a visual trust system, including transparent production and clear evidence of the claimed effectiveness. The future innovation of TCM products and services will likely focus on plant-based ingredients, complemented by precision and personalized customization, aiming to enhance the convenience and functionality of TCM consumption, Lai said. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing) Taiwan International Solidarity Act reintroduced in U.S. Congress ROC Central News Agency 04/01/2025 11:13 AM Washington, March 31 (CNA) A bipartisan group of American lawmakers has reintroduced the Taiwan International Solidarity Act in the U.S. House of Representatives on Monday after the pro-Taiwan legislation previously stalled in the Senate in 2023. The act "encourages the U.S. to work with allies and partners to oppose the People's Republic of China's efforts to undermine Taiwan's diplomatic relationships and partnerships globally," according to a press release from the office of Representative Gerry Connolly, a Democrat, who introduced the bill. The legislation "clarifies" that U.N. General Assembly Resolution 2758 -- which Beijing has cited as a legal basis for its territorial claim over Taiwan -- "does not preclude the United States from using its vote, voice, and influence to resist the reckless campaign against Taiwan's place on the world stage," the press release said. Connolly said the bill is built on the 2019 Taiwan Allies International Protection and Enhancement Initiative Act to counter China's "weaponization" of international organizations and "stand in solidarity with the wishes and best interests of the people of Taiwan." According to the draft bill, it would require the U.S. government "to use the voice, vote, and influence of the United States" to "advocate [...] to resist the People's Republic of China's efforts to distort the decisions, language, policies, or procedures of [international] organizations regarding Taiwan." "Taiwan has a track record of success in democracy and global health security, and its perspective deserves to be heard," said Representative Young Kim, a Republican, who co-sponsored the bill. Kim, who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific, explained that the act helps demonstrate "through meaningful action" U.S. support for Taiwan's status in international organizations. "Taiwan's participation in global conversation is the world's gain," Kim was quoted as saying. The bill is co-sponsored by Democrats Ami Bera, Dina Titus, Steve Cohen, Thomas Suozzi, Dave Min, Josh Gottheimer, and Brad Sherman, and Republicans Brian Fitzpatrick and Michael Lawler, the press release said. According to U.S. legislative procedures, the bill will next enter the committee review stage and must pass both the House and Senate before it can be signed into law by the president. (By Chung Yu-chen and James Thompson) Enditem/ls NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PLA drills a stern warning, strong deterrent against 'Taiwan independence' forces: FM spokesperson Global Times By Global Times Published: Apr 01, 2025 03:54 PM The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command on Tuesday started joint exercises around Taiwan island. In response to a media inquiry on the current situation, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said that the Eastern Theater Command and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council have already released statements regarding the joint exercises. The exercises are a stern warning and a strong deterrent against "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, as well as a legitimate and necessary move to safeguard China's sovereignty and uphold national unity, said Guo. Taiwan is an inseparable part of China's territory, and the Taiwan question is purely China's internal affair, which brooks no external interference, said Guo. The DPP authorities' stubborn adherence to a "Taiwan independence" position and their attempts to seek independence by relying on external forces are futile and bound to fail. The historic trend toward China's complete reunification is unstoppable and inevitable, said the spokesperson. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PLA stages joint drills around Taiwan in stern warning to secessionists Global Times CCG patrols, FM and Taiwan affairs office statements deliver stern warning to 'Taiwan independence' secessionist forces By GT staff reporters Published: Apr 01, 2025 08:43 PM The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command on Tuesday started to conduct joint exercises around Taiwan island, said a spokesperson. Military experts noted that the drills are clearly targeted, and aimed directly at the Lai Ching-te authorities and "Taiwan independence" separatist forces. They also noted that the operation is a legitimate and necessary measure to firmly safeguard China's national sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity. In the drills, the theater command organized its army, navy, air and rocket forces to close in on Taiwan island from multiple directions, said Senior Colonel Shi Yi, spokesperson for the theater command. According to Shi, these drills mainly focus on sea-air combat-readiness patrols, joint seizure of comprehensive superiority, assault on maritime and ground targets, and blockade of key areas and sea lanes to test the joint operation capabilities of the troops. On Tuesday, the PLA Eastern Theater Command organized its vessel and aircraft formations, in coordination with conventional missile troops and long-range rocket launching systems, to conduct drills of air interception, assault on maritime targets, strikes on ground objects, and joint blockade and control, in waters to the north, south, and east of Taiwan island, the PLA Eastern Theater Command said in a statement. Zhang Chi, a professor at the National Defense University, told Global Times on Tuesday that the exercise featured sea-air combat readiness patrols, seizure of comprehensive control, anti-sea and land attacks, as well as blockade and control of key areas and routes. These training courses have been routinely conducted in recent PLA drills near Taiwan island, including the sea-air combat readiness patrol and the Joint Sword exercises in 2023, as well as Joint Sword-2024A and Joint Sword-2024B in 2024. Zhang noted that the purpose of these exercises is to let the DPP authorities and "Taiwan independence" secessionist forces routinely feel the PLA's firm will and strong capability in defending national sovereignty and countering secessionist forces. The exercises showed three major capabilities of the PLA, namely joint operation, precision strike on key targets, and seizure of control, according to Zhang. The drills serve as a stern warning and forceful deterrent against "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, and are a legitimate and necessary action to safeguard China's sovereignty and national unity, Shi, the spokesperson for the PLA Eastern Theater Command, said in the Tuesday statement. The spokesperson's statement underscored the nature of the exercise, making clear that it is directed at the Lai Ching-te authorities and "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, Zhang told Global Times on Tuesday. Unlike Joint Sword-2024A and Joint Sword-2024B exercises, no codename was announced for the PLA exercise on Tuesday. Zhang said that, "This indicated that, from a significant extent, the PLA's exercise today has become routine. It is just like a common day for the PLA." Shortly after the announcement of the drills on Tuesday, the PLA Eastern Theater Command's official WeChat account released a series of cartoons titled "Shell," depicting six major PLA weapons crossing the sea and encircling the Taiwan island. And it also released themed posters with one of the captions reads that "The more willful provocation, inviting greater strangulation." Military affairs experts told the Global Times that the illustrations send a clear warning to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces that pursuing "Taiwan independence" means war and will only lead to getting oneself burned and self-destruction. Joint moves China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels on Tuesday also conducted law-enforcement patrols in waters around Taiwan island in accordance with the one-China principle, amid the PLA Eastern Theater Command's joint exercises around the island, according to CCG. Zhu Anqing, spokesperson of the CCG's East China Sea Bureau, said on Tuesday that China Coast Guard vessel formations conducted law-enforcement patrols in waters surrounding Taiwan island, and carried out drills such as inspection and capture, interception and detention operations against unwarranted vessels. A mission poster showing details of this law-enforcement operation was released simultaneously. The poster depicted that the CCG dispatched the 1107 formation, the 1303 formation, the 2304 formation as well as the vessels 2302, 2305 and 2307, which encircled the island from the north and south. A source told the Global Times that the law-enforcement mission encircled the island, and specifically included the training courses of arresting "Taiwan independence" separatists attempting to flee via sea routes. A poster released by the CCG used a large number of elements from the popular animated film Ne Zha, making it easier for the audience to understand the Chinese mainland's sincerity in uniting the vast number of Taiwan compatriots and its determination to combat "Taiwan independence." Also on Tuesday, the spokespersons of the Chinese Foreign Ministry and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council also made statements on the joint exercises. The drills are a serious warning and an act of containment against "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, and a legitimate and necessary move to defend national sovereignty and uphold national unity, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said at the press conference on Tuesday. Taiwan is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory. The Taiwan question is purely China's internal affairs that brook no external interference, Guo said. Zhu Fenglian, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said in a statement on Tuesday that the joint exercises serve as a resolute punishment against the reckless provocations of the Lai authorities in seeking "Taiwan independence." Deterrence effect The drills have drawn great attention from some Taiwan media and netizens on the island, and also sparked frustration against the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities over their secessionist provocations, which many believe have jeopardized cross-Straits peace and stability. "This is not an April Fool's joke." A headline on local BCC News under the "Broadcasting Corporation of China" echoed the sentiment. In the comments section, one netizen expressed frustration against the DPP's secessionist stance, writing, "Why drag us into a crisis like this? Shouldn't leaders protect their people from war?" Michael Chou, a Taipei-based professional, told the Global Times on Tuesday that despite it being a regular workday, the ongoing military exercises have become a hot topic of private discussion among colleagues and friends. "The DPP's actions have made Taiwan increasingly unsafe," he remarked. Lai and the DPP authorities often attempt to conceal their underlying fears by claiming to be "unaffected" by moves of the mainland, Zhu Guilan, an expert from the Institute of Taiwan Studies under Tsinghua University, told the Global Times on Tuesday. However, Lai has introduced the so-called "whole-of-society defense resilience" strategy and increased the "defense budget" to about 3 percent of GDP, which is clear evidence of the real deterrent effect of the PLA's exercises, said Zhu. Zhu Guilan outlined three key significances of the military exercises, the first being that it serves as a concrete operation to safeguard China's Constitution. The second is that the exercises represent a firm implementation of the Anti-Secession Law. Third, Zhu Guilan said the exercises underscore that, under certain circumstances, the state may adopt non-peaceful means and other necessary measures to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity. It clearly defines a red line that "Taiwan independence" separatist forces must not cross, making them fully aware of the serious consequences of their actions. Zhu Guilan also noted that the military exercises will inevitably have a strong deterrent effect on "Taiwan independence" separatist forces. The drills fully showcased the PLA's military strength and advanced capabilities, served to comprehensively test and further enhance the PLA's combat capabilities and operational readiness and reaffirmed that the PLA maintains full-time combat readiness, is prepared to fight at any moment, and is determined to prevail. The Tuesday moves send a clear message to separatist forces that the PLA stands ready to respond swiftly and decisively to any provocation, said the expert. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address YJ-21 missile deployed in PLA's joint drills around Taiwan; secessionists have no way to deal with it: expert Global Times By Fan Wei and Liu Xuanzun Published: Apr 01, 2025 05:23 PM Advanced weapons and equipment such as the Type 054A frigate, the DF-15 ballistic missile, the H-6K bomber and the Y-20 transport aircraft have joined the PLA Eastern Theater Command's joint exercise around the island of Taiwan on Tuesday, a video released by the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command showed. During the exercises, the H-6K bomber carried YJ-21 air-launched ballistic missile, which was unveiled previously at Airshow China. The YJ-21 missile's appearance in the drills by the PLA Eastern Theater Command indicates a high level of combat realism. The missile has key significance in seizing comprehensive control, and the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces have no way to deal with this type of missile, a military affairs expert told the Global Times on Tuesday. A PLA Eastern Theater Command video on Tuesday showed an H-6K bomber lifting off with two YJ-21 missiles. The YJ-21 missile was unveiled at the Airshow China 2022. In a video released by the PLA Air Force in 2024 celebrating the service's 75th founding anniversary, the launch scene of the YJ-21 was for the first time shown to the public. Military affairs expert Wang Mingzhi told media that the YJ-21 is an advanced air-launched ballistic missile, giving the PLA Air Force an advanced means to strike with long range, fast speed, high precision, strong defense penetration capability and high destructive power. The participation of the YJ-21 in the joint exercises around Taiwan Island has a profound significance. Military affairs expert Zhang Junshe told the Global Times on Tuesday that the missile's participation showed that the drills by the PLA Eastern Theater Command is very close to actual combat, and the participating troops are ready to fight any time. The YJ-21, as a missile with hypersonic defense penetration capability, has key significance in the seizure of comprehensive control, anti-sea and land attack, as well as blockading key areas and routes, Zhang said, noting that comprehensive control in modern warfare covers a wide range, including not only the traditional control of the sea, air and land, but also control over electromagnetic domain and cyberspace. Achieving this requires land strikes, electromagnetic warfare, and destruction of high-value targets like command centers and network hubs. " Because hypersonic missiles can reach speeds higher than Mach 6, the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces' current air defense systems have no way to deal with the YJ-21 - in fact there are hardly any force in the world that can effectively intercept it, Zhang said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PLA Eastern Theater Command's drills around Taiwan Island display three major capabilities: expert Global Times By Guo Yuandan and Liu Xuanzun Published: Apr 01, 2025 03:59 PM Updated: Apr 01, 2025 04:35 PM Organizing its army, navy, air and rocket forces, the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command launched joint exercises around the island of Taiwan on Tuesday. Upon orders, the forces mobilized from all directions, assembled and encircled the island. The exercises showed three major capabilities of the PLA, namely joint operation, precision strike on key targets, and seizure of control, an expert told the Global Times. On Tuesday, the PLA Eastern Theater Command organized its vessel and aircraft formations, in coordination with conventional missile troops and long-range rocket launching systems, to conduct drills of air interception, assault on maritime targets, strikes on ground objects, and joint blockade and control, in waters to the north, south, and east of Taiwan Island, the PLA Eastern Theater Command said in a statement. These drills are aimed at testing the troops' capabilities of carrying out integrated operations, seizure of operational control, and multi-directional precision strikes, the statement reads. The statement came after Senior Colonel Shi Yi, spokesperson of the PLA Eastern Theater Command, announced earlier on Tuesday that the PLA Eastern Theater Command started to conduct joint exercises, organizing its army, navy, air and rocket forces to close in on the Taiwan Island from multiple directions. The drills mainly focus on sea-air combat-readiness patrols, joint seizure of comprehensive superiority, assault on maritime and ground targets, and blockade on key areas and sea lanes so as to test joint operations capabilities of its troops. It is a stern warning and forceful deterrence against "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, and it is a legitimate and necessary action to safeguard China's sovereignty and national unity, Shi said. The military channel of China Central Television (CCTV) provided some details of the exercise. In the early hours of Tuesday, a conventional missile unit of the PLA Rocket Force that was tasked with a strike mission maneuvered toward multiple preset positions from multiple directions under dim light. Reinforced by target intelligence, mission planning and data support, dozens of launch units conducted simultaneous fire tracking and carried out multiple waves of simulated strikes with a large number of missiles, before orderly evacuating their positions. At frontlines along the coast, a modularized long-range rocket fire strike unit affiliated with a brigade of the army of the PLA Eastern Theater Command arrived at mission area on time, as launch vehicles took launch positions and launched consecutive simulation strikes on targets. In the air, the PLA Eastern Theater Command's air force sortied dozens of fighter jets and bombers in multiple batches. Supported by electronic warfare and tanker aircraft, they advanced in the Taiwan Straits and at the northern and southern ends of Taiwan Island as a coordinated system. Under the guidance of early warning aircraft, the warplanes worked in conjunction with warships and surface-to-air missile installations to practice regional control and aerial interception. Upon arriving at designated waters, naval vessels of the PLA Eastern Theater Command quickly started combat deployments, with multiple intelligence systems engaged to capture hostile situation, and weapon systems ready to fire upon order, according to the CCTV report. Zhang Chi, a professor at the National Defense University, told Global Times on Tuesday that the exercise featured sea-air combat readiness patrols, seizure of comprehensive control, anti-sea and land attacks, as well as blockade and control of key areas and routes. These training courses have been routinely conducted in recent PLA drills near Taiwan Island, including the sea-air combat readiness patrol and the Joint Sword exercises in 2023, as well as Joint Sword-2024A and Joint Sword-2024B in 2024. Zhang noted that the purpose of these exercises is to let the DPP authorities and "Taiwan independence" secessionist forces routinely feel the PLA's firm will and strong capability in defending national sovereignty and countering secessionist forces. Tuesday's drills primarily showcased three capabilities of the PLA. First is the joint operational capability, as the PLA Eastern Theater Command organized its army, navy, air force, and rocket force, along with reconnaissance and intelligence resources, to fully test the troops' ability to conduct integrated maneuvers, Zhang said. The second capability is conducting precision strikes on key targets. The drills practiced anti-sea and land attacks, testing the troops' precision strike capabilities on key targets of the Taiwan authorities from multiple directions, Zhang said. The third is the capability to seize control, as the PLA practiced the seizure of air superiority, control of the sea, and control of information, the expert said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PLA joint exercises to deliver strong deterrent message to 'Taiwan independence' forces: expert Global Times By Liu Xin and Guo Yuandan Published: Apr 01, 2025 02:45 PM The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command on Tuesday launched joint military exercises around Taiwan island, marking another large-scale operation following the "Joint Sword-2024A" and "Joint Sword-2024B" drills conducted in May and October 2024. The latest exercise carries three major strategic implications and will deliver a strong deterrent message to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, said an expert on the Taiwan question. Starting Tuesday, the PLA Eastern Theater Command organized its army, navy, air force, and rocket force to approach Taiwan island from multiple directions. The drills focused on maritime and aerial combat patrols, establishing joint operational control, carrying out strikes against sea and land targets, and blockading key areas and strategic routes, with the aim of testing the theater command's real combat capabilities in joint operations. Lai Ching-te and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities often attempt to conceal their underlying fears by claiming to be "unaffected" by moves of the mainland, Zhu Guilan, an expert from the Institute of Taiwan Studies under Tsinghua University, told the Global Times on Tuesday. However, Lai has introduced the so-called "whole-of-society defense resilience" strategy and increased the "defense budget" to 3 percent of GDP, which is clear evidence of the real deterrent effect of the PLA's exercises, said Zhu. On the other hand, public discussions about moving out of the island have surged on the island, while economic elites have raised concerns over economic stability and investment prospects - both tangible social reactions triggered by the PLA's military activities, said Zhu. Zhu outlined three key significances of the military exercises, the first being that it serves as a concrete military action to safeguard China's Constitution. She noted that the exercises deliver a targeted blow to "Taiwan independence" forces and reflects the firm resolve of the Chinese people to uphold the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity, which cannot be violated or divided. The second significance, Zhu said, is that the exercises represent a firm implementation of the Anti-Secession Law. "This year marks the 20th anniversary of the law's implementation. Since 2005, the Communist Party of China and the Chinese people have resolutely advanced the fight against secession, employing political, economic, military, diplomatic, and legal measures in a comprehensive approach. This military exercise is a critical and integral part of that ongoing struggle," Zhu said. Third, Zhu said the exercises underscore that, under certain circumstances, the state may adopt non-peaceful means and other necessary measures to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity. It clearly defines a red line that "Taiwan independence" separatist forces must not cross, making them full aware of the serious consequences of their actions. Zhu said that the military exercises will inevitably have a strong deterrent effect on "Taiwan independence" separatist forces in three key ways. First, it fully showcases the PLA's military strength and advanced capabilities, making clear to separatist forces the resolve and ability of the PLA and the Chinese people to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, thereby discouraging reckless provocations. Moreover, the exercises served to comprehensively test and further enhance the PLA's combat capabilities and operational readiness. By conducting joint drills involving multiple military branches and a variety of combat scenarios, the exercises demonstrated the PLA's ability to carry out precision strikes and enforce joint blockades, further reinforcing its deterrent posture against "Taiwan independence" forces, said Zhu. Additionally, the exercises reaffirmed that the PLA maintains full-time combat readiness, is prepared to fight at any moment, and is determined to prevail. It sends a clear message to separatist forces that the PLA stands ready to respond swiftly and decisively to any provocation, said the expert. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China Coast Guard vessels conduct law-enforcement patrols in waters around Taiwan island Global Times By Fan Wei and Liu Xuanzun Published: Apr 01, 2025 10:59 AM China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels on Tuesday conducted law-enforcement patrols in waters around Taiwan island in accordance with the one-China principle, amid the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command's joint exercises around the island. A source told the Global Times that the law-enforcement mission encircled the island, and specifically included the training courses of arresting "Taiwan independence" separatists attempting to flee via sea routes. A poster released by the CCG used a large number of elements from the popular Ne zha, making it easier for the audience to understand the Chinese mainland's sincerity in uniting the vast number of Taiwan compatriots and its determination to combat "Taiwan independence". Zhu Anqing, spokesperson of the CCG's East China Sea Bureau, said on Tuesday that China Coast Guard vessel formations conducted law-enforcement patrols in waters surrounding Taiwan island, and carried out drills such as inspection and capture, interception and detention operations. A mission poster showing details of this law-enforcement operation was released simultaneously. The poster depicted that the CCG dispatched the 1107 formation, the 1303 formation, the 2304 formation as well as the vessels 2302, 2305 and 2307, which encircled the island from the north and south. The source said that the CCG vessels participating in the law-enforcement patrols come from multiple units from several provinces along the coast, and the distance of the law-enforcement measures are closer to the Taiwan island than last time. From May and October of last year to today, the CCG's force deployment is coming closer, showing that the more serious the provocations are, the tighter the stranglehold will be. On the poster design, the CCG used Nezha's "Huntian Ling" as lines to mark the routes and law enforcement scope of CCG ships during this law enforcement patrol mission around the island. Huntian Ling is a weapon of Nezha in Chinese ancient mythology, which can not only bind enemies and change length automatically, but can also be repaired automatically even if it is cut. The source said that, given the inspection and capture, interception and detention operations practiced in the mission, the inclusion of the Huntian Ling element in the poster serves as a warning to "Taiwan independence" forces: the CCG can establish a "line of defense" around Taiwan Island, tighten the "encirclement," and bring the "Taiwan independence" forces who attempt to flee to justice when necessary. It is worth mentioning that the Huantian Ling in the poster did not completely close during the encirclement of Taiwan Island, but opened toward the mainland. The above-mentioned source said that this design also reflects our sincerity in striving to unite the vast number of Taiwan compatriots in maintaining cross-Straits peace: the Huntian Ling in the poster can be regarded as the "encirclement" on Taiwan Island, but can also be regarded as a "bond," showing the bloodline of compatriots on both sides of the Straits. Compatriots on both sides of the Straits should unite in unity, work together to jointly oppose the "Taiwan independence" forces. Zhu, the spokesperson, said that Taiwan is a province of the People's Republic of China. These drills are practical actions to exercise legitimate jurisdiction and control over the island in accordance with the one-China principle. The source noted that the information released by the CCG and the poster specifically emphasize the connection between Taiwan and the mainland, asserting that both belong to one and the same China. This also underscores the overall control of the CCG's law enforcement around Taiwan. Later on the Tuesday, the CCG announced that the Fujian Coast Guard organized its vessel formations to conduct comprehensive law enforcement patrols in waters surrounding Dongyin and Wuqiu islands, and carried out drills of identification and verification, inspection and capture, and control and expulsion operations against unwarranted vessels. These drills are aimed at testing rapid response and emergence handling capabilities of the coast guard. The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command on Tuesday started joint exercises around Taiwan island. The drills serve as a stern warning and forceful deterrent against "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, and are a legitimate and necessary action to safeguard sovereignty and national unity, said Senior Colonel Shi Yi, spokesperson for the theater command. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Lack of 'codename' for latest PLA exercise around Taiwan indicates drill has become routine: expert Global Times By Guo Yuandan and Liu Xuanzun Published: Apr 01, 2025 09:42 AM The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command started to conduct joint exercises on Tuesday, organizing its army, navy, air and rocket forces to close in on the Taiwan Island from multiple directions, Senior Colonel Shi Yi, spokesperson for the Eastern Theater Command, announced on the day. These drills mainly focus on sea-air combat-readiness patrols, joint seizure of comprehensive superiority, assault on maritime and ground targets, and blockade on key areas and sea lanes so as to test joint operations capabilities of its troops, Shi said. It is a stern warning and forceful deterrence against "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, and it is a legitimate and necessary action to safeguard China's sovereignty and national unity, the spokesperson said. Unlike the Joint Sword-2024A and Joint Sword-2024B exercises conducted by the PLA Eastern Theater Command in May and October of 2024, no codename was announced for the PLA exercise on Tuesday. Zhang Chi, a professor at the National Defense University, told Global Times on Tuesday that, "This indicated that, from a significant extent, the PLA's exercise today has become routine. It is just like a common day for the PLA." Through a series of exercises held in the Taiwan Straits in recent years, the PLA has effectively enhanced its combat readiness and ability. The expert further stated that, first of all, these exercises not only tempered the fighting spirit, but also tempered the psychological quality and strong style of the task force, enabling the officers and soldiers to perform various tasks close to actual combat in a good state. Secondly, regular exercises are conducive to familiarizing with the battlefield environment. As the exercises continue to advance in depth and get closer and closer to Taiwan island, it is conducive to the PLA's further familiarity and mastery of the environment of the Taiwan Straits battlefield, Zhang said. Thirdly, regular exercises have improved combat capabilities. High-intensity exercises have boosted the PLA's level of joint operations, and various types of weapons and equipment have also withstood the test, indicating that the PLA's combat capabilities are continuously improving, Zhang said. Zhang noted that this exercise demonstrated the PLA's firm will and strong ability to resolutely defend national sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity. "Every time the 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces provoke, the PLA will take a step forward. The closer the 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces are colluding with external forces, the tighter our chain of blockade on Taiwan will be. The PLA's toolbox for fighting in the Taiwan Straits is becoming richer and richer, the means are becoming more and more diverse, and the fist is becoming harder and harder." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taiwan calls on democracies to condemn Chinese military drills Chinese drills came days after the Pentagon chief vowed to counter 'China's aggression' on his first visit to Asia. By Alan Lu for RFA 2025.04.01 TAIPEI, Taiwan -- Taiwan urged democracies worldwide to condemn China for being a "troublemaker" after Beijing launched military drills around the island. China's military said Tuesday it had kicked off joint exercises involving its army, navy, air force and rocket force around Taiwan as a "stern warning," days after U.S. defense chief Pete Hegseth vowed to counter "China's aggression" on his first visit to Asia. Forces from China's People's Liberation Army, or PLA, were approaching Taiwan from "multiple directions," according to a statement from the Eastern Theater Command, which oversees military operations in the region, posted on the command's official WeChat account. It said the drills would focus on "combat readiness patrols at sea and in the air, seizing comprehensive control, striking maritime and land targets and imposing blockade controls on key areas and routes." Taiwan's defence ministry said it had detected 19 PLA ships around Taiwan by 6 a.m. on Tuesday, including the Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong. It deployed aircraft, Navy ships, and coastal missile systems in response. "Taiwan's military vowed to remain vigilant and adhere to the principle of not escalating conflicts or provoking disputes while effectively countering gray-zone threats," the ministry said in a press release. Taiwanese defense minister Wellington Koo Li-Hsiung said that the PLA's actions undermine regional peace and stability, making it evident that they are a "major troublemaker." "Recent reports have exposed widespread corruption within the Chinese military, suggesting that they should focus on addressing their internal issues rather than engaging in activities that disrupt regional peace," he told journalists at a press conference Tuesday. Joseph Wu, secretary-general of Taiwan's National Security Council under the chairmanship of the island's president, condemned the drills as "reckless" and "irresponsible" in threatening Taiwan as well as peace and stability in the region. "It came without justification, violates international laws and is totally unacceptable. Democracies need to condemn China for being a troublemaker," Wu said in a post on the social platform X. The latest Chinese military drills came days after Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth vowed to enhance America's military alliance with the Philippines to counter "China's aggression" in the Indo-Pacific region during his first trip to Asia last week. He also called Japan an "indispensable partner in deterring communist Chinese military aggression," including across the Taiwan Strait. Beijing asserts that Taiwan is part of its territory and is steadily developing the military capacity to take it by force. While analysts say China hasn't yet reached that point, it has made notable progress. In the meantime, it employs military pressure - such as drills - and other coercive tactics to try to compel Taiwan into submission. China has conducted numerous military drills targeting Taiwan in recent years, typically in reaction to what it views as separatist or pro-independence actions. Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te, elected last year to continue the leadership of the pro-sovereignty Democratic Progressive Party, has adopted a firm stance on cross-strait relations. Just last month, he labeled China a "foreign hostile force" under national security law and introduced several initiatives aimed at curbing its expanding influence and espionage activities. Edited by Taejun Kang and Stephen Wright. Copyright 1998-2025, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content April not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan ROC Ministry of National Defense 2025/04/01 PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan 1.Date 6 a.m. Mar. 31 (Mon.) to 6 a.m. Apr. 1 (Tue.) (UTC+8) 2.PLA activities 19 PLAN ships operating around Taiwan were detected as of 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and employed CAP aircraft, Navy ships, and coastal missile systems in response to detected activities. 3.Illustration of flight path is not provided due to no PLA aircraft operating around Taiwan were detected during this timeframe. 1140401_PLA activities NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine: Speech by High representative/Vice-President Kaja Kallas at the EP plenary on Russia's war crimes in Ukraine European External Action Service (EEAS) 01.04.2025 Strasburg, 01/04/2025 EEAS Press Team Check against delivery! Opening Remarks President, Honourable Members of the European Parliament, Three years ago yesterday, videos and photos began to emerge showing the bodies of civilians scattered along Yablunska Street in the town of Bucha, Ukraine. Children fleeing with their families, locals shopping for groceries, people trying to get back home on their bicycles. It [was] once was the case - from Bosnia to Sri Lanka - that a single photo or video could expose wartime atrocities. In Bucha, the evidence is overwhelming. From photos to phone records and decoded call signs used by commanders on Russian radio channels. There is no denying it. We know exactly who the perpetrators are. With the technology we have at our fingertips today, impunity for war crimes is frankly impossible, so long as we put the work in it. And that is what we must do, because the number of possible crimes committed in this war is simply beyond belief. The forcible transfer and deportation of Ukrainian children is one of the gravest crimes committed and an extreme violation of human rights, but the impact on children at home in Ukraine is also devastating. According to Save the Children, approximately 4 million school-aged children have experienced educational interruptions since the full-scale war began. Close to four thousand education institutions have been damaged; more than 10% of the country's education infrastructure has been completely destroyed. Attacks on health facilities have endangered the lives of children, including those with chronic diseases. Birth rates in Ukraine have dropped by 30 percent during this war. In fact, fertility rates in Ukraine are now amongst the lowest in the world. Russia is destroying Ukraine's present while denying the country its future. The European Union is part of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children. We will do all we can to return children to their families in Ukraine. The European Union has also imposed sanctions on more than 70 individuals responsible for the deportation and forced transfer of children, as well as for the 're-education' and militarisation of Ukrainian children. Russia's campaign against human life and dignity truly knows no limits. We also see this in the reports on enforced disappearances, torture, extrajudicial executions, sexual violence against civilian detainees and prisoners of war by Russian armed forces in occupied territories. The European Union will continue raising their cases at every opportunity, wherever we can - because no civilian detainee can be forgotten. We must also continue to advocate for the protection of prisoners of war and call on Russia to uphold its long-standing international commitments under International Humanitarian Law. A just, comprehensive and lasting peace, based on the United Nations Charter and international law, must include the exchange of Prisoners of War and release of civilian detainees, along with the return of forcibly transferred and deported Ukrainian children. Every returnee must be fully accounted for and integrated back into Ukrainian society. Honourable Members, The European Union has supported Ukraine's efforts on accountability and justice from day one; from evidence collection to case-building, prosecution, preparing claims, and reparations for victims. The European Union is a firm supporter of the International Criminal Court which has issued six arrest warrants including President Putin, Russia's Commissioner for Children's Rights, Maria Lvova-Belova, former Russian defence minister and current secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, Sergei Shoigu, and the general chief of staff Valery Gerasimov. Let us remember that arrest warrants are only issued after gathering the required evidence. Most criminal cases - around 170,000 have been opened now - will be investigated and prosecuted by Ukrainian authorities. This is why the European Union is also supporting the Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine. We are strengthening its capacity to investigate and prosecute international crimes committed in Ukraine, including through the civilian European Union Advisory Mission. And for the specific Crime of Aggression, the European Union is leading the work on the establishment of a Special Tribunal. Legal experts recently finalised the technical negotiations for the Tribunal. The Council of Europe will soon start the process for political consideration of the documents to establish the Tribunal, including its draft statute. The European Union also supports the Register of Damages, established under the auspices of the Council of Europe. And we are actively working with international partners to set up a Claims Commission. Honourable Members, With every life destroyed in Russia's war against Ukraine, there is a family close by, a family that lives on in pain, searching for peace of mind. When this war is over, and one day it will be, recovery will come not from only reconstructing the buildings of Bucha or Borodyanka or Bakhmut or Chasiv Yar or Toretsk or Mariupol. It will also come in the pursuit of justice and accountability for the heinous war crimes committed by Russia - because only justice will give every Ukrainian family the peace of mind they need to move on and rebuild their lives. Thank you. Link to video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-269933 Closing remarks Honourable Members, Thank you for your interventions. There are a few comments that I want to make. First, to MEP Reuten. Right now, what we, as the European Union, are doing is relevant in this process. We have many things that are in our hands to make Ukraine stronger. Sanctions, [which] weaken Russia, but also giving Ukraine the aid that they need, because the stronger they are on the battlefield the stronger they are behind the negotiation table. Then, on the comments about accountability and that the debate should be wider. I also think that we should have a debate about international law, because every time we have had a really big International Crisis, we have developed the international law further. If you think about the Second World War, then we actually agreed to have United Nations Charter. To have the United Nations so that there would not be any wars in the future either, in the future. And the United Nations Charter and the principles are still standing, and we need to defend them. That is very clear. But it is also clear that accountability for the crimes of aggression - that means leadership crime, when somebody decides to attack another country, and also the war crimes that are stemming from the leadership crime - then the accountability for those crimes should also be more automatic. And that, if these things are conducted, then there is accountability for those crimes to prevent those crimes happening in the future. On the ceasefire, of course we welcome the talks about the ceasefire and also the first steps on this. But what really bothers me in this case is that the ceasefire talks are all about 'not attacking things'. It is not about attacking people, it is not about attacking civilians, it is not about the killing to stop. And I think we have to be very firm on this. So, we have a plan. We are respecting the principles of international law, which also means the United Nations Charter, the territorial integrity of the country, sovereignty and independence of the country. We are supporting that. And of course, what are the tools in our hands? [These] are the tools of sanctions to put pressure on Russia, who is the aggressor here, so that they would stop this war. They are also not able to wage this war forever because we have to be on the side of Ukraine here, because there is very clearly one aggressor and one victim. Now to the MEP who was talking about the nuclear threat. If presenting the nuclear threat works, then what we will see in the world is more nuclear proliferation, because all those countries who are afraid of their neighbours will want to have a nuclear weapon - because this is the only thing that protects them. And all these countries who have an appetite for their neighbors' territories, will also want to have a nuclear weapon because this is the only thing - by threatening to use this weapon - it gets you what you want. That is why I think the European Union is the credible, the reliable partner in the world who really has to stand for the international law to be applicable. It is for all the countries in the world, it is for the peace and security of the world. That is why our response here in Russia's war against Ukraine is very important. We have to stand firm. And the European Union must be unwavering in its commitment for accountability for all violations of international law committed in connection with Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. Thank you again for this exchange of views. Thank you. Link to the video (starting at 11:49:31): https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/webstreaming/Plenary-session_20250401-0900-PLENARY NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Germany Federal Foreign Office 01.04.2025 - Press release Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock issued the following statement today (1 April 2025) on her arrival in Kyiv: Given the entrenched situation between the United States and Russia, it is absolutely pivotal for us Europeans to show that we stand alongside Ukraine without any ifs or buts and are supporting the country now more than ever. That is one reason why I have come to Ukraine today. Putin wanted to conquer Kyiv and Ukraine in three days. After more than three years of the most brutal Russian aggression, it is blatantly obvious that Putin's plan has failed. He has forced not just Ukraine but also Russia into a cruel war of attrition that he is not winning. On the contrary, even in the fourth year of war, the people in Ukraine are defending their independence and democracy with courage and determination. At the same time, no-one yearns more for peace than the people in Ukraine. Ukraine is ready and willing to observe an immediate ceasefire. It is Putin who is playing for time, who does not want peace and who is continuing his illegal war of aggression. He feigns readiness to negotiate but does not deviate an inch from his agenda. We must not allow ourselves to be blinded by Putin and his claque. After all, there is more to peace than hinting at it. At the upcoming meeting of NATO Foreign Affairs Ministers, we will make plain also to the American side that we must not play along with Putin's delaying tactics. Also in this light, it is so important to be in Ukraine now and to underscore that the next Federal Government will also continue our support for Ukraine on a massive scale. Germany will not abandon the people in Ukraine - our European neighbours. The decision of the current and future governing parties to provide an additional 3 billion euro for short-term support for Ukraine and to earmark a further 8.25 billion euro for military support up until 2029 reflects this firm solidarity and close connection across the party-political spectrum. The historic amendment to our constitution is likewise a clear sign that we are serious about continuing our support for Ukraine and serious about European security. Each and every day, Ukrainians continue to ward off the most brutal Russian attacks. Every night they defend their country against massive missile and drone attacks. And every morning the people in Ukraine find the courage to carry on. To carry so they can uphold as much normality as they can in the midst of a brutal war - for themselves and their families. Today we are making available a further 130 million euro in humanitarian assistance and stabilisation funds to help them do this. The course we are charting now will shape the future of our continent for decades. We want to keep living in a Europe where the strength of the law is placed above the law of the strong. A Europe where people can determine their own future and armed force is not used to redraw borders. We as Europeans are bringing all our weight to bear here. We want a free and independent Ukraine as a new member of the European Union and will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with the country on its road to reform. "The course we are charting now will shape the future of our continent for decades" - Foreign Minister Baerbock travels to Ukraine Germany Federal Foreign Office 01.04.2025 - Article Find out here why European security is the aim and object of Foreign Minister Baerbock's trip to Kyiv. Today, Foreign Minister Baerbock will visit Ukraine for the eleventh time since taking office. Also in this fourth year since Russia launched its attack on the whole of Ukraine, the Ukrainian people continue to brave the storm of constant missile and drone attacks on housing and energy infrastructure. Mindful of their courage and determination, the Foreign Minister issued the following statement upon her arrival in Kyiv: Each and every day, Ukrainians continue to ward off the most brutal Russian attacks. Every night they defend their country against massive missile and drone attacks. And every morning the people in Ukraine find the courage to carry on. To carry so they can uphold as much normality as they can in the midst of a brutal war - for themselves and their families. In the Ukrainian capital, Foreign Minister Baerbock will meet with representatives from politics and civil society. One focus will be on the steps Ukraine is taking to keep moving towards EU membership, even though the illegal war against the country continues unabated. The Foreign Minister commented: Germany will not abandon the people in Ukraine - our European neighbours. The decision of the current and future governing parties to provide an additional 3 billion euro for short-term support for Ukraine and to earmark a further 8.25 billion euro for military support up until 2029 reflects this firm solidarity and close connection across the party-political spectrum. The historic amendment to our constitution is likewise a clear sign that we are serious about continuing our support for Ukraine and serious about European security. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Minister Budrys: By defending the freedom of its people, Ukraine also stands on the front line of Europe's defence Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of Foreign Affairs Updated 2025-04-01 On 1 April, Lithuania's Minister of Foreign Affairs Kestutis Budrys, who is on a working visit to Kyiv, met with Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. By defending the freedom of its people and territorial integrity, Ukraine also stands on the front line of Europe's defence. The only effective strategy to contain Russia's aggression is deterrence through comprehensive strengthening of Ukraine and increasing European investment in its defence capabilities. The Kremlin understands only one language - the language of force, and that is the language we should speak," said the head of Lithuania's diplomacy. The Minister underlined that Lithuania is committed to providing Ukraine with long-term support of at least 0.25% of GDP every year. Lithuania was also among the first to invest in Ukraine's defence industry and continues to expand bilateral cooperation in this regard, focusing on joint production. During the meeting, the Lithuanian and Ukrainian Foreign Ministers discussed the regional cooperation formats, such as the Lublin Triangle and NB8, which provide excellent opportunities for practical cooperation among Ukraine's closest donors. The Ministers also discussed the situation on the front lines and Ukraine's most urgent support needs. At the same time, they talked about efforts to achieve a comprehensive ceasefire that would lead to just and sustainable peace. According to the Minister, Lithuania contributes and will contribute to all international initiatives to strengthen Ukraine, including the "Coalition of the Willing," which can provide security guarantees to Ukraine. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Germany's Baerbock Warns Of Putin Stalling Tactics During Kyiv Visit By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service April 01, 2025 German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, in Kyiv on a surprise visit, has warned against falling for Russia's stalling tactics in peace negotiations to end the war in Ukraine. The outgoing German diplomat, on her ninth trip to Ukraine since the Kremlin launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, said she believes Kyiv is ready to sign a peace deal amid intensifying negotiations led by the United States. "Ukraine is ready for an immediate cease-fire. It is Putin who is playing for time, does not want peace, and is continuing his war of aggression, which is a violation of international law," Baerbock said in a statement shared by her ministry. "He is feigning a willingness to negotiate, but not deviating an inch from his goals," she said. US President Donald Trump has threatened Russia with new tariffs on oil products if Moscow blocks his cease-fire initiatives, and Baerbock said a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels this week should reinforce that message "At the upcoming meeting of NATO foreign ministers, we will make it clear to the American side that we should not engage with Putin's stalling tactics," said Baerbock, who is unlikely to be part of Germany's incoming coalition government. "Because suggesting peace is not peace," she added. While Trump raised his ire toward Russia, the Kremlin appeared to brush off concerns the comments would hinder peace talks. Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, told journalists on March 31 that Moscow continues to work with Washington on "the implementation of some ideas related to the Ukrainian settlement." Trump's angry comments were directed solely at Russia. He also said Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy faces "big, big problems" if he doesn't sign a key minerals deal with Washington that the two sides have been working on for weeks. "He's trying to back out of the rare earth deal, and if he does that he's got some problems, big, big problems," Trump told reporters on March 30 in reference to the Ukrainian president. "We made a deal on rare earth. And now he's saying, well you know, I want to renegotiate the deal." On March 28, the Ukrainian government said it was still considering a draft agreement from the United States on the country's rare earth minerals amid media reports Washington had changed the terms of the deal several times. Ukrainian Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko announced at a government meeting that Kyiv was forming its position on the agreement, but lawmakers would only state their stance once there was consensus. Before then, she said, public discussion would be harmful. Ukraine possesses significant deposits of critical minerals, including rare earths, although their exact size remains uncertain. Rare earth minerals are highly valued for their use in defense technologies, as well as in devices such as computers, smartphones, and batteries. Ukraine and the United States earlier this month agreed to conclude a comprehensive agreement for developing Ukraine's critical mineral resources. Efforts to seal the deal had earlier fallen apart on February 28 after a heated exchange between Trump and Zelenskyy at the White House. Meanwhile, earlier on March 30, Trump said he would impose secondary tariffs of 25-50 percent on all Russian oil if he feels President Vladimir Putin is blocking his efforts to end the war in Ukraine. Trump said over the weekend during a phone interview with NBC that he was "very angry" and "pissed off" when Putin called for a transitional government to be put in place in Ukraine, which could effectively push out Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. "If Russia and I are unable to make a deal on stopping the bloodshed in Ukraine, and if I think it was Russia's fault -- which it might not be -- but if I think it was Russia's fault, I am going to put secondary tariffs on oil, on all oil coming out of Russia," Trump said. "That would be that if you buy oil from Russia, you can't do business in the United States," Trump said. "There will be a 25 percent tariff on all oil, a 25- to 50-point tariff on all oil." Trump added that the trade measures would be put in place within a month if no cease-fire agreement is reached. The highly sensitive diplomatic juncture comes after the White House announced on March 25 that both Russia and Ukraine agreed to a cease-fire and to allow navigation in Black Sea, as well an agreement to not strike each other energy facilities. Kyiv says that it would take effect immediately and Moscow has stated that it would follow the partial lifting of sanctions pertaining to Russian companies and banks involved in the international food trade. Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha on April 1 accused Russia of again striking energy infrastructure, saying a Russian attack damaged an energy facility in the frontline city of Kherson, cutting power to 45,000 residents. Russian officials in turn accused Ukraine of using drones to strike electricity substations in part of the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhya region in southeast Ukraine and in Russia's southern Belgorod region. Tougher Tone Toward Putin The comments by Trump mark a shift from the softer approach the White House had taken toward Russia since the US president made ending the war in Ukraine a top foreign policy priority. They also come after he had previously criticized Zelenskyy, saying he was "sick" of his handling of the war and called him a "dictator without elections." Trump told NBC that he will speak with Putin during this week. Amid the US-led diplomatic efforts to reach a cease-fire deal, Russia has been pounding the city of Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. Air strikes on the northeastern Ukrainian city early on April 1 injured three people and sparked fires at several industrial buildings and damaged two kindergartens, officials said. A day earlier, Kyiv accused Moscow of a "war crime" after Russian drones struck a military hospital. The strike hit Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, as part of an attack that also hit a shopping center, apartment blocks, and other targets, killing two people, according to authorities. The Ukrainian military's general staff accused Russia of "violating the norms of international humanitarian law" in the attack, which they denounced as "deliberate, targeted shelling." In a report on April 1, the general staff said Russia has lost about 916,770 of its military personnel since launching its full-scale invasion in February 2022, including 1,540 in the last 24 hours. The figures were not independently verified. An analysis by the International Institute for Strategic Studies estimated in mid-February that at least 172,000 Russian soldiers have been killed and 611,000 wounded, more than half of whom were severely wounded, unable to fight again. For Ukraine, at least 46,000 soldiers have been killed, and around 380,000 wounded, according to figures cited by Zelenskyy in February, numbers Western experts consider an under accounting of the situation. With reporting by AFP and Reuters Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/germany-baerbock- putin-stalling-tactics-kyiv-visit-ukraine/33366267.html Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine's NATO Obsession Led to Crisis - Trump Sputnik News 20250401 WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - US President Donald Trump said that the issue of Kiev's membership in NATO had been the cause of the Ukraine conflict, and it was not discussed in the context of the rare earth metals deal. "I see he [Volodymyr Zelensky] is trying to renegotiate the rare earth [deal],"Trump told reporters at the White House. "Through you [reporters], I heard that they now say 'Well, I'll only do the deal if we get into NATO' or something to that effect. Well, number one, that was never discussed." The issue of Ukraine's membership in NATO was the cause of the conflict, Trump believes. "That's probably the reason the war started, actually," the US president emphasized. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address We Have Shared All the Information Regarding Russia's Violations in the Energy Sector with the American side - Address by the President President of Ukraine 1 April 2025 - 21:34 I wish you health! A lot of military matters were addressed today. I held a Staff meeting. The key issue is the staffing of our brigades and ensuring they are fully equipped with everything necessary. I also had separate talks with the Minister of Defense of Ukraine, the Commander-in-Chief, and the Chief of the General Staff - we are preparing detailed proposals regarding the contingents of our partners who could become part of the new security architecture. In fact, this is one of the security guarantees for Ukraine. The primary and most effective guarantee of our security for Ukraine is our state's Defense Forces and Security Forces, along with appropriate motivation, provisions, and all the necessary defense capabilities. This is our starting point: the Ukrainian army must be strong enough, and on this foundation, the entire security architecture is built. A meeting will take place in just a few days - on Friday - with representatives of our partner states - these will be military representatives. The meeting will discuss a joint approach to the issue of contingents. We will work based on the prepared proposals from the Ukrainian side, and we need a joint approach for everyone in Europe, and therefore joint decisions. I also received a report from Ukraine's Minister of Defense regarding contacts with our partners, particularly with the American side. We have shared all the necessary information regarding Russia's violations in the energy sector: there were strikes, and today again there was a strike in Kherson, a Russian drone targeted an energy facility and equipment - entirely deliberately and purposefully - part of the city was left without electricity. We insist that every such violation must be documented and receive a response from our partners. It is precisely these small details that add up to Russia's major delays in the diplomatic process. The unconditional cessation of strikes proposed by the United States is not being implemented solely because of Russia's position. I also held several international meetings today. I met with the Lithuanian Foreign Minister - I expressed my gratitude for the support provided to Ukraine. And it's a very principled support from the first minutes of the full-scale war. Assistance with weapons, economic aid, and political support. Lithuania has provided new air defense systems - six of them. We are very grateful! We also highly value Lithuania's help with our weapons production in Ukraine - investments in our defense industry and joint projects - these are incredibly important. We also appreciate Lithuania's support in our relations with other partners, particularly within the European Union. Today, I also had a meeting with the German Foreign Minister. Germany is one of our greatest friends in terms of support. Air defense, weapons, finances - we, together with Germany, have saved thousands and thousands of lives in Ukraine. There is a new support package today - EUR130 million. Overall, Germany is providing strong support this year. German assistance to Ukraine will total EUR 7 billion. Our previous agreements with Germany regarding weapons and air defense have recently been implemented. I also want to thank Germany for ensuring that their support for Ukraine remains predictable and systematic. The stability of support is one of the key factors in defending against Russian aggression. It is the interruptions in supplies, disagreements between partners, and all signs of instability that Putin is highly counting on. He believes that unity in the defense of life will not be preserved. And that is why it's so important to do everything we can to maintain unity and keep constructive cooperation with all our partners. Ukraine is doing this. And one more thing. Almost every day the decrees are issued to honor our warriors with state awards. Today, I signed one such decree. 449 warriors of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were granted orders and other awards. Sadly, 179 warriors were honored posthumously. We must always remember how much depends on our army - on all Ukrainians who are defending the life of Ukraine with their own lives. I thank every warrior of ours. I thank all those who are working for our state and who are helping us. Glory to Ukraine! NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The President Discussed Support for Ukraine with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania President of Ukraine 1 April 2025 - 20:52 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania, Kestutis Budrys. The Head of State expressed his gratitude for the assistance provided by Lithuania, particularly for strengthening air defense, investing in Ukraine's long-range weapons production, and training warriors. "We are grateful to your people, President Gitanas Nauseda, and your entire team. Your people have shown significant support from the very beginning of the full-scale invasion," Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted. The main topic of the meeting was the continued defense and security support for Ukraine. In particular, the parties discussed the establishment of joint drone production in both countries. Ukraine needs military assistance and the unity of its European partners on the path to a just and sustainable peace. Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Kestutis Budrys also discussed the strengthening of EU sanctions against Russia in order to force the aggressor state to end the war. The President highlighted Lithuania's support for Ukraine on its path to European integration. Both states share a common vision regarding the urgency of opening as many negotiation clusters as possible this year. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine's Partners To Discuss Foreign Troop Deployment, Zelenskyy Says By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service April 02, 2025 Western military leaders will discuss the possible deployment of troops to Ukraine who would monitor a potential cease-fire in the conflict with Russian and be part of the country's new security structure, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address. "This is our starting point: the Ukrainian army must be strong enough, and on this foundation, the entire security architecture is built," Zelenskyy said. "A meeting will take place in just a few days -- on Friday (April 4) -- with representatives of our partner states -- these will be military representatives." Zelenskyy met in Kyiv on April 1 with outgoing German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, saying that a "narrow circle of countries" is willing to send contingents. The Ukrainian leader told a joint news conference with Baerbock that he was awaiting "more concrete" answers from allies on their readiness to participate. France and Britain have expressed a willingness to send troops as part of a so-called coalition of the willing to monitor a potential cease-fire. But Russia has strongly opposed any deployment of foreign troops in Ukraine. In his video address, Zelenskyy also said Ukraine has now shared "all the necessary information regarding Russia's violations in the energy sector" with its US partners. He said there were strikes on April 1 in Kherson, including a Russian drone that targeted an energy facility and equipment "entirely deliberately and purposefully" and part of the city was left without electricity. "We insist that every such violation must be documented and receive a response from our partners," he said. "It is precisely these small details that add up to Russia's major delays in the diplomatic process." Zelenskyy referred to an agreement between Kyiv and Moscow not to strike each other's energy facilities. The agreement was announced by the White House on March 25 along with a cease-fire to allow navigation on the Black Sea. Kyiv said the agreement on energy facilities would take effect immediately. Moscow, however, has said it would follow the partial lifting of sanctions pertaining to Russian companies and banks involved in the international food trade. A day after her visit to Kyiv, Baerbock arrived in Moldova for a two-day visit to meet with President Maia Sandu and Prime Minister Dorin Recean. "Peace that is negotiated over the heads of Europeans -- or even over the heads of Ukrainians -- is not peace," she told RFE/RL's Moldovan Service at a news conference in Chisinau on April 2. Baerbock also reiterated the position that German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, along with French and British leaders, had previously expressed at the "coalition of the willing" summit -- that sanctions against Russia "will not be lifted without peace." "Just before I arrived, there was another attack on the energy infrastructure...The Russian side had supposedly indicated that they would no longer target energy facilities -- in fact, the exact opposite happened," Baerbock said. Germany announced a commitment to an additional 130 million euros ($140 million) in humanitarian aid and stabilization funds during Baerbock's visit. The package will bring German assistance since the start of the Russian invasion to Ukraine to 7 billion euros, he said. Zelenskyy thanked Germany for ensuring that its support for Ukraine remains predictable and systematic. The stability of support is one of the key factors in defending against Russian aggression, he said. "It is the interruptions in supplies, disagreements between partners, and all signs of instability that [Russian President Vladimir] Putin is highly counting on," he said. Russian troops launched a massive drone strike on Kharkiv on the night of April 1. Mayor Ihor Terekhov said 13 Shahed drones hit in the city, and at least eight people were injured. "The consequences included the fire of two industrial buildings, and more than 10 private sector houses were damaged nearby," Terekhov said. A Russian strike earlier on April 1 in the Zaporizhzhya region hit civilian infrastructure, killing one person, regional Governor Ivan Fedorov said. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-europe- war-security-troop-deployment/33368267.html Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NEW YORK, April 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of stock of Venture Global, Inc. (NYSE: VG) pursuant and/or traceable to Venture Globals registration statement for the initial public offering conducted on or about January 24, 2025 (the IPO), of the important April 18, 2025 lead plaintiff deadline. SO WHAT: If you purchased Venture Global stock you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Venture Global class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=35218 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than April 18, 2025. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs Bar. Many of the firms attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants touted its innovative and disruptive approach, which they stated is both scalable and repeatable, allowing Venture Global to bring liquified natural gas (LNG) to the global market years faster and at a lower cost. Defendants further discussed the development of Venture Globals five natural gas liquefaction and export projects near the Gulf of Mexico in Louisiana, utilizing their unique design one, build many approach. Therefore, the IPO represented to the public that Venture Global had the customer backing to implement its projects, allowing for Venture Global to deliver LNG to the world. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. To join the Venture Global class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=35218 call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653, or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investors ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. ------------------------------- Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 case@rosenlegal.com www.rosenlegal.com Los Angeles, April 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Los Angeles, California - Advanced Networks, a respected Managed IT Services and IT Support company based in Southern California, has just launched a comprehensive guide that outlines 18 benefits of Managed IT Services Orange County. To learn more about their full range of services, visit their company website at advancednetworks.us. 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Predictable budgeting is another plus, with monthly service fees preventing unexpected costs. With Managed IT Services in Orange County, companies gain clear insight into their IT expenses, allowing for better financial planning. Enhanced collaboration and communication tools are also part of the offering. Advanced Networks integrates platforms that make internal communication smoother, boosting team collaboration and productivity. The representative adds, "By offering reliable Managed IT Services, businesses can enjoy peace of mind. Our clients trust us to handle their IT needs, ensuring smooth daily operations that contribute to their success." Managed IT Services Irvine specifically cater to businesses seeking efficient IT solutions for local operations in the dynamic Irvine business environment, resulting in faster response times and specialized local support. Disaster recovery and data backup services are critical elements that ensure quick recovery from disruptions. Managed IT Services offer comprehensive recovery strategies, protecting important business data and minimizing the impact of unforeseen events. Compliance assistance is also worth mentioning. Advanced Networks aids businesses in navigating industry regulations, helping them meet necessary standards, avoiding penalties, and maintaining credibility. Network infrastructure optimization provides businesses with a reliable and robust IT framework. Improved network capabilities help companies run smoothly without technical issues that disrupt daily operations. Businesses benefit from a renewed focus on long-term strategies as well. Managed IT Services allow resources to be devoted to growth projects instead of daily operational hurdles, encouraging innovation and a competitive edge. Finally, employee satisfaction sees improvement as workers engage with efficient systems that support their tasks. 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Office 1340 Reynolds Ave. #116 Irvine, CA 92614 Delray Beach, FL, April 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global endoscopic ultrasonography market, valued at US$1.28 billion in 2023, is forecasted to grow at a robust CAGR of 7.1%, reaching US$1.37 billion in 2024 and an impressive US$1.93 billion by 2029. The growth in the endoscopic ultrasonography market can be attributed to the factors, including increasing investments, funds, and grants by governments and other organizations, rising focus of hospitals to expand endoscopic ultrasonography units and bring advancements in endoscopic ultrasonography technologies. At the same time, high costs of endoscopic ultrasonography procedures can restrain the growth of this market during the forecast period. Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=19121066 Browse in-depth TOC on Endoscopic Ultrasonography Market 343 - Tables 64 - Figures 309 - Pages Based on product, the endoscopic ultrasonography market is divided into endoscopes, ultrasound processors, ultrasound probes, ultrasound needles, and accessories. As of 2023, the endoscopes segment accounted for the largest share in the global endoscopic ultrasonography market. The market share can be attributed to the factors rising prevalence of gastrointestinal disorders, rising demand for minimally invasive surgeries, and improved ultrasound imaging capabilities. Based on the type, the endoscopic ultrasonography market includes segments such as diagnostics and therapeutics. Among these, the diagnostics segment accounted the for the largest share of the overall endoscopic ultrasonography market in 2023. This dominance is primarily attributed to advancements in endoscopic ultrasonography technologies, such as high-resolution imaging, for the early detection and management of gastrointestinal diseases, and other related disorders. Based on application, the endoscopic ultrasonography market is divided into oncology, gastrointestinal disorders, and other applications. As of 2023, the oncology segment accounted for the largest share in the global endoscopic ultrasonography market. The market share can be attributed to the factors such as increasing prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) cancer, pancreatic cancer, and lung cancer, and technological advancements in endoscopic ultrasonography devices, that enhance the ability to detect and stage cancers with the help of high-resolution imaging and real-time elastography. Based on end users, the endoscopic ultrasonography market is segmented into hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers and others. The hospitals end user segment accounted for the largest share in the endoscopic ultrasonography market in 2023. This dominance can be attributed to several driving factors. Hospitals tend to invest more in the advanced technologies and have skilled medical professionals to carry out complex diagnostic and procedures. Moreover, growing geriatric population, increasingly demand for frequent medical interventions and long-term monitoring, thereby fuelling the demand for endoscopic ultrasonography procedures in hospital settings, and contributing to the market growth. Based on the regions, in 2023, North America emerged as the dominant region in the endoscopic ultrasonography market, followed by Europe, APAC, Latin America and Middle East and Africa. This leadership position is owed to substantial investments made by hospitals towards procuring advanced endoscopic ultrasonography devices. Additionally, favourable reimbursement policies for endoscopic procedures in the US, and presence of key market players in this region, such as Olympus Corporation, Pentax Medical, and FUJIFILM Corporation, supply cutting-edge endoscopic ultrasonography devices, thereby boosting the market growth. Meanwhile, in the Asia Pacific market, particularly in China and India, a higher CAGR is anticipated throughout the forecast period. This growth is attributed to increasing demand for minimally invasive surgical procedures, rising healthcare expenditure, increasing prevalence of cancer, and supportive government policies. Request Sample Pages : https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=19121066 The prominent players of global endoscopic ultrasonography market are Olympus Corporation (Japan), Medtronic (US), FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation (Japan), Boston Scientific Corporation (US), PENTAX Medical (Japan), Steris (Ireland), CONMED Corporation (US), Lepu Medical Technology(Beijing)Co., Ltd. (China), CANON MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION (Japan), Cook (US), Huaco Healthcare Technologies Co. Ltd.(China), SonoScape Medical Corp.(China), Endosound, Inc.(US), Limaca-Medical (Israel), Beijing ZKSK Technology Co., Ltd. (China), Kaigen Pharma Co., Ltd.(Japan), PIOLAX MEDICAL DEVICES, INC.(Japan), Micro-Tech Endoscopy (US), Shaili Endoscopy (India), Zhejiang Soudon Medical Technology Co., Ltd.(China), ENDO-FLEX GmbH. (Germany), Ace Medical Devices Pvt. Ltd. (India), Medi-Globe GmbH. (Arizona), Medorah Meditek Pvt. Ltd. (India), and InnerMedical Co., Ltd. (China). These companies adopted strategies such as product launches, partnerships, acquisitions, and expansions to strengthen their presence in the endoscopic ultrasonography market. Olympus Corporation (Japan) Olympus Corporation is one of the leading players in the endoscopic ultrasonography market, due to its wide range of endoscopic ultrasonography products. Through its endoscopic solution segment, the company offers various endoscopic ultrasonography devices, such as GI endoscopes, surgical endoscopes, endoscopic processors and probes, and their repair services. The company is focused on continuous innovations and allocates a significant portion of its revenue to research and development, thereby aiming at introduction of cutting-edge endoscopic ultrasonography products and services. For instance, in November 2023, the company introduced the EVIS X1, its most advanced endoscopic system that offers, early diagnosis and delivers minimally invasive treatments, ultimately enhancing patients' quality of life. Medtronic (US) Medtronic is a one of the leading medical technology companies in the endoscopic ultrasonography market, including advanced ultrasound needles designed to improve diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Through its Medical Surgical Group segment, the company offers innovative EUS needles by addressing the evolving demands of minimally invasive procedures. For instance, in December 2023, Medtronic expanded its partnership with Cosmo Intelligent Medical Devices, leveraging AI for the GI Genius endoscopy module. This collaboration enhanced healthcare solutions globally. Moreover, with a global manufacturing and research footprint in the US, Europe, and Asia, the company ensures high-quality production and distribution of its endoscopic ultrasonography needles, to healthcare providers in over 150 countries. Boston Scientific Corporation (US) Boston Scientific develops, manufactures, and markets medical devices in various endoscopic ultrasonography specialties. The company maintains a robust presence across key regions including the US, Asia Pacific, and prominent European markets. Specializing in endoscopic ultrasonography products tailored for gastroenterology, pulmonary, and interventional bronchoscopy applications, the company consistently reinforces its product portfolio through strategic acquisitions. For example, in November 2022, Boston Scientific acquired Apollo Endosurgery, Inc. (US), a medical technology firm based in the US. Therefore, by leveraging its endoscopy business segment, the company develops and manufactures devices aimed at diagnosing and treating a wide spectrum of gastrointestinal (GI) and pulmonary conditions using innovative, minimally invasive technologies. For more information, Inquire Now! Related Reports: Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery Market Endoscopy Equipment Market Minimally Invasive Surgical Instruments Market Infection Control Market Sterilization Equipment Market Get access to the latest updates on Endoscopic Ultrasonography Companies and Endoscopic Ultrasonography Market Size Shenzhen, China, April 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Jewellok Technology, a leading provider of innovative solutions for critical gas and fluid management systems, is proud to announce the expansion of its product offerings with new and advanced solutions designed for industries requiring the utmost precision and purity. The companys latest products, including the High Purity Gas Systems, Ultra High Purity Diaphragm Valves, and Ultra High Purity Pressure Regulators, are now available for customers worldwide. With a commitment to meeting the demands of industries like semiconductor manufacturing, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and other precision-driven sectors, Jewellok Technologys new product lines provide cutting-edge solutions that ensure optimal performance, reliability, and safety in the most sensitive applications. High Purity Gas Systems for Superior Performance Jewellok Technology's High Purity Gas Systems are engineered to deliver the highest level of purity, safety, and performance in critical gas handling processes. These systems are designed to meet the rigorous demands of applications that require precise gas control, including semiconductor fabrication and other high-tech manufacturing environments. Learn more about the features and benefits of these systems at High Purity Gas System . Ultra High Purity Diaphragm Valves for Precision Control The Ultra High Purity Diaphragm Valves from Jewellok Technology are a key component for industries that require precise fluid and gas control. These valves are designed for ultimate cleanliness and reliability, with materials and construction that meet ultra-pure standards. They are essential for applications where contamination must be minimized and precise flow control is a must. Discover the specifications and benefits of these diaphragm valves at Ultra High Purity Diaphragm Valves . Ultra High Purity Pressure Regulators for Accurate Pressure Control In addition to gas systems and valves, Jewellok Technology offers Ultra High Purity Pressure Regulators designed for high-accuracy pressure control. These regulators ensure stable and reliable pressure management for sensitive operations, crucial for industries such as semiconductor fabrication, pharmaceutical production, and research. Learn more about these advanced regulators at Ultra High Purity Pressure Regulator . About Jewellok Technology Jewellok Technology is a trusted leader in the design and manufacture of high-performance gas and fluid management solutions. With over 10 years of industry experience, the company is dedicated to providing its customers with products that not only meet but exceed industry standards. Jewellok Technologys advanced products ensure precision, safety, and reliability across a wide range of critical applications. NEW YORK, April 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Whop, the all-in-one digital marketplace for creators and entrepreneurs, has welcomed serial entrepreneur and investor Iman Gadzhi as a co-owner, and strategic partner. Imans extensive experience in digital education and content-driven business growth will accelerate Whops mission to empower the next generation of online creators. Iman Gadzhi joins Whop as a co-owner, bringing his expertise in digital business, online education, and content-driven growth. Whop is set to process over $1Bn in payments annually with creators earning an average of $8,413 per month. As a co-owner, Iman will take a hands-on role in expanding Whops reach, bringing his suite of digital products onto the platform and working closely with the team to scale operations. With millions of followers and a proven track record in digital business, his addition marks a significant milestone in Whops journey to becoming the leading marketplace for monetizable skills, software, and communities. By investing in Whop , Iman joins legendary investor Peter Thiel, as well as The Chainsmokers and Insight Partners, further cementing Whops position as a powerhouse in the digital commerce space. Whop is already at the forefront of digital commerce, set to process over $1Bn in payments annually and offering a platform where creators can sell everything from SaaS tools and online courses to exclusive communities and digital downloads. The average creator on Whop leverages the platforms built-in analytics, secure transactions, and flexible payment options. With its robust ecosystem of tools, seamless payment processing, and a rapidly growing network of top-tier creators, Whop is redefining whats possible in the digital marketplace. The addition of Iman Gadzhi signals a new era of growth and innovation for the platform and its community of entrepreneurs. About Iman Gadzhi: Iman Gadzhi is a serial entrepreneur, investor and founder of Educate an online learning platform and BIG DAY, a lifestyle brand. As an early adopter of personal branding, Iman shares his business journey to millions of followers across YouTube, Instagram and TikTok. An advocate for universal education, Iman has a strong philanthropic record, funding the construction of multiple schools in Nepal. About Whop: Whop is the all-in-one digital marketplace empowering creators and entrepreneurs to sell their expertise, products, and services online. Founded by Steven Schwartz, Cameron Zoub, and Jack Sharkey in 2021, Whop enables users to monetize everything from online courses and SaaS tools to exclusive communities and digital products. Backed by top investors such as Peter Thiel, The Chainsmokers, and Insight Partners, and set to process over $1Bn in sales, Whop is redefining digital commerce by making it easier than ever to start, scale, and succeed in the online economy. Whops mission is to create the ultimate one-stop marketplace for digital products, communities, and services, giving entrepreneurs, creators, and businesses the tools they need to monetize their expertise, scale their brands, and thrive in the evolving digital economy. For media enquiries: Company Name: Educate.io Media Contact: Ciaran Anderson Email: ciaran@educate.io Website: https://educate.io/ Source: Educate Disclaimer: This press release is provided by the Whop. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility. Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an "as-is" basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above. Photos accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6b71b530-f1ca-4880-bb90-46cf30a2df7b https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/19403d01-bf4b-47fc-aae3-47e12a81806d NEW TAIPEI CITY, Taiwan, April 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ANKO Food Machine, an industry leader in food production solutions for businesses of all sizes, will showcase its versatile Dumpling Making Machine demonstrating various methods for making Polish, Italian and Chinese-style dumplings in an online demonstration on April 24th at 11:00 A.M. (Central European Summer Time). The multinational company will also unveil its latest IoT developments showcasing its commitment to advancing efficient food automation. As new technologies gain widespread adoption to enhance production efficiency, ANKO will demonstrate how the versatility of its machines can adapt to various food production methods. The company will showcase the integration of their Multipurpose Filling and Forming Machine HLT-700U and the Forming Machine EA-100KA on the production floor, and their machines comprehensive management system. The HLT-700U can produce up to 12 thousand dumplings in one hour. At ANKO, we prioritize both innovation and user experience, said ANKOs General Manager, Richard OuYang. Our machines are designed with intuitive operation in mind, supported by a smart infrastructure that separates machine management from cloud computing. This approach enables better production monitoring, proactive maintenance, and smoother integration of technologies like remote sensors and motor drivesensuring our clients get the most out of their food production systems. Broadcasting live from ANKOs headquarters showroom, the event will take place in the same space where international customers regularly conduct food machine trials, refining their traditional recipes with ANKOs expert team. Industry professionals interested in joining are encouraged to sign up here. ANKO Food Machine is Taiwans longest-established food solution provider and has partnered with businesses across Europe, including in Poland, France, Germany, and the UK. Soon, ANKO will open a new branch in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. To date, the company has sold its food production solutions to 114 countries and offers integrated food production lines for factories and central kitchens, ensuring seamless automation from ingredient preparation to final packaging. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e2ad7d67-cf19-49fa-b0d1-0dfab4ef0571 WUZHISHAN, China, April 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- There is a saying in China that "if you don't go to Wuzhishan, you have never been in Hainan." Indeed, Wuzhishan, famous for its tropical rainforest ecosystem and ethnic minority culture, is attracting visitors from all over the world. Those who are in town from March 28th to April 2nd find the whole city celebrating the March 3rd Festival with singing and dancing. A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available by clicking on this link. Central Hainan's Wuzhishan is a melting pot of many ethnic groups. This year, 12 colorful activities have been arranged by the authorities, including the Publicity Department of the Wuzhishan Municipal Party Committee. Tourists can feel people's respect and gratitude to their heritage of more than 3,000 years at the Li ancestor worship ceremony, enjoy local delicacies such as three-color rice, fermented fish, and Shanlan wine at the 1,200-meter-long table banquet, or join the age-old Chinese activities such as 1,000-people bamboo pole dancing, dragon boat racing, and single bamboo drifting. In addition to the enchanting minority vibe, Wuzhishan is also a paradise for craftsmen. On March 29th, the Our Expression: Li Plant Dyeing & Rattan Weaving Art Exhibition was inaugurated at Maodao Town. The exhibits are co-created by locals and 25 well-known Chinese artists and designers, including Yuan Bo, Tian Dongming, and Liu Na. Xue Ming, the event's art director, stated, "The works of the local women are both ethnic and international. When we artists collaborate with them, we inspire each other spontaneously." Moreover, the city's tropical rainforest landscape is unparalleled. With a forest coverage rate of 86%, Wuzhishan is a premium health tourism destination. Strolling on the streets, people can see large trees and luxuriant vegetation everywhere. The superb air quality has attracted numerous travelers who hope to improve their wellness. After all, there are more than 50,000 negative air ions per cubic centimeter, exceeding the WHO standard for clean air by 50 times. Source: The Publicity Department of Wuzhishan Municipal Committee JINGDEZHEN, China, April 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On March 22nd, the Taoxichuan International Cultural Exchange and Communication Center was officially launched at the Taoxichuan Cultural & Creative District in Jingdezhen, Jiangxi Province, marking the new exploration of Taoxichuan's cultural voyage to the world. A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available by clicking on this link. The event was hosted by Xinhua News Agency News and Information Center Jiangxi Branch and Jingdezhen Ceramic Culture Tourism Group. Guest attendees included Peter Lizak - Ambassador of Slovakia to China, diplomats from Ecuador, Nigeria, Cuba, and other countries, representatives from international organizations such as the International Organization for Migration, officials from local cultural and tourism departments, as well as Chinese and international media and influencers. Over a hundred guests gathered in the "Porcelain Capital" to witness this cultural milestone. As a millennial global hub of porcelain, Jingdezhen has crafted a unique legend in the history of world ceramics and Chinese civilization, becoming a vital cultural symbol through which China engages with the world. Zhang Long, Member of the Standing Committee of the Jingdezhen Municipal Party Committee and Minister of the Publicity Department of the CPC Jingdezhen Municipal Committee, emphasized in his address that the establishment of the center is timely. He expressed hope that the center would amplify Jingdezhen's voice on the global stage, sharing China's stories and enabling the world to glimpse a vibrant and culturally prosperous China through the lens of Jingdezhen. "Jingdezhen is a UNESCO Creative City in the category of Crafts and Folk Art, and its ceramic culture is a shared heritage of humanity," said Shahbaz Khan, Director of UNESCO's Regional Office for East Asia, in a video address. He noted that the establishment of Taoxichuan International Cultural Exchange and Communication Center will foster collaboration among global artists and scholars, driving innovation and sustainable development in traditional craftsmanship. The Taoxichuan International Cultural Exchange and Communication Center aims to build an international communication ecosystem, enhance overseas outreach, strengthen ties with international media, expand cross-border collaborations, and elevate Jingdezhen's role in global cultural dialogue. As the inheritor and guardian of the cultural treasures of the millennial porcelain capital, Jingdezhen Ceramic Culture Tourism Group has actively participated in the establishment of the Jingdezhen National Ceramic Culture Inheritance and Innovation Pilot Zone in recent years. With a strong focus on cultural and creative tourism, industrial revitalization, and urban renewal, the group has developed several projects, including Taoxichuan and Taoyang Alley, into new cultural tourism landmarks and exemplary models of cultural heritage innovation in the porcelain capital. During the keynote speeches, three guests shared insights on international cultural exchange. Liu Zili, Chairperson of Jingdezhen Ceramic Culture Tourism Holdings Group Co., Ltd, presented "The Taoxichuan Vision and the Migratory Birds Project", detailing efforts to transform Jingdezhen into a hub for global artists and young artisans. Yang Xingrong, Member of the Standing Committee of the Dunhuang Municipal Party Committee and Minister of the Publicity Department of the CPC Dunhuang Municipal Committee, discussed "Strengthening Cultural Confidence and Enhancing International Communication", highlighting Dunhuang's innovative use of digital technology and exhibitions to facilitate cross-cultural dialogue. Zhang Ming, Dean of the School of Industrial Design, Nanjing University of the Arts, delivered a speech on the theme "The Fusion of Nanjing's Cultural Heritage with Global Civilization". He elaborated on how the exhibition "Tisser Le Monde Ensemble - Cite De La Splendeur Litteraire Nanjing" serves as a platform to tell the stories of Nanjing and China. The event also featured an announcement ceremony of the "Taoxichuan Cultural Communication Ambassadors". Five representatives from academia, media, and the arts were honored with the title. Source: Jingdezhen Ceramic Culture Tourism Group PARADISE VALLEY, Ariz., April 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Semiconductor manufacturer, IceMOS Technology Corporation today announced it has completed Series E funding from a London-based investor, 57 Stars LLC , and earlier stage USA investors. The company headquartered in Paradise Valley, Arizona, has a manufacturing center of excellence located in Northern Ireland, an advanced research innovation center in Arizona, and a design center in Tokyo, Japan. IceMOS Technology is an industry-leading developer of next generation silicon power devices. These products, called mSJMOSTM, are developed using a novel semiconductor technology based on IceMOS Intellectual Property of which the company holds over 70 patents. The silicon-based mSJMOSTM, exhibits a new phenomenon resulting from the integration of Silicon MEMS manufacturing techniques with mature node CMOS Super-junction Power MOSFET structures resulting in power MOSFETs that deliver dramatic semiconductor energy efficiency. The investment, which values IceMOS at a market capitalization of $110 million USD (85million) post money, will enable IceMOS to increase strategic manufacturing in Northern Ireland, device design capability, applications engineering, marketing and sales worldwide as it starts preparation to launch mSJMOSTM platforms. Our sensing and power technologies are paving the way for more energy-efficient and CO2-saving solutions that support decarbonization, said Dr. Samuel J. Anderson, MBE, IceMOS Technology Founder and Chairman. Products based on this advanced technology represents a new class of semiconductors, essential to serve the efficiency demands of the massively complex market segments like artificial intelligence (AI), internet of things (IoT), big data, renewables wind and solar, electric vehicles and aerospace applications. The merging of mSJMOSTM structures and MEMS manufacturing techniques presents a revolutionary silicon-based technology that can compete with wideband gap devices at 650 Volts, 750Volts, 900Volts, and 1200Volts. IceMOS will be expanding its global workforce to more than 100 employees on post funding. IceMOS is pleased to announce that Niall Lyne has accepted the position of IceMOS Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President, Global Sales. Niall an Industry veteran held numerous positions with Analog Device, Inc., Intersil and more recently Renesas Electronics. In this position, he will be responsible for optimizing company objectives, operations, and revenue growth. The new Investors in the IceMOS Series E attended the Northern Ireland Investment Summit in September 2023 which was a collaboration by the Department for Business and Trade, the Northern Ireland Office, and Invest Northern Ireland, which hosted around 200 investors from across the world to visit Belfast with the aim of turbocharging inward investment into all corners of Northern Ireland. Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn said: Northern Irelands track record of delivering innovation, its supportive business environment, competitive operating costs and the creative ingenuity of its people make it an attractive destination for businesses of all sizes to start up and scale up. Northern Ireland has huge potential for significant economic growth, so its great to see IceMOS secure this funding as a result of the Northern Ireland Investment Summit, leading to investment and job creation. Dr. Caoimhe Archibald, Minister for the Economy, added: IceMOS Technologys multi-million funding success showcases the Norths strengths in advanced manufacturing and engineering. This investment highlights the confidence global investors have in the North and aligns with my vision to drive innovation, productivity, and technological advancement. The 2023 Investment Summit played a key role in showcasing the opportunities here and its encouraging to see significant outcomes like this. I look forward to seeing IceMOS continue to push the boundaries of semiconductor technology, creating high-value jobs in West Belfast and pioneering solutions in sectors from AI to renewable energy. Bernard McGuire, Managing Director of 57 Stars LLC: IceMOS new architecture for silicon semiconductors represents break-through technology for power management systems in high-growth sectors such as electric vehicles and data centers, said Bernard McGuire, Managing Director of 57 Stars. The hiring of industry veteran Niall Lyne both validates the strength and potential of its innovative products and enhances the management team to start scaling the business. 57 Stars is the largest investor in this round of financing, having committed $7.5 million dollars. McGuire further commented: Given the company sits squarely in our sustainability and technology focus sectors, 57 Stars invested in IceMOS out of multiple private equity funds we manage and are thrilled to be partnering with and supporting the Company at this pivotal moment for its growth and development. 57 Stars was supported by EY on financial and tax due diligence, Tughans LLP and Purrington Moody Weil LLP on legal advisory, and SLR Consulting on environmental, health, and safety (EHS) due diligence assessment. Hugh Griffin, Chief Sales Officer (Eng Sub & Sensor Products) & Chief Strategy Officer, IceMOS Technology: Building on our 2024 Made in the UK, Sold to the World award, this investment will further strengthen our manufacturing excellence in Belfast, expand our global workforce, and deepen our export footprintalready serving hundreds of customers worldwide. As a leader in advanced semiconductor exports, we are poised to diversify markets, enhance R&D, and deliver cutting-edge solutions that solidify the UKs position as a hub for high-tech innovation. Together with our investors and partners, were not just scaling operations; were powering a sustainable future. About IceMOS Technology IceMOS is an equity-financed private Delaware semiconductor corporation and manufacturer of a new class of Silicon MEMS based Power MOSFETs and Sensing Device technology that serves wide-ranging applications anywhere that power efficiency and sensing matters. The company has a manufacturing center of excellence located in Belfast, Northern Ireland, an advanced research innovation center in Arizona, and a design center in Tokyo, Japan. Company and Media Contact: Brenda Monaghan Investor Relations IceMOS Technology Email: brendamonaghan@icemostech.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5c918f39-bf4f-4b25-989a-7aade69e17eb HANNOVER, Germany, April 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The world-famous HANNOVER MESSE 2025 is to take place from March 31st to April 4th, 2025. Top industrial giants will meet in Germany including the rising Chinese star Ti5ROBOT from Shanghai. The firm will debut its humanoid robots with embodied intelligence at Booth D61/1 in Hall 6 to show its breakthroughs in robot technologies. Light, robust, and cost-effective Founded in 2020, Ti5ROBOT a high-tech firm on electric drive systems and humanoids. It is dedicated to light and high-precision robots for human-robot collocation. In the fair, it will exhibit 11 lightweight joint modules among its 50 models, collaborative robots, and bionic hands with 6 degrees of freedom. It will display 2 humanoids T170A and T170D (wheeled) to show its technological capacity. Ti5ROBOT is a top integrator of servo control, motor drive, force sensing, precision transmission, and thermal management technologies. Its robots boast high power density and operation precision. Based on Ti5ROBOTs modules, clients can integrate them at will for various applications to save time and be cost-effective. Global debut of humanoids with embodied intelligence In the fair, Ti5ROBOT will debut its humanoids with embodied intelligence. T170A boasts bionic joints and a multi-modal sensing system. It is suitable for high-skill activities such as precision assembly or soft gripping. The wheeled T170D boasts autonomous navigation and 360o field of view for industrial or security patrol. Ti5ROBOTs bionic hand features the multi-joint collaboration technology. It imitates fine motor skills of human hand and is suitable for medical and precision manufacturing sectors. Heading for the European market The debut marks a leapfrog of the rising Chinese stars global strategy. Ti5ROBOT is working with many European firms on customized solutions for car manufacturing and electronic assembly. The HANNOVER MESSE 2025 will last to April 4th, 2025. Ti5ROBOT will be waiting for you at D61/1 in Hall 6 and demonstrate leading robot technologies for the future. For more information, please visit https://www.ti5robot.com/en/ and email us via sales@ti5robot.com. Email**sales@ti5robot.com Contact personBenjamin Carter Dublin, April 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Sexual Wellness Market by Product Type (Condoms, Fertility & Pregnancy Rapid Test Kits, Intimate Care), Distribution Channel (Online Retailers, Pharmacies & Drug Stores, Specialty Stores), Age Group, End-user - Global Forecast 2025-2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Sexual Wellness Market grew from USD 37.35 billion in 2023 to USD 40.07 billion in 2024. It is expected to continue growing at a CAGR of 7.68%, reaching USD 62.74 billion by 2030. Over the past several years, the sexual wellness landscape has undergone transformative shifts influenced by a convergence of technology, societal evolution, and scientific advancements. The integration of digital health platforms and e-commerce has not only redefined the way products are distributed but has also reshaped the avenues for consumer interaction. Businesses have embraced digital transformation to offer personalized experiences, making it easier for end-users to access a wider variety of products and services. The drive towards the adoption of smart devices, mobile applications, and telehealth consultations has further strengthened the link between sexual wellness and overall health. This transformation has been accelerated by a growing community of consumers who are well-informed and assertive about their health needs, urging companies to innovate and customize their product portfolios. The heightened focus on personalized solutions is evident in the strategic development of products aimed at enhancing intimacy and promoting a holistic understanding of sexual health. Additionally, market players are increasingly relying on real-time data insights and advanced analytics to track consumer behavior, predict emerging trends, and adjust their strategies accordingly. As a result, there is a clear shift from traditional, one-dimensional product offerings to expansive, purpose-driven portfolios that cater to diverse consumer demographics and nuanced needs across lifestyle and preference dimensions. In an era that values authenticity and transparency, brands are compelled to build trust through evidence-based claims and continuous engagement with healthcare professionals. This trust-building process has stimulated collaborations between research institutions and product manufacturers, thereby ensuring that the innovations not only resonate with consumers but are also backed by scientific rigor. Such strategic moves are steadily reshaping the competitive landscape and setting higher benchmarks for quality and efficacy, marking a new milestone in the evolution of the sexual wellness industry. Regional Dynamics Influencing Market Expansion and Opportunities The global reach of the sexual wellness market is shaped significantly by regional dynamics that reflect varying levels of cultural acceptance, economic development, and regulatory standards. In the Americas, a progressive culture combined with strong consumer advocacy and increasing investment in health initiatives has fostered a robust market environment. The region's focus on lifestyle enhancement and quality-of-life improvements has spurred demand for innovative and scientifically supported products. In the Europe, Middle East & Africa region, regulatory evolution and a growing awareness of sexual health benefits have opened avenues for market expansion. This region is witnessing a surge in product diversification, driven by both consumer demand and proactive governmental support in the realm of health education, which in turn fuels a competitive landscape characterized by quality and innovation. In Asia-Pacific, rapid economic growth and an increasing per capita income are transforming consumer lifestyles and expectations. The region presents a unique blend of traditional values and modern aspirations, thereby creating fertile ground for tailored products that resonate with local sensibilities as well as global standards. Key market players are capitalizing on these regional nuances by customizing their marketing strategies, enhancing distribution channels, and investing in localized research and development activities to ensure that products align with distinct consumer expectations. Each of these regions contributes distinct characteristics that collectively drive global market expansion, creating a balanced mix of opportunities for new entrants and established players alike. The interplay of regional insights and market dynamics is instrumental in shaping a forward-looking strategy that addresses both global trends and localized consumer needs. Companies that pursue regional differentiation while maintaining a cohesive global strategy are poised to reap significant benefits in terms of market share growth and sustained consumer engagement. The report delves into recent significant developments in the Sexual Wellness Market, highlighting leading vendors and their innovative profiles. These include: Aneros Bijoux Indiscrets SL BioFilm, Inc. by Combe Incorporated BMS Factory California Exotic Novelties, LLC Church & Dwight Co.,Inc. Convex Latex Pvt. Ltd. Dabur Ltd. Diamond Products Doc Johnson Enterprises HANX HLL Lifecare Ltd. Hot Octopuss Ltd. Karex Berhad Kessel Medintim GmbH Kindly Health LELOi AB LifeStyles Healthcare Pte. Ltd. Lovehoney Group Lovelife by OhMiBod Mankind Pharma Ltd. Okamoto Industries,Inc. Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC Sagami Rubber Industries Co., Ltd. Satisfyer Tantus, Inc TENGA Co., Ltd. Topco Sales Vella Bioscience, Inc. Veru Inc. WOW Tech Group Actionable Recommendations for Industry Leaders Industry leaders are encouraged to embrace a multi-pronged strategic approach to capitalize on current market trends and address emerging opportunities in the sexual wellness sector. It is essential to invest in research and development that focuses on innovative product formulations, particularly those that cater to evolving consumer preferences and underline quality and safety standards. Companies should consider leveraging advanced analytics and consumer data to refine product offerings and tailor marketing strategies that resonate with diverse demographic profiles. Maintaining a balance between traditional sales channels and digital platforms can ensure broader market penetration and enhanced consumer engagement. Decision-makers are advised to adopt an omnichannel strategy that reconciles the convenience of online retail with the personalized touch of physical outlets. Strengthening collaborations with healthcare professionals and establishing robust relationships with regulatory bodies can further enhance product credibility and secure consumer trust. Additionally, segmentation insights should be integrated into organizational strategy to develop products that cater to both specific age groups and gender-based preferences. These initiatives will foster a more responsive product development cycle and support rapid entry into emerging market segments. To sustain competitive advantage, companies should also explore opportunities for regional customization, aligning product attributes with the cultural and economic nuances of key markets such as the Americas, Europe, Middle East & Africa, and Asia-Pacific. Investing in localized marketing campaigns and research initiatives will aid in capturing consumer interest and ensuring compliance with region-specific regulations. Finally, forging strategic partnerships with innovative startups and technology providers can act as a catalyst for long-term growth, allowing established businesses to stay ahead of market disruptions while maintaining a forward-thinking approach. Key Attributes Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 181 Forecast Period 2024-2030 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $40.07 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2030 $62.74 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 7.6% Regions Covered Global Key Topics Covered 1. Preface 2. Research Methodology 3. Executive Summary 4. Market Overview 5. Market Insights 5.1. Market Dynamics 5.1.1. Drivers 5.1.1.1. Rising awareness and education about sexual health worldwide 5.1.1.2. Increasing availability of products with the growth of e-commerce stores and discreet delivery options 5.1.2. Restraints 5.1.2.1. Concerns associated with product recall and adverse findings in offerings 5.1.3. Opportunities 5.1.3.1. Introducing premium and neutral gender sexual wellness products for evolving consumer preferences 5.1.3.2. Growing social media and influencer partnerships to enhance brand visibility and consumer trust 5.1.4. Challenges 5.1.4.1. Issues related to cultural and social stigma related to sexual wellness products in society 5.2. Market Segmentation Analysis 5.2.1. Product Type: Rising popularity of condoms owing to protection against STI and enhanced sensation 5.2.2. Distribution Channel: Growing preference for online retailers owing to convenience and discreet shopping experience 5.2.3. Age Group: Significant benefits of sexual wellness products for 25-34-year-old age group for lifestyle integration with comprehensive wellness 5.2.4. End-user: Growing adoption of sexual wellness products by female end-users for enhanced comfort and pleasure 5.3. Porter's Five Forces Analysis 5.3.1. Threat of New Entrants 5.3.2. Threat of Substitutes 5.3.3. Bargaining Power of Customers 5.3.4. Bargaining Power of Suppliers 5.3.5. Industry Rivalry 5.4. PESTLE Analysis 5.4.1. Political 5.4.2. Economic 5.4.3. Social 5.4.4. Technological 5.4.5. Legal 5.4.6. Environmental 6. Sexual Wellness Market, by Product Type 6.1. Introduction 6.2. Condoms 6.3. Fertility & Pregnancy Rapid Test Kits 6.4. Intimate Care 6.5. Personal Lubricants 6.5.1. Oil-Based 6.5.2. Silicone-Based 6.5.3. Water-Based 6.6. Sexual Enhancement Supplements 6.6.1. Herbal Supplements 6.6.2. Hormonal Boosters 6.6.3. Vitamins & Minerals 6.7. Sexual Wellness Devices & Toys 7. Sexual Wellness Market, by Distribution Channel 7.1. Introduction 7.2. Online Retailers 7.3. Pharmacies & Drug Stores 7.4. Specialty Stores 7.5. Supermarkets & Hypermarkets 8. Sexual Wellness Market, by Age Group 8.1. Introduction 8.2. 18-24 Years 8.3. 25-34 Years 8.4. 35-44 Years 8.5. 45 & Above 9. Sexual Wellness Market, by End-user 9.1. Introduction 9.2. Female 9.3. Male 10. Americas Sexual Wellness Market 10.1. Introduction 10.2. Argentina 10.3. Brazil 10.4. Canada 10.5. Mexico 10.6. United States 11. Asia-Pacific Sexual Wellness Market 11.1. Introduction 11.2. Australia 11.3. China 11.4. India 11.5. Indonesia 11.6. Japan 11.7. Malaysia 11.8. Philippines 11.9. Singapore 11.10. South Korea 11.11. Taiwan 11.12. Thailand 11.13. Vietnam 12. Europe, Middle East & Africa Sexual Wellness Market 12.1. Introduction 12.2. Denmark 12.3. Egypt 12.4. Finland 12.5. France 12.6. Germany 12.7. Israel 12.8. Italy 12.9. Netherlands 12.10. Nigeria 12.11. Norway 12.12. Poland 12.13. Qatar 12.14. Russia 12.15. Saudi Arabia 12.16. South Africa 12.17. Spain 12.18. Sweden 12.19. Switzerland 12.20. Turkey 12.21. United Arab Emirates 12.22. United Kingdom 13. Competitive Landscape 13.1. Market Share Analysis 13.2. FPNV Positioning Matrix 13.3. Competitive Scenario Analysis 13.3.1. PLT Health Solutions launches TestFACTOR for enhanced men sexual health and vitality 13.3.2. Hello Cake acquires Trigg Laboratories and secures USD 18 million in Series B funding 13.3.3. Perelel acquires LOOM for expanding reach in women's sexual and reproductive health 13.3.4. Halle Berry and Joylux launch innovative products for menopausal intimate wellness 13.3.5. Satisfyer and Adam & Eve form multi-year partnership to expand sexual wellness products 13.3.6. Playground secures USD 2 million funding to enhance sexual wellness solutions 13.3.7. Womanizer collaborates with Razer to enhance intimate devices using advanced haptic technology 13.3.8. Durex launches campaign to enhance sexual compatibility awareness 13.3.9. Dame acquires Emojibator to enhance sexual wellness portfolio 13.3.10. Nixit launches new condom line to enhance vaginal health and wellness 13.3.11. MyMuse secures USD 2.7 million investment to expand sexual wellness reach in India 13.3.12. Good Glamm backed Sirona Hygiene acquires sexual Wellness brand bleu 13.4. Strategy Analysis & Recommendation 13.4.1. Lovehoney Group Limited 13.4.2. Doc Johnson Enterprises 13.4.3. Mankind Pharma Ltd. 13.4.4. Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/xlmayj About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Dublin, April 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Mobile Operating System Market by System Type (Android, Harmony OS, iOS), Device Type (Smartphones, Smartwatches, Tablets), Price Range, End-User - Global Forecast 2025-2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Mobile Operating System Market grew from USD 51.31 billion in 2024 to USD 54.51 billion in 2025. It is expected to continue growing at a CAGR of 6.46%, reaching USD 74.72 billion by 2030. The mobile operating system market is undergoing transformative shifts that redefine the competitive landscape and user experience. New technological advancements and market forces are challenging earlier conventions, making way for innovative solutions that bridge the gap between hardware and software functionalities. Rapid increases in processing power, advancements in cloud computing, and enhanced cybersecurity protocols are only a few examples of the progressive changes that have been reshaping this sector. In parallel, emerging consumer demands have accelerated the adoption of mobile applications that enable artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and seamless connectivity throughout diverse devices. As the industry witnesses the emergence of different system architectures, traditional operating systems are being reimagined to support a wider range of devices and use cases. This transformation is not merely a trend; it has become a strategic imperative as market leaders seek to capture new segments and extend the lifespan of their product ecosystems. Consequently, both startup innovators and established players are revisiting their strategies, investing in research and development, and pivoting to meet the ever-changing requirements of both consumer and enterprise segments in an interconnected global market. Regional Dynamics Steering Global Mobile OS Trends Regional dynamics continue to play a vital role in the adoption and evolution of mobile operating systems globally. Market trends vary significantly across different geographies, which brings forth unique challenges and opportunities. In the Americas, technological innovations are complemented by robust infrastructure and a consumer base that embraces early adoption of new mobile technologies. Meanwhile, the Europe, Middle East & Africa region is characterized by a mix of mature markets and emerging economies, where regulatory environments and localized consumer needs drive tailored strategies. Additionally, the Asia-Pacific region presents a blend of rapid growth, high technological adoption, and competitive pricing pressures, making it a hotbed for innovation. In each region, distinct cultural, economic, and regulatory factors influence the performance and evolution of mobile operating systems, necessitating localized strategies to effectively engage consumers. Businesses aiming to expand their global footprint must adopt a flexible approach that takes regional diversity into account, ensuring that product adaptations, marketing tactics, and partnerships resonate within each target market. These regional insights not only highlight current trends but also offer a roadmap for harnessing emerging opportunities while mitigating risks associated with market volatility. Key Industry Players and Their Market Influence The competitive environment of the mobile operating system market is marked by the presence of several influential companies that continuously drive innovation and market direction. Dominant players like Apple Inc. have revolutionized user experiences through their integrated ecosystems, while Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. remains a global leader by offering versatile hardware options and tailoring software experiences to meet diverse consumer needs. Other major companies such as Google LLC by Alphabet Inc. have been pivotal in the development and maintenance of popular operating systems, thereby setting industry benchmarks. Likewise, Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. has carved out significant market spaces, particularly in regions with specific technological demands. In addition, firms like Garmin Ltd. and Imagine Marketing Limited contribute to niche market segments by focusing on specialized functionalities and user-centric designs. Meanwhile, innovative technology companies like Mozilla Corporation, Nexxbase Marketing Pvt. Ltd., and Xiaomi Corporation continue to challenge conventional paradigms by pushing boundaries in software development and integration. Each of these organizations brings unique strengths to the market - whether through technological innovation, strategic partnerships, or comprehensive ecosystems - ultimately shaping the direction of mobile operating systems, influencing consumer expectations, and driving industry standards further. The report delves into recent significant developments in the Mobile Operating System Market, highlighting leading vendors and their innovative profiles. These include: Apple Inc. Garmin Ltd. Google LLC by Alphabet Inc. Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. Imagine Marketing Limited Mozilla Corporation Nexxbase Marketing Pvt. Ltd. Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. Xiaomi Corporation Competitive Scenario Analysis Nothing revolutionizes smartphone experience with OS 3.0 featuring Android 15 enhancements and AI-driven personalization Huawei introduces HarmonyOS Next to reduce reliance on US technology OxygenOS 15 launches with AI-enhanced performance, prioritized update rollout for flagship OnePlus devices Actionable Recommendations for Strategic Market Leadership Industry leaders must adopt a forward-thinking approach to harness the full potential of the mobile operating system market. It is imperative for decision-makers to invest in ongoing research and technological advancements to remain competitive in this evolving space. Leaders must prioritize the integration of emerging technologies - particularly in areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity enhancements, and cross-device interoperability - to build platforms that not only meet current market needs but also anticipate future trends. In addition, fostering strategic partnerships can accelerate innovation as companies collaborate to expand their technological ecosystems. Bridging the gap between hardware and software capabilities remains a critical focus area; therefore, seamless integration and consistent user experience across varied device types should be a top priority. Moreover, pricing strategies that align with the consumer segmentation insights are key to capturing diverse market segments. The dual focus on individual consumers and enterprise clients requires tailored solutions that address the distinct needs of each group. Finally, data-driven decision-making and continuous market analysis will empower leaders to swiftly adapt to emerging challenges and leverage new opportunities, ensuring sustainable growth and industry leadership. Key Attributes Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 186 Forecast Period 2025-2030 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2025 $54.51 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2030 $74.72 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 6.4% Regions Covered Global Key Topics Covered 1. Preface 2. Research Methodology 3. Executive Summary 4. Market Overview 5. Market Insights 5.1. Market Dynamics 5.1.1. Drivers 5.1.1.1. Increasing smartphone adoption fuels demand for mobile operating systems 5.1.1.2. Enhancements in user interface and experience elevating the appeal of mobile operating systems 5.1.2. Restraints 5.1.2.1. Concerns associated with slow updates and compatibility issues 5.1.3. Opportunities 5.1.3.1. Proliferation of smart devices and wearables integrating with mobile operating system functionalities 5.1.3.2. Advent of technological advancements and customizable mobile operating systems 5.1.4. Challenges 5.1.4.1. Issues related to compliance with international data protection and privacy laws 5.2. Market Segmentation Analysis 5.2.1. System Type: Higher popularity of iOS owing to seamless integration, minimalism, and a consistent user interface 5.2.2. End-User: Proliferating applications of mobile operating systems in enterprises due to the ability to manage multiple devices seamlessly 5.3. Porter's Five Forces Analysis 5.3.1. Threat of New Entrants 5.3.2. Threat of Substitutes 5.3.3. Bargaining Power of Customers 5.3.4. Bargaining Power of Suppliers 5.3.5. Industry Rivalry 5.4. PESTLE Analysis 5.4.1. Political 5.4.2. Economic 5.4.3. Social 5.4.4. Technological 5.4.5. Legal 5.4.6. Environmental 6. Mobile Operating System Market, by System Type 6.1. Introduction 6.2. Android 6.3. Harmony OS 6.4. iOS 7. Mobile Operating System Market, by Device Type 7.1. Introduction 7.2. Smartphones 7.3. Smartwatches 7.4. Tablets 8. Mobile Operating System Market, by Price Range 8.1. Introduction 8.2. Budget (Less than USD 150) 8.3. Flagship (Above USD 600) 8.4. Mid-Range (USD 151-600) 9. Mobile Operating System Market, by End-User 9.1. Introduction 9.2. Enterprises 9.3. Individuals 10. Americas Mobile Operating System Market 10.1. Introduction 10.2. Argentina 10.3. Brazil 10.4. Canada 10.5. Mexico 10.6. United States 11. Asia-Pacific Mobile Operating System Market 11.1. Introduction 11.2. Australia 11.3. China 11.4. India 11.5. Indonesia 11.6. Japan 11.7. Malaysia 11.8. Philippines 11.9. Singapore 11.10. South Korea 11.11. Taiwan 11.12. Thailand 11.13. Vietnam 12. Europe, Middle East & Africa Mobile Operating System Market 12.1. Introduction 12.2. Denmark 12.3. Egypt 12.4. Finland 12.5. France 12.6. Germany 12.7. Israel 12.8. Italy 12.9. Netherlands 12.10. Nigeria 12.11. Norway 12.12. Poland 12.13. Qatar 12.14. Russia 12.15. Saudi Arabia 12.16. South Africa 12.17. Spain 12.18. Sweden 12.19. Switzerland 12.20. Turkey 12.21. United Arab Emirates 12.22. United Kingdom 13. Competitive Landscape 13.1. Market Share Analysis, 2024 13.2. FPNV Positioning Matrix, 2024 13.3. Competitive Scenario Analysis 13.4. Strategy Analysis & Recommendations For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/cf5r0r About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. LIJA, Malta, April 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BlocScale Launchpad, the first decentralized IDO platform built natively on the XRP Ledger, is witnessing a rapid influx of investor interest, most notably from crypto whales following its bold mission to unlock trillions in real-world value through asset tokenization. With the $BLOC Seed Sale live and over 20% of its allocation already sold in record time, BlocScale is emerging as a cornerstone in XRPs growing ecosystem. Whale Movement Sparks Massive FOMO Across XRP Community Recent on-chain activity reveals significant whale accumulation of $BLOC tokens, further cementing BlocScales position as the most promising launchpad on XRP. These early participants understand one thing clearly: BlocScale is not just another launchpadits an infrastructure shift that is bridging traditional finance with blockchain through real-world asset tokenization. JOIN BLOCSCALE SEED ROUND From real estate to equity shares and invoice financing, BlocScale is creating the rails for businesses to digitize and fractionalize high-value assets directly on the XRP Ledger, inviting a global pool of investors into previously inaccessible markets. Why BlocScales Value Proposition is Unmatched Unlike any other project on XRP: Its the first native IDO platform, solving a long-standing problem of fundraising infrastructure on the XRP Ledger. It allows real-world businessesfrom property developers to startupsto raise capital through tokenization. It introduces a governance layer, enabling $BLOC holders to vote on project listings and strategic upgrades. It automates trustlines and simplifies participation, making it user-friendly and secure for all. BUY $BLOC TOKEN NOW XRPs Bull Case Just Got Stronger For years, XRP has been hailed for its speed and scalability, but lacked the platforms necessary to draw in new, innovative projects. BlocScale changes that. By providing a streamlined, decentralized fundraising solution, it offers startups and traditional businesses alike an incentive to launch and scale directly on XRPL. Analysts have started paying attention. Some are already calling $BLOC XRPs most undervalued token, citing its governance utility, growing demand, and whale-backed momentum as signs of an imminent breakout. $BLOC Seed Sale Details: Price: 1 XRP = 50 $BLOC Total Allocation: 10,000,000 $BLOC Soft Cap: 50,000 XRP Min Buy: 200 XRP Max Buy: 20,000 XRP Over 20% of the $BLOC Seed Sale allocation has already been secured! Investors are encouraged to participate before the hard cap is reached. Join the $BLOC Seed Sale Before It Ends www.blocscale.com/blocsale Final Words: Dont Miss This Window The wave of investor momentum, combined with XRPs growing utility and BlocScales unmatched infrastructure, signals a turning point. If XRP is poised for a trillion-dollar market cap, BlocScale might just be the fuel behind it. As institutional capital flows into XRP, BlocScale stands ready to onboard the next generation of startups and businesses looking to launch on XRPL. Stay Connected With Blocscale Launchpad; For more information, Visit: Website | $BLOC Private Sale Portal | X | Telegram | WhitePaper Contact Details: Eric Shawn contact@bloscale.com Disclaimer: This press release is provided by the BlocScale. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sectorincluding cryptocurrency, NFTs, and miningcomplete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility. Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an "as-is" basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8d76610b-79ef-4718-b4e9-3a7b896f16b3 Irvine, California, April 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Origence, the leading credit union lending technology company in the U.S., announced its subsidiary, FI Connect, funded $1 billion in Tesla purchases in its first year of operations. FI Connect offers credit union financing options to national retailers, providing borrowers with affordable solutions with embedded financing. In its inaugural year, the company enabled embedded financing opportunities for 34 credit unions, processing 24,839 total loans and creating 23,833 new credit union members. FI Connect initially launched in partnership with Tesla, providing credit union financing to EV buyers directly through the Tesla website, and has plans for expansion to other retailers in 2025. By providing financing at the point of purchase, buyers gain easy access to competitive rates and flexible terms. This collaboration allows credit unions to take advantage of a fast-growing market, offering loans to their existing members while expanding their reach to new members. The retailer benefits from working with a single partner, FI Connect, which manages the purchase and placement of retail contracts with credit unions nationwide, ensuring a seamless, frictionless car-buying experience. FI Connect is currently live in 29 of the 31 states that Tesla sells in and has become one of the preferred financing partners on its platform. Through its partnership with credit unions, FI Connect successfully competes with national banks and finance companies by offering low rates up to 84-month terms, expedited funding, and rate subvention. In 2024, Origence partnered with Catalyst to deliver real-time payment capabilities through the FedNow Service. This enables instant loan funding and significantly accelerates transaction speed and efficiency. With faster funding, FI Connect better positions credit unions for embedded financing opportunities where speed of payment is critical. In addition, FI Connect implemented its Customer Identification Program and Know Your Customer solutions, designed to strengthen compliance and reduce false positive risk indicators, enhancing the accuracy of customer identity verification. In 2025, FI Connect is strategically focused on expanding its network of retail and credit union partnerships. As they continue to fund Tesla purchases, FI Connect is expanding its offerings to new asset classes. Likewise, FI Connect aims to provide more credit unions ample opportunity to tap into the embedded financing market. Were extremely proud of the work weve done to bring affordable credit union financing options directly to buyers through embedded financing, said Neetu Bhagat, chief financial officer of Origence. As the only platform in the market that allows credit unions to connect with large retailers like Tesla, FI Connect is driving this change. We are committed to making credit unions the preferred lender wherever purchasing and financing decisions occur. We look forward to partnering with more retailers as they recognize the value of the credit union proposition, which offers new and existing members access to cost-effective financing options. About FI Connect FI Connect, an independent subsidiary of Origence, brings borrowers, retailers, and credit unions together for convenient financing right at the point of sale. FI Connect streamlines the lending experience for national retailers while offering wallet-friendly credit union financing options to borrowers. Its a better financing experience as we connect and work together. Learn more at www.ficonnectlending.com. About Origence Origence provides lending technology solutions credit unions need to advance their total origination experience. We were established in 1994 as a credit union service organization (CUSO) and have helped thousands of credit unions process more than 97 million applications, including 8.6 million applications in 2024. Our solutions include indirect lending, loan and account origination, auto shopping, marketing automation, lending operations, and more. Learn more at www.origence.com and follow us on X and LinkedIn. Attachment Dublin, April 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Industrial Safety Gloves Market - Focused Insights 2025-2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Industrial Safety Gloves Market was valued at USD 7.14 billion in 2024, and is projected to reach USD 9.34 billion by 2030, rising at a CAGR of 4.58% The global industrial safety gloves market report consists of exclusive data on 34 vendors. The market is fragmented and characterized by the presence of several major players, as well as numerous regional and local manufacturers. The competitive scenario in the global industrial safety gloves market is currently intensifying with key players such as Hartalega, Top Glove Corporation, INTCO, Sri Trang, 3M, Ansell, Kossan, Supermax, W.W. Grainger, and Protective Industrial Products. North America dominates and holds the largest share of the global industrial safety gloves market. The market is experiencing steady growth, driven by stringent workplace safety regulations and rising awareness about worker health and safety. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations mandate the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), including gloves, in various industries. Compliance requirements drive consistent demand. Employers are increasingly investing in high-quality safety gloves to reduce injury rates and compensation costs, improving worker productivity. The manufacturing, construction, and oil & gas sectors continue to grow, necessitating protective equipment for workers. Rising investments in these sectors are boosting demand. MARKET TRENDS & DRIVERS Growing Focus on Ergonomic Design The global industrial safety gloves market is witnessing a growing focus on ergonomic design, driven by the need for safer, more comfortable gloves that minimize workplace injuries and enhance productivity. Ergonomic gloves with advanced impact protection and anti-vibration features are in high demand across regions. These gloves often feature knuckle padding, flexible thermoplastic reinforcements, and vibration-dampening gel pads to safeguard workers operating heavy machinery in industries such as manufacturing, construction, and oil and gas. Globally, industries are increasingly adopting ergonomically designed disposable gloves, such as nitrile and latex gloves with form-fitting construction, to reduce hand strain during repetitive tasks in sectors like healthcare, food processing, and electronics assembly. Gloves with anti-impact padding, cut resistance, and superior grip in wet and oily conditions are also highly sought after, particularly in regions with growing industrial activity such as Southeast Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. Innovative materials, like thermoplastic impact guards with added flexibility, are widely used to protect hands while enabling a full range of motion, crucial for handling equipment in fields like mining in Africa or offshore drilling in regions such as the North Sea. The evolution of ergonomic design in industrial gloves is further fueled by emerging technologies like smart gloves. For instance, such innovations are gaining traction in Europe's automotive industry and high-tech sectors in East Asia. Customization and Personalization Various industries worldwide, such as construction, healthcare, manufacturing, and automotive, require differing levels of protection, dexterity, and comfort in safety gloves. A single glove design cannot meet the diverse needs across and even within these industries. Customized gloves tailored to fit well and address specific safety requirements can enhance compliance, reducing workplace accidents and boosting productivity. Innovative smart safety gloves embedded with sensors are gaining traction globally. For instance, Ansell, a leading safety solutions provider, offers an integrated system combining a wearable pod and glove sensors to capture raw movement data. This data is analyzed using AI and presented on a software platform, delivering actionable insights. Gloves with advanced anti-cut fibers, such as Dyneema or Kevlar, are widely used in industries where sharp objects pose a risk. Advancements in Glove Materials Advancements in glove materials are a key factor driving the growth of the global industrial safety gloves market, as manufacturers innovate to address the diverse protection needs of various industries. Enhanced materials have led to specialized gloves offering improved cut resistance, chemical resistance, thermal protection, and versatile general-purpose functionality, tailored to mitigate specific workplace hazards. Modern cut-resistant gloves, made with high-performance fibers such as Kevlar, Dyneema, and high-density polyethylene (HPPE), are widely adopted across industries globally. In regions like North America and Europe, such gloves are critical for meeting stringent health and safety regulations in chemical handling, while in emerging economies, they are increasingly adopted in agriculture and food processing to ensure worker safety. As manufacturers continue to explore new fibers, and eco-friendly and advanced technologies such as nanotechnology, the global market is expected to grow further. INDUSTRY RESTRAINT Unregulated Disposal & Wastage of PPE As demand for PPE has surged across various sectors worldwide, the environmental impact of disposable gloves has become a significant concern. This issue not only affects market growth but also raises important questions about sustainability, cost, and regulatory compliance within the industry. Disposable safety gloves, commonly made from materials such as nitrile, latex, and vinyl, are not biodegradable. Improper disposal of these gloves contributes to growing landfill waste and ocean pollution, posing a threat to ecosystems and wildlife. A large amount of discarded PPE, including gloves, ends up as microplastics in waterways, which has become a pressing environmental issue globally. Environmental agencies around the world such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), European Commission (EC), and others have increasingly highlighted the risks associated with PPE waste. In countries like India and Brazil, where waste management systems are still developing, improper disposal of disposable gloves exacerbates environmental pollution. Environmental groups are increasingly pressuring industries, particularly healthcare, food processing, and pharmaceuticals, which rely heavily on disposable gloves, to adopt more sustainable practices. This growing concern has led to a negative public perception of excessive disposable glove use, which could limit market growth in favor of reusable alternatives. RECENT VENDOR ACTIVITIES October 1, 2024, Ansell, a global leader in safety solutions, announced that its AlphaTec 53-002 chemical-resistant glove has been honored as the "2024 Best New Product of the Year" in the Hand Protection: Chemical/Liquid category. This prestigious recognition, presented by Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) magazine, celebrates exceptional innovations and contributions to workplace safety and health. On October 30, 2024, SHOWA, a global leader in hand and arm protection, announced the launch of its innovative glove line, MFT PRO by SHOWA. Featuring a unique microfiber liner, these gloves are designed to quickly wick moisture and sweat away, preventing irritation and chafing for enhanced comfort. The MFT PRO series includes four new general-purpose glove models with various coating options, such as Natural Rubber, PU Flat Nitrile, and Microporous Nitrile. SHOWA is the first glove manufacturer to integrate MFT PRO technology into its general-purpose glove offerings. KEY TAKEAWAYS By Product Type: The latex material segment holds the largest market share of over 37%. The segmental growth is regarded for its superior elasticity, comfort, and barrier protection. By Category: The disposable segment holds the largest market share. The segmental growth is driven by its role as an essential element of workplace safety across the globe, offering vital protection against a range of hazards such as chemical exposure, contamination, abrasions, and infections. By End-Users: The food & beverages segment shows the highest growth of 5.71% as gloves play a vital role in ensuring food safety, hygiene, and worker protection across all stages of food production, processing, packaging, and service. By Geography: North America dominates the global industrial safety gloves market, driven by stringent workplace safety regulations and rising awareness about worker health and safety. Growth Factor: The global industrial safety gloves market is set to grow due to advancements in glove materials and regulatory compliance. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE Key Vendors Hartalega Top Glove Corporation INTCO Sri Trang 3M Ansell Kossan Supermax W.W. Grainger Protective Industrial Products Other Prominent Vendors Delta Plus Group The Glove Company uvex group SHOWA GROUP ATG Intelligent Glove Solutions Ejendals Towa Corporation Carolina Glove & Safety Company Magid Youngstown Glove United Glove Honeywell Harps Holdings MCR Safety MAPA Professional Riverstone Rubberex Superior Glove Radians Jiangsu Hanvo Safety Product Dursafety Everpro gloves Nano-Metre Industrial Limited Unigloves SEGMENTATION & FORECAST By Product Type Latex Vinyl Nitrile Neoprene Other Products By Category Disposable Reusable By End-Users Manufacturing Construction Oil & Gas Food & Beverage Other End-users By Geography North America US Canada Europe Germany UK Italy France Spain APAC China Japan India South Korea Australia Latin America Brazil Mexico Argentina Middle East & Africa South Africa Saudi Arabia Turkey UAE Key Attributes: Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 127 Forecast Period 2024 - 2030 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $7.14 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2030 $9.34 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 4.5% Regions Covered Global For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/gq7de3 About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. MONTREAL, April 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) Foundation is proud to announce the successful completion of its ambitious Dream Big campaign, which has surpassed its $200 million fundraising goal. Launched in 2020 during a time of global uncertainty, the campaign has served as a catalyst for innovation, excellence in patient care, and transformative medical research. We know that dreaming big is the first step to creating meaningful change, and those who have generously contributed to this campaignwhether its $20 or $200Khave helped turn these big dreams into reality. Despite the unique challenges of launching a campaign of this size in 2020amidst a historic global pandemicQuebecers mobilized in great numbers and rallied for change. It is a privilege to be a part of this community that cares so much. Marie-Helene Laramee, President & CEO of the MUHC Foundation. From fighting cancer and fixing broken hearts to combating global pandemics and recruiting world-class talent, Dream Big has fueled cutting-edge advances at the MUHC, one of Canadas most prestigious academic health centres. Quebecers believe in giving back, and thats why were celebrating this monumental moment for health care in our province. Its been an honour to be a part of the MUHC Foundations Dream Big campaign, which is fueling groundbreaking innovation at the MUHC and benefits every single one of us. Jean Charest, Former Premier of Quebec & Dream Big Campaign Co-Chair. Among the major initiatives supported by the campaign is the Dream Big: End Cancer initiative, which funds early detection and precision medicine through pioneering projects like the liquid biopsy and DOvEEgene test. These innovations are already improving survival rates and patient outcomes. The Research Institute of the MUHC (The Institute) is home to one of the largest adult cancer research programs in the country. Donations to the MUHC Foundation are directly funding innovative clinical trials that are offering patients more chances and extending lives. Our big dream is to convert cancer into a treatable disease, and philanthropy fuels this vital research. Dr. Rhian Touyz, Executive Director and Chief Scientific Officer, The Institute. The campaign has also powered the growth of the McGill Interdisciplinary Initiative in Infection and Immunity (MI4), a global leader in the fight against microbial threats, antimicrobial resistance, and future pandemics. When we first began to dream big together, in 2020, we were on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, thanks to our donors, MI4 is growing, evolving, and making a real impact on the world stage. With our renewed focus on pandemic threats, antimicrobial resistance, and microbial threats to human health, were ready to tackle the challenges ahead. Dr. Marcel Behr, Director of MI4. In the field of cardiology, the Fix Broken Hearts initiative is advancing personalized, preventive, and regenerative heart care, positioning the MUHC as a leader in cardiovascular health. Donations to the MUHC Foundation have helped position the MUHC as a global leader in heart health. This type of support is critical because it enables our specialists to focus on what matters most: cutting-edge research and raising the standard of care for Canadas #1 killerheart disease. Dr. Atul Verma, Director of Cardiology at the MUHC Dream Big has also made a profound impact in attracting and retaining world-class medical talent. Dozens of top-tier specialists have been recruited to the MUHC thanks to donor support, helping to expand the institutions reputation for research and clinical excellence. Attracting top talent to the MUHC means we not only provide the best care but also advance groundbreaking research to solve tomorrows challenges today. Together with our generous community of donors, were driving all aspects of health care forward and making sure we have the very best and brightest minds to do that. Dr. Marc Rodger, Chair of the MUHCs Department of Medicine. One of the campaigns signature achievements includes the Dream Big: Lachine Hospital initiative, a joint effort between the MUHC Foundation and the Lachine Hospital Foundation to support the modernization and expansion of the hospital. The $5M campaign complements the governments $220M revitalization project and enhances care for patients in the West Island. The success of Dream Big would not have been possible without the leadership of campaign co-chairs Suzanne Legge Orr, Jean Charest, and Marc Parent, who each played a vital role in making this campaign a reality. To our supporters, thank you. Every breakthrough is made possible by donors who have shown up over the past 5 years to remind us of what we have always known: our community cares about the future of health care. Marc Parent, Dream Big Campaign Co-Chair & President and CEO of CAE. Serving as co-chair for this historic campaign has been an incredible honour. Quebecers rallied and showed us that they want to take part in building our healthier future, right here at the MUHC. Suzanne Legge-Orr, Dream Big Campaign Co-Chair & Community Leader. As the MUHC Foundation closes the chapter on Dream Big, the journey continues. The Foundation remains committed to supporting world-class care and life-saving research for all Quebecers, today and for generations to come. Philanthropy has been a lifeline for the MUHC, empowering us to remain global leaders in patient care, research, and education. This campaign was about dreaming big, and we havebut now, we will dream even bigger, as the needs of our patients continue to evolve. With every new discovery, every innovative treatment, and every patient we care for, we are building a future where health care knows no limits. Dr. Lucie Opatrny, President and Executive Director of the MUHC. The MUHC Foundation extends its deepest gratitude to every donor, partner, and volunteer who helped make this milestone possible. Together, we have achieved something extraordinaryjust imagine what we will do next. About the McGill University Health Centre Foundation The McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) Foundation raises funds to support excellence in patient care, research and teaching at the McGill University Health Centre, one of the top university hospitals in Canada. Our Dream Big Campaign to change the course of lives and medicine is raising millions of dollars to solve humanitys deadliest puzzles: infectious diseases; end cancer as a life-threatening illness; fix broken hearts through innovative cardiac care; detect the silent killersovarian and endometrial cancersearly; create the best skilled health care teams in Canada; and much more. We are rallying our entire community to solve the worlds most complex health care challenges. https://muhcfoundation.com Tarah Schwartz Vice-President, Communications & Marketing McGill University Health Centre Foundation tarah.schwartz@muhc.mcgill.ca Vanessa Angell Social Media Manager McGill University Health Centre Foundation vanessa.angell@muhc.mcgill.ca A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a37fd10b-d309-447c-8e28-7ffbac26fc73 A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available by clicking on this link. MONTREAL, April 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Avocados From Mexico is partnering with six talented Canadian chefs, each bringing their unique culinary heritage to the table. This collaboration showcases how the avocado - a fruit with a rich history spanning 10,000 years - transcends borders, uniting flavours from diverse backgrounds in one delicious experience. From Afro-Caribbean to Indigenous and Mediterranean flavours, these chefs have crafted six unique recipes that highlight how this top-quality green gem enhances world cuisine across Canada. Whether its an Avocado Fried Bannock inspired by Gwichin traditions, an Avocado Paneer Tikka celebrating Indian spices, or a bold Avocado Tiramisu reimagining an Italian classic, each dish tells a story of heritage, creativity, and the love of good food. A Taste of the World, Right Here in Canada Avocados From Mexicos fruitful collaboration with these six chefs reflects Canadas rich cultural diversity. Their passion for food is deeply rooted in family traditions, shaped by a shared vision of multiculturalism and respect. Through this initiative, they show how a single ingredient avocado can elevate dishes across all cuisines, from appetizers to desserts. Meet the Chefs & Their Creations The Secret Behind The Worlds Finest Avocados Grown in Michoacan, the only region in the world where avocados bloom year-round, Avocados From Mexico thrive in volcanic soil and a temperate climate, making them The Worlds Finest. Cultivated with care from generation to generation, they are the result of a rich agricultural heritage passed down over centuries, ensuring a consistently high-quality fruit. Rich in nutrients and "good fats," they have also been recognized for their heart-health benefits. With their smooth texture and subtle nutty flavor, Avocados From Mexico are budding or experienced chefs dream ingredient, whether raw or cooked, in sweet or savoury dishes. A Celebration of Culture and Flavour With this collaboration, Avocados From Mexico cements its place at the heart of Canadian cuisine, proving that the worlds finest avocados have no borders. From coast to coast, these six chefs have crafted dishes that honour their roots while showcasing the versatility of this beloved fruit. By blending diverse culinary heritages with this world-class ingredient, they prove that avocado is more than just a fruit. Its a bridge between cultures and a staple in kitchens everywhere. So, whether youre a professional chef or a home cook, its time to get inspired - because when cultures come together, great flavours are born. About Avocados From Mexico Avocados From Mexico exemplifies the positivity and dynamism attributed to avocados. Throughout the growing, packing and distribution processes, the brand stays loyal to its goal of offering good food that will be happily enjoyed in good company. Mexicanity is the emotion and energy associated with making guacamole and other delicious recipes. Its also the parties and special occasions that bring family and friends together in the spirit of celebration, sharing and joy. Follow us on social media to discover the #Avotoks creations and more delicious recipes by visiting: https://avocadosfrommexico.ca | FB | IG | TIKTOK For any information, HD visuals and interview requests: Lumir Jardak, Lead Public Relations & Content Manager | ljardak@hopscotchgroupe.com | +1 438-858-4848 BEVERLY HILLS, California, April 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Orocidin A/S (Orocidin), a subsidiary of Nordicus Partners Corporation (OTCQB: NORD) (Nordicus or the Company), a financial consulting company specializing in supporting Nordic and U.S. life sciences companies in establishing themselves in the U.S. market, today announced positive efficacy results for its lead periodontitis candidate, QR-01, in a preclinical study involving dogs diagnosed with periodontitis. The 13-day small efficacy study was conducted on beagle dogs with clinically confirmed periodontitis. and demonstrated consistent improvements across key clinical endpoints, including the Gingival Index, the Plaque Index and overall periodontal Disease. The animals were fasted for a minimum of 8 hours prior to assessment of the efficacy. Importantly, QR-01 was well tolerated, with no adverse side effects reported throughout the treatment period. I am pleased to report that all dogs in the study showed encouraging and consistent responses to the treatment. This represents a significant milestone for Orocidins lead product, QR-01 and strengthens our confidence as we prepare for the upcoming human pilot efficacy study, planned to begin by the end of 2025, said Allan Wehnert, CEO & Founder of Orocidin. For further information, contact: Mr. Henrik Rouf Chief Executive Officer hr@nordicuspartners.com Tel +1 310 666 0750 About Orocidin Orocidins mission is to develop the preferred treatment against aggressive periodontitis. Our innovative therapeutic agent, QR-01, distinguishes itself through its unique ability to provide treatment of both inflammation and bacterial infection. About Nordicus Partners Corporation Nordicus Partners Corporation is the only U.S. publicly traded business accelerator and holding company for Nordic life sciences companies. Leveraging decades of combined management experience in domestic and global corporate sectors, Nordicus excels in corporate finance activities including business and market development, growth strategies, talent acquisition, partnership building, capital raising, and facilitating company acquisitions and sales. In 2024, Nordicus acquired 100% of Orocidin A/S, a Danish preclinical-stage biotech company developing next-generation therapies for periodontitis and 100% of Bio-Convert ApS, a Danish preclinical-stage biotech company dedicated to revolutionizing the treatment of oral leukoplakia. For more information about Nordicus, please visit: www.nordicuspartners.com, and follow us on LinkedIn, X, Threads and BlueSky. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: This press release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. You can identify these statements by the use of forward-looking terminology such as may, will, should, expect, anticipate, project, estimate, intend, continue or believe or the negatives thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology. You should read statements that contain these words carefully because they discuss our plans, strategies, prospects and expectations concerning our business, operating results, financial condition and other similar matters. We believe that it is important to communicate our future expectations to our investors. There may be events in the future, however, that we are not able to predict accurately or control. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this press release speaks only as of the date on which we make it. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Austin. TX, April 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Upbring applauds the introduction of the Foster Care Tax Credit Act of 2025 (HR 2438) in the U.S. House on Thursday, March 27. As a member of the Foster Care Tax Credit Coalition, Upbring supports this bipartisan bill by Congressional members Erin Houchin (R-IN) and Julie Johnson (D-TX). The proposed $850 annual refundable tax credit will help ease financial burdens on short-term foster parents, improving recruitment and retention to provide children with the stability they deserve. Currently, foster parents who commit to short-term placementsdefined as 15 consecutive days in one month, for up to six monthsare ineligible for the federal tax benefits accessible to long-term foster parents, who can claim children as dependents. The proposed bill aims to rectify this disparity by introducing a tax credit specifically for short-term foster parents, providing much-needed financial relief. Fostering provides vital care to children in needbut it also entails significant financial responsibilities, including purchasing basic necessities such as clothing, school supplies and hygiene products, said Michael Loo, President & CEO of Upbring. Despite these obligations, current financial resources for foster parents often fall short. The FCTC is a welcome change that would help foster parents succeed so children can heal and thrive. Building on its deep experience in child welfare policy, Upbring was instrumental in crafting and securing the introduction of this legislation. The organization played a central role, ensuring that the bills provisions directly address the financial gaps short-term foster parents face. Through its leadership within the coalition, Upbring helped shape the legislation to reflect the real needs of families providing care. Upbring was founded over 140 years ago to provide a safe environment and care for abandoned, neglected, and abused children in Texas. Today, it drives societal change by focusing on child wellbeing, using innovative approaches to empower children to be resilient and live a life of opportunity. We deeply appreciate Congresswoman Johnson and Congresswoman Houchin for their dedication to assist the families who offer life-restoring care to the children in their homes, no matter how long, leaving a lasting, positive impact on our communities, said Loo. This legislation serves as an excellent starting point to provide more support to foster parents and would further enable Upbring and this sector as a whole to change the world through our children. Upbring is optimistic about the impactful collaboration with its partners in the Foster Care Tax Credit Coalition and federal allies on Capitol Hill. To learn more about Upbring and the Foster Care Tax Credit Coalition, visit click here. Stay updated with the latest news and developments by following Upbring on Facebook, Instagram and X. About Upbring Founded in 1881, Upbring is a Texas-wide organization implementing generational innovation to advance child wellbeing. We are the leaders in delivering a broad spectrum of life-restoring services that elevate and heal human beings in our communities. Intent on shifting perspectives and reimagining current systems, our work secures a future free from the damages of abuse. Join us in our mission to break the cycle of child abuse by empowering children, families and communities. About the Foster Care Tax Credit Coalition Alongside its partners, Upbring is optimistic about the impactful collaboration among the Child Welfare League of America, National Foster Parent Association and many more, all united in advocating for the wellbeing of children in foster care and their caregivers. Attachment LA JOLLA, Calif., April 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ThoughtExchange , the leading K-12 survey and engagement platform, is proud to announce its new role as CommunityEDU's official engagement and analytics partner. Through the partnership, ThoughtExchange strengthens its commitment to supporting K-12 district leaders in engaging their communities and leveraging data-driven insights. The partnership will extend to CommunityEDUs network of established event, media, and community brands, including District Administration Leadership Institute (DALI), Future of Education Technology Conference (FETC), DA Leadhership Network for Women, District Administration, and University Business. DALI members meet for retreats and summits throughout the year, which serve as a vital space for district leadership, innovation, and collaboration. Through these events, ThoughtExchange will empower DALI members with expert insights and thought leadership into K-12's most pressing problems. In addition, DALI members will have access to exclusive ThoughtExchange benefits, including a discount on new subscriptions, so that they can leverage cutting-edge survey and analysis capabilities in their districts. DALI member Dr. Barbara A. Mullen, Superintendent at Rush-Henrietta Central School District, is enthusiastic about the partnership announcement. I love working with ThoughtExchange. It has allowed my district to be laser-focused in the work, she explains. I enjoy sharing our impact with the DALI network and look forward to more opportunities to spread awareness of how ThoughtExchange brings communities together. Our partnership with CommunityEDU provides its DALI members with an advanced platform for collaboration and action planning, solidifying our commitment to education leaders, says ThoughtExchange CEO George Psiharis. By working together, CommunityEDU and ThoughtExchange are equipping leaders with solutions to better understand their districts, address key challenges, and make a long-term, positive impact in their communities. "We are thrilled to partner with ThoughtExchange as the official engagement and analytics partner, says Amy Dujon, Vice President of Education at CommunityEDU. This collaboration will enable us to provide leaders with real-time insights and actionable research, equipping them with the data-driven strategies needed to navigate challenges and drive meaningful change in their districts. Together, we are enhancing our commitment to advancing innovative leadership and informed decision-making. ThoughtExchange has long been a trusted partner for K-12 districts and administrators, offering an innovative platform that ensures every voice is heard and decisions are informed by local context. Thousands of education leaders across America use ThoughtExchange to solve their most pressing problems, from attendance to staff retentionmaking their districts more responsive and resilient, and their students more successful. By partnering with CommunityEDU, ThoughtExchange furthers its mission to help administrators navigate complex challenges while fostering transparency and trust. About the Partnership The partnership between ThoughtExchange and CommunityEDU brings together two leaders in K-12 education. With a fixed number of surveys and engagements conducted annually, ThoughtExchange will provide DALI members access to valuable insights and reports enriched by its additional research through other associations. This fall, ThoughtExchange will present a robust state of K-12 education report, compiling its broader industry research with DALI member insights. DALI members will also receive an exclusive discount on new ThoughtExchange subscriptions, and more benefits will be announced soon. Discount redemption page: https://thoughtexchange.com/dali-member-offer/ About ThoughtExchange ThoughtExchange is the leading survey and engagement platform. By combining deep AI capabilities with proprietary qualitative survey methods, our award-winning SaaS platform bridges the gap between quantitative sentiment and actionable solutions. Whether engaging 10 or 10,000 people, leaders use ThoughtExchange to quickly gain critical community and employee insights and improve decision-making. Thousands of K-12, enterprise, and public leaders have trusted the platform to gather high-quality feedback thats accessible and representative of the voices in their organizations. Company website: https://thoughtexchange.com/ About CommunityEDU CommunityEDU was established in 2025 to unify its network of powerful media, events, and community platforms to equip education and technology leaders with the tools, knowledge, and connections to create meaningful change across K-12 and higher education. Media platforms powered by CommunityEDU include District Administration and University Business. Events include the Future of Education Technology (FETC) and the DA Leadhership Network for Women. CommunityEDU also encompasses the District Administration Leadership Institute (DALI), which provides cutting-edge leadership development opportunities through the DALI Superintendents Summits and DALI Cabinet Retreats. Company website: http://www.community-edu.com/ Contact Alex Chapple media.inquires@thoughtexchange.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d06f5341-377c-4c76-880d-d93ec3745b4b Rapid City, South Dakota, April 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Strider Education Foundation Commemorates All Kids Bike Day and Sets Goals for Kindergarten PE Learn-to-Ride Program The Celebration Features Program Activations on Either Side of the Country with Support from Yamaha and The HDR Foundation RAPID CITY, S.D. April 2, 2025 The Strider Education Foundation commemorated All Kids Bike Day on March 28, with celebratory program activations across the nation and Governors in North and South Dakota issuing proclamations commending the organization and its Kindergarten PE Learn-to-Ride Program. All Kids Bike Day is recognized annually as the day Strider Education Foundation received its nonprofit status and began its work of giving every child in America the opportunity to learn how to ride a bike in school. In honoring All Kids Bike Day, North Dakota governor Kelly Armstrong proclaimed: Learning to ride promotes confidence, independence and lifelong physical activity and helps combat the serious health problems facing children today including obesity and chronic disease. North Dakota became the first state in the nation to implement the All Kids Bike program statewide to expand access to biking education, ensuring all children, regardless of background or ability, can experience the benefits and joy of riding a bike. In the last 7 years, All Kids Bike has achieved numerous milestones, including: Implementing its Kindergarten PE Learn-to-Ride Program in 1,650 elementary schools across all 50 United States Helping more than 160,000 children learn to ride in the 2024-2025 school year Ensuring more than 1 million children will learn to ride in the next 10 years with the programs in place Facilitating statewide implementation in North Dakota, guaranteeing every kindergartener in the state will learn how to ride a bike in school and inspiring governors across the country to do the same On All Kids Bike Day, we thank all our donors, partners, school administrators, and educators for the crucial role theyve played in our success, said Lisa Weyer, executive director of the Strider Education Foundation. We also look to the future with great ambition to expand into 5,000 schools by 2030 and facilitate statewide implementation in at least five more states, so we can ensure that thousands more children will learn how to ride a bike in kindergarten. In celebration of All Kids Bike Day, 6 schools received the Kindergarten PE Learn-to-Ride Program, on both sides of the country thanks to support from HDR Foundation and the Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative. As a result, more than 600 kindergarteners began learning the life-long skill of riding a bike. In the East, HDR Foundation funded All Kids Bike programs at Carlin Springs, Abingdon Elementary School, and Randolph Elementary School in Arlington, VA and Yamaha supported Hiawassee Elementary School in Orlando, FL. On the West Coast, Yamaha delivered bikes to South Tamarind Elementary School in Fontana, CA as part of its BLU CRU Invitational event and HDR supported a program activation at Madison Elementary School in Pasadena, CA. For more information about All Kids Bike, to donate, or to submit an application for a school to receive the program, please visit AllKidsBike.org. # # # ABOUT ALL KIDS BIKE The All Kids Bike Kindergarten PE Learn-to-Ride Program launched in 2018 with a simple mission: to give every child in America the opportunity to learn how to ride a bike in school. The comprehensive program includes teacher training and certification, complete curriculum with lesson plans, games and activities, a fleet of 24 Strider balance-to-pedal bikes, pedal conversion kits, fully adjustable student helmets, an instructor bike with pedal conversion kit and helmet, two rolling storage racks, and access to a resource portal with live support for the life of the program. Supported by the Strider Education Foundation, All Kids Bike Kindergarten PE Learn-to-Ride Programs are active in over 1,600 schools across all 50 states, teaching more than 160,000 kids to ride each year and over 1 million kids throughout the 10-year lifespan of the programs already in place. For more information, please visit www.allkidsbike.org. Contact: Strider Education Foundation/All Kids Bike 605-956-3877 www.allkidsbike.org media@allkidsbike.org Attachments PARSIPPANY, N.J., April 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Acrow, a leading international bridge engineering and supply company, is pleased to note one of its modular steel bridges was recently installed in rural Cibola County, New Mexico, to replace a structure that was destroyed during heavy rains. Because the bridge provides the only reliable access to a small community, re-establishing a safe route for residents, public school transport and emergency services was a priority. Cibola County, located in the mountainous Colorado Plateau region of New Mexico, was experiencing a period of extreme drought when a particularly intense rainfall overwhelmed drainage systems and collapsed a concrete culvert bridge over the Seboyeta Creek on County Road 5 in the village of Moquino. After being notified of the collapse by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Acrow personnel traveled to the site to assess the situation, offering the modular steel 700XS bridge to Cibola County as a cost-effective permanent solution. Acrows panel bridge was purchased by the county and components of the structure arrived at the remote site in late October 2024, with assembly and installation completed by project contractor Compass Engineering & Construction Services, LLC. The bridge is 80 feet long and has a roadway width of 30 feet to accommodate two lanes of traffic. It was designed to AASHTO HL-93 loading, and was supplied with an epoxy-aggregate anti-skid deck and a TL-4 guardrail system. After assembly, which was completed within a week, the bridge was installed with a crane-assisted launch. Once the approaches and other ancillary construction activities were completed, the bridge was inspected and opened to traffic. Acrows bridges are an ideal solution for permanent, temporary and emergency projects in remote, challenging locations. Unlike traditional construction methods, components are easily transported, and rapidly assembled and installed with minimal heavy equipment. Acrows durable modular steel bridges are hot-dip galvanized to protect against corrosion, and offer a long service life with only minimal maintenance, making them a dependable choice for proactive planning for future events. As extreme climate events increase in frequency, Acrows modular bridges can enable the restoration of critical bridge infrastructure quickly, safely and efficiently, said Dan Schrager, Business Development Manager Southwest Region. Manufactured with high-quality, high-strength steel, Acrows solutions are built to last and are ideal for permanent applications like this important project in Cibola County. Added Eugene Sobecki, Director National Sales and Military Business Development, When tasked with using public funds most effectively, project owners and contractors often turn to Acrow. Compared with more traditional construction methods, our bridging solutions offer cost efficiencies without compromising on quality or safety. About Acrow Acrow has been serving the transportation and construction industries for more than 70 years with a wide range of modular steel bridging solutions for permanent, temporary, military and emergency use. Acrows extensive international presence includes leadership in the development and implementation of bridge infrastructure projects in over 150 countries across Africa, Asia, the Americas, Europe and the Middle East. For more information, please visit www.acrow.com. Media contact: Tracy Van Buskirk Marketcom PR Main: (212) 537-5177, ext. 8; Mobile: (203) 246-6165 tvanbuskirk@marketcompr.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/71bcaf54-24a7-4ead-b4de-f9cdaa2f51d6 Paris, April 2nd, 2025 IN CHALLENGING MARKET CONDITIONS, SYNERGIE CONTINUES TO GROW WHILE PRESERVING ITS FINANCIAL ROBUSTNESS Revenue: 3,184.9 million EBITDA: 130.6 million Net profit: 67.1 million On April 2nd, 2025, 2024 SYNERGIE Board of Directors, chaired by Mr Victorien Vaney, approved the consolidated full year financial statements for the period ended December 31st , 2024. The auditing procedures for these financial statements are complete and the corresponding reports are being issued. Consolidated - in million 2024 2023 Variation % Revenue 3,184.9 3,108.5 +2.5% EBITDA 130.6 153.2 -14.8% EBITA* 103.7 127.9 -18.9% Operating profit 95.6 116.1 -17.7% Net profit 67.1 78.6 -14.6% Net profit Group share 63.1 74.9 -19,7% * Current operating profit before amortisation and impairment of intangible assets REVENUE OF 3,184.9 MILLION Despite a challenging market, SYNERGIE continued to grow over the year, setting a new sales record at 3,184.9 million, up +2.5% on the 2023 financial year (+0.9% on a like-for-like basis). Synergie's performance in the face of a declining market confirms the strength of its business model, which is based on the strategic diversification of its portfolio of clients, sectors and geographical locations. SYNERGIE's performance in France, with sales of 1,264.8 million (39.7% of the consolidated total), down -2.2%, should be seen in the context of the national market which is in sharp decline mainly due to political uncertainties and the economic difficulties of companies. International sales (+5.8%), which account for 60.3% (1,920.1 million) of the Group's business, were driven by an organic growth of +0.5% and the input of acquisitions which generated 44m over the year. Growth in Northern and Eastern Europe (+4.0%) remained positive despite the economic slowdown in these countries thanks to an outstanding performance of our Belgian subsidiary in a declining market. Southern Europe continued to grow with a remarkable commercial drive (+5.8%) of our Italian and Spanish operations. EBITDA AND EBITA SYNERGIE achieved in 2024 an EBITDA of 130.6 million (4.1% of revenue), versus 153.2 million in 2023. This decline in EBITDA is attributed to the decrease of the revenues in France, the financial and operational difficulties in Germany, the effects of regulatory changes in some countries and the Group's continued efforts to support its growth and digitalization. The EBITA reached 103.7 million (3.3% of revenue). The International business contributed 54.9 million (53% of EBITA), while France contributed 48.8 million (47% of EBITA). OPERATING PROFIT Operating profit came to 95.6 million, in line with the trend of Current Operating Profit. NET PROFIT After Tax expenses of 35.8 million and a Financial Result of 7.4 million, the consolidated Net Profit amounted to 67.1 million (of which the Groups share is 63.1 million). A STRENGTHENED FINANCIAL STRUCTURE With shareholders equity of 719.6 million as of December 31st and a cash position net of debt of 288.7 million, the Group reinforces its financial strength. 2025 OUTLOOK Despite the economic challenges faced in certain markets, with the contraction of the staffing market in France and other European countries, SYNERGIE remains confident thanks to its continued diversification and international expansion strategy in its ability to increase its revenues in 2025. SYNERGIE financial structure remains strong, and the company intends to pursue new acquisitions, both in France and abroad. DIVIDENDS The Board of Directors has decided to propose a dividend of 0.5 per share at the Shareholders Meeting of June 4, 2025. This dividend will be payable on July 1, 2025. NEXT EVENT Communication of Revenues for the 1st quarter of 2025 on Wednesday April 23rd, 2025, after the stock market closing. Attachment MCLEAN, Va., April 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HII (NYSE: HII) announced today that its Mission Technologies division was awarded a $133 million contract by the U.S. Air National Guard to enhance the readiness and proficiency of flying units through live, virtual and constructive training. Under the 10-year task order, HII will provide expertise and staffing for the execution of distributed mission operations (DMO) events at the U.S. Air National Guards Distributed Training Operations Center (DTOC). Located on the Des Moines Air National Guard base, the DTOC is housed in the 132d Combat Training Squadron and connects more than 90 simulation sites across the country servicing readiness via training for the total and joint forces. Incorporating live, virtual, constructive elements into training dramatically increases the level of realism for air units and enables them to enhance the critical skills needed to succeed in the face of global threats, said Michael Lempke, president of Mission Technologies Global Security group. Our team is focused on the warfighter mission and is pleased to provide customized training solutions for our nations citizen airmen and U.S. Marine Corps command and control units. An image accompanying this release is available at: http://hii.com/news/hii-is-awarded-air-national-guard-training-contract-to-enhance-readiness/. HII provides high-value engineering and technology solutions for multi-domain training, creating realistic live and synthetic training environments that provide real-world mission rehearsal support. We are pleased to expand our services for the DTOC as part of HIIs ever-growing portfolio of U.S. Air Force aviation training programs, said John Scorsone, director for modeling, training and simulation in the Global Security group. The HII team will fully implement the Joint Simulation Bus, a software interface used by the Department of Defense, to modernize the DTOCs gateway connection. It will also use HIIs DMO test tools recently made available to Air Force Life Cycle Management Centers Advanced Training Capabilities Program Office. Work will be performed primarily in Des Moines, Iowa, and will focus on the wide array of training opportunities for the joint forces along with Air National Guard pilot training. About HII HII is a global, all-domain defense provider. HIIs mission is to deliver the worlds most powerful ships and all-domain solutions in service of the nation, creating the advantage for our customers to protect peace and freedom around the world. As the nations largest military shipbuilder, and with a more than 135-year history of advancing U.S. national security, HII delivers critical capabilities extending from ships to unmanned systems, cyber, ISR, AI/ML and synthetic training. Headquartered in Virginia, HIIs workforce is 44,000 strong. For more information, visit: HII on the web: https://www.HII.com/ HII on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeamHII HII on X: https://www.twitter.com/WeAreHII HII on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/WeAreHII Contact: Greg McCarthy (202) 264-7126 gregory.j.mccarthy@hii-co.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/daf233ad-203d-40c5-81c2-9b22228ebb8f Bellingham, WA, April 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Non-GMO Project , North Americas leading nonprofit organization for food transparency and labeling, has garnered interest from brand-name food companies from across the grocery store with its new Non-UPF Verified certification. During a recent webinar "Introducing Non-UPF Verified: The next step toward a food system that nourishes life, the organization provided food companies, retailers, distributors and industry partners with insights into how the Non-UPF Verified label will address the growing consumer need and nascent demand for minimally processed foods. Why now is the time for Non-UPF Verified Founder and CEO Megan Westgate shared comprehensive framing and intention about the new certification program. Without eating well, she pointed out, humans cannot function well, and this has broad consequences for sustainability. Humans have an outsized impact on life on earth, and were increasingly not functioning well, she said. Restoring human wellbeing and cognitive function is imperative for the wellbeing of all life. I believe that food is the single most significant intervention for recovering baseline capacities for human functioning so that we can live consciously and responsibly. Westgate outlined how the new Non-UPF certification fits within its Food Integrity Collective 8-petal framework , which encompasses minimal processing, non-GMO practices, regenerative sourcing, healthy human communities, animal wellbeing, mindful packaging, nutrient density, and living water and watersheds. The nonprofit organization identified an especially critical gap in accountability for minimal processing and additives yet to be addressed in the industry. The new Non-UPF Verified label aims to fill this gap by providing eaters with a label to help them avoid UPFs in the same way that they can avoid GMOs today. Both the market demand and health concerns back up the shift towards minimally processed foods. Today 91% of all adults in the US and Canada want products to have all recognizable ingredients, Westgate shared. (Linkage Market Research, 2024). She also noted consistent findings from the British Medical Journal show UPF consumption is linked to 32 adverse health conditions . The buzz from food brands Household brand names to startups have expressed enthusiasm for the new Non-UPF Verified label. Hundreds of brands representing many more products attended the recent webinar or have signed up for the Non-UPF Verified waitlist. About 20 food brands from across the grocery store footprint have been invited to participate in the Non-UPF pilot program, which will gather and incorporate insights directly from these committed brands about the new certification. The purpose of the pilot, Westgate said, is really to learn from food manufacturers, and to pressure test the first draft of a standard, ultimately providing consumers with trustworthy informed choice that is also achievable and meaningful within the CPG space. The launch of a new certification When will the new label be in stores? The pilot program will kick off this spring, with the finalization of the Non-UPF standard expected this summer. Brands interested in applying for verification can expect the program to open the fall of 2025. With the Non-GMO Project, we've seen firsthand the incredible power of informed choice to move markets and transform the food system, said Westgate. We see the potential to go a lot further together. We hold both the power and the responsibility to collaboratively create a retail food system that promotes and restores health in human communities and the broader collective of life on Earth. Learn more about the Non-UPF Verified by accessing the webinar recording . Brands interested in verification can sign up for the waitlist and consumers, retailers and partners can utilize the comment form to share feedback on the program. ### About the Non-GMO Project The Non-GMO Project is a mission-driven nonprofit organization dedicated to collaboratively creating a retail food system that promotes and restores health in humans, communities, and the broader collective of life on Earth through its new Food Integrity Collective , Non-UPF Verified program, and Non-GMO Project Verified mark. Since 2007, the Non-GMO Project Verified seal remains North Americas most trusted third-party verification for GMO avoidance. Backed by their rigorous Standard, the Butterfly label is a meaningful way for brands and retailers to show their commitment to non-GMO choices and the food transparency that shoppers seek. Learn more at www.foodintegritycollective.org , www.nongmoproject.org and www.nonultraprocessed.org . Attachments Fort Lauderdale, FL, April 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Odyssey Wellness (The Company or Odyssey), a leading Ready-to-Drink (RTD) functional beverage focused on cognitive and mood-boosting performance, is disrupting the energy drink category with its innovative blend of high-potency Lions Mane, Cordyceps, and other ingredients, offering exceptional flavor without any artificial sweeteners, today announced that Scott Frohman, Founder & CEO, will be presenting at the Planet MicroCap Showcase: Vegas 2025, taking place at the Paris Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, NV on April 22-24, 2025. Planet MicroCap Showcase: Vegas 2025 Presentation Date: Wednesday, April 23, 2025 Time: 8:00 a.m. PT Location: Paris Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, NV, in Track 4 - Loire Webcast:https://event.summitcast.com/view/YNz6mnmEsXyrdRxb78w2nX/guest_book?session_id=dg9qbWcRKCiupyJLwGgr5q To schedule a one-on-one investor meeting with Mr. Frohman, please contact your representatives at Planet Micro or email KCSA Strategic Communications at Odyssey@KCSA.com. About Odyssey Wellness Odyssey Wellness is the fastest-growing brand in the functional natural energy beverage segment, specializing in cognition, energy, and mood-boosting performance. By combining high-potency ingredients like Lions Mane, Cordyceps, L-theanine, and Panax Ginseng, Odyssey is disrupting the traditional energy drink market with a focus on natural, effective performance enhancement. Our product line includes three innovative offerings: Odyssey Elixir, Odyssey 222, and Odyssey Revive, each designed to deliver a superior clean energy experience without the artificial additives. About Planet Microcap Planet MicroCap is a global multimedia financial news, publishing and events company focused on news dissemination, providing information, data and analytics for the MicroCap investing community. We have cultivated an active and engaged audience of folks that are interested in learning about and to stay ahead of the curve in the MicroCap space. Investor Contact: Valter Pinto, Managing Director KCSA Strategic Communications PH: (212) 896-1254 Odyssey@KCSA.com LIJA, Malta, April 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The XRP ecosystem is heating up and not just from recent price action. In a bold move thats caught the attention of retail investors and whales alike, BlocScale , the first native IDO launchpad on the XRP Ledger, has entered its Seed Sale phase with explosive momentum. As the demand for real-world asset tokenization grows, early investors are rapidly accumulating $BLOC tokens on Seed Sale , fueling a wave of anticipation that BlocScale could be XRPs next breakout success. A New Era for XRP: Tokenization Meets Capital Access For years, the XRP Ledger has stood as one of the most technically advanced blockchains, known for its speed, low fees, and enterprise-grade infrastructure. Yet, it has long lacked one critical component an on-chain launchpad to help startups and businesses raise capital directly on XRP. BlocScale is solving that. By providing an IDO platform purpose-built for XRP, BlocScale is opening the door for Web3 startups and real-world businesses to tokenize assets, launch tokens, and reach a global investor base all while benefiting from XRPs native liquidity and infrastructure. BUY $BLOC TOKEN $BLOC Seed Sale Momentum: Investors Are Not Waiting Since launching, the $BLOC Seed Sale has attracted widespread investor attention, with over 20% of the allocation already sold within days. The buzz is real: investors see $BLOC as not only a governance and utility token for BlocScales platform but also as a long-term asset with significant upside in a rapidly growing niche. $BLOC Seed Sale Details: Token: $BLOC Price: 1 XRP = 50 $BLOC Allocation: 10,000,000 BLOC (10% of total supply) Soft Cap: 10,000 XRP (Achieved) Soft Cap: 50,000 XRP Min Buy: 200 XRP Max Buy: 20,000 XRP Participate in $BLOC SeedSale Now: https://www.blocscale.com/blocsale Why the Rush To Participate in $BLOC SeedSale? First-Mover Advantage on XRP: BlocScale is the first and only launchpad currently live on XRPL. Real-World Asset Tokenization: BlocScale enables the tokenization of assets like real estate, equity, and more. Whale Confidence: On-chain activity and wallet analytics confirm growing whale interest in $BLOC accumulation. Investor-Centric Structure: 40% of raised funds are allocated to DEX liquidity, creating immediate trading support post-sale. Governance Utility: $BLOC holders will help shape the future of the platform, including which projects get launched. Final Thoughts: Dont Miss XRPs Next Big Opportunity With the $BLOC seed sale already surpassing 20% of allocation and real-world tokenization projects like XCAT going live, BlocScale is clearly more than just another platformits a movement. For early adopters and forward-thinking investors, this is your chance to secure a stake in a platform thats pioneering real innovation on XRPL. Join the $BLOC Seed Sale now and be part of the next wave of growth on XRP. Stay Connected With Blocscale Launchpad; For more information, Visit: Website | $BLOC Seed Sale Portal | X | Telegram | WhitePaper Contact Details: Eric Shawn contact@bloscale.com Disclaimer: This press release is provided by the BlocScale. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sectorincluding cryptocurrency, NFTs, and miningcomplete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility. Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an "as-is" basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/36e3c0e7-e110-41fc-82e4-050397706d0a TORONTO, April 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Peerage Realty Partners, the prominent leader in luxury residential real estate markets across North America, welcomes Tara Brown to her new role as CEO, Peerage Realty Partners. She also retains the title of President, Peerage Group Sothebys International Realty and her place on the Executive Committee of Peerage Realty Partners, both of which she has held since joining Peerage Realty Partners in June 2024. Brown replaces Gavin Swartzman, who retired as CEO on March 31 after a tenure of exemplary leadership and growth for the company. We are fortunate to have someone of Taras calibre to take the helm of Peerage Realty Partners as Gavin retires, said Miles S. Nadal, founding Executive Chair of Peerage Capital. It speaks to our deep bench strength as an organization, and it ensures our momentum will continue seamlessly. Said Brown: Id like to express my gratitude to Miles Nadal and Peerage Capital CEO, Trevor Maunder, for the privilege of taking on the role of CEO Peerage Realty Partners at such a pivotal time in the real estate industry. I would like to thank the Peerage Realty Partners team for their continued dedication, and particularly, Gavin, for generously sharing his expertise and years of service. She added: I am truly excited about partnering with all the exceptional leaders across Peerage Realty Partners, building with our passionate teams, and supporting the dedicated advisors across North America as we embark on the next phase of growth. Brown brings over 20 years of transformative leadership experience across diverse consumer businesses and brands and has a proven record of accelerating growth and creating value in Fortune 500 and private equity companies, including Procter & Gamble, Johnson & Johnson, Keurig Dr Pepper, and most recently, Maesa, a Bain Capital portfolio beauty company, where she served as the Group Chief Marketing Officer globally. She has operated locally, regionally, and globally, leading large multi-functional organizations and agile, entrepreneurial teams. She holds a masters in business administration (MBA) from the Johnson Graduate School of Management at Cornell University in the United States and an MBA and Honours Bachelor of Commerce from Queens University in Canada. For more information: Deirdre McMurdy dmcmurdy@peeragecapital.com ABOUT PEERAGE REALTY PARTNERS Peerage Realty Partners is a leading residential real estate services firm, serving luxury markets across North America. Its brokerage partners include leading Sotheby's International Realty franchisees, and renowned independent firms in both re-sale residential real estate brokerage, and new construction marketing. Peerage Realty core service activities include real estate financing, transaction services, asset management, and home improvement for purpose-built rental properties. Peerage Realty has the unique benefit of being a privately-owned enterprise that is positioned to commit to long-term partnerships and investments. Peerage Realty is projected to transact about US$34.8 billion (C$47.7 billion) in sales in 2024 through its partner firms. It has over 6,100 best-in-class sales representatives (4,500 are agents of Sotheby's International Realty affiliates) and employees with 206 offices in Canada and the United States. To support growth and expansion among partners, Peerage Realty consistently provides strategic input, capital, technology, operational expertise, marketing, communications, and value-added products and services that differentiate and strengthen its partner firms in competitive markets. Its goal is to expand the suite of services that its partner firms can offer to enhance the client experience through all phases of a real estate transaction and beyond. www.peeragerealty.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f569f071-4d6c-43b9-88b4-43d0913f9e62 TORONTO, April 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Allied Properties Real Estate Investment Trust (Allied) (TSX:AP.UN) will hold a conference call and live audio webcast at 10:00 a.m. (ET) on Thursday, May 1, 2025, to discuss financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2025. The financial results will be released on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, after the markets close. The conference call can be accessed by dialing 1 (800) 715-9871 or (647) 932-3411, conference ID #1855436. The webcast will be accessible here or at www.alliedreit.com and will be archived for 90 days. ABOUT ALLIED Allied is a leading owner-operator of distinctive urban workspace in Canadas major cities. Allieds mission is to provide knowledge-based organizations with workspace that is sustainable and conducive to human wellness, creativity, connectivity and diversity. Allieds vision is to make a continuous contribution to cities and culture that elevates and inspires the humanity in all people. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Cecilia C. Williams President and Chief Executive Officer (416) 977-9002 cwilliams@alliedreit.com Nanthini Mahalingam Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (416) 977-9002 nmahalingam@alliedreit.com Nokia Corporation Stock Exchange Release 2 April 2025 at 22:30 EEST Nokia Corporation: Repurchase of own shares on 02.04.2025 Espoo, Finland On 2 April 2025 Nokia Corporation (LEI: 549300A0JPRWG1KI7U06) has acquired its own shares (ISIN FI0009000681) as follows: Trading venue (MIC Code) Number of shares Weighted average price / share, EUR* XHEL 1,729,256 4.94 CEUX 1,007,408 4.93 BATE - - AQEU 140,853 4.93 TQEX 129,103 4.93 Total 3,006,620 4.93 * Rounded to two decimals On 22 November 2024, Nokia announced that its Board of Directors is initiating a share buyback program to offset the dilutive effect of new Nokia shares issued to the shareholders of Infinera Corporation and certain Infinera Corporation share-based incentives. The repurchases in compliance with the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014 (MAR), the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052 and under the authorization granted by Nokias Annual General Meeting on 3 April 2024 started on 25 November 2024 and end by 31 December 2025 and target to repurchase 150 million shares for a maximum aggregate purchase price of EUR 900 million. Total cost of transactions executed on 2 April 2025 was EUR 14,834,663. After the disclosed transactions, Nokia Corporation holds 220,509,131 treasury shares. Details of transactions are included as an appendix to this announcement. On behalf of Nokia Corporation BofA Securities Europe SA About Nokia At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together. As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs which is celebrating 100 years of innovation. With truly open architectures that seamlessly integrate into any ecosystem, our high-performance networks create new opportunities for monetization and scale. Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable and sustainable networks today and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future. Inquiries: Nokia Communications Phone: +358 10 448 4900 Email: press.services@nokia.com Maria Vaismaa, Global Head of External Communications Nokia Investor Relations Phone: +358 931 580 507 Email: investor.relations@nokia.com Attachment LONDON, April 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Appian Capital Advisory LLP (Appian), the investment advisor to long-term value-focused private capital funds that invest in companies in metals, mining, and adjacent industries, is pleased to announce the completion of the sale of Mineracao Vale Verde (MVV) to Baiyin Nonferrous Group Co., Ltd (Baiyin Nonferrous) for an all-cash offer of US$420 million. Highlights Funds advised by Appian have completed an all-cash transaction for the 100% sale of MVV to Baiyin Nonferrous for US$420 million Appian has executed its investment thesis and realized significant value for its investors by bringing MVV into production and delivering an attractive mid-scale copper-gold open pit mining operation from greenfield Acquired in 2018 with ten employees, MVV began production in May 2021, just three years after its initial investment MVVs stable operations and strong financial performance have been achieved alongside a leading safety track record with zero Lost Time Incidents ("LTI") in the last three years, with over 1050 people now working on-site MVV will continue to deliver copper over multiple decades with its efficient operations that position the mine in the middle of the industry cost curve Appians funds remain well positioned with positive exposure to key trends, including the energy transition The transaction marks Appians 13th successful exit and demonstrates the effectiveness of Appians operating model in identifying, acquiring, and optimizing undervalued mining projects using technical arbitrage to create significant value for its investors. This approach is underpinned by Appians leading cross-disciplinary team, which includes geologists, engineers, metallurgists, and finance professionals focused on creating value across all aspects of Appians portfolio. Michael W. Scherb, Founder and CEO of Appian, commented: This transaction further validates Appians ability to identify great overlooked assets and use our in-house technical expertise to realize their potential and optimize their value for our investors. It underlines the strategic positioning of Appians portfolio to support the growing demand for a reliable supply of high-quality critical minerals. Transaction details The completed transaction encompasses 100% of the equity in MVV owned by the Appian funds. The headline purchase price of US$420 million is on a cash-free, debt-free basis. Appian is committed to ensuring MVVs continued success under new ownership and, following the completion, is now providing operational support to Baiyin Nonferrous to assist with the transition and full takeover of the asset. As part of the Transaction, Baiyin Nonferrous demonstrated its commitment to safety and maintaining MVVs leading ESG practices, which Appian has implemented in alignment with globally recognized best practices. Standard Chartered and Citigroup acted as the financial advisors, and Norton Rose Fulbright was the legal advisor to Appian on this Transaction. MVV acquisition and optimization The Appian funds acquired MVV, owner of the Serrote greenfield open-pit copper-gold asset located in Alagoas, Brazil, from Aura Minerals in 2018 with ten employees. Appian identified Serrote as a rare standalone, construction-ready, copper project with meaningful precious metal by-product credits that could benefit from its technical arbitrage and asset development strategy. Following the acquisition, Appian completed a revised Definitive Feasibility Study based on the internal view of a re-scoped project developed during due diligence. This included reducing plant throughput and focusing production on a higher-grade section of the resources with a lower strip ratio. These changes led to a lower initial CAPEX budget of US$243 million vs US$420 million in the original mine plan and reduced operating costs over the life of mine. Appian actively worked across all aspects of the investment to unlock value. This included building the in-country management team and installing Appians best practice operating standards and procedures. Appian also secured a US$140 million financing facility for the project from a syndicate of three international banks and signed favorable offtake contracts with global traders and smelters. The mine was constructed during the COVID-19 pandemic and brought to production in May 2021. The project was delivered ahead of schedule and under budget by US$48 million, within three years of Appians initial acquisition. The ramp-up of commercial operations was completed in Q4 2022. MVV has been in stable operation for two years since and today has over 1050 employees. MVV has a best-in-class safety record and operates with the highest ESG standards. The project has recorded zero LTIs with over 1.9 million hours worked in the last 12 months, and zero LTIs in the past 36 months. Its Scope 1 and 2 emissions intensity per tonne of copper produced was 1.53 t CO 2 e/t in 2023, less than half the industry average reported by the International Energy Agency. In 2024, MVV achieved strong operational and financial results with 18.3kt of copper and 8.2koz of gold produced, generating an EBITDA of US$83.9 million from US$184.4 million of revenue. The mines average C1 cash cost in 2024 was US$1.74/lb Cu. MVV will continue to deliver copper over multiple decades with its efficient operations that position the mine in the middle of the industry cost curve. The mine is well located with access to three ports and Maceio airport. The site is connected to the national grid via a 230kV powerline with access to low-cost, renewable energy, with Brazils energy mix being 86% renewable. MVV is the largest regional exporter in the Alagoas state, accounting for 28.2% of the state's total exports by value. 100% of MVVs employees are Brazilian, and over 80% are from the local municipalities. MVV has strong support from both the local community and regional authorities. Community initiatives are a core part of the mines operations and include providing support for school STEM programs, social projects for female entrepreneurs, and environmental educational courses. For further information: Click here to view and download a video detailing the history of MVV. Appian Capital Advisory LLP: Andrew Todd, Head of Communications: +44 7990416759 / atodd@appiancapitaladvisory.com +44 (0)20 7004 0951 / info@appiancapitaladvisory.com About Appian Capital Advisory LLP Appian Capital Advisory LLP is the investment advisor to long-term value-focused private capital funds that invest in companies in metals, mining, and adjacent industries. Appian is a leading investment advisor with global experience across South America, North America, Australia and Africa and a successful track record of supporting companies in metals, mining, and adjacent industries to achieve their development targets, with a global operating portfolio overseeing nearly 5,000 employees. Appian has a global team of 85 experienced professionals with presences in London, New York, Hong Kong, Toronto, Vancouver, Lima, Belo Horizonte, Montreal, Dubai, Johannesburg and Perth. For more information, please visit www.appiancapitaladvisory.com, or find us on LinkedIn, Instagram or Twitter/X. About Baiyin Nonferrous Group Co., Ltd Baiyin Nonferrous engages in the mining, smelting, processing, and trading of various non-ferrous metals in China. Founded in 1954, Baiyin Nonferrous has operations in China and overseas. In China, they own and operate mines and smelters in Gansu, Shaanxi, Inner Mongolia and other provinces. Their overseas operations include Gold One Group in South Africa and Minera Shouxin in Peru. Globally, Baiyin Nonferrous has a production capacity of 400ktpa copper, 400ktpa lead and zinc, 15tpa gold and 500tpa silver. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3fcfc2de-da91-4535-82c9-4e93cec91491 VERO BEACH, Fla. and GREENWICH, Conn., April 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BUCKLER Securities LLC (BUCKLER), an SEC and FINRA registered broker-dealer specializing in U.S. Treasury (cash) trading and high-quality liquid assets securities financing, today announced the expansion of its service offerings. BUCKLER has added FINRA-approved services for correspondent clearing, fixed income prime brokerage, and securities lending. These approvals are an important milestone in growing BUCKLER into a more comprehensive platform spanning securities prime services, said Richard Misiano, BUCKLERs Chief Executive Officer. We remain committed to continually enhancing our products to meet the needs of the institutional market and are confident these expanded offerings will bring a new level of service to our institutional clients and partners. BUCKLERs Sales and Trading business trades fixed-income securities over the counter on an agency and principal basis with broker-dealers, banks, U.S. State Funds, hedge funds, asset managers, sovereign wealth funds, and other institutional clients. Led by Gregory Minard, Managing Director, Repo Sales & Trading, BUCKLERs team will build upon its extensive market experience to grow these new offerings in correspondent clearing, fixed income prime brokerage, and securities lending. Andrew Lazar, Managing Director, Head of Sales, added, We are excited to expand BUCKLERs offerings. With these new services correspondent clearing, fixed income prime brokerage, and securities lending we will deliver to clients a superior trading experience with increased efficiencies, improved market access, and advanced risk management. About BUCKLER BUCKLER is a Securities and Exchange Commission and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority registered broker-dealer that specializes in providing long and short-term liquidity solutions. As a repo dealer, BUCKLER provides its clients with financing for mortgage-backed, agency and treasury securities. In addition, as a netting member of the Fixed Income Clearing Corporation approved to trade and clear General Collateral Finance repo, BUCKLER can help mitigate risk and source the most liquid collateral available through diverse counterparties. BUCKLER also offers trading and investment banking services, with expertise in the underwriting of public offerings and private placements. Additional Information and Where to Find It Interested parties may find additional information regarding BUCKLER on the website www.bucklerllc.com, or by directing requests to: BUCKLER Securities LLC., 3001 Ocean Drive, Suite 201, Vero Beach, Florida 32963. Additional Contact: BUCKLER Securities LLC 5 Greenwich Office Park Suite 350 Greenwich, CT 06831 203-633-2216 TORONTO, April 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nexus Industrial REIT (Nexus or the "REIT") (TSX: NXR.UN) announced today that it intends to release its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025, before the opening of the TSX on Thursday, May 15, 2025. Management of the REIT will host a conference call at 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time on Thursday May 15, 2025, to review the financial results and operations. To participate in the conference call, please dial 647-846-8414 or 1-833-752-3601 (toll free in Canada and the US) at least five minutes prior to the start time and ask to join the Nexus Industrial REIT conference call. A recording of the conference call will be available until June 15, 2025. To access the recording, please dial 1-412-317-0088 or 1-855-669-9658 (toll free in Canada and the US) and enter access code 4446040. About Nexus Industrial REIT Nexus is a growth-oriented real estate investment trust focused on increasing unitholder value through the acquisition of industrial properties located in primary and secondary markets in Canada and the ownership and management of its portfolio of properties. The REIT currently owns a portfolio of 90 properties (including one property held for development in which the REIT has an 80% interest) comprising approximately 11.7 million square feet of gross leasable area. The REIT has approximately 94,221,000 voting units issued and outstanding, including approximately 71,115,000 REIT Units and approximately 23,106,000 Class B LP Units of subsidiary limited partnerships of Nexus, which are convertible to REIT Units on a one-to-one basis. For further information please contact: Kelly C. Hanczyk, CEO at (416) 906-2379; or Mike Rawle, CFO at (647) 823-1381. Washington, D.C, April 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA) is proud to announce the winners of the 2025 SEPA Power Player Awards. These prestigious awards recognize outstanding individuals, organizations, and projects that have advanced the transition to a clean, affordable, and resilient energy system through bold leadership, collaborative partnerships, and replicable solutions. Reflecting the award programs original six focus areasresilience, emerging technology, transportation electrification, policy, energy storage, and energy equitythis years winners represent the ingenuity and dedication shaping a cleaner energy future for all. I am thrilled to recognize this years Power Player Awards recipients, each of whom has driven remarkable advancements in the energy sector, shared Sheri Givens, President and CEO of SEPA. This years winners reflect the real, measurable progress made in 2024 by individuals and organizations whose pioneering work not only propels us towards a sustainable energy future but also sets a global standard for innovation and collaborative success in the field. This year's awardees highlight the power of dedicated individuals and teams to effect real, impactful change, inspiring all of us to continue striving for excellence in our industry. In 2025, SEPA received nearly 100 nominations from across the U.S. and internationally, reflecting the breadth of innovation happening throughout the sector. Submissions came from utilities, corporations, regulators, project teams, and individualseach playing a vital role in advancing the energy transition. Winners and finalists were selected by a diverse panel of judges, including members of SEPAs Research Advisory Council, Program Advisory Committee, and internal subject matter experts, through an impartial scoring process focused on innovation, collaboration, and replicability. The winners were honored at the 2025 Power Player Awards Dinner on April 1, 2025, in San Diego, California, held in conjunction with SEPAs Energy Evolution Summit. The 2025 Awardees include the following: Resilience Power Player of the Year Awardee PPL Electric Utilities PPL Electric Utilities commitment to safety and reliability is demonstrated through its Predictive Failure project. At the heart of this project is the utilization of novel Early Fault Detection (EFD) technology. The implementation of EFD utilizes the Internet of Things, edge computing, and machine learning to help detect and pinpoint equipment defects on the distribution network, allowing for intervention and outage prevention in previously inaccessible locations. The project has been shown to improve public safety, service reliability, operational efficiency and mitigate the potential of wildfire ignition. As of December 2024, PPL had installed enough sensors to prevent nearly 300 outages that would have impacted more than 150,000 customers. Emerging Technology Power Player of the Year Awardee Arizona Public Service Arizona Public Service pioneered a virtual power plant (VPP) model that reduces energy demand through a network of customer-owned devices. Their Cool Rewards program uses residential and small to medium-business customers smart thermostats and battery storage systems to reduce the grids overall energy demand. Recently the program was able to reduce energy demand by 160 megawatts, while providing financial benefits to participating customers. This location-based demand response program demonstrates how the intersection of data and VPPs can enhance resilience during extreme events, making this model scalable for broader use. Transportation Electrification Power Player of the Year Awardee The Honorable Patricia Monahan, Commissioner Emeritus of the California Energy Commission The Honorable Patricia Monahan, Commissioner Emeritus of the California Energy Commission, has led the charge on the nations most robust zero-emission vehicle infrastructure program. Commissioner Monahan secured grant funding for the CALeVIP 2.0 initiative, EnergIIZE, and National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure - programs that advanced charging and hydrogen refueling infrastructure throughout California. Since their implementation, these initiatives have expanded to accommodate medium- and heavy-duty electric vehicles through inductive and megawatt charging. Californias cutting-edge lessons provide a guide for other states looking to expand electric vehicle adoption. Policy Power Player of the Year Awardee Commonwealth Edison With the enactment of the 2021 Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) demonstrated its commitment to clean energy through initiatives that included streamlining interconnection processes, improving customer support and education, providing financial incentives, and increasing stakeholder collaboration. Last year, ComEd interconnected more than one gigawatt of distributed energy resource capacity to their grid, provided analysis and oftentimes same-day approvals of interconnection applications, and offered near-real-time information for solar projects in high-fidelity hosting capacity maps. These initiatives can be replicated by adopting ComEds practices related to customer engagement, communication, and utilization of digital tools to streamline education and installation processes. Energy Storage Power Player of the Year Awardee Ampt Ampt has emerged as a leader in power management in response to Australias strict grid compliance codes. The organization has developed a Direct-to-Battery (D2B) system replicating the responsiveness of standalone storage in renewable generators. By utilizing Ampts innovative DC-coupled design, where DC/DC conversion occurs in the photovoltaic system, instead of a battery converter, substantial performance and cost advantages are realized. D2B architecture provides an integrated PV+ storage solution that optimizes clean power generation that outperforms existing infrastructure while reducing consumer costs. Energy Equity Power Player of the Year Awardee ConnectedSolutions EnergyHub, National Grid, Eversource, Cape Light Compact, Rhode Island Energy, and Unitil ConnectedSolutions is a collaboration between EnergyHub, National Grid, Eversource, Cape Light Compact, Rhode Island Energy, and Unitil to form a virtual power plant. ConnectedSolutions open access, device-agnostic program encourages participation from customers across all socio-economic backgrounds through behavioral programs or technology-intense devices, such as battery storage. Customers can maximize the program benefits by participating in other programs, such as regional energy markets. Amongst all distributed energy resource technologies, over 650 megawatts of flexible capacity was available in 2024. For more information, including a list of finalists and nomination details, visit the SEPA Power Player Awards webpage. About SEPA: The Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA), a 501(c)(3) organization with over 1,000 members, accelerates the transition to a clean, affordable, and resilient electricity system for all. SEPA engages with its diverse membership -- including utilities, policymakers, regulators, and technology companies -- through education, collaboration and convening to advance innovative policy, regulatory, and technology solutions. For more information, please visit www.sepapower.org. Attachment RADNOR, Pa., April 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The law firm of Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP (www.ktmc.com) informs investors that a securities class action lawsuit has been filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California against e.l.f. Beauty, Inc. (Elf) (NYSE: ELF) on behalf of those who purchased or otherwise acquired Elf securities between November 1, 2023, and November 19, 2024, inclusive (the Class Period). The lead plaintiff deadline is May 5, 2025. CONTACT KESSLER TOPAZ MELTZER & CHECK, LLP: If you suffered Elf losses, you may CLICK HERE or copy and paste the following link into your browser: https://www.ktmc.com/new-cases/elf-beauty-inc?utm_source=PR&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=elf&mktm=r You can also contact attorney Jonathan Naji, Esq. by calling (484) 270-1453 or by email at info@ktmc.com. DEFENDANTS ALLEGED MISCONDUCT: The complaint alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements, as well as failed to disclose material facts about the companys business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, Defendants misrepresented and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Elf was experiencing rising inventory levels as a consequence of flagging sales; (2) Elf falsely attributed the rising inventory levels to, among other things, changes in its sourcing practices; (3) to maintain investor confidence, Elf reported inflated revenue, profits, and inventory over several quarters; (4) accordingly, Elfs business and/or financial prospects were overstated; (5) all of the foregoing, once revealed, would likely have a material negative impact on Elf; and (6) as a result, Defendants statements about the companys business, operations, and prospects were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times. THE LEAD PLAINTIFF PROCESS: Elf investors may, no later than May 5, 2025, seek to be appointed as a lead plaintiff representative of the class through Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP or other counsel, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. A lead plaintiff is a representative party who acts on behalf of all class members in directing the litigation. The lead plaintiff is usually the investor or small group of investors who have the largest financial interest and who are also adequate and typical of the proposed class of investors. The lead plaintiff selects counsel to represent the lead plaintiff and the class and these attorneys, if approved by the court, are lead or class counsel. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision of whether or not to serve as a lead plaintiff. Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP encourages Elf investors who have suffered significant losses to contact the firm directly to acquire more information. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE CASE OR GO TO: https://www.ktmc.com/new-cases/elf-beauty-inc?utm_source=PR&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=elf&mktm=r ABOUT KESSLER TOPAZ MELTZER & CHECK, LLP: Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP prosecutes class actions in state and federal courts throughout the country and around the world. The firm has developed a global reputation for excellence and has recovered billions of dollars for victims of fraud and other corporate misconduct. All of our work is driven by a common goal: to protect investors, consumers, employees and others from fraud, abuse, misconduct and negligence by businesses and fiduciaries. The complaint in this action was not filed by Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP. For more information about Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP please visit www.ktmc.com. CONTACT: Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP Jonathan Naji, Esq. (484) 270-1453 280 King of Prussia Road Radnor, PA 19087 info@ktmc.com May be considered attorney advertising in certain jurisdictions. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. PASCAGOULA, Miss., April 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HII (NYSE: HII) hosted U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Eric Austin, deputy commandant for combat development and integration, fellow U.S. Marine Corps officers and Senate congressional staff at the companys Ingalls Shipbuilding division Monday. During the visit, the group met with Ingalls leadership and received a tour of the shipyard, including two amphibious warships currently under construction, Bougainville (LHA 8) and Harrisburg (LPD 30). Our Ingalls shipbuilders take immense pride in knowing that we are building the ships that protect our nation and support our U.S. Navy and Marine Corps team, Ingalls Shipbuilding President Brian Blanchette said. This visit reinforced the critical role our shipbuilders play in supporting our militarys mission and we appreciate the opportunity to showcase our progress in delivering this amphibious capability to the fleet. Ingalls has a long-standing history of building amphibious warships, and the collaboration between Ingalls Shipbuilding, the U.S. Navy and the Marine Corps was on full display during the visit. Photos accompanying this release are available at: http://hii.com/news/hiis-hosts-us-marine-corps-officers-at-ingalls-shipbuilding/. Austin expressed his appreciation for the workforce at Ingalls. The men and women here at Ingalls are not just building ships they are building the foundation of our nations ability to respond to global challenges. We extend our deepest gratitude to the hardworking shipbuilders whose expertise and commitment ensure we have the right tools to meet the challenges ahead, Austin said. Ingalls builds the LPD 17 San Antonio and LHA America classes of amphibious warships. Designed and built for survivability and flexibility, U.S. Navy amphibious warships are unique combat warships that make possible complex joint U.S. military operations to respond swiftly to crises anywhere in the world, from deterrence and major combat operations to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. Ingalls currently has two LHAs under construction including Bougainville (LHA 8) and Fallujah (LHA 9) and three Flight II LPDs under construction including Harrisburg (LPD 30), Pittsburgh (LPD 31) and Philadelphia (LPD 32). Additionally, in September 2024, the Navy awarded Ingalls a contract for the construction of three San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ships (LPD 33, LPD 34 and LPD 35) and a contract modification for the fifth America-class amphibious assault ship, Helmand Province (LHA 10). About HII HII is a global, all-domain defense provider. HIIs mission is to deliver the worlds most powerful ships and all-domain solutions in service of the nation, creating the advantage for our customers to protect peace and freedom around the world. As the nations largest military shipbuilder, and with a more than 135-year history of advancing U.S. national security, HII delivers critical capabilities extending from ships to unmanned systems, cyber, ISR, AI/ML and synthetic training. Headquartered in Virginia, HIIs workforce is 44,000 strong. For more information, visit: HII on the web: https://www.HII.com/ HII on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeamHII HII on X: https://www.twitter.com/WeAreHII HII on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/WeAreHII Contact: Kimberly K. Aguillard 228-355-5663 Kimberly.K.Aguillard@hii-co.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/77cde1e1-e5d5-4f20-a8fb-a258369bb7e6 The book "Global Citizens' Manifesto: Happy New Democracy" by Singaporean author EShan V challenges Singapore's political system, proposing AI-enhanced governance to replace pseudo-democracy. It advocates for President's Rule before the 2025 elections and promotes direct dynamic democracy over regency republics. Photo Courtesy of EShan V SINGAPORE, April 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A Singaporean in his sixties has joined forces with artificial intelligence (AI) to craft a bold democratic model that challenges Singapore's political structure. His work, "Global Citizens' Manifesto: Happy New Democracy," demonstrates how partnerships with AI can create practical alternatives to existing governance systems. Singapore, long criticized for tight political controls, restricted media freedom, and notorious for gaslighting people through mass media, now faces a compelling alternative through this publication. "Global Citizens' Manifesto" presents the first comprehensive blueprint for democratic reform, tailored explicitly to small nations yet applicable worldwide, with Singapore positioned as an ideal testing ground. "Our current democratic systems have fundamental flaws that prevent true representation. AI offers us tools to correct these imbalances and return political power to citizens in meaningful ways," states EShan, creator of "Global Citizens' Manifesto." The manifesto calls for President's Rule in Singapore before the GE2025 elections while the UN conducts a Democracy Compliance Check, arguing that the current system represents a pseudo-democracy that requires fundamental restructuring. It proposes a direct dynamic democracy model to replace what EShan terms the Regency Republic, which has dominated democracies worldwide. The book introduces industry/profession-based constituency structures for democratic nations, ensuring that governance reflects diverse expertise across economic sectors. This structure replaces what EShan calls an Elected Oligarchy, where electoral mechanisms create an illusion of representation while concentrating power among elites. The publication is critical for Singapore's citizens, particularly regarding financial autonomy. Recent changes to Singapore's Central Provident Fund have greatly concerned the author, as the government has introduced a retirement account (RA) system that effectively restricts citizens from accessing over $200,000 of their life savings. With Provident Fund contributions being the highest in the world, EShan now doubts the safety of these funds and whether the government has devised a scheme to manage withdrawals using fresh inflows, all while maintaining its confidence to win elections indefinitely. "As Abraham Lincoln famously noted, you cannot fool all the people all the time," EShan says. "The absence of meaningful opposition questioning these fundamental changes to citizens' financial freedoms reveals the staged nature of Singapore's multi-party system." This manifesto pushes beyond theoretical critique by outlining a decentralized governance system supported by AI capabilities. The proposed framework moves past the limitations of representative democracy toward direct citizen participation in policy formation and implementation. Released amid growing global conversations about democracy's resilience and technology's applications in governance, this book showcases how human insight, combined with machine intelligence, can tackle complex political challenges that have frustrated reformers for generations. The author is currently engaged in translating his work into all languages worldwide. Publishers interested in collaborating with the author can send publishing proposals directly via email, mentioning their language of choice. "Global Citizens' Manifesto: Happy New Democracy" is available on Kindle for readers interested in exploring its arguments and proposals. The timing coincides with increasing demands for democratic renewal, offering concrete steps toward governance systems built on technological innovation and substantive citizen involvement. The companion volume, "Global Citizens' Manifesto. Solution to World Water Crisis: The Culprit that Causes Water Crisis, Identified," explores a critical challenge facing humanity. It examines how the outdated siphon toilet system contributes to excessive water waste and presents innovative Virtual Siphon Toilet for conservation and sustainable sanitation solutions. Contact Information: Contact Person's Name: EShan V Contact Email Address: newfatherofsg@gmail.com Company: In10city Website: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CVF8VGS, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D18CTM63 Singapore On 31.03.2025, EfTEN Hiiu OU finalized the transaction by which the subsidiary of the fund acquired the property located at Hiiu 42, Tallinn from the Sudamekodu AS. Previously (20.02.2025), the fund has notified the stock exchange of the conclusion of a contract of sale under the law of obligations. All the agreed preconditions for the transfer of ownership and the conclusion of a real right contract have as of now been met. The North Estonia Medical Centre will continue to use the part of the property under a valid lease agreement. For the remaining part, a long-term (10 + 10 years) lease agreement was signed with Hiiu Sudamekodu OU, a subsidiary of Sudamekodud AS. In cooperation with the lessee and Sudamekodud AS, the building will be partially rebuilt into an elderly care home "Nomme Sudamekodu", which will accommodate up to 170 Sudamekodu clients in the future. Viljar Arakas Member of the Management Board Tel. 655 9515 Email: viljar.arakas@eften.ee Highlights: Phase 1 drilling intersected skarn and hydrothermal alteration typical of the distal zones of a fertile hydrothermal system. The presence of skarn combined with AMT survey results suggesting a deep conductive anomaly, support the potential for a deeper mineralized system. Additional Audio-Magnetotelluric (AMT) surveys, geochemical sampling and petrology studies are planned to enhance the understanding of the geological environment and refine targets across the broader Bambino area. Insights gained from the 2025 BHP Xplor Accelerator Program, particularly a mineral systems-driven approach, are adding to the Company's regional exploration strategy aimed at unlocking mineral potential. Regional targeting underway: Several targets are being outlined through geophysical and geological data compilation and analysis. Vancouver - Electrum Discovery Corp. ("Electrum" or the "Company") (TSX-V:ELY | FRA:R8N | OTC:ELDCF) is pleased to announce results from its Q1 2025 exploration activities at the 100%-owned Timok East copper-gold project ("Timok East") located in eastern Serbia, including the completion of the maiden Phase 1 diamond drill program at the Bambino Central copper-gold anomaly target. The Company is also pleased to outline its exploration strategy for the remainder of 2025. Dr Elena Clarici, CEO and President of Electrum commented: "We acquired Timok East for its strategic location near one of the world's premier, yet largely underexplored, copper-gold belts. Leveraging the expertise, technological insights, and mentorship from BHP's global network-gained through our selection in January for the prestigious 2025 BHP Xplor Accelerator Program-we are focusing on the most promising areas within our land package to enhance our chances of discovery. Drilling at Bambino copper-gold anomaly has confirmed mineralization typical of a copper-gold system, providing critical geological evidence that we are operating within a metal-fertile hydrothermal system. These insights are invaluable not only for advancing Bambino but also for guiding regional exploration across Timok East." The BHP's 2025 Xplor Accelerator Program: Advancing a Belt-Scale Exploration Strategy The first three months of the BHP Xplor program have enabled Electrum to develop and deploy a dual exploration strategy: (1) a traditional junior explorer prospect-scale exploration program, while still implementing (2) a belt-scale, mineral systems driven exploration method. The latter approach allows the Company to understand the critical geological factors that control porphyry deposit formation in the region, with the goal of expanding the known extent of the porphyry-hosting Timok Magmatic Complex ("TMC") eastward. The importance of this approach is immense as it could reveal a previously unrecognized porphyry belt across the Timok East Project. As part of this mineral systems-based exploration strategy, Electrum's key priorities include: Mapping deep-seated fluid and magma pathways using deep-penetrating geophysics, structural analysis, and geological modelling to better understand the evolution of mineralizing systems in the area and generate new prospective targets. Confirming the eastern extension of the Cretaceous-age porphyry-fertile magmatic arc, the same system that hosts the world-class Bor porphyry deposits, by integrating detailed literature reviews with lithogeochemical data, petrological studies, and geochronological studies. Identifying hydrothermal alteration and mineralization assemblages that act as early indicators of porphyry targets, including skarn systems and high-sulfidation epithermal mineralization, which often serve as higher level expressions of deeper porphyry centers, allowing for geochemical vectoring and efficient drill targeting. This expanded exploration strategy marks a transformational step for the Company and positions Electrum to unlock the full potential of this highly prospective but underexplored world-class region. The Phase 1 Drill program at Timok East The Phase 1 drill program at Timok East consisted of two diamond drill holes BC001 and BC002, for a total of 704.4 meters, designed to test chargeability and resistivity anomalies identified beneath surface copper-gold mineralization in the late-2024 HIRIP survey (News Releases: 3rd July 2024, 4th September 2024, 30th October 2024). Both drill holes encountered isolated intervals of gold, silver, and copper mineralization. Gold: Assay results included 20 samples returning values between 0.1 to 0.5 g/t Au and three samples returning values from 0.5 to 1.65 g/t Au. Gold mineralization was primarily associated with quartz-arsenic-rich shear zones and pyrite bearing stockwork zones surrounding intervals of skarn (see Figure 2). Silver: Assay results included three samples returning between 10 to 109 g/t Ag. Silver mineralization was associated with anomalous copper values in both holes and correlated with intervals of skarn replacement. Copper: Assay results ranged from BDL (1 ppm) to 3,090 ppm Cu. Mineralization was linked to chalcopyrite-bearing skarn intervals and showed an association with magnetite (see Figure 3). Hole ID East North Azimuth (deg.) Dip (deg.) EOH (m) BC001 595473 4886730 248 -50 354.30 BC002 595322 4886760 051 -57 350.10 Table 1: Drill Collar coordinates and orientations of complete diamond drillholes (EPSG:32634). Click Image To View Full Size Figure 1: Planview map showing the locations of BC001 and BC002, with downhole lithology logging in relation to surface copper anomalism (EPSG:32634) ). Rock and soil results from NewsRelease 30th October 2024, 4th September 2024, and 3rd July 2024. Click Image To View Full Size Figure 2: BC001. Quartz-calcite stockwork veins in metasedimentary rock adjacent to low-grade gold mineralization (198.0 - 192.2 m at 0.13 g/t Au), and skarn magnetite replacement of metavolcanic rock with disseminated pyrite-chalcopyrite )199.2m - 200.0m at 0.31% Cu). Figure 3: Skarn replacement of metavolcanic rock, with prominent magnetite and disseminated pyrite-chalcopyrite. BC001, 199.2-200 m at 0.31% Cu. Figure 4: Quartz-calcite stockwork veining with hematite alteration selvedge within Chlorite-epidote altered metavolcanic unit. Minor fine-grained magnetite on vein margins; minor chalcopyrite within veinlets. Pyrite dissemination and pyrite veinlets (<1mm) present throughout. BC001, 161.1 - 161.9 m, at 0.05% Cu. Geological Interpretation Both drill holes intersected zones of pervasive chlorite-epidote-hematite alteration, interlayered with zones of skarn replacement featuring fine to coarse-grained garnet, amphibole, and localized magnetite (Figures 2, 3 & 4). These features are characteristic of a distal skarn environment, possibly linked to a primary hydrothermal source. Late-stage overprinting by quartz-calcite stockwork veining with minor pyrite indicates ongoing hydrothermal fluid activity beyond the primary skarn-forming phase, suggesting a prolonged, multi-phase hydrothermal system. System-scale targeting, and data compilation has identified a prominent magnetic anomaly (Figure 6) in the western part of the Makoviste license, coinciding with Phase 1 andesitic intrusive rocks at surface, shares geological and magnetic characteristics with known porphyry systems in the region. This Western Mag target, alongside the Eastern Conductive and deep resistive anomaly identified in the Initial AMT survey (Figure 7), represent compelling targets for further exploration targeting hydrothermal centers within the Broader Bambino Area. The combination of Cu-Au mineralization, skarn assemblages, overprinting vein systems, magnetic highs, as well as deep conductive and resistive AMT anomalies identified in the area, supports the potential presence of a larger, concealed mineral system at Timok East. Click Image To View Full SizeFigure 5: Map of newly identified targets on 100k geology background. Highlighting new targets identified from regional targeting work and the location of samples taken for assay and petrology (EPSG:32634) (rock and soil results from News Releases 30th October 2024, 4th September 2024, and 3rd July 2024). Timok East - Next Steps Electrum continues work on understanding the lithological, structural and genetic controls on mineralization at Timok East. Current and planned follow-up work includes: Additional AMT survey lines to extend coverage across the Western Mag target to define the geometry of resistive and conductive features that may be linked to concealed porphyry centres. Expanded surface geochemical sampling to identify any geochemically anomalous zones that correlate with the Eastern Conductor target (Figure 5). A total of 201 soil samples have been collected where the conductive zones come near to surface to investigate any associated geochemical anomalism. Detailed geological mapping, petrology and rockchip sampling across Bambino and the Northern Skarn (Figure 5) to refine interpretations of skarn and vein assemblages, and to identify alteration zones or mineralogical indicators that may indicate porphyry-style mineralisation across the Western Mag and Eastern Conductor targets. These next steps aim to vector in on the primary hydrothermal driver responsible for skarn replacment on the property, to guide future targeting across the broader Timok East project area. Click Image To View Full Size Figure 6: Historical magnetic data (analytical signal) covering the Bor Mining complex and Luka and Makoviste licences, showing Phase 1 andesites from State geological maps, commonly associated with porphyry mineralisation. (EPSG:32634). Meta data for the magnetic analytic signal map layer is unknown and the map layer has not been verified. Click Image To View Full Size Figure 7: Cross-section profiles through a 3D inversion resistivity model from the AMT survey showing the location of Bambino targets areas in relation to the conductivity and resistivity anomalies, and locations of two drill holes (BC001 and BC002) on Profile B. (AMT results from News Release 14th of February 2025). Core Handling & Logging Drill core was systematically photographed, logged in detail, and measured for magnetic susceptibility. Core was cut to provide half HQ or quarter PQ core for sampling with sample lengths of between 0.5 to 2.0 meters. Core recovery for the drill holes averaged 92%. Both drill holes were sampled in their entirety. Quality Assurance / Quality Control (QA/QC) All logging and sampling were carried out under control of the company's geologists. Certified Reference Materials (CRMs), blanks, and core duplicates were inserted in the sample sequence. Samples were securely transported to ALS' facility in Bor, Serbia, for preparation using method PREP-31BY. Sample pulps were then shipped by ALS to ALS's facility in Loughrea, Republic of Ireland, for analysis using methods Au-ICP21, ME-ICP61 and ME-OG62. QA/QC Performance Analysis values for CRMs and blanks inserted in the sample sequence were reviewed and checked by the Qualified Person. Blanks and CRMs were within tolerance limits and indicated no significant contamination or analytical bias. Core duplicates repeated generally within 20% relative difference which is considered sufficient for the stage of exploration. For more information contact: Dr Elena Clarici, Chief Executive Officer and Director T: +1 604 801 5432 | E: elena@electrumdiscovery.com | W: electrumdiscovery.com Qualified Person The scientific and technical contents of this news release have been reviewed and approved by Mr. Thomas Sant BSc, FGS, CGeol, EurGeol. Mr. Sant is a non-independent Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101 and the VP, Operations, of the Company. About Electrum Discovery Corp. Electrum Discovery Corp. is an emerging mineral exploration and development company focused on the prolific Western Tethyan Belt with two main projects spanning 645 square kilometers of prospective exploration ground in the Republic of Serbia. Timok East extends over 123 square kilometers across the Timok copper-gold region and includes the recently discovered Bambino copper-gold anomaly, located less than five kilometers from the Bor Copper-Gold Mining Complex. Novo Tlamino, located in the south-east of the Republic of Serbia, covers 522 square kilometers and includes an inferred mineral resource estimate of 670,000oz AuEq (7,100,000t at 2.9 g/t AuEq average grade), PEA (January 7, 2021)1 Electrum Discovery is looking to maximize the value of our mineral projects for all stakeholders including our shareholders, the local community and government. We have an open-door policy and encourage all stakeholders to contact us through our website. We have a strong environmental and ethics policy to complete all our work in line with regulations in an open and transparent process. Our projects are at an early stage, and we plan continue our consultation with all stakeholders in a climate of mutual respect, while fostering sustainability, governance and knowledge transfer in the region. Additional information on Electrum can be found by reviewing the Company's page on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. 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. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this news release constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. All statements included herein, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking information. Such statements include Company's expected achievement of specified milestones, results of operations, and expected financial results of the Company. Often, but not always, this forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as "estimate", "estimates", "estimated", "potential", "open", "future", "assumed", "projected", "used", "detailed", "has been", "gain", "upgraded", "offset", "limited", "contained", "reflecting", "containing", "remaining", "to be", "periodically", or statements that events, "could" or "should" occur or be achieved and similar expressions, including negative variations. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Electrum, to be materially different from any results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by forward-looking information. Such uncertainties and factors include, among others, uncertainties inherent in the PEA and exploration results and the estimation of mineral resources; risks related to the failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and on acceptable terms; changes in general economic conditions and financial markets; risks associated with the results of exploration and development activities, and the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; unanticipated costs and expenses; and such other risks detailed from time to time in Electrum's quarterly and annual filings with securities regulators and available under Electrum's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Rock chip and surface results are early stage and there is no assurance that future exploration will find mineralization of further interest. Although Electrum has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Forward-looking information contained herein are based on the assumptions, beliefs, expectations and opinions of management. Forward-looking information has been made as of the date hereof and Electrum disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether because of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by law. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. 1 Preliminary Economic Assessment and NI43-101 Technical Report for the Medgold Tlamino Project, January 7, 2021, www.sedarplus.ca. The effective date of the resource estimate is January 7, 2021. Authors of the Reports are: Mr. Richard Siddle, MAIG, of Addison Mining Services Ltd for Mineral Resources; Dr. Matthew Randall, FIMMM, of Axe Valley Mining Consultants Ltd for Mining; Mr. Ian Jackson, FIMMM, of Bara Consulting for Mineral Processing, and Dr. Andrew Bamber, MCIM, of Bara Consulting Ltd for Economic Analysis. The PEA is preliminary in nature, and it includes inferred mineral resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be characterized as mineral reserves, and there is no certainty that the PEA will be realised. Copyright (c) 2025 TheNewswire - All rights reserved. Latin Metals Inc. ("Latin Metals" or the "Company") - (TSXV: LMS) (OTCQB: LMSQF) is pleased to announce the appointment of Elyssia Patterson as Vice President, Investor Relations, effective immediately. Ms. Patterson originally joined Latin Metals in 2020, initially supporting digital communications and corporate outreach. Over the past four years, she has played a growing role in the company's investor strategy, leading efforts to expand capital markets engagement and enhance visibility across key North American, South American, and European investor audiences. "Elyssia has become an integral part of the Latin Metals team," commented Keith Henderson, President & CEO. "Her contributions to our investor engagement and brand positioning have been significant, and this appointment reflects her commitment, leadership, and the value she brings to our corporate strategy." In her new role, Ms. Patterson will continue to lead investor communications and stakeholder engagement as the Company advances its project portfolio through joint ventures and strategic partnerships. "I'm proud to step into this role at such a pivotal time for Latin Metals," said Elyssia Patterson. "We have a strong portfolio in two of the most prolific mining jurisdictions in the world-Argentina and Peru-and we are actively advancing projects with tier-one partners. With increased market focus on gold, copper, and silver-commodities that are not only critical to the global economy but central to our exploration thesis-I believe Latin Metals is well-positioned for a transformative year. I'm excited to continue working alongside Keith and the exceptional technical team as we build on our proven prospect generator model." Upcoming Events Latin Metals is pleased to announce its participation in several upcoming industry conferences, providing a platform to connect with investors, industry leaders, and potential partners: 121 Mining Investment Conference - London, May 12-13, 2025 Deutsche Goldmesse Spring 2025 - Frankfurt, May 16-17, 2025 The Mining Event - Quebec City, June 3-5, 2025 These events offer valuable opportunities to share Latin Metals' exploration progress in Argentina and Peru, highlight the advantages of its low-dilution prospect generator model, and explore strategic investment and partnership opportunities across its gold, copper, and silver-focused portfolio. Incentive Stock Options The Company announces that it has granted 1,500,000 common share stock options (each, an "Option") to certain directors, officers, and consultants of the Company. The Options entitle the holder to purchase shares at a price of $0.12 per share for a period of 36 months from the grant date. Including this issuance, the Company has now set Options representing 7.9% of the issued and outstanding stock. About Latin Metals Latin Metals Inc. is a copper, gold and silver exploration company operating in Peru and Argentina under a prospect generator model, minimizing risk and dilution while maximizing discovery potential. With 18 projects, the company secures option agreements with major mining companies to fund exploration. Current option holders include AngloGold Ashanti (Organullo Gold Project) and Moxico Resources (Esperanza & Huachi Copper-Gold Projects). This approach provides early-stage exposure to high-value mineral assets. Latin Metals is actively seeking new strategic partners to advance its portfolio. Stay Connected Follow Latin Metals on YouTube, X, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram to stay informed on our latest developments, exploration updates, and corporate news. On Behalf of the Board of Directors of LATIN METALS INC. "Keith Henderson" President & CEO For further details on the Company readers are referred to the Company's website (www.latin-metals.com) and its Canadian regulatory filings on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com. For further information, please contact: Keith Henderson Suite 890 - 999 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC, V6C 2W2 Phone: 604-638-3456 E-mail: info@latin-metals.com Neither 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 news release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and U.S. securities legislation, including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation, the anticipated content, commencement, timing and cost of exploration programs in respect of the Property and otherwise, anticipated exploration program results from exploration activities, and the Company's expectation that it will be able to enter into agreements to acquire interests in additional mineral properties, the discovery and delineation of mineral deposits/resources/reserves on the Properties, and the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Often, but not always, forward-looking information can be identified by words such as "pro forma", "plans", "expects", "may", "should", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", "potential" or variations of such words including negative variations thereof, and phrases that refer to certain actions, events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, market fundamentals will result in sustained precious and base metals demand and prices, the receipt of any necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals in connection with the future development of the Company's Argentine projects in a timely manner, the availability of financing on suitable terms for the development, construction and continued operation of the Company projects, and the Company's ability to comply with environmental, health and safety laws. 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 differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such risks and other factors include, among others, operating and technical difficulties in connection with mineral exploration and development and mine development activities at the Properties, including the geological mapping, prospecting and sampling programs being proposed for the Properties (the "Programs"), actual results of exploration activities, including the Programs, estimation or realization of mineral reserves and mineral resources, the timing and amount of estimated future production, costs of production, capital expenditures, the costs and timing of the development of new deposits, the availability of a sufficient supply of water and other materials, requirements for additional capital, future prices of precious metals and copper, changes in general economic conditions, changes in the financial markets and in the demand and market price for commodities, possible variations in ore grade or recovery rates, possible failures of plants, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated, accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry, delays or the inability of the Company to obtain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required, any current or future property acquisitions, financing or other planned activities, changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting mining operations, hedging practices, currency fluctuations, title disputes or claims limitations on insurance coverage and the timing and possible outcome of pending litigation, environmental issues and liabilities, risks related to joint venture operations, and risks related to the integration of acquisitions, as well as those factors discussed under the heading as well as those factors discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's annual management's discussion and analysis and other filings of the Company with the Canadian Securities Authorities, copies of which can be found under the Company's profile on the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Except as otherwise required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking information in this news release or incorporated by reference herein. VANCOUVER, April 02, 2025 - Monument Mining Ltd. (TSX-V: MMY and FSE: D7Q1) ("Monument" or the "Company") today is pleased to announce that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding ("Collaboration Agreement", or "MOU") with Great Boulder Resources ("Great Boulder", ASX: "GBR") for collaboration to potentially process ore from Great Boulder's Side Well Gold Project through Monument's Burnakura Mill at Meekatharra, Western Australia subject to availability. President and CEO Cathy Zhai commented, "I am very pleased with thanks to Mr. Andrew Paterson, the Managing Director of Great Boulder, for considering Burnakura mill as their treatment option and for his willingness to collaboratively explore the best solution beneficiary to both parties in optimization of potential production. It will give an opportunity for exploration companies to generate cash flow as gold prices surge to historical record highs. While junior companies continue to face their own challenges and navigate the inherent risks of the natural resource industry, we are working hand in hand to find a win-win solution in the region." Background Following the successful commercial production of the upgraded sulphide gold concentrate plant at Selinsing Gold Mine, Monument is now advancing its Murchison Gold Project towards potential commercial production. SRK Consulting (Australasia) Pty Ltd ("SRK") is currently engaged to provide economic assessments, including evaluating the Burnakura mill capacity for initial re-start and potential upgrade options up to 750K tpa. With a proven track record for building-up and advancing operational mines, Monument continues to leverage its strong production management team to drive growth and efficiency. Monument has an estimated Mineral Resource of 5.59Mt @ 2.12g/t for 381koz, comprised of Indicated at 4.04Mt @ 2.3g/t gold for 293k ounces, Inferred Mineral Resource of 1.55Mt @ 1.8g/t gold for 88k ounces at Burnakura ("NI 43-101 Technical Report: Updated Mineral Resources, Burnakura Gold Project, Western Australia, Australia", prepared by SRK, available at www.monumentmining.com); and historical Mineral Resources (JORC Resource) 2.2Mt @ 2.2g/t Au for 153,000oz at Gabanintha, plus 20% free carried interest in the Tuckanarra Gold Project. Great Boulder is a mineral exploration company with a portfolio of highly prospective gold and base metals assets in Western Australia ranging from Greenfields through to advanced exploration. The Company's core focus is the Side Well Gold Project at Meekatharra in the Murchison gold field approximately 48 km north of Burnakura (Figure 1), where exploration has defined a Mineral Resource of 7.45Mt @ 2.8g/t Au for 668,000oz Au (340koz @ 3.4g/t Au Indicated, 327koz @ 2.4g/t Au Inferred). The Company is also progressing early-stage exploration at Wellington Base Metal Project located in an emerging MVT province. For more information on Great Boulder, please refer to www.greatboulder.com.au. Figure 1. Figure 1 is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/17051c93-82c2-45cd-8777-c54aa16f929b Collaboration The MOU between Great Boulder Resources and Monument Mining is a non-binding agreement setting a framework for the two companies to evaluate the sustainability of the Burnakura plant to treat GBR's Side Well ore, assess the technical, commercial and logistical requirements for joint operations or toll treatment where applicable, and negotiate commercial terms for ore treatment at Burnakura. With both parties undertaking scoping studies on their respective operations, the MOU allows GBR and Monument to collaboratively share scoping study outputs enabling optimization of mining and ore processing. The MOU also allows collaboration on each company's area of technical expertise, including GBR's knowledge of local geology and gold mineralization, exploration and local stakeholder relationships combined with Monument's expertise in processing, mining and metallurgy. In the event Monument wishes to use Burnakura's milling capacity to toll treat third-party ore sources, the Agreement provides pre-emptive processing rights for GBR subject to availability. During the course of the Agreement each company will remain responsible for its own study costs. The parties will negotiate a definitive agreement when it is appropriate. About Monument Monument Mining Limited (TSX-V: MMY, FSE: D7Q1) is an established Canadian gold producer that 100% owns and operates the Selinsing Gold Mine in Malaysia and the Murchison Gold Project in the Murchison area of Western Australia. It has 20% interest in Tuckanarra Gold Project jointly owned with Odyssey Gold Ltd. in the same region. The Company employs approximately 250 people in both regions and is committed to sustainability with practice of the high standards of environmental management, social responsibility, including health and safety for its employees and neighboring communities, and good corporate governance. Cathy Zhai, President and CEO Monument Mining Limited Suite 1580 -1100 Melville Street Vancouver, BC V6E 4A6 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION visit the company web site at www.monumentmining.com or contact: Richard Cushing, MMY Vancouver T: +1-604-638-1661 x102 rcushing@monumentmining.com "Neither 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." Disclaimer Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release includes statements containing forward-looking information about Monument, its business and future plans ("forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements are statements that involve expectations, plans, objectives or future events that are not historical facts and include the Company's plans with respect to its mineral projects, expectations regarding the completion of the ramp-up period to target production level at Selinsing and the timing thereof, expectations regarding the Company's continuing ability to source explosives from suppliers, expectations regarding completion of the proposed storage shed and ammonium nitrate depot and the timing thereof, and the timing and results of the other proposed programs and events referred to in this news release. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". The forward-looking statements in this news release are subject to various risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These risks and certain other factors include, without limitation: risks related to general business, economic, competitive, geopolitical and social uncertainties; uncertainties regarding the results of current exploration activities; uncertainties in the progress and timing of development activities, including those related to the ramp-up process at Selinsing and the completion of the proposed storage shed and ammonium nitrate depot; uncertainties and risks related to the Company's ability to source explosives from suppliers; foreign operations risks; other risks inherent in the mining industry and other risks described in the management discussion and analysis of the Company and the technical reports on the Company's projects, all of which are available under the profile of the Company on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Material factors and assumptions used to develop forward-looking statements in this news release include: expectations regarding the estimated cash cost per ounce of gold production and the estimated cash flows which may be generated from the operations, general economic factors and other factors that may be beyond the control of Monument; assumptions and expectations regarding the results of exploration on the Company's projects; assumptions regarding the future price of gold of other minerals; the timing and amount of estimated future production; assumptions regarding the timing and results of development activities, including the ramp-up process at Selinsing and the completion of the proposed storage shed and ammonium nitrate depot; expectations that the Company will continue to be able to source explosives from suppliers in a timely manner; costs of future activities; capital and operating expenditures; success of exploration activities; mining or processing issues; exchange rates; and all of the factors and assumptions described in the management discussion and analysis of the Company and the technical reports on the Company's projects, all of which are available under the profile of the Company on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Trigon Metals Inc. (TSX-V: TM, OTCQB: PNTZF) ("Trigon" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on the previously announced agreement with Horizon Corporation Limited ("Horizon") for the sale of Trigon's ownership interest in the Kombat Mine in Namibia to Horizon (the "Transaction"). Both Trigon and Horizon remain committed to completing the Transaction and continue to make steady progress toward closing. While the initial internal target date of March 31, 2025, for entering into a binding share purchase agreement (the "SPA")was not met, work is advancing on the final steps necessary to complete the Transaction. The parties continue to collaborate on finalizing the SPA, securing the required approvals and satisfying the closing conditions, and Trigon expects to consummate the Transaction. The key terms of the Transaction remain as follows: Horizon's loan to Trigon is structured at USD$4,000,000, disbursed in tranches, with an additional loan option of USD$2,000,000 for financing flexibility. The purchase price for Trigon's shares of the Kombat Mine is set at USD$24,000,000, payable over eight quarterly installments upon shareholder approval. Trigon will retain a 1% net revenue royalty for each of two consecutive calendar months and a royalty of 1% will be payable for 20 months on net copper revenue when invoiced copper price on final invoicing when specified conditions are met A schedule of follow up payments related to the start-up of the Asis Far West expansion Please see the Company's press release dated February 11, 2025 for additional details regarding the Transaction. Jed Richardson, CEO and Executive Chairman of Trigon Metals, commented, "We are pleased with the progress we have made toward closing the sale of Trigon's interest in the Kombat Mine to Horizon. While we would have preferred a faster pace, we are working through the necessary steps to ensure a successful and seamless transition. Both Trigon and Horizon remain fully engaged in finalizing the Transaction, and we look forward to delivering a positive outcome for our shareholders." The Company will provide further updates as the Transaction advances toward closing. The completion of the Transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals, including TSX Venture Exchange approval, Trigon shareholder approval, third-party consents, and other customary closing conditions. Further to the Company's press releases dated February 21, 2025 and March 6, 2025, the Company announces that the following finder fees were paid in connection with the recently closed non-brokered private placement by the Company: (i) Hampton Securities received $3,990 in cash and 15,960 finder warrants, (ii) EDE Asset Management Inc. received $5,400 in cash and 21,600 finder warrants, and (iii) Brightmind Ventures Limited received $47,450 in cash. About Trigon Metals Inc. Trigon is a publicly traded Canadian exploration and development company focused on advancing copper and silver projects in Africa. The Company's portfolio includes an 80% interest in five mining licenses in Namibia's Otavi Mountainlands, as well as the Kalahari Copper Project and the upcoming spinout of the Safi Silver Moroccan exploration projects, including Addana and Silver Hill. Cautionary Notes This news release may contain forward-looking statements. These statements include statements regarding the Transaction, the timing of the Transaction, the Company's ability to close the Transaction, regulatory approvals and operational plans, the Company's strategies and the Company's abilities to execute such strategies, the Company's expectations for the Kombat mine, and the Company's future plans and objectives. These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially because of factors discussed in the management discussion and analysis section of our interim and most recent annual financial statements or other reports and filings with the TSX Venture Exchange and applicable Canadian securities regulations. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable laws. Neither 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. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250402687936/en/ ./ContentItem/Format Both Trigon and Horizon remain committed to completing the Transaction and continue to make steady progress toward closing. Contact For more information, contact Tom Paoulias, VP Corporate Development: +1(647)276-6002 x 1127 IR@trigonmetals.com website: www.trigonmetals.com Lupaka Gold Corp. ("Lupaka" or the "Company") (TSX-V: LPK, FRA: LQP) has received an update from the Arbitral Tribunal regarding the Company's ongoing Arbitration Claim against the Republic of Peru. Quoted from the Tribunal's update "The Tribunal refers to the Claimant's communication of 14 March 2025, and it wishes to provide the following status update to the Parties: The ruling is in the final translation stage, but the process of translation and checking has been unexpectedly time-consuming. Considering the time necessary to finalize the ruling for dispatch in the two procedural languages, the Tribunal anticipates and intends that the ruling will be dispatched this Spring." Gordon Ellis (CEO) commented "Although we had anticipated a final ruling by this time, the good news is that we are already into "Spring" so a final ruling is expected in the very near future." For ongoing updates and more detail with respect to the arbitration, please refer to the Company's website (www.lupakagold.com/projects/arbitration). For background on the basis for the Claim, please refer to the Company's previous news releases, also available on the Company's website (www.lupakagold.com/news/#2020). Lupaka is represented in the arbitration proceedings by the international law firm LALIVE (www.lalive.law), and has the financial backing of Bench Walk Advisors (www.benchwalk.com). Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as the term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy of this news release. About Lupaka Gold Lupaka is a Canadian-based company focused on creating shareholder value through identification and development of mining assets. About LALIVE LALIVE is an international law firm with offices in Geneva, Zurich and London, that specializes in international dispute resolution. The firm has extensive experience in international investment arbitration in the mining sector, amongst others, and is currently representing investors and States as counsel worldwide. About Bench Walk Advisors Bench Walk Advisors is a global litigation financier with over USD 250 million of capital deployed across in excess of 100 commercial cases. Bench Walk and its principals have consistently been ranked as leading lawyers and litigation funders in various global directories. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Gordon Ellis, C.E.O. gellis@lupakagold.com Tel: (604) 985-3147 or visit the Company's profile at www.sedar.com or its website at www.lupakagold.com Marko tips F1 return for Perez with Cadillac Mercedes really could emerge for the all-new regulations era from 2026 with an advantage, Dr Helmut Marko admits. Sergio Perez, Azerbaijan GP 2024 Red Bull Team boss Christian Horner has denied claims that the behind-the-scenes talk about delaying the new era and accelerating towards V10 engines is because Red Bull fears its own power unit project for the new era is lagging. It will be a massive change, team advisor Marko told Kleine Zeitung newspaper. Mercedes has already declared itself the favourite, but there won't be much difference on the combustion engine side, he added. "We're right on track, thanks in part to help from Ford, and believe we'll have a maximum of five kW less - absolutely fine at this point. The big question is the battery, the 81-year-old Austrian continued. "How is it cooled? How quickly is it charged? How quickly do you get the energy into the car? It's all about the software, and it's possible that someone will be way ahead in this area. But we have good people, many from Mercedes, and we've bought the necessary equipment from AVL. But nobody knows exactly where they stand, Marko said. Another big change in 2026 is the arrival of a brand new team - Cadillac. There was much opposition throughout the process, but Marko is relaxed. When one of the world's largest automakers with such a traditional brand enters Formula 1, it always benefits, he said. "When I was growing up, Cadillac was an absolute dream car, and now they want to get back on their feet. They could even be successful right away because General Motors has a stake in Ferrari, and they (Cadillac) are starting with Ferrari engines. The exciting thing will be how they manage the disparity between their locations - the engine factory in North Carolina and the team base in England. The driver Red Bull ousted at the end of last year - Sergio Perez - is currently being strongly linked with a Cadillac race seat. If he's recovered from the pressure of Verstappen and is highly motivated, then yes, said Marko when asked if the Mexican can bounce back into F1 competitively. He's extremely popular in Latin America, which is something else to keep in mind. I just spoke to him on the phone, and he's in good spirits and enjoying life. They'll probably need an experienced driver. (GMM) Previous article: See how much MTN Ghana shareholders SSNIT, Ishmael Yamson, and Ebenezer Asante will get from company's profits GBFoods supports Tourism Authority Taste 68 @ 68 Independence event Business Desk Report Business News Apr - 02 - 2025 , 09:21 GB Foods Ghana has joined the Taste 68 @ 68 event in celebration of Ghanas 68th Independence. The event organised by the Ghana Culture Forum in partnership with the Ghana Tourism Authority provided a special opportunity to reflect on the nation's journey and celebrate an essential part of its cultureits food. A release issued by the company said as a company dedicated to celebrating local flavours, Taste 68 @68 was the perfect platform to highlight GB Food's iconic brands: Gino, Pomo, BF, and Jago. These brands embody the right balance of authentic Ghanaian flavours and nutritional value, enhancing the countrys vibrant culinary heritage. It said Ghanaian cuisine was renowned for its rich flavours, creativity, and its unique ability to bring people together adding that Food is a vital part of Ghanaian culture, symbolizing both diversity and unity. GBFoods Ghana affirmed its commitment to embrace and celebrate diversity by ensuring that all its products allow consumers to enjoy the true taste of Ghana in every meal. Gino and Pomo, two of the companys most beloved brands, are proudly produced in Ghana with the highest quality ingredients. Additionally, the newly introduced Gino Jollof Tomato Mix is designed to improve the preparation of one of Ghanas most cherished dishesJollof rice. Made with a carefully selected blend of natural ingredients, Gino Jollof Mix ensures consistency and delivers the authentic taste of Ghanaian Jollof in every serving, it said. Next article: KIC partners engage with selected incubated businesses in the Central Region Petroleum Hub project will be a game-changer for Ghana Dr Tony Aubynn GraphicOnline Business News Apr - 02 - 2025 , 17:48 Dr Tony Aubynn, Chief Executive Officer of the Petroleum Hub Development Corporation (PHDC), has highlighted the transformative potential of the Petroleum Hub Project, describing it as a game-changer for Ghanas socio-economic development. Speaking to the media after a meeting with the Western Regional House of Chiefs on March 24, 2025, Dr Aubynn emphasised that the realisation of PHDCs objectives would revolutionise Ghanas energy sector, significantly enhancing the upstream, midstream, and downstream segments of the petroleum industry. Ghana stands on the brink of a major breakthrough in its ambition to become a hub for refining and processing petrochemical products in West Africa, he stated. This project, covering approximately 20,000 acres, will be a dedicated space for petroleum infrastructure, including refineries, petrochemical industries, and tank farms for petroleum storage. Dr Aubynn underscored the hubs immense potential to boost industrialisation, create value-added petroleum products, and generate economic opportunities on an unprecedented scale. He noted that the projectset to be the first of its kind in Africawill not only reshape Ghanas energy landscape but also position the country as a strategic player in the continents oil and gas sector. He revealed that over 700,000 direct and indirect jobs are expected to be created upon the projects completion and operationalisation, bringing immense economic benefits to the country. Dr Aubynn also commended President John Dramani Mahama for his unwavering commitment to ensuring the projects success. The President is fully dedicated to making this a reality. While we acknowledge the challenges, we are resolute in our determination to see this project through. If completed, it will be a true game-changer for Ghana, and the President has assured us of his full support, he stated. The Western Regional House of Chiefs, led by its President, Nana Kobina Nketiah IV, expressed strong support for the initiative and confidence in Dr Aubynns leadership. The chiefs acknowledged the economic benefits the hub would bring to the Jomoro Municipality and the Western Region at large. About the PHDC The Petroleum Hub Development Corporation (PHDC) is envisioned as a world-class integrated petroleum complex designed to add value across Africas upstream and downstream oil and gas value chains. Upon completion, the hub will span over 20,000 acres, hosting a network of onshore and offshore assets, including refineries, petrochemical plants, and storage facilities, set to redefine the continents petrochemical industry. The project is expected to create 780,000 jobs throughout its development and operational phases, significantly boosting Ghanas economy. By 2030, it is projected to generate an export tax revenue of $1.56 billion, contribute to an estimated 70% GDP growth, and drive large-scale industrialisation across the country. Prophesying about people's death doesnt make you a powerful prophet- Sonnie Badu Gifty Owusu-Amoah Showbiz News Apr - 02 - 2025 , 18:48 2 minutes read Gospel musician Sonnie Badu is entreating prophets to desist from prophesying about peoples death, noting that prophets who foretell people's deaths are merely prophets of doom. In a Facebook post today, the Baba hitmaker noted that prophecy should be life-affirming and redemptive, rather than focusing on negative outcomes. According to him, the role of a prophet is to uplift and encourage, not to predict catastrophic events or demise and challenged them to apply wisdom in such utterances. Sonnie Badu said prophesying someones death doesnt make one powerful, since theres always a redemption when a revelation comes. Badu's comments come as a response to prophetic declarations on the death of Professor Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang following the announcement of her ill-health recently. In a statement signed by the Minister for Government Communications and Presidential Spokesperson, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, on Saturday, March 29, it mentioned that the Vice President had been flown to seek further medical care abroad based on expert recommendations. This was after being admitted at the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) on Saturday after experiencing a sudden illness following her official duties on Friday, March 28, 2025. Since then, a number of videos of prophets talking about the Vice President has been popping up, which Sonnie Badu strongly condemns. (More articles on Sonnie Badu: Sonnie Badu: President Mahama is destined to be a pastor, Sonnie Badu: Dont commercialise gospel music too much, add spiritual elements) He wrote: I have seen, in recent times, prophets lose family members, and when you see how devastated and broken they were, you would understand that losing a family member is no joke. Dear major and minor prophets, there is something called the word of wisdom, which simply means that whatever you see, you should speak with wisdom. Prophesying someones death does not make you powerful; rather, it makes you a prophet of doom .. and I can tell you for free once there is revelation then there is redemption. Revelation without redemption is not God speaking . I plead with all prophets, both major and minor, to apply wisdom because the people you mention have family members, and such prophecies bring fear. As you grow, you mature in the things of God. To our Vice President, @njoagyemangMummy, get well soon. Please take time to rest. The truth is, you gave your all during the campaign and have not rested. I am praying for you. Love you loads, Mummy(sic). See post below: Next article: H E Amb. Prof. Hugh Keku Aryee wins Best AI Innovation of the Year at Ghana AI Awards Screen time paradox Dr Nana Esi Gaisie-Tetteh Opinion Apr - 02 - 2025 , 06:36 4 minutes read It was Luther Standing Bear, a Lakota Chief and educator, who described a child who could not sit still as a half-developed child. His statement was as a result of his cultural expectations of children to be disciplined and self-controlled from a young age. Later, another American Philosopher and educationist, John Dewey, argued that children should not be seated quietly. He advocated experimentation, practicality and experience-based learning as opposed to the approach that requires a child to be mentally disciplined enough to participate in rote learning and passive learning. Today, we appreciate that a good balance is key. The environment a child finds himself in, therefore, should be carefully chosen based on the values and ethos held. A Modern American child who finds himself among Native Americans will be thought to be too loud and unruly and more likely half-developed, while a Native American child will be judged as being dull and boring because of his ability to remain seated for longer than expected of a child in a Modern American school. Whilst these cultural biases exist and can be problematic, it is important to understand that a childs ability to focus and concentrate does not just happen. It develops gradually as they progress through the various milestones from birth. Babies Babies begin to show interest in faces, objects and sounds by staring, lifting their heads off the bed, turning towards the point of attraction and maintaining eye contact. By three months, most babies become curious and this is noticeable during breastfeeding when they stop to take in distractions from the environment. They begin to engage with the environment by becoming more attentive. From six to nine months, they become more curious and explorative pulling earrings, making babbling sounds, and even crawling away to scatter the space they may find themselves in. Exploring the sensory experiences of taste, hearing and touch requires an ability to focus and concentrate. This gets more interesting when they start walking by their first birthday. Their focus and concentration skill which is developing enables them to imitate the people around them. Their capacity to imitate then facilitates play where they try to do what they see mummy or daddy doing like wearing their shoes or talking on the phone etc. At this age, they begin to point at objects and show interest in sharing objects in the environment with others. They will often bring objects to the parent or caregiver, looking forward to that mutual enjoyment of the object they find exciting. This is known as joint attention and is necessary for the development of language, social skills and cognition. As they continue to school, they tend to build on these skills necessary for attaining academic success and productivity. Missing out In recent times, however, many children are missing out on the opportunities to develop focus and concentration because of the vested interest of parents in technology. The need to achieve more within a limited time at home, whilst nursing a baby or running around with a toddler, can be stressful. The easiest way out that many parents and caregivers have discovered (thanks to the COVID era) is to simply place the child in front of the television to watch cartoons. Many hours in front of the screen benefit neither parent nor child in the long run. The child does not receive the needed exposure to develop appropriate attention span and this can cause stress and frustration to both parents and teachers. Most children having concentration issues and struggling to focus in school in these times may be having a learning difficulty enabled by excessive screen time. Other reasons children may have such difficulties including lack of proper sleep and nutrition, or they may genuinely have a severe learning difficulty. The writer is a Child Development Expert/ Fellow at Zero-to-three Academy, USA. E-mail: nanaesi_19@yahoo.co.uk Next article: President Mahama orders probe into drug and cash trafficking allegations by Minority Bawumia donates over 3,000 bags of rice to Muslims during Eid-ul-Fitr GraphicOnline Apr - 02 - 2025 , 05:21 1 minute read Former Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, over the weekend dispatched more than 3,300 bags of rice across the country to support underprivileged Muslims in celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr. Dr Bawumia's generous donation covered all sixteen regions and was distributed through regional representatives tasked with identifying individuals in dire need of assistance. Eid-ul-Fitr, which marks the end of a month-long fast during Ramadan, is a day of feasting, and Muslims are encouraged to support one another to ensure that no one goes hungry on such a joyous occasion. Bawumias timely donation is expected to bring relief to many households that often struggle to afford even a basic meal on this significant day. The former Vice Presidents total distribution amounted to 3,320 bags, with the Ashanti Regionknown for its large Muslim populationreceiving the highest allocation of 480 bags, followed by Greater Accra and Eastern regions with 350 and 340 bags, respectively. Dr Bawumia also presented bags of rice to the National Chief Imam to further support those in need within the Muslim community. 6 Women excel in Ambassador for a Day contest Emmanuel Bonney Apr - 02 - 2025 , 09:57 3 minutes read Six individuals, all females, have emerged winners of the Ambassador for a Day Competition organised by the British High Commission in Accra. They are Fafali Dorgbetor, Emelia Yaabi, Mariam Nasigri, Issahaku Barichisu, Deborah Jonah and Nafisa Osman. From now to December 2025, all six winners (who were presented with certificates) will participate in mentorship learning and sharing engagements organised by participating missions and organisations. They will serve as community-based ambassadors, catalysts and champions of change, advocating gender equality and female empowerment within their own communities. Opportunity They would have the opportunity to act as ambassadors and corporate executives for a day and receive soft skills training to strengthen their leadership and advocacy skills. The AfD competition is a flagship initiative dedicated to empowering young women to assume leadership roles, advocate women's rights and play an active role in diplomacy. It provides winners with an opportunity to spend a day with female heads of missions. The winners will be matched with the British High Commissioner, Barbados High Commissioner, Italian Ambassador, Executive Director of the UK-Ghana Chamber of Commerce, Group Managing Director of the Omni Group of Companies and CEO of Cyndex Limited. At the awards ceremony in Accra on Friday, the British High Commissioner to Ghana, Harriet Thompson, said the competition, with its mentorship component, was a powerful platform to build ambition and momentum for female leaders. Fairness She said it was not just a matter of fairness, it was a matter of national development. "Investing in women, who make up over half of the population, is an investment in Ghana's future. "Ghana is charting a new course. The affirmative action act and the historic election of our female vice-president are powerful indicators of our commitment to gender equality," she said, adding that "there is, however, more to do to achieve the full realisation of the tenets of the Affirmative Action Act and beyond," she said. The Barbados High Commissioner to Ghana, Juliette Bynoe-Sutherland, commended the British High Commission for the initiative, saying it would go a long way to motivate young females. The Italian Ambassador to Ghana, Laura Ranalli, said she was excited and thrilled at the event. The Executive Director of the UK-Ghana Chamber of Commerce, Adjoa Kyiamah, urged young females to be open to learning and new challenges. One of the award winners, Ms Nasigri, said the honour done her would go a long way to challenge her to do more in her field. Partnership This year's event, which happened to be the fourth, was held in partnership with the Barbados High Commission, Italian Embassy, the UK-Ghana Chamber of Commerce, Omni Group of Companies and Cyndex Limited. The AfD competition is part of the British High Commission Ghanas Gender and Equalities Month initiative; an annual campaign which takes place in March - where ambassadors, high commissioners and female CEOs unite to inspire and promote the leadership and entrepreneurial potential of selected young women in Ghana while supporting the Sustainable Development Goal Five to promote gender equality and women's empowerment, not only as fundamental human right but a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world. Next article: Security analyst criticises national security over delayed response to alleged drug flights At Eid-ul-Fitr celebration: President gets tough on flooding - Orders demolition of structures on water courses Kester Aburam Korankye Apr - 02 - 2025 , 12:12 3 minutes read President John Dramani Mahama has issued a stern warning against the illegal construction of buildings on water courses, blaming such activities for the perennial flooding that devastates communities across the country. Delivering an address at the national Ramadan prayers at the Black Star Square in Accra to mark Eid-ul-Fitr last Monday, the President emphasised that unauthorised structures obstructing drainage systems would be demolished without exception. "Private developers and even some chiefs are turning water retention zones into estates, endangering lives. Those structures will be pulled down and the offenders will face the law, the President stated. President Mahama stressed: This reckless disregard for planning regulations and environmental safety must stop. His comments come as the country braces for another rainy season, with early downpours already causing flooding in some communities. Gathering The Black Star Square transformed into a spiritual oasis when worshippers, old and young, gathered under the scorching morning sun for the national Eid congregation. In attendance were the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, Islamic clerics, Zango chiefs and some Ministers of State belonging to the Islamic faith. The vibrant scene saw families spread colourful prayer mats in orderly rows, while street vendors did brisk business selling Tasbih (Islamic prayer beads), hats, among others. National unity Reflecting on the values of Ramadan, President Mahama urged Ghanaians to embrace peace, reconciliation and generosity. "Ramadan teaches us sacrifice, discipline and compassion values we need to build a prosperous nation," he said. President Mahama urged those who had quarrels with anyone to use this occasion to make peace,, saying Ghanas strength lies in our unity, not our divisions." He praised the countrys longstanding religious harmony, where Muslims and Christians celebrated each others festivals and worked together for national progress. "This interfaith coexistence is a blessing we must protect," the President declared. Youth development President Mahama acknowledged the contributions of Muslim communities to the countrys development, particularly in education, health care and entrepreneurship. However, he stressed the need for more investment in Zango communities to ensure balanced national growth. "Education is the key to social mobility," he said, adding that "Islam teaches that seeking knowledge is a duty. Our youth must embrace education to thrive in a competitive world." President Mahama also highlighted the importance of charity (Zakat and Sadaqah), urging Muslims to support the less fortunate orphans, widows and the elderly even beyond Ramadan. Road safety Expressing concern over past accidents during Eid celebrations, President Mahama warned against reckless driving and motorbike riding. "No one should lose a life while celebrating Eid, and I have instructed the police to arrest reckless drivers and riders. Lets celebrate with joy, not tragedy." Peace in Bawku The President renewed his call for an end to the conflict in Bawku, urging factions in the conflict to "give peace a chance." "On this holy occasion, let us choose dialogue over violence," he entreated them. Reaffirming his social contract with Ghanaians, President Mahama promised to prioritise education, health care, job creation and infrastructural development. "My promises are not just words. We will ensure that every Ghanaian benefits from our nations progress," he said. The President also defended the additional holiday granted for Eid, noting that it allowed all Muslim denominations to observe the festival on their preferred day. President Mahama ended his speech with a prayer for national peace and prosperity, urging citizens to work together for a better Ghana. "Let us be guided by faith, justice and compassion as we build a brighter future, he said. Next article: Bawumia donates over 3,000 bags of rice to Muslims during Eid-ul-Fitr Fisheries Ministry, Commission suspend licences of 4 industrial vessels Diana Mensah Apr - 02 - 2025 , 05:46 2 minutes read The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture and the Fisheries Commission have suspended the fishing licences of four industrial trawl vessels operating within Ghanas Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) for repeated violations of the countrys laws. The vessels Meng Xin 10, owned by Nassa Co. Ltd; Florence 2, owned by Akrafi Fisheries, as well as Long Xiang 607 and Long Xiang 608, both owned by Wannimas Complex Co. Ltd , were found to have engaged in multiple illegal fishing practices, including unauthorised transshipment, dumping of fish, fishing in restricted zones and harvesting of juvenile fish in contravention of the Fisheries Act, 2002 (Act 625) and the Fisheries Regulations, 2010 (L.I. 1968). A statement issued by the Public Relations Unit of the ministry said those practices severely threatened Ghanas marine ecosystem, undermined efforts towards sustainable fisheries management and adversely affected the livelihoods of coastal fishing communities. In accordance with Sections 76(1) and 76(2) of the Fisheries Act, which empower the Minister to suspend licenses of vessels involved in repeated illegalities, the affected vessels had their licences suspended for 12 months, with effect from yesterday. Context Ghanas fisheries sector has long been challenged by overfishing and Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing activities, which continue to endanger marine biodiversity, erode the income of artisanal fishers and compromise national food security. Practices such as illegal transshipment locally known as Saiko have particularly contributed to the depletion of key fish stocks and damaged the integrity of marine governance. Section 132 of Act 625 criminalises illegal transshipment, while Regulation 33(2) of L.I. 1968 explicitly prohibits transshipment between industrial vessels and canoes. These violations are not only breaches of domestic law, but also contravene international obligations and hinder progress toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal 14, which seeks to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources, the statement said. Despite ongoing stakeholder engagement, education and regulatory reforms, the ministry said certain industrial fishing operators continued to act with impunity. The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture, therefore, reiterated its unwavering commitment to the strict enforcement of fisheries laws and regulations as part of its mandate to safeguard the countrys marine resources. The statement also cautioned all fishing operators industrial, semi-industrial and artisanal to comply fully with the provisions of the law. It warned that continued violations would attract sanctions, including licence suspensions, cancellations and legal action. The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture and the Fisheries Commission said they remained resolute in their mission to promote responsible and sustainable fisheries management in Ghana for the benefit of present and future generations. Previous article: See the list of 70 bodies set for mass burial at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital GMA demands urgent meeting with health minister over suspended vehicle tax waiver Mohammed Ali Apr - 02 - 2025 , 13:43 2 minutes read The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has called for an urgent meeting with the Minister of Health over the continued suspension of the Vehicle Importation Tax Waiver for medical doctors and dentists in the public sector. In a statement issued on Tuesday, April 2, 2025, and signed by its President, Dr. Frank Serebour, and General Secretary, Dr. Richard Selormey, the GMA expressed concern over the prolonged delay in implementing the waiver. The policy was part of the Conditions of Service agreement signed on March 27, 2024, and was expected to take effect in July 2024. According to the association, some members who imported vehicles under the agreement have been unable to clear them at the port due to the suspension, leaving them at risk of confiscation. Members would recall that in a communication to members on 19th February 2025, we informed you of the challenges and requested that members who planned to use the waiver should hold on with their applications while we resolved issues with the implementation, the statement said. It added that on February 20, 2025, the GMA wrote to the Minister of Health, drawing attention to the difficulties and calling for urgent intervention, particularly for doctors whose vehicles remain stranded at the port. Despite engagements with various stakeholders and assurances from authorities, the GMA noted that there had been no progress in reinstating the waiver or releasing the vehicles. The National Executive Council, as a matter of principle, has resolved to request an urgent meeting with the Minister of Health to address the challenges and ensure that the Vehicle Importation Tax Waiver is reinstated, particularly for members whose cars are still stuck at the ports, the statement said. The GMA further announced that it would hold an emergency meeting after the engagement with the minister to determine the next steps and communicate the outcome to its members. Mr. Serebour assured members that the leadership was working round the clock to ensure the waivers implementation as agreed in the Conditions of Service. Read below the full statement: Previous article: At Eid-ul-Fitr celebration: President gets tough on flooding - Orders demolition of structures on water courses Security analyst criticises national security over delayed response to alleged drug flights Mohammed Ali Apr - 02 - 2025 , 11:57 2 minutes read Security analyst Col. Festus Aboagye (Rtd) has criticised Ghanas national security agencies for their delayed response to allegations of suspicious flights landing at Kotoka International Airport (KIA), which have been linked to possible drug trafficking and money laundering. Speaking on Joy FM on April 2, 2025, Col. Aboagye questioned why security agencies failed to act independently before President John Dramani Mahama directed an investigation. National security should have been ahead of this issue and provided a report to the President. They should have monitored these flights, their cargo, who arrived, and who departed, he said. Instead, it took a statement from a ranking member in Parliament to trigger a reaction, which then led to the Presidents directive. That is not how it should work. The controversy began after the Minority in Parliament, led by Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, alleged that two private aircraft, AirMed flight N823AM and Cavok Air, landed at KIA in March 2025 under suspicious circumstances. The Minority has called for full disclosure on the flights and their cargo. Responding to the allegations, President Mahama ordered an investigation involving the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), the Police Criminal Investigations Department (CID), the National Investigations Bureau (NIB), and the National Security Secretariat. He cited a recent $350 million drug bust by the NIB as proof of the governments commitment to tackling drug-related crimes. Col. Aboagye, however, questioned why national security failed to detect and investigate the flights earlier. If these aircraft indeed carried illicit cargo and national security had no intelligence or failed to act, then there is a serious problem, he said. He also dismissed claims that the Minoritys allegations were politically motivated, arguing that such concerns should be investigated regardless of party lines. Opposition parties have always raised security concerns. The responsibility of any government is to investigate, not to dismiss issues as politics, he noted. He further warned that Ghana risks becoming a major transit hub for criminal activities if security oversight remains weak. Col. Aboagye called for a review of security operations at the airport, including staff deployment and intelligence-sharing measures. Why e-levy will still be paid until it passes BoG regulatory approval Graphic.com.gh Apr - 02 - 2025 , 18:08 3 minutes read President John Dramani Mahama on Wednesday signed into law a series of legislative bills aimed at scrapping some taxes such as the electronic transfer levy (e-levy), betting tax and emission tax. And as a response to public reaction as to when to expect e-levy to be completely removed from electronic money transfers, the CEO of MTN Ghana, Stephen Blewett, has clarified that the abolition cannot take effect immediately after the presidential accent. It has to go through regulatory approval by the Bank of Ghana (BoG). Speaking at MTN House in Accra on Wednesday (April 2, 2025), Mr Blewett acknowledged public anticipation but stressed the need for compliance with regulatory procedures. I cant abolish E-Levy until Im told to do it. If I do it ahead of time, the Bank of Ghana will catch me. So we have a process that has to be followed and we will follow that process, he said. He emphasized that while the government has signaled its intention to remove the levy, telecom operators like MTN must follow official directives before making changes. Mr Blewett also highlighted the negative impact of the E-Levy on mobile money transactions and expressed optimism that its removal would revitalize the sector. The reason for the abolishment of E-Levy is to encourage momentum in mobile money, he explained. While acknowledging that the removal is expected to boost digital transactions and financial inclusion, he assured that MTN would implement the change only after receiving official instructions. We will follow the process. And once its gone, mobile money will regain its strength. President John Dramani Mahama has signed into law a series of legislative bills aimed at scrapping several contentious taxes, including the Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy), Betting Tax, and Emissions Tax. The move fulfils a key campaign promise of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to ease the financial strain on Ghanaians. The signing follows the presentation of eight tax-related bills to Parliament by Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson on March 13, 2025. The proposed legislation sought to repeal and amend multiple tax policies, including the Electronic Transfer Levy (Repeal) Bill, 2025; Emissions Levy (Repeal) Bill, 2025; Income Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2025; and the Earmarked Funds Capping and Realignment (Amendment) Bill, 2025. The E-Levy, first introduced in 2022, imposed a one per cent charge on electronic transactions such as mobile money transfers and online payments. It was widely unpopular among the public, with critics arguing that it disproportionately affected ordinary citizens and businesses. Similarly, the Betting Tax, which placed a 10 per cent charge on gross gambling winnings, faced backlash from gaming industry stakeholders who viewed it as punitive. President Mahamas decision to abolish these taxes is in line with his 2024 campaign pledge to eliminate them within his first 120 days in office. This is a commitment we made to the people of Ghana, and today, we have honoured it, he stated following the bills assent. Parliament not court of law - Speaker tells MPs as House adjourns sine die Samuel Duodu Politics Apr - 02 - 2025 , 03:17 3 minutes read The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has said Parliament is not a court of law for the debate of jurisprudence. He has, therefore, urged Members of Parliament (MPs) to use the floor of the House to communicate complex governance issues in simple terms to the people they serve. In his closing remarks to MPs when the House adjourned sine die (indefinitely) on Saturday, March 29, 2025, Mr Bagbin explained that Parliament's role was distinct from that of the judiciary. It is a place for you to break down the mysteries of governance in the ordinary language for the people you represent to understand to buy in and to support you to improve their lot. No more jurisprudential debate, he said. Parliament was scheduled to adjourn indefinitely last Friday, March 28, 2025 per the Business Statement presented on March 21, 2025 but had to postpone to Saturday, March 29, 2025 because of some unfinished business. Parliamentary harmony Mr Bagbin emphasised the importance of parliamentary harmony and consensus-building, while acknowledging Parliaments role as a conflictual national political platform. He cautioned the MPs against the dangers of political polarisation, erosion of public trust, fragmentation of Parliament as an institution, and threat to national security. He commended members of the House for their commitment and sense of duty with which they approached their responsibilities. As we rise today. Let us carry forward the spirit of cooperation, consensus building and patriotism that has characterised our work during this meeting. There is still much to be done and I am confident that with the spirit of patriotism, dedication and teamwork we will continue to serve the people of Ghana diligently, he said. Leaders The Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, expressed his gratitude to all MPs for their dedication, hard work and an unwavering commitment to the progress of the country. Together we are laying the foundation for a prosperous, united and resilient Ghana one that will shine brightly for generations to come, the National Democratic Congress MP for Bawku Central in the Upper East Region said. The Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who is also the New Patriotic Party (NPP) MP for Effutu in the Central Region, expressed concern about the overly partisan posture in the House. Our country needs a Parliament that will discuss the real issues and offer solutions, he said, adding: We must not allow partisanship to overly take over the debates. The session The House, during the session, witnessed the adoption of 14 reports of the Appointments Committee leading to the approval of the President's nominees for various positions including ministers of state, deputy ministers and Administrator of the District Assemblies Common Fund. It also carried out its oversight responsibilities with the admission of 190 questions of which only 58 comprising both urgent and oral questions were answered. In addition, one instrument namely Environmental Protection Mining in the Forest Amendment Regulations, 2025 was presented to the House during the meeting while 16 bills were considered, ten of which were successfully passed adding to the body of legislation that would guide the countrys national development. Again, 78 statements on various subjects were taken, some of them being referred to the relevant committees for further consideration and report to the House for deliberation and decision-making. MP demands parliamentary briefing on gold, cocaine busts and suspicious flights at Kotoka Graphic.com.gh Politics Apr - 02 - 2025 , 17:01 2 minutes read The Ranking Member on Parliaments Defence and Interior Committee, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, has asked that the security agencies should be made to provide a briefing to Parliament on investigations being conducted into high profile reported incidents, which are considered "serious" and are of great public interest. In a letter dated April 2, 2025, and addressed to the Chairman of the Defence and Interior Committee, the Assin South Member of Parliament urged the committee to summon the security agencies - the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), and the National Investigations Bureau (NIB) to appear before Parliament on April 7. The letter outlined the need for a briefing on three critical incidents. The first involved a National Security-led operation on February 9, 2025, in Sapeiman, which resulted in the discovery of twelve 20-foot containers filled with gold bars and various currencies. The second focused on two significant cocaine seizures in March, with a combined value of $470 million. And the third is on two flights, AirMed Flight N823AM and Cavok Air Antonov An-12B, that landed at Kotoka International Airport from Gran Canaria on March 12 and March 20, respectively, and reportedly departed on March 25. Rev Fordjours request underscored the urgency of the investigations, emphasising the need for security agencies to provide clarity on these matters. He also noted that the Defence and Interior Committee would offer relevant information to support the agencies investigative efforts. The purpose of this proposed meeting is to afford the agencies the opportunity to brief the committee and provide updates on investigations being conducted into high-profile reported incidents of serious and urgent public interest, the letter stated. Already, President John Dramani Mahama has asked the security agencies to investigate the allegation. Read also: President Mahama orders probe into drug and cash trafficking allegations by Minority Read the letter below: Next article: What is the Signal messaging app and how secure is it? Apple launches huge free upgrade for millions of iPhone users and it's available now uniladtech.com Technology Apr - 01 - 2025 , 20:35 5 minutes read iOS 18.4 is finally here, and the latest Apple update brings with it a number of huge changes that make downloading it right now an essential move for all iPhone users out there. It's become a bit of a tradition within the Apple community that new iOS updates aren't always well received, and iOS 18 was especially poorly received when it dropped in September last year. Unwanted adjustments made to the photo gallery and other key areas prompted many users to search for a means of reverting back to a previous update, although the return of a long-awaited calculator feature and the introduction of a game-changing tool have sweetened the deal a little bit. The arrival of iOS 18.4 however has been widely praised, as it not only brings a variety of welcome additions but it also protects your phone with 62 different security vulnerability fixes, making it an essential free move for all iPhone users out there much like the last update. As reported by Forbes, the update brings "8 new emojis, a new Sketch Style option in Image Playground, recipes in Apple News+, and enhancements to better organize and filter your library in Photos," alongside the aforementioned bug and security fixes. Overall it's 3.42 GB and you can download it right now, so make sure to head to the Software Update section of your iPhone's Settings menu to get started. If you need to free up some storage space though there are thankfully a few tips that you can use - even just to make room for the new update. Among the 62 security-related fixes is the solution to a kernel issue (CVE-2025-30432) that allowed malicious apps to attempt password attempts on a locked device, which would then inevitably cause a timeout which locks you out of accessing your phone. That's why it's essential for you to get the new update downloaded as soon as possible, as it means that you're no longer vulnerable to this threat among many others that'll help keep your phone safe. Some people across social media still aren't too happy about the size of the update in particular, pointing out that it's not an accurate reflection of the content included: "3.42 gb, 8 new emoji," outlines one user on Reddit. "It's a very very heavy emoji I must say." Another comment echoes a similar sentiment, adding: "Top new feature is emojis? We might be at peak iOS." Others have also pointed out that iOS 18.4 was originally the intended launch version of the long-awaited AI-powered Siri update, which has since been delayed until at least iOS 19, if not even longer, following the removal of Apple Intelligence ads. However, the new update has added AI support for French, German, Italian, and Spanish users, alongside those in the United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong. iPhone users in shock at hidden feature that gets rid of pop-ups instantly One of Apple's newest features might just be a game changer if you hate distractions while browsing the internet, as it's left many iPhone users in shock after removing annoying popups from your favorite websites. While the recent release of iOS 18 might not have been the iPhone community's most popular update, it did bring about a number of highly-requested changes and updates that should hopefully persuade you not to forcibly revert back to an older version. Something as simple as the return of a greatly missed calculator function have redeemed iOS 18 for many, despite the glaring flaws with the new photo gallery, but there's actually one new addition that you likely have no idea arrived and it could change everything. As shared by u/Arkid777 on the r/iOS subreddit, the new 'Hide Distracting Items' setting that was added to Safari with iOS 18 has proven to be incredibly popular and a genuine game changer for many. Otherwise known as 'Distraction Control', this setting gives Safari users the ability to permanently remove parts of a webpage that they might find annoying - which is perfect for any persistent pop ups that get in your way. The example that Arkid777 uses is a banner advert on their online school calculator, as it prevents the entire calculator from showing on the screen which is understandably super frustrating to deal with. Many in the comments underneath the post also share the same feeling towards this new feature, with one arguing that it's the "most useful thing on [iOS] 18 so far." "Hiding distracting items is the real GOAT of iOS 18," adds another, and one comment has even revealed that updates added in iOS 18.2 now make it so that you're able to scroll while Distraction Control is enabled, which only further cements this feature as something you simply can't ignore. It also couldn't be simpler to use either, as all you need to do once you're on Safari is press the Page Menu button (rectangle with two horizontal lines underneath) in the Smart Search field. From there you should be able to see the 'Hide Distracting Items' option, so select that and then press on the areas of the page that you want to hide, selecting 'Done' when you're all finished. These distractions will now no longer get in your way, and you can use it on anything that remains static on the page - so it's not just limited to pop-ups or adverts. credit: uniladtech.com These are the best offers from our affiliate partners. We may get a commission from qualifying sales. Qualcomm just announced its latest premium mobile chipset the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4. The SM8735 as it is known internally is fabbed on TSMCs N4P 4nm process node and gets the older Kryo CPU instead of the Oryon core found on the flagship Snapdragon 8 Elite chip. The CPU layer consists of 1x Cortex-X4 prime core clocked at up to 3.2GHz, 3x Cortex-A720 cores at 3.0GHz, 2x Cortex-A720 cores at 2.8GHz, and 2x Cortex-A720 cores at 2.0GHz. According to Qualcomm, the new chip is 31% faster than last years Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 while drawing 39% less power. The chip also gets a new Adreno 825 GPU, which Qualcomm is advertising to offer a 49% improvement on the graphics side compared to the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3. Youre also getting on-device ray tracing support and Snapdragon Elite Gaming features like Snapdragon Game Super Resolution 2.0 and Adreno Image Motion Engine 2.0. Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 vs 8s Gen 4 performance The updated Qualcomm Hexagon NPU delivers 44% better performance with on-device AI tasks. Qualcomm also added an 18-bit triple image signal processor (ISP) that supports up to 320MP camera sensors and 4K60fps HDR video recording. The new chip comes with an integrated Snapdragon X75 5G modem with peak download speeds of 4.2Gbps though it only supports sub-6GHz spectrum instead of the faster mmWave frequency bands. The chip also gets Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.0 connectivity. 8s Gen 4 supports UFS 4.0 storage, LPDDR5X RAM and USB 3.1 Gen 2 connectivity. It also gets Qualcomms Extended Personal Area Network (XPAN) connectivity which uses Wi-Fi to transmit sound and is already supported on some new wireless earbuds like the Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro. Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 is expected to debut on the iQOO Z10 Turbo later this month with more devices from Xiaomi, Oppo, Meizu and others set to launch with the new chip soon. Source The Samsung Galaxy Ring was initially teased in January 2024, only to get a full release in July. Well, in theory at least. Its rollout to various markets across the world has been the slowest of any Samsung mobile product in recent memory, but the company has recently promised to bring it to 15 more countries starting in February. Here we are in April and the Galaxy Ring has finally become available in one new country: South Africa. You can get it for ZAR 7,999 (approximately $434 or 402 at the current exchange rates). There's even an offer of 20% off if you purchase it alongside a Galaxy S25 until April 30. The Galaxy Ring can be had in nine sizes ranging from 5 to 13 on the US measurement scale. It can deliver up to 7 days on one battery charge, and it's rated 10 ATM for water depth resistance. Its heart rate sensor also tracks skin temperature and analyses your sleep. If you'd like to know more about how the Galaxy Ring works, don't miss our comprehensive in-depth review of Samsung's most interesting wearable. Via Samsung has reportedly postponed the launch of its Galaxy S25 Edge which was rumored to take place on April 15. South Korean news outlet, ETNews reports that the decision was made in accordance with the recent change in leadership within Samsungs Device eXperience (DX) division. The S25 Edges launch is now reportedly pushed back to May or June and Samsung will announce the device without holding an in-person event. According to the new report, Samsung has informed the three major South Korean telecoms about the change. Tipster Ice Universe also chimed in and corroborated the postponed launch. We also get confirmation that the S25 Edge will be priced between the S25+ and S25 Ultra, with a starting price of KRW 1,500,000 for the 256GB model in South Korea. That may not be the case in other markets like Europe, where the S25 Edge is rumored to launch at 1,200-1,300 for the same 256GB storage trim, which would be closer to the S25 Ultra's 1,470 launch price. Source (in Korean) Samsungs Tab S FE series skips a generation with releases in 2021, 2023 and now 2025. Patience pays off as each upgrade feels more substantial, but these are still very much Samsungs mid-range offerings. Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE and Tab S10 FE+ The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ brings a larger 13.1 display, which has almost 12% more surface area than the 12.4 panel of its predecessor. This also makes it bigger than the 12.4 Tab S10+, though not as big as the 14.6 Tab S10 Ultra. Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE sticks with the 10.9 screen size but is 4% lighter than its predecessor (going from 523g down to 497g). The FE+ put on some weight due to the larger display (from 627g to 664g). Both tablets are slimmer than the 2023 models and now measure 6.0mm, down from 6.5mm. This hasnt affected battery capacity, though, more on that in a bit. Both FE tablets have 90Hz LCDs with 800 nit high brightness mode. Samsung sells an anti-reflective screen protector, a smart book cover and two keyboard covers. An S Pen is included in the retail package, but note that its the kind without Bluetooth functionality (thats not new, the S Pens that came with the Tab S9 FE also lacked the remote features). This years FE tablets are powered by the Exynos 1580 that is also found in the Galaxy A56. Its the first mid-range Exynos to use ARMv9 cores (Cortex-A720 and A520) and the second to use AMD graphics now based on RDNA 3 and with two work groups, not just one like on the Exynos 1480. The Tab S9 FE used the older 1380 chip, though, so like we said, this is a substantial upgrade. The Galaxy Tab S10 FE and Tab S10 FE+ are available in two configurations: 8/128GB and 12/256GB. There is a microSD slot (supporting cards up to 2TB), but the extra built-in storage comes with more RAM too. Whichever model you pick, the Galaxy AI features are available. Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE Circle to Search works great with the S Pen and you can even take notes and do homework Solve Math will solve handwritten equations while Handwriting Help will tidy up and organize your notes. There are also Object Eraser and Best Face for photos, Auto Trim for videos (it quickly edits together multiple clips to create highlight reels). The Tab S10 FE series also comes pre-loaded with LumaFusion, Goodnotes, Clip Studio Paint, Noteshelf 3, Sketchbook, Picsart and more. There is even a Galaxy AI Key on the Book Cover Keyboard for quick access. Both tablets are rated IP68 for dust and water resistance, which is pretty rare on tablets, but is a selling point for Samsung slates. The two tablets have stereo speakers and a fingerprint reader built into the power button. The Tab S10 FE has an 8,000mAh battery, while the larger Tab S10 FE+ has a 10,090mAh battery. Both support 45W fast charging, but youll have to supply your own. Like last year, the front-facing camera has a 12MP sensor and an ultra-wide lens. There is only a single camera on the back, one with a higher resolution 13MP sensor. There is no ultra-wide lens like on the Tab S9 FE+. For connectivity, the tablets have Wi-Fi 6 (ax) and Bluetooth 5.3. There is optional 5G connectivity (sub-6GHz) if you want it. Those tablets are dual-SIM with one physical card in the slot and one eSIM. Tab S10 FE colorways: Gray, Silver and Blue The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE and Tab S10 FE+ will be available tomorrow, April 3, in three colors: Gray, Silver and Blue. Pricing details are below. We already mentioned the anti-reflective screen protector, Samsung is also selling a Smart Book Cover, a Book Cover Keyboard and a Book Cover Keyboard Slim. (Editors note: This story has been updated to add more tributes and funeral details.) Former Sen. Robert Bob W. Klitzkie, known for his towering height, his no-nonsense attitude and demand for government efficiency and accountability, has died. He was 86. Besides being a two-term senator, he was a Marine, a part-time Superior Court of Guam judge, attorney, government of Guam director, an adjunct professor, and a family man. It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Robert Klitzkie, who died peacefully last night with his wife and daughter by his side, his family said in a statement Wednesday. Tributes and condolences poured in after the news of his passing circulated. Robert Klitzkie exemplified the qualities of a statesman who cared deeply about public safety, education, transparency and fiscal responsibility, Vice Speaker Tony Ada said in a statement. His contributions have left an indelible mark on our community, and he will be greatly missed. Sen. Sabrina Salas Matanane said her family and staff extend condolences to Klitzkies wife Lourdes, his daughter, grandchildren and many friends who are grieving his loss. Bob dedicated his life to serving both our country and our island, she said. Bob was truly larger than lifeboth in stature and in spiritwith a towering presence matched only by his vast intellect and boundless personality. Salas Matanane shared that she first met Klitzkie when she was hired by Guam Cable to return to the island as a news reporter in 1996. Klitzkie was hosting Cable Forum at the time. He consistently demonstrated intelligence and a keen analysis of government and politics, yet remained humble and grounded. His frugal nature was a reflection of his unwavering dedication to the community, Salas Matanane said. I encourage all island residents to offer a prayer of comfort for his family and for Bobs swift passage to his Heavenly paradise. True character in the best sense of the word Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero said Klitzkie, who always insisted to just call him Bob, was a brilliant legal mind, a devoted public servant, and a true character in the best sense of the word. Whether he was guiding students in the classroom, shaping policy in the Legislature, or offering spirited commentary on the airwaves, Bob brought passion, integrity, and a dry wit that left a lasting impression on everyone he met, the governor said in a statement. From the courtroom to the classroom to the correctional facility, he served Guam with diligence and distinction. Klitzkies legacy of service and commitment to the rule of law, the governor said, will not be forgotten. On behalf of the people of Guam, we send our sincerest condolences to his wife, Lou, and their entire family, the governor added. Funeral details Last respects for Klitzkie will be from 9:30 a.m. to 11: 30 a.m. Tuesday, April 15, at the Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Yigo. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 12 p.m. Burial will follow at the Guam Veterans Cemetery in Piti. Lt. Gov. Josh Tenorio said Klitzkie was a very courageous leader and was a key figure in the unification of the Judiciary, playing a pivotal role in ensuring that Guams courts would be an independent and co-equal branch of government. At a time of dangerous instability, he made bold improvements at the Department of Corrections, always striving for excellence. While I didnt always agree with his opinions, I never once doubted his sincerity or his desire to make Guam the best place it could be, Tenorio said. My heartfelt condolences go out to his wife Lou and the rest of the Klitzkie family. The Republican Party of Guam also joined the community in mourning Klitzkies passing, describing him as an outspoken advocate for education and government reform, a conservative voice for common sense policy both in the 27th and 28th Guam Legislatures and a longtime talk radio host and political commentator. Most recently, our friend Bob co-chaired our Partys Platform Committee crafting the Contract with Guam, USA adopted by the Republican Party of Guam on March 16, 2024 and ratified by our 19 district leaders on May 16, 2024, the Republican Party of Guam said. A US Marine Corps veteran and attorney, Bobs dedication to Guam and the nation will not be forgotten. Our condolences to his wife Lou and the rest of his family. Klitzkie also advocated for accountability in the Catholic Church on Guam, leading to peaceful protests in front of the cathedral basilica and helping to bring to light decades of clergy sexual abuse and the removal of an archbishop who was later convicted by a Vatican tribunal for sexual assault of multiple minors. A pioneer Born on Dec. 20, 1938 in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, Klitzkie was well known on Guams airwaves as the host of talk radio show, Tall Tales. He served the people of Guam as a senator from January 2003 to January 2007 in the 27th and 28th Guam Legislatures. Klitzkie was a pioneer of the information age as a senator through his site, www.bobsoffice.org, where he kept the public apprised of legislative bills and activities, as well as his own work as a senator. He authored the first bill introduced in the 28th Guam Legislature that eventually became Public Law 28-45, the Every Child is Entitled to an Adequate Public Education Act. He was a longtime attorney who joined the Guam Bar in 1974 and worked in private practice of law as a member of the firm Brooks and Klitzkie PC from 1974 to 1985. He also served as a Superior Court of Guam judge pro tem, or temporary judge. But he was a teacher at heart. He began his government service as a social studies and history teacher at George Washington High School. While serving as a teacher, Klitzkie earned a masters degree in education at the University of Guam. He was one of the first members of the Guam Federation of Teachers and served a couple terms as sergeant-at-arms. As chief negotiator for the GFT in the first board-union contract in 1970, Klitzkie played a major role in bringing collective bargaining to GovGuam workers. Klitzkie retired from the position of director of Education in February 1995, having guided the more than 4,000-employee department for a year. In between educational stints, he served in the area of public safety, having been the legal advisor for the Guam Police Department and director of Corrections, among other things. Speaker Frank Blas Jr. said Klitzkie has made Guam his home more than 50 years ago. Senator Klitzkie was a proud Marine and a distinguished retiree as a lieutenant colonel with the Guam Army National Guard, Blas said. While Senator Klitzkie will long be remembered for his candor and firmness, he will also be missed for his willingness to share his wisdom and provide sound and practical advice. Not one to shy away from differentiating views, Senator Klitzkie was a person you appreciated being in your corner and confident when he stood by your side. Another public hearing on proposed future use of the abandoned Department of Public Health and Social Services facility in Mangilao has come and gone, but a comprehensive building assessment is still ongoing. Senators on Tuesday held hearings on two bills similar to what were introduced during the previous Legislature. Bill 12-38, by Sen. Therese Terlaje seeks to reserve the former DPHSS building in Mangilao for public health and nursing programs. Sen. Tina Muna Barnes Bill 21-38, meanwhile, seeks to transfer the building to Guam Community College to establish a nursing annex. During the hearing, officials said a comprehensive building assessment, funded by American Rescue Plan Act dollars, is expected to be completed by July 18, 2025. The DPHSS building was closed in 2019 due to an electrical fire, and remains under a year-long assessment by the Department of Public Works. Muna Barnes voiced concerns about the long delay in the potential reopening of the facility. April will mark the 65th month since the former public health and social services headquarters in Mangilao was shut down, the senator said. Looking at this governments record to rebuild JFK High School or reopen the Hagatna pool or choose the site of a new hospital, let alone to build one or to replace the Simon Sanchez High Schools unsafe facilities without trying something different, Madam Chair [Sabrina Salas Matanane], we may be waiting 5, 10, or 15 years more before public health actually returns to its headquarters. Terlaje, during the hearing, said the DPHSS buildings closure has led to a dramatic 48% reduction in clinical encounters, exposing serious challenges within Guams health care system. Since the closure, patient interactions have decreased from 8,331 to 4,281, according to Terlaje. That is significant in the areas of womens health, child health, family planning, non-communicable diseases, and communicable diseases, she said. Im sad that those same employees could not be here today to testify, because I know last time they actually signed leave and took the risk of repercussions to attend and give us that testimony, and they begged us to immediately open, give them back their home. Spread out the services through the villages and bring these central services back to Mangilao. DPW Director Vincent Arriola told senators about the hazardous condition of the facility, citing multiple electrical hazards that have the potential to cause fires, electrocution, and/or explosion. When Salas Matanane questioned Arriola about the continued closure despite the initial diagnosis of an electrical issue, Arriola clarified the gravity of the situation and his personal responsibility regarding safety concerns. We discussed this at length. This wasnt just a decision that I made lightly. I take liability personally and professionally. It weighs heavily on me. I dont put my signature on anything until I know exactly what on earth Im doing, Arriola said. He also voiced frustration at those questioning the decision to close the facility. I kind of resent individuals saying that we closed it down because we decided to closeofficials and experts looked at this, and said one of the worst fires you can get is an electrical fire because you dont know where its coming from, Arriola said. The conditions they saw thereactually, I want to go see it myself. I had just gotten out of open-heart surgery. They said, No, youre not going in there. There was soot, there was a smell, it was therethere was a fire, period. Arriola said DPW shut it down at the recommendation of fire experts. Despite the closure of the DPHSS facility in Mangilao, Public Health Director Theresa Arriola assured the health committee that services are still being provided in other areas of Guam. We continue to provide these services, just not in central Mangilao, so that everybody is aware, Arriola said. Its not like when Public Health left Mangilao, did the services end? They continue to be provided in the northern and the southern clinics, where our staff and the programs that were the clinical programs that were located in Mangilao are currently housed. DPHSSs Arriola said the decreased services could be attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic and number of families who moved off-island after receiving stimulus funding. Arriola also mentioned transportation as a barrier because not everyone lives in Mangilao. The hearing also addressed the potential transfer of the 70,000-square-foot building to GCC, which could restore essential health care services to the island. However, funding concerns and the need for federal grants present significant challenges. Additionally, the discussion touched on the need for historic preservation funds to renovate the facility, a project that could be financed by the Guam Historic Preservation Trust. Guam mourns Army Pfc. Dante Gogo Taitano, 21, one of the four U.S. soldiers who were found dead during a training mission in Lithuania. Taitano, of Dededo, had been in the Army for two years. Lithuania was his first deployment. To Dantes family: no words can ease this kind of pain. As a mother, and having spoken to his mother, I cannot begin to comprehend the depth of your sorrow, Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero said in a statement Wednesday afternoon. The loss of a child is every parents deepest fear, and yet, in your grief, youve reminded us of the extraordinary strength it takes to raise a son willing to wear the uniform, stand a post far from home, and serve something greater than himself. Taitano attended Okkodo High School. On behalf of the people of Guam, we send our prayers, our love, and our gratitude to the Taitano family. And we hold Dante in our heartsnot only as a soldier who served, but as a son of Guam whose legacy will endure, the governor said. The U.S. Army released the identities of the first three soldiers whose bodies were found on March 31: Pfc. Dante D. Taitano, 21, of Dededo, Guam Sgt. Jose Duenez Jr., 25, of Joliet, Illinois Sgt. Edvin F. Franco, 25, of Glendale, California The identity of the fourth soldier, whose body was found on April 1, has yet to be released, pending notification of kin. The four soldiers were all assigned to the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division based out of Fort Stewart in Georgia. They were in an armored vehicle they had been using during a tactical training exercise when they and their vehicle were reported missing on March 25, the U.S. Army said. U.S., Polish and Lithuanian armed forces and authorities dug the M88 Hercules out of a peat bog at a training ground in the town of Pabrade. He promised me that he would make it back Army Pfc. Jason Tamashiro, 20, of Yigo, said hes heartbroken to hear of his best friends passing. They had been best friends since middle school, he said. It just destroyed my world. I cant believe what was happening, that its true, Tamashiro said, struggling to hold back tears. We had a lot of plans on what we wanted to do together. We were going to do 20 years in the Army together. He was supposed to be the uncle to my future kids. Taitano and Tamashiro became inseparable when they were stationed together at Fort Stewart in 2023. We spent every day together here, did everything together here, Tamashiro said, remembering Taitanos laughter and infectious smile and how always kept smiling and bringing joy to those around him, even in the toughest of times. One of Tamashiros favorite memories with Taitano was a fishing trip in Fort Stewart. We were just so happy that we caught our first fish in the United States, Tamashiro recalled. Before Taitano left for deployment in Lithuania, Tamashiro said he gave him a big hug. He promised me that he would make it back and we can continue on our adventures, he said. The two kept in touch daily, and the last time they spoke was through video chat the day before Taitano was reported missing. He said he cant wait to call me again tomorrow, Tamashiro said. However, when Taitano went missing, Tamashiro was determined to help. I thought I got to somehow try my best to get to Poland and maybe try to help, help with the operation, but I wasnt able to, he said. It was heart wrenching for me knowing that he could still be alive under there, under the water, in the tank, but there was also a high chance he passed away already. Although hes going to be deployed overseas, Tamashiros wish is to be able to go back to Guam in time for Taitanos funeral. Willy Flores, Taitanos uncle, said his nephew will be buried at the Guam Veterans Cemetery, where Taitanos dad, also an Army veteran, was laid to rest. He saved me Army Sfc. Orlando Hillard, another close friend, remembered how Taitano had supported him emotionally. He saved me, as any person could be saved. He was friendly, kind, and he never once said anything negative, always positive, all the time, Hillard said. Hillard, who met the two men at the Walmart parking lot at Fort Stewart, fondly recalled their time together. Sad to say, but they gave me a lot of hope and inspiration to make me better with what I was going through, coming from Korea. So I was very grateful to have them as friends, and they called me uncle. Upon hearing the news of Taitanos death, Hillard said he called him. I was calling him, trying to get him on the phone. It broke my heart when I wasnt able to, he said. Unimaginable time White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on April 1 said the soldiers went missing while conducting a mission to repair and tow an immobilized tactical vehicle in Lithuania in the early hours of March 25th. The president, the secretary of Defense and the entire White House are praying for the victims friends and family during this unimaginable time. This is another stark reminder of the sacrifice of our brave military men and women who risk their lives around the world everyday to keep up safe, Leavitt said. Lt. Gov. Josh Tenorio, in a statement, said Taitano was part of a long line of men and women from Guam who stepped forward when our nation called. Their service is not just a chapter in our historyit is etched in our moral foundation, he said. Dante was taken at such a young age and joined the military to help his family. Moments like this remind us: service comes with sacrifice. Tenorio said that sacrifice doesnt end with the soldier. It is carried by the mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, friends and neighborswho watch from afar, who wait for their return, and who sometimes receive the call no family ever wants, he said. We honor Dantes memorynot just in words but in how we live. Let us be kind. Let us lift one another up. Let us be worthy of the freedoms bought by the service of people like Dante. Supporting Taitanos family Even those who did not know Taitano personally have been moved by his passing, and one of them is Army Sgt. Justine Oruga, who started an online GoFundMe account, to support Taitanos family. Dante wore the same uniform and pride, that makes him a brother to me, Ourga said. In the fundraiser, Oruga stated, Dante has four other siblings that want to see their brother. We are raising funds for expenses, travel costs, and other unexpected financial burdens during this time. More than $10,000 had been raised as of past 9 p.m. Wednesday Guam time. While Oruga didnt know Taitano personally, Oruga knows the two other Army soldiers who died with him in Lithuania Duenez and Franco.{span class=print_trim} We have so much because we are always in the motor pool, joking around and always talking about who is the better M88 operator, he said. We would always joke about how many recoveries we made, and when we go to NTC, each M88 would be lined up and have a race to see who is the fastest. Oruga praised the two soldiers for their reliability and mentorship. Technically, SSG Duenez and SSG Franco would always be there if you need them. You will always count on them if you need something. Whatever your unit is, they will help out with any reason, Oruga said. They will always teach better ways to recover other vehicles that are stuck. They will teach you a thing or two about things that will make you better as a mechanic and as a person. Nicholas Wayne Moore, a man who once had three active felony cases spread over five different Superior Court judges, has asked one judge to allow him to attend his sisters wedding in Florida next week. Judge Vernon Perez granted Moores request to travel, but this is contingent on permission granted by Judge Maria Cenzon in Moores murder case. Government prosecutor Christine Tenorio said she would have to check with the victim in case the two cross paths should Moore be granted permission to travel. Moore originally faced the following charges: In the first, complicity to aggravated assault as a second-degree felony with a special allegation for possession and use of a deadly weapon, possession of an unregistered firearm as a third-degree felony, stemming from an incident in October 2020. In the second, aggravated murder as a first-degree felony, stemming from an incident that left Michael Castro dead in 2021. In the third case, two counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct stemming from an incident also in 2021. Moores first case went to trial twice. Jury selection and trial commenced in June 2022 with Judge Alberto E. Tolentino presiding. After several months of trial, Tolentino developed medical issues during a holiday break, resulting in his prolonged absence from the bench. Judge Arthur R. Barcinas declared a mistrial due to delays. A second jury selection commenced in October 2023 and a jury was empaneled, with Tolentino again presiding. But Perez granted another mistrial because Moores sixth amendment right to a public trial was violated due to a lack of seating and challenges to accessing the courtroom during jury selection. Assistant chief prosecutor Grant Olan requested for, and was granted, dismissal of the case, citing the length of time, and unavailability of witnesses. The special administrator for the estate of the late Luke Imaizumi Atoigue filed a government claim on April 1 for wrongful death and damages in the Superior Court of Guam. The lawsuit seeks redress for the death of Atoigue, a CHamoru man with a mental illness who was needlessly shot and killed by the Guam Police Department in 2022, according to the lawsuit. The suit alleges negligence of the shooting officer, negligence of the officers that responded to the scene, a negligent formation or implementation of police conduct standard operating procedure and lastly, negligence in a failure to train officers on how to deal with a suspect with a disability. In each allegation, the suit seeks damages in excess of $100,000, exclusive of what is to be shown at trial. According to Pacific Daily News files, Atoigue died from a single gunshot wound to the chest, according to a press release sent by the Office of the Attorney General. In the early hours of April 8, 2022, officers responding to a disturbance call at a residence pursued a man who fled in his car. The chase ended at the Harmon Loop intersection. The man got out of the car with what appeared to be a firearm, and the vehicle caught fire. An officer discharged his service firearm, hitting the man, an earlier news release stated. The complaint states that the responding officers knew or should have known that Atoigue was mentally ill. Videos that circulated on social media showed a man with a rifle walking near traffic as a car burned in the middle of the intersection. Flashing lights could be seen, and police could be heard ordering the man to put the gun down. A loud blast is then heard and the armed man is seen falling down. The narrator of the video says, They shot the guy. The Independent Investigative Team was activated at 4:15 a.m., and the man was pronounced dead at the hospital at 4:23 a.m. Following the shooting, the Guam Fire Department looked to establish the cause of the car fire which, according to then-OAG spokeswoman Carlina Charfauros, was found to be inconclusive. GPD also launched an internal investigation into the officer who discharged his weapon, and the officer was placed on leave. Police Chief Stephen Ignacio, responding in April 2022, to the 10 officer-involved shootings since he took the top position in 2019, said all 10 were justified. Yigos first elected vice mayor, Ronald J. Flores, described by the governor as a man of quiet strength and by mayors as a dedicated public servant, died on March 31. He was 63. Whether mentoring youth, working behind the scenes, or representing his community with pride, Ronald always led with heart and humility, Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero said in a statement. Flores was elected in 2008 to be Yigos first vice mayor and served from 2008 to 2012, after working as administrative assistant for the village mayors office from 1999 to 2008. Vice Mayor Flores is committed and dedicated to serving the municipality of Yigo and continuing to ensure that it is a better, safer and stronger community for all, the Mayors Council of Guam said, adding that Flores leaves behind wife Yea Ri Yi and daughter Ely Ann. The governor said Flores dedicated his entire life to serving others and was a true public servant in every sense of the word. He was a man of quiet strength, shaped by decades of experience and a deep love for his village, the governor added. Speaker Frank Blas Jr. said Flores also conveyed his and the whole Legislatures thoughts and prayers to Floress wife Yea Ri Yi, daughter Ely Ann and his whole family. Vice Mayor Flores was a dedicated and committed servant of the community of Yigo, the speaker added. Flores was born on July 3, 1961. He attended Guam Vocational High School, Guam Community College, and the University of Guam. He started as a school aide with the Guam Department of Education in 1983 before working at the Yigo mayors office in 1999, and then elected as first vice mayor of the islands northernmost village. Flores served on numerous committees in the schools in Yigo, and was also a coordinator and advisor for the Northern Youth Volleyball League from 2003 to 2005, and the Yigo Youth Club from 2001 to 2004, according to the mayors council and the speakers office. Lt. Gov. Josh Tenorio also said Flores lived a life rooted in service to his village and to our island. He gave his time to our schools, our youth, and countless community programs because he believed in building a stronger, safer, more connected village. Ronald was never one to seek recognitionhe just showed up and did the work, day in and day out, Tenorio said. His legacy of quiet leadership and deep compassion will continue to inspire all of us who had the honor of working with him. A Guam Visitors Bureau plan to spruce up the island and make it a more attractive destination for tourists will extend beyond Tumon and into the villages, Sinajana Mayor Robert Hofmann said Wednesday. Hofmann, who represents the Mayors Council of Guam on the GVB board, told mayors that the board is looking at giving them grant money to buy paint, water blasters and equipment to maintain visitor areas if they are willing to do the work. If they say theyll give you X amount of money, will you be willing to maintain Fort Soledad, for example? If you say yes, thats the agreement for a year, he said. Otherwise, if its not, then you dont get the money. Theyll see if they can contract that one out for improving some of those facilities. Hofmann said GVB is also tackling green waste in the parks. He said the bureau might have a collection service pick up palm fronds and other vegetation. You all have secret piles. Not even secret. You can see the piles of green waste, he told the mayors. It is one of the bigger issues. At the GVB board of directors meeting Monday, tourism officials discussed the need to clean buildings, fix roads, remove abandoned vehicles and paint over graffiti. Mark Baldyga of the GVB tourism recovery committee showed board members a set color scheme that could be used to standardize the appearance of utility boxes, transformers, landscape walls, benches and curbs. Hofmann explained the importance of the standardized palette to the Mayors Council on Wednesday. So then if there is graffiti, its easier to do where were all standardized, saying, This is a public park, this is the paint coat. So youre not having to figure out, Is this the correct green? Hofmann said. By standardizing it, it makes it a lot easier to identify. And should you get graffiti, anybody can get the paint, whether its the bureau, whether its you guys, or its another resident who wants to, or a nonprofit. He said GVB was looking at a hotel occupancy tax bond with $10 million for mayors projects such as signage, paving smaller areas and lighting. United Airlines on Wednesday morning hosted a gate celebration at the A.B. Won Pat International Airport to celebrate the launch of the Guam-Taipei direct service. Wednesday afternoon, United also greeted the first Taiwan tourists to arrive at the Guam airport via the inaugural Taipei-Guam direct service. It is the second new route United has launched for Guam within a year. Along with travel partner Guam Visitors Bureau, United welcomed customers to the inaugural flight between the two cities, which will operate twice weekly. United hosted a similar gate celebration in Taipei to welcome customers on the full inbound flight. Sam Shinohara, managing director of airport operations, Asia/Pacific at United, said United is connecting two of the most beautiful tropical destinations in the region to offer customers more unique travel experiences. Additionally, the launch of the new Guam-Taipei route opens new tourism markets for both Guam and Taipei and is a leap in a positive direction in the recovery of Guams tourism recovery efforts, he said. We are committed to ensuring this new route is a success. United and GVB teamed up to sponsor a Guam media team to experience the inaugural flight and what Taiwan has to offer visitors. Twice-weekly direct service The Guam to Taipei flight will depart Guam at 7 a.m. and arrive in Taipei at 9:25 a.m. local time. Return flights from Taipei to Guam will depart at 10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Wednesdays and Saturdays, respectively, and arrive in Guam at 4:20 p.m. and 4:50 p.m. the same day. United said it will operate the flights with a Boeing 737-800 aircraft, offering 166 seats, 16 of which are in business class. GVB General Manager Regine Biscoe Lee congratulated United on its inaugural flight from Taipei to Guam, saying that this travel route is long-awaited and critical to our recovering tourism industry. Were thrilled to be able to accommodate the many travelers seeking to visit Guam. I encourage the community to welcome our new visitors with the warm hospitality and Hafa Adai spirit that makes Guam memorable, Biscoe Lee said. As Guams hometown airline for more than 55 years, United offers more than 80 weekly flights to 14 destinations, including Taipei, Koror, Manila, four destinations in Japan, and destinations across the Federated States of Micronesia and the Marshall Islands. Guam residents will not need a visa to travel to Taipei, United said. Travel can be booked through travel agents, united.com, the United app, and through the Guam City Ticket Office in Tiyan. Customers in Guam and Micronesia needing assistance can call 1-800-UNITED1 (1-800-864-8331). Army Pfc. Dante D. Taitano, 21, who attended Okkodo High School, was among three of four U.S. soldiers found dead in Lithuania on Monday, nearly a week since they were reported missing during training, according to the U.S. Army and one of his uncles on Guam, Willy Flores. Unfortunately, Dante was one of the ones that they identified as one of the three recovered. Three bodies recovered, and so we just now have to put our nephew to rest, Flores told the Pacific Daily News Tuesday afternoon. The U.S. Army said the bodies of the three soldiers were recovered on March 31. The body of the fourth one was recovered on April 1. As of Wednesday morning Guam time, the U.S. Army released the names of the first three soldiers found: Pfc. Dante D. Taitano, 21, of Dededo, Guam Sgt. Jose Duenez Jr., 25, of Joliet, Illinois Sgt. Edvin F. Franco, 25, of Glendale, California The four were all assigned to the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division based out of Fort Stewart in Georgia, the U.S. Army said. The four soldiers were in an armored vehicle they had been using during a training mission when it apparently became trapped in a muddy bog. They went missing on March 25, the U.S. Army said. When U.S. and Lithuanian forces and law enforcement conducted a search, they found the soldiers vehicle submerged in a body of water in the early hours of March 26, the U.S. Army said. It wasnt until March 31 when the U.S. Army announced the recovery of three soldiers bodies. Profound grief An online GoFundMe account, meanwhile, has been set up to raise funds to support Taitanos family members on Guam so they could attend his funeral service. The fundraiser account stated that Taitano was found dead inside the M88 with two others, and one still missing. His sudden passing has left his family, friends, and fellow soldiers in profound grief, the account stated. The GoFundMe fundraiser was organized by Justine Oruga and Krystle Oruga. We are heartbroken to share that SPC Taitano, Dante, a dedicated specialist/Abrams system maintainer in the Army, tragically lost his life during a training exercise/mission in Lithuania. He was deeply committed to serving his country and was admired for his courage, kindness, and unwavering dedication, the GoFundMe account stated. The Orugas, in their fundraising efforts, said they are raising funds to support Taitanos family members who are on Guam right now because the military is only paying for three people to fly out and go to the service. Dante has four other siblings that want to see their brother. We are raising funds for expenses, travel costs, and other unexpected financial burdens during this time, the the GoFundMe account stated. More than $3,000 had been raised as of 9 p.m. Tuesday Guam time. Your contributions will also help honor Dantes memory and ensure his service is never forgotten. Any amount, no matter how small, will make a meaningful difference to his loved ones, it stated. Please consider donating and sharing this campaign to spread awareness and support. Sad and tragic day The soldiers were training near Pabrade, a city in eastern Lithuania near the border with Belarus, which is a close ally of Russia. Today is a very sad and tragic day. The loss of these Soldiers weighs heavy on me, the hearts of all Task Force Iron service members, and the 3rd Infantry Division, Maj. Gen. Curtis Taylor, commander of Task Force Iron and the 1st Armored Division, said in a statement. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of these brave Soldiers. Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie, commanding general of the 3rd Infantry Division, expressed the deep loss felt by the division. The soldiers we have lost in this tragedy were not just soldiers they were a part of our family. Our hearts are heavy with a sorrow that echoes across the whole Marne Division, both forward and at home, Norrie said. We stand in grief with the families and loved ones of these extraordinary Dogface Soldiers during this unimaginable time. Taylor also said he personally commends the heroic efforts of the search parties, and especially our Lithuanian allies who were instrumental in the recovery efforts. Their courage and commitment to this operation will always be remembered and demonstrates the strong relationship between our countries. However, search and recovery efforts are not complete they will continue until we bring all of our Soldiers home, Taylor said. At the time of the incident, Taitano was deployed for a joint NATO training exercise in Lithuania. The U.S. Army and reports from international media sources indicated the complex search and rescue operation that has involved the U.S. Army and Navy, along with Lithuanian and Polish armed forces. Tesla launches new EV financing package in China to boost sales Global Times) 14:13, April 02, 2025 Tesla launched a new financing package to promote its electric vehicles (EVs) and charging products, following its battery export shipment from its Shanghai Megafactory - underscoring growing synergy between the Chinese and US auto industries. The month-long promotional event includes favorable financing options for Model 3 and new Model Y buyers, such as zero- or low-interest loans for three to five years, and discounts for its charging piles and other services, Tesla's social media statement said. Tesla's promotional activities are relatively moderate in intensity, and their main purpose is to stabilize Tesla's sales in the Chinese market and to cope with the changes in market strategy brought about by the new Model Y, Cui Dongshu, secretary-general of the China Passenger Car Association, told the Global Times on Tuesday. Experts noted that the promotions align with China's push for green mobility. Tesla sold a record 657,000 EVs in China in 2024, up 8.8 percent year-on-year, while its global sales declined by 1.1 percent. Tesla's China sales hit a record high in 2024, bucking global decline In terms of the global total, 36.7 percent of Tesla vehicles were delivered to Chinese buyers, as China has become its second-largest market, Tesla's fiscal report said on January 3, 2025. Tesla launched production at its new Megafactory in Shanghai for its energy storage system, the first of its kind built by Tesla outside the US, on February 11. The first batch of Megapack energy storage systems produced at the Shanghai facility were set to depart the port heading for Australia on March 21, according to a statement Tesla sent to the Global Times. The Megafactory has an initial annual production capacity of 10,000 units, or roughly 40 gigawatt-hours of energy storage. Tesla expects a 50 percent year-on-year increase in energy storage deployments in 2025, the Xinhua News Agency reported. Tesla said in the statement sent to the Global Times that the Shanghai-produced batteries will serve both China and the broader Asia-Pacific market. The company noted the Megapack shipment reflects its expanding presence in the global energy storage market and the broader application of its battery technology beyond EVs. Zhang Xiang, director of the Digital Automotive International Cooperation Research Center of the World Digital Economy Forum, told the Global Times on Tuesday that China and the US have complementary strengths in the automobile industry. In addition to China's massive consumer market and manufacturing strength, Chinese and US automobile industries have vast cooperation potential in new-energy vehicle technology development and business investment, Zhang said. China boasts great consumption potential as well as a complete industrial chain, which have attracted increasing foreign enterprises, including Tesla, to tap into more cooperation opportunities in China, said Cui. During the recently concluded China Development Forum 2025, China reaffirmed its commitment to innovation-driven high-quality development and global cooperation against the backdrop of global economic fragmentation and rising uncertainties, as multiple leaders of foreign enterprises attended the forum and said that they were optimistic about China's further opening for business and growth. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing) Guam lost about $27 million in federal education grants that its education agency has failed to use on time, drawing sharp criticism from the board and senators. With the figures we see today, there is evidence that weve got to put our foot down and accept the truth. We failed, Guam Education Board Chairman Angel Sablan said during Tuesday nights board meeting. Discussions at the board meeting indicated that the Guam Department of Education failed to properly manage and allocate grant funds, leading to the expiration of $27 million in federal funding. If it was only $1,000, but no, its $27-million plus. We cant even go to the bank and say, let us borrow $27 million because we returned it, Sablan added. The expired funds included special education grants, as well as federal programs like the Consolidated Grant, and Elementary and Secondary Education Relief funds. This left board members and officials questioning GDOEs management of the grants. We have a finance team, we have a finance office, we have an overseer...How can this happen? Guam Education Board Vice Chair Mary Okada said. How can they not be on top of these grants, making sure were complying with deadlines? This is unforgivable. This is not acceptable. Lost funding included, based on the discussions at the board meeting: $7.7 million in special education funds, meant for one-on-one aides, went unused before its expiration on Jan. 20, 2025 $5.9 million in ESF 2 funds had a March 28, 2025, deadline and is now considered lost $11 million potentially lost from the consolidated grant that was set to expire on Jan. 30, 2025 Over $1.8 million in CG 21 funds expired on Aug. 5, 2024, and are no longer accessible Officials said overall, some $27 million in federal funding has gone unspent or unclaimed, despite being designated for student learning and educational programs. Education Superintendent Kenneth Swanson acknowledged the issue and assured the board that GDOE will make the corrective action. I know the point is quite clear, and we need to correct the things that need correcting so that were not in this position again, Swanson said. Well take that for action. Sablan expressed frustration over GDOEs inability to justify the unspent funds while requesting additional funding. This kind of report is a black eye, not just for the GDOE, but also for us as board members, Sablan said. Here we are asking for more money, for more money, for more money, and right in front of our eyes, were returning about $28 million simply because we didnt put pen to paper to ask for an extension. It just doesnt make sense. Requesting for more money is not justifiable, and I will be after we held back on approving FY 26 a budget request simply. Missed opportunities Sen. Vince Borja, education chairman, immediately inquired about the return of $26,877,038.76 in unused federal grant funds, and plans to call a roundtable discussion with education officials. This development, he said, raises serious questions that demand immediate attention. The loss of these funds represents missed opportunities to address critical needs within our education system whether in infrastructure, student programs, or teacher resources, the freshman senator wrote in an April 2 letter to Swanson. Tuesday nights board meeting quickly turned into a heated discussion, with several members voicing their frustration over the oversight. At least one board member said no one is being held accountable. Deputy Education Superintendent of Finance Wade Paul, addressing the ongoing issues with the grants, acknowledged the difficulties GDOE faces. Yes, we are working with federal programs to clean up this situation. For example, the largest issue involves a carrier service valued at over $1.5 million. These services were provided, but IO would not allow the draw due to contract changes, Paul said. Weve been negotiating how to resolve this, and were looking into how to pay the vendor, though the law may be violated in doing so. Paul said approximately $8 million had already been paid out in the past two weeks using local funds for federal bills, a decision made necessary by evolving processes that allow for reimbursement. We had to bypass the local law to make these payments, but were working toward getting reimbursed, he said. Despite these efforts, board members remained unconvinced. We have lost $7.7 million in special education funds because we didnt spend it yet. We tell the public that we dont have any money for one-on-one aides, and we cant extend the one-on-one aides for longer than the academic year because theres no money, Okada said. So I just wanted to verify: $7.7 million in special education money that has been lost by this department. Board member Maria Gutierrez, who has been with the board for a long time, said she kept hearing about invoices not being submitted and asked whos responsible for making sure this doesnt happen. This is ridiculous. This is why were losing millions, and no one seems to be taking responsibility, she said. Okada said GDOE has program coordinators, directors, and assistant directors who should be responsible for following through with these processes. The programs need to take ownership of thisthey cant drop the ball halfway through, she added. Sablan said hes not about to go to the Legislature and tell them that were $37 million short from our fiscal year budget when we are returning money back simply because we didnt use it. It just doesnt make sense. Hiring, travel freeze In an effort to address the financial mismanagement, Okada moved to suspend all local and federal hiring and travel expenditures until further board approval. Any permanent employee you hire under federal funds, if the federal funds get cut, it becomes a local obligation, Okada said. We know there are some positions that need to be identified. You can present it to the board, well verify that theres a budget, and then well authorize the hiring as necessary. The motion passed, freezing all hiring and travel until the board can properly assess each request. Further complicating matters, the board addressed the lack of progress on the consolidated grant application due by April 11. We dont want to be like, Oh, we didnt apply on time, or, We cant submit the application on time, Sablan said. I know the point is quite clear, and we need to correct the things that need correcting so that were not in this position again, and well take that for action. The board adjourned the meeting with plans to reconvene on April 15 to further review the unresolved issues and take additional action. Earlier this week, Republican senators in the Guam Legislature voted unanimously against Resolution 7-38, a common-sense appeal urging the federal government to build essential civil defense infrastructure for Guams civilian population. At a time when even basic preparedness could mean the difference between life and death, they told our families, Youre on your own. As the closest American territory to Asia, Guams military installations position our island as a first strike target should conflict erupt, especially over Taiwan or the West Philippine Sea. China has invested heavily in advanced missile technology, drone capabilities, cyber warfare, and electronic warfare all aimed at disrupting critical infrastructure during conflict. Military analysts warn that in a potential conflict, China might not launch a nuclear strike on Guam directly but instead target our vital civilian infrastructure using conventional missiles, drones, or cyber attacks. Such actions would disrupt power grids, telecommunications, water supplies, ports, and airports, effectively paralyzing our island and hindering the U.S. militarys ability to project power into the Pacific. When this happens, civiliansnot soldierscould pay the highest price. Our Republican senators have recklessly signaled to the federal government that Guams civilians need less protection than their counterparts elsewhere. Japan and Taiwan have already demonstrated their respect for civilian life by proactively building shelters, investing in evacuation plans, and preparing their citizens for the possibility of conflict. Why should the United States view Guams civilians as less deserving? If our local leaders wont fight for our safety, how can we expect Washington to do it for us? Guam needs to send a unified message that every single life here matters. But Republicans refused, instead sending a chilling signal to federal leaders that civilian lives on Guam are expendable. In fact, they spent more time in session debating a sunscreen ban than the protection of our people in case of war. We debated sunscreen more seriously than civil defense. We spent more energy, more passion, and more time during a legislative recess, with microphones still hot, arguing openly about interpersonal grievances and parliamentary drama, than we did confronting the real and rising threat facing our island. Guam deserves more than the empty comfort of thoughts and prayers after disaster strikes. We deserve proactive protection and leaders willing to demand it. We deserve to be taken seriously not as a pawn in military strategy, but as a community of American citizens worthy of equal protection and respect. I hope I never have to say I told you so because that day would mean that war has reached our shores once again. But if such a day ever comes, remember clearly those who refused to protect you. Lets demand leadership that puts protection above politics, courage above complacency, and safety above sunscreen because Guams people should never be left behind again. On March 29, Professor Ron Aguon and his graduate class on administrative law held a very nice conference on Governance, Justice and Sustainability. The students did a great job organizing the event and there were many esteemed guests who talked to our students about these important topics. I was asked to give some opening remarks and I also talked on one of the panels. In my opening remarks, I mentioned how jealous I was of Professor Aguon for holding this event. Every year, Ron Aguon gets his classes to put together public forums on all kinds of important topics. I just cant seem to compete with him and he always leaves me in the dust on this area of student teaching. I also mentioned what a wonderful leader and example Dr. Anita Enriquez has been as the university president. Anita was one of the first people I met when I came to UOG. Along with Professor Terrie OBrien and Dr. Ulla Craig, Anita organized our daughters baby shower. I have been at UOG for nearly 30 years and Anita was my direct manager or dean for at least 16 of those years. The old saying for deans is, trying to manage college professors is like trying to herd cats. Anita was an excellent dean and I told that audience that Anita told me no all the time. But she was very nice about it. Also, I am likely the professor that Anita had to deal with the most because I am always getting into trouble. In school, some students get called into the principals office. In the university, some professors get called into the deans office. I was called in all the time. Anita is a great manager and leader. Most of all, she loves this community and she genuinely and positively cares for our students. In my opening remarks, I also mentioned what great patrons the Leon Guerrero family have been to both the university and the School of Business and Public Administration. When I first came to the university, most of our classes were in Buildings A and B. These two buildings were literally falling apart. Through my consulting work, I became friends with Tony Leon Guerrero and we talked often. Tony loved our polling work and he wanted me to come to his office whenever we had a new poll. By the way, Tonys office at Bank of Guam had one of the best views on the island. Both Tony and his father Jesus actively promoted getting a new building built for the business and public administration students. Tony even rented my students space in a local hotel to hold our classes. He just asked me to not tell anyone. He was a very humble and positive leader. Around the year 2000, Tony also suggested we move our students to Pedros Plaza downtown as a temporary solution. Finally, with the help of Kaleo Moylan, who was a senator at the time, we were able to get the building built. Dr. Anita Enriquez was a key part of this effort and now she brings this positive energy to the entire university. Haiti - Insecurity : Archbishop Max Leroy Mesidor warns of the deteriorating situation In a note, Archbishop Max Leroy Mesidor of Port-au-Prince, addressing his "brothers and sisters of the Consecrated Life" of the Archdiocese of Port-au-Prince, wrote, "We are experiencing one of the worst moments in our history as a people," and this has been the case for several years, and expressed to all his "spiritual closeness and moral support," particularly to "those who are direct victims of all this violence." "I have no words to describe what is currently happening in Port-au-Prince. It's an incredible reality [...] religious communities are displaced, school gates are closed, elderly and sick nuns have had to be evacuated in the middle of the night, congregations have had to abandon their nursing homes and have nowhere to house their sick sisters... provincial houses are trying to find new homes [...]" "I am with you in these difficult times [...] with Pope Francis, I would like to remind you again not to forget the loving Providence of the Lord who accompanies us, not to doubt His care and mercy [...] We are persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed," he then invoked "the Lord's help, our hope, and the help of the Virgin Mary" to bring an end to the deadly violence in Haiti. HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - News : Zapping... New attacks on Mirebalais On Tuesday, April 1st, the bandits resumed their armed attacks after receiving reinforcements, despite the deployment of special PNH units. The clashes are violent and the exchanges of fire are intense in the town. According to Frederique Occean, Departmental Delegate for the Center, the bandits have taken control of the Mirebalais High School, where they have set up camp. Two Kenyan police officers seriously injured ? Two Kenyan police officers from the Mission were "reportedly seriously injured" during clashes with gangs last week, three officers told Reuters. Information not confirmed by the Mission's official spokesperson or by any official source... Border Provinces : 64% of births are Haitian In 2024, Haitian women accounted for 64% of births in the five Dominican border provinces (Monte Cristi, Dajabon, Elias Pina, Independencia, and Pedernales), for a total of 4,222 births, including 2,728 to Haitian mothers and 1,494 to Dominican mothers. HIV : 500 prisoners deprived of antiretroviral treatment Minister of Justice Patrick Pelissier deplores the situation of nearly 2,000 HIV-positive prisoners, 500 of whom no longer have access to their antiretroviral treatment. How to gradually reopen PAP Airport ? On Tuesday, April 1st, 2025, at the Villa d'Accueil, as part of efforts to restore international air connections and ensure the security of the country's strategic infrastructure, Presidential Advisor Leslie Voltaire chaired a working meeting with several senior government and security officials to assess the measures to be implemented for a gradual and secure reopening of Toussaint Louverture International Airport. "D-2" International Friendly Match Haiti vs. Chile Some of the senior Grenadieres and the technical team are already in Santiago, the capital of Chile, preparing for the double confrontation between the national teams of the two countries: Friday, April 4 at 7:00 p.m. local time (6:00 p.m. in Haiti). Match open to the public; and Tuesday, April 8 at 10:00 a.m. local time (9:00 a.m. in Haiti). Match behind closed doors. List of Grenadieres called up : https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-44565-icihaiti-women-s-football-2-international-friendly-matches-haiti-vs-chile-list-of-convened.html See also : https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-44469-icihaiti-u-20-women-s-football-2-friendly-matches-in-chile-for-our-grenadieres.html HL/ HaitiLibre Big update round for users of Apple operating systems: A little earlier than announced, the manufacturer released the next major updates to the general public on Monday evening. iOS and iPadOS 18.4 unlock Apple Intelligence on supported iPhones and iPads in the EU, while also significantly expanding language support. In addition to English, Apple AI now works in German, Italian, French and Spanish, among others. Mac users no longer have to run the operating system for Apple Intelligence in English. Anzeige ChatGPT integration and more standard apps The update provides several AI functions for text and photo editing as well as rudimentary image generation tools. Apple Intelligence also includes advanced system functions such as summarizing and prioritizing messages and emails. "Visual Intelligence" is designed to provide information and functions relating to the physical environment captured by the iPhone camera. Another new feature is the option to address ChatGPT directly from the system, for example via the Siri user interface. With iOS / iPadOS 18.4 and macOS 15.4, Apple is also providing additional functions, including automatic categorization of emails in Apple Mail, which is now also available in German as well as on iPads and Macs. There are also advanced options for defining default apps on iPhones and iPads. Important third-party apps now take this into account: Accordingly, WhatsApp can now be set as the default app for messages and calls for the first time, as well as Google Maps for navigation. Other providers are likely to follow. A default navigation app can only be set up on devices of users in EU member states, so Switzerland is not included here. Minor improvements and further updates The updates also bring a number of smaller innovations and improvements, including support for controlling Matter-compatible vacuum robots via Apple Home. Another new feature is "ambient music", which can be activated via the Control Center with playlists for focusing or relaxing, for example. You can find tips on the new features in iOS 18.4 and macOS 15.4 in a practical article on heise+. The updates are also likely to fix security vulnerabilities; Apple is expected to announce details later this evening. In addition to iOS / iPadOS 18.4 and macOS 15.4, Apple has also released watchOS 11.4, tvOS 18.4 and visionOS 2.4, the latter of which now also includes Apple Intelligence. Anzeige Empfohlener redaktioneller Inhalt Mit Ihrer Zustimmung wird hier ein externer Preisvergleich (heise Preisvergleich) geladen. Preisvergleiche immer laden Preisvergleich jetzt laden (lbe) Don't miss any news follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn or Mastodon. This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical assistance and editorially reviewed before publication. The number of applications from alleged IT specialists who are backed by North Korean cyber criminals is increasing at European companies. The North Koreans are specifically looking for remote jobs and transfer their salaries to the North Korean government. This is according to a report by the Google Threat Intelligence Group (GTIG). In some cases, the alleged IT employees also install malware on company computers or steal internal data for which they demand a ransom. After this approach became increasingly well-known and therefore more difficult in the USA, the North Korean criminals expanded their scam to Europe. Anzeige Applicants use false identities and AI photos The North Korean agents apply for the advertised IT jobs using false identities. They use fake CVs and sometimes invent former bosses, which they cite as references to increase their credibility. The alleged IT workers often use generative AI to create application photos, for example. According to the report, web and CMS development and the use of blockchain and AI technology are particularly common skills. In one case, the security researchers identified an alleged worker who had applied for jobs in the USA and Europe using twelve different fake profiles. He was specifically looking for jobs in the defense industry and the public sector. The researchers also tracked down further cases in Germany and Portugal in which fake applicants used European job portals. They gave the USA, Italy, Japan, Malaysia or Singapore as their origin. Private work computers facilitate attacks on companies The cyber criminals also have intermediaries in Europe who support them in their job search. These intermediaries help to circumvent possible identity checks and receive salary payments. Alternatively, they can be paid with cryptocurrencies or on money transfer portals such as TransferWise or Payoneer, which they also use to disguise the transfer of salary to North Korea. The negotiators also receive the laptops provided by the employers and connect them to the internet. The supposed IT staff then log into the devices from North Korea via VPN during working hours. According to the GTIG report, cyber criminals are now deliberately targeting jobs where the use of private devices is permitted. There, they can access the company network via virtual machines. In contrast to company-owned devices, private laptops have no security and logging programs, making it more difficult for companies to track the activities of supposed employees and detect threats. Furthermore, a discrepancy between the reporting address and the delivery address of a work laptop is not noticeable. Last year, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution warned German companies about alleged IT employees from North Korea. It recommends conducting job interviews in person or by video call and verifying the identity of the applicant. They should also only send devices to the address stated on the ID and not pay salaries exclusively in cryptocurrencies. Anzeige (sfe) Don't miss any news follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn or Mastodon. This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical assistance and editorially reviewed before publication. The exhibition, titled The Sculptor of Ultima Thule, launches at Tokyo Station Gallery on 5 April. It marks the 110th anniversary of Wirkkalas birth and showcases around 300 works, including rarely seen sculptures and archive material. A major retrospective of Tapio Wirkkala , one of Finlands most renowned designers, opens in Tokyo this week. It is the first time the artists work has been shown in Japan on this scale. The show is produced by EMMA Espoo Museum of Modern Art, in collaboration with the Tapio Wirkkala Rut Bryk Foundation and Japanese company Blue Sheep. The retrospective traces Wirkkalas design philosophy through objects created in glass, silver, wood, and plywood. Works include pieces for Iittala, Venini, Kultakeskus and Rosenthal. His iconic Ultima Thule glassware line, launched in 1968, features prominently, alongside a special installation of nearly 400 glasses created in partnership with Iittala. The exhibitions title refers to Wirkkalas 1967 Ultima Thule sculpture and evokes the mythical northern landscapes that inspired much of his work. A short film produced by EMMA highlighting this piece also accompanies the exhibition. Hundreds of thousands of museum visitors have admired Tapio Wirkkalas incredibly diverse body of work at EMMA. We are proud to now bring it to Japanese audiences in collaboration with our esteemed partners, said Pilvi Kalhama, EMMAs Director. Though best known internationally for his glass designs, Wirkkalas work spanned multiple disciplines. He played a central role in Finlands design breakthrough in the 1950s, bridging craftsmanship with industrial design and everyday utility with sculptural form. Much of the exhibition is drawn from the Tapio Wirkkala Rut Bryk Foundation Collection, which is housed at EMMA in Espoo. It also includes loans from Collection Kakkonen, a major Finnish private collection of modern glass and ceramics. Following its Tokyo opening, the exhibition will continue to Itami City Museum of Art, History and Culture from 1 August, and to the Museum of Modern Ceramic Art in Gifu from 25 October 2025. It runs until January 2026. Two Japanese-language publications have been released to accompany the exhibition. HT Anna Estarriola s exhibition Staged Circumstances and Piles of Things fills the museums underground galleries with 17 installations combining sculpture, video, sound, and electronics. Two new exhibitions open today at Amos Rex in Helsinki, offering contrasting yet complementary perspectives on how humans perceive reality and relate to one another. The Catalan-born, Helsinki-based media artist explores themes of illusion, control, and belief systems through immersive and evolving visual narratives. The installations are presented as a shifting labyrinth, offering a disorienting and sensory experience that questions what is real. Estarriola, born in 1980, has exhibited extensively in Finland and internationally. Her works appear in collections including the Finnish National Gallery and the Saastamoinen Foundation. The current show is her most extensive solo exhibition to date and is curated by Katariina Timonen. Running alongside it is Enni-Kukka Tuomalas Expanding Empathies, an interactive and conceptual exhibition that transforms Studio Rex into a space for encounter and reflection. The centrepiece, Empathy Echo Chamber, invites two strangers into a guided moment of shared silence and conversation. The piece was previously shown in London and is now presented in Finland for the first time. Tuomala, born in 1987, is a Finnish artist living in London. Her work focuses on empathy as both a social and political force. She has collaborated with the Finnish Parliament to develop tools for fostering empathy in democratic processes. Both exhibitions engage with how individuals perceive themselves and others. Estarriolas approach is sculptural and technological, creating sensory disruptions. Tuomalas is socially engaged, aiming to expand understanding between strangers. The exhibitions Staged Circumstances and Piles of Things and Expanding Empathies are open at Amos Rex from 2 April to 31 August 2025. HT The closure is expected to reduce Helsinkis carbon dioxide emissions by 30 percent compared to 2024. It also signifies the near-complete end of coal-burning for energy in Finland. Helsinki has shut down its final coal-fired power plant, marking a major step in the city's shift towards carbon neutrality. The Salmisaari power plant ceased operations on 1 April, ending more than a century of coal use in the Finnish capital. Closing the coal-fired energy plants is an important and historical change for Helsinki, Finland and, ultimately, the whole planet, said Juhana Vartiainen, Mayor of Helsinki. Cities the world over have assumed a leading role in the fight against climate change. Helsinki wants to be a bold forerunner, on both a national and global level. The closure of Salmisaari follows the 2023 shutdown of Hanasaari B, another coal power plant operated by city-owned energy utility Helen Ltd. Together, these closures have cut Helsinkis total CO2 emissions by 43 percent. At the national level, the impact is a five percent reduction in Finlands overall emissions. Until recently, coal played a dominant role in Helsinkis energy supply. In 2022, coal still accounted for 64 percent of Helens district heat production. Heat from electricity and waste The end of coal does not mean a single replacement source. Instead, Helsinkis heating is now distributed across several technologies. Helen has invested in electric boilers, heat pumps, energy storage and sustainably sourced bioenergy. Key installations include Europes largest electric boiler and the worlds largest heat pump, both used to harness waste and environmental heat. Electricity used in the system comes primarily from wind, nuclear, hydro and solar sources. Helsinki has made particularly good progress towards our carbon neutrality target in terms of heating and electricity, said Anni Sinnemaki, Deputy Mayor for Urban Environment. Shutting down Salmisaari is a much-needed major deed. But our work does not stop here. Helsinki aims to reach net-zero emissions by 2040 and continue beyond towards carbon negativity. Hydrogen project in development Alongside electrification, Helsinki is exploring hydrogen as part of its future energy portfolio. Helen is developing a pilot facility, the 3H2 Helsinki Hydrogen Hub, with plans to start production in 2026. Hydrogen is seen as a potential growth sector. Finlands appeal for investors includes clean and affordable electricity, a stable policy environment, and strong infrastructure for utilising hydrogen by-products. HT Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters that the deterioration followed Finlands decision to join NATO in 2023, which Moscow considers a strategic miscalculation. He said Russia was willing to normalise relations with those who wish to do so. The Kremlin said on Tuesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin is open to restoring diplomatic relations with Finland, describing the current state of bilateral ties as nearly zero. We had no problems with them at all. There was mutually beneficial co-operation, said Peskov. But Finland and Sweden preferred to reduce these relations virtually to zero. Finland shares a 1,300-kilometre border with Russia, which has remained closed for more than a year. Helsinki shut the crossings in late 2023, citing Moscows alleged use of migration as a geopolitical pressure tactic. Russia has denied the claim. On Monday, Finnish President Alexander Stubb said Finland must mentally prepare for the eventual restoration of relations with its eastern neighbour. Speaking in London alongside British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Stubb acknowledged the geopolitical reality of Finlands location. Nothing removes the fact that Russia is and will always be Finlands neighbour, he said. Stubb did not suggest immediate steps toward engagement, stating that any move to rebuild ties would depend on the outcome of Russias war in Ukraine and an internal Finnish debate on how to proceed. The timing will depend on when the war ends, he said. But at some point, this discussion will come. Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 marked a turning point in Finnish foreign policy. Within a year, Finland ended decades of military non-alignment by joining NATO, citing security threats posed by Moscow. Sweden followed in 2024. The shift was met with strong criticism from the Kremlin. Peskov said NATOs military infrastructure was now being dragged onto Finnish and Swedish territory, which he claimed undermined previous co-operation. Despite the tension, Putins office stressed that restoring relations was still an option. President Putin has repeatedly said that our country is open to normalising relations with those who wish to do so, Peskov said. Stubb, who visited U.S. President Donald Trump in Florida before his meeting in London, has also called for a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine to begin on 20 April. He has positioned Finland as a supporter of Ukraine while maintaining that long-term regional stability will require engagement beyond the war. The Finnish government has not yet responded to Moscows latest remarks, and no direct diplomatic contact between Helsinki and the Kremlin has been announced. HT The Research Council of Finland has funded a project led by Professor Roope Raisamo at Tampere University and Research Professor Nesli Sozer at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland. The aim is to use XR technology to improve the sensory appeal of vegetarian food. Researchers in Finland are using extended reality (XR) to influence how people experience food , in an effort to support more sustainable and health-conscious diets. One experiment involved enhancing plant-based meatballs with virtual meat-like flavour and aroma using XR. A headset and olfactory display created a convincing multi-sensory experience, including visuals and scent. A fork embedded with tracking markers and an electromagnetic actuator was used to simulate food weight through haptic feedback. Extended reality allows us to alter human perception, said Raisamo, who heads TAUCHI, the universitys Computer-Human Interaction Research Centre. This could support environmentally diverse food production and encourage healthier eating habits. XR refers to a spectrum of technologies blending real and virtual environments. It includes augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and mixed reality (MR). In this study, the technology provided visual, olfactory and haptic feedback to change the perception of taste and texture. According to Raisamo, XR's potential extends beyond food. In future, olfactory and touch sensations could be part of marketing and communication, he said. Devices that deliver scents or physical sensations are already in development and may eventually be integrated into everyday technology. The research aims to make ingredients like seaweed and other underused plant-based foods more acceptable by improving the user experience through sensory augmentation. Researchers measured responses such as task performance and cognitive processing to better understand how users interact with AI-enhanced XR systems. TAUCHI employs 90 researchers, with Raisamos group comprising 20 specialists. The team has studied artificial intelligence in XR applications since long before AI became a mainstream topic. Current projects also explore how XR and AI can boost users awareness and functionality in different settings. These include collaborations with the University of Lapland and VTT, supported by funding from Business Finland, the EU, and the Research Council of Finland. HT PLA deploys Shandong aircraft carrier to simulate strikes in areas to east of Taiwan Island Xinhua) 16:06, April 02, 2025 NANJING, April 2 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command on Wednesday deployed the Shandong aircraft carrier task group to simulate strikes on ground and maritime targets in areas to the east of Taiwan Island, said a spokesperson. The Shandong aircraft carrier task group, in coordination with naval and air units, conducted drills focusing on vessel-aircraft coordination, seizure of area air superiority, and strike on ground and maritime targets, according to Senior Colonel Shi Yi, spokesperson for the theater command. The drills were aimed at evaluating the troops' capabilities of integrated operations inside and outside the island chain, multi-dimensional blockade and control, and joint operations of multiple services, added the spokesperson. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Mountain factory powers seafood processing for global markets Xinhua) 16:25, April 02, 2025 CHONGQING, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Nestled deep in the mountains of southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, a seafood factory buzzes with activity as workers skillfully process a batch of Northern shrimp, an exotic species they hadn't even heard of just months earlier. "These Northern shrimp were imported from Canada and will be processed here before being exported to Japan and other countries," said Wang Lezhi, general manager of Chongqing Jiajiarong Foods Co., Ltd. Spanning 18,000 square meters, the factory is located in Qianjiang District, a region nestled within the Wuling Mountains. It officially began operations last December. Before reaching the factory, the shrimp consignment undertook a 45-day journey -- shipped across the ocean to Qinzhou Port in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and then transported via freight trains through the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, a vital logistics network linking China's western regions to global markets. Once at the facility, the shrimp undergo a meticulous deep-processing procedure that includes cleaning, de-shelling, weighing, quick-freezing, and packaging. Within a week, they are transported to Rizhao Port in east China's Shandong Province before being shipped to sushi restaurants and supermarkets across Japan. Unlike China's coastal hubs, Qianjiang lacks the geographical advantages typically associated with foreign trade. Yet, against the odds, the district has carved out a niche in the global seafood industry. "Policy support is the golden key that unlocked our access to the international market," Wang said. As part of China's broader strategy to foster collaboration between its eastern and western regions, as well as its rural revitalization drive, the company has benefited from a host of policy incentives. These include preferential logistics support for imports and exports, along with an abundant local labor force, both of which have helped slash operational costs. To boost its competitiveness, the company has also sent workers to China's coastal cities to learn advanced processing techniques. Thanks to these efforts, it expects to export over 80 tonnes of aquatic products by the end of April, with an export value of 760,000 U.S. dollars. Going ahead, the company is set to expand its business operations. A new domestic sales channel for South American white shrimp is slated to launch by late April or early May, while production of fish puree products is expected to commence in July or August, according to Wang. Beyond that, the company has ambitious plans to utilize shrimp by-products, such as heads and shells, in industries ranging from fish bait and biopharmaceuticals to cosmetics. This move is expected to drive growth in downstream industries and inject new momentum into rural development, he added. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Billionaire Tesla CEO and MAGA ally Elon Musk is being lambasted by social media users after he accused an audience member who heckled him of being an "operative" affiliated with investor George Soros. Musk held a rally in Wisconsin on Sunday, less than a week before the Wisconsin Supreme Court elections, advocating for the Republican candidate, Waukesha County Judge Brad Schimel. Musk stated that it is "very important to vote Republican for the Wisconsin Supreme Court to prevent voting fraud." During the event, Musk was interrupted by a heckler whom he promptly accused of being a paid operative. "It was inevitable that at least a few Soros operatives would be in the audience! Give my regards to George. Say hi to George for me," Musk responded. Musk responds to being heckled: it was inevitable at least a few Soros operatives would be in the audience. Give my regards to George. Say hi to George for me. pic.twitter.com/2sGiaDfwTm Acyn (@Acyn) March 31, 2025 Social media users quickly took to online platforms to ridicule Musk for the allegation as he failed to provide any evidence to support it. "The irony is that you're the [bogeyman] that you claim Soros to be," wrote one user. The irony is that youre the boogeyman that you claim Soros to be. R. Saoirse (@razzli_) March 31, 2025 "Does anyone else see the irony that he claims Soros pays everyone to oppose him all the while he is literally bribing people to come to his rally's?" another user said, referring to Musk's promise to randomly select two Wisconsin voters pay $1 million each to. Does anyone else see the irony that he claims Soros pays everyone to oppose him all the while he is literally bribing people to come to his rallys? Brian Zero Fs (@BrianZeroFs) March 31, 2025 "I promise people hate you for free," another user wrote. I promise people hate you for free https://t.co/XnS4vlTCqw Sade Lindsay (@SadeLindsay_) March 31, 2025 "Elon is illegally cutting $1 million checks to people because he's actually convinced himself that George Soros has been doing that. He can't conceive of the idea that anyone would organically disagree with him about anything," one user said. Elon is illegally cutting $1 million checks to people because he's actually convinced himself that George Soros has been doing that. He can't conceive of the idea that anyone would organically disagree with him about anything. Mark Raymond (@markraymond) March 31, 2025 Many users pointed out the apparent hypocrisy of Musk accusing Soros, a fellow billionaire, of paying people to disrupt his events and sway opinion in favor of the Democratic Party when Musk himself recently brought back his lotteries for voters ahead of Wisconsin's Supreme Court election, awarding two Wisconsin voters $1 million each on Sunday. Soros got nothing on him, musk is literally the richest man alive paying people for votes in the open. Victorious (@punclizme) March 31, 2025 This idiot thinks every one out there is paid for Just like he gets people to gather only for giant bribes and lottery incentives He cannot understand that people actually do what they feel out of principles CanadaFirst (@CanadianFir) March 31, 2025 At the event, Musk continued to bring up how the state's Supreme Court would likely hear cases on redistricting, and that a liberal majority could give Democrats a chance at winning seats in the House of Representatives. "And if the [Wisconsin] Supreme Court is able to redraw the districts, they will gerrymander the district and deprive Wisconsin of two seats on the Republican side," Musk said. "Then they will try to stop all the government reforms we are getting done, for you the American people." The Wisconsin election is set to take place Tuesday. Originally published on Latin Times More than 5,000 North Korean soldiers have likely been killed or wounded while fighting for Russia in Ukraine, according to a new assessment by the British Ministry of Defense. The casualty figure accounts for as much as one-third to nearly half of North Korea's total deployment, highlighting the heavy losses its forces have sustained on the front lines. "As of March 2025, Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) forces had highly likely sustained over 5,000 casualties in offensive combat operations against Ukrainian forces in the Russian oblast of Kursk," the ministry stated in an intelligence update posted on March 28 via social media platform X. The ministry further estimated that "approximately a third of the casualties" were killed in action. Heavy Losses on the Battlefield South Korean military and intelligence officials believe North Korea initially sent around 11,000 troops to Russia last year and dispatched an additional 3,000 between January and February of this year. The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed on March 27 that approximately 4,000 North Korean troops had become casualties, with the UK's latest estimate suggesting the actual number could be even higher. The significant losses reflect the dangerous role North Korean troops are playing on the battlefieldleading high-risk, front-line assault operations. Ukrainian Senior Sergeant Petro Haidashchuk told local media in January that North Korean forces are being used as assault troops, charging forward while Russian soldiers follow behind to secure captured areas. He cited Russian prisoners of war who described these tactics, which have left North Korean troops highly vulnerable to Ukrainian artillery and drone strikes. These methods have been widely referred to as "meat grinder" tactics. South Korean lawmaker Yoo Yong-won of the People Power Party, who recently visited Ukraine, described the North Korean troops as being used as cannon fodder. "Ukrainian officials told me they can't understand why North Korean troops are attempting such aggressive breakthroughs despite the high number of casualties," Yoo said. "They asked, 'Why are they so desperate?'" Putin Relies on North Korean Support Despite these staggering losses, analysts suggest North Korea's high-risk operations in Ukraine are unlikely to stop. Russian President Vladimir Putin has shown no intention of making territorial concessions in ongoing ceasefire talks. The Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces recently launched a surprise incursion into Russia's southwest, remains strategically important to the Kremlin. Regaining lost ground would strengthen Russia's negotiation position, making North Korean troops a valuable asset for Putin. North Korea Expanding Role in Space Warfare Even as North Korea suffers heavy losses on the ground, it is reportedly increasing its efforts in space warfare. U.S. Secretary of the Air Force nominee Troy Meink told the Senate Armed Services Committee that North Korea has "already demonstrated the ability to jam satellite communications and GPS." In written testimony submitted last Thursday, Meink warned that both North Korea and Iran are developing independent space programs. While they may not rival those of major powers, he noted that they could still "exploit the domain to their own ends" and potentially "employ counterspace technologies" against the United States. US President Donald Trump is teasing a third term despite the US Constitution's clear two-term limit. Although he has humouredly mentioned the idea before, he recently clarified he is 'not joking' about extending his presidency, even hinting at a strategy used by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump's comments have incited concern from those who believe this might be another unconstitutional move by the current administration. In response to the backlash, legal experts have identified two key strategies that could enable Trump to pursue a third and fourth term in the White House. Trump's Recent Statements Contrast 2024 Campaign During a call with NBC News yesterday, Trump expressed interest in pursuing a third term. According to him, there are 'methods' to get around the 22nd Amendment's two-term rule and multiple allies urging him to do so. One potential strategy he hinted at was Vice President JD Vance winning the presidency only to hand power back to Trump. Trump's recent comments contrast sharply with the views he expressed during his re-election campaign in 2024. In April, he told Time Magazine that he was not in favour of changing the 22nd Amendment. 'I intend to serve four years and do a great job,' he told the publication. 'And I want to bring our country back. I want to put it back on the right track.' For leftists, however, Trump's newest comments come as no surprise. Instead, they serve as further evidence of his authoritarian tendencies. 'I have said since Trump starting laying the groundwork for the Big Lie in the first part of 2020 that he would not leave office willingly,' Independent journalist Aaron Rupar wrote. 'I have been correct so far. And I'm telling you again he will not leave office willingly.' Jessica Tarlov, a Democratic strategist and co-host for The Five on Fox News, urged others to start taking Trump's statements as his literal intentions. Despite his alarming recent suggestions, Trump emphasised that his administration is not currently planning a re-election campaign. 'But, I mean, I basically tell them we have a long way to go, you know, it's very early in the administration,' he said. 'I'm focused on the current. It is far too early to think about it.' Though the US President claims he is currently uninterested in considering a third term, the same cannot be said for his allies. The Legal Avenue: Changing the Constitution Trump could extend his presidency by amending the Constitution and his supporters are already at work to make it happen. In January, Representative Andy Ogles introduced a constitutional amendment that would allow presidents to serve three terms, provided they do not serve two consecutively. Ogles specifically aims for a third Trump presidency, stating: 'President Trump's decisive leadership stands in stark contrast to the chaos, suffering, and economic decline Americans have endured over the past four years.' 'This amendment would allow President Trump to serve three terms, ensuring that we can sustain the bold leadership our nation so desperately needs,' he added. To amend the Constitution, approval is needed from two-thirds of Congress or a convention called by two-thirds of the states. After that, three-quarters of all states need to ratify the amendment. Such collaboration would be unlikely but not impossible due to Democratic opposition. While amending the Constitution is a highly aggressive move that would impact future presidencies, it might be Trump's only legal option. However, there might be a faster if morally questionable way for Trump to extend his presidency. How A JD Vance's Presidency Could Lead to Trump's Third Term Trump could serve a third term by using a loophole in the 22nd Amendment. Legal scholars including constitutional law scholar Professor Bruce Peabody have pointed out that while the amendment restricts a twice-elected president from being re-elected, it does not explicitly prevent them from reassuming office through another president's death or resignation. The amendment states: 'No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice.' This phrasing has led some to argue that a former president can take office if they were not directly elected. Trump could run as Vice President in 2028 with a figurehead presidential nominee, such as JD Vance. If Vance resigned or died after being sworn in, Trump, as Vice President, would automatically ascend to the presidency. In theory, this strategy would make a third and even fourth term feasible if Trump is able to secure a willing nominee in his 90s. 'I think it's one of those surprisingly straightforward scenarios,' Peabody said. 'What seemed crazy a couple of decades ago now seems all too plausible.' Even if opponents challenge this tactic in court by arguing it violates the intent of the 22nd Amendment, Peabody thinks that blocking it may be challenging. If Vance and Trump were open about their intentions, it could be argued that voters knowingly endorsed a third Trump presidency. Given the current conservative and textualist composition of the Court, it is likely to interpret the amendment according to its literal wording rather than considering the original intent behind it. Though controversial, this method is not unheard of, most infamously having been used by Putin. The Putin-Medvedev Method Over a decade ago, Putin used his long-time ally, the democratically elected president of Russia, to regain his power. In 2007, Putin was not allowed to run for president for a third consecutive time due to constitutional restrictions. Instead, he supported Medvedev's candidacy, and Medvedev endorsed Putin's bid for Prime Minister. The arrangement between then-President Medvedev and Putin was commonly known as 'tandemocracy,' signifying a shared approach to power between the two leaders. However, there was significant speculation regarding who actually held the most authority. A survey conducted in 2009 revealed that 16% of Russians believed Medvedev wielded the most power, while 58% thought it was Putin. Meanwhile, 23% felt that power was evenly shared between them. The rest found it 'difficult' to decide. In September 2011, Medvedev announced he would step aside for Putin to return as president in the 2012 elections. This transition allowed Putin to reassume the presidency in 2012, with Medvedev as Prime Minister. The idea that Trump and one of his supporters might use this tactic is plausible, which is troubling for both his supporters and opponents. Some even see it as a betrayal, given that the president has previously expressed his disinterest in such a move. Regardless of whether Trump is serious regarding his so-called 'methods' and loophole or is simply testing the waters of public opinion, one thing is clear his third-term aspirations are no longer just a far-fetched conspiracy. While Trump has not explicitly stated his desire to change the 22nd Amendment, his supporters' exploration of legal loopholes shows a willingness to challenge limits on presidential power. Overall, the Trump administration's strategies might set a dangerous precedent for future leaders as it struggles to balance ambition with pre-established democratic principles. Originally published on IBTimes UK A North Carolina man became so obsessed with a woman following a breakup that he tracked her down and strangled her, prosecutors said during opening arguments of a murder trial. Trenton David Mills Frye, 31, faces a first-degree murder charge in the October 2022 death of his ex-girlfriend, Katlyn Lyon Montgomery, newsadvance.com reported. Prosecutors alleged that after Montgomery dumped Frye, he became angry and obsessed with the single mother of four who managed a steak and sushi restaurant. Frye, prosecutors said, was behind on child support payments to another woman and eventually found Montgomery despite the fact that she moved after the breakup, newsadvanced.com reported. After Montgomery was strangled with what police believe was a power cord, they questioned Frye, who said he was in Virginia at the time of the killing and did not know where Montgomery lived. However, according to an arrest affidavit, Frye's cell phone pinged a tower on the day of Montgomery's death about a mile from her apartment. The documents also state the couple had broken up about a week before her death and that the night before she died, on October 6, 2022, the two were involved in an argument via text messages. Joseph Sanzone, Frye's attorney, told jurors that his client is innocent. "Did something happen to Katlyn? Absolutely," Sanzone said, according to newsadvance.com. "There's no evidence thatshows Trenton was ever in the apartment." Originally published on Lawyer Herald Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand's leading hotel operator, officially opened the doors to Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives on 1st April 2025, welcoming guests to a secluded haven where gracious Thai hospitality meets Maldivian allure. Nestled within The Atollia by Centara Hotels & Resorts, this sophisticated retreat marks Centara's fourth distinctive property in the Maldives. The resort introduces 142 elegantly designed beachfront and overwater villas and residences ranging from 78 to 290 square metres. With direct access to a private stretch of beach or a serene slice of the ocean, guests can enjoy as much connection or seclusion as they desire. Each accommodation is crafted to complement the island's natural charm, featuring a private pool, Jacuzzi, or both, with select villas offering connecting options for families and groups. The Grand Two Bedroom Beach Pool Villa, Three-Bedroom Sunset Beach Pool Residence, Grand Two Bedroom Overwater Pool Villa, and Three-Bedroom Sunset Overwater Pool Residence, provide the ultimate in spacious living, including indoor and outdoor lounging and dining areas, and even a fully equipped kitchenette, from which the resort's chefs will happily serve in-villa tipples and culinary experiences for private romantic or family dining, or group entertaining. Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives invites guests on a gastronomic journey across its diverse dining venues. The Gallery serves as a vibrant all-day dining hub, featuring live tandoor and teppan grills. Bluefin brings a sophisticated Mediterranean beach club atmosphere, with fresh seafood and live music, while Coco Drift, the resort's swim-up bar, offers laidback cocktails and light bites. Sunset Social presents a premier champagne bar set over shimmering waters, while The Club offers exclusive fine dining, featuring raw bars, expertly paired tapas and wines, and intimate buffet setups. Just a short speedboat ride from Male International Airport, Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives is designed for both indulgence and discovery. Embark on transformative wellness journeys at Spa Cenvaree Retreat, an oasis of holistic well-being where immersive spa experiences rejuvenate mind, body, and spirit; explore our vibrant underwater life, or enjoy family fun at the diverse children's clubs for both teenagers and little ones. The opening of Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives also signifies the completion of The Atollia by Centara Hotels & Resorts, a visionary project set to redefine experiential travel in this breathtaking destination. As part of this exclusive multi-island destination, Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives blends sophisticated tranquillity with immersive experiences, catering to discerning travellers seeking a refined escape while also granting guests unprecedented access to the thrilling water attractions and vibrant facilities of neighbouring Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives. Hotel website Now Now NoHo, an innovative sleeper cabin hotel located on Bowery in the heart of NoHo, New York City, debuts today as a transformative boutique experience for solo travelers. Now Now NoHo offers 180 small but thoughtfully designed sleeper cabins that combine the nostalgia of European train cars with the ingenuity of Japanese capsule hotels. The hotel is designed for adventurers seeking a unique and affordable way to explore New York City starting at $125/night. Led by Dovetail + Co, the creative force behind award-winning hotels in Newport, R.I. and Hawaii, Now Now NoHo embodies the company's mission of promoting exploration and discovery. The hotel's distinctive design, crafted by New York-based Islyn Studio, is inspired by the vivid world of dreams, with interiors that blur the line between reality and possibility. Guests have access to communal spaces, curated experiences, and a calendar of events that encourage connection and exploration. Each single-occupancy cabin is meticulously designed with features that include a custom Wright mattress, Garnier-Thiebaut linens, Brooklinen robe, a sound machine to enhance restful sleep, and Now Now NoHo-branded amenities including an eye mask, earplugs, and slippers. For an additional $30 per night, guests can opt for one of the ten Now or Never Sleeper Cabins, which are slightly larger than the entry-level room category and feature in-room art murals by local artists such as Alyss Odle, Daniela Araya, Ella Barnes, and more. Now Now NoHo uniquely offers a dedicated Women+ floor, specifically designated for women and non-binary guests. Shared bathrooms are equipped with Grown Alchemist bath products and lockable showers and toilets. Bathrooms are designed to be as functional as they are bold, featuring purple doors, green sinks, herringbone green tile, asymmetrical mirrors, and pendant lighting. The hotel is equally committed to leveraging technology for a seamless guest experience, offering a pre-arrival self-check-in through mobile app, in addition to check-in kiosks in the lobby. The lobby also has a retail area offering Now Now NoHo-branded merchandise. Guests can further elevate their stay by renting unique amenities such as Fuji Instax cameras, Therabody Smart Goggles and Theraguns, Nintendo Game Boys, Solawave Red Light Therapy Masks, and more. Communal spaces for guests to gather include the Guest Lounge, a vibrant lower-level space with gradient rainbow-colored wallpaper, a community calendar, and a vending machine stocked with health and wellness products such as face masks, adaptogenic mushroom gummies, lip balms, curated snacks, and more. Now Now NoHo offers a calendar of activities and events on-site and at neighboring businesses for guests to meet each other. The hotel also virtually connects guests and informs them about special happenings in the hotel and around the neighborhood. A connections board hangs within the Guest Lounge that encourage guests to leave a note, make plans, and get to know other travelers with similar interests. The hotel will regularly surprise its guests with tickets to concerts, art exhibits, and museums, and notify guests through the communication platform. Located at 338 Bowery, Now Now NoHo places guests at the crossroads of some of Manhattan's most iconic neighborhoods, including SoHo, the East Village, and the Lower East Side. Bowery is a historic streetthe oldest in New York Citywith deep cultural and social significance. Now Now NoHo will provide travelers with a memorable and accessible experience in the city that never sleeps. Hotel website The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas proudly announces the appointment of Chris Lee as General Manager. With an extensive background in luxury hospitality and a proven record of leadership excellence, Lee brings a wealth of experience to his new role at the Forbes Five Star property. Lee's hospitality journey began in 2006 in the Rooms Division at Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole. He later advanced into executive roles at The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, Miami, and Four Seasons properties in Silicon Valley and St. Louis, solidifying his expertise in luxury service operations. In 2017, Lee joined InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, where he spent nearly eight years in leadership positions. He served as Hotel Manager at InterContinental Cleveland before assuming General Manager roles at InterContinental Los Angeles Century City at Beverly Hills and the flagship Hotel Indigo Los Angeles Downtown. Most recently, as General Manager of InterContinental Washington D.C. - The Wharf, Lee spearheaded the hotel's post-pandemic recovery, achieving record revenues and ownership returns for three consecutive years. He also led renovation projects related to the hotel's event space, lobby, and rooms, as well as a restaurant re-concepting. Under his leadership, the property led the brand in the United States for guest satisfaction and cleanliness in 2024 and was recognized as the #40 hotel in the world in the Conde Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards. Lee holds a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management from Florida International University. Before his hospitality career, he served on active duty in the U.S. Army from 1998-2001, rising to the rank of Sergeant in the 1st Cavalry Division. Six Senses Rome is delighted to announce the appointment of Fabio Sangiovanni as Executive Chef, overseeing the hotel's entire culinary offering including BIVIUM and NOTOS Restaurants & Bars, Room Service, and Banqueting. Bringing a wealth of experience and a refined culinary vision, he will start on April 14, 2025. Prior to joining Six Senses, Fabio served as Resident Chef at Hotel Palazzo Manfredi's Michelin- starred Aroma restaurant in Rome (Small Luxury Hotels) from 2019. Before that, he led the kitchen at Hotel Capri Tiberio Palace's Terrazza Tiberio restaurant on Capri Island (Leading Hotels). Earlier in his career, Fabio honed his skills in his native Naples as Junior Sous Chef at Grand Hotel Parker's Michelin-starred George restaurant, where he was involved from its pre-opening. His experience also includes roles at Michelin-starred L'Olivo restaurant (Capri Palace Hotel & Spa) and Assaje restaurant (Aldrovandi Villa Borghese). A certified Level II Sommelier, Fabio's culinary style is deeply inspired by the flavors of his homeland Naples, the Amalfi Coast, and Campania. His cuisine celebrates the region's rich ingredients, such as Friarielli broccoli, Vesuvian Piennolo tomatoes, Cetara anchovies, Annurca apples, and Sorrento lemons. Six Senses Rome is excited to welcome Fabio's distinct culinary artistry and passion for locally sourced, authentic flavors. His arrival marks a new chapter for the hotel's gastronomic experiences, promising guests a tantalizing journey through the tastes of Italy. Virgin Hotels Nashville, located in the vibrant Midtown neighborhood, is thrilled to announce Richard Poskanzer as the hotel's new General Manager. In this role, Poskanzer will oversee the operations of the 262-room luxury lifestyle hotel as well as popular dining outlets including Commons Club, The Pool Club, Funny Library Coffee Shop, and The Late Great. A native of Albany, NY, Poskanzer graduated from Cornell University with a degree in Hotel Administration. Poskanzer joins Virgin Hotels following an extensive tenure with Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, where he honed his expertise across multiple leadership roles in iconic destinations including Nashville, Palo Alto, and Philadelphia. Most recently, he served as Vice President of Operations for Picerne Residential, overseeing the development and operations of luxury communities across California, Nevada, and Colorado. Outside of hospitality, Poskanzer's lifelong appreciation for music continues to play a key role in his career. A former saxophone player, he understands the importance of collaboration and adaptability qualities that are vital in his role at Virgin Hotels Nashville. As he steps into his new position, Poskanzer looks forward to leading a team focused on the guest experience in a city where music and hospitality go hand in hand. Mews, the leading hospitality technology platform, now serves over 12,500 customers worldwide, increasing its customer base by 85% over the last year and cementing its position as a leader in the industrys digital transformation. As more hoteliers abandon outdated legacy systems, Mews is redefining what's possible with cloud-native, AI-enabled automated solutions that maximize efficiency and elevate guest experiences. Key regions driving this expansion include North America, DACH and France. In North America, Mews doubled its customer base in 2024, while the DACH region recorded an equally impressive 20% market penetration. France also saw rapid adoption, with annual growth hitting 37%. This surge reflects the increasing demand for smarter, more agile hotel management technology. From introducing AI smart tips providing personalized experiences, to introducing hourly booking services across all spaces and amenities, Mews has driven significant innovation in the hospitality industry, offering unparalleled scalability, automation and operational intelligence for some of the biggest hospitality brands in the world. The hospitality industry is at a tipping point hoteliers can either evolve or be left behind. Our vision is to make the world a more hospitable place, and Mews does that by empowering hoteliers with the tools they need to thrive in a rapidly changing landscape, simplifying their operations all the while building extraordinary guest experiences. Surpassing 12,500 customers is an exciting milestone, but were just getting started. Richard Valtr, Founder of Mews Mews powers some of the most forward-thinking hospitality brands, including BWH Hotels, Lark Hotels, Marstons, Strawberry, Zenitude and Meiser Hotels. Our phenomenal growth is proof that the industry is ready to break free from clunky, outdated systems. Hoteliers around the world are recognizing the power of automation. Even in traditionally slow-moving markets, were seeing an unstoppable shift towards smarter hospitality, and were proud to be a part of this innovation. Matt Welle, CEO of Mews This milestone come on the heels of an additional $75 million investment led by Tiger Global, reinforcing Mews as the technology partner of choice for modern hoteliers. Mews Ventures also recently acquired Atomize, a cutting-edge AI-driven revenue management solution, to further optimize profitability and unlock more revenue efficiencies for hotels worldwide. About Mews Mews is the leading platform for the new era of hospitality. Powering over 12,500 customers across more than 85 countries, Mews Hospitality Cloud is designed to streamline operations for modern hoteliers, transform the guest experience and create more profitable businesses. Customers include BWH Hotels, Strawberry, The Social Hub and Airelles Collection. Mews was named Best PMS (2024, 2025) and listed among the Best Places to Work in Hotel Tech (2021, 2022, 2024, 2025) by Hotel Tech Report. Mews has raised $410 million from investors including Growth Equity at Goldman Sachs Alternatives, Kinnevik and Tiger Global to transform hospitality. www.mews.com CHICAGO Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) today announced plans to further strengthen its leadership position in the lifestyle hospitality segment across Europe, Africa and the Middle East (EAME), with the planned opening of 14 new lifestyle hotels by 2027. These planned openings, part of Hyatts executed pipeline as of December 31, 2024, are set to expand the companys lifestyle rooms in EAME by 36% from over 7,400 today to more than 10,000 in just three years. This planned expansion includes highly anticipated hotels such as The Standard, Brussels, Andaz and Standard hotels in Lisbon, and an Andaz property in Magna, NEOMs coastal destination marking Hyatts debut in the lifestyle segment in Belgium, Portugal and Saudi Arabia. The Standard, Lisbon also marks Hyatts first branded lifestyle residences in the region. We believe we have the best brands and the best team in the industry, said Amar Lalvani, President & Creative Director of Hyatts Lifestyle Group. Honing our brand focus while growing our footprint globally in this segment requires creativity and commitment which are the two foundational pillars upon which we have built this new division. I am confident that we have put in place a structure that has the requisite autonomy and support to be the industry leader. Upcoming openings in the Lifestyle Portfolio in EAME include: The Standard, Brussels will mark a bold entry for Hyatt into the Belgian capital. The Standard will be housed in a 29-story property that will feature 200 rooms and suites along with the brands first foray into longer-term rental accommodations designed to appeal to young professionals who come to Brussels on assignment. The hotel will feature a vibrant rooftop restaurant and bar, Lila 29, the type for which the brand is renown from New York to London to Bangkok (expected to open Q2 2025). Andaz Lisbon, located in the vibrant Baixa district, will span five buildings, including the former Banco Portugues de Investimento headquarters. With 170 guestrooms, Luzzi rooftop restaurant and Terrace, and signature arrival experience, Andaz Lisbon brings to the market global sophistication rooted in local culture that embodies the brand from New York City to Tokyo (expected to open Q3 2025). Advancing Hyatts Brand-Focused Evolution The planned lifestyle growth is part of Hyatts evolution toward a more brand-focused organization. Key steps in this strategic shift include the acquisition of Standard International and the formation of a new dedicated lifestyle group, headquartered in New York City and led by Amar Lalvani, former Executive Chairman at Standard International. Additionally, at the end of last year, Hyatt introduced the evolution of its brand architecture into five distinct portfolios Luxury, Lifestyle, Inclusive, Classics, and Essentials enhancing Hyatts ability to align expertise and resources while delivering exceptional value for each portfolios guests, customers, and owners. Recently, the company announced a series of senior leadership changes designed to further its transformation into a more brand-focused enterprise. Those include the appointment of Marc Jacheet as Group President, Europe, Africa and the Middle East (EAME), effective March 17, 2025. Jacheet brings more than 25 years of leadership experience at global luxury and consumer brands, including De Beers, Louis Vuitton, Moet & Chandon, Evian and Tiffany & Co. To be brand-focused means structuring our organization and strategy around the distinct needs of our guests, customers and owners. As our guest and customer base has evolved, Hyatt has increasingly welcomed travelers from more walks of life, from more places and traveling for more reasons. This evolution has a clear implication for our approach to business: to speak credibly, authentically and persuasively to these distinct sets of guests, we need talented teams who live and breathe each of our brands. Mark Hoplamazian, President & CEO, Hyatt Todays announcement underscores Hyatts continued growth trajectory, with its pipeline reaching a record high, expanding 9% year-over-year to 138,000 rooms and achieving net rooms growth of 7.8% in 2024. For more information on Hyatt, visit: https://www.hyatt.com/ The term Hyatt is used in this release for convenience to refer to Hyatt Hotels Corporation and/or one or more of its affiliates. About Hyatt Hotels Corporation Hyatt Hotels Corporation, headquartered in Chicago, is a leading global hospitality company guided by its purpose to care for people so they can be their best. As of June 30, 2024, the Company's portfolio included more than 1,350 hotels and all-inclusive properties in 78 countries across six continents. The Company's offering includes brands in the Timeless Collection, including Park Hyatt, Grand Hyatt, Hyatt Regency, Hyatt, Hyatt Vacation Club, Hyatt Place, Hyatt House, Hyatt Studios, and UrCove; the Boundless Collection, including Miraval, Alila, Andaz, Thompson Hotels, Dream Hotels, Hyatt Centric, and Caption by Hyatt; the Independent Collection, including The Unbound Collection by Hyatt, Destination by Hyatt, and JdV by Hyatt; and the Inclusive Collection, including Impression by Secrets, Hyatt Ziva, Hyatt Zilara, Zoetry Wellness & Spa Resorts, Secrets Resorts & Spas, Breathless Resorts & Spas, Dreams Resorts & Spas, Hyatt Vivid Hotels & Resorts, Alua Hotels & Resorts, and Sunscape Resorts & Spas. Subsidiaries of the Company operate the World of Hyatt loyalty program, ALG Vacations, Mr & Mrs Smith, Unlimited Vacation Club, Amstar DMC destination management services, and Trisept Solutions technology services. For more information, please visit www.hyatt.com. Forward-Looking Statements Forward-Looking Statements in this press release, which are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of words such as "may," "could," "expect," "intend," "plan," "seek," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential," "continue," "likely," "will," "would" and variations of these terms and similar expressions, or the negative of these terms or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable when made, are inherently uncertain, and are subject to numerous assumptions and uncertainties, many of which are outside of Kiraku, Inc. or Hyatt's control, which could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by such statements. Forward-looking statements made in this press release are made only as of the date of their initial publication and neither party undertakes an obligation to publicly update any of these forward-looking statements as actual events unfold, except to the extent required by applicable law. If one or more forward-looking statements is updated, no inference should be drawn that any additional updates will be made with respect to those or other forward-looking statements. SYDNEY Last year, JLL (NYSE: JLL) and Baker McKenzie published the Asia Pacific Hotel Management Agreements (HMAs) survey, the most comprehensive study of its kind in Asia Pacific. This data has now been used to prepare a further report devoted specifically to the Australian market and draws from 46 contracts entered into between the beginning of 2018 and the end of 2024. Most interestingly, there is clear evidence that the terms of Australian management agreements are more owner-friendly than elsewhere in Asia Pacific. The major differences as detected by the survey are: Base fees averaged 1.3% of Gross Revenue (elsewhere in Asia Pacific 1.6%) Contract term averaged 15 years (elsewhere 17 years) Key money was paid by operators in 65% of contracts (elsewhere 22 %) Cash-based FF&E Reserves appeared in 52% contracts (elsewhere 73%) Owner consent requirement for General Manager 91% (87% elsewhere) and 67% for Financial Controllers and Director of Sales and Marketing (73% elsewhere) Two-pronged performance test (which is the most commonly found variant) appeared in 67% of contracts (elsewhere 41%). The landscape of HMAs in Asia Pacific has seen significant shifts over the past two decades, and we anticipate further evolution in the coming ten years as the region's operating environment continues to transform. Termination provisions will remain a crucial negotiation point, particularly as increased liquidity and hotel transactions in Asia place a premium on assets with terminable HMAs. Striking a balance between ensuring uninterrupted operations for operators and maintaining flexibility in divestment options for Owners will be essential in future agreements. Ross Beardsell, Executive Vice President, Advisory & Asset Management, Australasia, JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group. Whilst it is clear that owners in Australia are able to negotiate better deals with operators - what is less clear is why. There are potentially many factors such as competitive tension, market size and the differing reasons which underly hotel ownership. Sebastian Busa, Partner, Baker McKenzie, Sydney. Even though we have questioned the benefits to an owner and its financiers of key money, this remains an extremely popular commercial term. Equally we have questioned the effectiveness of current performance-based termination provisions. Notwithstanding this view, these provisions remain very popular. Dora Stilianos, Partner, Baker McKenzie, Melbourne. The survey of necessity is backward looking, moving forward we are seeing many new trends emerging in hotel management. There is the increasing relevance of white label management, split management where a traditional operator runs the rooms component, and a respected restaurateur runs the food and beverage as well as manchises which generally give an owner the right to convert from a management agreement to a franchise. Graeme Dickson, Of Counsel, Baker McKenzie, Sydney Hotel owners have changing requirements and were confident our collaborative Hotel Management Agreement study with Baker McKenzie provides invaluable insights that align our guidance and recommendations with current market realities. This comprehensive understanding, coupled with industry benchmarks, enhances our ability to negotiate effectively and ensure that owners' interests are fully addressed, concludes Beardsell. About JLL For over 200 years, JLL (NYSE: JLL), a leading global commercial real estate and investment management company, has helped clients buy, build, occupy, manage and invest in a variety of commercial, industrial, hotel, residential and retail properties. A Fortune 500 company with annual revenue of $20.8 billion and operations in over 80 countries around the world, our more than 111,000 employees bring the power of a global platform combined with local expertise. Driven by our purpose to shape the future of real estate for a better world, we help our clients, people and communities SEE A BRIGHTER WAYSM. JLL is the brand name, and a registered trademark, of Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated. For further information, visit jll.com. Andrew Peck Senior Director +65 9823 7917 JLL Accor, the largest hotel operator in Australia, is proud to announce DV Collective as its inaugural Australian charity partner under the Groups reimagined Accor Community Fund with a renewed focus on connecting communities with heartfelt care. To mark the beginning of the partnership, $20,000 has been donated to DV Collective to support its mission of reducing the devastating impact of domestic and family violence in Australia, where 1 in 4 women will experience abuse in their lifetime. The donation amount is a combined effort of Accors contribution and the results of the Groups recent Worlds Best Exchange Rate campaign, which saw people donating their loose foreign currency at pop-up currency exchange booths across Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne. DV Collective is an Australian non-profit organisation working to eliminate waitlists that women currently face when trying to access domestic violence support services. The current system cannot keep up with the demand. DV Collective fundraises to secure resources on behalf of shelters, caseworkers, counsellors, womens legal services and trauma recovery programs for both mothers and children. Collaborating with over 300 corporate partners, they help raise funds, provide vital resources, and support shelters through volunteering. Their contributions have provided additional beds, linen, and essential supplies to shelters across Australia, while also coordinating critical shelter upgrades, such as bathrooms and playgrounds. DV Collective currently works with more than 40 shelters a number that is growing quickly - as shelters are facing financial crisis with a real threat to having to close their doors. Women and children are being turned away every day to a severe shortage of beds. To help bridge this gap, DV Collective partners with companies such as Accor. Focused on community-driven change, DV Collective empowers individuals, businesses, and hospitality venues to be part of the solution. The Accor Community Fund is about coming together with purpose and compassion to support causes that matter deeply to our teams and our communities. Our partnership with DV Collective marks the beginning of a long-term commitment to addressing domestic violence, an issue that affects too many. Were proud to take action alongside such a passionate and impactful organisation. Adrian Williams, Accor Pacific Chief Operating Officer PM&E As part of its partnership with DV Collective, Accor is rolling out a series of national initiatives across its hotel and office network in Australia, including: Silly Sock Campaign: Selling DV Collectives bright, purpose-driven socks across 70+ Accor hotels, with proceeds funding essential supplies for women and children entering safe houses. Team members will also participate in Silly Sock Day on 25 November to raise awareness for domestic violence prevention. Selling DV Collectives bright, purpose-driven socks across 70+ Accor hotels, with proceeds funding essential supplies for women and children entering safe houses. Team members will also participate in Silly Sock Day on 25 November to raise awareness for domestic violence prevention. Furniture Donations : Repurposing furniture from hotel refurbishments to support DV shelters. : Repurposing furniture from hotel refurbishments to support DV shelters. Skilled Volunteering : Providing DV Collective and its partners with professional expertise and services. : Providing DV Collective and its partners with professional expertise and services. Essentials Drive : Collecting vital supplies from Accor hotels and offices in May 2025 for local domestic violence shelters. : Collecting vital supplies from Accor hotels and offices in May 2025 for local domestic violence shelters. Peer-to-Peer Fundraising : Enabling team members to lead individual fundraising efforts. : Enabling team members to lead individual fundraising efforts. Hotel-Led Fundraising Initiatives: Fundraising held by Accor hotels will contribute to the Accor Community Fund, with DV Collective as a recipient. Were thrilled to be partnering with Accor. Their genuine commitment to creating positive change and supporting families impacted by domestic violence is inspiring. The network of hotels will provide real impact at a national level, but also allow us to activate initiatives within each community. Rural and regional areas experience higher domestic violence incidents due to the isolation and lack of support. This partnership will enable us to expand our reach and continue delivering critical support to those who need it most. Kylie Johanson, DV Collective Founder The Accor Community Fund will continue to evolve, with additional pillars and charity partners to be announced in the coming months. Accor operates more than 400 hotels across the Pacific under leading brands such as Sofitel, Pullman, Novotel, Mercure, Mantra, Movenpick, and ibis. This network provides a powerful platform to raise awareness, activate fundraising, and drive meaningful community impact at scale. To learn more about DV Collective and their initiatives, visit dvcollective.org For more information on Accor and its purpose-led programs, visit group.accor.com About Accor, a world-leading hospitality group Accor is a world-leading hospitality group offering stays and experiences across more than 110 countries with over 5,600 hotels and resorts, 10,000 bars & restaurants, wellness facilities and flexible workspaces. The Group has one of the industry's most diverse hospitality ecosystems, encompassing around 45 hotel brands from luxury to economy, as well as Lifestyle with Ennismore. ALL, the booking platform and loyalty program embodies the Accor promise during and beyond the hotel stay and gives its members access to unique experiences. Accor is focused on driving positive action through business ethics, responsible tourism, environmental sustainability, community engagement, diversity, and inclusivity. Accor's mission is reflected in the Group's purpose: Pioneering the art of responsible hospitality, connecting cultures, with heartfelt care. Founded in 1967, Accor SA is headquartered in France. Included in the CAC 40 index, the Group is publicly listed on the Euronext Paris Stock Exchange (ISIN code: FR0000120404) and on the OTC Market (Ticker: ACCYY) in the United States. For more information, please visit group.accor.com or follow us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok. Naomi Hammond Communications Manager - Pacific +61(0) 434 738 380 Accor London, UK - The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is delighted to welcome Cogito Strategies, a hospitality and tourism consultancy expert, as a Regional Member. Based in Florence, Italy, the company provides direct operational support across hospitality, food & beverage, events, and branding, offering services in brand identity, digital marketing, PR, video production, and service optimisation. Cogito Strategies brings extensive expertise in sales & marketing, digital transformation, and operational management to the global bodys Membership. With a strong focus on results, Cogito Strategies has successfully collaborated with over 100 companies in Travel & Tourism over the past three years, helping businesses grow and reposition themselves in an evolving market. We are delighted to welcome Cogito Strategies to WTTC. Their expertise in hospitality consultancy and deep understanding of the Italian market, will bring valuable insights to our global community. As they continue to drive excellence and innovation in the sector, we look forward to working together to shape a stronger, more sustainable future for Travel & Tourism. Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO We joined WTTC as a consulting company with the goal of becoming the largest Italian network of hospitality consultants. We believe in exporting the Italian model of hospitality worldwide, and WTTC Membership allows us to connect with industry leaders who share our vision for sustainable growth and excellence in the travel and tourism sector. Giulia Bandini, Cogito Strategies CEO & Founder With a commitment to innovation, service optimisation, and industry collaboration, Cogito Strategies looks forward to actively contributing to WTTCs mission and shaping the future of the sector alongside its global network of Members. About Cogito Strategies Cogito Strategies is an Hospitality consultancy firm that specializes in Sales & Marketing, Operations, Food & Beverage, and Events. The company was established during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, bringing together a team of innovative and dynamic professionals. Over the course of three years, Cogito has had the privilege of collaborating with renowned Italian hospitality brands, assisting them in achieving growth and success. The name "Cogito" comes from the Latin word for "thinking," reflecting the commitment to strategic and thoughtful approaches. Cogitos extensive network of external consultants and partners are dedicated to carefully considering and optimizing every aspect of a hospitality product. Cogitos mission is to help each client unlock their full potential and showcase the unique essence of their establishment. About WTTC The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) represents the global travel & tourism private sector. Members include 200 CEOs, Chairs and Presidents of the world's leading travel & tourism companies from all geographies covering all industries. For more than 30 years, WTTC has been committed to raising the awareness of governments and the public of the economic and social significance of the travel & tourism sector. Crystal Investment Property, LLC (CIP) is proud to announce that Joseph P. Kennedy, Certified Hotel Broker and President of Crystal Investment Property, has been recognized with multiple prestigious awards at the 66th Annual Hotel Brokers International (HBI) Business Meeting held in February 2025. Kennedy was named HBIs 2024 Broker of the Year, the highest honor awarded to a hotel broker in recognition of outstanding sales volume, industry expertise, and leadership in hospitality real estate transactions. This distinguished award reflects Kennedys commitment to excellence and his contributions to shaping the hotel brokerage landscape. In addition to this achievement, Kennedy also received the Transaction of the Year Award for successfully negotiating the sale of the Residence Inn by Marriott in Boise, Idaho. This recognition highlights the complexity and significance of the deal and Kennedys ability to deliver exceptional results for clients. Joseph P. Kennedy expressed his deep appreciation for his wife, Michelle L. Kennedy, Partner & Principal/Designated Broker at CIP, and the entire CIP team, stating: These awards are a testament to the collective efforts of our exceptional team. I am incredibly grateful to Michelle and our entire CIP family for their unwavering dedication and expertise. Together, we have built a firm that is committed to providing unparalleled service and delivering outstanding results for our clients. With an impressive track record of hotel closings, CIP is the preferred hotel brokerage firm in the Pacific Northwest. Kennedys diverse client base includes individual property owners, regional management companies, and international real estate ownership groups, showcasing the firms ability to serve a broad spectrum of hospitality investors. Crystal Investment Property has been a proud Hotel Brokers International (HBI) member since 2014, leveraging its industry connections to enhance client services and expand its reach in the hotel investment market. HBI, the nations premier hotel brokerage network, has been at the forefront of hospitality real estate transactions for over six decades. The organization has successfully negotiated more than 11,000 hotel real estate transactions and continues to be a trusted resource for brokers and investors worldwide. As a family-owned and operated brokerage and advisory firm, CIP specializes in hotel sales and acquisitions throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond. As a Certified Hotel Broker (CHB), Joseph P. Kennedy and the CIP team provide nationwide brokerage services through its strong industry affiliations. By fostering strategic partnerships with key players in the hospitality sector, CIP ensures seamless transactions and optimal outcomes for its clients. Highgate resort in Portugal - Image Credit Highgate Southern Europe is experiencing a boom in hotel development, with a pipeline of 1,142 hotels and 126,977 rooms. The shift in investment focus from major cities to secondary locations in Italy, Portugal, Greece, France, and Spain points towards an evolving market that offers diverse opportunities for growth and development. Christina Choueifaty of STR writes that Investment in Southern Europe's hotel industry is flourishing with a significant pipeline of 1,142 hotels accounting for 126,977 rooms, of which 34,016 are slated to open between April and December 2025. Italy's luxury hotel development is expanding beyond key cities, with investors increasingly drawn to secondary locations like Sicily and Tuscany. This shift is attributable to government subsidies, improved infrastructure, and a growing desire for authentic travel experiences. This trend signifies a maturing market where investors enrich Italy's overall tourism experience by embracing a broader range of locations. Portugal's tourism sector has shown impressive growth, with arrivals from the U.S., Canada, and Poland propelling this trend. The Algarve and Lisbon regions have a robust pipeline of 129 hotel projects, emphasizing branded hotels, particularly in the Luxury and Upper Upscale segments. The Portuguese government's new tourism strategy focuses on sustainability and environmental priorities, aiming to position Portugal as a leading sustainable tourism destination. Greece is gaining traction as a destination for resort hotel investment. The country's hotel pipeline includes over 50% resort rooms, presenting unique challenges and opportunities for private equity firms to play a significant role in financing these developments. This investor focus shift reflects the evolving dynamics of the resort hotel investment market. France's hotel industry continues to attract substantial investment, with a noticeable shift toward secondary cities like Nice, Lyon, and Marseille. These cities offer robust MICE markets and improved transportation infrastructure, making them increasingly attractive destinations. Their relative affordability compared to the increasingly expensive Parisian market further incentivizes investment. Spain's hotel investment market is witnessing robust activity, with secondary markets in Andalusia, Valencia, and the Murcia Region boasting higher room counts and more significant development in the proportion of existing rooms than in Madrid. Early-phase development activity has slowed significantly in Barcelona due to moratoriums on new development. Discover more at LinkedIn. The World Travel & Tourism Council Responds to the Introduction of ETA to European Travellers - Image Credit WTTC WTTC Calls Out the Latest Tax Take from International Travellers Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO said: This completely undermines the UKs growth policy. Instead of making the UK an attractive place to visit, this is another barrier to tourists. International visitors are effectively exports - bringing valuable currency. The UK is one of the most expensive countries to visit - higher than average VAT, Air Passenger Duty, inflated prices fuelled by Employers National Insurance, and absence of tax-free shopping for valued customers. Own goals that damage our economy. Travel & Tourism contributes more than 280BN to the UK economy and supports over 4MN jobs across the country, and our businesses pay 100BN annually to the Treasury in tax revenues. Prime Minister Starmer needs focus on growing the economy, and protecting jobs, not introduce policies that jeopardise them. Image Credit Historic Hotels of America AJ Capital Partners, in partnership with owners Frank and Gina Day, have announced plans to renovate the historic Hotel Boulderado in Boulder, Colorado. The project is slated to start later this year and be completed in Spring 2026. The historic Hotel Boulderado in Boulder, Colorado, is set for a significant revitalization following its acquisition by AJ Capital Partners. The landmark hotel's renovations will be undertaken in partnership with its longtime owners, Frank and Gina Day. Opened on New Years Eve in 1908, the Hotel Boulderado has been a prominent feature of the Boulder community for over 116 years. Its distinctive architecture, combined with its significant role in the city's history, has made it more than just a hotel; it symbolizes Boulder's distinct character and charm. The upcoming renovations, due to commence later this year, aim to enhance the guest experience while preserving the hotels architectural splendor and historic legacy. This includes redesigning guest rooms, refreshing public spaces, and curating food and beverage offerings. The project is expected to be completed by Spring 2026. Advertisement Upon completion, the revitalized Hotel Boulderado will join the Graduate by Hilton collection, while its name and signature architectural elements will be preserved. The hotel will remain open during the renovation period. Located at the heart of Boulder, Hotel Boulderado is close to the city's major attractions, including the Pearl Street Mall, the University of Colorado Boulder campus, and various cultural landmarks like the Boulder Theater and Boulder Farmers Market. The hotels name, a combination of "Boulder" and "Colorado," was chosen to ensure guests would always remember their stay. The five-story brick building was designed by local architects and showcases a mix of Italian Renaissance and Spanish Revival architectural influences. As a designated city landmark and Historic Hotels of America member, the hotel stands as a testament to Boulders rich heritage. Wait! Before you go Please sign up for our Evening Digest and Breaking Newsletters Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Berkshire Green Drinks to Discuss Glyphosate and Soil Health SHEFFIELD, Mass. Berkshire Green Drinks will host an event discussing the relationship between glyphosate and soil health on Wednesday, April 9. The event will feature Ruben Parrilla, a soil scientist with the Massachusetts Chapter of the Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA/Mass). The event will be a hybrid event, taking place online via Zoom and in person at Race Brook Lodge, located at 864 S Undermountain Rd, in Sheffield. The in-person social gathering will begin around 5:15 PM, with the presentation and Zoom meeting starting at 6:00 PM. The presentation will explore the effects of glyphosate on soil health, microbial communities, water permeability, and ecological impacts, with a focus on the research of Dr. Don Huber. It will also discuss potential health implications for wildlife and humans, application method differences, and alternative land management approaches. More information and RSVP details can be found at https://tinyurl.com/April2025-Berks-Green-Drinks Ruben Parilla is the Soil Technical Coordinator and Education Director for NOFA/Mass and is trained in microscopic soil microbial identification through the Soil Food Web School. He is a Certified Lab Tech and studied Environmental Design at the University of Puerto Rico. He has experience in the environmental laboratory industry and has been performing soil carbon proxy testing, soil health assessments, soil chemical analysis, and soil microbiological evaluations for NOFA/Mass. He leads monthly farmer learning calls, provides workshops, and networks with farmers and individuals in the agricultural industry. He is a fluent and native Spanish speaker and is fully English/Spanish bilingual. The April Berkshire Green Drinks event is co-sponsored by Race Brook Lodge. Berkshire Green Drinks is a monthly gathering that is free and open to the public. A guest speaker presents on an environmentally related topic for approximately 30 minutes beginning at 6:00 PM, followed by a discussion and Q&A. Berkshire Green Drinks is sponsored and organized by the Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT). This month's Berkshire Green Drinks event is co-sponsored by Hot Plate Brewing Co. Berkshire Money Management Hosts 'Retirement Rounds' Happy Hour PITTSFIELD, Mass. Berkshire Money Management (BMM) announced its upcoming event, "Retirement Rounds: 457(b)s and Brews," designed specifically for physicians who plan to retire in the next 10 years. Event Details: Date: Tuesday, April 8, 2025 Time: 4:30 to 6:30 pm Location: Hot Plate Brewing Co., 1 School Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201? Cost: Free Hosted by Financial Advisor Nate Tomkiewicz, CFP and Director of Financial Planning Zack Marcotte, CFP, this exclusive happy hour offers Berkshire doctors a relaxed opportunity to unlock retirement savings and tax planning strategies, enjoy a drink with their peers, and have their questions answered by a financial professional. "Having worked closely with many local physicians, I've seen firsthand how beneficial and surprisingly complex their retirement plans can be, shared Financial Advisor Nate Tomkiewicz, CFP. "Doctors work hard enough already, so my goal is to help them understand their options, simplify the process, and ultimately keep more of their hard-earned money." Dalton Appoints Town Manager Search Committee DALTON, Mass. The Select Board appointed the Town Manager Screening Committee on Monday. The board unanimously approved the appointments of Laurie Martinelli, Malia Carlotto, John Bartels, Deborah Merry, and John Kelly to the committee. Robert Bishop, the chair of the Select Board, abstained from appointing Kelly because Kelly is Bishop's employer. In February , Town Manager Thomas Hutcheson announced his intention to retire, effective July 1. According to the town's bylaws , the Select Board is responsible for appointing a five-member screening committee to assist in screening all applicants for the position of town manager. The subcommittee will submit "a list of at least three qualified applicants to be interviewed by the Select Board," the bylaw says. "From this group of candidates, the Select Board shall appoint a Town Manager. The screening committee's duties shall be terminated upon the Town Managers' appointment." Bishop and fellow board member John Boyle proposed the appointments to the board after reviewing volunteer inquiries from seven residents interested in serving on the committee. Boyle and Bishop said that while reviewing each volunteer's background, they took into consideration feedback from town residents and fellow board members Bishop emphasized that they wanted a group with broad perspectives who could bring different insights to the search for a new town manager. Martinelli has 23 years of experience working as an executive director for two non-profits. Bishop demonstrated how, in her volunteer request, she highlighted her experience in the hiring process, including reviewing resumes, conducting interviews, and recommending candidate(s) that best fit the job description. She also serves as a member of the Green Dalton Committee since March 2024. Carlotto has lived in Dalton for over 30 years. She was an assistant town clerk under Barbara Suriner and was an assistant city clerk in Pittsfield for 12 years. In these roles, she worked closely with Select Board members and City Council members. Bartels is a former Select Board member and police chief. He also served as a cemetery trustees and is involved in local events. Merry is the former town clerk and was a secretary to previous town managers. She is also active in local affairs and knows local government, Bishop said. Boyle highlighted Kelly's background as a local businessman, how he has served on multiple committees, and was part of the screening committee during the previous search for town manager. Hutcheson is working on drafting a request for proposals for a search firm. During a meeting in March, Hutcheson said he would present materials on potential firms during a Select Board meeting on April 14. During the meeting on Monday, Boyle stressed the need to get this procedure rolling because it would be ideal to get a new town manager on board for training by mid-June to avoid having to hire a town manager. "I think for me personally, I'm not willing to sacrifice competency over timeliness. So, I rather have good-quality candidates, and if we have to have an interim, then so be it. If it takes us a couple of months into the new fiscal year, so be it. But I definitely want a competent town manager," Select Board member Marc Strout said. Select Board member Robert Collins said one of the firms previously referred to the board, Community Paradigm Associates, would find the town an interim town manager as part of the services it provides. Berkshire DA Timothy Shugrue and Kids' Place Director Heather Williamson announce the launch of an educational program on the dangers of online exploitation at Kids' Place on Tuesday. Representatives from the DA's Office, law enforcement and Kids' Place attend Tuesday's press conference. PreviousNext Berkshire DA, Kids' Place Launch Internet Safety Programming PITTSFIELD, Mass. The Berkshire District Attorney's Office wants to break the silence about virtual child abuse that predators thrive on. "Silence is the ally of an abuser," District Attorney Timothy Shugrue said. On Tuesday, Shugrue and the Berkshire County Kids' Place & Violence Prevention Center detailed their newly created internet safety program that was softly rolled out in December. "When I first took the office, I made a pledge that I wanted to reinstate youth programming, particularly school-based programs offered by the district attorney's office. Today, I'm proud to announce that I fulfilled that pledge," the DA said. "The District Attorney's Office, in partnership with the Kids' Place, now offers internet safety education not just for children, but also for caregivers as well." April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and Shugrue said his office sees an "astronomical" amount of child sex abuse cases that originate on or happen online. He put that down to the Berkshires not being silent when it comes to reporting abuse. "We have a lot of reporting of child abuse cases and we have a lot of follow-up with that," he said. Heather Williamson, program director at Kids' Place, is often asked how to know which children are in danger. Her answer: "All of our kids are on the internet right now. They're all in danger of accessing people that have a harmful nature towards them." The educational program was developed by both agencies using the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's NetSmartz curriculum model. Two facilitators, one from the DA's Office and one from the Kids' Place, travel to schools to meet with students and caregivers across the county. There will soon be billboards for public awareness. "As technology rapidly evolves and internet access reaches new highs, our children face greater risks than ever before," Williamson said. "As professionals, community members, and parents, it is our responsibility to educate, protect, and provide resources to keep children safe. While this topic isn't new, the threats facing children online are more serious than ever." Other resources, such as Take It Down, a service that allows minors to get sexually explicit material taken off the internet, were highlighted. Shugrue emphasized that the program will hold presentations anywhere it is welcome. "We would not let our children play outside without first teaching them how to stay safe and ensure that they are supervised. Therefore, we should not allow children to wander the digital world without first providing them with the education they need to stay safe and the supervision they deserve," he said. "The virtual world is filled with risk. That's our responsibility to take proactive steps to mitigate them. Education is the most powerful tool we have in preventing online exploitation. Growing up, we heard about the mysterious white van that was said to be lurking in our neighborhoods, ready to kidnap children. Well, today, that white van exists in the online world." He explained that children can "easily" be exposed to inappropriate or violent content even on apps and websites that are marketed as being child-friendly, and "they can be lured into private chats and under pressure, coerced into sharing inappropriate images for fear of retaliation against them or their families." "Through our school Internet safety program, we teach children how to recognize and handle situations where they feel threatened or unsafe. However, educating children is only part of the equation to keeping kids safe," Shugrue said. "Many parents feel that their children know more about technology and the online world than they do, and many are unsure how to initiate conversations about online safety or take steps to supervise and set the parental controls. Our parent and caregiver program provides adults with the tools that they need to create a safer online environment for their children." Chief of the Child Abuse Unit Andrew Giarolo explained that when his team, which includes several local partners, is called into action, the child only has to speak to one person at Kids' Place as a way build trust and not overwhelm the child. Berkel emphasized the importance of parents fostering a safe space to speak with their children about this topic because "We can't arrest our way out of this epidemic, so we really just need to have good, honest conversations with our kids." Berkshire County Kids' Place provides a safe, homelike atmosphere for child abuse victims and their non-offending family members. Staff members help recognize the signs of abuse, help children recover from the trauma they have experienced, and help non-offending parents or family members to support their children during the healing process. Shugrue helped found the nonprofit Berkshire County Children's Advocacy Center (now the Kids' Place) in 1993; the Wendell Avenue building was purchased the next year. Today, the facility is one of 12 in the state and 1,000 in the world. April 5 Protests Planned in Berkshire Region PITTSFIELD, Mass. Berkshire County residents will be joining thousands across the country on Saturday in protests against the policies of the Trump administration. A thousand rallies alone are posted on Mobilize.us , an organizing platform. More locally, Hands Off! rallies will be held from noon to 2 at the Adams Town Common; 11 to 1 at Great Barrington Town Hall; at noon in front of First Congregational Church in Williamstown; at 1 p.m. at Park Square in Pittsfield; at 11 at Stockbridge Town Hall; from noon to 1 at the four corners in downtown Bennington, Vt. The events will be rain or shine and rally-goers are asked bring only signs, no signs on sticks. Protests are also planned in Greenfield, Springfield, Albany, N.Y., Boston and Washington, D.C. The mobilization is a reaction to dramatic cuts in the federal workforce, loss of grant funding, elimination of entire federal departments, perceived threats to Social Security, and actions by the "Department of Government Efficiency," spearheaded by multibillionaire Elon Musk. "These rallies throughout Berkshire County are our message to the world that we do not consent to the destruction of our government and our economy for the benefit of Trump and his billionaire allies," said Sherwood Guernsey, a former state legislator and organizer of the Williamstown event. "Alongside Americans across the country, we are rallying both to demand Trump and Musk stop the chaos and to build an opposition movement to halt the looting of our country." There have been scattered grassroots protests over the last few months but opponents of the administration have been planning for a massive mobilization on April 5 highlighting their concerns over education, health care, discrimination and personal freedoms. "Donald Trump and Elon Musk think this country belongs to them," the coalition of progressive organizations writes on the "Hand's Off" web page . "They're taking everything they can get their hands on, and daring the world to stop them. On Saturday, April 5th, we're taking to the streets nationwide to fight back with a clear message: Hands off!" The group says it's committed to nonviolent protests and its expects "participants to seek to de-escalate potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values and to act lawfully at these events." A busload of Berkshirites coordinated by Greylock Together will be joining the Boston march on Saturday morning. More than 5,000 people have indicated their intent to attend the rally with speakers including U.S. Sen. Edward Markey, the presidents of several unions and the Dropkick Murphys. That rally starts at the bandstand on the Common at 11 and marches to City Hall Plaza for the speakers. As technology becomes increasingly integral to everyday life, digitally savvy kids can enhance their tech skills to further enrich their knowledge and creativity. This summer, Power Mac Center (PMC), through its official training arm Basecamp, is offering young learners the chance to take their digital expertise to the next level. Creativity Camp is back with hands-on sessions in AI, podcasting & more for kids, teens Basecamps Creativity Camp is now open for registration, welcoming children aged 7 to 15 to its highly anticipated annual summer workshops on iPad and Mac. Running from May to June, these hands-on sessions will equip kids with valuable skills in 2D and 3D design, Augmented Reality (AR), animation, podcasting, and Artificial Intelligence (AI). We offer kids and teens an exclusive opportunity to explore next-generation technologies through engaging, hands-on experiences. With guidance from expert instructors, theyll unleash their creativity while gaining essential digital skills that will benefit them in the future. Our goal is to equip young learners with the knowledge and confidence to navigate the evolving digital landscape, said Maleng Raysag, Basecamps head. Basecamp is an Apple Professional Learning Provider, only the second in Asia to have that title. By enrolling in its courses, parents are assured that kids get high-quality, impactful education that promotes creativity, critical thinking, and digital literacy using Apple technologies. iPad Fun: Design & Tell Stories Young minds will love exploring the endless creative possibilities of the iPad! The 3D and AR Creators: Build and Bring Stories to Life course invites young learners to dive into the exciting worlds of 3D design and AR. With fun, easy-to-use apps, theyll craft interactive digital models and bring their imaginative ideas to life. Meanwhile, let your child's creativity shine through storytelling, podcasting, and animation. In the Creative Storytelling: Podcast and Animation Fun course, theyll learn to write, record, and animate their own stories using the iPad. These engaging workshops will run on select dates, with 3D & AR Creators: Build and Bring Stories to Life scheduled on May 6 & 8, May 13 & 15, May 20 & 22, and May 27 & 29, while Creative Storytelling: Podcast and Animation Fun takes place on June 3 & 5, June 10 & 12, June 17 & 19, and June 24 & 26. Participants can choose between morning sessions from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM or afternoon sessions from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Mac Makers: Art & AI Adventures Ignite your childs creativity with Digital Designers: Create in 2D & 3D, an interactive workshop where young artists and aspiring designers, animators, and architects explore 2D and 3D design using Mac apps. Through hands-on learning, they will design stunning digital models and build a strong foundation in digital art and design. Meanwhile, as AI transforms the digital world, give your child a headstart with Make Your Own AI: Fun with Smart Technology. This exciting course sparks curiosity about AI, allowing kids to discover how AI works and even build their own smart modelsno coding required! Digital Designers: Create in 2D & 3D will be conducted on May 7 & 9, May 14 & 16, May 21 & 23, and May 28 & 30, while Make Your Own AI: Fun with Smart Technology runs on June 4 & 6, June 11 & 13, June 18 & 20, and June 25 & 27. Both courses offer morning sessions from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM and afternoon sessions from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Creativity Camp offers courses at P6,000 per student per course, inclusive of Apple device use. Each course runs twice a week, with two-hour sessions per day, and participants will be grouped by age for an optimal learning experience. Reservations are limited and will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. To secure a slot, parents must complete the required payment, which is non-refundable but transferable. Payments can be conveniently made via bank deposit. The workshop will take place at the Basecamp Training Center, 3rd Floor, Glorietta 5, Ayala Center, Makati City. Spots are limited! Secure your childs place today for a summer of innovation and discovery. Contact +639088856277 or email for inquiries and reservations. Assistance is available from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Follow Power Mac Center on Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, Viber, and YouTube to be updated on promotions and special deals on Basecamp training fees. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice It might seem a perfect match: the French capital any mention of which inspires images of Seine-adjacent cafes engulfed by a nicotine haze and one of the worlds foremost advocates of smoking, David Hockney. But despite the artist famously championing the habit he has enjoyed since 1954, a photograph of the 87-year-old holding a cigarette has been enough to put him at odds with authorities in the capital of the nation famous for Gauloises and Gitanes cigarettes. Next week, Paris will host the largest exhibition of Hockneys career, curated by the legendary Sir Norman Rosenthal at the Fondation Louis Vuitton. open image in gallery David Hockney told The Independent that he found the decision to ban the photograph complete madness ( PA ) The exhibition, at the Frank Gehry-designed building in the Bois de Boulogne, will showcase nearly 400 of Hockneys works over 11 rooms spanning his seven-decade career. But as the artist prepares for his blockbuster show, citizens travelling on the Paris Metro may be unaware of the significant exhibition taking place in the city. In a development Hockney described as complete madness, lawyers for the Paris transport network have contacted Hockney to inform him that a photograph showing him sitting alongside a new self-portrait cannot be used to advertise the show. The Parisian transport authorities have taken issue with the fact that Hockney is holding a cigarette in the photograph, but have no objection to the fact that the painting he is holding also depicts him smoking. The painting is titled Play within a Play within a Play and Me with a Cigarette. open image in gallery The banned poster: David Hockney sits with his artwork Play within a Play within a Play and Me with a Cigarette ( Supplied ) Hockney told The Independent: The bossiness of those in charge of our lives knows no limits. To hear from a lawyer from the Metro banning an image is bad enough but for them to cite a difference between a photograph and a painting seems, to me, complete madness. They only object to the photograph even though I am smoking also in the painting I am holding! I am used to the interfering bossiness of people stopping people making their own choices but this is petty. Art has always been a path to free expression and this is a dismal [decision]. It is far from the first time that Hockney has faced opposition to his beloved habit, however, with the famed anti-smoking advocates father a 1955 portrait of whom is included in Hockneys upcoming Paris show staunchly opposed to the practice. But for Hockney, the act of smoking is firmly entwined in his work and approach to art. Hes 87. He has smoked, I dont know, maybe 100 cigarettes a day and he still smokes. His lungs are not in a good way, and he accepts that fact, Rosenthal told The Independents editor-in-chief Geordie Greig in a recent interview discussing the upcoming exhibition. open image in gallery Paris is famed for its cafes frequented by smokers and coffee-drinkers ( Getty/iStockphoto ) For him, smoking is a symbol of freedom, to end bossiness. He doesnt like being told on the packet some awful scare warning. He is very conscious of his physical fragility, but his mind is as clear as is his memory. In further remarks following the row with Parisian transport authorities, Rosenthal said: Madness reigns. To have censorship of this kind with a poster promoting one of the greatest exhibitions of a living artist for a generation is beyond comprehension. Paris is a city of freedom and revolution wrapped into its history this flies in the face of that. open image in gallery Iconic French actors Brigitte Bardot and Jeanne Moreau relaxing between shots while filming Viva Maria in 1965 ( William Lovelace/Express/Getty Images ) This does not make sense. But at least the show is brilliant the biggest art show ever of Hockney, Britains greatest painter. The Independent has described the upcoming show as a spectacular, no-expense-spared, destination event for all art lovers. Rosenthal said: He is the Picasso of our times, and when I say that, people laugh at me, as Picasso was the archetypal artist of the 20th century. But David Hockney is also an incredibly popular artist whose work changes how we see things. When there is a Picasso show at the Tate, there are queues around the block; the same with David. Both really looked, and showed what they saw, and brought joy. The exhibition opens on 9 April and is due to run until 31 August. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The Womens Prize has announced its shortlist for fiction, featuring works that explore personal freedom, the search for identity, and the tension between Western values and cultural traditions. New voices feature heavily on the shortlist, with four of the six entrants being debut novelists. They are Aria Aber, Sanam Mahloudji, Nussaibah Younis and Vale van der Wouden. Abers Good Girl explores the complexities of a dual identity for a teenager who is born in Germany but ashamed of her Afghan heritage. Youniss Fundamentally follows a de-radicalisation programme for ISIS women ran by the United Nations in Iraq, and explores the ethical questions surrounding Western intervention. MahloudjisThe Persians, a family drama told through five women whose fate is intertwined with modern Iran, explores the question of whether its possible to free ourselves from our past. Another debut work is In The Safe Keep by Vale van der Wouden, which follows a woman in her thirties who lives a solitary existence in her late mothers home but her life is upended when a young woman moves in. The book tackles the impact of emotional repression, historical amnesia and themes of sexual desire and self-discovery. Narratives of women challenging societys expectations around motherhood, ageing, self-perception and sexuality also feature strongly on the list. Miranda July, who has been shortlisted for a second time, portrays an artists quest for a new kind of freedom in her mid-forties when she immerses herself on a road trip in All Fours. July is an established filmmaker and performance artist, and she has previously published a short story collection. The six works were selected by a panel of five judges: Kitde Waal, Diana Evans, Bryony Gordon, Deborah Joseph and Amelia Warner ( Supplied ) Elizabeth Stouts Tell Me Everything returns to characters from her bestselling novel My Name is Lucy Barton, as the characters narrate their hopes and regrets in their later years. Stout, who is the author of nine other novels, has been longlisted for the prize twice (2014s The Burgess Boys and 2016s My Name is Lucy Barton) and shortlisted once for her 2000 book Amy & Isabelle. The six works were selected by a panel of five judges Kitde Waal, Diana Evans, Bryony Gordon, Deborah Joseph and Amelia Warner which had been whittled down from a longlist of 16 authors. The winner will be announced on Thursday, 12 June at the Womens Prize Trusts summer party in central London, alongside the winner of the 2024 Womens Prize for Non-Fiction. The winner will receive a cheque for 30,000 alongside a limited edition bronze statuette known as the Bessie, created and donated by the artist Grizel Niven. The Womens Prize for Fiction 2025 shortlist is as follows: Aria Aber, Good Girl Miranda July, All Fours Sanam Mahloudji, The Persians Elizabeth Strout, Tell Me Everything Yale van der Wouden, The Safekeep Nussaibah Younis, Fundamentally Kit de Waal, Chair of Judges said that the shortlist selection celebrates rich, multi-layered narratives that will surprise, move and delight the reader. Over the past three decades the Womens Prize for Fiction has celebrated imaginative, accomplished novels year after year, and in doing so has helped change the landscape for fiction writing in the UK. Over the past six months, my fellow judges and I have been knee-deep in reading our submissions, consumed by the fully-realised worlds created by an incredible range of voices. Now that we arrive at the announcement of our shortlist, what seems absolutely apparent to me is how perfectly each of these six novels exemplify the original tenets of the Prize: originality, accessibility and sheer brilliance. What is surprising and refreshing is to see so much humour, nuance and lightness employed by these novelists to shed light on challenging concepts. Im in no doubt that these six novels will become the classics of the future. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Val Kilmer, who has died at the age of 65, spent his career at war with himself. Fame was a burden. Success was a chore. He masked his face as Batman, disguised it in The Saint, surrounded it with a halo of unruly curls as Jim Morrison. In True Romance, he is Christian Slaters id a devil on his shoulder who speaks and moves like Elvis and mostly off-camera. You see his neck. His chest. His face through a blurry reflection in a mirror. What was a Val Kilmer role without a degree of subterfuge to it? But it meant that when you did see him once he dropped the pout, the mystery and the brooding stoicism it would feel revelatory. Think back to the crushing devastation of his last scene in Heat, when he realises hell never see his wife again. His smile droops, his eyes are suddenly moist. Or what about that gum-smacking grin of his in Top Gun. Or the heartwarming vulnerability of his return in Top Gun: Maverick 36 years later, his voice dimmed by his real-life throat cancer, but that twinkle intact, that cocky swagger, those sharp cheekbones that could still do damage. What a strange movie star Val Kilmer was. He was handsome, charismatic, difficult. Always a bit of a kook. He filmed himself on a camcorder constantly, footage of which made up the bulk of a documentary about him released in 2021 called Val. Appropriately, Val was more of a mosaic of Kilmer than an excavation of his psyche. Even in a film about his life, he maintained his strange obscurity: a man with peculiar creative tastes blessed (cursed?) with the looks of a God; a Christian Scientist in his private life; an ex of Chers; an actor who seemed to get the most artistic pleasure out of the one-man show he wrote, directed and starred in, as the folksy humourist Mark Twain. Ticket holders would enter each venue Kilmer played to find the actor reclining in the stalls in old-age makeup, white fright wig and mustache. Hed make his way up to the stage, riffing on faith, mortality, the act of acting. Over the course of his 90-minute monologue, hed slowly remove his prosthetics until he once again resembled Val Kilmer. He seemed, in the best and worst senses of the word, exhausting. He was a Method actor and mischief-maker, both nice ways of saying that a litany of filmmakers couldnt stand him. On the set of 1995s Batman Forever, one of his ill-fated attempts at name-above-the-title film stardom, he would show up late covered in blankets, clash with the crew, and say his lines so quietly that no one could hear them. The two weeks where he didnt speak to me [were] bliss, its director Joel Schumacher once said. On The Island of Dr Moreau a year later, actors were so incensed by Kilmers surly behaviour that theyd ring up their agents begging to quit the film. Marlon Brando reportedly threw Kilmers phone in a bush and told him that hed confused the size of his salary for the size of his talent. I dont like Val Kilmer, I dont like his work ethic, and I dont want to be associated with him ever again, said the films director John Frankenheimer. open image in gallery Danger zone: Flanked by Rick Rossovich and Anthony Edwards, Kilmer and Tom Cruise go at it in Top Gun ( Paramount/Kobal/Shutterstock ) Kilmer tended to gloss over these incidents. Hed speak obtusely about them, with language so flowery that itd take you a minute to realise hed said nothing at all. In an unflinching attempt to empower directors, actors and other collaborators to honour the truth and essence of each project, an attempt to breathe Suzukian life into a myriad of Hollywood moments, I had been deemed difficult and alienated the head of every major studio, he wrote in his 2020 memoir. Kilmer was a Juilliard-trained actor crammed into films he, early on at least, deemed beneath him. I was insecure and competitive when I was younger, he said in 2017. I wanted to be loved for my Hamlet while I waited in line for my decaf, not [hear] Hey, Iceman! He turned down Francis Ford Coppolas The Outsiders which made stars of Tom Cruise, Patrick Swayze and Matt Dillon to appear in a Broadway play, and spent years disliking Top Gun as he worried it glorified the military. Many of the films he desperately wanted to star in Goodfellas and Full Metal Jacket, most notably were ones he didnt get. Those he fought for and did get were directed by men who seemed to match his odd mix of slick, cocksure madness. When Oliver Stone dithered over casting him in The Doors, Kilmer spent thousands of dollars of his own money to fund an elaborate, multi-scene audition reel in full Jim Morrison drag that he shot in his Laurel Canyon home. Stone gave him the part. Ultimately, he was so convincing as Morrison dropping to his exact weight and learning to sing 50 songs by The Doors despite only needing to sing 15 for the film that the bands surviving members admitted that they couldnt tell the difference between Morrison and Kilmers singing voices. open image in gallery Uncanny: Kilmer as Jim Morrison in The Doors ( Moviestore/Shutterstock ) It wasnt that Kilmer eventually found a sanctuary in serious independent films most of his career was spent, by and large, inside the studio system but the erratic quality of his work did prove a blessing in disguise. He was an actor who always seemed to be making comebacks, the ambiguity of his movie stardom meaning that every sudden reappearance felt like an arrival. His performance as the porn star John Holmes in 2003s Wonderland drew raves (It proves once again what a marvellous actor we have in Val Kilmer, went critic John Patterson), likewise when he played a gay detective in 2005s neo-noir comedy Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. Kilmer displays a rich comedic sensibility he should deploy more often, went The Hollywood Reporter. It was easy to forget about Kilmer, then see him in something and spend the immediate aftermath questioning why he wasnt in absolutely everything. In a review of Terrence Malicks wacky 2017 Hollywood tapestry Song to Song, Variety critic Peter Debruge wrote: Theres a very funny bit with Val Kilmer playing a rebellious old rocker who takes a chainsaw to his speakers mid-set why not make a movie about him? Despite his restlessness and penchant for chaos, Kilmer was undeniably talented, a man whose artistic and existential battles played out on screen, on set, and concurrent with his enormous, unasked-for fame. For many who worked with him, the noise was ultimately worth it if only for those glimpses of something extraordinary once it had quieted down. I didnt say Val was difficult to work with, I said he was psychotic, Joel Schumacher joked in 2020. But he was a fabulous Batman. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Rosamund Pike has said she was left mortified after a James Bond sex scene with Pierce Brosnan. The British stars first film was Die Another Day, Brosnans fourth outing as the spy, and, during the shoot, Pike found herself caught up in an embarrassing mishap. Gone Girl star Pike reflected on the blunder during a podcast interview while recalling the time when we were doing the love scene and discovered things like nipple covers, and all the taping. She told David Tennant Does a Podcast With... that after having a clinch she looked at this body tape and the nipple covers to find that theyre covered in hair. I think, Oh my God, Im waxing Pierces chest, Pike said of the Irish actor, who can currently be seen in Black Bag and Guy Ritchie show MobLand. She added: I was so mortified. I thought, Oh my God, hes so brave, and Im pulling off his chest hair with every embrace. But fortunately, Pike realised after a couple of takes that it was not him but the fake fur of the rugs on the bed. I literally thought I was waxing the poor mans chest! Pike said. open image in gallery Rosamund Pike and Pierce Brosnan in Die Another Day ( Eon Productions ) In 2018, Pike revealed she was asked to strip down to her underwear while auditioning for Die Another Day. The actor said she refused to remove her clothes, something the producers admired as they ended up casting her as character Miranda Frost. My first audition was for a Bond film and I remember them saying I was to drop my dress and appear in my underwear, she told Amazons Audible Sessions. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. On the day, I dont know how I got the resolve and strength of mind, but I just thought actually sod that, if theyre gonna see me in my underwear, they better give me the job. So, I thought, Theres no way Im going to take off a dress in the audition for this tape to be sent around Los Angeles and to be judged on that. open image in gallery Die Another Day was Rosamund Pikes first film ( Getty Images ) Pike, who was 21 at the time, said she was asked to appear in an evening dress, adding she turned up in a silk gown once worn by her grandma. [The costume designer] said, Thats a very beautiful dress, but in Bond films we wear things a little more like this, and she held up three pieces of string, Pike continued. I realised I was in a completely different world and way out of my depth. So, I put on this shimmering sheath, or whatever the order of the day was, but I didnt drop it. Pike acknowledged that, despite the incident, she felt safe on set thanks to producer Barbara Broccoli and maintained that the character was well-written. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Throughout his four-decade career in Hollywood, Val Kilmer starred in a number of beloved films from action thriller (Top Gun) to fantasy adventures (Willow) to screwball comedies (Top Secret!). But Kilmer, who died of pneumonia on 1 April at the age of 65, also turned down a role that may have defined his career a lead part in the 1986 noir Blue Velvet, directed by David Lynch. Blue Velvet follows a young man named Jeffrey, whose discovery of a severed human ear leads him down a disturbing path of crime, voyeurism, sadism, and sexual violence. In the final film, the role was played by Kyle MacLachlan: it proved a defining role for the actor, who went on to work with Lynch again on Twin Peaks. Kilmer turned down the project due to the explicit subject matter involved, and is said to have described the script as pornography. However, he later opened up about his regret at the decision, telling Attitude: Blue Velvet is a wonderful film. I had a crazy, crazy crush on [Isabella Rosselini, the films female lead], so I would have done it for free. I was very naive when I was younger. I said no to a ton of really wonderful directors and looking back now, I can't remember the reasons why. Kyle MacLachlan in 'Blue Velvet' ( MGM ) He also alluded to turning down Robert Altman, the acclaimed director behind Nashville and Gosford Park. "I said no to (Robert) Altman twice, and David Lynch, although David Lynch I remember, because the second film I turned down was Blue Velvet, because it was really graphic and I was just too shy back then, he explained. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. Fortunately, things worked out for Kilmer, who starred in Top Gun the same year Blue Velvet was released. He played fighter pilot Iceman opposite Tom Cruise, a role he briefly reprised in the 2021 legacy sequel Top Gun: Maverick. In 2014, Kilmer was diagnosed with throat cancer, from which he recovered. The actor and his health issues were at the centre of the 2021 documentary Val, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival to rave reviews. You can follow the latest news following Kilmers death here. Lynch died earlier this year, at the age of 78. He is remembered as one of the greatest filmmakers of all time. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Two years before Val Kilmers death, Tom Cruise revealed just how emotional his reunion with his old co-star was on the set of Top Gun: Maverick. The American actor, also famed for his performances in Willow, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Tombstone and as Jim Morrison in The Doors, died at the age of 65 on April 1. The cause of death was pneumonia, his daughter confirmed. Kilmer, who appeared alongside Cruise in the 1986 original Top Gun, was diagnosed with cancer in 2015. After successfully undergoing chemotherapy and two tracheotomies, Kilmer spoke with the use of a voice box. When he reunited with Cruise in Maverick, his character, Tom Iceman Kazansky, was seen speaking through a computer due to an unspecified illness. I just want to say that was pretty emotional. Ive known Val for decades, Cruise said while appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in 2023. For him to come back and play that character hes such a powerful actor that he instantly became that character again. Youre looking at Iceman. Hes such a brilliant actor, and I love his work, Tom Cruise (right) said of Val Kilmer ( Getty Images ) I was crying. I got emotional, Cruise admitted. Hes such a brilliant actor, and I love his work. In the original Top Gun, Iceman is Mavericks chief rival in the naval aviator training program. Maverick eventually earns Icemans respect after saving his life, leading Kilmer to the immortal phrase: You can be my wingman anytime. In 2022, 63-year-old Kilmer shared a still from the movie on Instagram with the poignant caption: 36 years later Im still your wingman <3. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. Cruise previously revealed that he rallied hard to get Kilmer into the first action movie. Top Gun: Maverick was the top-grossing film of 2022; it was the 11th highest-grossing movie in history worldwide and was nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars. At the Academy Awards nominees luncheon that year, Steven Spielberg credited Cruise with saving Hollywoods ass. Seriously. Maverick might have saved the entire theatrical industry, the director told the actor. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice David Thewlis has recalled the spectacularly bleak and awful five months he spent with the extraordinary Val Kilmer, who has died aged 65. The Harry Potter star, whose credits include Mike Leighs Naked and the Fargo TV series, paid tribute to Kilmer, whose death from pneumonia was announced on Wednesday (2 April). Thewlis starred alongside Kilmer and Marlon Brando in the 1996 HG Wells adaptation of The Island of Dr Moreau, whose production was famously troubled. Director John Frankenheimer was brought on board a week into filming after the original director was let go and Brando refused to come to set on multiple occasions, leaving the crew in limbo. Its been reported that Kilmer spent his time on set bullying cast and crew, later attributing his behaviour to being served divorce papers by his ex Joanne Whalley, with whom he had two children. Frankenheimer reportedly said: There are two things I will never ever do in my whole life. The first is that I will never climb Mount Everest. The second is that I will never work with Val Kilmer ever again. Thewlis addressed his time working on the film in his tribute, writing: I spent the most bizarre five months of my entire life with Val Kilmer, out in the Australian rainforest, on the ill fated Island of Dr Moreau. open image in gallery ( Getty Images ) He continued: It was so spectacularly bleak and awful it was almost wonderful. Look it up sometime. The actor suggested he remained in touch with Kilmer long after the film was released, with the Top Gun and Batman Forever star writing in his final mail to Thewlis: What an incredible story we lived, you and I. One of the greatest. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. In an odd twist of fate, Kilmers death occurred while Thewilis was back Down Under. Bittersweet to be back here in Australia and hear the heartbreaking news. He was one of the most extraordinary people I have ever met. Proud to have called him a friend and co-conspirator. open image in gallery Val Kilmer and David Thewlis in The Island of Dr Moreau ( New Line Cinema ) Kilmers death comes after several health struggles, which were documented in the 2021 film Val. He was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2015 and lost his voice after undergoing a tracheotomy. The actor initially kept the diagnosis private, but came forward with his story to spread awareness of the disease. News of his death from pneumonia was announced by daughter, Mercedes. Get the inside track from Roisin O'Connor with our free weekly music newsletter Now Hear This Get our free music newsletter Now Hear This Get our free music newsletter Now Hear This Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Drakes ongoing defamation lawsuit against his own record label, Universal Music Group (UMG), took another turn today as a judge in New York ruled that his legal team can begin the discovery process. At a pre-trial conference on Wednesday morning, Judge Jeanette Vargas decreed that Drake's representatives can go ahead with the process, which is likely to include deposing key executives and requesting document production. UMG had previously requested that the court delay discovery. That motion has now been denied, meaning that Drake can proceed with requesting access to documents that UMG has called highly commercially sensitive, including Lamars contracts with the record label. In a statement to The Independent, Drakes lead attorney Michael Gottlieb said: Now it's time to see what UMG was so desperately trying to hide. UMG had said the request would require costly collection and review of large swaths of hard-copy and electronic data sets, contracts and agreements, and communications. In January, Drake accused UMG of spreading the false and malicious narrative that he is a pedophile with the release of Lamars song Not Like Us, which includes the lyrics: Say, Drake, I hear you like em young. Lamar is not named in the lawsuit; however, Drake additionally claimed that UMG knew the accusations were false but chose corporate greed over the safety and well-being of its artists. Feuding giants: Drake and Kendrick Lamar ( Shutterstock ) Last month, UMG branded Drakes lawsuit a misguided attempt to salve his wounds and requested the rappers complaint be dismissed without prejudice. Plaintiff, one of the most successful recording artists of all time, lost a rap battle that he provoked and in which he willingly participated. Instead of accepting the loss like the unbothered rap artist he often claims to be, he has sued his own record label in a misguided attempt to salve his wounds, read the motion filed to the US District Court for the Southern District of New York. Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 30-day free trial. Terms apply. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 30-day free trial. Terms apply. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. It went on to recount the details of Drake and Lamars infamous rap battle, which kicked off in the spring of 2024. Over the course of approximately two months, they exchanged increasingly vitriolic and incendiary diss tracks, sometimes responding within hours of each other. Drake encouraged the feud, UMG claimed. For example, when he felt that Lamar was taking too long to respond, Drake released a second recording in which he goaded Lamar to continue the public rap battle. Lamar did just that, and collectively Drake and Lamar released a total of nine tracks taking aim at each other. Multiple commentators declared Lamar to be the winner of the battle. The filing further stated that Drake has been pleased to use UMGs platform to promote tracks leveling similarly incendiary attacks at Lamar, including, most significantly, that Lamar engaged in domestic abuse [in his song Family Matters]. But now, after losing the rap battle, Drake claims that Not Like Us is defamatory. It is not, it continued. It argues that because Drakes lawsuit is almost entirely focused on Not Like Us, it disregards the other Drake and Lamar diss tracks that surround Not Like Us as well as the conventions of the diss track genre, and, thus, critically ignores the context of the dispute. In a statement shared with The Independent at the time, Gottlieb called UMGs motion a desperate ploy to avoid accountability. Get the inside track from Roisin O'Connor with our free weekly music newsletter Now Hear This Get our free music newsletter Now Hear This Get our free music newsletter Now Hear This Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Gene Simmons made comments about his wealth a week after defending a $12,000 fan experience to become his roadie. All I ever did was try to figure out how to become powerful and make lots of money, for survival, the Kiss musician, 75, said in a preview of his new podcast interview with Ultimate Classic Rock. The only thing money ever does, really, is give you the freedom to do stuff you actually like doing. Its better to be rich than poor, it really is, he continued. And if youre a miserable f*** its still better to be a rich, miserable f***. Thats all I ever tried to do. Elsewhere in the interview, Simmons said he enjoyed the fame that came with being part of Kiss, the storied rock band he formed in 1973 alongside Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley, and Peter Criss. Yet, he argued notoriety isnt always as rewarding without money. There are a lot of famous people who are relatively poor, thats not a lot of fun, he noted, adding: Theres a lot of industrial types whose names you dont recognize who are filthy rich. Gene Simmons says its better to be rich than poor in a new podcast interview ( Getty ) Simmonss comments come nearly a week after he defended charging over $12,000 for an assistant job experience on his upcoming tour, set to begin on May 2 in Georgia. Entitled The Ultimate Gene Simmons Experience, the opportunity includes helping the crew set up, sitting in on sound check, arriving at the venue with the band, and hanging out backstage. Instead of a normal job application, interested fans must pay exactly $12,495. When I was a kid and went to see shows, I was always curious, Whats it like when theyre in a hotel? Whats it like when the stage is set up? Whats it like being onstage when theyre performing and seeing the audience from the stage? Simmons told the New York Post. I decided, You know what, nobodys ever done it. Why not open the idea to be my personal roadie for the day? Simmons said. Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 30-day free trial. Terms apply. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 30-day free trial. Terms apply. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. You meet at the hotel where you have breakfast together or, you know, whatever floats your boat, he explained. You ride with me to the gig. You can set up amplifiers and drums to your hearts content. Youre onstage, right offstage to my right. You can video the crowds, whatever. And I pull you onstage to sing a song with me. When it comes to souvenirs, the rockstar plans to give each roadie a signed set list, a signed rehearsal bass guitar and allow you to bring up to four personal items for him to sign, providing they are not instruments. Photos are permitted, and one guest is welcome to tag along. Simmons was meant to start his tour on April 3 in Anaheim, California, but he postponed 17 of his 26 tour dates until the beginning of 2026. Eugene Ionescos 1959 absurdist play Rhinoceros has long been seen as an allegory for the rise of fascism, showing how people are gaslighted, coerced and coddled into putting up with a bizarre new status quo. So it would be easy for Omar Elerian's adaptation to play up the obvious Trump parallels. Refreshingly, he hasnt, instead crafting something that deliberately floats above ugly political realities, buoyant as a childs balloon. Here, Sope Dirisu (Gangs of London) plays Berenger, a scruffy everyman surrounded by conformist bores in white coats. Not least his sanctimonious friend Jean, given a winning smugness by Joshua McGuire (Cheaters), who tells him off for boozing and not wearing a tie. When a rhino rampages through his small French town, Berenger is horrified, but his friends and colleagues soon bury themselves in dry philosophical debates that accustom them to a new pachyderm-centric way of life. Elerian takes a Brechtian approach to the play, reading out Ionescos elaborate stage directions and comically misinterpreting them for the audiences amusement (a cat is played by a giant watermelon). Everything is artificial here, from the live foley sound effects to the strange swirly shapes into which the actors hair has been teased. This deliberate non-naturalism makes it hard to settle into the world of the play, especially since Elerian has chucked so many different jarring elements into the mix here. Some early scenes inflate like over-proved dough, with their long preambles and verbal repartee thats too literally translated to achieve full hilarity. But as the leathery-skinned beasts multiply, this productions power grows, helped by wonderfully imaginative bits of physical theatre. McGuires transformation into a silver-skinned monster is a marvel, his shifting body capturing how attempts to empathise with extreme positions can open you up to losing your own values. Hayley Carmichael quakes like a freshly birthed faun after her encounter with a rhino, but soon her terror matures into a surreal kind of love. And Paul Hunter acts as an unofficial emcee and anchor in this strange world, gently inculcating the audience into its rules. Dirisu initially feels a bit lost here, giving a straightforwardly truthful performance among all these heightened grotesques. But theres a mounting power in that as the final scenes draw in and chaos reigns, thundering hooves crushing everything he used to know. A production like this is a rare beast on Londons stages with its gleeful non-naturalism, witty physical theatre and tooting kazoos and it deserves to be appreciated. At The Almeida until 26 April; tickets and information here. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice David Walliams has hit out at former Britains Got Talent colleague Simon Cowell amid an alleged feud. The comedian was a judge on the ITV talent show from 2012 up until his departure in 2022, when it emerged that he had made sexually explicit and derogatory remarks about some of the contestants during a recording at the London Palladium in January 2020. Walliamss comments were picked up by the microphones on the desk and were seemingly not intended to be heard publicly and he sued FremantleMedia, the production company that makes BGT, for the leaking of his private remarks. The matter was settled in November 2023. He decided to leave the show after issuing an apology. On Tuesday (1 April), during an Advertising Week Europe panel, Walliams made a dig at his one-time fellow judge after the panel host Melanie Rockcliffe said: David Walliams, you were a judge on Britains Got Talent for a decade and won best judge at the national TV Awards four times. Walliams, without missing a beat, replied: Simon Cowell never won once. The comedian and author, who is reportedly no longer on speaking terms with Cowell, continued: Thats all he does is judging. It was a tiny part of my career. For him, it was the focus and he still couldnt win it. His comments prompted laughter from the crowd and, when Rockliffe said: He wasnt happy with you, was he?, Walliams replied: No. However, he said Britains Got Talent was a fun show to do. open image in gallery David Walliams hit out at ex-BGT colleague Simon Cowell ( Getty Images for MUBI ) When the recording of his inappropriate comments was made public in 2022, Walliams told The Independent: I would like to apologise to the people I made disrespectful comments about during breaks in filming for Britains Got Talent in 2020. These were private conversations and like most conversations with friends were never intended to be shared. Nevertheless, I am sorry. Fremantle, while announcing it had reached a settlement with Walliams, issued its own apology, stating: We are sincerely sorry that his private conversations when a judge on Britains Got Talent were published, and the great distress this caused David. We have reviewed our production practices on the show to ensure they fully respect the expectations of our talent whilst satisfying the requirements of the show. We have enjoyed a great relationship with David over many years. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. We thank David for being an important part of the Britains Got Talent family and the enduring success of the show and hope to have opportunities to work with him in the future. We are pleased that we have achieved an amicable resolution of this dispute with David. open image in gallery Simon Cowell is allegedly no longer on speaking terms with David Walliams ( ITV ) Bruno Tonioli replaced Walliams on the show in January 2023. The Independent has contacted Cowell for comment. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Jason Isaacs has revealed that friendships were both made and lost on the set of The White Lotuss third season. The British actor, 61, plays wealthy financier Timothy Ratliff, who is caught up in a money laundering scheme that unravels while he is on holiday in Thailand with his wife Victoria (Parker Posey) and their three grown-up children, Saxon (Patrick Schwarzenegger), Piper (Sarah Catherine Hook) and Lochlan (Sam Nivola). Isaacs described the experience of filming the latest instalment of Mike Whites black comedy as a cross between summer camp and Lord of the Flies but in a gilded cage. The series was filmed in Thailand over the course of seven months, with the cast and crew staying at the Four Seasons Hotel in Koh Samui, which doubles up as the hotel on screen. In an interview with Vulture, Isaacs said that despite the stunning backdrop, filming the show wasnt a holiday. Some people got very close, there were friendships that were made and friendships that were lost, he said. open image in gallery Isaacs plays stressed-out financier Timothy Ratliff ( HBO/Sky ) All the things you would imagine with a group of people unanchored from their home lives on the other side of the world, in the intense pressure cooker of the working environment with eye-melting heat and insects and late nights. They say in the show, What happens in Thailand stays in Thailand, but theres an off-screen White Lotus as well, with fewer deaths but just as much drama. When he was asked to share further details of that drama, the Harry Potter star declined, explaining: I became very close to some people and less close to others, but we still all had that experience together and theres a certain level of discretion required. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. open image in gallery Isaacs with on-screen wife Parker Posey, who plays Victoria Ratliff ( HBO/Sky ) Isaacs co-star Aimee Lou Wood, who plays spiritual hotel guest Chelsea, has also been candid about her experiences during filming, describing the unusual set up as like a social experiment. I dont know whether Id describe it as fun, she told The Guardian. There were fun moments. It was more like amazing in the true sense. I was amazed by what was happening. How am I in Thailand? Living in a hotel, that we also film in? It was like a social experiment. I will never have an experience like that again, she added. It was so extreme. So the fun bits were unbelievable, so special. The ocean, the landscape, it was majestic. Mike is a genius. Everyone involved is amazing. Its just the circumstances are quite extreme. The final episode of The White Lotuss third season is set to air in the UK on Monday 7 April. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Malcolm in the Middle star Erik Per Sullivan, who played Dewey in the beloved family sitcom, has been photographed for the first time since leaving Hollywood to pursue higher education. It was recently revealed that Sullivan is the only member of the main cast who will not be returning for the shows upcoming reboot on Disney+. Frankie Muniz will reprise the title role, with Bryan Cranston and Jane Kaczmarek also returning as his parents. Christopher Masterson, who played oldest brother Francis, and Justin Berfield, who played Reese, are both back. Sullivans role will be filled by Fargo actor Caleb Ellsworth-Clark. Sullivans absence appears to be because of his decision to move away from acting as a career. Last year, Kaczmarek spoke to fan site Malcolm France about Sullivan and said: Hes well, hes very, very well He did Malcolm for seven years, he started at seven, he ended at 14. He wasnt interested in acting, at all. She added: He goes to school at a very prestigious American university that hes asked us all to be quiet about and he loves Charles Dickens. Hes doing graduate work in Victorian literature. I admire it because so many people think being in show business is the greatest thing in the world, its not for everyone. Erik Per Sullivan, known for his role as Dewey in Malcolm in the Middle, pictured leaving his house in Boston, MA, on March 26, 2025 ( The US Sun / News Licensing ) Now, The US Sun has photographed Sullivan looking dapper in a grey sweater with army green jeans while unloading groceries at his home outside of Boston, Massachusetts. In other pictures, Sullivan can be seen wearing a grey flat cap and a thick brown coat while visiting a coffee shop. The reboot of Malcolm in the Middle will run for four episodes on Disney+. No release date has yet been announced. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. The official logline reads: Malcolm and his daughter are drawn into the familys chaos when Hal and Lois demand his presence for their 40th wedding anniversary party. The Fabelmans actor Keeley Karsten has been cast as Malcolms daughter, Leah. When the reboot was announced, Ayo Davis, president of Disney Branded Television, told Variety: Malcolm in the Middle is a landmark sitcom that captured the essence of family life with humor, heart and relatability. Its hilarious and heartfelt portrayal of a lovably chaotic family resonated with audiences of all ages, and were so excited to welcome the original cast back to bring that magic to life again. With Linwood Boomer and the creative team at the helm, these new episodes will have all the laughs, pranks, and mayhem fans loved along with a few surprises that remind us why this show is so timeless. Malcolm in the Middle aired on Fox from 2000 to 2006 for seven seasons. The single-camera comedy series focused on Malcolm, a child prodigy, and his dysfunctional working-class family. Over the course of seven seasons, Malcolm in the Middle earned seven Emmy Awards out of its 33 nominations. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The Chinese military unveiled a poster titled paralysing strikes as it carried out live-fire drills around Taiwan in the latest show of force amid rising tensions in the region. The Eastern Theatre Command of the Peoples Liberation Army said on Wednesday that the latest wargames were part of its Strait Thunder 2025A drills, suggesting that they could be followed by group B exercises in the near future. The drills on Wednesday employed the Shandong aircraft carrier task group to simulate strikes on ground and maritime targets east of Taiwan. The exercises included vessel-aircraft coordination, seizure of area air superiority, and strikes on ground and maritime targets, the military said in a statement. The new poster, state media outlet Global Times reported, was captioned, Against the tide of history. Heading for a dead end. The message, seen as a thinly veiled threat to Taiwan and its Western allies, came a day after a video announcing the drills called Taiwanese president Lai Ching Te a parasite, depicting him as a cartoon bug held up by a pair of chopsticks above a burning Taiwan. Senior colonel Shi Yi, spokesperson for the Eastern Theatre Command, said the Strait Thunder 2025A exercises were conducted in the central and southern parts of the Taiwan Strait and focussed on the implementation of inspection and identification, warning and expelling, interception and seizure and other subjects. The military said the drills were meant to practice precision strikes on port and energy facilities but did not offer details on the exact location. The exercises came on the heels of US defence secretary Pete Hegseth's ongoing tour of Asia during which he visited many countries and criticised China, emphasising that countering its threat to Taiwan was a key priority for Washington. China, which considers Taiwan as its territory, has carried out numerous drills around the island in recent years. Beijing has escalated its rhetoric against Mr Lai, who was elected last year, denouncing him as separatist for pushing for sovereignty. In view of the surprise military drills, China's Maritime Safety Administration announced closure until Thursday night of the shipping zone in the northern part of the eastern province of Zhejiang, more than 500km from Taiwan. Taiwan's defence ministry, in its latest update on Wednesday, said 76 Chinese aircraft and 15 warships had operated around Taiwan in the past 24 hours. An unnamed Taiwanese security official told Reuters that more than 10 Chinese warships operated in the islands "response zone" on Wednesday morning and that China's coast guard was participating with "harassment" drills. Its likely that China will conduct a second round of the exercises, following the precedent set by last years major war games Joint Sword 2024A and Joint Sword 2024B. Taiwan's security officials said Beijing was attempting to normalise drills near Taiwan as it had been carrying out such patrols near the island every 7-10 days on average. Taiwan has faced the threat of a Chinese invasion since 1949 when the Republic of China government retreated to the island after losing the civil war to Mao Zedongs communists. In spite of ongoing tensions, however, the two sides have not engaged in direct military conflict. Xinjiang in eyes of foreign envoys 16:34, April 02, 2025 By Cao Jiayue, Shao Yibo and Lu Junyu ( Xinhua BEIJING, April 2 (Xinhua) -- An event hosted by northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in Beijing on Monday gathered 70 foreign envoys sharing their own views on Xinjiang with firsthand experiences. These diplomats from 43 countries and international organizations in China told their stories with Xinjiang, using statistics and what they saw. "Back then, I had just started my studies in China. I had the pleasure to sing and dance by the campus lake with my Uygur and Han classmates from Xinjiang, this remains as unforgettable as today's event," Somalia's Ambassador to China Hodan Osman Abdi recalled of her time in Zhejiang Normal University as an international student two decades ago. In 2024, Xinjiang's regional GDP grew by 6.1 percent year on year, with over 77 percent of fiscal expenditure allocated to livelihood-related fields. The region received more than 300 million tourists and created 483,200 new urban jobs throughout last year, a local official said at the event. "I must say numbers and actions speak louder than words. The social and economic progress is indeed very impressive," said Pakistani Ambassador to China Khalil Hashmi. "I visited Xinjiang twice last year, and travelled across the length and breadth. Urumqi, Kashgar and all the way to the Pakistan-China border. The region's progress is evident in its infrastructure, green energy hubs, digital economy, and increasing openness to the world," he added. "The respect for multi-ethnic cultures in Xinjiang enables every group to preserve its cultural identity," remarked Bolivia's Ambassador to China Hugo Siles. He added that Xinjiang's prosperity and diversity, which he has experienced, epitomizes China's endeavor toward modernization. "The people of Xinjiang are warm and open-hearted. They have the most say over Xinjiang's development," said Cuban Ambassador to China Alberto Blanco Silva, as a painting brought him back to the boundless grasslands, snow-capped mountains, and villages with ethnic charm of Xinjiang he experienced during his visit to the region. "In recent years, I have heard of many new achievements in its economic growth, technological innovation, and cultural inheritance. I eagerly await the chance to return to the region," he said. Xinjiang, a hub along the Silk Road, boasts unique geographical advantages for China's high-level opening-up to the outside world. Xinjiang borders several of the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), noted SCO Secretary-General Nurlan Yermekbayev, adding that platforms such as Urumqi International Land Port and Kashi Economic Development Zone are accelerating regional cooperation. "Xinjiang is our primary 'land bridge' for trade with China," said Farhod Arziev, Uzbekistan's ambassador to China. Major transportation routes connecting the two countries pass through Xinjiang, including the landmark China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project, which will open up new opportunities for further expansion of business and investment, he said. The foreign envoys said that there was so much to explore in Xinjiang, from learning practices for desertification management to a trip to the natural landscape of meadows and ice-capped mountains in the region. As the event was drawing to an end, Hodan, who just took office as the ambassador to China, said she cannot wait to arrange a visit to Xinjiang. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice An Indian court has sentenced self-proclaimed Christian preacher Bajinder Singh to life in jail for raping a woman in 2018. Singh, 42, an evangelist known for so-called miracle healings, was accused of assaulting the woman at his residence in the northern state of Punjab and using a recording of the act to threaten her into silence. He was sentenced on Tuesday after being found guilty of rape, criminal intimidation, and voluntarily causing hurt. Additional district and sessions judge Vikrant Kumar ruled that Singh should remain imprisoned for the remainder of his natural life and pay a fine of Rs 100,000 (9,500). Five of Singhs co-accused were acquitted while a sixth defendant had died during the trial. The case dates back to 2018 when a woman lodged a complaint against Singh at the Zirakpur police station in Punjab. The survivor, a domestic help, alleged that Singh had lured her with a false promise of facilitating her relocation abroad before sexually assaulting her at his home in Mohali, reported the Hindustan Times. She claimed that he had filmed the act and used the footage to blackmail her into compliance. Singh, arrested in July 2018 at the Delhi airport while attempting to flee to London, asked for a lenient sentence, pleading that he had to look after his three children and his wife, who was suffering from a spine problem. He is a preacher of Christianity and has many followers. The convict is serving humanity with honesty and dedication and doing several social services and religious work, the defence counsel said. The judge, however, ruled that Singh had "misused his position as a preacher" and committed a "heinous crime. His crime left "an indelible scar" on the dignity and honour of the woman, reinforcing the need for strict punishment to deter future offenders. A rapist not only causes physical injuries but also leaves an indelible scar on the most cherished possession of a girl, that is, her dignity, honour, reputation, and not least her chastity, the court said. In such circumstances, every perpetrator of rape should be punished expeditiously, severely and strictly. The woman's lawyer, Anil Sagar, welcomed the decision, describing it as an "exemplary punishment". He emphasised the importance of holding influential figures accountable, stating: "Any leniency in such cases where people use their social position to rape poor and weak people increases the confidence of predators." Singh's defence team has not issued a statement yet but is expected to appeal the ruling in a higher court. Singh, who gained fame through his fiery sermons and claims of divine healing, has a considerable following in India and abroad. His Church of Glory and Wisdom, one of Punjab's largest private churches, counts Bollywood celebrities among patrons, and claims to have branches in the UK, US and Canada. His YouTube channel, called Prophet Bajinder Singh, has some 3.7 million subscribers, and frequently broadcasts Singhs sessions where he puts his hands on followers who appear to convulse before proclaiming miraculous recoveries. Singh's religious empire has long been overshadowed by legal troubles. In addition to the 2018 rape case, he has been accused of sexual assault by at least two other women. In February, a former follower filed a complaint alleging sexual harassment, prompting an investigation by the Punjab police. A few days later, another woman alleged that Singh had assaulted her after a prayer session. He has denied the accusations. His Church of Glory and Wisdom has also faced scrutiny over financial irregularities. In January last year, several of his churches were investigated by the income tax department for undisclosed reasons. Born in northern Haryana state to a Hindu family, Singh converted to Christianity while in prison around 15 years ago. Though he has not publicly addressed the matter, he was reportedly incarcerated in a murder case. On his website, he attributes his past criminal activities to "evil forces" and claims that he turned his life around after discovering the Bible. Singh and his supporters have often dismissed his legal troubles as conspiracies orchestrated by rival pastors seeking to discredit him. In spite of his conviction, some of his followers continue to defend him, viewing the charges against him as attempts to tarnish his reputation. The survivor, who faced intimidation and threats after filing the complaint, expressed relief after Singhs sentencing was announced. "Many false allegations were levelled against me and my family after I exposed the pastor. He made our lives difficult," she told local reporters. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice India is bracing for another summer of prolonged and deadly heatwaves, as its weather office warns of above-normal temperatures and significantly more days of extreme heat in many parts of the country from April to June. This year, states like Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Odisha could see up to 11 days of heatwaves, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said. Heatwave days are defined as prolonged periods of exceptionally hot weather. In many parts of central, northern and eastern India, there may be more heatwave days than the historical average, Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, the chief of IMD, said during a press briefing this week. "From April to June, most parts of north and east India, central India, and the plains of north-west India are expected to experience two-to-four more heatwave days than normal," he added. The warning follows what has already been an unusually warm start to the year. February was among the hottest on record worldwide, as well as in India, putting wheat crops at risk with many states reporting minimum temperatures 1-3C above normal. In parts of western and southern India, including Mumbai, Goa and Karnataka, early-season heatwaves were already declared by the end of that month. India typically sees heatwaves between April and June, but rising global temperatures are shifting this pattern, making extreme heat arrive earlier and last longer. In 2024, India recorded its hottest day ever at 50.5C in Rajasthan, and the country saw over 40,000 suspected cases of heatstroke. The health ministry officially attributed 143 deaths to the heatwave, but independent researchers say the real toll is likely far higher. In February, officials warned that unusually high March temperatures could harm wheat, chickpea and rapeseed crops that are sensitive to heat stress. India, the worlds second-largest wheat producer, has already faced consecutive years of poor harvests, forcing export bans and increasing price volatility. "March is not going to be conducive for wheat," an IMD official said earlier this year, warning that grains could shrivel and ripen too soon. The energy sector is also under strain. The rising use of air conditioners in homes and businesses during hotter months has led to a sharp spike in power demand. Experts now warn that electricity consumption this summer could surge by up to 10 per cent, risking blackouts. A recent study from the University of California, Berkeley, found that India could face severe power shortages as early as next year unless it updates energy efficiency standards for cooling appliances. Doubling the efficiency of air conditioners could save consumers $26bn and prevent 60GW of excess demand by 2035, the report said. "ACs are becoming one of the biggest drivers of peak demand, and without intervention, we risk blackouts or costly emergency fixes," said Nikit Abhyankar, lead author of the study. Experts have long warned that global warming is intensifying extreme heat events in India. A recent analysis by Climate Central found that February temperatures in Mumbai and Goa, which broke records this year, were three to five times more likely due to human-caused climate crisis. IMD chief Mr Mohapatra has previously cautioned that if greenhouse gas emissions are not reduced, heatwaves could become more frequent and severe. "We are endangering not only ourselves, but also our future generations," he said last year. The rising risks have led some states to roll out heat action plans and emergency protocols, including early warning systems, hydration centres and adjusted school hours. But many experts say Indias response is still piecemeal and underprepared, especially as climate extremes intensify. "Summers are expanding. Winters are shrinking. The cycles have shifted," said Mahesh Palawat, vice president of Meteorology and Climate Change at Skymet Weather. "And what we are seeing now is the impact of that shift unfolding in real time." On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A 24-year-old American tourist has been detained in India for entering a remote tribal area where islanders have no contact with the outside world, police said on Wednesday. Mykhailo Viktorovych Polyakov, whose father is from Ukraine, set foot on North Sentinel Island, a part of Indias Andaman Islands, in an attempt to make contact with the isolated Sentinelese tribe, police said. He recorded his visit to the island, leaving a can of Coke and a coconut on the shore as an offering to the people of the tribe. The influencer, who runs a YouTube channel documenting extreme travel and previously visited Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, travelled nine hours in a small rubber dinghy with an outboard motor to reach the island and used binoculars to survey the area but saw no inhabitants. He tried to get the attention of native people by blowing a whistle and briefly landed on the shore for a few minutes before leaving. He left the offerings and collected sand samples while recording a video, police said. He arrived in the capital, Port Blair, on 27 March and was arrested three days later on Sunday after he was reported to police by locals, who saw him taking a boat to North Sentinel Island. open image in gallery Police said they reviewed his GoPro camera footage which showed his entry and landing into the restricted North Sentinel Island ( YouTube/Neo-Orientalist ) Andaman and Nicobar, a former British penal colony, is a group of 572 islands located more than 1,200km (700 miles) from mainland India. The Indian government strictly monitors access to some remote parts of the federal territory, which are home to five known indigenous tribes, some of whom are hostile to outsiders. These tribes include the Sentinelese, Jarwa, Onge, Shompens, and Great Andamanese, and are among the worlds last remaining isolated communities. Indians and foreigners alike are prohibited from traveling within 5km (3 miles) of the island to protect the indigenous people from external diseases and safeguard their way of life. Andaman and Nicobar director general of police HS Dhaliwal said police were alerted after locals spotted the man near Khuramadera Beach in South Andaman, relatively close to the Jarwa Reserve Forest, which is a protected area for the Indigenous Jarwa tribe. open image in gallery Map showing the location of Indias Andaman & Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal ( The Independent/Datawrapper ) We are getting more details about him and his intention to visit the reserved tribal area. We are also trying to find out where else he has visited during his stay in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. We are questioning the hotel staff where he was staying in Port Blair, the police told Press Trust of India. Mr Dhaliwal told AFP the American tourist landed briefly for about five minutes, left the offerings on the shore, collected sand samples, and recorded a video before returning to his boat. A review of his GoPro camera footage showed his entry and landing into the restricted North Sentinel Island. open image in gallery Sentinelese islanders on the Andaman Islands ( Christian Carron via Survival International ) A formal complaint has been registered against him under the Foreigners Act, 1946, and for entering a tribal reserve or restricted area without permission. Mr Polyakov was reportedly on his third trip to the islands after visiting twice last year. The police said they have informed the home ministry about his detention and that officials there were in touch with the US embassy. open image in gallery Polyakov poses with a gun on a visit to Afghanistan which he posted about last year ( Neo-Orientalist/YouTube ) Tribal lands are legally protected under the Andaman & Nicobar Islands (Protection of Aboriginal Tribes) Regulation, 1956, which prohibits unauthorised entry. In 2018, American missionary John Allen Chau, 27, was killed by the Sentinelese, an endangered tribe, after illegally trying to enter their territory to preach Christianity. He was allegedly killed after tribespeople shot him with arrows as his boat approached the island. In 2006, two Indian fishermen who accidentally drifted to the North Sentinel Island were killed by the Sentinelese tribe. When an Indian military helicopter later flew low over the island, tribal members fired arrows at it in a show of defiance. The navy has since enforced a buffer zone around the island, ensuring no outsiders come close. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A Japanese politician has received nearly 8,000 emails of death threats after she called for menstrual products to be made available in public restrooms. Ayaka Yoshida, 27, a local assembly member in central Mie prefecture, filed a police complaint on Monday about the death threats she had received over the weekend. The threats came after she shared her experience of not finding sanitary napkins at a prominent city hall on social media last Tuesday. I was caught off guard by my period and was in trouble as there were no sanitary napkins in the restroom at Tsu City Hall. I hope menstrual pads can be provided like toilet paper, Ms Yoshida posted on X. The emails threatening the life of Ms Yoshida, who is a member of the Japanese Communist Party, were sent between 8pm local time on Friday and 3.50pm on Monday, at roughly one-minute intervals, reported Kyodo News. The thousands of emails were all sent from the same email address, it added. One of the threatening emails was titled, "I will kill assembly member Ayaka Yoshida who doesn't bring emergency napkins with her while being old enough to know better!" Japanese daily The Mainichi reported. The text of the email also referred to her murder. Another email sent to the young lawmaker mocked her saying: At her age, she should know how to carry emergency sanitary napkins. Speaking at a press conference on Monday, the lawmaker said such emails carried the effect of intimidating me and suppressing my activities as a prefectural assembly member. I'm very scared. I have been engaging in my duties to fulfil my responsibility as a prefectural assembly member, and these emails intimidate me. I hope the police will conduct a thorough investigation, she said. About 44 per cent of women in Japan do not take any time off during their period even when they are in serious pain, according to a survey by Tokyo consulting firm Deloitte Tohmatsu Group. At least 5,000 people participated in the survey that was conducted in 10 countries from October 2022 to January 2023. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A British tourist has died while snorkelling off a popular Indonesian island. The 81-year-old was found floating lifeless about 15ft from the coast of the tourist island of Gili Trawangan, northwest of Lombok, on Wednesday. A preliminary medical examination suggested the man suffered a heart attack while in the water, police said. The cause of death has not yet been confirmed. The tourist was on a group boat trip to the snorkelling spot when he became separated before later being found, according to police and witnesses. After arriving at a spot off the Wah Resort, the tourists dived at the location only five metres from the shoreline. They were there for around 10 minutes when the victim was discovered floating motionless in the waters, Gili islands police chief Iptu Mahardika said. The tourist was swiftly brought ashore for emergency attention, but was pronounced dead after a medical examination, according to News of Indonesia. Authorities contacted the British Embassy in Indonesia to pass on the tragic news to the tourists family. We are supporting the family of a British man who died in Indonesia and are in touch with the local authorities, a Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) spokesperson told The Independent. The island is well known for its beaches and sunset views, with tourists visiting to enjoy the landscapes, bars and restaurants. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Myanmars military junta has declared a ceasefire in its ongoing civil war with ethnic rebel groups until 22 April, a day after it confirmed that soldiers had fired at a Chinese convoy carrying aid for victims of last weeks devastating earthquake. The surprise announcement came late on Wednesday. Junta leader Min Aung Hlaing had previously rejected ceasefire proposals by rebel groups to allow humanitarian aid to reach earthquake-hit regions of the country. The military said it would halt fighting for 20 days as a show of compassion for people affected by Friday's quake, state broadcaster MRTV reported. The commander-in-chiefs office, however, said the military would take necessary countermeasures if rebel groups sought to damage communication lines, mobilise forces or take new territory. The ceasefire the first since a fierce civil war threw the country into turmoil four years ago would provide a brief respite to civilians, mostly Muslim ethnic minorities, caught in the crosshairs. Since the military took power in a February 2021 coup, it has faced fierce resistance from a mix of newly formed opposition groups and long-established ethnic armed factions. Its grip on the country has weakened over the past year, with its control shrinking to less than 30 per cent of the territory, though it still holds the largest cities. open image in gallery Myanmar's military chief Min Aung Hlaing gestures as earthquake survivors gather in the compound of a hospital in Naypyidaw ( AFP via Getty ) The 7.7 magnitude earthquake collapsed thousands of buildings, cracked open roads and bridges, killed over 3,000 people and injured nearly 4,500. It also left hundreds of people missing. The true extent of the devastation remains unknown. Resistance factions and rights groups in the country have raised concerns about the junta blocking aid to areas held by the rebels, with many rebel groups reporting fresh military strikes soon after the earthquake. The Chinese foreign ministry said on Wednesday its rescue and relief workers in Myanmar were safe after a Chinese convoy delivering aid was attacked by soldiers the previous night. The Taang National Liberation Army, a rebel group in northern Myanmar, claimed that the soldiers used machine guns to fire at the convoy at Ummati village in Naung Cho township in Mandalay. open image in gallery People attend a Buddhist memorial service near the rubble of a collapsed building in Mandalay ( AFP via Getty ) Military spokesperson Zaw Min Tun confirmed that the soldiers had fired warning shots but claimed the convoy had failed to heed instructions to stop. He also claimed the convoy had not notified authorities of its route ahead of time despite going into a conflict zone. The urgent delivery of humanitarian aid to regions struck by the earthquake has become critical as rescue workers continue to search through the rubble. On Tuesday, rescuers pulled out two men alive from the ruins of a hotel in the capital, a third from a guesthouse in another city, and a fourth in Mandalay. But most teams were finding only bodies. Many areas remain without power, telephone or mobile connections and are difficult to reach by road. open image in gallery People dig out a car from the rubble of a destroyed building on the outskirts of Mandalay ( AFP via Getty ) In Singu township, about 40 miles north of Mandalay, 27 gold miners were killed in a building collapse, the independent media outlet Democratic Voice of Burma reported. Ceasefires had been announced earlier this week by the People's Defense Force, which is the armed wing of the shadow opposition National Unity Government, and the Three Brotherhood Alliance, a trio of ethnic minority guerrilla armies. Morgan Michaels, an analyst with the International Institute of Strategic Studies, said the military was under pressure to follow suit. "It would require very deft and active diplomacy to transform a humanitarian pause into something more lasting, he said. And that's not guaranteed. The junta leader is likely to fly to Thailand for a regional summit on Thursday, garnering bad publicity for taking the trip despite his country struggling to deal with the aftermath of the earthquake. It will be his first visit to a country that is not an ally China, Russia and Belarus since he attended another regional meeting in Indonesia in 2021. Additional reporting by agencies. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A 26-year-old man was pulled out alive from the rubble of a hotel five days after a 7.7 magnitude earthquake devastated Myanmar, even as hopes faded of finding more survivors. The man was retrieved by a team of Myanmarese and Turkish rescue workers in the capital Naypyidaw after a nine-hour operation on Tuesday, local media reported. Shirtless and covered in dust, Naing Lin Tun appeared weak but conscious in a video released by the local fire department as he was fitted with an IV drip and taken away. The rescue workers used an endoscopic camera to pinpoint his location in the rubble and confirm that he was alive, officials said. The man was gingerly pulled through a hole jackhammered through a floor and loaded onto a gurney nearly 108 hours after he was trapped in the hotel where he worked. The rescue appeared miraculous as the mans chances of survival under the rubble had dropped quickly with each day after the first 24 hours. Fire officials said on Tuesday that they had earlier rescued a 63-year-old woman from the rubble of a building in the capital. open image in gallery Naing Lin Tun was miraculously rescued after five days ( Myanmar Fire Services Department ) The most powerful earthquake to jolt Myanmar in a century killed at least 2,886 people, destroyed thousands of buildings and pagodas, flattened roads, and toppled buildings hundreds of miles away in neighbouring Thailand. The earthquake collapsed a high-rise building under construction in Bangkok. One body was recovered from the rubble on Wednesday, raising the death total in Bangkok to 22 and the number of the injured to 34, most at the construction site. The head of Myanmar's military junta, Senior Gen Min Aung Hlaing, told a forum for relief donations in Naypyidaw that 4,521 people suffered injuries and 441 were missing, state media reported. "Among the missing, most are assumed to be dead. There is a narrow chance for them to remain alive," he said in a speech. He said Friday's earthquake was the second most powerful in the country's recorded history after an 8-magnitude quake struck east of Mandalay in May 1912. open image in gallery Rescuers from Turkey and Myanmar save a man five days after a devastating earthquake struck Myanmar ( Myanmar Fire Services Department ) The real scale of the devastation was not known due to limited information emerging from a country already wracked by a deadly conflict between the military junta, which seized power in a 2021 coup, and a number of armed ethnic rebel groups seeking autonomy or independence. The death toll was expected to rise, even though the junta had allegedly enforced a blackout on the reporting of casualties among military personnel in the capital. Around 100 soldiers and their families were killed in battalions across Naypyidaw," a military defector told The Irrawaddy. open image in gallery Man rescued after five days following Myanmar earthquake ( Myanmar Fire Services Department ) The earthquake has only deepened the dire humanitarian crisis caused by the civil war, which has displaced over 3 million people and left nearly 20 million in need of assistance, according to the UN. Several countries have pledged millions of dollars in assistance to help Myanmar as well as humanitarian aid organisations deal with the devastation and its aftermath. Australia on Wednesday said it was giving $4.5m in addition to $1.25m it had already committed and had a rapid response team on the ground. India sent two Navy ships with supplies and around 200 rescue workers. China sent 270 rescue and relief workers, Russia 212, and the UAE 122. The US said it would provide $2m in emergency assistance and send a US Agency for International Development team to determine how best to respond given limited resources due to the slashing of the foreign aid budget. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Myanmars military junta launched fire at a Chinese Red Cross convoy delivering earthquake aid as the leader rejected calls for a ceasefire by armed rebel groups to focus on relief and rescue efforts amid the nations worst earthquake in a century. Military spokesperson Zaw Min Tun confirmed on Wednesday that warning shots were fired on the Chinese Red Cross convoy delivering aid to earthquake victims, saying they failed to heed the military's instructions to stop while driving in a conflict zone. The confirmation came after the northern-based Taang National Liberation Army reported on Tuesday that the military troops used machine guns to fire at a Chinese convoy at 9.21pm local time at Ummati village in Naung Cho township in Mandalay. The convoy delivering aid was forced to retreat and the groups members tried to protect the convoy to ensure that it continued its journey to deliver aid to those in need. The Chinese foreign ministry said rescue teams and supplies were safe after the firing incident and hoped that "all factions and parties in Myanmar will prioritise earthquake relief efforts. It came as Min Aung Hlaing, the leader of the military-run government, said Tatmadaw, the official name of the armed forces of Myanmar, would continue to take necessary military measures as rebel groups are still preparing for future attacks. Some ethnic armed groups may not be actively engaging in battles right now, but they are gathering and training in preparation for attacks, he said, during his visit to a fund-raising event in the capital Naypyidaw. As their actions are still considered attacks, the Tatmadaw will continue to take necessary security measures. A pro-democracy government in exile since the 2021 coup, along with three armed groups, declared a pause in attacks as concerns mounted over humanitarian aid reaching all the regions. The general said his military has not conducted targeted operations on enemy camps but has responded to attacks by rebel groups, in the first likely admission to accusations of junta launching attacks during the earthquake relief operation. open image in gallery Buddhist monks clear up rubble at the damaged Thahtay Kyaung Monastery in Mandalay on 1 April, 2025, four days after a major earthquake struck central Myanmar ( AFP/Getty ) A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake caused widespread damage in central Myanmar and the capital, Naypyidaw, killing 2,700 people and injuring more than 4,500, with hundreds still missing, according to the military government. The toll is expected to rise as relief and rescue operations, with the help of international aid groups from China, India, Russia, Singapore, and Malaysia, have stepped up efforts to find survivors. open image in gallery A monk walks past a collapsed building in Mandalay ( AFP/Getty ) Since the military's coup in February 2021, Myanmar has been engulfed in a chaotic and deadly civil war. The junta faces fierce resistance from a mix of newly formed opposition groups and long-established ethnic armed factions. Over the past year, its grip on the country has weakened, with its control shrinking to less than 30 per cent of the territory, though it still holds the largest cities. open image in gallery A collapsed bridge is pictured after a strong earthquake, near its epicenter, in Sagaing, Myanmar ( REUTERS ) The National Unity Government (NUG), which represents the Aung San Suu Kyi-led civilian administration, was the first one to announce two week pause in fighting. It was followed by the Arakan Army (AA), Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), and Taang National Liberation Army (TNLA). The groups accused the military junta of bombing the rebel-held areas hours after the earthquake struck, drawing condemnation from the United Nations and rights groups. Amnesty International said the strikes are adding to the strain of recovery efforts and the fear and anxiety of survivors. United Nations special envoy on Myanmar Julie Bishop said: The earthquake has laid bare the deeper vulnerabilities facing Myanmars people and underscored the need for sustained international attention to the broader crisis. open image in gallery In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, rescuers carry out search and rescue on the damaged buildings in the aftermath of an earthquake in Mandalay, Myanmar ( Xinhua ) All sides must urgently allow space for humanitarian relief and ensure that aid workers can operate in safety. China has maintained close relations with Myanmar despite the 2021 coup and was one of the first countries to send help to Naypyidaw following the earthquake, including $14m in emergency aid along with dispatching search and rescue teams. In the neighbouring Thai capital, Bangkok, at least 21 people have died as dozens are still trapped under the rubble of an under-construction 33-storey skyscraper. An investigation has been launched into the building that was being built in a joint venture between Italian-Thai Development Pcl and China Railway Number 10 Thailand Co. Samples of the two different sizes of steel bars from the collapsed site have revealed it was a substandard quality steel bars made by a factory that had been shuttered by authorities. open image in gallery Rescuers work at the site of a high-rise building under construction that collapsed after a 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Bangkok, Thailand ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) The bars failed tests by the Iron and Steel Institute of Thailand for their mass, chemical composition and ability to withstand stress. However, the findings about the quality of steel are separate from the probe ordered by the government to find the reason for the collapse. Close Starmer vows UK won't be cowed by Trump's tariffs For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Donald Trump has confirmed that the US will not be pausing tariffs, stressing that they were not looking at that. The president said many countries have been negotiating with Washington and they will try and make "fair deals" with each of them. It comes as Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to eliminate the trade deficit with the U.S, while Trump also accused the EU of being formed to create a unified force against the United States for trade. Londons FTSE 100 stock index plunged a further 4.3 per cent on Monday to a value last seen in March 2024, as Donald Trumps tariffs continue to wreak havoc on the global markets. After the US president announced his sweeping tariffs last week, Wall Street sank again, with the S&P 500 briefly approaching bear market territory on Monday, coming off its worst week since Covid-19 began crashing the global economy in March 2020. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 2.3 per cent, and the Nasdaq composite 1.5 per cent lower. The continued volatility came as Mr Trump threatened China with a further tariff of 50 per cent and said all talks with China concerning their requested meetings with us will be terminated unless Beijing withdraws its planned 34 per cent retaliatory levy. Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A London grandmother who has battled breast cancer for over a decade is facing the prospect of having to uproot her life and move more than 300 miles to Scotland to access a pioneering drug on the NHS. Beverley Angell, 68, from Fulham, explained that an unfair postcode lottery has meant the drug, which costs 8,000 per session privately, is only available on the NHS in Scotland. I dont really want to leave my family, but it is a matter of life and death. I dont have a choice, she told The Independent. The interior designer, who has stage 4 breast cancer, said the drug Enhurtu (trastuzumab deruxtecan) helps to treat HER2-low, which represents at least 55 per cent of breast cancers including the kind she has. But moving is a difficult dilemma for Beverley, who doesnt want to leave her family behind. I cant bear it, Ive got family here, Ive got grandchildren, I dont want to leave them, she said. I dont have a choice, you either sink or swim. You just have to try your best or give up. She was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012 and a lump was removed from her left breast, after which she was told her cancer was low-risk. It returned in 2014, and she had a mastectomy and chemotherapy. open image in gallery Beverley doesnt want to leave her family, but says the move is life or death ( Beverley Angell ) For years she didnt suffer any symptoms until more lumps were discovered during a routine check-up at Charing Cross Hospital in December 2023. For a third time she had an operation to remove the lumps, and had chemotherapy. Just as she thought she was recovering last year, she started to feel breathless while doing basic tasks. In March 2024, doctors found fluid in her lungs and diagnosed her with stage 4 breast cancer which had spread to her lungs, bowel and kidneys. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK and around 55,000 women and 400 men are diagnosed with the disease every year, according to Breast Cancer Now. When it is caught in the early stages almost all women survive for five years after their diagnosis, but typically only a quarter of those diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer survive for five years, Cancer Research UK says. Beverley spent five weeks in hospital following her diagnosis, the fluid was drained from her lungs and she started chemotherapy in April 2024, until it stopped working in January this year. Although she knows Enhertu is not a cure, she believes it is the best option to give her significantly more quality time on this earth. open image in gallery Beverley has been diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer which has spread to her lungs, bowel and kidneys ( Beverley Angell ) Enhertu is the first licensed targeted treatment for patients with HER2-low breast cancer that cannot be removed surgically or that has spread to other parts of the body. Patients are usually offered chemotherapy, but Breast Cancer Now explains the targeted drug could offer people more time to live in comparison. Enhertu was approved for use in Scotland in December 2023 but was rejected for use on NHS England in March 2024 by the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (Nice) because it was too expensive. Nice chief executive Dr Samantha Roberts said she was extremely disappointed that they were unable to reach a price agreement that would have made advanced breast cancer drug Enhertu available to around 1,000 women in England and Wales. AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo, the pharmaceutical companies that manufacture Enhertu, said: 22 other European countries, including Scotland and most recently Spain and Romania, have already delivered routine patient access to Enhertu for HER2 low metastatic breast cancer patients. We are calling on Nice to evolve the way treatments are assessed for patients in England and Wales to create a system that enables equitable access for patients in line with other countries. However, moving to Scotland to access the drug is proving difficult. In February, Beverley and her husband Nick, 67, planned to visit Edinburgh to look for flats, but did not make it to Stansted Airport, instead finding themselves in Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge. Doctors there found her cancer had also spread to her peritoneum a membrane that lines the inside of the abdomen causing fluid to build up on her abdomen. Describing the system as a minefield, she explained she would need to move and get on the council tax register in Scotland before she was even able to request the drug. open image in gallery Beverley, pictured with her husband Nick, has launched a fundraiser to help pay for the drug or relocate to Scotland ( Beverley Angell ) If I moved to Scotland, I would have to cut all ties with my current oncologist and I would have to become a Scottish resident, she said. You have to go through a long process of moving and they could turn around and say they are not funding me because I live in England. She has since launched a GoFundMe campaign, either to help fund the move to Scotland or pay for the drug privately in England. Thanks to the generosity of one benefactor, Beverley has already had one round of Enhertu privately, but she will need to take it every three weeks for it to have any effect. A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: We know how disappointing it is to many families that the manufacturers of Enhertu are unwilling to sell this life-extending treatment to the NHS at a fair and reasonable price, despite Nice and NHS England offering unprecedented flexibilities in negotiations. Enhertu is the first breast cancer treatment that Nice has been unable to recommend in over six years, a period in which it approved 21 other treatments for the disease. Our door remains open to support the introduction of medicines at a cost-effective price which can bring benefits to patients across our country. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice An Old Etonian who tried to murder his former partner by throwing her down a disused well at his familys country estate has been jailed for 24 years. Douglas Clifton Brown, whose ancestors include several MPs and a high sheriff of Norfolk, ferociously attacked Camilla Welby and tried to drag her to the well which he had recently filled with water. The 56-year-old and Ms Welby, who had separated following a 15-year relationship, had argued in the car after drinks at a friends house in August 2023, it emerged following a trial at Norwich Crown Court in January. Instead of driving her home, Clifton Brown headed for the historic well at High House Estate near Congham, Norfolk. Now a wedding venue, the estate has been in his family for generations. He struck Ms Welby repeatedly in the face and threatened I will put you down the well to kill you, then kill myself as he dragged her from the vehicle, but she escaped after throttling him with her scarf until he passed out. She was later described as having been beaten black and blue when she arrived at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kings Lynn with a broken finger, fractured eye socket and broken nose, having driven herself there in his car. open image in gallery The well on Clifton Browns family estate ( PA Media ) He previously admitted to causing grievous bodily harm with intent and making a threat to kill and was unanimously convicted of attempted murder following a trial in January. Jailing him for 24 years on Wednesday, Judge Alice Robinson said his murderous plot had left his victim with serious psychological damage, leaving her frightened to open doors and windows and struggling to sleep. It was an angry, drunken and petulant albeit extreme reaction to the perceived slight from Ms Welby earlier in the evening and likely a build-up of antagonism during your relationship, she said. She said he inflicted such a severe beating during the 35- to 40-minute car journey, the swelling to Ms Welbys right eye was so bad she could not open it. The judge noted Clifton Brown had a history of violence towards Ms Welby, having received two cautions for battery in 2018, including an incident in which he tried to strangle her and pushed her over following a hip operation. The court heard Clifton Brown had told Ms Welby, while on holiday in Greece that summer, that the relationship was over, the judge said. She said Ms Welby wanted an amicable separation and said Clifton Brown could stay at her home for two months while he found a place to stay. On the day of the incident everything was fine until she [Ms Welby] got in the car, she added. You accused her of belittling you in front of your friends when describing her daughters wedding and felt she had underplayed your role, Judge Robinson said. Although what precipitated the argument may have been trivial, your reaction was not. At a previous hearing, Ms Welby said she suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and was gaslighted during their 15-year relationship. Reading her victim impact statement from behind a screen at Norwich Crown Court, she said: Seeing Mr Clifton Brown in court left me so terrified I ran from the court. When Mr Clifton Brown is released I will always look over my shoulder I will never feel safe. open image in gallery The judge described Clifton Browns attack as angry and petulant as she jailed him at Norwich Crown Court ( PA Archive ) Edward Renvoize, prosecuting, described throwing a person down a well as a sadistic method to bring about the death of somebody. Mr Renvoize said Clifton Brown had filled the well with water from a large commercial water butt and there was a history of violence or abuse by the defendant towards Ms Welby. Stan Reiz KC, mitigating, said the incident was an escalation of his [Clifton Browns] anger. It was him in a fit of rage lashing out at his partner, he said. The barrister said Clifton Browns depression led him to take the irrational view that he would take his own life as well. He said the offence was committed in a domestic abuse context but the defendant has his own narrative of how that relationship went. Clifton Brown was told he must serve two-thirds of his 24-year jail term in custody. He was also sentenced to three years and nine months for GBH with intent and three years for making threats to kill, to be served concurrently. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A volatile father whose eight-week-old daughter was left profoundly disabled after he fractured her skull has been jailed for life with 17 years for her murder after she died from her injuries six years later. Kyle Kitchen, 38, vigorously shook newborn Primrose Kane and either hit her with a hard object or threw her against a hard surface leaving her with life-changing injuries, the Old Bailey heard. He was convicted of two offences of causing grievous bodily harm with intent following the attack at the familys bedsit in Camden in 2014. Primroses mother Kenzey Kane, 31, was found guilty of causing or allowing serious injury to a child by failing to protect her daughter. Primrose, who was placed in the care of her grandmother, suffered serious brain injuries and grew up entirely reliant on carers as she struggled with multiple neurodevelopmental delays, cerebral palsy, progressive deformities and drug-resistant epilepsy. She was unable to communicate verbally and had to be fed through a tube before her death aged just six in 2021, the court heard. Kitchen had previously appeared on Channel 5 documentary The Accused, which centred around Primroses mother. He denied wrongdoing but was found guilty of Primroses murder last month after jurors deliberated for six hours and 24 minutes. Over the course of the four-and-a-half week trial at the Old Bailey, the jury heard from medical experts who had concluded that the cause of Primroses death was aspiration pneumonia caused by profound neurological, postural and developmental disability caused by the traumatic head injury inflicted on her as an infant. On Wednesday he was sentenced to life in prison, with a minimum term of 17 years. Less time already served for the assault on Primrose, he must now spend at least another seven years and eight months in prison before he is eligible for parole. Mr Justice Murray said Primroses injuries were caused as a result of a single act of violence in a "moment of anger and frustration" lasting a few seconds, he said. "Disastrously, those seconds led to Primrose's catastrophic injuries, led to years of disability and chronic pain and ultimately led to her death at the age of six years and eight months, the judge added. In mitigation, Jane Bickerstaff KC said Kitchen "loved that little girl" and her death was a "cross he will have to bear for the rest of his life". She described his relationship with Primrose's mother as "toxic" but added: "There are many, many couples who for one reason or another are not as fit as society would like to parent a child - and yet they have children." The trial heard that the parents relationship had been frequently volatile and Kitchen had been arrested and cautioned in September 2014, when Primrose was three weeks old, for slapping Kane while she was holding the infant. The couple had been alone at the time Primrose was seriously injured on 3 November 2014, the court was told. Shortly before 6am, Kane called 111 to report that Primrose had gone "floppy" and would not wake up after making odd movements and sounds in the night. During the call, Kitchen was allegedly heard saying that Primrose had blood around her nose and was not breathing. Paramedics arrived within minutes and found the baby was unresponsive, jurors heard. She was taken to the Royal Free Hospital in north London where a scan revealed a skull fracture and serious brain injury. Her parents provided no explanation for how it happened with Kane allegedly saying: "It's not like we knocked her or anything." Primrose was transferred to an intensive care unit at Great Ormond Street Hospital where further tests confirmed her serious injuries and it became clear she would suffer "significant neuro-disability" in the long term. Kirsty OConnor, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: It is unimaginable to think how someone could be capable of hurting such a young and vulnerable baby. It is a parents duty to keep their children safe and Kyle Kitchen not only failed to do that, but violently robbed Primrose of her life. Kitchen was handed a 15-year sentence after he was successfully prosecuted for the assault on Primrose, but sadly when Primrose died that sentence no longer reflected the harm he had caused. The evidence was clear that Primrose ultimately died as a result of the injuries Kitchen inflicted on her and therefore prosecuting him for her murder was our only option. We are pleased with the sentence handed to Kitchen today which now holds him accountable for Primroses premature death and the pain she endured during her short life. An NSPCC spokesperson added: Primrose had a short and extremely difficult life, until dying in 2021. Everything she was forced to endure was directly as a result of the brutal attack she suffered at the hands of her father when she was only a few weeks old. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Another 23 women say they have been raped by a Chinese PhD student feared to be one of the countrys most prolific sexual predators. University College London (UCL) student Zhenhao Zou, 28, was last month found guilty of drugging and raping 10 women, whose attacks he filmed using hidden cameras to keep as souvenirs. Only two of the victims were ever identified. Judge Rosina Cottage said Zou was a "dangerous and predatory" offender and warned him he faces a "very long" jail term when he is sentenced in June. Police issued a worldwide appeal for other victims to come forward after revealing they had found videos showing at least 50 unidentified women being assaulted by Zou, who also kept a trophy box of victims' belongings including jewellery and clothing. He targeted young Chinese women, inviting them to his flat for drinks or to study, before drugging and assaulting them. open image in gallery Zhenhao Zou has been found guilty of drugging and raping ten women, but police are trying to identify more victims ( PA Media ) Detectives this week revealed more than 20 women have already come forward and police are investigating if they can identify them among the unknown victims. Metropolitan Police commander Kevin Southworth thanked the women for bravely coming forward, adding: "We have victims reaching out to us from different parts of the globe. "At the moment, the primary places where we believe offending may have occurred at this time appears to be both in England, here in London, and over in China. He warned that there is every potential he could be one of the most prolific offenders that we've ever seen and urged victims to get in touch. He added: "Given how active and prolific Zou appears to have been with his awful offending, there is every prospect that he could have offended anywhere in the world. "We wouldn't want anyone to write off the fact they may have been a victim of his behaviour simply by virtue of the fact that you are from a certain place. "The bottom line is, if you think you may have been affected by Zhenhao Zou or someone you know may have been, please don't hold back. Please make contact with us." open image in gallery camera used to film one alleged rape, which was shown to the jury during the trial of Zhenhao Zou ( Met Police ) During his trial at Inner London Crown Court, Zou told jurors that his favourite kind of pornography was time-stop, which features women who are immobile or asleep. Analysis of graphic and disturbing material on his devices allowed police to uncover the scale of his offending, with investigators finding more than 1,660 hours of footage. Mr Southworth added: "Ultimately, now it's the investigation team's job to professionally pick our way through those individual pieces of evidence, those individual victims' stories, to see if we can identify who may have been a victim, when and where, so then we can bring Zou to justice for the full extent of his crimes." Zou first moved to the UK in 2017 from China to study at Queens University in Belfast, before going on to study for a PhD at the prestigious UCL in 2019. During that period, he resided in student halls in Bloomsbury before moving to the luxurious Uncle building in south London. He had been considered a model student and had been sociable throughout his time in the UK, attending nightclubs and throwing parties. It was during this period that he also admitted to consuming Class A drugs such as cocaine and ketamine. He also underwent plastic surgery that included a hair transplant and alterations to his eyelids, chin and teeth. open image in gallery Zou had lured women to his flat under the premise of drinks before raping them ( Metropolitan Police/PA Wire ) Zou has been convicted of 11 counts of rape, with two of the offences relating to one victim, as well as three counts of voyeurism, 10 of possession of an extreme pornographic image, one of false imprisonment and three of possession of a controlled drug, butanediol, with intent to commit a sexual offence. He was cleared of two further counts of possession of an extreme pornographic image, one of possession of MDMA with intent to commit a sexual offence, and four counts of possession of ketamine with intent to commit a sexual offence. The Metropolitan Police are appealing to anyone who thinks they may have been targeted by Zou to contact the force either by emailing survivors@met.police.uk, or through the major incident public portal on the forces website. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Wildfire alerts have been issued across much of the UK, as well as a warning to avoid barbecues with dry conditions expected through April. Fire brigades and the Met Office warned of an elevated wildfire risk. Most of England, including London, has been put on alert, which will extend into Northern Ireland and southern Scotland on Wednesday. The Fire Severity Index, which offers a daily hazard assessment for the responder community, is currently at an amber level, meaning the conditions across the UK are severe and could lead to wildfires. This comes ahead of warmer temperatures this spring, which are expected to peak at 22C on Friday. open image in gallery March 2025 was the sunniest since records began ( EPA ) Londoners and people living in Dorset were urged not to use disposable barbecues and to properly dispose of cigarettes, matches and litter, as fire crews have asked people to act responsibly to prevent the risk of wildfires. Kathryn Chalk, a meteorologist at the Met Office, said: With strong winds and ongoing dry/warm weather this brings a continued likelihood for wildfire conditions through the period. She added: However, showers moving into the far South West will bring some relief to these parts. Then dry weather continues Friday and Saturday extending further north across western Scotland. England will mostly be affected by the alert, she said, adding that the Met Office couldnt be specific on location due to the nature of wildfires. open image in gallery The UK experienced sunnier than usual weather in March ( Andrew Milligan/PA Wire ) London Fire Brigade assistant commissioner Paul McCourt said: We want everyone to enjoy the sunshine but we urge people to take the necessary precautions to stay safe and help prevent a grass fire from starting. Recent events in Los Angeles and South Korea have demonstrated how rapidly fires can spread outdoors even when temperatures are not at their highest. As the weather warms up and we head towards Friday and the weekend, we would urge Londoners not to have barbecues in open spaces or on balconies, including disposable barbecues, to throw rubbish away, and to dispose of cigarettes carefully to avoid inadvertently starting a fire. Were also working closely with partners, such as local authorities, to help manage the risks in outdoor spaces and ensure the public are following the safety advice. Glasgows Kilpatrick Hills already experienced wildfires earlier this week. Scottish Fire and Rescue warned that the wildfire risk would be very high to extreme for the rest of the week. Firefighters also responded to a wildfire in the Swansea mountains as 20 hectares of gorse was set alight earlier in March. The Met Office does not have an official public warning service for wildfire risk, instead contributing to a daily hazard assessment as part of the Natural Hazards Partnership, which brings together expertise across government bodies. This is then circulated to the government and the emergency services, as well as local authorities. The wildfire alerts follow news from the forecaster that the UK experienced a record-breaking March. Provisional statistics show that England enjoyed its sunniest March since records began in 1910, while Wales enjoyed its second sunniest. UK-wide, it was the third sunniest March on record. While the country experienced more sunshine than usual, it also experienced less rain. March was a very dry month, as the UK recorded just 43 per cent of its average rainfall for the month. Only Scotland recorded more than half of its meteorological average rainfall, while Shetland was the only county that saw above average with 129 per cent. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A briefcase abandoned by infamous Cambridge spy Guy Burgess as he fled to Moscow in 1951 is among the never-before-seen MI5 artefacts going on display at The National Archives in Kew, south-west London. The exhibition "MI5: Official Secrets" marks an unprecedented collaboration between the intelligence agency and The National Archives, offering the public a first-ever glimpse into MI5's classified files and private collection. MI5 Director General Sir Ken McCallum said the exhibition reflects the Security Service's "ongoing commitment to being open wherever we can." Among the key items on display is Burgess's leather briefcase, embossed with his initials and left behind at London's Reform Club as he made his escape to Moscow in May 1951. Burgess's British passport is also being exhibited for the first time. open image in gallery Guy Burgess' passport and briefcase ( Jonathan Brady/PA Wire ) Burgess was a British diplomat and Soviet double agent during the Second World War and the early Cold War period. He was a member of the Cambridge Five spy ring and fled to Moscow with fellow spy Donald Maclean in 1951 due to fears of being discovered. None of the Cambridge Five were ever prosecuted for spying. open image in gallery The lemon used for writing in invisible ink, produced in evidence at Karl Muller's trial, 1915 ( Jonathan Brady/PA Wire ) Another key exhibit is a 110-year-old lemon used as evidence against German spy Karl Muller. Muller used lemon juice as invisible ink to inform on British troop movements. A warm iron was passed over a letter to reveal the secret messages. When he was arrested, the lemon was found in his overcoat. He was executed by firing squad at the Tower of London in 1915. open image in gallery Director General of MI5, the UK's Security Service, Sir Ken McCallum ( Jonathan Brady/PA Wire ) Speaking at a preview of the exhibition, the MI5 Director General said: Having worked for MI5 for nearly 30 years I can tell you that the reality of our work is often different from fiction. Whether that fiction is George Smiley or Jackson Lamb. MI5 life is about ordinary human beings together doing extraordinary things to keep our country safe. Some of their stories and their perspective comes through in this exhibition. And while much of our work must remain secret, what you will see today reflects our ongoing commitment to being open wherever we can. And not just about our glorious moments. Public trust and confidence can be even more powerfully understood when we are able to be open about things that didnt go well, Sir Ken added. The display also includes a note confirming that Queen Elizabeth IIs private secretary had spoken to the Queen about Anthony Blunt, the Monarchs art advisor, being a Soviet agent. The note mentions how the Queen reacted very calmly and without surprise. open image in gallery An instant camera and bottle used to make a bomb, recreated as evidence by the Bomb Data Centre ( Jonathan Brady/PA Wire ) In total, 20 items were loaned, including MI5s first camera and a key to the Communist Party of Great Britains Westminster branch office. It includes items dating from the foundation of MI5 in 1909 to modern-day artefacts such as a Provisional Irish Republican Army (PIRA) mortar bomb and reconstruction of a bomb made from an instant camera and bottle. Mark Dunton, historian and curator of MI5: Official Secret, said: We were aware how interested the public are in the whole world of espionage. We suggested (the exhibition) first but MI5 thought about it and they thought wow yes this would be a good thing. In terms of openness, its all about being open about what they can, which I think is a really, really good thing. MI5: Official Secrets is running from April 5 until September 28 at The National Archives in Kew, London. Admission is free. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The Government has refused to say when it believes the deal with Mauritius for the Chagos Islands will be completed despite Downing Street saying it was being finalised. Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty said MPs would get the chance to vote on any agreement, as he said the Bill would include how much the Mauritian government would be paid for the 99-year lease for the military base on Diego Garcia. Responding to an urgent question in the Commons, Mr Doughty said: Both sides remain committed to concluding a deal on the future of the Chagos archipelago, which protects the long-term effective operation of the joint UK-US base on Diego Garcia. We are now working with Mauritius to finalise the agreement, and while it is in everybodys interest to progress the deal quickly, we have never put an exact date on it and we do not intend to do so now. The Government will bring forward a Bill to enable implementation of the treaty and Parliament will, of course, also have the opportunity to scrutinise the treaty in the usual way before ratification. The Government has argued that it has to give up sovereignty over the territory in the Indian Ocean due to international legal rulings in favour of Mauritius. Reports have suggested the deal could cost 90 million-a-year to secure the use of Diego Garcia, with payments front-loaded to win the support of the Mauritian government. Mr Doughty added: The Government inherited a situation where the long-term future of the military base was under threat. This deal is rooted in a rational and hard-headed determination to protect UK security and that of our allies. It will protect the base on Diego Garcia and cement UK and US presence in the Indo-Pacific for generations to come. Conservative shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel urged the Government to ditch the deal, arguing the British Indian Ocean Territory should remain British. Dame Priti criticised ministers for not giving MPs any indication the deal was being finalised during a Commons questions session on Tuesday, despite Downing Street saying later that day that it was close to being concluded. She added: We are still completely in the dark about the fundamental questions of this enormous importance, how many billions of hard-pressed taxpayers British money will be expected to fork out to lease back the territory we already own? Dame Priti continued: The British Indian Ocean Territory should remain British but Labour have prioritised appeasing the whims of left-wing lawyers and activists rather than standing up for our national interest. Its high time this deal was ditched. Former Conservative Party leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith said: How much will taxpayers pay for this settlement, and out of which budget will it come? Is there a guarantee that at no stage will it come from the defence budget increase? Mr Doughty would not be drawn on how much money the deal would involve. He said: A financial element over 99 years was crucial to protect the operation of such a vital base. We wont scrimp on our security and once a treaty is signed it will be put before the House for scrutiny before ratification in the usual way, and that will include costs. He added: The terms of the treaty and the associated funding arrangements are still being finalised and financial obligations including departmental budgetary responsibilities will of course be managed responsibly with the Governments fiscal framework. Conservative former Foreign Office minister Andrew Murrison said the US had increased its presence on the base, adding: Given that, how much will the Trump White House be contributing to the endowment that the minister proposes to hand to Mauritius? Mr Doughty said: We welcome the fact that the United States recognises the strength of this deal, and thats because it is rooted in a rational and hard-headed determination to protect our security, that of the United States, our presence in the Indo-Pacific. Concerns have also been raised that exiled Chagossians have not been adequately consulted during the Governments negotiations of a deal. Attorney General Lord Hermer was asked if he was confident that the rights of Chagos Islanders have been properly observed. I am sure that if a settlement is secured, it will be one that secures vital United Kingdom interests and it will be one that is fair to all people impacted by it, he told a parliamentary human rights committee. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The disappearance of iconic high street brands has become a bittersweet part of our shopping history. Once upon a time, town centres were bustling with familiar names like Woolworths, WH Smith, and BHS, each offering a unique shopping experience. For many, these stores were more than just places to buy goods; they were part of the fabric of daily life. Whether it was grabbing a pick 'n' mix from Woolworths or renting a film from Blockbuster, these retailers shaped generations. But over time, rising rents, changing consumer habits, and the rise of online shopping have all contributed to the decline of these beloved stores, changing the landscape of our high streets forever. Following the news that WH Smith is set to exit our town centres for good, we asked which stores you miss the most. Heres what you had to say: Irish brands I was born into and grew up during the Troubles era in Northern Ireland. Throughout those years, few international or British brands invested in NI. We had M&S and BHS those stayed through it all. C&A from Europe. The rest were local: Irish firms like Primark (long before fast fashion was hip), Dunnes, Easons, and Wellworths. And our own supermarkets Stewarts and Crazy Prices. A lot of our unique brands and independents slowly disappeared after 1997 the 'peace dividend'. Progress, I suppose, but all the same, I miss the familiarity of some of those brands. Padraig Mahone They always had something youd want to buy I used to absolutely love Woolworths when my kids were small. They sold ladybird clothes and dressing-up clothes, and they always had something you would want to buy every time you went in there. They always had household stuff, chocolates or some sale. It was a really sad day when it closed. Red dragon 54 Touch Probably Dixons in city centres, so you could easily touch and see what the tech was like instead of online Londonman25 How does anyone buy clothes online? 100 per cent Debenhams. I bought all my clothes from their sale rail, which was always well stocked and, at that point, actually worth the money. Gutted when their shops finally closed, as their website has got to be the worst on the web. How anyone buys clothes online is beyond me. G-S-T Nostalgic Woolworths, WITHOUT A DOUBT! It really did cover pretty much everything, didnt it?! I was sorting through some cupboards the other week and found some (unused) party balloons and a pump, still in the packaging, all wrapped up in a Woolies carrier bag. The nostalgia lives on! Hayley Nowhere for men to shop Well, on my high street, theres nowhere for men to shop at all other than Asda. I mean... Asda. Hardly a clothing option. So all and any would be my answer. Seamus OReilly Missing Smiths already WH Smith, probably... Woolies was good for pick 'n' mix... but a bit crap, really. We still have C&A in Spain, by the way. Paul Giblin Our town centre used to be great As a kid/teen, our town centre used to be great. Woolies (Woolworths), WH Smith, Our Price, Dixons, and Fosters Menswear. Parents went into Beejam's for our frozen foods. All now gone. I can even add Wilko to the list now, which was a favourite of my parents. Steve Unclaimed voucher Woolies because Ive still got a 20 gift card! webweasel No qualms with shopping changes None, really. I've no qualms with the changes that have been made in shopping. And Im glad to no longer see a lady putting all her Aldi shopping into a Harrods bag. I love the philosophy of Aldi and the charity shops less wasteful and more efficient than the "more money than sense" crowd. TheRedSquirrel Some of the comments have been edited for this article for brevity and clarity. You can read the full discussion in the comments section of the original article here. The conversation isnt over. To join in, all you need to do is register your details, then you can take part in the discussion. You can also sign up by clicking log in on the top right-hand corner of the screen. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Extreme weather events, including tropical storms, floods, and drought, have ravaged parts of Africa over the past three years, leading to widespread hunger and displacement. These events have also left a deadly consequence: a surge in cholera outbreaks. Since late 2021, over 6,000 lives have been lost, and nearly 350,000 cases reported across southern and East Africa. Malawi and Zambia are experiencing their worst outbreaks on record, while Zimbabwe has endured multiple waves. Mozambique, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia have also been significantly impacted. These nations have all faced floods, droughts, or in some instances, both. Health authorities, scientists, and aid agencies now recognise this unprecedented rise in cholera as another example of how extreme weather fuels disease outbreaks. Tulio de Oliveira, a South Africa-based scientist specialising in diseases in developing nations, said: "The outbreaks are getting much larger because the extreme climate events are getting much more common." Mr De Oliveira, who led the team that identified new coronavirus variants during the Covid-19 pandemic, said that southern Africa's recent outbreaks can be linked to the cyclones and floods that struck Malawi in late 2021 and early 2022. These events spread cholera bacteria to new areas, exacerbating the crisis. open image in gallery A family uses a boat to navigate floodwaters in Githurai, Kenya ( AP ) Zimbabwe and Zambia have seen cases rise as they wrestle with severe droughts and people rely on less safe sources of water in their desperation like boreholes, shallow wells and rivers, which can all be contaminated. Days after the deadly flooding in Kenya and other parts of East Africa this month, cholera cases appeared. The World Health Organization calls cholera a disease of poverty, as it thrives where there is poor sanitation and a lack of clean water. Africa has had eight times as many deaths this year as the Middle East, the second-most affected region. Historically vulnerable, Africa is even more at risk as it faces the worst impacts of climate change as well as the effect of the El Nino weather phenomenon, health experts say. In what's become a perfect storm, there's also a global shortage of cholera vaccines, which are needed only in poorer countries. It doesnt affect countries with resources, said Dr Daniela Garone, the international medical coordinator for Doctors Without Borders, also known by its French acronym MSF. So, it doesnt bring the resources. open image in gallery Street vendors in Lusaka, Zambia sell phone cards underneath a billboard urging people to protect themselves from cholera ( AP ) Billions of dollars have been invested into other diseases that predominantly affect the world's most vulnerable, like polio and tuberculosis, largely because those diseases are highly contagious and could cause outbreaks even in rich countries. But that's not the case with cholera, where epidemics remain contained. WHO said this month there is a critical shortage of oral cholera vaccines in the global stockpile. Since the start of 2023, 15 countries the desperate few have requested a total of 82 million doses to deal with deadly outbreaks while only 46 million doses were available. There are just 3.2 million doses left, below the target of having at least 5 million in reserve. While there are currently cholera epidemics in the Middle East, the Americas and Southeast Asia, Africa is by far the worst-affected region. Vaccines alliance GAVI and UNICEF said last month that the approval of a new cholera vaccine would boost stocks. But the result of the shortage has already been measured in deaths. Lilanda, a township on the edge of the Zambian capital of Lusaka, is a typical cholera hot spot. Stagnant pools of water dot the dirt roads. Clean water is like gold dust. Here, over two awful days in January, Mildred Banda saw her one-year-old son die from cholera and rushed to save the life of her teenage daughter. open image in gallery Mildred Banda displays a photo of her one-year-old son, Ndanji ( AP ) Cholera shouldn't be killing anyone. The disease is easily treated and easily prevented and the vaccines are relatively simple to produce. That didn't help Ms Banda's son, Ndanji. When he fell sick with diarrhoea, he was treated with an oral rehydration solution at a clinic and released. He slipped back into dehydration that night at home. Ms Banda feels terrible guilt. I should have noticed earlier that my son was not feeling well, she said, sitting in her tiny concrete house. I should have acted faster and taken him back to the clinic. I should have taken him back to save his life. Because of the vaccine shortage, Zambia couldnt undertake a preventative vaccination campaign after neighboring Malawi's outbreak. That should have been a warning call, said Dr de Oliveira. Zambia only made an emergency request when its cases started mounting. The doses that might have saved Ndanji started arriving in mid-January. He died on January 6. In Zimbabwe, a drought worsened by El Nino has seen cholera take hold in distant rural areas as well as its traditional hot spots of crowded urban neighborhoods. open image in gallery Hospital beds stand empty in a ward dedicated to cholera patients in Zambias Lusaka ( AP ) Abi Kebra Belaye, MSF representative for Zimbabwe, said the southern African nation normally has around 17 hard-hit areas, mostly urban. This year, cholera spread to 62 districts as the struggle to find water heightened the risk. This part of Africa is paying the highest price of climate change, Ms Kebra Belaye said. Augustine Chonyera, who hails from a cholera-prone part of the capital, Harare, was shocked when he recently visited the sparsely populated rural district of Buhera. He said he heard grim tales of the impact of the disease: a family losing five members, a husband and wife dying within hours of each other and local businesses using delivery trucks to take the sick to a clinic several kilometers (miles) away. It seems now the people in rural areas are in more danger than us. I still wonder how it happened, Mr Chonyera said. He said he returned home as soon as he could after giving a large bottle of treated water he had brought with him to an elderly woman. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice In the summer of 2020, a seemingly ordinary intersection in Washington D.C, home to a modest white church and an unobstructed view of the White House, became a focal point for protests against police brutality and racial injustice. The death of George Floyd in Minneapolis ignited long-simmering grievances, transforming the corner of 16th and H streets into a hub for demonstrations. Thousands gathered daily, even before the area was christened Black Lives Matter Plaza, with many establishing a constant presence as support tents and infrastructure materialized. The protests occasionally turned violent, resulting in a fire at St. Johns Episcopal Church and the destruction of a park building and storefronts. At other times, the violence was directed at protesters, including when police abruptly used chemical agents to clear out protesters, so President Donald Trump could pose in front of St. John's holding a Bible. The mural before it was removed ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) Later that year, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser ordered the creation of Black Lives Matter Plaza, with official street signs and Black Lives Matter painted in giant yellow letters on a multiblock stretch of 16th Street. The move was symbolic, but the impact concrete: BLM Plaza became a magnet point for years of political activism. Hundreds of protests started, ended or rallied there. Semi-permanent protesters mingled with tourists; crowds brought vendors and food trucks, creating a street-fair vibe. But Bowser's move was derided by local activists, who accused her of co-opting an organic movement whose values she did not share. In a brief game of cat-and-mouse, activists erased the stars from the Washington, D.C., flag painted on the street, creating the image of an equal sign; they temporarily changed the message to Black Lives Matter = Defund the Police. Despite local resistance, Bowser's act of public defiance established her as a prominent foil for Trump in his first term. Now, the site has changed again, an indicator of Americas political pendulum swings. Bowser announced early this month that the city would remove the words as she struggled with threats of encroachment from Trump and the Republican-controlled Congress. The work was supposed to take at least six weeks, but appears to be finishing ahead of schedule. Workers have completed removing the letters. And the street signs reading Black Lives Matter Plaza have come down. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A Boston Municipal Court has held an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in contempt after he tried to arrest a defendant during their trial. Judge Mark Summerville held ICE agent Brian Sullivan in contempt on Monday night, The Boston Globe reports, after he arrested Wilson Martell-Lebron on the first day of a trial related to 2020 charges for filing a false application for a drivers license. Martell-Lebron, 52, appeared in court on Thursday for his trial, but when he went to leave the court that night, plainclothes ICE agents detained him, placed him in an unmarked SUV and drove away, the Globe reports. ICE alleges Martell-Lebron is a citizen of the Dominican Republic living in the U.S. without authorization with a fake identity, according to the Globe. Summerville found Brian Sullivan in contempt of court because he violated Martell-Lebrons right to due process and a fair trial. Martell-Lebron was on trial for 2020 charges related to a false drivers license application when ICE agents arrested him Thursday night ( Google Maps ) The finding of contempt is a consequence of Agent Sullivans intentional and egregious violations of the defendants rights, Summerville said. Martell-Lebron is still in ICE detention as of Tuesday, his defense attorney Ryan Sullivan told The Independent. Summerville also found that two Massachusetts State Police troopers knew about ICEs plans to arrest Martell-Lebron. He did not hold them in contempt, the Globe reports, but said the Suffolk District Attorneys Office should give their staff better ethics training. A Massachusetts State Police trooper testified that Brian Sullivan informed their office and the district attorneys office of his plan to arrest Martell-Lebron, Ryan Sullivan told The Independent. Last week, two State Troopers testifying as part of their duties in a criminal trial in Boston Municipal Court became aware of federal officials intention to detain the defendant during the proceeding, a Massachusetts State Police spokesperson said in a statement to The Independent. As in any situation where a member becomes aware of federal immigration enforcement, the Troopers responded appropriately by neither assisting nor obstructing the federal action. However, the Suffolk District Attorneys Office denies they ever knew about the plan, spokesperson James Borghesani told The Independent. We were dismayed and surprised when our prosecution of Wilson Martell-Lebron was interrupted by ICE apprehending him in the middle of our case, Borghesani said. As soon as we were made aware of the detention we contacted ICE and requested his return to court. We filed a motion this morning requesting that the court also demand his appearance, he added. Any claim that we were aware of an attempt to prevent Mr Martell-Lebron from exercising his right to a trial is false. Borghesani said ICE should not have detained him and interfered with our efforts to hold [Martell-Lebron] accountable. In light of Brian Sullivans actions, Summerville has dismissed the case with prejudice, meaning the case is over. Its the best results we as his attorneys could ask for, but it's not the result [Martell-Lebron] wanted, Ryan Sullivan said. The result he wanted was to be acquitted by a jury of his peers. I can't think of any greater injustice than a man who is taken away from his trial in the middle of it by the government, he added. The Independent has contacted ICE and the Massachusetts State Police for comment. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A bipartisan group of US lawmakers has launched a campaign to rename the street next to Hong Kong's Washington office after Jimmy Lai, the pro-democracy media tycoon facing life in prison. Lai, 77, a British citizen, founded the now-shuttered Apple Daily newspaper. He is facing the prospect of life in prison if found guilty of sedition and collusion with foreign powers under Hong Kong's national security law. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges. The group seeks to erect the street sign Jimmy Lai Way on a stretch alongside the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, or HKETO, in Washingtons Dupont Circle neighbourhood. By renaming the street in honour of Jimmy Lai, we show respect for this champion of democracy and human rights and all those detained in Hong Kong for exercising rights guaranteed them by international law and treaty, said Republican Chris Smith of New Jersey, the sponsor of the bill. We want to remind every HKETO employee of their part in dismantling the freedoms that once made Hong Kong the most vibrant and prosperous city in Asia." The bill, co-sponsored by the Democratic Party, if passed, would also direct the US postal service to deliver mail to Hong Kongs offices in New York and San Francisco if addressed to 1 Jimmy Lai Way. Maps, regulations and any other official records referring to the street or the trade office address would be required to reflect Lai's name. The legislation was originally introduced in April 2023 as the "Jimmy Lai Way Bill" by Representatives Smith and Tom Suozzi of New York, who wanted to honour the "renowned Hong Kong human rights defender who remains unjustly imprisoned by Hong Kong authorities". The bill strongly condemns Lais imprisonment and calls for his immediate and unconditional release. Holmes Norton, the Democratic non-voting delegate, criticised the legislation. No matter how well-intentioned an initiative is, it is never appropriate for members of Congress not elected by DC residents to legislate on local DC matters, particularly quintessentially local ones like street names," he said. US secretary of state Marco Rubio recently said Lai's case was a priority for him. The jailed China critic's son, Sebastien Lai, told Sky News that his father's case was a "litmus test" for the British government as he pushed prime minister Keir Starmer to press for his release. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A couple eating at a Los Angeles International Airport restaurant left a racist message on their receipt instead of a tip for their server, he alleges. No tip for illegal, the handwritten note read. Go back to Mexico. Guillermo Ortiz waited on the couple near the end of his shift at the Planet Hollywood at LAX on March 21. 20 minutes after (they left), I opened the checkbook, and I found the message, and it made me feel bad, Ortiz said. Im not even Mexican, Im Puerto Rican, but my wife is Mexican theres no right to treat people like that. Ortiz told KTLA the service was going fine until he brought the check to the table. The way they were looking at me, you can tell when something is not right, he said. When he opened the checkbook, he was greeted by the racist message instead of a tip. open image in gallery Guillermo Ortiz received racist note after serving couple at LA airport ( KTLA 5 via YouTube ) Ive been working as a server since 2014, and this is the first time this has happened to me, said Ortiz. Ortiz then removed the 18.5 percent gratuity that was automatically included, which the receipt states can be done if the customer alerts staff. The couple had paid in cash and swiftly left before Ortiz got a chance to follow up with them. Probably cause they saw me, they know Im Hispanic, they thought Im Mexican or illegal or I dont know what theyre thinking, he said. This is happening because of whats happening with President Trump right now... I think thats the reason people are acting like this. But Ortiz remained resolute in his pride. Im proud of what I do... Im a server; thats the way I support my kids, thats the way I support my family. Ortiz corporate was investigating the matter following his reports to management. Planet Hollywood in the Tom Bradley Terminal is set to permanently close on Saturday, leaving Ortiz unemployed. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Seven tigers have been seized from the Nevada home of an exotic animal dealer, who has ties to the notorious Tiger King Joe Exotic. Nye County authorities said they were assisting code enforcement and animal services in taking the animals from the property, located in Pahrump around 63 miles from Las Vegas. The operation took most of Wednesday due to the need to sedate the tigers and remove them from the property, according to Nye County Sheriff Joe McGill. open image in gallery Seven tigers have been seized from the home of an exotic animals dealer in Pahrump, Nevada around 63 miles from Las Vegas ( Nye County Sheriff's Office ) open image in gallery The owner of the property, Karl Mitchell, has been cited multiple times for violating basic animal care standards and once had his license for owning exotic animals revoked by the federal government ( Nye County Sheriff's Office ) Photos shared by the sheriffs office showed the tigers, including what appeared to be a rare white tiger, in cages. They are due to be taken to a local wildlife sanctuary. McGill told 8 News Now that the operation began around 7 a.m. after deputies searched the property owned by Karl Mitchell. Mitchell, who has reportedly been in possession of the tigers for the past seven years, has been involved in numerous legal battles over the animals, the outlet reported. open image in gallery Photos shared by the sheriffs office showed the tigers, including what appeared to be a rare white tiger, in cages. They are due to be taken to a local wildlife sanctuary ( Nye County Sheriff's Office ) open image in gallery Mitchell, who has reportedly been in possession of the tigers for the past seven years, has been involved in numerous legal battles over the animals, according to 8 News Now ( Nye County Sheriff's Office ) He has also been cited multiple times for violating basic animal care standards and once had his license for owning exotic animals revoked by the federal government. In 2001, Mitchells license for the animals was revoked and he went to prison three years later for stealing from Nye County after the county hired him as its animal control officer, according to 8 News Now. After leaving prison, the outlet reported, he acquired more big cats, including some purchased from the Oklahoma operation run by Joe Exotic - whose real name is Joseph Allen Maldonado. Maldonado was thrust into fame in a Netflix series The Tiger King. He was later convicted of animal abuse counts and was sentenced to more than 20 years in prison. Im always appalled whenever Karl Mitchell has anything with a heartbeat, Linda Faso told 8 News in 2020, because of his history of neglect and abuse. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Former Costa Rican President Oscar Arias told reporters on Tuesday that the U.S. has revoked his visa to enter the country. The move comes several weeks after Arias, 84, criticized Donald Trump on social media, likening the president to a "Roman emperor." "I received an email from the U.S. government informing me that they have suspended the visa I have in my passport. The communication was very terse, it does not give reasons. One could have conjectures," he said, according to Reuters. Arias speculated as to whether or not "the revoking of my visa is some sort of punishment because I say what I think." In February, Arias posted a comment on social media ahead of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio's high-profile visit to Costa Rica. Former Costa Rican President Oscar Arias Sanchez says his US visa has been revoked, and speculated it was because he criticized Donald Trump on social media ( AP ) "It has never been easy for a small country to disagree with the U.S. government, much less so, when its president behaves like a Roman emperor, telling the rest of the world what to do. In my governments, Costa Rica never received orders from Washington, as if we were a 'Banana Republic,'" Arias wrote, seemingly a jab at current Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves' apparent willingness to cooperate with the Trump administration. That commentary may have cost him his ability to travel to the U.S. If someone wants to punish me in the hopes of silencing me, that isnt going to work, Arias said on Tuesday, according to the New York Times. Social media posts seemingly play a broader role in determining whether or not visa applicants are admitted to the US. On March 25, Rubio approved a cable informing all overseas U.S. missions that visa applicants can be denied if their social media posts or other actions suggest they have a "hostile attitude toward U.S. citizens or U.S. culture (including government, institutions, or founding principles)." Rubio bragged last week that he had signed more than 300 letters revoking the visas of students and visitors who he claimed had objectionable foreign policy views or had participated in criminal activities. Those people will be expelled from the US. Arias won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1987 for helping to negotiate an end to civil wars in Latin America. Many of the conflicts Arias helped to stop were exacerbated in part by the Reagan Doctrine guiding U.S. foreign policy at the time. During the Cold War, the U.S. was trying to counter the Soviet Union's foreign influence, and did so by funding armed rebel groups to oppose socialist and communist governments. Some of those rebel groups would go on to brutalize and displace local populations. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A new report reveals that up to 80 per cent of immigrants facing deportation from the US under the Trump administrations policies are Christian. This equates to approximately 10 million Christians vulnerable to removal, with an additional seven million US Christian citizens living in households under threat of deportation. The report, backed by prominent Catholic and evangelical organizations, utilizes a combination of data sources. These include religious affiliation percentages within migrant and national populations, alongside an advocacy groups analysis of US census data concerning migrants. While the report highlights the plight of Christian immigrants, its sponsors emphasize a broader concern for all individuals facing deportation. "Though were deeply concerned about fellow Christians, were not exclusively concerned with immigrants who happen to share our faith,"explained Matthew Soerens, vice president of advocacy and policy at World Relief, an evangelical humanitarian organization and co-sponsor of the report. Soerens, in a video statement, underscored the Christian belief in the inherent dignity of all people, regardless of religion or nationality. He noted, however, that many US Christians may be unaware of the significant number of potential deportees who share their faith. open image in gallery Venezuelan migrants deported from the United States arrive at Simon Bolivar International Airport in Maiquetia ( AP ) Other groups that helped produce the report include the National Association of Evangelicals, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on Migration and the Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Massachusetts. While the report doesn't advocate any political positions, it mainly seeks to raise awareness of the issue among Christians, and some of its sponsoring groups have individually advocated for reforms that would give some categories of immigrants a path to legal status. Immigrants at risk of deportation range from those who crossed the border illegally to those who may have some sort of legal status that could be revoked. For example, the Trump administration has taken steps to end temporary protected status, held by many from Venezuela and Haiti, as well as humanitarian parole that had been granted for others from those troubled countries as well as Cuba and Nicaragua. President Donald Trump enjoyed wide support from certain Christian blocs in all three of his campaigns. In 2024, he was supported by about eight in 10 white evangelical Christian voters, about six in 10 white Catholics and just over half of Latino evangelicals, according to AP VoteCast, a sweeping survey of more than 120,000 voters. While the report doesn't directly refer to that support, it says it seeks to raise awareness of the potential impact of Trump's immigration crackdown. Even the fear of deportation could cause people to avoid going to public places such as worship services. In an era when a growing number of people in the U.S. dont have a religious affiliation, many immigrants who are Christian have helped reenergize churches and spur their growth, said Walter Kim, president of the National Association of Evangelicals. open image in gallery The Rev. W. J. Mark Knutson, right, walks with an El Salvadoran immigrant at the Augustana Lutheran Church ( AP ) Theyre coming from parts of the world where the church is actually thriving, Kim said. Not only are they bringing that thriving faith and contributing to America, theyre also contributing to the vibrancy of the church in America. Mass deportation would amount to a government-fostered church decline strategy, Kim said. Kim said his organization has long advocated for reforms that would distinguish between those convicted of violent crimes and the much larger share of immigrants who are contributing to our communities and to our churches, and who are serious and eager to stay in the country. Many studies have found immigrants are less drawn to violent crime than native-born citizens. The recent report said Catholics in particular represent more than half of all those vulnerable to deportation in the United States, noted Bishop Mark Seitz, chair of the Committee on Migration of the bishops' conference. The deportations would likely separate family members, Seitz said. We know the impact of tearing apart the family unity and also the tremendous threats that are faced by people who are summarily deported to their home countries, which they fled in the first place because of the tremendous threats they were living under there, said Seitz, who heads the Diocese of El Paso, Texas. They face danger from government oppression and organized crime in their home countries, Seitz said. People are going to die if this deportation effort continues at the level it is, he said. The report's methodology included calculating the percentages of Catholics, evangelicals and other Christian groups in the countries from which immigrants originated, based on self-reported affiliations. The report then applied those percentages to immigrant populations within various categories of immigrants. While such methods include numerous assumptions, many regions of origin for major immigrants and refugee groups, including Latin America, sub-Saharan Africa and Ukraine, have large Christian populations. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The Wisconsin Supreme Court race has become the most expensive judicial contest in U.S. history, with close to $100 million spent before the polls opened. Judge Susan Crawford ensured a liberal majority in court Tuesday after defeating conservative Brad Schimel by almost 9 points. Reacting to the loss, Elon Musk, who poured heaps of cash into supporting Schimel, scorned the long con of the left on X Tuesday evening. Crucially, over $20 million alone came from Musk and his affiliated groups but how much did the billionaire actually spend on the race? According to analysis from nonprofit law institute the Brennan Center for Justice, over $53 million was spent on Schimels campaign roughly $8 million more than was spent on Crawfords effort. Both parties racked up tens of thousands in advertising costs, according to AdImpact. On Tuesday evening, with 93 percent of the nearly 2.5 million ballots counted, it was announced that Crawford had secured a slim 4-3 majority. Yet, the filings taken from the Wisconsin Ethics Commission highlighted the sheer scale of funding from the worlds richest man and his organizations. Thanks to unlimited spending allowed by Citizens United and other court decisions, money is flowing into the race from all over the country. This infusion of national spending risks drowning out voices from within the state, Brennan Center experts previously wrote in March. Musk is believed to have spent $22 million on supporting conservative candidate Brad Schimel - who suffered a catastrophic defeat Tuesday ( AP ) A breakdown of Musks donations Notably, Musks political action committee, America PAC, was the largest donor to the conservative candidate, plowing over $12 million into his campaign. Musks political nonprofit, Building Americas Future, came in second for Schimel, pouring in nearly $6 million, according to the filings. Musk separately handed $2 million to the Republican Party of Wisconsin, which supported Schimel ahead of the race. In the lead-up to the race, America PAC sent paid canvassers across Wisconsin to rally for the former Republican state attorney general, and two days before votes flurried in, Musk controversially handed two voters $1 million checks. A desperate Musk also launched an America PAC petition offering an instant $100 for every person who signed an America PAC petition rallying against activist judges with a further $100 if they successfully presuaded another to sign. During the 2024 presidential election, Musk committed over $290 million to supporting Trump and his MAGA allies in the seven battleground competitive statesone of which included Wisconsin, where Trump won by fewer than 30,000 votes, less than a percentage point. Despite his donations being legal, Musk has faced pushback, including a lawsuit from the Wisconsin attorney general, just days before voters headed to the polls. Musk first trotted out his plan to offer cash to voters ahead of the 2024 presidential election in Pennsylvania. The Independent contacted America PAC, Building Americas Future, and Musk for comment. Get Nadine White's Race Report newsletter for a fresh perspective on the week's news Get our free newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent Get our free newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Elon Musk was roundly mocked on social media after attempting to spin his defeat in the Wisconsin Supreme Court race into a win for voters' rights. "This was the most important thing," Musk posted on X in response to a post confirming that Question 1, which adds a voter ID requirement to the state's Constitution had passed. That was already the law in Wisconsin, and Question 1 just protected it in the state's Constitution. However, Musk had long focused on the state's Supreme Court race and talked little about Question 1. He often posted on social media about the dangers or electing a liberal judge and poured $25 million into the state to support the conservative candidate. However, Musk's pick lost to the liberal candidate. That led to Musk's post on X downplaying the loss - and the round of mocking that followed. "You failed, you couldn't buy the vote. That was the most important thing," wrote one user in response to his post. open image in gallery Elon Musk is being mocked online for his response to the Wisconsin election result - one he poured millions of dollars into ( AP ) Others recalled other statements Musk had made in the lead up to election day. Hahahahahahaha.... You said the fate of western civilization depended on the Supreme Court race and now you are coping hard. This has been the law in Wisconsin since 2016!!! wrote another user. Another added: So this (which has already been a law in WI for over a decade) is what you meant by saving Western Civilization? There was no actual race where you spent all the millions trying to buy it? That why you spent $25 million on the other thing? another user asked. The DOGE leader had also traveled to Wisconsin two days before the race to personally hand voters $1 million checks after giving a speech in which he wore a cheesehead hat. The long con of the left is corruption of the judiciary, the Tesla billionaire posted on X on Tuesday night. Wednesdays win by Democratic candidate Susan Crawford, over Brad Schimel, cemented a liberal majority for the next three years. In her acceptance speech, Crawford made reference to Musk and his campaign. I never could have imagined that I would be taking on the richest man in the world for justice in Wisconsin... and we won, she said. open image in gallery The DOGE leader handed two $1 million checks to two voters ahead the critical swing-state race last week ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Crawfords win keeps the court under a 4-3 liberal majority in the face of crucial litigation surrounding abortion access, voting rights and redistricting. Schimel who was once branded by his opposition as Elon Schimel also conceded defeat. During his concession speech, one woman was heard chanting, Cheater, cheater! Schimel responded: Youve got to accept the results. President Donald Trump took a similar approach to Musk in his response to the result, opting to focus on the voter ID win. VOTER I.D. JUST APPROVED IN WISCONSIN ELECTION. Democrats fought hard against this, presumably so they can CHEAT, he wrote on Truth Social hours before Crawford was unofficially declared as the winner. open image in gallery To Trump and Musks dismay, Susan Crawfords win keeps the states Supreme Court under a 4-3 liberal majority, as it has been since 2023 ( REUTERS ) This is a BIG WIN FOR REPUBLICANS, MAYBE THE BIGGEST WIN OF THE NIGHT. IT SHOULD ALLOW US TO WIN WISCONSIN, LIKE I JUST DID IN THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, FOR MANY YEARS TO COME! he added. The Associated Press reported that voter turnout exceeded 52%, topping the record set in 2023 of nearly 40%, while spending climbed to over $100 million. It is unclear whether Musk and Trump will formally recognize Crawfords win as the president sent out a slew of messages last night on his TruthSocial platform relating to other Republican victories as well as the ongoing issues surrounding tariffs. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A federal judge in New York permanently dismissed the corruption and bribery charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams on Wednesday morning, siding with President Donald Trumps Department of Justice. In a lengthy order, Judge Dale E. Ho said he would dismiss the case but rejected the governments request to dismiss the charges without prejudice which would have allowed federal prosecutors to bring the charges again. In light of DOJ's rationales, dismissing the case without prejudice would create the unavoidable perception that the Mayor's freedom depends on his ability to carry out the immigration enforcement priorities of the administration, and that he might be more beholden to the demands of the federal government than to the wishes of his own constituents, Ho wrote on the order. After Trump took office in January, leaders he appointed in the DoJ requested federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York dismiss the indictment against the mayor who had signaled he would assist the administration in carrying out their mass deportation agenda and implementing other policies. open image in gallery New York City Mayor Eric Adams had urged the federal court in New York to drop the charges against him ( Kena Betancur ) The decision arrives after weeks of back-and-forth between the government, Adamss attorney and the federal court in New York, which initially refused to comply with the DoJs request to dismiss the indictment against the mayor. Multiple prosecutors at SDNY, including the Trump-appointed acting head of the district, U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon, had raised concerns that Adams and the DoJ engaged in what amounted to a quid pro quo. Prosecutors under the Biden administration brought a five-count indictment against Adams in September, which included bribery charges. The mayor had denied all allegations and claimed the indictment was brought against him because he had made comments supporting then-presidential candidate Trumps immigration agenda. Adamss case was supposed to head to trial later in April. open image in gallery Adams had largely agreed with the governments reasoning for dropping the charges against him, saying they were brought unfairly ( REUTERS ) While Ho complied with the governments request, his lengthy order addressed and rejected several arguments the DoJ had made when asking for the dismissal. The judge rejected the DoJs claim that Adams was unable to assist in Trumps immigration agenda with the charges against him, pointing to Adamss recent announcement permitting Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to operate at Rikers Jail. He said there was no support for the DoJs argument that the case was brought to interfere with the 2025 New York City mayoral primary and, if anything, the timing of the case is entirely consistent with prior public corruption prosecutions. Ho also emphasized there was no evidence zero that prosecutors in SDNY acted improperly or had improper motives. Rather, Ho said he agreed to drop the charges to protect Adams from the government using the possibility of the charges as leverage against him in the future and because SDNY would have no way to compel the government to pursue the case if he refused to drop it. Adams became the first sitting New York City mayor to be indicted in September. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A mother and her three children were wrongfully detained by immigration enforcement agents in New York and taken to a detention facility in Texas, a nonprofit says as it calls for their release. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers detained the mother - whose birth country was not disclosed - and her kids, one of whom is in third grade, on March 27 while they were executing an arrest on a farm in Sackets Harbor, New York, according to the New York Immigration Coalition. When ICE was executing an arrest on a farm, they also entered a different home on the property, without a judicial warrant, and detained the mother and her three children, the nonprofit said, noting that President Donald Trumps border czar Tom Homan lives in Sackets Harbor. The family, who have not been publicly identified, have since been transported to ICEs Karnes County Detention Facility in Texas. Its not immediately clear why they were taken to Texas. The Independent has contacted ICE for more information. It is horrifying that these children and their mother were snatched from their home and disappeared, Murad Awawdeh, president and CEO of the nonprofit, said in a statement. This egregious action in Tom Homans backyard is an affront to American values, and to humanity in general. open image in gallery A mother and her three children were detained by immigration enforcement agents last week in a move that a nonprofit is calling wrongful ( EPA ) The family was correctly navigating the immigration system and attending their immigration court hearings, they were instead taken by ICE agents and sent thousands of miles away from their home and community, Awawdeh continued. The group is now demanding the family be released from ICE custody. One day after the family was detained, the U.S. Attorneys Office announced that Marcell Meyer, a 43-year-old South African man living in Sackets Harbor, was charged with distribution of child pornography. Agents were looking for Meyer when they detained the family, WPTZ reported. The children are enrolled in grades 3, 10 and 11. The community is hurting, Sackets Harbor Central School District superintendent Jennifer L. Gaffney said in a shared statement. We are hurting because ICE took three students and their mother away from our community. The safety and well-being of our students will always be our top priority, and we will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to ensure their return back home, to our school and community, Gaffney said. We want them back in our classrooms as soon as possible, reunited with their teachers, friends, and the opportunity to continue their learning. The Jefferson County Democratic Party plans to hold a rally on April 5 to demand the release of the students. The demonstrators plan to march peacefully past Homans home, organizers said. open image in gallery Protesters demanding the release of the family plan to 'march peacefully' past the home of border czar Tom Homan ( AP ) There will be opportunities in the future to protest Trump and his policies. This is not the time. Our only purpose with this rally is to pressure our elected officials to return the children and to guarantee their due process rights, the countys Democratic party said. New York Governor Kathy Hochul also condemned ICEs actions. The governor said she "cannot think of any public safety justification for ICE agents to rip an innocent family, including a child in the third grade, from their Sackets Harbor home." "That is not the immigration enforcement promised to the American people. Its just plain cruel. I want this family returned to New York State and believe ICE needs to immediately answer for these actions," she said in a statement. The Trump administration has been scrutinized for some of its immigration operations in recent weeks as the president seeks to carry out the largest deportation operation in American history. Earlier this week, ICE admitted mistakenly removing a Salvadorian immigrant living in Maryland to El Salvadors notoriously brutal CECOT prison despite his protected status barring him from being sent back to his home country for fear of persecution. In a separate case, a Columbia University graduate student activist, Mahmoud Khalil, was taken from his New York apartment to be held in federal detention; he was eventually moved to a facility in Louisiana. A court on Tuesday rejected the Trump administrations request, ruling Khalils deportation case should continue to play out in New Jersey, rather than Louisiana. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice National Security Adviser Michael Waltz and other members of the Trump administrations national security team used personal Gmail accounts for government communications, according to a report from The Washington Post. The news follows a major security breach when Waltz accidentally invited the editor in chief of The Atlantic to a Signal group chat in which top administration officials discussed attack plans against Yemen. Gmail is even less secure than Signal, the encrypted messaging app thats available to the public. The use of the email service is the most recent instance of top national security officials using less-than-secure methods of communication. A top aide to Waltz also used Gmail, a commercial email service, to conduct highly technical conversations with co-workers at other agencies, which included sensitive military positions and weapons systems in connection with an ongoing conflict, according to emails seen by The Post reveal. Headers from the emails show that while the official at the National Security Council used his Gmail account, the colleagues at the other agencies used government-issued accounts. Less sensitive information, but which may still be exploitable by the nations enemies, has been sent to Waltzs Gmail, including his schedule and other work documents, anonymous officials told the newspaper. They added that Waltz would at times copy and paste from his schedule into Signal for the purpose of setting up meetings. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz speaks during a meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, D.C. last week. The Washington Post found that he has used his personal Gmail account for government communications ( Getty Images ) The use of personal email accounts, even if its for unclassified information, is perilous, as foreign intelligence services place a high value on the communications and schedules of top officials, experts told the paper. A spokesperson for the National Security Council, Brian Hughes, told The Post that he hadnt seen any evidence that Waltz had used his personal email in an inappropriate way. He said when materials connected to work are sent to Waltz, he copies his government email to make sure he follows federal records laws requiring officials to archive official messages. Waltz also didnt and wouldnt send classified information on an open account, Hughes told the paper. He added that staff at the National Security Council have guidance regarding the use of only secure platforms for classified information. A senior administration official told The Post, however, that Waltz has also created other Signal chat groups with members of the Cabinet on other sensitive issues, such as Somalia and the Russian war in Ukraine. The Wall Street Journal initially reported on those chats on Sunday. Hughes insisted that the use of Signal is approved and in some cases is added automatically to government devices. He said Signal is not intended to be used for classified material and insisted that Waltz had never done so. While Trump has publicly backed Waltz following the Signal debacle, he reportedly met with Vice President JD Vance and Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, as well as others, to discuss whether or not to keep the national security adviser in his post. He told aides Thursday that he was keeping Waltz, but a senior administration official told The Post that it was mostly to avoid giving the liberal media a scalp. Wednesdays meeting was initially reported by The New York Times. The director of cybersecurity at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, Eva Galperin, told The Post that unless you are using GPG, email is not end-to-end encrypted, and the contents of a message can be intercepted and read at many points, including on Googles email servers. Waltz has previously slammed the Department of Justice for not pursuing charges against Hillary Clinton for her use of a private email server during her time as secretary of state. What did DOJ do about it? Not a damn thing, Waltz said in a social media post in June 2023. Trump said Sunday about Waltz: I dont fire people because of fake news and because of witch hunts. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The U.S. is amassing nuclear-capable stealth bombers on a tiny British territory in the middle of the Indian Ocean just days after President Donald Trump threatened to bomb Iran. According to satellite images taken by Planet Labs and verified by the Associated Press on Wednesday, at least six B-2 Spirit bombers were spotted on the runway at Camp Thunder Bay in Diego Garcia, the largest island of the Chagos Archipelago. The photographs surfaced just days after Trump told NBC News Sunday that Iran would see bombing the likes of which they have never seen before if Tehran did not reach an agreement with Washington over its nuclear program. A day later, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the U.S. would receive a strong reciprocal blow if threats were followed through. A U.S. official told Axios last week that the Pentagons decision to reinforce U.S. military capability in the Middle East with more warplanes was not disconnected from Trumps two-month nuclear deal deadline to Iran. open image in gallery American B-2 bomber planes have been spotted on the tarmac of a U.S. military base on Diego Garcia island on Wednesday ( A 2025 PLANET LABS PBC/AFP via G ) A senior Iranian official told The Daily Telegraph Monday that top commanders are being urged to launch preemptive strikes on the island (Diego Garcia) and its base if Trumps threats have become more serious. The Pentagons unprecedented stealth bomber deployment also comes amidst an intense two-week airstrike campaign targeting Yemens Houthi rebels. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that there have been about 200 U.S. airstrikes against the terrorist group since March 15. The joint U.S.-U.K. strategic military base where the B-2s are stationed is south of India and within striking distance of both Iran and Yemen. Should Iran or its proxies threaten American personnel and interests in the region, the United States will take decisive action to defend our people, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said in a statement without explicitly mentioning the B-2s. open image in gallery An earlier photo taken by Planet Labs on March 29 shows four B-2 and six KC-135 tanker support aircraft ( A 2025 PLANET LABS PBC/AFP via G ) The U.S. Air Force has 19 long-range strategic bombers in its arsenal, meaning that about a third of its fleet has been deployed to the Chagos Islands base. The B-2 bombers can carry huge GBU-57 bunker-buster bombs that would be a key element in any possible military action against Iran's nuclear facilities, which are largely underground in hardened bunkers. open image in gallery B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber, assigned to the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, in 2019 ( Photo by Senior Airman Thomas Barley ) The warplanes stealth characteristics give it the unique ability to penetrate an enemy's most sophisticated defenses. Its unrefueled range is approximately 6,000 nautical miles, and its ceiling is about 50,000ft. On Sunday, Planet Labs images showed four B-2s and KC-135 tanker six support aircraft on the tarmac at Camp Thunder Bay on Diego Garcia. A spokesperson for Air Force Global Strike Command confirmed that there are B-2s at Diego Garcia earlier this week. Their mission is to deter, detect, and, if necessary, defeat strategic attacks against the United States and its allies, they told Business Insider. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Republicans held onto to two House seats in special elections in Florida Tuesday evening aftercloser-than-expected contests, adding to the Republicans narrow majority. Randy Fine, a right-wing senator in the state legislature, won the election to replace National Security Adviser Michael Waltz, who resigned the seat to take his post in the Trump administration. Republican Jimmy Patronis easily won the seat in Floridas first district vacated by former congressman Matt Gaetz. Gaetz resigned his seat when Trump nominated him to be attorney general, though Gaetz ultimately withdrew his nomination. Patroni won the contest by 15 percentage points, 17 points less than Gaetzs margin of victory last November. Fine defeated Josh Weil, a Democrat who received a tidal wave of outside support from Democrats who hoped to turn the race into a referendum on President Donald Trump. Fines race turned out to be much closer than expected in a district that voted for Trump by 30 points, and that had previously elected Ron DeSantis when he served in Congress. DeSantis and Fine had consistently clashed, with DeSantis warning that Fine would underperform. As of Tuesday evening, Fine won the district by 14 points, easily beating Weil, but underperforming Trumps performance in November by half. open image in gallery Representative-elect Randy Fine won a special election thanks to assistance from President Donald Trump and Elon Musk ( AP ) Fine, who is Jewish and an ardent supporter of Israel, has garnered controversy, such as when he said that Reps. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, both of whom are Muslim, might consider leaving before he arrived in Congress. Trump had vocally backed Fine, as did Department of Government Efficiency head Elon Musk, who poured money into Fines campaign via his political action committee, America PAC. GET OUT AND VOTE FOR RANDY HE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN, Trump posted on X Monday. Democrats poured resources into the races after the race became unexpectedly close, with Senator Bernie Sanders endorsing Weil, and Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin campaigning in the state. In recent years Florida shifted from being a perennial swing state to solidly Republican, buoyed by Trump adopting the state as his home, and migration from people fleeing Democratic states like New York, along with the rightward shift of Cuban, Puerto Rican and Venezuelan migrants in Florida. But Fines underperformance shows that dissatisfaction with Trump might be growing. The president is set to launch his controversial Liberation Day tariffs, and many voters have voiced their disapproval of the way Musks DOGE has targeted numerous federal agencies for funding and staff cuts. open image in gallery Elon Musks America PAC poured in money to support Fine. ( Getty Images ) Democrats in Wisconsin on Wednesday, meanwhile, held onto a seat on the states Supreme Court as Susan Crawford ran against former Republican attorney general Brad Schimel, strngly backed by Elon Musk and Donald Trump. Musk had visited Wisconsin and held a rally over the weekend, where he handed out two $1 million checks to voters. The wins in Florida increase the GOPs margin in the House to 220 compared to the Democrats 213 after two Democratic members of Congress died. House Speaker Mike Johnson has had to keep a close eye on the margins as Republicans can only afford to lose a handful of members on any given vote. Last week, Trump rescinded the nomination of Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York to be US ambassador to the United Nations to prevent Democrats from flipping her seat in a special election. Republicans saw the effects of the tight margins on Tuesday when a handful of Republicans joined every Democrat to defeat a rule to begin debate on crucial parts of Trumps policy agenda. Johnson and House GOP leadership Republicans had inserted language to kill a discharge petition by Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna of Flordia to allow new mothers to vote in the House by proxy. Republicans and Trump hope to pass Trumps proposed one big, beautiful bill that would include extending the 2017 tax cuts he signed, as well as ramping up spending for defense, security at the U.S.-Mexico border and energy exploration. The race is the first major test for Democrats and Republicans for the second Trump presidency. Later this year, Virginia will hold its governors race. Democrats hope to make Musks slashing of federal jobs of constituents in Virginia a major sticking point. Fine will likely have to wait a week until being sworn in. After the failed vote in the House, the chamber adjourned its business for the week. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Wisconsin voters have elected a liberal justice to the states Supreme Court, with Susan Crawford defeating Elon Musk-backed Brad Schimel in the most expensive judicial election in American history and one of the first major electoral tests of Donald Trumps presidency. Crawfords projected victory in a closely watched race for control of the court serving as a proxy battle over the nations political future in the wake of Trumps chaotic first few months back in the White House will preserve a 4-3 liberal majority on the states highest court, which could decide on litigation involving abortion access and voting rights, among other critical issues. Tuesdays results in the swing state are expected to serve as an early litmus test for Americans response to Trumps agenda at the ballot box, and they deliver a massive blow to Trumps billionaire adviser, who has spent more than $20 million to support Schimels campaign. open image in gallery Susan Crawford speaks to supporters after her projected victory for a Wisconsin Supreme Court seat on April 1 ( REUTERS ) A similarly high-stakes Wisconsin State Supreme court race in 2023 set a national spending record of $56 million for a state Supreme Court election. This years race crushed that record, with more than $100 million, according to WisPolitics.com. Unprecedented turnout this year also led to ballot shortages in Wisconsins largest city, Milwaukee, as voters cast ballots in historic numbers, according to officials. Musk and his political action committee are pouring money into elections across the country to support Republican and conservative candidates, including with legally dubious pledges to personally hand voters $1 million checks and give out $50 to anyone who takes a picture of themselves outside a voting booth after voting for the candidate he supports. His efforts mirrored a similar scheme in Novembers general election, in which he spent at least $288 million to help Trump win. Musks America PAC paid registered voters $100 each for signing petitions and awarded some petition signers $1 million each. Democratic Party of Wisconsin chair Ben Wikler called Musks offer a blatant felony and an illegal election bribery scheme that amounts to a chainsaw attack on democracy and the rule of law in Wisconsin and our nation, urging law enforcement officials to intervene. The Democratic National Committee blanketed Wisconsin newspapers with ads accusing Musk of trying to buy a state Supreme Court seat. Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul sued Musk and America PAC to stop Musks voter money schemes, though the states highest court ultimately declined to take up the case. open image in gallery Elon Musk and his America PAC poured millions of dollars into a Republican-backed judges campaign for a Wisconsin Supreme Court seat, likely the most expensive judicial election in history ( AP ) Crawford will replace retiring Justice Ann Walsh Bradley, who served on the court for 30 years. Crawfords 10-year term will begin in August. This campaign has been an incredible, life-altering experience, in so many ways, and Im so grateful to have earned the trust and support of voters across this great state, Crawford told supporters on Tuesday. As a little girl, growing up in Chippewa Falls, I never could have imagined that I would be taking on the richest man in the world for justice, in Wisconsin, and we won. Wisconsin voters stood up and said loudly that justice does not have a price, our courts are not for sale, she said. Musk has characterized the election in apocalyptic terms with the destiny of humanity and future of the world at stake, noting that the court could redraw Wisconsins congressional maps while Republicans have only a razor-thin majority in the House of Representatives. If you lose control of the House, there will be nonstop impeachment hearings, there will be nonstop hearings and subpoenas, theyre gonna do everything possible to stop the agenda the American people voted for, Musk told Fox News Channels The Five on Tuesday before polls closed. Wisconsin voters squarely rejected Trump and Musk and right-wing special interest groups, according to Democratic National Committee chair Ken Martin. And their message? Stay out of our elections and stay away from our courts Wisconsin is not for sale, he said in a statement following her projected victory. This was a Susan-versus-Goliath struggle of Biblical proportions, Wikler, the states Democratic Party chair, said in a statement. He said the election demonstrates Musk and Trump have gone too far, and any politician allied with them could swiftly face the end of their political career. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The law firm that Doug Emhoff, the husband of former vice president Kamala Harris, works at has agreed to provide at least $100 million in pro bono services to the Trump administration the latest law firm to cut a deal with the administration to avoid repercussions. Willkie Farr & Gallagher will provide services dedicated to helping veterans, Gold Star families, law enforcement members and first responders as well as combating antisemitism and ensuring judicial fairness, President Donald Trump said in a Truth Social post on Tuesday. The law firm also agreed to end diversity, equity and inclusion hiring practices and promised it would not deny clients such as government officials or members of politically disenfranchised groups. open image in gallery Trump has signed executive orders directly targeting law firms which has spawned legal challenges to the move ( Getty Images ) Willkie Farr & Gallagher said it proactively reached out to the administration to strike a deal after Trump signed executive orders targeting other law firms that he accused of liberal bias, fraudulent litigation or other improper practices. Willkie Farr & Gallagher had represented two Georgia poll workers in their defamation case against Trump ally Rudy Giuliani. Emhoff joined as a partner at the law firm in January. Sources familiar to the matter told the Los Angeles Times that Emhoff told the firms leadership he disagreed with them making a deal. Thomas Cerabino, the Chairman of Willkie Farr & Gallagher, said the law firms agreement with the administration was consistent with their view of legal representation, commitment to complying with the law as it relates to its employment practices and history of working with clients across the political spectrum. The Firm looks forward to having a constructive relationship with the Trump Administration, and remains committed to serving the needs of our clients, our employees, and the communities of which we are a part, Cerabino said. open image in gallery Doug Emhoff joined Willkie Farr & Gallagher as a partner in January. He disagreed with the deal the firm made with the Trump administration, according to the LA Times. ( EPA ) Trump has launched a retribution campaign aimed at law firms that have assisted prosecutors in cases against Trump and his allies. That includes WilmerHale, where Robert Mueller worked before and after he served as special counsel in the Trump-Russia investigation and Jenner & Block, where Andrew Weissman worked before and after assisting Mueller in the investigation. Covington & Burling, which employed lawyers who assisted special counsel Jack Smith in criminal investigations into Trump, has been subjected to Trumps sanctions. Perkins Coie, which represented Hilary clinton in her 2016 presidential campaign against Trump. Trump also sanctioned Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP where a lawyer who assisted prosecutors in Trumps New York criminal trial formerly worked. The law firm similarly struck a deal with the administration to lift the sanctions that would have cost lucrative government contracts. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, another law firm, had also sought a deal with the administration to prevent sanctions. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Lawyers for a Salvadoran man who was wrongfully deported from the United States to a notorious prison in El Salvador will ask a judge to force Donald Trumps administration to try to get him back. Government attorneys admitted in a recent court filing that federal agents accidentally deported Kilmar Abrego Garcia, despite a judges order that blocked his removal. They called it an administrative error. But, despite admitting the grave error, Trump administration officials have defended his removal, and argued that the case is no longer in their hands. Government attorneys argue that he shouldnt be returned, and even if he could, the court lacks jurisdiction to order the Trump administration to do so because he is no longer in the country. Following news of the governments admission in court filings, Vice President JD Vance falsely labeled Abrego Garcia a convicted gang member. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt admitted there was a clerical error in his case, but claimed, without providing evidence, that Garcia was a leader of the MS-13 gang, and involved in human trafficking. Theyre making these crazy allegations against him, Abrego Garcias attorney Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg told The Independent on Tuesday. Theres a place where they couldve made those allegations [in court]. We would have responded to those full-throatedly. But they didnt. open image in gallery White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the removal of a Salvadoran immigrant who was deported to that countrys notorious jail despite a judges order, which administration officials said in court documents was the result of an administrative error ( Getty Images ) Abrego Garcia fled death threats and extortion attempts in El Salvador and crossed the U.S.-Mexico border without legal permission in 2011 when he was 16 years old, according to court records. He has no criminal record in either the United States or El Salvador, according to his lawyers. He has been living in Maryland with his wife and 5-year-old child, both U.S. citizens. Following his arrest outside a Home Depot in 2019, one of the men arrested alongside him during questioning accused him of being a gang member, though officers at the time did not find the claim credible, according to court documents. Abrego Garcia was not charged with a crime, but he was moved to ICE custody for his removal from the country. A judge ultimately blocked the government from deporting him to El Salvador under a form of humanitarian protection called withholding of removal after his credible testimony that he fears being threatened or killed by gang members in that country. Under that order, he is allowed to remain in the United States legally, and must attend regular check-ins with ICE. His most recent appearance was in January, according to court documents. They dont deny any of the facts around that, Sandoval-Moshenberg said of the governments refusal to return Abrego Garcia to the United States. They dont claim that they didnt know about the order, he told The Independent. They dont claim theyre sorry this thing happened and are taking reasonable steps to rectify. Meanwhile, his family is waiting for any good news from El Salvador, Sandoval-Moshenberg said. His attorneys have labeled El Salvadors Terrorism Confinement Center a torture center supported by American tax dollars. This grotesque display of power without law is abhorrent to our entire system of justice, and must not be allowed to stand, they wrote in court filings. On Friday, Abrego Garcias attorneys will ask the judge overseeing his case for an order that would force the government to request the Salvadoran government to request his return a move that attorneys are optimistic will work. Isnt that the first step, to ask nicely? They havent even done that, Sandoval-Moshenberg told The Independent. Ive had wrongful deportation cases in the past Theyd bend over backwards to fix that mistake, including in the first Trump administration. open image in gallery Dozens of immigrants are jailed in a Salvadoran prison after Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act to remove alleged Tren de Aragua gang members from the country, despite a judges court orders blocking the flights ( via REUTERS ) On March 15, Abrego Garcia joined dozens of immigrants who were deported on a series of flights to El Salvadors Terrorism Confinement Center, where they were greeted by armed guards and hooded officers who shaved their heads and shackled them inside a jail human rights groups have called a tropical gulag. Two of those deportation flights removed Venezuelan immigrants under Trumps use of the Alien Enemies Act, which has labeled alleged members of Tren de Aragua alien enemies who can be summarily deported from the country without judicial oversight, according to the administration. A federal judge has temporarily blocked the administration from performing any other removal flights under that centuries-old wartime law, a block that was upheld by appellate court judges last week. The administration is now asking the Supreme Court to intervene and overturn the order. Abrego Garcias removal has outraged civil rights advocates and Democratic lawmakers. He was not actually a gang banger. He was not a criminal. It was all a mistake, Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin said during a congressional hearing Tuesday. This guy, who lives in my state, is married to a U.S. citizen with citizen children, hes stuck with the dictator of El Salvador, he said. According to Sandoval-Moshenberg, if ones removal from the country hinges on unfounded allegations from ICE officers and clerical errors without recourse, it raises the chilling prospect that any American could be similarly targeted. This is not immigration enforcement. This is plainly a miscarriage of justice that must be remedied, members of Marylands congressional delegation said in a statement. The Trump Administration admitted in open court that it made an error. It must remedy this error by bringing Mr. Abrego Garcia back to America immediately, they wrote. Democrats saw signs of life in their party on Tuesday, even if they didnt clinch the nights biggest prize. Off-year elections are typically a referendum on the party in power in this case, especially so, given the unified control of both houses of Congress, the White House and even Supreme Court by conservatives. But Tuesdays elections took on an even greater significance. The races in Wisconsin and Florida were the first to go to voters since Kamala Harriss devastating defeat in November, a swing-state sweep which saw the Democrats lose ground in every battleground state and even reliable blue strongholds. Despite being an off year, many voters (especially on the left) have remained active and engaged over the first three months of Donald Trumps presidency. The all-out assault on federal agencies led by Musks DOGE effort made headlines on election day Tuesday with the firing of 10,000 employees under the Department of Health and Human Services, including sub-agencies like the Food and Drug Administration. For weeks, Americans have been bombarded with headlines about the staggering scope and effects of DOGEs cuts in a relatively short time frame. Reports of seniors unable to reach human beings when contacting the Social Security Administration and similar issues faced by veterans have left Republicans in a politically vulnerable spot. Many in Congress have chosen to avoid in-person events in response. But theres one man tied to DOGE who didnt get that memo: Elon Musk himself. The Twitter, Tesla, SpaceX and now DOGE baron flew out to campaign personally for Brad Schimel, the conservative candidate, and pulled out all the stops. In a move that was criticized by Democrats as a blatant effort at vote-buying, Musk handed out cash prizes to supporters of his thinly-veiled petition against activist judges. The effort was allowed to continue after the state Supreme Court refused to intervene. open image in gallery Elon Musk presents a voter with a $1,000,000 check as he campaigned for Brad Schimel, the conservative defeated on Tuesday in Wisconsins supreme court election. ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Tuesdays results were a clear breath of fresh air for the left. Susan Crawford won a decisive victory in the key swing state of Wisconsin, where a pair of Elon Musk-backed PACs were pouring millions into electing her opponent. Brad Schimel was an avowed opponent of abortion rights and a vocal supporter of Donald Trump. Crawfords margin of victory over him was 10 percentage points and represented a rejection of Trump and, more likely, Musk who was centered in Democratic messaging and accused of trying to buy the election. Elon Musk made this a referendum on himself. [Brad] Schimel tried to make it a referendum on Donald Trump, declared a triumphant Ben Wikler, chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party, after the results came in. Wikler, along with Florida Democratic Party chair Nikki Fried, was set to host a press conference Wednesday afternoon touting the results alongside the Democrats new national chair, Ken Martin. The voters verdict sends a resounding message: Wisconsins supreme court election demonstrates Musk and Trump have gone too far, and any politician allied with them could swiftly face the end of their political career, he added. open image in gallery Susan Crawford, the liberal candidate, won easily on Tuesday night in her race against Brad Schimel. ( AP ) Neighboring Minnesotas governor Tim Walz, Harriss running mate in November, was jubilant in an interview with MSNBCs Chris Hayes later in the evening. A 10-point win in Wisconsin is an absolute massacre, Walz said. [It] was a referendum on Elon Musk, and by extension Donald Trump. In Florida, Democrats failed to win either special election for two congressional seats once held by Republicans. Matt Gaetz, who resigned from Congress last fall, did so as part of an ill-fated bid to become the next U.S. attorney general all the while hoping that his resignation would thwart the imminent publication of an Ethics committee report into his alleged sexual encounters with minors. Michael Waltzs bid to become national security adviser to President Trump fared better, though he is now embroiled in an embarrassing scandal after mistakenly adding the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic to a Signal group chat where plans for an imminent airstrike on Yemen were being debated. Even in defeat, Democrats can take a silver lining from the Florida special elections: their partys candidates overperformed past election cycles in both races, halving the Trump-Harris margin in the first and sixth congressional districts. Gay Valimont, running against Jimmy Patronis, flipped one Florida county which had supported Trump by nearly 20 points in November. Josh Weil came within two points of state Senator Randy Fine, the victorious Republican candidate, in Volusia County where Harris suffered a blowout 21-point defeat to Trump in November. The impact of Tuesday nights results were immediate in Trumpworld, where Musk quickly began spinning a new narrative: I expected to lose, but there is value to losing a piece for a positional gain. With the majority on the state supreme court now firmly in the lefts hands for at least a year, its hard to see what positional gain Musk is talking about in Wisconsin, where a Democrat also flipped a key county executive seat. open image in gallery Elon Musk wears a cheese head as he campaigns for Brad Schimel in Wisconsin. ( REUTERS ) In a subsequent Twitter post, Musk pointed to a ballot initiative victory as the real prize of the night, though it merely enshrined an existing state law into the states constitution. Given Trumps tendency to dump those who become political liabilities for him and the broader GOP, Elon Musks own position as a White House insider could be at risk. Its possible that the DOGE chief will hang on thanks largely to the financial support he and his PACs are able to lend the party. As more congressional reelection campaigns wait on the horizon, Trump could come under increased pressure to rein in Musk over the months ahead. The president already hinted that DOGEs role could diminish in the days ahead as Cabinet secretaries assert control over their departments. A Politico report on Wednesday confirmed this, revealing that Trump was promising close aides and advisers that both he and Musk mutually agreed it was time for the latter to return to the private sector. Democrats, emboldened by Tuesday night, will likely continue to make Musk a boogeyman ahead of 2026s midterm season. If the Tesla chief is still an ever-present force in the White House by that time, the president could be facing more than just Democrats demanding he show Musk the door. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The White House is reportedly studying how much it would cost for the federal government to assume control over Greenland, as Donald Trump continues to state his desire to take possession of the autonomous Danish territory. Officials within the Office of Management and Budget are reportedly analyzing the cost of providing services to the islands 58,000 residents, the benefits Greenlands natural resources could generate for the U.S. Treasury, and the options the U.S. has to present a more appealing arrangement that the territorys existing $600 million-per-year subsidies from Denmark. The point is, Well pay you more than Denmark does, one administration insider told The Washington Post, which reported on the analysis effort. While some initially considered Trumps Greenland plans as more hypothetical, the administration has in recent days been signaling its seriousness in carrying out some form of a U.S. takeover. Last week, Vice President JD Vance visited a U.S. base on Greenland, where he was sharply critical of Denmarks role in the territory and framed Greenland as a key U.S. strategic priority. Countries like Russia and China are taking an extraordinary interest in Artic passageways and Artic naval routes and in the minerals of the Arctic territories, Vance said. Trump has said the U.S. isnt ruling out military force to take Greenland ( AP ) We need to ensure that America is leading in the Arctic because we know if America does not, other nations will fill the gap where we fall behind. On Saturday, Donald Trump said he would not rule out using military force to take Greenland, which would mark an extraordinary action against a NATO ally. Well get Greenland, he told NBC News. Yeah, 100 percent. "There's a good possibility it could be done without military force," he added, then said, "I don't take anything off the table." Trump insists US 'needs' Greenland for international security Officials from Denmark and Greenland have not taken kindly to the aggressive U.S. posture. Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen accused the US of exerting "unacceptable pressure" on Greenland, while Greenlands Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsencalled it highly aggressive. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice President Donald Trump has privately told Cabinet members that Elon Musk will step back from his role in the administration soon, according to several reports. Musk, who has been leading the Department of Government Efficiencys efforts to reduce the federal workforce and budget drastically, will soon step into a supporting role, anonymous Trump insiders told Politico and ABC News. Trump discussed this with Cabinet members at a March 24 meeting, Politico reports. The tech mogul is officially designated as a special government employee, which means his role expires after 130 days. That would mean the role ends in late May or early June, but many expected the White House to extend the role or find another way to keep him in a front-line position, ABC News reports. Musk has reportedly clashed with top administration officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The pair had a heated argument in front of Trump and nearly two dozen others during a cabinet meeting last month, The New York Times reported. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called it a great and productive meeting at the time. open image in gallery President Donald Trump told his Cabinet that Elon Musk will soon take on more of a supporting role in the administration, a new report reveals ( AFP via Getty Images ) Trump administration insiders tell Politico that Musk is likely to stick around as an informal adviser, while another said that anyone who predicts Musk will disappear entirely is fooling themselves. Leavitt called Politicos story garbage on X. Quoting Leavitts post, Musk added: Yeah, fake news. Elon Musk and President Trump have both *publicly* stated that Elon will depart from public service as a special government employee when his incredible work at DOGE is complete, Leavitt wrote on X. The president also appears to be priming the transition in his public comments, however,. On Monday, when asked about Musks limit, he told reporters that the billionaire would want "to go back to his company," and that "[Musk] wants to. I'd keep him as long as I could keep him." open image in gallery Musks special government employee role will expire in late May or early June ( REUTERS ) The news comes as the DOGE boss faces ridiculous over the outcome of the Wisconsin Supreme Court race. Musk inserted himself in the race, handing out $1 million checks to two voters, campaigning in the state while wearing a cheesehead head and, perhaps most significantly, backing GOP pick Brad Schimel to the tune of $20 million. Still, Democratic candidate Susan Crawford won, keeping the courts 4-3 liberal majority. After her victory, Crawford said: I never could have imagined that I would be taking on the richest man in the world for justice in Wisconsin... and we won. Reacting to Schimels loss on Tuesday night, Musk wrote on X: The long con of the left is corruption of the judiciary. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice As the world economy braces for Donald Trumps unveiling of a swathe of tariffs, some country leaders will be fearing the worst after Washington singled out a dirty 15 list of nations. Although not naming the countries, treasury secretary Scott Bessent said the group of nations traded heavily with the U.S. and had high tariffs on U.S. goods, plus held non-tariff barriers such as domestic-content production rules. Coining the term dirty 15, Bessent was referring to 15 per cent of countries that account for the bulk of U.S. trading volume - a list of nations economists expect could be hit by Trumps tariffs.. In an interview with Fox News last month, Bessent said: Whats going to happen on April 2: Each country will receive a number that we believe that represents their tariffs. For some countries it could be quite low. For some countries it could be quite high. He added: Theres what we would call kind of the dirty 15, and they have substantial tariffs. Also last month, the director of the National Economic Council, Kevin Hassett, said 10 to 15 countries that account for Americas entire trillion-dollar trade deficit were being looked at under the tariff initiative, according to NBC News. open image in gallery Treasury secretary Scott Bessent has singled out what he called the Dirty 15 the 15 per cent of countries that trade heavily with the U.S. and have high tariffs ( REUTERS ) While Hassett also did not name the countries, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has listed 21 countries in which it is particularly interested as part of a review of unfair trade practises. Those countries include economies that have the largest trade deficits in goods with the United States, the office said, meaning Washington imports more from the country than it exports, resulting in a negative balance of trade. The countries named were Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, the European Union, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, the United Kingdom and Vietnam. But it still remains unclear which countries will face tariffs and what form they will take, ahead of the so-called Liberation Day on Wednesday. Adding to the uncertainty, Trump on Sunday denied that it may only be around a dozen countries who will face reciprocal tariffs. Speaking to reporters on Air Force One, the U.S. president said he would start with all countries and said there is not a cut off - and argued that almost all countries trading with the U.S. were taking advantage of Washington. open image in gallery President Donald Trump has dubbed April 2 as Liberation Day, when tariffs will be announced ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) But many economists say having a goods trading deficit is not necessarily a bad thing, rather it means that in-demand goods can be sourced cheaply abroad. Early reports suggest the Trump administration could implement up to 25 per cent tariffs on the U.S. largest trading partners. Trump has already imposed 25 per cent tariffs on Canada and Mexico, though they have been paused twice, a 10 per cent tariff on China, a 25 per cent tariff on foreign-made automobiles and a 25 per cent tariff on aluminium and steel. UK-based Aston Business School estimate Trumps tariffs could cost the global economy $1.4tn. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The founder of OnlyFans has made a last-minute offer to buy TikTok competing with a bid from Amazon days before President Donald Trumps Saturday deadline, according to reports. Tim Stokely founder of OnlyFans made a bid through his startup Zoop at the eleventh hour to acquire the popular app, Reuters reported. The offer was made in partnership with cryptocurrency company The Hbar Foundation. The details of the bid arent immediately clear. The offer represents a David vs. Goliath moment against traditional social media giants by endorsing a creator-first revolution, Zoop said in a statement shared with Wired. Amazon also offered to acquire the social media platform Wednesday in a letter addressed to Vice President J.D. Vance and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, the New York Times reported. A source familiar with the matter confirmed to The Independent that Amazon made a bid for TikTok. Those involved in talks to find a new owner for the app do not appear to be taking the bid seriously, the outlet reported. Amazon declined to comment when contacted by The Independent. Days before Trump took office in January, the Supreme Court upheld a law forcing the short-form video app beloved by 170 million users to either divest from its China-based parent company ByteDance or face a ban in the United States due to national security concerns. On his first day in the White House, the president signed an executive order granting a 75-day reprieve to allow his administration todetermine the appropriate course of action. That deadline is Saturday (April 5). Now, his administration is finalizing plans for a long list of potential investors and venture capital firms that includes investment management company Blackstone and software giant Oracle, CBS News reported. Trump and other officials including Vance, Lutnick, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard are set to hold a meeting on Wednesday in the Oval Office to discuss the apps future, the outlet reported. The details of the final proposal are not immediately clear. open image in gallery President Donald Trump is said to be considering a final proposal regarding the future of TikTok, days before the April 5 deadline ( REUTERS ) "We have a lot of potential buyers. There's a lot of interest in TikTok. The decision is going to be my decision, the president said over the weekend. "I'd like to see TikTok remain alive." If a deal is not reached by April 5, Trump has suggested he would extend the deadline. Hes even suggested lowering tariffs on goods imported from China if Beijing agrees to sell the app. A number of deals have been put forward in recent months. Artificial intelligence startup Perplexity AI proposed merging with ByteDance in January, the Associated Press reported. The proposal would have allowed the federal government to own up to a 50 percent stake in the new company. Kevin OLeary, a businessman of Shark Tank fame, and Frank McCourt, an entrepreneur and founder of Project Liberty, also made a formal offer to buy the social media platform in January. The pair, alongside a group of investors, promised to to collect less data on users. open image in gallery Kevin OLeary, of Shark Tank fame, offered to buy the app alongside Frank McCourt, an entrepreneur and founder of Project Liberty. ( Getty Images ) Also that month, MrBeast, a YouTuber sensation whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, made a bid, alongside a group of investors, to preserve the app. The details of the offer were not made public at the time. I just got out of a meeting with a bunch of billionaires, he said on the app. TikTok, we mean business...We have an offer ready for you, we want to buy the platform, America deserves TikTok. Last month, Oracle "accelerated" talks with the White House about purchasing the app, Politico reported. The company would oversee American users data and ensure the Chinese government doesnt have access to it, a source familiar with the discussions told the outlet. We're hearing a lot of confidence from the Trump administration about getting a deal done by the deadline, which is odd considering how little we know about the specifics and how complicated the terms are likely to be, Damian Rollison, director of market insights at SOCi, said in a statement shared with The Independent. If ByteDance was willing to divest TikTok in the U.S., why didn't they make a deal months ago when they were in a better position to dictate terms? Rollison added that he believes the app wont be banned in the U.S.: Regardless, I think it's fairly safe to place bets on TikTok remaining available to U.S. users in one form or another, which will be welcomed as positive news by its large and still growing audience, who utilize TikTok for everything from connecting with friends to following the news and shopping for products. The Independent has asked the White House for comment. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A Venezuelan man came to the United States to donate a kidney to his brother in kidney failure, but ICE authorities detained him, putting the fate of both brothers in question. Jose Alfredo Pacheco, 37, was diagnosed with end-stage kidney failure in December 2023, shortly after arriving in the Chicago area from Venezuela, seeking asylum. His older brother, Jose Gregorio Gonzalez, 43, hoped to donate his kidney to save Pachecos life but immigration authorities detained him, throwing their plans into disarray. The pair had an appointment at a hospital ahead of the organ transplant surgery, the Chicago Tribune reported. But those plans are now up in the air after Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested Gonzalez on March 3 as he was making breakfast at his home for his sick brother. We both cried when they arrested him because we both know he is my lifeline, Pacheco told the newspaper. Gonzalez was initially held at Clay County Detention Center in Indiana but is now in the process of being transferred, making his deportation even more likely, the Resurrection Project, a Chicago-based nonprofit whose legal team represents Gonzalez. The Independent has reached out to the nonprofit for more information. A Venezuelan came to the United States to donate a kidney to his brother, who is suffering from end-stage kidney failure but ICE agents arrested him, throwing both of their fates into uncertainty ( AP ) He could soon face deportation but has asked for humanitarian parole so that he can donate his kidney. After that, I will return to Venezuela, Gonzalez told the Tribune. His brother could be forced to wait four to five years on a transplant waitlist if this organ exchange doesnt happen, NBC News reported. The decision to grant Gonzalez humanitarian parole lies with his ICE officer, Peter Meinecke, an attorney with The Resurrection Project, told the Tribune. It is ultimately an opportunity to leave detention for the sole purpose of undergoing the kidney donation to save his brothers life, and then ICE will be able to detain him again and eventually remove him from the country, Meinecke said. He noted that the maximum amount of time immigrants are released under humanitarian parole is typically one year. Gonzalez initially tried to enter the U.S. in 2023, but failed the initial credible fear interview, the outlet reported. After learning of his brothers diagnosis, he made an appointment with immigration authorities but was put in removal proceedings and detained. Since there were no deportation flights to his home country at the time, he was placed in ICE supervision in March 2024 and allowed to join his brother in Chicago. That was until ICE showed up on his doorstep. He does not have a criminal record, Meinecke said. Pacheco has three children two nine-year-old twins and a 17-year old who live in Venezuela. He said he hopes to live to see them grow up. This is literally a matter of life and death, Erendira Rendon, with The Resurrection Project, told ABC7. ICE has the discretionary authority to release Mr. Gonzalez on humanitarian grounds. Every day he remains detained is another day his brothers life hangs in the balance. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The US has sent a three-person team to Myanmar to help respond to the 7.7-magnitude earthquake, in a move criticised as weak and irrelevant by a former aid official. Much larger Russian and Chinese teams have already been helping search-and-rescue efforts in the country for days. The scaled-back response comes as President Donald Trump is moving to officially end the US Agency For International Development (USAID) and has notified remaining employees their jobs will be eliminated. The Department of Government Efficiency is thought to have already cut billions of dollars from USAID, but the exact figure has not been verified. Any remaining functions are set to be transferred to the Department of State. open image in gallery Any remaining USAID functions are set to be transferred to the Department of State ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) It's not a case of worst-practice; it's really a case of no-practice, former USAID disaster relief leader Jeremy Konyndyk told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. It just makes the US look, frankly, kind of weak and irrelevant to most of the other countries that have shown up in force to support the people of Myanmar, added Konyndyk, now the president of Refugees International. The US team's expected arrival on Wednesday comes five days after the earthquake devastated large swathes of Myanmars biggest cities on Friday. The US embassy in Burma said in an online statement that the team would be deployed to identify the peoples most pressing needs, including emergency shelter, food, medical needs, and access to water. Konyndyk previously warned the first five days was the key period for finding people alive. The US has missed that window, and the cost of that is lost lives of people who could have been saved in Myanmar, he said. open image in gallery The United Nations has urged the international community to step up aid before the upcoming monsoon season worsens the disaster ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) The earthquake has killed at least 2,800 people, with thousands more injured. The death toll is predicted to surpass 10,000, according to US Geological Survey modeling. Residents are feared to be trapped under collapsed buildings across the country, including dozens under the collapse of a high-rise building that was under construction. Myanmars ruling military rejected a major rebel alliances Tuesday proposal for a unilateral ceasefire to support the international response to the earthquake. The United Nations has urged the international community to step up aid before the upcoming monsoon season worsens the disaster. open image in gallery China has sent about 200 people including a team the day after the earthquake, and pledged $13.9 million to Myanmar ( Xinhua ) The US embassy in Burma pledged up to $2 million in aid through Myanmar-based humanitarian organizations. The United States stands with the people of Myanmar as they work to recover from the devastation. We offer our deepest condolences for the loss of life and infrastructure in this difficult time, it said on a statement online. By comparison, a senior international studies lecturer told ABC that the United States contributed 225 USAID workers and $185 million to Turkey and Syria after the 2023 earthquake. The Trump administration's paltry efforts in this regard are an insult to the people of Myanmar, Adam Simpson of the University of South Australia said. China sent about 200 people, including a team, the day after the earthquake and pledged $13.9 million to Myanmar. Two Russian aircraft carrying 60 rescue workers, four dogs, ambulances, and rescue vehicles arrived in the capital on Sunday. The Philippines said it was deploying 114 specialists, while Vietnam sent 100, Singapore 88, and Thailand 55. India, South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, New Zealand, and Taiwan have all also provided emergency support in the form of aid or rescue specialists. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Pope Francis has approved the canonization of Venezuelas first female saint, Blessed Maria Carmen Rendiles. The decree, authorized this week, recognizes a miracle attributed to Rendiles, paving the way for her sainthood. Catholic leaders in Venezuela requested her canonization in 1995. She was beatified in 2018. A date for the canonization ceremony has yet to be announced. The Catholic bishops conference of Venezuela said in a news release on Monday that Rendiles struggled with the loss of an arm. However, her disability did not prevent her from developing an exemplary Christian life. open image in gallery An image of Rendiles displayed at the entrance to a church in Caracas ( AP ) Who was Maria Carmen Rendiles? Born in Caracas, Venezuela on August 11, 1903, Rendiles dedicated her life to service from a young age. Following her fathers death, she assisted her mother in supporting their family while also working at a local parish. Her devotion led her to join a French congregation in Venezuela in 1927, becoming a novice at 24. Years later, in 1961, with the backing of the local Catholic hierarchy, she established the autonomous Congregation of the Handmaids of Jesus. Rendiles passed away in her birthplace on May 9, 1977. open image in gallery Faithful pray to Rendiles in Caracas ( AP ) What is the miracle attributed to Rendiles? According to the Vatican, she miraculously cured a young woman diagnosed with a type of hydrocephalus, a condition in which cerebrospinal fluid builds up within the brain. Her condition had worsened until a Mass was celebrated before Rendiles grave. Loved ones prayed for her recovery. And after the sick woman touched Rendiles portrait, her health improved. The young womans recovery was complete, stable and long-lasting, and the event was deemed scientifically inexplicable, the Holy See said in a written statement. Another Venezuelan saint Earlier this year, Pope Francis approved the canonization of Blessed Jose Gregorio Hernandez (born October 26, 1864), known as the poors doctor, the first Venezuelan layperson to be beatified. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Virginia Giuffre, who accused Prince Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein of sexual abuse, claims she has four days to live after a brutal car crash. Giuffre, who was most recently living in Australia, posted a photo of her bruised face lying on a hospital bed on Instagram, explaining that doctors told her she had four days to live due to kidney failure following the wreck. This year has been the worst start to a new year, but I wont bore anyone with the details but I think it important to note that when a school bus driver comes at you driving 110km as we were slowing for a turn that no matter what your car is made of it might as well be a tin can, the 42-year-old wrote in a post on Sunday. Ive gone into kidney renal failure, theyve given me four days to live, transferring me to a specialist hospital in urology, she continued. Im ready to go, just not until I see my babies one last time, but you know what they say about wishes. S*** in one hand and wish in the other & I guarantee its still going to be s*** at the end of the day, she wrote. Dini von Mueffling, Giuffres representative, told The Independent: Virginia has been in a serious accident and is receiving medical care in the hospital. She greatly appreciates the support and well wishes people are sending. In 2021, Giuffre alleged in a civil suit that Jeffrey Epstein forced her to have sex with Queen Elizabeths second son on at least three occasions in London, New York and the U.S. Virgin Islands when she was 17 years old and he was 41. On one of these occasions, she told the court that she had been paid $15,000 for having sex with the Duke of York. He has vehemently denied these claims. open image in gallery Virginia Giuffre, who accused Prince Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein of sexual misconduct, says she has four days to live ( Virginia Giuffre/Instagram ) During each of these incidents, she was compelled by express or implied threats by Epstein, [Ghislaine] Maxwell, and/or Prince Andrew to engage in sexual acts with Prince Andrew, and feared death or physical injury to herself or another and other repercussions for disobeying Epstein, Maxwell, and Prince Andrew due to their powerful connections, wealth, and authority, her suit says. Her complaint included a photo of the duke with his arm around Giuffre as Maxwell, Epsteins associate and former girlfriend, smiles at the camera in the background. Despite the fact that the photo had already surfaced years earlier, in 2019, he told the BBC: I have no recollection of ever meeting this lady. Giuffre previously accused Epstein and Maxwell of grooming her and has claimed the pair had introduced her to Prince Andrew in 2001. Giuffre, who was born in California, had moved to Florida to rebuild her life. She had a rough childhood; she was sexually abused by a family friend at age 7 and wound up in and out of foster care homes later in childhood, she told the BBC. By age 14, she was living on the streets, where she found hunger and pain and [more] abuse. By 16, she found a job at Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach as a locker room attendant when Maxwell recruited her to become a massage therapist, according to court documents. Giuffre and Epstein settled in 2009 for $500,000, which included an agreement that Giuffre not take legal action against anyone connected to Epstein that could be described as a potential defendant. Lawyers for the Duke of York argued that Giuffres sexual assault case against him should be dismissed, citing this document, but the judge rejected that request. open image in gallery Virginia Giuffre pictured with Andrew along with Ghislaine Maxwell (right) ( PA ) The pair settled in February 2022 for an undisclosed amount. A month earlier, Buckingham Palace stripped the duke of his military roles and HRH title. In a joint statement confirming the settlement, the duke said he regretted his association with late pedophile Epstein whom he acknowledged trafficked countless young girls over many years. Prince Andrew intends to make a substantial donation to Ms Giuffres charity in support of victims rights. Prince Andrew has never intended to malign Ms Giuffres character, and he accepts that she has suffered both as an established victim of abuse and as a result of unfair public attacks. The statement continued: It is known that Jeffrey Epstein trafficked countless young girls over many years. Epstein was charged with sex trafficking and conspiracy, but died by suicide in his jail cell in July 2019 before facing trial. Maxwell was convicted for her role in the scheme and sentenced to 20 years behind bars in 2022. In response to her post, Giuffres father Sky Roberts commented: Virginia my daughter, I love you and praying for you to get the correct treatment to live a long and healthy life. If there is anything in this world I can do to help you, please let me know. My spirit is with you now and holding your hand. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A woman who alleged she was sexually assaulted by the Duke of York is facing court in Australia, as she remains in hospital after a car crash. Virginia Giuffre has been charged with breaching a family violence restraining order. The alleged incident took place in Ocean Reef, near Perth, on February 2, Western Australia Courts said. The case was first heard in Joondalup Magistrates Court in northern Perth on March 14. WA Courts said Giuffre, who lives in Australia, did not enter a plea and the case is due back in court on April 9. Giuffre was injured in a crash between a bus and car in March. She sparked concern earlier this week when she claimed in an Instagram post that she had four days to live, alongside a photograph of her in hospital with extensive bruises to her face. open image in gallery Virginia Giuffre claimed in an Instagram post that she had been given just days to live and was in renal failure ( Virginia Giuffre/Instagram ) A spokesperson for Giuffre said the Instagram post was a mistake. Virginia thanks everyone for the outpouring of love and support. She is overwhelmed with gratitude, the spokesperson said. Today she remains in (a) serious condition while receiving medical care. On March 24, in rural Western Australia, a school bus hit the car in which she was riding. It said: Virginia was banged up and bruised and returned home. Virginias condition worsened and she was admitted to the hospital. Concerning her Instagram post, Virginia thought that she had posted on her private Facebook page. Giuffre is reported to have separated from her husband. open image in gallery The Duke of York, left, is pictured with Virginia Giuffre and Ghislaine Maxwell ( PA ) In her caption to the Instagram post, she said she was ready to go, just not until I see my babies one last time. Western Australia Police said they received one report of a minor crash between a school bus and a car in Neergabby, about 12 miles north of Perth, on March 24. The collision was reported by the bus driver the following day, while there were no reported injuries, a police spokeswoman said. The duke paid millions to settle a civil sexual assault case with Giuffre. She sued him for allegedly sexually assaulting her when she was 17 after she was trafficked by paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein. The duke said he had never met her and denied all the allegations. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Residents have been evacuated, properties flooded and coastal infrastructure damaged after a large swell combined with a king tide to batter the Australian shore. The coast was lashed by a 5.5-meter (18-foot) swell at Sydneys famous Bondi Beach, officials said on Thursday. Windows were shattered at Bondi Icebergs Swimming Club, a waterfront pool, gymnasium and restaurant complex. CCTV footage showed waves bursting through glass doors after 11pm on Tuesday. It has just been devastating, club general manager Bob Tate said. Ive been a member for 50 years at Bondi. Ive never seen this sort of thing before. You know, the sheer magnitude of the level of water and the power of the water coming through mustve just been horrendous. open image in gallery People watch as large swells hit Sydney's Bronte Beach ( AP ) Tate added that on the pool deck around 15 glass panels were splintered, floors were damaged, and cupboards and firehoses were ripped off the walls. It was quite extraordinary, he said. The pool was temporarily closed to allow for necessary maintenance and safety assessments after, what it described as, significant wave activity. We anticipate reopening on April 18th, and we sincerely appreciate your patience and understanding during this time. We look forward to welcoming you back soon, the club said on social media. open image in gallery Crowds watch from the headland as large swells hit Sydney's Bondi Beach ( AP ) Randwick City Council said waves had flooded Coogee Beach, damaged the Surf Clubs boat sheds, torn through handrails and left sand piled on the steps and rainbow walkway It said another king tide was expected at Coogee, Clovelly, Maroubra, Malabar and Little Bay beaches. Further south, several homes were evacuated in Botany Bay about midnight as waves surged across the coast, according to New South Wales State Emergency Service spokesperson Andrew Edmunds. At Cronulla Beach, lifeguard Steve Winner said the shore, along with parts of the pavement behind it and electrical infrastructure, had been damaged by 4-meter (13-foot) waves. Authorities warned on Thursday of further hazardous surf with the potential to cause coastal erosion and damage from the Illawarra region south of Sydney to the Hunter region north of Sydney. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Carlo Acutis, set to become the Catholic Churchs first millennial saint, is already drawing crowds of pilgrims to Assisi, Italy. His remains, dressed casually in sneakers, jeans, and a sweatshirt, lie in a shrine, a testament to the uncommon devotion he inspires. A canonisation Mass had previously been scheduled for 27 April in St Peters Square to formally recognise his sainthood. However, following the death of Pope Francis on 21 April, plans to canonise Acutis have been postponed. The Catholic Church is now preparing for the late pontiffs funeral on Saturday and subsequent conclave to choose his successor, which is not due to commence until at least 5 May after nine days of mourning. The Holy See said in a statment: Following the death of the Supreme Pontiff Francis, it is announced that the Eucharistic Celebration and the Rite of canonisation of Blessed Carlo Acutis, scheduled to take place on 27 April 2025, Second Sunday of Easter or Divine Mercy Sunday, on the occasion of the Jubilee of Teenagers, is suspended. open image in gallery An image of Carlo Acutis is displayed during his beatification ceremony in 2020 ( AP ) But who was this teenager who has captured the hearts of so many? Born in London on May 3, 1991, to a wealthy Italian family, Carlo spent his formative years in Milan. His deep connection to his faith began early, after receiving his First Communion at seven years old. From then on, daily Mass, praying the rosary, and eucharistic adoration became integral parts of his life. While he enjoyed typical teenage pursuits like hiking, video games, and spending time with friends, Carlo also dedicated himself to serving others. open image in gallery Cardinal Agostino Vallini (L) holds a relic of 15-year-old Carlo ( AP ) He taught catechism at his local parish and actively worked with the homeless, demonstrating a profound commitment to his faith and community. He used his computer savvy to create an online exhibit about more than 100 eucharistic miracles recognised by the church over many centuries, focused on the real presence of Christ that Catholics believe is in the consecrated bread and wine. In October 2006, at age 15, he fell ill. Ten days later, he died of acute leukaemia at a hospital in northern Italy. His body was later transferred to an Assisi cemetery as Acutis had asked, because of his devotion to the hometown medieval saint, St. Francis. open image in gallery Statuettes of Carlo on sale in Assisi ( AP ) Why is Carlo Acutis about to become a saint? His road to sainthood the canonisation process started more than 10 years ago at the initiative of a group of priests and friends, and formally took off shortly after Pope Francis began his papacy in 2013. Carlo was named venerable in 2018 after the church recognised his virtuous life, and his body was taken to a shrine in Assisis Santuario della Spogliazione, a major site linked to St. Francis' life. He was then declared blessed in 2020 after the Vatican dicastery that studies sainthood processes recognized a miraculous healing through Carlos intercession a child in Brazil who recovered in a scientifically inexplainable manner. In 2024, the church paved his way to sainthood by attributing to him a second miracle: the complete healing of a Costa Rican student in Italy from major head trauma in a bicycle accident after her mother prayed at Carlos tomb. open image in gallery Amelia Simone, an 18 year-old student from Chicago, poses with a picture of Carlo ( AP ) How popular is Carlo, the first millennial saint? The Rev. Domenico Sorrentino, Assisi's bishop, said that over the last year, a million pilgrims made their way to Carlos shrine in this medieval hilltop town in central Italy. Images of Carlo, usually portraying him with a backpack and smiling broadly, are in shops all over town, from pocket-sized cards to statuettes. A religious souvenir shop near the Vatican recently displayed in its window a near-life-sized statue of the teenager next to one of Mother Teresa of Kolkata. To many pilgrims, the draw is his relatability as a teen of this time. Its amazing this saint, a young person we can propose him to our people to imitate because everybody can be a saint, said Rev. Jacinto Bento, a Portuguese priest who was leading a group of 30 jubilee pilgrims from the Azores islands to Assisi earlier this month. The same day, Tomaso Barbon of Treviso, in northern Italy, was visiting the shrine with his wife and three children, two of them teens. He appears like one of our kids, Mr Barbon said of Carlo. A special prayer to him is really welcome. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A French judge who blocked far-right leader Marine Le Pen from running in the 2027 presidential election is under police protection after facing death threats and having her home address published online. Benedicte de Perthuis, head of the three-judge panel that found Le Pen guilty of embezzling EU funds, issued a five-year ban on the politician seeking public office on Monday. Following the ruling, de Perthuiss home address was shared online, prompting police protection at her home and workplace. The judge also received threats on social media, with her photo appearing on X and far-right websites. A Paris police investigation into the threats is underway. The threats against de Perthuis and other judicial officials involved in Le Pen's trial have prompted soul-searching in France about a current of populist discontent that is undermining faith in the country's justice system. Nearly 90% of Le Pen's National Rally (RN) supporters believe the court treated her more harshly than other politicians, while over half of French people believe she got a fair trial, according to an Odoxa opinion poll published on Monday. open image in gallery Le Pen has denied stoking a backlash against the judiciary ( AP ) Before Monday's ruling Le Pen was the front-runner for the 2027 vote. She and her allies at home and abroad have accused the French establishment of sabotaging her presidential ambitions, saying judges have caused a crisis for democracy by meddling in politics. Le Pen has denied stoking a backlash against the judiciary, and has condemned the threats against de Perthuis. She has pledged to use legal means to overturn her sentence, by appealing against the ruling. Christophe Soulard, the head of the Court of Cassation, France's highest judicial court, said in an interview with Le Monde published on Wednesday that the threats showed France's democracy has been weakened and was facing a "worrying moment." "Attacking the judicial system is not only an attack on judges, but also on the foundations of our democracy," he said. "Judges today are being attacked personally, particularly on social media, which is a new phenomenon." The Le Pen ruling and the threats against de Perthuis have echoed frictions seen in other countries over how judges adjudicate thorny political questions. After President Donald Trump called for a judge to be impeached, U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts issued a rare public statement last month saying appeals, not impeachment, were the correct response to disagreement with judicial rulings. Political support for de Perthuis and her colleagues has poured in, including from Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin, who condemned the threats, and the High Council for the Judiciary. Mathilde Panot, who heads a hard-left party in the National Assembly called it unacceptable that a judge should need police protection and blamed what she called the "methods of the far-right". On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Pope Francis spends part of his days working at a desk and concelebrates Mass daily in his private chapel as he continues to recover from his recent bout with double pneumonia. The Vatican issued an update on Tuesday signalling continued improvement following the Pope's discharge after a five-week hospital stay for the life-threatening illness. The pope is continuing physical and respiratory therapy, with the expected results, which means his voice is also improving," the Vatican said. There is obviously also time for work, which the pope does partly sitting at a desk. That included clearing the path to canonisation for the first saints to hail from Venezuela and Papua New Guinea, as well as an archbishop killed during the massacres of Armenians in 1915. The decrees were approved last Friday in coordination with the curia, or Vatican hierarchy, from Santa Marta, the Vatican hotel where the pope's apartment is located. open image in gallery Pope Francis appears at a window of the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Announced on Monday, they relate to the canonisation of Peter To Rot, a layman from Papua New Guinea who was declared a martyr for the faith after he died in prison in World War II, Venezuelan religious founder Mother Maria del Monte Carmelo and Archbishop Ignatius Choukrallah Maloyan, who was executed during the mass killings of Armenians in 1915 along with 13 priests when they refused to renounce their faith. Maloyan was among an estimated 1.5 million people killed in the events, which are widely viewed by scholars at the first genocide of the 20th century. Turkey denies the deaths constituted genocide, saying the toll has been inflated and that those killed were victims of civil war and unrest. The Vatican said that the 88-year-old pope remains in a good mood, and he continues to receive greetings of affection from the faithful. An X-ray this week shows a slight improvement in a lingering lung infection, the Vatican said. open image in gallery Postcards of Pope Francis are sold outside St. Peter's Square ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) Doctors have said that the pope has recovered from the pneumonia, but that a fungal infection in his airways would take months to clear under pharmaceutical treatment. Francis hasn't had any official visitors since returning on March 23 to the Vatican, although the doctor who coordinated his hospital treatment at Romes Gemelli hospital, Dr. Sergio Alfieri, visited him last Wednesday and intends to make weekly visits to monitor his recovery. Doctors have ordered two months of rest to fully recover from the illness that nearly killed him, and to avoid large gatherings. The Vatican hasn't yet said whether the pope would be able to participate in any celebration during Holy Week leading up to Easter on April 20. Alfieri said that the pope was near death during an acute respiratory crisis eight days after his February 14 hospitalisation, and that both the pope and his primary medical caregiver consented to decisive measures despite the risks that it posed to his organs. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Spanish winemakers are grappling with bulging cellars of Rioja, exacerbated by the pandemic, while facing the prospect of crippling new tariffs on exports to the US. President Trump's proposed 200 per cent tariffs on European wine and champagne imports, dubbed "liberation day" tariffs, threaten to exacerbate the existing challenges facing the industry. This looming threat coincides with a global downturn in wine consumption, further complicating the outlook for Rioja producers. "There's wine accumulated since Covid-19, there's quite a bit piled up, and in the end, that's a burden on the price ... It's bad for the farmer," explains winegrower Enrique Lopez de Alda. While Rioja sales saw a modest 0.6 per cent increase in 2024 compared to the previous year, the existing surplus stock and potential loss of the crucial US market paint a concerning picture for the future of the prized Spanish wine. open image in gallery Boxes of wine are stored at the Petrolanda winery ( REUTERS ) Given that worldwide consumption of wine has fallen, that was a "rather significant" performance, said Amanda De La Santisima Trinidad, spokesperson for the Rioja regulator council. The U.S. is the second largest export market for Rioja wines after Britain, with sales there representing 4 per cent of overall production. "The U.S. is also a wine producer, but it can't supply its entire market," said Jorge Rodriguez, co-owner of Petralanda winery and bodega. Tariffs are "not good for them, nor for us, of course. But globally, in the end, everyone depends on everyone." European wine makers have already been caught in the crosshairs of prior transatlantic trade tensions: Washington and Brussels hiked tariffs on each other's agro-food exports in October 2019, during Trump's first term. Rioja wines managed to keep their market share in the U.S. - although some operators saw thinner margins, De La Santisima Trinidad said. The 25 per cent tariffs were lifted in 2021 by the new Biden administration. Spain is the world's third-largest wine producer after Italy and France, but it leads in terms of exports and the total surface area covered by lush vineyards. The northern region of La Rioja, with its diversity of terroir, microclimates and grape varieties, accounts for just 0.7 per cent of Spain's population but makes 21 per cent of its wine, including some lesser-known whites. The area's nearly 600 wineries produce 362 million bottles annually, with some vintages valued at as much as 5,000 (4,100) per bottle. The industry is worth around 1.5 billion a year, accounting for 20 per cent of the region's economy. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Donald Trump must not be misled by Vladimir Putins stalling tactics to delay peace in Ukraine, outgoing German minister Annalena Baerbock said during a visit to Kyiv. The US president showed the first signs of frustration with his Russian counterpart over the weekend, telling NBC News he was p***** off and very angry with Putin over the failure to reach an agreement with a ceasefire - before threatening to unleash oil tariffs on Moscow. Paying a final visit to Kyiv as Germanys foreign minister - before a new government takes office with CDU leader Friedrich Merz at the helm - Ms Baerbock said she would raise the issue with US secretary of state Marco Rubio during a meeting of Nato foreign ministers this week. "At the upcoming meeting of NATO foreign ministers, we will make it clear to the American side that we should not engage with Putin's stalling tactics," the 44-year-old Greens leader said in a statement released after her arrival in the Ukrainian capital. open image in gallery The outgoing foreign minister is on a farewell visit in Kyiv ( AFP via Getty Images ) Putin is "feigning readiness to negotiate but is not moving one millimetre from his position", she added. Ms Baerbock said it was all the more crucial to back Kyiv unconditionally now that talks between Russia and the US had reached a deadlock. Moscow has repeatedly said that ceasefire proposals cannot be accepted in their current form, calling for Russian demands to be heard before a complete halt to fighting can go ahead. In quotes published by Russian magazine International Affairs on Tuesday, deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov said that Moscow cant accept Washingtons proposal to end the war in its current form. He added: "As far as we can see, there is no place in them today for our main demand, namely to solve the problems related to the root causes of this conflict. It is completely absent, and that must be overcome. open image in gallery Vladimir Putin met with Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi on Tuesday ( POOL/AFP via Getty Images ) Meanwhile, Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha - who welcomed Ms Baerbock to Kyiv on Tuesday - told reporters that Ukraine would continue working with Washington towards a mutually acceptable minerals deal. A round of consultations has already taken place on a new draft of the minerals deal, Mr Sybiha said, coming one month after the deal temporarily collapsed after Volodymyr Zelensky was booted out of the White House on a visit which intended to finalise a framework agreement. Mr Sybihas statement came after Mr Trump said on Sunday that Mr Zelensky wants to back out of the deal - warning the Ukrainian leader that he would face big problems if he did. Washington sent a revised proposal after the February meeting, which would require Kyiv to send Washington all profit from a fund controlling Ukrainian resources until Ukraine had repaid all American wartime aid, plus interest, according to a summary reviewed by Reuters. open image in gallery Ms Baerbock, left, has been a staunch ally of Ukraine since becoming foreign minister in 2021 ( REUTERS ) On Friday, Mr Zelensky said Kyiv would not accept any mineral rights deal which threatened its integration with the EU, but did not pass judgement on the revised deal. Ms Baerbock said on Tuesday that any minerals agreement must be compatible with European law, adding that Europe had already reached a deal with Ukraine. "After all, this is our European continent... we are of course also in dialogue with all stakeholders accordingly," she said. In Moscow, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi met with Putin and Russian minister Sergei Lavrov to discuss a strategic partnership between Beijing and Russia. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Donald Trump is peeved. His officials are starting to spin that his plans for almost instant peace in Ukraine may take a lot longer, while Vladimir Putins business envoy heads for the White House, supposedly to make amends. Yet what it truly reveals is that the 47th president continues to be played by the Kremlin. Trump has unleashed a trade war, expressed colonial designs on two Nato members, scrambled Ukraines defensive war plans, shown public contempt for Europe and set about the pillars of American democracy with a sledgehammer. Trump has shown a remarkable ability to interpret Moscows deepest desires and to deliver on them. That the US president is now saying he is pissed off with Putin and is considering considering increasing tariffs and sanctions on Russia, is play acting. The US-Russia trade account is worth about $3.5bn (2.8bn). Thats nothing. The US doesnt do enough trade with Russia to make sanctions or tariffs mean anything. A meaningful threat, one that he has used and applied to Ukraine, would have been in the military realm. open image in gallery Firefighters at a civilian enterprise following a drone attack in Kharkiv ( AFP via Getty ) To force Kyiv into agreeing to a ceasefire, Trump cut military aid and then refused to share its intelligence with Ukraine at a time when the Russians were, surprise, surprise, launching a massive offensive to retake the Kursk region from Kyivs troops. The 30-day ceasefire on the Black Sea and a cessation in attacks against energy facilities is desperately needed by Moscow, not Kyiv. Ukraine now rules the Black Sea, and its targeting of Russian energy systems is bringing the war back to Russia. Cutting military aid and intelligence sharing meant that European nations, including the UK, have rushed to Ukraines aid and are frantically planning for a new world without the US security umbrella that has kept them safe for 80 years and been mostly funded by the US taxpayer. Americas global power and reach are waning by the day as a consequence of Trumps assaults on the West and his slavish behaviour towards Moscow. And yet the White House sees no need to reverse this. Rather, in a series of meetings and calls over the weekend, officials inside the White House and the state department acknowledged that Putin is actively resisting Washingtons attempts to strike a lasting peace accord and discussed what, if any, economic or diplomatic punishments could push Russia closer to a deal, Reuters reported. Only a team that saw no problem with exploiting Russias invasion and mass murder in Ukraine to try to force a minerals deal by handing control of most of Ukraines resources forever (plus backpay on previous funding for its war plus interest) could have been blind to Russias agenda. Russia wants all of Ukraines resources too. The US has indicated, not that it is theirs to gift, that the 20 per cent of Ukraine that Russia has already stolen is Moscows for the keeping. open image in gallery The US government has acknowledged that Vladimir Putin is actively resisting peace ( AP ) Russia has been keen to encourage the Trump regime to end the US isolation of Moscow and get back into business with the oligarchs and crooks who run the multinational Russian federation, or empire. To further this idea, Kirill Dmitriev, the chief of Russias sovereign wealth fund and Putins special investment and international economic adviser, is heading to talks in the US with Steve Witkoff, Trumps Middle East and Russia envoy. Witkoff was using an unsecured personal mobile phone when he was part of the infamous Signal group on which secret military operational plans were being discussed by Trumps top intelligence officials, including the heads of the CIA and the director of national intelligence. Dmitriev, who has a Harvard MBA and is an old friend of Trumps inner circle, will play Witkoff like a violin and his tunes will be all Russian. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Ukraines minerals have become central to global geopolitics, with the US president, Donald Trump, seeking a deal with Ukraines president Volodymyr Zelensky to access them. On April 30, Ukraines prime minister Denys Shmyhal said a minerals deal could be signed within the next 24 hours after the final details were worked out. Earlier in the month, Ukrainian economy minister, Yulia Svyrydenko, took to X and shared photos of her and US treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, signing the outline of the preliminary minerals deal separately. What are these minerals exactly and why are they so sought after? Ukraine is often recognised for its vast agricultural lands and industrial heritage, but beneath its surface lies one of the worlds most remarkable geological formations, the Ukrainian Shield. This massive, exposed crystalline rock formed over 2.5 billion years ago, stretches across much of Ukraine. It represents one of Earths oldest and most stable continental blocks. The formation has undergone multiple episodes of mountain building, the formation and movement of magma and other change throughout time. These geological processes created favourable geological conditions for forming several mineral deposits including lithium, graphite, manganese, titanium and rare earth elements. All these are now critical for modern industries and the global green energy transition. Ukraine has deposits containing 22 of 34 critical minerals identified by the European Union as essential for energy security. This positions Ukraine among the worlds most resource-rich nations. International race As the world races to decarbonise, demand for critical minerals is skyrocketing. Electric vehicles, wind turbines, solar panels and energy storage systems all require lithium, cobalt and rare earth elements which Ukraine has in abundance. The price of lithium has surged from US$1,500 (1,164) per ton in the 1990s to around $20,000 per ton in recent years. Demand is expected to increase nearly 40-fold by 2040. open image in gallery Lithium is used in electronics the world over ( Getty Images ) According to the International Energy Agency, the number of electric vehicles is projected to exceed 125 million by 2030. Similar growth is expected for other battery metals. Each electric vehicle requires significantly more lithium than conventional electronics. For example, a Tesla Model S battery requires approximately 63kg of high-purity lithium. Ukraine has three major lithium deposits. These include Shevchenkivske in the Donetsk region as well as Polokhivske and Stankuvatske in the centrally located Kirovograd region all within the Ukrainian Shield. Despite the significant mineral potential, many of Ukraines mineral deposits have remained largely unexplored due to the war with Russia, which has disrupted mining operations and damaged infrastructure. The Shevchenkivske lithium deposit contains high concentrations of spodumene the primary lithium-bearing mineral used in battery production. Its reserve is estimated as 13.8 million tonnes of lithium ores. That said, extracting it requires an estimated US$1020 million in exploration investment before mining can begin. Meanwhile, the Polokhivske deposit at is approximately 270 thousand tonnes of lithium is considered one of the best lithium sites in Europe. Thats because of its favourable geological conditions, making extraction more economically viable. But lithium represents just one element of Ukraines mineral resources. According to the US geological survey, Ukraine ranks globally as the third-largest producer of the mineral rutile making up 15.7 per cent of worlds total output. It is the sixth-largest producer of iron ore (3.2 per cent of total output) and titanium (5.8 per cent), as well as the seventh-largest producer of manganese ore (3.1 per cent). open image in gallery Wind turbines at a solar energy plant in Germany ( AP ) Ukraine also has Europes largest uranium reserves, crucial for nuclear power and weapons. It boasts significant deposits of rare earth elements, including neodymium and dysprosium, which are needed for manufacturing everything from smartphones to wind turbines and electric motors. In addition, Ukraine is home to the worlds largest proven reserves of manganese ores. Theres approximately 2.4 billion tonnes of it concentrated primarily in the Nikopol Basin on the southern slope of the Ukrainian Shield. The strategic significance of Ukraines minerals has gained recognition in international diplomacy. Recent bilateral negotiations between Ukraine and the US highlight the geopolitical importance of these resources. A proposed minerals deal would involve Ukraine contributing 50 per cent of future proceeds from state-owned mineral resources, oil and gas and other extractable materials to a reconstruction investment fund for Ukraines post-war rebuilding. The fund would be jointly managed by Kyiv and Washington. What about the USs own minerals? The USs interest in Ukrainian minerals reflects a broader geopolitical concern over increasing demand, volatile price movements and supply chain vulnerabilities. While the US has many of the same critical minerals as Ukraine, it has historically outsourced mining and refining due to environmental regulations, high labour costs and more attractive foreign markets. This has led to a reliance on imports, particularly from China, which dominates critical mineral production and processing. Getting access to Ukraines minerals in exchange for military protection means the US can avoid having to buy these minerals from China. open image in gallery A man holds a lithium stone found in a mine ( AP ) The US federal strategy in fact states it will prioritise diversification through mineral security partnerships aiming to establish a more stable and resilient supply chain. The USs critical minerals are distributed across various geological provinces including the Appalachian Mountains, the Cordilleran Belt and the Precambrian Shield exposed in parts of the midwest. While the US has developed substantial lithium resources, particularly in Nevadas Clayton Valley and North Carolinas Kings Mountain, much of its current lithium production comes from brine operations. This is the extraction from salt solutions, such as seawater or saline lakes, which can be more expensive than hard-rock mining. The global shift toward green energy and electric transportation is accelerating, and minerals are at the heart of this transition. Around 80 per cent of the lithium produced globally is used for battery production. Major automakers are investing billions in electric vehicle production, driving unprecedented demand for the minerals that power this technology. Ukraines mineral wealth positions it as a potential leader in the clean energy revolution. Once stability returns, Ukraine will have a golden opportunity to reshape the global supply chain for critical minerals. Even with a 50 per cent allocation to the US, Ukraine would still be able to fund domestic infrastructure, industry growth, jobs and economic recovery. Munira Raji is a Research Fellow of Geology at the University of Plymouth This article was originally published by The Conversation and is republished under a Creative Commons licence. Read the original article On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Ukrainian women are taking jobs once reserved for men, who are being drafted to the front lines in the war with Russia - from driving tractors to working in coal mines. Kateryna Koliadiuk - a 19-year-old Ukrainian agronomy student - spotted an ad seeking women to enrol in a tractor driving course and decided to try. But the industrial vehicle was huge and complex, and she wasnt sure she could operate it. In the beginning I was so scared. In the beginning I couldnt do this, she said. She now drives with authority, her manicured fingers resting at the wheel. We were told that women should be in the kitchen, at home with children. That is why to go and study such equipment was so scary, she said. But then we took care of ourselves. Its part of a crucial government effort to grow an economy devastated by three years of war and address labour shortages created by the mobilisation, according to the economy ministry, which leads training programs in construction, agriculture and transport geared toward women. open image in gallery Women work in a tunnel of a coal mine in Dnipropetrovsk region, Ukraine ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Ukrainian women are under a lot of pressure because their men are on the front line," Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said. When the man is mobilised, the woman is mobilised with him as well." Businesses want to hire again after the initial economic shock of Russias full-scale invasion, but the labour force has shrunk. About five million Ukrainians left the country and are abroad, the minister said, and another million are serving in the armed forces. That's a lot considering about nine million Ukrainians are currently employed, she added. Svyrydenko is Ukraines first female economy minister and a symbol of the rise of women in the labour force because of the war. Before, women were mostly employed in education and health care, social protection and government service, she said. Now there's demand in the industrial and military areas. It is the mindset of both women and employers that is changing, she said. Employers are ready to take women on the job more often, and women are ready to diversify their skills. open image in gallery Oksana Polischuk, 51, descendes by lift into a coal mine ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) In coal mines in Ukraines eastern industrial heartland, women are now hired to operate machinery to keep production going. There and elsewhere, men still dominate jobs that require heavy physical labour. Former accountant Iryna Ostanko, 37, was looking for a new job and decided to become an elevator operator at a mine in the Dnipropetrovsk region. She was inspired by her husband, who has worked at the mine for 15 years. He supported her decision. Before, in this place underground, there were no women at all," she said. Women appeared here after the start of the full-scale invasion when a lot of men left to defend our country. Ostanko had never descended to the mine's depths of 260 meters (yards). Her training involved one month of theory and another of hands-on training. War is making changes, always making changes, said Viktor Kuznetsov, the mine's head engineer. He said the lack of qualified personnel is the main challenge, as many male workers left to join the fight. He has hired over 100 women since Russia's full-scale invasion, a drastic change. Without them, the mine could not function, he said. open image in gallery A woman operates an excavator during construction work in Nemishaieve, Kyiv region ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) In Kyiv region, Yulia Skitchko watched new female trainees operate excavators, her high-heeled black leather boots caked in mud. She is the head of Alef Stroy, a construction machinery rental service. For years, she had dreamed of hiring more women. The war gave her that chance, and U.S. funding gave her the ability to train female hires. They have trained 45 women so far. We were told that we are crazy people, this is not possible. Women? Excavator? They will never do this, she said. These days, our first women who graduated from this course already have jobs and started working on building construction sites. Modern building equipment is easier to operate, she said, and the idea that women can't do it is a gender stereotype. This war has changed our women mentally, and they want to contribute to Ukraines rebuilding," Skitchko said. "We need to give them an opportunity to learn. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Israel is expanding its offensive in Gaza to seize large areas of the Strip, the countrys defence minister has said, as he called on Palestinians living in the territory to expel Hamas and return all hostages. Israel Katz said the major expansion of the military operation was to crush and clean the area of terrorists and terrorist infrastructure and seize lands that will be added to what he called the security zones of the State of Israel". This is the only way to end the war, Mr Katz added, without clarifying how much territory Israel planned to seize. Israels security perimeter runs along the border with Israel in northern and eastern Gaza. Palestinian groups still hold 59 Israelis taken hostage on 7 October 2023, of whom 24 are still believed to be alive, after the majority of the hostages were released in a ceasefire agreement with the Israeli government. open image in gallery Behind a tent camp for displaced Palestinians, smoke rises from a building after it was targeted by an Israeli army strike in Gaza City ( Copyright 2025, The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) The announcement comes just days after Israel issued sweeping evacuation orders covering most of the southern Gaza city of Rafah. The military ordered Palestinians to head to Muwasi, a sprawl of tent camps along the coast. Last month, Israel's military announced its 36th Division had been sent to the Southern Command to prepare for operations in Gaza. That division reportedly entered southern Gaza early this morning. Israel on 18 March resumed intense bombing of Gaza and launched a new ground offensive as a nearly two-month-long ceasefire with Hamas collapsed. At least 21 people were killed overnight in Israel's pre-dawn attacks on homes in Gaza's Khan Yunis and Nuseirat refugee camp. open image in gallery Displaced Palestinians arrive in Khan Younis, Gaza, on 23 March 2025 ( Copyright 2025, The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Israel's 18-month war on Gaza has already turned enclaves, hospitals and schools into rubble. Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's offensive on Gaza has killed more than 50,000 Palestinians, including hundreds killed in strikes since the ceasefire ended in March, according to the Hamas-run Strip's health ministry. The war began when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on 7 October 2023, killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking about 251 hostages. The Hostage Families Forum, which represents the families of most hostages, said that it was "horrified" by the defence minister's announcement about expanding military operations in Gaza. open image in gallery Palestinians inspect the site of an Israeli strike on a house, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip ( REUTERS ) The group said the Israeli government "has an obligation to free all 59 hostages from Hamas captivity" and to "pursue every possible channel to advance a deal for their release". It stressed that every "passing day puts their loved ones' lives at greater risk". "Their lives hang in the balance as more and more disturbing details continue to emerge about the horrific conditions they're being held in chained, abused, and in desperate need of medical attention," said the forum, which called on the Donald Trump administration in US and other mediators to continue pressuring Hamas to release the hostages. "Our highest priority must be an immediate deal to bring ALL hostages back home the living for rehabilitation and those killed for proper burial and end this war," the group said. The UK-based charity Plan International condemned Israel's expansion of its offensive in Gaza, calling it ruthless acts of aggression against a starving and traumatised population. "The people of Gaza have no shelter, no means of protecting themselves, and Israels illegal blockade has left medics without the supplies they need to treat the wounded. This isnt war. This is an atrocity," said Kathleen Spencer Chapman, the director of influencing and external affairs at Plan International. "World leaders must put a stop to this horror. The ceasefire must be reinstated and aid allowed back into and throughout Gaza." Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Get Simon Calders Travel email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The vast majority of overseas visitors to the United Kingdom must now obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) in advance. The Home Office says it is creating a more streamlined, digital immigration system which will be quicker and more secure for the millions of people who pass through the UK border each year". The government says: Everyone wishing to travel to the UK except British and Irish citizens will need permission to travel in advance of coming here. This can be either through an Electronic Travel Authorisation or an eVisa. Most leisure and business travellers to the UK do not need a visa. But starting from 2 April 2025, almost all these overseas visitors, are now required to have an ETA. (Non-Europeans already needed the permit, but a large majority of visitors to the UK are from the EU.) The exceptions are Irish citizens, and people who have permission to live, work or study in the UK (including settled or pre-settled status or right of abode). Ministers say rolling out the scheme worldwide will prevent abuse of our immigration system. But under pressure from London Heathrow airport, they have dropped the bizarre requirement for passengers merely in airside transit for a couple of hours to obtain an ETA. These are the key questions and answers. What is the ETA? The United Kingdom, in common with many other countries, is demanding more information in advance from prospective visitors before they board planes, ships or trains to Britain or drive across the border from Ireland to Northern Ireland. The starting point of the journey to the UK is not relevant it is the travellers nationality that counts. At present a relatively small number of arrivals do not qualify for visa-free status. They must go through the complex and expensive business of applying for an eVisa. Until the Electronic Travel Authorisation was launched, everyone else just turned up. But now they almost every foreign visitor must obtain the ETA, with the exception of Irish citizens. As with the US Esta scheme, and similar systems used by Canada and Australia, applications must be made online in one of two ways: Via the app: search for UK eta on the Apple app store or Google Play. Through the official website. Applicants must supply a photograph and answer a set of questions on suitability and criminality. The government says: This will ensure we have information on those seeking to come to the UK helping to prevent dangerous individuals, such as criminals, entering the UK. The ETA is linked to the travellers passport. The cost is 16 payable by Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, Apple Pay or Google Pay. The permit is valid for repeated stays of up to six months at a time within two years or until the passport expires, whichever is sooner. How long does an ETA take to issue? The Home Office says: You will usually get a decision within three working days. Most people get a much quicker decision. Occasionally, it may take longer than three working days. In practice, as with Australian and Canadian permits, most decisions will be made and the permit issued within minutes. Helpfully, you need not have been issued with the pass as you start a journey to the UK. The Home Office says: You must apply for an ETA before you travel to the UK. You can travel to the UK while waiting for a decision. This loophole could be extremely helpful to passengers who do not realise they need an ETA when they turn up at an airport, seaport or international rail terminal to travel to the UK. They can make an application on the spot and meet the condition for continuing their journey. What if the answer is no? That all depends why the answer is no. If a persons ETA application is rejected because of an error they made, they will be told the reason and can apply again. If a persons ETA application is refused because they are regarded as unsuitable, they cannot appeal. The Home Office says: You may want to apply for a standard visitor visa instead if you have a criminal record or you were previously refused entry into the UK. Who checks the traveller has the ETA? For the majority of travellers, airlines and ferry companies are expected to verify the ETA status before the passenger boards a flight or ship to the UK. They are penalised if they fail to check. The government says: Where an inadequately documented arrival (IDA) is brought to the UK, the carrier may be liable for a fine of up to 2,000. Ferries from France to Dover, Eurostar trains to London, and Eurotunnel shuttles to Folkestone have juxtaposed controls and UK Border Force staff will check the permit while the traveller is in Continental Europe. The glaring gap in the UK Border is Northern Ireland. A tourist to the Republic of Ireland who inadvertently or deliberately strays into Northern Ireland is legally obliged to have an ETA, but there is no indication how their status will be checked. Does the ETA guarantee entry to the UK? No. The Home Office says: An ETA does not guarantee entry to the UK. You still need to either: see a Border Force officer. use an ePassport gate. All clear? UK eGate ( Simon Calder ) How does the cost compare with other countries? The 16 fee is mid-range, and the same as a US Esta. In ascending order of cost: Australia issues free eVisitor permits. Canadas eta costs C$7 (4) and is valid for up to five years. Europes much-delayed Etias scheme is set to cost 7 (6) for up to three years. The US Esta costs $21 (16) for up to two years New Zealands NZeTA is NZ$17 (8) for up to two years. But it requires a further payment of NZ$100 (44) as the International Visitor Levy, and is NZ$6 more if you apply on the website rather than the app. Commercial sites that pay search engines to appear ahead of the official site have already appeared. They include one called eta-uk.site, which appears to be based in Florida, and charges up to $99.99 (78) on top of the fee. Do transit passengers need an ETA? Not if they are remaining airside, ie not going through the UK Border and remaining in the transit area at London Heathrow or Manchester airport. But anyone going through passport control for example, landing at Gatwick and later flying out from Luton will need one. Whats different about Irish citizens? Besides being well behaved, polite and good looking, they are are allowed free movement to the UK under the long-standing Common Travel Agreement. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Get Simon Calders Travel email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The earth is at its most restless in Iceland right now. Since November 2023 the Icelandic authorities have been monitoring seismic activity on the Reykjanes Peninsula, southwest of Reykjavik. Two powerful earthquakes shook the capital on 3 April, with their epicentre in the Kleifarvatn area about 20 miles south of Reykjavik. In just 24 hours on 7 April, more than 550 earthquakes were recorded. Minney Sigurdardottir of Icelands Met Office, said: The average depth is between 4 to 6 km, and the activity is most likely triggered by earlier seismic and volcanic events. These are classic trigger quakes, caused by the release of stress in the crust. They are part of a pattern of tectonic movements across the Reykjanes Peninsula, which is where the main airport, Keflavik, is located. The latest serious volcanic eruption was on 1 April marking the 11th such event since 2021. The Icelandic Met Office says: The total length of the eruptive fissure is now about 1,200 metres and continues to extend southward. The Icelandic Meteorological Office received a report that a hot water pipeline has broken in the northern part of Grindavik. This confirms that significant fault movements have occurred within the town. Ongoing seismic activity is being recorded along the entire dyke intrusion, with the most intense activity at the northeastern end. The intrusion now extends over 3km further to the northeast than observed in previous eruptions. The Blue Lagoon thermal tourist attraction temporarily closed, but has now reopened. The Foreign Office warns: Recently there has been a series of volcanic eruptions on the Reykjanes peninsula in south-west Iceland, the latest on 20 November. These have affected the town of Grindavik and the area to the north of it. Keflavik International Airport and the road to it is unaffected and operating normally. The capital city, Reykjavik, and the rest of Iceland is not affected by these recent eruptions. It is likely there will be further eruptions in this location. The government of Iceland monitors any seismic and volcanic activity closely and infrastructure is robustly designed, but not all events can be anticipated and can pose risks to your travel plans including travel delays and cancellations due to rock falls and landslides, sudden flooding and poisonous volcanic gases near eruption sites. These are the key questions and answers on consumer rights. I am in Iceland. Will I be able to leave? Yes, assuming the international airport remains open. Isavia, which runs Keflavik, said: The airport is fully operational. Flights have not been impacted by recent eruptions and are on schedule. You may be keen to leave earlier than booked, in order to guarantee your getaway, but at present you will not be able to switch flights without paying a penalty. The FCDO advises travellers to check the following resources for updates: open image in gallery Earlier earthquakes struck just 10 miles south of Icelands main airport, Keflavik International, but the UK Foreign Office said travel can go ahead ( Vafri.is ) But didnt an Icelandic volcano shut down European aviation for a week? Yes. Travellers may remember where they were in April 2010, when the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajokull erupted. The skies of northern Europe completely closed to passenger aviation for almost a week. A quarter of a billion cubic metres of volcanic ash was ejected and was carried southeast towards the UK and continental Europe by the breeze. The fear was that volcanic ash could damage jet engines and potentially bring down aircraft. In the biggest shutdown of aviation since the Second World War, 50,000 flights were cancelled and 8 million passengers had their travel plans wrecked. More than 50,000 flights, with eight million passengers booked to travel, were cancelled. But ash has not been an issue in the current geological outburst. Thankfully, the circumstances are very different. Eyjafjallajokull erupted with a glacier on top. The addition of melting water meant that the lava cooled very quickly into tiny fragments. These were promptly propelled into the atmosphere to a height of 30,000 feet by the steam produced in the eruption. The current eruption is not having anything like the same effect. The lava will cool and remain on the ground. In addition, new guidelines established in the wake of the 2010 eruption allow aircraft to fly if volcanic ash is present in reasonably small quantities. Another Icelandic volcano erupted in 2011, and in that case only 1 per cent of flights in northern Europe were cancelled rather than 100 per cent on some days in that extraordinary time. open image in gallery Icelands Blue Lagoon has been closed as a precuation ( AP ) What if I am booked on a package holiday? Foreign Office advice stops well short of advising against travel to Iceland, meaning holiday companies can continue to operate as normal with no automatic right to cancel. open image in gallery Iceland is a country peppered with volcanic sites ( Icelandic Met Office ) Until and unless the Foreign Office warns against travel, the assumption is that everything will go ahead as normal. The one exception is for holidaymakers who had planned to stay at the Blue Lagoon, an increasingly popular wellness destination, with an upmarket hotel on the site. It has closed intermittently since the present series of eruptions began. Only those booked for a stay which cannot now take place have the chance to cancel; if you were hoping to pop in as a day visitor for a steamy stop in the volcanic rock pools, you will need to return at some time in the future. Can I claim on insurance? No, unless it is one of the vanishingly rare cancel for any reason policies. On standard travel insurance, disinclination to travel is not an acceptable reason for a claim. Would you go to Iceland at the moment? Yes, I would relish the opportunity. The Icelandic authorities are expert at handling seismic events, with extremely good monitoring and emergency systems in place. I would book a package holiday, though, knowing that if the earth gets too restless for comfort in the vicinity, I would be able to cancel for a full refund. It could also be that the new eruption becomes an attraction in its own right, as some have done. Cory Booker has revealed how he was able to not use the bathroom during his record-breaking 25-hour filibuster. The New Jersey Democratic senator gave the longest Senate speech in history from Monday (31 March) to Tuesday (1 April), surpassing former South Carolina Sen. Strom Thurmonds previous record of 24 hours and 18 minutes. Afterwards, a reporter asked Booker, Were you wearing anything that allowed you to not have to go to the bathroom for 25 hours? The senator replied, I dont want my doctor to get mad at me, but I really spent time dehydrating myself beforehand so I did not have to go to the bathroom. Booker added that he stopped eating on Friday and stopped drinking Sunday night to prepare for his filibuster. Its widespread. Every age cohort, every walk of life. Fraud doesnt see the customer, it sees the account, CEO of Bank of Ireland Retail on a scourge of the digital era Quinlan Group faces winding-up petition filed by former executive Action brought by general manager awarded 100,000 by tribunal in 2023 Derek Quinlan John Mulligan Tue 1 Apr 2025 at 03:30 A UK executive who in 2023 was awarded more than 100,000 (120,000) by an employment tribunal against a firm controlled by Derek Quinlans wife, Siobhan, has petitioned the High Court in England to have the company, Quinlan Group, wound up. Revenue up at Ward & Burke, but trade war fears grow Engineering group says the dispute between US, EU and Canada on back of Donald Trumps tariffs poses a challenge Ward & Burke has worked on water infrastructure projects, including the Blanchardstown Regional Drainage Scheme John Mulligan Tue 1 Apr 2025 at 03:30 Galway-based engineering group Ward & Burke has warned that the burgeoning global trade war sparked by Donald Trump will potentially impact the group, just as it has seen a strong performance from its US business. French hotel group Accor warned that forward bookings from Europe to the US this summer are down 25pc, as travellers that feel put off by US president Donald Trumps border clampdown divert to other locations. President Donald Trump has included potash among the minerals that need an immediately ramp up in US production. That's unlikely to significantly break America's reliance on fertiliser imports. The US gets roughly 90% of its potash used in the production of corn and soybeans, the nation's two biggest crops from other countries. Most of that comes from neighbouring Canada, the top producer. US potash production accounts for less than 1% of the country's total demand, according to Corey Rosenbusch, chief executive officer of the Fertiliser Institute. "Increased production helps, but we still would be very reliant on Canadian potash," Rosenbusch said in an interview Friday. Farmers and fertiliser companies are bracing for possible new US tariffs this week, just as planting season gets under way. The potential for 10% to 25% duties on potash and other Canadian fertilisers coming into the US poses the risk of higher costs for growers that in turn are passed along to consumers. Rosenbusch said he's hopeful that Canadian fertilizer might be spared new levies. The Fertiliser Institute, the US lobby for the industry, has been pushing for the federal government to add potash to its permanent list of critical minerals, which are considered essential to US national security and the economy. While noting there are no guarantees, "we would feel a lot better about our ability to make the case for specific exemptions if it were on the list," Rosenbusch said. Michigan Potash & Salt Co. is among companies seeking to ramp up domestic output of potash. The closely held firm has identified a huge potash deposit in Michigan with an estimated value of "up to $65 billion" that can be accessed, according to founder and CEO Theodore Pagano. The company aims to produce about 10% of the US's potash needs by 2028, and could ultimately reach as much as 40% with the one reserve, said Chief Operating Officer Aric Glasser. Bloomberg. Advanced paramedics can mean the difference between life and death. Picture posed/Getty Advanced Paramedics (APs) are highly trained pre-hospital emergency care specialists who can provide advanced life support (ALS) to patients in the grip of a critical health emergency such as a car accidents, heart attack or an infant seizure. What is an advanced paramedic? The role of an AP is principally to reduce deaths and life-changing injury. They can perform complex procedures like intubation, cannulation and complex resuscitation. They can also administer cardiac drugs, sedation and resuscitation medications, which are crucial for stabilising patients before they reach hospital and preventing brain damage. They also can inject medications that can stop someone bleeding to death. Advanced paramedic interventions are also vital in situations where a person has non-survivable injuries and their loved ones choose organ donation. What is the perceived problem with advanced paramedics at the moment? Several staff members within the National Ambulance Service have cautioned that there are not enough APs. The NAS management disbanded training APs in 2023. It is claimed often that no APs are available to treat the sickest of patients, and this has led to multiple tragedies. This problem has been exacerbated by recent senior management decisions, it has been claimed. What is the issue, according to NAS senior management? The director of the National Ambulance Service, Robert Morton, said the focus of the NAS has now moved to Community Paramedics in line with Slaintecare, and this will be positive both for urgent care and patients whose condition is not serious or lower acuity. The NAS said health services in Ireland continue to experience a considerable growth in the number of older patients, with more 999 patients needing care that is not best served by paramedics or advanced paramedics. A new focus is on training community paramedics who can, for example, change catheters and give IV antibiotics, thus keeping elderly people out of hospital, where their presence can be a considerable pull on resources. What is going on behind the scenes, according to the NAS senior management? The parties are engaging in a process at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) involving a range of matters, including how advanced paramedics are graded and deployed, which may also explain why there is so much unrest. What is going on with the manager response vehicles? There was a recent decision to request managers not to use these vehicles for commuting from home to work and back. An issue has been raised about benefit in kind taxation in relation to the use of these vehicles. Some clinically qualified NAS managers have voluntarily responded to emergency calls outside of their official working hours. However, the HSE points out that an internal audit currently under way has established that such responses outside of normal working hours accounted for just 0.36pc of total 999 calls over the past three years. The HSE has also said that to support those managers who do wish to make themselves available to respond in their local communities outside of their normal working hours, NAS introduced a manager off-duty responder scheme, which became effective on February 24. What is on the horizon? Since the Irish Independent began putting question to the NAS six weeks ago, its position on the training of APs has changed. While initially stating a course is slotted for September next year, it has in recent days said that the course will begin next January. However, last Friday an existing panel of AP candidates who won a place on the AP training course set to begin in 2023 were informed the panel had been dissolved. The result of the WRC process involving the APs and NAS management is still awaited, and it could yet lead to further acrimony. Put the plug back in the camera when leaving the pub Covid-breaches trial of ex-Dublin mayor Nial Ring and business partner told of note left in premises Cllr Ring and Liam McGrattan plead guilty to breaking law during lockdown after they were caught boozing in office above pub, but insist they never drank in the bar itself Pub owner Liam McGrattan (70) (L) and Dublin City Councillor Nial Ring (65) (R) Andrew Phelan Wed 2 Apr 2025 at 13:36 A former lord mayor of Dublin and his business partner have admitted that they breached Covid regulations by joining a group of men to drink in an office above a pub during lockdown. An Irish employee of a major US HR software firm has admitted passing trade secrets to a competitor in return for payments of 5,500 a month. In an affidavit filed with the High Court, Keith OBrien, who was global payroll compliance manager of Rippling, said he was induced into spying and passing sensitive company information to the CEO of rival US firm Deel Inc. Lawyers for businessman Paul Wright refused permission to withdraw from representing him Paul Wright has been accused in the US of using client money to fund luxury lifestyle Businessman Paul Wright John Mulligan Wed 2 Apr 2025 at 03:30 Lawyers representing Kildare-based businessman Paul Wright who has been accused in the US of fraud and using client funds to pay for a luxury lifestyle have been denied permission to immediately withdraw as legal representatives for him. Where Michelin-star chefs go to eat a curry: I think its some of the best food of any kind being served in Ireland right now Man acquitted of exposing himself in Jervis Centre previously convicted of groping worker Ianos Carolea was handed down a suspended prison sentence just days before another man alleged he had exposed himself in a bathroom Ionas Carolea. Photo: Collins Courts Clodagh Meaney Wed 2 Apr 2025 at 17:43 A man who was cleared of exposing himself in the bathrooms of Dublins Jervis Shopping Centre was previously convicted of groping a department store worker. A man has been jailed for two years for sending messages and sexually explicit photos to over 100 teenage girls on Snapchat. Mark Fitzgerald (39) of St. Marks Drive, Clondalkin, Dublin 22, pleaded guilty to five counts of using technology to facilitate the sexual exploitation of a child on dates in April 2022. Detective Garda Gemma Casserly told Kate Egan BL, prosecuting, that Fitzgerald handed himself into Ronanstown Garda Station in May 2022 and told them he had been contacting girls aged between 12 and 19 on Snapchat. A lone-ranger gunman has become one of the first people in Ireland to be convicted of firearms offences linked to three separate incidents years apart. Garda outside Leinster House after a number of people were arrested (Stephen Collins/Collins Photos) Gardai have rejected claims made by TDs that some women who protested outside the Dail about Gaza were strip-searched - and one subjected to a body cavity search after being forced to take off her underwear. Deputies were also told by one woman that her hijab had been taken off her, but gardai now insist that only a pin was confiscated from the headcovering, to guard against potential injury in custody. This is a standard procedure, and it is understood that cavity searches are carried out only by a doctor in a hospital, under Garda supervision. An Garda Siochana has a standing arrangement with Beaumont Hospital, for instance, in relation to so-called "swallowers and stuffers" who arrive at Dublin Airport as drugs mules. The force has denied any strip-search or cavity search took place, or that a woman had her hijab removed from her. "Preliminary inquiries conducted by local Garda management have found that any searches conducted were in line with the Treatment of Persons in Custody in Garda Siochana Stations Regulations (Criminal Justice Act, 1984)," a statement said. "An Garda Siochana refutes any allegation that a cavity search took place. The Mothers Against Genocide protest group have said they will file a complaint to the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission over the allegations. Richard Boyd Barrett TD claimed in the Dail on Tuesday that a Palestinian woman had had her "private areas" probed in custody. He quoted her as saying "they touched all my sensitive parts", after gardai dragged away people taking part in in a blockade at the gates of Leinster House. "It is absolutely disgusting these were peaceful women protesters," Mr Boyd Barrett said, backed by his People Before Profit colleague Paul Murphy. Mr Murphy said a Palestinian woman "was forced to effectively remove her underwear. Her private parts were touched and looked inside of, and she was subjected to a cavity search". An Garda Siochana has categorically denied that allegation. "In addition to that, her hijab was confiscated to check if it is allowed, before being returned to her, she says," he said. Sinn Fein TDs Rose Conway-Walsh and Ruairi O Murchu also raised what had allegedly happened on Monday when Mothers Against Genocide demonstrated over Gaza. However, it is understood preliminary enquiries conducted by local Garda management have found no evidence to support the claims. The available records, including camera footage, indicate that any searches were conducted in line with the Criminal Justice Act, 1984. The relevant procedure is covered by Garda station regulations on the treatment of persons in custody. Mobile phone footage from Kildare Street shows the protesters, mainly women, being forcibly removed by the gardai. Another pro-Palestine protest was held on Wednesday outside Leinster House days after 14 people were arrested at the earlier vigil. Mothers Against Genocide said they were "devastated" at the gardais treatment of protesters, who had held an overnight vigil at the gates of Leinster House to coincide with Mother's Day. Garda outside Leinster House after a number of people were arrested (Stephen Collins/Collins Photos) Pro-Palestine protest takes place outside Dail Protesters returned to the Dail on Wednesday to support a bill that would look to restrict weapons shipments travelling through Ireland to Israel. The road was briefly blocked as people held a Mothers Against Genocide banner and chanted slogans accusing the Taoiseach and Tanaiste of supporting genocide in Gaza. Clare O'Connor, from Mothers Against Genocide, one of the protest organisers, said she was "devastated" at the treatment of protesters at Leinster House on Monday but said it had "really mobilised people". "It hasn't put me off and I don't think it's put anyone else off today," she said. "People are so angry that people that came out to stand in solidarity with women and children being slaughtered in Gaza were treated in that way." She said the Mother's Day protest was about highlighting the mothers and children killed in Gaza and the Irish Government's "complicity", while Wednesday was focusing on the Arms Embargo Bill. "The Arms Embargo Bill is to stop weapons being transported through Irish airspace to Israel which is being used in the slaughter of innocent people, and we're out here protesting that." She said that free speech and the right to protest was being repressed in the US and Germany. "If ever there was a time, now is the time to get out on the streets and be heard. We'd just ask people to come out and support us, we're 18 months in, nobody thought we'd still be here. This is about Palestine but it's also about the whole world. "If international law doesn't count, what does it mean for the world? If it can happen in Palestine it can happen absolutely anywhere." The Arms Embargo Bill is to be debated in the Seanad on Wednesday by Senators Frances Black, Alice Mary Higgins, Lynn Ruane and Eileen Flynn. The Bill would restrict the transport minister from granting exemptions to flights travelling through Ireland carrying munitions, where there is a risk they will be sent to Israel or a country that exports weapons to Israel. It also aims to strengthen existing powers to inspect planes seeking to transit weapons through the State. On Tuesday, Taoiseach Micheal Martin said there was no issue with the holding of a protest, but the protesters had been blocking the entrance to Dail Eireann. The Gardai had to protect egress and ingress to Leinster House, he said. The protesters were given a directive under the Public Order Act, but had not complied. After a lapse of time allowed for compliance, 11 were arrested under the Act, and three for alleged offences, he said. "I will follow up with the Minister for Justice over the assertions and allegations in relation to strip searches. I have no information as to that," Mr Martin said. The High Court has agreed to extend a pause it imposed on the passenger cap at Dublin Airport. Mr Justice Barry O'Donnell granted a number of airlines an injunction extending the pause pending determination of the main challenge to the cap. The Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU) has also been asked to determine a number of issues in the case and it usually takes around 16 months before its decisions are delivered. The decision means the IAA cannot take the passenger cap into account when allocating slots to airlines for this winter season and subsequently until the final court decision. This extends the stay the High Court placed on the summer slots decision in November. Ryanair CEO Michael OLeary said the decision from the court today was badly needed by airlines. The case concerned decisions made by the aviation watchdog, the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) in setting parameters for the fair and efficient allocation of available landing and take-off slots at the airport, where the demand for those slots exceeds supply. The IAA sets parameters bi-annually for the winter and summer seasons. Last winter, the IAA set a cap of some 14.4m passengers and 25.2m for this summer. The judge said the the balance of justice favoured a situation in which decisions made by the IAA in setting the coordination parameters should not take account of a planning condition imposed on the airport capping the number of passengers at 32m per annum. He said in making his decision, which is subject to liberty to the parties to apply to the court should circumstances require, he had proceeded on the basis that the same logic and legal considerations that led to his decision last November to place a pause on the cap for the summer 2025 season. Aer Lingus, Ryanair and a consortium of American carriers, Airlines for America, had sought a pause on the cap imposed by the Irish Aviation Authority limiting passenger numbers to 25.2m between late March and October. Last week they asked for an injunction extending it for coming seasons until their legal actions are finalised. The airlines claimed the restriction will cost them millions and will also mean they will be deprived of some of their use them or lose them take-off and landing slots. Ryanair claimed, among other things, the seat cap last winter resulted in a loss of revenue of 35.8m. If the cap were applied to summer of next year it would suffer a loss of some 113m, it claimed. If there was a 50pc reduction in passengers for this winter, this would have serious effects for the travelling public over the Christmas period, along with price rises and effects on the national economy, Ryanair said. Similar arguments were made by Aer Lingus and the American consortium. The IAA was neutral in relation to what had been sought by the airlines, but said if relief was granted by the court it would not prevent the otherwise orderly progress and setting of coordination parameters. The airport operator, the Dublin Airport Authority (daa), and Airports Coordination Ltd, which allocates slots, were notice parties in the case. The daa opposed the airlines' application arguing the court should not exercise its jurisdiction to grant the relief sought. The daa said there was a significant difference between, on the one hand, staying a decision on the cap already made by the IAA as part of a full statutorily mandated process and, on the other, making orders affecting a decision (the winter cap) which is yet to be made. It was only after the IAA makes its decision that a challenge should be entertained, it said. It was also argued the airlines had not met the threshold for the court to grant the mandatory order sought. The daa also disagreed with the Ryanair assertion that the capacity of Dublin Airport is 40m passengers. Aviation consultants the daa engaged found that baseline airport capacity for all passenger categories is 36.5m per annum, it said. Mr Justice ODonnell said that unless the IAA was restrained pending the determination of these proceedings from taking account of the 32m passenger condition and imposing the seat caps, it was clear that the airlines will suffer serious irreparable harm. He adjourned the making of formal orders to Thursday. Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary met with the Transport Minister Darragh O'Brien this morning, said the airport passenger cap should be scrapped in the coming weeks and that this could be done through legislation. "We had a significant victory this morning in the court. We successfully persuaded the courts to lift or scrap or wave the cap for the upcoming winter schedule, which means at least we can grow in the winter schedule and we badly need this," Mr O'Leary said. "We saw already at the start this week, visitor numbers to Ireland were down 30pc in February. They have fallen off a cliff since last September, when the cap first came in. "Unfortunately, we had a pretty incompetent transport minister last year. We now have Darragh O'Brien in there. We said we want the cap scrapped. The government program says, scrap the cap so, well, we don't want to be wasting time or months and years talking to stakeholders. Abolish the bloody cap and do it in the in the next couple of weeks." Mr O'Leary was critical of the new government for not taking action to abolish the cap after the programme for government included a commitment to work with stakeholders to lift the cap. "The program for government was published at the end of January. We're now two months into it, and they've done nothing about scrapping the cap. The airlines have now been to the court twice. "So we've had the cap wave for the summer season we have the cap wave for the winter season. We want legislation passed in the next couple of weeks that removes Dublin airport, in fact, we think all airports, Shannon, Cork, Knock and Dublin, should be removed from the planning process," Mr O'Leary said. "You can't have a couple of NIMBYs in North County Dublin who bought a house there 50 years after the airport was opened, complaining about airport noise, despite the fact that we buy new aircraft that are 50pc quieter. This is not the way we run air transport on and off an island," he added. Asked how the Minister responded his request to lift the cap during the meeting, Mr O'Leary said there was a lot of "political speak". "[He said] he's committed to working quickly. He's looking at options, reviewing this. It was a lot of political speak for sitting on your thumbs, doing nothing. So we said we want action on this in the next couple of weeks," Mr O'Leary said. Mr O'Leary said while the Minister told him it was complicated, Mr O'Leary said it was f***king simple". "Get Dublin Airport out of the dead hand of Fingal and the planning process, and get on with it. You're the Minister for Transport, and you have a 20 seat majority," Mr O'Leary said. "So to be fair, I think he got the message, but we're not waiting for him to be reviewing options or coming back with legislation after the summer recess or anything else. We want this legislation passed this side of the summer recess. "It's pretty simple legislation, remove the airports from the dead hand of local planning and allow this country, we're an island on the periphery for Europe, allow this country to grow," he added. Traditionally, if the government had the numbers, the job of Ceann Comhairle went to a party grandee in gratitude for long service - and if the government lacked the numbers a reliable Independent was drafted in. Paschal Donohoe tells CNN all EU finance ministers agreed on need for 'unified' response to changing trade policy Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe has appeared on CNN to discuss the upcoming meeting between EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic and US president Donald Trump. Mr Donohoe has just completed chairing a meeting of EU Economic and Financial Affairs Ministers in Warsaw. He said: The tone that came out of our meeting in Warsaw was a commitment to engage with the United States, to bring certainty to global trade by trying to avoid a path of lower growth, less jobs and higher prices and a determination of all member states of the European Union to approach this negotiation in a unified way and engage in a way that reflects the scale of the economy of the European Union." The European Trade commissioner will travel to the US on Sunday to negotiate tariffs levels with president Trump. Mr Donohoe said: We are willing to engage with president Trump to identify an alternative trade arrangement to where we are at the moment that would cover off many parts of our economy and aim to find ways to lower barriers to trade." While Mr Donohoe did not reveal the propositions the negotiation team will bring forward, he did reference the need to define the status of VAT. He said: There are dangers engaging with negotiations in public given the sensitivity of these issues. But if you look at the issue of VAT, it is an important tax within the European Union and critically treats all goods the same. "I don't accept that VAT in someway differentiates between products that are created within the European Union and products that are brought into the European Union because they tax both of them in the same way." European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has also spoken of the potential for the European Union to tax tech giants such as Meta, X and Facebooks revenue from digital advertising. In response to this Mr Donohoe said: We support the work commission is doing on our behalf, but these are potential countermeasures - we must do all we can to avoid these measures. "The commission has also referred to the need to respond back in a graduated, proportionate , careful manner. However, we must leave all measures on the table and they must be available to use if our negotiations turn out unsuccessful. "We want the negotiations to be successful but accept that in scenarios that things get even harder difficult measures must be considered." He added: I will not spare any effort in reaching an agreement. The EU is not the cause of the global uncertainty that we are now facing." Sarah O'Mahony An advocacy group is calling for measures to reduce Irelands alcohol consumption to help stop domestic violence against women and children. Over 65,000 domestic violence incidents were reported to gardai last year, marking a 10pc year-on-year rise since 2021, Alcohol Action Ireland (AAI) said. The national independent advocate to reduce alcohol harm, is calling on Government to introduce Operation Encompass into the Republic of Ireland. Under the operation, police share information with schools the day after the domestic abuse involving a child, allowing the school to offer support. Stock image Today's News in 90 Seconds - April 2nd In May 2023, the programme was officially rolled out across all 1,162 schools in Northern Ireland, with more than 23,000 referrals made in the first 12 months. AAI CEO Dr Sheila Gilheany said witnessing domestic abuse is an adverse childhood experience that can cause problems into adulthood. We know that our systems and legal mechanisms are different from those north of the border, but our children and the issues they face are not, she said. Why the government hasnt yet legislated for such a common-sense approach to support these hidden victims of domestic abuse is puzzling. The group criticised the Minister for Justice Jim OCallaghans recent claim that work is ongoing to scope out and develop an operational framework to introduce the operation. It said the National Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (DSGBV) Strategy Implementation Plan stated that by Q3 of 2023, work would convene with a view to bringing this consideration to a conclusion. AAI said it now fears that it has been put on the long finger by Government. In a study, Alcohol and domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, the group looked at the role of alcohol in domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. Dr Gilheany said alcohol-related crimes in the home, like domestic violence, often go unreported to gardai, or if reported, the alcohol factor is not noted. "While alcohol can never be used as excuse for DSGBV, the role of alcohol is one of a facilitative nature, a contributing cause that accelerates and exacerbates DSGBV, she said. The report presents evidence both nationally and internationally of the role of alcohol in such violence, with some estimates of alcohol being a factor in up to 70pc of domestic violence incidents. The AAI added that any strategy to combat DSGBV must take the role of alcohol into account and target controls on pricing, marketing and availability. TAOISEACH Micheal Martin says the Government will consider "options" it can take against religious orders that are "within the law". He was answering the Social Democrats, who said the orders had been operating as "criminal networks". Only one religious order has made a serious offer of restitution to Government negotiator Sheila Nunan, who was asked to extract a cash commitment after the State paid compensation in the first instance. "When is the state finally going to flex some legal muscle when it comes to these religious orders?" asked SD stand-in leader Cian O'Callaghan. "Why are these orders not being raided by The Gardai? Why are their assets not being seized?" He said it was unbelievable that the approach of successive Governments to these orders "which operated as criminal networks," was to "roll over". The Taoiseach replied: "We simply can't just go in and raid people. I'm sure you appreciate that in respect of the legality of whatever Government does." The Cabinet will consider the final report from Ms Nunan, and what to in response, at its meeting next week, Mr Martin said. Micheal Martin(Niall Carson/PA) Today's News in 90 Seconds - April 2nd Mr O'Callaghan said that Minister Roderic O'Gorman first wrote the orders early in the last Government "saying they may wish to consider making a financial contribution to redress costs. But his "begging letters" had been ignored, he said. "In May 2023 the Government appointed former trade union official Sheila Nunan to negotiate with the orders. She was told to come back with a best and final offer from the orders within six months. "Nearly two years later, Ms Nunan has filed her final report stating just one order has made a serious offer of cash to pay redress. "We know these orders would much prefer to pay their armies of lawyers than the women and children that they tortured and abused. Religious orders that own assets worth hundreds of millions." He added: "For decades in Ireland, unimaginable horrors were perpetrated in Mother and Baby homes. The infant mortality rate in these institutions was five times the national average. "There were thousands of unexplained infant Deaths, with missing children and multiple mass unmarked graves. "Women and children were subjected to incarceration, forced labour, vaccine trials and horrific physical and sexual abuse. "Families were ripped apart. There were forced adoptions, and children were boarded out to act as as an indentured servants. And there's never been any accountability for any of these crimes." Religious orders who made millions on the backs of enslaving women and children, and were now "walking away without paying a penny". This was because "your Government is allowing them to run rings around you." Founder of Clonakilty Distillery, Michael Scully said the prospect of US president Donald Trump slapping a 200pc tariff on Irish whiskey is a huge negative thats already created uncertainty in the market. He said, if such massive tariffs were imposed, his brand will no longer be exported to the US and he will look to new markets instead. Operation renovation: I might be a city slicker but Ive always yearned for a life in the country When Anna and John OLoughlin sold their Dublin semi-d to renovate the 160-year-old Co Laois farmhouse where Johns dad grew up, they brought a piece of family history back to life John, Anna and their daughter Nancy in their renovated farmhouse in Co Laois. Photo: Steve Humphreys Orla Neligan Wed 2 Apr 2025 at 03:30 When we picture our dream house, it is often a romantic one a period home or beautifully restored farmhouse in a bucolic countryside setting, with some chickens thrown in for good measure. UK Home Office says it will create a more secure system, but concerns have been raised about the ETA's impact on tourism The vast majority of overseas visitors to the United Kingdom must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) in advance, including tourists who are travelling into Northern Ireland from the Republic. Most leisure and business travellers to the UK do not need a visa. But starting from April 2 2025, all these overseas visitors, except Irish citizens, are now required to have an ETA. Non-Europeans already needed the permit, and they are now joined by travellers from the EU. ETAs cost 10 (12) but will increase to 16 (19) from April 9. Today's News in 90 Seconds - April 2nd The UK Home Office says it is creating a more streamlined, digital immigration system which will be quicker and more secure for the millions of people who pass through the UK border each year". The government says: Everyone wishing to travel to the UK except British and Irish citizens will need permission to travel in advance of coming here. This can be either through an Electronic Travel Authorisation or an eVisa. Ministers say rolling out the scheme worldwide will prevent abuse of our immigration system. But under pressure from London Heathrow airport, they have dropped the bizarre requirement for passengers merely in airside transit for a couple of hours to obtain an ETA. These are the key questions and answers. What is the ETA? The United Kingdom, in common with many other countries, is demanding more information in advance from prospective visitors before they board planes, ships or trains to Britain or drive across the border from Ireland to Northern Ireland. The starting point of the journey to the UK is not relevant it is the travellers nationality that counts. At present a relatively small number of arrivals do not qualify for visa-free status. They must go through the complex and expensive business of applying for an eVisa. Until the Electronic Travel Authorisation was launched, everyone else just turned up. But now they almost every foreign visitor must obtain the ETA, with the exception of Irish citizens. As with the US Esta scheme, and similar systems used by Canada and Australia, applications must be made online in one of two ways: Via the app: search for UK ETA on the Apple app store or Google Play. Through the official website Applicants must supply a photograph and answer a set of questions on suitability and criminality. The government says: This will ensure we have information on those seeking to come to the UK helping to prevent dangerous individuals, such as criminals, entering the UK. The ETA is linked to the travellers passport. The cost is 10, payable by Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, Apple Pay or Google Pay. The price will rise on April 9 to 16. The permit is valid for repeated stays of up to six months at a time within two years or until the passport expires, whichever is sooner. How long does an ETA take to issue? The Home Office says: You will usually get a decision within three working days. Most people get a much quicker decision. Occasionally, it may take longer than three working days. In practice, as with Australian and Canadian permits, most decisions will be made and the permit issued within minutes. Helpfully, you need not have been issued with the pass as you start a journey to the UK. The Home Office says: You must apply for an ETA before you travel to the UK. You can travel to the UK while waiting for a decision. This loophole could be extremely helpful to passengers who do not realise they need an ETA when they turn up at an airport, seaport or international rail terminal to travel to the UK. They can make an application on the spot and meet the condition for continuing their journey. What if the answer is no? That all depends why the answer is no. If a persons ETA application is rejected because of an error they made, they will be told the reason and can apply again. If a persons ETA application is refused because they are regarded as unsuitable, they cannot appeal. The Home Office says: You may want to apply for a standard visitor visa instead if you have a criminal record or you were previously refused entry into the UK. Who checks the traveller has the ETA? For the majority of travellers, airlines and ferry companies are expected to verify the ETA status before the passenger boards a flight or ship to the UK. They are penalised if they fail to check. The government says: Where an inadequately documented arrival (IDA) is brought to the UK, the carrier may be liable for a fine of up to 2,000. Ferries from France to Dover, Eurostar trains to London, and Eurotunnel shuttles to Folkestone have juxtaposed controls and UK Border Force staff will check the permit while the traveller is in Continental Europe. The glaring gap in the UK Border is Northern Ireland. A tourist to the Republic of Ireland who inadvertently or deliberately strays into Northern Ireland is legally obliged to have an ETA, but there is no indication how their status will be checked. Does the ETA guarantee entry to the UK? No. The Home Office says: An ETA does not guarantee entry to the UK. You still need to either: See a Border Force officer. Use an ePassport gate. How does the cost compare with other countries? In ascending order of cost: Australia issues free eVisitor permits. Canadas eta costs C$7 and is valid for up to five years. Europes much-delayed Etias scheme is set to cost 7 for up to three years. The US Esta costs $21 for up to two years. New Zealands NZeTA is NZ$17 for up to two years. But it requires a further payment of NZ$100 as the International Visitor Levy, and is NZ$6 more if you apply on the website rather than the app. Commercial sites that pay search engines to appear ahead of the official site have already appeared. They include one called eta-uk.site, which appears to be based in Florida, and charges up to $99.99 on top of the fee. Do transit passengers need an ETA? Not if they are remaining airside, ie not going through the UK Border and remaining in the transit area at London Heathrow or Manchester airport. But anyone going through passport control for example, landing at Gatwick and later flying out from Luton will need one. Whats different about Irish citizens? Besides being well behaved, polite and good looking, they are are allowed free movement to the UK under the long-standing Common Travel Agreement. Fares are likely to rise this year says Ryanair CEO on a mission to get to 300 million passengers by 2034 Michael OLeary became chief executive in 1994 and transformed the carrier into one of the worlds biggest. Photo: Steve Humphreys Airline passengers seeking sunshine this summer will pay higher fares than last year, unless there are more geopolitical shocks, Michael OLeary predicts. The Ryanair CEO told the UKs The Independent daily travel podcast: Bookings at the moment are strong. Fares are a little bit higher than last year, but with only about 40 per cent of [capacity booked] I think it's still fragile. If there's adverse developments in Ukraine, if Trump does something stupid in the White House, if there's terrorist attacks in cities in Europe, it could fall over again. But at the moment, it looks like people are booking strongly this summer and fares will creep up. It'll be a little bit higher than last year. But our fares last year were 8 per cent down on the previous year. So I think we will recover some of that fare loss. Michael OLeary became chief executive in 1994 and transformed the carrier into one of the worlds biggest. Photo: Steve Humphreys What is Ryanair Prime? Mr OLeary, who turned 64 this week, has been chief executive of Ryanair since 1994 almost half his life. During that time the number of passengers flown has increased by a factor of 120, reaching an annual figure of 200 million earlier this month. But the Ryanair chief executive rejected any suggestion that he might step down, saying: Youre joking me, what? We're on a mission to get to 300 million passengers by 2034. We're not stopping at 200 million, we didn't stop at 100 million. We have to take delivery of 336 more aircraft from Boeing, and we are well on track to get to 300 million by 2034. We're going forward for intergalactic domination, and we're never going to stop. The Ryanair CEO also said that the airlines controversial new subscription scheme was being tested. The annual cost of Ryanair Prime is 79. Last week Rob Burgess, founder of the frequent-flyer website Head for Points, told The Independent: Theres no real value there for most Ryanair travellers. You want to see a very clear path to getting at least one-and-a-half, perhaps two times your money, because you're taking a risk effectively. You don't know if Ryanair will stop flying on the route you normally take. You don't know if your travel patterns will change because you get a new job or a new partner or something else happens. Mr OLeary said: We will deliver 12 monthly seat sales, which will save subscribers more than 300 over the cost of our airfares in our system. So we're testing it. I'm not sure whether it will succeed or not, but it will deliver real value to consumers. The Ryanair CEO also said that ATC delays have increased by 50 per cent in the last five years, and that millions of passengers would face delays this summer. It will be worse than last summer, particularly at weekends. Europe needs to fix what is a broken air traffic control system, which we pay ridiculously expensive fees for. Ian ODoherty: Dont blame a lack of bins for the dog-dirt problem this ones on the owners Zoologists found nine of out 12 parks, playing fields and playgrounds contained a heavy concentration of a toxic parasite found in dog and cat excrement Not all dog owners do their duty and pick up their pet's poop. Photo: Getty Ian O'Doherty Wed 2 Apr 2025 at 03:30 Heres some news that will come as absolutely no surprise to anyone who ever goes for a walk. As the latest instalment of serial chaos is brought to us by Donald Trumps creative department, in the form of another fine mess, our own team of Dail drama virtuosos put the finishing touches to one of their own. If, at times of national emergency with livelihoods on the line we expected our politicians would rise above the parochial and see the national and global pictures, we were mistaken. In the face of Mr Trumps tariff thunderbolt, our TDs could not put the country first and focus on the greatest threat we have faced since the IMF came banging on our door. Instead, hours of debate had to be devoted to a futile attempt to oust Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy. With so much at stake, for the Dail speaking-rights row to take centre stage represents another appalling misreading of the public mood. This shameful waste of time will be seen as another two-fingered salute to the public, every bit as offensive as Michael Lowrys original smirking insult. Traditionally, we have shown ourselves alert to danger, recognising that we either grow or disintegrate under duress. At times of great risk, rushes of blood to the head were never allowed to dominate agendas but not any more. With 58bn annual exports in pharmaceuticals to the US in peril, as well as 32pc of total goods exports to the US market, the Dail chose uproar instead of standing together. While in Strasbourg, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen was warning that all options are on the table in response to Mr Trumps tariff threats, party leaders in Dublin were letting themselves and their country down spectacularly. There was no sign of resolve or conviction in Dail Eireann. Instead, there was a collective shrinking to the occasion Ms von der Leyen was signalling to Washington that although the EU does not want an economic conflict, it has the power to push back. At the same time, in our parliament, those charged with protecting our future were squaring up and throwing tantrums. The bloc will approach from a position of strength, given the size and economic power of the EU, Ms von der Leyen said. But there was no sign of resolve or conviction in Dail Eireann. Instead, there was a collective shrinking to the occasion. Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy. Photo: PA Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy says she bears no ill will after results of confidence vote Tanaiste Simon Harris made a lunge towards leadership, saying the time for shouting, whooping and hollering is over, but instead of sounding authoritative, there was something a little hollow in his pleading. It was, after all, the misguided deal he and Taoiseach Micheal Martin did with Regional Independents that caused the meltdown. It was regrettable that some parties followed the lead shown by Sinn Fein, he said. Had he and the Government a better grasp of statecraft, no such distractions need have arisen. Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald spoke of the breathtaking failure of Ms Murphy. But what will have truly knocked the wind out of voters was the Dails insensibility to the fact that when a show of unity was badly needed as Mr Trumps Liberation Day dawned, we were treated to another farce. Podcast reviews As daffodils crane their heads towards the sun, our thoughts turn to spring-cleaning our homes, and the value of our private and public spaces. Visitors to Castletown House in Co Kildare while strolling its opulent Long Gallery open plan par excellence might imagine Lord Harcourt hot-desking at a grand bureau, where billiards, whist, chess and the harpsichord were played and lavish suppers were served. The Palladian pile built in the 1720s is described on The Country House Podcast (Apple, Spotify) as the grand dame of Irish houses (also stupendous, magnificent, beautiful) and although set on 800 acres of land, was just a smidge of the 15,000 acres acquired by William Conolly across seven counties of Ireland during his most influential tenure. Conolly and Anglo-Irish history are discussed by the podcasts hosts Ben Hancock and Geoffrey Heath-Taylor as well as the fluctuating fortunes of the estate itself in a brilliant weekly series going behind the scenes of iconic structures, including art deco masterpiece Eltham Palace, Vita Sackville-Wests Sissinghurst and the Oval Office. Castletown House in Co Kildare Today's News in 90 Seconds - April 2nd A house isnt a home until its imbued with personal stories, which is the gist of Homing In (Acast, Apple, Spotify) a weekly series by The Modern House, the bougie British estate agency whose contemporary-outfitted properties from Brutalist flats and Edwardian pied-a-terres to bucolic boltholes and coastal idylls, receive a sea of Likes on Instagram. Homing In sees author and The Modern House co-founder Matt Gibberd gently probe well-known guests about their home lives past and present, such as fashion designer Zandra Rhodes (unspoiler alert: her house is as brightly-coloured as her hair), ditsy-print purveyor Cath Kidston, retail businesswoman Mary Portas, who became a homeless orphan in her mid-teens, and food writer and cook Nigel Slater whose upbringing was so vividly and unsentimentally documented in his 2003 memoir Toast and doesnt disappoint here either. Spring is arguably the best season in which to linger outdoors, however The Great Indoors (Apple, Spotify) has much going for it. Designer and TV presenter Sophie Robinson and author and journalist Kate Watson-Smyth host so-called style surgeries about how to get rid of the dreaded anaglypta or how to best zone open-plan spaces, buzzy chats and advice about daft trend forecasts and DIY, as well as guest interviews such as with interior design expert Kit Kemp and colour psychologist Karen Haller. Parents of students who havent received a school place in the Patrician Academy Secondary School in Mallow for the 2025/26 academic year are to lodge an appeal against the decision. Following a meeting held at the Hibernian Hotel, Mallow on Monday, March 31 parents have made it clear following a letter from the Board of Management, that they will now submit appeals to the Board of Management following what they are calling a breach of their enrolment policy. Labour Party TD for Cork North Central Eoghan Kenny who is himself a past pupil of the Patrician Academy has written to the Minister of Education Helen McEntee asking her to intervene in the situation. Concerned parents have appealed for an extra class to be provided at the all-boys secondary school to meet the demand for school places in the locality. A parent told The Corkman that they will not give up: All we are asking for is an extra class to be put on. It is just finding space for 30 other kids. We are not going to give up. We hope and pray there will be a breakthrough. It is just one extra class. Speaking after the public meeting last Monday night, Deputy Kenny said: The parents we met are very disappointed that the Board of the Patrician Academy are unwilling to meet with the public representatives. The letter we received sets out clearly why their admission of students is capped at 90, citing health and safety, fire safety and communal areas as issues. Deputy Kenny continued: To be honest, I can see where the Patrician Academy are coming from. The footprint of the school itself is small and therefore accommodates a certain number of students and staff. The parents have made a decision to appeal, said Deputy Kenny. The parents clearly outlined a breach in the enrolment policy, in the father/grandfather section where it exceeded the maximum enrolment of 25% and have made a decision to appeal. The parents are well within their rights. As their public representative, I will support them all the way. We need to see parental and student choice as an option in a town area the size of Mallow. Since we received a letter from the Board of Management, I have since written to the Minister of Education asking her to intervene in this particular situation. She has the ministerial power to do so, he added. Sinn Fein TD for Cork North Central Thomas Gould said: Good turnout at the Hibernian Hotel of parents of boys who have not received a place in the Patrician Academy Secondary School. Well done to everyone involved in the campaign to ensure every child gets a school place in September 2025. A spokesperson for the Department of Education told The Corkman that they use a range of data sources when analysing the demand for school places. These include enrolment data, child benefit data, census data, local authority population & housing projections and data on residential construction activity. The spokesperson said: Under the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018, parents have the right to choose which school to apply to and where the school has places available the pupil should be admitted. However, in schools where there are more applicants than places available, a selection process will be necessary. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants. However, this may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice. The spokesperson continued: The Act requires schools to clearly set out their selection criteria in their admission policies. Schools have discretion in relation to their admission criteria and how they are applied. The criteria to be applied by schools and the order of priority are a matter for the schools themselves. Focusing on post-primary school places in Mallow the spokesperson said: There are significantly more first year places available for 2025/26 than there are sixth class children in primary school across the wider area. According to data provided to the department, while there are a number of boys remaining on the waiting list for Patrician Academy, the majority of these children have accepted a place at another school. Parents/guardians of a small number of boys who remain on the waiting list for Patrician Academy appear to have only applied for admission to that school. Parents/guardians of boys without a place are advised to make an application for admission to Davis College, the spokesperson added. The first-ever Family Edit Awards celebrate the best in family-friendly businesses across Ireland Cork-based business, The Family Edit, Irelands go-to online directory for baby classes, kids activities and family adventures, has officially announced the winners of the inaugural Family Edit Awards 2025. The awards, the brainchild of The Family Edit founder Gemma Kingston, have been met with overwhelming enthusiasm, shining a spotlight on some of the best family-focused businesses across the country. The response to the first-ever Family Edit Awards has completely blown me away! said Kingston. As soon as the nomination process opened in early February, our emails went mad over 150,000 nominations flooded in within the first few weeks, highlighting more than 1000 businesses. Its a true testament to the incredible family-focused businesses across Ireland. The Family Edit, a widely trusted platform for parents and caregivers, provides a curated directory of the best baby classes, kids activities, and family-friendly adventures throughout Ireland. Whether families live locally or are visiting from abroad, Bandon-based The Family Edit helps them discover exciting, high-quality experiences tailored to their needs. Following the overwhelming public response, businesses with the highest number of nominations were shortlisted in 11 categories, and now, the winners have been revealed: Newpark Hotel in Kilkenny won best accommodation for families, while Moher Cottage in Clare won in the Food & Drink category. All 11 winners are available on The Family Edit website, who represent the very best in family-friendly businesses, from play therapy services and baby swimming classes to adventure-filled camps. We launched these awards to celebrate and champion the businesses that make family life easier, more enjoyable, and more memorable, added Gemma Kingston. To see such an overwhelming response in our first year confirms just how valued these businesses are by families across Ireland, added Kingston. With such an enthusiastic reception in its first year, The Family Edit Awards are set to become a highly anticipated annual event, continuing to highlight the outstanding contributions of businesses supporting families across Ireland. More than 1,400 people are living with CF and the number is increasing. Volunteers across the country will be selling purple roses to support CFI, in Dunnes Stores branches, shopping centres and other participating outlets, Shoppers in Cork are asked to donate to Cystic Fibrosis Ireland (CFI) to help them reach their 300,000 target on 65 Roses Day. Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is an inherited chronic disease that primarily affects the lungs and digestive system and Ireland has the highest incidence rate of CF in the world with 33 diagnosed each year. More than 1,400 people are living with CF and the number is increasing. The name of the annual fundraising campaign, 65 Roses Day, stems from how young children often pronounce Cystic Fibrosis and its objective is to raise vital funds for CF services and supports throughout Ireland. 65 Roses Day takes place on April 11 this year and volunteers will be selling purple roses in Dunnes Stores locations across county Cork and further afield. Encouraging people in Cork to go out and support Cystic Fibrosis Ireland on 65 Roses Day this year is teacher Mark ODriscoll from Bandon. Life is great and I count myself very lucky. But things that others might obtain with ease, travel insurance, mortgages etc are challenging when you have CF. I have availed of the supports offered by CFI which are only possible by the funds and awareness raised by 65 Roses Day. That's why it is so important, not only to CFI, but to me, my family and the rest of the CF community in Cork and I would urge everyone to get behind CFI and help keep providing essential support to its member, he said. Cork shoppers can donate to 65 Roses Day via 65roses.ie or visit one of the following Dunnes Stores branches: Dunnes Stores, Ballincollig Dunnes Stores, Ballyvolane Dunnes Stores, Carrigaline Dunnes Stores, Clonakilty Dunnes Stores, Bandon Road, Cork Dunnes Stores, Bishopstown SC, Cork Dunnes Stores, Blackpool, Cork Dunnes Stores, Charleville, Cork Dunnes Stores, Douglas Court, Cork Dunnes Stores, Merchants Quay, Cork Dunnes Stores, Patrick St, Cork Dunnes Stores, Macroom Dunnes Stores, Mallow Carrigaline Shopping Centre Douglas Village Shopping Centre Mahon Point Shopping Centre, Cork Wilton Shopping Centre, Cork Hundreds of Transition Year students from across Cork City and County gathered at Fota Wildlife Parks Education, Conservation and Research Centre to celebrate their achievements at the 2025 Rubbish Film Festival Awards. The Rubbish Film Festival, an award-winning national initiative, challenges TY students to create one-minute films tackling key environmental issues, including climate change, sustainability, and waste reduction. The festival, jointly funded by Cork County Council and Cork City Council, empowers young people in Cork to use digital storytelling to raise awareness and drive action. At the Awards, students took centre stage to showcase their work and inspire further action in environmental education and awards were presented to both Cork County Council and Cork City Council schools. The Best Film Awards were presented to Schull Community College for their film, Playing for Time and Douglas Community School for their film, Final Breath. Runner Up Awards were also presented to St Marys Secondary School, Charleville and Terence MacSwiney Community College, while Loreto Secondary School Fermoy and Mount Mercy College took home the top prizes for the Poster Competition. Special Impact Awards were also presented to St Marys Secondary School Mallow and Mayfield Community School. This year, students from 26 Cork schools, 14 from Cork County and 12 from Cork City, took part in onsite workshops, each with 12 students per class, where they developed their filmmaking, editing, and storytelling skills under the guidance of industry professionals. Their final films were screened and celebrated at the event, where students also presented their projects and discussed the environmental messages behind their films. Mayor of the County of Cork paid tribute to the students. "This event is a testament to the creativity, passion, and commitment of Corks young people in using media to highlight environmental issues. Through the Rubbish Film Festival, students have not only developed practical skills in filmmaking but have also become more conscious advocates for sustainability in their communities, he added. Lord Mayor of Cork City, Cllr Dan Boyle said: We are furthering our commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable living. The students hard work in creating these films will enlighten and empower individuals to make a positive impact on our environment. Nationally, this years festival has engaged over 1,800 students in 150 schools nationwide, with Cork playing a key role in its success. The Rubbish Film Festival has been widely recognised for its impact, winning the Green Stakeholder Award at the All-Ireland Sustainability Awards and receiving high commendations at the Digital Education Awards and Media Literacy Ireland Awards. For more information on the Rubbish Film Festival, visit www.rubbishfilmfestival.com Everything from environment to culture wars, live music and childrens events to feature at Merrion Square Park next month Fiadh Finnegan and acrobat Ali Stanger help launch the programme for the International Literature Festival Dublin, taking place from May 16 to 25. Pic: Julien Behal Author Dave Rudden, Deputy Lord Mayor of Dublin Donna Cooney, James OConnor, from Killester, Fiadh Finnegan, from Phibsboro, and acrobat Ali Stanger at the announcement of the programme for this year's International Literature Festival Dublin. Pic: Julien Behal The line-up for this years International Literature Festival Dublin has been announced, featuring a mix of global and Irish voices, as well as live music, poetry and film. Now in its 28th year, the festival will return to its home in Merrion Square Park from May 16 to 25, and will feature over 200 events across ten days, including fiction, non-fiction, poetry, music, and performance for all ages. Environmentalist Colin Butfield, a longtime collaborator with David Attenborough, will be among those attending next months festival. Colin Butfield has worked with Sir David Attenborough on many of his films and books, including the new book Ocean: How to Save Earths Last Wilderness, Festival Programmer Henrietta McKervey said. It focuses on the oceans and how they are crucial to the world around us and the very air we breathe. The new book is out in May, so hell be presenting that, along with the new film that goes with it. Other renowned cultural commentators, including Rebecca Solnit and Roxane Gay, will also be at the festival, discussing all things feminism, politics, and the culture wars. The festival transforms Merrion Square Park into a vibrant festival village, complete with marquees, pop-up bookshops, food trucks, deckchairs, and a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere for all ages. Festival Director, Aimee van Wylick, said this years line-up, titled Making Sense of the World, reflects current events and current affairs. Our programme for this years festival mirrors what we are experiencing in the world at the moment, she said. We have Turkish journalist Ece Temelkuran, whose book, Together: 10 Choices For a Better Now, explores the rise of populism and nationalism, making it quite an interesting read. Fiadh Finnegan and acrobat Ali Stanger help launch the programme for the International Literature Festival Dublin, taking place from May 16 to 25. Pic: Julien Behal We also have Serhii Plokhy, a Ukrainian Harvard professor, who is coming over and has written about Chernobyl and the invasion of Ukraine. We also have a great line-up for childrens events with acclaimed storytellers like Laureen Ellen Anderson, comic book author Neill Cameron, and young adult authors like Dave Rudden. I think its quite a serious programme this year, and some great thinkers will be here as part of it, she added. Other highlights include Wendy Erskine, whose short story collection Sweet Home was highly praised for its poignant portrayals of life in Belfast, and Sean Ronayne, an emerging voice in Irish literature with works that delve into complex human relationships. The festival also promises enriching experiences, such as a brunch with authors like Daisy Buchanan, known for her thoughtful reflections on mental health and self-care in books like Read Yourself Happy. Young adult writer Dave Rudden, who is releasing a new book called Tales of Darkisle: Conn of the Dead, will also be in attendance. Known for his ability to bring monsters, mayhem, and magic to life in his writing, Mr Rudden shared his thoughts on writing for young audiences. My newest book is slightly about zombies, but also about a kid recognising hes neurodivergent, so were trying to navigate that world, he said. I think if you want adult readers, you need to have kid readers. They can be a tough audience, but theyre also the best audience. Ive never met a kid who didnt enjoy losing themselves in a story, no matter what the medium, and I think that for them to see authors at a festival like this humanises the whole process. It makes them realise authors arent these ivory tower people. Were just human beings, and anyone can do it. Launching the festival programme, Lord Mayor of Dublin, Emma Blain, added: Dublin is synonymous with great literature and exceptional writers, so its fitting that our capital city is home to Irelands leading literary event. I encourage everyone to visit ILFD this May to experience inspiring events, fascinating discussions, and incredible creativity in one of the citys most beautiful parks. Tickets are now on sale at www.ILFDublin.com A man arrested after being found in possession of a suspicious object, told a court he was using it for sexual purposes. However, he had his case dismissed due to a failure by gardai to cite the appropriate legislation before searching him. Barry Horan (55), of De Selby Green, Tallaght, Dublin 24, had been stopped and questioned by gardai at an Applegreen petrol station on Fortunestown Road, Tallaght, on April 6, 2024, in relation to a public order matter. When asked by Garda Aaron Murphy if he was in possession of a firearm or offensive weapon, Mr Horan said he had an object in his pocket which he initially explained was for self-defence. He was arrested, cautioned and brought to Tallaght Garda Station under Section 9 (1) and (7) of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act. In Tallaght District Court, Garda Murphy produced a sharp, green steel object contained in a clear plastic bag for Judge Patricia McNamara to examine. Judge McNamara noted the alleged weapon looked very much like a key ring. Counsel for the accused, Ms Lauren Flanagan BL, told the court she had been instructed by Mr Horan to say he uses the object for sexual purposes. This prompted laughter in the courtroom, with Judge McNamara remarking it was an unusual explanation. Normally, [the explanation] is that its for work or things like that, she said. During cross-examination, however, Garda Murphy admitted he had not informed Mr Horan of the legal power under which he was being searched. Mr Horans counsel argued that gardai must invoke a specific power Section 16 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act before conducting a search. Stock image Today's News in 90 Seconds - April 2nd Since no such power was cited at the time, she submitted that the search was unlawful and the item seized was inadmissible as evidence. Judge McNamara said she accepted the defences application to dismiss the case on technical grounds. While noting that possession of a sharply pointed object in public is an offence, she ruled that the search had not been properly conducted and the case was dismissed. She told Mr Horan: You cant have with you a blade which is sharply pointed. Just to be aware, you cant have in public an object that could be considered an offensive weapon. Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme Permissions granted in three of Dublins four local authorities fell by more than 50pc last year CSO figures show planning permissions fell by more than 50pc in three of Dublin's local authority areas. Pic: Getty The slow planning process, combined with constant judicial reviews and objections, is a significant barrier to meeting housing needs in Dublin, it has been claimed. The CSO recently reported a notable reduction in planning permissions in Dublin, with three out of four local authority areas in Dublin showing declines of over 50pc. Dublin Chamber has raised the alarm as population growth is leading to an increased demand for housing, offices and other essential infrastructure. According to the most recent CSO data, Dublins population reached 1.4 million in 2024, continuing a trend of steady increases. With housing affordability being a primary concern for residents and businesses alike, a reduction in planning permissions can only exacerbate the problem. We simply cannot afford to let planning permissions fall off a cliff when we are faced with a population growing rapidly, said Mary Rose Burke, CEO of Dublin Chamber. Dublin is a vibrant, expanding city. We have seen significant growth in recent years, yet our planning processes remain slow and hindered by a mix of objections, judicial reviews and inefficient procedures. This lack of certainty hinders international investment that is critical to addressing our housing shortfall, she added. Dublin City Council experienced a 55.1pc decline in planning permissions, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown dropped by 55.2pc, Fingal County Council saw a 61pc decrease, while South Dublin County Council was down by 19.1pc. The sharp fall is closely linked to a significant decrease in apartment construction across the state, which has been a critical issue for the housing market, especially in the city centre. The number of apartment permits granted also plummeted in 2024, with just 13,194 approved, compared to 21,487 the previous year. The Construction Industry Federation (CIF) has expressed concerns that the Government will not meet its target of building 50,000 new homes annually unless significant changes to housing policy are implemented. Dublin Chamber, which represents more than 1,000 businesses throughout the Greater Dublin region, is now calling for a comprehensive review of the planning system. It also wants the swift implementation of the Planning and Development Act to streamline approvals and address the barriers which they say are stifling much-needed development. The citys infrastructure and housing stock must keep pace with the growing demand, or we risk further strain on businesses and residents alike, they added. They are now urging local authorities, along with national government bodies, to work collaboratively on a new approach to planning which is efficient, transparent, and responsive to the needs of the citys rapidly expanding population. Dublin Chamber CEO Ms Burke said the city is at a crossroads. We can either continue to struggle with slow, inefficient planning processes, or we can take bold steps now to shape the city of the future, she said. For Dublins businesses and people, robust political leadership is needed to address the concerns of the investment community and construction sectors. This is vital. An Bord Pleanala has approved planning permission for 60 homes in Moycullen, overturning the decision made by Galway County Council. The development, lodged by Solemia Limited, includes 60 residential units (seven two-bed units, 33 three-bed units and 20 four-bed units) a creche, car parking spaces, electric vehicle charge points, the creation of a new access road and other works at lands adjacent to Bun na Coille Estate, Kylebroghland Townland, Moycullen. The development received strong opposition from local residents, who raised concerns mainly over the scale of the project and road safety. Back in August 2024, Galway County Council refused planning permission over four reasons. Among them, the local authority mentioned safety issues linked to traffic, and it explained the development fails to deliver a sustainable urban extension integrated into the centre of Maigh Cuilinn at the density proposed. However, Solemia Limited appealed to An Bord Pleanala, who in late March overturned that decision and approved the development with 23 conditions attached. Follow Independent Galway on Facebook An Bord Pleanala explained: It is considered that, subject to compliance with the conditions set out below, the proposed development, in effect an extension of the permitted Bun na Coille Estate which has a single access point, would be in accordance with the density guidelines, as set out in the Guidelines, would not result in the creation of a traffic hazard, would not seriously injure the amenities of the area, and would, therefore, be in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area. The groups are demanding immediate safety measures for children and their communities walking to school. Photo: Getty A protest is taking place in several coastal villages in Connemara today as community groups demand increased safety measures along one of Galways most treacherous roads. The group of coastal communities says that it is taking a stand to demand immediate safety measures along the R336, a road which they say puts lives at risk every day. Coordinated walking protests will be taking place in several coastal areas including Barna, Furbo, Spiddal and Inverin from 8am on Wednesday. It is hoped that the action will prompt the implementation of promised safety works that the group says have not materialised, with a particular emphasis on traffic calming measures around schools. The R336, which stretches from Leenaun to Galway city, is one of the main routes for commuters from across Galway, and faces high volumes of traffic on a daily basis. A spate of accidents have occurred on the route in recent months, including a fatal three-car collision that occurred in March between Barna and Furbo, claiming the life of a 22-year-old man. The groups are demanding immediate safety measures for children and their communities walking to school. Photo: Getty Today's News in 90 Seconds - April 2nd Cathal O Flatharta, one of the spokespeople for a concerned group of parents in Spddal, says that while there has been correspondence between concerned locals and local authorities, tangible action is yet to be taken. To date, weve been in touch with councillors, Galway county engineers and TDs. Weve submitted a walkability audit to the council, where weve looked at how safe it is to get to and from the school and the various risks around there, he said. "If you know the area, schools are encouraging parents to bring their kids on a safe, healthy route to walk to school. "However, if you walk to school in Spiddal, the only way to cross the road is to stand out in front of traffic and hope that they stop for you. Theres no safe way for carers and parents to bring their kids across the road. A further statement by the group has warned that they wont be backing down and that plans have already been made for further action, should the initial stage of protests fall upon deaf ears. This article was amended on April 2 at 1.21pm to update Cathals surname to O Flatharta. The Army has been brought in to help search for missing farmer Michael (Mike) Gaine. Photo by Domnick Walsh. The army are again searching the vast farm lands belonging to missing Kerry farmer Mike Gaine. This is the second day of the wide-spread search undertaken by the defence forces who were drafted in to use their specialised skills to search this difficult terrain. Garda sources said the army can get into places that other search teams cannot due to their training and they are particularly specialised in rough and boggy terrain. They also have specialised equipment to cut back overgrowth. Up to 50 members combined from the 12th Infantry Battalion, Limerick and the 3rd Infantry Battalion, Kilkenny are in Kenmare and yesterday these troops searched the farm yard and lands all the way to Molls Gap and down to River Finnihy. More than 30km of road searches have now been carried out and the farmyard has been searched more five times. Even old maps of the yard were examined in the event that there was an area like an old water well in existence that Mr Gaine could have fallen into. The entire riverbank and Kenmare bay have been also searched. Drones have been used extensively in the search and this has proved useful particularly to access lands that could be dangerous for searchers. Boggy lands have hampered searches in some areas. Gardai have been able to watch high-definition drone footage live in the hope they would some useful clue or information would come to light. The lands have been mapped electronically to co-ordinate the search by trained gardai. The work of the army has been phenomenal according to gardai. The army will be joined by the Kerry Civil Defence team today, Wednesday, April 2 . The Army has been brought in to help search for missing farmer Michael (Mike) Gaine. Photo by Domnick Walsh. Gardai plea for information in mysterious missing Kerry farmer case Gardai have said they will continue the search until they rule out every option but say it is bizarre that there has been nothing found to help find the missing farmer despite two weeks of daily searches. The 56-year old has now been missing for 13 days with his sudden disappearance baffling friends, family and investigating gardai. The last recorded sighting of Mr Gaine is on CCTV at 9.48am on Thursday, March 20 when he bought phone credit. It is believed he then drove his jeep to his farm at Carrig East, close to Molls Gap, on the N71 Kenmare to Killarney road where it was found parked when he was reported missing. His phone, wallet and a jacket were inside. On Tuesday Gardai renewed their appeal for information. Gardai continue to want to speak to any person who travelled on the N71 on Thursday 20th March, after 09:48am and/ or any person who may have any camera footage, including dash-cam or CCTV, or any other images (video or still) from Thursday March 20 and Friday 21 in the Kenmare town / Molls Gap (N71/ R568) area to provide that imagery to the Garda investigation team. Anyone with information on Michael's whereabouts is asked to contact Killarney Garda Station on 064 667 1160, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station. A number of stops will be removed from the 717 Clonmel to Dublin route, despite passengers relying on the service to get to Dublin City and Dublin Airport A number of areas in Kildare, Kilkenny and Laois will no longer be served by the 717 Clonmel to Dublin bus JJ Kavanagh & Sons have announced that they are "streamlining a bus route connecting Kildare, Kilkenny and Laois to Dublin City by removing a number of stops in the three counties. A number of key stops in counties Kildare, Kilkenny and Laois will be removed from the 717 Clonmel to Dublin route, despite many passengers in these areas relying on the bus service to get to Dublin City and Dublin Airport. The Kilkenny-based bus company argue that the changes will enhance the travel experience and speed up the bus journey. Eight stops to be removed across three counties From Monday, April 7, the following stops will no longer be served by the 717 route: Naas, Co Kildare (Poplar Pharmacy, Post Office) Kilcullen, Co Kildare (The Hideout) Athy, Co Kildare (The Castle Inn/ Woodstock) Ballylynan, Co Laois (The Old Church) Newtown Cross, Co Laois (Opp. R430 Jn) Crettyard, Co Kilkenny (Southbound Bus Stop) Castlecomer, Co Kilkenny (Harringtons Bookmakers) Kilkenny (Newpark Hotel, Glendine Inn) New route details and implementation timeline A new stop at MacDonagh Station in Kilkenny City will also be added to the route as part of the changes. "While we realise these changes may be disruptive to some, these changes will in no doubt deliver a faster, more consistent and altogether more extra-ordinary journey for the vast majority of our passengers, explained a spokesperson from JJ Kavanagh & Sons. "We understand that the recent changes to Route 717 have caused frustration for some passengers, and we want to assure you that this decision was not made lightly. After a thorough review of service performance, we found that certain bus stops had significantly low passenger numbers, making it difficult to justify their continued operation. A number of areas in Kildare, Kilkenny and Laois will no longer be served by the 717 Clonmel to Dublin bus Today's News in 90 Seconds - April 2nd Follow Independent Laois on Facebook "While these changes take effect on April, 7 2025, we remain committed to offering alternative travel options where possible. Passengers from Castlecomer and nearby areas may find the TFI Local Link R897 route useful. We know that any service adjustment can be inconvenient, and we appreciate your patience as we work to optimise our network to best serve the majority of our passengers. The new route will operate Monday to Sunday and service Clonmel, Kilsheelan, Grangemockler, Killamery, Callan, Kilkenny City (Ormonde Road and MacDonagh Station), the Red Cow, Dublin City and Dublin Airport. Major railway ports see steady growth in China-Europe freight trains in Q1 Global Times) 16:43, April 02, 2025 Several major railway ports across China reported increases in the throughput of China-Europe freight train services in the first quarter of 2025, indicating strong trade between China and its trading partners along the routes. The Manzhouli railway port, China's biggest land port located in Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, saw shipments surpass 5 million tons in the first quarter, up 1.9 percent year-on-year and hitting a fresh record, China Railway Harbin Group Co said in a statement sent to the Global Times on Tuesday. The port is a key hub in the overland transportation of goods under the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative and a major channel for imports and exports through China-Europe freight trains. By optimizing work flows, the port has reduced the time needed for switching railway gauges from 10 hours to eight hours, resulting in a boost in efficiency, per the statement. As China's industrial sector picked up pace, the port has witnessed a marked rise in iron ore concentrate imports, with current daily arrivals averaging more than 15,000 tons, according to the company. Other routes of the China-Europe freight trains are also reporting growth. East China's Zhejiang Province operated 771 China-Europe freight train trips during the first quarter, with a year-on-year rise of 4 percent, according to local media outlet jhnews.com.cn. In Central China's Hunan Province, the China-Europe freight train service based in Changsha, the provincial capital, handled 157 trips carrying $454 million worth of cargo, according to a post on the Hunan provincial government website on Tuesday. The growth in China-Europe freight trains also came as China's factory activity picked up pace. China's manufacturing activity expanded at the fastest pace in a year in March, a factory survey by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed on Monday, with new orders boosting production. The official purchasing managers' index rose to 50.5 in March from 50.2 a month prior, according to the NBS. This was the highest reading since March 2024 and it matched analysts' forecasts, according to Reuters. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing) A condom stealing construction worker who was caught drug driving on four separate occasions while in the possession of a fake drivers licence has been jailed for nine months and put off the road for 10 years. Anne Conlon, Accommodation Manager at Sligo Park Hotel is presented with the IASI Gold Medal Award by Marian Murnane President of the IASI and Bobby Kellett owner-director of event sponsors Respa. Sligo Park Hotel is celebrating after winning a Gold Medal for Excellence in Accommodation Services at the Irish Accommodation Services Institute (IASI) Awards at the Great Southern Hotel in Killarney on Saturday, March 22. Accommodation Manager Anne Conlon travelled to Killarney to accept the award on behalf of the Accommodation Team at Sligo Park Hotel. The IASI is the national body representing the professional interests of the accommodation industry in Ireland. Sligo Park Hotel recently invested more than 1.4m in completely renovating 31 of its bedrooms to serve as brand new Executive Rooms. The investment was the final in a series of high-end upgrades across the hotel in recent years. Sligo Park Hotel Director/General Manager Gerard Moore said: We are absolutely thrilled to have been awarded the Gold Medal for Outstanding Accommodation at the IASI Awards. This incredible recognition is a true testament to the passion, care, and consistent excellence of our amazing Accommodation Team who work tirelessly behind the scenes every day to ensure our guests experience the highest standards of comfort and cleanliness in our beautiful rooms. We couldnt be more proud of our Accommodation Manager Anne Conlon, our Accommodation Supervisor Magda Szczegodzinska, and all of their team. More than 250 older people from Sligo, Leitrim and across the region attended the first-ever Age Friendly Health and Wellbeing Festival at ATU Sligo last Friday, March 28. The event was a resounding success, providing attendees with valuable information, resources, and opportunities to connect with services that support healthy and independent living. The festival was organised by Age Friendly Ireland, in partnership with Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Sligo. Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, Cllr Declan Bree, officially opened the festival and remarked: This is a great opportunity for older people to get the information they need and have access to key people in a broad range of services under the one roof. Setting a lively tone for the day, the ATU Sligo Intergenerational Choir performed following the opening speeches, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere as attendees explored the 40 exhibitor stands. Exhibitors from public services, the voluntary sector, the university, and non-government organisations provided information on health, housing, community connectivity, climate change, energy sustainability, technology, financial entitlements, pensions, and fraud prevention. Over 26 workshops were delivered over the day, importantly giving older people an insight into the services available to them locally and an opportunity to find out about ATU projects including virtual reality in healthcare and intergenerational practice. Private one-on-one sessions with workshop speakers were also available, allowing for more personalised advice and guidance. Participants at the event also enjoyed food tasting while learning about nutrition and had the opportunity for a full eye health screening by Vision Ireland. As part of the festival, ATU also celebrated its recent designation as an Age-Friendly University, and new member of the Age-Friendly University Global Network. Dr Orla Flynn President of ATU said: ATU is proud to mark its designation as an Age-Friendly University, reinforcing our commitment to lifelong learning, inclusion, and community engagement. Todays festival is a testament to the strong partnerships we foster across the age-friendly ecosystem. We look forward to hearing from participants about how ATU can continue to support and enrich opportunities for older adults. This milestone reflects our dedication to creating an inclusive and welcoming university for learners of all ages. The festival was a chance for older adults to explore services at their ease and discover new technology to help them thrive in their late years. Reflecting on the success of the festival, Martin Lydon, Chief Executive of Sligo County Council, highlighted the power of collaboration. The Age Friendly Health and Wellbeing Festival was made possible by true collaboration between all the agencies involved. With an ageing population, it is important to involve older people in co-designing services so that we know what changes are needed to promote independence and high quality of life for people as they age. Access to information and accessible communication are core elements of the World Health Organisation framework for developing Age Friendly communities, said Mr Lydon. When generations come together magic happens, magic happened, and relationships were built as the ATU students guided and assisted the older people throughout the venue. Mary Quinn, Directory of Services Leitrim County Council, recognised the work of all who had contributed to the success of the festival. Today is another step closer to a vibrant Age Friendly Ireland, one that has an array of supports and services enabling older people to live longer, happier and healthier lives in their communities, she said. Older people were able to register for Healthy Age Friendly Homes, a support co-ordination service delivered through the local authority. Under this new service, local co-ordinators undertake home visits to older people and complete a home assessment. They support older people to remain living at home by helping them to access necessary services such as Home Supports, and grants such as housing adaptation and energy grants. Sligo and Leitrims Age Friendly Programmes welcomed new members to join their Older Peoples Councils on the day. Todays, Age Friendly festival is a key milestone for both Sligo and Leitrims Age friendly Programmes said Eimear McCormack, National Healthy Age Friendly Homes Manager. This event is creating a valuable opportunity to enhance our connections and work together towards our shared vision of supporting older people in the community Bringing the festival to a close, the Choir of Ages from the Ballagh Centre, Co. Leitrim delivered a heart warming final performance, rounding off a truly special and informative day. Louise Furlong at Lu Lu's Boutique was one of many to host a fundraiser last Friday, March 28, in association with Daffodil Day to raise funds for the Irish Cancer Society. The event featured tea, coffee, and a warm community atmosphere, drawing in locals and passers by alike. The highlight of the morning was an entertaining rendition of All Kinds of Everything performed by locals, Sean Sutton, Betty Moran and Siobhan O'Connor. It was a light-hearted and fun-filled morning, and Louise's shop was filled with people chatting, smiling and singing along in support of the worthy cause. Sean Sutton, who is chairman of New Ross Boat Club, announced that the club has committed to grow 1,000 daffodils for donation next year. Meanwhile, the local coordinator for Daffodil Day, Anthony Connick expressed his delight at this initiative and commended the club for supporting the Irish Cancer Society. Anthony also thanked Louise for her hospitality and continued support of the event. Sharing his thoughts on the event, Sean said: "It's a great charity that does incredible work, and the funds raised today are going to a very worthy cause. Louise hosts this coffee morning annually and this year I am proud to have been part of this amazing community effort, he added. Delighted with the large numbers who attended throughout the day, Louise commented: 'It is a day when people who have been touched by this illness, in one way or another, show support for each other along with the charity." She thanked all for their continued support and had particular praise for Sean, Betty and Siobhan and said "their enthusiasm created a fun and lively atmosphere which everyone thoroughly enjoyed." The event showcased the generosity and spirit of New Ross and all involved said they look forward to continuing their support for the Daffodil Day campaign and the Irish Cancer Society in the future. Paddy McKillen Jnr puts Irelands most haunted house up for sale The developer and son of billionaire Paddy McKillen has abandoned his plans to convert the landmark Wexford building into a luxury hotel Loftus Hall, Hook Head, Wexford. Jessica O'Connor New Ross Standard Wed 2 Apr 2025 at 14:05 One of Irelands most historic buildings and its 68-acre estate based in south County Wexford is about to be launched on the property market, with offers expected to be in excess of 4 million. Mick Wallace plays down allegations of human rights abuses in Yemen when discussing eight-day trip The former MEP said it was pretty understandable when asked about claims that the Houthi leadership uses child soldiers Mick Wallace speaks at the conference on Palestine in Yemen Padraig Byrne Wexford People Wed 2 Apr 2025 at 17:11 Former MEP and TD Mick Wallace has spoken out about a recent eight-day trip to Yemen which saw him meet with the countrys Houthi leadership and address up to a million people at a massive rally in the capital of Sanaa. To celebrate National Tree Week Wexford County Council (WCC), in conjunction with the Tree Council of Ireland and Coillte, distributed 1000 native saplings to primary schools across Co Wexford. To mark the event cathaoirleach of WCC, Councillor Pip Breen presented a tree to members of the Green School Committee at Court National School. Cllr Breen said that this years theme, Planting Trees, Growing Together, encourages all ages to plant trees and learn more about the importance of trees and forests. By working collectively to plant and care for trees we create a healthier environment that ensures our forests and green spaces continue to thrive for future generations. National Tree Week is an annual event organised by the Tree Council of Ireland in partnership with Coillte. It is the largest tree celebration in the country, providing a unique opportunity for people to come together and celebrate the beauty and importance of Ireland's trees. Wexford County Council also promote and support local communities with the Trees for Wexford Scheme which saw 9,745 trees, and saplings distributed to voluntary community groups and schools in February 2025. The former Mrs Ireland is married to Irish entrepreneur Gareth Sheridan US model Heidi Sheridan has said that she moved to Ireland so her daughter (2) doesnt have to take part in active shooter drills. The former Mrs Ireland met her husband Irish businessman Gareth Sheridan when he was in her home state of Utah on a business trip. Their family moved to the Emerald Isle following the re-election of US President Donald Trump. "I always knew my children would be Irish, she told the Irish Mirror. There is no way I would let my five-year-old walk through a metal detector and then also be in that school atmosphere and learning active shooter drills. The drills are common practice in American schools, and aim to prepare students and teachers in the event of an active shooter. "There is no way. I didnt have to grow up that way and I didn't want my child to do that, she said, adding: Emotional and physical safety were the exact reasons we moved back here." The couple, who adopted their two-year-old daughter Roe in 2022, secretly tied the knot in September 2017, but held a more lavish affair at the Palmerstown House Estate in Kildare the following year. The interior designer won Mrs Ireland and went on to represent the country at the Mrs World competition in 2019. The pageant is akin to the famous Miss World but is for married women. I was a Miss Murray in my hometown in Utah when I was in my 20s and I never thought Id do another one again as theyre scary - youre completely out of your comfort zone, the former pageant queen told The Irish Sun before the competition. "I did Mrs Ireland because Im not Irish but my husband is and I dont have a ton of friends in Ireland so I thought it would be a fun way to meet people. I never thought Id win it, she added. While Sheridan did not go on to win the overall Mrs World pageant, her successor Mrs Ireland 2020 Shaylyn Ford did. Heidis husband Gareth, who hails from Dublin, founded pharmaceutical company Nutriband in 2012. He won Bank of Irelands Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2014. 23 people contact police tracing further potential victims of rapist PhD student In March, Chinese PhD student Zhenhao Zou, 28, was convicted of 28 offences, including 11 rapes against 10 women Police believe Zhenhao Zou may be one of the UKs most prolific sex offenders (Met Police/PA) Helen William Wed 2 Apr 2025 at 07:55 More than 20 women have contacted police to say they may have been raped by Zhenhao Zou, the Chinese PhD student detectives believe may be one of the UKs most prolific sex offenders. Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan have flown from Romania to Dubai on a huge private jet dubbed Tate Force One after being required to report to a police station in Bucharest. The pair, under investigation for human trafficking and other alleged crimes, had been obliged to return from the US to Romania to check in with authorities as part of their probation conditions. Russia cannot accept US proposals to end the war in Ukraine in their current form because they do not address problems Moscow regards as having caused the conflict, a senior Russian diplomat said, suggesting US-Russia talks on the subject had stalled. Promises of high-paying work used to lure public into ranch where they are forced to join Mexican cartel Those who refuse or try to escape are beaten, tortured and then murdered Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman after being captured on February 22, 2014, in Mexico City, Mexico. Photo: Getty Fabiola Sanchez Wed 2 Apr 2025 at 03:30 The renewed investigation of a ranch in western Mexico, where authorities say the Jalisco New Generation Cartel trained recruits, has revealed some details about how one of the countrys most powerful drug cartels operates. A Palestinian child among the rubble of a Gaza house destroyed in an Israeli strike. Photo: Reuters Palestinian doctors working in Gaza have accused Israeli forces of using electric shocks, turning medics into human shields and repeatedly torturing them after they were arrested without charge. Dr Khaled Al-Serr, a surgeon at Nasser Hospital in the southern Gaza Strip, said the Israeli military raided the facility where he worked on two different occasions, arresting dozens of medical workers as they treated injured Palestinians. Bullet Train Explosion OTT release date: This Netflix movie is a contemporary retelling of the 1975 classic The Bullet Train. According to the streaming service, the film uses real bullet trains and equipment, which results in incredibly realistic scenes and an intense, nonstop suspenseful ride. Bullet Train Explosion is ready to take you on a risky but adventurous ride very soon. For those who are intrigued by the concept, Bullet Train Explosion will be released on Netflix on 23rd April 2025. Plot The Shinkansen General Operation Control Center received a stressful phone call. According to the caller, a bomb has been installed on the Hayabusa No. 60 on its way to Tokyo, and it will detonate as soon as the Shinkansen train's speed falls below 100 km/h. To disarm the bomb, the caller asks for a ransom of 100 billion yen. In the final moments, the passengers, crew, and railroad workers fight to stop the explosion in the little time they have left. Cast and crew Bullet Train Explosion stars Tsuyoshi Kusanagi, Kanata Hosoda, Non, Jun Kaname, Machiko Ono, Hana Toyoshima, Daisuke Kuroda, Satoshi Matsuo, Suzuka Ohgo, Matsuya Onoe, Naomasa Musaka, Pierre Taki, Bando Yajuro and Takumi Saitoh. The film is directed by Shinji Higuchi and is based on The Bullet Train, originally directed by Junya Sato and produced by Toei. The project is produced by Kota Ishizuka, with Kensei Mori serving as the line producer. Katsuro Onoue takes on the role of associate director, while the screenplay is written by Kazuhiro Nakagawa and Norichika Oba. The music for the film is composed by Taisei Iwasaki and Yuma Yamaguchi. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. As Dandadan season 2 prepares for its much awaited summer release, anime fans are giddy with anticipation. Fans are more curious than ever about the precise month that the mysterious sci-fi series will return. A new teaser trailer for the forthcoming second season of DAN DA DAN was put out by the series' official channels after the anime stage event at Jump Festa 2025. As rumours circulate around the release date, weve got to know the expected month when the anime will make its awaited return. Dandadan season 2 release window According to Crunchyroll, Dandadan Season 2 is scheduled to premiere in July 2025. What is DanDaDan about? Okarun, an occult geek, and Momo, a high school student from a family of spirit mediums, quarrel when they first meet. Okarun believes in aliens but denies ghosts, while Momo believes in spirits but denies aliens. When it turns out that both phenomena are true, Okarun acquires the power of a curse and Momo awakens a latent strength. They must fight the supernatural powers endangering their world together. More about the anime At the anime studio Science SARU, Fuga Yamashiro directed the first season of the TV anime series, while Hiroshi Seko wrote the scripts, Naoyuki Onda designed the characters, and Kensuke Ushio composed the soundtrack. According to Crunchyroll, since April 2021, Yukinobu Tatsu's original DAN DA DAN manga has been serialized in Shueisha's Shonen Jump+ digital manga magazine; thus far, 17 volumes have been published in Japan. VIZ Media offers an English-language edition. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. Havoc OTT Release Date: If you enjoy action movies with fights, chases, and a tough hero taking on bad guys, this ones a must-watch. Starring Tom Hardy and Forest Whitaker, this film is all about one man battling his way through criminals and corruption to save an innocent life. Havoc is set to release exclusively on Netflix starting April 25, 2025. What is Havoc about? Tom Hardy, known for playing intense roles in films like Mad Max: Fury Road, The Dark Knight Rises, and Venom, plays Walker in this one, who is a tough detective trying to survive in a dangerous city full of criminals. After a drug deal goes bad, Walker becomes the target of several groups: a ruthless crime gang, a corrupt politician, and even some of his own police colleagues. When he tries to help the politician's troubled son, whose role in the drug deal reveals a huge web of corruption, Walker has no choice but to fight his way through, taking on criminals at every step. Havocs cast and crew Alongside Hardy, Havoc features Timothy Olyphant (Justified, Deadwood), Justin Cornwell (The Umbrella Academy), Jessie Mei Li (Shadow and Bone) and Luis Guzman (Traffic, Carlitos Way) in key roles. Yeo Yann Yann, Xelia Mendes-Jones, Serhat Metin, Quelin Sepulveda, Sunny Pang, Michelle Waterson, Richard Pepper, Tony Parker and Megan Lockhurst also star in this one. Written and directed by Gareth Evans (The Raid, Gangs of London), Havoc is produced by Gareth Evans, Tom Hardy, Ed Talfan and Aram Tertzakian under the banner of One More One, Severn Screen and XYZ Films. This Tyler Bates musical is cinematographed by Matt Flannery and edited by Sara Jones. Excited enough to see Tom Hardy do what he does best? Drop your thoughts @indiatimes. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. High Tides Season 3 OTT Release Update: Fans of the highly-loved Belgian drama High Tides have reason to celebrate: filming for Season 3 is officially underway. This upcoming season promises to deliver another intense storyline filled with drama, secrets, and intrigue, not only along the Belgian coast but also in the snow. High Tides Season 3 will be streaming on Netflix in 2026. Familiar and beloved cast members, including Pommelien Thijs, Willem De Schryver, Eliyha Altena, Anna Drijver, Kes Bakker, and Ayana Doucoure, will be joined by new faces to be revealed at a later date. High Tides Season 2's recap In Season 2, viewers witnessed the complex dynamics between Louise (Pommelien), Daan (Eliyha), and Alex (Willem) evolve dramatically. Louise's struggle with bipolar disorder took center stage, affecting her relationships and personal decisions. Her on-again, off-again relationship with Daan faced numerous challenges, especially as she stopped taking her medication, leading to impulsive actions that strained their bond. Alex, dealing with guilt over past events, found himself stuck in family conflicts and personal dilemmas. What to expect from High Tides Season 3? As High Tides moves into its third season, the stakes are higher than ever. The pressure on Alex is growing as the Vandael family's real estate empire is on the verge of collapse. As Louise and Daan become consumed by their search for truth, tensions rise between the characters when the secrets theyve been hiding come to light. Will they finally find the love and affection they so desperately desire, or will their lives be consumed by a web of lies and betrayal? The third season of High Tides is produced by Anthony van Biervliet, directed by Anthony Schatteman, and written by Luk Wyns. Dingie produces the series for Netflix and VRT, in collaboration with Dutch FilmWorks, with support from the City of Knokke-Heist and the Belgian Federal Governments Tax Shelter initiative. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. Fans of the 2019 web series Kaafir have something to look forward to as the story makes its way to OTT in a brand-new film format. Kaafir is set to premiere exclusively on ZEE5 on April 4, 2025. Viewers can watch the film in multiple languages, including Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam, ensuring a wider audience can experience the compelling narrative from the comfort of their homes. Kaafir plot summary Inspired by a true story, Kaafir follows Kainaaz Akhtar, a Pakistani woman who, due to an unfortunate twist of fate, finds herself falsely accused of being a militant and imprisoned in India. During her time in captivity, she gives birth to a daughter. Years later, Vedant, a journalist in search of a meaningful story, stumbles upon Kainaaz and her plight. Determined to uncover the truth, he embarks on a journey to seek justice for her, unraveling a web of lies and prejudices along the way. The story explores themes of humanity, justice, and perseverance. Kaafir cast and crew The film features Dia Mirza in the lead role as Kainaaz Akhtar, while Mohit Raina plays Vedant, the journalist who fights for her freedom. Young talent Dishita Jain also plays a crucial role in the narrative. The film is directed by Sonam Nair and penned by Bhavani Iyer. Kaafir reviews The Quint calls Kaafir "an emotional and engaging watch that has all the elements you're looking for." First Post describes the film as "prominently placed amidst the saddening Indo-Pak socio-political scenario, the narrative of Kaafir is not only beautiful, but also relevant." For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. April 2025 school holidays list: April 2025 is packed with several school holidays, offering students and families a chance to celebrate various religious and cultural festivals. These holidays include significant Hindu, Jain, and Christian observances, such as Ram Navami, Mahavir Jayanti, and Good Friday. If you are looking for a list of school holidays in April 2025, heres everything you need to know. However, school holidays can vary depending on state government policies. Parents and students should check their respective states academic calendars to confirm specific holiday schedules. Complete List of School Holidays in April 2025 April 6 Ram Navami Ram Navami is an important Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Rama. In April 2025, the festival of Ram Navami falls on Sunday, April 6. According to Hindu tradition, Lord Rama was born on Navami Tithi during Shukla Paksha of Chaitra month. Devotees across India and the world observe this day with prayers, fasting, and temple visits. Ram Navami is marked with devotional songs, recitation of the Ramayana, and grand processions in many parts of India. Many schools remain closed on this day, making it a key holiday in the school holidays in April 2025. April 10 Mahavir Jayanti One of the most significant festivals for Jains, Mahavir Jayanti 2025, will be observed on Thursday, April 10. This day marks the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavir, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism. Devotees commemorate this occasion with prayers, fasting, and acts of charity. Mahavir Jayanti highlights the teachings of Lord Mahavir, focusing on non-violence, truth, and compassion. Schools in various states remain closed on this day, making it an essential date in the list of school holidays in April 2025. Lord Mahavir was born in 599 BCE in Kundagrama (modern-day Bihar). He renounced his royal life at the age of 30 in search of enlightenment. After 12 years of deep meditation, he attained Kevala Jnana (omniscience) and dedicated his life to spreading his teachings, which form the foundation of Jainism today. April 18 Good Friday Good Friday is a solemn Christian observance that commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. In 2025, Good Friday falls on April 18, marking a day of mourning and reflection for Christians worldwide. This day is observed with church services, fasting, and prayers. Many schools remain closed, as Good Friday is a public holiday in several states in India. It is an essential part of the school holidays in April 2025. Good Friday is followed by Easter Sunday, which celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The belief in Jesus' sacrifice for humanity's sins and his resurrection forms the core of Christian faith. Check the Official Academic Calendar for School Holidays While these are some of the major school holidays in April 2025, school closure dates can vary based on location and education board policies. Parents and students are advised to verify the list of school holidays with their respective state education boards or school administration. With festivals like Ram Navami, Mahavir Jayanti, and Good Friday, April 2025 brings a mix of devotion, reflection, and celebration. Ensure you stay updated with your schools holiday calendar and make the most of these festive breaks. For more informative articles on historical and upcoming events from around the world, please visit Indiatimes Events. Ram Navami 2025 date & timings: Ram Navami is one of the most significant Hindu festivals, celebrated with great devotion by Hindus in India and worldwide. The auspicious day marks the birth of Lord Rama, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu, in the holy city of Ayodhya during the Treta Yuga. This auspicious occasion is also known as Shri Ram Janmotsav. As per the Hindu lunar calendar, Ram Navami 2025 falls on the Navami Tithi of Shukla Paksha in the Chaitra month. The festival is observed on the ninth day of Chaitra Navaratri, typically in March or April. In 2025, Ram Navami will be celebrated on April 6. Ram Navami 2025 Date and Timings Many devotees are wondering whether Ram Navami 2025 will be observed on April 5 or April 6. According to Drik Panchang, Ram Janmotsav will be celebrated on Sunday, April 6, 2025. Ram Navami 2025 Puja Timings Rama Navami Madhyahna Muhurat : 11:08 AM to 01:39 PM : 11:08 AM to 01:39 PM Rama Navami Madhyahna Moment: 12:24 PM 12:24 PM Navami Tithi Begins: 07:26 PM on April 5, 2025 07:26 PM on April 5, 2025 Navami Tithi Ends: 07:22 PM on April 6, 2025 All about Ram Navami? Ram Navami is a sacred Hindu festival that commemorates the birth of Lord Rama, an embodiment of righteousness, courage, and devotion. Hindus believe that Lord Vishnu descended to Earth in the form of Shri Ram to establish dharma and eliminate evil. Lord Ramas life and teachings, as described in the epic Ramayana, emphasize values such as truth, loyalty, and compassion. The festival is widely celebrated across India, particularly in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, the birthplace of Lord Ram. The History of Ram Navami As per Hindu scriptures, Lord Rama was born to King Dasharatha and Queen Kaushalya in Ayodhya on this day. Some devotees also believe that Lord Rama was a reincarnation of Lord Vishnu, sent to Earth to restore dharma. His birth brought joy and prosperity to the kingdom, and his life remains a guiding light for devotees. How is Ram Navami Celebrated? Ram Navami is observed with great enthusiasm, involving a range of religious and cultural activities: 1. Fasting and Prayers Many devotees observe a strict fast on Ram Navami 2025, refraining from consuming grains and eating only fruits and milk-based foods. The fast is broken after offering prayers to Lord Rama. 2. Bhajans and Kirtans Devotees gather in temples or homes to sing bhajans (devotional songs) and recite kirtans (spiritual hymns) in praise of Lord Rama. 3. Temple Visits People visit Ram temples, such as Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya, and participate in special pujas and aartis dedicated to Lord Rama. 4. Ramayana Recitations Many devotees read or listen to Ramayana Katha, narrating the life story of Lord Rama, his exile, and his victory over Ravana. 5. Shobha Yatra (Grand Processions) In cities like Ayodhya, Varanasi, Rameswaram, and Bhadrachalam, grand processions called Shobha Yatras are carried out. Devotees carry idols of Lord Rama, Sita, Lakshman, and Hanuman in decorated chariots while chanting religious hymns. 6. Ram Lila Performances Dramatic reenactments of Lord Ramas life, known as Ramlila, are performed in various parts of the country, showcasing his battle against Ravana. 7. Charity and Social Service Many devotees engage in charitable acts, distributing food, clothes, and essential items to the underprivileged as a way of honouring Lord Ramas principles of compassion and kindness. Significance of Ram Navami Ram Navami is not just a religious festival but a spiritual event that reinforces the ideals of righteousness (dharma). It also marks the conclusion of Chaitra Navaratri, a nine-day festival dedicated to Goddess Durga and Lord Rama. The teachings of Lord Rama continue to inspire millions worldwide, and his legacy is upheld by Hindus through devotion, prayers, and the practice of ethical living. Happy Ram Navami 2025 Wishes May Lord Rama bless you with happiness, peace, and prosperity. Wishing you and your family a very Happy Ram Navami 2025! On this sacred occasion of Ram Navami, may the virtues of Lord Rama inspire you to walk the path of righteousness and truth. Jai Shri Ram! May this Ram Navami bring joy, success, and divine blessings into your life. May you be guided by Lord Ramas wisdom and courage! Happy Ram Navami 2025! Celebrate the birth of Lord Rama by following his ideals of dharma, love, and kindness. Wishing you a blessed and joyous Ram Navami! On this auspicious day, may your heart be filled with devotion and your life with peace. Jai Shri Ram! Wishing you a Happy Ram Navami 2025! May the divine blessings of Lord Rama bring you happiness, prosperity, and success. Wishing you and your family a joyous and blessed Ram Navami! On this holy occasion of Ram Navami, may Lord Rama guide you on the path of righteousness and fill your life with peace and joy. Happy Ram Navami 2025! Let us celebrate the birth of Lord Rama with devotion and gratitude. May his divine presence bless your home with love and harmony. Wishing you a Happy Ram Navami! As we celebrate the birth of Shri Ram, may his virtues of courage, kindness, and wisdom inspire us all. Have a blessed and blissful Ram Navami! May the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami bring happiness to your life and may Lord Rama bless you with good health and success. Jai Shri Ram! Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Ram Navami 2025 Q. When is Ram Navami 2025? Ram Navami 2025 falls on April 6 (Sunday). Q. Is Ram Navami a public holiday? Yes, Ram Navami is a public holiday in many parts of India. Schools, government offices, and businesses may remain closed on this day. Q. What is the Ram Navami Shobha Yatra? It is a grand procession held in various cities where idols of Lord Rama are carried in chariots, and devotees chant bhajans and hymns in celebration of his birth. Q. Do people fast on Ram Navami? Yes, many devotees fast on Ram Navami, either from midnight to noon or from sunrise to sunset. Some observe a nirjala fast (without food and water), while others consume only fruits and milk. Q. Where are the major Ram Navami celebrations held? The biggest celebrations take place in Ayodhya, Sitamarhi, Rameswaram, and Bhadrachalam, where large processions, pujas, and cultural events are organised. Q. What is the Puja Vidhi for Ram Navami? On Ram Navami, devotees clean their homes and puja rooms, decorate idols of Lord Rama, Sita, Lakshman, and Hanuman, and offer flowers, fruits, and sweets. The puja is performed with devotional prayers and hymns. Q. How to break the Ram Navami fast? Devotees who observe the eight prahar fast (from sunrise to sunset) can break their fast after sunset by consuming fruits, milk, or light vegetarian food. Ram Navami 2025, celebrated on April 6, is an occasion of immense joy and devotion for Hindus worldwide. From fasting and prayers to grand processions and cultural events, the festival embodies the teachings of Lord Rama and encourages a life of righteousness and compassion. As devotees prepare to observe this sacred festival, they immerse themselves in prayers, rituals, and charitable activities to seek blessings from Lord Rama. Whether through fasting, bhajans, or temple visits, Ram Navami remains a timeless celebration of divine virtue and wisdom. For more informative articles on historical and upcoming events from around the world, please visit Indiatimes Events. Motorola Edge 60 Pro leaks: With the recent release of the Motorola Edge 60 Fusion, Motorola is in the news. Now, the first live photos of the Motorola Edge 60 Pro have surfaced, showing off some intriguing design changes! This is for you if you enjoy modern features and streamlined designs. It is anticipated that the Edge 60 Pro will have a more sophisticated camera module, a gorgeous curved-edge OLED display, and a high-end construction. With enhanced performance, longer battery life, and AI-driven photography, Motorola appears to be stepping up its game. This can be the ideal choice if you're searching for a powerful everyday driver or a sleek update. Motorola Edge 60 Pro design and display (Leaked) Exclusive for XpertPick: Motorola Edge 60 Pro first live images pic.twitter.com/xTjwseULTj Sudhanshu Ambhore (@Sudhanshu1414) April 2, 2025 Motorola seems to be getting ready to add the brand-new Edge 60 Pro to its Edge portfolio. We have the first real-time pictures of the next smartphone today. The pictures clearly display the device's design by showcasing both its front and rear. Sudhanshu is the source of these pictures. Like its predecessor, the Edge 50 Pro, the Edge 60 Pro's curved front display suggests an immersive viewing experience. Like other Motorola Edge series smartphones like the Edge 50 Fusion, Edge 50 Neo, and others, the rear panel is constructed of vegan leather, which provides a more upscale feel and improved grip over glass backs. The camera configuration consists of an LED flash and three lenses contained in a square module. The cameras' precise specifications are yet unknown, although they probably consist of a telephoto or macro lens, an ultra-wide lens, and a high-resolution primary sensor. The back panel features the Motorola logo in the center, keeping the design simple and uncluttered. The gadget will compete with other flagship smartphones on the market and seems like a high-end product. Motorola Edge 60 Pro's expected specifications Motorola Edge 60 Pro design leaked | Credit: X Though more configurations might be available at launch, the Edge 60 Pro has already surfaced on Geekbench AI, confirming that it will come with 12GB of RAM and run Android 15 out of the box. According to the listing, the MediaTek Dimensity 8350 SoC will power the gadget. In addition to Geekbench, the gadget has been certified by TUV Rheinland, Dekra, and the FCC. Connectivity features like 5G, 4G LTE, Bluetooth LE, and Wi-Fi are confirmed by the FCC listing. According to the TUV and Dekra certifications, the phone will have a 5,100mAh battery that supports 68W rapid charging. Motorola Edge 60 Pro's expected price Motorola Edge 60 Pro might launch with 5,100mAh battery | Credit: X The Edge 60 Pro, which has already obtained BIS certification, is anticipated to launch in India shortly. A recent listing suggests that the 12GB/512GB model of the phone could cost EUR 649.89, or about Rs 60,200. In contrast, the Motorola Edge 50 Pro cost Rs 31,999 when it was first released in India. For the latest and more interesting tech news, keep reading Indiatimes Tech. Donald Trumps proposed tariffs could have a major impact on Indias exports to the US. With billions of dollars in trade on the line, several industries are bracing for potential losses. The hardest-hit sectors include electronics, gems & jewellery, pharmaceuticals, automobiles & auto components, and textiles. Here's how these industries might be affected. Electronics: Indias biggest export may face a setback India exported $11.1 billion worth of electronics to the US in FY24, making up 14% of total exports to America. The US, in turn, is the biggest buyer of Indian electronics, accounting for 32% of total shipments. A tariff hike could significantly impact this trade. A major example is Apples iPhone production in India. More than half of Indias electronics exports to the US are mobile phones, especially iPhones assembled at Foxconns Chennai plant. If tariffs rise, Apple may rethink its production in India, which could affect job opportunities and the countrys role in global manufacturing. Gems & Jewellery: A $9.9 billion industry in jeopardy India is a global leader in the gems & jewellery sector, and the US is a major buyer, accounting for 30% ($9.9 billion) of Indias $33 billion exports in this category. The trade includes cut and polished diamonds, studded gold jewellery, and lab-grown diamonds. Experts state that some Indian jewellery manufacturers may even shift operations to places like Singapore, the UAE, or Oman to avoid high duties. Given that this industry is labor-intensive, a decline in exports could lead to significant job losses. Considering this, one of the hardest-hit regions could be Surat, Gujarat, which is a major hub for diamond cutting and polishing. If tariffs increase, American buyers might choose to source diamonds from countries like Belgium or Israel, which have lower trade restrictions. This could impact the earnings of thousands of small jewellery businesses in Surat. Pharmaceuticals: A crucial sector at risk India is a major supplier of generic medicines to the US, accounting for 47% of the total generic drug imports by volume. The affordability of Indian pharmaceutical products makes them attractive to US buyers, making them difficult to replace. If the tariff increase remains below 10%, analysts predict that Indian pharmaceutical stocks could react positively. However, a higher tariff could put pressure on the industry. Most pharma companies believe they can pass the added costs onto US buyers, minimizing financial damage. For example: a company like Sun Pharma, which exports widely to the US, could be impacted. If the tariffs are less than 10%, Indian pharma stocks might not see a big fall. But if the US imposes higher tariffs, companies like Cipla and Dr. Reddys could struggle, as their medicines would become more expensive for American buyers. Automobiles & auto components: Indian players on edge While the US is not a major destination for Indias vehicle exports, auto component makers are more vulnerable. In FY24, 27% of Indias auto component exports went to the US. Companies like Sona Comstar, which gets 43% of its revenue from North America, and Samvardhana Motherson, which earns 18% from the US, could face challenges. Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), owned by Tata Motors, may also take a hit, as 30% of its sales come from the US. Since JLR doesnt have a manufacturing base in America, its cars will face tariffs, impacting profitability. Textiles & apparel: A competitive industry under pressure India exported $9.6 billion worth of textiles and apparel to the US in FY24, making up 28% of total exports in this sector. If tariffs increase, Indian products may become more expensive than those from competitors. A prime example for this is Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, known as Indias "T-shirt capital." Many brands in the US buy cotton garments from Tiruppur. If tariffs increase, US buyers might switch to suppliers from Vietnam, which has a free trade agreement with the US. This could affect thousands of workers in Tiruppurs textile factories. Whats next? The markets monitor closely PM Modi with Donald Trump | Credit: X With foreign institutional investors (FIIs) closely monitoring Trumps tariff plans, market volatility is expected. However, some netizens believe that Indias strong corporate fundamentals and ongoing trade talks could soften the blow. According to industry experts, a weakening rupee may also help offset some tariff pressures. Will Trump fully implement the tariffs, or is this just another trade negotiation tactic? The answer to this is still awaited. US President Donald Trump has announced reciprocal tariffs on countries that impose high duties on American goods, including India and Japan. The move, to be announced on April 2 at a White House event called Make America Wealthy Again, is set to take effect immediately. Trump called the day Liberation Day for American businesses, arguing that these tariffs will boost the US economy. However, social media users have responded with mixed reactions, questioning the economic impact and political motives behind the decision. PM Modi with Donald Trump | Credit: X Stock market concerns and trade war fears One major concern is the potential impact on the stock market. A social media user expressed frustration, saying, Every time Trump opens his mouth & talks about Tariffs, the Stock Market drops. This is a sick game Donald is having sick pleasure with. The fear of instability in financial markets is a recurring theme, as many believe tariff-related uncertainties could negatively affect investors. Every time Trump opens his mouth & talks about Tariffs, the Stock Market drops. This is a sick game Donlad is having sick pleasure with. #DUMPTRUMP# in the trash now. @Monica Fuentes15 (Mrs.) NO DM's (@MonicaPantoja15) March 28, 2025 Another user speculated on how global trade might react: Donald Trump to announce new tariffs today on April 2. How India plans to counter U.S. duties? Will global trade tensions escalate? Which sectors will be affected (Auto, Auto components, Pharma, Metals, IT, Textile, Agriculture)? This highlights the broader concerns regarding industries that rely on international trade and how countries like India might strategize in response. Donald Trump to announce new tariffs today on April 2. How India plans to Counter U.S duties. Will global trade tensions escalate? Which sectors will be affected ( Auto, Auto components, Pharma, Metals, IT, Textile, Agriculture ) ? Is India ready to face the reciprocal taxes? Neon 2.0 (@NextDoorNeon2) April 2, 2025 Economic strategies and Indias response Some believe that the tariff war is a calculated move by the US to increase its revenue but caution that other nations will not stay silent. A user posted, Tariff war has entered our corridor, all talented economic brains r at work. USAs Donald Trump is experiencing tariffs for better revenues for his country to be great, but he should know that every country will think of being great and see its interests. Tariff war has entered our corridor, all talented economic brain's r at workUSA s Donald Trump is experiencing tariffs fr better revenues fr his country to b great but he shd know that every country will think of being great nd see it's interestsIndia n ,all will hv reforms T. D Chawla (@TDChawla_75) April 2, 2025 Despite concerns, one user was confident that India has already taken steps to address the situation. It is not possible that Donald Trump will impose a unilateral tariff against India. The Indian government would have 100% found a solution in this regard through discussions, without any nonsense, quietly and peacefully. It is not possible that Donald Trump will impose a unilateral tariff against India. The Indian government would have 100% found a solution in this regard through discussions, without any nonsense, quietly and peacefully. ASHIT KUMAR BHATNAGAR (@ashit_bhatnagar) April 2, 2025 Political distractions or genuine economic reform? A section of social media users believes that the timing of Trumps tariffs aligns with internal political agendas in India. One user pointed out, Today Donald Trump is imposing high tariff on India and same day Modi govt will table #WaqfAmendmentBill at Parliament. Entire media will be busy debating on Waqf issue so that they can divert us from real issue. This is how Modi is fooling us since 2014. Today Donald Trump is imposing high tariff on India and same day Modi govt will table #WaqfAmendmentBill at Parliament Entire media will be busy in debating on Waqf issue so that they can divert us from real issue This is how Modi is fooling us since 2014 Dr Jun_x Critic (@Iamdrjun1) April 2, 2025 Trumps reciprocal tariffs have sparked widespread discussion, with concerns ranging from market instability to diplomatic solutions. While some fear economic setbacks, others believe India is well-prepared to handle the situation. Whether this move strengthens American business or leads to deeper trade conflicts remains to be seen. For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. AI-generated art has exploded on social media, with users sharing surreal, Ghibli-inspired visuals that blur the line between dreams and reality. Whether youre turning selfies into magical animations or recreating scenes from My Neighbor Totoro, its hard to ignore the magic of AI. But behind the mesmerising beauty lies a cloud of controversyprivacy risks and copyright nightmares are lurking beneath the surface. Studio Ghibli style photos via ChatGPT Lets start with the bright side: OpenAIs latest ChatGPT update has made it super easy to whip up your own Ghibli-style images. From Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Elon Musk, everyones been getting in on the action, with Musk even sharing a Ghibli-fied version of himself as Rafiki, holding up Doge as the future ruler. Its fun, its quirky, and its taking over our feeds like wildfire. Studio Ghibli pics ft. ChatGPT but heres the catch! Buttheres always a butprivacy experts have sounded the alarm. According to Proton, a privacy platform, uploading personal photos to AI tools could put your data at serious risk. They explain that once your photos are shared, theyre used to train AI models, which means the photos could be used without your consent. The possibility of this data being sold to third parties or used for targeted ads is a concern many users arent even thinking about. What happens to your image after its been Ghiblified? Well, thats the big question. Ghib Morning Say it back! pic.twitter.com/yAIl9t25ur Ghibli (@ghibli) March 31, 2025 Futurist Elle Farrell-Kingsley also weighed in, highlighting how metadata, location, and even sensitive personal details can be exposed when you upload photos to AI tools. She added that if a service is free, your data is the pricea harsh reality thats hard to ignore. Are these pictures impacting privacy of your personal lives Even more concerning is the impact on childrens privacy, as AI tools could collect and misuse their data. The Himachal Cyber Warriors have warned that unlike passwords, once facial data is compromised, its there for good. A compromised selfie can never be deleted. And lets not forget the legal side of things. While the artistic style of Ghibli itself isnt protected by copyright, theres still the risk of AI-generated images coming too close to the original designs. Intellectual property lawyers are concerned that some AI tools may be walking a fine line, especially if they replicate specific elements from Ghiblis iconic films. Studio Ghiblis co-founder Hayao Miyazakis harsh words On top of all of this, even Studio Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki has had harsh words for AI art, calling it an insult to life itself. His criticism echoes the ongoing debate about the role of technology in creative work. So, while the trend of Ghibli-style AI images might be fun and beautiful, its not without its risks. As the AI art boom continues, its essential to weigh the magic with cautionbecause sometimes, what seems too good to be true usually is. To stay updated on the stories that are going viral follow Indiatimes Trending. After Kim Soo Hyun denied allegations of an underage relationship with Kim Sae Ron, his legal team has now refuted five intimate photos of the former couple released by the Garosero Research Institute, which claimed to prove the actor 'groomed' the late actress. On Wednesday, Kim Soo Hyun's legal representatives, LKB Partners, issued a statement addressing the leaked private photos. They provided a revised timeline, arguing that the couple only began dating after Kim Sae Ron reached the legal age of consent. For the unversed, Kim Sae Rons family, through Garosero, alleged that the two began dating when Kim Sae Ron was just 15, while Kim Soo Hyun was 27. However, Kim Soo Hyuns agency, Gold Medalist, has disputed this claim, stating that their relationship started after Kim Sae Ron reached adulthood, from the summer of 2019 to the fall of 2020. The cheek kiss picture In 2024, during the airing of Queen of Tears, Kim Sae Ron shared a private photo of herself with Kim Soo Hyun, sparking rumours of a romantic relationship between the two. However, letters found after her death revealed that she posted the picture in an attempt to capture Kim Soo Hyun's attention after his agency sent her a legal notice regarding debt repayment. Following this, Garosero released another, more intimate photo, showing Kim Soo Hyun kissing her cheek, reportedly taken on the same day. Credit: Garosero Credit: Garosero Garosero claimed the pictures were taken in 2015 when Kim Sae Ron was 16 and in 9th grade, calling the act "disgusting". However, Kim Soo Hyun's team disputed this claim, stating that the photo was taken after 2019, when both Kim Sae Ron and Kim Soo Hyun were adults. The naked picture that ignited a social media storm Garosero left the internet in disguts after they posted a semi-naked picture of Kim Soo Hyun, who was seen washing the dishes in Kim Sae Ron's kitchen. However, they did not share a timeline for the picture. Credit: Garosero Kim Soo Hyun's team's fact-check states that Kim Sae Ron moved into an apartment in Seoul's Haengdang neighbourhood in January 2020. They claim that the intimate photo was taken at this apartment and are unrelated to allegations of a romantic relationship with a minor, as Kim Sae Ron was already an adult by then. The house date picture Garosero Institute claimed that Kim Soo Hyun frequently visited Kim Sae Ron's house when she was a minor, despite her family's resentment. Soon after, Chinese netizens on Weibo shared a picture of Kim Sae Ron with a man, presumed to be Kim Soo Hyun, from 2015 to prove their minor relationship. Credit: X Kim Soo Hyun's legal team has now refuted these claims, arguing that the man in the picture is not Kim Soo Hyun. They added that the My Love from the Star actor never visited Kim Sae Ron's old home in Ilsan. The ski trip picture Garosero alleged that the ski trip photos of Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron were taken between 2015 and 2016, citing the release date of the Descente ski jackets they were wearing as evidence. That was January 22, 2020, and they went to the ski resort as a group with Gold Medalist employees, and there is a group photo! Scum YT once again caught lying!! #KimSooHyun #WeStandwithKimSooHyun https://t.co/nqLvgPm8q5 pic.twitter.com/OIWLugoTtd Soowonk216 (@kim_soowon16) April 2, 2025 However, Kim Soo Hyun's team has disputed this claim, stating that the photo was actually taken on January 22, 2020, when Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron visited the Vivaldi Ski Resort with other employees of their agency. His team also claimed that there are additional photos of the two with other employees from the same trip. At that time, Kim Sae Ron was also listed under Gold Medalist. Did Kim Soo Hyun drink soju at an underage Kim Sae Ron's house? Right after Kim Soo Hyun's press meet, Garosero dropped a video of Kim Soo Hyun, allegedly from 2018, in which he was seen having a meal and soju at Kim Sae Ron's house. His buzz cut further convinced netizens that the video was from 2018 when he was serving in the military. Credit: X ? pic.twitter.com/7eSPtaqRo0 (@masterofjgp) March 31, 2025 Kim Soo Hyun's team said that while the video was indeed from June 2018, it was actually shot at Kim Soo Hyun's family apartment in Seoul's Seongsu neighbourhood. They claimed that Kim Sae Ron visited him there while he was on military leave, and his family was also present. They emphasised that at the time, Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron were not romantically involved. For all the latest K-drama, K-pop, and Hallyuwood, keep following our coverage here. Step aside, Narayana Murthy and SN Subrahmanyan with your 70-90 hour workweeks - there's a new productivity guru in town! And it's none other than Microsoft founder Bill Gates, ready to claim the title of Gen Z's favorite billionaire. How? By predicting that in the next 10 years, humans may need to work just two days a week! Yes, you read that right, one of the world's richest men (currently 7th on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index) just gave us the ultimate dream, and we are all ears! Nowadays, AI is the answer to everything Bill Gates believes AI is set to shake up the job market so much that humans may only need to work two days a week within the next decade! In a February episode of The Tonight Show, which is now going viral, the Microsoft co-founder discussed how AI could revolutionise industries like medicine and education by making expert services more widely accessible. "And it's [AI technology] kind of profound because it solves all these specific problems, like we don't have enough doctors or mental-health professionals, but it brings with it so much change," Gates said. The 69-year old founder also speculated about how work itself might evolve: "You know, what will jobs be like? Should we, you know, just work like 2 or 3 days a week? So I love the way itll drive innovation forward, but I think it's a little bit unknown." This isn't the first time Gates has floated this idea. Back in 2023, as AI tools like ChatGPT were taking off, he predicted that society could eventually shift toward a three-day workweek. What do you think? Could AI free us from the traditional 9-to-5 grind? And if so, how do you think humans would be spending all that extra free time? To stay updated on the stories that are going viral, follow Indiatimes Trending. Greek government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis criticized the decision to summon journalist Sofia Giannaka before the Journalists Union of Athens (ESIEA) disciplinary board over an opinion article, asserting the states duty to protect journalistic freedom. In a social media post, Mr. Marinakis condemned the move, stating that while misinformation and personal attacks are prevalent, some are targeting a journalist for expressing her views He reaffirmed that press freedom is protected in Greece and that journalists must be allowed to voice opinions, provided they avoid slander or extreme rhetoric, regardless of whether those opinions align with mainstream views. Ms. Giannaka was summoned via email to explain an article she wrote on February 13, 2025, titled "Maria Karystianou, Maybe Shes Gone Too Far" for iefimerida.gr. ESIEA cited her articles alleged failure to acknowledge the broader societal demand for justice and a mothers struggle for the punishment of those responsible as the reason for the summons. In a follow-up article, "Summoned to Disciplinary Board for Touching Karystianou," Ms. Giannaka described the case as an attempt to silence critical voices. The incident has ignited a broader debate on journalistic independence and the boundaries of opinion writing in Greece. iefimerida.gr Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is presenting the countrys long-term defense strategy and armament program to Parliament today, outlining a military transformation driven by technological advancements and modern warfare. Mr. Mitsotakis will emphasize two main pillars: strengthening national defense through ongoing and planned military procurements, and integrating cutting-edge technology into the armed forces. Key upgrades include drones, advanced radar systems, missile and anti-submarine defense, and the "Achilles Shield" anti-drone air defense system, a project involving collaboration with Israel. The second pillar focuses on cyber defense and modern cyber warfare tactics, drawing lessons from the war in Ukraine. The government plans to enhance military capabilities through collaborations with research institutions and Greek defense firms, fostering innovation and developing domestically produced weapons systems. A key principle of the revamped program is the active participation of Greeces domestic defense industry. Mr. Mitsotakis is expected to declare that "no procurement will take place without Greek-made components or Greek workforce involvement." International defense contractors will be required to partner with local industries, including Hellenic Aerospace Industry, shipyards, and Greek Defense Systems. The government is reviewing a proposal from French defense giant Group Naval to establish a production line in Greece. Mr. Mitsotakis will also address internal party concerns following the initial exclusion of security forces from recent military salary increases. He is expected to outline a broader package of measures and explain the timing and rationale behind the pay raises announced by Defense Minister Nikos Dendias. He will stress the importance of defense and stability in Greeces geopolitical strategy, while acknowledging the need for continued economic growth. While Mr. Mitsotakis will present the broad outlines of the defense program, classified details will be shared in a closed-door briefing for Parliaments Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee, led by Mr. Dendias, in the coming weeks. By Yiannis Kantellis iefimerida.gr Daniel Bwala, President Bola Tinubus Special Adviser on Policy Communication, responded sharply to Peter Obis recent criticisms of the current administration. In an interview, Obi, the former Labour Party presidential candidate, slammed Tinubus government, reiterating his discontent with its performance. Bwala fired back, claiming that Obi has not yet recovered from his painful defeat in the 2023 elections. He suggested that Obi was struggling to effectively assume an opposition role, noting that his criticisms lacked substance and failed to resonate with the public. Advertisement Posting on X on Wednesday, Bwala had this to say: As I listen to @PeterObi this evening struggling to play the opposition (oppose the government) I cant but shudder at his abysmal delivery. He was speaking devoid of facts, logical analysis and almost sounded like a tinkling cymbal or a sounding brass. Mr Gregory has still not recovered from the painful defeat of the 2023 polls. But I can understand his confusion because as it stands today, he seem deserted in the banana republic of fantasy, wondering how he will convince his followers about his agreement to play a second fiddle in the 2027 wild goose chase of the opposition Nigeria dodged a bullet. https://x.com/BwalaDaniel/status/1907208587174113591?t=EMqHx-iSx4g2wyBq1Fzduw&s=19 The Delta State Police Commands CP-Special Assignment team has raided suspected kidnappers hideouts, arresting one suspect and seizing an AK-47 rifle, firearms, and 13 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition. SP Bright Edafe, the state Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed this in a press statement released to journalists in Warri on Tuesday. According to the statement, on March 26, 2025, the operatives, led by the teams commander, ASP Julius Robinson, extended their investigation to Rivers State while following the trail of some suspected kidnappers. Advertisement READ MORE: Oyo: Petrol Tanker Overturns Along Ogbomoso-Ilorin Expressway The team pursued a fleeing suspected kidnapper, Chedeye Mohammed, and eventually apprehended him. Upon interrogation, the suspect led the operatives to a bush after a trailer park in River State where they hid their weapons, the police statement read. It stated that police recovered an AK-47 rifle loaded with 13 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition from the suspect. The police spokesman revealed that an initial investigation showed the suspect and his gang operated in Ughelli, Agbarho, and other areas of the state before retreating to Rivers State. The PPRO confirmed that efforts are underway to apprehend the remaining gang members. Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has dismissed the petition filed by Action Alliance and Adekunle Omoaje against the election victory of Governor Monday Okpebholo. The court in Abuja, on Wednesday, also rejected petition by AA against the states ruling party, All Progressives Congress and Independent National Electoral Commission. In its judgment, three-member tribunal struck out the petition, describing it as lacking merit and frivolous. Advertisement INFORMATION NIGERIA learnt that AA and Omoaje had challenged Governor Okpebholos victory in the September 21, 2024, governorship election. The opposition party alleged corrupt practices and non-compliance with the Electoral Act. READ MORE: Gov Okpebholo Recovers 30 Official Vehicles From Obasekis Cabinet Members They argued that Governor Okpebholo did not secure the majority of lawful votes and that INECs declaration of his victory was illegal and unconstitutional. The petitioners also claimed that AA was denied the opportunity to field a governorship candidate, as the nomination form had not been signed by the partys National Chairman. In its judgment, the tribunal ruled that Omoaje lacked the legal standing to challenge the election since he did not participate in the poll. It also held that his claims, which stemmed from his non-recognition as AAs National Chairman by INEC, had no basis under the Electoral Act 2022. Consequently, the tribunal dismissed the petition in its entirety. Recall that APCs Governor Okpebholo defeated incumbent party, Peoples Democratic Partys candidate, Asue Ighodalo with 291,667 votes. Some properties worth millions of naira have been destroyed, following a fire outbreak in a six-room residential building, located at Elere House, the Gold and Rock area in Oyo Town, Oyo State. In a statement by General Manager of Oyo State Fire Service, Mr Yemi Akinyinka, disclosed that the inferno occurred on Tuesday. Mr. Akinyinka noted that the fire was caused by an electricity surge when Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, restored power. Advertisement READ MORE: Sharia Panels Free To Operate In Oyo Seyi Makinde He said: The fire incident was reported to our station at exactly 12:24 hours. Fire personnel, led by ACFS Oyedeji, promptly deployed to the scene. On arrival, we found a private residential building with six rooms engulfed in flames. We swiftly began operations and were able to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby buildings. Properties worth millions of naira were destroyed by the fire; no casualties were reported, and all surrounding buildings and properties worth billions of naira were saved by officers of this Agency. The fire incident was caused by an electricity surge when IBEDC restored power. An High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State has sentenced a 41-year-old man, Olasunkanmi Kareem, to life imprisonment for attempt murder of his former boss. INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that Mr. Kareem was arraigned on November 18, 2024, on a one-count charge of attempted murder, contrary to Section 241 of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021. It was gathered that the defendant, on August 11, 2024, at Ifaki Ekiti, set his former boss, Omoboriowo Bashiru ablaze due to a misunderstanding between them. Advertisement Narrating his ordeal before court on Wednesday, Mr. Omoboriowo said that Kareem was once an apprentice at his mechanic shop. He added that he had been supportive with him, even after his graduation as a professional mechanic. He said: The defendant was once my apprentice at my mechanic workshop. Even after he graduated, I continued to assist him whenever he had issues with customers cars. READ MORE: Ekiti Court Strikes Out Defamation Charge Against Farotimi On that day, he called me around 8pm, asking about a carburetor I had helped him repair. When I told him I didnt see it, he became abusive and threatened to set me ablaze wherever he found me. I thought he was joking. Later, I called him, and he told me where he was. We met at a vulcanizers workshop, and an argument ensued. Unknown to me, he had a gallon of petrol in his hand. Since it was dark, I didnt see it until he poured it on me. When I realized it was petrol, I tried to run, but my body was already on fire. I fell into a drainage before some passersby rescued me and put out the fire. I suffered severe burns and was rushed to the hospital. Meanwhile, the prosecution, led by Kunle-Shina Adeyemo, presented four witnesses and tendered Kareems statements, pictures of the victim, and a medical report as evidence. Delivering his judgment, Justice Jibril Aladejana held that the defendant had lured the victim to a location, ambushed him behind an electric pole, and doused him with petrol before setting him on fire. He said: The facts before the court show that the defendant deliberately set out to harm the victim. But for the intervention of passersby, the victim would have died. This intentional act of causing grievous bodily harm amounts to attempted murder. In my view, the defendant does not deserve leniency. He should face the full wrath of the law. In the circumstance, the defendant is sentenced to life imprisonment. Former presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi has berated President Bola Tinubus led administration over its approach to Nigerias economy. Obi also accused Tinubus government over implementing economic policies, saying that are responsible for hardship facing many Nigerians. Speaking on Tuesday during an interview with Arise TV, the former governor of Anambra State faulted the current administration over floating of naira in the absence of productivity. Advertisement Obi also insisted that if he were the President, the country would have experienced better economic changes in two years. He added that his government would have injected money into productivity that would lead to a more productive and sustainable economy. READ MORE: Democracy Has Been Knocked Down In Nigeria Peter Obi Obi said: The President that is there today, how many years has he stayed? Two years, and look at the turn of things. It means you can change things in two years. That means if I were there, you would have seen considerable change in critical areas. I would tackle corruption head-on, and I would reduce the cost of governance. You would have seen borrowed money invested in critical areas. Also, we have a country that is in huge debt. The current administration met a debt of about N17tn; in two years, it has moved to over N170tn. The cost of debt servicing is above the budget for critical areas like health, and education. 70 per cent of our primary health care centres are not functioning. I would fix our PHCs and primary schools if I were president. Kogi State government has said that only security agencies can decide whether Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan should be arrested for defying the state governments ban on rallies. Recall that Governor Usman Ododos led administration over the weekend, announced a restriction on public gatherings and rallies in Kogi, citing security concerns in the state. INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that the decision was made, as suspended lawmaker representing Kogi Central, Senator Natasha planned to pay a visit to her constituents on Tuesday. Advertisement Meanwhile, the states Police Command also declared a curfew in Natashas constituency, a development which was ignored by the lawmaker as she was received by thousands of supporters. Addressing her constituents and residents of Kogi Central, the Senator noted that nobody will deny her from engaging her people, adding that she is not a bastard of Ebira Land. READ MORE: Kogi Govt Reports Senator Natasha To Security Agencies For Holding Rally Despite Restrictions Reacting to Senator Natashas action during an interview with Channels TV on Tuesday, Kogi State commissioner of Information, Kingsley Fanwo, said that security agencies will determine the arrest of the lawmaker for defying governments orders. He said: There was a directive from the state governor, and the security agencies were told to execute the directive. If someone has violated it, the security agencies dont need another directive from the governor; they know what actions to take. Only the security agencies can determine whether the senator should be arrested or not; they are familiar with their procedures. I am not a police officer, but I am certain that she should be questioned thoroughly about her incitement. All cars sold in the U.S. are expected to get more expensive with the tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump. These new cars are shown at a storage lot at the Navy Yard last week. Read more At Ciocca Subaru of Philadelphia, general sales manager Ryan Concord had a message for customers the last Saturday in March: Our inventory is here right now, and its tariff-free. Come get it. Advertisement The Grays Ferry dealer, which each month sells more than 100 new cars and 60 to 70 used cars, has had a few customers come in looking to buy before prices get impacted, Concord said. As for the future, Concord said, were concerned. We dont know exactly how its gonna impact business, if its going to slow business down. The Trump administration is imposing 25% tariffs on imported auto parts and assembled cars, some of which went into effect Thursday. The move is part of a plan to protect and strengthen the U.S. automotive sector, as well as end unfair trade practices that jeopardize U.S. national security, the White House has said. The tariffs are intended to encourage U.S. car manufacturing and bring in $100 billion in revenue annually, according to the White House. Yet industry experts warn that they could drive up the price of both new and used cars, as well as the cost of repairs and insurance, at a time when consumers are already financially strained. In South Philly, Sarah Haas knows that her 2014 Chevy Cruze is getting to the end of its life but has put off looking for a new one. Im riding on pure faith that my car doesnt break down, just because I dont want an added expense, said the 33-year-old. At the same time, Im definitely nervous if I dont pull the trigger soon prices are going to skyrocket. What are dealers saying? Dealers across the region are feeling uncertain in the face of the unknown, said Kevin Mazzucola, executive director of the Auto Dealers Association of Greater Philadelphia, which represents 180 dealers in Philadelphia and Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties. The market is resilient, but make no mistake, it could be tested, he said. You make things more expensive on a product to sell to a consumer, its harder for the person selling the product. So its not a good scenario for the dealer. Ahead of the tariffs, March was a strong month for the auto industry. In the Philadelphia region, showroom foot traffic started picking up a week or two ago, Mazzucola said. Last weekend was particularly busy, he added, as some consumers pulled the trigger on purchases they would have otherwise made later this spring or summer. Last Saturday in Southwest Philadelphia, a sea of cars was parked at various dealers along Essington Avenue for over half a mile. Outside Chapman Chevrolet, banners advertised financing available and used trucks. At the Matt Blatt Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram dealership, five large RAM pickup trucks in white, red, and black were parked outside the building, and large red bows adorned cars inside the Piazza Honda of Philadelphias showroom nearby. Ross Polinow, general manager of Piazza Honda of Philadelphia, did not want to speculate on the impact of the tariffs going forward. He has seen an increase in business recently, though, describing the last three to four weeks as being extremely busy. Anecdotally, Ive heard customers say that theyre concerned about tariffs, so theyre trying to get in under the wire and purchase pre-tariff inventory, he said. The Piazza dealership sells both new and used Hondas, and Polinow says hes not doing anything differently in his business in anticipation of the tariffs. Were just taking every day as it comes, Polinow said. Its a good product. We seem to always rise to the occasion. What are other industry experts saying? Even industry experts are unsure what comes next. On Monday in Chester Springs, Sam Fiorani, vice president of AutoForecast Solutions, was still wrapping his head around potential outcomes of this in flux situation. One thing was certain, he said: Every vehicle sold in the United States will have some sort of direct impact from the tariffs. Thats because even American-manufactured vehicles, such as Teslas, get 5% to 30% of their parts from overseas, he said. Car dealers turn over their inventory every two months on average, Fiorani said, so by early summer, well have fresh vehicles that are likely to be influenced by the tariffs on local car lots. But dealers could raise prices sooner, knowing that customers who come in post-tariffs are likely willing to pay a premium, Fiorani added. Before the end of the year, there could also be shortages of certain vehicle models, ones that become so expensive that manufacturers decide not to bring them into the U.S., Fiorani said. Shortages could also lead to price hikes. Used-car prices will rise, too, Fiorani said, due to increased demand from people who can no longer afford new cars. In light of all this, we fully expect dealers to see a rush on sales, probably from this last weekend [and] going as long as dealers have old stock, Fiorani said. If Fiorani were in the market for a car, he said hed make a purchase as soon as possible. The inventory today is relatively tariff-free, and that cannot be guaranteed in a week or two, Fiorani said. The best time to buy in the current situation is now. Editors Note: This story, originally published April 2, has been updated to include new information on tariffs. Mitchell Morgan (left) and Bruce E. Toll. Both made Forbes magazine's list of the world's billionaires. Read more A handful of wealthy business executives and investors from the Philadelphia region, led by residential landlord Mitchell Morgan, made Forbes annual list of the worlds billionaires for the first time this year. Morgan the 70-year-old founder and CEO of Conshohocken-based Morgan Properties and his family have a net worth of $5.5 billion, according to Forbes, making them No. 639 on the list released this week. Advertisement Familiar names on the list included investor Jeff Yass, Pennsylvanias richest man, whose net worth more than doubled to $59 billion in 2025, up from $27.6 billion last year. That catapulted him to 25th on the list. The cofounder of Bala Cynwyd-based trading firm Susquehanna International Group is a major player in Republican politics. Topping the 2025 list were technologists Elon Musk (net worth of $342 billion), Mark Zuckerberg ($216 billion), and Jeff Bezos ($215 billion). The ranks of the worlds billionaires grew by 247 this past year, Forbes reported, and the more than 3,000 people on the list had a combined net worth of $16.1 trillion, up $2 trillion over last year. Here are some of the newcomers from the Philly region. Mitchell Morgan and family Company: Morgan Properties Net worth: $5.5 billion Ranking: 639 Morgan, of Bryn Mawr, founded his eponymous real estate company in 1985. Today the firm says it owns more than 95,000 apartment units in 19 states. Its the third largest owner of apartments in the United States, according to Forbes. Morgan is a Temple alumnus and chairman of the universitys board. He made Forbes October 2024 list of the wealthiest Americans, but 2025 marks his first spot on the global billionaire list. Bruce E. Toll Company: Toll Brothers, BET Investments Net worth: $1.9 billion Ranking: 1,850 Toll, 81, cofounded the Fort Washington-based luxury homebuilder with his brother Robert in 1967. The Fortune 500 company builds in 24 states. Robert Toll died in 2022. Beyond housing, Bruce Toll, through BET Investments, has also invested in health care and telecom companies. He has homes in Abington and Palm Beach, Fla. Amanda Westphal Radcliffe and family Company: Vertex Inc. Net worth: $1.1 billion Ranking: 2,790 Radcliffe, 57, and her sister, Stefanie (see below), each own 21% of the King of Prussia-based tax software firm founded by their father, the late Ray Westphal, in 1978. His wife, Antoinette, was the companys first employee. The company went public in 2020. Amanda Westphal Radcliffe, of Malvern, joined Vertexs board in 1993 and previously held a number of roles at the company. Shes also chair emeritus of Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia Foundation Board of Advisors. Stefanie Westphal Thompson and family Company: Vertex Inc. Net worth: $1.1 billion Ranking: 2,790 Thompson, 62, of Media, joined the company in 1991 and serves on the board. The 2021 mayoral primary in Millbourne, a tiny Delaware County borough just west of Philadelphia, was decided by the slimmest of margins, with Md Nurul Hasan losing his bid to serve as the Democratic nominee by just 16 votes. So over the next several months, Hasan Millbournes council vice president decided to hatch a scheme to ensure he could win the top office anyway. Advertisement First, Hasan urged voters in the largely Democratic borough not to vote for the partys official candidate in the general election and instead write his name atop their ballots. Then, in a brazen bid to bolster his chances, Hasan conspired with two other council members to fraudulently alter about three dozen voter registrations in Pennsylvanias online system, boosting the number of people in Millbournes voter rolls by about 5%. Hasan then requested mail-in ballots for those newly manipulated registrants and cast the ballots for himself. And yet, Hasans plot to become mayor still failed. He lost in the general election by about two dozen votes. On Tuesday, the depths of the debacle were made clear as Hasan and his two coconspirators council member Md Munsur Ali and former council member Md Rafikul Islam pleaded guilty in federal court to crimes including conspiracy, fraudulent voter registration, and providing false information in voter registrations. The men refrained from saying much while admitting their crimes before U.S. District Judge Harvey Bartle III, generally only answering yes or no to a series of standard questions. Bartle is scheduled to sentence the men in June. They each face the possibility of years behind bars. The pleas came about six weeks after federal prosecutors filed charges in the case. Hasan was also charged last month in a parallel state case in which he faces counts including unlawful voting and voter fraud. In court documents, prosecutors said Hasan led the plan, working with Ali and Islam to reregister voters from neighboring townships and falsely state that they lived at Millbourne addresses. In order to do so, the men had to access voters personal identifying information, such as Social Security and drivers license numbers, and submit changes to Pennsylvanias online voter registration platform. Sometimes, that meant Hasan or Ali would ask friends to agree to have their registration altered, prosecutors said. But in other instances, the men were able to make changes without a voters knowledge. (Islam was accused of having the smallest role in the scheme, allowing Hasan to use his email address when making changes to some registrations to try to avoid being detected, prosecutors said.) Once the registrations were changed, prosecutors said, Hasan requested mail ballots and had them sent to addresses where he could receive them. The men then filled out and returned the ballots with Hasans name written in for mayor. In total, prosecutors said, the scheme led Hasan to submit about three dozen fraudulent ballots. But he still lost the race to current Millbourne Mayor Mahabubul A. Tayub. Millbourne is a small community, home to just over 1,200 people, with a large immigrant population. And after the men were charged, county election officials said the scheme represented an exceedingly rare form of voter fraud that risked swaying the results of a local election with a very small turnout. Only about 300 people voted in the 2021 general election for mayor, Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Dubnoff said in court. Despite Hasans loss in that contest, he has remained the borough councils vice president even after criminal charges were filed against him earlier this year. Ali is also still a council member. Under state law, felony convictions are likely to prohibit the men from retaining those positions. But it was not immediately clear Tuesday how or when they might resign or be forced to do so. The boroughs mayor, council president, and solicitor did not respond to requests for comment. Staff writers Katie Bernard and Gillian McGoldrick contributed to this article. Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts painting with children at South Philly's Stephen Girard Elementary at last year's "Eagles Day" with Mural Arts. Read more Mural Arts Philadelphia will host Wall Ball, a fundraising event, on May 9, honoring those who embody the organizations commitment to address systemic inequalities, foster restorative justice, and uplift communities through art. Among the honorees are the Eagles. The Super Bowl champs will be recognized for their achievements off the field, demonstrating a commitment to the community through philanthropic initiatives, including the Eagles Autism Foundation and other youth programs. Each year, the Eagles partner with Mural Arts for an Eagles Day when they decorate a local school with a new mural. Advertisement The theme for the event is Restoring Hope: Where Art and Justice Meet. The Eagles will be joined by other honorees, including City Council President Kenyatta Johnson, journalist Sarena Snider, and artist King Saladeen, who is also the recipient of the Visionary Artist Award. READ MORE: The Eagles can wear kelly green more often next season thanks to an NFL rule change We are honored to bring together such extraordinary individuals and organizations at Wall Ball 2025 to celebrate the transformative power of art and justice, Jane Golden, executive director of Mural Arts Philadelphia, said in a news release. This years theme underscores our deep commitment to fostering healing and equity through art. Together, we can continue building bridges, inspiring change, and creating opportunities for all. Wall Ball will be at Brooklyn Bowl Philadelphia, a 24-lane bowling alley and restaurant at 1009 Canal St. The program will feature an exclusive VIP seated dinner on the first floor and an after-party upstairs. The event will be emceed by poet Nina Lyrispect Ball and will feature appearances by the Eagles cheerleading squad, drum line, and mascot Swoop. There also will be live painting activations by local artists. Tickets will go on sale Wednesday and will be available to purchase on the Mural Arts website. WASHIGNTON The Trump administration has halted dozens of research grants at Princeton University, the latest Ivy League school to see its federal money threatened in a pressure campaign targeting the nations top universities. Princeton was notified this week that several dozen federal grants are being suspended by agencies including the Department of Energy, NASA and the Defense Department, according to a campus message sent Tuesday by Christopher Eisgruber, the universitys president. Advertisement Eisgruber said the rationale was not fully clear but that Princeton will comply with the law. The school is among dozens facing federal investigations into antisemitism following a wave of pro-Palestinian protests last year. We are committed to fighting antisemitism and all forms of discrimination, and we will cooperate with the government in combating antisemitism, Eisgruber wrote. Princeton will also vigorously defend academic freedom and the due process rights of this University. As President Donald Trump presses his political agenda on universities across the country, he has paid special attention to Ivy League institutions. Columbia University was the first one targeted, losing $400 million in federal money with threats to terminate more if it didnt make the campus safer for Jewish students. The school agreed to several demands from the government last month, including an overhaul of student discipline rules and a review of the schools Middle East studies department. The government later suspended about $175 million in federal funding for the University of Pennsylvania over a transgender swimmer who previously competed for the school. On Monday, a federal antisemitism task force said it was reviewing almost $9 billion in federal grants and contracts at Harvard University amid an investigation into campus antisemitism. The pressure has created a dilemma for U.S. colleges, which rely on federal research funding as a major source of revenue. Eisgruber came forward as a voice of opposition as the Trump administration ratcheted up pressure on Columbia, calling it the greatest threat to American universities in decades. The attack on Columbia is a radical threat to scholarly excellence and to Americas leadership in research, Eisgruber wrote in a March 19 essay in The Atlantic magazine. Universities and their leaders should speak up and litigate forcefully to protect their rights. The Energy Department confirmed it had paused funding to Princeton pending a Department of Education investigation around antisemitic harassment. The Education and Justice departments declined to comment. Princeton was among 60 universities that received a warning letter from the Education Department in March over accusations of antisemitism. It said the schools could face enforcement action if they didnt address anti-Jewish bias on campus. All but two Ivy League schools, Penn and Dartmouth, were on the list. The Education Department launched an investigation at Princeton in April 2024 under the Biden administration. It was in response to a complaint filed by the editor-in-chief of Campus Reform, a conservative news organization, the outlet reported. The complaint cited a pro-Palestinian protest that reportedly included chants of Intifada and others described as antisemitic. The outlets editor has filed dozens of other antisemitism complaints with the Education Department. The Trump administration has promised a more aggressive approach against campus antisemitism, accusing former President Joe Biden of letting schools off the hook. It has opened new investigations at colleges and detained and deported several foreign students with ties to pro-Palestinian protests. Trump and other officials have accused the protesters of being pro-Hamas. Student activists say they oppose Israels military activity in Gaza. It follows a campaign by Republican in Congress who demanded answers from university leaders after the wave of protests. A series of hearings on Capitol Hill contributed to the resignation of presidents at Harvard, Columbia and Penn. Columbias interim president, Katrina Armstrong, resigned last week after the school agreed to the governments demands. Chef Phila Lorn, and Rachel Lorn pose for a photo at their restaurant, Mawn in South Philadelphia, Pa. Wednesday, May 18, 2023. Read more Three Philadelphia chefs and one of the citys most renowned bars have been nominated in major categories for the 2025 James Beard Awards, considered the most prestigious prizes in the American restaurant world. The showing is a marked turnaround from last year, when Philadelphia fielded only one finalist, Jesse Ito of South Philadelphias Royal Sushi & Izakaya. Ito, who lost to Harley Peet of Bas Rouge, is a finalist again for Best Chef, Mid-Atlantic his eighth time as a finalist. Advertisement Phila Lorn, chef of the hit South Philadelphia noodle shop Mawn, is among the finalists for Emerging Chef, which recognizes chefs who are early in their careers. Lorn, 38, and his wife/business partner, Rachel, opened Mawn in 2023. The 13-seat Lovers Bar at Center Citys Friday Saturday Sunday, open for walk-ins only, made the cutoff for Outstanding Bar. Friday Saturday Sunday was the Outstanding Restaurant in 2023. Ito and Amanda Shulman of Center Citys Her Place Supper Club are among the five people nominated for Best Chef, Mid-Atlantic, which covers Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Two of Phillys finalists are planning new restaurants this summer. The Lorns are working up a seafood bar called Sao at 1710 E. Passyunk Ave., while Ito is building an izakaya called dancerobot at 1710 Sansom St. (The street numbers are coincidental.) The Beard awards ceremony will be at Chicagos Lyric Opera on June 16. First thing Imma do in Chicago is get a hot dog, said Lorn, a South Philadelphian whose mother named him after his familys adopted city. Man, if I can take this home, its for all of us: late-night finishing on the dish pit, the deep-fryer scrubber, talking people off ledges when we often think of jumping ourselves. Ill take it if its for that team. Philadelphia was well-represented among the semifinalists announced in January. Six chefs Anthony Andiario of West Chesters Andiario, Carlos Aparicio of South Philadelphias El Chingon, Antimo DiMeo of Wilmingtons Bardea, and Yun Fuentes of Center Citys Bolo, in addition to Shulman and Ito were among the 20 who had made the initial Mid-Atlantic list. Other semifinalists included Greg Vernick for Outstanding Chef for his work at Vernick Fish in the Comcast Technology Center. He won in 2017 for Best Chef, Mid-Atlantic at Vernick Food & Drink, his flagship. Kalaya, chef Chutatip Nok Suntaranons Thai destination in Fishtown/Kensington, was a semifinalist for Outstanding Restaurant. Suntaranon won in 2023 for Best Chef, Mid-Atlantic. Little Fish, chef Alex Yoons 16-seat seafood destination in Bella Vista, was a semifinalist for Outstanding Hospitality. Caphe Roasters, the Vietnamese specialty coffee roastery in Kensington fronted by Thu Pham, was a semifinalist for Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program. Kampar Kongsi, the Malaysian bar at Ange Brancas Kampar in Bella Vista (now idled by fire), was a semifinalist for Outstanding New Bar, a new category. Abigail Dahan of Society Hills luxe restaurant Provenance was up for Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker. Machine Shop, Emily Riddells boulangerie at the Bok Building in South Philadelphia, was a semifinalist for Outstanding Bakery. Riddell made the semifinals in 2023 in the Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker category. In Port Neches, Texas, a recreational area with a playground, baseball and soccer fields, and a library is next to an Air Liquide plant and near a Total Petrochemicals plant. MUST CREDIT: Danielle Villasana/For The Washington Post Read more Many people who live near heavy industry are routinely exposed to dozens of different pollutants, which can result in a multitude of health problems. Traditionally, environmental regulators have assessed the risks of chemical exposure on an individual basis. But that approach has led to underestimates of the total health risks faced by vulnerable populations, according to a new study. Advertisement Now researchers at Johns Hopkins University have developed a new method for measuring the cumulative effects on human health of multiple toxic air pollutants. Their findings were published in March in Environmental Health Perspectives. Regulators typically measure community risk by looking at the primary health effects of individual chemicals, an approach that often fails to address their combined risks, said Keeve Nachman, the studys senior author. Residents in disadvantaged communities are exposed to a toxic stew of chemicals daily, and they dont just breathe one at a time, [they] breathe all the chemicals in the air at once, said Peter DeCarlo, another of the studys authors. Very little has happened to protect these people. And one of the major reasons for that is that current approaches have not done a good job showing theyre in harms way, Nachman said. When we regulate chemicals, we pretend that were only exposed to one chemical at a time, Nachman continued. If we have each chemical and we only think about the most sensitive effect, but we ignore the fact that it could potentially cause all these other effects to different parts of the body, we are missing protecting people from the collective mixture of chemicals that act together. Nachman, DeCarlo, and their colleagues set out to more accurately account for the total burden of breathing multiple toxic air pollutants. The study assessed the risks faced by communities in Southeastern Pennsylvania living near petrochemical facilities using a mobile laboratory to measure 32 hazardous air pollutants, including vinyl chloride, formaldehyde, and benzene. The researchers developed real-time profiles of the pollution concentrations in the air and translated them into estimates of what people are actually breathing. Using these estimates and a database of the chemicals toxic effects on various organs, the researchers created projections of the long-term cumulative health impacts of the pollution. By looking past the immediate health effects of chemicals and measuring what happens as concentrations increase, negative health outcomes can be detected in other parts of the body, Nachman said. For example, while EPA risk assessments consider only the respiratory effects of formaldehyde, the study found potential health impacts in 10 other organ systems, including neurological, developmental, and reproductive harms. The cumulative risk study appears at a fraught moment for environmental regulation. Although the Biden administration in November released a draft framework for monitoring the cumulative impact of chemical exposure, the Trump administration has announced plans to roll back dozens of Biden administration environmental rules and is considering shutting down the EPAs Office of Research and Development. A spokesperson for the American Chemistry Council, an industry trade group, said in an email that the Johns Hopkins research may provide some useful information but that further assessment, replication, and validation will be needed of the methods and substances assessed in the study. ACC continues to support the development of scientifically robust data, methods and approaches to underpin cumulative risk assessments, the spokesperson added. The EPA did not provide an immediate comment while it reviewed the study. Jen Duggan, the executive director of the Environmental Integrity Project, said communities often face higher health impacts than the EPA estimates due to their exposure to dangerous chemicals from multiple sources. The authors of this paper powerfully demonstrate how EPA has repeatedly underestimated the true health risks for people living in the shadow of industrial polluters, Duggan said. Queer Books Philly is one of the many book clubs popping up around the city, offering readers a place to connect with fellow bookworms. Read more On a Saturday afternoon in February, Lora Anderson and Bee Knight sat inside the Spruce Hill Community Association in West Philadelphia, surrounded by about 25 strangers. After quick introductions around a cluster of tables, the group launched into a spirited discussion about five fictional friends caught in a tangle of sex, lies, and corruption. [It was] a fiery conversation of piggybacking [off each other] and slamming our hands on the table [by the end of the hour], Knight said. Advertisement The characters may have been fictional, but the conversation was real and part of a growing network of book clubs across Philadelphia where readers come together not just to tackle their growing to-be-read piles but to build community, one book at a time. At Queer Books Phillys meeting, the group discussed its latest read, Little Rot by Akwaeke Emezi, that brought up feelings of shame, guilt, and growth among readers. I think book clubs provide a space for people to really be vulnerable and talk about things that they might not be able to talk about, opening up a dialogue and allowing people to become comfortable with one another, said Anderson, who cofounded the club with Knight to create a welcoming space for queer Philadelphians. Launched in June 2024, Queer Books Philly meets every four to six weeks at the Spruce Hill Community Association or Clark Park in warmer weather drawing between 15 and 30 participants. The meetings begin with introductions before moving into open discussion. Anderson and Knight select books by queer and BIPOC authors across a range of genres, from sci-fi to romance. There are no requirements to join just a willingness to read, mask up, and bring your thoughts, questions, and feelings to the table. Thats the thing about books [they] are just so human, Knight added. I found a lot of language for my existence [in books] being a queer person, finding that language is pivotal for a lot of us, and I think books offer that in many facets of our lives. Across town in the Italian Market, Catie Gainor finds similar joy in cookbooks. Each month, Gainor hosts a lively potluck inside her cookbook store, Binding Agents, inviting fellow food lovers to bring dishes cooked using recipes from the months featured title. The inaugural meeting of the Binding Agents Cookbook Club in January centered around Sebze: Vegetarian Recipes from My Turkish Kitchen by Ozlem Warren. Folks sign up for the club via the cookbook shops emailed newsletter. A week before the event, Gainor sends a spreadsheet with dish categories and sign-up slots. The cookbook club meeting is similar to a dinner party: long tables lined with food, casual conversation, and lots of recipe talk. Hosting a cookbook club is helping Gainor find support and solidarity with others who are feeling the weight of the world and the climate were living in [right now]. Nobody reads the same book you read the same text, but your experience of reading the book is different, Gainor said. Thats just as true of cookbooks as it is with fiction, nonfiction, or any genre. Sharing what you bring to the text is vulnerable and opens up the opportunity for conversation that is deep and meaningful and with a cookbook club in particular, I think cooking for someone is scary, so opening yourself up that way and having others do the same for you feels like friendship right off the bat. For Kristin Moore, building new friendships as a Philadelphia transplant was the motivation behind starting her own club and lately, shes seen more people looking to do the same. Once every three months, a member of Philaqueens POC Facebook group will post a query for local book clubs, quickly followed by a tag for Moores club in the comments, she said. I think a lot of women [out of college or in their 30s are asking], How do I make friends with people when I dont have the opportunity [or spaces] to do so thats why theyre showing up. Moore, a member of the 3,200-member Philaqueens POC group, launched a subgroup for bookworms to meet monthly and discuss their latest reads. Around eight to 13 members gather at coffee shops, wine bars, or parks, books in hand. Book selections are usually decided by a poll Moore posts at the start of the month, though sometimes members suggest titles from memoirs to steamy romances that spark interest. Everything feels really heavy right now, Moore said. [The bookclub is] just a time where youre allowing yourself to think about something else, whether its the book, someone elses story, or even just the good matcha that you ordered youre allowing yourself to step outside of your busy life for two hours and connect with others. And reading books is sexy, says Sydney Matthews. The South Philly-based digital creator, with over 90,000 followers, runs two monthly book clubs, one for her hometown friends in Bucks County and one for her Philly friends called Sexy Bookclub. Its hot to be reading incredible literature with your friends and discussing literature that you like, she said. Matthews felt book clubs were the perfect buffer for staying in touch with friends while offering them a space to make new connections. The club also serves as a quasi-dinner party, hopping from one friends house to another. While her bookclub is private, Matthews hopes to expand into a larger community of readers and dig into articles and other writings along with books. We have this common ground, which is this book we all read some people hate it, others love it, Matthews said. But then you leave and youre like, Oh, that was a beautiful thing. She added: Theres just something so satisfying about indulging in a book with your community. A residency challenge that got a Democrat running in the May primary for Philadelphia judicial races kicked off the ballot raised a thorny question: What makes a home? For Mike Huff, a Democrat running for a spot in the Court of Common Pleas and Municipal Court, his residence is now undoubtedly in Philadelphia, where he says he moved and has spent almost every day since May 2024, occasionally annoying his neighbors with his music and forgotten laundry in the shared machines. Huff says home is where he pays utilities, has taken rideshares, and his catalytic converter was almost stolen in his Mount Airy neighborhood. Advertisement But the Philadelphia Democratic Party cast aspersions toward the move they say was conveniently timed to make Huff a resident ahead of judicial elections, going as far as questioning his marriage arrangement in court. Huff told a Commonwealth Court judge Friday he has no intention of separating from his wife Shirlee Howe, and they are happily married, but he always wanted to move back to Philly once his children left for college. When he finally moved to the city, his wife stayed in Lower Merion where she is a Democratic committeeperson. A residency challenge filed in March on behalf of Philadelphia Democratic committeeperson Julian Domanico argued Huffs living arrangement doesnt align with a particular line in the election code that basically says a married persons residence is where their family lives, except where the husband and wife have actually separated and live apart. The challenge Huff faced added a bit of conspiratorial flair to what make for generally sleepy races. The hearing Friday meant to get to the bottom of the residency issue felt a bit like a Dick Wolf drama, even as Huff read from mattress receipts, W-2s, and listed every item with which he furnished his Mount Airy apartment in painstaking detail. When Gregory Weyer, Domanicos attorney, asked Huff if he loved living in Philadelphia more than he loved living with his wife, some of the people watching let out small gasps. Weyer argued that because Huff was not separated from his wife and had no intention of doing so, he is a resident of Bala Cynwyd under the law. Meaning, as a technical resident of Montgomery County, Huff could not move forward as a judicial candidate in Philadelphia, despite backing from progressives and big endorsements from prominent politicians such as District Attorney Larry Krasner and State Sen. Nikil Saval. Ryan Hancock, Huffs attorney, argued the Pennsylvania constitution does not define residency but insisted his client had met the requirements to run for office in Philadelphia. Hancock argued that determining residency by where ones spouse lives is based on a sexist view and misconstruction of the election code. Huff has to establish residency in order to run for office, not his wife, argued Hancock. Commonwealth Judge Lori A. Dumas sided with Weyer Tuesday, writing Huff had to prove that his family intended to make Philadelphia their principal home indefinitely, which he did not, removing him from both judicial races. We acknowledge Candidates testimony and evidence for the proposition that he lives in Philadelphia, Dumas wrote, referencing the multiple neighbors who testified to Huff living in Mount Airy. But Candidate presented no testimony or evidence about when his family would move from Bala Cynwyd to Philadelphia. The sleepy judicial races get a dose of drama in Philly According to Huffs campaign website, as an attorney, hes handled cases ranging from misdemeanors to complex homicides, financial crimes and federal death penalty trials. Hes also represented Black Lives Matter protesters, encampment occupants and organizers on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, as well as fair housing advocates in Kensington. He has also been involved in get-out-the-vote efforts and canvassing. Running for judge felt like a natural next step, he said in court. Judges for Philadelphias Court of Common Pleas, which includes a portfolio of civil and criminal cases, appeals from the minor courts, as well as cases involving children and families, serve 10-year terms. Municipal Court handles civil cases, processes all county arrests, and houses a traffic division with judges elected to six-year terms. At least some of the tension in Fridays hearing seemed to stem from the fact Weyer was a candidate for judicial judge himself and withdrew days after filing the residency objection on behalf of a Democratic committeeperson. Huff, who received a coveted recommendation from the Philadelphia Bar Association, slipped in the fact Weyer did not receive such an endorsement during one of their brusque exchanges. Were going to be civil to each other, interjected Dumas after one particularly persnickety back-and-forth between Weyer and Huff. Another force at play was the Philadelphia Democratic Party, which did not include Huff in its endorsements. During his testimony, Huff mentioned an exchange in which a fellow Democrat informed him he would not receive the backing of the party, though he ultimately decided to run anyway. Party chairman Bob Brady said Tuesday the challenge was simply an effort to protect Democratic candidates who live in the city and nothing personal against Huff. Hes a nice man, hes a qualified attorney, but hes qualified to run in Montgomery County, said Brady, taking special aim at the Philadelphia Bar Association for not catching the residency discrepancy. Huffs campaign was not available for comment Tuesday, but later on Facebook his team took a swipe at the Democratic City Committee and Brady for their broader effort to push progressives out of the party. As Mike established that he resides in Philadelphia, it should be up to the voters to decide if they find a candidates marital living arrangement as a valid reason to vote for or against a candidate, wrote the team, adding they disagree with the ruling and are exploring every legal option. In court, Weyer cast suspicion on the timing of Huffs May 2024 move to Philly, which gave him just enough time to establish the required one-year residency to run for office. Weyer drew attention to Huffs 20-year stint as a Bala Cynwyd resident, how his wife continues to live there, and how, in addition to his Philadelphia law practice, Huff works full time at the Montgomery County Public Defenders Office. Huff maintains hes often had work spanning the tristate area. Huff never denied his time in Montgomery County. He described a dilemma familiar to growing families. As his family grew to encompass his wife and three children, the first-floor unit of the Mount Airy triplex he and his wife owned felt small. The family searched for bigger homes in Northwest Philly, to no avail. They had better luck finding something in their budget 15 minutes out of the city limits in Bala Cynwyd, which offered a good school district, more space, and kept them close enough to Philadelphia, where his law office is located on Race Street. In the daylong hearing, Huff said he had always envisioned returning to the city where much of his social and civic life took place. That didnt happen until last year when his twin sons were halfway through college. His wife stayed in Bala Cynwyd, and the pair are not separated. They simply dine together at area restaurants and Huff testified that hed spend a few nights a month in Bala Cynwyd. Huff lives in the triplex he and his wife bought in 1999 and rented out during their time in Montgomery County. Huffs upstairs and downstairs neighbors offered some levity, testifying that, yes, Huff did live in their building. He not only took over maintenance duties but they see him and hear him all the time, maybe too much his downstairs neighbor would like him to take off his shoes when hes home to dampen the sound of his footsteps. His next-door neighbor testified to getting whiffs of Huffs dinner through a bedroom window that faces Huffs kitchen. The group testified to seeing his car regularly parked on the street this year. Huff added that he had no plans of leaving Philadelphia even if he were to lose his judicial races. I love that neighborhood, I love that house, Im overjoyed, he said of being back in the city. Huffs team has 10 days to appeal. The phrase happy hour is controversial in some GOP political circles in Camden County, and its related to an endorsement of Bill Spadea for governor in the June primary. Kimberley Stuart, the chair of the Camden County Republicans, unseated Thomas Crone for the position last July. In the months since then, she has ruffled feathers among detractors and excited her loyalists. Both groups agree on one thing: She is shaking things up in the Camden County GOP. Advertisement One of her loudest critics? The chair of the Cherry Hill GOP. One of the big issues? Alleged happy hours. Stuart, 54, is both a municipal prosecutor and a private criminal defense attorney. She has worked as assistant counsel to former New Jersey Govs. Christine Todd Whitman and Donald DiFrancesco, and served on the Haddon Heights Board of Education for 12 years. Stuart said that in the months since being elected she has helped reestablish municipal committees, fill empty committee seats, and put forward more GOP county- and state-level candidates. She touts her nontraditional meetings and increased attendance at the countys annual fundraiser gala. The Camden County GOP is one of a few county committees that endorsed the antiestablishment Spadea in the competitive Republican primary for governor, though only about one-third of the committees members took part in the vote in part due to a controversial rule. The endorsement means less this year than in years past with the removal of the county line ballot design and multiple candidates, including Spadea, saying they are not participating in the committee endorsement process. Still, the endorsement shows the merging of a grassroots and new kind of establishment support for the antiestablishment candidate in a system that has mostly preferred Spadeas competitor Jack Ciattarelli in other counties across the state. What is a happy hour? County committees across the state have different methods of determining their endorsements, but they have been widely viewed as a decision made by party leaders, including in Camden County. Stuart wanted to do things differently, in part knowing she could upset a large portion of her committee if she chose one of the candidates in a messy primary. READ MORE: The battle for President Trumps endorsement has reached new heights in the New Jersey GOP primary for governor So how did she end up being accused of, in the words of New Jersey Globes David Wildstein, retroactively and arbitrarily disenfranchising a majority of county committee members from voting in the convention? Stuart didnt want just any county committee member to vote. She wanted those who have proved that they are involved with the organization by attending at least three out of eight monthly county committee meetings. Her critics call these meetings happy hours, fueling outrage over the requirement to attend what they view as a social event in order to have a voice in the partys endorsement. Only 75 committee members took part in the March 10 vote, which ended 51-24 in favor of Spadea in a second round of votes. According to Stuart, 115 of the committees volunteer members were eligible to vote, which is about half of the committees 226 total volunteer members though that total includes new members who would not have been around long enough to attend three meetings. According to Stuart, these alleged happy hours are monthly committee meetings in which members conduct business while welcoming in other Republicans in the area. They are held one Monday night each month at the Laughing Fox Tavern in Magnolia, with food and drinks. The meeting notices encourage members to bring a Republican friend, which Stuart said creates a safe space for Republicans in Camden County. There are a lot of people in Camden County who do not want to admit to being a Camden County Republican for fear of some sort of retaliation, she said. This is the climate in which we exist here in Camden County. So there is a certain part of socializing, exchanging ideas, networking, and thats terrific. The meetings also feature guest speakers, including gubernatorial candidates, as well as workshops and efforts to grow the organization, Stuart said. She said the happy hour categorization is an attempt to disparage her and make the meetings look like something theyre not. In contrast, the former chair actually held what were advertised as happy hours, which did not have attendance requirements, and committee members did not have an obligation to regularly attend county events. In the eyes of Cherry Hill GOP chair Jeffrey Land, Stuarts monthly meetings are just an extra commitment for the volunteer municipal committee members, who by extension automatically become Camden County committee members. Land argues that the county committee meetings held by Stuart are more like a pep rally with announcements rather than a collaborative business meeting. Stuart argues that those who do not want her to succeed decided not to attend the meetings months ago, while her critics, like Land, argue that she stacked the convention in favor of her supporters since those were the people showing up to the meetings. It was the faction that elected her that actually got the say in that rigged convention vote, said Land, who supports Ciattarelli. What does it mean to be a county committee member? It was too late to attend three meetings by the time Stuart officially announced her attendance requirement to members a week prior to the vote, leaving people who had not been attending feeling unfairly edged out, particularly supporters of Ciattarellis campaign. From Stuarts perspective, the writing was on the wall or, in the minutes for those who were paying attention. Stuart months ago tried to change the committee bylaws to require attendance at three consecutive monthly meetings in order to vote on new business because, according to November meeting minutes, there are members who may show up to vote at the convention or reorganization meeting without showing up to any other meetings or being part of the process the whole way. I wasnt going to allow people who have really no involvement in the day-to-day functioning of our organization come in and distort the process for selection of the gubernatorial candidate, she said. But Land argued there are ways to be involved as a committee member other than going to Stuarts meetings, such as running for office, participating at the municipal committee level, volunteering for campaigns, and donating money. He argued that if there is a vote at all, it should include all committee members. Theres more to it than sitting on a restaurant chair and listening to a bunch of speakers, he said. Its reprehensible that she would treat county committee members differently. Under the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, were supposed to treat people equally. Josh Twyford, the cofounder and treasurer of the Gloucester City Republican Committee and treasurer of the Brooklawn Republican Committee, argued that active committee members were kept out of the vote because Stuarts county meetings took place on the same day as Gloucester City Council meetings. Active county committee members running for city council opted to attend those meetings instead of Stuarts, Twyford said. Just because theyre not participating in her process doesnt mean theyre not participating in the process, he argued. Blake Przybyszewski, a Stuart supporter who chairs the Camden County Young Republicans and Bellmawr Republican Party, said he believes Stuarts rule was 100% fair. She said, Hey, were gonna let the people vote. Were gonna let the people decide, but were gonna let the people that are actually involved in this thing, that actually show up, to be the decision makers, said Przybyszewski, who is running for Bellmawr City Council. Stuart argues that she was within her rights to make the rules for the convention since the groups bylaws do not require a convention at all. But she admits she could have crossed my Ts and dotted my Is better. Could we have done it differently? Absolutely, she said. Are we going to make mistakes? Absolutely. You know, somebody was supposed to bring a sealed ballot box. They didnt. So we used a box-box. Can we tweak those things? 1,000% we can, but the fact that we had a convention for the first time in 20 years, to me, thats a huge win. Hello, Cherry Hill! This week, we look at how the Cherry Hill GOP chair has become the loudest critic of Camden County GOP Chair Kimberley Stuart, share details about how you can get free seeds from the Cherry Hill Public Library, and hear about the reopening of a key footbridge behind Knollwood Drive. Advertisement As always, let us know if you have feedback. Are we missing something? Should we add a section? What community events or groups should we keep an eye on? You can tell us by taking our survey or emailing us at cherryhill@inquirer.com. If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here. Kimberley Stuart has been chair of the Camden County GOP for less than a year, but shes already ruffled some feathers including those of Cherry Hills own GOP Chair, Jeffrey Land. One of the biggest controversies? Attendance at Stuarts monthly committee meetings. Land calls the meetings happy hours, and argues that theyre more like pep rallies than business meetings. Before Stuart began hosting these meetings, volunteer municipal committee members didnt have an obligation to attend county events. But Stuart used attendance as a requirement to vote at the Republican convention in March, where the Camden County GOP endorsed the anti-establishment Bill Spadea for governor. It was the faction that elected her that actually got the say in that rigged convention vote, said Land, who supports Spadeas competitor Jack Ciattarelli. Read more about how Stuart used the endorsement process to shake up the county GOP. Community News Schools Briefing Cherry Hill school board members and Superintendent Kwame Morton are encouraging community members to speak to their local legislators after state aid funding was cut for a second year. Board President Gina Winters testified at a State Assembly Budget Committee hearing about the issue, calling it a crisis with no end in sight. (70 and 73) On our Plate Asads Hot Chicken is opening Friday at the Woodcrest Shopping Center, and if you go between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on opening day, you can get free food. (Patch) Looking for a new restaurant to try? Take our new quiz to get three recommendations from The 76, our annual list of the most vital restaurants in our area and across the river. Things to Do Game show palooza: This isnt just your standard trivia night. Test out your trivia skills at an interactive, high-energy showdown, hosted weekly on Wednesday nights starting this week. Wednesdays at 6 p.m., starting Wednesday, April 2 P.J. Whelihans Pub & Restaurant Dinner and a magic show for the kids: Wild Child Play Company is hosting a dinner and magic night, featuring Ken the Magician, and food from Gaetanos Steaks Subs and Pizza and Superbloom Bake Shoppe. Friday, April 4, 5-7 p.m. $20 for children, $15 for adults Wild Child Play Company Passover pop-up sale: Hosting or attending a seder? Frannys Gift Shop at Temple Beth Sholom will host a pop-up sale this Sunday with hostess gifts, ways to make your seder more interactive, table runners, and more. Sunday, April 6, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Temple Beth Sholom Spring Splash and Bunny Bash: Macaroni KID Cherry Hill is hosting a bunny pool party, an afternoon of swimming (in an indoor pool), games, crafts, and photos with the Easter Bunny. Sunday, April 6, 1:30-3:30 p.m. $20 per child Kids First Swim School An afternoon of music: The Chamber Ensembles of Cherry Hill East will perform an afternoon concert on Tuesday. Registration is required. Tuesday, April 8, 2-3 p.m. Cherry Hill Public Library Make your summer plans: From May through September, the Freedom Mortgage Pavilion will feature artists across many musical genres. Take a look through the Courier-Posts list, and get your tickets. On the Market This 3-bedroom, one-and-a-half-bathroom home has vinyl fencing, a renovated kitchen with an open-concept first floor, and an outdoor shed. The backyard also has an in-ground pool, hot tub, playground set, and fire pit area. Its also energy efficient, according to the listing, and has solar panels. The home is listed for $475,000, and you can see it at an open house on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Have you seen an interesting listing in or around Cherry Hill? Share it with us in an email to cherryhill@inquirer.com. We want to hear from you! See something were missing? Want to alert us about a community event? Take our survey or reach out to us at cherryhill@inquirer.com. By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirers Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10. This suburban content is produced with support from the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Editorial content is created independently of the project donors. Gifts to support The Inquirers high-impact journalism can be made at inquirer.com/donate. A list of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org/supporters. Long before John McPhees The Pine Barrens was published, New Jerseys vast, dreamlike swath of sand and scrubby pines was seen as a wasteland by the unfamiliar, a place full of pirate lore, monsters, and recluses. The Pulitzer Prize-winning Princeton native is credited as being the first to paint the Pinelands as a place worth preserving with his 1968 creative nonfiction book, inspiring everyday readers to canoe its tea-colored waters and elected officials to save it. Advertisement Today, the Pinelands National Preserve covers about 1.1 million acres, the largest body of open space on the East Coast between Boston and Richmond, a biological island of sorts, filled with unique flora and fauna. McPhee, who is 94, was always modest about his books impact, telling the Philadelphia Daily News in 2013 that he didnt go there on a mission. I went to find interesting people in interesting places and tell some stories, he said at the time. His book was first published in the New Yorker. This week, the nonprofit Pinelands Preservation Alliance announced that McPhees book will continue helping the landscape, long after hes gone. McPhee, the alliance wrote on Instagram, is donating all current and future royalties from all versions and editions of his book to the organization. I was born in New Jersey, grew up in New Jersey, was educated in three public schools and a university in New Jersey, and had never heard of the Pine Barrens before 1966, when I first went down there at the age of 35 to see what they were, McPhee told the alliance in announcing the gift. They were a state treasure. They were vast, vulnerable, and a cache of lore and legend, not to mention sui generis characters. At the time McPhees book was written, the Pine Barrens were being scouted as the location for a major airport, where a bustling city would rise up between Philly and New York. The airport would have been the largest in the nation, but after then-governor Brendan T. Byrne read McPhees book, the scales tipped in favor of preservation. A state forest in the Pine Barrens was named after Byrne. The Pinelands Preservation Alliance was founded in 1989 with a mission to preserve and protect the ecosystem there through public awareness. We are amazed by the generosity and appreciate Johns care for this very special place, the alliance wrote. McPhee, whos been nominated for the New Jersey Hall of Fame, has long been a fan. Months ago, when I was 92, I thought the least I should do was turn over to the Alliance all current and future royalties from the book I published in 1968, McPhee wrote. The Pine Barrens is available in the Pinelands Preservation Alliance gift shop in Southampton, Burlington County, and everywhere else books are sold. It was an offer almost too good to be true: Register to vote in Pennsylvania and sign a petition in support of the First and Second Amendments ahead of the 2024 presidential election, and get a $100 check from the richest person on Earth. And for more cash, convince others to do the same. Advertisement Earn money for supporting something you already believe in!, Elon Musk wrote in an October post on X, the social media platform he owns. Legal challenges followed, including from Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner. But those went nowhere. All that was left for Elon Musk and America PAC to do was pony up the money. But according to a new federal lawsuit, they havent paid all they owe. The complaint, filed Tuesday in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania on behalf of an unnamed Bucks County resident, accuses Musk and the conservative political action committee of breach of contract and failure to fulfill the promise. Musk, who is the billionaire CEO of Tesla and SpaceX as well as the owner of X, campaigned vigorously for President Donald Trump in Pennsylvania and now oversees the Department of Government Efficiency, which is responsible for the upheaval of the federal government and its workforce. And he has become one of Trumps closest advisers, though Musk will reportedly leave his role in the administration in the coming weeks, sources inside the White House told Politico. Attorneys for the Bucks County resident asked the court to use a pseudonym because their client reasonably fears retribution and Elon Musk also has a reputation for seeking revenge against those he believes have wronged him, according to a court filing. The Bucks County resident represented in the suit worked as a canvasser for America PAC leading up to the presidential election (as of October, the PAC paid canvassers $30 an hour). While knocking on doors he solicited signatures for the pledge, the suit says. The canvasser is allegedly owed more than $20,000 after having been paid an undisclosed amount for some of his referrals. The canvasser had contacted the PAC repeatedly and has made multiple attempts to receive full payment for his referrals, but to no avail, the complaint says. Because the Bucks man was an employee of America PAC, the complaint also accuses the organization of violating Pennsylvanias Wage Payment and Collection Law for not paying for the referrals. Our client relied on that promise because he believed in Elon, but unfortunately, that promise was not kept, Shannon Liss-Riordan, a Boston-based attorney who filed the complaint, said in a statement. It appears the promise was broken for many others as well. The lawsuit is a proposed class action on behalf of all registered voters who signed the petition, or successfully got someone else to sign it, but did not receive payment. The complaint does not say how many people are owed money, or how much. America PAC is committed to paying for every legitimate petition and has already paid canvassers tens of millions of dollars, spokesperson Andrew Romeo said. While we dont yet know who this John Doe plaintiff is and cant speak to their specific circumstances, we can say that we are also committed to rooting out fraud and have the right to withhold payments to fraudsters, Romeo said in a statement. America PAC said on its website that it had been ensuring the eligibility of signers and its goal was to get payments out by Nov. 30. People may not have received their payment if the information on the petition did not match the voter file. Others were delayed because of suspected bot activity. If payments exceed $600, the IRS requires the recipient to fill a W9 tax form to be able to receive the funds, America PAC says. None of those situations apply to the Bucks County man who filed the lawsuit, said Jeremy Abay, a New Jersey-based attorney for the canvasser. Evading debts under the guise of rooting out fraud is Mr. Musks modus operandi, Abay said. Musk attempted to gamify the 2024 presidential election when, in October, he offered cash prizes for people to register to vote. The original offer was $47 as Trump ran to be the 47th president to sign or refer a registered voter to sign America PACs petition in support of the First and Second Amendments. Then, the PAC had a special offer for Pennsylvania voters $100. In addition, Musk said he would randomly select from the signatories winners of a $1 million prize, which some voters received at America PAC-sponsored town halls across the state. READ MORE: More Pa. Dems got $100 checks that may be from Elon Musks PAC. Some arent cashing them in protest. Those who received their money were ecstatic. But the petition and checks created a puzzling scenario when almost a dozen Pennsylvanians including some Democrats told The Inquirer they had received $100 checks without having signed the petition or referring someone to it. The Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Office received about 20 complaints as a result. This was just one of Musks pro-Trump endeavors on the 2024 presidential campaign trail. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO held a town hall at Ridley High School in Delaware County in October (the petition was a legally questionable ticket into the event). It was the first of a series of town halls across the commonwealth, a crucial battleground state in the presidential contest. His intense efforts spending $277 million to elect Trump in 2024 and setting up a war room in Pittsburgh awarded him the gratitude of some Pennsylvania Republicans and Trump, who now holds Musk as a close adviser. Gov. Josh Shapiro speaks about Pennsylvania's HBCUs and his potential VP candidacy during a visit to Cheyney University in Cheyney, Pa. Friday, Aug 2, 2024. Read more Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin joined Democratic officials in 21 other states and Washington, D.C., to challenge President Donald Trumps administration for its latest federal funding cut to $11 billion in pandemic-era programs. The Democratic leaders allege that the federal government is breaking its contract with states by canceling federal grant programs to support public health that were already approved by Congress. Advertisement In Pennsylvania, Shapiro estimates the state will lose nearly $500 million in federal grant funding initially used to track and trace COVID-19 but was expanded to include other infectious diseases, as well as other major expansions to the states public health infrastructure. In New Jersey, the state will lose $350 million in federal funds that support 94 local health departments across the state, according to the suit filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Rhode Island. Democratic attorneys general from 21 states and the District of Columbia as well as Shapiro and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear who both lead states with Republican AGs are asking for an emergency restraining order on the federal cuts to the public health grant programs that they argue are causing and will continue to cause significant and irreparable harm to the states, according to the lawsuit. The federal government broke its half billion-dollar contract with the Commonwealth and as a result of this unlawful action, is undermining our ability to protect the health of Pennsylvanias children and families, Shapiro said in a statement announcing he would join the multistate suit. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told states last week that it was terminating contracts for remaining federal funds related to COVID-19 pandemic recovery under the explanation that the federal contracts could be eliminated for cause. These grants and cooperative agreements were issued for a limited purpose: to ameliorate the effects of the pandemic, officials wrote in the terminations, according to an exhibit filed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health as part of the suit. Now that the pandemic is over, the grants and cooperative agreements are no longer necessary as their limited purposes has run out. Now, Pennsylvania will no longer be able to support programs such as its statewide vaccine tracking system that has records of vaccinations of 16 million people, the jobs of 150 state employees and contractors, infectious disease tracking, additional services needed by people with severe mental health conditions, among other public health infrastructure expansions. An executive deputy secretary for the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Kristen Rodack, submitted a declaration to the court as part of the lawsuit Tuesday detailing the detrimental impact losing these federal funds will have on Pennsylvanias public health. Rodack also noted that while many of these programs began for COVID-19 response, they had been expanded to support mitigation efforts for other infections diseases, such as measles, ongoing threats of bird flu, and more. Any notion that this funding is used only for response to COVID-19 is inaccurate, Rodack said in her declaration. Shapiro, who frequently sued the Trump administration when he was the states attorney general, can also sue in his capacity as governor. Pennsylvanias new Attorney General Dave Sunday, a Republican, has said previously he is unlikely to ever sue the Trump administration, preferring to focus on the core public safety mission of the office. Plus, Republican attorneys general are traditionally not allowed to join partisan lawsuits such as this one, and vice versa. As the Attorney General has stated before, we will not micromanage the federal government, and will not have news-making commentary in response to happenings in D.C., said Brett Hambright, a spokesperson for Sunday, in a statement. On March 19, Philadelphia city workers began removing an illegal dump of thousands of tires at Tacony Creek Park. The remainder of the tires will be removed April 5 with at least 100 volunteers. Officials say it is the biggest illegal dump of tires within the past decade or more. Read more A new unit in the Philadelphia District Attorneys Office will work to combat illegal dumping, stepping up investigation and prosecution of one of the citys most prominent quality-of-life crimes. Known as the Cleaner and Greener Enforcement Unit, the effort is being launched as a pilot program in the 8th and 9th City Council Districts, District Attorney Larry Krasner announced at a news conference Tuesday. The program is launching amid Krasners reelection bid as campaigning ramps up ahead of the May 20 primary. Advertisement The unit, officials said, will use investigatory tools such as surveillance cameras and cell phone tower data to find perpetrators, and dedicate prosecutors to litigate illegal dumping, also known as short dumping. Nobody needs short dumping going on in their neighborhood, Krasner said. We at the DAs Office are very eager to address this issue through prevention and enforcement, prosecuting cases investigated by the Philadelphia Police Department with vigor and determination. The units goal, officials said, is to increase enforcement against quality-of-life crimes with a focus on illegal dumping, a growing issue with which the city has long struggled. According to a 2020 Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful study, Philadelphia spends about $48 million annually on cleanups, with nearly 90% of that money going toward actual removal, rather than prevention and enforcement. Illegal dumping often disproportionately impacts middle-class and economically disadvantaged neighborhoods, Krasner said. A 2023 Lenfest Institute for Journalism/SSRS poll, meanwhile, found that about 70% of residents who were Black, Latino, or made less than $50,000 a year considered illegal dumping a top priority to address. Mayor Cherelle L. Parker has also focused on cleaning up Philadelphia, running on a platform that promised to make the city cleaner and greener, a now-familiar phrase. Her first budget last year included a $246 million investment over five years to that end, and in a budget address to City Council, she specifically called out illegal dumping, noting that short-dumping sites that pile back up days after being cleared were among the woes stopping residents from believing their neighborhoods will ever be clean. Krasner said Tuesday that Parker had found some funding for the DAs office to establish the new enforcement unit, which will be led by Assistant District Attorney Teresa Benevides-Sexton. He added that funding should be available by July 1, after which he expects the units presence in the city to expand, but did not discuss specific amounts. Illegal dumping has historically resulted in summary citations for offenders, akin to a traffic ticket. In recent years, the crime has often been treated as a misdemeanor, and can include thousands of dollars in fines, as well as the seizure of vehicles, and imposition of cleanup fees, The Inquirer previously reported. Even felony charges could be filed, depending on the severity of the incident, Krasner said Tuesday. Obviously, theres a difference between somebody who dumps one dresser, which they shouldnt do and a tractor-trailer that pulls up and dumps thousands of tires over a period of time, Krasner said. Our justice will be individual. Officials announced the new pilot unit in the citys Lawncrest section near an area of Tacony Creek Park where the removal of about 4,000 illegally dumped tires began last month. Tires, Krasner said, are not only a visual blight, but are a tremendous hazard, in that they are extremely difficult to extinguish if set ablaze. Councilmember Anthony Phillips, who represents the area, said in a statement that the areas residents have been battling illegal dumping for decades. Illegal dumping is not just a nuisance. It is an attack on our neighborhoods and community, Phillips said. But I believe that through collaboration between residents, law enforcement, and elected officials, this serious problem can be solved in large part through community engagement, prevention, and enforcement. The city has about 300 video cameras installed to help catch illegal dumpers. And while prosecution for illegal dumping decreased during the pandemic, the Parks and Recreation Department has issued more than a million dollars in fines against dumpers over the past two years, The Inquirer reported last month. Officials said that anyone who observes illegal dumping in the city should call 911. A hotline for the Cleaner and Greener Enforcement Unit has also been established, and can be reached at 215-686-8988. The author, who teaches special education for the School District of Philadelphia in North Philadelphia, pictured in her classroom in 2021. She writes that the imminent dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education will grievously impact the resources available to students with disabilities in Pennsylvania. Read more As a special education teacher for the School District of Philadelphia in North Philly, I am very aware my students rely on varied sources of funding including state and federal sources. Which is why the potential dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education is so alarming to me. Federal funding makes up about 10% of all Pennsylvania education funding and helps provide additional resources through programs like Title I and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to students who need them the most at schools like mine, which serve high numbers of students with disabilities and students experiencing poverty. The $600 million in IDEA funding that Pennsylvania receives each year provides resources for students with disabilities helping fund not only my salary as a special education teacher but also resources, assistive technology to help students communicate, sensory objects, speech therapists, occupational therapists, and much more. Advertisement My school is so underfunded that we did not have a speech therapist for four years. Not only is it wrong to put my students through schooling without the support to help them effectively communicate, it is also illegal. This is the first year we finally have a speech therapist, and I have seen my students make so much progress. My school is so underfunded that I have to crowdfund for basic materials and sensory objects my students need to get through the day. Those objects include elastic kickbands to keep them from fidgeting in their chairs, textured stickers for their desks, and special vests to help calm them. These objects are not optional and extra they are necessary tools that enable my students to learn. READ MORE: Pennsylvanias children with disabilities need fair funding | Opinion My school is so underfunded that I reuse and recycle and make copies of the curriculum because we cannot order new consumable workbooks. My students deserve better than copy paper workbooks and a teacher who is tired from fighting with the copy machine. My students with disabilities rely heavily on the resources schools provide them. They need every last resource, speech therapist, occupational therapist, and sensory object. I cannot imagine the devastation to my students lives if these resources are picked apart. But with the Trump administration considering cutting the Department of Education and its funding, my students fixtures are on the chopping block. We must remember that before the department was created in 1979, there were no processes in place to ensure students with disabilities were receiving a free and appropriate public education. On March 4, the American Federation of Teachers held a Day of Action to spread the word about the necessity of the Department of Education in view of the threat to its continued existence. Local union chapters were actively involved in these important efforts to educate the community about the role the federal government plays in the total funding of the commonwealths schools. At the Pennsylvania House Appropriations Committee education hearing on Feb. 24, acting Secretary of Education Carrie Rowe made it clear it would be very unlikely Pennsylvania would be able to make up for $1.6 billion in lost revenue for schools if the Department of Education were eliminated. While the federal government obviously plays a vital role in our school funding, we cannot forget a judge ruled in 2023 that Pennsylvanias school funding formula was unconstitutional. Although the ruling was issued more than two years ago, we are still not on track to meet the needs of lower-wealth districts, as it mandated. We shouldnt have to decide between safe and maintained buildings or a full staff. The district is doing right by its students, families, staff, and community by making do with the crumbs we get, but we are still looking at a $300 million deficit for the 2026 fiscal year. This year, we lost our emergency COVID-19 funds. Other historically funded schools got to use those funds for building improvements, air-quality improvement, and PPE, but districts like Philadelphia had to use those funds to fill budget holes in staffing. We shouldnt have to decide between safe and maintained buildings or a full staff. Still, this is not the time to feel defeated. This is the time to fight for my students, and students all over the United States. This is the time to call our representatives, call our senators, and be present in the community. I am not choosing between books or buildings. My students need both just like they need both the federal and state governments to fund their schools. Nicole Wyglendowski is a K-2 special education teacher in North Philadelphia. Left: District attorney Larry Krasner speaks during a news conference in 2022. Right: Former Judge Patrick Dugan attends a campaign event in 2023, when he unsuccessfully ran for Superior Court. He is now running for Philadelphia district attorney. Read more The largest labor organization in Philadelphia will not endorse a candidate for district attorney this year, a slight to progressive incumbent Larry Krasner, whom the group backed for reelection just four years ago. The Philadelphia Council AFL-CIO, which represents more than 100 unions composed of some 150,000 workers, voted last week to not endorse Krasner or his Democratic primary opponent, former Municipal Court Judge Patrick Dugan. Its similar to the decision made by the citys Democratic Party, which also declined to make an endorsement in the race despite usually backing incumbents. Advertisement The decision from the umbrella organization is largely symbolic, because many of the labor unions that make up the AFL-CIO are making their own endorsements and giving money to their candidate of choice. But it shows how organized labor in the city, long a politically potent and deep-pocketed force in Democratic politics, has split over who should be Philadelphias top prosecutor ahead of the May 20 primary. More than half of the committee that voted on AFL-CIOs endorsement decision wanted to back Krasner, according to two sources familiar with the vote who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the internal deliberations. But winning the Councils endorsement requires a two-thirds vote, and neither candidate reached that threshold. A significant portion of the Philadelphia Councils voting body is made up of representatives from the Philadelphia Building and Construction Trades Council, which is composed of about 30 unions that are largely lining up behind Dugan. In addition to the building trades, Dugan is backed by unions that represent carpenters, Teamsters, transit workers, and firefighters. During a news conference Monday alongside a handful of labor leaders, Dugan said he was disappointed he didnt win the AFL-CIO endorsement outright, but said the bodys non-endorsement says a lot about the support of Larry Krasner. Were going to win this race, folks, he said. READ MORE: Patrick Dugan wants to cap his military and judicial career by becoming Phillys top prosecutor. Can he win? Still, political observers say that despite the show of support from labor, Dugan faces steep odds in what is likely to be a low-turnout race, given Krasner has been in office for seven years and has stronger name recognition. No Republican is running for district attorney, meaning the primary election is likely to be decisive. READ MORE: DA Larry Krasner says Philly is safer and freer as he seeks a third term. Will voters buy in? On Krasners side are a half-dozen labor organizations, including two of the citys largest unions that represent municipal workers, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees District Councils 33 and 47. Among the professional staff represented by DC 47 are employees of the court system. Also backing Krasner is Unite Here, which represents hotel and food service workers, the health care arm of the Service Employees International Union, and Laborers Local 332. The latter is a building trades union that broke with the rest of the construction trades to endorse Krasner. Our campaign is powered by the energy of our union partners and their thousands of members in the city, Anthony Campisi, a spokesperson for Krasners campaign, said in a statement. They recognize that its more important than ever to have a District Attorney who will fight for justice on behalf of ordinary Philadelphians and against entrenched special interests, Donald Trump and unelected billionaires who benefit from a rigged system. Several unions that often play a role in city politics, including the teachers union, are still in the midst of their own endorsement process. One major unknown is the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5, which represents thousands of current and retired police officers. Its unclear if the FOP will make an endorsement in this race at all, a contrast to the unions heavy involvement in past contests for district attorney. Four years ago, the group and its bombastic former leader, John McNesby, went all-out to oppose Krasners reelection campaign, including by dumping money into an independent expenditure committee aimed at stopping the progressive DA. Krasner won that year in a landslide. Today, the FOP has a new president, Roosevelt Poplar, who has not outwardly feuded with Krasner like his predecessor. In a statement earlier this month, the union said neither Democrat running for district attorney has sought an endorsement. President Donald Trump speaks during an event to announce new tariffs in the Rose Garden at the White House on Wednesday. Read more President Donald Trump announced new tariffs Wednesday taxes on imported goods that could spark a global trade war and threaten to increase the prices of everything from food to cars within the United States. Trump dubbed the event liberation day and argued the new taxes would force companies to bring back manufacturing jobs to the United States. Advertisement Its our declaration of economic independence, Trump said Wednesday. For years, hardworking American citizens were forced to sit on the sidelines as other nations got rich and powerful, much of it at our expense. But now its our turn to prosper. Economists say the new taxes will be passed on to U.S. residents through higher prices, something Republicans have been warning voters about in recent days. Im not guaranteeing its going to work out perfectly, U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, a Republican who represents Luzerne County, told The Inquirer. But I think the presidents got enough information and [Commerce Secretary] Howard Lutnick, and the others involved here, to do it in a manner, a tariff plan that is far more favorable to the United States than it is to other countries. In addition to higher prices, U.S. companies that export goods across the world will almost certainly face reciprocal taxes from other countries as part of a global trade war. Europe has not started this confrontation, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a speech Tuesday. We do not necessarily want to retaliate but, if it is necessary, we have a strong plan to retaliate and we will use it. Heres everything we know and dont know about Trumps new round of tariffs: READ MORE: Josh Shapiro says people will suffer and Pa. Republicans have mixed views of Trumps tariff plan Which countries will have new tariffs? Trump announced Wednesday the tariffs would allow the U.S. to match what other countries are currently taxing imports from the United States. In one example, Trump cited India, which has a 40% tariff on imported motorcycles, while the United States levies just a 2.4% tariff. Reciprocal that means they do it to us and we do it to them," Trump said at the White House Wednesday. Very simple. Cant get any simpler than that. Trump said a baseline tariff of 10% on all countries would go into effect, but a chart displayed during his announcement showed the differing rates for some countries. Goods from China will be hit with a 34% tariffs, while the European Union will be hit with a 20% tariff. Vietnam will face a 46% tariff on imported goods, which could impact the cost of products from Nike and other sportswear brands. The president previously said he would place a 25% tariff on countries that import oil or gas from Venezuela, and a 25% tariff on all automobile imports into the United States is set to go into effect at midnight, which would later expand into auto parts. When will the tariffs go into effect? Trumps new tariffs will go into effect immediately after he announces them Wednesday afternoon, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt previously said. How will the tariffs impact Philadelphia and Pennsylvania? That remains unclear. Pennsylvania imports over $14.2 billion worth of good from Canada, the commonwealths largest trade partner, all of which could see price increases everything from crude oil to chocolate to substances used for medical treatment. In addition, Pennsylvania businesses export billions of dollars worth of goods to Canada and elsewhere across the globe, where countries are expected to put in place their own reciprocal tariffs. That includes milk, cheese, and yogurt, which brought in more than $2 billion in gross income for Pennsylvanias farm sector in 2023. Most of that is exported to Mexico and Canada, but Chile, Malaysia, and Japan are also top export locations for Pennsylvania farmers. Pennsylvanias economy is reliant on international business, and that looks like trade, Lauren Swartz, chief executive of the nonprofit World Affairs Council of Philadelphia, told The Inquirer last month. Doing things that limit our ability to access that 96% of the world that lives outside of the U.S., and 74% of global economic growth that occurs outside of the U.S., is going to be felt here at home. READ MORE: Philly-area car dealers are bracing for higher prices as tariffs take effect this week What tariffs are already in effect? The United States is currently imposing a 20% tariff on all imports from China and 25% on all steel and aluminum imports. Why isnt Congress involved in tariffs? Under the U.S. Constitution, Congress has the power to impose Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises and regulate foreign commerce. But Congress has ceded some of its power to the president and executive branch over the years, a move some lawmakers have said should be reexamined. In the past we passed legislation that gave the president some temporary tariff authorities, Rep. Don Bacon (R., Neb.) said during an interview on CNN last week. I think we should look back and maybe restore the power back to Congress and take away the authorizations that weve allowed the president. The Senate is slated to vote on a proposal Wednesday that would roll back the national emergency declaration allowing Trump to unilaterally impose tariffs on Canada, purportedly because of the flow of illegal drugs into the U.S. While the proposal is sponsored by Democrats, at least four Republican senators Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul of Kentucky, and Susan Collins of Maine have signaled their support for the bill. Paul is one of the bills nine cosponsors. The Maine economy is integrated with Canada, our most important trading partner, Collins said on the floor of the Senate Wednesday. The tariffs on Canada would be detrimental to many Maine families and our local economies. Even if the bill passes in the Senate, it would be dead on arrival in the Republican-controlled House. Trump has also said hed veto the proposal in the unlikely event it ends up on his desk. Jimmy Harrity, one of two Democratic nominees in a special election for City Council, attends the Philadelphia Democratic City Committee pre-election dinner at the Sheet Metal Workers Union hall in South Philadelphia Monday Oct. 24, 2022. Read more City Councilmember Jimmy Harrity this year interacted with racy social media accounts from a profile he also used to disseminate updates on local politics and Philadelphia government. In an interview Monday, Harrity acknowledged that he operated the Instagram Threads account, which from January through March sent replies to accounts posting photos of scantily clad women. Harrity made the social media account private after being contacted by The Inquirer. Advertisement The accounts profile picture is a photo of Harrity and Councilmember Isaiah Thomas raising their fists in the air at what appears to be a union rally. Harrity said he created the account to follow posts from Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, and then started publishing his own updates and engaging with other users posts. Before it became private, all of the original posts from Harritys Threads account concerned Council or political events, such as photos from news conferences and a flier for a fundraiser for his campaign. We name 59th street outside Overbrook high-school Will Smith Way!! Harrity posted recently, with a photo showing him and other Council members standing with the West Philadelphia-born and -raised actor at the street-renaming event. But almost all of the public replies sent by his account to other users messages were short responses to posts featuring provocative photos of women. For many of the replies, Harrity simply sent greetings. The user chubbyygirlstacyy, for instance, in late December posted suggestive photos of a woman along with a suggestive message. Harrity responded in early January: Hello. Later in January, user eva.fax posted, Can i text u on insta? with a photo of a woman in a bikini, and Harrity responded, Yes. None of the suggestive posts were directed at Harrity specifically, and they likely appeared in his feed based on Threads content algorithm. But the Council member said Monday he thought they were from constituents attempting to contact him. I thought people were reaching out to me on it, and I was responding, Hi, Hello, because they kept saying they were trying to get a hold of me, Harrity said. Then I realized it was some kind of scam thing women just trying to get followers. That rationale, however, fails to explain some other replies from Harritys account. When eva.fax in March posted a photo with the caption Could you describe me in one word? Harrity replied, Smoking. And when naughtykatenasty in late March posted a photo of a womans rear end with the question Too big or perfect? Be honest, Harrity said, Perfect. Harrity said he doesnt recall posting those replies but acknowledged he must have sent them. I am a guy at some point, you know what Im saying? he said. Im not responding to anybody. Im married. I got no desire for another headache. I apologize for the misconception. Harrity sent some of the suggestive replies during business hours, according to time stamps, but none appear to have been sent during a Council meeting. One of Councils more colorful members, Harrity won his seat in a special election in 2022 and was elected to a full four-year term in 2023. A Democrat who lives in Kensington, he represents the city at-large, and he has close ties to party leadership, especially State Sen. Sharif Street, who chairs the Pennsylvania Democratic Party and is the son of former Philadelphia Mayor John F. Street. Harrity, who is in recovery and had brushes with the law earlier in his career, has been open about his checkered past and unusual path to public office, an experience that he has said has made him a believer in second chances. READ MORE: A bar fight, a heart attack, and 12 years of sobriety: Jimmy Harritys path to Philadelphia City Council That enthusiasm appears to have extended to his social media activity. In January, Threads user eva_kokoy posted a photo of a woman in a bikini on the beach with the message Im sure nobody cares, but Ive been sober for 287 days. Harrity replied: Keep coming back it works if you work it! Staff writer Max Marin contributed to this article. With President Donald Trump announcing a new round of tariffs that could spark a global trade war on Wednesday, at least one Republican lawmaker from Pennsylvania expressed skepticism about how the presidents plan would work. U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, a Republican from Butler County, owned and operated Kelly Automotive a group of auto dealerships in Butler for years before joining Congress. Given car parts are made all over the world, Kelly said, he was unclear how Trumps tariffs would work. Advertisement Ive done it all my life and when I look at it, how do you break this out? Because the supply chain is global, right? Kelly told The Inquirer on Capitol Hill on Wednesday. So if a Chevy truck is assembled in some other part of the world, and a Korean car is assembled here, I mean, its like, wait a minute, I dont know how you do it. I dont know how hell slice it up, or how its gonna dice it up. Its not like, Oh, its a Toyota, then its a foreign car, Kelly added. No, its not. Not anymore. For Pennsylvania, which is not a major auto-manufacturing hub, Kelly anticipates the impact of auto tariffs will be on consumers. When you have different inventory on the same shelf before tariffs and after tariffs, and its the same car but different pricing, yeah, that causes a lot of confusion, Kelly said. The skepticism was somewhat rare coming from Kelly, a solid Trump ally who led the congressional task force investigating the assassination attempt against the then-presidential candidate in Kellys hometown, Butler. But Kellys office clarified later that while the lawmaker has questions about how auto tariffs might work, hes supportive of them. Hes the greatest disrupter ever to sit in the White House, Kelly said of Trump. In an interview Tuesday on Fox News Radio, Sen. Dave McCormick (R., Pa.) admitted that uncertainty around Trumps tariff plan was roiling the stock market, but said he was supportive of the presidents desire to rebalance foreign trade. I think the greatest imbalance is probably around manufacturing businesses, because what happens is theyre subsidized in China and other places, McCormick said. I think we want to bring home that manufacturing. The steel tariffs, the aluminum tariffs are meant to level the playing field. McCormick said his greatest concern is around U.S. manufacturing capabilities when it comes to pharmaceuticals and semiconductors, which were exposed during the peak of the pandemic. We learned during COVID that were dependent on other countries for the large majority of semiconductors, McCormick said. People will suffer: Shapiro says tariff plan will hit Pa. hard Speaking at an event touting local breweries in Bethlehem on Wednesday, Gov. Josh Shapiro slammed Trumps tariff plan as a tax hike that would harm consumers and small businesses. Im not sure why the president of the United States wants to do this to our small businesses, wants to harm our main streets, Shapiro said, warning that people will suffer and promising the support of state government to help local businesses. Shapiro pointed to the impact on craft breweries in Pennsylvania, which turn to Canada to source the aluminum in their cans and the malted barley they use to brew their beer. Those that source their materials locally have still seen their costs go up due to growing demand as companies pivot to avoid Trumps tariffs, Shapiro said. I just wish the president wasnt working against us as recklessly as he is, Shapiro said. This tariff war that he is starting, this button that he is pushing, is going to have one effect, and that effect is to drive up costs on consumers and businesses throughout Pennsylvania at a time where we cant afford it. Other Pennsylvania Democrats joined Shapiro in denouncing Trumps plan. Trumps ill-advised tariff actions tomorrow will release a new wave of price hikes on hard-working families in PA & beyond, U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans, a Democrat who represents parts of Philadelphia, wrote on social media Tuesday. He expects to raise trillions of dollars through these taxes on YOU, as Republicans in Congress look for ways to fund another tax cut for the rich. Sen. John Fetterman (D., Pa.) has not spoken recently about Trumps tariff plan, but did publicly criticize the presidents combative approach on trade toward Canada and Mexico. Truthfully, I dont understand why President Trump is picking all of these kinds of tariffs with our allies, Fetterman said during an interview on MSNBC last month. And there might be issues like fentanyl or some of those, but that doesnt mean we have to punch them in the mouth, because thats not making America great. Wait-and-see caution from some Republican lawmakers Other Republicans on Capitol Hill offered more wait-and-see caution ahead of Trumps announcement. Im very excited and anxious to see what comes out, said U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan, who represents Lackawanna County. Theres just a lot of uncertainty as to what it will ultimately mean to the end user. But I dont want to get out in front of my skis until we see actually whats going to be talked about. U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, a Republican who represents the Lehigh Valley, said he has heard from some constituents concerned about the impact of Trumps tariffs, but said many businesses have started bracing for the coming change. I heard from one business yesterday that they started changing their supply chains and moving things around in potential anticipation of something like this, Mackenzie said. So I know there is volatility in the market, and I think that leads to then uncertainty of what products does it apply to and at what rate. But at the same time, a lot of people have already been anticipating something like this. U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, a Republican who represents Luzerne County and a longtime Trump ally, defended the tariffs even if there are some up-front price pains. The whole idea is to create a more fair marketplace around the world, and, frankly, more stability, Meuser said, noting there could be growing pains. Im not guaranteeing its going to work out perfectly, Meuser said, but I think the presidents got enough information and [Commerce Secretary] Howard Lutnick, and the others involved here, to do it in a manner, a tariff plan that is far more favorable to the United States than it is to other countries. When Scott and Kendall Schmidt saw the circa-1903 American foursquare house in Haddonfield in 2022, they were intrigued. They wanted a larger home where they could each have a dedicated office. The house needed a lot of work, and they saw that as a positive. We took advantage of the opportunity to redo the kitchen and not have to stick with the same footprint, said Kendall, a beta scientist. The 2,400-square-foot, three-story house includes five bedrooms and two full plus one half bathroom. The 12-foot ceilings at the homes entrance were a big draw, and the couple loved the architecture of the foursquare layout. Its functional, a great use of the space, and keeps everything cozy and accessible, said Scott, a program manager in the defense industry. The outside was in need of repairs, including a new roof, siding, and windows. Water damage in the kitchen meant gutting most of the first floor, so the Schmidts created a new, more functional, light-filled layout. Jazmyn Miller-Gibbs of Abode Above Interiors in Middletown, Del., helped with the new design. The first step was removing a wall to expand the kitchen and allow natural light to flood the room. I set out to take their cramped, dimly lit kitchen and turn it into a bright, welcoming space that actually works for a busy family, said Miller-Gibbs. I designed an eat-in kitchen with plenty of storage, a mudroom to keep the chaos in check, and a laundry area that doesnt feel like a dungeon. A bold botanical backsplash stands out from the classic navy and white Fabuwood cabinets, giving the kitchen warmth, personality, and a little unexpected fun, she said. The couple enjoy cooking and appreciate their ample counter space for prepping and serving buffet-style dinners when they host friends and family. They have a dedicated corner where their 1-year-old daughter, Sawyer, can play while they cook. One element of the first floor the Schmidts did want to keep was the butlers pantry, which was original to the house. When they replaced the hardware, they matched its original style. Its a fun feature of our house, keeping some of the original character, Kendall said. Two original window seats also remain, including one in the dining room where the family eats their meals. The room is cozy with plantation shutters and built-in cabinets displaying mementos from their travels. Many of their trips were to hiking destinations in Maine, New Hampshire, and Washington state. In Washington, they hiked in Olympic National Park and the Cascades, and their favorite destination, Mount Sawyer, was the inspiration for their daughters name. The weather had been rainy, and every hike we went on we got really wet, recalled Kendall. But the day they hiked Mount Sawyer had perfect blue skies and awesome foliage up the mountain. There were magnificent views, and it was a memorable hike. After dinner, the family lounges in the living room on the comfy custom brown leather couch the first piece of furniture the couple bought together. The living room fireplace is original to the house, as are some of the moldings and doors on the second floor. These features add charm to the home, but a house more than 100 years old also presents challenges. They didnt have HVAC in 1903, said Kendall. The house now has HVAC, but it isnt very efficient. The couple isnt doing much hiking with a 1-year-old, but they do try to maximize their time outdoors. Out back, their hound-mix Wesley, 12, runs around in the grass while the family sits on the stone patio under the gazebo. Outdoor heaters keep the area comfortable in the spring and fall. A second patio, with a table shaded by an umbrella, sits closer to the house. Beyond their own yard, the Schmidts enjoy Haddonfields history and charm, and they appreciate their walkable proximity to schools, downtown shops, and restaurants. The streets are lined with 100-year-old full, mature trees, said Scott. We like traveling and going to visit the grandparents, but we are always happy to come back home. It puts a smile on our faces every time we walk in the door. While only a small number of claims have been received so far for the most recent floods in western Queensland, insurers are assisting customers to help ease stress and uncertainty. Once access is restored, insurers stand ready to deploy resources to impacted areas, he said. By fostering collaboration with influential global organisations like the OECD, IAIS, and the United States Treasury, we can help advocate for policies that strengthen the role of brokers and ensure better outcomes for Australian consumers. With the federal election on the horizon, these global learnings are more relevant than ever in advocating for a sustainable and resilient insurance sector in Australia, he said. It has been a privilege to serve as CEO for nearly eight years, Jack said. Im incredibly proud of everything HCF has accomplished during this time, but what matters most is the difference we've made for our members. Mangione has pleaded not guilty to the state indictment and has not entered a plea for the federal charges. Prosecutors have stated the cases will proceed simultaneously, with the state case expected to go to trial first, although it remains unclear whether Bondis announcement will alter this timeline. DAgostino brings nearly two decades of experience in guiding companies through complex risks, including IPOs and acquisitions. He will report to Daniel Rodliff, senior vice president of P&C. DAgostino previously served as a partner at Willis Towers Watson and senior vice president at Aon. As defect risks grow, so too do legal costs especially for luxury builds. People are building $5 million, $10 million homes now. And theyre hiring lawyers at $500 an hour, she said. Some of them are attorneys themselves. Insurers are responding by capping coverage or refusing to insure high-end homes altogether. First it was $5 million, now $4 million. It just keeps going down. This transaction presented a unique opportunity to accelerate our growth strategy and deliver one of the most comprehensive workplace benefits portfolios in the market, said Dan McMillan, president and CEO of The Standard. I look forward to welcoming the Allstate employees and customers to The Standard. AM Best has removed from under review with negative implications and affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of a- (Excellent) of Westminster American Insurance Co. AM Best assigned an outlook of stable to the credit ratings. AM Best said the ratings reflect the Owings Mills, Maryland-based insurers balance sheet strength, which its analysts assess as very strong. In addition, they reflect the insurers adequate operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management (ERM). AM Bests review follows the return about nine months ago of a previous owner of the insurer. On June 30, 2024, Westminster was reacquired by John Scott, Sr., and the Scott family, from NI Holdings, Inc. for $10.5 million. NI Holdings had purchased the business from Scott in 2020 for $40 million. Scott originally obtained the 155-year-old company (formerly known as Carroll County Mutual) in 2005 out of receivership from the Maryland Insurance Administration after a capital contribution of $5 million. In addition to $20 million of surplus that transferred with Westminster American from NI Holdings, another $30 million was contributed to the surplus from John Scott, Sr. Following the closing, A.M. Best placed Westminster Americans rating as A- under review, pending a full. Following the reacquisition by Scott, the insurer started to report results on a standalone basis in the third quarter of 2024. The ratings were expected to remain under review until AM Best fully assessed managements prospective business plans. The ratings have now been removed from under review with negative implications following AM Bests completed analysis and assessment of Westminsters prospective financial and operational plans under the new ownership. AM Best said the very strong balance sheet strength assessment is supported by risk-adjusted capitalization maintained at the strongest level, as measured by Bests Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR). Surplus growth as of year 2024 was bolstered by a material capital injection from the new ownership to support the current assessment, as well as future growth and expansion initiatives. AM Best said it expects the companys BCAR to further strengthen in the near term from organic surplus growth that will continue to strengthen its capital position. According to AM Best, Westminsters operating performance is expected to remain adequate, consistent with historical norms supplemented by favorable investment income. Prospective results are expected to further benefit from managements expertise and long-standing ties in the property/casualty insurance industry insuring commercial habitational risks. The limited business profile reflects Westminsters geographic and product concentration as a commercial lines property carrier that operates in several coastal Mid-Atlantic states. AM Best said it views the companys ERM as appropriate, supported by its developed framework and appropriate risk management capabilities that include a comprehensive reinsurance program tailored to manage catastrophic and systemic risks effectively. The stable outlooks are based on AM Bests expectation that Westminsters overall balance sheet strength will remain very strong, marked by stability in the capital position supported by the strongest level of risk-adjusted capitalization, as measured by BCAR. The stable outlooks further reflect AM Bests expectation that operating performance will continue to support the adequate assessment level based on managements disciplined underwriting and pricing strategies to generate organic surplus growth. For 2023, the insurer wrote about $75 million in direct premium, about $14 million of which was in Maryland. It reported a net loss of about $3.8 million for that year, according to the Maryland Insurance Administrations annual report. In addition to Maryland, Westminster writes in the District of Columbia, Pennsylvania, Virginia, New Jersey, Delaware, North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Nevada, Oregon, Colorado, Washington, North Dakota and Vermont. It specializes in policies for owners of apartments and office buildings. John Scott, Jr. is continuing to serve as president and chief executive officer of Westminster as he did before and during the period of NI Holdings ownership. Topics AM Best UK home and motor insurance firm Esure Group Plc sees further growth in the country after a 200 million ($258 million) revamp program, according to its Chief Executive Officer David McMillan. The company, backed by private equity firm Bain Capital, last year completed a three-year program that redesigned its technology, processes and even culture, McMillan said in an interview. Esures turnover grew 14% to 1.1 billion in 2024, according to a statement Tuesday. It posted a trading profit of 126.8 million, compared with a loss in the year-ago period. We set out with the objective of building the UKs preeminent digital insurer, McMillan said, adding that the company now serves 80% of its customers digitally, more than double what it was a few years ago. Founded in 2000, Esure offers car and home insurance with 2 million customers, according to its website. It operates under its namesake brand as well as Sheilas Wheels and First Alternative. Esure listed on the London Stock Exchange in 2013. Bain took the insurer private in a 1.2 billion deal five years later. Esures results came as the British company has attracted potential takeover interest from other insurers as Bloomberg News reported in October. Bain Capital is expected to collect binding bids for the business on April 7, according to people familiar with the matter. Allianz SE and Sampo Oyj, which owns British general insurer Hastings Group, are among those considering bids, said the people, asking not to be identified discussing confidential information. The business also attracted interest from Belgium-based Ageas, US-based Allstate Insurance Co. and GEICO Corp., the people said. Deliberations are ongoing and theres no certainty the companies will proceed with bids, the people said. Representatives for Allianz, Ageas, Bain Capital, Esure and Sampo declined to comment, while Allstate and GEICO didnt respond to requests for comment. Photo credit: Ben Stansall/Getty Images Copyright 2025 Bloomberg. Swedens largest insurer Folksam said on Wednesday it has sold its stake in electric car maker Tesla over concerns about the companys stance on workers rights. Tesla, headed by billionaire Elon Musk, is facing a backlash from unions and some pension funds in the Nordic region over its refusal to accept a demand from Swedish mechanics for collective bargaining rights covering wages and other conditions. Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The company has said it offers as good, or better, terms than those demanded by the unions. Folksam said in a statement it had tried to influence Tesla, together with other owners, through proposals submitted to the companys annual general meeting two years in a row. Unfortunately, no improvement has been seen and a decision has therefore been made to divest the holding, its head of asset management and sustainability Marcus Blomberg said. Folksams holding amounted to 0.017% of Tesla and had a market value of 1.6 billion Swedish crowns ($159.98 million) at the time of divestment, a spokesperson said. ($1 = 10.0015 Swedish crowns) (Reporting by Stine Jacobsen, editing by Terje Solsvik and Louise Heavens) Italys insurance regulator IVASS needs more details about internal control and governance systems as it reviews domestic leader Generalis proposed asset management tie-up with French bank BPCE, two sources close to the matter told Reuters. Generali, Europes fourth-largest insurer, signed a non-binding accord with BPCE in January to combine their respective Generali Investments Holding (GIH) and Natixis Investment Managers units. The tie-up would be Europes largest fund manager by revenue and the second-biggest by assets under management. Fragmentation is blamed for holding back Europes fund industry, where players mostly lack global scale and are less competitive than U.S. rivals. However, the deal has drawn criticism from some in Italy where the conservative government is keen to retain savings in domestic hands to help it with the task of refinancing one of the worlds largest debt piles. The government, which must approve the deal, has sought guarantees that Generali will remain in full control of allocating savings collected in Italy. Insurance supervisor IVASS, meanwhile, needs more time to complete its review, said the sources, who asked not to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter. They said the request for more clarity also includes details of the new entitys portfolio remuneration system. IVASS and Generali both declined to comment. Adding further uncertainty to the deals chances of being finalized, Generali CEO Philippe Donnet, who has championed it, is running for reappointment this month amid a shareholder clash. The final decision on the deal will be taken by the new Generali board, which shareholders will select on April 24. Three slates of candidates for the board have been filed, increasing the risk the vote produces a fractured board. Under legislation designed to protect assets deemed of strategic national importance, Italy can set conditions for such deals. Generalis second- and third-largest shareholders, respectively the investment vehicle of late Ray-Ban billionaire Leonardo Del Vecchio and real estate magnate Francesco Gaetano Caltagirone have been critical of the transaction. Donnet has said the government review will provide an opportunity to dispel any concerns over the deal. Generali and BPCE have said each will retain decision-making power over how their respective assets are allocated, while pooling management in a joint venture of which the units they are combining would each own 50%. To further reassure Rome, Generali has said the structure of the deal separates asset ownership from asset management. And Donnet said last month Generali could buy more Italian debt. Under pressure to step up Generalis dealmaking, Donnet has expanded the insurers asset management operations, first by buying Conning Holdings, a U.S. asset manager specializing in insurers, then turning to BPCE, which had been looking for a partner for Natixis. (Additional reporting by Gianluca Semeraro; editing by Joe Bavier) Related: Swiss financial market watchdog FINMA has revamped its organizational structure with immediate effect, the regulator said on Tuesday, as it gears up for future challenges including supervision of the enlarged UBS. Switzerland has pledged to step up regulation of the banking sector since UBS bought Credit Suisse in an emergency takeover in 2023 when its old rival collapsed. A parliamentary investigation in December cast an unflattering light on the regulator, which plans to introduce a new cross-divisional function for integrated risk expertise to work on topics like liquidity and capital. Meanwhile, a newly created FINMA Chief Risk Officer function will coordinate risk management processes in the business divisions, FINMA said in a statement. The new structure would support more intensified, direct supervision, in particular by allowing the authority to carry out more of its own on-site supervisory reviews, FINMA said. CEO Stefan Walter said the revamp promoted FINMAs goal of preventive supervision, adding the regulator would continue to monitor institutions in a risk-based and proportionate manner. Walter, who joined FINMA in April 2024, has taken a hands-on approach to bank regulation and called for stronger powers for his agency. FINMA Director Marlene Amstad said that by adapting its structure, FINMA was addressing future challenges. These include not only new realities in the banking sector, but also challenges for the entire Swiss financial center such as non-financial risks and conduct issues, money laundering and cybercrime, Amstad said. The regulator also said Birgit Rutishauser, deputy CEO and head of the insurance division, would step down by April 30 to embark on a new career. Her move was independent of the organizational changes, FINMA said. (Reporting by Ariane Luthi; editing by Sonali Paul, Kirsten Donovan) Topics Trends North Korean IT workers are increasingly posing as remote freelancers from other countries to infiltrate companies in Europe, putting organizations at risk of espionage, data theft and disruption. The workers, who refer to themselves as warriors, secure roles at companies to generate revenue for the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, according to research by Google Threat Intelligence Group. Google researchers worked with partners to identify an increase in active operations outside of the US by these so-called IT warriors over the past six months. Countries targeted include Germany, the UK and Portugal, according to a blog post by Jamie Collier, lead adviser for Europe at the Google unit. North Korean IT workers have historically focused on infiltrating companies in the US. While American jobs remain a major target, an increased awareness of the threat, along with sanctions and indictments from the Department of Justice, have pushed operations to other countries, particularly in Europe. Read More: UK to Compel 1,000 Firms to Shore Up Cyber Defenses After Hacks The workers falsely claim to be from countries including Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Ukraine, the US and Vietnam to secure jobs. Theyre recruited through platforms including Upwork Inc., Freelancer and Telegram and paid with cryptocurrency, or via digital payment platforms including Wise Plc and Payoneer Global Inc., according to the Google report. A spokesperson for Wise said the company carries out numerous verification checks on customers and monitors transactions for misuse of its services. When it identifies potential financial crime it investigates and, where necessary, deactivates accounts. Payoneer uses a range of checks to combat fraud and financial crime and works closely with regulators and law enforcement, a spokesperson said. Upwork said it was an industrywide problem and that the company takes aggressive action to detect, block and remove bad actors. Freelancer and Telegram did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Since late October, there has been a rise in recently fired North Korean workers seeking to extort companies, threatening to release sensitive data to a competitor. Collier wrote that the increased pressure from the US may be driving these IT workers to adopt more aggressive measures to maintain their revenue stream. In late 2024, one such worker operating at least 12 personas sought employment with several organizations in the defense and government sectors, providing fake references. In the UK, North Korean IT workers have been involved in projects spanning traditional web development to advanced blockchain and AI applications, according to the research. Google said the trend highlights the risks of bring-your-own-device policies, where companies allow workers to use their own laptops to access internal systems. These devices often lack corporate monitoring and security tools, making it harder to identify possible threats. The FBI has issued multiple warnings about North Koreas IT workers defrauding US businesses, and urged companies to improve their identity verification processes. In January, the US Treasury sanctioned two individuals and four entities for generating illicit revenue for the North Korean government, which it said withholds as much as 90% of wages earned by these IT workers. In December, a federal court in Missouri indicted 14 North Korean nationals for their alleged involvement in an IT employment scheme that generated $88 million over six years. In some cases, US employers unwittingly employed North Korean IT workers for years, paying them hundreds of thousands of dollars. The UK has also issued warnings about North Korean IT workers. In September, the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation advised companies to carry out more rigorous identity checks, video interviews and to avoid payments in cryptocurrency. Photo credit: Daniel Acker/Bloomberg Related: Copyright 2025 Bloomberg. Topics Europe The UK government will pass legislation compelling companies providing IT services to critical national infrastructure to improve their cyber defenses after a wave of attacks by Russia, China, Iran and North Korea. As many as 1,000 firms will fall under the scope of a new law aimed at improving national resilience from cyberattacks, to be introduced later this year, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology said in an emailed statement. Attempts to disrupt our way of life and attack our digital economy are only gathering pace, and we will not stand by as these incidents hold our future prosperity hostage, Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said in the statement. The Cyber Security and Resilience Bill is seen as a priority by Prime Minister Keir Starmers administration after a spate of attacks, including one last summer on Synnovis, a provider of pathology services to the National Health Service, which resulted in thousands of delayed medical appointments. That attack paralyzed hospitals and clinics in London resulting in harm to dozens of patients, leading to long-term or permanent damage to their health in at least two cases, Bloomberg previously reported. The UK last year blamed China for hacks on the Electoral Commission and on the Ministry of Defence payroll system. China denied both. UK Fears Chinese Hackers Compromised Critical Infrastructure Ministers are exploring additional measures that would allow Kyle to direct individual companies to take steps to protect themselves from hacks and threats to supply chains, the department said. New protections for data centers will also be proposed. Cyberattacks cost the UK economy some 22 billion ($28 billion) a year, with 50% of British businesses suffering a breach or attack in the last 12 months, according to the government. Richard Horne, the head of the UKs National Cyber Security Centre, warned in December that there was a clearly widening gap between the exposure and threat we face, and the defenses that are in place to protect us. Russia, China, Iran and North Korea were previously named as threat actors by the NCSC, a branch of Britains national security listening post GCHQ. British officials have expressed particular concerns at Chinese state actors making widespread efforts to access the countrys critical infrastructure networks, with such attacks described as systemic and going beyond publicly-known hacks. We all need to increase the pace we are working at to keep ahead of our adversaries, Horne said. Photo credit: Jason Alden/Bloomberg Related: The insurance issued to dozens of aging oil tankers used by Russia to skirt international sanctions was bogus, according to Norwegian authorities now investigating the small firm behind the forged documents. Norway-registered Romarine AS purported to be an insurance provider with a website listing dozens of tankers believed to be part of Russias shadow fleet, including vessels under Western sanctions. However, the company was not registered as an insurance provider by Norways Financial Supervisory Authority (FSA), the FSA said. Western nations have imposed sanctions on hundreds of ships they suspect Russia is using to avoid price cap restrictions on exports of crude oil and other cargoes. Such vessels are not regulated or covered by conventional Western insurers, posing the risk of unsafe tankers and environmental damage in the event of a wreck. What makes the matter of Romarine stand out is that the firm made an effort to show the tankers involved had Western insurance coverage in the event of pollution or sinking. Its an extremely unusual case, Jo Gjedrem, an official at the FSA, told Reuters. The FSA sent a warning to Romarine in January, but the company failed to respond, the authority told Reuters, prompting it to issue an order on March 4 instructing the firm to halt operations. Romarine in response to emailed questions from Reuters said it was aware of the FSAs March 4 order and that it had replied with some delay through our lawyers. Romarine said it operated in line with applicable regulations, but that it had decided to stop taking new business until there is positive feedback from the authority. The FSA said it had received no reply from Romarine. Romarine AS is fully owned by Andrey Mochalin, a Russian citizen and former employee of Norwegian insurer Hydor AS, Norwegian commercial database Proff shows. Johan Gjernes, Romarines former chairman and Hydor ASs chief business officer, told Reuters by email that Romarine was sold to Mochalin who owns it outright. Gjernes resigned from Romarine in August 2023, while Mochalin became its chairman a year later, Norways official company registry shows.Romarines website is located in Russia, according to Norid AS, Norways government-run registry of domain names. Two commercial IP locating websites pinpointed an address in St Petersburg. Mochalin did not return Reuters telephone calls, text messages, LinkedIn and WhatsApp messages or requests for comment sent by email. Ships Under Sanctions Romarines website as of early March listed at least 30 oil tankers subject to U.S., EU or UK sanctions, including the oil tankers Captain Kostichev and Ionia, two vessels which appeared in certificates of insurance presented to Russian port authorities seen by Reuters. It has deleted some names since. A certificate of insurance provided by the Gabon-flagged tanker Ionia to Russian port authorities in Primorsk on February 2 and dated January 9 listed Romarine as its insurance provider. Another presented to port authorities in De Kastri in Russias Far East by the Panama-flagged Captain Kostichev was dated March 24 also listed Romarine as its insurer. Although that certificate said it was valid until April 24, the vessel has since been deleted from Romarines website while the Ionia remains. The Captain Kostichev is operated by United Arab Emirates-based Stream Ship Management, LSEG data shows. The Ionia is owned and operated by Seychelles-based Narus Maritime Corporation. Reuters was not able to reach either company for comment. When asked about insuring vessels that are subject to Western sanctions, Romarine said they appeared on its website by mistake due to a technical glitch. We have implemented our new system with automatic input some weeks ago and (we are) working to find out what went wrong, the company said in an emailed reply to Reuters received on March 12. Gjedrem said the FSA became concerned about Romarine after it received an emailed inquiry last September from overseas asking about a document carrying FSAs letterhead which certified Romarine as a vessels insurer. We immediately saw that it was false, Gjedrem said. The letterhead had possibly been copied and pasted into the forged document. It cited non-existent Norwegian law. The person who signed it never worked at Finanstilsynet (the FSA), and the stamp was false. The FSA on March 25 posted a warning on its website against using the services of Romarine. Oslo police have also launched an investigation into Romarines business activities after receiving a complaint from the FSA. The police told Reuters they were investigating four people two Norwegian citizens, one Bulgarian and a Russian on suspicion of creating and using falsified documents and performing insurance mediation activities without a license. They said a search of the residence of one of the suspects was conducted in late March. Norwegian public broadcaster NRK was the first to report the police investigation. Romarine did not reply to a Reuters request for comment on the police probe. Russias Ministry of Transport and its Federal Agency for Sea and Inland Water Transport did not reply to Reuters requests for comment about the Norwegian investigation into Romarine or its order for the firm to halt operations. (Reporting by Gleb Stolyarov, Nerijus Adomaitis in Oslo and Reuters reporters in Moscow; additional reporting by Nidhi Verma in New Delhi; editing by Nina Chestney and Jason Neely) The head of the Federal Communications Commission ordered an investigation into Walt Disney Co. and its ABC network over their diversity, equity and inclusion practices, broadening his examination of media and telecom companies for perceived discriminatory biases. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr directed the agencys Enforcement Bureau to ensure that Disney and ABC have not been violating FCC equal employment opportunity regulations by promoting invidious forms of DEI discrimination. Carr specifically called out policies at Disney including its Reimagine Tomorrow initiative designed to advance its DEI mission and inclusion standards across ABC that require 50% of regular and recurring characters be drawn from underrepresented groups, according to a letter Carr wrote to Disney Chief Executive Officer Bob Iger and posted on X on March 28. Disney started out a century ago as an iconic American company, Carr wrote. But then something changed. Disney has now been embroiled in rounds of controversy surrounding its DEI policies. Since being appointed by President Donald Trump earlier this year, Carr has sent similar letters to Verizon Communications Inc. and Comcast Corp. He recently told Bloomberg that a companys DEI practices would affect its chances of receiving merger approval. Carr noted that Disney has recently walked back some of its DEI initiatives but said significant concerns remain. Earlier this year Disney said it would end the Reimagine Tomorrow program that Carr called out. The company is also removing diversity from the criteria for determining manager compensation. We are reviewing the Federal Communications Commissions letter, and we look forward to engaging with the commission to answer its questions, a spokesperson for Disney said. Disneys modern remake of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs hit theaters earlier this month under a deluge of criticism, including over casting an actress of Colombian heritage as the title character and the re-imagining of the seven dwarfs. Photo: Brendan Carr, commissioner at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), speaks during a summit in Washington, DC on Feb. 27, 2025. Photographer: Kent Nishimura/Bloomberg Copyright 2025 Bloomberg. North Carolina Insurance Mike Causey said Tuesday that he had negotiated a lower average rate increase for mobile home policies than the North Carolina Rate Bureau had asked for. I am happy to announce that North Carolina mobile homeowners will save more than $10 million a year in premium payments compared to what the insurance companies requested, Causey said in a bulletin. I am also glad the Department of Insurance and insurance companies have avoided a lengthy, expensive administrative legal battle. The Rate Bureau, representing insurance companies and using insurers data, a year ago had urged an 83% average increase mobile home-fire (MH-F) policies over three years (about 22% percent per year) and a 50% rise in mobile home-casualty (MH-C) rates (about 14% per year). Causey balked at those levels and eventually settled the differences at 11% per year for the next two years for MH-F rates and 8% per year for two years for MH-C policies. The settlement came just days before a public hearing was scheduled on the proposed increase. MH-F policies generally cover a greater range of perils, and both types of policies include flood coverage, Causey explained. Altogether, about 148,000 policyholders will be affected by the new rates, the Department of Insurance said. Meanwhile, the department has scheduled a hearing on the Rate Bureaus request for a 23% average increase in automobile insurance rates. If a compromise is not reached before then, the hearing will be held Sept. 22. In January, Causey reached a 15% average rate increase on homeowners policies, less than the 42% that the Rate Bureau had requested. Topics Trends Pricing Trends North Carolina The Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund will not have to pay some $30 million to Universal Property & Casualty Insurance Co., after the carrier settled a civil suit that alleged the insurer had backdated claims to boost reimbursement from the fund. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced Tuesday that Fort Lauderdale-based Universal must pay a $4 million fine plus attorney fees for allegedly submitting ineligible Cat Fund claims that it said were the result of 2017s Hurricane Irma. Following a whistleblower lawsuit filed in Leon County, the Office of the Attorney General launched its own investigation into UPCIC to ensure that the claims submitted by the company were, in fact, caused by Hurricane Irma, the AGs office said in a news release. During the course of that investigation, numerous unrelated claims were identified in the submissions from UPCIC to the FHCF. As a result, the company agreed not to seek reimbursement for those claims, lowering the FHCF payout from Hurricane Irma to UPCIC by more than $30 million. Uthmeier said it was a case of insurance fraud, but Universal officials strongly disputed that Wednesday. They said the claims had been resolved through the Cat Funds standard review of claims after six years. The fund, a layer of state-backed reinsurance, has a thorough final analysis known as commutation in which the fund and insurer evaluate loss data to determine a full and final settlement, Universal said in a statement. This process, which is standard for all insurers, resulted in the parties mutual commutation agreement. The AGs statement acknowledged that the issues had been addressed through UPCICs periodic interim loss reports and by the final determination of its reimbursable losses through commutation. The unnamed whistleblower, a Universal employee who left the company in 2018 and filed suit in 2020, was not familiar with the funds reporting procedures and the accusations contained fundamental inaccuracies, the company noted. The whistleblowers suit in Leon County court is sealed and is not available online. The settlement agreement notes that the carrier has 10 days to pay $6.5 million, which includes $2.4 million in attorney fees. Universals chief strategy officer, Arash Soleimani, said in an email that the settlement agreement includes among its terms a payment as part of the parties mutual decision that the case should be dismissed and the matter concluded. The Cat Funds chief operating officer, Gina Wilson, could not be reached Wednesday. But others familiar with the fund said that similar actions by insurers were unusual but not unheard of. Florida carriers often anticipate heavy losses from claims after hurricanes, file for reimbursement from the Cat Fund, then go through a review process and settlement as property claims are resolved. Universal officials explained their view of the process: Over time, information about each claim evolves as the insurer gains information about the cause and origin of the loss, the Universal statement noted. This inherently means that some claims initially identified as hurricane claims are later determined to not be associated with the hurricane, and conversely that some claims intentionally or unintentionally not reported as hurricane claims are determined to be associated with a storm. The company, one of Floridas largest property insurers, launched a review of its Hurricane Irma data prior to and during commutation. That analysis resulted in the companys reassessment of approximately 1% of its Hurricane Irma claims. Irma was Universals single-largest loss event, thanks in part to pre-2022 reform litigation that swelled storm costs from an initial estimate $450 million to more than $2 billion, the company said. The whistleblowers case is now closed, the company noted. We are pleased the review has come to a close and the state dismissed the case, said Chief Executive Officer Stephen Donaghy. We look forward to continuing to serve Floridians as market reforms are leading to more affordable home insurance options for consumers. Universal Insurance Holdings stock price dipped slightly after the settlement was announced, but remained near a five-year high, according to Yahoo!Finance. Topics Florida Claims Property Casualty A man accused of setting fire to Tesla vehicles in Las Vegas will remain jailed until his trial on federal charges of arson and possessing an explosive device, a judge ruled Monday. U.S. Magistrate Judge Elayna Youchah concluded no pretrial release conditions could be imposed on Paul Hyon Kim, 36, to assure the publics safety, citing the dangerous nature of the crimes and saying it wasnt a matter of burglary or simple vandalism. What occurred in this instance was so much more violent and dangerous than those acts. The acts appeared to be intended to create fear, Youchah said. The judge also said she found it fair to say the intent of the act was to influence and potentially coerce others into action. Authorities say Kim threw Molotov cocktails at vehicles and fired several gunshots in a Tesla service centers parking lot early March 18. No one was injured. Security video played at a police news conference last week showed the suspect, dressed all in black and covering his face, paint the word resist across the glass doors of the service center. Prosecutor Jacob Operskalski said Kim posed a danger to the community. He said it wasnt clear what Kim mean by writing resist on the doors. We can surmise the defendant is going to resist court orders, Operskalski said. Adam Solinger, an attorney representing Kim, called the attack a glorified property crime with political overtones and said (Tesla CEO) Elon Musks undue influence on our federal government cannot be overstated enough. There has been an uptick of attacks on property with the Tesla logo across the U.S. since President Donald Trump took office and tapped Musk for a prominent role overseeing a new Department of Government Efficiency that has conducted large-scale federal layoffs. Some of the most prominent instances have taken place in left-leaning cities in the Pacific Northwest. Authorities say an Oregon man threw several Molotov cocktails at a Tesla store in Salem, then returned another day and shot out windows. In the Portland suburb of Tigard, more than a dozen bullets were fired at a Tesla showroom, damaging vehicles and windows. A 70-year-old Idaho man was arrested Saturday for aggravated battery after allegedly driving his vehicle into a man who had been driving a pickup with pro-Trump flags during a protest at a Tesla dealership in suburban Boise. The pickup driver drove himself to a hospital, where he was treated and released. Prosecutors in Colorado have charged a woman in connection with attacks on Tesla dealerships that authorities say also included Molotov cocktails thrown at vehicles and the words Nazi cars spray-painted on a building. And federal agents in South Carolina have arrested a man accused of setting fire to Tesla charging stations near Charleston. Associated Press writer Mark Thiessen in Anchorage, Alaska, contributed to this story. Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Laura Beckmann of AmRisc honored with 2025 Philanthropic Leadership Award Dallas, TX, April 2, 2025 The Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation (IICF), a unique nonprofit organization dedicated to helping communities and enriching lives, raised a record $1.2 million at its 13th annual IICF Southeast Gala at The Thompson in Dallas, Texas last month. The special evening hosted more than 665 professionals from across the insurance industry in celebration of the industrys dedication to giving back, while raising funds for nonprofit grantees in Texas and across the Southeast region. This is the fourth consecutive year the Southeast Division has raised over $1 million for charity at its annual gala. At the event, IICF honored Laura Beckmann, President and Chief Operating Officer of AmRisc LLC, with the prestigious 2025 IICF Southeast Philanthropic Leadership Award, which recognizes philanthropic excellence in the community and within the insurance industry. Laura is a highly respected insurance leader whose focus on ethics and compassion is instrumental in her leadership of the philanthropic initiatives within AmRisc and extends to the community at large. Laura serves on the IICF Houston Chapter Board of Directors and as a board member of the Msomi Academy for Girls in Kenya. She is also a member of YPO and a contributing member of WSIA, CIAB and APIW. As a longtime IICF board member, I am thrilled to be honored with the IICF Southeast Philanthropic Leadership Award this year, said Laura Beckmann. Along with the unique opportunities IICF provides to serve our communities, the collective impact we are able to make by working together, through IICF and for the benefit of children, families and veterans across the Southeast, is incredibly meaningful. Proceeds from the annual IICF Southeast Gala fund regional nonprofit partners focused on children at risk, education, disaster relief and military veterans. IICFs Southeast Division has awarded $9.5 million in grants since its founding in 2012 to more than 310 nonprofits and charities across the Southeast region. This years IICF Southeast Gala will fund 27 IICF Community Grants to local nonprofits throughout Texas and communities in the Southeast. In 2025, the IICF Southeast will expand its charitable reach across the region to include a new IICF Florida Chapter, based in the Tampa region. We are extraordinarily proud to have raised over $1 million for charity, for the fourth year in a row, at our annual Southeast Gala, said Dan Kennedy, Chair of the IICF Southeast Division Board of Directors and Regional President at Markel. Its incredibly special for us to come together to help those in need in our communities. As Board Chair, I am honored to help highlight the leadership, commitment and generosity of the insurance industry in the Southeast. Following IICFs 30th Anniversary year, during which we helped to deliver an additional 1 million meals to children in need, we were excited to host the first of IICFs 2025 annual benefit events in Dallas, said Sarah Conway, Executive Director of the IICF Southeast Division. This years gala was even more meaningful as we paid tribute to a true industry and philanthropic legend, Bill Henry. Bill helped to establish IICF in Texas as the Founding Board Chair and his vision and dedication have laid the foundation for this incredible organization, and his giving heart and leadership continues to inspire us all. This years annual Southeast Gala was generously supported by Diamond Sponsors: Texas Mutual and The Henry Family; Platinum Sponsors: AmRisc, Amwins, Apex One Capital, Burns & Wilcox, CNA, CRC Group, Markel, Marsh McClennan Agency, RT Specialty and The Hartford; Gold Sponsors: AIG, Amerisure, HUB, Service Insurance Companies and XPT along with many other generous industry sponsors. For more information regarding IICFs Southeast Division and to donate, please visit the IICF website or contact Sarah Conway at (214) 228-2910 or sconway@iicf.org. About the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation (IICF) The Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation (IICF) is a unique nonprofit that unites the collective strengths of the insurance industry to help communities and enrich lives through grants, volunteer service and leadership. Established in 1994, IICF has served as the philanthropic voice and foundation of the insurance industry for more than thirty years, contributing $50 million in community grants along with over 355,000 volunteer hours by more than 130,000 industry professionals. IICF reinvests locally where funds are raised, serving hundreds of charities and nonprofit organizations, for maximum community impact. IICF is a registered nonprofit organization under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code. Learn more at www.iicf.org or follow us on social media at: LinkedIn and Instagram Topics Leadership With the threat of tariffs clouding Irish businesses in uncertainty, those reliant on the US as a key market have been scrambling to stockpile products. Irish-based companies across pharma, food, medtech, machinery and beyond have been exporting goods to the US at a rapid rate as part of efforts to reduce their exposure to a series of punitive tariff measures on goods entering the country. "We have seen a stampede," says Derek Nelson, sales executive at Irish Liner Agency Johnson Steven, which operates Independent Container Liner (ICL), the only direct shipping route out of Ireland connecting to the US. "There's definitely been a lot of stockpiling in the last few weeks. It's been a very busy time and remains so still as companies continue to increase production." Launched in 2020, the ICL service takes 10 days to reach Chester, Pennsylvania, and 13 days to Wilmington, North Carolina, from Ringaskiddy in Cork, providing exporters with unprecedented opportunities to develop business in the US. The service has seen steady growth year-on-year since its launch, with Mr Nelson telling the Irish Examiner:"The service has been very successful. We are full almost every week." Now, with export-dependent businesses across Ireland bracing for a tit-for-tat trade war between Europe and the US, business has been booming for the one-of-a-kind service, with pharmaceutical companies, food and drink businesses, building material manufacturers, medtech giants and machinery providers all rushing to fast track shipping. Mr Trump's tariffs on all European exports into the US are 20%. Launched in 2020, the ICL service takes 10 days to reach Chester, Pennsylvania, and 13 days to Wilmington, North Carolina, from Ringaskiddy in Cork. Picture; David Creedon / Anzenberger In response, global trading partners' potential counter-tariffs targeting US agricultural, energy and machinery exports could escalate into a worldwide trade war, creating uncertainty and added costs for businesses and investors. Impact on exports Speaking on the US President's incoming tariff plans, Mr Nelson said the company was "watching cautiously," but encouraged those involved to remain calm. "When it comes to pharma, people need their medication. There are not two ways about it," Mr Nelson said. "Production facilities which have established themselves in Ireland cannot just up and leave. There's no fear for now that demand will fall." "We are cautiously watching food and drink. Obviously, if its becomes too expensive to buy Irish food and alcohol products, there could be a potential drop-off in demand. Sectors like beef are already under pressure from Brazil and Australia, and many US customers may not necessarily care where they are buying meat from." Despite this, Johnson Stevens remains optimistic, Mr Nelson said, telling the Irish Examiner: "Trump has already implemented tariffs on aluminium and steel. We haven't seen a fall off in these commodities, they're still moving now." "There would be a quiet concern, but despite the uncertainty, we remain optimistic that sense will prevail." The Mercosur trade deal, hated by farmers and rejected by the EU for more than 20 years, will soon look like the lesser of two evils, as Washington announces unprecedented tariffs. US President Donald Trumps plan for a 25% tariff on cars and car parts brought a trade war a step closer. It led Mark Carney, Canadas new leader, to describe the US as no longer a reliable partner, as he explained that Canada will retaliate. Germany's economy minister, Robert Habeck, called for a decisive EU response. It must be clear that we will not back down. President Trump had made his intention clear to punish Europe with new tariffs. He exaggerates the trade imbalance between the two, claiming that the EU has long taken advantage of the US. However, the trade imbalance varies between sectors, and the EU has enjoyed a large agriculture trade surplus with the US for a long period (in 2023, the EU exported 27.1bn and imported 11.7bn). In contrast, the EU wants to follow established international trade rules. This fundamental divergence makes it hard to find compromises. The US openly admits that it wants to fundamentally rebalance world trade. And to achieve that, it is willing to play its additional negotiating card, the dependence on the US for defence help of many territories, including the EU. If the US imposes across-the-board higher duties on imports from the EU, the economic losses will be steep to both sides. In agriculture, for example, President Trump has indicated that if the EU retaliates against his trade measures, the US would put a 200% tariff on wines from the EU. That would devastate EU wine exports worth 4.9bn per year. EU exports of spirits (2.9bn), olive oil (2.1bn), and cheeses (1.3bn) are also in the firing line, along with large exports of beer, chocolate, pasta, hams, butter, and other food preparations. Alternative markets cannot be found easily for these products. GDP losses World Trade Organisation Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala warned that tit-for-tat retaliation could bring "catastrophic double-digit global GDP losses. And the EU agriculture sector is in the front line of the trade war, as a sector where a sizeable trade surplus leaves the EU with more to lose than the US. How bad could it get? Rabobank, a major global leader in food and agriculture, warned that the US or China could issue ultimatums to neutral countries in the EU and South America. "If the EU and South America were to join sides, the impact of their shifting alliances could severely disrupt trade routes. This would create significant global supply imbalances, ranging from surpluses to dire shortages of key products. Shortages could threaten food security in some parts of the world, while oversupply could depress farmer margins and potentially drive severe farm crisis in others". In December 2024, the European Commission and the four Mercosur countries of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay concluded negotiations on a free trade agreement after more than two decades of talks. Accelerating through the complex ratification process to create the worlds largest free trade area (the EU's 450 million people and the Mercosur population of 280 million) could be a major victory for the EU in the midst of a trade war. The EU's beef farmers might not see it that way. In January, a Meat Industry Ireland analysis said the proposed Mercosur trade deal would cost the Irish beef sector between 100m and 130m per year, or 75-95 per head of cattle. And Copa and Cogeca, representing EU farmer organisations and agricultural co-ops, fear that low-cost imports and weaker production standards in South America will undercut European farmers and lead to over-supply in Europe of beef, poultry, sugar, ethanol, and rice. However, EU farmers won't be able to feed their livestock if the 2,588m of soya that the EU imports annually from the US becomes a trade war victim. And it is to South America they would have to turn, as the obvious alternative animal feed protein source. It will take many billions of euros to restore some of the most fertile soils in the world after the war in Ukraine. A recent study of the Ukrainian region of Kharkiv revealed that wheat production dropped by more than half after the Russian invasion in 2022. Over 160,000ha of land in Kharkiv have been damaged by the war. The region is marred by 420,000 bomb craters. Damage to the landscape has been analysed, using high-resolution satellite imagery, at Wageningen University & Research (WUR) in the Netherlands, which has been ranked No 1 in Agriculture and Forestry for 10 years in a row by the QS World University Rankings. "War has different kinds of impact on soils", said WUR researcher Serhii Sydorenko, who is from Ukraine himself. "The impact can be mechanical, like soil compression by heavy military equipment, or the formation of trenches and craters. It can also be chemical, such as the contamination of soil with heavy metals and rocket fuel." Soil compression and compaction is already a serious problem in agriculture, caused by tractors and other heavy machinery. "Military vehicles like tanks are much heavier and therefore more damaging", said Giulia Bongiorno, lecturer in soil biology at WUR. "As they press the soil layers together, there will be less space for water and oxygen. These conditions will result in a habitat that is detrimental for organisms that live in the ground, like soil fauna and plant roots". "The mixing of different soil layers due to explosions is probably even worse", said Sydorenko. "The upper half-meter is the richest part. Explosions cause all the layers to violently blend together, destroying soil life. This makes the soil much less fertile". The effects depend on the type of weapon used. "Some aerial bombs and missiles leave craters with a depth of six meters. These craters also completely change the topography of the landscape. Craters will make it very difficult for farmers to manage their lands". Soil contamination In soil science, the cratering and mixing of the soil by explosive munitions was first studied after World War I. Explosive munitions such as missiles and artillery shells contaminate the soil with chemicals and heavy metals. Recent surveys in Ukraine have shown sharply increased levels of soil pollution with metals like cadmium, copper and zinc, as well as fuel products. An often overlooked effect of the war is the destruction of windbreaks. These long rows of trees and shrubs border almost every field in Ukraine. "Windbreaks play a vital role in agricultural landscapes, said Sydorenko. "They provide shelter from the wind, preventing soil erosion, and preserving soil moisture. But many of them have been damaged, destroyed, and used as fortifications or camouflage. Their destruction has many cascading effects, like soil degradation and a higher risk of desertification". Ukrainian farmer Vitaliy Sidor leaves a shed with shrapnel holes at his farm in the village of Novohryhorivka, in the Mykolaiv region. It may take many years after the war for Ukraine to restore its agricultural lands. Some problems may be too severe to be solved in the near future. Giulia Bongiorno said, "We dont know the exact impact of heavy metals on food quality. At a high concentration, they can cause problems for plant growth and the quality of the food. In any case, detecting heavy metals is not routinely done. It requires expensive equipment". "In Ukraine, we understand that some areas cant just be returned to agriculture", said Sydorenko. "There are fields that cant be de-mined easily, and many fields will contain unexploded ammunition deep in the ground. So we are even discussing the possibility of turning some lands into protected areas". To this day, farmers in Flanders, Belgium, still encounter unexploded bombs from World War I (1914-18) while ploughing their fields. Chernozem Many of Ukraine's most fertile soils overlap with the frontline of the conflict, in eastern and southern Ukraine, and have been hit very hard. Most are heavily damaged, contaminated, or occupied by Russia. These are the areas of the chernozem, which can be translated as black earth. Under the right climate conditions, chernozem is formed in steppe areas with high grass, which are prevalent in eastern and southern Ukraine, as well as other parts of Europe and Asia. "That dark colour indicates a high presence of organic matter", said Giulia Bongiorno. "Decomposed plant material, micro-organisms and other forms of organic matter are very important for soil fertility. They provide many functions, retaining and releasing nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium, holding water, improving the structure of the soil, and more." All those functions supported the rich grain harvests Ukraine was famous for. Together with colleagues from Ukrainian and Dutch universities, Wilfred Dolfsma, professor of Business Management and Organisation at WUR, estimated the cost of restoring Kharkivs agricultural soil after the war, using methods previously applied in conflict zones like Syria and Darfur., and calculating the cost of surveying and de-mining the soil, filling craters, and other necessary steps. The total came to at least 2 billion. But Kharkiv is only one of ten Ukrainian regions that have been severely affected by the war. Dolfsma and his colleagues assumed that the cost for the other nine regions will be similar, since the damage in Kharkiv is estimated to fall between the most affected regions (such as Donetsk and Kherson) and those that are less affected. Following these assumptions, the researchers arrived at a total cost of about 20bn for restoration of Ukraines agricultural soil. This amount is equivalent to about 15% of the country's GDP before the war. The true cost will likely be even higher, said Dolfsma. "This estimate doesnt include costs for machinery, fuel or labour. Estimating those factors is too speculative. The cost of removing contaminated soil, for example, depends on things like the accessibility of the fields, and rainfall interrupting the work." The recovery will require significant investment and coordination. Dolfsma said, "20 billion is our first estimate. And of course, its not just about money, there will be a high demand for machinery and people, who will have to be trained. And all the while, Ukrainians also have to rebuild houses, infrastructure, and so on. So policymakers need to understand that it will take a lot of time and investment for the grain to start flowing again." A restored landmark building in the heart of medieval Cork is being considered as the site for a new city library. Cork City Council is examining the feasibility of locating a new city centre public library in the striking Counting House on South Main St, to replace the ageing city library which opened on Grand Parade in 1930. The council has been tight-lipped on its plans, but the Irish Examiner understands it is preparing a masterplan for the wider Grand Parade, South Main St area, where millions is being spend on public realm upgrades. It is understood a proposal to house a public library in the Counting House will be included in the plan, which will then be used to secure funding for the project. The Counting House was restored by developers Bam in 2021, as office and cultural space, but the building has been vacant since. Whether the council requires the entire building for a public library, or is considering buying or leasing whatever floorspace it might need, remains unclear. It declined to answer a series of specific questions but issued a statement instead. The City Library Service is an important component of the cultural, literary, and recreational infrastructure of Cork City and its community now and into the future, it said. Providing a city library of scale and substance is a priority for the council and a key objective for the city. Work is ongoing to make this happen. Bam declined to comment last night. Fine Gael councillor Des Cahill said the development of a new city library had been a long-held ambition of the local authority, with plans first mooted over 20 years ago, during which time the Grand Parade branch has had to undergo several significant structural repairs. I want to see progress on this project. The Counting House offers that potential, he said. "Sighting a new city library in this area, next to the site earmarked for an events centre, would create a distinctive cultural precinct in the heart of the city." Serious talks about developing a new city library emerged after the city's 2005 designation as a European Capital of Culture, but the project never advanced. A number of options have been examined over the years, but complex land ownership issues on the city block around the existing library, coupled with funding constraints, are among the reasons it has not happened yet. Hopes were raised significantly in 2021 when Taoiseach Micheal Martin announced a massive 400m urban regeneration investment package in Cork. While most of the money is funding work in the docklands, such as transport and mobility projects, public realm schemes like Marina Park, and infrastructure to help deliver thousands of new apartments, a significant amount was allocated for regeneration of the Grand Parade area, where the revamp of Bishop Lucey Park is under way, alongside major public realm upgrades along Tuckey St, South Main St and Crosses Green. The Counting House and its famous mock-Tudor frontage was built in the early 1900s on the site of the former Beamish and Crawford Brewery. Its conservation and restoration was a key element in Bams multi-million Brewery Quarter redevelopment of the site. A man who committed excessive cruelty at a Cork puppy farm which left emaciated dogs so disfigured they could only walk on their knees was jailed, and ordered to pay almost 20,000. Horrifying" conditions had been found at Vasyl Fedoryn's home in Ballypierce, Charleville, Cork. Some 13 dogs were kept in putrid conditions, many with no water, their coats matted in faeces. Dogs were in dark, filthy, rodent-infested pens. Two dogs looked like they had been trying to dig themselves out of their pen which had no water. Fedoryn, age 41, did not understand how to properly keep animals and was working long hours away from home, trying to earn money for his family and to send back to loved ones in his native Ukraine, his solicitor Denis Linehan said. His actions had not been financially motivated and he had not been running a puppy farm, Mr Linehan said. Fedoryn, who has been an Irish citizen since 2013, had pleaded guilty to nine of 14 offences, five of which were withdrawn. All 14 charges under the Animal Health and Welfare Act were made on April 21, 2023. He has pleaded guilty practically to everything. The chances of reoffending I would suggest are minimal," Mr Linehan said. He has no previous convictions." But Judge Roberts noted that the harm and the injury done to these animals by your client was of a very, very significant level. The idea that he takes ownership of the animals 13 and then abandons their care to make himself available for work, it shows that he has no respect for other sentient beings. He left them in a dreadful state. It was excessive cruelty," Judge Roberts said. The probation service had found that he did not appreciate the seriousness of his crimes and minimised the impact of his offending, Judge Roberts said. Although he had been ordered not to keep any animals when he was last in court, ISPCA inspector Caroline Faherty had visited the property on two occasions since and found multiple cats there, the court heard. Judge Roberts fined him 500 as the penalty on one charge. He sentenced him to one month in prison on the second charge; two months in prison on two charges; three months in prison on three charges; and five months in prison with two months suspended for one year on two charges. The sentences are to run concurrently, meaning he will serve three months in jail. He is to engage with the probation service on his release. He was also disqualified from owning domestic or commercial animals for 15 years. A German Shepherd with her puppies at the property. Picture: ISPCA If he is found to have one little cat or one little mouse" hell be in breach of his bail conditions, Judge Roberts warned. He is also to pay veterinary and kennel costs of 16,450.30 to the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and 3,000 in the States legal fees. In total, Fedoryn, who the court heard earns 600 per week, was ordered to pay 19,950.30 between the fine and fees. Earlier hearing The court previously heard that conditions were so bad for animals at his premises that experienced ISPCA inspector Caroline Faherty became emotional when describing the case in Mallow District Court. Ms Faherty had to break padlocks to get into one shed. The smell was so putrid that she repeatedly retched, and there was so much faeces and sewerage she had to change into oilskins and rubber boots to inspect it. I was horrified at the state of the poor dogs in there, Ms Faherty said. I made the decision I had to seize the dogs and puppies as they were in danger. The dogs were all extremely nervous and were very difficult to remove, she said. Hens were also being kept there with no bedding, and rats were clearly living in the sheds having burrowed through piles of rubbish. Although food and bedding was on site, it had not been made accessible to the animals. Sewers and drains were overflowing with sewage and water, Ms Faherty said. One dog, who was lactating and therefore needed extra liquids, was so thirsty that when Ms Faherty gave her water she drank so much that the water had to be removed temporarily out of fear for the dog's welfare. Although one German Shepherd and her pups were not in a terrible condition, juvenile dogs which perhaps were puppies that did not sell were emaciated with no muscle mass. Feral young dogs could not walk across uneven ground because their limbs were so damaged, the court heard. Video showed dogs whimpering in filthy, dark conditions, surrounded by piles of excrement. More than 16,450 was spent trying to rehabilitate the animals, with care, intensive nutrition, physiotherapy, and major veterinary interventions. However, despite best efforts to save the dogs, four had to be euthanised. Three juvenile collies were so traumatised weeks after they were rescued they had to be put down because no one could get near them, Ms Faherty said. A young German Shepherds limbs were so deformed he had to be put down as he could not bear the weight when he grew. The parents of a 17-year-old girl who took her own life while under the care of the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (Camhs) in Kerry have launched a High Court action. The couple, who cannot be named by order of the court, are suing for nervous shock over the death of their daughter four years ago. Their lawyer, Patrick Treacy, told the court how in July 2021 the girls mother and father found their daughter in an upstairs bedroom of their home, where she had died by suicide. The father said they were left in a state of utter devastation and their shock and trauma was not possible to describe. The "essential tragedy here, Mr Treacy said, is that the teenagers parents never got a diagnosis from Camhs of their daughter having a psychiatric condition. The girl had attended some appointments with Camhs but after she missed a speech and language appointment in May 2021, there was no contact about the non-attendance. The girls mother made repeated contact with Camhs expressing increasing concerns about her daughters deteriorating mental health and requesting an appointment. The 17-year-old girl had also called into Camhs looking for an appointment. In the proceedings, it is claimed there was there was an alleged failure to provide any, or adequate, medical care, treatment, or advice to the girl from the time of presentation at University Hospital Kerry, or at Camhs South Kerry. The mother and father are suffering from severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and a prolonged grief reaction, the court heard. The HSE side contends the couple are not suffering from psychiatric illness, but grief. Ms Justice Denise Brett was told that a breach of duty is admitted by the HSE in the case but causation remains an issue. The legal team for the parents said the teenager had at the end of October 2020 been referred by her GP to University Hospital Kerry complaining of deteriorating mental health, with low mood, and suicidal thoughts. She was immediately referred to Camhs Kerry and attended a first appointment there with her mother a month later. No risk assessment or management plan was recorded in the girls file, Mr Treacy said. In March 2020, the girl attended at Camhs for her first medical appointment but no care plan was recorded and while the psychiatrist verbally offered a follow-up appointment, no further arrangements were made, the court was told. It is claimed there was a failure to have any regard for the girls symptoms, including those of moderate-to-severe mental illness, suicidal ideations, and possible psychosis. There was a failure to carry out any adequate assessments of the young woman and an inappropriate focus on speech and language assessment, it is alleged. It is further claimed there was a failure to have any adequate systems, processes, structures or procedures to adequately care for patients presenting with mental illness. The case is expected to last six days. Loftus Hall, which is reported to be Ireland's most haunted house, has been put up for sale. While a price has not been set, offers of more than 4m are expected for the Co Wexford property, which sits on 63 acres of land. Paddy McKillen Jr is selling the property, having purchased it for 1.75m in 2022. The developer purchased it through his company, Oakmont, and according to The Irish Times, he had plans to transform it into a hotel. According to the newspaper, Mr McKillen Jr has instructed real estate agent Colliers to find a buyer for the famous property, which overlooks the Hook Peninsula. The estate also has its own private beach. With McKillen Jr pulling the plug on plans for a luxury 22-bedroom hotel, Loftus Hall will be open to investors for reinvention once more. It has 22 bedrooms and has played host to a number of film crews attracted by its spooky setting and legendary ghost stories. The house's history dates back to when the Normans landed in 1170, at which time a castle was built in the area. In 1350, the first hall was built known as Redmond Hall. In 1666, it was passed from the Redmond family to the Loftus family, and they remained the owners until the early 20th century. Devil visits haunted hall The hall's haunted reputation dates back to 1766 when legend says it was visited by the devil. Lord Tottenham, who had married Anne Loftus, lived there, and the ghostly tale concerns their daughter, also named Anne, and a visit by a dark stranger. Many versions of the tale have been recounted, but in essence, it tells of a dark and stormy night when a stranger arrived at the hall and he and Tottenham's daughter, Lady Anne, spent hours playing cards together in the Tapestry Room. During a game, Anne is said to have bent down to retrieve a fallen card from the floor, only to see cloven hooves at the end of the stranger's legs. She screamed, prompting the stranger to disappear through the ceiling in a puff of smoke. Lady Anne never recovered, and after her death, rumours began circulating locally that the house was haunted. Since then, it has retained its spooky reputation. The house originally went on the market at 2.5m. It is not known if the new owners have an avid interest in the paranormal, or if they will keep it open to the public. Prior to Mr McKillen Jr, it was owned by Aidan Quigley, who bought the house in 2011 for 625,000 when it was almost derelict. US president Donald Trump has lashed 20% tariffs on all imports from the EU as part of a raft of measures which will hit Irish exports. Among the measures announced were: A 20% tariff on all goods that come into the US from the EU. Pharmaceuticals will not be included in this for now. Other country-specific tariffs, including 34% on China, 46% on Vietnam, 10% on Britain, and 31% on Switzerland that will come into force on April 9. A 25% tariff on imported cars and vehicles came into force at midnight. Read More US tariffs against dozens of nations draw dismay with calls for negotiations 1.45pm: The next 48 hours will be crucial in determining the impact of US tariffs, but Ireland will firmly defend its interests at the EU level, Taoiseach Micheal Martin has said. He warned that the widespread tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump could trigger a global economic slowdown, with investors hesitant amid the uncertainty. While it is too early to discuss support measures for affected businesses, Mr Martin expects negotiations between the EU and US in the coming days. He emphasized the need to strengthen the single market and improve competitiveness, noting potential opportunities, such as a trade deal with India by year-end. EU Commissioner Michael McGrath stated that the EU will act in the best interests of all member states, including Ireland, with each having a direct say in any trade defence measures. As Germany and France propose retaliatory actions targeting US tech and services, Mr Martin stressed that Ireland does not support a digital services tax, calling instead for a considered and measured EU response. Read More Taoiseach warns US tariffs could trigger global recession as Ireland pushes for EU response 1.30pm: The Government believes that medical devices are not covered by the tariff waiver that has been granted to pharmaceuticals. Speaking on RTE, public expenditure minister Jack Chambers said that he has engaged with the Department of Foreign Affairs on the matter. My understanding [is] their current interpretation of that is that theyre not included in the exemption for pharmaceuticals but that we will need a technical breakdown from the US to get absolute clarity on that. Their current interpretation is that theyre not included. Mr Chambers said there is an additional complexity from Northern Ireland having a lower tariff rate of 10%, but that the Government would be working with the Executive on the matter. 1.10pm: During Leaders Questions, Tanaiste Simon Harris said the announcement of 20% tariffs on goods from the EU was a moment of chaos and the biggest change in trading approach in a century. He told the Dail the EU does not want to enter into an escalatory situation, but that if negotiations are not possible the bloc will have to respond to the US. At some point the European Union, which has shown huge restraint, is going to have to say hang on a second, if youre not willing to negotiate or get around the table there is going to have to be a response, Mr Harris said. Sinn Feins Pearse Doherty called for a meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council to take place, saying there needs to be an all out approach that is similar to Irelands response to Brexit. 12.50pm: At Leaders Questions, Labours Duncan Smith called for the Government to introduce a new short-term wage subsidy scheme to assist companies that are impacted by the US tariffs. Mr Smith said such a scheme would help keep workers in their jobs in order to retain skills in important, exposed parts of the economy during what will be a tumultuous period. The Labour TD said this scheme could be funded through both the Social Insurance Fund and the National Training Fund. In response, Tanaiste Simon Harris said that the number one priority for the Government must be to protect jobs. He added the Coalition would keep an open mind on supports that could be required in the weeks ahead. 11.30am: European Commissioner for trade, Maros Sefcovic, has confirmed that he will be engaging with his US counterparts on Friday, just hours after the 20% tariffs were announced. In a tweet this morning, Mr Sefcovic said that "unjustified tariffs inevitably backfire". "We'll act in a calm, carefully phased, unified way, as we calibrate our response, while allowing adequate time for talks. But we won't stand idly by, should we be unable to reach a fair deal," he wrote. Unjustified tariffs inevitably backfire. We'll act in a calm, carefully phased, unified way, as we calibrate our response, while allowing adequate time for talks. But we won't stand idly by, should we be unable to reach a fair deal. I'll speak to my U.S. counterparts tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/tA9l40wvRE Maros Sefcovic (@MarosSefcovic) April 3, 2025 Mr Sefcovic is leading the EU's response to the US tariffs, with a meeting of European foreign ministers now scheduled for Monday. It is expected that the next steps will be discussed here. 11.10am: Tanaiste Simon Harris warned against the European Union using its nuclear option of levying tariffs on services, which could impact on Irelands tech sector. Mr Harris said using the anti-coercion instrument would be an extraordinarily escalatory measure in a trade war with the US. This instrument includes the ability to introduce trade quotas or introduce restrictions on foreign investment. Its not something that I think we should be reaching for. Everything we should do at an EU level should be to de-escalate, to be calm and to make progress," he said on RTE radio. Im not detecting any sort of majority review in relation to this. The Tanaiste also described the move towards introducing tariffs as pretty darn stupid from an economic point of view. 10.50am: The British-Irish Chamber of Commerce has criticised the plan to introduce 20% tariffs on goods from the EU and 10% tariffs on goods from the UK, saying that it will impact businesses on both sides of the Atlantic. Deputy director general Paul Lynam said that he would be engaging with the Governments trade forum this Friday. These tariffs present a real challenge for businesses that rely on transatlantic trade, 89% of our members across Ireland and the UK will be impacted, Mr Lynam said. We must move quickly to support our exporters and importers ensure they have the necessary guidance and resources to navigate this disruption. The chamber urged the EU and US to engage in urgent dialogue to resolve the dispute and to not escalate to tit-for-tat tariff warfare. 9.45am: Speaking in the Dail, finance minister Paschal Donohoe said that the global response to Mr Trumps tariffs was not yet clear. What we will do now is begin modelling what we know, Mr Donohoe said, saying that these details will be published in the weeks ahead. He said there are several assumptions within the ESRIs analysis, published in recent weeks, that will now be tested, including what will happen with investment levels by foreign companies. Ive been making the point that at the basis of what we know at the moment, we are moving into a scenario of lower growth and lower employment growth, Mr Donohoe said. But Ive been equally clear there are other scenarios that could effect that, which is why in the time ahead what is critical is we look at how we can negotiate with the US to see if we can avoid the darker and more damaging scenarios coming to pass. Responding to Mr Donohoe, Sinn Feins finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty said that it was key that things are de-escalated with the US. What happened yesterday, in my view, was an act of economic sabotage by the US administration in relation to their own economy, Mr Doherty added. 8.45am: Reacting to the tariff announcement, Cork Chamber CEO Conor Healy urged the Government to prioritise measures protecting jobs and mitigating the impact of punitive trade policies. "The level of exposure will vary across sectors and businesses, from large multinationals to SMEs. Measures to mitigate the impact and safeguard jobs must be prioritised. In the short term, continued support for SMEs is essential," said Mr Healy. Additionally, support measures for impacted sectors will be crucial in helping the most vulnerable businesses manage cash flow, restructure operations and maintain employment while developing alternative markets. 8.40am: Some political reaction coming in now, with Tanaiste Simon Harris calling for the United States to get around the negotiating table after announcing their slate of tariffs. Tariffs are a bad idea. Theyre bad for the Irish economy, theyre bad for the European economy and theyre bad for the United States because what they do is they push up prices. They make things more expensive and they certainly dont help consumers with the cost of living, Mr Harris said. I think though now that the United States has had its big bag moment and made this announcement, now its time to get around the table and try and find a negotiated way forward. The Tanaiste said that the European Union will have to respond if a negotiated settlement cannot be reached. Pressed if he expects the pharmaceutical sector to be included in future rounds of tariffs, Mr Harris said that the Government needs to take Mr Trump at his word. My working assumption has to be that there will be further measures directed at pharma or at least thats the intention of the US administration, he said, citing Mr Trumps move to introduce sectoral tariffs on steel, aluminum and the automotive industry. Mr Harris said that the Government understands that pharmaceuticals are currently excluded from Mr Trumps tariffs, but that this could change in a separate round of tariffs. Tanaiste Simon Harris is calling for the United States to get around the negotiating table after announcing their slate of tariffs. Picture: RollingNews.ie Elsewhere, speaking on RTEs Morning Ireland, enterprise minister Peter Burke warned that there would be primary and secondary consequences of Mr Trumps tariffs, saying there will be a significant amount of Chinese goods redirected to other markets. The EU needs to have a very clear and concise approach to that. We need to ensure that we avoid dumping in our marketplace, he said. Mr Burke questioned Mr Trumps methodology of calculating how much the EU charges the US for its imports. The US president said yesterday that the EU charges the US 39% in import tariffs. One of the things that jumps off the page at me is when Donald Trump, the President, refers to 39% from a European context, and 10% from a UK context, Mr Burke said. I would have to have a look at where is he getting the 39% from? Obviously, is he looking at Vat? Is he looking at digital regulation? But when I look at the UK, they also have Vat as a tax. The enterprise minister sought to allay fears of businesses, saying that they must remain calm. We will have a measured approach to this, Mr Burke said, saying that Ireland is approaching the issue from a position of strength. Mr Burke said the Government would be hosting a meeting of its trade council on Friday, where ministers would hear from various sectors to see where the vulnerabilities lie. 7.52am: Danny McCoy of Ibec has warned that Trumps tariffs could have implications for the Windsor Framework. Speaking on RTE radio, he said the UK have been hit with a 10% tariff compared to the 20% tariff by the EU. "This has implications for the Windsor Framework and for the no border on the island of Ireland, he told Morning Ireland. I think this is a very serious issue. And it's not just what Trump has done, it's how we retaliate back. If the UK do nothing and the EU comes with a 20% tariff, that'll make it even more complicated. When asked what he wanted the government to do in response to the tariffs, Mr McCoy said: We've been here before with covid and with Brexit and so some of the measures that we know is State supports are going to be required for those whose demand will go down quite dramatically as a result of these price movements." 7.30am: In the business world, stocks dived on Thursday morning as investors scrambled for the safety of bonds, gold and the yen. The dollar was swept to a six-month low, falling along with US bond yields after Mr Trump imposed tariffs that raise effective import taxes to the highest levels in a century. Nasdaq futures dropped 3.2%, while European futures were down nearly 2%. Meanwhile, Tokyo's Nikkei fell by 3%, reflecting eight-month lows, which led heavy losses across Asia. Apple's market capitalisation fell by more than $240bn (219bn) as its shares slid by 7% in after-hours trade, while Nvidia's market cap dropped by 5.6%. 7.20am: How have other countries reacted to the tariffs? Chinas commerce ministry said Beijing would resolutely take countermeasures to safeguard its own rights and interests, without saying exactly what it might do. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the US tariffs imposed on his country were totally unwarranted, but Australia will not retaliate. The US and Australia have a free trade agreement. President Trump referred to reciprocal tariffs. A reciprocal tariff would be zero, not 10%, said Mr Albanese. This is not the act of a friend. Brazils government said it was considering taking the case to the World Trade Organisation. In a rare display of unity, Brazils Congress unanimously passed a reciprocity bill to allow its government to retaliate against any country or trade bloc that imposes tariffs on Brazilian goods. Closer to home, Taoiseach Micheal Martin said he "deeply regrets" the 20% tariff imposed on the EU and said there is "no justification" for this. 7am: The European Union is finalising its first package of countermeasures against Donald Trump's tariffs. Commission president Ursula von der Leyen warned that Europe is prepared for further retaliation if necessary. In a speech early on Thursday, Ms Von der Leyen said: We are prepared to respond. We are already finalising the first package of countermeasures in response to tariffs on steel and were now preparing for further countermeasures to protect our interests and our businesses if negotiations fail. We (Europe) are in this together: if you take on one of us, you take on all of us. Our unity is our strength. She said all businesses big and small would suffer from day one, affected by disruptions to supply chains and greater uncertainty as well as burdensome bureaucracy. The costs of doing business with the United States will drastically increase, she said. "What is more there seems to be no order in the disorder. No clear path through the complexity and chaos as all US trading partners are hit." Earlier: Holding up a chart of tariffs on Wednesday night, Donald Trump dubbed the tariffs as "kind reciprocal" and hit out at "pathetic" European countries, claiming that "they rip us off". In a rambling speech lasting almost an hour, he listed a number of US companies that now have a strong presence in Ireland including Apple, Johnson and Johnson, Eli Lilly, Meta, and Merck and said "pharmaceutical companies are going to come roaring back... because if they don't they got a big tax to pay". Holding a red 'Make America Great Again' baseball cap, Mr Trump said that this would become known as the day "American industry was reborn, the day America's destiny was reclaimed and the day we began to make America wealthy again". Expressing "deep disappointment" at the announcement Ibec CEO Danny McCoy said: "While this will present challenges for a number of sectors, we anticipate that the new tariffs will result in a net overall export impact of around 23% in the short-term." Taoiseach Micheal Martin has warned European leaders are now split on the approach that should be taken in response to the tariffs. At a private meeting of the Fianna Fail parliamentary party, Mr Martin said there would be proposals coming from other countries in terms of countering the tariffs that Ireland would not be comfortable with. While some members states, including Ireland, believe there should not be an immediate response and instead every attempt should be made to negotiate with the US, others believe there should be a strong a swift response. In a statement issued immediately after the announcement, Mr Martin said he "deeply regrets" the 20% tariff imposed on the EU and said there is "no justification" for this. Taoiseach Micheal Martin said 'tariffs drive inflation, hurt people on both sides of the Atlantic, and put jobs at risk'. "More than 4.2bn worth of goods and services are traded between the EU and the US daily," he said. "Disrupting this deeply integrated relationship benefits no one. Tariffs drive inflation, hurt people on both sides of the Atlantic, and put jobs at risk." As the EU prepares an official response, Tanaiste Simon Harris will attend an EU Trade Ministers in Luxemburg on Monday and will continue to engage with his political counterparts ahead of the gathering. Mr Harris said there are "no winners" when it comes to tariffs, "they are bad for consumers, put jobs at risk, and drive up costs and uncertainty for business". He said the Government has been "actively preparing for this possibility" for some time, but said the EU will have to respond in a proportionate manner which "protects our citizens, our workers and our businesses". Before signing an executive order bringing forth reciprocal tariffs, Mr Trump said he had been "waiting a long time" for "Liberation Day". Hitting out at "foreign scavengers" who have "ransacked" the US economy, Mr Trump added that "jobs in factories will come roaring back into our country". However, he blamed former American presidents "who weren't doing their jobs" in protecting industry in the US and "allowed it to be stolen from us". Chambers Ireland called for a focus on competitiveness and strategic trade engagement to mitigate any adverse economic impact. To navigate these challenges effectively we should prioritise strategies that enhance our competitiveness and strengthen our trade engagement, rather than escalating tensions," its CEO Ian Talbot said. Meanwhile, Social Justice Ireland said there is now an urgent need to develop a broad-based sustainable taxation system pointing out that between 20bn and 30bn in current tax revenue is vulnerable to disappear due to tariffs. Michelle Murphy, research and policy analyst with Social Justice Ireland warned the potential impact is larger than the 2007 tax revenue collapse and would have very negative consequences. The prosecution has not reached the point where three teenaged boys on trial at the Central Criminal Court for what allegedly happened to a girl in a car at Limerick Races on St Stephens Day in 2022 could be found guilty beyond reasonable doubt, their lawyers said in closing speeches today. Two of the boys are charged with raping and sexually assaulting a girl in a car that afternoon and one is charged with aiding and abetting them and falsely imprisoning the girl. Defence senior counsel Brian McInerney represented the teenager who is charged with false imprisonment and aiding and abetting the other two boys. He referred to prosecution senior counsel, Dean Kellys assertion that if the defence version was true then the complainant is a monstrous liar. But Mr McInerney said: I am not saying she is a liar, I am not saying she is a monstrous liar, it is not something (defendant) is saying. What I am suggesting, to put it bluntly, is she got into a car consensually, what happened in the car happened consensually and what happened, she regretted that. And when she got back to the races, things took a different turn some element of regret Maybe I shouldnt have done this or something of this nature. There was this trying to put a story together. They (complainant and friends) go back to the house, they go the bedroom, there is a suggestion they might all go to a house party. And there is a change because someone has said something to a parent, and her (complainants) parents are contacted and they arrive in the house, Mr McInerney said. He said there is then an examination by SATU in hospital and the teenaged girl is now with her mother and father and members of An Garda Siochana. What goes through the mind of a teenaged girl? It cant be anything I did. What goes through the minds of the parents? It cant be anything you did. It had to be him, it had to be them. The machine is now rolling forward. That is what is happening. Slightly in tandem with that the prosecution is running another element of the case that she consented up to a point. It is not clear in the prosecution case what that point was. Was it in the racecourse to the car? Or was it to some of what happened in the car? Another plank of the case is that she was so drunk she could not consent. I cannot work out that she is sober enough to consent to something and so drunk she cannot consent to anything, Mr McInerney said. He said that from her own evidence the complainant said the driver did not engage and she said nothing against him. He said aiding and abetting or false imprisonment had not been established by the prosecution. Tom Creed represented the defendant, who was 13 at the time and is 15 now, and charged with raping and sexually assaulting the girl. This is not a case about monster liars or sexual predators this is a case about children. Things have changed a lot since I was a child how people engage with each other sexually at such a young age nowadays is difficult for me to comprehend even though I see and hear what is going on. She said she consented up to a point. What point? And you have the issue of the age of (defendant). He was 13 years old at the time. Here is a 13-year-old and they started with voluntary interchanges, according to her. Mr Creed said the jury had to concern themselves with what the 13-year-olds understanding was at the time of what was occurring in the car. 'A disgusting thing to do' Vincent Heneghan, senior counsel for the second teenager accused of rape and sexual assault, said that his client did not want to get other boys in trouble and he suggested that some lying in his interview with gardai was to protect others. We know he was in the car because he took the (15 seconds of ) videos. It is a disgusting thing to do, it is not a nice thing to do but he did it. It is not to his credit and he should be ashamed of it but that was done. Is there any reason why she was upset (when she returned to the racecourse pavilion)? Yes. She was aware she had been videoed which was despicable. (Later after going back to a friends house) she (the complainant) wants to attend a party. This is someone who claims they were raped and sexually assaulted. Is that the reaction of anyone (who was raped), irrespective of age? From 5.30pm to 8.30pm the word rape is never mentioned. Yes she is upset but she said she calmed down. The prosecution has not proved the case beyond reasonable doubt, Mr Heneghan said. The trial at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork continues. - If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please click here for a list of support services. The opposition have behaved in a juvenile and despicable manner, according to an independent TD at the centre of a dispute on speaking rights. Michael Lowry acted as a key negotiator for a bloc of independent TDs that agreed to support the formation of a Government with Fine Gael and Fianna Fail. He also supported the successful nomination of Verona Murphy, a former colleague in the regional independents, to take up office as Ceann Comhairle. That nomination was seen as part of the agreement between the Government parties and the independents. However, a dispute over speaking rights proposals put forward by the Government and Ms Murphys involvement in implementing a vote to pass the changes has put Mr Lowry in the spotlight. Mr Lowry, a former Fine Gael minister, was previously found by a tribunal to have behaved in a manner that was profoundly corrupt. Last week, he was criticised after being filmed sticking two fingers up to a member of the opposition while still in the chamber amid a chaotic row on the speaking rights dispute. He later described his move as an errant gesture under provocation. In a statement on Tuesday after a confidence motion in Ms Murphy passed, Mr Lowry said: Todays proceedings in the Dail marked a significant victory for democracy. The past three months have been crippled with venom and spite from the opposition parties. Their actions have been both juvenile and despicable. It has been a very difficult time for the Regional Independent Group, simply because we had the courage to step up to form a strong and stable Government. In the blinkered eyes of the Opposition, that was our sin. Today, the Opposition took a trouncing. Their actions were condemned for what they are orchestrated obstruction. Ultimately, all they succeeded in doing is strengthening the position of the Ceann Comhairle. With 96 votes in her favour, Verona Murphys credibility is not only secured, it has been endorsed. "The Regional Group has secured its justified speaking rights we are fully recognised. Government must now be permitted to get on with their work in the face of the unprecedented challenges that lie ahead for Ireland and Europe. Democracy has prevailed. The introduction of US tariffs are the most serious issue faced by the Irish economy in a long time, Taoiseach Micheal Martin has said. The Government is preparing for a wave of US tariffs to be introduced by US president Donald Trump later today, with an expected announcement at 9pm Irish time. This is, without question, the most serious issue facing the Irish economy in a long time and its clear that the scale of these tariffs will be very, very significant in a European context, Mr Martin said, speaking in the Dail. The Taoiseach said that negotiations between the EU and US were key and that it was important to get to a sustainable landing zone. However, Mr Martin said that the trade relationship with the US will not be the status quo and that the world is now entering into a period of increased protectionism. That is not good for Ireland. Its not good for open economies, Mr Martin said. Mr Martin said the Government has engaged with the European Union for the bloc to take a cool and calm response to Mr Trumps tariff announcement. Also that in the design of countermeasures, that Europe be strategic and that it doesnt do more harm on ourselves, on Europeans, as opposed to anybody else, Mr Martin said. In other words, where we get clear surfaces it makes sense that we dont invite a doubling of tariffs. Taoiseach Micheal Martin speaks to the media as he arrives for a Cabinet meeting at Government Buildings in Dublin. Picture: PA The ESRI and Department of Finance have jointly warned that the imposition of tariffs could lead to between 50,000 and 80,000 jobs not being created in Ireland over the medium term. The Government has also warned that possible income tax cuts may be delayed due to the economic shock from export levies. The Taoiseach warned that by introducing tariffs, American companies will suffer as they become cut off from the European market. They [American companies] cant survive without a global footprint, he added. Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald told the Dail that the Irish economy is particularly exposed, as the US is Irelands largest export partner. Ms McDonald said that the responsibility of the Government is to stand up for Irelands interests and warned against the EU taking any knee-jerk response. This is the time for cool heads and a clear eye on whats important and to focus on the things that we can control, Ms McDonald said. Ms McDonald criticised the Government for not investing in Irelands long-term competitiveness and attractiveness, saying that the country has attracted foreign direct investment mainly through complex tax incentives. During the exchange at Leaders Questions, Mr Martin confirmed that a meeting of all party leaders would be facilitated to allow for discussion on tariffs. Not all change is good. In some ways, we have regressed. I refer to the rise in soulless automation in service industries, which has accelerated since the pandemic. Its becoming increasingly harder to connect with human beings to resolve issues. Many companies have eliminated live customer support entirely, allowing you to interact with a useless chatbot that invariably cant answer your query. In some cases, email contact has been withdrawn and replaced with online forms, the black hole of customer service. Even if you get through to a human being, assuming you have the time to wait, customer support representatives based in a call centre often read from a prepared script. Usually, English isnt their first language, and why should it be? However, its a lose-lose situation if a customer representative answers none of your questions and then finally asks if there's anything else they can help you with today. Meanwhile, you hang up, feeling like Michael Douglass character in the 90s' movie Falling Down. You recall, an ordinary man, frustrated by the flaws in society, snaps and psychotically lashes out. In the last week, I found myself in the wasteland of automated telephone hell for two different reasons. In one case, I spent 24 minutes and 52 seconds on to Bank of Ireland with a potential credit fraud query, with a bulk of that time waiting. You know how it goes: We apologise for the delay, please continue to hold, and we will be with you shortly. Yeah, right. Then theres the "please listen carefully, as our menu options may have changed". There are two problems with this. We dont walk around having memorised your menu options, so any changes to your menu won't be a surprise. Additionally, you must listen to extensive data protection notices and notices about recording calls for training purposes before being awarded the privilege of being allowed to select from a blizzard of menu options. Invariably, this leads to other menu options before you reach a human. If you mistakenly hit the wrong number, you are bludgeoned over the head by the message: You have made an invalid selection. The call ends, you grind your teeth, and start again. In the end, I got Raghav, who was polite and helpful. He consulted with colleagues in another unit and returned with a woefully inadequate answer. I tersely but politely requested that he return to his colleagues and inform them in no uncertain terms that their explanation didnt suffice, and to please revert with a credible response to the question posed. The challenge on these occasions is not to be curt. Can you imagine the stress and burnout in these frontline jobs? Eventually, I got a reasonable answer. However, it took time and bloody-mindedness. I was ready to die on this hill because I am middle-aged. Thats what middle-aged characters do. Its why the young and the aged avoid us. We grind the joy out of life. Raghav did say I could lodge a complaint. Thanks, but I don't have the time, Raghav. I ended the call musing what the experience would have been like for a much older customer. The answer is not good. Banks never had a soul, but they did at one point perform human functions. Now, their insatiable greed means they must earn the maximum amount of money while providing minimal service and almost zero human interaction. We have given them too much power. I would attach conditions to their banking licences requiring them to provide a certain level of service within the community. On the upside, at least Bank of Irelands musak is reasonable. The same cannot be said for computer company Lenovos music, which is profoundly dehumanising and sounds like it could only be AI-generated. An earful of this led to nihilistic existential thoughts about the point of being alive. As bad luck would have it, on the same day I had to run the gauntlet of getting through to BoI, I had to make a second call to Lenovo, whose call centre is based in Poland. There were several facets to this character-testing process. First, figuring out how to get through. I had to jump through hoops before finally reaching a human. To say trying to buy the Lenovo product was a saga is an understatement. We had a lengthy, blackly funny exchange (I wasnt laughing on the day), which took considerable time, in part due to its system being what she described as "slow to open". Somewhat ironic given they are a computer company (FYI Lenovo, it doesnt inspire confidence), although I was clearly onto a call centre. Meanwhile, more of my valuable working time was ticking away. We had to create a Lenovo contact ID, a time-consuming process if ever there was one. This required me to furnish my eircode. She said it didnt exist. I put my foot down and said it did. It took time for her to find it. I then had to spell out many personal details while using the Nato alphabet, which is commonly used by the American military, particularly in radio transmissions. She insisted on it. You know the one: A for Alpha, T for Tango, F for Foxtrot, and R for Romeo. Several times, I spelled out my lengthy email address following correct Nato procedure because she didn't catch one or two letters, and we were compelled to start de novo. It now felt like I was in a Fellini farce. Can you imagine the stress and burnout in these frontline jobs? Questions I asked about the product I was buying, including who would specifically service my computer and where they would be based (in Cork, Dublin, Europe, or the Universe), led to vague answers that made me baulk. Also, I had to get back to work and earn my living. I concluded I needed the warranty, but Id take my chances. I suppose the commercial point of this that companies need to absorb is that they can lose sales and customers by making the process too complicated and soul-defeating. When customers feel heard, they are more likely to return. There is also an ethical dimension. How do you cope with these shenanigans if you are older or more vulnerable? The short answer is that you dont. Your problem remains unresolved. Stressed and humiliated, you dont know where to turn for help. You doubt yourself (the last thing you need) and feel outside the swim of life. Somebody I know related how hard it was after her mother died. She spent a lot of time trying to help her father, who was totally analogue. This included visiting phone shops trying to sort out his new smartphone, and even the people working in the shops could only do things online because they had nobody to call either. As she said, a large element of this problem is that most large companies outsource parts of their business to other companies, so instead of being able to connect with a colleague to collaborate and help the customer, the customer representative is themselves put through to a separate call centre. If you consider the number of different inputs to everything now different software packages and hardware and apps and websites and payment systems there might be an endless chain of call centre employees phoning each other, all culminating at the same answering machine in an empty warehouse, somewhere on a ring road in the fourth circle of hell. Im curious. When you consider the time spent by both the customer and the companys employees jumping through all these hoops, can it be efficient? At what cost to the economy are these automated bottlenecks, and what economic cost does the company incur from dwindling customer loyalty? Even if this capitalism gone wild is efficient, the human cost, especially for older people, of this complete desertion of customer service, is horrible. When it comes to participating in everyday tasks, or "life admin", as it's now known, the older generation is essentially roadkill. Motherhood has been one of the greatest joys and greatest challenges of my life thus far. The landscape of motherhood has changed dramatically since the industrial revolution, as we navigate one of lifes most important roles under the crushing weight of capitalism, devoid of the traditional village that was once central to our communities. So, when Mothers Day rolls around, commercialised as it is, we welcome the small bit of respite from the daily grind of domestic and work duties. Who doesnt love a bit of soggy toast in bed with a side of squishy cuddles? This year, for many of us, the joy of such small comforts was punctuated by the ache in our hearts for the many mothers globally who are under the boot of oppression, sexual violence, forced displacement, war and genocide. Our thoughts turn particularly to our sisters in Palestine who have been enduring an unimaginable amount of pain and suffering for the last 18 months a mere escalation in what has been 77 years of violent oppression since the Nakba in 1948. Caroline Keohane: 'We value all life, irrespective of gender, religion, ethnicity or nationality but it is clear a vastly disproportionate number of those being killed are women and children. You do not have to be a mother to see how devastatingly wrong this is.' With Israel recently reneging on phase two of the agreed ceasefire, we have watched in horror as the bombs have, once again, rained down on innocent civilians trying desperately to shelter in flimsy tents and the ruins of their once beautiful homes. We value all life, irrespective of gender, religion, ethnicity or nationality but it is clear a vastly disproportionate number of those being killed are women and children. You do not have to be a mother to see how devastatingly wrong this is. In the absence of a traditional village, I have found an incredible tribe of people in Mothers Against Genocide a national, indeed international collective, which has grown rapidly in the last 18 months to include well over 100,000 followers across many platforms. We are not all mothers, or indeed women, but we share the common humanity that wants a better world for all of us, for all children. We recognise and fight against state violence, particularly against women and children everywhere, including Ireland. We see how homelessness, lack of school places for children with disabilities, hospital waiting lists, food insecurity, institutional abuse, and many other issues disproportionately affect the children of Ireland today. Week in and week, out we march, we petition, we lobby, we educate, we fundraise, we advocate, we boycott, we cry, we sing. On Mothers Day, we held an all-night vigil outside the Dail, with the aim of delivering a letter to our Government. That peaceful protest ended in a disproportionate response from An Garda Siochana, culminating in 14 women and men being arrested under section 8 of the Public Order Act that's for causing an obstruction as part of a protest or for refusing to comply when asked to leave. This included verbally protesting the manhandling of mothers holding their ground at the closed gates. It was 5.30am, and gardai were aware the group intended to leave pictures of Palestinian children at the Dail gates until 7.30am, and planned to hand in a letter at 10am. Some of those arrested were subjected to strip searches in custody. We are currently compiling a complaint to be submitted to the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission about this treatment of peaceful protesters. Why do we protest? Why do we commune in solidarity? The Mothers Against Genocide all-night vigil. Why do we sacrifice our time, our energy, our holidays, our downtime, our family time, our weekends, our celebrations, our Mother's Day? Why do we sit outside the seat of power in Ireland and refuse to move? Because by their actions and lack thereof, our Government is complicit in genocide, and we refuse to allow that to go unchallenged. We will not allow men, women, and children to be slaughtered in our name. Why do we lay flowers on the pictures of martyred children? Because by refusing to enact the Arms Embargo Bill, our Government has allowed over a tonne of illegal munitions to fly through Irish territory to Israel, in the past week alone, according to a recent report by The Ditch. Why do hold tiny, bloodstained babygros, pleading for sanctions? Because by refusing to stop US military planes through Shannon Airport, more than 1,260 flights were approved by the Department of Transport to carry munitions through Ireland in 2024 alone, as reported in the Irish Examiner in January of this year. Why do we hold space to listen to the voices of our Palestinian sisters? Because by refusing to enact the Occupied Territories Bill for seven years, Fine Gael and Fianna Fail have allowed Ireland to continue to trade with those illegally occupying Palestinian land. This trade is funding the ongoing genocide. These settlements violate international law, displace Palestinian families, and contribute to an apartheid system. Empty words of condemnation are not enough concrete action is required immediately. Why do we sit and refuse to move? Because by the Government's refusal to listen to the people of Ireland on the uptake of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliances (IHRA) definition of antisemitism, we are in grave danger of the censorship and silencing of people speaking out about the Israeli genocide. The definition of antisemitism is being weaponised to silence legitimate criticism of Israeli war crimes. Ireland must reject this definition in favour of one that protects Jewish communities while safeguarding the right to speak out against Israeli state violence. Mothers Against Genocide sleeping outside Leinster House on Mother's Day. Why do we keep showing up, even in the face of disproportionate responses from the gardai? Because by refusing to sanction Israel, our Government is breaking the EU Israeli trade agreement that has a clause stating it should be suspended if there are known human rights violations. Why should you care? With the push for the dissolution of the Triple Lock, a sleepwalk into militarism and huge spending on defence, we are facing the real possibility our children and grandchildren could be conscripted to kill or be killed in foreign wars. When we also consider the selling of Israeli bonds in our central bank, the list of Ireland's complicity could go on and on. In her recent visit to Ireland, Francesca Albanese, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, spoke at length about Irelands legal obligation to prevent genocide under international law. Even if there was no legal obligation, there is a moral obligation to stop the slaughter of innocent people anywhere and everywhere. We would fight just as hard for your child, and we call on the people of Ireland to rise up and demand our Government take meaningful action. 10 March 2020, a sign on a local business door read: Closed, covid-19 outbreak. An occupant was removed on a stretcher by paramedics in hazmat suits. Close contacts, some of whom had kids in local schools, had not been contact traced. Villagers were panicking. I called my regional public health hub and asked Whats the plan for schools? Official: No evidence of an outbreak. No plan needed. Me: Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. GPs werent allowed to test. Conveniently for a government keen to proceed with St Patricks Day shindigs, no community testing meant no evidence of community transmission. Except, the sign and hazmat suits scuppered that narrative. If the children of close contacts are in school, shouldnt you be invoking the precautionary principle? Notifying schools and parents? I enquired. Two days later, schools nationally were closed, yet 15,000 racegoers headed to Cheltenham. By late March, the country was in lockdown. By April, my friend had died of Sars-Cov-2. Five years on, while the WHO declared the emergency phase over, the pandemic is ongoing and theres still no plan for schools. In August 2020, I presented evidence to then education minister Norma Foley of covid outbreaks increasing with school reopenings globally, and that airborne spread was known. Whats the plan to improve classroom ventilation before opening schools? I asked. No reply. Research now shows over 70% of Sars-CoV-2 household transmission started with children in schools. School closures and lockdowns could have been avoided in 2021, had the government heeded the science and aborted the catastrophic meaningful Christmas. Pubs opened; schools closed. In 2022, the OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (Pisa) cited illness as the most common reason for prolonged school absence. Instead of addressing this, the report dismissed it on the grounds schools cant control sickness. This arguably allowed governments to abdicate responsibility and blame lockdowns. Unsurprisingly, school absence is now soaring. Education minister Helen McEntees recent statement about reversing the trend underscored the problem. She said: Despite a return to normality, the proportion of children chronically absent from school has doubled post-covid. In reality, the proportion of children chronically absent from school has doubled since we removed airborne protections and pretended the pandemic was over. The WHO recently cautioned: We cannot talk about covid in the past tense. Its still causing acute disease, long-covid and still kills. Thirteen-year-old Laras life didnt return to normal after a covid infection almost five years ago. Long-covid has devastated her life. It can take two days lying down to recover from just two hours at school. Headaches, nausea, abdominal pain, fevers, muscle and joint pain are the symptoms she lives with. Theres no cure, reinfections increase risk of additional disability and there are no paediatric long-covid clinics in Ireland. Whats the plan for sick kids like Lara to attend school safely? Ive documented numerous studies showing Sars2 harms children, including the Lancet publication showing the long-lasting burdens of long-covid. The most expansive study found 20% of children have long-covid. Official statistics in England and Scotland show the number of children with long-covid almost doubled in a year (between March 2023 and March 2024). A study found paediatric psychiatric emergencies increased with school openings not lockdowns. Another study showed children and teens with suspected or diagnosed covid-19 experienced new or worsened psychiatric symptoms, including anxiety. Its estimated that if every classroom in Ireland had Hepa filters, nearly three million student absences could be prevented each year. Authors cautioned against considering only the consequences of the pandemic [ie lockdowns], without considering the impacts of the illness and the virus on the brain. Dr Pantea Javidan, a Stanford University human rights researcher, has outlined ways childrens rights to life, health and safety during the pandemic are falsely rendered oppositional to education and development. Including minimising harms, creating moral panic around mental health and educational attainment. The Pisa study showed no clear difference in performance between countries with limited school closures and those with the longest. Numerous studies show even mild Sars2 infections can cause immune dysregulation. The 2022 US paediatric RSV surge was attributed to the large accumulation of covid-19-infected children and the potential long-term adverse effects of covid on the immune system. This February saw the worst hospital overcrowding on record. Previously well patients with no risk factors were reportedly admitted, acutely ill from flu, taking weeks to recover. If theres more sickness now than during the pandemic, maybe we should acknowledge were still during the pandemic and implement public health measures to reduce sickness. How? RSV, flu and Sars2 are all airborne, they hang in the air like invisible smoke. As previously outlined in the Irish Examiner, indoor air quality legislation requires all classrooms and workplaces to ensure CO2 levels of under 1,000pm. Based on research, its estimated that if every classroom in Ireland had Hepa filters, nearly three million student absences could be prevented each year. Teachers are amongst the worst hit by long-covid, and clean air also reduces staff sickness. A study in Finland found air purifiers in day cares reduced childrens illnesses by 30%. Italys Marche region installed mechanical ventilation, reducing school covid infections by 82%. The WHO produced an indoor airborne risk assessment in the context of SARS-CoV-2 tool to reduce the unacceptable and unnecessary health burden resulting from the airborne transmission of respiratory pathogens. The Dails ventilation system was adapted in 2021, but our children continue to breathe contaminated classroom air. We can either pray to St Jude (patron saint of lost causes) as our kids health is pummelled by repeated infections, or, we can demand Dail standard, legally compliant, classroom air. Teachers and parents: Ta an t-am anois. The minister of state for heritage Christopher OSullivan opened applications for grant support for the provision of expert conservation advice to owners of vacant traditional houses in March. There are only three weeks left to apply, so would you qualify, and whats it about? The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant scheme has proved to be a hugely welcome hand-up for those willing to roll up their sleeves and take on an old dear of a building thats been left idle for two years, or is completely uninhabitable. With grant awards for derelict properties from local authorities up to 84,000 (inclusive of Vat), buyers could also qualify for a Local Authority Purchase and Renovation Loan. This is an extension of the Local Authority Home Loan to secure the property and fund the rebuild. Yes, construction costs remain perilously high, but these grants are being neatly combined with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) energy renovation grants. This can seriously reduce the burden of getting an old building back to a home or transitioning it from a commercial or agricultural building to a residential one. Seriously old stone houses do not always sit into modern building standards, and they dont behave like modern buildings. Their single-leaf, thick stone walls are intended to wick and evaporate away atmospheric moisture for starters. Contemporary insulation solutions like external wraps and dry lining can compromise the structural condition and comfort of these vapour-permeable national treasures. This spring saw the launch of The Traditional Homes Pilot Scheme by the SEAI, adding support for the use of sustainable, heritage insulation materials like lime-render and hemp blocks. The caveat to being on the pilot is that you must complete a whole house energy upgrade (deep retrofit), and your home must reach a minimum B2 building energy rating after the upgrades. That said, there is expected to be some leeway on the cost-optimal outcome for challenging heritage buildings. The process must be guided from the outset by a homeowner-appointed traditional building professional. This could be an architect, engineer, or surveyor with relevant conservation experience. This appointment might seem like another bureaucratic rope, but the right specialist will steer you as the renovator towards the best practice and the best people to guard the integrity of a unique part of Irelands precious built heritage. Theres already been so much damage done, both in the neglect of and inappropriate renovation of these vulnerable properties. Conservation specialists are largely over-extended in Ireland, but the outcome of the pilot will hopefully enshrine the needs of traditional homes within the SEAI grant system going forward. The Conservation Advice Grant Scheme for Vacant Traditional Houses is an expanded funding scheme to provide grants for expert conservation advice to all owners of vacant traditional houses who are availing of, or considering, the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant. Theres more help available towards paying for that conservation expert to guide us through the treatment of a heritage building (some 14% of housing stock in Ireland). The Conservation Advice Grant Scheme for Vacant Traditional Houses is an expanded funding scheme to provide grants for expert conservation advice to all owners of vacant traditional houses who are availing of, or considering, the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant. Part of the Historic Structures Fund, it provides grants to cover 67% of the costs (up to a maximum grant of 5,000) towards the fees of a conservation expert with proven and appropriate expertise to visit your vacant or derelict traditional building, to conduct a survey there, and to compile tailored conservation advice. This will give you as the owner a report which outlines the condition of the building and identifies conservation improvements which would restore it to use while enhancing its character, energy efficiency, integrity, and amenity. Youll have to act fast to get the grant this year as that sash window is just about to close. Stream one of the scheme is open to owners of vacant traditional buildings that are what is termed a protected structure and/or historic structure within an architectural conservation area. Buildings previously used for commercial purposes also qualify for the scheme where the intended use is as a single dwelling or a single dwelling over a shop. So, if youre changing the nature of a property from agricultural or commercial use to a home, you may qualify. Stream 2 of the scheme will provide grant support for the provision of expert conservation advice to private owners of vacant vernacular farmhouses specifically, and they dont have to be buildings under statutory protection to qualify. Obviously, you will need to demonstrate the building is in fact an Irish farmhouse. Time is of the essence to secure this grant. The deadline for application is Monday, May 2, at 5pm. As its a competitive scheme with a highly specific scoring process to secure the funds, it's vital to make a perfect application, as losing a week or two could preclude your inclusion for consideration at this point. Applicants will be assessed under a criterion, so follow the instructions to formulate your application and assemble supporting documentation very carefully. You must have a conservation specialist named, including details like their CV or accreditation. Expect to offer costings, a history of the property, digital photographs and your current situation vis-a-vis the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant scheme. The application for the grant will be judged under the heritage interest of the building, its vernacular interest, the reuse potential of the building, the demonstrated experience of chosen conservation professional and the best value for money of costings provided. You can download the application for the Conservation Advice Grant Scheme for Vacant Traditional Houses together with guidance on what to include https://www.gov.ie/en/service/7241b-conservation-advice-grant-scheme-for-vacant-traditional-houses. here. Any questions regarding the scheme can be sent to: conservationadvicegrants@housing.gov.ie Good luck! The woman who settled a sexual assault lawsuit against Britain's Prince Andrew is facing court over allegedly breaching a restraining order, as she recovers in hospital after a serious bus crash. Virginia Giuffre, who lives in Australia, has been charged with breaching a family violence restraining order in Ocean Reef, near Perth, on February 2, Western Australia (WA) Courts said. Ms Giuffres case was first heard in Joondalup Magistrates Court in northern Perth on March 14, where she did not enter a plea, WA Courts said, and the case is due back in court on April 9. Ms Giuffre was injured in a collision last month and sparked concern earlier this week when she claimed in an Instagram post that she had four days to live, alongside a photo of her in hospital. According to reports, a spokesperson for Ms Giuffre said the Instagram post was a mistake and she had meant to share the post to her private Facebook page. A statement said: Virginia thanks everyone for the outpouring of love and support. She is overwhelmed with gratitude. Today she remains in (a) serious condition while receiving medical care. On March 24, in rural Western Australia, a school bus hit the car in which she was riding. It said: Virginia was banged up and bruised and returned home. Virginias condition worsened and she was admitted to the hospital. Concerning her Instagram post, Virginia thought that she had posted on her private Facebook page. Ms Giuffre is reported to have separated from her husband. In her caption to the Instagram post, Ms Giuffre said she was ready to go, just not until I see my babies one last time. A previous Instagram post by Ms Giuffre on March 22 included the caption: My beautiful babies have no clue how much I love them and theyre being poisoned with lies. I miss them so very much. I have been through hell & back in my 41 years but this is incredibly hurting me worse than anything else. Hurt me, abuse me but dont take my babies. Western Australia Police said they received one report of a minor crash between a school bus and a car in Neergabby, about 12 miles north of Perth, on March 24. The collision was reported by the bus driver the following day, while there were no reported injuries, a police spokeswoman said. Prince Andrew paid millions to settle a civil sexual assault case with Ms Giuffre who he said he had never met. She sued him for allegedly sexually assaulting her when she was 17 after she was trafficked by paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein. We Are China China sends test satellite for internet technology into space Ecns.cn) 16:59, April 02, 2025 A Long March-2D carrier rocket carrying a test satellite for satellite internet technology blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, April 1, 2025. (China News Service/Wang Jiangbo) Test satellites for satellite internet technology are primarily used to conduct technical verification and experiments, including mobile-to-satellite broadband connections and the integration of space-ground networks. The launch marks the 567th mission for the Long March series carrier rockets. A Long March-2D carrier rocket carrying a test satellite for satellite internet technology blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, April 1, 2025. (China News Service/Wang Jiangbo) A Long March-2D carrier rocket carrying a test satellite for satellite internet technology blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, April 1, 2025. (China News Service/Wang Jiangbo) A Long March-2D carrier rocket carrying a test satellite for satellite internet technology blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, April 1, 2025. (China News Service/Wang Jiangbo) A Long March-2D carrier rocket carrying a test satellite for satellite internet technology blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, April 1, 2025. (China News Service/Wang Jiangbo) A Long March-2D carrier rocket carrying a test satellite for satellite internet technology blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, April 1, 2025. (China News Service/Wang Jiangbo) (Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing) Israels military operation in the Gaza Strip is expanding to seize large areas, defence minister Israel Katz has said. The expansion comes as officials at hospitals inside the Palestinian territory said Israeli strikes have killed more than 30 people, nearly a dozen of them children. Israels offensive in the Palestinian territory is expanding to crush and clean the area of militants and seizing large areas that will be added to the security zones of the State of Israel, Mr Katz said in a written statement. The Israeli government has long maintained a buffer zone just inside Gaza along its security fence and has greatly expanded since the war began in 2023. Displaced Palestinians, travelling in vehicles, wait in line to pass through a security checkpoint at the Netzarim corridor as they make their way from central Gaza to their homes (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP) Israel says the buffer zone is needed for its security, while Palestinians view it as a land grab that further shrinks the narrow coastal territory, home to around two million people. Mr Katz did not specify which areas of Gaza would be seized in the expanded operation, which he said includes the extensive evacuation of the population from fighting areas. His statement came after Israel ordered the full evacuation of the southern city of Rafah and nearby areas. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel aims to maintain an open-ended but unspecified security control of the Gaza Strip once it achieves its aim of crushing Hamas. The minister called on Gaza residents to expel Hamas and return all hostages. 'As if death, diseases, destruction and hunger were not enough for the Palestinians in #Gaza. People are treated like pinballs with constant military orders playing with their fate & lives. The Israeli Authorities issued more forced displacement orders in #Rafah impacting over pic.twitter.com/KYa4MHslSt UNRWA (@UNRWA) April 1, 2025 The militant group still holds 59 captives, of whom 24 are believed to still be alive, after most of the rest were released in ceasefire agreements or other deals. This is the only way to end the war, Mr Katz said. The Hostage Families Forum, which represents most captives relatives, said that it was horrified to wake up this morning to the defence ministers announcement about expanding military operations in Gaza. The group said the Israeli government has an obligation to free all 59 hostages from Hamas captivity to pursue every possible channel to advance a deal for their release. They stressed that every passing day puts their loved ones lives at greater risk. Strikes continue to hit Gaza (AP Photo/Leo Correa) Their lives hang in the balance as more and more disturbing details continue to emerge about the horrific conditions theyre being held in chained, abused, and in desperate need of medical attention, said the forum, which called on the Trump administration and other mediators to continue pressuring Hamas to release the hostages. Our highest priority must be an immediate deal to bring all hostages back home the living for rehabilitation, and those killed for proper burial and end this war, the group said. Israel continued to target the Gaza Strip, with air strikes overnight killing 17 people in the southern city of Khan Younis. Another 15 people were killed in a strike in the north of the strip on Wednesday, according to officials at hospitals where the bodies were taken. Officials at the Nasser Hospital said the bodies of 12 people killed in an overnight air strike that were brought to the hospital included five women, one of them pregnant, and two children. Officials at the Gaza European Hospital said they received five bodies of people killed in two separate air strikes. The loss of two more @UNRWA colleagues in #Gaza is appalling. We repeat: health and humanitarian workers are #NotATarget. They must be protected at all times. We urge for the ceasefire to be restored.https://t.co/Vz94k5t1W6 Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) April 1, 2025 Later on Wednesday, officials at the Indonesian Hospital said an Israeli strike on a building of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, or UNRWA, in the Jabaliya refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip killed 15 people, including nine children and two women. Juliette Touma, a spokeswoman for UNRWA, confirmed that an UNRWA building had been hit, but did not have any further details on casualties or what the building was being used as. The Palestinian Civil Defence said the building had been an UNRWA clinic that was now being used to house displaced people. It said the attack hit two rooms in the building, and that it evacuated the bodies of seven of those killed as well as 12 people who were wounded. The Israeli military said it struck Hamas members in the area, adding that they were hiding inside a command and control centre that was being used for coordinating armed activity and served as a central meeting point for the Palestinian group. The war began when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on October 7 2023, killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking 251 hostages. Israels offensive has killed more than 50,000 Palestinians, including hundreds killed in strikes since a ceasefire ended about two weeks ago, according to Gazas health ministry, which does not say whether those killed are civilians or combatants. Israel says it has killed around 20,000 militants. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel is establishing a new security corridor across the Gaza Strip to pressure Hamas, suggesting it would cut off the southern city of Rafah, which Israel has ordered evacuated, from the rest of the Palestinian territory. The announcement came after Mr Netanyahus defence minister said Israel would seize large areas of Gaza and add them to its so-called security zones. A wave of Israeli strikes, meanwhile, killed more than 40 Palestinians, including several women and children, according to Palestinian health officials. We are cutting up the strip, and we are increasing the pressure step by step, so that they will give us our hostages Israel has vowed to escalate the nearly 18-month war with Hamas until the militant group returns dozens of remaining hostages, disarms and leaves the territory. Israel ended a ceasefire in March and has imposed a month-long halt on all imports of food, fuel and humanitarian aid. Mr Netanyahu described the new axis as the Morag corridor, using the name of a Jewish settlement that once stood between Rafah and Khan Younis, suggesting it would run between the two southern cities. He said it would be a second Philadelphi corridor referring to the Gaza side of the border with Egypt further south, which has been under Israeli control since last May. Israel has also reasserted control over the Netzarim corridor, also named for a former settlement, that cuts off the northern third of Gaza, including Gaza City, from the rest of the narrow coastal strip. Both of the existing corridors run from the Israeli border to the Mediterranean Sea. We are cutting up the strip, and we are increasing the pressure step by step, so that they will give us our hostages, Mr Netanyahu said. Palestinians inspect a UN building after it was hit by an Israeli strike, in Jabaliya, northern Gaza Strip (Jehad Alshrafi/AP) In northern Gaza, an Israeli air strike hit a UN building in the built-up Jabaliya refugee camp, killing 15 people, including nine children and two women, according to the Indonesian Hospital. The Israeli military said it struck Hamas militants in a command and control centre. The building, previously a clinic, had been converted into a shelter for displaced people, with more than 700 residing there, according to Juliette Touma, a spokesperson for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, the main aid provider in Gaza. No UN staff were wounded in the strike. She said UN staff warned people about the dangers of remaining there after Wednesdays strike but that many chose to stay, simply because they have absolutely nowhere else to go. More than 60% of Gaza is now considered a no-go zone because of Israeli evacuation orders, according to Olga Cherevko, a spokesperson for the UN humanitarian aid office. Hundreds of thousands people are living in squalid tent camps along the coast or in the ruins of their destroyed homes. Israeli defence minister Israel Katz had earlier said Israel would seize large areas and add them to its security zones, apparently referring to an existing buffer zone along Gazas entire perimeter. He called on Gaza residents to expel Hamas and return all the hostages, saying this is the only way to end the war. On Sunday, Mr Netanyahu said Israel plans to maintain overall security control of Gaza after the war and implement US President Donald Trumps proposal to resettle much of its population elsewhere through what the Israeli leader referred to as voluntary emigration. Palestinians have rejected the plan, viewing it as expulsion from their homeland after Israels offensive left much of it uninhabitable, and human rights experts say implementing the plan would be likely to violate international law. Hamas has said it will only release the remaining 59 hostages 24 of whom are believed to be alive in exchange for the release of more Palestinian prisoners, a lasting ceasefire and an Israeli pullout. The group has rejected demands that it lay down its arms or leave the territory. Our highest priority must be an immediate deal to bring ALL hostages back home - the living for rehabilitation and those killed for proper burial - and end this war The decision to resume the war has fuelled protests in Israel, where many fear it has put the hostages at grave risk and are calling for another ceasefire and exchange with Hamas. The Hostage Families Forum, which represents most captives families, said they were horrified to wake up this morning to the defence ministers announcement about expanding military operations in Gaza. The group called on the Trump administration, which took credit for brokering the ceasefire but has supported Israels decision to end it, to do everything possible to free the remaining captives. Our highest priority must be an immediate deal to bring ALL hostages back home the living for rehabilitation and those killed for proper burial and end this war, the group said. In addition to the 15 killed in northern Gaza, Israeli air strikes overnight into Wednesday killed another 28 people across the territory, according to local hospitals. The Nasser Hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis said the dead included five women, one of them pregnant, and two children. Israel says it targets only militants and makes every effort to spare civilians, blaming Hamas for their deaths because the militants operate in densely populated areas. Buildings that were destroyed during Israeli ground and air operations in the northern Gaza Strip (Leo Correa/AP) The war began when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on October 7 2023, killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking 251 hostages, most of whom have since been released in ceasefire agreements and other deals. Israel rescued eight living hostages and has recovered dozens of bodies. Israels offensive has killed more than 50,000 Palestinians, according to Gazas Health Ministry, which does not say whether those killed are civilians or combatants. Israel says it has killed around 20,000 militants, without providing evidence. The war has left vast areas of Gaza in ruins and at its height displaced around 90% of the population. Wednesday, Apr 2nd, 2025 (8:38 am) - Score 3,280 Network analyst firm Streetwave, which is harnessing bin lorries to map the coverage and performance of 4G and 5G mobile (broadband) networks across 113 UK councils, has said its data calls into question Ofcoms claim that 88-89% of the UKs landmass (geographic coverage) can access a 4G network if you look across all operators. Accurately measuring mobile network coverage and performance is a notoriously difficult task, not least because end-users are always moving through different areas (indoor, outdoor and underground), using different devices with different capabilities and the surrounding environment is ever changeable (weather, trees, buildings etc.). All of this can impact signal quality, and thats before we consider the differences in network (backhaul) capacity or spectrum allocations between both mast/cell locations and operators. NOTE: Streetwave typically measures throughput speed (consumer experience), signal strength, network generation and frequency band information for all four of the main mobile network operators in the UK: O2, Streetwave typically measures throughput speed (consumer experience), signal strength, network generation and frequency band information for all four of the main mobile network operators in the UK: EE Three UK and Vodafone Ofcoms data, which is particularly important because the government often uses it as a base for both measuring and setting related policies, is typically based on the estimates of network coverage and performance put out by the mobile operators themselves. This is generated using computer programs that simulate the way mobile signals travel from mobile masts and are blocked by any obstructions such as hills, trees, and buildings. Advertisement Many consumers already know, from direct experience, that they should take such figures and related coverage maps (particularly those published on the operators own websites) with a sizeable pinch of salt. In addition, it doesnt help that Ofcoms existing coverage predictions are processed into a 100 metre by 100 metre grid matrix that covers the entire UK land mass. However, Streetwave has been busy pioneering a different approach, which is both more economically viable than other methods of practical real-world data gathering and potentially also much more accurate. The company has spent the past 18-months harnessing refuse (bin) collection trucks to map mobile network coverage and speeds across various parts of the UK (e.g. here, here, here, here and here). In Streetwaves setup, refuse trucks are installed with several off-the-shelf Smartphones using special software (pictured), which run continuous network tests once every 20 metres in rural areas and 5m in urban areas as the vehicles go around their routes. Weve already seen some results from this approach and a few hints (here) that the data may call into question Ofcoms own figures, which, given the different methodologies, is not surprising. Streetwaves Findings The big change today is that Streetwave believes it has now amassed enough data to show that Ofcoms figures may be quite far off the reality. The company has so far mapped 113 councils across the UK, collecting over 40 million data points. These represent around 37% of the UKs geography and have around 19 million people living and working in them. The results collected so far are said to show the following Acceptable Coverage levels from each of the four major mobile network operators (MNOs), with EE doing the best and Three UK the worst. Advertisement NOTE: Streetwave defines Acceptable Coverage as being a network that can provide users with 5Mbps download, 2Mbps upload, and below 40ms latency times. These are speeds where most mobile use cases including internet browsing, video streaming or conference calls can be performed, said the company. Acceptable Coverage by UK Mobile Operator EE 69% Vodafone 61% O2 50% Three UK 38% Angus Hay, Streetwaves CEO, said: A collaborative approach is needed to improve mobile connectivity across the UK. This includes continued private and public investment into the networks, as well as local efforts by councils and planning authorities to support infrastructure investments. Our findings raise significant questions around whether there is need for an extension to the Shared Rural Network programme to further support rural communities. However, there are some caveats to consider, as Streetwaves comparison with Ofcoms figure is not an apples-to-apples one. Firstly, Ofcoms data covers the whole of the UK, while Streetwave still has a lot of area left to cover and that may yet influence their overall result. The fact that a lot of the geography theyve reached is in rural Scotland and Wales may be a key factor here that could throw the overall balance off. Time will tell. The other crucial factor to consider stems from how this is NOT an identical measurement criteria to Ofcoms 88-89% landmass range for 4G, which is the one that Streetwave calls out in their announcement this could risk causing some confusion (major newspapers are notorious for overlooking details like this). For 2G, 3G and 4G networks, Ofcom define coverage based on the minimum signal strength required to at a minimum deliver a 98% probability of making a 90-second voice call successfully. In the case of 4G specifically, Ofcoms definition also delivers a 95% chance of getting a download speed of at least 2Mbps. This is fairly different from Streetwaves definition of Acceptable Coverage above. You could argue that Streetwaves definition is better, but it is not the same. Ofcom are already well aware of the shortcomings in their data and are working to improve it (here). For example, they plan to improve their own coverage checker by adopting higher signal strength thresholds when presenting local predictions, while also assessing predicted signal strength information at a more granular level (50 or 25 square metres, instead of the current 100 square metres) to determine if it is possible to reduce the local uncertainty to some extent. Advertisement The regulator is also examining the use of measured data, including crowdsource data, to build on these coverage predictions (this may or may not include Streetwaves data). Finally, once the regulators new coverage checker has launched later in 2025, Ofcom will move to consider undertaking a larger scale performance measurement programme to complement coverage predictions and enhance their mobile reporting. A spokesperson for Ofcom recently told ISPreview: Our current coverage data comes from mobile network operators predictions, which we recognise may not always match peoples real-world experience at a very local level. We are working hard to overhaul our mobile coverage checker, which we expect to relaunch later this year with new and improved data to better reflect what people can expect. UPDATE 12:16pm Weve had a reaction from Mobile UK, which represents the mobile operators. remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Irish Citizens Claim They Were Expelled from Germany Due to Pro-Palestinian Demonstrations Two Irish nationals residing in Berlin have received deportation orders due to their participation in pro-Palestinian demonstrations in the German capital, according to a statement they issued. Shane OBrien and Roberta Murray were served deportation orders by the state of Berlin, which is responsible for immigration enforcement. They have been instructed to exit Germany by 21 April, as stated in their announcement. A Polish citizen and an American citizen were also given the same order. The Berlin immigration office initially denied the deportation orders, the affected individuals reported, but that ruling was reversed after intervention from the Berlin interior department. All those who received deportation orders have no prior criminal history, they noted. In their statement, the four individuals asserted they were accused of anti-Semitism and of supporting terrorist organizations, specifically mentioning Hamas. They described their deportation as a political act aimed at intimidating an entire movement. They criticized Germanys cancellation of one student visa, pertaining to the American citizen, and the restriction of rights for three EU citizens as an unprecedented escalation with severe consequences. By limiting our freedom of movement, Germany heightens its oppression of pro-Palestinian voices, disproportionately impacting Palestinian, Muslim, and Arab communities. We strongly condemn Germanys complicity in genocide and reject these unlawful actions. Together with our legal team, we will challenge this deportation all the way to the highest courts, the statement concluded. Recently, German authorities have intensified actions against protesters who have held demonstrations in support of Palestine. The phrase from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free has been prohibited by Interior Minister Nancy Faeser as part of a crackdown on Hamas activities in Germany. Additionally, Irish Bloc Berlin, a platform supporting Irish solidarity with Palestine based in Berlin, reported that German police instructed them to cease using the Irish language during a sit-in protest outside the Reichstag last year. US Senator Cory Booker, a Democrat from New Jersey, has accused President Donald Trump of recklessly undermining the nations democratic institutions during an extended speech that approached the Senate record. The 55-year-old senator began his address at 7pm (midnight Irish time) yesterday and continued through the night into this afternoon, criticizing the Republican President and his key advisor, Elon Musk, the worlds wealthiest individual, for their attempts to dramatically reduce the size of the federal government. Our institutions are being unconstitutionally and recklessly attacked and even dismantled, Mr. Booker declared, having first been elected to the Senate in 2013. In his initial weeks in office, Mr. Trump has sought to completely shutter various government departments, including the Department of Education, while withholding funds approved by Congress and questioning the federal courts authority to limit his policies. Donald Trump in his first weeks in office has moved to outright shutter government arms (file image) Frustration has been directed at both Republican lawmakers and the leaders of the party, including top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer, for working with Senate Republicans to pass a government funding bill that prevented a partial shutdown. Cory Booker is seeking another I am Spartacus moment, but that didnt work in his failed presidential bid, nor did it stop President Trumps Supreme Court nominee, Brett Kavanaugh, remarked deputy White House press secretary Harrison Fields. Booker approaching Senate record for longest continuous speech By the afternoon, Mr. Booker was nearing the all-time Senate record for the longest continuous speech, which is held by segregationist Senator Strom Thurmond of South Carolina. In the summer of 1957, Mr. Thurmond conducted a filibuster against civil rights legislation that lasted a total of 24 hours and 18 minutes. Ultimately, Mr. Thurmond failed to block a bill that expanded federal voting rights protections for Black Americans. Though Mr. Bookers speech is not directed at a specific piece of legislation and therefore is not technically considered a filibuster, it has nonetheless disrupted other Senate proceedings. The only pauses Mr. Booker took were when a series of fellow Democrats approached the floor to ask him questions, allowing him to maintain control of his speaking time. Signs of strain began to show as Mr. Booker dropped a piece of paper from his desk; he bent down slowly and carefully to retrieve it, only to be helped by fellow Democratic Senator Michael Bennet of Colorado, who rushed to assist him. A common theme in Mr. Bookers criticism was Musks efforts to reduce the size and scope of the US government. Targets of Muskand thus Mr. Trumps proposalsinclude the elimination of many US foreign aid programs and significant layoffs at federal departments responsible for public health services, healthcare for veterans, and the Social Security Administration, which manages federal retirement programs. The Trump-Vance administration continues to drive us into chaos, Mr. Booker stated. Trumps trade conflict with our allies will only heighten costs and anxieties for American families. US President Donald Trump expressed his frustration towards the leaders of both factions involved in the ongoing conflict stemming from Russias invasion of Ukraine, as efforts to initiate ceasefire discussions remain stalled. Initially, Mr. Trump criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin for undermining the credibility of Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky as a negotiating partner, stating that he felt very angry at the Kremlin leader. However, the US president later moderated his remarks about Mr. Putin and redirected his criticism towards Mr. Zelensky, cautioning that Ukraine would face big, big problems if he hesitated to agree to a deal regarding mineral rights with the United States. Donald Trump warned that Ukraine would encounter significant problems if Volodymyr Zelensky hesitates on signing the mineral rights deal with the US. NBC News journalist Kristen Welker reported that Mr. Trump had contacted her to share his outrage over Mr. Putin questioning Mr. Zelenskys positionsomething Mr. Trump has previously expressedand suggesting secondary tariffs on companies engaging with Russian oil. Later, while on a flight back to Washington from his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, Mr. Trump moderated some of his earlier critiques. Big problems I was disappointed in a certain way, Mr. Trump remarked. Some of the comments he made over the last day or two regarding Zelensky, because when he regards Zelensky as not credible, hes meant to be negotiating with him, regardless of personal opinions. So I wasnt pleased with that, but I believe he will do well and I certainly wouldnt want to impose secondary tariffs on Russia, he continued. Mr. Trump subsequently aimed his criticism at Mr. Zelensky, stating: I see hes attempting to withdraw from the rare earth deal. If he does that, he faces problems. Big, big problems. Vladimir Putin dismissed a collaborative US-Ukrainian proposal for a 30-day ceasefire. We established a deal on rare earth, and now hes indicating a desire to renegotiate. He aspires to NATO membership, but that was never on the table for him. He knows that. So if hes trying to renegotiate, then hes in for big problems, he added. The US president has advocated for a swift resolution to the over three-year conflict since his commencement in office, yet his administration has been unable to achieve a breakthrough despite negotiations with both parties involved. Mr. Putin has refused a joint US-Ukrainian proposal for a 30-day ceasefire and suggested on Friday that Mr. Zelensky be ousted as a part of the peace negotiations. The warming relations between the US and Russia since Mr. Trumps return to office, alongside his threats to cease support for Ukraine, have strengthened Russias position on the battlefield as it continues its faltering invasion. Ukraine has accused Russia of prolonging negotiations without genuine intent to cease its offensive, which includes renewed attacks on the northeastern border city of Kharkiv. Overnight, six strikes were reported, injuring personnel being treated at a military hospital and resulting in two fatalities in a residential building, as per Ukrainian officials. Russian forces also claimed to have captured a village merely seven kilometers from Ukraines central Dnipropetrovsk region border in their latest progress, as stated by Russia. A vehicle, destroyed by a Russian drone, sits in the center of Kharkiv. The Kremlins troops have not crossed the regions border since their offensive commenced in 2022, but have been inching towards it for months in hopes of a significant breakthrough. Mr. Putin, in power for 25 years and repeatedly elected in unchallenged elections, has frequently doubted Mr. Zelenskys legitimacy as president, particularly as the Ukrainian leaders initial five-year term is set to conclude in May 2024. According to Ukrainian law, elections are suspended during significant military conflicts, and all of Mr. Zelenskys domestic adversaries have asserted that no elections should occur until the conflict concludes. Mr. Trump has had tumultuous interactions with Mr. Zelensky in the past, labeling him a dictator and clashing with him publicly during a White House event last month. In his evening address on Saturday, Mr. Zelensky aimed to galvanize his nations allies against Mr. Putin. For far too long, Americas offer for an unconditional ceasefire has remained on the table without a suitable response from Russia, Mr. Zelensky declared. If there was genuine pressure on Russia, there could already be a ceasefire. President Donald Trump has announced a new tariff on imports from the European Union, imposing a 20% tax on a wide range of products. The move comes as part of the ongoing trade war between the US and the EU, with both sides implementing tariffs on each others goods in an effort to protect their own industries. The new tariff will apply to a variety of products, including luxury goods, electronics, and food items. This is expected to have a significant impact on European companies that rely on exports to the US market. Trump has defended the tariff as a necessary measure to protect American jobs and industries, arguing that the EU has been taking advantage of the US in trade deals. The President has also suggested that the new tariff could be used as leverage in negotiations with the EU to reach a new trade agreement. However, critics of the move have warned that the tariff could lead to higher prices for consumers in the US, as European companies pass on the cost of the tax to their customers. They have also raised concerns about the potential for retaliation from the EU, which could further escalate the trade war and harm both economies. The announcement of the new tariff has already sparked backlash from European leaders, with many expressing their disappointment and concern over the move. The EU has indicated that it will consider retaliatory measures if necessary to protect its own industries and interests. Overall, the imposition of a 20% tariff on European Union imports represents a significant escalation in the trade war between the US and the EU. The move is likely to have far-reaching consequences for both economies, and could further strain relations between the two trading partners. Ukraine Urges the US to Intensify Sanctions on Russia for Breaching Agreements President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine has urged the United States to intensify sanctions against Russia, asserting that Moscow has violated agreements aimed at ceasing attacks on energy infrastructure and activities in the Black Sea. I believe we have reached the point where we need to enhance the impact of sanctions, as the Russians are not honoring their commitments to America, President Zelensky stated during a press conference in Kyiv. We are very hopeful that President (Donald) Trump possesses the necessary tools to amplify the sanctions pressure on Russia. We need your consent to load this rte-player content. We utilize rte-player to manage additional content that can set cookies on your device and gather data regarding your activity. Please review their details and accept them to access the content. Manage Preferences In the meantime, Russia has indicated that it is collaborating with the United States on proposals for a potential peace agreement in Ukraine and on fostering bilateral relations. This statement followed President Trumps expression of anger towards Vladimir Putin after the Russian leader questioned Mr. Zelenskys credibility. In an NBC News interview, Mr. Trump also hinted at the possibility of imposing secondary tariffs of 25-50% on purchasers of Russian oil. He later reaffirmed to reporters his disappointment with Mr. Putin but remarked, I believe we are making gradual progress. Read more: Trump criticizes both Putin and Zelensky regarding ceasefire discussions When questioned about Mr. Trumps remarks, Russian government spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Mr. Putin remains receptive to communication with Mr. Trump and continues to engage with the U.S. We are actively collaborating with the American side, primarily to restore our bilateral relations, which suffered significantly under the previous U.S. administration, Mr. Peskov remarked. We are also pursuing the implementation of various ideas associated with the settlement of the Ukrainian issue. This work is ongoing, but as of now, there are no specific details that we can or should disclose. It is a lengthy process, likely due to its complexity, he added. Mr. Peskov mentioned that a call between Mr. Trump and Mr. Putin could be arranged quickly if needed, although none is scheduled for this week. Mr. Trump has expressed a desire to be remembered as a peacemaker and to resolve the three-year conflict in Ukraine. He has also warned about the potential risks of the situation escalating into a global war between the United States and Russia. Yesterday, he reiterated that he would impose secondary tariffs if Mr. Putin does not cooperate. I want to see him reach an agreement to prevent further casualties among Russian and Ukrainian soldiers, as well as others, he told reporters in Washington. I am confident he will follow through. The Kremlin stated that President Vladimir Putin is open to communication with Donald Trump. Since assuming office in January, President Trump has adopted a more conciliatory approach towards Russia, creating unease among Western allies as he endeavors to mediate an end to the war. His comments regarding Mr. Putin convey his increasing frustration over the stagnation of ceasefire efforts. If Russia and I are unable to negotiate an end to the bloodshed in Ukraine, and if I determine that Russia is at fault I will impose secondary tariffs on oil, targeting all oil imports from Russia, Mr. Trump stated in his NBC interview. That means if you purchase oil from Russia, you will be barred from doing business in the United States. There will be a 25% tariff on all oil, and a 25-50% tariff on all oil, he elaborated. Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky is advocating for enhanced sanctions from the U.S. China and India account for approximately 80% of Russian crude oil exports. Chinese traders indicated they remain unfazed by the tariff threat, while China stated its cooperation with Russia is not directed against or impacted by other nations. India opted not to comment. Both Ukraine and Russia have explored cooperation in minerals, though President Trump mentioned that Mr. Zelensky was considering withdrawing from a proposed agreement. Discussions between Russia and the U.S. have begun regarding joint ventures in rare earth metals and other projects, with companies showing interest, according to President Putins investment envoy, Kirill Dmitriev. While we have no specifics at this time, the interest is clear and mutually beneficial, Mr. Peskov commented. The Attorney General of the United States has instructed federal prosecutors to pursue the death penalty against Luigi Mangione, the individual charged with the shooting death of Brian Thompson, the CEO of the insurance division at UnitedHealth Group, in New York last year. Legal representatives for Mr. Mangione have not yet responded to a request for comment. At 26 years old, Mr. Mangione has pleaded not guilty to New York state charges that include murder as an act of terrorism and various weapons offenses. If found guilty in that case, he could be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, as New York does not impose the death penalty for state offenses. However, he could potentially face the death penalty if convicted of the federal charges. He has yet to enter a plea regarding these charges. In the event of a conviction in the federal case, a jury would assess in a separate trial phase whether to recommend the death penalty. Such a recommendation must be unanimous, and the judge would have to impose the penalty. Mr. Thompson was fatally shot on December 4 outside a hotel in Midtown Manhattan, where UnitedHealth Group was holding an investor conference. Pam Bondi stated, Luigi Mangiones murder of Brian Thompsonan innocent man and father of two young childrenwas a premeditated, cold-blooded assassination that shocked America. After thorough deliberation, I have directed federal prosecutors to pursue the death penalty in this case as we implement President Trumps agenda to combat violent crime and Make America Safe Again, Ms. Bondi added. The shocking murder of Mr. Thompson and the subsequent five-day manhunt captured the attention of the nation. On December 9, police officers in Altoona, Pennsylvania, discovered Mr. Mangione with a 9-millimeter pistol and silencer, along with clothing matching that of the shooter seen in surveillance footage of Mr. Thompsons death, and a notebook outlining an intent to wack an insurance company CEO, as indicated in court documents. While officials condemned the assassination, some Americans frustrated by exorbitant healthcare costs and the authority of health insurers to deny certain treatments have celebrated Mr. Mangione, currently held in federal custody in Brooklyn, as a folk hero. On February 5, Ms. Bondi lifted a moratorium on federal executions that had been enacted in 2021 by her predecessor, Merrick Garland, the attorney general during the Democratic administration of President Joe Biden. US Senator Cory Booker Delivered a 25-Hour Speech in Congress: What Was His Goal? The Democrats are facing significant pressure to devise an effective strategy to oppose US President Donald Trump, all while lacking control of either congressional chamber and the absence of a clear opposition leader. They might have discovered just what they need. New Jersey Senator Cory Booker took to the Senate floor on Monday evening in Washington to deliver a speech condemning Mr. Trumps actions. He spoke continuously except for the occasional inquiry from a fellow Democrat until the following night, clocking in at 25 hours. So, how prevalent are such speeches in the US Congress, and what purpose do they serve? Senator Bookers speech established a new record for the longest continuous address in the Senate, outpacing Senator Strom Thurmonds 24-hour oration in 1957 aimed at obstructing the Civil Rights Act. In 1957, Congress was poised to pass a civil rights bill aimed at making it more difficult for officials in southern states, particularly, to prevent Black citizens from voting. In response, Mr. Thurmond, the South Carolina senator and staunch advocate for segregation, embarked on what had been (until now) the longest speech in Senate history to oppose the bill. Mr. Thurmonds speech constituted a filibuster, which is an extended discourse in the Senate intended to delay or block a vote on a piece of legislation or confirmation. However, despite his efforts, Mr. Thurmond was unable to prevent the bills passage. Supporters of Senator Cory Booker rallied outside the US Capitol as he spoke on the Senate floor. Senators resort to filibusters when they anticipate defeat, especially regarding legislation they strongly oppose. Lacking the power to halt the bills passage, they utilize the filibuster to highlight their dissent. The objective is to galvanize supporters and convey the message, I stand with you, even if the vote does not go our way. In 2016, Democratic Senator Chris Murphy, representing Connecticut where the tragic Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting occurred, initiated a nearly 15-hour filibuster to compel Republican Senate leaders to permit votes on two gun control proposals. Republican Senator Ted Cruz also spoke for an extensive 21 hours against Obamacare in 2013. His remarks were not strictly about health policy; he occupied his time by reading the childrens classic, Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss. Senator Bookers address was not technically a filibuster; he was not occupying the floor to oppose a specific bill, as Mr. Thurmond did. Instead, he was providing his Democratic colleagues the opportunity to shape the broader discussion regarding Mr. Trump. Senators often engage in speeches like this when they feel they are on the losing end of an issue, and Mr. Booker senses that the Democrats are currently outmatched by Mr. Trump. They have found it challenging to counter his executive actions, prompting their need to connect with the American public in some manner. Since taking office in January, Mr. Trump has been flooding the zone with countless policies and executive actions, achieving significant success in doing so. These actions span numerous areas, making it difficult for the Democrats to identify which issues to address on any given day. Without control of the House or Senate, and lacking a unified opposition leader, there is no singular, prominent Democrat capable of consistently articulating, This is what happened, this is the national threat, heres why were opposing it, and heres how we intend to respond. Mr. Trump is steering the narrative and the media landscape, while Democratic leadership has struggled to counteract it, despite grassroots frustration from Democrats and many Trump voters alike. As Mr. Booker remarked during his address: Such moments demand creativity, imagination, and a commitment to perseverance. There comes a point in a human story that transcends partisan lines when one stands witness to someone expressing their heartfelt convictions, leading to a sense of respect. Mr. Booker ran for the presidency in 2020 and eventually stepped aside for Joe Biden; I anticipate we will hear much more from him in 2028 as the next presidential election approaches. He is likely to run again. Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) The richest person in the world couldnt buy the Wisconsin Supreme Court election, which was won by liberal Susan Crawford, who defeated Elon Musks favored candidate and Trump toadie, Brad Schimel. She will serve a ten-year term, cementing liberal dominance for some time. Vested interests poured $100 million into the race, a record for a state Supreme Court contest. This orgy of big money in politics was unleashed in large part by John Robertss wretched Citizens United ruling in 2010, which solidified Americas march to (further) plutocracy. This election may signal the beginnings of a backlash against the Trump regime. Since his inauguration, Trump has acted more lawlessly than any president in history, even Tricky Dick Nixon, willfully thwarting the legislative intention of Congress in funding government agencies to do jobs Congress wanted them to do. Trump has undermined the basic parliamentary principle that the peoples elected representatives have the power of the purse, a principle that goes back to Britain hundreds of years ago. At the same time, the Trump regime has exalted toxic masculinity and signaled its intent to liquidate workers unions. The problem for Trump is that a majority of Americans are women or workers or both. Moreover, Trumps surrender of such fiscal decisions to Elon Musk and his so-called Department of Government Efficiency has resulted in mass firings of government personnel and the gutting of Americas health services, scientific research and threats to the solvency of the countrys preeminent research universities. The attack on Social Security removing the ability of recipients to do business by phone, the firing of 7,000 Social Security employees (14% of the workforce), the breaking of the agencys website has alarmed the elderly nationwide. Trump won Wisconsin last fall by less than a percentage point, with a margin of only 29,000 votes. Trumps full court press against the institutions Americans depend on has made a bad impression. In early March, Savannah Kuchar explained in USA Today, a Marquette poll found that 51% of the voters in Wisconsin viewed Trumps initial weeks in office negatively. He had frittered away his slight advantage in the state. Of course, Republicans supported him and Democrats despised him. But the key is the independents, and of those 60% disapproved of the initial Trump record and only 39% approved. As for Elon Musk, the same poll found that 53% of Wisconsin voters viewed him negatively, and only 41% saw Musk positively. Someone with such high negatives and so few supporters in a relatively conservative purple state likely made a mistake by taking a high profile, pouring $20 million into the Supreme Court race, and offering a million dollars to select voters to vote for the conservative candidate. Elon may have defeated himself, just as Trump did. Of course, there were other issues. Schimel as attorney general of Wisconsin a decade ago attempted to defend a restrictive abortion law that Federal judge William Conley in Madison struck down as unconstitutional in 2015. More recently, Republicans have argued that a nineteenth-century law banning abortion came back into effect once the US Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade. A liberal Wisconsin Supreme Court is likely to find that the freedoms enshrined in the state constitution take precedence over Victorian era legislation. Victory of the Lilliputians, Digital, Dream / Dreamland v 3 / ChatGPT / IbisPaint, 2025, after John S. Pughe, 1870-1909. Abortion rights activists came out to vote in large numbers in an off-year election of a sort that often sees low turnout in the state. Abortion rights helped drive the blue wave of 2018 and the return of the Democrats to the White House in 2021. Union issues also brought out workers. The far right wing Gov. Scott Walker had in 2011 gutted teachers unions, which resulted in a precipitous fall in pay and in high turnover, which disadvantages schoolchildren. Late last fall a state judge found the 2011 law to violate the equal protection clause of the constitution, since Walter had actually favored police and fireman unions that supported him politically but had placed disabilities on teachers unions. Republican attempts to overturn this ruling by taking it to the Supreme Court have now been dealt a substantial blow. Finally, Wisconsins congressional delegation is skewed 6 to 2 for Republicans, even though the two parties are neck and neck in the state. The current districts for federal elections disadvantage Democrats concentrated in Madison and Milwaukee. Districts for the state legislature, however, were made fairer in 2022 by legislation. In 2020, as well, the Trump campaign demanded that 200,000 votes in the presidential contest be thrown out in Wisconsin. Any further such scurrilous demands will clearly be rebuffed in the state. American democracy is stronger today because voters in one Midwest state stood up to the richest man in the world. The people of Wisconsin and of the United States have more rights today because of Wisconsin voters. Trumps catastrophic policies, which threaten the health of the Republic both literally and figuratively, may produce not so much a blue wave as a blue tsunami as people realize that they are the ox to be gored. Zambian government grants 7,757 km 2 in new exploration licences in North-Western Province, targeting extension of the Central African Copperbelt Massive licence package over three times larger in area than Ivanhoe's Western Forelands Exploration Project Zambian Geological Survey has completed high-resolution regional airborne geophysics survey over Ivanhoe's licence area, expediting exploration efforts Lusaka, Zambia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 2, 2025) - Ivanhoe Mines (TSX: IVN) (OTCQX: IVPAF) Executive Co-Chair Robert Friedland and President & Chief Executive Officer Marna Cloete are pleased to announce that the company has been granted by the Government of the Republic of Zambia a vast, 7,757-square-kilometre package of new exploration licences in the highly-prospective North-Western Province of Zambia. Ivanhoe's thesis behind the strategically selected licence package is to explore for an extension of the Central African Copperbelt. As announced on September 10, 2024, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed between Ivanhoe Mines and the Republic of Zambia's Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development (Ministry of Mines). Since then, the Ministry of Mines has assisted Ivanhoe's geological team in identifying the prospective licence package and provided access to existing geological data. The shared geological data also includes results from the country-wide airborne geophysical survey currently underway. The new licence package, as shown in Figure 1, is strategically located between Ivanhoe's Western Forelands Exploration Project (230 km to the northeast) and the company's Angolan exploration licence package (130 km southwest). The Zambia licences cover an area over three times larger than the Western Forelands Exploration Project. Ivanhoe's geological team will commence exploration activities for new copper mineralization associated with Basement Domes, Katangan-age sediment-hosted copper systems, and iron-oxide-copper-gold (IOCG) systems. The western edge of the Central African Copperbelt in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) hosts the Western Foreland Shelf, where the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex and the Mineral Resources of Makoko and Kiala in the Western Forelands are located. Ivanhoe's geological team believes that the Western Foreland Shelf facies of the Nguba Group sediments continue to arc southwest into Zambia and Angola, as illustrated in Figure 1. Based on this concept, Ivanhoe Mines also holds over 22,000 square kilometres of exploration licences in Angola, as announced on November 27, 2023. Concurrently, Ivanhoe continues to advance its massive exploration program in the Western Forelands. The 2025 exploration program will be Ivanhoe's largest-ever, with $50 million dedicated to exploration activities - consisting of 102,000 metres of diamond drilling and 18,000 metres of reverse circulation (RC) drilling. Ivanhoe is targeting an updated Mineral Resource Estimate for the Makoko area, including a Maiden Resource Estimate for Kitoko and Makoko West, next month. Figure 1. Simplified map showing the extent of the Central African Copperbelt (yellow band) and the Zambian 'Basement Domes' region (in pink), overlaid with exploration licences held by Ivanhoe Mines in the DRC, Zambia, and Angola. The President of the Republic of Zambia His Excellency Hakainde Hichilema commented: "Today, we welcome Ivanhoe Mines' new chapter into Zambia's mining industry -one that promises jobs, growth, and prosperity for our people. This new investment in copper exploration is not only about achieving our government's vision of over 3 million tonnes of copper production by 2031, it's also about unlocking opportunities, empowering communities, and ensuring that our resources benefit every Zambian. Together, we will build an economy that works for all, with transparency, fairness, and a shared vision for the future." Ivanhoe Founder and Executive Co-Chairman Robert Friedland also commented: "Our entrance into Zambia marks an exciting new chapter in Ivanhoe Mines' commitment to expanding our exploration footprint and testing the extent of the Central African Copperbeltwhich is already the world's largest and highest-grade sedimentary Copperbelt. Our new licences in both Zambia and Angola have notable geological similarities to our world-leading discoveries in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We will leverage our deep geological expertise and proven track record in the Western Forelands, where Ivanhoe's geologists have discovered, including Kamoa-Kakula, over 50 million tonnes of high-grade contained copper to date. Our seasoned team of geologists is excited to begin work on these highly prospective licences we believe there are plenty of new tier-one copper discoveries yet to be found under shallow Kalahari sands. "We are particularly encouraged by the proactive support and collaborative approach demonstrated by the Zambian government, underscoring the country's commitment to fostering a stable and investor-friendly mining environment. This includes a key role of partnership that Zambia is playing in terms of improving the regional hydroelectric power supply and distribution - where the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex is already a major importer of power via the Zambia interconnector. "As global demand for copper continues to grow, Ivanhoe Mines looks forward to contributing to Zambia's economic development, supporting local communities, and furthering our goal of finding the world's next major copper deposits." Ivanhoe identified an underexplored area within the Zambian Copperbelt with compelling geology and strong discovery potential Much like the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex and the Western Forelands Exploration Project in the DRC, the Zambian licences represent an underexplored potential extension of the Central African Copperbelt. Working closely with the Ministry of Mines and leveraging its in-depth knowledge of the Central African Copperbelt, Ivanhoe's geologists selected the Zambian licences based on a detailed review of available exploration data. BHP Billiton flew airborne geophysics over sections of Ivanhoe's licence package in the late 2000s, as part of a larger exploration program across western and central Zambia targeting IOCG-style mineralization. BHP exited its African operations in 2015. No work has been carried out on the licences since 2015. In August 2024, the Zambia Ministry of Mines commenced a country-wide airborne geophysical survey that started in the west of the country, including over Ivanhoe's new licence package. The geophysical survey consists of a high-resolution airborne magnetics survey at 300-metre-line spacings. The shared results will expedite Ivanhoe's exploration efforts, saving at least six months in acquisition time and costs. Remarkably, like Kamoa-Kakula and the Western Forelands, the Zambian and Angolan licences have had very little prior exploration activity, as they are covered by Kalahari sand cover, hiding any buried mineralization. The central portion of the newly approved Zambian licence package is highly prospective for copper mineralization hosted in Paleo-Proterozoic basement inliers buried below a blanket of Kalahari sands, containing sheared amphibolite-facies schists, granitic gneiss, and migmatite similar to Barrick's Lumwana mine to the northeast, on the Mwombezhi Dome. Ivanhoe engages technical contractors ahead of 2025 field program, exploration activities expected to commence in Q2 of 2025. Ivanhoe will appoint environmental consultants in the second quarter of 2025 to complete key environmental baseline studies and produce an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) for approval by the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA). Initial engagements with local communities will also be undertaken prior to the mobilization of field teams for ground surveys and drilling in the second half of the year. A detailed review of historical and newly acquired airborne geophysical data will be carried out concurrently with the completion of the EMP. Ivanhoe will conduct an extensive program of aircore and auger drilling to collect soil geochemical data and additional airborne and ground-based geophysical surveys. This work will enable Ivanhoe's geological team to map the giant licence area in detail to better understand the extent of the Basement Domes, Katangan sediments, and felsic magmatic intrusives that underlie the licence area. Once this work has been completed target generation for future diamond drilling will commence. About Ivanhoe Mines Ivanhoe Mines is a Canadian mining company focused on advancing its three principal projects in Southern Africa; the expansion of the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex in the DRC, the ramp-up of the ultra-high-grade Kipushi zinc-copper-germanium-silver mine, also in the DRC; and the phased development of the tier-one Platreef palladium-nickel-platinum-rhodium-copper-gold project in South Africa. Ivanhoe Mines also is exploring its highly prospective, 60-100% owned exploration licenses in the Western Forelands, covering an area over five times larger than the adjacent Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex. Ivanhoe is exploring for new sedimentary copper discoveries, as well as expanding and further defining its high-grade Makoko, Kiala, and Kitoko copper discoveries as the company's next major development projects. Forward-looking statements Certain statements in this release constitute "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such statements and information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the company, its projects, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. Such statements can be identified using words such as "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "expect", "believe", "plan", "anticipate", "estimate", "scheduled", "forecast", "predict" and other similar terminology, or state that certain actions, events, or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. These statements reflect the company's current expectations regarding future events, performance, and results and speak only as of the date of this release. Such statements include without limitation: (i) statements regarding Ivanhoe's thesis behind the strategically selected licence package is to explore for an extension of the Central African Copperbelt; (ii) statements regarding the shared geological data includes results from the country-wide airborne geophysical survey currently underway; (iii) statements regarding Ivanhoe's geological team will commence exploration activities for new copper mineralization associated with Basement Domes, Katangan-age sediment-hosted copper systems, and IOCG systems; (iv) statements regarding Ivanhoe continues to advance its massive exploration program in the Western Forelands, with $50 million dedicated to exploration activities - consisting of 102,000 metres of diamond drilling and 18,000 metres of RC drilling. Further, that Ivanhoe is targeting an updated Mineral Resource Estimate for the Makoko area, including a Maiden Resource Estimate for Kitoko and Makoko West, next month; (v) statements regarding shared exploration data will expedite Ivanhoe's exploration efforts, saving at least six months in acquisition time and costs; (vi) statements regarding Ivanhoe will appoint environmental consultants in the second quarter of 2025 to complete key environmental baseline studies and produce an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) for approval by ZEMA. Further, that Initial engagements with local communities will also be undertaken prior to the mobilization of field teams for ground surveys and drilling in the second half of the year; (vi) statements regarding a detailed review of historical and newly acquired airborne geophysical data will be carried out concurrently with the completion of the EMP; and, (vii) statements regarding Ivanhoe will conduct an extensive program of aircore and auger drilling to collect soil geochemical data and additional airborne and ground-based geophysical surveys. Further, that once this work has been completed target generation for future diamond drilling will commence. This news release also contains references to estimates of Mineral Resources. The estimation of Mineral Resources is inherently uncertain and involves subjective judgments about many relevant factors. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. The accuracy of any such estimates is a function of the quantity and quality of available data and of the assumptions made and judgments used in engineering and geological interpretation (including estimated future production from the company's projects, the anticipated tonnages and grades that will be mined and the estimated level of recovery that will be realized), which may prove to be unreliable and depend, to a certain extent, upon the analysis of drilling results and statistical inferences that ultimately may prove to be inaccurate. Mineral Resource estimates may have to be re-estimated based on: (i) fluctuations in copper or other mineral prices; (ii) results of drilling; (iii) metallurgical testing and other studies; (iv) proposed mining operations, including dilution; (v) the evaluation of mine plans after the date of any estimates and/or changes in mine plans; (vi) the possible failure to receive required permits, approvals and licences; and (vii) changes in law or regulation. Forward-looking statements and information involve significant risks and uncertainties, should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indicators of whether such results will be achieved. Many factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements or information, including, however not limited to, the factors discussed above and under the "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in the company's MD&A for the financial year ended December 31, 2024, and in its current annual information form, as well as unexpected changes in laws, rules or regulations, or their enforcement by applicable authorities; the failure of parties to contracts with the company to perform as agreed; social or labour unrest; changes in commodity prices; and the failure of exploration programs or studies to deliver anticipated results or results that would justify and support continued exploration, studies, development or operations. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this release are based upon what management of the company believes are reasonable assumptions, the company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this release and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Subject to applicable securities laws, the company does not assume any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this release. The company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of the factors outlined in the "Risk Factors" section in the company's MD&A for the financial year ended December 31, 2024, and its current annual information form. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 2, 2025) - Silver Elephant Mining Corp. (TSX: ELEF) (OTCQB: SILEF) (FSE: 1P2) ("Silver Elephant" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on the sulphide mining operation at its Paca Apuradita Silver Project in the Potosi Department of Bolivia, following its news release dated July 8, 2024. The Apuradita mining claim ("Apuradita") is registered under Silver Elephant's Bolivia subsidiary with the Bolivian Jurisdictional Administrative Mining Authority (AJAM). Apuradita is not within the area covered under the Mining Production Contract dated October 3, 2019, between the Company and the Corporacion Minera de Bolivia ("Comibol") which is the subject of ongoing disputes. In September 2024, the Company started Apuradita tunnel development to mine high-grade sulphide material located beneath the oxide layer. The planned 100-tonne-per-day underground mining operation extracts sulphide material. The mined materials will then be transported to third party toll mill processing plants. To date, the Company has dug 111 meters of the 160-meter planned tunnel to reach the sulphide mineralized zone. The Company is continuing tunnel development at approximate rate of 2.4 meters per day and expects to start silver production by May 2025. The essential infrastructure is in place to support sulphide mining activities: The underground transport rail system is fully installed and operational, with structural reinforcements added to ensure stability and prevent derailments. Logistics infrastructure including rail for the minecar dump truck loadout area and locomotive recharging station is complete. The air compressor system and water utility are fully functional, providing air and water services for drilling, ventilation, and dust control. Civil works at the tunnel site, including secured storage laydown areas and Truck Haulage Road are complete. In conjunction with tunneling, the Company is finalizing toll milling and concentrate sales agreements with concentrate production and sales anticipated to begin in May 2025. As outlined in the news release dated July 8, 2024, the tunnel will provide access to sulphide mineralized materials, which will be mined using the shrinkage stoping method. The two stopes are designed with approximate dimensions of 30 meters in length x 20 meters in height x 4 meters in width, with a targeted extraction rate of 100 to 150 tonnes per day. The calculated average grade of extracted and sorted sulfide materials is 412 g/t Ag, 1.09% Pb, and 0.38% Zn, based on diamond drill holes at Apuradita and an internally developed mine model. Several examples of high-grade intercepts within the Apuradita mineralized zone include: Hole ID From To Length True Width Ag Pb Zn (m) (m) (m) (m) (g/t) (%) (%) PND004 86.0 97.0 11.0 7.8 481.0 0.5 0.2 PND008 47.0 63.0 16.0 11.3 507.0 1.1 0.6 PND008 111.9 127.0 15.1 10.7 424.0 2.0 2.7 PND023 125.0 157.0 32.0 26.2 437.0 1.7 1.0 PND092 38.0 52.0 14.0 9.9 522.0 0.8 0.1 PND110 61.0 72.0 11.0 7.8 715.0 2.1 2.1 The full drill hole assay results have previously been released on SEDAR. The assumptions set out above are based on a resource estimate at Apuradita that is not reserve. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves have not demonstrated economic viability and therefore should not be relied upon. Potosi Region Potosi town district hosts the Cerro Rico silver deposit and is home to about 100 privately owned, small-sized processing facilities (ranging from 50 to 500 tonnes per day capacity) that produce zinc and lead concentrates sold to many active commodity traders. Potosi department is one of the most active silver producing regions in the world. Majority of Bolivia's annual 40 million oz silver production came from Potosi department. Qualified Person The technical contents of this news release have been prepared under the supervision of Carlos Zamora, who is an employee of the Company and is not considered independent. Mr. Zamora is a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. About Silver Elephant Mining Corp. Silver Elephant is a mineral exploration company with gold and silver projects in Bolivia. Further information on Silver Elephant can be found at www.silverelef.com. SILVER ELEPHANT MINING CORP. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD "John Lee" CEO and Executive Chairman FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking information") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information is generally identifiable by use of the words "believes," "may," "plans," "will," "anticipates," "intends," "could", "estimates", "expects", "forecasts", "projects" and similar expressions, and the negative of such expressions. Such forward-looking information, which reflects management's expectations regarding Silver Elephant's future growth, results of operations, performance, business prospects and opportunities, is based on certain factors and assumptions and involves known and unknown risks and uncertainties which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward-looking information in this and other news releases includes, but not limited to the anticipated start and end dates for the sulphide mining, mining 100 tonnes of sulphide material, the anticipated total tonnes to be extracted, the ability to sell the sulphides to toll mills, the anticipated timing to enter into commercial agreements with toll millers, the anticipated mining methods and the anticipated average grade of extracted the sulphide material. Forward-looking information involves significant risks and uncertainties, should not be read as a guarantee of future performance, events or results, and may not be indicative of whether such events or results will actually be achieved. A number of risks and other factors could cause actual results to differ materially from expected results discussed in the forward-looking information, including but not limited to: changes in operating plans; ability to secure sufficient financing to advance the Company's project; conditions impacting the Company's ability to mine at the project, such as unfavourable weather conditions, development of a mine plan, maintaining existing permits and receiving any new permits required for the project, and other conditions impacting mining generally; maintaining cordial business relations with strategic partners and contractual counter-parties; meeting regulatory requirements and changes thereto; risks inherent to mineral resource estimation, including uncertainty as to whether mineral resources will be further developed into mineral reserves; political risk in the jurisdictions where the Company's projects are located; commodity price variation; and general market, industry and economic conditions. Additional risk factors are set out in the Company's latest annual and interim management's discussion and analysis and annual information form (AIF), available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Forward-looking information is based on reasonable assumptions by management as of the date of this news release, and there can be no assurance that actual results will be consistent with any forward-looking information included herein. Readers are cautioned that all forward- looking statements in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information in this news release to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date of this news release, except as required by applicable securities laws. TORONTO, April 2, 2025 /CNW/ - Collective Mining Ltd. (NYSE: CNL) (TSX: CNL) ("Collective" or the "Company") is pleased to announce plans for an expanded drill program following the successful completion of its recent financing for C$63.4 million (see press release dated March 20, 2025). With a robust treasury totaling more than US$78 million, the Company is more than fully funded for an expanded 70,000 metre drill program in 2025. The revised program will now include up to ten diamond drill rigs in operation across the Guayabales and San Antonio projects and will be the largest in the history of the Company. Additionally, the Company will accelerate baseline environmental, hydrological and metallurgical studies so that permitting could begin in the future at a faster pace than originally envisioned. Ari Sussman Executive Chairman commented: "The Apollo System, which is the most important discovery to date within the Company's Guayabales Project, has emerged as an important large-scale, bulk tonnage, and high-grade system generated from grassroots exploration. The emergence of Apollo occurs at a time when there is a dearth of new and impactful exploration discoveries within our industry. We continue to believe that Apollo is the tip of the iceberg within the Guayabales Project and that further discoveries will come with aggressive drilling and perseverance. The fact that our San Antonio Project is now potentially showing its porphyry potential is a welcome surprise. We look forward to receiving drill hole assay results across the portfolio in the near term and are excited to unlock more value in this regard." Guayabales Drill Program Overview Up to eight rigs will be focused on drilling the Guayabales Project for the balance of 2025 to achieve various objectives: Apollo System: Being the Company's flagship discovery, up to seven rigs will be in operation as follows: Up to three rigs will be testing the recently discovered, high-grade sub-zones with an overall goal of improving the grade of the system. To date, multiple bulk tonnage and high-grade intercepts have been reported from drilling of the first in a series of sub-zone targets including APC104-D5 which intersected 106.35 metres at 9.05 g/t AuEq within 497.35 metres at 3.01 g/t AuEq. 1 Up to three rigs will be testing the recently discovered Ramp Zone where multiple high-grade intercepts have been previously reported, including most recently for drill hole APC105-D1, which cut 75.80 metres @ 8.01 g/t AuEq including 21.00 metres @ 24.16 g/t AuEq. 1 The current operating rigs on site that are testing the Ramp Zone are at or close to their depth limit capacity so additional rigs capable of drilling up to 2,000 metres have been secured and will begin arriving in June. The Company's technical experts believe that only the top of the Ramp Zone system has been discovered and there is major potential for significant growth at deeper elevations. The current operating rigs on site that are testing the Ramp Zone are at or close to their depth limit capacity so additional rigs capable of drilling up to 2,000 metres have been secured and will begin arriving in June. The Company's technical experts believe that only the top of the Ramp Zone system has been discovered and there is major potential for significant growth at deeper elevations. Two smaller rigs will drill test the Apollo system from surface to a depth of 150 metres with the first rig now operating and the second rig anticipated to begin drilling in the next sixty days. The goal of this newly designed program is to expand and define the area of outcropping/shallow mineralization and test many drilling gaps within the block model as the current spacing is quite broad at up to 100 metres. Previous drilling in the shallowest portion of the Apollo system yielded numerous high-grade intercepts beginning from surface including APC-35, which intersected 86.55 metres @ 4.85 g/t AuEq (3.52 g/t Au, 16 g/t Ag, 0.12% Cu, and 0.34% WO 3 ).1 Tower, ME, X and Trap Targets: Up to two diamond drill rigs will be utilized to test these targets at various points over the balance of the calendar year as follows: One rig is presently drilling at the Tower target, a new grassroots generated target which lies due west-southwest of the Apollo system. Precious metal rich outcrop samples have been found within three multi-mineral coincidental soil anomalies defined by the Company. Initial assay results from this drilling program should be available in late Q2, 2025. a new grassroots generated target which lies due west-southwest of the system. Precious metal rich outcrop samples have been found within three multi-mineral coincidental soil anomalies defined by the Company. Initial assay results from this drilling program should be available in late Q2, 2025. One rig is being mobilized to the ME target, which locates midway between to the Apollo system and Aris Mining Corporation's Marmato mine to its southeast. Five shallow holes were drilled into the ME target in 2023 and discovered a precious metal rich breccia system with APC-81 intersecting 111.25 metres @ 1.00 g/t AuEq. 1 A recent reinterpretation of the prior drill results highlights that potential exists for Ramp Zone style mineralization (Au-Ag-Bi-Te) to occur at a deeper elevation within the ME target. The Company expects drilling at the ME target to commence towards the end of April 2025 with first assay results expected in early Q3 2025. which locates midway between to the system and Aris Mining Corporation's Marmato mine to its southeast. Five shallow holes were drilled into the ME target in 2023 and discovered a precious metal rich breccia system with A recent reinterpretation of the prior drill results highlights that potential exists for Ramp Zone style mineralization (Au-Ag-Bi-Te) to occur at a deeper elevation within the ME target. The Company expects drilling at the ME target to commence towards the end of with first assay results expected in early Q3 2025. The Company intends to mobilize a single rig in H2 2025 to test the grassroots generated X target for the first time. Mapping and surface sampling at the X target has outlined a heavily altered and large breccia body with a precious metal rich soil and rock chip anomaly abutting a copper and molybdenum rich soil anomaly. The X target shares many similar surface characteristics to the Apollo System, which is located approximately 1,100 metres to its north. San Antonio Project Overview The Company commenced drilling at the San Antonio project in late January 2025 as part of a budgeted initial 2,500 metre program. One rig is currently drilling at the Pound Target with a second rig scheduled to commence drilling before the end of April 2025 . Two initial holes were drilled in 2021 at the Pound Target, with both holes cutting long intercepts from surface of modestly grading, precious metal dominant mineralization. Both holes bottomed in mineralization with SAC-8 intersecting 710 metres @ 0.53 g/t AuEq.1 A recent reinterpretation of the Pound Target indicates that the previous drilling intersected the outer phyllic pyrite halo of a potentially substantive porphyry system. Importantly, both holes had increasing copper grades downhole with the copper/zinc ratio indicating a vector towards the porphyry source at depth. Two new diamond drill holes have been completed in 2025, with a third hole now underway. The first hole, SAC-10 was drilled at a shallow angle for 743 metres from a pad, now interpreted to be too far south of the target zone, intersecting only pyrite dominant, phyllic mineralization hosted within a combination of hydrothermal breccia, diorite and metagabbro rocks before being terminated due to rig capacity. The second hole, SAC-11, was drilled at a steep angle for 892 metres from a location much closer to the visual mineralization logged in the latter part of hole SAC-10. The hole, which was predominately hosted within altered metagabbro rock hosts pyrite dominant mineralization which passes at 500 metres downhole depth into quartz and chalcopyrite porphyry veins. The copper bearing, chalcopyrite mineralization then increases in intensity until the end of the hole, which was terminated in mineralization due to the depth capacity of the rig. It is worth noting that minor amounts of bornite were also logged towards the end of the hole. The Company is encouraged by the visual logging which highlights that the mineralized metagabbro is proximal to a porphyry intrusive. Assay results are pending and if positive may warrant the expansion of the program with the addition of more powerful rigs that can penetrate to greater depths. 1 See press releases dated: SAC-8: October 27, 2021; APC-35: March 15, 2023; APC104-D5: February 24, 2025; APC105-D1: March 12, 2025; for AuEq calculations. About Collective Mining Ltd. To see our latest corporate presentation and related information, please visit www.collectivemining.com. Founded by the team that developed and sold Continental Gold Inc. to Zijin Mining for approximately $2 billion in enterprise value, Collective is a gold, silver, copper and tungsten exploration company with projects in Caldas, Colombia. The Company has options to acquire 100% interests in two projects located directly within an established mining camp with ten fully permitted and operating mines. The Company's flagship project, Guayabales, is anchored by the Apollo system, which hosts the large-scale, bulk-tonnage and high-grade gold-silver-copper-tungsten Apollo system. The Company's objectives are to improve the overall grade of the Apollo system by systematically drill testing newly modeled potentially high-grade sub-zones, expand the Apollo system by stepping out along strike to the north and expanding the newly discovered high-grade Ramp Zone along strike and to depth, expand the Trap system and drill a series of newly generated targets including Tower and X. Management and insiders own approximately 33.4% of the outstanding shares of the Company and as a result, are fully aligned with shareholders. The Company is listed on the NYSE American and TSX under the trading symbol "CNL" and on the FSE under the trading symbol "GG1". Information Contact: Follow Executive Chairman Ari Sussman (@Ariski73) on X Follow Collective Mining (@CollectiveMini1) on X, (Collective Mining) on LinkedIn, and (@collectivemining) on Instagram FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release contains "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussion with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often, but not always using phrases such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. In this news release, forward-looking statements relate, among other things, to: anticipated use of proceeds from the Offering and the exercise of Warrants; the anticipated advancement of mineral properties or programs; future operations; future recovery metal recovery rates; future growth potential of Collective; and future development plans. These forward-looking statements, and any assumptions upon which they are based, are made in good faith and reflect our current judgment regarding future events including the direction of our business. Management believes that these assumptions are reasonable. 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 the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others: planed use of proceeds from the Offering and the exercise of the Warrants; risks related to the speculative nature of the Company's business; the Company's formative stage of development; the Company's financial position; possible variations in mineralization, grade or recovery rates; actual results of current exploration activities; conclusions of future economic evaluations; fluctuations in general macroeconomic conditions; fluctuations in securities markets; fluctuations in spot and forward prices of gold, precious and base metals or certain other commodities; fluctuations in currency markets; change in national and local government, legislation, taxation, controls regulations and political or economic developments; risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining (including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formation pressures, cave-ins and flooding); inability to obtain adequate insurance to cover risks and hazards; the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining; employee relations; relationships with and claims by local communities and indigenous populations; availability of increasing costs associated with mining inputs and labour; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development (including the risks of obtaining necessary licenses, permits and approvals from government authorities); and title to properties, as well as those risk factors discussed or referred to in the annual information form of the Company dated March 24, 2025. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release and the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements and there may be other factors that cause results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The UN Human Rights Council on Wednesday condemned Israel's renewed offensive in Gaza and demanded the country uphold its responsibility to "prevent genocide" in the Palestinian territory. The United Nations' top rights body overwhelmingly adopted a resolution putting forth a list of demands to Israel, including calling on it to "lift its illegal blockade" on Gaza. The text, adopted with 27 of the council's 47 members voting in favour, four against and 16 abstaining, deplored "the violation by Israel of the ceasefire agreement". The vote came after Israel on March 18 resumed intense bombing of Gaza before launching a new ground offensive, ending a nearly two-month ceasefire. The resolution, put forward by most members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, demanded "unimpeded humanitarian assistance and the urgent restoration of basic necessities" to Gaza. It slammed "the use of starvation of civilians as a method of warfare", and called on all countries "to take immediate action to prevent the continued forcible transfer of Palestinians within or from the Gaza Strip". The text also voiced "grave concern at statements by Israeli officials amounting to incitement to genocide", and demanded Israel "uphold its legal responsibility to prevent genocide". Israel is boycotting the council, which it has accused of bias. But it has flatly rejected accusations of "genocide" in its war in Gaza, which erupted after Palestinian militant group Hamas's deadly October 7, 2023 attacks inside Israel. Wednesday's resolution called on countries to stop supplying military equipment to Israel. It also ordered the Commission of Inquiry -- a high-level team probing abuses in the conflict -- to broaden its investigation to look at "the direct and the indirect transfer or sale of arms, munitions, parts, components and dual-use items to Israel". And the text called on the UN General Assembly to consider setting up a new investigative team to prepare prosecutions for major international crimes in the conflict. Several countries took the floor to lament a lack of "balance" in the text, which did not mention Hamas. They included the Czech Republic, which voted against the resolution along with Germany, Ethiopia and North Macedonia. Actor Kim Soo Hyun is facing backlash after hiring a forensic company with a controversial history to analyze messages central to allegations regarding his relationship with the late actress Kim Sae Ron. During an emergency press conference, Kim denied wrongdoing and claimed that previously leaked KakaoTalk messages between him and Kim Sae Ron had been altered. To support his claim, he said he submitted multiple chat records to a forensic firm. "I submitted all the relevant messages the 2016 and 2018 chats provided by the family, as well as my own recent chats with acquaintances to a scientific forensic institution for analysis," Kim said. " The result: The institution concluded that the person in the 2016 messages is not the same as the person in the 2018 messages." Following his statement, internet users began scrutinizing the forensic company he used, uncovering a troubling past. Reports allege that the firm has a history of analyzing statements in sexual assault cases, with many instances leading to acquittals of defendants accused of assaulting vulnerable victims. In one case, the director of an orphanage was accused of sexually assaulting the teenage accuser. pic.twitter.com/8QVN1U07J0 2 (@Queenarchive2) March 31, 2025 The forensic analysis allegedly contradicted the testimony of the victim, and the accused was acquitted. There was another case of a suspect who stood charged with molesting a sleeping complainant and, in a forensic report, posed the question of how the complainant could have remembered how she had been violated. Past cases also reflect the company's work with children in abuse cases, sexual violence against the mentally disabled, and allegations of assault with coercive circumstances. Critics have charged that the methods it employs too often undermines the testimony of the victim, and ethical questions have been raised about its involvement in criminal trials. The revelation has fueled a public outcry, with many asking how Kim Soo Hyun can work with the firm. This has led many social media users to express disgust, accusing the actor of associating with an institution that has been representative of alleged sexual predators. There was no immediate response from Kim to the controversy over his forensic firm's selection. Wednesday, April 2, 2025 - Police officers from Kamagambo Police Station have nabbed a trafficker and confiscated 401 rolls of bhang. The arrest follows a tip-off from vigilant members of the public, who alerted authorities about a suspicious public service vehicle, KDM 981Z, heading to Kisumu from Migori, loaded with the illicit cargo. Officers set up an ambush and intercepted the vehicle. A thorough search of the vehicle revealed two bags containing a total of 401 sizable rolls of bhang, weighing 34.4 kilograms, with an estimated street value of Sh1,032,000. At the time of his arrest, the driver, identified as Calvin Okoth Otieno, was carrying only students, perhaps banking on the assumption that such company would shield him from suspicion. However, his clever ruse was no match for the watchful eyes of members of the public. Okoth is currently in custody at Kamagambo Police Station, undergoing processing pending his court appearance. The Kenyan DAILY POST Wednesday, April 2, 2025 - The Body by Design Clinic in Nairobi is at the center of a legal storm as four of its staff members prepare to face manslaughter charges over the tragic death of Lucy Wambui Kananu. Lucy, the wife of Valley Road Motors CEO, passed away last year following complications from a botched plastic surgery procedure. The accused - surgeon Robert Maweu Mutula, George Wakaria Njoroge, and clinic proprietor Lilian Edna Wanjiru - were scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday but missed the session. The suspects were initially scheduled to take their plea today but missed the court appearance, prompting the court to reschedule the hearing for tomorrow, stated the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP). Lucy died on October 6th, 2024, at Omnicare Medical Limited - better known as Body by Design - on Kabarsiran Avenue. Marketed as a health clinic, Government investigations later revealed it was, in fact, a beauty spa. Following Lucys death, authorities shut it down for multiple violations, including operating without a license and failing to meet medical safety standards. An autopsy confirmed that Lucy succumbed to complications from cosmetic procedures performed at the facility.Bottom of Form The Kenyan DAILY POST Wednesday, April 2, 2025 - Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachaguas ally, Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga, has defended his presence during President William Rutos visit to Kieni, part of his weeklong Mt. Kenya tour. This follows viral photos showing him warmly receiving Rutos entourage and engaging in seemingly friendly conversations. Kahigas attendance surprised many, given his vocal criticism of the Government and strong alliance with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who has been leading opposition efforts against Ruto. However, addressing the speculation, Kahiga urged the public not to read too much into the situation. Taking to Facebook on Wednesday, he clarified, "I have noted frenzied interest in my attendance of the Presidents functions in Kieni. Do not read too much into this photo and others shared all over. The Presidency must be respected." Doubling down on his stance, he defiantly confirmed his plans to host Ruto again. "The Governor of Nyeri received The President of The Republic of Kenya in Nyeri, Kieni Constituency. The Governor of Nyeri will still receive The President of The Republic of Kenya on Saturday in both Nyeri Town and Othaya Constituencies. Ni lazima kutofautishana mambo!" Rutos extensive Mt. Kenya tour includes visits to Laikipia, Nyeri, Nyandarua, Kirinyaga, Muranga, Embu, Tharaka Nithi, and Kiambu counties, as he seeks to woo the vote-rich bloc that appears to be slipping from his grasp following Gachaguas impeachment. The Kenyan DAILY POST Wednesday, April 2, 2025 - Former Public Service Cabinet Secretary, Justin Muturi, has hit back at President Ruto and dismissed claims that he was sacked due to poor performance or failing to attend Cabinet meetings. Speaking at a press briefing, Muturi insists that his sacking was politically motivated, linked to his outspoken criticism of extrajudicial killings and abductions under President William Rutos administration. Since my reasons for missing Cabinet meetings are clear, one can conclude that raising concerns about abductions and extrajudicial killings is a highly sensitive issue for the President, he remarked. Muturi disclosed that he deliberately skipped the last Cabinet meeting on March 11th at State House after realizing that extrajudicial killings were not on the agenda. He also claimed that he had written to President Ruto three times about the matter, with his last letter sent on March 10th. However, he never received a response. To date, the President has never confirmed receipt or responded to any of my letters regarding abductions and extrajudicial killings, he said. This clearly indicates that the matter is not a priority for the President or the Cabinet. The former CS expressed his shock at Rutos televised claim that the issue had already been resolved by the Cabinet. I have regularly received Cabinet dispatches, and I can confirm that this matter has never been discussed, he stated. Like many Kenyans, I was shocked to hear the President say otherwise on live TV. Ruto, during a recent roundtable interview with vernacular media, claimed that Muturi had initially been appointed as Attorney General but struggled in the role due to a lack of recent legal practice. Muturi himself admitted that he was overwhelmed by the role of Attorney General, Ruto explained.So, I reassigned him to another ministry because of our long-standing friendship. However, Ruto argued that Muturis continued absence from Cabinet meetings was an act of defiance, leaving him with no choice but fire him. I persuaded him to stay on. I reassigned him, but he refused to attend Cabinet meetings. Did I fire him, or did he fire himself? Ruto posed. The Kenyan DAILY POST Wednesday, April 2, 2025 - A Kenyan woman, identified as Hellen, has publicly appealed to Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma to intervene in her ongoing paternity dispute with flamboyant Nigerian socialite and businessman Okechukwu Pascal, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest. Hellen claims to have a child with Chief Priest but accuses him of abandonment - an allegation the businessman has repeatedly denied. Speaking in a recent interview, Chief Priest maintained that the child is not his and that he does not know who the Kenyan woman is. It can't be my child. I don't know her. I have never met her. Children are gifts from God regardless of how they come, and I have more than enough to take care of my children as many as possible that will come my way. I have a beautiful marriage. This is the best thing that has ever happened to me and if you watch the whole attack, it is on the marriage. he said In an emotional video shared on Instagram, she pleaded with the Governor to persuade the socialite to take a DNA test and provide support for the child. "@he_hopeuzodimma of Imo State, I need your help. Talk to Pascal Okechukwu aka Cubana Chief Priest to please help his son in Kenya and for the DNA to be done The baby is struggling, no food or anything to feed him," she wrote. Notably, in January 2022, Cubana Chief Priest was appointed Special Adviser to the Governor on Social Media Influence and Social Events Management. Watch the video below. Wednesday, April 2, 2025 - Kieni Member of Parliament, Njoroge Wainaina Chieni, a staunch ally of President William Ruto, found himself on the receiving end of angry chants from residents on Wednesday. This comes just a day after dishing out cash to facilitate the assembly of an organized crowd in anticipation of the Presidents visit on Tuesday, where he made a stopover in the constituency during his ongoing Mt Kenya tour. However, videos circulating online now show how the legislator was struggling to address the same locals as their loud heckling completely drowned out his attempts to speak. Watch the video. Ruto allied Kieni MP heckled badly in his own constituency a day after President Ruto's visit. Jana ilikuwa mboka, ground ni ileile. Back to Factory settings pic.twitter.com/gkXJKpYywb jim Njue (@jimNjue_) April 2, 2025 The Kenyan DAILY POST Wednesday, April 2, 2025 - Residents of Huruma Estate in Nairobi were treated to dramatic scenes on Tuesday night after rival gangs engaged in a fierce fight, leading to the destruction of property. According to eyewitnesses, the fight started in a club where the gangs were indulging in liquor. In the video, the gang members, made up of young men in their early 20s, are seen confronting each other with stones as the residents scamper to safety. Some cars that had been parked by the roadside were destroyed during the violent altercation. Police from the nearby Huruma Police Station were deployed to quell the situation. Huruma is among the informal settlements in Nairobi where insecurity is high. Marauding gangs unleash terror on innocent residents, leaving some of the victims dead and others nursing life-threatening injuries. Watch video of the gang fight. Night drama as rival gangs fight in Huruma Estate, Nairobi, and destroy property - It was like a movie 2 pic.twitter.com/DzOG2nruc1 DAILY POST (@dailypost_ke) April 2, 2025 Night drama as rival gangs fight in Huruma Estate, Nairobi, and destroy property - It was like a movie pic.twitter.com/GSvc2xKfXo DAILY POST (@dailypost_ke) April 2, 2025 The Kenyan DAILY POST Wednesday, April 2, 2025 - Nandi County Senator Samson Cherargei reportedly threw a bash to celebrate after The Standard newspaper published a headline a week ago, hitting out at Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen for being incompetent. The local daily labelled Murkomen as a Below Average CS over the rise in insecurity. Cherargei, who doesnt see eye to eye with Murkomen, hosted a bash at a city liquor joint where he celebrated the hard-hitting headline and bought his close allies alcohol, saying he has been vindicated. Those in attendance say he bought several copies of the newspaper and hired youths to distribute them in Murkomens home County. The vocal Senator was heard saying that the headline vindicated his assertions that Murkomen is incompetent and should be fired from the Cabinet. The Kenyan DAILY POST Wednesday, April 2, 2025 - The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) Nairobi Branch has issued a statement mourning the sudden passing of Peter Kagwi, a young and promising lawyer. Kagwi, of Kagwi Githuku and Company Advocates, was found dead in his Nairobi office on Tuesday evening. In an official statement, LSK Nairobi Branch Chair Eric Kivuva expressed deep sorrow over his death, describing him as a dedicated professional with a strong passion for mediation and dispute resolution. "We are profoundly saddened to learn of the passing of Peter Kagwi. He was a committed professional, particularly known for his advocacy of mediation as an alternative method of resolving disputes," the statement read. Kivuva also highlighted Kagwis enthusiasm for political leadership, business, and personal growth, both intellectually and spiritually. "He was an extraordinary individual who consistently exuded joy in his interactions. We extend our sincere condolences to his family, colleagues, and all who had the honor of working alongside him," he added.Bottom of Form While LSK did not disclose the cause of his death, they assured the public that investigations were underway to determine the circumstances surrounding his death. The Kenyan DAILY POST Wednesday, April 2, 2025 - A violent altercation between gangs in Huruma Estate, Nairobi, left the residents scampering to safety before armed cops were deployed to restore order. The fight erupted on Tuesday night after rival gangs had an altercation at a drinking den within the estate. Police officers from the nearby Huruma Police Station were almost overpowered by the gangs, forcing them to fire live bullets. In the video, one of the cops is seen being whipped with a rungu by a gang member as the scuffle ensues. The plain-clothe police officer almost lost his pistol. Watch the video. The moment armed cops deployed to quell a fight between gangs in Huruma Estate, Nairobi were almost overpowered and beaten up pic.twitter.com/2a3jb85sRK DAILY POST (@dailypost_ke) April 2, 2025 The Kenyan DAILY POST Wednesday, April 2, 2025 - Kenyans never miss a moment to turn political drama into comedy gold! A creative Kenyan animator has cracked up netizens with a satirical cartoon capturing an imaginary yet all-too-realistic conversation between National Assembly Speaker, Moses Wetangula, and Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa. In the viral animation, Barasa is heard venting her frustrations to Wetangula after President William Ruto unceremoniously moved her from the prestigious Health Ministry to the less glamorous Environment docket. The reshuffle saw former Environment CS Aden Duale land the coveted Health post - a ministry rumored to be Wetangulas turf, thanks to a power-sharing deal with Ruto pre-2022 elections. Previously, the position was held by Nancy Nakhumicha, another Wetangula ally. But beyond the politics, the internet is abuzz with whispers about Wetangula and Barasas alleged romantic ties. The animation plays on these rumors, hilariously portraying Wetangula - endearingly called Papa - serenading Barasa with a comical melody in a bid to console her. Whether fact or pure fiction, one thing is certain - Kenyans are here for the humor. Watch the video below. The Kenyan DAILY POST Wednesday, April 2, 2025 - 5 students from Mbita Boys High School were knocked down by a speeding personal car in Mbita Town on Wednesday morning, resulting in the death of 2 students. Reports indicate that the students were walking from school when the tragedy occurred. The injured students were rushed to Homabay County Level 5 Hospital in critical condition while the bodies of the deceased students were taken to the morgue. The driver of the ill-fated car was drunk and driving recklessly, causing the fatal accident. See photos of the accident scene. Nurney Tidy Towns is receiving a boost with a new grant to support a local Biodiversity Action Plan to protect and promote plants, wildlife and habitats. The grant from Community Foundation Ireland in partnership with the National Parks and Wildlife Service will ensure that the steps to protect local biodiversity will be guided by the expert knowledge of ecologists. Orla Jennings, Secretary of Nurney Tidy Towns has welcomed the support. It is fantastic to have received this funding. Nurney Tidy Towns have engaged an Ecologist to develop a Biodiversity Action Plan for Nurney Village, she said. This will provide the community with a palette of actions of various sizes that we can work towards. We look forward to working with other community groups to improve biodiversity within our village Nationally more than 94 projects are receiving support with more than 250 communities implementing local action plans since the partnership between the Community Foundation and the Parks and Wildlife Service started in 2019. The support being provided comes from philanthropists and donors to the Foundation matched with public funding. Under the partnership the connectivity of the Foundation to local communities built up over 25-years as a philanthropic hub is matched with the expertise and knowledge of the National Parks and Wildlife Service. More than 591,000 is being provided under the current round to 94 projects. Denise Charlton, chief executive of Community Foundation Ireland said: We are particularly proud that local efforts to protect habitats, plants and wildlife are increasingly growing into a national movement. The fact that this current grant round is impacting in every county shows the groundswell of support for biodiversity action. The partnership of the Foundation, its philanthropists and community partners together with the National Parks and Wildlife Service is effective and works. CEO of the Kilkenny Chamber of Commerce, John Hurley, has admitted it's a 'very worrying time' for Kilkenny businesses as the country prepares to hear US President, Donald Trump's latest round of tariffs. EU goods are expected to face a tariff of about 20% when entering the United States. In 2024, Irish goods exports to the US were worth 73bn, almost a third of the country's total exports. "We very concerned about it. The Irish economy is an open economy, we need to have as much freedom to trade as possible and Kilkenny is part of that," Mr Hurley said. READ MORE: Kilkenny business issues a 'heartfelt thank you' as they reveal big news! "We have a number of significant businesses in terms of size and employment in Kilkenny, all involved in some sort of international trade of one sort or another. "A significant change in tariffs being mooted by Trump would have potential significant negative impacts on those countries abilities to trade in the way they've done and ultimately on the economy in Ireland and in Kilkenny," he added. Abbott officially opened its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Kilkenny last November, with the site a global manufacturing centre of excellence for Abbotts diabetes care business, employing more than 800 people. However, under President Trump's likely new tariffs, the future of such a business locally is brought into question. "They are clouds on the horizon in that respect but however, being realistic about it too, it's unlikely to result in a sudden mass exit, that's just simply not going to happen," the Chamber CEO vowed. "That doesn't mean it's not bad news, it is bad news and it is a cause for concern as it will have both short and long term implications," Mr Hurley continued. "We're not getting ahead of ourselves, we are very much focusing on the day to day things that need to be done and continuing on with business as usual as best we can, however, with an acute eye on the horizon to see what is coming. "Yes, it is true Ireland is a big country financially and economically for its size but it still is a small and open economy, very much at the mercy of others which we have no say over but very much have influence and our business representatives have been pro-actively engaging to do what we can to get the across that this isn't a good idea, not even for America really," he continued. "We have a number of businesses in Kilkenny that are based on export and America would be a significant proportion of, so it's a very worrying time for them and for us all." READ NEXT: Kilkenny Castle slips from top spot in list of national visitor attractions However, despite an apparent tricky road ahead, Mr Hurley has described the first three months of the economic year locally as 'positive'. "By and large it has been a positive start to the year. We were impacted by weather events which slowed down our ability to get things done when you're all locked down snow and storms and impacted by the damage that they do, that did slow down things but the indications are good. "Businesses are still dealing with the high cost of doing business and there's new additions constantly to that and there's more on the horizon," he continued. "It's challenging times but Kilkenny still has a lot going for it, it's still a very popular destination both for visitors and for people doing business and we'll continue to do what we can (the Chamber) which is an important role for us, supporting and representing business," he concluded. FOR MORE KILKENNY BUSINESS NEWS, CLICK HERE Former EU Commissioner Phil Hogan officially opened Lely Center Kilkenny on Friday in Castlecomer, marking a significant milestone in bringing advanced automation solutions to farmers in the South-East of Ireland. The new business centre, located behind Tirlan in Castlecomer Business Park, covers Kilkenny, Carlow, Waterford, Wexford, Wicklow, and South Tipperary. The event saw a strong turnout of invited customers, finance companies, agri-media, and agricultural companies from across the region. Mr Hogan praised the companys investment in the region and highlighted its commitment to aftersales support, which he described as critical to the long-term success of farmers adopting automation. Cutting the ribbon, he further emphasised the positive impact these technologies could have on animal health and farm sustainability. Michael OGrady, General Manager of Lely Kilkenny; Niall McGauran, founder; Phil Hogan, Former EU Commissioner; and Alan Heaney, founder, in the new Lely Kilkenny boardroom Labour is a major constraint, and making farming more attractive for the next generation has never been more important, said Mr Hogan. Founded in 2012 by Alan Heaney and Niall McGauran, the business now employs 55 people and supports nearly 700 Lely Astronaut robotic milking systems, along with a full range of automated feeding and manure solutions. "Our services include farmyard design, farm management advice, project coordination, machine installation, and ongoing customer support, Mr Heaney said. Michael OGrady, General Manager for Lely Kilkenny, said the goal has always been to help farmers work smarter, not harder. Were dedicated to providing the best in farm automation and comprehensive support to ensure the long-term success of our customers, he said. Weve invested heavily in our staff by adding additional service technicians, farm management support, and project coordinators to improve our overall offering. Phil Hogan addresses attendees Niall McGauran emphasised: We are committed to the region and supporting our customers in their adoption to Lely automation. As labour shortages on farms continue to challenge, automation is increasingly seen as essential, with Mr OGrady expecting it to double in the coming years. Lelys robotic milking systems allow cows to follow their natural routines, eating when they want and getting milked on their terms. This can improve animal welfare and also boosts productivity. Automated feeding (Lely Vector) and cleaning systems (Lely Discovery and Lely Collector) further reduce workloads, increase efficiency, and offer farmers more flexibility to spend time with family or pursue other interests. Chris Murphy from Lely Atlantic added: Adoption of automation across Ireland and the UK is steadily growing. Lely continues to innovate with groundbreaking technologies such as the Lely Zeta animal behaviour monitoring system and the Lely Exos Robotic Zero Grazer. The Lely team expressed their gratitude to the farming community for their continued support and looks forward to assisting even more farmers from their new Castlecomer base. Farm automation is expected to double in the coming years, said Mr OGrady. READ NEXT: Tirlan get behind Kilkenny as Cats prepare for 2025 championship There were 44 adults accessing emergency accommodation in Kilkenny during the week of February 17-23 (2025), according to the latest homelessness report from the Department of Housing. Although this figure was down ever-so-minimally compared to January's figure for Kilkenny of 45, homeless numbers on a national level continue to climb. The latest report reveals that national homelessness figures hit 15,378 in February 2025 (including 2,183 families, 4,653 children). READ NEXT: Man allegedly assaulted on High Street in Kilkenny after heated argument The Salvation Army, who provide approximately 250,000 bed nights per year in its six individual and family homeless centres across Dublin, have expressed their concern over the national crisis, which currently shows no sign of abating. "While this impasse is continuing, these children are spending their days and nights in emergency accommodation," said Erene Williamson, The Salvation Armys Homeless Services Ireland Lead. "Our residents, including those at Irelands largest family hub, Houben House, a facility which is full to capacity, have been observing this with a growing sense of disbelief and frustration. "They are being told that homelessness is the countrys number one priority, yet our service users feel nothing is being done to help them take that vital next step towards independent living." Also concerned are Depaul, a leading charity that provides low threshold, specialist services for those experiencing homelessness. "When we reflect on these latest numbers we are once again reminded that behind these numbers are men, women and children living with the uncertainty that comes from experiencing homelessness," explained David Carroll, Chief Executive of Depaul. "Furthermore, we believe the picture is further complicated when we consider what they are enduring and suffering in terms of the toll this is taking on their mental health and that of the children affected. "When we look at the findings of research we recently unveiled (Breaking the cycle: Addressing mental health and homelessness through integrated care) - that saw one in two of Depauls homeless services users reporting issues of depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation - it is highly likely that thousands of those being reported as homeless today are also suffering the effects of poor mental health. "Homelessness and mental health difficulties are deeply intertwined, and without immediate policy reforms, the mental health crisis among people experiencing homelessness will escalate. "It is for this reason that we continue to advocate for the Government to deliver on critical investment in wraparound support services including for those with mental health and addiction issues and improved direct specialised support to those in temporary accommodation. "Housing is the most basic and fundamental need yet a large number of people in this country do not have a secure, affordable, decent place to call home." READ ALSO: Kilkenny councillor slams the removal of local bus service The Good Shepherd Centre, who provide services to women, men and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness in Kilkenny and surrounding areas, has taken to the streets in recent months to highlight the deepening housing crisis, warning that quick-fix solutions like log cabins are not the answer. "We are marching because homelessness is at a record high, and the crisis is only getting worse," said Noel Sherry, CEO of the Good Shepherd Centre. "People need real homes, not makeshift structures. A bed in a shed is not a home, and we cannot allow this to become the norm. We are here to show solidarity with those affected and to demand urgent action." The Good Shepherd Centre, along with its sister agency Tar Isteach Housing, operates across Kilkenny, Carlow, Laois, Tipperary, Wexford, Offaly, Westmeath, and Longford. The organisation warns that delays in decision-making and funding allocations are stalling essential social housing projects, leaving thousands in limbo. "People deserve secure, sustainable housing not temporary solutions that dont address the root of the problem. We are marching to remind those in power that action is needed now," said Noel Sherry. "Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), which play a vital role in providing social and affordable housing, are unable to progress new developments due to ongoing funding delays. "This situation is also damaging relationships between developers and AHBs, as financial commitments are not being honoured in a timely manner." The Good Shepherd Centre is calling on Minister for Housing James Browne to take swift and decisive action to end the deadlock. The organisation stresses the need for a multi-annual funding model to ensure housing projects can proceed without political roadblocks and bureaucratic delays. NOTE: Despite being a worthwhile indicator of homelessness levels, the Department of Housings monthly homelessness reports do not reflect the full extent of local and national homelessness. This is because government homeless statistics relate only to people provided with emergency accommodation by local authorities. They do not include people frequently described as the hidden homeless that may be sleeping rough, living in refuges, or staying with parents, relatives and friends in overcrowded conditions. FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS, CLICK HERE Parents of children who cannot access school places appropriate for their additional needs are staging a 24-hour protest outside Leinster House. The overnight sleep-out demonstration coincides with World Autism Day and comes just over a month after a similar action outside the Department of Education. Protesters chanted and held up placards as a series of speakers told their personal stories to the large crowd, often involving increasing stress and repeated rejection notifications. Participants said they would fight for every child that needs a school place. Those taking part called for urgent Government intervention to provide school places for all children currently without them. Parents expressed concern over how a lack of an appropriate school place will affect their child during a crucial stage of their development. They also raised concerns about long waiting lists for assessments of need, and the level of supports for carers. One Dublin mother said she has been met with rejection after rejection while trying to get a school place for her child, who has a diagnosis of autism and global developmental delay. Jasmine Grahams six-year-old son Lewis Rock has been out of education for two years due to schools being oversubscribed. She said Lewis requires an ASD class, a speech therapist, and a special needs assistant. Ms Graham said: Two years ago, Lewis was asked to leave his pre-school because they didnt have the resources for him. Two years later, he hasnt had any action to education not one bit. She added: He is so, so intelligent and he is not getting the support he needs to thrive. When Lewis lost his school place, Ms Graham had to leave her job to look after him. She said the search for a school place for Lewis is stressful on the whole family. She added: We also have a new baby at home and we cant give her the time that she needs as were constantly catering to Lewis needs as well. That has a detrimental effect on our family. Ms Graham said a lack of an inappropriate school place was in conflict with his right to an education. She said: Where are the classrooms, where are the resources? The delay in placing children is not just an inconvenience its harmful to their mental health, its harmful to their future prospects, and harmful to the families who are being forced to navigate a system that seems to care more about cutting costs than children who are our future. She added: People here are looking around panicking. In an island this well established, as rich as we are, yet we are standing here at the gates of the Dail protesting for our children in 2025. This Government should be ashamed. So I called today to the head honchos inside to step up, and please do what is right by our children. Were not going to stop until every child gets what they deserve. Rachel Kane, who is part of the North Inner City Side By Side community voluntary group, said she knows a lot of parents who have yet to find a place. She added: Were fighting to get school places for those children. Ms Kane said she considered herself lucky that her 11-year-old daughter had found an appropriate school place this year. However, she said she was now having to search for an appropriate secondary-school place. Natalie Daly, from Coolock, said she has received 15 rejection letters while searching for a place for her four-year-old son Levi-Jai. Hes diagnosed with autism, hes non-verbal and hes on his 15th refusal for a special needs class or ASD unit, she added. She said she did not realise how severe the problem of a lack of school places was until she attended the last sleep-out protest. Ms Daly described the experience of trying to secure the appropriate supports for her son as a constant fight. She said: Its very hard on your mental health, its very tiring. Every day is a fight for something. Hes coming up to five and he hasnt even had a speech and language session, do you know what I mean? Its a constant fight for everything. You spend most of your day ringing people, sending emails, trying to fight for even the therapies never mind even the school places. Like other parents in the same situation, she is worried about the impact on Levi-Jais development. She added: They say early intervention is key. Sure, hes not even getting early intervention. On top of your normal worries, I worry about if something was to happen to me who is going to take him on, hes non-verbal. The Department of Education said Minister Helen McEntee and Minister of State Michael Moynihan were aware of the demonstration, adding it was due to understandable concern of parents. It said the ministers have reaffirmed their commitment to provide adequate school places for those with special educational needs. Senator Patricia Stephenson has warned that the people of rural Kilkenny are facing a serious transport crisis as a result of JJ Kavanagh & Sons' plans to change its 717 from Clonmel to Dublin airport service. The private bus operator announced yesterday it is making route adjustments and cutting out stops, notably in Castlecomer and Crettyard, which is going to impact commuters, students, and travellers. With no public transport alternative in place, Senator Stephenson says this move will leave many residents without a reliable way to access work, education, and Dublin Airport. She has condemned the reduction in services, calling on the National Transport Authority (NTA) and the Government to intervene. This is a devastating blow to rural Kilkenny. Public transport should be a right, not a privilege. Without these services, workers, students, and families will be left stranded, further deepening the rural-urban divide, said Senator Stephenson. "JJ Kavanaghs routes have long been a lifeline for those commuting to Dublin, Waterford, and other key destinations. The absence of a public option means those without access to private cars will have no alternative." Senator Stephenson said the Government needs to step in and either restore these services, or introduce a public alternative. READ NEXT: TY students from two Kilkenny schools bring Blood Brothers to life at Watergate Theatre Representatives from Irish-speaking schools in Kilkenny and Carlow were among the students and teachers from across Irelands Education and Training Boards who gathered for the first time to celebrate and commit to inclusive Irish medium education. The youngsters from Colaiste Pobail Osrai and Colaiste Cheatharlach attended Muintearas25 - a landmark gathering of next generation Irish-medium education leaders. The event featured keynote speeches by Ola Majekodunmi of Fighting Words and Foghlaim TG4s Conall O Mairtin, alongside roundtable discussions and showcases by students highlighting the inclusive practices in their schools. ETB schools are the largest provider of Irish-medium education in the ETB sector, with 47 scoileanna Gaeltachta, Gaelcholaisti, and Aonaid lan-Ghaeilge. Paddy Lavelle, General Secretary of ETBI, speaking ahead of the event, said ETBs inclusive ethos ensures all students, regardless of background, feel valued and supported in their learning journey: Inclusion is at the heart of everything we do in ETB schools. This event not only highlights the incredible work happening across our schools but also provides a platform for students and teachers to learn from one another, strengthening our collective commitment to diversity and equality in education. As part of the days proceedings, three schools were honoured for their exceptional commitment to inclusion. Gaelcholaiste na Mara, Kildare and Wicklow ETB, received the top award of 1,000, while Colaiste Oiriall, Cavan and Monaghan ETB, and Colaiste Cois Life, Dublin and Dun Laoghaire ETB, were each presented with runner-up prizes of 500. This recognition was made possible through the generous sponsorship of COGG. Jacqueline Ni Fhearghusa, CEO of COGG, highlighted the importance of supporting inclusive education in Irish-medium settings: COGG extends its congratulations to the Education and Training Board of Ireland for organising this event, which highlights exemplary practice in the L1 sector, particularly in the vital area of inclusion. Throughout the day, students and teachers engaged in meaningful discussions, gaining insights from experts and their peers. Gean Gilger, Coordinator of Muintearas25, expressed enthusiasm for the learning opportunities the event will provide: This is more than a showcaseits a chance for schools to exchange ideas, be inspired by best practices, and take new approaches back to their own communities. Its about recognising that inclusion is not a box to be ticked but a core value that enriches every aspect of education. READ NEXT: Phil Hogan cuts ribbon as new 'advanced automation' farm business opens in Kilkenny A brave woman living in Kilkenny for the past 50 years is fighting for more to be done in all areas of the political to raise greater awareness and treatments for Lyme disease. Ann Maher has battled the horrific toll the cruel disease can have, battling severe side-effects over the past 29 years. Despite the immeasurable personal challenges she has faced since her health first began to decline in 1995, the Kilkenny resident has proven to be a continuing vocal champion for those inflicted with the condition. The little-known disease is a bacterial infection that can be spread to humans by infected ticks and is usually easier to treat if its diagnosed early. Many people with Lyme disease can be treated by antibiotics by their GP but some may experience long-lasting, life debilitating effects. READ NEXT: Kilkenny groups to benefit from significant grant funding which has been announced Most people with early symptoms of the disease develop a circular red skin rash around a tick bite, but that isnt universally the case and treatment can prove complex due to many unknowns in the medical profession. Born in Cullohill, County Laois in 1953, Ann moved to Kilkenny 21 years later to become a child care assistant in St Patricks Special School. After a number of months, she fell in love with the county and made the Marble City home, a place where she subsequently met her late husband Mick and laid down family roots. Unfortunately, life took a downward spiral in 1995, when Ann began to feel severely unwell. She jumped from one consultant to another, trying to find out what was causing her 'strange symptoms' but to no avail. Years of torrid side-effects followed, impacting Anns life immensely, with memory loss, stroke-like symptoms and extreme fatigue just some of the daily challenges that she had to overcome, with fear a constant as her husband working during the day left her in many cases, home alone and in fear of a medical emergency, a nightmare which was, unfortunately, credible with a number of hospital visits and bewildered doctors to follow. However, 2003 proved to be a year that offered a glimmer of hope and the beginning of a new chapter. After going to great lengths to research the disease, Ann became aware of a Lyme Literate in Switzerland and after weeks of communication via email and phone calls, the local woman was on the plane to Basel and a hospital in the city where she received the diagnosis she had suspected all along, Chronic Lyme disease. It was a diagnosis that brought some relief to the Maher family after years of turmoil. Now in 2025, Ann still stares Lyme disease square in the face personally and on behalf of other people. The Lyme disease advocate has devoted much of her life to shining a light on the day to day hurdles those with the disease face, both from the illness and the still relatively unfamiliar world that we live in. Currently, Ann works in co-ordination with her colleagues in Lymechat-Eire and Chronic Lyme Warriors England and Ireland. READ NEXT: Kilkenny gardai set up significant new undercover unit The latter wrote to the Royal family ahead of Lyme Disease Awareness Month, receiving replies from Prince Williams Office and King Charles offices last week. Closer to home, Ann has written to all county councillors asking for awareness signs to be erected, which might prevent someone else from a lifetime of Needless Chronic Lyme disease, Ann said. "Unfortunately, people dont take it seriously, I wrote my story last year and friends who knew I was unwell only really understood how unwell I was after they read it." "The reason I do this is we have two young patients up in Donegal in and out of hospital and they (the doctors) dont want to hear about Lyme disease and thats replicated around the country," she said. "Its not about me anymore, its about young kids to notify schools to let parents know that there is a risk and to check their kids after theyve been outside." FOR MORE KILKENNY COMMUNITY NEWS, CLICK HERE Xi, Indian president exchange congratulations on 75th anniversary of ties Xinhua) 08:01, April 02, 2025 BEIJING, April 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday exchanged congratulatory messages on the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. China and India, Xi said, both ancient civilizations, major developing countries and important members of the "Global South," are both at a critical stage of their respective modernization efforts. The development of China-India relations demonstrates that it is the right choice for China and India to be partners of mutual achievement and realize the "Dragon-Elephant Tango," which fully serves the fundamental interests of both countries and their peoples, Xi said. He called on both sides to view and handle bilateral relations from a strategic height and long-term perspective, seek a way, which features peaceful coexistence, mutual trust, mutual benefit and common development, for neighboring major countries to get along with each other, and jointly promote a multi-polar world and greater democracy in international relations. Xi also said he stands ready to work with Murmu to take the anniversary of ties as an opportunity to enhance strategic mutual trust, strengthen exchanges and cooperation in various fields, deepen communication and coordination in major international affairs, jointly safeguard peace and tranquility in the China-India border area, push forward a sound and steady development of bilateral relations and contribute to world peace and prosperity. For her part, Murmu said India and China are two major neighboring countries that are home to one-third of the world's population, noting that a stable, predictable and friendly bilateral relationship will benefit both countries and the world. She proposed to take the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties as an opportunity to jointly promote the sound and steady development of India-China relations. On the same day, Chinese Premier Li Qiang exchanged congratulatory messages with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. China is ready to work with India to take the opportunity of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties to continuously enhance strategic mutual trust, promote exchanges and cooperation in various fields, properly handle the boundary question, push forward the sound and stable development of bilateral relations, to bring more benefits to the two peoples, Li said. For his part, Modi said that India and China, as two ancient civilizations, have played an important role in shaping the course of human history, and now shoulder the heavy responsibility of promoting peace and development. The development of India-China relations is not only conducive to the prosperity and stability of the world, but also conducive to the realization of a multi-polar world, Modi noted, adding that the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between India and China will usher the bilateral relations into a stage of sound and stable development. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Shenandoah, IA (51601) Today Partly cloudy this evening. Scattered thunderstorms developing after midnight. Low 73F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening. Scattered thunderstorms developing after midnight. Low 73F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. JEFFERSON CITY Hundreds of volunteers gathered at the Capitol on Tuesday to lobby against gun violence. Members of Missouri chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action met for their annual Advocacy Day. "There's some really dangerous, extremist measures that are moving quickly in the legislature that would further weaken our gun laws," said Kristin Bowen, a volunteer leader with Moms Demand Action. "Gun violence is the No. 1 killer of kids and teenagers in this country," she added. House Bill 1175 is a big focus for the volunteers. This bill reestablishes the Second Amendment Preservation Act. The Missouri House passed the bill last week. The Second Amendment Preservation Act, initially passed in 2021, prohibited police for enforcing some federal gun laws. A federal appeals court in St. Louis ruled the law unconstitutional in August 2024. Volunteers talked to lawmakers Tuesday hoping to fight legislation like House Bill 1175. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. "It's really important that they hear from us and that they know who we are," Bowen said. Leslie Washington is another volunteer who traveled to the Capitol from Cape Girardeau. "It is important for me to use my voice as a domestic violence survivor for those that have also been impacted by this deadly common sense thing," Washington said. Washington shared her story with lawmakers, but she said everyone should be concerned. "Everybody should care," Washington said. "It should not just be us in the red shirts doing our job, it should be everybody doing what they are supposed to do." Other bills the volunteers are opposing include Senate Bill 77, Senate Bill 142, Senate Bill 363 and House Bill 495. PILOT GROVE No casualties to people or livestock have been reported after a possible tornado struck Cooper County before 9 a.m. Wednesday, officials told KOMU 8 News. The National Weather Service confirmed Wednesday afternoon the tornado was an EF-2. The tornado tracked 6.3 miles and was 200 yards at its widest point. Estimated peak winds were 150 mph. The tornado started at 8:34 a.m. and lasted until 8:40 p.m. Missouri 135 is closed from Pilot Grove to Interstate 70 due to storm damage. The Missouri State Highway Patrol says the road will remain closed until further notice. Officials told KOMU 8 News that at least 10 buildings were damaged in the storm. Electric crews are working to repair widespread power outages. There were 319 Co-Mo Electric Cooperative customers in Cooper County without power as of 9 p.m., and 269 Ameren customers without power as of 1 p.m., according to PowerOutage.us. Over 800 Co-Mo Electric Cooperative customers were without power at 9 a.m. Wednesday. Katy Manor nursing home was one of the structures hit by the tornado, according to a Facebook post. The nursing home said all residents were taken to safe places during the tornado warning and are OK. A storage shed in the back took the biggest hit, the nursing home said, and there was minor roof damage on the facility itself. "I mean you couldn't hardly see anything outside," said Katy Manor administrator Kendra Twenter. "Wind was blowing the rain sideways and we could hear some of the impact from the roof being pulled up." Most of the shed's roof is gone and in pieces, leaving equipment like wheelchairs, walkers and shower chairs inside damaged. Pilot Grove Schools informed families on Facebook that students were safe and sound in their safe locations during the storms and returned to learning around 10 a.m. The school district educates high, middle, elementary and preschoolers on a single campus. The district said older students were reading to its younger students while in its shelter location. Gov. Mike Kehoe activates national guard to assist with storm response A tornado touched down in Pilot Grove on Wednesday, alongside hail, heavy rains and flash flooding across the state. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. Gov. Mike Kehoe activated the Missouri National Guard Wednesday to assist with response efforts for ongoing and forecast severe storms in the state. "This executive order allows us to mobilize the necessary resources and personnel to support our communities, protect lives and property, and ensure a swift response to any emergencies that arise," Kehoe said. Missouri Task Force 1's drone team is in Pilot Grove to map Wednesday's damage. MO-TF1's Disaster Situation Awareness and Reconnaissance team will use the drones to survey damage and provide information to local incident management teams, the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency and State Emergency Operations Center. Pilot Grove outdoor warning sirens did not sound Pilot Grove Mayor Dennis Knipp confirmed outdoor warning sirens did not sound in Pilot Grove, despite being triggered by the Cooper County Emergency Management Agency. The Cooper County Emergency Management Agency is investigating and does not currently know why the sirens did not sound when activated, Knipp told KOMU 8. Multiple Pilot Grove residents told KOMU 8 they did not hear the warning sirens and were alerted to the tornado warning by a text message. The mayor said the warning sirens were tested Tuesday and operated properly. The emergency management agency away is weeks away from implementing a fully digital warning system, the mayor said. Outdoor warning sirens are not meant to be heard indoors and should never be the primary method of receiving severe weather alerts. KOMU 8 Chief Meteorologist Matt Beckwith recommends people have at least two independent ways to receive weather alerts, not including outdoor warning sirens. Weather warnings can be delivered through the following channels: Storm Mode Coverage on KOMU 8 Streaming on KOMU.com and the KOMU 8 News app KOMU 8 First Alert Weather App NOAA Weather Radio KOMU 8 First Alert Weather on Cumulus Radio stations Wireless Emergency Alerts KOMU 8 News has reporters on the scene and will provide updates on-air and on our website. Senior Russian negotiator Kirill Dmitriev, pictured here in Saudi Arabia on February 18, is expected to meet with a top Trump official. We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. By Cillian Sherlock and Grainne Ni Aodha, PA The Government has won a vote of confidence in the Ceann Comhairle on Tuesday evening. They brought the motion after opposition parties initially proposed a no confidence motion in Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy amid a heated row based on speaking rights and the circumstances of the formation of the coalition. The Government motion expressing that the Dail has confidence in the Ceann Comhairle passed by 96 votes to 71, with two abstentions. It came after the defeat of an opposition amendment stating that the Ceann Comhairle did not have the confidence of opposition parties. The motion came amid opposition criticism of Ms Murphys role in approving a vote last week which allowed the Government to make changes to speaking time in the lower house of the parliament, the Dail. There were chaotic scenes in the chamber last week over the rule changes, which resulted in the suspension of the House and prompted the main opposition parties to express a lack of confidence in Ms Murphy. Before Tuesdays vote, Taoiseach Micheal Martin accused opposition parties of engaging in cynical strategies of aggression and disruption. Mr Martin said it was profoundly regrettable the vote was being held, adding there was no justification for the motion. Taoiseach Micheal Martin speaks to the media on Tuesday (Niall Carson/PA) He told the opposition on Tuesday afternoon: We will not stay silent as you try to intimidate this house and its chairperson, and you will not succeed in opposing rule by minority. You will not block the democratic business of this house, roaring and chanting, and then blaming everyone else for your behaviour. Mr Martin said the Dail does does not have time to waste on cynical strategies of aggression and disruption, adding that the country is facing enormous threats over US tariffs. He accused opposition parties of breaking every single rule of the Dail and claimed parties had manufactured a claim that Ms Murphy had behaved inappropriately. The main opposition parties tabled an unprecedented motion of no confidence in Ms Murphy after Government proposals for rule changes sparked a bitter row. Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald accused Ms Murphy of showing an unprecedented and frankly breathtaking display of bias. She claimed her position is untenable. Ms McDonald said the Ceann Comhairle made three decisions exposing bias last week; failing to hold a vote on Dail business when one was called; cancelling questions on promised legislation; and failing to put the Government motion to a vote. The latter allegation is part of Sinn Feins contention that the Dail actually voted on the opposition amendment to the motion and thus the rules on speaking rights have not actually been changed. She said there had been shameless co-ordination and co-operation between the Ceann Comhairle and the Government. The actions of the Ceann Comhairle have been neither impartial nor independent, quite the opposite. Tanaiaste Simon Harris called on all parties to pull together as the country faces a potential global trade war. It is my firm conviction that the message of the people from the last election, and the message of people right across Ireland in the last week, is Stop shouting, roaring and hollering at each other, turn up for work and get on with the job. The speaking rights row delayed Micheal Martins nomination as Taoiseach (Brian Lawless/PA) Ms Murphy became the Ceann Comhairle in December in a move seen as among the first steps of an agreement with a group of independent MPs, known as TDs in Ireland, to support the formation of a government with the Fianna Fail and Fine Gael parties. Backlash to that coalitions proposals, which would have allowed some of those independent TDs to be directly given opposition speaking time, led to a delay in the nomination of a taoiseach in January. The Government has since moved to change parliamentary rules to create a new other members speaking slot for TDs in that independent bloc who were not given ministerial positions, as well as backbenchers in the Government parties. The controversial changes to standing orders also include a reduction of time for contributions on debating the order of business and a halving of slots for Taoiseachs Questions. The Government said the moves reflect the changing make-up of the Dail. However, the opposition has vehemently opposed the reforms, characterising them as an attempt to dilute their ability to hold the Government to account and to blur the relationship of the independents who have supported the formation of the coalition. They argue that the other members questions slot does not tally with their position that a TD cannot be in Government and opposition at the same time. Labour leader Ivana Bacik criticised the changes to the rules as allowing government-affiliated independents to be on both sides of the fence. She suggested that the new Dail speaking slot will be used by backbenchers to tell the Taoiseach how great he is. Were going to see it tomorrow, a new Other Members Questions slot, a sort of theatrical government TDs parliamentary party meeting in public, Ms Bacik said. Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said Ms Murphy acted in a partisan way (Gareth Chaney/PA) The deputy leader of the Social Democrats said government is intent on bulldozing democratic norms to get a grubby deal with a corrupt politician over the line. Ciann OCallaghan said Government politicians clearly prefer to forget the findings of the Moriarty Tribunal, which said former Fine Gael minister Michael Lowry had behaved in a manner that was profoundly corrupt. Now an independent TD, Mr Lowry acted as a negotiator for other independents to support the formation of a Government with Fine Gael and Fianna Fail. Mr OCallaghan said: Last Tuesday, as the Dail descended into chaos, one person sat there smiling and laughing. Michael Lowry was triumphant, and why wouldnt he be? He got exactly what he wanted. He got one of his group elected as Ceann Comhairle. He got another four appointed as junior ministers, including two super juniors. He secured the opposition leader's speaking rights, and he got influence over how public money in the national development plan and the HSE capital plan will be allocated. All of this for a politician who was found to be that Moriarty tribunal to be, and I quote, profoundly corrupt to a degree that nothing was short of breathtaking. Social Democrats TDs Rory Hearne and Sinead Gibney speaking to the media outside Leinster House as Verona Murphy faces a confidence motion (Niall Carson/PA) The row over speaking time has hindered legislative work and has prevented parliamentary committees from being established. They have disputed whether Ms Murphy carried out her duties correctly and followed proper procedures in carrying out the vote to implement the changes, which were backed by the Governments majority. There is some uncertainty as to whether the vote will settle the long-running dispute on opposition speaking rights, which has seen breaks in the norms of procedure and decorum. A landmark building in Ballinasloe is set to be transformed to include a new community facility as part of a 16-unit residential housing development in the centre of the Co Galway town. Galway County Council has signed contracts with Custy Construction Ltd and OBFA Architects for the delivery of the scheme, which is being financed under the Governments Housing For All programme and directly by the local authority. Work on the Dunlo Hill development includes the renovation and extension of the existing terraced buildings and the conversion of the currently derelict Dooleys Pub from a public house to include a community facility. The project is scheduled for completion by July 2026. The planned Dunlo Hill development in Ballinasloe, Co Galway Councillor Martina Kinane, cathaoirleach of Co Galway, said the scheme was a "milestone" for Galway County Council and the town of Ballinasloe. "With 16 modern residential units and a restored community facility, this initiative marks a significant step forward in revitalising the town centre while meeting the housing needs of our community." Councillor Michael Connolly, cathaoirleach of the Ballinasloe Municipal District, said the project would inject new life into the Dunlo Hill area of the town "I want to commend the staff of the Galway County Councils Housing Department for their vision in delivering this badly needed scheme, which will deliver modern housing and revitalise the heart of the town for generations to come," he said. Liam Conneally, chief executive of Galway County Council, said the Dunlo Hill development would have a lasting positive impact on Ballinasloe. "The existing buildings at Dunlo Hill have not been in use for some time and have fallen into a state of disrepair," he said. "Their renovation, along with the ongoing maintenance of their historic features, ensures their survival into the future and marks a significant local authority-delivered regeneration project for the town." Michael Owens, director of services for housing with Galway County Council, said the initial construction phase of the development includes the partial demolition of outbuildings and sheds to the rear courtyard areas, and the construction of a new single storey extension to the rear of Dooleys Pub. He noted that the existing rear courtyard area would be adapted to create a new pedestrian route through the development that will open the project towards the community, while renewable energy design measures will be implemented in the new community facility and housing units. "The project seeks to bring back to life existing houses which have been unoccupied for a considerable length of time and have fallen into a derelict state," he said. "The retention of Dooleys Pub to include a community space will help strengthen the place of this project within the Ballinasloe community." Stephanie Kelly-Taylor, from OBFA Architects, said: "OBFA has been designing new homes throughout Ireland for local authorities and housing bodies for 12 years. The design team particularly enjoy a project like Dunlo Hill, which combines adaptive re-use, town centre living, and a mixed-use occupancy. Dooley's Pub is a beloved Ballinasloe landmark, and the design team was delighted to incorporate part of it for future community and cultural use. Gordon Deegan Permitting proposals to demolish spiral parking ramps now at Dublin Airports Terminal 1 will unlock a critical development opportunity at the core of the Dublin Airport campus, according to daa Chief Commercial and Development Officer, Vincent Harrison. He has told An Bord Pleanala that the airport's operator considers that "the removal of redundant, deteriorating structures within the airport campus is a necessary and strategic confirmation of the importance of unlocking future airport development potential. Mr Harrison states that what is clear is that the application site, lying as it does centrally between two national airport terminals and at the heart of the eastern campus, makes it an extremely valuable site, particularly in the context of a limited and finite land resource. He said that as airport operator daa needs certainty that they can be removed in order that development opportunities can be explored. Mr Harrison makes his comments in a planning daa appeal contesting Fingal Co Councils refusal of the application last month. The Council refused planning after concluding that the application has failed to show an appropriate rationale or justification for the demolition of the spiral ramps which the council consider to be of technical and architectural interest. In the accompanying statement to the appeal, Mr Harrison points out that the spiral ramps have been redundant from their original operational purpose - public parking access - for almost 50 years. Mr Harrison also stated that the site on which the vehicle ramps are located is a strategic one, albeit the ability to use it in future has now been cast into question by the recent Fingal Co Council refusal. He states that daa was surprised to learn of the heritage value, given that the ramps did not feature in the recently reviewed Record of Protected Structures. He said: In our view, given the spirals have limited current use, no future use once the T1 facade project is complete, and that the site is not immediately required for airport purposes, permission for demolition of these structures is required now. He said that the site of the ramps occupies a highly sensitive location within a heavily trafficked and constrained area, and it will take time and careful planning to remove them. Mr Harrison said the demolition of the spiral ramps is supported by prevailing policy guidelines at the highest level,l and in the absence of any significant heritage values, demolishing them will not detract from the airports identity as a national gateway. Planning consultants for daa, Coakley ONeill Town Planning point out that the application did not draw any objections from the Dept of Heritage, The Heritage Council or An Taisce and only one submission from the general public. A decision is due by An Bord Pleanala in late July. By Cate McCurry, PA The Mothers Against Genocide group said it will file a complaint to the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission over allegations that some of the women who were arrested at a group protest were strip-searched and one was subjected to a cavity search. A total of 14 people who attended the Mothers Against Genocide group protest against the Israeli war in Gaza were arrested after an entrance to Leinster House in Dublin was blocked on Monday morning. The group has alleged that its members were subjected to disproportionate and outdated practices by gardai. Amnesty International has written to Garda Commissioner Drew Harris over the response to the demonstration, saying the forcible removal of participants could have a chilling effect on the right to protest in Ireland. The Dail heard that a Palestinian woman, who took part in a protest, was stripped naked and subjected to a disgusting cavity search. People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett said that the protest descended to the strip searching of peaceful female protesters. The group Mothers Against Genocide, on a Mothers Day protest to show solidarity with women and children in Palestine, in Lebanon, and so on, who have been slaughtered over the last 18 months, had a peaceful sit-down protest, he told the Dail. They are arrested very, very violently in some cases, including Palestinian and Lebanese people who have actually suffered the horrors of the last 18 months, and some then are strip searched. He then read out a message from one of the arrested women. To read you one description I was stripped completely naked, and was asked to remove my underwear. When I questioned the necessity of this, I was told I would be forced violently if I didnt comply, and that they didnt want any trouble. After removing my underwear, they looked inside my private areas and touched all my sensitive parts. Mr Barrett added: It is absolutely disgusting. These were peaceful women protesters on a Mothers Day protest. Now, do you condone that kind of treatment of people who were a threat to nobody? Theres certainly not a threat. Its absolutely outrageous behaviour. Do you condemn that? And is that where were heading? Is that the sort of society, Taoiseach, were heading (towards)? They were protesting about our continued complicity with the genocide because of US troops in Shannon, Israeli war bonds being sold and a failure to impose sanctions on Israel. Guidance on carrying out strip searches by gardai states that where possible, a doctor should carry out a strip search in a garda station and that a strip search should only be carried out if it is necessary, and not in a way that would be harassment. People Before Profit-Solidarity TD Paul Murphy said the mothers were also protesting in support of the Occupied Territories Bill. They were protesting to stop weapons going through Irish airspace, which continues, which is increasing, which youve refused to do anything about. Hopefully, you support the arms embargo bill coming up in the Seanad tomorrow, Mr Murphy added. Theyre protesting against complicity in the genocide, the slaughter that is taking place in Gaza. And how were they treated? They were forcibly removed by the gardai. 14 were arrested, and then, like Richard has just said, what is coming out about how they were treated in the garda stations is absolutely horrific To quote the same person that Richard did. Shes a Palestinian woman. Richard has spoken about how she was forced to remove her underwear, her private parts were touched and looked inside of, and subjected to a cavity search. She says, After the procedures were completed, I was released with a warning that if I participated in any further events, I would be punished and that this was my only chance. What sort of repressive state is this that is operating in such a way? This needs immediate condemnation from the gardai, and we need to be assured that people have the right to protest without being treated in such a way. The allegations were also condemned by Sinn Fein TD Ruairi O Murchu who called on the Taoiseach to look into the allegations. Taoiseach Micheal Martin said he would follow up on the allegations with the Minister for Justice Jim OCallaghan. Mr Martin added: Theres absolutely no issue with protest, none whatsoever. My understanding is a number of protesters were blocking the entrance to the Dail. Why does that have to happen? You can protest on the left-hand side (of Leinster House), you can protest on the right-hand side. You can protest across the road. I will follow up with the Minister of Justice in terms of the assertions and the allegations that have been made today in the House. I dont have any background to that, but I will follow that up because I would not understand the necessity for any strip-searching or whatever. An Garda Siochana has been contacted for comment. Ryan Dunne A jury has heard that one of two men accused of murdering Mahamud Ilyas over two years ago allegedly told a friend that we hit Mo with a hammer during a fight before leaving him on a field. The jury at the Central Criminal Court also heard that Viorel Doroscan (23) made a callout video as a joke some months before the death of Mr Ilyas after allegedly claiming that he had a hammer in his bag as someone owed him money for cocaine. Mr Doroscan, of Bay Meadows Square, Hollystown, west Dublin, and Otniel Richardo Clejan (24), with a former address at Verdemont, have pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mr Ilyas on December 9th, 2022. Co-accused Lorenzo Cantaragiu (21) of Castlegrange Park, Blanchardstown, faces various charges of impeding the prosecution or apprehension of Mr Clejan and Mr Doroscan by committing various acts while knowing or believing them to have committed the offence of causing serious harm to Mr Ilyas. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Witness Abdi-Aziz Mohamed, on Wednesday, gave evidence to Eoin Lawlor SC, for the Director of Public Prosecutions, that he was friends with the deceased, as well as being friends with the accused men, Mr Clejan and Mr Doroscan. In response to being asked what shared activities he had with the accused, the witness said, I would buy weed off them. Mr Lawlor asked him what level of dealing weed Mr Doroscan was involved in, to which Mr Mohamed replied that in 2018, he was dealing ounces and "selling small bags of weed, but by 2022, Mr Doroscans level of dealing was selling kilos of weed, as well as selling cocaine and ecstasy. The witness said that he met Mr Doroscan on December 9th, 2022, where the accused told him, we had a fight with Mo, meaning the deceased, Mahamud Ilyas. Mr Mohamed confirmed to Mr Lawlor that at some point, Mr Doroscan said, either he or we hit Mo with a hammer. The witness said that he saw Mr Clejan in the back of a waiting taxi, and he looked nervous. Mr Mohamed said that he later thought about the fight and called both of the accused, but their phones were off. He said that when he did speak to Mr Doroscan on the phone and asked him what had happened with Mr Ilyas, the accused replied that we left him on a field. The witness said that the accused told him he called an ambulance for Mr Ilyas. I said, What kind of psychopath leaves someone on a field? said the witness, going on to say that Mr Doroscan told him the field was in Hollystown. The witness said he travelled to Hollystown but did not find anything in the area described to him by the accused. I went to that place but didnt see anything. In my mind, I was thinking this cant be real, said the witness. He told the court that he called Mr Doroscan back and said, You wont get away with this, telling the accused that he was going to go to the police. He said that when he later learned about the discovery of a body, he called the gardai. The witness went on to tell the jury that he backed up his phone at the end of that year and came across a video he had taken of Mr Doroscan on August 15th, 2022. He said that on that date, he had been socialising with Mr Doroscan and others in a field near his house, all smoking weed. I saw a hammer in his bag and asked about the hammer. He told me that a guy owed him money for cocaine, and he said he was looking for him, said Mr Mohamed. The witness said that he made a suggestion to the accused to do a callout video after Mr Doroscan had said he was looking for this person who owed him money. Like, you call out whoever youre looking for as a joke. I asked him, Do you want to make one? and he said yeah, the witness said. In response to cross-examination by defence counsel for Mr Doroscan, James Dwyer SC, the witness confirmed that the callout video was made as a joke. Mr Dwyer said that in a statement the witness had given to gardai in January of 2023, he had not made any mention of Mr Doroscan saying that someone owed him money for cocaine. I didnt say it because I had a lot of things on my mind, replied Mr Mohamed, going on to say that he had been traumatised for months after Mr Ilyass death. Mr Mohamed went on to confirm to Mr Dwyer that what Mr Doroscan probably said to him was that we had hit Mr Ilyas with a hammer. At the opening of the trial, Mr Lawlor said the prosecution intended to show that Mr Doroscan and Mr Clejan were involved in the sale and supply of drugs. On December 8th, 2022, counsel said a house at Verdemont was being used to store cannabis. That evening, Mr Ilyas called to the house and was seen leaving carrying a shopping bag containing cannabis. Mr Lawlor said Mr Ilyas wasnt supposed to take the cannabis and then tried to sell it to others. The following afternoon, Mr Lawlor said Mr Doroscan made contact with Mr Ilyas and told him he wished to speak to him urgently. Mr Ilyas went into the house at Verdemont at about 2.41pm. Vlady Ndosimau previously told the trial that he was at the bottom of the steps when Mr Ilyas went inside but ran up and barged through the door after hearing a loud banging noise. Inside, he said he witnessed Mr Ilyas sitting on the floor, with his back against a radiator, looking as if he had been beaten and with blood coming from his nose. His hands and feet were tied using a rope or a zip tie, and he was moaning while Mr Clejan and Mr Doroscan shouted at him, the witness said. Mr Doroscan, holding a fruit knife, stood between Mr Ilyas's legs while Mr Clejan stood close to his head with a hammer in his hand, the witness said. Mr Doroscan, he said, kept on shouting "where is the stuff" while Mr Ilyas responded by "groaning and groaning". He said Mr Doroscan then dragged Mr Ilyas by the legs until he was lying flat on the floor and began kicking him in the legs, ribs, neck and head. "It was pretty hard. He kicked him a few times and was shouting, he kept on asking 'where's the stuff, where's the stuff?'" Mr Ndosimau said he panicked and left but found out two days later that Mr Ilyas was dead. The trial continues on Thursday before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and a jury of five women and seven men. Eimear Dodd A man has been jailed for two years for sending messages and sexually explicit photos to over 100 teenage girls on Snapchat. Mark Fitzgerald (39) of St Marks Drive, Clondalkin, Dublin 22, pleaded guilty to five counts of using technology to facilitate the sexual exploitation of a child on dates in April 2022. Detective Garda Gemma Casserly told Kate Egan BL, prosecuting, that Fitzgerald handed himself into Ronanstown Garda Station in May 2022 and told them he had been contacting girls aged between 12 and 19 on Snapchat. He said his then-partner had come across the material while looking at his phone, and the relationship ended because of this. Fitzgerald told gardai that over the previous 18 months, the ages of the girls he was communicating with was trending towards 12 to 14 years old. He said he never met these girls, but he was sending pictures of his genital area and receiving pictures in return from them. He told gardai he wasn't aware of where the girls were from and had added random girls on Snapchat when he set it up. Fitzgerald handed over his phone and PIN. Gardai made a request to Snapchat to preserve the material and were later able to take it up. Fitzgerald's 1,490 conversations on Snapchat during April 2022 were analysed. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court was told that Fitzgerald instigated 136 different conversations with underage girls during this period. The remainder of the conversations involved women aged 17 and older, who can legally send explicit images. Evidence was heard that the nature of the Snapchat app meant that no images were recovered, but gardai analysed Fitzgerald's conversations. The court was told he would message girls asking for their age and a photo. He would then use more sexualised language, telling them they are gorgeous and asking to see them in more revealing outfits. Fitzgerald also offered to send photos of his genitalia and asked the girls to take photos up their skirt or lift their skirts to show their underwear. He frequently asked the girls their age in messages, and when one asked for his age, he told them he was 20. When Fitzgerald later gave a voluntary interview to gardai in 2024, he said he was wrongly messaging underage girls and had sent pictures of his genital area. He said he also asked for pictures from them including their face, bodies and genital areas, but shouldn't have been doing this. Fitzgerald said he would initially ask for photos of the girl's face, then as the conversation progressed, he would look for more photos, hoping to eventually receive photos of their vagina. He said he would send pictures of his penis on Snapchat to them. He told gardai he had no urges to do anything sexual with any of the girls and is now attending counselling. Fitzgerald told gardai his siblings would not allow him to see his nieces as a result of this offending. Det Gda Casserly agreed with Brian Storan BL, defending that Fitzgerald was not under suspicion at the time he went to Ronanstown Garda Station, and he assisted the investigation by providing his phone and PIN. It was further accepted that gardai could only identify the age of the female participants in the conversations based on what they said in messages and have no further information about them. It was also agreed that images were not sent in all of the 136 conversations involving underage girls, and Fitzgerald would apologise and end the chat if they refused. Det Gda Casserly agreed that Fitzgerald made full admissions, presented as someone who was ashamed of his actions and that these conversations were confined to the month of April. It was also accepted that Fitzgerald's former partner declined to make a statement to gardai. Det Gda Casserly also agreed that Fitzgerald has been living an isolated life since going to gardai, has brought shame to his family and feels the force of that shame. It was also accepted that there is no suggestion of inappropriate behaviour by Fitzgerald towards younger members of his family. Mr Storan told the court his client has a good work history but has lost a lot of family support as a result of his offending. He said his client acknowledges his offending behaviour, has a history of depression and has sought professional help. Imposing sentence, Judge Martin Nolan noted that Fitzgerald self-reported his criminal behaviour to gardai. The judge said it is a serious matter to engage in this way with children. He said that Fitzgerald deserved a prison term, but noted there was good mitigation, including that the defendant had self-reported to gardai and imposed a two-year sentence. Vivienne Clarke Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers has denied reports that the Occupied Territories Bill will be shelved in a bid to appease the United States. Speaking on Newstalk Breakfast, Mr Chambers said that the Programme for Government set out the position for the Bill. We've said previously that it requires substantive amendments to be compliant with the EU and with our own constitution. The Programme for Government commitment is clear on progressing that legislation and the drafting work is continuing between the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Attorney General's office. The Bill, as it was previously drafted, requires substantive amendments to be compliant with European and national law, and that's why that work is ongoing between the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Attorney General's office, and the Programme for Government commitment on that is clear in the context and the work that has to happen on that particular piece of legislation. When asked about the potential impact of US tariffs on Ireland, Mr Chambers said it was too early to say what the immediate impacts could be when it comes to corporation tax receipts. This is where, I suppose, the tail effect of this will go on for a significant and extended period. For example, we may have continued strong receipts through this year, but we know there's downside risks into the coming years, and that's why the medium-term fiscal plan, which both myself and the Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohue, will be coordinating, would be really important that we don't add excessive amounts to our expenditure base or cut taxes when there's a medium-term risk." Mr Chambers added: "We need to be very careful in how we calibrate all of our taxation expenditure and we need strong budgetary guardrails and fiscal discipline over the coming years. I've been absolutely repeating that since I've entered in as Minister for Public Expenditure. The focus for me is actually on capital expenditure and when you speak to any economist and people who examine the Irish economy, we need to protect capital investment to unlock economic growth for the future in strategic areas like water, energy, transport, and housing. "And we know that some of the blockages in those particular areas are actually restricting investment decisions presently, and we need to make sure that competitiveness and investment in capital investment to the Irish economy actually drives infrastructure delivery, which allows us to diversify and embrace new economic opportunities. Laois people are being urged to dig deep into their pockets and purses to help Cystic Fibrosis Ireland (CFI) meet its fundraising target of 300,000 on 65 Roses Day. This major fundraiser event is taking place this year on Friday, 11 April. Volunteers across the country will be selling purple roses to support CFI, in Dunnes Stores branches, shopping centres and other participating outlets, including: Dunnes Stores, Green Road, Portlaoise Dunnes Stores, Kyle Centre, Portlaoise Dunnes Store, Rathdown Cystic Fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease that primarily affects the lungs and digestive system. With 33 new cases of CF diagnosed in Ireland each year, Ireland has the highest incidence and some of the most severe types of CF in the world. Due to recent advancements in treatment and care, now more than 1,400 people are living with CF and the number is increasing. The much-needed funds raised on 65 Roses Day will help provide supports to answer these challenges including services such as financial assistance and grants, a listening service, and advocacy efforts to empower and support people living with CF and their families. Funds raised will also allow CFI to invest in CF related research, specialist CF clinical teams and services to improve care for those living with CF and ultimately find a cure. Encouraging people in Laois to go out and support Cystic Fibrosis Ireland on 65 Roses Day this year is Sandra Delaney who lives in Birr, Offaly. This Friday 11 April I am asking everyone in the county to give generously on 65 Roses Day to help CFI to continue to provide the much-need support to all the Families impacted by Cystic Fibrosis in Ireland, said, Sandra. The name of the annual fundraising campaign, 65 Roses Day, stems from how young children often pronounce Cystic Fibrosis and its objective is to raise vital funds for CF services and supports throughout Ireland. People in Laois can get involved this 65 Roses Day by donating online at 65roses.ie or purchasing a purple rose in Dunnes Stores and other participating outlets throughout the country. A PRIZE giving ceremony for transition year students who participated in the Graduate.ie Online Citizenship Programme saw Portlaoise College student Clodagh Fitzpatrick from Portlaoise College take home the top prize. The overall prize which was sponsored by the MRDATF was for one selected student from Laois who participated fully in the initiative to attend a three-day educational trip to Strasbourg. Clodagh will travel to Strasbourg in November and spend one full day at the European Parliament where she will have the opportunity to take part in a Youth Parliament (Euroscola) with students from other EU member states. During her stay she will also be visiting other places of educational interest around the city of Strasbourg and surrounding areas. The event was held on Friday 28 March 2025 in the Radisson Hotel, Athlone, Co Westmeath. Organised and funded by the Midland Regional Drug & Alcohol Task Force (MRDATF), the Graduate.ie programme is an online citizenship & democracy programme for second level students in Ireland. TEN students from Portlaoise College were awarded summer school language scholarships in German, French and in Irish. Isha Bhatt and Jaela Halberstadt were awarded German summer school scholarships while Adesuwa Olague and Fadzai Nyakuonda will attend French summer school. Gaeltacht scholarships were awarded to Emilija Siugzdinyte, Aoibheann O'Sullivan, Jeremiah Phillips, Julia Skwara, Joleen Dunne and Mosa Hafeez which will now allow them the opportunity to immerse themselves in the Irish language. College Principal Noel Daly said: We are incredibly proud of our students dedication to language learning. These scholarships provide them with fantastic opportunities to develop their skills and cultural understanding, which will benefit them in the future. The colleges commitment to language education extends beyond scholarships as it actively participates in the Erasmus programme with partner schools in France, South Tyrol and Spain. The initiative allows students to engage in language exchange and cultural experiences, further enhancing their linguistic abilities. With these initiatives, said Mr Daly, Portlaoise College continues to foster a passion for languages, ensuring students gain valuable international experiences that will serve them well in their future careers. A former agent with the Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Office in Allentown has been sentenced to up to seven years in state prison for possessing child pornography. The sentencing comes after 41-year-old Joshua Gonzalez of South Whitehall Township pleaded guilty in January to 20 counts felony possession of child pornography. Gonzalez was sentenced Monday by Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas Judge Robert L. Steinberg to serve 3 1/2 to 7 years in state prison. A consecutive year of probation follows the prison term. Prosecutors previously asked for a minimum sentence of between six and 12 years in state prison. The Adult Probation Department prepared a pre-sentence investigation report recommending a minimum sentence of 10 years. Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan announced the sentencing Tuesday afternoon. Allentown-based attorney John Waldron, representing Gonzalez, said Wednesday evening the sentence imposed on his client was fair and he thought prosecutors were too extreme in their request for a longer term. If you balance his life as a Marine with tours in the Infantry in Iraq ..., Waldron said about why he thought the sentencing was fair. " Thank you, Josh. You made a mistake you are paying for." Authorities said Gonzalez used his computer to upload videos of children. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a tip that someone uploaded the videos between Oct. 28, 2022, and April 12, 2023, the DAs office said. A court order was obtained and later it was determined the downloaded videos came from Gonzalezs computer, authorities said. Investigators seized thousands of images from Gonzalezs possession. Gonzalez was employed as an agent with the attorney general and assigned to the Allentown office, the DAs office confirmed. He was hired in March 2016 and his separation was effective Jan 4, 2024, according to Brett Hambright, press secretary for the Office of Pennsylvania Attorney General. Hambright previously called the conduct disturbing and told lehighvalleylive.com the Office of Attorney General was continuing its cooperation with law enforcement. The case was investigated by South Whitehall Township Police Det. Tyler Doherty and Officer David M. Petzold Memorial Digital Forensics Laboratory of Lehigh County with the cooperation of the Office of the Attorney General. It was prosecuted by Lehigh County Chief Deputy District Attorney Christine F. Murphy. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. A woman admitted being drunk and unable to stand up in Tesco in Laois. Micheala Connolly (26) of Clogheen, Monasterevin, Co Kildare appeared at Portlaoise District Court via videolink. She was accused of being intoxicated at Tesco, Laois Shopping Centre, Portlaoise on March 6 last. Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the incident occurred at 7.15pm. She was unable to stand up, he said. Sgt Kirby said the woman had never been in trouble up to 18 months ago but since then had amassed a number of convictions. Solicitor Philip Meagher explained that his client had developed a serious alcohol problem since a relationship ended badly 18 months ago. She is on remand in Dublin now and is due to appear before Dublin District Court, he said. Mr Meagher said his client acknowledges that she needs help and she has sought treatment. He said she wants help and is conscious that she was causing a nuisance. Judge Susan Fay fined the woman 150 and allowed her three months to pay. THE Health Service Executive has submitted its planning application for the long awaited Midlands Hospice to serve patients in Laois, Offaly, Westmeath and Longford. The cutting-edge specialist Palliative Care unit is proposed to be built on Arden Lane in Tullamore, near the Midland Regional Hospital. There was initial resistence to the choice of the site by the Department of Health. If approved by Offaly County Council planners, the centre will bring quality end-of-life care closer to those who need it most in the four county region, the only region in Ireland still without a dedicated hospice. The HSE plan to build a 3,805m2 hospice, designed to provide high-quality care and support for patients and families in need.The facility will feature a mix of one-and two-storey buildings, housing 20 inpatient bedrooms, dedicated day care services and essential administrative spaces. The project includes 80 parking spaces for staff and visitors, seven designated accessible bays, as well as 30 covered bicycle spaces. Infrastructure improvements are part of the plan, including a two-way carriageway, a new footpath and street lighting along Arden Lane. Additionally road upgrades will be carried out on a section of Arden Lane to ensure smooth access to the hospice along with street lighting and new utilities to extend to the site from a new junction with a distributor road. The Arden Lane site was slected in September 2024 when the then Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly made the announcement. Two locations had been under consideration for the development, the Arden Lane site and the Wellwood Health Campus, an unfinished skeletal structure at the N52 roundabout which had planning approval for a 99 bed private hospital. When making the announcement last September, the Minister said the Arden Lane land had scored highest in a competitive process run by the HSE. At the time of the announcement the Minister stipulated that a planning application must be lodged and permission granted along with ''an agreed road widening plan and funded commitments from the relevant state bodies to bring services to the Arden Lane site,'' within 12 months. Many fundraisers have been held in the counties for the hospice for the past five years. A recent fundraiser by Laois and other Midlands credit unions raised 17,000. Tullamore Lions Club is offering the Arden Road site free of charge, according to Hooves4Hospice chair Pat Lalor. Their Hooves4Hospice farming fundraiser has been at the forefront, raising over 1 million since January 2020, supported by all four counties. Read their interview here. In 2022 Taoiseach Michael Martin announced 20 million in government funding to go towards the construction costs. The application was lodged in early April, with a decision due in coming months. Last night, Waterford vascular trauma surgeon Dr Morgan McMonagle will share his firsthand experiences from the front lines in Gaza which he documented through a video diary recorded in recent weeks for Prime Time. Social media users have reacted to the show and to Dr McMonagle's account. Dr McMonagle recently returned from working in Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis. The programme featured footage taken by Morgan McMonagle, showing the horrific injuries suffered by Palestinian children and the challenges faced by medics in treating them, particularly as the recent ceasefire ended and the hospital was overwhelmed with casualties from a devastating Israeli offensive. View this post on Instagram A post shared by RTE One (@rteone) One user said: "Humans seem to be regressing." Another user said: "And no one should accept that. If you do, you have lost your humanity." Another user said: "Shameful what is happening and bring allowed to happen. Bad things happen when good people do nothing." Prime Time also showed the aftermath of the hospital being hit by a missile strike as Dr McMonagle and his colleagues were working inside last week. On March 23, Nasser Hospital was hit by an Israeli missile. Five people were killed and the entire floor had to be evacuated. Dr McMonagle was inside the building and documented the events showcasing the damage that was done to the health care facility and how they had to continue caring for patients. READ NEXT: 'Mini heatwave' on the way for Ireland this week as experts warn of a scorching 32 degrees We spent pretty much most of the night in the operating room. We had a blast injury. And then we had a girl, 11 years of age, with severe lower limb injuries and upper limb injuries from bullets from an Apache helicopter. She has a very high chance of losing both lower limbsthen her dad came in with severe injuries as well. He died during the night. That is the reality of what were dealing with. An estimated 50,000 people have been killed in Gaza since October 2023. In the programme, Dr McMonagle describes the scenes and severe challenges faced by healthcare workers and patients. Its a very inhuman and inhumane, mostly inhuman, thing to do to deny healthcare in a conflict, he states. You can catch up on Prime Time on the RTE player. Portlaoise's public cemetery is getting 60,000 of upgrades this year, divided across its religious sections. However more money is needed for the busy Laois cemetery say local councillors. Laois County Council as owners of St Peter & Paul's cemetery on the Stradbally road in the county town of Portlaoise, is setting aside the money as part of its 2025 Roadworks scheme. They will spend 17,000 on the provision of paths and plinths, another 13,000 for more paths and plinths in the Muslim section. The Church of Ireland Section is to have a 10,000 investment on paths and the removal of overgrowth. Finally to avoid trips and falls, the council will spend 20,000 to lay new asphalt paths on existing paths. Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley welcomed the investment, but says the front gate is still waiting. "I am on the committee along with Cllrs Marie Tuohy and Catherine Fitzgerald. The committee has been looking for a long time to get the footpaths done. A great effort will be made from here on to get ready for Cemetery Sunday in June. "We were shown plans for the new gate. There is a problem where cars are getting damaged, could we get funding? We did a church gate collection and the committee are putting it to good use, grasscutting. Our lawnmower is giving terrible problems so we are getting a contractor instead. We have to try get matched funding for this upgrade," she said. Cllr Dwane Stanley said recently that Portlaoise cemetery which includes Columbarium Walls for cremated ashes, is "nearly full to capacity". Read more: 'Back on the bottle' as Laois County Council reports on its battle for climate action. A meeting is to be arranged between committee representatives and Laois County Council to discuss issues further. Elsewhere around Laois, five other cemeteries owned by the council are getting works totalling 85,000. In the Portarlington Graiguecullen Municipal District, Sleaty cemetery is getting 25,000 to replace paths and plinths. Timahoe cemetery is getting 15,000 for same. In the Mountmellick Borris-in-Ossory Municipal District, Durrow cemetery will see 27,000 spent to fix trip hazards. Borris-in-Ossory cemetery is getting 15,000 to remove trees, and Castletown cemetery 3,000 to fix trip hazards. A Laois secondary school has held a highly successful pop-up Gealtacht in Portlaoise, and is on the way to earning a national award. Dunamase College in Portlaoise have held several events that encourage the use of Gaeilge in everyday life, and are on track to earning the Gaelbhratach, a national award that recognises the fostering of the Irish language. Teachers Chloe Ni Ghealbhain and Niamh Strong expressed their pride in the students dedication to the Irish language. "We are so proud of our students' commitment to celebrating Irish language and culture," they shared. "Theres a lovely Irish proverbMol an oige, agus tiocfaidh siwhich means Praise the youth, and they will prosper. Our students are proving to be incredible ambassadors for Gaeilge, not just in our school but in the wider community. "Through their outreach to primary schools and their commitment to events like this, they are inspiring the next generation of Gaeilgeoiri. We look forward to seeing where their passion for the language takes them next!" the teachers finished. Reflecting on their pop-up Gaeltacht, members of the Gaelbhratach Committee praised the event. "It was lovely to have people coming together to use the Irish language in a natural setting - Irish is not just for the classroom," they said. "The success of our Pop-Up Gaeltacht really shows that Irish is alive and thriving in our community." The Cumann Gaelach (Irish Society) at Dunamase College has been at the heart of promoting the Irish language since its establishment in January 2023. From organising engaging Irish activities for local primary schools to producing their own podcast, The GaelTalkers, their gra for the language is evident in everything they do. This year, the school has also embarked on the exciting journey of earning the Gaelbhratach, a national award that recognises schools for their dedication to fostering Irish in everyday life. Through student-led projects, cultural initiatives, and participation in Irish-language events, the Gaelbhratach Committee and Cumann Gaelach are working tirelessly to ensure that Gaeilge is not just seen as a school subject but a living, thriving language within the school and local community. As part of this years Seachtain na Gaeilge celebrations, the Gaelbhratach Committee and Cumann Gaelach partnered with Portlaoise Library to host a lively Pop-Up Gaeltacht on Wednesday, 12th March. The event was a fantastic success, bringing together students, teachers, and members of the wider community to celebrate and speak Irish in a relaxed and welcoming setting. Throughout the event, attendees engaged in conversations as Gaeilge, played language games, and embraced the opportunity to use the language outside of a formal learning environment. Whether fluent speakers or enthusiastic learners, everyone contributed to the lively and inclusive atmosphere. Students also acknowledged the key role played by Portlaoise Library, which provided a welcoming space and helped encourage greater community involvement in the event. This Pop-Up Gaeltacht was just one of many initiatives organised by the Cumann Gaelach and Gaelbhratach Committee as part of Seachtain na Gaeilge, a national festival celebrating the Irish language. Along with hosting this event, students visited local primary schools to share their love of Irish culture through Irish Ceili dancing and they also organised a quiz in the library for students from Holy Family. People across County Kildare are being urged to help Cystic Fibrosis Ireland (CFI) meet its fundraising target of 300,000 on 65 Roses Day 2025. The name of this annual fundraising campaign stems from how young children often pronounce "Cystic Fibrosis" (CF) and its objective is to raise vital funds for CF services and supports throughout Ireland. As explained by the charity, CF an inherited chronic disease that primarily affects the lungs and digestive system. With 33 new cases of the illness diagnosed in Ireland each year, Ireland has the highest incidence and some of the most severe types of CF in the world. Due to recent advancements in treatment and care, more than 1,400 people are living with CF and the number is increasing. However, CFI has said that it conducted a recent survey which has shown that, despite these recent advancements, "significant challenges" accessing medication to obtaining financial products such as insurance still exist for people living with the condition in Ireland. In an effort to support CFI so that it can try to address these challenges, volunteers in Kildare (as well as across the country) will be selling purple roses this 65 Roses Day, in Dunnes Stores branches, shopping centres and other participating outlets. Some of these outlets will include: Dunnes Stores in Maynooth; Dunnes Stores in Naas; Dunnes Stores in Newbridge; and in the Whitewater Shopping Centre in Newbridge. According to the organisers, the much-needed funds raised on the day will be used to help provide supports to answer challenges facing patients of CF. In addition, the funds raised will also allow CFI to invest in CF-related research, specialist CF clinical teams and services to improve care for those living with CF, with the aim of ultimately finding a cure. 'A GREAT REASSURANCE' Encouraging people in Kildare to go out and support the charity on 65 Roses Day this year is Thomas Henry from Newbridge. Mr Henry said: "Having Cystic Fibrosis brings with it challenges that I dont think people know about. "I work as a hairdresser and am upskilling at the moment so life is busy, but in everything I do, CF is a constant consideration, and it is great reassurance to know that CFI are there with support or advice if I need it." He added: "Im asking everyone in the county to dig deep and give generously on 65 Roses Day to help CFI continue to provide supports to all the families impacted by CF in Ireland." People in Kildare can get involved this 65 Roses Day by donating online at 65roses.ie or by purchasing a purple rose in participating outlets throughout the country. 65 Roses Day 2025 will take place on Friday, April 11, 2025. READ NEXT: Drivers notified about two upcoming road closures in this Kildare region By Mata Press Service A new survey launched as Canada marked the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is challenging conventional understandings of prejudice in the country. Conducted by Leger for the Association for Canadian Studies, the poll suggests that racism and bias in Canada are not confined to a simple majority versus minority framework. Instead, prejudices are deeply woven across a wide range of communities including among immigrants and visible minorities themselves. The study, titled Beyond Binaries: In Diverse Societies, Prejudices Are More Complex Than Simply Us and Them, examined how various groups in Canada perceive others along ethnic and religious lines. Drawing from a sample of 1,539 respondents surveyed in early March, the findings highlight the multifaceted and sometimes contradictory nature of discrimination. Perhaps most strikingly, the data reveals that immigrants and visible minorities often hold negative views of other marginalized groups at rates equal to and sometimes even higher than those of non-immigrant or non-visible minority Canadians. For example, 22% of visible minorities and 20% of immigrants reported holding unfavorable views of Jewish Canadians. This compares to 11% of non-visible minorities and 12% of non-immigrants. Similarly, negative sentiment toward Indigenous people was expressed by 17% of visible minorities and 15% of immigrants, slightly higher than the 14% recorded among their counterparts. The trend continues across multiple communities. Black Canadians were viewed negatively by 19% of visible minorities and 16% of immigrants, while only 9% of non-visible minorities and 10% of non-immigrants reported similar attitudes. Chinese Canadians were viewed negatively by 19% of both visible minorities and immigrants, again higher than the 11% and 14% among non-visible minorities and non-immigrants, respectively. Only in the case of Arab Canadians did the survey find relatively equal levels of prejudice across all categories, with 26-27% of respondents in each demographic expressing negative views, the highest overall rate among the groups surveyed. These findings disrupt the usual assumptions, said Jack Jedwab, President of the Association for Canadian Studies and author of the report. His findings show that prejudice in Canada isnt just something that happens between a white majority and racialized minorities it can be expressed by anyone and directed at anyone. This adds a new layer to how we understand racism and how we should tackle it. Language and age also emerged as influential factors in shaping prejudice. For instance, younger Canadians (ages 1834) reported higher negative views of Jewish (18%) and Arab (22%) communities compared to older respondents. Among French-speaking Canadians, negative sentiment was significantly more pronounced 36% held unfavorable views of both Arabs and Jews, compared to 23% and 11% respectively among English speakers. Religion was another flashpoint in the study. Islam was viewed negatively by nearly half (49%) of all respondents a much higher rate than Christianity (27%) or Judaism (25%). The gap narrowed slightly among younger Canadians, but the contrast remained stark. Francophone respondents again reported the highest levels of negativity toward Islam (61%) as well as toward Christianity and Judaism, signaling that cultural or regional dynamics also play a role in prejudice. Interestingly, while visible minorities overall were less likely to express negative views of Islam compared to non-visible minorities (38% versus 51%), that same pattern didnt hold when it came to other religious groups. The study does not attempt to explain the underlying causes of these patterns, but it clearly indicates that assumptions about who holds prejudice and toward whom may need to be re-evaluated. In a country that prides itself on diversity and multiculturalism, these results present an uncomfortable but necessary reflection. The report underscores that in a society as diverse as Canada, discriminatory views are not confined to one group or community. Rather, they circulate across many lines racial, cultural, linguistic, and generational. The findings point to the importance of addressing prejudice as a broader social issue that transcends traditional binaries and affects the social fabric in more complex ways than often acknowledged. Here are the key findings from the report: A number of juveniles were set upon by four individuals in Naas. The local district court was told that the incident occurred at Harbour View, near the Grand Canal, in the town on October 31, 2023. READ NEXT How did Offaly topple Kildare again in Division 3 decider? Nathan Ward, 19, whose address was given as 2 Osberstown Cottages, Naas, is being prosecuted on an allegation of assault. Sgt Mary Meade told Naas District Court it will be claimed that the incident included kicks, assaults and slash wounds to the shoulder, head and wrist. Detective Garda Christine Brady said that others associated with the incident were dealt with in the circuit court. The case against the defendant was adjourned by Judge Desmond Zaidan and the defendant was freed on bail subject to conditions which included that he be available to be contacted by a mobile phone which is to be kept charged and that he sign on at Naas garda station. The Office of Public Works (OPW) is to return staff to Castletown House and Estate, Celbridge, Kildare. Today, the Minister of State with responsibility for the OPW Kevin Boxer Moran, TD, had a constructive dialogue with elected representatives for the area to discuss the importance of Castletown House to the local economy, and the significance of it being open having regard to the investment by the State in restoring the House and grounds. They agreed that the OPW staff must return to their normal place of work in Castletown. A number of actions are being put in place by the OPW: the opening hours will be extended from Friday 11 April from 7:00 to 20:00, with the public toilets and bins to be reinstated after this. Dedicated teams will start preparing the estate for visitors this summer, with the historic Castletown House itself due to open its doors to the public in mid to late May. Lime Avenue will be used as primarily a pedestrianised access route, with the exception of scheduled operational services such as essential contractors. The OPW has an agreement in place with Kildare Innovation Centre to develop visitor parking and will submit a planning application in the coming weeks. If this is successful, car parking could be in place next year. Welcoming these developments, Minister Moran said, Im delighted that these actions are being taken. I have met with local TDs and Councillors to discuss the best way forward and I will continue to engage with them. I particularly welcome the return of OPW staff to Castletown. All of our staff working in heritage properties across Ireland are proud of their work and enjoy working with the communities that they are part of. The work they do to improve biodiversity, to welcome school groups and visitors from across Ireland is incredibly rewarding. READ NEXT: Garda numbers 'have not kept pace' with growth of Kildare towns, Dail told A pro-Palestine protest has been held outside Leinster House days after 14 people were arrested at a vigil. Mothers Against Genocide said they were devastated at the Gardais treatment of protesters who held an overnight vigil at the gates of Leinster House to coincide with Mothers Day. Protesters returned to the Dail on Wednesday to support a Bill that would look to restrict weapons shipments travelling through Ireland to Israel. The road was briefly blocked as people held a Mothers Against Genocide banner and chanted slogans accusing the Taoiseach and Tanaiste of supporting genocide in Gaza. Clare OConnor from Mothers Against Genocide, one of the protest organisers, said she was devastated at the treatment of protesters at Leinster House on Monday but said it had really mobilised people. It hasnt put me off and I dont think its put anyone else off today, she said. People are so angry that people that came out to stand in solidarity with women and children being slaughtered in Gaza were treated in that way. She said the Mothers Day protest was about highlighting the mothers and children killed in Gaza and the Irish Governments complicity, while Wednesday was focusing on the Arms Embargo Bill. The Arms Embargo Bill is to stop weapons being transported through Irish airspace to Israel which is being used in the slaughter of innocent people, and were out here protesting that. She said that free speech and the right to protest is being repressed in the US and Germany. If ever there was a time, now is the time to get out on the streets and be heard. Wed just ask people to come out and support us, were 18 months in, nobody thought wed still be here. This is about Palestine but its also about the whole world. If international law doesnt count, what does it mean for the world? If it can happen in Palestine it can happen absolutely anywhere. Mothers Against Genocide has said said it will file a complaint to the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission over allegations that some women who were arrested were strip searched and one was subjected to a cavity search. Gardai released a statement on Wednesday denying that a cavity search took place and stating that searches were conducted in line with regulations. Preliminary inquiries conducted by local Garda management have found that any searches conducted were in line with the Treatment of Persons in Custody in Garda Siochana Stations Regulations (Criminal Justice Act, 1984), a statement said. An Garda Siochana refutes any allegation that a cavity search took place. The Arms Embargo Bill is to be debated in the Seanad at 5.30pm on Wednesday by Senators Frances Black, Alice Mary Higgins, Lynn Ruane and Eileen Flynn. The Bill would restrict the transport minister from granting exemptions to flights travelling through Ireland carrying munitions, where there is a risk they will be sent to Israel or a country that exports weapons to Israel. It also aims to strengthen existing powers to inspect planes seeking to transit weapons through the State. The Government is allowing religious bodies involved in mother and baby homes to run rings around it after it emerged that only one order made a serious offer of cash to pay redress to survivors, the Dail has heard. Government-appointed negotiator Sheila Nunan led talks with religious bodies that were involved in mother and baby institutions. The process was part of a bid to secure a financial contribution towards the cost of the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme. Ms Nunan submitted her final report to the Minister for Equality Norma Foley following talks with seven Catholic bodies and the Church of Ireland. The Govt has spent 4 years begging religious orders to contribute to redress for survivors of mother and baby homes without success. These orders made millions on the backs of enslaving women & children. When is the Govt going to go after them with more than a begging bowl? pic.twitter.com/UhD3NsBBXG Social Democrats (@SocDems) April 2, 2025 In early 2023, former equality minister Roderic OGorman wrote to the religious orders asking them to contribute towards the redress scheme. Social Democrats deputy leader Cian OCallaghan said that going cap in hand to religious order was not successful. Nearly two years later, Ms Nunan has filed her final report stating just one order has made a serious offer of cash to pay redress, he told the Dail on Wednesday. Going cap in hand to religious orders was not a successful strategy, hardly surprising, given we know these orders would much prefer to pay their armies of lawyers than the women and children that they tortured and abused. Religious orders that own assets worth hundreds of millions. Taoiseach, for decades in Ireland, unimaginable horrors were perpetrated in mother and baby homes. The infant mortality rate in these institutions was five times the national average, there were thousands of unexplained infant deaths, missing children and multiple mass unmarked graves. Women and children were subjected to incarceration, forced labour, vaccine trials and horrific physical and sexual abuse. Families were ripped apart, there were forced adoptions, and children were boarded out to act as indentured servants, and theres never been any accountability for any of these crimes. Religious orders, who made millions on the backs of enslaving women and children are now walking away without paying a penny because your government is allowing them to run rings around you. He urged the Government to flex some legal muscle. Its unbelievable that the approach of successive governments of these orders, which operated as criminal networks, is to roll over, he added. Taoiseach Micheal Martin, who has not yet read the report, said that the government will assess its options to pursue religious orders. Our view is that the orders have a collective and moral responsibility to respond to Irelands legacy in relation to mother and baby institutions, the Fianna Fail leader said. As I said, weve just received a report on Monday, we will assess that report and then consider what options we can take from the law, obviously, in terms of pursuing religious orders in respect of the mother and baby institutions. We will see whats the most effective way to get a contribution from the religious orders, and we see what options are available. A man has been remanded in custody after being charged with the murder of a part-time soldier in Northern Ireland more than 40 years ago. Joseph James Porter, 64, a farmer and part-time soldier with the Ulster Defence Regiment, was shot dead in Mountnorris in June 1979. James Donegan, 67, Bruce Manor, Arvagh, Co Cavan has been charged with the murder of Mr Porter between June 22 and June 25 1979, as well as possession of a firearm and ammunition with the intent to endanger life and membership of a proscribed organisation, the Provisional IRA, Donegan had been extradited from the Republic of Ireland before appearing before Newry Magistrates Court on Wednesday. Donegan responded, I do, when asked if he understood the charges that had been read out to him. A detective sergeant told the court they believe they can connect the accused to the charges, An application for bail was opposed by the prosecution, who claimed a risk of the accused leaving the jurisdiction and fresh extradition proceedings having to be brought, delaying the trial. The prosecutor said Mr Porter was shot dead in the early hours of Sunday June 24 1979, and was discovered at the entrance of his farm yard on Creggan Road, Mountnorris, while his house had been ransacked. Police believe he left his house voluntarily and was shot shortly after he went outside. It cannot be established if he was carrying his personal protection pistol at this point, they said. Mr Porters house was subsequently searched by the murderers who were almost certainly looking for his personal protection weapon or any other military weapons that he might have had in his home. His personal protection weapon was stolen, but he had no other military weapons in his house. Mr Porter lived alone and at the time of his death, he was a part-time member of the Ulster Defence Regiment. No one has been charged or convicted in relation to this murder. They said witnesses saw Mr Porter in a bar in Markethill on the evening of Saturday June 23 for around an hour, before his Land Rover was seen driving towards Creggan Road. Later another witness in the area reported hearing two loud bangs, which they believe were gunshots at around 1am, while other witnesses also heard two shots and saw a car travelling at high speed. At 0930, Mr Porters neighbour found him lying dead, they added, saying a doctor concluded he had a fractured skull and had been dead for around six to eight hours. They also told the court that the Armagh Guardian reported on Thursday June 28 a claim of responsibility for the murder by the Provisional IRA, and had said he was interrogated and executed because he was involved with the British war machine in Northern Ireland. The prosecutor said they opposed the bail application due to a risk of flight. We understand that he has resided in the Republic of Ireland for a number of years, since in or around 1978, and therefore obviously he has significant links to the Republic of Ireland, they said, contending he had firmly resisted the extradition until the last minute and also cited potential for intimidation of witnesses. A defence lawyer said Donegan had been on holiday in Portugal when he was contacted by An Garda Siochana before his arrest, and offered to be arrested at the airport on his return, and surrendered his passport. He said an address in Crossmaglen, Co Armagh belonging to a friend of Donegan had been offered for bail, as well as a cash surety of 10,000 from a person present in court while a relative of the defendant had offered up the deeds of his home. He also pointed out that in the event of a conviction, the maximum sentence is likely to be a two-year sentence due to legislation for Troubles related offences, and said the defendant suffers from health difficulties and underwent bypass surgery during the course of the extradition proceedings in 2024. Nobody can say when this matter will come round to trial, and in terms of risks, where else would the defendant go he doesnt have access to a passport, he doesnt have access to means to travel outside the jurisdiction, he said. District Judge Eamonn King said he had to balance whether or not the defendant can be released on bail subject to conditions to manage any risks. In the circumstances of this case, it has taken 45 years to get to this point. There have been issues over those years and its only on conclusion on what took place in the Republic of Ireland that the defendant has made himself amenable to this court when his appeal against the extradition process was refused, he said. In the circumstances, I am of the view that the defendant would be a flight risk and for that reason, bail is refused. Amb. Lewis G. Brown II, has presented his Letter of Credence to the Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. Antonio Guterres Commentary By: John Ibbitson Whichever party forms government after the April 28 election must put Canadas broken immigration system at the top of the to-do list. This country has one of the worlds lowest fertility rates. Were it not for immigration, our population would soon start to decline, just as its declining in dozens of other low-fertility countries around the world. To avoid the social and economic tensions of an aging and declining population, the federal government should re-establish an immigration system that combines a high intake with strictly enforced regulations. Once Canadians see that program in place and working, public support for immigration should return. Canadas total fertility rate (the number of children, on average, a woman will have in her lifetime) has been declining, with the odd blip here and there, since the 1960s. In 1972, it fell below the replacement rate of 2.1. According to Statistics Canada, the countrys fertility rate fell to a record low of 1.26 in 2023. That puts us in the company of other lowest-low fertility countries such as Italy (1.21), Japan (1.26) and South Korea (0.82). Those three countries are all losing population. But Canadas population continues to grow, with immigrants replacing the babies who arent born. The problem is that, in the years that followed the COVID-19 lockdowns, the population grew too much. The Liberal government was unhappy that the pandemic had forced Canada to restrict immigration and concerned about post-pandemic labour shortages. To compensate, Ottawa set a target of 500,000 new permanent residents for 2025, double the already-high intake of about 250,000 a year that had served as a benchmark for the Conservative government of Stephen Harper and the Liberal governments of Paul Martin and Jean Chretien. Ottawa also loosened restrictions on temporary foreign worker permits and the admission of foreign students to colleges and universities. Both populations quickly exploded. Employers preferred hiring workers from overseas rather than paying higher wages for native-born workers. Community colleges swelled their ranks with international students who were also issued work permits. Private collegesImmigration Minister Marc Miller called them puppy millssprang up that offered no real education at all. At the same time, the number of asylum claimants in Canada skyrocketed due to troubles overseas and relaxed entry procedures, reaching a total of 457,285 in 2024. On January 1 of this year, Statistics Canada estimated that there were more than three million temporary residents in the country, pushing Canadas population up above 41.5 million. Their presence worsened housing shortages, suppressed wages and increased unemployment among younger workers. The public became alarmed at the huge influx of foreign residents. For the first time in a quarter century, according to an Environics poll, a majority of Canadians believed there were too many immigrants coming into Canada. Some may argue that the solution to Canadas demographic challenges lie in adopting family-friendly policies that encourage couples to have children. But while governments improve parental supports and filter policies through a family-friendly lensfor example, houses with backyards are more family-friendly than high-rise towersno government has been able to reverse declining fertility back up to the replacement rate of 2.1. The steps to repairing Canadas immigration mess lie in returning to first principles. According to Statistics Canada, there were about 300,000 international students at postsecondary institutions when the Liberals came to power in 2015. Lets return to those levels. The temporary foreign worker program should be toughened up. The government recently implemented stricter Labour Market Impact Assessments, but even stricter rules may be needed to ensure that foreign workers are only brought in when local labour markets cannot meet employer needs, while paying workers a living wage. New legislation should ensure that only asylum claimants who can demonstrate they are at risk of persecution or other harm in their home country are given refuge in Canada, and that the process for assessing claims is fair, swift and final. If necessary, the government should consider employing the Constitutions notwithstanding clause to protect such legislation from court challenges. Finally, the government should admit fewer permanent residents under the family reunification stream and more from the economic stream. And the total admitted should be kept to around 1 per cent of the total population. That would still permit an extremely robust intake of about 450,000 new Canadians each year. Restoring public confidence in Canadas immigration system will take much longer than it took to undermine that confidence. But there can be no higher priority for the federal government. The countrys demographic future is at stake. Cites Disrespectful Posture of a police officer who issued a traffic citation for an unregistered vehicle that belongs to a lawmaker The battle between the two front-runners, former Superintendent Edith Gongloe Weh (left) and Nimba County District #5 Representative Samuel Kogar (right), has revealed tensions long buried beneath the surface. Embattled House Speaker, Cllr J. Fonati Koffa, speaking in an interview with the Africa Young Voices (AYV) over the weekend. A MAN who sexually abused his step daughter has been jailed for seven years. The Central Criminal Court heard that the man threatened to kill the girl with a knife when she confronted him about his behaviour when she was a teenager. The 54-year-old man, who cannot be named to protect his victim's identity, was convicted following a trial earlier this year of attempted rape, sexual assault and threatening to kill or cause the child serious harm at the family home in Co Limerick on dates between 2011 and 2019. The child was aged between eight and 10 years old at the time of the attempted rape, between 14 and 15 at the time of the sexual assault and between 13 and 16 years old at the time of the threat, which followed an argument relating to his behaviour towards her. The man has no previous convictions. Yesterday, Ms Justice Melanie Greally handed the man a sentence of eight years, with the final 12 months suspended on strict conditions. She directed the man to place himself under the supervision of the Probation Services for two years following his release and further imposed a two-year post-release supervision order. The judge told the man that as part of the conditions of this post-release supervision order, he must not engage in any occupation or past-time which may bring him into contact with children, and that he is to have no contact with the victim, her mother or family. Ms Justice Greally expressed the court's appreciation of the victim's courage in coming forward to pursue her complaint. She said the victim came across as a young woman with a bright future and the court was heartened to hear she is now on a path that will take her far from her childhood experiences. READ MORE: Gardai investigate theft of gates from Limerick farm A prosecuting garda told Karl Finnegan SC, prosecuting, that the girl recalled the first incident happening around the time she was eight or nine. She said he attempted to rape her while they were lying on a bed but he stopped when she screamed. He told her to pull up her pants and left. She said inappropriate behaviour continued after this time, such as coming into the bathroom when she was having a shower or trying to look at her when she was changing her uniform. She said if there was no one in the house, he would expose himself to her. She said the sexual assault occurred when she was sitting on the couch wearing her pyjamas and the accused reached from behind and grabbed her breasts. The final incident occurred on a night when her mother was working late. She was in the kitchen and the accused man made a sexual gesture towards her. This irritated her and she told him she would tell her mother if he did not stop. The man said if she did, he would kill her with a knife. The victims mother got a barring order against the accused man in 2020 and after he left the house, the girl told her mother what had been happening. They went to gardai and made a statement of complaint in 2021 when she was less overwhelmed. The man was interviewed and said the victim and her mother were trying to destroy him. In her victim impact statement, the woman said she had been left feeling unsafe and uncomfortable in her own home. She said he had taken advantage of a young vulnerable girl, hurt her and other family members. She said she had been full of fear and afraid to stand up for herself. She said her mind had been corrupted to think any man might hurt her in a similar way. She said she had stood in court and spoken out, doing the one thing she did not think she had the courage to do. She told the man she now had more life to live which did not include him. She said she refused to give up on herself, will continue to move on and be the bravest girl she could be. Lorcan Connolly SC, defending, asked the court to take into account his client had co-operated with the investigation and complied with all parts of the barring order since 2020. He said his client maintains his innocence. He said he has a strong work history and these events have had a profound effect on his family life. He submitted that as a foreign national incarceration in an Irish prison will be hard for him. Counsel said the accused has been assessed as at low risk of re-offending and had engaged well with the probation assessment. He said he had lived a relatively uneventful life prior to the barring order and has not come to any garda attention since. He said his client was asking for mercy on his first time before a court in his life. Amazon has bid to purchase TikTok in an eleventh-hour pitch as a US ban on the platform is set to go into effect Saturday. The Amazon offer was made in a letter to Vice President JD Vance and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. US President Donald Trump, on Inauguration Day, gave the platform a reprieve, barreling past a law that had been upheld unanimously by the Supreme Court in the US, which said the ban was necessary for national security. Under the law, TikToks Chinese-owned parent company, ByteDance, must sell the platform to an approved buyer or take it offline in the US. According to Bloomberg, Donald Trump has suggested extending the pause on the ban, but he has also said he expects a deal to be forged by Saturday, April 5. Even if Amazons bid fails to gain traction in the Trump administration, the companys interest could compel other suitors to pay more, which squeezes more money out of a potential rival. Involving in negotiations could also give Amazon visibility into TikToks financial performance, including its TikTok Shop, a rising competitor to Amazons online retail business. Donald Trump to consider proposals for selling TikTok Trump is expected to meet with Vance and other top administration officials Wednesday afternoon to consider proposals for divesting TikToks US operations from its Chinese parent ByteDance Ltd. Bloomberg reported earlier that the administration is weighing other plans, including those of Oracle Corp. and Blackstone Inc., as well as potentially other investors in a joint venture. Trump faces an April 5 deadline for ByteDance to find a buyer for TikToks US operations or see the app banned in the country, though he has said he would be willing to extend the deadline as necessary. A bipartisan group of US lawmakers passed the law, signed by former President Joe Biden, last year to address concerns that the Chinese government could collect sensitive data on US citizens. US ban deadline extended previously Trump has already extended the deadline once from January 19. Even if he signs off on the proposal, it would still require approval from TikToks parent company and the Chinese government. Whether ByteDance and the Chinese have been involved in the conversations remains unclear. (Bloomberg) -- Centerbridge Partners LP is seeking to terminate a deal to buy an Italian lender from Oaktree Capital Management LP signed shortly before the bank plunged into a crisis over allegations it lent to companies associated with the mafia. Red UK Holdco Ltd., an entity affiliated with Centerbridge, asked a London judge to declare its entitled to terminate the agreement to buy Oaktrees Banca Progetto SpA with immediate effect, according to court documents dated March 5. In the filing, Centerbridge said the conditions for the deal werent met because the bank failed to address deficiencies related to anti-money laundering controls before the September signing. A little more than a month after deal was reached, a Milan court put Banca Progetto under judicial administration at the request of Italys anti-mafia authority. The bank allegedly provided loans backed by state guarantees to companies indirectly managed by people linked to the ndrangheta, the nations most prominent mafia organization. Centerbridge claimed thats proof of the breach of the terms of the deal, according to the lawsuit. Oaktree bought the bank that would become Banca Progetto a decade ago. The firms loan book was tiny at the time, amounting to just 50 million ($54 million), but it surged rapidly during the Covid pandemic as the bank set out to benefit from the Italian governments support for domestic businesses. By the end of 2023, loans had climbed to 7.6 billion, according to the September sales statement. According to Centerbridges lawsuit, Banca Progetto risked failing to prevent offences of defrauding the State. The investment firm also cites the banks internal audit report mentioning organisational deficiencies in Banca Progettos credit processes and anti-money laundering. Representatives for Banca Progetto and Oaktree declined to comment. Spokespeople for Centerbridge didnt immediately respond to requests for comment. Following the Milan court order, Bank of Italy started an investigation that led to a special administration procedure on March 21, according to a statement on Banca Progettos website. The measure, which removed the banks board, could lead to a restructuring or to a winding up of the bank. Regulators adopted an early intervention measure aimed at ensuring adequate supervision as well as restoring conditions of sound and prudent management, Banca Progetto said in the statement. --With assistance from Alberto Brambilla. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com Lucknow, Apr 2 (PTI) Leveraging digital platforms for agricultural advancement, the Sugarcane Development Council has successfully trained over 9 lakh sugarcane farmers in Uttar Pradesh through Facebook Live sessions. The initiative aims to equip farmers with modern techniques, contributing to Uttar Pradesh's position as the leading state in sugarcane production and productivity, an official statement said on Wednesday. Since February 2024, the Sugarcane Development Council has been running this programme, reaching over 15 lakh sugarcane farmers. Facebook Live training sessions have not only benefited farmers in Uttar Pradesh but have also extended their reach to sugarcane growers in Uttarakhand and Nepal. By integrating expert guidance from sugarcane research institutions, these live sessions offer farmers insights into advanced farming techniques while addressing their queries in real-time. The initiative ensures quick and effective knowledge dissemination, enabling farmers to adopt best practices for higher yield and productivity, it said. In just one year, the programme has actively engaged 15,36,600 farmers, with over 9,10,342 directly participating in the training sessions, the statement said. The Sugarcane Development Council has conducted 18 such Facebook Live programmes, making technical guidance more accessible to farmers than ever before. The Uttar Pradesh Sugarcane Development Council is conducting training programmes not only through Facebook Live but also through traditional methods at research institutes. Free training sessions are being organised at sugarcane research centres in Muzaffarnagar, Shahjahanpur, and Seorahi, where 19,039 farmers have been trained so far. Training camps have been held in Meerut, Rampur, Lakhimpur, Bareilly, Hardoi, Pilibhit, and even in Nepal. The main objective of these programmes is to educate farmers about improved sugarcane varieties and modern farming techniques. Along with training on cultivation methods, farmers also receive assistance in resolving issues related to payment, seed availability, and other agricultural challenges. New Delhi: Tata Semiconductor Manufacturing, a subsidiary of Tata Electronics Private Ltd, has appointed K.C. Ang, a veteran semiconductor industry executive, to head the groups semiconductor foundry business. The unlisted Tata group entity ventured into chip manufacturing under the Centres India Semiconductor Mission when it announced a $10-billion chip foundry project in Dholera, Gujaratin partnership with Taiwans Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (PSMC). Ang, with nearly three decades of work experience, will head the groups chip manufacturing business. Ang served as the president for Asia market at US-headquartered chip manufacturing firm GlobalFoundries, Tata Electronics said in a statement on Wednesday. GlobalFoundries, as per a report by market researcher Counterpoint, is the worlds fifth-largest semiconductor manufacturing company by volume as of FY24, capturing 5% share of the worlds chip market. Randhir Thakur, managing director and chief executive of Tata Electronics, said Ang will drive manufacturing operations and work closely with our customers and ecosystem partners. The company is making steady progress towards commencing operations at our Dholera fab, he added. A fab or foundry refers to factories that manufacture data processing chips out of silicon wafers. Chip fabs are typically among the worlds most sophisticated and complex factories, requiring high capital investments, unlimited and uninterrupted water and electricity supplies, and a skilled workforce capable of running automated chip machinery at the highest possible efficiency. Including their direct and indirect impact, processor chips and associated products such as memory and storage chips make for nearly 60% of the value of an average electronics gadget in the modern consumer world, as per industry veterans. So far, India has not had any functioning chip fab supplying to either the domestic or international markets. Government-backed Semi-Conductor Laboratory (SCL) in Mohali, Punjab still only has chip manufacturing capacities at 180nm (nanometre) chip sizeseven as cutting-edge devices have moved on to 3nm chips. Mass electronics used in appliances, cars and other industries use chips ranging from 28-100nm in size. It is this area that Tatas semiconductor project is targeting to begin with. On 1 February, union IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said Tatas chip fab is on course to roll out the first-ever made in India chip from its Dholera plant before the end of 2025. By Isaac Garcia-Sitton For decades, international students have contributed to Canadas research enterprise, workforce development and economic growth. Now, as Canada navigates strained relations and an escalating trade war with its largest economic partner, its important that policymakers stop overlooking international education that could be a critical factor in bolstering Canadas resilience. Unlike volatile trade agreements and fragile supply chains, international education provides a stable, long-term economic and social advantage. In 2018, international students contributed $21.6 billion to Canadas post-secondary institutions, local communities and gross domestic product (GDP). By 2022, that figure had grown to $37.3 billion. This represented just over 23 per cent of Canadas total service exports and around five per cent of total merchandise exports. The economic contributions from international education outpaced economic contributions from other industries, such as softwood lumber and auto parts. But their contributions extend far beyond financial impact. International students drive cutting-edge research in artificial intelligence, clean energy, biotechnology and climate science. This strengthens Canadas innovation ecosystem and global competitiveness. International students also serve as vital ambassadors, diversifying trade connections and expanding Canadas global reach. Despite their undeniable value, recent policy shifts risk undermining Canadas position as a top destination for global talent. In early 2024, the federal government imposed a two-year cap on new study permits. The cap would mean approximately 360,000 study permits would be approved in 2024 a decrease of 35 per cent from the previous years. However, institutions fell well below the imposed cap. This wasnt due to a lack of demand but because of the rushed, poorly managed roll-out that amplified disruption beyond expectations. In fall 2024, the number of permits granted was on track to drop by 45 per cent compared to the previous year. The government plans a further 10 per cent cut in 2025 and 2026 and will cap approvals at 437,000. They will also, for the first time, restrict masters and PhD students, limiting access to Canadas research ecosystem. While a cap may have been necessary to moderate the sectors growth, its rollout created uncertainty for institutions and students. This damaged Canadas reputation for high-quality education. The impact to our global standing as a top destination for international students will take years to repair. This policy shift is especially concerning given Canadas ongoing innovation and productivity challenges. A recent report from U15 research institutions shows Canada lags behind its peers in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Its mainly falling behind in research and development intensity, private sector innovation and technology adoption. In 2022, Canadas research and development spending stood at just under two per cent of GDP. This is well below the OECD average of around three per cent. Many small and medium-sized businesses rely on university partnerships for research and development. Cutting international graduate student numbers disrupts these collaborations, hindering innovation at a time when Canada can least afford it. Policymakers claim rthat estricting international student permits will ease labour market pressures. But the real problems with the labour market lie in skill mismatches, underemployment and employer hiring biases not the number of international students. With unemployment at around six-and-a-half per cent and youth unemployment at 13.6 per cent, concerns about job competition are valid. Yet newcomers and international students face significant barriers in finding jobs in their fields. In 2024, the unemployment rate for recent immigrants reached 11 percent. This is nearly double the unemployment rate for Canadian-born workers. Despite holding advanced degrees, two-thirds of foreign-trained professionals remain underemployed. This may be due to employers undervaluing international credentials and prioritizing Canadian experience. This trend extends to international student graduates who remain less likely than their Canadian peers to find jobs that match their level of education. In 2023, just over 36 per cent of international graduates with a bachelors degree secured roles requiring a university-level qualification, compared to just under 59 per cent of Canadian graduates. International student graduates also earn significantly lower salaries, despite having similar levels of job satisfaction. Like many newcomers, I personally faced this Canadian experience barrier when I entered the workforce over 15 years ago as a permanent resident. Despite my education, multilingual abilities and professional skills, I submitted hundreds of applications and secured only a handful of interviews before landing my first opportunity. This frustrating, unnecessary and economically wasteful struggle remains just as prevalent today. These barriers not only limit individual potential but also weaken Canadas ability to harness the talent it attracts. International students are more than workers theyre entrepreneurs, innovators and future job creators. For instance, as of 2022, nearly 180 of the U.S.s billion-dollar companies were founded by former international students. Each of these companies created an average of 800 jobs and made up nearly a quarter of all dollar companies. Canada risks losing similarly bright minds to more welcoming countries if clear pathways for them to stay, contribute and build businesses arent established. This would cost the country both talent and billions in economic potential. If Canada is serious about building a stronger, more competitive economy, it must address the systemic issues that stand in the way of international student success. This includes modernizing credential recognition so employers can fairly assess international experience and qualifications, expanding co-op programs, internships and mentorships so international students can gain relevant Canadian experience before graduation and protecting them from misinformation and questionable recruitment practices. Employers need to be educated about immigration pathways to reduce hiring hesitancy. The government also must create a stable and predictable immigration policy framework to give businesses confidence in hiring international graduates. As Canada continues to face labour shortages and growing economic and political volatility, international education remains a strategic asset. It fuels research, diversifies trading partners, supports innovation and supplies the workforce Canada needs for long-term prosperity. The future of Canadas economy depends on its ability to attract and retain the thinkers, creators, and innovators who will define the next generation of progress. At this critical moment, Canada must decide if it will invest in the talent that fuels innovation or close the door on opportunity. Isaac Garcia-Sitton is affiliated with the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE), the Council of Ontario Universities (COU), and the Council of International Schools (CIS). BENGALURU : Tesco Plc, one of the UKs largest retailers, was rocked by an accounting scandal and reported its worst annual loss in 2015. Its cash coffers were nearly empty, and there was a need to transform the business to get more cash. Enter Sumit Mitra. The former BT Group managing director was brought in by the British retailer in 2017 to head Tesco Business Solutions, the technology centre arm. His sole mandate was to drive change. Today, the company has one of its oldest running global capability centres (GCC) in India and employs about 5,500 people at its Whitefield office in Bengaluru. Dressed in a black Hugo Boss t-shirt, Mitra spoke to Mint over a video call on 20 March about Tescos in-house centre and the work his company looks after for the parent firm (Tesco Plc). Even as the retailer mulls giving over soon-to-expire food to shoppers in some of its stores, the team stationed out of Bengaluru and its four other global business centres is the brains behind the management of each of its retail customer-facing stores. Tesco runs four other GCCs worldwide, and each centre handles functions ranging from micro and macro management of retail outlets to handling customer invoices, hiring, and managing supplier contracts. The GCCsin Budapest, Bengaluru, Scotland, and Irelandemploy up to 8,000 people, about 2.3% of its 338,000-strong workforce. Its India centre is its biggest, employing two-thirds of its entire GCC workforce. So what are the companys plans for its business centres that overlook the back-end running of Tescos 5,000 stores globally? Heres what Mitra, chief executive of Tesco Business Solutions, told Mint. Edited excerpts: What have been some of the defining trends of Tescos GCC in India? I always say culture is the most important aspect of how you run a GCC or GBS (global business services). We changed the name from Tesco Hindustan Service Centre to Tesco Business Solutions, so that people feel it's a global business and that it's supporting our global business. I told the then chief executive (Dave Lewis) that we are going to build a GBS, and it is going to be a step change. We created a service model framework that sought to streamline 700 Tesco processes to 10. Our idea was to get into the architecture of those processes. Those processes are how we serve our customers, how we do our strategy, how we manage our colleagues, how we build our technology stack, and how we manage our accounting. Like this, we had 10 processes, and I was very clear about what would sit within those processes in a GBS model versus what should sit in the market. I took it to the board for approval, and then we moved on from there. Then covid-19 happened in 2020. We quadrupled our volumes. As you can imagine, being a food retailer, people were at home, which meant that they would eat more, and Bengaluru played a pivotal part in ensuring that we feed the nation that we serve because our contact centre volumes went up by 512%, and we had to hire 50,000 new colleagues. How has the GCC evolved in the last one year? Everybody is talking about artificial intelligence (AI). We've been working on AI for the last six years. It is almost like people go into a FOMO (fear of missing out) saying, If we don't really use AI, we will fall behind. So let's go and do some test cases." We have scaled AI, and for me, it's a FOBO (fear of being obsolete), not a FOMO. How is Gen AI being used in Tescos GCCs? Ill give you a simple example. We have a process where customers return products. We get around 295,000 products returned every year into our stores. Initially, we had 25 people in Bengaluru to get those return forms and process them. They would look into the issues, cluster them, map them against the right suppliers, and try to get a refund from those suppliers. What we do now is that we've got a whole end-to-end AI tool that manages this process, and then we use some robotics to translate some of the task history. Also Read: What lies ahead for GCCs in India after a pivotal year We call it AI for operations' and what that means is it structures the unstructured data. First it picks up the right words, and then it converts it into actionable outcomes that my team needs to do with the support. So that team of 25 is now a team of two, and those two people are managing almost 300,000 returns that we get every year. The impact of that is not the efficiency that we used to do it with 25 people, and now we do it with two. It's about how quickly and accurately we are able to get back money from the suppliers and improve our working capital. So that's one example. The second example is that before, my team would get a lot of queries, and we had to produce a lot of reports. What GenAI has done for us is that we built something called Cockpit 2.0, which actually is a phone-based, web-based app where you can ask it any question, and it will give you standard KPIs (key performance indicators). But if you want to look at a trend, if you want to look at the deviations, if you have to understand a 'why', you can ask it any question, and it answers you instantly without any human touch. This is built on our GenAI model that we have built in Bengaluru. Have global roles transitioned to the GCCs? This has been happening for years. It's not about transition, but it's also about importing and exporting talent. The former chief financial officer (CFO) of Ireland has come from India. The director of group strategy and innovation for the Tesco group came from the shared services space (GCC) at Tesco GBS in the past and worked with us in Bengaluru for many years. Its also about bringing the right talent from the group into the shared service space. So, for example, the chief human resources officer of Europe now runs our hub in Budapest. It's an exchange of talent and not a one-way street of what roles can move into GBS, but also what GBS can export into the business. What are your expansion plans? And I ask this because your parent organization laid off 300-400 employees earlier in January. Are we seeing that kind of a thing trickle down in the GBS centres here? In the seven-and-a-half years that I've been in the business, Ive stood up on stage and made it very clear that there will not be a single redundancy in India. We will continue to automate, and therefore redundancy is inevitable when you do automation, but we feel as a business, it's our moral right to help and support colleagues and also help with the skill change. We will continue to take on new work, and we will continue to upskill ourselves. We will continue to go up the value chain to take on new technology, new work, and we will continue to make disruptive hiring to bring in the right talent at the right cost from the market into our GBS model. Are you looking at increasing your headcount? So if I look at India, is there an expansion scope? Yes, we will continue to expand, but at a reasonable rate. We will look at hiring more technologists. We will look at niche skill sets and capabilities like charter surveyors and civil engineers. We will continue to hire while we continue to train our people internally. Its no longer about headcount. Its a skill-count play, that is, the skill and capability that we build. I could go up to 5,500 (employees) or remain at 5,000 as we guide automation. It depends on what capability I am building, what I need to hire from the outside, and what I need to grow from the inside. It is very difficult to pinpoint. Net-net, we might go up by a couple hundred, but the work that we are bringing could be over a thousand people. New Delhi: ICICI Venture and foreign investors who jointly own nearly three-fourths of Resurgent Power Ventures are planning to sell their stakes in the Tata Power-backed platform, two people aware of the development said. While Tata Power owns 26% of the Singapore-based company with assets worth $2.5 billion, the rest is owned by ICICI Venture, Kuwait Investment Authority, and Oman Investment Authority. The shareholders have met investment banks to arrange a sale," one of the two people said on the condition of anonymity, adding a formal mandate is awaiting approval from Tata Power parent Tata Sons. Resurgent Power focuses on acquiring and turning around conventional and hydroelectric projects as well as transmission assets that are operational, nearing operations, or in advanced stages of development. Established with an initial investment of $850 million in 2016, the company has acquired three projects via bankruptcy courts so far. Tata Power, ICICI Venture, ICICI Bank, Oman Investment Authority and Kuwait Investment Authority did not respond to requests for comment sent on Monday. Also read | Maharashtra's new power tariff proposal gives jitters to solar companies It is not clear if the mandate for sale will include a 74% stake sale or a full 100% stake sale. However, the second person cited above said Tata Power is not selling its stake currently. According to this person, Tata Powers acquisition of the rest of the stake cannot be ruled out. One of the solutions is for Tata Power to increase its stake in the business," the person said on the condition of anonymity. Focus on transmission and green energy This is also because Tata Power has indicated in recent years that it is expanding its transmission business. It also aims to grow its green power portfolio to over 15GW over the next five years. At an earnings call on 6 August 2024, Tata Power CEO Praveer Sinha had said transmission is a great opportunity. Two of the three assets acquired by Resurgent Power are transmission companies. In the last two years, we took over two stressed assets, which are under implementation," Sinha had said, noting the two assets are already operational and earning revenue. He said Tata Power had recently won a competitive bid in Odisha to build a power project, which will be completed in over 24 months. Sinha noted that Tata Power would continue to place bids for transmission projects if there are no right of way (ROW) challenges. Also read | Policy intervention must for carbon credit trading: Tata Power's Praveer Sinha With the US perceived to be moving away from green energy, there may be more interest in secondary deals in the conventional power space as well as revival of some stalled projects, as it becomes more acceptable to invest in conventional power again, said Deepto Roy, a partner at law firm Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co. Roy noted that large transactions in the power sector are becoming fewer and farther in between. "While there continued to be notable secondary acquisitions in the renewable energy sector in FY25, there has been a notable reduction in the number of large platform acquisitions in the power sector," he said. Also read | Indias renewable energy target may prove elusive without course correction "The emphasis instead seems to be moving to more greenfield project development, including in hybrid, round-the-clock and battery storage projects, as well as consolidations within the existing groups. In my view that will be the dominant theme in the present year," said Roy, who specializes in infrastructure, energy, project finance and banking. Past acquisitions Resurgent Power completed the acquisition of 75% stake in Prayagraj Power Generation Co. Ltd (PPGCL) in 2019, which it has turned around since then. In 2021, it acquired 100%stake in NRSS XXXVI Transmission Ltd after lender PTC India Financial Services initiated a sale of NRSS through the bankruptcy courts. In 2022, the South East UP Power Transmission Co. Ltd was also acquired by Resurgent, again through the bankruptcy process. PPGCL has a 25-year power purchase agreement with each of the five distribution utilities of Uttar Pradesh for the sale of 90% of power generated since its commissioning in May 2017," said an India Ratings credit report on Prayagraj Power. PPGCL is one of the largest power plants in the country. This, along with reliable supply, has helped the plants PLF (plant load factor) to be healthy even with the relatively high variable cost," the 10 June 2024 report added. Also read | Should you bet on Tata Powers bold green energy push? In its FY24 annual report, Tata Power said that while it was expanding its clean energy portfolio to reach 15 GW by 2029, it is also expanding its transmission portfolio through successful tariff-based competitive bids. Our transmission portfolio now stands at 6277 CKm (circuit km) with recent wins including Jalpura Khurja Power Transmission Ltd, and Bikaner III Neemrana II Transmission Ltd valued at 2300 crore," the annual report said. Vodafone Idea Ltd, Indias third-largest telecom operator that just received a second lifeline from the government, is scouting for a chief executive officer (CEO) as incumbent Akshaya Moondra's term expires in August this year, according to two senior telecom executives aware of the development. The search for the new CEO has started and the telco may look at CXOs from industries like consumer and technology (sectors) who have a strong understanding of distribution," said one of the sector executives on the condition of anonymity. Also Read | You may soon be able to identify spam callers Mint's emailed queries to Vi remained unanswered at the time of publishing. A new CEO will join Vodafone Idea (Vi) as Indian wireless carriers have started looking beyond 4G and 5G services. Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd and Bharti Airtel Ltd recently inked a pact with Elon Musk's SpaceX to offer Starlink satellite internet services to customers in India. In response to a clarification sought by exchanges about its reported talks with Starlink, Vi said the company is in exploratory talks with various Satcom providers including Starlink". Vi, which was late in adopting high-speed 5G because of its debt burden, got another reprieve when the government agreed to convert an additional 36,950 crore worth of statutory dues into equity last week, increasing its stake to 49% in the company. The telecom operator, born out of the merger between Vodafone India and Idea Cellular Ltd, has an 18% subscriber market share, compared with Jio and Airtels 40.4% and 33.5%, respectively. Vi consistently lost customers to rivals over the past two years amid concerns about its survival and stiff competition. At the end of December 2024, the companys subscriber base was at 199.8 million versus Jio's 482.1 million and Airtel's 414 million. To strengthen its bastion, the company will need to cater to the needs of a younger customer base and even grow its average revenue per user (Arpu), which was 173 as of October-December quarter, according to another industry executive aware of the development. Airtel's Arpu stood at 245 and Jio reported 203 during the period. Moondra helped stitch Vodafone-Idea merger Moondra, chief financial officer (CFO) at erstwhile Idea Cellular from June 2008 to August 2018, played a crucial role in stitching the Vodafone-Idea merger in 2018. The deal took place during one of the most turbulent periods for India's telecom sector when Mukesh Ambani-led Jio rolled out unlimited 4G plans and slashed data rates, forcing Airtel and other rivals to follow suit. Moondra was elevated as Vi's CEO in August 2022 for three years, which ends this August. During his tenure as CFO and CEO, Moondra undertook a crucial 25,000 crore rights issue in 2019 to raise funds to reduce the companys debt and strengthen its balance sheet amid crippling competition and financial challenges stemming from the merger. During the period, the government first converted 16,000 crore of Vodafone Idea's outstanding dues into equity. Also Read | Vodafone Ideas 5G rollout comes with a side of satellite internet FOMO In April 2024, Vi raised 18,000 crore through India's largest follow-on public offer till date. Last week, the company announced the second equity conversion of dues worth 36,950 crore into equity. Reacting to the announcement, the operator's shares shot up 18.9% on Tuesday to close at 8.10 apiece. The conversion of debt to equity will provide some cashflow relief to Vodafone Idea, brokerage Jefferies said in a note on Tuesday. This may support the companys network investments and slow the pace of market share shifts towards Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio, it said. However, analysts at Ambit Capital said the company would require continued tariff hikes to sustain capital expenditure and make good future spectrum and AGR-linked payments. Also Read | Everyone's punting on Vodafone Idea. Is it worth the risk? The operator's biggest financial strain stems from the adjusted gross revenue (AGR) issue. In 2019, the Supreme Court ruled that Vi and its peers need to pay statutory liabilities on AGR, which includes non-telecom revenue. There was a massive gap between the telecom department's calculations and the self-assessed dues by telecom operators. For Vodafone Idea, department of telecommunications (DoT) calculated total dues at 58,000 crore against the companys estimate of 21,500 crore. In September 2024, the Supreme Court rejected curative petitions filed by Vi and other operators seeking relief in the apex courts 2019 ruling. As of December 2024, Vodafone Ideas total debt was around 2.3 trillion, including 77,000 crore AGR liability and 1.4 trillion spectrum liability. The conversion of additional liabilities worth 37,000 crore will help reduce the companys debt by 17%, Jefferies said. Mumbai: Weikfield Foods, known for its custard, jelly mixes and baking powder, will produce more ready-to-eat products for the convenience-seeking younger generation of customers, look for acquisitions to boost growth, and come out with an IPO to fund its expansion plans, CEO and managing director Ashwini Malhotra told Mint in an interview. The companys ready-to-eat custard, launched a few years ago, is gathering momentum and is one of its first game-changing products, he said. The strategic direction that we are steering our business towards is to go more on the ready-to-eat format because that is what the younger generation prefers," Malhotra said. In the next couple of years, we plan to extend the ready-to-eat format to our other desserts, either in Tetra Paks or cups, for products like puddings and jellies." The company may turn to acquisitions to expedite growth in the ready-to-eat segment. We are looking to acquire brands. That has always been on the anvil and now that we are emboldened with better performance this year, we are more than happy to evaluate good companies that will help us with our growth plans," Malhotra said. Room for growth Market intelligence provider Statista estimates that the ready-to-eat segment is expected to expand at a CAGR of 13.41% to $2.13 billion over the next four years. In November, Fireside and Thinking Forks Consulting said in a joint report that urban consumers are eating more frequently through the day but in controlled portions and opting for cooking aids such as ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook products. Founded in 1956 by S.P. Malhotra and B.R. Malhotra, Pune-based Weikfield started with the idea of bringing global cuisines to India and introduced custard, cornflour and baking powder. It later diversified to jelly, mustard powder, and drinking chocolate and entered the breakfast segment with oats. Weikfield is one of the older brands in the ready-to-eat market and can surely ride the demand growth curve," said Devangshu Dutta, chief executive of consulting firm Third Eyesight. It did lose its head-start advantage to more recent entrants that have been more aggressive in investing in marketing and distribution. However, the market is far from being saturated, and growth could come from new product and even new brand launches, and perhaps even inorganically through acquisitions." He added that growth in the ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat market is fuelled by changing lifestyles that are boosting convenience-led demand, and the growth of brands and products on the supply side, supported by modern retail channels heightening the visibility of the category. Weikfield plans to extend its range across its categories with new product offerings and flavours. It operates in five segments - desert mixes such as custard, jelly and faluda, baking products including baking soda, and beverages such as green tea and hot chocolate. It also has a diverse pasta range and condiments including Chinese sauces and ketchup. Beyond the expansion plans, Weikfield is evaluating a public listing in the next three years, Malhotra said. We are looking at the IPO market and based on the valuations, we are looking to go public by 2028. The listing will give us a platform to partly cash out as we have been invested in the company for a long time and it will also enable us to raise funds for the companys future expansion plans," Malhotra said. Weikfield has rebuffed several offers for external funding from private equity firms. However, Malhotra envisages that there will be a fairly decent amount of funding required for supply chain and marketing" going forward, which it plans to raise through the initial public offering. Even for distribution, we will need a different approach because our current distributors are used to long shelf-life products, but the demand is tending towards 30-60-day shelf-life products. That is where we need to reinvent ourselves and will require capital," he said, adding that the company will fund these plans through internal accruals in the run-up to the IPO. Consolidating exports The company has three brands Weikfield for indulgent and taste-oriented products, Eco Valley for healthy products such as organic green tea, and Chefs Basket for pasta and other baking items. It has three manufacturing facilities two in Pune and one in Himachal Pradesh. One of the Pune factories supplies the southern and western markets, while the Himachal factory caters to the north and east. The other Pune facility manufactures mushrooms. Weikfield gets about 10% of its over 300 crore revenue from exports to the Middle East, Europe, the US, the UK and Africa. We now want to consolidate our presence and sell more of our products in select countries rather than spread ourselves too thin across the world. We'd rather just focus on where we are present today and continue expanding our sales there," Malhotra said. Unlike companies that posted plummeting sales during the pandemic, Weikfield was among the few that managed to buck the trend as consumers, bound by lockdown restrictions, were indulgent and increasingly turned to baking and cooking. However, as customers returned to their pre-pandemic lifestyles, Weikfields sales declined, and it couldnt sustain the growth trajectory. During this period, the company spent a significant amount of money on marketing and advertising. It has since recovered after it focused on profitability and consolidated its presence across geographies and specific products. Weikfield is poised to benefit from experienced promoters in the field of food processing, an established brand image and distribution network and vast product assortment, Care Ratings said in a report last year. Quick commerce Over the past year, the company tied up with quick commerce giants Zepto and Instamart after debuting on Amazon Fresh. E-commerce is one of the companys fastest-growing channels and it leverages the same distributors for quick commerce to help save costs. Also Read | Smaller consumer brands jazz up pitches in scramble to get listed on quick commerce platforms We have 800 distributors across the country. Wherever these q-com companies have set up dark stores, we have either our distributors or our own depots to service our orders," Malhotra explained, adding that the company has about 28 depots across India. The company revenue increased to 315.9 crore in FY24 from 295.3 crore a year earlier. Its profit narrowed to 1.2 crore from 2.2 crore, according to data from Tracxn. The companys revenue increased by 18-20% in FY25, while profit almost tripled, Malhotra said. (Bloomberg) -- China kicked off its first-ever sale of a green sovereign bond, as it looks to raise as much as 6 billion yuan ($826 million) in an offering it plans to list in London. The Chinese Ministry of Finance set the initial price guidances of the three-year and five-year offshore yuan-denominated notes at yields of 2.3% and 2.35%, according to a person familiar with the matter. The notes could be priced as early as today, the person added. Also Read | Trump Campaign Against ESG Hits Emerging-Market Green Bonds The decision to list its inaugural green bond in London highlights Chinas recent efforts to build closer bilateral financial ties with the UK. Chinas government earlier held an investor conference in the city and has ambitions of tapping a European market thats the worlds largest buyer of sustainable debt. The debt issuance plan was first made public in January, when the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer visited Beijing and both countries pledged to enhance financial cooperation and boost capital market partnerships. It also comes as China ramps up offerings in overseas markets, including a $2 billion bond sale in Saudi Arabia in November and a 2 billion euro ($2.2 billion) deal in Paris in September. While global issuance of green bonds slowed in the final three quarters of 2024, Chinese entities are the largest issuers of the notes so far this year, data compiled by Bloomberg Intelligence show. (Bloomberg) -- Kenyan lenders boosted investments in government securities and slowed down lending to the private sector, even as returns from domestic debt kept dropping. Yields on domestic debt retreated in the past six months, with the 91-day Treasury bills reaching a low of 8.79% at the latest auction on March 27 from a high of 15.7% at the end of September. Returns on 364-day debt have dropped to 10.4% from 16.8% last year. Still, interest in short-term government debt has remained high, according to Absa Bank Kenya Plc Chief Finance Officer Yusuf Omari. If you look at the latest auctions, two of them in March, theres been a significant over-subscription with one over 200%, he said. As we move into the medium-term, you start seeing preference on customer loans as opposed to investing in government securities. This year, consumer demand will likely remain subdued due to weaker disposable income and higher taxes, Omari said. The Kenyan unit of Equity Group Holdings Plc, the nations biggest lender by market value, increased its government securities holdings by about 21% but cut net loans to customers by nearly 6%. Standard Chartered Bank Kenya Ltd. reversed an earlier decision to pull back from government securities, instead adding to them by about 46% from a year earlier, while loans to customers shrunk 7%. Lazy banking won again, said Sylvester Odhiambo, a research analyst at Dyer & Blair Investment Bank. For banks, business this year will likely come from the corporate world, according to Melodie Gatuguta, associate banking analyst at Standard Investment Bank. The cost of living is still high, she said. For retail borrowers, it may be still a bit rough. Still, while banks were adding to their holdings, central bank data shows that their overall share of the market in Kenyan domestic government securities remain roughly stable around 45%, where it has been since mid-2023. --With assistance from Eric Ombok and Adelaide Changole. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com India is planning to slash import duties on electric vehicles even as it rejects requests from domestic EV makers to delay such moves by four years. This comes as New Delhi plans to close a trade deal with Washington DC. According to a Reuters report quoting sources familiar with the development, India is serious about cutting EV tariffs. This comes despite automakers supporting the Modi government to delay any cut in EV tariffs until 2029. But India is prioritising the EV tariff cuts over domestic carmaker demands, with the levies riling US President Donald Trump and his billionaire Tesla CEO ally Elon Musk. According to the report quoting two government officials, electric vehicle industry is set to be part of the first tranche of tariff reductions in a planned bilateral trade deal. Significant reduction in EV tariffs We have protected the auto industry for far too long. We will have to open it up, one of the government officials told Reuters. The source further revealed that EV tariffs will be cut significantly among other products. The officials did not elaborate or disclose the size of the planned duty cut given ongoing negotiations with Washington. Also Read | Trump Media share price tanks over 5% ahead of reciprocal tariffs announcement Tariff cut to build India-US tie New Delhi's plan to cut duties on EVs and other goods comes as it seeks to build bridges with Trump - who has referred to India as a "tariff king" - even as he prepares to announce reciprocal tariffs on trading partners later on Wednesday. An immediate cut would be a victory for Tesla, which has finalised showrooms in Mumbai and New Delhi to begin selling imported cars in the South Asian nation this year. Trump has said it is currently "impossible" for Tesla to sell in India and it would be unfair if it had to build a factory there. But it would be a setback for domestic players like Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra, which have invested millions of dollars in local EV manufacturing, with more to come, and lobbied against duty cuts. Israel has cancelled import duties and tariffs on all American goods, a day before US President Donald Trump is scheduled to announce reciprocal tariffs on trading partners. The order was issued under the directive of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Economy and Industry Minister Nir Barkat. Israel-US trade relations The US is Israel's largest trading partner and one of its closest allies. As of 2024, the export of goods to the US stood at USD 17.3 billion, while the export of services was at USD 16.7 billion. What does the 1985 Free Trade Agreement say? The Israeli government cited the 1985 Free Trade Agreement with the US, under which the majority (nearly 99 per cent) of goods imported from the US are already exempt from customs duties. Hence, the customs duties will be reduced to a limited range of products, starting from food and agricultural products from the US. "The reduction in customs duties will, in effect, expand the US-Israel trade agreement and strengthen bilateral strategic relations," the Prime Minister's Office, Finance Ministry and Economy and Industry Ministry said in a joint statement. Benjamin Netanyahu on eliminating import duties According to PM Benjamin Netanyahu, cancelling customs duties will open up the market to completion and lower the cost of living. Cancelling the customs duties on American goods is an additional step in the policy that my government have led for a decade in opening up the market to competition, introducing variety to the economy and lowering the cost of living, Benjamin Netanyahu. In addition to the economic advantages to the market and to the citizens of Israel, the current effort will allow us to further strengthen the alliance and ties between Israel and the US. We will continue to work to reduce barriers and customs, and bolster our special relationship with the US, he added. Harvard President Alan Garber has spent the past few weeks trying to keep his school from becoming the next Columbia . As he watched Trump pull federal funds from his schools Ivy League peer over antisemitism concerns, and impose far-reaching demands, Garber made a flurry of moves of his own. The school dismissed leaders at its controversial center for Middle Eastern studies, reinforced intellectual diversity guidelines across programs and unwound a partnership with a university in the West Bank. Nonetheless, Harvard now finds itself in the hot seat. On Monday, the White House targeted the university with a review of $9 billion in federal funds as part of Trumps rapidly escalating campaign against what he views as left-wing ideology and antisemitism on campuses. This effort has kicked into a higher gear. Princeton University said Tuesday the Trump administration is suspending several dozen" research grants. Chris Eisgruber, Princetons president, said in an email to students and staffers that the full rationale for this action is not yet clear." In a recent Atlantic magazine essay, Eisgruber described the Trump administrations attack on Columbia University" as the greatest threat to American universities since the Red Scare of the 1950s." A White House official called the Princeton measure a proactive pause in funding pending an investigation into alleged antisemitism. In March, Princeton was among 60 colleges and universities the Education Department said it would investigate for similar allegations. Last month, Trump made Columbia exhibit A. He pulled $400 million in federal grants and contracts from the school, then set out demands as a precondition to start talks about restoring the money. Columbia largely agreed but then provoked the Trump administration when its interim president, Katrina Armstrong, played down the changes in faculty meetings. She stepped down as president soon after. Garber assumed Harvards presidency after his predecessor, Claudine Gay, was pushed out. Gay faced criticism for her handling of pro-Palestinian protests on campus, including a letter signed by student groups calling Israel entirely responsible" for the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks. Jewish students and faculty argued anti-Zionism had metastasized into antisemitism on campus, and that a fear of challenging progressive orthodoxy stymied discussion. Garber announced a task force addressing antisemitism, and another combating anti-Muslim and anti-Arab bias. The Trump administrations disdain for many elite institutions extends beyond the protests to the view that universities suppress conservative ideas. At a 2021 speech to the National Conservatism Conference, Vice President JD Vance, who at the time wasnt in public office, said: I think if any of us want to do the things that we want to do for our country and for the people who live in it, we have to honestly and aggressively attack the universities in this country." Meanwhile, the public mood toward elite universities with large endowmentsHarvards is north of $50 billionis sour. Garber has removed diversity, equity and inclusion statements for faculty hiring and launched an intellectual-vitality program, aimed at expanding open dialogue. Progress in changing the culture will be measured in years, not months, organizers say. After Trumps election, Garber needed Harvard to move faster. On Inauguration Day, the university announced the settlement of two lawsuits accusing it of tolerating antisemitism. Yet in March, Trump named Harvard as among 10 schools that would be investigated by a newly created government task force on antisemitism. Within days, the school forced out the leadership at its Center for Middle Eastern Studies. Former Harvard President Larry Summers on X has accused the center of failing to properly represent the Israeli perspective in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Last week, Harvards Divinity School, which had also drawn criticism over Israeli-Palestinian programming, announced a restructuring following leadership departures in January. That same week, Harvards School of Public Health let its partnership with a controversial West Bank school, Birzeit University, lapse. Conservative lawmakers wrote Garber last year calling Harvards relationship with the school extremely concerning," citing Birzeits student government support for Hamas. Andrea Baccarelli, dean of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, wrote to the community outlining new reviews of faculty and programs to ensure rigor and quality, while also focusing on building a pluralistic culture that is accountable to our values." The effect, say some faculty at the school, will be to root out professors teaching what they see as biased perspectives of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Many Harvard professors, meanwhile, are urging Garber to resist what they view as political attacks on American universities. In a letter to the schools governing board, they say bedrock principles of a democratic society, including rights of free expression, association, and inquiry" are at stake. I think (Garber) is caving, and every person on the faculty that Ive spoken to thinks the same thing," said Ryan Enos, a political scientist at Harvard who helped draft the letter. I dont think any serious person believes that the Trump administration actually cares about antisemitism." On Monday, after the Trump administration announced a review of Harvards federal funding, Garber took a considered approach in a letter to the school community. He struck a personal note when conveying the importance of fighting antisemitism. I have experienced antisemitism directly, even while serving as president," he wrote, and I know how damaging it can be to a student who has come to learn and make friends at a college or university." Garber also emphasized the stakes. Harvards federal grants and contracts are spread among the school and affiliates, including Boston-area hospitals. Cutting federal funds, he wrote, would halt lifesaving research and imperil important scientific research and innovation." Influencer Apoorva Mukhija, popularly known as The Rebel Kid, has deleted all her Instagram posts days after Youtuber Ranveer Allahbadia made a comeback on social media following India's Got Latent controversy. In February, a case was registered against Ranveer Allahbadia (BeerBiceps), Samay Raina, Apoorva Mukhija, and other judges of India's Got Latent show after Allahbadia's controversial and disgusting remarks about parents and sex. Currently, Apoorva's Instagram profile shows no posts and zero accounts being followed. However, all the highlights on her profile can still be seen. She has nearly three million followers. The new development comes after Ranveer Allahbadia returned to Instagram and posted his first YouTube video after the controversy. Also Read | Ranveer Allahbadia summoned by Maharashtra Cyber Cell, to appear on Feb 24 Apoorva Mukhija unfollows everybody On February 20, Apoorva unfollowed everybody on Instagram amid the controversy. She reportedly received death threats and sexual assault threats. Her friend Rida Tharana slammed the trolls in a story on Instagram. I have never doubted that some people hate women simply for being women, just for breathing, existing, loving themselves and daring to grow. A woman could have the same issues as anyone else, but the fact that she's a woman always makes it worse, the story read. How do you ever feel safe when you are constantly threatened, scared for your life, and living in a country that was supposed to protect you? Rida said. It's so unfair, the hate and cruelty she's being put throughI just hope none of you ever have to experience what she's going through," she added. Ranveer Allahbadia's comeback to social media Meanwhile, Ranveer Allahbadia returned to social media three days ago and wrote a post captioned, Thank you to my loved ones. Thank you universe A new blessed chapter begins - Rebirth [sic]. Earlier, he thanked his fans for helping him 'heal' amid the ongoing India's Got Talent controversy. Ranveer's post read, Healing because of you all. Be with us tomorrow. Following the backlash over his comments, the YouTuber had earlier issued an apology for the controversial remarks. By John Woodside, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter As a federal election campaign is in full swing, the trade war with the U.S. is casting a long shadow over voters choices, and whoever forms the next government will have the tall order of trying to draw this conflict to a close. President Trump wants to break us so America can own us, said Liberal Leader Mark Carney at a campaign stop in Gander, NL. We are over the shock of betrayal, but we should never forget the lessons. We have to look out for ourselves. International trade experts interviewed by Canadas National Observer say that it will be much easier said than done. The two economies are more integrated than ever before, and President Donald Trumps chaotic governing style makes it extremely difficult to know how to even begin to unravel this dispute. This is uncharted waters, said David Plunkett, Canadas former ambassador to the European Union and chief trade negotiator during Stephen Harpers time in power. All the normal go-to elements of policy-making that [I], and people like me in the past, have used aren't necessarily valid anymore. Typically, when countries that have signed free trade agreements disagree, the dispute is referred to a tribunal as part of a dispute settlement mechanism baked into the agreements. Those dispute settlement processes are designed to contain, de-escalate and de-politicize a conflict by forcing the parties to make technical arguments to a judge instead of retaliating against other sectors of the others economy. That option is increasingly irrelevant. Donald Trump is so far outside of the bounds of how trade disputes are supposed to be managed that we're back in what seems like early 20th century politics of trade policy, but in an environment where we have just-in-time supply chains that make a trade war really nightmarish, said Russell Williams, an associate professor at Memorial University and expert in international political economy. Amidst the uncertainty, heres whats known: After months of the U.S. putting tariffs on Canadian exports and Canada slapping retaliatory tariffs on American goods, the White House is threatening to ratchet them higher on April 2. Trump keeps repeating his annexation threats, while Carney has said the two countries can talk trade when Trump stops disrespecting Canada. On the economic side, Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem told the Calgary Chamber of Commerce Thursday that economic uncertainty has reached levels not seen since the 1930s, and the damage on both sides of the border has begun. On the public opinion side, about 80 per cent of Canadians support retaliating against the U.S. by using electricity, aluminum, potash, oil and gas exports as leverage, according to polling firm Leger. And 40 per cent of Canadians consider Trumps economic aggression to be the top issue as voters prepare to head to the polls. Its clear that tariffs have the potential to wreak havoc on the Canadian economy and there is public appetite to fight back. Whats less clear is how to de-escalate the trade war, in large part due to the political moment were in and the mercurial nature of President Donald Trump. You can bemoan the demise of days gone by, but looking forward, you just can't assume there's an easy way out of this, and part of it is the character of the person you're up against, Plunkett said. In his first week in office, Carney met with the countrys premiers and leaders from long-time allies in other countries to chart a short- and long-term response to the tariffs. He has conceded theres a limit to how much Canada can do to respond, and experts say the options to de-escalate this trade war are narrowing. With an election underway, Carney, or any prospective leader, must be careful to avoid a Zelenskyy moment that is, walking into the White House lions den for a painful, embarrassing meeting that has only two likely outcomes: grovelling to avoid further attacks from President Donald Trump, or standing firm and provoking the Americans further. In other words, a political suicide mission, given the mood of Canadians. Anyone that's actually trying to be prime minister right now cannot afford to go and be put through what Zelenskyy was put through, Williams said. Canadians just wont wear that, and you would do that at your peril as a politician. That helps to explain why Carney broke with tradition and made his first international visit to Europe instead of the White House. Carney met French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris and U.K. Prime Minister Kier Starmer in London, in a whirlwind tour with Canadas long-time allies. The move carried symbolic weight, but it also could reflect a strategic pivot to Europe a message to Trump that Canada has options to weather a trade war. Williams said Trumps repeated talk of Canada becoming the 51st state is pushing a negotiated end to this economic crisis out of reach. Its almost impossible to de-escalate the trade war in this context because any compromise with the Americans risks triggering a nationalist uprising in Canada. The art of how not to do a deal is where we're at, he said. Despite repeated trips to Washington from federal and provincial leaders, Canada has failed to persuade the Trump administration to abandon its tariff threats, so it has turned to dollar-for-dollar retaliatory tariffs instead. Canada is handling things quite well so far, said Genevieve Dufour, a professor at the University of Ottawa, in an email, referring to the retaliation. But it would be even more effective to speak with one voice. The premiers have made it clear they dont all see eye to eye. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is threatening a national unity crisis if the federal government takes steps to restrict or put export taxes on oil and gas exports something that Ontario Premier Doug Ford has openly criticized, saying that oil and gas exports are a trump card in the negotiations that should be kept on the table. Dufor said Canada should not negotiate in public or sector by sector to remove tariffs. In fact, we should not negotiate at all until things calm down, she said. Just like in a traditional war, we dont negotiate under bombardment; we wait for a ceasefire and then negotiate calmly in a serene environment. She concedes a tariff ceasefire is unlikely to resolve the situation. Trump does not respect international obligations, so there is nothing to guarantee he wouldnt violate any agreement the following week, she said. We have to face the facts: we are in for a rollercoaster ride for the next four years. Williams said the retaliatory tariffs are part of a containment strategy to prevent the trade war from escalating further. We're trying to say to the United States, we're prepared to fight, we're prepared to lean into this, but we're not doing it yet because we're not sure you're really serious about this, he said. I do think there's some logic in not provoking the United States here, because we can't read the Trump administration. Williams said that because Trump keeps threatening Canadas existence, a political, rhetorical de-escalation is essential before any compromise on trade can be reached. But theres a window of opportunity for Canada to more strongly assert itself that could be missed if officials stay on the cautious path, he said. The U.S. economy is weakening, potentially veering into a recession, creating a vulnerability Canada could exploit by doubling down on retaliatory measures to apply even more pressure to the American economy. The implications of that might bring the United States to the table faster than trying to take the cautious approach, he said. That's a tool we may not have at our disposal in a few months. We may lose our willingness to fight as the impact of tariffs hits Canada, and the United States may find itself in a better position. On Friday, Canada launched an advertising campaign in the U.S. with the slogan Tariffs are a tax on hardworking Americans. The goal is to nudge American public opinion closer to the Canadian position. Plunkett said more Americans being concerned about the negative consequences of a trade war could present Canada with an off-ramp, but its something that has to be truly internalized by the White House. I'm not convinced that Trump himself will listen to a foreigner telling him you're doing something stupid, he told Canadas National Observer in an interview. I think this has to be internalized, and they have to reach the conclusion themselves. Whether that's the stock market reactions, whether it's individual industries saying you're going to cost us But there has to be an internalization of what this really means, and what are the consequences. It is widely recognized that there is value in diversifying Canadas export markets. Every expert interviewed by Canadas National Observer said pursuing deeper trade with Europe makes good strategic sense for Canada. We've gone 40 years here believing integration with the United States and the embrace of neoliberalism was the path of least resistance for the Canadian economy, Williams said. We were warned there would be consequences for this that dragging ourselves further into the American orbit would have long-term consequences for our sovereignty and for our political autonomy and those chickens are coming home to roost. Plunkett, who was significantly involved in the negotiation of Canadas free trade agreement with Europe, called the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), said the agreement is under-used and could be the basis for much stronger trade. Canadian businesses have tended to look south because there is a vast, rich market in the U.S. right on their doorstep. The U.S. and E.U. often have different standards and regulations, so a Canadian business looking to sell to both markets can face high upfront costs, potentially even requiring separate production lines, he said. As a result, diversification has mostly been theoretical. But if Trump is serious about re-shoring American manufacturing by shutting out imports from Canada and elsewhere, Canadian businesses may find themselves in a scenario where diversification is an imperative, Plunkett said. John Woodside / Canada's National Observer / Local Journalism Initiative. Troubled actor Kim Soo Hyun has landed in another controversy over his past film Real. His team stepped up and rejected claims made by late actor Sulli's brother regarding the controversial intimate scene from the film. Notably, the same team of Kim Soo Hyun had previously dismissed relationship claims of Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron, only to confirm their past relationship later. Kim Soo Hyun's agency about Sulli and her nude scenes In a fresh statement, Kim Soo Hyun's agency said that Sulli was aware of the nude scenes in the film, implying they had her consent. Sulli's brother to Kim Soo Hyun Previously, Sullis older brother had raised questions regarding Real and questioned Kim Soo Hyun and director Lee Sa Rang (legal name Lee Ro Be), who is also the co-founder of Kim Soo Hyuns agency GOLDMEDALIST and his cousin. The late actor's brother questioned regarding contracting testimonies from Sulli's funeral which suggested that the intimate scenes were not originally included in the script. He further sought an explanation regarding Sullis nude scene, claiming that a body double was present on set however Sulli was persuaded to film the scene herself. Kim Soo Hyun's agency reacts to claims regarding Sulli's bedroom scenes Soompi quoted Kim So Hyun's agency saying: "Hello, this is GOLDMEDALIST. We are making an official statement regarding the recent [issues related to] the film Real. First, we offer our blessings to the late actress Choi Jin Ri [Sulli]. Because the female lead Song Yoo Hwa, who was played by the late actress Choi Jin Ri, had a bedroom scene in the films script, we made clear that [the part required] an actress who is fine with nudity. Just as there are requirements listed for a job in ordinary job postings, the role of Song Yoo Hwa required nudity, which is a condition that needs to be made known in advance. If anything, we believe that discussing nudity after casting could make an actor feel pressured or forced. The script that was given to the late actress Choi Jin Ris agency at the time also included a bedroom scene, and the materials explaining the character of Song Yoo Hwa included plans for the extent of nudity involved. Also, when drawing up the contract for her appearance, there was a separate clause written up regarding the level of nudity. The late actress Choi Jin Ri and her agency at the time had sufficiently reviewed all of the content before deciding to appear [in the film]." Regarding the presence of a body double on the sets, the agency claimed, "Nevertheless, because the production team knew that a bedroom scene requires great courage for actors, there were plenty of preparations and procedures before filming, and the late actress Choi Jin Ri was well-acquainted with the bedroom scene when she participated in filming. Regarding the issues that her older brother raised: Regarding the filming of the bedroom scene: the late actress Choi Jin Ri participated in filming while well-acquainted with the scene in question. Regarding the body double: there was a stand-in actor who did not act, but stood in for the actor during preparations for filming, not a body double." Also, we are informing you that all work on the screenplay, storyboard, and filming was the domain of the production team and therefore had nothing to do with Kim Soo Hyun, who appeared in the film as an actor, they clarified Kim So Hyun's role in the film. In accordance with the testimony of the films main staff, the late actress Choi Jin Ri and her agency at the time were sufficiently familiar with the role of Song Yoo Hwa. In any production, it is impossible to persuade and force an actor into doing a bedroom scene or nude scene on set, the team added about claims of forcing Sulli to perform the nude scenes which later became a big controversy. Did Kim Soo Hyun force Sulli's family? The agency also shared that they never contacted Sulli's mother in the matter. Finally, it is untrue that we contacted the mother of the late actress Choi Jin Ri. We dont even know her contact information. We understand that [her brother] may have been curious about the veracity of the things he heard at the funeral. However, it is difficult for us to accept bringing up matters from approximately six years ago now and posting things that never happened on social media as if he experienced them. We hope that you will stop the groundless speculation that is hurting the people who poured lots of love and passion into the film Real while working on it. Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron Kim Soo Hyun recently held a press conference regarding his dating scandal and alleged involvement in Kim Sae Ron's death. The actor maintained that he did not date Kim Sae Ron when she was a minor and broke down in front of the press. His first public appearance wasn't received well by the internet. While many claimed to call his tears fake, some also slammed the actor for not answering questions from the media. The Challenge of Timely Diagnosis For many patients, receiving an accurate diagnosis at the right time can significantly impact their treatment outcomes. Take the case of Ravikant (name changed), a 55-year-old patient in Kerala, who presented with persistent jaundice, elevating bilirubin levels, abdominal pain, and fever at Elite Mission Hospital in Thrissur. Despite weeks of treatment, his symptoms did not improve, leading doctors to recommend Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography (MRCP)an advanced MRI scan used to diagnose pancreatic cancer, pancreatitis, gallstones, and bile duct problems. The scan revealed Mirizzi syndrome, a rare condition where gallstones obstruct the bile duct, causing jaundice and inflammation. This condition affects the entire biliary system, including the gallbladder and cystic duct. Without specialized imaging techniques, Mirizzi syndrome can remain undetected, delaying critical treatment. In India, where the doctor-to-radiologist ratio remains a challenge, access to efficient, high-quality diagnostic tools is essential for improving healthcare outcomes. Enhancing MRI Accuracy with Advanced Imaging Technology Elite Mission Hospital, a 300-bed multi-specialty facility, conducts a significant number of MRI, CT, and ultrasound scans daily. The hospital integrates deep-learning-based MRI reconstruction technology to enhance imaging accuracy and efficiency. One such solution is AIR Recon DL (ARDL), an AI-driven MRI reconstruction tool developed by GE HealthCare. ARDL is designed to enhance MRI scan efficiency by optimizing scan time and improving image resolution. It utilizes a deep-learning-based reconstruction algorithm to eliminate artifacts, from image noise to ringing, helping clinicians make faster and more confident diagnoses. For MRCP scans, where precise detection of pancreatic cancer, pancreatitis, gallstones, and bile duct disorders is critical, such enhancements allow radiologists to make accurate assessments while reducing patient discomfort during lengthy scans. Advancing Neuroimaging for Complex Conditions Beyond gastrointestinal imaging, cutting-edge MRI solutions play a crucial role in neurological diagnostics, especially for conditions that require rapid identification. In Kerala, the extended monsoon season is associated with an increased incidence of bacterial and viral infections, some of which can lead to neurological disorders like Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM). ADEM is an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system, causing inflammation and damage to nerve fibers. Given its similarity to conditions such as multiple sclerosis, accurate MRI-based differentiation is crucial for effective treatment planning. Deep-learning-based imaging technologies enable radiologists to detect lesions with greater clarity, ensuring timely intervention and improved patient management. Driving Innovation in Medical Imaging with GE HealthCares AIR Recon DL (ARDL) Early diagnosis and precision-driven care remain at the core of medical advancements, and GE HealthCares AIR Recon DL (ARDL) is at the forefront of this transformation utilizes deep learning to eliminate artifacts, from image noise to ringing, ensuring higher image clarity and reliability. By enabling faster and more precise diagnoses, GE HealthCares AIR Recon DL (ARDL) supports healthcare providers in optimizing imaging workflows, reducing scan times, and improving patient throughput. As medical imaging technologies continue to evolve, AI-driven solutions like ARDL play a pivotal role in transforming radiology and enhancing diagnostic confidence. Disclaimer: Air Recon DL, Wipro GE Healthcare Pvt. Ltd., No. 4 Kadugodi Industrial Area, Whitefield Bangalore Karnataka 560067, A specialised MRI deep learning-based reconstruction algorithm/software that improves signal-to-noise ratio and image sharpness, enabling shorter MRI scan times. A scan done on a MR equipment with ARDL has no known side-effects. Only trained professionals should use the equipment. This material was created and reviewed in 2022. Additional information can be made available on request. New Delhi, Apr 2 (PTI) Goods from sectors, including agriculture, precious stones, chemicals, pharma, medical devices, electricals, and machinery may get impacted if the US will go ahead with imposing reciprocal tariffs on Indian products, according to experts. They said that these sectors could face additional customs duties from the Trump administration because of the high tariff differential or gap, which is the difference between the import duties imposed by the US and India on a product. At the broad sector level, the potential tariff gaps between India and the US vary across the sectors. The gap is 8.6 per cent for chemicals and pharmaceuticals; 5.6 per cent for plastics; 1.4 per cent for textiles and clothing; 13.3 per cent for diamonds, gold, and jewellery; 2.5 per cent for iron, steel, and base metals; 5.3 per cent for machinery and computers; 7.2 per cent for electronics; and 23.1 per cent for automobiles and auto components. "The higher the tariff gap, the worse affected a sector could be," an exporter said. US President Donald Trump has said that the tariff announcements, scheduled for early morning Wednesday (India time), will amount to a 'Liberation Day ' for the US. According to an analysis of the think tank Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), the hardest-hit sector in agriculture would be fish, meat, and processed seafood, with USD 2.58 billion in exports in 2024, facing a 27.83 per cent tariff differential. Shrimp, a major export to America, will become significantly less competitive due to the imposition of the US tariffs. "Already our exports have antidumping and countervailing duties in the US. The additional hike in tariffs will make us uncompetitive. Out of India's total shrimp exports, we ship 40 per cent to America," Kolkata-based seafood exporter and MD of Megaa Moda Yogesh Gupta said. He said that Indian exporters may get some relief if the US will impose similar tariffs on competitor countries - Ecuador and Indonesia. India's processed food, sugar, and cocoa exports may also face heat as the tariff gap is 24.99 per cent. Its exports stood at USD 1.03 billion last year. Similarly, cereals, vegetables, fruits, and spices (USD 1.91 billion shipments) have a tariff differential of 5.72 per cent between. Dairy products, with exports worth USD 181.49 million, could be "severely" affected by a 38.23 per cent differential, "making ghee, butter, and milk powder costlier and reducing their market share in the US," GTRI Founder Ajay Srivastava said. The other products which can be affected include edible oils (USD 199.75 million exports and 10.67 duty gap); alcohol, wines, and spirits (USD 19.2 million exports and 122.10 per cent tariff differential); live animals and animal products (USD 10.3 million exports and 27.75 per cent gap). Srivastava said that tobacco and cigarettes, whose exports are valued at USD 94.62 million in 2024, may remain unaffected, as the US already imposes 201.15 per cent tariffs, creating a negative tariff differential (-168.15 per cent). In the industrial goods segment, sectors could be impacted by American duties, including pharmaceuticals, jewellery, and electronics. "We are keeping our fingers crossed because of the unpredictability of the Trump administration at the tariff front. But if it will be imposed, it may affect initially but not in the longer run. The whole burden, though will be on American consumers," Mumbai-based engineering exporter SK Saraf said. The pharmaceutical sector, India's largest industrial export, worth USD 12.72 billion in 2024, faces a 10.90 per cent tariff differential, increasing costs for generic medicines and specialty drugs. Diamonds, gold, and silver, with USD 11.88 billion in exports, may see a 13.32 per cent tariff hike, raising jewellery prices and reducing competitiveness. Similarly, electrical, telecom, and electronics exports worth USD 14.39 billion face a 7.24 per cent tariff. According to the GTRI, machinery, boilers, turbines, and computers, with a worth USD 7.10 billion of exports, could see a 5.29 per cent tariff hike, impacting India's engineering exports. "Chemicals (excluding pharmaceuticals), exports worth USD 5.71 billion, could be affected by a 6.05 per cent tariff, reducing US demand for Indian specialty chemicals," GTRI Founder Ajay Srivastava said adding textiles, fabrics, yarn, and carpets, with USD 2.76 billion in exports, can face a 6.59 per cent tariff, making Indian textiles pricier. Rubber products, including tires and belts, shipments worth USD 1.06 billion, may face a 7.76 per cent tariff, while paper and wood articles (USD 969.65 million) could have a 7.87 per cent tariff. "Ceramic, glass, and stone products, with USD 1.71 billion in exports, will face an 8.27 per cent tariff, impacting demand. Footwear, with USD 457.66 million in exports, faces a high 15.56 per cent tariff differential," he added. In the last week, OpenAI introduced a new advanced image generation feature for its AI model. Alphabets Google released what it calls its most intelligent" model called Gemini 2.5, to widespread critical acclaim. And Elon Musks xAI Grok continues to rise to the top of iPhone app download charts just behind OpenAIs ChatGPT, as users gravitate toward the both start-ups latest reasoning" models. In recent days, all three AI companies have said demand is so high for their latest releases that its overwhelming their data center AI chip capacity. On Monday, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said on social media that ChatGPT added one million users in one hour and characterized demand as biblical" due to incredible amount of usage for its image-generation tool. The official Grok account said the service is seeing high usage" and said it may experience service issues as more GPUs are added to data centers. Google said Gemini 2.5 Pro is taking off," as well. Both OpenAI and xAI primarily use Nvidia AI GPUs to power their services. Theres just one potential problem for AI and the AI trade: tariffs. The latest innovation and progress could be upended by President Donald Trumps upcoming tariff proposals, which he intends to reveal late Wednesday at the White House. Trump has threatened tariffs on specific countries, key raw materials, and sectors, including on imported metals and semiconductors. Such tariffs would make it financially difficult for American technology companies to invest in the AI infrastructure they need to continue innovating and serving customers. Many of these products and raw materials cant be made or mined in the U.S. anytime soon. A 25% tariff on copper, for example, would make it far more expensive to purchase the electrical equipment needed for data centers. A large tariff on chipsTrump has threatened up to 100%or other computer components would reduce the funds available to invest in aggregate capacity, hampering Americas ability to compete with China in the global race for AI. Factories cost billions to build and take three to four years before capacity can come online. By the time theyre ready, Trumps tariffs could be undone by the next president. The policy uncertainty could keep management teams from investing in U.S. factories, undoing any domestic benefit from those tariffs. AI is full of promise, but trade wars are one problem the technology cant solve. Car dealers are offering discounts, usually available during festivals like Diwali, to clear inventory that has piled up from about a fortnight at the start of the year to up to 55 days in March as demand slows, according to industry executives and brokerages. Retail sentiment in the automotive sector has evidently turned negative, marked by double-digit drop-in walk-ins and inquiries," Amit Hiranandani of PhillipCapital wrote in a 30 March note. Inventory levels have risen, and discounts are approaching those seen during the Diwali season in an effort to clear stock. Additionally, the duration from inquiry to conversion has lengthened." While the inventory levels are close to about 50-55 days seen a year earlier, sales declined 10% in February this year compared with a growth of 12% in the same month in 2024. The countrys largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki India Ltd sold about 17.95 lakh passenger vehicles in the financial year 2025, showing marginal growth compared with a 9% increase in the previous fiscal. Maruti Suzukis leadership, in a call with reporters on Tuesday, said the passenger vehicle market is not that great, and the double-digit growth seen previously will not be normal as the numbers stabilise. Consciously, the firm has been committed to helping dealers reduce inventory and we have aligned the dispatches to dealers accordingly. Retail sales continue to post growth for Maruti," said Partho Banerjee, head of marketing and sales at Maruti Suzuki. The second-largest carmaker, Hyundai Motor India Ltd, sold about 5.98 lakh units, 2.6% lower than the previous fiscal year. Tata Motors Ltds passenger vehicle sales declined 3% to 5.56 lakh in FY25. Bigger discounts That has prompted bigger than usual discounts. Discounts remain elevated across OEMs, particularly at the dealer level, with average price discounts nearly 75-80% higher year-on-year," wrote Aniket Mhatre and Amber Shukla of Motilal Oswal Financial Services. Weak consumer sentiment in the market is hurting the carmakers and increasing the pain for dealers. Dealer sentiment turned cautious during [January to March period], with increasing reluctance toward inventory buildup amid slowing retail demand and recent OEM price hikes, which further weighed on consumer sentiment," Sahil Churi of KR Choksey wrote in a 28 March note. The domestic demand environment remained under pressure, adversely impacting overall industry growth." Also read | India stocking up coal for FY26 power demand, aims 50 million tonnes at plants Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd have announced price hikes of 3-4% from this month. For Maruti Suzuki, it was the third increase this year. Amid sluggish growth in sales, few automakers are undertaking price hikes to protect their margins," said Rajat Mahajan, partner and automotive sector leader at Deloitte India. The demand environment should improve from the second half of this financial year after the tax incentives have had some effect and the festive season is in full flow." Maruti held about 40.26% market share of the passenger vehicle in 2024, according to per Federation of Automobile Dealers' Association. Hyundai held about 13.75%, while Tata Motors and Mahindra had about 13.21% and 12.03% share, respectively. The country sold about 41 lakh vehicles in 2024. Inventory piling up Dealers have started complaining about inventory piling up. Dealers raised issues about inventory being pushed without consent. While this can support OEM market objectives, aligning wholesale with genuine demand is crucial for healthy dealer viability," FADA said in its statement on 6 March. According to PhillipCapital, inventory levels at Maruti have risen from nine days as of 1 January to around 40-45 days. Hyundai and Tata's inventory have risen to 50-55 days. Mahindras inventory is about 30 days. With price hikes incoming, the retail sentiment in the auto sector is increasingly turning negative. Also read | Festive mood lifts automotive purchases in October, eases inventory pressure There is hope that the governments tax incentives kicking in from the financial year 2026 will bring about some relief for the sector. Moreover, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers data for April to February showed that domestic sales have grown about 2% with 38.21 lakh sales. There are structural challenges, but the demand scenario is not all too negative," said Gaurav Vangaal, associate director-light vehicle production forecasting, Indian Subcontinent at S&P Global. We need to monitor the sales in the upcoming quarters. The bottomline is that the market continues to grow despite some stress at the consumer level." The BSE Auto index has declined by over 9% in 2025 against a 3% fall in the Sensex. Pfizer in 2019 sold $20 billion of drugs in the U.S. Its federal tax bill? Zero. That revelation was part of a Senate Finance Committee investigation done by Democratic staff, released in March, that examined how U.S. pharmaceutical giants exploit a loophole created by the 2017 Trump tax overhaul to shift profits offshore. The strategy has been great for Big Pharmas bottom lineand for countries such as Ireland, too. But as President Trumps trade war picks up steam, that model could start to unravel. Trump has already singled out pharma companies and countries like Ireland that reap the benefits of tax-avoidance moves. Despite its small size, Ireland ran an $87 billion trade surplus with the U.S. last yearlarger than any country except China, Mexico and Vietnam. Ireland was very smart," Trump said last month. They took our pharmaceutical companies away." Trump is due to unveil sweeping tariffs Wednesday, though details remain unclear. Big pharmaceutical companies are lobbying for exemptions, arguing that tariffs would hurt patients and undermine investment in research and development. A PwC analysis estimates annual tariffs on pharmaceuticals and medical devices could soar from $500 million to $63 billion. If country tariffs are followed by sector-based ones that include pharmaceuticals, they could work as a double tariff of sorts. Unlike countries such as China, Ireland didnt rack up its trade imbalance by becoming a low-cost manufacturing hub. Instead, it did so by offering an advantageous tax regime that has attracted U.S. companiesparticularly in tech and pharmaseeking to reduce their tax bills by shifting intellectual property, or IP, overseas. By booking most of their taxable income in foreign subsidiaries in countries such as Ireland, American pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer, AbbVie, Johnson & Johnson, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Merck have managed to pay little in income tax in the U.S. despite generating the bulk of their profits here. In 2023, Ireland accounted for about 40% of the U.S.s $101 billion trade deficit in biopharmaceuticals, according to UBS analyst Trung Huynh. Were gonna try to fix a whole bunch of these tax scams," U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said in the All-In podcast recently. Ireland is my favoriteYoud say, Ireland, what do they do? Oh, they have all of our IP." For Big Tech companies, a U.S. tariff hike would be an inconveniencebut one that could be managed with some legal and accounting maneuvers. Big Pharma has a bigger problem. It has made Ireland a critical hub not just for profit shifting but for manufacturing as well. That setup could become a liability that companies cant easily walk away from, said Brad Setser, a senior fellow focused on global trade at the Council on Foreign Relations. Your tax strategy runs squarely up against the tariff," he said. Ron Wyden is ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, whose Democratic staff examined U.S. drug companies tax-avoidance moves.Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick says, Were gonna try to fix a whole bunch of these tax scams. A Pfizer spokeswoman wrote that the information published by Senate Finance Committee ranking member Ron Wyden (D., Ore.) isnt an accurate portrayal of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Acts effect on Pfizer. She said Pfizer has paid more than $12.8 billion in income taxes in the U.S. over the past four years. Pharmaceuticals have historically been exempt from tariffs to protect patient access to essential medicines. That means the industry is now scrambling to prepare, said Chris Desmond, a leader in the U.S. Global Trade Services team at PwC. To reduce their tariff burden, companies are dissecting a drugs price to separate the physical componentslike ingredients and packagingfrom intangible ones, such as patents and royalties. Those may not always be tariffed, Desmond says. At the same time, they are stockpiling inventory in the U.S. In the long term, major pharmaceutical companies are looking to shift more production to the U.S. Recently, Eli Lilly and Johnson & Johnson announced plans to invest more than $80 billion in U.S. manufacturing and R&D over the next four to five years. These large-scale projects take time, so companies arent likely to downsize overseas plants anytime soon. But with the growing risk of changes to tariffs and the tax code, companies are taking reshoring seriouslyespecially for newer, high-margin products. The upshot is that profitability will be affected either way: Overseas goods may incur tariffs, while domestic manufacturing faces higher labor costs. The Irish tax playbook may also be affected by continuing discussions to revamp parts of the U.S. tax code this year. In Republican proposals under discussion, policymakers are likely to consider a mix of carrots and sticks to make it more attractive to report profits in the U.S.and more costly to keep booking them in places like Ireland. Stricter U.S. tax policies compelling pharma to report more profits at home could reduce the industrys bottom line by about 5%, UBS estimates. For years, pharma companies believed they had found the perfect loopholereaping massive profits in the U.S. while paying Irish tax rates. That may now backfire. The once-booming initial public offerings (IPO) market, fueled by frenzied retail participation, has hit a speed bump. The recent sell-off in Indian equities has forced companies to defer listings, with March seeing no mainboard public listing, the first monthly lull since May 2023. Despite five consecutive months of decline, particularly the nearly 6% Nifty drop in February due to global trade tensions, rising bond yields, and persistent foreign portfolio investor (FPI) outflows, a market rebound in March offers a potential silver lining. The Nifty rose 6.3% as FPIs resumed buying in the latter half of the month, though they remained net sellers overall. This recovery, coupled with the resurgence of qualified institutional placements (QIPs), has sparked optimism. Notably, several public sector banks, including Indian Overseas Bank, Bank of Maharashtra, Central Bank of India, Punjab & Sind Bank, and UCO Bank, are now pursuing QIPs to meet minimum public shareholding norms, further bolstering fundraising momentum.QIPs allow publicly traded companies to raise funds for projects or capital needs by issuing securities to qualified institutional buyers. However, rising volatility poses a challenge to fundraising efforts. "During volatile phases, IPO activity tends to remain subdued, mirroring trends in the QIP market," noted Pranav Haldea, managing director at Prime Database. He added further that QIPs and IPOs always see traction in bullish markets. "Late March saw renewed QIP activity, with three public sector banks entering the market. As some bullishness returned, companies tested investor appetite with smaller issuances. If the bullishness persists into April or even if markets stabilize, we could see some IPO activity, given the strong pipeline." Fundraising activities are strongly correlated with market movements: QIPs surge during bullish phases, pulling IPOs along. Conversely, market downturns freeze fundraising. "In strong markets, both IPOs and QIPs thrive, but QIPs react quickerpricing and execution are faster," explained Yatin Singh, chief executive officer of Investment Banking at Emkay Global. The fiscal year 2021, marked by a 78% surge in the Nifty, saw 30 mainboard IPOs raising 31,267 crore and QIPs totalling 78,045 crore. In contrast, the fiscal year 2023, with a 1.75% decline in the Nifty, witnessed a dramatic drop in the amount raised through QIPs to 9,018 crore and a significant decrease in IPO counts. What now? The fiscal year 2025 witnessed a historic surge in capital-raising activity. Institutional investors deployed 1.3 trillion across 85 QIP issuances, doubling 2023-24s 69,306 crore mobilization. It also turned out to be a record-breaking IPO year, with 78 mainboard offerings mopping 1.62 trillion, more than double the previous years mobilization of 61,922 crore from 76 IPOs. However, there was a trend reversal in early 2025 as the market turned choppy. The number of QIP issuances declined to seven in the first quarter of 2025, down from 21 in the same period last year. The IPO activity also slowed, with only nine mainboard IPOs in the first three months of 2025, compared to 22 during the same period a year ago, according to Prime Database. The market correction intensified amid rising global uncertainty and sustained FPI outflows. Although March saw a rebound, the question remains whether it is sufficient for fundraising activities to resume. Over the last three to four months, the market has been down, and a single week of recovery in March isnt enough to change much. In one week, no company is likely to launch an IPO or QIP because investors dont expect a sharp bounce back. Companies looking to raise funds through QIPs or IPOs will likely wait longer, especially since there's no clear indication that the market will recover within the next one to two months," said Siddharth Bhamre, head of research of Asit C. Mehta Investment Intermediates. QIBs are really quick to react to the market. "QIBs are highly sensitive to market conditionswhen the market declines, QIP activities will completely stop, though we might still see some IPOs," said Bhamre. He further explained, for example, if a stock is trading at 200 per share and a QIP is launched at 170 (a 15% discount), a market correction could wipe out that discount within days, making QIPs less appealing in volatile markets. On IPOs, Haldea further added that since they are once-in-a-lifetime events for a company, they would rather let their approval lapse than launch in a volatile or bearish market. Dose of optimism Meanwhile, the IPO pipeline remains robust, with 49 Sebi-approved firms set to raise 84,000 crore, while 67 more await clearance to raise 1.02 trillion. Despite the current market volatility, a strong pipeline of upcoming issuances and record-high systematic investment plan (SIP) inflows suggest a less pessimistic outlook. Its crucial that investors shouldnt be chasing momentum right now; rather they should find solace in fundamentals. Im inclined to believe that Indias capital markets are now driven by depth, discipline, and long-term conviction," said Abhishek Jaiswal, fund manager at Finavenue. Furthermore, recent regulatory changes by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) are expected to facilitate fundraising. The regulator has doubled the threshold for mandatory granular disclosures by FPIs from 25,000 crore to 50,000 crore in equity assets under management (AUM). Experts remain optimistic about market prospects. Also Read: Market meltdown may cut startup IPOs and valuations down to size The primary and secondary markets will witness strong issuance flows, including QIPs and IPOs. This is merely a phase of a market correction, where excess froth is settling. Sustainable businessesespecially sector leaders and top contenderswill continue to attract funding. While there may be a brief pause as investors reassess portfolios, issuances are expected to regain momentum, with a surge in IPOs likely from June onwards," said Nipun Lodha, director of corporate finance at PL Investment Banking. What makes the process cumbersome? In India, CDSL Ventures Ltd (CVL) is granted recognition by Sebi to act as an accreditation agency for investors. The person will have to carry out the accreditation process on his own, visit the CVL portal, and submit proof of identity, such as PAN, Aadhaar card or passport. They also need to submit copies of IT returns and net worth certificates from a practising CA. It takes three business days for an investor to get the certificate of accreditation. The certificate is provided for two or three years depending on the documents furnished. There is a fee to get the certificate, which is 12,000 for two years. Also read | Mint Primer: Can tariffs bring back US autos past glory? What has the industry body suggested? The industry body for AIFs, Indian Venture and Alternate Capital Association (IVCA) has asked the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) to allow AIF fund managers to carry out the accreditation process. This is because AIF fund managers do the KYC process for all customers before onboarding them on their fund. Another suggestion is to validate the net worth from the income tax department. We can validate the investors net worth and income on the basis of PAN as these details are filed with the IT department for taxpayers who are investors in AIFs," said Siddharth Pai, executive member of IVCA. Also read | Resistance is futile: AI is now writing code How is the process handled globally? The process of accreditation in India is a cumbersome one. In certain countries, investors only need to give a self-declaration to get accredited. In others, the onus is on fund managers to collect the information to determine whether an individual can be considered an accredited investor, said Bhautik Ambani, CEO of Alphagrep Investment Managers. Also read | Moving flights? Terminal shift worries airlines What does Sebi say about this problem? Accredited investors can take higher risks and hence allowed to invest in Portfolio Management Services (PMS) and AIFs at a threshold lower than the minimum required amount of 50 lakh and 1 crore respectively. Sebi has been talking about increasing the number of accredited investors to provide light-touch regulations for AIFs. Its whole-time member Ananth Narayan says the clamour for an accredited investor regime comes from the industry, not the investors. Also read | Better Not Call Saul: Lawyers are in a fix over ads Why arent investors pushing the case? The number of accredited investors is around 200, say stakeholders. Some investors dont find accreditation necessary, as the primary benefit is a lower entry ticket size for PMS, or AIF. We dont push for accreditation as many of our clients, high net-worth individuals and family offices, typically invest over 1 crore, making accreditation less relevant for them," said Sachin Shah, executive director at Emkay Investment Managers. Also, along with the cumbersome process there is a cost involved. Also read | Will the summer of 25 break last years records? Auto stocks, including Tata Motors, Eicher Motors, and Samvardhana Motherson, will likely be in focus on Thursday after US President Donald Trump announced a 25 per cent tariff on all foreign-made automobiles. The tariffs will go into effect immediately at midnight Eastern Time. Citing "horrendous imbalances" in trade as a key reason for the move, Trump said: None of our companies are allowed to go into other countries. Thats why, effective at midnight, we will impose a 25 per cent tariff on all foreign-made automobiles." Meanwhile, Trump announced a 26 per cent discounted reciprocal tariff on India. Also Read | Donald Trump tariff announcement: 10 key highlights from US president speech Auto stocks to be the focus Some of the auto stocks that could react to tariffs on automobiles include Tata Motors, which sells a significant number of JLR (Jaguar Land Rover) cars in the US. Shares of Indias largest auto parts supplier, Samvardhana Motherson, may also face the heat of Trump tariff announcements. US tariffs unlikely to have a significant impact on Indian auto sector. According to a Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) report, Indias automobile exports to the US in 2024 were relatively small, making the domestic sector largely insulated from Trumps tariff hikes. Passenger car exports from India to the US in 2024 amounted to just $8.9 million, commerce ministry data show. That was a fraction of Indias $6.98 billion worth of total car exports last year, indicating that Trumps new tariffs would have little to no impact on Indias growing car export industry, as per the GTRI report. However, Indias auto parts sector is the most exposed category to the recent US tariffs, with India exporting $2.2 billion worth of components to the US in 2024, amounting to 29.1 per cent of the countrys global auto parts exports, as per the commerce ministry data. Read all market-related news here Read more stories by Nishant Kumar Railway PSU stocks, including Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC), RailTel Corporation of India, and Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL), have undergone a significant correction from their recent peaks amid substantial selling pressure. While many railway stocks had delivered multibagger returns in the past, they are now experiencing heightened volatility, with several witnessing declines of up to 50% from their highs within a year. IRFC share price has declined by over 46% from its 52-week high, RailTel share price has plummeted 52% from its peak, and RVNL share price has dropped 47% from its 52-week high. The sell-off in railway PSU stocks accelerated following the Union Budget, which did not announce any major sector-specific reforms, contrary to market expectations. The Union Budget for FY26 maintained the capital expenditure for Indian Railways at 2.52 lakh crore, unchanged from the previous year. Also Read | BSE SME stock bags order from L&T, Adani Group for Navi Mumbai International Air Kotak Institutional Equities expects muted growth in capex without a meaningful improvement in Indian Railways capacity to implement larger projects such as high-speed railway networks connecting Indias major cities, akin to the dedicated freight corridors. In our view, capex on railway rolling stock (passenger trains and freight wagons) may decelerate further given ongoing additions in the past several years and limited expansion in Indias railway network. The multiples of the listed railway stocks seem quite unreasonable and imply very strong growth in revenues and profits, which seems unlikely, Kotak Equities said in a report. IRFC vs RailTel vs RVNL - Which railway stock to buy? Analysts believe that if the governments focus remains high on railway infrastructure development, then all the above stocks - IRFC, RailTel Corporation and RVNL - would continue to perform well. Among these three PSU stocks, Prashanth Tapse, Research Analyst, Senior Vice President of Research at Mehta Equities believes that for conservative investors, IRFC stands best in terms of its business model which is a dedicated financing arm of Indian Railways. Also Read | Rekha Jhunjhunwala portfolio stock Baazar Style Retail surges 9% on Q4 update IRFC primarily funds rolling stock and infrastructure projects by leasing rolling stock and railway projects to Indian Railways, ensuring stable and healthy revenue as well as profitability growth. We believe strong government backing along with a low-risk business model with healthy dividend yields on long term gives IRFC a better long term pick. While, if the investors wish to take short term risk for long term investment, we believe RVNL looks a better long term candidate as it is a key player in Indian railways modernization including track laying, electrification, and station modernization, said Tapse. A strong order book and consistent revenue growth along with government vision would help RVNL to perform well in the long term. If investors wish to build a balanced portfolio focusing on railways, it is advised to have both stocks in the long term portfolio, he added. In terms of long term targets, IRFC share price can deliver targets of 170-180 with 12 months investment, while RVNL shares can deliver a target of 420 - 450 with 12 months investment period, Tapse said. Also Read | Jay Thakkar suggests these 3 shares to buy in F&O segment Technicals Railway stocks have witnessed a healthy correction from their highs and seem to be forming a good support around their swing lows, according to Ruchit Jain, Vice President, Equity Technical Research, Wealth Management, Motilal Oswal Financial Services Ltd. Railway stocks are likely forming a support around their swing lows. However, a timewise correction cannot be ruled out, but the downside looks limited. The view on IRFC shares is positive and it can relatively outperform RailTel and RVNL shares. IRFC shares have strong support at 115 level. If the stock holds this level, it may rally towards its 200-Day Moving Average (DMA) of 140, Jain said. According to him, the trend in RailTel shares and RVNL shares may remain sideways. IRFC IRFC share price is displaying a consolidation pattern after a sharp decline. The railway stock has found support near the 123 125 zone, where buying interest has emerged. It is currently hovering close to the short-term (20-day) and medium-term (50-day) EMAs, but remains below the 200-day EMA at 141.15, indicating that a strong breakout is yet to occur, said Hardik Matalia, Derivative Analyst at Choice Broking. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is at 50.04, suggesting neutral momentum with a potential for upside if the stock sustains above key moving averages. A breakout above 130 could trigger fresh buying interest, pushing the stock toward the 145 155 range in the near term. On the downside, strong support is placed at 120, he added. RailTel Corporation RailTel share price is showing a bearish undertone as it struggles to sustain above key moving averages. The stock is trading below the 20-day EMA, 50-day EMA, and 200-day EMA, indicating a weak trend. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is at 45.48, which signals mild weakness, with no immediate signs of a strong recovery, said Matalia. According to him, RailTel stock has a crucial resistance zone near 310 315, and only a decisive breakout above this range could indicate a reversal. On the downside, 290 serves as the immediate support level. A break below this could lead to further downside. Until a breakout is seen, the stock is likely to remain under pressure. RVNL RVNL share price is showing signs of consolidation after a recent decline. The stock is facing resistance near its 50-day EMA, while the 200-day EMA continues to act as a major barrier for any long-term recovery. The RSI is at 47.55, reflecting a lack of strong momentum in either direction. RVNL stock has been struggling to hold above key resistance levels, with 355 acting as a near-term hurdle. If RVNL manages to close above this level, an upside moves could be seen, said the Choice Broking analyst. On the downside, he believes 340 serves as a strong support zone, and a break below this could show more extended selling. Until a breakout above the 355 360 zone occurs, the trend remains weak. Stock to buy Among the three railway stocks, IRFC stands out as a better buy candidate, according to Hardik Matalia. While Railtel and RVNL shares continue to trade below all key moving averages, IRFC share is showing signs of stability near support levels. If IRFC stock sustains above 130, it could outperform its peers in the short to medium term. Traders and investors may consider accumulating IRFC at current levels with a stop-loss at 120 and an upside target of 145 155, said Matalia. Meanwhile, Anshul Jain, Head of Research at Lakshmishree Investment said he remains bearish on all railway stocks. By Victor Ing, Special to The Post On March 25, 2025, the Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that foreign nationals with Canadian job offers will no longer receive bonus points towards receiving an invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residence under Canadas Express Entry (EE) System. This substantial change took effect immediately and applies to all EE candidates who have not already received an ITA. Given the current uncertain immigration environment, permanent resident hopefuls must now re-evaluate their chances of receiving an ITA and proactively plan their next steps. Here is what you need to know. Canadas EE system is now 10 years old, and it was first implemented to allow the Canadian government to rank and select economic candidates for permanent residence based on factors that they believe make successful immigrants. In addition to scoring for human capital factors such as prior work experience and language proficiency in English or French, which form the backbone of the ranking model, candidates who had Canadian job offers scored bonus points because, theoretically, they had already secured gainful employment in Canada and should be able to quickly and successfully adapt to life in Canada. Job offers, however, were always misunderstood by the public. Many believed they were entitled to points for having one if they were already working for a Canadian employer who was willing to offer them a permanent position. In reality, only a small number of people held job offers that were worth bonus points. Specifically, this included workers who held valid Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIA) or were working under LMIA-based work permits. This also included some workers holding closed permits issued under Canadas International Mobility Program (IMP). The governments removal of these bonus points was justified on the grounds that the system had been widely abused. IRCC did not mince words in their December 23, 2024, news release that this change was necessary to reduce fraud by removing the incentive to illegally buy or sell labour market impact assessments to improve a candidates chances of being selected to come to Canada as a permanent resident. This statement, however, does not fully explain the recent wholesale elimination of bonus points for job offers. Even accepting that LMIAs are being abused (which is certainly well-documented) it does not explain why bonus points for IMP-based job offers should also be removed. To be clear, this change affects many workers already in Canada who never obtained LMIAs, including those with permits issued under Canadas trade agreements and work permits issued to facilitate the transfer of workers to Canada by multinational corporations. Against this backdrop, candidates who were previously relying on receiving an additional 50 points to qualify for permanent residence must now re-evaluate whether they still have a viable pathway to achieve their goals. At the top of everyones mind is whether the minimum point score needed to receive an ITA will drop and, if so, by how much and how quickly? Unfortunately, there are many factors pointing to a difficult year for those hoping to receive an ITA under the EE System: Reduced Immigration Targets: IRCC plans to reduce the number of newly approved permanent residents by 21% from 500,000 to 395,000 in 2025. Of the 395,000 approvals, IRCC expects that approximately 232,150 will come from economic immigration, creating a supply and demand problem where permanent resident hopefuls are competing for fewer spots compared to years past under the EE System. Targeted Draws: For about the past 1.5 years, IRCC has been using a category-based selection process whereby permanent resident candidates receive a preference to receive ITAs if they have French language skills or otherwise have work experience in certain in-demand occupations identified by IRCC, such as healthcare and trades occupations. Due to IRCCs recent focus on implementing category-based selection, candidates who do not fall within the prescribed categories will have to wait longer to receive ITAs and will have to compete with a larger pool of candidates when IRCC issues ITAs to them. To put things in perspective, in the first three months of 2025, IRCC issued 18,500 category-based ITAs compared to the 12,183 ITAs issued to non-category-based candidates. Put another way, non-category-based candidates have only received about 40% of the total ITAs issued so far this year. Large Pool of Candidates: The use of category-based draws has directly increased the number of highly ranked candidates who are stuck waiting to receive ITAs. As of March 16, 2025, there are 96,270 candidates who have been ranked under the EE system who score 451 points or better. With this many highly ranked candidates, IRCCs current immigration targets, and the slow pace which IRCC is inviting candidates who do not qualify for category-based selection, it would take many months over the course of this calendar year to exhaust this pool of candidates. As a Canadian immigration lawyer, I have been preaching the importance of preparation to clients for years, including getting advice early and being flexible with their immigration plans. The March 25, 2025, announcement to completely eliminate the granting of bonus points for job offers drastically changes the outlook for many candidates for permanent residence. It is more important now than ever during this time of constant change to seek advice and exhaust all possible ways to boost your own points scoring without a job offer, and to explore pathways to immigration that fall outside of the EE system, including Canadas new pilot programs and similar opportunities for success. Victor Ing is a lawyer at Sas & Ing Immigration Law Centre. He provides a full range of immigration services. For more information, go to canadian-visa-lawyer.com or email victor@sasanding.com. The Indian stock market benchmark indices, Sensex and Nifty 50, are likely to open flat on Wednesday, tracking mixed cues from global peers ahead of US President Donald Trumps reciprocal tariffs announcement. The trends on Gift Nifty also indicate a flat start for the Indian benchmark index. The Gift Nifty was trading around 23,327 level, a discount of nearly 4 points from the Nifty futures previous close. On Tuesday, the domestic equity market crashed, with both the benchmark indices cracking over 1.5% each. The Sensex cracked 1,390.41 points, or 1.80%, to close at 76,024.51, while the Nifty 50 settled 353.65 points, or 1.50%, lower at 23,165.70. Heres what to expect from Sensex, Nifty 50 and Bank Nifty today: Sensex Prediction Sensex plunged 1,390 points to close at 76,025 on Tuesday, forming a long bearish candle on daily charts, combined with a correction continuation formation on intraday charts, indicating further weakness from the current levels. For day traders, 75,800 would be the key support zone. If Sensex manages to trade above this level, we could expect a pullback rally to 76,500 - 76,650. On the flip side, a dismissal of 75,800 could accelerate the selling pressure. If this level is breached, the Sensex could retest the levels of 50 day SMA (Simple Moving Average) or 75,500 - 75,300, said Shrikant Chouhan, Head Equity Research, Kotak Securities. Given the current market texture is volatile, level-based trading would be the ideal strategy for day traders, he added. Nifty 50 Prediction Nifty 50 witnessed sharp weakness on April 1 and closed the day lower by 353 points. A long bear candle was formed on the daily chart with a long upper shadow. Technically this market action indicates an emergence of selling pressure from the overhead resistance of around 23,600 levels. The positive chart pattern like higher tops and bottoms is still intact on the daily chart and the current downward correction could be considered as a process of higher bottom formation. However, the higher bottom formation needs to be confirmed, said Nagaraj Shetti, Senior Technical Research Analyst at HDFC Securities. According to him, the present weakness in the market seems to be a healthy correction after a recent sharp uptrend. Nifty 50 could find support around 23,000 levels before showing another round of upside bounce from the higher lows. Immediate resistance is placed at 23,400 levels, said Shetti. Om Mehra, Technical Analyst, SAMCO Securities said that the Nifty 50 index formed a bearish candle on the daily chart with a long upper wick, indicating strong selling pressure at higher level. Although Nifty 50 has slipped below the 9-EMA (Exponential Moving Average), it continues to trade above the 50 and 100 EMAs, indicating that the broader bullish trend remains intact. While the hourly chart shows signs of a near-term pullback, the daily chart still maintains a higher high and higher low structure, supporting the overall uptrend, said Mehra. According to him, the immediate support is placed at 23,000, while the next key support aligns with the rising trendline near 22,850. The resistance on the upside is seen around 23,450. VLA Ambala, Co-Founder of Stock Market Today, believes that 23,400 to 23,800 remains a key resistance zone for the Nifty 50 index, where investors can benefit from adopting the sales-on-rise strategy. I would recommend investors with short-term goals to adjust their outlook as market movement is expected to slow down compared to the past five years. This can be a good time for smart investors to accumulate diverse, non-overlapping stocks from various industries. Technically, Nifty 50 can find support between 22,900 and 22,810 and face resistance near 23,250 and 23,410, said Ambala. Bank Nifty Prediction Bank Nifty ended 1.43% lower 50,827.50 on Tuesday, forming a bearish candle on the daily chart. Bank Nifty index remains on the verge of breaching its 9-EMA but holds above the 50- and 100-EMAs, indicating that the broader trend remains mildly supportive. The daily RSI has turned slightly skewed to the downside, though it continues to hover near the 60 mark, suggesting a pause in momentum without a complete breakdown. Nifty Bank has slipped below the 23.6% Fibonacci retracement level placed at 51,000, said Om Mehra. According to him, the next key support for Bank Nifty lies near the 38.2% retracement level, around 50,390. On the upside, resistance is expected near 51,400. With a major tariff event on the horizon, the index may oscillate with wider swings as uncertainty looms. Stock market today: Shares of Central Bank of India, a state-owned bank, ended in the red for the third consecutive session on Wednesday, April 2, falling another 11% to slip below 37 and hit an 18-month low of 36.86 per share, taking the three-day cumulative fall to 16%. The last time the stock was at this level was in September 2023. After ending the last eight months in the red, losing 33% of its value, the stock extended its losing streak into the current month, declining another 14% so far. At current levels, the stock is trading 52% lower than its February 2024 peak of 77. What's dragging down Central Bank of India's stock price? The stock has been on a downward spiral since last week when it issued shares to qualified institutional buyers (QIBs) via the QIP route, along with three other PSU banksPunjab and Sind Bank, UCO Bank, and Indian Overseas Bank. Life Insurance Corporation of India emerged as the top investor in the QIP of shares by these four public sector banks. Other investors in the fundraising include SBI Life Insurance, ICICI Prudential Life Insurance, non-bank lender IIFL Finance, a group of pension fund schemes, and state-owned banks. All state-owned banks undertook this fundraising exercise to reduce the government's shareholding in compliance with the Minimum Public Shareholding (MPS) norms. The governments stake in all four banks exceeds 90%. For instance, the Indian government owns an 89.3% stake in the Central Bank of India, with an additional 3.16% held by the Life Insurance Corporation. Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) hold a 1.3% stake, while general shareholders own 3.6% as of the end of the December quarter. In January, the government approved a 2,000 crore fundraising plan for five PSU banks to help them comply with the MPS requirement, which mandates at least 25% public holding. Q4FY25 preview: What to expect from PSU bank earnings? Domestic brokerage firm Motilal Oswal expects PSU banks to report modest earnings growth of 4.5% year-on-year (YoY) (up 4.8% quarter-on-quarter) amid a slight decline in net interest margins (NIMs), offset by controlled operating expenses and a pick-up in other income. Net interest income (NII) is projected to see a modest 2.8% YoY growth as NIMs remain under pressure. Accordingly, the brokerage estimates PSU banks will report a 9% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in aggregate earnings over FY25-27. "Operating expenses are likely to remain under control and should follow a normalized trajectory for PSU banks. Treasury performance is expected to improve quarter-on-quarter amid a decline in bond yields, though equity markets have remained volatile," the brokerage said. On the asset quality front, Motilal Oswal expects stability. "While Q3 witnessed a rise in the SMA (Special Mention Accounts) pool for some banks, it is expected to recover without leading to slippages. Consequently, credit costs should remain largely under control. The newly revised norms for the sale of government-guaranteed Security Receipts (SRs) should release excess provisions for PSU banks, which they can utilize for potential requirements," the brokerage added. Meanwhile, Central Bank of India's standalone net profit jumped 33.58% to 958.93 crore in Q3 FY25, compared to 717.86 crore in Q3 FY24. Total income increased 6.56% to 9,738.64 crore in Q3 FY25, compared to 9,138.93 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous year. Trump Media share price: Trump Media and Technology Group's share price declined over five per cent on Wednesday, April 2, ahead of US President Donald Trump's much-awaited reciprocal tariffs announcement. The company also disclosed the possibility of significant stock sales in an official securities filing, including by insider shareholders such as the US Presidents trust. The parent company of Truth Social said in an April 1 filing that it could soon sell roughly 8.4 million shares of common stock related to existing warrants issued during the public offering. The company said insiders and major stakeholders could also sell up to about 134 million shares. That includes the more than 114 million shares held by the Donald J. Trump Revocable Trust. Trump Media share price today The stock was down more than five per cent in midday trading on the US stock exchanges and has crashed 44 per cent year-to-date (YTD). Donald Trump has previously said he does not plan to sell his stake in the leading media company. His son, Donald Trump Jr., oversees the revocable trust. The sale of the Resale Securities being offered pursuant to this prospectus, or the perception that these sales could occur, could result in a significant decline in the public trading price of our Common Stock, the prospectus warned. The company said the total shares available for resale amounted to 129.2 per cent of the public float of shares, a measure of the amount of stock available for trade. The company said the filing does not indicate that insider sales are planned. Donald Trump's reciprocal tariffs US President Donald Trump will appear at the White House Rose Garden today for a "Liberation Day" ceremony. He is expected to announce sweeping tariffs that could escalate a trade war and upend the global economy. Trump has kept the world guessing ahead of the event about the details of the new tariffs, which are expected to prompt countermeasures from trading partners. He has said he will impose reciprocal tariffs to match US rates with higher levels charged by other countries but has not said how high the levels would be or which countries would bear the brunt. The uncertainty has rattled financial markets and businesses that have relied on trading arrangements, which have been in place since 1947. The new tariffs will take effect immediately after Trump announces them, though the administration has not yet published an official notice as required. The administration, however, did publish an official notice that a separate set of tariffs on auto imports that Trump announced last week will take effect starting on April 3. On 1 April, investors in Vadilal experienced a moment of sweet vindication as shares of the company surged more than 14% intraday, hitting a record high of 5,250. This was more than a mere spike in the small-cap stockit was a resounding vote of confidence. After years of boardroom battles and courtroom duels the Gandhi family, custodians of Indias beloved ice-cream brand, had finally buried the hatchet. The decades-old family-run business announced a sweeping settlement and restructuring plan designed to end internal conflict and usher in a new era of governance and professionalism. The market responded enthusiastically. For a brand frozen by its own infighting, the thaw came with promises of stability, transparency and value creation for shareholders. With the leadership reshuffle, brand consolidation, and a professional governance framework in place, Vadilal Industries is no longer just about scoops and conesit's about serious corporate reinvention. A family feud that boiled over Vadilal has long been a household name in India, but behind the iconic brand was a saga of discord that quietly simmered for years. The fourth-generation Gandhi family membersRajesh R. Gandhi, Janmajay V. Gandhi, and Devanshu L. Gandhifound themselves on opposing sides over everything from the companys future strategy to control over governance and operations. These disputes escalated beyond internal squabbles, landing before the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) and later the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT). Also read: Amusement parks are a brutal business. Has this company cracked the code? As disagreements spiraled into legal battles, Vadilal's management structure became muddled. Conflicting visions paralysed strategic decision-making, and shareholders were caught in the crossfire. But in March, the tides turned. The family reached a groundbreaking memorandum of family arrangement, pledging to restructure the leadership and reimagine the companys future together. Professionalising the core Central to the settlement was a fundamental shift: the separation of ownership from day-to-day management. The Gandhi family, while retaining promoter status, agreed to step back from executive functions. Rajesh R. Gandhi and Devanshu L. Gandhi resigned from their managing director roles, while Kalpit R. Gandhi stepped down as chief financial officer. This marked a departure from the old model of familial micromanagement that had long hindered organisational agility. In their place, Vadilal will induct a new, professional leadership team including a CEO and CFO to be mutually identified by the three family branches. The companys board is being reconstituted to ensure that professionals, not just promoters, are at the helm. Each Gandhi branch will nominate one director, but a majority of seats will now belong to non-family professionals. Among them are heavyweight names such as Shalini Raghavan, former group chief marketing officer of Nykaa; Shivakumar Dega, a seasoned executive from PepsiCo, Nokia and Philips; and Nagarajan Sivaramakrishnan, former CEO of Mother Dairy. Financial strategist Gaurav Marathe will also join as a non-executive director. This reshuffle is designed to guarantee that no single branch dominates, creating a governance framework based on consensus, merit and oversight. The brand comes home Perhaps the most strategic element of the restructuring is the companys decision to bring the Vadilal brand under its direct ownership. Previously, the brand was held by Vadilal International Pvt. Ltd. (VIPL), a promoter entity that licensed the trademark to Vadilal Industries. This arrangement created both financial and operational dependencies, including royalty payments and potential legal vulnerabilities. Also read: Down 62% since the IPO, Star Health faces the Irdai test To address this, three promoter-owned entitiesVIPL, Vadilal Finance Co. Pvt. Ltd., and Veronica Constructions Pvt. Ltd.will be merged into Vadilal Industries via a share swap. This consolidation will not only ensure the company owns its brand outright but also eliminate any royalty expenses moving forward. With full control over the brand, Vadilal can now invest confidently in marketing, innovation and expansion. Vadilal's 16% share of Indias 20,000-crore organised ice-cream market, according to a company statement from September 2024, is now backed by a more secure and unified brand identity. Checks, balances, and clarity To prevent the return of chaos, the family pact includes an exhaustive governance overhaul. Unanimous consent from all three promoter branches is now required for key decisions such as top-level appointments, capital structure changes and brand-related strategies. A waterfall funding clause has been introduced, prioritising internal accruals and debt over external equity infusions. This ensures that dilution of family ownership will be a last resort, and only possible with unanimous agreement. Moreover, the agreement includes right-of-first-refusal clauses and tag-along rights to protect family and minority interests. These safeguards aim to prevent hostile takeovers and maintain continuity in promoter alignment. All these provisions will be formally embedded into the companys articles of association and implemented after obtaining approvals from shareholders, SEBI, NCLT, and the stock exchanges. A fresh scoop of optimism The markets reaction to the restructuring has been overwhelmingly positive. The stocks rally was no flash in the pan. Vadilals stock had already climbed 38% over the prior month, a sign that insiders and savvy investors had anticipated a resolution. When the official announcement dropped, trading volumes soared and the stock outperformed the broader indices. Also read: Force Motors is shifting gearswill the rally keep rolling? Analysts welcomed the clarity, viewing the settlement as a catalyst for long-term value creation. For years the company traded at a discount thanks to governance risks and operational opacity. With the professionalisation of leadership, improved governance standards, and streamlined operations, brokerages are expected to revisit their models to reflect improved margins, stronger balance sheet dynamics, and increased investor confidence. Brand, business and beyond Internally, Vadilal has shown signs of resilience. In Q3FY25 the company reported a 29% year-on-year jump in net profit to 11.93 crore, while revenues grew 17% to nearly 204 crore. For the first nine months of FY25 the company clocked a profit after tax (PAT) of 128 crore and revenues of 963 crore. With a daily production capacity of over 625,000 litres and 1.3 million cones, Vadilal remains a heavyweight in the ice-cream, cones, and candy segments. The internal changes are expected to accelerate growth across both its frozen dessert and processed foods divisions. Professional management and new board expertise in branding and FMCG could open up new product lines and geographies. Meanwhile, by cutting out royalty payments and reducing internal strife, the company could see operational margins improve. Also read: Hero MotoCorp has hit a speed bumpcan it rebound? After the merger, the Gandhi familys collective stake will rise to more than 72% from the current 64.73%, signaling deeper commitment to Vadilals future. High promoter ownership, when aligned with professional governance, can be a potent formula for long-term shareholder trust. Conclusion The story of Vadilal is more than a tale of family conflict and corporate compromise. Its a case study in modernising a legacy enterprise without destroying its soul. In aligning behind professional leadership, unifying brand ownership, and embracing governance reforms, Vadilal is setting an example for Indian family-owned businesses. It remains to be seen how effectively the company executes this transformation. But if the early signals from the market and boardroom are anything to go by, Vadilal has finally found the recipe for sustainable, shareholder-friendly growth. For more such analysis, read Profit Pulse. About the author: Suchitra Mandal is a proficient financial writer with expertise in delivering well-researched insights and detailed analyses of companies' performance and market trends. Disclosure: The author does not hold any shares of Vadilal Industries at the time of writing this article. The views expressed are for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult a financial professional before making any investment decisions. India is going through an epic credit card boom. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) recently stated that the credit surge in the country has more than doubled in the last five years. The total number of credit cards has crossed 10.80 crore by January 2025. This number was around 5.53 crore in December 2019-20, as detailed in a report by Press Trust of India. Now, this boom has also resulted in an increase in credit card scams. For instance, a Chandigarh resident recently was tricked by scamsters into a well-planned and sophisticated credit card scam. The incident leaves behind important lessons for all credit card users to always keep in mind to protect themselves, their peace of mind and finances. How was the credit card scam planned and executed? A resident of Chandigarh, Sector 31, T Rajesh Kumar, randomly received a call from a person posing and promoting himself as a representative from Punjab National Bank (PNB). The caller told Rajesh that his name was Ajay Tripathi. He further offered his assistance and support to Rajesh with the assurance that he would help him secure a new credit card. The call was designed to look like a simple promotional call users generally receive daily from various financial institutions. Kumar took the call casually, considering it to be legitimate and agreed to continue with the conversation through WhatsApp for more details as per the instructions of the caller. Then, during another subsequent video interaction, the scammer requested Kumar to provide him with personal information for identification and cross-verification. He again assured Kumar that this was part of the standard process. Now, trusting the caller's words and directions, Kumar shared personal information and even displayed his wifes Axis Bank and American Express credit cards. Post the completion of the call, he received a link purportedly to finish the application process and submit the details. Stunning financial loss Unfortunately, clicking on the link provided by the caller led to unauthorised transactions. The total transactions amounted to about 8.69 lakh on Kumars American Express card and 60,000 on his Axis Bank credit card. Even after promptly blocking the cards and reaching out to bank officials, significant financial damage was already done. The fraudulent transactions were too much for Kumar and his family to bear. The scamster reached out to Kumar again the following day to let him know about more transactions and even hacked into his Amazon account. Rising trend of credit card scams This particular incident is part of a worrying trend in the country, where fraud cases have surged immensely. On similar lines, according to a report, another incident of credit card fraud took place recently in Ahmedabad's Anandnagar, where a resident, Soumya Jain, lost about 50,000 to a similar credit card scam. The cybercrime unit has been informed about the incident, and they are looking into it. How to keep yourself safe and protected from fraud? Now, to safeguard themselves against such credit card frauds, card users should adopt several preventive measures: Verify caller identity: Always confirm the identity of anyone requesting personal information. Remember, banks never reach out to customers individually for personal information such as credit card details or CVVs. Always confirm the identity of anyone requesting personal information. Remember, banks never reach out to customers individually for personal information such as credit card details or CVVs. Completely avoid sharing sensitive information: Never disclose or discuss your credit card details over calls or video chats with anyone. These are credit instruments. If you discuss your personal details, you are putting yourself at risk of financial loss. Never disclose or discuss your credit card details over calls or video chats with anyone. These are credit instruments. If you discuss your personal details, you are putting yourself at risk of financial loss. Monitor transactions, read statements regularly: Keep a close eye on your bank statements for any unknown or unauthorised transactions. Report them promptly if you see any unauthorised deduction in your account. Keep a close eye on your bank statements for any unknown or unauthorised transactions. Report them promptly if you see any unauthorised deduction in your account. Use strong passwords and biometrics : Always protect your online accounts with strong passwords, biometrics and enable multi-factor authentication whenever possible to keep your data safe and secure. : Always protect your online accounts with strong passwords, biometrics and enable multi-factor authentication whenever possible to keep your data safe and secure. Clear doubts by reaching out to the customer support team: Always visit the official website of your financial institution for clarification on doubts and to obtain the official customer support team number. Further, you should never share CVV, OTP and card details. As online credit card frauds are becoming increasingly complex and sophisticated, staying vigilant is essential for protecting your financial well-being. Disclaimer: Mint has a tie-up with fintechs for providing credit, you will need to share your information if you apply. These tie-ups do not influence our editorial content. This article only intends to educate and spread awareness about credit needs like loans, credit cards and credit score. Mint does not promote or encourage taking credit as it comes with a set of risks such as high interest rates, hidden charges, etc. We advise investors to discuss with certified experts before taking any credit. The Employees Provident Fund ( EPF ) is often viewed as a tool for long-term savings, primarily designed to secure an employees retirement. It also offers provisions for accessing funds before retirement, especially for emergencies or significant life events like marriage, higher education, and medical (illness) expenses. While this flexibility is a great relief during critical times, its important to understand the rules, limits, tax implications, and the overall impact of such withdrawals on long-term financial security. EPF withdrawal for marriage and higher education To access EPF funds for marriage or higher education, the rules are quite strict. Sanjay Kesari, former regional commissioner of Provident Fund, highlighted a crucial requirementan employee must have been a member of the EPF for at least seven years. Your date of joining should be at least seven years back," said Kesari, adding that this is a non-negotiable condition for eligibility. Additionally, Anshul Prakash, partner at law firm Khaitan & Co., said an employee must have at least 1,000 in their EPF account to qualify for such withdrawals. When it comes to withdrawal limits, employees can access up to 50% of their own contribution, including interest. The combined limit for withdrawals for both marriage and higher education is three times throughout an employees lifetime. If an employee has already used one of their withdrawals for marriage, they may only use one more for either marriage or higher education. Marriage can be for self, sibling, or child, while withdrawals for higher education can only be for a son or daughter. Kesari warned that employees should use these withdrawals sparingly, as frequent access to the EPF could erode long-term retirement savings. Employees can apply for such withdrawals through the EPFO portal. For amounts up to 1 lakh, the claims can be processed in 3-4 days through the E-Seva portal. While these withdrawals are tax-free, If the EPF account is settled within 5 years of membership or employment and the amount exceeds 50,000, it may be taxable, Kesari said. View Full Image (Graphic: Paras Jain/Mint) EPF withdrawal for medical expenses A member can withdraw for medical reasons even shortly after joining," Prakash said. Unlike EPF withdrawals for marriage and higher education, withdrawals for medical reasons can be availed multiple times. When it comes to the amount that can be withdrawn it is the least of the following: six months basic salary plus dearness allowance, the available EPF balance, or the applied amount," said Kesari. The processing time for such withdrawals is typically 7-10 days. If the requested amount is less than 1 lakh, the claim is auto-approved. How to withdraw from EPF? For an online withdrawal from your EPF account, log in to www.epfindia.gov.in. Navigate to the Claim section under the UAN menu, select Request for Advance, choose the appropriate withdrawal reason, and submit your request. You can track the claim status online, and in some cases, you may need to upload a scanned copy of a cheque leaf for verification. For an offline withdrawal, visit your local EPFO office with the required documents and submit a physical withdrawal form. The withdrawal processing time is typically 3-4 days online, and 10-20 days offline. EPF withdrawals do not need to be repaid, as these are not considered a loan. Additionally, there is no loan facility against EPF balances. Also read | How to withdraw VPF for home purchase, loan repayment What members need to keep in mind According to Prakash, the online application process through the EPFO website has significantly reduced processing times, especially for claims under 1 lakh. What used to take 10-15 days for a physical claim can now be completed in 3-4 days. However, even with the online convenience, it is crucial to have all necessary documentation ready. For larger withdrawals, employees may need to provide additional proof, such as educational certificates or medical documentation. Planning is equally important when considering a withdrawal. Its vital to understand the limits and rules for each type of withdrawal to avoid missing out on future opportunities." said Prakash. For instance, marriage and education withdrawals are limited to three uses, while medical withdrawals can be accessed multiple times. But its essential to use this feature wisely." Moreover, members should keep their EPF account details, including bank account information, up-to-date. EPFO requires that the name on the bank account matches the name in the EPF records. Mistakes here can cause delays or even rejection of the application. Having accurate KYC (know-your-customer, or customer verification) details is another prerequisite to ensure that the withdrawal process is smooth. Also read | Need funds but locked in NPS? Heres how you can make partial withdrawals Balancing your needs While its tempting to tap into your EPF savings during financial crunches, Kesari cautioned against frequent withdrawals. EPF is primarily for old-age security, not frequent withdrawals," he said, emphasizing the long-term nature of the fund. In EPF withdrawals for marriage, education or medical purposes, the amount is paid only from the employees share of the PF. Withdrawals should be made with careful consideration of their impact on future financial security. Employees should also be mindful of tax implications, especially when withdrawing large amounts or accessing the EPF before five years of service. While EPF provides an essential safety net for marriage, education, and medical expenses, it should not be seen as a go-to resource for immediate financial relief. Balancing short-term needs with long-term financial security is key to making the most of the EPFs provisions. The rapid growth of Indian equity markets since the Covid-19 pandemic has led to a surge in retail investors entering the BSE through various investment avenues, including direct equity, mutual funds, and ETFs. According to market veterans like Raamdeo Agarwal, Chairman of Motilal Oswal Financial Services, the Indian markets are expected to double in five years and quadruple in ten, as he has mentioned in multiple interactions. In the current market environment, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have emerged as an attractive investment option in India, especially for those looking to start small and build long-term wealth with limited capital. This write-up explores the key advantages of ETFs, including lower costs, effective risk management, and diversification, to help you make informed investment decisions. What are ETFs: Definition, essence and meaning ETFs are investment funds traded on stock exchanges, similar to individual stocks. They typically track an index, commodity, or basket of assets, offering investors exposure to diverse sectors without requiring extensive research. This unique feature makes ETFs ideal for beginners starting their investment journey. Additionally, they help manage overall investment risk efficiently, keeping it on the lower side. Also Read | 5 investing lessons from Jeremy Grantham on avoiding herd mentality What are the steps to invest in ETFs? Applying for a new demat account: Several leading brokerage firms in India, such as Zerodha, ICICI Direct, Kotak Securities, and HDFC Securities, offer ETF investment options. To invest in ETFs, you must first open a demat account with one of these firms. Many of them provide a digital platform for opening a Demat account online with minimal paperwork. When choosing a broker, ensure they offer access to a wide range of ETFs to suit your investment needs. Read, think and opt for the correct ETF First, you need to understand your investment goals and aspirations. Once you have a clear strategy, you can choose from the many ETFs available. Some popular options include the Nippon India ETF Nifty Bank BeES, which has demonstrated strong performance in recent years. Another leading choice is the Mirae Asset NYSE FANG+ ETF, well recognized for its impressive returns. Deciding on investment amount, fractional units You can start investing in most ETFs with any amount that suits your financial capacity, even as little as 1,000. This low entry point allows you to purchase fractional units of an ETF, giving you the opportunity to diversify your investment even with a small amount. Consistently check and monitor your investments Once you start investing, it is essential to regularly track and evaluate the performance of your ETF investments. Staying informed about market trends, global developments, and economic changes is equally important. Most leading brokerage firms offer resources and applications to help you efficiently monitor and manage your ETF portfolio. Reach out to the customer support team if in doubt It is also important to reach out to your brokerage firm's customer support team to clarify any doubts regarding your investments. Queries about charges, processing fees (if any), past returns, and ETF portfolio details can be addressed by the support team for quick resolutions and educational purposes. Staying informed and actively engaged is crucial to your investment journey. What are the current trends and performance to keep in mind? As of March 30, 2025, several leading ETFs have shown impressive growth over the past 12 to 15 months. For example, the CPSE ETF has delivered a return of approximately 13.80 per cent, while the Nippon India ETF Nifty Bank BeES has yielded around 10.40 per cent. These figures highlight the potential of ETFs as a prudent investment option, particularly for investors seeking steady long-term wealth growth. Note: The funds discussed here are for illustrative purposes only. For recent updates and changes, consider contacting the respective ETF issuing organisation. Starting your investment journey in ETFs with 1,000 is not only logical but also an excellent way to build a well-diversified portfolio. By understanding how ETFs work and the fundamentals of ETF investingalong with following the simple steps discussed aboveyou can make informed and strategic investment decisions aligned with your financial goals. Sean Diddy Combs, the music mogul and rapper, was accused of human trafficking in a Florida lawsuit filed on Tuesday, April 1, Fox News Digital reported citing documents. The lawsuit suggests that the complainant was allegedly sexually assaulted and was forced to partake in unwanted sexual activity. According to the lawsuit, complainant Joseph Manzaro was allegedly drugged, transported against his will, and sexually maimed as a victim of a coercive and organized criminal enterprise beginning in 2015, orchestrated and facilitated by the Defendants. In the lawsuit, Sean Diddy's alleged drug dealing associate, Brendan Paul, was named as a defendant. As per the complainant, he was drugged and "transported against his will" to a "freak-off" event which was held at the Estefans' Star Island mansion located in Miami, where Diddy was also hosting his son's birthday party. He claimed that he was paraded half-naked in front of Beyonce Knowles-Carter and her husband Jay-Z, whose full name is Sean Carter. Joseph Manzaro asserted that he came in realisation with these happenings after gaining partial consciousness. Mint could not independently confirm the development Although Jay-Z and Beyonce were not named as defendants in Manzaro's lawsuit, Jay-Z's lawyer Alex Spiro informed Fox News Digital that his client wasn't in the area during the alleged incident. Gloria Estefan's husband Emilio Estefan and a former adult film star Adria English were also mentioned in the suit. According to the lawsuit, Gloria Estefan was an eyewitness who allegedly saw Manzaro in a deteriorating state. This scene was reportedly from the time Manzaro arrived at the Miami party through the back entrance of the mansion after midnight. Notably, Adria English, who allegedly identified herself as "Diddy's personal sexual assistant," had filed a case against the music mogul in 2024 for alleged sex trafficking. The fresh lawsuit documents reveal that Manzaro was brought to the party via a concealed tunnel connected from the Estefan mansion to Diddy's mansion. Call an ambulance The documents mention that Gloria Estefan raised an alarm on witnessing the distressing situation, but her calls were dismissed and allegedly "quickly silenced" by Emilio. "Call an ambulance," Gloria Estefan had said, documents procured by Fox News Digital suggested. Furthermore, the plaintiff claimed to have witnessed LeBron James in a "white bath towel" walking through a hallway. Representatives of self-proclaimed godman Nithyananda, a fugitive accused of sexual abuse, denied rumours of his death on April 1, confirming that he is alive, safe, and active. The rumours of Nithyananda's death surfaced after his nephew, Sundereshwar, allegedly claimed that the fugitive had passed away. KAILASA unequivocally condemns this malicious smear campaign to vilify and defame the SPH the statement read. Moreover, to support their claim, the press release included a live stream link showing Nithyananda participating in the Ugadi celebrations on March 30. Who is Nithyananda? Self-proclaimed godman Nithyananda established his own country called the United States of Kailasa (USK). Accused of rape and kidnapping, he fled India in 2019 and resurfaced a year later, claiming to have founded his nation. Nithyananda purchased an island off the coast of Ecuador, naming it Kailasa. In 2020, Nithyananda's bail was revoked by the Karnataka High Court after allowing a petition filed by Kuruppan Lenin, on whose complaint police had registered the case against Nithyananda for various criminal offences, including rape. Additional allegations against him include torture and child abuse at his ashram in Gujarat. In 2023, TNM reported that Interpol denied issuing a Blue Corner notice against Nithyananda. This denial came in response to claims by the Gujarat police, who had stated that such a notice was issued to gather more information about Nithyananda's identity, location, or activities concerning alleged crimes. Interpols General Secretariat issued two letters that contradicted these claims. What is Kailasa? Kailasa is a self-declared country situated on an island off Ecuadors coast, named after a sacred Hindu site. It claims to be a movement founded by members of the Hindu Adi Shaivite minority community from Canada, the United States, and other countries, offering refuge to practising, aspiring, or persecuted Hindus worldwide. KAILASA unequivocally condemns this malicious smear campaign to vilify and defame the SPH However, Kailasa is not recognised as a sovereign nation by the United Nations or the global community and is considered a micronation. Despite this, the Kailasa movement maintains a prominent social media presence and claims to operate various departments, including treasury, commerce, sovereignty, housing, and human services. It also has its own flag, constitution, economic system, passport, and emblem. Delhi court upheld the metropolitan magistrates order of convicting 69-year-old social activist Medha Patkar in a criminal defamation case filed by Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena. However, additional sessions judge Vishal Singh of Saket Court deferred pronouncing an order on the sentence due to the absence of Patkars physical presence in court. The judge, however, clarified that the sentence could not be enhanced since the Delhi police had not preferred a plea. It could only be maintained or reduced. The court is to hear the matter at 2 pm, on the arguments of the necessity of Patkars physical presence for pronouncing the order in the sentence. The appeal has been dismissed, the conviction stands but for sentencing, the appellant has to appear in person. In order to receive sentence, the convict must be present in court. What is impugned is the judgement of conviction and sentencing. Since the state has not come for enhancement, there is no question for enhancement but at the most it can be maintained or reduced, judge Singh said. What is the case about? The case is regarding a press release shared by Patkar in November 2000. In May 2024, the court observed that calling Saxenathen the president of an NGO in Gujarata "coward" and alleging his involvement in hawala transactions. Patkar was granted a five-month jail term for a 23-year-old defamation case in July, 2024. The court also directed her to pay 10 lakhs as compensation to LG for damaging his reputation. However, this order was suspended later. The court also said that Patkar's age and ailments do not absolve her of the "serious" offence as Saxena experienced profound damage to his reputation, trustworthiness, and social standing. Also Read | Activist Medha Patkar gets 5 month jail for defaming Delhi LG Vinai Kumar Saxena Weather photographer Kane Mclatchie told Yahoo News the resort town was 'glowing' from the sky. Western Australia's Kimberley region was submerged in metres of water for several hours on Tuesday. Source: Facebook/Broome & Beyond and Lost Perth Photos have emerged of locals and tourists wading through knee-deep water along the streets of the rural Aussie town of Broome after the "highest tide of the century" washed over the town on Tuesday. The king tide is a bi-annual weather event that causes water levels to rise and flood otherwise untouched land in areas of Western Australia's northwest. Tides reached a height of 10.62 metres around midday on Tuesday and it's the highest recorded by Bureau of Meteorology in the last century. "We get two king tide's per year but this was a special one, it's historical... We won't see it again in our lifetime... not even children," weather photographer and Broome local Kane Mclatchie told Yahoo News. He was out capturing images of the town on his drone and said the high-water level made the landscape "glow" while streets and car parks were filled with water. ADVERTISEMENT "It was mind-blowing. The pictures showed exactly what it was like from above and on the ground," he said. Highest tide fluctuations experienced in the Southern Hemisphere Western Australia's Kimberley region experiences the highest tidal fluctuations in the southern hemisphere and Derby, northeast of Broome, wins the title of the highest record tide, with water recorded as high as 12.18 metres on Tuesday. The king tide is caused by a number of factors but the moon's closer proximity to Earth is a major one. A senior hydrologist with the Bureau of Meteorology, Robert Lawry, told the ABC the moon is "normally around 400,000 kilometres away and it's currently around 40,000 metres closer than usual." Kane Mclatchie said Broome was 'glowing' from the sky during the king tide. Source: Kane Mclatchie Photography The king tide doesn't last for long though and Kane told Yahoo News the tide has already "dropped significantly since yesterday". ADVERTISEMENT "I think we're 200 millimetres under now. It's incredibly what that extra bit does because the water inundated the street yesterday," he said. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday filed a petition in the Special Court for MPs and MLAs to quash the Lokayukta police investigation report in the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) case, involving Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and others. In the petition, the ED alleged that there is sufficient evidence against Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and his family. The central probe agency argued that the Lokayukta report was incorrect in stating that he was not guilty, reported ANI. Also Read | Karnataka: CM Siddaramaiah should quit immediately over MUDA scam Besides Siddaramaiah and his wife Parvathi BM, his brother-in-law and the land owner Devaraju are the accused. On March 7, the Karnataka High Court had quashed the Enforcement Directorate's summons to Siddaramaiah's wife, Parvathi, and Urban Development Minister Byrathi Suresh, issued in connection with the MUDA land allotment scam. The Lokayukta police probing the MUDA site allotment case had mentioned that the charges against CM Siddaramaiah and his wife Parvathi could not be proved because of lack of evidence. The probing officers said they have submitted the final report to the high court. Also Read | Karnataka: CM Siddaramaiah should quit immediately over MUDA scam What ED said in petition It is being realised, the world over, that money laundering poses a serious threat not only to the financial systems of countries but also to their integrity and sovereignty. The ED said the state (country) comes under the definition of victim of money laundering offence. It further said the agency should be construed as an aggrieved person, as they are the prosecutors under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act and thus it has a right or locus standi to protest or to be heard before any order is passed on the closure report filed by the investigating agency (Lokayukta police). Since the offence of money laundering and predicate offence are intrinsically linked, the Enforcement Directorate cannot be said to be an alien to the issues involved in the predicate offence. Further, in the instant case, the Directorate of Enforcement had shared the evidence/information gathered during the course of investigation, under PMLA. Also Read | MUDA chief quits citing health issues amid Siddaramaiah land row What is the row? The MUDA had allotted plots to Parvathi under a 50:50 ratio scheme in lieu of 3.16 acres of her land, where it developed a residential layout. Under the controversial scheme, the MUDA allotted 50 per cent of developed land to the land losers in lieu of undeveloped land acquired from them for forming residential layouts. Parliament on Wednesday approved the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025, with the Rajya Sabha giving its nod. The Rajya Sabha passed the Bill by voice vote. The Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha last week. The Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025, piloted by the Union Home Ministry, is a comprehensive legislation to regulate all matters relating to foreigners and immigration. Opposing the Bill in the Rajya Sabha, Congress MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi said that it sends a message that all foreigners are "potential criminals" who are to be viewed with serious suspicion by India. He demanded that the Bill be sent to a standing committee as it delegates excessive power to lowly officials and lacks provisions for appeal, oversight and accountability, among other things. "I rise to oppose this Bill and seek substantial changes in its pernicious character. It is clearly designed for ulterior motives by a control freak government bent upon sending out a message of fear through the architecture of omniscient, Orwellian surveillance for foreigners," Singhvi said. "This Bill sends a message that all foreigners are potential criminals to be viewed with serious suspicion by India... India is to act as an unwelcome fortress for its unwanted non-guests," Singhvi added. Earlier, speaking in the Lok Sabha on March 27, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the Bill will ensure the country gets up-to-date information about every foreigner visiting India and will strengthen internal security. Amit Shah asserted that those who come to India for business, education and investment are welcome, but those who pose a threat to security will face stringent action, adding that India is not a 'Dharamshala'. Be it Rohingyas or Bangladeshis, if they come to India to create unrest, strict action will be taken against them, said the home minister. Also Read | How new immigration and foreigners bill streamlines existing laws. 10 points About the Bill According to the proposed legislation, anyone found using a forged passport or visa for entering, staying or exiting India will be punished. The Bill has a provision for up to seven years in jail and a fine to the extent of 10 lakh. It will be mandatory for hotels, universities, other educational institutions, hospitals and nursing homes to report information about foreigners to enable tracking of overstaying foreigners. The legislation empowers the Centre to exert control over places that are "frequented by any foreigner" and require the owner to close the premises, permit its use under specified conditions, or refuse admission to all or a "specified class" of foreigners. New Delhi: Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman will visit the United Kingdom from 8 to 10 April, and the United States from 21 to 26 April, two people aware of the matter told Mint. In the UK, Sitharaman will participate in the India-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue and meet key government officials, said the first person cited above, who did not wish to be named. The meetings will include representatives from Indias ministry of finance, ministry of external affairs, Reserve Bank of India, Securities and Exchange Board of India, International Financial Services Centres Authority, and officials from the UK Treasury, Bank of England, and the Financial Conduct Authority. Sitharaman will visit the US for the 2025 Spring Meetings of the World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund, said the first person cited above. "During her visit to the UK, Sitharaman may hold a bilateral meeting with the UK's chancellor of the exchequer Rachel Reeves and other British ministers," this person added. India-UK free trade agreement Sitharaman's visit to the UK comes as the two countries negotiate a free trade agreement. On 24 February commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal and UK secretary of state for business and trade Jonathan Reynolds announced the resumption of talks for the proposed India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) after an eight-month pause. Launched on 13 January 2022, there have been 14 rounds of talks so far. The two countries are negotiating three key agreementsthe FTA, a bilateral investment treaty (BIT), and a double taxation avoidance agreement. Sitharaman's visit to the US will come weeks after President Donald Trump imposes reciprocal tariffs on America's trading partners. A reciprocal tariff is a trade measure in which a country matches another's import duties on its exports to ensure balanced trade and protect domestic industries. India-US talks India and the US are slated to hold sectoral talks under a proposed bilateral trade agreement (BTA) in the coming weeks. The decision follows four days of negotiations between senior officials of both countries, which concluded on 29 March. "The finance minister's US trip will primarily involve her participation in the World Bank Group and IMF Spring Meetings. She is expected to meet top officials of the World Bank and IMF," said the second person cited above. Also read: India befriends Big Tech as Trump tariffs knock on door "This visit comes at a crucial time for Indias trade and investment negotiations with both the UK and the US. While discussions in London may also focus on advancing the FTA and investment framework, engagements in Washington will likely centre around global economic cooperation," this person added. The Indian Navy announced on Wednesday that its frontline frigate, INS Tarkash, had seized more than 2,500 kilograms of narcotics in the western Indian Ocean. The operation was launched after the Indian Navy received intelligence on March 31 about suspicious vessel movements. According to the Indian Navy, all suspicious vessels in the vicinity were systematically interrogated before INS Tarkash intercepted and boarded a suspect dhow. The operation was conducted in coordination with the P-8I maritime surveillance aircraft and the Maritime Operations Centre in Mumbai. INS Tarkash also deployed its integral helicopter to monitor the suspicious vessel's activities and identify other vessels possibly operating in the area. The Navy further stated that a specialist boarding team, along with Marine Commandos, boarded the suspect vessel and conducted a thorough search, leading to the discovery of various sealed packets. After extensive search and interrogation, it found over 2,500 kgs of narcotic substances (including 2,386 kgs of hashish and 121 kgs of heroin) stored in different cargo holds and compartments onboard the vessel. The Navy also said the suspicious dhow was subsequently brought under the control of INS Tarkash, and the crew underwent comprehensive questioning regarding their modus operandi and the presence of other similar vessels in the area. NCB, Delhi Police seize narcotics worth 27.4 crore In a separate development, a joint team of the Narcotics Control Bureau and Delhi Police seized a large cache of narcotics worth 27.4 crore and arrested five persons. Also Read | Six Pakistanis nabbed with 62 kg drugs worth 480 crore off Gujarat coast The seizure included high-quality crystal methamphetamine, Afghan heroin, and MDMA, reported news agency PTI, citing Delhi Police sources. In line with the Modi government's zero-tolerance policy against drugs, a major narco-network was busted in Delhi-NCR. The NCB and Delhi Police grabbed the gang by its throat and recovered methamphetamine, MDMA and cocaine worth 27.4 crore and arrested five people, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said in a post on social media platform X. A Jaguar fighter aircraft of Indian Air Force, which was on a training mission, crashed in Gujarat's Jamnagar on Wednesday. The incident took place at around 9:30 pm in an open field at Suvarda village, nearly 12km from Jamnagar city and caught fire. One of the pilots ejected safely but suffered injures, while the second pilot was missing as he failed to exit the jet in time. Following the crash, a large cloud of smoke engulfed the entire area. Several burning pieces and debris from the plane could be seen scattered on the ground in the video, which surfaced online. "There were two pilots in the (Jaguar) trainer aircraft of the Air Force. One has been rescued and taken to the government-run GG Hospital in the city and his condition was stated to be stable. Operations are underway to rescue the other pilot," said SP Premsukh Delu. Locals gathered at the site and the pilot, who was injured, was seen lying on the ground. The cause of the crash is yet to be ascertained Following the incident, district collector Ketan Thakkar also rushed to the spot. He said the fire in the open field triggered by the crash was doused by firefighters. Similar incidents A month ago, Jaguar fighter jet crashed near Haryana's Panchkula due to a system malfunction. In that incident too the pilot managed to steer the aircraft away from populated areas before ejecting safely. The aircraft had taken off from the Ambala airbase on a training sortie. On 7 March, an Indian Air Force plane, an AN-32 transport aircraft, was involved in a serious incident in West Bengal's Bagdogra. Earlier in February, a Mirage-2000 fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force crashed in an agriculture field in Madhya Pradesh's Shivpuri district after developing a snag. The twin-seater trainer aircraft caught fire after crashing in an agriculture field near Barheta Sani village. The Telangana High Court on Wednesday directed the state government to suspend all work on the 400-acre land parcel adjacent to the University of Hyderabad (UoH), which has become a bone of contention, for a dayuntil April 3. A bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Renuka Yara was hearing a batch of PILs seeking a directive from the court to stop the uprooting of trees and land clearing at the Kancha Gachibowli site. The petitioners also challenged the state government's decision to allot the land to the Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TGIIC), claiming it violated the Forest Conservation Act. On March 30, the TGIIC initiated development work at the Kancha Gachibowli site as per a government order. While posting the matter for further hearing on April 3, the court directed that all work at the site be stopped. This decision followed a plea from S Niranjan Reddy, counsel for one of the petitioners, who requested the court to intervene, stating that tree-cutting was continuing unabated. Advocate General Sudarshan Reddy argued that the petitions were based on Google images, which, according to Supreme Court rulings, are not admissible as evidence. He further contended that the land in question lies outside the Hyderabad Central University (HCU) and has always been earmarked for industrial purposes. Niranjan Reddy informed the court that no tree above one meter in height should be cut without prior permission from authorised agencies under the Water, Land, and Trees Act (WALTA). He also stated that rampant deforestation was taking place across the 400-acre site. Ecological disaster: Calling the situation an "ecological disaster," the petitioner's counsel urged the court to direct the government to produce NRSA images from the past month to demonstrate the "indiscriminate" destruction of the area. Counsel for another petitioner argued that the flora and fauna within the 400-acre sitewhether it belongs to HCU or the state governmentwould be lost due to the "narrow economic interests" of the authorities. On Monday, the TGIIC stated that it had established its ownership of the land in court and that UoH, a central university, does not own any portion of the disputed land. The Mumbai Police has issued a third summons to comedian Kunal Kamra over his alleged controversial remarks on Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in his latest stand-up video, "Naya Bharat", on YouTube. Kamra has been asked to record his statement on April 5. The Mumbai Police has issued a third notice to Kunal Kamra to appear on 5th April and record his statement. Police had called Kunal Kamra twice before for questioning, but he did not appear, Mumbai Police officials told ANI. Also Read | Kunal Kamra summoned by Mumbai Police over Eknath Shinde remarks The police had to issue a third summons after Kamra did not appear for the previous summons. They are also investigating allegations that Kamra has made satirical remarks on other personalities. If the investigation reveals any offensive satirical remarks about any politician, actor, or sportsperson, then necessary action will be taken against him, according to the police. While Kunal Kamra has not reached out yet, the comedian's lawyer has reportedly contacted the officials. As of now, three separate cases have been filed against Kamra at the Khar Police Station over his remarks on Eknath Shinde. According to the Mumbai Police, the Mayor of Jalgaon filed one complaint, while a hotelier and a businessman from Nashik filed the other two. Kunal Kamra granted interim anticipatory bail On Friday, the Madras High Court granted interim anticipatory bail to Kunal Kamra regarding the multiple FIRs filed against him. He was issued an interim anticipatory bail by Justice Sunder Mohan until April 7 with conditions. Kunal Kamra reached out to the Madras High Court to seek transit anticipatory bail. He claimed to have received many threats after his controversial remarks. Also Read | Sanjay Raut sides with Adityanath on free speech in Kunal Kamra rowwith a catch The Pakistan Army intruded across the Line of Control and violated the ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir, the army said on Wednesday. They said the Pakistan Army resorted to unprovoked firing while Indian troops responded effectively in a controlled and calibrated manner. No casualties were reported in the incident. An official statement from Public Relation Officer (PRO) Defence, Jammu, read, On Apr 1, 25, a mine blast occurred in Krishna Ghati Sector due to Pakistan Army intrusion across LC. Also Read | Indian Army NCC Special Entry Scheme 2025 registration ends today; check link This was followed by unprovoked firing and ceasefire violation by Pakistan Army, the statement read. It added, Own troops responded effectively in a controlled and calibrated manner. The incident happened in Nangi Tekri in Krishna Ghati sector around 1.35 pm on April 1. Krishan Ghati is a hilly forest area located 30 km (19 miles) from Mendhar tehsil in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district. Also Read | Indian Army retaliates to Pakistani firing across LoC in J&K's Poonch sector An Indian Army official said the situation is under control and being closely monitored. Indian Army reiterates the importance of upholding the tenets of DGsMO understanding of 2021 to maintain peace along the Line of Control, the official said. Earlier, news agency ANI reported that the Pakistan Army violated the ceasefire by firing at the Indian side across the LoC in the KG Sector. The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday issued a strict directive to the state government to take necessary steps to suspend bike taxi services within the next six weeks. The decision comes as a huge setback to bike taxi aggregator apps. Uber India Systems Pvt Ltd, Ani Technologies Pvt Ltd and others had applied for directions to the state government to consider the applications filed in 2022 for converting two-wheelers into transport vehicles. During the petitions' hearing, the court noted that Ola, Uber and Rapido were managing bike taxis based on an interim order issued by the court, reported ANI. The court said that applicants cannot act as collectors of bike taxi services unless the state government informs the relevant guidelines under Section 93 of the Motor Vehicle Act of 1988. The court also said that the state government should ensure that the services are banned six weeks later. The transport department cannot be directed to register motorcycles as transport vehicles or issue contract carriage permits for such services until appropriate government regulations are in place," reported Indian Express quoting Justice BM Shyam Prasad. Meanwhile, the Maharashtra cabinet on Tuesday approved the introduction of electric-bike taxis for cities with at least one lakh population, a move which will benefit single passengers travelling up to 15 km and cover Mumbai and several other urban centres in the state. The measure will create more than 10,000 jobs in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) and another 10,000 in the rest of the state, state Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik said. Also Read | Ola does not disclose monthly sales figures for the first time The fares for e-bike taxis will be determined by the respective Regional Transport Authority (RTA), said the statement. A US national was arrested in Andaman and Nicobar Islands for allegedly entering the prohibited tribal reserve area of the North Sentinel Island, police said on Wednesday. Mykhailo Viktorovych Polyakov (24), arrested by the CID on March 31, had allegedly entered the North Sentinel Island without any authorisation, they said. He arrived in Port Blair on March 26 and ventured to North Sentinel Island from the Kurma Dera beach, they said. He launched his boat from Kurma Dera beach around 1 am on March 29, carrying a coconut and a can of cola as "offerings for the Sentinelese", police said. Polyakov reached the northeastern shore of North Sentinel Island by 10 am. Using binoculars, he surveyed the area but saw no inhabitants, they said. He remained offshore for an hour, blowing a whistle to attract attention, but received no response. He landed briefly for about five minutes, left the offerings on the shore, collected sand samples, and recorded a video before returning to his boat, police said. At 1 pm, he started his return journey and reached Kurma Dera Beach by 7 pm, where he was spotted by local fishermen, they said. DGP HS Dhaliwal told PTI, "We are getting more details about him and his intention to visit the reserved tribal area. We are also trying to find where else he had visited during his stay in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. We are questioning the hotel staff where he was staying in Port Blair." Among the items seized from him were an inflatable boat and an outboard motor or OBM, which he had assembled at a local workshop. Police said he had planned his journey meticulously -- conducted research on sea conditions, tides, and accessibility from the Kurma Dera beach. He used GPS navigation throughout his voyage, they said. Polyakov, whose father is of Ukrainian origin, was found in possession of a GoPro camera, and its footage showed him landing on North Sentinel Island, police said. He is at present in police custody on the direction of a court for further interrogation. Police said this was not his first visit to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. He visited Port Blair in October last year and attempted reconnaissance for North Sentinel Island using an inflatable kayak, but was stopped by hotel staff. He also came to the islands in January this year, and had attempted to procure a motor for his boat. During that visit, he went to Baratang Islands, and allegedly illegally videographed the Jarawa tribe, police said. An FIR was registered against him under the Foreigners Act, 1946, along with sections of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands (Protection of Aboriginal Tribes) Amendment Regulation, 2012, on the basis of a complaint lodged at the Ograbraj police station by the Tribal Welfare Officer of Tirur, Pronab Sircar. Intimation about his arrest was communicated to the Home Department for further communication to the Ministry of External Affairs and the US Embassy, police said. The Sentinelese, who inhabit the North Sentinel Island, are designated as a particularly vulnerable tribal group. They belong to the broader class of Andamanese people. They are hostile to outsiders and have killed people who approached or landed on the island. Footage of a Sydney Metro train travelling at speed with the doors wide open has emerged on social media. The doors of a Sydney Metro flew open on a carriage full of commuters on Wednesday morning. Source: Reddit/Aggressive-Move-4725 Footage has emerged of a Sydney Metro train travelling with its doors wide open during rush hour on Wednesday morning. Dozens of commuters crammed into the carriage clung to handrails while the Metro whizzed through the exposed concrete tunnel. It was travelling between Chatswood and Crows Nest stations, and the trains are known to hit speeds of up to 100 kilometres per hour. Passengers' hair can be seen blowing in the wind on the driverless train. Ben McKimm, 28, told Yahoo News he was commuting to work and "squeezed onto the Metro as usual when the doors wouldn't shut". "Workers came and tried to reset the door but all of a sudden the Metro just pulled away," he told Yahoo. "They definitely didn't know it was going to happen... they were right up at the open door. ADVERTISEMENT "It seemed like they couldn't stop it, once it was off they were just a passenger... Everyone sort of freaked out." Footage from inside the Metro appears to show two workers in black positioning themselves closest to the open doors and communicating with others on walkie talkies. The digital sign above reads, "the door is out of service". Sydney Metro apologises for 'door fault' during rush hour The CEO of Metro Trains Sydney told Yahoo News the incident was first reported just after 8 am and two workers on board the train were instructed to try "remotely fix the issue". "There was Customer Journey Coordinator (CJC) and Customer Operations Lead (COL) on board the service. They were contacted by our Operational Control Centre," Daniel Williams said. After attempts to fix the issue were unsuccessful, workers were instructed to "manually close the door". ADVERTISEMENT "To enable the train to complete its short journey to the next station, two staff members stood by the door until the service came to a stop. The door was able to be closed at the next station, and the metro removed from service," Williams said. "We apologise to customers for the concern this caused." The incident is now being investigated by Sydney Metro. Metro faces scrutiny as expansion work forces station closures The Sydney Metro first opened back in May 2019 and connected various locations between Chatswood and Rouse Hill's Tallawong station in the city's north. The network has since expanded and new Metro stations were opened in August connecting the existing line to locations in the city before ending in Sydenham. ADVERTISEMENT However, the continued expansion has been fraught with commuter delays and train station closures, making it increasingly more painful for Sydneysiders to get around the city during rush hour. The T3 Bankstown train line will now remain closed for longer than the 12-month period initially proposed, and the T6 line is now gearing up for an unscheduled 63-day closure. Up to 60,000 commuters have been forced to catch replacement buses and it's predicated to only get worse. "We apologise for the inconvenience this may cause, but the disruption is required to complete the rigorous testing to prepare for first passenger services," Sydney Metro said. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) named former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel as one of the accused in the Mahadev Betting app case. The CBI made public its first information report (FIR) in connection with the Mahadev online betting app case on Tuesday. As many as 21 people were named as accused in the FIR, news agency ANI reported. These 21 people included Ravi Uppal, Shubham Soni (Pintu), Chandra Vhushan Verma, Assem Das, Satish Chandrakar, Nitish Deewan, Saurabh Chandrakar, Anil Agarwal (Atul Agarwal) Vikas Chhapriya, Rohit Gaulati, Vishal Ahuja, Dheeraj Ahuja, Anil Kumar Dammani, Sunil Kumar Dammani, Bhim Singh Yadav, Harishankar Tibarwal, Surendra Bagi, Suraj Chokhani and two other unknown persons, including a police officer. The CBI charged the accused with Sections 120 (B), 420, 467, 468 under the Indian Penal Code (IPC); Sections 11, 7, 8, 4 of the Chhattisgarh Gambling (Prohibition) Act, 2002, and Section 4 (A) of the Public Gambling Act, ANI reported. Also Read | Mahadev betting scam: Mastermind Sourabh Chandrakar arrested in Dubai Mahadev Betting App case The FIR, originally received on March 4, 2024 alleged that Mahadev Online Book is operating betting services illegally. The complaint also alleged that other websites are also being operated in association with the promoters of the Mahadev betting app, naming "skyexchange," which is allegedly being operated by Hari Shankar Tibrewal, in association with Mahadev Online Book. The complaint alleges that Mahadev platform provides illegal betting services in different "live games" including poker, card games, chance games, betting on sports. The app rose to significance five years ago, in 2019-2020 during the COVID-19 lockdown. Also Read | Mahadev betting app owner Sourabh Chandrakar detained in Dubai: Reports CBI conducts searches The CBI conducted various searches at over 60 locations across Chhattisgarh, Bhopal, Kolkata, and Delhi including premises linked to politicians, senior bureaucrats, police officers, key functionaries of Mahadev Book, and other private individuals suspected of involvement in the case. Earlier on March 26, the investigative agency also conducted a 14-hour search at the residence of former CM Bhupesh Baghel, confiscating three phones. Baghel said ealier that the CBI had visited his residence for the second time in 15 days, conducting raids not just in Durg but across multiple locations in India. He said that despite taking strict action against the Mahadev Betting App, key accused Saurabh Chandrakar had not been arrested even as a lookout circular has been issued. Also Read | Mahadev betting app owner Sourabh Chandrakar detained in Dubai: Reports Raid was politically motivated Baghel alleged that the raid was politically motivated, suggesting that it was orchestrated to provide content for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech ahead of his visit on March 30. He further added, "15 days ago, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had conducted a thorough raid and questioned what more the CBI could uncover now." He also revealed that the CBI had taken original documents from his residence, and despite his request, they did not provide photocopies. He asserted that if action had been taken in time, submitting the required documents would have been beneficial. Also Read | Ranbir Kapoor seeks 2 weeks time to appear before ED in Mahadev betting app case On March 27, Baghel alleged that the central government has not taken any action against the Mahadev betting app. "PM Modi and [Amit] Shah are giving patronage to the Mahadev betting app. The government of India has also made clear that if anyone takes action against the app they will face action. With this, they have made it clear that they don't want to take action against the betting app," he was quoted by ANI as saying. A 46-year-old banker from Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, had to cut short his 17-day trip to Kerala and Tamil Nadu after getting repeated calls from police and a legal notice. It happened after stand-up comedian Kunal Kamras defamation case. Now, Kunal Kamra has reacted to the incident and offered the banker a free holiday. I am deeply sorry for the inconvenience that attending my show has caused to you. Please email me so that I can schedule your next vacation anywhere youd like in India, Kunal Kamra wrote on Twitter (now X). The banker, who attended Kamras February 2 show at Mumbais Habitat studio, received a notice on March 29 from Khar police asking him to give a witness statement under Section 179 of the CrPC. The banker claimed he showed police his ticket as proof but was still told he might have edited the video, which he denied. He was forced to return early from his holiday after being told officers might visit his home. I had left Mumbai on March 21 for the trip and was supposed to return on April 6. But, I returned midway after repeated calls from the police while I was in Tamil Nadu, The Times of India quoted him as saying. The officer who called me was sceptical about my out-of-town status and threatened to visit my Kharghar residence. This prompted me to cut short my trip and return early," he added. Kunal Kamra controversy The case began after Kunal Kamras Naya Bharat video, uploaded on March 24, allegedly mocked Maharashtras Deputy CM Eknath Shinde by calling him a gaddar (traitor). This led to 12 Shiv Sena members vandalising the Habitat venue. The Sena also filed an FIR against Kamra. Police are now questioning people who attended the show, including the cameraperson and venue staff. Also Read | Kunal Kamra hits back again: Check his latest post amid Eknath Shinde row Kunal Kamra earlier shared a post on How to Kill an Artist: A Step-by-Step Guide. In the post, the comedian explains how targetted outrage can silence artists. President Donald Trump has announced a comprehensive tariff plan on Wednesday (April 2), targeting trillions of dollars' worth of imported goods. In his Liberation Day speech, US President Donald Trump asserted that it will boost domestic manufacturing, jobs, industries and generate trillions in federal revenue. In a major setback for Indian and other foreign auto companies, Donald Trump said US will levy 25% tariff on all foreign automobiles effective midnight. Reciprocal tariffs on India, China, other nations US President Donald Trump has announced a 26% reciprocal tariffs on India, 34% on China, 20% on EU, and 24% on Japan. Trump called Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as his friend in his speech, but said tariffs imposed on US very, very tough. Also Read | Donald Trump tariff announcement: 10 key highlights from US president speech HUGE tax cuts coming US President Donald Trump said: Now we're going to pass the largest tax cuts in American history. Understanding tariffs Tariffs are taxes imposed by a government on imported goods. These fee are paid by US-based companies when they bring products into the country. The collected revenue goes to the US Treasury, making tariffs a source of government income. The tariff amount is calculated as a percentage of the declared value of the imported goods before they enter the United States. For example, if a US retailer imports sneakers from China, it must pay a tariff to Customs and Border Protection before the shoes can be sold in American stores. Similarly, manufacturers that rely on imported parts or materials must pay tariffs before they can use them in production. These additional costs can then affect businesses and consumers alike. Trump's justification for tariffs President Donald Trump has cited multiple reasons for imposing tariffs: He has used tariffs as a tool to: Combat unfair trade practices Trump claims that tariffs counteract foreign nations that impose their own tariffs on US goods. Revamp domestic manufacturing By making foreign goods more expensive, tariffs could encourage businesses to produce more in the US. Generate government revenue Trump has suggested that tariffs could replace income taxes as a major funding source for the federal government. Address foreign policy concerns Early in his presidency, Trump linked tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China to their handling of fentanyl exports. Leverage negotiations He has used tariffs as a bargaining chip, threatening other nations with higher tariffs to secure trade or policy concessions. How tariffs affect businesses Tariffs increase the cost of importing goods, which impacts companies differently depending on their industry and reliance on foreign materials. Some key effects include: Higher production costs Many US businesses rely on imported raw materials and components. Tariffs make these inputs more expensive, leading to increased overall costs. Reduced investments If companies absorb the tariff costs instead of passing them to consumers, they may have less capital for expansion, research, or hiring new employees. Automation over jobs While tariffs aim to bring manufacturing back to the US, modern factories use automation, meaning job creation could be limited compared to past industrial booms. Expensive domestic manufacturing Producing goods in the US involves higher labor and regulatory costs, making it more costly than offshore production despite tariffs. How tariffs affect consumer prices The impact of tariffs on consumer prices depends on how businesses respond: Price increases Many companies pass the higher costs onto consumers, leading to more expensive goods, from everyday items like shoes to larger purchases like cars. Business cost absorption Some firms choose not to raise prices, but this can reduce their profitability and ability to expand, potentially leading to layoffs. Donald Trump Tariffs highlights: US President Donald Trump has said that he will impose reciprocal tariffs on the countrys global trading partners on Wednesday, effective from midnight. The new Trump tariffs are expected to change how trading works worldwide, risking cost increases and likely drawing retaliation from all sides. Tax cuts without Medicare, Social Security cuts We are going to announce the largest tax cuts in history, and we will not cut Medicare, Social Security, said Trump. Historic executive order Excerpts from Trump's speech What Donald Trump said Exerpts from Trump's speech Trump tariffs With a few exceptions, based on the charts Trump read out, the tariff rate being imposed by the U.S. on most countries was around half of what those countries charged. There were some exceptions in which the US charged the exact rates that those countries charged, according to the chart. Trump: India good friend, but Donald Trump has said that India is very very tough. PM Modi my friend but they charge us 52 per cent, says Trump as he announced 26 permcent discounted reciprocal tariff on India. Trump confirms auto tariffs That's why, effective at midnight, we will impose a 25% tariff on all foreign- made automobiles, says Donald Trump. Trade partners looted US: Trump April 2nd, 2025 will forever be remembered as the day American industry was reborn, the day America's destiny was reclaimed, and the day that we began to make America wealthy again and to make it wealthy, good and wealthy. For decades, our country has been looted, pillaged, raped and plundered by nations near and far, both friend and foe alike, says Donald Trump. Donald Trump promises Golden Age of America Donald Trump says, Jobs and factories will come roaring back into our country and you see it happening already. We will supercharge our domestic industrial base. We will pry open foreign markets and break down foreign trade barriers. And ultimately, more production at home will mean stronger competition and lower prices for consumers. This will be, indeed, the golden age of America. Donald Trump to sign executive order for reciprocal tariffs In a few moments, I will sign a historic executive order instituting reciprocal tariffs on countries throughout the world. Reciprocal, that means they do it to us and we do it to them. Very simple. Can't get any simpler than that, says Donald Trump. President Donald Trump appears at White House President Donald Trump appeared at the White House Rose Garden on Wednesday for a "Liberation Day" ceremony where he is expected to announce sweeping tariffs that could escalate a trade war and upend the global economy. Trump's tariffs on auto parts imports to be launched from May 3 US President Donald Trump's administration confirmed on Wednesday that his 25 per cent global car and truck tariffs will take effect on Thursday and that duties on automotive parts imports will be launched on May 3. In a Federal Register notice on Trump's auto tariff proclamation issued last week, the White House directed the Commerce Department to establish a process within 90 days for adding more parts to the list, including at the request of domestic producers. According to the Federal Register, the tariffs on auto parts are due to take effect at 12:01 a.m. EDT on May 3. Oil edges higher as market awaits fresh US tariffs Oil prices edged higher on Wednesday as market participants braced for US reciprocal tariffs due to be announced at 4 p.m. ET that will likely increase investor uncertainty and the risk of a global trade war, and may dampen demand for crude. Brent futures settled 46 cents higher, or 0.6 per cent, at $74.95 a barrel. US West Texas Intermediate crude futures gained 51 cents, or 0.7 per cent, to $71.71. Investors shrugged off mostly bearish US government crude inventory data. US crude inventories posted a large build of about 6.2 million barrels last week, Energy Information Administration data showed. Gold prices near all-time high Gold prices rose towards their record high on Wednesday, supported by safe-haven demand as markets braced for Donald Trump's latest tariff plans later today. Spot gold was up 0.4 per cent at $3,123.05 an ounce at 01:46 am EDT (17:46 GMT). US gold futures settled 0.6 per cent higher at $3,166.20. US will see fair trade in decades: White House The White House in an article on Wednesday said that the United States will see fair trade for the first time in decades as President Donald Trump announces tariffs to level the playing field for American workers and businesses. It said that despite media and opposition criticism, studies have showed that tariffs are an effective tool for achieving economic and strategic objectives. Trump tariff to bring oil crisis-like shock? What expert says Former Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers has warned that the tariffs announced by Donald Trump will impose an oil crisis-like shock to the US economy. This will result in a contraction of its productive capacity boosting both prices and unemployment. This is the kind of thing you discuss in the way we would usually discuss an oil-price spike or earthquake or a drought, as a supply shock, Bloomberg quoted summers as saying on Wednesday. Trump Tariff details The details of Trump tariff plans are still being worked out as Donald Trump is set to announce the tariffs at a White House briefing at 4 pm ET (1:30 am IST). Donald Trump has styled the new US tariff plans as America's "Liberation Day". When will Trump tariffs take effect? The new duties will take effect immediately after Trump announces them, while a 25 per cent global tariff on auto imports will take effect on April 3. In just over 10 weeks since taking office, Trump has imposed 20 per cent duties on all imports from China and fully restored 25 per cent duties on steel and aluminum, extending these to nearly $150 billion worth of downstream products. On Wednesday, the administration said that would include all beer and empty aluminium can imports. A month-long reprieve for most Canadian and Mexican goods from his 25 per cent fentanyl-related tariffs expires on Wednesday. Control room to monitor Trump's tariff announcements The Indian government has set up a control room to monitor the key trade announcements by US President Donald Trump regarding the imposition of reciprocal tariffs against key trading partners, including India, at 1.30 am (India time), sources told the news agency PTI. Senior officials from ministries, including commerce and industry, will watch the announcements closely in the control room. President Trump has said the tariff announcements, scheduled for morning Thursday (India time), will be a 'Liberation Day' for the US. The commerce ministry is working on four scenarios to assess the potential fallout of the reciprocal tariffs, as there is still uncertainty over the quantum and manner in which the levies will be imposed. What do Trump tariffs mean for the world? The new Trump tariffs are a bid to boost US manufacturing and punish other countries for what he has said are years of unfair trade practices. However, economists have flagged that the new tariffs imposed by Donald Trump threaten to plunge the economy into a downturn and mangle decades-old alliances. Also Read | Trump Media share price tanks over 5% ahead of reciprocal tariffs announcement The White House pushed back against claims that Elon Musk is making an abrupt exit from his role at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), calling the reports garbage. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt took to X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday to respond to a Politico report suggesting that President Donald Trump had informed his inner circle that Musk would be stepping down in the coming weeks. This scoop is garbage, Leavitt wrote. Elon Musk and President Trump have both publicly stated that Elon will depart from public service as a special government employee when his incredible work at DOGE is complete. Report: Musks departure looms amid political tensions Elon Musk is set to step back from his role in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in the coming weeks, according to a Politico report citing three anonymous Trump insiders. The report suggests that while President Donald Trump remains pleased with Musks contributions, both men have recently decided that it is time for the billionaire to return to his businesses and take on a more supportive role. While Musk has been a prominent advocate for Trumps policies, some administration officials and allies have reportedly grown frustrated with his unpredictability. According to Politico, there is a growing perception that Musk has become a political liability, particularly after a conservative judge he publicly supported lost a Wisconsin Supreme Court race by a 10-point margin. Despite these tensions, Trump insiders maintain that the president continues to appreciate Musks contributions, especially through the DOGE initiative, which has focused on streamlining government operations. However, sources suggest that Musks exit represents a shift in their relationship from just a month ago when Trump allies predicted Musk would find a way to stay beyond the 130-day limit imposed on special government employees. Musks role at DOGE was always temporary Musks appointment as a special government employee had a fixed term of 130 days, starting on Inauguration Day. Under U.S. ethics laws, special government employees cannot serve for more than 130 days in a 365-day period, meaning Musks tenure is set to end by May 30. Despite speculation, both Musk and Trump have reiterated that his role was always intended to be temporary. I think we will have accomplished most of the work required to reduce the deficit by $1 trillion within that time frame, Musk said in a recent Fox News interview when asked if he would extend his government service. Musks DOGE tenure nears its end Musks leadership at DOGE has been characterized by his push for government efficiency and cost-cutting measures. While critics have questioned the impact of his policies, supporters argue that his presence has brought a fresh perspective to bureaucracy. Also Read | White House says Trumps tariffs were a massive success in first term Donald Trump has reportedly confirmed that his aide Elon Musk will step down from his government role at DOGE, which has seen the firing of thousands of federal workers over the last three months. According to a report by Politico citing three people close to the President, Donald Trump has revealed the development to members of his Cabinet and other close contacts. Donald Trump has tasked the Tesla and SpaceX CEO to lead efforts to cut government funding and dismantle various US agencies as a special government employee. Politico reported that both Trump and Musk decided in recent days that Musk will soon return to his businesses, despite the President being pleased with Musk's work at the Department of Governement Efficiency or DOGE. Elon Musk's anticipated retreat from his government role comes at a time when some Donald Trump administration insiders and many outside allies have become annoyed with the billionaire's unpredictability and increasingly view him as a political liability. Also Read | DOGE's shocking discovery about Social Security numbers issued to noncitizens The impending move also gives a peek to the shifting Musk-Trump relationship over the past month when White House allies viewed that Musk is here to stay. Elon Musk may retain informal govt role A senior administrative official told Politico that Elon Musk is likely to retain an informal role as an adviser. He may continue to be an occasional face around the White House, the media outlet reported. This transition, according to insiders, is likely to end Elon Musk's tenure as a special government employee, which exempts him from some ethics and conflict-of-interest rules. Elon Musk's tenure may end by May or June, the report said. Musk's allies inside the White House say that the timing is right for the looming transition, as they believe that he can cut only so much more from government agencies without making it too damaging. The United States on Tuesday (local time) sanctioned six entities and two individuals based in Iran, the UAE, and China that have been involved in the procurement of key components on behalf of entities connected to Iran's UAV and ballistic missile programs. The US State Department said in a statement that today's action is a part of President Trump's maximum pressure campaign on the Iranian regime to disrupt efforts by the US-sanctioned Iran-based Qods Aviation Industries to procure equipment for Iran's military-industrial complex and UAV program. Today's action is a part of President Trump's maximum pressure campaign on the Iranian regime. Here's what the statement said The US State Department said in a statement that "today's action is a part of President Trump's maximum pressure campaign on the Iranian regime to disrupt efforts by the US-sanctioned Iran-based Qods Aviation Industries to procure equipment for Iran's military-industrial complex and UAV program." "The United States will use all available means to expose and disrupt Iran's growing UAV and missile development programs and weapons proliferation, which destabilize the Middle East and beyond," the statement added. Further, the State Department said that they will continue to act against the complex schemes Iran uses in third countries to conceal its acquisition and its transfers of sensitive technology. The US State Department stated that Iran employs this technology and the revenue from arms sales to strengthen its military industrial base, producing missiles and UAVs used against other countries. These weapons are also exported to Russia, terrorist proxy groups across the Middle East, and other entities of concern. The U.S. Department of the Treasury's action was carried out under Executive Order 13382, which targets individuals and entities involved in the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their supporters. Additionally, on Monday, the U.S. imposed visa restrictions on Chinese officials deemed responsible for restricting access to Tibetan areas for U.S. officials. This move is in response to the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) long-standing refusal to allow US diplomats, journalists, and international observers into Tibet while Chinese officials enjoy unrestricted access to the United States. "Today, I am taking steps to impose additional visa restrictions on Chinese officials determined to be substantially involved in the formulation or execution of policies related to access for foreigners to Tibetan Areas, pursuant to the Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act of 2018," US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement." For far too long, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has refused to afford US diplomats, journalists, and other international observers access to the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) and other Tibetan areas of China, while China's diplomats and journalists enjoy broad access in the United States. US diplomats are also unable to provide services to US citizens traveling in Tibet," he added. Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL) has drafted in Rajneet Kohli , former chief executive officer (CEO) of Britannia Industries Ltd, as executive director, foods, a move that marks a sharp departure for the FMCG major which has mostly preferred elevating in-house talent to its leadership positions. Kohli, a veteran of the FMCG sector, worked with companies like Jubilant Foodworks, Coca-Cola and Asian Paints before joining Britannia as CEO. HULs current leadership team comprises people like CEO Rohit Jawa who started his career with the company; chief financial officer (CFO) Ritesh Tiwari who joined as a management trainee; and chief people, transformation and sustainability officer B.P. Bidappa who has been with the Unilever group for over three decades. Even Shiva Krishnamurthy, a member of the companys executive committee and the man who Kohli is replacing, was with HUL for the last 25 years. Both moves, Kohlis to HUL and Krishnamurthys away from it, have an air of mystery about them. Krishnamurthy was named head of HULs foods and refreshment business, the second largest for the company, just last year. At 49, hes likely to join the ranks of HUL alumni like Sudhir Sithapati, Lina Nair, Gopal Vittal, Ignatius Navil Noronha, Anand Kripalu, and Suresh Narayanan, who have gone on to head other firms. Kohlis exit from Britannia is more puzzling since he was just two years into his role as CEO of the 16,186 crore company, whose growth momentum has slowed over the last two years. Still, Britannia remains an iconic company and to settle for a non-CEO role heading an HUL division with slightly lower sales, seems surprising. But given his age, just around 50, and his successful stints at Coca-Cola and Dominos, he would fancy a shot at the top job once current CEO Jawa, now 58, steps down. For HUL though, this is an unusual call. The company has been extremely successful by growing on the shoulders of internally promoted talent. Lateral entries, at such senior levels, have been rare. Its decision opens up the debate about companies staffing leadership positions from within versus hiring from outside. The best companies typically identify and groom at least two generations of leaders, the first to take on the role the next day if something were to happen to the current CEO and the second, candidates wholl be ready for the job a decade hence. In the past, HUL has been well-served by having in place potential leaders ready to fill the shoes of departing CEOs. Past CEOs before Jawa including Sanjiv Mehta, Nitin Paranjpe, Harish Manwani, MS Banga, Keki Dadiseth and AS Mathur, were all company veterans. By throwing Kohli into the mix of potential successors, is HUL signalling a change or at least the need for change? Companies consider outsiders when they need dramatic change in strategy. Thats on the presumption that bringing outsiders into the top management team can offer fresh perspectives since they are not yet bogged down by internal politics or ingrained company culture. Large, successful companies which have entrenched leadership teams also tend to develop an echo chamber of ideas. An outsider, thus, is needed to challenge the status quo and introduce new ideas and approaches. Yet, outsiders havent always been successful when brought in to head a company. HULs parent company Unilever brought in Hein Schumacher from outside (he was CEO of the Dutch dairy cooperative FrieslandCampinaas earlier) in July 2023, but parted ways with him less than two years later. He was replaced by a company veteran and CFO Fernando Fernandez. Yahoo brought in Marissa Mayer from Google with high expectations to turn around the struggling tech company. Despite raising initial optimism, Mayer failed to reverse Yahoo's declining market position. In India, Vishal Sikka was an outsider to Infosys when he came in as CEO in 2013. As the first non-founder CEO in the company's history, it seemed like an inspired choice, but cultural misalignment meant he failed to deliver and quit in four years. By contrast, Tim Cook who joined Apple from Compaq as Chief Operating Officer (COO) and seamlessly transitioned to CEO after Steve Jobs, is considered one of the most successful transitions from No.2 to CEO. In India though, there are very few examples of external COO hires becoming CEOs. Most such transitions are carefully planned internal movements. Kohlis move to HUL, therefore, is an interesting experiment, one that will be keenly watched by other Indian companies, long used to taking their cue on HR strategies from the FMCG giant. Afew days ago, there was a significant judgement by the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) of the UK. Its ruling was based on a lawsuit filed by Tanya OCarroll against Meta in 2022. Metas platforms include Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. OCarroll had created her Facebook account about 20 years ago. In her lawsuit, she asked Meta to stop using her personal data to fill her social media feeds with targeted advertisements based on topics it thought she was interested in. Her lawsuit argued that since Facebooks targeted advertising system was covered by the UKs definition of direct marketing, individuals had the right to object. The ICO, as the UKs data watchdog, has agreed with her contention and approved of her right to object. It was in 2017, when OCarroll found out that she was pregnant, that she realized the extent to which Facebook was targeting ads at her. The ads she got on the social media platform suddenly started changing within weeks to lots of baby photos and ads about babies, pregnancy and motherhood," she recounts. I just found it unnervingthis was before Id even told people in my private life, and yet Facebook had already determined that I was pregnant." OCarroll felt very uncomfortable with what she called predatory, invasive advertising." So she sought legal recourse to push back this practice of surveillance advertising. Facebook has agreed to stop targeting ads at an individual user using personal data, based on ICOs judgement. OCarroll said she hoped her individual settlement would make it easier for others who wanted the platform to stop targeting them with ads. The ICO ruling could have wider ramifications around the world. This landmark case of privacy could set a precedent for millions of social media users. Will they follow suit? Thats a question worth billions of dollars. Advertising accounts for approximately 98% of Metas revenues. Meta and other tech giants rely heavily on personalized ads to make money. If more users demand greater control over their digital footprints, the UK rulings impact would widen. Meta being forced to give users more control over their data would disrupt its ad-based business model. The case highlights growing concerns over surveillance capitalism and the power of Big Tech firms over personal data. This judgement may also encourage stricter regulatory enforcement in the context of how companies process and store user data. The OCarroll case should also be seen in the larger context of growing public perceptions about the negative influence of social media. The Netflix series Adolescence has sparked a wildfire of significant discussions on social medias influence on todays youth. Books like Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness by Jonathan Haidt have held social media platforms responsible for perpetuating unrealistic expectations and negative behaviours among younger generations. It is not for nothing that Vivek Murthy, Surgeon General of the US, highlighted loneliness induced by social media as a public health epidemic. The most recent example of an industry facing a pushback from the general public and having to drastically change its ways was the fast-food industry. The obesity epidemic was attributed to a large extent to quick-service food businesses. So this industry had no option but to make drastic changes in its business strategies. The fast-food industry was forced to reformulate its ingredients. A reduction of trans fats and sodium plus greater use of organic and natural ingredients became the new norm. The industry was also forced to introduce low-calorie meals and add healthier alternatives, such as salads, grilled dishes and fruit sides, to its menus. To be seen as promoting healthy lifestyles, it had to make marketing and brand communication adjustments as well. There was a time when the worlds top tobacco companies were portrayed as great companies that were built to last. But health concerns about its products have pushed this once high-profile industry to the backyard of the business world, even though it has sought to diversify away from tobacco. The social media industry has much to learn from what happened to these two industries. Also Read: Social media addiction is about pleasures of the hunt The consumer pushback of tobacco and fast-food businesses was partly a reaction to their products creating addictive behaviour and causing their customers harm. Social media giants have been crafting their algorithms to get users to spend more of their daily lives on their platforms. This is clearly about these companies working hard to get an even larger proportion of users addicted to what they offer. Already, several studies have shown that excessive social-media usage is resulting in greater long-term harm to the mental health of younger generations than any other addiction in history. With OCarrolls lawsuit and the ICOs judgement on it, the writing on the wall is abundantly clear. Business as usual cannot prevail among social-media players for too long. A massive pushback from end users may have only just started. It could spread like wildfire. Social-media mega corporations have no option but to change their ways. They must keep the health and welfare of their end users front and centre. The fast-food industry had a few decades to change. But social media moves fast and its very technology could be used to create quick and lasting changes. The countdown has begun. The author is chief evangelist, Fractal Analytics. When big changes happen slowly, we dont notice them. Climate change is a glaring example. Slow is anything that happens over a human lifetime or more. There have been massive changes in education over the past 25-30 years, for example, but thats such a large part of our life-span that we are mostly unaware of them. We tend to take the current state as natural and given. One of the most important of these changes has been the development of a cross-party consensus on school education, much like the political consensus on the direction of Indias economic management that emerged in the early 1990s. Since education is a matter in which everyone has a direct stake, most individuals have a view on it. And so, this consensus rests on an underlying societal consensus, unlike the economic management of the country, on which the average citizen may not have a well-formed view even though everyone is affected by it. What are the key points of this consensus? Let us explore them. Some of these will seem so elementary and given, that it is hard to believe there were different views, beliefs and positions on these matters just 20-30 years ago. First, the most basic of all: that all children should be going to school. This includes girls and children from all castes and classes. It is hard to believe today that neither societally nor politically was this elementary must-have universally agreed upon, even in the 1980s. The near 100% enrolment of children in primary classes tells us the extent of the transformation we have gone through. Second, school education sets the foundation for the overall development and well-being of the country. Again, it seems astonishing that we could have thought anything but this. But it was indeed so back in the day. School education was a side issue. Although hardly anyone would not pay lip service to it, it was rarely given system-wide importance of the kind that higher education, for example, was given. Todays budgetary outlays may not reflect this importance fully, but it would be political hara kiri for any government to deny school education its foundational role in society and the countrys economic aspirations. Also Read: Focus on foundational literacy and numeracy to improve educational outcomes Third, along with all this has come the acceptance and agreement that special and extra efforts need to be made for children from vulnerable and disadvantaged communities and segments to go to school, for us to ensure that they do not drop out, and for the schooling system to enable their learning. Also, that children must get a nutritious meal at school. Hungry children cannot learn, in addition to all the other problems caused by inadequate nutrition and the moral afront that hungry children are for any society. Fourth, that we need to do a lot to improve our school education system to get it to an acceptable level. This is both on matters of equity and quality. Specifically, this consensus comes from the recognition that our school education is failing to deliver even on the most basic of outcomes of literacy and numeracy. Which is an absolutely urgent crisis that we need to address. For accepting this failure and genuinely trying to act on it, our political culture does deserve plaudits. Fifth, the curriculum in practice in our schools is very narrow. It is too focused on memorization and neither builds conceptual understanding nor develops important human capacities such as critical thinking. This must change. Also, corporal punishment is unlawful and must not be practised. Sixth, that our whole educational culture, not only in schools but in homes and society overall, is obsessed with examination success. This includes board examinations and higher-education entrance tests. This is bad. It is one of the primary causes of the narrowing of learning. It is also one of the biggest sources of psychological, social and economic stress among our children and their families. This too must be addressed. Seventh, our teacher education system, comprising what are generally called BEd colleges, is a complete mess. This is one of the chief causes of the poor quality of our schooling system. This teacher education system demands a complete transformation. Eighth, that the public education system, which we often call the government school system, needs our attention and focus, as it needs to be improved significantly. Private schooling cannot substitute the public school system and cannot form the basis of good education in a democracy. Like for like, meaning when children from similar socio-economic backgrounds are taught, the outcomes of private schools are no better than those of public schools; in fact, they are often worse. This is a remarkable shift. Just 20 years ago, low-cost private schools were being touted as the panacea for Indias school education woes. Also Read: India should give its school education system a radical rejig This consensus does not imply that there is agreement on all aspects equally and even less that everyone agrees on the way forward. Political parties often differ on the nuances, the actual importance they assign school education in their budgets and efforts, and even more frequently in their public rhetoric. But it is undeniable that we have an underlying national educational consensus now. It is important to highlight this in a context where media debates highlight only the controversies. It forms the common ground that allows us to keep up our public and civil-society efforts away from the headlines. The author is CEO of Azim Premji Foundation. New Delhi, Apr 2 (PTI) India is bestowed with the best geology for natural resources, and trusting the ability of the country's entrepreneurs in unlocking value from Indias vast resources below the ground is the key to Viksit Bharat, mining mogul Anil Agarwal said. "This is our moment to unleash a new generation of entrepreneursbold visionaries who will responsibly explore and extract resources, honouring Mother Earth while fueling India's growth. If we don't act now, we risk losing this golden opportunity to secure our future and cement India's position as a resource leader in the world," the Vedanta Group Chairman said. Explaining the huge potential in natural resources, Agarwal said, "There is immense wealth below the earth. India has the best geology in the world, but 60 per cent of our imports are on account of natural resources like oil and gas, gold, copper, diamonds among others." All nations which have become prosperous have done so because of harnessing their natural resources, whether the US, UK, Europe, Canada, Australia or the Middle East, he said. "All India needs to do is to explore. India has rich reserves in oil and gas and in minerals like bauxite, coal, iron ore, copper and rare earths, he added. Agarwal expressed optimism about Indias prospects even amid the global uncertainty. "This is the era of entrepreneurs, and Indians are born risk takers. We need to leverage our ability to take risks and create large-scale manufacturing and big industries in India because agriculture alone cannot ensure growth and job creation." He added, "65 per cent of Indians are just below the middle class and will enter the middle class soon. Demand will grow exponentially. The opportunities for business are huge. Agarwal called for greater trust in entrepreneurs. Deregulation and self-certification are the way forward. I congratulate the government for thinking in that direction. A POLITICIAN promised to open his poor country for foreign investment and wean it off aid, while Tony Blair nodded sagely. Standard fare for Davosexcept that two months earlier the politician, Asaad al-Shaibani (pictured), was a member of a jihadist group blacklisted by the UN. It was hard to imagine he would end up as Syrias foreign minister, extolling the virtues of the free market on a mountain in Switzerland. Yet in one sense, his journey was not unusual. Across the Arab world, Islamists are often more devout capitalists than their nationalist rivals. When the Muslim Brotherhood came to power in Egypt it wooed private capital for everything from energy to education. Ennahda, Tunisias main Islamist party, took more flak for trying to privatise state firms than for trying to Islamise society. Some of this is tactical. The Islamists who assumed control in recent years did so after popular revolutions. They needed to distinguish themselves from their predecessors. Syria under the Assad regime combined a Soviet-style command economy with crony capitalism. Only sensible, then, that its new rulers would promise something different. The success of Turkeys business-friendly Justice and Development Party, which took power in 2002, has been a model. When lawmakers need a religious justification for their policies, clerics are happy to provide it. Dar al-Ifta, a state-run religious authority in Egypt, argues that a planned economy is contrary to Islam because it restricts personal freedom. The ideal Islamic economy, it explains, is a free market devoid of monopoly, deception" and other ills, in language that sounds more Adam Smith than al-Shafii. Many scholars argue that nothing in Islam is hostile to business. After all, the Prophet Muhammad was a successful trader. A tax known as zakat, obligatory on believers, serves to redistribute wealthbut there is nothing wrong with accumulating it in the first place. Khairat al-Shater, the most powerful member of the Brotherhood after the Egyptian revolution, was a millionaire who ran chains of groceries and furniture stores. Even if religion supports free markets, though, it does not explain how to organise them. The Brotherhood and Ennahda both failed to implement serious reforms. In finance as in faith, knowing scripture is easy; following it is hard. 2025, The Economist Newspaper Ltd. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com Samajwadi Party (SP) chief and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Monday claimed that the Waqf Bill would hurt Indias secular image in the world and that it was being brought as part of the Bharatiya Janata Partys divisive agenda. The minister is saying that whether the land is for railways or defence, it belongs to India. But isnt the land for defence or railways being sold? The government should guarantee that Waqf land will not be given to anyone else, he said. Also Read | Waqf Bill tabled in Lok Sabha: 5 key changes in revised version Yadav was expressing his views during the debate on Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 tabled by Union Minister Kiren Rijiju in the Lok Sabha. This is a conspiracy to snatch homes and shops from crores of people in the country. When most political parties in the country are not in favour of it, there is no need to bring it. The Waqf Bill is a new form of BJPs communal politics, Yadav, the SP MP from Kannauj in Uttar Pradesh said. BJP wants people to be agitated The BJP wants people to be agitated and is looking for an opportunity to create polarisation. This is being brought in to divide society and gain political benefits. They also want to create division among Muslims. Their attempt is to create a divide in the Muslim community through this bill, the SP chief said. Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju re-introduced the controversial Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, April 2. The Bill amends the Waqf Act,1995 which governs the management of Waqf properties in India. We have accepted several recommendations made by the JPC in the bill and have introduced an important amendment. This will give umeed (hope) that a new dawn is about to come. That is why the name of the new act is also UMEED (Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency, and Development Act), Rijiju said in the Lok Sabha. Yadav said, Whenever the BJP introduces a new bill, they are hiding their failure. This is a conspiracy to snatch homes and shops from crores of people in the country. All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi slammed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill as unconstitutional and tore the copy of the bill in the Parliament as a mark of protest to oppose the amendment. During the debate in Lok Sabha on Wednesday, Owaisi claimed that the Waqf (Amendment) Bill treats Muslims unfairly. This bill is aimed at curbing the religious freedom of Muslims, he said, adding that people will teach BJP's allies like TDP and JD(U) a lesson. 'Like Gandhi, I am also tearing up this law' Invoking Mahatma Gandhi, Owaisi said, if you read the history, you would see that regarding the laws of white South Africa, he (Gandhi) said 'My conscience doesn't allow this, I do not accept these laws' and he tore it up. Like Gandhi, I am also tearing up this law. This is unconstitutional. In this country, the BJP wants to create conflicts in the name of temples and mosques. That's why I condemn this," Owaisi said, tearing up the Bill. "This Bill is an attack on Muslims. The Modi government has started a war on my freedom. My mosques, my Dargahs, my Madrasas are on target. This government is not revealing the truth. This Bill violates Article 14- Equal Protection. Limitations will be imposed. By doing so, the encroacher will become the owner, and a non -Muslim will administrate the Waqf Board. This Bill also violates Equality For Law," Owaisi said. AIMIM chief, a sharp critic of the bill, attacked the BJP and said that it wants to create conflicts in the name of temples and mosques. What Waqf Amendment Bill Seeks? While moving the bill for passing in the House, Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said that bill will not be applicable retrospectively and the Centre is not seeking more powers. Rijiju said that the Bill seeks to improve the administration and management of waqf properties in India. It aims to overcome the shortcomings of the previous act and enhance the efficiency of Waqf boards, improving the registration process and increasing the role of technology in managing waqf records. The Union minister added that after railways and armed forces, Waqf is the third largest land owner in the country. "When our country has the largest Waqf property in the world, why hasn't it been used for the education, medical treatment, skill development, and income generation of poor Muslims?" Rijiju questioned. Speaking to an associate in October 2023 in downtown Washington, Epshteyn pushed back on the notion that Trump would be a lame duck if he won the election in 2024. Epshteyn said he had studied the lawand he believed Trump could find a way to run again in 2028, according to the person Epshteyn met with. At the time, the associate thought the comments were amusing, even if Epshteyn was serious. The person recounted them to others in Washington, joking that Epshteyn had already started planning a third term even before Trump had won the 2024 Republican primary. But 18 months later, the person looks back on the conversation with alarm, as Trump openly toys with remaining in office after his term ends. Epshteyn, who is now the presidents outside counsel, didnt provide a comment for this article. Steven Cheung, the White House communications director, said in a statement that its far too early to think about" a third term. Trump said this weekend that he was not joking" about staying in office after his current term ends in January 2029, jump-starting a long-simmering Washington debate over just how serious he is about seeking a third term. The president, in an interview with NBC News, pointed to unnamed methods" for clinching another four years in office. Trump would be 82 at the end of his second term. Since first winning the presidency in 2016, Trump has been musing, kidding, flirting and otherwise raising the issue of remaining in office beyond two terms. The casual style the president uses to broach a serious topic has turned the idea into a Trump-shaped Rorschach test: Those who fear and dislike him see bright red flashing warning lights and many who adore him shrug it off or laugh along. Some of Trumps advisers dismiss critics concerns about the presidents remarks. Hes joking, they say; hes trolling the media and liberals, they argue. Others close to the president contend hes shifting attention away from the revelation that his national security adviser included a journalist on a group text chat in which senior officials discussed a sensitive military strike. Trump recently told a friend that he made such comments to make the media crazy," the friend recalled to The Wall Street Journal. But some senior Republicans privately said they take Trump at his word, and believe he could try to remain in office. In interviews, they noted that law firms, universities, corporations and lawmakers have marshaled little resistance to the presidents policies so far in his second term, and they said efforts to stop him could become more difficult in the coming years if he continues to amass power. The fact that Epshteyn has discussed the matter with others shows that some of Trumps closest advisers have also explored the idea. Trump is constitutionally barred from being elected to a third term. The 22nd Amendment to the Constitution says presidents cannot be elected to more than two terms. Marc Short, who was the chief of staff to Trumps first vice president, Mike Pence, said he isnt convinced that Trump would seek a third term. But Short also said that he has dismissed other Trump ideas that have found their way into reality: Ive said before that he couldntand hes shown the ability to do these things," Short said. Short said Republicans wont stand up to him while his approval ratings among Republican voters remain high. If the president has policies that have economic consequences that soften his approval numbers, then more Republicans speak out, but not until then," Short said. One Trump ally said the presidents comments shouldnt be taken seriously. Asked for a similar example of a far-fetched Trump idea that went nowhere, the person was quick with an answer: taking over Greenland. But the idea of acquiring the autonomous Danish territory has gone from an unlikely Trump whim in the presidents first term to a U.S. foreign policy imperative in his second term. The chatter about a third term has permeated popular culture. In a mid-March episode of the tech-finance-culture All In" podcast, host Jason Calacanis lobbed a provocative hypothetical to a guest: Brass tacks," he said, Trumps running for his third term versus Gavin Newsomwho do you vote for?" Last month, Steve Bannon, Trumps first-term chief strategist, told NewsNation that were working on" plans for another term. Since Trump set off the latest round of third-term talk on Sunday, reporters have asked him to clarify his remarks. I dont want to talk about a third term now," Trump said Sunday evening, hours after the initial interview was published. On Monday in the Oval Office, Trump said, Ive never looked into it. They do say theres a way you can do it, but I dont know about that." White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Monday: Its not really something were thinking about." The mixed messaging from Trump and his team has led to speculation online and at Washington cocktail parties. One theory: that Trump could run on a ticket as the vice president with JD Vance (or someone else) at the top. That person would then step aside and Trump would become president again. This theory still puts Trump crosswise with the 12th Amendment to the Constitution, which states no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of president" is eligible to be vice president. View Full Image President Trump is constitutionally barred from being elected to a third term. Photo: AFP Rep. Andy Ogles (R., Tenn.) introduced legislation to change the 22nd Amendment so that a president can serve three terms if one of them is nonconsecutive, which neatly would provide Trump with another four years. But amending the constitution isnt so easy. To be adopted, his resolution would need to muster a two-thirds majority in the House and Senate and be approved by three-fourths of U.S. states. Trump frequently mused about a third term in the run-up to the 2020 election. In a June 2019 interview with NBC News, he appeared to rule out the third-term concept. There wont be a third term," Trump said. The following year, in June 2020, Trump was interviewed by his son, Donald Trump, Jr., for a segment aired on a Trump campaign YouTube channel. If you dont run for a third term " Donald Jr. said as he started to ask a question. Hes doing a good interview," Trump responded, praising his son. On the campaign trail in 2024, Trump brought the issue up from time to time as well, with a line about the potential for a third and even a fourth term. Democrats seized on Trumps musing and other actions, and made preserving democracy a major theme of the 2024 presidential campaign. It didnt work for them. If we react the same way we have since 2016, youre going to have the same results as weve had since 2016," said former Rep. Tim Ryan, an Ohio Democrat. Hes messing up the economy and he has control over every lever of government. Why would you want to talk about anything other than that?" Write to Annie Linskey at annie.linskey@wsj.com and Josh Dawsey at Joshua.Dawsey@WSJ.com Congress Deputy Leader in the Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi is set to present the partys arguments during the debate on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, following its introduction by Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. The opposition has strongly criticised the bill, labeling it unconstitutional and accusing the BJP of trying to strip away the rights of Muslims. Gaurav Gogoi said that the clause-by-clause discussion was not held in the Joint Parliamentary Committee and added that the law is against the Constitution and minorities. Clause-by-clause discussion, which should have happened in the JPC, was not done. The government's attitude from day one has been to bring such a law, which is against the Constitution and minorities, which will disturb the peace in the country, Gogoi said. amajwadi Party chief and MP Akhilesh Yadav takes jibe at BJP; he said, "The party that calls itself the world's largest party has not yet been able to choose its national president." Replying to him, Union HM Amit Shah said, All the parties in front of me, their national president, will be chosen by only some family members. We have to choose from 12-13 crore members after a process. So it takes time. In your case, it will not take much time. I am saying that you will remain president for 25 years Meanwhile, Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi staged a protest against the bill infront of Parliament by wearing black attire and holding a placard that read, Reject Waqf Bill. On the other hand, Kiren Rijiju said that the bill was being opposed for political reasons, and if it was opposed on the basis of logic, there were answers for the same. Speaking to the media, the Union Minister said, Today is a historic day, and today the Waqf Amendment Bill will be introduced in the Lok Sabha and this bill is being introduced in the interest of the country. Not only crores of Muslims but the whole country will support it. Those who are opposing it are doing so for political reasons. I will present the facts in the House. And I also want that if someone opposes, they should oppose on the basis of logic and we will also answer them. He further said that the bill was being introduced after a lot of thought and preparation. When we are bringing such a bill, we have come after a lot of thought and preparation, Rijiju further added. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill will be tabled in Parliament on today. Both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress have issued whips to their MPs to ensure their presence in the House. The government's attitude from day one has been to bring such a law, which is against the Constitution and minorities, which will disturb the peace in the country. With the parties in the ruling BJP-led National Democratic Alliance and the Opposition INDIA bloc showing no signs of bipartisan consensus building, the outcomes may be decided on the majority numbers on the floor. The controversial Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, was passed in the Lok Sabha early on April 3. The Bill amends the Waqf Act,1995, which governs the management of Waqf properties in India. The ruling NDA members strongly defended the legislation as beneficial for minorities, while the opposition described it as "anti-Muslim" during the debate that lasted about 12 hours. The legislation proposes sweeping changes empowering Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Union government to address issues and challenges in regulating and managing Waqf properties. Also Read | Waqf Amendment Bill LIVE: Kharge challenges Anurag Thakur in Pushpa style The Bill was re-introduced in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday by Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju. He had first introduced the Bill in August last year, after which it was referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for further scrutiny. On February 27, the JPC cleared 14 amendments moved by the members of the BJP or its allies in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Why is the Bill controversial? What are those in favour and those against arguing? LiveMint explains: Why amend the law? The government says the 1995 law has some loopholes concerning regulating Waqf properties, title disputes, and the illegal occupation of Waqf land. Other major issues flagged by the government are limited diversity in the constitution of Waqf Boards, misuse of power by Mutawallis, lack of effective coordination with local revenue authorities, and sweeping power to Waqf Boards for claiming properties resulting in disputes and litigation, to name a few. Rijiju said in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, while tabling the bill, that it aimed to enhance the administration of Waqf properties, incorporate technology-driven management, address existing complexities, and promote transparency. In case the government doesn't bring this bill, the Parliament building and airport were being claimed as waqf properties, he said. Govt Control? Critics of the Bill are majorly concerned that it allows the government to regulate the management of Waqf properties and determine whether or not a property is a Waqf. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, one of the most vocal leaders against the Bill, has alleged that it is aimed at weakening the foundations of Waqf governance and undermining the rights of Muslims. The Hyderabad led the Muslim leaders' charge against the Bill and symbolically tore up a copy of the Bill, asserting that its motive was to make Muslims second-class citizens Concerns over representation of Waqf Boards Another criticism of the Bill is that it changes the representation of Waqf Boards. The Bill proposes allowing a non-Muslim Chief Executive Officer, and at least two non-Muslim members to be appointed by the state government to the Waqf Boards at the state level. Critics of the Bill argue that this could interfere with the communitys right to manage its own affairs, a constitutionally protected right. Union Home Minister Amit Shah said non-Muslims won't interfere in any religious institution. What is the Practising Muslim Issue? Those who oppose the Bill flagged many provisions of the Bill, including allowing only those who have been practising Muslims for at least five years to allocate their property to Waqf. Congresss Imran Masood asked the government how it would define a practising Muslim. What is your definition? All Muslims do not offer namaz five times, all Muslims do not observe roza. What will be the criteria? he said. What does Waqf mean? 'Waqf' means voluntary, permanent, irrevocable dedication of a portion of one's wealth in cash or kind in charity as recognised by Muslim Law. The concept of Waqf, which arrived with the advent of Islam, refers to the permanent dedication of movable or immovable property for the purposes enshrined in Islam as religious, or charitable. Waqf means that the ownership of the property is now taken away from the person making Waqf and transferred and detained by God. Waqif is a person who creates a waqf for the beneficiary. As Waqf properties are bestowed upon God, without a physically tangible entity, a Mutawalli is appointed by the Waqif, or by a competent authority, to manage or administer a Waqf. Once designated as waqf, the ownership is transferred from the person making the waqf (waqif) to God, making it irrevocable. What are the Waqf Properties? In India, several properties fall under Waqf, which include mosques, Eidgahs, dargahs, khanqahs, imambaras, and qabristans (graveyards), among others. Waqf properties are donated by followers of Islam and are managed by members of the community. Each state has a Waqf Board, which is a legal entity that can acquire, hold, and transfer property. Waqf properties cannot be sold or leased permanently. What is the origin of the concept of Waqf? In India, the history of Waqf can be traced back to the early days of the Delhi Sultanate when Sultan Muizuddin Sam Ghaor dedicated two villages in favour of the Jama Masjid of Multan and handed its administration to Shaikhul Islam. As the Delhi Sultanate and later Islamic dynasties flourished in India, the number of Waqf properties kept increasing in India. The four British judges who heard the case described the Waqf as a perpetuity of the worst and the most pernicious kind and declared Waqf to be invalid. However, the decision by the four judges was not accepted in India, and the Mussalman Waqf Validating Act of 1913 saved the institution of Waqf in India. Since then, no attempt has been made to curb Waqfs. How much land does the Waqf Board control? Waqf boards currently control 8.7 lakh properties spanning 9.4 lakh acres across India with an estimated value of 1.2 lakh crores, according to the government data. India has the largest waqf holding in the world. Further, Waqf Board is the largest landowner in India after the Armed Forces and the Indian Railways. How many movable, immovable properties? There are 8,72,328 immovable and 16,713 movable properties registered under Waqf Board. There are also 3,56, 051 Waqf Estates registered under Waqf Board. Is the government interfering? Those who oppose the bill question why bring a new law that changes the way Waqfs are managed. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, one of the most vocal leaders against the Bill, has alleged that it is aimed at weakening the foundations of Waqf governance and undermining the rights of Muslims. Owaisi has accused that the Bill is intended to snatch away graveyards, khanqahs, and dargahs from Muslims. The major concern among the critics is the government's 'intention' to control the Waqf properties by regulating their management and the power it gets through the new bill to determine whether or not a property is a Waqf. Non-Muslims on Waqf Boards The Bill has also been criticised for changing the representation of Waqf Boards. It proposes to have a non-Muslim Chief Executive Officer and at least two non-Muslim members on the Waqf Boards in states. Critics say this would interfere with the Muslim communitys right to manage its own affairs, a right given by the Constitution of India. The government says the move aims to bring expertise and promote transparency in the management of Waqf Boards. What has changed after JPC ? Section 40 of the Waqf Act empowers the Waqf Board to decide if a property is Waqf property. The Board's decision is final unless it is revoked or modified by the Waqf Tribunal. The Bill, in its earlier form, extended this power, which currently lies with the Waqf Tribunal, to the District Collector. The Bill is aimed at weakening the foundations of Waqf governance and undermining the rights of Muslims. But after the JPCs recommendations, the amended bill will propose that a government officer above the rank of collector will investigate government properties claimed as Waqf, preventing unwarranted claims. The earlier bill has proposed to do away with the Waqf by user provision, a category where a property is acknowledged as Waqf because it has been used for religious activities for some time. Now, the new bill will apply this contentious provision only prospectively. This means Waqf properties that are already registered would remain under Waqf unless disputed or identified as government land. What were key Legislative Changes in Waqf Management? The Waqf Act, 1954 - The Waqf Act of 1954 passed provided a pathway toward the centralisation of Waqfs. Central Waqf Council of India, a statutory body was established in 1964 by the Union government under this Waqf Act of 1954. This central body oversees the work under various state Waqf boards which were established under provisions of Section 9(1) of the Waqf Act, 1954. The Waqf Act, 1995 - The Waqf Act, 1995 was enacted to govern the administration of Waqf Properties (Religious Endowments) in India. It provided for the power and functions of the Waqf Council, the State Waqf Boards, and the Chief Executive Officer, and also the duties of mutawalli. This Act also describes the power and restrictions of a Waqf Tribunal that acts in lieu of a civil court under its jurisdiction. The decision of a Tribunal shall be final and binding on the parties. Also Read | Waqf Bill will be introduced in ongoing Budget session of Parliament: Amit Shah Amendments in 2013 - Some provisions of the Act were amended in the year 2013 to make waqf management more efficient and transparent. Waqf Bill tabled in Lok Sabha: Union minister of Parliamentary affairs Kiren Rijiju re-introduced the controversial Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, in the Lok Sabha today, April 2. The Bill amends the Waqf Act,1995 which governs the management of Waqf properties in India. We have accepted several recommendations made by the JPC in the bill and have introduced an important amendment. This will give umeed (hope) that a new dawn is about to come. That is why the name of the new act is also UMEED (Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency, and Development Act), Rijiju said in Lok Sabha. The Bill proposes sweeping changes empowering PM Modi-led Union government to address issues and challenges in regulating and managing Waqf properties. It also seeks to improve the administration and management of Waqf properties in India, according to the government. Rijiju first introduced the Bill in August last year, after which it was referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee(JPC) for further scrutiny. On February 27, the JPC cleared 14 amendments moved by the members of the BJP or its allies in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) The new draft of the Waqf bill reportedly incorporates all 25 recommendations made by the JPC in what will now be known as the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025. Here are 5 key changes in the new Bill compared to the version tabled in 2024. 1-Waqf By User The existing Waqf Act, 1995, recognises the concept of Waqf by user that is, properties being used as Waqf properties will remain Waqf even if the user does not exist. This provision refers to properties that are treated as Waqf based on their long-term use for religious or charitable purposes, even without formal documentation. Several mosques and graveyards fall into this category. The original bill planned to remove the waqf by user provision retrospectively, raising concerns that tens of thousands of properties would be subject to a cloud. The new draft of the Waqf bill reportedly incorporates all 25 recommendations made by the JPC in what will now be known as the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025. Now, the new bill will apply this contentious provision only prospectively. Provided that the existing waqf by user properties registered on or before the commencement of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 as waqf by user will remain as waqf properties except that the property, wholly or in part, is in dispute or is a government property, the new bill read. This means, Waqf properties that are already registered would remain under Waqf unless disputed or identified as government land. 2-The Collectors Role The 2024 version of the bill proposed to allow the Collector (District Magistrate) to conduct survey of waqf properties. But after the JPCs recommendations, the amended bill proposes that a government officer above the rank of collector will investigate government properties claimed as waqf, preventing unwarranted claims. The state government may, by notification, designate an officer above the rank of collector (hereinafter referred to as the designated officer), who shall conduct an inquiry as per law, and determine whether such property is a government property or not and submit his report to the state government, reads the bill 3-Practising Muslim As per the old version, in the opening portion, for the words any person, of any movable or immovable property, the words any person practising Islam for at least five years, of any movable or immovable property, having ownership of such property, shall be substituted. Now, in the amended version, any person showing or demonstrating that he is practising Islam for at least five years, of any movable or immovable property, having ownership of such property and that there is no contrivance involved in the dedication of such property, can donate. Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi, said in Lok Sabha on Wednesday that the words "showing or demonstrating " in Section 3(r)(A) of the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 means that a person has to show a certificate to proof his religion to the government. "Now we have to show a certificate to show which religion we believe in. [ab Dharm ka certificate dena padega]. Will they [government] ask for such a certificate from people belonging to different religions whether you have been practising that religion for five years or now...why is this provision included in this bill only?," Gogoi asked. 4- Application to be heard In the earlier version, no suit, appeal or other legal proceedings for the enforcement of any right on behalf of any Waqf shall be instituted or commenced or heard, tried or decided by any court after the expiry of a period of six months from the commencement of Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. The new amendment reads that the application may be entertained, "provided that an application may be entertained by the court in respect of such suit, appeal or other legal proceedings after the period of six months specified under this sub-section, if the applicant satisfies the court that he had sufficient cause for not making the application within such period. 5- Creation of Waqf-alal-aulad In the earlier version of the Bill, the creation of waqf-alal-aulad shall not result in denial of inheritance rights of heirs, including women, of the waqif. Waqf-alal-aulad is a specific form of Islamic endowment where the revenue generated from a property is aimed at supporting the descendants of the donors. Waqif is a person who creates a Waqf for the beneficiary. In the new version, "the creation of a waqf-alal-aulad shall not result in denial of inheritance rights of heirs, including women heirs, of the waqif or any other rights of persons with lawful claims. The contentious Bill was referred to a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) in August 2024. The panel's 655-page report was submitted to both Houses of Parliament in March amid protests by opposition and Muslim groups. The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the proposed amendments to the Bill after incorporating changes recommended by the JPC. The Cabinet incorporated most of the changes recommended JPC headed by BJP leader Jagdambika Pal. The panel cleared the bill on January 27, adopting all 14 changes proposed by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP)-led NDAmembers on the panel. TDP was to not include non-Muslims The Telugu Desam Party (TDP), a key ally in the BJP-led NDA, will likely seek one amendment in the Waqf Bill, 2025 to be tabled in Lok Sabha today. The Telugu Desam Party (TDP), a key ally in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), will likely seek one amendment in the Waqf Bill, 2025 to be tabled in Lok Sabha today. The TDP MPs might raise concerns over the provision in the Bill that allows non-Muslims to be on state Waqf Boards. The party wants the government to leave this to the discretion of the respective states, the Indian Express said. The party will unanimously demand that representation of non-Muslims in the board be left to the discretion of the respective states, a TDP source was quoted as saying in an Indian Express report. The Chandrababu Naidu-led party has issued a whip to its 16 MPs to be present in the Lok Sabha and support the government. The party would support all other amendments to the Bill, including the inclusion of women in Waqf boards, the report said. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju is all set to re-introduce the reworked Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, in the Lok Sabha today, April 2, amid staunch opposition from the INDIA bloc and prominent Muslim groups, including the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB). Both the BJP and the Congress, and their allies, have issued whips to their Members of Parliament (MPs) to ensure their presence in the House throughout the day on Wednesday. TDP leaders, including Andra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, were part of discussions till almost midnight Tuesday, consulting legal experts on the provisions of the Bill and its implications. The TDP MPs were later briefed on what to say in Parliament, the report said. Muslims are a crucial vote bank for the TDP in Andhra. With the parties in the ruling BJP-led NDA and the Opposition INDIA bloc showing no signs of bipartisan consensus building, the final outcomes may be decided on the majority numbers on the floor. Bill to be tabled today The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, will be tabled after the Question Hour on Wednesday for discussion and passage. Following that, an 8-hour discussion will be held, which can be extended. Both the BJP and the Congress have issued three-line whips to their MPs mandating them to be present in Lok Sabha today. In line with the BJP and Congress, their allies have also issued a whip to all their MPs to be present in the Parliament on April 2 and 3. The stage is set for Union Minister Kiren Rijiju to re-introduce the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, in the Lok Sabha today, April 2, amid staunch opposition from the INDIA bloc and prominent Muslim groups, including the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) Both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Congress and their allies have issued whips to their Members of Parliament (MPs) to ensure their presence in the House on Wednesday. Also Read | Waqf Bill in Lok Sabha today: Explaining the role of a whip in Parliament With the parties in the ruling BJP-led National Democratic Alliance and the Opposition INDIA bloc showing no signs of bipartisan consensus building, the final outcomes may be decided on the majority numbers on the floor. The bill will be tabled after today's Question Hour for consideration and passing. Following that an 8-hour discussion will be held, which can be extended. In line with the BJP and Congress, their allies have also issued a whip to all their MPs to be present in the parliament on April 2 and 3. The opposition has been vocal in its criticism of the Waqf Bill, with Samajwadi Party (SP) chief whip Dharmendra Yadav issuing a 3-line whip to all its MPs in the Lok Sabha to be present in the House on April 2 and participate in discussions on the Bill. Also Read | Muslim body urges secular parties' MPs to vote against Waqf Bill in Lok Sabha INDIA bloc floor leaders also held a meeting in Parliament to discuss the strategy over the Waqf (Amendment) Bill on Tuesday. The parties in the bloc unanimously decided to have a full discussion on the Waqf Amendment Bill today and will vote against it in parliament. The bill was earlier presented in the Lok Sabha on August of last year, following which a Joint Parliamentary Committee was formed under the leadership of Jagdambika Pal for further consideration. The Bill was earlier presented in the Lok Sabha in August of last year, following which a Joint Parliamentary Committee was formed under the leadership of BJP MP Jagdambika Pal for further consideration. TDP wants this change The Telugu Desam Party (TDP), a key ally in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will likely seek one amendment in the Waqf Bill to be tabled in Lok Sabha today. The TDP MPs might raise concerns over the proposal in the bill allowing non-Muslims to be on state Waqf Boards. The party wants the government to leave this discretion to the respective states, the Indian Express said. What is the Waqf Bill? Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the proposed amendments to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill after incorporating changes recommended by the JPC in March. The Union Cabinet incorporated most of the changes recommended by the JPC. The panel cleared the bill on January 27, adopting all 14 changes proposed by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led NDA members. The Bill aims to amend the Waqf Act, 1995, to redress the issues and challenges in regulating and managing Waqf properties. It seeks to improve the administration and management of waqf properties in India. The government says the bill aims to overcome the shortcomings of the previous act and enhance the efficiency of Waqf boards by introducing changes such as renaming the Act, updating the definitions of Waqf, improving the registration process, and increasing the role of technology in managing Waqf records. The Opposition has called the Bill unconstitutional, with AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi alleging that the Bill is intended to snatch away graveyards, khanqahs, and dargahs from Muslims. The Waqf Act of 1995, enacted to regulate Waqf properties, has faced criticism over alleged mismanagement, corruption, and encroachments. Here is how the numbers stand in Lok Sabha: The NDA numbers The NDA, led by the BJP, holds a secure majority in the Lok Sabha, where 272 votes are required to pass legislation in the 542-member house. Key allies include Telugu Desam Party (TDP) with 16 MPs, Janata Dal-United with 12 MPs, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) with 5 and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena with 7 MPs. The Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), the Janata Dal-Secular (JDS), and the Jana Sena Party (JSP) have two members each. The INDIA bloc numbers Opposition parties have strongly opposed the bill, condemning it as unconstitutional and detrimental to the interests of the Muslim community. The Congress leads the INDIA bloc's campaign with 99 seats in the Lok Sabha, followed by the Samajwadi Party with 37 seats, TMC with 28, DMK with 22, Shiv Sena (UBT) with 9, NCP-SP with 8, CPIM with 4, RJD with 4, AAP with 3, JMM with 3, IUML with 3, and JK National Conference with 2 seats, apart from 13 others. This brings up the INDIA bloc's numbers in Lok Sabha to 235 against the NDA's strong 293. Asaduddin Owaisi, the lone MP from AIMIM, also staunchly opposes the bill, though he is not part of the INDIA bloc. Among other non-aligned parties, the YSRCP, with 4 MPs, has said it will oppose the bill. The bill aims to amend the Waqf Act, 1995, to redress the issues and challenges in regulating and managing Waqf properties. The Rajya Sabha Numbers In the Rajya Sabha, which has a strength of 245, the NDA has 125 MPs. With nine berths vacant, the NDA needs the support of 118 MPs which it has to ensure that the Bill passes. The NDA numbers in the Rajya Sabha include BJPs 98, JD(U)s 4, Ajit Pawars Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)s 3, and TDPs 2. The Upper House will take up the Bill following its passage in the Lok Sabha. AIMPLB appeal The AIMPLB, the apex body of Muslim clerics, on Tuesday issued a fervent appeal to secular political parties, including the BJP allies, urging them to oppose the controversial Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024 strongly. The Board has called on MPs to vote against the Bill to prevent the BJP's communal agenda. President Trumps pursuit of breakneck diplomacy to end the war in Ukraine is colliding with Moscow and Kyivs go-slow approach. Russia is putting sticks in the wheels of Trumps cease-fire drive, playing for time as it presses its gains on the battlefield and pushes for maximum concessions in negotiations. All the while, Moscow insists it wants peace. Now, after quickly agreeing to U.S. cease-fire proposals, Ukraine is less eager to sign off on a sweeping economic deal proposed by the White House that would hand over significant control of the countrys resource wealth. While publicly committing to a minerals deal, Kyiv is trying to buy time to improve the terms. Both appear to be banking on Trump running out of patience with the other first. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has shown flexibility and willingness to accommodate Trump, said former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine John Herbst, but hes not about to mortgage his countrys future on the issue of the critical minerals plus hydrocarbon resources." Russian President Vladimir Putin is constructing a Potemkin village for Trump, Herbst said. Whatever gestures he makes towards Trumpits all for show," he said. The diplomatic maneuvering by Russia and Ukraine reflects their attempts to keep Trump onside without fully acceding to his demands. Ukraine wants to end the war without capitulating to Russia or surrendering its economic independence to the U.S. Russia wishes to dominate Ukraine and prevent its integration with the Westand believes it has the upper hand in the three-year war. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov on Tuesday said Moscow couldnt accept the U.S. proposal for resolving the war in its current form, suggesting a settlement was still a long way off. He said the U.S. wasnt addressing the wars root causes," Russian shorthand for attempts to integrate Ukraine with the West and the North Atlantic Treaty Organizations military presence in Eastern Europe. Russias military, meanwhile, is attacking at several hot spots along the 800-mile front lines and, according to Ukrainian officials, preparing major spring offensives in the north and south of the country. Kyiv can only hope that with time, the Trump administration will realize Russia isnt serious about peace and lose patience with Putin, said Daniel Fried, a former U.S. ambassador to Poland and a fellow at the Atlantic Council. Time could work for Ukraine if Trump continues to want a deal quickly and Putin is the obstacle," he said. If Trump decides hes being gamed, he might react badly." Until then, however, Kyiv is seeking to avoid angering Trump, while resisting pressure to sign a fresh draft of an economic deal that would see the U.S. draw profits from Ukrainian economic projects across metals, oil, gas and other natural resources as well as infrastructure projects including ports and pipelines. The scope of the new draft, aimed at recouping billions in aid since the start of the war, has led some analysts to conclude that Trump may be seeking to present a deal that Ukraine cant agree to in order to blame Zelensky for its failure. Ukraines economy minister urged the countrys parliament last week not to discuss the agreement in public, saying it would harm talks with the U.S. Asked about the draft on Friday, Zelensky said he hadnt had time to review it properly. I dont want to, you know, stir up this new wave," he told reporters. Despite Ukraines careful approach, Trump warned Zelensky against trying to back out of the deal over the weekend. If he does that, hes got some problemsbig, big problems," he told reporters on Air Force One. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said Tuesday that Ukraine was committed to reaching an economic agreement with the U.S., and was in consultations with Washington to arrive at a mutually acceptable" text. The cost of angering Trump is only too clear for Kyiv. The U.S. suspended flows of military aid and some intelligence sharing to Ukraine after a fractious meeting in the Oval Office during which Zelensky argued with Trump and Vice President JD Vance. The relationship had already gotten off to a rocky start, with Trump branding Zelensky a dictator after he said the U.S. president appeared to have fallen for Russian disinformation. Since then, Zelensky has changed tack. After expressing regret over the fracas in a letter to Trump, Ukrainian negotiators agreed to a U.S. proposal for an immediate one-month cease-fire last month, putting the ball in Putins court. Last week, Ukraine agreed to a truce in the Black Sea, even though the deal was of little benefit to Kyiv. They have agreed with everything Trump has proposed regarding the cease-fireincluding the naval cease-fire, which is not very much in Ukraines interest," said Herbst, the former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine. Putin, in contrast, has repeatedly stalled. In response to the U.S. proposal for a comprehensive cease-fire, Russia said many issues would need to be worked out first. On the Black Sea truce, Russia said it would only abide by the terms once some sanctions were lifted. Trump, who had pledged to end the war within 24 hours of taking office, has begun to show frustration with the Kremlins approach. Last week, he acknowledged that Putin may be playing for time, citing his own experience of negotiating real estate deals. In his most forceful rebuke yet, Trump told NBC News he was pissed off" and threatened to impose secondary tariffs on Russian oil after Putin attacked Zelenskys credibility and called for new leadership in Kyiv. The Kremlin appears increasingly set on forcing a change in Ukraines leadership through elections as Russias military falls short of subjugating the country. Trump himself has reinforced that line of attack by calling Zelensky a dictator without elections," though polling shows most Ukrainians are against holding a vote until the war is over. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that a call between Putin and Trump could be arranged at any time. We are continuing to work with the American side, first and foremost to build our bilateral relations, which were badly damaged during the previous administration," he said Monday. So far, Russia has paid no price for stalling, while Kyivs willingness to cease fire on Trumps terms has brought little tangible gain. It seems that all possible sticks are reserved for Kyiv and carrots for Moscow," said Volodymyr Dubovyk, director of the Center for International Studies in Odesa, Ukraine. Under pressure to sign the minerals deal, Ukraines best bet is to engage Washington in negotiating to improve the terms, Dubovyk said. But if Washington insists on the deal in its latest form, Kyiv will be faced with a dilemma: sign the deal and hope it wont be implemented in future, or refuse and provoke anger from the White House. Write to Isabel Coles at isabel.coles@wsj.com FDA delays full approval of Novavax Covid-19 vaccine even though it was on track for clearance Although there are no reported cases in Hamilton County at this time, health officials are closely monitoring the situation and are worried that the infection could soon reach the area. UPDATE: The family of Christopher Wright released a statement after a jury reached two guilty verdicts for Darryl Roberts, the man charged with killing Wright on Market St. in 2023. "We are deeply grateful to the Hamilton County District Attorneys Office for their unwavering dedication to justice. We especially want to thank Coty Wamp, Paul Moyle, Andrew Coyle, and their entire team for the outstanding work they did in prosecuting his murderer. Throughout this difficult journey, they showed us great compassion and ensured we were informed and supported at every stage of the process. Christopher was a kind, humble, and loving soul who lit up every room he entered. He never met a stranger. He was full of life, joy, and generosityalways ready to welcome someone new, lift others up, or share a solid handshake, winning smile, and a huge hug. He was a devoted husband, a proud and playful father of three young children, and a cherished son, brother, and friend. His absence leaves a profound void in our lives, and he is missed every single day by all who knew and loved him. While no verdict can bring Christopher back, we find some comfort in knowing that justice has been served. We will honor his memory by continuing to live with the same kindness and warmth he shared with the world." Roberts was found guilty of second degree murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Sentencing for Roberts will be held in July of 2025. PREVIOUS STORY: The jury has reached two guilty verdicts in the trials of Darryl Roberts, convicting him of the death of 38-year-old Christopher Wright on Tuesday. A jury found Roberts guilty of second degree murder in the death of the Baylor School alum on September 28, 2023. Roberts shot Wright on Market Street near Patten Towers. Roberts was originally charged with first-degree murder. The jury chose to convict him on a lesser charge. Roberts still faced a second verdict for the charge of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon over the shooting of Wright. Roberts' felony conviction was in 2009 for aggravated assault and he was given a suspended sentence of 11 months and 29 days. Roberts waived his right to testify in a second trial for the firearm charge before the first verdict was read. Following brief arguments from the prosecution and defense, Judge Boyd Patterson read instructions to the jury, which took only a few minutes to deliberate before finding Roberts guilty of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. During closing arguments, the state spent time trying to convince the jury that the death of Chris Wright was premeditated. For his actions to be intentional, he had to act with a desire to end Chris Wrights Life. Look at the video. Look at the intentional act of standing up, pulling his gun and raising it to someones forehead. That is proof of his desire, the state argued. The state went on to say there is nothing else that could have happened from Roberts pointing his gun at Wrights forehead besides killing him. Examples were presented to the jury of legally amounts to premeditation. If you remember we talked about this with the yellow light and running threw a yellow light. You know you need to get through it, or you know you need to stop at it and then you act to press the gas down or the brake. You can reflect what happens if you press the gas down you go through the yellow light, the state argued. The defense spent time trying to convince the jury that Roberts was on auto pilot. You got to experience a fight or flight, something we dont do all the time. I remember going to a Halloween haunted house and somebody jumped out and thats why you go, and I punched him right in the face. I didnt think about punching him in the face, the defense argued. The defense also argued that the worse Roberts should be charged with is voluntary manslaughter. All voluntary manslaughter has to do is provoke a reasonable person to act in an irrational manner. It doesnt have to cause a reasonable person to kill someone. It doesnt have to be that level of complication. It just has to be the provocation that takes this case out of the cool, calm collected, coldblooded planning, the defense argued said. Stay with Local 3 News for updates to this developing story. PREVIOUS STORY: Jury deliberations continue on Tuesday in the trial of Darryl Roberts, the man charged in the death of 38-year-old Christopher Wright. Roberts is accused of shooting and killing Wright on Market Street near Patten Towers on September 28, 2023. The prosecution rested its case during the third day of the trial. The defense began calling witnesses to the stand on the fourth day, including Roberts who admitted to shooting Wright during his testimony. Closing arguments were given on Monday, after Judge Boyd Patterson read instructions to the jury. We have a crew at the courthouse waiting for the jury to come back with its decision. Stay with Local 3 News for continuing coverage of this story. PREVIOUS STORY: The fate of Darryl Roberts, the man who is charged with murder in the death of a Baylor School graduate, is now in the hands of a jury on Monday. Roberts is charged in the death of 38-year-old Christopher Wright on September 28, 2023. Monday is the fifth day of the trial. The state rested its case on day three and the defense began its case on Thursday with Roberts taking the stand in his own trial. During Roberts' testimony, he admitted to shooting Wright after sharing his account of what led to the incident that night. Roberts said he became angry with himself after realizing what he'd done. The defense rested its case on Monday morning and now the fate of Roberts will be in the hands of the jury. Judge Boyd Patterson read instructions for the jurors before closing arguments from the prosecution and defense. Roberts is charged with first-degree murder. We have a crew in the courtroom to bring you the latest. Stay with Local 3 News for continuing coverage of this story. PREVIOUS STORY: The man accused of shooting and killing a Baylor School alum on Market Street in 2023, gave his account of what happened when he took the stand during the fourth day of his own trial on Thursday. Roberts is accused of killing Christopher Wright on September 28, 2023 near Patten Towers in downtown Chattanooga. The trial began on Monday, April 14 after a second jury was chosen. On Wednesday, the state rested its case and the defense presented its case, calling witnesses to the stand, including the suspect at the center of the trial. The first witness for the defense was James King, a homicide detective with the Chattanooga Police Department who led the investigation of the case. The defense asked Detective King if the District Attorney's Office either told or asked if there was video with audio of Wright's murder and King responded that he hadnt heard about it. After talking to Britton Hall-Brantley, Wright's best friend, King began searching for more cameras in the area to track the victim's activity and find video with audio. He was unable to find any video with sound that was close enough to crime scene. During the investigation, King spoke with the manager at Jack Browns about the incident to learn about the victim's behavior prior to the shooting. King also gathered video to see which bartender was working and if anyone else was with Wright that night. At one point during court, members of the jury were asked to leave before Detective King was shown a picture of himself along with other officials and Governor Bill Lee that was taken after Tennessee lawmakers passed the Chris Wright Crime Bill Act. King was asked if the power of the governor could make him alter his investigation and he said no. Also on day four, Roberts himself took the stand to testify in his own trial. At one point, Roberts admitted to shooting Wright. Roberts said Wright walked up and called him and another man a racial slur. Roberts said he repeatedly told Wright to keep walking but said Wright wouldn't leave. He claimed Wright said how much he didn't like Roberts and that he was a piece of crap. Roberts attorney asked, "What caused you to stand up? Because I told him again 'man get up the street' and I was like 'get yourself up the street' and then he turned around and said come say it to his face, boy, Roberts replied on the stand. "He said 'come say it to my face, boy. I bet you won't say it to my face, boy." Roberts said he then walked up and shot Wright once in the head. After shooting Wright, Roberts said he remembered thinking, I did not just do that. He said he thought it was a dream and was angry with himself. Stay with Local 3 News for continuing coverage of this story. PREVIOUS STORY: Day three of the murder trial for the man accused of killing a Baylor School alum on Market St. in 2023 ended after less than an hour. The state's final witness took the stand Wednesday morning. The state then rested. Day four of the trial will continue on Thursday and witnesses from the defense side will take the stand. Witness 10, Dylan Padgett of Ooltewah, was the final witness before the state rested. Padgett was with Julia Friedman at Pickle Barrel, which is across the street from Patten Towers the night of the murder. Friedman was the first witness that the state brought to the stand for this trial. The first thing I noticed was a couple sitting near us, the gentlemen with his back towards the street immediately got up and got the woman he was with and started making their way to the door, Padgett said. Padgett then looked around and down to the street and that when he saw Darryl Roberts standing over Chris Wright. I recall in the seconds I looked around that he had glanced up to where we were sitting, Padgett said. That is when Padgett headed for safety. By the time attention back to my family, everyone was up and moving and Julia was saying that we needed to get inside. And we went to the second floor and sat under the table and chairs with the rest of the guest, Padgett said. Medical Examiner Dr. Steven Cogswell, who testified on Tuesday, took the stand again. When he was asked if Wright had a chance to survive the shooting, Cogswell's answer was simply, no. Darryl Roberts is charged in the fatal shooting of Christopher Wright near Patten Towers in downtown Chattanooga on September 28, 2023. Witnesses for the defense will take the stand on Thursday. Stay with Local 3 News for updates to this developing story. PREVIOUS STORY: The trial for the man accused of killing a Baylor School graduate in September of 2023 entered its second day on Tuesday. Darryl Roberts is charged in the fatal shooting of Christopher Wright near Patten Towers in downtown Chattanooga on September 28, 2023. Surveillance video shows Wright talking with Roberts outside Patten Towers on the night of the incident. Wright can be seen walking away but appeared to still be talking to Roberts. Police say that's when Roberts walked up and shot Wright at point blank range. Roberts' trial was originally supposed to begin on April 1; however, after a jury was selected the morning of April 2, they were dismissed by Judge Boyd Patterson. Judge Patterson said the original jurors were dismissed because something was said in the courtroom that they were not supposed to hear. A second jury was chosen on Monday, April 14, with opening arguments running until the evening. Before breaking for lunch, a witness testified to hearing the gunshot the night of the incident. The witness was celebrating her father's birthday at Pickle Barrel when she said she heard a gunshot and then saw Roberts slowly walking away from the scene where another man was lying on the sidewalk. Neil Nappi, who works for Reliance Security, the company that maintains surveillance at Patten Towers, was the second witness to take the stand. Nappi testifies as video of the incident is shown in court. In the video, you can see Roberts getting on an elevator in Patten Towers to go outside, where he sat down and interacted with a few who were around him. The video then shows Wright walk by Roberts before back tracks and starts talking to Roberts. The two have a brief conversation and then the shooting happens. Roberts goes back inside Patten Towers, gets on the elevator, and punches the wall as he circles appearing frustrated. Later, the video shows a woman leaving Patten Towers with a yellow bag and what appears to be Roberts' clothing, but it is hard to make out. Roberts then comes back out of the apartment wearing different clothes and appeared to have the gun in his shorts. Chattanooga Police Department Detective Alvin Abbett is the third witness to take the stand after court resumes from a lunch break at around 1:15pm. Detective Abbett responded to scene shortly after midnight, where he recalled seeing the victim with a bullet wound to the forehead. Abbett said he was given a picture of Roberts to use for a description of the suspect who had the nickname Too Tall. The detective said when he went to Roberts apartment, no one was home at the time. Detective Abbett said two women were later seen leaving the apartment by police. He said one of the women was the one seen in the surveillance video with the yellow bag that appeared to have Roberts' clothes in it. The video shows the woman with the bag while taking the elevator from the sixth floor, where Roberts apartment is located, to the third floor. That same woman was later seen getting back on the elevator from the third floor without the bag. Detective Abbett said the womans apartment was never checked, because there was no reason to at the time since no one knew about the bag. Detective Abbett said the clothes Roberts was wearing at the time of the incident and the gun were not found when the suspects apartment was searched. Abbett was asked if any racial slurs were used that night in relation to the motive for the shooting. He replied that he was never made aware of any being used. We have a crew in the courtroom to bring you the latest. Stay with Local 3 News for updates to this developing story. PREVIOUS STORY: A new jury has been selected in the murder trial of Darryl Roberts on Monday, April 14. The new jury comes after the first jury was dismissed in early April for hearing information they were not supposed to hear. Chattanooga police say Roberts shot and killed Christopher Wright, a Baylor alum, husband, and father, on Sept. 28, 2023, near Patten Towers. This is a developing story. Stay with Local 3 News for the most reliable updates. Chattanooga attorney explains why a jury may be invalidated during a trial In the jury selection process for the Daryl Roberts murder trial, the jury was invalidated rather than a mistrial because they had not been sworn in. PREVIOUS STORY: The jury selected to serve on the murder trial of Darryl Roberts has been dismissed and a new jury will have to be reselected on April 14. A Local 3 News crew in the courtroom say the jury was dismissed after they heard a piece of information during the trial they were not supposed to hear. PREVIOUS STORY: The jury to serve on the murder trial of Darryl Roberts has been selected as of 11:00am on Wednesday, the second day of the trial. Roberts faces a first degree murder charge in connection to the fatal shooting of a Chattanooga man near Patten Towers in Sept. 2023. Court records show there will also be a motion hearing regarding the state's effort to exclude an expert testimony and report from Dr. Kimberly Brown. Chattanooga police say Roberts shot and killed Christopher Wright, a Baylor alum, husband, and father, on Sept. 28, 2023, near Patten Towers. PREVIOUS STORY: The murder trial for a Chattanooga man begins on Tuesday, April 1. Darryl Roberts is accused of fatally shooting Baylor School grad and father Christopher Wright near Patten Towers on September 28, 2023. The court will begin Tuesday with the selection of a jury. Court records show there will also be a motion hearing regarding the state's effort to exclude an expert testimony and report from Dr. Kimberly Brown. PREVIOUS STORY: The man accused of shooting a Chattanooga businessman last fall appeared in court on Wednesday. Darryl Roberts is accused of shooting and killing Christopher Wright on Market Street in September 2023. A judge set his next court date for June 4. Roberts remains in the Hamilton County Jail and Detention Center on a $5 million bond. PREVIOUS STORY: A trail date has been set for the man who is accused of shooting and killing a Baylor School graduate on Market Street in September of 2023. According to the Hamilton County Criminal Court Clerk's Office, the trial for 57-year-old Darryl Roberts has been scheduled for March 28. Newly proposed bill cracking down on repeat criminal offenders Tennessee State Senator Bo Watson and Representative Patsy Hazlewood introduced the law to crack down on repeated criminal offenders, making sure they don't walk away with just a slap on the wrist. Roberts is charged with First Degree Murder and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Police say Roberts shot and killed Christopher Wright near Patten Towers on September 28. Roberts is being held at the Hamilton County Jail and Detention Center on a $5-million bond. PREVIOUS STORY: The man accused of shooting and killing another man on Market Street in September has been indicted by the Hamilton County grand jury. Daryl Roberts is charged with First Degree Murder and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Police say Roberts shot and killed Christopher Wright near Patten Towers on September 28. His arraignment hearing will be on January 5. PREVIOUS STORY: The case against the man charged in a deadly shooting on Market Street last month has been sent to a grand jury on Monday. According to the Hamilton County General Sessions Court Clerk, the case against 57-year-old Darryl Roberts was bound over to a grand jury during a court appearance on Monday morning. Roberts is accused of shooting and killing 38-year-old Chris Wright on Market Street on September 28. Roberts was arrested on September 29 and charged with first degree murder. He is being held at the Hamilton County Jail and Detention Center on a $5-million bond. Stay with the Local 3 News app for updates to this developing story. PREVIOUS STORY: The man accused of a murder on Market Street last week appeared in court on Monday morning. Police say 57-year-old Darryl Roberts is accused of shooting and killing 38-year-old Chris Wright on Thursday night during an argument. Roberts was arrested on Friday and charged with first degree murder. During Mondays court appearance, Roberts was given a $5-million bond and was ordered to appear in court on October 16. A GoFundMe has been started to support the family of Chris Wright, who was a Baylor alum. The donations will support Wright's three children. Wright's family says they will welcome all to celebrate and remember Chris's life during a visitation on Tuesday from 4:30pm to 6:30pm at the Baylor School. Funeral services for Wright will also be held at the Baylor Chapel on Wednesday at 11:00am. Stay with the Local 3 News app for updates to this developing story. PREVIOUS STORY: Chattanooga police have arrested 57-year-old Darryl Roberts for the homicide of Christopher Wright. Chattanooga Police Department's Fugitive Unit, along with federal partners from the United States Marshals Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives ("ATF") observed Roberts in a vehicle in the Brainerd area. They followed him until marked police vehicles were able to assist with a traffic stop. CPD's Neighborhood Policing officers assisted with initiating a traffic stop in the 500 block of Tunnel Boulevard. Roberts was arrested for outstanding warrants related to the homicide. Roberts is in custody at the Hamilton County Jail and Detention Center. He is charged with first degree murder. Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly released the following statement regarding Thursday nights Market St. shooting and the subsequent arrest of the suspect: The Trump Administration is pausing millions of dollars in shipments to food banks across the nation, causing the Chattanooga Area Food Bank to already see significant cuts. Chattanooga Area Food Bank CEO Melissa Blevins says the organization has lost more than $1,000,000 in U.S. Department of Agriculture funding, and Chief Communications Officer Jeannine Carpenter says they expect to lose $2,000,000 over the next couple of years. USDA halts $500-million in food shipments, impacting local food banks With the program now on hold, rural communities that heavily depend on government-supplied food are among those most affected. This is not only a concerning for the food bank but also a potential strain to smaller growers. "One of the programs cut specifically allocated money to spend at small and medium size regional farms, to bring their products to our neighbors," said Carpenter. Local farm products, including produce and eggs, are on the list to be impacted, as well as proteins, milk, and cheese. Food banks scramble after USDA halts $500 million in deliveries The US Department of Agriculture has halted $500 million in deliveries to food banks nationwide that the Biden administration announced last year, multiple food banks told CNN. "These are things that obviously our neighbors need for a healthy plate. They're also in high demand. They are also very expensive," said Carpenter. There are still unanswered questions about what organizations can do to help fight the impact of not having certain foods donated. They are working to target those areas and find potential solutions. "What are those foods, and can we source them from other places? And can we afford to source them?," said Carpenter. The food bank says they are working to compensate for the loss, including partnering with other food banks and Feeding America. They say they are also applying for other grants that specifically support local growers, another avenue they are pursuing is reaching out to our legislators. "We're going to be here, and we're going to keep feeding them. Everyone here believes food is a basic right. We're working all day and every day to make sure that we are able to continue giving them what they need," said Carpenter. You can find out more about volunteering and donating here. A Fianna Fail councillor has called on Longford County Council to carry out the necessary works to "tighten the junction that leads to Lanesboro Primary School, and to provide a pedestrian crossing" to ensure the safety of school children and other pedestrians. Cllr Sean Mimnagh submitted and spoke about the motion at last week's March meeting of Ballymahon Municipal District. "It is very wide and people (motorists) are able to come in at speed into it and especially at drop off time and pick up time," he added. The motion was seconded by his party colleague Cllr Mick Cahill. Also Read: Eyes on the prize: Longford apprentice electrician in contention for 10,000 winnings Cllr Mimnagh told the Longford Leader he has serious safety concerns in relation to the area he described as 'deadly'. "I have been working with a couple of engineers and they did a few parking spaces that are designated for buses only down there for me outside the school, he added. Cllr Mimnagh said that traffic calming measure stopped some cars going down there parking outside the gate and he believes it was a safety risk due to the speed of some of the cars. "Autistic children can become overwhelmed by noisy traffic as well and they can be a a flight risk. "The engineers are in agreement to try and get it narrowed and maybe go through the safer routes to school scheme to try and get whatever things are necessary in, he added. Cllr Mimnagh outlined there are many parents and children who frequently walk that route and it should be a priority project. Also Read: Longford allocated 2m under major national social housing investment "There are three housing estates out the road and the kids are walking into school, parents are walking in with them but it's not safe to cross the road there really. "There is no traffic calming there at all, it's mental to be honest with you and we need to slow down the traffic, he added. There was also support for the motion from Cllr Mark Casey, Cllr Paul Ross, Cllr Pat O'Toole and Cllr Martin Skelly. Area Engineer Brian McNeela said funding will be available in 2026 and it will cover certain measures and they hope to tighten the junction then. He acknowledged it was an issue that had been raised previously and it was one they hope will be completed in the near future. It's a history of people, Benny Reid says describing his first foray as a published author. Out on Our Own: A History of the People and Places of Annaly and Breifne delves into the heritage of Longford and parts of the surrounding region, including counties Leitrim and Cavan. Ahead of Thursday's official launch by Irish Times Journalist Kathy Sheridan, who has roots in north Longford, Benny spoke to the Leader about the detailed research that brought the book into being. So often our history teaching is subjective rather than objective, the author said, We deal with events, we deal with Cromwell in spades, we deal with 1798 in spades. At the same time we're never made aware that the last place in Ireland to be conquered by the British, was that ruled by the O'Reilly's of Cavan, who held out until the summer of 1653. After those leaders were gone, with the wild geese, the people were left to fend for themselves, and we know very little about them. Also Read: Eyes on the prize: Longford apprentice electrician in contention for 10,000 winnings A dedicated Gaeilgeoir and member of the Longford Historical Society and Cumann Seanchais Bhreifne, Benny's book is part of ongoing efforts to preserve the rich heritage of his local community. An educator, community leader and passionate local historian he lives in County Longford with his wife, Catherine Keavney, and they are the proud parents of five and grandparents of ten. The book aims to look beyond the familiar figures of the past and shine a light on the supporting actors who shaped the region in which we live. We know lots about Saint Patrick, but we know very little about other saints. The contemporaries of Patrick and Colmcille. Saints that were here before the Vikings, who gave their names to at least 60 place names in counties Cavan, Leitrim and Longford, he explained. Also Read: Longford allocated 2m under major national social housing investment The research uncovered many interesting facts about local area names: I didn't know until I started my research that the townland of Kilmahon, out beside Ballinamuck, has nothing to do with the Mahons. It's the monastery, or the cell, of Saint Moinenn. He was a contemporary of Colmcille. Names such as Killasnet, Leitrim, or Taghshinny, Longford, or Kilina in Cavan all bear the names of saints: We know very little about many of these saints, for example Saint Brona, who gives her name to Clonbrony. Out on Our Own aims to bring that history to life and do justice to the story of the people: This book is scratching the surface. Nine years ago I was asked to do something about the religious from our parish in Colmcille. I discovered that, apart from priests, there was also a large number of nuns, a Christian brother, all adding to our rich history. Also Read: Tops: Drumlish Ballinamuck announced as top area at Longford Community Games gala awards Benny cites the research undertaken by Father Frank Gray on Father Edward O'Reilly, from Rossduff, who was born in 1865, ordained in 1890. Fr Gray went to Australia, where he worked under the bishop in Perth, Matthew Gibney, who was from outside Arva. That priest, Fr O'Reilly, spent 25 years, literally on horseback, over the largest diocese in the world. The diocese of Perth spanned from north to south Australia. It covered thousands of square miles. He served in 12 different parishes there, always on horseback. He was presented with a ticket home in January 1916. We've traced his life up to that, and his voyage back to Plymouth. We know nothing of him until he arrived home in Fostra, to his cousin's house, with serious gunshot wounds, the week after the Easter Rising. He died in Fostra, four months later, on August 29. His death was not reported anywhere at the time, except by Dr Gray the GP in Drumlish. The detective work of historic research uncovered many details: I believed that suppression was the conservatism of the then Bishop of Arda, Dr Hoare. I thought perhaps, in some way, he covered up the news of a priest being involved. Also Read: Congratulations: Longford student Jill celebrates graduation at DCU When I got more into it, I discovered that well over 60 priests were involved in ministering during the Easter Rising, even though RTE made light of all that in their Rebellion series. I'm pretty convinced it was because of the declaration of martial law, in the second week after the Rising. The blanket internment of GAA officials, volunteers, Irish speakers all based on the lists compiled by the Royal Irish Constabulary was a significant factor in the silence of the time. Uncovering such details is the reward for the hours of research. Benny feels the book will be of interest to anyone with a curiosity about local history: I went to school in Moyne, and Mels. My wife's people are from Butlersbridge. I think people from Longford, Leitrim and Cavan will appreciate this book. That was originally Connaught territory between the three rivers, the Erne, the Shannon and the Innie. It was preserved as Gaelic territory until they were dislodged by the Cromwellians in 1653. Out on Our Own acknowledges how the diaspora came about and the factors that influenced migration from this area: It's to remind our people that they have an illustrious past, even if it was interrupted for two centuries between the Battle of the Boyne and the Famine. From 1800 until the present day over 1,000 Kilmore priests and over 600 Moyne Latin School priests, and another 500 other Longford priests went all over the world. In particular they went to the United States, Canada, Australia, South Africa, and the Argentine. They were followed by other Irish, they recruited Irish teachers, and I believe those people are responsible for the Irish diaspora, the 90 million people across the world today. The influence is far reaching: It's a known fact that in the year 1906, there were, as far as I recall off the top of my head, six archbishops in Australia. Every one of those archbishops was either Irish-born or of immediate Irish descent, and it was much the same in the United States. That diaspora developed a huge political clout: Woodrow Wilson, who had Ulster heritage, refused to support the initial Dail in 1920-21. He was a Republican. When the next US Presidential election came along in November 1921, his preferred candidate was defeated by eight million votes, the highest defeat of a president in American history. There are many other connections like this. Back 100 years earlier, the father of the fourth vice president of the United States, George Clinton, came from Corboy. His name was Charles and his wife was Deniston, both came from Longford and the Denistons are still around here today. Out on Our Own: A History of the People and Places of Annaly and Breifne by author Benny Reid will be launched in Longford Library this Thursday, April 3. The event starts at 7pm and all are welcome to attend. The book received some funding support from Longford County Council's Small Grant Scheme for Local Books and will be available to purchase at the event for the special price of 32. It will also be available after the event at several outlets for the regular price of 35. A HIQA report found there was a "significant decline in compliance with the regulations" at a county Longford care centre during the past year with eight areas non-compliant with expected standards. Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) officials carried out an unannounced inspection of St Joseph's Care Centre on November 14, 2024. The majority of residents spoken to were supported to live comfortably in the centre, however, their quality of life was impacted by significant restrictions in their environment and limited opportunities. The centre was deemed to be non compliant in eight out of 15 regulatory areas according to the health watchdog, Those areas were governance and management, residents' rights, staffing, training and staff development, individual assessment and care plan, health care, managing behaviour that is challenging and protection. On the day of the inspection there were 57 male and female residents at the 24 hour centre of all dependency levels with most over the age of 65. Also Read: Longford Councillor calls for safety at 'deadly' junction The majority of residents spoken informed inspectors they were happy, content and satisfied with their daily routines and quality of life. However, some residents stated they 'do nothing during the day', 'don't go out' and ' the day is long'. Overall, the inspectors found that the service provided to residents was not aligned to the centre's statement of purpose and registration conditions. HIQA found that there was a significant decline in compliance with the regulations since the last May 2024 inspection and this was having a negative impact on residents' safety, care and supports, rights and quality of life. This inspection found that management and oversight of this service was not effective and the quality assurance processes in place did not ensure that this service was safe, appropriate and effectively met residents' needs. Inspectors found the quality assurance systems in place for monitoring the quality and safety of the service were "not effective and the quality assurance processes in place did not ensure that this service was safe, appropriate and effectively met residents' needs". Also Read: PICTURES | Art fantastic: Wonderful evening at exhibition opening in Longford's Athena Gallery The HIQA officials reviewed worked staff rosters and observed staff practices and found they "were not assured that the skill mix of staff available ensured adequate supervision and delivery of safe care to residents". The report said this had resulted in poor care practices and limited opportunity for recreational or occupational activities for residents residing in the centre. The inspectors said contingency plans to "cover staff shortages or leave were inadequate with inspectors identifying a number of days where units were left short staffed" due to sick leave. The report found insufficient staffing levels resulted in poor oversight of staff practices which were negatively impacting on residents' care and wellbeing. Under governance and management, the centre's oversight and management of risk was not effective and consequently, there were poor systems in place to identify, manage and respond to risk. A 'failure' to ensure residents were appropriately safeguarded from risk of abuse was outlined including the risk of unauthorised access to the residents' environment by the public, which was not identified, assessed and effectively mitigated. Despite improvements made by the provider since the last inspection to protect residents from risk of fire, the inspectors found that "action was required to ensure that storage of oxygen was appropriately risk assessed and risk of fire was effectively mitigated". Also Read: WATCH | Longford man Brendan Quinn honoured as Irishman of the Year in San Diego The officials said improvements were required to ensure that a safe and good quality service for residents was provided, particularly in the areas of nursing assessments and care plans. The centre was found to be 'substantially compliant' in relation to communication difficulties, premises, infection control and fire precautions and 'compliant' on statement of purpose, notification of incidents and visits. A HSE spokeswoman said they welcome the findings of the HIQA inspection of St Josephs Care Centre which found 'the majority of residents' were happy, comfortable and satisfied with their quality of life. "The unit was found to be fully compliant in three of the areas inspected and substantially complaint in four areas. "Further areas assessed by the inspector were found to be non-compliant with matters in relation to the building and associated operations. Also Read: Water supply restored in Granard following burst main "A compliance plan to implement the findings from the inspection has been agreed with HIQA and work is currently underway. "The majority of the identified non-compliances have now been addressed with action plans in place to address all matters within the agreed timeframes. "An oversight group has been established comprising of senior managers to support the governance systems to ensure sustained quality improvements, she added. April is National Safe Digging Month, and PSEG Long Island reminds customers, contractors and excavators that the law requires them to call 811 before digging to ensure underground pipelines, conduits, wires and cables are properly marked out. Striking an underground electrical line can cause serious injury and outages, resulting in repair costs and fines. Every digging project, even planting a tree or building a deck, requires a call to 811. The call is free and the mark-out service is free. The call must be made whether the job is being performed by a professional or a do-it-yourselfer. Aprils warmer temperatures mark the time of year when people on Long Island and in the Rockaways begin outdoor improvements to their homes and businesses. Calling 811 ahead of time is essential for protecting underground utility lines and, most importantly, the safety of anyone digging, said Michael Sullivan, PSEG Long Islands vice president of Electric Operations. We thank customers for heeding our message. Last year there were nearly 195,000 mark-out requests in our service area, and so far this year, there have been more than 40,000 requests to 811. According to Common Ground Alliance, a member-driven association of nearly 1,800 individuals and 250 member companies in every facet of the underground utility industry, 40% of active diggers in North America do not call 811 because they think their project is too shallow to require it. All digging projects require a call to 811. A free call to 811 in the service area automatically connects the caller to the local New York one-call center, which collects information about digging projects. The one-call center then provides the information to the utility companies, which send representatives to mark the locations of nearby underground lines with flags, paint or both. Once lines have been properly marked and confirmation from all of the utility owners is received, projects may proceed as long as caution is used around the marked areas. Heres important information to consider: Underground gas and electric lines are everywhere, even on private properties. These facilities can be easily damaged if dug into, with the potential to cause serious injuries. Digging into these lines can also disrupt vital utility services, resulting in costly delays, expensive repairs and environmental or property damage. Whether the job is a major home improvement project or something as simple as a fence or mailbox post, a call to 811 must be placed beforehand to determine where its safe to dig. Call 811 at least two business days before the commencement of each job to have underground pipes, wires and equipment located. Each facility owner must respond by providing the excavator with a positive confirmation indicating that marks are in place where utility lines are buried or that there are no existing facilities in the area of the proposed work. This service is free of charge. Be sure to wait until all of the utilities have responded. Dont dig until lines have been marked or you have received confirmation that the area is clear of facilities. Property owners must maintain and respect the marks. Always hand dig within 2 feet of marked lines to find the existing facilities before using mechanized equipment. If gas lines are damaged or there is a gas smell when excavating, call 911 immediately from a safe area. Local News By Chris Boyle Published: April 02 2025 Additionally, during the event, two participants of the program received $500 scholarships from Suffolk Credit Union. On Wednesday, April 2, Suffolk County Sheriff Errol D. Toulon, Jr. hosted a graduation ceremony for the Student Ambassador Program at Central Islip High School. More than thirty students participated in the program at the school, discussing public safety-related topics directly with law enforcement. This is the fourth year Central Islip High School has participated in the program. Additionally, during the event, two participants of the program received $500 scholarships from Suffolk Credit Union. The Sheriffs Student Ambassador program is held bi-weekly, and the Sheriff and officers meet with a small group of students to facilitate an open dialogue with law enforcement and get a candid understanding on issues affecting young people. During the program, the Suffolk Sheriffs Office staff presented on topics relevant to youth in Suffolk County, including cyber bullying, social media safety, vaping and drugs. US representative Zalmay Khalilzad (left) and Taliban representative Abdul Ghani Baradar (right) sign an agreement in Doha, Qatar, on February 29, 2020. The Trump administration appears to be continuing its previous policy of engagement with the Taliban, which led to the 2020 Doha Agreement that paved the way for the Biden administrations 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan. Last week, the US State Department erased Sirajuddin Haqqanis $10 million bounty, while former American Ambassador to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalizad, the architect of the Doha Agreement, returned to the Afghan stage. In late March, Khalilzad and hostage envoy Adam Boehler flew to Kabul on behalf of the Trump administration. During his brief visit, Khalilzad secured the release of George Glezmann, an American tourist who was detained by the Taliban in 2022. Three days after Glezmanns release, the US State Departments Rewards for Justice program lifted the bounty on Sirajuddin Haqqani, a Specially Designated Global Terrorist who also serves as the Talibans minister of the interior and a deputy emir. State also lifted the bounties for Sirajuddins brother, Abdul Aziz Haqqani, and his brother-in-law, Yahya Haqqani. A State Department spokesman confirmed the bounties removals to BBC while stating that the trio are still Specially Designated Global Terrorists and the Haqqani Network remains designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. The lifting of the bounties for the three Haqqani leaders was followed by the release of another American hostage that the Taliban held. On March 29, Zalmay Khalilzad announced that the Taliban released Faye Dail Hall, who it had detained since February 2025 on charges of operating a drone without proper authorization. Removing the Haqqanis bounty is a step toward the legitimization of Sirajuddin Haqqani, whose network was described by former Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen as a veritable arm of Pakistani ISI [Inter-Services Intelligence Directorate], which supports the Taliban. Sirajuddin Haqqani and his lieutenants who are listed as Specially Designated Global Terrorists have also been directly linked to Al Qaeda. The Haqqani Network, which is an integral part of the Taliban, provides Al Qaeda with a safe haven, military expertise and training, fundraising, and other forms of support. The Taliban and the Haqqani Network continue to support Al Qaeda. The United Nations Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team reported in February 2025 that Al Qaeda is operating training camps in 12 of Afghanistans 34 provinces, while the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan and Jamaat Ansarulah are operating in two additional provinces with the jihadist groups assistance. Additionally, Al Qaeda currently maintains other terror infrastructure in Afghanistan, including safe houses, religious schools, a media operations center, and a weapons storage depot. Painted in broad strokes as a moderate by American general officers and The New York Times, Sirajuddin Haqqani resurfaced on international radar last summer when he inexplicably appeared in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, despite still being listed on the FBIs Most Wanted list. Despite rumors of a deep fissure between Taliban leader Haibitullah Akhunzada and Sirajuddin Haqqani that metastasized due to Haqqanis reported extended stay in the UAE, both men continue to govern the gender apartheid regime that militarily defeated the United States, NATO, and their Afghan partners over three years ago. The Talibans post-war regime has held together despite repeated reports of leadership disagreements. The Trump administration isnt the first US administration to conduct hostage diplomacy and offer concessions to terrorist organizations. However, lifting the rewards is likely to embolden the Haqqani Network, which has kidnapped multiple US and Western citizens over the past two decades. The Trump administrations continued dealings with the Taliban signal that the group will not be held accountable for providing a safe haven and other material support to Al Qaeda and allied terror organizations. Will Selber is a retired US Air Force lieutenant colonel and Middle East foreign area officer/intelligence officer with 20 years of experience in the intelligence community and over four years in Iraq and Afghanistan. He's a Department of Defense Level III Subject Matter Expert in South Asia. Will is also the co-founder of Grumpy Combat Veteran + Friends Media, the president of the Afghan-American Veterans Alliance, and a contributor at The Bulwark. Bill Roggio is a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and the Editor of FDD's Long War Journal. Iraqs Parliamentary Security Committee meeting with Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) leaders to discuss the PMF Service and Retirement Law. (Iraqi Parliament on X) The US is reportedly applying pressure on the Iraqi government and Iran to disband Iraqs pro-Iranian militias. These efforts come amid calls from some Iraqi leaders to dissolve the militias or integrate them further into Iraqs security forces, along with pushback from militias and their backers. US President Donald Trump sent a letter to Supreme Leader of Iran Ali Khamenei in early March to open discussions on Irans nuclear program. Ambassador to Iraq Mohammad Kazem al Sadegh said that Trumps letter also called for disbanding Iran-backed militias in Iraq, including the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) and other armed factions. The PMF, a conglomeration of militias almost exclusively backed by Iran, formed to fight the Islamic State (IS) in 2014 as an element of the Iraqi government. It contains many US-designated foreign terrorist organizations, some of which have attacked US forces and interests in the region, including Kataib Hezbollah, Asaib Ahl al Haq, and others. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al Sudani denied that Trumps letter to Iran contained a demand to dissolve the PMF. However, there have been various reports of US pressure on Iraq to resolve the issue of Iran-backed militias since Trump began his term. Within days of his inauguration, Trump instated National Security Presidential Memorandum 2, which reimposes maximum pressure on Iran and aims to counter its regional influence. On February 25, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called Sudani to discuss the U.S.-Iraq strategic partnership and reducing Irans malign influence. In early March, the Trump administration terminated a preexisting waiver that had allowed Iraq to purchase Iranian energy despite sanctions. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also instructed Sudani to ensure that weapons are only being used by the Iraqi state. Iraqi officials have expressed concern over potential repercussions to the US-Iraq relationship if Iraq fails to address the militia issue. In the days before Trumps swearing-in, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said Iraq was trying to reach an arrangement with the militias to disarm. However, militia leaders have defied calls to lay down their arms. Following the start of recent US airstrikes against the Houthis, the Iran-backed terrorist group in Yemen, Iran and Iran-backed militias in Iraq have been concerned about potential US action against Iraq. Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps-Quds Force (IRGC-Q) Commander Esmail Qaani visited Baghdad in the days following the start of the US operation in Yemen, according to Iraqi media. Qaani supposedly warned the Iraqi militias not to carry out military activity out of concern it may provoke an American response. Iranian-backed militias in Iraq moved weapons, headquarters, and other potential targets in mid-March out of fear of American or Israeli strikes, according to local sources. Iraqi media reports indicate that non-integrated Shiite militias have agreed to discuss integrating further with the government by joining the PMF and will meet in early April to discuss the process. However, several militias have also recently threatened the US both implicitly and explicitly. Iraqs complex militia landscape contains a range of sectarian groups, some of which operate within the PMF, technically an Iraqi government organ, and others wholly outside of the state. Iraqi officials have consented to US requests to bring all weapons under the control of the government. However, it is with the understanding that the PMF is considered a legitimate government institution. Iraqs PMF contains many militias and leaders known to be backed and loyal to Iran. However, beyond reports of US pressure to disband pro-Iranian militias, the Trump administration has not publicly provided explicit goals for the PMF. Iraq is currently attempting to pass legislation that updates and formalizes the PMFs status. The text of the proposed law has not been provided, and it is presently delayed over procedural concerns. An agreement could not be reached on the previous PMF Service and Retirement law introduced earlier this year. Bridget Toomey is a research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies focusing on Iranian proxies, specifically Iraqi militias and the Houthis. Death announcements for Hezbollah members Hassan Ali Badeer (L) and Ali Hassan Badeer (R). (Al Ahed News) On Tuesday at approximately 3:44 am, Israeli jets conducted airstrikes in the southern Dahiyeh suburbs of Beirut for the second time in as many weeks and since the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire on November 27, 2024. The strikes appear to have hit the top three floors of two buildings in the Madi neighborhood of Dahiyehs Haret Hreik area. Locations of the Israeli airstrikes in Beirut. (Google Earth annotated by LWJ) The two buildings hit by the IDF. (Google Earth annotated by LWJ) Almost immediately after the strikes, the IDF issued a statement saying it targeted a Hezbollah terrorist a short while ago in the Dahiyeh area of Beirut who was recently directing Hamas operatives and aided them in attempts to conduct a serious terrorist attack in the near future against Israeli citizens. Hours later, the IDF revealed it had killed Hassan Ali Mahmoud Badeer, an operative in Hezbollahs Unit 3900 who was also affiliated with the Quds Force, the external arm of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The IDF said that the terror attack Badeer had been aiding Hamas operatives to commit was planned to be carried out immediately and intended to hurt Israeli citizens and therefore Hassan Badeer was killed immediately to eliminate the threat. The IDF statement noted that Badeers activities constitute a violation of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon. Ynet reported the attack was meant to target an Israeli target abroad and would have killed hundreds of Israelis had it succeeded. Soon after the strike, Hezbollah announced the death of two of its operatives, Badeer, whose nom de guerre is Al Hajj Rabia, and his son, Ali Hassan Badeer, whose nom de guerre is Jawad. The Lebanese Health Ministry announced four people had been killed in the strike, including Hassan and Ali Badeer. The other two fatalities were Ahmad Mohammad Mahmoud and his sister, Hiyam Mohammad Mahmoud. The Ministry announced seven other people were wounded, including the Mahmoud siblings mother Iman. Hezbollah has yet to issue an official statement on the strike. However, one of the groups parliamentarians, Ibrahim Al Musawi, called the strike a massive aggression that has shifted the situation into a new phase and referenced Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassems cryptic threats from last week to resume attacking Israel. At the same time, Musawi also stressed that while Israel had practically declared the end of the ceasefire, Hezbollah remains committed to the deal. However, he noted that if diplomatic avenues failed to end Israels attacks, then [Hezbollah will] deal with the situation appropriately. Musawi added that any change in [our] position will be announced at the appropriate time by Hezbollahs leadership. Musawi held the United States and the West responsible for the strike and called on the Lebanese state to employ all diplomatic pressure possible to put an end to Israels ongoing attacks in Lebanon. Musawis fellow Hezbollah parliamentarians also weighed in. Hussein Al Hajj Hassan echoed Musawi, saying Hezbollah is monitoring [the situation] and following [developments] and will have a [response] at the appropriate time. Ali Ammar stressed that Hezbollahs exceptional patience in dealing with the enemy [] has limits. Ammar said Israel only understands the language of resistance, endurance, and steadfastness and the resistance remains present and is completely ready to face any new aggression. David Daoud is Senior Fellow at at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies where he focuses on Israel, Hezbollah, and Lebanon affairs. There has been a huge increase in the number of school age children receiving support for autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in Luxembourg since 2019, according to data from the education ministry. The number of children receiving support for ASD from dedicated educational support teams (ESEB) at a regional level saw a 300% rise, the figures show, from 67 in the 2019/20 school year to 273 in 2023/24. Over the same period, the number of children registered with the CTSA national centre for children and young people on the autism spectrum rose from 173 to 292, which represents an increase of close to 69%. According to the ministry, 152 children currently regularly attend a class at the CTSA, which is in Leudelange. The CSTA is responsible for testing school age children who are suspected of being on the autism spectrum by their schools inclusion committee. The testing procedure takes an average of three months, according to the ministry. The ministry emphasised that it does not have wider figures on how many children in Luxembourg may be affected by ASD, as the diagnosis is made by a child psychiatrist. In addition, not every child with autism spectrum disorder requires special educational needs provision, the ministry said. Education Minister Claude Meisch, speaking on RTL in February, had confirmed that the number of school children with behavioural problems is increasing. In April 2024, Meisch had reported that the number of school pupils receiving additional help from ESEB for a range of conditions - not limited to those on the autism spectrum - had exploded in recent years, rising from 702 in the 2019/20 school year to 2,574 at the start of the 2023/24 year, representing an increase of more than 266%. Over the same period, the number of students receiving support from a national centre of expertise increased by 31%, from 1,661 to 2,177. The ministry explained that the behavioural problems these children are experiencing can be the result of a variety of causes. They can include cognitive or academic overload, such as intellectual impairments or learning disorders, sensory problems including poor vision or hearing, or communication difficulties that could stem from speech impairments or autism spectrum disorders. Children with socio-emotional development disorders are supported by the Centre for Socio-Emotional Development (CDSE), which offers a number of solutions for these children and their parents. For instance, 53 pupils nationwide are currently attending Centres socio-therapeutiques (CST) that are specialised in handling children between the ages of five and 14 who suffer from socio-emotional development disorders. These centres are often attended by only a few pupils and have specialised staff. In 2019, there were only 30 children attending a CST centre. Meisch has said that the plan is to open at least one new regional CST centre per year. A further eight children are attending the CDSE in Junglinster and 127 pupils are continuing to attend regular school and receive specialised care from the CDSE. (Adapted from an article first published by Luxemburger Wort) An employee who was killed in a workplace accident at the factory of Luxembourg tyre manufacturer Goodyear on Saturday was a 46-year-old Portuguese man who had lived in the Grand Duchy for a decade, his cousin has said. The man had been working in Goodyear's tyre quality control department in Colmar-Berg for eight years, his cousin Evelina, who did not wish to give her surname, told Contacto. Her cousin was married with a six-year-old daughter, leaving a family which has been torn apart, she said. The tyre went into a machine to test the speed and apparently there was a screw that jumped into his face, said Evelina. In a statement to RTL following the accident, Goodyear did not disclose the circumstances of the accident but expressed its condolences to the family. We are deeply saddened by the death of one of our employees in Luxembourg on Saturday 29 March. We are co-operating with the local authorities as part of the investigation. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues, Goodyear said. However, Evelina claimed that no-one from the company has contacted the family. Im very angry. This is one of the biggest tyre manufacturers and no-one has contacted the family. A human life cant be disregarded like that. The police went to warn the woman [his wife] of her husbands death and gave her the human resources phone number so she could contact the company. I find it unacceptable, there are no words, she said. The victims brother also told Contacto that the company has not yet offered its condolences to the family following the fatality, but added that he is aware that the firm has been working together closely with the police. The man said that the family had been told nothing, adding that this was because the company has an internal policy that says they cant pass on any information because there's been a tragedy. He always worked in this area of quality control, he loved what he did and, unfortunately, it had this tragic ending and we dont know anything about what happened. Theres an enquiry going on and were all at a standstill, weve all come to Luxembourg to try to understand what happened, said the family member, who lives in Portugal. The case is under investigation and the autopsy has not yet been carried out. Goodyear did not reply to a request for comment from Contacto. (This article was originally published by Contacto. Translation and editing by John Monaghan) Luxembourgs parliament adopted the EUs Digital Services Act into national law on Wednesday morning, more than a year after it came into effect across the bloc. The Digital Services Act (DSA) was adopted in October 2022 after receiving approval from both the European Parliament and the European Council, and was passed into law across the entire European Union in February 2024. But each member state still needed to decide upon who would police it, and enact a law to grant their chosen agency the power needed to do so. Luxembourg MPs voted on Wednesday to appoint the Autorite de la Concurrence (the national competition authority) as the countrys Digital Services Coordinator in charge of monitoring the DSA. According to the European Commission, the DSAs main goal is to prevent illegal and harmful activities online and the spread of disinformation, thus protecting individuals and SMEs by regulating digital systems, such as sales platforms and social media. The DSA represents a big step forward, said Lex Delles, the Minister for the Economy, SMEs, Energy and Tourism, in a press release following the vote. By introducing totally integrated rules that are valid in the 27 EU member states, the system will help in the fight against the spread of illegal content, such as the sale of dangerous goods, messages that incite hate and the spread of terrorist content, at the same time as it ensures the protection of internet users basic rights. As part of its role as national regulator, the competition authority will help the European Commission with any investigations into the 25 platforms identified as being very large - those with more than 45 million users in the European Union. In addition, it will monitor online platforms that are smaller than this and based in Luxembourg. The competition authority will also be the point of contact for consumers wishing to report illegal content. It will enforce the ban on targeted advertising to children and in making targeted content to adults transparent. The DSA promises to deliver greater transparency around recommendation and advertising systems on digital platforms, so that users are able to find out why certain products or services are being directed at them, and have the ability to opt out. The competition authority will have the power to request documentation from online service providers, as well as to visit the premises of any suspected of breaching the DSA. It can also impose fines up to 6% of a services global turnover if they are found guilty of breaching the Act. The new law on the DSA also instructs the Autorite de la Concurrence to work with other agencies. It has already signed cooperation agreements with seven other agencies, including the CNPD national data protection agency, the ALIA audiovisual authority, and the Luxembourg Institute of Standardisation, Accreditation, Safety and Quality of Products and Services that oversees dangerous or illegal goods. Beijing (Gasgoo)- On April 1, Chinese automaker Great Wall Motor reported monthly sales of 97,991 vehicles in March 2025, which notched down 2.28% year over year. Of which, 31,806 units were sold in overseas markets. Among the vehicles sold in the past month, 25,174 units were new energy vehicles (NEVs), indicating a 15.04% rise compared to that of the previous year. In the first three months of this year, the automaker sold 62,558 NEVs in total. In the first quarter of this year, Great Wall Motor sold 256,807 vehicles cumulatively, representing a 6.73% decline from the year-ago period. A total of 90,890 units were sold in overseas markets. Photo credit: WEY In the third month of 2025, WEY and Great Wall Pickup were the only two brands that saw a year-over-year growth in sales, with a respective volume of 4,675 units (+29.57% YoY) and 20,421 units (+16.23% YoY). With 2,776 vehicles sold, ORA saw a 53.9% plummet year-on-year in March. Meanwhile, Great Wall Motor's off-roader brand, TANK, sold 17,381 vehicles in the past month, down 8.29% from the previous year. The HAVAL brand saw the slightest year-on-year decline with 52,732 units sold (-2.45% YoY). Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden speaks at a press conference after a box truck crashed into a building in Chinatown on April 1, 2025. Trea Lavery/MassLive After federal immigration agents took the unprecedented step of detaining a man in the middle of his trial in Boston court last week, a district attorney said the federal agency is a threat to Massachusetts public safety. This action by ICE was troubling and extraordinarily reckless, Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden said at a press conference April 2. A Boston police officer was released on personal recognizance on Tuesday after he was charged in connection with a crash while under the influence of alcohol, Massachusetts State Police said. Stephen OConnell, 38, of Hanover, was charged with operating under the influence, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, marked lanes violation, failure to signal, and possession of an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle. During his arraignment in Quincy District Court on Tuesday, he pleaded not guilty and was released the same day, according to court records. He is expected to appear again in court for a pretrial hearing on July 8. After 12 a.m. on Tuesday, Massachusetts State Police saw a crash between a pickup truck and an SUV on the southbound side of Route 3 in Weymouth, State Police said in a statement. Based on preliminary information, a black 2023 Nissan Frontier lost control and struck an unmarked Boston police cruiser. The impact of the crash pushed the cruiser across the lanes of the highway and off the road into a tree line, State Police said. An off-duty Boston police officer was driving home from work in the unmarked cruiser. That officer was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, Boston police confirmed with MassLive. The Nissans driver, identified by State Police as OConnell, appeared to be impaired, the statement read. After he was booked at the Norwell Barracks, a bail commissioner released him on his own personal recognizance before his arraignment in Quincy District Court. Boston police placed OConnell on administrative leave while there is an internal affairs investigation, the department said in a statement. His leave status will remain pending the investigation. OConnell was one of many Boston city employees making over $100,000 in 2024. His regular salary was $108,963.09, and he made $14,213.65 in overtime pay and $38,655.08 in detail pay, with a total gross of $201,595.02. An English indie rock band has dropped a new single for the first time in 13 years as well as several live tour dates. WU LYF (pronounced Woo Life) has shared its first new track since the group split in 2012. A six-minute track has appeared on WU LYFs website along with several Instagram posts hinting that the new songs name is A New Life Is Coming. Following the April shows, WU LYF will head to Belgium on May 25 before further shows in The Netherlands, France, Germany and Italy. Formed in 2008, WU LYFs name stands for World Unite Lucifer Youth Foundation. The members Ellery Roberts, Evans Kati, Tom McClung and Joe Manning gathered a huge cult following and earned a mysterious reputation by declining requests for interviews and not divulging much information to the press. WU LYF released one studio album in 2011 called Go Tell Fire to the Mountain. The band started hinting at new material in 2012 before calling it quits that same year. We all knew it wasnt working, Manning told NME in April 2013. Theres no one explanation for it. Theres a million reasons that dont amount to much more than it just didnt work. No-one is trying to cover anything up. If it doesnt work its going to break eventually. Afterwards, all of WU LYFs members pursued other musical projects. Nas will perform at the legendary Tanglewood for the first time, joining forces with the Boston Pops this summer. The timeless poet and rhyme-master will be at Tanglewood in Koussevitzky Music Shed, Lenox/Stockbridge, MA on Friday, June 27. Fans can shop for tickets online using reliable third-party ticket sellers like StubHub, VividSeats and SeatGeek. There is also a NAS Illmatic Tour Package available on the Boston Symphony Orchestra website for $399. *New customers who purchase tickets through VividSeats can get $20 off a $200+ ticket order by using the promo code MassLive20 at checkout.* Nas delivered his first full-length album Illmatic in 1994 and went on to release 14 subsequent albums, 8 of which are multi-platinum and platinum including Nastradamus, Stillmatic, Gods Son, and Streets Disciple. As of Wednesday, April 2, the cheapest tickets to Nas and Boston Pops at Tanglewood are lawn seats for $55 on StubHub, $62 on VividSeats and $62 on SeatGeek. He has 16 GRAMMY nominations and won his first ever GRAMMY for Best Rap Album, for Kings Disease in 2020. He then released a sequel album, Kings Disease II, produced by Nas and Hit-Boy. The Boston Pops is an American orchestra based in Boston, Massachusetts, specializing in light classical and popular music. The orchestras current music director is Keith Lockhart and is sure to amplify Nas performance. Most recently, Nas and Hit-Boy released the third installment of the Kings Disease series and Magic 3, featuring 15 brand new tracks, also marking the final chapter of the legendary run for the prolific rapper-producer duo. Magic 3 serves as the duos sixth album together in the last 3 years and serves as the third installment to the Magic series. Nas joins legendary artists Jon Batiste, Lynyrd Skynyrd and John Legend who were also announced to play at the iconic venue this summer. This image of galaxy cluster MACS 1206 is part of a broad survey with NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. The distorted shapes in the cluster are distant galaxies from which the light is bent by the gravitational pull of an invisible material called dark matter within the cluster of galaxies. (NASA photo) ESA/Hubble & NASA, H. Ebeling Just about everyone has heard of NASAs Hubble Space Telescope not too surprising considering that it has been with us for the past 35 years. For the majority of people alive today, the HST has been operating in Earths orbit for most, if not all, of their lives. My own memories of its launch and initial problems are especially clear because I was involved in astronomy and space science education, and already writing this monthly Skywatch column. In the decades since, Ive watched the HST transform our collective consciousness and consider its launch a significant event in the history of our species. Until the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope in December 2021, the HST was the worlds largest space-based telescope a giant telephoto camera pointing away from Earth, and out into the great beyond. The staggering and unprecedented beauty of its pictures, and other gathered data have transformed the way most humans envision our place in this immense and unexplored universe we inhabit. On April 24, 1990, hopes were high as the Space Shuttle Discovery blasted off from Floridas Kennedy Space Center. Tucked away inside its cargo bay, a shiny bus-sized telescope was all checked out and ready for its coming mission. That was the plan anyway. To deliver the Hubble Space Telescope to its 345 mile high orbit, Discovery had to fly farther out into space than any previous shuttle. With minimal flight issues, the Shuttle successfully deployed HST to its intended orbit, where it remains to this day. That was an important step in realizing a radical idea initially outlined in 1946 by astronomer Lyman Spitzer. Spitzer had argued that from outside Earths atmosphere (which blurs images and makes stars twinkle), a telescopes resolution would be limited only by its optics, meaning that pictures could be as clear as the cameras were theoretically capable of. He also noted that a telescope in space could see in infrared and ultraviolet light that Earths air blocks from ground-based observatories. Hubble Space Telescope however, was named for the American astronomer Edwin Hubble, who in 1929 showed that galaxies farther from us seem to be moving away more rapidly than those nearer. The evidence strongly suggested that we live in an expanding universe. Hubble also helped establish that many of the objects classified as nebulae were actually entire, previously unknown galaxies outside of our own Milky Way galaxy. The Hubble Space Telescope is one of the greatest discovery machines of all time, pushing the limits of our knowledge and perception, and inspiring awe. The Hubbles public face has been its jaw-dropping pictures of a variety objects and features throughout the cosmos, while a steady stream of tens of thousands of peer-reviewed papers have been published in scientific journals. HST data revolutionized our view of the universe. At least some of this was anticipated. A few years before its launch, I attended a presentation by the Space Telescope Science Institute where high-resolution pictures of Jupiter and Saturn from the Voyager fly-bys were shown to illustrate the amazing performance designers expected from the orbiting observatory. That seemed almost unreal to me and others there, but we all knew we would soon find out. Or so we thought. Soon after its successful launch and in-orbit tests began, signs emerged that there was trouble with Hubble. Few space enthusiasts will ever forget those first ridiculously blurry images. This was bad. I remember feeling sad as I watched David Letterman joke about the debacle. I cringed, even as I chuckled as he told viewers how to make their very own Hubble Space Telescope by covering one end of a cardboard tube with toilet paper. Just hold that up to your eye and look through it, he said. It was appropriately brutal humor. Soon after, an investigation determined that the 7.9 foot diameter primary mirror the heart of the HST was perfectly configured, but to the wrong specifications. The slightest imperfections in any telescopes primary mirror, which gathers and focuses light, negatively affect image quality. As awful and unexpected as the finding was, it came with some great news: the spherical aberration of the mirror could be fixed with corrective optics. In a sense, all the HST needed was prescription glasses. Fortunately, the Hubble Telescope had been designed to operate within reach of the Space Shuttle for future servicing, so the corrective optics were installed in 1993 during the first and most important of five repair missions. It didnt take long for the new crisply focused Hubble images to become worldwide sensations. The Pillars of Creation. The left image was taken by the Hubble Telescope using visible light in 2014. The right image shows the James Webb Space Telescope's near-infrared view. (Courtesy of NASA) In 1995, a picture dubbed Pillars of Creation was released. Getting lost in this image was a revelation, and I felt privileged by the opportunity. At once, the astonishing complexity visible in that cloud of gas and dust surprised astronomers and the public. The scale and depth it conveyed made it a cultural icon. The early Internet surely benefitted from the widespread sharing of this picture, which was also featured in magazines and printed on T-shirts. It riveted the public imagination. A total of five Space Shuttle service missions were flown by brave astronauts, each leaving the telescope in better shape than before. Technology was rapidly advancing, so the original old-style tape recorder was replaced in 1997 with a solid state recorder. In 1999 a new computer gave HST six times the storage and 20 times the speed. Subsequent missions replaced solar arrays, providing 30 percent more power, and so on. Then came the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster in 2003. NASA Administrator Sean OKeefe had little choice but to cancel a final servicing mission to the Hubble. A few argued that it would be worth the risk since the HST was expected to fail in short order without it. In 2004, NASA released an image revealing 10,000 galaxies in an empty patch of sky the size of a grain of sand held at arms length. The Hubble Ultra-Deep Field, as it is known, was assembled using data collected in the previous year. This was our deepest glimpse into the distant universe ever. With its profound impact on those who took a close enough look, it is surely one of the most important exposures ever taken. School children across the country and scientists around the world lobbied in support of one last HST servicing mission. In 2005, NASA administrator Michael Griffin gave his approval for one more flight in 2009. That final upgrade improved the telescopes sensitivity across expanded wavelengths, paving the way to new Hubble Ultra-Deep Field and Pillars of Creation images, better observations of asteroids, comets, planets and moons of our solar system, the stars and nebulae in our own galaxy and others and pretty much everything else. In 2011, the Space Shuttle fleet was retired. With it went our ability to upgrade or fix the HST. Currently, the Hubble Space Telescope is operating with just one of the three gyroscopes it originally relied on for precision targeting, the equivalent of hitting a dime with a laser beam from 200 miles away. It is otherwise in remarkably good shape. NASAs sophisticated James Webb Space Telescope has a mirror 2.7 times larger than Hubbles, and its cameras see in the infrared rather than visible light. Webbs sensitivity to heat radiating from Earth required that it be parked about 1 million miles away too far for repair if anything goes wrong. JWST is more advanced, but not a direct Hubble replacement. The HST is old, but functioning and producing valuable science. Despite some overlap between the Hubble and Webb, they mostly compliment each other, and their data is routinely combined. NASA hopes to operate Hubble into the next decade, but eventually will need to guide the silvery cylinder to a safe re-entry and fiery demise. That will be the end of a legend. Find rise and set times for the sun and moon, and follow ever-changing celestial highlights in the Skywatch section of the Weather Almanac in The Republican and Sunday Republican. Patrick Rowan has written Skywatch for The Republican since 1987 and has been a Weather Almanac contributor since the mid 1990s. A native of Long Island, Rowan graduated from Northampton High School, studied astronomy at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst in the 1970s and was a research assistant for the Five College Radio Astronomy Observatory. From 1981 to 1994, Rowan worked at the Springfield Science Museums Seymour Planetarium, most of that time as planetarium manager. Rowan lives in the Florence section of Northampton with his wife, Clara, and their cats, Eli and Milo. Protestors gather during a demonstration at the headquarters of the Department of Education, Friday, March 14, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) The Trump administration terminated $106 million in K-12 education grant funding for Massachusetts. But the Bay State wasnt alone. The federal Department of Education pulled federal funding from states across the country through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund. In a statement on Tuesday, Mass. Gov. Maura Healey estimated the cuts at $2 billion across the country. Massachusetts ranked #9 among states whose funding was cut, as of January numbers. A full list of states and what was cut appears at the bottom of this article. In the most up-to-date information available through the U.S. Department of Education, which tracks money spent through Jan. 31 of this year, states range in unspent ESSER money now canceled by the federal government from just $18,000 in Hawaii to more than $250 million in Pennsylvania. Massachusetts, which was listed in federal records as having about $124 million still left unspent, had about $106 million remaining, according to Healey. A state-by-state map of unspent ESSER money can be found below, or at this link. Healeys statement read that the Trump administration contacted states on Friday at 5:03 p.m. stating that federal Education Stabilization Funds of which ESSER Funds are a part would be terminated as of 5 p.m. that day three minutes prior to the message going out. At a time when students are still struggling to recover from the pandemic, we need to be doing everything we can to address learning loss and the youth mental health crisis. Instead, President Trump suddenly ripped away more than $100 million in funding that is supposed to go right to Massachusetts students and schools, Healey wrote in her statement. A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Education, which President Donald Trump signed an executive order last month to dismantle, released a statement Tuesday that the emergency that brought about the ESSER funds COVID-19 is over. States and school districts can no longer claim they are spending their emergency pandemic funds on COVID relief when there are numerous documented examples of misuse, said Madi Biedermann, the U.S. Department of Educations deputy assistant secretary for communications. The Biden Administration established an irresponsible precedent by extending the deadline for spending the COVID money far beyond the intended purpose of the funds, and it is past time for the money to be returned to the peoples bank account, she said. Biedermann said the federal administration will consider extensions on an individual project-specific basis where states can show that the funds will be able to directly mitigate the effects of the pandemic on student learning. The most impacted states The 10 most impacted states are as follows, based on federal records of unspent ESSER money: Pennsylvania: $254 million Texas: $242 million Maryland: $240 million New York: $178 million Florida: $150 million Ohio: $137 million Tennessee: $136 million Mississippi: $132 million Massachusetts: $124 million New Jersey: $110 million The least impacted states These are the 10 least impacted states, according to federal data. Hawaii: $18,000 Alabama: $1.4 million Alaska: $1.4 million Wisconsin: $1.4 million Rhode Island: $2.2 million South Dakota: $3.1 million Wyoming: $4 million North Dakota: $4.2 million Oregon: $4.6 million Iowa: $5.8 million A full table of cut funds based on U.S. Department of Education data is available here and below. Three Massachusetts men have been charged in connection with two Cambridge shootings one in 2021 that left a person seriously injured from a close-range gunshot, and another in 2023 that involved shots fired between cars in heavy traffic. The charges for the two shooting incidents, which were unrelated, were announced in a joint press release on Tuesday by the Middlesex District Attorneys Office. Anthony Samuel-Smith, 27 of Worcester, and Jameel Taron Clark White, 31 of Braintree, were indicted by a Middlesex Grand Jury for their roles in a shooting and armed robbery that happened in March 2021, the office announced. Jameel Dorcena, 20, of Lawrence, was also arraigned in Cambridge District Court on March 26, for a 2023 shooting in Cambridge. Dorcena has been accused of firing multiple rounds from a car in heavy, stopped traffic in a busy part of the city. He was ordered held. A close-range gunshot The shooting that Clark White and Samuel-Smith are charged in connection with happened around 1 a.m. on the corner of Spring and Fifth Streets, where the two are believed to have driven to meet the victim, the office said. Clark White shot the victim at close range during the meeting, the office said, then stole his car, which had cocaine and fentanyl inside, with Samuel-Smith. A police detective working a nearby investigation heard the gunshot and helped the victim at the scene, who was brought to the hospital and survived. When other officers got to the scene, they found the victims car seemingly in the process of being ransacked, authorities said. Police officers linked two pistols found in their investigation to Clark White and Samuel-Smith through forensic testing. Clark White and Samuel-Smith face a slew of charges, including armed robbery, carjacking and possession of cocaine. Clark White also faces assault charges and was previously charged in Cambridge District Court on May 26, 2022. Both men will be arraigned in Middlesex Superior Court on April 16. Shots fired in stopped traffic At around 7:35 p.m. on Sept. 28, 2023, reports came in to police of gunfire between two vehicles on the Gilmore Bridge. Police found that over 11 rounds of gunfire had been exchanged between two cars sitting in heavy traffic in adjacent lanes on the bridge, the office said. A video of the incident showed Dorcena in a Honda Civic firing multiple rounds into an adjacent sedan through an open window, the office said. The driver of the other car fired back, the office said, then swerved into the opposing lane and hit the car in front of them. Both drivers then fled. A large amount of glass, shell casings and other ballistic evidence was found by detectives in the roadway after the shooting, and Dorcena was identified by detectives as the driver who initiated the shots through his phone records and video of the incident. Dorcena faced six charges, including assault with intent to murder, and was ordered held in custody after his hearing on March 31, the office said. Defendant Karen Read and attorney Alan Jackson review jury questionnaires at Norfolk Superior Court on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 in Dedham, Mass. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool) Two more people were picked to serve on the jury for the second Karen Read trial Wednesday morning, bringing the total number to four on the second day of jury selection. With four jurors now seated for the retrial, jury selection is a quarter of the way complete, as 16 jurors will be selected to serve. Both jurors picked Wednesday were from a pool of about 30 jurors sent home during the middle of the first day of jury selection on Tuesday, not the 87 jurors who arrived for selection Wednesday. Two people a man and a woman were selected from the pool questioned on Tuesday. Jury selection is continuing with jurors from Wednesdays pool undergoing questioning individually from the lawyers and the judge, after completing a three-page questionnaire. Before lunch, Judge Beverly Cannone sent home roughly half the potential jurors but instructed them to return on Thursday. While jurors were questioned at sidebar, Read and Victoria George, an alternate juror from the first trial who has joined her defense team, could be seen going through the questionnaires. Inside the courtroom, it is not always clear when jurors are excused or picked. Cannone occasionally announces if they have been excused, but never if a juror is selected. In all, 165 people were summoned for jury service on Wednesday, according to the court clerk. Not all of those who received summons showed up to court. An additional 157 summons were issued for service on Thursday and 188 were issued for Friday. Jurors are not typically called for service on Thursdays and Fridays, according to the court clerk. Before Cannone began questioning potential jurors Wednesday, she read a statement of the case, laying out what prosecutors say Read did: backing her SUV into her then-boyfriend, Boston Police officer John OKeefe, outside a Canton home following a night of drinking. She told jurors that Read is presumed innocent and has no obligation to prove her innocence during the trial. Cannone also referenced the intense publicity that has consumed the Read case, saying, public comment will likely continue, but the rule of law will be upheld. Read thanked the potential jurors after each lawyer introduced themselves. After reading the witness list containing 150 names, Cannone asked jurors a series of questions. When asked if they had any personal dealings with witnesses, six potential jurors raised their hands. Then, in a moment reflecting the unique nature of Reads case, almost all of the assembled jurors raised their hands when asked if they had heard about the case 76 of the 87. When Cannone asked if they had expressed or formed an opinion about the case, 38 of the 87 raised their hands. Fourteen potential jurors raised their hands when asked if they had biases that could affect their ability to serve on the jury. Forty said they had a substantial hardship that could prevent them from serving, such as being a student or having a surgery scheduled during the period the trial would take place. Read, 45, is charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident causing injury or death in connection with the death of her boyfriend, Boston Police officer John OKeefe. Prosecutors say Read intentionally backed her SUV into OKeefe in a drunken rage amid turmoil in their relationship, then left him to die in the snow outside the Canton home of a fellow Boston Police officer. But Reads defense has claimed OKeefe was beaten up inside the house, and his body was planted outside in an effort to frame Read. A Connecticut airport became the first in the nation to receive the highest level of certification in attending to people diagnosed with autism. On Wednesday, April 2, World Autism Awareness Day, The Connecticut Airport Authority (CAA) announced that Bradley International Airport (BDL) is now the first airport in the United States to be Autism Double-Checked certified. Autism Double-Checked certification means the airport has the highest level of accommodations for travelers on the autism spectrum. Bradley staff received training to support individuals on the autism spectrum who might experience stress and anxiety due to uncertainties, unfamiliar settings, distinct sensory requirements, and other challenges faced by autistic travelers in an airport environment. Navigating an airport is not only an essential step in many journeys, but also one of the most challenging parts of a trip for individuals on the autism spectrum, said Alan Day, Founder and CEO of Autism Double-Checked. With this certification, BDL is setting an example for other airports on how to improve the travel experience for all travelers. We applaud the team members for undertaking this important training and the airport management team for guiding the process. Along with the Autism Double-Checked certification, CAA officials said BDL will host its fourth Autism Flies event later in April. Autism Flies is a program that gives families with children on the autism spectrum a chance to practice the full airport experience. Families can walk their children through check-in, the TSA security checkpoint and aircraft boarding With Gasgoo Daily, we will offer daily important automotive news in China. For those we have reported, the title of the piece will include a hyperlink, which will provide detailed information. March deliveries of Xiaomi SU7 surpass 29,000 units In March 2025, Xiaomi EV delivered over 29,000 units of the SU7 electric sedan. With production ramping up smoothly, the company remains confident in achieving its annual delivery target of 350,000 units. Photo credit: Xiaomi EV GAC Trumpchi puts Momenta-tech-powered Xiangwang S7 SUV onto market GAC Trumpchi has partnered with autonomous driving company Momenta to introduce the Trumpchi Xiangwang S7, the auto brands first SUV equipped with a high-level intelligent driving system. The new model features a limited-time price range of 169,800 yuan to 223,800 yuan. DeepWay establishes global headquarters in Hefei On April 2, 2025, new energy smart truck developer DeepWay officially inaugurated its global headquarters in Feixi, Hefei. The modern facility integrates intelligent offices, talent housing, smart production workshops, and dining services. DEEPAL scores 86.7% YoY spike in March 2025 deliveries On April 1, Changan Automobile's new energy vehicle (NEV) brand DEEPAL announced its March delivery figures, which came in at 24,371 units, marking an 86.7% year-on-year surge and a 30% month-on-month jump. BYD boasts 24.78% YoY rise in Mar. 2025 auto sales BYD Company Limited ("BYD") reported sales of 377,420 new vehicles for the month of March 2025, marking a year-on-year jump of 24.78%, and also showing a month-on-month growth of 16.9%. Great Wall Motor posts 2.28% YoY dip in March 2025 sales On April 1, Chinese automaker Great Wall Motor reported monthly sales of 97,991 vehicles in March 2025, which notched down 2.28% year over year. Of which, 31,806 units were sold in overseas markets. BYD's FANGCHENGBAO kicks off pre-sale of TAI 3 compact SUV model FANGCHENGBAO, BYD's brand that specializes in professional and personalized identities, has officially entered the compact SUV segment with the pre-sale launch of its latest model, the TAI 3, on March 31. RoboSense partners with CASBOT to advance humanoid robotics development LiDAR company RoboSense recently announced a strategic partnership with robotics company CASBOT, to drive the development and application of embodied intelligence, with a focus on humanoid robots. The collaboration aims to accelerate the evolution of human-machine coexistence and industrialize next-generation intelligent robotics. NEVO Q07 opens for presale, starting from 139,800 yuan On March 31, Changan Automobile's new energy vehicle brand NEVO officially launched the presale of the NEVO Q07 mid-size SUV, with a starting price range of 139,800 yuan to 175,800 yuan. The model is available in five variants, catering to the diverse needs of family users. Chery Group posts record-high quarterly sales of 620,025 units in Q1 2025 In March, Chery Group sold 214,770 vehicles, marking an 18.3% year-on-year increase, according to the company's announcement on April 1. Of those, Chery Automobile Co., Ltd. (Chery Automobile) contributed 197,614 units, up 10.9% from a year ago. NIO Power, CETD Group team up on NEV energy replenishment facility construction in Hunan province On April 1, 2025, Changsha NIO Energy Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of NIO Power, signed a cooperation agreement with Hunan Eastern Digital Intelligence Energy Investment Co., Ltd. ("Digital Intelligence"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CETD Group, in Changsha city, according to a post on NIO's WeChat account. The partnership will focus on the development of new energy vehicle (NEV) charging and battery swap infrastructure, smart energy management systems, and the integration of virtual power plants. GWM, Baowu Magnesium establish joint lab to advance lightweight magnesium alloy applications in NEVs On March 28, 2025, Great Wall Motor ("GWM") and Baowu Magnesium signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement at the Haval Technology Center, unveiling a joint laboratory for magnesium product development, according to a post on GWM's WeChat account. Geely Automobile sees monthly auto sales surge 53.93% YoY in Mar. 2025 Geely Automobile Holdings Limited ("Geely Automobile") reported total sales of 232,177 vehicles in March 2025, marking a 53.93% year-on-year surge and a 13.31% month-on-month growth, according to the company's announcement on April 1. This also marks the seventh consecutive month for the automaker to achieve sales surpassing 200,000 units. NIO Inc. scores 40.1% YoY spike in Q1 2025 vehicle deliveries NIO Inc., a Chinese smart electric vehicle marker, has announced its delivery results for March and the first quarter of 2025. The company delivered 15,039 vehicles in March, marking a 26.7% year-over-year jump. This total includes 10,219 vehicles from its premium smart EV brand NIO and 4,820 from its family-oriented brand ONVO. A South Dennis man faces charges in connection with death threats made to a prominent federal official, their relative and the relatives spouse, United States Attorney Leah Foleys office said. Michael Mahoney, 62, faces one count of transmitting interstate threats to injure another person, Foleys office said in a statement on Wednesday. He was arrested Wednesday morning and is expected to be arraigned in federal court in Boston after 2 p.m. On March 28, the relative of the federal official had dinner with two other people outside of Massachusetts, according to redacted charging documents released by Foleys office. At around 10:15 p.m., the relative received a call that said No Caller ID. They answered the phone and Mahoney said the persons name, the statement read. Mahoney started screaming and said he would kill the relative, their spouse and the federal officials. He referred to them all by their first names. Die you f*****g c**t mother f****r, Mahoney said before the relative hung up the phone, a call that lasted 12 seconds, Foleys office continued. Mahoney called back immediately, but the relative did not answer, Foleys office said. The relative received call records from their phone service provider that said the calls came from Mahoney, Foleys office stated. Law enforcement officials, including FBI Special Agent Timothy Brown, went to Mahoneys home on March 29, the documents stated. We were wearing clothing which identified us as law enforcement, Brown said in the charging documents. We knocked on the front door and observed an individual approach a different door and turn the lights on. I recognized that individual as Mahoney from my review of his passport application photo. Upon seeing us, he immediately turned away and walked quickly in the opposite direction. He turned off all of the lights inside the house. Calls were placed to Mahoneys phone, but he did not answer those calls. Neither the charging documents nor Foleys statement shared the name of the federal official. The charge of transmitting interstate threats to injure another person provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. A teenager killed in a double stabbing in Chelsea on March 8 was remembered by his family for being delighted in hip-hop music and aspired to read every page of the Bible, according to his obituary. Juan Carlos Lemus, 17, was killed after a stabbing on Eastern Avenue at around 8:45 p.m. that day, Suffolk County District Attorneys office said in a statement last month. A 15-year-old boy was also stabbed during the incident, but he was taken to a hospital and survived. The boys death is a loss that has left his family and friends heartbroken, his family said in his obituary. Lemus family called him a cherished young soul whose life was tragically cut short. He was born outside of Massachusetts in Des Moines, Iowa, on Oct. 30, 2007. Lemus was a freshman at Chelsea High School and a member of the Ministerio Monte De Sion Church in Chelsea. His wish to read the Bible cover-to-cover reflected his deep commitment to faith and character, his family wrote. In his brief yet impactful life, Juan Carlos had a vibrant personality that brought joy to those around him. He delighted in hip-hop music, enjoyed playing video games, and loved the simple pleasure of dining at Burger King, his obituary read. Lemus had an infectious smile and kind demeanor [that] endeared him to many, as he was known for his humor, warmth and protective instincts towards his family, the obituary stated. He is survived by his mother, Flor Daniela Lemus-Nava, his brother Daniel Lemus and his sister Daniela Lemus. Services were held at Welsh Funeral Home on March 19 before Lemus was to go to Cementerio Jardines Del Recuerdo in San Salvador, El Salvador, to be buried. The Lemus-Navas family appreciates the outpouring of love and support during this unimaginable time, the obituary concluded. Juan Carloss spirit will forever be remembered and cherished by all who knew him. NARITA, Japan - The first flight of Jetstar Japan Co., a budget airline funded by Japan Airlines Co., leaves the carrier's base at Narita airport near Tokyo on July 3, 2012, for New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido, northern Japan. (Kyodo) Kyodo A flight carrying 200 people had to turn around after a disruptive passenger tried to open a plane door mid-flight. The passenger attempted to open the door while a Jetstar plane flying from Bali, Indonesia, to Melbourne, Australia was over the Indian Ocean on Monday, March 31. The plane took off at 8:20 p.m. local time before it was diverted back to Denpasar Airport more than an hour into the flight, according to flight tracking website Flight Radar 24. We had an aircraft return to Denpasar last night after a disruptive passenger attempted to open one of the aircraft doors and was abusive to our crew, Jetstar told MassLive in a statement sent Tuesday. The safety and welfare of our customers and crew is our top priority and we thank them for the way they responded to the situation, the statement continued. This sort of unacceptable behaviour will never be tolerated on our flights. The passenger was removed from the plane by local authorities in Bali, Jetstar said. Passengers were also given a new flight as a result. Jacqueline Felgate, an Australian TV host who was on the flight, shared an Instagram video of the captains message to passengers as the plane turned back to Bali. Story for you! Just got off our Jetstar flight from Bali to home. Two hours in a lady tried opening the emergency doors because she wanted to get off flight mid-air, the text on Felgates video reads. Absolutely nightmare. Had to turn around and land back in Bali for her to get arrested. 260 angry and scared passengers. Police escorted her off the plane. A Methuen man who previously served as town manager appeared in Superior Court in Salem in connection with several charges, including counts of assault and battery and child sex abuse, Essex District Attorney Paul Tuckers office said. Robert LeBlanc, 80, was charged with rape of a child, indecent assault and battery on a child under 14, two counts of indecent assault and battery on a person 14 or older and attempt to commit crime indecent assault and battery on a person 14 or older. In court on Wednesday, LeBlanc pleaded not guilty, Tuckers office said in a statement. Judge Salim Tabit ordered LeBlanc to report to Methuen police for booking, to stay away and have no contact with any victims or witnesses in the case, and to not have unsupervised contact with children under the age of 18. LeBlanc served as town manager from 1976 to 1981, and served as a lawyer for the Massachusetts Democratic Party, The Eagle Tribune reported. Karen Read appears with attorney Victoria George during the first day of jury selection at Norfolk Superior Court on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 in Dedham, Mass. (Nancy Lane /The Boston Herald via AP, Pool) BH After a full day of jury selection in the Karen Read trial, where 62 potential jurors were questioned individually by the presiding judge and lawyers for both sides, just two people were picked to join what will eventually be a 16-person panel. It was not clear exactly which of the dozens of potential jurors were the ones selected, but the court clerk said one man and one woman were picked. One juror was picked before a brief lunch break, and another was selected after. Jury selection resumes Wednesday morning. In all, 91 potential jurors completed questionnaires in Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham Tuesday morning. Sixty-two of those 91 were then individually called up to the bench for more specific questioning. Sometimes, the questioning would be brief, with the potential juror walking away after a minute or so. At other times, it went for 15 to 20 minutes, with potential jurors stepping away from the bench to let the lawyers confer. Read herself listened in to some of the questioning but eventually returned to the defense table, where she and Victoria George, a lawyer for Read who was an alternate juror in the first trial, scanned through the questionnaires. As she exited the courthouse Tuesday, Read told reporters she felt a sense of deja vu. She said she had a greater understanding of the process, but she and her lawyers were trying not to overcorrect for any missteps they might have made during her first trial. An additional 130 potential jurors were called each day for the rest of the week. On top of the new group, roughly 30 jurors were sent home around lunchtime Tuesday but told to return Wednesday. So many jurors were called for potential service in the case that several rows of folding chairs were added to the main courtroom in Norfolk Superior Court. Each day of jury selection will follow the same procedure: Judge Beverly Cannone will deliver brief instructions to jurors about the purpose of their service and read a statement of the case, laying out what Read is accused of. Then, after reading the witness list, which contains 150 names, she will ask the entire group a series of questions, including whether they know any witnesses or if they have formed an opinion of the case. From there, potential jurors will fill out the same questionnaire before some are called up for questioning. On Tuesday, more than three-quarters of the assembled jurors raised their hands when asked if they had heard about the case 78 of the 91. When Cannone asked if they had formed an opinion about the case, 40 of the 91 raised their hands. Picking a jury in the Read case will be challenging, not just because of the publicity, but because of the public participation, explained Jack Lu, a retired Superior Court judge. In terms of publicity, there have been plenty of cases with high publicity like this one, he said. What sets this case apart is that there is an extra element of public participation partially fueled by click revenue (income streams from social media platform fees and related income and sales paid to creator). This is a first in Massachusetts. I do believe this is a major issue, he added. Simply hearing about or discussing the case will not automatically disqualify a juror. You only need people that can understand the complicated jury instructions ... and someone with the moral commitment to follow the judges instructions exactly, Lu explained. No problem with knowing about the case, but a commitment to understanding the jury instructions, and following them, are key. Read, 45, is accused of intentionally backing her SUV into her boyfriend, Boston Police officer John OKeefe, as she dropped him off outside the home of a fellow officer following a night of drinking at two Canton bars. But Reads defense contends she is being framed and those inside the home are responsible for his death. Editors note: This story was updated at 5:55 p.m. on April 2, 2025 to include a response from NIH. Researchers and several national organizations are suing the Trump administration for its abrupt cancellation of grants from the National Institutes of Health. The complainants claim funding was quashed for research on disfavored topics and populations. The lawsuit was filed Wednesday in the U.S. District Court of Massachusetts by individual researchers; the American Public Health Association; International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America; and Ibis Reproductive Health. The parties, who seek to restore the canceled funding, are represented by the American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Massachusetts, Protect Democracy and the Center for Science in the Public Interest. The National Institutes of Health is the largest public funder of health research in the world. Since President Donald Trump returned to office in January, its estimated that NIH grant cancellations have resulted in $16 billion in economic losses and 68,000 jobs lost nationally. In Massachusetts, specifically, more than $1.5 billion and 6,700 jobs have been lost, according to researchers tracking the cuts. One of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit is Dr. Brittany Charlton, an associate professor at Harvard Chan School of Public Health and founding director of the LGBTQ Health Center of Excellence. The Boston Globe recently reported the center lost $4.2 million in NIH funding. Charlton called the Trump administrations directives an attack on scientific progress itself. Ending these NIH grants wastes taxpayer money and years of hard work to answer the worlds most pressing biomedical questions, she said. Important discoveries and treatments will be delayed, putting lives at risk. Health issues in one community affect everyone, so this concerns us all. Charlton had five grants terminated by NIH, most of which were related to LGBTQ+ research. Another plaintiff, Dr. Peter G. Lurie, president of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, was a consultant on a now-canceled grant studying the impact of access to preventative HIV drugs. According to NIH, it no longer effectuates agency priorities. The grant materials mentioned the impact of such drugs on transgender women. To exclude from consideration in human medicine the health outcome disparities between one ethnicity or the other, or one sexual orientation or the other, is to strike at the heart of the scientific enterprise, Lurie said. The grant revocations will have devastating consequences for those relying on government progress for HIV, Alzheimers, diabetes and other public health challenges, if not reversed by the courts, he said. Jessie Rossman, legal director at the ACLU of Massachusetts, cited Massachusetts robust research ecosystem that leads to medical discoveries and in turn, improved health outcomes and lives saved. Canceling grants solely due to political ideology has severe public health consequences and violates the law, she said. The lawsuits complaint claims NIH violated the Administrative Procedure Act by acting arbitrarily and without justification, failing to provide scientific reasoning or follow proper procedures. It also asserts that NIH disregarded congressional mandates to fund health disparities research and violated the Fifth Amendments due process protections by canceling grants based on vague and undefined criteria. NIH told MassLive it does not comment on pending litigation. The complaint can be found here. The presiding judge on the highly publicized case of Karen Read, Mansfield woman charged in the death of her Boston police officer boyfriend John OKeefe, has been sued for reinstating a buffer zone outside the courthouse a decision previously upheld by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court last May. Four Massachusetts residents were behind the lawsuit against Norfolk Superior Court Judge Beverly Cannone, filed through the Center for American Liberty in conjunction with Randazza Legal Group on Tuesday. The lawsuit also named the states Trial Court, state police, the Dedham Police Department and Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey as defendants. It seeks to block the enforcement of Cannones buffer order. The suit was filed on April 1 the first day of jury selection for Reads second trial, where two people were picked to sit on a 16-person panel. The second day of jury selection will continue on Wednesday. The four plaintiffs claim their First Amendment rights to free speech have been compromised by Cannones reinstatement of a larger, 200-foot buffer zone around the Norfolk County Superior Court in Dedham for the second trial. During Reads first trial, the buffer zone was not enough to stop the crowds of protesters from getting near the western side of the courthouse in a large open space running along High Street between Bullard Street and Ames Street, according to Cannones ruling filed March 25. The collective voices of groups of demonstrators gathering outside the buffer zone could be clearly heard inside the courthouse by jurors, Cannones memorandum stated. If prospective jurors are exposed to the protestors and messages displayed on signs or otherwise ... there is a substantial risk that the defendants right to a fair trial will be jeopardized, the order stated. Judge Beverly Cannone on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald) Nancy Lane/Boston Herald Cannones ruling expanded the buffer zone to not only cover the courthouse building and parking area behind the Norfolk Registry of Deeds building, but also to the area bounded by several other streets. These include the area bounded by Bates Court, Bullard Street, Ames Street and Court Street. Additionally, no signs or placards or audio enhancing devices are allowed while protesting, Cannones ruling stated. In a statement on the lawsuit against Cannone over the ruling, the Executive Director of the Center for American Liberty said this buffer zone could be unconstitutional. Buffer zones that over-zealously prohibit all First Amendment activity are almost always unconstitutional and this one is no different, said Mark Trammell. The Karen Read trial continues to inspire passionate public debate and citizens must be allowed to protest peacefully outside their own courthouse," Trammel said. The suit claims Cannones order is vague, overbroad and selectively enforced, her move to expand the buffer is unprecedented, and that it criminalizes speech based on its content, views and location a violation of the First Amendment. The lawsuits plaintiffs are named as Jason Grant, Allison Taggart, Lisa Peterson, and Samantha Lyons. They were supporters of Read and stood on public sidewalks near the courthouse calling out Judge Cannones handling of the case during the first trial, according to the statement. This lawsuit comes after the SJC upheld a lower court decision to impose a buffer zone around the Dedham courthouse last spring. The decision was challenged by three petitioners who said the ruling violated their freedom of speech. The Supreme Judicial Court found that the buffer zone does indeed impose some restriction on speech, but noted that such a restriction was not inherently problematic or unconstitutional. Justices found that the buffer zone was equally restrictive of speech on both sides of the case, saying that the fact that all of the protests outside the courthouse had been in favor of Read did not have any bearing on the establishment of the buffer in the first place. Any protest in favor of prosecutors would be subject to the exact same restrictions, they noted. The buffer zone does not preclude the petitioners, or anyone else, from engaging in the same forms of protest they have previously done; it simply constrains them from doing so within a limited zone tied to courthouse property, the SJCs decision read. Jury selection for the second Read trial will continue on Wednesday. Karen Read appears during the first day of jury selection in the retrial of Read at Norfolk Superior Court on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 in Dedham, Mass. (Nancy Lane /The Boston Herald via AP, Pool) BH Dozens more potential jurors will be questioned Wednesday as jury selection continues for the second Karen Read trial, a day after just two people were picked to sit on what will be a 16-person panel. More than 100 people received summons to Norfolk Superior Court for the Read case specifically each day this week. Not all 130 potential jurors summoned will show 92 did on Tuesday. Of those 92, roughly 30 will return to the Dedham courthouse Wednesday after being dismissed around lunchtime. The selection process, where dozens of jurors complete questionnaires and are then called for individual questioning, led to just two people being seated for the jury on Tuesday. The presiding judge and lawyers for both sides questioned 62 potential jurors Tuesday. So many jurors were called for potential service in the case on Tuesday that rows of folding chairs were added to the main courtroom in Norfolk Superior Court. Before she questioned potential jurors, Cannone read a statement of the case, laying out what prosecutors say Read did: backing her SUV into her then-boyfriend, Boston Police officer John OKeefe, outside a Canton home following a night of drinking. She told jurors that Read is presumed innocent and has no obligation to prove her innocence during the trial. Cannone also referenced the intense publicity that has consumed the Read case, saying, public comment will likely continue, but the rule of law will be upheld. After reading the witness list containing 150 names, Cannone asked jurors a series of questions. When asked if they had any personal dealings with witnesses, seven jurors raised their hands. Then, in a moment reflecting the unique nature of Reads case, more than three-quarters of the assembled jurors raised their hands when asked if they had heard about the case 78 of the 91. (One of the 92 potential jurors was dismissed before questioning began). When Cannone asked if they had formed an opinion about the case, 40 of the 91 raised their hands. Read, 45, is charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident causing injury or death. She maintains she is being framed and that others are responsible for OKeefes death. An audit of the Canton Police Department made public on Tuesday faulted investigators for missteps in the investigation into John OKeefes death, but did not find evidence of a massive conspiracy to frame murder defendant Karen Read. The long-anticipated audit report looked at 10 years of activity of the Cantons police department. The audit team spent nearly 16 months delving into the day-to-day operations, policies and regulations of an agency that has weathered immense scrutiny amid several high-profile cases. The 206-page report resulted from Canton residents demanding answers after Reads defense team began aggressively arguing in the spring of 2023 that a conspiracy took place to frame Read and that others were to blame for OKeefes death. The audit, conducted by the Tennessee-based 5 Stones Intelligence, provided a detailed look at what they learned about the Canton polices approach to the case and whether procedures were followed. The town spent $198,000 for the audit, according to The Boston Globe. From nearly the onset of Reads trial last year, questions began being raised about how police handled evidence during the investigation after Canton police testified about how blood-soaked snow was collected in solo cups and placed into Stop & Shop bags before being put into evidence. A photo of the photo of blood samples taken from the scene collected in red solo cups at the murder trial of Karen Read at Dedham Superior Court on May 7. (Staff Photo By Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald) BH Auditors faulted Canton police for not following policy and procedures around evidence collection and preservation and that there werent any crime scene kits available or used for evidence collection. The audit found other faults in the investigation: No photos were taken of OKeefe at the exact place where his body was found at 34 Fairview Road in Canton. Canton police used their personal phones to take photos and videos of evidence collection, against the departments policies. First-responders should have photographed OKeefe where he was found before being moved into an ambulance. Interviews with key witnesses, such as Jennifer McCabe and Kerri Roberts, should have been recorded and taken place at the police station. Both witnesses were with Read when they discovered OKeefes body in the snow. Nicole and Brian Albert, the homeowners, should have been interviewed at the police station. Both state police and Canton police failed to stay on scene at 34 Fairview Road to maintain the integrity of the crime scene. Audit failed to turn up evidence of Reads claims of cover-up Counter to the arguments of Reads defense team and relentless social media narratives, the audit did not find any evidence to support the claims of a cover-up. Our team has not discovered any information that would indicate that any actions by Canton PD officers or detectives were part of a conspiracy to frame any individual for the murder of Mr. OKeefe, the report stated. The auditors also supported another area of the investigation that Reads lawyers hammered away as insufficient at last years trial. Under strong cross-examination, defense attorney Alan Jackson questioned Canton police Sgt. Michael Lank about why police never entered the home at 34 Fairview Road to search for evidence that OKeefe entered the home. Lank testified that he wouldnt have had probably cause to search for evidence that a fight or altercation took place inside the home. Sergeant Michael Lank, of the Canton Police Dept. during cross examination at the murder trial of Karen Read at Dedham Superior Court on May 7. (Staff Photo By Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald) BH The audit team agreed with Lanks assessment. A search warrant infringes on an individuals Fourth Amendment rights and requires substantial evidence or witness testimony, neither of which was present in this case, the audit states. Moreover, Canton PD did not seek permission to search the house as there was no indication that Mr. OKeefe was inside, or that a crime had occurred inside the house. Canton Police Department sign during the Justice for Sandra Birchmore protest on Feb. 1, 2025. Photo by Irene Rotondo Irene Rotondo Morale took a hit as Read framed claims went viral Auditors described a noticeable decrease in morale among the department members due to increasing scrutiny from the public about the handling of Reads investigation. The report states that personal criticism has transformed from a method for improvement to personal attacks. These attacks via various avenues such as social media, phone calls, e-mails, and public demonstrations have had a significant negative impact on morale within the department, the report states. A blogger named Aidan Kearney, who uses the online moniker Turtleboy, wrote hundreds of articles promoting the idea that Read was framed by law enforcement. Authorities eventually charged him with several counts of witness intimidation for what they described as harassment of witnesses in the Read case. The report does not mention Kearney by name, but states that social media personalities have claimed that police deliberately mishandled the crime scene where Mr. OKeefe was found. Influential figures on social media from various regions have been tracking and amplifying these claims, the report states. Multiple Canton police officers told auditors that they experienced harassment from the public while working, spending personal time with their families and children, and during off-duty police details. Members of the Audit Team have received e-mails and text messages prompting team members to investigate allegations and alleged cover-ups by police, the report states. Throughout the first trial and at the hearing leading up to the second trial, supporters of Read collectively the Free Karen Read movement have gathered outside the courthouse and protested the handling of the investigation. Supporters of Karen Read wait for her to appear outside Norfolk County Superior Court in Dedham, Mass., June 25, 2024. Will Katcher/MassLive The audit report also includes two quotes by unnamed police officers that highlight the chasm that exists between Canton police and town officials: No one in this town will care about us until one of us gets murdered, even then half the town will probably celebrate that, one officer said. Elected officials dont care about us, another said. Now the easiest way to gain popularity or get elected is to publicly trash us. They have no political platform, just trash the police. Thats it. It doesnt even have to be true, just do it. The audit was released on the same day as the start of Reads second trial on Tuesday. Read, 45, is charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident causing injury or death in connection with the death of her boyfriend, Boston Police officer John OKeefe. Prosecutors say Read intentionally backed her SUV into OKeefe in a drunken rage amid turmoil in their relationship, then left him to die in the snow outside the Canton home of a fellow Boston Police officer. But Reads defense has claimed OKeefe was beaten up inside the house, and his body was planted outside in an effort to frame Read. Karen Read appears with attorney Victoria George during the first day of jury selection at Norfolk Superior Court on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 in Dedham, Mass. (Nancy Lane /The Boston Herald via AP, Pool) BH Jury selection for Karen Reads second trial continued Wednesday morning, with a pool of about 90 new potential jurors packing a Dedham courtroom. In all, 87 people arrived for jury duty in the Read case on Wednesday. Jury selection is being held in the largest courtroom in Norfolk Superior Court, not the courtroom where the trial will be held. In addition to the 87 new potential jurors, roughly 30 who were called for service on Tuesday are set to return for questioning on Wednesday. Just two jurors were selected for the jury on Tuesday, after 62 were questioned by the judge and lawyers for both sides. The panel will comprise 16 people when jury selection is completed. Before Judge Beverely Cannone began questioning potential jurors, she read a statement of the case, laying out what prosecutors say Read did: backing her SUV into her then-boyfriend, Boston Police officer John OKeefe, outside a Canton home following a night of drinking. She told jurors that Read is presumed innocent and has no obligation to prove her innocence during the trial. Cannone also referenced the intense publicity that has consumed the Read case, saying, public comment will likely continue, but the rule of law will be upheld. Read thanked the potential jurors after each lawyer introduced themselves. After reading the witness list containing 150 names, Cannone asked jurors a series of questions. When asked if they had any personal dealings with witnesses, six potential jurors raised their hands. Then, in a moment reflecting the unique nature of Reads case, almost all of the assembled jurors raised their hands when asked if they had heard about the case 76 of the 87. When Cannone asked if they had expressed or formed an opinion about the case, 38 of the 87 raised their hands. Fourteen potential jurors raised their hands when asked if they had biases that could affect their ability to serve on the jury. Forty said they had a substantial hardship that could prevent them from serving, such as being a student or having a surgery scheduled during the period the trial would take place. The whole process took about an hour, and Cannone left the courtroom around 10:30 a.m. Potential jurors were left to fill out a three-page questionnaire that asks them several more questions, including if Read should have to prove her innocence. From there, jurors will be called to sidebar to be questioned individually. On Tuesday, the questioning ranged from about a minute to up to 20 for some potential jurors. Some were excused without an announcement while, at other moments, Cannone announced their dismissal. Read, 45, is charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident causing injury or death in connection with the death of her boyfriend, Boston Police officer John OKeefe. Prosecutors say Read intentionally backed her SUV into OKeefe in a drunken rage amid turmoil in their relationship, then left him to die in the snow outside the Canton home of a fellow Boston Police officer. But Reads defense has claimed OKeefe was beaten up inside the house, and his body was planted outside in an effort to frame Read. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On April 1, 2025, Changsha NIO Energy Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of NIO Power, signed a cooperation agreement with Hunan Eastern Digital Intelligence Energy Investment Co., Ltd. ("Digital Intelligence"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CETD Group, in Changsha city, according to a post on NIO's WeChat account. The partnership will focus on the development of new energy vehicle (NEV) charging and battery swap infrastructure, smart energy management systems, and the integration of virtual power plants. Photo credit: NIO Under the agreement, the two parties plan to jointly build 100 integrated "solar-energy storage-charging-battery swap" energy stations in Hunan province. Leveraging their respective strengths, they will collaborate on battery asset management, explore the integration of NIO's battery swap stations into Dongfang Shuzhi's virtual power plant, and participate in grid demand response initiatives. The partnership also includes joint efforts in station operation and maintenance, data management, and vehicle-to-grid interaction, contributing to green and low-carbon development. As a key energy platform enterprise in Changsha Economic and Technological Development Zone, Dongfang Shuzhi is committed to a technology-driven, green development strategy. Centered on investment, construction, and operation of user-side comprehensive energy solutions, the company promotes smart and sustainable energy practices through multi-energy complementarity and cascade utilization. This collaboration is expected to accelerate the expansion of NEV energy infrastructure in Hunan. The first 10 pilot stations will be established in Changsha, targeting key locations such as urban transportation hubs and industrial parks. To date, NIO Power has built over 90 battery swap stations and more than 630 charging piles in Hunan, completing over 1.5 million battery swaps. As of April 1, NIO Power has built 3,239 battery swap stations nationwide, including a "9 north-south, 9 east-west, and 14 urban clusters" highway network with nearly 1,000 highway swap stations, covering over 700 cities and enabling seamless intercity battery swapping. The company has provided more than 70 million times of battery swap services to users. Defendant Karen Read and attorney Alan Jackson review jury questionnaires at Norfolk Superior Court on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 in Dedham, Mass. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool) AP The jury for Karen Reads second trial now has seven members, with five people joining what will become a 16-person group on Wednesday. In all, 90 jurors were individually questioned by the judge and lawyers for both sides on Wednesday. The jury now comprises four men and three women. Selection resumes Wednesday morning with another group of more than 100 jurors, including about 30 who were sent home midday Wednesday and told to return Thursday. On Tuesday, two people were picked to serve out of a group of 62 potential jurors questioned. Across both days, more than 150 jurors have undergone questioning for the Read case, with only seven picked about 5% of the entire pool. Read more: Complete Karen Read trial coverage Leaving the courtroom Wednesday, Read said she was not surprised by the pace of selection. During questioning, lawyers from either side can strike a juror without providing a specific reason. Both sides can do so up to 16 times. Its not clear how many have been used through the first two days of selection. The painstaking process begins with Judge Beverly Cannone reading a statement of the case, laying out what prosecutors say Read did: backing her SUV into her then-boyfriend, Boston Police officer John OKeefe, outside a Canton home following a night of drinking. She told jurors that Read is presumed innocent and has no obligation to prove her innocence during the trial. Cannone also referenced the intense publicity that has consumed the Read case, saying, public comment will likely continue, but the rule of law will be upheld. Read thanked the potential jurors after each lawyer introduced themselves. Cannone then read all 150 names on the witness list before asking the jurors a series of questions. When asked if they had any personal dealings with witnesses, six potential jurors raised their hands. Then, when Cannone asked if any of the potential jurors had heard about the case, almost all of their hands went up 76 of the 87. When Cannone asked if they had expressed or formed an opinion about the case, 38 of the 87 raised their hands. Fourteen potential jurors raised their hands when asked if they had biases that could affect their ability to serve on the jury. Forty said they had a substantial hardship that could prevent them from serving, such as being a student or having a surgery scheduled during the period the trial would take place. After completing a three-page questionnaire, potential jurors are called up to sidebar to be questioned individually by the judge and lawyers for both sides. Those conversations are held out of earshot of both reporters and the other jurors in the courtroom. While the lawyers are at sidebar, Read and Victoria George, an alternate juror from the first trial who has joined her defense team, could be seen going through the questionnaires. Inside the courtroom, it is not always clear when jurors are excused or picked. Cannone occasionally announces if they have been excused, but never if a juror is selected. Read, 45, is charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident causing injury or death in connection with the death of her boyfriend, Boston Police officer John OKeefe. Prosecutors say Read intentionally backed her SUV into OKeefe in a drunken rage amid turmoil in their relationship, then left him to die in the snow outside the Canton home of a fellow Boston Police officer. But Reads defense has claimed OKeefe was beaten up inside the house, and his body was planted outside in an effort to frame Read. Foxy, a roughly eight-month-old Australian Cattle dog, is expected to go up for adoption after the second week of April. Courtesy of the MSPCA. A young dog rescued from a Sturbridge rental home where 96 dead animals were found is expected to be available for adoption as early as next week, the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Animal Cruelty, or MSPCA, said. Andrew Sebastiano was charged with 96 counts of animal cruelty (subsequent offense) and 96 charges of animal cruelty by custodian (subsequent offense), the MSPCA said in a previous statement. Sebastiano was arraigned in Dudley District Court on March 26, one week after 96 dead animals, including chickens, geese, pigs, ducks and rabbits, were found at the property, the MSPCA said. After his April 1 hearing, a judge deemed Sebastiano to be dangerous and he was ordered held without bail, the MSPCA said in a statement released Wednesday. He is next expected to be in Dudley District Court on April 23. We commend the judge on his decision to continue holding this person without bail, MSPCA Law Enforcement Director Chris Schindler said in the statement. Animal cruelty should be a factor in determining the risks an individual poses to the community, and this decision reflects that. The dog, a roughly eight-month-old Australian Cattle dog named Foxy, was seized on March 25 and surrendered to MSPCA-Angell on April 1, the statement read. Foxy, a roughly eight-month-old Australian Cattle dog, is expected to go up for adoption after the second week of April. Courtesy of the MSPCA. She is expected to be available for adoption at the MSPCA-Angells Nevins Farm Adoption Center during the week of April 7, the organization stated. Foxy hasnt been in our care for very long, so were still getting to know her, but shes doing really well, Schindler said. Shell need a spay surgery and to work with our behavior team a bit before shell be ready for a new family. More updates on Foxys status will be released on social media by the MSPCA-Angell as they become available. Stavros Papantoniadis, the owner of Stashs Pizza in the greater Boston area, was sentenced to prison for turning in false information to the U.S. Small Business Administration to receive a loan for a business he no longer owned, United States Attorney Leah Foleys office said. Papantoniadis, 50, of Westwood, was sentenced to two years in prison followed by one year of supervised release, Foleys office said in a statement. He was also ordered to pay $534,462.01 in restitution. He previously pleaded guilty to a superseding information charging one count of false statements in February 2025. As the pizza chains owner and operator, Papantoniadis sold one of his pizzerias in Randolph in April 2021, Foleys office said. The Secretary of State cancelled the limited liability company through which Papantoniadis owned the restaurant. Later that year, from November 2021 to January 2022, he then applied for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan from the Small Business Administration, the statement read. Papantoniadis claimed that he still owned the Randolph pizzeria and that he had 18 employees at the location. Based on the information from Papantoniadis, the Small Business Administration sent him $499,990. The loans were meant to give relief to small businesses responding to the economic ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic. In June 2024, Papantoniadis was convicted by a federal jury of three counts of forced labor and three counts of attempted forced labor, Foleys office said. Evidence during the trial showed that Papantoniadis forced or tried to force five men and one woman to work for him through violent physical abuse. He also used threats of abuse and repeated threats to report these people to immigration authorities if they did not work for him. In this case, he was sentenced in October 2024 to 8 and a half years in prison followed by one year of supervised release and ordered to pay a $35,000 fine. Six months of Wednesdays sentence will run consecutive to the remainder of this other sentence. Donald Trump listens to Elon Musk as he arrives to watch SpaceX's mega rocket Starship lift off for a test flight from Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. (Brandon Bell/Pool via AP) AP President Donald Trump is telling members of his inner circle that Tesla CEO Elon Musks time at the White House is drawing to a close. Trump told his inner circle, along with members of his cabinet, that Musk will be stepping back from his current role as a partner of his administration, according to a report from Politico. Musk, a billionaire and ardent ally of Trump, has been working as a special government employee and is involved in the day-to-day operations of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Created by an executive order, DOGEs mission is to cut regulations, slash federal spending and fire federal workers. Musk leaving the White House would mark the end of his time as a special government employee, but sources told Politico that the billionaire is likely to keep an informal role as an adviser and may show up from time to time at the White House. While Trump reportedly remains pleased with the work DOGE is doing, he and Musk agreed in recent days that the CEO of SpaceX and the owner of X will have to return to his businesses, according to Politico. Both men have also hinted in interviews with the press that Musk would leave soon. The operations of DOGE were given a 130-day timeframe, according to Axios. In an interview with Fox News last week, Musk said that his work at DOGE could be completed within the time frame and that the commission would be able to reduce the deficit by $1 trillion by then. I think we will have accomplished most of the work required to reduce the deficit by $1 trillion within that time frame, he said. As of April 2, the DOGE website claims it has saved $140 billion, though the website has posted information that was misleading and incorrect in the past, according to PBS. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Monday, Trump suggested that Musk would leave the White House at some point. Hes got a big company to run..... At some point hes going to be going back, Trump said. He wants to. Id keep him as long as I could keep him. During his time in Washington, Musk has been involved in reshaping the government, from crippling the United States Agency for International Development to terminating hundreds of commercial leases and contracts. Musk has also become increasingly involved in politics and recently inserted himself into Tuesdays Wisconsin Supreme Court election. During a rally in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on Sunday, Musk told supporters of Republican-backed candidate Brad Schimel that the entire destiny of humanity hangs in the balance of this election, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Musk also gave out $1 million checks to supporters during the rally. Schimel would go on to lose the race against the Democratic-backed candidate, Susan Crawford. The campus of Wellesley College, in Wellesley, Massachusetts, on the morning of April 17, 2023 -- Marathon Monday/Patriots' Day. The sticker price of several Massachusetts institutions are approaching or depending on how you calculate it surpassing $100,000. Wellesley College will cost $100,541 including direct costs tuition, housing and meals among other fees such as health insurance, which is optional. It also includes the highest of the range for travel costs to get to and from campus: $2,000. Without any travel costs, the sticker price would be $98,541. Amherst College and Smith College are also close. Last year, Wellesley was among several Massachusetts institutions heading toward the six-figure mark. Tufts University, Boston University, Amherst College, Smith College, Brandeis University and Williams College were also nearing the mark. This might be a milestone for higher eds reputation, making academia look far, far too expensive, greedy, or out of touch with most Americans, said Bryan Alexander, a senior scholar at Georgetown University who has been monitoring college sticker prices. Wellesley college spokesperson Stacey Schmeidel said the majority of students dont pay the sticker price, with half of students declining the colleges optional health insurance, the largest of the indirect costs. Of those who do enroll in the insurance, 49% receive an institutional grant that covers the full cost, she said. Fifty-five percent of Wellesley students receive financial aid, with the average grant provided by the college to students amounting to $66,842, according to Schmeidel. Unless there is sufficient public outcry, dozens of universities and colleges will soon hit six digits, Alexander said. Increasing economic challenges to higher eds business model, and now the Trump administrations actions against some campuses, may push prices higher even more quickly, Alexander said. Trying to make higher education more affordable? The sticker price increases for the 2025-2026 academic year at many Massachusetts institutions come at a time when leaders are attempting to make higher education more accessible. Harvard University recently announced it will cover tuition for families that earn $200,000 or less and will cover tuition, food, housing, health insurance and travel costs for families with annual incomes of $100,000 or less. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology announced something similar in 2024. Other private institutions such as Anna Maria College, the College of the Holy Cross and Regis College have made tuition-free announcements. The University of Massachusetts system and Worcester State University have also announced free tuition for families with specific incomes. There has also been the development of free community college and MassGrantPlus, which makes state institutions free or more affordable to students. The Mass. colleges approaching $100k While not all college students pay the sticker price to attend college, that number is still climbing at many Massachusetts institutions. Here is a list of Massachusetts of some of the most expensive for domestic undergraduate students living on campus. The total includes direct and indirect costs as well as additional fees. MassLive excluded travel costs in the list due to the variation of ranges. Travel costs can be as high as $2,000. Note: Some institutions dont include fees that others account for in their pricing, such as waivable health insurance or first-year fees. Some prices are still estimates and havent been finalized. The sticker prices of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Emerson College and Northeastern University havent been released yet, according to their websites. One of the largest companies in the world is bidding for TikTok before the app becomes banned in the United States once again. Amazon plans to make a bid for the massively popular video-sharing app TikTok, three people familiar with the offer told New York Times reporters Wednesday. News of the bid broke just days before the app was slated to shutdown in the country again. The Biden administrations Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in January, made it illegal for U.S. companies to provide services to distribute, maintain, or update the social media platform TikTok. The ban would stay in place unless the app was sold from its Chinese developer, ByteDance, to a U.S. corporation. The TikTok ban was put into place due to national security concerns. On his first day in office, President Trump signed an executive order delaying federal officials from enforcing the act for 75 days. Prior to the Presidents executive order, TikTok was shut down for around 12 hours on Jan. 19. The 75-day extension expires on Saturday and the popular app will once again be at risk of shutting down if ByteDance doesnt make the sale on time. According to Times reporters, people whove been involved in offer discussions do not appear to be taking Amazons bid seriously. New York Times reporters said the bid reportedly came in an offer letter addressed to Vice President JD Vance and Commerce Secretary Hoard Lutnick. Ryan Fattman gives a victory speech at the DoubleTree hotel in Milford after beating out incumbent Richard Moore for the Worcester and Norfolk District state senate seat. Lindsay Corcoran, MassLive.com As Massachusetts Democrats predict price shocks from President Donald Trumps threatened tariffs on Canadian oil and gas, a Republican state senator has blamed ballooning ratepayer costs on the states clean energy mandates. During a virtual press conference with New England Republican lawmakers and conservative think tanks, Sen. Ryan C. Fattman, R-Worcester/Hampden, proudly noted he voted against the 2021 climate law directing Massachusetts to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. We have to build out tremendous new infrastructure thats going to cost billions of dollars ... to transition to alternatives and away from clean-emission energy, like natural gas, the Sutton lawmaker said during the Tuesday event. Paul Craney, executive director of the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance, leaned into April Fools Day as he urged ratepayers, Do not be fooled by what you hear from your State House politicians. The reason why your bills are getting jacked up right now is not because of tariffs, not because of natural gas, not because of who occupies the White House, Craney said. But its because of these mandates, these green renewable mandates, these alternative energy mandates, which are driving up costs because we are funding the transition and it will continue to get worse, Craney continued. Rising natural gas prices have stung Massachusetts ratepayers in recent winters. Regional grid operator ISO-New England last week reported that the average real-time wholesale electricity price was $126.40 per megawatt-hour in February 2025, up 301% compared to February 2024. After energy bills soared this winter, Gov. Maura Healey vowed to file a bill to rein in costs. Her administrations energy affordability agenda also outlines strategies to expand discount programs for moderate-income customers, redirect clean energy infrastructure funding, and stabilize local energy supplies. The governor on Tuesday praised ISO-New Englands first competitive solicitation for transmission investments, which her office said will address long-standing constraints on the New England power system and integrate new, affordable, onshore wind resources in the coming years. Healey said the procurement will unlock affordable electricity for Massachusetts residents and businesses at a critical time. Meanwhile, Healey has warned Trumps plan to impose a 10% tariff on petroleum and natural gas imports from Canada would cost Massachusetts $370 million annually. Trump is expected to announce his tariff plan Wednesday on so-called "Liberation Day." If the Republicans want to lower energy costs - the first thing they should do is oppose Donald Trumps tariffs on energy from Canada, state Democratic Party Chairperson Steve Kerrigan said in a statement. Donald Trumps tariffs will raise the costs of gas and oil by 20 cents per gallon and cost Massachusetts ratepayers hundreds of millions of dollars. The Republicans will never oppose these tariffs because the Republican Party is loyal to Donald Trump, not the people of Massachusetts. Asked whether he supports Trumps planned tariffs, Fattman said hes not a big fan of tariffs in general. The Worcester-area lawmaker stressed hes focused on state-level climate policies that the Legislature can control. Fattman also criticized looming state regulations that will require manufacturers to sell lower-emissions engines, based on Californias vehicle emissions standards for medium- and heavy-duty trucks. I dont like tying my future to the state of California, which the commonwealth did, Fattman said. Our Legislature did that. They have no ability to change tariffs. They have a big ability to change our standards for vehicles -- for advanced clean technology in vehicles and heavy-duty operating. In response to Tuesdays event, the Acadia Center said high natural gas costs this winter stem from the New England regions untenable overreliance on fossil fuels, with rising energy burdens driven by natural gas infrastructure, generous utility profits, and the regions continued fossil fuel investments. Right now, the region has almost all its eggs in the fossil fuel basket, and this offers only the false promise of fools gold in protecting the regions consumers from rising energy bills, the Acadia Center said. The region must double down on its climate and clean energy goals to make the broader northeast region energy independent from fossil fuels, reduce consumer price spikes, and mitigate the economic harms of worsening climate change. Tesla CEO Elon Musks time working in the federal government may come to an end soon. Musk, who has been involved in the efforts of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), said in a Fox News interview on Thursday he intends to wrap up his work in May. Musk was brought in as a special government employee to help oversee the work of DOGE a commission created by President Donald Trump to slash federal spending and cut government jobs. The operations of DOGE were given a 130-day timeframe, according to Axios. In his interview with Fox, Musk said that his work would at DOGE could be completed within the time frame and that the commission would be able to reduce the deficit by $1 trillion by then. I think we will have accomplished most of the work required to reduce the deficit by $1 trillion within that time frame, he said. As of April 1, the DOGE website claims it has saved $140 billion, though the website has posted information that was misleading and incorrect in the past, according to PBS. President Donald Trump, an ally of Musks also suggested that Musks time in the federal government may be coming to a close. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Monday, Trump suggested that Musk would leave the White House at some point. Hes got a big company to run..... At some point hes going to be going back, Trump said. He wants to. Id keep him as long as I could keep him. Trump is reportedly also telling his inner circle, along with members of his cabinet, that Musk will be stepping back from his current role as a partner of his administration, according to a report from Politico. During his time in Washington, Musk has been involved in reshaping the government, from crippling the United States Agency for International Development to terminating hundreds of commercial leases and contracts. Musk himself has also become deeply involved in politics and has most recently inserted himself into the upcoming Wisconsin Supreme Court race taking place on Tuesday. During a rally on Green Bay Wisconsin on Sunday, Musk told supporters of conservative candidate Brad Schimel that the entire destiny of humanity hangs in the balance of this election, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Whats happening on Tuesday is a vote for which party controls the U.S. House of Representatives, Musk said. That is why it is so significant. Schimel would go on to lose the race against the Democratic-backed candidate, Susan Crawford. One of the largest podcasters in the world, who endorsed Donald Trump during his 2024 presidential campaign, took to his platform to call the Trump administrations recent deportations horrific. Joe Rogan has previously praised President Trump for his stern stance on migrants and deportation with a focus on immigrants with criminal records. However, Rogan changed his tune following the Trump administrations March deportation of over two hundred Venezuelan migrants. The thing is, like, you got to get scared that people who are not criminals are getting, like, lassoed up and deported and sent to, like, El Salvador prisons, Rogan said on the 2297 episode of his podcast. Its horrific. Its horrific, Rogan added. On March 15 The Trump Administration deported 261 Venezuelan migrants on two flights to Honduras and El Salvador, according to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. Of the deportees, 137 were deported under the Alien Enemies Act a wartime authority that allows the president to detain or deport the natives and citizens of an enemy nation. The Trump administration claimed that these 137 individuals were part of the Venezuelan, Tren de Aragua gang which federal officials designated a terrorist organization. However, several news outlets including the LA Times and Reuters claim many of the people deported arent part of the Tren de Aragua gang. Rogan said deporting migrants without criminal records is ruining the cause he helped support. The cause is: Lets get the gang members out. Everybody agrees. But lets not, innocent gay hairdressers, get lumped up with the gangs, Rogan said on his podcast. Rogan is referring to Andry Jose Hernandez Romero, a 31-year-old Venezuelan makeup artist who was deported to El Salvador after the Trump administration labeled him a Tren de Aragua gang member due to tattoos. Hernandezs family and friends have contacted several news outlets, including The Guardian and The New Yorker, to inform the public that he is not a gang member. His family explained to the news outlet that many people in their Venezuelan community have these tattoos, which originate from a tradition that began in 1917. Cracks in Rogans support of Trump were already emerging in March over a growing rift with Canada, which Rogan called the dumbest f****** feud. Trump has repeatedly called for Canada to become the 51st U.S. state, and targeted the country for tariffs. Why are we upset at Canada? This is stupid. They booed us over tariffs, Rogan said, as reported by Sky News, referring to 25% tariffs being imposed on both Mexico and Canada. Rogan said that the United States has got to become friends with Canada again. This is so ridiculous. I cant believe that theres like anti-American and anti-Canadian sentiment going on. Its the dumbest f***ing feud, he said. I just want America and Canada to get along. I think its ridiculous... and I dont really think they should be our 51st state. U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., holds a town hall at Nevins Hall in the Framingham Memorial Building in Framingham, Massachusetts on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025. (John L. Micek) John L. Micek With the Trump administration moving ahead with its plans to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, one Massachusetts lawmaker says she wants to underscore the real-world implications of that effort. The Save our Schools campaign launched Tuesday by U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., is a multi-pronged effort to harry the Republican White House as it tries to wind down the Carter-era agency. In addition to amplifying the local impact of cuts to federal education spending, Warren said she plans to lead investigations to hold the Trump administration accountable for its agenda. Those probes will target U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon and the quasi-governmental Department of Government Efficiency helmed by tech billionaire and Trump ally Elon Musk. The Cambridge Democrat also hopes to mobilize parents, teachers, and students to oppose the administration. "If Donald Trump and Elon Musk dismantle the Department of Education, teachers will be fired, class sizes will go up, after-school programs will be cut, and young people who need access to financial aid to be able to go to college will lose that on-ramp to a stronger future, Warren said in a statement. On Tuesday, state officials sharply criticized the White Houses announcement that it was cutting off $106 million in K-12 funding to the Bay State. At a time when students are still struggling to recover from the pandemic, we need to be doing everything we can to address learning loss and the youth mental health crisis. Instead, President Trump suddenly ripped away more than $100 million in funding that is supposed to go right to Massachusetts students and schools, Gov. Maura Healey said in a statement. A spokesperson for the Education Department defended the move to cut off the pandemic-era funding. In a statement, U.S. Education Department spokesperson Biedermann said states had run out the clock on the pandemic-era funding program. COVID is over. States and school districts can no longer claim they are spending their emergency pandemic funds on COVID relief when there are numerous documented examples of misuse, the spokesperson, Madi Biedermann, said. The former Biden administration established an irresponsible precedent by extending the deadline for spending the COVID money far beyond the intended purpose of the funds, and it is past time for the money to be returned to the peoples bank account, Biedermann continued. On Wednesday, city officials in Worcester joined the ranks of leaders who are taking the White House to court to block the agencys dismantling. The states second-largest city joined a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Boston last month by the advocacy group Democracy Forward. Worcester is taking a stand. Dismantling the Department of Education is not only unjust but illegal, Worcester Mayor Joseph M. Petty said in a statement. In the City of Worcester, we will always support our scholars, staff, families, and residents of all backgrounds. We hope that by putting pressure on the federal government, we can collectively stop the chaos and keep children at the forefront. The campaign Warren launched this week is among the efforts the Bay States senior senator has undertaken to call attention to President Donald Trumps push to shutter the Education Department. While Trump can effectively gut the agency through executive actions, only Congress can move to officially close it down. Among those actions, Warren said she opened an investigation into the dismissal of probationary employees at the department, and urged McMahon to reinstate employees critical to the federal student aid process. The next day, the Department began to rehire Federal Student Aid workers and soon after that, the financial aid application came back online, Warrens office said in its statement. Weve got to fight for an America where its not just the kids of billionaires who get a good education but its every kid in every community who gets a great education, Warren said. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- FANGCHENGBAO, BYD's brand that specializes in professional and personalized identities, has officially entered the compact SUV segment with the pre-sale launch of its latest model, the TAI 3, on March 31. Offered in five variants, the TAI 3 is priced between 139,800 yuan and 203,800 yuan. It is set to officially hit the market in April. Photo credit: FANGCHENGBAO Inspired by the concept of an "interstellar combat vehicle," the SUV features a bold and futuristic design, highlighted by dual-line cut headlights and taillights, a rugged mecha-style body, and a distinctive wing-shaped rear toolbox that seamlessly blends technology with functionality. Inside, the cabin continues the sci-fi theme with a wing-shaped dashboard, C-shaped ambient lighting, and FANGCHENGBAO's signature "battle gear" shifter paired with crystal buttons. The TAI 3 is also designed to accommodate extensive aftermarket modifications, with FANGCHENGBAO collaborating with various customization brands to offer unique styling options. The model integrates BYD's core technologies with trendsetting features, notably its "1 drone, 3 compartments" layout, the "E+2C" intelligent system suite, and the "iCT" safety package. Photo credit: FANGCHENGBAO The "1 drone, 3 compartments" concept includes an intelligent in-car drone system developed in partnership with DJI (available for the highest-spec variant), an electric front trunk, an immersive cockpit, and a multifunctional rear compartment. The electric front trunk boasts a 151L capacity, capable of storing a 20-inch suitcase, and features an independent design to keep the interior odor-free. Its optimized opening height of just 90 cm enhances accessibility. The AI-powered cockpit offers an engaging in-car experience with voice interaction, one-touch scene switching, and a central "floating island" console that integrates wireless phone charging, storage, lighting, and karaoke functions. A customizable control panel for the front passenger, a 15.6-inch infotainment screen, dual-zone climate control, Devialet audio, a hot-and-cold mini fridge, and one-touch foldable rear seats further elevate the driving experience. The 28L rear compartment adds additional personalized storage. The "E+2C" suite features BYD's EVO+ intelligent platform, the "God's Eye C" advanced driver-assistance system, and an active road preview with the DiSus-C intelligent damping control system. EVO+ enables the TAI 3's iATS smart terrain recognition system, which can detect and adapt to surfaces such as grass, sand, mud, and snow. The model also debuts BYD's ultra-intelligent all-wheel-drive system, offering "energy triple locks," a recovery assist mode, crawl mode, and the brand's signature "leopard-style" turn function. Performance-wise, the TAI 3 delivers a 501 km driving range across all variants. It can charge from 30% to 80% of its battery capacity in just 18 minutes at normal temperatures, with low-temperature charging times reduced by 40%. Powered by a 20,000 rpm motor, the SUV accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds. Its chassis, featuring a front dual-ball joint MacPherson suspension and a rear five-link suspension, ensures superior handling and control. The God's Eye C system enhances intelligent driving with automated parking, obstacle avoidance, and active safety features. Meanwhile, the active road preview and DiSus-C system optimize damping adjustments, improving stability and ride comfort. Photo credit: FANGCHENGBAO For safety, the "iCT" package includes an iTAC (intelligent torque adaption control) system, the CTB (cell-to-body) vehicle safety architecture, and the TSC high-speed blowout stability control system. The iTAC system detects wheel slip preemptively, adjusting torque distribution to maintain vehicle stability and enabling a one-touch drift mode for enhanced driving fun. The CTB safety architecture reinforces body strength while optimizing impact absorption and energy dispersion through coaxial motors and front-mounted steering. Lastly, the TSC system provides stability control in tire blowout scenarios, ensuring safety even at speeds up to 140 km/h. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, center, listens as Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., right, speaks during a Massachusetts Congressional Delegation press conference regarding the impacts of the Trump administration's actions on communities across Massachusetts, Tuesday, March 4, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.) Unlawful. That was just one of the words that U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley picked when MassLive asked her to sum up, in a single word, President Donald Trumps second term and the moment in which the nation now finds itself. Two of the others were unconscionable and unconstitutional. And, the fourth, in what might cause some pangs among her fellow Democrats, was preventable. And when we asked her to explain why she had chosen those words, Pressley, D-7th District, didnt hesitate and she went deep. Everything that we are experiencing, the policies that are void of common sense and compassion, the executive actions that are lawless; the wrong targeted behavior of [Immigrations and Customs Enforcement]; the dismantling of our federal government as we know it; the indiscriminate, massive firings of federal workers; this extremist march towards not only an authoritarian state, but a mission of forced birth all of this and much more was outlined in Project 2025, which we knew was not just a blueprint, but truly a playbook," she said. So it was preventable, she concluded. The Boston Democrat, who has argued that the nation is sliding into authoritarianism, and has described Trump as a dictator, in the wake of the arrest of a Tufts University graduate student by masked immigration agents, offered those comments and more in a wide-ranging interview with MassLive. This conversation has been lightly edited for clarity and content. Q: President [Donald] Trump mused openly on Sunday in an interview with NBC News about the prospect of serving a third term. The [U.S.] Constitution doesnt provide a path to that. But he suggested that there are ways to get there. Is that something you are taking seriously? Or was that him trolling? Pressley: I think we find ourselves in a situation were in with another Trump presidency because too many people dismissed what he said as bluster and thought that his vision for this country laid out in [the conservative governing blueprint] Project 2025 could never be a reality because it is unconstitutional. So I dont take anything that Donald Trump says lightly. And, certainly, the fact that it is a violation of the Constitution seems to only further embolden him in his predictions. Q: As were speaking this morning, [Tufts University graduate student] Rumeysa Ozturk is still in an ICE detention facility in Louisiana. Can you speak at all about what efforts your office is making on her behalf? A: Let me just sort of set the scene here, because, you know, the strategy of this hostile administration or the midst of this active government takeover, is to flood the zone to shock and awe, to overwhelm, and in the midst of that, you can lose sight of the humanity of all those being harmed. Rumeysa was on her way to an Iftar to break her fast [for Ramadan]. She is approached aggressively by officers in plainclothes. She wonders if she, herself, might be the victim of a crime, and you hear on the audio say, Im calling the police, which they counter. We are the police. They grab her wrists, they take her away. She has been charged with no crime, a judge says she was not to be taken out of state lines. They defy that, [and] take her unlawfully after violating due process, her constitutional rights of both due process and freedom of speech, because, again, theres no criminal wrongdoing here ... She is a political prisoner who was kidnapped in broad daylight for having a dissenting opinion. ... These are the actions of a dictator, dictator to silence dissenting voices ... So, you know, Ive been working closely with [Somerville] Mayor [Katjana] Ballantine. Were conducting active, real-time oversight in Congress. Myself and [U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren] sent the administration a letter," and taken other actions. I mean, this creates a chilling effect for every member of our community because it could be you tomorrow. It could be you tomorrow because you suffered a miscarriage. It could be you because you read a banned book. It could be you tomorrow because youre still practicing diversity, equity and inclusion. It could be you tomorrow for co-authoring an opEd. Q: Youve said It could be anyone. Do you believe this is a constitutional testing of the waters ... and that it could perhaps be native-born Americans who are taken off the streets next? A: In Donald Trumps America, anything is possible. Theyre completely rogue ... They seem to move without any impunity, whether youre talking about a breach of national security with a Signal chat; whether youre talking about the massive firing of probationary federal workers indiscriminately, or whether youre talking about women being subject to being accused of criminal wrongdoing for having a miscarriage. Q: Youre referring to the recent case of the Georgia woman who was charged after suffering a miscarriage? A: Well, unfortunately, theres more than one [case], and so its easy to complete it in your mind. I co-chair the [Congressional] Reproductive Freedom Caucus. And so there are many such instances. But yes, Im specifically referring to this most recent Georgia case. I mean, when we talk about [Republican] efforts for .. a nationwide ban on abortion access, which is a health care right, I need people to understand that abortion care can be miscarriage management, right? And people need to understand that this is not only about restricting access to abortion care, which is health care, it is also about making pregnancy more dangerous. One in four women experience a miscarriage. And so we have an administration that has enlisted the courts, the [U.S] Supreme Court, federal courts, district courts, [and] state legislatures as co-conspirators in this extremist march towards a national ban on abortion, which not only seeks to deny access to abortion care but to make pregnancy more dangerous, where youre criminalizing people, criminalizing women seeking health care, criminalizing providers who provide that health care, [and] criminalizing prescribers of that health care. " ... I mean, I dont know that weve ever had a president, and I use that word generously, because hes, you know, not fit for the office, but that weve ever had a president who has complete disregard for the Constitution, has contempt, active contempt, for the American people. And its an, its an anti-freedom agenda, and thats what was laid out in Project 2025, that it has ... all the indicators of authoritarianism and a dictatorship. They want the media to be lies and propaganda. They want to erase history from being taught in our classrooms, from urban museums. They want to control bodily autonomy. They want to control what ... books you read ... its an assault on intellectual freedom. Its an assault on free speech. The country is on fire. Q: Given what youve laid out, do you believe there is a path back? A: First, let me just say how fortunate I am to call the Commonwealth of Massachusetts my home. [With the] Healey administration, to Andrea Campbell, my attorney general, and all of my mayors, collectively, collaboratively, we are working in vigorous defense. Our shared rights, that have been gained over time through the power of organizing, and through legislation and my partners in government, give me great hope about what is possible, because the strategies that are being employed are emerging in real-time. They are nimble, they are innovative. We have to, in the face of a dictator, meet him with dissent and not function as if any of this is an inevitability ... And I see more outcry, and I see more organization. And I think about just one of my town halls and weve had several. We had over 1,100 people RSVP. And we had over 400 questions submitted. And so what I am saying to folks is that we have the infrastructure. We have people of conscience. And we just need to leverage that power in this moment." And so, yes, I believe we can get to the other side because history has shown me what is the best way to beat a tyrant, to beat a dictator. So we have the blueprint. We just need to follow it. Alejandro Ramos of Holyoke is arraigned on a murder charge on Oct. 5, 2023, the day after a pregnant woman was shot and her newborn baby killed from a stray bullet in a gunfight. (Luis Fieldman / MassLive.com, File) SPRINGFIELD A Hampden Superior Court judge granted pretrial release today for a man charged in connection with the killing of an unborn baby boy during a shootout in Holyoke in 2023. Alejandro Ramos Jr., 23, was charged with murder after a pregnant woman was shot while riding a city bus on Oct. 4, 2023. MONTAGUE Four migrant workers with Red Fire Farm were plucked from their homes by ICE agents in an early-morning raid last month, according to their attorney. The Central American natives were rousted from sleep and arrested before dawn March 20 as part of the nationwide crackdown on undocumented immigrants and are being detained somewhere in New England, said Boston immigration lawyer Matt Cameron. It was rough, these arrests. No one wants to be arrested in front of their families, Cameron said in an interview. A woman posing as a health care worker in Worcester and Middlesex Counties is now accused of stealing thousands of dollars from those she was supposed to be helping. Regina Henaku, age 33, of Leominster, was indicted on March 20 by the Statewide Grand Jury on nine counts of larceny over $250 from an elder or disabled person; credit card fraud; attempted larceny over $250 from an elder or disabled person; identity fraud; and misleading the police/obstruction of justice. Between August and November 2024, Henaku used the stolen identities and professional credentials of a relative and a former co-worker to fraudulently pose as a professional caregiver and gain employment at five different health care agencies, long-term care facilities, and assisted living facilities, according to the Massachusetts Attorney Generals Office. 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The Mayo County Council Arts Service and Irishtown Community Development are delighted to launch 'Briathra Talun / Words from the Land', a public art commission by visual artist Noah Rose. Special guest speaker Dr. Andrew G. Newby will give a talk on the tenants right meeting at Irishtown in April 1879, which subsequently led to the formation of the Land League. The artwork will be officially launched by Councillor Damien Ryan, Cathaoirleach Claremorris Swinford MD. The launch will be followed by a guided tour and talk with artist Noah Rose. All are welcome to attend. Refreshments will be provided. READ: Door remains open for Conor Loftus to return to Mayo team Following an open competition, the artist Noah Rose was selected for this commission, an accomplished artist based in Headford, Co. Galway with extensive experience in public art across Ireland, the United Kingdom and internationally. Through comprehensive research and consultation with the local community, the artist eventually focused on the historical significance of the 1879 Irishtown Tenant Right Meeting. DOING THE RESEARCH Noahs interest in archival research, the Irish language, and history all informed this project. These interests are reflected in the final artwork Briathra Talun / Words from the Land, a sculptural installation consisting of Corten steel columns with laser-cut quotations in Irish and English from newspaper archives, with an accompanying an artist publication. Dr. Andrew G Newby, Senior Lecturer in Transnational and Comparative History at the University of Jyvaskyla specialises in the land question in Victorian Ireland and Scotland. His published works include Ireland, Radicalism and the Scottish Highlands (EUP, 2007); Michael Davitt: New Perspectives (edited with Fintan Lane, IAP, 2009); Eire na Ruise: An Fhionlainn agus Eire ar thoir na Saoirse (Coisceim, 2016); and An Fraoch Tri Thine! Micheal Mac Daibheid, Conradh na talun agus Garbhchiocha na hAlban 1870-1887 (forthcoming, Coisceim, 2025). This commission is part of Mayo County Councils Public Art Programme, funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage under the Per Cent for Art Scheme. This funding enables the Council to commission high quality and ambitious contemporary art for the public to experience and enjoy in everyday settings throughout County Mayo. The Council extends its sincere appreciation to Irishtown Community Development Company Limited and the Irishtown community for their support and collaboration. For more information about this project contact Aoife OToole, Acting Public Art Coordinator, Mayo Arts Service, Mayo County Council: aotoole@mayococo.ie; 094 9064376. ABOUT THE ARTIST The artwork will be officially unveiled at Pairc on Tobair, Irishtown, Co. Mayo on April 21, at 2pm. The artist Noah Rose is based in Headford, County Galway and working internationally. He specialises in creating sculptural work for public space, always developed in response to context, through original research, and often incorporating community engaged practice. His work is fundamentally interested in investigating the nature of what defines a place, its specific qualities, within its geographical, cultural and socio-historical context. Working through a variety of media including sculpture, drawing, installation, photography and archival research, his practice is rooted in a passionate desire to understand connections between the past and present. He has undertaken a significant number of public art commissions across Ireland, the UK and internationally. Notable commissions and residencies undertaken in Mayo include: Changing Tracks (2014), a pan-European public art programme that led to a sculptural installation along the Great Western Greenway and the Tir Saile Research Residency (2017) in collaboration with artist Selma Makela. READ: Two Mayo beaches feature on travel bloggers top ten list Another EU unelected official has just been screaming for EU member states to create an 800 billion fund to buy arms. How can humanity progress if this is how political leaders are thinking? Theres no talk of peace - just war. Kaja Kallas, the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, is gung-ho when it comes to bullet points. Her task is to lead a more strategic and assertive foreign and security policy that better enables the EU to pursue its strategic interests and shape the global system She is responsible for: strengthening Europes security and defence, by helping to ensure that Europe stands with Ukraine for as long as it takes, and coordinating the work to build a true European Defence Union Who is catering for peace in an EU serving 448 million people? Why didnt the European Commission appoint a Peace Minister? The three-year bloody war between Ukraine and Russia has already claimed thousands of lives. Donald Trump, for all his faults, and they are legion, has forced the EU to start thinking about peace. Why did it take the US to broker a deal that is bringing some semblance of silent guns in certain areas of the war zone like shipping and energy infrastructure? The US, a known warmonger, can also act as peacemaker, something the EU has not and is not pursuing, even when some EU leaders have made genuine efforts at peace as leaders of their own countries. Instead, the EU wants to build an 800 billion war chest. READ MORE: Very worrying Trump tariffs raise Mayo job fears In Ireland, all we can do is watch silently on while Micheal Martin removed the triple-lock that protected the deployment of Irish troops abroad. There is a certain arrogance on display in Leinster House by both Government parties on this issue and that of speaking rights. The bolshy attitude of Government is obvious in disavowing established democratic practices and protocols in Dail Eireann. Couple this with Michael Lowrys two-fingered invitation to talk to Paul Murphy during the debate and you notice that basic good manners is sadly lacking on so many levels. Irish politicians were dismissive of Conor McGregors St Patricks Day visit to the White House. The reality is that it actually happened. Another reality is that his comments on immigration, while not full of facts, resonated with some people who feel the Government is out of touch with people. The Government has only itself to blame for this fiasco. The reason is simple. They let unelected and unnamed people make policy decisions on where people seeking international protection should be located without any reference to local people. This is grist to the mill to people who oppose foreign nationals being accommodated in Ireland. The lack of consultation is used to whip up opposition and fear by outlandish and unfounded claims. This prevents many others from assisting people who need help. Why does the Government consistently make it so difficult for regular people to extend the hand of friendship to those seeking international protection? Many local communities are insulted by the lack of consultation that also makes them helpless. It is not acceptable practice from the Government. All it does is provide fodder for those who oppose foreign people. We hear so many stories of people arriving without documentation leaving Gardai and airport staff to pick up the pieces. It begs the question, are the protocols and laws surrounding such peoples entry and acceptance into this country being fully implemented? If they are, state it; if not, fix it. While the asylum battle rages on and the fallout enrages local communities, we are also being asked to increase our defence spending. The only increase thats necessary is that those in our armed forces be paid properly. Instead of looking after our own we choose to be alongside the big boys buying arms without looking after those we expect to deploy them. The media source, TheStory.ie reports: More than 900 people recruited to the Defence Forces left within less than five years of joining the military since 2020. With so much talk of war and defence budgets, heres a question this April Fools Day, How much peace would 800 billion buy? A group of 25 Mayo people, including eight children, removed over a skipful of litter from Blacksod Bay Beach on Sunday. The cleanup, organised as part of Bord Iascaigh Mharas (BIM) Co-ordinated Local Aquaculture Management Systems (CLAMS) initiative, was attended by many members of the local community. READ MORE: Door remains open for Conor Loftus to return to Mayo team Over the course of the hour, the skip was filled with 28 bags of marine litter from the coast, as well as entangled nets and ropes and lobster pots that had washed ashore. The event also included a talk on the issues that arise from marine litter. Those in attendance were also informed of the support that is available from the organisations present, including BIM and the Mayo Irish Whale and Dolphin Group. The clean-up was part of a series of coastal clean-ups taking place in Europe under the INTTERREG Atlantic Area funded project Free LitterAT project. Olivia Jones, who serves as Mayos Clean Coasts Development Officer, believes that clean-ups like the one at Blacksod Bay are crucial in displaying the importance of maintaining Irelands coastline. This type of event really demonstrates the positive impact we can have on our environment and our sense of place in the community when we pull together for our localities, Ms Jones stated. A MAYO Senator has urged the Department of Transport to utilise the private sector to operate speed cameras on roads to reduce speed and save lives. Ballina-based Senator Mark Duffy raised the issue of speed cameras on the country's roads during a debate on road safety in Seanad Eireann. A section of the N5 near Swinford has been fitted with new Average Safety Cameras which monitors the average speed of vehicles over the distance of the Safety Camera Zone, rather than at a single point. The installation of the Average Safety Cameras on the N5 took place last October as part of a pilot project with the intention of rolling them out at other locations across the country. Senator Duffy told the debate that this system has been welcomed on routes where it has been tried including Swinford and more should be done to be rolled out more widely. READ: Mayo senator calls for more autonomy to councillors to address road safety We should grant more autonomy to local authorities to allow the three average speed zones to be rolled out much more widely," said the Fine Gael Senator. "The US has a very good model where a private contractor can install these cameras at no cost to either the state or the authority involved, maintain them and collect the receipts from fines incurred from speeding motorists on the stretches of road. This should be looked at. It is a good model that would not cost local authorities or the State anything. It would involve a net gain because, ultimately, we would have safer roads and safer outcomes for motorists. I welcome the creation of average speed zones. They should be rolled out across the country without local authorities being required to use their resources for that purpose. This would be very much welcomed, he commented. Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Jerry Buttimer commented that the average speed camera technology has proven a great deterrent to excessive speed and Transport Infrastructure Ireland were looking to invest in more cameras. In addition to these immediate camera measures, TII is leading the development of a comprehensive national camera strategy for publication later this year, which will establish the framework for investment in the development of our camera enforcement capacity. This strategy will also consider the use of cameras for purposes beyond speeding, such as identifying mobile phone use and non-wearing of seatbelts, he said. MAYO TD Paul Lawless has called for an immediate cut to commercial rates for businesses amid growing concern over the impact of new US tariffs on EU pharmaceutical goods. The Aontu TD accused the government of failing to take action to protect Mayos economy from the growing threat of US trade tariffs. US President Donald Trump is due to announce a raft of new tariffs on EU goods this evening (Wednesday, April 2). This has prompted concern in Mayo over the potential impact on jobs in the pharmaceutical sector. Three companies alone, Baxter, Allergan and Abbvie, employ over 3,000 people in the county. We exported 72 billion worth of goods to the US last year, with 58 billion coming from the pharmaceutical industry. This is not just an abstract economic issue; this is about real jobs in Mayo, said Deputy Lawless. AbbVie alone employs approximately 1,300 people in Westport, producing pharmaceuticals and is the sole global manufacturing site for Botox. If US trade policy turns against us, what will happen to these jobs? What is the Government doing to safeguard them? Deputy Lawless said the government had placed too much emphasis on foreign direct investment (FDI) to the detriment of small businesses. Successive Governments have put all their eggs in the FDI basket while our town centres in Mayo have been left derelict and businesses struggle to survive. High rates, crippling insurance costs, and Government inaction are pushing local businesses to the brink. Our governments strategy has been to roll out the red carpet for FDI - and rolled down the shutters on our small shops. He called on the government to negotiate with America and lobby the EU to try and prevent tariffs from being imposed. Weve got to stop acting like grateful tenants and start thinking like owners of our own economy, he said. Westport-based Fine Gael TD Keira Keogh described the looming tariffs as really worrying, particularly for towns like Westport, where AbbVie employs over 1,300 people. It is expected that the EU - in which Ireland trades as part of a block of 27 countries - will levy new tariffs on US goods in retaliation to Wednesdays announcement. The EU has already imposed similar counter-tariffs on American bourbon whiskey following the imposition of US tariffs on EU-manufactured bourbon. Mayo TD and Minister of State for Small Business and Retail & Circular Economy, Alan Dillon, said the Tainaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Harris, had engaged with many EU countries that may be affected by the new tariffs. Speaking on The Tonight Show on Virgin Media One, the Fine Gael TD said the EUs response to the new tariffs needed to be sustainable and measured. Beijing (Gasgoo)- On April 1, Changan Automobile's new energy vehicle (NEV) brand DEEPAL announced its March delivery figures, which came in at 24,371 units, marking an 86.7% year-on-year surge and a 30% month-on-month jump. Photo credit: DEEPAL Meanwhile, as to Changan Automobile's other NEV brands, NEVO recorded 15,274 units sold, and AVATR reported 10,475 units delivered in March. Changan Automobile's total NEV sales for March surpassed 80,000 units, reflecting a 48.9% year-on-year spike and a 101.8% soar from February. On the same day, DEEPAL CEO Deng Chenghao announced on social media that the DEEPAL S09 will officially hit the market in April. During the China EV100 Forum 2025 held on March 29, he revealed that the S09 is expected to be priced between 300,000 yuan and 350,000 yuan. S09; photo credit: DEEPAL The S09 follows DEEPAL's "Symbiotic Aesthetics" design philosophy, featuring the brand's signature shark-nose front design for a dynamic stance. The front fascia includes blacked-out fog lamp areas and a large lower grille, enhancing the vehicle's width. A seamlessly integrated full-width LED light bar adds to its sleek appearance. In profile, the S09 features flush door handles and a floating roof. Measuring 5,205mm in length, 1,996mm in width, and 1,800mm in height, with a 3,105mm wheelbase, it adopts a six-seat layout. Inside, the S09 utilizes a light-colored cabin with a floating central touchscreen and a passenger display. A front and rear mobile center console includes cup holders and a dual-function refrigerator, capable of cooling down to -6C, as revealed by Deng Chenghao. Credit: Around the Horn on ESPN Throughout its history on ESPN, Around the Horn has celebrated Halloween and April Fools Day with the best of them. But with the news that the show will end this May, ATH decided to combine both holidays into one. So it used the occasion of April 1 to bring out the costumes, and even invited iconic panelist Sarah Spain on to do her best Woody Paige impression. Spain, as Paige, joined Israel Gutierrezs Transfer Portal, Frank Isolas Minutes Police and David Dennis Jr.s Amir Aura Khan, the McNeese State manager who became the star of the first round of the NCAA tournament last month. Let us be the first to say Happy Halloween 2025, a day were not getting, so youre getting it right now, host Tony Reali said to open the show. Happy Hornoween Were joined by Amir Aura Khan, the Minutes Police, the Transfer Portal, and is that @woodypaige?! pic.twitter.com/Qd6s3AUzgj Around the Horn (@AroundtheHorn) April 1, 2025 It was also a return to the show for Gutierrez, one of the longest-tenured panelists in ATH history whose role at ESPN has lessened in recent years. Halloween is a well, hallowed, tradition on ATH. In 2024, Jorge Sedano won the show on Halloween when he turned in an incredible Chris Mad Dog Russo impression for the entirety of the 30-minute debate. Earlier this year, ESPN announced Around the Horn would air its final episode on May 23 after more than two decades on air each evening. In the run-up to the finale, expect many more stunts like this as the show celebrates itself and its many legendary panelists. by Teresa Buyikian , April 1, 2025 Companies dont always announce the departure of their CEOs, much less issue a release a year before the person actually exits the building. But then again, not many companies can say their CEO has worked for the company for more than 36 years. This week Yum Brands, parent of Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, KFC and The Habit, announced that CEO David Gibbs will retire in 2026 after almost four decades with the company. He has served as CEO since Jan. 2020 and, per the announcement, will continue leading Yum throughout the search process in the first quarter of next year. Gibbs led Yums digital transformation, successfully navigating the company through the COVID-19 pandemic and ultimately made the company a top performer in the restaurant industry, according to the announcement. During his tenure, digital sales surpassed $30 billion in 2024, with over 50% of sales through digital channels, and the pace of annual net new unit development tripled, leading to more than 61,000 restaurant units worldwide. advertisement advertisement Gibbs began his career at Yum as a real estate manager for Taco Bell, and held various positions over the years, including CFO of Yum and Pizza Hut, and CEO of Pizza Hut. Along with the entire board of directors, I commend David for his dedication to Yum Brands and applaud his transformative impact on the company not just in his time as CEO, but throughout the entirety of his nearly four-decade career with Yum Brands, said Brian Cornell, non-executive chairman of the Yum Brands board of directors. As for Gibbss replacement, the companys board stated that there is an established planning committee and will work deliberately to identify and appoint the best candidate to lead the companys next chapter. "Yum has a deep bench of talent ... that we believe will lead the company to pick an internal hire," TD Cowen analyst Andrew Charles commented to Reuters. Given that Yum has plenty of time to plan for the leadership change, we anticipate a smooth transition," Morningstar research analyst David Swartz noted. "However, Gibbs is a Yum lifer, having held various positions at the company since he joined Taco Bell in a real estate role in 1989, so it may be difficult to replace his experience. by Les Luchter , April 1, 2025 Oil and gas drilling companies have had to protect against uncontained blowouts for years. Now, says Kimberly-Clarks Huggies brand, parents of babies can do the same. Baby blowouts, Huggies claims, can send poop traveling at up to seven feet per second. On April 3, the brand will break a TV campaign emphasizing that its Little Snugglers diapers now have blowout protection in every direction. In a :30 spot from Leo Chicago, a baby is shown in a house where everything is covered with clear plastic, including poncho-wearing parents and pet cat. A graphic identifies this situation as depicting blowout protection with ordinary diapers. The screen then changes to the same scene with no coverings in sight as the line changes to blowout protection with Huggies. advertisement advertisement The spot, which also comes in :15 and :06 versions in English and Spanish, will run through years end on local TV, connected TV (CTV), online TV and more, Matt Barresi, Huggies vice president, North America, tells Marketing Daily. Spark Foundry handled the media buying. The new and improved Little Snugglers now include both front and back blowout blockers plus soft and crunch leg cuffs to help contain mess he explains. The campaign is 25% bigger than last years brand effort, Barresi says, veering from previous messaging focused on gentle protection for young babiesWe felt we could break out of the sea-of-sameness thats enveloped the diaper category and tell this powerful story in a more fun and memorable way. Other campaign content, he says, includes the use of unique content creators in social, CTV, YouTube, podcasts, retail media, etc. While the TV spots launch Thursday, the campaign itself launched Monday with a Poop Poncho sweepstakes previewing the ponchos shown in the commercials. And its no April Fools joke. Running through Friday, the sweepstakes offers 200 winners a one-size-fits-all poncho with the words Wish I Had Huggies emblazoned on the back. You could say the ponchos are a fun way to dramatize the real-world impact of an uncontained blowout, says Barresi. PoopPoncho has its own website (PoopPoncho.com) and is being promoted through Huggies social media pages. The ponchos are valued at $10 each. by Sarah Mahoney @mahoney_sarah, April 1, 2025 REI Co-op has named Kristin Shane as new chief merchandising officer, continuing a wave of changes under president and CEO Mary Beth Laughton. Shane joins the outdoor retailer from the Guitar Center, where she led marketing and merchandising, and previously held senior roles at Target and PetSmart. The Washington-based company says Shane will oversee efforts to expand product categories, strengthen regional relevance, deepen brand relationships, and invigorate REIs private-label lines. She will report directly to Laughton, who took the top role earlier this year. The appointment comes as REI contends with growing internal and external pressures. Like many retailers, the co-op is grappling with cautious consumers and tighter discretionary budgets. The retailers full-year financial results are expected later this month, but Fortune reports the company is on track to break even for 2024, excluding member dividends. advertisement advertisement REI has recently eliminated 600 jobs, first shuttering the "Experiences" division and then laying off an additional 200 employees. While Laughton was brought in to help right the ship, she faces headwinds from longtime customers and employees who believe the brand is drifting from its core values. Contract negotiations with unionized workers have dragged on since 2022. The United Food and Commercial Workers union, which represents roughly 600 of REIs 16,000 employees, says the company is not only stalling on issues like pay and safety but also betraying its progressive, member-first ethos. Union organizers are now calling on members to vote Withhold in the co-ops ongoing board election in protest of a proposed new slate of directors. The vote is widely seen as a referendum on REIs direction and leadership credibility. Compounding tensions is a recent political controversy. REI executives reportedly signed a letter of support for Doug Burgum, former North Dakota governor and Secretary of the Interior under President Trump. Burgum has endorsed expanded drilling on public lands, rolled back climate protections, and proposed revising national monument boundaries. REI did not respond to a request for comment. For many outdoor brands, those positions cut against the grain. In 2017, REI was also vocal in its opposition to President Trumps efforts to shrink the Bears Ears National Monument in Utah. Along with rival Patagonia, REI joined in a Hands Off Our Public Lands campaign, urging members to take political action. Whether REI will maintain that activist stance under its current leadership remains unclear. But for many longtime customers, the companys identity as a values-driven co-opnot just a retaileris now in question. Patagonia, meanwhile, is standing firm on the issue. In a recent editorial in Time, CEO Ryan Gellert urged people to push back against the new administrations efforts to sell off parts of public lands. As we have for decades before, Patagonia will mobilize our community and use our position as a business and supporter of grassroots conservation groups to protect public land and water regardless of who is in the White House, he wrote. In the long run, all businesses stand to lose more than they gain from these policies due to their reckless disregard for planetary health. by Sarah Mahoney @mahoney_sarah, April 1, 2025 PVH Corp., in the midst of a brand overhaul for Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger, reported fourth-quarter results that slightly beat expectations. Despite a cautious outlook for the year ahead, the results reassured analysts looking for signs that the companys brand-building efforts are gaining traction. Fourth-quarter revenue decreased 5% to $2.37 billion, including a 3% impact from the extra 53rd week in last years fiscal calendar. Previously, the company had forecast a decline of 6% to 7%. Net income came in at $157.2 million, down 42% from $271.8 million in the year-ago period. Tommy Hilfigers sales fell 5% overall in the quarter and were flat in North America. Calvin Klein revenues dipped 2% overall but rose 3% in North America, helped by the timing of wholesale shipments. advertisement advertisement We finished the year strong and are well-positioned for 2025, said CEO Stefan Larsson in the announcement. We are positioning the company for long-term, sustainable growth and remain relentlessly focused on fueling our brand-building consumer flywheel to unlock our full potential around the world. PVH forecast that revenue for the coming year would range from flat to a slight increase. PVHs guidance for 2025 was uninspiring, as the firm faces uneven consumer demand and delays in new Calvin Klein merchandise, wrote David Swartz, senior equity analyst at Morningstar. Still, he pointed to encouraging signs that the companys transformation strategy is making progress, particularly in brand elevation. Challenges remain. We think its brands lack competitive advantages, Swartz said, noting persistent headwinds in a crowded and volatile apparel market. Alex Straton, who covers the retail sector for Morgan Stanley, echoed those concerns. She warned of downside risks if PVHs repositioning in North America falters or if the company loses momentum in Europe. by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, April 2, 2025 Popular retail sites often fail to honor consumers' requests to reject targeted advertising, when those requests are transmitted through a universal opt-out mechanism, a new study suggests. For the study, researchers at Consumer Reports and Wesleyan University tested 40 sites operated by larger retailers, including American Eagle, Pottery Barn and Macys. Twelve of those sites apparently failed to honor opt-out requests that were sent through the Global Privacy Control -- a tool developed by privacy advocates that enables people to automatically send opt-out requests to every site they visit. That result corroborates previous research on the topic and strongly suggests that consumers personal information may continue to be at risk for unwanted disclosure even when they take the appropriate steps to protect themselves under state privacy laws, the report states. advertisement advertisement To conduct the study, researchers used a virtual private network to make it appear as if they were in California or Colorado. Colorado's privacy law requires companies to honor opt-out requests send through universal mechanisms, such as the Global Privacy Control. In California, state officials have interpreted the law as also requiring companies to honor the Global Privacy Control -- though the ad industry disagrees with that interpretation. Testers activated the Global Privacy Control, then visited retail sites and loaded shopping carts, but left without making a purchase. Next, the testers visited outside publishers' sites. Twelve of the retail sites served testers what appeared to be retargeted ads. We are almost certain that these retailers delivered advertisements to us based on our browsing activity, the study states. In these instances, we either observed advertisements that contained images of the exact items that we had viewed or placed in our shopping carts, or we found evidence from the AdChoices icon that the ad had been retargeted to us based on our browsing history. An additional three sites served ads that the testers believe were very likely based on web activity. The ad industry's privacy code requires businesses o honor consumers' requests to opt out of targeted advertising, but doesn't specifically say companies must respect the Global Privacy Control. Instead, the ad industry requires companies to provide opt-out links that consumers can click on site-by-site, and also offers an opt-out page where people can reject targeted advertising from a broad array of companies. by Sarah Mahoney , Staff Writer @mahoney_sarah, April 2, 2025 Like many digital-native brands, Saatva built its early success on paid search. However, when COVID rewrote consumer behavior and performance marketing began to falter, the luxury mattress company needed a new growth engine. CMO Joe McCambley responded with a high-stakes media shift, pushing hard into upper-funnel tactics: podcasts, radio, linear TV, and, most recently, YouTube. But after investing nearly $900,000 in ads on the YouTube platform several months ago -- 10 times more than any prior campaign -- the company came away with sobering results. We wanted to see if YouTube could replace TV, McCambley told attendees in at the recent MediaPost Retail Summit in Scottsdale, Arizona. The early signs suggest it cant. Saatva was an early D2C pioneer, launching in 2010 with a model that initially relied on non-branded paid search. With traditional mattress brands slow to adopt ecommerce, the company grew rapidly until the market flooded with competitors like Casper, Purple, and Nectar. Between 2014 and 2017, Saatvas costs-per-click ballooned from under $3 to over $30. By 2017, the company was losing money for the first time. McCambley, who joined that year, realized Saatva needed to diversify beyond performance marketing. Initially viewed with skepticism, the affiliate channel proved a better investment than expected. Affiliate marketing is a more profitable business than non-branded search, he said. Then COVID hit. With in-store shopping stalled, Saatva surged -- briefly. But when search demand fell again, so did sales. The lesson? We were way too dependent on performance marketing, McCambley said. With performance, your revenue goes up when people are searching and you look like a hero. When people stop searching? You're a goat." So he steeredSaatva into more upper-funnel media, first with podcasts, then linear TV. The company developed a curriculum to educate its leadership and reduce their resistance to non-performance channels. The guiding framework came down to a simple formula: excess share of voice leads to increased share of search, which drives market share. TV delivered. Impressions led to search, which led to sales. The company even saw a statistically significant link between TV impressions and branded search and between branded search and market share. Heading into Black Friday weekend of 2024, the Saatva teams confidence in the new model was rock-solid. Then came the stumble, as the brand fell 10% short of November revenue goals. Post-election, the cost of linear spots spiked. Saatva delivered 200 million fewer impressions than planned, enough to throw off their entire model. To hedge against that CPM volatility, McCambley directed his team to YouTube. They developed a $900,000 test to replicate streaming TV reach, a ten-fold increase in prior spending on that channel. Early results have disappointed. Though cost-per-visit was a promising $8.32, incrementality was under 1%. McCambley concedes Saatvas test wasnt perfect. Creative may have been a factor, since Saatva reused TV spots instead of tailoring new ads to the platform. He believes audience behavior plays a role and that big-screen viewing is more mattress-friendly. "If you're watching TV, you've probably got your phone handy to search, McCambley said. But on YouTube, you're already on your phone -- and more easily distracted." Still, the team isnt giving up. Next steps include more targeted creative, show-specific sponsorships, and YouTube content that aligns with podcast-style formats. YouTube isnt a TV replacement -- at least not for Saatva. But with more innovative creative, better segmentation, and platform-native strategy, it might still earn a place in the media mix. "We all believe it should work," McCambley said. "Now we just have to figure out how." by Sarah Mahoney @mahoney_sarah, April 2, 2025 Zebra Pen, a small Japanese-owned brand with a loyal following in the journaling world, wants to stand out in an industry dominated by the likes of Bic, Sharpie, and Pilot. So its turning to an unlikely awareness-building partner: fortune cookies. In a just-launched partnership with OpenFortune, the media company that places branded messages inside fortune cookies, Zebra Pen is distributing hundreds of thousands of cookies to Asian restaurants across New Jersey. Inside, diners will find clever, co-branded messages like, The future is unwritten. But this pen is ready. Each slip also includes an image of a Zebra pen. The goal? Awareness. "We know were not a top-of-mind brand," says Ken Newman, vice president of marketing at the Edison, New Jersey-based Zebra Pen. "So, we look for creative ways to stretch our budget and reach new audiences. This checks all the boxes." advertisement advertisement The campaign aims to tap into milestone moments: birth certificates, marriage licenses, first apartments, and even college signing days. Its part of Zebras broader effort to position its products not just as tools but as companions to lifes meaningful signatures. "People dont just use pens anymore to get through a day -- they use them to commemorate something," Newman says. "That idea of a signature moment was important to us." Self-expression is also key. The company just announced the return of the #PathToSelfExpression Songwriting Sweepstakes, encouraging people to perform their songs on Instagram. The winner gets a $5,000 cash prize and plenty of new pens to keep writing. Still, the fortune cookie strategy is quirky. Fortune cookie messages are rarely seen near a cash register, let alone a stationery aisle or endcap. But thats the point, says Newman. "We want to zig when others zag. Were not shouting in a sea of back-to-school ads. This is about catching people off guard, making them smile, and hopefully, sticking in their mind." OpenFortunes model supports that approach. With distribution to more than 47,000 restaurants nationwide, the company says it can get brand messages in front of as many as 135 million consumers per month. And while Zebras campaign is limited to New Jersey for now, the partnership is planned as a multiyear effort. Newman is realistic. The cookies wont drive immediate sales. Instead, the company will look for social media mentions, PR buzz, and long-tail shifts in brand consideration. "This is classic top-of-the-funnel marketing," he tells Marketing Daily. "We just want to be on the radar when people are ready to buy." That might happen in a dorm room near Seton Hall University, where Zebra plans targeted placement. Or it might happen when someone tucks a fortune into their wallet. Either way, Zebra Pen hopes for a bit of magic -- and a little ink -- in every cookie. by Teresa Buyikian , April 2, 2025 Theres a whole lotta shaking at the top for two of the U.S.s largest QSR chains. Earlier this week, after two months as interim CEO, Lance Tucker was named permanent CEO of Jack in the Box, effectively immediately. Tucker took on the interim role after the company announced that former CEO Darin Harris was stepping down to take on a new position outside of the restaurant industry. Prior to his role as interim CEO, Tucker had served as CFO for the company since November. He also previously worked as the companys CFO from Mar. 2018 to Sep. 2020. Additionally, Tucker will serve on the companys board of directors, per the announcement. Lance brings decades of experience within the restaurant industry as well as a financial mind into the CEO role that is well-timed to match with the company's current priorities," said Dave Goebel, Jack in the Box chairman of the board, in the announcement. " advertisement advertisement Earlier in his QSR career, Tucker spent over nine years at Papa Johns, beginning as senior vice president of strategy and chief of staff, and later rising to the brands CFO position. Given Tuckers extensive experience with restaurant chains, he has the wherewithal to be a capable, smart chief executive, said restaurant analyst John Gordon on SiliconValley.com. But the jurys still out on how well he can execute given the keen competition, especially in California. San Diego-based Jack in the Box currently operates approximately 2,200 U.S. restaurants across 22 states. Meanwhile, also this week, P.F. Changs announced it had promoted Brad Hill to CEO. Hill had previously served as the companys COO officer and CFO since joining in 2017. Outgoing CEO Eduardo Luz will transition into an advisory role through the end of April, per the announcement. The Chinese food chain, which has approximately 300 restaurants in 22 countries, also appointed Corey Robertson as chief operating officer. Robertson joined the company over 18 years ago and previously served as regional vice president for the Eastern U.S. (Xinhua) -- By doubling down on tariffs under the pretext of "fairness," Washington is expected to roll out a swathe of so-called "reciprocal tariffs" against a number of countries on Wednesday, including its long-term allies and major trading partners. As the countries worldwide prepare to face the repercussions, one thing has become increasingly clearer: this U.S. administration under Donald Trump takes economic coercion simply as a winning strategy. Concessions can only embolden its appetite for bullying. To set the record straight, willful tariff escalation is in no way to fix global trade problems. The more alarming truth is that building up trade barriers has already become one of Washington's attempts to wield economic pains as a leverage for geopolitical gains. It is also an effort to enforce obedience abroad while shifting blames for domestic structural failures overseas. The recent developments can serve as a reminder. Only days after the Trump administration took office in late January, it vowed to slap 25 percent additional tariffs on Mexico, blaming the country for illegal immigration and drug trafficking. However, the reality is that Washington itself bears primary responsibility for its drug crisis, fueled mainly by lax regulations. Likewise, the issue of illegal immigration cannot be resolved through economic coercion but requires genuine bilateral negotiations. Facing the threat, Mexico reached some agreement with Washington and deployed troops reinforcement at the borders. The Latin American country, in order to comply with the U.S. demands, is even weighing tariffs on Chinese goods. Those efforts, however, all failed to prevent the punitive duties from taking effect. And Mexico is also reported to be among those who will be hit by the "reciprocal tariffs." The fact is that the Trump administration's tariff-centered trade policy is in line with America's long-running history of economic bullying. Just look at Japan and its "Lost Decade" after bowing to Washington's pressure and signing the Plaza Accord. More signals are coming out that the Trump administration is going to further intensify its use of tariffs as its go-to instrument for global arm-twisting. In recent days, Trump threatened to impose so-called secondary tariffs, which affect buyers of a country's goods, on both Russia and Iran, aiming to influence Ukraine-Russia negotiations and the Iran nuclear deal in his favor. The consequences are already clear. By blurring the lines between commerce and coercion, Washington is risking turning global trade into an arena ruled by the law of the jungle. The countries worldwide now face a stark choice: appease Washington's unreasonable demands or stand up for their own legitimate rights? Already, the cry for countermeasures is growing worldwide, from Europe to Asia and Latin America. Both recent and distant histories have shown that Washington is only interested in maintaining its global supremacy. To that end, it will resort to all sorts of means at the expense of the interests of whoever it perceives as obstacles. This is not the time to pray for change of mind from Washington, but to stand together for a collective response. The Army has identified the four soldiers who perished last week during a training exercise in Lithuania when their military vehicle became submerged in a deep swamp, triggering a complex and multinational recovery effort. The soldiers, all assigned to the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, were based at Fort Stewart, Georgia. They were identified as Staff Sgt. Jose Duenez Jr., 25, of Joliet, Illinois; Staff Sgt. Edvin F. Franco, 25, of Glendale, California; Pfc. Dante D. Taitano, 21, of Dededo, Guam; and Staff Sgt. Troy S. Knutson-Collins, 28, of Battle Creek, Michigan. "Although we are relieved to have found all our Dogface Soldiers, it does not make the pain of their loss any less," Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie, 3rd Infantry Division commander, said in a statement. "We will continue to care for and support the soldiers' families and loved ones as we bring them home and honor their memory." Read Next: Hegseth Has Ordered a Combat Standards Review. It's Unclear How It Might Apply to All the Services. Knutson-Collins, Duenez and Franco were all posthumously promoted to the rank of staff sergeant. Knutson-Collins was an artillery mechanic with more than seven years in the Army. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 41st Field Artillery Regiment. His awards include two Army Commendation Medals, an Army Achievement Medal and Master Technician Badge. The other three soldiers were all assigned to 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment. Duenez, a seasoned M1 Abrams tank mechanic, had served in the Army for more than seven years, and was previously stationed with the 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, Kansas. His commendations included two Army Commendation Medals and three Army Achievement Medals. Franco, also a tank mechanic, had completed more than six years of service and was the recipient of two Army Commendation Medals and two Army Achievement Medals. Taitano, the youngest of the three, had been in the service for nearly two years and was awarded an Army Commendation Medal. The soldiers were part of a broader deployment of roughly 3,500 members of the 3rd Infantry Division that arrived in Europe in January for a nine-month mission. Stationed across Poland and the Baltic states, their presence is intended to reinforce NATO's eastern flank amid heightened tensions following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The soldiers were in a 70-ton M88A2 Hercules, which is effectively a massive armored tow truck for tanks and other combat vehicles. It is believed the soldiers drove into a swamp where the vehicle quickly sank, though the investigation is ongoing as to what happened. The soldiers were on their way to recover another vehicle that had broken down during a training exercise. The recovery operation for the bodies and the M88 was an intricate and arduous weeklong process, enlisting the expertise of roughly 200 personnel from the U.S., Polish, Estonian and Lithuanian armed forces. The mission included the deployment of drones, search dogs, Navy divers and ground-penetrating radar. To stabilize the swampy terrain, crews brought in nearly 70 tons of sand and gravel, underscoring the logistical complexity of the undertaking. Related: The Top Killer of Soldiers, Army Vehicle Deaths Are Tied to Poor Training, Though Numbers Down The Air Force is rolling back policies that would allow pregnant aircrew members to fly early in their pregnancy and are adding higher scrutiny to those seeking waivers to stay in the skies. The latest update reverses changes that gave more leeway to pregnant aircrew to fly in the first trimester of their gestation. The guidance, made public by the Air Force Surgeon General's Office on Tuesday, said there is an increased risk of miscarriage within that first 12-week window. "This change reverts back to the 2019 policy and aligns the Air Force policy with the rest of the Department of Defense," the Air Force Surgeon General's Office said in a news release. "Once aware of a pregnancy, female aviators must report their change in medical status to their provider." Read Next: 4 US Soldiers Who Died in Lithuania Swamp When Their Vehicle Sank Are Identified The past policy changes were seen as a progressive update that gave pregnant aircrew members a choice in seeking a waiver, allowing them to continue to train and move forward in their jobs if they were pregnant and, notably, would also not harm their careers if they chose not to. Now, under the revised policies, no aircrew are allowed to fly in the early stages of pregnancy, and advocates are concerned that this new policy will create more harmful conditions for those in uniform. Additionally, under the revised policy, waivers will now have to be approved at the higher major command level instead of by an airman's flight surgeon at their installation. It also states that, even with a waiver, "pregnant aircrew cannot fly high-performance aircraft or aircraft with ejection seats at any time during pregnancy," citing a lack of definite medical findings on g-force impact. Retired Lt. Col. Jessica Ruttenber, an Air Force pilot who championed the flying while pregnant policy on the Women's Initiative Team, flew the KC-135 Stratotanker and C-21 during three pregnancies. She said the new changes are not taking a science-based approach to the regulations. "Quite frankly, I feel like we're going back 20-30 years," Ruttenber told Military.com in an interview Wednesday. "I think they're just responding to something that they perceive as [diversity-related], and it's not. It's about readiness." The latest change did increase the window in which approved aircrew members can fly, originally between 12 and 28 weeks of pregnancy, up to 32 weeks, stating the "four-week increase from the original policy is supported by medical data indicating that there is no significant risk increase." The 2019 policy, which Tuesday's announcement reverts back to in some areas, had started to expand the time pregnant aircrew could stay in the cockpit of certain aircraft and altered the level of waiver approvals. Under a 2022 policy clarification, the Air Force previously said that "all pregnant aircrew are authorized to apply for a waiver regardless of trimester, aircraft or flight profile," offering more possibilities. "Clarifying this policy is about enabling airmen to make an informed, personal decision, and providing support to both the member and the waiver authority," former Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. "C.Q." Brown said at that time. He was later fired as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the beginning of President Donald Trump's second term. The policy revisions had been seen as a major achievement of the Air Force Women's Initiative Team. It was one of many volunteer groups aimed at bettering the quality of life for airmen that were quickly shut down under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's tenure this year as part of his crusade against initiatives he deems related to diversity -- largely interpreted to mean those aimed at improving service for minorities, women and LGBTQ+ troops. Ruttenber said many women don't know they're pregnant in the first trimester. She also added that the new policy takes autonomy away from pilots and makes the waiver policy more difficult. It could also lead some women to not be forthcoming about their pregnancy if it means they will now be grounded. "This archaic policy is going to force women to hide their pregnancy in the first trimester where they could have gotten medical attention and, if they were high risk, could have found out sooner," she said. Related: Air Force Ditches Medical Waiver for Some Pregnant Airmen Who Want to Fly Longer The U.S. military wants to keep training at Pohakuloa, so it's ready to quickly send troops to Asia and the Pacific. BANGKOK Myanmar's ruling military declared a temporary ceasefire in the country's civil war Wednesday to facilitate relief efforts following a 7.7 magnitude earthquake that has killed more than 2,800 people. The announcement by the military's high command was reported late Wednesday on state television MRTV, which said the truce would run until April 22 and was aimed at showing compassion for people affected by Friday's quake. The announcement followed unilateral temporary ceasefires announced by armed resistance groups opposed to military rule. Those groups must refrain from attacking the state, or regrouping, or else the military will take "necessary" measures, the army's statement said. Earlier Wednesday, rescuers pulled two men alive from the ruins of a hotel in Myanmar's capital and a third from a guesthouse in another city, five days after the quake. But most teams were finding only bodies. The quake hit midday Friday, toppling thousands of buildings, collapsing bridges and buckling roads. The death toll rose to 2,886 Wednesday, with another 4,639 injured, according to state television MRTV. Local reports suggest much higher figures. The earthquake came amid civil war in Myanmar, making a dire humanitarian crisis even worse. More than 3 million people had been displaced from their homes and nearly 20 million were in need even before it hit, according to the United Nations. Two of the major armed resistance forces fighting the military, which seized power in 2021 from the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, had announced ceasefires to facilitate the humanitarian response to the earthquake, though the military initially did not relent in its attacks. Dramatic Rescue in Myanmar Capital In the capital, Naypyitaw, a team of Turkish and local rescue workers used an endoscopic camera to locate Naing Lin Tun on a lower floor of the damaged hotel where he worked. They pulled him gingerly through a hole jackhammered through a floor and loaded him on to a gurney nearly 108 hours after he was first trapped. Shirtless and covered in dust, he appeared weak but conscious in a video released by the local fire department, as he was fitted with an IV drip and taken away. State-run MRTV reported later in the day that another man was saved from the same building, more than 121 hours after the quake struck. Both were age 26. Another man was rescued by a team of Malaysian and local crews from a collapsed guesthouse in the Sagaing township, near the epicenter of the earthquake close to Myanmar's second-largest city, Mandalay. The earthquake also rocked neighboring Thailand, causing the collapse of a high-rise building under construction in Bangkok. One body was removed from the rubble early Wednesday, raising the death total in Bangkok to 22 with 35 injured, primarily at the construction site. Resistance Groups Have Announced Ceasefires The Three Brotherhood Alliance, one of a powerful group of militias that has taken a large swath of the country from the military, announced a unilateral one-month ceasefire on Tuesday to facilitate the humanitarian response. The shadow opposition National Unity Government founded by lawmakers ousted in 2021 had already called a ceasefire for its forces. The announcements had put pressure on the military government to follow suit. Claims of an Attack on a Chinese Red Cross Convoy Before Wednesday's ceasefire announcement, an opposition militia belonging to the Brotherhood Alliance reported that the military fired on a relief convoy of nine Chinese Red Cross vehicles late Tuesday in the northern part of Shan state near Ohn Ma Tee village. The Taang National Liberation Army said that the Chinese Red Cross was bringing supplies to Mandalay and had reported its route to the military. But Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun, spokesman for the military government, said that the convoy hadn't notified authorities of its route ahead of time, MRTV reported. While not mentioning the Red Cross, he said that security forces had fired into the air to deter a convoy that refused to stop near Ohn Ma Tee village, the site of recent fighting with the TNLA. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun didn't comment on the attack. Neighboring China is economically important to Myanmar, and also one of the military's largest suppliers of weapons, along with Russia. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said it was looking into the matter. More International Aid Heads to Myanmar Countries have pledged millions in assistance to help Myanmar and humanitarian aid organizations with the monumental task ahead. Australia on Wednesday said it was providing another $4.5 million, in addition to $1.25 million it had already committed, and had a rapid response team on the ground. India has flown in aid and sent two navy ships with supplies as well as providing around 200 rescue workers. Multiple other countries have sent teams, including 270 people from China, 212 from Russia and 122 from the United Arab Emirates. A three-person team from the U.S. Agency for International Development arrived Tuesday to determine how best to respond given limited U.S. resources due to the slashing of the foreign aid budget and dismantling of the agency as an independent operation. Washington has said it would provide $2 million in emergency assistance. Extent of Devastation Beyond Major Cities Is Still Unclear Most of the details so far have come from Mandalay, which was near the epicenter of the earthquake, and Naypyitaw, about 270 kilometers (165 miles) north of Mandalay. Many areas are without power, telephone or cellphone connections, and difficult to reach by road, but more reports are beginning to trickle in. In Singu township, about 65 kilometers (40 miles) north of Mandalay, 27 gold miners were killed in a cave-in, the independent Democratic Voice of Burma reported. In the area of Inle Lake, northeast of the capital, many people died when homes built on wooden stilts in the water collapsed in the earthquake, the Global New Light of Myanmar reported without providing specific figures. Matthew Lee in Washington, Jamey Keaten in Geneva and Jintamas Saksornchai in Bangkok contributed to this report. WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Naval Academy has removed nearly 400 books from its library after being told by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's office to review and get rid of ones that promote diversity, equity and inclusion, U.S. officials said Tuesday. Academy officials were told to review the library late last week, and an initial search had identified about 900 books for a closer look. They decided on nearly 400 to remove and began doing so Monday, finishing before Hegseth arrived for a visit Tuesday that had already been planned and was not connected to the library purge, officials said. A list of the books has not yet been made available. Pulling the books off the shelves is another step in the Trump administration's far-reaching effort to eliminate so-called DEI content from federal agencies, including policies, programs, online and social media postings and curriculum at schools. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said late Tuesday, "All service academies are fully committed to executing and implementing President Trump's Executive Orders." The Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, the Air Force Academy near Colorado Springs, Colorado, and the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York, had not been included in President Donald Trump's executive order in January that banned DEI instruction, programs or curriculum in kindergarten through 12th grade schools that receive federal funding. That is because the academies are colleges. Pentagon leaders, however, suddenly turned their attention to the Naval Academy last week when a media report noted that the school had not removed books that promoted DEI. A U.S. official said the academy was told late last week to conduct the review and removal. It isn't clear if the order was directed by Hegseth or someone else on his staff. A West Point official confirmed that the school had completed a review of its curriculum and was prepared to review library content if directed by the Army. The Air Force and Naval academies had also done curriculum reviews as had been required. An Air Force Academy official said the school continually reviews its curriculum, coursework and other materials to ensure it all complies with executive orders and Defense Department policies. Last week, Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind, the Air Force Academy superintendent, told Congress that the school was in the middle of its course review, but there was no mention of books. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss academy policies. Hegseth has aggressively pushed the department to erase DEI programs and online content, but the campaign has been met with questions from angry lawmakers, local leaders and citizens over the removal of military heroes and historic mentions from Defense Department websites and social media pages. In response, the department has scrambled to restore some of those posts as their removals have come to light. The confusion about how to interpret the DEI policy was underscored Monday as Naval Academy personnel mistakenly removed some photos of distinguished female Jewish graduates from a display case as they prepared for Hegseth's visit. The photos were put back. In a statement, the Navy said it is aware that photos were mistakenly removed from the Naval Academy Jewish Center. It said U.S. Naval Academy leadership was immediately taking steps to review and correct the unauthorized removal. Hegseth spoke with students and had lunch at the academy Tuesday, but the media were not invited or allowed to cover the visit. Zhu Anqing, spokesperson of the China Coast Guard's (CCG) East China Sea Bureau, says that on April 1, 2025, Coast Guard vessel formations conducted law-enforcement patrols in waters surrounding Taiwan Island, and carried out drills such as inspection and capture, interception and detention operations against unwarranted vessels. Photo: Screenshot from WeChat account of the CCG (Global Times) Starting on April 1, the PLA Eastern Theater Command organized its army, navy, air and rocket forces to close in on Taiwan island from multiple directions. The joint drills mainly focus on sea-air combat-readiness patrols, joint seizure of comprehensive superiority, assault on maritime and ground targets, and blockade of key areas and sea lanes to test the joint operation capabilities of the troops. Complementing the joint exercises, the PLA Eastern Theater Command's official WeChat account released a series of productions, while the China Coast Guard (CCG) also conducted law-enforcement patrols in waters around Taiwan island. "The more willful provocation, inviting greater strangulation." This combination of measures sends a strong warning to the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities led by Lai Ching-te: We will never tolerate or condone the secessionist forces advocating for "Taiwan independence." We must resolutely counter them and impose severe penalties. The PLA Eastern Theater Command's joint exercises encompass army, navy, air, and rocket forces, featuring multiple cutting-edge weapons with a high degree of combat realism and a strong operational focus. Senior Colonel Shi Yi, spokesperson for the theater command, explicitly stated that the drills serve as a "stern warning and forceful deterrent" against "Taiwan independence" secessionist forces, and are a "legitimate and necessary action" to safeguard China's sovereignty and national unity. A series of accompanying productions have also drawn significant attention: Theme posters "Closing In" and "Enveloping advance" vividly depict the multi-domain coordinated encirclement of Taiwan island by army, navy, air and rocket forces; the short video "Subdue Demons and Vanquish Evils" showcases the PLA's overwhelming military strength and its decisive resolve to crush secessionist forces; and an animation illustrates the PLA's six key strike capabilities crossing the Straits to put an end to the separatist theatrics of Lai, a "parasite" undermining Taiwan island. The ugly face and tragic fate of the "Taiwan independence" secessionist forces are evident. Observers have noted that the joint exercises did not carry a codename, which precisely indicates that the PLA has normalized its operations in the Taiwan Straits. From honing combat readiness and familiarizing troops with battlefield conditions to enhancing joint operational capabilities and testing weaponry, every PLA exercise serves to build strength and ensure that no battle is fought unprepared. Behind this "normalization" is an increasingly sophisticated PLA operational toolbox for operations in the Taiwan Straits, with more diverse and flexible tactics. As a force dedicated to deterring "Taiwan independence" separatists and safeguarding national unity, the PLA possesses an all-encompassing combat capability, ready to strike with precision and achieve victory in every battle. On the same day, a CCG fleet conducted patrols and law-enforcement operations around Taiwan island, tracing a "Huntianling" (Red Armillary Sash) route - an allusion to the mythological character Ne Zha. A poster incorporating elements from Ne Zha was released, along with a scenario explicitly designed to apprehend "Taiwan independence" secessionists attempting to flee, sending a strong deterrent signal to "Taiwan independence" secessionist forces. The powerful deterrent effect of the PLA and CCG operations, reinforced by a coordinated public opinion offensive, swiftly shattered the DPP authorities' psychological defense - exposing the hollowness of their claim to have "full control over the situation." This created a huge wave of unrest within the island and left "Taiwan independence" secessionist forces in a state of deep unease. With every step of movement toward "Taiwan independence," the PLA's anti-independence and containment actions will take a significant step forward. This was not only a display of strength but also a stern warning to Lai, a "parasite poisoning Taiwan island": No matter how rampant secessionist schemes become, they will never escape the judgment of justice. Since taking office, Lai has had a bad record. He has repeatedly promoted the fallacy that the two sides of the Taiwan Straits "are not subordinate to each other," and has recently escalated his rhetoric by introducing 17 strategies that intensify the "green terror," labeling the mainland as a "foreign hostile force." This has created a "green McCarthyism" that restricts cross-Straits exchanges while simultaneously ramping up military preparations, leading Taiwan further down the path of "seeking independence through military means." Lai is hijacking all residents of Taiwan onto the "Taiwan independence" bandwagon, pushing the island step by step toward a perilous situation, and becoming an unabashed troublemaker, danger creator, and war instigator. He is willing to sacrifice Taiwan's economic development and the well-being of its residents, and his actions represent a betrayal of the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation. The Eastern Theater Command's exercises and the CCG's law-enforcement operations carry profound significance. United Daily News in Taiwan promptly commented that the PLA's posters and animations suggest that "Taiwan independence" secessionists will inevitably lead to self-destruction, jeopardizing Taiwan's democracy and prosperity. Even as "Taiwan independence" secessionists clamor incessantly, the strong desire and concrete actions for cross-Straits people-to-people exchanges have never ceased. Furthermore, 75 scholars from the island issued a joint statement, harshly criticizing the Lai authorities as "the greatest destroyer of Taiwan's democracy and rule of law, and a potential threat to Taiwan's peace and security." Once again, rational voices from within the island prove that "Taiwan independence" lacks public support; peace is the true will of the people. When mighty staff of Wu Kong is brandished, dust in jade-like firmament is vanquished. The exercises of the PLA Eastern Theater Command and the law-enforcement actions of the CCG once again proclaim that the will of the Chinese government and the Chinese people to maintain national sovereignty and territorial integrity is as solid as a rock, and their capabilities are unbreakable. If the Lai authorities continue to recklessly sprint down the path of "Taiwan independence," they will only push Taiwan toward the abyss of disaster. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the implementation of the Anti-Secession Law. We advise "Taiwan independence" advocates to recognize reality as soon as possible and not to wait until the day of reckoning arrives, only to regret their actions. The wheels of history roll forward relentlessly; on the journey of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, any secessionist forces will ultimately be crushed to dust. DUBAI, United Arab Emirates Suspected U.S. airstrikes battered rebel-controlled areas of Yemen into Wednesday, with the Houthis saying the attacks killed at least six people across the country. Meanwhile, satellite images taken Wednesday and analyzed by The Associated Press show at least six stealth B-2 Spirit bombers now stationed at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean a highly unusual deployment amid the Yemen campaign and tensions with Iran. The intense campaign of airstrikes in Yemen under U.S. President Donald Trump, targeting the rebels over their attacks on shipping in Mideast waters stemming from the Israel-Hamas war, has killed at least 67 people, according to casualty figures released by the Houthis. The campaign showed no signs of stopping as the Trump administration again linked its airstrikes on the Iranian-backed Houthis to an effort to pressure Iran over its rapidly advancing nuclear program. While so far giving no specifics about the campaign and its targets, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt put the overall number of strikes on Tuesday at more than 200. Iran is incredibly weakened as a result of these attacks, and we have seen they have taken out Houthi leaders, Leavitt said. Theyve taken out critical members who were launching strikes on naval ships and on commercial vessels and this operation will not stop until the freedom of navigation in this region is restored. The Houthis haven't acknowledged the loss of any of its leadership so far and the U.S. hasn't identified any official by name. However, messages released by the leak of a Signal conversation between Trump administration officials and their public comments suggest a leader in the rebels' missile forces had been targeted. Fatal Strike Reportedly Targets Hodeida A likely U.S. airstrike targeted what the Houthis described as a water project in Hodeida governorate's Mansuriyah District, killing four people and wounding others. Other strikes into Wednesday targeted Hajjah, Saada and Sanaa governorates, the rebels said. Into Wednesday night, the Houthis said some 17 strikes hit Saada, with a person being killed in a strike at Ras Isa port in Hodeida and another at a telecommunication site on Jebel Namah mountain in Ibb governorate. The rebels say they've continued to launch attacks against U.S. warships in the Red Sea, namely the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman, which is carrying out the majority of the strikes on the Houthis. No warship has been struck yet, but the U.S. Navy has described the Houthi fire as the most intense combat its sailors have faced since World War II. The aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson, now in Asia, is on its way to the Middle East to back up the Truman. Early Wednesday, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said that additional squadrons and other air assets" would be deployed to the region, without elaborating. More than 300 airmen and several A-10 Thunderbolt IIs have deployed into the Middle East as well to support the mission from the Idaho Air National Guard. The troops, from Idaho's 124th Fighter Wing out of Boise, fly the aircraft known as the Warthog. The U.S. military's Central Command, which oversees Mideast operations, posted an image Wednesday of two A-10s flying in the region. More B-2s Seen at Diego Garcia Satellite photos taken Wednesday by Planet Labs PBC and analyzed by the AP showed at least six nuclear-capable B-2 bombers deployed to Camp Thunder Bay on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. The deployment represents nearly a third of all the B-2 bombers in Washington's arsenal. It's highly unusual to see that many at one base abroad. Typically, so-called show of force missions involving the B-2 have seen two or three of the aircraft conduct operations in foreign territory. The B-2, which first saw action in 1999 in the Kosovo War, is rarely used by the U.S. military in combat, because each aircraft is worth around $1 billion. It has dropped bombs in Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya as well. The bombers are based at Whiteman Air Base in Missouri and typically conduct long-range strikes from there. The U.S. has used the B-2 in Yemen last year to attack underground Houthi bases. The B-2 likely would need to be used if Washington ever tried to target Iran's underground nuclear sites as well. The Houthis on Tuesday said that they shot down another American MQ-9 drone over the country. Intense US Bombings Began on March 15 An AP review has found the new American operation against the Houthis under Trump appears more extensive than those under former U.S. President Joe Biden, as Washington moves from solely targeting launch sites to firing at ranking personnel and dropping bombs on cities. The new campaign of airstrikes started after the rebels threatened to begin targeting Israeli ships again over Israel blocking aid entering the Gaza Strip. The rebels have loosely defined what constitutes an Israeli ship, meaning many vessels could be targeted. The Houthis targeted more than 100 merchant vessels with missiles and drones, sinking two of them and killing four sailors from November 2023 until January of this year. They also launched attacks targeting American warships without success. The attacks greatly raised the profile of the Houthis, who faced economic problems and launched a crackdown targeting dissent and aid workers in Yemen amid a decadelong stalemated war that has torn apart the Arab worlds poorest nation. Beloved actor Val Kilmer wasn't a veteran, but he was part of one of the most unintentionally successful U.S. military recruiting programs ever made: "Top Gun." Let's be real: Most of the people who joined the U.S. armed forces wanting to be Tom Cruise's Maverick actually became Val Kilmer's Iceman. And there's nothing wrong with that: He cares about safety, wants to bring all his men home and is every bit as good a pilot as Maverick -- and unlike Maverick, Iceman actually got promoted. Reprising Iceman was a role that incorporated Kilmer's real-life throat cancer, a condition he was diagnosed with in 2014. He recovered, but lost much of his voice in the process. His death in Los Angeles on April 1, 2025, was caused by pneumonia, according to his daughter. He was 65 years old. A brief cameo in 2022s 'Top Gun: Maverick' would be the last time Val Kilmer appeared on screen. (Paramount Pictures) Kilmer was born in Los Angeles on Dec. 31, 1959. He attended Chatsworth High School in L.A.'s San Fernando Valley, but soon went to Julliard, where he was then the youngest person ever accepted to the drama division. From there, he would go on to a movie career that made film critic Roger Ebert call him "the most unsung leading man of his generation." Kilmer first appeared on the silver screen in the 1984 spoof comedy "Top Secret!" as a rock star-type who accidentally gets involved in a conspiracy to reunify Germany. But his first big-budget role came in 1986 when "Top Gun" director Tony Scott cast him as Tom "Iceman" Kazansky, foil to Cruise's Pete "Maverick" Mitchell. Kilmer followed his "Top Gun" success with 1988's "Willow" and 1992's "Thunderheart." He reunited with Tony Scott for Quentin Tarantino's "True Romance" in 1993. He played the ever-quotable Doc Holliday in 1993's "Tombstone" so well that it sparked co-star Michael Biehn to declare: "People ask me what it's like to work with Val Kilmer. I don't know. Never met him. Never shook his hand. I know Doc Holliday, but I don't know [Kilmer]." Val Kilmer really was in his prime in 1993's 'Tombstone.' (Warner Bros. Discovery) In 1995, Kilmer became one more actor to portray Bruce Wayne and Batman on the big screen. Although "Batman Forever" was met with mixed reviews by critics, "Batman" creator Bob Kane told Cinescape that Kilmer's Batman was the best (as of 1995). Kilmer went on to co-star in Michael Mann's "Heat" that same year, a role that accidentally produced his greatest contribution to the U.S. military after his role as Iceman in the form of the film's ultra-realistic fire and movement sequence. Indeed, the sequence where Kilmer's character runs out of bullets during the movie's legendary gunfight scene and is forced to swap magazines was regularly shown to Marine Corps recruits on how to do so well under pressure. That's the level of detail you get from a guy who learned to sing like Jim Morrison so well, even The Doors couldn't tell it was actually Val Kilmer singing. In 2021, directors Leo Scott and Ting Poo released the documentary film "Val" about Kilmer's career and battle with throat cancer, using footage shot by the actor over the course of his life and Hollywood career. It is currently one of Kilmer's highest-rated movies ever, and probably the best way to remember one of the most memorable, bankable stars of his day. "I never had a business plan," the actor once said. "I did, actually. I'm lying. My business plan was to get lucky, and I did; that was great. And then my second business plan was to get lucky again, and there, I faltered." Related: 7 Surprising Things We Learned About Top Gun from Val Kilmers Documentary Keep Up With the Best in Military Entertainment Whether you're looking for news and entertainment, thinking of joining the military or keeping up with military life and benefits, Military.com has you covered. Subscribe to the Military.com newsletter to have military news, updates and resources delivered straight to your inbox. The Rays made some notable trades and signings this offseason but so much focus was on the stadium drama, as hurricanes blew in and threw the entire trajectory of the franchise off course. Major League Signings 2025 spending: $21.5MM Total spending: $37.5MM Option Decisions Team exercised $10.5MM club option on 2B Brandon Lowe Trades and Claims Notable Minor League Signings Extensions Notable Losses The Rays played their final game of the 2024 season on September 29. A 3-1 loss to the Red Sox sealed a losing record of 80-82. It was a relative disappointment, the club's first time under .500 since 2017. In typical Rays fashion, they made the most of it. At the deadline, they traded away some players who were getting more expensive and closer to free agency, such as Zach Eflin, Randy Arozarena, Isaac Paredes and Jason Adam. Going into the winter, there was some decent stuff in place for the future. The long-term payroll was fairly clean and the farm system was in healthy shape. The big league roster seemed to be in decent position to bounce back in 2025, thanks in large part to the return of several pitchers who were injured in 2024. The club also had a deal in place with local government agencies to fund a new stadium. The plan was to play at Tropicana Field through 2027, with the Trop to be knocked down and replaced by a new ballpark/commercial real estate complex by 2028. But barely a week later, the whole stadium situation plan was altered. In late September and early October, Hurricanes Helene and Milton both passed through the Tampa/St. Petersburg area. The Trop sustained significant damage, particularly from Milton on October 9. Most notably, the roof was essentially gone. This was a big problem because the Trop had no drainage system in place, making it suddenly unusable. At that time, it wasn't known exactly what would happen next. But in the following months, the club's short-term and long-term stadium plans would be shifted dramatically. They are going to play their 2025 homes games in a minor league park. They could be back in the Trop next year, but that's not clear. The deal for the new stadium is now dead and relocation talk has retaken a seat at the table. MISS MANNERS by Judith Martin, Nicholas Ivor Martin and Jacobina Martin DEAR MISS MANNERS: Im a cashier in a grocery store, and were required to wear a name tag with our first name printed boldly. It feels creepy when customers, often the male ones, address me by saying my name in a domineering way. Ive tried taking a deep breath to resist the urge to say something insulting, but I really wish I knew how to respond. I resent being spoken to by a stranger this way, especially when Im trying to be of service. Any suggestions for me? GENTLE READER: Address your supervisor. That is, mention the problem while offering a solution: workplace pseudonyms. Miss Manners can imagine your having fun with this. Cashie the Cashier, perhaps? After all, the real purpose of name tags in commercial situations (as opposed to your school reunion, when faced with your inexplicably aged classmates) is for the rare case when the customer needs to identify you: In the aisle, Ryan told me this was on sale, but now Lila tells me you have to buy three cases to get the discount. Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, gentlereader@missmanners.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106. Petoskey State Park and other Michigan state parks are closed after a severe ice storm has caused trees and power lines to fall and park facilities to lose power. (DNR) DNR Across Northern Michigans state parks trees are covered in heavy ice, roadways are covered in wind-blown debris and electrical powerlines are still down after a severe ice storm barreled through this weekend. In response to Gov. Gretchen Whitmers state of emergency, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is closing state parks, trails and facilities as they assess the storm damage. Here are the areas that are currently closed: Aloha, Burt Lake and Cheboygan state parks (Cheboygan County). Clear Lake State Park (Montmorency County). DNR Customer Service Center in Gaylord (Otsego County). Fishermans Island and Young state parks (Charlevoix County). Hartwick Pines State Park and Visitor Center (Crawford County). Negwegon State Park (Alcona and Alpena counties). Onaway, Thompsons Harbor and P.H. Hoeft state parks (Presque Isle County). Oden State Fish Hatchery and Visitor Center (Emmet County). Otsego Lake State Park (Otsego County). Rockport Recreation Area (Alpena and Presque Isle counties). Wilderness and Petoskey state parks (Emmet County). RELATED: Why this Northern Michigan ice storm damage is so tough to fix The DNR warned that many trails near these state parks and in affected counties are also closed due to hazardous obstacles. Hikers and bikers are also advised to avoid state forest lands as trees are still snapping and falling. As DNR trail assessments take place, closure signs and blockades will be placed in areas that are determined unsafe. In the meantime, trail users are asked to used extreme caution when using trails. The trails could be dangerous especially for motorized trail users who come up on unsafe trail conditions quickly, said Scott Slavin, Northwest Lower Peninsula trails specialist for the DNR Parks and Recreation Division. We urge off-road vehicle riders to slow down, take corners with extra caution, watch for potential hazards and stay on designated trails. The DNR is contacting camping reservation holders in affected areas of the northern Lower Peninsula to cancel existing reservations. Upper Peninsula reservation holders traveling from the Lower Peninsula are strongly encouraged to cancel for a full refund. Please call the reserved park with questions. RELATED: Destructive spring ice storm debilitates Northern Michigan, see videos In Grayling, Hartwick Pines State Park Interpreter Craig Kasmer documented thick ice coating trees around the parks roads and visitor center. (Photo Courtesy of Craig Kasmer | DNR) Photo Courtesy of Craig Kasmer | DNR In Grayling, Hartwick Pines State Park Interpreter Craig Kasmer documented thick ice coating trees around the parks visitor center. In a video the loud, snapping of branches could be heard echoing in the distance making gunshot-like cracks. Over the weekend, the park posted that the road to the visitors center was impassable and the building had lost power. On Tuesday, the park updated that the center was unscathed by the damage. However, conditions were not safe to travel on the Old Growth Trail or the Logging Museum so the potential damage there is unknown. In Grayling, Hartwick Pines State Park Interpreter Craig Kasmer documented thick ice coating trees around the parks roads and visitor center. (Photo Courtesy of Craig Kasmer | DNR) Photo Courtesy of Craig Kasmer | DNR RELATED: Ice and wind storms leave downed, broken trees across Michigan; hold off on removal Trail assessments and cleanup efforts are a collaborative effort between the DNR and the many volunteers who maintain these trails on a regular basis. Trail users can report significant obstructions or erosion to Jessica Roehrs at 517-331-3790 or HolleyRoehrsJ@Michigan.gov. RELATED: Catastrophic damage: Thousands of miles of powerlines smothered in ice after Northern Michigan storm Kid Rock in the Oval Office on Monday, March 31, 2025 with President Trump. Rock says he believes the President's tariffs on auto imports will be good for U.S. car makers. Pool photo via the AP Kid Rock is weighing in on President Trumps Liberation Day," where the President is expected to announce reciprocal tariffs on numerous countries around 4:00 p.m. ET today. Rock, who is from Metro Detroit, home of the Big 3 U.S. auto makers, speaking on the Fox Business Network, says the tariffs are great news for Detroit in my opinion. I think we should be making more of these cars in Detroit. We design them in Detroit, and then the engines, theyre assembled in Canada or Mexico. I think its great for our autoworkers, for everybody. And now the President is talking about giving people a tax break if they buy a car thats actually built in America. This is great news for Detroit. The tariffs could increase the cost of buying a new car in the U.S. by thousands and even tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the make and model. The President says the goals of the new tariffs are to boost U.S. manufacturing and punish other countries for what he has said are years of unfair trade practices. April 2, 2025, will go down as one of the most important days in modern American history, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said, adding that the new tariffs will take effect immediately." Details of the tariffs are expected to be fully revealed when President Trump announces them later today. Many economists believe the tariffs will increase prices on a number goods purchased by Americans, threatening to hurt the U.S. economy and our alliances with other countries. Dinas Kamaitis, 31, of New Baltimore, was arraigned in the 37th District Court in Warren on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. MLive file photo LANSING MI A Michigan man is accused of selling counterfeit car parts in Michigan, posing serious safety risk to the owners of an estimated 81,000 vehicles. Dinas Kamaitis, 31, of New Baltimore, was arraigned in the 37th District Court in Warren on Tuesday following an investigating by the attorney generals Auto Fraud Task Force. Kamaitis is charged with multiple felonies including four counts of delivery/possession of property with counterfeit identifying marks, four counts of selling counterfeit supplemental restraint systems and using a computer to commit a crime. Officials say the vehicles may be equipped with counterfeit restraint systems, including airbags, on his eBay store. More than $600,000 has been seized from bank accounts associated with Kamaitis, officials said. About 80 percent of counterfeit airbags involved in collisions fail to deploy properly, posing a severe risk of injury or death to vehicle occupants. Counterfeit parts are a serious public safety hazard on our roads, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said. My newly expanded Auto Fraud Task Force is committed to holding accountable those who put Michiganders at risk, and I am confident that our continued partnership with the Michigan State Police will strengthen our efforts to combat this threat and keep drivers safe. Kamiatis will next appear in court at 9:30 a.m. on April 10. Governor Gretchen Whitmer deployed the Michigan National Guard to assist ice storm recovery efforts in northern Michigan. Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com Governor Gretchen Whitmer deployed the Michigan National Guard to assist ice storm recovery efforts in northern Michigan. The Michigan National Guard deployed two teams will special equipment to help clear roadways and other areas that have been overcome by debris, according to a news release from the governors office. A suspect has been arrested for vandalizing nearly 100-year old stained glass windows at Meadow Brook Hall in Rochester Hills causing $35k in damage. (Photo by Tanya Moutzalias | MLive) ROCHESTER HILLS, MI - An anonymous tip has lead to the arrest of a suspected vandal who allegedly caused tens of thousands of dollars in damage to one of Michigans most historic mansions. The suspect was arraigned in Rochester Hills District Court this week, accused of damaging two of the historic stained glass windows at Meadow Brook Hall sometime overnight on Monday, February 3. Those windows were installed when the home was originally built in 1929. This act of vandalism has been a very upsetting situation for all of us, said Bill Matt, executive director of Meadow Brook Hall. We are greatly appreciative of the Oakland University Police Department for their excellent work in apprehending the responsible party. RELATED: Meadow Brook launches fundraiser for $35k restoration of smashed stained glass window The cost to replace the windows has been estimated at $35,000. It will be paid for from donations from the mansions 1929 Giving Club and a recently approved grant to help with window restoration costs. It was a powerful answer to an act of senseless violence. The hope is to have the windows placed back where they belong at the estate later this year. Meadow Brook Hall, located at 350 Estate Drive on the campus of Oakland University, was built between 1926 and 1929 by Matilda Dodge Wilson, widow of auto pioneer John Dodge, and her second husband, Alfred Wilson. The home is 88,000 square feet and has 110 rooms. Situated on 1,400 acres, Meadow Brook Hall is the fourth largest historic house museum in the nation. Meadow Brook Hall ranked No. 2 on USA Todays Best Holiday Historic Home Tour list for 2024. Michigan doctors and health officials answer questions about the measles vaccine as Michigan reports its second confirmed case this year. Nick Dentamaro | MLive.com Michigan has had two confirmed measles infections in 2025, the latest reported Wednesday, April 1, in Kent County. Nationally, the U.S. has identified more than 483 cases across 20 states -- a 70% increase from the total cases documented in all of 2024, and the highest total since 2019. Measles is known for being highly contagious, with its ability to live up to two hours in an airspace after an infected person leaves the area. Without immunity, the likelihood of being infected after exposure to the virus is about 90%, according to state and federal health officials. RELATED: When and where Michiganders may have been exposed to measles Doctors warn that measles is more than just a rash. About 14% of recorded cases this year have required hospitalization, including 40 children younger than 5. There has been one confirmed U.S. measles death, and a second under investigation. Below are some measles questions recently fielded by MLive and Michigan health officials, along with related answers from doctors, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS): Do adults need booster shots for measles? Most people who received both doses of the existing live attenuated measles vaccine (MMR- measles, mumps, and rubella) will have lifelong immunity and wont need a booster shot, said Dr. Rosey Olivero, a pediatric infectious disease physician at Corewell Health Helen DeVos Childrens Hospital. One exception is for health care workers and those who are immune-compromised. Those populations may need their antibody levels measured to determine if an additional shot is warranted. Another exception is for older people who received the previous, inactivated measles vaccine between 1963 and 1967. That shot was determined to be less effective and was replaced by todays attenuated vaccine. If you got a measles shot during that period in the 60s, your doctor may recommend at least one dose of the modern MMR vaccine. If you had measles as a kid, do you need to be vaccinated as an adult? No, like the vaccine, a previous measles infection induces lifelong immunity, explained Dr. Russ Lampen, an infectious disease physician at Corewell Health. Should I get my child vaccinated earlier than the recommended 12 months? The MMR vaccine is recommended for children 12 months to 15 months, with a follow-up dose between ages 4 and 6 years old. Dr. Olivero said there are a few circumstances in which a child should get vaccinated under an accelerated schedule. One such case is if the child will become immune-suppressed. That may be due to cancer, undergoing chemotherapy, starting an immune-suppressant medication, expecting a transplant, or anticipating use of high-dose steroids for conditions like asthma. Another exception would be if a child at least 6 months, but younger than 1 year, plans to travel internationally. Children can get an early dose of MMR vaccine between 6 months and 12 months, but theyll still need two doses once they reach appropriate age to be considered fully vaccinated. Thats because infants younger than 1 year old have high levels of maternal antibodies in their bloodstream, doctors said. Because the MMR vaccine is a weakened live virus, it can be neutralized by those antibodies, reducing long-term effectiveness. The state health department said parents should talk to their health care provider if they have questions about whether their child should get vaccinated before 6 months of age. Is measles preventable? The medical community calls the MMR vaccine the best way to prevent measles. The vaccine was developed in 1971, and improved in 2005 when the varicella vaccine was added to create the MMRV vaccine. Two doses of MMR vaccine is considered 97% effective at preventing measles, while one dose is about 93% effective, according to the CDC. The community goal for herd immunity is 95% vaccination uptake. As of December 2024, only 80.4% of Michigan children age 19 months to 35 months had received at least one dose of MMR vaccine, which trailed the national average (93.4%). Can you get measles if youre fully vaccinated? While its unlikely, it is possible to be infected with measles despite being fully vaccinated. However, doctors from Helen DeVos Childrens Hospital said theyre very unlikely to become ill from the infection. Of the 483 confirmed measles cases in the U.S. this year, 97% were unvaccinated or unknown vaccination status. For more vaccine information, visit Michigans webpage on immunization information, or visit ivaccinate.org, a resource founded by Veronica Valentine McNally, who advocates for vaccination after her daughter died of pertussis in 2012. Filmmaker and Ann Arbor native Ken Burns takes questions from the audience following a talk at the Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor in February 1996. William Jordan | Ann Arbor News archives courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org ANN ARBOR, MI Famous documentary filmmaker Ken Burns is weighing in on the debate over densifying his hometown, urging the city to take a moderate approach. The 71-year-old Ann Arbor native, who grew up in a modest house at 1101 Wellington Court in the Burns Park neighborhood in the 1960s, wrote a letter read by a Burns Park resident at the city Planning Commission meeting Tuesday night, April 1. Tony Pinnell said he reached out to Burns and asked how he might feel if his old street was bulldozed to make way for higher-density development. 4 stories or 3? Debate continues over densifying Ann Arbor neighborhoods Burns provided his written response on Monday, March 31, Pinnell said. Word has reached me that the Planning Commission in Ann Arbor has prepared a draft comprehensive land-use plan that many residents fear will alter the citys college town landscape too radically, Pinnell said reading Burns letter aloud. Ive read that while smart, high-density development is welcome at many locations, the plans broad-stroke approach exposes much of old Ann Arbor to tear down and high-rise building catering only to wealthy buyers and high-end renters. While theres no specific development proposal targeted at Wellington Court or the 1920 home where Burns grew up, the city is considering a new citywide plan to allow multi-family housing buildings up to four stories tall in all neighborhoods where only single-family homes or duplexes have been allowed. Even taller buildings could be allowed along some corridors. See how Ann Arbors downtown boundaries could expand under new plan Ken Burns in 1967 when he penned a "Youth Soapbox" guest opinion piece for The Ann Arbor News about issues at Tappan Junior High School. Eck Stanger | Ann Arbor News archives courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org Burns recalled growing up in a small house that still stands at the end of a court off Cambridge Road and attending Burns Park Elementary School, Tappan Junior High School and Pioneer High School, graduating in 1971. I walked down Minerva Road, Olivia and South Forest every day, his letter continued, saying it delights him that school children at Burns Park who perhaps watched some of his work may pass his old house and may be inspired. Creativity is born from knowing and curating our past while exploring and embracing the future, the letter continued. Ann Arbor has traditionally enjoyed a strong sense of the past mixed with innovative, cutting-edge thinking. Burns said his hope is the town can find a healthy, productive balance to modernize intelligently, but also retain, nourish and rejuvenate its storied history and architecture. That moderation and balance will keep your sense of place strong, the letter concluded. Historic districts will stay despite Ann Arbor housing push, planners say Part of the comprehensive land-use plan presentation to the Ann Arbor Planning Commission on Jan. 23, 2025. City of Ann Arbor The next speaker in a long line of residents who shared thoughts with the commission Tuesday night drew laughs when he said he didnt think he was going to have to follow Ken Burns. Residents shared a mix of views for and against the plan thats ultimately expected to go to City Council in November. No final decisions were made Tuesday night, though city leaders have made it clear they aim to address a housing shortage they say is contributing to high housing prices and they hope to see tens of thousands of new housing units. 10 highlights as Ann Arbor discusses evolving vision for a denser future City Council Member Dharma Akmon, D-4th Ward, issued a statement in response to Burns letter, noting he no longer lives in Ann Arbor. Its ironic that someone who built a career documenting the American story wants to stop Ann Arbor from writing its next chapter, she said. Nostalgia is powerful, but its not a housing policy. While Burns left Ann Arbor on his own terms, thousands of working families, students and seniors dont have that luxury and theyre being pushed out by a housing crisis the city has the power and responsibility to address, Akmon said. Burns, who is known for acclaimed documentaries such as The Civil War, Baseball, Jazz and The Vietnam War, spoke with the Ann Arbor District Library about growing up in Ann Arbor in an interview in March 2024. Listen to it here. Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Ann Arbor daily newsletter. Members of the Michigan Legislative Black Caucus are condemning the University of Michigans recent cuts to its DEI programs, according to a statement sent on Tuesday, April 1. Jacob Hamilton/MLive.com LANSING, MI - Members of the Michigan Legislative Black Caucus are condemning the University of Michigans recent cuts to its DEI programs, according to a statement sent Tuesday, April 1. State Rep. Amos ONeal, D-Saginaw, chair of the caucus, describes the universitys decision as a disheartening situation, and went on to criticize the Trump administration, which, he said, is working its hardest to whitewash institutions, culture and history. As chair of the Michigan Legislative Black Caucus, I know how serious these decisions are; the impact will have major consequences on our society in the coming decades, he said. Last week, the University of Michigan announced the closure of its Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Office for Health Equity and Inclusion and the end of its DEI 2.0 Strategic Plan. Read more: What we know so far about the University of Michigan axing DEI initiatives This comes amid threats from President Donald Trumps administration to cut federal funding over DEI programs at colleges and universities across the country. Trump contends such programs amount to illegal discrimination. Read more: University of Michigan curbs DEI initiatives amid Trump threats Other members of the Michigan Legislative Black Caucus also spoke out, including State Senator Sarah Anthony, D-Lansing, who serves as first vice chairperson. To say I am disappointed in the University of Michigan for this decision would be an understatement, she said. As a public institution, the University of Michigan benefits from millions in state dollars, and the decision to close its DEI office is a slap in the face to the taxpayers who help support university operations and the values we work so hard to promote here in our state, she continued. UM has a long history of promoting diversity on campus. While its efforts go back many years, it was in 2016 when UM made a visible commitment with the rollout of a DEI strategic plan to hold itself accountable to its stated goals. Read more: University of Michigan decision to curb DEI is sharp turn after decade of work Since last week, students and faculty have been speaking out and criticizing the universitys decision as it becomes one of many other institutions across the country to axe DEI programs. Read more: Completely caved: University of Michigan DEI purge draws fire State Rep. Jimmie Wilson Jr., D-Ypsilanti, serves as secretary for the caucus. He believes people should be celebrating diversity and bringing equity to institutions at this time. From dissolving the Department of Education to the uptick on squashing dissenting voices, now to this with DEI offices its too much and its not right, he said. This perpetual hate tears people and progress down. State Rep. Donavan McKinney, D-Detroit, said UMs decision is not just disappointing but harmful for many students who rely on DEI-supported resources. This move directly impacts underrepresented students who bank on these initiatives, making higher education less accessible and equitable, he said. It is unclear how many jobs will be impacted with the recent decision, but officials said UM plans to shift its resources to increase investments in student-facing programs, like financial aid, mental health resources and pre-professional counseling in the coming months. Other state representatives like Tonya Myers Philips, D-Detroit, said this decision isnt just a policy shift for UM, but is a direct blow to students who rely on DEI efforts. Students are the ones paying the price for this decision. Scholarships are disappearing, support programs are being dismantled, and resources that helped many navigate college are gone. As a University of Michigan alum, Im heartbroken and disappointed, she said. If you would like more reporting like this delivered free to your inbox, click here and signup for our weekly newsletter: Michigan Schools. Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Ann Arbor daily newsletter. Students walk towards McKenny Hall with the Ypsilanti Water Tower visible in the background on Eastern Michigan Universitys campus in Ypsilanti on Monday, Sept. 12, 2022. Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com YPSILANTI, MI A 16-year-old student has been removed from a program affiliated with Eastern Michigan University amid allegations of sexual assault. Five reports of possible criminal sexual conduct were reported to the universitys police department Friday, March 28, confirmed Melissa Thrasher, spokesperson for the university. The reports indicated the assaults had taken place on Oakwood Street between Sept. 1, 2024, and March 24, 2025. 7 1 / 7 Celebrity Chef Andre Rush discusses journey from the military to the White House FLINT, MI Chef Andre Rushs skills in the kitchen have taken him all the way to the White House where he has cooked under the nations past four presidential administrations. I still honestly go over right now for Making America Healthy Again (MAHA), which is something that is a near and dear passion to my heart, just like being here with Mott College with the kids, he said. Rush is bringing his culinary experience to Michigan this week for Mott Community College Culinary Arts Institutes Distinguished Chef Series. The upcoming series, Hands that Feed the Future: Celebrating the Next Generation of Chef with Chef Andre Rush, will take place in downtown Flint on Wednesday, April 2, and Thursday, April 3. The two-day series will consist of various dining experiences and cooking demonstrations. Related: Celebrity chef brings muscle, flavor to Michigan for two days of dining and cooking demos Regardless of what hes serving at the White House on a given day, Rush said he makes every meal his favorite one. Everybodys different, so I got to put my best foot forward anytime I put down a meal, he said. Rushs mother introduced him to the culinary arts when he was a young boy growing up in southern Mississippi, and he continued to pursue his passion for cooking after enlisting in the U.S. Army. I always loved cooking, Rush said. I did do cooking in the Army for a very long time. I kind of double dipped with being a cook in the military, and then I went off to do other things. In addition to his cooking, the award-winning Olympic chef has found fame through a photo showcasing his 24-inch biceps that went viral on social media. Rush uses his platform to advocate for mental health, fitness, and military service. He is also a best-selling author and motivational speaker. I go to all the fitness expos, Rush said. I train with them, and I teach them the values of healthy move, healthy food, healthy lifestyle, healthy living. In addition to preparing meals, he does a fair share of eating himself, consuming anywhere from 2,000 to 6,000 calories a day to keep up with his large, muscular frame. I do eat all the time, Rush said. Im an endurance trainer, so I burn it off very fast. Im in the air all the time, Im working all the time. But food is my passion, also, my love language. Want more Flint-area news? Bookmark the local Flint news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Flint daily newsletter. Grand Valley State University (GVSU) has returned to 2020 Title IX regulations enacted during President Donald Trump's first administration. Key changes include a requirement that GVSU holds live hearings with cross examination. Joel Bissell | MLive.com GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Grand Valley State University has updated its Title IX policy, which protects against sex-based discrimination in education programs, after new directives from the U.S. Department of Education. In February, the federal Department of Educations Office for Civil Rights issued a letter announcing it would revert back to enforcing 2020 Title IX regulations, which were created during President Donald Trumps first administration, rather than more recent 2024 guidance from former President Joe Bidens administration. In response, GVSU rescinded an interim policy from 2024, crafted in response to Biden administration guidance, and replaced it with an updated 2025 policy. In a statement, the university said its committed to its shared values and shared equity leadership, and will continue to provide updates and resources as they become available. Bidens 2024 Title IX guidelines, which were finalized in April of that year, expanded the 1972 law, which forbids discrimination based on sex in education. It was updated to also prevent discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation, and strengthened protections for LGBTQ+ students. The updates also widened the definition of harassment. The change was challenged in several states and by hundreds of colleges before ultimately being struck down by a federal judge in Kentucky in January 2025. U.S. District Judge Danny C. Reeves ruled the expansion of Title IX was an overstep of authority, and an attempt to bypass the legislative process and completely transform Title IX. Reeves also found the change violated free-speech rights by requiring teachers to use pronouns aligning with a students gender identity. Previous widespread challenges and limits to implementing the Biden administrations Title IX updates in 26 states meant that not all universities updated their policies. That included both Michigan State University (MSU) and the University of Michigan, which had each previously put out statements that a federal court injunction prohibited them from making changes. RELATED: Title IX lawsuits put University of Michigans sexual misconduct policy changes on hold Chris Knape, GVSUs assistant vice president of university communications, said the university was among those that did make Title IX updates in 2024, however. An interim policy in 2024 was in place until the most recent changes, he said. Following the 2025 federal court decision, GVSUs Office of Civil Rights and Title IX again updated its Title IX policy, titled the Policy Prohibiting Discrimination, Harassment and Misconduct, to comply. The interim 2024 policy has since been removed from GVSUs website, and Knape said the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX did not retain a copy because it was superseded entirely by the new 2025 policy. The new policy marks a return to 2020 Title IX requirements enacted during Trumps first term in office. Key changes include a requirement that colleges again hold live hearings with an opportunity for cross examination by those accused under Title IX. A community update provided by GVSU said that Title IX decision makers now cannot rely on statements from individuals unwilling to participate in cross-examination at a live hearing. GVSUs Title IX coordinator was not made available for comment. A letter previously shared by the university in 2020 explained that the live hearing process isnt the same as an adversarial trial. Nothing requires the parties to be in the same room with each other, at all, and all parties have the right to an advisor of their choosing throughout the process. At the hearing, the university shared that questions would be asked by a panel of neutral decision makers and are first determined to be relevant and not otherwise abusive before being asked. Knape said at the time of the policy changes, there were 29 open Title IX cases at GVSU, though not all cases will proceed to a hearing. The updates apply to all pending Title IX cases. The parties currently involved in those cases were advised of the updated policy, he said, and there have been no reported impacts of the policy changes. Parties who expressed being impacted because of the changes would be provided with supportive measures on an individual basis, he said. Another key change the university cited was its jurisdiction. GVSUs grievance process no longer covers alleged violations occurring outside of the United States. During the 2023-24 school year and while the interim policy was in place, Knape said there were no cases involving potential violations outside of the U.S. Other changes the university mentioned included an update to how formal complaints must be submitted - through an Office of Civil Rights complaint form. Barry Croft Jr., left, and Adam Fox lost appeals after being convicted of conspiring to kidnap Gretchen Whitmer. AP GRAND RAPIDS, MI A federal appeals court has upheld the convictions of two men who were considered the leaders of a plot to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Barry Croft Jr., 49, of Bear, Delaware, was earlier sentenced to 19 years, seven months in prison while Adam Fox, 41, of Wyoming, Michigan, was sentenced to 16 years in prison. The two argued that there was insufficient evidence to find them guilty of conspiracy to kidnap and conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction. The claim was rejected by a three-judge panel of the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati. Related: Plot to kidnap Gov. Whitmer was just the start for man sent to prison, prosecutor says Croft, with long-held anti-government views, believed the kidnapping could spark a civil war, while Fox was motivated by frustration with Whitmers COVID-19 shutdown orders. The two men, who met via Facebook in spring 2020, later participated in training sessions and conducted a reconnaissance mission at Whitmers lake house in Elk Rapids. Related: Spiritual leader of Gov. Whitmer kidnap plot gets nearly 20 years in prison The record before us is replete with evidence that Fox and Croft agreed to kidnap Governor Whitmer from her lakeside home provided the right opportunity presented itself, the appeals panel said. From their observations during reconnaissance, Fox hatched what he called the perfect plan, which involved launching a boat or two, leaving a trailer in the water, disabling the governors security detail to take her into their custody, taking her out into Lake Michigan and dropping the boats motor, returning in the second boat to the waiting trailer, and escaping. Fox also drafted a map of Whitmers street, the route across the water and distance to the nearest police station, the appeals panel wrote. The judges noted that in April 2020 Croft said online that executing governors would lead to a second American Revolution, and that all its going to take is 1 state, to burn out and hang a (governor) and those dominoes will start falling. Related: Leader of Gov. Whitmer kidnap plot could be more radicalized after prison, prosecutor says The appeals panel said Croft and Fox agreed to kidnap Whitmer. Based on the evidence presented at trial, the jury saw and heard a host of video and audio recordings of Defendants promising violence, planning and participating in trainings, bringing their own weapons and material, and plotting the abduction without reluctance. The defendants wanted to carry out the kidnapping before the November 2020 election. According to testimony in an August 2022 jury trial before U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker, they believed Whitmers candidacy for a federal job would have resulted in heightened security.. Defense attorneys said the defendants were big talkers, often under the influence of intoxicants, but could not have pulled off a kidnapping. The two were convicted during their second trial after jurors in the first trial could not reach a unanimous decision. Two others pleaded guilty to conspiracy to kidnap and cooperated with investigators while another two Daniel Harris of Lake Orion and Brandon Caserta of Canton were acquitted in the initial trial. Jackson County couple Paul and Christy Akeos have reportedly been held in a Mexican prison since early March over a credit card dispute with a Cancun hotel, according to their daughter Lindsey Hull. Photo used with permission. Photo used with permission. JACKSON COUNTY, MI A Michigan congressman has flown to Mexico to check on a Spring Arbor couple who were detained in the country over an alleged timeshare dispute. U.S. Rep. Tom Barrett announced Wednesday morning, April 2, he was on his way to Mexico to check on the welfare of Paul and Christy Akeo, currently jailed amid a claim of fraud by prosecutors in Mexico. The Spring Arbor couple were arrested in Mexico March 4 shortly after landing in Cancun for a vacation and have been in a maximum security prison since their arrest, Christy Akeos daughter Lindsey Hull wrote on social media Monday, March 24. I have been in regular contact with their family since I was made aware of their detention and I promised to do everything I could to secure their release and repatriation to America, Barrett wrote on X, formerly Twitter. Enough is enough, after spending nearly a month in a maximum security Mexican prison over what amounts to a contract dispute on a time-share its long overdue for the Mexican authorities to release Paul and Christy, he wrote. Hull said her mother and stepfather, a U.S. Navy veteran, challenged wrongful credit card charges made by their hotel, Palace Resorts. The resort allegedly demanded $250,000, a public apology on Facebook and a non-disclosure agreement, Hull wrote. When the couple refused, Hull said the couple was arrested. MLive could not reach Hull for comment. Authorities in Mexico charged the couple with fraud after they canceled 13 transactions to the hotel chain in a dispute over when the couple could use their timeshare, according to a report on Good Morning America. Federal authorities, and several elected officials, stated they are aware of the situation but have not disclosed what actions are being taken to bring the couple back to the U.S. Related: Authorities tight-lipped over efforts to free Michigan couple held in Mexico prison Barrett initially confirmed the couples arrest on social media Monday, adding his team was doing everything we can to help. Mike Rorke, a spokesperson for U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg, whose district includes Jackson County, said their office had been in touch with family, and that officials were actively working to achieve a resolution. The U.S. State Department confirmed the agency was aware of the reports. Its press office said the department takes its commitment to assist U.S. citizens abroad seriously but declined further comment due to privacy considerations. Michigan Sen. Gary Peters office said in a statement it does not publicly discuss ongoing casework matters for the safety and privacy of constituents. Want more Jackson-area news? Bookmark the local Jackson news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Jackson daily newsletter. JACKSON, MI A Jackson man being taken to jail from the hospital following an assault and drunken driving investigation escaped police custody Saturday. The Jackson Police Department announced Tuesday, April 1, on its Facebook page a reward is being offered for information that leads to the arrest of the fugitive. The man, 32, was arrested Saturday, March 29, on a bond violation and operating while intoxicated amid a felonious assault investigation that occurred in the 1200 block of S. Jackson Street, Jackson Police Chief Chris Simpson said. During the alleged assault, the man suffered several knife wounds to his forearms needing treatment, Simpson said. He was taken to Henry Ford Jackson Hospital for treatment and was set to be taken to the Jackson County Jail to await possible charges. While being escorted to the patrol vehicle the man managed to break free from the officer and ran away in a northeast direction, Simpson said. The officer chased the man but lost him. A perimeter was set up and a police K-9 was brought to the scene in an attempt to track him down, Simpson said. The man has still not been located and is currently wanted for escaping police custody, operating while intoxicated, resisting arrest and a bond violation, Simpson said. Simpson did not specify what the reward is for information on the mans whereabouts. The assault remains under investigation. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the suspect are asked to contact Sgt. Andrew Mosier at 517-768-8644. Want more Jackson-area news? Bookmark the local Jackson news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Jackson daily newsletter. This combination of images shows from left, Army Pfc. Dante D. Taitano, 21, of Dededo, Guam, Army Sgt. Edvin F. Franco, 25, of Glendale, Calif., Army Sgt. Jose Duenez Jr., 25, of Joliet, Ill., and Army Staff Sgt. Troy S. Knutson-Collins, 28, of Battle Creek, Mich., who were killed in a training accident near Pabrade, Lithuania, in March 2025. (Department of Defense via AP) AP A Michigan man was killed during a training accident in Lithuania, the U.S. Army said while confirming his identity today. Staff Sgt. Troy S. Knutson-Collins, 28, of Battle Creek was identified the fourth soldier who died in a training incident in Lithuania, the Associated Press reported on Wednesday, April 2. Police were called to a high school in Plainwell on Wednesday, April 2. PLAINWELL, MI Officials took temporary precautions to protect students after photos were circulated showing a student with a gun, the city of Plainwell said in a news release. On the morning of Wednesday, April 2, Plainwell High School administration was made aware of the photographs depicting a PHS student with what appeared to be handgun. SAGINAW, MI Beset by lawsuits and judgments on all sides, a local doctor was due in Saginaw County Business Court to explain why he hasnt paid any of the nearly $150,000 he owes a federal savings bank. He didnt show up, though, as he was in South Carolina, filing bankruptcy on behalf of one of his many corporations. Its the latest in a series of legal and financial troubles facing dermatopathologist Dr. David L. Stockman and his various entities. Stockman was to appear before Saginaw County Business Court Judge M. Randall Jurrens on Friday, March 28, for a debtor discovery examination, during which he would be questioned under oath about his assets. The judge issued a bench warrant for the doctor when he failed to appear, as he first did in March 2024 and again the following January. Stockman was in federal court in South Carolina that morning, filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy on behalf of Specialized Pathology Partners. Previous court records gave SPPs address as 4798 Wenmar Drive in Saginaw Township, though the bankruptcy filing gives its address as a Fairfield Inn & Suites in Charleston, South Carolina. For Stockman to have filed bankruptcy in South Carolina, he must have resided there for at least 91 of the previous 180 days. Interestingly, records with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs show SPP was dissolved in May 2024. Those records show Stockman was the entitys president, director, treasurer, and secretary. Fridays hearing stemmed from Jurrens in August 2023 issuing a default judgment against Stockman and SPP in favor of federal savings bank TIAA. TIAA in 2017 and 2019 agreed to lease Stockman and SPP ultrasound and radiology machines. Stockman/SPP did not make payments on or return the leased equipment. Jurrens ordered SPP to pay $122,292.42 and Stockman to pay $12,610.86. He further ordered the defendants to pay $6,792.82 to TIAA in costs and attorney fees. Stockman has made no payments to TIAA or returned the leased equipment, confirmed an attorney representing the bank. Jurrens in August 2024 issued a second default judgment against Stockman and his entity Great Lakes Bay Staffing Inc., ordering them to pay $131,626.18 to Wildfire Credit Union. Jurrens issued a third default judgment against Stockman on behalf of forensic pathologist Dr. Donald Higgs for about $55,000. Higgs, a forensic pathologist, moved his family from New York to Michigan to work for Stockman at Michigan Institute of Forensic Science & Medicine in 2023. The checks Higgs received as payment bounced, he alleged. Higgs has been receiving payments through garnishments of several Michigan counties served by MIFSM, confirmed Higgs attorney, Stephan M. Gaus. Higgs also filed a police report over the matter. Saginaw County prosecutors in June 2024 contacted the Michigan Attorney Generals Office to request a special prosecutor evaluate the case. The AGs Office in September referred the matter to the Tuscola County Prosecutors Office. MLive was unable to reach that office for comment, but records indicate Stockman is not charged with a crime. Stockman is due before Jurrens again on Monday, April 7, in the matter of a lawsuit filed against him and MIFSM by Dr. Russell L. Bush. Saginaw County in 2019 entered a 10-year contract with MIFSM to provide medical examination duties such as investigating causes of death and performing autopsies. MIFSM hired Bush, the countys medical examiner since 2014, and designated him as the assigned personnel. Stockman fired Bush in November 2021 but claimed to county officials he had stepped down, according to public records. MIFSM also issued a media release in April 2022 stating Bush was fired for incompetence and misleading/potentially false credentials. The county terminated its contract in 2021 due to Bushs unauthorized termination and Stockman allegedly performing autopsies without proper certification. Thereafter, the county reaffirmed Bush as its medical examiner. Bushs suit went to arbitration overseen by Kenneth W. Schmidt, a former Bay County Circuit Court judge. Schmidt issued an opinion in late February 2025, finding Stockman owed Bush $551,800 and that he acted with intent and malice. Attorney Gaus, also representing Bush, drafted an award for Judge Jurrens to sign based on Schmidts opinion. Jurrens previously ordered Stockman to pay $3,560 in sanctions for his behavior in court and attorney fees. That sum also has not been paid, Gaus said. Stockmans attorney, James J. Kelly, on March 31 filed a motion to withdraw as the doctors representative, citing a breakdown in their relationship since Schmidt rendered the award amount. Two doctors in other states have filed lawsuits against Stockman and his ventures, alleging he hired them to provide remote work for which he did not pay them. Dr. Robert Odze, a professor of pathology at Harvard Medical School, in February 2023 filed a lawsuit against Stockman and Michigan Health Clinic in the Superior Court of Massachusetts Suffolk County. MHC is a corporation Stockman owns at 3925 Fortune Blvd. in Saginaw Township. Washington, D.C.-based dermatologist Dr. Kishore L. Jayakumar in June 2023 filed a federal suit against Stockman and MHC, claiming they did not pay him an estimated $142,369.20 he was owed for his work. Both of those cases are pending. Attorney Jonathan D. Plaut, representing Odze, said a motion to dismiss was filed by Stockmans attorney in July 2023 and is still awaiting a hearing. We havent started discovery and this case is over two years old, Plaut said. This causes people to lose confidence in the swift administration of justice. People dont see the courts as a viable venue to redress grievances. Stockmans licenses as medical doctor and controlled substances provider remain active and are set to expire Sept. 8. Want more Bay City- and Saginaw-area news? Bookmark the local Bay City and Saginaw news page or sign up for the free 3@3 daily newsletter for Bay City and Saginaw. A view of the DoubleTree by Hilton. Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com BAY CITY, MI Every town has its landmarksnot just buildings, but symbols of stability, places that seem to exist outside the ebb and flow of economic uncertainty. For the past 20 years, it seemed, the DoubleTree by Hilton Bay City Riverfront was such a landmark downtown. It was the kind of place where wedding receptions spilled out onto the riverwalk, business travelers found a temporary home and locals gathered for Sunday brunch or local group meetings. But beneath the veil of stability lurked a financial problem waiting to reveal itself. On Friday, March 28, the hotels deed changed hands. After a foreclosure, advertised in a small Bay County newspaper and on the hotel itself, the property was sold at a Bay County Sheriffs Office auction, its ownership shifting to a Delaware-based LLC. Wenonah Park Properties, the group tasked with overseeing the hotel and ultimately responsible for defaulting on its mortgage, has fallen silent following the latest development at One Wenonah Park Place. David Klippert, listed as president of the board for Wenonah Park Properties, declined comment when reached by an MLive reporter. He referred questions to board chairman Mark Norton. Multiple attempts to reach Norton were unsuccessful. Related: Bay City DoubleTree hotel foreclosed, sold for $20 million at auction The city, which created the Wenonah Park Properties board to oversee the project and appointed its member, has also stayed mute on the subject. City Manager Dana Muscott has not commented on the matter. According to the Bay County Sheriffs Office deed on the mortgage sale, Wenonah Park Properties owed more than $21.8 million on the property at the time of its foreclosure. The hotel and its adjacent parking structure were sold to the highest bidder, BCM Hotel LLC, for $20 million at the auction, the deed shows. BCM Hotel officials could not be reached for comment. However, the sale will not become official until after six months from the auction date, according to a certificate of sale. In the meantime, hotel officials said there would be no impact on hotel operations, staffing or guest services. The latest financial woes seem to have come out of nowhere, but Bay Citys Doubletree has not been devoid of controversy. What is currently the DoubleTree by Hilton Riverfront-Bay City was supposed to be a hotel and meeting place for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and scientists in town visiting a Bay City-based research campus in the early 1990s, according to prior reporting by The Bay City Times. Former U.S. Rep. Bob Traxler secured $8.9 million in federal grants for the project. That plan was nixed, the fallout of federal budget cuts; however, the idea of a downtown hotel sparked an idea from some city officials who thought it would be a rewarding investment for Bay City. Using creative financing, ground was broken for the $34 million hotel and conference center in October 2002. Part of that creative financing was more than $15 million in outstanding bonds. Nearly $4 million matured in 2022. The rest was set to mature in 2033. As originally planned, once that happened, ownership of the hotel would be transferred to the city. Also included in the financing was the federal grant money secured by Traxler and $4 million from the citys former POWER fund made up of surplus profits from the citys electric utility and additional government and community grants. National City Bank of Michigan/Illinois was the original mortgage holder; the loan was reassigned to UMB Bank in July 2018. The Bay City Commission in 2001 approved incorporation papers for Wenonah Park Properties, creating the nonprofit that would be charged with overseeing the construction, financing and management of the hotel. Want more Bay City- and Saginaw-area news? Bookmark the local Bay City and Saginaw news page or sign up for the free 3@3 daily newsletter for Bay City and Saginaw. MIDLAND COUNTY, MI A mid-Michigan community has reported that it is at risk for the spread of measles due to low vaccination numbers. Midland County measles vaccination rates are well below the 95% target for community immunity and continue to trend downward, according to information provided by the Midland County Department of Public Health. The low vaccination rates increase the countys risk for a measles outbreak, health officials said. According to the county health department, the vaccine used to combat measles the MMR is highly effective at preventing the virus. The vaccine is 93% effective with one dose, and 97% effective with two doses, health department officials said. While vaccinated individuals (about 3%) can still contract measles, they are much more likely to experience a milder illness and less likely to spread the disease compared to unvaccinated individuals, health officials said. Related: When and where Michiganders may have been exposed to measles The county reported vaccination rates have declined over the course of the past five years. In 2020, children between 19 and 35 months old had an 87.4% vaccination rate. That number has dropped to 84.9% so far this year. Children 4 to 6 years old have also seen a decline, with vaccination rates for measles dropping nearly 3% from 75% to 72.7%. Teens between 13 and 17 years old saw a steeper decline, according to county officials, with vaccination rates for measles dropping from 94.5% to 86%. Kent County reported its first measles case in more than a decade on April 1, officials announced. It was Michigans second case this year the first was reported in Oakland County. Symptoms include the following: High fever (may spike to over 104F) Cough Runny nose Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis) Tiny white spots on the inner cheeks, gums and roof of mouth (Koplik Spots) 2-3 days after symptoms begin A rash that is red, raised, blotchy; usually starts on face, spreads to trunk, arms and legs 3-5 days after symptoms begin Symptoms are most likely to begin 7 to 14 days after exposure, but can surface as late as 21 days, according to health officials. People experiencing symptoms should call their healthcare provider before seeing in-person care to prevent further spread, health officials have warned. The Midland County health department provides immunizations at the Midland County Services Building, 220 W. Ellsworth St., from 8 a.m. to noon and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. For more information about immunizations, visit midlandcountymi.gov. Want more Bay City- and Saginaw-area news? Bookmark the local Bay City and Saginaw news page or sign up for the free 3@3 daily newsletter for Bay City and Saginaw. FRANKENMUTH, MI The real-life captain whose high-seas ordeal became a Hollywood blockbuster is coming to Frankenmuth. Richard Phillips, the former cargo ship captain who was held hostage by Somali pirates in 2009, will speak from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 13, at the Bronner Performing Arts Center, 525 E. Genesee St., as part of a special evening hosted by the Michigan Heroes Museum. The event comes during a milestone year for the Michigan Heroes Museum, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary of honoring the lives and legacies of Michigan military veterans and astronauts. Captain Phillips memoir, A Captains Duty: Somali Pirates, Navy SEALs, and Dangerous Days at Sea, details his five-day captivity and rescue. The story later was adapted into the 2013 Oscar-nominated film Captain Phillips, starring Tom Hanks. The May 13 event, An Evening with Captain Phillips, will feature the captains firsthand storytelling, ceremonial Color Guard presentation and book signings. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $19, $29, $49 and are available at miheroes.org. For information, send an email to info@miheroes.org. Want more Bay City- and Saginaw-area news? Bookmark the local Bay City and Saginaw news page or sign up for the free 3@3 daily newsletter for Bay City and Saginaw. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has joined 17 other Democratic attorneys general in urging U.S. House leaders to oppose a proposed federal law requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote. (MLive file photo) AP Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has joined 17 other Democratic attorneys general in urging U.S. House leaders to oppose a proposed federal law requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote. Nessel and the other attorneys general in a joint letter Monday warned congressional leaders that the proposed requirements are unnecessary and would instead create barriers to voting access and possibly disenfranchise millions of eligible voters across the country. Michigan has fought tirelessly to ensure our elections are fair, accessible and secure, Nessel said Tuesday, April 1. The SAVE Act threatens to unravel decades of progress by imposing costly, burdensome voter registration requirements designed not to protect democracy, but to suppress voter turnout. I stand proudly with my colleagues in opposition to H.R. 22, which undermines the fundamental rights of voters. It wasnt immediately clear when the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act might go to a vote in the House. The Monday, March 31, letter was signed by Nessel and the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington. The SAVE Act would significantly change how people in Michigan, and across the U.S., can register to vote or change their registration after a move or name change. Voter registration by mail or online would be forbidden and people would be required to register in person only. Instead of proof of residency, a drivers license or state ID, those wanting to register to vote or change their registration would have to provide proof of citizenship using a passport or a birth certificate along with a photo ID. Michigan doesnt require residents to show proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote. However, new registrants must attest under penalty of perjury that they are a U.S. citizen and that the information about their identity and residency is accurate. The attorneys general say noncitizen voting is extremely rare and that federal law already prohibits noncitizens voting in federal elections under threat of up to a year in prison and possible immigration consequences. In Michigan, a Chinese student at the University of Michigan currently faces charges on allegations he cast his vote in the 2024 presidential election despite not being a citizen. He allegedly used his student identification and documents showing his Ann Arbor residency to register to vote. Nearly 5.7 million voters cast their ballot in the November 2024 election in Michigan, according to the Michigan Bureau of Elections. The attorneys general say that by requiring documentary proof of citizenship the proposed law would create barriers to voting for those who dont have ready access to or cant afford proper documents, like a passport. One particular issue with the legislation is that it would add additional steps to voter registration for married women who have changed their surname but dont have an updated passport. Married women would still be able to vote, but they would need to provide additional documentation if the name on their ID doesnt match their birth certificate. The specific requirements for this additional documentation would be determined by each state, according to the bill sponsor. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, who is opposed to the SAVE Act and similar citizenship proof efforts in Michigan, has said there are more than 2.2 million married women in Michigan who changed their surname and more than 5.8 million Michiganders who dont have a passport. Related: Jocelyn Benson: Requiring proof of citizenship to vote would disenfranchise Michiganders Over 21 million voting-age citizens do not have ready access to a passport, birth record, or naturalization record, the attorneys general wrote in the letter. And 80% of married women would not have a valid birth certificate under the SAVE Act because those women chose to adopt their partners last name. Beyond potential issues of barriers to voting for citizens, the attorneys general also say the legislation would impose significant costs on states to implement. They say many states would be required to restructure voter registration and voter roll maintenance procedures. The letter comes after President Donald Trump last week signed an executive order aimed at requiring proof of citizenship when people register to vote. That executive order already faces legal challenges. Republican state lawmakers in Michigan have also pushed this year to require proof of citizenship for new voters via a proposed amendment to the state constitution. The proposal introduced in the House in January would also reject votes cast by people who dont provide a photo ID and require the Secretary of State to verify citizenship for already registered voters. The measure is unlikely to gather the required two-thirds majority vote in both chambers. If it did pass, voters would then decide on the constitutional amendment. Related: Michigan lawmakers debate proof of citizenship requirements for new voters A group called the Committee to Protect Voters Rights is gearing up, however, to launch a petition drive to place a proposed constitutional amendment mirroring the legislation on the 2026 ballot. The State Board of Canvassers will consider the petition language at its April 18 meeting. LANSING, MI After months of speculation, Michigan Sen. Mallory McMorrow announced her candidacy for an upcoming open seat in the U.S. Senate. Considered a rising star by many in The Democratic Party, McMorrow uploaded a 2-minute YouTube video Wednesday, April 2, that pitched her political brand as an alternative to Republican policies as well as the Democratic leadership serving today in Washington D.C. The 38-year-old Royal Oak residents announcement included news clips that highlight both McMorrows rise as a politician in recent years as well as footage from 2025 showing outrage at policies authored by President Donald Trumps administration. I know theres a lot of fear and anger and uncertainty right now about people in power who, frankly, have no business being there, McMorrow said in the video. So, you know what wont fix it? The same old crap in Washington. Do you know what will? We will. We need new leaders. The same people who got us in this mess are not going to be the ones to get us out of it. The video was titled, Im Running for U.S. Senate. Are You With Me? McMorrow became one of the states most nationally known politicians in 2022, when media outlets regularly invited her as a guest on political talk shows and featured her work in the Michigan senate. The attention prompted speculation she would run in 2024 for the open U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow. McMorrow ultimately declined to run for the seat Democrat Elissa Slotkin eventually secured last November. McMorrow last year made a primetime appearance on the first night of the Democratic National Convention and later declined to run for chair of the Democratic National Committee. Before her Wednesday announcement, McMorrow said she was considering a run for either the open governor seat or the seat in the U.S. Senate today occupied by Democrat Gary Peters, who announced his plans to retire when his term ends in 2027. Her announcement that she was pursuing the Peters seat came eight days after the publication of her autobiography, Hate Wont Win: Find Your Power and Leave This Place Better Than You Found It. The 288-page book outlines her political origins, including the viral video that featured McMorrow in April 2022 pushing back against a state Senate Republican colleague who baselessly accused her of grooming and sexualizing children. I didnt expect to wake up yesterday to the news that the senator from the 22nd District had overnight accused me by name of grooming and sexualizing children in an email fundraising for herself, McMorrow said in the five-minute speech that catapulted her political standing to a national level. So I sat on it for a while wondering, Why me? And then I realized, because I am the biggest threat to your hollow, hateful scheme. Because you cant claim that you are targeting marginalized kids in the name of parental rights if another parent is standing up to say no. McMorrow is the first major politician to announce her candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat. U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens is also considering a run for the Democratic ticket and Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has not ruled it out either. Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg recently said he was no longer exploring a bid for the Senate seat, as did Democratic U.S. Rep. Hillary Scholten. On the Republican side, former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, who narrowly lost to Slotkin in the states 2024 Senate race, is expected to run again. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Hamtramck Mayor Amer Ghalib speaks at Van Andel Arena before former president Donald Trump takes the stage for his final campaign rally in Grand Rapids, Mich. on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024. Joel Bissell | MLive.com Several prominent Jewish organizations are calling on President Donald Trump to withdraw his nomination of a Muslim Michigan mayor as the nations next ambassador to Kuwait. Last month, the Anti-Defamation League urged Trump to withdraw Hamtramck Mayor Amer Ghalibs nomination, accusing him of routinely trafficking in antisemitism. ADL officials claimed the mayor attempted to justify the 2023 Hamas attack on Israeli civilians, which resulted in the deaths of hundreds of people. They also criticized his support for a city resolution supporting commercial boycotts against Israel over the war in Gaza and Palestinian occupation. As ADLs recent Global 100 poll revealed, Kuwait has the second highest levels of antisemitic attitudes in the world at 97% and having Ghalib represent US interests in Kuwait could further fuel antisemitic beliefs in the country and across the region, ADL officials wrote. Other groups, like the American Jewish Committee, StopAntisemitism and the Democratic Majority for Israel, have issued similar criticisms of Ghalib since Trump nominated him as the Kuwaiti ambassador on March 7. Ghalib did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Related: Muslim Michigan mayors who endorsed Trump named U.S. ambassadors During the Hamtramck City Council meeting on March 25, Ghalib pushed back on accusations of antisemitism, saying Hamtramck was one of a few cities in 2022 that passed a proclamation condemning antisemitism. We are very proud of that, the mayor said. Thats where we stand and thats what our official stance is. The criticism does not appear to have shaken Trumps support of Ghalib. Trump invited Ghalib to the annual iftar dinner celebrating Ramadan at the White House on Thursday, March 27. He thanked Ghalib for his support and endorsement during the 2024 presidential election and congratulated him on the ambassador nomination. Youll be the next ambassador to Kuwait, and youre going to have a great time with Kuwait wonderful people, and its a great place so congratulations, Trump said. Ghalibs nomination was received by the U.S. Senate on March 24. He has yet to be confirmed by the chamber. Ghalib was one of a number of endorsements Trump fielded in Michigan from Muslim and Arab-American leaders, largely thanks to Trumps stance on ending the wars in the Middle East. Israels war in Gaza continues. Related: Muslim and Arab leaders take the stage to endorse Trump at Michigan rally Ghalib, a Yemen-born immigrant, has served as mayor of Hamtramck since 2022, when the city became the first known municipality in the U.S. to be run by an all-Muslim government. Another Muslim Michigan mayor, Dearborn Heights Mayor Bill Bazzi, also endorsed Trump during the campaign and was nominated as the next U.S. ambassador to Tunisia in North Africa. Bazzi, too, attended the iftar dinner last week. During the March 25 city council meeting, Ghalib also defended the resolution unanimously approved by city council in May 2024 that endorses the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement. The movement aims to economically pressure Israel into complying with international law and ending the occupation of Palestine. The resolution states that Hamtramck will not purchase any goods or services targeted by the movement. The city will also not invest in Israel and all companies that sustain the Israeli apartheid. In their statement condemning Ghalib, ADL officials said the boycott movement is antisemitic. It was Jewish activists who came here to ask us to take that resolution, Ghalib said during the March 25 meeting. It was a Jewish lawyer who drafted that, so theres no way that you can call this antisemitism. The ADL claimed Ghalib attempted to justify the Oct. 7, 2023, attack by Hamas on Israeli citizens and military bases. The attack killed about 1,200 civilians, including more than 40 Americans, according to the U.S. Department of Defense. The attack sparked Israels ongoing war in Gaza, which, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health, has left more than 50,000 Palestinians dead, the BBC reports. The health ministry does not distinguish between civilians and fighters killed. In their statements condemning Trumps appointment of Ghalib, the American Jewish Committee, StopAntisemitism and the Democratic Majority also accused Ghalib of denying sexual violence perpetrated by Hamas during the Oct. 7 attack. The groups did not provide specific details about what Ghalib said and when he said it. At a pro-Palestine rally in 2023 following the Oct. 7 attack, Ghalib appeared to justify Palestinian violence against Israel, saying that if you start killing my children in front of my eyes, then I will use every means available for me to resist, the Hamtramck Review reported. The Hamtramck Review reported that Ghalib, at the same rally, dismissed reports about sexual violence committed by Hamas fighters, saying then-President Joe Biden and Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were leading a campaign of lies and deception and didnt provide evidence about the crimes. The Michigan Supreme Court has ruled that those serving mandatory life sentences for murders committed at age 18 have the right to new sentencing hearings. The unanimous decision was handed down Tuesday in the case of John Anthony Poole, who was paid $300 by his uncle Harold Varner in 2002 to shoot a man whose girlfriend owed Varner money. Poole was 18 at the time. He was convicted of first-degree murder. Manchester City's Erling Haaland, right, celebrates with his teammate Omar Marmoush after scoring his side's opening goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Brighton and Hove Albion at Etihad stadium in Manchester, England, Saturday, March 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Ian Hodgson) AP The English Premier League is back into full swing on Wednesday with a plethora of matches, including one between clubs at opposite ends of the table when Manchester City hosts Leicester City. Watch the Premier League on FuboTV (7-day free trial) Leicester City comes out of the latest international break desperate for points in their quest to simply stay in the EPL. After going into the break suffering an abysmal 3-0 loss to Manchester United, at home, the Foxes have lost six straight matches, having not won a league contest since beating Tottenham Hotspur in late January. Coming into Wednesday, Leicester City sits tied for 18th in the table, nine points back of Wolverhampton and safety from relegation. Manchester City is dealing with its own problems. The four-time defending Premier League champions, coming off their FA Cup Quarterfinal final tie with Bournemouth, are at risk of not advancing to the UEFA Champions League. The club went winless in its final two matches heading into the break, including a costly loss to Nottingham Forest. As a result, ManCity is fifth in the league table, one point behind Chelsea for fourth. ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE Manchester City FC (14-6-9) vs. Leicester City FC (4-5-20) When: Wednesday, April 2 Time: 2:45 p.m. ET Where: Etihad Stadium (Manchester, U.K.) Channel: USA Network, Universo Stream: FuboTV (Free trial), Sling, DirecTV Stream, Peacock Check out the EPL table and results here Saurav Pandey is the Deputy Manager of Content at Moneycontrol, specialising in content strategy, execution and performance analysis. He integrates advanced SEO techniques to deliver high-impact, data-driven content formats. His expertise spans various beats, including education, career, science and others, where he adopts a technical approach to optimise visibility, improve search rankings, and drive organic traffic growth. He can be reached out at Saurav.Pandey@nw18.com. 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I Accept Jacqueline Fernandez and her father visit her mother in ICU following heart stroke, watch M Snehanjali USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept Vaishnavi Gavankar USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Thalapathy Vijays Jana Nayagan OTT rights sold for a whopping price; highest ever for the actor's film Gayatri Rani USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept B Kumar USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Adrija Chatterjee is an Assistant Editor at Moneycontrol. She has been tracking and reporting on finance and trade ministries for over eight years. Adrija Chatterjee USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept Bankers get boost in Asia Pacific as M&A growth tops US, Europe Arindam Roy USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Arindam Roy USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Viswanath Pilla USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept 101Reporters USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Meghna Mittal Deputy News Editor at Moneycontrol. Meghna has experience across television, print, online and wire media. She has been covering the Indian economy, monetary and fiscal policies, Finance and Trade ministries. She tweets at @Meghnamittal23 Contact: meghna.mittal@nw18.com Meghna Mittal USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Sonalee Borgohain USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept J Jagannath USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Brokers in limbo over delay in release of operational details of retail algo-trading norms Asha Menon USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Among the reasons Norwegians can celebrate Norway are the '80s band A-ha, the narrow geological formations called fjords, oil deposits and the biggest sovereign wealth fund in the world. The sovereign fund, which the country uses for investments that benefit their economy and people, reached 5.1 trillion crowns, or about $818 billion, due in large part to the rising price of oil, according to a report out this week. That surge in the fund, called the Government Pension Fund Global, theoretically makes each of Norway's 5,096,300 people a millionaire in crowns. Translated into dollars the fund's crowns (spelled "krone" in Norway) per capita is about $161,660, said Michael Maduell, president of the Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute. And, despite all that money in the wealth fund, Norway still has a national debt of 759 billion crowns or about 25 percent of gross domestic product. By comparison, the US debt of $17.3 trillion is 102 percent of GDP. In case you're wondering, that's $54,733 owed by each American. But it gets far worse if you add in all the unfunded liabilities of the government: Then it's $1.1 million owed per American, according to USDebtclock.org. But Norwegians aren't going to retire on that sovereign fund's money for several reasons. Norway's Government Pension Fund Global was created to be an intergenerational savings vehicle to secure income from a fossil fuel resource and to prevent "Dutch Disease," or the economic phenomenon when an increase in natural resources leads to a decline in other sectors like manufacturing or agriculture, explains Maduell. The sovereign wealth fund is integrated into Norway's fiscal budget: 4 percent of the fund's assets can be spent each year by the government. Unlike the Alaska Permanent Fund, no dividends are paid out each year to its citizens. "The rest of the money accumulates in the sovereign wealth fund, which is why it is so large today," Maduell said. Oil and gas are financial drivers for many of the sovereign funds in the world. Norway happens to be the seventh largest oil exporter. After Norway, the country with the second-largest sovereign wealth fund is Saudi Arabia with over $675 billion, followed by the Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates with $627 billion, according to the Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute. Alaska has one of the highest sovereign wealth funds of the U.S. states with about $47 billion. Barry Bosworth, economist at the Brookings Institution, said the Norwegian fund is usually held up around the world as a model of how to run a sovereign fund. "Norway has done an excellent job of saving and investing a portion of its oil revenues for future generations," says Bosworth, a former economic advisor to Jimmy Carter. He said the country has come under pressure from voters to pay out a larger portion of the assets, which Bosworth said is "understandable," given the successful growth of the fund. Contrary to the belief of some, Bosworth said he believes the existence of the country's wealth has not depressed citizens' willingness to work, pointing to the Norwegian labor force participation rate -- that is, the percentage of people who are working or actively looking for work, which is equal or above to that of most age groups in the U.S. Earlier today, the U.S. Labor Department reported that the labor force participation rate declined by 0.2 percentage point to 62.8 percent in December, a 35-year low. Read More: 9 Cool Ways IBM Plans to Make Billions from Jeopardy! Winner Watson In addition, Bosworth said there isn't evidence of imprudent levels of public of private debt in Norway, unlike much of Europe. The sovereign fund is recorded as an asset of the Norwegian government and now equals about two times their income, he explains. However, oil exports have raised the exchange rate and led to a loss of manufacturing jobs, Bosworth said. Besides fjords and other commodities, Norway is also known for another export. "Finally, I note that Norway has excellent mystery writers, although I have no proof that it can be traced to the sovereign fund," he points out. In Photos: Countries With GDP Below Google's Market Cap Tech Mahindra, Infosys, Wipro, other IT stocks rise up to 2% ahead of US reciprocal tariffs Paras Bisht USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Top gainers and losers today: Stocks that moved the most on April 2 Khushi Keswani USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Why Maltas Golden Visa is gaining traction as a gateway to Europe Abhinav Kaul USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Khushi Keswani USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Reciprocal tariffs could be withdrawn if India-US conclude trade deal: Former CBIC Chairman Meghna Mittal Deputy News Editor at Moneycontrol. Meghna has experience across television, print, online and wire media. She has been covering the Indian economy, monetary and fiscal policies, Finance and Trade ministries. She tweets at @Meghnamittal23 Contact: meghna.mittal@nw18.com Meghna Mittal USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Trump Tariff News Live: Nilesh Shah warns against more Chinese dumping after US tariffs Nilesh Shah, MD of Kotak Mahindra AMC, said the recent tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump would negatively impact the US economy. "President Trump is proving what Sant Tulsidas wrote centuries ago, 'Samrath ko nahi dosh gosain'," Shah quipped. "WTO is meant for weak nations. Strong nations can do what they want. They can even calculate tariffs as a deficit with the USA divided by exports to the USA and get away with it. We will soon see a case study to justify this novel definition," he said. "The US has imposed mass tariffs like this twice in history: in 1828 and 1930, with a gap of approximately 100 years. Both those resulted in the recession/Great Depression. There is a high chance that the 2025 mass tariff hike will result in lower growth and higher inflation. If US markets are correcting, US consumption, which accounts for two-thirds of the economy, could come under pressure due to higher inflation and the evaporating wealth effect. For emerging markets, it will be called stagflation, but for the US, it will be called a hard landing," he said. "India has been hit lower than most of its peers. It is up to us how we manage the situation. We can bring footwear and garments business from Asian peers if we get our act together. We have to be proactive about Chinese dumping. We should negotiate hard with China to create a win-win situation rather than the usual lose-lose situation," Shah further said. "Most importantly we need to remember that 'Picture Abhi Baki hai'," he quipped. Smriti Mishra USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Priyanjali Ghose USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Christin Mathew Philip is an Assistant editor at moneycontrol.com. Based in Bengaluru, he writes on mobility, infrastructure and start-ups. He is a Ramnath Goenka excellence in journalism awardee. You can find him on Twitter here: twitter.com/ChristinMP_ Christin Mathew Philip USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept BJP gets allies on board, Waqf Bill likely to sail through in Lok Sabha Parimal Peeyush USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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I Accept Siddharth Chakravorty USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Humayun's Tomb, Maha Kumbh land and more: 10 bizarre claims by Waqf, third largest landowner in India Chhabi Kala USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept 'If you were so gullible...': Supreme Court redflags rising trend of rape cases on false promise of marriage Chhabi Kala USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Karnataka HC allows ED to investigate MUDA case accused, except former commissioner Yeeshu Yadav USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept ALBANY The Hochul administration will delay for one month its plan to move 250,000 students across the state who are eligible for Medicaid-funded health clinics into managed care a transition that will affect at least 12 schools in Western New York. School-based health centers, known as SBHCs, have covered the health care needs of low-income students in New York since 1981. Since 1985, the state Department of Health, through Medicaid, has paid the clinics directly through a fee-for-service arrangement. Last September, the administration announced it was moving to Medicaid managed care as of April 1, meaning the clinics would be paid by those managed care plans. The change drew opposition within both houses of the State Legislature, including Buffalo lawmakers and advocates who say the change threatens the survival of the program. On Monday, citing stakeholder requests for additional time to prepare for implementation and timing of other managed care initiatives, the Department of Health announced it would delay the implementation until May 1. In an effort to support a seamless transition, this extension will allow SBHCs and managed care plans to work through the final issues related to contracting and network participation, the notice said. The Buffalo-based Kaleida Health operates at least seven SBHCs in the Buffalo: PS 6/Buffalo Elementary School of Technology; PS 91 BUILD Academy; Dr. Lydia T. Wright School; PS 76/Herman Badillo; PS 27/Hillery Park Academy; Westminster Charter School; and PS 99 Stanley Makowski ECC. A news release from the New York School-Based Health Alliance identified Kaleida Health as an opponent of the transition to managed care. Kaleida Health spokesperson Jacqueline A. Bett declined to comment. Asked to clarify whether Kaleida opposes the change, the spokesperson on Wednesday said Kaleida was committed to continuing to provide our school-based health services and have been preparing for this potential change. Bett said the Kaleida-run Oishei Childrens Hospital in Buffalo is always willing to work with NYS to develop the most effective model that will ensure continued health care services in our schools. Keeping children healthy, both physically and mentally, enables them to achieve their full academic potential. Three other SBHCs in Erie County, operated by Sisters of Charity Hospital, include PS 97/Harvey Austin School; PS 93/Southside Elementary School; and West Hertel Academy, all in Buffalo. Chautauqua County includes SBHCs at George Washington Middle School and Jamestown High School, both in Jamestown. In a statement, Department of Health spokesperson Marissa Crary said: The transition of school-based health centers into the Medicaid managed care benefit package will strengthen and improve the coordination of care, quality of care, and outcomes for children. The extension will allow SBHCs and managed care plans to work through the final issues related to contracting and network participation in an effort to support a seamless transition. After the administration announced the change in September, Assembly Member Amy Paulin, D-Scarsdale, and Sen. Gustavo Rivera, D-Bronx, who chair the health committees in their respective houses, sponsored a bill to create a permanent carve-out to keep SBHCs out of managed care. Hochul vetoed the proposal, stating: Children will have better outcomes when school-based health centers become integrated in the spectrum of care that Medicaid managed care coordinates. At a legislative hearing in February, Rivera asked Health Commissioner James McDonald who supported the change to managed care outside of the administration, and what cost savings would be happening. As far as who supports it, I havent heard anybody supporting it outside of the administration to be brutally honest with you, McDonald replied. An astounded Rivera cut the commissioner off midsentence, asking: Could you repeat that please? Im not sure I heard it right. No one is supporting it outside the administration, McDonald repeated. Shouldnt that be a sign, bro? Rivera answered. McDonald said that sometimes we have to do things that dont seem popular. He said the state had previously authorized a 10% increase for SBHCs but could not give the funding because of an upper payment limit. He said he did not believe the programs could be sustained without managed care. Theres other things we can do to make sure theyre successful because we can direct the managed care plans what to do, he said. Im very interested in school-based health centers succeeding. Im trying my best. Rivera noted that even the health plans, the parties that would be paid, were against the change. State Sens. April Baskin, D-Buffalo, and Sean Ryan, D-Buffalo, back a new version of the Rivera-Paulin bill, which was included in the budget plans of both the Assembly and Senate, as did Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes, D-Buffalo. In a statement, Peoples-Stokes, D-Buffalo, said: I fully support a permanent carve-out of school-based health centers from Medicaid managed care so they can remain Fee-for-Service Medicaid. I urge Gov. Hochul to abandon her plans to transition school-based health centers into Medicaid managed care so this critical program can continue to provide the best possible health care services to our families throughout the state. Non-Muslims may be appointed to Waqf board for administrative purposes: Top quotes from Amit Shah's speech in LS Siddharth Chakravorty USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept Parliament flashback: When Lalu Yadav said 'Waqf had grabbed all land', sought strict law against it | Watch Parimal Peeyush USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept Prashant Kishor on Waqf Bill: 'History will blame Nitish Kumar more than BJP' Parimal Peeyush USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Ratan Tata's Will: What did the industrialist leave for his beloved pet Tito Deblina Halder USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Chhabi Kala USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Frustrations over the plight of nursing homes boiled to the surface during a recent meeting of a New York State health committee, usually not known to be animated affairs full of drama. What inspired the scene: A proposed acquisition of an 80-bed, Clinton County-owned nursing home by a for-profit entity, a deal that was before the Public Health and Health Planning Councils Committee on Establishment and Project Review on Thursday. Committee member Scott LaRue, president and CEO of ArchCare, drove much of the 50-minute discussion about the transaction, questioning how a county-owned facility that lost $4.4 million in 2023 could be financially viable even under new ownership. Later, LaRue said, nursing homes are in an absolute crisis, and he expressed concern over Medicaid reimbursement rates, arguing the county may not have sold the nursing home if the rates were sufficient. He then observed: If we want to solve the problem with nursing homes in New York State, fund the damn Medicaid program, and we wouldnt be having this discussion. LaRues comments no doubt will be found encouraging to nursing home operators, who are aggressively pushing Gov. Kathy Hochul and state legislators to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates as part of ongoing state budget negotiations. And the comment came as the project review committee evaluated yet another acquisition of a municipal-owned nursing home to a for-profit entity. Attorney General Letitia James clears hurdle in case against troubled Orleans County nursing home James filed the lawsuit against the Villages of Orleans in Albion, claiming the nursing home's operators pocketed more than $18.6 million that should have been spent on resident care. LaRue is the longtime chief executive of ArchCare, the nonprofit health care system of the Archdiocese of New York. It runs seven skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers. LaRue has previously testified to state legislators that New York should prioritize additional Medicaid funding for nursing homes that serve the highest percentages of Medicaid recipients. Questions over financials LaRue had questions right away about the acquisition of the Clinton County nursing home in Plattsburgh. Only 47.5% of the homes 80 licensed beds are occupied, a result of the county focusing on selling the facility as well as limiting new admissions because of staffing issues. High demand for nursing homes, but many have empty beds With 210 residents, Absolut Care of Aurora Park is running at just 66% occupancy. Nursing home officials say they're only operating as many beds as they can afford to staff. LaRue expressed skepticism about the proposed new operators financial projections, which showed a small loss of $13,200 in year one and a profit of about $372,000 by year three. I find it difficult that an 80-bed nursing home, under any circumstances, that has a Medicaid payer mix of 75% can make money or break even, LaRue challenged. Frank Cicero, a consultant representing the proposed owners, responded that the nursing home is currently serving 95% Medicaid patients. But in the new plan, the owners project serving 75% Medicaid, meaning there would be an increase in residents paying through Medicare or private pay, which comes with higher revenue, he added. In addition, Cicero said there is a plan to take on more residents to fill the facility. And the facilitys union workers, he said, are expected to see higher wages but changes to their benefits, which will be part of the savings that will turn this around. Committee member Ann Monroe, of Erie County, questioned the details of the acquisition. In the deal, there is no purchase price for the nursing home operations, but CLRNC Realty LLC a related party that will lease the nursing home back to the new operators is buying the building and the land from the county for $2 million. Monroe asked Clinton County officials at the meeting what process they followed in selling the nursing home and why they selected the group they did. Clinton County Administrator Michael Zurlo said the county did a robust request for qualifications to sell its nursing home, receiving three bids in response. The successful bid, he said, was above and beyond the other two applicants, one of whom the county would not even consider. I will say that the applicant thats sitting before the committee today was by and far the preferred applicant, Zurlo said. Whos really behind the application? LaRue also questioned who was really behind the proposed new operator of the nursing home. The proposed operator is a 50-50 ownership split between Lisa Kaplewicz, the managing member, and Israel Ostrovitsky. The same two people also were under review later in the meeting as they sought approval to acquire a 100-bed facility in Fulton County. Kaplewicz and Ostrovitsky have no ownership interest in any other facilities, but both are employed by Personal Healthcare, a senior care management company in Tarrytown, Westchester County. Kaplewicz is the corporate director of clinical services at Personal Healthcare, while Ostrovitsky is the companys controller, overseeing 21 facilities. One of the themes that I see across these applications is we suddenly have a bunch of individuals who have never owned nursing homes before, have no experience in owning a nursing home and are acquiring a nursing home operation with little or no equity and have a tangential relationship to a third party who has a very long history of operating nursing homes, LaRue said. LaRue suggested this was occurring because of criteria previously implemented around character and competency requirements of nursing home applicants. That criteria, which Cicero more fully explained, prevents certain nursing home operators from applying, if they own at least five homes and at least 40% of those homes if theyve been owned for 48 months or more have ratings of two stars or less. Among the Western New York facilities owned by individuals affiliated with Kaplewicz and Ostrovitsky: the one-star Gowanda Rehabilitation & Nursing Center; the two-star Dunkirk Rehabilitation & Nursing Center; and the five-star Eden Rehabilitation & Nursing Center. The $2 million purchase of the Clinton County nursing home would be funded with $500,000 in members equity and a $1.5 million fixed-rate loan for five years. Kaplewicz has a letter of interest from Ephraim Zagelbaum for a $1.5 million loan, while Ostrovitsky has a letter of interest from Alex Barth for a $1.5 million loan. Zagelbaum is the founder and CEO of Personal Healthcare, while Barth also is a Personal Healthcare executive. Speaking to LaRues point, Peter Robinson, chair of the Committee on Establishment and Project Review, later in the meeting said, There seems to be an escape hatch through which the character and competence issues of the people that are substantively behind the deal are obviously not being considered. The real question, I think, is, Are we really getting at the bottom of whos behind the application? Robinson said. By the end of the discussion about the Clinton County nursing home, the majority of the committee voted to move the issue forward to the full Council meeting on April 10. LaRue and one other member opposed the motion, while committee member Ann Monroe abstained. Waqf Bill in Lok Sabha today: TDP vows support to Centre, likely to seek one key change in legislation Parimal Peeyush USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept Armaan Bhatnagar USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept Is Bihar politics on the cusp of a huge change where caste is losing its potency? Namrata Agarwal USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Rs 3.5 crore to staff, Rs 12 lakh for dog Tito: Ratan Tata's will details revealed. Who gets what? Shubhi Mishra USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept This is the most gruesome...': BBC host suffocates live goat in tribal ritual, sparks outrage Shubhi Mishra USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Lawyers for the man charged with killing 10 people and injuring three others in his racist attack at the Tops grocery store on Jefferson Avenue said he cannot get a fair trial in Buffalo and want him tried nearly 400 miles away in New York City. Due to the overwhelming amount of pretrial publicity, combined with the impact of this case on Buffalos segregated communities of color, it is impossible for Payton Gendron to select a fair and impartial jury in the Western District of New York, according to a motion his lawyers filed late Monday. The motion follows their request last week to delay the trial by a year. The defense lawyers suggested the trial be moved to the Southern District of New York, where prospective jurors would be far from the Buffalo media market and not be affected by news coverage of the case. Whats more, the New York City area also has sufficient minority representation that has not been directly impacted by the shooting and its aftermath, so a diverse and representative jury should be able to be selected, the defense lawyers said. The court has not yet set a deadline for prosecutors to respond to the defense motion. But the suggestion for a venue change drew immediate opposition from family members of the victims. Theres no question that our families strongly believe that he should stand trial in this venue where he committed these awful crimes, said Buffalo attorney Terrence M. Connors, who represents the families of seven of those killed in the May 14, 2022, mass shooting as well as the three who were wounded. Tops gunman loses court ruling; now seeks to dismiss hate-crime count tied to those he did not kill A judge will decide whether to dismiss a hate-crimes count against May 14 mass shooter Payton Gendron involving those inside the Tops store he did not murder. Family members of the victims have attended each of the 19 court proceedings so far in Gendrons federal case since his initial appearance on June 16, 2022. Gendron has attended only three of the hearings. The criteria for changing venue includes convenience and impartiality, Connors said. So convenience means that its for the convenience of all the parties and the witnesses, and a change of venue would inconvenience all of these families who have steadfastly followed these proceedings and waited patiently for some closure and some justice, Connors said. Gendrons lawyers also say it would be virtually impossible to select a jury in Western New York that reflects the diversity of the community. If the verdict in this case is to carry any moral authority, it should be delivered by a diverse group of citizens, his lawyers said. But, given the history of segregation in Buffalo, that is exceedingly unlikely if the case is tried in the Western District of New York. His lawyers said about 85% of Black Buffalo residents live in neighborhoods in the citys East Side. Outside the city, the Black population is sparse, they said. Citing May 14 racist massacre, Hochul signs 6 state laws intended to stem gun violence The measure was among six bills that Hochul signed into law in Manhattan in an effort to stop what the governors office described as a gun-violence epidemic, even as she noted that gun violence in New York has dropped 47% since she took office in 2021. The fact that the Black population is centered nearly exclusively in East Buffalo makes it highly unlikely that potential jurors of color will survive jury selection because of personal connections of minority East Buffalo residents to the shootings and its aftermath, according to the defense filing. The importance of a jury that reflects the diversity of the community is at its apex in a case where racial animus is the alleged motive, but such a jury is virtually impossible to secure if the case remains in Buffalo, the defense lawyers said. Gendron, 18 years old at the time of his attack, drove from his Binghamton-area home to the grocery store and got out of his car wearing a tactical-style helmet, camouflage clothing, body armor and a video camera. He carried a Bushmaster XM-15 .223 caliber rifle and multiple loaded magazines. He fatally shot three Black people in front of the store Roberta Drury, 32, Pearl Young, 77, and Heyward Patterson, 67 and wounded another. After entering the store, he kept shooting and killed seven more Black people: Ruth Whitfield, 86; Celestine Chaney, 65; Aaron W. Salter Jr., 55; Andre Mackniel, 52; Margus Morrison, 52; Katherine Massey, 72; and Geraldine Talley, 62. But Gendron did not shoot at only them. During the mass shooting, about 69 other people were in and around Tops, mostly Black shoppers and workers, who were not murdered, according to prosecutors. After a federal grand jury returned a 27-count indictment against Gendron in July 2022, the Justice Department announced in January 2024 that it would seek the death penalty. Gendron already has been sentenced by an Erie County judge to life in prison without parole on his guilty pleas to 10 state charges of first-degree murder and three counts of second-degree attempted murder, among other charges. Gendrons federal public defenders have said he would plead guilty to the federal charges if the government drops the death penalty as a potential punishment. In their filing Monday, Gendrons lawyers Assistant Federal Public Defender Sonya A. Zoghlin, Senior Litigator MaryBeth Covert; Julie Brain, a death penalty resource counsel from Philadelphia; and Monica Foster, executive director for Indiana Federal Community Defenders Inc. said they have tracked some 850 local news articles related to the shooting or the people involved. But they called that number an underestimate of how many stories have been published or aired, because their efforts to collect stories were not always robust. Given the number of articles during a sampling period, a more accurate estimate for local news articles would be roughly 1,847, they said. The coverage included former President Joe Biden calling Gendron a hate-filled soul. And they cited a Buffalo News article that quoted former Mayor Byron Brown saying seeking the death penalty against Gendron was the right decision. Biden, then-Vice President Kamala Harris and then-Attorney General Merrick Garland also came to Buffalo to meet with surviving family members. The defense tracked 130 local news articles in the two weeks following the shooting. Attorney for victims of Tops massacre urges Hochul to sign Grieving Families Act On Thursday, as Gov. Kathy Hochul received a newer version of the proposed Grieving Families Act, a Buffalo attorney representing victims of the May 14, 2022 racist massacre at Tops Markets on Jefferson Avenue urged her to sign the legislation. The media frenzy in the days and weeks following the shooting was extraordinary though perhaps not entirely unexpected, according to the defense filing. But the defense lawyers cited three factors that have kept the shooting in the news in the years that followed. Ninety-one stories have explored and documented the historic racism and segregation experienced in East Buffalo. The defense lawyers have collected 235 articles about the victims who were killed and remembrances of them. Many of these articles describe in detail the impact of the crime on the families that were affected, the defense lawyers wrote. Although the anger and the sadness is wholly understandable, survivors feelings and opinions about whether Payton Gendron should receive the death penalty is inadmissible. And then there were stories about two of the people affected by the shooting who became active in local politics. Last December, former Buffalo Fire Commissioner Garnell Whitfield announced he was running for mayor. His mother was killed in the Tops shooting. Also, Zeneta Everhart, the mother of a surviving victim, won election to the Buffalo Common Council for the Masten District. Stories about both frequently mention their connection to the Tops shooting. Weve had many cases where theres been widespread media coverage, Connors said. The question is whether or not it influences potential jurors. The judge, either through a questionnaire or during questioning of potential jurors, can determine if there is no ability to pick fair and impartial jurors. 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I Accept Harvard tries to avoid Columbias fate as Trump targets elite campuses over antisemitism Deblina Halder USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept Yeeshu Yadav USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept News / National by Staff reporter In a landmark ruling, the High Court has ordered the immediate suspension of Tinashe Mugabe's widely followed Closure DNA Show, citing serious violations of personal privacy rights. The verdict, delivered by Justice Joseph Mafusire, strongly condemned the program's practice of publicly revealing paternity results, arguing that it inflicted humiliation, particularly on vulnerable women and children.The ruling highlighted multiple instances where participants alleged they had been coerced into appearing on the show, only to have their private family matters exposed on national television. Justice Mafusire's decision described such practices as a gross violation of fundamental privacy rights, emphasizing that no person should be forced into disclosing deeply personal genetic information under public scrutiny.Following the court's decision, Tinashe Mugabe vowed to appeal the ruling, accusing the judiciary of succumbing to political pressure. His company, Global DNA Zimbabwe, released a statement defending the show's impact, stating that it had facilitated reunions between fathers and children in over 87% of cases. The company warned that the show's cancellation would deprive thousands of individuals of the opportunity to obtain the truth about their paternity.The ruling has sparked widespread debate, with privacy advocates celebrating it as a crucial step in upholding human dignity, while supporters of the show argue that it served as an important tool for addressing parental accountability. Social media platforms have been flooded with reactions, with many defending the show's role in exposing deadbeat fathers and demanding its return. The hashtag #DNAMatters has begun trending, as netizens rally in support of Mugabe's program.Meanwhile, rival DNA testing companies have moved swiftly to fill the gap left by the Closure DNA Show, advertising private and discreet paternity testing services to those still seeking answers.Legal experts suggest that Mugabe's appeal is likely to be heard by the Supreme Court in the coming months. The case is expected to set a precedent on the intersection of media, privacy rights, and public interest in Zimbabwe. Trump administration seeks new deportation deals with nations across Africa, Asia, and Europe Pragya Trivedi USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept News / National by Staff reporter National spokesperson of Zimbabwe's ruling party, Zanu-PF, Christopher Mutsvangwa has expressed his party's support as South Africa seeks to fix bilateral relations with the United States led by President Donald Trump.Addressing a media briefing in Harare on Tuesday, alongside Zanu-PF director of information Farai Marupira, Mutsvangwa added that he hopes South Africans would not be divided on racial lines during this era."As a diplomat, I am an ambassador, and I usually refrain from getting into the diplomatic issues of other countries. Our hope is that Pretoria/Tshwane and Washington eventually find each other and establish the rapport of state-to-state relations which makes for progress," said Mutsvangwa, who is Zimbabwe's former ambassador to the People's Republic of China."Along the way, I also hope that all South Africans aspire for a common destiny. If you have acquired influence, we are so happy about you and we only hope that you use the influence which you have acquired on the global stage particularly in an important city like Washington for the positive of Africa."Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.Mutsvangwa made the remarks with regards to the ongoing ructions in South Africa, where Afrikaner lobby groups including AfriForum and Solidarity Movement have been widely accused using their influence in Washington to influence sanctions in different forms against South Africa.AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel.Last week, IOL reported that the Solidarity Movement and AfriForum have rejected ongoing allegations from the African National Congress, where the ANC accused the lobby groups of spreading misinformation abroad.This comes after President Cyril Ramaphosa said he was concerned and disappointed with AfriForum and Solidarity, with both organisations having sent representatives to meet with United States government officials.Mutsvangwa commented that the path of confrontation in bilateral relations, or amongst citizens of a nation, does not help."There should be enough room for gracious interaction between them (Afrikaners in South Africa) and the government of their country South Africa. This route of confrontation, we as Zimbabweans have travelled that route before and on each and every occasion we have seen it doesn't help."When we come to an accommodation, things go well, that is why our template in 1979, of elections of a liberation movement became the basis upon which South Africa acquired majority rule in 1994," said Mutsvangwa.Last month, IOL reported that the United States is contemplating the resettlement of ethnic minority Afrikaners who they believe are experiencing unjust racial discrimination in South Africa. This update was released by the US Embassy in Pretoria."Consistent with President Trump's Executive Order on Addressing Egregious Actions of the Republic of South Africa, the US Department of State is coordinating with the Department of Homeland Security and implementing partners to consider eligibility for US refugee resettlement for disfavored ethnic minority Afrikaners in South Africa who are victims of unjust racial discrimination," the embassy said at the time. News / National by Staff reporter BULAWAYO Investment Indaba has started at a local hotel where industry experts gather to deliberate on different investment issues.The two-day event will bring together key stakeholders, including representatives from the City of Bulawayo, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, the National University of Science and Technology, the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries, and the Zimbabwe School of Mines, as well as other private sector players.According to the official programme, Sakunda Holdings chief executive officer, Dr Kudakwashe Tagwirei who is being represented by the chief operating officer Mr Mberikwazvo Chitambo will be the guest of honour.Other notable attendees include the Bulawayo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Cde Judith Ncube, and JRG Contracting CEO, Mr James Ross Goddard.The Zimbabwe International Trade Fair Companys Chief Finance Officer, Mr Innocent Tshuma, is expected to present on key infrastructure projects, including the construction of a convention centre, a three-star hotel and high-end retail shops.Mr Goddard will speak on the role of the private sector in devolution and local economic development. News / National by Staff reporter The City of Bulawayo on Wednesday commissioned four refuse compactors at a cost of US$602,400 as it reaffirms its commitment to restoring Bulawayo to its past glory of a clean city. Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, His Worship Senator @DavidColtart, the Mayor, pic.twitter.com/BJSQDfC2MM The City of Bulawayo (@CityofBulawayo) April 2, 2025 The Bulawayo City Council (BCC) on Wednesday commissioned four new refuse compactors as part of efforts to improve waste collection and maintain cleanliness in the city.The new trucks bring the city's total number of refuse compactors to 17, although officials say at least 30 are required to adequately service residential areas, industrial zones, businesses, and the city centre.Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, BCC Director of Health Services Dr. Edwin Mzingwane emphasized the need for more refuse compactors to meet the growing demand for waste management services."To adequately service all areas in Bulawayo, we need at least 30 refuse compactors. The addition of these four trucks is a step forward, but there is still a gap that needs to be filled," said Dr. Mzingwane.To address the shortfall, BCC has engaged private waste collection companies to assist in refuse collection, particularly in the western suburbs and the city centre.The local authority has been working to improve waste management amid challenges such as aging equipment and illegal dumping. The commissioning of the new refuse compactors is expected to enhance efficiency in keeping Bulawayo clean. Bill Burr, left, and Michael McKean during a performance of Glengarry Glen Ross in New York. AP Reporter Andrew Roberto was raised his whole life on Saipan. He graduated from Saipan Southern High School, holds a degree from Northern Marianas College, and a BA in English from the University of Guam. He once worked for KUAM, UNO Magazine, and the Guam Daily Post. News / National by Staff reporter The Government of Zimbabwe is taking decisive steps to reduce the rising number of road traffic accidents caused by reckless and impaired driving. This includes the procurement of additional breathalysers for use at police roadblocks across the country. The initiative was revealed by Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister, Felix Mhona, during the 9th edition of the Road Safety Journalistic Awards ceremony held in Harare.In a speech read on his behalf by Engineer David Jana, the Ministry's chief director for roads, Minister Mhona emphasized the importance of strict enforcement measures to enhance road safety. He noted that the Ministry of Home Affairs, in collaboration with the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ), is working to ensure the widespread implementation of breathalyser tests at roadblocks as part of an intensified effort to combat drunk driving.Minister Mhona urged the public to support these efforts by reporting reckless driving and adhering to traffic regulations. He highlighted that the procurement of more breathalysers is crucial to the Government's commitment to ensuring road safety through effective enforcement.Addressing the concerning issue of road traffic fatalities, Minister Mhona revealed alarming statistics from 2023 and 2024. In 2023, a total of 2,099 people lost their lives while 9,955 were injured in 51,924 road accidents. In 2024, the numbers were slightly lower, with 2,015 fatalities and 10,074 injuries from 52,288 accidents. These statistics underscore the critical need for sustained road safety awareness campaigns, better infrastructure, and stricter enforcement of traffic regulations.Minister Mhona also pointed out the significant economic impact of road traffic accidents. He revealed that Zimbabwe loses an estimated $406 million annually due to road crashes, which accounts for nearly three percent of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This financial loss, he argued, could otherwise be used to invest in schools, hospitals, and other crucial areas of economic development.In response to the growing concern over road safety, the Government has introduced several new measures. Statutory Instrument 10 of 2025 has made it mandatory for drivers of public service vehicles to be at least 30 years old, ensuring that mature individuals are in charge of such vehicles to reduce the likelihood of reckless driving. Additionally, Statutory Instrument 118 of 2023 mandates the installation of speed-limiting and monitoring devices in public service vehicles, both passenger and goods-carrying.Minister Mhona also emphasized the need to tackle corruption within the licensing and testing process. He warned that those involved in soliciting or offering bribes to obtain driver's licenses must be held accountable, as such corruption directly impacts road safety by enabling incompetent drivers to get behind the wheel.The Minister called on the media to play a more active role in reporting road traffic accidents and highlighting driver errors, which he noted are the leading cause of road fatalities. While driver errors are the most common factor, he acknowledged that road safety issues can also involve pedestrians, cyclists, animal drovers, and passengers.Minister Mhona's address made it clear that the Government is committed to reducing road traffic accidents and fatalities by implementing stricter measures, improving road safety awareness, and ensuring that all road users adhere to traffic laws. As Zimbabwe continues to tackle the challenges of road safety, the procurement of more breathalysers and other enforcement mechanisms are vital steps in the fight against reckless driving. Road work ahead sign View Photo Sonora, CA Motorists can expect delays into the weekend as PG&E pole repairs get underway at several locations beginning tomorrow. The utility has hired Summit Line Construction out of Sacramento to make the repairs. Signs are in place along with flaggers to direct travelers. Drivers can expect up to ten-minute delays, especially where large equipment is being used. The construction firm provided these details for the pole repair work in Sonora this week: Wednesday (4.2.25): Near 796 Shaws Flat Rd. Thursday (4.3.25): Near 18 Banner Dr. Near Ridge Rd. and Banner Dr. Near North Reservoir Rd. and Tidwall St. Friday (4.4.25): Near Snell St. Near 11 Elks Dr. Near 148 McCormick Dr. Saturday (4.5.25): Near 300 Elks Dr. Near 310 Elks Dr. Construction company officials say the work will begin at 8 a.m. and all jobs will be complete within the day. Fentanyl pills that look like Smarties candies View Photo Sacramento, CA A proposal to reclassify crimes related to providing fentanyl to minors is gaining bipartisan support in the California legislature. Senate Bill 432 easily passed through the Senate Public Safety Committee, its first hurdle. It would make charges related to providing fentanyl to a minor a serious felony. The change would make offenders ineligible for plea bargaining or probation and add a five-year sentence enhancement. Supporters say that fentanyl was involved in 80% of drug-induced deaths among 14-23 year olds in 2021. Drug Enforcement Administration testing in 2024 found that half of seized counterfeit pills contained a lethal dose of fentanyl. Senate Bill 432 is authored by Republican Kelly Seyarto, who states that fentanyl is a huge risk for school-age children, adding, By now, were all aware of the devastating impact fentanyl is having across California, often taking the lives of people who had no idea they were consuming it. SB 432 sends a strong message: if you knowingly give fentanyl to a child, you will be held responsible. Originally, SB 432 aimed to make this crime a strike offense under Californias three strikes law. However, committee amendments downgraded it to a serious felony, News / National by Staff reporter The nationwide Buy Zimbabwe research on consumer preferences for both emerging and established products has been successfully concluded, with researchers now processing the collected data. The study, which spanned five major geographical regions - Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru, Mutare, and Masvingo - aimed to identify the most preferred products and brands among Zimbabwean consumers.In a statement, Select Research Project Manager Ms. Sarah Suruto described the study as one of the most extensive ever conducted. More than 7,000 questionnaires were completed, including responses from the Zimbabwean diaspora. She highlighted that a combination of online and physical surveys was used to gather data, ensuring a broad representation of consumer preferences."The response was extremely positive. We collected 5,000 physical questionnaires, while over 2,000 were submitted online. This is truly one of the largest research studies we have conducted, and we would like to thank the respondents for taking their time to provide their input," Suruto said.The study covered an extensive range of products and services, including agricultural produce, foodstuffs, beverages, cooking oil, detergents, alcohol, clothing, building materials, chemicals, and fertilizers. Additionally, it explored consumer preferences in electronics, hospitality, financial services, telecommunications, medical aid, and funeral assurance.Buy Zimbabwe CEO and Chairman Mr. Munyaradzi Hwengwere announced that the research findings would be officially unveiled at the prestigious Buy Zimbabwe Awards, now rebranded as the Zimbrands Awards, scheduled for May 30, 2025, in Harare."We are excited about the overwhelming response to this comprehensive study. Select Research is now processing the data, and a complete report is expected within two weeks. The results will be used to determine the winning products and brands at the Zimbrands Awards, and we are confident that they will accurately reflect market trends," said Hwengwere.The research was commissioned by Buy Zimbabwe in response to the rise of new products that are challenging long-standing consumer preferences. By deepening market knowledge and expanding the database of available products, the study aims to better understand the influence of market forces and pricing dynamics on consumer choices.Previously, award winners were determined through an adjudication committee, but with this research-driven approach, direct consumer feedback will now play a crucial role in selecting the country's top brands.Buy Zimbabwe remains dedicated to promoting locally made goods and services, ensuring greater market access for domestic products, and reinforcing the preference for Zimbabwean brands among consumers. LOS ANGELES (AP) Former Biden administration Health Secretary Xavier Becerra on Wednesday became the latest Democrat to join the crowded field seeking to become Californias next governor, a contest that could be dramatically reshaped if former Vice President Kamala Harris becomes a candidate. The Stanford Law School graduate enters the race with a lengthy resume of government service, including stints as California attorney general, a U.S. House member and a state legislator. In December 2020, then-President-elect Joe Biden picked Becerra to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, putting a defender of the Affordable Care Act in a leading role to oversee his administrations coronavirus response. In a heavily Democratic state with punishing housing and grocery prices and some of the nations highest gas and utility costs, Becerra said working families are facing an affordability crisis. The California Dream is slipping away, he said in a statement announcing his run. The contest to replace term-limited Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom already has lured a large scrum of announced and likely candidates that would be reordered if Harris decides to seek the states top office. Harris, a former state attorney general and U.S. senator, has not ruled out seeking the governorship since she left Washington in January after a failed presidential bid. Democrats are expected to hold the seat in a state where they outnumber registered Republicans by nearly 2 to 1. Republicans have not won a statewide election in California in nearly two decades. In a statement, Becerra did not directly mention any of his Democratic rivals, who include former U.S. House member Katie Porter, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, among others. On the GOP side, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco in February became the first major Republican to announce a bid to replace Newsom, whose term runs through early January 2027. Bianco blamed Democrats for the ongoing homeless crisis and runaway housing prices. The low-key Becerra said he was ready to take on bullies who get in our way, an obvious reference to President Donald Trump. When Becerra was serving as California attorney general during Trumps first term, he developed a reputation for suing the Republican administration more than anyone else on issues from health care to environmental policy. While Becerra led the federal health agency during the pandemic, California instituted long lockdowns that have been faulted for disrupting education and the economy. That could make him a target for conservatives. Becerra frequently cites his working-class parents as inspiration. His mother was born in Jalisco, Mexico, and emigrated to the U.S. after marrying his father, a native of Sacramento, California, who had grown up in Mexico. My parents came to California with $12 in their pockets. They built a life they were proud of, Becerra said. Thats the promise of California, and I will fight to ensure its still within reach for everyone. By MICHAEL R. BLOOD AP Political Writer Harare The relationship between President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga, once forged in the fires of a coup, has soured into a bitter rivalry over the countrys future leadership, threatening to destabilise the ruling Zanu-PF party. Chiwenga, who stood firmly by Mnangagwas side during his darkest hour, when he was ousted as Vice-President by the late Robert Mugabe in November 2017, feels betrayed by Team Mnangagwas apparent determination to block his path to the presidency. It was Chiwenga who took the monumental risk of leading the November 2017 coup that ousted Mugabe, paving the way for Mnangagwas return from exile and his subsequent rise to power. He orchestrated Mnangagwas heros welcome, ushering in a new era after Mugabes disastrous 37-year rule. After that, he supported him to consolidate power and become firmly ensconced in office. He also stood by him as he badly battled through disputed elections in 2018 and 2023 to, first, legitimise himself and then remain in power. He also supported his leadership and policies, including Vision2030; no questions asked. He went on to describe him as Munhumutapa, giving him the historical grand title, glory and influence of ancient 15th century Shona monarchs at Great Zimbabwe and after even if he is not part of that lineage. This led to him declaring his own birthday 15 September an annual Munhumutapa Day as he sought imperial power and to memorialise himself, while deeply entrenching himself in power. He even knelt before him in front of people at the Zanu PF congress in 2022 as a sign of loyalty and respect. It was a public spectacle. Prior to that, he had survived poisoning, but remained loyal. Chiwenga, who was initially expected to take over the reins in 2023 after Mnangagwa served a single term, now believes that Mnangagwa is reneging on their agreement. Chiwengafeels he has been betrayed, and that now enough is enough, a source close to the Vice-President revealed. However, Mnangagwa is having none of it: For him anyone but Chiwenga when it comes who succeeds him. Mnangagwa is willing to support anyone except Chiwenga. For Mnangagwa, Chiwenga is a small boy and cannot push him around. That he is what be believes and thinks. After coming to power in 2017, Mnangagwa slowly but surely started purging his allies those who put him in power. A classic phenomenon in the aftermath of a coup or a change in power. This is often referred to as the purge of loyalists who helped bring the new leader to power. There are several reasons why a leader might remove those who helped them seize power. Fear of betrayal. The leader may worry that those who helped them rise to power could also be the ones to bring them down. Then there is consolidation of power. By removing potential rivals or threats, the coup leader can consolidate their power and eliminate any challenges to their authority. By eliminating those who know how to orchestrate a coup, the leader can also reduce the risk of a future coup or challenge to their rule. This phenomenon has played out in various historical contexts, including Napoleon Bonapartes purge of his loyal generals after rising to power in France after the 1789 French Revolution. The French Revolution took place between 1789 and 1799, leading to the rise of Napoleon. Joseph Stalins elimination of his rivals and allies after consolidating power in the Soviet Union. The purges of loyalists was also done by various African leaders, such as Idi Amin in Uganda and Mobutu Sese Seko in Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo). Mugabe did the same. In the current Zimbabwean context, this characterises the relationship between Mnangagwa and Chiwenga. The current succession battle, dubbed the 2030 succession battle, is characterised by Mnangagwas alleged attempts to extend his rule through proxies, campaigning for him to remain in power until 2030. Despite denials, Mnangagwa is seen as actively blocking Chiwenga from succeeding him, despite the Vice-Presidents immense sacrifices. Chiwenga played an immeasurable crucial role in Mnangagwas rise to power in 2017. Without the army, Mnangagwa would not have got anywhere near State House. As ZDF commander, he led the military intervention that ultimately forced out Mugabe through a resignation at gunpoint and under a cloud of impeachment, paving way for Mnangagwas ascension to the presidency. Chiwengas support for Mnangagwa was not only limited to the military intervention. He also publicly defended Mnangagwa within the ruling Zanu PF party over leadership, governance and policy issues. Additionally, Chiwenga has shown significant loyalty and respect. However, despite Chiwengas past support Mnangagwa he is now being blocked from rising to the top. His allies are now being purged yet again. It is ruthless and precarious. Only last week, Zimbabwe National Army commander Lieutenant-General Anselem Sanyatwe was removed in the run-up to the March 31 stayaway. As commander of the Presidential Guard, Sanyatwe was critical in the 2017 coup. However, their partnership has not been one-sided. For his part, Mnangagwa has also done some favours for Chiwenga. For instance, he stood by and defended him to the hilt as Defence minister when Mugabe wanted to remove him as Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) commander before the coup. Mnangagwa also agreed to allow Chiwenga to wield enormous power at the beginning as Vice-President and Defence minister also in charge of war veterans just after the putsch. Of course, at that point Mnangagwa did not have a choice: He did not have the cards as Donald Trump would say referring to Volodymyr Zelensky. Generally, Mnangagwa has kept Chiwenga in his position even when he was on a deathbed, but on a balance the Vice-President has given far more than he got. The reasons behind this apparent shift in loyalty between Mnangagwa and Chiwenga are various and varied, including the fight for access to resources, but it highlights the complex and often treacherous nature of Zimbabwean politics. Chiwenga has been a key figure in Zimbabwean politics for many years, serving as ZDF commander and later as the Minister of Defence and War Veterans. His current role as Vice-President has positioned him well as a potential successor to Mnangagwa, but the dynamics between the two frenemies appear to be now becoming increasingly complicated and hostile. Mugabe warned Chiwenga about this. So what will Chiwenga do? The question now looms: What will Chiwenga do in response to this perceived betrayal, and what impact will this power struggle have on Zimbabwes political landscape? Breaking News via Email Related Pin Share Share 0 Shares Harare Christopher Mutsvangwas recent unrestrained attack on Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga has ignited speculation about his own presidential ambitions and his desire to weaken a perceived rival. However, political analysts are casting doubt on his ability to secure the top job, citing his poor electoral record and questionable standing within Zanu-PF. Mutsvangwa, the Zanu-PF spokesperson, has been a controversial figure, known for his outspoken and often abrasive style. His recent verbal assault on Chiwenga, describing him as unelectable, cruel, and illiterate, has raised eyebrows, particularly given President Emmerson Mnangagwas calls for unity within the faction-ridden ruling party. Despite the public outburst, Mnangagwa has yet to publicly reprimand Mutsvangwa. Chiwenga is widely considered a frontrunner to succeed Mnangagwa when his term expires in 2028. However, Mnangagwas loyalists have been pushing for an extension of his term to 2030, a resolution adopted at the partys annual conference in Bulawayo last year. While the 82-year-old president has publicly stated he is not interested in extending his tenure, critics remain sceptical about his sincerity. Political analysts suggest that Mutsvangwa is overplaying his hand by attempting to discredit Chiwenga, particularly given his own dismal performance in past elections. Mutsvangwa has failed to secure a parliamentary seat in numerous attempts. He twice contested the Norton seat, losing on both occasions, including in 2000 during the height of Zimbabwes land reform turmoil. In 2013, he shifted his focus to Hatfield but was defeated by MDC-Ts Tichaona Munyanyi. Sources within Zanu-PF suggest that Mutsvangwa harbours presidential ambitions and views Chiwenga as a significant obstacle. For those people who are close to Christopher Mutsvangwa he is seeing himself as the next leader of Zanu PF and we are not surprised why he had attacked Chiwenga who is his stumbling block, a senior Zanu PF official said. Zanu-PF is scheduled to hold its elective congress in 2027, a year before Mnangagwas second and final term is set to conclude. Political analysts argue that Mutsvangwas continued political relevance stems from his role as a war veterans leader and his shifting alliances within Zanu-PF. However, they also believe he is stretching his luck. Christopher Mutsvangwa is delusional, analyst Tendai Reuben Mbofana told The Standard. Mutsvangwa will have to use other means to get to power. Mutsvangwa cannot lead a faction within Zanu PF. He is not a respected person within Zanu PF. He is just seen as a clown in Zanu PF. Mbofana also highlighted the lack of democratic principles within Zanu-PF. The problem is that Zanu PF is not a democratic institution there have never been a democratically elected leader in Zanu PF, he said. Mnangagwa came to power through military backing. The next president of Zanu PF is not going to be elected; there is already a push to impose another leader at Zanu PF. Mutsvangwas history is marked by public clashes with various Zanu-PF officials, including Mnangagwa, and numerous expulsions from the party. In March 2016, while serving as chairman of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association, Mutsvangwa was suspended from Zanu-PF for three years after verbally abusing former first lady Grace Mugabe. He had accused the late president Robert Mugabe of allowing his wife to control the country. We will always respect the institution of marriage and hes confused and conflating the institution of marriage and that of the state, he was quoted saying then apparently referring to Mugabe. He was suspended alongside his wife, Monica, and her colleague Esphina Nhari, both members of the Zanu PF Womens League. In 2018, Mnangagwa removed Mutsvangwa as his special advisor following the military coup that brought him to power, despite Mutsvangwas key role in the coup itself. More recently, in February 2024, Mnangagwa dismissed Mutsvangwa as Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Affairs minister after an outburst against Information minister Jenfan Muswere over state-controlled media board changes. Breaking News via Email Related Pin Share Share 0 Shares News / National by Staff reporter The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has confirmed the arrest of 107 people following Monday's anti-government mass action, a stayaway that saw pockets of unrest in some areas.According to the police, those arrested were involved in violent and unsanctioned demonstrations, with most of the arrests occurring at Robert Gabriel Mugabe Square in Harare.In a statement, the ZRP commended the general public for maintaining law and order, despite what they described as attempts by some individuals and groups to incite violence on March 31, 2025. The police assured the nation that the country remains peaceful and that officers will remain strategically deployed to ensure stability.Authorities confirmed a few incidents of violence and malicious damage to property but emphasized that the overall security situation was under control.The police also warned against social media mobilization for violent protests, urging citizens to ignore calls for unlawful gatherings and activities that may lead to looting or other crimes."The law will take its course on unruly elements who commit criminal acts under the guise of demonstrations," the ZRP stated.As police continue to monitor the situation, the public is encouraged to report suspicious activities and to support efforts aimed at maintaining peace and security across the country. Bulawayo In a significant breakthrough, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) have apprehended three suspects in connection with the brutal murder of Sergeant Abel Masava, who was fatally shot last Friday in Sizinda, Bulawayo, while attending to a domestic violence call. The late Sgt Masava, a dedicated officer stationed at ZRP Tshabalala, was shot in the head in the early hours of Friday, March 28, 2025, and died while being rushed to hospital. The incident occurred after he and a colleague responded to a domestic violence complaint in the Sizinda suburb. National police spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi, confirmed the arrest of Mandlenkosi Albert Munangati (26), Clifford Desmond Nare (33) and Thabo Dube (24) in connection with the murder case. He also announced the recovery of the firearm used to kill the police officer. The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms the arrest of Mandlenkosi Albert Munangati (26), Clifford Desmond Nare (33) and Thabo Dube (24) in connection with the murder case. The firearm used to kill the police officer has been recovered from the robbers, said Comm Nyathi. The tragic event unfolded when Sergeant Masava and Constable Magaya arrived at a residence in Sizinda in response to a domestic violence complaint. Upon discovering that the gate was locked, Constable Magaya began knocking, while Sergeant Masava remained near the police vehicle. It was then that he spotted five men dressed in black walking past. Acting on his instincts, Sergeant Masava stopped the men, requesting identification and inquiring about their movements. In a brazen act of violence, one of the men produced a firearm and shot Sergeant Masava in the head. He collapsed, and the suspects immediately fled the scene, disappearing into the darkness. Two other suspects, Sipho Ncube (24) and Dumisani Ndlovu (32), attempted to evade arrest, resulting in a dramatic shootout with detectives along Harrow Street, Sauerstown, Bulawayo. Tragically, both Ncube and Ndlovu succumbed to their injuries and were pronounced dead upon admission at United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH). The swift response to the shooting involved officers from ZRP Tshabalala, the Dog Section, and the Criminal Investigation Departments Homicide Unit, who were immediately dispatched to the scene. They found Sergeant Masava lying on the ground outside the gate of the house where they had intended to assist the caller. He was still breathing at the time, but sadly, he was pronounced dead on arrival at UBH. The arrest of the suspects and the recovery of the murder weapon represent a significant step forward in the investigation. Comm Nyathi revealed that the suspects are also linked to a string of armed robbery cases in Bulawayo, spanning from April 22, 2024, to March 28, 2025. The suspects are also linked to a spate of armed robbery cases in Bulawayo which occurred between 22 April 2024 and 28 March 2025. On 30 March 2025 detectives received information which linked a Honda Fit vehicle, registration number AGG 8380 to the murder case and a spate of armed robbery cases in Bulawayo, said Comm Nyathi. Detectives tracked the vehicle, leading to the initial arrest of Mandlenkosi Albert Munangati. Munangati then implicated the other suspects, leading to their arrest and the recovery of a cache of weapons. The detectives tracked the vehicle leading to the arrest of Mandlenkosi Albert Munangati. The suspect implicated the other suspects leading to their arrest and recovery of five firearms, National Browning pistol, Blow F92 Blank pellet gun, Long Rifle 12GA 76/3 inch long, Vizor Pistol, shotgun and a sword, said Comm Nyathi. The suspects are now being linked to at least 25 cases of armed robbery, including a high-profile robbery at a supermarket in New Luveve on December 28, 2024, where cash and three cellphones were stolen, and another robbery at a funeral parlour in Kelvin North, Bulawayo, on February 10, 2025, where US$3 608 and ZAR 21 130 cash and a cell phone were taken. The suspects are being linked to 25 cases of armed robbery including a case which occurred at a supermarket in New Luveve on 28 December 2024, where cash and three cellphones were stolen and another robbery case which occurred at a funeral parlour in Kelvin North, Bulawayo on 10 February 2025 where US$3 608 and ZAR 21 130 cash and a cell phone were stolen, reads the statement. Furthermore, the suspects are also believed to be responsible for a robbery at a service station at the corner of Nketa Drive and Rangemore Road on March 2, 2025, where a shotgun and a cellphone were stolen. Investigations have revealed that the suspects were specifically targeting service stations (fuel), liquor outlets, supermarkets, funeral parlours, and gas operators. The suspects are also clearing a case of robbery which occurred at a service station at corner Nketa Drive and Rangemore Road on 02 March 2025 where a shotgun and a cellphone were stolen. Investigations have revealed that the suspects were targeting service stations (fuel), liquor outlets, supermarkets, funeral parlous and gas operators, reads the statement. Comm Nyathi expressed his gratitude to members of the public for providing crucial information that led to the arrest of the suspects. Residents of Sizinda had previously expressed their fear and insecurity following the shooting. One resident, who declined to be named, said, It happened in the dead of the night. We heard a loud crack like a gunshot, followed by the sound of people running. We didnt dare come out to see what was happening because we were terrified. We only noticed later a heavy police presence and knew something serious had occurred. In the morning, we saw blood near the gate of the house where the incident took place, highlighting the fear and insecurity that has gripped the community. The tragic death of Sergeant Masava marks the second time in a month that a police officer has died on duty in Bulawayo. On March 6, detective Cassandra Hove was fatally shot by a colleague in Pumula South suburb, underscoring the dangers and risks faced by law enforcement officers in the city. A court heard that the bullet that killed her was intended for an armed robbery suspect as a police officer was charged over her murder. Breaking News via Email Related Pin Share Share 0 Shares Harare Bigboy Nampungo, a 27-year-old man, has been sentenced to 60 years in prison, effectively serving 30 years, for his involvement in the armed robbery that targeted the in-laws of prominent businessman Wicknell Chivayo in Marondera. The swift conclusion of this case, just under two weeks after Nampungo pleaded guilty, is a stark contrast to the often lengthy court proceedings typical in Zimbabwe. Nampungo appeared before Harare Magistrate Jesse Kufa, where he pleaded guilty to six counts of armed robbery. He received a 10-year sentence for each count. He is currently the only one of the accused to have pleaded guilty, with his accomplices remaining in custody, awaiting the outcome of their bail appeals. The State, represented by Shambadzeni Fungura, presented a detailed account of the robbery, which took place on March 18, 2025, at Alfa Omega Farm in Marondera. Nampungo, along with his accomplices, targeted several individuals on the property, including security guards and residents. The first count involved the attack on Zecks Mutasharusike, a 51-year-old private security guard. The gang, armed with rifles, pistols, machetes, and iron bars, overpowered Mutasharusike, disarming him of his service firearm and stealing his personal belongings, including two cell phones and a communication radio. They then tied him up, assaulted him, and demanded information about the farms security before confining him in the guard room. The stolen property was valued at US$1,560, with only US$30 worth of property later recovered. The second count detailed the assault and robbery of Petros Mabhunu, a 25-year-old security guard at the same farm. Mabhunu attempted to flee but was caught, tied up, and robbed of his button stick and torch. The stolen items were valued at US$45, with no recovery made. Medic Zhakata, a 32-year-old security guard, was the victim in the third count. He was assaulted, threatened with a firearm, tied up, and taken to join the other security guards. Zhakata lost a cell phone and an eversharp pen, valued at US$14. Tinotenda Shoniwa, a 24-year-old resident of Alfa Omega Farm, was the complainant in the fourth count. The robbers entered her bedroom while she was asleep, brandishing a half-brick and a kitchen knife. They stole her Samsung cell phone and two power banks, with the total value of stolen goods amounting to US$360. Property valued at US$3 was later recovered. Gerald Gara Muteke, a 36-year-old farmer and one of Wicknell Chivayos in-laws, was targeted in the fifth count. After hearing noises in his house, Muteke was confronted by the assailants, including Nampungo, who broke into his bedroom and stole US$18,000 in cash, a 9mm pistol, and two Samsung phones. The robbers reportedly demanded that Muteke lead them to the safe. The total value of stolen items was US$25,000, with property worth US$2,500 recovered. The final count involved Vimbai Muteke, a 42-year-old self-employed woman and also one of Chivayos in-laws. She was attacked in her bedroom, and the robbers stole US$1,100 in cash and a Samsung A35 phone. They then forced her to lead them to the main bedroom, where they stole an additional US$53,000 from the family safe. The total value of stolen property amounted to US$54,100, with no recovery made. The stolen cell phones were found dumped in the farmyard on March 19, 2025. The investigation into the robbery led detectives to recover goods purchased with the proceeds, including two heifers, a 32-inch television, clothes, building materials, solar batteries, and an inverter. These items were traced to Nyatsime, where Nampungo was apprehended. The sentencing of Nampungo comes as police have to date arrested eight suspects in connection with the robbery of US$74,000 from the in-laws of businessman Wicknell Chivayo in Marondera. Five more suspects from Chitungwiza appeared in court on Friday, accused of robbing Mr Wicknell Chivayos in-laws of US$74,000 at their farm in Marondera. Garikai Shangwa (43), Temptation Gerald Dinhidza (44), Arnold Tafirei (38), Tawanda Mushayatu (45) and Mike Mhaka (45) appeared before regional magistrate Mrs Marehwanazvo Gofa, each facing two counts of robbery. Only the High Court can grant bail in robbery cases, and the five were remanded in custody to April 10. These arrests bring the total number of suspects who have appeared in court in connection with the Marondera robbery to eight, following the arraignment of Peter Maramba Vhiya (39) and Takudzwa Maisvoreva (24) last week. Adding another layer of intrigue to the case, a Constable Mukuva from Kopje police station has allegedly gone on the run after being linked to the armed raid. Law enforcement sources revealed that the constable is suspected of involvement in the robbery, which targeted the US$74,000 that was reportedly part of the cash Chivayo paid as lobola for his wife Lulu Muteke. The pair will be jointly charged with another suspect already in custody when they return to court on April 10. Prosecutor Mr Lancelot Mutsokoti told the court that on March 18, at around 1 am, the eight suspects, along with accomplices who are still at large, raided Alfa and Omega Farm in Marondera while armed with three rifles, two pistols, bolt cutters, machetes and iron bars. The gang reportedly ambushed Petros Mabunhu, a security guard employed by DM Security, assaulting him with iron bars and kicking him repeatedly. They tied his hands and legs with cable ties before forcing him into the farmyard. There, they encountered another guard, Zex Mutasa Rusike, and seized his shotgun, which was not loaded. They also tied Rusike and force marched him to the front guardroom, where a third guard, Medic Zhakata, was also attacked and restrained. Two suspects were left guarding the three guards while the rest broke into the main house. They used bolt cutters to break through the burglar screen and kitchen door before confronting Mr Gerald Muteke in his bedroom. Fearing for his life, Mr Muteke surrendered US$18 000 in cash, a loaded Sarsilmaz pistol, and two Samsung smartphones (S23 and S24). The gang then proceeded to Vimbai Mutekes bedroom, where they demanded cash and keys to the safe. She handed over US$1 100, the safe key, and a Samsung Galaxy A35. Inside the main bedroom safe, the robbers took an additional US$55 000. As the robbers continued their raid, Elphas Maruta, armed with a Lee-Enfield .303 rifle loaded with four rounds, advanced toward the house after being alerted of the robbery. A shootout ensued, with Maruta firing two shots and the suspects firing back three shots. The gang fled with a total of US$74 600 in cash and valuables. Police later recovered stolen property worth US$3 800. The suspects were also implicated in a separate robbery on February 25, targeting Cossam Siminya at his residence. Around 3am, the gang, armed with pistols, sjamboks, iron bars, and a hammer, broke into Mr Siminya and his wife Precious Makores home. Ms Makore was awoken by the barking of dogs and alerted her husband after hearing banging noises at the back door. She called on neighbours to help while the robbers were forcing their way into the house. The robbers allegedly confronted Panashe Zhuwawo, who was sleeping in a spare bedroom, and took his cellphone. Neighbours who responded to the call for help fled after one of the robbers fired two shots into the air. Meanwhile, the gang confronted another resident, Jane Manokore, stealing a 49-inch Samsung television set, cash totalling US$700, a cellphone and other valuables. The robbers then entered Mr Siminyas bedroom and stole US$10 000 in cash, an iPhone 14 Pro, a Tecno Spark 8, groceries, and other items. The suspects also raided a tuck shop on the property and severely assaulted Bosco Chidukudze before stealing a small Samsung cellphone. The total value of goods stolen in the second robbery was US$13 220 and nothing has been recovered. 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The Tech Bubble Our Famously Free Press Supply Chain The Bezzle Class Warfare Antidote du jour (via): See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here. Back at the end of February, we wondered how the Trump administration officials dressing down of the Europeans would mix with the relentless propaganda against Russia specifically whether it would lead to a rally-around-the-EU-flag moment similar to the time after the official start of the Ukraine war in 2022. That process is now in full swing and not just in Europe, but Canada too. Support for these EU and Canadian rearmament initiatives are being aided along by all the Trump noise. I say noise for the following reasons: The goals of the West still align against countries like China and Iran despite some differences over Project Ukraine. The Washington goal for some time has been to get Europe to shoulder a heavier burden. Perhaps it was time for a shove. Ian Lesser, director of the Brussels office of the German Marshall Fund tells the New York Times the following. The advent of the Trump administration has given history a shove, he said. Were not in a linear environment, with a linear spending trajectory. That same New York Times report mentions as have many others the Trump administration still supports NATO, plans to keep the American nuclear umbrella over Europe and remains committed to collective defense. In the SignalGate messages, VP Vance laments I just hate bailing Europe out again. Vance argued that bombing the Houthis to protect trade routes through the Suez Canal would benefit Europe much more than the US since only 3 percent of US trade runs through the Suez and 40 percent of European trade does. Well, that assumes that the US will be successful in protecting trade routes by bombing Yemen which is far from a sure thing. And the US war crimes there are much more about bailing out Israel than Europe. Nevertheless, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth agreed with Vance: I fully share your loathing of European free-loading. Its PATHETIC. Vance was also miffed that the bailing out of Europe goes against Trumps message about the EU. Even though Vance and Hegseth might be disappointed (that European nations arent bombing Yemen?), Trumps message is still accelerating long-held dreams by neoliberal Atlanticists, such as the following: The crushing of the welfare states in Europe and Canada, which goes hand-in-hand with Rearmament. Ultimately, the benefits of rearmament go first and foremost to the Western arms companies. Now some EU plans look like theyre going nowhere fast. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyens 800 billion ReArm Europe brainchild doesnt have the full support of bloc countries it needs. And others from High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas to provide up to 40 billion euros in aid to Kiev and 5 billion euros toward providing Ukraine two million artillery shells this year are all but dead. That being said, several EU countries are dramatically increasing military spending, most notably Germany, which under incoming Chancellor Friedrich Merz is losing its debt rules to spend big on its military. And the EU, even if ReArm never takes off, there are plenty of other options on the table. EU cohesion funds are financed by bloc governments in order to strengthen the economic, social and territorial unity of the EU through environment, transportation, and other infrastructure projects. Roughly one-third of the current seven-year EU budget of 1.2 trillion euros was for cohesion, but can now be used for defense. The European Investment Bank (EIB) is being pushed to direct more money and its AAA credit rating towards militarization. In 2022, the EIB began funding for dual-use projects, and the portion of lending going towards mitigating climate change or fostering economic growth has steadily declined as more money goes to Ukraine and military projects, but it is still unable to directly fund the production of arms and ammunition something that helps it preserve that AAA rating. Most bloc countries are pushing for that to change. The Polish government recently announced that it will redirect 7.2 billion euros from its share of the EUs post-pandemic recovery funds towards militarization spending. Its the first but perhaps not the last bloc country to do so. None of these plans deal with the issue of the EUs lack of soldiers and dearth of young men willing to enlist nor with the fact that even prior to Project Ukraine, NATO already massively outspent Russia on defense, yet the dramatic redirection of money from social spending to weapons companies continues nonetheless. Its easy to see the dynamic at work here. Trump demands five percent of GDP spent on defense. NATO members go to 3.5 percent a significant back-breaking jump from two percent. Ursula aims for 800 billion, but instead cohesion funds and EIB spending is redirected. And the more the Trump administration kicks the EU around, the more militarization initiatives in Europe gain support. Thats also the product of years of anti-Russia propaganda. One feels the table is set for the next manufactured crisis to go for broke. Theyve already got people taking to the streets to demand it. The People Want War? How genuine or realistic the Trump administrations efforts are to end the war in Ukraine are debatable, and conclusions often change by day. (And lets not forget Russia has the ultimate say.) But one thing is certain: just by making noise about peace in Ukraine and leaving Europe to fend for itself, Trump has helped sell European militarization spending. Heres a piece from the Associated Press, Tens of thousands join pro-Europe rally in Rome, amid worries over European Unions plan to rearm. This is in Italy, one of the least supportive publics in Europe for Project Ukraine with major class divergence on the benefits of EU membership, so that gives you an idea of the crowd likely skewed, but still. Tens of thousands of Italians joined a pro-Europe rally in Romes city center Saturday, waving blue European Union flags in a sign of support and unity as a European push for rearmament divides the country. The initiative, supported by most of the center-left opposition parties, despite their different positions, was launched by Italian journalist Michele Serra at the end of February, with an editorial in the Italian daily La Repubblica titled: Lets say something European. I wanted to organize a large demonstration of citizens supporting Europe, its unity and its freedom, with no party flags, only European flags, Serra said, launching the slogan: Here we make Europe, or we die. The initiative was born in response to U.S. President Donald Trump s destabilizing policies, which created an unprecedented rift between Europe and the U.S., strained over the war in Ukraine and an ongoing tariff battle. Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni has reluctantly backed an EU plan to rearm Europe over concerns that the proposal by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen might weigh on Italys giant debt, diverting much-needed funds to weapons spending. Depending on where you sit, getting 30,000 out to protest for weapons manufacturers profits and the gutting of social services could be considered either an impressive or depressing achievement. Nevertheless, is it representative of the wider mood? A few recent polls have some interesting findings. Eurofound shows a slight reversal in the trend of European publics souring on Project Ukraine: A more extreme case of Trump-inspired EU militarization fever can be found in blocs recent Eurobarometer survey. The poll, conducted for the European Parliament in January and February, found that 74 percent of EU citizens thought their country benefited from EU membership. Thats the highest recorded level since the question was first asked in 1983. Why are people feeling the love for Brussels? Because the EU strengthens security: Theres also this: As always, these results should be taken with a grain of salt since its in the EU interest for citizens to support more centralization in the name of protection. And so the results are also interesting for what the EP chose to emphasize and subsequent media reports chose not to highlight, including the following: Or how about the following? Most of those values are under threat from the EU, not by any outside forces. While they might have gotten numbers they craved on the role of the EU to protect, the increased support for Brussels comes despite the realization beginning to break through that life will not be getting any better: That will no doubt still be the case even once the Trump shock is gone and the rally around the flag euphoria wears off just as it did following the start of Russias special military operation in 2022. Neoliberal Warmongers Reprieve One area the Trump effect is more clearly showing itself is in bumps of support for Western politicians and parties thoroughly discredited for their Project Ukraine support in recent years and the disastrous effect it has had on economies at home. Heres FT: Canadas ruling Liberal party was facing a humiliating loss in upcoming elections. Then came Donald Trump. Party leadership contenders vied to display strength against the US president, his tariffs and his desire to take over Canada and Liberals poll ratings began surging. Under new prime minister Mark Carney, with the slogan Canada strong, the party is now narrow favourite to win a historic fourth straight term. The former Bank of England governor has become emblematic of global leaders enjoying a ratings bump after going head to head with Trump. Polling in several countries, from Mexico to Ukraine, shows even unpopular leaders like Frances Emmanuel Macron are enjoying some relief from voters as they seek to ward off menaces including tariffs, the withdrawal of military support and even the threat of US conquest. Even Zelesnky, who has Ukraine on the verge of extinction, has got wind in his sails: Zelenskiys overall approval rating has shot to 67 per cent while his net approval is 38 per cent the highest scores since December 2023 even as he seeks to mend relations by accepting Trumps proposed minerals deal and partial 30-day truce. Trumps comments were seen as unfair, a stab in the back and a wider attack on the country, rather than just criticism targeting the president, said Anton Hrushevsky of the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology. Macron is going to need a lot more help (like, say, the barring of his main rival from office), but hes up six percentage points to a depressing 27 percent in an Elabe survey this month. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer whos even more impressive than Macron in that he sunk to similar approval levels in a fraction of the time, saw a double digit rise in approval rating as the UK public rallies around the Starmer slime in the face of what they view as Trumps unfair treatment of Ukraine. Nathalie Tocci, director of Romes Institute for International Affairs told FT the following: You have this bully that is smashing the system. Rather than just kissing the ring, these leaders basically stand up and politely say no, and their voters appreciate the fact that they are not being colonised. But is that really true? Beneath the Surface Its Business As Usual Europe still refuses to do anything about the energy elephant in the room and despite all the big talk remain mostly subservient to the US. Canadians might be flying the maple leaf everywhere you look, but hows that surge of patriotism playing out in Ottawa? Canada is in talks to get in on the EUs increased military spending. Brussels says it wants to prioritize European-made products, but there are doubts about that. According to the Stockholm International Peace Institute: Arms imports by European states were 94 per cent higher in 201923 and 55 percent came from the US, a substantial increase from 35 per cent in 201418. The next largest suppliers to the region were Germany and France, which accounted for 6.4 per cent and 4.6 per cent of imports, respectively. The EU, as part of the Trump spat, is looking to reduce that dependence and is hoping on Canada. According to the New York Times, Canada, according to the terms of the discussion, would also be given preferential access to the E.U. market for military equipment, an alternative to buying equipment from the United States. There are issues there, as well: Canadas military industry, which is relatively small, has been used to produce Canadian equipment but has also been a regular contractor for building American military equipment or parts. Canadian factories across the vast country produce munitions, tanks, aircraft, technological defense systems and navy ships. An in-depth industry review in 2022 found that about half of Canadas military equipment was exported and half kept domestically. The top export destination, by far, was the United States. In the meantime, Ottawa is sending billions to one of Canadas wealthiest families in the name of defense. From The Breach: The Liberal government has handed $8 billion to one of Canadas wealthiest familiesand theyre counting on Canadians not to notice. The deal awards Irving Shipbuilding, owned by the notorious Irving dynasty, a six-year contract to start building three new destroyers for the Canadian navy. Even military insiders have slammed it as wildly overpriced. And thats just the tip of the iceberg. By the governments own estimates, the ships wont be finished until 2039and by then, the total cost will have ballooned to at least $22 billion. The government boasted the deal will help protect Canadas sovereignty and create jobs. But at a time when Canadians are struggling with the cost of living, a crumbling healthcare system, and a planetary crisis, its clear what this really is: a massive corporate handout in disguise. An enormous grift? Sure, but it must be done due to Trumps threats to Canadas national security. Canada is spending another $6 billion to develop an Arctic radar detection system again part of the US desire to militarize the region, which European countries like Sweden, Finland, and Norway are also helping with. The UK just announced its going forward with buying more F-35s despite all the supposed worries about a Trump kill switch. Canada, too, has yet to cancel its purchase of 88 F-35s costing more than $14 billion although Ottawa says its doing its homework. To make it abundantly clear where these governments priorities are, these massive expenditures come as the UK slashes benefits for those with disabilities (and wont even make a document describing the cuts available to blind people set to have support slashed), and Canada offers more support for the disabled to die than to live. And incoming German Chancellor Friedrich Merz touts his plans for further cuts to Burgergeld and other social spending as Germany authorises 1 trillion euros in new loans for militarization. Canada and the EU continue to do the empires bidding against the likes of China and Iran and play along in Syria and elsewhere. The Italian-owned Mediterranean Shipping Company is working with the Trump administration and Blackrock to take over a portion Middle East shipping infrastructure a big part of the US strategy to reverse the tide of Chinas growing control over global logistics. Ottawa is engaging in its own trade war against Beijing, which is approved of by Washington. The EU is making noise about rapprochement with China, but there has been no movement yet, and many in Brussels are offering to get even tougher on Beijing as a way to please the US. Meanwhile, theres still no peace with Russia as the Atlanticists enact what have been their goals all along primarily other members of NATO spending a lot more. As Politico put it, One imagines that Trump administration officials are patting themselves on the back for finally getting the Germans to take more drastic action on defense spending, meeting a long-time goal of many U.S. administrations to strengthen the European pillar of the transatlantic alliance. Yes, there have been calls for this for years, and they ramped up considerably after the beginning of Russias SMO. Here is just one example from the influential Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) writing last year in Foreign Affairs about Washingtons need to focus on China: That complicated reality requires U.S. allies, especially in Europe, to take on a larger share of directing the containment of Russia. Europe has shown its political and economic resilience in the face of Russian aggression. Yet militarily, the continent remains dependent on the United States. This dynamic must change, in part because the United States must commit more of its resources to Asia. The growth of European defense spending since Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine is an encouraging step. In 2023, 11 NATO members hit their spending target, allocating at least two percent of GDP to national defense, up from just seven members in 2022. The rest need to follow suit. It might be a stretch to say its all part of a coordinated plot, but while the increase in military spending might be coming amid a war of words and some tariffs the Atlanticist think tanks funded by and expressing the will of American plutocrats are getting what they wanted and in some cases even more. A bill headed for both the House and Senate floors names some instances in which an abortion could be legal in Tennessee to preserve the life of the mother. The legislations opponents say the bill is designed to absolve the states attorney general from a lawsuit. In action, the bill would not add any exceptions to allow for abortions, sponsor Rep. Bryan Terry (R-Murfreesboro) clarified during the final House Health Committee meeting Tuesday. Instead, Terry said, it would specify some cases in which an abortion could fall under the state bans sole exception of serious risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of major bodily function. The key word is could. The current law does state that you have to provide the best opportunity for the baby to survive, Terry said Tuesday. So this doesn't say that if these conditions are present, that you can definitely have an abortion, but we recognize that these conditions may lead to a substantial and irreversible impairment. These conditions listed are: previable/premature rupturing of membranes, inevitable abortion, severe preeclampsia, mirror syndrome associated with fetal hydrops and infection that could result in uterine rupture or loss of fertility. During a Senate Judiciary Committee meeting last week, co-sponsor Sen. Richard Briggs (R-Knoxville) added: I want to make it absolutely clear that this bill is simply about clarifying and elaborating on the existing life and health of the mother exception in current law. Under this bill reasonable medical judgment still applies. Rep. John Ray Clemmons (D-Nashville) pointed out during the Tuesday meeting that he would have preferred a separate bill sponsored by Rep. Esther Helton-Haynes (R-East Ridge) and Briggs. That legislation, which has stalled, would have allowed abortions in cases of lethal fetal anomalies, fetuses with complications so severe that they could not sustain life outside of the womb. I wish we had taken that piece of legislation up and moved it along, and I hope we will do so next year to actually provide us some real solutions to this ongoing problem, Clemmons said. During the previous legislative session, Briggs, who is a physician, said he would introduce legislation to allow for abortions in the case of fatal fetal anomalies. After tabling the bill following pressure from lobbyists, Briggs told the Scene it was his biggest disappointment of the session. Clarification of what it means to protect the life of the mother is something physicians have brought up repeatedly since Roe v. Wade was overturned, including through a lawsuit brought by the Center for Reproductive Rights and some Tennessee physicians. In October, a three-judge panel ruled in Davidson County Chancery Court that doctors could perform an abortion from a list very similar to the one from the aforementioned legislation: premature rupture of the amniotic sac that surrounds the fetus; fatal fetal diagnoses that result in severe preeclampsia or mirror syndrome associated with fetal hydrops; and fatal fetal diagnoses leading to an infection that will result in uterine rupture or potential loss of fertility, in addition to inevitable abortions. Clemmons on Tuesday raised concerns that the law was intended to get the Tennessee Attorney General out of the aforementioned lawsuit. Bill Adding Narrow Exceptions for Doctors Performing Abortions Proceeds Medical professionals say bill is step in right direction, though allowances are too limited In 2023, exceptions to the states abortion ban in cases of molar pregnancies, ectopic pregnancies and a dead fetus were added. A physician-supported bill to allow for good faith rather than reasonable medical judgment was tabled. Last week, bills to allow for an abortion in cases of rape an incest stalled, with a bill from Sen. Charlane Oliver (D-Nashville) and Gabby Salinas (D-Memphis) taken off notice in the House Population Health Subcommittee. Earlier in the session, efforts in the House by Rep. Gloria Johnson (D-Knoxville) to reverse Tennessees abortion ban failed. In addition, HB 14 from Rep. Harold Love (D-Nashville) failed that legislation was created to clarify that "criminal abortion" under Tennessees abortion ban does not include the use of contraceptives or the disposal of embryos from IVF. Postcard from 1875 highlights smallpox vaccines failure: Lessons for todays COVID-19 response An 1875 postcard from The Society for Suppressing Compulsory Vaccination warned against smallpox vaccination, citing ineffectiveness, increased disease susceptibility and contamination risks. It claimed vaccination did not prevent smallpox and linked it to deaths from other diseases like syphilis and erysipelas. Historical records showed vaccinated individuals still contracted and died from smallpox. Critics argued vaccines lowered immunity and spread other diseases, with documented fatalities post-vaccination. Governments enforced mandates (e.g., Englands 1853 law, U.S. state laws), leading to epidemics like Chicagos 1872 outbreak (32% fatality in children under 5). Public backlash, including Leicesters 1885 protest (80,000100,000 people), led to policy changes. Leicester replaced mandates with quarantine, sanitation and contact tracing, which proved more effective than vaccination. This approach contributed to smallpox eradication and challenged compulsory vaccination policies. In the world of health and medicine, history often holds valuable lessons that can guide us today. One such historical gem is a postcard from 1875, which provides a stark reminder of the dangers of compulsory vaccination. Dr. Tess Lawrie has highlighted this postcard from The Society for Suppressing Compulsory Vaccination, which some fortunate people in England received in 1875. The postcard outlined four compelling reasons not to vaccinate children against smallpox, warning, Be not deceived. Think for yourself. Smallpox vaccination: A historical fraud The postcard, which is now faded with age, clearly transcribes the following: FOUR REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE YOUR CHILDREN VACCINATED Vaccination affords no protection against Small Pox. In Birmingham last year nearly 600 persons, mostly vaccinated, died of Small Pox, although the Public Vaccinator received, in 1873, in fees and awards for his successful vaccinations 1,173. ! Newmarket, another over-vaccinated community, has lately been visited with an epidemic of Small Pox. It so lowers the vitality that they are rendered more liable to other diseases. Notice the great increase of Measles, Whooping-cough and Scarlatina since the Vaccination has been compulsory. Great risk is incurred of contaminating their blood with loathsome and incurable maladies. In 1872-73-74, 1,074 Infants and Children, under 5 years of age, died of Syphilis in London alone. From these probably thousands of children were vaccinated, and contaminated. See Essays on Vaccination by Dr. PEARCE, DR. COLLINS, and others: also evidence of the eminent Surgeon J. Hutchinson, Esq, in the Medical Times Gazette, Feb 1st and 8th, 1873, for revolting revelations on this point. Death from Pyaemia or Erysipelas often follows the operation. 189 children under five years of age, died in London of Erysipelas in 1874. Be not deceived. Think for yourself. The insertion of corrupt, diseased matter, (falsely called Vaccine Lymph,) into the blood of healthy infants can produce nothing but its legitimate fruit Corruption Disease and Death. This country will never be rid of Small Pox until vaccination is prohibited. Published by the Society for Suppressing Compulsory Vaccination. August, 1875. W. YOUNG, Hon. Sec., 8, Neeld Terrace, Harrow Road, W. Historical context: The smallpox pandemic response The postcard from 1875 is a critical piece of history that challenges the widely held belief that smallpox vaccination was a miraculous success. Dr. Lawrie emphasizes that the smallpox vaccination program was not only ineffective but also harmful, causing more disease than it prevented. This historical context is crucial today, as we grapple with the implications of modern vaccination programs, particularly those for COVID-19. 1. Skepticism and rejection of smallpox vaccination: Despite the initial skepticism and overwhelmingly negative data, the smallpox vaccination program gained traction and became compulsory in many regions. Dr. Woodville, in 1799, reported that the cowpox vaccine "proved a very severe disease" in some cases, with one child dying. The medical observer in 1809 reported over a dozen fatal cases of smallpox after vaccination, and similar reports continued throughout the 19th century. 2. Mandatory smallpox vaccination: Governments responded to public skepticism by increasingly using force to mandate vaccination. In England, vaccination was made compulsory in 1853, with stricter laws passed in 1867. In the United States, Massachusetts created comprehensive vaccination laws in 1855, leading to the infamous 1872-1873 epidemic in Chicago, where over 2000 people contracted smallpox, with a fatality rate of 32% among children under 5. 3. The Leicester Model: The most notable resistance to compulsory vaccination came from the city of Leicester in England. In 1885, a massive protest of 80,000 to 100,000 people erupted, leading to the replacement of the local government and the termination of vaccination mandates. The Leicester activists proposed a model of immediate quarantining of smallpox patients, disinfection of their homes and quarantining of their contacts, alongside improving public sanitation. This model, known as the Leicester Model, proved highly effective and gradually gained acceptance worldwide, ultimately contributing to the eradication of smallpox. Modern implications The parallels between the smallpox pandemic response and the current COVID-19 response are striking. Both pandemics have seen a rush to develop and distribute vaccines, often at the expense of thorough safety testing. Just as the smallpox vaccine caused more harm than good, the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines have been called into question by many health professionals and researchers. Dr. Suzanne Humphries, a former board-certified nephrologist and co-author of "Dissolving Illusions: Disease, Vaccines and the Forgotten History," has pointed out that the polio vaccine narrative is similarly flawed. She argues that the decline in polio cases was largely due to changes in diagnostic criteria and environmental factors, rather than the vaccine itself. Moreover, the introduction of the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act in 1986 granted vaccine manufacturers immunity from lawsuits, leading to a significant decrease in vaccine safety standards. Conclusion The 1875 postcard from The Society for Suppressing Compulsory Vaccination serves as a powerful reminder of the potential dangers of untested and compulsory vaccination programs. As we navigate the complexities of modern health interventions, it is crucial to think critically, question the status quo and demand transparency and accountability from those who profit from our fear and compliance. Let us not be deceived any longer. Let us stand firm in the protection of all children from the needle cult of vaccines and advocate for safer, more effective public health measures. The lessons of history are clear: we must not repeat the mistakes of the past. Sources include: TheExpose.com MidwesternDoctor.com VigilantFox.com AI-powered forecasting model proves more accurate than traditional systems at predicting the weather The European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) has fully operationalized its AI Forecasting System (AIFS), achieving up to 20% greater accuracy than traditional methods, particularly in tropical cyclone tracking. AIFS uses machine learning trained on decades of weather data to generate faster, high-resolution (28 km) forecasts, predicting cyclone paths 12 hours earlier than conventional modelsa critical advantage for disaster preparedness. ECMWF joins tech giants (Google, NVIDIA, Huawei) in AI weather modeling, while promoting open-source tools like Anemoi to foster global innovation and shared knowledge. Experts stress AI enhances but doesnt replace human expertise, combining physics-based and data-driven approaches for more reliable forecasts. Future upgrades include ensemble forecasting and seasonal predictions. AIFS addresses escalating extreme weather threats, offering faster, more precise warnings to mitigate disasters. Its open availability ensures global meteorologists can leverage its outputs. In a landmark advancement for meteorology, the European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) has fully operationalized its Artificial Intelligence Forecasting System (AIFS), marking a pivotal shift in how weather predictions are made. The AIFS, now running alongside ECMWFs traditional physics-based model, has demonstrated superior accuracy outperforming conventional methods by up to 20% in key areas like tropical cyclone tracking. This breakthrough, which was announced in late 2024, positions Europe at the forefront of a global race to harness AI for faster, more precise forecasts, potentially saving lives and livelihoods amid escalating temperature extremes. Yet, experts caution that AI is a complement, not a replacement, for human expertise. The AI advantage: Speed, accuracy and innovation The ECMWFs AIFS leverages machine learning trained on decades of global weather data to identify patterns that are invisible to traditional models. Unlike physics-based systems, which solve complex equations on supercomputers, AIFS rapidly processes initial conditions including satellite readings, buoy data and aircraft observationsto generate forecasts with a 28-kilometer resolution. Early tests showed it could predict cyclone paths 12 hours earlier than conventional methods, which can provide a critical edge for disaster preparedness. This milestone will transform weather science and predictions, said ECMWF Director-General Florence Rabier. The systems open availability ensures that meteorologists around the world can integrate its outputs into their analyses. Florian Pappenberger, ECMWFs forecasts director, noted its unique versatility, pointing out that it can also forecast solar radiation and wind speeds at 100 meters, which is useful for renewable energy planning. A global race with collaborative potential The ECMWF joins tech giants like Google, Microsoft and Huawei in deploying AI weather models. Googles GraphCast, NVIDIAs FourCast and Huaweis Pangu-Weather all trained on ECMWFs historical data highlight the fields rapid evolution. Yet comparing these systems remains challenging, and there is not a clear standout overall. Collaboration is a key part of the development and use of these systems. The ECMWF co-developed Anemoi, an open-source AI framework named after the Greek wind god, fostering innovation across institutions. Peter Battaglia of Google DeepMind praised the initiative, saying that the latest open model would contribute to the pool of knowledge. AI as a partner, not a replacement Despite AIs recent strides, meteorologists emphasize its role as a tool, not a takeover. Many say that it is just one of a suite of tools they rely on when making their forecasts. Kirstine Dale of the UK Met Office echoed this, saying that a combination of physics-based and data-based simulations is needed for their combined strengths to provide accurate, fast, reliable and trustworthy forecasts. The ECMWF plans upgrades, including ensemble forecasting (50 simultaneous scenarios) and seasonal predictions. AIs ability to extract hidden data patterns could extend reliable forecasts beyond todays 15-day limit for temperature predictions. Pappenberger noted: "Machine learning models have a fair chance of extending that because they may be able to extract something out of the data that we may not currently represent well enough in physics-based models. Historical context: Why this matters today The advent of AI in weather forecasting is not just a technological marvel but a critical response to the escalating challenges posed by climate change. As extreme weather events become more frequent and severe, the accuracy and speed of forecasts become paramount in disaster preparedness and response. The ECMWFs AIFS, with its 20% accuracy boost and faster cyclone tracking, represents a significant step forward in mitigating the impacts of climate-related disasters. Moreover, the collaborative efforts among global institutions and tech companies underscore the importance of shared knowledge and innovation in addressing global challenges. The open-source nature of Anemoi, for instance, ensures that advancements in AI weather modeling benefit the wider scientific community, fostering a collective approach to weather science. Conclusion The operationalization of ECMWFs AIFS heralds a new era where technology and tradition converge to sharpen weather insights. While challenges remain like refining spatial resolution the potential is undeniable: faster warnings for storms, tailored forecasts for farmers and energy-sector optimizations. The ECMWFs AI-powered forecasting system is poised to play a crucial role in protecting lives and infrastructure. Sources include: YourNews.com NaturalNews.com WattsUpWithThat.com Opinion / Columnist The humiliating debacle of the so-called "31 March Uprising," staged by the disgraced former ZANU-PF Central Committee member Blessed Geza, has exposed not merely a delusional mind, but a volatile cocktail of desperation, instability, and unrestrained narcissism. What Geza attempted to masquerade as a bold political mobilisation to oust President Emmerson Mnangagwa was, in truth, a laughable charade built on Twitter tantrums, hollow threats, and a complete detachment from reality.Geza's pitiful attempt to ignite disorder was never rooted in ideology or popular support - it was the erratic outburst of a man clearly spiralling out of control. His behaviour, from manic proclamations to his feeble retreat, reeks not of conviction but of a deteriorating mental state. A cursory glance at the symptoms of bipolar disorder shows a striking resemblance: manic delusions of grandeur, impulsive agitation, followed by a crushing depressive comedown. Geza ticked every box - not as a leader, but as a man in crisis.Let's be blunt - Geza is unwell. And rather than seeking professional help, he's chosen to make the public his stage, dragging Zimbabweans into the whirlwind of his personal unravelling. His threats to shut down the country were as deranged as they were dangerous. Yet it was his abrupt, sheepish cancellation of the entire fiasco that truly exposed him - not as a revolutionary, but as a confused and broken figure, visibly buckling under the weight of his own instability.Zimbabwe must not allow itself to be held hostage by egotistical charlatans in the throes of psychological decline. Geza's antics are not activism - they are the reckless impulses of a man in need of serious psychiatric care. He is in no condition to lead, inspire, or influence. His continued presence in the political arena is not merely unhelpful - it is a national hazard.His sharp descent from firebrand to farce was nothing short of theatrical. One moment, he was bellowing calls for insurrection; the next, he was a bewildered, defeated man, scrambling to explain away his retreat. That isn't leadership - it's public disintegration.The Zimbabwean public must awaken to this reality. We cannot continue to be led astray by rudderless personalities with no principles, no ethos, and no plan for national progress. As the Shona proverb aptly states: "pupuru pupuru, kunge hwiza, munotevera neyakananga mudondo" - do not blindly follow the erratic trail of a duiker charging into the thicket. Geza's so-called "Terror Revolution" was never a revolution - it was a delusion. And it has collapsed. Spectacularly.Now is the time to draw the curtain on this sad spectacle. Zimbabwe must encourage Geza to step away from public life and seek the medical treatment he so desperately requires - before his instability causes real harm. EPA reconsiders Obamas CO2 Endangerment Finding could unleash American energy freedom The EPA, under Administrator Lee Zeldin, is reconsidering the controversial ruling that classified CO? as a "dangerous pollutant," which has been the basis for sweeping climate regulations. Repealing it could roll back costly mandates and restore U.S. energy independence. Critics argue the EPA relied on outdated models, ignored dissenting scientific opinions and bypassed proper peer review. The Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI) revealed the agency violated federal guidelines in its decision-making process. Recent Supreme Court rulings (West Virginia v. EPA and Loper Bright v. Raimondo) have weakened the EFs legitimacy, limiting agencies' power to impose major regulations without explicit congressional approval. Aggressive green policies have led to soaring energy costs (e.g., in Europe), blackouts (e.g., California and Texas) and job losses, while countries like China and India continue expanding fossil fuel use, negating U.S. climate efforts. Revoking the EF could end burdensome regulations, halt Biden-era EV mandates and unleash U.S. oil, gas and coal production, marking a turning point for affordable, reliable energy and economic growth. For over a decade, the Environmental Protection Agencys (EPA) 2009 Endangerment Finding (EF) has served as the legal foundation for sweeping climate regulations, stifling American energy production and driving up costs for families and businesses. Now, under the leadership of Administrator Lee Zeldin, the agency is reexamining this controversial rulingpotentially dismantling the regulatory stranglehold on fossil fuels and restoring common sense to environmental policy. If repealed, the EF could roll back costly mandates on power plants, vehicles and household appliances while reasserting Americas energy independence. Flawed science behind the Endangerment Finding The EF, issued under the Obama administration, declared carbon dioxide (CO?) a natural byproduct of human respiration, plant growth and industrial progress a "dangerous pollutant." This classification granted the EPA unprecedented authority to regulate emissions across nearly every sector of the economy. But as energy policy expert Paul Driessen notes, the EPAs decision was built on shaky ground: "The process EPA used in rendering its predetermined finding demonstrates how little actual science played a role." The agency relied on outdated computer models and dismissed dissenting scientific voices, including one of its own experts who was reportedly told his findings "do not help the legal or policy case for this decision." The Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI) later exposed how the EPA violated federal guidelines by bypassing proper peer review and ignoring contradictory evidence. Legal precedents undermine the EFs legitimacy Recent Supreme Court rulings have further weakened the EFs legal standing. In West Virginia v. EPA (2022), the Court ruled that agencies cannot unilaterally impose regulations of "vast economic and political significance" without explicit congressional approval. The EF, which effectively handed the EPA control over Americas energy sector, clearly fits that description. Then, in Loper Bright v. Raimondo (2024), the Court overturned the Chevron doctrine, stripping bureaucrats of their power to interpret ambiguous laws in ways that expand their regulatory reach. As Driessen argues: "These two decisions mean the EPA had no authority to convert plant-fertilizing, life-giving carbon dioxide into a dangerous, health-threatening pollutant." Real-world consequences of climate alarmism While the Biden administration pushed aggressive green energy mandates, the disastrous results are undeniable: Soaring energy costs in Europe (where renewables reliance led to electricity prices 3-4 times higher than in the U.S.). Blackouts in California and Texas due to unreliable wind and solar power. Job losses in energy-intensive industries forced overseas by costly regulations. Meanwhile, nations like China and India continue expanding fossil fuel use, rendering U.S. climate sacrifices meaningless. As Driessen points out: "Even eliminating coal, oil, gas and petrochemical use in the United States would have no effect on global GHG emissions." Turning point for energy freedom? With Greenpeace facing a $667 million judgment for its role in eco-terrorism and the scientific consensus on climate alarmism crumbling, the political winds are shifting. Administrator Zeldins review of the EF could mark a pivotal moment in restoring affordable, reliable energy while rejecting the radical green agenda that has harmed working-class Americans. If the EPA revokes the EF, it could: ? End burdensome regulations on power plants and refineries. ? Halt Biden-era electric vehicle mandates that drive up car prices. ? Restore U.S. energy dominance by unleashing oil, gas and coal production. The dawn of a new energy era? As the EPA reconsiders this Obama-era overreach, one thing is clear: The era of energy freedom may finally be dawning. By dismantling the flawed Endangerment Finding, the U.S. can reject costly climate alarmism and embrace a future of abundant, affordable energy fueling economic growth and national security for decades to come. The question now is whether the Biden administration and environmental activists will accept scientific and legal reality or continue pushing policies that hurt American families while benefiting foreign adversaries. The answer could determine the fate of U.S. energy independence. Sources include: ClimateDepot.com TownHall.com ClimateChangeDispatch.com Iranian MP urges nuclear weapons development, citing North Korea as model An Iranian lawmaker is publicly advocating for nuclear weapons, citing North Korea, as a deterrent against U.S. threats. Supreme Leader Khamenei vows retaliation if the U.S. attacks, escalating tensions. Iran rejects direct talks with the U.S. while expanding uranium enrichment beyond nuclear deal limits. Western intelligence warns Irans nuclear program may be weaponized, despite claims of peaceful intent. Analysts fear Iran is mimicking North Koreas nuclear brinkmanship to extract concessions. An Iranian lawmaker has openly called for the development of nuclear weapons, citing North Korea as a model for security against U.S. threats. Ahmad Naderi, a member of the Iranian Parliaments Presidium, argued on Monday that nuclear armament would deter American aggression, just days after President Donald Trump warned of unprecedented bombing if Tehran refuses to negotiate a new nuclear deal. The remarks underscore the Iranian regimes true intentions despite decades of claims that its nuclear program is peaceful and reveal a dangerous escalation in rhetoric as Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vows retaliation against any U.S. strike. The brazen suggestion from Naderi, paired with Khameneis threats, reinforces concerns that Irans leadership views nuclear weapons as leverage rather than a red line. With Tehran rejecting direct talks and doubling down on uranium enrichment, the regime appears to be testing Washingtons resolve, betting that nuclear brinkmanship will extract concessions rather than invite further isolation. Iran looks to North Korea Naderis comments, posted on X, were explicit: "Observing Trumps behavior and speech during his first term with North Korea shows that having a nuclear weapon has brought security to Korea." He added, "For a long time, many elites and sympathizers of the country and the [Islamic] Revolution have been calling for the bomb to be tested and announced. If we were also armed with nuclear weapons, Trump would not dare to threaten bombing." The comparison to North Korea is particularly alarming. Pyongyangs nuclear arsenal has shielded it from direct military confrontation, even as it continues missile tests and aggressive posturing. Naderis argument suggests Irans hardliners see nuclear weapons as the ultimate deterrent a stance that directly contradicts Tehrans official insistence that its nuclear ambitions are solely for energy production. Trumps recent threats "It will be bombing the likes of which they have never seen before" were met with defiance from Irans leadership. Khamenei warned Monday that any U.S. attack would be met with "a strong reciprocal blow," while Ali Larijani, a top adviser to the Supreme Leader, declared that an American strike would "force Iran to move towards [nuclear weapons] because it has to defend itself." A regime that only understands strength Irans rejection of direct negotiations despite Trumps offer of talks reveals a regime that responds only to perceived strength. After the U.S. withdrew from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and reimposed sanctions, Iran systematically violated the agreements limits on uranium enrichment. Now, with enrichment levels far exceeding JCPOA restrictions, Tehran is openly flouting international concerns while demanding sanctions relief. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei framed Trumps threats as "a shocking affront to the very essence of international peace and security," yet Irans own actions including proxy warfare, ballistic missile development, and now nuclear posturing demonstrate a pattern of destabilization. Irans nuclear double game The regimes insistence on "indirect" negotiations routed through Oman further highlights its unwillingness to engage in good faith. President Masoud Pezeshkian confirmed that Khamenei had permitted backchannel talks but ruled out direct dialogue "under maximum pressure and the threat of military action." Western intelligence agencies have long accused Iran of pursuing nuclear weapons capability under the guise of civilian energy needs. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has repeatedly flagged undeclared nuclear sites, while uranium enriched to near-weapons-grade levels raises undeniable proliferation risks. Naderis remarks only validate these fears. Irans latest rhetoric is a calculated gamble that assumes nuclear threats will force concessions rather than invite harsher measures. The regimes playbook mirrors North Koreas: escalate tensions, demand sanctions relief, and exploit diplomatic divisions. But unlike Pyongyang, Iran remains years away from a functional nuclear weapona window that may soon close if the West fails to respond decisively. The choice for the international community is clear. Either accept Irans nuclear ambitions as inevitablerewarding decades of deceptionor confront the regime with unrelenting pressure before its too late. As Khamenei and his allies make their intentions unmistakably clear, the world can no longer afford to look away. Sources for this article include: RT.com NBCNews.com France24.com Israeli forces execute Gaza medics, bury them in mass grave in Rafah Israeli forces executed 15 Palestinian medics and aid workers in Rafah, burying them in a mass grave under ambulances. The victims included PRCS paramedics, Civil Defense rescuers, and a UN staffer, some of whom were found bound or mutilated. Global condemnation followed, but the U.S. continues to fund Israel despite evidence of genocide. Israel claimed the medics acted "suspiciously," but no proof of ties to Hamas was provided. More than 50,000 Palestinians have been killed in total, including 15,000 children and hundreds of aid workers. In a grotesque violation of international law, Israeli forces executed at least 15 Palestinian medics and humanitarian workers in Rafah, southern Gaza, before burying them in a mass grave beneath their crushed ambulances. The victims eight paramedics from the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS), six Civil Defense rescuers, and one UN staff member were responding to a distress call on March 23 when they were systematically targeted, shot multiple times at close range, and dumped into a makeshift pit. Some were found with their hands tied, one decapitated, another topless a barbaric act that underscores Israels escalating campaign of indiscriminate slaughter under the guise of "self-defense." The discovery of the mass grave, marked only by the emergency light of a buried ambulance, has drawn global condemnation. Yet the U.S. continues to fund and arm Israels military, despite overwhelming evidence that its offensive in Gaza has long crossed the line from war into outright genocide. A calculated massacre According to Mahmoud Basal, spokesperson for Gazas Civil Defense, Israeli forces "brutally, savagely executed" the medics before attempting to conceal the crime. "This scene represents one of the most brutal massacres Gaza has witnessed in modern history," Basal said. The bodies, riddled with up to 20 gunshot wounds each, were found just meters from their clearly marked ambulances proof they were pulled from their vehicles, executed, and discarded like trash. Jonathan Whittall, head of the UNs humanitarian office in Palestine, described the horrors: "They were killed in their uniforms. Driving their clearly marked vehicles. Wearing their gloves. On their way to save lives. This should never have happened." Israels military offered a feeble justification, claiming the medics vehicles approached "suspiciously" without headlights an absurd assertion given that the attack occurred in broad daylight. No evidence has been provided to support Israels claim that Hamas operatives were among the dead. The Trump administrations response? A tepid statement from the State Department insisting that "all parties" must comply with international law. Tammy Bruce, a State Department spokeswoman, deflected blame entirely, declaring, "Every single thing that happens in Gaza is happening because of Hamas." This is not just cowardice it is complicity. The U.S. has sent billions in weapons to Israel, knowing full well they are being used to massacre civilians and humanitarian workers. Since October 2023, Israel has killed at least 105 Civil Defense workers, 27 PRCS medics, 284 UN staff, and nearly 1,400 health workers. The Palestinian death toll now exceeds 50,000, including 15,000 children. The International Red Cross called the killings the deadliest attack on its personnel since 2017. Jagan Chapagain, secretary general of the IFRC, demanded: "When will this stop? All parties must stop the killing." But empty appeals to "all parties" ignore the reality: Israel is the aggressor, armed and funded by Washington, while Gazas civiliansand those trying to save themare systematically exterminated. The U.S. cannot continue bankrolling this genocide. If there is any shred of moral conscience left in the White House, it must cut military aid to Israel immediately and demand an independent investigation into these executions. Otherwise, Americas hands are just as bloodstained as those of the soldiers who pulled the triggers. Sources for this article include: MiddleEastEye.net TheGuardian.com BBC.com APNews.com Rabbi tells Senate hearing its not enough to be not anti-Semitic one must be anti-anti-Semitic Chabad-Lubavitch Rabbi Levi Shemtov, who has been dubbed "the rabbi of Capitol Hill," told Senators at a hearing on anti-Semitism that it's "not enough" for "individuals and institutions" to be "not anti-Semitic" -- "one must be anti-anti-Semitic." (Article by Chris Menahan republished from InformationLiberation.com) Rabbi tells Senate hearing on anti-Semitism that it's "not enough" to be "not anti-Semitic." "One must be anti-anti-Semitic," he says. Didn't conservatives mock Ibram X. Kendi for saying this same stuff? pic.twitter.com/tEuLmgW4TA Chris Menahan ?? (@infolibnews) March 31, 2025 "Anti-Semitism is not just an age-old prejudice, it is a contemporary crisis manifesting on campuses across the nation," Shemtov said at the Senate hearing on Thursday. "It is not enough for individuals or institutions to merely claim they are not anti-Semitic. As my father once taught me, it is not enough for people especially public figures to be neutral or not be anti-Semitic one must be anti-anti-Semitic." "We must demand the same of our universities and government institutions," he added. "This hearing in my opinion is an attempt to be just that -- anti-anti-Semitic." Shemtov's comments triggered a firestorm on X after being clipped and shared by yours truly. "This is a page right out of the BLM playbook," Matt Walsh said. "The same rhetoric almost word for word." This is a page right out of the BLM playbook. The same rhetoric almost word for word. https://t.co/0jH2OPlWmn Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) March 31, 2025 "Does Trump support this?" Candace Owens asked. Does Trump support this? https://t.co/GvQB8aTVFM Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) March 31, 2025 "When BLM advocated that it was 'not enough to simply not be racist' what came afterwards were demands for racial supremacy under the guise of fighting racism," she added. "I'm not new to this logic." I think its literally enough to simply not be anti semitic. When BLM advocated that it was not enough to simply not be racist what came afterwards were demands for racial supremacy under the guise of fighting racism. Im not new to this logic. Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) March 31, 2025 "How about we start with anti-anti-American," Ian Carroll commented. "The founding fathers did not put a hate speech clause in the first amendment for a reason. It is okay to criticize our own government. It is okay to criticize Israels government. As long as youre not harming person or property, its okay to say whatever you want. And hearings like this only lead to more antisemitism as everyone asks- 'huh... who's really in charge around here?'" How about we start with anti-anti-American. The founding fathers did not put a hate speech clause in the first amendment for a reason. It is okay to criticize our own government. It is okay to criticize Israels government. As long as youre not harming person or property, https://t.co/JiVsx3Uwcm Ian Carroll (@IanCarrollShow) March 31, 2025 "This witness was introduced by Republican Senator Bill Cassidy who has openly decried critical race theory but apparently sees no contradiction here," Breaking Points co-host Saagar Enjeti noted. This witness was introduced by Republican Senator Bill Cassidy who has openly decried critical race theory but apparently sees no contradiction here https://t.co/99d17oEg0q Saagar Enjeti (@esaagar) March 31, 2025 "How about anti- Christianism? or is that not a thing..." asked the Hodge Twins. how about anti- Christianism? or is that not a thing... https://t.co/8Yjh7OhmXT Hodgetwins (@hodgetwins) March 31, 2025 "Does this settle the whos woke debate?" quipped Dave Smith. Does this settle the whos woke debate? https://t.co/oNxD6wXpkl Dave Smith (@ComicDaveSmith) March 31, 2025 Shemtov went on during his same opening statement to call for censorship of anti-Semitism through the anti-free speech "Antisemitism Awareness Act" and institutional adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of "anti-Semitism." Rabbi tells senators the federal government "must" pass the anti-Free Speech "Antisemitism Awareness Act" and adopt the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism. Universities that tolerate "anti-Semitic harassment" must face "real consequences," he insists. pic.twitter.com/GKjIdMsmVs Chris Menahan ?? (@infolibnews) March 31, 2025 Shemtov's call for cracking down on anti-Semitism comes as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at an international conference on anti-Semitism in Jerusalem praised President Trump's ADL-backed crackdown on anti-Semitism and insisted "we must pressure other governments to do the same." Netanyahu praises Trump's "decisive actions" cracking down on "anti-Semitism." "We must pressure other governments to do the same," Netanyahu says. pic.twitter.com/RiV2nawdWj Chris Menahan ?? (@infolibnews) March 29, 2025 While speaking at the same conference in Israel, Trump's former US ambassador to Israel, David Friedman, praised Trump for jailing critics of Israel. "There's no reason to think we're ever going to convince [anti-Semites] but we can deport them, we can put them in jail, we can make their lives miserable," Friedman said. "We can cut off their funding and that's what the Trump administration is doing for the first time." David Friedman touts Trump admin jailing Israel critics at conference on combatting anti-Semitism in Jerusalem. "There's no reason to think we're ever going to convince [anti-Semites] but we can deport them, we can put them in jail, we can make their lives miserable." "We can pic.twitter.com/3O32k81zqj Chris Menahan ?? (@infolibnews) March 29, 2025 As it were, ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt was also in Israel earlier this year when he told the Knesset that the kind of "genius" behind the pager attack on Lebanon is now needed to fight "anti-Semitism." WATCH: ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt says the kind of "genius" behind the pager attack on Lebanon is now needed to fight antisemitism. He said this in a speech to the Israeli Knesset just days ago. Is this a terroristic threat? pic.twitter.com/RcW0jUlltX Chris Menahan ?? (@infolibnews) January 13, 2025 Incidentally, I've noticed throughout these endless discussions on ending anti-Semitism one solution that never comes up is ending the genocide in Gaza. Trump during the 2024 campaign at one point blurted out that the Jewish state's decision to bomb civilian buildings is the cause of rising anti-Semitism but he changed his tune after being rebuked by proxies of megadonor Miriam Adelson for making the comment. Read more at: InformationLiberation.com New Zealand government panel REJECTS proposal to build wind farm A New Zealand government panel denied Contact Energy's proposal for a 55-turbine wind farm in Southland, citing harm to indigenous vegetation and wildlife habitats. The project would have generated 1,200 GWh annually (powering 150,000 homes), created 240 jobs, and contributed up to NZ$280 million ($160.93 million) to the local economy. The panel highlighted irreversible damage to 58.5 hectares of wetlands and forests, home to 16 threatened native bird species, deeming the project unsustainable. Government ministers questioned the decision, while Contact Energy's CEO called it a setback for decarbonization and energy security. The prior Labour government had supported the project. The case raises questions about balancing renewable energy goals with biodiversity protection, suggesting some "green" projects may not be truly sustainable. A New Zealand government panel has turned down a proposal to build a major wind farm in the country's south, citing environmental grounds. The NZ Expert Consenting Panel (NZECP) denied the proposal by Contact Energy to erect the Southland Wind Farm, which would be located 15 kilometers (9.32 miles) east of Wyndham in the country's Southland region. The 55 planned wind turbines would be able to generate 1,200 gigawatt-hours of electricity every year, enough to power 150,000 homes. Contact Energy confirmed the development on March 18. Its CEO Mike Fuge lamented in a statement that the denial "represents a significant setback for New Zealand's decarbonization, Contact's mission to improve electricity security of supply and the country's economic development." According to Fuge, the wind farm would have bolstered energy security, reduced reliance on natural gas and created up to 240 jobs during construction. It would also have injected between NZ$230 million ($132.19 million) and NZ$280 million ($160.93 million) into the local economy. Despite the supposed economic benefits, the NZECP appears to have made the right call in its decision to deny the wind farm's permit. The panel's report cited the facility's adverse effects on "significant indigenous vegetation and the significant habitats of indigenous fauna" in the Jedburgh Plateau. The 58.5 hectares of wetlands, tussock and forest slated for disruption are home to 16 native bird species, many of which are threatened, at risk or in decline. "The environmental effects are such that the project will not promote the sustainable management of natural and physical resources," the report noted. (Related: Wind turbines decimating populations of golden eagles.) When wind farms harm nature: Sacrificing biodiversity for "clean" energy In its report, the NZECP acknowledged the project's potential to aid Wellington's recovery from the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and help the country hit its renewable energy targets. However, these ignore the irreversible damage such projects inflict on fragile ecosystems. The panel's ruling underscores a critical truth: The environmental and ecological costs of large-scale wind projects often outweigh their supposed benefits. No amount of economic benefit justifies sacrificing biodiversity in the name of "clean" energy, and destroying irreplaceable habitats to erect turbines is not sustainability it is environmental hypocrisy. The NZECP faced criticism from government officials, including Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop and Resources Minister Shane Jones. The two ministers voiced out concerns whether the panel made the right call, suggests a troubling prioritization of energy targets over genuine conservation. Prior to the denial, the previous Labour government under former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern supported the proposal to build the Southland Wind Farm. Former Energy Minister Megan Woods and former Environment Minister David Parker supported the project as recently as 2023. Contact Energy may still appeal the decision to the New Zealand High Court within 15 working days. Nevertheless, the case should prompt a broader reassessment of whether large-scale wind farms are truly compatible with environmental protection. Ultimately, the panel's decision should serve as a wake-up call. If "green" energy requires the destruction of native ecosystems, then perhaps it isn't as green as advertised. Sacrificing biodiversity to preserve the planet for future generations is a self-defeating strategy. Head over to NewEnergyReport.com for more similar stories. Watch Rita Panahi of Sky News Australia commenting on Europe's exorbitant energy prices, courtesy of renewables like wind and solar. This video is from the Delacabra channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Air New Zealand first major airline to abandon impractical climate goals, citing lack of realistic solutions. Renewable rhymes with unreliable: Germany's first offshore wind farm to be DECOMMISSIONED. New Zealand to resume OIL DRILLING amid fears of blackouts. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com Reuters.com RenewablesNow.com Brighteon.com Prepared: A comprehensive guide to thriving in chaos by Mike Glover Mike Glover's book "Prepared" argues that readiness for disasters natural or man-made is essential, not optional, in todays uncertain world. He urges proactive responsibility for personal and family safety. Glover highlights intangible skills like resilience, situational awareness and decision-making under pressure. He introduces the PACE method (primary, alternate, contingency, emergency) for structured planning and rehearsals. Practical readiness includes everyday carry (EDC) essentials (e.g., firearm, medical kit), mobility (escape plans, stocked vehicles) and homesteading (self-sufficiency in food, water and security). Glover advises beginners to assess likely threats first and build preparedness gradually. He frames it as an ongoing process of learning and improvement. The book is both a survival guide and a philosophy, emphasizing that individuals must be assets not liabilities in crises, blending military-tested strategies with actionable steps for daily life. Former U.S. Army Special Forces soldier and CIA contractor Mike Glover's book, "Prepared: A Manual for Surviving Worst-Case Scenarios," emerges as a crucial manual for navigating the uncertainties of modern life. Released at a time when the world is increasingly aware of its vulnerabilities, Glover's work is not just a survival guide but a profound exploration of what it means to be truly ready for anything. From natural disasters to violent encounters, Glover argues that preparedness is not a luxury but a necessity, urging readers to take responsibility for their own safety and that of their loved ones. For centuries, survival was an inherent part of human existence, a daily battle against nature and adversaries. However, in the comfort of modern society, where grocery stores and emergency services are just a call away, the instinct to prepare has waned. Glover, with his extensive background in high-stakes environments, emphasizes that hope alone is not a strategy. "Hope is not a course of action," he asserts, advocating for a proactive approach to personal safety and resilience. Glover's philosophy is grounded in the belief that individuals must be assets, not liabilities, in the face of danger. He outlines seven core principles of modern preparedness, divided into mental and physical categories. These principles are not just theoretical concepts but practical tools designed to equip readers for real-world challenges. The mental aspects of preparedness, according to Glover, are the intangible skills that cannot be purchased but must be cultivated. Resilience, the first principle, is about developing a mindset that allows one to withstand the initial shock of a catastrophe and respond effectively. Glover shares a harrowing experience from his time as a Green Beret in Iraq, where his training and mental fortitude were the only things standing between him and death. "Training your brain to handle stress is as important as any physical tool," he says. Planning is another critical component. Glover introduces the PACE method primary, alternate, contingency, emergency as a framework for ensuring that one always has a backup plan. "It's not just about having a plan; it's about rehearsing it," he emphasizes. This approach is about creating a mental blueprint that can be executed without hesitation when disaster strikes. Situational awareness, the third principle, is about being aware of one's surroundings and recognizing potential threats. Glover uses the analogy of hunting to explain how to systematically scan one's environment. He also discusses the "5s and 25s" protocol, a military technique for identifying threats in the immediate vicinity and beyond. Decision-making, the final mental principle, is about making quick, effective choices under pressure. Glover draws on insights from Tom Flanagan, a former Army Ranger, who emphasizes the importance of making decisions in the right order. "Trusting your instincts and having the confidence to act is crucial," Glover notes. On the physical side, Glover emphasizes the importance of everyday carry (EDC), mobility and homesteading. EDC is about having the right tools on you at all times, not just a firearm but everything from your shoes to your bag. Glover shares his personal EDC setup, which includes items like a Sig Sauer P365-XMacro pistol, a tourniquet and a bleeding control kit. Mobility is about having the means to escape and survive on the move. Glover stresses the importance of a well-equipped vehicle, stocked with survival and first aid supplies, as well as communication tools like satellite phones and signal mirrors. (Related: Deep Survival by Laurence Gonzales: A riveting exploration of the human psyche in extreme situations.) Homesteading, the final physical principle, is about creating a self-sustaining environment. Glover discusses the importance of security, food and water storage and alternative power sources. He also emphasizes the need for a well-stocked first aid kit and a plan for preventative care and hygiene. Glover's advice for those new to preparedness is straightforward: Start small. "Begin by assessing your current situation and identifying the most likely threats," he advises. Preparedness, he reminds readers, is a journey, not a destination. It's about constantly learning, adapting and improving. In conclusion, "Prepared" is more than just a survival manual; it's a call to action. It's about taking responsibility for one's own safety and well-being. Glover's book offers valuable insights and practical advice, making it an essential read for anyone looking to live a prepared life. Whether you're a seasoned prepper or just starting out, "Prepared" provides the tools and knowledge needed to face the unexpected with confidence. Learn more about the book "Prepared" by watching the video below. This video is from the BrightLearn channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: Brighteon.ai Brighteon.com The Nadir of the climate change movement It is possible that the Trump Administration is going to deal the death blows to the long-running climate change hysteria and government hostility to fossil fuels, not just in the United States but around the globe. (Article by Steven F. Hayward republished from CivitasInstitute.org) The Trump Administration has moved well beyond merely supporting increased oil and natural gas production. It has also launched steps to dismantle the foundations of anti-energy climate policy, in particular, a proposed reversal of the so-called "endangerment finding" that gave the EPA jurisdiction to regulate greenhouse gases, which were never explicitly included in any of the various Clean Air Acts passed over the last 50 years. Trump's EPA is also proposing to revise the EPA's flawed "social cost of carbon" analysis, which is used to justify costly green energy schemes. Energy Secretary Chris Wright summed up the attitude in a recent speech: "The Trump administration will end the Biden administration's irrational, quasi-religious policies on climate change that imposed endless sacrifices on our citizens." We have indeed raised global atmospheric CO2 concentration by 50% in the process of more than doubling human life expectancy, lifting millions of the world's citizens out of grinding poverty, launching modern medicine, telecommunications, planes, trains, and automobiles, too. . . Running the math on what might have been the benefits from these [Biden] policies yields perhaps only a few hundredths of a degree reduction in global temperatures in the year 2100. The Trump administration intends to be much more scientific and mathematically literate. I doubt the climatistas know what's about to hit them. Unlike the defensive crouch of previous Republican administrations (including Trump I to some extent), the new Trump team is going straight at the heart of the entire climate change framework. Start with the aforementioned "social cost of carbon" (SCC), an economic calculation of the present value of projected future climate damages if we don't suppress fossil fuel use. It is an arcane economic analysis, the assumptions of which I wont delve into here, except to note the variation in the estimate over the last 15 years. The Obama EPA settled on an SCC estimate of $52 per ton; the first Trump EPA calculated the SCC at $7 per ton, and the Biden EPA came up with $185 per ton. In other words, this is all economic flim-flam, with the high numbers necessary to justify monumental energy regulations and subsidies for costly green energy. The biggest problem here, regardless of the number you settle on, is that any estimate of the social cost of carbon should also account for the social benefits of carbon, which vastly outweigh the climate costs that preoccupy the climatistas. This aspect of the matter is understudied because the results would kill off almost all the climate crisis industry at a stroke. One of the very few to do this is Richard Tol, a highly regarded Dutch environmental economist. In 2017, he concluded that the social benefit of carbon is over $400 per ton, which is a multiple of even the highest cost estimates of the climatistas and the bureaucrats. This is the kind of benefit Wright has in mind with his statement that fossil fuels are responsible for launching "modern medicine, telecommunications, planes, trains, and automobiles, too." That's only the beginning of the massive benefits of large-scale affordable energy over the last century, but these incredible achievements are seldom seriously considered in the "consensus science" assessments of the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). It is necessary to make the sober point that if we ceased using coal, oil, and natural gas instantly, as the most fervent climatistas demand in their street protests and art museum vandalism stunts, hundreds of millions of people around the world would be dead in a week. Likewise, overturning the "endangerment finding," which the Obama EPA adopted to launch its plan to nationalize America's electric utility industry, represents a frontal challenge to existing climate policy. It is unlikely that a thorough reevaluation of the risks associated with greenhouse gases will reveal any discernible health hazards, let alone any that would justify spending trillions of dollars on green energy. At this point, someone might well raise the question of whether Trump's moves will last or whether they will be promptly reversed by the next Democratic administration, for whom the "climate crisis" will remain a core priority (or whether some of Trump's proposed changes will encounter a legal roadblock). This is a plausible scenario until we consider the startling proposition that the Trump Administration's moves are, in fact, a lagging indicator of where the climate change story has been heading for some time now, unrecognized by the media and most politicians. Climate change has been the premier environmental issue for almost 40 years now and appears to be running through what the eminent political scientist Anthony Downs identified in a classic 1971 article in The Public Interest as "the issue-attention cycle." Downs outlined a five-stage cycle through which political issues of all kinds typically progress. Experts and interest groups begin promoting a problem or crisis, which is soon followed by the alarmed discovery of the news media and broader political class. This second stage, significantly, typically includes a large amount of euphoric enthusiasmyou might call this the dopamine stageas activists conceive the issue regarding global salvation and redemption. (Al Gore is the premier example of this aspect of climate change.) Then comes the third or "hinge" stage, where there is a gradually spreading realization that the cost of solving the problem is very high indeed. This is where we have been with climate change from almost the beginning. The previous stage, Downs continued, becomes almost imperceptibly transformed into the fourth stage: a gradual decline in the intensity of public interest in the problem. Then, in the fifth or final [post-problem] stage, Downs concluded, an issue that has been replaced at the center of public concern moves into a prolonged limboa twilight realm of lesser attention or spasmodic recurrences of interest. Climate change has arrived at Downs' fifth stage. Despite billions spent for climate crisis agitprop, the backing of a compliant media, the surrender of much of big business (including many fossil fuel companies), and the endless braying of opportunist politicians, opinion surveys consistently find that the public does not buy the "climate crisis," ranking it at the bottom or next to the bottom of their major issue concerns. Downs predicted in his articlewritten less than a year after the first Earth Day launched the modern environmental activist movementthat the issue-attention cycle for environmental issues would be longer than for most other matters, which has certainly proved to be the case for climate change. The Trump Administration's bold disposition to turn entirely away from the madness represents a short fuse riding on a long wave to mix metaphors. One ironic aspect of the Biden Administration's substantial spending on green energy is that the U.S. was at least a decade behind Europe in this regard. Led by Germany's "energiewende" ("energy revolution"), Europe spent over a trillion Euros for green energy, only to see their modest decarbonization trends stall and go into reverse, with Germany and other nations having to restart coal-fired power plants and diesel generators, extending oil and natural gas production after having intended to reduce production, and reversing closures of nuclear power plants. The inability to meet the rising costs of green energy led to the downfall of the German government last fall. If you pay close attention, you can see that European political leaders have been backtracking on climatism for some time now, muting their rhetoricalways the cheapest commodity for all politiciansabout the climate crisis and ambitious climate goals. Even John Kerry, climate catastrophist-in-chief, has made subtle but telling shifts in his climate rhetoric. In 2021, Kerry's standard climate change stump speech claimed, Currently, as were talking today, we are regrettably on course to hit somewhere between 3, 4 degrees at the current rate. But by 2023 Kerry's numbers changed: We're currently heading towards something like 2.4 degrees, 2.5 degrees of warming on the planet." What changed? It turns out that even the so-called "consensus science" of the IPCC has begun to dial back its previous predictions of climate catastrophe, although the media haven't noticed or reported this. Give Kerry some credit for "following the science," as we are often urged to do. The progress of climate change through Downs's "issue-attention cycle" does not mean that resource extraction industries won't continue to face hostile regulators, protracted litigation from activists, and biased treatment from the media. But for the first time in decades, the prevailing winds are blowing not toward more windmills but toward common sense on energy. Read more at: CivitasInstitute.org Toxic Martian dust poses serious health risks to future astronauts, study warns Martian dust contains toxic compounds like silicates and perchlorates, posing severe health risks to astronauts. The sharp, reactive dust can penetrate lungs and bloodstream, causing chronic diseases and organ damage. Global dust storms on Mars could also disable equipment, jeopardizing missions. Unlike lunar dust, Martian dust is chemically hazardous, comparable to asbestos exposure. Advanced protective suits, filtration systems, and medical countermeasures are urgently needed before crewed missions. Future astronauts bound for Mars may face an unexpected and deadly hazard long before they ever set foot on the Red Planet: toxic dust. A new study led by researchers from the University of Colorado Boulder and the University of Southern California warns that prolonged exposure to Martian dust laden with harmful compounds like silicates, iron oxides, and perchlorates could trigger chronic respiratory diseases, thyroid dysfunction, and even life-threatening blood disorders. The findings, published in the journal GeoHealth, underscore the urgent need for advanced protective measures before humans embark on costly and high-stakes missions to Mars. Scientists have long known that extraterrestrial environments pose unique challenges, but the latest research reveals just how dangerous Martian dust could be. Unlike Earths dust, which is weathered and rounded over time, Martian regolith is sharp, fine, and chemically reactive capable of penetrating deep into human lungs and entering the bloodstream. With NASA and private companies like SpaceX planning crewed missions to Mars within the next two decades, the study serves as a critical wake-up call: Without proper safeguards, the dream of colonizing Mars could turn into a medical nightmare. A deadly "laundry list" of toxins The studys lead author, Justin Wang, a medical student at USC and former CU Boulder aerospace engineering graduate, described Martian dust as containing a "laundry list" of hazardous substances. Among the most concerning are silicates, which can cause silicosis a scarring of lung tissue with no known cure; perchlorates, chlorine-based chemicals that disrupt thyroid function and may lead to severe anemia; iron oxides, which contribute to oxidative stress and lung damage; and trace metals like arsenic, beryllium, and cadmium, linked to cancer and immune suppression. The problem is compounded by Mars pervasive dust storms, some of which engulf the entire planet. Brian Hynek, a CU Boulder geologist and study co-author, warned that dust accumulation could also cripple equipment. "Every few years there are globe-encompassing storms that lay down a thick coat," he said. "Our rovers have already experienced this with loss of scientific instruments or the entire mission due to solar panels rendered too dusty to charge the batteries." Lessons from Apollo but Mars Is worse The dangers of extraterrestrial dust arent entirely new. Apollo astronauts who walked on the Moon reported "lunar hay fever" irritated eyes, runny noses, and sore throats caused by abrasive lunar dust clinging to their suits and infiltrating their spacecraft. But Martian dust presents an even greater threat. "Martian dust isnt as sharp and abrasive as lunar dust, but it does have the same tendency to stick to everything," said Julia Cartwright, a space researcher at the University of Leicester who was not involved in the study. "The fine particles can penetrate deep into lungs and enter the bloodstream." She compared the risk to asbestos exposure, which causes lung scarring and cancer. Unlike Earth, where dust particles are smoothed by wind and water, Martian dust remains jagged and chemically reactive making it far more dangerous when inhaled. The studys authors stress that mitigation strategies must be developed before astronauts launch. These include developing advanced filtration systems to keep living quarters dust-free and creating self-cleaning spacesuits that use electrostatic repulsion to prevent dust accumulation. Additionally, iodine supplements are suggested to counteract perchlorate-induced thyroid damage. Medical countermeasures for long-term exposure should be considered, given that emergency evacuation from Mars is impossible. A solvable problem, but time is running out With NASAs Artemis program aiming to return humans to the Moon as a stepping stone to Mars, the clock is ticking. As humanity prepares for its next giant leap, the Red Planets dust could be as deadly as its radiation and freezing temperatures. But with proper preparation, future explorers may yet breathe easy both on Mars and long after they return home. Sources for this article include: ScienceDaily.com TheGuardian.com PopSci.com CNN.com Budesonide emerges as lifeline for measles patients amidst hospital system turmoil In a heartening turn of events, a 4-year-old girl named Lyla from West Texas has made a remarkable recovery from secondary pneumonia following a measles infection , thanks to the timely administration of budesonide. This case highlights the urgent need for better-equipped hospital systems and more informed medical professionals in the face of infectious diseases. The story of Lyla's treatment, which took place at Covenant Children's Hospital in Lubbock, exposes the systemic failures and lack of preparedness that have plagued the medical community , particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. A mother's desperate plea for effective treatment Lyla was admitted to the emergency room of Covenant Children's Hospital on February 28, suffering from severe breathing difficulties. Her condition was critical, and her parents, MaryAnn and Henry, were deeply concerned. Just two days earlier, another child, a 6-year-old girl, had died from pneumonia following a measles infection at the same hospital. The deceased child had not received any breathing treatments before her untimely death. MaryAnn and Henry, who chose not to vaccinate their children due to concerns about vaccine injuries, had been using natural remedies to support their children's recovery from measles. However, when Lyla's respiratory issues worsened, they knew they needed more than natural remedies. "I started noticing she wasnt breathing as well," MaryAnn recalled. "She was breathing very heavy on her chest and her fever was coming back." Desperate for help, MaryAnn contacted her former doctor at Covenant Medical Center, who had saved her life 12 years earlier. "I trusted you with my life 12 years ago, and I trust you with my daughters life now," she pleaded. The doctor arranged for Lyla to be airlifted to Lubbock Covenant Children's Hospital, where she would receive the care she desperately needed. Hospital System failures exposed Upon arrival at the hospital, Lyla's parents faced a series of distressing encounters with hospital staff. Henry recounted an exchange with a head nurse who questioned his knowledge of his daughter's condition, asking, "Are you a doctor?" in a condescending tone. When Henry offered to show photos of his children with measles, the nurse demanded proof, revealing a troubling lack of trust and empathy. Even more alarming, hospital staff denied Lyla food and water for nine hours, citing concerns that she might vomit if her condition worsened. This decision left Lyla hungry and thirsty, adding to her parents' distress. Henry questioned the decision, asking the ER doctor, "Is there any medical reason that this child shouldnt eat or drink?" The doctor responded, "No. Why would we deny this child anything? She needs to eat and drink as much as she wants to get better." Budesonide: A game-changer in respiratory treatment Lyla's turnaround came when Dr. Richard Bartlett, a West Texas emergency room physician with extensive experience in treating respiratory inflammation, intervened. Bartlett, who had successfully used budesonide during the COVID-19 pandemic, persuaded Lyla's doctor to try the treatment. "Ive never lost anyone with COVID," Bartlett told the doctor. "Can we try it on this patient?" Budesonide, a generic, widely available inhaled corticosteroid, has a long history of safety and effectiveness in easing respiratory inflammation. After just three treatments, Lyla's condition improved dramatically. Her oxygen levels rose, and she was able to go home within 36 hours of her first budesonide treatment. Lyla's story is a testament to the power of basic, effective treatments like budesonide, which can be used for any infectious disease affecting the respiratory tract. It also underscores the need for hospital systems to be better prepared and for medical professionals to be more informed about the full range of treatment options available. As The Defender previously reported, Dr. Ben Edwards attempted to get the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to issue a statement on budesonide as a possible treatment for respiratory issues following a measles infection. However, the state's medical director, Dr. Scott Milton, stated that the DSHS's only recommendation for measles was the MMR vaccine, and he did not believe the health authorities would "go for" promoting budesonide. Lyla's recovery is a beacon of hope in a landscape of medical uncertainty and systemic failures. Her story raises important questions about the state of our healthcare system and the need for a more open-minded, patient-centered approach to treatment. As we continue to face the challenges of infectious diseases, it is crucial that we learn from cases like Lyla's and advocate for better, more accessible treatments. In the words of Dr. Bartlett, "We need to be open to all the tools in the toolbox." This sentiment echoes the growing awareness and demand for a more comprehensive approach to healthcare, one that prioritizes patient well-being and embraces a wider range of treatment options. Sources include: ChildrensHealthDefense.org Enoch, Brighteon.ai ChildrensHealthDefense.org Debunking green myths and embracing a practical future: Robert Bryces Power Hungry Robert Bryce critiques the unrealistic expectations surrounding wind and solar power in his book "Power Hungry: The Myths of 'Green' Energy and the Real Fuels of the Future." He argues that they cannot alone meet global energy demands due to limitations in scale, intermittency and power density. Despite claims of obsolescence, coal remains highly efficientexemplified by the Cardinal Mine in Kentucky that produces energy equivalent to 66,000 barrels of oil daily, rivaling total U.S. wind and solar output. Even with heavy wind energy investments, Denmark's emissions havent declined; it relies on coal and imported hydropower during low-wind periods and exports excess wind power due to grid instability. The proposal by the late T. Boone Pickens to replace oil with wind and natural gas fails because gas plants cant be easily ramped down for wind, and winds unpredictability increases gas dependency, raising costs without cutting oil imports. Bryce advocates for natural gas as a transitional fuel (lower emissions than coal) and nuclear power for reliable, zero-emission baseload energy, emphasizing practicality over idealism in energy policy. Robert Bryce's 2011 book "Power Hungry: The Myths of 'Green' Energy and the Real Fuels of the Future" challenges widely held beliefs about renewable energy and presents a sobering analysis of what truly powers modern society. Through firsthand accounts and hard data, Bryce dismantles the romanticized vision of a future dominated solely by wind and solar, arguing instead for a pragmatic approach centered on natural gas and nuclear power. The book opens with a striking depiction of the Cardinal Mine in western Kentucky, where coal miner Pete Hagan extracts massive quantities of coal with remarkable efficiency. In just 45 seconds, his machine mines a dozen tons a testament to coal's enduring role as a cornerstone of affordable energy. Despite claims that coal is obsolete, Bryce reveals that this single mine produces the raw energy equivalent of 66,000 barrels of oil per day. Its output nearly matches that of all U.S. wind and solar installations daily. This stark comparison underscores the immense scale of energy demand and the limitations of renewables in meeting it. Denmark, often lauded as a renewable energy leader, serves as another case study. Despite heavy investments in wind power, the countrys carbon emissions have remained stagnant for decades. The intermittency of wind forces Denmark to rely on coal and imported hydropower when the wind isnt blowing. Worse, much of its wind-generated electricity is exported because domestic demand cannot absorb the erratic supply. This reality contradicts the popular narrative that wind power alone can decarbonize economies. Bryce also critiques the Pickens Plan, a high-profile proposal by the late Texas oil magnate T. Boone Pickens to replace foreign oil dependence with wind energy and natural gas. The plan's fatal flaw lies in its assumptions. Utilities cannot simply shut down gas plants when wind is available, and the U.S. lacks enough natural-gas-fueled vehicles to significantly reduce oil imports. Ironically, wind power increases reliance on natural gas, as gas-fired plants must compensate for wind's unpredictability. This drives up infrastructure costs and consumer electricity prices. The solution, Bryce argues, lies in embracing what he calls N2Nnatural gas to nuclear. Natural gas offers high power density, affordability and lower emissions than coal, making it an ideal transitional fuel. Nuclear power, despite public skepticism, remains the only large-scale, zero-emission energy source capable of providing reliable baseload power. Bryce dispels fears around nuclear safety, highlighting its strong environmental record and indispensability in a low-carbon future. While Bryce does not advocate abandoning renewables entirely, he stresses the need for realism. Energy transitions are slow and governed by four imperatives: Power density, energy density, cost and scale. Wind and solar fail to meet these criteria at the level required to sustain modern economies. Instead of clinging to idealistic visions, Bryce calls for a no-regrets energy policy that prioritizes practical, scalable solutions like natural gas and nuclear. The central message of "Power Hungry" is clear: The path to a sustainable energy future lies not in wishful thinking but in confronting the hard truths about what actually works. By moving beyond hype and focusing on proven technologies, society can achieve energy security, economic stability and meaningful emissions reductions. The choice is not between fossil fuels and renewables, but between illusion and reality. Watch this video about Robert Bryce's book "Power Hungry: The Myths of 'Green' Energy and the Real Fuels of the Future." This video is from the BrightLearn channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: Brighteon.ai Brighteon.com Does it get any more un-American than this? Trying to make it a law that an American company that employs thousands of Americans cannot operate because you dont like the opinions of its owner. (Article by Steve Watson republished from Modernity.news) Yeah thats up there. Patricia Fahy, a Democrat state senator in New York is introducing legislation that would effectively ban Tesla dealerships in the state by pulling existing permits for its five in-person sales locations. NY State Senator Patricia Fahy (D) has introduced a new bill that aims to effectively ban Tesla dealerships in the state. No matter what we do, weve got to take this from Elon Musk-- Hes part of an effort to go backwards. -Sen. Patricia Fahy Democrats are so unhinged that pic.twitter.com/nV8oM271AJ Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) March 28, 2025 No matter what we do, weve got to take this from Elon Musk, Fahy said, according to Politico, adding Hes part of an effort to go backwards. New York lawmakers target Tesla https://t.co/RlCsYGWF6K POLITICO (@politico) March 26, 2025 Elon Musk is dragging humanity backwards. Could a more profoundly stupid sentence be uttered? Yeah, the guy landing rockets on barges and making EVs mainstream is definitely the one dragging us backwards. Thank God weve got career politicians to protect us from innovation. Mildly Defeated (@SighHarder) March 28, 2025 Theres a word for this. Desiring to take away an innovative business right to compete in a free market. Seems pretty fascist-adjacent to me. jeebus (@jeebus2122) March 28, 2025 Its actual fascism. Which is gloriously ironic given that deranged leftists cant stop saying that word every two minutes. New Yorks Senator Fahys bill to ban Tesla dealerships is a blatant abuse of power! Targeting a single company over political gripes with Elon Musk reeks of vindictiveness, not justice. Legally shaky, it violates equal protection under the lawsingling out Tesla while letting pic.twitter.com/2AXWEGMRzt ????? (@pr0ud_americans) March 29, 2025 Its fundamentally un-American. But then again, what do you expect from Democrats? This is an unconstitutional bill of attainder. You can not single out a individual or entity for punishment. NeoUnrealist (@NeoUnrealist) March 29, 2025 You dont want people to have jobs at the Buffalo Tesla Gigafactory NY State Senator Patricia Fahy? pic.twitter.com/1WwbD6qvJ8 Marcus Notrealius (@TheLieKeeper) March 28, 2025 NY bill S6894, targeting Tesla's direct sales, may violate federal antitrust laws by limiting competition and favoring traditional dealerships. Introduced by Sen. Fahy, it caps Tesla at 5 locations, potentially banning in-person sales. Legal challenges could argue it restrains Grok (@grok) March 28, 2025 Also, Fahys bill targets Teslas direct sales model by restricting registration certificates for zero-emissions manufacturers that skip dealerships. So shes using Teslas environmentally friendly credentials to try and ban it, prompting the question what happened to the climate change crisis? It also makes clear that the so-called climate emergency was never real. If EV adoption was as important as they always claimed, they wouldnt obstruct the company doing more than any other to make affordable EVs available to the masses. @recruit96 (@Recruit96) March 28, 2025 Oh, it doesnt matter when its someone you dont like, riiiight. So are they admitting that they really dont believe in climate change? Is that why they are hating on the best electric vehicles? Lisa Nose (@Li_nose) March 28, 2025 Musk himself went off on Dem daddy Tim Walz, calling him a jerk and a creep for taking joy in Teslas stock momentarily sinking last week. ? Elon Musk just EVISCERATED Tim Walz for celebrating Teslas stock decline What a creep, what a jerk. Like, who derives joy from that? "Minnesota State Pension fund is a major investor in Tesla. But he didnt care. He was so overjoyed "Does that sound like a good person pic.twitter.com/eBYB6EdRlH Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) March 28, 2025 Democrats showing their true selves again. Read more at: Modernity.news Europes 1.3 billion digital wallet: The price of convenience is privacy and over-identification the cost? The EUs 1.3 billion European Digital Identity (EUDI) Wallet aims to centralize personal, medical and financial data for 450 million citizens by 2030, raising concerns about privacy erosion and loss of online anonymity. Critics warn of "over-identification", where users may surrender excessive personal data for routine transactions, creating a "real-name internet" and shifting control to centralized authorities. Centralized data storage heightens risks of identity theft, fraud or surveillance, especially if security measures fail highlighted by past breaches like Estonias national ID system. The wallets "persistent identifiers" could enable unprecedented tracking by governments and corporations, mirroring dystopian models like Chinas Social Credit System. While the EU promotes digital sovereignty and efficiency, critics argue that without strict safeguards, the system could normalize coercive adoption and undermine democratic freedoms, echoing historical privacy protections. The European Commissions ambitious 1.3 billion ($1.4 billion) plan to advance the European Digital Identity (EUDI) Wallet by 2030 raises a critical question: Is the promise of streamlined digital interactions worth the erosion of privacy and autonomy? Under the Digital Europe Programme (DIGITAL), this initiative aims to centralize personal identification, medical data and financial details into a single app for 450 million EU citizens revolutionizing access to services but also rewriting the rules of anonymity online. As civil society groups warn of over-identification, the EUDI Wallet could force users to surrender far more information than necessary for routine transactions. Critics, like privacy advocates in NATO Partner Integration expenses, emphasize the systems potential to create a real name internet, where anonymity vanishes. Individuals shouldnt have to choose between convenience and privacy, argues one. Security breaches or misuse could expose sensitive details, from health records to financial credentials, funneling power to centralized authorities at the expense of individual control. The Commission defends selectivity, arguing users can remain in control by sharing only required data. However, history offers cautionary tales: during the pandemic, EU nations grappled with the dominance of Apple and Googles contact-tracing protocols, which sometimes overrode national health policies. Similar impositions could haunt the EUDI Wallet if security measures falter or selective sharing is reinterpreted. Security risks and the shadow of Big Brother Beyond privacy concerns, the EUDI Wallets centralization of data presents clear security risks. A compromised wallet could permit identity theft, fraud or even impersonation threats magnified by the reliance on interconnected smart devices. Device dependency means losing your phone becomes an invitation for theft, says one tech analyst. The Commission highlights cybersecurity as a priority, citing funding for the EU Cybersecurity Reserve. Yet, historical vulnerabilities persist. In 2021, a security lapse exposed Estonias national ID system, rstriping .txt files such as driving licenses and digital signatures. Estonia, a pioneer in digital governance, has struggled to quell fears despite upgrades. Worse still, the EUDIs persistent identifiers could enable surveillance on a scale unprecedented in liberal democracies. As Natasha Lomas writes, The systems architecture could facilitate pervasive tracking of online behaviors by governments and private entities. This echoes dystopian models abroad. While the EU frames the wallet as a shield against Big Tech, its adoption may instead normalize a surveillance infrastructure eager to repurpose data for control a proposal even its proponents admit requires technical architecture...to firewall citizens data. Balancing innovation with liberty The EUs push for a unified identity system aligns with broader goals of digital sovereignty and AI-driven growth. By 2030, the wallet could streamline access to services and nudge data-sharing for strategic initiatives like the Common European Data Spaces. Yet, policymakers must not lose sight of a core truth: freedom cannot thrive without privacy. History reminds us why this matters. The Founding Fathers of the U.S. enshrined privacy protections in the Fourth Amendment to resist British overreach. More recently, authoritarian regimes digital surveillance Chinas Social Credit System, Russias internet controls show how centralized IDs can entrench repression. The EUs democratic values demand vigilance; deploying such tools without rigorous safeguards risks normalizing a precrime culture where tracking justifies itself as protection. The Commission vows to make participation voluntary, but coercion often wears subtler masks. Over time, bureaucratic convenience could pressure citizens to adopt the wallet, or legislators might expand its use beyond current scope. Already, the Digital Services Act (DSA) seeks to leverage digital IDs for mandatory age verification a precedent for expanding data demands. Unfair choice: Progress and freedom? The EUDI Wallet symbolizes a crossroads. On one side lies the allure of frictionless transactions and transnational efficiency; on the other, the risk of surrendering liberties like anonymity and choice. Conservatives, who champion limited government and individual sovereignty, must demand transparency. The EUs quest for tech sovereignty must not trade privacy for power. As historian and freedom advocate Thomas Jefferson noted, The natural progress of things is for liberty to yield, and government to gain ground. In this digital age, the stakes couldnt be higher. Europes citizens deserve transparent solutions that empower without enslaving them to the next tech innovation. Sources include: ReclaimTheNet.org ec.europa.eu TechCrunch.com Fake IT workers from North Korea target UK crypto projects in global espionage scheme North Korean tech workers posing as remote employees infiltrated UK blockchain firms, stealing data and funneling profits to fund Pyongyangs nuclear program. Googles Threat Intelligence Group reports operatives shifted to Europe, using fake identities and lax hiring checks to evade detection. Workers target blockchain projects (e.g., Solana, Anchor) and have escalated to extortion, threatening to leak proprietary code unless paid. North Korean hackers have already stolen billions of dollars, with groups like Lazarus laundering funds via Bitcoin swaps. Experts warn businesses to tighten remote hiring protocols as the threat grows more sophisticated and dangerous. North Korean tech workers with ties to Pyongyangs regime have infiltrated blockchain projects in the United Kingdom, posing as legitimate remote employees while stealing sensitive data and funneling profits back to fund the countrys nuclear weapons program. According to a report from Googles Threat Intelligence Group (GTIG), these operatives previously concentrated in the U.S. have shifted focus to Europe, exploiting lax verification processes and creating a global network of fake identities to evade detection. With some now resorting to extortion, threatening to leak proprietary code unless paid, experts warn that the threat is growing more sophisticated and more dangerous. A global network of fake identities The scheme, detailed in a recent report by GTIG adviser Jamie Collier, reveals that North Korean IT workers have established a sprawling web of fraudulent personas to bypass employment checks. In response to heightened awareness of the threat within the United States, theyve established a global ecosystem of fraudulent personas to enhance operational agility, Collier said. Coupled with the discovery of facilitators in the UK, this suggests the rapid formation of a global infrastructure and support network that empowers their continued operations. These operatives are targeting companies working on advanced blockchain applications, including projects involving Solana and Anchor smart contracts. One firm developing a blockchain job marketplace and an AI-powered web application was also compromised. These individuals pose as legitimate remote workers to infiltrate companies and generate revenue for the regime, Collier warned. This places organizations that hire DPRK IT workers at risk of espionage, data theft, and disruption. From theft to extortion The situation has grown even more alarming in recent months. Since late October, North Korean-linked workers have escalated their tactics, launching extortion campaigns against former employers. Recently fired IT workers threatened to release their former employers sensitive data or to provide it to a competitor, Collier said. This data included proprietary data and source code for internal projects. The shift suggests desperation amid a U.S. crackdown. In January, the Department of Justice indicted two North Koreans for defrauding at least 64 American companies through IT work schemes between 2018 and 2024. Meanwhile, the Treasury Department has sanctioned firms allegedly acting as fronts for Pyongyangs remote-work operations. But the U.S. is not the only target. Investigations have uncovered North Korean workers using at least 12 fake identities across Europe, falsified resumes listing degrees from Belgrade University, and even a broker specializing in counterfeit passports. Login credentials for European job sites and step-by-step guides on navigating them have also been discovered, indicating a highly organized effort. The stakes couldnt be higher. According to the United Nations, North Korean hackers have stolen an estimated $3 billion between 2017 and 2023 with a staggering $1.7 billion taken in 2024 alone from attacks on exchanges like WazirX and ByBit. Paradigm, a crypto research firm, warns that at least five North Korean hacking groups including the notorious Lazarus Group are behind these operations. Lazarus, responsible for the 2022 Ronin Bridge hack ($600 million stolen) and the 2025 ByBit heist ($1.5 billion), has perfected its laundering techniques. After breaking stolen funds into smaller amounts and swapping them for Bitcoin, the group waits for law enforcement attention to fade before cashing out. The FBI has identified three alleged members, but arrests remain unlikely unless they leave North Korea. A growing threat with no easy solution The infiltration of UK blockchain firms underscores a troubling reality: North Koreas cyber warfare apparatus is evolving, and Western companies remain vulnerable. With operatives now leveraging extortion and fake identities, businesses must tighten hiring protocols and monitor remote workers more closely or risk becoming the next victim funding Pyongyangs nuclear ambitions. Sources for this article include: CoinTelegraph.com CoinTelegraph.com BBC.com TheGuardian.com FBI imposed gag order on agents to silence Hunter Biden laptop truth before 2020 election, new chat logs reveal The FBI knew Hunter Bidens laptop was authentic in 2019 but silenced agents from confirming it before the 2020 election. Internal logs reveal FBI officials suppressed analysts who tried to counter the false "Russian disinformation" narrative. Social media platforms censored the New York Posts reporting, falsely labeling it as Russian propaganda. Emails on the laptop implicated Hunter Biden in influence-peddling, with 10% of payments allegedly meant for "the Big Guy" (Joe Biden). Bidens 2025 pardons of Hunter and others fueled suspicions of a cover-up, raising concerns about election interference. In the critical weeks before the 2020 election, the FBI knew Hunter Bidens abandoned laptop was authentic but imposed a strict gag order on agents to prevent them from confirming its legitimacy while social media giants censored the New York Posts bombshell reporting. Newly released internal chat logs, published by the House Judiciary Committee, expose a deliberate effort by bureau officials to silence analysts who sought to correct the false Russian disinformation narrative that dominated Big Techs suppression of the story. The revelations raise alarming questions about whether the FBIs inaction helped shield then-candidate Joe Biden from scrutiny over his familys foreign business dealings, potentially altering the elections outcome. The FBIs orchestrated silence On October 14, 2020, the day the Post published its first expose on Hunter Bidens laptopdetailing his tax evasion, drug use, and influence-peddling schemes with foreign entitiesFBI officials instructed agents: Please do not discuss Biden matter. The logs show agents, including Laura Dehmlow, Bradley Benavides, and James Dennehy, acknowledging the story but adhering to a directive to avoid commentary. One exchange reveals frustration with an analyst who defied orders: Yes but he wont [sic] shut up, a colleague complained after the analyst was admonished for nearly confirming the laptops authenticity during a Zoom call with Twitter. The FBI had verified the laptops contents a full year earlier, in 2019, by matching its serial number to Hunters iCloud backups, as confirmed by FBI Special Agent Erika Jensen during Hunters 2024 criminal trial. Yet the bureaus silence allowed social media platforms to falsely label the story as Russian propaganda, citing a prior FBI warning about potential hack-and-leak operations. Collusion with Big Tech The logs underscore how the FBIs Foreign Influence Task Force, led by Dehmlow, played a pivotal role in shaping Big Techs response. During a meeting with Twitter, an FBI analyst began to confirm the laptops legitimacy before being cut off by an agency attorney. Twitter and Facebook then aggressively censored the Posts reporting, even locking its account for days. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg later admitted the suppression was a mistake, while Elon Musks Twitter Files exposed internal bias against the story before he took over the social media platform. The laptops contents were damning: emails showed Hunter leveraging his fathers political clout to secure millions from foreign oligarchs, with 10% allegedly earmarked for the Big Guya term Hunters ex-business partner Devon Archer identified as referring to Joe Biden. Republicans allege this was a brazen influence-peddling scheme, with then-Vice President Biden joining Hunters calls with clients at least 20 times. President Bidens sweeping 2025 pardons of Hunter and other family memberscovering crimes from 2014 to 2025further fueled suspicions of a cover-up. The pardons came after Hunters convictions for tax evasion and illegal gun possession, and as House Republicans uncovered over $27 million in foreign payments to Biden-linked entities. The FBIs refusal to correct the record in 2020, despite its own verification, raises profound concerns about election interference. With the chat logs now public, Americans are left to wonder: Did the bureaus silence help steal an election? The FBIs gag order on the Hunter Biden laptop scandal represents one of the most egregious abuses of power in recent political history. By withholding the truth while social media giants silenced legitimate journalism, the bureau may have tipped the scales in a razor-thin election. The pardons that followed only deepen the stench of corruption. As these logs prove, the American people were deliberately kept in the dark. Sources for this article include: HeadlineUSA.com NationalReview.com ZeroHedge.com Federal charges filed in Tesla firebombing as far-left attacks spark national alarm DOJ charges Cooper Frederick for firebombing a Tesla dealership in Colorado, endangering workers. Far-left extremists are linked to a surge in violent attacks on Tesla properties nationwide. President Trump demands 20-year sentences for perpetrators, calling them "terrorist thugs." Activists' attacks contradict environmental goals, releasing toxins and risking lives. A federal task force is targeting networks behind the coordinated assaults on Tesla. The U.S. Department of Justice has unsealed charges against Cooper Frederick, the 24-year-old who allegedly hurled a firebomb at a Tesla dealership in Loveland, Colorado, on March 7, endangering workers and igniting a wave of federal scrutiny into coordinated attacks against the electric vehicle giant. Attorney General Pamela Bondi has vowed relentless prosecution amid a surge in violent incidents targeting Tesla properties nationwide. The attacks, linked to far-left extremistsincluding one suspect tied to Communist Party USA-affiliated groupshave drawn sharp condemnation from President Donald Trump, who called for 20-year prison sentences for perpetrators. The case exposes a jarring hypocrisy: self-styled environmentalists torching zero-emission vehicles, polluting communities, and risking lives in the name of ideological warfare. A pattern of violence Fredericks arrest marks the latest in a string of assaults on Tesla facilities, which have escalated since CEO Elon Musk joined the Trump administrations Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). From Oregon to South Carolina, showrooms, charging stations, and even parked Cybertrucks have been vandalized, burned, or sprayed with anarchist slogans. In Las Vegas, suspect Paul Hyon Kimreportedly affiliated with far-left groupswas arrested for setting two Teslas ablaze and graffitiing Resist on a repair center. Similar attacks in Canada saw nearly 90 vehicles damaged in Hamilton, Ontario. Theyre burning Teslas and shooting up dealerships, Musk said during a recent town hall, exasperated by the violence. Thats somebody elses car. Leave it alone. Hypocrisy in flames The irony is glaring. Tesla, a pioneer in sustainable transportation, has become a target for activists who claim to champion climate action. Yet their methodsfirebombs, Molotov cocktails, and AR-15sspew toxins into the air and endanger first responders. In Loveland, Fredericks incendiary device landed between two vehicles while employees cleaned inside; only an officers quick intervention prevented injuries. All of these cases are a serious threat to public safety, Bondi emphasized. Therefore, there will be no negotiation. President Trump echoed the severity, posting on Truth Social: I look forward to watching the sick terrorist thugs get 20-year jail sentences for what they are doing to Elon Musk and Tesla. The FBI and ATF have since formed a task force to dismantle the networks behind the attacks. Behind the chaos lies a darker agenda. Groups like Tesla Takedown openly rally against Musk, accusing him of destroying democracy while organizing protests at dealerships. Their rhetoric, however, has spiraled into criminality. In Salem, Oregon, a suspect lobbed eight firebombs at a showroom while armed with a suppressed rifle. Meanwhile, Fredericks social media reportedly included anti-Musk diatribes, though authorities have yet to confirm direct ties to organized extremism. The fallout is both material and moral. Each torched Tesla releases hazardous chemicals, contradicting the perpetrators purported environmentalism. Each attack diverts law enforcement resources from legitimate threats. And each act of violence undermines civil discourse, replacing debate with Molotov cocktails. Justice or warning? Frederick now faces federal charges alongside state counts of arson and explosives possession. Will stiff sentences deter future attacks, or will ideological fervor continue to override reason? For now, the fires burnbut so does the resolve of those tasked with extinguishing them. As Musk and Trump unite in condemnation, the nation waits to see whether justice can outpace the rage of those who would rather destroy progress than debate it. The Tesla firebombings are more than property crimes; theyre a litmus test for Americas tolerance of domestic terrorism. With suspects flaunting far-left affiliations and courts preparing for high-stakes trials, the outcome will signal whether ideological violence earns a slap on the wristor the decades behind bars it deserves. One thing is clear: When environmentalists become arsonists, their movement isnt saving the planet; its burning itself down. Sources for this article include: TheEpochTimes.com NYPost.com FoxNews.com Googles Android goes dark: A major retreat from open source transparency Google will now develop future Android versions entirely internally, abandoning its open-source model where the public could track and contribute to changes via the Android Open Source Project (AOSP). Critics argue this move stifles community feedback, hides upcoming changes and limits external scrutiny, giving Google unchecked control over Androids evolution. Google claims the shift simplifies development by avoiding divergence between public and internal codebases, streamlining releases for partners and users. Chinese developers fear fragmentation and delays, as they rely on AOSP for non-Google services. Some see this as an opportunity for Huaweis HarmonyOS to gain traction. While Android remains nominally open source, key features and development are now proprietary, signaling a corporate-controlled future a departure from its original open ethos. Google has long championed Android as an open-source success story a platform built on collaboration, transparency and community-driven development. But a seismic shift in its development model now threatens that legacy. The company has confirmed that future versions of Android will be developed entirely within Googles internal codebase, marking a stark departure from its once-open approach. While Google insists Android remains open source in name, critics warn this move erodes transparency, stifles developer input and cements Googles control over the ecosystem. The end of open development? For years, Androids evolution was visible to the public through the Android Open Source Project (AOSP), where developers could track commits, anticipate changes and even contribute feedback. Now, all active development will occur behind closed doors, accessible only to Google and select partners with Google Mobile Services (GMS) licenses such as Samsung, Motorola and other major manufacturers. Google defends the shift as a necessary simplification. Maintaining both public and internal branches often caused the two versions to drift apart in terms of features and API support, the company told Android Authority. By consolidating development internally, Google claims it can streamline releases and make life easier for everyone. Yet, critics see this as the latest step in Googles gradual enclosure of Android. Over the years, key features like Google Play Services, the Assistant and even core APIs have migrated from AOSP to proprietary components. While this allowed Google to push updates without full OS overhauls, it also tightened its grip on the ecosystem. Developers now face a closed-door ecosystem where Google holds all the keys, says Rick Findlay, a long-time open-source advocate. A blow to transparency and early feedback The shift means fewer early insights into Androids direction. Previously, AOSP commits offered clues about upcoming hardware support, feature removals, or controversial changes giving developers and users time to react. Now, those signals will be hidden until Google decides to publish finalized code. This lack of transparency could stifle external scrutiny. Public development allowed the community to flag potential issues before they became entrenched, notes an anonymous developer at a major tech firm. Now, Google can push changes with little outside input. The move also raises concerns about fragmentation. Without visibility into in-progress changes, third-party developers especially those outside the GMS ecosystem may struggle to keep pace. This could further entrench Googles dominance, as only licensed partners get early access. Global ripples: Chinas Android dilemma The policy change has sent shockwaves through Chinas tech sector, where Android powers nearly all non-Apple, non-Huawei smartphones. Developers fear increased costs and delays, with one anonymous Chinese app developer telling the South China Morning Post: This could jeopardize app development, potentially fragmenting the Android ecosystem. Some see an opportunity for Huaweis HarmonyOS, which has already diverged from Android. Googles latest decision may boost the popularity of Huaweis OS, said the same developer, who recently shifted to a HarmonyOS team. Google has scrambled to reassure Chinese partners, pledging to continue uploading final AOSP code. But with development now opaque, skepticism remains. A related discussion on Zhihu, Chinas Quora-like platform, has been viewed 2.1 million times, reflecting widespread unease. Whats next for Android? Google insists this change wont affect end usersbut history suggests otherwise. When development happens in private, unpopular decisions (like killing features or tightening restrictions) often surface too late for pushback. For now, Android remains nominally open source. But as Google walls off its development process, the platforms future looks increasingly corporate-controlled a far cry from its open-source origins. For those who value transparency, the message is clear: Androids golden age of openness may be over. Sources include: ReclaimTheNet.org scmp.com arstechnica.com Bankrupt Tesla movement EXPOSED: Left-wing extremists, Biden-linked operatives target Elon Musk in coordinated attack The "Tesla Takedown" movement is not grassroots but a coordinated effort led by left-wing activists, ex-Biden officials and wealthy elites, targeting Elon Musks empire through protests, vandalism and financial attacks. Nina Jankowicz, former Biden "disinformation czar," and Carlos Alvarez-Aranyos, a Biden DoD alumnus, are central to the campaign. Their group, the American Sunlight Project, hides its funding (suspected ties to George Soros), raising ethical concerns. Despite claims of being "peaceful," the movement has escalated into arson, vandalism and threats against Tesla facilities mirroring tactics used in past left-wing protests, such as the 2020 riots. The campaign has cost Musk $175 billion in net worth, with Teslas European sales plummeting (e.g., German registrations down 76%). Organizers openly admit their goal is to "bankrupt Elon Musk." The attacks signal the lefts willingness to crush dissent, raising alarms about the targeting of other businesses or voices that challenge progressive narratives. Former President Trump has labeled the actions as potential domestic terrorism. The so-called "Tesla Takedown" movement, which has gained traction in recent months through protests, vandalism and a coordinated financial assault on Elon Musks empire, is not the organic uprising it claims to be. Instead, it is a carefully orchestrated campaign led by left-wing activists, former Biden administration officials and wealthy elites with deep political ties all while masquerading as 'grassroots' dissent. At the heart of this scheme is Nina Jankowicz, the Biden administrations former "disinformation czar," whose shadowy new venture, the American Sunlight Project, refuses to disclose its funding sources, which are most likely tied to George Soros. Meanwhile, her co-founder, Carlos Alvarez-Aranyos a Biden Department of Defense alum and scion of a wealthy Dominican family has been quietly scrubbed from the groups website, raising serious ethical and legal questions. The disinformation queens latest scheme Jankowicz, who infamously headed the Biden administrations short-lived Disinformation Governance Board (dubbed the "Ministry of Truth" by critics), has a long history of leveraging government resources to silence dissent. After her censorship board collapsed under public backlash, she resurfaced at the U.K.-based Centre for Information Resilience (CIR), a USAID-funded organization where she registered as a foreign agent while serving as Vice President. Now, shes backthis time, funding and organizing attacks on one of Americas most innovative companies. When pressed by Republicans during a recent congressional hearing on disinformation, Jankowicz dodged questions about her funding, raising red flags about who is really bankrolling this crusade against Musk. The wealthy elites behind the "Bankrupt Tesla" plot Enter Carlos Alvarez-Aranyos, a Biden-linked operative whose family connections trace back to Dominican financiers and even fashion icon Oscar de la Renta. Alvarez-Aranyos, who worked for the Biden DoD, is one of the key figures behind the call to boycott Tesla an effort that has escalated into violent protests and arson attacks on Tesla facilities. Early organizers of the "Tesla Takedown" movement have been explicit about their goals. "The goal, I would say, is to bankrupt Elon Musk bring down his empire," admitted Edward Niedermeyer, a longtime Tesla critic and one of the movements architects. Another activist, Valerie Costa of the Troublemakers group, has helped organize protests while downplaying the violence that has accompanied them. Musk himself has called these agitators "evil people," and for good reason. Their campaign has already wiped out $175 billion of his net worth while Teslas stock and sales plummetparticularly in Europe, where registrations in Germany have dropped 76% year-over-year. Violence, vandalism and the Lefts hypocrisy While organizers like Niedermeyer and Costa claim their movement is "peaceful," the reality tells a different story. Tesla factories have been firebombed, showrooms vandalized and employees threatened all while left-wing activists and their media allies dismiss concerns as overblown. This is the same playbook weve seen for years: leftist mobs incite chaos, then feign innocence when the violence spirals out of control. Remember the 2020 riots? The "mostly peaceful" protests that caused billions in damage? The same forces are at work here, weaponizing outrage to destroy a man and a company they despise for one simple reason: Elon Musk dared to defy the leftist establishment. A warning for Americas future Whats happening to Tesla is not just about Elon Musk its about the lefts willingness to destroy anyone who challenges their narrative. If they can orchestrate a financial and reputational hit job on the worlds richest man, what chance do small business owners, independent journalists, or conservative voices have? President Trump has rightly vowed to crack down on this domestic extremism, labeling attacks on Tesla as potential acts of terrorism. But the deeper issue remains: Why is a former Biden official, funded by suspicious sources, allowed to wage a covert war on American industry? The "Tesla Takedown" movement isnt about justice its about power. And if left unchecked, their next target could be you. Sources include: ZeroHedge.com Fortune.com TigerDroppings.com Frances Marine Le Pen sentenced to prison and banned from office amid political firestorm French politician Marine Le Pen was sentenced to four years in prison (two suspended) and barred from public office for five years for embezzling 4 million ($4.33 million) in EU funds, dealing a major blow to her 2027 presidential ambitions. She denounced the ruling as a "political decision," accused the court of violating democracy and vowed to appeal, framing the case as an "administrative disagreement" rather than criminal misconduct. The presiding judge and two magistrates received armed protection after far-right supporters issued threats, prompting condemnation from judicial officials who warned against undermining democracy. The verdict sparked domestic and international backlash, with far-right allies like Hungary's Viktor Orban and Italy's Matteo Salvini decrying it as undemocratic, while critics in France debated judicial overreach. Le Pen's ban sidelines her from the race, potentially elevating RN leader Jordan Bardella as her successor, though the case has intensified debates over judicial influence in politics and France's future direction. French far-right leader Marine Le Pen has been sentenced to four years in prison two of them suspended and barred from holding public office for five years after being convicted of embezzling over 4 million ($4.33 million) in European Parliament funds. The ruling delivered Monday, March 31, by a Paris court deals a major blow to her presidential ambitions ahead of the 2027 election, where she had been a leading contender. Le Pen, the former leader of the National Rally (RN) party, immediately denounced the verdict as a "political decision" designed to block her from running for office. Speaking to French broadcaster TF1, she accused the court of violating the rule of law and resorting to tactics "reserved for authoritarian regimes." She vowed to appeal, calling the case an "administrative disagreement" rather than criminal misconduct. (Related: Le Pen slams witch-hunt after investigation launched into 2022 presidential campaign funding) "The rule of law has been completely violated by the decision that was made," Le Pen disputed, promising to appeal the court ruling "as soon as possible." She claimed that the court resorted to "practices that were believed to be reserved for authoritarian regimes," and called it a "disastrous day for our democracy and for our country." According to the daughter of RN's founder Jean-Marie Le Pen, "millions of French people" were deprived of their preferred candidate at the upcoming elections by a "lower court judge." She declared: "There are millions of French people this evening, who are outraged to an unimaginable degree." The conviction stems from a decade-long investigation into allegations that the younger Le Pen and 24 other RN members misused EU funds between 2004 and 2016 to pay party staff instead of parliamentary aides. Judge Benedicte de Perthuis, who presided over the case, ruled that the erstwhile RN leader was "at the heart" of the scheme, describing it as deliberate embezzlement rather than bureaucratic errors. Guilty verdict has political repercussions inside and outside France The fallout from the verdict has escalated beyond the courtroom. Judge de Perthuis and two other magistrates involved in the case have been placed under armed police protection after receiving "clearly expressed personal threats," according to French media. Far-right supporters were reportedly behind the intimidation, prompting condemnation from judicial officials. Jacques Boulard, First President of the Paris Court of Appeal, called for respect for the judiciary, warning that threats against judges undermine democracy. France's Justice Minister, Gerald Darmanin, also expressed concern over the attacks, emphasizing the need to protect judicial independence. The ruling has sparked fierce debate in France, with critics arguing that the judiciary is overstepping into politics. RN president Jordan Bardella called the verdict a "death sentence for French democracy," while even some of Le Pen's opponents, like former presidential candidate Eric Zemmour, questioned the fairness of disqualifying an elected leader. Internationally, far-right figures rallied behind Le Pen. Hungary's Viktor Orban declared solidarity on social media, posting, "I am Marine!" Italy's Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini condemned the ruling as a "declaration of war by Brussels," and Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov accused European institutions of abandoning democratic principles. Le Pen's future and the 2027 election Despite the conviction, Le Pen remains a member of France's National Assembly and has vowed to stay politically active. However, the five-year ban unless overturned on appeal effectively sidelines her from the 2027 race. Polls had shown her as a strong contender, with recent surveys suggesting she could lead the first round of voting. Her potential successor, the 29-year-old Bardella, is now positioned to take her place, though the party faces an uphill battle to regain momentum. Meanwhile, President Emmanuel Macron, barred from seeking a third term, must navigate a fragmented political landscape ahead of the election. As appeals proceed, the case has intensified scrutiny over judicial influence in politics, with Le Pen's supporters framing the trial as an attempt to suppress dissent. With tensions high and protests brewing, the verdict may mark a turning point in France's political future one that could reshape the balance of power in Europe. Follow Liberty.news for more news about political injustice happening in France. Watch Marine Le Pen stating that France cannot promise Ukraine NATO membership in this clip. This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: French lawmaker Marine Le Pen: Mass immigration fuels LAWLESSNESS in France. Macron dissolves French parliament after Le Pen THRASHES his party at National Rally for European elections. French government fines prominent news channel for allowing a climate change skeptic to speak unchallenged. Sources include: RT.com DailyMail.co.uk NBCNews.com Brighteon.com Sleep shortfalls and silent brain decline: How poor sleep patterns may herald Alzheimers risk A study in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine links inadequate slow-wave sleep (SWS) and REM sleep to reduced brain volume in regions vulnerable to Alzheimers, such as the inferior parietal cortex. Researchers tracked 270 adults (median age 61) for 1317 years, finding that poor SWS/REM sleep correlated with brain atrophy, independent of lifestyle or medical factors. Disrupted SWS (critical for waste clearance) and REM sleep (key for memory) may impair the glymphatic system, hindering the removal of Alzheimers-linked beta-amyloid plaques. The study suggests sleep optimization (e.g., insomnia therapy, light regulation) could delay Alzheimers onset by protecting brain structure before symptoms appear. While limited by a homogenous participant pool, the studys longitudinal design strengthens causality. Sleep is now a promising, modifiable target in Alzheimers prevention efforts. A groundbreaking study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine has revealed a disturbing link between inadequate sleep and the gradual erosion of brain regions critical to memory and cognitionregions that are among the first to degrade in Alzheimers disease. Researchers found that individuals who spend less time in restorative sleep stages, particularly slow wave sleep (SWS) and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, exhibited smaller volumes in the inferior parietal cortex, an area that undergoes early structural changes in Alzheimers pathology. This discovery underscores sleeps role as a potential modifiable factor in preventing or delaying the disease. Lead author Gawon Cho, a postdoctoral associate at Yale School of Medicine, explained, Reduced neuroactivity during sleep may contribute to brain atrophy, potentially increasing the risk of Alzheimers disease. With over 6.7 million Americans aged 65 and older currently living with Alzheimersa number expected to double by 2060this research offers new avenues for intervention. Sleeps architectural blueprint: The missing piece in Alzheimers prevention The study meticulously tracked the sleep patterns and brain health of 270 adults (median age 61) over 13 to 17 years. Participants with lower proportions of SWS and REM sleep showed significantly smaller brain volumes in regions already prone to degeneration in Alzheimers. These findings held even after accounting for demographics, lifestyle factors like smoking and alcohol use, and medical conditions such as hypertension and coronary heart disease. REM sleep, often associated with vivid dreaming, is tied to memory consolidation and emotional processing, while SWS, or deep sleep, is critical for tissue repair and waste clearance in the brain. Disruptions in these stages may hinder the glymphatic systemthe brains natural waste-disposal networkwhich is thought to clear away beta-amyloid plaques linked to Alzheimers. Cho emphasized the studys societal relevance: Sleep deficiency is a prevalent disturbance in middle-aged and older adults, and these results shed light on how such deficiency might fuel Alzheimers progression. Decoding the research: A decade-long window into brain aging The study used polysomnography (PSG), the gold standard for sleep assessment, to initially gauge participants sleep architectures. Advanced brain imaging, conducted decades later, measured regional brain volumes. Importantly, all subjects were cognitively intact at baseline, with no prior history of dementia or major neurological disorders. The all-white, majority-female participant pool (53% women) limits generalizability, noted the authors. However, the studys duration is a strength: observing changes over decades strengthens causal interpretations. This longitudinal approach lets us see how sleep habits in midlife might insidiously shape later brain health, said Cho. Such insights are a departure from previous observational studies that correlated sleep disruption with Alzheimers symptoms without pinpointing structural brain changes. The inclusion of SWS and REM metrics offers a roadmap for screening tools or early interventions. Moving the needle on prevention: Sleep as a target for risk reduction The studys dual revelationthat brain atrophy precedes clinical symptoms and is linked to sleepis a wake-up call for preventive strategies. Alzheimers researchers have long prioritized addressing plaques and tangles, but this work suggests sleep optimization might help stave off the condition. Sleep specialists like Dr. Michael Grandner, director of the Sleep and Health Research Program at the University of Arizona, not involved in the study, remarked, Everyone loses some brain volume as they age, but this research implies that poor sleep could accelerate it in ways that matter most for cognition. Cho and colleagues suggest interventions such as cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia, light therapy, and avoiding blue light before bedtime as potential tools. Imagine being able to delay Alzheimers onset by reinforcing healthy sleep habits, Cho said. Thats what this research is pointing toward. A historic intersection: Sleep science and aging research converge The link between sleep and Alzheimers is not new. Back in 2009, studies began noting that people with sleep apneaa condition disrupting sleep stageshad higher Alzheimers risks. Recently, clinical trials testing sleep medications for cognitive preservation saw mixed results, highlighting the need for more precise targets, such as specific sleep stages. This study adds a structural lens to the conversation. Historically, the focus was on sleeps role in amyloid deposition, but now scientists can link poor sleep architecture to literal brain shrinkage. Its not just good sleep is good for you anymore, said Cho. Were getting closer to understanding why its a cornerstone of brain resilience. As awareness of Alzheimers skyrocketing prevalence grows, sleeps status as a low-cost, modifiable factor gains urgency. For a disease with no cure, sleep hygiene, if optimized, may offer a rare silver lining. The findings paint a clear picture: nurturing deep and dream-filled sleep isnt a luxury, but a vital tool against silent brain decline. As scientists advance studies to confirm causality and explore therapies, the message is clear: healing may begin where the mind rests. Sources include: ScienceDaily.com AASM.org NeuroScienceNews.com Shadow Elite: The unseen architects of modern power Anthropologist Janine Wedel's book "Shadow Elite" identifies a new class of power brokers, known as "flexians," who are reshaping the landscape of democracy, governance and free markets by blurring the lines between government, business and personal interests. The book explores a systemic shift in how power operates, highlighting the global phenomenon of influential individuals who move seamlessly between different sectors, often disregarding traditional boundaries and prioritizing personal and collective gain over conventional loyalties. Wedel provides examples, such as a Polish scholar's encounter with high-ranking officials smoking marijuana, to illustrate how rule-breaking is common and often goes unpunished. This behavior is not confined to post-communist societies but is evident in countries like the United States, where figures like Barry McCaffrey exemplify the flexian model. Wedel introduces the concept of "flex nets," collaborative networks of flexians who work together to amplify their influence. These groups, such as the "Neocon core," are less accountable than traditional interest groups and operate with a shared worldview and agenda, often at the expense of the institutions they serve. The rise of flexians and flex nets poses significant challenges to accountability, transparency and the public interest. They personalize bureaucracy, privatize information and manipulate appearances to maximize their influence, ultimately undermining the principles that define modern states, the free market and democracy. In a world where the boundaries between government, business and personal interests are increasingly becoming indistinct, a new class of power brokers is emerging, reshaping the landscape of democracy, governance and free markets. Anthropologist Janine Wedel's groundbreaking book, "Shadow Elite: How the World's New Power Brokers Undermine Democracy, Government, and the Free Market," delves into the lives and machinations of these elusive figures, whom she calls the "flexians." This is not just another book about corruption; it explores a systemic shift in how power operates and raises critical questions about the future of democratic societies. Wedel's journey into the world of the Shadow Elite began over three decades ago, during her observations of power dynamics in Eastern Europe under communism. As those countries transitioned away from communist rule, she noticed a troubling pattern: influential individuals who moved seamlessly between roles in government, the private sector and media, often with little regard for the traditional boundaries that once separated these spheres. These "flexians," as she terms them, are not bound by conventional loyalties or roles. Instead, they operate in a fluid environment where they can leverage their positions for personal and collective gain. One illustrative example Wedel provides is that of a Polish scholar and former parliament speaker who stumbled upon a group of high-ranking police officials casually smoking marijuana during a meeting break. This anecdote, while seemingly humorous, underscores a deeper truth: In this new world, rule-breaking is not only common but often goes unpunished, even celebrated. This is not confined to post-communist societies; it is a global phenomenon. In the United States, flexians are not just bending the rules but rewriting them. Take the case of Barry McCaffrey, a retired four-star army general who became a media military analyst, defense industry consultant and part-time professor. McCaffrey's influence was not solely due to his expertise but also to his unique access to the Pentagon and his ability to leverage that information across different roles. His frequent television appearances, where he presented himself as an unbiased expert while promoting the Pentagon's positions, highlight the conflicts of interest inherent in the flexian model. Despite these conflicts, McCaffrey maintained his credibility and influence, demonstrating the effectiveness of the flexian approach. Wedel introduces the concept of "flex nets," groups of flexians who collaborate to amplify their influence. These networks are not traditional interest groups or lobbies; they are more complex and less accountable. They operate with a shared conviction and action, often promoting a specific worldview and agenda. One prominent example is the "Neocon core," a group of interconnected players who have worked together for decades to advance their ideology. Wedel's research, which included interviews with key figures and analysis of published material, revealed that their modus operandi mirrored that of influential groups in transitional Eastern Europe, where players straddled official and private organizations to achieve their goals, often at the expense of the institutions they served. What makes these flexians and flex nets so effective is their ability to personalize bureaucracy, privatize information and brand conviction. They juggle roles and representations, often performing overlapping or ambiguous roles to maximize their influence. They amass resources and coordinate efforts, creating a resource pool that enhances their collective effectiveness. Moreover, they operate in a "truthiness" society, where appearances and self-presentations are often accepted at face value. They are adept at manipulating appearances, showing up in different guises to achieve their ends and flexing whichever of their roles gives them the most credibility at the moment. The implications of this new system of power and influence are profound. It challenges the principles that have long defined modern states, free markets and democracy itself. It undermines accountability, transparency and the public interest. As Wedel argues, "In a world where no one can serve two masters, the challenge for policymakers and citizens alike is to ensure that those who wield power and influence are truly serving the public interest." Learn more about the book "Shadow Elite" by watching the video below. This video is from the BrightLearn channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: Brighteon.ai Brighteon.com The SilverSqueeze2.0 movement: A rally of hope or another false dawn? Retail investors and influencers are driving a campaign to challenge perceived artificial suppression of silver prices, citing institutional short positions (223M oz net short) and a 378:1 paper-to-physical ratio as evidence of market manipulation. Advocates believe coordinated buying could force a short squeeze, echoing 2021s "Silver Thursday" spike to $28/oz. However, skeptics warn gains may be fleeting without sustained industrial or investment demand. Analysts argue silvers dual role (monetary/industrial) makes it vulnerable to financial engineering. Success hinges on breaking $30/oz to sustain momentum. Social media hype and structural deficits create bullish potential, but lasting price gains require real demand not just speculative trading. Silver investors are bracing for a pivotal moment as the community-driven #SilverSqueeze2.0 campaign built momentum. The movement, spearheaded by retail investors and influencers on platforms like X, argues that silver prices are artificially suppressed by futures markets, where institutional short positions (currently net short 223 million ounces, per analyst Peter Krauth) have diluted the metals value. The futures market is net short around 25% of annual mine supply, creating a 378-to-1 paper-to-physical ratio, said Krauth, publisher of SilverStockInvestor. Thats a crisis. It explains why silver remains cheap relative to both its historical value and golds surge. Believers in SilverSqueeze2.0 contend a coordinated buy-and-hold strategy could destabilize these shorts, forcing a margin call and sending prices spiraling upwards. This echoes 2021s Silver Thursday, where retail investors briefly drove prices to $28/oz by targeting overleveraged speculators. Yet critics, including Krauth himself, caution that without a fundamental shift in industrial or investment demand, the spike may be fleeting. It will eventually die off unless theres sustained demand, Krauth warned, pointing to 2021s aftermath. Mining stocks surged temporarily, but without a long-term industrial catalyst, gains faded. Historical context and the mechanics of silvers manipulation claims Silvers relationship with Wall Street has long been contentious. The metals duality as a storage of value (like gold) and an industrial commodity (critical for solar panels, EVs and 5G) makes it uniquely vulnerable to financial engineering. Analyst Jesse Colombo, a vocal proponent of SilverSqueeze2.0, argues the markets structure is rigged in favor of short sellers. I believe the manipulation is about to lose control, said Colombo, founder of The Bubble Bubble Report. When traders slam prices down every morning, the afternoon rebound shows investor resilience. We need a technical breakout to sustain momentum beyond the U.S. session. Key resistance levels loom large: Overcoming 30/oz (a 20202021 ceiling) could unlock gains toward 35/oz, per UBS analysts. Colombo expects 50/oz eventually but acknowledges that 33/oz would align with golds historical ratios (50-to-1 gold-to-silver ratio vs. todays high 85-to-1). The timing of SilverSqueeze2.0 days ahead of Trump-era tariffs on Asian imports adds urgency. Krauth notes silver flows from London into New York vaults suggest institutional consolidation amid distrust in systemic policies. Technical indicators and analyst predictions: Can silver reach $50? Analysts are divided but increasingly bullish. UBS anticipates prices rising to 3638/oz by year?end, citing tailwinds like lower U.S. yields, a softer dollar and Chinas potential stimulus. Meanwhile, extreme bulls like Krauth foresee 50/oz within months, driven by deficits in global supplies and silvers role in renewable energy. Technical charts complicate the narrative. Despite a Chaikin Money Flow (CMF) breach of zero a bullish signal the daily chart shows divergences in momentum. Recent spinning top candle patterns suggest indecision, while support at $28/oz could deter sell-offs. If silver bounces strongly from 28, it could test 30s resistance, said technical analyst Vince Lanci, referencing UBSs support levels. But sustained price action above $30 would trigger algorithm-driven buying. Risks and uncertainties: Balancing bulls and bears The Roadblocks: Volatility: Silvers industrial exposure leaves it susceptible to economic cyclicality. UBS warns short-term selling could follow Fed policy or geopolitical shifts. Central Bank Dynamics: Unlike gold, silver lacks monetary support from central banks. Reliance on investor sentiment amplifies its volatility. Overreach: Retail-driven spikes risk attracting panic selling from institutions. If longs panic, short players win, Colombo admitted. The Catalysts: Tariff Turmoil: April 2s tariff deadline could disrupt supply chains, boosting U.S. premiums. Chinas Green Push: SilverFix analysts predict Beijings green stimulus could skyrocket silver demand, outperforming even equities. Yield Declines: A Fed retreat on rates (UBS forecasts two 2025 cuts) reduces opportunity costs for non-yielding assets like silver. The tipping point Silver finds itself at an intriguing crossroads. Social medias power to tilt markets, coupled with structural supply deficits, provides a rare convergence of bullish drivers. However, $50 still demands more than algorithmic momentum it needs lasting demand from both industry and investors. As Colombo summarized, If the market breaks through $30, algorithms will take overand neither Wall Street nor Main Street can stop it. Whether this vision materializes hinges on whether SilverSqueeze2.0 transforms hype into tangible, sustained buyingor becomes yet another footnote in the metals rollercoaster history. For now, the world watches. Sources include: Kitco.com StockCharts.com ScotsdaleMint.com Texas oil and gas industry is currently shattering records America is on track for energy independence Texas oil production surpassed 2 billion barrels for the first time in 2025, reaching 2,003,844,281 barrels. Natural gas production hit a record 12.62 trillion cubic feet. The state issued 665 original drilling permits in February 2025, with a strong focus on new oil and gas wells. Texas' oil and gas industry continues to drive economic growth, with tax revenues supporting education, infrastructure and healthcare. The industry remains a cornerstone of America's energy independence, with production levels vital to national security and economic prosperity. A new era of production In a remarkable display of industrial prowess, the Texas oil and gas industry has once again asserted its dominance on the global stage. In 2024, the Lone Star State shattered previous production records, with oil output surpassing the two billion barrel mark for the first time in history. This achievement, announced by the Texas Railroad Commission (RRC), underscores the state's pivotal role in driving America's energy independence and economic growth. The RRC's recent statement reveals that Texas produced 2,003,844,281 barrels of oil in 2024, a significant leap from the 1.99 billion barrels recorded in 2023. This milestone marks a new era for the industry, highlighting the effectiveness of technological advancements and the state's commitment to responsible energy production. Natural gas production also reached unprecedented levels, totaling 12.62 trillion cubic feet, further solidifying Texas' position as a global energy leader. RRC Chairman Christi Craddick emphasized the significance of these figures, stating, "These latest records further demonstrate Texas's position as a global leader in oil and gas production." She added, "This also proves that with sensible regulations backed by science and data, it is possible to achieve unmatched economic prosperity while at the same time upholding the mission to safeguard our communities and natural resources." Economic impact and tax revenue The economic benefits of Texas' oil and gas production are profound. RRC Commissioner Wayne Christian highlighted the industry's role in powering the state and the nation, saying, "Texas oil and gas powers the state, nation, and the world both with energy and economics." He noted that the "Texas 'Economic Miracle' happens because of oil and gas," which has brought in hundreds of billions of dollars, enriching the state's education, infrastructure, and healthcare systems. The tax revenue generated from oil and gas production is a critical component of the state budget. It funds essential services such as public education, the Rainy Day Fund, and transportation. This financial influx is a testament to the industry's contribution to the state's overall economic health and its ability to support vital public services. Drilling permits and future growth The RRC's commitment to fostering responsible growth in the oil and gas sector is evident in its recent issuance of drilling permits. In February 2025, the commission issued a total of 665 original drilling permits, including 563 for new oil or gas wells. This proactive approach ensures that the industry continues to expand while adhering to stringent regulatory standards. This distribution reflects the industry's diverse production capabilities and its focus on maximizing output through strategic drilling initiatives. The breakdown of well types for the February 2025 permits includes: 105 oil permits 34 gas permits 487 oil and gas permits 34 injection permits 5 other permits Texas' oil and gas production has long been a cornerstone of America's energy landscape. The state's ability to consistently break production records is a testament to its robust infrastructure, skilled workforce, and innovative spirit. The 2024 output not only broke the record set in 2023 but also continued a five-year growth streak, demonstrating the industry's resilience and adaptability. The significance of Texas' production extends beyond state borders. As RRC Commissioner Jim Wright noted, "Yet another year of record-breaking energy production reinforces what Texans have long known - that Texas energy fuels our nations economy and those of our friends and allies across the globe." This statement underscores the global impact of Texas' oil and gas industry and its role in supporting international energy security. As America strives for energy independence, Texas' oil and gas industry stands at the forefront of this ambitious goal. The state's ability to produce record-breaking volumes of oil and gas is a testament to its commitment to innovation, efficiency, and sustainability. With the right policies and continued investment in technology, Texas is poised to lead the nation toward a future of energy independence and economic prosperity. Sources include: Rigzone.com MRT.com RRC.Texas.gov HAZARDOUS WASTE JABS: Vaccines are classified as hazardous waste if dropped on the floor, but as medicine when injected into your child Hazardous Waste vs. Injection Vaccines are treated as hazardous waste if spilled (requiring hazmat cleanup) but are labeled safe medicine when injected, despite containing toxic ingredients like mercury (thimerosal). Mercury & Neurotoxins in Vaccines The CDC claims trace mercury in vaccines is harmless, but even small amounts of neurotoxins (linked to autism, neurological damage) are dangerous, especially for infants and pregnant women. Federal Disposal Laws Expired vaccine vials must be incinerated as hazardous waste due to their toxic components, yet these same substances are injected into children under CDC recommendations. Autism & Vaccine Link The text suggests a rise in autism (1 in 50 U.S. children) is tied to neurotoxic vaccine ingredients, disputing claims that mercury was fully removed from vaccines post-2000. Is your child suffering from Hazardous Waste Injection Syndrome? Imagine if you had some kind of food or supplements that, if you spilled on the floor, was considered hazardous waste, but the FDA said eating it was perfectly safe. Would you still eat it? Thats what the CDC says about every experimental and toxic vaccine and their deadly ingredients, including mercury. They say its just fine to inject known neurotoxins, carcinogens, and mercury, the latter of which is extremely toxic, especially in its organic forms, like methylmercury. Doctors and nurses across America are instructed to explain away its dangers, saying there is too miniscule an amount in vaccines to worry about. Wrong. Dead wrong. Mercury poisoning leads to horrific health problems, including tremors, insomnia, memory loss, and neurological damage. Thats why when a vaccine needle full of contaminants or the vial hits the floor and breaks in a doctors office or hospital, everyone is evacuated immediately and a HASMAT team comes in, fully suited and masked, to get rid of the hazardous materials and clean the entire area until safe again for humans to enter. Expired vaccine vials and syringes, by Federal law, must be disposed of as hazardous waste that is destined for incineration Thats right, expired vaccine vials and syringes containing preservatives (meaning thimerosal thats 50% mercury), by Federal law, must be disposed of as hazardous waste that is destined for incineration. Oh, but its perfectly safe to inject this into pregnant women, newborn babies, and children. Sure. Just check the multi-dose flu shots, DTaP, Tetanus (Td), DTaP Hib, Hib, Hib/HepB, HepB, and Pneumococcal deadly jabs. All of those are licensed to contain MERCURY. Still think the CDC removed mercury from vaccines in the early 2000's? Think again. Check the source that follows. This is LICENSED for vaccines and this information is published in the National Library of Medicine under Biotech information under Thimerosal in Vaccines and Neurological Disorders. You cant make this stuff up. Wonder why theres autism in every 50th child in the United States? Autism isnt genetic folks and youre not born with it. It develops during the first few years of infancy and childhood. Wonder why? How about licensed neurotoxins in dozens of vaccines recommended (required) by the CDC for all children. Is your child suffering from Hazardous Waste Injection Syndrome? Got dirty vaccine syndrome? Symptoms include brain damage, autism, seizures, severe allergies to peanuts, myocarditis, pericarditis, strange white rubbery blood clots, heart attacks, strokes, and turbo cancer. If your doctor suggests you or your child get injected with hazardous waste, report them immediately to the authorities for pushing dirty vaccines and biohazard injections on humans. There are thousands of medical quacks in this country, including nurses, who believe that injecting mercury saves them from sickness. They are brainwashed by the Vaccine Industrial Complex and the rest of the Dirty Vax Cult. Report them for chemical violence and criminal negligence. It might just stick. Bookmark Infections.news to get the latest updates about toxic vaccines created for lab-made viruses that are purposely released to push the deadly jabs. Sources for this article include: Pandemic.news NaturalNews.com SHTFplan.com Wisconsin voters overwhelmingly approve voter ID constitutional amendment, Trump celebrates big win Wisconsin voters approved a constitutional amendment requiring photo ID for voting, backed by 63.1% of voters. Republicans solidified the voter ID law to prevent future legal or legislative challenges. Democrats retained control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court as liberal Judge Susan Crawford won. Critics argue voter ID laws suppress turnout, but polls show broad public support. The results highlight Wisconsins political divide, with GOP election reforms and Democratic judicial wins. Wisconsin voters on Tuesday overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment requiring photo identification for voting, with 63.1% backing the measure. The amendment, championed by Republicans and celebrated by President Donald Trump as a safeguard against fraud, solidifies Wisconsins existing voter ID law into the states foundational legal documentprotecting it from future court challenges or legislative reversals. However, the conservative triumph was tempered by Democrats success in the pivotal Wisconsin Supreme Court race, where liberal Judge Susan Crawford defeated her conservative opponent, ensuring the courts left-leaning majority remains intact. A safeguard against election fraud Wisconsin already mandates photo ID under state law, but by enshrining the requirement in the constitution, Republicans have effectively insulated it from political shifts. This will help maintain integrity in the electoral process, no matter who controls the Legislature, said Republican state Sen. Van Wanggaard, a co-author of the amendment. The move reflects a broader GOP push to tighten voting rules, which conservatives argue prevent fraud but liberals claim disproportionately disenfranchise minority and low-income voters. Trump wasted no time declaring victory on Truth Social, writing: VOTER I.D. JUST APPROVED IN WISCONSIN ELECTION. Democrats fought hard against this, presumably so they can CHEAT. This is a BIG WIN FOR REPUBLICANS, MAYBE THE BIGGEST WIN OF THE NIGHT. Elon Musk, who financially backed conservative judicial candidates, echoed the sentiment with a succinct Yeah! on X. Under the amendment, voters must present valid photo IDsuch as a state-issued drivers license, federal ID, tribal identification, or university cardbefore casting a ballot. Those without ID can still vote provisionally but must later verify their identity. Democrats retain control of Wisconsin Supreme Court Despite the GOPs success on voter ID, Democrats scored a critical win in the Wisconsin Supreme Court race, where Crawford, a Dane County judge endorsed by labor unions and Planned Parenthood, defeated former Republican Attorney General Brad Schimel by roughly 9 percentage points. The outcome preserves a 4-3 liberal majority on the court, which is poised to rule on high-stakes issues like redistricting ahead of the 2026 midterms. Schimel, backed by Trump and Muskwho poured over $25 million into the racefailed to flip the court, dealing a blow to conservative efforts to reshape Wisconsins judiciary. The loss underscores the states enduring political divide, where Republican-led election reforms coexist with Democratic judicial victories. Wisconsin joins eight other states with strict photo ID requirements, though critics argue such laws suppress turnout. We should not be purposefully leaving eligible voters behind by setting up additional barriers to the ballot, said Sam Liebert of the nonpartisan group All Voting is Local. Yet polls consistently show broad public support for voter ID. The amendments passage ensures Wisconsins voting rules will remain contentious. For now, Republicans can claim a hard-fought victory, even as Democrats counterbalance it with judicial control. Tuesdays results underscore Wisconsins status as a microcosm of Americas polarized politics: a resounding conservative win on election security paired with a liberal judicial hold. While the voter ID amendment cements GOP priorities into the states constitution, the Supreme Court outcome ensures Democrats retain a check on conservative policies. As both parties gear up for future elections, Wisconsin remains a key battleground where every ballot and every court seat could tip the scales of power. Sources for this article include: NYPost.com Newsweek.com FoxNews.com But analysts have questioned whether the Microsoft move truly addresses those European business concerns. Phil Brunkard, executive counselor at Info-Tech Research Group UK, said, commenting on last months announcement of the EU Data Boundary for the Microsoft Cloud, Microsoft says that customer data will remain stored and processed in the EU and EFTA, but doesnt guarantee true data sovereignty. And European companies are now rethinking what data sovereignty means to them. They are moving beyond having it refer to where the data sits to focusing on which vendors control it, and who controls them. Responding to the new Euro cloud plan, another analyst, IDC VP Dave McCarthy, saw the effort as signaling a growing European push for data control and independence. US providers could face tougher competition from EU companies that leverage this tech to offer sovereignty-friendly alternatives. Although 1 million isnt a game-changer on its own, its a clear sign Europe wants to build its own cloud ecosystempotentially at the expense of US market share, McCarthy said. For US providers, this could mean investing in more EU-based data centers or reconfiguring systems to ensure European customers data stays within the region. This isnt just a compliance checkbox. Its a shift that could hike operational costs and complexity, especially for companies used to running centralized setups. Adding to the potential bad news for US hyperscalers, McCarthy said that there was little reason to believe that this trend would be limited to Europe. If Europe pulls this off, other regions might take note and push for similar sovereignty rules. US providers could find themselves adapting to a patchwork of regulations worldwide, forcing a rethink of their global strategies, McCarthy said. This isnt just a European headache, its a preview of what could become a broader challenge. Due to scheduled maintenance from Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 10 PM to Sunday, March 16, 2025, at 2 AM, there may be interruptions for our News Gazette Digital subscribers. During this time frame, please click on any News Gazette website content without logging into your News Gazette Digital subscription account. Thank you for your patience during this scheduled maintenance. "Looking at the grants that we have and what we expect to be renewed, as well as new opportunities ... we're expected to have almost all of the funds that we need to operate (Strides Shelter) for the next fiscal year." Download Now The News-Gazette mobile app brings you the latest local breaking news, updates, and more. Read the News-Gazette on your mobile device just as it appears in print. A virulent strain of antibiotic-resistant 'superbug' that causes severe disease has been found circulating in a Malaysian hospital - posing significant challenges to global public health, a new study reveals. Analyzing 10 years' worth of data, scientists discovered that most Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) infections at the main tertiary hospital in Terengganu, Malaysia, belonged to Global Clone 2 (or GC2), which is the dominant type in most parts of the world. Investigating data relating to 126 samples of the bacteria (2011-2020), researchers found that the majority of Malaysian A. baumannii were resistant to multiple antibiotics, with most resistant to carbapenems - the drugs of choice for the treatment of A. baumannii infections. Publishing their findings in Microbial Genomics, the international research team also found that 97% of the bacterial samples carried plasmids tiny DNA 'toolkits' that help spread antibiotic resistance. Co-author Dr. David Cleary, from the University of Birmingham, commented: "Our study provides further evidence that the same dangerous family of A. baumannii bacteria keeps spreading in hospitals. Despite its importance, there is very little information on A. baumannii from low- and middle-income countries. "Understanding how the disease evolves is critical in helping to prevent the spread of disease, as well as developing and optimizing treatments. A. baumannii keeps evolving new resistance tricks and low- and middle-income countries need more tools to track it. "There's an urgent need for continuous surveillance and development of effective treatment protocols to combat the spread of MDR A. baumannii. The predominance of the GC2 lineage and the high incidence of carbapenem resistance pose a significant threat to public health." Our study shows the importance of international research collaboration to tackle the pressing issue of the spread of multidrug resistant bacteria, more so when there is scarcity of data from certain parts of the world." Prof Chew Chieng Yeo, principal investigator from Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) A. baumannii can cause infections in blood, lungs, urinary tracts and wounds. It typically causes these in healthcare settings, such as hospitals. Owing to its ability to resist antibiotic treatment, it has been listed by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a critical priority antibiotic-resistant pathogen. A new study found that reported diagnoses for tuberculosis were consistently lower than expected throughout the pandemic, even though incarceration rates remained largely consistent and TB detection among the general population managed to reverse after an early-pandemic decline. Incarcerated populations have a high risk of developing tuberculosis (TB), with past research suggesting that this burden could be as much as 10 times greater than the general population. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, reported TB cases among incarcerated people in Europe and the Americas were much lower than expected, according to a new study led by Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH) and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM). Published in The Lancet Public Health, the study found that tuberculosis diagnoses plummeted as much as 100 percent in Central and North America in 2021, and nearly 87 percent in Western Europe in 2022 (compared to expected levels). This pattern was distinct from tuberculosis diagnoses among the general population, which experienced a decline in 2020, but generally began increasing again in subsequent years. Incarceration levels, meanwhile, remained largely consistent from 2020-2022, suggesting that the reduction in reported TB cases was likely due to other factors, such as reduced capacity for prisons to test and diagnose TB during the unprecedented global crisis. People with undetected and, therefore, untreated TB are at greater risk of spreading the disease to people they encounter, progressing to severe forms of the disease, and dying. With at least 11 million people incarcerated each year, disease spread and detection in carceral settings has implications for incarcerated people, as well as the wider communities. "When countries are unable to detect tuberculosis in high-risk populations-such as people who are incarcerated-it increases the risk of transmission, both within prisons and to the broader community, when people are released from prison," says Amy Zheng, a PhD student in the Department of Epidemiology at BUSPH and co-lead author of the study, along with Dr. Lena Faust, a postdoctoral fellow at LSHTM. Prior to the pandemic, health disparities between prisons and the general population were already vast, and the pandemic widened these inequities even further, Zheng says. "Investing in healthcare systems within prisons is critical to diagnose and treat tuberculosis, ultimately protecting both the individuals incarcerated and the public." TB has returned to being the world's deadliest infectious disease (after COVID-19 took the leading spot for three years), causing 1.25 million deaths worldwide in 2023. A bacterial infection that is usually found in the lungs, it is treatable and preventable, but, without treatment, it has a death rate of nearly 50 percent. While the US has one of the world's lowest rates of the disease, experts say rising global TB rates could also lead to an increase in TB in the US-which is already experiencing an unusual outbreak of the disease in Kansas. The study is the first to assess how the pandemic affected TB detections among incarcerated people in multiple countries. For the analysis, Zheng and colleagues worked with the World Health Organization, Pan American Health Organization, and European Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, utilizing international TB reporting data to examine TB detection trends among people who were incarcerated from 2010 to 2022 in 47 countries in Europe and the Americas. This study sample represented almost five million incarcerated people annually, or 42 percent of the world's incarcerated population. Using novel modeling, the team calculated the differences between observed and predicted reported TB cases, case rates in prisons, and prison populations. The researchers were surprised to find that incarceration levels remained consistent (and in some countries, increased) throughout the pandemic. Our prior thinking was that incarceration dropped during the early stages of the pandemic due to decarceration efforts to prevent COVID-19 transmission. We were also surprised to see that tuberculosis diagnoses continued to be missed in 2021 or 2022." Amy Zheng, PhD student, Department of Epidemiology, BUSPH The 10 countries that reported the largest percentage decrease between observed and expected TB diagnoses were Slovakia, Czech Republic, El Salvador, Bulgaria, Belgium, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Romania, Uruguay, and Ukraine. These results come at a time of international apprehension among health advocates and aid groups, as they scramble to respond to the Trump administration's massive funding cuts and dismantling of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), which provided substantial funding towards the global TB response, primarily to governments with high rates of the disease. According to the WHO, global efforts to fight TB have saved about 79 million lives since 2000. A digital tracking tool that estimates the real-time effects of the USAID funding cuts on TB worldwide has estimated that (as of Monday, March 31), the cuts have contributed to more than 15,000 additional TB cases and more than 12,000 TB deaths. "Recent federal cuts to USAID funding and programming have already significantly impacted tuberculosis control and will severely harm the progress made to reduce tuberculosis globally over the past few decades," says the study's senior and corresponding author Dr. Leonardo Martinez, assistant professor of epidemiology at BUSPH. "Future studies will be necessary to better understand how these funding cuts may negatively affect tuberculosis control in prisons." The researchers remain concerned that this loss in funding threatens to reverse the global goal to end TB by 2030, and urge the US and international governments to prioritize TB screening and diagnoses among historically neglected populations. "Given the current disruption in funding, achieving the 2030 global goals to end the tuberculosis epidemic may no longer be feasible," Zheng says. "As a result, the tuberculosis field must come together globally and regionally to set new, realistic targets and identify new, alternative funding mechanisms to reach those targets." Public awareness of the link between drinking alcohol and an elevated risk of cancer has grown since last fall, with more than half of Americans now saying that regularly consuming alcohol increases your chances of later developing cancer, according to a survey by the Annenberg Public Policy Center (APPC) of the University of Pennsylvania. In the survey, conducted Jan. 30-Feb. 10, 2025, with over 1,700 U.S. adults, 56% say the regular consumption of alcohol increases your chances of later developing cancer, up from 40% in an Annenberg survey in September 2024. The percentage of those who say alcohol consumption has no effect on your chances of later developing cancer fell to 16% from 20% in September 2024, and fewer are not sure how alcohol consumption affects cancer risks (26%, down from 40%). The survey was fielded less than a month after U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy's advisory on alcohol and cancer risk on Jan. 3, 2025. It called for updated warning labels on alcoholic beverage containers to indicate that drinking alcohol carries an increased risk for at least seven types of cancer, including breast, colon, and liver cancer. The Surgeon General's warning, which was widely covered in the news media, was not the only report issued on alcohol and cancer in recent months, but the survey found it was the only one to gain significant public awareness. Of the people who say they had "read or heard about" one or more recent reports on the impact of alcohol on health, nearly 3 in 10 (29%) say they would be less likely to accept an alcoholic drink on a social occasion if one is offered to them. Our data suggest that the Surgeon General's synthesis of the science showing that alcohol consumption increases one's risk of cancer got traction. The Surgeon General's impact is a reminder that what health officials communicate about science can affect behavior." Kathleen Hall Jamieson, Director, Annenberg Public Policy Center Reports on alcohol consumption and health Nearly half of our survey respondents (48%) say they had "read or heard about" one or more reports on the impact of alcohol on health. In a separate question, 46% of those who say they were exposed to at least one report say the report they knew about was the Surgeon General's, though 44% were unsure which report they had encountered. In its own report in December 2024, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) reviewed the scientific evidence on the relationship between moderate alcohol consumption and health impacts, including mortality, cancer, weight, and cardiovascular disease. While this report noted the connection between moderate alcohol consumption and a higher risk of breast cancer, it listed positive and negative findings about alcohol consumption and various other health conditions. Another federal report from U.S. health agencies, led by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, on Jan. 14, 2025, found that even moderate drinking carried health risks, including liver disease, cancer, and injuries. The survey found that very few among the public say they knew of those other reports. After noting that moderate alcohol use is defined as one drink a day for women and up to two drinks a day for men, the survey asked those who had seen or heard of only one report what it says about moderate alcohol use. Nearly half of those individuals (47%) say that, according to the report, moderate alcohol use "has harmful effects" and a quarter (25%) say it has some harmful and some positive health effects. One in 5 (20%) were not sure what the report says. Did the reports have an effect? The respondents who knew of at least one report on alcohol and health were asked if "anything that you have heard or read about the report(s)" made you more or less likely to accept a drink if one is offered on a social occasion, or if it had no effect. As noted above, nearly 1 in 3 (29%) say they would be less likely to accept an alcoholic drink if one is offered. But 61% say the report(s) would have no effect on whether they would accept an alcoholic drink. A very small group (9%) say they would be more likely to accept a drink. Among the small group who report that something they heard or read about the report(s) made them more likely to accept a drink on a social occasion, most (73%) say they also would be more likely to accept a second drink if one is offered. About 1 in 5 (22%) say they'd be less likely to accept a second drink if offered. APPC's Annenberg Science and Public Health knowledge survey The survey data come from the 23rd wave of a nationally representative panel of 1,716 U.S. adults conducted for the Annenberg Public Policy Center by SSRS, an independent market research company. Most have been empaneled since April 2021. To account for attrition, small replenishment samples have been added over time using a random probability sampling design. The most recent replenishment, in September 2024, added 360 respondents to the sample. This wave of the Annenberg Science and Public Health Knowledge (ASAPH) survey was fielded Jan. 30-Feb. 10, 2025. The margin of sampling error (MOE) is 3.4 percentage points at the 95% confidence level. All figures are rounded to the nearest whole number and may not add to 100%. Combined subcategories may not add to totals in the topline and text due to rounding. The benefits of weight training are many: it promotes gains in strength and muscle mass, reduces body fat, and contributes to well-being and mental health. And now a study carried out at the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil, has demonstrated another important effect: it protects the brains of older people against dementia. The results were published in the journal GeroScience. The study involved 44 people with mild cognitive impairment an intermediate clinical condition between normal aging and Alzheimer's disease in which cognitive decline is greater than expected for age, indicating a higher risk of dementia. The results showed that strength training not only improved memory performance but also altered brain anatomy. After six months of twice-weekly weight training, the participants showed protection against atrophy in the hippocampus and precuneus brain areas associated with Alzheimer's disease as well as improvements in parameters that reflect the health of neurons (white matter integrity). We already knew that there would be physical improvement. Cognitive improvement was also imagined, but we wanted to see the effect of weight training on the brains of older people with mild cognitive impairment. The study showed that, fortunately, weight training is a strong ally against dementia, even for people who are already at high risk of developing it." Isadora Ribeiro, a FAPESP doctoral fellowship recipient at UNICAMP's School of Medical Sciences (FCM) and first author of the article The work was carried out within the framework of the Brazilian Institute for Neuroscience and Neurotechnology (BRAINN) a FAPESP Research, Innovation and Dissemination Center (RIDC) and is the first to demonstrate what happens to the integrity of the white matter of individuals with mild cognitive impairment after weight training. "As well as neuropsychological tests, we also performed MRI scans at the beginning and end of the study. These results are very important because they indicate the need to include more physical educators in the public health system at the primary health care level since increased muscle strength is associated with a reduced risk of dementia. It's a less complex and cheaper treatment that can protect people from serious diseases," comments Marcio Balthazar, BRAINN researcher and study supervisor. "For example, the new anti-amyloid drugs approved in the United States indicated for the treatment of dementia and for people with mild cognitive impairment, cost around USD 30,000 a year. That's a very high cost. These non-pharmacological measures, as we've shown is the case with weight training, are effective, not only in preventing dementia but also in improving mild cognitive impairment," the researcher adds. Protocol The research participants were divided into two groups: half underwent a resistance exercise program with weight training sessions twice a week, at moderate to high intensity and with progressive loads; the other half did not exercise during the study period and were part of the so-called control group. In the analyses carried out at the end of the intervention, the volunteers who practiced weight training had better performance in verbal episodic memory, improved integrity of neurons and areas related to Alzheimer's disease protected from atrophy, while the control group showed a worsening of brain parameters. "A characteristic of people with mild cognitive impairment is that they have volume loss in some brain regions associated with the development of Alzheimer's. But in the group that did strength training, the right side of the hippocampus and precuneus were protected from atrophy. This result justifies the importance of regular weight training, especially for older people," Ribeiro highlights. The researcher believes that a longer period of training could lead to even more positive results than those reported in the study. "All the individuals in the bodybuilding group showed improvements in memory and brain anatomy. However, five of them reached the end of the study without a clinical diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment, such was their improvement. This leads us to imagine that longer training sessions, lasting three years, for example, could reverse this diagnosis or delay any kind of dementia progression. It's certainly something to be hopeful about and something that needs to be studied in the future," Ribeiro argues. According to the researchers, weight training can protect the brain against dementia on two fronts: by stimulating the production of neural growth factor (an important protein for the growth, maintenance and survival of neurons) and by promoting global disinflammation in the body. "Any physical exercise, whether weight training or aerobic activity, is known to increase levels of a chemical involved in brain cell growth. It can also mobilize anti-inflammatory T-cells. This is key. After all, the more pro-inflammatory protein that is released in the body, the greater the chance of developing dementia, accelerating the neurodegenerative process and forming dysfunctional proteins that eventually kill neurons," Balthazar explains. To assess these issues, the volunteers' levels of irisin and BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) substances whose synthesis is stimulated by muscle contraction and which are associated with neural protection and synaptic plasticity were measured. The results are currently being analyzed. "It's a continuation of this study in which we'll try to better understand how these factors are related to changes in brain anatomy. We believe that it's a set of anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective factors that lead to these changes," Ribeiro predicts. An AI model trained on large amounts of genetic data can predict whether bacteria will become antibiotic-resistant. The new study shows that antibiotic resistance is more easily transmitted between genetically similar bacteria and mainly occurs in wastewater treatment plants and inside the human body. By understanding how resistance in bacteria arises, we can better combat its spread. This is crucial to protect public health and the healthcare system's ability to treat infections." Erik Kristiansson, Professor at the Department of Mathematical Sciences at Chalmers University of Technology and the University of Gothenburg, Sweden Antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest threats to global health, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). When bacteria become resistant, the effect of antibiotics disappears, which makes conditions such as pneumonia and blood poisoning difficult or impossible to treat. Increased antibiotic-resistant bacteria also make it more difficult to prevent infections associated with many medical procedures, such as organ transplantation and cancer treatment. A fundamental reason for the rapid spread of antibiotic resistance is bacteria's ability to exchange genes, including the genes that make the bacteria resistant. "Bacteria that are harmful to humans have accumulated many resistance genes. Many of these genes originate from harmless bacteria that live in our bodies or the environment. Our research examines this complex evolutionary process to learn how these genes are transferred to pathogenic bacteria. This makes predicting how future bacteria develop resistance possible," says Erik Kristiansson. Complex data from all over the world In the new study, published in Nature Communications and conducted by researchers at the Chalmers University of Technology, the University of Gothenburg, and the Fraunhofer-Chalmers Centre, the researchers developed an AI model to analyse historical gene transfers between bacteria using information about the bacteria's DNA, structure, and habitat. The model was trained on the genomes of almost a million bacteria, an extensive dataset compiled by the international research community over many years. "AI can be used to the best of its ability in complex contexts, with large amounts of data," says David Lund, doctoral student at the Department of Mathematical Sciences at Chalmers and the University of Gothenburg. "The unique thing about our study is, among other things, the very large amount of data used to train the model, which shows what a poweful tool AI and machine learning is for describing the complex, biological processes that make bacterial infections difficult to treat". New conclusions about when antibiotic resistance arises The study shows in which environments the resistance genes were transferred between different bacteria, and what it is that makes some bacteria more likely than others to swap genes with each other. "We see that bacteria found in humans and water treatment plants have a higher probability of becoming resistant through gene transfer. These are environments where bacteria carrying resistance genes encounter each other, often in the presence of antibiotics," says David Lund. Another important factor that increases the likelihood that resistance genes will "jump" from one bacterium to another is the genetic similarity of the bacteria. When a bacterium takes up a new gene, energy is required to store the DNA and produce the protein that the gene codes for, which means a cost for the bacterium. "Most resistance genes are shared between bacteria with a similar genetic structure. We believe that this reduces the cost of taking up new genes. We are continuing the research to understand the mechanisms that control this process more precisely," says Erik Kristiansson. Hoping for a model for diagnostics The model's performance was tested by evaluating it against bacteria, where the researchers knew that the transfer of resistance genes had occurred, but where the AI model was not told in advance. This was used as a kind of exam, where only the researchers had the answers. In four cases out of five, the model could predict whether a transfer of resistance genes would occur. Erik Kristiansson says that future models will be able to be even more accurate, partly by refining the AI model itself and partly by training it on even larger data. "AI and machine learning make it possible to efficiently analyse and interpret the enormous amounts of data available today. This means that we can really work data-driven to answer complex questions that we have been wrestling with for a long time, but also ask completely new questions", says Erik Kristiansson. The researchers hope that in the future, the AI model can be used in systems to quickly identify whether a new resistance gene is at risk of being transferred to pathogenic bacteria, and translate this into practical measures. "For example, AI models could be used to improve molecular diagnostics to find new forms of multi-resistant bacteria or for monitoring wastewater treatment plants and environments where antibiotics are present," says Erik Kristiansson. How FeNO testing with the NObreath can aid an early asthma diagnosis in children. Image Credit: NOBreath As the world prepares to observe World Health Day on April 7th, 2025, Bedfont Scientific Limited highlights the importance of early and accurate asthma diagnosis with its innovative NObreath Fractional exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO) device. Whilst this years theme, Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures, focuses on pregnancy and early life, Bedfont is highlighting how FeNO testing revolutionizes asthma care, ensuring children grow up with better respiratory health. Over 262 million people worldwide have asthma, with 9.1% of them being children (aged 6-7). Undiagnosed or poorly managed asthma can lead to severe breathing difficulties, missed school days, and emergency hospital visits. Traditional tests like spirometry and peak flow meters do not always detect underlying airway inflammation, a common asthma symptom. The NObreath FeNO device provides a quick, non-invasive way to detect airway inflammation by measuring exhaled nitric oxide levels. Only one successful test is required for an accurate and reliable FeNO result with the NObreath, helping healthcare professionals to diagnose asthma earlier and more accurately in children. For children, early intervention is vital, The NObreath is transforming how we detect and manage childhood asthma, giving young patients the best possible start in life. This World Health Day, we want to raise awareness of the importance of proactive asthma management and how FeNO testing can support a healthier future for millions of children worldwide. Jason Smith, CEO, Bedfont In November 2024, the National Institute of Care Excellence (NICE), the British Thoracic Society (BTS), and the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) published joint guidelines on asthma diagnosis, monitoring, and chronic asthma management. The guidelines recommend FeNO testing as a first-line test for asthma diagnosis in children with symptoms suggestive of asthma. Asthma is the commonest long-term condition we see in children. If we can work with them to establish an early and accurate diagnosis and help them understand what asthma is and how their inhalers work, they will be able to manage their asthma more effectively and grow into young adults who are confident in getting asthma management right. FeNO is vital for the initial diagnosis but is also a great tool for fostering understanding of the inflammation we know is there but cant see. With this understanding, children and their parents or carers can recognize when symptoms increase and know when to adjust inhalers or seek help. Carol Stonham MBE, NHS Gloucestershire ICB SW Respiratory network co-clinical lead For more information on FeNO testing with the NObreath visit the website by clicking here. As World Health Day 2025 approaches, Bedfont is committed to advancing respiratory health and ensuring that FeNO testing is available worldwide. This will allow healthcare professionals to help children breathe easier, stay active, and live healthier lives. To read more about World Health Day 2025, read our blog World Health Day 2025: How FeNO Testing is Helping Children with Asthma References Purple flags, representing the nearly 300 Mecklenburg County residents who died of opioid overdose in 2023, fluttered in the humid breeze last August in recognition of International Overdose Awareness Day on the citys predominantly Black west side. As recently as five years ago, the event might have attracted an overwhelmingly white crowd. But the gathering on the last day of the month at the Valerie C. Woodard Community Resource Center drew large attendance from Black people eager to learn more about a crisis that now has them at the center. In recent years, the rate of overdose deaths from opioids originally dubbed "Hillbilly heroin" because of their almost exclusive misuse by white people has grown significantly among Black people. This is largely due to the introduction of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid 50 to 100 times as powerful as morphine, which is often mixed into heroin and cocaine supplies and can be consumed unknowingly. In North Carolina, Black people died from an overdose at the rate of 38.5 per 100,000 residents in 2021 more than double the rate in 2019, according to North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services data. Terica Carter, founder of Hajee House Harm Reduction, a Charlotte-based nonprofit that co-organized the event with the county's public health office, has been working to change that statistic. Seven years ago, she founded Hajee House after the overdose death of her 18-year-old son, Tahajee, who took an unprescribed dose of Percocet that he didn't know was laced with fentanyl. Her nonprofit has since focused on addressing a critical issue in the fight against the opioid epidemic: that resources, treatment, and policy prescriptions have not followed the surge in addiction and overdoses among Black people. "Nobody was acknowledging it, and I felt so alone," Carter said. "That pushed me into not wanting anybody else to go through what I went through." Hajee House seeks to fill the gaps in resources and information about opioid overdose, substance use, and treatment. It also provides syringes, safe-use toolkits, the overdose reversal drug naloxone, fentanyl test strips, and recovery referral services all in a familiar, neighborhood environment. Despite efforts by groups like Hajee House, a lot of work remains in North Carolina. In 2019, for instance, white people accounted for 88% of those served by the opioid use prevention and treatment services funded by a $54 million grant from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, North Carolina Health News reported. Black people, meanwhile, made up about 24% of North Carolina's population but only 7.5% of those served by the state assistance. Nationally, Black people are half as likely as white people to be referred to or get treatment even after a nonfatal overdose, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "If you are a Black person and have an opioid use disorder, you are likely to receive treatment five years later than if you're a white person," said Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse at the National Institutes of Health. "Five years can make the difference between being alive or not." According to the CDC, only 1 in 12 non-Hispanic Black people who died of an opioid overdose had been engaged in substance use treatment, while non-Hispanic white people had been treated at nearly twice the rate. Even those who seek care are less likely to complete the program and have poorer outcomes which studies have linked to implicit bias and a lack of diversity and empathy for Black patients among treatment providers. Daliah Heller, vice president of Drug Use Initiatives at Vital Strategies, a global health nonprofit, said she's troubled by the lack of equal access to the full range of medications for opioid use disorder, which is considered the gold standard for care. Those medications have the potential to reduce overdose risk by half and double a patient's chances of entering long-term recovery. The FDA has approved three medications: buprenorphine and methadone, which are synthetic opioids that reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms, and naltrexone, a post-detox monthly injectable that blocks the effects of opioids. Black people are overwhelmingly treated with methadone. While methadone patients stay in treatment at higher rates compared with those prescribed buprenorphine, they face significant drawbacks, including difficulty finding a clinic, waitlists, and a requirement to visit the clinic every day to receive the medication under the supervision of a practitioner. Meanwhile, buprenorphine can be prescribed in an office setting and filled at the pharmacy. A University of Michigan study found that white patients received buprenorphine three to four times as often as Black patients due to geographical availability and ability to pay. "When buprenorphine came online in the early 2000s, we thought we could integrate that treatment alongside health care, and you wouldn't need to go to a special program anymore," Heller said. "That didn't happen." Edwin Chapman, who runs an addiction clinic in Washington, D.C., said he must overcome many prescribing challenges to effectively treat his mostly Black patient population. "The insurance companies in many states put more restrictions on patients in an urban setting, such as requiring prior authorization for addiction treatment," Chapman said, speaking from his own experience working with patients. "The dosing standards were based on the white population and people who were addicted to pills. Our surviving Black population often needs a higher dose of buprenorphine." Heller said the lack of access to treatment is also driven by broader, systemic issues. She said many Black people fear that, by seeking social services, they might become ensnared in the criminal justice system and ultimately lose their employment, housing, or even custody of their children. "Drug use occurs at the same levels across racial and ethnic groups, but Black Americans are more likely to be arrested and incarcerated on drug charges," Heller said. "The more hyper-criminalized experience levied against Black communities interferes with access to care." All this is why there's an increasing need for nonprofits like Hajee House that can provide information and a low-barrier access to services in the Black community, Carter said. She credits the success of Hajee House to her personal connections and a keen understanding of the needs and cultural preferences of the Black community. When she holds overdose awareness events, for instance, she features cookouts, bouncy houses, and DJs to make them look more like block parties. We focus on making the events and outreach a comfortable, familiar environment for the Black community, Carter said. Were Black, so we keep it Black. It's a holy grail of health care: forcing the industry to reveal prices negotiated between health plans and hospitals information that had long been treated as a trade secret. And among the flurry of executive orders President Donald Trump signed during his first five weeks back in office was a promise to "Make America Healthy Again" by giving patients accurate health care prices. The goal is to force hospitals and health insurance companies to make it easier for consumers to compare the actual prices of medical procedures and prescription drugs. Trump gave his administration until the end of May to come up with a standard and a mechanism to make sure the health care industry complies. But Trump's 2025 order is also a symbol of how little progress the country has made since he issued a similar directive nearly six years ago. Consumers find it only partially useful, and the quality of the information is spotty. A 'bold' first step that fizzled The 2019 order was "pretty bold," said Gary Claxton, a senior vice president at KFF, a health information nonprofit that includes KFF Health News. "They basically went at the providers and the plans and said, 'All this data you think is confidential we're not going to make confidential anymore.'" What followed was, to consumer advocacy groups, a disappointment. Hospitals and insurers posted on websites voluminous, complex, and confusing data about their prices. The information has been a challenge for even experts in health care pricing to navigate, let alone consumers. Some members of Congress filed legislation to put the force of law behind price transparency requirements; those bills died. And President Joe Biden's administration was criticized for not more stringently enforcing the regulations, with one consumer advocacy group even buying a Super Bowl ad featuring the rapper Fat Joe alleging that "hospitals and insurers hide their prices." Trump's new order, signed in February, said that hospitals and health plans "were not adequately held to account when their price transparency data was incomplete or not even posted at all." The Government Accountability Office reported in October that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services didn't know whether prices reported by the health care industry were correct or complete. But CMS, which regulates hospitals, now plans to "systematically monitor compliance" and help institutions understand the requirements, said Catherine Howden, an agency spokesperson. Howden did not answer questions about whether CMS staffers overseeing price transparency compliance have been fired as part of the Trump administration's wide-ranging effort to cut the federal workforce. 'Zombie' rates and other inconsistencies Meanwhile, independent researchers have found numerous problems with the quality of price data both hospitals and health insurers do share with consumers. A recent report from the Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker found that data reported by four health insurers in New York City often included prices that they say they pay hospitals for services that those health providers don't or can't provide. These are called "ghost" or "zombie" rates. For example, the health plans reported dentists, optometrists, and audiologists receiving payments for knee replacements, gastrointestinal exams, and other procedures unrelated to their specialties. In other cases, the data included different prices for the same service paid for by the same insurer at the same hospital. UnitedHealthcare, for example, reported paying New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center three rates $47,000, $64,000, and $70,000 to treat a heart attack. Or, the insurers reported paying the same price for vastly different services. Aetna, for example, said it paid exactly $6,292 to Mount Sinai Beth Israel hospital for the treatment of respiratory infections, heart attacks, cancers of the digestive tract, kidney and urinary tract infections, and psychosis. Neither UnitedHealthcare nor Aetna addressed the discrepancies in the data. Cole Manbeck, a spokesperson for UnitedHealthcare, said the insurer has met price transparency requirements and urged members "to use our cost-estimator tools for exact costs based on their specific health plan." Aetna spokesperson Shelly Bendit referred questions to AHIP, a lobbying and trade association for insurers. Health insurers have "strongly supported" price transparency, said Chris Bond, a spokesperson for AHIP. The group will work with the Trump administration to provide transparency "in a way that is meaningful for the end user, while also promoting a competitive private market," Bond said. What's a consumer to do? Estimates and total prices aren't very useful for consumers, who are mainly interested in what they'll ultimately have to pay out-of-pocket, said David Cutler, a professor of applied economics at Harvard University. That can vary by health plan, depending on deductibles, copayments, and other fees. "Most of the price transparency information doesn't have that," he said. It also doesn't give consumers information about the quality of care, Cutler added, which can lead to an old bias. "It's kind of like wine when you go to the restaurant," he said. "People assume that the more expensive wine is better." Cutler said he's skeptical that price transparency will lower costs for patients. But he said it may offer insight to hospitals and health plans about what their competitors are charging and paying for services knowledge that could inadvertently lead to price increases if hospitals that receive a lower rate than a competitor demand higher reimbursement from health plans. Trump's recent executive order notes that the top quarter of the most expensive health service prices have dropped by 6.3% a year since his 2019 order. However, the same research referenced in the executive order showed that the bottom quarter of services got more expensive, at a rate of about 3.4% per year, according to the analysis by Turquoise Health, a health care price data firm that examined rates at more than 200 hospitals in the 10 largest U.S. markets. Some patients say that with research and persistence, they've been able to make price transparency work for them. Theresa Schmotzer, 50, of Goodyear, Arizona, said she used hospital price data to save nearly $3,000 on outpatient surgery to have a fibroid removed last year. Schmotzer, who has health insurance, said the hospital first told her she would owe $3,700 for the procedure and wanted the payment upfront. But she was skeptical. She said her health insurer was unable to quote a price for the procedure or specify how much she would owe. The morning of the surgery, Schmotzer said, she found a spreadsheet online at PatientRightsAdvocate.org that included different prices paid by insurers, including hers. The reported price for the procedure was closer to $700, she said. Schmotzer said she took a printout of the spreadsheet to the hospital and presented it during preadmission. She paid her $300 deductible and told the hospital to bill her for the rest. A few months later, she said, the bill arrived in the mail for the remaining $400, which she paid. When people go for surgery and aren't clear upfront what the cost will be, it stokes fear, she said. "Because they're going in blind." Next steps Hospitals say they want to work with federal regulators and comply with reporting requirements, said Ariel Levin, director of coverage policy for the American Hospital Association, which represents about 5,000 institutions. Levin said consumers should be given the price of services and "a more comprehensive estimate" that represents an entire episode of care and the amount they'll owe out-of-pocket, based on their health plan. CMS has developed rules since Trump's 2019 order to make price information reported by hospitals and health plans easier to understand, and the agency has fined more than a dozen hospitals for failing to comply. Federal rules allow hospitals to report an estimate, a price range, or a historical rate for their services, while health plans can adjust prices based on factors like the severity of the case, the length of treatment, and a patient's age. KFF's Claxton said that such flexibility doesn't allow for "apples-to-apples comparisons" and that the data must be reliable before researchers can use it to better understand health care costs. "It doesnt seem to be that yet," he said. Much remains to be done before price transparency lives up to expectations that it will increase competition and lower costs, said Katie Martin, chief executive of the Health Care Cost Institute, a nonprofit research group. Price transparency alone is not a silver bullet, Martin said. It's "a critical first step" for employers, lawmakers, regulators, and others to better understand how money flows through the health care system and how to make it more efficient, she said. "It's not the whole thing." Top New Cars To Arrive In Indian Market in April 2025, Know Expected Price and Features Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 02, 2025, 12:51 IST In this article, we have created a list, mentioning top cars that might hit the market this month, and dominate multiple segments in the coming years. 2025 Kia Carens. (File photo) Another month of the year has gone by, and the auto industry has witnessed some exciting launches in March 2025. With the start of a fresh month, top car makers are all set to launch or reveal new products for Indian customers. In this article, we have created a list, mentioning top cars that might hit the market this month, and dominate multiple segments in the coming years. Recommended Stories Volkswagen Tiguan R-Line The list has been topped by the Volkswagen Tiguan R-Line. The model will be released on April 14, this year. It is one of the much-awaited models from the companys lineup for the Indian market. It is the new-gen model of Tiguan in the sportier R-Line avatar. It will arrive as a completely built-up unit (CBU), and is likely to be introduced under the price tag of Rs 50 lakh (ex-showroom). The customers can expect the vehicle with a familiar 2-litre turbo-petrol engine that will generate a maximum power of 187 bhp and 320 Nm of peak torque. The unit will be mated with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. 2025 Skoda Kodiaq After ruling both national and international markets for years, Skoda has now confirmed the launch of an updated 2025 version of Kodiaq for India. It is expected to be released in the country by the end of April. The comapny might introduce the model in two variants with an expected starting price of Rs 40 lakh (ex-showroom). It will come with a fresh style statement, featuring noticeable updates from both inside and outside. Under the hood, it will use a 2-litre turbo-petrol engine that will generate a maximum power of 201 bhp and will be mated with a 7-speed DCT and an all-wheel-drive system. 2025 BMW 2 Series In the luxury segment, the German carmaker BMW is gearing up to release its tech-loaded 2025 2 Series. It has been already revealed on the global level and is now set to reach the Indian shore this year. It might fall under the expected price of Rs 46 lakh (ex-showroom). It has been speculated that the launch date might take place on April 19. Again, it is just speculation as a confirmed detail is yet to be shared by the brand. 2025 Kia Carens Last but not the last, 2025 Kia Carens. The current version is already getting a decent response from its target audience. Now, the updated version is all set to attract more customers. It is expected to be revealed somewhere around between April 20 to April 25, and might come at the starting price of Rs 11 lakh (ex-showroom). top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all About the Author Shahrukh Shah Shahrukh Shah, Sub-Editor at News18, loves to write about everything that moves on wheels. With years of experience and the required skill sets, he is contributing to the auto section, where he let people know ... Read More Shahrukh Shah, Sub-Editor at News18, loves to write about everything that moves on wheels. With years of experience and the required skill sets, he is contributing to the auto section, where he let people know ... Read More Get the latest updates on car and bike launches in India including reviews, prices, specs, and performance. Stay informed with breaking auto industry news , EV policies, and more, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: April 02, 2025, 12:43 IST Donald Trump's Tariffs Keep Global Markets On Edge. What Do Liberation Day Levies Mean For India? Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 02, 2025, 16:54 IST A report released by CareEdge Ratings highlighted concerns about Trump's tariffs affecting overall market sentiment. US President Donald Trump holds a signed executive order in the Oval Office of the White House, in Washington, US. (IMAGE: REUTERS) US President Donald Trumps new tariffs, set to begin on April 2, could have a $3.1 billion net impact on Indias exports to the North American country due to reciprocal tariffs, according to a new CareEdge Ratings report accessed by news outlet MoneyControl. Smita Rajpurkar from CareEdge Ratings said that while Trumps tariffs will have a direct impact of just 0.1% ($3.1 billion) on Indias GDP, there are bigger concerns about how they might affect overall market sentiment. Recommended Stories She shared these insights while presenting the report in Mumbai on Monday. What Will Be The Rate Of Tariffs Imposed On India The government has introduced sectoral tariffs, including a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminium imports and a 25% tariff on automobiles and certain automobile parts. Other industries like semiconductors and pharmaceuticals are also under consideration. With total trade exports at $78 billion, the US is Indias largest export destination, making up 18% of outbound trade. India imposes higher tariffs on US imports, with an average tariff rate of around 11%, compared to the US tariff rate of about 3% on Indian imports, the report said. We have thus made a simplistic assumption that the US will impose an additional 8 percent tariff on all imports from India. We have also made an assumption of some rupee depreciation at 4 percent based on last years actuals, which would offset part of the impact of the higher tariffs, and have further assumed that the price elasticity of demand for Indias exports to the US is 1," Rajpurkar was quoted as saying by MoneyControl. How Will It Impact Stock Markets Stock markets recovered on Wednesday with benchmark Sensex closing higher by nearly 593 points on strong macro data and value buying by investors after recent free-fall ahead of US tariff announcements. Value buying in select auto, banking and IT shares, and Indias manufacturing sector growth rising to an eight-month high in March powered the recovery in the domestic stock markets. Sensex had tanked 1,390 points or 1.80 per cent and Nifty plunged by 353 points on Tuesday due to FII selling ahead of US tariff announcements on Wednesday. Which Sectors Will Get Impacted In the agricultural sector, the hardest-hit segment is expected to be seafood. A report by the Economic Times said that particularly shrimp could be affected as it already faces antidumping and countervailing duties in the US. Already our exports have antidumping and countervailing duties in the US. The additional hike in tariffs will make us uncompetitive. Out of Indias total shrimp exports, we ship 40 per cent to America," Yogesh Gupta, MD of Kolkata-based seafood exporter Megaa Moda was quoted as saying by news agency PTI. GTRI Founder Ajay Srivastava told the Economic Times that processed food, sugar and cocoa exports which are valued at $1.03 billion could also struggle under a 24.99% tariff gap. He further added that ghee, butter and milk powder, could be severely" impacted by a 38.23% tariff differential. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all A 13.32% duty hike on Indias $11.88 billion diamonds, gold, and silver exports may raise jewellery prices in the US and reduce competitiveness. Electronic gadgets could be facing the same fate. The electronics and telecom sector exported goods worth $14.39 billion in 2024 and faces a 7.24% tariff gap. Mobile phones, laptops, and other electronic devices might become less competitive in the US market, the Economic Times report said. About the Author Shankhyaneel Sarkar Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev... Read More Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev... Read More First Published: April 02, 2025, 16:53 IST Did You Know Vijay Mallya Once Owned Berger Paints? And Then These Brothers Took Over... Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: April 02, 2025, 08:43 IST The business of Berger Paints has now expanded to Bangladesh, Nepal, Poland, Russia, and India. The duo transformed a failed business into one of India's leading corporations. (Photo Credit: X) Berger Paints is a company that was bought by the Dhingra Brothers, Kuldip Singh Dhingra and Gurbachan Singh Dhingra, whose grandfather set up a small paint shop in Amritsar, selling imported British Paints. Since 1898, the Dhingra family has operated a paint business. Kuldip and Gurbachan joined their family business of opening stores in Amritsar after graduating from Delhi University. Around Rs 10 lakh was the yearly revenue they produced during the 1970s. Recommended Stories Both brothers joined the global market in the 1980s and, with an annual revenue of Rs 300 crore, rose to the top of the paint export rankings to the Soviet Union. How Did Berger Paints Become A Household Name? Vijay Mallya was the owner of the faltering Berger Paints. After committing several financial crimes that resulted in the bankruptcy of many of his companies, he went from being one of Indias most renowned business tycoons to the nations most wanted financial criminal. However, Dhingra Brothers purchased Berger Paints in the 1990s. Since the Dhingra family was involved in the paint industry since 1800s, they developed marketing plans and promised reasonable costs for high quality. It assisted Berger Paints in regaining its market value. The business of Berger Paints has now expanded to Bangladesh, Nepal, Poland, Russia, and India. This strategy not only improved the companys reputation but also increased brand loyalty both domestically and abroad. It is acknowledged as the second-biggest paint company in India, behind Asian Paints. With operations across multiple nations, Berger Paints generated Rs 10,619 crore in sales by 2023. The success of Berger Paints today is evidence of the Dhingra brothers tenacity and business sense. Berger Paints is led by Kuldip Singh Dhingra as chairman and Gurbachan Singh Dhingra as vice chairman. Their combined net worth is $8.2 billion, or around Rs 68,467 crore, according to Forbes. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The succeeding generation of the Dhingra family is currently employed at Berger Paints as well. Executive Directors at the headquarters in Kolkata are Kanwardip Singh Dhingra, son of Gurbachan Singh Dhingra, and Rishma Kaur, daughter of Kuldip Singh Dhingra. The business is expected to grow in the international market under their direction, carrying on the Dhingra familys legacy of quality and creativity. About the Author Business Desk A team of writers and reporters decodes vast terms of personal finance and making money matters simpler for you. From latest initial public offerings (IPOs) in the market to best investment options, we cover al... Read More A team of writers and reporters decodes vast terms of personal finance and making money matters simpler for you. From latest initial public offerings (IPOs) in the market to best investment options, we cover al... Read More First Published: April 02, 2025, 06:00 IST Indian H-1B Visa Holders Trapped In The US Due To Immigration Uncertainty Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: April 02, 2025, 18:01 IST The H-1B program allows nearly 65,000 foreign workers to acquire visas through a lottery system every year. The group includes many Indians employed at top companies like Google, Microsoft and Amazon. (Representative Image/iStock) Tech professionals working in the United States have reportedly been asked not to leave the country as they might be denied re-entry due to the new Trump administrations immigration policies. The group includes many Indians employed at top companies like Google, Microsoft and Amazon. They were granted an H-1B visa to work in the American tech industry. Amid growing uncertainty about their future, the major tech firms have forbidden their foreign employees to travel to their homeland, supposedly to avoid unnecessary hassle, reported the Washington Post. Since assuming the presidency, Donald Trump has been keen to modify the US immigration policies. He has already deported a large number of people, who had been living in the country illegally. This reverse migration" has raised concerns among the H-1B visa holders as well. Recommended Stories Washington Post spoke to two Indian tech workers who claimed they had dropped their plans to visit India considering the uncertainty over their re-entry. One of them was also doubtful about the potential changes to birthright citizenship. He feared that Trumps new policy might cause problems for his future child who would be neither American nor Indian. Theres an assumption that everybody who is not a US citizen might be here illegally," said one Indian H-1B worker revealed to the Washington Post through an attorney. The H-1B program allows nearly 65,000 foreign workers to acquire visas through a lottery system every year. Indians mostly lead the approval charts, followed by Chinese and Canadian nationals. The H-1B visa system has been crucial for the US tech industry as major employers such as Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Apple prioritise skills over nationality. Since Trump took office, some foreigners have started keeping all the required documents with them when in public. Companies are also covering the expenses of their visa extension to avoid delay. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all An HR representative from a tech firm, based in Silicon Valley, shared that the growing uncertainty affects their performance and productivity" while the constant threat of potential action creates a tense environment", as per the Washington Post. Indian workers with the Green Cards are allowed to reside in the US permanently. The approval process, however, has become quite complicated in recent times. Despite working in reputed organisations for many years, many people had to wait for over a decade to get a Green Card. About the Author Business Desk A team of writers and reporters decodes vast terms of personal finance and making money matters simpler for you. From latest initial public offerings (IPOs) in the market to best investment options, we cover al... Read More A team of writers and reporters decodes vast terms of personal finance and making money matters simpler for you. From latest initial public offerings (IPOs) in the market to best investment options, we cover al... Read More First Published: April 02, 2025, 18:01 IST Karnataka 2nd PUC Result 2025 Update: When Can Students Expect Their Results? Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 02, 2025, 07:32 IST The Karnataka 2nd PUC Result 2025 date and time have not yet been announced by the Board. Students should keep an eye on the official website at kseeb.karnataka.gov.in. Karnataka 2nd PUC Result 2025: Last year, the results for the KSEAB Karnataka 2nd PUC were announced on April 10. (AI Generated/Representative Image) Karnataka 2nd PUC Result 2025 Date Update: The Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board (KSEAB) will not release the Karnataka 2nd PUC results this week. According to KSEAB, the evaluation process is still underway. The Karnataka 2nd PUC exams were held from March 1 to March 20. Once the results are announced, students can download their score memos from kseeb.karnataka.gov.in using their login credentials, including roll number, registration number, and captcha code. Recommended Stories Last year, the Karnataka 2nd PUC results were declared on April 10. As per past trends, students can expect their results in mid-April. Heres a look at the result announcement dates from previous years: Year Result Date 2024 April 10 2023 April 21 2022 June 18 2021 September 20 2020 July 14 Steps To Check Karnataka 2nd PUC Results 2025 Students will be able to check their results by following these simple steps: Step 1: Visit the official website: kseab.karnataka.gov.in Step 2: Click on the Karnataka 2nd PUC Result 2025" link. Step 3: Enter your roll number, registration number, and captcha code. Step 4: Click on Submit. Step 5: Your result will be displayed on the screen. Step 6: Download and print the score memo for future reference. After the Karnataka 2nd PUC results are announced, the Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board (KSEAB) is expected to release the schedule for 2nd PUC Exam 2 and Exam 3. The Karnataka 2nd PUC follows a three-exam formatExam 1, Exam 2, and Exam 3allowing students multiple attempts to improve their scores and retain their best performance. ALSO READ: Karnataka 1st PUC Result 2025 Declared: Direct Link To Download Class 11th Scorecards Here Karnataka 2nd PUC Results 2025: Last Years Performance In 2024, a total of 6,81,079 students appeared for the 2nd PUC exams, out of which 5,52,690 passed, recording an overall pass percentage of 81.15%. Boys: 84,632 appeared, 26,496 passed (pass percentage: 31.31%) Girls: 64,310 appeared, 26,009 passed (pass percentage: 35.25%) In the 2024 Term I exam, the toppers in each stream were: Science: A. Vidyalakshmi 598 marks top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Commerce: Gnanavi M. 597 marks Arts: Medha D. (daughter of an agriculturist) 596 marks About the Author Education and Careers Desk A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses and information on college and school admissions, board and competitive exams, career options, topper interviews, job notifications, latest in ... Read More A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses and information on college and school admissions, board and competitive exams, career options, topper interviews, job notifications, latest in ... Read More First Published: April 02, 2025, 07:14 IST MP Board 10th, 12th Result 2025: MPBSE High School, Intermediate Result Expected Date, Check Details Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 02, 2025, 14:58 IST MP Board Result 2025: MPBSE is yet to announce the dates for the results of high school and intermediate board examinations, check latest updates here MP Board 10th and 12th results are usually released in late April and May (Representational/File) MP Board Result 2025: The Madhya Pradesh Board of Secondary Education (MPBSE) has completed the 10th board examination 2025. It was conducted from February 27 to March 21. Whereas, the 12th board examination will run till April 4. MP Board is yet to announce the dates for the results of high school and intermediate board examinations. Students will be able to check MP Board 10th and 12th results by visiting the Madhya Pradesh Board of Secondary Education websites mpbse.nic.in, mpbse.mponline.gov.in, mpresults.nic.in, once out. For this, they will have to enter the roll number written on the admit card. Candidates need to score a minimum of 33 per cent separately in theory and practical exams to be declared passed in the MPBSE 10th and 12th exams. Recommended Stories MP Board Result Dates Over The Years MP Board 10th and 12th results are usually released in late April and May. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the nationwide lockdown, the results were declared in July 2022. However, in 2023, the result was declared on May 25. Whereas last year, the exams were held in February and results were released on April 24. MP Board Result: Previous Year Pass Percentages A total of 827,563 students had registered for the MP Board Exam 2024 which included 416,501 boys and 411,062 girls. Meanwhile, 3,847 boys and 2,171 girls were absent in the examination. A total of 64.48 per cent of the students passed MP Board 12th examination 2024. Whereas 55.28 per cent passed in the year 2023. On the other hand, 58.10 per cent of the students passed class 10th in 2024. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Year 12th Pass Percentage 10th Pass Percentage 2024 64.49% 58.10% 2023 55.28% 63.29% 2022 72.72% 59.54% 2021 100% 100% 2020 68.81% 62.84% 2019 72.37% 61.32% 2018 72.27% 66.54% 2017 67.8% 52.11% If a student fails in three subjects or more in the MP Board 10th and 12th examination, then he or she will be considered failed. Such a student cannot even take the compartmental exam. Those who fail in one or two subjects can take the supply exam or apply for re-evaluation of their mark sheets. About the Author Sukanya Nandy Sukanya Nandy is a sub-editor at News18.com. She has been writing and reporting for the education and careers section of the website since 2021. She completed her graduation in English followed PG in Journalism... Read More Sukanya Nandy is a sub-editor at News18.com. She has been writing and reporting for the education and careers section of the website since 2021. She completed her graduation in English followed PG in Journalism... Read More First Published: April 02, 2025, 14:53 IST Nitish Kumars Waqf Gamble: For JDU, The Answer Lies In The Numbers Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Apoorva Misra Last Updated: April 02, 2025, 09:12 IST The Bihar chief minister, a seasoned political strategist, succeeded in convincing the BJP about the political sensitivity connected with the issue, especially in an election year Nitish Kumar wisely balanced his Muslim vote base while upholding coalition responsibility. (PTI) JD(U)s consent to the proposed form of Waqf Bill has now made it amply clear that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has carefully navigated a contentious political issue ahead of the assembly elections in the state. Kumar wisely balanced his Muslim vote base while upholding coalition responsibility. Instead of outrightly opposing the Bill, the party took a nuanced stance by pushing it for the JPC and also expressing concerns over its retrospective impact. This calculated approach ensures it retains its own Muslim support while preventing any probable shift toward the RJD. And, he did it all without jeopardising its alliance dynamics. Recommended Stories Speaking to News18, a senior JD(U) leader said: The first step Nitish Kumar took was convincing the BJPs central leadership to agree on the JPC. Sending a Bill to the JPC immediately implies that the government is open for scrutiny. The JPC included members from all political parties, so the onus is on everyone. Nitish-ji also instructed our MPs to be vocal about the retrospective effect and the government agreed on that." The leader, close to Kumar, added: Nitish-ji has always remained committed to his values of socialism and secularism. He is in favour of protecting the minority. Has anyone heard of any communal riots in Bihar post 2005? He has made sure that peace stays here." JDUs Sharp Manoeuvring Kumars primary concern was not the potential loss of Muslim votes but the risk of those votes migrating to the RJD, his main political rival. Rajeev Ranjan Prasad, JD(U)s national spokesperson, said in a statement: A delegation of important and influential Muslim leaders met Nitish Kumar-ji and expressed their concern over the Waqf Bill. He instructed our MP Dileswar Kamait, who was a member of the JPC, to raise these issues. And he did so. We believe that Nitish-jis suggestion would be taken. In the case of Bihar, Nitish-ji has also been fair to the minority community. We never witnessed any riot or curfew in the state." The Bill, that is scheduled to be tabled on Wednesday, seeks to bring reforms to the management of Waqf properties. However, it has stirred a debate due to its retrospective provisions. Even though many political parties, including JD(U), acknowledge the need for reform, the retrospective aspect raised concerns, especially in a state like Bihar, where religious sensitivities play a significant role in electoral outcomes. Kumar, a seasoned political strategist, succeeded in convincing the BJP about the political sensitivity connected with the issue, especially in an election year. The chief minister has long been maintaining a delicate balance of appealing to various social and religious groups. However, his caution over the retrospective clauses of the upcoming Waqf Bill stemmed from the number crunching at play. His primary concern was not about losing the Muslim vote per se, as he has cultivated a reputation of supporting minority rights over the years. The real worry was about a potential shift of Muslim votes from JD(U) to RJD, which could weaken his position in the upcoming elections. Numbers Tell The Tale Going by the census and government data, only one district in BiharKishanganjis Muslimmajority. This district contributes roughly three assembly constituencies (Kishanganj, Thakurganj, and Bahadurganj) where Muslims form more than 50 per cent of the electorate. However, from a political perspective, that is not all. Muslims in Bihar are an influential voter base and can swing elections. As political analysts speak of Muslimdominated" seats in Bihar, they often refer to the larger Seemanchal regionwhich includes parts of Purnia, Katihar, Araria, in addition to Kishanganj. In this entire region, which accounts for around 24-25 assembly seats, Muslims typically form a decisive vote bank (averaging around 4047 per cent of the population) so that even when they arent an outright majority, their votes are critical in determining the electoral outcome. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all According to a report by ADRI (Asian Development Research Institute) on the demography and social conditions of marginal communities across Seemanchal, published in 2024, the Muslim community rose higher than before in terms of percentage. The reportSocial-Economic Status of Marginalised Communities In The Seemanchal Region stated that around 60.66 per cent of households were Muslim, and 39.34 per cent were Hindus in the region. Of Muslims, around 43.32 per cent of Muslim households belonged to Extreme Backward Classes (EBCs), while 24.92 per cent of Hindu households were EBCs. This report presents a crucial scenario of the region and the challenges. Thus, Kumars nuanced position on the Waqf Bill is a tactical move aimed at securing his political turf in the face of Bihars complex caste and religious dynamics. About the Author Madhuparna Das Madhuparna Das, Associate Editor (policy) at CNN News 18, has been in journalism for nearly 14 years. She has extensively been covering politics, policy, crime and internal security issues. She has covered Naxa... Read More Madhuparna Das, Associate Editor (policy) at CNN News 18, has been in journalism for nearly 14 years. She has extensively been covering politics, policy, crime and internal security issues. She has covered Naxa... Read More First Published: April 02, 2025, 09:10 IST Did You Know 'Sajni Re' Was Written By Bank Employee? Why Aamir Khan's YouTube Channel Is A Hidden Gem Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 02, 2025, 12:47 IST Aamir Khan is the newest YouTuber in town. But what is 'Mr Perfectionist' doing on YouTube? Aamir Khan Talkies YouTube channel started by Bollywood actor dives deep into movies made by his production house. (YouTube screengrab) Aamir Khan is 60 years old and hes the newest YouTuber in town. Khan, who debuted as a leading man in 1988s Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, has a rich and diverse movie catalog. A carefree Akash in Dil Chahta Hai to an empathetic art teacher Ram Shankar Nikumbh in Taare Zameen Par to dhoti-donning, Awadhi-speaking farmer Bhuvan in Lagaan to a daydreamer Amar in Andaz Apna Apna Khans versatility and acting range have deservedly earned him the title of Mr Perfectionist" of Hindi cinema, given to him by none other than Shabana Azmi. When Khan has a rare miss, the Ghajini actor doesnt forget (no pun intended) to take the blame. I took my performance to a high pitch and couldnt hold it together throughout the film. It was my shortcoming as a performer, and I wont repeat it in the next film. Throughout my career, I have learnt more from mistakes than success," Khan reasoned as to why a project as ambitious as Laal Singh Chaddha failed to make a place in the hearts of cinema-hungry audiences. Recommended Stories Khans nerdiness on what works for him and what falls flat, his penchant for discovering new layers in storytelling, and his refreshing self-awareness all put him in the league of greats of Hindi cinema. So what is an established actor, a solid producer, and a nuanced storyteller doing on YouTube? Aamir Khan Talkies Welcome to Aamir Khan Talkies where great stories come to life. From Lagaan to Dangal, Aamir Khan Productions has redefined storytelling in Indian cinema," we are greeted with a description on Aamir Khan Talkies YouTube channel. The channel primarily focuses on movies made under the banner of Aamir Khan Productions a production company Khan founded in 1999 to put together the elaborate and pricy project of Lagaan. Here, Khans movie collaborators such as directors, musicians, actors assemble to dissect scenes of interest or shed light on certain creative choices taken by them. Also Read:Javed Akhtar Once Left Shankar Mahadevan Breathless With Lyrics For That Song, Heres How Sajni Laapataa Ladies When music producer Ram Sampath pitched the melody of Sajni, the makers instantly took a liking to it and knew the score would bring out the innocence in romance sequence between Phool Kumari and Deepak in Kiran Rao directorial Laapataa Ladies. The song which was not a part of the original script, had no lyrics. In the video titled The Magic of Sajni", Rao revealed that Sampath composed his songs by crowdsourcing lyrics from poets. A banker in Delhi named Prashant Panndey sent back the lyrics that were eventually used in the original track. The song went on to becoming a major hit in Arijit Singhs soothing voice. Sampath had initially leant his voice for Sajni but later suggested that he wanted it sung in Singhs voice, to which everyone agreed. Petition to release Rams version in full," wrote one commenter on YouTube. Amitabh Bachchan Delhi Belly Taking Amitabh Bachchans name and Delhi Belly in the same breath could be blasphemous to some but stick with us. Director Abhinay Deos Delhi Belly was a profanity-laden, whacky, poopy ride. Starring Vir Das, Imran Khan, Kunaal Roy Kapoor, and Vijay Raaz, the action-comedy was considered ahead of its time. Aamir Khan approached Amitabh Bachchan to narrate the promo of the 2011 movie and BigB was onboard. The Zanjeer actor whose baritone became the voice of Lagaan, narrated the glorious journey of Aamir Khan Productions that had churned out Lagaan (2001), Peepli Live (2010), Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na (2008) before his voice cut into poop and fart noises of Delhi Belly. Khan heard the promo and canned it. He thought it was outrageous. The promo that we audiences eventually watched was Khan sitting on the couch with the movie cast and letting people know that it had a lot of cussing and only adults could watch it. Dyslexia Reveal Taare Zameen Par Ram Shankar Nikumbh, a temporary art teacher at a boarding school in Panchgani, travels to Ishan Awasthis house to inform his parents that their son is in grave danger and requires immediate attention. Once there, Nikumbh (Aamir Khan) breaks the news to the family that Ishan (Darsheel Safary) is dyslexic. The parents, especially the suffering kids father, are in denial. Its a powerful scene and an important one. In a video titled Aamirs Director Commentary The Dyslexia Scene", director Khan explains why the entire dyslexia sequence was a challenging one. The sequence is about 9 minutes long. Usually a 3-minute scene or a 4-minute scene is considered a long scene," Khan said admitting that he was worried if it could hold its own. Will I lose the audience halfway through. It is also a verbose scene. Lot of dialogue. Lot of explanations. Lot of technical explanations. This is the scene where we explain what dyslexia is. Not only to the characters of the film but to the audience as well. In a country like India, probably 90% of our population doesnt even know what dyslexia is," he added. Also Read: Why LSGs Rs 27 Crore Captain Is Giving Owner Sanjiv Goenka Sleepless Nights The director-producer-actor also revealed that the only take he liked of his in the dyslexia reveal scene had a tear running down his cheek which he asked the effects team to remove. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all There is more but we dont want to spoil it for you. Lagaan fun trivia, that airport scene of Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na, or Khan teaching kids with no acting background how to act in Taare Zameen Par. Aamir Khan Talkies is only a week old at the time of writing this. The channel has since amassed nearly 80K subscribers and we can already see how it could become a one-stop-shop for movie lovers to learn a thing or two about filmmaking and acting. About the Author Anurag Verma Anurag Verma, News Editor at News18.com, works independently for the Viral section. Bollywood, Cricket, Science, Tech, YouTube, Reddit, Meme Origins and everything Pop-culture are his forte. He covers humourous... Read More Anurag Verma, News Editor at News18.com, works independently for the Viral section. Bollywood, Cricket, Science, Tech, YouTube, Reddit, Meme Origins and everything Pop-culture are his forte. He covers humourous... Read More First Published: April 02, 2025, 12:35 IST What Is Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024? All You Need To Know About The Controversy Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Shilpy Bisht Last Updated: April 02, 2025, 12:17 IST There has been criticism about the provision of nominating non-Muslims to the Waqf Boards but barring them from creating a waqf or donating property to a waqf The controversy over the Waqf Bill started after the Uttar Pradesh government informed the JPC that 78% of the land claimed by the Waqf Board in the state belongs to the government. (PTI photo) The contentious Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024 is expected to be tabled in Parliament today, with the Congress and BJP asking their MPs to be present in the House for the next three days. With no sides reaching a consensus on the bill, the stage is set for a heated debate in both Rajya and Lok Sabha. Waqf Amendment Bill Live Updates Recommended Stories Minorities and parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju had earlier told reporters that the Lok Sabhas business advisory committee (BAC), which includes leaders from all major parties and is chaired by Speaker Om Birla, agreed on an eight-hour debate. Congress deputy leader in the Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi alleged that their voices were being ignored and said the opposition parties wanted more time to debate and the House to take up more issues, including Manipur and the row over electors photo identity cards, a PTI report said. Let us understand the Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024, and the controversy. What Are The Proposed Changes In Waqf Act? The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, introduced in the Lok Sabha on August 28, seeks to amend the Waqf Act, 1995. It proposes changes to the composition of the Waqf Council and Boards, the criteria for establishing waqf properties, and the Boards authority in identifying waqf property. The Bill will make it mandatory for Waqf boards to register their properties with district collectors to ensure their actual valuation. There are 30 Waqf boards in the country, and 8.7 lakh properties spread across 9.4 lakh acres under control of Waqf Boards in India. Section 40 of the Waqf Act empowers the Waqf Board to decide if a property is Waqf property. The decision of the Board would be final unless it is revoked or modified by the Waqf Tribunal. The Bill extends this power, which currently lies with the Waqf Tribunal, to the district collector. The Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024 removes the requirement for MPs, former judges, and eminent persons appointed to the Council to be Muslim and mandates that two members must be non-Muslims. The revenue generated by all Waqf properties is estimated at Rs 200 crore per annum, which is not in sync with the number of properties such bodies have, according to sources. The Bill states that any government property identified or declared as Waqf property, before or after the commencement of the Act, shall not be deemed to be a Waqf property." This determination, however, is to be made by the Collector, not the Waqf Tribunal. The Bill also states that until the government makes a decision, the disputed property will be treated as a government property and not a Waqf property. Changes in the composition of Waqf Board will ensure inclusion of women in these bodies. The Bill also proposes to delete Section 107 of the 1995 law that had made the Limitation Act, 1963 inapplicable to Waqf properties. The Limitation Act is a statutory bar on individuals from filing cases after a period of time. This provision ensured that the Waqf Board is not limited by the statutory timeframe of 12 years to file a case to reclaim its properties from encroachment. What Is The Controversy Over The Bill? The controversy over the Waqf Bill started mainly after the Uttar Pradesh government informed the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) during its field visit to Lucknow that 78% of the land claimed by the Waqf Board in the state belongs to the government. Following the JPCs approval of the Bill with the NDAs 14 amendments, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said while the Waqf Board claims ownership of 1.27 lakh properties in the state, only 7,000 have been found valid upon investigation, as per Frontline. His statement that public property belongs to the Revenue Department hints that the government may proceed with stripping the Waqf Board of claims over other properties. The 1995 Act prescribes a survey of auqaf (plural of waqf) by a Survey Commissioner appointed by the state government. The amendment Bill replaces the Survey Commissioner with the District Collector or any other officer not below the rank of a Deputy Collector duly nominated by the Collector. The government has made the change after it found that survey work has been poor in several states. Officials said in Gujarat and Uttarakhand, surveys have not yet begun, while a survey ordered in Uttar Pradesh in 2014 is still pending. The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has strongly criticised the JPC, accusing it of exceeding its mandate and violating democratic norms. Critics have objected to provisions such as nominating non-Muslims to the Waqf Boards but barring them from creating a waqf or donating property to a waqf, besides changing the nature of waqfs and the waqf administration through amendments to definitions stipulated under the Act. Opposition members had proposed amendments to all 44 clauses of the Bill in order to resist any changes to the 1995 Waqf Act. They have particularly opposed to Clause 9, which allows the inclusion of two non-Muslim members in the Central Waqf Council, and another provision that removes the concept of Waqf by User", which designates properties used for religious purposes over a long period as waqf properties. The Congress, the Trinamool Congress, the Aam Aadmi Party, and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) criticised the JPC Chairmans handling of the proceedings, calling it arbitrary". top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Owaisi contrasted the inclusion of non-Muslim members requirement with laws such as the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1959, and the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925, which limit membership in religious governing bodies to members of the respective religious communities. The timing of the Bill has also being questioned, especially when the constitutional validity of the Waqf Act is under challenge before the Delhi High Court. The government has argued that a unified digital listing of Waqf properties, which is mandated by the Bill, will bring down litigation and ensure transparency and efficiency in governing Waqf properties. About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More First Published: April 02, 2025, 09:01 IST What Is Waqf, Why Was It Created, What Are The Powers Of Waqf Board? Explained Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Shilpy Bisht Last Updated: April 02, 2025, 11:56 IST Waqf refers to the permanent dedication of movable or immovable property for the purposes enshrined in Islam. A property can become a Waqf by donation through a deed or if it has been used for religious or charitable purposes Once a property is designated as a waqf, it becomes non-transferable and is detained perpetually as a charitable act towards God. (PTI Photo) The government is set to table the controversial Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024 in Parliament today after it faced strong resistance from the Opposition. While the Centre believes the bill would improve the management of waqf properties in India, the Opposition has called it a targeted" legislation. Waqf Amendment Bill Live Updates Recommended Stories The Waqf Amendment Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on August 8, 2024. It aims to modify the Waqf Act 1995 and to address the challenges in the regulation and oversight of waqf properties. Let us understand what mean waqf means, why was the waqf board created and what are its powers. What Is Waqf? The concept of waqf refers to the permanent dedication of movable or immovable property for the purposes enshrined in Islam as pious, religious, or charitable. In India, properties such mosques, idgahs, dargahs, khanqahs, imambaras, and qabristans (graveyards), among others, fall under waqf. A waqf property is a permanent donation by a person professing Islam, of any movable or immovable property, for any purpose recognised by the Muslim law as pious, religious or charitable, as per Waqf Act of 1954. The Waqf Act, of 1995 was enacted to regulate auqaf (assets donated and notified as waqf) by a wakif the person who dedicates a property for any purpose recognised by Muslim law as pious, religious or charitable. Later, the said Act was amended in 2013 by the UPA government. A property can become a Waqf by donation through a deed or instrument, or if it has been used for religious or charitable purposes. A non-Muslim can also create a Waqf if he professes Islam and the objective of creating the Waqf has to be Islamic. Once a property is designated as a waqf, it becomes non-transferable and is detained perpetually as a charitable act towards God, essentially transferring ownership to God. Waqfs can be either public, serving charitable ends, or private, benefiting the property owners direct descendants. A survey commissioner conducts a local investigation, which may include summoning witnesses and asking for public documents after which he declares all properties as Waqf under the 1995 Act. What Are The Functions Of The Waqf Board? Waqfs in India are regulated by the Waqf Act, 1995. A survey commissioner lists all properties declared as Waqf by conducting local investigations, summoning witnesses, and requisitioning public documents. The Waqf is managed by a mutawali, who acts as a supervisor. Unlike trusts established under the Indian Trusts Act, 1882, which can serve broader purposes and be dissolved by the board, Waqfs are specifically for religious and charitable uses and are intended to be perpetual. A Waqf Board has the legal authorisation to acquire and hold property and also to transfer any such property. The current law allows every state to have a Waqf Board headed by a chairperson, one or two nominees from the state government, Muslim MLAs and MPs, Muslim members of the state Bar Council, recognised scholars of Islamic theology and mutawalis of any waqfs that has an annual income of Rs 1 lakh and above. The Waqf Board has the power to administer the property and take measures for the recovery of lost properties and to sanction any transfer of immovable property of a Waqf through sale, gift, mortgage or lease. The board appoints custodians to ensure the Waqf and its revenue are used for their designated purposes. The Central Waqf Council (CWC), established in 1964, oversees and advises state-level Waqf Boards across India. What Are The Issues With The Waqf Board? Powers of Board: Waqf Board cannot claim property unless the land that is recorded in the revenue departments records before Partition. The Board has to prove that those lands are actually Waqf property. Section 40: As per Section 40 of the Waqf Act 1995 (as amended in 2013), the State Waqf Board is empowered to decide any question which arises as to whether a particular property is a Waqf property or not or whether a Waqf is a Sunni Waqf or a Shia Waqf. The Board, after making an inquiry as it may deem fit, decides the case. The decision of the Board on a question under the said provision shall, unless revoked or modified by the Tribunal, be final. No Judicial Oversight: Waqf tribunal decisions cannot be appealed in higher courts, limiting transparency and accountability in Waqf management. PIL in Supreme Court: BJP leader Ashwini Upadhay filed a PIL in the Supreme Court challenging the validity of Waqf Act 1995. He sought direction from court to Centre to bring in a uniform code for Trust-Trustees, Charities- Charitable Institutions and Religious Endowments. The Supreme Court in April 2023, refused to entertain Upadhyays PIL stating that that the constitutionality of a law passed by Parliament cannot be challenged in the abstract as a mere academic exercise". Incomplete Survey of Waqf Properties: Poor performance by the survey commissioner has caused delays, with survey yet to begin in Gujarat, Uttarakhand, a 2014 survey in Uttar Pradesh. What is the Waqf Act 1995? The Waqf Act, 1995 was enacted by the government to improve the administration and management of waqf properties. It establishes the Central Waqf Council and State Waqf Boards, distributing powers between Chief Executive Officers and Waqf Boards. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Act mandates the appointment of executive officers for underperforming waqfs with annual incomes exceeding Rs 5 lakh and regulates judicial proceedings related to waqfs. It oversees the powers, functions, and duties of mutawalis and makes the alienation of waqf property difficult. It also mandates surveys to identify waqf properties and strengthens financial management. Key provisions include the mandatory registration of all waqfs with the Board, the maintenance of a central register of waqfs, the authority of Waqf Boards to appoint executive officers, the removal of encroachments from waqf properties, the preparation of annual budgets for waqf maintenance, and the maintenance of records and inspection of waqf properties. About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More First Published: April 02, 2025, 10:34 IST Chandigarh DGP Appointed BSF DIG In Unprecedented Move, Order Mistaken As April Fools Prank Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Apoorva Misra Last Updated: April 02, 2025, 10:21 IST While SS Yadav's reassignment in BSF may be considered a demotion in rank, it also reflects the Centre's dominance in postings and appointments of IPS officers Sources said SS Yadav was not empanelled for a senior rank at the Centre, which might have prompted his appointment at the DIG level in BSF. (X) In a first-of-its-kind bureaucratic move, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued orders for the appointment of Chandigarh Director General of Police (DGP) Surendra Singh Yadav, IPS (AGMUT:1997), as Deputy Inspector General (DIG) in the Border Security Force (BSF) on deputation. The order, which was issued by MHA, instructs Yadav to join his new post at the Centre forthwith. However, given the unprecedented nature of the move, most of the IPS cadre officers had dismissed it as an April Fools prank. Recommended Stories Sources said Yadav was not empanelled for a senior rank at the Centre, which might have prompted his appointment at the DIG level in BSF. His posting has been done at the rank of DIG due to a new rule that says DIG in state will be eligible to join as DIG in Centre also. A senior MHA official said the appointment also sends a message to several officers in different states who, even though they are Additional Director General (ADG) or Inspector General (IG) in the state, are yet to be empanelled at the central level. There are several officers posted as ADG and IG in different states, but they are not empanelled for the same posts at the Centre. The appointment hints at the Centres policy towards such cases," the official said. In the meantime, for the sake of continuity of leadership in Chandigarh, the MHA has appointed Raj Kumar Singh, IPS (AGMUT, 2004), to discharge the duties of DGP Chandigarh till further orders. While Yadavs reassignment in BSF may be considered a demotion in rank, it also reflects the Centres dominance in postings and appointments of IPS officers. Officials also said the outgoing DGP has the option of resigning as serving as DIG after leading a force as DGP would not be simple. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all DGP and DIG A Deputy Inspector General (DIG) is significantly junior compared to a Director General of Police (DGP) in the Indian Police Service (IPS) hierarchy. A DGP is the highest-ranking officer in a state or union territory, overseeing the entire police force, while a DIG is a mid-level officer, typically in charge of a specific range or sector. In terms of seniority, a DGP is usually a 30+ years experienced officer, whereas a DIG is around 14-18 years into service. Currently, officers from 2008 and 2009 batch are working at DIG level in AGMUT cadre who are almost 11 to 12 years junior to Yadavs batch. About the Author Ankur Sharma With over 15 years of journalistic experience, Ankur Sharma, Associate Editor, specializes in internal security and is tasked with providing comprehensive coverage from the Ministry of Home Affairs, paramilitar... Read More With over 15 years of journalistic experience, Ankur Sharma, Associate Editor, specializes in internal security and is tasked with providing comprehensive coverage from the Ministry of Home Affairs, paramilitar... Read More Location : Chandigarh, India, India First Published: April 02, 2025, 10:21 IST CRPF Jawan Returns Home After 21 Years: Chhattisgarh Village Celebrates With Grand Welcome, Tears Of Joy Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: April 02, 2025, 09:56 IST Om Prakash Kurre, a CRPF jawan, retired after 21 years to care for his parents. His village celebrated his return, honoring his bravery and dedication After his return, Om Prakash Kurre aims to serve his village and assist its people, just as he served his country in the battalion. (Local18) A deeply emotional atmosphere enveloped the village of Pachpedi in Bilaspur district of Chhattisgarh as Om Prakash Kurre, a CRPF jawan and the villages brave son, returned home after 21 years of distinguished service. The entire village greeted him with grandeur, flowers, and celebration. This touching moment brought tears to the eyes of everyone present. Recommended Stories A Glorious Journey In The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Om Prakash Kurre embarked on his journey with the CRPF from Neemuch City in Madhya Pradesh in 2004. He completed his training in Hyderabad and received his first posting in the 173rd Battalion. Throughout his service, he was deployed in various states including Bengal, Bihar, Telangana, Tripura, Nagaland, and Jharkhand. During his tenure in Jharkhand, he engaged in several encounters with Naxalites, often seizing their weapons and materials. Later, he joined the Cobra Battalion, receiving specialised training and making significant contributions to national security. A Decision To Retire Om Prakash Kurre decided to retire to care for his ageing parents. Speaking to Local 18, he reflected on his 21 years of service and expressed his desire to now support his parents. He felt immense joy upon returning home and witnessing the love of his community. He aims to serve his village and assist its people, just as he served his country in the battalion. Proud Parents Of The CRPF Jawan Om Prakashs father, Sampatlal Kurre, expressed his overwhelming happiness and pride, stating that having his son return home after 21 years of service is the greatest joy. He hopes that every parent encourages their children to serve the nation. His mother, Melabai Kurre, shared her happiness, emphasising that every mother should have the courage to send her son to serve the country. She felt immense joy at having her son back home. Unprecedented Love And Respect From The Villagers top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The villagers extended a grand welcome to Om Prakash Kurre, greeting him with garlands, shawls, and bouquets. The village was in a festive mood, with everyone feeling proud of their brave son. Om Prakash Kurre will now remain in his village, contributing to social work and inspiring the youth with his experiences. His remarkable journey has filled the villagers with pride and has inspired them to serve the country. Location : Bilaspur, India, India First Published: April 02, 2025, 09:56 IST 'Deeply Sorry': Kunal Kamra Apologises To Banker Who Was Forced To Cut Trip Short After Police Summon Last Updated: April 02, 2025, 15:00 IST A banker who attended Kamra's show in Mumbai was summoned as a witness after a case was registered against the comic over his alleged jibes against Shinde Comdedian Kunal Kamra | Image/X Comedian Kunal Kamra on Wednesday apologised to fans over police notices issued to them for attending his controversial show that has led to a massive political uproar. A banker who attended Kamras show in Mumbai was summoned as a witness after a case was registered against the comic over his alleged jibes against Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, police said. Recommended Stories The comic is facing multiple FIRs for his alleged traitor comments against Shinde during his latest stand-up show Naya Bharat". I am deeply sorry for the inconvenience that attending my show has caused to you," Kamra wrote on X, sharing a news report which stated that a Navi Mumbai banker who attended the show had to cut short a trip after police served him notice. I am deeply sorry for the inconvenience that attending my show has caused to you. Please email me so that I can schedule your next vacation anywhere youd like in India https://t.co/rASktiolKE Kunal Kamra (@kunalkamra88) April 2, 2025 Please email me so that I can schedule your next vacation anywhere youd like in India," he quipped in the post. On Tuesday, police denied reports that members of the audience who attended the show had been summoned to record their statements. The 36-year-old, known for his anti-establishment views, has refused to apologise for his over 45-minute video that has garnered over 12 million views on YouTube. Mumbai Police has issued a third summons to the comedian asking him to appear on April 5 in the case. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The summons was issued on Tuesday and Kamra was asked to appear at the Khar police station where a first information report (FIR) was registered against him last month. He had been summoned twice by the police earlier but failed to join the investigation. Kamra, born and brought up in Mumbai, currently lives in Tamil Nadu. First Published: April 02, 2025, 15:00 IST How Modi Govt 3.0 Burnt Midnight Oil On Waqf Bill, Why It's An Ideological Project Like 370 Abrogation | Inside Story Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Apoorva Misra Last Updated: April 02, 2025, 08:52 IST The fact that the Bills will be surely passed despite BJP not having a majority on its own in Parliament is a testament to the fact that the NDA is a much more united lot compared to the opposition bloc, a senior BJP leader said Minority affairs minister Kiren Rijiju was immediately put on the job and his ministry analysed the international practices on Waqf management. (PTI) Amending the Waqf Act of 1995 and repealing the Mussalman Wakf Act of 1923 is part of the ideological agenda of the BJP, much like the abrogation of Article 370 in J&K and construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. In fact, this has been the biggest move under Modi 3.0 yet, with the government moving fast on tackling Waqf legislations as soon as it came to power on June 9 last year. Recommended Stories Minority affairs minister Kiren Rijiju was immediately put on the job and his ministry analysed the international practices on Waqf management in countries such as Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Kuwait, Oman, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Turkey. Within exactly two months, after working closely with the law ministry and literally burning the mid-night oil, the Bills to amend the Waqf Act and repeal the Mussalman Wakf Act were brought to Parliament on August 8, 2024. The Bills then went through a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) process for the next five months as part of a calculated move. BJP wanted JPC to address any concerns of its allies who have Muslim vote-banks, like the JDU, TDP, LJP (Ram Vilas) and RLD," a BJP source said. Amidst this, last November, after the big win in Maharashtra, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his partys intentions amply clear when he said: Waqf is an act of appeasement politics by the Congress, and it has no place in the Constitution." The JPC report was submitted this January. The twin Bills were slated for the last week of the Budget Session of Parliament after budget-related legislations were passed. The government wants to pass both Bills by April 4 and showcase it as a big achievement of the first year of the Modi 3.0 government. The Mussalman Wakf Act, 1923, a colonial-era legislation that has become outdated and inadequate for managing Waqf properties in modern India. The Waqf Act, 1954, was amended in 1995 and was made even more favourable to Muslims, virtually an overriding law. Congress amended the 1995 Waqf Act in 2013 but made no effort to address Waqfs drawbacks," a top source claimed. The fact that the Bills will be surely passed despite BJP not having a majority on its own in Parliament is a testament to the fact that the NDA is a much more united lot compared to the opposition bloc, a senior BJP leader told CNN-News18. Work Began in Modi 2.0 top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Modi government in its second term had begun its homework on the Waqf Amendment Act by conducting two meetings with stakeholders in Lucknow on July 24, 2023, and another in New Delhi on July 20, 2023. But the real speed behind the new acts was found in the third term of Narendra Modi, post the swearing-in in June. About the Author Aman Sharma Aman Sharma, Executive Editor - National Affairs at CNN-News18, and Bureau Chief at News18 in Delhi, has over two decades of experience in covering the wide spectrum of politics and the Prime Ministers Office.... Read More Aman Sharma, Executive Editor - National Affairs at CNN-News18, and Bureau Chief at News18 in Delhi, has over two decades of experience in covering the wide spectrum of politics and the Prime Ministers Office.... Read More First Published: April 02, 2025, 08:50 IST Karnataka HC Bans Ola, Uber, Rapido Services In State, Gives Government 3 Months To Set Rules Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 02, 2025, 19:38 IST The state government has been given three months to frame the necessary rules and guidelines for bike taxi operations. The state government had in March last year notified a ban on bike taxi services (File) In a huge setback for bike taxi aggregators, the Karnataka High Court on Wednesday ordered app-based ride services like Rapido, Uber, and Ola to halt their operations in the state within six weeks. While hearing a petition filed by Ola, Uber, Rapido, among others, to recognise bike taxis by -allowing registrations of vehicles as transport vehicles, a single-judge bench of Justice B M Shyam Prasad stated that the petitioners must halt their operations until the state government frames rules facilitating such bike taxi services under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. Recommended Stories The state government has been given three months to frame the necessary rules and guidelines for bike taxi operations. The transport department cannot be asked to register motorcycles as transport vehicles or issue contract carriage permits until the government sets proper regulations," Justice Prasad said as reported by Bar and Bench. The state government had in March last year notified a ban on bike taxi services. The government also withdrew the Karnataka Electric Bike Taxi Scheme that it had notified on July 14, 2021. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The petitioner had in 2022 approached the court seeking a direction to the state government to permit the registration of motorcycles as transport vehicles and permit aggregation of motorcycles. By way of an interim order passed in 2022, the court had restrained the respondent authorities from taking any coercive action against the petitioners. The judgment also referenced an expert committee report in 2019, which examined the impact of bike taxis on traffic and safety. The court highlighted that regulatory clarity is essential before allowing such services to continue. About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He previously worked with Hindustan Times Digital (HTDS) and NDTV. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India ... Read More Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He previously worked with Hindustan Times Digital (HTDS) and NDTV. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India ... Read More First Published: April 02, 2025, 19:38 IST Karnataka Shocker: Man Kills 3, Including 6-Year-Old Daughter, Then Dies By Suicide Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: April 02, 2025, 14:42 IST The incident took place in Balehonnur, Chikkamagaluru, where the accused allegedly shot his daughter, mother-in-law, and sister-in-law after a quarrel over his estranged wife 40-year-old Ratnakar Gowda with his estranged wife Swathi. (Image: News18) A murder-suicide took place in Karnatakas Chikkamagaluru, where a man allegedly gunned down his mother-in-law, daughter, and sister-in-law, injured his co-brother, and then took his own life. The incident occurred in Chikkamagalurus Balehonnur on Tuesday night, when 40-year-old Ratnakar Gowda reportedly got into an argument with his mother-in-law at her residence over a dispute involving his estranged wife. Following the altercation, he allegedly shot the three. Recommended Stories The deceased have been identified as Ratnakars mother-in-law, Jyothi (50), his sister-in-law, Sindhu (24), and his six-year-old daughter, Moulya. The injured, Avinash (38), is receiving treatment at a local hospital and is reported to be out of danger. According to police, Ratnakar and his wife, Swathi, were married for eight years and had a daughter. However, the couple had been separated for over two years due to ongoing differences, which reportedly caused Ratnakar significant emotional distress. Swathi had relocated to Mangaluru for work, while Ratnakar worked as a bus driver at a local school. Police said Swathi was not present at the time of the horrific murders, as she had not yet arrived from Mangaluru for the post-Ugadi festivities. Ratnakar allegedly carried out the killings following a quarrel with his mother-in-law, then used the same SBBL firearm to take his own life. Shockingly, Ratnakar had even posted a video on WhatsApp before committing the act, attempting to justify it. In the video, he said: top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all My dear friends, family members, my sister, brother-in-law, I want to say that I have made my decision. My wife cheated on me and left me two years ago. She even abandoned her daughter, whom I have been taking care of. My life, my happiness, her love everything is gone. My daughters classmates keep asking her where her mother is. She once took a photo from an album without my knowledge and showed her mothers photo to her classmates. She feels very bad when asked repeatedly about her mothers whereabouts." The Balehonnur police have registered a case of murder, as well as another under the Firearms Act, and are investigating the circumstances surrounding this tragic murder-suicide. Location : Karnataka, India, India First Published: April 02, 2025, 14:42 IST Lok Sabha Passes Resolution Upholding President's Rule In Manipur Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 03, 2025, 02:55 IST The Lok Sabha on Thursday adopted a resolution validating the imposition of President's Rule in Manipur Security officials on the streets of Manipur | Representative Image The Lok Sabha on Thursday adopted a resolution validating the imposition of Presidents Rule in Manipur, placing the state under direct control of the Centre. Since February 2025, Manipur has been under the Presidents rule with the assembly in suspended animation. This followed the resignation of Chief Minister N Biren Singh, which triggered political uncertainty in the state. Recommended Stories With the elected government dissolved, the President will administer the state through the Governor until normal governance is restored. Earlier, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued an official statement announcing that the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) has been extended across the entire state of Manipur, except for 13 police station areas. In an official statement, the MHA declared the entire state of Manipur, excluding 13 police station areas in five districts, as a disturbed area" under AFSPA for six months starting from April 1, 2025, unless revoked earlier. Singh, who headed the BJP-led government in Manipur since 2017, resigned from his position after nearly 21 months of ethnic violence in the state, which has claimed over 250 lives since May 2023. Notably, Manipur has witnessed AFSPA regulations since the early 1980s. The Act provides special powers to the security forces to maintain public order in disturbed areas". However, the opposition has repeatedly criticised the decision to grant extensive powers to the armed forces in the state. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all First Published: April 03, 2025, 02:48 IST No Place In World Safer Than India For Minorities: Kiren Rijiju In Reply On Waqf Bill Last Updated: April 03, 2025, 01:39 IST The minister said whenever a minority community faces persecution, it always comes to India to take refuge and cited the examples of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan community Union Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju speaks in the Lok Sabha (PTI) There is no place in the world safer than India for minorities and they are safe because the majority is entirely secular, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said on Wednesday. Replying to the nearly 12-hour long debate on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, Rijiju, who is the Union Minorities Affairs Minister, said even minuscule minority communities like the Parsis are safe in India and all minorities here live with pride. Recommended Stories Some members have said that minorities are not safe in India. This statement is completely false. There is no place safer than India for minorities. I am also a minority and we all are living here without any fear and with pride," he said after the debate on the contentious Bill. The minister said whenever a minority community faces persecution, it always comes to India to take refuge and cited the examples of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan community, minorities of Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. Minorities of Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan came to India after facing religious persecution in their respective countries. How can you say that minorities are not safe in India. Very, very wrong to say this. The coming generation will never forgive you. Minorities in India are safe because the majorities of the country are fully secular. This is not the case in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. But still, you abuse us," he said. Rijiju said through the Bill, the NDA government is going to unify all minorities in the country. He also highlighted the wholehearted" support of the Christian community for the Bill. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all He said a large number of disputes are pending with the Waqf tribunals and through the legislation, the government wants to expedite these cases. We want to expedite the resolution of the disputes in the tribunals. Justice delayed is justice denied. Widows, divorcees, and orphans will be given justice through the Bill," he said. First Published: April 03, 2025, 00:20 IST New Varanasi-Gorakhpur Railway Line Via Lalganj, Azamgarh Has Low Traffic Projection, Railways Tells Lok Sabha Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Apoorva Misra Last Updated: April 02, 2025, 15:58 IST The ministry, in the reply, explained that the Shahganj-Azamgarh stretch of Shahganj-Azamgarh-Mau is situated in the area falling under Lalganj parliamentary constituency and is already connected The ministry also said as on April 1, 2024, 68 railway projects costing Rs 92,001 crore falling fully/partly in the state of Uttar Pradesh are at various stages of planning and implementation. (Shutterstock) A new proposed railway line between Varanasi and Gorakhpur passing through Lalganj and Azamgarh has low traffic projections, the Railways Ministry informed the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. The ministry, in a written reply, said the survey for the new railway line was complete. The cost of the project has been assessed as Rs 3,546 crore. The project has low traffic projections," it said. Recommended Stories However, it remains unclear whether the ministry is planning to go ahead with the project or not. The ministry, in the reply, explained that the Shahganj-Azamgarh stretch of Shahganj-Azamgarh-Mau is situated in the area falling under Lalganj parliamentary constituency. This section is already connected to Gorakhpur via Mau and Bhatni. Doubling of ShahganjMau and BhatniMau has also been taken up to improve train operation in Shahganj-Azamgarh-MauBhatni-Gorakhpur section," it said. In addition, the ministry said the work of Sahjanwa (near Gorakhpur)-Dohrighat new line (81 Km) has also been taken up. With the construction of this line, areas situated under Lalganj constituency will be connected to Gorakhpur via alternate route of Shahganj-Azamgarh-Mau-Indara-Dohrighat-Sahjanwa," it said. In another reply, the ministry said as on April 1, 2024, 68 railway projects (16 New Line, 03 Gauge Conversion and 49 Doubling) of total length of 5,874 km costing Rs 92,001 crore falling fully/partly in the state of Uttar Pradesh are at various stages of planning and implementation. Of this, 1,313 km length has been commissioned and an expenditure of Rs 28,366 crore has been incurred up to March 2024. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The ministry explained that railway projects are surveyed, sanctioned and executed Zonal Railway wise and not state, constituency or district wise as the railway projects may span boundaries. Railway projects are sanctioned on the basis of remunerativeness, traffic projections, last mile connectivity, missing links and alternate routes, augmentation of congested or saturated lines, demands raised by state governments depending up on throw forward of ongoing projects and overall availability of funds," it said. About the Author Nivedita Singh Nivedita Singh is a data journalist and covers the Election Commission, Indian Railways and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. She has nearly seven years of experience in the news media. She tweets @nived... Read More Nivedita Singh is a data journalist and covers the Election Commission, Indian Railways and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. She has nearly seven years of experience in the news media. She tweets @nived... Read More Location : Varanasi, India, India First Published: April 02, 2025, 15:58 IST 1,156 Km Of 1,386-Km Mumbai-Delhi Expressway Ready: Ministry To Rajya Sabha Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: April 02, 2025, 20:10 IST The expressway passes through and connects cities in and around Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra with each other and national capital Delhi This new expressway is expected to halve the commute time between Delhi and Mumbai. (File) Work on 1,156 km of the 1,386-km Delhi-Mumbai Expressway has been completed, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) informed the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday. Out of this, 756 km has been operationalised," it said. Recommended Stories In July 2024, the ministry had informed the Rajya Sabha that as of June 2024, the physical progress of the work is 82% and cumulative length of 1,136 km has been constructed. The ministry, last year, also shared that the revised scheduled completion date of the project was October 2025. Last month, News18 reported that the progress of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway on five packages with a collective length of 140 km between Surat and the Gujarat-Maharashtra border is delayed, resulting in further push for the project deadline. In its written reply on Wednesday, the ministry said initially, there were delays in the project due to slow progress by the contractors, force majeure and land acquisition issues. The government is taking all relevant steps to ensure the timely completion of the remaining length. The final cost of the project can only be ascertained post completion of the balance length," it added. Once completed, the 1,386-km expressway will be the longest in India. Last year, News18 reported that even before completion, the partially opened Mumbai-Delhi Expressway is the longest in India, surpassing all the existing e-ways in the country. The expressway passes through and connects cities in and around Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra with each other and national capital Delhi. The estimated cost of the project was about Rs 1 lakh crore. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all This new expressway is expected to halve the commute time between Delhi and Mumbai, from nearly 24 hours to 12 hours, and shorten the distance. Currently, Mumbai and Delhi are connected with NH-48 which is longer (1,440 km) as well as congested. The expressway is being developed with an 8-lane configuration with provision to expand to 12-lanes in the future, with a design speed of 120 km/hr. About the Author Nivedita Singh Nivedita Singh is a data journalist and covers the Election Commission, Indian Railways and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. She has nearly seven years of experience in the news media. She tweets @nived... Read More Nivedita Singh is a data journalist and covers the Election Commission, Indian Railways and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. She has nearly seven years of experience in the news media. She tweets @nived... Read More First Published: April 02, 2025, 19:18 IST 'PM Modi Fulfilling Wishes: Amit Shah Recalls Lalu Yadavs Old Remarks On Waqf Law Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 02, 2025, 21:15 IST Lalu Yadav, whose RJD was the part of the then coalition government of UPA-II, had withdrawn and then extended support to the Waqf Amendment bill tabled by the Congress-led UPA-II government. Union Home Minister Amit Shah speaks in the Lok Sabha during the Budget session of Parliament. (PTI) Waqf Bill In Lok Sabha: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday invoked Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadavs past statements over Waqf land and said that through this (Waqf Amendment Bill, 2025) legislation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is fulfilling the wishes of RJD chief where he had demanded for stricter laws to prevent misuse of Waqf properties. While participating in the debate over the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 in Lok Sabha on Wednesday, Shah said, When amendments to the Waqf were introduced in 2013, Lalu Yadav said he wanted a strict law and wanted to put those in jail who were stealing. PM Narendra Modi has fulfilled his wishes." Recommended Stories Lalu Yadav, whose RJD was the part of the then coalition government of UPA-II, had withdrawn and then extended support to the Waqf Amendment bill tabled by the Congress-led UPA-II government. Quoting Yadavs 2013 statement in the Lok Sabha, Shah said, We support the intent of the amendment bill that the government has introduced. (BJP leader) Shahnawaz Ji (Hussain) and other esteemed members have shared their views here, and I support them. All the land has been grabbed, whether government-owned or private. Those working within the Waqf board have sold off all the prime land. In Patna, apartments have been constructed on Dak Bungalow property. There has been a lot of loot like this. Such large-scale looting has taken place. We are bringing this amendment bill at the end, and we support it, but I want a stricter law in the future. Those who have committed these thefts should be put behind bars" Lalu Yadavs Old Video Resurfaces Earlier today, Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) chief Jitan Ram Manjhi, a partner of NDA, posted an video of the RJD chief where he had voiced his concerns over alleged land encroachments linked to the Waqf Board. In the clip, Lalu Yadav can be heard saying, Look, there should be a very strict law. All the land has been grabbedwhether government land, private land, or that of workers. Prime land near Patnas Dak Bungalow has been turned into apartments. Everyone has looted. Pass the amendment today, but future processes must be strict." Along with the video, Manjhi accused Yadav of hypocrisy, contrasting his stand on the matter with the RJD leaders and his partys opposition to the proposed amendments to the Waqf Act, which was tabled in the Lok Sabha today. Shah Slams Opposition Shah also accused the Congress of committing the sin" in 2013 by barring those whose land was taken for Waqf from seeking legal recourse. If land is being bought for a temple, the collector reviews the ownership of the land. So, what is the objection to the collector investigating whether Waqf land belongs to the government or not? Many temples, churches and gurdwaras have been built, but they cannot be constructed on government land," he said. The Union Minister further said the Waqf council and board came into existence in 1995, and non-Muslims will have no role in running of religious affairs. The opposition is trying to spread misconceptions about the Bill. The Waqf bill is not going to interfere with Muslim religious practiceappeasement politics is going on, opposition is doing vote bank politics. Youwill break the nation with your myths," he said, hitting out at the opposition. What Is The Bill About The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, and the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, were introduced in the Lok Sabha last year with an aim to streamline the Waqf Boards work and ensure the efficient management of Waqf properties. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The objective of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, is to amend the Waqf Act, 1995, to redress the issues and challenges in regulating and managing Waqf properties. The Amendment Bill seeks to improve the administration and management of waqf properties in India. It aims to overcome the shortcomings of the previous act and enhance the efficiency of Waqf boards by introducing changes such as renaming the Act, updating the definitions of waqf, improving the registration process, and increasing the role of technology in managing waqf records. (With inputs from agencies) About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He previously worked with Hindustan Times Digital (HTDS) and NDTV. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India ... Read More Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He previously worked with Hindustan Times Digital (HTDS) and NDTV. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India ... Read More First Published: April 02, 2025, 21:11 IST Rising Bharat Summit 2025: British Indian Businessman Lord Karan Bilimoria To Share His Insights Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 02, 2025, 20:42 IST More recently, Lord Karan Bilimoria, who is also a member of the British House of Lords, has urged British PM Keir Starmer and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to sign the free trade agreement between UK and India Lord Karan Bilimoria is the India-born founder of global brand, Cobra Beer, where he served as the chairman till November 2024. (Image: @orfonline/X) British Indian businessman Lord Karan Bilimoria, who is also a member of the House of Lords in the United Kingdom, will be among the speakers at the Rising Bharat Summit 2025 on April 8 and 9 in New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, several union ministers, policymakers, CEOs, unicorn founders, entrepreneurs, renowned economists, sustainability leaders, technologists, and influential figures will attend the prestigious summit, the fifth edition of the CNN-News18 marquee leadership conclave. Recommended Stories More recently, Bilimoria was part of the Raisina Dialogue 2025, where he urged British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to sign the free trade agreement (FTA) between UK and India. He also hosted West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her speech at Kellogg College, Oxford University, on March 27, and called her address passionate and inspiring". According to his website, Bilimoria is the India-born founder of global brand, Cobra Beer, where he served as the chairman till November 2024. Born in Hyderabad into a Zoroastrian Parsi family with a distinguished background in the armed forces and business, he received a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the Osmania University in 1981 and then moved to London where he qualified as a chartered accountant. He then went on to read law at Sidney Sussex College, University of Cambridge, graduating in 1988. A former chancellor of the University of Birmingham from 2014 to 2024, he was appointed Commander of the British Empire (CBE) for services to business and entrepreneurship in 2004. In 2006, he was appointed an independent crossbench peer in the House of Lords and made Baron Bilimoria of Chelsea in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, making him the first ever Zoroastrian Parsi to sit in the House of Lords. His profile on the website of University of Birmingham states that in his frequent speeches in the House, Bilimoria has spoken of the need to reform immigration policy to allow the brightest and best to come to the UK to develop their skills and business plans. He has been acknowledged as an ambassador for Britain, India and the Parsi community. WHAT IS THE RISING BHARAT SUMMIT? top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Rising Bharat Summit brings together visionary leaders, policymakers, industry pioneers, and changemakers to plan Indias journey toward global economic and industrial leadership. It serves as a platform to explore transformative strategies, understand emerging market dynamics, and highlight key drivers shaping Indias growth across various sectors. The summit fosters dialogue, collaboration, and actionable insights, empowering stakeholders to seize opportunities, drive innovation, and contribute to Indias rise as a global powerhouse in the Amrit Kaal era. About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More First Published: April 02, 2025, 20:42 IST Rising Bharat Summit 2025: World Economic Forum President Brge Brende Among Speakers At Mega Conclave Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 03, 2025, 00:27 IST The event will see over 100 visionary speakers, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, hold transformative conversations to give breakthrough insights Brende was chairman of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development from 2003 to 2004 as Norway's Environment Minister. File pic/Reuters Norwegian politician and diplomat Brge Brende, who has been the president of the World Economic Forum since 2017, will be one of the speakers at CNN-News18s Rising Bharat Summit 2025, to be held in New Delhi on April 8 and 9. The event will see over 100 visionary speakers, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, hold transformative conversations to give breakthrough insights. A member of the Conservative Party, Brende previously was Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2013 to 2017, Minister of the Environment from 2001 to 2004, and Minister of Trade and Industry from 2004 to 2005. Recommended Stories Brende was chairman of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development from 2003 to 2004 as Norways Environment Minister. On September 15, 2017, it was announced that Brende will be the president of the World Economic Forum from mid-October 2017. As President of the WEF, Brende promoted the idea of a Group of Three between China, India, and the United States in 2023. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The News18 Rising Bharat Summit 2025 is where Indias defining conversations take centre stage. As the world acknowledges Bharats emerging power, this summit will bring together the biggest Indian leaders, global policymakers, industry stalwarts, tech innovators, and start-up revolutionaries to address the most urgent issues defining our future. From AI-led governance and futuristic technology to politics, economic policies, innovation, entrepreneurship, and urbanisation, every discussion will tackle topics making headlines across the globe. With insightful dialogues on global supply chains, sustainable urban growth, and the next wave of innovation, the summit will drive crucial conversations on the journey of a self-reliant, future-ready Bharat on its path to global leadership by 2047. About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More First Published: April 03, 2025, 00:27 IST 'Unconstitutional, Inhuman': Revisiting Two Bulldozer Actions Which Brought UP Govt On The Back Foot Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Pragati Ratti Last Updated: April 02, 2025, 12:25 IST This Supreme Court ruling has reignited scrutiny over Uttar Pradeshs controversial bulldozer actions, which have long been justified as anti-encroachment drives. Despite public outrage, the Ambedkar Nagar administration defended the demolition, stating that it was conducted in compliance with a revenue court order. On April 1, the Supreme Court sharply criticised the Prayagraj Development Authority (PDA) for demolishing the homes of six individuals unlawfully, ordering compensation of Rs 10 lakh each. The court called the demolition unconstitutional" and inhuman". This verdict has reignited scrutiny over Uttar Pradeshs controversial bulldozer actions, which have long been justified as anti-encroachment drives. News18 revisits these bulldozer cases, examining the growing concerns and the impact of such actions on both victims and the state government. Recommended Stories Prayagrajs 2021 bulldozer action The air in Lukerganj, Prayagraj, was thick with dust and tension as bulldozers rumbled through the narrow lanes. Residents stood in shock, some pleading with officials, others watching helplessly as their homes were reduced to rubble. Among the demolished properties was the residence of Professor Ali Ahmad Fatmi, former head of Allahabad Universitys Urdu Department. He protested that he had received the demolition notice only hours before his home was destroyed, on the night of March 6, 2021, barely a day before the bulldozer struck. The Prayagraj Development Authority (PDA) justified the action by claiming that the land, previously occupied by notorious politician Atiq Ahmad, was illegally sold to individuals and needed for public use, including for Election Commission EVM storage. Over the course of three days, the PDA demolished seven buildings, including Fatmis home, with a large police presence ensuring no resistance. However, Fatmi and other affected residents, including his lawyer Zulfiqar Haider, argued that they were legitimate leaseholders and had the necessary documents to prove ownership. Despite their legal protests, the Allahabad High Court had already ruled the land as Nazul land" for public use and upheld the expiry of their lease in 1996. The court sided with the government, justifying the demolition. Scene of Chaos in Jalalpur This was another incident which was taken into cognisance by the apex court. In Jalalpur, as earthmovers roared to life, panic spread through the shanty settlement. Families scrambled to collect their belongings, while a young girl, barely eight years old, ran from the site, her books clutched tightly to her chest. Behind her, thick dust and debris filled the air as makeshift homes collapsed under the force of the bulldozers. 2021 5 6 10-10 24 pic.twitter.com/xoR0ett4g9 Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) April 1, 2025 Residents, many unaware of the impending demolition, watched in shock and despair. We got no time. One moment we had a roof, the next moment we had nothing," said Rehana Begum, whose house was among those destroyed. Despite public outrage, the Ambedkar Nagar administration defended the demolition, stating that it was conducted in compliance with a revenue court order. This action was taken to remove encroachments from government land, following an ejection order (case number T202404040205504) issued by the Jalalpur tehsildars court. Multiple notices were given before clearing the non-residential structures," a police spokesperson stated. According to official records, the disputed land (parcel number 888/0.006 hectares) in Arai village had been under illegal occupation. On October 10, 2024, the Jalalpur sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) ruled, under Section 67 of the Uttar Pradesh Revenue Code, 2006, that Ram Milan had encroached on the land and was ordered to vacate it. The SDM imposed a fine of Rs 1,980 and Rs 800 as execution charges. A follow-up order on October 15, 2024, directed the tehsildar to ensure eviction within a week. Political Firestorm The demolition triggered a political storm, with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav condemning the action as a reflection of the states deteriorating condition. Yadav posted on X, stating, Eight years, UP ruined, and only questions remain." He also shared an AI-generated image of a girl clutching books while a bulldozer loomed behind her, clearly alluding to the Ambedkar Nagar incident. A day earlier, he had posted another sharp attack: In Ambedkar Nagar, a government official is demolishing peoples homes to assert his authority, forcing a young girl to run to save her books. These are the same BJP leaders who say Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (Save the daughter, educate the daughter)!" Yadavs remark appeared to reference a controversial IAS officers land, which was right across from the demolished shanties raising questions about selective action. Congress Joins In, Calls Out BJPs Cruelty The Uttar Pradesh Congress also shared the video on X, further fueling the political heat. From the shanty being razed by the bulldozer, a little girl saved her most precious possession books! This video is a disgrace to those in power who snatch books from childrens hands and the roof over their heads," the Congress party wrote, targeting the Yogi Adityanath-led BJP government. Yogi Adityanaths Response: Development vs Demolition Amid mounting criticism, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath defended his administrations track record, highlighting infrastructure growth and economic progress. However, he sidestepped direct mention of the demolitions, fueling further accusations of evading accountability. While the UP government maintains that bulldozer actions are a necessary tool to reclaim illegally occupied government land, critics argue they disproportionately impact the poor and are used as political weapons. Supreme Courts Blow To Bulldozer Justice The Supreme Court bench comprising Justice Abhay S Oka and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan ruled that the Prayagraj demolitions violated fundamental rights. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The right to shelter is a fundamental right. Due process must be followed. Such demolitions shake the very conscience of the judiciary," the court observed, ordering the PDA to compensate affected families with Rs 10 lakh each. The ruling marks a significant legal and political setback for the Uttar Pradesh government, challenging its bulldozer-driven governance model. First Published: April 02, 2025, 12:24 IST Last Updated: April 03, 2025, 06:49 IST Waqf (Amendment) Bill Highlights: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday accused the opposition parties of spreading misconception over the Waqf (Amendment Bill) 2025. As the Budget Session of the Parliament inches closer to its end on April 4, the government took up the Waqf (Amendment) Bill for consideration and passage in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. The House witnessed a heated debate between the treasury and the Opposition benches as the latter said that all INDIA bloc parties are united to defeat the legislation. Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju brought a motion to take up the Bill with amendments. A debate on the matter is being held. Rijiju opened the debate on the Bill and explained the provisions of the legislation. The Bill was first introduced last year and was subsequently referred to a joint parliamentary committee. Follow Highlights: 'Parliament, Delhi Airport Would Have Been Waqf Properties If...': Rijiju Tables Waqf Bill In Lok Sabha Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 02, 2025, 15:11 IST In the Lok Sabha, Kiren Rijiju stated that without the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, landmarks like the Parliament building and Delhi airport would have been designated as Waqf properties. Kiren Rijiju speaks in the Lok Sabha (Video screengrab) Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday said the Parliament building, the Delhi airport premises, and the CGO Complex would have been Waqf properties had the Waqf Bill not been introduced. Speaking in the Lok Sabha, as the Waqf Bill was tabled in the House, Rijiju also said that the Waqf Board does not manage the Waqf properties and that the Bill will be renamed as Unified Waqf Management Empowerment, Efficiency and Development (UMEED) Bill. Recommended Stories In 2013, right before the Lok Sabha elections in 2014, there were some steps taken which will raise questions in your mind. In 2013, an act was changed to allow Sikhs, Hindus, Parsis and others to create Waqf. Everyone knows Waqf is for Muslims to create Waqf in the name of Allah. This change was made by Congress in 2013," Rijiju said. The Congress made the boards specifics, only Shias in Shia boards. A section was added that Waqf will have an overriding effect over every other law. How can this section be acceptable?" he asked. A case ongoing since 1970 in Delhi involved several properties, including the CGO Complex and the Parliament building. The Delhi Waqf Board had claimed these as Waqf properties. The case was in court, but at that time, the UPA government denotified 123 properties and handed them over to the Waqf Board," Rijiju mentioned. Had we not introduced this amendment today, even the Parliament building we are sitting in could have been claimed as Waqf property," he said. Had the Narendra Modi government not come into power, several properties would have been de-notified," he added. Waqf properties are private in nature, it is unfair to compare such properties with land banks of the railways and the armed forces," he said. Rijijus remarks came in reference to AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmals October 2024 statement, wherein he claimed that the Parliament building and its surrounding areas in Delhi were built on Waqf properties. Ajmal had also claimed that the area around Vasant Vihar had been built on Waqfs property. Even then, Ajmals remarks were slammed by Rijiju, who had said India had the largest Waqf properties" and they should be utilised for the welfare of women and children of the Muslim community. As Rijiju introduced the Bill in the Lower House of the Parliament, he said, I want to say that the discussion that has taken place on the Waqf Amendment Bill in the Joint Committee of both the Houses has never been done in the Parliamentary history of India to date." I thank and congratulate all the members of the Joint Committee. To date, a total of 284 delegations from the state holders of different communities have presented their views and suggestions before the committee," he said. Waqf boards of 25 state governments and union territories have also presented their submissions," the Union Minister said. After supporting the Bill, you all come to my office after one year I will let you know about the transformational impact (of the Bill). We have incorporated and accepted several recommendations of the joint parliamentary committee (JPC) in the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, to say that JPCs recommendations were not taken is wrong," he added. A maximum of four non-Muslim members, including compulsory two women members, can be there in Waqf Council. At present, there are no women in Waqf Board," the Union Minister said. CONGRESS COUNTERS Soon after Rijijus address, Congress MP and Deputy Leader of Opposition, Gaurav Gogoi, countered the Union Ministers claims, terming those misleading". I heard the honourable minister on the day this Bill was introduced and today also. The day this Bill was introduced, he said that there were comprehensive discussions over it. This is completely misleading. There was no mention of the need for a new Waqf (Amendment) Bill during the five meetings of the Ministry of Minority Affairs. We have seen the minutes of these meetings." I just want to ask whether this bill has been made by the Ministry of Minority Affairs or another ministry?" he asked. Did the Minority Affairs Ministry make this Bill, or did some other department make it? Where did this Bill come from?" he asked. Today, the condition of minorities in the country has become such that the government will have to give a certificate of their religion. Will they ask for a certificate from other religions whether you have completed five years or not? Why is this being asked in this Bill? Why is the government interfering in this matter of religion," Gogoi said in the House. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Lok Sabha took up for consideration the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which incorporates suggestions made by the JPC that examined the Bill tabled in Parliament in August last year. The House also took up the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2024 for consideration and passing. About the Author Vani Mehrotra Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks. Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks. First Published: April 02, 2025, 12:56 IST 'Work Important, Health Non-Negotiable': Bengaluru CEO Lands In ICU After BP Spikes To 230 Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 02, 2025, 17:35 IST Amit Mishra wrote a detailed post on LinkedIn, which went viral, warning about the "silent killers" of health and said his condition came as a "real shock" despite the fact that there were no symptoms or medical history for high blood pressure Amit Mishra is the founder and CEO of Dazeinfo Media and Research. (Image: LinkedIn) A Bengaluru-based CEO of a company has drawn attention to prioritising health over work after he landed in an ICU as his blood pressure went up to 230. Amit Mishra founder and CEO of Dazeinfo Media and Research wrote a detailed post on LinkedIn, which went viral, warning about the silent killers" of health and said his condition came as a real shock" despite the fact that there were no symptoms or medical history for the same. He said one minute he was working on his laptop and the next his nose was bleeding profusely, and he was rushed to the hospital. Recommended Stories Mishra said once he was moved to the intensive care unit (ICU), doctors were able to bring down his blood pressure (BP), but he fainted the next morning due to a sudden drop in his BP. He said he is still under treatment and is undergoing various tests. He, however, jotted down some important learnings" on why his BP shot up so high and then suddenly dropped without warning. For most adult men, normal BP range is considered to be less than 120/80 mmHg (systolic/diastolic). Lazy Saturday, working relaxed on Laptop, sudden start of nose bleed, becomes unstoppable, white washbasin turned red, thick cotton cloth soaked in blood, fearing of syncing in coma, lands in ICU. My horrific weekend !! By the time I rushed to Apollo Hospital, I had lost a significant amount of blood. The emergency team struggled for 20 minutes before temporarily stopping the bleeding. But then came the real shock my blood pressure was 230. No headaches, no dizziness, no warnings, no history of BP, just an unexpected crisis. I was immediately shifted to the ICU, where doctors worked to bring my BP down. By late night, things seemed under control, but the next morning, as I tried to walk inside the ICU, I suddenly fainted. My BP had dropped drastically this time, leaving doctors puzzled. What followed were four days of all kind of tests ECG, LFT, ECHO, cholesterol, and even a painful angiography but surprisingly, everything came out fine" he wrote in his LinkedIn post. Here are the lessons Mishra wrote in his post after his health scare: top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Your body doesnt always give clear warnings. High BP, stress, and health risks can be silent killers. Regular checkups are a must. Work is important, but health is non-negotiable. We often ignore small signs, thinking were fine, until were not. Emergency preparedness matters. Knowing what to do in a crisis (and where the nearest hospital is) can save lives. Medical science still has mysteries. Even after 15+ tests, the cause of my BP spike remains unknown. But whats clear is that taking care of ones health is not an option, its a necessity. He thanked doctors and hospital staff for their quick action", saying he had been given a second chance" to prioritise his health and urged others to do the same. Just came back home yesterday, and Im taking this as a second chance to prioritize what truly matters health," he said. If youre reading this, let this be your reminder: Listen to your body. Dont wait for a wake-up call like mine," he added. About the Author Oindrila Mukherjee Oindrila Mukherjee is a senior sub-editor who works for the rewrite and breaking news desks. Her nine years of experience in print and digital journalism range from editing and reporting to writing impactful st... Read More Oindrila Mukherjee is a senior sub-editor who works for the rewrite and breaking news desks. Her nine years of experience in print and digital journalism range from editing and reporting to writing impactful st... Read More First Published: April 02, 2025, 17:33 IST You've A Weird Status, Can Talk To Both Putin And Zelenskyy: Chilean President Lauds PM Modi Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 02, 2025, 07:40 IST Chilean President Gabriel Boric's remarks came during the banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Tuesday. Chilean President Gabriel Boric (PTI Image) Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font has lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a key player" in geopolitics, stating that he has a weird status" where he can engage with Russian President Vladimir Putin as well as Ukraines Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He said that this was a phenomenon no other world leader could achieve. Recommended Stories Youre committed to peace in the world. Youve a weird status nowadays that you can talk to every leader of the world. Mr Putin, Mr Trump, Mr Zelenskyy, the European Union, the Latin American leaders, and Iran. That is something that no other leader can say now. So youre a key player in the geopolitical atmosphere nowadays," Boric said while attending a banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu in his honour on Tuesday. His remarks came in reference to the Prime Ministers meeting with Putin in July last year in Moscow and his meet with Zelenskyy the very next month during his historic visit to Ukraine. While PM Modi reiterated his stance of not an era of war" before Putin in front of the media in July, he visited Ukraine in August, carrying message of peace and stressing on returning to dialogue and diplomacy to end the over three-year-long war. Chilean President In India The Chilean President is on his first visit to India from April 1 to 5 at the invitation of PM Modi. His visit is aimed at bolstering economic, political, and cultural ties between the two nations. He met PM Modi on Tuesday and held wide-ranging talks focusing on strengthening the relations in areas such as trade, defence, critical minerals, and health. The two leaders announced starting negotiations on a comprehensive economic partnership pact. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Prime Minister described Chile as an important friend and partner" for India in Latin America. India and Chile may be at different ends of the world map, there may be vast oceans separating us, but nature has linked us with unique similarities," Modi said in a media statement. About the Author Ashesh Mallick Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More First Published: April 02, 2025, 07:25 IST Is Your Home Vastu-Compliant? Spot The Defects And Fix Them With These Simple Remedies Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: April 02, 2025, 09:59 IST In India, Vastu Shastra plays a significant role in people's lives. Whether it is a home or a business establishment, any Vastu defect is believed to negatively impact life, hindering progress and prosperity For an auspicious prayer area, the temple should be built in the north-east corner of the house. (News18 Hindi) In India, Vastu Shastra plays a significant role in peoples lives. Whether it is a home or a business establishment, any Vastu defect is believed to negatively impact life, hindering progress and prosperity. Renowned astrologer Pandit Hriday Ranjan Sharma shares insights on how to identify Vastu defects in a house or shop and the remedies to correct them. How to Identify a Vastu Defect Recommended Stories According to Pandit Hriday Ranjan Sharma, the presence of Vastu defects leads to stagnation in life. Common Signs Include Obstacles in progress and success Frequent illnesses in the household Delays in marriage and childbirth Constant conflicts and disharmony Lack of family growth and prosperity Remedies For Vastu Defects To rectify Vastu-related issues, the astrologer suggests several traditional remedies, including: Releasing fish in flowing water, ponds, or canals Feeding dogs and ants Supporting the education and marriage of girls through donations Serving animals and birds Offering water to the Sun (Surya Arghya) Performing Tarpan (ritual offerings to ancestors) He also shares that the colour of the main entrance of the house also plays a crucial role and suggests what colour it should be according to direction: East-facing entrance: Orange or golden North-facing entrance: Blue or sky blue West-facing entrance: White or light yellow Importance of Stairs In Vastu Pandit Hriday Ranjan Sharma explains that stairs should follow specific Vastu rules: Stairs should be built in the south, west, or south-west direction The number of steps should always be odd (e.g., 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13). 17 steps are considered particularly auspicious. A store or switch room can be placed under the stairs, but never a shop, toilet, bathroom, bed, or seating area. Stairs should never be in the middle of a house, building, or shop, as this is the Brahma place (sacred centre). top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Where to Place a Home Temple For an auspicious prayer area, the temple should be built in the north-east corner of the house. It is especially favourable to install the idol of Lord Shiva or a Shivling in this direction. The entrance of the temple should face east or south. However, Pran Pratistha (life consecration) of Lord Shiva should never be performed inside the houseonly pictures or small idols can be kept. fashion, travel, The News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health food , and culture with wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration, and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: April 02, 2025, 09:59 IST Struggling With Sleepless Nights Or Brain Fatigue? This Herb Can Give Remarkable Benefits Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: April 02, 2025, 13:54 IST There are many benefits of Brahmi extracts. This herb can enhance memory, provide mental calmness, and improve sleep For individuals with sleep issues, Brahmi extracts can activate the brain and address related problems. (AI-Generated) Working individuals often suffer from significant brain strain due to their jobs, leading to various brain-related ailments. This can result in disrupted sleep patterns. In such a situation, this herb can help maintain a healthy brain and alleviate several minor ailments. A highly revered herb in Ayurveda, Brahmi or Indian Pennywort is renowned for its diverse therapeutic benefits. For centuries, it has been used to boost mental clarity, cognitive function, and learning ability. It is believed to have a soothing effect on the nervous system and promote overall well-being. Recommended Stories Benefits Of Brahmi Extracts top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Rakesh Shukla, one of the stall presenters at the Rang Mahotsav, organised by the National School of Drama in Delhi explained to Local18 the benefits of Brahmi extracts. He stated that just as the navel is the centre of the human body, Madhya Pradesh is the centre of India, from where he sources varied natural, Ayurvedic herbs. Consuming these herbs can prevent many forms of diseases in the body. He highlighted that the most notable herbs he offers are Tulsi extract and Brahmi extract, which are renowned for their medicinal properties and found in the forests of Madhya Pradesh. Rakesh mentioned that taking one drop of Brahmi extract with a spoonful of honey or milk daily can enhance memory power and provide mental calmness. For individuals with sleep issues or any brain-related illnesses, it activates the brain and addresses related problems. This makes it beneficial for everyone, from children to the elderly, and it is also good for heart health. fashion, travel, The News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health food , and culture with wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration, and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: April 02, 2025, 13:54 IST Fawad Khan's Bollywood Comeback Lands In Trouble, Shiv Sena Leader Urges Govt For A Policy On Pak Actor Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 02, 2025, 07:33 IST MNS spokesperson Ameya Khopkar recently said that they are against Abir Gulaal's release in Maharashtra since it stars a Pakistani actor. Pakistani actor Fawad Khan returns to Bollywood after an eight-year break with the romantic comedy Abir Gulaal, co-starring Vaani Kapoor. It is no secret that Pakistani actor Fawad Khan is all set to make a comeback in Bollywood with his upcoming movie, Abir Gulaal. Hours after the makers of the film released its teaser on Tuesday, it has now landed in trouble. Raj Thackerays Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has opposed the films release in Maharashtra. As reported by the Free Press Journal, MNS spokesperson Ameya Khopkar recently said that they are against the films release in Maharashtra since it stars a Pakistani actor. We only learned about this films release today when the makers announced it. But we are making it clear that we will not allow this film to release in Maharashtra because it features a Pakistani actor. Under no circumstances will we permit such films to be released in the state. We are gathering more information about the film and will soon issue a full statement," he told Dainik Bhaskar. Recommended Stories Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam also reacted to the controversy and added, There is widespread hatred for Pakistan in India. When a film from Pakistan is released, Indian audiences do not prefer watching it. Even if a few people watch it out of curiosity, Pakistani artists have never been able to gain widespread success in India." If the central government has a policy on this, it should be implemented. The decision on whether Pakistani films should be released in India or if their artists should be allowed to work here must be made by the government," Nirupam continued. Abir Gulaal stars Fawad Khan with Vaani Kapoor. The film is directed by Aarti S. Bagdi, known for her poignant storytelling in Chalti Rahe Zindagi. She teams up with producers Indian Stories, A Richer Lens, and Aarjay Pictures to bring this cross-cultural tale to life. Filming, which began in late September 2024, unfolded across picturesque locales in and around London and concluded a 40-day schedule in the British capital. About the Author Chirag Sehgal Chirag Sehgal works as a Sub-Editor in the Entertainment team at News18.com. With an experience of five years in the media industry, he largely focuses on Indian television coverage. Apart from bringing breakin... Read More Chirag Sehgal works as a Sub-Editor in the Entertainment team at News18.com. With an experience of five years in the media industry, he largely focuses on Indian television coverage. Apart from bringing breakin... Read More First Published: April 02, 2025, 07:26 IST Jacqueline Fernandez Visits Mom Kim At Lilavati Hospital ICU Following Stroke | Watch Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 02, 2025, 16:44 IST Jacqueline Fernandez's mother, Kim Fernandez, was hospitalized in the ICU at Lilavati Hospital after a heart stroke. Jacqueline immediately flew back home and was seen arriving at the hospital. Jacqueline Fernandez visited the hospital on Wednesday to meet her mom. On March 24, Jacqueline Fernandezs mother, Kim Fernandez, was hospitalised and admitted to the ICU (Intensive Care Unit) of Lilavati Hospital. Upon receiving the news, Jacqueline immediately flew back home to be by her mothers side. Kim was admitted to the ICU after a heart stroke. Today, Jacqueline was seen arriving at the Lilavati Hospital to be beside her mother. Jacqueline was seen arriving at Lilavati Hospital, where paparazzi captured her at the entrance. Dressed in a white salwar kameez and wearing a black mask, she kept a low profile as she quickly stepped out of her car and headed inside. Recommended Stories Take a look: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Viral Bhayani (@viralbhayani) A source close to Jacqueline Fernandez had earlier revealed that she was scheduled to perform at the IPL ceremony on March 26 in Guwahati, featuring the match between Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders. However, she opted out to remain by her mothers side during her recovery in the ICU. The source told HT, Jacquelines mother is still in the ICU recovering. As the family awaits further updates from the doctors, Jacqueline has chosen to be by her mothers side and, unfortunately, will be missing performing at the IPL ceremony." On Sunday, Jacquelines Kick co-star, Salman Khan, was seen at the hospital, visiting her mother to offer his support. Back in 2022 as well, Kim had suffered a stroke and was admitted to a hospital in Bahrain for treatment. Jacquelines mom resides in Manama, Bahrain, and comes from a multicultural background, with Malaysian and Canadian heritage. Her maternal grandfather was Canadian, while her great-grandparents hailed from Goa, India. Jacqueline has often spoken about her deep bond with her parents. In a past interview with India TV, she shared, My mom has always supported me. I miss her a lot. I live here alone without my parents. They have been so strong and such an inspiration for me, which always keeps me going." Meanwhile, Jacqueline has recently been in the spotlight due to her alleged involvement in the Sukesh Chandrasekhar controversy. On the work front, she was last seen in Fateh, alongside Sonu Sood. First Published: April 02, 2025, 16:44 IST Val Kilmer Death: Josh Brolin, Michael Mann And Matthew Modine Pay Tributes To The Late Actor Published By : Bang Showbiz Last Updated: April 02, 2025, 15:53 IST Josh Brolin, Michael Mann, and Matthew Modine are among the stars who have paid tribute to the late Val Kilmer following his death at the age of 65. Val Kilmer died at 65. Josh Brolin has paid tribute to uber-creative firecracker" Val Kilmer. The Top Gun actor passed away on Tuesday (01.04.25) at the age of 65 and his friend has paid a touching tribute to the star, in which he referenced his life-long passion for author Mark Twain, who Val played twice on screen and in theatre production Citizen Twain. Josh wrote on Instagram: See ya, pal. Im going to miss you. You were a smart, challenging, brave, uber-creative firecracker. Theres not a lot left of those. I hope to see you up there in the heavens when I eventually get there. Until then, amazing memories, lovely thoughts. [alternating heart and broken heart emojis, diamond emoji] #valkilmer #marktwain (sic)" Recommended Stories Filmmaker Michael Mann admitted the passing of his Heat actor who died from pneumonia having previously battled throat cancer was tremendously sad". He told The Hollywood Reporter in a statement: While working with Val on Heat I always marvelled at the range, the brilliant variability within the powerful current of Vals possessing and expressing character. After so many years of Val battling disease and maintaining his spirit, this is tremendously sad news." The official X account for Top Gun shared a tribute to the late actor, referring to him by his character name, Tom Iceman Kazansky, from the 1986 classic movie. They posted: Remembering Val Kilmer, whose indelible cinematic mark spanned genres and generations. RIP Iceman." Matthew Modine expressed his gratitude for the help Val had given him in his career. He posted on X: RIP Val Kilmer. If it wasnt for our chance encounter at the Source in 1985, I may never have been cast in FULL METAL JACKET. Thanks, Val. [prayer and peace sign emojis] (sic)" Josh Gad hailed the Doors actor an icon". He wrote on Instagram: RIP Val Kilmer. Thank you for defining so many of the movies of my childhood. You truly were an icon." Secret Life of Pets screenwriter Brian Lynch reflected on Vals lengthy filmography. He wrote on Bluesky: The Doors. Top Secret! Tombstone. Top Gun. Real Genius. Willow. Batman Forever. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. True Romance. Macgruber. Heat. There was nobody like Val Kilmer. May he Rest in Peace." A number of social media users have shared a famous scene from Heat, in which Val and Ashley Judds characters interact for the final time. Nobody 2 filmmaker Timo Tjahjanto added in a caption: A masterpiece exercise in saying nothing and expressing everything. Rest in Peace truly." About the Author Shreyanka Mazumdar Shreyanka Mazumdar is Chief Sub Editor of the entertainment team at News18. With an unbridled passion for all things Bollywood, she loves deep-diving into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment world, bring... Read More Shreyanka Mazumdar is Chief Sub Editor of the entertainment team at News18. With an unbridled passion for all things Bollywood, she loves deep-diving into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment world, bring... Read More Location : Los Angeles, United States of America (USA) First Published: April 02, 2025, 15:53 IST Opinion | Glass Facades Are Not Cool Anymore: Our Economic Hubs Are Heat Islands Written By : News18.com Last Updated: April 02, 2025, 10:36 IST If India persists in its addiction to shiny glass facades and indiscriminate air conditioning, cities risk transforming from vibrant centres of life into overheated glass chamberstrapping their inhabitants in a permanent, costly, and ecologically catastrophic nightmare Buildings cloaked in glass facades become urban gas chambersstructures designed to trap and magnify heat, silently suffocating their occupants with rising internal temperatures and bad air. (PTI) Its about two campuses in Gurgaon: one is TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute), and the other is called Cybercity. They are close to each other, but from a design perspective, they might as well exist on different planets. The Energy Research Institute campus does not use air-conditioning. Instead, it has been designed with air tunnels to cool by removing hot air and replacing it with fresh air. This keeps the ambient temperature inside the rooms in the campus at a comfortable level. Then there is Cybercity, where multinational companies flaunt their brand names on top of glass facade buildings, alongside jutting exhaust pipes from diesel generators on top of the buildings. Every building is encased in glass, which makes this commercial hub a heat island. Its almost impossible to walk around this campus, as there are no trees, and during the summer, the heat bounces off the pavements around the buildings. While trees surround TERI by design, a new lab was actually designed around the trees rather than cutting any of them. Recommended Stories As the glass buildings trap heat inside, the air conditioning further throws hot air into the street. Walking next to these buildings during any season is impossible, as the radiated and reflected heat and light are unbearable. The glass manufacturers have not given up. They are selling higher-glazed glass to even the new buildings that were built last year. It seems as if the builders do not want to learn anything from the TERI campus next door. Now, the many companies that inhabit the buildings in Cybercity all have ESG targets, including reducing their carbon footprint. But they continue to occupy these buildings, which take ten times more energy generated by diesel generators to keep them cool in summer, and even in winter, they need air conditioning to keep the air circulating. Design disasters and energy disasters: These buildings beat all principles of design into submission by creating deep cave-like structures that have neither air circulation nor heat dissipation. These design disasters are seen as modern or cool when unsuitable and outdated, even in the Western countries where they are copied from. Buildings cloaked in glass facades become urban gas chambersstructures designed to trap and magnify heat, silently suffocating their occupants with rising internal temperatures and bad air. As the mercury rises, these glass-covered buildings absorb and lock heat inside, turning interiors into pressure cookers that demand enormous amounts of energy to cool. In the process, air conditioners act as exhaust vents, ejecting heat back onto streets and exacerbating urban heat islands. Imagine being trapped inside a glass greenhouse on a hot summer day; this is the scenario faced by millions in Indias glass-clad offices. These buildings are constructed without regard for local climate realities, copied blindly from Western templates. I tried to convince an industry association whose members are both Indian and global companies, and guess what? While they publicly talk about sustainability and all the fancy words associated with it, they are not concerned about the built environment that is suffocating lakhs of their white-collar workers. Most CXOs and even industry associations are unaware of the impact such air-conditioned hell is having on their employees mental and physical health. Employees dread spending days in these artificially lit, sealed heat and gas chambers, which recycle stale air, making occupants anxious and irritable. Nearly a century ago, American novelist Henry Miller described this phenomenon as an air-conditioned nightmare". Indian metropolises like Delhi, Gurugram, Mumbai, and Bengaluru are now living this nightmare, trapped in a vicious loop of cooling glass buildings that relentlessly heat their surroundings. Indian architects and builders have often copied building designs from US markets, where the summer season is not as long or as hot as in India. However, even there, the view of these glass buildings is changing, though its roots are deeply embedded in the culture of these societies. Marsha Ackermanns book, Cool Comfort, analyses Americans cultural embrace of air-conditioning, describing it as the product of half a centurys efforts by industry engineers and manufacturers. Ackermann points out the strong cultural and social narratives that shaped the adoption of air-conditioning, arguing that the concept was positioned as essential for progress, civilisation, and comfort despite persistent criticisms from advocates of fresh air and opponents of energy wastefulness. Studies from the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, also indicate that glass-covered buildings can consume nearly ten times more energy than traditional structures. These buildings intensify heat during the day, expelling hot air through power-hungry cooling units and radiating residual heat at night, transforming cities into enormous ovens. Modern architectural trends further exacerbate the problem. Tara Hipwood of Northumbria University highlights the spread of deep-plan" buildingsmonolithic structures devoid of natural ventilation and dependent entirely on mechanical cooling. These designs assume air conditioning as an unquestioned necessity, resulting in interiors akin to sealed caves that rely on artificial ventilation systems. Ackermann supports a theoretical construction of air conditioning as an agent of modernity by demonstrating that it was not necessarily the hottest American cities that adopted air conditioning first but rather the most economically significant cities, thereby reinforcing the symbolism of modernity and progress. This mirrors Indias adoption of glass facade buildings, primarily in economic hubs like Gurgaon, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Mumbai, irrespective of climate suitability. The fascination with these shiny buildings is happening at the cost of the quality of human life. Yet there is a hopeful path forward, exemplified by IIT Jodhpurs campus, designed by architect Sanjay Prakash of Studio for Habitat Futures (SHiFT). Demonstrating practical solutions, the campus effectively counters Rajasthans notorious heat without relying exclusively on air conditioning. In its inaugural year, the campus notably didnt need to activate air conditioning even through May, which is traditionally one of Indias hottest months. IIT Jodhpur employed super insulation and was meticulously designed to comply with super Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) standards, showcasing that advanced insulation and thoughtful design significantly reduce cooling demands. Existing glass facade buildings can also be efficiently retrofitted to reduce their energy use drastically. Successful examples include retrofitting shading devices on office complexes and upgrading insulation in commercial towers. These targeted improvements successfully demonstrated 25-30 percent reductions in overall energy consumption, showcasing the potential for sustainable improvements within the current infrastructure. However, it is difficult to convince even the occupants that they can recover the cost of retrofitting these buildings in less than a year from a lower electrical bill. The fascination with shiny buildings at the expense of health and environmental damage is a complex equation for the CXO suite to understand. Even industry associations do not understand the impact or damage they are causing to the city and their employees. Especially CXOs, who send their children to air-conditioned schools, reducing their cognitive growth forever. The pervasive dependence on air conditioning adversely affects the younger generation, with tangible impacts on their health and mental development. Children today often attend air-conditioned schools in air-conditioned buses and spend their playtime indoors, engrossed in video games within artificially cooled rooms. Research indicates that limited exposure to natural environments and reduced physical outdoor activities negatively impact childrens cognitive growth, creativity, and overall physical health, underscoring the urgent need to rethink our reliance on air-conditioned comfort in schools. There is no relief from this design hell, even at the policy level, because of the lobbies that dominate the standards and code for buildings in the country. The standards and code bodies are not dominated by sustainable architects but by glass manufacturers, among other lobbies. Building codes in India, such as the National Building Code (NBC) and Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC), recommend minimizing glass facade usage. However, these guidelines remain recommendations rather than enforced mandates, resulting in limited compliance and continued proliferation of energy-intensive buildings. The NBC primarily addresses safety and visibility concerns rather than explicitly focusing on heat capture or energy efficiency implications of glass facades. The guidelines for thermal performance and energy efficiency are outlined more comprehensively under the ECBC, which specifically targets energy-efficient practices. However, builders always ignore ECBC norms primarily due to a lack of stringent enforcement and limited public awareness. The solution is straightforward: We must realign architectural design with ecological and climatic realities. Its time to mandate stricter, climate-responsive building codes suited specifically to regional needsnot a single code that applies uniformly from Ladakh to Lucknow. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all If India persists in its addiction to shiny glass facades and indiscriminate air conditioning, cities risk transforming from vibrant centers of life into overheated glass chamberstrapping their inhabitants in a permanent, costly, and ecologically catastrophic nightmare. However, by embracing thoughtful design choices and retrofitting existing structures intelligently, we can reclaim our urban spaces from the grip of these glass gas chambers and ensure a sustainable, comfortable future. Its not as if there arent enough campuses to learn from about reducing the heat island effect, but there has to be a will to learn and implement, and policy needs to nudge this change. K Yatish Rajawat is a public policy researcher and works at the Gurgaon-based think and do tank Centre for Innovation in Public Policy (CIPP). Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. First Published: April 02, 2025, 10:36 IST Opinion: Is Saving Private Members Business Worth The Hype? Written By : News18.com Last Updated: April 01, 2025, 19:13 IST The marginalisation of Private Members business in Parliament is a commentary on the growth of modern governments. Very few Private Members Bills have been enacted into law in India, in sharp contrast to Britain, where also the institution is often berated as a waste of time Shashi Tharoor has raised the issue. (PTI File) Shashi Tharoor recently slammed the government for scrubbing" the private members business from the Lok Sabha. The Thiruvananthapuram MP, in a post on social media platform X, alleged that there has been no private members business in the House since July 2024. He wondered whether Parliament exists to pursue its own agenda. A perusal of the Annual Report 2024-25 of the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs shows that whereas 65 Private Members Bills were introduced in the Lok Sabha, and 40 in the Rajya Sabha between January 1 and December 31, 2024, only one Bill was taken up in each House of Parliament for second reading (i.e. detailed discussion). While the Lok Sabha discussed the Commission for Regulation and Development of Information Technology Industry Bill, 2024, introduced by C.N. Annadurai on August 9, 2024, the Rajya Sabha discussed a Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2022 (amendment of Article 16) by Javed Ali Khan on July 27, 2024. The discussions were not completed in either case. Recommended Stories Admittedly, the figures do not compare favourably with those of the previous years. However, private members business has always been the Cinderella of Parliamentary activity. Private Members refer to those Members of Parliament who are not members of the Council of Ministers. They could be from any political party, nominated, or independent. Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha permit them to raise matters of urgent public importance and ventilate grievances of the public through instruments such as Calling Attention Motion, Short Duration Discussion, No-Day-yet Named Motion, Censure Motion, No Confidence Motion in the Councils of Ministers, and half-an-hour discussion besides Private Members Bills and Resolution. They also put questions unstarred and starred to the ministers concerned. While most of these privileges could be exercised on all working days in Parliament as part of the normal routine, the Private Members Bills and Resolutions are taken up once a week. The last two-and-a-half hours of sitting on Friday, and if Friday happens to be a holiday, then any other day in the week, are allotted for the transaction of Private Members Business. Tharoor was referring to this weekly slot in particular. If a Private Members Bill succeeds in one House, the government is free to introduce it as a government Bill in another House. This was what happened with the Parliamentary Proceedings (Protection of Publication) Bill, 1956, introduced by Feroze Gandhi in the Lok Sabha. On the other hand, the government could bring a fresh legislative proposal. This was what happened in the case of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2019, where the government brought a fresh Bill although the Tiruchi Sivas Right to Transgender Person Bill, 2014, was passed by the Rajya Sabha on April 25, 2015 and introduced in the Lok Sabha as a Private Members Bill on February 26, 2016 by Baijayant Panda. Between January 1 and December 31, 2021 (as per the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs Annual Report 2021-22), only two Private Members Bills were discussed in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on one working day each. While only one Private Members Resolution was considered by Lok Sabha for two days, the Rajya Sabha had no event to cite in this category. The situation was comparatively better towards the beginning of the Modi government. During 2015, the Lok Sabha discussed two Private Members Bills over six Friday afternoon sittings, whereas the Rajya Sabha considered six Private Members Bills over 10 Friday afternoon sittings; and one of the Bills, viz. The Rights of Transgender Persons Bill by Tiruchi Siva, was passed. During the corresponding period, the Lok Sabha discussed three Private Members Resolutions over five Friday sittings, whereas the Rajya Sabha considered two resolutions over as many sittings. Between January 1 and December 31, 2011 when the UPA government was in power the Lok Sabha considered four Private Members Bills over eight Friday sittings and the Rajya Sabha three Private Members Bills over four Friday sittings. During the corresponding period, the Lok Sabha had two Private Members Resolutions over four Friday sittings and the Rajya Sabha two Private Members Resolutions over three Friday sittings. II The marginalisation of Private Members business in Parliament is a commentary on the rise of modern governments. This decline actually antedates the establishment of Parliamentary institutions in India. We have to look into the history of Westminster since Indias Parliamentary conventions are derived from the British. Sir Courtenay Ilbert (1913) sometime member of the Governor Generals Council, remembered for his progressive Ilbert Bill (1883) says that many measures which could not be carried except as government measures now were, in the eighteenth century, and in the early part of the nineteenth century, introduced and carried by private members. Thus, in the history of poor law legislation, important statutes as Gilberts Act" and Hobhouses Act" were private members Acts (The Mechanics of Law Making, p.61). Thus, Nassau William Senior, while speaking to Sir Charles Wood in the mid-19th century, reportedly stated When I was first in Parliament, twenty-seven years ago (in 1825) the functions of the government were chiefly executive. Changes in our law were proposed by independent members, and carried not as party questions, by their combined action on both sides. Now, when an independent member brings forward a subject it is not to propose a measure himself, but to call the attention of the government. All the House joins in declaring that the present state of the law is abominable, and in requiring the government to provide a remedy. As soon as the government has obeyed, and prepared one, they all oppose it. Our defects as legislators, which is not our business, damage us as administrators, which is our business" (The Mechanics of Law Making, p.61). Sir Courtenay Ilbert identifies the Great Reform Act, 1832 (Representation of the People Act, 1832) as the trigger for the changeover. Legislative activities became more specialised and bureaucratic. The beginning of Queen Victorias reign in 1837 marked a definite switch over. The Home Secretary became responsible for initiating the most important legislative measures of Her Majestys government. The Home Secretary of the day appointed a barrister, viz. John Eliot Drinkwater Bethune, a lawyer and poet, for preparing Bills for Parliament under the direction of the Home Office. Bethune ably discharged the responsibility for a decade till his appointment as Member, Law, in the Governor General of Indias council (a position once held by Lord Macaulay). Bethune came to India in April 1848, wherein he became ex-officio President of the Council of Education. Bethune incidentally had a major role in starting womens education in India in general, and Calcutta in particular. His position in London was filled first by Walter Coulson, a man of great ability, and upon his demise in 1860 by Henry Thring. Thring, who acquired great fame as a parliamentary draftsman, was raised to the Peerage as Lord Henry Thring. P.A. Bromhead (1956), in his seminal study on Private Members Bills, informs that even after 1837 the government could have merely two assured days in a week for its own business, which rose to three in 1852. However, by the end of the 19th century, all major legislations passed by Parliament were founded on Bills initiated by the government. In 1902, when the Earl of Balfour became the Prime Minister, he brought in a scheme to regulate Parliaments time that was jokingly termed as the parliamentary railway time-table. It gave precedence to government business on all days except the latter part of some Tuesday and Wednesday sittings, and the whole of Friday sittings. The half-days on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for Private Members motions, and the Fridays, for Private Members Bills (Private Members Bills in the British Parliament, p.10). Bromhead identifies the War years between 1914 and 1918, and again 1939 and 1945, leading to near-complete encroachment by the government into the time of Private Members. Even in the inter-War years like 1928-9, in 1931-2, and in 1934-35, the government took up all the Private Members time. Harold Laski (1938) before the commencement of World War II rues that the time spent on Private Members Bills is a complete waste. Only twice in the last generation", says Laski, has any such measure of importance gone to the statute-book. Friday afternoon is usually, in the House, an arid and dreary scene, for when everyone knows that nothing serious is likely to follow from its debate, and the temptation either to be absent or to treat it as a festive occasion is strong" (Parliamentary Government in England, p.213). Laski suggested a new method whereby Private Members Bills cease to be completely individual affairs. Rather they are backed by a section of the House and are examined by a Select Committee, which could take public evidence on the matter, before they are introduced in the House. However, World War II intervened soon, pushing Private Members business into the margins. In the post-War period, a new scheme was announced in 1948-49, which restituted the Private Members business. During the short session of 1950, informs Bromhead, five Fridays were provided for motions, but none for Bills. For the session of 1950-1, twenty Fridays were given to Private Members, ten for motions and ten for Bills (Private Members Bills in the British Parliament, p.10). III Parliamentary institutions in India, albeit incubated by the British, grew in a different manner from that of Britain. The Regulation Act, 1773, set up a five-member Governor Generals Council at Calcutta (and Governors Council in Madras and Bombay Presidencies) that was an executive council with all official members. The number of members was reduced later. It was this Governor Generals Council that issued regulations" that were notified in the Gazette and often translated into local languages. The first time an embryonic" legislative council was set up was under the Charter Act, 1833. It was under this statute that the post of a Member (Law) was created, who would be present in meetings only when the executive council met for the purpose of making law. Thus, the executive and legislative councils were common in composition, except for one member. The first appointee as Member (Law) was Lord Macaulay, otherwise remembered for his minutes on education. The Governor Generals legislative council was further expanded (to 12 members) under the Charter Act, 1853. It was this expanded council, which, according to Governor General Lord Dalhousie (1854), transacted business in the same system as the British Parliament though more approaching the House of Lords rather than the House of Commons. This description greatly perturbed Sir Charles Wood, the then President of the Board of Control, the forerunner of the post of Secretary of State for India. He maintained that Indians should not be under any illusion of having their Parliament, though at that time no Indian was allowed in the Council. When non-official members, including Indians, began to be allowed in the Council under the Indian Councils Act, 1861, its powers were deliberately reduced. The Indian Councils Act, 1861 to quote historian Biman Bihari Majumdar (1959) did not set up a legislature in the proper sense of the term but only committees for the purpose of making laws (Indian Political Associations and Reform of Legislatures 1818-1917, p.331). Yet, between the Indian Councils Act, 1861 and the Government of India Act, 1919, that promised responsible government one notices the evolution of parliamentary trends. The British Parliament, especially the House of Commons, was constantly projected as Indias political ideal by the Indian National Congress. The bi-cameral Indian legislature" comprising the Council of State and Legislative Assembly, set up under the Act of 1919, was actually called Indias Parliament in official publications. Both these Houses had a non-official majority, and most of its members were to be elected. Thus, the legislature in British India grew out of the Governor Generals (and provincial Councils) filled with official nominees as a butterfly grows out of a silkworm. Thus, whatever privileges the non-official members secured inside the House was a result of concessions made by the Government. This was diametrically opposite to the trend in Britain where the government encroached upon the domain of private members. According to Kaul and Shakdher, in 1922 a provision was made for the first time by the Governor General of so many days as may in his opinion be possible compatible with public interest for the business of non-official members" (Practice and Procedure of Parliament, 7th Edition, p.483). This provision continued until Indias independence. In 1948, the Speaker (of the Constituent Assembly) was empowered to allot time for non-officials, who were now formally called private members. Until 1953, there was no fixed day earmarked for the transaction of business by private members, when an amendment in the Rules of Procedure allotted the last two-and-a-half hours on Friday for the transaction of private members business. IV Private members business in Parliament is an indicator of the vibrancy of democracy. Its abridgement injures the character of Parliament and increases the concentration of power in the governments hands. Yet, Bromhead advances certain plausible arguments why the institution was more attacked than defended. Under the cabinet system, where there is a close fusion of legislative and executive powers, it is for the government to decide its priorities since the accountability lies squarely with it. Legislative proposals cannot be thrust upon the government by the whims of Members of Parliament, who are not going to be accountable for its working. The picture in the Indian Parliament in the 21st century is not very different from that in the British Parliament described by Laski (1938). Very few people are present during Private Members business. Being Friday afternoon, most MPs already leave for their home constituencies/State. India, being a vast country, unlike island-nation Britain, travelling back also takes time even by air. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Since 1952, Parliament of India has enacted into law only 14 such legislations, introduced as Private Members Bills. Of them, nine originated in the Lok Sabha, and the rest in the Rajya Sabha. As per the UK Parliament, more than 400 Private Members Bills have been enacted as law in four decades between 1983 and 2024, indicating a highly successful record. The writer is the author of the book The Microphone Men: How Orators Created a Modern India (2019) and an independent researcher based in New Delhi. The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. First Published: April 01, 2025, 18:30 IST AIMPLB Warns Of Nationwide Protests If Waqf Amendment Bill Is Passed: 'Won't Sit Quietly' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 02, 2025, 13:45 IST The Waqf Bill, which includes amendments recommended by the 31-member Joint Committee of Parliament, is being tabled in the Lok Sabha today The Muslim body has made it clear that they will not stay silent if the bill is passed into law. (PTI photo) The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) on Wednesday warned that the body will stage nationwide protests if the Waqf (Amendment) Bill is passed in Parliament. The AIMPLB, a leading body representing Muslims in India, has made it clear that they will not stay silent if the bill is passed into law. Recommended Stories During a media briefing in New Delhi, Syed Qasim Rasool, the spokesperson for the AIMPLB, stated that they will take all legal and constitutional actions available if the bill is passed. If this bill is passed in the Parliament, then we will start a nationwide movement against it. We wont sit quietly. We will make use of all legal and constitutional provisions available to us. We will run a peaceful agitation until the proposed amendments are taken back," Rasool said. #WATCH | Delhi | On Waqf Amendment Bill, AIMPLB spokesperson Dr. Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas says,"If this bill is passed in the Parliament, then we will start a nationwide movement against it. We wont sit quietly. We will make use of all legal and constitutional provisions pic.twitter.com/v928FWF2Xk ANI (@ANI) April 2, 2025 The Waqf Bill, which includes amendments recommended by the 31-member Joint Committee of Parliament, is being tabled in the Lok Sabha today, with eight hours allocated for discussion. If passed by the Lower House, the bill will be moved to the Rajya Sabha for further consideration. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill aims to amend the 1995 Act that governs Waqf properties in India. The Centre has stated that the amendments are intended to improve the management of Waqf properties across the country. Opposition parties, including the Congress, have opposed the bill, claiming that the panel formed to examine it did not consider the suggestions put forward by opposition MPs. Bill To Benefit Muslim Community Meanwhile, Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva expressed his disappointment over those opposing the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. I feel pity on the mentality of those who are opposing this bill. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill is going to work towards the progress of all those people whose rights have been snatched away," he said. This bill was brought in the House in August last year, after which it was sent to the JPC. People from all over India have given their suggestions to the JPC," he stated. #WATCH | Waqf Amendment Bill to be introduced in Lok Sabha todayDelhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva says, I feel pity on the mentality of those who are opposing this bill The Waqf (Amendment) Bill is going to work towards the progress of all those people whose rights have pic.twitter.com/pU3WRPxW82 ANI (@ANI) April 2, 2025 top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Sachdeva further stressed that the bill would benefit the poor Muslim community and contributes to their development. If our poor Muslim brothers and sisters benefit from this bill, and their development happens, then I dont understand what these opposition leaders have to object to," he added. (With inputs from agencies) About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More First Published: April 02, 2025, 13:12 IST 'You'll Break The Nation': Amit Shah Hits Out At Opposition's 'Appeasement' In Waqf Bill Debate Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 02, 2025, 21:32 IST Speaking in favour of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the Waqf council and board came into existence in 1995, and non-Muslims will have no role in running of religious affairs Union Home Minister Amit Shah speaks in the Lok Sabha during the budget session of Parliament, in New Delhi on April 2. (Image: Sansad TV/PTI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said the Waqf (Amendment) Bill will not interfere with Muslim religious matters and properties donated by them. He said any suggestion otherwise is fear-mongering for vote bank" and appeasement politics". Speaking in favour of the Bill in the Lok Sabha, after it was tabled in Parliament, Shah said the Waqf council and board came into existence in 1995, and non-Muslims will have no role in running of religious affairs. Recommended Stories The opposition is trying to spread misconceptions about the Bill. The Waqf bill is not going to interfere with Muslim religious practiceappeasement politics is going on, opposition is doing vote bank politics. Youwill break the nation with your myths," he said, hitting out at the opposition. Follow Waqf Amendment Bill LIVE Updates Here He further said there is no provision in the Waqf bill that non-Muslims will be included in the Waqf board. This Bill is to curb corruption going on in the Waqf board. The Waqf law was made extreme in 2013 for appeasement; if it was not done then this bill might not have been needed. The Waqf board is not a religious body but administrative," he added. Watch LIVE discussion on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha: ALSO READ | If Balasaheb Were Alive Today: Another Round Of Sena Vs Sena In Heated Waqf Bill Debate GOVERNMENT LAND CANNOT BE WAQF LAND Shah alleged that the opposition did not bring in these amendments in 2013, fearing the results of the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. The Congress denied justice, those who were wronged by the law in 2013. If you would have read clearly, you would have known that this bill is prospective and not retrospective. It is the collectors responsibility to keep a record of the properties, what is the problem in that? It is the responsibility of the collector to decide whether the land is government land or not. A lot of religious properties have been built, but it cannot be built on government land; isnt that a requisite?" he asked during the debate. Clarifying once again that there is no retrospective effect of the law, he questioned why there should be any objection to scrutiny of land. Government land cannot be Waqf land. It is a stated principle of the Modi government that we will never bring a law for vote bank politics, but will always bring it for the welfare of the people," he added. NO CITIZEN CAN DARE SAY THEYLL NOT ACCEPT LAW PASSED BY PARLIAMENT Shah further said a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) had been formed that held 38 meetings over the Bill. He said the entire process cannot be dismissed. This is not a family-run place, but a place for elected representatives, and nobody is here because of the blessings of some influential people. How can you deny people the right to appeal through a court? You use the public for vote bank, but we will ensure justice for them," he said, continuing to target the opposition. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Without naming AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, he said one member of Parliament declared that the minorities will not accept this bill. What are you trying to say, and why are you saying such a thing? This law, when enforced, will be binding on every citizen. No citizen can dare say they will not accept a law passed by Parliament," he added. Earlier, Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju tabled the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, in the Lok Sabha, which seeks to improve the functioning of Waqf properties, address complexities, ensure transparency and introduce technology-driven management. Tabling the Bill, which was examined and redrafted by a joint parliamentary committee (JPC), he said the legislation has nothing to do with religion, but deals only with properties. About the Author Oindrila Mukherjee Oindrila Mukherjee is a senior sub-editor who works for the rewrite and breaking news desks. Her nine years of experience in print and digital journalism range from editing and reporting to writing impactful st... Read More Oindrila Mukherjee is a senior sub-editor who works for the rewrite and breaking news desks. Her nine years of experience in print and digital journalism range from editing and reporting to writing impactful st... Read More First Published: April 02, 2025, 18:50 IST Attack On Muslims: Asaduddin Owaisi Tears Copy Of Waqf Bill In Lok Sabha | Watch Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 03, 2025, 11:26 IST Calling it an attack on the minorities, Owaisi said that the government has started a war on his freedom. He further claimed that the amended bill is a violation of Article 14 of the Constitution. Asasuddin Owaisi tears the copy of Waqf Amendment Bill (ANI) Waqf Bill in Lok Sabha: All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi unstapled and teared a copy of the Waqf Amendment Bill while addressing the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. While participating in the debate over the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 in Lok Sabha on Wednesday, the Hyderabad MP attacked the BJP-led Central Government, alleging that Muslims would be treated unfairly through the Waqf Bill. He also unstapled and tore the copy of the bill as a mark to oppose the amendment. Recommended Stories #WATCH | Delhi | AIMIM Chief Asasuddin Owaisi tears the copy of #WaqfAmendmentBill during his remarks in the ongoing debate in the Lok Sabha pic.twitter.com/9P4ZfZUDKE ANI (@ANI) April 2, 2025 The Hyderabad MP cited the example of Mahatma Gandhi while the latter was in South Africa. He said if one reads history, one would find what Mahatma Gandhi had said about the laws of white South Africa. Mahatma Gandhi had said My conscience doesnt accept this and he tore it up. Like Gandhi, I am also tearing up this law. This is unconstitutional. The BJP wants to create divisiveness in this country in the name of temples and mosques. I condemn this and I request you to accept the 10 amendments," he said. Calling it an attack on the minorities, Owaisi said that the government has started a war on his freedom. He further claimed that the amended bill is a violation of Article 14 of the Constitution. This Bill is an attack on Muslims. The Modi government has started a war on my freedom. My mosques, my Dargahs, my Madrasas are on target. This government is not revealing the truth. This Bill violates Article 14- Equal Protection. Limitations will be imposed. By doing so, the encroacher will become the owner, and a non -Muslim will administrate the Waqf Board. This Bill also violates Equality For Law," he said. VIDEO | Parliament Session: Speaking in Lok Sabha, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owais (@asadowaisi) says, I will speak on Waqf (Amendment Bill). This Bill is an attack on Muslims. The Modi government has started a war on my freedom. My mosques, my Dargahs, my Madrasas are on target. pic.twitter.com/sv1Uq1QuDY Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 2, 2025 Owaisi said, Everything is the property of Hindu religion, other religions have their members on their property. But this will not happen only in Waqf. Why do you hate Muslims so much? Home Minister Amit Shah ji said that if this had happened in 2013, we would not have brought it. At that time Rajnath Sahab, Sushma Swaraj, Advani ji were present, then why did you let it pass. I am confused as to who is bigger for you, Atal, Advani or Modi ji." BJP MP Slams Owaisis Act Meanwhile BJP MP and Chairman of the JPC on Waqf, Jagdambika Pal slammed the AIMIM chief for tearing the Bill copy. He said that Owaisis act of tearing the copy of the bill was unconstitutional". #WATCH | Delhi | Chairman of the JPC on Waqf and BJP MP Jagdambika Pal slams AIMIM Chief Asasuddin Owaisi for tearing the #WaqfAmendmentBill during his remarks in the ongoing debate in the Lok Sabha.He says, Asasuddin Owaisi calls the bill unconstitutional, but he has done the pic.twitter.com/7F8p87A2Q2 ANI (@ANI) April 2, 2025 He said, Asasuddin Owaisi calls the bill unconstitutional, but he has done the unconstitutional thing by tearing up the billI want to ask him why he tore the bill?" top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Lok Sabha on Wednesday continued the debate on the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill, with the government resolute in pushing it forward while the Opposition standing united in denouncing it as unconstitutional. (With inputs from agencies) About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He previously worked with Hindustan Times Digital (HTDS) and NDTV. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India ... Read More Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He previously worked with Hindustan Times Digital (HTDS) and NDTV. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India ... Read More First Published: April 02, 2025, 23:39 IST Centre Seeks Report After HC Halts Work On Disputed Land Near Hyderabad University Till Tomorrow Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee Last Updated: April 02, 2025, 22:21 IST The Telangana government's plan to auction 400 acres of ecologically sensitive land in Kancha Gachibowli for the construction of urban infrastructure and an IT park has sparked protests by the students and faculty members of University of Hyderabad Police arrive at the University of Hyderabad, where students are staging a protest demanding removal of earth-moving machinery from the campus. (Image: PTI) The Union environment ministry on Wednesday wrote to the Telangana government, seeking a factual report on the disputed land near the University of Hyderabad soon after the high court halted work in the area for the next 24 hours. The Telangana governments plan to auction 400 acres of ecologically sensitive land in Kancha Gachibowli for the construction of urban infrastructure and an IT park has sparked protests by the students and faculty members of University of Hyderabad (UoH). They also held a rally earlier in the day, where the police allegedly lathicharged them. Recommended Stories The proposed auction of the land is expected to generate up to Rs 15,000 crore for the state government. A statement from the Telangana chief ministers office on Tuesday (April 1) said as per revenue records, the land is not forest land as reported in a section of the media but rather owned by the government". Here is all you need to know about the ongoing dispute: WHAT DID THE CENTRE SAY? In its letter to the Telangana government, the Centre referred to its illegal clearing of vegetation on 400 acres of forest land" near the UoH in the biodiversity-rich Kancha Gachibowli area. The ministry also directed the additional chief secretary (forests), Telangana, to take legal action under forest and wildlife laws as applicable. The ministry has come to know about the illegal felling and removal of vegetation in Kancha Gachibowli village, Ranga Reddy district of Telangana by the Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TGIIC). There have also been various news reports in the print and social media in this regard alleging damage to the wildlife found in the said land, its lakes and the unique rock formations in the area," it said in the letter. It said Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav had also received representations from MPs and other public representatives on the matter. In view of the above, the state government is requested to provide a factual report on the issue immediately. Take legal action under the provisions of the Indian Forest Act (or local Forest Act), Wildlife Protection Act and the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, as applicable, and ensure that there is no violation of any other laws or court and tribunal orders," the letter stated. WHAT DID THE TELANGANA HC SAY? The Telangana High Court has directed the state government to suspend all work on the land parcel until April 3. A bench comprising acting Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Renuka Yara was hearing a batch of PILs seeking a directive from the court to stop the uprooting of trees and land clearing at the Kancha Gachibowli site. The petitioners also challenged the state governments decision to allot the land to the TGIIC, claiming it violated the Forest Conservation Act. On March 30, the TGIIC initiated development work at the Kancha Gachibowli site as per a government order. While posting the matter for further hearing on April 3, the court directed that all work at the site should be stopped. This decision followed a plea from S Niranjan Reddy, counsel for one of the petitioners, who requested the court to intervene stating that tree-cutting was continuing unabated. Advocate General Sudarshan Reddy argued that the petitions were based on Google images, which, as per Supreme Court rulings, are not admissible as evidence. He further contended that the land in question lies outside the Hyderabad Central University (HCU) and has always been earmarked for industrial purposes. WHY ARE STUDENTS PROTESTING? Students of the UoH have continued to protest against the Telangana governments plans to develop the 400-acre land parcel bordering the varsity. They gathered at the main gate of the institution and raised slogans against the Congress government. The University of Hyderabad Students Union (UoHSU) and other unions and parties aligned with it and also the ABVP held separate protests at the university. UoHSU vice president Akash demanded that the police and more than 50 earthmoving machines razing down the forests" in the land should be taken away from the university immediately. The UoHSU has announced an indefinite protest and boycott of classes from Tuesday, demanding the removal of police personnel and earth-moving machinery from the campus. Akash said students and teachers were urged to join the protest on campus and boycott classes. In a joint statement, the UoHSU and other students associations associated with it accused the university administration of betraying" students by facilitating land clearing activities for the state government on 400 acres at Kancha Gachibowli. They also condemned the brutal police crackdown" on peaceful demonstrators. The protesting students demanded a written assurance that the land would be formally registered under the university. Additionally, they called for the public release of minutes of the executive committee meeting held on the issue by the university and greater transparency in land-related documents. WHAT IS THE LAND DISPUTE? The TGIIC has said it has proved its ownership of the land in court and that the university does not own any land in the land parcel in question. Disputes, if any, created on the ownership of land, will be a contempt of the court, it said. It said the state government led by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy is giving top priority to the sustainable development of any local area and conservation of the environment in every plan. The revenue records clearly state that the land is not forest land, it added. With the consent of the university registrar, a survey of the land was conducted in July 2024 in the presence of the university officials for identification of boundaries. The officials finalised the boundaries on the same day," it said. However, the university has said no survey was conducted in July 2024 by the revenue authorities in the campus to demarcate the 400 acres of land resumed by the state government in 2006. The only action taken thus far has been a preliminary inspection of the lands topography, registrar Devesh Nigam said in a statement. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The university also denied the government statement that it has agreed for such demarcation of the land. Countering the universitys claims, official sources pointed out that there are documents which show that the land in question in Kancha Gachibowli has been handed over to the state government in 2004. (With PTI inputs) About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More First Published: April 02, 2025, 22:03 IST Dilemma, Poll Priorities & Samanvay: How INDIA Bloc Is Navigating Choppy Waqf Waters Reported By : CNN-News18 Edited By: Apoorva Misra Last Updated: April 02, 2025, 11:39 IST The Waqf Amendment Bill hurts the core vote bank of many INDIA bloc allies like the TMC, Samajwadi Party, RJD, and Congress and hence, the need to put up a united front Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge in a meeting with floor leaders of the INDIA bloc. (PTI) Where is the Samanvay (coordination) room?" asked the booming voice of TMC Lok Sabha MP Kalyan Banerjee. One of the first to arrive for the coordination meet to firm up the opposition strategy on the Waqf Bill, the Trinamool Congress has, of late, been staying away from any attempt at full coordination or samanvay and unity within the INDIA bloc. At a meeting of Rahul Gandhi with his Lok Sabha colleagues, the MP asked them to speak in one voice and attack the Bill and the government. This despite the fact that not all in the Congress are on the same page. Recommended Stories The Waqf Amendment Bill hurts the core vote bank of many INDIA bloc allies like the TMC, Samajwadi Party, RJD, and Congress. So, the message that all is well in the bloc also points to the vested political compulsions that have brought the allies together. After the first round of meetings, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge made a statement to say that they would all fight and oppose the Bill together. He said: All the opposition parties are united and shall work together on the floor of Parliament to defeat the unconstitutional and divisive agenda of the Modi government on the Waqf Amendment Bill." While Gandhi agreed that we should sound and look one", he made it clear that the voice of the Congress should be the loudest and louder for issues like EPIC, voters list, and Manipur violence among others. This was the reason why on Tuesday, Congresss floor leader of Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi gave a notice on the EPIC issue. For the Congress, the Waqf strategy is a double-edged sword. With Kerala polls next year, and many Catholic and Christian organisations showing support for the Bill, party leaders from Kerala are in a fix. They dont want to openly disagree with the Catholics and priests, yet the party stand is to oppose the Bill on the grounds that it hurts the interests of the minorities. This is why Kerala Congress MPs met to discuss their plan and have decided to remain mum on the issue and not make any out-of-turn comments. At the national level, the Congress is pitching the Bill as targeting a community and, as Jairam Ramesh said, a direct attack on the Constitution and its foundation". The SP, RJD and TMC are naturally opposing the Bill as its their core vote bank. But the Congress wants to balance both its Hindutva and minority agendas. Hence, the dilemma. One more reason why Gandhi wants to actively stay away from a speech on the floor of the House and lay the focus instead on minority speakers is because a section of Congress leaders is worried that a vociferous attack on the Bill could hurt its chances in the Hindi heartland. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Choosing among Catholic, Muslim, and Hindu votes is not an easy task for the Congress. Its also a choice between a party that wants to fight against corruption, but also wants to protect the minorities. For instance, the Triple Talaq Bill, which got a thumbs-up from Muslim women, was opposed by Maulavis and many men. Making the choice was tough for the Congress yet again but it decided to go with the majority sentiment. For the Waqf Bill, the dilemma is apparent and the silence of the Gandhis in the Lok Sabha aptly captures it. About the Author Pallavi Ghosh Pallavi Ghosh has covered politics and Parliament for 15 years, and has reported extensively on Congress, UPA-I and UPA-II, and has now included the Finance Ministry and Niti Aayog in her reportage. She has als... Read More Pallavi Ghosh has covered politics and Parliament for 15 years, and has reported extensively on Congress, UPA-I and UPA-II, and has now included the Finance Ministry and Niti Aayog in her reportage. She has als... Read More First Published: April 02, 2025, 11:39 IST Expelled From BJP, Is Yatnal Trying To Form A KJP Of His Own? Will It Work In His Favour? Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Apoorva Misra Last Updated: April 02, 2025, 13:05 IST Yatnal has aggressively positioned himself as the voice of the Panchamasalis, rallying them around the sentiment that they deserve greater political representation Yatnals grip over the Panchamasali Lingayat community is not one to be ignored. (PTI) Ugadi, the festival marking new beginnings, has sparked a fresh political shake-up in Karnataka. Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, recently expelled BJP MLA and former Union minister, has hinted at launching his own party while dismissing rumours of joining the Congress. A formal announcement is expected around Vijayadashami, Yatnal said. Recommended Stories A source close to Yatnal told News18: Dont look at this as revenge politics. This is not about attacking the BJP or Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Its about ending what the BJP has always stood againstdynastic politicsand also teaching BS Yediyurappa and his son BY Vijayendra a lesson that the party comes first, not family." The Congress was also quick to push away the rumours of Yatnal joining, saying his ideology did not match with theirs. Yatnal, a long-time thorn in the side of the Karnataka BJP, has repeatedly clashed with Yediyurappa and his family. He has accused them of sidelining Hindutva hardliners, engaging in what he terms adjustment politics with Congress leaders, including chief minister Siddaramaiah and deputy CM DK Shivakumar. Each time there were whispers of a leadership change in 2022 or debates about the state party presidents post, Yatnal positioned himself as a strong contender. He has portrayed himself as a leader of the Veerashaiva-Lingayat community, especially among the Panchamasali Lingayatsa significant voter bloc that Yediyurappa once dominated. The Lingayat community, making up around 17 per cent of the electorate, remains a crucial force in Karnatakas politics. If people want a new party, we will establish it on Vijayadashami," Yatnal declared, suggesting Karnatakas political landscape could face a serious shift if he moves forward. STRONGHOLD OVER PANCHAMASALI COMMUNITY Yatnals grip over the Panchamasali Lingayat community is not one to be ignored. The Panchamasalis, a sub-sect of the broader Lingayat community, forms a crucial chunk of Karnatakas electorate. This was the very base that Yediyurappa controlled, making him the undisputed Lingayat strongman in Karnataka. Now, Yatnal is staking his claim, building his own bastion in North Karnataka, particularly in Vijayapura, Bagalkot, and Belagavi. Yatnal has aggressively positioned himself as the voice of the Panchamasalis, rallying them around the sentiment that they deserve greater political representation. He believes his persistent push for their causeespecially his open challenge to Yediyurappawill work in his favour. This is not just about reservations. We want 2D, the category specially created for us by Basavaraj Bommai," Yatnal, a key leader in the Panchamasali Reservation Agitation Committee, had declared in Vijayapura last year. He insists his fight is not for mere electoral gains but for the rightful place of the Panchamasalis in Karnataka. His battle with the state BJP leadership, especially Vijayendra, peaked during the controversy over the Karnataka Waqf Board properties. Vijayendra had planned a state-wide agitation, but Yatnal refused to toe the line. Instead, he led his own parallel agitation in North Karnataka, making it clear he would not follow orders from the state BJP president. He also lashed out at his party leaders, accusing them of shielding land grabbers" instead of acting against corruption. Despite repeated warnings, Yatnal refused to back down, openly calling out BJP leaders for their alleged adjustment politics" with the Congress. The party needs to decidedoes it stand for Hindutva, or is it just here to do business?" he thundered, warning that the BJP was losing credibility among its core Hindu voters. His relentless attacks and defiance only deepened the cracks between him and the state leadership, ultimately paving the way for his third expulsion from the party. Meanwhile, Bangarappa, another BJP leader known to be close to Yatnal, indicated that they plan to approach senior BJP leaders and Hindu mutt heads to get Yatnal reinstated. He argued Yatnals actions were meant to strengthen the party and hold leaders accountable, not work against it. Ramesh Jarkiholi, former minister and BJP MLA, is confident Yatnal will be reinstated. I believe Yatnal will be reinstated, and he will not go on to form a new party," he said, attempting to downplay Yatnals political gamble. However, senior BJP leader Renukacharya, a close associate of BSY, said, Yatnal is pretending to be a Hindu leader while playing the Panchamasali card. Hes only creating further division within the Lingayat community, which has already fractured, with many now gravitating towards the Congress." Yatnals defiancehis refusal to stop making statements against BSY, Vijayendra, and the BJPs functioningled to his suspension three times for indiscipline. His latest expulsion order cited consistent violations of party discipline. In his defence, Yatnal maintains he has never deviated from the BJPs ideology. He argued the Yediyurappa familys dominance over the state BJP leadership could lead to electoral setbacks, claiming that many Hindus feel unrepresented and unprotected under the current leadership. HOW YEDIYURAPPAS KJP WEAKENED BJP In December 2012, Yediyurappas formation of the Karnataka Janata Paksha (KJP) made waves across the state. While the KJP failed to establish itself as a major force, its impact on the BJP was undeniable, leading to the partys loss in the 2013 assembly elections. The KJP drew a significant portion of the Lingayat vote, traditionally the BJPs backbone in Karnataka. This split cost the BJP crucial seats, particularly in Shimoga, Hosanagar, and Shikaripur. The KJP even managed to win several seats previously held by the BJP, further weakening its grip on Karnataka. In Shimoga district alone, the KJP took seven seats that had once been BJP strongholds. The BJP, once a major player, was left with just 24 seats in a district it had previously dominated. The KJPs rise cost the BJP dearly, allowing Congress to take advantage of the split. However, the KJP also faltered. Internal conflicts and a lack of senior leadership stunted its growth. While Yediyurappas appeal among Lingayats and some Muslim voters kept the KJP afloat for a while, it never gained enough momentum to challenge the Congress or the BJP. Shobha Karandlajes entry into the KJP further complicated matters. Her growing influence within the party alienated some of Yediyurappas loyalists, leading to defections. Senior BJP leaders feared having to work under her, further weakening the KJPs appeal. Some leaders, like Yatnal, now claim that the BJPs internal adjustments with the Congress to consolidate power are a repeat of Yediyurappas rebellionone that ended with the KJPs merger back into the BJP in 2014. FATE OF BJPS SPLINTER GROUPS Karnataka has seen several leaders break away from the BJP, but few have managed to sustain themselves politically. While these splinter groups cause temporary disruptions, none have emerged as serious political forces. The KJP, BSR Congress, and KRPP are prime examples of breakaway factions that failed to establish a lasting presence. Yatnals proposed party, should it materialise, faces the same uphill battle. The key lesson from past splinter groups is clear: forming a breakaway party might be easy, but surviving outside the BJP is far more difficult. The partys strong grassroots organisation and its ideological backing from the RSS make it nearly impossible for any new party to replace it. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Yatnals Hindutva and Lingayat-centric rhetoric may attract initial support, but establishing a sustainable alternative in Karnatakas political landscape remains a daunting challenge. Political analysts say history suggests that while Yatnal may succeed in making a political statement, his chances of long-term success are slim. About the Author Rohini Swamy Rohini Swamy, Associate Editor at News18, has been a journalist for nearly two decades in the television and digital space. She covers south India for News18s digital platform. She has previously worked with t... Read More Rohini Swamy, Associate Editor at News18, has been a journalist for nearly two decades in the television and digital space. She covers south India for News18s digital platform. She has previously worked with t... Read More First Published: April 02, 2025, 13:05 IST SP Leader Gifts 'Blue Drum' To UP Deputy CM, Sparks Political Debate Around Meerut Murder Case Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 02, 2025, 14:26 IST The image of SP leader Deepak Ranjan presenting the drum to Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak is going viral on social media and has given rise to a new political debate. Samajwadi party spokesperson presented a blue drum to UP CM Brajesh Pathak at an event in Lucknow. (Image: X) In a dramatic move, a Samajwadi Party spokesperson was seen presenting a blue drum to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak at an event in Lucknow on Tuesday. However, many might question the reference behind such unusual gifting in the political circle. So, to those unfamiliar, the answer is Meerut Murder Case. A murder case that took place in Meerut a few days ago left the entire country in shock when the wife of a Merchant Navy officer, Saurabh Rajput, confessed to having killed him with the help of her lover and hid his body in a blue drum filled with cement to avoid suspicion. Recommended Stories Since then, the blue drum, in which Saurabhs severed body parts were found, has become the talk of the town, along with the flood of memes and posts on social media. SP leader Deepak Ranjan also joined the fervour and took a jibe at the Uttar Pradesh government over the states law and order situation by gifting the blue drum" to Deputy Chief Minister. The exchange of blue drum occurred during the Lantrani Hasya Utsav program in Lucknow, has has escalated the stir over the incident. The image of SP leader Deepak Ranjan presenting the drum to Deputy Chief Minister Pathak is going viral on social media and has given rise to a new political debate. Notably, Saurabhs wife, Muskan Rastogi, along with her lover Sahil Shukla, is in jail and has admitted that she had plunged a butchers knife into her husbands chest while he lay in deep sleep. She then dismembered Saurabhs body with her lover Sahil by her side, packed it into a blue plastic drum, and sealed it with cement turning their home into the scene of a horrifying crime. While both Muskan and Sahil are facing trial in jail, the incident has significantly impacted the sale of blue drums, a common hardware item, in Uttar Pradeshs Aligarh. Blue Drum: A Symbol Of Terror After the blue drum murder came to light, many now view blue drums with dread. Numerous social media reels regarding the blue drum have also intensified the terror. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Meanwhile, drum sellers in Meerut have seen a drastic decline in sales, with buyers now associating the blue drum with the gruesome murder. Shopkeepers were seen appealing to the people that the person who committed the crime is in jail, so what is the fault of the drum in this? About the Author Mahima Joshi Mahima Joshi, Sub-Editor at News18.com, works with the India and Breaking team. Covering national stories and bringing breaking news to the table are her forte. She is deeply interested in Indian politics and a... Read More Mahima Joshi, Sub-Editor at News18.com, works with the India and Breaking team. Covering national stories and bringing breaking news to the table are her forte. She is deeply interested in Indian politics and a... Read More First Published: April 02, 2025, 13:13 IST Legal experts in Virginia say the U.S. Constitution appears to bar President Donald Trump from serving a third term, but the language is sufficiently ambiguous that proponents could try to make a case. Is the Constitution being read in insanely creative ways? Sure, said Henry L. Chambers III, a law professor at the University of Richmond. But he said the 22nd and 12th amendments were meant to preclude the possibility. Ilya Somin, a professor at George Mason Universitys Antonin Scalia Law School, said, To my mind the combination of the two [constitutional amendments] still means someone in Trumps position would not be able to do it. But he said theres a not completely crazy argument on the other side. In a telephone interview Sunday with NBCs Meet the Press Trump told anchor Kristen Welker that he is not joking about the possibility of serving a third term. A lot of people want me to do it, Trump said. But, I mean, I basically tell them we have a long way to go, you know, its very early in the administration. Welker asked Trump about the idea of Vice President JD Vance winning the presidency, then turning over the office to Trump. Thats one scenario, Trump said. There are others, too, he said, declining to elaborate. The 22nd Amendment Franklin Delano Roosevelt was elected president four times: in 1932, 1936, 1940 and 1944. In 1947, two years after Roosevelt died, Congress approved the 22nd Amendment, which says, No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice. States completed ratification in February 1951. Then there is the last sentence of the 12th Amendment to the Constitution, ratified in 1804. It says, No person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States. Does that end the discussion? Not necessarily. Steve Bannon a former top Trump strategist, said earlier this month that he fully expects Trump to run again, and win, in 2028. Well see what the definition of term limit is, Bannon said. A key to that question is whether the Constitution bars a president from being elected to three terms or serving three terms. A huge loophole? Last year Joel A. Ready, a partner at the Cornerstone law firm in Pennsylvania, posted an article on the firms website titled The 22nd Amendment Doesnt Say What You Think it Says. Ready wrote that The 22nd Amendment only requires that someone not be elected to the Presidency more than twice. Someone who was elected to two terms on his own is still eligible to be Vice President and to rise to the Presidency upon the death, resignation or removal of the President. In an accompanying video, Ready said, The 22nd Amendment leaves open a huge loophole that says if you are elected to the office of vice president, the president can resign and you can take over. Chambers said, Theres really no question that the intent behind the 22nd Amendment was to limit an individual to two terms. Now whether the language locks that down in the way modern lawyers assess the Constitution is another question. Somin said, I think the better interpretation is that the loophole doesnt exist and that the 22nd Amendment, in tandem with the 12th Amendment, would preclude Trump from serving a third term as president. But the language is sufficiently ambiguous that proponents of a third Trump term are likely to make a case, said Somin, who also is the B. Kenneth Simon chair in constitutional studies at the Cato Institute. In January a Republican Tennessee congressman, Rep. Andy Ogles, proposed a resolution to amend the 22nd Amendment to allow Trump to serve a third term. Passing a constitutional amendment requires a two-thirds vote in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate and ratification by three-fourths of the states. Given the nations political polarization that appears unlikely. Ready said that a third presidential term probably is unlikely for multiple reasons. For one, Americans might not support the idea. In addition, he said it would be extraordinary for someone like Vance to agree to run for president and then step aside if he won. Ready said there would be nothing to bind Vance to such a promise and preclude him from taking the presidential oath. Ready said Dean Acheson, President Harry Trumans secretary of state, might have the best line on the idea of a third presidential term: It may be more unlikely than unconstitutional. Ready added, We live in interesting times. 'Brahmin Genes' CEO Stirs Debate Online With April Fools Joke On Leaving India Over Reservation Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 02, 2025, 10:09 IST The latest controversy began on April 1 (Tuesday), which is also April Fools' Day, when she shared a post claiming she had received a golden visa for Dubai Anuradha Tiwari is the founder and CEO of JustBurstOut, a content writing company. (image via X/@talk2anuradha) Bengaluru-based entrepreneur Anuradha Tiwari has sparked debate on the social media platform X after announcing she would be leaving India, blaming reservation and freebies" politics for her decision. Tiwari, who is the founder and CEO of JustBurstOut, a content writing company, has a history of sharing controversial posts on her X handle. Even in the past, she had sparked debate after sharing a picture with the phrase Brahmin genes," which drew criticism on the platform. Recommended Stories As for the latest controversy, it began on April 1 (Tuesday), which is also April Fools Day, when she shared a post claiming she had received a golden visa for Dubai. She wrote: Happy News!! Ive received the Golden Visa for Dubai ! Moving there soon. #Reservation and freebies politics forced me to make this decision. No regrets whatsoever only a future built on merit!" Happy News !!Ive received the Golden Visa for Dubai ! Moving there soon. #Reservation and freebies politics forced me to make this decision. No regrets whatsoever only a future built on merit ! pic.twitter.com/7dJJmxuzA1 Anuradha Tiwari (@talk2anuradha) April 1, 2025 The post quickly attracted massive backlash from users on X. Shortly after, Tiwari posted again, claiming she had been flooded with over 1,000 messages in last 3-4 hours" asking how to leave India. However, her second post became more controversial as she wrote: 99% messages are from General Category the only hardworking, meritorious community in India. Now, imagine the future of this country!!" In her third post, Tiwari clarified that her initial message about leaving the country was an April Fools Day joke. She added, So many Reservation lovers are celebrating right now! Well, keep crying Im not leaving MY country in the hands of freeloaders. The fight has just begun. Happy April Fools Day, again!" So many Reservation lovers are celebrating right now !Well, keep crying Im not leaving MY country in the hands of freeloaders. The fight has just begun. Happy April Fools Day, again ! Anuradha Tiwari (@talk2anuradha) April 1, 2025 Her posts sparked significant criticism, with many users accusing her of being a hate monger." One user commented, I was so happy, you disappoint me. See you have fire in you, but tumhara negativity is killing that fire, Use the fire in a positive way, poora life change ho jayega." Another wrote, Her visa canceled after they found she is a hate monger." Other comments included, So funny, try comedy. Youre a clown already. It will be easy," and It doesnt matter if you were going to spew venom anyways and never speak a word against the caste system itself." However, some users sided with Tiwari, praising her stance on the issue of reservations. One user commented, I have criticised you whenever I dont find your posts sensibly fighting evil reservation!! But I support the main cause that reservation is eating up our country and our general caste has had enough! Thanks for sticking around and your constant fight!!" While another said, Thats the only spirit that can save this country." Tiwari, who features the hashtag OneFamilyOneReservation in her X profile bio, has been outspoken against caste-based reservation, often stirring controversy with her blunt remarks. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all She has previously described herself as an unapologetic Brahmin" and expressed frustration that her community does not benefit from reservations or freebies." ALSO READ: Deal With It: Bengaluru CEO Responds To Online Backlash In Row Over Viral Brahmin Genes Post About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More News18's viral page features trending stories, videos , and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: April 02, 2025, 09:43 IST Watch: Pakistani Man Asks Indian Student In Canada His Dream Job, Tips $100 Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: April 02, 2025, 13:10 IST The entrepreneur generously offered to sponsor Navneets education at barber school. Navneet shared that he is from Punjab, India. (Photo Credits: Instagram) A small act of kindness can have a powerful ripple effect, as seen in a recent interaction between a Pakistani YouTuber and an Indian student in Canada. Hamza Aziz, a Pakistani immigrant working as a nurse, runs the YouTube channel What Motivated You, where he interviews people about their career inspirations. During one such encounter, his generous tip to an Indian student sparked a chain reaction of heartwarming gestures from strangers. In one of his videos, an Indian student named Navneet arrived at his place to deliver food as an Uber delivery driver. Hamza pointed out that the food was incorrect and Navneet offered to go back to the restaurant to get the right order. Impressed by Navneets dedication, Hamza tipped him C$100 (around Rs 6,000) and asked what inspired him to do his current job. Navneet revealed he is from Punjab, living away from his family and hoping to open his own barbershop in Canada. Recommended Stories Navneet lives alone in Canada, far from his family, sacrificing comfort for a dream. But hes not just delivering food hes also chasing passion. In his free time, Navneet cuts hair. Its something he genuinely loves. Hes talented, passionate, and dreams of one day opening his very own barbershop in Canada," Hamza wrote in the caption. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hamza Aziz (@whatmotivatedyou) The video went viral and received over four million views. An entrepreneur saw the footage and offered to sponsor Navneets barber school education. In the second part of the video, Hamza shared that a GoFundMe page was set up where many people donated money to buy Navneet new haircut tools for his barber training. Later, as a gesture of thanks for all the support, Navneet invited Hamza over for a haircut. During the cut, Navneet opened up about his longing for his family in India whom he hasnt seen in over 4 years and his dream to make them proud by opening his own barbershop in Canada one day," Hamza shared in the caption. Navneets journey is a reminder that when you follow your passion, anything is possible," he added. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hamza Aziz (@whatmotivatedyou) The videos not only attracted views but also drew mixed reactions from social media users. One user expressed, Hardworking man! What a dignity! Saving up to open my salon." Another added, Tough times would definitely make you honestNo matter what youre doing in life!" top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all There are great people everywhere, hard to find nowadays," someone remarked. However, a few questioned why he chose to follow his passion in Canada instead of staying in India with one user writing, So he came to Canada to become a barber! They dont have barber schools in Punjab!! Hes more than welcome to move back if he misses his family." About the Author Buzz Staff A team of writers at News18.com bring you stories on whats creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture. A team of writers at News18.com bring you stories on whats creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture. News18's viral page features trending stories, videos , and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: April 02, 2025, 13:10 IST Whats On Michelin Star Restaurant's Menu In Copenhagen? Butterflies, Pig Blood Dessert And Curated By : moneycontrol.com Last Updated: April 02, 2025, 14:04 IST The elaborate menu featured edible butterflies, lamb brain mousse, jellyfish and chocolate shaped like a coffin and blood drop dessert. A video of a meal at Copenhagen's Alchemist restaurant is viral. (Image Credit: Instagram) Ever wondered how it is to eat at a two-Michelin starred restaurant? A woman documented her five-hour, $700 dining experience at Copenhagens two-Michelin-starred Alchemist restaurant and it is not for the faint-hearted. The elaborate menu featured edible butterflies, lamb brain mousse, jellyfish and chocolate shaped like a coffin and blood drop dessert, as per the video shared by her on social media which has since gone viral. Recommended Stories Everything I ate at my 5-hour, $700, 2 Michelin-star dinner at Alchemist Copenhagen, Denmark," read the text overlay on the video. In the clip, the woman shared all the dishes she ate. The dinner began with crunchy oxidised apple juice followed by appetisers including a puffed gluten ball topped with langoustine, caviar and cream. After this were edible butterflies presented on nettle leaves. Our server explained that the butterflies were farmed, highlighting the potential use of insects as sustainable protein sources," she said. Then fluffy dumplings with a cotton candy-like texture, a delicate jellyfish dish in herb broth and an eye-shaped gel inspired by George Orwells 1984, filled with caviar and razor clams, were next on the menu. She said, I had caviar on top of freeze-dried soy sauce that just melted in my mouth. This soft-pointed oval was their version of an omelet filled with a rich mix of egg, cheese and truffle. The next dish was a fried, mocha ball stuffed with gooey cheese and ham. The last bite in the lounge was a cold meringue with buckthorn marmalade inside." We also had chicken feet presented in a small cage, symbolising the inhumane conditions of caged farming. After that, a deboned chicken foot that was served with a fragrant Tom Yum broth," she said. The dessert included a blood-drop treat made from pig and deers blood. It had a slightly metallic taste," she said. Watch the video here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tiff (@greenonionbun) Netizens React To Viral Michelin Restaurant Video top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Several users reacted to the post with one saying, People will literally eat anything if you convince them that its trendy" while another said, This is what they serve in hell." A third commented, Mold, butterflies, jellyfish, live bugs, lamb brain, chicken feet, bunny rabbit. It highlights cruel animal conditions and youre eating the animals they killed for this exhibit? Are you ok?" About the Author Mallika Soni When not reading, this ex-literature student can be found searching for an answer to the question, "What is the purpose of journalism in society?" When not reading, this ex-literature student can be found searching for an answer to the question, "What is the purpose of journalism in society?" News18's viral page features trending stories, videos , and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! Location : Copenhagen, Denmark First Published: April 02, 2025, 14:04 IST China Ready To Buy More Goods From India, Beijing's Envoy Says As US Tariffs Loom Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 02, 2025, 15:09 IST Beijing's ambassador to New Delhi Xu Feihong said, "We are willing to work with the Indian side to strengthen practical cooperation in trade and other areas." Amid uncertainty over tariffs, China said that the US should return to the right track of dialogue and cooperation. (AP File Photo) China said that it is ready to import more products from India and strengthen trade cooperation as US President Donald Trumps Liberation Day" tariffs are set to be announced today. Beijings ambassador to New Delhi Xu Feihong asked Indian enterprises to share dividends of Chinas development". He told Chinese state-backed newspaper the Global Times in an interview, We are willing to work with the Indian side to strengthen practical cooperation in trade and other areas, and to import more Indian products that are well-suited to the Chinese market." Recommended Stories We also welcome more Indian enterprises to cross the Himalayas and seek opportunities for cooperation in China, sharing the dividends of Chinas development," he said. China hopes India will create a fair and transparent business climate for its companies, he said. This comes after Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to his Indian counterpart Droupadi Murmu to mark the 75th anniversary of the start of their diplomatic ties. Donald Trumps Tariff Threats Donald Trump is set to unveil new Liberation Day" tariffs promising that they will stop America from being ripped off" and will deliver a new golden age" of US companies. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Tariffs are about making America rich again and making America great again. And its happening, and it will happen rather quickly," he said in a joint address to US Congress in March. Amid uncertainty over tariffs, China said that the US should return to the right track of dialogue and cooperation at an early date but if war is what the US wants, be it a tariff war, a trade war or any other type of war, were ready to fight till the end." About the Author Mallika Soni When not reading, this ex-literature student can be found searching for an answer to the question, "What is the purpose of journalism in society?" When not reading, this ex-literature student can be found searching for an answer to the question, "What is the purpose of journalism in society?" Location : China First Published: April 02, 2025, 15:09 IST Donald Trump Announces 27% Discounted Reciprocal Tariff On Indian Goods Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 03, 2025, 14:47 IST Trump said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a great friend of his and noted that the US had not imposed tariffs on India for many years. US President Donald Trump. Signalling a tougher stance on trade policies, US president Donald Trump on Thursday (Indian Time) announced a 27% reciprocal tariff on Indian goods. While announcing plans for sweeping Liberation Day" tariffs, Trump said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a great friend of his and noted that the US had not imposed tariffs on India for many years. Recommended Stories Along with India, the US will now impose a 34% import tax on Chinese goods, 20% on imports from the European Union, 25% on South Korean products, 24% on Japanese goods, and 32% on Taiwanese imports. The President also declared a 10% baseline tax on imports from all countries and higher tariff rates on nations that run trade surpluses with the United States. I will sign a historic Executive Order instituting reciprocal tariffs on countries throughout the world. Reciprocal that means: they do it to us, and we do it to them," he said at the Make America Wealthy Again Event. #WATCH | Washington | Speaking at the Make America Wealthy Again Event, US President Donald Trump says, In a few moments, I will sign a historic executive order instituting reciprocal tariffs on countries throughout the world. Reciprocal: That means they do it to us and we do it pic.twitter.com/8xwuQlx6hb ANI (@ANI) April 2, 2025 Trump further imposed a 25% tariff on all foreign-made automobiles. While pointing out the disparity in motorcycle tariffs, he stated that while the United States imposes only a 2.4% tariff, countries like India and Vietnam charge significantly higher rates at 70% and 75%, respectively. Such horrendous imbalances have devastated our industrial base and put our national security at risk. I dont blame these other countries at all for this calamity. I blame former presidents and past leaders who werent doing their job Effective at midnight, we will impose a 25% tariff on all foreign-made automobiles," he said. #WATCH | Washington | Speaking at the Make America Wealthy Again Event, US President Donald Trump says, The United States charges other countries only a 2.4 tariff on motorcycles. Meanwhile, Thailand and others are charging much higher prices like India charges 70%, Vietnam pic.twitter.com/ald75ewMRe ANI (@ANI) April 2, 2025 top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Trump has said his reciprocal tariff plans are a move to equalise generally lower US tariff rates with those charged by other countries and counteract their non-tariff barriers that disadvantage US exports. India imposes their own uniquely burdensome and/or duplicative testing and certification requirements in sectors such as chemicals, telecom products, and medical devices that make it difficult or costly for American companies to sell their products in India. If these barriers were removed, it is estimated that US exports would increase by at least $5.3 billion annually," the White House said in a statement. About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He previously worked with Hindustan Times Digital (HTDS) and NDTV. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India ... Read More Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He previously worked with Hindustan Times Digital (HTDS) and NDTV. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India ... Read More Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: April 03, 2025, 02:22 IST Donald Trump's Tariffs For The World Are Coming: What To Expect On Liberation Day Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 02, 2025, 07:24 IST Donald Trump's Tariff Announcement: The White House said Donald Trump is willing to negotiate with foreign governments and corporate leaders who seek lower rates. US President Donald Trump US President Donald Trump is set to announce reciprocal tariffs on April 2 which will go into effect immediately after which auto tariffs will proceed as scheduled on April 3, the White House said. Donald Trump has vowed to impose a series of reciprocal tariffs on what he calls Liberation Day". The reciprocal tariffs are part of a series of import levies that Donald Trump has imposed since taking office on January 20. This includes high tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, sector-specific tariffs on metals, and, more recently, on imported automobiles. Recommended Stories What Is Donald Trumps Strategy Behind Global Tariffs? White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that Donald Trump is spending Tuesday perfecting" a tariff strategy alongside his trade advisors. She said, My understanding is that the tariff announcement will come tomorrow. He is with his trade and tariff team right now, perfecting it to make sure this is a perfect deal for the American people and the American workers, and you will all find out in about 24 hours from now." What Could Donald Trumps Tariffs Entail? Karoline Leavitt said that Donald Trump is willing to negotiate with foreign governments and corporate leaders who seek lower rates. She said, Of course, the president is always available to take a call, always available for a good negotiation, but he is very much concerned with righting the wrongs of the past and demonstrating that American workers get a fair deal." How Big Are The Tariffs Going To Be? top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The White House has not said how high the tariffs could be. On the campaign trail last year, Donald Trump backed a 10% across-the-board tariff on all imports coming into the US but he has also suggested that this could be 20% or even 60% on imports from China. Very simply, its if they charge us, we charge them," he said earlier. About the Author Mallika Soni When not reading, this ex-literature student can be found searching for an answer to the question, "What is the purpose of journalism in society?" When not reading, this ex-literature student can be found searching for an answer to the question, "What is the purpose of journalism in society?" Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: April 02, 2025, 07:15 IST Elon Musk Claims US Institute Of Peace Deleted 'Terabyte' Of Data To 'Cover Their Crimes' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 02, 2025, 14:17 IST Musk made the accusation while responding to a post on X, which detailed the efforts made by DOGE and law enforcement agencies to uncover fraud at the think tank A stop sign outside the US Institute of Peace in Washington, DC. (AFP file photo) Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), on Wednesday accused the US Institute of Peace (USIP) of deleting a terabyte of financial data" in an attempt to cover up their alleged crimes. Musk made the accusation while responding to a post detailing the efforts made by DOGE and law enforcement agencies to uncover fraud at the think tank. The USIP is a government-funded organisation focused on preventing and resolving global conflicts. Recommended Stories Musk claimed that despite USIPs attempt to erase crucial data, DOGE had successfully recovered the information. DOGE is an initiative formed during Donald Trumps second term, aimed at reducing public sector spending. They deleted a terabyte of financial data to cover their crimes, but they dont understand technology, so we recovered it," Musk said on X. They deleted a terabyte of financial data to cover their crimes, but they dont understand technology, so we recovered it Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 1, 2025 The post that Musk responded to outlined how DOGE, with assistance from the FBI and Metro Police, fought for days to access the US Institute of Peaces records. The DOGE team fought for days to gain access to the United States Institute of Peace. Eventually, with help from the FBI and Metro Police DOGE was able to access the agency and discovered massive fraud, waste and abuse-including payments to Taliban and Iraq," the post read. DOGE: The DOGE team fought for days to gain access to the United States Institute of Peace. Eventually, with help from the FBI and Metro Police DOGE was able to access the agency and discovered massive fraud, waste and abuse-including payments to Taliban and Iraq. pic.twitter.com/VymOebovfY @amuse (@amuse) March 31, 2025 Reposting the users post with a comment, Musk also took the opportunity to mock the USIP, saying, Any government institution is most likely to be the opposite of its name." The US Institute of Peace was established during former US President Ronald Reagans administration. According to a description on usa.gov, the USIP promotes research, policy analysis, education, and training on international peace and conflict resolution in an effort to prevent and resolve violent conflicts, and to promote post-conflict stability." However, its official website has since been taken down. In February, US President Donald Trump had signed an executive order aimed at reducing the size of the Federal Government, including actions against the US Institute of Peace, which is now under DOGEs purview. The order had stated the goal of increasing accountability within government institutions. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all George Foote, who served as counsel to the USIP till he was dismissed by DOGE, is now involved in legal proceedings seeking to prevent the dismissal of top officials at the institute. Foote is challenging the legality of DOGEs actions in court. (With inputs from agencies) About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: April 02, 2025, 14:06 IST Will Elon Musk Soon Step Down From DOGE Role? White House Reacts Published By : Reuters Last Updated: April 03, 2025, 02:06 IST President Trump and Elon Musk have decided that Musk will soon step back from his government role. Musk's term as a special government employee is set to end by May. US President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk speak to the press as they stand next to a Tesla Cybertruck on the South Portico of the White House in Washington, DC. (IMAGE: AFP) The White House said on Wednesday that tech billionaire Elon Musk will stay on his government role to complete his mission to slash government spending and downsize the federal workforce, dismissing media reports that he will leave the role soon. Earlier it was reported that US President Donald Trump has told members of his Cabinet and other close contacts that Musk will soon step back from his government role, as per Politico citing three people close to Trump. Recommended Stories Trump has tasked the Tesla and SpaceX CEO with leading efforts through the Department of Government Efficiency to cut government funding and reshape the federal bureaucracy. Elon Musk and President Trump have both publicly stated that Elon will depart from public service as a special government employee when his incredible work at DOGE is complete," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said. Politico had reported that both Trump and Musk decided in recent days that Musk will soon return to his businesses, but gave no specific date. Shares of some companies, including government contracting companies, rose following the report. Shares of Musks Tesla, which were down 2% in early trading after a sharper-than-expected fall in first-quarter deliveries, reversed course and were up 3%. Trump and Musk have both recently indicated that Musk would move on but have not said when. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Asked if he wanted Musk to stay longer than his 130-day term, Trump told reporters on Monday: I think hes amazing, but I also think hes got a big company to run. At some point, hes going to be going back. He wants to." Based on a 130-day term, Musks time as a special government employee would be set to end as soon as the end of May. He told Fox News last week that he was confident he would finish most of the work to cut $1 trillion in federal spending. About the Author Shankhyaneel Sarkar Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev... Read More Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev... Read More Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: April 02, 2025, 21:56 IST Israel Expands Gaza Offensive To Seize Large Areas Of Land, Issues New Evacuation Orders Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 02, 2025, 10:34 IST Israel-Hamas War: Israels military ordered residents in Gazas southern Rafah area to leave their homes and move north. Israel-Hamas War: Israeli tanks return from the Gaza Strip after completing a mission. (Reuters file photo) Israel-Hamas War: Israel announced a major expansion of the militarys operation in Gaza which will involve the seizure of large areas of land that would be incorporated into Israels security zones". Israels Defense Minister Israel Katz said that the operation will involve a large-scale evacuation of Gazas population from combat zones"- without specifying details. Recommended Stories The military operation would expand to crush and clear the area of terrorists and terror infrastructure, while seizing large areas that will be incorporated into Israels security zone", he said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Israels military ordered residents in Gazas southern Rafah area to leave their homes and move north. This comes after it was reported last month that Israel was making plans for a potential major ground offensive in Gaza that would involve sending tens of thousands of troops. About the Author Mallika Soni When not reading, this ex-literature student can be found searching for an answer to the question, "What is the purpose of journalism in society?" When not reading, this ex-literature student can be found searching for an answer to the question, "What is the purpose of journalism in society?" Location : Israel First Published: April 02, 2025, 10:34 IST Myanmar Man Pulled 'Alive' From Wreckage Five Days After Devastating Quake Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 02, 2025, 09:59 IST A man was pulled alive from the rubble of a Myanmar hotel on Wednesday, officials said, five days after a devastating earthquake hit the country. Commuters drive past a building that collapsed, in the aftermath of a strong earthquake, in Mandalay, Myanmar. (IMAGE: REUTERS) Nearly five days after a horrific and devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake hit Myanmar, a man was pulled alive from the rubble of a hotel on Wednesday, fire service officials said. The 26-year-old was freed by a joint team of Myanmar and Turkish rescuers from the ruins of the building in the capital Naypyidaw around 12:30 am (1800 GMT on Tuesday), AFP reported. Recommended Stories This comes after rescue workers on Tuesday saved a 63-year-old woman from the rubble of a building in Myanmars capital. According to reports, the violent earthquake killed more than 2,700 people, with 4,521 others injured and 441 missing. The figures are widely expected to rise. The earthquake hit a wide swath of the country, leaving many areas without power, telephone or cell connections and damaging roads and bridges, leaving the full extent of the devastation hard to assess. Most of the reports so far have come from Mandalay, Myanmars second-largest city, which was near the epicentre of the earthquake, and Naypyitaw. Meanwhile, the country has also suffered an extensive structural damage. The World Health Organization (WHO) said that more than 10,000 buildings overall are known to have collapsed or been severely damaged in central and northwest Myanmar. The earthquake also rocked neighbouring Thailand, causing a high-rise building under construction to collapse and burying many workers. In Myanmar, search and rescue efforts across the affected area paused briefly at midday on Tuesday as people stood for a minute in silent tribute to the dead. The Myanmar military governments official Global New Light of Myanmar on Tuesday reported that a team of Chinese rescuers saved four people the day before from the ruins of the Sky Villa, a large apartment complex that collapsed during the quake. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all They included a 5-year-old and a pregnant woman who had been trapped for more than 60 hours. About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More Location : Myanmar (Burma) First Published: April 02, 2025, 09:39 IST On 75th Anniversary Of India-China Ties, Beijing Says 'Willing To Work' With New Delhi Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 02, 2025, 12:51 IST Chinas foreign ministry said that it is willing to work with India and is viewing the bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term perspective. India has earlier already imposed anti-dumping duty on several products to tackle cheap imports from various countries, including China. (Credits: Shutterstock) China is ready to work with India to advance diplomatic ties and stable bilateral relations, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said. As Beijing and New Delhi mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Chinas foreign ministry said that it is willing to work with India and is viewing the bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term perspective" to boost strategic mutual trust and deepen exchanges across fields. Recommended Stories MOFA: China is willing to work with India, viewing the bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term perspective" to boost strategic mutual trust and deepen exchanges across fields. pic.twitter.com/tHjT1daesu Xu Feihong (@China_Amb_India) April 2, 2025 Both China and India are ancient civilizations, major developing countries and important members of the Global South, and both are in a crucial stage of modernization, the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said. Earlier, President Droupadi Murmu and her Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping exchanged congratulatory messages. Chinese Premier Li Qiang also exchanged congratulatory messages with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Chinese President Xi Jinping said the bilateral relations should take the form of a dragon-elephant tango a dance between their emblematic animals. Xi Jinping said it was the right choice for India and China to be partners of mutual achievement as evidenced by the development of bilateral relations, as per a statement carried by state-run Xinhua News Agency. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Both countries should jointly promote a multipolar world and greater democracy in international relations, Xi Jinping said. The development of China-India relations demonstrates that it is the right choice for China and India to be partners of mutual achievement and realise the dragon-elephant tango, which fully serves the fundamental interests of both countries and their peoples," he said. About the Author Mallika Soni When not reading, this ex-literature student can be found searching for an answer to the question, "What is the purpose of journalism in society?" When not reading, this ex-literature student can be found searching for an answer to the question, "What is the purpose of journalism in society?" Location : Beijing, China First Published: April 02, 2025, 12:49 IST Over 1 Lakh Members Of Hasinas Awami League Fled To India, Claims Bangladesh Advisor Last Updated: April 02, 2025, 08:19 IST The adviser said that the government has already formed a commission to investigate enforced disappearances. After the fall of her government in August, Sheikh Hasina is maintaining low profile and is staying closely connected to a select group of trusted Awami League leaders. (Reuters File Photo) Bangladesh interim governments Information Advisor Mahfuj Alam on Tuesday claimed that more than one lakh members of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasinas Awami League have fled to India, according to media reports. Alam made the remark during an Eid gathering in Dhaka attended by families of individuals allegedly disappeared or killed during Hasinas tenure, Bangladeshi news portal bdnews24.com said. Recommended Stories Human rights group Mayer Dak" organised the event in the citys Tejgaon area, said a press release. Criticising Hasina, Mahfuj said she used enforced disappearances and killings as a means of avenging her parents assassination, state-run news agency BSS reported. The highest number of enforced disappearances occurred in 2013 and 2014 when people were fighting for their voting rights. The main objective behind these actions was to destroy the electoral system," he said. The adviser said that the government has already formed a commission to investigate enforced disappearances. Based on the commissions recommendations, arrest warrants have been issued against several individuals involved in enforced disappearances. Additionally, investigations against many others are still ongoing," Alam said. Coming down heavily on the previous government, he stated that those who opposed the Awami League politically were labelled as terrorists and militants before being forcibly disappeared. Their families were also subjected to fear and intimidation, the adviser said, adding that various state institutions were used to carry out such disappearances. The adviser claimed Hasina is still hatching conspiracies against the country staying in India, which is very unfortunate. He accused the Awami League of operating as a mafia group" and vowed that the party would never be allowed to regain political footing in Bangladesh. It is unfortunate that India has chosen to shelter her and her terrorist forces. We have learnt that nearly 100,000 Awami League members have taken refuge there," he was quoted as saying. Hasinas 16-year-long Awami League regime was toppled on August 5 last year in a student-led violent mass uprising. Since then, 77-year-old Hasina has been living in India after secretly leaving Bangladesh. She has been facing over 100 cases, including that of mass murder and corruption, since her ouster. Most of her party leaders and ministers in her government were arrested or fled abroad to evade trial on charges like crimes against humanity or mass murders. After her ouster, Muhammad Yunus took charge as the Chief Adviser of the interim government. Hasinas Awami League is absent from Bangladeshs political domain. Alam, one of the leaders of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, was a key figure in the July protests that ultimately led to the dramatic fall of Hasina. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Hasina and several of her senior ministers and political aides have been indicted by Bangladeshs domestic International Crimes Tribunal for committing crimes against humanity during the Students Against Discrimination-led protest. The tribunal was originally instituted during the past regime to try collaborators of Pakistani military actions to carry on genocide during Bangladeshs 1971 Liberation War. Location : Bangladesh First Published: April 02, 2025, 07:19 IST US Billionaire Reveals Why He Rejected His Son's Job Request, Made Him Earn His Stripes Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 02, 2025, 09:42 IST Instead of giving a job to Jon Paul in his company, Jorge Perez encouraged him to gain experience elsewhere before considering a role in the family business. Billionaire Jorge Perez. (Related Groups.com) In a surprising move, billionaire Jorge Perez revealed that he had rejected his son Jon Pauls bid to join the familys real estate firm, Related Group. Perezs unexpected response left Paul surprised and determined to prove himself. In an interview with CNBCs Inside Wealth, Perez said that after completing college, Paul approached him about joining the family business. However, instead of giving a job to Paul in his company, Perez encouraged him to gain experience elsewhere before considering a role in the family business. Recommended Stories Youre not going to work for me," Mr Perez recalled to CNBCs Inside Wealth. He added that he did not want to risk his reputation managing their $60 billion asset by hiring his son, just because theyre related. Jorge Perez said that he sent Paul to work for a close friend and business partner to prove his abilities. Following graduation from the University of Miami, Jon Paul Perez begrudgingly relocated to New York to carve out his path. Perez said that he had already told all his children that they had to spend at least five years working in the tough New York real estate market before joining his firm. He also said that he had asked to get a masters degree from a top business school. He had a strict policy that his children wouldnt automatically follow in his footsteps just because of the financial benefits; they had to forge their paths. I told them, just because Ive been successful in real estate, dont pick something you dont have a passion for. Because life is very tough the way it is and if you wake up every day and do something just for making money or that you dont like, its not going to work. I didnt want the rest of the company to feel that they were brought in because of their last name," Mr Perez said. Paul began his career as an analyst at Related Companies, owned by billionaire Stephen Ross, a family friend and former investor in his fathers company. He later earned an MBA from Northwestern Universitys esteemed Kellogg School of Management, ranked the nations No. 3 business school by Fortune. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all By 2012, he had gained enough experience to join Related Group, but his father didnt hand him a top role. Instead, Jon Paul began by overseeing the rental division and gradually rose through the ranks. His perseverance paid off, as he and his brother Nick are now assuming co-CEO roles at Related Group, while their father transitions to executive chairman. Both have earned their positions in the company, having worked for over a decade in responsible positions both outside and inside the company," Perez said. Location : New York, United States of America (USA) First Published: April 02, 2025, 09:40 IST Benton Countys union is going toe to toe with the county over payments made or not made for a recent snow day, just months after a strike brought tension between the two to a head. On Feb. 13, snow pummeled the mid-Willamette Valley, and Benton County closed its offices to the public for the entire day. According to an email to Benton County employees, those able to telework were expected to work their regular schedule. Some deemed essential employees also ended up working in person, according to a later email. Following the closure, Deputy Director of Finance Debbie Sessions directed unionized employees who did not work that day to use accruals or paid time off, a finite amount of money earned but not yet paid out on their timesheet for Feb. 13. She cited the collective bargaining agreement reached between the union and the county and approved on Dec. 3 as the reasoning for the instruction. According to Benton Countys Public Information Officer Anne Thwaits, nonrepresented county employees who were unable to work from home were paid for their normally scheduled hours. However, only one nonrepresented employee used that option. Grievance filed On Feb. 24, Benton Countys union AFSCME Local 2064 filed a grievance with Sessions, stating the directive to use accruals was in direct violation of Article 9.3 of the bargaining agreement, which has real-world consequences. Employees will either lose earned accruals unjustly or be in a Leave Without Pay Status, the grievance reads. According to union steward Joe Moore, this affects about 40 to 50 government workers. To understand the different sides requires getting into the weeds of the latest contract, reached just a few months ago. Section 9.3 of the bargaining agreement, titled Declared Emergency, states that if calamitous circumstances warrant, the Board of Commissioners may declare an emergency and close all part of county operations. In the event that the Board of Commissioners determine either all or part(s) of county operations are closed or a county-occupied building is unsafe, during a work shift, regular wages shall continue until the end of that shift, it continues. Thereafter, those employees who are not required to report to work, in person or remotely, shall be paid their regular wages for hours scheduled to work through the following work day, and not be required to utilize accruals. The county's perspective The countys perspective is that, because an official emergency was never declared for Feb.13, this language is not applicable. According to records obtained by Mid-Valley Media, Sessions views her instructions as consistent with several years of past practice and in line with Article 9.1 of the agreement, Leave Due to Disaster. Article 9.1 states, In the event of a disaster which destroys or renders a county-occupied building unsafe or inaccessible, the employees who work in that building may be provided work at an alternate location, telework options or if no other work is available, released and their regular pay shall continue until the end of that working day. "Thereafter, with prior supervisory approval, the employee may be allowed to continue telework or work at an alternative location or if no other work is available, may use authorized leave accruals until exhausted or until the employee is called back to work. But the union demands that those who are not deemed essential employees and not required to work remotely or in-person code their hours as county paid and have accruals applied by HR restored to the employees bank. You dont get to tell people. You cant come to work if the office is closed, and then tell people Oh, youll have to use your vacation if you want to get paid because we closed your office, Moore said. Because the county closed on the 13th the date of the actual disaster despite announcing that closure the previous day, the first half of 9.1 ought to apply to the 13th, Moore said, with regular pay continuing for those who couldnt work. In the strike's shadow The disagreement follows the first labor strike in county history, and almost a year of strained negotiations between the county and AFSCME. According to Moore, when the union and the county finished bargaining, the latter said they wanted a fresh start. To him, though, this doesnt feel like one. When AFSCME initially filed its grievance, Sessions sent an email to Human Resources Director Tracy Martineau that simply said, Surprise surprise. On March 4, Sessions returned the grievance to AFSCME, citing deficiencies, including a lack of clarity around how the direction to code time breached contract language. AFSCMEs council representative Rolando Figueroa responded on March 7, saying this was not a grievance deficiency. If you dont agree with the grievance that should be explained in your response, he wrote. On March 20, Sessions denied the resubmitted grievance. Among other, smaller identified deficiencies, she pointed to Article 9.3, the section of contract leveled by the union in its complaint. An Emergency Declaration is an official designation under county code. The Board of Commissioners made no such emergency declaration, (therefore) Section 9.3 does not apply, Sessions wrote. This grievance is denied for the technical flaws noted above, as well as on the lack of merit. When contacted by Mid-Valley Media, Sessions declined to comment, citing a provision in the bargaining agreement that exempts disclosure of ongoing grievance proceedings. Additional, related grievances have been filed by AFSCME, one of which concerns essential workers who were allegedly instructed to leave early and then told to use accruals for the remainder of the day, according to records obtained by Mid-Valley Media. Now that the resubmittal for the primary grievance has been denied, AFSCME will be elevating to a Step 2 Grievance, which allows the union to expand its argument and begin crafting the language for potential adjudication, according to Moore. Alex Powers contributed to this report. Related stories: Four people on a private space mission that launched Monday night are going from pole to pole to pole in a first-of-its-kind orbit. The SpaceX mission, which will last three to five days, was financed by cryptocurrency billionaire Chun Wang, the New York Times reports. The Fram2 mission on a fully automated SpaceX Dragon spacecraft is the first on an orbit that crosses the North and South poles, which previous human spaceflights have not attempted because of the extra fuel costs involved, reports Scientific American . The capsule takes around 46 minutes to go from pole to pole. Wang. 42, was born in China but he gained Maltese citizenship in 2023 and he is the first citizen of that country to travel to space, reports the Times of Malta. He hasn't disclosed how much he paid SpaceX for the mission but experts estimate it could be more than $55 million for each seat. The fellow crew members Wang selected are Norwegian filmmaker Jannicke Mikkelsen, German robotics researcher Rabea Rogge, and Eric Philips, a polar explorer from Australia, the AP reports. Mikkelsen is the first Norwegian woman in space and Rogge is the first German woman in space. The crew will carry out 22 experiments, including the first human X-rays in space, though the polar orbit, which is often traveled by spy and weather satellites, isn't essential for any of them. The only reason for the orbit appears to be "the desire for some novel gimmick," according to Scientific Americanbut the spacecraft has captured some impressive views of polar regions. Connecticut police have released more than 100 photos showing the inside of a home where a 32-year-old man said he started a fire in a desperate attempt to free himself from more than 20 years of captivity. The man, whose name has not been disclosed, was emaciated and weighed only 69 pounds when he was rescued from the two-story house in Waterbury after starting the fire on Feb. 17. He said he was locked in a small room for most of every day and given limited food and water since he was about 11 years old. He is recovering under medical care at an undisclosed location. The photos, obtained by the AP through a public records request late Monday, show a cluttered home with fire damage on the second floor, where the man said he was held captive. Some of the photos show a door frame with a metal slide lock, matching a police description of a lock they said was on the outside of the door to the man's room. Waterbury police said Tuesday that they could not provide information on what each photo shows. An air traffic control supervisor was arrested Friday after allegedly assaulting a colleague in the control tower at Ronald Reagan National Airport. Damon Marsalis Gaines, 39, of Maryland, was charged with misdemeanor assault and battery, according to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. He allegedly punched a colleague Thursday during an altercation about operations, requiring other employees in the control tower to step away from their duties communicating with aircraft to restrain Gaines, sources tell the Washington Post . The airports authority only mentioned "reports of an incident in the ATC control tower at DCA." The Federal Aviation Administration, which manages air traffic operations at the airport, declined to say what prompted the incident, but noted "the employee is on administrative leave while we investigate the matter," per the New York Times. Online records indicate Gaines has been an air traffic controller since at least 2015, per the Post. He was booked into Arlington County Jail and released. The incident follows a series of troubling incidents at Reagan National Airport, including January's midair collision that resulted in 67 deaths. There was a close call between a commercial plane and an Air Force jet on Friday. The next day, a kite struck a landing plane. Amid the ongoing fallout from Signalgate, three US officials have come forward to accuse President Trump's national security adviser, Mike Waltz, and his team of using his personal Gmail account to conduct government business. The Washington Post also reviewed documents, including emails, corroborating the officials' allegations. Gmail is not as secure as Signal, and while the sources say the information for which he used that email was not particularly sensitive, the Post notes it included info such as Waltz's schedule that could still be "exploited." At least one aide, however, is accused of using Gmail to send sensitive military information in an email the Post reviewed. A National Security Council spokesperson says he has no evidence Waltz has used Gmail as described by the sources, and that he "didn't and wouldn't send classified information on an open account," but in a statement to Axios, he acknowledges Waltz has "received emails and calendar invites from legacy contacts on his personal email" and copied his official email "to ensure compliance with records retention." The Post's sources also accused Waltz of starting other Signal chats regarding sensitive information. With stories like these popping up, sources tell the Post and the Wall Street Journal Waltz is losing support among members of the administration. President Trump, however, is still insisting he won't fire Waltz. One source says that's largely because Trump doesn't want to give the "liberal media a scalp." A 3-year-old exploring an archaeological site in Israel last month reportedly stumbled upon an ancient treasure: an amulet dating back 3,800 years. Ziv Nitzan and her family were visiting Tel Azekah, a hill created by the layered debris of ancient settlements, when the toddler picked up the scarab amulet believed to be linked to the Canaanites, per NBC News and CBS News . The Canaanites were an early Semitic population with regular mentions in the Bible, and the area itself is referenced as the site of the biblical battle between David and Goliath. "We were walking along the path, and then Ziv bent downand out of all the stones around her, she picked up this particular stone," Ziv's sister, Omer Nitzan, told the Israel Antiquities Authority, per CBS. "When she rubbed it and removed the sand from it, we saw something was different about it." Daphna Ben-Tor, an expert on ancient amulets and seals at the Israel Museum, believes the amulet dates to the Middle Bronze Age, from around 2100 BC to 1600 BC, during the rise of the Canaanites. "Scarabs were used in this period as seals and as amulets," which "were found in graves, in public buildings and in private homes," she says in a statement. The amulets were likely inspired by ancient Egypt, where dung beetles, a type of scarab beetle, were considered a sacred "symbol of new life." "The scarab found by Ziv joins a long list of Egyptian and Canaanite finds discovered here, which attest to the close ties and cultural influences between Canaan and Egypt during that period," Oded Lipschits, a professor of archaeology at Tel Aviv University, tells CBS. The findwhich shows that "even children can be a part of discovering history," according to Israeli Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahuearned Ziv a certificate for "good citizenship," per the Jerusalem Post. Val Kilmer, beloved star of iconic films including Top Gun and Tombstone, died Tuesday at age 65. Kilmer's daughter tells the New York Times the actor died of pneumonia. He had previously battled throat cancer and recovered, she says. Kilmer made his big-screen debut in Top Secret!, a 1984 spy movie spoof; two years later, he was playing Tom Cruise's rival in Top Gun. (He almost turned down the role, according to the Hollywood Reporter .) He also played such notables as Jim Morrison (The Doors, 1991), Doc Holliday (Tombstone, 1993), and Batman (Batman Forever, 1996) among many other roles in genres ranging from thrillers to period pieces, epics to heist films, horror to fantasy. Growing up in the Los Angeles area, Kilmer's neighbors included Roy Rogers and Dale Evans and he went to school with Kevin Spacey and Mare Winningham. At 17, he became one of the youngest students admitted to New York's Juilliard School. He appeared onstage as well as on the big screen, once playing Hamlet at the Colorado Shakespeare Festival, and a 2021 documentary about his life and career won multiple awards. Known for "disappearing" into his roles, per Variety, he's been compared to some of the acting greats, though he was also once called "psychotic" by a director he worked with. He is survived by his kids, Mercedes and Jack. Oscar-winning director Oliver Stone, whose 1991 film JFK portrayed President John F. Kennedy's assassination as the work of a shadowy government conspiracy, called Tuesday for a new congressional investigation of the killing during a hearing that aired conspiracy theories about it, the AP reports. The freewheeling hearing of the House Task Force on the Declassification of Federal Secrets, where partisan grievances were aired, followed last month's release of thousands of pages of government documents related to the assassination. The task force's Republican chair opened the proceedings by questioning the Warren Commission investigation's conclusion that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in fatally shooting Kennedy as his motorcade finished a parade route in downtown Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963. Stone's JFK was nominated for eight Oscars, including best picture, and won two. It grossed more than $200 million but was also dogged by questions about its historical accuracy. Stone told the committee that he believes decades of delays in releasing unredacted records had prevented "clarity" about who killed JFK. Stone also said a new investigation "outside all political considerations" should begin "at the scene of the crime" and reexamine all of the evidence from the day of the assassination. Scholars and historians have concluded that there's strong evidence that Oswald, a 24-year-old former Marine, acted alone in killing Kennedy, and they say the files President Trump ordered to be released showed nothing undercutting that conclusion. The task force's chair, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida, said she thinks the federal government under previous administrations had engaged in "stonewalling." "Can we return to a world where we can trust our government to level with us, the people for which this government exists?" Stone said. "This is our democracy. This is our presidency. It belongs to us." Democrats, meanwhile, were unconvinced. "What I find funny about this hearing is that the Republicans are here relitigating whether CIA agents lied 60 years ago," said Rep. Jasmine Crockett, whose Texas district includes part of Dallas. Mother Nature has been busy in Sydney: The New South Wales capital was battered by "monster surf" overnight into Wednesday, with 18-foot waves crashing into local beaches and coastal walkwayseven damaging Bondi Beach's famous Icebergs Pool. The Guardian reports that the pool's glass fences were smashed and its railings "mangled" from the swells. Security footage showed waves bursting through the glass doors of the Bondi Icebergs Swimming Club around 11pm local time on Tuesday, which club manager Bob Tate called "devastating," per the AP . "The sheer magnitude of the level of water and the power of the water coming through must've just been horrendous," he said, adding that cupboards and fire hoses were torn off the walls from the water (see video of some of the damage here). Tate added, per news.com.au: "I have never seen anything like it." Meanwhile, a water tank washed up onto the shores of Bondi Beach during the deluge, drawing people to pose in front of it for selfies. Local officials said multiple beaches in the area, including Bondi's, would remain closed on Wednesday so cleanup and repairs can take place. A hazardous surf warning remained in effect through Wednesday night, with Australia's Bureau of Meteorology cautioning against swimming, boating, or rock fishing in affected spots. NSW police are also advising people to stay away from "surf-exposed areas," per the Guardian. For researchers, peering into Belize's Great Blue Hole is like peering into historyand, in a sense, into the future as well. Unfortunately, their findings indicate storm clouds are on the horizon. From the bottom of the 410-foot-deep underwater sinkhole, scientists from universities across Germany extracted a nearly 100-foot-long sediment core that offers "the longest continuous record of tropical storms in the area," per Live Science . The core showed that the frequency of the region's tropical cyclones has continuously increased over the past 5,700 years, especially in the last two decades. Two layers of "fair-weather" gray-green sediment are deposited in the Great Blue Hole in an average year, allowing researchers to "count back the years like the rings of a tree and compare when storm-event sediment layers were deposited," per Live Science. Between four and 16 tropical storms and hurricanesindicated by coarser, lighter-colored particles tossed into the hole from the atoll's outer reefwere found to have hit the region per century over millennia, per Earth.com. But there was a marked increase in frequency around the Industrial Revolution, when humans began burning fossil fuels, per Live Science. And in just the last 20 years, there've been nine tropical storms in the area, researchers say. "Remarkably, the frequency of storm landfalls in the study area has been much higher in the last two decades than in the last six millenniaa clear indication of the influence of modern global warming," Dominik Schmitt, lead author of the study published March 14 in Science Advances, tells Live Science. As sea surface temperatures rise, so does the likelihood of tropical storms. Based on the findings, we can expect that "extreme weather events in this region will become much more frequent in the 21st century," Schmitt adds. The study estimates up to 45 tropical storms and hurricanes could slam the Caribbean by 2100. | It Was the 'Best Day of Her Life.' Then the Boulder Fell Gianna Buzzetta, 26, of California dies after being hit by falling rock in Hawaii Give him liberty, or just give him his darn company back. Ben Cohen, he of Ben & Jerry's fame, is mincing no words with his company's owner, Unilever. "In the year 2000, Unilever loved us for who we were," Cohen says. "Now we've gone separate ways in our relationship. We just need them to set us free." As the Wall Street Journal reports, the relationship between Cohen and co-founder Jerry Greenfield and their overlord is one of "the corporate world's most acrimonious relationships ," and Cohen sees an opportunity since Unilever announced its intention to spin off all its ice cream brands . The 74-year-old is trying to line up investors to buy back the company he and Greenfield started in 1978. At the crux of the angst between Ben & Jerry's and Unilever seems to be Cohen and Greenfield's dogged dedication to loud-and-proud activism, which led Unilever to sell off the Ben & Jerry's business in Israel after the company announced it wouldn't sell its products there over the war in Gaza. Ben & Jerry's sued Unilever. The two have similarly bickered over whether to criticize the Trump administration: Unilever blocked an Inauguration Day statement, and the ice cream maker again sued in response. "They knew what they were buying in 2000," says a lawyer for Ben & Jerry's independent board. "It would be the equivalent of buying SeaWorld and complaining it's too wet." As it spins off its ice cream business, Unilever announced recently that the consortium would be named not after the iconic Vermont brand, but rather another of its brands, Magnum. Unilever also says it's not selling Ben & Jerry's separately, which dampens Cohen's plans to drum up investors, but not his enthusiasm. "Ben & Jerry's is a company with a soul," he says. The vaping industry took a hit Wednesday with a unanimous Supreme Court ruling in favor of the Food and Drug Administration. The justices upheld the FDA's refusal to approve flavored e-cigarettes, NBC News reports. "The kaleidoscope of flavor options adds to the allure of e-cigarettes and has thus contributed to the booming demand for such products among young Americans," wrote Justice Samuel Alito. Vape companies argued that the agency unlawfully changed its rules in the middle of the approval process, but justices appeared skeptical of that argument when they heard the case in December. The court ruled that the FDA acted lawfully when it rejected an application from Trition Distribution, which sells e-juices with flavors like "Suicide Bunny Mother's Milk and Cookies," the AP reports. The agency has approved some tobacco and menthol-flavored vapes that could help adults quit smoking, but it has rejected applications for more than a million flavored products. One aspect of the case, whether the FDA should have considered marketing plans as part of the approval process, will be sent back to a lower court for consideration, meaning there could still be a ruling in favor of Triton, reports the AP. Advocates praised the ruling as a major victory in the fight to stop nicotine addiction among young people. But the decision comes at what the New York Times calls a "fraught turning point" for the FDA. Government cuts have hit the agency's tobacco division hard. Its director, Brian King, was offered a position in the Indian Health Service in Alaska or New Mexico, which the Times describes as a "tacit ouster." Erika Sward at the American Lung Association praised Wednesday's ruling, but said that with the cuts, there is "no one to keep the tobacco industry from flooding the market with its deadly products and no one left to count how many kids they addict." (During his campaign, President Trump promised to "save" vaping after meeting with an industry lobbyist.) Finland on Tuesday announced it will pull out of a global landmine treatya move made "as Russia fears grow," reports Politico. Politico reports the 1997 Ottawa Convention "has come under increasing pressure because of the Kremlin's war on Ukraine, especially in countries neighboring Russia." Finland counts itself in that group: It shares an 830-mile border with Russiathe longest of any NATO country, per Defense Newsand exiting the treaty would allow it to use landmines along that border. Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia in March expressed that they intend to do the same. More: A Chinese student at one of the UK's top universities raped dozens of women, some of whom may not know it, police say. Investigators say 28-year-old Zhenhao Zou preyed on fellow Chinese students in Britain, luring them to his apartments in London and China and giving them drinks laced with the "date rape" drug butanediol, the Washington Post reports. After he was arrested following one woman's accusation in January last year, police found hundreds of videos of Zou raping apparently drugged women, reports the New York Times reports. He was convicted earlier this month of raping 10 women, eight of whom police were unable to identify. Police on Wednesday said 23 more women have since come forward, and investigators believe there could be dozens more victims. "Given how prolific Zou seems to have been, there is every potential he could be one of the most prolific offenders that we've ever seen," said Metropolitan Police Commander Kevin Southworth, per CBS News. Zou was a mechanical engineering PhD student at University College London between 2019 and 2024 and police have urged women, especially Chinese students, who may have met him through social media or dating apps during that time to come forward. Police are also trying to determine whether there are more victims from his time at Queen's College Belfast, where he studied between 2017 and 2019. "Due to the nature of Zou's offending, detectives believe that some women may not know they have been a victim-survivor and do not underestimate how distressing and difficult it may be to read or hear about his crimes following this verdict," police said in a statement. Police say they were assisted by the Chinese Ministry of Public Security after they discovered that some of the crimes happened in Zou's homeland. He is due to be sentenced in June. "It's our declaration of economic independence," President Trump said at a "Liberation Day" event at the White House on Wednesday, declaring it to be one of the most important days in American history. The president unveiled a slew of new tariffs that were higher than many analysts had expected, the New York Times reports. "Our country and its taxpayers have been ripped off for more than 50 years but it's not going to happen anymore," Trump said. Trump declared a baseline tariff of 10% on imports from all countries and extra "reciprocal tariffs" on imports from dozens of countries, the AP reports. They include a 34% tax on imports from China, 32% on imports from Taiwan, 25% on imports from South Korea, 24% on imports from Japan, and 20% imports from the European Union. He said the rate for imports from the UK would be 10%. According to a chart Trump displayed, Cambodia will face the highest reciprocal tariff, at 49%, CBS News reports. The chart showed a 48% rate for Laos and 47% for Madagascar. In an executive order, Trump declared a national emergency "arising from conditions reflected in large and persistent annual US goods trade deficits." TDT | Manama Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com A group of shrimpers who tried to flee from Coast Guard patrols during Bahrains seasonal fishing ban have been jailed for 10 days, with five Indian nationals to be deported once their time is served. They were caught using banned bottom trawl nets (known locally as Koofa) to haul in young shrimp during the closed season. One of the seven men, who include two Bahrainis, was also fined BD50. Confiscation The Second Lower Criminal Court, sitting on Thursday, 27 March 2025, ordered the boats, nets, and catch to be confiscated. The arrests followed two separate chases in March. In the first, the Coast Guard spotted a boat carrying four Indian men suspected of fishing illegally. Escape As the patrol closed in, the men attempted to escape, steering straight into the officers boat. One fell overboard in the commotion but was pulled from the water. The others were caught shortly after. Their boat had Koofa nets on board but no safety equipment. In the second incident, another vessel was found with a Bahraini and an Indian national aboard. Patrol They also tried to outrun the patrol but were soon stopped. Inside the boat, officers found banned nets and 32.72 kilograms of undersized shrimp. Prosecutors interviewed all seven men and laid out multiple charges. Charges These included fishing during the ban, using outlawed equipment, attempting to evade inspection, and heading to sea without life jackets, a fire extinguisher, or a first aid kit. Licenses They were also accused of taking boats out without licenses, switching off the tracking system, and sailing without lights. Investigators said the four men in the first boat had acted in coordination with the Bahraini owner. All seven admitted to their actions. They were held for a week while inquiries continued before being sent to court. The final ruling came at the end of March. TDT | Manama Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com Dr. Jaleela bint Al-Sayed Jawad Hassan, Minister of Health, has reaffirmed Bahrains strong commitment to supporting and empowering youth, recognizing them as the driving force of the present and future. She emphasized their role in contributing to the Kingdoms development under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and with the continued efforts of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. The Minister also acknowledged the ongoing initiatives of His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Representative of His Majesty the King for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs and Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, in fostering Bahraini youth and encouraging their achievements across various sectors. Dr. Jaleela made these remarks during her meeting with Dr. Fatima Abdulhadi Marhoon and Dr. Hassan Al-Mosawi, winners of the Exceptional Volunteer competition, as well as Dr. Dhabiya Abdulaziz Al-Sada, a family physician at primary healthcare centers, who won in the fourth edition of the national project "Lame". During the meeting, the Health Minister expressed her pride in the achievements of young professionals in the healthcare sector, noting that their successes reflect the competence of Bahraini youth and their ability to excel in various fields. She praised HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifas recognition of the winners, describing it as a significant motivation for them to further channel their energy and capabilities toward innovation and contribution to the Kingdoms sustainable development. She highlighted the importance of volunteer initiatives in the healthcare sector, stating that the Exceptional Volunteer competition plays a vital role in encouraging young Bahrainis to elevate the nation's standing in different fields. Likewise, the national project "Lame" serves as a pivotal platform for developing leadership and decision-making skills, empowering young national talents, and enhancing their ability to innovate across key sectors, including healthcare. Dr. Jaleela extended her best wishes to the award-winning youth, encouraging them to continue making a positive impact through volunteerism and active participation in community development. In response, the winners of the Exceptional Volunteer competition and the Lame project expressed their gratitude and pride in their achievements, recognizing the unwavering support provided to Bahraini youth as a crucial factor in their success. They reiterated their commitment to serving the nation with dedication and determination, contributing effectively to Bahrains progress and development. H.E. Dr. Al Zayani Calls for Global Efforts to End Conflicts in the Middle East H.E. Dr. Al Zayani Calls for Global Efforts to End Conflicts in the Middle East TDT | Manama Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com The Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, has reiterated the urgent need for peace, security, and stability in the Middle East, emphasizing the region's prolonged struggles with conflict and destruction. Speaking at a roundtable discussion organized by the Hudson Institute in Washington, Dr. Al Zayani highlighted the international community's responsibility to uphold its legal and humanitarian obligations to end conflicts and alleviate the suffering of affected populations. Call for Action Dr. Al Zayani pointed out that Arab states are actively pursuing a just and comprehensive peace in the region. He referenced the Arab Summit hosted by the Kingdom of Bahrain in May 2024, where leaders adopted an initiative calling for an international peace conference to resolve the Palestinian issue based on a two-state solution and in line with international agreements. He stressed the importance of reinforcing the values of peace, coexistence, tolerance, and cooperation among nations, urging global stakeholders to take decisive steps toward a lasting resolution. Regional Developments The discussion also covered developments in the Middle East and the ongoing conflicts impacting regional security and stability. Dr. Al Zayani highlighted the necessity of collaborative regional and international efforts to advance the peace process. Additionally, he underscored the role of think tanks in shaping policies that promote peace and security. He emphasized the importance of in-depth research to explore viable pathways to stability in the Middle East and beyond. Strengthening Bilateral Relations Dr. Al Zayani commended the strong commitment of Bahrain and the United States to enhancing bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors. He stressed the importance of the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement (C-SIPA), which provides both nations with opportunities to expand collaboration in trade, science, and technology. The session was attended by H.E. Shaikh Abdulla bin Rashid Al Khalifa, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the U.S., alongside experts from the Hudson Institute and members of the Ministers delegation. A Global Responsibility "The international community has the responsibility to uphold its legal and humanitarian obligations to end all conflicts and alleviate the suffering of affected populations," Dr. Al Zayani stated, reinforcing Bahrains commitment to fostering sustainable peace in the region. Vodacom Group CTO Dejan Kastelic (pictured) believes satellite providers like Starlink are not a threat to mobile operators but rather an opportunity to enhance telecom services in emerging markets with challenging infrastructure deployment. Speaking to Developing Telecoms, Kastelic stated that satellite connectivity "can be a big differentiator for us," especially in Africa, where the vast and remote landscape makes infrastructure expansion difficult. Vodacom operates in six markets across the continent and has joint ventures with Safaricom in Ethiopia and Kenya. "Having satellite connectivity would almost enable us to achieve 100% coverage," Kastelic said. Some analysts have suggested that satellite connectivity providers pose a threat to traditional telecom operators, particularly with the rise of Elon Musks Starlink, the satellite internet division of SpaceX. Starlink has launched services in Kenya and Mozambique, where Vodacom also operates. Starlink provides high-speed, low-latency broadband internet using a constellation of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, which beam connectivity directly to terminals without relying on terrestrial infrastructure. However, Kastelic argued that satellite providers like Starlink, which connect subscribers without telecom partnerships, cannot match the service quality of traditional operators. "Fibre and 5G FWA offer a better customer experience due to superior throughput and latency. Fibre, in particular, is unbeatableits physically impossible for another medium to be faster than fibre. It's just physics." "Our terrestrial solutions have a significant advantage. We just need to ensure that our propositions and the way we develop our products and services remain competitive against satellite providers," he added. To illustrate this, Kastelic compared latency speeds, noting that satellite networks can experience ping speeds of up to 100 milliseconds, whereas fibre achieves single-digit latency. "Are we concerned? Of course, like any competitive enterprise, we are monitoring developments closely. But we believe our existing assets give us a strong advantage," he said. In 2023, Kastelic told Developing Telecoms that Vodacom was exploring partnerships with AST SpaceMobile and Starlink to address coverage gaps. However, a deal with Starlink did not materialise. Instead, Vodacoms parent company, Vodafone, signed a 10-year agreement with AST SpaceMobile, extending until 2034. Explaining why Vodafone and Vodacom have placed their bets on AST SpaceMobile, Kastelic highlighted that the company holds over 3,400 patentsmore than its competitorsallowing it to expand coverage with fewer satellites in orbit. Accentures Managing Director for Communications, Media & Technology Lead Africa, Nitesh Singh, told Developing Telecoms at Africa Tech Festival last year that operators must embrace digital transformation to compete with new entrants like Starlink. Meanwhile, MTN Group CEO Ralph Mupita recently told Bloomberg that the operator is looking to expand its partnerships with satellite providers, including Starlink, to bridge coverage gaps in its markets. CALGARY, AB, April 2, 2025 /CNW/ - Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited (TSX: CP) (NYSE: CP) (CPKC) today said CPKC and the Lanco Group/Mi-Jack have sold the Panama Canal Railway Company (PCRC) to APM Terminals, a global terminal operator and an independent division of A.P. Moller - Maersk. PCRC provides ocean-to-ocean freight and passenger services along the Panama Canal and has been a 50/50 joint venture between CPKC subsidiary Kansas City Southern and Lanco Group/Mi-Jack since its formation in 1998. In 2024, the PCRC generated revenue of US$77 million and EBITDA of US$36 million. Panama Canal Railway (CNW Group/CPKC) "We are pleased to have completed this transaction with APM Terminals, a part of A.P. Moller - Maersk, a key strategic partner of CPKC's and major customer of the Panama Canal Railway Company," said Keith Creel, CPKC President and Chief Executive Officer. "The sale of this non-core asset creates value for our shareholders and reflects our commitment to optimize our assets as we focus on growing our core North American rail business through our unrivalled three-nation network connecting Canada, the United States and Mexico." "Lanco is very proud to have worked with CPKC and A.P. Moller - Maersk over the past several years," said Mike Lanigan, Chief Executive Officer of Lanco Group/Mi-Jack. "Keith Creel and his group have been a pleasure to work with and I wish to congratulate APM Terminals on the purchase of the Panama Canal Railway. As we all know, Panama is a major transportation hub, and I am quite confident the container business will continue to grow under the leadership of APM Terminals." "PCRC represents an attractive infrastructure investment in the region aligned to our core services of intermodal container movement," said Keith Svendsen, CEO, APM Terminals. "The company is highly regarded for its operational excellence and will provide a significant opportunity for us to offer a broader range of services to the global shipping customers we serve." PCRC was formed when it was awarded a concession from the Republic of Panama to reconstruct and operate the Panama Canal Railway, a 47-mile railway located adjacent to the Panama Canal. It is a north-south railway traversing the isthmus of Panama between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and part of Panama's logistics network. APM Terminals has developed and operated advanced container terminals around the world for more than half a century. The company operates in 60 key locations in 33 countries, employing approximately 33,000 people. In the Americas Region, APM Terminals operates 14 terminals in eight countries. Advisors BofA Securities, Inc. and Lazard Freres & Co. are serving as financial advisors to PCRC, CPKC, and Lanco Group/Mi-Jack, and Sullivan & Cromwell LLP is serving as legal counsel. About CPKC With its global headquarters in Calgary, Alta., Canada, CPKC is the first and only single-line transnational railway linking Canada, the United States and Mexico, with unrivaled access to major ports from Vancouver to Atlantic Canada to the Gulf Coast to Lazaro Cardenas, Mexico. Stretching approximately 20,000 route miles and employing 20,000 railroaders, CPKC provides North American customers unparalleled rail service and network reach to key markets across the continent. CPKC is growing with its customers, offering a suite of freight transportation services, logistics solutions and supply chain expertise. Visit cpkcr.com to learn more about the rail advantages of CPKC. CP-IR SOURCE CPKC Contacts: Media: [email protected]; Investment Community: Chris De Bruyn, 403-319-3591, [email protected] A wealth of experience As Co-CEOs, Mr. Touchette and Mr. Bouthillier will jointly oversee the company's strategic direction, leveraging their combined expertise and 15 years at the helm of Groupe Touchette to accelerate innovation, enhance customer experience, and strengthen industry partnerships. "We are excited to embark on this next chapter together as Co-CEOs of Groupe Touchette. With our combined expertise and strong industry relationships, we are committed to leveraging our collective knowledge to scale the company, drive innovation, and ensure Groupe Touchette remains at the forefront of the industry, delivering value to our employees, partners, and customers." Said Nicolas Touchette and Frederic Bouthillier. Egil Moller Nielsen, appointed Chief Operating Officer Joining the leadership team as COO, Egil Moller Nielsen brings a wealth of experience in logistics, supply chain management, and retail innovation. He has held leadership roles at companies such as Coop Denmark and The Lego Group in Denmark. His innovative approach has also been recognized with global industry awards in supply chains. "I am truly excited to join Groupe Touchette at such a pivotal time in its growth. The company has built an incredible foundation, and I look forward to working with the team to enhance operations, scale for the future, and drive innovation. I can't wait to get started and contribute to this next chapter of success!" With his successful track record of managing IT teams and understanding their pivotal influence on supply chains, Mr. Nielsen is well-equipped to help the company reach its long term goals. "We're thrilled to welcome Mr.Nielsen to the team as our new Chief Operating Officer," said Nicolas Touchette and Frederic Bouthillier. "We are very fortunate to have someone of his caliber, and we look forward to learning and benefiting from his broad expertise in fostering scalable operations and replicating success." A leadership team with a clear vision in sight Completing this leadership team is Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Frederic Poussard, whose financial leadership has been key in driving Groupe Touchette forward. With 12 years at Groupe Touchette, Frederic has shaped GT's financial strategy, business guidelines, and mergers and acquisitions approach, ensuring the company's financial stability and long-term growth. His collaborative approach and strong relationships have been pivotal in successfully executing major transactions, while his mentorship and in-depth knowledge of the automotive market have made him a trusted and respected leader within the company. These executive appointments underscore Groupe Touchette's commitment to driving growth, operational excellence, and industry leadership. As the company embarks on this exciting next chapter, the leadership team is focused on achieving best-in-class status through a dynamic operating model that fosters innovation, scalability, and long-term sustainability. These strategic changes will position Groupe Touchette to support its growth, enhance customer experience, and continue driving value for employees, partners, and stakeholders in the years ahead. About Groupe Touchette Inc. Founded by Andre Touchette in 1979, Groupe Touchette, the largest Canadian-owned tire distributor, has been recognized for over 40 years for its expertise and superior level of service to manufacturers, car dealers and independent customers. Today, led by Nicolas Touchette and Frederic Bouthillier, the company headquartered in Montreal specializes in value-added tire distribution services. Groupe Touchette employs over 1,800 people and has a presence across Canada with more than 40 distribution centers. Through its TireLink and DT Tire Banners, Groupe Touchette is servicing car manufacturers, car dealerships and independent tire retailers. The company also serves Canadian consumers under the retail banners Tirecraft, Integra Tire, Signature Tire, Tireland/Ici Pneu, Tire Partners/Pneu Solutions, Pneu Select, MecaniPneu, Pneus Chartrand Mecanique, Pneus Express Mecanique, Pneus Belisle and Touchette Motorsport. For more information, visit grtouchette.com or follow us on LinkedIn . SOURCE Groupe Touchette For further information: Groupe Touchette, Anne-Marie Larochelle, Marketing Director, [email protected] OTTAWA, ON, April 1, 2025 /CNW/ - The Leaders' Debates Commission has invited the leaders of five political parties to participate in the upcoming leaders' debates, resting its decision on the participation criteria released on January 14, 2025. The leaders of the following registered political parties are invited to participate in both leaders' debates taking place at the Maison de Radio-Canada in Montreal, Quebec on Wednesday, April 16 at 8 p.m. EDT (in French) and Thursday, April 17 at 7 p.m. EDT (in English): Bloc Quebecois Conservative Party of Canada Green Party of Canada Liberal Party of Canada New Democratic Party In order to be invited by the Commission to participate in the leaders' debates, a leader of a registered political party had to meet two of the following criteria: (i): on the date the general election is called, the party is represented in the House of Commons by a Member of Parliament who was elected as a member of that party. (ii): 28 days before the date of the general election, the party receives a level of national support of at least 4%, determined by voting intention, and as measured by leading national public opinion polling organizations, using the average of those organizations' most recently publicly reported results. (iii): 28 days before the date of the general election, the party has endorsed candidates in at least 90% of federal ridings. Four parties qualified under criterion (i) and criterion (ii). Each was represented in the House of Commons and received a level of national support of at least 4% in public opinion polls. For the decision rationale of criterion (ii) published on March 7, 2025, please refer to Participation Criterion (ii) Approach for the Next Leaders' Debates. Bloc Quebecois (5.554%) Conservative Party of Canada (36.877%) (36.877%) Liberal Party of Canada (42.985%) (42.985%) New Democratic Party (8.738%) One party qualified under criterion (i) and criterion (iii). It was represented in the House of Commons and submitted to the Commission a list of endorsed candidates in at least 90% of federal ridings. Green Party of Canada (343 candidates / 100%) Although the People's Party of Canada qualified under criterion (iii) (342 candidates / 99.7%), it did not meet either of criterion (i) or (ii) for its leader to be invited to participate in the debates. For detailed information on the poll results and lists of candidates endorsed used for the final decision rationale, please refer to Party leaders that meet participation criteria for the Leaders' Debates for the 45th General Election. Website: www.debates-debats.ca Twitter: @debates_can / @debats_can Related Products Invitation letter to the Bloc Quebecois Invitation letter to the Conservative Party of Canada Invitation letter to the Green Party of Canada Invitation letter to the Liberal Party of Canada Invitation letter to the New Democratic Party About the Leaders' Debates Commission The Leaders' Debates Commission is an independent and impartial public body mandated is to organize two leaders' debates in each federal general election that are in the public interest, one in each official language, while paying special attention to Canada's Indigenous languages. The Commission is responsible for setting out production, promotion, and distribution requirements for the leaders' debates, while respecting journalistic independence for the content of the debates as well as setting participation criteria for the debates. SOURCE Leaders' Debates Commission [email protected] Delaware, USA, April 2nd, 2025, CyberNewsWire Brinker, an innovative narrative intelligence platform dedicated to combating disinformation and influence campaigns, has been recognized as one of the 10 Most Promising Defense Tech Startups of 2025 by Defense Israel and Robel Innovations. This distinction underscores Brinkers groundbreaking approach to safeguarding governments, enterprises, and NGOs from increasingly sophisticated narrative-based threats. Brinkers proprietary technology identifies malicious narratives across platforms, languages, and geographies, performing automated OSINT investigations and providing real-time mitigation options at the press of a buttondramatically reducing the entire response process from weeks to minutes. In October 2024, Brinker was selected to join the prestigious Innofense program for dual-use startups, run by SOSA and MAFAT (DDR&D), designed to strengthen collaboration between civilian and defense markets through joint technological innovation. Disinformation, identified by the World Economic Forum as the number one global risk, poses significant threats to social cohesion, democratic institutions, and economic stability. Brinkers solutions not only protect organizations but also empower societies to effectively defend themselves from harmful domestic and foreign influence campaigns, positively impacting communities worldwide. Brinker was founded by Benny Schnaider, Daniel Ravner, and Oded Breiner, who realized that starting a company built fundamentally on AI, rather than merely adding AI as a feature, would level the playing field in the asymmetric war against disinformationtransforming it into a symmetrical one. This recognition affirms our vision to reshape the OSINT landscape through battle-proven narrative intelligence technology, said Daniel Ravner, CEO and Co-founder of Brinker. Brinkers CTO and Co-founder Oded Breiner added, Our patented LLM-driven analysis allows us to reveal and neutralize threats that traditional metadata-driven tools often miss. Brinkers comprehensive suite includes automated legal escalations, platform takedowns, and behavioral economics-based counter-narratives, ensuring not just threat removal but active influence mitigation. About Brinker Brinker is an award-winning disinformation threat mitigation platform built to combat malicious narratives and influence campaigns using proprietary narrative intelligence technology. The SaaS platform delivers AI-powered detection, context analysis, and automated OSINT investigations. A suite of mitigation tools is available at the press of a button, including pre-legal actions, media publications, content removal, and counter-narratives. A Mastercard portfolio company, Brinker serves governmental intelligence agencies, major enterprises, law firms, and NGOs across the globe. For more information about Brinker, users can visit https://www.brinker.ai/. Contact Daniel Brinker [email protected] Thailands Association of Digital Television Broadcasting (ADTEB) reportedly urged the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) on Monday to either scrap its plan to auction 3500-MHz spectrum to telcos or postpone it until it comes up with a feasible migration plan for digital TV broadcasters. ADTEB issued its comments at a NBTC public hearing on Monday to discuss future plans for seven spectrum bands: 850 MHz, 1500 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz, 3500 MHz and 26 GHz. The 3500-MHz band is currently used by digital TV and satellite broadcasters. The NBTC initially planned to auction the band in 2027, but is considering holding it earlier. According to the Bangkok Post, ADTEB president Suphap Kleekajai complained that the NBTC is moving too fast on the 3500-MHz band and hasnt offered any practical solutions for digital TV broadcasters who are already struggling to stay in business to migrate to other bands. The NBTC auctioned the band to 24 digital TV channels in 2013, but of those, only 15 are still broadcasting, with the other nine shutting down due to financial difficulties. With video streaming growing in popularity, only around 10% of Thai households watch digital TV channels via set-top boxes, the report said. ADTEB called on the NBTC to drop plans to auction the band to telcos, who want to use the band for 5G and potentially 6G services. AIS and True Corp have already expressed interest in acquiring 3500-MHz spectrum for their 5G networks. Paiboon Damrongchaitham, chairman of media conglomerate GMM Grammy, said that ADTEB members need to use the band until at least 2029, which is when existing digital TV licences expire. He also said ADTEB would file a complaint against NBTC with the Administrative Court over any negative effects its decision on the 3500-MHz band would have on its members, the report said. Weather Alert Take action to protect yourself and others extreme heat can affect everyones health. Determine if you or others around you are at greater risk of heat illness. Check on older adults, those living alone and other at-risk people in-person or on the phone multiple times a day. Watch for the early signs of heat exhaustion in yourself and others. Signs may include headache, nausea, dizziness, thirst, dark urine and intense fatigue. Stop your activity and drink water. Heat stroke is a medical emergency! Call 9-1-1 or your emergency health provider if you, or someone around you, is showing signs of heat stroke which can include red and hot skin, dizziness, nausea, confusion and change in consciousness. While you wait for medical attention, try to cool the person by moving them to a cool place, removing extra clothing, applying cold water or ice packs around the body. Drink water often and before you feel thirsty to replace fluids. Close blinds, or shades and open windows if outside is cooler than inside. Turn on air conditioning, use a fan, or move to a cooler area of your living space. If your living space is hot, move to a cool public space such as a cooling centre, community centre, library or shaded park. Follow the advice of your regions public health authority. Plan and schedule outdoor activities during the coolest parts of the day. Limit direct exposure to the sun and heat. Wear lightweight, light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing and a wide-brimmed hat. Never leave people, especially children, or pets inside a parked vehicle. Check the vehicle before locking to make sure no one is left behind. Humidex values reaching 40 are expected. A heat event is expected Saturday to Sunday. What: Daytime highs of 31 to 33 degrees Celsius and a humidex of 40. Overnight lows of 21 to 25 degrees Celsius, providing little relief from the heat. When: Saturday to Sunday, coming to an end Sunday night. ### For more information: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/climate-change-health/extreme-heat/how-protect-yourself.html https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/climate-change-health/extreme-heat/who-is-at-risk.html Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to ONstorm@ec.gc.ca or post reports on X using #ONStorm. At Mobile World Congress 2025, Developing Telecoms spoke with IPv6 Forum President Latif Ladid to discuss IPv6 and Net 5.5G development, and their impact on global digitization in the AI era. Deployment of IPv6 has been ongoing for the past 25 years, and has reached around 60% penetration worldwide. China leads the way with 80% penetration, around 800 million users, followed by India, with 425 million, which is about 50% of the internet user population. The next step is to migrate entirely to IPv6, leaving behind IPv4. Countries such as the US are moving to IPv6 for government networks, but the biggest deployers are primarily mobile operators, because they need IP addresses for mobile devices. The IPv6 Forum recruits teams from each country where it operates to promote this migration to governments and industry, and it has seen significant success, with uptake in over 150 countries. We were looking for the first scale application. I went to see the head of ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute) who was at the same time the chairman of the 3GPP, Karl Heinz Rosenbrock, and explained to him that 3G was designed only for IMS, which means that only the operators will have services, nevertheless they will not be connected to the internet. At that time, there were already half a billion people using the internet, and they were the top [business] people on the planet if [3GPP] didnt get these guys to use 3G, the whole thing would be useless. As soon as we adopted it, Apple launched the iPhone, kicking off the mobile wireless revolution. 5G was just an access technology - it's not a backbone technology, and sustaining new applications like AI, IoT, and blockchain requires robust backbone data centres and access to the end users. AI requires a lot of data processing, and the Wireless Broadband Association came up with the innovative idea of creating generations akin to 4G/5G by augmenting and upgrading the backbone data centres, from four users to ten, from 1GB to 10GB data centres. The current generation is Net 5.5G, and this definition makes it easier to understand for governments and regulators they can check whether theyre up to date on technologies, whether theyre teaching engineers or hiring the right experts to sustain this. There are plenty of efforts in this field such as smart cities, but the communication behind it is not so well-defined. The IPv6 Forum is creating a roadmap and best practices for this upcoming sector in partnership with WBBA in June 2024, with a particular focus on developing countries, many of which are not up to date. Operators that have deployed Net 5.5G such as Airtel in Africa are using Segment Routing v6 (SRv6), which helps smaller operators in markets with one particularly dominant player, enabling them to break out into neighbouring markets. The biggest operators whether in West Africa, south Africa or in East Africa are present in five or six countries, and they are deploying IPv6 using SRv6, because they want to manage their networks across countries so they can cross end to end from one network to the other one, making management and maintenance a lot simpler. This is where the merger of this upgraded backbone with IPv6 is fundamental; its like a new killer application for IPv6, not only the address space or auto configuration or end to end security, but also for managing very large networks. Ladid notes that the forum writes best practices for each country it visits recently, this list has included Nigeria, Ivory Coast and Morocco as well as most Middle Eastern countries. In most of the countries - especially where industry is not strong enough - the regulators are fighting just to survive. Getting the regulator and government on board is essential; the Forum explains how Ipv6 can help advance the country in order to attract overseas investment. People are not going to invest money in a country that doesn't have any infrastructure, so infrastructure has become a solid selling point for most of the countries. New technologies are long term, so you have to protect your investment, you have to be up to spec, and be ready for new applications. But most of the top management, they don't care about these things because they don't understand them. They don't have the vision for them. So that's why you have more kind of monopoly in terms of applications. Ladid describes the Forums work as voluntary, with the goal of connecting the unconnected. He notes that around 2 billion people worldwide still have no internet access, with the majority in developing nations. Education is a huge issue, particularly in light of ongoing automation AI will have an impact on intellectual jobs, but it will not replace them it will be used to enhance, so having access to knowledge upfront means people will be better positioned to do their jobs and remain in employment. He argues that the escalating cybersecurity issues and proliferation of online deepfakes and misinformation are an argument for implementing blockchain globally as a way of verifying online information. Data will be signed and timestamped so that it is immutable; whoever its accessed by, including AI, it will be verifiable as the original. Ladid notes that most government networks are easily hackable, and this has led to the proliferation of ransomware, which drains billions from companies each year as they pay to make the issue go away. Our infrastructure is very fragile; when I call you, you are the only one to pick up the phone. This is not the case today with the internet, because we're not using IP addresses that are routable, where you have your own IP address, and I have my own. When I call you, I can VPN the call between us - nobody can access this. With IPv6, everyone can have millions of IP addresses. You can do different transactions, use different features, with different either for business or for private or sales for and you can also save all of these transactions on different IP addresses, and nobody can access them except you. This open-source concept enables a huge amount, but it can be misused and so must be secured early to pre-empt any damage. To this end, the IPv6 Forum is collaborating with different standard bodies, including the ITFC, ITU and W3C, but its equally important to educate the governments and the regulators. Currently, 60% of IPv6 deployments are happening in Asia. The numbers are there deploying a network for 400 million people requires a lot of investment. This isnt feasible in Europe or the US it would be too expensive for the return. Ladid argues that governments should take progressive steps here acknowledging that consumers will not pay more for 5G, and therefore reducing the amount that they charge operators to acquire spectrum otherwise IPv6 adoption will stall at around 50%. Cloud computing can provide a workaround, enabling SMEs to adopt IPv6 without having to do anything. He notes that companies such as CloudFlare can use routers to website services with IPv6 even if there are no IPv6 networks in the country he notes that this approach is already common across Africa, with the address coming from Europe or the US. However, this will not stop the backbone upgrade Ladid estimates that in around five years, there will be 100% deployment of IPv6, making it possible to leave IPv4 behind. Governments are leading the way in adoption of IPv6 predominantly the US and China. The extensive nationalisation in China has enabled funding for buildouts of ambitious infrastructure projects, including rail and water infrastructure, but governments also play a significant role in developing countries with flatter economies if deployment isnt led by industry, governments make the decisions on building infrastructure and promoting technologies. Ladid notes that in much of West Africa and Central Asia, the pace of development is remarkable, with the latest technologies already available and in deployment. Governments have become sensitive to this, and are seeking to develop their countries rather than playing catch-up to European markets. A neighbor braved raging flames inside a burning home, rescuing one of the residents while first responders assisted the other. The fire quickly burned through the home on Laclede Drive in Burlington Township Wednesday morning, trapping its tenants, an 89-year-old man and a 90-year-old woman, local police said in a statement. While the flames burned, the neighbor entered the building after learning two people were trapped inside, police said. The bystander assisted the man out of the home before rescuers reached the woman, police said. The man and woman were flown to Temple University Hospitals burn center in Philadelphia and considered in critical condition, police said. The Burlington Township Police Department extends its sincere gratitude to all first responders for their swift and heroic actions, the agency said in a news release Wednesday afternoon. We also commend the brave citizen who risked their own safety to assist in the rescue efforts. Police did not identify the homes residents nor the neighbor who rescued the man. It was unclear if the neighbor who entered the home was injured during the rescue. Two police officers sustained minor injuries and were treated at a local hospital. Firefighters extinguished the blaze later Wednesday morning. Its cause was under investigation, police said. Anyone with information related to the fire is asked to contact Burlington Township Police Det. John Arent at (609) 239-5868. Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription. Eric Conklin may be reached at econklin@njadvancemedia.com. Wildwood dealt with massive crowds of unruly teens last summer and the mayor says they don't want to put up with it again. NJ.com file photo Officials in Wildwood are not going to tolerate late-night shenanigans from teenagers or anyone else this summer. Thats the message from Mayor Ernie Troiano Jr and police in announcing Wednesday that an already-in-place 10 p.m. curfew for unsupervised kids 17 and younger will be strictly enforced starting Memorial Day weekend. Authorities in Wildwood want to avoid the problems that took place Memorial Day weekend when large crowds of unruly teens and young adults swarmed the boardwalk, leading to fights and vandalism. City officials even declared a state of emergency one night because police received an irrepressible number of calls. Other towns like Ocean City and Seaside Heights had similar issues last summer and enacted curfews and other reforms to address massive crowds of unruly teens. We go out of our way to provide a safe, happy, healthy environment, and then youve got these morons that come down that want to start fights and they want to bring their problems that theyre having at home down here, Wildwood Mayor Ernie Troiano, Jr. said in a phone interview with NJ Advance Media on Wednesday morning. We dont want them. Now when you have these kids carrying on, knowing that a lot of times they have no repercussion for their actions, and they just literally start wilding all over the place, disrespecting everybody elses right to have a good time, endangering some people, yeah, we have no tolerance for that anymore. Parents whose teens repeatedly violate the curfew or break the law could face a fine of up to $1,000. Troiano, Jr. said most of the problems in Wildwood take place between Memorial Day weekend in late May and senior week in June when graduating high school students descend on the Cape May County city. Plain and simple, and we will take in a very aggressive approach to control and to moderate that kind of behavior, the mayor said. What will happen is the parents your kid may come down here and act a fool and wind up costing you thousands of dollars in fines. So sometimes you got to hit the parents in the wallet. Thats where they understand." Besides the curfew, which is also still in effect in neighboring North Wildwood and Wildwood Crest as well as nearby Ocean City, Wildwoods backpack ban will limit large bags on the boardwalk after 8 p.m. Officials also remind visitors that alcohol is not permitted on the beach or in boardwalk areas except for certain events and in restaurants that are allowed to serve. On top of a large police presence, Wildwood has installed protective bollards along the boardwalk to keep vehicles off as well as increased video surveillance. In short, the mayor says visitors must behave or else. Listen, this isnt a suggestion its the law," Troiano, Jr. said. Were not playing games when it comes to the safety of our boardwalk and the families who come here to enjoy themselves. You break the rules, you deal with the consequences. Plain and simple. A student at Princeton University was found not guilty Tuesday of assaulting its head of campus security during the height of last springs pro-Palestinian protests. David Piegaro, 27, was cleared of simple assault following a two-day trial in February. He maintained that hed been acting as a citizen journalist on the day of his arrest. The judge presiding over his case, John McCarthy III, said Piegaros actions reflected poor judgment, but it was clear they didnt amount to criminal recklessness, according to Princetons alumni magazine. Piegaros lawyer, Gerald Krovatin, said he was relieved by the verdict. A spokesperson for Princeton and the officer involved in the episode did not immediately respond to a request for comment. On April 29, 2024, Piegaro said he was filming on his phone as pro-Palestinian demonstrators left Clio Hall, which they had occupied overnight. Piegaro is Jewish and described himself as pro-Israel to The New York Times. He had been offended by the protesters pro-Palestinian rhetoric and felt that Princeton wasnt doing enough to quell the demonstrations, Krovatin said. Piegaro began following a group of three people up the steps of an adjacent building after he recognized two of them as faculty advisers to the protesters, Krovatin said. The third person, whom Krovatin said Piegaro didnt recognize, was Kenneth Strother, the chief of Princetons department of public safety. As Strother barred Piegaro from following the group inside the building, the pair got into a physical altercation that sent the latter, according to his testimony, tumbling down the steps. Piegaros cell phone footage, which was obtained by NJ Advance Media, cuts off before the altercation and fall. In it, Piegaro can be heard asking Strother who is wearing a black suit, for his name and position and saying, Dont touch me. Strother later said in court that Piegaro had grabbed and pushed him. Piegaro argued that Strother had touched him first, grabbing and turning him horizontally. A witness, Sarah Kwartler, testified that she saw Strother holding Piegaro like an open pair of scissors before dropping him. Piegaro was taken to a hospital after the incident and evaluated for bruised ribs, his lawyer said. Strother was uninjured in the incident. The 27-year-old was charged with aggravated assault, trespassing, obstruction of administration of law and resisting arrest. His obstruction and resisting arrest charges were later dropped, and the aggravated assault charge was reduced to simple assault. Krovatin said he and Piegaro had turned down prosecutors offers of a plea deal, feeling strongly that he didnt do anything wrong certainly not anything that would amount to a criminal violation." During trial, prosecutors moved to have the trespassing charge dropped as well. Piegaro, who is now a senior, is looking forward to getting on with things and graduating from Princeton, Krovatin said. He was tried separately from 13 student protesters who were arrested the same day, charged with trespassing after the Clio Hall occupation. The groups expected three-day trial is set for June. Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. AJ McDougall may be reached at amcdougall@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on X at @oldmcdougall. The message was clear on the gate in front of Delaney Hall, a privately owned jailhouse on Doremus Avenue in an industrial area of Newark, seen here on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. Steve Strunsky | NJ Advance Media For NJ.com The company contracted by ICE to operate an immigrant detention center in Newark blasted a city lawsuit to block its opening as a politicized campaign to interfere with the federal governments efforts to arrest, detain and deport dangerous criminal aliens in accordance with established federal law. These politically motivated tactics threaten both public safety and the local economy and are based on bogus claims about the Delaney Hall facility, which previously operated as a federal immigration processing center for six years under President Barack Obamas administration, without opposition from local political leaders, read a statement Tuesday from the company, the GEO Group of Boca Raton, Florida. The GEO Groups retort came a day after Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka announced the citys intention to file a suit in state Superior Court in Essex County seeking injunctions against GEOs continued work on Delaney Hall, a jailhouse with a history of violence apart from the current detention center controversy. The suit says the company failed to obtain construction permits or allow code enforcement officials inside the jailhouse to conduct inspections, violating city and state laws and endangering lives. The complaint names the GEO Reentry Group LLC, a subsidiary of the GEO Group, as the defendant. ICE is not a defendant. A copy of the complaint and related documents obtained by NJ Advance Media on Tuesday contained allegations that Baraka hadnt detailed in his announcement the day before. For example, the citys engineering department director, Dolores Martinez Wooden, said GEO failed to obtain construction permits for electrical and plumbing work and refused to allow inspections of the buildings elevators, risking the lives of workers and other occupants of the jailhouse. The lack of an inspection presents an immediate and significant risk to life safety, including fire hazards due to improper electrical wiring, risk of electrocution due to unpermitted electrical work, insufficient plumbing which may yield to low water pressure and environmental issues due to improper disposal of wastewater and solid waste, Wooden stated in an affidavit accompanying the complaint. She added that, without an inspection to ensure that elevators were working properly, a fire in the facility would place occupants at risk of injury during evacuation procedures, just to name a few hazards. Neither ICE nor the GEO group has said when Delaney Hall would begin housing detainees. Wooden said representatives who met her at the sites Doremus Avenue gate said it was being used as a training facility. In addition to seeking legal fees and monetary damages to cover enforcement-related and other expenses, the city is asking a judge to issue an order stating that GEO shall cease occupancy and construction, at the property known as Delaney Hall pending inspections of the premises by the City of Newark. After GEO issued its statement Tuesday blasting the citys politicized campaign, the company did not respond to a follow-up request for comment addressing the assertions in the complaint and Woodsons affidavit. ICE has declined to comment on the lawsuit. The GEO Group is one of the worlds largest operators of private detention and re-entry facilities and a leading contractor with ICE, the frosty acronym for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, a branch of the federal Department of Homeland Security. In February, ICE and GEO announced a 15-year deal worth $1 billion to operate the 1,000-bed facility, less than two miles north of Newark Liberty International Airport, where deportees are put on planes out of the country. Delaney Hall would quadruple ICEs detention capacity in New Jersey, adding to a 300-bed facility in Elizabeth, currently the only immigration lock-up in the state. The agencys announcement billed Delaney Hall as the first new immigrant detention facility to open during President Donald Trumps second term, following his campaign promise of a mass deportation focused on immigrants wanted for criminal offenses apart from their undocumented status. The announcement triggered protests by immigrants rights advocates and Democratic elected officials, including Baraka, who is among the Democrats running for governor in the June primary. But opposition to the facility had begun mounting a year earlier, led by U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, a former Newark mayor. Booker, a Democrat, joined groups including Make the Road New Jersey, the Alliance for Immigrant Justice and others after ICE announced in April 2024 under then-President Joe Biden that it was negotiating with GEO to reopen Delaney Hall. Newark, an immigrant-rich city of 305,000 mostly Black and brown residents, has figured prominently in the nationwide crackdown trumpeted by the president. Just three days after Trumps Jan. 20 swearing-in, heavily armed ICE agents converged on the Ocean Seafood Depot, a distributor and retailer in the citys Ironbound section, where they arrested three undocumented immigrants. Baraka called attention to the incident, issuing a statement criticizing ICE for acting without a warrant. ICE later said its agents didnt need a warrant after the person in charge of the business gave them permission to search it. Baraka appeared at a March 11 rally outside Delaney Hall protesting the centers opening and calling for passage of the Immigrant Trust Act, state legislation that would codify New Jersey attorney general guidelines limiting information sharing by state and local law enforcement agencies with ICE. A New Jersey law had previously barred state, county, municipal or private facilities from being used to detain immigrants, though a federal judge overturned the ban on private facilities. It was quiet outside Delaney Hall on Tuesday afternoon, a sunny and cool day blessedly free of the odor that often wafts over the facilitys barbed wire and chain link fence from the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission treatment plant a block away. The parking lot inside the fence was full of cars. A security guard joined by a supervisor and another GEO representative stopped NJAM at the same gate where Wooden and city inspectors were turned away Monday, referring any questions to the companys Florida headquarters. The nonprofit advocacy groups Make the Road New Jersey, the NJ Alliance for Immigrant Justice and others sponsored a demonstration on March 11 to protest the opening of Delaney Hall as a privately owned and operated immigrant detention center under a contract with ICE. Ed Murray| For NJ Advance Media Nobody knows Jersey better than NJ.com Sign up to get breaking news alerts straight to your inbox. Steve Strunsky may be reached at sstrunsky@njadvancemedia.com The Montclair State University Foundation Board has appointed two alumni, Frank R. Alvarez 76 and Wamwari Waichungo 90, as new board members. Both will serve three-year terms, joining the board in its mission to provide financial resources for the university and its students. Alvarez, who received his bachelors degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Montclair State, has made a career in education. He currently serves as an educational consultant, assisting districts in improving their practices. Alvarez has held superintendent positions in four New Jersey and New York districts and has worked for the New Jersey State Department of Education. In recognition of his contributions to the field, Montclair State awarded him an honorary doctorate in 2008 and the Distinguished Alumni Award for the former College of Education and Human Services (CEHS) in 2022. Montclair State University played a major role in my professional growth. It is an honor to pay it forward by serving on the Foundation board, said Alvarez, who hopes to increase financial support for scholarships and university-wide programs. Together with his wife, Nancy Myers-Alvarez 76, 02 MA, he has endowed and continues to support a scholarship fund for students during their student teaching semester. Waichungo, a global leader in food safety and regulatory affairs, currently serves as the Global Head of Regulatory and Scientific Affairs at ADM. She earned her undergraduate degree in Home Economics with a concentration in Food and Nutrition at Montclair State College before obtaining advanced degrees in Food Science and Law. In 2015, Waichungo established a food science scholarship at Montclair and furthered her investment in 2022 with a planned gift commitment and additional endowment support. The university recognized her generosity by naming the Waichungo Family Courtyard in University Hall in April 2023. I believe in Montclair and the power of education to transform lives, hence I am thrilled to deepen my commitment to this incredible institution by serving on the Foundation board, said Waichungo, who previously served on the former CEHS advisory board and was honored with the CEHS Distinguished Alumni Award in 2020. Foundation Board Chair Gregory Collins 79 expressed enthusiasm for the expertise and commitment Alvarez and Waichungo bring to the board, stating, Both have distinguished themselves in their respective careers, and we are fortunate for the dedication and passion they will bring to their new roles to serve Montclair. The Montclair State University Foundation, Inc., a separate not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation, was created in 1960 by alumni and friends to provide financial support for the educational needs of the university. * * * Submit Essex County community news to essex@njadvancemedia.com. Generative AI was used to produce an initial draft of this story, which was reviewed and edited by NJ Advance Media staff. Trader Joe's is recalling a popular condiment sold in 17 states due to allergens not stated on the label. Canva/Trader Joe's/FDA/Katherine Rodriguez Trader Joes is recalling a popular condiment sold in 17 states due to allergens not stated on the label. Fresh Creative Foods issued a recall for Trader Joes Hot Honey Mustard Dressing because it may contain several undisclosed allergens, including peanuts, soy, sesame and wheat, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. All Hot Honey Mustard Dressings with a sell by date of May 27, were included in the recall. The product was sold in the following states, as well as Washington, D.C.: Arkansas Colorado Delaware Florida Georgia Kansas Louisiana Massachusetts Maryland North Carolina New Mexico Ohio Oklahoma Pennsylvania South Carolina Texas Virginia Customers who purchased the dressing can return it to a Trader Joes store for a full refund or throw it out. Those with questions about the recall can contact can call Fresh Creative Foods at 888-223-2127. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Katherine Rodriguez can be reached at krodriguez@njadvancemedia.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips. Testing that can help with the early detection and treatment of diseases including cancer, Alzheimers and multiple sclerosis will be accessible to more patients soon. Right now, health insurance companies dont have to cover biomarker testing in New Jersey. Lawmakers and patient advocates say this means some patients are on the hook for hundreds or even thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket costs. Others go without the testing that may connect them with lifesaving treatment. That would all change under a bill thats headed to Gov. Phil Murphys desk to be signed into law. The legislation requires all health insurers to provide coverage for biomarker precision medical testing when patients need it. By requiring health insurers to provide coverage, we are breaking down barriers to early detection and targeted treatment, ultimately improving health outcomes for countless individuals across New Jersey, said Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter, D-Passaic, one of the legislations sponsors, in a press release. Biomarker testing is a form of precision medicine that analyzes a patients cells to provide insights into their health status and risk of certain diseases. It can also help determine the right treatment at the right time by matching patients with targeted therapies, which may help patients avoid treatments that will be ineffective or unnecessary. Multiple myeloma survivor Regina Toomey Bueno received biomarker testing during her treatment and testified before the Senate Commerce Committee in December 2024. The testing showed that her multiple myeloma was not particularly aggressive, meaning she would likely respond well to first-line treatment, Bueno told NJ Advance Media. Thats exactly what happened. I went into remission six months after I started treatment, said Bueno, of Mahwah. She credits biomarker testing with helping her avoid more painful, unnecessary procedures. In the past, everyone who got multiple myeloma got a stem cell transplant, also known as a bone marrow transplant. But because I responded the way I did and because they knew my type was not so aggressive, I didnt have to do this very expensive, horribly invasive procedure, said Bueno. In a 2020 study sponsored by CVS Health, patients who received broad panel biomarker testing experienced an average additional up-front cost increase of $1,200 compared to patients who received narrow panel biomarker testing, with a cost savings of about $8,500 per month in total cost of care, a substantial overall savings in treatment costs over time. Despite the proven savings and efficacy of biomarker testing for cancer treatment, studies show Black patients are less likely to receive these tests compared to white patients. If this bill were to get passed, more patients will get access to the right treatment at the right time and we believe that this bill will lead to potential lifesaving treatments for patients, said Quinton Law, the New Jersey government relations director for American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. And most importantly its going to close existing equity gaps. This moves us closer to a future where lifesaving care isnt based now here you live or how much money you make, said Law. Biomarker testing also extends beyond cancer care. The science is being used in the treatment of other diseases including arthritis, autoimmune conditions, organ and tissue transplant, rare diseases, and preeclampsia. There is also biomarker research happening in Alzheimers, multiple sclerosis, cardiology and more. The legislation in New Jersey has received support from over two dozen organizations, including the ALS Association, Alzheimers Association, the Arthritis Association, the National Organization for Rare Diseases, and the New Jersey State Society of Physician Assistants. Dozens of states have made expanded biomarker testing part of their insurance laws. If the bill is signed by Murphy, New Jersey would become the 21st state to enact biomarker testing legislation, following in the footsteps of its neighbors in New York and Pennsylvania. Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription. Jackie Roman may be reached at jroman@njadvancemedia.com. The Medicine Woman cannabis dispensary in Jersey City is backed by business partners, from left, Ice-T, Charis Burrett and John Batchelor. Their dispensary recently received state approval for recreational sales. Haresh Oudhnarine | The Jersey Journal Famous rapper and actor Ice-T has partnered with a former Playboy model to debut a new weed dispensary in Jersey City. The cannabis dispensary had a soft opening last month and expects to kick off full operations after its April 19 grand opening, according to Ice-Ts Instagram post. Ice-T, born in Newark, partnered with former Playboy model Charis Burrett to open the store, dubbed The Medicine Woman. Our mindset is to bring global medicine to local areas at an affordable price for everybody, Burrett said in an interview in High Times. MORE: Should N.J. allow home-grown weed? Most candidates for governor say yes. We believe that cannabis should be available to everybody that needs it. You know, it is a beautiful medicine. Its been around for centuries. And we love being able to educate people and communities, have healthy debates and like I said, bring global medicine to local communities at affordable prices, she added. Ice-T said he is glad to open the shop in Jersey City. The future location of The Medicine Woman cannabis dispensary on Tonnelle Avenue in Jersey City in January, before it was renovated for its April grand opening. Reena Rose Sibayan | The Jersey Ive dedicated my life and career to giving back and paving the way for minorities, he said in a statement. As a New Jersey native, Im excited for the opportunity legalization offers our community. The Medicine Woman was approved by the state Cannabis Regulatory Commission to sell recreational marijuana. It is located at 660-684 Tonnelle Ave. and joins several other dispensaries already open in Jersey City. It is not far from where Ice-T star of NBCs Law & Order: Special Victims Unit grew up in Summit before moving to California. I look forward to ushering in a new era for cannabis in the state, Ice-T added. Im Black, Im a veteran, my whole career has been about helping people. Nobody starts a business thinking about social impact But its lucrative enough that you should want to help the community. The April 19 opening will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony, music, food and an afterparty, the shops announcement said. Ice-T performs at the Essence Festival in New Orleans on July 1, 2023. Amy Harris/Invision/AP Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Jelani Gibson may be reached at jgibson@njadvancemedia.com. A Trenton resident is charged with murder after investigators say she intentionally struck a woman with her car, hit a house and drove away. Trenton police on Tuesday arrested 47-year-old Asia Brown for first-degree murder in the death of Caldner Bell, the Mercer County Prosecutors Office said Wednesday. Bell, 67, died at Capital Health Regional Medical Center after being struck by Browns car, which jumped a curb, hit the pedestrian, then plowed into a house, the prosecutors office said. Brown is also charged with leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident resulting in death. Prosecutors have motioned for her detention before trial, but a date on which that request will be argued was not yet determined, according to New Jersey Superior Court records. An attorney for Brown is not listed in judicial records. Investigators responded to the crash site around 4:12 p.m., finding Bell after being struck by Browns Lexus SUV, the prosecutors office said. The women were involved in a confrontation outside of Bells home on West State Street sometime Tuesday before Brown struck the 67-year-old and the nearby home, the prosecutors office said. The agency did not say if the home the car struck was occupied, or if anyone inside was injured. After striking the home, Brown sped away in her car on West State Street, turning onto Newell Avenue. She then drove through a construction zone guarded by two police officers, who stopped Brown at Montgomery and East State streets. Her vehicles front bumper and drivers side tire were damaged. Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription. Eric Conklin may be reached at econklin@njadvancemedia.com. The Rutgers University Police Department was investigating a burglary, criminal mischief and bias crime within the Center for Islamic Life at Rutgers on College Avenue in New Brunswick on April 10, 2024. Patti Sapone | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com A 24-year-old Somerset County man who admitted to vandalizing the Center for Islamic Life at Rutgers University last year was sentenced to six months in prison Tuesday, court records show. Jacob Beacher, of North Plainfield, was sentenced to six months in prison and one year of supervised release, according to federal court records. Joe Rizzuto opened his Main Street Donuts shop in Matawan on Saturday, as hes been doing for the last two and a half years. Hours later, his business was the target of an alleged hate crime. Maciej Wojciak, 61, was arrested by Matawan police and charged with several crimes, including terroristic threats and criminal mischief. After allegedly trying to take down a Pride flag at the doughnut shop, Wojciak is also accused of threatening to burn the donut shop down and making a Nazi salute. Rizzuto, 54, runs Main Street Donuts in Matawan with his husband, Rick Canero, to whom hes been married for 26 years. The Pride and American flags are displayed on each side of the Monmouth County shop. Before Saturdays incident, Rizzuto explained he had never seen Wojciak. An employee alerted Rizzuto of Wojciaks alleged attempt to remove the Pride flag. I was in the back of the storeroom, and (the employee) came back screaming, Joe, somebody just tore down the Pride flag and ran away with it, Rizzuto told NJ Advance Media Tuesday. Rizzuto ran after Wojciak and retrieved the flag from him after a brief struggle. Before fleeing the scene, Wojciak allegedly told Rizzuto, Its not your flag anymore. Im gonna burn it. Wojciak then drove away, and Rizzuto took a picture of his license plate, which he shared with Matawan police. While officers searched for Wojciak, he returned to harass the doughnut shop further. Wojciak screamed from the car that hes gonna burn down my business and the building, Rizzuto said. Dozens of people on the street saw this, which was horrifying. In a video taken by Rizzuto and sent to NJ Advance Media, Wojciak can be seen blocking traffic wearing a MAGA hat and wig. He gets out of the car and simulates sex acts to the camera before performing Nazi salutes and driving away. Officers tracked down Wojciaks car and arrested him Saturday. He was charged with bias intimidation and disorderly conduct, along with terroristic threats and criminal mischief. I am not going to sit idle Rizzuto is now speaking out about this experience, noting this is not the first time hes experienced intolerance at his business. In 2022, six months after Rizzuto opened the Matawan location, a resident tried to take his Pride flag down. Rizzuto chastised the man, and the situation took a darker turn. He came back and threatened a 16-year-old female employee of mine who was cleaning the table, Rizzuto said. The young man has since been banned from the doughnut shop. Rizzuto speaks out because he believes hate loses its power when its called out. I have never had a problem with being harassed until these two incidents, Rizzuto explained. Im not going to sit idle. We cant. If you stay silent, things like this are going to continue. Main Street Donuts In Matawan, NJ. Photo Credit: Joe Rizzuto Joe Rizzuto Since Saturday, the community has shown up in support of Rizzuto and Main Street Donuts. Business has exploded, he said, and the shop can barely keep donuts in stock because of the demand. The shop also sold out of all its branded apparel. (Monday) morning, I had a guy from Paramus come here. He said, I read about this, and said, I drove an hour to support you, said Rizzuto. The shop also now displays new drawings from kids in the neighborhood, who know Rizzuto as Joey Donuts, because he allows them to sit down and gives free candy. Rizzuto is involved in fundraising activities for the school systems in Old Bridge, Hazlet, Keyport, and Holmdel. He also owns a second doughnut store in Belmar, which he has owned since 2018. With how much Rizzuto has invested into the Matawan community, seeing the love given back overwhelms him even if its under these circumstances. The coming together and show of support; I cant even describe it, said Rizzuto. Im so overwhelmed and so grateful. Related coverage: Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Murjani Rawls may be reached at mrawls@njadvancemedia.com Student negotiator Mahmoud Khalil is seen at a pro-Palestinian protest encampment on the Columbia University campus in New York, April 29, 2024. AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, File A federal judge has ruled that the legal battle over Mahmoud Khalils deportation should continue to play out in New Jersey, rejecting the Trump administrations bid to transfer the Columbia University protesters case to Louisiana. In a written decision Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz in Newark said jurisdiction over the case should remain in New Jersey since Khalil was being held there at the time his lawyers filed their habeas corpus petition demanding his release. The Courts jurisdiction is not defeated by the Petitioner having been moved to Louisiana, the judge wrote, describing the governments argument otherwise as unpersuasive. The ruling does not guarantee that Khalil will be moved out of a detention facility in Louisiana, where he is being held as the government seeks his deportation for his role in campus protests against Israel. But it will allow his attorneys to make their arguments for his release before a judge in New Jersey. Khalils wife Noor Abdalla, an American citizen who is eight months pregnant, called the decision an important step towards securing Mahmouds freedom, adding that there is still a lot more to be done. As the countdown to our sons birth begins and I inch closer and closer to my due date, I will continue to strongly advocate for Mahmouds freedom and for his safe return home, she added. Khalil, a legal U.S. resident, was detained by federal immigration agents on March 8 in the lobby of his university-owned apartment. It was the first arrest under President Donald Trumps promised crackdown on students who joined campus protests against the war in Gaza. On the day after his arrest, Khalil was flown to an immigration detention center in Jena, Louisiana, a move his lawyers allege was intended to manipulate federal jurisdiction of the case while depriving Khalil of access to his wife and children. They keep passing around the body in an almost Kafkaesque way, defense attorney Baher Azmy said at a court hearing Friday in New Jersey. The governments argument for moving the case to Louisiana largely rested on what they described as a clerical error: by the time Khalils attorneys had filed their habeas petition in New York for his release at 4:40 a.m., the morning after his arrest he already had been moved to a facility in New Jersey. Transferring the case to Louisiana, Justice Department attorney August Flentje argued, was necessary for jurisdictional certainty. The judge dismissed that argument in his ruling, writing that at the moment the Petition was filed, there was only one such place New Jersey, where the Petitioner was being held. If the case were to go forward in Louisiana, it may have ultimately ended up before one of the nations most conservative appeals courts, possibly allowing those judges to issue a precedent-setting ruling on both Khalils case and the Trump administrations broader efforts to deport noncitizen student activists. Hey there New Jersey! Heres your audio update highlighting disturbing allegations against a State Police trooper, the resilient response of a donut shop owner to a hate crime, and a significant jury award in a doctors sexual abuse case. Well also tell you about an iconic hot dog stand in Mercer County that has been given new life. Listen by clicking the play button above. This audio presentation is an editorially-curated selection of stories, selected by an editor, and then summarized and read aloud by artificial intelligence. Some variations in pronunciation, tone or diction may result. We want to know what you think! All feedback is valuable. After youve listened, take our 3-question survey here to let us know what you think. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. A 17-year-old boy was arrested Monday after he was identified as a suspect in the killing of a 21-year-old man in Paterson, authorities said. The teen was charged with acts of juvenile delinquency that would constitute the offenses of murder, conspiracy to commit murder and weapons charges if he were an adult, the Passaic County Prosecutors Office said in a statement Tuesday. The shooting occurred on the night of March 22 at the intersection of 12th Avenue and East 24th Street in Paterson. Police responded to a report of shots fired at 5:05 p.m. and found JahZyer Montgomery, of Garfield, who was suffering from gunshot wounds. Montgomery was pronounced dead at St. Josephs University Medical Center, authorities said. Prosecutors said an investigation identified the teen as one of the suspects in the shooting. It was not clear whether any other suspects are being investigated. The matter will be handled by Passaic County Family Court. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Nicolas Fernandes may be reached at nfernandes@njadvancemedia.com. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters before signing an executive order in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Monday, March 31, 2025. (Pool via AP) AP The headline from the conservative Wall Street Journal editorial board isnt a good one for President Donald Trump. The MAGA Backlash Arrives. Republicans hold two Florida House seats despite sharp swing to the Democrats, but Democrats easily keep their Wisconsin Supreme Court majority. The Paramount+ series MobLand premiered on Sunday, March 30, and the reviews are already pouring in. Over on Rotten Tomatoes, the crime drama has a 78 percent approval rating based on 23 reviews. Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the series a score of 59 based on 14 critic reviews. Several critics have praised Tom Hardys portrayal of Harry Da Souza, a fixer for London crime family The Harrigans. RogerEbert.coms Brian Tallerico praised Hardy for carrying the premiere episode, noting that the actor has the chops to hold a show together. The Guardians review also identified Hardy as the standout performance, but expressed skepticism about whether the show as a whole will work. Tom Hardy can pull off miracles! And this show needs a few, the reviews title reads. Deciders Stream It or Skip It column gave a tentative recommendation that viewers give MobLand a chance because of the cast and the shows potential to go deep into its characters psyches. But we also wonder if this is just a generic mob drama with a prestige drama skin on it, which would be a big disappointment if that was the case, Deciders review continued. The Irish Times was even harsher, calling Pierce Brosnans Irish accent a horror for the ages and slamming the shows universally dislikable characters and bland story. READ MORE: When do new MobLand episodes come out? See the full release schedule The Wrap was kinder, praising MobLands high-octane action and calling it a sure bet that the show will develop into a memorable action-packed series. Viewers seem to agree with critics that Hardy is the best part of MobLand. Watched the premiere and Hardy gives me the chills as per usual, one fan wrote via Reddit. All the Tom Hardy stuff is a massive yes, another viewer agreed. In addition to Hardy, MobLand stars Brosnan as crime family patriarch Conrad Harrigan. Helen Mirren plays his wife, Maeve. The show was originally conceived as an origin story to the Showtime series Ray Donovan, but it was later reworked into its own standalone story. While the show was created by Ronan Bennett, Guy Ritchie who is known for his work on British gangster films directed the premiere episode and is an executive producer. Some fans have pointed out that MobLand feels different from Ritchies past projects. The PACE is un-Ritchie like. Especially after the hyper frenetic The Gentlemen series, one Reddit user wrote. Not a bad thing, but part of his allure is he feeds that kid in you that just wants unhinged wackos doing bad things, making questionable decisions. Another viewer added, For something directed by Guy Ritchie, I was hoping for a bit more ... Guy Ritchie. MobLand is available to stream on Paramount+. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips/. Jury selection has officially begun for Karen Reads second trial for the alleged murder of John OKeefe. The process kicked off in a Dedham, Massachusetts, courtroom on Tuesday, April 1. Of the 92 potential jurors present on day one, 78 said they have heard of Reads case. 40 said theyd already formed an opinion, and 16 said they were biased toward either the defense or the prosecution. One potential juror was dismissed on Tuesday before speaking to Judge Beverly Cannone. The last time Read was on trial a mistrial was declared in July 2024 due to a hung jury the jury selection process took just five days. This time around, its expected to take much longer. I think its going to take a very long time to find a jury, Cannone said during Reads final pretrial conference on March 25. Many if not most, if not all jurors have heard about this case. Potential jurors must complete a three-page questionnaire, which can be viewed at WCVB.com. The questionnaire asks potential jurors whether they can be fair and impartial despite the high-profile nature of the case and the fact that the victim was an off-duty policeman. It also asks potential jurors whether theyve ever been part of a group that showed support for law enforcement or a group that was critical of law enforcement and whether theyd be more likely to believe or disbelieve a witness who is a law enforcement officer. READ MORE: Where to watch the Karen Read documentary in case you missed it More than 1,000 people have been summoned as potential jurors for the trial. During the first week of jury selection, 275 of those people will be called to court each day. Have any jurors been chosen in Karen Reads case? Yes. Seven jurors have been seated after two days of jury selection. Four men and three women have been chosen, leaving nine spots on the jury. What to know about Karen Reads case Read is accused of hitting her boyfriend John OKeefe, a Boston police officer, with her car and leaving him to die in a January 2022 snowstorm. Just as she did in her first trial, Read has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating under the influence, and leaving the scene of a crash resulting in death. Leading up to her second trial, Reads attorneys made multiple unsuccessful attempts to get the second-degree murder charge and the leaving the scene of a crash charge dropped. READ MORE: Karen Read documentary: Karen recalls shocking moment John OKeefes mom turned against her Reads legal team argued that the charges should be dropped on double jeopardy grounds, noting that multiple jurors from the first trial came forward to report that theyd all agreed Read was not guilty of murder or leaving the scene but couldnt agree on the manslaughter charge. The defense claims that Read is being framed for OKeefes murder. Her attorneys allege that several witnesses used their resources as law enforcement officials to cover up what really happened to OKeefe. Judge Quinone ruled on Monday, March 31, that the defense cant include Colin Albert in their third-party culprit defense strategy. They are, however, allowed to proceed with their attempts to prove that Brian Higgins and Brian Albert are responsible for OKeefes death. OKeefes body was found outside Brian Alberts home, and Higgins was at Brian Alberts residence on the night of OKeefes death. No one besides Read has been charged in connection with OKeefes death. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips/. Dayana, a Union City resident, is pleading for her father's release from an ICE detention center in Louisiana. Last month, he was detained by ICE while attending a routine immigration appointment in Newark. Daysi Calavia-Robertson | For NJ Advance Media Lea esta columna en espanol: Un hombre de N.J. sufrio un infarto en custodia de ICE. Su hija desesperada pide que lo liberen For Dayana, a longtime Union City resident, the last month has been a total nightmare. Weeks ago, her worst fear suddenly became a reality: Her father, Rafael Gonzalez, a 57-year-old immigrant from Venezuela who was seeking political asylum here, was unexpectedly detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers while at a routine immigration appointment in Newark. Rafael, who arrived in New Jersey last April after months of trekking through the treacherous Darien Gap, regularly attended scheduled check-ins with immigration officials. (The check-ins allow ICE to keep track of immigrants pursuing asylum or other forms of legal status.) When he was detained, Rafael was taken to an immigrant detention center in Elizabeth. But shortly after, he was transferred to another in Louisiana. And then, something even worse happened, she tells me in Spanish, her eyes welling with tears, he suffered a massive heart attack. Dayana says her dad had been complaining about intense chest pains for days but says hed told her staff members at the facility had largely ignored him. Now, Id love to say this harrowing turn of events is unique. But sadly, thats not the case. Across the country, in recent weeks, ICE has detained dozens of people as theyve shown up for scheduled immigration appointments, including another New Jersey resident, Karim Daoud. In Florida, at least 18 people, with prior protections from removal proceedings, were taken into custody last month. And nationally, rampant medical care failures at immigrant detention centers, including deadly ones, have for years been well-documented by immigrants rights advocates, attorneys, and government oversight groups. In New Jersey, many of the immigration attorneys I spoke to say they worry some of their clients will now feel too afraid to attend interviews and jeopardize their cases. Ebony Anuforo, a Jersey City-based immigration attorney, told me theres a crackdown on political asylum cases, especially those involving credible fear, a screening process for asylum seekers in which applicants must establish a significant and well-founded fear of persecution or torture if returned to their country of origin. Those cases, in particular, are being scrutinized, she said. Especially, those involving people who came in through the border in recent years. For Dayana, whose own legal status is in flux, its a scary and unfathomable situation. But I dont care about my case right now, she says. Right now, all I care about, all I can think about, is my dad. One day, she says her father, whos detained at the Jackson Parish Correctional Center in Jonesboro, Louisiana, was in so much pain, he called her from the center crying. The only other time Ive heard him cry was when my grandmother died, she says, with tears streaming down her face. I did my best to put on a brave front. I told him be strong, dont despair. But of course, I was dying inside. The day Rafael had a heart attack, he was rushed to a nearby hospital for emergency surgery. Once there, he borrowed a strangers cell phone and briefly Facetimed his daughter. When I answered the phone and saw him with tubes on his face, I panicked, she says. Rafael Gonzalez, a Venezuelan man seeking political asylum, was detained by ICE at a routine immigration appointment in Newark. Shortly after, he was transferred to a detention center in Louisiana where he suffered a massive heart attack. Courtesy of Dayana Despite worrying so much she couldnt sleep and calling the hospital repeatedly, Dayana says she wasnt given any information about her dads health status. She wasnt able to speak with him again until days later. And when she finally did, he was already back at the detention center, she says with a sigh. Honestly, I couldnt believe it ...Why would they take him back there? He hadnt healed yet, hed just had open-heart surgery, she says. Plus, he suffers from high blood pressure and has many other health problems which could easily lead to complications so as you can imagine, I was, and still am, very afraid something else could happen to him. As the daughter of an immigrant father, whos about the same age as Rafael and has his own laundry list of serious health issues, I can imagine. (The day my dad finally became an American citizen last year is still one of the best days of my life. And I think often of the deep relief I feel right now.) Sitting alongside her in the kitchen of the small two-bedroom apartment she shared with her father until recently, I wanted so badly to fill the air with words of hope and comfort. Instead, the conversation soon veered towards another distressing reality: Immigrant detention centers in Louisiana dont have the best track record for offering timely medical care to detainees. In fact, at several of them, immigrants have even died while in custody. Between 2016 and 2023, at least four immigrants at Louisiana detention centers died under questionable circumstances. In mid-2023, Ernesto Rocha-Cuadra, a 42-year-old Nicaraguan man seeking political asylum, died of a heart attack at a Louisiana detention center. By then, Rocha-Cuadra whod been detained for over a year, had submitted at least 29 grievances, including dozens alleging he was denied medical care, according to documents reviewed by New Orleans-based Verite News, a nonprofit newsroom. In early March, when Mahmoud Khalil, a popular Palestinian activist who was detained by ICE in Manhattan, was transferred to a processing center in Louisiana, Rocha-Cuadras death as well as the widespread allegations of abuse and mistreatment at Louisiana facilities were again in the spotlight. Advocates say the LaSalle Detention Center in Jena, Louisiana, where Khalil, a legal permanent resident, is still detained has a notorious reputation for inhumane conditions including the denial of medical access and treatment. The company that runs the facility told The Guardian it strongly disagrees with the allegations. The facility where Dayanas dad is detained is run by LaSalle Corrections, a company which runs eleven detention centers in Louisiana, many with well-documented reports of abuse and paltry medical care. In the weeks since her fathers detainment, Dayana confesses shes spent an unhealthy number of hours researching, reading, and spiraling. Its hard, this situation is so hard, she tells me tearfully. I dont know what else to do, Ive reached out to immigration lawyers, even to many who do pro bono work, but so far, no one can help us. Every day, she begs God to help her find someone who can, and soon, before its too late. I pray that [authorities] can listen to my plea, that they take mercy on my dad, she says. Hes in a lot of pain, hes suffering. Release him please, let him go ...at least until hes well. Let me take care of him until hes recovered, and then deport him, if you must. My dad is a really good person. Hes not a delinquent, hes not a killer, she tells me. He doesnt deserve this, he doesnt deserve having to risk dying in there. Daysi Calavia-Robertson is a columnist who covers our states diverse communities. Contact her at dcalavia robertson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Instagram at @presspassdaysi. Or subscribe to her weekly newsletter and WhatsApp community, My Group Chat. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Two firefighters were injured after falling through the floor while batting a house fire in Linden on Tuesday night. Linden police department Two firefighters suffered minor injuries battling a fire in a two-family home in Linden on Tuesday night that left 10 residents temporarily homeless. The home on the 200 block of East Blancke Street was fully engulfed in flames when emergency workers arrived at 9:30 p.m., Linden police said. Firefighters were told that people might be trapped inside and two firefighters fell through the floor while searching the home, officials said. Firefighters confirmed that all residents had already evacuated after searching the home. Firefighters prevented the fire from spreading to neighboring homes and it was extinguished in about an hour, authorities said. Neighboring homes had been evacuated as a precaution. The home where the fire occurred is uninhabitable. The fire remains under investigation. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. The Federal Budget presents an important opportunity to support and empower Australias small businesses. And whilst this years budget included some welcome measures, there remains significant untapped potential to not just support, but to fully recognise and elevate the role small businesses play in driving our economy. Small businesses are grappling with rising operational costs, economic uncertainty, and shifting consumer behaviours, so it was positive to see the Governments personal income tax cuts will give sole traders and microbusinesses a bit of breathing room, and the $150 energy rebate for around 1 million small businesses is a practical gesture. Seeing continued investment in education and Free TAFE is also encouragingbecause better-trained workers and business owners are key to building a more resilient, digitally savvy economy. This years Budget offered some welcome supportbut ultimately wed like to see more support for Aussie small businesses. For all the good news, theres a glaring gap: no meaningful new support to help small businesses digitise and adopt emerging technologies like AI. This years Budget offered no new digital adoption incentives: no return of the bipartisan Technology Investment Boost, no AI-readiness funding, and no new programs to support small businesses in embracing e-commerce, accounting, or customer engagement tools that are fast becoming non-negotiables. Digital transformation isnt a luxury. Its essential. Our Intuit QuickBooks Small Business Insights surveyspanning Australia, the US, Canada and the UKhas made it clear: digital tools are critical for productivity, efficiency, and future competitiveness. Even the Digital Solutions Australian Small Business Advisory Services (ASBAS) program, which has been a helpful, low-cost entry point for many businesses, was simply maintainednot extended or expanded. With current funding set to end in mid-2026, theres a real risk of a support cliff just as AI adoption becomes critical for business survival. Meanwhile, other jurisdictions are charging ahead. Singapores GoDigital initiative is a great example it aims to foster a digitally empowered and inclusive society, helping businesses integrate technology, upskill the workforce, and ensure a safe and inclusive digital environment. It shows whats possible when grant funding is tied to outcomes. Australia needs to be leading in this spacenot playing catch-up. The path forward is clear: we need a Digital Boost incentivea dedicated, future-focused program to help small businesses adopt AI-ready tools and upskill their teams. Its a model with proven results and past bipartisan support. At Intuit, were committed to doing our part. Were proud to back small businesses every day through our QuickBooks and Mailchimp platforms. But technology alone cant overcome structural challenges. Government policy must keep pace with the realities small businesses face today. Short-term relief is welcomebut its not enough. Small businesses need a long-term, future-ready agenda that sets them up to thrive in the digital economy. Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Devin Williams was placed on the paternity list on Tuesday, opening up the spot for Adam Ottavino in the Yankees' bullpen. AP NEW YORK After opting out of his minor-league deal with the Red Sox last month, right-hander Adam Ottavino was biding his time, waiting for the right opportunity to present itself. He was confident that he is still a big-league pitcher, not wanting to sign with a club and pitch in Triple-A, serving as a someones backup. So, when the Yankees came calling, with closer Devin Williams going on the paternity list, it was a no-brainer for the reliever to put the pinstripes back on. He signed a big-league deal with the team and got to the ballpark on Tuesday afternoon, his first time back with the Yankees since the two-year stint he had with the club from 2019 to 2020. We tried with the Yankees for a while, even this offseason, Ottavino said. I felt like I was kind of in a little bit of a no mans land for the last week or so. But it all came together pretty quickly. Obviously, Im grateful for the opportunity. Im very lucky for it. BUY YANKEES TICKETS: STUBHUB, VIVID SEATS, TICKETMASTER Ottavino, 39, admitted that his stuff was down and not impressive enough to pitch in the big leagues early in spring training with Boston. Hes entering his 15th MLB season and its tough to build up quickly, especially when he signed with the Red Sox midway through February. But Ottavino threw the ball well right before he exercised his opt-out and the Yankees noticed that uptick in his effectiveness. Hes been on our board a little bit, I know the front office has been talking about him the last couple weeks, Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. Felt like what he was doing at the back end of spring training was in line with who Otto is. With Devin, felt like an opportunity to get him in here and excited to have him back. To Boone, Ottavino has a lot left in there. He referenced the right-handers track record and the fact that hes been pitching in big markets for much of this past decade. Hes still been very effective throughout his entire career, Boone said. When we first got him, we brought him in to be kind of that righty killer, high-leverage set-up, and he delivered on that. Obviously, very familiar with with what it takes to play here, and hes played here and the Mets and Boston. This is what he knows. So theres a chance to get a quality pitcher in here and hopefully he can help us. Where it goes, well see. Ottavino is well aware that this could be a short reunion. Williams wont miss too much time and as of now, all the veteran knows is that the Yankees wanted to sign him for Tuesdays game. The only other realistic option would be for the Yankees to option Brent Headrick down to Triple-A, but even if they do that, relievers on the injured list like Ian Hamilton arent far away from rejoining the active roster. Hes not looking beyond this first game back in a Yankees uniform regardless. Ottavino has grown to understand that in this game, tomorrow is never guaranteed. Regardless of however it plays out, its thrilling and really exciting, said Ottavino, a native of New York City. Its a team that I obviously love and a lot of love for everybody in here. Just excited and feeling lucky, just trying to enjoy it. Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription. Max Goodman may be reached at mgoodman@njadvancemedia.com. Six-day (Tuesday through Sunday) print subscribers of the Watertown Daily Times are eligible for full access to NNY360, the NNY360 mobile app, and the Watertown Daily Times e-edition, all at no additional cost. If you have an existing six-day print subscription to the Watertown Daily Times, please make sure your email address on file matches your NNY360 account email. You can sign up or manage your print subscription using the options below. Blend AI, a leading Australian adtech company, has opened its first US office in Austin, Texas, marking a major milestone in its global expansion. This step follows the companys success in helping US ecommerce businesses scale rapidly through its AI-powered advertising automation platform. Founded in 2020 by Michael Bezman and Dean Krowitz, Blend AI is an artificial intelligence platform tailored for ecommerce businesses. It simplifies launching and optimizing high-performing online ad campaigns across Meta, Google, YouTube, TikTok, and Microsoft, cutting out the waste, complexity, and high management costs typically tied to digital advertising. The platform automates everythingfrom campaign creation and targeting to real-time optimizationwhile providing enterprise-level data insights usually exclusive to top-tier agencies. With over 250 clients across 21 countries, including a growing US portfolio, Blend AI has supported brands selling pet products, babywear, furniture, and more. Austin: The gateway to US growth Austins vibrant tech ecosystem and startup-friendly environment made it the perfect choice for Blend AIs US headquarters. The new office will allow closer collaboration with its expanding US client base, supporting ecommerce brands aiming to scale efficiently. With the rapid evolution of AI and ecommerce, businesses can leverage smarter advertising technology to free up cash flow and time letting them grow sales while they sleep, said Dean Krowitz, Co-Founder of Blend AI. Our expansion into the US unlocks massive growth potential, enabling us to bring Blend AI to ecommerce brands looking for an edge in one of the worlds largest markets. This move reflects the rising global demand for AI-powered marketing solutions that streamline and automate online advertising. Scaling Lalabu to cult status Blend AI has been instrumental in the success of Lalabu, a Minnesota-based brand known for its Dad Shirta T-shirt with a built-in kangaroo pouch for hands-free babywearing. With Blend AIs support, Lalabus sales skyrocketed, turning the Dad Shirt into a viral sensation. Digital advertising is overwhelming for many business owners, especially in the US, said Michael Bezman, Co-Founder and CEO of Blend AI. Our AI, data driven approach levels the playing field, enabling brands like Lalabu to optimise ad spend and connect with the right customers at the right timeall without a large in-house marketing team. Lalabus Founder/CEO credits Blend AI for the brands explosive growth: Blend AI has revolutionised how we reach parents. Before partnering with them, we struggled with high ad costs and inconsistent results. Their platform has slashed our customer acquisition costs and boosted sales conversions. Today, the Dad Shirt is much more than just a product its become a cult favourite. Before its US expansion, Blend AI was already delivering impressive results for ecommerce brands in Australia. Jones & Co, an Australian company, sought Blend AIs help after traditional marketing agencies fell short. We needed a fresh approach something that gave us control and the ability to do more with less, said Jennifer Jones, Founder of Jones & Co. In just three months, Jones & Co saw a dramatic turnaround. Using Blend AIs platform on Meta and other channels, the company cut ad spend by half while doubling revenue. Freed from expensive agency retainers, Jones & Co reinvested those savings into the business. The results speak for themselves, said Jones. Blend AI has completely transformed how we approach online advertising. Our mission is simple, said Bezman. We want to empower ecommerce brands to focus on actually running their businesses and do what they do best creating amazing products and experiences for their customers while our AI handles the complexities of digital advertising. Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. WASHINGTON U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy said Tuesday the abrupt resignation of the nations chief vaccines regulator did not violate his pact with health chief Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a well-known skeptic of vaccinations. Theres nothing in that action that violates the commitment I received from Bobby Kennedy, Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge, told local reporters in a phone press conference. Cassidy played a key role in Kennedy's confirmation. Some fellow Republicans had been wary of confirming President Donald Trumps controversial pick to run the Department of Health & Human Services and they looked for Cassidys lead as chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee before backing Kennedy. FILE - Pope Francis attends his weekly general audience in the Pope Paul VI hall at the Vatican, Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023. Pope Francis called Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, for a universal ban on the despicable practice of surrogate motherhood, as he included the commercialization of pregnancy in an annual speech listing the threats to global peace and human dignity. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, File) Columnist Will Sutton has something to say about Gov. Jeff Landry's third special session this year. It was held to focus on "tax reform." It included SB2, a measure that wouldn't let legislators bypass voters in choosing which crimes committed by minors should be treated as adult crimes. "Some simply want to put more people, especially minors, behind bars. The proposed constitutional amendment, if approved by voters, would allow lawmakers to treat 14-, 15- and 16-year-olds as adults without asking citizens if that's what they want," Sutton writes. Australian small and medium businesses (SMEs) are locked in a ruthless branding war, struggling to break through a virtual jungle of social media and artificial intelligence noise, VistaPrints just-released 2025 SME Report reports. With nearly two-in-five (39%) lamenting that AI has turned standing out into a Herculean task and a hefty 44% pointing fingers at social media for muddying their message, the stakes couldnt be higher. Yet, in a twist of tenacity, two-thirds (66%) of these scrappy entrepreneurs are wielding customer engagement and personalized branding as their trusty swords, while a surprising resurgence of physical marketing materials is helping them cut through the noiseall in a bid to claim their slice of a crowded, algorithm-driven world. The antidote Customer engagement, personalization, and authenticity appear to be the perfect antidote to the murky waters of increased social and AI content. Two-thirds of SMEs (66%) say customer engagement and personalization is the main way they differentiate their brand in an environment where social media and AI-generated content are gaining popularity. Prioritizing authentic storytelling (35%) ranked the second most popular way to differentiate their brand. In addition, physical marketing materials made the top three branding and marketing methods that SMEs say they are going to invest in most this year, alongside digital marketing and social media. Marcus Marchant, CEO of VistaPrint, commented on the resilience of SMEs, stating: Despite the challenges facing small businesses in 2025, its encouraging to see that optimism remains strong. SME owners are resourceful, and they recognise that strong branding, personalised engagement particularly the use of physical marketing materials that leave a lasting impression and authenticity, are key to standing out in todays evolving landscape. At a time of rapid change, businesses that embrace adaptability and innovation will continue to thrive. SME owners certainly appreciate the value of branding and marketing, with almost 2-in-5 (38%) putting extreme (9%) or high (29%) emphasis on it as a driver of business success in the current landscape. Providing great customer service, being transparent about your practices, and delivering an incredible product and service every time are the most effective ways to build brand trust according to SME owners. Partnering with influencers ranked the least. Murkier waters making it difficult to stand out Social media and artificial intelligence do, however, appear to be crowding and muddying the waters. In addition to the SME sentiment that AI makes it harder to stand out as a brand, slightly more SME owners (44%) believe social media does the same. Of those concerned about AI, lack of human touch (26%), data privacy and security risks (21%), and accuracy of the information and data reported (21%) ranked highest for the reasons for concern. SMEs overwhelmingly believe (62%) that AI-generated content is, or has the potential to, dominate the content we see on social media and other media channels, and almost half (48%) say AI-generated content makes it difficult to compete for share of voice. As always seems to be the case, Australian businesses are tackling headwinds with optimism, stoicism, and pragmatism. 2025 is an election year in Australia, and roughly 2-in-5 (38%) SMEs expect the upcoming election will impact their business positively, while over a quarter (27%) expect things will remain the same. Furthermore, the global political landscape doesnt appear to be impacting businesses confidence either, with just under half (48%) either very prepared (13%) or somewhat prepared (35%) to navigate the political shifts happening both locally and overseas, versus just 11% who are unprepared. With regards to technological shifts and the rapid proliferation of AI, despite some concerns, almost 2-in-5 (37%) Aussie SMEs are very optimistic (10%) or somewhat optimistic (27%) about the role of AI in business. To find more about VistaPrints range of physical marketing and branding materials [see here]. Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. A North Devon homeowner has won 500 litres of heating oil in a surprise quarterly prize draw run by Moorland Fuels Cosy Heating Club. Peter Clark, a retired resident from Sheepwash, said he had no idea he had been entered into the draw until he received the unexpected news. I had no idea I was even entered into the Cosy Heating Club draw, so when I got the call, it was a wonderful surprise! he said. We go through a lot of heating oil, especially in the colder months, as my wife feels the chill in the evenings. Even now, with spring here, we still have the heating on because of the cold winds and chilly nights. Peter, who has been a customer of Moorland Fuels since moving to Sheepwash four years ago, said the prize would help towards their heating costs. We've been customers of Moorland Fuels for four years, ever since we moved to our home in Sheepwash. We've always paid by Direct Debit, and its great to know that being part of the Cosy Heating Club comes with benefits like this. The 500 litres of free heating oil will really help, and well be putting the money we've saved towards next winter. Moorland Fuels, which became employee-owned in 2022, supplies customers across Devon, Cornwall, and the South West. The company is based in Okehampton. The Cosy Heating Club, a free membership programme, offers benefits such as priority five-day delivery, discounted oil tanks, and an annual free upgrade to premium heating oil. For every fuel delivery made by Moorland Fuels until the end of June, the company will donate 25p to Age UK Devon. The Prime Minister has announced today (April 2) during PMQs that a ministerial visit will be organised to visit North Devon District Hospital. The confirmation came during a PMQ session with North Devon MP Ian Roome, who pressed Prime Minister Keir Starmer on the government to honour its pledge after delaying NDDHs critical care reconstruction until beyond 2035. The MP had urged the Prime Minister to make the decision after many attempts over the past few months, with Mr Roome stressing that delayed funding threatens service disruption and the potential loss of operating theatre capacity. Today, this was confirmed. Mr Roome hopes that a first-hand visit will drive home the urgency of the situation. The confirmation of the ministerial visit follows an open letter from Ian Roome to Wes Streeting, urging action on funding and the critical care redevelopment at North Devon District Hospital Since the open letters launch, it has so far been signed by over 6,000 people across North Devon, Torridge, and North Cornwall. In a statement, the MP expressed that NDDH suffers from ageing facilities that are overdue for an upgrade, with many areas of the hospital estate being almost 50 years old. He noted that at the same time, the hospital faces rising demand with an ageing population and the governments new housing targets for the area. North Devons MP commented that these targets, which include a minimum increase of 6,500 homes over the next five years, will put further strain on the already overstretched hospital infrastructure. Mr Roome said that he will not back down in pushing the Government for action. He told the Gazette: Im aghast that the government is ignoring the scale of the risk to patients at North Devon District Hospital in the next few years. This funding and construction are absolutely vital for future-proofing our healthcare services in North Devon. Although it is not clear when this visit is to take place, it is expected to bring attention to the ongoing concerns surrounding the hospital's future. Over the last few months, there has been a surge of advanced AI tools that have debuted, offering businesses awesome features to enhance customer experiences, streamline their processes, and speed up creative work. Companies are increasingly embracing AI tools that are revolutionizing how they interact with customers, maximize their branding, speed up creativity, and streamline operations. A wave of recently launched AI-powered platforms offers strong possibilities for organizations to set the pace in a rapidly changing digital landscape. These new capabilities are helping organizations keep pace with the evolving digital landscape, enabling them to remain competitive, efficient, and responsive to customer demands. Below are the new AI-powered products that will revolutionize the way companies engage with customers, produce content, and secure data. Hotwire sparks a new era of AI search Hotwire Global has launched its first product, Hotwire Spark, as part of a newly established global AI Innovation Lab. Spark is designed to help businesses optimize their brand discovery and visibility within AI search platforms like OpenAIs ChatGPT, Googles Gemini, and Microsofts Copilot. As AI search transforms how users find brands and products, Hotwire Spark offers a unique solution. Unlike traditional tools that rely on keyword tracking, Spark uses semantic search and contextual analysis to adapt to the dynamics of AI engines. It factors in elements like user profiles, query context, and real-time source attribution, ensuring businesses can stay visible in this AI-dominated environment. Envato empowers creatives with VideoGen Envato has introduced VideoGen, a groundbreaking feature that allows subscribers to create hyperrealistic, cinematic videos using text prompts or images from Envatos vast library. Developed with Googles Veo 2 and Vertex AI, this tool enables creatives to generate short, high-quality video content in mere minutes. VideoGens ability to transform text into video, and to recognize cinematic elements like camera movements, shots, and compositions gives creatives unprecedented control over their projects. With rapid production times and easy customisation, VideoGen is changing the way businesses and individuals produce video content for marketing, advertising, and creative projects. VideoGen allows users to generate videos based on a range of sources, including text-only prompts, existing images, and AI-generated images, empowering users to create on-brief and highly realistic videos quickly, said Envato. Trusst AI revolutionizes customer experience with Gen AI Australian startup Trusst AI has partnered with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to launch its AI-powered platform, TrusstGPT. This tool enables businesses across industries such as retail, healthcare, and finance to improve customer experiences through advanced analytics and automation. With its generative AI capabilities, TrusstGPT analyzes millions of customer interactions from multiple channels and provides actionable insights to optimize customer service and marketing efforts. The platform also supports autonomous AI agents that handle everything from sales calls to customer churn predictions, saving businesses time and reducing costs while enhancing operational efficiency. Zendesks AI-Powered resolution platform sets a new standard in customer service Zendesk has unveiled its AI-powered Zendesk Resolution Platform that transforms customer service through AI automation. The platform integrates AI agents with expert human support to ensure efficient, resolution-focused interactions. By focusing on outcomes, Zendesk ensures businesses only pay for problems that are resolved. This shift toward outcome-based pricing marks a significant change in customer service, where AI not only expedites service but ensures that customer issues are effectively addressed. The only metric that matters in customer service is resolution, said Tom Eggemeier, CEO of Zendesk. With Agentic AI, we ensure that every interaction leads to a resolution. ESET enhances cybersecurity with AI-Powered MDR Services ESET, a leader in cybersecurity, has launched ESET PROTECT MDR, offering AI-driven Managed Detection and Response services tailored for both small businesses and large enterprises. This new service helps businesses stay protected with real-time threat monitoring, automated patching, and proactive detection of cybersecurity risks. With continuous 24/7 support, businesses can enhance their security posture without the need for dedicated in-house resources. ESETs new features are designed to simplify threat detection and response, providing businesses with a comprehensive, AI-enhanced security solution. ESETs innovative MDR services ensure that businesses are equipped to deal with the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity threats. New Carlisle, a town of just over 1,800 residents near the LaPorte County border in western St. Joseph County, has been seeing a colossal economic development boom that's expected to create job opportunities for workers in Northwest Indiana and drive more demand for housing. Two mega-projects are going to pump $14.5 billion in investment into two major projects, creating an estimated 2,800 jobs, St. Joseph County Director of Economic Development Bill Schalliol said. About 3,000 to 4,000 construction workers are also building the projects. LaPorte County officials expect the economic impact will spill over, with some LaPorte County residents seeking higher-paying jobs just across the county line and more people moving to the area to work in New Carlisle. Amazon Web Services is investing $11 billion into a hyperscale data center that will create 1,000 new jobs. General Motors and Samsung SDI plan to invest $3.5 billion to build an EV battery plant outside New Carlisle. "Our development zone has been planned and set up in a way that encourages development. We have the big four space, power and connectivity and ease of business," Schalliol said. "We believe if you want good development you need to have a good plan, put guard rails in place and work at the speed of business." The massive projects are spurring more economic development in the area. "We are already seeing tertiary jobs coming to the town of New Carlisle as part of all of this development," he said. "We have several projects in the queue and hope to start having some announcements soon." Many of the construction workers are staying in hotels, but new housing will have to be built to keep up with the increased demand. "We are blessed with an abundance of hotel rooms and temp housing options due to the University of Notre Dame. This has helped with the demand of construction workers in the area. We are going to hit a point where we need permanent housing for the new workforce," Schalliol said. "We have a project going through zoning now that would have 250 single family units and 250 multifamily units. We believe this is the start of a housing boom in the area." Michigan City Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch said the hope is some of the workers at the New Carlisle facilities would end up living in LaPorte County. "We want people to have good jobs," Nelson Deuitch said. "New Carlisle is impactful because the people working there are going to come from all over the Region and end up moving to the area. We want to make sure we're prepared for that. As those people move, we want them to look at Michigan City as an option." Everyone will benefit from stronger housing demand, such as for the hundreds of new housing units planned in downtown Michigan City, she said. "This spark of growth will allow first-time homebuyers and retirees to move into condos and townhomes. They'll sell their homes and that creates an opportunity for people who want new homes or their first homes," Nelson Deuitch said. "It's a cycle that creates affordability for first-time homebuyers that are middle-income." New jobs at Amazon Web Services and the EV plant could put a strain on local employers who might have a hard time retaining employees, she said. "I'm fearful for local manufacturers," Nelson Deuitch said. "They'll have to be different in how they recruit people." The New Carlisle employers may end up driving up wages in Michigan City, benefiting workers, Economic Development Michigan City, Indiana Executive Director Clarence Hulse said. It will make wages more competitive for factory and white-collar jobs, Hulse said. "There will be talent war," he said. "It will only get more fierce." New Carlisle has succeeded in drawing such mega-projects because of the 1,425MW St Joseph Energy Center power plant that was built a decade ago to serve a Toyota-Mazda plant that was courted but never came. "You're looking at 4,000 new jobs 20 minutes away. Those businesses are being built in the middle of a cornfield," Hulse said. "We can attract half those people working in New Carlisle at Amazon and Samsung in the next five years. That will mean more shops, more restaurants, more multi-family. That's why we're so gung-ho on development. We see demand coming from inside the city and outside the city." They will be so large workers will end up living in nearby communities like South Bend, LaPorte, Michigan City and southern Michigan, Hulse said. Michigan City should be a major beneficiary, he said. "We think we have a lot to offer," Hulse said. "We have a casino. We have a lakefront. We have a National Park. We have a train to Chicago. You have an arts district and restaurants. We think we have the best of all worlds. We think we're in a strong position to attract over half of those workers who are moving. You can commute east, west or north from here." Guide to US entry: what green-card, visa holders should know Tourists take photographs outside the New York Stock Exchange in New York. Photo by Reuters As visa holders and permanent residents (those with green-cards) encounter more rigorous examinations at U.S. airports, travelers are advised to update themselves on their rights and privileges before finalizing their travel plans. As the Trump administration increases scrutiny on entry to prevent illegal immigrants, some academic institutions, such as Brown University, have recently advised its international faculty and students to defer any international travel plans, acting "out of an abundance of caution." Nations such as Canada, Denmark, Ireland, and Germany, have similarly modified their travel advice concerning the U.S., warning their citizens that failure to strictly follow U.S. entry protocols could lead to detention. Narratives detailing the detention of green-card and visa holders in recent weeks have sparked concerns among travelers. Below are several advices from analysts, according to several media reports. 1. Understand your rights according to your immigration status Generally, there are three main categories of travelers entering the U.S., explained Stephanie Gee, senior director of U.S. legal services at the International Refugee Assistance Project, as reported by NPR. While U.S. citizens possess guaranteed entry rights, green-card holders are afforded procedural rights, signifying that only an immigration judge possesses the authority to annul their green card status. Consequently, both U.S. citizens and green-card holders may decline to answer customs officers' inquiries or permit searches of their electronic devices, although such refusal might lead to entry delays. Travelers holding temporary visas, common for students and tourists, possess the "fewest rights," according to Gee. Customs officers hold the ultimate authority regarding the entry of these individuals and can simply refuse admission if a visa holder declines to respond to officers' questions. Visa holders therefore should ensure that their papers have not expired or they do not have a renewal application pending. TSA agents help passengers at a TSA checkpoint in the Miami International Airport on December 17, 2024 in Miami, Florida. Photo by AFP 2. Evaluate your personal risk, ideally with legal counsel Certain additional elements could heighten a traveler's risk profile. Stephen Yale-Loehr, a retired professor of immigration law from Cornell Law School, suggested that individuals from the 11 countries designated in the proposed "red" category where U.S. travel would be entirely prohibited should carefully reconsider travel plans. These nations include Afghanistan, Bhutan, Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen. Yale-Loehr also referenced a preliminary list of 43 nations potentially facing a new travel ban, as reported by The New York Times earlier that month. Visa holders denied entry are often placed on the next available flight back to their country of origin. However, recent incidents involve individuals being detained for extended periods, sometimes days or weeks. " It's a seemingly a growing problem," he told NPR. For those holding green cards, elements such as extended trips outside the U.S. might arouse suspicion upon arrival. Recently, some immigration attorneys have also cautioned that green-card holders possessing any criminal record, regardless of its severity, should refrain from leaving the U.S. In a case from earlier that month, Fabian Schmidt, a 34-year-old electrical engineer and green-card holder originally from Germany, was transferred to immigration detention from Boston's Logan International Airport due to a misdemeanor charge for marijuana possession dating back over a decade. Gee said that the recommended course of action is for green-card and visa holders to seek advice from an immigration attorney for personalized guidance regarding their unique circumstances. "Even if this is not something you would've considered doing and you've traveled routinely before," she advised. "Just because its clear that immigration enforcement at airports is picking up in a way that it has not in the past." 3. Be aware of customs officers authority to search electronic devices U.S. customs officials at entry points have the authority to stop individuals and evaluate their admissibility into the United States. These officers are allowed to search travelers' possessions for prohibited items, even without any specific suspicion, according to The Guardian. However, customs agents are prohibited from conducting searches or inspections based solely on a person's religion, race, national origin, gender, ethnicity, or political beliefs. The government contends that their power to search travelers without needing a specific reason extends to electronic devices like phones and laptops. There have been instances where customs officials have asked individuals entering or leaving the U.S. for the passwords to their phones or laptops. While U.S. citizens cannot be refused entry for not providing passwords or unlocking their devices, doing so may lead to delays, further questioning, and customs officers taking their devices for additional inspection. This should also apply to U.S. lawful permanent residents who have been previously admitted and are maintaining their immigration status, as their green cards cannot be revoked without a hearing before an immigration judge. 4. Prepare for potential issues at entry The American Civil Liberties Union clarifies that travelers directed to undergo secondary inspection at the airport do not have a guaranteed right to legal representation during that process. Yale-Loehr mentioned that having an immigration attorney's contact details readily available remains beneficial. He also advises travelers to arrange for a trusted friend who can be contacted swiftly should difficulties arise during U.S. entry. Gee added that travelers needing language support during inspections can request an interpreter. "The stories are definitely concerning," Noor Zafar, a senior staff attorney who works with immigrants, told the Washington Post. "I think were just in a period of more aggressive policies being implemented at the border. And I think that requires people to take extra precautionary measures." CROWN POINT Criminal charges were filed Tuesday afternoon against a Merrillville man accused of shooting his girlfriend and four good Samaritans who were trying to help the woman while the shooter assaulted her Sunday morning outside a bar in Hammond. Caprice Cashaw, 31, was charged with two counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder in a shooting outside Portside Pub that killed Paul Olivares, 25, Lorraine Reyna, 59, and wounded three other people, two of whom are in critical but stable condition. Cashaw is being held without bail at the Lake County Jail, court records show. A detective wrote in a court document that Olivares and Reyna were found outside the front of the bar and were pronounced dead at the scene. Officers found two of the victims lying on the floor inside the bar with multiple gunshot wounds and a third victim hiding inside a walk-in cooler in the basement with a gunshot wound to her leg, according to a probable cause affidavit. Detectives recovered 21 bullet casings outside the bar and an additional seven inside. Video surveillance collected by detectives helped them piece together what led up to the shooting. Timestamps from the video outside the bar show a dark-colored Chrysler 300 pull up around 3:45 a.m. and park north of the bar's entrance. A man and woman exited the vehicle and the man started assaulting the woman, the affidavit shows. She screamed for help and tried to run away several times before the man shoved her back inside the vehicle. Meanwhile, Olivares was bartending inside the pub as he chatted with Reyna and two others seated at the bar, surveillance footage shows. Reyna stands up, walks outside the front door of the pub, appears to see the argument and rushes back inside. She looked "distressed," a detective wrote in the affidavit. She, Olivares and the two others walked outside to see what was happening. "What's going on?" Olivares can be heard asking in the footage. Cashaw was near the drivers' side of the vehicle and the woman sat in the passenger seat. Olivares tried to usher the woman inside and told the other three to to get inside the bar, according to the affidavit. Two of the victims go inside and shut the door as Olivares, Reyna and the woman try to pull the door back open but appear unable, which is when Cashaw opened fire. Fatal bullets struck Olivares and Reyna as additional rounds pierced through the front door of the bar, striking the other two victims, according to a probable cause affidavit. The woman outside was shot but was able to open the door and rushed inside, though she eventually collapsed on the ground from her injuries, the affidavit shows. Cashaw walks inside and fires four more shots. He stares at the injured woman on the ground then walks out the front of the pub, gets into his car and drives off, the document shows. The entire incident lasted no more than six minutes. A witness told police Cashaw was at the Horseshoe Casino in Hammond earlier in the evening and reportedly lost $10,000, the affidavit shows. Detectives confirmed Cashaw and the woman whom he was assaulting had been at the casino earlier in the night. Police were given information that Cashaw might have been staying at a home in Hobart, so they went to investigate. When they arrived, a woman opened the door with Cashaw standing behind her, the document shows. Cashaw agreed to speak to police and admitted he was the shooter. He confirmed he lost thousands of dollars at the casino that night; he said he and his girlfriend got into an argument because he blamed her for the losses. While they were driving down Indianapolis Boulevard he physically assaulted her while she was in the passenger seat, he told police. He happened to pull over in front of the pub and walked to the passenger side of the car as he continued his assault. After "several minutes" assaulting her, he "became calm" and walked back toward the driver's side. He then noticed the bystanders outside the pub, at which point the woman tried to run. He admitted he pulled out his gun, shot her and knew bullets were hitting the bystanders, the affidavit shows. He then walked inside the bar and saw the woman fall. "He assumed that she was also dead, so he walked out of the bar and drove away," the document shows. Jerry Davich Metro columnist Follow Jerry Davich Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today On the first day of April 1982, I rode my motorcycle to Chicago to attend a live concert at Navy Pier. I picked up my friend, Mark Manos, and we raced to what was called the Mayor Jane Byrne Fest, if I recall, co-hosted by my favorite radio station, WXRT. The station promoted the event with a billing of live performances by several popular artists. We couldnt wait to get there to join the fun. Hundreds of other people felt the same way. All of us showed up to a deserted and padlocked pier, quickly realizing it was just a prank and some of those performers had been dead for years. Mark and I were seriously bummed at first, but we laughed at our gullibility on the ride back home. April Fools Days, at any age, is an annual reminder that its OK to laugh at ourselves. And to reveal our ignorance, stupidity or naivety. Lets face it, we dont do it enough, especially these days when everybody has to be right about every issue, every discussion, every social media debate. On Tuesday, did you fall for any pranks or hoaxes? Or maybe you were the prankster, including a few regional communities that attempted to fool residents. For example, the recurring prank about a new Buc-ees development coming to Hobart or Portage. It may be predictable but the news can catch us off guard for a second, resulting in a needed chuckle. As with most people, Ive experienced both ends of April Fools Day shenanigans. On April 1, 2011, I wrote a column announcing my candidacy for mayor of my hometown, the City of Gary. I told readers I moved back to the Steel City to run my campaign from my new home in the 2200 block of Adams Street. Look for the modest but refurbished brick bungalow with white picket fencing and a large Jerry for Gary campaign sign in the yard, I wrote. My strategic plan is complex smartly created by local experts, professors and city business owners but it boils down to one underlying current of strength. Unity. To kick off my campaign, I announced a head-to-head debate with then-Gary Mayor Rudy Clay at the Genesis Convention Center. If you vote for me May 3, no more graft. No more corruption. No more laziness. No more excuses. No more punchlines about a city I still hold close to my heart, I wrote. I referred voters and supporters to my new website, www.JerryForGary.com, to view a detailed platform of practical plans and how to obtain yard signs, bumper stickers and voter registration forms. Can I count on you? I asked. That day I heard from a ton of readers, some actually offering their support, others mocking me for my political stunt. If any of them visited my website, they would have seen two words: APRIL FOOLS. A few years later on another April Fools Day, I told listeners of my Casual Fridays radio show that we were broadcasting live from the Southlake Mall parking lot to help unveil its new outdoor food court. On that show, I sounded like I was dining on free samples of food court edibles while handing out prizes to guests. It was all in fun, although some readers and listeners showed up expecting free food and drinks. No hard feelings? I wrote on posters. No one wants to be duped, but April Fools Day is the one day were allowed to feel silly, stupid or fall victim to a practical joke without getting angry or vindictive. Too bad its not a monthly thing. Similar to history, the origin of April Fools' Day is murky. However, many historians agree that it started in France in the 16th century when the Gregorian calendar was adopted, moving New Years Day from April 1 to January 1. Anyone who continued to celebrate the holiday on April 1 was known as a fool. In 1983, a Boston University professor revealed that the practice began when court jesters told the Roman emperor Constantine that they could do a better job than he did, so Constantine made one of them king for a day. Newspapers shared the professors story which was, of course, an April Fools Day prank. In 1957, BBC producers in England told listeners that spaghetti was harvested from certain trees in Italy, prompting people to inquire how to purchase these magical spaghetti trees. In 1976, an astronomer told media that the alignment of the planets Pluto and Jupiter would cause a temporary decrease in Earths gravity at 9:47 a.m., April 1, and if people jumped in the air at that time they would float for a moment. You know that some people attempted it. In 1998, WXRT announced it had been purchased by Playboy Enterprises and changed its call letters to XXXRT with the new tagline, True Adult Radio. Yep, some listeners bought it. April Fools Day traditions date back decades in our country, from sticking paper fish on the back of gullible people, suggesting they got hooked, to sticking signs on peoples backs stating Kick me. My recent pranks are just as lame but more low-key. A few years ago, I filled my wifes hand lotion bottle with ranch dressing and watched her face when the smell eventually revealed the joke. On Tuesday morning, I left her a note stating one of her car tires was flat and she would have to drive my beat-up old jalopy to work. She bought it for a few minutes until she went to the garage and saw my poster: Happy April Fools Day. I hope your day prompted you to, at least once, laugh at yourself. How votes compare with 2024 The map below shows how votes cast in this race compare with votes cast in the 2024 presidential election in the same area. Only areas that have reported almost all of their votes are shown. Not a Subscriber? Join O'Dwyer's & Get RFP Access Stop wasting time tracking down RFPs. O'Dwyer's connects you with organizations looking for PR firms & services. Get new business with O'Dwyer's! Join O'Dwyer's The Health Service Executive is in the process of seeking tenders from qualified individuals and companies to install solar panels on the Midland's Regional Hospital in Tullamore (Old Hospital, Health Centre, Scott Building). The contract will include all works relating to the design, installation and commission of 300kWp roof mounted solar PV systems. The duration of the contract is 15 months. The estimated value of the contract excluding vat is 425,000. The deadline for the receipt of applications is April, 2025. It's understood that 300kw is typically enough to provide the absolute peak power requirements for 25 standard homes at 12kVA per home. READ NEXT: Three estates in Offaly to be taken in charge by County Council According to Global Solar Atlas, a 300KW peak system would be expected to produce upwards of 255mWh of electricity per year in a location like Tullamore. That would be the average annual consumption of 60 households in Ireland. Other hospitals in Ireland have also installed solar panels, At St Joseph's hospital in Donegal the project is part funded by Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), which provided 50% of the cost. READ NEXT: Brother of Offaly hurling stars rides first winner at point to point meeting New Zealand is expected to attract many investors from the U.S. and Europe as its redesigned investment visa program offers more incentives to wealthy migrants. The Active Investor Plus visa, which began accepting applications from Tuesday, has been modified to eliminate English-language requirement, shorten the required residency period for investors, and decrease the minimum investment amounts. "Im expecting that in the first month well get a lot of applications," Immigration Minister Erica Stanford told Bloomberg in a telephone interview. She added that the country is witnessing investment interest from the U.S., Germany and other parts of Europe. After enduring a recession in 2024, New Zealand is seeking foreign investment to stimulate economic recovery and support new infrastructure projects. Its isolated position in the South Pacific enhances its appeal as a sanctuary for the wealthy looking to escape global geopolitical tension. "We need to say a lot more yes and a lot less no in New Zealand," Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said at a press conference last month, adding that the changes were about "rolling out the welcome mat" to investment, as reported by Financial Times. The latest visa move was a "sensible initiative that signals were open again", said investment banker Justin Murray. "The second that a high-quality, wealthy migrant gets the sense theyre not welcome, it switches them off." New Zealands modified investment visa program, which is not offered by similar nations such as Australia and Britain, is expected to be a major incentive for foreign investors. The removal of the English-language requirement has been a major shift, as it has led to increasing inquiry from investors in China, Japan and Indonesia, said Marcus Beveridge, managing director at Queen City Law in Auckland. But Americans are particularly attracted by the relaxed visa policy. Approximately 40% of inquiries about New Zealand's "golden visa" program have come from the U.S., said Benny Goodman, the investment general manager for New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, as cited by Business Insider. The government is looking to attract high-net-worth immigrants, and Americans are increasingly considering New Zealand because of its laid-back lifestyle, political stability, and lack of crime, said Dominic Jones, the managing director of Greener Pastures New Zealand. "If you go back 10 or 20 years, the drivers around safety in particular may not have been that important, but now it's increasingly on people's minds," he said. Previously, the Active Investor Plus visa generated roughly NZD1 billion (US$572 million) yearly, but that dropped significantly after the prior government imposed stricter regulations in 2022, with only NZD70 million invested under the tougher rules, according to official figures. But updated rules offer investors two options. One of them, known as "growth", demands a NZD5 million investment in higher-risk ventures like businesses or managed funds. Investors are required to stay in the country for only 21 days over the three-year investment period. The other option, "balanced", calls for a NZD10 million investment over five years in a combination of bonds, equities, or select property investments, with a 105-day residency requirement that can be lowered by increasing the investment. One restriction, however, remains. Since 2018, only citizens, tax residents, and nationals from Australia and Singapore due to trade deals can buy property without restrictions. Stanford recognized this as a critical concern for potential investors and said that discussions are ongoing in the government. One of Ireland's most popular groups to play big concert in Tullamore next week. The Tumbling Paddies will play a sit down concert in the Tullamore Court Hotel on Thursday, April 10. Doors open at 8.30pm with the band from Fermanagh hitting the stage at 9.30pm Tickets priced at 25 can be purchased from the Tumbling Paddies website by clicking here Under 18s are welcome as long as they are accompanied by an adult They are just back in Ireland after touring Australia, New Zealand and Scotland. They have steadily grown to become one of Ireland's most sought after entertainers. Music has been a lifelong passion for The Tumbling Paddies, with each band member having won a medal for being All-Ireland Fleadh Champions in their own right A FANTASTIC new walk is being designed for Birr, which will be a wonderful addition to the town when it opens to the public. Denis Shine, Cathaoirleach of Birr 20:20, told the group's AGM that they made an application recently for a grant for the development of one of the paths following the banks of the River Camcor out into the beautiful countryside surrounding Birr. There is a rough fisherman's trail there already, remarked Denis, but we plan to improve it and signpost it. Our plan is to initially develop three kilometres of the trail following the river. We are thinking of making it part of a much longer walk, whose starting point will be the car park at Marian Hall. Therefore, walking from Marian Hall to the end of our proposed Camcor Trail will in fact be a total distance of six kilometres. It will be a lovely and interesting trail which will pass by a number of Heritage Sites including Clonoghill Castle in the Syngefield area. We hope to deliver it by the end of the summer. All the landowners are on board. It will be along the southern bank. Eventually we hope to go along the northern bank. Last year John Feehan also chatted to us about Killaun Bog, a beautiful area of land covering 600 hectares. We hope to create two 5km walks out there in Killaun Bog. We have the bog's landowners' permission in place including Birr Community School. Stage 1 of the Killaun project will be creating the walks; Stage 2 will be planting a significant number of Scots (Irish) Pine. Denis pointed out that the eventual plan is to connect the Camcor River walks to the Killaun Bog walks. If we could connect the Camcor walks with a trail out to the Killaun Bog Walks you would have a day's outing of about 20 kms and no need for a car to drive out to the bog. Sean Loughnane pointed out that funding from the Community Benefit Funds being run by Wind Farms such as the Derrinlough Wind Farm could be used to fund projects such as the Camcor / Killaun trails. Denis Shine said creating the Camcor / Killaun trails would give visitors to Birr another activity to do, enticing them to stay perhaps another day in the town. I actually prefer Killaun Bog to Lough Boora, he remarked, because it is wilder. He added that the material used for the paths would not be hard, such as tarmacadam, but would be soft and appropriate. In other business, the Chairperson told the meeting that the group's finances are in good shape, with an Income of 65,000 in 2024, and Outgoings of 45,000. The closing balance is 27,000. He thanked the Trench Trust for their invaluable financial assistance. He added that two of the important activities which Birr 20:20 was connected with during the year was the Anaerobic Digester Conference in the County Arms, and cleaning up the old St Brendan's graveyard (which has been closed to the general public for 25 years because it is deemed unsafe. It's planned to reopen the site this year). He reminded everyone that the group was set up when the Town Councils dissolved about a decade ago and its purpose is to facilitate others. He said the group is divided into Pillars which direct various projects in the community whether it be Sports, the Arts, etc. We are well aware that one of our pillars, the Growery, needs a new site and we have mentioned this to the Council. The Growery is a busy group and is still looking for a new home. Denis added that 20:20's website has been kept up to date and the group is enjoying a lot more social media traffic. Our biggest challenge at the moment is we need more people to get involved, we need more members. Irish parliamentary committees may not be formed until May, Sinn Fein has warned, amid a bitter dispute which has left Irelands main opposition parties completely at odds with Government. An ongoing row over speaking rights in the Dail has led to a lack of co-operation to establish the committees, which are vital for the legislative duties of the parliament. Both the Government and opposition parties have stressed the need for the resumption of the work of the committees amid the heated division in the Dail, which delayed the nomination of a Taoiseach and resulted in the suspension of the House amid widespread disruption last week. However, Sinn Fein has raised concern that the Dail Reform Committee involving Government and opposition whips is not due to meet on Wednesday, and has cast doubt on when when committees will be formed. On Tuesday, the opposition parties were defeated as a Government motion expressing confidence in Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy was passed. That motion was brought in response to opposition complaints that Ms Murphy had been biased in her role in implementing the changes to Dail rules brought forward by Government. After the vote, Sinn Fein chief whip Padraig Mac Lochlainn said: On February 4 last, the Ceann Comhairle acted on independent legal advice and ruled that the Michael Lowry Regional Independent group were government TDs and could not therefore form a group in opposition. At the point, the DHondt process should have commenced and Oireachtas Committees should have been formed. By their actions since, this government have delayed the formation of Oireachtas Committees and the latest estimates are that it will be May before they are up and running. Thats three months lost. It is outrageous. A spokesman for the Government chief whip said: The commitment at the Business Committee last week was that a meeting would be held as soon as possible after the confidence motion. The scheduling of the meeting is a matter for all members and the secretariat. The necessary preparation work by government to initiate the establishment of committees is ongoing. A spokesman for the Social Democrats said it has been calling for the formation of committees for months. Now that the vote is over, it is incumbent on the Government to immediately set up Dail committees and finally get down to work, he added. The Dail Business Committee is due to meet on Thursday. The opposition have behaved in a juvenile and despicable manner, according to an independent TD at the centre of a dispute on speaking rights. Michael Lowry acted as a key negotiator for a bloc of independent TDs that agreed to support the formation of a Government with Fine Gael and Fianna Fail. He also supported the successful nomination of Verona Murphy, a former colleague in the regional independents, to take up office as Ceann Comhairle. That nomination was seen as part of the agreement between the Government parties and the independents. However, a dispute over speaking rights proposals put forward by the Government and Ms Murphys involvement in implementing a vote to pass the changes has put Mr Lowry in the spotlight. Mr Lowry, a former Fine Gael minister, was previously found by a tribunal to have behaved in a manner that was profoundly corrupt. Last week, he was criticised after being filmed sticking two fingers up to a member of the opposition while still in the chamber amid a chaotic row on the speaking rights dispute. He later described his move as an errant gesture under provocation. In a statement on Tuesday after a confidence motion in Ms Murphy passed, Mr Lowry said: Todays proceedings in the Dail marked a significant victory for democracy. The past three months have been crippled with venom and spite from the opposition parties. Their actions have been both juvenile and despicable. It has been a very difficult time for the Regional Independent Group, simply because we had the courage to step up to form a strong and stable Government. In the blinkered eyes of the Opposition, that was our sin. Today, the Opposition took a trouncing. Their actions were condemned for what they are orchestrated obstruction. Ultimately, all they succeeded in doing is strengthening the position of the Ceann Comhairle. With 96 votes in her favour, Verona Murphys credibility is not only secured, it has been endorsed. The Regional Group has secured its justified speaking rights we are fully recognised. Government must now be permitted to get on with their work in the face of the unprecedented challenges that lie ahead for Ireland and Europe. Democracy has prevailed. The Government is working flat out to do everything it can to ensure that every child will have a school place next September, the Taoiseach has claimed. Micheal Martin said the Minister for Education is working with the National Council for Special Education to ensure a school place for every child for the next academic year. He made the comments as parents stage a protest over the lack of special school places available for their children. A second 24-hour sleep out is taking place outside Leinster House by parents who say they cannot find suitable school places for their children with additional needs. Those sleeping outside Leinster House tonight don't want platitudes from Government on #WorldAutismDay2025. They want action to provide every child with the appropriate school place. Let's give every child an equal start. @labour pic.twitter.com/ayClrCE5vM Ivana Bacik (@ivanabacik) April 2, 2025 The group, Equality in Education, will sleep outside Leinster House on Wednesday, which is also World Autism Day. Speaking in the Dail, Mr Martin said that every child in Ireland has a constitutional right to a school place. Mr Martin said: I have already convened meetings with eight government ministers in respect of the disability issue, there will be full coordination across the whole of government in relation to disability and more specifically, in relation to special education. Minister (for Education) Helen McEntee and (Michael) Moynihan, (Minister of State at the Department of Education), are working flat out with the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) and with the Department of Education to ensure a school place for every child this September and progress is being made. Were working flat out to do everything we possibly can to make sure that every child will have a place next September. About 372 extra special classes have now been sanctioned for this year. Thats in addition to the numbers of classes that we already have, which are in the thousands. The ultimate objective is to have a central application system in place for the school year beginning in September 2026 thats the aim, to have it in place by then. Also, to have applications for places to start for that school year, next November of this year. He said that are some outstanding issues in relation to school places in Dublin. Thats what were working on and focusing on, and to do whatever it takes to make sure that the capacity is in place to provide for that, Mr Martin added. An additional 1,200 places are available this year, bringing the total available places total for 3,900 for about 3,275 students. Labour leader Ivana Bacik said there is a crisis in special education. Today, Equality in Education, a group of parents who cannot access suitable school places for their children, will stage a second overnight sleep out tonight in protest of the ways in which the state has failed their families, Ms Bacik said. A few weeks ago, they slept outside the Department of Education on Marlborough Street. Today, on World Autism Day, they will bring their protest to our door at Leinster House. The last time I raised this issue, you told me the Government would do all you could to work towards providing a place for every child, but Taoiseach, the NCSE does not even know how many children are without a school place, or how many places will be needed. So its understandable that parents are frustrated. Childhood is short and the consequences for a child of receiving inappropriate schooling or no schooling are massive. Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald raised concern about promises made to parents about the availability of school places. The parents are now beside themselves with worry, because following a meeting with the Minister for Education, no such guarantee was made or given, she added. These children and parents deserve that guarantee Taoiseach, they shouldnt be forced to protest again outside the Dail. So will you now, again, give a clear-cut commitment that every child will have access to a suitable school? Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon said: There is a common thread that aligns with all of those parents and guardians, and thats pain. Pain for what their child is being asked to go without. The Ministry of National Defense is set to soon send official invitations to leaders of its Chinese, Lao and Cambodian counterparts to attend a ceremony celebrating the 50th anniversary of the national reunification (April 30, 1975 2025) and to send their military personnel to join commemorative military and civilian parade. Deputy Minister of National Defense Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien unveiled the information while receiving defense attaches of the three countries in Hanoi on Tuesday morning. He told the officers that Vietnam is ramping up preparations for this important political event. The country always remembers support for its revolutionary cause from international friends, particularly China, Laos, and Cambodia, Chien affirmed. The Deputy Minister noted that the Vietnamese defense ministry is looking forward to the participation of the three counterparts, which would contribute to the celebration's overall success and demonstrate solidarity and friendship between Vietnam and its three neighboring countries. In recent years, Vietnam has increasingly promoted defense cooperation with the three nations across fields, notably in delegation exchanges, military training and collaboration, and border defense friendship exchange. The defense attaches said that they will promptly report to their respective authorities and provide relevant recommendations to advance the initiatives outlined by the deputy minister. OpEd News One-Time Security Check This Is NOT An Error Message Your site IP address* (145.224.119.253) is listed on one or more Internet blacklists. We get visited by hundreds of these spambots daily. To prevent these from taking resources away from legitimate users, we show this page. Please use the CAPTCHA below which proves you are human, not a spam bot. It's a one-time action** for your IP. After that, you will be able to access OpEd News easily. Thank you for your patience. * Here's more info about IP addresses. ** If your IP address is fixed, you'll be able to use this website from now on. However, if your Internet Service Provider (such as Verizon or T-Mobile) assigns you a different IP address every time you use your device, AND these IP addresses are NOT on an Internet blaclist, then all is good. If, for some strange reason, your ISP assigns you an IP that is blacklisted, then you'll have to go through this process again. (Unless you keep yourself logged in. We only check for spambots on non-logged in visitors.) Elon Musk spent millions of dollars to make sure liberal judge Susan Crawford did not win a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court in the first major battleground state election of Trump's second term. Musk wasted his money. Crawford won, maintaining liberals' narrow majority. Crawford, a Dane County circuit judge who was backed by Democrats, secured a 10-year term on the court over Brad Schimel, a Waukesha County circuit judge and a former Republican attorney general, according to NBC News. The Associated Press reported, that Crawford "overcame $25 million in spending from Elon Musk and defeated her conservative opponent in a totemic contest that became a critical test of the nation's prevailing political winds." The NY Times called the win "a jolt of momentum...for Democrats." Emily's List called the results, "a powerful victory for abortion rights, voting rights, and election integrity" and stated, "Despite this completely unprecedented influx of money from megadonors, the people of Wisconsin made clear: they will not be influenced by billionaire donors. Wisconsinites rejected Musk's attempts to manipulate their court and instead chose a candidate who represents fairness, integrity, and justice for all, Judge Susan Crawford." Since Donald Trump's second presidential inauguration on January 20, the news cycle keeps coming back around to two questions. Every time Trump issues, or federal agencies attempt to implement, an unconstitutional executive order -- one or both of which happen on a near-daily basis -- journalists and pundits want to know: First, will the courts order a halt to the executive branch's latest roughshod running over of the US Constitution? Second, if the courts do so rule, will the administration comply with those rulings? I find that line of questioning rather odd, since history's already answered it for us many times over the Constitution's 230-odd years of supposed rule. The answer to both questions is "maybe, maybe not." American government -- legislative, executive, and judicial branches alike -- point to the Constitution when it supports their desires and ignores it when it thwarts those desires. The Supreme Court in particular boasts a long record of changing its mind, reinterpreting the Constitution's usually fairly clear commands based on deference to both popular opinion and the immediate goals of the other two branches, rendering the interpretation of law most favorable to government actors even in contradiction to that law's own text, and hiding in chambers when its occasional ruling the other way gets ignored or "worked around." We need look no further back than March 26 for an example of how well we can expect the Constitution to fare versus when the Supreme Court weighs its requirements against executive edicts contradicting those requirements. In Vanderstok v. Bondi (formerly Vanderstok v. Garland -- Trump's appointee to the office of US Attorney General took the case over from Biden's), the court ruled that: A rogue federal agency (the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms) may Apply an unconstitutional federal law (the Gun Control Act of 1968) to Objects which that law's text does not cover and never has covered. The objects at issue are "ghost gun" kits. They're not guns. They're just collections of parts that, with some work and possibly additional components, can be made into guns. The text of the GCA didn't cover "ghost gun" kits and, as Justice Neil Gorsuch openly admits in the majority ruling, had no reason to: "[T]he milling equipment, materials needed, and designs were far too expensive for individuals to make firearms practically or reliably on their own." Beyond magically reinterpreting the text, meaning, and intent of the GCA, the court also just ignored the plain language, and the clear and unambiguous meaning, of the Second Amendment: "[T]he right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." In noting that it refers to "a right of the people," the Constitution's proscription applies not just to the federal government and all its agencies, but to state and local governments as well. In addition to being stupid and evil, "gun control" legislation, of any kind, at any level of government violates the "Supreme Law of the Land." Period. Don't expect the courts to protect your rights. They quit that job long ago. Bridging the gap between beauty and medicine, this cosmetic dermatologist's 19-year entrepreneurial journey provides valuable lessons on identifying market gaps, building scalable businesses, and creating industry-wide impact. In the bustling heart of Bangalore sits Kosmoderma, a state-of-the-art aesthetic clinic where Dr. Chytra V Anand examines a client's skin with practiced precision. What began as a single clinic in 2006 has transformed into one of India's premium aesthetic medicine brands, with Dr. Suzhou Secret Whispers: A Gothic Mystery of the Qing Dynasty reimagines historical figures as supernatural mystery-solvers in the first installment of The Suzhou Mysteries series. Acclaimed author Dave Alber invites readers to step into the shadowy canals and mist-laden streets of 19th-century China with his newest novel, Suzhou Secret Whispers: A Gothic Mystery of the Qing Dynasty, set for release on April 3, 2025. Available in ebook (ASIN: B0DMTLLT6D) and paperback Philadelphia, PA - April 2, 2025 - Racklify, the AI-powered platform designed to match merchants with third-party logistics providers (3PLs), has officially launched its revamped website - a major milestone in the company's mission to fix the broken logistics matchmaking process. Unlike traditional platforms that charge commissions, resell leads, or require "award fees" when a 3PL wins a deal, Racklify is flipping the model on its head. The platform is free Microsoft President Brad Smith speaks at the French Microsoft headquarters in Issy-les-Moulineaux, outside Paris, Monday, May 13, 2024. AP Photo/Thibault Camus, Pool Brad Smith is an unusual futurist. Before he rose to become Microsofts president and vice chair, Smith built his reputation as a highly capable attorney with a conciliatory nature. Much as his counterpart CEO Satya Nadella would later be tapped to reinvigorate the company, Smith was selected in 2002 to pull Microsoft out of its ruthless era. Speaking with The Seattle Times in March, the affable Smith says his primary strategy was to make nice with everyone. After decades of stepping on competitors and regulatory agencies to reach the top, Microsoft had plenty of parties to placate. Its not just Microsofts image Smith has wanted to rehabilitate. The company had changed its hometown just by going about its normal business. Once he got the top job, Smith was determined to remake Washington state and the Northwest. If Microsoft could transform the Puget Sound region over 50 years, why cant it do the same for Cascadia? Its a question Smiths futurism has led him to. Smith, who refers to Microsoft as Tomorrowland, is a key figure for the Cascadia Innovation Corridor and was a member of the steering committee. The Innovation Corridor is an initiative to grow the economy of Cascadia, a mega region that stretches from north of Vancouver, British Columbia, through Washington to southern Oregon. Co-chairs of the initiative include former Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire and Laura Jones, CEO of the Business Council of British Columbia. The committee behind it is filled with public officials, academics and representatives for pro-business councils. Smith pours his time into the initiative, attending annual conferences and using Microsofts money to sponsor events and fund research for projects like high-speed trains to connect Cascadias cities. Microsoft, which had an office in Vancouver, British Columbia, was expanding in the city in 2016. In talks with the British Columbia leaders, Smith discovered an opportunity to connect Vancouver and Seattle in a way that hadnt been done despite their proximity. What struck me was that Vancouver and Seattle were two similar places that were not working with each other very much, Smith says. Smith and his team scanned through LinkedIn data and were disheartened to find that folks in Northwest cities were interacting with the East Coast more frequently than with each other. This doesnt make sense; we dont spend time with each other, he says. So lets build a corridor. Then the people in Portland came and knocked on our door and said they want to be a part of it too. Smiths goals are ambitious. In 2019, the initiative laid out a vision of a region humming along with abundant affordable housing, collaborative scientific research between the three cities and high-speed rail by 2035. Goals around infrastructure are the biggest challenges. Under the Biden administration, the federal government kicked in some funds for the planning stage of high-speed rail in Washington. The Washington State Department of Transportation partners were awarded a $49.7 million grant last year from the Federal Railroad Administration to advance work on the Cascadia High-Speed Rail program. But it was less than the $198 million they were seeking in 2023; if they have to get more funds, it will be under President Donald Trump, who has shown no appetite for trains. Connectivity by rail plays into the regions affordable housing issues, another focus for the initiative and Microsoft. The company has an affordable housing fund into which its poured more than $750 million to create or preserve more than 9,200 housing units in the Puget Sound region. Its not completely benevolent on the side of Microsoft or other companies that have created similar funds. Smith and company believe projections that show the regions population will rise, fueled by tech jobs. Plainly, those workers need places to live. Smiths crusade for a connected region is due in part to his devotion to the tech industry. He rattles off stats. Of all workers in Washington, 9.4% are tech employees, a higher percentage than in any other state. More than 22% of the states economic output comes directly from the high-paying jobs in the tech sector. Despite its immense growth over the past 50 years, Smith anchors his legislative and community engagement missions in the idea that Seattles tech sector will continue to grow. If you talk to anybody who works in Olympia or in the business community in Seattle, theyve heard umpteen times that were the most trade-dependent state in the country, he says. I bet theyve never heard that were also the most tech-intensive state. Washingtons tech economy includes Amazon and Microsoft, two of the largest employers in the world, but there are more than 3,000 startups in the state as well. About a third were started by Microsoft alumni, according to Smith. Greater Vancouver Board of Trade CEO Bridgitte Anderson says Microsofts impact in Vancouver is similar to the early days in the Puget Sound region. The company has about 750 employees in Vancouver, and the tech industry in the city is still growing. Amazon has a big presence in the city as well, with a main office in an old Canadian postal service building. The citys tech sector employs more than 125,000 people now, according to Anderson. Since 2017, tech jobs have grown more rapidly in the Vancouver area than in any large North American city, according to a report from commercial brokerage CBRE. Microsoft had a big role in doing that by building up the talent within this region, Anderson says. High-paying tech jobs in West Coast cities have fueled affordability issues, which have in turn made tech companies the target of new tax proposals. Seattle and Amazon have brawled over tax policies that targeted the tech giant and similar companies, back-and-forths that ultimately ended in a payroll tax in the city. Proposals for similar tax policies are bubbling up at the state level. Smith is vehemently against any new taxes. I think weve got a reasonable tax policy; lets make sure we dont mess it up, Smith says. Lets make sure we dont start applying something like a payroll tax to jobs in this state because that would make jobs more expensive to keep in the state. Lets avoid a wealth tax that would discourage founders from starting their companies here. Washington has for decades had one of the most regressive tax structures in the nation. The state, with a constitution that doesnt allow an income tax, has a 6.5% sales tax on top of local rates that push sales taxes in cities like Seattle to more than 10%. Our nearly century-old tax code relies mostly on flat taxes that fail to distinguish between small businesses and large corporations, homeowners and skyscraper owners, working people and billionaires, said Sen. Noel Frame, D-Seattle, in a March 20 statement defending the 2025 revenue proposal from Washington state Democrats. Its antiquated, unfit for a modern economy, and deeply unfair. Smith argues higher taxes on businesses undermine what he sees as the foundation of the states prosperity: the tech industry. Both Microsoft and Amazon have benefited from tax breaks in the state. Microsofts data centers in Central Washington have received tax credits and Amazon received some while developing its Seattle headquarters. Smith has championed Microsofts public-private partnerships. He established the companys philanthropic division in 2015 and points to the education initiatives the company funds in Washington state to fill the tech worker pipeline. (The Seattle Times has received financial support from Microsoft Philanthropies.) The companys education program, which began in the 1990s, has expanded its goal from promoting basic digital literacy to introducing artificial intelligence training into schools. But theres a push-and-pull with the business side that Smith acknowledges. Amazon ultimately got its wish with the head tax but stopped development in Seattle anyway. Microsoft spent decades in business-friendly Bellevue but pulled out of its offices there. I dont think its realistic to expect any private-sector enterprise to be in a position to ignore economics, he says. But its also more than right for people to ask businesses to manage economics with a community-minded spirit. Before he became Microsofts top lawyer, Smith had been on the companys legal team for nine years, during the most tumultuous time for the company, as it faced probes from the Federal Trade Commission and Department of Justice and ultimately an antitrust lawsuit from the latter. The dust mostly settled in 2002. The DOJ had tried to break up the company, but the two parties ultimately announced a settlement. In the wake of that, Smith interviewed for the role of general counsel. In front of Microsoft founder and then-chairman Bill Gates, then-CEO Steve Ballmer and four other top executives, he presented a one-slide PowerPoint that said it was time for peace. I wanted to find a way to make peace with the government and rebuild our relationship with the rest of the industry, and I was very up front, Smith says. If you want to do this, then Im sort of your guy or at least a good candidate. And if thats not what you want to do, then Im probably the wrong person. By getting the job, he had the support to act fast and reshape the companys public image. Smiths promotion almost coincides with Boeing, then Washingtons largest employer, moving its headquarters to Chicago in 2001. There was an opening for Microsoft, which hadnt interacted much with local officials and the broader business community, to step up and become a community leader. We did get more engaged. I feel that we built a collaborative culture between the business community and the people who govern the state in Olympia, Smith says. A decade later, the tech sector in Washington was booming. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos chose the Seattle area for his empire, due partly to the talent pool. Silicon Valley companies followed, establishing satellite offices and eventually engineering hubs in the Pacific Northwest. A region grounded in aerospace and timber had transformed into a region building the digital future. Since 1975, the population of the state has more than doubled and the economy has roughly tripled, Smith says. We went from being the 14th largest economy in the United States to the ninth. Its almost entirely because of one thing: the growth of an industry that did not exist 50 years ago. -- Alex Halverson, The Seattle Times Two of the more than 500 logging slash piles that litter the 260 acres of clearcut harvests on the Yoder family property near Bandon, according to a photo from the suit. This part of the family property has a view of the Pacific Ocean. In foreground, gorse infestation, according to the suit. Court Document A husband-and-wife-owned forestry company is accused of duping an elderly New Jersey man into signing a bogus contract and then decimating his familys 321 acres of forestland along the Pacific Coast near Bandon, according to a federal lawsuit. More than 260 acres were cut by Pro Forestry Consulting and its subcontractors, allowing the company to sell about 2 million board feet of logs for about $1.7 million in revenue, the suit alleges. President Donald Trump speaks during an event to announce new tariffs in the Rose Garden at the White House, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Washington. AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein President Donald Trump declared on Wednesday a 10% baseline tax on imports from all countries and higher tariff rates on dozens of nations that run trade surpluses with the United States, threatening to upend much of the architecture of the global economy and trigger broader trade wars. Trump held up a chart while speaking at the White House, showing the United States would charge a 34% tax on imports from China, a 20% tax on imports from the European Union, 25% on South Korea, 24% on Japan and 32% on Taiwan. The president used aggressive rhetoric to describe a global trade system that the United States helped to build after World War II, saying our country has been looted, pillaged, raped, plundered by other nations. Trump declared a national economic emergency to launch the tariffs, expected to produce hundreds of billions in annual revenues. He has promised that factory jobs will return back to the United States as a result of the taxes, but his policies risk a sudden economic slowdown as consumers and businesses could face sharp price hikes on autos, clothes and other goods. Taxpayers have been ripped off for more than 50 years, Trump said in remarks at the White House. But it is not going to happen anymore. Trump was fulfilling a key campaign promise as he imposed what he called reciprocal tariffs on trade partners, acting without Congress through the 1977 International Emergency Powers Act in an extraordinary attempt to both break and ultimately reshape Americas trading relationship with the world. The presidents higher rates would hit foreign entities that sell more goods to the United States than they buy, meaning the tariffs could stay in place for some time as the administration expects other nations to lower their tariffs and other barriers to trade that it says have led to a $1.2 trillion trade imbalance last year. The tariffs follow similar recent announcements of 25% taxes on auto imports; levies against China, Canada and Mexico; and expanded trade penalties on steel and aluminum. Trump has also imposed tariffs on countries that import oil from Venezuela and he plans separate import taxes on pharmaceutical drugs, lumber, copper and computer chips. None of the warning signs about a falling stock market or consumer sentiment turning morose have caused the administration to publicly second-guess its strategy, despite the risk of political backlash as voters in last years election said they wanted Trump to combat inflation. Senior administration officials, who insisted on anonymity to preview the new tariffs with reporters ahead of Trumps speech, said the taxes would raise hundreds of billions of dollars annually in revenues. They said the 10% baseline rate existed to help ensure compliance, while the higher rates were based on the trade deficits run with other nations and then halved to reach the numbers that Trump presented in the Rose Garden. In a follow-up series of questions by The Associated Press, the White House could not say whether the tariff exemptions on imports worth $800 or less would remain in place, possibly shielding some imports from the new taxes. Based on the possibility of broad tariffs that have been floated by some White House aides, most outside analyses by banks and think tanks see an economy tarnished by higher prices and stagnating growth. Trump would be applying these tariffs on his own; he has ways of doing so without congressional approval. That makes it easy for Democratic lawmakers and policymakers to criticize the administration if the uncertainty expressed by businesses and declining consumer sentiment are signs of trouble to come. Heather Boushey, a member of the Biden White Houses Council of Economic Advisers, noted that the less aggressive tariffs Trump imposed during his first term failed to stir the manufacturing renaissance he promised voters. We are not seeing indications of the boom that the president promised, Boushey said. Its a failed strategy. Rep. Suzan DelBene, D-Wash., said the tariffs are part of the chaos and dysfunction being generated across the Trump administration. The chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee stressed that Trump should not have the sole authority to raise taxes as he intends without getting lawmakers approval, saying that Republicans so far have been blindly loyal. The president shouldnt be able to do that, DelBene said. This is a massive tax increase on American families, and its without a vote in Congress ... President Trump promised on the campaign trail that he would lower costs on day one. Now he says he doesnt care if prices go up hes broken his promise. Even Republicans who trust Trumps instincts have acknowledged that the tariffs could disrupt an economy with an otherwise healthy 4.1 % unemployment rate. Well see how it all develops, said House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La. It may be rocky in the beginning. But I think that this will make sense for Americans and help all Americans. Longtime trading partners are preparing their own countermeasures. Canada has imposed some in response to the 25% tariffs that Trump tied to the trafficking of fentanyl. The European Union, in response to the steel and aluminum tariffs, put taxes on $28 billion of U.S. goods, including on bourbon, which prompted Trump to threaten a 200% tariff on European alcohol. Many allies feel they have been reluctantly drawn into a confrontation by Trump, who routinely says Americas friends and foes have essentially ripped off the United States with a mix of tariffs and other trade barriers. The flip side is that Americans also have the incomes to choose to buy designer gowns by French fashion houses and autos from German manufacturers, whereas World Bank data show the EU has lower incomes per capita than the U.S. Europe has not started this confrontation, said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. We do not necessarily want to retaliate but, if it is necessary, we have a strong plan to retaliate and we will use it. Italys premier, Giorgia Meloni, on Wednesday reiterated her call to avoid an EU-US trade war, saying it would harm both sides and would have heavy consequences for her countrys economy. Because Trump had hyped his tariffs without providing specifics until Wednesday, he provided a deeper sense of uncertainty for the world, a sign that the economic slowdown could possibly extend beyond U.S. borders to other nations that would see one person to blame. Ray Sparnaay, general manager of JE Fixture & Tool, a Canadian tool and die business that sits across the Detroit River, said the uncertainty has crushed his companys ability to make plans. Theres going to be tariffs implemented. We just dont know at this point, he said Monday. Thats one of the biggest problems weve had probably the last well, since November is the uncertainty. Its basically slowed all of our quoting processes, business that we hope to secure has been stalled. -- Josh Boak, The Associated Press Demonstrators against a proposed liquid-natural gas pipeline and export terminal in Oregon staged a sit-in at the governor's office in the Oregon State Capitol on Nov. 21, 2019 (AP Photo/Andrew Selsky) AP AP A Marion County judge has ruled that the states TITAN Fusion Center for intelligence gathering is authorized under Oregon law, effectively throwing out a legal challenge filed by environmental, Indigenous and social justice advocates. Circuit Judge Lindsay R. Partridge denied the states motion to dismiss the suit, but in the same ruling found that the Oregon Department of Justice has the proper authority to operate the anti-terrorism center and that the plaintiffs are not entitled to any relief. A 27-year-old man was arrested Saturday and is accused of pointing a laser inside a Tesla dealership hurting the eyes of employees inside. Mark Graves/Staff Police arrested a Portland man Saturday on allegations he pointed a laser inside a Tesla dealership during a protest hurting the eyes of employees inside. Davis Nafshun, 27, is accused of two counts of unlawful use of a weapon, two counts of attempting to commit a felony and misdemeanor charges of menacing and reckless endangerment. He was released on his own recognizance from jail the same day of his arrest. A probable-cause affidavit says police responded to a call at the South Waterfront Portland Tesla dealership in the 4300 block of South Macadam Avenue. An employee told an officer that at least one person was pointing a green laser into the dealership and at people inside. An officer saw video of a person, later identified as Nafshun, doing the same during a demonstration taking place outside the building. Police found him riding his bike away from the area and took him into custody, the affidavit said. Multiple protesters asked the officers what was going on and were concerned about police intervention. One officer showed protesters the video of Nafshun allegedly shining a laser into the dealership. According to the affidavit, after seeing the video, the protesters said his actions were not okay and supported his removal. Police said two employees had the laser pointed in their eyes and experienced discomfort and problems with their vision. A third employee who had a laser pointed at their eyes days earlier left the showroom to avoid it happening again, the affidavit said. Police said they recovered a green laser from Nafshun with a Class IIIa information sticker on it. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration states that such lasers can be momentarily hazardous when directly viewed. Portlands Tesla dealership has drawn numerous protesters who have criticized the actions of the companys CEO, Elon Musk, and his efforts to slash the size of the federal government. Acts of violent vandalism have taken place at other Oregon Tesla dealerships. Gunfire struck a Tigard dealership twice in one week, causing tens of thousands of dollars in damages, police said. In Salem, a Tesla dealership was struck by Molotov cocktails on Inauguration Day and a man is facing federal charges in that incident and a separate one from February. Zaeem Shaikh covers the Portland Police Bureau and criminal justice issues for The Oregonian/OregonLive. Reach him at 503-221- 4323, zshaikh@oregonian.com or on X @zaeemshake. Students at an early kindergarten transition program in Portland practice their writing skills in summer, 2024. Photo by Beth Conyers Plans to spend $82 million for summer learning programs in Oregon over the next 2 years and three months including $35 million for summer 2025 cleared a key legislative hurdle on Tuesday. Providence Health & Services insurance arm will outsource some administration of self-funded employer health plans to a California-based firm. Providence Health Plan, a health insurance provider headquartered in Portland, announced Wednesday that it has hired San Francisco-based Collective Health as its third-party administrator for employers that pay their medical claims and fees directly. The change will affect those companies roughly 135,000 Oregon employees, who can expect to see their employers plan offerings under the new name Providence Health Plan Powered by Collective Health starting next year. FILE: Elon Musk presumably has a ticking clock on his tenure. He was hired as a special government employee, which means he can only work 130 days in a 365-day time period. AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps WASHINGTON DOGEs days appear to be numbered. Elon Musk recently suggested that he will be done with his work in the near future. President Donald Trump told reporters this week that at some point, hes going to be going back to running his companies. As far as the Department of Government Efficiency, Trump said it will end. All of that talk was before Musk faced a setback Tuesday in Wisconsin, where voters rejected his choice for a state Supreme Court candidate despite more than $21 million in personal donations and his campaign appearance over the weekend. There are more problems for the billionaire entrepreneur at Tesla, his electric automaker, which saw a 13% drop in sales in the first three months of the year. The White House has not disclosed any clear timeline for closing down DOGE, and the government cost-cutting organization was never supposed to become a permanent fixture in Washington. But it could be reaching a conclusion faster than anticipated. DOGE was originally intended to operate until July 4, 2026. Now there are signs that it already is winding down. DOGE employees have been shifted to various federal agencies, which are supposed to take the lead on cutting costs. Government-wide layoffs are underway to accomplish some of the goals laid out by Musk and Trump. We think probably over the next two or three months, well be pretty much satisfied with the people that are working hard and want to be members of the administration, Trump said last week. The potential end of DOGE does not mean Trump will stop shaking up Washington. But it appears the administrations efforts will be entering a new phase that is less focused on Musk, whose chain saw-wielding work as a presidential adviser made him a political lightning rod. Elon Musk holds up a chainsaw he received from Argentina's President Javier Milei, right, as they arrive to speak at the Conservative Political Action Conference, CPAC, at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025, in Oxon Hill, Maryland. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana) DOGE was initially envisioned as an independent advisory panel, with Musk sharing leadership with Vivek Ramaswamy, a biotech entrepreneur. Ramaswamy dropped out and is running for Ohio governor, and DOGE became part of the government. It was stocked with Musks allies, who were dispatched throughout the bureaucracy to cancel contracts, access sensitive data and push for cuts. Musk presumably has a ticking clock on his tenure. He was hired as a special government employee, which means he can only work 130 days in a 365-day time period. I think we will have accomplished most of the work required to reduce the deficit by a trillion dollars within that time frame, Musk told Bret Baier of Fox News on March 27. So far DOGE is well short of that target, according to its own calculations, which have been criticized as inflated and inaccurate. Musk did not commit to leaving the administration by any particular date, and it is unclear how the administration is tracking Musks time. On May 30, it will be 130 days since Trumps inauguration on Jan. 20. Trump told reporters on Monday in the Oval Office that Id keep him as long as I could keep him and hes a very talented guy. The Republican president was known for explosive breakups with top advisers during his first term, but anyone hoping for such a split with Musk has been disappointed. I think hes amazing, but I also think hes got a big company to run, Trump said. And so, at some point, hes going to be going back. Asked if DOGE would continue without Musk, Trump demurred. He said Cabinet officials have worked closely with Musk and may keep some of the DOGE people at their agencies. But at a certain point I think it will end, Trump said. Musks poll numbers lag behind Trumps, which Democrats believe they were able to use to their advantage in Wisconsin. Susan Crawford defeated Brad Schimel, who Musk supported, and ensured the state Supreme Courts liberal majority. In the closing days of that campaign, Musk described the race as important for the future of civilization. He struck a different tone afterward. I expected to lose, but there is value to losing a piece for a positional gain, Musk wrote on X at 3:13 a.m. --Chris Megerian/The Associated Press Republican candidate Randy Fine, right, walks past signs supporting President Donald Trump before meeting with supporters after the special election for U.S. House District 6 was called in his favor, Tuesday, April 1, 2025 in Ormond Beach, Fla. AP A trio of spring elections offered early warning signs to Republicans and President Donald Trump, as Democrats rallied against his efforts to slash the federal government and the outsize role being played by billionaire Elon Musk in the early days of his new administration. In the marquee race for a Wisconsin Supreme Court seat Tuesday, the conservative judge endorsed by Trump and backed by Musk and his groups to the tune of $21 million lost by 10 percentage points in a state Trump won in November. And while Florida Republicans held two of the most pro-Trump House districts in the country, both candidates underperformed Trumps November margins. The elections the first major contests since Trumps return to power were seen as an early measure of voter sentiment as Trump works with unprecedented speed to dramatically upend the federal government, clashing with the courts and seeking revenge as he tests the bounds of presidential power. The party that loses the presidency in November typically picks up seats in the next midterm elections, and Tuesdays results provided hope for Democrats who have faced a barrage of internal and external criticism about their response to Trump that they can follow that trend. Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist and podcaster whose group worked alongside Musk to boost conservative Brad Schimel in Wisconsin, argued Tuesdays Supreme Court loss underscored a fundamental challenge for Republicans, particularly in races where Trump is not on the ballot. We did a lot in Wisconsin, but we fell short. We must realize and appreciate that we are the LOW PROP party now, he said in an X post, referring to low-propensity voters who dont regularly cast ballots. The party has been remade. Special elections and off-cycle elections will continue to be a problem without a change of strategy. Major shifts in Wisconsin Trump narrowly won Wisconsin in November by fewer than 30,000 votes. In the first major test since he took office in January, the perennial battleground state shifted significantly to the left. Sauk County, northwest of the state capital of Madison, is a state bellwether. Trump won it in November by 626 votes. Sauk shifted 16 percentage points in the direction of Judge Susan Crawford, the liberal backed by national Democrats and billionaire donors like George Soros. Besides strong turnout in Democratic-heavy areas, Crawford did measurably better in the suburban Milwaukee counties that Republicans rely on to run up their margins statewide. Crawford won Kenosha and Racine counties, both of which went for Trump over Democratic nominee Kamala Harris. She won by about 10 percentage points there. In interviews with dozens of voters across the state, including more than 20 in Waunakee, a politically mixed town north of Madison, many Democrats suggested without prompting that their vote was as much if not more of a repudiation of Trumps first months in office than a decision on the direction of the state high court. This is our chance to say no, said Linda Grassl, a retired OB-GYN registered nurse, after voting at the Waunakee Public Library corridor Tuesday. We have to fight, and this is where the fight is today, agreed Theresa Peer, a 49-year-old business-owner born and raised in Milwaukee. She said she hoped a Crawford win would serve as a symbol of opposition to the Trump administration, particularly on the issues of womens reproductive rights and slashed education spending. Others disliked the richest man in the world playing such a prominent role. Musk was not only the races biggest donor, but he campaigned in Green Bay on Sunday. I dont like Elon Musk spending money for an election he should have no involvement in, said Antonio Gray, a 38-year-old Milwaukee security guard. They should let the voters vote for who they want to vote for instead of inserting themselves like they have. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, in a floor speech Wednesday, called the results a political warning shot from the American people and a sign that Democrats message is resonating. Just 70 days into Trump 2.0, Americans are tired of the chaos. They are tired of Elon Musk attacking Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare, he said. Republicans warn against drawing national conclusions Former Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker said that part of the challenge for Republicans had been trying to connect the dots to turn the state Supreme Court race into one about Trump a difficult task in a state judicial race. He wondered if the outcome would have been different had Trump paid a visit instead of hosting a telephone town hall. If youre somebody who showed up for Trump because you feel forgotten, you dont typically show up to vote in these kinds of elections, he said, imagining voters asking themselves: What does this have to do with Trump? Still, Walker cautioned against reading the tea leaves too closely. Id be a little bit careful about reading too much into what happens nationally, he said. Trump had better luck in Florida, where Republican Randy Fine won his special election in the 6th District to replace Mike Waltz, who stepped down to serve as Trumps national security adviser. But Fine beat his Democratic challenger, Josh Weil, by 14 percentage points less than five months after Waltz won the district by 33. This is the functional equivalent of Republicans running a competitive race in the district that is represented by Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, said House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries beforehand, invoking a liberal favorite whom Trump often denigrates. Kamala Harris won that district by 30 points. Do you think a Republican would even be competitive in that district in New York, currently held by Alex? Of course, not. Jimmy Patronis, the states chief financial officer, fended off a challenge from Democrat Gay Valimont to win the northwest Florida seat vacated by Matt Gaetz but also underperformed Gaetzs last margin of victory. Patronis carried the 1st Congressional District by a 14-percentage-point margin, according to preliminary results. In many districts, that would be seen as a landslide. But thats less than half of Trumps November margin of victory. And in a stunning development, Democrats were able to turn Escambia County blue, flipping the county thats home to Pensacola in the ruby red Florida Panhandle. Sally Dutcher, a 77-year-old retired search and rescue worker in Pensacola, said the time of complacency among conservatives accustomed to blowout victories in northwest Florida has to come to an end. Were overconfident, she said. And we need to not be. Still, the pair of wins gave Republicans a 220-213 margin in the House of Representatives, where concerns about a thin GOP majority led Trump to pull the nomination of New York Rep. Elise Stefanik to be United Nations ambassador. For voters in both districts, the clear draw was Trump. Teresa Horton, 72, didnt know much at all about Tuesdays election -- but said she didnt need to. I dont even know these people that are on there, she said of her ballot. I just went with my ticket. Brenda Ray, 75, a retired nurse, said she didnt know a lot about Patronis, either, but cast her ballot for him because she believes hell vote with our president. Thats all were looking for, she said. By JILL COLVIN and MAYA SWEEDLER Associated Press Colvin reported from New York, Sweedler from Washington. Associated Press writers Stephany Matat in Daytona Beach, Fla.; Kate Payne in Pensacola, Fla.; Christine Fernando in Milwaukee; Mark Vancleave in Eau Claire, Wis.; Tom Beaumont in Waunakee, Wis.; and Matt Brown in Washington contributed to this report. WASHINGTON After TikTok was banned in the United States earlier this year, President Donald Trump gave the platform a reprieve, barreling past a law that was passed in Congress and upheld unanimously by the Supreme Court that said the ban was necessary for national security. The Republican presidents executive orders have spurred more than 130 lawsuits in the little more than two months he has been in office, but this one barely generated a peep. None of those suits challenges his temporary block of the 2024 law that banned the popular social video app after the deadline passed for it to be sold by ByteDance, its China-based parent company. Few of the 431 members of the House of Representatives and the Senate who voted for the law have complained. Despite a bipartisan consensus about the risk to national security posed by TikToks ties to China, its as if nothing ever happened, said Sarah Kreps, director of Cornell Universitys Tech Policy Institute. TikTok has stayed online, delighting 170 million users in the U.S. TikTok continues to function, much to the delight of its 170 million users in the U.S., and the tech giants Apple, Google and Oracle have been persuaded to continue to offer and support the app, on the promise that Trumps Justice Department would not use the law to seek potentially steep fines against them. Trump declared he was suspending the law for 75 days, though no provision of the rule would appear to allow for that, to give ByteDance a fresh chance to find a U.S. buyer. The president has suggested he could extend the pause, but he has since said he expects a deal by Saturday, when the reprieve expires. He is meeting Wednesday with aides about possible suitors for TikTok. Oracle and the investment firm Blackstone are among the potential investors. Trumps action followed a fast-tracked free-speech challenge by TikTok and its users that ended with a unanimous Supreme Court ruling days before Trumps inauguration, in which the justices held that national security concerns overcame their usual receptivity to First Amendment claims. The courts opinions dealt at length with the potential for China to harvest vast quantities of TikTok users data that could allow it to track the locations of federal employees and contractors. The record before us establishes that TikTok mines data both from TikTok users and about millions of others who do not consent to share their information, Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote in a brief separate opinion. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, TikTok can access any data stored in a consenting users contact list including names, photos, and other personal information about unconsenting third parties. TikTok, which has headquarters in Singapore and Los Angeles, has said it prioritizes user safety, and Chinas Foreign Ministry has said Chinas government has never and will not ask companies to collect or provide data, information or intelligence held in foreign countries. Trump was against TikTok before he was for it The day after the ruling, TikTok went dark for U.S. users, but it came back online after Trump vowed to stall the ban. The presidents position has evolved over time. During his first term, he used an executive order to try to ban TikTok on national security grounds. But federal courts blocked it. His administration then tried to negotiate a sale of the platform, but it failed. Trump changed his tune during his 2024 campaign and said he would save TikTok, then credited the platform with helping him win more young voters. He issued the 75-day pause on the first day of his second term. The law allows for one 90-day reprieve, but only if theres a deal on the table and a formal notification to Congress. Trumps actions so far violate the law, said Alan Rozenshtein, an associate law professor at the University of Minnesota. The law does not permit the sort of extension that Donald Trump has announced, Rozenshtein said. But both he and Kreps acknowledged a court challenge or other pushback is unlikely. Whos the constituency? You have 170 million Americans using the app, and theyre pretty happy to see this continue to be available to them, Kreps said. It also might be hard for someone to establish the legal right, or standing, to sue, Rozenshtein said. A plaintiff would have to be able to show harm from the delay in enforcing the law, he said. More importantly, he said, the TikTok executive order was an early example of the Trump administration not caring about the rule of law. While Trump has directed the Justice Department not to seek fines from the tech companies, they still are taking a legal gamble, according to Democratic lawmakers who oppose the TikTok ban but also criticize Trump for his actions. A future administration might have its own reasons to pursue legal claims against Apple, Google and Oracle, they wrote Trump in a letter last week. Companies could face hundreds of billions of dollars in legal liability for facilitating TikToks operations since the laws effective date of Jan. 19, Democratic Sens. Cory Booker of New Jersey, Chris Van Hollen of Maryland and Ed Markey of Massachusetts wrote. Tech companies initially lacked clear guidance The companies themselves acknowledged their legally uncertain situation in their initial response to Trumps order. Oracle continued to provide cloud services to TikTok, the senators said, but Apple and Google, however, initially came to a different decision and refused to reinstate TikTok in their app stores. The companies changed course only after receiving written assurance from the Justice Department. The Democrats have called for amending the law to extend the deadline for a sale to October. Other opponents of the TikTok ban support a full repeal. Among the few supporters of the ban to speak out is Rep. John Moolenaar, R-Michigan, chairman of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party. But rather than take on Trump, Moolenaar has focused his criticism on ByteDance and its ties the Chinese Communist Party. If ByteDance stays involved in any way, the deal is illegal plain and simple, Moolenaar said in remarks to a TikTok event on Capitol Hill last week. Several potential bidders have stepped forward. Perplexity AI presented ByteDance in January with a merger proposal that would combine Perplexitys business with TikToks U.S. operations. Another possibility is a consortium organized by billionaire businessman Frank McCourt, which recently recruited Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian as a strategic adviser. Investors in the consortium previously said they offered ByteDance $20 billion in cash for TikToks U.S. platform. They had planned to redesign the popular app with blockchain technology they said would provide users with more control over their online data. Jesse Tinsley, the founder of the payroll firm Employer.com, had also organized a consortium, which included the CEO of the video game platform Roblox, and offered ByteDance more than $30 billion for TikTok. -- The Associated Press Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek talks with journalist Derek Thompson at the 2023 Oregon Leadership Summit. To make progress on the governor's top three goals, she should add one more - economic development. Dave Killen / The Oregonian Angela Wilhelms For The Oregonian/OregonLive Wilhelms is president and CEO of Salem-based Oregon Business & Industry. Oregonians have become familiar with the three goals Gov. Tina Kotek has pursued since her election nearly two and a half years ago: housing, education and behavioral health. These are worthy goals that focus on issues Oregon needs to address. Unfortunately, the list is one goal short. Its missing economic development. Economic development isnt merely nice to do. Its a necessity, especially now. Private sector activity, after all, generates jobs, economic activity, philanthropy and the revenue that supports public services - including those the governor has prioritized. Yet Oregons business environment has suffered years of neglect, and the consequences have begun to show. In 2017, only eight years ago, Oregon ranked 17th in CNBCs annual Americas Top States for Business rankings. Last year, the state finished 28th, having dropped seven places in a single year. Despite top-10 rankings for quality of life (6th) and technology and innovation (9th), Oregons appeal is diminished by the states economy (34th), the cost of doing business (34th) and especially business friendliness (48th). According to CNBC, only New Jersey and New York are less business-friendly than Oregon. CNBCs assessment is hardly unique. In 2024, Oregon ranked 43rd in Chief Executives Best and Worst States for Business ranking, compiled from a survey of CEOs and business owners. Oregon ranked 30th in the Tax Foundations 2025 State Tax Competitiveness Index, hampered by low rankings for personal income taxes (40th) and corporate tax environment (49th). It would be a mistake for policymakers to dismiss such rankings, which highlight an important, if inconvenient, fact: States compete for business investment and for workers. And Oregon has become dangerously uncompetitive. Over the last four quarters of reported data, according to the states Office of Economic Analysis March Economic and Revenue Forecast, Oregon GDP growth has been slower than U.S. GDP growth by about one and a half percentage points, and state job creation lagged the national average as a result. And between December 2023 and December 2024, Oregon lost thousands of jobs across several sectors, including financial activities, durable goods, leisure and hospitality. Manufacturing alone lost 2,500 jobs, continuing what state economist Carl Riccadonna last year called a manufacturing recession. Meanwhile, Riccadonnas office predicts that Oregons population a key economic indicator will grow at an anemic 0.6% annual rate through 2034. If demography is destiny, then Oregons economic destiny appears worrisome. Speaking of worrisome, conditions in the Portland metro area Oregons economic engine echo these trends in a particularly acute way. According to the Portland Metro Chambers recently released State of the Economy report, the three counties on the Oregon side of the Columbia continue to either lose population (Multnomah and Washington counties) or stagnate (Clackamas County). Across the river, meanwhile, Clark County continues to grow. In 2024, when nationwide employment grew by 1.34%, employment in the Portland region dropped by 0.59%. And in a national survey measuring a citys attractiveness for outside development, Portland ranked 81st out of 82 metro areas. The states overall business climate surely has contributed to the Portland areas struggles. To reverse this economic slide, policymakers must focus on improving Oregons competitiveness and, frankly, compete more energetically for the residents and business investment Oregon has been exporting. Oregons businesses have known these things for years and have shared their views consistently with policymakers. Regional economic development operations have as well. And now, a report released by the states own economic development agency, Business Oregon, also emphasizes this. Last month, Business Oregon released a business recruitment report prepared by the University of Oregons Institute for Policy Research & Engagement. The report warns that many states are actively recruiting Oregon businesses, noting that the state has lost thousands of potential jobs and billions of potential private investments in the past five years and is poised to lose even more in the next five years. While Oregon does have advantages, the report notes, its regulatory climate, tax policies and other factors drive business leaders to consider expanding outside the state. In fact, almost 70% of surveyed businesses contacted by out-of-state recruiters ultimately moved or expanded outside of Oregon. All of this data makes a clear case: the state must make business retention and expansion a priority. So, too, should the Legislature, which is now well into the 2025 session. Among the 3,300 bills that have been introduced are many that would further erode Oregons competitiveness, including one that would hand unemployment benefits to striking workers. There are also bills that would enhance Oregons competitiveness. If legislators value the jobs, revenue and innovation a thriving private sector creates, they should recognize the problems the state is facing and act accordingly. Economic development cannot wait. It cannot be something that happens on the side. It must become one of the governors key priorities a fourth goal to support all the rest. Sign up for our free Oregon Opinion newsletter. Email: This session, lawmakers will consider several bills to expand property tax exemptions for veterans. Some groups are opposing them, but as a mayor, an Army combat veteran, and a spouse to an active-duty service member, Im asking you to think twice. In Oregon, we give full property tax exemptions to nonprofits and religious institutions many of which pay nothing. Yet veterans, whove earned homeownership through decades of service and Veterans Administration loans, are being priced out of their homes. They dont have lobbyists walking the halls. They have us the people who promised to have their backs. Among the states, Oregon ranks poorly as a place to live for military retirees. Property taxes and housing costs are pushing veterans out veterans who are living on fixed incomes and often managing service-connected disabilities. When they leave, we dont just lose neighbors we lose federal retirement dollars, skilled workers and community leaders. These bills are smart, targeted steps to keep veterans in our communities. Ive heard the argument: If we do it for them, well have to do it for everyone. Thats not a reasonits an excuse. Veterans are a meaningful place to start. If we want Oregon to be a place that welcomes those who served, then we need to act like it. These bills wont solve everything, but they move us in the right direction. Ive testified and will keep showing up in support. I hope youll join me. Lacey Beaty, Beaverton Beaty is the mayor of Beaverton To read more letters to the editor, go to oregonlive.com/opinion. Oregon has more unaffiliated voters than Republicans or Democrats meaning a significant chunk of voters cant participate in the states partisan primary elections. Oregon has more unaffiliated voters than Republicans or Democrats meaning a significant chunk of voters cant participate in the states partisan primary elections and ultimately have no say on which major party nominees end up on general election ballots. Lawmakers this year could change that. Four House Democrats have sponsored House Bill 3166, which would allow all voters to participate in primary elections to choose two top candidates wholl face off in the fall election. Proponents say it is a critical step to ensuring that elected officials represent a broad swath of voters. The benefits of the proposal are obvious, supporters say. I really think its important that people get to have a chance to vote and participate as much as possible, said Rep. Susan McLain, a Forest Grove Democrat and one of the bills sponsors. But the bill is unlikely to advance, even in a Democratic-controlled Legislature that has previously supported other proposals to expand voter access. The proposal has received little support among influential lawmakers, and top Democrats have expressed hesitation to support the bill. Ive always been sort of interested in the idea of open primaries, Senate President Rob Wagner, a Lake Oswego Democrat, told reporters last week. However, I dont see that that bills got a whole bunch of legs behind it this session. The latest version of the bill would require every candidate for political office to be listed on every ballot, regardless of party affiliation. The top two vote-getters would move on to the general election. The bill would also allow candidates to secure and list endorsements from up to three parties instead of listing only the party to which they belong. The expanded system would apply to primary races for Congress, governor, secretary of state, state senator and representative and other statewide offices. It would also allow, but not require, cities and counties to use an open primary system for local elections. Most local elected offices are nonpartisan and therefore already have open primaries. By passing the bill, lawmakers would enable the roughly 43% of voters who arent registered as Democrats or Republicans to participate in state-funded partisan primary elections. An increasing percentage of Oregon voters in recent years have not registered with either major party, meaning most elected state officials are selected in primary elections by a decreasing percentage of voters. By switching to open primaries, Oregons voting system would more closely resemble Washingtons, where the top two vote-getters in primary elections advance to the general election. But unlike Washingtons system, third party candidates in Oregon could still be nominated through an internal party process to end up on the general election ballot. Supporters of open primaries say the system encourages candidates to appeal to a wider audience and also allows voters in heavily Republican or Democratic areas to have a greater say in races that would otherwise not be competitive. For example, two Democrats competing for a Portland-area legislative seat who advance to the general election under the open primary system would likely engage with Republican and unaffiliated voters more than they would under the current system. Open primaries would do the most to expand access to young voters and those from marginalized backgrounds, who are less likely to be registered as Democrats or Republicans, according to national and statewide data. Several good government organizations, third party groups and at least one former Oregon elections official support the bill. Former Secretary of State Phil Keisling, a Democrat, testified in support, writing that it is especially painful to see that when it comes to fully enfranchising Oregons more than 1 million non-affiliated voters, Oregon is truly a national laggard. But the proposal has also received its fair share of criticism. During a March 19 public hearing in the House Rules Committee, several opponents of the bill said opening Oregons primary elections to all voters would undermine the role of major parties, which they say is to help elect candidates that most align with their base. Critics of open primaries say that the major parties should do a better job of recruiting unaffiliated voters to join their parties. I find this to be just completely turning our elections upside down in a way that just is not necessary, House Republican Leader Christine Drazan of Canby said during the hearing. This bill disenfranchises Democrats and Republicans who want to choose and vote for their parties nominee, she told The Oregonian/OregonLive this week. In Oregon, gaining the nomination of the Democratic or Republican party is an all-but-certain guarantee of victory compared to other pathways to the general election ballot. As an example: Betsy Johnson, an independent candidate for Oregon governor, made the 2022 general election ballot thanks to voter signatures and raised more than $17 million for her campaign. But she received less than 9% of the vote, significantly less than Drazan, the Republican nominee, or Democratic nominee and eventual winner Tina Kotek. Lawmakers of both parties, many of whom have benefited politically from Oregons closed primary system, have shown little desire to support the bill. All 90 of Oregons state lawmakers are either Republicans or Democrats. Many of them regularly face easy paths to reelection because the political makeup of their district leans in their favor, and third party candidates rarely raise enough money to pose a serious threat. Legislators are picked predominantly by a relatively small number of voters because the general election contests are usually not competitive, said Dan Meek, a longtime Oregon good government advocate and supporter of the open primary bill. Lawmakers say thats not why the bill has received little support. They point out voters in 2008 and 2014 rejected ballot measures that would have switched Oregon to an open primary system. But Meek, who was a vocal opponent of both of those measures, says this years bill doesnt include their flaws. For example, those measures would have prohibited third parties from nominating their own candidates for the general election outside of the top-two open primary, which this bill allows. Also, supporters of open primaries say, the percentage of non-affiliated voters and discontent with major parties have both continued to increase since those ballot measures, meaning that Oregonians might now welcome such a change. Lawmakers say, however, that such a drastic change to Oregons voting system requires more robust engagement with the public and stakeholders. For instance, when lawmakers last year moved to implement campaign finance limits, representatives from good government groups, public employee unions and business interest groups all had their input on the final package. House Speaker Julie Fahey, a Democrat from Eugene, said the open primary bill is an interesting conversation to have but said it is unlikely to get widespread support from lawmakers this year. I generally am not opposed to the idea of opening up the primaries, but it has to be done in a really thoughtful and well designed way, Fahey said Monday. The bill was likely doomed from the day it was introduced in January. Thats because the initial draft included a controversial provision that would have required the use of ranked-choice voting for elections in the state starting in 2028 despite Oregonians defeat of a November ballot measure that proposed implementing the alternative voting system statewide. In response to public backlash, lawmakers removed the ranked choice voting provision in a proposed amendment. But it was too late. I cannot imagine any scenario in which the bill moves forward, said Rep. David Gomberg, a Democrat from Otis. Carlos Fuentes covers state politics and government. Reach him at 503-221-5386 or cfuentes@oregonian.com. Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com/subscribe. A file photo of a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer listening during a briefing, Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, in Silver Spring, Maryland. (Alex Brandon | AP Photo) Alex Brandon | AP Photo SEATTLE In what appears to be the first full-scale workplace raid in Washington since President Donald Trump took office, immigration officials descended on a roofing company in Bellingham on Wednesday and arrested 37 people. Those arrested are accused of misrepresenting their immigration status and submitting fraudulent documents to seek employment, according to a statement released by an ICE spokesperson. Despite Trumps pledge to carry out mass deportations, Washington has until now not seen raids of this kind, according to numerous immigration lawyers and advocates. Rosalinda Guillen, founder of the Bellingham-based social justice group Community to Community, said many were wondering when such actions would start. We were kind of waiting, she said. Still, said Edgar Franks, political director for the farmworkers union Familias Unidas por la Justicia, the raid at Mt. Baker Roofing came as a shock, especially given the immigrant-friendly policies of Washington officials. We had hoped the governor and attorney general would do more to protect workers, Franks said. Federal authorities have authority to enforce immigration law, however, even in states like Washington considered sanctuary jurisdictions because they restrict local cooperation with such enforcement. Wednesdays arrest was carried out by ICE, U.S. Border Patrol and U.S. Customers Border Protection Air and Marine Operations. Officers from these agencies had a federal search warrant, according to the ICE statement. The statement cast the raid as part of investigations into worksite violations and/or the exploitation of workers. Worksite enforcement investigations focus on reducing illegal employment, holding employers accountable and protecting employment opportunities for the countrys lawful workforce, the statement said. About two dozen Mt. Baker Roofing workers held a work stoppage in 2023, alleging they were not provided bathrooms, breaks and water, according to the Cascadia Daily News. Owner Mark Kuske said the allegations were untrue. At that time, the more than 40-year-old roofing company had 113 employees, he told the Cascadia Daily News. Reached Wednesday, Kuske declined to immediately comment and said he would provide a written statement later in the day. Many immigrant advocates and community members learned about the raid from a Facebook Live video taken by someone who said she was the aunt of a worker who had been detained and was standing outside the roofing companys offices. The video shows a handful of men in vests bearing the word police on the back standing outside a workplace. Their faces were covered. Parked nearby were numerous unmarked vans and a white bus. Dont give up, the woman who took the video shouted in Spanish to any workers who could hear her. Their only crime was coming here to work, she said. -- Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield has sued the Trump administration at least 10 times since taking office. Sean Meagher/The Oregonian Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield plans to travel the state throughout the spring and summer hosting town halls about federal oversight, his office announced Tuesday. Rayfield has sued the Trump administration at least 10 times since taking office, including a lawsuit filed Tuesday against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for abruptly stopping $12 billion in public health grants to states. In my first three months in office, weve established clear priorities: challenging federal overreach, fighting back against corporate greed, and standing up for veterans, students, and working families, Rayfield said in a statement. These forums will create an ongoing dialogue with Oregonians about federal accountability and how were working to protect their rights. He also has joined Democratic members of Oregons congressional delegation and Legislature at their own town halls. In March, he traveled to Arizona to gather stories with three other Democratic attorneys general at a town hall in Phoenix. Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes will join Rayfield at his second planned forum, on his 100th day in office on April 10. Theyll participate in an event at 6 p.m. in Portland, at a yet-to-be-announced location. House Speaker Julie Fahey, D-Eugene, will join Rayfield at 6:30 p.m. April 9 at the University of Oregons Prince Lucien Campbell building. And hell host a meeting at 10 a.m. in Bend on May 3, with no location announced yet. Rayfield plans to host additional meetings throughout the summer, according to the Department of Justice. -- Julia Shumway, Oregon Capital Chronicle Oregon Capital Chronicle is part of States Newsroom, the nations largest state-focused nonprofit news organization. The Oregon State Hospital is in immediate jeopardy of becoming ineligible to receive Medicaid and Medicare reimbursements following its failure to respond quickly to a patient held in seclusion who lost consciousness and later died. The hospitals medical emergency response to the patients loss of consciousness was not timely or effective, reads preliminary findings from The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, which administers public health insurance money. While the hospital has taken some actions in response to the March 19 patient death on its Salem campus, more is needed, according to the partially redacted report obtained by The Oregonian/OregonLive. The responses do not adequately address the failure to ensure an immediate response to patients in seclusion, the report states. A spokesperson for the Oregon State Hospital said the hospital would be working with The Chartis Group, a health care system consultant with which it already has a relationship, to address the issues and pull itself out of immediate jeopardy. A core team of clinical and administrative personnel are creating an immediate jeopardy removal plan, describing exactly how and when the hospital will correct the cited issues and ensure patient safety, wrote Oregon Health Authority spokesperson Amber Shoebridge in an email to The Oregonian/Oregon Live on Tuesday. The hospital has provided few details surrounding the death of the patient, citing patient privacy laws. But it appears from two reports on the actions of hospital staff that a patient in seclusion fell and became unconscious and that staff did not provide a thorough check or initiate a timely emergency response. A second report comes from the Joint Commission, a nonprofit responsible for accrediting thousands of hospitals nationally. That report is also redacted and is a result of the commissions review of the hospitals actions March 19. In a letter released by the Oregon Health Authority on March 26, the commission pointed to problems with the care offered to patients in seclusion and the safety of the seclusion space. The commission also found evidence that the emergency response to the patient who died was not immediate, nor was the emergency communication procedure correctly followed. As a result, the commission issued a preliminary denial of the Oregon State Hospitals accreditation, which is now in limbo with the hospital responsible for quickly correcting the identified problems. The Oregon State Hospital was also placed in immediate jeopardy last spring by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services following several incidents, including three patient deaths. Federal investigators determined that hospital staff neglected to conduct hourly checks to ensure patients were alive and breathing, a failure that led to a patient being found dead last May. The hospital took corrective action at that point that brought it back into compliance as of Oct. 25, Shoebridge said. If the hospitals current issues with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services are not resolved, it stands to lose $13.8 million in annual reimbursement funding, or about 3% of its $417.5 million budget, according to 2024 estimates by the Oregon Health Authority. A total of 21 patients have died at the Oregon State Hospital since 2020, nine of whom died unexpectedly, according to the agency. The hospital hasnt made available any information about the patient who died in March due to federal and state privacy laws, Shoebridge said. More than half of the nearly 700 patients across the hospitals two campuses are there to be restored to a level of psychiatric wellness that would allow them to be tried on criminal charges. Another 40% are there after pleading guilty except for insanity. The hospital has been the subject of an ongoing federal lawsuit since 2002 regarding the speed at which it admits and treats patients. Lillian Mongeau Hughes covers homelessness and mental health for The Oregonian. Email her with tips or questions at lmhughes@oregonian.com. Or follow her on Bluesky @lmonghughes.bsky.social or X at @lrmongeau. Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe Prosecutors in Oregon have long opposed removing the crime of prostitution from state law for minors, although last year prosecutors in many counties reported zero arrests of juveniles. In this file photo, Portland police took a 14-year-old girl into custody and arrested the man found with her on 82nd Avenue on a variety of charges in 2008. LC- Children who are sold for sex in Oregon will continue to face the possibility of being charged with the crime of prostitution, after a Democratic House leader killed a proposal that would have ended criminal liability for kids. Oregon is one of only a small number of states that still allows police and prosecutors to pursue prostitution charges against children. Supporters of the proposal, House Bill 3584 , said it was time for Oregon law to stop treating children as criminals when they are highly traumatized victims of trafficking and sex abuse. Eliminating the crime of prostitution for minors was also among the recommendations in 2020 from a federal advisory committee of doctors, social workers, judges and other experts that highlighted best practices to combat sex trafficking, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported last year. But opponents said prosecutors already treat sexually exploited teens as victims in practice and they argued that changing the law would take away a critical tool for law enforcement to go after traffickers. No children in Oregon have been charged with the crime of prostitution for at least the last year. Late last month, the chair of the House Judiciary Committee, Jason Kropf, D-Bend, effectively killed the proposal when he decided not to schedule a vote on it by the March 21 deadline. Kropf, a former deputy district attorney and public defender, has not publicly commented on the bill and he did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday. Rep. Annessa Hartman, D-Gladstone, introduced the bill. She said no one has told her why House Bill 3584 was killed in committee. Unfortunately, another year will go by where this bill will not even get the opportunity for a public hearing, Hartman wrote in an email. To say I am disappointed is an understatement. This marks at least the third time that a bill to eliminate the crime of prostitution for Oregon children has been killed. Hartman, who introduced the so-called safe harbor bill as part of a slate of legislation to support survivors of sexual and domestic violence, said she plans to bring the proposal back for consideration in the 2026 legislative session. Hillary Borrud is an investigative reporter. Reach her at 503-294-4034 or hborrud@oregonian.com. Members of President Donald Trumps National Security Council, including White House national security adviser Michael Waltz, have conducted government business over personal Gmail accounts, according to documents reviewed by The Washington Post and interviews with three U.S. officials. The use of Gmail, a far less secure method of communication than the encrypted messaging app Signal, is the latest example of questionable data security practices by top national security officials already under fire for the mistaken inclusion of a journalist in a group chat about high-level planning for military operations in Yemen. A senior Waltz aide used the commercial email service for highly technical conversations with colleagues at other government agencies involving sensitive military positions and powerful weapons systems relating to an ongoing conflict, according to emails reviewed by The Post. While the NSC official used his Gmail account, his interagency colleagues used government-issued accounts, headers from the email correspondence show. Waltz has had less sensitive, but potentially exploitable information sent to his Gmail, such as his schedule and other work documents, said officials, who, like others, spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe what they viewed as problematic handling of information. The officials said Waltz would sometimes copy and paste from his schedule into Signal to coordinate meetings and discussions. The use of personal email, even for unclassified materials, is risky given the premium value foreign intelligence services place on the communications and schedules of senior government officials, such as the national security adviser, experts say. NSC spokesman Brian Hughes said he has seen no evidence of Waltz using his personal email as described and said on occasions when legacy contacts have emailed him work-related materials, he makes sure to cc his government email to ensure compliance with federal records laws that require officials to archive official correspondence. Waltz didnt and wouldnt send classified information on an open account, said Hughes. When asked about a Waltz staffer discussing sensitive military matters over Gmail, Hughes said NSC staff have guidance about using only secure platforms for classified information. Waltz has also created and hosted other Signal chats with Cabinet members on sensitive topics, including on Somalia and Russias war in Ukraine, said a senior administration official. The existence of those groups was first reported by the Wall Street Journal on Sunday. Hughes said that Signal is approved and in some cases is added automatically to government devices. He acknowledged that it is not supposed to be used for classified material and insisted Waltz never used it as such. Waltzs creation of a Signal group chat that discussed sensitive information and included Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor in chief of the Atlantic and a prominent critic of President Donald Trump, has rankled the president and frustrated other Cabinet members whose communications were exposed on the chat. Publicly, Trump has strongly backed Waltz, but on Wednesday he met with Vice President JD Vance, Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and others to discuss whether to keep him on. A day later, he informed aides he was not firing Waltz, but it was largely out of a desire to avoid giving the liberal media a scalp, said a senior administration official. This incident badly damaged Waltz, said the official, who noted that the national security adviser was told after the meeting that he needed to be more deferential to Wiles. The Wednesday meeting was first reported by the New York Times. Data security experts have expressed alarm that U.S. national security professionals are not more readily using the governments suite of secure encrypted systems for work communications such as JWICS, the Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications System. Most concerning, however, is the use of personal email, which is widely acknowledged to be susceptible to hacking, spearfishing and other types of digital compromise. Unless you are using GPG, email is not end-to-end encrypted, and the contents of a message can be intercepted and read at many points, including on Googles email servers, said Eva Galperin, director of cybersecurity at the Electronic Frontier Foundation. National security experts have expressed alarm over the administrations denial that the leaked Signal chat contained classified information. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseths comments in the Signal chat detailed the sequencing, timing and weapons systems in advance of the Trump administrations March attack on Houthi militants in Yemen, potentially jeopardizing U.S. airmen headed into harms way. In the chat, Waltz offered a brief but highly specific after-action report of the strikes, revealing that the military had positive ID of a senior Houthi leader walking into his girlfriends building - pointing to what intelligence sources would later confirm was Israeli surveillance capabilities shared with the United States. Israeli officials expressed frustration that their capabilities were made public. U.S. officials say Trump is much more upset about the inclusion of a liberal journalist on a confidential group chat than he is about exposing secrets to foreign adversaries. But White House officials have found Waltzs denials increasingly hard to believe. Waltz, who added Goldberg to the chat, told Fox News: I take full responsibility. I built the group. But he has subsequently said Goldbergs contact information was sucked into his phone somehow and that hes never met or talked to the journalist despite a newly circulated photo of the two men near each other at an event at the French ambassadors residence in Washington. Hes telling everyone that hes never met me or spoken to me. Thats simply not true, Goldberg told Meet the Press on Sunday. This isnt The Matrix. Phone numbers dont just get sucked into other phones, he added. Waltz, the first Green Beret elected to Congress and an adviser to former vice president Dick Cheney, has long pontificated about the importance of classified information and harshly criticized the Justice Department for not pursuing charges against Hillary Clinton for using a private email server as secretary of state. What did DOJ do about it? Not a damn thing, Waltz wrote on social media in June 2023. While most Trump administration officials have downplayed the Signal breach publicly, some have acknowledged it was a significant mishap. Obviously, someone made a mistake. Someone made a big mistake, Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters during a trip last week to Jamaica. Rubio and his staff, who have years of experience with classified intelligence from his former role as vice chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, are known for taking operational security seriously, said a senior U.S. official. Rubio noted that his contributions in the Signal chat were minimal. Just speaking for my role, I contributed to it twice, Rubio told reporters. I identified my point of contact, which is my chief of staff, and then later on I congratulated the members of the team. On Sunday, Trump dismissed the controversy as a politically motivated attack. I dont fire people because of fake news and because of witch hunts, he said. Hughes, the NSC spokesman, said that Mike serves at the pleasure of President Trump and the President has voiced his support for the National Security Advisor multiple times this week. While Democrats have seized on the incident as evidence of incompetence, some in the MAGA wing of the Republican Party have assailed Waltz as a George W. Bush-aligned neoconservative, circulating a video from 2016 in which he condemned Trump as a draft-dodger, saying Stop Trump now. The chattering of unnamed sources should be treated with the skepticism of gossip from people lacking the integrity to attach their names, Hughes said. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services welcomes 35 new citizens during a special naturalization ceremony, Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023, at the Liberty State Park Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal in Jersey City. The Trump administration has terminated grants that helped permanent legal residents become U.S. citizens. (Reena Rose Sibayan | The Jersey Journal) The Trump administration has terminated grant funding for dozens of nonprofit legal service providers across the country, including at least two in Oregon that help legal permanent residents become U.S. citizens. The Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon and Immigration Counseling Service are among the impacted nonprofit organizations in Oregon. An official with the U.S. Department of Homeland Securitys office of procurement operations sent an email blast to dozens of organizations March 27 informing them that their U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services funding was being terminated effective immediately. The action followed a funding freeze that went into effect in early February. DHS has determined that the scope of work performed under this award no longer effectuates the program goals and the Departments priorities, Marsha Mathis, division director for the Department of Homeland Securitys procurement operations office, wrote in the email. Pursuant to this notice, you must cease all federally funded work under this Award and any costs incurred for such work on or after the date of this notification will be unallowable. Mathis didnt respond to a request seeking comment. For Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, the grant was worth $300,000 over two years. Frank So, executive director for the Oregon organization, said he found the email wording interesting since U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services purpose is to help people lawfully become citizens. Its nonsensical, absurd, he said Monday. Its ridiculous. I mean, what is their mission now? Just to tell everyone that they cant be a U.S. citizen? And to have copied all the organizations in the same email, rather than send individual correspondence, was so unprofessional, he added. Since fiscal year 2009, the funds had assisted more than 350,000 immigrants to prepare to become U.S. citizens, according to archived content from the agencys federal website. The services, So said, had been available through both Democratic and Republican administrations. In Oregon, there were an estimated 110,000 legal permanent residents in 2024, and about 80,000 were eligible to become U.S. citizens, according to data from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. A legal permanent resident, or green-card holder, must wait five years before applying for citizenship. Sos organization had received funding since 2010. The organization held six workshops per year that attracted between 50 and 100 attendees who received assistance and guidance with their application to become citizens. The grant also helped provide subsidies for people who couldnt afford to pay the citizenship application fee. The Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon held a workshop in March amid the freeze, So said, and the next one is planned for May. National Citizenship Day is in September, So said, and his organization plans to continue to host workshops until then to show support and solidarity. After that, So said, his organization will have to reevaluate. Gina Vorderstrasse, director of development and communications for Immigration Counseling Service, also confirmed the termination of grant funding. ICS will adapt our citizenship education services by providing one-on-one tutoring, support, and practice naturalization interviews to our clients, she said in an email Monday. While we will not be able to expand citizenship education classes across Oregon in the way we had envisioned through this grant, we will continue to do everything we can to prepare aspiring U.S. citizens for their exams and interviews. Frank Garcia, executive director for Immigration Counseling Service, said the grant was new for the organization and marked the start of a three-year effort to expand citizenship education services, especially in historically underserved rural areas throughout Oregon. It has been shown time and time again that helping immigrants achieve citizenship is a positive for the individual and the communities where they live, Garcia said in a news release. This is a major loss not just for rural immigrants but for Oregon as a whole. The grant termination notice for Immigration Counseling Service follows a notice the organization received last month, terminating its federal funding for a separate program that provides legal representation for unaccompanied children who entered the country on their own without a parent or a legal guardian. This action was challenged in court by several nonprofit organizations. A federal judge in San Francisco on Tuesday said she needed more supplemental briefing before deciding on a temporary restraining order on the Trump administrations funding cuts. The judge gave plaintiffs until Thursday to provide additional information. --Yesenia Amaro is an investigative reporter with a focus on social issues and communities of color. Do you have a news tip related to immigration, deportations or publicly funded programs designed to help immigrant Oregonians? Get in touch, 503-221-4395; yamaro@oregonian.com. Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com. Tori Collier was elected for the Office 5 seat of the Norman Public Schools Board of Education on Tuesday, defeating incumbent board president Tina Floyd. As of 8:03 p.m., with 12 precincts reported, Collier received 66.26%, or 599, out of the 904 total votes, according to unofficial results from the Oklahoma State Election Board. Floyd earned 33.74%, or 305. Collier is a Norman resident of 26 years and a mother of three children. She currently works as a community consultant for the Evolution Foundation, a nonprofit organization that specializes in advocacy for children, youth and families with complex needs. NEWSLETTERS * required Thank you for subscribing! Email * Please enter a valid email address First Name Last Name When major news breaks + a few times a week FREE SIGN UP Subscribing... Collier told OU Daily in February that her passion for education equity for all students was inspired by her oldest son, who was diagnosed with autism at age 3. She believes it is important to uplift current special needs programs in NPS but also look into ways these programs could be improved. I want to look at the whole thing and say, Where can we do better? Collier said. And really identify those (gaps) and start creating some action steps of what can be built to fill in those gaps. NO PAYWALL, NONPARTISAN Students pay about $14 in fees that support the Daily. If you're not a student, please join those invested in OU and Norman who have given more than $110,000 to support our trustworthy, independent journalism. SUPPORT OUR LOCAL JOURNALISM During Colliers campaign, mental health was her top issue. Collier said she would like to implement school resources, such as a school psychologist or student-run mental health clubs, where students would feel safe sharing their struggles with mental health. The city pushes a lot for the resource officers and for that safety if there were an intruder, Collier said. I want to see us go in with just as much rigor that we do because thats just as important. Floyd has been a member of the board since 2023. She was appointed after former Office 5 member Linda Sexton announced her resignation mid-term. She was elected as president of the board in April 2024. Anusha Fathepure edited this story. Andrew Paredes, Avery Avery and Sophie Hemker copy edited this story. A teenage girl from Long Beach, California, was attacked by an aggressive sea lion while participating in a swim test, leaving her with various injuries. The attack on the 15-year-old girl occurred on Sunday and happened while the victim was participating in a swim test for the local cadet lifeguard program. It was then that the sea lion suddenly bore its teeth, tussled, and repeatedly scratched the teenager. Sea Lion Attacks Teenage Girl The teen, identified as Phoebe Beltran, said that she suddenly felt something biting and grabbing her arm multiple times. She noted that she only saw a shadow of it and had no idea what was attacking her at the time. Beltran added that she repeatedly hoped that it was not a shark and was worried that her arm would be ripped from her body. The surprising incident comes as there has been a historic toxic algae bloom in Southern California. This has caused many marine mammals, such as sea lions and dolphins, to get sick and sometimes become aggressive. The teenage girl said that she loves the beach, the ocean, and swimming, according to Yahoo News. Read more: Two Teenage Girls Arrested Over Alleged Plot of Mass Casualty Attack on Texas High School When Beltran went into the water for the swim test, she initially thought that it would be a simple thing to finish. The 15-year-old said she never expected something like a sea lion attacking her would happen. The incident comes more than a week after another sea lion attack occurred in Ventura County. The victim was identified as surfer RJ LaMendola, who was mauled by the "demonic" marine mammal. The Surprising Attack Beltran was among 12 candidates who were tasked with swimming roughly 25 yards from the shore during the program. Long Beach Fire Department Capt. Jack Crabtree noted that the incident happened near the Marine Safety Division's lifeguard headquarters at Ocean Boulevard and Cherry Avenue, ABC7 reported. The fire captain said that lifeguards on shore saw the sea lion emerge from the water as it attacked the teenage girl's arm. They then quickly swam to the victim and helped them get back to shore while a lifeguard boat brought the other swimmers back as well. Beltran's mother said that she was terrified for her daughter, noting that the teen could have been pulled under by the marine mammal. While the teenager is still recovering from her injuries, she is already looking forward to trying out for the lifeguard cadets once she is better. Marine experts have warned any individual who encounters a sea lion, either on the beach or the water, to slowly back away. They should avoid acting menacingly and avoid eye contact with the animals, as per KTLA. Parents expressed their discontent after 20 Pennsylvania school staff members were arrested for alleged child abuse conduct dating back to November 2024. The Delaware County District Attorney's office revealed that nine of the suspects were charged with simple assault and other offenses. These were reportedly related to "techniques to restrain and punish children." Child Abuse of Students On the other hand, 11 other individuals were charged with at least one count of failing to report the crime of endangering the welfare of a child. Investigators added that the abuse of the students was traced back to at least late last year. Many of the accused school staffers were confirmed to be employees of Peak Performers Staffing, LLC. This is a company that was co-founded by Jennifer Woodhouse and Emmanuel Gilbert of Chester. In a statement, Woodhouse said that Peak Performers staff members were given training in safety care techniques. However, when investigators asked for the records of training in restraints and crisis prevention techniques, it was found that none of the individuals received up-to-date training, according to CBS News. The Chester Community Charter School said that the employees of outside companies were "completely unqualified to manage children." A spokesperson added that the school was already working with investigators and has committed to cutting ties wit the staffing agency. Since the reveal of the arrests and charges, the website of Peak Performers has been taken down and it has not answered requests for comment regarding the issue. Amid the issue, two parents, who asked to be anonymous, talked about what happened to their kids, which included assault. An Official Investigation Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said this particular case is every parent's nightmare for their children. He added that the official investigation found that some suspects physically abused kids while other adults simply stood by and watched, the Associated Press reported. The district attorney also noted that the alleged abuse happened in a program for children who needed help with their emotions when it came to dealing with school life, fellow students, and other stressful situations. Investigators revealed that they found consistent accounts that school staff members used "shoulder work." This included pinching pressure points on children's necks, placing them in holds with their arms crossed in front of them, and pushing their knees into the students' backs to restrain them. The attorney for the dean of students Dakheem Williams said they "take great exception to the District Attorney's statement that 'all the adults charged are equally guilty in failing to protect these children,'" as per NBC News. Monday was our last full day in Hawaii, and we spent it quite thoroughly immersed in Polynesiana. As I mentioned previously, we spent some considerable time in the Bishop Museum in Honolulu, which is the Hawaii State Museum of Natural and Cultural History. Founded in 1889, it is the largest museum in Hawaii and apparently has the worlds largest collection of Polynesian cultural artifacts and natural history specimens. (Im not sure how it compares, in that regard, to Te Papa officially, The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa in Wellington, New Zealand. Te Papa is Maori for the treasure box, and that museum certainly lives up to its title. I think that Ive been there three times, and its always a high point.) But back to the Bishop Museum in Honolulu: In addition to its comprehensive exhibits of Hawaiian cultural material, the Bishop Museum holds more than 24 million natural history specimens. The entomological collection alone represents more than 13.5 million specimens (which makes it the third-largest insect collection in the United States). In other words, the Bishop Museum is a very impressive place, and some visitors to Hawaii, if they decide to take a break from the beach, might enjoy it. However, we didnt spend much time on the natural history collections there. Instead, we devoted the largest part of our limited time to its exhibits on ancient Polynesian religion and culture, which I found absolutely fascinating and frustrating. Why frustrating? Because even a full day in that section of the museum alone wouldnt be enough to fully take it all in, and because I simply dont have the background knowledge to adequately appreciate what Im seeing. This is my problem in all great museums of any size. The British Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Louvre, the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, the Israel Museum theyre all wonderful, and theyre all overwhelming. Exhilaration and despair. From the day we arrive on the planet And, blinking, step into the sun Theres more to see than can ever be seen More to do than can ever be done Theres far too much to take in here More to find than can ever be found But the sun rolling high Through the sapphire sky Keeps great and small on the endless round Some atheists of my acquaintance like to argue that endless immortality would eventually grow unendurably dull. Well, since my current mortal grasp of concepts like infinity and eternity and heaven is feeble, at best, I rather doubt their claim. In any case, I think that Ill wait to confront that problem, to cross that bridge, when I come to it. For the meanwhile, though, I cant imagine ever growing too tired of life to want at least one more healthy day, to see a place that Ive never seen before, to hear music that Ive never heard before, to meet people that Ive never met before. And if and when all of the nooks and crannies of Earth are exhausted, there will always remain Mars and Neptune and Proxima Centauri and the galaxy of Andromeda. . . . I like the Latin motto featured on the Bond family crest both historical and fictional: Orbis non sufficit, The World Is Not Enough. We also spent a fair amount of time on the floor of the Bishop Museum thats devoted to the ultimately rather sad history of the Kingdom of Hawaii and the Hawaiian monarchy. I need to learn more about this royal line, whose names still appear throughout the islands. I own and have enjoyed reading a reprint copy of King David Kalakauas 1888 book The Legends and Myths of Hawaii he was the last king of the independent nation, and its penultimate monarch and have always been interested in his sister and successor, Queen Liliuokalani. In fact, a (to me, rather poignant) story about Liliuokalani even figures in a column that I wrote for Meridian Magazine back in 2022: The Surprising Latter-day Saint Connections in Hawaii Liliuokalanis overthrow and subsequent house arrest and the abolition of the Hawaiian kingdom, largely at the hands of American businessmen (who were, many of them, the children of the early Protestant missionaries in the Islands), does not, to my mind, rank among the more noble or honorable episodes in the history of the United States. After a visit to the beautiful Byodo-in Temple en route a brief Japanese Buddhist (that is, non-Polynesian) interregnum we spent our afternoon and evening at the Polynesian Cultural Center in Laie. We took in several shows in the villages, ran unexpectedly into a family who were visiting from our ward back in Utah, ran unexpectedly into the parents of Neal Rappleye (the in-laws of Jasmin Gimenez Rappleye) who are soon to finish serving a mission in Hawaii, had dinner with our friends Sharon Gray and Matt Bowen, and attended a performance of the Centers spectacular nighttime Polynesian show, HA: Breath of Life. Very enjoyable. Incidentally, Ive referred here in a previous post to a new documentary as yet unreleased about the Polynesian Cultural Center and the students who work and perform there, particularly in the evening show. The documentary is entitled Sharing Aloha; A Backstage Look at the People Behind Hawaiis Most Popular Attraction. The filmmakers who created it generously shared a copy of it with me and I was able to watch it before actually going out to Laie. Im looking forward to its release. The details of that release are not yet quite settled, as I understand matters, but Ill try to notify people here when the documentary comes out, because I liked it and hope that many will see it. Sharing Aloha will be especially meaningful, of course, to folks who have visited the Polynesian Cultural Center or who are planning to visit it, but I think that others will find it interesting, as well. In the meantime, here is a link to the trailer for it: Sharing Aloha; A Backstage Look at the People Behind Hawaiis Most Popular Attraction. Before we left Laie and drove back to Honolulu, we went over to the adjacent campus of Brigham Young University Hawaii and past the Laie Hawaii Temple. It was nighttime, of course, but it seemed to me that the temple was at least as beautiful as Ive ever seen it. I wondered whether the lighting might have been a bit different than before. It looked otherworldly which, of course, is entirely appropriate. The Anglo-Irish clergyman and scholar Richard Frederick Littledale (1833-1890) wrote a book called Plain Reasons Against Joining the Church of Rome (London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 1881), which I will critique. His words will be in blue. I use RSV for biblical citations. ***** We have only four examples in the New Testament of acts of reverence being done to Saints, and in all these cases they were promptly rejected and forbidden, showing that they were offensive to the Saints, as savouring of disloyalty to that God Whom they love and serve. Having mentioned only Saints being the subjects of possible acts of reverence he proceeds to give two examples of attempted (and rejected) worship of men, and two acts of attempted (and rejected) worship of angels. But he doesnt cover every example in the Bible (nor even in the New Testament) as I will show below. Those thorough Protestant Bible students, huh? . . . And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up, I myself also am a man (Acts x. 25, 26). Then the priest of Jupiter . would have done sacrifice with the people; which when the Apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, and saying, Sirs, why do ye these things ? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities to serve the living God (Acts xiv. 13-15). And I [John] fell at his feet [the angels] to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not. I am thy fellow-servant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God (Rev. xix. 10). I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which showed me these things. Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not, for I am thy fellow-servant . . . worship God (Rev. xxii. 8, 9). Note that none of these are examples Catholics would bring up in order to defend the veneration of saints or angels. And we dont because they all involve worship or adoration, and not veneration (which is essentially honor). Three of the four have the word worship. The Acts 14 passage doesnt, but it was essentially the same scenario. The people at Lystra thought Paul and Barnabas were gods (14:11) and Luke reports that Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, because he was the chief speaker, they called Hermes (14:12) and that the priest of Zeus . . . wanted to offer sacrifice with the people (14:13). This was polytheism and idolatry, so of course Paul and Barnabas couldnt accept that. But again, this is not the Catholic argument for veneration anyway. Littledale in his infinite wisdom doesnt even seem to know what those might be. Paul and his second companion, Silas, were in fact, venerated in the New Testament, and they did not rebuke the Philippian jailer who did it: Acts 16:25-31 But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, [26] and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and every ones fetters were unfastened. [27] When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. [28] But Paul cried with a loud voice, Do not harm yourself, for we are all here. [29] And he called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas, [30] and brought them out and said, Men, what must I do to be saved? [31] And they said, Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household. The Greek for fell down before in Acts 16:29 is prospipto (Strongs word # 4363). It is also used of worship towards Jesus in five passages (Mk 3:11; 5:33; 7:25; Lk 8:28, 47). So why didnt Paul and Silas rebuke the jailer? I submit that it was because they perceived his act as one of veneration (which is permitted) as opposed to adoration or worship, which is not permitted to be directed towards creatures. Prospipto can be used for either thing. The word worship doesnt appear here. When it does appear (in English) in connection with a man or angel, it isnt permitted. Angels (called men in this passage, as angels sometimes are) are also bowed to in the New Testament, with no rebuke at all: Luke 24:4-5 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel; [5] and as they were frightened and bowed [klino] their faces to the ground, the men said to them, Why do you seek the living among the dead? The women were not told to get up, as if they had done anything improper. This is (arguably, plausibly) because they were venerating the angel and not adoring or worshiping, which would be impermissible. Daniel also venerated an angel (seemingly Gabriel) without rebuke: Daniel 8:15-17 When I, Daniel, had seen the vision, I sought to understand it; and behold, there stood before me one having the appearance of a man. [16] And I heard a mans voice between the banks of the Ulai, and it called, Gabriel, make this man understand the vision. [17] So he came near where I stood; and when he came, I was frightened and fell upon my face. But he said to me, Understand, O son of man, that the vision is for the time of the end. So did Lot: Genesis 19:1 The two angels came to Sodom in the evening; and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them, and bowed himself with his face to the earth, They distinguish themselves from the LORD in Genesis 19:13 (the LORD has sent us to destroy it [Sodom]). In other words, neither was the angel of the Lord: often equated with God. King David was venerated in the Old Testament, too: 1 Chronicles 29:20 Then David said to all the assembly, Bless the LORD your God. And all the assembly blessed the LORD, the God of their fathers, and bowed their heads, and worshiped [shachah] the LORD, and did obeisance [shachah] to the king. [KJV: worshipped the LORD, and the king] Once again, one word in Hebrew (as in Greek) can mean either worship or veneration / obeisance. Context determines which, and in this instance the English translation made the distinction clear. Daniel was also venerated (without rebuke from him): Daniel 2:46-48 Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face, and did homage to [cegid] Daniel, and commanded that an offering and incense be offered up to him.[47] The king said to Daniel, Truly, your God is God of gods and Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this mystery. [48] Then the king gave Daniel high honors and many great gifts, David venerated King Saul: 1 Samuel 24:8 Afterward David also arose, and went out of the cave, and called after Saul, My lord the king! And when Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the earth, and did obeisance [shachah]. Bathsheba venerated King David: 1 Kings 1:16, 31 Bathsheba bowed and did obeisance [shachah] to the king, . . . [31] Then Bathsheba bowed with her face to the ground, and did obeisance [KJV: did reverence] [shachah] to the king, Josephs brothers venerated him: Genesis 42:6 Now Joseph was governor over the land; he it was who sold to all the people of the land. And Josephs brothers came, and bowed themselves [shachah] before him with their faces to the ground. Genesis 43:26-28 When Joseph came home, they brought into the house to him the present which they had with them, and bowed down [shachah] to him to the ground. [27] And he inquired about their welfare, and said, Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he still alive? [28] They said, Your servant our father is well, he is still alive. And they bowed their heads and made obeisance [shachah]. Did Joseph tell them not to do that? Nope. King Saul venerated the prophet Samuel after his death (and Samuel didnt object): 1 Samuel 28:14 . . . And Saul knew that it was Samuel, and he bowed [qadad] with his face to the ground, and did obeisance [shachah]. This is almost the most explicit conceivable biblical evidence (from Hebrew words and what is described in the passage) for veneration of creatures that can be imagined. He is venerating a dead prophet and the two Hebrew words used to describe what he did are both applied many times to adoration of God (because they can be used in different ways). So, in summary, Rev. Littledale provided four passages that are all non sequiturs (i.e., irrelevant) in this particular discussion. I provide eleven that are perfectly relevant, and that show the truthfulness of Catholic claims regarding veneration of men and angels. And thats how it so often sadly goes in Catholic-Protestant discussions on the Bible and Catholic doctrines. We can easily explain the passages they bring up, and they ignore and/or cannot explain the ones we produce. Were much more thoroughly biblical. We conclude (as Catholics always have) that worship / adoration is reserved for God alone, while veneration / honor is encouraged to be offered to worthy, saintly men and the holy angels. All this is plainly seen in the Bible, in my eleven examples above. We also can rightly conclude, in light of all these fascinating passages, that God (unlike far too many Protestants) doesnt seem to think that human beings are so breathtakingly stupid and ignorant that they cant (or very often cannot) tell the difference between creatures and God, or between veneration and adoration / worship. Therefore, He didnt see fit (in inspiring those who wrote his revelation to man) to even bother to use a different word for the two in Hebrew or Greek; and even in the New Testament, the gesture (falling down) was no different for veneration than it was for adoration. According to the Protestant retort, this causes confusion and idolatry, but according to Catholicism and the Bible, people generally have enough discernment to know the difference between the two. * *** * * *** * Photo credit: Joseph recognized by his brothers (1863), by Leon Pierre Urbain Bourgeois (1842-1911) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] Summary: Anglican apologist Richard Frederick Littledale (1833-1890) claimed there were no biblical indications of veneration of saints or angels. I happily provide eleven explicit passages. MediaTek launched the Kompanio Ultra as the companys premium Chromebook processor on Wednesday, predicting that it will easily offer the highest Minecraft performance of any Chromebook chip while bringing AI to the platform, too. Essentially, MediaTek launched the Kompanio Ultra to help answer the question: Which Chromebook should I buy? Besides Googles own Chromebook Plus brand, there arent too many answers. Instead, the list of Chromebooks is a hodgepodge of various processors, including the Intel Celeron, Pentium, and Core processors; AMDs A-series and Ryzen chips, and Arm processors like the Qualcomm Snapdragon and the existing MediaTek Kompanio 500 and 800 series. Google launched the Chromebook Plus specification to help clarify matters, but it certainly doesnt help to differentiate the performance each chip can offer. MediaTek isnt that well known, either. All of that sparked the need for a MediaTek Ultra brand, said Adam King, the vice president and general manager of computing and multimedia business for MediaTek, in a conference call with reporters. Around 2021, MediaTek tried the Kompanio 1000 chip, which fizzled. We decided, if we were going to try again, we would, King said. We wouldnt hold anything back. We would put the absolute best that we could out there, even knowing that it might not necessarily drive tremendous volume. Whats in the MediaTek Kompanio Ultra? The Kompanio Ultra is an 8-core Arm CPU, on a 3nm process technology. Its based upon a single Arm Cortex 3.62GHz X925 ultraperformance core, along with three Arm Cortex X4 performance cores and four Arm Cortex A720 efficiency cores. Those cores are paired with an 11-core Immortalis-G925 GPU that can perform ray tracing and output to three 4K displays at 60Hz while performing 10-bit 4K60 video encoding and decoding using the HEVC/AVC codecs. It uses an undisclosed amount of LPDDR5X memory. The chip supports Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.0. MediaTek More importantly, the Ultra chip includes an NPU capable of 50 TOPS, leaving it able to perform whatever NPU-centric functions a Chromebook can throw at it. AI capabilities have pretty much ignored the Chromebook entirely, save for Qualcomms Snapdragon processors. Executives claimed that the Kompanio Ultra 910, the first chip in MediaTeks new product class, could easily outperform Intels leader, Intel Core Ultra 5 115U and 125U, in the Chromebook space. The Ultra offers 18 percent faster single-thread performance and 40 percent more multi-thread performance, respectively. More importantly, the Ultra 910 can deliver 250 percent the frame rate of the 125U while playing Minecraft, MediaTek executives said, a key metric for elementary-school age kids. If youre looking for the best Minecraft or Roblox Chromebook for your kids, you might want one with a Kompanio Ultra chip inside it. Users dont need to trade off performance for battery life, either; MediaTek claims that the chip will deliver 20 hours of battery life on a 60Wh battery. Are Kompanio PCs coming? In fact, if theres one area thats been ignored within Chromebooks, its AI. King said that its likely that Google will address this in its May event, Google I/O. (Could Google announce a Chromebook Ultra then?) MediaTek executives said that the Kompanio Ultra wont appear in Windows on Arm PCs, however, nor on tablets. So while we still expect MediaTek to eventually challenge Qualcomm in PCs, that will have to wait for another dayalthough that day doesnt appear that far off, either. If youre still on a 1080p monitor, its high time you upgraded to something bigger, better, and badder. Im talking about a proper 4K monitor from a reputable brandand it doesnt even have to be expensive, not when you can score a deal like this one. Right now, Samsungs 32-inch 4K monitor is only $220 on Amazon. Thats a solid 35% discount off its typical $340 price, representing a savings of $120 on a large, gorgeous, yet affordable display. At 32 inches, the ViewFinity UJ59 provides ample screen real estate but isnt so large that youll have to crane your neck or strain your eyes to look your way around it. Its all the space you need for working on documents, playing games, watching movies, or browsing the web. Thats doubly true with its 38402160 resolution, giving you a crisp 4K visual experience that elevates everything you do on your computer. And this monitor has built-in upscaling tech that automatically converts whatever youre watching up to near-4K quality. Just note that this monitors refresh rate caps out at 60Hz, so youll have to make do with at most 60 FPS when gaming. The ViewFinity UJ59 does come with a Game Mode, though, which selectively boosts and optimizes screen contrast, allowing you to see more detail in dark areas. That means easier spotting of your enemies in multiplayer games and finding of items on the ground in RPGs. AMD FreeSync helps sync up your monitor with your PC hardware, and there are several ports to connect with, including two HDMI and a DisplayPort. This is a fantastic monitor for the price. If youve been waiting to upgrade your workstation to 4K, jump on this deal before it expires and get this 32-inch Samsung display for just $220! Save 35% on Samsung's 32-inch 4K monitor See our Best Monitor round-up for more PC monitor buying advice. A former agent with the Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Office in Allentown has been sentenced to up to seven years in state prison for possessing child pornography. The sentencing comes after 41-year-old Joshua Gonzalez of South Whitehall Township pleaded guilty in January to 20 counts of felony possession of child pornography. Gonzalez was sentenced Monday by Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas Judge Robert L. Steinberg to serve 3-1/2 to 7 years in state prison. A year of probation follows the prison term. A woman was charged with murder on Tuesday for providing the drugs that killed a man at the Cumberland County restaurant where he worked, court documents show. Samantha Pack, 30, of Elizabethville, was charged with third-degree murder and nine other offenses. She was denied bail and is being held at the Cumberland County Prison. On Dec. 27, 2024, the then-owners of Visaggios on Wertzille Road in Silver Spring Township called the police after one of their employees, Ronald Martin, failed to show up for work, according to an affidavit of probable cause. Visaggios is a longtime Italian restaurant in Cumberland County with motel rooms attached that was sold to new owners in February, after Martins death. The former owners said they allowed Martin to live in one of the rooms and told Silver Spring police it was unusual for him not to show up for work or respond to calls. Visaggios owners used a master key to get into Martins room and found him dead inside around 1 p.m. on Dec. 27, the affidavit said. Police said he was found on the rooms floor with a pillow under his head. Toxicology tests later showed Martin had metonitazene, protonitazene, xylazine and doxylamine in his system. In 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice said protonitazene is increasing in usage and is about three times more potent than fentanyl. Metonitazene is a synthetic opioid with potency similar to fentanyl. Silver Spring police said they found three clear wax-like bags in Martins room consistent with drug packaging, but his cellphone was missing. Court documents said Martin had a history of drug use. While searching Martins motel room, Silver Spring police said they found a torn white packet that they identified as drug paraphernalia. Police also found an empty Straight Talk phone package. Surveillance footage from outside the motel showed Martin walking out of his room and meeting a woman in the parking lot around 1 p.m. on Dec. 24, 2024, the affidavit said. According to the affidavit, the woman was seen on camera leaving Martins room at 1:37 p.m. that day and walking toward the parking lot. Court documents said she returned to the motel room at 1:50 p.m. and left again five minutes later. Martin was never seen leaving his room again after about 1:13 p.m. on Dec. 24, 2024, according to the affidavit. Two of Martins coworkers at Visaggios told police he was feeding money to a woman they called Kardashian and doing dope with her. Martin was known to police because of a separate investigation involving him and another woman months before his death, court documents said. Police said Martins coworkers identified Pack as that womans best friend. Police said they found a Facebook profile for Pack listing the other woman as a friend. Facebook photos of Pack matched the woman seen on the surveillance footage with Martin on Dec. 24, the day he was last seen alive, according to the affidavit. Pennsylvania State Police who had an encounter with Pack in the Lykens area in December 2024 told Silver Spring police they also believed she was the woman in the footage, court documents said. Data from automatic license plate readers showed Packs Ford SUV was driving north on Route 114 minutes before a woman was seen on surveillance cameras meeting Martin outside his motel room, according to the affidavit. Court documents said the license plate readers recorded her SUV driving east on Wertzville Road minutes after the woman was seen leaving Martins room. Pack admitted to seeing Ron on Christmas Eve, going to Sheetz and hanging out with him in his motel room. She denied doing drugs, the affidavit said. She told police she found Martins phone in her SUV after calling him to check on him. She said she put his phone in her center console and did not return it to Silver Spring Township because it was a long drive, according to the affidavit. Court documents said Pack later told police she saw Martin use a bag in the car on the way to Sheetz. Pack told police she gave Martin two bags of the drugs after he sent her $100, according to the affidavit. Pack told police the drug mixture frequently contains animal tranquilizer, according to the affidavit. Court documents said when police asked her if there was a tranquilizer in the drugs she gave Martin, she said, probably. Phone records showed Pack texted Martin on Dec. 24 asking him if he wanted drugs, the affidavit said. He texted back that he did and would pay her for them, according to the court documents. Pack said Martin seemed fine after doing the drugs and going back to his motel room, court documents said. According to the affidavit, Pack said she left the motel room the afternoon of Dec. 24 but returned moments later to get her vape and found Martin asleep and snoring on the bed. Pack touched Martin and said his name as he made weird snoring noises, court documents said. She said she turned Martin onto his side but denied putting him onto the floor. According to the affidavit, Pack said she did not call 911 because she did not want Martin to get fired. Police said in court documents that had Pack called 911, Martin likely would have survived the overdose. An informant told police Pack called them crying on Dec. 24 and said she was with Martin when he got high and became unresponsive, court documents said. The informant said Pack told them she was leaving and could be heard calling Martins name through the phone. A couple weeks later, the informant said Pack told them Martin had died, according to the affidavit. In addition to murder, Pack was charged Tuesday with drug delivery resulting in death, involuntary manslaughter, criminal use of a communication facility, theft, drug possession/delivery offenses and tampering with evidence. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 10 in front of Magisterial District Judge Elizabeth Beckley. A principal at a Pennsylvania elementary school was put on a leave of absence earlier this week following an undisclosed incident that took place over the weekend. Erin Hines, principal of Hanover Elementary School in the Bethlehem school district, is on leave until further notice, news reports said. She has worked at the district for over two decades. A statement on the schools website says that the action was the result of an incident that transpired in the community this weekend that did not involve a school-related activity. The statement said more details could not be provided due to an ongoing investigation. Eric Fontanez, the districts Supervisor of Equity Initiatives and a former principal, will take over administrative responsibilities at the school until further notice. The district is also investigating an incident that took place in a Northeast Middle School classroom. The Morning Call reports a video was shared on social media showing a staff member and a student engaged in an altercation over a cellphone. We take all matters involving student and staff interactions seriously and are conducting a thorough review, the district said in a separate statement. Rock legend Neil Young has never been afraid to speak his mind, and he recently had plenty to say when it comes to President Donald Trump. Even though, he admitted, he is worried about the repercussions that might come. Young, 79, is a native of Canada, but he also obtained United States citizenship in 2020. Billboard reported he has previously called Trump a disgrace to my country, and as he prepares to head out on a European tour it seems he has been thinking a lot about what might be next for him when he tries to return. When I go to play music in Europe, if I talk about Donald J. Trump, I may be one of those returning to America who is barred or put in jail to sleep on a cement floor with an aluminum blanket, Young wrote on his website. If I come back from Europe and am barred, cant play my USA tour, all of the folks who bought tickets will not be able to come to a concert by me. He wasnt done. If the fact that I think Donald Trump is the worst president in the history of our great country could stop me from coming back, what does that say for Freedom? he wrote. I love America and its people and its music and its culture. Young made it clear he is concerned about what he considers the Trump administrations attack on free speech. By these latest actions of our US government, it seems that those who speak out freely with their own opinions are now vulnerable to a non-existent Trump law, he continued. Then it seems to me that if you voted for Kamala Harris over Trump, that makes it possible for you to go to jail or be detained, punished in some way for not showing allegiance to what? How spineless is that? Trump is not able to stand up to anyone who does not agree with his ideas? Remember, all months have 30 days, he closed by writing. One country, indivisible, with Libert and Freedom for all. Remember that? I do. Billboard reported that Youngs tour is slated to begin in Sweden on June 18, and that his North American tour is scheduled to begin Aug. 8 in Charlotte provided his allowed to return to the United States. Actress Patty Maloney died on March 31, 2025. She was 89. This is a photo of a clapperboard on a film set. Actress Patty Maloney, most known for playing the alien Honk in Far Out Space Nuts and Chewbaccas son Lumpy in the Star Wars Holiday Special, has died. She was 89. In an interview with the Hollywood Reporter, her brother, Dave Myrabo, told the outlet his sister died on March 31 after suffering several strokes over the years. Maloney had been in hospice care in Winter Park, Florida, since having the strokes. For a little person growing up in a big world, she did everything she wanted to do, Myrabo said. Maloney was only 3-foot-11. Her extensive dancing and mime skills enabled her to convey a full range of emotions for Honk without ever speaking a word of dialogue and with her facial features utterly obscured," Hal Erickson said in his 2007 book, Sid and Marty Krofft: A Critical Study of Saturday Morning Childrens Television 1969-1993, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. According to IMDb, Maloneys career spanned over two decades. She voiced the role of Darla in the TV animation of Little Rascals from 1982-83, guest starred in an episode of Little House on the Prairie and played the role of Lois Addams in the 1991 version of The Adams Family. Maloney also would spend summers during high school with a traveling carnival, before moving into performing with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. She later attended the University of Florida. The actress is survived by her brother, Dave, and her nieces Jennifer and Laura. This isn't the first sea lion attack in the region this year, either. (Getty Images) Getty Images Sea lions in California waters have been reportedly more aggressive as of late. Recently, a teenager was attacked by one while taking a test to become a lifeguard. KTLA-TV reports how 15-year-old Phoebe Beltran of Long Beach had been swimming near a lifeguard tower when one of the sea creatures suddenly bit her. Out of nowhere, I feel like something biting my arm, Beltran told the news station. I saw a shadow of it, and all Im thinking is, Please, dont be a shark. Please dont take off my arm, and please dont kill me. SFGATE continues to report how Beltran received bites and scratches to her arm and hand thanks to the sea lion, but fortunately didnt sustain any serious injuries. As for the reason behind the attack, spokesman for the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Michael Milstein informed SFGATE that sea lions in the region are suffering from changes in personality due to Pseudo-nitzchia algae blooms. These blooms, explains the NOAA website, produce a neurotoxin known as domoic acid. When consumed, this acid can cause behavioral changes to sea lions, included increased aggression. Indeed, this isnt the first sea lion attack of the year: CBS Local Los Angeles previously reported that a surfer was bitten and stalked by a sea lion off the Oxnard coast in March. Marine Mammal Care Center Chief, John Warner, informed the Los Angeles Times how these domoic acid blooms are occurring with more frequency due to pollution. Unfortunately, experts say there is not much to be done about them until they go away on their own naturally. And for once they're actually not part of a scam. (Getty Images) Getty Images A bunch of people in Pennsylvania recently received checks in the mail. These checks werent their tax refunds, though. And for once, they werent sent by nefarious folks trying to pull a fast one on unsuspecting individuals. Listen to a report on this news story along with others important to Pennsylvania on the original Today in PA podcast episode below: According to The Morning Call, the state government was the one who sent out these checks as part of a program called Pennsylvania Money Match. Money Match is a new way for the Pennsylvania Treasury Department to return unclaimed property to its rightful owners! the treasurys website explains. Its a law that was supported unanimously by the General Assembly and signed into law by the Governor. When [the] Treasury identifies people with unclaimed property that meets the laws requirements, we will automatically return it to you! According to a press release published last month, the state Treasury Department after a thorough identification and verification process will automatically return single-owner properties valued up to $500. Letters notifying those who have such unclaimed property were sent out already in January. The treasury is going to send you this money that we located for you, Treasurer Stacy Garrity reiterated during an announcement of the first checks release. Cash it. Its not a scam. Its your money. The first round of the Money Match program involved a total of 7,380 checks amounting to $1.7 million total in returned unclaimed property. These checks will be sent quarterly; the next batch which will involve 40,000 checks will be sent out in May. Im thrilled to get this money back to hardworking Pennsylvanians with Money Match, Garrity stated via the release. Thanks to the tremendous support from the General Assembly and the Governor, we were actually able to remove red tape in government, something thats almost unheard of, by implementing this great program. For more information, please click here. The U.S. government has canceled the visas of a Mexican band. This action was prompted after the band shared images of cartel leaders during a concert over the weekend. According to Billboard, the corrido group Los Alegres del Barranco displayed pictures of Nemesio El Mencho Oseguera Cervantes as they performed on Saturday at the University of Guadalajara in Mexico. The Latin Times adds that they also projected photos of Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, too. The same Billboard article explains how Cervantes is the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). The federal State Department caught wind of this display, and consequently canceled the groups work and tourist visas. According to Armed Conflict Locations & Event Data (ACLED), CJNG is a group that emerged from another cartel known as the Milenio Cartel. It has since developed into an armed organization with a complex drug-producing and trafficking structure, which supplies markets across the globe. Im a firm believer in freedom of expression, but that doesnt mean expression should be free of consequences, wrote Christopher Landau, Deputy Secretary of State, via X. A Mexican band, Los Alegres del Barranco, portrayed images glorifying drug kingpin El Mencho head of the grotesquely violent CJNG cartel at a recent concert in Mexico. Im pleased to announce that the State Department has revoked the band members work and tourism visas. In the Trump Administration, we take seriously our responsibility over foreigners access to our country. The last thing we need is a welcome mat for people who extol criminals and terrorists. The same Latin Times article notes that Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has condemned the bands actions. Theres currently an open investigation by the Jalisco State Prosecutors Office against them due to accusations of glorification of crime. The ban on TikTok may go back into effect in the United States on April 5, unless another delay is put into place or the parent company sells partial ownership to American investors. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis) AP Social media platform TikTok may be banned in the United States for a second time if its parent company does not agree to sell partial ownership to American company. The app went down on Jan. 19 following a federal law, passed by Congress and signed into law by President Biden, which required the app to be sold to distance itself from China-based parent company, ByteDance. The Biden administration and lawmakers of both parties suggested that the companys proximity to the Chinese government makes the app a potential national security risk. But that ban was delayed by an executive order by President Trump, and use of the app resumed for American users hours later. With Trumps delay ending on April 5, another deadline is now looming. Yahoo News reports that Trump has signaled that he is open to extending the deadline, but he also still seems to encourage the sale. We have a lot of potential buyers. Theres tremendous interest in TikTok, Trump said to reporters on Air Force One in March. Id like to see TikTok remain alive. Trump also suggested that he may be willing to reduce tariffs on China in order to reach a deal with ByteDance about the sale. ByteDance has, so far, not seemed interested in selling to American ownership. But Yahoo News reported in January that a spokesperson for Chinas Foreign Ministry, Mao Ning, told reporters that the decision should be independently decided by companies in accordance with market principles. And Bill Ford, General Atlantic CEO and a board member of ByteDance, said that he thinks a deal is possible during a discussion at an Axios event. Potential interested buyers include tech companies such as Oracle or Microsoft, or a number of private investors, according to Yahoo News. Dauphin County Commissioner Justin Douglas has released information on the arrest in Nepal of at least four Bhutanese men from Pennsylvania who were deported by ICE last week. Douglas is in close communication with family members of the men. ICE has released no information. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Four of the Bhutanese men who were deported last week by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, including at least one from Dauphin County, are believed to have been arrested by authorities in Nepal. According to information released Tuesday afternoon by Dauphin County Commissioner Justin Douglas, a total of 14 deported refugees remain unaccounted for. The Trump administration and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement should halt deportations of Bhutanese refugees until their safety can be guaranteed. Thats the call to action Dauphin County Commissioner Justin Douglas gave at a public meeting Wednesday, amid a surge of detentions and deportations of Bhutanese men in Dauphin County and throughout Pennsylvania that have rocked the states Bhutanese community. The driver who crashed into a house in Manalapan, New Jersey, on Tuesday morning has died, authorities said. The 57-year-old Englishtown resident was pronounced dead at CentraState Medical Center in Freehold Township, Manalapan police said Wednesday. A spokesman declined to identify the man. JIN DING/CHINA DAILY Muhammad Yunus, a Nobel Peace Prize winner and the chief adviser to Bangladesh's interim government, visited China from March 26 to 29, marking the beginning of a new chapter in Dhaka-Beijing relations. His visit yielded significant economic and social benefits for Bangladesh that promise to bolster the South Asian country's development and help improve the lives of millions of Bangladeshis. For example, China will continue to offer duty-free and quota-free market access to Bangladeshi products until 2028, extending the trade benefits for two years after Bangladesh is likely to become a developing economy. At their March 28 talks, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Yunus highlighted the importance of mutual political support and the Belt and Road Initiative in promoting Bangladesh's development. A joint news release issued by the two countries outlined the priorities for bilateral cooperation, including boosting infrastructure build-up in Bangladesh and aspects such as free trade and maritime cooperation. "The two sides underscored the importance to initiate negotiations on the China-Bangladesh Free Trade Agreement at an early date and officially start negotiations on optimizing the China-Bangladesh Investment Agreement," the statement said. As the crescent moon at the weekend ushered in the joyous occasion of Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan, Bangladeshi people celebrated not only their spiritual triumph but also the extraordinary goodwill gesture of China a testament to the deepening ties between the two countries and Beijing's commitment to foster friendship and cooperation with Dhaka. Beijing's decision to extend Bangladeshi goods' duty-free and quota-free access to the Chinese market even after it transitions from a least-developed country to a developing country is a lifeline for Bangladesh's export-driven industries, particularly its ready-made garment sector which employs millions of people and accounts for more than 80 percent of the country's total export earnings. Beijing's decision is all the more welcome, especially because the European Union and other Western markets have indicated they may phase out duty-free access once Bangladesh achieves a developing nation status, posing a challenge to Bangladesh's more than $55 billion ready-made garment industry. Moreover, China's openness to negotiating an FTA with Bangladesh presents an opportunity to diversify exports, because an FTA could open the door for pharmaceuticals, leather goods, jute products and agricultural exports, reducing the country's over-reliance on a single sector. That China is the world's second-largest economy will ensure the extended tariff-free access to Bangladeshi products will enable the country to remain competitive, create more jobs and sustain development. Perhaps the most exciting outcome of Yunus' visit was his suggestion that some Chinese companies in sectors like garment, electric vehicle, light machinery, high-tech electronics and chip manufacturing, as well as solar photovoltaic panel industries relocate to Bangladesh, because it could be a game-changer for Dhaka. These labor-intensive and technology-driven sectors offer dual benefits: employment generation and skill enhancement. The suggested move, if it becomes reality, will not only create more jobs for Bangladesh's burgeoning workforce but also facilitate the transfer of valuable technology and expertise, which will enable Bangladesh to climb up the value chain and diversify its economy. Bangladesh has long relied on foreign loans to finance its critical infrastructure projects. Beyond trade, the proposed development and livelihood projects, and free up resources which then can be diverted to boost education, healthcare and poverty alleviation initiatives. Bangladesh has a huge trade deficit with China. According to data from 2024, it imported more than $22.9 billion worth of goods from China and exported goods valued at $677 million. To address this imbalance, China has agreed to import Bangladeshi mangoes, jackfruits, guavas and aquatic products starting this summer. Since agriculture remains a cornerstone of Bangladesh's economy, providing livelihoods for nearly half of its population, this initiative could reduce the massive trade imbalance between the two countries while opening up new export avenues for Bangladeshi farmers and fishermen. Education takes center stage in Sino-Bangladeshi relations. China's promise to provide scholarships to more Bangladeshi students will help the younger generation access world-class learning opportunities. Education is the foundation of sustainable development, and increasing access to high-quality education abroad will equip young Bangladeshi minds with the tools needed to boost development back home. As Bangladesh pushes toward digitalization and advanced manufacturing, the authorities need to build a rich pool of high-tech talents, which they can achieve by employing youths returning to Bangladesh after having completed their higher studies in science and engineering at top Chinese universities. For millions of Bangladeshi farmers, manufacturers and entrepreneurs, China's cooperation is akin to receiving a priceless Eid gift, as it creates for them more export opportunities, helps consolidate economic stability, and promotes prosperity and people's wellbeing. China's decision is more than just diplomatic courtesy; it reflects China's genuine understanding of Bangladesh's aspirations. As a reliable partner, China has invested in Bangladesh's development. In this respect, China's is a more extensive strategic collaboration than a ceremonial exchange, especially as this year marks 50 years of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two sides. Marc Fogel of Pennsylvania listens as President Donald Trump speaks in the Diplomatic Reception Room at the White House, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, in Washington, shortly after Fogel was released from Russia. (Photo/Alex Brandon, file) AP PITTSBURGH (AP) Marc Fogel, a Pittsburgh-area school teacher who was deemed wrongfully held in a Russian prison for years before being freed in February, will throw out the first pitch at the Pittsburgh Pirates' home opener against the New York Yankees on Friday. The club made the announcement on Wednesday. Fogel is from Butler, about an hour north of Pittsburgh. Fogel, 63, was detained in 2021 when traveling to Russia to work at a school and handed a 14-year sentence for having what his family and supporters said was medically prescribed marijuana. He was released and brought back to the U.S. in February in a swap that saw Alexander Vinnik, a Russian cryptocurrency expert who faced Bitcoin fraud charges in the U.S., returned to Russia. Trader Joes fans rejoice because there is good news this week in that the popular grocery chain is bringing back an item that went viral a year ago. That item? Well, per USA Today, the company plans to release its canvas mini-totes to stores across the country this month April. Trader Joes told USA Today that the exact date each Trader Joes will have the bag will vary. Also, if you can get your hands on the bags, they are downright affordable at just $2.99 a pop, and USA Today says they will be available in blue, pink, purple and green. But, again, that is if you can actually get your hands on the bags after last year. The company released the bags in March of 2024 and in some places shoppers literally lined up in lengthy lines to wait for a chance to buy them. Before we had the opportunity to promote them in any way, customers across the country found them at their neighborhood Trader Joes, a representative for the company told USA Today. The demand for the bags became so great, in fact, that USA Today reported that they were being resold on secondary markets like Facebook or eBay for as much as $500. Trader Joes told the site that was done without our approval. To be clear, we neither condone nor support the reselling of our products and do all we can to stop the practice, the company added. That may be so, but if you want a tote and dont want to break the bank, it is probably best to try to catch them for $2.99 in the store. As for when they might hit your local Trader Joes in April, the company said the best way to find out is to ask any crew member in their neighborhood store. President Donald Trump, walking from the Oval Office last month, has said he'll announce tariff details April 2. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis, File) AP By Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News (TNS) President Donald Trump sowed confusion Tuesday as he continued to threaten hefty tariffs on imported goods even as White House advisers admitted they dont know the details. With what Trump has branded Liberation Day on Wednesday, the Republican president hadnt released details of the potentially extensive new taxes on foreign-made goods, or explained what trading partners or manufacturers could do to avert them. The uncertainty continued to roil financial markets Wall Street bounced back strongly on hopes the trade war measures might not be as harsh as many fear. After several weeks of saber-rattling, Trump has already slapped 25% tariffs on imported cars and car parts in a move he says will encourage domestic automobile production. Critics say the tariffs will backfire on all carmakers and consumers. Trump injected more uncertainty in the market by saying over the weekend that he couldnt care less if American consumers wind up paying more for cars. Trump has vowed to unveil reciprocal tariffs on Wednesday of perhaps 20% to match the duties that other countries charge on U.S. products. But officials have refused to clarify his threats and Trump himself has avoided giving specifics, leading panicked foreign governments and industries to lobby for exemptions. Trump has argued that tariffs protect U.S. manufacturing from unfair foreign competition and raise money for the federal government. He also uses them as leverage to demand other economic and even political concessions from other countries. But most economists say Trumps planned blanket tariffs will likely backfire. For one thing, trading partners are likely to fight back by raising taxes on American-made goods, especially food and farm products. European Union leaders led a chorus of world leaders vowing to fight back if necessary. Europe has not started this confrontation. We do not necessarily want to retaliate, but if it is necessary, we have a strong plan to retaliate and we will use it, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told E.U. lawmakers. The commission, the E.U.s executive branch, negotiates trade deals on behalf of the blocs 27 member countries and manages trade disputes on their behalf. Europe holds a lot of cards, von der Leyen added. Trump has given an ever-shifting series of rationales for the tariff plan, including threats to punish partners for noneconomic issues like failing to toe the line on American geopolitical goals and, in the case of Mexico and Canada, for supposedly failing to stem the tide of illegal drugs flowing into the U.S. That mercurial strategy has made it difficult for trading partners to figure out what steps they could take to avert the punishing taxes. Canada, for example, has said it was meeting Trumps demands by agreeing to act far more aggressively to stop what Trump calls massive smuggling of fentanyl across the border. Senate Democrats are seeking to force a vote to nullify the emergency declaration on fentanyl that underpins the tariffs on Canada, noting that just 1% of the drug seized at borders comes from Canada. The measure is not expected to see the light of day in the GOP-controlled House of Representatives, but some Republican senators may break from Trump in a sign of political nervousness about his tariff policy. An exchange meeting for foreign diplomats to share views on Xinjiangs economic and social development and human rights protection achievements is held in Beijing, capital of China, on March 31, 2025. (Photo provided to Guangming Online) BEIJING, April 1 (Guangming Online) -- 70 foreign diplomats from 43 countries and international organizations attended an exchange meeting held in Beijing on Monday, to exchange views on economic and social development and human rights protection achievements in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Foreign diplomats praised Xinjiangs development and shared their personal experiences of their visits to Xinjiang. Secretary-general of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Nurlan Yermekbayev said Xinjiang has made significant contributions to advancing cooperation within the SCO across multiple areas, including security, stability, counter-terrorism, counter-extremism, counter-separatism, and more. He visited Xinjiang many times and was marveled at the remarkable progress Xinjiang had made each time, said Yermekbayev. Uzbekistan's Ambassador to China Farhod Arziev said Xinjiang is Chinas key "gateway" to Central Asia as well as Uzbekistan's primary "land bridge" for trade with China. He expressed his confidence in cooperation with Xinjiang, saying, I am confident that further expansion of practical cooperation between Xinjiang and the regions of Uzbekistan will open new opportunities for business and investment. Pakistani Ambassador to China Khalil-ur-Rahman Hashmi gave positive comment on Xinjiangs evident progress in infrastructure, green energy hubs, digital economy, and increasing openness to the world. I must say numbers and actions speak louder than words! The social and economic progress is indeed very impressive, said Hashmi. Foreign diplomats visit an exhibition on Xinjiang specialty products before the exchange meeting for foreign diplomats to share views on Xinjiangs economic and social development and human rights protection achievements in Beijing, capital of China, on March 31, 2025. (Photo by Zhang Zhou/ Guangming Online) Foreign diplomats visit an exhibition on Xinjiang specialty products before the exchange meeting for foreign diplomats to share views on Xinjiangs economic and social development and human rights protection achievements in Beijing, capital of China, on March 31, 2025. (Photo by Zhang Zhou/ Guangming Online) Foreign diplomats visit an exhibition on Xinjiang specialty products before the exchange meeting for foreign diplomats to share views on Xinjiangs economic and social development and human rights protection achievements in Beijing, capital of China, on March 31, 2025. (Photo by Zhang Zhou/ Guangming Online) Photo taken on March 31, 2025 shows Xinjiang's specialty products exhibited at the Xinjiang specialty products exhibition before the exchange meeting for foreign diplomats to share views on Xinjiangs economic and social development and human rights protection achievements in Beijing, capital of China. (Photo by Zhang Zhou/ Guangming Online) Photo taken on March 31, 2025 shows Xinjiang's specialty products exhibited at the Xinjiang specialty products exhibition before the exchange meeting for foreign diplomats to share views on Xinjiangs economic and social development and human rights protection achievements in Beijing, capital of China. (Photo by Zhang Zhou/ Guangming Online) Photo taken on March 31, 2025 shows Xinjiang's specialty products exhibited at the Xinjiang specialty products exhibition before the exchange meeting for foreign diplomats to share views on Xinjiangs economic and social development and human rights protection achievements in Beijing, capital of China. (Photo by Zhang Zhou/ Guangming Online) Photo taken on March 31, 2025 shows Xinjiang's specialty products exhibited at the Xinjiang specialty products exhibition before the exchange meeting for foreign diplomats to share views on Xinjiangs economic and social development and human rights protection achievements in Beijing, capital of China. (Photo by Zhang Zhou/ Guangming Online) Editor: Zhang Zhou Food connects the world, and passion for cultures fosters interactions. From the robust richness of the north to the delicate sweetness of the south, and from the millennia-old traditions to the innovative styles of the modern days, Chinese food carries the wisdom of the past and the warmth of humanity. Each dish tells its unique story. Every flavor sparks a cultural dialogue that transcends space and time. Eight Chinese cuisines manifest different regional customs and culinary arts of the vast land through their distinct charms: rich-flavored Shandong cuisine, bold Sichuan cuisine, exquisite Cantonese cuisine, elegant Jiangsu cuisine, aromatic Fujian cuisine, fresh Zhejiang cuisine, fiery Hunan cuisine, and earthy Anhui cuisine. Whats your favorite Chinese flavor? To foster cultural exchange between Chinese and international youth, the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation Junior Cultural Ambassadors Event 2025, themed My Favorite Chinese Food, now invites young people aged 10 to 18 worldwide to share their stories of Chinese food through video, becoming bridges of cultural understanding. Here, food nourishes both the palate and the soul. Different cultures embrace each other through understanding the diversity of dishes. Lets build bridges of friendship through food, and let the world listen to your stories! Editor: Zhang Zhou Poker Raffles Is Sending Someone to the WSOP Main Event for Only 1 Matthew Pitt Senior Editor Copy link Everyone enjoys entering a raffle. Whether its a charity raffle at a village fete or a sweepstake for the Grand National at work, raffles tend be a cheap way to a quick thrill. Raffle prizes are often low value but that's not the point of them; they're meant to be fun. However, the team at Poker Raffles has taken an age-old concept and given it a poker-related twist, one where someone will be heading to Las Vegas to play in the $10,000 WSOP Main Event, along with flights and accommodation for two, for only 1. Poker Raffles is an online competition website where players can buy draw tickets to win seats into live poker events or live poker packages, giving them the chance to participate in some incredible poker festivals across the United Kingdom, Europe, and now Las Vegas. The team behind the Amateur Poker Association & Tour (APAT), namely Des Duffy, Leigh Wiltshire, and Tom Brady, created Poker Raffles a couple of years ago after seeing the competition businesses in the UK soar. "We're always looking to innovate in the poker world and having seen the growth of competition businesses in the UK, we thought how great it would be if there was something similar for poker players," Poker Raffles co-founder Leigh Wiltshire said. "The ability to skip the grind and the pros playing online satellites by buying some tickets for a draw with a few easy clicks and be win with a chance of winning a poker package and living the dream." Hundreds of Poker Raffles customers have won seats in live events since the business' launch, with winners heading to the 1,000 WPT Amsterdam event along with 1,000 spending money. Last year, Poker Raffles sent someone to Las Vegas to play in the Colossus, along with hotel accommodation and flights. Earlier this week, Matthew Pitt (no, not me!) turned a 1 ticket into a $5,000 trip to the Mediterranean Poker Party in Cyprus. "We've had a number of players cash in the event they won their way into," explained Wiltshire. "Any cash is a bonus as winning a Poker Raffles package tends to feel like a freeroll when you play the event. You've nothing to lose, so enjoy the experience." On April 7, Poker Raffles will send one lucky customer to Las Vegas to play in the 2025 World Series of Poker Main Event, complete with flights and hotel accommodation for two. As you would expect, interest in this prize has been high. Tickets are only 1, which made PokerNews wonder why Poker Raffles put so much on the line. 2025 WSOP Schedule Released: 100 Bracelet Events Confirmed Learn more "When we sat down and initially discussed the idea of Poker Raffles, the three of us had one particular thing on our lists that we hoped we could achieve. That was to send a winner to Las Vegas to play in the WSOP Main Event. Playing in the Main Event is at the top of most recreational poker players' bucket lists. So that's what we've done. On April 7, at just after 9:00 p.m. BST, someone is going to turn a 1 ticket into a poker experience that they will never forget!" The nature of the WSOP Main Event, with its massive field, means anyone who enters battles against the odds to even reach the money places. That said, Poker Raffles is dreaming of its winner reaching the money and even going on to become poker's world champion. "Not only does their winning ticket give them entry to the Main Event worth $10,000, but it also gets them hotel and flights for two, so they can take their partner or a mate with them. The thought that they could then turn that opportunity into some cash is truly awesome. Even a $15,000 min-cash at the WSOP Main Event would be an incredible result for our winner, but what if.." Enter the promotional code "pokernews25" for a 25% discount on your first Poker Raffles purchase At the time of writing, only 4,941 tickets remain for the WSOP Main Event raffle. We asked Wiltshire what happens if this or any other raffle fails to sell its full ticket allocation. "Unlike some other competition websites out there, we've always had a fixed draw date and fixed number of tickets available for each draw, so it's totally transparent for players to see their chances of winning a prize. If we don't sell all the tickets by the draw time, that's on us, and we pick a winner from the tickets sold. I guess, in poker terms, it would be an overlay. Luckily, we don't get many of those; most of our draws sell out in advance of their draw day, so don't leave it to the last minute if you want to get tickets." Getting involved in Poker Raffles' competitions is simple. All that's required is a visit to the Poker Raffles website and a valid payment method to purchase your tickets. Any PokerNews reader buying tickets for the first time should enter the promotional code "pokernews25" for a 25% discount on your first ticket purchase. This means you could win the Vegas package for only 0.75! "Poker Raffles is available to all UK & Ireland residents over the age of 18," explained Wiltshire. "It's no different than any other online shopping you might do. Just head over to the website, add tickets for whichever draws you would like to enter into your cart, and then checkout using a debit card via our secure payment provider. You'll get a confirmation email with your ticket numbers and then sit back and watch the live stream every Monday night at 9:00 p.m. BST on the Poker Raffles Facebook page. If you miss it, don't worry, we get in contact with all the winners within 48 hours to confirm prizes and make any necessary arrangements, but you can always get hold of us via email or through our social media accounts." Share this article Aiken, SC (29801) Today A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 71F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 71F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Charleston, SC (29403) Today Tropical storm conditions possible. Partly cloudy skies this evening. A few showers developing late. Low around 75F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Tropical storm conditions possible. Partly cloudy skies this evening. A few showers developing late. Low around 75F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%. People read books at the Chinese exhibition area during the 62nd Bologna International Children's Book Fair in Bologna, Italy, March 31, 2025. The book fair opened on Monday in the Italian city of Bologna, with China hosting a series of events to promote its literature for young readers on the global stage. (Xinhua/Li Jing) People look at the works of Chinese illustrators during the 62nd Bologna International Children's Book Fair in Bologna, Italy, April 1, 2025. The book fair opened on Monday in the Italian city of Bologna, with China hosting a series of events to promote its literature for young readers on the global stage. (Xinhua/Li Jing) This photo taken on March 31, 2025 shows a 3D book at the Chinese exhibition area during the 62nd Bologna International Children's Book Fair in Bologna, Italy. The book fair opened on Monday in the Italian city of Bologna, with China hosting a series of events to promote its literature for young readers on the global stage. (Xinhua/Li Jing) This photo taken on April 1, 2025 shows an image of Ne Zha, a rebellious boy-god from Chinese folklore, displayed at the Chinese exhibition area during the 62nd Bologna International Children's Book Fair in Bologna, Italy. The book fair opened on Monday in the Italian city of Bologna, with China hosting a series of events to promote its literature for young readers on the global stage. (Xinhua/Li Jing) People read books at the Chinese exhibition area during the 62nd Bologna International Children's Book Fair in Bologna, Italy, April 1, 2025. The book fair opened on Monday in the Italian city of Bologna, with China hosting a series of events to promote its literature for young readers on the global stage. (Xinhua/Li Jing) Exhibitors talk at the Chinese exhibition area during the 62nd Bologna International Children's Book Fair in Bologna, Italy, April 1, 2025. The book fair opened on Monday in the Italian city of Bologna, with China hosting a series of events to promote its literature for young readers on the global stage. (Xinhua/Li Jing) A man looks at the works of Chinese illustrators during the 62nd Bologna International Children's Book Fair in Bologna, Italy, April 1, 2025. The book fair opened on Monday in the Italian city of Bologna, with China hosting a series of events to promote its literature for young readers on the global stage. (Xinhua/Li Jing) Children's books are displayed during the 62nd Bologna International Children's Book Fair in Bologna, Italy, April 1, 2025. The book fair opened on Monday in the Italian city of Bologna, with China hosting a series of events to promote its literature for young readers on the global stage. (Xinhua/Li Jing) This photo taken on April 1, 2025 shows books themed in Ne Zha, a rebellious boy-god from Chinese folklore, at the Chinese exhibition area during the 62nd Bologna International Children's Book Fair in Bologna, Italy. The book fair opened on Monday in the Italian city of Bologna, with China hosting a series of events to promote its literature for young readers on the global stage. (Xinhua/Li Jing) People read books at the Chinese exhibition area during the 62nd Bologna International Children's Book Fair in Bologna, Italy, March 31, 2025. The book fair opened on Monday in the Italian city of Bologna, with China hosting a series of events to promote its literature for young readers on the global stage. (Xinhua/Li Jing) Editor: Zhang Zhou Greenville, SC (29601) Today Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 71F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 71F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Summerville, SC (29483) Today A few passing clouds. Low 74F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight A few passing clouds. Low 74F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Serhiy Chubukov, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Peaceful Heaven of Kharkiv Charitable Foundation In the spring of 2022, I met with the chairman of a major Austrian company. By that time, we had already set up a charitable kitchen in Kharkiv and were delivering thousands of meals under shelling. I showed him on my smartphone what life was like in my hometownand without hesitation, he donated 50,000 to our kitchen. Thats how things worked back then. Today, its different. And tomorrow, new trends await us. Lets explore these trends and how they can be leveraged to develop philanthropy in Ukraine. Aid Will Continue First and foremost: international donors will not abandon Ukraine after the active phase of the war ends. We see this in other countries that have experienced armed conflicts, such as Syria or Libya. Humanitarian demining, support for vulnerable populations, and post-war recoveryefforts in these and other areas will only intensify. Transparency and Competence At the start of the war, fundraising relied on passionate individuals, but the future of philanthropy lies in institutions. By May 2022, we realized we could no longer operate on an ad-hoc basis and officially registered our foundation. In 2022, donors rarely asked questions before funding our projects. By 2023, they had increased oversight. In 2024, they required compliance with specific procedures. In early 2025, I see this control tightening further. We are now undergoing an international audit because we understand this will be a crucial requirement moving forward. Reputation, positive track record, procedural transparency, and financial accountabilitywithout these, serious international partnerships will be out of reach in the coming years. Thought Leaders Charitable organizations must become the bridge between people, authorities, and businesses. After all, who understands the reality on the ground better than those working in the fieldsomething policymakers in their offices often fail to see. In developed countries, philanthropy operates this way: U.S. nonprofits even have lobbyists in Congress. That said, let me emphasize: this is not about politics! Charities should resist that temptation. Most international donors do not fund organizations linked to political activity. This principle of neutrality is clearly stated in our foundations charter. Learning from Others We tend to believe our experience is uniquethat someone from a peaceful European country cannot comprehend what we go through in wartime. But the truth is, our war is neither the first nor, unfortunately, the last. Over decades, international charitable organizations have developed action protocols for all kinds of crisesfrom bombings to natural disasters. These organizations can serve as mentors to Ukrainian foundations, many of which are as young as the full-scale war itself. Our foundation already participates in such mentorship programs. Ill be honestnot every foreign recommendation can be adapted to Ukraines realities. But most are extremely valuable. Philanthropy as a Habit The war has taught Ukrainians to fundraise quicklybecause, quite literally, lives depend on it. However, theres a risk that when the fighting stops, people will see it as the end of the donation era. Good deeds are always needed. Thought leaders, public figures, charities, and government representatives must constantly communicate this messageand lead by example. In my opinion, these efforts should emphasize how easy and accessible donations can be. Before Christmas, we ran a campaign with the slogan, Your two coffeesa gift for a child, highlighting that even a sum too small to impact ones personal budget can bring joy to those who have lived through hardship. Of course, not every problem can be solved for the price of a cup of coffee. But the first step is to make charitable giving a habit. A small spark can easily grow into a big flamebut rekindling extinguished embers is much harder. Kingstree, SC (29556) Today A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Mainly clear. Low 71F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Mainly clear. Low 71F. Winds light and variable. Mount Pleasant, SC (29464) Today Tropical storm conditions possible. Considerable cloudiness. Occasional rain showers after midnight. Low around 75F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Tropical storm conditions possible. Considerable cloudiness. Occasional rain showers after midnight. Low around 75F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%. Photo: https://www.facebook.com/dshmyhal Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has stated that the total financing shortfall for Ukraine's recovery needs in 2025 amounts to nearly $10 billion. "This year, the key areas of cooperation within the Ukraine Donor Platform include budgetary support, sustainable financing for infrastructure, housing, and energy restoration, economic development, and attracting investment on our path to the EU," Shmyhal wrote on Telegram following the 13th meeting of the platform's Steering Committee. The prime minister reiterated that Ukraine's total budgetary need for international support in 2025 is $39.3 billion and that international partners have confirmed their commitment to covering this requirement. "We must already be working on securing support for 2026. We are grateful to the G7 nations and the European Commission for backing the ERA initiative and directing proceeds from immobilized Russian assets to Ukraine," he added. Shmyhal also noted that in 2025, the government, with donor support, has allocated nearly $7.4 billion for priority recovery projects. However, the overall funding gap for Ukraine's reconstruction in 2025 remains close to $10 billion. "Our movement toward EU membership continues. This year, our goal is maximum sectoral integration and the initiation of negotiations across all six clusters. We are committed to further fulfilling our joint agreements and implementing the necessary reforms for Ukraine," Shmyhal concluded. The Lancaster County Sheriff's Office set up its mobile command unit near the automotive center at a Walmart in Lancaster on April 1, 2025. A gunman shot and wounded two people inside the store. PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-02 19:20:56 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 432 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 TEMPE, AZ / ACCESS Newswire / April 2, 2025 / Accredited Labs, a leading precision calibration and metrology service provider, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Washington Calibration, LLC., a premier ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited metrology laboratory based in Tempe, Arizona. This acquisition marks another step forward in Accredited Labs' commitment to delivering superior regional calibration services with the strategic power of a national network and infrastructure.Founded in 1965 and expanded in 1984 to include a physical calibration laboratory and an environmentally controlled dimensional calibration lab, Washington Calibration has been serving the Tempe, AZ, business community for six decades. Specializing in on-site granite surface plate calibration and resurfacing service, the company remains a market leader in full-service metrology services. Washington Calibration has had a certified ISO Quality System since 1996, with an ever-increasing scope of calibrations accredited for technical competency through ISO/IEC 17025:2017 by the ANAB."Today represents a significant step forward in Accredited Lab's mission to create a nationwide calibration service powered by a network of trusted local partners. Our distinctive approach unites well-established metrology companies from across the country-each with a long history of delivering exceptional service and strong ties to their local business communities. We're excited to welcome Washington Calibration into our growing network," said Joe Moser, CEO of Accredited Labs.Washington Calibration customers can look forward to a smooth transition with uninterrupted access to the high-quality services they rely on. Accredited Labs and Washington Calibration will strengthen their service capabilities and improve efficiency."We're thrilled to become part of the Accredited Labs network," said Terri Balliet, owner of Washington Calibration. "This partnership allows us to expand our reach nationally while continuing to strengthen the local service and customer connections that define our business. With greater resources and support, we're ready to elevate what we offer and grow to the next level." About Washington Calibration, LLC.Washington Calibration has been providing ISO/IEC 17025:2017 calibration and metrology services since the late 1990s. Founded in 1965 as a granite resurfacing provider, the company has been serving the Tempe, AZ, business community ever since.About Accredited LabsAccredited Labs is a premier national provider of calibration, metrology, and quality assurance services, committed to maintaining the highest standards of precision and reliability. With ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, Accredited Labs specializes in delivering tailored calibration solutions for various industries, including aerospace, manufacturing, and pharmaceuticals. Backed by a team of skilled professionals and cutting-edge technology, the company is dedicated to helping clients achieve compliance, accuracy, and operational excellence.For more information, please contact:Gary FortinVice President, Marketing & Revenue GrowthPhone: 512-203-9234Email: gfortin@ accreditedlabs.com SOURCE: Accredited Labs PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-03 01:00:39 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 954 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 CHICAGO, IL / ACCESS Newswire / April 2, 2025 / The American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP) announces its new Board of Governors, following their election on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, during the ACOFP Congress of Delegates in Palm Springs, California. New appointments include:President Gautam J. Desai, DO, FACOFP dist.President-Elect Greg D. Cohen, DO, FACOFP dist.Secretary/Treasurer David A. Connett, DO, FACOFP dist.Governor Jennifer L. Gwilym, DO, FACOFP dist.Resident Governor Christina Sedaghat, DOStudent Governor Creed Mainz, OMS-IIThe following members were reelected to their positions:Governor Saroj Misra, DO, FACOFP dist.Governor Peter F. Bidey, DO, FACOFPGovernor Traci-lyn Eisenberg, DO, FACOFPGovernor Derrick J. Sorweide, DO, FACOFPGovernor Rebecca D. Szewczak, DO, FACOFPNew Physician-in-Practice Governor Ryan M. Smith, DO, FAAFPCongress of Delegates Speaker Elizabeth A. Palmarozzi, DO, FACOFPCongress of Delegates Vice Speaker Antonios J. Tsompanidis, DO, FACOFP dist.Brian A. Kessler, DO, DHA, FACOFP dist. automatically becomes immediate past president.Immediate Past President David J. Park, DO, FAAFP, FACOFP dist., Resident Governor Ryan C. Quinn, DO, and Student Governor Ciara L. Robb, OMS-IV, are all outgoing Board members.More About New Board of Governors AppointeesDr. Desai, ACOFP president, is a Professor of Family Medicine, and Chair, Department of Primary Care at Kansas City University, where he also serves as director of KCU's Global Health Program and oversees the honors track in global medicine. Dr. Desai received his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine at Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his Residency as well as an Internship in Osteopathic Family Medicine at Riverside Osteopathic Hospital. With over 50 peer-reviewed publications in print, textbooks, encyclopedias, and digital publications, Dr. Desai has presented nationally and internationally on topics related to medical education and Osteopathic Manual Medicine. He has led medical outreach and taught in several places over the past 25 years, including Guatemala, Kenya, the Dominican Republic, India, and China. He joined the ACOFP Board of Governors in 2016."I am proud to accept the office of ACOFP president," said Gautam J. Desai, DO, FACOFP dist., ACOFP President 2025-2026. "Being president during our 75th anniversary year is particularly meaningful to me. In addition to celebrating this milestone, my term will see the launch of a new mentorship program and new resources to promote the profession of osteopathic family medicine. I look forward to working with ACOFP leaders and our members on these and many other initiatives." Dr. Cohen practices at Lucas County Health Center Medical Clinics in Chariton, Iowa, serving his community through outpatient care, osteopathic manipulative medicine, emergency room, nursing home services, and obstetrical care within his rural family practice. He is an Assistant Professor of Family Medicine for Des Moines University and has been precepting 3rd and 4th year Osteopathic Medical students in rural family medicine since 2001. Dr. Cohen previously served as the president of the Iowa Osteopathic Medical association, as well as Chairman of the Iowa Maternal Child Health Advisory Council. He has been a member of the Board of Governors since 2017.Dr. Gwilym practices clinical medicine weekly in a dermatology clinic in Athens, Ohio. Dr. Gwilym is a Clinical Professor of Family Medicine at OU-HCOM, where she is the Chair of the Department of Primary Care, Chair of the Student Selection, and Clinical Assistant Dean. Dr. Gwilym serves as the Advisor for the Student American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (SACOFP). She received her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine (OU-HCOM) and completed a Family Medicine Residency at Doctors Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.Dr. Sedaghat is a family medicine resident at Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center in Reading, PA. She attended Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Erie, PA, and completed a traditional rotating internship in Lone Tree, CO. She currently serves on the ACOFP Resident Council representing Region 4.Student Doctor Creed Mainz is a student at the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medical School (VCOM). He currently serves as the ACOFP-VCOM Virginia Chapter President, and is also part of the ACOFP's National Student Executive Board.Dr. Kessler, ACOFP immediate past president, is Dean at Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine and professor of Family Medicine in Buies Creek, North Carolina. Previously he was Dean at Lincoln Memorial University and Director of Medical Education at Cleveland Clinic South Pointe Hospital. He joined the ACOFP Board of Governors in 2015."Serving as ACOFP President has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my career," said ACOFP Immediate Past President Brian A. Kessler, DO, DHA, FACOFP dist. "Over the past year, I have seen the passion, resilience, and commitment of our members as we supported both current physicians and the next generation. Through expanded grants and new partnerships in areas like diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular health, we have deepened our impact on the communities we serve." "I have every confidence in Dr. Desai. His integrity, vision, and collaborative spirit will guide ACOFP forward. He brings people together, leads with purpose, and remains grounded in the mission that unites us. I look forward to supporting him in this next chapter of the organization's continued growth and impact." About the American College of Osteopathic Family PhysiciansFounded in 1950, the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP) is a community of more than 26,000 current and future family physicians that champions osteopathic principles and supports its members by providing resources such as education, networking and advocacy, while putting patients first. ACOFP empowers its members with education and resources that allow them to adapt to new models of care and quickly changing government policy. For more information, visit acofp.org Contact InformationEmily BennettDirector of Communications & Engagementemilyb@ acofp.org (847) 952-5537SOURCE: ACOFP PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-02 21:25:01 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 660 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 2, 2025 / Leading securities law firmBleichmar Fonti & Auld LLPannounces that a lawsuit has been filed against Atkore Inc. (NYSE:ATKR) and certain of the Company's senior executives for potential violations of the federal securities laws.If you invested in Atkore, you are encouraged to obtain additional information by visiting https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/atkore-inc Investors have until April 23, 2025, to ask the Court to be appointed to lead the case. The complaint asserts claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 on behalf of investors who purchased Atkore stock. The case is pending in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and is captioned Westchester Putnam Counties Heavy & Highway Laborers Local 60 Benefits Fund v. Atkore Inc., et al., No. 25-cv-01851.Why was Atkore Sued for Securities Fraud?Atkore manufactures electrical, safety, and infrastructure products including polyvinyl chloride water and electrical conduit pipes ("PVC Pipe"). During the COVID-19 pandemic, shipping costs rose dramatically, leaving foreign PVC Pipe manufacturers unable to profitably sell PVC Pipe in the U.S. As shipping prices returned to normal when the pandemic subsided in 2022, foreign PVC Pipe manufacturers gradually returned to the U.S. market. Shortly thereafter, in late 2022, the price of PVC Pipe began to decline.As alleged, Atkore repeatedly misrepresented that post-pandemic PVC Pipe price declines were the result of "pricing normalization" that reflected "competitive dynamics" and assured investors that the Company would continue to successfully compete in the post-COVID-19 market.On July 24, 2024, an activist investor named ManBear published a report titled "Pipe Price Fixing" which accused Atkore and three of its competitors of using the commodity pricing service OPIS to coordinate pricing actions and fix the price of PVC Pipe.In truth, it is alleged that Atkore engaged in an anticompetitive price-fixing scheme that artificially inflated the price of PVC Pipes.The Stock Declines as the Truth is RevealedOn February 4, 2025, Atkore announced disappointing earnings and reduced guidance, disclosing that the "plastic pipe and conduit product category declined mid-single digits during the quarter" compared to "high single digits in the prior year," and largely attributed the guidance reduction to Atkore's PVC Pipe business, stating, "roughly $75 million or 3/4 [of the guidance reduction] is on the PVC side." This news caused the price of Atkore stock to decline nearly 20%, from $79.72 per share on February 3, 2025 to $64.13 per share on February 4, 2025.On February 14, 2025, Atkore disclosed that it received a grand jury subpoena from the U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Division seeking the "production of documents relating to the pricing of the Company's PVC pipe and conduit products." Click here if you suffered losses: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/atkore-inc What Can You Do?If you invested in Atkore you may have legal options and are encouraged to submit your information to the firm.All representation is on a contingency fee basis, there is no cost to you. Shareholders are not responsible for any court costs or expenses of litigation. The firm will seek court approval for any potential fees and expenses.Submit your information by visiting:Or contact:Ross Shikowitz ross@ bfalaw.com 212-789-3619Why Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP?Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP is a leading international law firm representing plaintiffs in securities class actions and shareholder litigation. It was named among the Top 5 plaintiff law firms by ISS SCAS in 2023 and its attorneys have been named Titans of the Plaintiffs' Bar by Law360 and SuperLawyers by Thompson Reuters. Among its recent notable successes, BFA recovered over $900 million in value from Tesla, Inc.'s Board of Directors, as well as $420 million from Teva Pharmaceutical Ind. Ltd.For more information about BFA and its attorneys, please visit https://www.bfalaw.com Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.SOURCE: Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-02 14:00:12 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 630 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 LAS VEGAS, NV / ACCESS Newswire / April 2, 2025 / Avant Technologies Inc. (OTCQB:AVAI) ("Avant" or the "Company"), and its partner, Ainnova Tech, Inc. ("Ainnova"), a leading healthcare technology company focused on revolutionizing early disease detection using artificial intelligence (AI), today announced that Ainnova will be a sponsor and its CEO, Vinicio Vargas, will be a featured speaker at the 2025 Healthcare Innovation Summit in Mexico City, Mexico.Mr. Vargas, who will be presenting today, will discuss, "Preventative Healthcare with Artificial Intelligence: Breaking the Status Quo." Avant has partnered with Ainnova to form Ai-nova Acquisition Corp. ("AAC") so the two companies can advance and commercialize Ainnova's technology portfolio. AAC has the global licensing rights for the portfolio, including its Vision AI platform and its versatile retinal cameras, and Ainnova's CEO continues to advance awareness of the technology portfolio and its robust uses in healthcare as a featured speaker at healthcare conferences globally.The Healthcare Innovation Summit Series is a worldwide event taking place in numerous countries simultaneously, and it unites key regional stakeholders, including government officials, regulators, hospital administrators, payers, investors, innovators, and clinical experts, to foster discussions that lead to real-world healthcare transformation. At the 2025 Mexico Healthcare Innovation Summit, attendees will address critical conversations about healthcare systems optimization, digital transformation, diagnostic and therapeutic technology, and healthcare infrastructure.About Ainnova Tech, Inc.Ainnova is a Nevada-based healthtech startup with headquarters in San Jose, Costa Rica, and Houston, Texas. Founded by an experienced and innovative team that is dedicated to leveraging artificial intelligence for early disease detection. Recognized with multiple global awards and renowned partnerships with hospitals and medical device companies, we proudly introduce VisionAI - our cutting-edge platform designed to prevent blindness and detect the early onset of diabetes. Explore how Ainnova is revolutionizing healthcare through advanced technology and proactive solutions.About Avant Technologies, Inc.Avant Technologies Inc. is an emerging technology company developing solutions in artificial intelligence in healthcare. With a focus on pushing the boundaries of what is possible in AI and machine learning, Avant serves a diverse range of industries, driving progress and efficiency through state-of-the-art technology.More information about Avant can be found at https://avanttechnologies.com You can also follow us on social media at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avant -technologies-aiForward-Looking StatementsCertain statements contained in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements provide current expectations of future events based on certain assumptions and include any statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements because of various important factors as disclosed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission located at their website ( http://www.sec.gov ). In addition to these factors, actual future performance, outcomes, and results may differ materially because of more general factors including (without limitation) general industry and market conditions and growth rates, economic conditions, governmental and public policy changes, the Company's ability to raise capital on acceptable terms, if at all, the Company's successful development of its products and the integration into its existing products and the commercial acceptance of the Company's products. The forward-looking statements included in this press release represent the Company's views as of the date of this press release and these views could change. However, while the Company may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company's views as of any date after the date of the press release.Contact:Avant Technologies Inc. info@ avanttechnologies.com SOURCE: Avant Technologies PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-02 18:47:01 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 441 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 2, 2025 / Farmers Bank & Trust recently disclosed that it suffered a data breach that compromised the sensitive personal data of individuals. This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive personal information entrusted to Farmers Bank & Trust.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On October 25, 2024, Farmers Bank & Trust experienced unauthorized access to an employee's email account. Upon detection, Farmers Bank & Trust immediately launched an investigation with the assistance of third-party cyber security professionals to determine the nature and scope of the incident. Following a detailed forensic investigation and manual review, on February 17, 2025, Farmers Bank & Trust determined that certain files containing personal information may have been accessed or acquired.Upon information and belief, the following types of sensitive personal information may have been compromised: full name, Social Security number, financial information, email address, and driver's license. Farmers Bank & Trust conducted a comprehensive review to determine the specific information affected and began sending notification letters to impacted individuals on March 17, 2025. A public notice was filed with the Massachusetts Attorney General on the same day. Compensation may be available for those individuals who received notice that their personal information was compromised.WHY YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION?Data breaches are serious matters that can cause long-term damage. Hackers may use stolen information to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or other crimes. Companies that fail to secure your personal data may be held liable for the resulting harm.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you received a data breach notification letter from Farmers Bank & Trust, you are likely affected. Follow the link below to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.Levi Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected individuals are entitled to compensation. If you have received a notice about the data breach, you may be entitled to compensation. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out:Levi & Korsinsky is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of over 70 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. The firm is a 100% contingency firm - we don't get paid unless you get paid! Please visit us at www.zlk.com for more information. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 17th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-02 17:16:21 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 962 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 2, 2025 / Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP ("BFA") announces that it has filed a class action lawsuit for violations of the federal securities laws against ICON plc ("ICON" or the "Company") and certain of the Company's senior executives. The case is pending in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York and is captioned Police and Fire Retirement System of the City of Detroit v. ICON plc, No. 25-cv-01807 ("PFRSD").PFRSD is related to the class action an investor previously filed against ICON: Shing v. ICON plc, No. 25-cv-00763 (E.D.N.Y.) ("Shing"), which is the first-filed securities class action in this matter. As stated in the notice published on February 10, 2025 in connection with the filing of Shing, and pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 which sets the deadline to seek Lead Plaintiff status 60 days after the notice of the first-filed action is published, investors wishing to serve as Lead Plaintiff must file a motion for appointment as Lead Plaintiff by no later than Friday, April 11, 2025. The filing of PFRSD does not alter that deadline.PFRSD asserts claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 on behalf of all persons and entities who purchased or acquired ICON ordinary shares, between July 27, 2023 and January 13, 2025 (the "Class Period").This is a broader Class Period than asserted in Shing.Like Shing, PFRSD alleges that defendants misrepresented that ICON was benefitting from a significant industry-wide downturn during which the Company's current and prospective customers sought to cut costs.What is the Lawsuit About?ICON provides development and commercialization services, including conducting clinical trials, to companies developing new drugs and medical devices.Throughout the Class Period, Defendants assured investors that ICON was "well positioned" to win business during the downturn due to the "depth and breadth of our capabilities," that the Company's "competitive position has never been better in being able to address our customer needs," that "we're taking market share" due to "our strong operational delivery," and that ICON was seeing "healthy," "stable," and "strong" demand, while touting a purportedly high volume of RFPs for clinical trial work from prospective customers as sign that demand was strong. Defendants also asserted that its largest customer Pfizer's efforts to cut $4 billion in annual costs presented an "opportunity" for ICON as Pfizer was "happy to further consolidate their spending" with the Company.In truth, rather than benefiting from the industry downturn, ICON experienced a significant decline in demand. Additionally, its two largest customers, including Pfizer, had warned ICON for years that they intended to diversify their business away from the Company. Moreover, the "RFP flow" that Defendants touted as a sign of strong demand did not indicate anything of the sort. Instead, ICON executives knew that a significant portion of those RFPs only sought to gauge prevailing industry prices for clinical trial services and were never intended to lead to actual clinical trial work.Investors began to learn the truth on October 23, 2024, when ICON announced its 3Q 24 financial results, revealing a surprise "revenue shortfall" of $100 million for the quarter, and reducing full-year fiscal 2024 revenue guidance by $220 million at the midpoint. Defendants blamed the revenue shortfall and reduced guidance on "material headwinds from two large customers undergoing budget cuts and changes in their development model" and "ongoing cautiousness from biotech customers resulting in award and study delays." Next, on October 25, 2024, Truist Securities ("Truist") published a report summarizing a conversation Truist analysts had with ICON management. According to Truist, Defendants knew for years that its two largest customers intended to diversify business away from ICON and that contracted clinical work from the two customers was scheduled to end in the summer of 2024. ICON management described the situation to Truist as "not a new development," and said that it "did not come as a surprise" that the customers moved business to ICON's competitors.On this news, the price of ICON ordinary shares declined $60.29 per share, or more than 21%, from $280.76 per share on October 23, 2024, to $220.47 per share on October 25, 2024.Then, on November 21, 2024, ICON's CEO admitted that "around 20% to 30%" of the RFPs the Company responded to and touted as a sign of strong demand were only issued so that the companies issuing the RFPs could assess prevailing market prices for clinical trial services and would never lead to actual clinical trial work for ICON.Finally, on January 14, 2025, ICON issued disappointing financial guidance for 2025 that was below analysts' expectations due to "trial activity [that] has been impacted by cautious spending from biopharma customers" and "a headwind from our top two customers." Defendants further revealed that 2025 would be a "transition period" for ICON. On this news, the price of ICON ordinary shares declined $17.75 per share, or 8.1%, from $217.99 per share on January 13, 2025, to $200.24 per share on January 14, 2025.About Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLPBleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP is a leading international law firm representing plaintiffs in securities class actions and shareholder litigation. It was named among the Top 5 plaintiff law firms by ISS SCAS in 2023 and its attorneys have been named Titans of the Plaintiffs' Bar by Law360 and SuperLawyers by Thompson Reuters. Among its recent notable successes, BFA recovered over $900 million in value from Tesla, Inc.'s Board of Directors, as well as $420 million from Teva Pharmaceutical Ind. Ltd.For more information about BFA please visit https://www.bfalaw.com Contact:Javier Bleichmar, Esq., Nancy A. Kulesa, Esq.(212) 789-1340 info@ bfalaw.com SOURCE: Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP The Ministry of Economy has approved 28 applications submitted under the program of grants for processing enterprises, the total amount of payments will be UAH 157.9 million. "These are the first grants for processing enterprises in 2025. Almost UAH 158 million will be available to 28 enterprises. Last year, the program of grants of up to UAH 8 million for the development of the processing industry enabled almost 400 small and medium-sized enterprises to update their production equipment. We expect that the pace this year will exceed last year's," First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Yulia Svyrydenko was quoted as saying in a message on the department's website on Wednesday. She added that the program is also being expanded so that even more manufacturers can benefit from it The ministry emphasized that the expected term for receiving funding is 1-1.5 months after the end of the wave and the fulfillment of all conditions. It is noted that the program is implemented within the framework of the Made in Ukraine policy. It gives enterprises the opportunity to receive funds for the modernization or expansion of production capacities on co-financing terms. Currently, state support is received by manufacturers of agricultural machinery, electrical and medical equipment, printing, aircraft, food products, animal feed, clothing, wood and metal products The program is financed from the state budget (through the Ministry of Economy) and from the Fund for Compulsory State Social Insurance in Case of Unemployment (through the State Employment Service). In 2024, the state provides manufacturers with 375 grants worth UAH 1.8 billion. The submission of applications continues in waves of two weeks. A new wave started on March 29. Documents can be submitted via the Diia platform. PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-02 18:32:24 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 452 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 2, 2025 / St. Joseph's College of Maine recently disclosed that it suffered a data breach that compromised the sensitive personal data of individuals. This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive personal information entrusted to St. Joseph's.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On February 20, 2025, St. Joseph's College of Maine became aware of a security incident on its network. Upon detection, St. Joseph's College of Maine launched an investigation with the assistance of third-party cybersecurity experts to determine the nature and scope of the incident. The investigation determined that an unauthorized third party gained access to the network between December 15, 2023, and January 24, 2024, and potentially accessed or acquired certain files containing sensitive personal information. St. Joseph's conducted a comprehensive review of the impacted data to determine what information was compromised and identified affected individuals.Upon information and belief, the following types of sensitive personal information may have been compromised: full name, date of birth, address, Social Security number, and government-issued IDs. On March 21, 2025, St. Joseph's College of Maine filed a notice of public disclosure and started sending out notice letters to the individuals. Compensation may be available for those individuals who received notice that their personal information was compromised.WHY YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION?Data breaches are serious matters that can cause long-term damage. Hackers may use stolen information to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or other crimes. Companies that fail to secure your personal data may be held liable for the resulting harm.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you received a data breach notification letter from St. Joseph's, you are likely affected. Follow the link below to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.Levi Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected individuals are entitled to compensation. If you have received a notice about the data breach, you may be entitled to compensation. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out:Levi & Korsinsky is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of over 70 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. The firm is a 100% contingency firm - we don't get paid unless you get paid! Please visit us at www.zlk.com for more information. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 17th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-02 18:32:29 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 432 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 2, 2025 / United Domestic Workers of America/AFSCME Local 3930, recently disclosed that it suffered a data breach that compromised the sensitive personal data of individuals. This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive personal information entrusted to UDW.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On January 17, 2025, United Domestic Workers of America/AFSCME Local 3930 became aware of a security incident on its servers. Upon detection, UDW launched an investigation with the assistance of third-party cybersecurity experts to determine the nature and scope of the incident. The investigation determined that an unauthorized third party gained access to UDW's systems and potentially compromised sensitive data. UDW conducted a comprehensive review of the impacted data to determine what information was compromised and identified affected individuals.Upon information and belief, the following types of sensitive personal information may have been compromised: names, Social Security numbers, and addresses. On March 27, 2025, UDW filed a notice with the Attorney General of California and started sending out notice letters to the impacted individuals. Compensation may be available for those individuals who received notice that their personal information was compromised.WHY YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION?Data breaches are serious matters that can cause long-term damage. Hackers may use stolen information to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or other crimes. Companies that fail to secure your personal data may be held liable for the resulting harm.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you received a data breach notification letter from UDW, you are likely affected. Follow the link below to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.Levi Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected individuals are entitled to compensation. If you have received a notice about the data breach, you may be entitled to compensation. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out:Levi & Korsinsky is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of over 70 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. The firm is a 100% contingency firm - we don't get paid unless you get paid! Please visit us at www.zlk.com for more information. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 17th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-02 02:00:44 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 462 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 1, 2025 / If you suffered a loss on your Venture Global, Inc. (NYSE:VG) investment and want to learn about a potential recovery under the federal securities laws, follow the link below for more information:or contact Joseph E. Levi, Esq. via email at jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com or call (212) 363-7500 to speak to our team of experienced shareholder advocates.THE LAWSUIT: This lawsuit is on behalf of all shareholders that purchased stock pursuant and/or traceable to Venture's registration statement for the initial public offering held on or about January 24, 2025.CASE DETAILS: According to the complaint, Venture completed its initial public offering on January 27, 2025, selling 70 million shares at $24.00 per share. On February 5, 2025, TotalEnergies, an energy company that was a target customer of Venture, rejected opportunities to become a long-term customer of Venture, citing lack of trust. In particular, TotalEnergies CEO, stated that he was approached by Venture to see if the company would be interested in a long-term supply contract for liquefied natural gas from the Calcasieu Pass terminal in Louisiana, but he rejected the offer "because of what they are doing." Venture is currently facing legal challenges from existing large clients, such as BP and Shell, due to delays in supply contracts as Venture commissions its projects. Given the fact that defendants ability to deliver liquefied natural gas (LNG) to the world and to continue development of Venture's five natural gas liquefication and export projects depends on customer contracts, defendants' failure to account for and address these issues caused statements in Venture's registration statement to be false and/or materially misleading at the time of the initial public offering.WHAT'S NEXT? If you suffered a loss in Venture stock during the relevant time frame - even if you still hold your shares - go to https://zlk.com/pslra-1/venture-global-inc-lawsuit-submission-form?prid=140300&wire=1 to learn about your rights to seek a recovery. There is no cost or obligation to participate.WHY LEVI & KORSINSKY: Over the past 20 years, Levi & Korsinsky LLP has established itself as a nationally-recognized securities litigation firm that has secured hundreds of millions of dollars for aggrieved shareholders and built a track record of winning high-stakes cases. The firm has extensive expertise representing investors in complex securities litigation and a team of over 70 employees to serve our clients. For seven years in a row, Levi & Korsinsky has ranked in ISS Securities Class Action Services' Top 50 Report as one of the top securities litigation firms in the United States. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 17th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-02 18:33:26 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 544 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 2, 2025 / Lyon Management Group, Inc. which does business as Lyon Living, recently disclosed that it suffered a data breach that compromised the sensitive personal and protected health data of individuals. This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive personal and protected health information entrusted to Lyon Living.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?Lyon Living recently became aware of a security incident on its IT network. Upon detection, Lyon Living launched an investigation with the assistance of third-party cybersecurity experts to determine the nature and scope of the incident. The investigation determined that an unauthorized third party gained access to sensitive personal information between March 14 and March 15, 2024. Lyon Living conducted a comprehensive review of the impacted data to determine what information was compromised and identified affected individuals. Lyon Living identified persons whose sensitive data was included in the impacted data.Upon information and belief, the following types of sensitive personal and protected health information may have been compromised: name, Social Security number, driver's license number, california id card number, tax identification number, passport number, military id number, or other unique id number issued on a government document, account number or credit or debit card number, in combination with any required security code, access code, or password that would permit access to an individual's financial account, medical information, health insurance information, unique biometric data generated from measurements or technical analysis of human body characteristics, such as a fingerprint, retina, or iris image, used to authenticate a specific individual, and genetic data. On March 28, 2025, Lyon Living filed a notice with the Attorney General of California and started sending out notice letters to the impacted individuals. Compensation may be available for those individuals who received notice that their personal information was compromised.WHY YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION?Data breaches are serious matters that can cause long-term damage. Hackers may use stolen information to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or other crimes. Companies that fail to secure your personal data may be held liable for the resulting harm.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you received a data breach notification letter from Lyon Living, you are likely affected. Follow the link below to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.Levi Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected individuals are entitled to compensation. If you have received a notice about the data breach, you may be entitled to compensation. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out:Levi & Korsinsky is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of over 70 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. The firm is a 100% contingency firm - we don't get paid unless you get paid! Please visit us at www.zlk.com for more information. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 17th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-02 04:00:23 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1012 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 HALIFAX, NS / ACCESS Newswire / April 1, 2025 / MedMira Inc. (MedMira) (TSXV:MIR), reported today on its financial results for the quarter ended January 31, 2025.Corporate updateIn Q2 FY2025, MedMira has received the Health Canada approval of its Multiplo Rapid TP/HIV Test (Multiplo TP/HIV) and Reveal Rapid HIV Test. In addition, the Company continued its regulatory work in Canada on two new products and is in the final stages for its clinical trials for the Reveal G4 HIV-1/2 rapid test CLIA-waiver. Furthermore, the Company signed additional distribution agreements in Canada and the USA to expand its market reach in North America.Major milestonesOn the 24th of December 2024, MedMira received the Medical Device License for its Multiplo TP/HIV for professional use. Subsequent to this approval, the Company received in January 2025, the Medical Device License for its latest generation of the Reveal Rapid HIV Test. With these approvals, the Company was able to launch the products in January 2025 and work directly with its exclusive Canadian distributor Trimedic Inc. Currently, the Company is awaiting the regulatory clearance of its Reveal TP (Syphilis) Antibody Test from the regulatory body. At the time this approval has been received, the Company is able offer the only Health Canada approved single syphilis antibody rapid test in Canada. As a result, MedMira is able to provide a highly flexible product offering that allows customers to choose which test they prefer and with it increases testing options and market share. Given the substantial demand for affordable and high-quality testing solutions, the Company anticipates a higher-than-expected revenue growth in the Canadian market over the coming financial quarters.In Q2 FY2025, the Company in partnership with REACH Nexus applied for the ITA (investigational testing authorization) for non-professional use and home testing application for its Multiplo TP/HIV. This would allow the Company to be the first TP/HIV home test in Canada and reach markets and customers beyond the traditional healthcare setting. At this stage, the Company is awaiting the green light by the regulators to commence the clinical trials in three provinces.During Q2 FY2025, MedMira in partnership with REACH Nexus at St. Michael's Hospital's MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, and fully funded by the Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR), continued its regulatory work on its unique Multiplo Complete Syphilis (TP/nTP) Antibody Test (Multiplo TP/nTP). In December 2024, the Company received the ITA (investigational testing authorization) from Health Canada and started clinical trials.In Q2 FY2025, the Company has made significant progress with its clinical trials in the United States for the US FDA CLIA-waiver of its FDA approved Reveal G4 HIV-1/2 rapid test. During the financial quarter, the Company generated over 1,000 patients' data points and with it has reached a significant step forward in obtaining the clinical trial data to achieve the US FDA CLIA-waiver. As a result of the important progress with the clinical trials, the Company recorded higher expenses in its General and Administrative Costs. This increase in costs is in direct relation to the positive progress made with the clinical trials and have been an expected investment by the Company to gain access to the CLIA-waiver HIV rapid testing market.Profit and Loss HighlightsRevenue: The Company recorded revenues in Q2 FY2025 of $69,001 compared to Q1 FY2025 $61,723 and $148,696 in the same period last year.Gross Profit: The Company recorded a gross profit in Q2 FY2025 of $45,643 compared to $52,778 in Q1 FY2025 and $68,137 in the same period last year.Operating expenses: The Company recorded for this quarter operating expenses of $1,141,481 compared to $1,111,283 in Q1 FY2025 and $579,374 in the same period last year.Net loss: The Company recorded a net loss in Q2 FY2025 of $1,199,918 compared to a net loss of $590,789 for the quarter last year.Balance Sheet HighlightsAssets: The Company recorded decrease of its assets by $793,437 between Q1 FY2025 and Q2 FY2025 which was mainly due to the cash required to pay the expenses for the clinical trials.Liabilities: The Company's liabilities increased by $406,480 between Q1 FY2025 and Q2 FY2025. The Company's current liabilities increased by $454,163 which was mainly due to an increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities.Loans in default decreased by $3,761 due to the fluctuations in the United States Dollar and the Swiss Franc. All long and short terms debts are currently under negotiation to restructure terms and conditions of repayment.Working Capital deficit: As a result of the changes noted above, the Company recorded a higher working capital deficit of $1,172,705 or an increase of 6% compared to last quarter.The Company's financial statements and management's discussion and analysis are available on the Company's profile on SEDAR atwww.sedar.com . For matters of going concern, reference is made to the Auditor's Emphasis of Matter statement in the fiscal year ended 2024 Auditors Report and note 2b in the audited financial statements which are also available on SEDAR.About MedMiraMedMira is the developer and owner of Rapid Vertical Flow (RVF) Technology. The Company's rapid test applications built on RVF Technology provide hospitals, labs, clinics and individuals with instant diagnosis for diseases such as HIV and hepatitis C in just three easy steps. The Company's tests are sold under the Reveal, Multiplo and Miriad brands in global markets. MedMira's corporate offices and manufacturing facilities are located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada and the Company has a sales and customer service office located in the United States. For more information visitmedmira.com . Follow us onTwitterandLinkedIn .This news release contains forward-looking statements, which involve risk and uncertainties and reflect the Company's current expectation regarding future events including statements regarding possible approval and launch of new products, future growth, and new business opportunities. Actual events could materially differ from those projected herein and depend on a number of factors including, but not limited to, changing market conditions, successful and timely completion of clinical studies, uncertainties related to the regulatory approval process, establishment of corporate alliances and other risks detailed from time to time in the company quarterly filings.Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of t PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-02 12:00:20 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 400 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Reality Church's "Uber to Church" campaign targets students and residents near UM with free roundtrip rides on Easter SundayMIAMI, FLORIDA / ACCESS Newswire / April 2, 2025 / In a bold move to connect with the next generation, Reality Church Miami is offering completely free Uber rides-including tips-for college students and local residents to attend their Easter service on Sunday, April 20.A new Easter campaign from Reality Church Miami offers free roundtrip Uber rides-including tips-for anyone within 5 miles of the University of Miami. With services at 9, 11AM, and 1PM on Easter Sunday, April 20, the "Uber to Church" initiative ( www.ubertochurch.com) is designed to eliminate transportation barriers for college students and local residents looking to experience a welcoming, hope-filled service.The campaign, called Uber to Church ( www.ubertochurch.com ), allows anyone within a 5-mile radius of the University of Miami's Coral Gables campus to claim a free Uber voucher to and from the church."Some people may think we're crazy for doing this," said Pastor Carlos Lollett of Reality Church. "But we believe it's a small price to pay to reach students who might be struggling with loneliness or just need a place to feel seen. And we've got an entire community of generous members backing us up." Originally designed for students, the church expanded the campaign due to overwhelming interest. Now non-students, family, and friends can also participate, as long as they live within the designated zone.How It Works1. Visitubertochurch.com 2. Claim a voucher-no email or student ID required3. Use the Uber app on Easter Sunday to schedule your free ride.Why It Matters Many college students report feeling isolated, especially during exam season. The church hopes this simple gesture removes a key barrier-transportation-and encourages students to explore faith in a welcoming, safe environment."This isn't about church attendance stats," Pastor Carlos added. "It's about showing up for a generation that often feels overlooked-and doing it in a way that's practical and real." About Reality Church Miami Reality Church Miami is a young vibrant church committed to helping people experience the love of Jesus in practical ways. Located at the intersection of Coconut Grove and Coral Gables on US-1 (2150 S Dixie Hwy), the church emphasizes authenticity and community-especially toward college students and young adults.More atrealitymiami.com Contact InformationAna NunezCommunications | Mediaana@ realitymiami.com (305) 927-0657SOURCE: Reality Miami | Media PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-02 23:35:14 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 990 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 BURLINGTON, ON / ACCESS Newswire / April 2, 2025 /Murchison Minerals Ltd. ("Murchison" or the "Company") (TSXV:MUR) announces that it intends to seek approval from its shareholders at the Company's upcoming annual general and special shareholder meeting for the proposed consolidation all of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company (the "Common Shares") on the basis of up to twenty (20) pre-consolidation Common Shares for each one (1) post-consolidation Common Share (the "Consolidation").The annual general and special meeting of shareholders (the "Meeting") will take place at 10:00 am on April 30, 2025 at the Ontario Bar Association Conference Centre, Suite 200, 20 Toronto Street, Toronto, Ontario.The board of directors of the Company has determined that the Consolidation would be in the best interests of the Company to enhance the marketability of the Company as an investment and better position the Company to raise the funds necessary for the continuance of operations, advancement of its exploration projects and the growth of the Company.Under the Consolidation, for every twenty (20) Common Shares currently held by a shareholder (or such lesser number as may be applicable in the event that directors determine to employ a Consolidation ratio that is less than on a twenty to one (20:1) basis), each shareholder will, as a result of the Consolidation, receive one Common Share after the Consolidation takes effect.There are currently 298,273,022 Common Shares issued and outstanding. If the Consolidation is approved by the shareholders and the directors effect the Consolidation on a 20:1 basis, there will be an aggregate of approximately 14,913,651 Common Shares issued and outstanding in the share capital of the Company, subject to rounding.Notwithstanding the foregoing, the board may determine not to implement the Consolidation at any time after the Meeting and after receipt of necessary regulatory approvals, but prior to effecting the required amendment to the Company's articles, without further action on the part of the shareholders. The Consolidation remains subject to approval by the TSX Venture Exchange.The materials for the Meeting, including the Management Information Circular, which sets out in detail the annual general and special items proposed for shareholder approval at the Meeting, have been distributed to shareholders and can also be found at the Company's profile on www.sedarplus.ca or at the Company's website https://murchisonminerals.ca/corporate-filings-and-presentation/ About Murchison Minerals Ltd. (TSXV:MUR)Murchison is a Canadianbased exploration Company focused on the exploration and development of the 100% - owned Brabant Lake zinccoppersilver project in northcentral Saskatchewan and on nickel-copper-cobalt exploration at the 100% - owned HPM Project in Quebec.Additional information about Murchison and its exploration projects can be found on the Company's website atwww.murchisonminerals.ca . For further information, please contact:Troy Boisjoli, President and CEO orErik H Martin, CFO Justin Lafosse, Director Corporate DevelopmentTel: (416) 3503776info@ murchisonminerals.com ForwardLooking InformationCertain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking information that involves substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. This forward-looking information is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company, including, but not limited to, the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions, and dependence upon regulatory approvals. FLI herein includes, but is not limited to: future drill results; stakeholder engagement and relationships; parameters and methods used with respect to the assay results; the prospects, if any, of the deposits; future prospects at the deposits; and the significance of exploration activities and results. FLI is designed to help you understand management's current views of its near- and longer-term prospects, and it may not be appropriate for other purposes. FLI by their nature are based on assumptions and 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 FLI. Although the FLI contained in this press release is based upon what management believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure shareholders and prospective purchasers of securities of the Company that actual results will be consistent with such FLI, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended, and neither the Company nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of any such FLI. Except as required by law, the Company does not undertake, and assumes no obligation, to update or revise any such FLI contained herein to reflect new events or circumstances, except as may be required by law. Unless otherwise noted, this press release has been prepared based on information available as of the date of this press release. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on the FLI or information contained herein. Furthermore, should one or more of the risks, uncertainties or other factors materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in FLI. Assumptions upon which FLI is based, without limitation, include: the ability of exploration activities to accurately predict mineralization; the accuracy of geological modelling; the ability of the Company to complete further exploration activities; the legitimacy of title and property interests in the deposits; the accuracy of key assumptions, parameters or methods used to obtain the assay results; the ability of the Company to obtain required approvals; the results of exploration activities; the evolution of the global economic climate; metal prices; environmental expectations; community and nongovernmental actions; and any impacts of COVID-19 on the deposits, the Company's financial position, the Company's ability to secure required funding, or operations. Risks and uncertainties about the Company's business are more fully discussed in the disclosure materials filed with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada, which are available at www.sedar.com . Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-02 09:00:11 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1023 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 LUND, SE / ACCESS Newswire / April 2, 2025 / Alligator Bioscience (STO:ATORX) - The shareholders of Alligator Bioscience AB, Reg. No. 556597-8201, are invited to the annual general meeting to be held on Wednesday 7 May 2025, at 10.00 a.m CEST at Medicon Village, conference room Bengt, Scheelevagen 4 in Lund, Sweden.RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE Shareholders that want to participate in the annual general meeting must be recorded in the company's share register kept by Euroclear Sweden AB as of Monday 28 April 2025 and, further, have given notice of their intent to participate to the company no later than on Wednesday 30 April 2025, by mail to address, Alligator Bioscience AB, att Greta Hoog, Medicon Village, Scheeletorget 1, SE-223 81 Lund, Sweden, by phone to +46 (0)46-540 82 00, or by e-mail to anmalan@ alligatorbioscience.com . The notice should specify the shareholder's name, personal identity number or company registration number, telephone number during work hours and the number of shares held by the shareholder and, when applicable, information on the number of advisors (2 at the most).TRUSTEE-REGISTERED SHARES Shareholders whose shares are trustee-registered in the name of a bank or other trustee must, to be able to exercise their voting rights at the general meeting, request the trustee to register their shares in their own name with Euroclear Sweden AB (so called "voting rights registration"). Such voting rights registration must be implemented by the trustee no later than as of Wednesday 30 April 2025. Accordingly, shareholders must well in advance before this date notify their trustee of their request of such voting rights registration.PROXY Shareholders participating by proxy must issue a dated and signed proxy. Should the proxy be issued by a legal entity, a certified copy of the valid registration certificate ( Sw. registreringsbevis) of the legal entity (or corresponding document) must be presented. Proxies should be in writing and submitted at the latest at the annual general meeting, but should preferably be sent before the general meeting. The validity term of the proxy may be at the longest five years if this is specifically stated. In case no validity term is stated, the proxy is valid for at the longest one year. Proxy forms are available at the company's website ( www.alligatorbioscience.com ) and at the company (see address above), and will also be sent to the shareholders that request it and state their address.PROPOSED AGENDA 1. Opening of the meeting2. Election of Chairman of the meeting3. Preparation and approval of the register of voters4. Election of two persons to confirm the minutes5. Approval of the agenda6. Determination as to whether the meeting has been duly convened7. Presentation by the CEO8. Presentation of the Annual Report and Audit Report and the Consolidated Annual Report and Consolidated Audit Report as well as the statement by the auditor on the compliance of the applicable guidelines for remuneration to senior executives9. Resolution ona) adoption of the profit and loss statement and balance sheet, as well as the consolidated profit and loss statement and the consolidated balance sheet;b) distribution of the company's result according to the adopted balance sheet; andc) discharge from liability of the board members and the CEO10. Determination of the number of board members as well as auditors and deputy auditors11. Determination of remuneration for the board members and the auditors12. Election of board members, Chairman of the board of directors as well as auditors and deputy auditors13. Resolution on approval of remuneration report14. Resolution on authorization regarding issues15. Closing of the meetingPROPOSED RESOLUTIONSItem 2: Election of Chairman of the meetingThe Nomination Committee, consisting of Bertil Brinck (Chairman), representing Koncentra Holding AB, Lars Bergkvist, representing Roxette Photo SA, Magnus Pettersson, representing own shareholding, and the Chairman of the board of directors, Anders Ekblom, proposes that lawyer Ola Grahn is elected as Chairman of the annual general meeting or, in his absence, the person appointed by the Nomination Committee instead.Item 9 b: Resolution on distribution of the company's resultThe board of directors proposes that no dividends are paid and that the accumulated loss of SEK 127,127,801 shall be carried forward to a new account.Item 10: Determination of the number of board members as well as auditors and deputy auditorsThe Nomination Committee proposes that the board of directors shall consist of three ordinary board members elected by the annual general meeting.Furthermore, the Nomination Committee proposes, in accordance with the recommendation from the Audit Committee, that one registered public accounting firm without deputy is appointed.Item 11: Determination of remuneration for the board members and the auditorsThe Nomination Committee proposes that the board remuneration and the remuneration for committee work is unchanged compared to the year 2024; meaning SEK 650,000 to the Chairman of the board of directors and SEK 300,000 to each of the other board members who are not employed by the company. Furthermore, remuneration for committee work is proposed to be SEK 125,000 to the Chairman of the Audit Committee, SEK 50,000 to each of the other members of the Audit Committee, and SEK 50,000 to the Chairman of the Remuneration Committee and SEK 25,000 to each of the other members of the Remuneration Committee.Furthermore, the Nomination Committee proposes that remuneration for the auditor shall be paid in accordance with customary norms and approved invoice.Item 12: Election of board members, Chairman of the board of directors as well as auditors and deputy auditorsThe Nomination Committee proposes that Hans-Peter Ostler, Eva Sjokvist Saers and Denise Goode are re-elected as board members and that Hans-Peter Ostler is elected as new Chairman of the board of directors. Anders Ekblom and Staffan Encrantz have declined re-election.Information on the board members proposed for re-election can be found at the company's website and in the Annual Report (see www.alligatorbioscience.com ).Furthermore, the Nomination Committee proposes, in accordance with the recommendation from the Audit Committee, that the registered accounting firm Ohrlings PricewaterhouseCoopers AB (PwC) is re-elected as auditor. PwC has informed that the authorized public accountant Ola Bjarehall will continue to be appointed as the responsible auditor.Item 13: Resolution on approval of remuneration reportThe board of directors proposes that the annual general meeting resolves to approve the board of directors' remuneration report for the financi PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-02 18:32:44 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 449 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 2, 2025 / OEC Freight Companies Inc. recently disclosed that it suffered a data breach that compromised the sensitive personal data of individuals. This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive personal information entrusted to OEC Group.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On May 13, 2024, OEC Group became aware of a security incident on its computer network. Upon detection, OEC Group launched an investigation with the assistance of third-party cyber security experts to determine the nature and scope of the incident. The investigation determined that an unauthorized third party gained access to files on OEC Group's network containing sensitive information. OEC Group conducted a comprehensive review of the impacted data to determine what information was compromised and identified affected individuals. On February 14, 2025, OEC Group identified persons whose sensitive data was included in the impacted data.Upon information and belief, the following types of sensitive personal information may have been compromised: name, and Social Security number. On March 14, 2025, OEC Group filed a notice with the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office and started sending out notice letters to the impacted individuals. Compensation may be available for those individuals who received notice that their personal information was compromised.WHY YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION?Data breaches are serious matters that can cause long-term damage. Hackers may use stolen information to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or other crimes. Companies that fail to secure your personal data may be held liable for the resulting harm.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you received a data breach notification letter from OEC Group, you are likely affected. Follow the link below to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.Levi Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected individuals are entitled to compensation. If you have received a notice about the data breach, you may be entitled to compensation. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out:Levi & Korsinsky is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of over 70 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. The firm is a 100% contingency firm - we don't get paid unless you get paid! Please visit us at www.zlk.com for more information. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 17th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-02 14:01:18 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 457 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 The $2,500 will help Reyes complete a dual degree in Economics and Molecular & Cellular Biology.COLUMBUS, OHIO / ACCESS Newswire / April 2, 2025 / This year, Koffel | Brininger | Nesbitt's team is pleased to award its $2,500Moral Responsibility and the Application of Law Scholarshipto Johns Hopkins student, Omar Reyes.Reyes is currently pursuing a dual degree in Economics and Molecular & Cellular Biology. He hopes that his combined studies will help him pursue a career that enables him to make healthcare services more accessible while still understanding what economic and scientific decisions promote developments in certain areas.Reyes' response to Koffel | Brininger | Nesbitt's scholarship prompt addresses the legal system from an immigrant's perspective. Reyes relays a story about his grandparents, in which they lost everything to a real estate scheme. He says that his grandparents did not pursue legal justice out of distrust of the legal system.He hopes that the system can one day address the distrust cultivated in high-need communities, particularly those who've been impacted by fraud that, in his words, has gone unaddressed by judicial parties. He believes that lawyers can make the first move in this direction by adhering to an objective truth instead of serving as " mouthpieces." Reyes' response to the scholarship prompt inspires a considerable amount of thought in its audience, begging questions about objective truth and how different interpretations of the law have developed over the years. It was this inspiration, paired with Reyes' obvious passion, that drove the scholarship selection committee to award his efforts.The criminal defense lawyers with Koffel | Brininger | Nesbitt look forward to seeing Reyes put his education to work in the years to come. The team does not doubt that his passion and ability to inspire conversations will serve him well in his chosen field.Students interested in applying for the Moral Responsibility and the Application of Law Scholarship have until August 15, 2025, to complete their applications.About Koffel | Brininger | NesbittKoffel | Brininger | Nesbittoffers top-quality criminal defense and DUI representation throughout Ohio. The firm consistently ranks among the best law firms in America, with its attorneys repeatedly recognized as Ohio Super Lawyers and AV Preeminent on Martindale-Hubbell.Buckeyes can turn to Koffel | Brininger | Nesbitt for help overcoming accusations of driving under the influence or underage drinking as well as drug crimes, theft, sex crimes, assault, and false Title IX accusations. The firm's attorneys also offer assistance to professionals who need help defending themselves against accusations that compromise their ability to continue practicing in their fields.Koffel | Brininger | Nesbitt is ready to go above and beyond for the sake of its clients. Anyone in need of help navigating Ohio's criminal system canturn to the firm for legal support today .Contact InformationDaniel GanttGeneral Managerdan@ koffellaw.com 614-884-1100SOURCE: Koffel | Brininger | Nesbitt US President Donald Trump expressed dissatisfaction with statements by both sides of the war in Ukraine, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said. The President is working incredibly hard to get a peace deal done between Russia and Ukraine, and he has expressed his displeasure with comments that have been made by leaders of both sides of this conflict. He has expressed what he believes needs to take place in order to see this conflict come to an end. He continues to work very hard on it, and our teams continue to be engaged, Leavitt told reporters after a press conference at the White House. PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-02 17:16:00 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 523 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Former Harris County Felony Prosecutor and U.S. District Court Case Manager Taps AI-Powered Technology to Expand Client Access to Quality Legal RepresentationHOUSTON, TEXAS / ACCESS Newswire / April 2, 2025 / ReferU.AI , a leading legal marketing technology innovator, welcomes Houston-based bilingual criminal defense attorney Ray Vazquezas its latest partner, broadening the platform's mission to connect clients with top-tier legal representation. As a U.S. Marine, former police officer, federal case manager, and felony prosecutor, Vazquez draws on his dynamic background to deliver strong, strategic defenses for individuals facing criminal charges. Ray Vazquez, Houston-Based Criminal Defense Attorney"My time working on hundreds of cases-from juvenile to drug crimes to sexual assault and murder-has shown me how critical it is for clients to have a strong advocate who truly understands the nuances of the criminal and juvenile justice system," says Vazquez. "By teaming up with ReferU.AI , I can extend my reach and ensure that more people get the zealous defense they deserve, without a complicated search for quality representation." A Former Prosecutor and Police Officer Turned Fierce DefenderFrom his days serving as a police officer and federal case manager to his role as a Harris County Prosecutor,Vazquez has seen every angle of the criminal justice system. This breadth of experience shapes his trial strategies and helps him craft formidable defenses for clients facing serious charges.Praise from ReferU.AI " Ray Vazquez personifies the blend of experience and dedication that fuels our mission of delivering smarter results, better representation, and the best outcomes for clients," says Joel Geddis, Founder & CEO of ReferU.AI . "His notable background and firsthand knowledge of law enforcement and prosecution will serve our users well. We're thrilled to welcome him to our platform and believe this partnership will enhance the legal services available to the Houston community." About ReferU.AI ReferU.AI was founded in Houston, TX, by serial entrepreneur and tech leader, Joel Geddis. A certified Delaware for Public Benefit C-Corporation, ReferU.AI pledges a portion of its profits to support victims of child abuse and neglect. The company's mission is to provide "Smarter Results, Better Representation, and The Best Outcomes." About Ray VazquezRay Vazquez is a Houston-based bilingual criminal defense attorney with extensive experience handling federal, state, and juvenile cases. A former Harris County Prosecutor, federal case manager, police officer, and U.S. Marine, Vazquez has unique insight into the criminal justice system and uses that perspective to develop strategic and effective defenses for his clients. He earned his J.D. from South Texas College of Law, where he was on the Dean's List and a Ryan Eaun Memorial Scholarship recipient, after graduating magna cum laude from the University of Houston. Vazquez is admitted to practice in the State Bar of Texas and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas.Ray Vazquez can be reached at (832) 343-8023 (phone, text, or WhatsApp) and via email atray@ rayvazquezlaw.com . In person meetings are done by appointment only. Hablamos espanol.Contact InformationGabriela WhitlockChief of Staffgabriela@ referu.ai (832) 299-4339SOURCE: ReferU.AI , a Public Benefit Corporation PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-02 18:43:04 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 284 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 AUSTIN, TEXAS / ACCESS Newswire / April 2, 2025 / Software Effective Solutions Corp. (OTC PINK:SFWJ), doing business as Medcana, is proud to announce the successful export of its first pharmaceutical-grade CBD crop through its Colombian partner, Anutea S.A.S., marking a significant operational milestone in the company's international expansion strategy.The crop, projected initially to yield 10 kilograms, exceeded expectations by delivering 18 kilograms of premium-quality CBD flower. The shipment was successfully exported to Switzerland, establishing Medcana's capabilities in compliant, international cannabis trade.While the initial revenue from the export is modest at approximately $2,500, the successful completion of the export, validation of supply chain logistics, and confirmed interest from international buyers highlight a strong foundation for future growth. We have demonstrated to the global community that we can successfully produce and export without any issues. Setting the foundation for much larger orders as we complete the buildout of our new 58,000 SQ FT greenhouse."This is a major milestone for Medcana. The export itself proves that our infrastructure, compliance processes, and partnerships are working," said Jose Gabriel Diaz, CEO of Medcana. The fact that we already have buyers lined up confirms that demand is real, and we are well-positioned to scale." This export represents the first of several planned international shipments as Medcana continues to develop its global footprint in the pharmaceutical cannabis market.About Medcana (SFWJ)Software Effective Solutions/Medcana is a U.S.-based public company operating in the international medical cannabis sector. Through its Colombian operations and strategic partnerships, Medcana is focused on the production, research, and global distribution of high-quality pharmaceutical-grade cannabis products.For investor relations or media inquiries, please contact:investors@ medcana.comwww.medcana.comTwitter: @MedcanaCoSOURCE: Software Effective Solutions PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-02 18:47:06 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 474 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 2, 2025 / EVJ, LLC which does business as Storage Durango Blue Diamond, recently disclosed that it suffered a data breach that compromised the sensitive personal and protected health data of individuals. This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive personal and protected health information entrusted to Storage Durango.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On August 31, 2024, Storage Durango became aware of a security incident on its internal systems. Upon detection, Storage Durango launched an investigation with the assistance of third-party cyber security experts to determine the nature and scope of the incident. The investigation determined that an unauthorized third party gained access to systems containing personal information between August 8 and August 31, 2024. Storage Durango conducted a comprehensive review of the impacted data to determine what information was compromised and identified affected individuals. On March 25, 2025, Storage Durango identified persons whose sensitive data was included in the impacted data.Upon information and belief, the following types of sensitive personal and protected health information may have been compromised: name, Social Security number, driver's license or state identification number, financial account number, and health insurance policy number. On March 25, 2025, Storage Durango filed a notice with the Vermont Attorney General and started sending out notice letters to the impacted individuals. Compensation may be available for those individuals who received notice that their personal information was compromised.WHY YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION?Data breaches are serious matters that can cause long-term damage. Hackers may use stolen information to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or other crimes. Companies that fail to secure your personal data may be held liable for the resulting harm.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you received a data breach notification letter from Storage Durango, you are likely affected. Follow the link below to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.Levi Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected individuals are entitled to compensation. If you have received a notice about the data breach, you may be entitled to compensation. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out:Levi & Korsinsky is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of over 70 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. The firm is a 100% contingency firm - we don't get paid unless you get paid! Please visit us at www.zlk.com for more information. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 17th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-02 21:00:31 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 570 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Top Four Conveyor Car Wash Opens Brand-New Orlando, FL and Delaware, OH LocationsTHOMASTON, GEORGIA / ACCESS Newswire / April 2, 2025 / Tidal Wave Auto Spa, one of the nation's fastest-growing express car wash companies, is proud to announce the grand opening of two brand-new locations this week inOrlando, FLandDelaware, OH . Tidal Wave Auto Spa Blue Oval LogoTo celebrate the grand openings, Tidal Wave's brand-newOrlandoandDelawarelocations will offer eight days of free premium car washes April 2 through April 9. This limited-time promotion provides an opportunity for car owners to experience Tidal Wave's premium wash option,Graph-X4 , at no cost. Additionally, any new customer that joins a Tidal WaveClean Clubunlimited wash membership during Grand Opening week will enjoy their first month of unlimited washes for only $9.97 - saving up to $40."We're thrilled to continue our growth in Florida and Ohio this week," said CEO and founder Scott Blackstock. "Tidal Wave is new to the Orlando and Delaware markets, and our teams are looking forward to introducing our exceptional car wash experience to folks in both communities. Our goal is to make car care easy, efficient, and enjoyable for every customer, and these brand-new washes are built with industry-leading car wash technology to deliver the ultimate clean for years to come." Orlando, FL Location : 12901 Deertrace Avenue, Orlando, FL 32837Delaware, OH Location : 1075 Sky View Lane, Delaware, OH 43015Tidal Wave proudly serves customers at292 express wash locationsacross the United States, includingtwenty-four Florida locationsandtwo Ohio locations . The company will continue to expand its footprint in both states in the coming months with brand-new express washes opening inKissimmee, FL ,Mason, OH ,Spring Hill, FL ,Brandon, FL , and more in the coming months.Tidal Wave Auto Spais committed to providing every customer with an exceptional car wash experience through industry-leading car care technology, clean and attractive locations, and friendly customer service at every location. Stop by for a single wash or joinTidal Wave's Clean Clubfor the ultimate experience. Members can wash every day of the month for one convenient monthly payment and save time with exclusive club member wash lanes - plus, memberships can be used at any Tidal Wave location. For those needing to wash multiple cars, Tidal Wave offers discounted monthly family plans andfleet plansfor businesses with five or more vehicles.For additional information, including upcoming openings, fundraising, fleet plans, and more, please visit: https://www.tidalwaveautospa.com/ About Tidal Wave Auto SpaTidal Wave Auto Spa was founded over 20 years ago in Thomaston, GA by husband and wife, Scott and Hope Blackstock. What started as a small-town self-service car wash business, evolved into the first conveyor car wash open in Georgia, and is now the fourth-largest conveyor car wash company in the nation with 292 locations sprawling 30 states. Tidal Wave is committed to providing every customer an exceptional car wash experience through industry-leading car care technology, clean and attractive locations, and outstanding customer service. In 2020, the company partnered with Golden Gate Capital to facilitate their accelerated growth and has been included in the Inc. 5000 list of America's Fastest Growing Companies for the past five years. Tidal Wave has continuously strived to make a positive impact in the communities they serve, and has raised over $3 million dollars for local programs, service organizations, and non-profit organizations through the company's fundraising program and annual philanthropic Charity Day event.Contact InformationHeather ColemanMarketing Managermedia@ tidalwaveautospa.com Andrea TraylorSenior Director of Digital Marketingandrea.traylor@tidalwaveautospa.com 2058212220SOURCE: Tidal Wave Auto Spa PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-02 23:05:29 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 462 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 HOUSTON, TEXAS / ACCESS Newswire / April 2, 2025 / Trust Guss Injury Lawyers, a leading personal injury law firm based in Houston, is providing crucial advice to individuals involved in car accidents who need to file claims withState Farm Insurance . While State Farm presents itself as a friendly, neighborly insurance provider, policyholders often encounter challenges when pursuing coverage for their losses. The firm's goal is to equip accident victims with the knowledge necessary to navigate their claims effectively. Stewart J. Guss, Injury Accident LawyersKey Recommendations from Trust Guss Injury Lawyers:Avoid Recorded Statements: State Farm representatives may request recorded statements that can be used to challenge your claim. It's advisable to consult with an attorney before providing any such statements. Gather Comprehensive Evidence: Thoroughly document the accident scene, including photographs, witness information, and detailed notes. This evidence is vital in supporting your claim. Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Prompt medical evaluation ensures your well-being and provides necessary documentation of injuries related to the accident. Consult with Legal Professionals: Engaging an experienced personal injury attorney can significantly enhance your ability to navigate the claims process and negotiate effectively with State Farm. How Trust Guss Injury Lawyers Can Assist:Navigating the claims process with State Farm can be daunting. Trust Guss Injury Lawyers offer comprehensive assistance to alleviate this burden:Thorough Case Evaluation: The firm conducts detailed assessments to determine the full extent of damages and appropriate compensation. Evidence Collection: Attorneys assist in gathering and preserving critical evidence, including accident reports, medical records, and witness statements, to build a robust claim. Negotiation with State Farm: Leveraging extensive experience, the legal team negotiates assertively with State Farm adjusters to counteract tactics aimed at minimizing payouts. Litigation Support: If a fair settlement cannot be reached, the firm is prepared to represent clients in court to pursue the justice they deserve. "We spend absolutely every moment of every workday looking to protect the legal interests of our clients and move their cases forward. More than that, a 'client first' approach means ensuring we treat our clients the way we would like to be treated," said Stewart J. Guss, founder of the firm.Learn More:For more detailed information on handling State Farm insurance claims after a car accident, visit the firm's blog post:State Farm Insurance ClaimsAbout Trust Guss Injury Lawyers:Trust Guss Injury Lawyers is a Houston-based personal injury law firm dedicated to advocating for the rights of accident victims. With a team of experienced attorneys, the firm focuses on navigating complex insurance claims and securing favorable outcomes for clients.Contact:Trust Guss Injury Lawyers12777 Jones Rd #297Houston, TX 77070Phone: 888-298-4070Email: info@ attorneyguss.com Website: https://attorneyguss.com/ Contact InformationStewart GussInjury Accident Lawyerinfo@ attorneyguss.com 888-298-4070SOURCE: Stewart J. Guss, Injury Accident Lawyers PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-02 14:01:05 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 372 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 CARY, NORTH CAROLINA / ACCESS Newswire / April 2, 2025 / Yunu, creator of the industry's first end-to-end clinical trial imaging workflow platform supporting sites, CROs and pharma, was proud to sponsor the 2025 HCI Frontiers Symposium's NextGen Scientist Awards. This premier event, hosted by the Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI), occurred from February 17-19, 2025, in Salt Lake City, Utah. The symposium explored groundbreaking models in cancer care, screening, risk identification, diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship.As a pioneer in clinical trial imaging, Yunu is transforming the way pharmaceutical trial sponsors and cancer center sites conduct research. Yunu's mature and scalable cloud-based platform streamlines imaging workflows, enhances data accuracy, and accelerates decision-making in oncology trials, ensuring that promising treatments reach patients faster. Yunu's commitment to innovation directly supports the next generation of cancer therapies, making trials more accessible, efficient, and impactful.This year's award recipients, Abby Sartar and Mmadili Ilozumba, were selected for their significant contributions to advancing cancer research and care. Their pioneering work exemplifies the spirit of innovation that is shaping the future of patient-centered treatment.Dr. Abby Sartor's outstanding work examined how state legislation impacts access to biomarker testing for patients with gynecologic cancers. Her research brings insights into policy-driven disparities and opportunities for more equitable care.Dr. Mmadili Ilozumba's groundbreaking research focused on cancer disparities and treatment outcomes. Her work provides valuable insights that move us closer to addressing cancer treatment and survivorship inequities.The Huntsman Cancer Institute, a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, is renowned for its groundbreaking work in understanding cancer at its origins and developing targeted therapies that improve patient care. As one of Yunu's valued customers, Huntsman's dedication to innovation aligns closely with Yunu's mission to transform imaging in clinical trials with cutting edge technology, ensuring that breakthrough therapies are accessible to everyone.About Yunu: Yunu provides innovative imaging workflow and data management solutions designed to optimize clinical trial processes. By integrating advanced technologies, Yunu enables life sciences organizations to streamline imaging workflows, improve accuracy, and accelerate timelines. Yunu's platform supports clinical trials across various therapeutic areas, offering scalability and flexibility for organizations of all sizes. For more information, visit yunu.io and follow us on LinkedIn or X @Yunu_Inc.Contact InformationLindsay FlemingChief Marketing Officerpress@ yunu.io SOURCE: Yunu A Consultant Dermatologist, Folakemi Cole-Adeife, says licking lips often can cause dry, cracked and peeled lips, known as Lip Lickers Dermatitis (LLD). Ms Cole-Adeife, a consultant doctor at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday. According to her, LLD is a type of skin inflammation around the lips which happens when people lick their lips often. The saliva actually irritates the skin because it is meant to be inside the mouth and not on the lips. And so, saliva irritates the skin because it is a bit alkaline and can cause dysfunction of the skin barrier when you are constantly licking your lips, that is, on the lips and around the lips. People who lick their lips a lot tend to have this type of inflammation with dry, cracked or peeled lips quite often, she said. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Ms Cole-Adeife recommended breaking of the habit of licking ones lips as part of the measures to check LLD. She also suggested chewing gum as an alternative and applying a good emollient, like Vaseline, to keep the lips moisturised. The dermatologist said some people might experience dry and cracked lips due to reactions from toothpaste, lipsticks or other products they frequently apply to their lips. READ ALSO: How Nigeria can become more inclusive for people living with Autism For women in particular, look through your lipsticks and make sure they are not an allergic reaction. And finally, even being dehydrated can lead you to have dry, peeled lips. You need to stay hydrated and moisturise your lips frequently. You can use Vaseline once in a while or hyaluronic acid containing cream to help pump up your lips, particularly at night. And if you want to get a lip balm, make sure it contains sunscreen because you need to protect your lips from excessive exposure to sun, she said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The desertion of soldiers to fight in Ukraine weakens the operational capacity of several African militaries and the stability of the affected countries. Cameroons government recently highlighted the trend which, although not new, has intensified since Russia invaded Ukraine. A 7 March statement by Cameroons Defence Minister Joseph Beti Assomo sheds light on the illicit involvement of the countrys troops in the Ukraine war. A minority of deserters are foreign volunteers who fight for Ukraine, while most are [Vladimir] Putins Tirailleurs (riflemen) who have signed up with Russia. While no official statistics exist on desertion rates, the situation is concerning for a country grappling with threats from Boko Haram in the north, Central African Republic rebels in the east, maritime piracy along the coast, and the Anglophone crisis in the west. Cameroons desertions started in the late 2010s when many elite unit soldiers began leaving for Dubai, lured by lucrative offers to protect wealthy Emiratis. In 2018, indications were that between 300 and 800 soldiers had deserted. By 2020, the media reported that 637 soldiers faced dismissal due to desertion. In response, the defence minister temporarily suspended overseas missions for the military. The Ukraine conflict presents another opportunity for Cameroonian soldiers seeking better prospects. What distinguishes this wave of desertions is that soldiers are abandoning their posts to join a high-intensity warzone. Using local networks of recruiters, Russia has attracted numerous Cameroonian soldiers. Some interviewed by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) reported monthly salaries of XAF 1.2 million ($1,976) to XAF 1.5 million ($2,79), with specialists receiving at least XAF 2 million ($3,294). Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later These figures align with British military intelligence reports, which note a $2,000 sign-on bonus, a $2,200 monthly salary, and the promise of a Russian passport. Various sources mentioned life insurance for families in the event of a soldiers death during operations. These desertions are an unexpected consequence of the professionalisation of Cameroons army, a process initiated by a series of decrees in 2001. With the shift from conscription to a professional army, soldiers no longer serve out of pure devotion to their country. Instead, they see their military role as a livelihood, as described by renowned French sociologist and philosopher Augustin Hamon. This has transformed the Cameroonian military into a skilled workforce. Soldiers possess valuable technical knowledge and a strong reputation built on their experience in combatting terrorism, maritime piracy and other emerging security threats. Professionalising the military means Cameroonian soldiers no longer need to pursue a lifelong career in the armed forces. Contracts now last three years for enlisted personnel and 10 years for officers. However, most soldiers are automatically re-enlisted. Many are unaware of these regulations, a senior Cameroonian army officer told ISS. Desertions especially to the Russia-Ukraine war can also be financially motivated. The salary gap between Russian and Cameroonian soldiers (and those in Africa more generally) can be huge. A second-class Cameroonian privates basic monthly salary is XAF 51,880 ($85) after the first two years of service. When deployed in active zones, soldiers receive an additional monthly risk and food allowance of XAF 90,000 ($148). Yet Russia, for example, offers the equivalent of at least $2,000 monthly for those deployed on the front line. One officer interviewed by ISS described these offers as a golden suffering. Aside from financial issues, soldiers have expressed concerns about their heavy workload in Cameroon. Military duties have become increasingly perilous, characterised by heightened exposure to danger and a surge in commitments. Many new recruits are reconsidering their options amid these pressures. Desertions by Cameroonian soldiers to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war reflect the broader brain drain affecting the country, with numerous healthcare workers and teachers also seeking opportunities abroad. Between January and May 2024, the International Organiaation for Migration recorded 7,448 Cameroonian regular migrants, of whom 6,099 went to Canada and 971 to the United Kingdom. This has become a concern for the Cameroonian Employers Council and President Paul Biya. The exodus worsens the Cameroonian armys recruitment struggles. As its military commitments increase, the army faces an alarming desertion rate among new recruits. Such departures weaken its operational capacity and disrupt unit coherence, leading to a loss of expertise and interpersonal skills. Some key figures in units have left, battalion commanders told ISS. What troubles Cameroonian authorities most is the fate of deserting soldiers. While some officers speculate about the possibility of a future Russian Africa Corps composed of black soldiers, others worry about the risk associated with the return of deserters. Having gained combat experience in Ukraine, they could use their operational skills and high-intensity combat abilities against Cameroons security interests. To address the problem, Cameroons Defence Minister has called for stricter oversight of defence and security personnel. This includes taking appropriate action against deserters, including dismissal from service and prosecution. Regulations for military personnel wishing to leave the country have also been tightened; they must now seek authorisation directly from the minister. READ ALSO: Two Cameroonian journalists attacked while reporting on businessman praised by president Beyond these immediate measures, Cameroons army should adopt a loyalty strategy to increase the tenure of essential and specialised soldiers. Greater emphasis should also be placed on helping soldiers transition to second careers. Simultaneously, the Army Chief of Staff ought to create better conditions to alleviate the pressure on the front lines in the countrys Far North, East, coastal and Anglophone regions. Despite advancements, troop rotations in these areas remain insufficient for certain units. It is also crucial to tackle the sensitive issue of salary increases in a country where military personnel already earn more than civilians. This could involve enhancing compensation packages and properly implementing the beneficial measures announced by the president during the armys 50th anniversary. These included emergency housing for active soldiers and enhanced medical care provisions. Raoul Sumo Tayo, Senior Researcher, ENACT Central Africa Organised Crime Observatory, Institute for Security Studies (ISS) (This article was first published by ISS Today, a Premium Times syndication partner. We have their permission to republish). Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Ibilola Amao is the Principal Consultant at Lonadek Global Services. In this interview with PREMIUM TIMES, Mrs Amao shares her journey, challenges as a woman in leadership, and commitment to empowering the next generation of women in STEM and beyond. PT: Can you tell us about your professional journey and how you became a CEO? Mrs Amao: I am a Civil & Structural Engineer with a Ph.D. in Computer-Aided Design and Drafting (CADD). After training with Babie, Shaw & Morton Consulting Engineers in the UK, I returned to Nigeria for my NYSC and, by coincidence, set up Lonadek. I am a Chartered Engineer with core expertise in Engineering Technology, Asset Performance Improvement, and Information Management. I am a Fellow of the Energy Institute UK, Academy of Engineering, Institute of Directors, Nigerian Society of Engineers, and an Honorary Fellow of my alma mater, Queen Mary University of London. At Lonadek, we have consistently worked to solve societal problems, bridge gaps, and create value. Over the past 33 years, I have worked with incredible talent while leading a consulting company that serves the Energy, Power, Infrastructure, Mining, Manufacturing, Oil & Gas, and Renewable industries. PT: In your opinion, how do women leaders inspire and empower others around them, especially other women? Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Mrs Amao: Selfless women lift others up and pay it forward. Understanding that you represent a gender and a community is a powerful motivator to commit to developing other women. PT: What do you think is unique about women in leadership roles compared to men? Mrs Amao: Women have the natural ability to multitask, which is an incredible strategic advantage. Additionally, when we set our sights and hearts on something, we are unstoppable. PT: What challenges did you face as a woman in your industry, and how did you overcome them? Mrs Amao: I have faced gender and cultural discrimination multiple times, but these experiences have only strengthened my resolve to make the world a better place for the next generation of women. Rejection and discrimination have helped me develop a thick skin. I am an optimist who believes that every cloud has a silver lining. I focus on converting every problem, issue, or challenge into a success story and forging ahead, no matter what life throws at me. PT: Can you share one of the most rewarding moments in your career that solidified your passion for leadership? Mrs Amao: One unforgettable moment was bumping into a gentleman, now a high-powered executive, at an airport in London. He introduced me to his family as the woman who encouraged him to excel in whatever he does. Another moment was when I went to great lengths to find the email address of the Managing Director of a company doing great things. Minutes after I sent my email, he called me and revealed that he had been an intern/SIWES trainee under me over twenty years ago. PT: What advice would you give to young Nigerian women aspiring to become leaders in their fields? Mrs Amao: Be focused, have a learning spirit, stay humble, and remain teachable. Keep an open mind, stop competing with others, and focus on becoming the best version of yourself. Step out of your comfort zone regularly. READ ALSO: How Nigeria can become more inclusive for people living with Autism PT: How do you balance the demands of being a CEO with other aspects of your personal life? Mrs Amao: I lean on a formidable support system that I have built over the years. My family and siblings are at the core of who I am. I am not impressed by titles or accomplishments. I stay focused on my God-directed purpose and refuse to be distracted by my past. PT: This years International Womens Day theme is Accelerate Action. What does this theme mean to you and how does it reflect your leadership approach? Mrs Amao: Move faster and more strategically for increased impact! Step up efficiency, improve performance, and maximise opportunities. This interview was conducted in partnership with Women in Management, Business, and Public Service (WIMBIZ), a Nigerian non-profit organisation committed to advancing and empowering women in leadership. Mrs Amao is also a member of WIMBIZ. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday sacked the board of the state-oil firm, NNPC, including its Group Chief Executive Officer (GCED), Mele Kyari and board chairperson Pius Akinyelure. The president also approved Bayo Bashir Ojulari as the new GCEO of the NNPC. Mr Ojulari is an energy expert who describes himself as a business leader with a proven track record in the global energy sector. According to his LinkedIn profile, he worked full-time at global oil giant, Shell, for over 24 years, rising to become the Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) in November 2015, a position he held until July 2021. His LinkedIn profile shows that he first joined Shell in November 1991 as an Associate Production Technologist at Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), after he left Elf Petroleum Nigeria as a Fields and Process Engineer. He worked at Elf as a fresh graduate from September 1989 to October 1991. Mr Ojulari joined Elf after graduating from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he studied Mechanical Engineering between 1985 and 1989. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later After joining Shell in 1991, he rose to become a member of the Integrated Studies Team at Shell headquarters in the Netherlands in June 1994, a position he held till October 1995. Between April 1997 and November 1999, he was the Head Planning Economics and Budgeting at SPDC Nigeria, from where he rose to become the Asset Leader and Head Production Technologist at Shell in Oman from December 1999 to September 2003. He became the Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Planner at Shell headquarters in October 2003 and held the position till December 2004. From January 2005 to October 2008, he was the Manager, Corporate Planning and Strategy at SPDC Nigeria during which time he also briefly held the position of Asset Production Technologist from November 2006 to March 2007. At Shell, he remained in Nigeria from then on, becoming the Manager, Asset Development (Onshore and Shallow Water) SPDC Nigeria from October 2008 to October 2010. From January 2010 to October 2015, he was the Development Director at SPDC Nigeria, after which he rose to become the Managing Director of SNEPCo from November 2015 to July 2021 when he left the company. He established the BAT Advisory and Energy Company Nigeria Ltd in September 2021 and served as its board chairman. One of the main tasks of the company was to provide consultancy services to firms in the oil and gas/energy sector. He was appointed the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Renaissance Africa Energy Company in January 2024, a position he held until his new appointment as NNPC chief. He only announced his appointment at Renaissance Africa on LinkedIn about a week ago, saying, Its been a while since I started my role at Renaissance Africa Energy Company as a Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Office, but I wanted to share this update with everyone. He joined Renaissance at a time when the company was concluding its purchase of a Shell asset in Nigeria. Renaissance now controls SPDCs 30% stake in the SPDC JV, an unincorporated joint venture with the government-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (55%), Total Exploration and Production Nigeria Ltd (10%) and Agip Energy and Natural Resources (Nigeria) Limited (5%), Shell announced. Mr Ojulari will now head the NNPC, Nigerias main oil and gas firm, which has been dogged with allegations of corruption and inefficiency for decades. He also joins the NNPC at a time when his former firm, Shell, announced its divestment from some of its Nigerian operations, especially onshore operations in the oil-rich Niger Delta. The oil and gas expert will now be expected to bring his experience into running the NNPC. President Tinubu also handed out an immediate action plan to the new board: to conduct a strategic portfolio review of NNPC-operated and Joint Venture Assets to ensure alignment with value maximisation objectives, presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga wrote in a Wednesday statement announcing the new appointments. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hopes that US President Donald Trump will increase sanctions pressure on the Russian side due to its strikes on Ukrainian energy facilities. "I believe that we have reached the point of increasing the sanctions impact, because I believe that the Russians are violating what they promised America. At least what America told us publicly ... We very much hope that President Trump, he has all these relevant instruments to strengthen the sanctions disk on the Russian side," Zelenskyy told reporters during a meeting with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock. He added that monitoring the implementation of certain agreements is important here, but there is no monitoring process at a high level. The President noted that Ukraine almost daily transmits information to the USA at the level of various institutions about Russia's violation of agreements on strikes against energy. "It is very important for us that there are strong steps. Words are not enough for us, with all due respect to our strategic partners. Sanctions are very important for us, because what we talked about with America, we are doing. What Russia agreed with America, they are not doing," the president emphasized. According to him, Ukraine expects at least sanctions from the United States. "And then, if each of our parties keeps its promises and puts pressure on Russia by fulfilling its promises, then we will really be able to have a fair peace this year," Zelenskyy said. US President Donald Trump said in a phone call with NBC News on Sunday, March 31, that if Russia fails to bring an agreement to end the bloodshed in Ukraine, the USA will impose secondary tariffs on all oil coming from Russia. On Wednesday, President Tinubu embarked on his fifth trip to France since taking office. The Presidency described the trip as a working visit and is expected to last for two weeks. Since his inauguration, the president has undertaken at least 25 international trips, often labelled as official or private, aimed at strengthening Nigerias bilateral relations with other countries. However, there have been reports indicating that some of the trips were undertaken for medical reasons. He has been reported to take undisclosed health trips to Western countries, including France. These reports often trigger public reaction, with citizens criticising the government for failing to develop the countrys health system, while its officials embark on international trips for medical care. The trips are viewed as a continuation of the medical visits he undertook before assuming office. An Africa Reports news publication previously indicated that, shortly before his inauguration, the 73-year-old travelled to the American Hospital of Paris in Neuilly-sur-Seine for a medical checkup. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later However, the Presidency has yet to respond to any of Mr Tinubus acclaimed medical trips. Reason for new France trip Meanwhile, in a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, on Wednesday, the presidents latest trip is a working trip for him to review the administrations mid-term performance. The statement said the trip was a time for the president to reflect on ongoing reforms and key national development priorities for the year ahead. He will also use the retreat to review the progress of ongoing reforms and engage in strategic planning ahead of his administrations second anniversary, the statement read in part. President Tinubu will also be meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron during this trip. Both parties had earlier met in February during President Tinubus previous visit to the country. The trip was taken ahead of the African Union Summit and was tagged a private visit. A few months earlier, Mr Tinubu flew to France for a three-day state visit, which, according to the Presidency, was aimed at strengthening Nigerias relations with the country. The president paid other private visits to the country earlier in August and January 2024. Also in 2023, a few weeks after his assumption of office, President Tinubu embarked on his first international trip to France for the New Global Financial Pact Summit. So far, President Tinubu has embarked on five publicly declared trips to the country: four private visits and one state visit. Previous trips to other countries Aside from France, he has also embarked on several other foreign trips. Some of them have been for official engagements such as international summits, high-level diplomatic meetings, and multilateral conferences. For instance, he travelled to Guinea-Bissau in July 2023 for the 63rd Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government. At the summit, he was elected as the new Chairman of ECOWAS, succeeding President Umaro Sissoco Embalo of Guinea-Bissau. He also took a trip to India to attend the G-20 Leaders Summit in September 2023. Shortly after, he travelled to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), where he met with the President, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to resolve the visa ban on Nigeria and discuss other bilateral relations. In April 2024, President Tinubu embarked on an official visit to the Netherlands to strengthen bilateral relationships and explore potential avenues for collaboration. After his time in the Netherlands, he traveled to Saudi Arabia to participate in the 2024 Special World Economic Forum (WEF), which focused on global cooperation, growth, and energy-driven development. Sunday Dare, President Bola Tinubus Special Adviser on Public Communication and Orientation, previously told PREMIUM TIMES that some of the presidents trips were international engagements already scheduled on the global calendar. He also noted that some of the trips aimed to ensure that the president interacted and built relationships with other leaders. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Again, different reports dominated newspaper headlines today. While some reported developments around Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghans sexual harassment allegation against the Senate President, others reported on the murder in the Uromi community in Edo State and the leaked Tribunal judgement. According to First News, Leaked Edo tribunal judgment sparks uproar ahead of verdict. Vanguard also reported, Killings: Uromi on lockdown by security operatives. Meanwhile, Punch reported, Akpabio, Ododo tackle Natasha over assassination claim. Vanguard wrote, Killings: Uromi on lockdown by security operatives. Midnight Shocker! Tinubus Tsunami Sacks Mele Kyari As NNPC Ltd GCEO, The Matrix reported. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later It also wrote that Natashas Homecoming: Suspended Senator, Kogi Govt Trade Tackles. Insecurity: Mobilise to defend yourselves against terrorists DSS Chief urges Nigerians, Liberty newspaper reported. Fear grips businesses as US trade war escalates, Leadership reported. We thank Abiola Ayankunbi, a media management expert, for providing screenshots of the newspapers front pages. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Three officials of the Lagos State House of Assembly have issued formal apologies to the State Security Services (SSS) following their assault on personnel of the service in March. The officials, Ibrahim Olarenwaju, a public affairs officer, Adetola Oluwatosin and Adetu Adekunle, both working with Sergeant-at-Arms, had an altercation with the SSS operatives during a period of heightened security resulting from a recent leadership crisis that rocked the assembly. The SSS, also known as DSS, arrested and filed charges against the officials after reviewing CCTV footage on the premises. The apology Three weeks after their arrest, the officials separately wrote apology letters to the SSS Director General, Adeola Ajayi, through the State Director of Security, Lagos State Command. They pledged to maintain good conduct and refrain from any future actions against SSS personnel. In his letter, one of the officials, Mr Olarenwaju, said he tendered an unreserved apology to the service for any act or omission that I might have caused your distinguished office (DSS) and personnel in the course of my duty at the hallowed chamber of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Alausa, on the 27th day of February, 2025. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later PREMIUM TIMES reported that security agents positioned themselves at the Assembly complex on 3 March as lawmakers prepared to hold a plenary session that day. These security agents, including officers of the SSS Lagos Command, were invited by the Assembly, according to a 14 February letter signed by acting clerk, Babatunde Ottun. Their invitation came amidst the leadership tussle that rocked the Assembly. Mr Ottun said the letter referenced LSHA/FAD/0/7554/323, requested security reinforcement from 15 February till further notice. Meanwhile, some lawmakers who were at the complex that day alleged that the SSS invaded the Assembly and prevented access to the offices of the speaker, her deputy and the acting clerk. Many media houses amplified the lawmakers claim. However, the SSS said it wrote to them to tender apologies Upon realising their error, several media organisations, including AIT, Channels TV, The Punch, Blueprint, Tribune, The Guardian, among others, retracted the stories and apologised to the DSS, the service said in a statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES. It is uncertain if Lagos Television (LTV), which the DSS also wrote to apologise, has complied, prompting fears of an impending lawsuit by the secret police. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart for Paris, France, today on a short working visit. During the visit, the president will appraise his administrations mid-term performance and assess key milestones. He will also use the retreat to review the progress of ongoing reforms and engage in strategic planning ahead of his administrations second anniversary. This period of reflection will inform plans to deepen ongoing reforms and accelerate national development priorities in the coming year. Recent economic strides reinforce the presidents commitment to these efforts, as evidenced by the Central Bank of Nigeria reporting a significant increase in net foreign exchange reserves to $23.11 billiona testament to the administrations fiscal reforms since 2023 when net reserves were $3.99 billion. While away, President Tinubu will remain fully engaged with his team and continue to oversee governance activities. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later He will return to Nigeria in about a fortnight. Bayo Onanuga Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Neurodivergence encompasses neurological differences such as autism, ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), dyslexia, dyspraxia, and other cognitive variations that affect how individuals think, learn, and perceive the world. While this concept has gained global attention, it remains underexplored and misunderstood in many parts of Nigeria. In a society shaped by cultural and religious beliefs, social expectations, and traditional practices, understanding neurodivergence presents unique challenges and opportunities for growth. Autism in Children, Young People, and Adults Using the DSM-5 Classification of Diseases, the diagnostic criteria for autism require the following: Criteria A: Persistent deficits in social-emotional reciprocity, including abnormal social approaches, inability to engage in reciprocal conversations, reduced sharing of interests or emotions, and failure to initiate or respond to social interactions. Individuals with autism also exhibit difficulties in nonverbal communication, including poorly integrated verbal and nonverbal cues, limited eye contact, reduced use of gestures, and challenges in interpreting others emotions, body language, and gestures. Additionally, they may struggle to develop and maintain relationships, adjust behaviour to social contexts, engage in imaginative play (in children), or show interest in peers. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Criteria B: Restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviour, interests, or activities, as evidenced by at least two of the following (current or historical): Stereotyped motor movements (e.g., stimming, hand-flapping). Repetitive use of objects (e.g., lining up toys, echolalia, idiosyncratic phrases). Rigid adherence to routines, rituals, or inflexible thinking (e.g., distress over minor changes, ritualised greetings, insistence on sameness). Highly fixated interests (e.g., intense focus on unusual objects). Hyper- or hypo-reactivity to sensory input (e.g., indifference to pain, adverse reactions to sounds/textures, visual fascination with lights/movement). Criteria C: Symptoms must emerge in early development, though they may not fully manifest until social demands exceed coping capacities or may be masked by learned strategies later in life. Criteria D: Symptoms cause clinically significant impairment in one or more of the following key areas of functioning: social, occupational, or other areas. Criteria E: Symptoms are not better explained by intellectual disability or global developmental delay, although co-occurrence is possible. For comorbid cases, social communication deficits must exceed those expected for the individuals developmental level. Neurodivergence in the Nigerian Context In Nigeria, conversations about neurodivergence are often hindered by stigma, misinformation, and limited healthcare access. Neurodivergent conditions are frequently misattributed to spiritual causes, leading families to seek traditional or religious interventions over evidence-based support. Cultural perceptions may dismiss autistic or ADHD traits as naughtiness or laziness, while parents face blame or pressure to pursue deliverance rituals, exacerbating guilt and isolation. Neurodivergence is not a disease but a natural neurological variation. Challenges Faced by Neurodivergent Children in Nigeria Limited Access to Diagnosis and Support: Many caregivers lack awareness of neurodivergent traits, and diagnostic services are scarce or costly, leading to underdiagnosis or misdiagnosis. Educational Barriers: Schools cater to neurotypical learners, with few accommodations. Teachers often lack training to support neurodivergent students, contributing to academic struggles and dropout rates. Social Stigma: Neurodivergent children face marginalisation and bullying while families endure societal judgment, fostering isolation and reluctance to seek help. Economic Constraints: The costs of therapies, specialised education, and healthcare are prohibitive for many families, particularly those living in poverty. Opportunities for Progress Awareness Campaigns: NGOs and advocacy groups use social media and community programmes to reduce stigma and promote acceptance. Educator Training: Inclusive education training can equip teachers to address diverse learning needs. Policy Implementation: Government policies on inclusive education and disability rights require stronger enforcement. Community Support: Parent networks and support groups can combat misconceptions and provide practical guidance. Conclusion Addressing neurodivergence in Nigeria demands a culturally sensitive approach that balances systemic reform with societal education. By expanding awareness, improving diagnostic access, and fostering inclusivity, Nigeria can empower neurodivergent children to thrive. This shift will not only enhance individual well-being but also enrich society by embracing neurological diversity. Profile: Ini Okonna is a Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist with 15.5 years of experience across the NHS and private sectors. Her expertise includes leading multidisciplinary teams, conducting neurodevelopmental assessments (ASD/ADHD), and managing complex mental health presentations. In her NHS role, she oversees county-wide duty rotas, conducts Mental Health Act assessments for hospitalised adolescents, and utilises diagnostic tools such as the 3Di, ADI-R, Young DIVA, ACE, QB Test, and ADOS. Beyond neurodevelopmental disorders, she diagnoses and treats mood disorders, anxiety, psychosis, eating disorders, and intellectual disabilities. She currently provides psychiatric support for a private residential school serving youth with intellectual disabilities and comorbid physical/mental health conditions. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print I recognise the vanity of attempting to pay homage to this historian in the limited space availed here. His stature, acquired over a lifetime, is, after all, too much of an overwhelm to scrutinise in short passages. So, it must suffice that I only constrain myself to minimalism, leaving unsaid the many milestones that Lovejoy has shown to be humanly possible. On Thursday, 3 April, The Harriet Tubman Institute and the Department of History, York University, Canada, will host a book launch and retirement celebration for Professor Paul Lovejoy. We cannot thank Professor Damilola Adebayo enough for the initiative and organisation that made this possible. It is not often that one is privileged to encounter thoroughness. A more probable experience is interaction with the average from the vast majority. This thought acquires even deeper nuance when the unsparing completeness referenced here is politically contradictory to the interests of the social group one represents. In this sense, I perceive Paul Lovejoy as a distinguished researcher and highly decorated member of the academia at Canadas York University. Were he not so prolific, with a tally of more than forty books and over a hundred and fifty other contributions to African historical literature, perhaps it would not be much of a problem. Yet, Lovejoy has indulged his intellect in unraveling intimate facets of the continents history. He has, if anything, broadened the field of study, refining the discourse to include more than the everyday retelling of cultures, peoples, and places in the cradle of humanity but also the whys governing these elements. His catalogue contains seminal works on African economic history, slavery, religion, and politics. I have discussed previously the intricate analyses presented by the professor in his inquiry into topical concerns in Africa. Another notable impact he has made in his development of pathways and systems for further enlightening research, executed this time by scholars equipped with the necessary expertise and buoyed by critical oversight. Through the journal, African Economic History, Lovejoy expressed his intense affection for conducting and scrutinising research into Africa through a co-editorship that lasted 21 years and a collaboration that goes back to the journals inception. For context, African Economic History, leans strongly into exploring multi-tiered perspectives on Africas socioeconomic development. It inquires into the design of local economies before the advent of colonialism, the transformations that occurred as the region was sectioned off into parcels of colonial territory, and contemporary evolutions in the decades that have succeeded those years. I find in the journals linguistic mediums Portuguese, French, and English not only a focus on accessibility but also a reminder of the vestiges of colonialism. Put differently, they are languages of the conqueror and their subjects the latter able to recognise his historical persona and the former unable to deny his injustices. Further proof of the manners in which Lovejoy has pursued convergence or non-discriminatory conversations on Africa is also found in his role at the Harriet Tubman Institute for Research on Africa and its Diasporas at York University. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later For one, the Institute leverages the inputs of scholars from across disciplines that an ordinary observer would not consider as being at an immediate intersection with history. Its leadership since Lovejoys time as founding director has featured thinkers wearing various hats in different studies. Its current director, for example, is an economist, feminist, and a woman of colour. This cocktail of identities empowers its membership with unique research focused on investigating Africas present and past. Notably, the organisation reaches beyond the physical geographical limits of the continent to the diaspora, where new networks have informed social, cultural, and spiritual spaces of people of African descent. Illuminating this intent is its initial name, the Harriet Tubman Institute for Research on the Global Migrations of African Peoples. It prosecutes its objectives through the HTI Journal of African and African Diasporic Studies (JAADS), student engagement programmes, and other mediums. Mr Lovejoys voracious occupation in inventing critical structures to pursue self-sustaining research has seen him collect memberships in leading world projects on African history. He has worked with UNESCO as an editor, received the recognition of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada through different grants, imprinted his name on several prestigious awards, and created in his wake a towering standard for inquiry into not just African history, but history as a subject in entirety. From a subject matter angle, Lovejoys oeuvre touches extensively on slavery. The popular narrative on the slave trade had denied its far-reaching impacts on African society. It had also preferred to consider it from a sour perspective that was strictly of Africas victimhood. Lovejoy confronts this head-on by upsetting the portrayals delivered prior by history intelligentsia. Transformations in Slavery: A History of Slavery in Africa manages to conduct an inside-out inquiry into the nuances of a practice that was welded deeply to the psyche of African traditional institutions. He spotlights its relevance in the context of kinship and familial ties in African communities, graduating this analysis to its transitions to a broader, widely adopted production mechanism. Lovejoy does not deny that slavery is African; however, he does not dismiss the revolutions of a seismic character that occurred when the transatlantic slave trade gained traction. The availability of a consumptive portal for enslavement transformed the politics and the economy of African societies. Relying on tripodal categorisations, the professor embarks on an interrogation of eras in the development of slavery in Africa, until its denouement in Europe-led abolition. For him, slavery was effectively of dual benefits. On the one hand, it was egged on in no small part by transatlantic economic appetites. Still, it also benefited the overlords of different African communities who sought to reap profit. There also lay the undoing of plurality. The internal need for enslaved people may have spurred conflicts and redefined social structures. Still, European demand significantly evolved the terrain, even setting the stage for several people and cultures in 21st-century Africa. The work dovetails with his Slavery, Commerce, and Production in West Africa: A Historical Analysis, where he analyses the deep-rooted nature of enslaved people in traditional Islamic African society. The Sokoto Caliphate offers valuable material in that, as Lovejoy contends, it was one of the largest slave societies, with comparable slave numbers or more than those in Brazil and all settlements in the Caribbean. His contributions in that work debunk attempts to whitewash slavery or describe it in more polite language, particularly where African participation is concerned. He narrated the gender-based system of slave valuation, one that saw women acquired for pricier sums than their male counterparts, due to their widespread application to reproductive needs. He goes further to submit that slave labour, upon which the Caliphate heavily relied, formed the economic utility of enslaved people. Still, there was also a strident social attachment, against which even the British colonialists were careful to contend. Widening his lens further, Lovejoy ventures into the place of identity in slavery. This has a particularly vibrant resonance because of its strong emphasis on forceful eviction and assimilation. Visualising its reflections on the mind from a purely human perspective is difficult, given how voluntary movements to foreign climes can prove challenging. The Lovejoy-edited Identity in the Shadow of Slavery boldly explored this concept by investigating the adoption, transfer, and maintenance of prior cultural identities by enslaved people in the Americas. It probes the outgrowth of what I take the liberty to describe as situational cultures in these atmospheres of subjugation. Its interests are the positions of gender, ethnicity, and language in the formation of new communities. To thrive, it was only natural for such enclaves of travail-inspired bonding to emerge. Quite enthusing is the inquiry of the book in some of its parts into the exportation of systems formerly isolated to Africa. To many, that might now be trite, given the role of social media in highlighting cultural similarities between people far removed and their long-separated kin in Africa. The trump card of the collection offers a sharp retort to discourses that ignored or downplayed the aura of African cultural transfers in constructing societies in the Atlantic. As Lovejoy himself mentioned, the challenge that had prevailed in previous writings had been a tendency to dismiss the fusions arising out of the forced communion of various enslaved African ethnic identities. The enslaved people quickly found themselves with little to no commonalities upon which to unite and unearth a striking fellowship with todays migration patterns yet equally depart from it for reasons of agency. The situation provided room for a series of innovations, birthing new cultures emerging from creativity inspired by necessity. This featured structures such as kinship, conjugal relationships, and religion. The assumption that these individuals simply absorbed the values of their captors without unique modifications of their own is therefore proclaimed false. The scope of the literature fits neatly into Lovejoys focus on the diaspora. Still, it does not omit dissection of the identity crises encountered by those who never departed Africa but were nonetheless encumbered by the transformations they had to submit to. Finally, Paul Lovejoy has applied himself to researching the lives of notable enslaved Africans, particularly Gustavus Vassa, also known as Olaudah Equiano. The work supplies an extensive trove of material to researchers but also signals the depth of analysis that was and has always been mustered by Lovejoy to deliver his message. I recognise the vanity of attempting to pay homage to this historian in the limited space availed here. His stature, acquired over a lifetime, is, after all, too much of an overwhelm to scrutinise in short passages. So, it must suffice that I only constrain myself to minimalism, leaving unsaid the many milestones that Lovejoy has shown to be humanly possible. Date: Thursday, 3 April. Time: 3:00-5:30 p.m. EDT Venue: Tubman Resource Room (314 York Lanes) In-Person Registration: HERE. Zoom Registration: HERE. Toyin Falola, a professor of History, University Distinguished Teaching Professor, and Jacob and Frances Sanger Mossiker Chair in the Humanities at The University of Texas at Austin, is the Bobapitan of Ibadanland. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Femtech isnt a niche; its the future of workforce sustainability. By designing solutions through a private-sector lens, were showing companies how menstrual health, mental well-being, and preventive care reduce absenteeism, boost productivity, and align with UN Sustainable Development Goals. Every contract we secure, every skeptical executive we win over, chips away at the myth that marginalised founders dont belong in leadership. From a convention space at the New York Westin to a mission-driven femtech venture, my journey with Sanicle.Cloud began as a scrappy, self-funded hustle. I maxed out my savings and leaned on the generosity of friends, while cold-calling potential clients under aliases adopting accents, inventing fictional team members like Sarah in Finance, and doing whatever it took to keep the dream alive. It wasnt glamorous, but it taught me resilience. A year in, life threw curveballs: I enrolled in an inclusive Executive MBA programme at the University of Washington, only to undergo emergency gallbladder surgery shortly after. Recovery forced me to slow down a challenge for someone who once defined himself by speed. For years, I hid this chapter, fearing professional judgment. But owning it became part of my growth. Not long after, I was laid off from my product management role at a payroll software company. I walked away with nothing but determination, a pile of debt, and a darkly humorous nickname: the Monk who Sells Pads, a nod to my relentless, grind despite empty bank accounts. The Private Sector as a Catalyst for Change My turning point came when I shifted focus to partnering with corporations. I realised workplace wellness wasnt just a perk it was a strategic lever for sustainability. By aligning Sanicle.Clouds offerings with ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) goals, we positioned employee well-being as a bridge between profit and purpose. Today, our collaborations with partners like Procter and Gamble, CF Industries, and the Tulsa Remote Program validate this approach, proving that investing in inclusive health solutions drives both equity and ROI. Confronting Bias and Redefining Belonging Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later As an African immigrant in many rooms, Ive navigated invisible barriers. At my last corporate job, vendors handed business cards to every white colleague but skipped me, assuming I was the help. My accent, my appearance, even the elevator floor I worked on (second floor for people of colour, third for my all-white team) became reminders of systemic exclusion. But Sanicle.Cloud became my answer to that erasure. Now, when I walk into a boardroom, I dont just occupy space I reshape it. Why This Matters Femtech isnt a niche; its the future of workforce sustainability. By designing solutions through a private-sector lens, were showing companies how menstrual health, mental well-being, and preventive care reduce absenteeism, boost productivity, and align with UN Sustainable Development Goals. Every contract we secure, every skeptical executive we win over, chips away at the myth that marginalised founders dont belong in leadership. The journey isnt over. I still fight the urge to overcompensate, to prove Sanicle.Cloud isnt just a diversity checkbox. But when imposter syndrome creeps in, I remember: My lived experience the hustle, the setbacks, the audacity to build something from nothing is our competitive edge. This isnt just a company. Its proof that the future of work is inclusive, sustainable, and unapologetically led by those whove been underestimated. And Im just getting started. P.S. To every outsider forging your own path: The room needs your voice. Press the elevator button to the top floor. Chaste Inegbedion, a femtech founder, writes from the US. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print In recent years, Indias automobile marketplace has witnessed significant changes driven by technological advancements and evolving consumer expectations. Among the trailblazers in this transformation is ACKO Drive, a platform that promises to redefine how Indians buy cars. With a focus on transparency, convenience, and customer satisfaction, ACKO Drive is quickly becoming a go-to resource for car buyers. Read on to learn more about ACKO Drive. Understanding the Indian Automobile Market Before exploring what makes ACKO Drive unique, its essential to understand the Indian automotive landscapetraditionally, buying a car involves navigating a maze of dealers, negotiations, and, often, considerable confusion over pricing and available models. ACKO Drive emerges as a solution to these challenges, focusing on providing credible information and a streamlined purchasing process. What is ACKO Drive? ACKO Drive is a digital platform dedicated to transforming the car buying experience in India. It offers a wealth of content, including the latest news, reviews, and technical insights, all aimed at helping potential buyers make informed decisions. Beyond content, ACKO Drive collaborates with dealers to ensure customers receive competitive pricing and swift delivery of their desired vehicles. Key Features of ACKO Drive The following are key essential features of ACKO Drive: 1. Best Prices Guaranteed One of ACKO Drives standout features is its commitment to offering the lowest prices in the market. By partnering with trusted dealers, ACKO Drive ensures customers can access competitive pricing without hidden charges. This transparency builds trust and confidence, which are crucial in high-ticket purchases like cars. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later 2. Early Availability In the fast-paced world of automobile sales, timing is everything. ACKO Drive strives to provide customers with their dream cars faster than anyone else in the market. By leveraging strong relationships with dealers, ACKO Drive can often secure early access to new models, ensuring customers dont have to wait long to get behind the wheel. 3. Doorstep Delivery Gone are the days of visiting multiple dealerships or spending hours negotiating prices. ACKO Drive simplifies the process by offering doorstep delivery services. Everything is handled at your convenience, from financial assistance to car inspections (for car exchange) and payment processing. This approach not only saves time but also enhances the overall customer experience. A New Era in Car Buying The vision behind ACKO Drive is rooted in a desire to enhance every customers car purchasing journey. With a team consisting of ex-co-founders, engineers, and passionate car enthusiasts, the platform is designed to cater to the needs of modern buyers. The Importance of Transparency In an industry often marred by hidden fees and unclear pricing, ACKO Drive stands out for its commitment to complete transparency. Customers can trust that the prices they see are those they pay, with no surprising charges lurking in the fine print. This level of honesty is especially important for consumers making significant financial decisions, such as purchasing a car. The Role of Content ACKO Drive believes that informed customers are empowered customers. By providing credible reviews and exclusive content, the platform ensures that buyers have access to all the information they need before purchasing. This focus on education helps demystify the car buying process and fosters a sense of confidence among potential buyers. Engaging and Relevant Content ACKO Drives content is informative and engaging. From in-depth reviews to the latest automotive trends, the platform creates a rich knowledge repository that appeals to first-time buyers and seasoned car enthusiasts. This commitment to quality content sets ACKO Drive apart from traditional dealerships and positions it as a valuable resource in the automotive sector. A Customer-Centric Approach Ultimately, what fuels ACKO Drive is a determination to make car buying a smooth and enjoyable experience. The team understands that purchasing a car is more than just a transaction; its a dream for many individuals. By being present throughout the journeyfrom selection to purchase and beyondACKO Drive ensures that customers feel supported every step of the way. Conclusion ACKO Drive marks a significant shift in Indias automobile marketplace. By prioritising transparency, convenience, and customer satisfaction, ACKO Drive is not just changing how cars are bought but elevating the entire experience. With its dedicated team, commitment to the best prices, and engaging content, ACKO Drive is paving the way for a future where car buying is accessible, enjoyable, and transparent for everyone. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Renowned sales and revenue growth strategist, Bunmi Jembola, is set to host the Revenue Strategy Mastermind, an exclusive masterclass designed to equip business leaders, entrepreneurs, and sales professionals with cutting-edge revenue strategies for todays evolving marketplace. The event will take place on 8 April in Lagos and 14 May in Abuja, gathering some of the brightest minds in revenue generation for a transformative learning experience. With the theme Mastering Revenue Growth in a Changing Business Landscape, the Revenue Strategy Mastermind will provide attendees with: Proven frameworks for accelerating revenue growth Insights into the evolving buyer behaviors and sales trends in 2024 Actionable strategies for leveraging technology and sales enablement tools Leadership principles for building high-performing revenue teams Bunmi Jembola, CEO of SalesRuby & Nanoskilled and a leading voice in sales transformation across Africa, will lead the sessions. With nearly two decades of experience in business leadership, sales enablement, and revenue consulting, he has successfully trained over 500 organizations and continues to drive impactful business growth strategies. Who Should Attend? CEOs & Executive Directors COOS, CMOs, CFOs, CISOs Entrepreneurs Looking to Scale The landscape for revenue growth is shifting rapidly, and businesses must evolve to stay competitive, says Bunmi Jembola. This masterclass is designed to equip professionals with the knowledge and tools they need to drive sustainable growth in todays complex business environment. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Limited seats are available. To register and secure your spot at the Revenue Strategy Mastermind, visit https://salesruby.com/bsm-4/ About Bunmi Jembola Bunmi Jembola is the CEO of SalesRuby and Nanoskilled, a leading sales enablement and revenue consulting firm, and the founder of the Africa Revenue Summit. He has trained executives across top brands in Africa and is a sought-after keynote speaker on sales transformation and business growth strategies. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, Tuesday received heads of government agencies on Sallah homage at the Government House, Katsina. The delegation, led by the State Chief Judge, Justice Musa Danladi Abubakar, included High Court judges, the Head of Service, Permanent Secretaries, and other heads of government parastatals. During the visit, Mr Radda called on the chief executives to reflect on their responsibilities, urging them to conduct self evaluation of their actions on the trusts bestowed on them. The Governor emphasized the critical role of Permanent Secretaries in government operations, describing them as engine rooms of their respective establishments. Mr Radda specifically urged them to reduce the bureaucratic bottleneck in the administrative duties for smooth and effective service delivery. This is necessary as time is not waiting for anyone, the Governor stated. He expressed gratitude to all appointees of his administration for their dedication, calling for improved commitment in the service to the state. The governor also thanked the people of Katsina State for their support following the recent passing of his mother, Mrs Safarau Umaru Barebari. In his remarks earlier, the State Chief Judge, Justice Musa Danladi Abubakar, explained that the delegation came for the usual sallah homage to the governor and to remind each other of the public trusts bestowed on them to support in the service delivery in the state. He emphasized the importance of the oath of office, which he said categorically defines responsibility and trusts. Justice Abubakar further reminded the gathering that all will stand before his creator and account for his deads in the hear after. While congratulating the Governor on the successful Sallah celebrations, Justice Abubakar also relayed the delegations condolences over the death of his mother, Mrs Safarau Umar Barebari. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has held a meeting of the Staff Headquarters of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief on Tuesday. "Ive held the Staff Headquarters meeting. The key issue is staffing the brigades, providing them with everything necessary," the president said in his evening address. He also reported that he had spoken separately with Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrsky, and Chief of the General Staff Andriy Hnatov. "We are preparing in detail our proposals for contingents of partners that can become part of the new security architecture. In fact, this is one of the guarantees of security," the president added. The Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has hailed Bashir Ojularis appointment as the new Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). Mr Ojulari is from Kwaran State. Governor AbdulRazaq called the appointment another big deal for Kwara and its people, coming a few days after the appointment of Ibrahim Oloriegbe as the chairman of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA). In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, the governor congratulated Mr Ojulari on the appointment and expressed his confidence in the new NNPC bosss capacity to deliver on the presidents mandate. On behalf of the people and government of Kwara State, I express our profound appreciation to the President for these A-list appointments. We are very proud to be an integral part of the Presidents team, the Governor said in a statement on Wednesday morning. Our prayers, best wishes, and support are with the new appointees and those before them. With stakeholders rallying behind Engr. Ojulari, we are confident that he will take the oil sector to a greater height. We pray that the tenure of Engr. Ojulari and his team record unprecedented success for the countrys oil sector. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Oke Ode community hails appointment, commends Tinubu The Oke Ode Community Development Association in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State also congratulated Mr Ojulari on his appointment. Mr Ojulari is from the community. The associations national chairman, Nasrudeen Salaudeen, described the appointment as well-merited and a round peg in a round hole. In a press statement issued on his behalf by the spokesperson of the association, Kunle Akogun, Mr Salaudeen also commended President Tinubu for seeking out a seasoned technocrat and consummate administrator with years of experience in the oil industry for appointment as the NNPC chief executive officer. Mr Salaudeen expressed confidence that Mr Ojulari would use his wealth of experience in the oil industry to elevate the Nigerian oil sector. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has apprehended no fewer than 51 suspected irregular migrants of Malian origin at New Nyanya, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, North-central Nigeria. New Nyanya is one of the Nasarawa State communities near the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. This is contained in a statement by the Service Public Relations Officer, Akinsola Akinlabi, on Wednesday in Abuja. Mr Akinlabi said that preliminary investigations conducted by the service suggested that the migrants might have been victims of Trafficking in Persons (TIP) and Smuggling of Migrants (SOM). This, he said, was because they were found without valid travel documents or residence permits. According to him, they were apprehended on Monday, following credible intelligence. The breakdown of the arrested migrants indicates 11 females and 40 males between the ages of 16 and 19. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The arrested individuals have been taken into the custody of the service for further profiling and investigation. This is to determine the circumstances of their migration and any potential involvement in trafficking or smuggling networks or syndicates, he said. Mr Akinlabi said that the NIS remained committed to ensuring that Nigerias borders were protected against illegal migration, while upholding the rights of migrants who complied with the countrys immigration laws. He said that the Service would continue to work closely with relevant authorities and stakeholders to combat smuggling of migrants and counter trafficking in persons effectively. The spokesperson reassured the general public of the NIS unwavering commitment to National Security and Migration Management. He encouraged citizens to report suspicious migration activities to the nearest NIS Commands and Formations. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Edo State Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja, on Wednesday, threw out the petition filed by the Action Alliance (AA) and Adekunle Rufai Omoaje, challenging the election of Governor Monday Okpebholo. In its first judgement on Wednesday, the tribunal held that the case instituted by the AA lacked merit and was frivolous. The three-member tribunal led by Wilfred Kpochi held the petition filed by AA and Mr Omoaje were frivolous and lacked merit. It added that Mr Omoaje, who filed the joint petition with the party joined as a co-petitioner, had no locus standi (legal right) to institute the case. The tribunal further held that Mr Omoaje did not participate in the governorship election and as such had no power to question the validity of the election. It ruled that Mr Omoajes grouse against the election was that he was not recognised as the National Chairman of the Action Alliance for the purpose of nominating candidate for the poll. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later It, however, said that his claims had no basis in the Electoral Act 2022. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Omoaje and the AA went before the tribunal asking it to rule that the declaration of Governor Monday Okpebholo and his All Progressives Congress (APC) as winners of the 21 September 2024 election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was illegal, unlawful, unconditional and null and void. Mr Omoaje also alleged that the election was characterised by gross corruption and also thatMr Okpebholo and APC did not win majority of lawful votes cast in the election. He further alleged that AA was not allowed to nominate a lawful governorship candidate for the election since he did not sign the nomination form as the National Chairman of the party. Speaking with journalists after the judgement, the petitioners lawyer, Adewale Adebayo, said he was not satisfied with the verdict. He, however, said he would communicate the decision to his clients and await further instructions. NAN reports that INEC had declared Mr Okpebholo of the APC as the winner with 291,667 votes, defeating his closest rival, Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who polled 247,655 votes in the election. AAs petition is not the only one brought before the tribunal. Many within and outside Edo State are looking forward to the much anticipated judgement on the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo frontline contenders in the 21 September 2024 governorship election. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja, on Wednesday, dismissed the petition filed by Accord Party against the declaration of Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as winner of the 21 September 2024 governorship election. Delivering judgement, the Wilfred Kpochi-led three-member tribunal held that Accord Party and its governorship candidate, Bright Enabulele, made weighty allegations but failed to prove them. The tribunal said that the petitioners failed to name any perpetrator to substantiate their allegations of thuggery, stuffing of ballots, harassing and molesting voters. According to the tribunal, the two petitioners were so inconsistent in their claims with allegations of non-compliance with the Electoral Act 2002 and calling for nullification of the election on one hand while seeking to be declared winners on the other hand. On the other hand, they are seeking to be declared winners of the election they claimed to have been conducted without compliance with the Electoral Act, the tribunal ruled. The tribunal held that there was no meaningful evidence for it to act upon to nullify the election of Mr Okpebholo and APC and subsequently dismissed the petition in its entirety. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The tribunal thereafter affirmed the election of Mr Okpebholo as being valid and conducted in compliance with the law. The News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) reports that the tribunal had earlier dismissed the petition filed by Action Alliance (AA)also challenging the declaration of Mr Okpebholo and the APC as winners of the Edo State governorship election. The petition of AA was dismissed for being frivolous and lacking in merit. The tribunal is currently delivering judgment in the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party and its governorship candidate Asue Ighodalo also challenging the declaration of the APC and Mr Okpebholo as the winner of the disputed poll. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Edo Governorship Election Petition Tribunal on Wednesday dismissed the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate Asue Ighodalo against the election of Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The tribunal, which sat and delivered its judgement in Abuja, affirmed Mr Okpebholo as the winner of the 21 September 2024 governorship election in Edo State. At about 7 p.m on Wednesday, the Wilfred Kpochi-led three-member tribunal affirmed the governors victory in a unanimous judgement, stressing that the petitioners failed to prove their allegations of over-voting and non-compliance with the electoral law. The PDP and Mr Ighodalo had sued the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Governor Okpebholo and the APC, alleging that the election was marred by irregularities. The tribunal earlier, in separate judgements, dismissed the petitions filed by the Action Alliance and the Accord Party to challenge Mr Okpebholos victory. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Mr Okpebholo polled 291,667 votes to defeat his closest rival in the election, Mr Ighodalo of the PDP, who polled 247,655 votes. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Mr Okpebholo and his running mate, Dennis Idahosa, were sworn in as the governor and deputy governor of Edo State, respectively, on 12 November 2024. Legal dispute ensued Dissatisfied with the outcome of the poll, the PDP and its candidate approached the tribunal for redress, insisting that the governor did not win with the majority of lawful votes cast. The PDP and its candidate urged the tribunal to nullify INECs declaration of the APC and Okpebholo as winners of the election. The petitioners alleged, among other irregularities during the election, non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022, particularly in the area of vote count. They made the tribunal to subpoena INEC to produce 148 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System Machines (BVAS) machines that were used in 133 polling units where election results are being disputed. About 148 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System Machines (BVAS) that were used at the governorship poll were eventually admitted by the tribunal in evidence. However, the legal team of the APC and Mr Okpebholo urged the tribunal to dismiss the petitions for being baseless and lacking in merit. They argued that the petitioners had failed to substantiate the allegations of invalid poll in their petitions. Tribunals verdict upholding Okpebholos victory Ruling on the petition of the PDP and its candidate on Wednesday, Mr Kpochi held that it is the duty of a petitioner to prove its electoral malpractice allegations against INEC, and not the other way round. On the petitioners allegations that the number of votes cast was greater than the number of registered voters in disputed polling units, the judge agreed with the defendants that the petitioners failed to present polling unit agents and presiding officers to prove the allegations. The judge said it was clear to us that the documents tendered from the bar (by the petitioners) were dumped on the tribunal without any competent witness to substantiate the claims of over-voting and electoral non-compliance. These witnesses (comprising local government agents and others) are total strangers, the judge ruled. He added that the failure of the petitioners (PDP and Ighodalo) in this case to call polling unit agents and registered voters is fatal to their case, while stressing that eyewitness accounts were required to prove electoral non-compliance. The judge also held that the petitioners merely dumped the BVAS machines on the tribunal without calling competent witnesses to turn them on and use them to demonstrate their claims of overvoting. The tribunal dismissed the petitioners petition for failing to prove its case against the governors election. PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that the Tribunal also dismissed and struck out the petitions filed by the Action Alliance (AA) party and Accord party (A) against the Edo governorship poll. Wednesdays sitting began amid raging controversy of a purported leakage of the tribunals judgement meant to be delivered today. The leaked document in circulation portrayed a split decision of the three-member panel, with the majority of two judges affirming the election of Governor Okpebholo and the dissenting verdict by the other judge ruling otherwise. There was no official comment about the leaked document. But both the APC and the PDP have dismissed the document in circulation as fake. Although the judgement delivered on Wednesday affirmed Mr Okpebholos victory, it was not split as speculated in the purported leaked version of the verdict. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Germany will support Ukraine in 2025 with EUR 7 billion, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced following a meeting with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on Tuesday. I held a meeting with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock. We discussed further support for our state, the path to a dignified peace, and the development of security guarantee formats. Germany is a leader in Europe in the scale of assistance provided to Ukraine from financial aid and weapons to strengthening our air defense. This includes 6 IRIS-T systems, 3 Patriot systems, and Gepard anti-aircraft guns. All this support has saved thousands of lives. We are grateful to the Bundestag for the decision to provide an additional EUR 3 billion to Ukraine. In total, German support this year will amount to EUR 7 billion, the official Telegram channel of the President of Ukraine reports. BERLIN, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In a significant move to deepen its market penetration in Germany, UGREEN, a global leader in consumer electronics, has announced its full-scale entry into MediaMarktSaturn's online and physical stores. The brand's products have been available in the online mall since January 2025 and are expected to reach around 400 MediaMarktSaturn stores by the end of March. UGREEN's entry into MediaMarkt&Saturn UGREEN is a global brand renowned for its commitment to technological innovation. With a strong focus on research and development, UGREEN consistently delivers high-quality products that improve daily life and work. The brand has earned the trust of over 200 million users globally, with its products available in over 130 countries. As an innovative brand, UGREEN is highly regarded by consumers, and its creative, high-quality products have earned it a partnership with MediaMarktSaturn. From a consumer perspective, MediaMarktSaturn's rigorous product selection standards ensure that only top-quality products are offered, which simplifies the decision-making process for customers. By leveraging MediaMarktSaturn's extensive customer base, exceptional logistics, and well-established customer service, UGREEN will reach a wider audience in Germany through this partnership, delivering high-quality tech to ever more German consumers through a diverse range of innovative product series. The UGREEN NAS DXP series features versatile network-attached storage devices ideal for personal, home, or business use. Featuring NASync DXP2800 and NASync DXP4800 Plus, this series highlights UGREEN's commitment to continuous innovation. It allows users to securely store and access data via smartphones, laptops, tablets, and TVs wherever internet access is available, providing centralized backup for your valuable files and keeping your digital life organized. The UGREEN Nexode Pro series reflects a user-focused brand philosophy, tackling charging issues with effective solutions. With super-fast 100-watt charging, powered by AirPyra and GaNInfinity technologies, the UGREEN Nexode Pro 100W efficiently charges up to three devices simultaneously with unparalleled speed and energy density. The UGREEN Uno series is a testament to UGREEN's innovative capabilities. Featuring power banks, wireless chargers, and USB-C hubs, it reflects UGREEN's commitment to breaking tradition and embracing humanistic care. The UGREEN Uno 65W charger, for instance, showcases stylish, fast-charging solutions with robot-inspired designs. The majority of UGREEN products, including the powerful Nexode power banks (20000mAh, 130W), the newly launched Genshin Impact co-branded collection, and other popular UGREEN offerings, will be available at MediaMarktSaturn's online and physical stores, catering to a wide range of consumer needs. The partnership between UGREEN and MediaMarktSaturn represents a strategic milestone for both companies, with UGREEN's proven expertise in reliable innovation, aligning seamlessly with MediaMarktSaturn's leadership in connecting European consumers to cutting-edge technology. By leveraging the strong influence of MediaMarktSaturn, UGREEN can rapidly boosts its brand recognition across Europe. This partnership will help build and solidify UGREEN's image as a reliable brand, which is crucial for gaining consumer trust and expanding its market footprint. Evan Li, General Manager of UGREEN Global, commented, "As a company committed to technological innovation, our mission is to continuously push boundaries and create more possibilities for our users. Our collaboration with MediaMarktSaturn marks not only a new beginning but also a significant step in fulfilling our mission." To celebrate the partnership, UGREEN will launch an exciting promotional event in both MediaMarktSaturn online and physical stores, offering great discounts on a wide range of products, including chargers, power banks, cables, and NAS devices. The online promotion will run until April 6, while an Easter promotion, along with a National flyer, will be available in-store from April 7 to April 22. For additional information, please visit MediaMarkt and Saturn. Media Contact: Eira Lyu, eira@ugreen.us Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2652542/UGREEN_s_entry_into_MediaMarktSaturn.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2634148/UGREEN_Limited_Logo.jpg DALLAS, April 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- For over two centuries, the United States has been a beacon of democracy and justice, grounded in the unwavering principle that no individual is above the law. Today, that foundational principle faces a direct assaultnot from foreign adversaries but from within. The current administration has engaged in an unprecedented campaign to undermine the rule of law, attack the judiciary, violate court orders, and punish lawyers and law firms for doing their jobs. ABOTA, IATL, ISOB, NBA, and NBTA Throughout history, authoritarian regimes have understood that the first step in dismantling democracy is silencing those who uphold the rule of law. When the legal system is weakenedwhen judges are threatened, when lawyers are punished for representing their clients, when court rulings are ignoredtyranny is not far behind. Today, we are witnessing such a moment in America. The current administration and other officials have not only attacked individual judges for their rulings but have actively encouraged efforts to impeach them. These threats represent more than partisan rhetoricthey are a dangerous attempt to intimidate the judiciary and erode its independence. When the administration signals that court rulings can be ignored or that judges should be removed for doing their jobs, the very foundation of our legal system is at risk. The attacks have now escalated beyond the courts to the legal profession itself. The administration has singled out law firms by revoking security clearances, directing agencies to terminate contracts, and prohibiting federal employees from engaging with them. These measures are political retribution, plain and simplean attempt to punish lawyers and firms for representing clients and causes the administration disfavor. This moment demands action. Regardless of practice area, political affiliation, or position, lawyers must unite in defense of the rule of law. The legal profession exists to serve justicenot political interests. We cannot and will not capitulate in the face of bullying, intimidation, and outright attacks on the institutions that ensure democracy endures. This is a defining momentnot just for our profession but for our country. History will remember where we stood at this moment. We stand as unwavering defenders of the rule of law, democracy, and moral integrity. We reject the idea that the justice system is corrupt simply because it holds the powerful accountable. We reject the rhetoric that seeks to delegitimize the courts, the legal profession, and the rule of law itself. Now is the time for every lawyerwhether in private practice, public service, academia, or corporate counselto step forward. The law does not protect itself; it survives because those sworn to uphold it have the courage to do so. We must volunteer, agitate, use our legal training, and raise our voices to fight against the dismantling of our justice system. We must uphold the principles of fairness and accountability, even when it is difficult, unpopular, or dangerous. We must be relentless in this fight, doing whatever it takes. This is not just a fight for our professionit is a fight for our country. We will not yield. We will not be silent. We will not stop. These organizations pledge to continue fighting to safeguard our Constitution and the Rule of Law. We call on all legal organizations to stand strong with us and support our position. CONTACT BRIAN TYSON [email protected] SOURCE AMERICAN BOARD OF TRIAL ADVOCATES (ABOTA) SAN FRANCISCO, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Angle Health, the AI-native, member- and patient-centric integrated healthcare company democratizing access to modern healthcare services, today announced the appointment of Rhett Thurman as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). This strategic hire comes as Angle Health continues its rapid expansion, reinforcing its commitment to redefining healthcare benefits and access with transparency, simplicity, and technology-driven innovation. Thurman brings decades of leadership experience in financial strategy, healthcare services, capital markets, and mergers and acquisitions. Throughout his career, he has successfully guided organizations through complex transactions, including financing, scaling, capitalization, restructuring, and strategic acquisitions/divesture. As CFO, he will oversee Angle Health's financial strategy, capital allocation, and operational finance functions across its insurance, reinsurance, healthcare, and financial services businesses, ensuring the company continues its trajectory of growth and innovation in the employer-sponsored health plan market. "As we continue to scale and expand our market presence, Rhett's deep expertise across financial disciplines, healthcare organizations, and capital strategy will be invaluable in this next stage of growth," said Ty Wang, CEO and co-founder of Angle Health. "His track record in driving financial performance and managing lean, fast-paced, high-growth organizations aligns perfectly with our growth trajectory, team-building philosophy, and ultimately our mission to rebuild the healthcare system from first principles." Thurman's extensive healthcare experience includes executive leadership, operations, and governance roles. He served as CFO/CAO, and as a member of the Board's Executive Committee, for Cain Brothers (acquired by KeyBanc), a top NY-based healthcare investment bank offering M&A and capital advisory services. While at Cain, he was a co-founder of Health Enterprise Partners, a private equity fund, and the CB Executive Co-Investment Fund, a healthcare services co-investment fund. Prior to joining Cain, Thurman served as CFO of MacNeal Health Network, a suburban Chicago-based integrated delivery system (acquired by Vanguard Health Systems, now Tenet), where he was responsible for financial operations system-wide. Most recently, he played a key role in the restructuring, recapitalization, and eventual strategic sale of Prager & Company, an investment banking boutique serving the higher education industry. "Rhett's background in healthcare services, investment banking, private equity, and operational finance make him ideally suited to drive Angle Health's capital strategy and financial initiatives," said Ricky Lai, General Partner at Portage, "He complements the all-star executive team we already have in place at Angle Health to build a truly generational company." "I'm thrilled to join Angle Health at such a pivotal time in its journey," said Rhett Thurman. "The company's AI-driven approach and commitment to reimagining the healthcare journey resonate deeply with me. I look forward to working with the team to build on the company's momentum and continue delivering innovative solutions that make healthcare more accessible and affordable." About Angle Health: Angle Health democratizes access to modern healthcare services by unifying today's fragmented healthcare benefits ecosystem into one core coverage and delivery platform. As a full-stack healthcare benefits provider, Angle Health drives efficiencies across the value chain through its AI-native platform from instant underwriting for brokers and streamlined administration for employers, to personalized access to care for members. With a national network of healthcare providers and facilities, Angle Health is the health plan for modern employers, now servicing thousands of employers and tens of thousands of members across the country. To learn more, visit www.anglehealth.com. About Portage: Portage is a global investment platform focused on FinTech and Financial Services with over US $2.5 Billion assets under management. Our team partners with ambitious companies across all stages, through Portage Ventures and Portage Capital Solutions. We provide flexible capital and deliver a global network of investors, commercial partners, advisors, and value creation experts. With deep industry knowledge and entrepreneurial experience, Portage is committed to supporting the leaders who are reshaping financial services. Portage operates in the United States, Canada and Europe. Portage is a platform within Sagard, a global multi-strategy alternative asset management firm with over $25B under management. For more information, visit www.portageinvest.com. Contact: [email protected] SOURCE Angle Health BOSTON, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Alternative Fund Advisors ("AFA") today announced that the AFA Private Credit Fund has been renamed AFA Asset Based Lending Fund (AMCLX) to help investors quickly recognize the fund's strategy amid the growing number of private credit options available in the market. "Asset-based lending is increasingly viewed as the next frontier of private credit," says Marco Hanig, CEO of Alternative Fund Advisors. "As investors seek to diversify their private credit portfolios, asset-based lending presents an attractive alternative to corporate direct lending." Asset-based lending is increasingly viewed as the next frontier of private credit, says Marco Hanig, CEO of AFA Post this The AFA Asset Based Lending Fund focuses primarily on loans to lower middle market borrowers served by boutique lending platforms. "We believe that ecosystems of borrowers with specialized needs and lenders with unique expertise are less heavily competed and may provide opportunities for attractive risk-adjusted returns," Hanig added. About Alternative Fund Advisors Alternative Fund Advisors is the investment manager of the AFA Asset Based Lending Fund (AMCLX), a closed-end interval fund that enables accredited investors to access private credit with the convenience of a registered fund. The Fund has been in operation since June of 2021 and has $240 million in assets. To learn more, please visit www.alternativefundadvisors.com. Media Contact: Ani Yessaillian | 617.620.8103 | [email protected] INVESTORS SHOULD CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES, RISKS, CHARGES, AND EXPENSES BEFORE INVESTING. THIS AND OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION IS INCLUDED IN THE FUND PROSPECTUS AND A COPY MAY BE OBTAINED BY VISITING www.alternativefundadvisors.com READ THE PROSPECTUS CAREFULLY BEFORE YOU INVEST. Investing involves risk; principal loss is possible. SOURCE Alternative Fund Advisors PHILADELPHIA, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Angeion Group, a leading force in class action settlement administration, has cemented its position as an industry authority by contributing to a Supreme Court amicus brief in the Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings v. Davis, No. 24-0304 appeal. This case has the potential to fundamentally reshape the legal landscape of Article III standing, a doctrine that determines whether plaintiffs have the right to bring class actions in federal court. Claims Administrators have long been trusted by district courts to perform essential functions in identifying injured class members. Over time, claim administrators, including Angeion Group, have developed sophisticated technical processes for evaluating claims and distributing damages to those with adequate proof of injury. This expertise ensures that the class action settlement process remains fair, efficient and transparent. Angeion's insights helped shape the arguments presented in the brief ensuring that the Supreme Court considers the practical realities of class action administration when evaluating the critical issue of whether the presence of uninjured class members defeats class certification. "As the trusted administrator behind some of the nation's largest and most complex settlements, Angeion has a deep, unmatched understanding of how standing impacts real-world claims administration and access to justice. We take pride in contributing our expertise to help shape legal precedent at the highest level , " said Steven Weisbrot, CEO of Angeion Group. The Supreme Court's decision in this case could significantly impact class actions, redefining the rights of class members nationwide and changing how class actions are administered. Angeion remains committed to advocating for the fair and efficient administration of class actions, ensuring that class members not only receive the relief they are entitled to but also that the process remains transparent, equitable, and effective. Angeion will continue to work diligently to uphold these principles and protect the rights of those affected. The full text of the Brief of Amici Curiae Claims Administrators in Support of Neither Party can be accessed: https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/24/24-304/351923/20250312200302698_24-304acClaimsAdministrators.pdf For more information on Angeion's role in shaping class action litigation, visit www.angeiongroup.com. About Angeion Group Angeion Group is a leading provider of legal notice and settlement administration services, leveraging advanced technology, proven best practices, and expert consulting to manage class actions, mass torts, and collective redress administration. Recognized for its innovation, efficiency, and unwavering client commitment, Angeion Group continues to redefine industry standards. Media Contact Angeion Group Shiri Lasman (215) 563-4116 SOURCE Angeion Group N-acetylcysteine (NAC) shows promise to treat hereditary cystatin C amyloid angiopathy (HCCAA) HCCAA a subtype of cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is an ultra-rare Icelandic amyloid disease due to a mutation in the CST3 gene encoding for the protease inhibitor, cystatin C. gene encoding for the protease inhibitor, cystatin C. HCCAA causes cerebral hemorrhages in asymptomatic carriers of the L68Q variant due to amyloid aggregation with precipitation in brain vessels and tissue. Findings could guide the development of preventative therapies for related CAAs. REYKJAVIK, Iceland, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Icelandic drug discovery and development company Arctic Therapeutics (ATx) today announced the publication of research in JAMA Neurology, which informs a possible therapeutic strategy to treat a rare form of familial dementia. The publication, titled N-Acetylcysteine for hereditary cystatin C amyloid angiopathy (HCCAA), a nonrandomised clinical trial, details a new treatment approach for HCCAA, a rare and fatal genetic brain disorder that primarily affects young Icelandic adults, with the disease process beginning in childhood. The research provides insights into the potential of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) as a treatment for HCCAA, a disease with no currently approved therapeutic options. The study highlights how NAC may reduce disease-associated biomarkers and slow disease progression. The study is the first phase 2a clinical trial to assess the safety and therapeutic potential of high-dose NAC in patients carrying the L68Q-CST3 sequence variation of HCCAA. Results indicate that NAC is well tolerated, reduces disease specific biomarkers and stabilises disease progression, suggesting NAC may offer a preventative strategy against HCCAA. These findings could accelerate the development of preventative therapies for individuals at risk of HCCAA and other forms of CAAs. "These promising results provide hope to HCCAA patients and their families," Dr Asbjorg Osk Snorradottir, lead author of the study explained. Senior author, Dr. Hakon Hakonarson, director of the Center for Applied Genomics at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and founder of Arctic Therapeutics added: "This study provides the first clinical evidence that NAC, by breaking disulfide bonds and other aberrant molecular interactions, can disrupt cystatin C oligomers and prevent amyloid aggregation that ultimately accumulates in brain vessels. By targeting the root biochemical process behind HCCAA pathology, NAC may ultimately offer a novel disease-modifying approach, not only for this devastating condition, but potentially for other forms of CAAs and protein aggregation disorders where toxic oligomers are central to disease progression." The open-label phase 2a clinical trial was conducted at Iceland's Landspitali University Hospital from March 2019 to December 2021. A total of 17 participants were enrolled, all confirmed carriers of the L68Q-CST3 mutation. The study assessed: Safety & tolerability : NAC was well tolerated, with no drug-related severe adverse events. Five participants experienced cerebral hemorrhages, but none resulted in permanent neurological damage. : NAC was well tolerated, with no drug-related severe adverse events. Five participants experienced cerebral hemorrhages, but none resulted in permanent neurological damage. Biomarker reduction : Significant reductions were observed in collagen IV, fibronectin, vimentin, and SMAD levelskey indicators of disease progression. : Significant reductions were observed in collagen IV, fibronectin, vimentin, and SMAD levelskey indicators of disease progression. Plasma & skin biomarker changes : NAC was shown to increase reduced glutathione levels, a protective antioxidant, and reduce high-molecular-weight cystatin C aggregates, which are linked to amyloid buildup in the brain. : NAC was shown to increase reduced glutathione levels, a protective antioxidant, and reduce high-molecular-weight cystatin C aggregates, which are linked to amyloid buildup in the brain. Cognitive stability: No measurable decline in cognitive function was observed during the study period. Building on these findings, as well as internal in-vitro data that demonstrates that NAC-amide (NACA) has more than 10-fold higher potency in preventing or dispersing amyloid complex aggregates than NAC and increased ability to penetrate the blood brain barrier and get into cells involved in the disease pathogenesis, ATx has launched a European Medicines Agency-approved registration study to monitor safety, tolerability, and efficacy using NACA in patients with HCCAA. For more details, read the full study in JAMA Neurology: Original Investigation. About Arctic Therapeutics Arctic Therapeutics is an Icelandic drug discovery and development company established in 2015, which has licensed intellectual property from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. ATx leverages the transformative power of applied genomics, steering the course of drug development towards safer, more effective treatments for some of the world's most challenging diseases. The company has operations in Iceland, the US and multiple collaborations across Europe. For more information, please visit: www.arctictherapeutics.com and follow us on LinkedIn For media inquires Gulli Arnason, Chief Strategy Officer [email protected] +354 660 0053 This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/arctic-therapeutics/r/arctic-therapeutics-research-suggests-preventative-strategy-against-hccaa,c4128916 The following files are available for download: SAN ANTONIO, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Apartment Association (NAA), the leading voice and resource for the rental housing industry, representing nearly 97,000 members and over 12 million apartment homes globally has announced that Arleen Garza, Co-Founder of Real Estate Equity Partners (REEP), a multifamily real estate investment firm, is a finalist for the prestigious Independent Rental Owner of the Year award as part of the 2025 NAA Excellence Awards. This honor recognizes Arleen's exceptional leadership, vision, and unwavering commitment to advancing the rental housing industry. Arleen Garza, Co-Founder of REEP The NAA Excellence Awards recognize individuals, companies, and organizations that exceed expectations to advance the rental housing industry. By promoting innovation, inclusive communities, and operational integrity, these awards highlight the best and brightest leaders who are paving the way for a stronger future. The winner will be announced during the NAA Excellence Awards Ceremony, sponsored by AppFolio, on Wednesday, June 11, at Apartmentalize in Las Vegas, NV. NAA's annual conference and expo gathers industry professionals from across the nation to celebrate excellence and share innovative ideas shaping the future of rental housing. "Being named a finalist for this distinction is both an honor and a testament to the incredible work being done by our team at REEP," said Arleen Garza. "I'm proud to represent independent rental owners and demonstrate how dedication to community, innovation, and integrity can create meaningful impact in our industry." Under Arleen's visionary leadership, REEP has established itself as a distinguished force in real estate, achieving remarkable milestones, including $750 million in multifamily transactions. The company currently manages over 5,800 multifamily units and has successfully sold 2,500 units, generating an impressive average internal rate of return (IRR) of 23% and a multiple of 2.17X. Arleen is celebrated for her strategic expertise in acquisitions and her forward-thinking approach to driving REEP's growth. Beyond her financial acumen, she is deeply committed to educating investors about the long-term value of multifamily investments while fostering relationships with investors, employees, and residents. Her dedication to operational excellence and community impact is at the forefront of her mission to serve the over 12,000 residents who call a REEP community home. About REEP REEP Equity, founded in 2012 by Jacob and Arleen Garza, is a leading multifamily real estate investment firm headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. REEP specializes in acquiring multifamily properties in Texas and implementing a value-add strategy that elevates their performance, transforming them into highly desirable and lucrative investment opportunities. Operating with a vertically integrated structure, REEP Equity collaborates closely with its in-house property management company, REEP Residential. This integration streamlines operations, improves asset performance, and ensures premium service for residents while generating strong financial returns for investors. The firm oversees a portfolio exceeding $600 million in value, with a cumulative track record encompassing $750 million in multifamily assets across major Texas markets such as San Antonio, Houston, and Austin. REEP Equity has completed 11 full investment cycles to date, demonstrating consistent success in delivering value and achieving long-term growth. REEP's dedication to growth, innovation, and long-term value creation consistently delivers exceptional outcomes, setting a strong benchmark in the industry. Media Contact: Rebecca Treanor 830-370-0171 [email protected] SOURCE REEP Equity This release marks another milestone in Chinola's continued growth in the liqueur category NEW YORK, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Chinola Fresh Fruit Liqueurs is excited to unveil the latest addition to its collection: Chinola Pineapple Liqueur. This handcrafted liqueur is artfully made with the prized MD2 pineapple, one of the Dominican Republic's most cherished varieties. As the third release in the portfolio, Chinola Pineapple Liqueur reinforces the brand's mission to celebrate and share the vibrant tropical flavors of the Dominican Republic with cocktail professionals and enthusiasts alike. Chinola Pineapple Liqueur Chinola's story began in 2014, named after the local word for passion fruit. Following the success of Chinola Passion Fruit and the 2024 debut of Chinola Mango Liqueur , the brand is thrilled to bring pineapple into the fold. "We've always been driven by a passion to create liqueurs that reflect the beauty and authenticity of the Dominican Republic. The Chinola Pineapple brings that vision to life with the bold, tropical intensity of MD2 pineapple, which is renowned for its golden sweetness and rich, full-bodied flavor," says Founder and CEO Andrew Merinoff. Like its predecessors, Chinola Pineapple is a natural, low-ABV liqueur made with 100% fresh fruit and a neutral cane spirit, free from artificial additives. Rooted in the Samana Peninsula and crafted in the Dominican Republic, it reflects Chinola's commitment to quality, authenticity, and sustainable practices from farm to bottle. From regenerative farming techniques like polycropping, organic fertilizers, and biochar soil enrichment, to embracing beekeeping and repurposing byproducts into oils, soaps, and compost, every step is thoughtfully designed to reduce impact and give back. The farm, built using reclaimed materials, also serves as a hub for community development, supporting infrastructure projects like roads, bridges, and water wells in the Samana region. Locally sourcing ingredients and using an off-grid, bioenergy-powered distillery further helps minimize Chinola's carbon footprint from farm to bottle. These mindful farming practices not only preserve the environment, they also enhance the vibrant, naturally rich flavor of the liqueurs. Chinola Pineapple offers a bold, fresh flavor and bright, natural aromas, crafted with 100% fresh pineapple juice and a smooth neutral cane spirit. Its golden hue mirrors the pineapples grown in Monte Plata and Sanchez Ramirez, where they're harvested each spring. Distilled and bottled in the Dominican Republic at 21% ABV, this new expression continues the brand's mission to spotlight the Dominican Republic's tropical flavors. Rooted in the same production practices as the original passion fruit liqueur, Chinola Pineapple delivers a naturally rich, balanced taste that elevates every sip. "Research and development is always happening behind the scenes, so as we looked at the fruits that truly define the Caribbean, pineapple stood out. It's not just a flavor, it's a symbol of the region's agricultural heritage," says Merinoff. "Many would have walked away when they realized how challenging it is to maintain a fresh pineapple flavor. It takes years of research and an unwavering commitment to quality to create a liqueur that actually tastes like the fruit itself. But, from inception we set out to fill a void behind the bar, creating a sustainable, high-quality way to bring authentic fruit flavors into cocktails." Starting April 14th, 2025, the Chinola Pineapple Liqueur ($29.99, 750ml) will be available in 40 United States markets, country-wide from Massachusetts to Florida and all the way out to Hawaii. To find out more about the products, recipes and where to find Chinola go to chinola.com . To get it shipped right to your door, visit shopchinola.com . About Chinola Fresh Fruit Liqueurs After discovering the magic of the sacred Dominican passion fruit, Chinola's journey began in 2014 with the creation of the world's first vine to bottle fresh fruit liqueur that's shelf stable. Chinola was born from a creative collaboration of hospitality experts, spirit industry professionals, and a multi-generational master blender. Locally referred to as chinola (chee-noh-lah), their dream was to create an old-world style liqueur that embodied the taste and aroma of fresh passion fruit. Chinola Passion Fruit Liqueur has gone on to become an award winning addition to the world's best bars and a staple in home bars. Chinola Passion Fruit, Mango and Pineapple Liqueur are natural, low ABV liqueurs made from 100% fresh fruit and neutral cane spirit with no artificial additives. With origins in the Samana Peninsula, Chinola Fresh Fruit Liqueurs are produced in the Dominican Republic with a commitment to authenticity and eco-friendly practices from farm to bottle. Chinola Passion Fruit and Mango are available worldwide across five continents, including Australia, Asia, and Europewhere they're sold in 12 countries, with the UK as a core marketalong with 40+ U.S. states and the Caribbean. Chinola Pineapple is exclusive to the U.S. until 2026. Follow the journey by visiting the website and follow them on Facebook @ChinolaOfficialPage and @Chinola on Instagram. SOURCE Chinola Fresh Fruit Liqueurs The company's skilled manufacturing workforce will continue delivering firepower to the U.S. Navy's submarine fleet LOUISVILLE, Ky., April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- BAE Systems (LON: BA) received a $70 million contract award from General Dynamics Electric Boat for the production of Virginia Payload Module (VPM) missile tubes for Block VI Virginia-class submarines. The USS Missouri underway. (Credit: U.S. Navy) "These missile tubes deliver critical firepower to the Virginia-class submarine fleet, a cornerstone to U.S. national security," said Charles Lewis, director of Submarine Programs for Platforms & Services at BAE Systems. "Continuing to manufacture VPMs at our Louisville, Kentucky, facility maintains our strong support to the industrial base, while also ensuring Sailors receive the capability they need to protect our country." VPM tubes add significant firepower and payload capacity to the Virginia-class submarine due to its ability to launch up to seven Tomahawks or future missile variants. These complex structures are built by the highly skilled and deeply experienced workforce at the Louisville facility. The facility also builds the propulsor for the Virginia-class submarine, as well as a heavy propulsor structure for the Columbia-class submarine. BAE Systems has the manufacturing capability and capacity to take on additional work building submarine structures to further support the U.S. Navy. For more information, please contact: Andrew Eversden, BAE Systems Mobile: +1 240-935-6345 [email protected] www.baesystems.com/US @BAESystemsInc SOURCE BAE Systems, Inc. Forty-one out of 74 enemy UAVs shot down at night, 20 drone simulators lost from location Photo: https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/ Russian occupiers attacked the territory of Ukraine on the night of Wednesday with 74 drones, 41 of them were shot down, 20 drone imitators were lost without negative consequences, the press service of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported. "As of 09:00, the downing of 41 Shahed-type attack UAVs (drones of other types) in the north, south and east of the country has been confirmed," the report says. The air attack was repelled by aviation, anti-aircraft missile troops, electronic warfare units and mobile fire groups of the Ukrainian Defense Forces. Kharkiv, Donetsk and Odesa regions suffered as a result of the Russian attack. As reported, on Monday night the occupiers attacked Ukraine with 131 drones, 57 were shot down, 45 were lost. At about 21:00 on Monday evening, the enemy launched a strike with two X-59/69 guided air missiles from tactical aircraft in Zaporizhia direction. Both missiles were shot down by air defense. BetaNXT ReservePro is Designed to Reduce Risk, Facilitate Data Collection, Aggregate Inputs Across Business Units & Centrally Store All Supporting Documentation NEW YORK, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- BetaNXT , a leading provider of wealth management technology solutions with real-time data capabilities and an enhanced advisor experience, continues to help financial services and wealth enterprise firms seamlessly adapt to evolving regulations. The firm has launched its latest innovation, BetaNXT ReservePro, to seamlessly comply with the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC's) updates to the SEA Rule 15c3-3, requiring broker-dealers to transition from weekly calculations of fund reserves for customer protection to a daily cadence, as of December 31, 2025. "ReservePro streamlines the often manual and time-consuming 15c3-3 formula data collection, calculations, and reportingand incorporates the process and workflows into organizations well ahead of the deadline for adopting the new frequency requirements," said Jonathan Reeve, Head of Product Development and Strategy at BetaNXT. "We continue to stay on top of the latest regulatory changes in our industry and provide the tools that broker-dealers and other financial firms need to comply without having to disrupt their internal processes." The SEC's Securities Exchange Act (SEA) Rule 15c3-3 requires broker-dealers to maintain a special reserve bank account that contains the net cash a broker-dealer owes to its customers. Each item involved in the reserve formula calculation involves multiple customer-related balances from across a broker-dealer's operational departments. The SEC's adopted amendments mandating that certain broker-dealers perform the formula to calculate reserve requirements on a daily, rather than a weekly, basis, beginning December 31, 2025, were enacted in December 2024. BetaNXT ReservePro harnesses DataXChange to seamlessly integrate data from various sources. This ensures efficient data management, calculations, and easy access for compliance and reporting purposes. DataXChange, which is now fully operational following its successful pilot with early adopter clients, brings together all internal and external inputs in a single data management ecosystem. By streamlining all data within a flexible and connected experience, DataXChange helps optimize what that data can do for wealth enterprises, as well as their clients and partners. BetaNXT ReservePro is the latest solution to be built on DataXChange. "The 15c3-3 formula calculations and reporting processes can take anywhere from 40 hours to 80 hours to completeand the prospect of having to do this every day instead of every week is a daunting one," said Bob Santella, CEO of BetaNXT. "The introduction of ReservePro creates a more frictionless experience by simplifying the entire workflowreducing compliance risk while facilitating data gathering, aggregation, and calculations." About BetaNXT BetaNXT powers the future of Connected Wealth by investing in platforms, products, and partnerships to accelerate growth. It is a leading provider of frictionless wealth management enterprise solutions, real-time data capabilities, and an enhanced advisor experience. Through its software, data, and operations-as-a-service approach, BetaNXT empowers its clients with flexible, efficient, connected solutions that anticipate their changing needs. BetaNXT's comprehensive model reduces enterprise cost, streamlines operations processes, increases advisor productivity, and strengthens the investor experience. Together with BetaNXT, wealth management firms are transforming their platforms into game-changing differentiators that enable enterprise scale and stimulate commercial growth. For more information visit www.betanxt.com. Media Contacts: Alexandra Shafer & Madison Vance JConnelly for BetaNXT +1 (973) 934-5100 [email protected] Laura Barger Head of Marketing and Communications, BetaNXT +1 (888) 949-9957, option 3 [email protected] SOURCE BetaNXT Founder and CEO Louis Hernandez, Jr. to Launch New Book, "Digital Tsunami" The Firm's One Dragon Services, Pursuit, and Investment Teams to Support the Industry Through Grass Valley, Digital Joy, and For A Bright Future Foundation BOCA RATON, Fla., April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Black Dragon Capital ("Black Dragon") has announced its attendance at this year's NAB Show 2025, happening in Las Vegas from April 5-9, 2025. The firm will be joined by Founder and CEO Louis Hernandez, Jr., its One Dragon Services, Pursuit, and Investment teams, the team from Hernandez's For A Bright Future Foundation, and portfolio companies Grass Valley and Digital Joy. Black Dragon Capital (BDC) is a unique multi-phased investment firm focused on disruptive technologies in high growth industry segments that strengthen economic stability within communities. It was founded over a decade ago by recognized technology leaders and is led by a collaborative team of experienced entrepreneurs with intense operating experience, and a proven ability to transform companies. The firm is committed to remaining an active part of the communities they serve, which includes attending important media industry events such as the media industry's largest trade shows, NAB 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Black Dragon Capital will be joined at NAB 2025 by its portfolio companies Grass Valley, a global market leader in media technology which empowers over 90% of the world's top media brands to create and deliver compelling stories that captivate audiences, and Digital Joy, an innovative cloud-based Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) media technology company which brings solutions that boost engagement and improve the ability to connect with audiences to the media industry. Louis Hernandez, Jr., who is an award-winning entrepreneur, successful operating executive, investor, philanthropist, and author will also be in attendance as the Founder and CEO of Black Dragon Capital, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Digital Joy, and Executive Chairman of Grass Valley. His latest book Digital Tsunami, which explores the unprecedented technological transformation reshaping industries worldwide, will launch on April 5, 2025 during the GV Forum Exclusive Event. Hernandez and Black Dragon Capital have a long history of creating and investing in market leading media companies. The firm's unique, operationally led approach combined with Hernandez' leadership and commitment to transforming the media industry has led to the remarkable performance of Grass Valley, which had a successful $220 million strategic financing last year and delivered an outstanding growth of over 30% for 2024. Black Dragon Capital will continue to show their support for the media industry through their attendance at NAB 2025, where they will be participating in the following events: The GV Forum 2025 The GV Leadership Counsel Event An NAB-exclusive signing event celebrating the launch of Digital Tsunami , Louis Hernandez, Jr.'s new book , new book Louis Hernandez, Jr. will be featured in the NAB Leadership Foundation's Focus on Leadership Speaker Series will be featured in the NAB Leadership Foundation's Focus on Leadership Speaker Series Louis Hernandez, Jr. will be featured in an IABMTV Interview will be featured in an IABMTV Interview Private meeting with leaders of media companies Private meetings with industry leaders on policy and advocacy Private meetings with technology companies Private dinners and cocktail events The firm is determined to keep driving media technology leadership by supporting companies that can have a positive impact on the community. To fully maximize and explore potential opportunities, Black Dragon Capital will have their Pursuit Team, One Dragon Services Team, and Investment Team in attendance during the event. Finally, Hernandez extends his commitment to the future of the media industry by bringing together Grass Valley and Louis Hernandez Jr.'s Foundation For A Bright Future ("For A Bright Future"), his 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting the needs of underrepresented and underprivileged children through education, healthcare, the arts, and youth leadership development, for a strategic three-year partnership with the NAB Leadership Foundation (NABLF). This partnership will focus on creating educational and leadership opportunities in the media technology sector for underrepresented students through comprehensive education and mentorship programs. "NAB is a fantastic stage to connect and exchange ideas with some of the most brilliant minds in the industry. This year, Black Dragon brought a larger team with us because we are excited to take a more active role in helping the media technology community shape its future. Our team is intensifying our efforts to support our portfolio companies Grass Valley and Digital Joy in creating impactful and innovative media solutions and we are also taking steps to make sure that the future of the industry remains bright by providing educational and career opportunities to promising students through For A Bright Future," said Louis Hernandez, Jr, Founder and CEO, Black Dragon Capital. "We are here for the future of media." Black Dragon Capital Black Dragon Capital (BDC), founded over a decade ago by recognized technology leaders, is a unique multi-phased investment firm focused on disruptive technologies in high growth industry segments that strengthen economic stability within communities. The firm was founded and led by a collaborative team of experienced entrepreneurs with intense operating experience, and a proven track record. They work closely with entrepreneurs to build market leading companies using their proprietary Black Dragon Toolkit, which is designed to drive operational value and returns. Learn more at www.blackdragoncap.com Media Contact or Inquiries: Aren Wong Social Media Manager, Black Dragon Capital [email protected] SOURCE Black Dragon Capital Linda Goler Blount who has led the organization since 2014 will step down to take on new leadership role at Community Catalyst Michelle Minus Swittenberg and Lisa Cunningham will serve as interim co-presidents ATLANTA, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Black Women's Health Imperative (BWHI) announced today that President Linda Goler Blount will step down from the organization this month, after having led BWHI since 2014. A leader in health justice and epidemiologist, Ms. Goler Blount has catapulted the Black Women's Health Imperative into a national institution at the forefront of research, advocacy and policy change for the health of Black women and girls, a legacy that will continue under new leadership. The BWHI Board has appointed Michelle Minus Swittenberg, EVP of Enterprise Operations and Lisa Cunningham, EVP of Marketing and Communications both of whom have been instrumental to the growth and success of BWHI as interim co-presidents. "The last eleven years have been some of the most rewarding in my life thanks to the team at the Black Women's Health Imperative. Not only have we brought to the forefront the health challenges and injustices Black women in this country continue to face, but we secured landmark legislation that has allowed Black women in this country to have access to breast cancer screening and treatment, access to reproductive healthcare, and significantly reduce their risk for type 2 diabetes," said outgoing President Linda Goler Blount. "More importantly I have been able to connect with millions of Black women and girls in this country who remind me every day why the work BWHI was created to do is not only important but lifesaving." Under Ms. Goler Blount's leadership, the Black Women's Health Imperative grew to an $18 million organization that is at the cutting edge of women's health research, policy and program delivery. The organization was critical in the reauthorization of the Protecting Access to Lifesaving Screenings (PALS) Act, which ensured access to screening mammography beginning at age 40 instead of 50 preventing an additional 1,300 deaths from breast cancer annually among Black women. The organization has also collaborated with influential celebrities and brands, including the NFL, Mary J Blige, Ciara, and the WNBA, on major campaigns to bring awareness to the issues impacting Black women and the services they need to live healthy and thriving lives. "The health and lives of millions of Black women across this country have improved thanks to the vision, care and relentless hard work of Ms. Goler Blount," said Dr. Barbara J. Brown, Chair of the BWHI Board. "We have nothing but love and profound respect for her years of service and the impressive legacy she leaves behind at the Black Women's Health Imperative. The organization has always been a labor of love, rooted in the wisdom and perseverance of Black women, and we are excited to continue this work with Ms. Swittenberg and Ms. Cunningham at the helm as the board undergoes an executive search process." Byllye Avery, founder of the Black Women's Health Imperative, added, "When I founded BWHI, it was about creating a movement where Black women's health was front and centerunapologetically. This moment is a continuation of that vision. It's not a pauseit's a progression. I am deeply grateful to Linda for the way she elevated this organization and expanded both its mission and impact. We're not just honoring what we've donewe're preparing for what comes next. And I couldn't be prouder to see BWHI rise to meet the future, grounded in legacy and bold enough to lead forward." Michelle Minus Swittenberg joined BWHI in 2024 and has led the operations, expansion and impact of the organization. Lisa Cunningham joined BWHI in 2019 and has been the force behind some of the organization's major awareness campaigns; including the award-winning film, Me Period, featuring Sheryl Lee Ralph and Tabitha Brown. The Black Women's Health Imperative is the oldest national organization dedicated solely to improving the health and wellness of our nation's 21 million Black women and girls physically, emotionally and financially. SOURCE Black Women's Health Imperative BANGALORE, India, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Small Language Model Market is Segmented by Type (Below 5 Billion Parameters, Above 5 Billion Parameters), by Application (Artificial Intelligence Training, Chatbots and Virtual Assistants, Content Generation, Language Translation, Code Development, Medical Diagnosis and Treatment, Education). The Global Small Language Model Market is projected to grow from USD 6430 Million in 2024 to USD 17180 Million by 2030, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 17.8% during the forecast period. Claim Your Free Report: https://reports.valuates.com/request/sample/QYRE-Auto-16C16291/Global_Small_Language_Model_Market Major Factors Driving the Growth of Small Language Model Market: The Small Language Model Market continues its steady rise as diverse industries adopt compact architectures to process ever-growing textual data. Demand stems from cost savings, ease of integration, and expanding use cases in analytics, customer engagement, and content generation. Technological innovation, driven by academic research and commercial competition, spurs continuous refinement of these models' performance and capabilities. Meanwhile, shifting consumer preferences and global regulatory pressures highlight privacy, transparency, and ethical considerations. Providers address these challenges by employing responsible data management practices and refining deployment strategies. As collaboration intensifies and funding opportunities multiply, the market attracts both established players and nimble newcomers. This dynamic environment promises ongoing breakthroughs, shaping the future of language processing and benefiting a wide range of stakeholders. Unlock Insights: View Full Report Now! https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Auto-16C16291/global-small-language-model TRENDS INFLUENCING THE GROWTH OF THE SMALL LANGUAGE MODEL MARKET: Below 5 billion parameters enable more efficient training and deployment in limited computational environments, promoting faster adoption among diverse users. This size allows models to run on edge devices and low-power systems without compromising performance. By reducing complexity, these models become cost-effective to develop, maintain, and scale, encouraging businesses with smaller budgets to adopt them. Furthermore, their reduced footprint allows seamless integration into applications such as voice assistants, content analysis, and real-time translation. As demand for localized solutions grows, models with fewer parameters can support faster iteration and customized outputs for different languages. This agility positions compact architectures as critical drivers in the evolving Small Language Model Market. This streamlined approach also significantly minimizes latency, improving user experiences across platforms. Above 5 billion parameters represent a higher capacity for nuanced language understanding and complex pattern recognition, fueling innovations in the Small Language Model Market. These expansive models can capture intricate linguistic details, enabling superior performance in content creation, sentiment analysis, and domain-specific tasks. By handling larger datasets and assimilating more contextual cues, they offer enhanced accuracy in diverse applications, including healthcare, finance, and legal research. Their sophisticated architectures make them especially attractive for enterprises seeking advanced analytics and automated insights. Although they require greater computing resources, the potential return on investment is substantial, as these models can unlock deeper, data-driven strategies. As adoption broadens, they catalyze growth by inspiring new research and commercial possibilities worldwide. This scalability boosts market confidence. Chatbots and virtual assistants play a pivotal role in accelerating the Small Language Model Market by delivering interactive, personalized user experiences. They leverage natural language processing to interpret queries, offer tailored responses, and streamline customer service processes across industries. Businesses benefit from reduced staffing costs and faster resolution times, while consumers enjoy on-demand support without geographical limitations. These conversational tools also facilitate data collection, enabling organizations to gather insights on user behavior, preferences, and pain points. By improving accessibility and enhancing everyday tasks, chatbots and virtual assistants drive market expansion and spur further research into refined language modeling. Through integration in mobile apps, websites, and smart devices, they bolster adoption and shape evolving customer engagement strategies. This fosters lasting loyalty. The Small Language Model Market experiences momentum as organizations across sectors seek efficient, scalable solutions for managing textual data. Enterprises aim to optimize customer interactions, automate repetitive tasks, and harness actionable intelligence from vast information sources. As online content and user-generated data proliferate, demand for linguistic tools that deliver quick, accurate analyses continues to climb. This growing appetite encourages businesses to explore compact models that balance performance and resource consumption. Moreover, the shift toward digital transformation amplifies the need for agile, reliable technologies capable of extracting insights from diverse datasets. This factor drives providers to enhance model capabilities, ensuring they meet evolving market requirements. Consequently, industry-wide interest intensifies, fueling robust market growth. These factors spark enthusiasm. Cloud and edge computing platforms significantly influence the Small Language Model Market by offering flexible deployment options. Organizations can run lightweight models on remote servers or edge devices, minimizing latency while reducing infrastructure costs. This adaptability empowers developers to choose architectures that best align with their operational goals, whether they prioritize responsiveness, data security, or scalability. As businesses lean toward hybrid approaches, models can seamlessly transition between cloud services and localized processing. Such versatility fosters innovation and aids companies in meeting unique workload demands. Moreover, cloud-based solutions accelerate model updates, ensuring access to the latest improvements without cumbersome on-site maintenance. This synergy significantly expands reach, encourages experimentation, and boosts confidence in adopting smaller-scale language models. Data protection regulations and heightened consumer awareness about privacy drive new strategies in the Small Language Model Market. Developers prioritize secure deployment methods, local processing, and techniques like differential privacy to safeguard sensitive information. By limiting data exposure and ensuring compliance with standards like GDPR, organizations gain trust and confidence from their user base. Privacy-centric deployments appeal to sectors handling confidential data, such as healthcare and finance, where reputational risks are high. The push for secure workflows also spurs innovation in encryption methods, federated learning, and policy enforcement. As these models gain sophistication, they deliver precise outputs without compromising confidentiality. This emphasis on data privacy reassures stakeholders, meeting evolving regulatory demands and reinforcing sustained growth across global markets. Claim Yours Now! https://reports.valuates.com/api/directpaytoken?rcode=QYRE-Auto-16C16291&lic=single-user SMALL LANGUAGE MODEL MARKET SHARE North America leads in research and commercialization, backed by strong funding and established tech giants. Europe emphasizes data privacy and regulatory compliance, shaping best practices for secure deployments. Asia-Pacific shows rapid growth, with increasing demand for localized applications and a thriving startup scene. Key Companies: Llama 2 (Meta AI) Phi2 (Microsoft) Orca (Microsoft) Stable Beluga 7B (Meta AI) (Meta AI) X Gen (Salesforce AI) Qwen (Alibaba) Alpaca 7B (Meta) (Meta) MPT (Mosaic ML) Falcon 7B (Technology Innovation Institute (TII) from the UAE) (Technology Innovation Institute (TII) from the UAE) Zephyr (Hugging Face) Purchase Regional Report: https://reports.valuates.com/request/regional/QYRE-Auto-16C16291/Global_Small_Language_Model_Market SUBSCRIPTION We have introduced a tailor-made subscription for our customers. 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GET A FREE QUOTE Valuates Reports [email protected] For U.S. Toll-Free Call 1-(315)-215-3225 WhatsApp: +91-9945648335 Website: https://reports.valuates.com Blog: https://valuatestrends.blogspot.com/ Pinterest: https://in.pinterest.com/valuatesreports/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/valuatesreports Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valuatesreports/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@valuatesreports6753 https://www.facebook.com/valuateskorean https://www.facebook.com/valuatesspanish https://www.facebook.com/valuatesjapanese https://valuatesreportspanish.blogspot.com/ https://valuateskorean.blogspot.com/ https://valuatesgerman.blogspot.com/ https://valuatesreportjapanese.blogspot.com/ Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1082232/Valuates_Reports_Logo.jpg SOURCE Valuates Reports Brightview places top 100 for the third time, embodying 'great place to work, great place to live' mantra BALTIMORE, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Brightview Senior Living , a Baltimore-based senior living developer, owner and operator with nearly 50 communities along the East Coast, is pleased to share its inclusion on the annual Great Place To Work and Fortune magazine's 2025 Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For list. For the third time, Brightview earned a spot on the prestigious list that ranks companies across all industries, representing the only senior living company on the list. Ranking nationally, this recognition proves that Brightview has surpassed rigorous benchmarks, establishing itself as one of the best places to work in the country. Brightview places top 100 for the third time, embodying great place to work, great place to live mantra. The 100 Best Companies to Work For list honors companies that build a high-trust workplace environment, measured through Great Place To Work's proprietary survey platform . Confidential feedback from more than 1.3 million employees in the U.S. is matched against HR data from participating companies. Only companies with consistently high survey responses across the 60 statements that comprise the Trust Index Survey are honored with placement on the list. "Brightview is successful because our incredible associates bring their passion and dedication to work every day. Long before we grew to nearly 50 communities, we recognized that to be a great place to live for our residents, we had to first prioritize employee engagement and wellness. Together, with our residents and their families, we continue to achieve amazing things," said Brightview Senior Living President and CEO Doug Dollenberg, Jr. "This honor celebrates the work of every one of our 6,000-plus associates and reinforces the benefits of Brightview's associate-focused culture. We are thrilled to celebrate this significant achievement, which is not only a milestone for Brightview but also a positive reflection on the senior living industry as a whole. Senior living remains strong, and our work is vitalthis accolade reinforces that." The Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For List is highly competitive. Companies are only considered for the list if they are a Great Place to Work Certified organization with 1,000 or more employees in the U.S. Companies are assessed on their ability to create a great employee experience that cuts across job level, business unit, race, gender, age, disability status, or any aspect of employee identity. Earning a spot on the list is an important indicator of overall company performance. Companies on the 100 Best list consistently outperform the market and exceed their competitors on key business measures like retention and innovation. "Leaders are the reason a business succeeds or fails," says Michael C. Bush, CEO of Great Place To Work. "In the more than 30 years we've studied the workplace, our data proves that how you treat people shows up in your financial performance. When you measure trust, you uncover the potential that exists in an organization. Employees at companies on this list have higher levels of trust in their leaders and in their organization, unlocking their creativity, passion, and resilience." Brightview is honored to have received numerous accolades celebrating its company culture. The senior living company has been recognized as the No. 1 Best Workplace in Aging Services for four consecutive years by Great Place to Work and Fortune. It also earned a spot on Fortune's 100 Best Companies to Work For list in 2021 and 2023. Brightview communities have also been honored on U.S. News and World Report's Best Independent Living, Best Assisted Living, and Best Memory Care lists since 2023. To learn more about Brightview, explore meaningful career opportunities and find a community , visit BrightviewSeniorLiving.com. About Brightview Senior Living: Brightview Senior Living builds, owns, and operates award-winning vibrant senior living communities in eight states along the East Coast: Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Virginia. We offer senior Independent Living, Assisted Living, Enhanced Care, and Wellspring Village, a specialized neighborhood for people living with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. Each of our Brightview Senior Living communities focuses on five elements of wellness which we call SPICE. Spiritual, Physical, Intellectual, Cultural, and Emotional. Our amenities and programs encourage active senior living communities and development in these areas, keeping residents active and healthy. About the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For Great Place to Work selected the 100 Best list by gathering and analyzing more than 1.3 million confidential survey responses representing the experiences of more than 8.4 million U.S. employees. Of those, over 670,000 responses were received from employees at eligible companies, and this list is based on that feedback. Organizations are assessed on their efforts to create generous, supportive, high-performance work experiences for every employee in the organization. Companies must be Great Place To Work Certified with 1,000 or more employees in the U.S. and cannot be a government agency. Read the full methodology . To be considered, all companies use the Great Place to Work Trust Index survey . To get on this list next year, start here. About Great Place To Work As the global authority on workplace culture, Great Place To Work brings 30 years of groundbreaking research and data to help every place become a great place to work for all. Its proprietary platform and Great Place To Work Model help companies evaluate the experience of every employee, with exemplary workplaces becoming Great Place To Work Certified and receiving recognition on a coveted Best Workplaces list. Follow Great Place To Work on LinkedIn , X , and Instagram or visit greatplacetowork.com and sign up for the newsletter to learn more. About Fortune Fortune upholds a legacy of award-winning writing and trusted reporting for executives who want to make business better. Independently owned, with a global perspective and digital agility, Fortune tells the stories of a new generation of innovators, builders, and risk-takers. Online and in print, Fortune measures corporate performance through rigorous benchmarks and holds companies accountable. Fortune creates communities by convening true thought leaders and iconoclasts those who shape industry, commerce, and society through powerful and prestigious lists, events, and conferences, such as the iconic Fortune 500, the CEO Initiative , and Most Powerful Women. For more information, visit fortune.com . SOURCE Brightview Senior Living Company's flagship platform available to the nation's library patrons CHICAGO, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The people of Kenya now have access to Britannica Library, Encyclopedia Britannica's flagship online knowledge collection, through the good offices of the Kenya National Library Service (KNLS). Under an agreement between Britannica and KNLS, the country's 46 regional libraries, as well as the national library itself, now host the Britannica Library platform, making it available to all library users. Readers can use the collection in the library or access it remotely. In Nairobi, Dr Charles Ngui Nzivo, CEO of the Kenya National Library, and Matt Drury of Britannica sign the memorandum of understanding to bring Britannica Library to the people of Kenya. Britannica Library is a dynamic, continuously updated and expanded, rigorously fact-checked information source for students, teachers and lifelong learners. Whether one needs historical context on the latest world crisis, an engaging biography of someone in the news, or they just want to test their knowledge of world capitals, Britannica is the ideal place to do it. "Every year, Britannica's worldwide team of editors and contributors write, illustrate, expand, update, adapt and revise tens of thousands of articles," said Matthew Ward, EMEA director for Britannica. "They bring unmatched intellectual rigor to every story, graphic, video, or quiz we publish, because, in an ever-changing world, having up-to-date, trustworthy information isn't just our job, it's our mission." Britannica has an established record of serving KNLS, which it aims to develop further. Recently, the company donated copies of its one-volume children's encyclopedia to the national library. "As Kenya and other national libraries make the transition from mostly printed sources to a broader, mixed portfolio of print and digital, Britannica will be there to help them help their patrons," said Ward. About Britannica The Britannica Group is a global knowledge leader. A pioneer in digital learning since the early 1980s, it serves the instructional and information needs of students, educators, lifelong learners and professionals by providing curriculum products, language-study courses and digital encyclopedias. Britannica's digital properties attract more than six billion annual pageviews and 130 million casual learners every month, and it serves 150 million students in 156 countries and in 16 languages. The company is headquartered in Chicago. For more information, visit corporate.britannica.com . Contact: Tom Panelas The Britannica Group [email protected] SOURCE The Britannica Group PHOENIX, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Bundle x Joy, the Latina-founded pet lifestyle brand, is making its allergy and gut-friendly dog food more accessible than ever with its launch into over 500 Walmart retail stores nationwide and online. Already a go-to, trusted brand at Sprouts and select Whole Foods Markets, this launch signifies a monumental leap forward in the company's mission to make high-quality dog food accessible to even more pet people across the country. Bundle x Joy Launches into Walmart as First Latina-Founded Pet Brand on Shelf Post this Photo courtesy of Bundle x Joy Research shows that over 70% of a dog's immunity and longevity in fact stems from their overall gut health. Like humans, pets can significantly benefit from the same ingredients we use each day, such as probiotics, prebiotics, colostrum, collagen and more ~ all found in Bundle x Joy food, treats, and supplements today. Bundle x Joy's expansion is helping them to 'Unleash a Happier Gut' for even more pups across the U.S. and on Walmart.com, reinforcing the brand's omnichannel strategy as a one-of-a-kind pet lifestyle brand. "Since day one, we have been committed to bringing gut-friendly nutrition to every pet person," said Jess Berger. "We're passionate about reaching pet owners that have been largely overlooked to date, including the more diverse landscape of pet people today, while sharing our unique story as one of the first Latina-founded pet brands in the U.S. As the pet brand for every pet person, it's vital we can reach shoppers where they are across the U.S. and that's why we are excited to launch at Walmart." You can't miss Bundle x Joy in the pet aisle. Their bold, colorful and gradient packaging designs were created with the Millennial and Gen Z pet person in mind, creating a beauty-brand inspired approach in the pet aisle, which has historically relied on out-dated product designs filled with 'blue, brown, basic and boring' elements no longer relevant to the fastest-growing cohort of Gen Z pet owners. Bundle x Joy's lineup includes dog food, human grade stews, treats, and supplements, all crafted with your pup's gut health in mind. Beyond pet nutrition, Bundle x Joy gives back 3% of every sale to help fund women in entrepreneurship and local communities with grants, mentorships, donations and partnerships with non-profit organizations. To find a store location near you that carries Bundle x Joy products, or to learn more about the brand, visit bundlexjoy.com. Follow the brand on Instagram and TikTok at @bundlexjoy. About Bundle x Joy Bundle x Joy is a pet lifestyle brand, dedicated to helping pups live healthier, happier lives through gut-friendly, USA-made nutrition. With more dogs developing allergies to poultry and beef, its recipes are thoughtfully crafted to support digestion and overall well-being, featuring responsibly sourced proteins, nutrient-packed superfoods, and gut-boosting ingredients. Founded by a proud Latina entrepreneur, Bundle x Joy is more than just pet foodit's a movement committed to empowering women. Through its mission-driven approach, 3% of every purchase supports women entrepreneurs and uplifts local communities. With every bundle, Bundle x Joy is fueling better gut health and helping pets and their people chase more joyful moments together. Media Contact: Julia Johnson Marketing Director, Bundle x Joy [email protected] SOURCE Bundle x Joy DOVER, Del., April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Chesapeake Utilities Corporation (NYSE: CPK) celebrates the 10-year anniversary of its Ohio subsidiary. On April 1, 2015, the Company completed the merger of Gatherco Inc. into Aspire Energy of Ohio LLC to deliver energy through natural gas midstream services, processing and transportation services. Since the merger, the Ohio team has significantly improved the safety, resiliency, and reliability of the natural gas systems, while continuing to meet the growing needs of customers and communities. In a state with a robust workforce, low cost of doing business and natural resources at the ready, Aspire Energy seeks to expand its service territory across Ohio with infrastructure additions and other investments to deliver efficient, affordable and reliable energy to communities, commercial properties, and industrial facilities. "It is an honor to work with the Aspire Energy team to deliver safe, reliable service to our customers year after year," said Kyle Moore, general manager, Ohio. "Our employees are part of the communities we serve, and that sense of community drives who we are and what we do. I'm looking forward to the next 10 years!" "Ohio is experiencing tremendous growth, especially in the manufacturing sector, which brings significant power generation needs," said Jeff Sylvester, senior vice president and chief operating officer. "Aspire Energy is in a good position to take advantage of the anticipated demand for energy coming as a result of the significant investments being made by companies choosing to build facilities and operate in Ohio." Aspire Energy owns and operates natural gas gathering infrastructure, including over 2,300 miles of pipelines, throughout 40 counties in Ohio. Aspire Energy supplies natural gas to several local distribution companies (LDCs) and cooperatives, and the company owns and operates six compressor stations and three mechanical refrigeration units, instrumental in extracting natural gas liquids (NGLs) from both conventional and shale gas. Aspire Energy also manages Consumers Gas Cooperative, a member-owned, not-for-profit natural gas cooperative based in Orrville, Ohio, that provides natural gas service to over 10,000 members. Aspire Energy Express (AEX) was created in 2020 as an intrastate pipeline company, and built and operates an interconnect between the Rockies Express Gas Pipeline and the Guernsey Power Station, an 1,875 MW power plant near Byesville, Ohio. AEX pursues opportunities to build intrastate pipelines for underserved markets throughout Ohio. About Chesapeake Utilities Corporation Chesapeake Utilities Corporation is a diversified energy delivery company, listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE:CPK). Chesapeake Utilities Corporation offers sustainable energy solutions through its natural gas transmission and distribution, electricity generation and distribution, propane gas distribution, mobile compressed natural gas utility services and solutions and other businesses. For more information, visit www.chpk.com. Media Alexander Nye Director, Strategic Communications 727.754.0136 [email protected] SOURCE Chesapeake Utilities Corporation SAO PAULO , April 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The China-Brazil Economic and Commercial Forum took place in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on March 28, bringing together high-profile government officials and business leaders from both countries. Keynote speakers included Ren Hongbin, Chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT); Luiz Augusto de Castro Neves, President of the Brazil-China Business Council; and Yu Peng, Consul General of China in Sao Paulo. Ren Hongbin, Chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), Delivered Speech at China-Brazil Economic and Trade Forum, Urging Bilateral Cooperation between China and Brazil with New Opportunities to Explore at the 3rd China International Supply Chain Expo. In his address, Ren Hongbin highlighted the enduring partnership between China and Brazil, emphasizing CCPIT's commitment to expanding economic collaboration under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Leading a delegation of Chinese entrepreneurs, Ren engaged in high-level talks with Brazilian Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, exploring new opportunities in industrial integration, supply chain resilience, and multilateral innovation. China reiterated its support for Brazil's 2024 BRICS presidency and the mutual goal of a "Golden 50 Years" of robust bilateral cooperation and solidarity among Global South nations. Brazilian participants emphasized the resilience and complementary strengths of economic ties between the two nations in the face of global challenges, including rising protectionism, climate change transitions, and technological disruptions. Key opportunities were identified in green energy, high-value industries, and integrated supply chains, with calls for businesses to leverage platforms like the China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) to advance sustainable growth. Co-organized by CCPIT and the Brazil-China Business Council, the forum attracted over 100 delegates from trade agencies, chambers, and companies, culminating in on-site agreements worth over US$2 billion spanning agriculture, mining, and CISCE participation. During the visit, Ren Hongbin headed a delegation of over 40 companies, representing key sectors, including agriculture, food processing, finance, infrastructure, energy, telecommunications, and healthcare. The delegation engaged in strategic talks with Brazilian government and business leaders while touring local companies to identify and pursue collaborative opportunities. For more information, please visit https://en.cisce.org.cn/ SOURCE China International Supply Chain Expo FRANKLIN, Tenn., April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Community Healthcare Trust Incorporated (NYSE: CHCT) today announced that on Tuesday evening, April 29, 2025, after the market closes, it will report results for the first quarter of 2025. On April 30, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. Central Time, Community Healthcare Trust will hold a conference call to discuss earnings results, quarterly activities, general operations of the Company and industry trends. Simultaneously, a webcast of the conference call will be available to interested parties via an Internet link at www.chct.reit under the Investor Relations section. A webcast replay will be available following the call at the same Internet site address. Conference Call Details Domestic Dial-In Number: 1-888-347-1332 International Dial-In Number: 1-412-902-4278 Canada Toll Free: 1-855-669-9657 Replay Conference Call Details Domestic Dial-In Number: 1-877-344-7529 International Dial-In Number: 1-412-317-0088 Canada Toll Free: 1-855-669-9658 Conference ID: 3318154 About Community Healthcare Trust Incorporated Community Healthcare Trust Incorporated (the "Company") is a real estate investment trust that focuses on owning income-producing real estate properties associated primarily with the delivery of outpatient healthcare services in our target sub-markets throughout the United States. As of December 31, 2024, the Company had investments of approximately $1.2 billion in 200 real estate properties (including a portion of one property accounted for as a sales-type lease and two properties classified as held for sale). The properties are located in 36 states, totaling approximately 4.4 million square feet in the aggregate. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements In addition to the historical information contained within, the matters discussed in this press release may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are generally identifiable by use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes", "expects", "may", "will," "should", "seeks", "approximately", "intends", "plans", "estimates", "anticipates" or other similar words or expressions, including the negative thereof. Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and can include future expectations, future plans and strategies, financial and operating projections or other forward-looking information. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management. Because forward-looking statements relate to future events, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of the control of Community Healthcare Trust Incorporated (the "Company"). Thus, the Company's actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in such forward-looking statements. Some factors that might cause such a difference include the following: general volatility of the capital markets and the market price of the Company's common stock, changes in the Company's business strategy, availability, terms and deployment of capital, changes in the real estate industry in general, interest rates or the general economy, adverse developments related to the healthcare industry, changes in governmental regulations, the degree and nature of the Company's competition, the ability to consummate acquisitions under contract, catastrophic or extreme weather and other natural events and the physical effects of climate change, the occurrence of cyber incidents, effects on global and national markets as well as businesses resulting from increased inflation, changes in interest rates, supply chain disruptions, labor conditions, and/or the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, and the other factors described in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, and the Company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. Readers are therefore cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained herein which speak only as of the date hereof. The Company intends these forward-looking statements to speak only as of the time of this press release and undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments, or otherwise, except as may be required by law. CONTACT: Bill Monroe, 615-771-3052 SOURCE Community Healthcare Trust Incorporated Over the past 24 hours, 176 combat clashes have been recorded. This was reported by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Telegram in operational information regarding the Russian invasion as of 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday. "Yesterday, the enemy carried out 101 airstrikes on the positions of Ukrainian units and populated areas, in particular, dropped 171 UABs. In addition, it carried out about 5,500 attacks, 120 of which were from multiple launch rocket systems, and used 1,844 kamikaze drones to destroy them," the General Staff reports. CHICAGO, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE: CAG) today announced that its Board of Directors approved a quarterly dividend payment of $0.35 per share of CAG common stock to be paid on May 29, 2025 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on April 28, 2025. Conagra Brands, Inc. has paid consecutive quarterly dividends since January 1976. About Conagra Brands Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE: CAG), is one of North America's leading branded food companies. We combine a 100-year history of making quality food with agility and a relentless focus on collaboration and innovation. The company's portfolio is continuously evolving to satisfy consumers' ever-changing food preferences. Conagra's brands include Birds Eye, Duncan Hines, Healthy Choice, Marie Callender's, Reddi-wip, Slim Jim, Angie's BOOMCHICKAPOP, and many more. As a corporate citizen, we aim to do what's right for our business, our employees, our communities and the world. Headquartered in Chicago, Conagra Brands generated fiscal 2024 net sales of more than $12 billion. For more information, visit www.conagrabrands.com. For more information, please contact: MEDIA: [email protected] INVESTORS: [email protected] SOURCE Conagra Brands, Inc. CTA Construction Managers was awarded the construction contract for Fort River Elementary School, a new state-of-the-art, 105,750-square-foot building that will accommodate 575 elementary school students in Amherst, MA. AMHERST, Mass., April 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- CTA Construction Managers recently started construction of the new Fort River Elementary School, a state-of-the-art facility designed to provide an exceptional learning environment for the community's children. This 105,750-square-foot, three-story building will accommodate 575 students from kindergarten through fifth grade, effectively replacing the existing Fort River and Wildwood Elementary Schools. CTA Construction Managers Begins Construction on New Net Zero Fort River Elementary School Emphasizing Amherst's commitment to sustainability, Donna DiNisco, President of DiNisco Design, the firm that designed the school said, "The new school is designed as a Net Zero energy building. It will feature both building-mounted and canopy-mounted photovoltaic panels, alongside a ground source heat pump mechanical system supported by 85 geothermal wells. These innovations ensure that the facility will generate 100% of its energy needs on-site, aligning with the town's environmental goals." DiNisco Design has also successfully collaborated with CTA Construction Managers to complete many other schools over the past two decades. "The project has been meticulously planned to ensure fiscal responsibility. Construction bids were opened on September 17, 2024, with CTA Construction Managers LLC of Waltham, Massachusetts, submitting the lowest bid at $73.48 million, contributing to total project savings of $4.8 million to date," said Paul Bockelman, Amherst Town Manager. "We broke ground last month and our crews have been working on concrete building foundations to be followed shortly by erection of the steel structure. The new school is expected to open its doors to students in the fall of 2026. Demolition of the existing structure will follow, with all remaining site work projected to conclude by late spring/early summer 2027," said Jeff Hazelwood, Principal at CTA Construction Managers. This project represents a significant milestone in Amherst's dedication to providing top-tier educational facilities while promoting environmental sustainability. About CTA Construction Managers LLC CTA Construction Managers is an award-winning construction management and general contracting firm specializing in municipal, academic, multi-family residential, commercial, and senior care facilities. Based in Waltham, Massachusetts, CTA Construction's portfolio of projects total over $1.7 billion. Founded in 2000, CTA has awarded over $100,000,000 in contracts to certified small, disadvantaged, minority, and women owned partners. CTA is a leader in green building, helping numerous clients build sustainably and meet LEED and MA-CHPS standards. For more information, please visit: https://ctaconstruction.com/ Press Contact: CTA Construction Managers 781-786-6600 https://ctaconstruction.com/ SOURCE CTA Construction Managers LLC CRYSTAL LAKE, Ill., April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Daiso, the globally recognized retail chain known for its affordable and unique products, is excited to announce the grand opening of its latest store in Crystal Lake, Illinois on April 5th. Located at Bohl Farm Marketplace, this store will be the first store in the US to feature both of their new brands, Standard Products and Threeppy, bringing a new experience to Illinois shoppers. "We are thrilled to bring both the Standard Products and Threeppy lines to Crystal Lake," said Jack Williams, Chief Retail Operations Officer for Daiso USA. "This range will complement our existing Daiso offerings, providing a selection of affordable, sustainable, and stylish items. It's an exciting expansion, and we're eager to introduce this experience to the community." THREEPPY launched in Japan in 2018, offering an array of colorful home, storage, and kitchenware, as well as cute personal accessories. The brand's philosophy, "Adorable, just for you!" emphasizes high-quality products with a playful, pastel aesthetic, meant to add personal touches to everyday essentials and room decor. Standard Products launched in Japan in 2021 and offers simple yet elegant items for everyday life. Their motto, "A little something is always better," emphasizes their chic and minimalist aesthetic. The line also highlights sustainability, with items designed to reduce environmental impact while maintaining style and function. This new Crystal Lake store will feature a wide array of products across categories, including Japanese inspired home goods, kitchenware, beauty, stationery, snacks, and now, both the Threeppy and Standard Products collections. From premium home fragrances to hair accessories, car essentials, toys, and more, customers will discover a new range of products for their daily needs. "We are proud to offer the first U.S. store with both Standard Products and Threeppy," said John Clarke, Chief Development Officer for Daiso USA. "With its focus on quality and design, we believe the line will resonate with our customers, and we're excited to expand its availability in the U.S." To celebrate the grand opening, on April 5th and 6th, the first 100 customers to make a minimum purchase of $30 will receive a special Daiso goodie bag. There will also be a special coupon offer available all weekend. The new store will be located at: Bohl Farm Marketplace, 5548 Northwest Highway, Crystal Lake, IL 60014 Store hours will be Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. About Daiso: Daiso is a Japanese owned global retail chain founded in Japan, known for its wide selection of unique and affordable products. Daiso entered the U.S. market in 2005 and continues to expand. The company's U.S. headquarters is in Anaheim, CA. SOURCE Daiso USA Acquisition expands Del-Air's footprint into northeast Florida ORLANDO, Fla., April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Del-Air Plumbing, Air Conditioning and Electric, Florida's foremost indoor comfort provider, is expanding its service area in the northeast corridor of Florida with the acquisition of McGowan's Heating & Air Conditioning. This marks Del-Air's seventh acquisition in the past 14 months. Del-Air Plumbing, Air Conditioning and Electric CEO Rick Rogers, McGowans Heating & Air Conditioning co-owners Mike Regula and Doug Regula, and Del-Air Chief Operating Officer Faizzy Saghir, left to right, announce Del-Airs acquisition of the Jacksonville heating and air conditioning company. With this latest acquisition, Del-Air will expand its service area into Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, Flagler and St. Johns counties. This will include the cities of Atlantic Beach, St. Johns, Callahan, Fernandina Beach, Jacksonville, Green Cove Springs, Orange Park, Ormond Beach, Palm Coast, St. Augustine and Starke. "McGowan's is a well-established brand in the Jacksonville area, and we are excited to welcome them to our growing team at Del-Air," said Rick Rogers, CEO of Del-Air. "This acquisition strengthens our leadership position in the Florida HVAC market and provides us with a strong presence in the northeastern part of the state. We look forward to meeting the heating and air conditioning needs of this large and growing community." McGowan's Heating & Air Conditioning has provided heating and air conditioning services to the Jacksonville community for nearly 50 years. The multi-generational company offers a wide variety of services, including attic insulation, commercial HVAC installation and repair, duct cleaning, indoor air quality (IAQ) upgrades and residential HVAC services. McGowan's will now operate as Del-Air. "Becoming part of Del-Air is a great opportunity to expand our business," said Mike Regula, president of McGowan's Heating and Air Conditioning. "Their reputation and commitment to excellence will help us build upon McGowan's legacy and expand the services we provide, including plumbing and electrical repair and installation, to our customers in the Jacksonville metro area." For more than 40 years, Del-Air has built a strong reputation as the air conditioning and heating contractor of choice for Florida homeowners, homebuilders and commercial businesses. For more information about Del-Air or to see the company's discount offers, visit https://www.delair.com/. To schedule a service visit or repair, call (888) 831-2665. About Del-Air Plumbing, Air Conditioning and Electric Since 1983, Del-Air has served Florida residents, businesses and homebuilders with quality air conditioning, heating, plumbing and electrical products and services. Del-Air's warranty programs and flagship Precise Comfort Plan includes regular professional maintenance for all household plumbing, air conditioning and electrical systems where applicable. Visit https://www.delair.com/ or call 888-831-2665 to contact Del-Air. Del-Air is majority owned by Astara Capital Partners. About Astara Capital Partners Astara Capital Partners is an integrated team of investors and operators investing in the middle market. The firm brings capital, strategic, and operational resources to its investments to build sustainable value and position them for long-term success. Astara focuses on a variety of industrial and services sectors, including building products, food, packaging, residential services, IT services, A&D, and government services. More information about Astara can be found at http://www.astaracapital.com/. MEDIA CONTACT: Heather Ripley Ripley PR (865) 977-1973 [email protected] SOURCE Del-Air Plumbing, Air Conditioning and Electric Patients and experts highlight the importance of colorectal cancer screening and prevention CENTER VALLEY, Pa., April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of its corporate mission, Olympus Corporation of the Americas educates individuals and their families about the importance of preventive colorectal cancer (CRC) screenings through partnerships with patients, physicians, and non-profit patient advocacy organizations including the Colorectal Cancer Alliance (CCA). During Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in March, Olympus: As part of its corporate mission, Olympus Corporation of the Americas hosted a live-streamed panel discussion during Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in March with patients, a physician expert and a patient navigator about the importance of preventive screenings. Hosted a live-streamed panel discussion with patients, a physician expert and a patient navigator. View the event recording on YouTube. Sponsored the CCA Satellite Media Tour, which featured CRC epidemiologist Dr. Christine Molmenti and CRC survivor DeeDee West . The tour garnered 352 total hits with more than 5.8 million impressions . and CRC survivor . The tour garnered . Supports the CCA's Colonoscopy Assistance Program, which covers screening colonoscopies for the uninsured. Last year, the program resulted in 45 screenings that found no polyps and 30 screenings with abnormal results that required polyp removal or further testing. Colorectal Cancer Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment: Understanding Self-Advocacy A history of acid reflux prevented Olympus employee Kathleen Wiltraut from undergoing a routine colonoscopy. Drinking all the liquid required to cleanse the colon for the procedure proved difficult, so she put it off. Kathleen, who shared her personal story of strength and self-advocacy at the March 11 event, eventually took a home-screening test, which came back positive for colorectal cancer. Experiencing no symptoms, she initially dismissed the result as a false positive before finally scheduling her first colonoscopy at age 60. "My family hounded me to get a colonoscopy and thankfully they did because I was diagnosed with Stage III rectal cancer," Kathleen said. "Don't put it off. Get screened." Dr. Renee Williams, a panelist and gastroenterologist with NYU Langone Health, said to make sure you follow the instructions for your colonoscopy prep carefully. "Performing a colonoscopy on a patient who isn't prepped well is like trying to drive with a dirty windshield," said Dr. Williams. "If we can't see the lining of your colon properly, we may miss things such as polyps or cancer. We will also have to ask you to reschedule your procedure, and then you have to repeat the prep process." The Message Is Clear: Get Screened While CRC rates overall have dropped since the mid-1980s, rates in people younger than 50 have increased about 2.4% annually from 2012 to 2021, according to the American Cancer Society.1 The message around the importance of screening is critical given the attitudes that persist about colonoscopy. This was the impetus for Dr. Molmenti and DeeDee West to give hours of interviews on the topic during the CCA Satellite Media Tour in New York City on March 4. "When this disease is found early, there is a 91% five-year survival rate.2 This is only made possible by detecting cancer in its earliest stage or preventing it altogether through colonoscopy," said Dr. Molmenti. "You can't wait for symptoms. There are often no symptoms. Screening is our best tool to prevent this disease." About Olympus At Olympus, we are committed to Our Purpose of making people's lives healthier, safer and more fulfilling. As a global medical technology company, we partner with healthcare professionals to provide solutions and services for early detection, diagnosis and minimally invasive treatment, aiming to improve patient outcomes by elevating the standard of care in targeted disease states. Olympus Corporation of the Americas, a wholly owned subsidiary of Olympus Corporation, is headquartered in Center Valley, Pennsylvania, USA, and employs more than 4,500 employees throughout locations in North and South America. For more information, visit olympusamerica.com . 1 American Cancer Society, "Key Statistics for Colorectal Cancer." Rev. Jan. 16, 2025 2 American Cancer Society, "Survival Rates for Colorectal Cancer." Rev. Jan. 16, 2025 SOURCE Olympus Corporation of the Americas NOTTINGHAM, England, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- EDF Renewables, a global leader in renewable energy, has selected ONYX Insight to centralise condition monitoring across its wind turbine fleet using the hardware-agnostic fleetMONITOR platform. This initiative enhances EDF Renewables' ability to assess drivetrain health, optimise maintenance, and improve operational efficiency across 5GW of assets. EDF Renewables' Beaujolais Vert wind farm in Valsonne, France As an operator of more than 14.2GW of renewable assets worldwide, EDF Renewables faced challenges in consolidating data from multiple Condition Monitoring Systems (CMS). Seeking a scalable solution, EDF Renewables turned to fleetMONITOR to streamline monitoring and maintenance strategies. A Unified Approach to Fleet Monitoring EDF Renewables' wind fleet spans multiple geographies and CMS hardware including multiple third-party providers and ONYX's own ecoCMS and ecoCMS Flex. Managing these systems separately increased the risk of missed faults and inefficiencies in maintenance planning. EDF Renewables needed a single analytics platform to integrate CMS technologies and provide actionable insights for optimised operations and maintenance (O&M). Optimising Operations with fleetMONITOR ONYX Insight deployed fleetMONITOR to provide EDF Renewables' Condition Monitoring Engineers at the company's e-Diagnostic Centre (eDC) in Colombiers and Montpellier, France, with a platform refined by over 10 years of failure data. This enables EDF Renewables to improve predictive maintenance, streamline fault detection, and drive operational efficiencies. Following a technical evaluation, EDF Renewables selected ONYX Insight for its decade of expertise in hardware-agnostic condition monitoring and proven results. The partnership began in 2022 with a pilot programme and grew into a long-term collaboration. ONYX provided in-depth training to ensure adoption of fleetMONITOR. By the end of 2025, EDF Renewables will monitor over 5GW of assets worldwide in fleetMONITOR, demonstrating the scalability and operational benefits of the platform. "Our collaboration with EDF Renewables highlights the scalability and flexibility of fleetMONITOR," said Sven Thiesen, Director of Sales & Engineering - Europe at ONYX Insight. "By equipping EDF's team with the right tools and training, we've enabled the eDC to unlock the full potential of their wind energy assets." About ONYX Insight Owned by Macquarie Capital, ONYX Insight provides predictive analytics, advanced sensing, and engineering expertise to the wind industry. Monitoring 28,000+ turbines in 35+ countries, ONYX is trusted by eight of the top ten wind asset owners globally and has been selected by GE as the sole provider of condition monitoring for its onshore platforms. For more information, visit http://www.onyxinsight.com/. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2655149/EOLIEN_FRANCE_BEAUJOLAIS_VERT_EDF.jpg SOURCE ONYX Insight The visionary advocate for children's rights will lead ECW's global efforts to mobilize more resources to ensure children living on the frontlines of the world's most severe humanitarian crises are able to access quality education. NEW YORK, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Education Cannot Wait (ECW), the global fund for education in emergencies and protracted crises in the United Nations, is proud to announce the appointment of Sigrid Kaag of The Netherlands as the new Chair of ECW's High-Level Steering Group. Education Cannot Wait and its strategic partners transform the lives of millions of girls and boys impacted by armed conflicts, forced displacement and climate-induced disasters. Our investment in their right to quality education is our shared responsibility and is the best investment towards economic resilience, global security and sustainable development, said Kaag. As the Chair, Kaag will serve as a champion and advocate to strengthen political will and increase global funding for education in emergencies and protracted crises as world leaders race to deliver on the promise of universal education outlined in the Pact for the Future and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Through its four-year strategic plan, ECW is working with donors, member states, the private sector, UN agencies and civil society to raise US$1.5 billion to reach 20 million crisis-impacted children with the safety, hope and opportunity of a quality education. The needs are more pressing than ever. When ECW was founded in 2016 by The Rt. Hon. Gordon Brown, it was estimated that approximately 75 million crisis-impacted children required urgent education support. Today, that number has more than tripled to almost a quarter of a billion crisis-affected girls and boys. "Education Cannot Wait and its strategic partners transform the lives of millions of girls and boys impacted by armed conflicts, forced displacement and climate-induced disasters. Our investment in their right to quality education is our shared responsibility and is the best investment towards economic resilience, global security and sustainable development," said Kaag. "With continued, generous and expanded support of public and private sector donors, we can increase ECW's remarkable results, which have already reached more than 11 million children. I thank The Rt. Hon. Gordon Brown for his visionary leadership in creating and leading ECW from a start-up just a few years ago to the billion-dollar global fund it has become. I look forward to working with the High-Level Steering Group and the Director, along with the support of the Executive Committee to continue his legacy." Brown served as the Chair of ECW's High-Level Steering Group from 2016 to 2024 and will continue his global advocacy through his ongoing role as the UN Special Envoy for Global Education. "With her diverse and deep international experience and passion for the needs of crisis-affected children, refugees and displaced young people, Sigrid Kaag will be a brilliant Chair for the ongoing evolution of Education Cannot Wait," Brown said. "Under the strategic and visionary leadership of The Rt. Hon. Gordon Brown, Education Cannot Wait and our partners created a new vision to deliver quality education with humanitarian speed and development depth on the frontlines of the world's humanitarian crises," said ECW Director Yasmine Sherif. "We are delighted to welcome Sigrid Kaag as our new High-Level Steering Group Chair. Through her leadership, we will continue our efforts to reach millions of crisis-impacted girls and boys worldwide." Kaag's appointment included a broad consultation, selection and approval process with senior United Nations leaders, including UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed, UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell, and senior members of the ECW High-Level Steering Group. ECW's High-Level Steering Group provides strategic guidance to the Fund's operations. Convened at the ministerial level, it is comprised of partner organizations - including heads of UN agencies and multilateral aid agencies, CEOs of civil society organizations and foundations, and private sector representatives - and works closely with ECW's Director and Executive Committee. Kaag brings a wealth of experience in political, humanitarian and development affairs, as well as in diplomacy. In 2025, she was appointed by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres as the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, a.i. Kaag has just concluded her mandate as Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza, a role she held since 2024. She served as the first Deputy Prime Minister and first female Minister of Finance in the Dutch government starting in January 2022. Prior to this, she was Dutch Minister for Trade and Development Cooperation from October 2017 until May 2021, and Minister for Foreign Affairs until September 2021. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2655902/Quote_card.jpg FALLS CHURCH, Va., April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The EIFS Industry Members Association (EIMA) proudly announces the distinguished winners of the 2024 EIFS Excellence Awards recognizing the most outstanding projects that incorporate Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems (EIFS), renowned for their superior performance, sustainability, durability, and aesthetic flexibility in building envelope solutions. The award-winning projects showcase the role of EIFS in energy-efficient, visually striking design. Post this 2024 EIFS Project of the Year: The Atrium at Sumner in Brooklyn, NY This year's esteemed jury comprised leading architects, building science experts, and construction industry professionals who evaluated projects based on design excellence, energy efficiency, and creative use of EIFS. The judges were Kirk Rose, (HMC Architects), Joseph Del Ciotto (Lantz Boggio), Peter Freeman (Freeman Kennett), John Edgar (John R.S Edgar Consulting), and David Johnston (former EIMA CEO/Executive Director). The panel marveled not only at EIFS's architectural adaptability but also the innovative integration of modern EIFS technology, including advanced wall systems with built-in drainage and air and water-resistive barriers, providing superior moisture management and durability. The winning projects excelled in aesthetics, sustainability, and efficiency. From innovative commercial buildings to multi-family housing, each highlighted EIFS's role in energy-efficient, visually striking designs. Judges praised the adaptability of EIFS across climates and project types, noting its environmental benefits and performance advantages. Chosen increasingly over traditional materials for cost-effectiveness and speed of construction, many winners used EIFS to meet tight schedules while exceeding energy standards amid evolving building codes. Among this year's winners, the prestigious EIFS Project of the Year was awarded to The Atrium at Sumner. This exceptional project exemplifies the benefits of EIFS in multifamily housing by combining energy efficiency, affordability, and aesthetic appeal. The Atrium at Sumner utilizes an advanced EIFS system that significantly reduces heating and cooling costs, contributing to long-term affordability for residents. The project's thoughtful design and durable building envelope demonstrate how EIFS technology supports high-quality, cost-effective housing solutions while maintaining architectural elegance. "The 2024 EIFS Excellence Awards winners exemplify the best of what modern building envelopes can achieve," the jury remarked. "These projects push the boundaries of architectural creativity while leveraging EIFS technology for superior insulation, moisture protection, and long-term durability." The awards ceremony took place on March 19th during the 2025 EIMA Annual Meeting in Orlando, FL. EIMA congratulates all winners and extends its appreciation to the architects, designers, contractors, and manufacturers who continue to advance EIFS innovation. Award Recipients EIFS Project of the Year The Atrium at Sumner Brooklyn, NY EIFS Excellence Awards One River North Denver, CO Waco Family Medicine Waco, TX David Eccles School of Business Impact and Prosperity Housing Salt Lake City, UT of Business Impact and Prosperity Housing One Seven at Belleview Station Denver, CO The Global Ambassador Hotel Phoenix, AZ Awards of Merit Baptist Health Care Medical Office Building 2 Pensacola, FL Private Residence Skaneateles, NY Tulsa Premium Outlets Jenks, OK oLiv Hetzel State College State College, PA 160 Richmond Terrace Staten Island, NY Avalon Governor's Park Apartments Denver, CO Mountain View Village Phase 2 Riverton, UT Holiday Inn Club Vacations Resort Myrtle Beach, SC Honorable Mentions Mercury Block Edmonton, Alberta Blok Lac-Beauport, Quebec Element Hotel Colorado Springs, CO Heritage Apartments Springfield, MO The Archive at Chapel Street New Haven, CT Asher Adams Autograph Collection - Salt Lake City, UT Huntsman Cancer Center Salt Lake City, UT Rose des vents (High Five) Montreal, Quebec Project details and photos are available on EIMA's website. Established in 1981, EIMA stands as a 501(c)(6) trade association comprising leading manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, applicators, and architects engaged in the North American exterior insulation and finish systems (EIFS) industry. For further information, please visit https://www.eima.com/. SOURCE EIFS Industry Members Association Eurostar becomes the first train provider to launch Klarna's BNPL products. LONDON, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Klarna, the AI-powered payments and shopping network, today announces its launch with Eurostar, enabling travelers in the UK and France to book their journeys with greater flexibility. Customers checking out on Eurostar.com can now choose Klarna's Pay in 3, allowing them to split the cost of their ticket into three equal, interest-free payments, or Pay in Full for a seamless one-time transaction. With record-breaking passenger demand and Eurostar's commitment to making sustainable high-speed rail more accessible, this new payment solution will give even more travelers the flexibility to book their journeys with ease. Raji Behal, Head of Western and Southern Europe at Klarna, says, "Hello, bonjour, and bienvenue to a smoother way to book your Eurostar trip. Eurostar has changed the way we travel between the UK and Europe-now Klarna is changing the way we pay for it. Whether you're heading to Paris for a weekend getaway or Brussels for business, you can now check out with Klarna and choose to pay in full or split the cost over time. Fast, flexible, and now even easier to book-just like train travel should be." Francois Le Doze Chief, Commercial Officer at Eurostar, added, "At Eurostar, we're always looking for ways to enhance the customer experience and make high-speed rail the most convenient and accessible way to travel in Europe. By partnering with Klarna, we're giving our passengers more choice and flexibility at checkout, making it even easier to plan their journeys across our expanding network. Whether it's a luxury weekend getaway to Paris or booking one of our great value Train + Hotel packages in Amsterdam, Klarna's flexible payment options align perfectly with our vision of seamless, sustainable, and customer-friendly rail travel." In 2024, Eurostar carried a record-breaking 19.5 million passengers, a 5% increase from the previous year, as more travelers choose rail over air for its convenience, comfort, and 90% lower CO emissions per passenger-kilometer compared to flying. At the same time, Klarna is seeing strong growth in the UK and France, with more consumers turning to interest-free credit to manage their spending flexibly. This partnership marks Klarna's continued expansion in the travel sector, offering smoother, more flexible payment options to passengers across Europe. Rail travel is also playing an increasing role in sustainable transport choices, with trains emitting up to 11 times less CO per passenger-kilometer than flights. CONTACT: [email protected] This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com. https://news.cision.com/klarna-bank-ab--publ-/r/eurostar-introduces-klarna-for-flexible-payments-in-the-uk-and-france--making-high-speed-rail-more-a,c4129473 The following files are available for download: AUBURN HILLS, Mich., April 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- First-quarter 2025 total U.S. sales decreased 12% year over year First-quarter 2025 retail sales remained level year over year Chrysler brand total U.S. sales increased 1% year over year FIAT brand total U.S. sales increased 239%, driven by the all-electric 500e Ram brand U.S. retail sales increased 16% year over year; posts consecutive year-over-year increases January through March Ram light-duty, heavy-duty trucks and ProMaster van all posted Q1 retail sales increases year over year Jeep brand U.S. retail sales increased 2% year over year Jeep Compass posted 15% total U.S. sales increase in Q1 versus same quarter last year Jeep Grand Cherokee posted 14% retail gain year over year Total 4xe (Wrangler 4xe, Grand Cherokee 4xe) total U.S. sales increased 150% month over month ( March 2025 over February 2025 ) over ) All-electric Dodge Charger Daytona accounted for 65% of total Dodge Charger sales in Q1 2025 FCA US LLC reports total sales of 293,225 vehicles in the first quarter of 2025. Overall, first-quarter 2025 total U.S. sales declined 12%. Retail sales for the company, which remained level year over year, saw growth through the Jeep and Ram brands. "We've seen consecutive monthly market share growth since January, in addition to retail growth momentum, with the right mix of pricing and incentive actions put in place at the end of last year, leading both Jeep and Ram brands to post their best retail months of the year this March," said Jeff Kommor, head of U.S. sales. "Additionally, our company year-over-year retail sales were up by 13.8% when disallowing for discontinued models, and we expect to see this gap corrected as our new model offerings continue to fill out our growing U.S. brand portfolios." Jeep brand's Q1 retail U.S. sales increased 2% year over year. Jeep Compass saw total U.S. sales increase 15% year over year in Q1 versus the same period last year Jeep Grand Cherokee the No. 1-selling full-size UV, leading in segment loyalty Q1 U.S. retail sales increased 14% year over year Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe accounted for 23% of total Grand Cherokee sales in Q1 2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe accounted for 26% of total Wrangler sales in Q1 2025 Jeep brand's total U.S. sales increased 36% month over month (March 2025 over February 2025). Total 4xe (Wrangler 4xe, Grand Cherokee 4xe) total U.S. sales increased 150% month over month. Wrangler total U.S. sales increased 69% month over month Wrangler 4xe total U.S. sales increased 229% month over month Grand Cherokee total U.S. sales increased 31% month over month Grand Cherokee 4xe total U.S. sales increased 42% month over month Gladiator total U.S. sales increased 8% month over month Compass total U.S. sales increased 24% month over month Wagoneer total U.S. sales increased 44% month over month The brand's first global BEV, the Jeep Wagoneer S, arriving in U.S. dealerships this quarter, saw sales of 2,595 units, with total sales increasing 21% month over month (March over February 2025 ) Ram brand saw Q1 U.S. retail sales increase 16% year over year, notching the best Q1 Ram U.S. retail sales in three years (Q1 2022). Ram brand shows monthly U.S. retail sales momentum in Q1 2025 with consecutive year-over-year increases January through March. Ram 1500 saw retail sales increase 14% in Q1 versus the same period last year Ram Heavy Duty (Ram 2500/3500) Q1 U.S. retail sales increased 18% year over year, making it the best Q1 for Heavy Duty since Q1 2022 Ram ProMaster Q1 total U.S. sales increased 148% year over year, making it the best Q1 in total sales in two years (Q1 2023) The new 2025 Ram Heavy Duty truck (2500/3500) and Chassis Cab (3500/4500/5500) launched in Q1, with vehicles now in dealer stores Orders are now open for the all-new, all-electric 2025 Ram ProMaster EV cargo van Customers can now build and price their Ram ProMaster EV cargo van, then align with their preferred dealer to finalize the purchase The Ram 1500 was awarded Best Full-size Truck in the 2025 MotorWeek Drivers' Choice Awards and Full-size Truck of Texas , for the seventh consecutive year, at the Texas Truck Rodeo Chrysler brand's Q1 2025 total U.S. sales increased 1% year over year. Chrysler Pacifica 2025 total U.S. sales increased 11% year over year Chrysler total minivan (Pacifica and Voyager) U.S. sales continue to increase quarter over quarter since Q3 2024 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid total U.S. sales increased 98% from Q1 2025 over Q4 2024 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid accounted for 12.8% of total Chrysler Pacifica sales in Q1 2025 The 2025 Chrysler Pacifica, the most awarded minivan ever, earned the honor of being named the Best Minivan for Families from U.S. News & World Report. This is the second consecutive year that the Chrysler Pacifica has won this prestigious award Deliveries of the world's first and only electric muscle car, the all-new Dodge Charger Daytona, ramped up in dealerships in Q1. All-electric Dodge Charger Daytona accounted for 65% of total Dodge Charger sales in the first quarter of the year The all-new Dodge Charger Daytona took a top spot in the 2025 MotorWeek Drivers' Choice Awards, with the vehicle earning honors as Best Sport Coupe Dodge Durango Q1 2025 retail U.S. sales increased 64% year over year The electrified Dodge Hornet R/T accounted for 56% of total Dodge Hornet U.S. sales in Q1 2025 The FIAT brand saw total U.S. sales in the first quarter increase 239% year over year, driven by strong momentum of the all-electric Fiat 500e. Alfa Romeo Tonale sales were up 12% in Q1 2025 compared to Q4 2025, which included sales of both plug-in hybrid and the new 2025 model-year 2.0L turbo gas powertrain. FCA US LLC is a North American automaker based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. It designs, manufactures, and sells or distributes vehicles under the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, FIAT and Alfa Romeo brands, as well as the SRT performance designation. The company also distributes Mopar and Alfa Romeo parts and accessories. FCA US LLC is a subsidiary of Stellantis N.V. For the methodology of determining FCA US LLC monthly sales click here. These statements are based on current expectations and projections about future events and, by their nature, are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. They relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur or exist in the future and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on them. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed in such statements as a result of a variety of factors, including: volatility and deterioration of capital and financial markets, changes in commodity prices, changes in general economic conditions, economic growth and other changes in business conditions, weather, floods, earthquakes or other natural disasters, changes in government regulation, production difficulties, including capacity and supply constraints, and many other risks and uncertainties, most of which are outside of our control. U.S. Fleet business includes three channels, rental, governmental and commercial. Stellantis North America Stellantis (NYSE: STLA) is one of the world's leading automakers, aiming to provide clean, safe and affordable freedom of mobility for all. In North America, it's best known for producing and selling vehicles in a portfolio of iconic, innovative and award-winning brands, including Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge//SRT, Ram, Alfa Romeo and Fiat. Stellantis is executing its Dare Forward 2030, a bold strategic plan that paves the way to achieve the ambitious target of becoming a carbon net zero mobility tech company by 2038, while creating added value for all stakeholders. Follow company news and video on: Company blog: http://blog.stellantisnorthamerica.com Media website: http://media.stellantisnorthamerica.com Company website: www.stellantis.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/Stellantis Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StellantisNA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stellantisna Twitter: @StellantisNA YouTube: http://youtube.com/StellantisNA FCA US LLC Sales Summary Q1 2025 Q1 Sales Vol % CYTD Sales Vol % Model Curr Yr Pr Yr Change Curr Yr Pr Yr Change Compass 31,730 27,647 15 % 31,730 27,647 15 % Wrangler 37,961 38,308 -1 % 37,961 38,308 -1 % Gladiator 12,057 12,989 -7 % 12,057 12,989 -7 % Cherokee 156 1,196 -87 % 156 1,196 -87 % Grand Cherokee 48,465 54,455 -11 % 48,465 54,455 -11 % Renegade 370 5,763 -94 % 370 5,763 -94 % Wagoneer 5,400 13,131 -59 % 5,400 13,131 -59 % Wagoneer S 2,595 0 2,595 0 Grand Wagoneer 1,849 3,550 -48 % 1,849 3,550 -48 % JEEP BRAND 140,583 157,039 -10 % 140,583 157,039 -10 % Ram LD PU 47,067 53,031 -11 % 47,067 53,031 -11 % Ram HD PU 31,781 36,386 31,781 36,386 ProMaster Van 14,519 5,853 148 % 14,519 5,853 148 % ProMaster City 1 38 -97 % 1 38 -97 % RAM BRAND 93,368 95,308 -2 % 93,368 95,308 -2 % 300 341 1,693 -80 % 341 1,693 -80 % Town & Country 0 0 0 0 Voyager 2,319 0 2,319 0 Pacifica 32,409 33,114 -2 % 32,409 33,114 -2 % CHRYSLER BRAND 35,069 34,806 1 % 35,069 34,806 1 % Dart 0 0 0 0 Viper 0 1 0 1 Hornet 4,108 7,419 -45 % 4,108 7,419 -45 % Charger 1,052 10,660 -90 % 1,052 10,660 -90 % Charger BEV 1,947 0 1,947 0 Challenger 922 9,737 -91 % 922 9,737 -91 % Journey 1 0 1 0 Caravan 0 2 -100 % 0 2 -100 % Durango 13,701 15,129 -9 % 13,701 15,129 -9 % DODGE BRAND 21,731 42,948 -49 % 21,731 42,948 -49 % 500 448 41 993 % 448 41 993 % 500L 0 0 0 0 500X 74 113 -35 % 74 113 -35 % Spider 0 0 0 0 FIAT BRAND 522 154 239 % 522 154 239 % Giulia 541 640 -15 % 541 640 -15 % Alfa 4C 0 0 0 0 Stelvio 686 917 -25 % 686 917 -25 % Tonale 725 728 0 % 725 728 0 % ALFA ROMEO 1,952 2,285 -15 % 1,952 2,285 -15 % FCA US LLC 293,225 332,540 -12 % 293,225 332,540 -12 % SOURCE FCA US LLC Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy calls for increased pressure on Russia to end the war, given the massive drone attacks and air strikes on Ukrainian territory. This systematic and constant nature of Russian strikes clearly indicates that Moscow despises the diplomatic efforts of partners. Putin does not even want to ensure a partial ceasefire. Whats needed is new and tangible pressure on Russia to put this war on a path toward ending. We should not wait until April 11, when it will be a month since Russia said no to the American proposal for a ceasefire. Action must be taken as soon as possible, Zelenskyy said on X Wednesday. He noted that last night the Russian army launched 74 drones against Ukraine, 14 of them in Kharkiv, as a result of which there were hits and there are wounded among the civilian population, including three children. Russian air strikes continue: in less than a day, the occupiers used almost 50 guided air bombs in Sumy region alone. There were also strikes on energy facilities: in Sumy region, an FPV drone struck a substation; in Nikopol, Dnipropetrovsk region, an artillery strike damaged a power line, and almost 4,000 subscribers in two regions were left without electricity. We are ready to work with all our partners in the U.S., Europe, and around the world in the most constructive way to achieve this much-needed result a dignified and lasting peace, Zelenskyy noted. Recognition Marks Third Year in A Row Zum Has Appeared on Prestigious List REDWOOD CITY, Calif., April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Financial Times announced that Zum has been named to its annual "The Americas' Fastest Growing Companies List," a recognition that supports Zum's position as the leader in modern student transportation. Zum ranks No. 28 on this year's list of the top 300 companies and is the highest-ranking company in the Logistics & Transportation category. This is the third year in a row that Zum has been named to this prestigious list of innovative leaders across North, South, and Latin America. Today, the Financial Times announced that Zum has been named to its annual The Americas Fastest Growing Companies List, a recognition that supports Zums position as the leader in modern student transportation. Zum ranks No. 28 on this years list of the top 300 companies and is the highest-ranking company in the Logistics & Transportation category. "Zum is leading a national movement to change the status quo in student transportation and transform how we apply critical technological innovation into the largest mass transit system in the country," said Ritu Narayan, Founder and CEO at Zum. "We are delighted to be named one of The Americas' Fastest Growing Companies by the Financial Times for the third year in a row, and to be included on a list of some of the most impressive companies across this Hemisphere." Zum unifies parents, students, school administrators and drivers on a single personalized end-to-end technology platform, enabling never-before-achieved levels of visibility and data-backed accountability. Through the Zum app, parents can view a profile of their child's bus driver, along with real-time tracking and notifications about their school bus location and their child's pickup or dropoff status. Zum also allows administrators to optimize routes and provides staff with real-time data and performance reports. Zum currently serves thousands of schools across 14 states, including districts in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland; Boston; Seattle; Spokane; Nashville; Omaha; Kansas City, Mo.; Howard County, Md.; and more. "From new school district partnerships to launching the nation's first all-electric school bus fleet with the ability to power the grid, we have made great strides in the past year in delivering a safe, reliable and equitable student transportation solution," Narayan added. "We are grateful to all of the families, drivers, school districts and communities nationwide that support our mission." Zum made history this year by launching the nation's first fully electrified school bus fleet in Oakland, CA that is equipped with groundbreaking vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology that enables the buses to return 2.1 gigawatt hours of energy to the grid, overall improving grid resilience and reliability during times of peak demand. This technology will soon be deployed at scale. "The Americas' Fastest Growing Companies" is compiled by the Financial Times in partnership with Statista, and features the top 300 companies in the Americas that have achieved the strongest growth in revenues between 2020 and 2023. Data was collected through official sources like publicly available earning presentations, investor relations, websites and annual reports. The complete list of The Americas' Fastest Growing Companies 2025 can be found here . To learn more about how Zum is working with thousands of schools across the nation to deliver safe, reliable and modern student transportation, please visit Zum's website . About Zum Zum is a modern transportation solution transforming school transportation, the largest mass transit system in the U.S. Today, the company provides turnkey modern transportation solutions to school districts in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Utah, and Virginia, and is expanding rapidly nationwide. Recognized globally for its innovative transportation and energy as a service platform, Zum has been featured among Fast Company's World Changing Ideas, CNBC Disruptor 50, CNBC Changemakers, World Economic Forum and Financial Times' Fastest Growing Companies. Learn more about Zum at www.ridezum.com . CONTACT: Jenny Mayfield, Vice President of Communications [email protected] SOURCE Zum LAKELAND, Fla., April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Devin Stephenson, president of Florida Polytechnic University, has been awarded the distinguished honor of becoming a correspondent academician of the Royal European Academy of Doctors (RAED). The international recognition underscores his significant contributions to academia and leadership. Dr. Devin Stephenson, president of Florida Polytechnic University, has been selected as a correspondent academician of the Royal European Academy of Doctors. "It is a profound privilege to be selected as a correspondent academician of the Royal European Academy of Doctors," Stephenson said. "This acknowledgement is a testament to the remarkable progress we can make as an academic community. I look forward to engaging with colleagues from around the world and contributing to our shared mission of fostering excellence in our fields." RAED was founded in 1914, and its primary goal is to research and disseminate knowledge in the health, social, human, experimental, and technological sciences. Among its global ranks of professional standouts are Nobel laureates, former heads of state, and tenured academics specializing in economics, law, medicine, philosophy, physical sciences, and engineering. "I am pleased to welcome Dr. Stephenson to the Royal Society," said Dr. Alfredo Rocafort, president of RAED. "His pioneering work is expanding our understanding of the world and continues to drive innovation in both academic research and industry." Stephenson's induction to the century-old institution underscores the global impact of his work and Florida Poly's growing prominence in the academic world. This May, he will travel to Barcelona, Spain, for a formal inauguration ceremony, during which he will deliver an inaugural address about leadership in education. "I've been fortunate to collaborate with talented teams at institutions that reinforce my passion for education and positive change," Stephenson said. "I believe that bold, forward-thinking leadership can transform the educational landscape and unlock limitless possibilities for our students. I'm excited to continue pushing the boundaries of what's possible at Florida Poly." Throughout Stephenson's distinguished career, he has sought to embrace and promote the importance of strong, thoughtful leadership in higher education. He has served as president and CEO of multiple higher education institutions and earlier in his career held higher education leadership positions such as vice president, dean of students, and program director. In November 2024, Stephenson was awarded the Lifetime Leadership Award by Higher Education Innovation (HEI), a national group dedicated to advancing discovery and success in higher education. He also has received recognition for his leadership by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on College's (SACSCOC) Board of Trustees, and the University of Alabama College of Education, among others. "Although I am appreciative of these recognitions, the accolades should shine squarely on the teams I have had the opportunity to build at numerous institutions," Stephenson said. "I believe in a 'we' rather than 'me' philosophy of leadership that makes the most impact." SOURCE Florida Polytechnic University DENVER, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Great Place To Work and Fortune magazine have recognized PCL Construction as one of the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For in 2025. This is PCL's 16th time being named to this prestigious list, this year coming in at 91st place. Earning a spot means that PCL is one of the best companies to work for in the country. PCL Construction Places on the 2025 Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For List (CNW Group/PCL Construction) The 100 Best Companies to Work For list honors companies that build a high-trust workplace environment, measured through Great Place To Work's proprietary survey platform. Confidential feedback from more than 1.3 million employees in the U.S. is matched against HR data from participating companies. Only companies with consistently high survey responses across the 60 statements that comprise the Trust Index Survey are honored with placement on the list. "As a 100% employee-owned company, this is truly a shared honor with our workforce," said Deron Brown, PCL president and chief operating officer, U.S. operations. "Being named to Fortune's 100 Best Companies to Work For list for the 16th time is a testament to the dynamic culture created by our employee-owners. Today's labor market is more competitive than ever, yet together we continue to attract top talent by offering a collaborative, supportive environment where employees can see themselves building a long-term career" The Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For List is highly competitive. Companies are only considered for the list if they are a Great Place to Work Certified organization with 1,000 or more employees in the U.S. Companies are assessed on their ability to create a great employee experience that cuts across job level, business unit, race, gender, age, disability status, or any aspect of employee identity. Earning a spot on the list is an important indicator of overall company performance. Companies on the 100 Best list consistently outperform the market and exceed their competitors on key business measures like retention and innovation. "Leaders are the reason a business succeeds or fails," says Michael C. Bush, CEO of Great Place To Work. "In the more than 30 years we've studied the workplace, our data proves that how you treat people shows up in your financial performance." This year's list of winners offers compelling insights into the workforce strategies needed to thrive in the AI era. "When you measure trust, you uncover the potential that exists in an organization," Bush says. "Employees at companies on this list have higher levels of trust in their leaders and in their organization, unlocking their creativity, passion, and resilience." "Fortune is happy to have collaborated with Great Place To Work for the 28th year to recognize the 100 Best Companies to Work For," says Alyson Shontel, editor-in-chief of Fortune. "In a difficult macro environment with unprecedented challenges, these companies seemed to navigate their organizations toward steady and positive working environments for employees. Congratulations to all who were recognized." This is the third year in a row PCL has been recognized as the only general contractor on the "100 Best Companies to Work For" list. So far 2025 has provided many reasons for the company to celebrate. PCL's Southeastern Live Well Project in San Diego was recently named Project of the Year by Engineering News-Record, recognizing the project for setting a new benchmark in sustainable design and workforce development. This year also marks 50 years of PCL building iconic structures across the U.S. About PCL Construction PCL is a group of independent construction companies that operates throughout the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and Australia. As one of the largest contracting organizations in North America, PCL completes more than $8 billion USD in work annually, building projects that shape communities. The company's 100% employee ownership model fuels a culture of commitment for clients in the buildings, civil infrastructure, heavy industrial and solar markets. With a strategic presence in more than 30 major centers, PCL's leadership teams consistently drive innovation and set new benchmarks for excellence, bringing unparalleled skill to every project. Watch us build at PCL.com. About the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For Great Place to Work selected the 100 Best list by gathering and analyzing more than 1.3 million confidential survey responses representing the experiences of more than 8.4 million U.S. employees. Of those, over 670,000 responses were received from employees at eligible companies, and this list is based on that feedback. Organizations are assessed on their efforts to create generous, supportive, high-performance work experiences for every employee in the organization. Companies must be Great Place To Work Certified with 1,000 or more employees in the U.S. and cannot be a government agency. Read the full methodology. To be considered, all companies use the Great Place to Work Trust Index survey. To get on this list next year, start here. About Great Place To Work As the global authority on workplace culture, Great Place To Work brings 30 years of groundbreaking research and data to help every place become a great place to work for all. Its proprietary platform and Great Place To Work Model help companies evaluate the experience of every employee, with exemplary workplaces becoming Great Place To Work Certified and receiving recognition on a coveted Best Workplaces list. Follow Great Place To Work on LinkedIn, X, and Instagram or visit greatplacetowork.com and sign up for the newsletter to learn more. About Fortune Fortune upholds a legacy of award-winning writing and trusted reporting for executives who want to make business better. Independently owned, with a global perspective and digital agility, Fortune tells the stories of a new generation of innovators, builders, and risk-takers. Online and in print, Fortune measures corporate performance through rigorous benchmarks and holds companies accountable. Fortune creates communities by convening true thought leaders and iconoclasts those who shape industry, commerce, and society through powerful and prestigious lists, events, and conferences, such as the iconic Fortune 500, the CEO Initiative, and Most Powerful Women. For more information, visit fortune.com. Stephanie Germain Phone: 513-646-3306 Email: [email protected] SOURCE PCL Construction Venice and the Ottoman Empire May 31September 1, 2025 NASHVILLE, Tenn., April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Frist Art Museum presents Venice and the Ottoman Empire, an exhibition that explores the artistic and cultural exchange between the Republic of Venice and the Ottoman Empire over four centuries. Organized by the Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia and The Museum Box, the exhibition will be on view in the Frist's Ingram Gallery from May 31 through September 1, 2025. Vittore Carpaccio. Portrait of Doge Leonardo Loredan, 150105. Tempera and oil on panel; 26 1/2 x 20 1/8 in., Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia Museo Correr, Cl. I n. 0043 This ambitious cross-cultural exhibition examines the complex links between the Republic of Venice and the Ottoman Empire from 1400 to 1800 in artistic, culinary, diplomatic, economic, political, and technological spheres. "The relationship between Venice and the Ottomans represents a fascinating and multifaceted chapter in the history of Mediterranean geopolitics, one marked by a blend of cooperation and conflict, handshake- and arms-length approaches, diplomacy and back-stabbing, understanding and misunderstanding," writes exhibition curator Stefano Carboni in the exhibition catalogue. Featuring a richly diverse selection of more than 150 works of art in a broad range of media, including ceramics, glass, metalwork, paintings, prints, and textiles, the exhibition draws from the vast collections of seven of Venice's renowned museums. The creative contributions of well-known Venetian artists such as Gentile Bellini, Vittore Carpaccio, and Cesare Vecellio are showcased alongside works created by the best anonymous craftspeople both in Venice and the Ottoman Empire. The Venetian loans are joined by a trove of recently salvaged objects from a major 16th-century Adriatic shipwreck of a large Venetian merchant vessel that have never been exhibited outside Croatia. A gallery dedicated to Mariano Fortuny's Venetian- and Ottoman-inspired fashions and decorative arts created in the early 20th century brings the exhibition to a spectacular conclusion. "Venice stood at the crossroads of a vast trade network connecting Africa, Asia, and Europe," writes Frist Art Museum Curator at Large Trinita Kennedy. "To maintain its status as an international emporium, with markets full of ceramics, metalwork, spices, textiles, and other goods, Venice acquired overseas territories to its east and cultivated close ties with the Ottomans, whose empire became the wealthiest and most powerful in the Eastern Mediterranean after their conquest of Constantinople in 1453 and widespread expansion in the 16th century." Organized thematically, the exhibition begins with an overview of diplomacy and trade during the period illustrated through portraits of powerful Venetian and Ottoman leaders including doges, sultans, and ambassadors. On display are nautical maps as well as a printed manual that illustrates how merchants who spoke different languages conducted business using hand gestures. Despite diplomatic efforts, relations were not always harmonious. Between 1400 and 1800, the two powers fought seven major wars, with the Venetians gradually losing almost all their overseas territories to the Ottomans. The exhibition, however, emphasizes that during periods of peace, the two powers forged a close relationship and shared aesthetic tastes. "Venetians and Ottomans admired and sought one another's luxury goods and gave them to each other as gifts," writes Kennedy. "Ottoman sultans liked Murano glass and portraits of themselves by Venetian artists, while Venetian women wore Ottoman clogs and perfumed their homes with incense burners imported from Ottoman regions." The next two sections are dedicated to decorative arts and textiles, which figured prominently in commercial exchanges and the interior design of Venetian homes. Extravagant Ottoman velvets and brocaded silks were synonymous with status and survive in Venetian museums today. The Ottomans were just as enthusiastic about Venetian textiles. "Both cultures favored red and gold and bold designs with carnation, pomegranate, and tulip motifs," writes Kennedy. "Their textiles are so similar that sometimes it can be difficult to discern whether a textile was made in Venice or Bursa, the Ottomans' principal textile center." A section dedicated to the spice trade traces how Venetian merchants sailed to Ottoman-controlled ports in Africa and Asia to purchase goods and then sold them in markets back home to merchants from elsewhere in Western Europe. In addition to spices such as cardamom, nutmeg, pepper, and saffron, Venetians depended on trade with Ottomans for coffee, figs, pistachios, raisins, salted sturgeon, sugar, vinegar, and, most importantly, wheat. Through a video featuring two Nashville chefs, a take-home recipe card, a display of spices, and scent devices with fragrant aromas, guests will learn about Venetians' and Ottomans' shared culinary culture. Ship building, sailing, and a storied shipwreck are the focus of the next two sections. One of the highlights of the exhibition is a large group of objects recovered from a shipwreck that illustrates the opportunities and perils of seafaring in this age. They come from the Gagliana Grossa, a fully loaded Venetian ship that sank in 1583 in the waters off the Dalmatian coast of modern-day Croatia while traveling to Constantinople. The ship's diverse cargo offers evidence of the types of goods Venetians traded in the Eastern Mediterranean. "The Venetian Senate sent a Greek diver to salvage diamonds, emeralds, pearls, and some luxury textiles onboard, but the rest of the goods remained on the seabed until the site was rediscovered in the 1960s," explains Kennedy. "Excavations are ongoing, and this exhibition presents some of the most recently found objects." Works in the penultimate section center the revered Venetian naval commander and doge Francesco Morosini (16191694), who played a major role in Venice's interactions with the Ottoman Empire in the seventeenth century and amassed a large collection of art taken from his campaigns as well as acquired from the Venetian art market. The exhibition concludes with an enchanting gallery devoted to the exquisite creations of Mariano Fortuny (18711949)the Spanish artist, designer, and inventor who lived and worked for most of his life in a Gothic palace in Venice creating sumptuous textiles with new printing techniques that recalled the bygone era of Venice and the Ottoman Empire. Martin ArtQuest, the Frist's award-winning art-making space, will feature new interactive stations thematically connected to Venice and the Ottoman Empire. Guests of all ages can make gilded paintings, create shield designs with radial symmetry and gold-colored scratch paper, and draw a self-portrait inspired by portraits of Venetian doges. Young guests can also build an ancient Italian city at the block table, trade goods at the magnet wall, and read picture books about Venice and the Ottoman Empire in the book nook. Exhibition Credit Organized by the Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia and The Museum Box Supporter Acknowledgment Platinum Sponsor: HCA Healthcare/TriStar Health Education and Community Engagement Supporter: Windgate Foundation The Frist Art Museum is supported in part by The Frist Foundation, the Tennessee Arts Commission, Metro Arts, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Connect with us @FristArtMuseum #TheFrist About the Frist Art Museum Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the Frist Art Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit art exhibition center dedicated to presenting and originating high-quality exhibitions with related educational programs and community outreach activities. Located at 919 Broadway in downtown Nashville, Tenn., the Frist Art Museum offers the finest visual art from local, regional, national, and international sources in exhibitions that inspire people through art to look at their world in new ways. Information on accessibility can be found at FristArtMuseum.org/accessibility. Gallery admission is free for visitors ages 18 and younger and for members, and $20 for adults. For current hours and additional information, visit FristArtMuseum.org or call 615.244.3340. SOURCE Frist Art Museum Independent Medical Alliance Annual Conference Spotlights Growing List of Federal & State-Level Victories WASHINGTON, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As the Independent Medical Alliance (IMA) gathers top doctors, healthcare providers, and researchers for its annual conference this Friday in Atlanta, the group's relentless push for transparency in healthcare is helping reshape policy nationwide. From exposing hidden risks to championing patient choice, the IMA is helping spur a movement whose influence is undeniableand growing fast. Take Tennessee: in April 2024, Governor Bill Lee signed HB 1894, a groundbreaking law requiring foods laced with vaccine materialslike mRNAto be classified as drugs and clearly labeled. It's one of many victories sparked by advocacy from IMA and others, as states from Florida to Texas roll out bills to curb or ban mRNA vaccines in response to mounting concerns. Dr. Joseph Varon, IMA President and Chief Medical Officer, said, "The IMA will continue to shine a bright spotlight on the need for transparency and honesty in medicine, and that includes working with HHS and the states to reform our healthcare laws." Here are the key states with pending or recently active proposals: Florida : Senate Bill 196 prohibits mRNA vaccines in food products. The bill passed the Senate subcommittee and is awaiting action on the Senate floor. Senate Bill 196 prohibits mRNA vaccines in food products. The bill passed the Senate subcommittee and is awaiting action on the Senate floor. Idaho : Senate Bill 1036 places a 10-year ban on mRNA based vaccines. The bill is awaiting a vote in the Senate Health and Welfare Committee. Also awaiting a Senate Committee vote is Senate Bill 1189, which would strip immunity from manufacturers and distributors of mRNA. Senate Bill 1036 places a 10-year ban on mRNA based vaccines. The bill is awaiting a vote in the Senate Health and Welfare Committee. Also awaiting a Senate Committee vote is Senate Bill 1189, which would strip immunity from manufacturers and distributors of mRNA. Iowa : Senate Bill SF360 requires mRNA-based vaccine makers to waive federal liability protections to distribute in the State. The bill passed a Senate subcommittee vote and is now on the Senate floor. Senate Bill SF360 requires mRNA-based vaccine makers to waive federal liability protections to distribute in the State. The bill passed a Senate subcommittee vote and is now on the Senate floor. Kentucky: Senate Bill 177 prohibits requirements for COVID-19, modified RNA (modRNA), or messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines for student enrollment, employment, or medical treatment. It also bans administering these vaccines to minors under 18 until July 2035 . The bill is awaiting a vote in the Senate Health Services Committee. Senate Bill 177 prohibits requirements for COVID-19, modified RNA (modRNA), or messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines for student enrollment, employment, or medical treatment. It also bans administering these vaccines to minors under 18 until . The bill is awaiting a vote in the Senate Health Services Committee. Louisiana : In February, Louisiana Surgeon General Dr. Ralph Abraham issued an administrative action that the department "will no longer promote mass vaccination." In February, Louisiana Surgeon General Dr. issued an administrative action that the department "will no longer promote mass vaccination." Montana: House Bill 371 bans mRNA vaccines and imposes misdemeanor penalties for their administration. The bill was narrowly defeated with heavy opposition from Big Pharma and is expected to be reintroduced next session. House Bill 371 bans mRNA vaccines and imposes misdemeanor penalties for their administration. The bill was narrowly defeated with heavy opposition from Big Pharma and is expected to be reintroduced next session. New York: Assembly Bill A4798 bans mRNA vaccines in humans, pending results from a Department of Health study on mRNA's safety. The bill is awaiting committee action. Assembly Bill A4798 bans mRNA vaccines in humans, pending results from a Department of Health study on mRNA's safety. The bill is awaiting committee action. Pennsylvania: Senate Bill 1045 bans employers, schools, and public entities from mandating "novel vaccines or gene therapies," explicitly including mRNA vaccines, as a condition of employment, education, or service. It also prohibits discrimination based on vaccine refusal and imposes fines to $10,000 per violation. It is awaiting a vote in the Senate Labor & Industry Committee. Senate Bill 1045 bans employers, schools, and public entities from mandating "novel vaccines or gene therapies," explicitly including mRNA vaccines, as a condition of employment, education, or service. It also prohibits discrimination based on vaccine refusal and imposes fines to per violation. It is awaiting a vote in the Senate Labor & Industry Committee. South Carolina: House Bill 4262 bans mRNA vaccines, labeling them a "public health threat." The bill awaits a vote in committee. House Bill 4262 bans mRNA vaccines, labeling them a "public health threat." The bill awaits a vote in committee. Tennessee: In April 2024 , Gov. Lee signed HB 1894 which requires food products containing vaccines or vaccine materials (including mRNA vaccines) to be classified as drugs and labeled accordingly. In , Gov. Lee signed HB 1894 which requires food products containing vaccines or vaccine materials (including mRNA vaccines) to be classified as drugs and labeled accordingly. Texas: House Bill 3175 bans mRNA vaccines in Texas . The bill awaits action in the House Public Health Committee. Senate Bill 119, which mandates special labeling of all food, including meat from livestock, that contains mRNA vaccine material, also awaits a vote in the Senate Health & Human Services committee. About Dr. Joseph Varon Dr. Joseph Varon is one of the nation's foremost doctors and gained fame during the pandemic for spending 715 straight days suiting up and fighting COVID-19 cases as the Chief Medical Officer in charge of the ICU at Houston's United Memorial Medical Center. Dr. Varon's unit had the best survival rates in the country. About the Independent Medical Alliance (IMA) The IMA (formerly Front Line COVID-19 Critical Care Alliance, FLCCC) is the nation's leading organization of front-line healthcare providers. IMA Action (IMAAction.org) is the 501c4 advocacy arm of the Independent Medical Alliance (IMAHealth.org), a 501c3 non-profit organization. Contact [email protected]. SOURCE Independent Medical Alliance Initiative Demonstrates the Commitment to Environmental Stewardship for Trusted Laundry Brands STAMFORD, Conn., April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Henkel, a leading manufacturer of well-known consumer and industrial brands, is introducing concentrated formulas and packaging across all, Persil and Snuggle liquid laundry products. This update offers laundry-doers effective detergent cleaning power and fabric conditioning softness and scent at a more concentrated level per load making every wash more environmentally conscious. The new formulas and packaging began shipping to store shelves early March 2025 and will continue to roll out in subsequent months. Persil, all, Snuggle liquid laundry products (PRNewsfoto/all) This initiative is a testament to the ongoing commitment to sustainability at Henkel, evidenced by significant reductions in resources used across the value chain. This includes an average 16% dose concentration across laundry detergent variants* and the integration of 50% recycled plastic content into new bottle designs, unlocking sustainability improvements and efficiency from production to shipping and to consumer use. "At Henkel, we are dedicated to leading with initiatives that not only enhance product performance but also demonstrate our corporate values for the good of all generations," said Philipp Schaffer, Corporate Senior Vice President, Henkel Consumer Brands, NA. "Together, we're fostering more mindful laundry days that create positive, lasting impact." Martina Spinatsch, Senior Vice President, Research & Development adds, "By further concentrating the liquid formulas for these laundry brands, we're reducing our environmental footprint from plastic to water-usage to shipping, providing efficacy our consumers know and trust." The introduction of these concentrated formulas also sets new benchmarks in environmental stewardship for the brands: Water Conservation: The new detergent formulas reduce water usage in our manufacturing facilities, conserving approximately 9 million gallons annually, equivalent to the water used in 450,000 standard laundry wash loads**. The new detergent formulas reduce water usage in our manufacturing facilities, conserving approximately 9 million gallons annually, equivalent to the water used in 450,000 standard laundry wash loads**. Plastic Reduction : With concentrated formulas comes smaller bottles. The initiative achieves a nearly 5% net reduction in plastic, which is equivalent to the plastic found in over 20 million one-gallon milk jugs. Moreover, the majority of the brands' laundry product bottles will be made with 50% recycled materials. : With concentrated formulas comes smaller bottles. The initiative achieves a nearly 5% net reduction in plastic, which is equivalent to the plastic found in over 20 million one-gallon milk jugs. CO2 Reduction: With smaller, more efficient packaging, Henkel can effectively reduce the number of trucks needed for transportation, resulting in a significant decrease in CO2 emissions. This change will contribute to a projected annual CO2 emissions savings of over 4,000 metric tons, which is equivalent to the absorption capabilities of approximately 169,100 trees annually. Formula concentration supports the Henkel 2030+ Sustainability Impact Framework, which focuses on creating a regenerative planet, thriving communities and trusted partnerships. By reducing resource consumption and enhancing product sustainability, Henkel aims to help influence positive consumer behavior through effective and environmentally responsible products. Consumers can support these efforts by choosing all, Persil and Snuggle brand products which support Henkel Corporation's commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. To learn more, visit henkel-northamerica.com. *Includes all & Persil **Based on 20 gallons per washload About all Sold in the United States, the all laundry brand has been a recognized leader and laundry partner for generations. Its portfolio of laundry care products includes concentrated liquid and single dose pac detergents, as well as liquid and sheet fabric softeners. all free clear detergent is the #1 recommended detergent brand by dermatologists, allergists and pediatricians for sensitive skin. Follow all on Instagram @all_laundry and Facebook @allLaundry. About Persil As a trusted leader in laundry care, Persil laundry detergent is formulated to help keep clothes looking newer for longer versus the leading value detergent. The fabric care ingredients of Persil help keep colors from fading and whites and colors stay vibrant. Persil is also packed with powerful stain-fighting enzymes to deliver a premium deep clean. Sold nationwide in the United States, the Persil laundry portfolio includes liquid and single dose pac detergents. The detergents can be used in all water temperatures and washer types, including cold water and high-efficiency (HE) machines. Stay connected with Persil on Instagram @PersilLaundry, TikTok @PersilLaundry and Facebook @Persil for the latest updates and tips. About Snuggle Snuggle fabric softener has been making the world a softer, fresher place for over 40 years, providing the ultimate in Snuggly Softness and long-lasting freshness to loads of laundry. The Snuggle line offers a variety of high-quality fabric conditioning products, including liquid softeners, dryer sheets, and in-wash scent boosters that make clothes snuggly soft while providing long-lasting freshness. See www.Snuggle.com for full details. About Henkel in North America Henkel's portfolio of well-known brands in North America includes all, Purex and Persil laundry detergents, Snuggle fabric softeners, Dial soaps, Schwarzkopf hair care, as well as Loctite, Technomelt and Bonderite adhesives. With sales close to 6.5 billion US dollars (6 billion euros) in 2024, North America accounts for 28 percent of the company's global sales. Henkel employs around 8,000 people across the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. For more information, please visit www.henkel-northamerica.com and on X @Henkel_NA. Agency Contact on behalf of Henkel: Brittni Wade Email: [email protected] Henkel North America Contact: Erica Cooper Phone: 475-232-4973 Email: [email protected] SOURCE all BETHESDA, Md., April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc. (HJF) is pleased to announce the 2025 honorees receiving the HJF Heroes of Military Medicine Awards: This year marks the 15th Anniversary of the Heroes of Military Medicine Awards. This special celebration of deserving awardees will be held on May 8, 2025, at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., bringing together top military leaders, medical researchers, practitioners, and grateful citizens to salute those who, through their selfless dedication to military medicine, have improved the lives and health of our nation's warfighters. Through the generous support of our sponsors, including Chairman Sponsor, Humana Military, the event recognizes exceptional military medical talent benefiting both military and civilian communities nationwide. "Nominated by their respective senior service and agency leaders for their contributions to military medicine, this year's awardees demonstrate a clear passion for enhancing warfighter health and readiness," said Joseph Caravalho, Jr., M.D., HJF President and CEO. "We are eager to recognize these distinguished medical professionals for their exceptional achievements." Recipients of the Heroes of Military Medicine Awards will be recognized by a notable roster of Army, Navy, Air Force, and USPHS leaders. HJF is especially honored to have Ms. Jennifer Griffin, the Chief National Security Correspondent for FOX News Channel, serve as the award emcee for the thirteenth consecutive year. About HJF: The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc. (HJF) is a global nonprofit organization on a mission to advance military medicine. HJF's scientific, administrative, and program operations services empower investigators, clinicians, and medical researchers worldwide to make discoveries in all areas of medicine. With more than 40 years of experience, HJF connects the military medical community, federal and private partners, and the millions of warfighters, veterans, and civilians who benefit from military medicine. For more information, visit hjf.org . CONTACT: Colleen Franklin (240) 694-2075 [email protected] SOURCE Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine From AI-ready storage to intelligent campus networks: Huawei highlights application-focused solutions as the central theme for digital and intelligent transformation of industries in Europe DUSSELDORF, Germany, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Huawei has kicked off its annual Europe Enterprise Roadshow, an initiative that sees an expandable truck with the latest scenario-centric ICT technologies travel across Europe to connect with customers, partners, and CXO executives. Huawei Europe Enterprise Roadshow 2025 The roadshow truck will visit 29 cities in 17 European countries with the message to "Accelerate Industrial Digital Intelligence", serving as a mobile exhibition space to showcase Huawei's latest solutions in data communications, data storage and optical networking. This year the mobile technology center will also purposefully focus on adaptive solutions designed for specific use cases to aid European industries in their quest for digital transformation. The primary goal of the roadshow is to assist European companies and public sector institutions in speeding up their digital transition and embracing digital intelligence. Last year, the roadshow attracted more than 7,000 visitors. "With the European Enterprise Roadshow 2025, we underline our commitment to digital and intelligent transformation in Europe," explains Willi Song, President, Huawei European Enterprise Business. "This year, we are placing a special focus on industry-specific scenarios and strengthening our partner ecosystem. This allows us to show our customers and partners more specifically how our solutions address their individual challenges and drive transformation." Digital intelligence is gaining momentum in Europe Europe is on the brink of profound change through the interplay of artificial intelligence, rapidly growing data volumes, faster networks and high-performance computing power. This in turn affects digital transformation in all sectors of the economy and promises to sustainably improve society, industries, and the environment. The enterprise roadshow showcases practical solutions on how to achieve this. In civic administrations, public offices begin to offer personalized citizen services, while smart cities are evolving into intelligent living spaces. The healthcare industry adopts IoT technologies to improve patient care and academic research benefits from powerful AI storage solutions. Educational institutions are moving towards complete digitization while retail is implementing new, customer-oriented concepts. "The technology is mature, the tools are ready now is the right time to accelerate digital and intelligent transformation in Europe and fully exploit its benefits," adds Song. Storage, campus networks, and optical: Industry-specific solutions in focus The Huawei Enterprise Roadshow 2025 presents a wide range of innovative ICT solutions for multiple industries. Huawei showcases its "Future-Proof Data Storage" technology to let companies unleash the value of exponentially growing data in the AI era. For modern campus environments, the "Xinghe Intelligent Campus" system offers a holistic, AI-supported infrastructure with Huawei's unique Wi-Fi 7 technologies such as smart antennas and intelligent scheduling, VIP experience assurance, Wi-Fi Shield or AI-powered energy saving. The "All-Optical Network" solution promises ultra-fast, reliable connectivity for various application scenarios. In the education sector, Huawei demonstrates its "Research Data Management" system, which supports research institutions in efficiently managing large data volumes, as well as the "Education Campus Network" solution for a fully digitalized learning environment. For the public sector, the "Smart City" platform is introduced to help public administrations rapidly promote inclusive network coverage, improve civic services, and bridge the digital divide. In healthcare, Huawei presents the "HIS&PACS A-A-Unified Storage" solution for seamless integration of hospital information, picture archiving and communication storage systems. Among other products, Huawei will include its "Multi-Branch Retail Solution" for retailers and "Managed Wi-Fi Service for MSPs as well as "FTTO Solution for Hotels" to provide a fiber-optic network infrastructure for the hospitality industry and other sectors. "Our industry-specific adaptations of storage, network, and optical solutions enable companies to achieve optimal performance according to their individual requirements," says Song. "This way, we can support many industries and companies in accelerating transformation in Europe and promoting the adoption of digital intelligence." HUAWEI eKit and expanded partner ecosystem A new addition to the Roadshow 2025 is HUAWEI eKit, the sub-brand for the distribution business in the SMB sector. The platform, active in over 100 countries, offers partners comprehensive solutions for transactions, operations, and marketing. The goal of HUAWEI eKit is to simplify deployments by providing solutions that are easy to manage and install, ensuring end-to-end simplicity for small and medium-sized businesses. Additionally, Huawei provides its partners with comprehensive service packages. At the highest service level, Huawei enables the delivery of replacement parts within four hours. In customer support, Huawei offers hotline support in 18 languages for 33 countries and fast response times within five minutes. The Roadshow enables valuable networking and local collaboration At each stop of the roadshow, the truck becomes a walk-in exhibition stand with a total of 15 stations. From individual product areas to industry applications and flexible multi-solutions and services, each station offers deep and detailed insights. Huawei professionals are available at each location to present solutions and answer questions. Additionally, the roadshow truck provides a stage for local in-country events, such as panel discussions, presentations of user scenarios, customer sharing, product training, networking, Q&A sessions, or award events. The Huawei Enterprise Roadshow 2025 runs from March to September and makes stops in key cities in France, Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Turkey, and Poland, among others. For more information, visit https://e.huawei.com/eu/events/2025/eu/roadshow-2025/huawei-enterprise-roadshow-2025 About Huawei Huawei is a leading global provider of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) solutions, infrastructures and smart devices. With integrated solutions in four key environments: telecommunications networks, IT, smart devices and cloud services, we are committed to bringing digitization to every person, home and organization for a fully connected and intelligent world. Huawei's complete portfolio of products, solutions and services is competitive and secure. Through collaboration with ecosystem partners, we create added value for our customers and work to empower people, enrich life in homes and inspire innovation in organizations of all kinds. At Huawei, innovation focuses on customer needs. We invest heavily in research, focusing on the technological advances that drive the world forward. We currently have more than 207,000 employees and operate in more than 170 countries and regions. Founded in 1987, Huawei is a privately held company wholly owned by its employees. For more information, please visit Huawei online. Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2652912/Huawei.jpg Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2559207/5239435/Huawei_Europe_Logo.jpg BETHESDA, Md., April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Hull Street Energy, LLC ("HSE"), a prominent energy transition investment firm headquartered in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, has successfully closed Hull Street Energy Partners III, L.P. ("Fund III"). Targeting strategic investments in the North American power sector amid ongoing decarbonization and electrification of the economy, Fund III was oversubscribed, securing total commitments of approximately $2.2 billion in a fundraising that began about a year ago. HSE received substantial support from institutional investors, including endowments, foundations, insurance companies, pension plans, asset managers, and family offices. "In today's power industry, we are all working to enhance sustainability while maintaining reliability, growth, and affordability," said Sarah Wright, HSE's Founder and Managing Partner. "HSE deploys capital where it best advances this mission. Our senior team has combined their distinctive technical and commercial expertise, derived from decades of managing power generation assets and system load, with our highly selective approach to talent acquisition to drive expansion. Our rigorous analytical framework, defined by an authentic curiosity about what's coming next, has enabled us to make significant contributions to the industry's rapid evolution while delivering strong, risk-adjusted returns to investors over the past decade. We are grateful for the enthusiasm of our high-caliber investors who have chosen to partner with us." HSE is differentiated by its deep understanding of local and regional physical electricity markets and grid operations, and its highly quantitative approach to evaluating and operating middle-market power sector assets and businesses. In total, HSE has led the optimization of over 4 gigawatts of operating renewable and gas-fired power generation assets; advanced the development of approximately 10 gigawatts of new renewable, gas-fired, storage resources; and played a pivotal role in growing several critical power grid service businesses. Since inception, HSE has raised over $5.0 billion in equity and debt capital. Campbell Lutyens served as global placement agent for Fund III and DLA Piper LLP (US) served as fund counsel. About Hull Street Energy, LLC HSE and its affiliates specialize in deploying private capital into the power sector as it decarbonizes. Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, the HSE team leverages its decades of experience and unique knowledge of North American electricity infrastructure, fundamentals, and grid operations, including fuel inputs, commodity contract structuring, renewable and fossil powered generation assets, advanced energy storage, transmission and distribution systems, as well as electricity demand-side businesses, to build value for stakeholders. The organization is led by Sarah Wright, Michael Booth, Mark Orman, Matthew Willis, and Edward Quinn, a team of investment and power industry professionals who worked together for over two decades at leading energy focused Institutions, including Goldman Sachs and Constellation Energy Group. For further information, please see www.hullstreetenergy.com. Media Contact: [email protected] SOURCE Hull Street Energy Mendelson joins IDB as President & CEO, bringing more than two decades of experience and leadership. NEW YORK, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Israel Discount Bank of New York ("IDB Bank" or "IDB"), a New York-based private and commercial bank and largest Israeli-owned bank in the United States, has announced the appointment of Avner Mendelson as its new President & Chief Executive Officer. Mendelson will drive the Bank's transformation and sustainable growth agenda across both U.S-domestic and international lines of business, further advancing IDB's role within the Discount Bank (TLV: DSCT) global holding group. Avner Mendelson A seasoned industry executive, Mendelson joins IDB with more than two decades of banking and leadership experience in Israel and the U.S., serving as the President & CEO of IDB's former peer bank, Bank Leumi USA, where he led sweeping enterprise transformation for nearly a decade until its merger with Valley National Bank in 2022, where he was appointed Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the consolidated bank. Previously, Mendelson had the distinction of successfully leading Group Strategy for the Leumi Group, Israel's largest banking group. Mendelson will succeed Ziv Biron, who has been part of the Discount Group for 8 years, the last 5 years as President & CEO of IDB Bank. Mendelson joins IDB following a stand-out year, as the Bank recently reported a strong 2024 financial performance. The leadership transition will take place on May 1, 2025, with Mendelson and Biron working closely throughout the transition period. "I congratulate Avner on joining Discount Group, and his appointment as the President & CEO of IDB Bank. I am confident that his rich experience and professionalism, as well as his deep long-standing familiarity with the American market will greatly contribute to the Bank's continued momentum. I would like to thank Ziv Biron for the successful leadership of IDB Bank in recent years, and I am confident that these successes will serve as a solid foundation for the Bank's continued growth." Avi Levi, President & CEO of Discount Group "We excitedly welcome Avner as our next President & CEO as we continue to build and improve IDB in a changing financial services environment. As we look to the future, we also want to thank Ziv for his years of service as our CEO. Ziv has shepherded IDB through extraordinary geopolitical and financial events since 2019, and greatly fortified our organization while delivering strong results. We thank him for his leadership and warmly wish him continued success in the future." Ilan Kaufthal, IDB Bank Board Chairman "This is an exciting moment to join IDB a bank I've long admired for its entrepreneurial spirit, deep client relationships and unique culture that blends professionalism with genuine care. I am deeply grateful to the Board, as well as to our shareholders both in Israel and the U.S., for the trust they have placed in me. I also want to thank Ziv Biron, a remarkable leader and friend whom I've known for over 20 years, for his tremendous support during this transition. I look forward to working with the incredible IDB team to build on the Bank's legacy and create new opportunities for our people, our customers and our communities." Avner Mendelson, Incoming President & CEO, IDB Bank "Leading IDB over the past five years has been a great honor and I am proud to have been part of Discount Group's great legacy. I wish to thank my board, my leadership team and our extraordinary group of colleagues who work relentlessly to provide best possible service to our clients. I have known Avner for over two decades and I am confident that under his leadership, IDB will reach new heights. I wish Avner great success." Ziv Biron, Outgoing IDB President & CEO About Israel Discount Bank of New York ("IDBNY" or "IDB Bank") IDB Bank is a New-York State-chartered commercial bank, a member of the FDIC, and a subsidiary of Israel Discount Bank LTD., one of Israel's leading Banks. In addition to its Manhattan headquarters, IDB Bank operates full-service offices in California, Florida and the tristate area, including branch locations in Brooklyn, N.Y, Staten Island, N.Y and Short Hills, N.J. The Bank provides a complete range of private banking and commercial banking services to U.S and international clients. For 75 years, IDB Bank has built its business by fostering deep relationships with its clients, rapid decision-making, and the ability to develop custom-tailored solutions for both its domestic and international clientele. SOURCE IDB Bank Ukrainian Red Cross to provide humanitarian aid to victims of Russian UAV attack on Kharkiv Photo: https://www.facebook.com/RedCrossUkraine The Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) will provide humanitarian aid to those affected by the massive night attack by Russian UAVs on Kharkiv. Today, the Ukrainian Red Cross plans to distribute humanitarian aid at the impact sites, based on the needs collected, URCS said on Facebook Wednesday. At night, URCS volunteers were helping victims at the sites where drones had hit. Together with other city services, volunteers from the Ukrainian Red Cross emergency response team in Kharkiv region were on the ground at the sites of the attacks. They inspected the damaged buildings and surrounding areas to identify those affected and provide them with the necessary assistance. In particular, the volunteers offered psychological first aid to the victims and their families. As reported, eight people were injured as a result of a massive attack by enemy drones on Kharkiv on the night of April 2. Companies on the Inc. Regionals: Southeast list had a median growth rate of 114 percent. LAFAYETTE, La., April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Inc., the leading media brand and playbook for the entrepreneurs and business leaders shaping our future, today revealed that FlyGuys is No. 97th on its fifth annual Inc. Regionals: Southeast list , the most prestigious ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in the Southeast, which includes South Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Arkansas, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Florida, and Puerto Rico. An extension of the national Inc. 5000 list, the Regionals offer a unique look at the most successful companies within the Southeast economy's most dynamic segmentits independent small businesses. "Being named to the Inc. Regionals list is an incredible honor and a reflection of the passion, hard work, and dedication of our entire FlyGuys team, from our employees to our nationwide network of pilots and our incredible partners. We've built more than an online marketplace platform; we've built a community driven by innovation, trust, and a shared mission to help businesses make smarter, faster decisions through reality data capture. I'm deeply proud of what we've accomplished together, and even more excited for what's ahead," said Joe Stough, CEO of FlyGuys The companies on this list show a remarkable rate of growth across all industries in the Southeast. Between 2021 and 2023, these 192 private companies had a median growth rate of 114 percent; by 2023, they'd also added 11,493 jobs and $8.1 billion to the region's economy. Complete results of the Inc. Regionals: Southeast, including company profiles, can be found at https://www.inc.com/regionals/southeast starting April 1. You'll also find an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, metro area, and other criteria. "The honorees on this year's Inc. Regionals list are true trailblazers driving economic growth in their respective regions, industries, and beyond. This list celebrates their achievements and tells the stories of remarkable companies that are fueling growth and adding jobs in local economies throughout the country," said Bonny Ghosh, editorial director at Inc. About FlyGuys FlyGuys is the leading online marketplace for reality data capture, connecting data seekers with professional data collectors through its proprietary software platform. With a nationwide network of skilled drone pilots ready for deployment, FlyGuys streamlines mission assignments to ensure fast, efficient, and reliable data capture. With a strong focus on accuracy, reliability, and operational excellence, FlyGuys empowers businesses to confidently make informed decisions. Its technology-driven approach optimizes data collection, delivering seamless solutions that adapt to the evolving needs of various industries. For more information, visit www.flyguys.com More about Inc. and the Inc. Regionals Methodology The 2025 Inc. Regionals are ranked according to percentage revenue growth over two years. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2021. They had to be U.S.-based, privately held, for-profit, and independentnot subsidiaries or divisions of other companiesas of December 31, 2023. (Since then, a number of companies on the list may have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2021 is $100,000; the minimum for 2023 is $1 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons. About Inc. Inc. is the leading media brand and playbook for the entrepreneurs and business leaders shaping our future. Through its journalism, Inc. aims to inform, educate, and elevate the profile of its community: the risk-takers, the innovators, and the ultra-driven go-getters who are creating the future of business. Inc. is published by Mansueto Ventures LLC, along with fellow leading business publication Fast Company. For more information, visit www.inc.com . For media inquiries FlyGuys Whitney Savoie, VP of Marketing [email protected] 337.573.9434 SOURCE FlyGuys TSXV: ITR; NYSE American: ITRG www.integraresources.com VANCOUVER, BC, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Integra Resources Corp. ("Integra" or the "Company") (TSXV: ITR) (NYSE American: ITRG) is pleased to announce the formal submission of the updated Mine Plan of Operations ("MPO") to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management ("BLM") for the DeLamar Project ("DeLamar") located in southwestern Idaho, United States ("U.S."). This important regulatory milestone marks the initiation of the federal permitting process under the National Environmental Policy Act ("NEPA") and represents a major achievement in the advancement of DeLamar. In parallel with the submission of the MPO, Integra is pleased to announce the appointment of U.S. Air Force Lieutenant General, 3-star, (Ret.) Leonard "Leo" Kosinski as a strategic Board Advisor. General Kosinski brings over three decades of high-ranking military, governmental, and international leadership experience that will support the Company's growing engagement with federal stakeholders as permitting and development activities accelerate at DeLamar. Integra would also like to recognize the Executive Order ("EO") published by the federal administration on March 20, 2025, titled "Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production". The EO calls for streamlined permitting timelines, enhanced federal permitting coordination, and strategic investment into domestic mineral supply chains. Continued government support for domestic minerals projects comes at a crucial time for Integra as federal permitting efforts officially begin for DeLamar. George Salamis, President, CEO and Director of Integra commented: "The submission of the updated MPO is a crucial moment for Integra and the future of the DeLamar gold-silver project in Idaho. This marks the official start of the federal mine permitting process and demonstrates our commitment to advancing DeLamar in a responsible, transparent, and timely manner. We believe the enhanced project design reflected in the MPO positions Integra as a leading candidate to benefit from the evolving, progressive, and supportive permitting landscape that is occurring at both federal and state levels. At this time we are also extremely honored to welcome Lieutenant General Kosinski as an advisor to the Company. His deep experience in U.S. federal operations, relationships with senior levels of government, and direct insights into energy security and industrial base resilience will be invaluable as we advance DeLamar through permitting over the next two years. We are thrilled to have Leo on board and look forward to the guidance he will bring as we align our project with national priorities in the U.S." Updated MPO Submission: A Major Step Forward for DeLamar The submission of the updated MPO to the BLM initiates the pathway to the issuance of a Notice of Intent ("NOI"), which is a formal announcement of BLM's intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement ("EIS") to evaluate the potential environmental effects of the proposed action. The NOI is followed by a scoping process which includes engagement with federal, state, and local agencies and the general public. Once the EIS is formally scoped, the BLM will conduct environmental impact analysis for the proposed action as well as reasonable alternatives to the proposed action. Through this alternatives evaluation process, refinements to the MPO may be identified that reduce environmental impacts. A Draft EIS ("DEIS") will publish the results of BLM's environmental analysis and will be open to public comment for a minimum of 45 days. Public comments on the DEIS will be addressed by the BLM in the Final EIS ("FEIS") and accompanying Record of Decision document, which may include BLM-proposed measures to mitigate environmental impacts. The BLM's environmental analysis under NEPA (NOI to FEIS) is anticipated to span two years, and is a rigorous, transparent, and prescriptive permitting framework that guides federal review of mining projects on public lands. Federal permitting will be complemented by a host of equally robust permits from multiple Idaho state agencies that serve to protect the quality of Idaho's air, water, and land. Integra's updated MPO for DeLamar reflects a significantly optimized and environmentally enhanced mine plan, including a more compact project footprint and design modifications aimed at reducing projected carbon emissions and water usage. These improvements were developed through extensive technical analysis, stakeholder engagement, and a focus on the integration of modern sustainable mining practices. Appointment of Lieutenant General (Ret.) Leonard Kosinski as Board Advisor To strengthen Integra's federal government engagement and strategic advisory capacity during this critical permitting period, the Company is pleased to welcome Lieutenant General (Ret.) Leo Kosinski as a Strategic Board Advisor. General Kosinski recently served as Director for Logistics on the Joint Staff at the U.S. Department of Defense and the Pentagon, where he oversaw global logistics, energy and climate planning, deployment operations, and industrial base coordination. His prior roles include Deputy Commander of U.S. Air Forces Japan and Director of Logistics for U.S. Africa Command, where he was responsible for operations across 53 nations. With over 31 years of military and international leadership experience, including multiple postings in Washington D.C., Europe, and Asia, General Kosinski brings a wealth of knowledge in navigating complex government environments, executing strategic infrastructure projects, and advancing policy goals across multiple agencies. The addition of General Kosinski brings immense and immediate strategic benefit to the Company as federal permitting begins for DeLamar. Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production Executive Order Integra welcomes the recent EO signed by the federal administration, on March 20, 2025. The EO titled "Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production" calls for accelerated permitting timelines, enhanced federal permitting coordination, and strategic investment into domestic mineral supply chains. As stated in the EO, permitting bottlenecks for upstream resource projects represent a national security and economic risk that must be addressed immediately. The EO targets specific initiatives including streamlining permitting, re-evaluating land access, clarifying the Mining Act, mobilizing capital, and strategic stockpiling and procurement for domestic minerals. Additional details on the recently signed EO can be found on the official White House website: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/03/immediate-measures-to-increase-american-mineral-production/ About Integra Resources Integra is a growing precious metals producer in the Great Basin of the Western United States. Integra is focused on demonstrating profitability and operational excellence at its principal operating asset, the Florida Canyon Mine, located in Nevada. In addition, Integra is committed to advancing its flagship development-stage heap leach projects: the past producing DeLamar Project located in southwestern Idaho and the Nevada North Project located in western Nevada. Integra creates sustainable value for shareholders, stakeholders, and local communities through successful mining operations, efficient project development, disciplined capital allocation, and strategic M&A, while upholding the highest industry standards for environmental, social, and governance practices. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS George Salamis President, CEO and Director Forward Looking and Other Cautionary Statements Certain information set forth in this news release contains "forwardlooking statements" and "forwardlooking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and applicable United States securities laws (referred to herein as forwardlooking statements). Except for statements of historical fact, certain information contained herein constitutes forwardlooking statements which includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to: the NOI to FEIS process and expected timelines; the anticipated benefits of the appointment of the Board advisor; the anticipated benefits of the EO; the future financial or operating performance of the Company and the Company's mineral properties and project portfolio; the results from work performed to date; the estimation of mineral resources and reserves; the realization of mineral resource and reserve estimates; the development, operational and economic results of technical reports on mineral properties referenced herein; magnitude or quality of mineral deposits; the anticipated advancement of the Company' mineral properties and project portfolios; exploration expenditures, costs and timing of the development of new deposits; underground exploration potential; costs and timing of future exploration; the completion and timing of future development studies; estimates of metallurgical recovery rates; exploration prospects of mineral properties; requirements for additional capital; the future price of metals; government regulation of mining operations; environmental risks; the timing and possible outcome of pending regulatory matters; the realization of the expected economics of mineral properties; future growth potential of mineral properties; and future development plans. Forward-looking statements are often identified by the use of words such as "may", "will", "could", "would", "anticipate", "believe", "expect", "intend", "potential", "estimate", "budget", "scheduled", "plans", "planned", "forecasts", "goals" and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of factors and assumptions and necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual performance and financial results in future periods to differ materially from any projections of future performance or result expressed or implied by such forwardlooking statements. Readers are advised to study and consider risk factors disclosed in Integra's Annual Information Form dated March 26, 2025 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, which is available on the SEDAR+ issuer profile for the Company at www.sedarplus.ca and available as Exhibit 99.1 to Integra's Form 40-F, which is available on the EDGAR profile for the Company at www.sec.gov. There can be no assurance that forwardlooking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forwardlooking statements if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by applicable securities laws. The forward-looking statements contained herein are presented for the purposes of assisting investors in understanding the Company's plans, objectives and goals, and may not be appropriate for other purposes. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forwardlooking statements. 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. SOURCE Integra Resources Corp. STOCKHOLM, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Sandvik will publish its first quarter results on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at approximately 11:30 AM CEST. A combined webcast and conference call for investors, analysts and financial media will be held at 13:00 PM CEST. The report will be presented by Stefan Widing, President and CEO as well as by Cecilia Felton, CFO. The presentation will be broadcasted live on our website home.sandvik Dial-in details for the conference call: SE: +46 (0) 8 505 100 31 UK: +44 (0) 207 107 06 13 US: +1 (1) 631 570 56 13 From about 12:30 PM CEST presentation slides will be available on our website home.sandvik Stockholm, April 2, 2025 Sandvik AB For further information, contact Louise Tjeder, VP Investor relations, phone: +46 (0) 70782 6374 or Johannes Hellstrom, Press and Media Relations Manager, phone: +46 (0) 70721 1008 This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/sandvik/r/invitation--presentation-of-sandvik-s-report-of-the-first-quarter-2025,c4129438 The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Main/208/4129438/3362335.pdf Invitation Presentation of Sandvikas report of the first quarter 2025 SOURCE Sandvik PHOENIX, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Investment Property Exchange Services, Inc. (IPX1031), the national leader in 1031 Qualified Intermediary services, is thrilled to announce the hiring of Adrienne Salyer as Vice President, National Accounts. Adrienne Salyer will be teaming up with Arizona and New Mexico Vice President Rick Wittstock, bringing her extensive expertise and dedication to the team. This strategic move aims to strengthen IPX1031's overall presence in the Southwest and nationwide. Adrienne joins IPX1031 with over 30 years of experience in the 1031, real estate, and financial sectors. She has a proven track record of successfully guiding clients through complex 1031 Exchange transactions and cultivating new business relationships. Her in-depth experience and understanding of market dynamics make her an invaluable addition to the IPX1031 team. Jennifer Keen, Executive Vice President and Western Region Manager at IPX1031, expressed her enthusiasm for Adrienne's arrival. "We are delighted to welcome Adrienne to our team. Her expertise and dedication to client success align perfectly with our mission at IPX1031. Adrienne's addition will undoubtedly enhance our ability to serve the growing demand for 1031 Exchange services. We look forward to the positive impact she will have on our clients and our business both regionally and nationwide." Adrienne Salyer will work closely with Rick Wittstock, leveraging their combined experience and knowledge to bring the Southwest the most comprehensive 1031 knowledge, tools, and solutions that the 1031 industry can offer. IPX1031's sales and new business development expansion underscores their commitment to delivering top-tier service and expertise to their clients. With Adrienne on board, the company is well-positioned to continue its growth and success in the 1031 Exchange industry. Adrienne Salyer can be reached at (480) 997-6734, [email protected] or www.ipx1031.com/salyer. About IPX1031 Investment Property Exchange Services, Inc. (IPX1031) is the largest and one of the oldest Qualified Intermediaries in the US. As a wholly owned subsidiary of Fidelity National Financial (NYSE:FNF), a Fortune 500 company, IPX1031 provides industry leading security for exchange funds as well as expertise and experience in facilitating all types of 1031 Exchanges. IPX1031's nationwide staff, which includes industry experts, veteran attorneys and accountants, are available to provide answers and guidance to clients and their legal/tax advisors. For more information visit www.ipx1031.com. For more information, contact: Jennifer Keen, EVP, Western Regional Manager [email protected] (760) 672-5368 SOURCE IPX1031 Pilates Franchise Expands Leadership Team to Fuel Brand Innovation and Franchise Development MIAMI, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- JETSET Pilates the modern Reformer Pilates franchise known for its curated music and full-body workouts, is strengthening its leadership team with four key hires. The brand welcomes Alex Lyons as Vice President of Product and Talent, Christa Dellebovi as Director of New Studio Openings and Business Management, Uri Kenig as Head of Franchise Operations and Ricardo Quesada as Vice President of Marketing. Meet the New Key Hires Photo from JETSET Pilates Alex Lyons Vice President of Product and Talent With over a decade of experience in boutique fitness at brands like Flywheel Sports, House of Athlete, RE/GEN Method, and Equinox, Lyons specializes in instructor recruitment, talent development, and fitness programming. Having worked with both single-studio startups and well-established brands, she possesses a keen eye for developing scalable systems that enhance the JETSET experience. Lyons is passionate about empowering instructors to deliver engaging, brand-aligned classes and is excited to contribute to JETSET's commitment to learning, development, and high-quality standards. Christa Dellebovi Director of New Studio Openings and Business Management Dellebovi has held key roles in franchise development, operations, and instructor training at brands such as CycleBar, Orangetheory Fitness, and Exponential Fitness, with over a decade of experience in the fitness industry altogether. Her expertise in strategic planning and execution will drive JETSET's franchise expansion and optimize support for franchisees. Passionate about building high-performing teams, Dellebovi prioritizes best-in-class training, mentorship, and a people-first leadership approach to foster sustainable growth. "I'm excited about the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on JETSET's growth and success," said Dellebovi. "Leading a team dedicated to supporting franchisees, optimizing new studio openings, and enhancing operational efficiency is a challenge I'm eager to take on. By leveraging my experience in training, sales analysis, and financial management, I look forward to driving measurable improvements across the franchise network." Uri Kenig Head of Franchise Operations With over 15 years in franchising and multi-unit management, Kenig has led operations at Burger King, Unrivaled Brands, and HelloHive, specializing in scaling businesses while maintaining brand integrity and driving profitability. He values transparency and leadership accountability, and his expertise in franchisee support and operational efficiencies will be instrumental in positioning JETSET Pilates as a premier global brand. Ricardo Quesada Vice President of Marketing Quesada brings over 20 years of experience in brand strategy, digital marketing, and franchise growth, with a strong background in multi-location businesses. Having led marketing teams at Burn Boot Camp and Aqua-Tots Swim Schools, Quesada has a proven track record of driving brand awareness, customer acquisition, and franchisee success. He now plans to leverage this expertise to elevate JETSET's brand presence and create impactful marketing strategies that resonate with both franchisees and members. A Leadership Team Poised for Growth JETSET Pilates is proud to welcome Alex, Christa, Uri, and Ricardo as the brand expands across the country. With a leadership team focused on innovation and franchisee success, the brand is setting the standard for sustainable growth and excellence at every location. "As we expand, we don't just build teams, we cultivate leaders who drive long-term success," said Bert Albertse, CEO of JETSET Pilates. "We're thrilled to have Alex, Christa, Uri, and Ricardo join the JETSET family. Their expertise and innovation will strengthen our franchise operations, enhance instructor training, and elevate the client experience as we grow." Now a leading boutique fitness franchise, JETSET Pilates is expanding nationwide and seeking driven professionals to join its growth. To learn more about JETSET Pilates and its franchise opportunity, please visit https://jetsetpilates.com/franchise/. About JETSET Pilates Founded in 2010 and franchising since 2022, JETSET Pilates has rapidly established itself as one of the most attractive concepts in the boutique franchise business space. JETSET Pilates currently has plans to open studios across the U.S. and Australia, with over 100 studios in development. JETSET now offers franchising opportunities to entrepreneurs in some of the largest and fastest-growing markets within the fitness franchise sector. For more information, please visit https://jetsetpilates.com/franchise/ , or follow JETSET Pilates on LinkedIn and Instagram. Contact: Raylin Taylor, Franchise Elevator, [email protected] SOURCE JETSET Pilates Acquisition enables Landmark Bio to scale capabilities to accelerate development and manufacturing of advanced therapies Artis BioSolutions to provide strategic investment to build technology and operations Company to continue operating independently, leveraging position in Massachusetts' life sciences ecosystem WATERTOWN, Mass., April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Landmark Bio today announced it has been acquired by Artis BioSolutions ("Artis"), a newly launched company dedicated to streamlining the discovery, process development, and manufacturing of genetic medicines. The acquisition enables Landmark Bio to continue to deliver on its mission of translating groundbreaking research into life-changing therapies, while scaling its capabilities to accelerate development and manufacturing of advanced therapies. "Landmark Bio was born from a bold vision shared by our founding partners to remove barriers in the manufacturing of advanced therapies and accelerate the development of life-changing medicines. In just a few short years, we've built a world-class team and capabilities that have become a vital force in the life sciences innovation ecosystem. Joining Artis BioSolutions marks an exciting new chapter for Landmark Bio. Together, we will stay true to our mission as we scale our operations to bring breakthrough therapies to more patients," said Ran Zheng, chief executive officer (CEO) of Landmark Bio. Since its founding in 2021, Landmark Bio has built a robust platform to address persistent bottlenecks in advanced therapy development, serving as a partner to academic institutions, biotechnology companies, and global biopharma firms. The organization was established by leaders from academia, industry, and Boston's leading research hospitals. Together with Artis BioSolutions, Landmark Bio will enhance its ability to provide integrated, end-to-end solutions that span preclinical development through commercialization, with expanded capabilities in process, analytical and formulation development, GMP manufacturing and QC testing, CMC consulting and IND enabling services, and manufacturing technology development. "This next chapter for Landmark Bio is a testament to the vision, science, and dedication of its founding partners," said John Shaw, vice provost for research at Harvard University and chair of Landmark Bio's board of directors. "Landmark Bio plays an important role in the development of new therapies, and we are confident that this transition will strengthen its position as a cornerstone of the advanced therapy ecosystem." "Ran and the team at Landmark Bio have established an outstanding foundation built on scientific excellence, operational precision, and a strong collaborative mission," said Brian Neel, CEO of Artis BioSolutions. "We are thrilled to join forces with such a talented team and look forward to driving transformative progress together expanding access, accelerating innovation, and ultimately enabling our partners to deliver life-changing medicines to patients more efficiently." As part of Artis, Landmark Bio will continue to operate as a distinct entity, providing critical services in translational research, process development, and manufacturing for clinical and commercial cell and gene therapy products. The acquisition by Artis supported by initial funding from Oak HC/FT, marks a significant step toward expanding access to high-quality development and manufacturing capabilities across the advanced therapy ecosystem. Landmark Bio will remain headquartered in Watertown, MA, and continue to operate its state-of-the-art facility and teams in place. About Landmark Bio Landmark Bio is a collective endeavor launched by leaders from academia, the life sciences industry, and world-renowned research hospitals to accelerate the development and industrialization of novel therapeutics. Inspired by recent advancements in cell and gene therapies, Landmark Bio was established to remove barriers in drug development, create accessible capability, expertise, and solutions, and offer a collaboration platform to advance manufacturing technologies for the new generation of medicines to come. Founding partners include Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cytiva, FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies (FDB), and Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. Other collaborating institutions include Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Mass General Brigham, and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. For more information, visit landmarkbio.com . SOURCE Landmark Bio Settlement Delivers Justice to Over 2,400 California Workers in Labor Code Violation Case. LOS ANGELES, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Matern Law Group, PC, representing plaintiff Noah Winn and similarly situated employees, is pleased to announce a significant settlement in a Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) case against Southern Glazer's Wine and Spirits, LLC. The settlement marks a substantial victory for California workers and underscores the importance of compliance with labor laws. The case, filed on December 9, 2022, in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, alleged multiple violations of the California Labor Code by Southern Glazer's Wine and Spirits, LLC. These included failure to provide legally compliant meal and rest periods, failure to pay overtime and minimum wages, and failure to furnish accurate wage statements, among other violations. The settlement, in the amount of $2,435,000, will provide penalties of over $397,000 to approximately 2,434 non-exempt employees who were affected by these violations during the PAGA period from October 5, 2021, to April 30, 2024. It also provides payment of over $1.19 million to the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency for enforcement of labor laws. This outcome not only compensates the aggrieved employees but also serves as a reminder to employers of the critical need to adhere to labor laws and protect workers' rights. "We are proud to have achieved a settlement that not only compensates the affected employees but also sends a strong message about the importance of fair employment practices," said Matthew J. Matern, lead attorney for the plaintiff. "This case highlights the power of PAGA in holding employers accountable and ensuring that workers receive the rights and protections they deserve." The settlement reflects the commitment of Matern Law Group, PC, to advocate for workers' rights and to ensure that all employees are treated fairly and justly under the law. This resolution is a testament to the dedication and perseverance of the legal team and the courage of the employees who came forward. For more information about this case or to speak with an attorney, please contact Matern Law Group, PC, at (310) 531-1900. About Matern Law Group, PC: Matern Law Group, PC, is a leading Los Angeles employment law firm dedicated to protecting the rights of employees throughout California. The firm is committed to achieving justice for workers and ensuring compliance with California labor and employment laws. Media contact: Matern Law Group, PC Julia Cottrell 2101 E El Segundo #403 El Segundo, CA 90245 Telephone: (310) 531-1900 SOURCE Matern Law Group, PC NEW YORK, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Linda B. Laul, Chief Operating Officer of ADAPT Community Network, will lead the nonprofit organization as its new Chief Executive Officer. She assumes the role following the recent passing of ADAPT CEO Edward R. Matthews, who led the organization for 35 years. Laul was unanimously elected to the role by ADAPT Community Network's Board of Directors. She will be the fourth CEO in ADAPT's 79year history and is the first woman to lead the organization. Linda B. Laul to lead ADAPT Community Network as Chief Executive Officer Post this Linda B. Laul "Linda Laul has been a vital part of ADAPT for 35 years, showing incredible leadership in helping people with developmental disabilities in truly meaningful ways," says ADAPT Board President, Kelly Kaminski. "Linda has the complete support of our Board of Directors." "Ed Matthews, ADAPT's leader of over thirtyfive years, gave us a legacy that we can all be proud of, and a responsibility to carry it forward," says Linda B. Laul. "ADAPT is fortunate to have had him in our midst to forge this vision and shape ADAPT into an environment which advocates for the rights and dignity of all people. We are empowered by the tools he left us to create new opportunities for the people we support." Laul began her career as a special education teacher and moved into administration for the New York State system supervising residential, day, and clinical programs throughout Long Island, NY where she worked for over 19 years. She joined ADAPT Community Network in July 1990 as the Assistant Executive Director for Day Services. In 2012, Laul assumed responsibility for all programs and clinical services as Chief Operating Officer of ADAPT Community Network. Laul received her BS in Education from St. John's University and her MS in Special Education from Brooklyn College. In 2004, Laul was honored with the Daniel Weider Leadership Award by CP of NYS in recognition of her continued commitment to excellence and outstanding dedication to the thousands of people with disabilities and their families. In 2013 she was the recipient of the Friends of Asha Niketan Award. ADAPT Community Network is the leading human service notforprofit and a pioneer in providing cuttingedge programs and services for people with disabilities. Every day, we build a more inclusive world for thousands of New Yorkers through education, technology, health, residential, and recreational programs in all five boroughs. Our schools and services encompass many people who have challenges beyond cerebral palsy such as autism, Down syndrome, spina bifida, and neuromuscular disorders, among others. We are the largest provider of preschool education for children with disabilities in New York. ADAPT's 100 comprehensive programs serve over 20,000 children and adults with disabilities and their families. For more information about ADAPT Community go to: ***.adaptcommunitynetwork.org . For press information contact James Grant at [email protected] . ADAPT Community Network on Social Media: Facebook ADAPT Community Network Instagram @adaptwechange YouTube @adaptwechange Hashtag: # adaptwechange LinkedIn: ADAPT Community Network SOURCE ADAPT Community Network NICHOLASVILLE, Ky., April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockmasters, Inc. ("Lockmasters"), a portfolio company of Dominus Capital, L.P. ("Dominus") recently acquired Astic Signals Defenses, LLC ("Signals Defense"), a Maryland-based radio frequency ("RF") and infrared ("IR") shielding solutions company serving high security government and commercial applications. Signals Defense's proprietary window film technology and related shielding materials have set the benchmark as the de facto standard for U.S. government and commercial organizations desiring to properly secure locations handling sensitive and classified information, protecting them from wireless eavesdropping and data interception threats. Lockmasters and Signals Defense Logos Signals Defense's combination with Lockmasters' high security proprietary and distributed products as well as high security training creates a one-stop-shop solution serving government Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities ("SCIFs") and commercial end markets. This acquisition marks the fifth add-on for Lockmasters under Dominus' ownership and expands the suite of proprietary offerings. "I am excited to announce that Signals Defense is now part of Lockmasters," said Deron Simpson, Founder of Signals Defense. "Since pioneering the initial Signals Defense film solution 25 years ago, we have continuously innovated to stay ahead of evolving wireless threats, driving specification improvements. Going forward, our combined expertise and product suite will create tremendous value for our loyal customer base." "The combination with Lockmasters positions us to serve the security market like never before," said Eric Kuczynski, President of Signals Defense. "Our expertise and customer base coupled with Lockmasters' extensive commercial and government reach presents a powerful cross-sell opportunity for our proprietary shielding technology and Lockmasters' high security products. I am incredibly optimistic about the growth opportunities ahead for the combined company." "We are thrilled to welcome the Signals Defense team to Lockmasters," said Joe McCormack, Lockmasters' CEO. "Together, we will offer an unmatched portfolio of high-security solutions for government and commercial customers. This acquisition reinforces our commitment to innovation and providing best-in-class security solutions to meet evolving threats, including an increased need for data protection." About Signals Defense: For over 25 years, Signals Defense's technology has been the de facto standard for the U.S. government and commercial organizations desiring to properly secure locations handling sensitive and classified information. The company's window films meet the TEMPEST requirement for ICD-705 and the DoD Infrared and Radio Frequency Emanation Protection Standards. Signals Defense is based in Owings Mills, MD. For more information, please visit www.signalsdefense.com About Lockmasters: Since 1955, Lockmasters has been providing the highest quality safe locks, tools, commercial hardware, specialty doors, and education to the government and security professional industry. The company offers extensive product lines and educational training to a range of security professionals including the automotive, banking, commercial, government, and industrial markets. Lockmasters is not only a distributor for the best lock and tool manufacturers in the country, but it is also a manufacturer of a wide variety of proprietary tools and locks. The company also operates premier educational facilities in the security industry, providing training and certification to both new and experienced security professionals. Its world-class curriculum features hands-on learning taught by recognized authors, inventors, and industrial security professionals. Lockmasters has the locks, tools, hardware, and educational training its customers need, but more importantly it has the experience to support the products and services it sells. Lockmasters is its customers' complete source for locks, tools, hardware, and education. Lockmasters is headquartered in Nicholasville, KY with additional locations in Annapolis Junction, MD; Oxford, MI; Plano, TX; Charlotte, NC; Hamden, CT; Las Vegas, NV; and Owings Mills, MD. For more information, please visit www.lockmasters.com. About Dominus Capital: Based in New York, Dominus Capital is a leading middle-market private equity investment firm that focuses on management-led buyouts and growth capital investments in the business services and light manufacturing sectors. Drawing on the experience, knowledge and network of its founders and a team of in-house operating executives, Dominus Capital works hand-in-hand with exceptional management teams to unlock the untapped potential of its portfolio companies. The firm takes a long-term, conservative approach to investing and has a consistent and successful track record of achieving significant growth at its portfolio companies. The Dominus Capital team members have executed over 100 transactions over the past 25+ years. For more information, please visit www.dominuscap.com. SOURCE Dominus Capital, L.P. MediaRadar integrates Vivvix data, providing actionable marketing intelligence across $275B in cross-media spend and over 35 million creative assets. NEW YORK, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- MediaRadar, the industry-leading marketing intelligence platform, announced today a significant expansion of its capabilities across traditional and streaming TV, online display, and video advertising through the integration of Vivvix. This integration enhances MediaRadar's solutions for brands, agencies, publishers, and platforms with expansive data and insights across the linear and digital media world. The new capabilities span key marketing intelligence use cases ( visit our website to learn more) including: Competitive Intelligence to gain a significant competitive edge with a total view of brand and category marketing moves and share of voice. to gain a significant competitive edge with a total view of brand and category marketing moves and share of voice. Commercial Intelligence to know and reach the right prospects at the right time with always-on insights into brand investment. to know and reach the right prospects at the right time with always-on insights into brand investment. Creative Intelligence to stay ahead of the latest ad creative, product launches, and brand campaign trends. to stay ahead of the latest ad creative, product launches, and brand campaign trends. Market Intelligence to identify trends driving industry growth with a clear view of brand and category spend across channels. As part of this release, MediaRadar is bringing a variety of innovations to enable brands and agencies to develop more competitive campaign, media, and creative strategies to improve marketing performance. Expanded streaming TV spend measurement to cover 4x more advertisers across the full video-on-demand universe (AVOD), including the television glass. Increased streaming TV coverage to include Netflix in addition to YouTube, Hulu, Disney+, Paramount+, Max, Tubi, Pluto, and Peacock. Accelerated final linear-TV spend measurement up to 3x faster than the top TV measurement providers, which often take 60-90 days to report. This includes enhanced ad creative and campaign tracking across broadcast, cable, syndicated, spot, and local vs. national TV. Additionally, MediaRadar is releasing a variety of additional innovations that enable publishers and platforms to compete effectively for national and local advertising. Expanded TV measurement across 150 national channels covering broadcast, cable, and syndicated TV. Launched local spot TV coverage across 950 English-Language stations and 100 Spanish-speaking stations in 210 major DMAs. Rolled out local radio coverage across 825 stations in the top 45 radio markets. Incorporated traditional and digital out-of-home (OOH) measurement across 200 U.S. markets. "The MediaRadar platform's core strength is connecting the advertising ecosystem with unparalleled data and insights," stated Tejas Desai, Chief Product and Technology Officer. "Our enhanced Streaming TV capability creates a true video-everywhere solution. These improvements, along with others across linear and digital media, enable us to better manage the omnichannel advertising use cases of our clients." All of this follows MediaRadar's recently announced innovations in AI, and its deeper digital coverage across online display, video, and social media channels including: AI Outreach Writer: A new AI solution for publishers and platforms that generates personalized sales sequences and marketing programs infused with deep advertising intelligence recommendations for clients and prospects. Local insights for digital and video media, which adds 8.5x more local digital display and video advertisers across 210 DMAs. Social media coverage across Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok. "We're innovating to become the premier marketing intelligence platform for the advertising ecosystem's future," MediaRadar CEO Matt Krepsik explained. "This future will enable our clients to gain real competitive advantage in a media landscape marked by increasing competition and video-everywhere ad strategies that leverage the power of sight, sound, and motion." Want to learn more? Visit www.mediaradar.com . ABOUT MEDIARADAR MediaRadar , now including the data and capabilities of Vivvix, powers the mission-critical marketing and sales decisions that drive competitive advantage. Our competitive marketing intelligence platform enables clients to achieve peak performance with always-on data and insights that span the media, creative, and business strategies of five million brands across 30+ media channels. By bringing the advertising past, present, and future into focus, our clients rapidly act on the competitive moves and emerging advertising trends impacting their business. CONTACT [email protected] SOURCE MediaRadar Ukraine has launched its first domestic platform for booking nature lodges, hutshub, the project's press service told Interfax-Ukraine. Positioning itself as a local competitor to Airbnb and Booking.com, hutshub focuses exclusively on nature retreats. The idea for the project emerged during the full-scale invasion, which fueled domestic tourism and a trend toward countryside getaways. "More and more people began seeing nature lodges as an attractive investment. We were no exception we were considering buying land in Slavske. But during the process, we realized the difficulties Ukrainian property owners face on international platforms. Since the start of the full-scale war, registering a new property has not been easy. That's how hutshub was born. We wanted to invest in a nature lodge but ended up investing in an ecosystem that simplifies, secures, and makes the booking process transparent," said co-founder and CEO Maksym Karkach. During testing, more than 100 lodges from across Ukraine joined hutshub, including Dereva, Sirka Space, Na Brusnytsi, Vdoma, Nadsluchanska Switzerland, Mandra Morion, and Kharakter Park. "Our goal was to create a platform tailored for locals without complicated algorithms or long customer service waits. A platform that speaks the same language as Ukrainian users, understands their context and needs. That's why we are focusing on crucial details, from a 'military discount' filter to building a community of property owners," said COO Volodymyr Sendeha. The platform currently offers travelers integrated payment options, convenient search filters, and a chat function for direct communication with hosts. Security is also a priority, with mandatory property pre-verification, a two-way rating system, and the ability to leave reviews. For property owners, hutshub provides calendar synchronization, flexible booking duration and pricing rules, as well as promotional services. The commission for completed bookings is the lowest on the market 10%, with the first five bookings free. According to company estimates, Ukraine has around 1,500 lodges fitting hutshub's criteria, with an annual growth rate of 10-15%. Future plans include consolidating the market, expanding the community, launching a partner ecosystem, and supporting local development initiatives in areas where the lodges are located. Prashant Dubey and Mike Haven will discuss their new book and share findings on the strategic value of legal operations professionals LAS VEGAS, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Agiloft, a leader in data-first contract lifecycle management (CLM), announced today that its Chief Strategy Officer Prashant Dubey and Mike Haven, Global Head of Legal Operations at a global Fortune 500 organization, will present on "GenO: The Rise of Legal Operations" at the CLOC Global Institute on May 6 in Las Vegas, NV. Mike Haven and Prashant Dubey, Co-Authors of GenO: The Rise of Legal Operations, to Present on Essential Power Skills for Legal Operations Leaders at CLOC Global Institute 2025 What: During this session, co-authors Dubey and Haven will discuss their new book, GenO: The Rise of Legal Operations. In the book, they chronicle the evolution of the LegalOps professional from legal department efficiency steward to strategic business enabler. The "origin stories" of a wide range of LegalOps professionals are relayed through entertaining and multidimensional storytelling, describing how the industry and the professionals who shaped it, developing concepts, skills and competencies that have shaped the profession. This session will provide an overview of key themes in the book, with a specific focus on a "power skills" model, complementing the CLOC Core 12. Speakers will describe how these professionals developed their relationship with their General Counsel, crafted key enterprise initiatives that have aided their career progression, and will provide guidance and key takeaways to attendees as to how they too can leverage these power skills to follow similar pathways to success. All attendees will receive a complimentary copy of the book. When: Tuesday, May 6, 2025, 1:45 PM-2:15 PM PT Where: Room Juniper 3, at the Aria Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada For more information about CLOC and this speaking session, visit www.cloc.org. To learn more about Agiloft's upcoming events, please visit www.agiloft.com/events. As detailed on CLOC's official website, members of the media and credible influencers can request a complimentary All Access Pass to CLOC. Per CLOC's policies, this offer is specifically for editorial staff and journalists who intend to publish content. For more information, visit events.cloc.org/event. About Agiloft As the most trusted global leader in data-first contract lifecycle management (CLM) software, Agiloft connects contractual commitments to real business outcomes using its flexible Data-first Agreement Platform (DAP). With contract data as the foundation, customers quickly and collaboratively reach agreement and leverage contract visibility to thrive with competitive advantage. Employing powerful, pragmatic artificial intelligence as a legal force multiplier, and robust integration capabilities as a data liberator, organizations around the world trust Agiloft's certified implementers to deliver connected, intelligent, and autonomous solutions across the entire contract lifecycle. With a 99.6% implementation success rate, it's clear why some of the largest companies choose Agiloft to unlock the value of contract data and accelerate business. Learn more at www.agiloft.com. Media Contact Angel Duan Senior Manager, Corporate Communications [email protected] (650) 780-6741 ext. 5775 SOURCE Agiloft SPARTANBURG, S.C., April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Mobile Communications America, Inc. ("MCA"), a leading security integration and critical communications provider focused on solutions that enhance workplace safety, security, and efficiency, today announced the acquisition of Presidio, Inc.'s Physical Security Integration business ("PhySec"). This strategic acquisition underscores MCA's commitment to providing innovative, customizable security solutions to its clients. Presidio PhySec specializes in delivering custom-designed security systems to key industries, including educational institutions, healthcare facilities, universities, and industrial organizations across the Midwest and US nationally Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, with additional offices in Grand Rapids and Ferndale, Michigan, as well as Dublin, Ohio, PhySec has earned top-tier status as a trusted security integrator. It specializes in delivering custom-designed security systems to key industries, including educational institutions, healthcare facilities, universities, and industrial organizations across the Midwest and US nationally. Known for its exceptional customer service and commitment to meeting unique client needs, PhySec has established itself as a leader in the security industry. "Together PhySec and MCA will continue to offer the custom solutions and client support we're known for as well as strategically invest in new innovations for securing our customers intellectual and physical assets," said Eric Adams, Vice President, Physical Security, Presidio. "We'll continue to collaborate closely with Presidio as their exclusive partner for Physical Security products and services." Vince Foody, CEO of MCA, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, "The acquisition of PhySec goes beyond growth; it represents a meaningful alignment of expertise, vision, and responsibility. With their outstanding reputation for creating dynamic, tailored security solutions across vital sectors, PhySec reflects the values that MCA prioritizes in everything we do. This partnership empowers us to build an even stronger foundation for protecting workplaces while driving innovation and efficiency for our customers." This acquisition marks a significant milestone for MCA, enhancing its offerings in physical security solutions across the Midwest. Adding PhySec's seasoned team and proven track record supports MCA's goal to deliver comprehensive, cutting-edge solutions to meet and exceed the safety and security demands of its growing clientele. About MCA - Mobile Communications America, Inc. (MCA) provides security, data, and wireless communications solutions that enhance the safety, security, and efficiency of workplaces across the nation. Customers trust us to provide a portfolio of turn-key systems, products, and services including security video and access control systems, two-way radio communications, vehicle uplift, BDA/DAS, remote monitoring, GPS tracking, SCADA, dispatch, mass notification, and point-to-point wireless networks. Our more than 65,000 customers span industries such as public safety, commercial, manufacturing, education, healthcare, utilities, and government. In addition to being the largest Motorola partner in the U.S., MCA has strategic partnerships with over 1,000 major manufacturers to offer an extensive portfolio of products and technologies. www.callmc.com Media Contact: Lauren Santilli Marketing Director Mobile Communications America (MCA) [email protected] 864-504-7869 Follow MCA on LinkedIn for the latest news and developments in workplace safety, security, and efficiency solutions. SOURCE MCA Salesian community in Mandalay affected by the earthquake. NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y., April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, has launched an emergency appeal for donations in the wake of the devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Mandalay, Myanmar* on March 28. The earthquake rattled much of Southeast Asia, impacting as far away as Bangkok, Thailand, where it flattened a skyscraper that was under construction. More than 2,000 people have died and 3,000 are injured, according to reports from the military government. However, there are questions on the scale of the disaster given the challenges of getting information out of Myanmar. The earthquake brought widespread devastation, especially in Mandalay City, where numerous high-rise buildings, pagodas, mosques, and churches were reduced to rubble. The iconic Sagaing Bridge, spanning the famous Irrawaddy River, also suffered severe damage, with parts of the structure collapsing into the river. Salesian Missions, along with the global Salesian community, is responding to the disaster both on the ground in impacted communities and by working to raise funding to help those most in need. A Salesian reported, "The Salesian community in Mandalay was severely affected by the earthquake. The St. John Paul II Chapel suffered extensive damage, with its facade and parts of the walls collapsing. Tragically, two faithful who were present for Adoration were injured as well as a young boy. The building housing street children also sustained significant damage, including to its ceiling, sections of the walls and the dormitory. Classrooms and the refectory also sustained damage. The confreres' quarters had falling plaster in several of the rooms and the corridor leading to the dining room was damaged. We will continue to assess the situation in Salesian centers and within the community." In Anisakan, many buildings for Salesian missionaries and sisters with Daughters of Mary Help of Christians were impacted with widespread structural damage. The St. Joseph Chapel in the Provincial House community suffered cracks at the back of the altar, and the statue of St. Joseph was broken at its pedestal. The newly appointed Salesian Rector Major Father Fabio Attard addressed the earthquake during the March 28 morning Chapter Assembly in Turin. He led the assembly in prayer and invited in Father Bosco Zeya Aung, provincial of Myanmar, to provide a brief about the situation. Fr. Attard also said that Salesians would immediately contribute to relief efforts for those affected. "This earthquake is coming at a time of great political instability in Myanmar, making humanitarian aid, transportation and communication extremely challenging," explained Father Michael Conway, director of Salesian Missions. "The Salesian communities, along with the local population, are struggling to respond to the urgent needs of those affected. Salesians though live where they work and know the communities and how to get things done. This perfectly positions them to respond in the immediate aftermath of a tragedy such as this and in the long-term rebuilding process." Salesian communities will remain steadfast in their commitment to serving the most vulnerable. Despite the challenges posed by the earthquake and the ongoing political crisis, they will continue to bring hope and healing to those in need. To give to the special Myanmar Earthquake Fund, visit https://salesianmissions.org/myanmar-earthquake/. *Any goods, services, or funds provided by Salesian Missions to programs located in this country were administered in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including sanctions administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury's Office of Foreign Asset Control. About Salesian Missions Salesian Missions is headquartered in New Rochelle, NY, and is part of the Don Bosco Networka worldwide federation of Salesian NGOs. The mission of the U.S.-based nonprofit Catholic organization is to raise funds for international programs that serve youth and families in poor communities around the globe. The Salesian missionaries are made up of priests, brothers and sisters, as well as laypeopleall dedicated to caring for poor children throughout the world in more than 130 countries and helping young people become self-sufficient by learning a trade that will help them gain employment. To date, more than 3 million youth have received services funded by Salesian Missions. These services and programs are provided to children regardless of race or religion. For more information, go to SalesianMissions.org. Twitter: @MissionNewswire Newswire: MissionNewswire.org Press room: SalesianMissions.org/press SOURCE Salesian Missions ATLANTA, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame Foundation, Inc. (NBCAHOF) is thrilled to announce the extended nomination deadline for the 40th Annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Legacy of Leaders Awards, taking place during Hall of Fame Week, September 2128, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. Due to overwhelming interest and the historic significance of this year's celebration, the new nomination deadline is April 15, 2025. This milestone 40th anniversary honors four decades of excellence, leadership, and legacy across Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). We are calling on HBCU alumni, presidents, chancellors, alumni affairs directors, and alumni association leaders to submit nominations for two powerful opportunities to uplift those who continue to make an impact: Hall of Fame Inductions The Hall of Fame Inductions honor individuals affiliated with HBCUs or Predominately Black Institutions (PBIs) who have made outstanding cultural, educational, or economic contributions to the Black community. This prestigious recognition celebrates those who have paved the way, uplifted others, and demonstrated excellence in their fields. View over 300 past inductees and see how they've shaped our legacy at www.nbcahof.org. Legacy of Leaders The Legacy of Leaders Awards recognize unsung heroesalumni leaders, chapters, and national alumni associationswho have demonstrated unwavering commitment, vision, and integrity in service to their institutions and communities. Nominations should reflect impact, leadership, and legacy. Help Us Spread the Word Whether you're a proud alum, part of an alumni chapter, or simply passionate about uplifting our storiesnow is the time to nominate and celebrate those who deserve to be seen and honored. This is more than a ceremony; it's a tribute to the changemakers who carry the spirit of HBCUs forward. Nomination Deadline: April 15, 2025 Submit nominations and learn more at: www.nbcahof.org Let's make the 40th year the most powerful one yet. Honor the past. Celebrate the present. Inspire the future. ABOUT THE NATIONAL BLACK COLLEGE ALUMNI HALL OF FAME FOUNDATION, INC. The National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame Foundation is a non-prot organization dedicated to recognizing and honoring outstanding individuals who have made signicant contributions in their elds of expertise and have emerged from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Through scholarships, the Hall of Fame Inductee Awards Gala and community outreach programs, the foundation supports the educational aspirations and achievements of HBCU students while preserving and celebrating the rich legacy of these esteemed institutions. For more information about the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame Foundation and its upcoming events and initiatives, please visit our website at www.nbcahof.org NBCA Hall of Fame Foundation [email protected] Atlanta, GA www.nbcahof.org @nbcahof (Instagram | Facebook | Twitter) Press Contact: Jeniece Stewart-Dortch National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame Foundation, Inc. 404-524-1106 SOURCE National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame Foundation, Inc. Out of office and into trouble: 91% of fans of the HBO show say they're looking to get into mischief while on vacation. 91% of fans of the HBO show say they're looking to get into mischief while on vacation. "Set-jetting" re-defining modern travel: 75% of "White Lotus" fans say the series has influenced their travel more than any other show, with 68% planning to travel to Hawaii , Italy or Thailand because of it. 75% of "White Lotus" fans say the series has influenced their travel more than any other show, with 68% planning to travel to , or because of it. Main-character energy: Fans are seeking different kinds of adventures than the show's characters, prioritizing authentic travel experiences. NEW YORK, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new survey out today from leading travel experience marketplace GetYourGuide 1 hit HBO series "The White Lotus" is having a massive impact on its American fans' travel preferences. Not only is the show driving increased consideration for trips to its shooting locations, but the hijinks of its characters are determining the types of experiences fans want to have on vacation. These travelers are packing their suitcase with main-character energy and prioritizing excitement over the peace and quiet that resort life usually evokes. New GetYourGuide Survey Says The White Lotus Travelers Want Local Flavor and Mischief, Not Just Five-Star Resorts The show's impact on wanderlust is undeniable: 75% of fans say "The White Lotus" has influenced their travel more than any other show. So far, 31% have already visited Hawaii, Italy, or Thailand because of it, while 68% plan to visit these iconic filming locations. "It's been widely reported that 'The White Lotus' is driving the 'set-jetting' trend and influencing many people's travel decisions today, but we wanted to know how far people are willing to go to vacation like the show's characters," says Madison Pietrowski, GetYourGuide's Director of Brand in the U.S. "We found that the peaceful vacation is dead. Fans are more interested in having visceral and thrilling experiences than they are in unwinding by the pool." Luxury is out, "White Lotus"-style vacation drama is in It's not the year of rest and relaxation "White Lotus"-inspired travelers want experiences that embody the drama and adventure of the show: 91% of fans of the HBO show say they're looking to get into mischief while on vacation. 84% of fans are likely to book travel with the intention of having a "White Lotus" experience (minus the murder). 55% of fans say it's "very or extremely important" that their vacation mirrors scenes from the show. Status-chasing meets self-sabotage? Piper, nooo! A quarter of fans (26%) would even go into debt to live out a "White Lotus"-style trip. Melodramatic travel, but make it personally transformative While many of the characters in "The White Lotus" are stereotypically "bad" tourists they're self-absorbed, spoiled, manipulative and likely to disregard or disrespect local culture fans of the show demonstrate more appreciation for the kind of adventures that can be had when one embraces authentic travel experiences. Fans ranked connecting with locals, getting access to off-the-beaten-path locations, and indulging in local food and drinks as more important than luxury experiences for a "White Lotus"-inspired trip. They also gave high rankings to travel experiences such as: Awakening my mind to expand my horizons Testing my limits through thrill-seeking experiences Gaining access to exclusive perks and experiences Exploring my sensual and fiery side And 70% said that the opportunity to have a once-in-a-lifetime experience is their top travel motivator highlighting the desire for unique and unforgettable travel experiences. but also Instagram-worthy While people taking "White Lotus"-inspired trips won't actually find themselves on set, they're still planning a broadcast of their own and the last thing they want is for it to be boring. For nearly three quarters of "White Lotus" fans, posting the experience on social media is a key reason they'd plan a trip inspired by the show (71%). They'll be keeping their phones; thanks, Pam! Top guided tours of "The White Lotus" locales Of the survey respondents, 93% said they would consider booking a "White Lotus"-themed experience or tour. For those looking to fill their summer travels with guided tours in "White Lotus" hotspots, GetYourGuide's most popular tours in Hawaii, Sicily and Thailand feature a mix of immersive local experiences, sight-seeing and outdoor adventures (many by boat, some by helicopter). Travelers can visit getyourguide.com or download the app to book guided tours in Hawaii, Sicily and Thailand. About the Survey GetYourGuide commissioned an online survey by Wakefield Research , aiming to uncover what truly motivates travelers to book "White Lotus"-inspired trips. The survey was conducted among 1,000 U.S. fans of "White Lotus" between March 18 and March 24, 2025, using an email invitation and an online survey, where "fans" was defined as those who selfidentify as "fans" and/or those who say they watch regularly. About GetYourGuide GetYourGuide is a leading global online marketplace to discover and book experiences worth traveling for. Travelers can use GetYourGuide to find things to do in more than 12,000 cities, including tours from local experts, exclusive access to must-see attractions, as well as immersive bucket-list experiences through its Originals by GetYourGuide offering. Since being founded, the GetYourGuide platform has sold more than 200 million tickets from 35,000 supply partners who leverage GetYourGuide's easy-to-use platform to grow their businesses. For more information, follow GetYourGuide on LinkedIn , Instagram and TikTok and visit getyourguide.com. Press Contact: [email protected] 1 GetYourGuide commissioned an online survey by Wakefield Research among 1,000 U.S. fans of "White Lotus" between March 18 and March 24, 2025. SOURCE GetYourGuide International accreditation body The DaVinci Awards identifies best businesses, products and services NEW YORK and LONDON, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A new global business awards program inspired by Leonardo Da Vinci launches today. Accepting entries internationally, The DaVinci Awards recognizes excellence in business, products, services, lifestyle and technology. Organizations may nominate their business as a whole; any product, service, initiative or project; or business department, team or person. The DaVinci Awards CEO, James Williams, said: "Da Vinci was the ultimate polymath, able to turn his hand to seemingly anything. By doing so, he singularly revolutionized how we live. "In today's society, business has a huge role in conquering problems large and small, and to responsibly improve our lives and world. "The DaVinci Awards recognizes and celebrates the best products, services, businesses and the visionaries and teams that create and run them. "In accepting entries across the globe, from organizations large and small, and in every conceivable area, our international team of judges hope to honor Da Vinci's spirit of holistic innovation and achievement. "We're looking for the best of the best: the most remarkable products, life-altering services, and businesses at the top of their game. We have a tiered star system of accreditation, with three stars indicating the very best of what we've seen in any given year. "Every winner receives a stunning trophy based on Da Vinci's iconic Vitruvian Man at no extra cost and access to marketing materials highlighting their awards win, enabling winners to rapidly build on their current success. "Organizations that make the grade can proudly show their DaVinci Awards win as a hallmark of excellence." In order to qualify for consideration, entrants must have been operating for at least two years. Businesses must also demonstrate growth over the last year in any one of eight eligibility areas: Profitability or revenue Customer base Customer satisfaction Number of staff Staff satisfaction Staff retention Cross-border trade Workforce diversity The awards are divided into four deadlines: Products Friday June 27, 2025 Lifestyle Friday, September 26, 2025 Technology Friday, December 12, 2025 Business Friday, March 27, 2026 The entry fee is $695 ahead of each deadline, with no additional costs. To begin an application to The DaVinci Awards, please visit: www.davinciawards.com. Contact details For The DaVinci Awards Matthew Gregory Head of Marketing [email protected] (212) 574-8117 Notes for editors About The DaVinci Awards The DaVinci Awards is an international awards program honoring the best businesses, products, services, lifestyle businesses and technology. The awards program comes from the team behind The Cloud Awards, an international program recognizing and honoring industry leaders, innovators and organizational transformation in cloud computing, software, AI, FinTech and online security since 2011. Winners are selected by a judging panel of international industry experts. For more information about The DaVinci Awards, please visit: www.davinciawards.com. SOURCE The DaVinci Awards COLUMBUS, Ohio, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Ohio State Medical Association (OSMA)Ohio's statewide organization representing physiciansis thrilled to see commitment by members of both the House and Senate to put patients' interests over insurance companies, keep medical decision-making in the hands of physicians, and shed light on the massive burdens put on our healthcare system and providers by insurance companies. These newly-introduced bills (House Bills 214, 219, 220 and Senate Bills 160, 162, 164, 165, 166) will bring much-needed transparency to the insurmountable power insurers have at dictating medical carepower that too often disrupts the ability of physicians to effectively provide patient care, and can lead to patients facing delays and denials of medically-necessary and even life-threatening treatments. "Patients and physicians have had enough. There is not an hour that goes by in my medical practice where an insurer is not getting in the way of me providing needed medical care to my patients. And this is a burden that is faced by physicians, practices, and healthcare systems across Ohio," said Dr. Elizabeth Muennich, MD, FAAD, and president of OSMA. "These pieces of legislation will reduce administrative burdens and return medical decision-making back into the hands of those most trusted to care for patients and save lives: Ohio's skilled and expert physicians." OSMA would like to thank Senator and physician Dr. Steve Huffman (Tipp City) for leading this initiative, as well as the bill sponsors: Senators Nathan Manning (North Ridgeville), Susan Manchester (Waynesfield), Louis Blessing (Colerain Township), Dr. Terry Johnson (McDermott), Al Cutrona (Canfield), and Dr. Beth Liston (Dublin); and Representatives Kevin Miller (Newark), Kellie Deeter (Norwalk), and Heidi Workman (Rootstown). OSMA looks forward to working with physicians throughout Ohio to advocate for this vital insurance reform, supporting these important pieces of legislation, and seeing them become law in Ohio. Our Mission Statement / Who We Are "The Ohio State Medical Association (OSMA) is dedicated to empowering physicians, residents and medical students to advocate on behalf of their patients and profession." The OSMA is the largest and oldest statewide physician-led association in Ohio. We are affiliated nationally with the American Medical Association and locally with county medical societies. Visit us at www.osma.org. SOURCE Ohio State Medical Association ORLANDO, Fla., April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Osmosis is excited to announce its exclusive partnership with STW Technic, a leading provider of electronic solutions for mobile machines and off-highway vehicles. As part of this collaboration, Osmosis will exclusively distribute STW Technic's best-in-class telematics hardware for the marine industry. This partnership builds on over five years of successful collaboration between the two companies, with more than 15,000 recreational watercraft already equipped with STW Technic's proven technology. Osmosis has partnered exclusively with STW Technic to distribute their telematics hardware for the marine industry. This collaboration, building on over five years of success, enhances boating operations with real-time tracking, safety features, and preventive maintenance. Combining Osmosiss platform with STW Technics durable hardware, the partnership aims to revolutionize marine telematics with advanced, AI-enabled solutions. For more information, visit osmosis.io/partnership. As the exclusive distributor of STW Technic's telematics hardware, Osmosis is now able to offer marine manufacturers and dealers an even more reliable and advanced solution for boating operations. Osmosis's platform, combined with STW Technic's rugged hardware, offers the marine industry real-time tracking, enhanced safety features, over-the-air updates, and preventive maintenance, ensuring a seamless, secure, and enhanced boating experience. "Osmosis has always been committed to bringing the highest-quality products to the recreational marine industry," said Shane Stanfill, President of Starflite Technology Group. "The design of STW Technic products delivers unmatched durability and performance, offering the robust reliability that premium brands and their customers demand." STW Technic's telematics hardware is engineered to withstand the harsh conditions of the marine environment. With exceptional build quality, STW Technic's hardware provides connectivity, diagnostics, and data tracking capabilities designed for the challenges of maritime applications. These features are essential for helping manufacturers, dealers, and customers enhance the operational efficiency and safety of their boats. The partnership also leverages Osmosis's deep expertise in the recreational marine industry. With its specialized platform, Osmosis offers end-to-end integration support, which allows for smooth operation across a variety of marine systems. Osmosis's software includes advanced features such as GPS location tracking, technical support, battery monitoring, digital boat manuals, service reminders, and diagnostics, giving manufacturers and dealers access to the data they need for better decision-making and efficient operations. Their Fleet View solution allows dealers to monitor fleets, stock inventory, and proactively service boats using real-time data. "This collaboration with STW Technic presents an exciting opportunity to revolutionize the marine industry's digital ecosystem for manufacturers, dealers, and boat owners," said John Sibiski, Director of Sales & Marketing at STW Technic. "By combining Osmosis's deep expertise in recreational marine telematics with STW Technic's advanced hardware and control solutions, we're delivering an intelligent, data-driven platform that enhances vessel monitoring, optimizes performance, and makes every boating experience smoother, smarter, and more enjoyable." Looking ahead, both companies are dedicated to advancing the frontiers of telematics technology through an expansive, next-generation product roadmap tailored to the diverse needs of various marine market segments. This partnership aims to spearhead innovation within the marine industry by integrating AI-enabled hardware and software tools, paving the way for advanced solutions. Such advancements will facilitate more intelligent decision-making and significantly enhance the capabilities of every user, from casual boaters to industry professionals. For more information about this exciting new partnership and the advanced solutions offered, please visit https://osmosis.io/partnership/. About Osmosis Osmosis is a leading provider of turn-key telematics solutions in the marine industry. With a focus on creating a better boating experience, Osmosis connects customers, dealers, and manufacturers through custom-branded platforms. Backed by a robust legal and privacy framework, Osmosis offers reliable, secure, and scalable solutions to meet the evolving needs of the marine sector. For more information, visit www.osmosis.io. About STW Technic STW Technic is an innovative leader in the design, manufacture, and implementation of electronic solutions for mobile machines and off-highway vehicles. They partner with machine manufacturers, system integrators, and distributors to provide engineered and highly reliable connectivity, automation, and power management solutions to truly empower their mobile machines. They offer the latest in Mobile Machine IoT hardware and software solutions, such as our market-leading remote asset management platform Reach. Their team also provides solutions such as openSYDE our systems configuration tool to support the entire lifecycle of your machine. To learn more, visit www.stw-technic.com. About Correct Craft Celebrating 100 years of excellence in the marine industry, Correct Craft is a Florida-based company with global operations. Focused on "Making Life Better," the Correct Craft family includes Nautique, Centurion, Supreme, Bass Cat, Yar-Craft, SeaArk, Parker, and Ingenity boat companies, Pleasurecraft Engine Group, Indmar Marine Engines, Velvet Drive Transmissions, Mach Connections, Merritt Precision, Osmosis, Watershed Innovation, and Aktion Parks. For more information, please visit https://correctcraft.com/. For media inquiries contact Valters Cinis at [email protected]. SOURCE Osmosis Thrive Pet Healthcare urges year-round prevention as fleas, ticks and mosquitoes become harder to avoid AUSTIN, Texas, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- From fleas and ticks to mosquitoes, parasites are active in every stateand not just during the warmer months. Thrive Pet Healthcare is issuing a nationwide reminder that year-round prevention is the best way to keep pets and families safe from parasites, especially in states with rising infection rates. "Parasites don't follow a calendar," said Dr. Kelly Cairns, Vice President of Medical Excellence and Education at Thrive Pet Healthcare. "We see dogs and cats dealing with parasite-related illnesses throughout the year, even if they don't go outside much. Sometimes, it just takes one little mosquito slipping in through an open door or a flea hitching a ride on someone's pant leg for your furry friend to end up with more than just an itch." Parasites don't follow a calendar. Veterinarians see pets with parasite-related illnesses year-round, even indoor pets. Post this Where Parasites Are on the Riseand Pets Are Paying the Price According to 2024 data from the Companion Animal Parasite Council, some U.S. states had higher-than-average rates of parasite-borne illnesses in dogs and cats: Heartworm disease (dogs) : Carried by mosquitoes, heartworm can affect a dog's heart and lungs. Some dogs exhibit signs such as coughing, shortness of breath, fatigue after moderate activity, or weight loss, while others may not show symptoms until the disease is more advanced. Fortunately, it's very preventable with veterinarian-prescribed preventatives. Mississippi has the highest infection rate, with 1 in 15 dogs testing positive. Louisiana , Alabama and Arkansas follow closely at 1 in 30. Heartworm-positive cases have also increased in Texas , South Carolina and Georgia . : Carried by mosquitoes, heartworm can affect a dog's heart and lungs. Some dogs exhibit signs such as coughing, shortness of breath, fatigue after moderate activity, or weight loss, while others may not show symptoms until the disease is more advanced. Fortunately, it's very preventable with veterinarian-prescribed preventatives. Heartworm disease (cats) : Cats can also get heartworm, even if they never go outside. A single mosquito bite is all it takes. Symptoms may include coughing, vomiting or difficulty breathing, but some cats show no signs at all. Approximately 1 in 500 cats nationwide test positive for heartworms each year. Heartworm rates are higher in Texas , Mississippi , Alabama and Louisiana , where 1 in 200 cats tested positive. : Cats can also get heartworm, even if they never go outside. A single mosquito bite is all it takes. Symptoms may include coughing, vomiting or difficulty breathing, but some cats show no signs at all. Lyme disease : Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne illness in dogs. It may cause joint stiffness, lethargy, and loss of appetite. If caught early, it's manageable with treatment. West Virginia had the highest infection rate, with 1 in 6 dogs testing positive. Vermont , Maine and Connecticut are also high-risk states, with 1 in 8 dogs testing positive. Pennsylvania , Massachusetts and New Hampshire follow closely, with 1 in 10 dogs testing positive. : disease is the most common tick-borne illness in dogs. It may cause joint stiffness, lethargy, and loss of appetite. If caught early, it's manageable with treatment. Anaplasmosis : Spread by ticks, anaplasmosis can affect dogs, cats and humans. In pets, it can cause fever, lethargy, joint pain, and loss of appetite, while in humans, symptoms resemble those of the flu. It's typically treated with antibiotics. The highest rates were found in Maine and Vermont , with 1 in 3 dogs testing positive Connecticut , New Hampshire and Massachusetts followed at 1 in 4 dogs testing positive. : Spread by ticks, anaplasmosis can affect dogs, cats and humans. In pets, it can cause fever, lethargy, joint pain, and loss of appetite, while in humans, symptoms resemble those of the flu. It's typically treated with antibiotics. Ehrlichiosis : Another tick-borne illness, ehrlichiosis may cause symptoms in pets such as low energy, joint pain or changes in appetite. In most cases, it can be treated, especially when caught early. Arkansas had the highest number of cases, with 1 in 6 dogs testing positive Missouri (1 in 10) and Oklahoma (1 in 11) followed. : Another tick-borne illness, ehrlichiosis may cause symptoms in pets such as low energy, joint pain or changes in appetite. In most cases, it can be treated, especially when caught early. Fleas, Ticks and Mosquitoes Don't Take a Season Off While many people believe parasite problems disappear in winter, that's not the case. Parasites are resilient and can stick around in warm homes or mild outdoor climates. "A tick can survive for more than 200 days without food or water, and fleas can continue to multiply even in your living room," said Dr. Cairns. "That's why year-round prevention makes a big difference." Approximately 1 in 7 dogs and 1 in 4 cats are affected by fleas, which can lead to itchy skin, tapeworm infections, or other health issues. Protecting Pets and Families Veterinarian-prescribed preventatives are the most effective way to protect pets from parasites and their associated diseases. Until June 30, 2025, participating Thrive Pet Healthcare hospitals are offering 15% off in-hospital purchases of popular parasite preventatives, including: ProHeart 12: One dose provides 12 months of heartworm prevention for dogs 12: One dose provides 12 months of heartworm prevention for dogs Simparica : A 6-pack of chewables for monthly flea and tick protection : A 6-pack of chewables for monthly flea and tick protection Simparica Trio : A monthly chewable that protects against fleas, ticks and heartworm : A monthly chewable that protects against fleas, ticks and heartworm Revolution Plus: A 6-pack of monthly applications for cats With a Thrive Plus membership, year-round protection is more accessible and affordable for pet parents. Member pets receive unlimited free exams,* $5 basic nail trims, and 10% off services like bloodwork, dental cleanings and spay/neutermaking it easier to stay on top of health concerns before they become serious. Visit thrivepetcare.com to find a location near you that offers primary, specialty, emergency, and urgent veterinary care services, as well as participating Thrive Plus membership hospitals. * Clinic fees may apply. Twelve-month commitment required. Terms apply. About Thrive Pet Healthcare: Thrive Pet Healthcare is a leading veterinary service community that uniquely delivers a continuum of care to pet families and services to veterinary hospitals. With an industry-first membership program and over 360 acute, primary, and specialty providers, Thrive Pet Healthcare offers personalized, accessible care through every stage of a pet's life and health. The veterinarian-founded organization provides premier benefits for practice staff while elevating privately held veterinary hospitals with innovative service and technology solutions. By focusing on the needs and aspirations of veterinary care providers, Thrive Pet Healthcare is supporting the well-being of the industry and raising the national bar for veterinary excellence. To learn more about Thrive Pet Healthcare, please visit www.thrivepetcare.com . SOURCE Thrive Pet Healthcare PHILADELPHIA, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In today's interconnected world, viral diseases contribute to significant global health challenges and economic costs. Seasonal influenza epidemics cause substantial disease burden and economic losses exceeding $11.2 billion annually in the United States alone. Meanwhile, herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1), spread primarily through oral contact, infects over two-thirds of the global population and is the leading cause of infectious blindness in Western countries. Low vaccination rates for influenza viruses and the lack of an HSV vaccine underscore the need for a new approachone that targets reducing viral loads at the sites where transmission occurs. Now, in a study published in Molecular Therapy, researchers at Penn Dental Medicine and collaborators in Finland, have done just that. Building on their previous worknow in clinical trialshowing that a similar approach was able to reduce SARS-CoV-2 in COVID-19 patient saliva or swab samples by more than 95%, Henry Daniell, W.D. Miller Professor at Penn Dental Medicine, and collaborators tested the ability of a chewing gum made from lablab beans, Lablab purpureusthat naturally contain an antiviral trap protein (FRIL)to neutralize two herpes simplex viruses (HSV-1 and HSV-2) and two influenza. They prepared clinical grade chewing gum to comply with FDA specifications and demonstrated safety and efficacy. Forty mg of a two-gram bean gum tablet was adequate to reduce viral loads by more than 95%, and antiviral efficacy was maintained up to 823 days when chewing gums were stored at room temperature. Daniell and his colleagues are now looking to use lablab bean powder to tackle bird flu, currently having a significant impact in North America. In the past three months, 54 million birds have been affected by H5N1, and several human infections have been reported in the U.S. and Canada. Previously, bean powder has been shown by a collaborating laboratory to effectively neutralize H5N1 and H7N9two strains of influenza A known to cause bird flu. Daniell and colleagues are currently looking to test its use in bird feed to help control bird flu. "A broad-spectrum antiviral protein (FRIL) present in a natural food product (bean powder) to neutralize not only human flu viruses but also avian (bird) flu is a timely innovation to prevent their infection and transmission," says Daniell. Research performed in the Daniell lab was supported by NIH grant R01 HL 107904. Media contact: Beth Adams, [email protected] SOURCE PENN DENTAL MEDICINE Photo: https://www.facebook.com/zelenskyy.official Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is at the city of Dnipro, where he visited a medical facility where Ukrainian servicemen are being treated after being wounded. I visited our defenders, spoke with them, and presented state awards. I thank every warrior for their vital fight, for their courage, service, and for defending our country! I wish them all a speedy recovery. Special thanks to the medical workers who treat, support, and bring our defenders back to life every single day, Zelenskyy said on X Wednesday. Longtime executive and current COO Brad Hill succeeds Eduardo Luz, who will remain with the company as an advisor through April. SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- P.F. Chang's today announced Brad Hill as the company's new Chief Executive Officer. Hill, who previously served as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer during his eight-year tenure with the company, succeeds Eduardo Luz. Luz will transition into an advisory role through the end of April. Brad Hill, Chief Executive Officer Corey Robertson, Chief Operating Officer "I am very proud to have worked for P.F. Chang's and its ownership group, Paulson & Company, and TriArtisan Capital Advisors, to position the company for success and having groomed a strong successor in Brad Hill," said Luz. "I look forward to seeing him excel in this role and wish him the best of luck." John Paulson, President of Paulson & Company, key investor in P.F. Chang's commented "I thank Eduardo for his hard work to position the company to excel in this market and wish him all the best in his future endeavors. I am excited to continue working with Brad and the very talented P.F. Chang's team." Hill brings deep operational expertise and a strong understanding of P.F. Chang's unique culture and commitment to guest experience. During his time at the company, he has played a critical role in strengthening the brand's position in the evolving dining landscape, working closely with Luz to reposition the business for long-term growth. In connection with this transition, Corey Robertsonan 18-year veteran of the brand and current Regional Vice President for the Eastern U.S.has been named Chief Operating Officer, reporting directly to Hill. "I am very excited to step into this new role I have very much aspired to. I look forward to leading this great company and all its dedicated people to new heights as we move forward," said Hill. About P.F. Chang's Founded in 1993 by Philip Chiang and Paul Fleming, P.F. Chang's is the first internationally recognized multi-unit Asian culinary brand to honor and celebrate the 2,000-year-old tradition of wok cooking as the center of the guest experience. With roots in Chinese cuisine, today's menu at P.F. Chang's spans across all of Asia, honoring cultures and recipes from Japan, Korea, Thailand, and beyond. Each item offers a unique exploration of flavor, whether it's a handcrafted cocktail, wok-fired lunch bowl, or celebratory Chef's Feast 3-course dinner. Worldwide, P.F. Chang's has more than 300 restaurants in 22 countries and U.S. airport locations. For more P.F. Chang's news, visit pfchangs.com and follow us on Facebook , Instagram, and TikTok @pfchangs. SOURCE P.F. Changs COSTA MESA, Calif. and PHILADELPHIA, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The City of Philadelphia's workforce development board, Philadelphia Works, is proud to announce their support of an innovative new documentary series that aims to inspire and empower young people in Southeast Pennsylvania. Fueled by Philadelphia Works, career exploration nonprofit Roadtrip Nation has created a compelling two-episode series called "Paths Across Southeast Pennsylvania," now streaming for free online at rtn.is/se-penn , with a broadcast premiere on local public television stations coming soon. Southeast Pennsylvania Roadtrippers The series will also be showcased at the upcoming Roads to Careers: Southeast PA Summit on April 15 at the Free Library of Philadelphia, where providers from the city's youth workforce system, Career Connected Learning PHL (C2L-PHL), will gather for dynamic workshops designed to enhance summer job programs for local youth. This multifaceted event, which combines engaging media content with practical workforce development strategies, aims to reshape existing industries, jumpstart career trajectories, and challenge outdated notions of what's possible in Southeast Pennsylvania. "Paths Across Southeast Pennsylvania" follows the journey of three local young adults, as they take a road trip across Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties to learn about career opportunities in the region. Along the way, they shine a spotlight on five in-demand industries that are helping to shape the state's future: education, health and life sciences, infrastructure, energy, and manufacturing. Throughout their journey, the three "roadtrippers"Luis Sanchez Velasco, Jaden Scheib, and Christiana Jemirimet and interviewed 10 local professionals working in careers closely aligned to their interests. For Luis, who is from Norristown, PA, interviews with Mann Elementary's assistant principal Arnold Ford and Coded by Kids' CEO Danae Mobley helped crystallize his passion for education. Philadelphia native Jaden visited the Eurofins Medical Device Testing laboratory in Lancaster, where director of microbiology Elizabeth Sydnor exemplified how her interests in STEM and pharmaceuticals could be combined into one fulfilling career. And roadtripper Christianaanother Philly localwas able to connect with government workers from Delaware County and the City of Philadelphia, to learn how she could apply her environmental studies degree to help Pennsylvania build more sustainable infrastructure. "For young people across Southeast Pennsylvania, this series will show them that they can grow, learn, explore, and ultimately build a fulfilling life and careerright here, in their own backyards," said Roadtrip Nation's co-founder and president Mike Marriner. "Our mission is to empower everyone to define their own road in life, and by spotlighting accessible, in-demand local career opportunities, we hope to do just that for Southeast Pennsylvanians." "At Philadelphia Works, we strive to connect our city's talent with rewarding career opportunities that strengthen our local economy. The SEPA Roadtrip initiative brilliantly showcases the diverse career pathways available in Southeast Pennsylvania," said Patrick Clancy, president and CEO of Philadelphia Works. "This documentary will inspire young residents by highlighting accessible career options through the stories of local professionals. We're excited to support this initiative and the positive impact it will bring to our community." A "Paths Across Southeast Pennsylvania" documentary screening and panel conversation will take place as part of the City's Roads to Careers: Southeast PA Summit on April 15 at the Parkway Central Library in Philadelphia. Hosted by Philadelphia Works and Career Connected Learning PHL. Roadtrip Nation, will hold the 2:30 p.m. timeslot to screen the series and facilitate a discussion with roadtrippers from the film. To learn more and watch episodes of "Paths Across Southeast Pennsylvania" online visit rtn.is/se-penn . Click here to register for Roads to Careers: Southeast PA Summit in Philadelphia, on April 15. About C2L-PHL Career Connected Learning Philadelphia, or C2L-PHL, is an initiative created by the City of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Works, and the School District of Philadelphia pursuant to a collective desire to create a more robust, efficient and youth focused work-based learning experience model. The program is based on the idea that the best way for youth to build the skills essential for a successful career is through direct, hands-on experience connected to rigorous classroom learning and reflection. C2L activities are offered along a continuum: Awareness, Preparation, and Launch. The program, which includes professional development for youth, skill development and hands on opportunities, is designed to fulfill the alternative pathway to graduation requirements as outlined in Act 158. For more information, visit www.phila.gov/programs/career-connected-learning-phl-c2l-phl. About Roadtrip Nation Roadtrip Nation humanizes career exploration through story and empowers individuals to connect their interests to fulfilling lives and careers. Through its award-winning public television series, New York Times bestselling book "Roadmap," and educational programs and tools that provide visibility and insights into career possibilities and pathways, Roadtrip Nation gives people from all backgrounds confidence and belief in their ability to persist through challenges and define success for themselves. Roadtrip Nation, a part of Strada Collaborative, has been showcased at the United Nations Social Innovation Summit, Clinton Global Initiative, NBC Education Nation, TEDx, Talks at Google, SXSW, and the Harvard Social Enterprise Forum. For more information, visit roadtripnation.com. About Philadelphia Works Philadelphia Works is the city's Workforce Development Board, investing in solutions and services to grow Philadelphia's economy by connecting employers to workforce talent and career seekers to jobs. We influence the public policies that support economic growth and optimize funding and resources to invest in regional solutions to build a skilled and thriving workforce. For more information about our dedicated board members and staff, workforce research, labor market data, services, and initiatives, and to view success stories, please visit philaworks.org. Press Contacts: Dawn Thomas, Philadelphia Works Director, Communications and Outreach [email protected] Allison Dupont, Roadtrip Nation Director, Marketing & Events [email protected] SOURCE Philadelphia Works MCLEAN, Va., April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Continuing its impressive growth streak in Dallas and Reno, PowerHouse Data Centers has enhanced its leadership team with the strategic addition of Dallas-based Jeff Parsons as Senior Vice President, Development & Construction. Parsons will lead its premier best-in-class team in the Southwest region, driving development and expanding PowerHouse's presence in this key market. Photo: L to R: Zac Vincent, Jeff Tharp, Luke Kipfer, Karen Petersburgh, Jeff Parsons, BK Hatcher Parsons, a Texas A&M graduate with over 30 years of operational and technical experience, is recognized as one of the industry's top construction and development leaders and ideally suited to spearhead PowerHouse's continued Southwest expansion. He spent over a decade at DPR Construction leading high-profile projects and was instrumental in scaling operations and establishing a strong regional presence , overseeing a construction team of 800 people. Known for his strategic acumen, collaborative mindset , and ability to develop high-performing teams, Parsons brings a comprehensive understanding of the Southwest market. His addition further cements PowerHouse's expansion strategy, reinforcing its ability to scale efficiently while maintaining the speed and precision hyperscale clients expect. "Jeff's leadership experience, extensive industry relationships, and track record of delivering sophisticated, mission-critical data centers on time and budget make him the ideal leader to drive our Southwest expansion," said Doug Fleit, Co-founder and CEO of Powerhouse Data Centers. "We take a very focused and precise approach to our data center development, and Jeff's attention to detail and leadership will continue to strengthen PowerHouse's ability to serve the needs of hyperscale users in a very rapidly growing Southwest market." With its Southwest leadership team, PowerHouse builds on its success in six major U.S. markets to deliver scalable capacity where hyperscalers need it most. A Team Built to Lead and Shape the Future Reporting directly to Luke Kipfer, PowerHouse's Managing Director, Parsons rounds out the firm's exceptional leadership team, and works in parallel with Pete McGrath, Senior Vice President, Development & Construction for the Northeast, aligning national strategies to support PowerHouse's continued expansion. With Parsons at the helm, the Southwest team collaborates closely with Karen Petersburg, Vice President, Development & Construction, who has been instrumental in expanding PowerHouse's footprint in the Southwest, with sites in Reno and Texas. Petersburg, who also leads Sustainability and ESG initiatives for PowerHouse, will continue driving sustainability efforts in the company's growing portfolio. Surrounding Parsons is a team of seasoned professionals with rich expertise in large-scale data center development, including BK Hatcher , Director Data Center Development & Construction, brings over a decade of experience in mission-critical development, having overseen large-scale data center projects exceeding 300 MW. Before joining PowerHouse, he served as Senior Project Manager at Worldwide Mission Critical, where he led end-to-end development of multi-building campuses for some of the world's largest cloud and colocation providers. Hatcher's expertise in site selection, budgeting, and large-scale execution positions PowerHouse to seamlessly deliver complex projects across the Southwest. , Director Data Center Development & Construction, brings a decade of experience in mission-critical development, having overseen large-scale data center projects exceeding 300 MW. Before joining PowerHouse, he served as Senior Project Manager at Worldwide Mission Critical, where he led end-to-end development of multi-building campuses for some of the world's largest cloud and colocation providers. Hatcher's expertise in site selection, budgeting, and large-scale execution positions PowerHouse to seamlessly deliver complex projects across the Southwest. Jeff Tharp , Director Data Center Development & Construction, has delivered 200+ MW of hyperscale capacity throughout his 11-year career in the industry. As a Senior Project Manager at McCarthy Building Companies, he played an important role in executing high-density data centers for leading hyperscalers, ensuring cost efficiency, schedule certainty and technical precision. His experience in construction management and multi-site coordination adds to PowerHouse's ability to execute at scale. , Director Data Center Development & Construction, has delivered 200+ MW of hyperscale capacity throughout his 11-year career in the industry. As a Senior Project Manager at McCarthy Building Companies, he played an important role in executing high-density data centers for leading hyperscalers, ensuring cost efficiency, schedule certainty and technical precision. His experience in construction management and multi-site coordination adds to PowerHouse's ability to execute at scale. Zac Vincent , Assistant Project Manager, specializes in modular and prefabricated construction, a critical component of modern hyperscale deployment. Previously with Holder Construction, he led the development of an industry-first modular data center program and managed $138 million in electrical subcontractsall delivered on time and under budget. His focus on efficiency and innovation will further enhance PowerHouse's ability to provide fast, scalable data center solutions. "PowerHouse's team is a world class group of highly experienced professionals, developing both mid-sized and large scale campuses, raising the bar for rapid data center development," said Luke Kipfer, Managing Director of PowerHouse Data Centers. "This team has led some of the most complex hyperscale developments for the biggest names in the industry. Their expertise ensures we deliver with precision, and at the highest standards." About PowerHouse Data Centers PowerHouse Data Centers, a wholly owned division of American Real Estate Partners (AREP), is a developer and owner of next-generation data centers and provides technical real estate solutions for hyperscalers across the country. Starting in Northern Virginia's Data Center Alley, the world's largest data center market, before strategically expanding to key markets across the United States, PowerHouse owns its land sites, offering unparalleled fast-track approvals and zoning approvals in its full suite of development services. As an industry disruptor, PowerHouse provides flexible next-generation data center models with the quickest speed to market of any data center while meeting hyperscalers' growing market, data, utility, and space demands. The company has 87 buildings and 25.5M sq. f t. currently in planning, underway or completed, representing over 5.9 GW of power in six major US markets. Operating as the data center division of AREP, PowerHouse is uniquely positioned as a leader in world-class data center development. With some of the industry's deepest real estate relationships, PowerHouse leverages its strategic joint venture partnerships, proven leadership, and best-in-class technical expertise to deliver innovative real estate solutions nationwide. Visit our newsroom for more information, and follow us on LinkedIn , YouTube , and X . SOURCE PowerHouse Data Centers Portland based company closes seed funding led by Entrada Ventures with participation from SilverCircle and Progression Fund. Prophetic dramatically improves the real estate development analysis process with automated site planning, statewide development maps, statewide zoning maps and extracted zoning control data, and landowner outreach tools all in one place Prophetic will expand to 10 new states, serving 13 states in total. PORTLAND, Ore., April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Prophetic, the leading software platform for real estate development opportunity analysis and land acquisition, announces its national expansion and completion of its seed funding round, led by Entrada Ventures with participation from SilverCircle, Progression, and others. Built for developers, homebuilders, brokers, architects, and more, Prophetic replaces outdated tools with automated site planning, statewide development maps, statewide zoning maps and extracted zoning control data, and outreach tools all in one place. Prophetic Platform Highlight Video Prophetic Statewide Zoning Maps - Seattle Area Prophetic SiteAi - yield study net of wetlands and flood plains "The real estate development, homebuilder, and brokerage industries have long needed advancement in technology that lets them move faster in identifying development opportunities. Whether you're a multi-billion dollar national outfit, or a single-person development shop, you're using the same resources: county websites, Google Earth desktop, and Excel sheets. Prophetic delivers immediate return on investment by letting our customers move about 40x faster, and significantly grow their businesses by expanding their acquisitions pipeline," said Oliver Alexander, Founder & CEO of Prophetic. Prophetic's platform of industry-tools includes: SiteAi - create zoning-compliant site plans for subdivisions in seconds. Prophetic's AI determines ideal lot & road locations and calculates yields net of wetlands and flood plains, including setbacks. A huge improvement in the "yield study" process that shaves weeks & thousands of dollars from development timelines - create zoning-compliant site plans for subdivisions in seconds. Prophetic's AI determines ideal lot & road locations and calculates yields net of wetlands and flood plains, including setbacks. A huge improvement in the "yield study" process that shaves weeks & thousands of dollars from development timelines DevMap - Prophetic's proprietary statewide map of all new developments in progress. Spot emerging markets, monitor competition, and operate like you've got a team of analysts in your back pocket - Prophetic's proprietary statewide map of all new developments in progress. Spot emerging markets, monitor competition, and operate like you've got a team of analysts in your back pocket Zoning maps all zoning maps, for all cities & counties across each state, in one place. Plus, extracted zoning control data such as minimum lot size, min/max density, setbacks, and more available for all zones in all municipalities all zoning maps, for all cities & counties across each state, in one place. Plus, extracted zoning control data such as minimum lot size, min/max density, setbacks, and more available for all zones in all municipalities Development Intention Search search for land by intended development type via Prophetic's industry-first development intention search including filtering by key zoning regulations, zone type, and more search for land by intended development type via Prophetic's industry-first development intention search including filtering by key zoning regulations, zone type, and more Statewide Diligence Maps rapidly assess environmental conditions with Prophetic's integrated statewide wetlands, FEMA flood zones, Brownfield & Superfund, and other crucial diligence map layers rapidly assess environmental conditions with Prophetic's integrated statewide wetlands, FEMA flood zones, Brownfield & Superfund, and other crucial diligence map layers Handwritten Letters send handwritten, real ink letters to any landowner in 30 seconds within Prophetic to expand your off-market acquisition pipeline with unprecedented efficiency "We've been utilizing Prophetic to support our land acquisitions for approximately one year. This software has streamlined our workflow and saved us hours. Prophetic is promoting higher productivity throughout our company!" noted Debbie Connor, of Holt Homes in Washington State. Adam, a Prophetic customer working with his team across 18 counties in California, noted, "Prophetic brings key data points to life that simplify and hasten land investment decisions. It's easy to use and valuable for people new to the industry and seasoned alike." Launched in July 2024, Prophetic is available in California, Oregon, Washington, Florida, Texas, Georgia, Arizona, Colorado, Utah, Idaho, and Nevada. In the coming months, Tennessee, Maryland, and other states will come online as Prophetic responds to customer needs. Prophetic's expansion is fueled by the recent completion of its seed funding round, led by Entrada Ventures. "At Entrada Ventures, we get excited about founders bringing legacy industries into the modern cloud and AI era. What Oliver and the team at Prophetic are building is a great example of this; they have already demonstrated the ability to consistently save real estate developers huge amounts of time and money on every project. With this capital, their upcoming innovations and geographical expansion will continue to reduce costs and accelerate development timelines for builders and developers across the country," noted Eric Kanowsky, Managing Partner, Entrada Ventures. "Prophetic's AI platform that finds, analyzes, and evaluates development opportunities is a breakthrough nothing like it exists, and the market clearly sees that. We've rarely seen this level of early customer engagement, and they're just getting started. I'm thrilled to partner with Oliver and the team," said Lex Alvarez, Principal at SilverCircle. "What Prophetic is building is something that is only possible with this new wave of AI technology and solves a real problem with immediate return on investment for its customers by allowing developers to identify and analyze opportunities in minutes for a task that used to take hours. Pair that with an ideal founding team of deep technical and product talent along with a proven founder in Oliver who is wizard with sales, go-to-market and business development made this a no-brainer opportunity," added James Veraldi, of Progression Fund. About Prophetic Prophetic is the leading AI-powered platform for real estate development opportunity analysis and land acquisition. Built for developers, homebuilders, brokers, architects, and more, Prophetic replaces outdated tools with automated site planning, statewide development maps, statewide zoning maps and extracted zoning control data, and outreach tools all in one place. Prophetic helps customers evaluate more deals, move faster, and unlock more profitable projects. Learn more at www.propheticsoftware.ai. About Entrada Ventures Entrada Ventures is an early-stage venture fund led by passionate, experienced operators and investors who have built multiple successful companies. Entrada Ventures is based in Santa Barbara and Silicon Valley, CA, and invests across a broad range of innovative technologies. For more information, visit www.entradaventures.com. Media Contact: Oliver Alexander, Founder & CEO [email protected] SOURCE Prophetic Valmet Oyj's press release on April 2, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. EEST ESPOO, Finland, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Valmet's Interim Review JanuaryMarch 2025 will be published on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at approximately 9:00 a.m. Finnish time (EEST). The stock exchange release and presentation material in English and in Finnish will be available at that time on Valmet's website at www.valmet.com/investors. Webcast Valmet will arrange a news conference in English as a live webcast at https://valmet.videosync.fi/q1-2025 on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Finnish time (EEST). President and CEO Thomas Hinnerskov and CFO Katri Hokkanen will be presenting the results. Recording of the webcast will be available shortly after the event at the same website. Conference call It is possible to take part in the news conference through a conference call by registering through the link below: https://player.videosync.fi/valmet/q1-2025/dial-in After the registration you will be provided phone numbers and a conference ID to access the conference. If you wish to ask a question during the conference, please dial *5 on your telephone keypad to enter the question queue. VALMET Corporate Communications For further information, please contact: Pekka Rouhiainen, VP, Investor Relations, Valmet, tel. +358 10 672 0020 For media: Antti Ylitalo, Director, External Communications, Valmet, tel. +358 10 672 0000 Valmet has a global customer base across various process industries. We are a leading global developer and supplier of process technologies, automation, and services for the pulp, paper, and energy industries. With our automation and flow control solutions, we serve an even wider base of process industries. Our more than 19,000 professionals around the world work close to our customers and are committed to moving our customers' performance forward every day. The company has more than 225 years of industrial history and a strong track record in continuous improvement, sustainability, and renewal. Valmet's net sales in 2024 were approximately EUR 5.4 billion. Valmet's shares are listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki, and the head office is in Espoo, Finland. Follow us on valmet.com | X | X (IR) | LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram | Processing of personal data This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/valmet-oyj/r/publishing-of-valmet-s-interim-review-january-march-2025-on-april-23--2025,c4129122 Fans thought we were getting into the sandwich business, but the real joke? Missing out on the new Reese's PB&J Big Cups HERSHEY, Pa., April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Did you really think we'd trade our chocolate and peanut butter goodness for bread? Please. The joke's over now for the real treat. Today, on National PB&J Day, we're revealing the actual surprise: Reese's PB&J Big Cups are here! Everything you love about PB&Js and chocolatenow in a Reese's cup. Fans have been dreaming of a PB&J-meets- Reese's moment, so we obviously made it happen. And we had a little fun along the way. New Reeses PB&J Big Cups in Strawberry and Grape flavor. Reeses April Fools Joke. ICYMI, we pulled the ultimate prank on April 1, convincing our fans that Reese's was officially getting into the sandwich business. We introduced the ultimate upgrade to your favorite PB&Js Reese's Chocolatey Bread, perfect to pair with Reese's peanut butter. And honestly, considering we crank out 160 million pounds of peanut butter a yearenough for over a billion PB&Jsmaybe we should. But for now, we'll stick to what we do best. Of course, stepping into the PB&J world comes with one big question: Which flavor makes the perfect pairingstrawberry or grape? The PB&J debate is real, and as the peanut butter experts, we saywhy choose just one? Reese's PB&J Big Cups come in both classic flavors, wrapped in our signature chocolate and peanut butter for the ultimate twist on the iconic combo. Each pack contains just one flavor, but let's be realwe know PB&Js are best enjoyed with a little variety. So go ahead, grab both. "Reese's is all about having fun. Teasing the idea of us 'getting into the sandwich business' was a playful way to spark conversation," said Melissa Blette, senior brand manager at Reese's. "All kidding aside, this was the most obvious next move for us. PB&J is an all-time classic, and Reese's was always the missing pieceso we fixed it!" Reese's PB&J Big Cups are now available at retailers nationwide for a limited time in standard, king, and snack size multipacks. We know the joke was funny, so if you somehow missed it yesterday, check out @reeses on social media to see it for yourself and keep an eye on it for more exciting news soon. Pricing is at the sole discretion of the retailer. About The Hershey Company The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) is an industry-leading snacks company with a purpose to make more moments of goodness through its iconic brands. With more than 20,000 remarkable employees worldwide, Hershey delivers delicious, high-quality products across approximately 70 countries, generating over $11.2 billion in annual revenues. The company's portfolio includes beloved chocolate and confectionery brands such as Hershey's, Reese's, Kisses, Kit Kat, Jolly Rancher, Ice Breakers, Shaq-a-licious alongside popular salty snacks including SkinnyPop and Dot's Homestyle Pretzels. For more than 130 years, Hershey has been committed to operating responsibly and supporting its people and communities. The candy and snack maker's founder, Milton Hershey, created Milton Hershey School in 1909, and since then, the company has focused on helping children succeed through access to education. To learn more visit www.thehersheycompany.com. Follow: http://www.twitter.com/hersheycompany https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-hershey-company http://www.facebook.com/hersheycompany http://www.youtube.com/hersheycompany http://www.instagram.com/hersheycompany SOURCE The Hershey Company With a two-year revenue growth of 395%, RentRedi joins ranks of elite Inc. Regionals companies for 2nd consecutive year NEW YORK, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Inc. magazine today revealed that RentRedi is No. 13 on its fifth annual Inc. Regionals: Northeast list, the most prestigious ranking of the fastest-growing Northeast private companies. RentRedi, the fastest-growing property management software that makes renting easy for both landlords and renters, was selected for this honor for the second consecutive year, following a remarkable two-year revenue growth of 395% . Last year, RentRedi ranked No. 12 on the list. "We are grateful to our expanding community of RentRedi landlords and tenants for contributing to the consistently rapid growth we've enjoyed over the past few years," said RentRedi Co-founder and CEO Ryan Barone. "One of the reasons for our growth is RentRedi's commitment to opening up new revenue streams that help landlords grow their businesses. It is a great honor to be recognized two years in a row for helping to boost the Northeast region's economy." RentRedi empowers landlords and investors to reach new levels of success through a unique method of involving them in the product development process. Its continuous customer feedback loop drives solutions that help landlords and investors streamline their operating costs, cut expenses, and increase revenue. For example, landlord feedback has encouraged RentRedi to add valuable features such as accelerated 2-day funding for rent payments, 24/7 chat support , and customizable applications . RentRedi also leverages its internal data insights to inform landlords that using the platform's tenant screening feature and offering options like autopay and Credit Boost to their tenants will increase the likelihood of receiving on-time rent payments. The success of its customers translates to the success of RentRedi. An extension of the national Inc. 5000 list, the Regionals offer a unique look at the most successful companies within the Northeast economy's most dynamic segmentits independent small businesses. "The honorees on this year's Inc. Regionals list are true trailblazers driving economic growth in their respective regions, industries, and beyond. This list celebrates their achievements and tells the stories of remarkable companies that are fueling growth and adding jobs in local economies throughout the country," said Bonny Ghosh, editorial director at Inc. The companies on this year's list show an impressive rate of growth between 2021 and 2023 across all industries in the Northeast region, which includes Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New Jersey. By 2023, these 154 private companies had added 9,114 jobs and $6.7 billion to the region's economy. Complete results of the Inc. Regionals: Northeast, including company profiles, can be found at Inc.com/Northeast . RentRedi was ranked No. 180 on the national Inc. 5000 list in 2024. In addition to the Inc. distinctions, RentRedi recently named an Inc. Power Partner for a second consecutive year, as well as recently making Fast Company's Next Big Things in Tech list and HousingWire's Tech100 list. About RentRedi RentRedi offers an award-winning, comprehensive property management platform that simplifies the renting process for landlords and renters by automating and streamlining processes. Landlords can quickly grow their rental businesses by using RentRedi's all-in-one web and mobile app to collect rent, list and market vacancies, find and screen tenants, sign leases, and manage maintenance and accounting. Tenants enjoy the convenience and benefits of RentRedi's easy-to-use mobile app that allows them to pay rent, set up auto-pay, build credit by reporting rent payments to all three major credit bureaus, prequalify and sign leases, and submit 24/7 maintenance requests. Founded in 2016, RentRedi is VC-backed and a proven leader in the PropTech market. The company ranks No. 180 on the Inc. 5000 list and No. 13 on the Inc. 5000 Regionals list. It was also named an Inc. Power Partner in 2023 and 2024, and to Fast Company's Next Big Things in Tech list in 2024, as well as HousingWire's Tech100 list in 2025. To date, RentRedi has more than $28 billion in assets under management with nearly 200,000 landlords and tenants using the platform. The company partners with technology leaders such as Zillow, TransUnion, Experian, Equifax, Realtor.com, Lessen, Thumbtack, Plaid, and Stripe to create the best customer experience possible. For more information visit RentRedi.com . More about Inc. and the Inc. Regionals Methodology The 2025 Inc. Regionals are ranked according to percentage revenue growth over two years. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2021. They had to be U.S.-based, privately held, for-profit, and independentnot subsidiaries or divisions of other companiesas of December 31, 2023. (Since then, a number of companies on the list may have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2021 is $100,000; the minimum for 2023 is $1 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons. About Inc. Inc. is the leading media brand and playbook for the entrepreneurs and business leaders shaping our future. Through its journalism, Inc. aims to inform, educate, and elevate the profile of its community: the risk-takers, the innovators, and the ultra-driven go-getters who are creating the future of business. Inc. is published by Mansueto Ventures LLC, along with fellow leading business publication Fast Company. For more information, visit www.inc.com . SOURCE RentRedi GARLAND, Texas, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- REPKON USA, a technology leader in the aerospace and defense market, announced its acquisition of one of the operating locations of General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, known as GD-OTS Garland Operations. The Garland Operations facility is a 38-acre manufacturing facility north of Dallas, TX that manufactures metal parts for defense and aerospace applications. This strategic move strengthens REPKON USA's position in the market and enhances its commitment to delivering high-quality solutions for the U.S. Department of Defense and its allies. President of REPKON USA, Bryan Van Brunt, Stated: REPKON USA - Defense, LLC - Garland Operations This strategic acquisition by REPKON USA provides us with a large-scale heavy manufacturing footprint where we can implement advanced manufacturing techniques. The personnel and staff at the Garland Operations facility are exceptional and we are thrilled to bring them into REPKON USA. This acquisition is one of several recent strategic moves and awards for REPKON USA as it plays a key role in modernizing and strengthening the U.S. and European defense industrial bases. The company recently announced that it is adding significant engineering and program management strength through its acquisition of McCormick Stevenson Corporation. That acquisition is expected to close in May. REPKON USA was also named as a key partner in a strategic Memorandum of Understanding with BAE Systems UK and Repkon Holdings A.S (Turkiye) relating to munitions and energetics that was signed at the International Defense Exposition (IDEX) in UAE in February. With the addition of significant manufacturing capability at the Garland Operations facility, REPKON USA is poised to play a key role in the U.S. and NATO national defense industrial bases. In November 2024, REPKON USA was awarded a $435M contract to construct the first TNT production facility in the US in several decades in Graham, Kentucky. The company was also recently awarded a contract to design and build a production line for 155mm artillery combustible cartridge cases in Texarkana, Texas. About REPKON USA Headquartered in Tampa, Florida, REPKON USA Holdings, Inc. is a leader in advanced metal formation and manufacturing, and chemical energetics production. REPKON USA has approximately 400 employees with locations in Florida, Kentucky, and Texas. For more information, please contact: Ashley Toohey REPKON USA Holdings, Inc. [email protected] repkon-usa.com SOURCE REPKON USA ATLANTA, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- RPC, Inc. (NYSE: RES) ("RPC") announced the acquisition, effective April 1, 2025, of Pintail Alternative Energy, L.L.C. ("Pintail"), which does business under the name "Pintail Completions", for approximately $245 million, subject to customary post-closing adjustments. Pintail is headquartered in Midland, Texas and is a leading provider of oilfield wireline services in the Permian basin. Strategic Highlights Strategic acquisition of wireline completions services market leader in Permian Basin Aligns with RPC's focus on service lines that command strong margins and demonstrate high free cash flow conversion characteristics Builds on RPC's diversified oilfield services platform with geographic concentration in the most active oil producing region in the U.S. land market Pintail operates more than 30 active fleets, and its conventional and electric wireline units are among the newest in the industry Pintail maintains trusted relationships with blue chip E&Ps by delivering service excellence, safety, low emissions and fuel cost efficiencies Pintail's full year calendar 2024 revenues were approximately $409 million million Acquisition is expected to be accretive to RPC's 2025 earnings per share and operating and free cash flow (operating cash flow less capital expenditures) Management Commentary "The acquisition of Pintail is a significant step forward in RPC's strategic evolution as a diversified oilfield services provider," stated Ben M. Palmer, RPC's President and Chief Executive Officer. "Pintail Completions is recognized as an industry leader in wireline perforation services, complementing our existing completion service lines and making wireline a meaningful component of RPC's portfolio. With this transaction, RPC acquires a business with strong brand recognition, attractive margins and solid cash generation. Pintail's customer base consists primarily of Tier 1 E&Ps in the Midland and Delaware basins. We are excited to welcome Pintail's leadership and field teams into our organization, where they will operate independently under the Pintail name." "The Pintail team and I are excited to continue our journey alongside RPC as a separate business entity. RPC's platform allows Pintail to preserve both its operating model and customer centric approach that has served our customers and other stakeholders so well. RPC's strategy creates a best-in-class environment for entrepreneurs and operators to continue to thrive," commented Matt Houston, Pintail's co-founder and President. Transaction Details The purchase price was $245 million Consideration was comprised of a combination of approximately $170 million cash-on-hand, $25 million of RPC restricted stock consideration and a $50 million three-year note to one of the sellers cash-on-hand, of RPC restricted stock consideration and a three-year note to one of the sellers The agreement contains a post-closing adjustment for an agreed-upon level of Pintail's working capital, as well as other usual and customary items Advisors Arnall Golden Gregory LLP served as legal counsel to RPC. Piper Sandler Companies served as lead financial advisor and Kirkland & Ellis LLP served as legal counsel to Pintail. Stephen's Inc. also served as financial advisor to Pintail. About RPC RPC provides a broad range of specialized oilfield services and equipment primarily to independent and major oilfield companies engaged in the exploration, production and development of oil and gas properties throughout the United States, including the Gulf of America, mid-continent, southwest, Appalachian and Rocky Mountain regions, and in selected international markets. RPC's investor website can be found at www.rpc.net . Forward Looking Statements and Risk Factors Certain statements and information included in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include statements that look forward in time or express management's beliefs, expectations or hopes. In particular, such statements include, without limitation: the accretive impact of the acquisition to RPC's 2025 earnings per share and operating and free cash flow, statements that Pintail has strong brand recognition, attractive margins and solid cash generation, and Pintail's capability to maintain trusted relationships with blue chip E&Ps by delivering service excellence, safety, low emissions and fuel cost efficiencies. Risk factors that could cause such future events not to occur as expected, and which could impact the performance of RPC and Pintail, include the following: the price of oil and natural gas and overall performance of the U.S. economy, both of which can impact capital spending by our customers and demand for our services; business interruptions due to adverse weather conditions; changes in the competitive environment of our industry; political instability in the petroleum-producing regions of the world; the actions of the OPEC oil cartel; our customers' drilling and production activities; the risk that our assessments, such as regarding the oversupplied nature of oilfield services, will turn out incorrect; and our ability to integrate Pintail without encountering unforeseen delays or expense. Additional factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from management's projections, forecasts, estimates, and expectations may be found in the Risk Factors contained in RPC's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024. For information about RPC, Inc., please contact: Mark Chekanow, CFA, Vice President Investor Relations (404) 419-3809 [email protected] Michael L. Schmit, Chief Financial Officer (404) 321-2140 [email protected] SOURCE RPC, Inc. The RSAC Community Platform delivers resources and tools to support the cybersecurity community including: a dedicated cybersecurity AI co-pilot, exclusive research, and a vast library of cybersecurity content New RSAC Labs team to collaborate with academic institutions, publish groundbreaking cybersecurity research, and host a research track annually at RSAC Conference Cybersecurity analyst and industry veteran Laura Koetzle joins RSAC as Head of Community Research SAN FRANCISCO, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- RSA Conference LLC ("RSAC"), the company behind the world's largest and most influential cybersecurity conference, today announced the rollout of a community-driven membership platform that enables the world's cyber defenders to address the ever-evolving and escalating cybersecurity threat environment. "We are on a mission to help the cybersecurity community thrive year-round," said Hugh Thompson, RSAC Executive Chairman Post this RSAC Membership Platform The platform provides access to exclusive content, a dedicated cybersecurity AI co-pilot, secure messaging and connections, and an opportunity to discuss trending and pressing topics in groups, all while staying up to date on the latest news within the industry. This membership will be offered with both free and professional tiers and is accessible through a browser and a dedicated mobile app. "We are on a mission to help the cybersecurity community thrive year-round," said Dr. Hugh Thompson, Executive Chairman, RSAC and RSAC Conference Program Committee Chair for over 15 years. "RSAC Conference is always the most exciting and exhilarating week of the year for the community. We are elated to now extend the learning, engagement, and ability to connect to the other 51 weeks of the year using this community-driven platform. It has been a privilege to collaborate with the community to design this platform that will improve cybersecurity for all." RSAC Community Platform Features Cybersecurity AI Co-Pilot: AI interface that allows members to learn, solve problems, and uncover insights by drawing on the vast number of authoritative RSAC presentations, ideas, discussions, tutorials, and other curated content. AI interface that allows members to learn, solve problems, and uncover insights by drawing on the vast number of authoritative RSAC presentations, ideas, discussions, tutorials, and other curated content. Library: centralized hub to learn from top-level cybersecurity experts through video presentations, podcasts, webcasts, and expert sessions that provide members with a comprehensive and easy-to-navigate repository of valuable content. Exclusive community research is available for professional tier members in the Library. centralized hub to learn from top-level cybersecurity experts through video presentations, podcasts, webcasts, and expert sessions that provide members with a comprehensive and easy-to-navigate repository of valuable content. Exclusive community research is available for professional tier members in the Library. Daily News Brief : highly curated daily summarization of recent/current cybersecurity news, provided to members through the platform. : highly curated daily summarization of recent/current cybersecurity news, provided to members through the platform. Groups: offer RSAC Community Members and leaders a dedicated space to discuss cybersecurity topics and collaborate, fostering continuous engagement and knowledge sharing. offer RSAC Community Members and leaders a dedicated space to discuss cybersecurity topics and collaborate, fostering continuous engagement and knowledge sharing. Secure Chat: enable RSAC Community Members to grow and build their network by connecting with experts, and have secure and private conversations with their contacts all while ensuring confidentiality and data protection. The platform will continue to evolve to include additional features such as access to year-round continuing education to support professional certifications, breaking cybersecurity news alerts, virtual war rooms, enhanced group functionality, trending topical analysis, partner discounts, and more. "If the tech is global, the conversation and the community should be global as well. RSAC has done a great job being international (companies, attendees, speakers) over the years," said Bruce Schneier, Security Technologist, Researcher, and Lecturer at Harvard Kennedy School. "Having an online resource beyond the walls of the Conference has always been a good idea. There is value there because we are a community. This platform is a place where members of the community can go to find resources, to ask questions, and to connect over important issues. It's a great place for intelligent timely conversations to be had." RSAC Labs, Community Research To support this membership, the company has added several elite researchers to the newly established RSAC Labs team. Consisting of researchers from both academia and industry, RSAC Labs team will produce original work in areas such as security, privacy, AI/ML, digital identity, and human factors research, among others. Additionally, the team will develop innovative technologies, report on industry trends and the future of cybersecurity, and provide a view of what's on the minds of the cybersecurity community. "The experience, knowledge, innovation, and depth the RSAC Labs team brings from across the globe will provide tremendous value to our new community-focused vision," said Dr. Petros Efstathopoulos, Vice President of Research & Development, and RSAC Labs team lead. "Our team will also collaborate with academic institutions, publish impactful research, and host the Breaking Research track at RSAC Conference." Efstathopoulos was previously VP of Research at Gen Digital and holds more than 40 patents and over 20 academic publications. Additions to the RSAC Labs team include Dr. Chris Gates and Dr. Dan Marino as Directors of Research with Dr. Omer Akgul, Dr. Dario Pasquini, and Athanasios Theocharis joining as Principal Researchers. Collectively, these researchers have filed over 90 patents and published research at top-tier academic conferences. In addition, the company also announced the formation of a community research group. Working alongside the RSAC Labs team, Laura Koetzle has joined the company as the Head of Community Research, tasked with driving independent thought-leading and member-driven research about, for, and in collaboration with the cybersecurity community. Koetzle joins RSAC after spending more than 20 years at Forrester Research, where she led the security and risk research group and the infrastructure and operations research group globally as well as the European research organization. Koetzle has also served on the RSAC Conference Program Committee since 2013. The RSAC Membership is available at OneRSAC.com. RSAC 2025 Conference will take place April 28 - May 1, 2025, in San Francisco at the Moscone Center. About RSAC As the cybersecurity industry's convening authority, RSAC brings together diverse minds to exchange perspectives, knowledge, and ideas. RSAC provides the world's leading platform for uniting and advancing the cybersecurity community to create a safer society. RSAC is at the cutting edge of cybersecurity innovation and education. The company's flagship event, RSAC Conference, is the largest and most influential global gathering in cybersecurity. RSAC gives cybersecurity professionals a platform to connect and grow. To learn more, visit www.OneRSAC.com. SOURCE RSAC The signing ceremony of the memorandum of cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and the Karazin Kharkiv National University took place at the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry on Tuesday. The document was signed by Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha and the university's rector Tetiana Kahanovska, the ministry's website reports. "Karazin University is a symbol of Kharkiv. The university trains qualified specialists, and we at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expect that they will come to us for internships and work in the diplomatic team. Also, the University will attract our specialists to teach specific disciplines. And we, together with the university, will work to ensure that the university provides high-quality education based on the best diplomatic practices," noted Sybiha. He explained that the memorandum will allow for more active involvement of students and graduates in internships and work at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expand the participation of diplomats in the educational process, and further develop the universitys international cooperation. Today, the Kharkiv National Research University named after N. Karazin ranks second among higher educational institutions of Ukraine in the international academic ranking QS and the Scopus database. The university includes 26 faculties and educational and research institutes, more than 16,000 students and listeners, 301 postgraduate and doctoral students study there. The university has 22 foreign partners. JoJo Fletcher and Co-Founders Scale Ready-to-Drink Cocktail Brand with New Retail Partners, Including Target DALLAS, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Saint Spritz , one of the fastest-growing wine-based ready-to-drink aperitivo brands is redefining the spritz category in the U.S., expanding its three SKUs from one state to 37 in just one year. With surging consumer demand, Saint Spritz has secured major retail partnerships, including Albertsons, H-E-B, Walmart, Whole Foods, Target, Total Wine & More. Over the next few weeks, the brand will roll out in Target stores nationwide , with full availability expected by mid-April. A departure in every can-Saint Spritz delivers low ABV, ready-to-drink Italian spritzes that are low in sugar and calories, with no artificial juices or dyes. Inspired by their aperitif experience in the Amalfi Coast, each can was designed to feel like a vintage postcard from Capri-meant to look as good in your hand as it does in your feed. Available in three vibrant flavors: Amalfi, Hugo, and Sicilian. A family-owned and operated brand, Saint Spritz was co-founded by sister-in-laws JoJo Fletcher and Mallory Patton, who set out to recreate the magic of a true Italian spritz-with cleaner ingredients and consistent flavor in every pour. They teamed up with their brother / serial entrepreneur Ben Patton, to launch Saint Spritz. Together, the trio has built one of the fastest-growing wine-based aperitivo brands in the country. Founded by JoJo Fletcher , Mallory Patton , and Ben Patton , Saint Spritz is a majority women-owned, family-led brand inspired by their travels and love of Italian spritz culture. Containing 5% ABV, with only 150-160 calories per serving and no dyes or added sugar, Saint Spritz provides clean, full-flavor spritzes that are as beautiful in the glass as they are in the can. Upon pouring, consumers will notice vibrant hues stemming from the use of natural ingredients and botanicals. Its flagship Amalfi is the bright, citrus-orange pour consumers have come to expect, while the Hugo spritz infused with elderflower and limeshines for its rich, purple coloring. The company's Sicily Lemon Basil spritz is reminiscent of Italian sunshine in every sip. The RTD category is experiencing rapid growth fueled by consumer demand for premium, better-for-you beverages. With one can equaling two cocktails and considerably less sugar than conventional spritzwith no dyes or artificial ingredientsSaint Spritz emerges as the clear choice for those seeking an authentic spritz they can feel good about. The brand was born during a family trip to Italy for the wedding of Ben Patton, now Saint Spritz' CEO. There, Mallory and JoJo became completely enamored with Italy's aperitivo culture. "We fell in love with spritz cocktails in Italy but were bummed to discover that back in the States, no two spritzes ever tasted the same," said JoJo Fletcher, co-founder of Saint Spritz. "Each spritz varied in taste, sweetness, and even quality. We were shocked to learn that most contained artificial dyes, excessive calories, and large quantities of sugar. When developing Saint Spritz, we were intentional about every ingredient and were able to accentuate the beautiful colors and flavors we loved, while cutting everything that had previously dulled the joy of the aperitivo ritual. We're so proud of the finished productwatching our beautiful, purple, Hugo Spritz being poured into a glass is pure magic!" Co-Founder Mallory Patton added, "We spent months perfecting our spritz to deliver a beautiful, high-quality cocktail that'd rival what you'd be poured at a bar. Saint Spritz is the perfect grab-and-go addition to girls' nights, trips to the beach, or whenever you're craving a vacay. We're so proud and honestly a little emotionalthanks to Target and our retail partners nationwide, we're now just a short drive away, ready to be a part of our customers' biggest celebrations and all the little moments in-between." Designed to transport consumers back to the golden hour on the Italian coast, Saint Spritz has its sights set on fast growth to make premium aperitivo culture accessible, convenient, and unforgettable. Saint Spritz is available online and at select retailers for $14.99 per 4-pack. For more, visit www.saintspritz.com and follow @SaintSpritz on Instagram and TikTok . ABOUT SAINT SPRITZ Saint Spritz is a premium, ready-to-drink wine-based spritz made with clean ingredients without added sugars, artificial sweeteners, or dyes. Inspired by iconic Italian flavors, each can contains 5% ABV and two servings, delivering a full-flavored cocktail that brings vacation vibes to any moment. Media Contact: T-Aira Jelks HYPH PR [email protected] 310.694.0895 SOURCE Saint Spritz HOUSTON, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Shook, Hardy & Bacon Partner John Lewis, Jr. has been appointed to the Board of Pilot Commissioners for Harris County Ports in Houston, Texas. The Pilots Board is the governing authority for the Houston Pilots Association, which provides pilotage services to all foreign flag vessels and American vessels under register (regulated vessels) entering or departing the Port of Houston, Harris County, Texas, as required by Texas state law. Shook, Hardy & Bacon Partner John Lewis, Jr. has been appointed to the Board of Pilot Commissioners for Harris County Ports in Houston, Texas. The Pilot Board has exclusive jurisdiction over the piloting of vessels in Harris County Ports, principally the Port of Houston, including intermediate stops and landing places for vessels on navigable streams wholly or partially located in the board's jurisdiction. Houston pilots maneuver the 21,000 commercial vessels that transit the Houston Ship Channel each year. These vessels collectively generate over $800 billion in U.S. economic value, 3.2 million jobs and over 20% of Texas GDP. Nominated by Houston Mayor John Whitmire and confirmed for appointment by the Houston City Council, Lewis will serve a two-year term. As a Commissioner, Lewis will help carry out the Pilots Board's mission to consider applications for pilot commissions, submit to the governor lists of applicants the board finds to be qualified for appointment as pilots, adopt rules and issue orders to pilots or vessels when necessary to secure efficient pilot services, and institute investigations or hearings to consider casualties, accidents, or other actions that violate this chapter among other actions within the Pilots Board's jurisdiction. "I am deeply grateful for the confidence placed in me by our city leaders," said Lewis from his Houston office. "I am looking forward to giving back to my hometown through this Pilot Board service. This is a great honor." A native Houstonian, Lewis is experienced as a board and c-suite advisor, problem-solver and strategist. Previously, he led the firm's Houston office as its managing partner and advises large public company clients on a range of complex and sensitive legal, financial, and reputational concerns. Lewis is also a founder and leads Shook's Corporate DEI Consulting Compliance and Disputes (CCDP) Group. Additionally, Lewis has over two decades of experience as a financial institution board director including as audit committee chair. Dedicated to civic community engagement and economic growth in his hometown, Lewis also serves as a director on the boards of the Houston East End Chamber of Commerce and his alma mater, St. Thomas High School. About Shook, Hardy & Bacon Founded in 1889, Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P. has 18 offices in the United States with attorneys and professional staff serving clients in the health, science and technology sectors in areas ranging from product liability defense and business litigation to intellectual property prosecution and litigation, environmental and toxic tort, privacy and data security and regulatory counseling. SOURCE Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P. NEW YORK, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Despite a softening labor market, attracting top-tier talent remains essential for businesses to maintain a competitive edge. A new report from The Conference Board reveals that 78% of surveyed organizations invest in employer brandinga process for businesses to define, leverage, and communicate why they are a desirable place to work so that they can attract, engage, and retain top talent. But there's a catch: Most organizations struggle to measure and demonstrate the ROI of these efforts. Only 18% were able to clearly communicate the ROI to their organizations. "Employer branding is crucial for organizations that are focused on growth. But even more important is the ability to demonstrate a clear return on branding investments. Leaders who can do that can justify and secure continued or increased funding," said Diana Scott, US Human Capital Center Leader at The Conference Board. The analysis consists of two reports: one on the complex challenges of measuring employer branding, and the other on practical approaches for demonstrating its impact. Key findings include: Organizations recognize the value of employer branding. 78% of respondents say their organizations invest in employer branding. Half (49%) of firms that invest in employer branding plan to invest the same amount in 2025. 23% plan to invest more and 15% plan to invest less. Attracting top talent is overwhelmingly the top reason to invest in employer branding. 87% invest in employer branding to attract top talent. 39% aim to enhance the company reputationthe second most frequent reason given. Just 6% want to reduce the cost of hiring. How much are organizations investing? In general, small organizations (fewer than 25,000 employees) spend less than $500,000 annually on employer branding. annually on employer branding. Large organizations (more than 100,000 employees) spend more than $1 million . While many businesses try to measure outcomes, most struggle to clearly demonstrate the financial benefits. Over two-thirds (68%) of organizations that invested in employer branding measured any outcomes. outcomes. 41% measured the ROI of employer branding. Only 18% were able to share the value of this ROI within their organization. Just 3% of organizations that measured any outcome of employer branding reported measuring revenue per employee. Most leaders believe employer branding positively impacted public perceptions of their organizations. For 56% of surveyed leaders, employer branding investment enhanced their organization's image, leading to increased awareness and positive perceptions in the job market. 19% say it amplified existing positive perceptions. The most common employer branding outcomes measured were related to brand engagement. Social media engagement and impressions: 49% Career site visits: 45% Application rates: 41% The main employer branding challenges include measurement difficulties, alignment issues, complexity, attribution and causation challenges, and technology barriers. The most frequently cited challenge relates to the inherent difficulties in quantifying and measuring employer branding outcomes, such as complex, inconsistent, or unavailable data. Respondents cited a lack of consensus when defining what constitutes employer branding activities and how these align with overall corporate goals, as a challenge. The broad scope of employer branding complicates efforts to isolate specific outcomes attributable to branding efforts, making it difficult to assess the true ROI. A lack of clarity around causation complicates ROI calculations. The measurement of ROI requires access to, and manipulation of, data that is housed in different technology platforms that are owned and managed by different business units. "You can't do it all when measuring the return on investment of your employer branding. Businesses need to look at their specific talent strategies and business goals when choosing the metrics to track. Doing so will ensure efforts directly contribute to the organization's overarching mission and objectives," said Erka Amursi, Principal Researcher, Human Capital, The Conference Board. Thoughtful metrics can reduce the complexity of measuring ROI. Focus on specific KPI-related ROI when comprehensive measurement isn't feasible. Establish clear standard metrics to track (e.g., revenue per employee, open chair cost, cost per hire). Implement baseline metrics, conduct periodic evaluations, and consider external factors. Incorporate innovative metrics and continuously optimize content and delivery. Invest in technology to integrate relevant employer branding data. Stakeholder management can help amplify employer branding efforts. Map out the roles and responsibilities of employer branding stakeholders. Ensure stakeholders align on the KPIs being measured. Break silos by fostering collaboration across departments, ensuring consistent data and unified efforts. Leverage workforce analytics to implement robust tracking systems that provide data for testing employer branding campaign effectiveness. Partner with finance teams to quantify and communicate employer branding's value using metrics that align with broader organizational priorities. About The Conference Board The Conference Board is the member-driven think tank that delivers Trusted Insights for What's Ahead. Founded in 1916, we are a non-partisan, not-for-profit entity holding 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt status in the United States. www.ConferenceBoard.org SOURCE The Conference Board Acquisition of Dotmatics, a leader in Life Sciences R&D software for $5.1 billion Expands Siemens' market-leading position in industrial software by extending AI-powered Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) portfolio into Life Sciences to seamlessly connect R&D through manufacturing Increases Siemens' industrial software total addressable market by $11 billion ; aligns with strategic goal to accelerate customer innovation across industries Acquisition is another milestone of Siemens' ONE Tech Company program expanding the Siemens Xcelerator platform into Life Sciences software with stronger customers focus, faster innovations and higher growth MUNICH, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Siemens AG announces that it has signed an agreement to acquire Dotmatics, a leading provider of Life Sciences R&D software based in Boston, for $5.1 billion from Insight Partners. This acquisition represents a strategic milestone for Siemens, expanding its comprehensive Digital Twin technology and AI-powered software into this rapidly growing complementary market. The US company offers a market leading platform with a highly profitable portfolio of scientific applications and multi-modal data management for Life Sciences R&D. The company's offering accelerates customers' innovation, delivering next generation collaboration and contextualized data to enable AI-powered multi-modal drug development. Siemens acquires Dotmatics to extend AI-powered software portfolio to Life Sciences "By acquiring Dotmatics, we're strategically strengthening our position in Life Sciences and creating a world-leading AI-powered PLM software portfolio as part of Siemens Xcelerator. Artificial Intelligence has emerged as a transformative force across various industries, and its application in Life Sciences is becoming increasingly important," said Roland Busch, President and CEO of Siemens AG. "The Dotmatics acquisition is part of our ONE Tech Company growth program, enhancing our leading position in industrial software and helping our customers to innovate even faster." "The acquisition of Dotmatics drives strong revenue synergies and is highly profitable and cash generative. Financing will be provided primarily through the sale of shares in listed companies, including Siemens Healthineers," said Ralf P. Thomas, CFO of Siemens AG. "Following an exciting journey with Insight Partners, where Dotmatics achieved remarkable growth and portfolio expansion, we are thrilled to announce our new chapter with Siemens," said Thomas Swalla, CEO of Dotmatics. "Combining our next-generation scientific intelligence platform and industry-leading scientific applications together with Siemens' Digital Twin and AI capabilities, we'll drive a new wave of innovation in life sciences R&D. Together, we'll accelerate innovation cycles for our customers and help scientists make breakthrough discoveries faster than ever before shaping the future of scientific innovation." Life Sciences presents an attractive complementary software market opportunity and expands Siemens' industrial software total addressable market by $11 billion. This market is driven by structural shifts, such as increased medication need driven by aging societies and improved access to medicine, new treatment options from advancing science and the necessity for increased collaboration and visibility across complex value chains. These trends underscore the need for digital transformation, with software spending expected to double over the next five years. Siemens' expansion within Life Sciences aligns with its strategic goal to accelerate customer innovation across the top industries with the highest R&D spend. The acquisition is part of the investment track of Siemens' ONE Tech Company program and following last week's closing of Altair's acquisition, yet another milestone. This growth program enables Siemens to further expand its market position and reach the next level of performance and value creation. Through acquisitions like this, as well as R&D investments into areas including software, AI-enabled products, connected hardware and sustainability, Siemens is clearly prioritizing capital allocation to strategic growth fields. The acquisition of Dotmatics enables Siemens to scale its technologies into Life Sciences and to fully address growth opportunities in this market. It will allow Siemens to combine its comprehensive manufacturing expertise, industrial simulation and AI capabilities with Dotmatics' leading complementary applications, creating a first-of-its-kind end-to-end digital thread that connects data from research through to production in Life Sciences. Significant synergies Dotmatics is expected to generate more than $300 million revenue in fiscal year 2025 and is highly profitable and cash generative with an adjusted EBITDA margin of above 40 percent. The company's mid-teens revenue growth and high profitability will be immediately accretive to Siemens' growth, EBITDA margins and free cash flow, prior to any synergies. Siemens expects substantial revenue synergies: Medium-term revenue synergies expected of around $100 million per year accelerating to over $500 million per year in the long-term. Capital structure at closing is expected to be within Siemens' target corridor. Closing of the transaction is anticipated for the first half of fiscal year 2026 subject to customary closing conditions and applicable regulatory approvals. About Dotmatics Dotmatics is a leader in R&D scientific software connecting science, data, and decision-making. Its enterprise R&D platform and applications, including GraphPad Prism, SnapGene and Geneious, drive efficiency and accelerate innovation. More than 2 million scientists and over 14,000 customers trust Dotmatics to help them create a healthier, cleaner, safer world. Dotmatics is a global team of more than 800 people dedicated to supporting its customers in over 180 countries. The company is headquartered in Boston, with 14 offices and R&D teams located around the world. This press release is available at: https://sie.ag/Cu3EN Follow us at: www.x.com/siemens_press Siemens AG (Berlin and Munich) is a leading technology company focused on industry, infrastructure, mobility, and healthcare. The company's purpose is to create technology to transform the everyday, for everyone. By combining the real and the digital worlds, Siemens empowers customers to accelerate their digital and sustainability transformations, making factories more efficient, cities more livable, and transportation more sustainable. Siemens also owns a majority stake in the publicly listed company Siemens Healthineers, a leading global medical technology provider pioneering breakthroughs in healthcare. For everyone. Everywhere. Sustainably. In fiscal 2024, which ended on September 30, 2024, the Siemens Group generated revenue of 75.9 billion and net income of 9.0 billion. As of September 30, 2024, the company employed around 312,000 people worldwide on the basis of continuing operations. Further information is available on the Internet at www.siemens.com. Notes and forward-looking statements This document contains statements related to our future business and financial performance and future events or developments involving Siemens that may constitute forward-looking statements. These statements may be identified by words such as "expect," "look forward to," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "seek," "estimate," "will," "project" or words of similar meaning. We may also make forward-looking statements in other reports, in prospectuses, in presentations, in material delivered to shareholders and in press releases. In addition, our representatives may from time to time make oral forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on the current expectations and certain assumptions of Siemens' management, of which many are beyond Siemens' control. These are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and factors, including, but not limited to those described in disclosures, in particular in the chapter Report on expected developments and associated material opportunities and risks in the Combined Management Report of the Siemens Report (siemens.com/siemensreport), and in the Interim Group Management Report of the Half-year Financial Report (provided that it is already available for the current reporting year), which should be read in conjunction with the Combined Management Report. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, should decisions, assessments or requirements of regulatory authorities deviate from our expectations, should events of force majeure, such as pandemics, unrest or acts of war, occur or should underlying expectations including future events occur at a later date or not at all or assumptions prove incorrect, actual results, performance or achievements of Siemens may (negatively or positively) vary materially from those described explicitly or implicitly in the relevant forward-looking statement. Siemens neither intends, nor assumes any obligation, to update or revise these forward-looking statements in light of developments which differ from those anticipated. This document includes in the applicable financial reporting framework not clearly defined supplemental financial measures that are or may be alternative performance measures (non-GAAP-measures). These supplemental financial measures should not be viewed in isolation or as alternatives to measures of Siemens' net assets and financial positions or results of operations as presented in accordance with the applicable financial reporting framework in its Consolidated Financial Statements. Other companies that report or describe similarly titled alternative performance measures may calculate them differently. Due to rounding, numbers presented throughout this and other documents may not add up precisely to the totals provided and percentages may not precisely reflect the absolute figures. Reference number: HQCOPR202504027147EN SOURCE Siemens SAN FRANCISCO, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Skai, the leading omnichannel platform for commerce media, today introduced Celeste AI, a generative AI marketing agent designed to transform how brands and agencies navigate commerce media. Industry leaders, including Acosta Group, Advantage Solutions, Tinuiti, and WaterWipes, are among the first to explore Celeste's advanced capabilities in an exclusive closed beta, gaining a competitive edge in streamlining media operations at scale. As commerce media grows more complex with a surge in channels, publishers, ad formats, and data, success demands more than just access to information. It requires the ability to unify, interpret, and act on it. Skai is the only platform that seamlessly integrates omnichannel commerce media, combining first-party advertiser data, publisher insights, competitive intelligence, digital shelf data, and more. Now, with GenAI, Skai transforms this complexity into actionable strategies, enabling marketers to make smarter decisions across every channel. "We founded Skai to help brands grow. From day one, our focus has been performance better ROI, greater efficiency, and lowering barriers for brands using online media. As commerce evolved into an omnichannel ecosystem and data erupted, our responsibility evolved: not just helping marketers perform better, but making them smarter," said Yoav Izhar-Prato, CEO of Skai. "Celeste is the next step. An intelligent system that turns data into action, leveraging Skai's unique knowledge graph." Brands that harness GenAI's ability to unify insights across retailers, channels, and audiences won't just keep up they'll unlock new levels of efficiency and performance. AI-driven ad spend is projected to surge 125% to $192 billion (Bloomberg Intelligence), while McKinsey estimates GenAI will boost marketing productivity by 5-15% of total spend. Celeste is not just GenAI it is GenAI built for marketing. Powered by Skai's proprietary data intelligence and decades of expertise, Celeste aggregates signals from 200+ publishers, competitive insights, and cross-channel performance to deliver tailored recommendations like having an always-on marketing analyst who deeply understands your business. This fusion of cutting-edge AI and deep industry knowledge empowers marketers to optimize performance, unlock growth, and make faster, smarter decisions. "Don't think of Celeste as just a new tool it's an enabling technology that transforms how marketers engage with data, make decisions, and drive growth," said Gil Sadeh, President of Skai. "As AI becomes the new UI, marketers must look beyond feature comparisons when selecting their tech partners and focus on intelligence. If you're not asking your vendors for their GenAI innovation roadmap, you're risking being left behind." With Celeste, marketers no longer need to sift through endless dashboards and spreadsheets. Instead, they can interact directly with their data, asking tactical and strategic questions such as: What are my biggest growth opportunities across retail media? Where should I shift my budget to maximize ROI? How should I allocate a 50% budget increase across channels? "Celeste is a massive step forward for Skai and the industry," said Stephanie Andrews, Media Director, Retail Media at Advantage Solutions. "It's both terrifying (in the best way!) and thrilling to see it in action. For the first time, I got a glimpse into the future of work, and my mind was blown." "In all my years as a product leader, I've never seen this level of excitement before from clients," said Guy Cohen, Chief Product Officer at Skai. "Celeste is nothing short of mind-blowing. The insights it delivers, the recommendations it generates, and the impact it will have are unmatched. It's like having a personal expert that understands every channel, every publisher, every product, every audience by your side. This is the future of commerce media." Celeste marks the beginning of a new era in GenAI for Skai. The exclusive beta is gradually opening to early adopters who want to shape how GenAI comes to life in marketers' day-to-day workflows. More announcements will be shared in the coming weeks, and the full solution will be unveiled at the company's flagship event, ShopAble , in New York City on May 14. About Skai Skai is an omnichannel advertising platform, uniquely enabling brands and agencies to run data-driven programs across commerce media. It empowers both media leaders and activation teams to drive impactful results from their advertising program with AI-powered decisioning, activation, and optimization solutions. Its partners include Google, Amazon Ads, Microsoft, Walmart Connect, Instacart, Criteo, TikTok, Snap, Pinterest, Meta, and more. For over a decade, Skai has earned trust from notable brands such as Adidas, DoorDash, Haleon, Sony, Philips, and Pepsi. Renowned for innovation and a values-driven culture, Skai is headquartered in San Francisco and has eight international locations. Visit skai.io for more information. Media Contact: 5WPR [email protected] SOURCE Skai GUANGZHOU, China, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As of March 31, China's technology sector has demonstrated exceptional resilience and growth, underscored by the strong performance of key indices such as the STAR AI Index and the STAR Growth Index, recording year-to-date increases of 18% and 12%, respectively. The STAR market's growing prominence has sparked significant interest among fund managers, with over 30 fund companies now offering STAR market-related index products. Among these, E Fund Management ("E Fund"), the largest mutual fund manager in China, has emerged as a leader in this space. E Fund offers a comprehensive lineup of seven STAR market-related ETFs, featuring low management fees in their category. Notable offerings include the E Fund STAR 50 ETF (Code: 588080) and the E Fund CSI Star & Chinext 50 ETF (Code: 159781), both accessible through the ETF Connect program. Recently, E Fund and other leading asset managers have introduced ETFs and feeder funds linked to the STAR Composite Index, providing investors with expanded options to capitalize on the STAR market's growth potential. The STAR market, established in 2019, has become a key hub for innovation, particularly in sectors like semiconductors, biopharmaceuticals, and renewable energy. In March, the STAR market handled the first two IPO applications of the year, one of which came from a pre-revenue company, further solidifying its position as a leading platform for fostering cutting-edge enterprises. Meanwhile, the broader A-share market is increasingly leaning towards tech-driven industries. In 2024, over 90% of newly listed companies on the STAR Market, ChiNext Market, and Beijing Stock Exchange are high-tech enterprises, and more than 40% of the A-share market's total value is concentrated in strategic emerging industries. This reinforces the pivotal role of technology and innovation in driving China's economic transformation. About E Fund Established in 2001, E Fund Management Co., Ltd. ("E Fund") is a leading comprehensive mutual fund manager in China with over RMB 3.5 trillion (USD 490 billion) under management.* It offers investment solutions to onshore and offshore clients, helping clients achieve long-term sustainable investment performances. E Fund's clients include both individuals and institutions, ranging from central banks, sovereign wealth funds, social security funds, pension funds, insurance and reinsurance companies, to corporates and banks. Long-term oriented, it has been focusing on the investment management business since inception and believes in the power of in-depth research and time in investing. It is a pioneer and leading practitioner in responsible investments in China and is widely recognized as one of the most trusted and outstanding Chinese asset managers. Source: E Fund. AuM includes subsidiaries. Data as of Dec 31, 2024. FX rate is sourced from PBoC. SOURCE E Fund Management FORT MILL, S.C., April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Sunbelt Rentals , a global leader in the equipment rental industry, is doubling down on its support of sustainable solutions for live events. At this year's Rock the Ocean's Tortuga Music Festival , taking place in Fort Lauderdale, FL on April 4-6, 2025, Sunbelt Rentals will deliver its most robust onsite presence yetproviding clean, energy-efficient battery power and serving as the title sponsor of Rock the Ocean's Conservation Village Powered by Sunbelt. Sunbelt Rentals is bringing a comprehensive suite of low-emission equipment to Tortuga Music Festival. Post this Sunbelt Rentals powers sustainability at Rock the Ocean's Tortuga Music Festival with expanded onsite innovations. "Our business model inherently supports the sharing economy, providing our customers access to lower-emitting equipment and innovative solutions that help them achieve their sustainability goals," said Karen Beadle, SVP of Sustainability at Sunbelt Rentals. "We are proud to work with Tortuga Music Festival and support their mission of ocean conservation and demonstrate how rental instead of ownership can be a force for positive environmental change." Expanding the Impact Onsite This year, Sunbelt Rentals is bringing a comprehensive suite of low-emission equipment to Tortuga, designed to minimize environmental impact while powering a premium fan experience. These include: Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) to reduce diesel generator usage Solar-powered light towers with zero emissions Amber lighting filters to protect from disorienting sea turtle hatchlings Ground protection mats to preserve sand and nesting areas Fans Can Join the Movement Festivalgoers can engage directly at Rock the Ocean's Conservation Village Powered by Sunbelt, where interactive exhibits highlight marine conservation efforts and everyday ways fans can protect ocean ecosystems. Throughout the event, Sunbelt Rentals will display messaging highlighting the festival's dedication to environmental stewardshipreinforcing a message that resonates with fans: 70% say they're more likely to support brands that align with their sustainability values1. A Shared Commitment to Conservation Set against Fort Lauderdale's iconic beaches, Rock the Ocean's Tortuga Music Festival is rooted in ocean conservation and environmental awareness. In 2024 alone, the festival eliminated more than 170,000 single-use plastic cups and over 126,000 plastic bottles, reducing waste by over 80%. With support from partners like Sunbelt Rentals, the festival continues to scale its environmental missions while educating and inspiring fans. "Sunbelt has become the perfect partner to power what we're building at Rock The Ocean's Conservation Village," said Chris Stacey, Founder of Rock the Ocean's Tortuga Music Festival. "They share our passion for protecting the planet, and their sustainable approach to events makes them a natural fit." To learn more about Sunbelt Rentals and its commitment to providing innovative solutions that support sustainability goals, visit our website here . For more information about Rock The Ocean, please visit https://www.rocktheocean.com/ . 1Live Nation Global Study 2023 About Sunbelt Rentals We MAKE IT HAPPEN! With a passionate team of 20,000 rental experts, a growing network of over 1,300 locations and an extensive equipment fleet that exceeds $14 billion, Sunbelt Rentals helps professionals and do-it-yourselfers get things done. With a highly diversified offering of equipment, solutions, and services available, we assist customers throughout North America extend their capabilities, complete projects on time and handle times of crisis. No matter if you are in commercial, industrial, residential, or municipal industries, we are constantly advancing the idea of what an equipment company can do for its customers. Visit sunbeltrentals.com to find out what we can do for you. About Live Nation Entertainment Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE: LYV) is the world's leading live entertainment company comprised of global market leaders: Ticketmaster, Live Nation Concerts, and Live Nation Sponsorship. For additional information, visit www.livenationentertainment.com . SOURCE Sunbelt Rentals, Inc. STAMFORD, Conn., April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In a vibrant celebration of spring and community spirit, Synchrony (NYSE: SYF), a premier consumer financial services company headquartered in Stamford, together with Mayor Caroline Simmons, Stamford Downtown and Stamford Parks Community Partnership, today celebrated the blooming of hundreds of daffodils planted across Downtown Stamford through a contribution from Synchrony. The beautifying of the park and surrounding small businesses is part of the company's commitment to giving back to the city where its employees and their families live and work. Synchrony announces more than $1.5 Million in grants to Stamford nonprofits, joins Mayor Simmons, Stamford Parks Community Partnership, and Stamford Downtown to celebrate Spring with daffodil blooms. Synchrony and the Synchrony Foundation also announced more than $1.5 million in grants to local nonprofits to enhance parks, support youth education and provide health and human services, improving the quality of life for Stamford residents. Named by Fortune magazine and Great Place to Work as the number 2 Best Company to Work For in the U.S., Synchrony recently marked a decade of impact supporting its people, serving local communities, and driving economic growth for hundreds of thousands of businesses and Americans through responsible credit access. "Every daffodil planted and every grant given reflects Synchrony's commitment to making a meaningful difference in people's lives whether through financial opportunity or investing in the city where we live and work," said Sue Bishop, EVP and Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Synchrony. "We believe in building strong communities, and together with Mayor Simmons, Stamford Parks Community Partnership and Stamford Downtown, we're helping our city bloom in more ways than one." "We are incredibly grateful for Synchrony's continued partnership and the many meaningful ways they support our city," said Mayor Caroline Simmons. "From beautifying our parks and small business corridors to providing vital financial support to local nonprofits, Synchrony's contributions make a lasting impact on our community." The daffodil planting and grants are just some of the many initiatives Synchrony is involved in to support the local community. Earlier this month, employees celebrated the tenth annual "Doubles Dive" polar plunge to raise funds for Connecticut-based nonprofit SeriousFun Children's Network. For more information about Synchrony's impact in Connecticut and beyond, visit: https://synchronyimpact.com. About Synchrony Synchrony (NYSE: SYF) is a premier consumer financial services company delivering one of the industry's most complete digitally-enabled product suites. Our experience, expertise and scale encompass a broad spectrum of industries including digital, health and wellness, retail, telecommunications, home, auto, outdoor, pet and more. We have an established and diverse group of national and regional retailers, local merchants, manufacturers, buying groups, industry associations and healthcare service providers, which we refer to as our "partners." We connect our partners and consumers through our dynamic financial ecosystem and provide them with a diverse set of financing solutions and innovative digital capabilities to address their specific needs and deliver seamless, omnichannel experiences. We offer the right financing products to the right customers in their channel of choice. For more information, visit www.synchrony.com. Media Contact: Tyler Allen Synchrony [email protected] SOURCE Synchrony Financial FORT WORTH, Texas, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) wrapped a dynamic ASI Show Fort Worth trade show on Monday, with thousands of enthusiastic distributors and suppliers exploring the latest promotional products, tackling industry challenges and forging key connections with a Texas twist. The three-day event at Fort Worth Convention Center underscored a demand for face-to-face networking, despite economic uncertainties and Trump tariffs impacting an industry that imports about 90% of its hard goods from China. Attendees at ASI's Fort Worth trade show "ASI Fort Worth was all about big opportunity big business, big ideas and great big logoed cowboy hats," said Timothy M. Andrews, president and CEO of ASI, the leading global resource for the $26.6 billion promo products industry, serving 25,000 distributor, supplier and decorator members in 48 countries. The event featured bustling trade show floors, education and networking opportunities. Tariffs panels featured insights from industry leaders like Dan Jellinek, The Magnet Group CRO, and iPROMOTEu CEO Lori Bauer, on navigating trade shifts. Bauer urged proactive client communication to handle potential price increases, echoing Jellinek's advice on adapting to evolving market conditions. "We've been through 9/11, the 2007-08 financial crisis, first-term tariffs, COVID, global shutdowns, ongoing war, and now shifting tariffs," said Jellinek. "But here we are together at ASI Fort Worth bring it on." Added Bauer: "Preparing customers for likely price increases will secure your role as an advisor and help smooth conversations when and if price increases do occur." Suppliers create, source and imprint products, while distributors sell them to clients for branding, marketing and recognition. Major brands rely on cost-effective, high-impact swag to promote businesses, events and employee or customer appreciation. On the trade show floor, distributors from 12 countries, explored the latest products and trends, including live demos of the ESP+ e-commerce platform from ASI. The event also highlighted regional sales growth, with Texas alone contributing $3.8 billion to the industry's $26.6 billion market. Exhibitor Sonia Staab of PATH Water praised the show's impact on her sales, while Fully Promoted distributors Jeff Slain and Garrick Jacobi valued meeting vendors and discovering new products and industry technology. Competitive race car driver and quadriplegic Torsten Gross closed the event with an inspiring keynote on resilience, urging attendees to embrace challenges and transform setbacks into strengths. For more information on ASI Show events and membership benefits, visit asishow.com. SOURCE Advertising Specialty Institute UNICEPTA by PRophet's integrated newsroom team will deliver comprehensive insights across all 27 EU member states in 32 languages COLOGNE, Germany and BRUSSELS and NEW YORK, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- UNICEPTA by PRophet, part of Stagwell's award-winning Comms Tech Unit, announced it has expanded its media intelligence partnership with the European Commission to now include global media analysis services. As the European Commission's trusted provider of media monitoring for the past two years, UNICEPTA by PRophet will now also deliver comprehensive, multilingual media analysis for the Directorate-General for Communication (DG COMM) of the European Commission. With its expanded role, UNICEPTA by PRophet will provide real-time media insights across all 27 EU member states in 32 languages. By seamlessly combining media monitoring with in-depth analysis, UNICEPTA by PRophet will deliver high-quality intelligence on key political, economic, and social topics, supporting the European Commission track public sentiment across an increasingly complex global media landscape. The success of the pitch process was driven by dedicated teamwork and expertise. "We are honored to have been selected as the media analysis partner for the European Commission," said Sebastian Rohwer, Co-CEO of UNICEPTA by PRophet, emphasizing the significance of this achievement. As co-lead of the pitch process, Martin Schulze, Head of Analytics & Insights, added, "Our team presented an innovative proposal that demonstrated our capabilities in combining technological solutions with human expertise to meet the European Commission's requirements." Thomas Haderer, Chief Business Development Officer, who led the pitch alongside Martin Schulze, added: "Expanding our services to include media analysis is an important step in strengthening our relationship with the European Commission and building on the trust we've established over the past two years. And it helps to strengthen our footprint in Brussels, a strategically important location for the company." This contract aligns with UNICEPTA by PRophet's strategic focus on major institutional and corporate clients worldwide, underscoring its ability to deliver comprehensive media intelligence solutions at a global scale. "This win demonstrates that human-powered media intelligence is no longer a nice-to-have it's mission-critical," said Aaron Kwittken, CEO and Founder of PRophet. "By pairing AI with human insight, UNICEPTA by PRophet is helping institutions move from reactive to predictive, turning complexity into clarity. That's exactly the kind of strategic shift we're driving at PRophet." For more information about UNICEPTA by PRophet and its media intelligence solutions, visit www.UNICEPTA.com and www.PRPRophet.ai. About UNICEPTA UNICEPTA, part of Stagwell's PRophet comms tech suite, is a leading global media intelligence provider, combining advanced technologies, AI, and human expertise from over 500 specialists to deliver insights from vast media as well as numerous other data sources - in real-time and at any other desired time. This helps communicators and decision-makers spot trends early and make informed choices. Supporting global companies and organizations, UNICEPTA offers strategic insights and precise media monitoring to guide management, communication, and marketing. UNICEPTA's offices are located in Berlin, Cologne (headquarters), Krakow, London, Paris, Shanghai, Sao Paulo, Washington DC, and Zurich. About PRophet PRophet is a comms tech suite of AI-powered SaaS tools and services designed to empower modern communicators. Purpose-built for PR and marketing professionals, PRophet harnesses predictive, cognitive and generative AI to help users discover, target and engage with high-authority journalists and leading influencers. The media relations solution creates and tests "mediable" PR content to predict journalist interest and sentiment. The influencer marketing solution, influencermarketing.ai, combines influencer discovery, analytics, brand safety and tracking technologies to inform and manage influencer campaigns with precision. The suite also features, UNICEPTA, the largest provider of global media, market intelligence and social listening tools, delivering unmatched insights and analysis to communicators worldwide. PRophet was awarded PRovoke Media's Innovation SABRE in 2023-2025, a 2024 Webby Award, and was included in PR News' 2024 Tech Hotlist. PRophet is headquartered in New York City with offices in Washington DC, London, Cologne, Berlin, Zurich, Sao Paulo and Shanghai and is part of the Stagwell Marketing Cloud (SMC), a suite of data-driven SaaS solutions built for the modern marketer. Visit prprophet.ai to learn more. Media Contacts: Sarah Schulze UNICEPTA by PRophet [email protected] +49 16090815945 Alyssa Bourne-Peters PRophet [email protected] +1 917 592 9795 SOURCE Stagwell Inc. Ukraine hopes for Germany's assistance in opening negotiating clusters with the EU already during Poland's presidency of the Council of the European Union and for the continuation of this process during Denmark's presidency, stressed the head of the parliamentary committee Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze (European Solidarity faction) during a meeting of committee members with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, the parliamentary press service reported on Wednesday. The parties discussed the challenges that Ukraine faces on its way to the EU. Particular attention was paid to Hungary's blocking actions to open negotiations with the EU on the first cluster of Basics. The issue of protecting freedom of speech, political pluralism and the need to strengthen reforms were also discussed. Minister Baerbock was interested in Ukraine's progress along the anti-corruption track, since transparency and effective use of international aid are critical for further support of Ukraine. The committee chairperson stressed that it is important to continue working on Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic integration and that Ukraine's membership in NATO cannot be the subject of any bargaining with Russia. "It is up to us, not Russia, to decide when Ukraine should join NATO," Klympush-Tsintsadze said. Following the meeting, the head of the committee noted: "I am grateful that the minister shares our position that it is impossible to hold free democratic elections during the war, and also that the Ukrainian-American agreement must meet our European integration intentions and be beneficial for both sides." Like the film franchise it's named after, this explosive single unites some of the most formidable forces in the global hip-hop landscape. NEW YORK, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Desi Child and Blingnot Media proudly announce the release of "The Expendables," a hard-hitting, genre-blending single featuring an unprecedented lineup of global hip-hop heavyweights: G-Deep, Almighty, Cappadonna, Kidd Kidd, and Sai. Produced by the elite Ajaxbeats, the track drops April 18 and promises to be a seismic moment for world hip-hop. The All-Star Lineup: Legends from Every Corner of the Culture Cover Art for The Expendables G-Deep ( India ): A pioneer in the Desi hip-hop scene and the leader of the Desi Child movement, G-Deep has long been at the forefront of fusing traditional Punjabi rhythms with raw urban beats. His global influence has paved the way for South Asian artists in hip-hop and his leadership on "The Expendables" marks a new era of cross-cultural collaboration. ( ): A pioneer in the Desi hip-hop scene and the leader of the movement, G-Deep has long been at the forefront of fusing traditional Punjabi rhythms with raw urban beats. His global influence has paved the way for South Asian artists in hip-hop and his leadership on "The Expendables" marks a new era of cross-cultural collaboration. Almighty ( Puerto Rico / Cuba ): A Latin trap juggernaut with a massive international following, Almighty brings his spiritually-charged, razor-sharp bars to the trackinfusing it with unmatched energy and authenticity. ( / ): A Latin trap juggernaut with a massive international following, Almighty brings his spiritually-charged, razor-sharp bars to the trackinfusing it with unmatched energy and authenticity. Cappadonna ( Staten Island, NY ): A core member of the legendary Wu-Tang Clan , Cappadonna brings classic East Coast grit, decades of experience, and iconic status. His inclusion grounds the track in hip-hop history while pushing it into the future. ( ): A core member of the legendary , Cappadonna brings classic East Coast grit, decades of experience, and iconic status. His inclusion grounds the track in hip-hop history while pushing it into the future. Kidd Kidd ( New Orleans, LA ): Known for his time with G-Unit and his raw, emotionally-charged storytelling, Kidd Kidd adds the kind of Southern heat that burns through every beat. ( ): Known for his time with and his raw, emotionally-charged storytelling, Kidd Kidd adds the kind of Southern heat that burns through every beat. Sai (Bogota, Colombia ): Signed to Warner Columbia , Sai represents the next wave of Latin hip-hop. His lyrical precision and commanding delivery signal a future icon in the making. Produced by AJAXBEATS | Out April 18 on Desi Child/Blingnot Media A Global Anthem for the Streets "The Expendables" is a thunderous reminder of what happens when elite talent meets visionary execution. It's the convergence of experience, hunger, and unfiltered creativitya song that doesn't just drop, it detonates. From cyphers to stadiums, from Delhi to New York to San Juan, this is the moment we've been waiting for. Download here: https://soulspazm.ffm.to/theexpendables Contact: Bernadette Giacomazzo G-Force Marketing & Publicity [email protected] 516-322-1101 SOURCE Desi Child/Blingnot Media Funding for twenty-one new programs focused on ensuring Georgia has workforce needed for growing economy ATLANTA, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Georgia Power Foundation announced today that it has reached a milestone, awarding over $2.25 million through 65 grants to support workforce development needs through educational programs across the state since 2020. The Georgia Power Foundation's Workforce for Georgia signature grant program, administered by The Georgia Foundation for Public Education, provides support to school districts that offer Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) through traditional high school programs or through College and Career Academies (CCA). The funds are used to begin or improve programs that help train students to meet the workforce needs of industries and businesses in the local and regional communities. These programs have reached over 10,000 students across Georgia since the program's inception. "The Workforce for Georgia program addresses the economic growth needs in our state by investing in education and training for students and equipping them with skills needed for in-demand careers within their local communities," said Rita Breen, executive director of the Georgia Power Foundation. "By fostering a well-trained workforce, we are not only enhancing the quality of life for Georgia residents but also ensuring that our state remains competitive by providing a trained workforce for businesses across Georgia." A program that was funded in the most recent round of workforce development funding is the GIVE Center West, a part of the Gwinnett County School System. The program, called GIVE RESET (Resilience Education Supporting Employment Training) and run by Alexandra Thomas, is a workforce development program to expand an existing Gwinnett County CTAE pathway in Engineering, coupled with resilience education for students who may benefit from social and emotional development to support their success in the program. "We are still in the beginning stages of our program, but it has already provided life-changing experiences for our students. I am excited to see how it continues to grow and develop in the coming months," said GIVE Center instructor Alexandra Thomas. The Georgia Power Foundation funds these programs through direct applications from qualified schools. Applicants may request up to $50,000, to be used over a 12-to-18-month period, to begin or expand their programs. "Grant programs like Workforce for Georgia play a crucial role in addressing the unique needs of our local communities. These initiatives not only provide essential resources for educational and training programs but also foster significant partnerships that drive meaningful change. By working together, we are able to prepare the next generation and equip Georgia's workforce with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in an ever-evolving job market," said Barbara M. Wall, deputy superintendent for CTAE at the Georgia Department of Education. 2024 Grantees Include: Athens Community Career Academy/ Clarke County Biomanufacturing Pathway Implementation Biomanufacturing Pathway Implementation Columbia County School District Growing the CSRA Teacher Pipeline School District Growing the CSRA Teacher Pipeline Elbert County High School Welding Coursework Opportunities for Future Community Workforce Foothills Regional High School Foothills Weld Ready and Manufacturing Associate training Stephens County Schools Program expansion for the Advanced Manufacturing Pathway Schools Program expansion for the Advanced Manufacturing Pathway Atlanta College and Career Academy Bridging the Gap: Equipping Students with Industry-Standard Cybersecurity Skills and Career Academy Bridging the Gap: Equipping Students with Industry-Standard Cybersecurity Skills Cherokee County School District Engineering Drafting and Design for Woodstock High School School District Engineering Drafting and Design for DeKalb County Schools Electric Vehicle Manufacturing Project - A Partnership in Engineering and Welding Schools Electric Vehicle Manufacturing Project - A Partnership in Engineering and Welding GIVE Center West GIVE RESET (a CTAE/Credentialing for engineering pathways for alternative students) Bulloch County Schools Heavy Equipment Operations Pathway Schools Heavy Equipment Operations Pathway Camden County Schools Patient Care Technician Pathway Expansion Schools Patient Care Technician Pathway Expansion Thomas County Central High School Promoting the Manufacturing Pipeline Valdosta City Schools To expand the Construction Program to include plumbing and electrical trades City Schools To expand the Construction Program to include plumbing and electrical trades Vidalia High School Vidalia High School New Early Childhood Education Pathway Vidalia High School New Early Childhood Education Pathway Cartersville City Schools Engineering Industrial Electrical Dual Enrollment City Schools Engineering Industrial Electrical Dual Enrollment Chattahoochee County High School Expanding College & Career Opportunities for the Children of the Chattahoochee Valley (Cloud computing pathway expansion) Houston College & Career Academy Cybersecurity Pathway Addition & Career Academy Cybersecurity Pathway Addition Northside High School Enhancing Biotechnology Education for Community Advancement Taylor County High School The Viking Forge (Agriculture Mechanics pathway) Twiggs County Public Schools Twiggs Computer Science/Cybersecurity Pathway Public Schools Twiggs Computer Science/Cybersecurity Pathway Union County College and Career Academy Collision Repair Pathway About the Georgia Power Foundation The Georgia Power Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization and is the third-largest corporate giving foundation in Georgia. Since its creation in 1986, the foundation has been empowering the future of Georgia, with funds donated by shareholders. Georgia Power's philanthropic focus is to be a citizen wherever we serve by investing in education, environmental stewardship, communities, and social justice efforts. Learn more at www.georgiapower.com/community. About Georgia Power Georgia Power is the largest electric subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), America's premier energy company. Value, Reliability, Customer Service and Stewardship are the cornerstones of the company's promise to 2.8 million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties. Committed to delivering clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy, Georgia Power maintains a diverse, innovative generation mix that includes nuclear, coal and natural gas, as well as renewables such as solar, hydroelectric and wind. Georgia Power offers rates below the national average, focuses on delivering world-class service to its customers every day and the company is recognized by J.D. Power as an industry leader in customer satisfaction. For more information, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com and connect with the company on Facebook (Facebook.com/GeorgiaPower), X (X.com/GeorgiaPower) and Instagram (Instagram.com/ga_power). SOURCE Georgia Power LOS ANGELES, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Discover how human-centric design and cutting-edge technology drive meaningful business innovation in an upcoming segment. All Access with Andy Garcia will feature Electric Mind, a technology consulting company at the forefront of business transformation, on a segment set to film in April 2025. This segment will explore how Electric Mind seamlessly integrates strategy, design, and engineering to empower businesses in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. By placing people at the core of its solutions, Electric Mind demonstrates that sustainable growth is achieved through a thoughtful balance of innovation and human values. "At Electric Mind, we believe technology should empower people, not replace them," said Chris Ford, CEO of Electric Mind. "True transformation happens when businesses integrate AI and digital capabilities in a way that enhances human decision-making, creativity, and collaboration. This approach allows companies to stay competitive while remaining adaptable to change." In today's digital era, technology is the foundation of business success, influencing everything from data-driven decisions to global connectivity. Electric Mind believes that achieving meaningful business impact is nearly impossible without seamless technology integration. Their approach focuses on empowering decision-making through data, fostering inclusivity, and embracing mindfulness. By aligning strategy, design, and engineering, the company delivers user-centric solutions that keep businesses agile, competitive, and future-ready. The segment will touch on the importance of addressing ethical AI practices, the need for continuous learning in a tech-driven world, and how businesses can prepare for the future of work. Electric Mind's journey, built on a foundation of strong engineering capabilities and strategic vision, reflects their evolution into a holistic solutions provider, driven by a commitment to innovation and industry leadership. Through proactive digital engineering, upskilling, AI-driven innovation, and human-centered values, Electric Mind is leading the charge in business transformation. About All Access with Andy Garcia: All Access with Andy Garcia is a Public Television program that brings viewers insightful stories about innovative companies and their impact on various industries. Hosted by the acclaimed actor Andy Garcia, the program aims to inspire and educate audiences about the ingenuity and dedication behind American businesses. Andy Garcia, renowned for his extensive and celebrated career in film, brings his unique perspective and passion for storytelling to the program, highlighting the stories of innovation and resilience in American enterprise. Learn more at: http://allaccessptv.com/ About Electric Mind: Electric Mind is a leader in business transformation, specializing in technology-enabled strategy designed to embrace AI-driven transformation. Their deep expertise in integrating strategy, design, and engineering, and their human-centric approach empowers businesses to unlock new opportunities, enhance customer experiences, and achieve sustainable growth. With a focus on collaboration and adaptability, Electric Mind exemplifies how innovative leadership drives meaningful and lasting change. Learn more at: https://www.electricmind.com/. SOURCE All Access BERKELEY, Calif., April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Touchstone Climbing is proud to announce we're now officially a Public Benefit Corporation (PBC)a vital milestone in our ongoing commitment to aligning our business practices with social and environmental responsibility. We are the first in our industry to take this step, which marks a significant commitment to our long-term success. Touchstone Climbing is setting a new precedentone where business success is measured by ROI and positive impact. Post this A Snapshot of Touchstone Climbing The decision to become a PBC was made with overwhelming support from our diverse group of shareholders. Unlike a traditional corporation, which focuses solely on financial returns, we are now legally required to balance profit with a broader commitment to stakeholders, including customers, employees, communities, and the environment. Although this is business as usual for us, this codifies commitments into the future, allowing us to focus on sustainable, long-term value. Our PBC charter is rooted in five fundamental commitments: Environmental Stewardship: Protecting outdoor spaces and ensuring climbing access to all. Being a good neighbor: Supporting and uplifting the broader communities we serve. Employee Development: Investing in the growth, well-being, and success of our team. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Creating spaces where everyone belongs. Exceptional Customer Support: Elevating the climbing experience through world-class facilities and service. A New Beta for the Climbing Industry The climbing gym industry has grown rapidly in recent years, largely fueled by private equity investment. While accelerating expansion, this has also prioritized short-term financial returns over long-term sustainability and community impact. By restructuring as a Public Benefit Corporation, Touchstone Climbing is setting a new precedentone where business success is measured not just by ROI, but by the positive impact we create for climbers, employees, communities, and the outdoor spaces we cherish. We believe this approach will resonate with those who, like us, see climbing as more than just a businessit's a passionate pursuit that fosters a unique relationship with ourselves, others, and the natural world. As the first major climbing gym operator to take this step, we hope to inspire others in the industry to rethink what responsible growth can look like. About Touchstone Climbing Touchstone Climbing owns and operates 17 unique climbing gyms across California. But we're more than gymswe're a community. Whether you are training for your next multi-pitch ascent, just learned to tie a figure-eight knot, or want a great place to work out, you belong. Contact: Dan Olson [email protected] SOURCE Touchstone Climbing Award-Winning Industry Leader Brings Innovative Spirit and Deep Expertise to Utah-Based Distillery. PLEASANT GROVE, Utah, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Clear Water Distilling Co. is proud to announce that Molly Troupe has joined the team as Master Distiller. Known for her scientific precision, creative vision, and fearless leadership, Molly Troupe brings a wealth of experience and a celebrated track record to her role at Clear Water. Molly Troupe Molly rose to prominence as the youngest female master distiller in the United States and became a partner at Freeland Spirits, a pioneering woman-owned distillery in Portland, Oregon. Her groundbreaking work earned her a coveted spot on Forbes' 30 Under 30 list in 2018 and a seat on the board of directors for the American Craft Spirits Association. "We are beyond excited to welcome Molly to Clear Water," said Matt Eau Claire, CEO of Clear Water Distilling Co. "Her scientific background, creative drive, and uncompromising standards align perfectly with our mission to redefine what spirits should be." A Southern Oregon University graduate with a degree in chemistry, Molly went on to earn a master's degree in brewing and distilling from the prestigious Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland. Her journey has taken her through key roles at Hood River Distillers and Oregon Spirit Distillers before she helped launch Freeland Spirits in 2017. With her arrival at Clear Water Distilling Co., Troupe will play a pivotal role in increasing Clear Water's production in response to the explosive growth they have seen with their products, even as overall industry momentum has slowed. Troupe will also help shape the next generation of exceptional spirits pushing boundaries while honoring the science and artistry of distillation. About Clear Water Distilling Co. Clear Water Distilling Co., based in Pleasant Grove, Utah, is known for its inventive approach to spirits crafting bold, unconventional products like Lorenz Spirit of Exploarion, Rene Rye-Magnac and the sugar-free Canela Cinnamon Whiskey that defy industry norms. With a focus on transparency, creativity, and pushing the boundaries of tradition, Clear Water is committed to making premium spirits that spark curiosity and conversation. Acquiring top talent, like Molly Troupe, is a testament to that vison. Media Contact: Stephanie Eau Claire 801-997-8667 [email protected] SOURCE Clear Water Distilling Co VANCOUVER, BC, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Trilogy Metals Inc. (TSX: TMQ) (NYSE American: TMQ) ("Trilogy Metals" or the "Company") announces its financial results for the first quarter ended February 28, 2025. Details of the Company's financial results are contained in the interim unaudited consolidated financial statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis which will be available on the Company's website at www.trilogymetals.com, on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov. All amounts are in United States dollars unless otherwise stated. Selected Results The following selected financial information is prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. in thousands of dollars, except for per share amounts Three months ended Selected expenses February 28, 2025 $ February 29, 2024 $ General and administrative 343 415 Investor relations 16 12 Professional fees 447 200 Salaries 207 191 Salaries and directors expense stock-based compensation 2,230 1,999 Total expenses 3,232 2,820 Share of loss on equity investment 581 793 Comprehensive loss for the period (3,623) (3,601) Basic and diluted loss per common share (0.02) (0.02) For the three-month period ended February 28, 2025, we reported a net loss of $3.6 million comparable to a net loss of $3.6 million for the three-month period ended February 29, 2024. Comparing the first quarter of 2025 to first quarter of 2024, there was an increase of $0.2 million in professional fees due to increased consulting and legal fees related to the Bornite preliminary economic assessment technical report and the Company's Base Shelf Prospectus filing, offset by a decrease of $0.2 million in our share of losses of Ambler Metals LLC ("Ambler Metals") due to reduction in activities at the Ambler Access Project (as defined below). Corporate and Project Activities Bornite PEA On January 15, 2025, the Company announced the positive results of its Preliminary Economic Assessment Study ("Bornite PEA") for the Bornite copper project. Highlights of the Bornite PEA include the following: 1.9 billion pounds of copper over 17-year mine life; Potential to extend mine activity for the Upper Kobuk Mineral Projects to over 30 years; Pre-tax net present value ("NPV")8% of $552.0 million and an internal rate of return ("IRR") of 23.6%; and and an internal rate of return ("IRR") of 23.6%; and After-tax NPV8% of $394.0 million and after-tax IRR of 20.0%. The Bornite PEA describes the technical and economic viability of establishing an underground mining operation for a 6,000 tonne-per-day operation with a 17-year mine life. The Bornite PEA assumes re-purposing the infrastructure described in the Company's current Feasibility Study for the Arctic Project for the use with the Bornite Project once the Arctic deposit has been depleted. More information on the Arctic Feasibility Study and the Bornite PEA can be accessed on the Company's website at www.trilogymetals.com. Budget -Trilogy The Company has a 2025 fiscal year cash budget totaling $3.1 million. For the three-month period ended February 28, 2025, we used $0.8 million in operating activities mainly for personnel costs, professional fees, regulatory and office expenses compared with budgeted cash expenditures totaling $1.0 million. Budget - Ambler Metals LLC The board of Ambler Metals approved a 2025 fiscal year budget totaling $5.8 million to support external and community affairs, to maintain the State of Alaska mineral claims in good standing, and for the maintenance of physical assets. During the three-month period ended February 28, 2025, Ambler Metals expended $1.2 million on salaries and wages, professional fees, engineering, project support costs and mineral property expenses, and the Ambler Access Project costs mainly for subsistence committee meetings and community relations, compared with the budget of $1.0 million. Ambler Mining District Industrial Access Project ("Ambler Access Project" or "Ambler Road") On January 20, 2025, President Trump signed a comprehensive executive order titled "Unleashing Alaska's Extraordinary Resource Potential", instructing agency heads across the federal government to revoke, rescind or revise regulations that are inconsistent with resource development in Alaska, including those issued by former President Biden when he was in office. It places a moratorium on all activities related to the rejection of a right-of-way permit to build the Ambler Road and directs the reinstatement of the prior Trump Administration's 2020 approval of the right-of-way permit to build the Ambler Road. The order was broadly welcomed by Alaska's political leaders, including Senators Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski, and Representative Nick Begich. Department of Interior Secretary Doug Burgum subsequently signed a series of secretarial orders, echoing the executive orders signed by President Trump. Secretary Burgum's Order 3422 on February 3, 2025, also titled "Unleashing Alaska's Extraordinary Resource Potential", directs the submission of an action plan to him that includes "steps to expedite the permitting and leasing of energy and natural resource projects in Alaska (including the rights-of-way and easements for roads that enable this development to occur)." On March 20, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order titled "Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production", which underscores the importance of securing a stable and predictable domestic supply of critical minerals (including copper and gold) that are essential for the nation's defense, technology, and infrastructure, and to reduce the reliance on foreign imports. The order directs federal agencies to expedite approvals for mineral production projects. Also on March 20, 2025, Secretary Burgum announced that the Bureau of Land Management will work towards partial revocation of public land withdrawals to convey these lands to the State of Alaska. This action is expected to help advance the Ambler Road. Secretary Burgum's announcement was commended by Alaska Senators Sullivan and Murkowski, and Representative Begich in a joint statement on March 20, 2025. Liquidity and Capital Resources We expended $0.7 million on operating activities during the three-month period ending February 28, 2025 with the majority of cash spent on professional fees to complete the Bornite preliminary economic assessment and related technical reports and American and Canadian securities commission fees related to our annual regulatory filings, annual fees paid to the Toronto Stock Exchange and the NYSE American Exchange and corporate salaries. As at February 28, 2025, we had $25.2 million in cash and cash equivalents and working capital (current assets less current liabilities) of $24.6 million. There is sufficient cash on hand to fund the approved fiscal 2025 budget of $3.1 million. All project related costs are funded by Ambler Metals. Ambler Metals had $6.5 million in cash and cash equivalents and $6.4 million in working capital as at February 28, 2025. There are sufficient funds at Ambler Metals to fund this fiscal year's approved budget of $5.8 million. Qualified Persons Richard Gosse, P.Geo., Vice President Exploration for Trilogy Metals Inc., is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standard of Disclosure for Mineral Projects and Subpart 1300 of Regulation S-K. Mr. Gosse has reviewed the technical information in this news release and approves the disclosure contained herein. About Trilogy Metals Trilogy Metals Inc. is a metal exploration and development company holding a 50 percent interest in Ambler Metals LLC, which has a 100 percent interest in the Upper Kobuk Mineral Projects in northwestern Alaska. On December 19, 2019, South32, a globally diversified mining and metals company, exercised its option to form a 50/50 joint venture with Trilogy Metals. The UKMP is located within the Ambler Mining District which is one of the richest and most-prospective known copper-dominant districts in the world. It hosts world-class polymetallic volcanogenic massive sulphide ("VMS") deposits that contain copper, zinc, lead, gold and silver, and carbonate replacement deposits which have been found to host high-grade copper and cobalt mineralization. Exploration efforts have been focused on two deposits in the Ambler Mining District the Arctic VMS deposit and the Bornite carbonate replacement deposit. Both deposits are located within a land package that spans approximately 190,929 hectares. Ambler Metals has an agreement with NANA Regional Corporation, Inc., an Alaska Native Corporation that provides a framework for the exploration and potential development of the Ambler Mining District in cooperation with local communities. Trilogy Metal's vision is to develop the Ambler Mining District into a premier North American copper producer while protecting and respecting subsistence livelihoods. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, including, without limitation, potential actions and effects resulting from the executive orders and statements from the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, perceived merit of properties, the sufficiency of cash for the next twelve months and the Company's plans to provide further updates and the timing thereof are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "potential", "possible", and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results "will", "may", "could", or "should" occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements involve various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include the uncertainties involving our assumptions with respect to those uncertainties disclosed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended November 30, 2024 filed with Canadian securities regulatory authorities and with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and in other Company reports and documents filed with applicable securities regulatory authorities from time to time. The Company's forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made. The Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements or beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law. SOURCE Trilogy Metals Inc. Through this collaboration, Unicoin will gain access to Paycio's network across over 180 countries and its database of over 1 million users, enhancing adoption and investment opportunities worldwide. NEW YORK, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Unicoin Inc ., the US-based, audited, and publicly reporting cryptocurrency company, announces today a strategic alliance with Paycio, a leading provider of cross-border, blockchain-based payment solutions with over 1 million customers in 180+ countries. This collaboration will expand both companies' ecosystems through joint marketing initiatives, cross-promotion, and integrated services. Unicoin and Paycio Announce Strategic Alliance to Drive Crypto Adoption As part of the integration, Paycio's payment solutions will be showcased through Unicoin's platform and investor network. At the same time, Unicoin will be seamlessly incorporated into Paycio's suite of offerings to facilitate fiat-to-crypto commercial transactions. Paycio enables cost-effective, seamless global transactions, overcoming currency transfer challenges, and offers offline capabilities, including a user-friendly wallet service. Additionally, the two companies will co-host events centered on blockchain technology, financial advancement, and crypto assets, while also exploring the creation of a joint ambassador program to amplify brand visibility and foster global adoption. This strategic alliance will deliver exclusive benefits to both user communities, accelerating Unicoin's adoption and enhancing its real-world utility. "This collaboration underscores our commitment to driving blockchain adoption and financial inclusion," said Silvina Moschini, founder of Unicoin Inc. "By aligning with Paycio, we are expanding Unicoin's reach and integrating it into a next-generation payment ecosystem that enhances real-world usability for our investors." Paycio's Founder, Singavaram Sunil Kumar Singh, added, "We are excited to join forces with Unicoin in advancing blockchain technology. This initiative enables us to offer our users access to a regulated, asset-backed cryptocurrency while broadening our fintech services to the global market." The alliance between Unicoin and Paycio lays the foundation for a long-term relationship, combining Unicoin's innovative asset and tokenization strategy with Paycio's advanced payment processing capabilities, driving forward innovation in digital assets and the broader financial ecosystem. About Unicoin Inc. Unicoin Inc. is a US-based, public reporting company with audited financials and it is supported by a diversified portfolio including real estate, equity in high-growth companies, and other assets. Unicoin is the official cryptocurrency of Unicorn Hunters , the groundbreaking series that connects entrepreneurs seeking funding with millions of potential investors worldwide. Website : http://unicoin.com/ Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/unicoin_news/ Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/UnicoinNews/ Twitter : https://twitter.com/Unicoin_News LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/company/unicoins About Paycio Founded in 2023, Paycio is a Dubai-based fintech pioneer focused on making crypto payments simple, secure, and widely accessible. Through its innovative solutions, Paycio is shaping the future of blockchain-powered finance. For media inquiries, please contact: Carolina Zwitkowits [email protected] +5491131899564 SOURCE Unicoin Inc. HOD HASHARON, Israel, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Virility Medical Ltd. ("Virility Medical"), a leading innovator in the sexual health industry, filed a patent infringement lawsuit on March 18, 2025, in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware against Morari, Inc. (d/b/a. Morari Medical). Virility Logo The complaint asserts that Morari's MOR product infringes three United States patents owned by Virility Medical relating to Virility Medical's innovative and FDA cleared, in2 device (formerly known as vPatch, clearance number K223595). The complaint also seeks treble damages and a permanent injunction against the sale of the infringing MOR product. Morari recently announced that it received clearance from the United States Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") to market the MOR product. As explained in the recently filed complaint, Morari's FDA submission asserted that the MOR product is "substantially equivalent" to Virility Medical's own FDA cleared product. Indeed, Morari's CEO, Jeff Bennett, has explained that Morari "leverage[ed]" Virility Medical's "existing research and technology" in order to "expedite [its] product's development and market entry." The Virility Medical patents asserted in the complaint are U.S. Patent Nos. 10,773,072; 11,471,666; and 12,194,289. Virility Medical also owns additional patents and pending patent applications. About Virility Medical Virility Medical is a consumer healthcare company specializing in sexual health and dedicated to enhancing sexual wellbeing. Virility Medical's patented technology, which is marketed under the brand name in2, provides a drug-free treatment for premature ejaculation, one of the most common male sexual health concerns. The in2 device was subjected to clinical testing, resulting in marketing clearance from United States Food and Drug Administration, CE marking obtained for distribution in Europe under the MDR, and approval from the Israeli Ministry of Health. SOURCE Virility Medical Ltd. TORONTO, April 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - William Thomas Digital (WTD) is excited to announce the appointment of Scott Jamieson as Chief Growth Officer, a key hire that reinforces the agency's bold growth trajectory and continued expansion across North America and into international markets. Scott Jamieson - Chief Growth Officer (CNW Group/William Thomas Digital Inc.) With more than 20 years of experience driving growth and transformation across global marketing and technology firms, Jamieson brings a unique blend of commercial leadership, operational rigor, and customer-centric thinking. He joins WTD from Monks., where he served as Global VP of the Salesforce Practice, helping build one of the largest Salesforce practices in the world while leading teams across North America, EMEA, and APAC. He has also held senior roles at several other leading CRM agencies, guiding international growth and helping clients unlock meaningful business impact through digital transformation. This move reflects WTD's continued investment in the future of customer experience one that is intelligent, personalized, and agentic by design and strengthens the agency's growing network of strategic platform partnerships. "We're building something special at WTD a next-generation agency designed for how customer experience should work today and where it's going tomorrow," said Greg Elliott, Managing Director at William Thomas Digital. "Scott's leadership will help us scale that vision, grow into new markets, and deepen our ability to deliver intelligent, personalized, agentic experiences that move the needle for our clients. This is a big moment for us, and we couldn't be more excited about what's coming next." In his new role, Jamieson will lead WTD's growth function, with a focus on driving new growth opportunities, building strategic partnerships, and supporting the agency's long-term expansion plan across North America and beyond. "After years of working with some of the biggest agencies and platforms in the world, I was looking for a place with real momentum, a strong point of view, and the courage to build what's next," said Jamieson. "WTD checks every box. The team is sharp, the work is ambitious, and the vision for where the agency is headed is bold and inspiring. I'm excited to roll up my sleeves and help take it to the next level." Jamieson will split his time between Toronto and South Carolina, working closely with WTD's leadership, clients, and partners across North America. To learn more about William Thomas Digital or explore partnership opportunities, visit williamthomasdigital.com or contact us directly. About William Thomas Digital William Thomas Digital is a full-service connected experiences agency helping ambitious brands shape the future of customer experience. Known for its human-centered, tech-enabled, and data-smart approach, WTD specializes in designing personalized and agentic 1:1 ecosystems that deliver measurable growth and lasting customer devotion. SOURCE William Thomas Digital Inc. BEIJING, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- An exhibition featuring over 80 pieces of China's renowned Dehua white porcelain opened at the Museum of Kyoto in Japan from March 27 to 30. The artworks, crafted in Dehua County, Quanzhou City in southeast China's Fujian Province, were divided into categories such as classical cultural recreations, artisanal porcelain, everyday porcelain, and export porcelain. These works that blend practicality with artistic beauty drew enthusiastic responses from Japanese audiences, noted Xu Jianyong, executive vice president of Fujian Ceramics Industry Association. Dehua porcelain has gained worldwide fame as "Blanc de Chine" (White from China) for its milky-white hue and jade-like finish. Different from this simple elegance, Japanese ceramics emphasize rich colors and decorations. The two cultural styles can have an extraordinary encounter with each other through such exhibitions, said Wang Jiaming, who is in charge of the art department of Seki Shikyo Art Lab, the exhibition curator. The event facilitated cultural exchanges between Fujian's master artisans and Japanese ceramic enthusiasts. Zhang Minggui, executive secretary general of Dehua ceramic art masters alliance, said both China and Japan boast long history of porcelain production. This exhibition transcended art display and became a cultural dialogue allowing Japanese audiences to experience the charming traditional Chinese culture. During the Sui and Tang dynasties (581-907), a large number of Chinese ceramics were exported to Japan, exerting significant influence on Japanese ceramics. During the Song and Yuan dynasties (960-1368) when Quanzhou's overseas trade boomed, Dehua porcelain wares became cornerstone exports on the Maritime Silk Road. Dehua saw its annual ceramic output value grow 15 percent year on year to reach 66.3 billion yuan (about 9.1 billion U.S. dollars) in 2024, with over 60 percent of its products shipped to more than 190 countries and regions. The county has taken moves to expand overseas markets in recent years, including establishing seven white porcelain promotion and exhibition centers in places like Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Malacca, and organizing international showcases in Malaysia, Germany, and the United States among others. Original link: https://en.imsilkroad.com/p/345031.html SOURCE Xinhua Silk Road Finnish President convinced that best way to stop Russias war of aggression is to maximise pressure on Moscow Finnish President Alexander Stubb supports the sanctions package against Russia proposed by American senators from the Republican and Democratic parties, and notes that maximum pressure on Russia is the best way to stop the war in Ukraine. The best way to stop Russias war of aggression is to maximise the pressure on Moscow. I welcome the bipartisan sanctions package proposed by Lindsey Graham and Senator Blumenthal in the US Senate. It is ambitious. This package, combined with a clear deadline for an unconditional ceasefire, is a step towards a just and lasting peace, Stubb said on X Wednesday. The Finnish President is convinced that without maximum pressure, Russia will continue its delaying tactics, and the war will continue for the foreseeable future. As reported, US Senators Lindsey Graham (Republican) and Richard Blumenthal (Democratic) have introduced a bill to impose sanctions against Russia if it does not agree to a long-term peace with Ukraine. In total, among the 50 co-authors of the project, there are an equal number of Republicans and Democrats. The document may introduce a 500 percent tariff on imports of goods from countries that buy Russian oil, gas, uranium and other products. We share President Trumps frustration with Russia when it comes to obtaining a ceasefire, and support President Trumps desire to achieve a lasting, just and honorable peace. In 1994, as part of the Budapest Memorandum Ukraine gave up approximately 1,700 nuclear weapons with a promise from the U.S., Russia and United Kingdom that Ukraines sovereignty would be honored in the future. This failed to deter Russian aggression, the statement reads. In addition, the statement by the Senate members criticized the Minsk agreements as those that failed to prevent full-scale Russian aggression in 2022. It is our hope that in 2025, President Trump and his team will achieve what has eluded the world in the past: ending Russian aggression against Ukraine permanently and ensuring the survivability of a free and democratic Ukraine, the legislators wrote. These sanctions against Russia are at the ready and will receive overwhelming bipartisan, bicameral support if presented to the Senate and House for a vote, the statement says. LONDON, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- ZEERO GROUP (ZEERO), a pioneering travel industry collaboration and joint venture dedicated to sustainability, today announced that it has joined the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Strategic Partnerships Program. This marks a significant milestone for ZEERO and underlines the organisation's commitment to accelerating decarbonisation of the travel industry and scaling next generation biofuel projects through its co-ownership, climate contribution model. As a member of IATA's Strategic Partnerships Program, ZEERO will leverage its expertise in multi-solution sustainability frameworks to help aviation stakeholders address environmental challenges. Through engagement with IATA, the global airline association with over 340 member airlines, ZEERO will play an active role in shaping the future of sustainable aviation and expanding opportunities for the industry to contribute to climate solutions. This collaboration will strengthen ZEERO's position as a leading industry partner offering end-to-end services that support net-zero goals from reporting technology to biofuel production and biowaste management. In doing so, ZEERO will support the industry's progress toward its 2050 zero carbon emissions goal and increasing the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), while ensuring that technological advancement and policy support sustainability efforts. SAF is a critical solution for reducing aviation's carbon footprint, yet its availability remains limited, and its high cost poses significant challenges for an industry operating on thin profit margins. Global commitments call for increased availability to support sustainability goals, but production and affordability remain obstacles. ZEERO is addressing these challenges with a scalable, cost-effective solution. Its biofuels offer an affordable alternative to fossil fuels, ensuring that sustainability goals can be met without imposing excessive financial burdens on airlines. Through its innovative co-ownership and climate contribution funding model, ZEERO enables collaboration across the entire travel sector, fostering investment in SAF and accelerating the industry's decarbonisation efforts. Commenting on this new milestone, Nico Nicholas, CEO & Co-founder of ZEERO said, "We are thrilled to join IATA's Strategic Partnerships Program and contribute to the aviation industry's sustainability mission. This collaboration represents a major step forward for ZEERO as we continue to pioneer scalable, high-impact solutions that integrate cutting-edge renewable energy technologies. By working alongside IATA and its members, we aim to accelerate the transition towards a more sustainable and resilient aviation ecosystem." ZEERO's expertise in holistic renewable technologies and nature-based solutions aligns with IATA's vision for a sustainable aviation sector. By collaborating with IATA on carbon reduction initiatives through affordable biofuel production, ZEERO will play a vital role in supporting the transition to a greener ecosystem. Sharing more details on the announcement, Dr. Preeti Jain, Head Net Zero Research and Programs, IATA Sustainability & Economics Division said, "We are pleased to welcome ZEERO to the IATA Strategic Partnerships Program. Through our collaboration with ZEERO, we will work together to advance the aviation industry's sustainability efforts by delivering innovative solutions that support net-zero and decarbonisation goals." About ZEERO ZEERO GROUP (ZEERO) is a holistic sustainable technology and nature-based solutions provider serving diverse industries across the globe. Through innovative joint ventures and partnerships, ZEERO accelerates and scales renewable energy, nature and community resilience projects. ZEERO is the only organisation dedicated to the travel industry offering end-to-end services from emissions measurement to biofuel production and biowaste management. ZEERO is the parent organisation for ZEERO ENERGIES, ZEERO 360, ZEERO EVENTS and the award-winning 'Tech for Good' company TREES4TRAVEL, which enables travellers and businesses to measure their carbon emissions and contribute to climate actions to make their travel impact more sustainable. For the latest news and information on ZEERO, please visit https://www.trees4travel.com/ZEERO . Media Contact: U.K. Kachi Akumabor [email protected] U.S. Brian Sherry [email protected] SOURCE ZEERO GROUP Interview: China's lunar exploration achieves systematic progress, says chief designer Xinhua) 08:04, April 02, 2025 BEIJING, April 1 (Xinhua) -- China's lunar exploration program has made systematic advancements across scientific research, technological innovation, engineering development and international collaboration over the past two decades, Wu Weiren, the chief designer of China's lunar exploration program, told Xinhua. Wu made the remarks in an interview on Tuesday at the opening of an exhibition at the National Museum of China, which highlights two decades of the country's lunar exploration program. Wu noted that China's lunar exploration program has produced a wealth of geological and environmental data, uncovering new elements, minerals and phenomena -- greatly enriching humanity's knowledge of the moon. He said that China has not only achieved breakthroughs in core aerospace technologies, but has also established a unique lunar exploration project system and formed a relatively complete infrastructure system. "Furthermore, the country has actively promoted international collaboration through data-sharing and joint research initiatives, significantly advancing global lunar exploration efforts," he said. Looking ahead, Wu said that China plans to launch the Chang'e-7 mission around 2026 to explore the environment and resources of the south pole of the moon. The Chang'e-8 mission, set for around 2028, will conduct experiments for the in-situ utilization of lunar resources. He revealed that scientists are developing a solar-powered device capable of melting lunar soil at temperatures of 1,400 to 1,500 degrees Celsius to produce "lunar bricks" through 3D printing -- an essential step toward constructing a future lunar research station. Lunar samples collected by China's Chang'e-5 and Chang'e-6 missions are on display as part of the exhibition. "This marks the first time in human history that samples from the moon's near and far sides can be observed side by side," Wu said, calling this a major achievement of China's lunar exploration efforts. He noted that China will make more lunar samples available for global scientific research, fostering discoveries that will benefit all of humanity. The exhibition, hosted by the National Museum of China and the China National Space Administration, will run for two months. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) BEIJING, April 1 (Xinhua) -- Senior Chinese legislator Li Hongzhong on Tuesday called for sound understanding and implementation of the newly-revised Law on Deputies to the National People's Congress and to the Local People's Congresses at Various Levels. Li, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), made the remarks at a launching ceremony for this year's first term of study sessions for NPC deputies. Li urged people's congresses deputies to fulfill their duties with a focus on the overall work of the Party and the country, promote the high-quality development of people's congresses work, and foster closer ties with the people. New meeting of Coalition of Willing to be held on April 10, Ramstein format meeting on April 11 in Brussels UK delegation to NATO The British delegation to NATO announced a new meeting of the Coalition of the Willing on April 10, as well as a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group in the Ramstein format on April 11 in Brussels. "On 10 April, UK Defence Secretary John Healey and French Minister of the Armed Forces Sebastien Lecornu will host a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing at NATO HQ in Brussels," the delegation wrote on the X social network page. It is also noted that the United Kingdom and Germany will convene the Ukraine Defence Contact Group at NATO headquarters in Brussels on April 11. Earlier, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Keir Starmer announced that the British Defense Secretary John Healy will chair a new meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, which is scheduled for April 11. On March 27, the Coalition of the Willing summit was held in Paris, attended by representatives of 31 countries, as well as President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Washington, April 2 : US President Donald Trump will seek to "address decades of unfair trade practices" with the announcement Wednesday of reciprocal tariffs that will be closely watched and studied around the world, including in India, said the White House. Washington, April 2 (IANS) US President Donald Trump will seek to "address decades of unfair trade practices" with the announcement Wednesday of reciprocal tariffs that will be closely watched and studied around the world, including in India, said the White House. President Trump has hyped the announcement as "Liberation Day" but has sought to dial down anxiety about it, saying the tariffs will be "more lenient than reciprocal" and "kind." No details are available yet about the breadth and scope of the coming tariffs. "Tomorrow, the President will be addressing the decades of unfair trade practices that have ripped our country off and American workers off," Karoline Levitt, the White House spokesperson, said on Tuesday. "It has hollowed out our middle class. It has destroyed our heartland, and the President is focused on re-shifting our global economy to ensure that America is once again the manufacturing superpower of the world." "Certainly, the President is always up to take a phone call, always up for a good negotiation," she commented further in response to a question about the potential for negotiations following the announcement. "But he is very much focused on fixing the wrongs of the past and showing that American workers have a fair shake." Reports have suggested that discussions among his aides have focussed several options: a 15 per cent on the"Dirty 15" countries and entities, as they have been described by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent or it could be a universal tariff imposed on all. In a notice in the federal register has identified these countries and entities as possible targets: India, Brazil, Canada, China, the European Union, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam. Trump told reporters Monday some countries have begun dialing down their tariffs in anticipation of the announcement, which, he added, included India and Europe. But, as the spokesperson indicated, the White House is open to talks. Trump first announced his intention to bring such a tariff system in his inauguration address to end "destructive trade deficits" and he has since said it will come into effect on April 2 and not on April 1 before the "April Fool" implications. These tariffs will be over and above those announced by Trump on imports from Canada, Mexico and China 25 per cent for the former and two and 10 per cent on latter and 25 per cent on all imported automobiles and auto parts. He has not yet offered clues to the size of the upcoming tariffs or the target countries. But according to the President Trump has frequently mentioned India for its tariffs, which he has called "brutal", and the trade deficit. The US goods trade deficit with India was $45.7 billion in 2024, a 5.4 per cent increase ($2.4 billion) over 2023, according to the office of the US Trade Representative (USTR), the top trade negotiator for the US. Total goods trade between the two countries was an estimated $129.2 billion in 2024. American goods exports to India were $41.8 billion, up 3.4 per cent ($1.4 billion) from 2023 ad total US goods imports from India totaled $87.4 billion in 2024, up 4.5 per cent ($3.7 billion) from 2023. India and the US have held trade talks in the lead up to the anticipated reciprocal tariffs but neither side has divulged details. "I think it's going to work out very well, between India and our country," he said Friday when asked specifically about trade talks with India. "I'll probably be more lenient than reciprocal, because if I was reciprocal, that would be very tough for people," Trump said in an interview with Newsmax last week. Once again, he offered no details. "I know there are some exceptions, and it's an ongoing discussion, but not too many, not too many exceptions," the president added. United Nations, April 2 : The aid blockade has forced the shuttering of 25 bakeries in Gaza as food supplies shrivel, Israel's evacuation orders increase and bombardments continue, UN humanitarians said. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the suspension of aid entry into Gaza continues, with a devastating impact on people in need. The 25 bakeries supported by the World Food Programme (WFP) during the ceasefire are all closed due to the shortage of flour and the unavailability of cooking gas, Xinhua news agency reported. WFP said it continues food distribution with the remaining stocks, but the situation remains very critical since the cargo closure of the crossings almost a month ago. OCHA warned that Israeli displacement orders continue to force civilians to flee across the Gaza Strip and limit the space available for families to shelter. On Monday, the office said the latest directive covered nearly the entire Rafah governorate, where about 150,000 people were estimated to be staying. The orders have left civilians exposed to hostilities and deprived them of access to services essential for their survival. OCHA reported that a complex, week-long rescue operation ended on Sunday with the recovery of 15 bodies of emergency and aid crews in Tal As Sultan in Rafah. An Israeli ground operation started in the governorate on March 23. Efforts to reach and extract causalities had continued since then. "The available information indicates that the first team was killed by Israeli forces on March 23 and that other emergency and aid crews were struck one after another over several hours as they searched for their missing colleagues," OCHA said. "They were buried under the sand, alongside their wrecked emergency vehicles, clearly marked ambulances, a fire truck and a UN car." UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher expressed condolences on Monday to the families of the victims. He said the United Nations demands answers and justice. At least 408 aid workers have been killed in Gaza since the conflict began on October 7, 2023, according to OCHA. Three killed in fresh US airstrikes on Yemen's Hodeidah province. Image Source: Photo by Mohammed Mohammed/Xinhua/IANS Sanaa, April 2 : At least three people were killed in fresh US airstrikes on Yemen's western province of Hodeidah, Houthi media and residents said. The strikes on Tuesday night targeted a "water project and its building" in the district of Mansouria in central Hodeidah, they said. Residents of the district told Xinhua that the search for possible survivors under the rubble is underway. According to Houthi media, the US military also carried out a series of airstrikes on several locations in the northwestern provinces of Hajjah and Saada, Xinhua news agency reported. Earlier in the day, Houthi media reported a new wave of US airstrikes on several locations in northern Yemen, including Mount Nabi Shu'ayb in Bani Matar district, west of the capital Sanaa, and sites in Saada province. No casualties were reported. The US military has not commented on the airstrikes. The Iran-aligned Houthis, who control much of northern Yemen, have been fighting the internationally recognised government since 2014. The US military has resumed airstrikes on Houthi-held areas in northern Yemen since March 15 in a bid to deter the group from attacking Israeli targets, the US Navy, and international shipping lanes in the region. Last week, US President Donald Trump said US airstrikes against the Houthis would continue "for a long time." Earlier on Tuesday, the Houthi group reported that US forces have carried out 22 airstrikes on its targets in Yemen's northern Sanaa and Saada provinces over the past several hours. According to a brief statement broadcast by the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV, five airstrikes at dawn targeted the Jarban area in the Sanhan district southeast of Sanaa, while two others hit the Bani Matar district west of the capital. The statement further indicated that Saada, a stronghold of the group, was subjected to 15 US airstrikes overnight, but did not disclose specific locations targeted. Jerusalem, April 2 : Israel announced the elimination of all tariffs on imports from the United States, Israel's Prime Minister's Office and the finance and economy ministries said in a joint statement. The reduction is largely seen as a diplomatic and political gesture rather than an economic one, as a 40-year-old free trade agreement between Israel and the United States already exempts 99 per cent of US imports from duties, Xinhua news agency reported. According to the Israeli finance ministry, the remaining tariffs, primarily on agricultural goods, total about 42 million shekels (about $11.4 million) per year. The move, which still needs approval by the parliament's finance committee, comes a day before US President Donald Trump's expected announcement of a set of tariffs affecting all US trade partners, fueling speculation in Israeli media that the move aims to secure a reprieve from the anticipated reciprocal duties. The joint statement noted that reducing tariffs will strengthen strategic relations between the two countries and may help reduce the cost of living in Israel. According to data from Israel's Central Bureau of Statistics, the United States was Israel's top export destination in 2024, with exports totaling $17.2 billion. Goods imported from the US amounted to $9.2 billion in 2024, second only to China, from which Israel imported goods worth $13.5 billion last year. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a working trip to Dnipro held a meeting with business representatives and instructed the government to fulfill the request of entrepreneurs. "There was also an important meeting today with business representatives of Dnipro region - now it is the number one region in terms of contribution to Ukraine's GDP and in many other economic areas. I would like to thank everyone who saves and creates jobs in the region, everyone who works for Ukraine," Zelenskyy said in an address on Wednesday. According to him, government programs that have shown their effectiveness will continue. "There are things that can still be done to support our industry - I instructed government officials to fulfill what entrepreneurs asked for today," the president added. Tehran, April 2 : Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi called on the United Nations nuclear watchdog to adopt a clear stance regarding the threats against his country's peaceful nuclear facilities. He made the remarks on Tuesday in a phone call with Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi, apparently referring to US President Donald Trump's Sunday threat of bombing Iranian nuclear sites should Iran refuse to make a deal with Washington over its nuclear program, Xinhua news agency reported. Araghchi highlighted Iran's policy of interaction and cooperation with the agency, stressing that, given the continuation of the anti-Iran threats, his country would adopt any necessary measure to protect its nuclear program. He also briefed Grossi on the latest developments and diplomatic consultations about Iran's peaceful nuclear program. The IAEA chief said he would consult with the other parties to create a favorable atmosphere to help resolve the existing issues. Grossi requested to visit Iran, which was agreed to by the Iranian foreign minister. Trump, in an interview with NBC News on Sunday, threatened to launch "unprecedented military strikes" on Iran if it refused to negotiate over its nuclear program. "If they don't make a deal, there will be bombing like they've never seen before," he said, claiming US and Iranian officials are "talking," without offering details. The remarks followed a letter Trump said he sent to Iranian leaders in early March via the United Arab Emirates, proposing direct negotiations on Tehran's nuclear activities. In response, Tehran rejected the proposed face-to-face talks but left open the possibility of indirect talks. New Delhi, April 2 : A protest will be held at Jantar Mantar in the national Capital on Wednesday in support of the demand for the implementation of the reservation Bill passed by the Telangana Legislative Assembly recently to increase the quota for Backward Classes from 23 per cent to 42 per cent. Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, is expected to join the protest that has been organised by the Backward Classes associations from Telangana at Jantar Mantar today. Apart from Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and a slew of other senior Congress leaders the Chief Minister of Telangana, A Revanth Reddy, is also expected to participate in the protest in the national Capital. Telangana seeks to become the first state in the country to implement reservations based on a caste survey, with its Legislative Assembly passing the Bill to hike quota for Backward Classes in government jobs, educational institutions, and local body elections. Telangana has become the third state in India after Karnataka and Bihar to hold a caste survey in order to find out the caste-wise population tally. The new reservation Bill passed by the Telangana Legislative Assembly proposes a 42 per cent quota for Backward Classes, 18 per cent for Scheduled Castes, and 10 per cent for Scheduled Tribes from the existing 29 per cent, 15 per cent, and 6 per cent, respectively. With this, the Congress ruled state aims to push the 50 per cent ceiling on quota set by the apex court to 70 per cent, which requires the nod of the Union government. Following the passage of the Bill, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking for an appointment to discuss the issue. He also requested a meeting with representatives from the Congress party, the BJP, the BRS, CPI and AIMIM in order to ensure the Union government's support. Soon after the reservation Bill was passed by the Telangana Legislative Assembly Bill, LoP Gandhi had lauded it and called it "revolutionary." He had reaffirmed the Congress' commitment to holding a nationwide caste census. "The Telangana government has used scientific caste count data to ensure BCs receive their due rights. This is what the whole country needs," he posted on X, adding that a caste census will "definitely happen in India." He is expected to participate in the protest today at Jantar Mantar. Mumbai, April 2 : Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan recently took to social media to praise his colleague, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, for her ambitious debut production, "Subham." Mumbai, April 2 (IANS) Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan recently took to social media to praise his colleague, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, for her ambitious debut production, "Subham." In a heartfelt shout-out, Dhawan acknowledged Samantha's upcoming film calling it 'amazing.' Taking to his Instagram stories, the actor shared the teaser of the film and wrote, "This looks amazing, here's to dreaming big @samantharuthprabhuoffl." Interestingly, Varun and Samantha share a strong and enduring bond of friendship. The two have even worked together in Raj & DK's series, "Citadel: Honey Bunny." It also features Kay Kay Menon along with an exciting ensemble cast that includes Saqib Saleem, Simran, Sikandar Kher, Soham Majumdar, Shivankit Parihar, and Kashvi Majmundar. On March 30, Samantha shared the teaser of her forthcoming project on social media and captioned it, "Presenting to you our little labour of love. A small team with big dreams! We're incredibly grateful for this journey and what we've created together. We truly hope you enjoy our film and may this be the start of something truly special! #Subham Bhavathu!" The teaser of "Subham" gave a glimpse into the life of a newlywed couple. On their wedding night, Srivalli engaged with her introverted husband, but things took an interesting turn when the charming and soft-spoken bride suddenly transformed upon discovering a television. While she becomes engrossed in the screen, her husband continues to engage her in conversation. Written by Vasanth Mariganti and directed by Praveen Kandregula, "Subham" marks the debut of actors Harshith Malgireddy, Shriya Kontham, Charan Peri, Shalini Kondepudi, Gavireddy Srinivas, and Shravani. Talking about 'Subham', Samantha had earlier shared in a statement, "This project embodies Tralala's vision of unique, thought-provoking cinema that leaves you wanting more and hopefully over time will help audiences identify and highlight content coming out of our Tralala banner. I'm really excited about Shubham, and I can't wait for audiences to see all our hard work take shape." -- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed Chennai, April 2 : After facing intense backlash from Right-wing groups and strong criticism in the RSS mouthpiece Organiser, Malayalam superstar Mohanlal's latest film L2: Empuraan has undergone significant re-editing, with 24 cuts made before further screenings. Now, MDMK General Secretary and Rajya Sabha MP, Vaiko has demanded a complete ban on the film in Tamil Nadu. In a statement issued on Tuesday, Vaiko alleged that the movie portrays the Mullaperiyar Dam as unsafe and promotes fear among the people of Kerala. He pointed to a specific reference in the film to a dam in "Nedumpally," accompanied by a controversial dialogue suggesting its demolition. The dialogue implies that the Travancore king was forced by the British to lease land for 999 years, and despite the British and the monarchy no longer being present, the dam still exists, posing a threat to Kerala. Vaiko further highlighted a dialogue in the film advocating for the bombing of the dam, stating, "If we bomb the dam, which drowns people even when just two shutters are opened, the entire state of Kerala will be destroyed." The MDMK leader also criticised the film for undermining the safety of check dams, quoting another line from the film: "It is safe only if there is no dam." Calling for the removal of all such controversial scenes and dialogues, Vaiko accused the film-makers of having vested interests in instilling fear among the public. He also cited the Supreme Court-appointed expert committee that has affirmed the dam's safety. It is worth noting that the film-makers had already made 24 voluntary cuts totaling 2.08 minutes after the film faced sustained criticism post its release on March 27, 2025. The re-edited version, certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), is expected to be screened in most Indian theatres starting Wednesday, April 2. Among the notable changes, the name of the antagonist Balraj originally Baba Bajrangi, seemingly referencing Bajrang Dal leader Babu Bajrangi, convicted for the 2002 Naroda Patiya massacre has been changed to Baldev. A display card originally stating 'India 2002' has been altered to "a few years ago." Several riot-related visuals, including those showing vehicles near religious structures, violence against women, and dead bodies, have been removed. A key conversation between a young Zayed Masood (played by director Prithviraj Sukumaran) and his father during the riots has also been cut. Additionally, references to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), depicted in the film as being misused by the ruling party to target political opponents, have either been muted or removed. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Chennai, April 2 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has requested an urgent meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to voice concerns over the proposed delimitation exercise. He has sought to meet the Prime Minister, along with Members of Parliament from various political parties across the state. In a post on the social media platform X on Wednesday, CM Stalin said: "Hon'ble PM Thiru @NarendraModi, I have requested a meeting with you, alongside MPs from various parties, to present our memorandum on the concerns surrounding the proposed delimitation. This follows resolutions from the #JointActionCommittee meeting for #FairDelimitation in Chennai. As previously mentioned, we urgently seek your time to convey our united stance on this critical issue for our people. Awaiting your earliest response." The Chief Minister had earlier written to the Prime Minister on March 27, seeking an appointment. In his letter, CM Stalin stated that he wished to meet the Prime Minister along with select MPs from different political affiliations to submit a formal memorandum reflecting the concerns raised during recent deliberations. He noted that Chennai hosted the inaugural Joint Action Committee (JAC) meeting on 'Fair Delimitation' on March 22 -- a landmark event attended by some Chief Ministers, Deputy Chief Ministers, and leading political figures from across India. "The voices emerging from our deliberations transcend political boundaries, embodying the concerns of citizens from diverse regions who seek fair representation in our parliamentary democracy," CM Stalin wrote in the letter. Highlighting the significance of the issue, he added, "As this issue holds significant importance to our states and citizens, I kindly request a meeting with you to formally submit the Memorandum on behalf of the Joint Action Committee." It may be recalled that the March 22 JAC meeting concluded with a resolution lauding Chief Minister Stalin for his leadership in initiating a fair and transparent delimitation process aimed at safeguarding the political and economic interests of well-performing states. The resolution also voiced serious concern over the perceived lack of transparency and stakeholder consultation in the proposed delimitation process planned by the Union Government. Emphasising the democratic nature of such an exercise, the JAC underlined the need for inclusive dialogue involving state governments, political parties, and civil society. It stressed that only a transparent and participatory approach would ensure a fair outcome. Another key concern raised was the potential penalization of states that have successfully implemented population control measures. The JAC argued that such states should not suffer reduced representation in Parliament as a result of their success in population management. To safeguard these interests, the resolution called on the Union government to initiate appropriate constitutional amendments that ensure equity in representation without discouraging effective governance practices. New York, April 2 : Attorney-General Pam Bondi is seeking the death penalty for Luigi Mangione, who is charged with killing a health insurance CEO, but has emerged as a sort of folk hero in some circles. Calling the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson "a premeditated, cold-blooded assassination that shocked America", Bondi said, "I have directed federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty in this case". She said it was in keeping with "President Trump's agenda to stop violent crime and Make America Safe Again". Bondi described the killing as "an act of political violence". Mangione allegedly shot dead Thompson in front of a hotel in the middle of New York in December, driven by opposition to what he considered the way health insurance companies treat their clients. He is facing murder charges in a federal court, rather than in a New York court because federal prosecutors say he crossed state borders to carry out the crime. If he had been charged in a New York state court, he would not face the death penalty as the state has abolished it. In a break from the state party line, New York's Democrat Mayor Eric Adams said he respected the decision by federal officials to call for the death penalty, saying, "It was a horrific act". In a manifesto about the attack, Mangione wrote that healthcare insurance companies have become too powerful and he was the first to face it with "brutal honesty". "Frankly, these parasites simply had it coming. A reminder: The US has the #1 most expensive healthcare system in the world, yet we rank roughly #42 in life expectancy". The companies "have simply gotten too powerful, and they continue to abuse our country for immense profit", he said. These statements by the Ivy League-educated computer geek touched a well of grievances among people who have had problems with healthcare insurance companies. People have been turning up outside courtrooms in a show of support for him. A legislation dubbed the "Luigi Mangione Access to Health Care Act" seeking to limit the power of insurance companies to deny payments has been proposed for a referendum in California where laws can be enacted through popular vote. A fund for his legal defence raised $722,000 by the end of last month. A note that was slipped into a pair of socks sent to him with clothes to wear in the courtroom said, "Know there are thousands of people wishing you luck", a breach of regulations, according to court officials. When he turned up in court for a hearing in February, he wore a green sweater. Outside, his supporters wore green, either by coincidence or by prior arrangement, and prosecutor Joel Seidemann pointed out that his supporters were also wearing green. Mumbai, April 2 : Actor Ishaan Khatter has shared his admiration for the Northeast, referring to it as the "untouched beauty" of the country. The actor expressed his awe for the region's natural landscapes, rich culture, and serene environment. Khatter, who has spent time exploring various parts of the Northeast, emphasized how its raw beauty and unspoiled charm make it one of India's most remarkable yet often overlooked areas. Ishaan told IANS, "I actually went to Assam for the very first time. And unfortunately, didn't get to spend too much time there. And it's definitely on the agenda. It's something I really want to do. I want to go to Meghalaya." "I want to travel in Assam a lot more and the Northeast in general. Let me just add to that answer. I really enjoyed my time in the Northeast. I think it's like one of the untouched beauties of our country," added Ishaan at the Magnum lounge at the Lakme Fashion Week. The 'Dhadak' actor also reminisced about one of the best summer bike trips he had with his brother, Shahid Kapoor. When asked about his summer holiday memories with his brother, Ishaan responded, "I didn't really get to enjoy many summer holidays as a family when I was younger." However, he did share some cherished memories of their riding trips. "But some of the best trips that we have done have been the riding trips when I was a little older, bike riding trips and one of them was in a summery hot Italian landscape. That is my favorite memory," Ishaan mentioned. Interestingly, Ishaan Khatter strutted down the ramp at Lakme Fashion Week 2025, flaunting the Myrah collection by Saaksha & Kinni. However, he took everyone by surprise when he removed his shirt, flaunting his toned physique and six-pack abs. Later, Ishaan even tossed his shirt aside and started dancing to the music. Speaking about his ramp walk, the 'Pippa' actor said, "I try to have fun with it and it was a fun concept. I think it was a really good show, and I was really happy to be the only guy amongst these beautiful women who were killing it on stage." -- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed Chennai, April 2 : The 24th Party Congress of the CPI(M) commenced on Wednesday in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, with senior leader Biman Bose hoisting the party flag at the historic Tamukkam Ground. The city has been transformed with red flags and festive decorations, reflecting the celebratory mood of the CPI(M) cadre. Madurai holds a unique place in the party's history -- it hosted the 3rd Congress of the united Communist Party of India in 1953 and later the 9th Congress of the CPI(M) in 1972. With the 24th edition now underway, Madurai becomes the only city in India to host the CPI(M) Party Congress three times. The party's Congress will be formally inaugurated by CPI(M) Politburo Coordinator Prakash Karat, with former Tripura Chief Minister and Politburo member Manik Sarkar presiding over the session. Leaders from allied left parties, including CPI General Secretary D. Raja, CPI(ML) General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya, RSP General Secretary Manoj Bhattacharya, and Forward Bloc General Secretary G. Devarajan, will also address the party elected representatives. One of the highlights of the Congress will be a seminar on "Federalism is India's Strength", co-hosted on Wednesday by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. The Party Congress will continue until April 6 and will witness significant leadership changes. Seven Politburo members -- Prakash Karat, Brinda Karat, Subhashini Ali, B.V. Raghavulu, Manik Sarkar, and G. Ramakrishnan -- will step down due to the party's age cap of 75. Interestingly, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who is 79, will continue in the Politburo after receiving an exemption -- as he had during the previous Congress. A new General Secretary will be elected during the session. Sources within the CPI(M) indicate that senior leader M.A. Baby from Kerala and Ashok Dhawale from Maharashtra are the frontrunners for the post. The Congress is being attended by 881 delegates, including 80 observers, with Kerala contributing the largest group of 175 members. Adding a cultural flavour to the event, special invitees include actors Vijay Sethupathi, Samuthirakani, and Prakash Raj, as well as acclaimed filmmakers Vetrimaran and Mari Selvaraj. Artists from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Telangana will also perform during the Congress. For the first time in the history of the CPI(M) Party Congress, a real-time translation system has been introduced to bridge language barriers among delegates from various states. Key reports, including the credential report, will be presented digitally, and delegates have been advised to carry Android devices for smooth access. In Tamil Nadu, the CPI(M) has two Members of Parliament and two Members of the Legislative Assembly functioning in alliance with the ruling DMK. Mumbai, April 2 : Actor Jay Soni has expressed his excitement about becoming Gujarat's first digital jockey, marking a significant milestone in his career. In a recent statement, Soni shared his enthusiasm about the new role, saying he is thrilled to return to his roots and connect with his audience in a fresh and innovative way. Expressing his excitement, Jay Soni shared, "Gujarat holds a special place in my heart, and I'm thrilled to share its vibrant energy and spirit with a wider audience." "This is my first stint partnering with a radio platform, and I am happy that it's with BIG FM, as I get to take stories beyond the mic, onto screens, streams, and straight into people's daily lives. As a digital jockey, I am excited to go back to my roots and bring to the forefront local stories, delving into the state's rich heritage while redefining how people experience content," he added. As BIG FM's first digital jockey, Jay will share the untold stories of Gujarat with a wide audience. From exploring the state's rich cultural and historical legacy to delving into its heritage, the actor will cover every aspect of Gujarat's vibrant identity. Meanwhile, Jay Soni is known for his work in Hindi television. He rose to prominence with his role in the show "Sasural Genda Phool" alongside Ragini Khanna. The popular family drama also featured Supriya Pilgaonkar. Soni was also a contestant on reality shows like "Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 5" and "Nach Baliye 7." He made his digital debut with Vikram Bhatt's web series "Twisted 3." Jay has also appeared in popular shows like "Baa Bahoo Aur Baby," "Dharti Ka Veer Yodha Prithviraj Chauhan," "Santoshi Maa," "Kuch Rang Pyar Ke Aise Bhi," "Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai." He was last seen in the Star Plus show "Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai," where he played a cameo role of Abhinav Sharma. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Gangtok, April 2 : Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang held a meeting with acclaimed Bollywood film-maker Anurag Basu and actors Kartik Aaryan and Sreeleela at his official residence here, officials said on Wednesday. The film crew has been in Sikkim for a week, shooting their upcoming movie at various picturesque locations across the state. During the meeting, the Chief Minister extended his best wishes to the team and presented them with traditional gifts as a token of appreciation for choosing Sikkim as a filming destination. He also assured them of the state governmentas continued support for the smooth execution of their project. Expressing gratitude on behalf of his team, Basu thanked the Chief Minister for his encouragement and acknowledged the cooperation extended by the state government. He appreciated the seamless coordination that allowed the film crew to work efficiently at different locations. Actor Kartik Aaryan, who has been shooting in Gangtok and surrounding areas, was particularly impressed by the enthusiasm of Bollywood fans in Sikkim. He highlighted the overwhelming love and support they received from the people, especially during outdoor shoots. Kartik also extended a special thanks to the Sikkim Police for ensuring the security of the team, which enabled them to complete their work smoothly. Meanwhile, actress Sreeleela was captivated by Sikkimas breathtaking landscapes, rich culture, and vibrant traditions. Sharing her excitement, she described how mesmerised she was by the stateas natural beauty, making her first visit to Sikkim truly memorable. The film crew has been shooting at some of Sikkimas most iconic locations, including MG Marg and Tsomgo Lake. Their project is expected to showcase the stateas stunning scenery, unique culture, and traditional architecture, further promoting Sikkim as a prime destination for film-making. Although no official announcement has been made, there is speculation that Basuas film might be titled aTu Meri Zindagi Haia. Photo: https://eurosolidarity.org/novyny/ Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk blocked the international trip of the MP, leader of the European Solidarity party Petro Poroshenko, to Florida (the USA), where he was supposed to speak at the annual international security conference "Challenges in the Global Political Landscape - How to Strengthen Democracy," the political force claims. "Every year, this event brings together representatives of center-right political forces - members of the International Democracy Union (IDU) - to discuss and coordinate approaches to developing transatlantic unity and cooperation. Since the ruling Republican Party of the United States is among the founders of the IDU, a series of meetings between Petro Poroshenko and representatives of US President Donald Trump's team were planned during the conference at Mar-a-Lago to discuss effective strategies for ending the war, deterring and countering Russian aggression, as well as ways to strengthen the political, democratic, economic and military stability of Ukraine," the European Solidarity website reports. The party regards this as a violation of the principles of multi-party pluralism, opposition rights, blocking parliamentary diplomacy and undermining democratic institutions in Ukraine. As reported, the European Solidarity initiated the Verkhovna Rada's appeal to the US Congress regarding a new resolution on bipartisan support for Ukraine in these conditions as a strategic partner. "Such a resolution should contain guarantees regarding new packages of military and financial assistance and the extension of sanctions against Russia. The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada assured that he has a special relationship with Mike Johnson, calling them a 'speaker's coalition.' Therefore, it is time to use all this. As well as other forms of parliamentary diplomacy for guarantees of support," Poroshenko stated earlier. Los Angeles, April 2 : Hollywood star Val Kilmer, who has essayed many iconic characters like Bruce Wayne in 'Batman Forever', Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone's 'The Doors' and starred as a tubercular Doc Holliday in 'Tombstone', has passed away in Los Angeles. His daughter Mercedes shared that the cause was pneumonia, reports 'Variety'. He was 65. He had been battling throat cancer for several years. Kilmer's representatives did not immediately respond to the request for comment. As per 'Variety', the baby-faced blonde actor had a solid run as a leading man with a volatile reputation in the '80s and '90s, starring in 'Top Gun', 'Real Genius', 'Willow', 'Heat', and 'The Saint'. He returned briefly to screens in 2022's 'Top Gun: Maverick' although he could no longer speak due to his cancer. The cause of his demise was told by Mercedes to 'The New York Times'. In 2021, a documentary on his life, 'Val', was released. His son provided the actor's voice and the film utilized hundreds of hours of video he had recorded over the years, giving a revealing look at the sets he worked on and showing the actor to be an introspective thinker with an artist's soul. Kilmer took over from Michael Keaton for Joel Schumacher's 1995 'Batman Forever', receiving mixed reviews for his take on the Dark Knight. He was replaced by George Clooney for 1997's 'Batman & Robin', a notorious flop that nearly killed the franchise. The New York Times said of 'Batman Forever', "The prime costume is now worn by Val Kilmer, who makes a good Batman but not a better one than Michael Keaton". After reportedly turning down a role in Francis Ford Coppola's 'The Outsiders', Kilmer broke out with a starring role in 1984 spy spoof 'Top Secret', in which he played a rock star and sang his own songs. Following his turn as a brainy college student in the 1985 sci-fi comedy, 'Real Genius', he became a major star, appearing opposite Tom Cruise in the worldwide hit 'Top Gun'. New Delhi, April 2 : Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) National Spokesperson, Vinod Bansal on Wednesday alleged that certain "fundamentalist" Muslim leaders in the country were misleading the public for their own political gains by opposing the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. He claimed that they were opposing not just the Bill but India's democracy itself. Bansal's remarks came after Jagdambika Pal, Chairman of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf Bill, announced that the Bill would be passed in Parliament on Wednesday and would benefit Muslims across the nation. However, he said that the Opposition continues to mislead the public without even reviewing the proposal. "There is some fundamentalist Muslim leadership in the country that wants to serve its own political ends by inciting, misleading, and spreading lies among Muslims. The fact on record is, how can you oppose a Bill that has not even been introduced in Parliament yet? Let it be tabled first, then decide whether it is good or bad. No one even knows what is in the Bill, yet they are opposing it," Bansal told IANS. "They are opposing not just the Bill but India, Parliament, parliamentary tradition, and Indian democracy. I want to say that under the healthy traditions of our Parliament, anyone has the freedom to express their views. You can oppose, you can support, you can agree or disagree, but at least let the matter come up before forming an opinion," he added. Expressing surprise over the way protests are being conducted, Bansal said, "I was very surprised when they made 'namaz' an agenda to oppose the Bill. They are invoking Allah, coming out of mosques wearing black bands, trying to create unrest. Why? How long will this continue? This is not right. Our democracy provides several platforms for protest." "Debate it in Parliament, protest outside it; there is no problem with democratic means of opposition. But protests should be peaceful. Creating disturbances and damaging property will not be tolerated," he further said. Taking a dig at AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi without naming him, Bansal said, "The big brother from Hyderabad; I have heard he has a barrister degree from England, but he never takes these issues to the High Court or Supreme Court. If he feels so strongly, the legal path is open. But is it right to incite Muslims and provoke them to pelt stones under the guise of a 'Muslim war'?" He claimed that those opposing the Bill were doing so because they fear losing the power and "illegal benefits" they have enjoyed so far. Bansal further asserted that the Bill would ensure that Waqf properties are utilised for their rightful beneficiaries. "I feel that this Bill today will mark the Independence Day of the country's properties. It seems that today, parliamentary independence is being reinforced, and large properties will finally be allocated to those who truly deserve them. Those who have occupied Waqf Board properties illegally will now have to return them," he said. He urged Muslim women to support the Bill, stating that it would ultimately benefit them. Highlighting the Waqf Board's extensive holdings, Bansal said, "There are many provisions in this Bill that are aimed at securing Waqf properties and ensuring their proper use. The Waqf Board has held vast properties for decades. In terms of land ownership, after the Indian Railways and the Army, it ranks among the top three entities. But did these properties ever benefit the common Muslim? No, because a few fundamentalist leaders have taken control of them. That control is about to end." Slamming the Opposition for its stance, Bansal stated, "This is not just appeasement politics; I call it 'jihadist' politics. Yesterday, in Mumbai, I saw some Muslim ulemas holding a meeting, where they issued threats to politicians and parties saying 'if you support this Bill, we will do this or that.' Such threats are no longer going to work." Kolkata, April 2 : After eight people died in a blast at an illegal firecracker factory at Patharpratima in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district, the role of the local panchayat has come under the scanner of investigating officials. The blast took place on Monday night. District administration sources said that it had been revealed that the Banik family, at whose residence the illegal firecracker was being run, had secured an ordinary trade license from the local panchayat, which did not come with the permission to run a firecracker manufacturing unit. Now, questions are being raised about how even that ordinary trade license was granted by the local panchayat, especially in the backdrop of criminal antecedents of one of the two arrested accused in connection with the blast, Chandrakanta Banik. As per police records, Banik was arrested in 2022 for his involvement in the trading of illegal firecrackers and at that time, around 67 kilograms of illegal firecrackers were recovered from his possession. Now, questions are being raised as to whether the local rural civic body granted that trade licence without background verification of the license application from the local police. At the same time, questions are also being raised on how the local police did not have the knowledge that an illegal firecracker factory was being run at the residence by virtue of that ordinary trade licence that did not carry permission to run a firecracker manufacturing unit. Local people have already claimed that the cops had ignored repeated alerts of a possible mishap because of the illegal firecracker factory being run from the Banik residence. Tushar Banik, the brother of Chandrakanta Banik, the joint owner of the residence where the illegal firecracker factory was being run, is still absconding. Police have registered a case against the Banik brothers under Section 287 (negligent conduct concerning fire or combustible matter endangering human life or causing harm), Section 288 (negligent conduct concerning explosive substances potentially endangering human life or causing injury), Section 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), Section 110 (attempt to commit culpable homicide), Section 125 9 endangering human lives) and Section 61 (criminal conspiracy) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Additionally, they have been booked under Sections 24 and 25 of the West Bengal Fire Services Act, 1950. The last two sections are related to running of firecracker manufacturing business without a proper licence for the same. Ajmer, April 2 : Syed Naseruddin Chishty, Chairman of the All India Sufi Sajjadanashin Council, on Wednesday dismissed claims by some Muslim organisations that religious properties would be taken away once the Waqf (Amendment) Bill gets cleared from the House. He urged people not to believe such statements, stating that the bill only seeks to introduce stricter regulations to prevent the misuse of Waqf properties. He claimed that those benefiting illegally from Waqf assets are the ones spreading these false claims, as the new amendments would put an end to their interests. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill is set to be tabled in Parliament on Wednesday. Reacting to this, Syed Naseruddin Chishty told IANS, "This has been awaited for a long time, and now the moment has arrived. Around 12 o'clock, the Waqf (Amendment) Bill will be presented in Parliament. I hope there will be a meaningful discussion, leading to the passage of a well-structured bill that will address the shortcomings of the existing Waqf Act." Commenting on organisations opposing the bill, he said, "Everyone has the right to protest in a democracy. However, since the common citizens of the country might not have been able to fully understand the bill, they have accepted whatever their leaders are telling them." "I believe that one might oppose or support certain sections of a bill, but to claim that mosques or other religious properties will be taken away is completely false. I do not support such misinformation and only trust what the government has stated. Others should also rely on official statements rather than baseless rumours," he further said. He further emphasised that the bill's stricter provisions are intended for the welfare of poor Muslims. "If the laws are strict, some people get offended. This bill will implement stringent measures in favour of underprivileged Muslims. The primary purpose of Waqf has always been to ensure that its properties are used for religious and charitable purposes. Unfortunately, that has not been happening till now. Hopefully, with this new law, people will truly benefit," he said. Chennai, April 2 : The makers of director Deeno Dennis's action extravaganza 'Bazooka', featuring Malayalam superstar Mammootty in the lead, on Wednesday disclosed that actor Shine Tom Chacko plays a character called Franco Salvatore in the action entertainer. Taking to their social media pages, Yoodlee Films, the production house producing the film, wrote, "Shine Tom Chacko as Franco Salvatore. Eight Days to go for #Bazooka. In Cinemas Worldwide from April 10." The production house also released a picture of the actor's look in the film. The film, which has huge expectations riding on it, is scheduled to hit screens on April 10 this year. A trailer of the film released by the production house earlier this year begins with Mammootty describing Gautham Menon's character in the film. Gautham Menon plays a character called Benjamin Joshua in the film. We learn Benjamin, who is the ACP of Cochin city, is one tough cop, who can get to the hideouts of even some of the most hardened criminals. He has a team that is well trained and that moves in tandem with him. The trailer also has a portion that has Gautham Menon describing Mammootty's character in the film. We hear Gautham say, "He is Mr Nobody but definitely a somebody. Classy, sleek. If you ask me if whether he is a troublemaker. I don't think so because that is too simple a word to describe him." The trailer also explains what the film will be all about. "This is a game. In this game of good vs evil, the ultimate goal is salvation," a voice over says. Eventually, the trailer gives away the fact that Gautham Menon and Mammootty are not enemies and that they join forces to take on a formidable enemy of Benjamin The film is eagerly awaited for a number of reasons. One of them is the fact that ace director Gautham Vasudev Menon, who directed Mammootty's previous film, Dominic and the Ladies purse, is acting alongside the Malayalam superstar. The gangster drama has been produced by Vikram Mehra, Sidharth Anand Kumar, Dolwin Kuriakose, Jinu V Abhraham and co produced by Sahil S Sharma. The film has music by Midhun Mukundan and cinematography by Nimish Ravi. Nishadh Yusuf has handled the editing of the film, which has its stunts choreographed by Mahesh Mathew, Vicky , PC Stunts and Mafia Sasi. --IANS Mkr/ -- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed Los Angeles, April 2 : If it's said that Hollywood star Brad Pitt and legendary filmmaker David Fincher are reuniting, will it be a violation of the first rule? Los Angeles, April 2 (IANS) If itas said that Hollywood star Brad Pitt and legendary filmmaker David Fincher are reuniting, will it be a violation of the first rule? David Fincher, Brad Pitt team up for aOnce Upon a Time in Hollywooda sequel Los Angeles, April 2 (IANS) If itas said that Hollywood star Brad Pitt and legendary filmmaker David Fincher are reuniting, will it be a violation of the first rule? David Fincher is directing a sequel to aOnce Upon a Time in Hollywooda, with Quentin Tarantino writing the follow-up to his Oscar-winning epic, reports aVarietya. The project does not have an official title as yet, and is being set up at Netflix, where Fincher has a first-look deal. Brad Pitt will reprise his role as stuntman and potential wife-killer Cliff Booth. As per aVarietya, itas an especially unique production, not only because a high-profile director is helming a sequel to another high-profile directoras film, but also because of the propertyas shift from a theatrical studio to a streamer. (The shift is especially pertinent as news of the project emerged during the movie theater industryas annual weeklong gathering at CinemaCon in Las Vegas). aOnce Upon a Time in Hollywooda was released by Sony Pictures in 2019, but Tarantino negotiated a deal that would return him ownership of the filmas underlying copyright after a number of years. Since this follow-up is being set up under Fincheras first-look deal at Netflix, that likely indicates that sequel rights may already be privately retained by Tarantino. The project comes together after Tarantino scrapped plans for what wouldave been his 10th (and allegedly final) feature, aThe Movie Critica. A script had been written and Brad Pitt had been cast in the lead role. The story was said to take place in the a70s and follow a film critic who wrote for an adult magazine. It had been rumored that Brad Pitt would be playing some version of his aOnce Upon a Timea character Cliff Booth, who in Tarantinoas novelization of his own feature was revealed to be quite the movie buff. Mumbai, April 2 : Amid rising cyber crimes and digital frauds, the Fadnavis government has taken a crucial decision to establish the Maharashtra Cyber Crime Security Corporation under the Companies Act, 2013. The Corporation will be controlled by the state government and will comprise 11 members headed by the additional chief secretary of the state home department. The state government released a notification on Tuesday. "The establishment of the Corporation will create a strong infrastructure in the cyber sector in the state and enable the state government to ensure cyber security of its administrative departments and the public. The state government has already launched the Maharashtra Cyber Security Project, which is a state-of-the-art technology, skilled manpower and infrastructure project, focusing on the vulnerable groups, especially women, children and senior citizens. The project will become a focal point for cyber security and cyber crime control in the state. Other states and foreign countries are being asked to provide guidance and services in a commercial format for implementing the project. In the wake of these developments, it is proposed to set up a Maharashtra Cyber Crime Security Corporation (MCCSC) under the jurisdiction of the Home Department," reads the notification. The government said that while there has been a substantial rise in digital transactions and Unified Payments Interface transactions in the country, there has also been an increase in cybercrimes like digital arrest scams, cryptocurrency-related scams and fake investment schemes. Advanced technologies like deepfakes and artificial intelligence (AI) are being used to deceive common citizens. Also, threats to upload fake pornographic videos on social media, financial extortion by pretending to be police/judges are also increasing. Cybercrime has emerged as the world's largest organised crime. Cybercrime has become a global industry, with a global value of $6 trillion. Cybercrime has transformed into cyber terrorism, ransomware attacks and data breaches, posing a serious threat to national security. Against this backdrop, the Corporation will undertake various cyber security and related projects for government, public and private enterprises in India and abroad and provide cyber security/cyber technology consultancy services to them as per their demand. Also, it will organise training as per requirement and establish a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) accordingly," said the notification. The Corporation will provide cyber security services, cyber security audit and compliance, forensic audit, risk assessment, vulnerability assessment, penetration testing, Security Operation Center (SOC) services, software and application testing, disaster recovery, cyber threat management and incident response, training and other cyber security related advisory services with the approval of the state government to the government and non-government departments of the state, country and abroad. Further, the Corporation will launch a statewide awareness campaign through various media like workplace, social, electronic, text and digital media to create cyber security awareness among its citizens and will coordinate with banks, mobile companies and financial institutions. It will develop research and technology as well as install equipment, tools and systems to better predict, respond to and mitigate the consequences of cyber attacks. The Cyber Crime Department of the state government will collaborate with law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders to ensure that cyber criminals, hackers and other criminals are prosecuted. The Corporation will collaborate with industry, international agencies and government institutions to develop cyber-secure businesses. It will cooperate with law enforcement agencies on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) issues, online piracy, trademark infringement and counterfeiting to protect digital assets and businesses. Moreover, the Corporation will enter into strategic partnerships with the public and private sectors to establish infrastructure facilities such as cybersecurity training and development laboratories, and it may seek assistance from the public and private sectors under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to promote cybersecurity and awareness. (Sanjay Jog can be contacted at sanjay.j@ians.in) Bengaluru, April 2 : The Karnataka BJP staged a protest on Wednesday at the Vidhana Soudha premises against the state government's decision to suspend 18 of its MLAs for six months. The party also demanded an immediate revocation of the suspension. The protest in front of former Chief Minister late Kengal Hanumanthaiah's statue saw the participation of several key BJP leaders, including Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly R. Ashoka, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, BJP state President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra, along with several MLAs and MLCs. The leaders strongly criticised Speaker U.T. Khader for his decision to suspend the MLAs. On March 21, in a major development, 18 BJP MLAs were suspended for six months from the Karnataka Legislative Assembly with immediate effect, on charges of showing disrespect to the Speaker's Chair and throwing torn copies of a Bill at him. Speaking to the media on Wednesday, R. Ashoka stated, "Karnataka Speaker U.T. Khader has illegally suspended 18 BJP MLAs. To protest against this injustice, we are staging this demonstration. We are elected representatives, not nominated members. They have no right to suspend us. We were protesting in the Assembly for justice, opposing the 4 per cent Muslim quota." Ashoka strongly criticised Speaker U.T. Khader's actions, citing past incidents where violence and misconduct occurred in the Assembly. Ashoka stated, "In the past, former Speaker Yogish Bhat from Mangaluru was dragged and hit with a microphone. Former Deputy Speaker Dharme Gowda was humiliated and dragged, which led him to take his own life. CM Siddaramaiah himself once snatched a police commissioner's badge. He even kicked the Assembly door. We will continue our rightful protest and also meet the Governor regarding this issue." Addressing the suspension of 18 BJP MLAs, Ashoka questioned, "You have suspended our 18 legislators. Meanwhile, when the Assembly was not in session, the Speaker sat in the Speaker's chair and posed for photographs with his relatives and religious leaders. Is this justified? Is this democracy? Who gave him such authority?" He also accused the Speaker of manipulating the proceedings regarding the 4 per cent Muslim reservation Bill. "The position of the Speaker is not based on religion, caste, or party affiliation. However, Speaker Khader's conduct has been questionable," Ashoka criticized. Commenting on the recent price hikes on commodities and services, Ashoka pointed out that he had warned earlier during the budget session about the Congress-led government's plan to increase prices throughout the year. "Within a month, they have started hiking fuel prices and other essential commodities. Soon, they will raise stamp duty and impose a garbage cess," he added. B.Y. Vijayendra stated, "I have been informed that Speaker U.T. Khader is travelling. We will submit a memorandum to a senior official at his office in Vidhana Soudha. The issue is very clear. The Speaker's decision to suspend 18 BJP MLAs, who were peacefully protesting on the floor of the House, is unjust. The six-month suspension, which also restricts them from attending committee meetings, is an unprecedented and unacceptable move." "What nonsense is this?" Vijayendra questioned. "We respect the Speaker, but he should not take an unconstitutional stand. He should not act as an agent of the Congress party. We demand that he revoke the suspension of all 18 BJP MLAs unconditionally," he urged. He further stated that until the suspension is lifted, BJP MLAs and MLCs will boycott committee meetings. Speaker U.T. Khader is acting as a puppet of the ruling party and making unconstitutional decisions to please the Chief Minister. "The Speaker had previously stated that the suspension would be revoked. What is he waiting for now?" Vijayendra questioned. Criticising the state government, Vijayendra said, "The arrogance of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is evident. I am using the word 'arrogance' because, while the BJP has taken to the streets to protest against price hikes, last night (Tuesday), the Siddaramaiah-led government decided to increase diesel prices by Rs 2. This clearly shows their disregard for the people." "The government assumes that because they have announced their 'guarantees,' people are happy. I challenge the Chief Minister and his ministers to step out of their offices in Bengaluru and tour the state. Only then will they understand the hardships faced by ordinary people," Vijayendra said. "I urge Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to have some sympathy for the common man and roll back these price hikes," he demanded. Seoul, April 2 : South Korean Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung said on Wednesday that he expects the Constitutional Court to deliver a "reasonable" verdict on South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment over his short-lived martial law declaration. Lee of the main Opposition Democratic Party made the remark as the court was set to decide whether to remove from office or reinstate Yoon on Friday. "We, along with the people, will wait in anticipation for the Constitutional Court to reach a reasonable conclusion based on the ideals and values of the Constitution, its constitutional duties, the responsibilities entrusted by the people and a sense of historical mission," Lee said during a party meeting held at a protest tent in downtown Seoul. Lee described the court as the "highest and last bastion" of constitutional order, underlining its importance in safeguarding the country's democracy, Yonhap news agency reported. "How could there not be a decisive action to uphold constitutional order against acts that sought to destroy the constitutional system and the Constitution itself, and were actually put into motion?" he said. "I believe that the court will respect the values of the Republic of Korea as a democratic republic and deliver a just ruling." Earlier in the day, the US Embassy in Seoul advised American citizens in South Korea to avoid large crowds or demonstrations ahead of the Constitutional Court's verdict on South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment. The notice came as the top court is set to rule on Yoon's impeachment over his brief imposition of martial law on December 3, Yonhap news agency reported. "In connection with the Constitutional Court's verdict on the impeachment of President Yoon, US citizens should anticipate large-scale demonstrations and an increased police presence," the embassy said in a posting on X. "Avoid areas where demonstrations are taking place, and exercise caution in the vicinity of any large crowds, gatherings, protests, or rallies," it said. The advisory follows a similar notice issued by the Chinese Embassy in Seoul the previous day, in which it called for its citizens to take caution regarding safety and security. The Chinese Embassy warned of "possible extreme incidents" and advised its people to "keep their distance from" and "not participate in, stay near, or watch" political demonstrations near the court and other areas in Seoul. Mumbai, April 2 : In a lighthearted and quirky birthday post, actress Kajol thanked her husband, actor Ajay Devgn, for always "being older" than her. The playful message caught the attention as Kajol humorously celebrated Ajay's special day while expressing her love and gratitude in her unique style. On Wednesday, the 'Dilwale' actress took to her Instagram handle and penned a heartfelt birthday wish for her husband. Sharing the candid photo, Kajol wrote, "All the cool people were born in August, but we don't mind wishing u a happy birthday ;) . thank u for always being older than me." In the image, Kajol is seen smiling as Ajay looks at her. Needless to say, the picture speaks volumes about the strong bond they share. On March 2, the 'Singham' actor turned a year older and celebrated his 56th birthday with his loved ones. Many B-town celebs and Ajay's close friends from the industry took to social media to wish the actor with heartfelt posts. Wishing the actor, Sidharth Malhotra, shared his photo with Ajay and captioned it, "Happy Birthday Sir, here's to an amazing year ahead. Big love and hug!" Sanjay Dutt shared a heartwarming photo featuring him and the 'Golmaal' actor, and for the caption he wrote, "Happy Birthday Raju, Wishing you another year of success and happiness. Keep shining, brother." On the professional front, Ajay Devgn is gearing up for the release of his upcoming film, "Raid 2." The makers recently unveiled the teaser of the film, and it showed Ajay reprising his role as IRS officer Amay Patnaik. This time, he is determined to expose a massive Rs 4,200 crore scam through a bold new raid. The teaser also introduces Riteish Deshmukh as a formidable politician, teasing a high-stakes confrontation between his character and Ajay's Amay Patnaik. "Raid 2" is produced by Bhushan Kumar, Kumar Mangat Pathak, Abhishek Pathak, and Krishan Kumar. The film is presented by Gulshan Kumar and T-Series and is a Panorama Studios production. Directed by Raj Kumar Gupta, the upcoming actioner also stars Vaani Kapoor, Rajat Kapoor, Saurabh Shukla, Supriya Pathak, and Amit Sial, among others. "Raid 2" is set to release theatrically on 1st May 2025. -- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed Ukraine will receive $432 million from the World Bank to restore transport infrastructure, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said. "The relevant agreements within the framework of the DRIVE project were signed today in Kyiv between the Ministry of Development and the World Bank," Shmyhal wrote on the Telegram channel. According to him, the project provides for major repairs of roads and bridges in 19 regions, reform of national highways, installation of modular bridges, as well as technical assistance. "Its implementation will be handled by the State Agency for Restoration and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine," he added. With the Prime Minister's approval, the Delivering Resilient Infrastructure in Vulnerable Environments in Ukraine (DRIVE) project was approved by the World Bank's Board of Directors late last month, and the funding includes $212 million from the IBRD, supported by the Government of Japan, and $10 million from the Ukraine Relief, Recovery, Reconstruction and Reform Trust Fund. Ulan Bator, April 2 : The total number of measles cases in Mongolia has increased to 220, the country's National Center for Communicable Diseases (NCCD) said on Wednesday. The majority of new measles infections were among school-age children who have had only one shot of the measles vaccine, the NCCD said in a statement. The NCCD advised parents to protect their children from a potentially severe disease by getting them two doses of the measles vaccine, Xinhua news agency reported. According to the World Health Organisation, Measles is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus. It spreads easily when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. It can cause severe disease, complications, and even death. Measles can affect anyone but is most common in children. Measles infects the respiratory tract and then spreads throughout the body. Symptoms include a high fever, cough, runny nose and a rash all over the body. Any non-immune person (not vaccinated or vaccinated but did not develop immunity) can become infected. Unvaccinated young children and pregnant women are at highest risk of severe measles complications. Being vaccinated is the best way to prevent getting sick with measles or spreading it to other people. The vaccine is safe and helps your body fight off the virus. Before the introduction of measles vaccine in 1963 and widespread vaccination, major epidemics occurred approximately every two to three years and caused an estimated 2.6 million deaths each year. An estimated 107,500 people died from measles in 2023 a" mostly children under the age of five years, despite the availability of a safe and cost-effective vaccine. Accelerated immunisation activities by countries, WHO, the Measles & Rubella Partnership (formerly the Measles & Rubella Initiative), and other international partners successfully prevented an estimated 60 million deaths between 2000a"2023. Vaccination decreased an estimated measles deaths from 800,062 in 2000 to 107,500 in 2022. Mumbai, April 2 : Filmmaker-producer Raaj Shaandilyaa is set to bankroll an upcoming film 'The Verdict 498A' based on Deeptanshu Shukla's life, an engineer-turned advocate who sacrificed his career to fight against the rampant misuse of Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code. The film also marks the Hindi film debut of Bengali director Anindya Bikas Datta. The makers have officially acquired the life rights of Deeptanshu Shukla. The film will shed light on how false dowry harassment cases have become a tool of legal abuse, leading to broken families, wrongful imprisonments, and tragic suicides. Talking about the film, Raaj Shaandilyaa said, "This is not just Deeptanshu's story, it's the story of thousands of families suffering in silence, crushed by a system that has turned justice into a weapon. We cannot allow innocent lives to be destroyed under the guise of women's protection. True equality demands justice for all. Atul Subhash's tragic end is a heartbreaking reminder that the system is failing the very people it was meant to protect. But giving up is not the answer. This film will inspire those falsely accused to stand their ground, just as Deeptanshu did". He further mentioned, "Life is a gift from God, do not let falsehood steal it from you. Stand up for your family, fight back, and together, we must put an end to the misuse of this law. India is a democratic nation, and now is the time to reform our judicial system to ensure it remains unbiased and does not favor any particular gender. I urge the Government of India to take strict action against those who manipulate the law in the name of justice. My humble appeal to the Honorable Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, our nation urgently needs a Man's Protection Act. Justice must not be selective, it must be fair and equal to all". While Section 498A was introduced to protect women from domestic violence and dowry harassment, its increasing misuse has led to innocent men and their families suffering irreversible damage. The impact isn't limited to the accused groom, it extends to his entire family. Mothers, sisters, daughters, and even elderly women are being implicated in baseless cases, forcing them into prolonged legal battles that disrupts their lives. The tragic cases of Atul Subhash, Manav Sharma, Puneet Khurana, Petaru Gollapalli, and Nishant Tripathi serve as stark reminders that many men choose to end their lives rather than endure the shame and trauma of being falsely accused. Deeptanshu Shukla's journey is one of resilience and defiance. After graduating as an engineer from IIT Kanpur, his life took a drastic turn when he was falsely accused under Section 498A. Instead of surrendering to injustice, false cases, and the influence of powerful political connections, he sought to understand the law to fight back. Later, he studied law to become the voice of innocent men trapped in the legal crossfire. Director Anindya Bikas Datta said, "False accusations don't just ruin the accused, they devastate en re families. A single fabricated case can push a man to the brink of suicide. It's time for society to wake up and demand a fairer system". 'The Verdict 498A' is gearing up to go on floors soon. The film will be produced under Kathavachak Films, Produced by Raaj Shaandilyaa and Vimal Laho. The film will be shot in Hindi and released in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada. Seoul, April 2 : South Korean Police will enforce the highest-level security alert nationwide on Friday, when the Constitutional Court is set to rule on South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment, the nation's top police official said on Wednesday. Lee Ho-young, acting chief of the Korean National Police Agency, issued the order during an online conference with top police officials, saying the police will remain in an emergency response posture until public order and security are stabilised. With the highest-level security alert calling for mobilising 100 per cent of the police force, about 14,000 officers from 210 units will be deployed in Seoul alone to prepare for unexpected situations that may arise from large-scale gatherings following the court's ruling. "It is feared after the court ruling that some of the crowd may stage extreme and violent protests, leading to accidents. Full police powers will be mobilised to prevent serious social conflict," Lee said. Lee also vowed to thoroughly block off the Constitutional Court and surrounding area and deploy sufficient police forces to key national facilities. In a related move, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency said it completed the so-called "vacuum zone" operation toward the Constitutional Court as of 2 p.m. Wednesday by sealing off the area within a 150-metre radius around the court with police buses, Yonhap news agency reported. The vacuum zone, where all gatherings and demonstrations are prohibited and vehicle traffic is controlled, was initially planned to be 100 metres in diametre but has been greatly expanded, the agency explained, adding a total of 200 vehicles were mobilised for the operation. Access to the sidewalk within the vacuum zone is permitted only for ordinary citizens, except protesters, though the sidewalk in front of the court's main gate is completely closed to anyone except court officials and reporters. In preparation for an emergency, special police forces will be on standby within the Constitutional Court premises on sentencing day. Police estimate that about 100,000 supporters and opponents of Yoon are expected to gather in central Seoul on that day. New Delhi, April 2 : Driven by rapid digitisation, rise of fintech and increased government support, the rural lending landscape in India is undergoing a significant transformation, creating new opportunities for structured and efficient lending models and ensuring that credit reaches those who need it most, according to a new report. The government initiatives such as the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) and subsidised loan schemes continue to play a crucial role in supporting farmers and rural entrepreneurs. The government has increased the subsidized KCC loan limit from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh, benefiting approximately 7.7 crore farmers, including fishermen and dairy farmers In the meantime, fintech players are leveraging digital platforms, alternative credit assessment models, and seamless disbursal mechanisms to bridge gaps in traditional lending. According to data from global market intelligence firm 1Lattice, this led to a 78 per cent share of personal loan sanctions by fintech lenders from April to September 2024, primarily driven by small-ticket loans from first-time and underserved borrowers "The expansion of agricultural loan access for small and marginal farmers has seen the share increase from 57 per cent in FY15 to 76 per cent in FY24," according to the report. Additionally, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has raised the limit for collateral-free agriculture loans from Rs 1.6 lakh to Rs 2 lakh, enhancing access to formal credit channels for small and marginal farmers Innovations such as Aadhaar-based eKYC, Unified Lending Interface (ULI), and alternative credit scoring models using utility bill payments and social media behaviour are also streamlining credit access and enabling faster loan approvals for individuals with limited credit histories. "Rural lending in India is at a pivotal moment, with technology and policy support driving unprecedented access to credit for underserved communities. The report underscores the importance of continued innovation and collaboration among stakeholders to build a more inclusive and resilient financial ecosystem," said Amar Choudhary, CEO and Co-Founder of 1Lattice. Jaipur, April 2 : In a major breakthrough, Ratlam police of Madhya Pradesh have arrested Firoz Khan, a fugitive terrorist wanted in connection with the Jaipur serial blast conspiracy. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had earlier announced a Rs 5 lakh reward for information leading to his capture. The arrest was made on the night of April 1 after intelligence indicated that Firoz Khan had returned home to celebrate Eid. A police team led by ASP Rakesh Khaka apprehended him and immediately informed the NIA. The Jaipur serial blast conspiracy came to light on March 30, 2022, when Rajasthan Police arrested three terrorists -- Fakir Mohammed, Altamas Khan, and Sarfuddin alias Sefulla -- in Nimbahera. They were caught transporting 12 kg of RDX, allegedly meant for carrying out a series of explosions in Jaipur. At the time of their arrest, the trio attempted to bribe the police with large sums of money to secure their release. During interrogation, they revealed the names of 11 other conspirators, including Firoz Khan. The group is linked to the sleeper cell network of the banned terrorist outfit Sufa. The NIA has been actively tracking the organization, conducting multiple raids in Ratlam and other locations. On July 19, 2023, the agency arrested two key suspects -- Imran Khan and Mohammad Yunus Saki, from Puneas Kunjro Ka Vas area. Imran Khan is believed to be the mastermind behind the Jaipur blast plot. Other operatives, including Amin Khan alias Amin Phawda, Mohammad Amin Patel, and Mazhar Khan, were previously arrested in joint operations by the police and the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS). The arrest of Firoz Khan is seen as a crucial development in the ongoing crackdown on terrorist sleeper cells linked to the Sufa network. Investigations are continuing to uncover further links and potential threats. Jaipur/Bhopal, April 2 : In a major breakthrough, police in Madhya Pradesh's Ratlam have arrested Firoz Khan, a fugitive terrorist wanted in connection with the Jaipur serial blast conspiracy, officials said. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had announced a Rs 5 lakh reward for information leading to his capture. The arrest was made on the night of April 1 after intelligence indicated that Firoz Khan had returned home to celebrate Eid. A police team led by ASP Rakesh Khaka apprehended him and immediately informed the NIA. The Jaipur serial blast conspiracy came to light on March 30, 2022, when Rajasthan Police arrested three terrorists -- Fakir Mohammed, Altamas Khan, and Sarfuddin alias Sefulla -- in Nimbahera. They were caught transporting 12 kg of RDX, allegedly meant for carrying out a series of explosions in Jaipur. At the time of their arrest, the trio attempted to bribe the police with large sums of money to secure their release. During interrogation, they revealed the names of 11 other conspirators, including Firoz Khan. The group is linked to the sleeper cell network of the banned terrorist outfit Sufa. The NIA has been actively tracking the organisation, conducting multiple raids in Ratlam and other locations. On July 19, 2023, the agency arrested two key suspects, Imran Khan and Mohammad Yunus Saki, from Puneas Kunjro Ka Vas area. Imran Khan is believed to be the mastermind behind the Jaipur blast plot. Other operatives, including Amin Khan alias Amin Phawda, Mohammad Amin Patel, and Mazhar Khan, were previously arrested in joint operations by the police and the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS). The arrest of Firoz Khan is seen as a crucial development in the ongoing crackdown on terrorist sleeper cells linked to the Sufa network. Investigations are continuing to uncover further links and potential threats. Seoul, April 2 : South Korean steelmakers are bracing for US President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs with possible plans to build production facilities in the United States, industry officials and market observers said on Wednesday. Trump has announced a wide range of levies on some of his country's trading partners since taking office in January. On top of 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium imports that kicked off in mid-March, his government is set to roll out country-specific reciprocal tariffs on Wednesday (U.S. time) against "all countries." In response to the steep tariffs, the country's two major steelmakers, POSCO Holdings and Hyundai Steel, have come up with plans to build steel plants in the US, the experts said, reports Yonhap news agency. Hyundai Steel recently announced it will invest $5.8 billion to build an electric arc furnace-based integrated steel mill in Louisiana by 2029, with an aim to start production in the same year. The 2.7 million-ton-a-year plant is expected to supply U.S.-produced steel not only for its affiliates Hyundai Motor and Kia but also for other automakers operating in the world's most important automobile market. "We will supply automotive steel for Hyundai and Kia's U.S.-made strategic vehicles, while also exploring supply deals with carmakers in Latin America and Europe," a Hyundai Steel official said. If built, the Louisiana plant will be the company's first overseas steel production facility. Hyundai Steel's plant project is part of parent Hyundai Motor Group's broader $21 billion investment plan in the US that came in the face of Trump's escalating tariff policies. Local industry leader POSCO said it has been reviewing investment plans for "upstream steel processes" in the U.S. and India. In his recent message to employees, POSCO Group Chairman Chang In-hwa said, "With a sense of crisis that the company will fall behind if it does not do the urgent thing right now, it will have to make an investment in steel mills in fast-growing and highly profitable regions, such as the U.S. and India, for a meaningful outcome." POSCO has yet to make a final decision on the U.S. plant. To ride out current challenges, POSCO will focus more on developing high-value-added products and enhancing its technological capabilities to cut manufacturing costs further to secure an "unrivalled" competitiveness in the global market, Chang has said. In October, POSCO signed an initial pact with India's largest steelmaker, JSW Group, to jointly build a 5 million-ton-a-year integrated steel plant. South Korea was the fourth-largest exporter of steel to the U.S. last year, accounting for 9 per cent, or $2.9 billion, of Washington's steel imports, according to data from the U.S. International Trade Administration (ITA). The country was also the fourth-biggest exporter of aluminium to the U.S., taking up about 4 percent of the U.S.' aluminium imports. New Delhi, April 2 : Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday said the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, proposes to repeal Section 40 of the 1995 Act, as it gives the boards power to decide on a property. Calling the section the most draconian law, Rijiju said this has now been done away with. "It gave the power to Waqf Boards to declare any property as its own. Now, it will no longer be the case," he pointed out. Section 40 allowed the Waqf Board to declare any property as Waqf. Once a property was designated as Waqf, ownership was transferred from the individual to the board, rendering it almost irrevocable. The irrevocability has led to various disputes, including the Bengaluru Eidgah ground, claimed as Waqf property, and the Surat Municipal Corporation building, which is claimed due to its historical use as a 'sarai' during the Mughal era. As Section 40 led to disputes, one could challenge them before a Waqf Tribunal, whose decision was final, and courts could do nothing. This grave anomaly will be removed in the new Act after the amendments get ratified by Parliament. The new amendments in the Bill facilitate appeal in higher courts if the concerned party is not satisfied with the Waqf Tribunal decision. Appeals can be filed in the high court within 90 days, and the district collector will verify the genuineness of registration applications. The Union Minority Affairs Minister, on Wednesday, tabled the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, as proposed by a Joint Parliamentary Committee, in the Lok Sabha for consideration and passage. The Bill seeks to improve the administration of Waqf properties, introduce technology-driven management, address complexities and ensure transparency. After introducing the Waqf Amendment Bill in Lok Sabha, the Parliamentary Affairs Minister raised a series of questions: Since our country has the largest Waqf property in the world, why hasn't it been used for education, building hospitals, skill development, or income generation avenues for poor Muslims? Why has no progress been made in this regard so far?" He said, "...if this government, under the leadership of PM Modi, is working for the betterment of poor Muslims, then why is there an objection?" The minister said that the railway tracks, stations, and infrastructure belong to the nation, not just to Indian Railways... Similarly, defence land, the second-largest landholder, is meant for national security and military training. "How can that be compared to Waqf land? ...A lot of Waqf properties are private properties now," he said. Chennai, April 2 : Actor Suriya has completed dubbing for his portions in director Karthik Subbaraj's explosive action entertainer 'Retro'. On Wednesday, the makers of the film released a small video clip of Suriya making the announcement in a light-hearted way. The clip, shot in the dubbing room, has Suriya saying,"Retro dubbing mudinchiduchu. Cut and Right! (Retro's dubbing is done. Cut and Right!" In no time, the clip went viral on social media. The film, which featuring actors Suriya and Pooja Hegde in the lead, is slated for release on May 1 this year. It may be recalled that Suriya underwent martial arts training in Thailand for the stunt sequences in this film. A few days ago, the makers had disclosed that the unit chose renowned stunt choreographer Kecha, who had worked on the popular martial arts film 'Ong Bak 2' as the stunt director of 'Retro'. "Kecha was destined to be the grandmaster to call the shots for the one. Having worked in films like Ong Bak 2 and Baahubali 2, Kecha is a household name in Thailand. His preparations and patience proved to be a wonder during the shoot. Director Karthik Subbaraj made multiple zoom calls to give enough input to make sure the stunt team understood it all," the production house disclosed. The production house said that stunt choreographer Kecha took up as a challenge, Karthik Subbaraj's demand for different types of fights in the film, with no two fights bearing any similarity whatsoever. The makers also disclosed that Suriya went to Thailand to get trained in certain styles of fighting, adding that Suriya surprised them with his commitment level and hardwork. Apart from Suriya and Pooja Hegde, 'Retro' will feature a host of stars including Malayalam actors Joju George and Jayaram and Tamil actor Karunakaran. Music for the film is by Santhosh Narayanan and cinematography by Shreyaas Krishna. Editing is being handled by Shafique Mohamed Ali and art direction by Jacki, Mayapandi. The film, which will be high on action, will have stunts by Kecha Khamphakdee. New Delhi, April 2 : The Supreme Court on Wednesday transferred, to the Patna High Court, a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking a structural audit of all the recently-completed, under-construction, and old bridges in Bihar. After perusal of the counter-affidavit filed by the Bihar government, a bench headed by CJI Sanjiv Khanna opined that the Patna HC can conduct expeditious and appropriate hearings from time to time. "The registry is directed to transfer the files to the Patna High Court within a period of 4 weeks, parties to appear before the High Court on 14th of May, 2025," the Bench, also comprising Justice Sanjay Kumar, ordered. In July last year, a bench headed by then CJI D.Y. Chandrachud issued notice and sought responses from Bihar's Departments of Road Construction and Rural Works, the Bihar Rajya Pul Nirman Nigam, the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, and the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) in the matter. The PIL sought directions to the Bihar government to establish a permanent body, comprising high-level experts, for continuous monitoring of all the existing and under-construction bridges and maintaining a comprehensive database on the health of all existing bridges. The PIL, filed by advocate Brajesh Singh, said that the instant issue requires an urgent consideration of the apex court, as within the last two years, three major under-construction bridges and several other incidents of bridge collapse happened in Bihar. "Back-to-back collapse of bridges in Bihar clearly indicates that there have been no lessons learnt, and safety of critical infrastructure like bridges is not taken seriously. These routine incidents cannot be termed merely accidents, they are manmade disasters," it said. The plea added that Bihar is the most flood-prone state in India, with the total flood-affected area being 68,800 square km, which is 73.06 per cent of its total geographical area. Hence, such routine accrual of the incident of falling bridges in Bihar is more disastrous and therefore, the urgent intervention of the Supreme Court is required to save the lives of people at large, it said. The PIL sought directions to the Bihar government to make a proper policy or mechanism for real-time monitoring of the bridges constructed and under construction on the same analogy as developed by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. Rutte: Sybiha to inform us about his views on process of achieving just peace NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte says that during the meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council, the allies want to hear the views of his Ukrainian colleague Andriy Sybiha on the process of achieving a just peace for Ukraine He said this on Wednesday in Brussels at a press conference, announcing the meeting of foreign ministers of NATO member states, which will be held on April 3-4 at the organization's headquarters. According to Rutte, when they meet tomorrow evening in the format of the NATO-Ukraine Council, they will hear Minister Andriy Sybiha: he will inform about the current situation in Ukraine, as well as about his views on the process of achieving a just and lasting peace. New Delhi, April 2 : During parliamentary proceedings on Wednesday, Revolutionary Socialist Party's N.K. Premchandan raised a point of order, stating, "As reported by the Joint Parliamentary Committee, we are not deliberating upon the original Bill. My submission pertains to whether the Joint Parliamentary Committee possesses the authority to incorporate new provisions into the Bill." He further asserted that even the Lok Sabha lacks the right to introduce new provisions unless Rule 81 is suspended by the Chair. Premchandan emphasised that while the Joint Parliamentary Committee may recommend amendments, it cannot directly incorporate new provisions. Responding to this, Union Home Minister Amit Shah clarified that the Bill had been tabled in the House upon the Opposition's demand for its referral to the Joint Parliamentary Committee. The committee presented its opinions, which were subsequently reviewed and accepted by the Cabinet. Shah stated that Minister Kiren Rijiju (Union Parliamentary Affairs minister) would now table the Bill in the House. He dismissed the point of order, arguing that if the Joint Parliamentary Committee, formed at the Opposition's request, lacked the authority to provide opinions, its existence would be rendered meaningless. Shah remarked, "Our committees are not akin to those established during the Congress regime, which merely served to rubber-stamp decisions. If changes are not to be accepted, what purpose does a committee serve?" Speaker Om Birla then passed a ruling regarding the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025, referencing the authoritative text (Practice and Procedure of Parliament) by M.N. Kaul and S.L. Shakdhar. He affirmed that the committee holds extensive powers, enabling it not only to amend but also to reformulate the Bill. The committee may even alter the title or provide a concise name for the Bill, provided its essence remains unchanged. The Speaker noted that similar amendments had been made by other committees in the past. The Bill, introduced in Parliament last year amidst Opposition uproar, was referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee chaired by BJP MP Jagadambika Pal for scrutiny. On February 13, the committee submitted its report, which received Cabinet approval on February 19. However, Opposition MPs expressed dissatisfaction, alleging that their proposed amendments had been rejected and their dissent notes redacted from the report without prior notification. The committee reportedly accepted 14 changes proposed by NDA MPs while rejecting all 44 amendments suggested by Opposition members. Key proposed changes include renaming the Act, allowing a non-Muslim to become the Chief Executive Officer of the Waqf board, making a provision for at least two non-Muslim members to be appointed by state governments to their state's Waqf board, giving the District Collector the power to determine if a disputed property is Waqf or belongs to the government, doing away with the concept of "Waqf by user", mandating that every Waqf property be registered on a central database within six months of the law's commencement, and removal of the provision that made the tribunal's decision final. Updating the definition of waqf, streamlining the registration process, and incorporating technology to improve the maintenance of waqf records are also in the amendment Bill. The Waqf Act, 1995, has faced sustained criticism for issues such as mismanagement, corruption, and encroachment of Waqf properties. Waqf, an Arabic term meaning "endowment," refers to personal property donated by Muslims for religious, charitable, or private purposes. Once declared as Waqf, the property's ownership is considered to belong to God, and its character cannot be reversed. The governance of Waqf properties in India has evolved through various legal regimes, culminating in the Waqf Act of 1995. Waqf Boards currently control 8.7 lakh properties covering 9.4 lakh acres, with an estimated value of Rs 1.2 lakh crore. India has the largest waqf holding in the world. The Boards are also the country's biggest landowners after the Armed Forces and Indian Railways. Tel Aviv, April 2 : Israel Defence Minister Israel Katz announced on Wednesday that the military is expanding its operation against Hamas in Gaza. He stated that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) deployed additional divisions to the area after extensive overnight strikes in the southern Gaza Strip, according to media reports. Katz said that troops will move "to clear areas of terrorists and infrastructure, and capture extensive territory that will be added to Israel's security areas." "I wish success to the IDF soldiers who are fighting bravely and powerfully in Gaza for the return of the kidnapped and the defeat of Hamas. The goal of Operation 'Strength and Sword' is, first and foremost, to increase pressure for the release of all the hostages in the face of Hamas' refusal," the minister posted on X. "Expanding the operation this morning will increase the pressure on the Hamas murderers and also on the population in Gaza and advance the achievement of the sacred and important goal for all of us," the post added. The IDF had earlier issued an evacuation warning for the entire Rafah area and a large area of land between Rafah and Khan Younis, where the IDF had previously not operated with ground troops. The announcement on Wednesday followed after Katz last week said that he had approved operational plans for "continuing" the offensive in the Gaza Strip. "I came here today to closely observe the fighting and preparations on the ground ahead of upcoming decisions," Katz said during a visit to the Gaza Division, headquartered at Re'im Camp near the strip. "Our main goal now is to bring all hostages home," Katz said. He warned that if Hamas does not release the remaining hostages, "it will pay increasingly heavy prices in territorial losses and the targeting of militants and terror infrastructure, until complete defeat." Meanwhile, the Israeli Foreign Ministry on Tuesday claimed that Hamas continues to push for war while also refusing to release the hostages. "Hamas continue to push for the renewal of the war, refusing to release our hostages, and refusing to disarm," said Foreign Affairs Minister of Israel Gideon Sa'ar during a media briefing. He added that Hamas ignore the will and the rage of the citizens of Gaza, claiming that their interest is the "end of the war". "But instead of listening to its citizens, Hamas oppressed them brutally. Hamas murdered, after torturing, demonstrators from the Gaza Strip this week," he claimed. Israeli forces resumed strikes in Gaza on March 18, effectively ending a ceasefire agreement with Hamas that started on January 19. "We renewed the offensive because Hamas rejected offers to extend the initial phase of the ceasefire agreement," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had said. New Delhi, April 2 : Amid social media debate on Cyanocobalamin, a synthetic form of Vitamin B12, being toxic for humans, experts on Wednesday deemed Cyanocobalamin safe, and stressed the need to not miss the key vitamin linked to the brain, joints, and skin health. A recent viral post on social media has raised alarm over the use of cyanocobalamin in Vitamin B12 supplements. The post claims that it is harmful due to its breakdown into cyanide -- a toxic substance -- and suggests using Methylcobalam instead. Methylcobalamin is a natural form of vitamin B12 and contains a methyl group. Even as the post went viral, it raised several concerns, especially as consumption of Vitamin B12 is high in India. Cyanocobalamin is a synthetic form of Vitamin B12 and contains a cyanide molecule. As this raises a misconception regarding the safety of the vitamin, the experts noted that the medication is safe for use. "Cyanocobalamin is a stable synthetic precursor of vitamin B12, an essential vitamin. The amount of cyanide produced as a result of the conversion to the active vitamin is so small it presents no threat to humans when taken as directed. It is safely excreted by the body," Dr. Rajeev Jayadevan, Chairman, Scientific Committee, IMA Cochin told IANS. Jayadevan also listed other commonly used foods, in which cyanide is present in minuscule amounts such as tapioca, flaxseed, and apple, which causes no harm to people. On the other hand, the expert noted that the deficiency of Vitamin B12 can cause serious neurological disorders including paralysis. "B12 deficiency is a major reason for brain disease, brain fog, dementia, neuropathy, nerve weakness, forgetfulness and weakness. Its deficiency can lead to painful joints and skin problems," Dr M Wali, Senior Consultant at a city-based hospital. Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, as it contains the mineral cobalt, helps create your DNA and red blood cells. The essential vitamin also helps keep hair, nails, and skin in good health. As the human body doesn't make B12, one must eat foods of animal origin, like meat, fish (salmon, tuna, sardines), eggs, and dairy products (milk, yogurt, cheese), or take supplements to get the required amount of the essential vitamin. Mumbai, April 2 : The Indian stock market bounced back on Wednesday, with both the Sensex and Nifty closing higher, just before the reciprocal tariffs deadline set by US President Donald Trump. The rally was driven by a recovery in banking and IT stocks. Sensex surged by 592.93 points, or 0.78 per cent, to close at 76,617.44. During the session, the index moved between an intra-day high of 76,680.35 and a low of 76,064.94. The Nifty index also mirrored this recovery, rising 166.65 points, or 0.72 per cent, to settle at 23,332.35. It touched an intra-day high of 23,350 and a low of 23,158.45. Out of the 30 Sensex stocks, 21 ended in positive territory. Zomato, Titan, IndusInd Bank, Maruti Suzuki India, and Tech Mahindra were the top performers, gaining up to 4.75 per cent. On the other hand, Ultratech Cement, Nestle India, Bajaj Finance, Power Grid Corporation, and Bajaj Finserv were the biggest losers, declining by up to 1.36 per cent. Midcap and smallcap stocks performed even better than the broader market. The Nifty Midcap100 index jumped 1.61 per cent, while the Nifty Smallcap100 index gained 1.12 per cent. All sectoral indices on the NSE closed in the green. The Nifty Realty index was the biggest gainer, surging 3.61 per cent. It was followed by Consumer Durables, Banks, and Financial Services, which rose by up to 2.51 per cent. The market rally comes at a crucial time as investors await the impact of new trade tariffs from April 2 (US time). "Despite global uncertainties, Indian markets showed resilience, supported by strong buying in key sectors," said market analysts. The sentiments were further reinforced by India's manufacturing PMI for March, which reached an eight-month high, hinting at a recovery in Q4 FY25 corporate earnings. Following a recent correction, the index appears to be finding support around the critical 50 EMA on the daily timeframe," said Rupak De of LKP Securities. Rupee remained flat near 85.47 as markets awaited US reciprocal tariff measures and their potential impact on the global economy. Jammu, April 2 : The Ministry of Defence (MoD) spokesman said on Wednesday that the Pakistan Army intruded into the Indian side and also violated the ceasefire by opening fire along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district. "The violation took place at 1.10 p.m. on Tuesday, and the Indian troops responded with controlled and calibrated retaliation," the spokesman said. The defence spokesman made no mention of any casualties on the Pakistani side of the LoC due to Indian retaliation, but official sources said five enemy soldiers were injured in the explosion and the subsequent firing between the two sides. Lt. Colonel Suneel Bartwal, defence ministry spokesman, said in a statement, "On 01 Apr 2025, a mine blast occurred in Krishna Ghati Sector due to Pakistan Army intrusion across LoC. This was followed by unprovoked firing and ceasefire violation by Pakistan Army. Own troops responded effectively in a controlled and calibrated manner. Situation is under control and being closely monitored." "Indian Army reiterates the importance of upholding the tenets of Director Generals Military Operations (DGsMO) understanding of 2021 to maintain peace along the LoC," he further said. Since the signing of the ceasefire agreement on February 25, 2021, between the two sides, ceasefire violations have been rare, and the local issues have usually been resolved through flag meetings at the Brigade commander's level. The Indian Army and the security forces have been maintaining heightened vigil on the border and the LoC because of the presence of foreign mercenaries in border districts of Poonch, Rajouri, Kathua and at some places in the hinterland of Jammu division. Currently, an extended 'seek and destroy' operation has been going on since March 23, when five Pakistani terrorists were seen in the Kathua district, 4 km inside the International Border. Two of these five terrorists have been gunned down so far by the security forces while efforts are on to trace and eliminate the remaining three terrorists. Four local policemen were killed in the initial gunfight between the police and the hiding terrorists. New Delhi, April 2 : Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Kalyan Banerjee on Wednesday strongly opposed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, calling it a direct violation of the Constitution. He claimed that the bill "hits the basic structure" of the Constitution and encroaches upon the rights of the Muslim community to manage its religious affairs. Speaking in the Lok Sabha during the debate, Banerjee argued that the bill impacts two key areas -- governance of religious aspects of the Waqf Board and granting state governments the power to decide disputes related to Waqf properties, including land and buildings. Citing Article 26 of the Constitution, Banerjee stated: "Waqf is an institution for religious and charitable purposes. Muslims have the constitutional right to manage their own religious affairs because Waqf property belongs to Allah." He asserted that the bill violates these rights and, therefore, is in "clear breach" of the Constitution. Discussing the provision that allows a person practising Islam for five years to declare a Waqf, Banerjee argued that religious duties cannot form the basis of legislation. "An individual can discharge their religious duties at any point in their life, even at the time of death," he pointed out. Banerjee also claimed that the Bill falls under the state list, and therefore, Parliament does not have the power to legislate on Waqf-related land and buildings. "The Parliament is now encroaching upon the power of state legislation. Thus, it is completely unconstitutional," he said. Declaring his party's strong opposition, Banerjee made it clear that the Trinamool would vote against the Bill. He also accused the ruling party of attempting to divide the Waqf boards based on sects, calling it a reflection of their "evil intention." "Under the guise of the Waqf Amendment Bill, the government is attempting to create different classifications of Waqf boards based on sects. If the title speaks of unification, then why does the bill seek to divide?" he asked. Banerjee alleged that the Bill was a government ploy to seize control of Waqf properties, which he described as the backbone of the Muslim community. He further asserted that the proposed legislation was an attempt to create divisions between Hindu and Muslim communities. Terming the Bill "misconceived, irrational, and arbitrary," Banerjee also criticised the removal of Section 40, which deals with claims over Waqf property. He argued that this omission would leave the Waqf legislation powerless, calling it a "toothless doll." With strong opposition from the Trinamool and other parties, the debate over the Waqf (Amendment) Bill continues to intensify in Parliament. Patna, April 2 : Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) chief Jitan Ram Manjhi on Wednesday attacked RJD president Lalu Prasad, claiming that he supported the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in 2010 but was now opposing it. Manjhi shared a video of Lalu Prasad's speech in Parliament in 2010, saying that the RJD chief "advocated stricter laws for Waqf properties in it". In the video, Lalu said: "All lands have been usurped, whether government or non-government. People have sold all the prime land, including Patna's Dak Bungalow Chowk. These lands are not agricultural but urban lands of Patna, which have been turned into apartments." Sharing Lalu's video, Manjhi posted on X, "Some people are opposing the Waqf Amendment Bill just because it is brought by Narendra Modi's government." Manjhi further said: "In 2010, Lalu Yadav himself demanded strict laws for Waqf. I urge INDI alliance leaders to listen carefully to Lalu Yadav and vote in favor of the bill in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha." Manjhi said, "The Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 will shatter the dreams of political parties instigating Muslims. Once passed, every Muslim will say, 'Modi hai toh sab mumkin hai. Thank you, Narendra Modi! Every section of the country is with you." Earlier, Lalu and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav declared firm opposition to the bill. RJD is rallying support from other INDIA bloc parties to oppose it in Parliament. Earlier on March 26, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board held a massive protest at Patna Gardanibagh, and Lalu Prasad, along with Tejashwi, joined a protest in Gardanibagh against the bill, despite health concerns. The row over the Waqf (Amendment) Bill is intensifying, with both sides using history and politics to justify their stance. This issue is important ahead of the Bihar Assembly election 2025. Gurugram, April 2 : The cyber crimes teams of the Gurugram Police have arrested 13 cyber criminals who defrauded people across India in 8,369 complaints worth Rs 80.12 crore, police said on Wednesday. The arrested were identified as Atul Kumar, Rohit, Meenu Chaudhary, Yatin Kumar Pathak, Rahul, Munesh, Aditiya Chaturvedi, Avinash Sharma, Ram Prakash, Mujummil, Nilofar, Abhishek Kumar Mishra and Harshit Shukla. The accused were arrested by different teams of the Cyber Crime Police Station of the Gurugram Police. According to the police, after reviewing the data of the 10 mobile phones by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), six SIM cards were recovered, and it was found that the accused were involved in fraud of about Rs 80.12 crore and around 8,369 complaints were registered against them across India. An official said that around 327 cases were registered across India, and out of these, 18 cases were registered against them in Haryana, including six in Gurugram. "The accused used to dupe people in the name of investment in the share market, loan fraud and making dabit," said Priyanshu Diwan, ACP (Cyber Crime). He said that the police also recovered SIM cards and mobile phones used in the crime. "Further action is being taken regularly on the information obtained/collected by examining the devices recovered from the arrested cyber fraudsters by the police," he said. ACP Diwan said the Gurugram Police Cyber Crime teams are constantly taking necessary action against cyber criminals. "Police have also arrested 31 bank officials in the last year. We are closely working with other agencies and organisations to counter these frauds. We appealed to the public to steer clear of such dubious callers and advised caution in sharing personal details to strangers stalking them online," he added. "The cyber fraudsters commit fraud by luring people with good profits, investing in the stock market, share market, in the name of buying/selling cheap goods online, sextorting through video calls on WhatsApp, morphing, sending links through various means, telegram, posing as a customs officer/police officer in the name of implicating false case, in the name of issuing a No-Objection Certificate, digitally arresting people by showing the fear of implicating them in a criminal case, etc," he said. Bengaluru, April 2 : Amidst the raging debate over the Waqf Act amendment bill in the Lok Sabha, former Union Minister of Minority Affairs and Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman K. Rahman Khan welcomed the "transition with changing times" but stated that the nature of Waqf property can never be changed. Speaking to IANS, Rahman Khan said that once a property is owned by Waqf, it becomes God's possession and can't be transferred in another's name. "Look, there is a need for changes. I'm not saying that changes should not be made right now, but this legislation is not static - it has to change. During Indira Gandhi's time, government properties were very much under the control of the government, even if they were Waqf properties. The basic question is: What do you need to determine whether a property is Waqf or not?" he added. He also cited some observations from a Supreme Court judgement in Syed Ali and Others v/s Andhra Pradesh Waqf Board and stated, 'Once a Waqf always a Waqf'. "The Supreme Court's judgment states that once a property is designated as Waqf, it remains Waqf forever. If a property is declared as Waqf, it belongs to God. If we talk about the principle, then on Waqf, that it is non-transferable," he asserted. The Congress leader further reacted to the ongoing debate over the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in Parliament. "Look at this amendment debate taking place in Parliament today. The entire discussion, the bill that has been brought forward, and the way people are being misled - it's an entirely false narrative. I was just watching the statement of my successor in the ministry, and how he is misleading the country. This is a revengeful legislation. I'm saying it's revengeful because the BJP had earlier supported these changes in different committees of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) 100 per cent. Now they have twisted it, presented it wrongly, and given completely false facts to the people. They are creating fear among the public, suggesting that their land will be taken away. This is all unfortunate. It's all a false narrative. For instance, they claim that even non-Muslims can give properties to the Waqf. This is prevalent among Maharajas and various charities. If someone wants to donate to a charity, how can you prevent it? That's fine. Then they claim that even Parliament properties are Waqf properties. This claim is completely false," he added. Rahman Khan further claimed that the claims about the Parliament are completely wrong. "Out of 123 properties that have been discussed for years, several committees were formed. Ultimately, the Waqf Board identified certain properties, including prime ones like mosques. These properties are governed by law. A hundred out of these 125 properties are either burial grounds, mosques, dargahs, or khanqahs. For 20 years, these issues were in the courts, with committees looking into them. The final decision was made after a thorough investigation, identifying 125 properties. The government gave these 123 properties on a 100-year lease to the Waqf Board. Later, someone filed a case, and the court ruled that if these were Waqf properties, they should be returned and denotified. This was done after due process. There's no drama here. Whatever the ministry is claiming in Parliament is a complete lie," he added. Rahman Khan further said that there is no 'jungle law' as they are claiming. "Moreover, there is not a single provision that effectively serves the public. Article 25 of the Constitution guarantees the right to manage religious properties. The Constitution empowers minorities to maintain their properties. Now, the government wants two non-Muslims in the Waqf Board. This is against the law applicable to those properties since they are private properties, not government property. The law should respect customs under Articles 24 and 25. It is not constitutional. Thousands of properties have not been surveyed. The law mandates a survey every 10 years. The new Waqf Bill proposes an independent survey commissioner to identify properties every decade which are left over. They are claiming that 400-year-old documents are required, but properties have been in use for 300-500 years. When there's no clear claim, the survey commissioner will decide. This is not 'jungle law' as they claim," he stated. He further said that there is a tribunal to decide whether it is Waqf property or not. "Furthermore, there is a tribunal to resolve disputes regarding whether properties are Waqf or not. This is similar to other tribunals like the Income and Revenue tribunals. The government is misleading people again," he asserted. The Congress leader concluded: "This is daylight robbery by the government. In a democracy, we must fight democratically. We have faith in our judiciary and the people. As B.R. Ambedkar predicted in 1930, the majority would dominate once the British left. Today, that's what's happening. The government is passing legislation based on majority rule, ignoring the stakeholders, especially the Muslim community, who are the biggest stakeholders. This legislation is not in their interest." Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday tabled the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha amid sloganeering from the Opposition. An eight-hour discussion on the bill, subject to an increase, is underway. The Opposition claimed that the Centre is "bulldozing the legislation" as it alleged it was not given the time for amendments since the bill was brought to the notice of the House. Dhaka, April 2 : Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its affiliated organisations blocked the Bhola-Velumia road on Wednesday in protest against the death of its leader. The deceased, identified as Jamal Uddin Howlader, was the BNP Ward president of the Velumia Union who died in a violent clash over a land dispute in Bhola district, local media reported. The incident occurred on Tuesday when two rival groups, led by Muhammad Ibrahim and Muhammad Alam of Kunjapatti village, engaged in a confrontation over land ownership. As tensions escalated, the BNP leader arrived at the scene in an attempt to mediate but was fatally attacked. After being taken to a private clinic in Barisal, doctors declared him dead. Velumia Union BNP General Secretary Muhammad Nurul Islam told Banglaesh's leading daily, Prothom Alo, that Jamal Uddin went to prevent the clash between the two parties. However, Ibrahim Rari's son hit him on the head, fatally injuring him. Local people and BNP leaders, and activists have staged protests demanding a fair trial in this incident. "No complaint has been received from any party in this incident. If received, action will be taken. The body will be sent to the morgue for autopsy," said Bhola Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Abu Shahadat Muhammad Hachanain Parvez. After the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government assumed power in August 2024, Bangladesh is in the grip of violence and protests. Several protest marches have been taken out in recent months demanding the resignation of the Home Advisor Jahangir Alam Chowdhury. Photo: https://mfa.gov.ua/ Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andriy Sybiha will visit NATO headquarters in Brussels on April 3-4. According to the press service of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, Sybiha will take part in the meeting of the Ukraine-NATO Council at the level of foreign ministers, which will be held within the meeting of the heads of foreign policy departments of the Alliance member states. The key topics of the negotiations with the allies will be strengthening international support for Ukraine, priority military needs, bringing a just peace in Ukraine closer, and future security guarantees. "The minister will also hold separate bilateral meetings, in particular with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and a number of foreign ministers of NATO member states," the statement said. Earlier, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha confirmed that he had received an invitation to participate in the meeting of NATO foreign ministers. According to Sybiha, he has already confirmed 14 meetings with his colleagues, NATO foreign ministers. "And, of course, we are interested in holding a meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio," he added. Seoul, April 2 : The number of foreigners travelling to South Korea for medical treatment reached a new high in 2024, government data showed on Wednesday, with their visits believed to have created an economic value of up to 14 trillion won ($9.55 billion). More than 1.17 million foreigners visited the country for medical treatment last year, nearly doubling from the 605,768 tallied in 2023, according to the data compiled by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Yonhap news agency reported. The spike was partly attributed to a government-initiated project to attract more foreign patients. The visiting patients are forecast to have spent some 8 trillion won at hospitals, generating an overall economic effect of some 14 trillion won, according to the ministry. In 2023, foreign patients paid 3.9 trillion won in medical expenses here, creating an economic impact worth 6.9 trillion won. An accumulated 5.05 million foreign nationals visited Korea for medical services from 2009 to 2024. Last year, 37.7 per cent of the patients were from Japan, followed by 22.3 per cent from China, 8.7 per cent from the United States, 7.1 per cent from Taiwan, and 3.3 per cent from Thailand. In particular, the number of Taiwanese patients surged over fivefold from the previous year to 83,456 in 2024, while a record high of 101,733 American patients visited South Korea. By hospital type, 56.6 per cent of the foreign patients visited dermatologists last year. Some 11.5 per cent visited plastic surgery hospitals, with 10 per cent visiting internal medicine doctors, 4.5 per cent medical checkup centres, and 2.7 per cent oriental medicine clinics. Meanwhile, the country also saw a steady spike in the number of foreign medical doctors. This comes amid a prolonged walkout by doctors and trainee doctors over a government-proposed spike in the medical school quota. The number has been on a steady rise since 2019 to 472 in 2020, 485 in 2021, 500 in 2022, 521 in 2023, and 546 in the following year, the data showed. Bangkok, April 2 : The Thailand government has intensified its investigation into other construction projects associated with the Chinese contractor of the State Audit Office's (SAO) under-construction building, which collapsed in Bangkok during the devastating earthquake, local media reported. Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said that she instructed various agencies to investigate all construction projects awarded to China Railway No.10 Engineering Group. "All concerned agencies were instructed to delve deeper to find out how many other projects the company is undertaking. All buildings in Bangkok must meet legal standards. Safety must be the top priority," PM Shinawatra said. Paetongtarn further added that the collapsed building has cost lives and negatively affected Thailand's image. Thailand Deputy Commerce Minister Napintorn Srisunpang stated that an initial probe has found that shareholders of China Railway No.10 Engineering Group are linked with 13 other companies. Meanwhile, rescuers retrieved another body from the rubble of the collapsed SAO building in Chatuchak district, Bangkok, early Wednesday morning. The woman's body had been spotted three days earlier but could not be recovered at the time. The official confirmed that this raised the death toll at the collapse site to 15, eight men and seven women, with nine injured victims and 72 still missing, Thailand newspaper Bangkok Post reported. Earlier, Gen Nopasin Poolswat, Deputy Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, disclosed that four Chinese nationals were apprehended for illegally removing 32 files of documents from the rear of the collapsed SAO building, without permission, local media reported. On March 28, immediately after the earthquake hit Bangkok and ravaged the region, China Railway's 10th Bureau started deleting posts and photos about its key role in constructing the infamous collapsed building. Thailand on Sunday confirmed that 17 people lost their lives while 77 people went missing in the country after a powerful earthquake hit neighbouring Myanmar, sending strong tremors across the Southeast Asian country. New Delhi, April 2 : President Droupadi Murmu will undertake State Visits to Portugal and Slovakia from April 7-10. These visits come as part of a significant diplomatic engagement to enhance India's bilateral ties with both countries. President Murmu will be visiting Portugal from April 7-8. This visit is taking place at the invitation of the President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. This tour assumes historical significance as it marks the 50th anniversary of the re-establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Portugal. The last State Visit by an Indian President to Portugal took place in 1998 when President K. R. Narayanan visited the country. President Murmu is set to engage in high-level discussions with President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa during her visit. The President will also hold meetings with Portugal's Prime Minister, Luis Montenegro, and the President of the National Assembly (Parliament), Jose Pedro Aguiar-Branco. The talks will aim to strengthen the growing and dynamic bilateral relationship between India and Portugal, which has evolved into a multifaceted partnership with robust cooperation across various sectors. The visit is expected to provide renewed momentum to the already thriving relations between the two nations, including expanding trade, economic ties, and people-to-people exchanges. As part of her diplomatic outreach, President Murmu will also interact with the Indian community in Portugal. Following her visit to Portugal, President Murmu will proceed to Slovakia on April 9, at the invitation of President Peter Pellegrini. This will be the first visit by an Indian President to Slovakia in nearly three decades. In Slovakia, President Murmu will hold bilateral meetings with President Pellegrini and Prime Minister Robert Fico. She will also meet the Speaker of the National Council of the Slovak Republic, Richard Rasi. These engagements will focus on further strengthening and expanding the relationship between India and Slovakia, particularly in areas of trade, technology, and cultural exchanges. The two-day visit to Slovakia spotlights the importance India places on its bilateral relations with the Slovak Republic. It is expected to pave the way for deeper cooperation and new initiatives in various sectors, including defence, science and technology, and education. President Murmu will also engage with the Indian diaspora during these visits. Ranchi, April 2 : The Jharkhand government has taken a firm stand against arbitrary practices by private schools, with School Education Department Minister Ramdas Soren directing action against complaints related to fee hikes, the collection of money under the guise of re-admission, and forcing parents to buy books exclusively from designated shops. He warned that schools failing to comply with government guidelines would face fines ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 2.5 lakh. Following his directive, the Education Department has issued notices to 78 private schools in East Singhbhum (Jamshedpur) for alleged violations of government norms. School managements have been asked to respond by April 3 to the notices issued by the District Education Officer and District Education Superintendent. Citing provisions of the Jharkhand Education Tribunal (Amendment) Act, 2017, the notices emphasise that school buildings and premises must be used solely for educational purposes. Schools have been warned against coercing or encouraging parents and students to purchase books, uniforms, or other materials through school-organised camps. Despite these regulations, complaints have surfaced about schools misusing their premises to sell books. Additionally, many schools have reportedly hiked fees in violation of prescribed guidelines for the new academic session. The Education Department has instructed private school managements to submit records of their fee structures and any increases over the past three years. It has also pointed out that the tenure of school-level fee determination committees is set at three years, yet some schools have failed to adhere to this mandate. Minister Soren stated that letters have been sent to all district Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners, directing them to ensure the formation of fee determination committees in accordance with the Jharkhand Education Tribunal (Amendment) Act, 2017. Each school-level fee determination committee will comprise the principal, secretary, three teachers nominated by the school management, and four parents nominated by the teachers' union. Schools must provide advance notice of at least one week before any fee-related meeting or decision-making process, as per the new guidelines. Mumbai, April 2 : Choreographer-director Ahmed Khan, who is set to launch his son Azaan this year, has said that despite being in the film industry for close to 3 decades, he wouldn't go to the length of calling anyone a friend in the industry. He said that he works with a range of people in the industry but they all are his colleagues, and he respects the professional boundaries that he shares with all of them. He told IANS, "I know many people in the film industry, but they're my colleagues. I don't call anybody a friend because I don't hang out with anybody. And generally, I don't party or drink or anything. And we don't keep functions in the house as much. We must have had one or two in all these many years. So, we all are just basically colleagues. And nobody discusses anything with anybody". He further mentioned, "It's not a usual practice here. But of course, they know that the son has grown up. So, they ask, are you ready or what? So, generally, that much talk happens. But otherwise, we don't discuss our children and families at work. So, that's not the prerogative when we work in our industry". Earlier, Ahmed Khan had said that his son decided to give acting a shot after learning a bit of everything in the world of filmmaking. Azaan has been undergoing intense preparation for his big bollywood debut and the movie is set to go on floors this year. Ahmed shared that he doesn't feel that there is any right or for that matter a wrong time to launch a talent. He said, "It's just that he's 23 and we feel that he's ready to hit the silver screen and he always wanted to be that. It's not that he has been pushed into it or we have asked him to do it and he's been a technician's son so he knows all the crazy stuff that goes on behind the camera and how to fix a jigsaw puzzle and then eventually you sweep like a board which is clean". Kolkata, April 2 : The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Wednesday approached a single-judge bench of the Calcutta High Court seeking permission to conduct a procession at Saltora in the tribal-dominated Bankura district on the occasion of Ram Navami on April 6. The district police had earlier permission to conduct the procession. The single-judge bench of Justice Tirthankar Ghosh has admitted the petition. The matter will come up for hearing on Thursday. According to VHP, the district police have denied them permission to conduct the procession at Saltora stating that other processions are scheduled at the same place on April 6. On Thursday, there will be parallel hearings on the denial of police processions for two similar Ram Navami processions. The state police had already cautioned that the participants at the Ram Navami processions will not be permitted to carry any weapon along with them. Meanwhile, the West Bengal unit of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has claimed that the processions will be conducted as per administrative guidelines and the question of violating them did not arise at all. Meanwhile, a political slugfest has surfaced in the state on Wednesday following a controversial statement by Trinamool Congress legislator Madan Mitra. On Wednesday, he said that if anyone tries to create tension over the Ram Navami festival, he will not be able to return home without being thrashed. "If you malign a particular auspicious occasion, you cannot return home without receiving a beating from the people. So I request you not to choose the day of Ram Navami to show your strength," Mitra said. Reacting to Mitra's comments, former BJP Lok Sabha member Dilip Ghosh said first the Trinamool Congress leader should learn to stand straight and then throw such challenges. "I will also see who can force me to stay at home," Ghosh said. Recently, Leader of the Opposition in West Bengal, Suvendu Adhikari, said that at least 2,000 rallies -- big and small -- will be taken out on the occasion of Ram Navami this year. He also said that the participation in the rallies on the Ram Navami this year will be double what it was last year. "Ram Navami will be celebrated this year in a major way. I will be there on the streets on that day. Last year, around 50 lakh Hindus were on the streets to participate in rallies on the occasion of Ram Navami. Last year there were 1,000 rallies. This year there will be 2,000 rallies and around one crore Hindus will participate in those rallies this year," he said. New Delhi, April 2 : Congress Spokesperson Pawan Khera has slammed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, describing it as not only "anti-Muslim" but also "anti-constitutional." New Delhi, April 2 (IANS) Congress Spokesperson Pawan Khera has slammed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, describing it as not only "anti-Muslim" but also "anti-constitutional." Khera claimed that the Bill is a direct assault on the core principles of the Indian Constitution, particularly those envisioned by B.R. Ambedkar - "equality, federalism, and minority rights." "The Waqf (Amendment) Bill brought by this fascist government isn't just anti-Muslim, it's anti-Constitutional as well. This is a direct assault on Babasaheb Ambedkar's vision of equality, federalism, and minority rights," he said. In a long post shared on X, Khera on Wednesday said that the Bill violates several key constitutional provisions and "threatens" the autonomy of religious and minority institutions. He shed light on specific sections of the Bill that he believes "undermine the rights guaranteed to religious minorities in India." "Here's why every party and individual who claims to stand for secularism and democracy must oppose this Bill," he said. Khera pointed to Section 3C of the Bill, which grants state government officers the power to decide disputes related to Waqf properties. The Congress leader argued that this provision is a clear violation of Article 26, which guarantees religious denominations the right to manage their own affairs in matters of religion. "This is a direct interference in religious affairs and a blatant assault on the autonomy of the Waqf Board," Khera said. The Congress Spokesperson also faulted the Bill's requirement that two non-Muslim members be included in the Waqf Boards (Sections 9 and 14). Khera slammed this provision as what he called "an attempt to impose majoritarian control over a religious institution", questioning, "Would the government ever demand Muslim members in the Ram Mandir Committee?" "This provision reeks of majoritarianism. Imagine demanding Muslim members in the Ram Mandir Committee? Article 30 guarantees minorities the right to self-manage their institutions, and this Bill destroys that autonomy," he wrote. He argued that this violates Article 30, which guarantees minorities the right to manage their educational and religious institutions. Another contentious provision Khera flagged was Section 3(r), which stipulates that only Muslims who have practiced Islam for five years can endow property as Waqf. He described this as a form of state-sanctioned discrimination, questioning, "Since when does the state decide who is a 'real' Muslim?" Khera claimed that this provision violates Article 14 (which guarantees equality before the law) and Article 25 (which ensures the right to practice and propagate religion). The Bill also proposes the abolition of the concept of 'Waqf by user', which Khera argues is an integral part of Muslim Personal Law. According to Section 36(1A), this provision would require formal deeds instead, effectively erasing centuries-old traditions. Khera contended that this violates Article 29, which protects the rights of minorities to preserve their culture and traditions. "Article 29 protects minority traditions, why is the BJP hell bent on rewriting religious jurisprudence?" he argued. Khera also took issue with Section 3B of the Bill, which mandates a centralised digital portal for Waqf property registration. This move, according to Khera, undermines state autonomy and violates the Concurrent List (Entry 28) of the Indian Constitution, which allows states to have control over matters related to property registration. He said that this move goes against Ambedkar's vision of a federal democracy, which emphasises the balance of power between the central and state governments. Khera raised alarm over Section 3C of the Bill. "The real agenda behind the bill? Waqf land grab. Sec 3C of the bill allows state government officers to declare waqf properties as government land based on vague inquiries. With no clear criteria, this is a recipe for mass dispossession. This means thousands of Waqf-run schools, mosques, and hospitals could be seized overnight," he said on X. Khera concluded by accusing the BJP of attempting to dismantle the very foundations of India's Constitution. "With a single stroke, the BJP intends to scrap multiple Constitutional provisions like: Religious freedom (Articles 25-26), Minority rights (Articles 29-30), Federalism (Article 246), Equality (Article 14). The Constitution is not the BJP's personal manifesto," Khera wrote. Chennai, April 2 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Wednesday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene to protect the rights of Muslims and withdraw the proposed Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, currently under discussion in the Lok Sabha. "PM Modi should personally intervene to protect the rights of Muslim minorities and ensure the preservation of Waqf institutions. Existing 1995 Act is sufficient to safeguard Waqf interests," the Chief Minister, in a letter, requested the Prime Minister. In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister on Wednesday, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister expressed deep concern over the potential implications of the Bill on the rights of the Muslim community and the functioning of Waqf Boards. M.K. Stalin emphasised that Tamil Nadu has always been at the forefront of safeguarding minority rights and promoting religious harmony. He argued that the amendments undermine the constitutional guarantee that allows every citizen to practice their religion freely and without interference. "The proposed changes to the Waqf Act, 1995, overlook the constitutional protections granted to minorities and are likely to seriously impact the interests of the Muslim community," he wrote. The Chief Minister noted that the current Waqf Act has stood the test of time and includes robust mechanisms for protecting Waqf properties. However, he warned that the amendments would weaken the authority and responsibilities of Waqf Boards, thereby endangering the effective management and preservation of these religious and charitable assets. Highlighting specific concerns, M.K. Stalin cited the proposed inclusion of two non-Muslim members in State Waqf Boards, which he said would erode the community's religious autonomy. He also criticised the removal of the 'Waqf by user' clause, stating that it would jeopardise the status of numerous historical properties. Additionally, a new clause mandating that only individuals who have practiced Islam for at least five years can donate to Waqf institutions would deter contributions from non-Muslims, thereby disrupting India's syncretic culture, he argued. M.K. Stalin pointed out that the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly had unanimously passed a resolution on March 27 calling for the complete withdrawal of the Bill. Dhaka, April 2 : The interim government in Bangladesh led by Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday hinted about the possibility of the first-ever bilateral talks between the Chief Advisor and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok, the media reported. The Chief Advisor's High Representative on Rohingya and Priority Issues Khalilur Rahman on Wednesday said that the leaders of BIMSTEC member states will discuss their future works with Yunus. Hence, there is a scope to hold the meeting with Yunus and PM Modi. "We requested India to hold this talk (between the leaders of two countries)... there is enough possibility of holding this meeting," Rahman said, addressing a press briefing in Bangladesh ahead of the BIMSTEC Summit in Thailand. The BIMSTEC Summit is being held in Bangkok, Thailand, from April 2-4. On April 4, the BIMSTEC chairmanship will officially be handed over to Bangladesh. Recently, PM Modi had written a letter to Yunus highlighting the significance of mutual sensitivity while referring to the Bangladesh Liberation War as a 'shared history'. PM Modi wrote the letter to commemorate the Bangladesh National Day and reiterated India's commitment to advancing the partnership between the two countries. "I extend my felicitations to you and the people of Bangladesh on the occasion of the National Day of Bangladesh," the Prime Minister wrote. "This day stands as a testament to our shared history and sacrifices that have laid the foundation of our bilateral partnership. The spirit of the Liberation War of Bangladesh continues to remain a guiding light for our relationship, which has flourished across multiple domains, bringing tangible benefits to our people," he stated "We remain committed to advancing this partnership, driven by our common aspirations for peace, stability, and prosperity, and based on mutual sensitivity to each other's interests and concerns. Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration," the Prime Minister added. Last month, Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar held a series of meetings with his counterparts from the neighbouring countries, including Bangladesh, on the sidelines of the Indian Ocean Conference in Muscat, on Sunday. "Met Foreign Affairs Advisor Md. Touhid Hossain of the Interim Government of Bangladesh. Conversation was focused on our bilateral relationship, as also on BIMSTEC," the EAM posted on X after his meeting with Hossain, the Foreign Affairs Advisor to the interim government in Bangladesh led by Muhammad Yunus. EAM Jaishankar and Hossain had last met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York in September, marking the first high-level engagement between India and Bangladesh's interim government after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's ouster in August 2024. The relations between India and Bangladesh have been tense after the Awami League government led by Sheikh Hasina was toppled, and she was forced to flee to India. The interim government that was formed after the change of guard is led by Nobel laureate and economist Muhammad Yunus. India continues to bat for the normalisation of relations between the two neighbouring countries, but the current regime in Dhaka has faced massive criticism for making groundless accusations and also targetting minorities, especially the Hindu community in Bangladesh. India has time and again shared its concerns with Bangladesh on this. Patna, April 2 : RJD National President Lalu Prasad Yadav, who was slated to travel to New Delhi on Wednesday for a medical examination, was taken off the flight and admitted to Patna's Paras Hospital after his blood sugar and blood pressure (BP) spiked suddenly. He was under intensive medical observation at Paras Hospital, where doctors said that his blood sugar and BP levels had spiked, leading to the sudden health crisis. He received the necessary medications, and after a complete health check-up, the doctors discharged him. Lalu Prasad Yadav, along with his wife Rabri Devi and two sons Tejashwi Yadav and Tej Pratap Yadav, then returned to the residence of Rabri Devi in Patna. It is expected that he will go to Delhi later for further treatment. Lalu Yadav was scheduled to fly to Delhi for a routine health check-up when his health worsened at the Patna Airport after he had checked-in for his flight. Tejashwi Yadav, who was accompanying him, immediately rushed him to Paras Hospital instead. His wife Rabri Devi, who was also set to fly to Delhi, also reached the airport to go to Delhi on another flight, but also left the airport and reached Paras Hospital as soon as she learned about his condition. As news spread, a large crowd of RJD supporters gathered outside Paras Hospital in Rajabazar and prayed for him. They got relieved after the RJD chief was discharged from the hospital. Lalu Prasad Yadav was regularly consulting the doctors of AIIMS Delhi due to multiple health complications. He has travelled to the national capital several times for health check-ups and treatment. In 2022, he underwent a kidney transplant in Singapore, and the donor was his daughter Rohini Acharya, who lives there. He also underwent an angioplasty in Mumbai in September 2024. Lalu Prasad Yadav had an open-heart surgery in a hospital in Mumbai in 2014. Last month, the RJD chief actively opposed the Waqf Amendment Bill. On March 26, he joined a protest in Gardanibagh against the bill, despite health concerns. Since then, he had not been seen in public. With the Bihar Assembly elections 2025 approaching, Lalu Yadavas health condition may affect the RJDas election strategies. The former Railway Minister and Chief Minister of Bihar is among the influential leaders of Bihar having a good hold over various caste and communities, and guiding every move of his party. Without his consent, no decision is taken by the party leaders. Lalu Prasad Yadav has already announced the name of Tejashwi Yadav, a former Deputy Chief Minister, as the party's Chief Ministerial candidate ahead of the polls. The leader of express deliveries in Ukraine, Nova Poshta, has opened two stationary branches in two cities and the Czech Republic, increasing their number to 12, the company's press service reported. "Nova Poshta has opened new branches in Karlovy Vary and Mlada Boleslav," the press service said on Wednesday. In the new branches, customers can quickly send and receive documents and parcels weighing up to 30 kg. The branch in Karlovy Vary is located at 1796/64 Moskevska, and in Mlada Boleslav at 1394 tr. Vaclava Klementa. Nova Poshta has been operating on the Czech market since June 2023. In addition, Nova Poshta delivers items to 2,700 post offices and parcel delivery points throughout the Czech Republic, thanks to partnerships with Alza and GLS. The company also recently opened its own parcel delivery points in 10 Czech cities. The company also continues to provide convenient and fast services, in particular, address delivery and collection of shipments for further forwarding across the country by couriers. Delivery time from Ukraine to the Czech Republic is from five working days, within the Czech Republic - from one day, and to other European countries - from two days, depending on the distance. Nova Poshta is represented on the market of 16 European countries. All parcels are insured at the company's expense at no additional cost to customers. Mumbai, April 2 : The upcoming film 'Abir Gulaal', which stars Vaani Kapoor and Pakistani actor Fawad Khan is currently in the eye of a storm as the regional political party Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has now challenged the makers of the film to release. The bone of contention in the matter is Fawad Khan, as MNS has said that this casting goes against the agreement that was put in action after a meeting of the producers' guild and CM Devendra Fadnavis, and their party president Raj Thackeray back in 2016. Ameya Khopkar, the head of the chitrapat wing of MNS, spoke with the media, and said that they would not let the movie release in theatres. He said, "We have been protesting against this film, against Pakistani artists and Pakistani films. And we will continue to do so. No film will be released here featuring Pakistani artists. And there is no need to release it. I just want to say, show the courage to release it. I challenge you to release it. In 2016, we had a meeting with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and Raj Thackeray was also there". He further mentioned, "Some of the producer's associations were also there. That's when we decided to release the film that was made earlier. After that, no Pakistani film or film about Pakistani artists would be made here. The producer's association had written a letter to Devendra Fadnavis. Now, I challenge the makers of 'Abir Gulaal' to release the film here in Maharashtra". He was referring to the 2016 film 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil', directed by Karan Johar. MNS in the state was up in arms against the release of the film in the state after tensions flared between India and Pakistan following the Uri terror attack on the Indian armed forces. Ahmedabad, April 2 : The Congress party was once the dominant political force in Gujarat, shaping the state's governance since independence. However, over the past 30 years, the party has witnessed a dramatic downfall, losing ground to the BJP's aggressive electoral strategies, organisational strength, and ideological appeal. Ahmedabad, April 2 (IANS) The Congress party was once the dominant political force in Gujarat, shaping the stateas governance since independence. However, over the past 30 years, the party has witnessed a dramatic downfall, losing ground to the BJPas aggressive electoral strategies, organisational strength, and ideological appeal. From winning 149 out of 182 seats in 1985 to securing just 17 in 2022, Congressas decline in Gujarat is a result of leadership failures, internal factionalism, and an inability to counter the BJPas rising influence. As the party prepares to host the 84th All India Congress Committee (AICC) Conclave in Ahmedabad on April 8-9, the move is seen as a desperate attempt to revive its presence in a state where it is on the brink of political irrelevance. The turning point for Congress came in 1995, when the BJP, riding on the Hindutva wave and its well-organised cadre, won the Gujarat Assembly elections for the first time, which ended Congressas uninterrupted rule and marked the beginning of a steady erosion of its voter base. Post-2002, Congress attempted to make a comeback by focusing on agrarian distress and anti-incumbency factors, but the BJPas model of governance and PM Modias personal brand overshadowed these efforts. Congress saw brief moments of hope, particularly in the 2017 elections when it secured 77 seats, its highest tally in over two decades. This was driven by strong anti-BJP sentiment among Patidars and youth mobilisation efforts. However, Congress failed to maintain this momentum due to infighting, lack of decisive leadership, and an over-reliance on last-minute electoral strategies rather than long-term cadre-building. The 2022 Assembly elections were a historic low for Congress, as it managed only 17 seats, down from 77 in 2017. The partyas vote share plummeted, and it was even overtaken by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in key urban areas. Analysts attribute this decline to multiple factors, including Congressas failure to present a strong alternative narrative, its inability to retain influential leaders, and the BJPas sustained grassroots outreach programs. The emergence of AAP further split the opposition vote, effectively reducing Congressas role in Gujaratas political arena to near irrelevance. Historically, Congress enjoyed widespread support in Gujarat, particularly under Madhavsinh Solankias KHAM (Kshatriya, Harijan, Adivasi, Muslim) strategy in the 1980s. The partyas landslide victory in 1985, where it won 149 seats, remains its best electoral performance in the state. However, this coalition started disintegrating in the 1990s, as caste-based politics evolved, Hindutva sentiment grew stronger, and the BJPas aggressive grassroots campaigning eroded Congressas traditional vote banks. Congress also suffered from internal conflicts, with leaders like Shankersinh Vaghela breaking away to form their own factions, further weakening its organisational structure. One of Congressas biggest weaknesses in Gujarat has been its failure to build and retain strong state-level leadership. Unlike the BJP, which nurtured local leaders and created a robust cadre-based network, Congress remained heavily dependent on national leaders who failed to establish a direct connection with voters. The BJP, under PM Modias leadership, successfully expanded its influence among Patidars, OBCs, and urban middle-class voters, while Congress struggled to adapt to the stateas changing political landscape. The exit of young leaders like Hardik Patel, who played a crucial role in the 2017 Patidar agitation but later joined the BJP, further exposed the partyas inability to retain emerging political figures. As the AICC conclave takes place in Ahmedabad, Congress leaders aim to discuss strategies for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections and explore ways to regain lost ground in Gujarat. However, political analysts argue that unless the party undergoes deep structural reforms, invests in long-term grassroots mobilisation, and develops a strong state leadership, its prospects for revival will remain bleak. Jaipur, April 2 : A total of ten delinquents escaped from a juvenile correction home in Rajasthan's Dholpur by breaking through the iron mesh installed on the roof. The entire incident was captured on CCTV, prompting an immediate police response. Following the escape, police teams launched a search and blockade operation to apprehend the juveniles. The incident happened in the early hours of Wednesday. Superintendent of Police Sumit Meharada reached the spot and sent teams in search of the delinquents. The juvenile correction home on Bari Road housed over a dozen juveniles detained for various criminal offences. Between 12 a.m. and 1 a.m., ten juveniles broke through the iron mesh on the roof and escaped one by one. According to Dholpur Circle CO Munesh Meena, as soon as the police received information about the escape, a team led by Dholpur SP initiated a search operation. This is not the first incident of escape at the Dholpur Juvenile Correction Home. In January, five delinquents escaped but were caught within 24 hours. The Bari Kotwali police successfully detained these five of the escaped juveniles. They were returned to the correction house after questioning. Officials during that time said that those juveniles who had escaped were recently detained by police from various districts and placed in the correction facility. The escape of the juveniles was reported by the guard in the morning, triggering a police alert. As soon as the control room received the report, blockades were set up across all police station areas. The incident has created a stir within the police and administration, leading to a large-scale search operation. Calling the incident unfortunate, officials confirmed that action will be taken against the security guard on duty. Concerns about security lapses have also been raised as past records show that such escapes have happened before in the correction home. New Delhi, April 2 : The Delhi government is planning to establish 34 to 36 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs under the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission, Health Minister Pankaj Singh said on Wednesday. Speaking exclusively to IANS, the Health Minister said: "We are planning to set up around 34 or 35 kendras. I canat confirm the exact number right now - it could be 30 or 36. We will reveal the final figure within the next 15 to 20 days." Singh further slammed the opposition AAP over the recent Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report. "I would advise the Opposition (AAP) to learn to face the truth. If there is a CAG report, they should at least sit down and review the mistakes they have made. They have cheated the people of Delhi and committed errors. Who will stop them from paying the fines for these mistakes and accepting the truth?" he stated. Citing the CAG reports presented during the Delhi Assembly Budget session, showcasing many irregularities of the AAP regime, Pankaj Singh said: "Those involved in scams will not be spared. We are focused on our work, and our party genuinely cares about the health system and is taking steps to improve healthcare infrastructure." Meanwhile, the Rekha Gupta-led BJP government has allocated Rs 12,893 crore for the health sector in the 2025-26 budget to support key initiatives like the Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, the establishment of two new medical colleges, and the addition of 16,186 beds in government hospitals. A significant portion of the budget will support flagship schemes such as Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), aimed at providing financial protection and affordable healthcare to more families in the capital. Additionally, Rs 1,666.66 crore has been allocated under the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) to enhance critical care blocks and diagnostic facilities. Rs 320 crore will be used to set up 400 Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs), also known as Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs). The budget also includes Rs 9.92 crore for the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, aimed at digitising patient records and improving access to healthcare services. Furthermore, Rs 147.64 crore has been allocated to expand financial protection under AB-PMJAY, ensuring that more families benefit from free, cashless treatment for serious illnesses. New Delhi, April 2 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah, during the debate on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, presented a lengthy list of properties he claimed were donated to Waqf. This list included land belonging to temples, other religions, the government, and others. The Home Minister asserted, "You cannot donate someone else's property. You donate something which is yours." His comments reinforced the government's stance that significant lands and properties had been taken over by Waqf, with last-minute interventions to save others. The government argued that Waqf had become a tool for land-grabbing. To highlight his point, Amit Shah cited several examples. He mentioned that the Karnataka High Court had to intervene to stop Waqf from claiming 602 square kilometres of land. He also noted: "Properties in (Delhi's) Lutyens zone went to Waqf, and they started taking over government land... In Tamil Nadu, a 400-year-old temple property was declared as Waqf property. Land for a five-star establishment was given to Waqf for Rs 12,000 a month... Several properties belonging to different religions were declared as Waqf property, including Chandra Shekhar Azad Park in Prayagraj." The Home Minister asserted that the amended Waqf Bill would help prevent such land seizures. "This bill will protect property. Like ASI property, Tribal land, private property, and for Waqf, you can only donate private, personal property and not the land of the community (village). This bill will bring transparency," he stated. Amit Shah slammed the UPA government for changing Waqf rules just before the 2014 general election. He described it as another instance of "politics of appeasement" and stated, "In 2013, they (the Congress-led government) wiped out the provision to take land-grabbing complaints to court. They sinned. The new bill will not come in retrospective effect but they are trying to scare the people." The Home Minister further stated that the government had consulted a broad spectrum of people before bringing the amendments. "We got over 1 crore suggestions from people... Our principle is clear, we won't bring any law for vote bank, it's for justice," he said. Amit Shah also pointed out that the Bill had received support from Christians in Kerala. Chennai, April 2 : Telugu actor Manchu Manoj has penned an adorable post for his daughter on the occasion of her first birthday on Wednesday. Taking to Instagram, Manchu Manoj, who posted pictures of his wife and children along with him, wrote,"One year ago, our world became even more magical.We three became four. Four hearts. Four souls. One unshakable bond.Four pillars standing tall. a family built on love, strength, and forever. "Deva Sena Shoba, our MM Puli! You've brought light, courage, and boundless joy into our lives. Wishing you only the best this life has to offer. "Amma, me, and Dhairav Anna will protect you, always and always.Let's build a life together that's filled with wonder, wellness, and wild, beautiful dreams.Happy first birthday, our lioness. We love you more than words will ever hold.#MMpuli #DevaSenaShoba #OneYearOfMagic #OurLittleLioness #ForeverFour #DaughterOfStrength #FamilyOfFour #FirstBirthdayFeels" Several people expressed love for his post including actors Sundeep Kishen and Mahat Raghavendra. On the work front, Manchu Manoj will be seen in Teja Sajja's 'Mirai'. The unveiling of Teja Sajja's warrior avatar, alongside Manchu Manoj's enigmatic character wielding the mystical Black Sword had triggered huge excitement among fans of both actors. In an earlier interview, Manchu Manoj, while commenting on his role in the film, had said, "Coming back to the industry with such a powerful and intriguing character has been both challenging and exhilarating. The Black Sword is a character that resonates with the strength and resilience that every hero should embody. I am overwhelmed with excitement to share this journey with my fans who have waited patiently for my return." Ritika Nayak plays the female lead opposite Teja Sajja in this film, the screenplay of which has been penned by Karthik Ghattamaneni alongside Manibabu Karanam who has also penned the dialogues for this film. --IANS Mkr/ Visakhapatnam, April 2 : A woman was killed and her daughter injured in an attack by a youth, who was in love with the latter, in Andhra Pradesh's Visakhapatnam on Wednesday, police said. The shocking incident occurred in Swayamkrushi Nagar under the Madhurawada Police Station limits. Visakhapatnam Police Commissioner Shankhabrata Bagchi told media persons that D. Naveen, 26, attacked the woman and her daughter in their house with a knife. Lakshmi, 43, died on the spot while her daughter, Nakka Deepika, 20, was injured. She was admitted to a hospital. The Police Commissioner said Naveen was in love with Deepika for the last six years. He wanted to marry the girl, but her father had asked him to wait for one year as he did not like his conduct. Apparently enraged over this, Naveen came to Deepikaas house on Wednesday and attacked her and her mother with a knife. The accused escaped after the attack. The police chief said the police team launched a hunt for the accused and arrested him in Srikakulam district. He was being brought to Visakhapatnam and would be produced before a court. The Police Commissioner said Deepikaas condition was stable. After graduation, the girl stayed home. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed shock over the incident. He directed officials to ensure the best possible treatment for the injured woman and asked police to take stringent action against the person involved in the attack. Home Minister V. Anitha also condemned the incident. She spoke to Police Commissioner Bagchi over the phone and enquired about the condition of the injured girl. Anitha directed the police to ensure that the culprit got the harshest punishment. She asked officials to provide the best treatment to the injured girl. The state has witnessed a series of crimes against women in recent months. The opposition YSR Congress Party accused the TDP-led coalition government of being negligent in addressing rising cases of rape and murder of women. New Delhi, April 2 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah, while participating in debate over contentious Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 in Lok Sabha (lower house of Parliament) on Wednesday, came down heavily on the previous UPA regime and delivered a sharp critique of the 2013 amendments to Waqf laws. Describing them as politically motivated measures introduced in hot-haste manner before the 2014 elections, he highlighted the significant consequences of these changes, including the "transfer of 123 VVIP properties" in Delhi's Lutyens zone to Waqf authorities. HM Shah argued that the current Bill would not have been necessary had these amendments not been made. The Home Minister emphasised the Waqf Board's critical role in ensuring accountability and preventing financial mismanagement. He criticised the misuse of Waqf properties, citing examples such as 29,000 acres of Waqf land in Karnataka rented out, Rs 2 lakh crore worth of properties leased to private institutions for 100 years, and 500 acres leased to a five-star hotel for Rs 12,000 per month. The Union Home Minister also pointed to irregularities in Tamil Nadu, where 12 villages spanning 250 hectares were transferred to Waqf ownership, and 400 acres of temple land were declared Waqf property. HM Shah noted that the High Court had to intervene to stop the confiscation of 602 acres of land in Bengaluru. He warned against introducing non-Islamic individuals into Waqf management, asserting that such interference would disrupt the trust's structure and integrity. Drawing analogies to other religious trusts, HM Shah argued that Hindus manage temples and Christians oversee churches, and imposing external interference across religions could threaten societal unity. He stressed the need for vigilance to eliminate collusion and corruption endemic to previous regimes. Critiquing interference in religious matters, he elaborated on the foundational principles of Waqf as a trust built upon Islamic faith, comprising trustees who must share the religious convictions of the institution's founders. Home Minister Shah, firmly stated that discussions in the House would not proceed based on individual preferences, emphasising that every elected member represents the people and is free to speak. He rejected any notion of shielding decisions from judicial scrutiny, questioning where individuals whose land has been usurped would seek justice. The Union Home Minister dismissed claims that minorities would not accept the Bill, asserting that it is a law of the Parliament and must be adhered to as a law of the government of India. HM Shah clarified that the law would be implemented post-notification and explained that land ownership decisions, such as for temples, would rest with the Collector, who would investigate whether Waqf land is government property. He pointed out that churches and gurdwaras have been built without encroaching on government land, emphasising the Collector's role in ensuring fairness and legality in land disputes. HM Shah also accused the Opposition of exploiting minority communities for electoral gains, leveraging fear to manipulate votes. He reaffirmed and clarified doubts raised by some members that Waqf governance must adhere to Islamic principles, with no provision for non-Islamic individuals. He criticised the Opposition for resisting transparency and accountability, asserting that Waqf funds must serve the poor rather than being exploited. Recalling remarks by Lalu Prasad Yadav in 2013, HM Shah noted Yadav's call for stricter laws to address the encroachment and sale of Waqf properties. While Yadav's demands went unfulfilled under previous administrations, the Union Home Minister credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government with implementing measures to address these concerns. He highlighted instances of misuse, including the illegal sale of prime lands like the Dak Bungalow in Patna. HM Shah elaborated on Waqf funding, emphasising its reliance on religious donations from Muslim communities. He stressed that Waqf properties should benefit widows, marginalised Muslims, and youth, rather than being rented out for negligible sums. He also noted that many Muslim communities, including Vohra, Pasmanda, and Shia, prefer registering properties under Charitable Trusts rather than Waqf law. The Home Minister underscored that donations directed toward Waqf are intended for rightful purposes, and interference in its administration has been a contentious issue dating back to 1995. HM explained amendments reducing revenue from 7 per cent to 5 per cent, ensuring funds still benefit Waqf activities like mosque construction. He assured that tribal lands, ASI (archaeological survey of India) protected sites, and private properties would remain safeguarded. He criticised the 2013 law as unjust, revealing that Waqf land increased by 3 lakh acres between 2013 and 2025, raising concerns about irregularities. HM Shah reaffirmed the BJP's principle of enacting laws for justice, not vote banks, citing initiatives like women's reservation and anti-conversion laws. He advocated transparent audits and investigations into Waqf land ownership, ensuring fairness and compliance with legal standards. The Home Minister Shah reiterated the necessity for transparency and accountability in the administration of Waqf properties. He emphasised that the current Bill seeks to rectify past mismanagement and ensure the equitable utilisation of Waqf resources for community welfare. HM Shah expressed confidence that the Muslim community has begun to recognise the importance of these reforms and reaffirmed the government's commitment to fostering accountability and reform. He reaffirmed the BJP's commitment to enacting laws for justice, not vote banks, and expressed confidence that the Muslim community would recognise the importance of these reforms. The debate on the Bill is going on in Lok Sabha, the Union Minister for Parliament Affairs Kiren Rijiju will reply in the House. New Delhi, April 2 : Addressing the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, asserted that misconceptions about the Waqf (Amendment) Bill were being deliberately spread by certain parties to bolster their vote banks. He said that the proposed legislation was in line with fulfilling the wishes of RJD chief Lalu Prasad, something the opposition had failed to do. The Home Minister explained that the new law might not have been necessary had the Waqf (Amendment) Act of 2013, passed under the Congress-led UPA II government, not been rushed through just months before the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. At that time, Lalu Prasad, whose party had been part of the ruling coalition before withdrawing and later offering support, had raised concerns about the state of Waqf properties. Quoting Lalu Prasad, HM Amit Shah said: "We welcome the amendment bill presented by the government. I support the statements made by (BJP's) Shahnawaz Hussain and others. Most of the land has been grabbed, be it government-owned or otherwise. People in the Waqf Board have sold all the prime land. In Patna, apartments have been constructed on Dak Bungalow property. There has been a lot of loot like this." The Home Minister further quoted the RJD leader's call for tougher action: "We support the amendments, but we want you (the UPA government) to bring in a strict law in the future and put such people behind bars." While sharing this, HM Shah smilingly pointed to the Opposition benches and remarked: "Lalu Prasad's wishes were not fulfilled by them (Congress-led UPA), but Prime Minister Narendra Modi is doing it. Lalu ji had asked for a stricter law." The Home Minister also reiterated that the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, was not aimed at any particular religion and that the Congress and other opposition parties were spreading misinformation about the bill to serve their vote-bank politics. New Delhi, April 2 : The Indian Navy signed a Rs 270 crore contract with Kirloskar Oil Engines Limited on Wednesday for the design and development of 6MW medium speed marine diesel engines in a significant step to enhance the country's self-reliance in defence production. New Delhi, April 2 (IANS) The Indian Navy signed a Rs 270 crore contract with Kirloskar Oil Engines Limited on Wednesday for the design and development of 6MW medium speed marine diesel engines in a significant step to enhance the countryas self-reliance in defence production. Most of the diesel engines of higher capacity were being imported from foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) till date. This project will start the process in achieving self-reliance in marine engine development in the country, the Defence Ministry said. The signing took place in the presence of Secretary, Defence Production, Sanjeev Kumar and Vice Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, at South Block in the national capital. The prototype diesel engine with indigenous content of over 50 per cent will be developed at a cost of Rs 270 crore, with 70 per cent funding from the government. The order also includes the development of the detailed design for 3-10 MW diesel engines. The engines will be used for main propulsion and power generation on ships of the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard. The project sanction order under Make-I category for the design and development of the 6MW medium speed marine diesel engine is a significant step in the ongoing efforts of the government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to indigenise critical technologies and achieve Aatmanirbharta in defence, according to an official statement. "It will further strengthen indigenous capabilities, save foreign exchange and reduce dependence on foreign OEMs. It will act as a catalyst for the development of a defence industrial ecosystem in the country," the statement added. Meanwhile, India has recorded its highest-ever growth in the production of defence hardware valued at Rs 1,27,434 crore in FY 2023-24. This represents a staggering 174 per cent increase from Rs 46,429 crore in 2014-15. The Defence Ministry has set an ambitious target of reaching the Rs 3 lakh crore mark in military hardware by 2029 as part of the goal towards self-reliance. On Thursday, April 10, 2025, from 9:30 AM to 7:00 PM, Kyiv will host the Second Eco-Industrial Parks Forum. This pivotal event will convene government officials, business leaders, and experts to explore strategies and solutions for integrating circular and sustainable economy models into Ukraines post-war recovery. The forum is organized under the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) project Global Eco-Industrial Parks Programme II Ukraine: National Component, implemented with the support of the Government of Switzerland via SECO in collaboration with the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine. Objective of the Forum The forum seeks to accelerate the development of eco-industrial parks (EIPs) in Ukraine, establishing them as cornerstones of a next-generation economy that blends industrial growth with green principles. Key Topics Policy Development for eco-industrial parks in Ukraine Strategic Financial Mechanisms for sustainable industrial development Global Best Practices and successful case studies Readiness of Ukrainian Businesses to implement eco-industrial park principles Speakers and Participants The forums opening and panel discussions will feature representatives from the Ukrainian government, the Verkhovna Rada, the Embassy of Switzerland, UNIDO, other international organizations, and over 30 prominent international and Ukrainian experts and business community leaders. Keynote Statement The reconstruction of Ukraine is a chance to create a new generation economy integrated into the European economic space. Eco-industrial parks can become its driving force, combining industrial development with the principles of a circular economy. However, success depends on the right choice of models and policies, and this is a common challenge for government and business. Only joint efforts will contribute to the creation of industrial ecosystems that will become the locomotives of sustainable growth, - said Christian Susan, the UNIDO Industrial Development Officer The forum will offer networking opportunities with key stakeholders shaping Ukraines sustainable industrial future. A special awards ceremony will also honor the countrys top-performing eco-industrial parks in 2025. Registration & Contact Information To participate in the forum as a media representative, please register at: https://forms.gle/WS6Hhks5Gm1qyaDfA Register as a forum participant: bit.ly/4c3kIsw Registration deadline: 12:00 PM, April 7, 2025. After registration closes, accredited media representatives will receive a confirmation email with the venue details and forum agenda. For additional information, contact: Email: [email protected] Phone: +380976844142 Background Information The GEIPP Ukraine project is part of the Global Eco-Industrial Parks Program (GEIPP), implemented by UNIDO in seven countries and funded by the Government of Switzerland through the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO). The primary beneficiary of the project is the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine. The project launched in 2020. Project Goal: To demonstrate the viability and benefits of eco-industrial park (EIP) models, enhancing resource productivity while improving economic, environmental, and social performance of businesses thus contributing to inclusive and sustainable industrial development in Ukraine. More information: https://geipp-ukraine.org/ Interfax-Ukraine is a media partner Mumbai, April 2 : Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday said that the Waqf (Amended) Bill has given representation to women in the Waqf Board, which is a very progressive step. "This bill is not against the religious beliefs of any community. Those who have a conscience will support this Bill. "The new Bill has given an opportunity to correct mistakes. Women also got representation. A very progressive step has been taken. This is not against any religious beliefs. Some were taking advantage of mistakes and shaking the ground; no MP with a conscience will oppose this Bill. The opposition was left unanswered in the JPC. The opposition is doing this to manipulate votes," he claimed. The Chief Minister added that those whose conscience is still alive and who still want to follow Balasaheb Thackeray's thoughts will support the Bill. On Tuesday, Fadnavis targeted the Shiv Sena UBT, saying that, "Let us see if UBT will uphold the ideas of Balasaheb Thackeray, the Hinduhruday Samrat and the venerable Shiv Sena chief Balasaheb Thackeray, or will he continue to follow in the footsteps of Rahul Gandhi and continue to do appeasement." Shiv Sena Deputy Sanjay Nirupam also launched a sharp attack on Sena UBT, accusing the party of compromising its principles for Muslim votes by opposing the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. He added that while all NDA allies, including Shiv Sena, support the Bill, opposition parties are attempting to derail it under the pretext of secularism. He pointed out that Sena UBT itself is divided on the issue. "There are internal differences among Sena UBT's nine MPs regarding the Bill. Some, who still uphold the ideology of Hindu Hriday Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray, are inclined to support it. Until late last night, intense discussions were ongoing within the party," Nirupam revealed. However, he asserted that Sena UBT will ultimately oppose the Bill due to its political dependence on Muslim votes. "When the bill was first introduced, Sena UBT MPs avoided the discussion. Now, the real test begins - will Uddhav Thackeray, who claims to uphold Balasaheb Thackeray's legacy, oppose much-needed reforms and take an anti-Balasaheb stance?" He further questioned whether Sena UBT had fully embraced Congress's vote bank agenda, abandoning its Hindutva identity in favor of appeasement politics. Nirupam also slammed opposition parties for misleading the Muslim community about the Bill. He explained that the Sachar Commission, which examined the economic and social conditions of Muslims, had itself recommended transparency in Waqf Board operations. Chandigarh, April 2 : Haryana Cabinet Minister Vipul Goel on Wednesday said the government is fully committed to the development of cities and development works will be done at a faster pace in the coming time. Chairing a joint meeting, Goel directed officials of the Municipal Corporation and the Electricity Department to work in coordination with all councillors and not to keep any development project pending unnecessarily. He also directed the officials that whatever development work is currently going on, it should be completed within the stipulated timeframe. "If there is unnecessary delay in any work, it will be considered as negligence of the officer concerned and appropriate action will be taken against him," he said Food, Civil Supplies Minister Rajesh Nagar was also present at the meeting, whose objective was to establish better coordination between all departments and public representatives so that development works of the wards can be conducted smoothly and high-quality facilities can be provided to the citizens of Faridabad. Goel clarified that the drainage system should be repaired in time so that people do not face any kind of inconvenience during the rainy season. He directed the Municipal Corporation officials to start the work of cleaning drains and sewer lines with immediate effect and monitor it regularly. He also reviewed the water supply, sanitation system, health services and other basic facilities and directed all the departments concerned to work together so that citizens can get better services. The minister instructed the officials of the Electricity Department to make all preparations before the upcoming summer and monsoon so that a quick solution can be found in any emergency situation. He said all necessary equipment should be kept available in repair storage, and an action plan should be prepared to maintain a smooth power supply system. He also directed that in case of any technical fault, action should be taken as soon as possible so that citizens do not face any problem. Bengaluru, April 2 : In a major development, the Karnataka High Court on Wednesday ordered bike aggregators, including Rapido bike taxis, to halt their operations in the state within six weeks. Passing the order, a bench, headed by Justice B.M. Shyam Prasad, instructed the state government and the Transport Department to ensure that bike taxi operations cease within six weeks in Karnataka. "Regulatory clarity is vital before allowing such services to continue," it held. The court has also asked bike taxi aggregators Rapido, Uber, Ola, and others to halt their services within the stipulated period of 6 weeks. Justice Prasad, dismissing the petitions, opined that the court cannot give directions to the state to frame regulations and it can't order the state to register non-transport vehicles as transport vehicles. "The Transport Department cannot be directed to register motorcycles as transport vehicles or issue contract carriage permits for such services until appropriate government regulations are in place," the bench said. The bench rejected the petitions filed by the Roppen Transportation Services Private Limited, which owns Rapido, ANI Technologies owing Ola, and Uber Technologies owning Uber, seeking to legally recognise bike taxi services by permitting the registration of such vehicles. The petitioners had also sought the directions to the authorities concerned to implement a legal framework for bike taxis. Rapido had sought directions to the government authorities from interfering with its business. The court stated that the bike taxi aggregators cannot operate in the state unless the government notifies relevant guidelines under Section 3 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, along with necessary rules. Earlier, in April 2022, the bench headed by Justice Jyoti Mulimani had given interim relief to the bike taxi aggregators, directing the authorities not to initiate any coercive action against the bike taxi aggregators. The interim relief has been continued to date, enabling the operations of bike taxis. The new development is considered a huge setback for bike taxi aggregator app Rapido. Kolkata, April 2 : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, on Wednesday, submitted that Ram Navami should be celebrated along with the state's most popular festival, Durga Puja, during autumn while asserting that Lord Ram worshipped Goddess Durga to seek her blessings to defeat 10-headed demon king Ravana. Her remarks came amid preparations underway in the state by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to celebrate Ram Navami on April 6 on a grand scale. Speaking to the mediapersons on Wednesday afternoon, the Chief Minister also gave the logic on why she feels that Ram Navami should be celebrated along with Durga Puja. "We know that Lord Ram worshipped Goddess Durga during the autumn to get the blessing to kill Ravana. Our annual Durga Puja celebration is done at that point of time every year keeping in mind the worship of Goddess Durga by Lord Rama. Wasn't that Ram Navami also?" the Chief Minister questioned. Speaking on the occasion, she said that she is not against processions on Ram Navami in a peaceful manner. "That is an auspicious day. West Bengal has a rich tradition of unity. We follow Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and Swami Vivekananda. We respect all religions. So let everyone follow his or her religious programmes peacefully," the Chief Minister said. At the same time, she issued a strong note of caution that the administration will not spare anyone trying to disturb the peace in the state on the occasion of Ram Navami. "Do not try to create riot-like situations. The people of West Bengal are against riots. We follow the lessons of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and not what the Jumla Party propagates," the Chief Minister said. She said that some vested interests are trying to create communal tension in the state on the occasion of Ram Navami. "They have brought about a new religious theory to divide people and thus create a riot-like situation," the West Bengal CM said. To recall, while addressing a gathering at Red Road in central Kolkata on the occasion of Eid, the Chief Minister claimed that both the BJP and the CPI-M-led Left Front in West Bengal were equally responsible for propagating communal tension in the state. Banerjee also said that she and her party are always there to protect the interests of religious minorities. Ludhiana, April 2 : Thousands of students, NCC cadets and NSS volunteers on Wednesday took an oath in Punjab's Ludhiana to stay away from drugs. Addressing the media, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab in-charge Manish Sisodia, along with Ludhiana (West) AAP candidate Sanjeev Arora, said thousands of children taking an oath against drugs will further strengthen the Punjab government's 'Yudh Nashayian Virudh' (War Against Drugs) campaign. He called it a significant and ground-breaking step. He said today every child in Punjab "is pledging never to consume drugs in their lifetime". They also vowed to prevent their families and communities from falling into drug addiction and to report any drug-related activities to the police and the government. Sisodia highlighted that thousands of children took the oath and nearly 15,000 students carried out an awareness campaign in Ludhiana's markets. The children personally encouraged people to take an oath against drug use. He said students in schools and colleges should choose education over drugs and hard work over illegal drug trade. The AAP leader stressed that the next generation is being prepared for this change. He reiterated that the entire society must come together against drugs, as only a collective effort can protect future generations from this menace. Sisodia thanked the Punjab Police, acknowledging their strict actions, which have instilled fear among drug traffickers. He noted that in the past month, drug peddlers have been eliminated from the trade. He sent a clear message to drug dealers: either quit the drug business or leave Punjab. Sisodia also expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Mann for successfully leading this campaign and praised his efforts in tackling the drug crisis. In a significant display of solidarity, more than 1,500 NCC cadets, associate NCC officers, and permanent instructional staff gathered here for the anti-drug campaign that aimed to tackle the widespread issue of drug abuse by fostering community support and raising awareness among the youth. Led by the National Cadet Corps (NCC), the march emphasised the importance of collective action in combating the devastating effects of drug addiction. The event focused on engaging the younger generation, encouraging them to make positive contributions to the society by rejecting drugs and promoting healthy lifestyles. New Delhi, April 2 : Sulabh International marked the 82nd birth anniversary of its esteemed founder and global sanitation pioneer, Padma Vibhushan Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak, with the inauguration of the Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak Memorial Centre at the Sulabh Gram campus on Wednesday in New Delhi. The event also saw the unveiling of a statue dedicated to his memory. The ceremony was attended by distinguished guests, including former President of India Ram Nath Kovind, Union Minister Giriraj Singh, Minister of State Ram Nath Thakur, and Bihar government Minister Nitish Mishra. The dignitaries paid tribute to Dr. Pathak's remarkable contributions to sanitation and social reform. Speaking on the occasion, former President Kovind emphasised the significance of integrating the 'Sociology of Sanitation' as a field of academic study in Indian universities. He stressed the need to embed Dr. Pathak's values and philosophy within the broader social sciences framework. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a special message, hailed Dr. Pathak as a "pioneering Swachhagrahi" who revolutionised India's sanitation sector. "Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak introduced cost-effective, eco-friendly sanitation solutions that enhanced public health and upheld human dignity. Working in the field of sanitation is never easyit demands deep commitment. Despite initial ridicule and social stigma, Bindeshwar Ji remained unwavering in his dedication, guided by the single-minded philosophy of 'One Life, One Mission,'" said the message from the PM. He further expressed confidence that the Memorial Centre would uphold Dr. Pathak's legacy, fostering new learning and preserving his pioneering work. Sulabh International President Kumar Dilip reflected on Dr. Pathak's enduring impact, stating: "Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak was not just the founder of Sulabhhe was the soul of a movement that restored dignity to millions. This Memorial Centre is our collective commitment to carry his mission forward. It stands as a beacon of compassion, innovation, and social justice, inspiring future generations to create a more equitable and humane world." Dr. Pathak's contributions over five decades have reshaped sanitation, social reform, and human dignity in India and beyond. His initiatives, from eliminating manual scavenging to advocating for menstrual hygiene and environmental sustainability, have transformed countless lives across the Global South. The newly inaugurated Memorial Centre is housed in Dr. Pathak's personal office and serves as a space for learning, reflection, and inspiration. Key highlights include: Technological Innovations: Exhibits showcasing the twin-pit pour-flush toilet, biogas systems, and other eco-friendly sanitation models pioneered by Dr. Pathak. National Legacy Wing: A tribute to Sulabh's pivotal role in the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, launched by Prime Minister Modi in 2014, and its alignment with the national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. The Memorial Centre stands as a tribute to Dr. Pathak's tireless efforts and continues to serve as an inspiration for future changemakers dedicated to dignity, equity, and universal sanitation. Jaipur, April 2 : Rajasthan Chief Minister said on Wednesday that drones and modern technology will be used for real-time monitoring of illegal mining activities in the state and also called for aerial photography and videography to strengthen enforcement measures. He said a joint task force will also be formed at the headquarters level for surprise inspections, adding that pending cases related to illegal mining will be expedited to accelerate preventive action. Sharma has reaffirmed the state government's commitment to curbing illegal mining through stringent measures. "Surprise joint campaigns will be launched to ensure strict action against the mining mafia," he said during a review meeting on illegal mining at the Chief Minister's residence. He emphasised that government officials must prioritise state interests and fulfill their duties with full dedication, and also highlighted Rajasthan's rich mineral resources, which provide direct and indirect employment to lakhs of people and significantly contribute to state revenue. He stressed the need for efficient resource management and revenue enhancement, directing officials to set clear targets for action. The Chief Minister instructed the mining department to take decisive action against illegal mining in coordination with the police, district administration, forest, and transport departments. District collectors were urged to enforce the law strictly to create a deterrent effect on illegal miners. Regular monitoring of district-level SIT meetings and daily reporting were also mandated. To enhance surveillance, Sharma directed the use of drones and modern technology for real-time monitoring of illegal mining activities. He also called for aerial photography and videography to strengthen enforcement measures. The Chief Minister further advocated for the promotion of M-Sand as a sustainable alternative to gravel under the state's M-Sand policy. Encouraging the establishment of M-Sand units and increasing their usage will help reduce gravel exploitation. He also announced plans for recruitment in the Mines Department to strengthen enforcement efforts. Chief Secretary Sudhansh Pant reiterated the government's priority to boost legal mining while curbing illegal operations to enhance revenue and create employment. The meeting included detailed discussions led by Principal Secretary (Mines and Petroleum) T. Ravikant, covering key issues such as mineral potential, enforcement actions, export and storage regulations, and interdepartmental coordination. Top officials, including Director General of Police U.R. Sahu, Additional Chief Secretaries Aparna Arora (Forest and Environment), Shikhar Aggarwal (Chief Minister's Office), Anand Kumar (Home), and Praveen Gupta (Public Works), along with district collectors, police superintendents, and other concerned officers, participated in the meeting via video conference. Thiruvananthapuram, April 2 : A day after her meeting with Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda, Kerala Health Minister Veena George announced that she will hold a meeting with the protesting Asha workers on Thursday as their indefinite protest before the State Secretariat here entered its 52nd day on Wednesday. The Asha workers are demanding an increase in their honorarium from Rs 7,000 to Rs 21,000 per month, besides a lump sum benefit of Rs 5 lakh each when they superannuate at the age of 62. Soon after Georgeas invite for possible conciliation talks was sent out to the Asha workers, Wayanad Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi, who has been supporting the cause of the hapless workers, took to social media to reiterate her backing for the protesters. "ASHA workers, the backbone of Kerala's healthcare system, have been forced to protest due to the lack of attention to their plight. Despite caring for every village, home, and family in need, they have been abandoned by the very system they have upheld. We will not remain silent. We stand in solidarity with our ASHA sisters, recognising their sacrifices, resilience, and selfless service. Their fight is our fight," the Congress leader asserted. During Priyanka Gandhias visits to her constituency, she has, on several occasions, expressed her full support to the workers and called both the state and the Centre to ensure their demands are met. On Thursday, even though it will be the third round of conciliation talks that is going to be held, this will be the first time that the trade union wings of the CPI-M and the Congress is being invited. On both previous occasions, the talks failed with the rival parties sticking to their stand, but on Thursday, hopes have emerged that there could be a possibility that the state government might give an assurance to the protesters that their demands will be addressed positively. With the 24th CPI-M Party Congress having begun in Madurai on Wednesday, the CPI-M-led Left government of Pinarayi Vijayan is now under duress, and the national leadership wants these protests to end at the earliest, for the working class party could take a beating if it continues. Aizawl, April 2 : The Assam Rifles troopers have recovered highly addictive methamphetamine tablets, valued at over Rs 12.54 crore, in Mizoram on Wednesday, officials said. A defence spokesman said that, acting on secret information, the paramilitary troopers launched raids at the Bualpui area of Lawngtlai district and recovered 42,000 methamphetamine tablets, also known as Yaba or party tablets. The Lawngtlai district shares unfenced borders with both Bangladesh and Myanmar. The seized narcotics, smuggled from Myanmar, have been handed over to the Bualpui Police Station. Wednesdayas methamphetamine seizure is the second such major drug recovery from the Lawngtlai district within a week. On March 25, the Assam Rifles in a significant success in its efforts against drug smuggling, in a joint operation with the officials of the Excise and Narcotics Department, seized 50,000 methamphetamine tablets, valued at Rs 15 crore. The drugs, smuggled from Myanmar, were recovered from Bualpui in Lawngtlai, and a 53-year-old Myanmarese resident of Lungrang village in the neighbouring country's Hakha district was apprehended. Myanmaras Chin state is a hub for drug smuggling through six Mizoram districts -- Champhai, Siaha, Lawngtlai, Hnahthial, Saitual, and Serchhip. Champhai is a hotspot for the smuggling of various drugs, foreign cigarettes, areca nuts, arms and ammunition, and exotic animals and their parts. The varied drugs mostly come to India from Myanmar through illegal border routes in Mizoram and Manipur, and then are smuggled to other northeastern and Indian states and neighbouring countries, mainly Bangladesh. Mizoram shares 510 km and 318 km unfenced border with Myanmar and Bangladesh, respectively. Mumbai, April 2 : As a treat for the fans of the heart-wrenching web series, 'Kaafir', ZEE5 has brought back the beloved story that captured hearts in 2019 but this time as a powerful feature film. Based on the true story of Shehnaz Parveen, 'Kaafir' delves into the intense story of a Pakistani woman who, after crossing the Line-of-Control (LOC) into Indian territory, is imprisoned under suspicion of being a militant. Over seven years in captivity, she gives birth to a child, only to be rescued by an Indian journalist, who fights for her freedom. While Dia Mirza will be seen as Kainaaz Akhtar once again, Mohit Raina will reprise his role as lawyer-turned-journalist Vedant. Talking about 'Kaafir', Dia Mirza mentioned, aI am beyond excited to bring Kaafir back as a film. The journey of Kainaaz has been incredibly special to me, and the camaraderie between Vedant and my character was so powerful that it resonated deeply with the audience. It's truly wonderful that people still remember the show with such fondness, even after all these years. For us, it feels like a nostalgic moment to revisit this beautiful story and share it in a newer, shorter version with even more viewers. Kainaaz's fight for justice and the emotional bond she shares with Vedant is something Iall always hold close to my heart, and Iam thrilled for audiences to experience it once again." A ZEE5 spokesperson said, "At ZEE5, we have always prioritized our viewers' preferences, ensuring that we bring them stories that truly resonate. With Kaafir being such a cherished series, we believe reimagining it as a film is a fantastic move that will offer a heartwarming experience to our dedicated viewers. We are excited to present this beautiful story to both long-time fans and new audiences, and we hope it evokes the same deep connection and impact that made the original series unforgettable." With script by Bhavani Iyer and direction by Sonam Nair, 'Kaafir' is a heart-wrenching journey of love, resilience, and the pursuit of justice. Ukraine's largest mobile operator Kyivstar closed a deal to acquire 97% of the corporate rights of the online taxi service Uklon for $155.2 million, the company's press service reported on Wednesday. It is noted that the remaining 3% of Uklon's corporate rights will remain in the ownership of one of the company's co-founders, Vitaliy Diatlenko. Under the terms of the deal, Kyivstar made a payment in hryvnia - taxes on the funds received in the amount of 23% (including military tax) will be paid to the state budget. Part of the funds received in the amount of 12% will be paid to members of the Uklon team who were participants in the company's motivational program, the report says. The company reminded that Kyivstar and Uklon will operate as separate businesses after the deal. The team under the leadership of the current CEO Serhiy Hryshkov will continue to work at Uklon. At the same time, the corporate management of Uklon will be carried out by the supervisory board under the leadership of Kyivstar CEO Oleksandr Komarov. The governing body will include representatives of both companies, in particular, Kyivstar Business Development Director Zoya Dronshkevych, Kyivstar CFO Borys Dolhushyn, and Uklon co-founders Serhiy Smus and Vitaliy Diatlenko. "The agreement with Uklon is an important strategic step for Kyivstar on the path to creating a modern digital operator. We are betting on Uklon's talented team and promising business, which have already proven their effectiveness in the market. Our goal as a strategic investor is to develop existing online car ordering and delivery services, implement new solutions and services, and enter international markets, strengthening the competitive advantages of both companies," the press service of Kyivstar quotes CEO Oleksandr Komarov. Uklon co-founder Dmytro Dubrovsky recalled that last week the company celebrated the 15th anniversary of the first order and its founding. "We are very glad that Uklon will continue its development with a new powerful strategic investor - Kyivstar. We are confident that this will mutually strengthen the positions of the companies and help Uklon reach a new level both in Ukraine and abroad," Dubrovsky said. The legal advisors to the transaction were the law firm Sayenko Kharenko, and the financial advisors were the auditing company KPMG Ukraine. The law firm Imagine Lawyers acted as a legal advisor to Uklon. Exclusive financial support from Uklon was provided by the investment company Dragon Capital. Kolkata, April 2 : West Bengal's ruling Trinamool Congress will conduct massive protest rallies and processions throughout the state on April 4 and April 5 against the price hike of 748 medicines, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced on Wednesday. "On April 4 and April 5, our party workers will be on the streets on this issue. They will conduct protest rallies and processions in every block at the rural level and every ward at the urban level against its price hike. Unless we protest now, healthcare will be out of reach for common people," she told media persons. The Chief Minister said that April 4 and April 5 had been chosen for the days of the protests since her party is not in favour of bringing out processions or rallies on this issue on April 6 on the occasion of Ram Navami. She said that the protest rallies and processions will be conducted between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. on both days. "The Union government is trying to introduce a healthcare system where only one per cent of the Indian population, who can afford spending crores of rupees, can afford treatment," she said. Banerjee noted that the Union government had imposed goods & services tax on the premium on medical insurance. "I protested even then and wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi," she said. She also said that the party's Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha members will also be vocal on this issue of price hikes of essential medicines on the floor of the Parliament. On the occasion, the Chief Minister also highlighted the initiatives undertaken by her government to ensure free medical facilities for the common people. "Health is wealth. So our government is providing free Swastha Sathi (the stateas free medical insurance scheme). Every year, there is a huge payout from the state exchequer to provide free treatment and free medicines to common people," she said. Kolkata, April 2 : West Bengal Police on Wednesday launched massive operations against illegal factories following this week's blast at an illegal firecrackers factory at Patharpratima in South 24 Parganas that claimed the lives of eight persons, including three children. Kolkata, April 2 (IANS) West Bengal Police on Wednesday launched massive operations against illegal factories following this weekas blast at an illegal firecrackers factory at Patharpratima in South 24 Parganas that claimed the lives of eight persons, including three children. Some areas in the South 24 Parganas district has been traditionally hubs for the manufacturing of firecrackers, and in many cases, such manufacturing activities are being conducted from illegal factories. There are also allegations against such unlicensed factories of employing underage children at very cheap rates. Sources said that simultaneous raids and search operations throughout Wednesday resulted in the seizure of 200 kilograms of illegal firecrackers and manufacturing raw materials, leading to the arrest of three persons. On Wednesday, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed concern over the Patharpratima blast, blaming the firecracker manufacturers for their negligence. The Chief Minister also claimed that she had been informed that the cooking gas and raw materials for firecracker manufacturing were stocked in the same room of the residence at Patharpratima where the blast took place. Meanwhile, 48 hours have passed since the blast took place, and one of the two accused co-owners of the house, Tushar Banik, is yet to be arrested. However, his elder brother Chandrakanta Banik is currently in police custody. In February this year, four persons were killed and several others were injured following a blast at a firecracker factory at Kalyani in Nadia district of West Bengal. In 2023, as many as nine persons were killed in a similar blast at an illegal firecracker factory at Egra in East Midnapore district. There were similar blasts at Budge Budge in South 24 Parganas and Duttapukur in North 24 Parganas districts during the last couple of years, killing several people. Tokyo, April 2 : The 7th India-Japan Maritime Affairs Dialogue was held in the Japanese capital on Wednesday with both sides discussing ways to sustain a secure maritime environment conducive for inclusive growth and global well-being. The Indian delegation was led by Muanpuii Saiawi, Joint Secretary (Disarmament and International Security Affairs) in the Ministry of External Affairs, and the Japanese delegation by Kashiwabara Yutaka, Deputy Director-General and Deputy Assistant Minister, Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau. "Both countries reviewed ongoing cooperation initiatives in the maritime domain and avenues of reinforcing international and regional mechanisms for comprehensive maritime security. They agreed to strengthen their shared efforts in areas such as Maritime domain awareness, countering Illicit Maritime Activities (IMA), capability development and capacity building activities," the Ministry of External Affairs stated. Meanwhile, a press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan stated that during the dialogue, both India and Japan discussed their assessments of the situation and regional challenges in the Indo-Pacific. "To realise a Free and Open Indo-Pacific, they concurred on the necessity of both countries continuing close cooperation to maintain and strengthen the maritime order based on the rule of law," it added. India and Japan held their sixth Maritime Affairs Dialogue in a virtual format on September 9, 2021. The consultations involved exchanges on developments in the maritime security environment, regional cooperation activities and opportunities for cooperation between the two countries in the Indo-Pacific region. In October last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on the sidelines of the ASEAN-India Summit in Laos. Both the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership through enhanced cooperation in a wide range of areas, including trade and investment, infrastructure development, defense and security, semiconductors, skilling, culture and people-to-people exchanges, according to a MEA statement. "Both leaders emphasised that India and Japan are indispensable partners for a peaceful, safe, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region and renewed their commitment to working together to achieve this goal," the statement reads. India and Japan share a aSpecial Strategic and Global Partnershipa.Friendship between the two countries has a long history rooted in spiritual affinity and strong cultural and civilisational ties. Hyderabad, April 2 : The Centre has sought a report from the Telangana government on the clearing of 400 acres of land in Kancha Gachibowli near the Hyderabad Central University. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on Wednesday sought a factual report and an action taken report immediately from the state's Additional Chief Secretary, Forest. The Union Ministry stated in its communication that it had come to know about the illegal felling and removal of vegetation in Kancha Gachibowli village by the Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TGIIC). It said that there have also been various news reports in print and social media alleging damage to the wildlife found in the said land, its lakes, and to the unique rock formation found in the area. The letter also mentioned that the Minister for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change also received representations from Members of Parliament and other public representatives on the matter. The Ministry had asked the state to take legal action under the provisions of the Indian Forest Act (or local Forest Act), the Wildlife Protection Act, and the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam. The state Forest Department has also been asked to ensure that there is no violation of any other Acts or orders of the courts and tribunals. The Telangana High Court on Wednesday ordered a halt to the felling of trees and other works on the land located near Hyderabad Central University (HCU) till Thursday. The court gave the interim order while hearing the Public Interest Litigations filed by HCU students and the Vata Foundation. Student groups alleged that even after the High Court order, bulldozers were seen in action, felling trees. HCU students, green activists, and opposition parties have been protesting against the state governmentas move to clear the land and auction it for the development of IT parks. Accusing the government of destroying the environment, they have demanded an immediate halt to the work. Students continued their protest on the campus on Wednesday. Teachers and other staff members also joined them in the protest to demand protection of the forested land. The campus remained tense with repeated scuffles between police and protestors. The police personnel stopped students and faculty from marching towards the East Campus of the University. The TGIIC has deployed more than 40 JCBs to clear the area, considered as home to many species of animals and birds, lakes and mushroom rocks. The students are demanding immediate removal of JCBs from the area and a written assurance that the university will take steps to ensure that the land is registered under the university. The state government maintains that it is government land and it is utilising it to develop IT parks to provide jobs for youth. Patna, April 2 : Congress MLA Izharul Hussain on Wednesday claimed that he would end his life if the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 is passed, which is currently being debated in the Parliament. "The Central government wants to take over the property of minorities. Waqf property belongs to Allah and benefits the poor. If this bill is passed, I will end my life," Hussain said while interacting with the media persons in Kishanganj. Hussain has warned of major protests if the Bill is passed in the Parliament. "If necessary, I will go from Kishanganj to Parliament to stop this Bill. This is not just a minority issue - temples, gurudwaras, and churches may also be targeted next by passing similar bills in the future to snatch their lands," he said. The MLA accused the Union government of using divisive politics before elections. "They have no development agenda. They bring such bills to distract people. Earlier, they brought anti-farmer laws, and we opposed them too," Hussain said. Hussain argued that Waqf properties are donations meant for social welfare. "Now, the government is even eyeing Allah's property to grab it and hand it over to the industrialist," he said. The bill has sparked a major political divide, especially in Bihar, where parties are taking strong positions for and against it. The Grand Alliance (Mahagathbandhan) in Bihar has vowed to oppose the Bill. Bihar Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav said, "We will strongly oppose this Bill in Parliament. It is against minorities and social justice." Congress leaders also said that they would reject this Bill and stand with those fighting against it. Janata Dal-United is officially supporting the Bill despite discontent among some Muslim leaders within the party. LJP-Ram Vilas has issued a whip for its MPs to vote in favour of the Bill. Hindustani Awam Morcha chief Jitan Ram Manjhi has backed the Bill and even criticised Lalu Yadav for his past statements on Waqf. Rashtriya Lok Morcha, led by Upendra Kushwaha, also supported the bill. New Delhi, April 2 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will leave for Bangkok on Thursday to attend the 6th BIMSTEC Summit, with his visit also set to further strengthen economic and trade ties between India and Thailand. "Charting the way for future partnership. PM @narendramodi will be travelling to Thailand tomorrow," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal wrote on X on Wednesday. The spokesperson also attached a video to his 'X' post highlighting the bilateral relationship between India and Thailand. In the ASEAN region, Thailand is the fourth largest trading partner of India after Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Bilateral trade between India and Thailand stood at $16.04 billion in 2023, with exports from India to Thailand at $5.92 billion and imports at $10.11 billion. The fast-growing Indian market remains attractive for Thai investors, with vast opportunities available in infrastructure, agro and food processing, automotive and auto parts, pharmaceuticals and health, tourism, retail and renewable energy sectors. An Early Harvest Scheme (EHS), covering 83 products, under the proposed India-Thailand Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) was put in place in September 2004, and has contributed to the growth of bilateral trade. The ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA), which came into effect from January 1, 2010, also contributed to enhanced bilateral trade. Investment from Thailand in India has increased in recent years. Thai investments are mainly in infrastructure, real estate, agro processing, electronics, automotive, food processing sectors, the hotel hospitality sector, and the renewable energy sector. As India plays a dynamic and central role in the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), acting as a key driver of regional integration and cooperation, PM Modi's presence at the meet will further elevate India's prominent role on the regional stage, reinforcing its leadership in enhancing cooperation and progress within the BIMSTEC framework. The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is a grouping of seven member states lying in the littoral and adjacent areas of the Bay of Bengal. It is a unique link connecting South Asia with South-East Asia - five members from South Asia (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka) and two from South-East Asia (Myanmar and Thailand). Significantly, India is the largest and most influential member of the grouping. It has been instrumental in shaping BIMSTEC's agenda and promoting collaboration across various sectors. These nations of the grouping together account for 1.7 billion people and a combined GDP of $5 trillion. Through its leadership and active participation, India has significantly contributed to the development of BIMSTEC, especially in areas of security, connectivity, trade, and climate change. New Delhi, April 2 : The 25th session of the Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM) of BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) concluded on Wednesday in Bangkok, Thailand. This meeting, which precedes the 20th BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting on April 3 and the 6th BIMSTEC Summit on April 4, finalised key documents and set the agenda for the upcoming discussions at the Ministerial and Summit levels. New Delhi, April 2 (IANS) The 25th session of the Senior Officialsa Meeting (SOM) of BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) concluded on Wednesday in Bangkok, Thailand. This meeting, which precedes the 20th BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting on April 3 and the 6th BIMSTEC Summit on April 4, finalised key documents and set the agenda for the upcoming discussions at the Ministerial and Summit levels. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will leave for Thailand on April 3 to attend the BIMSTEC summit. After the summit, he will visit Sri Lanka from April 4 to 6. The major outcomes of the 25th SOM include: The finalisation of the Draft Declaration of the 6th BIMSTEC Summit, which outlines the vision, decisions, and directives to be adopted by the heads of State/Governments during the Summit. The finalisation of the Draft Report of the 20th BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting, which will be considered and adopted by the Foreign Ministers during their meeting. The consideration of the Report of the Eminent Persons Group on the Future Direction of BIMSTEC. This report includes recommendations to reform and revitalise the regional grouping and will be reviewed by both the Foreign Ministers and the leaders during the Summit. The consideration of various other reports, including those from meetings held since the 24th SOM, as well as the proceedings of the BIMSTEC Permanent Working Committee. The review of the Panel of Auditorsa Report for the Financial Year 2014-2015, providing an overview of BIMSTEC's financial status. The finalisation of the Draft Concept Note on the BIMSTEC Centre of Excellence on Tropical Medicine, which aims to serve as a framework for establishing the Center in Bangkok, Thailand. The draft Joint Statement on the Impact of the Myanmar-Thailand Earthquake on March 28, 2025, underscoring the urgency of establishing the BIMSTEC Centre of Excellence in Disaster Management in India. The statement will be adopted by the leaders during the 6th BIMSTEC Summit. The BIMSTEC SOM serves as a key decision-making mechanism for the regional organisation, bringing together foreign secretaries and senior officials from the member states. The delegations expressed their gratitude to the government of Thailand for successfully hosting the 25th SOM, paving the way for the upcoming Ministerial Meeting and Summit. BIMSTEC, comprising Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, focuses on cooperation in seven key sectors: Agriculture & Food Security, Connectivity, Environment & Climate Change, People-to-People Contact, Science, Technology & Innovation, Security, and Trade, Investment & Development. It also addresses eight sub-sectors, including the Blue Economy, Mountain Economy, Energy, Disaster Management, Fisheries & Livestock, Poverty Alleviation, Health, and Human Resource Development. With these developments, BIMSTEC member states are positioning themselves for stronger regional cooperation to address pressing challenges and opportunities across the Bay of Bengal region. Bengaluru, April 2 : Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah met Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday and submitted a memorandum requesting approval for various infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing the state's social and economic development. The Chief Minister thanked Union Minister Nitin Gadkari for supporting the expansion of the National Highway network in Karnataka. Considering the heavy traffic on state highways (with over 10,000 Passenger Car Units per day), the Karnataka government has urged the Union Minister to approve the following projects for the state's social and economic development: Construction of nine grade separators on NH-275 in Mysuru to ease traffic congestion. Development of a tunnel on NH-75 (formerly NH-48) from Maranahalli to Addahole in Shiradi Ghat to improve connectivity between Mangaluru Port (Indiaas 7th largest port) and Bengaluru. Expedited approval for the Pune-Bengaluru Greenfield Expressway; Increasing the budget for National Highway projects under the 2025-26 annual plan from Rs 24,000 crore; Construction of a flyover at Hebbal Junction on NH-44 in Bengaluru. Upgrading strategically important roads to National Highways on a priority basis; Construction of tunnels to improve connectivity between Mysuru Road (NH-275), Hosur Road (NH-48 and NH-75 via Electronic City), Tumakuru Road (NH-48), Ballari Road (NH-44), and Old Madras Road (formerly NH-4) in Bengaluru and others. The Chief Minister has urged the Union Minister Nitin Gadkari to consider these proposals and direct the relevant authorities to approve them. He also highlighted key projects approved by the central government for the state. CM Siddaramaiah assured Union Minister Nitin Gadkari that the Karnataka government is committed to enhancing the National Highway connectivity across the state. The state revenue and forest departments are expediting land acquisition and clearance processes, while other agencies are facilitating utility shifting for faster implementation of National Highway projects. During his visit to Delhi, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also inaugurated the newly constructed Karnataka Bhavan-1 building in the presence of AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha. The event was attended by Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, along with Ministers Satish Jarkiholi, H.C. Mahadevappa, K.N Rajanna, K.H. Muniyappa, and other dignitaries. Lucknow, April 2 : Tapan Kumar Deka, the Director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB), was warmly welcomed at the Uttar Pradesh Police Headquarters in Lucknow by Prashant Kumar, the Director General of Police (DGP) of Uttar Pradesh, along with other senior police officials. The visit, marked by cordial discussions, focused on the stateas ongoing efforts to enhance law enforcement capabilities. Deka was given a detailed presentation by the DGP and senior officials, where various initiatives and advancements within the Uttar Pradesh Police were highlighted. Central to the discussions were the implementation and progress of SMART policing a" a strategic framework focused on enhancing police efficiency through the use of technology, innovation, and public engagement. UP Police shared on X, "Showcasing Progress, Sharing Vision: Director Intelligence Bureau Shri Tapan Kumar Deka was warmly welcomed at Uttar Pradesh Police Headquarters, Lucknow by DGP Uttar Pradesh Shri Prashant Kumar and other senior officers. During the presentation given before Shri Deka, the DGP and senior officials held detailed discussions on SMART policing, innovation, and technological advancements in UPPolice." Meanwhile, the DGP briefed Deka on Uttar Pradesh's pioneering efforts in integrating technological solutions such as artificial intelligence, predictive policing, and data analytics to enhance crime prevention and investigation. These advancements aim to improve the overall policing experience for the public and ensure better law enforcement outcomes. Furthermore, innovation in training, surveillance systems, and communication platforms was also discussed, demonstrating the stateas commitment to modernising its police force. Deka reportedly commended the proactive steps taken by the Uttar Pradesh Police in adopting new technologies to improve operational efficiency and strengthen public trust. He appreciated the stateas vision of transforming policing methods to meet contemporary challenges, sources said. The meeting underscored the importance of collaborative efforts between intelligence agencies and state police forces in addressing national security concerns. Both sides expressed a shared commitment to continuing the exchange of knowledge and resources to further enhance the effectiveness of law enforcement agencies across the country, sources added. Guwahati, April 2 : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday said that the government will soon sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ISRO for having its satellite system of the state. Sarma told reporters: "We have been taking this with ISRO and the MoU will be signed very soon. The initial work on having our own satellite system will be in place by the end of this year." He also said that the state will have at least four to five satellites to cover the entire state. He further added that the satellites will be low-earth orbiting satellites and each of them will focus on different regions, adding that the array of its own satellite system in the state -- ASSAMSAT will have a command and control centre in Guwahati. He said that the ASSAMSAT will be controlled from Guwahati and the centre here will operate Assam's own constellation of satellites. The Chief Minister has outlined a number of benefits that the ASSAMSAT will bring to the state. He added that this will aid the state in disaster Management and security, like monitoring illegal infiltration, wildlife monitoring. Moreover, developmental applications like agricultural land use, road network monitoring can also be done through the satellite. "Along with education and skill development, Assam's own satellite will encourage greater private sector participation in the state," he added. In the recent state Budget, the state Finance Minister, Ajanta Neog, announced that Assam will have its own satellite system. To bolster technological advancement and scientific research in the state, Assam Finance Minister Ajanta Neog recently announced the state's ambitious plan to launch its own satellite, ASSAMSAT. This groundbreaking initiative aims to improve communication networks, enhance disaster management capabilities, and support various developmental projects across Assam. During her budget presentation, Neog emphasised that ASSAMSAT would be a crucial step towards strengthening the state's digital infrastructure. The satellite is expected to facilitate improved connectivity in remote areas, enabling better access to telecommunication services, e-governance platforms, and educational resources. Finance Minister Neog mentioned that the state government will collaborate with prominent space research institutions, including the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), to develop and launch the satellite. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 2. The visit of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to Baku is taking place against the backdrop of growing political and economic cooperation between Azerbaijan and Germany. In recent years, the two countries have demonstrated a strong desire to deepen their collaboration in key areas such as energy, transport, investment, and trade. For instance, trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Germany has shown steady growth. In January-February 2025, the volume of trade between the two countries reached $485.4 million, an increase of $315.1 million (2.8 times) compared to the same period in 2024. Today, Germany ranks fifth among Baku's largest economic partners. One of the main areas of cooperation is energy. Germany, seeking to diversify its energy resource supplies, is increasingly interested in projects where Azerbaijan plays a leading role. In January-February 2025, Azerbaijan exported 500,000 tons of oil and petroleum products to Germany, worth $276.5 million. Compared to the same period in 2024, this represents a significant increase: 5.3 times in value and 6.1 times in volume. During this period, Germany ranked second among the countries to which Azerbaijan exported the largest volume of oil. Azerbaijan is already an important supplier of natural gas to Europe through the Southern Gas Corridor. At the same time, Baku is actively investing in expanding export routes and offering Germany promising opportunities for cooperation in green energy, including wind and solar energy projects. In November 2024, German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck discussed gas exports and cooperation in renewable energy sources (RES) with Azerbaijan's Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov in Baku. This included the use of the Caspian's wind potential and the production of green hydrogen. Earlier, in March 2023, at the Berlin conference "Energy Transition Dialogue," Shahbazov held talks with over 20 German companies, including Siemens Energy, Uniper, and Notus Energy, regarding electricity transmission and the development of hydrogen projects. Another crucial area is transport logistics. Azerbaijan plays a key role in the development of the Middle Corridor - the route connecting China and Europe through Central Asia and the Caucasus. Germany, as the largest economy in Europe, is also interested in integrating its logistics chains with this route, which opens up additional opportunities for deepening cooperation. In recent years, President Ilham Aliyev has been actively promoting a foreign policy aimed at expanding international relations, including close cooperation with Germany. During one of his visits to Berlin, President Ilham Aliyev met with representatives of 30 major German companies to discuss investment prospects in Azerbaijan. This indicates that Germany recognizes Baku's economic potential and sees Azerbaijan as an important partner in the region. Moreover, Azerbaijan has established itself as a leading power in the South Caucasus, a country that not only regional states but also major global players must reckon with. Energy, logistics, and sustainable development issues make Azerbaijan an indispensable partner for Europe. The economic benefits of the partnership are clear: Azerbaijan provides Europe with energy resources, participates in the formation of new transport architecture, and offers promising opportunities for German investors. In this context, developing relations with Azerbaijan is not only desirable for Germany but also a strategically necessary step. Bhubaneswar, April 2 : The Odisha Culture Minister Suryabanshi Suraj on Wednesday urged the people of Odisha to wear traditional Odia ethnic wear on April 3, as part of the 14-day long celebration of the heritage of Odisha 'Odia Pakhya 2025' which started from April 1. The "Ama Poshak, Ama Parichaya" (Odia Ethnic Wear Day) programme will be organised by the state Handlooms, Textiles, and Handicrafts department on the third day of the Odia Pakhya on Thursday. Suraj said that following the call of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, the state is observing 'Odia Pakhya' from April 1 to April 14 for the first time. The third day of the 14-day-long programme on Thursday will be observed as 'Paridhan Dibasa'. "This day is dedicated to the promotion of our indigenous Odia traditional attire. I request everyone to join this grand festival tomorrow by wearing our traditional clothes that embody Odia identity. Our ethnic wear, our identity," urges Suraj on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Majhi in a special message said: "Our traditional clothes are our pride and our identity. Odisha handlooms are famous all over the world. Our Sambalpuri, Sonpuri, Bomkai, Maniabandh, Kotpad handlooms and Sarees, along with Khordha Lungi and Gamuchha etc. have gained popularity in the state and outside the state." Majhi said that the handloom clothes of a particular region are closely associated with its history. Through the handloom, the creative skills of the weavers are being passed down from generation to generation. He stated that one enriches the economy of his state by wearing the local handloom clothes of the place. "On the occasion of the celebration of Odia Pakhya, let us make it a habit to wear handloom clothes. Not just for today, wear the handloom clothes every day and strengthen our weavers and rural economy and be a part of building a prosperous Odisha," said the Chief Minister. Meanwhile, the Odisha Handlooms, Textiles & Handicrafts Department, in a letter to all the department heads of the state government and district collectors, has directed the authorities to encourage every government official, employee and common people to wear Odia handloom clothes on April 3. New Delhi, April 3 : BJP leader Amit Malviya has elaborated on the implications of key insertions in the Waqf Amendment Bill, highlighting major changes aimed at protecting historical monuments and tribal land rights. Taking to the social media platform X, Malviya shared a detailed explanation of the amendments. "One of the significant insertions in the bill, Clause 3D, states: Any declaration or notification issued under this Act or under any previous Act in respect of waqf properties shall be void, if such property was a protected monument or protected area under the Ancient Monuments Preservation Act, 1904 or the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958, at the time of such declaration or notification," he wrote on X. Explaining its impact, Malviya stated that ASI-protected monuments have now been excluded from the Waqf's ambit. He emphasised that since the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is merely a custodian, protected properties may not necessarily be government assets. "Another key amendment, Clause 3E, reads: "Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act or any other law for the time being in force, no land belonging to members of Scheduled Tribes under the provisions of the Fifth Schedule or the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution shall be declared or deemed to be waqf property," he said. Malviya highlighted that this provision ensures the exclusion of tribal land from Waqf's jurisdiction, thereby protecting the interests of tribal communities and preventing land encroachment. He noted that this issue has been particularly pressing in states like Jharkhand and other tribal-dominated regions. "This is a major step in protecting Tribal rights, benefiting Bengal's Tribals and many others," Malviya remarked. The amendments in the Waqf Act have sparked discussions across political and social circles, with proponents asserting that they safeguard historical heritage and tribal communities. Earlier, addressing the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, asserted that misconceptions about the Waqf (Amendment) Bill were being deliberately spread by certain parties to bolster their vote banks. He said that the proposed legislation was in line with fulfilling the wishes of RJD chief Lalu Prasad, something the opposition had failed to do. The Home Minister explained that the new law might not have been necessary had the Waqf (Amendment) Act of 2013, passed under the Congress-led UPA II government, not been rushed through just months before the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. At that time, Lalu Prasad, whose party had been part of the ruling coalition before withdrawing and later offering support, had raised concerns about the state of Waqf properties. Quoting Lalu Prasad, HM Amit Shah said: "We welcome the amendment bill presented by the government. I support the statements made by (BJP's) Shahnawaz Hussain and others. Most of the land has been grabbed, be it government-owned or otherwise. People in the Waqf Board have sold all the prime land. In Patna, apartments have been constructed on Dak Bungalow property. There has been a lot of loot like this." The Home Minister also reiterated that the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, was not aimed at any particular religion and that the Congress and other opposition parties were spreading misinformation about the bill to serve their vote-bank politics. Here we round up new and forthcoming childrens titles, including a chapter book series starter about adventure, a picture book fable about a persuasive pup, a YA dark academia murder mystery about a teens relationship with the boys she suspects of her cousins murder, and more. Adventures Unlimited: The Land of Lost Things by Andy Griffiths, illus. by Bill Hope. Feiwel and Friends, $17.99; ISBN 978-1-250-36735-8. This chapter book series starter traces an array of wild adventures that the protagonists have been on. Almost True by Clarice Lispector, trans. from the Portuguese by Benjamin Moser, illus. by Carla Irusta. New York Review Books, $19.95; ISBN 978-1-68137-897-8. In a rollicking translated fable about a fig tree that endeavors to outsmart a flock of hens, Brazilian novelist Lispector casts as narrator dog Ulisses, who can bark out a story that seems almost like make-believe and almost true. Boys with Sharp Teeth by Jenni Howell. Roaring Brook, $19.99; ISBN 978-1-250-33459-6. High school senior Marin transfers into an elite Academy to investigate the murder of her cousin and becomes embroiled in her suspects dangerous, thrill-seeking ways. Carousel Summer by Kathleen Gros. Quill Tree, $24.99 hardcover; $15.99 paper ISBN 978-0-06-305769-2; ISBN 978-0-0630-5768-5. Over the course of the summer, Lucy navigates how her budding romance with bisexual visitor Anais impacts her relationship with her father, who is suffering with alienation from the local community. Dont Trust Fish by Neil Sharpson, illus. by Dan Santat. Dial, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-593-61667-3. Caldecott Medalist Santat fires up the comedy with goggle-eyed vignettes of crafty fish, spying fish, disguised fish, and more. Fart Boy and Reeky Dog by Joan Holub, illus. by Rafael Rosado. Random House, $14.99; ISBN 978-0-5934-3430-7. In this spoof of classic superhero comics, Phartolomew embraces the identity of Fart Boy and aims to defeat evil Professor Groovypants. Fearless by Lauren Roberts. Simon & Schuster, $21.99; ISBN 978-1-665-95546-1. In the conclusion to the Powerless Trilogy, Paedyn Gray and Kai Azer return to the Kingdom of Ilya to make the ultimate choice. It Started with A P by Brittany Pomales, illus. by Andrew Joyner. Flamingo, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-5936-9083-3. When Liam dreams that his birthday party will be ruined by something starting with Pbut cant recall exactly whathe goes full-on royal fiat, declaring that everything that starts with the letter P must go. Midnight Motorbike by Maureen Shay Tajsar, illus. by Ishita Jain. Holiday House/Porter, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-8234-5662-8. A child narrates the scenery and sensations on their midnight ride through India with their mother. The Mystery of the Thinking Rabbit by Clarice Lispector, trans. from the Portuguese by Benjamin Moser, illus. by Kammal Joao. New York Review Books, $19.95; ISBN 978-1-68137-898-5. This surrealist picture book in translation describes the enigma posed by white rabbit Joaozinho, who escapes from a close-barred, heavy-lidded hutch again and again without others discovering how. Old Blue Is My Home by Lita Judge. Abrams, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-4197-7152-1. Drawing, per an authors note, on childhood experiences, Judge narrates this picture book via the voice of a child whose family lives in a van called Old Blue. The Peddler of Puddles by Beth Ferry, illus. by Tom Lichtenheld. Clarion, $19.99; ISBN 978-0-0633-1834-2. Tackling a significant life transition, prior collaborators Ferry and Lichtenheld imagine a much-beloved turtle entrepreneur, the peddler of puddles, who realizes that hes tired of the itinerant life but not sure where to go. Survive This Safari by Natalie D. Richards. Delacorte, $17.99; ISBN 978-0-5936-4416-4. Middle schooler Lucy Spagnola gets a second chance to participate in the Wildlands Safari Escape Challenge, after a panic attack forced her out of the last one. When I Talk to God, I Talk About Feelings by Chrissy Metz and Bradley Collinsm illus. by Lisa Fields. Flamingo, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-593-69136-6. This picture book highlights the many feelings young readers can experience during their own prayer time. For more childrens and YA titles on sale throughout the month of April, check out PWs full On-Sale Calendar. The global graphic novel market is getting more attention in Bologna this year, with an expanded number of exhibitors and panels dedicated to the topic. Graphic novels represent one of the most significant growth areas in childrens publishing globally, Peter Warwick, CEO of Scholastic, said during a panel celebrating the 20th anniversary of Scholastics Graphix imprint. He pointed out that author Dav Pilkeys latest book sold more than two and a half million copies worldwide since its December release and attributed at least some of that success to the formats particular appeal to boys. Our most recent event with Dav in the U.K. was in a venue that seated 2,000 people. It was full. Of the children who were there, over 90% were boys. Renata Gorgani, CEO of Editrice Il Castoro, described the market transformation in Italy. We started with graphic novels in 2014, publishing the first Raina Telgemeier book Smile. And this was the beginning of the growth of graphic novels in Italy, she said. If you think that today the market is 10 times what it was in 201410 timesits really something. It changed the world. Her company now publishes major series including Raina Telgemeier, Amulet, and the Babysitters Club, helping to drive the categorys growth. Both executives highlighted how graphic novels have overcome early skepticism from educators. When we first started doing graphic novels, there was a certain amount of reluctance sometimes among librarians and teachers, particularly in parents as to whether graphic novels are real books, Warwick said. This resistance has diminished as the format proved its worth for developing readers. Gorgani added, We had to explain that it is a double languageyou have the text and the drawings, and sometimes the drawings are so beautiful, they are masterpieces in themselves. They give clues as to how the book should be read and understood, and have meaning all on their own. Asked whether the visual language of graphic novels serves as a lingua franca that facilitates a little bit more cultural affinity thats easier than straight-up literary fiction, the panelists agreed, with Warwick noting that graphic novels have helped bring some of the kids from the screen back to the page, because its kind of like a screen on a page as well, addressing the worldwide trend of children migrating from books to digital devices. The global interest in graphic novels comes as sales stateside have fallen for two consecutive years after peaking in 2022, according to Circana BookScan. Despite the decline, the format remains one of the largest fiction categories in the U.S. The panel coincided with the launch of The Cartoonists Club by Raina Telgemeier and Scott McCloud, marking a significant industry event. Raina has sold 26 million copies worldwide, Warwick said, adding that she hasnt published since 2019, and this collaboration is a big deal for people who are her fans. Looking toward future growth, both publishers emphasized expanding into nonfiction content. I think one of the new frontiers of graphic books should be nonfiction, Gorgani said, while Warwick expressed interest in more cross-cultural publishing and experimenting with formats like light novels from Asia that combine color illustrations with black-and-white text. Kevin Stillwell, head of independent publishing and distribution at John Marshall Media, believes that converting graphic novels and manga into audio formats represents a significant growth opportunity for the company. I do [think it will be a growth business] for a couple [of reasons], and why is that? One, because the readership is increasing and the audience that wants to read it also likes audio, Stillwell said. John Marshall Media, based in Atlanta, has been expanding its operations beyond traditional audiobook production. The companys portfolio includes several divisions, including legacy audiobook production for major publishers, museum audio tours, educational podcasts through its custom division, and Stillwells self and indie publishing division. Weve been branching out into doing manga and graphic novels and turning them into scripts and [producing them], Stillwell said. The company has already produced audio adaptations for Capstone and Penguin, among others. This expansion into graphic novel adaptation comes as the company produced more than 16,000 hours of audio content last year283 days of listeningacross approximately 3,400 projects. While the legacy division accounts for the majority of this output, the independent publishing segment continues to grow. Stillwell noted that consumer demand is driving this expansion, with readers increasingly seeking content in multiple formats. [Its] the same demand that Ive had with self and indie publishing, Stillwell said. Everybody reads the book and everybodys asking, wheres the audio version? This trend extends to both fiction and nonfiction titles, with readers seeking different interpretation[s] of the same content, according to Stillwell. Beyond graphic novels, John Marshall Media has also been involved in innovative audio projects like Bayards childrens audio cubes. Depending on which side of the cube its on, it tells a different part of the story, Stillwell explained. The company has also expanded into bilingual content, particularly English-Spanish productions. Several of my self-published authors have the English and Spanish version, and they want to combine it into a learning lesson, so weve been able to produce those, Stillwell said. To support this growing demand, John Marshall Media maintains a division in Mexico City with locally sourced talent. Stillwell, who was attending the fair for the first time, praised Bologna as an opportunity to network and connect with potential clients. Whats been really great for me is that because Ive been at other book fairs, and I have this network of folks I know, [it] helps me navigate and feel immediately at home, he said. Ingram Content Group has officially launched MediaScout, a new database designed to facilitate book-to-screen adaptations. The tool, which aims to connect film and television industry professionals with books available for screen adaptation, was initially introduced at the Frankfurt Book Fair where Ingram was showing a beta version of the platform. According to the Ingram announcement, MediaScout offers search capabilities across 2.5 million titles and authors, featuring rights information on available works. Margaret Hepp Harrison, VP of digital services at Ingram, said MediaScout is another way Ingram is using technology to connect different parts of the book industry, in this case connecting film and TV studios with screen-ready books. In addition to providing search capabilities, MediaScout can serve as a centralized resource for managing and updating rights information for publishers, Ingram said. For studios and production companies, MediaScout provides efficient discovery and access to a vast range of titles, along with comprehensive rights information in one centralized resource. Ingram is charging a $149 monthly fee to use MediaScout and takes no part in any transaction that might come from using the database. MediaScout was first unveiled in October, one month after the Black List, the web platform and database for screenplay development and discovery, launched its novel manuscript program. Through the Black List's new manuscript database, industry professionals such as book editors, literary and film agents, and film studio executives can discover unpublished and self-published works of fiction, made searchable by genre, subgenre, and theme. With MediaScout now live, Ingram is encouraging publishers and agents to upload rights information for studios and production companies to access and discover. Laura Barker, VP and publisher at the Penguin Random House Christian Publishing Group, will step down on April 15, PRH Christian SVP and publisher Campbell Wharton announced on Tuesday. Barker joined WaterBrook in 1998 as managing editor, and was promoted to editorial director before stepping away in 2004 for a five-year stint as a consultant, including for WaterBrook. She returned as editorial director to a combined WaterBrook & Multnomah in 2009, working her way up to editor-in-chief and then publisher, a role she has served in for the past five years. She took on her latest title in October, following the formal establishment of the PRH Christian Publishing Group as a division. Everything seems to confirm this as the best time to make way for fresh vision and leadership in this particular season, so rich with possibility in our new organizational structure as PRH Christian, said Barker, in a statement. For his part, Wharton praised Barker for not only her editorial acumen but also for her passionate advocacy of our authors and their messages during every step of the publishing process and for her insight and wisdom that helped shape our Christian division into a top destination for Christian publishing. As a result of the move, all editors for adult fiction and nonfiction at the division will report to recently hired editorial director Madison Trammel, who reports to Wharton. Also reporting to Wharton are executive editor Sarah Rubio, who leads the divisions childrens book program; Susan Tjaden, VP and executive editor at Ink & Willow; and Bridget Baxter, manager of publishing operations. At the 2025 Autumn/Winter Shanghai Fashion Week, 22 African fashion brands debuted their latest collections here for the first time in hopes of entering the Chinese and even Asian markets. #GLOBALink BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 2. Azerbaijan has very ambitious programs and plans in the renewable energy sector, where German companies have extensive experience, said President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev at a joint press conference with President of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Trend reports. "We intend to increase the production capacity of renewable energy sources to 6 gigawatts by 2030 through foreign investments, and this is entirely realistic. A portion of this will be exported to Europe," the head of state emphasized. On Friday, Dr. Peter Marks announced his resignation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as Director of CEBR (Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research) citing differences with Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kennedy regarding vaccines. The New York Times, Washington Post, and other media outlets such as STAT News breathlessly reported that FDAs top vaccine scientist had been pushed out. We have been told that science is at risk. The irony of these reports is that Marks didnt resign and is not a vaccine scientist. Dr. Marks was asked to leave and then subsequently wrote that he did not want to become subservient to [Secretary Kennedys] misinformation and lies. Peter Marks is not a hero of the resistance but instead has been subverting the scientific process at FDA for years. The media proclamation that Dr. Marks is FDAs top vaccine scientist is ironic because he decided to give himself that position. Marks is a physician but has no clinical or scientific training in vaccines or immunology. Dr. Marks trained as an oncologist, a field far from the important and complex area of vaccine biology. At FDA in 2021, Dr. Marks removed top career vaccine scientists so he could force through the approval of the COVID vaccine to meet an arbitrary Biden administration deadline. He also declined to convene the FDA Vaccine Advisory Committee to review his decision. These events are clearly outlined in the June 2023 House Judiciary Hearings. Marks ousted Dr. Gruber and Dr. Krause, the top scientists at the Office of Vaccine Research, due to intransigence of these real vaccine experts to not ram through the approval of the vaccine. Drs. Gruber and Krause had voiced concerns that they needed more time to understand the safety of the vaccine especially as it relates to inflammation of the heart, now a well known and accepted toxicity of the COVID vaccine. Marks approved the use of the vaccine in children despite the known fact that children have an extremely low risk of serious health effects of COVID-19 infection and yet a known significant increased risk of serious vaccine related toxicity. On at least three additional, documented occasions during the Biden administration as Director of CBER, Marks disregarded the opinions and expert advice of long-time career scientists to advance his own dangerous agenda. In addition to ignoring and overruling FDAs top vaccine scientists during the pandemic, Marks also overruled FDA career scientists and supported the approval of the Alzheimers drug ADUHELM; a decision later overturned. In 2023, he overruled his own staff scientists amid their concerns and those raised by an FDA Advisory Board to grant approval of ELEVIDYS, a gene treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Furthermore, in 2024 Marks expanded the approval of ELEVIDYS despite FDA staff objections and without FDA Advisory Committee input. As tragic evidence of Marks failed judgement, just 2 weeks ago, the company that markets the therapy ELEVIDYS announced that a treated patient died of fulminant liver failure. Marks overruled his own career staff and experts to drive through a risky and unproven therapy that has now killed a patient. This tragedy should not have happened. After the initial FDA approval, the company conducted a subsequent trial which failed to meet the primary efficacy endpoint. On top of that, ELEVIDYS has proven toxicity including liver failure (22% of patients) and increase in serious adverse events. Despite the lack of proven efficacy and the concerning toxicity profile, Dr. Marks rammed through the initial ELEVIDYS approval and the full approval in June of 2024 against the counsel of his staff and the expert panel. While advocates point to the need for new therapies in severe debilitating diseases such as DMD, giving patients and families hope on a toxic therapy that does not provide a clinical benefit rises beyond simple incompetence. A patient died needlessly, and others have been harmed due to this incompetence. Dr. Marks also failed to protect public health when he overruled career FDA scientists and supported the approval of the Alzheimers treatment AUDHELM, a controversial approval that was subsequently overturned. ADUHELM was approved in June 2021 despite strident objections from FDA staff and against the recommendations of an Advisory Board. In fact, two prominent members of that advisory board resigned in protest of the decision. These members cited a lack of clear efficacy and the risk of serious toxicity including brain swelling and bleeding that can be life threatening. These events led to a congressional investigation which found that FDA had unusually close interactions with Biogen, the AUDHELM sponsor and applicant. In January 2024, Biogen decided to remove ADUHELM from the market after confirmatory trials failed to show patient benefit. So, Dr. Marks again supported a dangerous and ineffective therapy that cruelly gave patients hope and provided nothing but risk and cost to Americans. Both the ADUHELM initial approval and the ELEVIDYS approvals demonstrate that ignoring basic tenants of the use and interpretation of clinical trial data can be very damaging to public health. By ignoring these well-tested tenants of FDA review and approval, Marks endangered patients, gave false hope to those in desperate need and cost vast amounts of money that our health case system can ill afford. It cannot be overstated how destructive this practice is to drug development. This uneven application of basic clinical trial data interpretation calls into question the impartiality and credibility of the FDA. This is particularly relevant now as a patient who otherwise could have lived many more years died from an expected toxicity. And we have yet to fully determine the harm caused by Dr. Marks decision to remove the most experienced and trusted vaccine scientists that simply wanted more time to understand the, now proven, risks of the COVID vaccine. While Dr. Peter Marks may try to claim differences with Secretary Kennedy on vaccines and the legacy media try to paint Marks as the FDA hero, the real reason he was terminated is that he made bad decisions that were contrary to FDA long-standing policies and which ran counter to the evaluations of professional career staff at FDA. Thanks to Dr. Marks terrible decisions, we are left with a drug that has no proven benefit and that just killed a young patient, a vaccine that is not completely safe is being administered to children that have no significant risk of harm from the underlying infection, and an overburdened healthcare system that had to pay billions for another unproven, harmful therapy. Advocates for Dr. Marks claim that he has acted to help patients with life-threatening conditions which have no alternative treatments. But in reality, he catered to industry and hurt patients. Of course, we should strive to advance safe and effective therapies for such conditions, but we should not approve ineffective and dangerous therapies simply to put something out on the market. Unfortunately, Dr. Marks has repeatedly disregarded long-held FDA policy that is in place to protect patients. That is malpractice not heroism. George F. Tidmarsh, MD, PhD, Stanford University School of Medicine, Adjunct Professor, Pediatrics and Neonatology. Security and defense cooperation between South Korea and the United Kingdom has significant strategic potential to shape the evolving security architecture of the Indo-Pacific region. The importance of this bilateral relationship stems from a complex global security landscape, characterized by increasing geopolitical competition, rapid technological advancements, and emerging hybrid threats. An analytical examination of the partnership reveals policy opportunities and strategic considerations that could profoundly influence regional stability and global security dynamics. The UK's strategic reorientation toward the Indo-Pacific, articulated through its Integrated Review, indicates a clear policy intent to reinforce its geopolitical presence and influence in the region. South Korea's strategic location, advanced military capabilities, and shared democratic values make it a natural ally in supporting the UK's Indo-Pacific strategy. Both nations have aligned interests in preserving freedom of navigation, upholding international norms, and mitigating regional security threatsparticularly those posed by Chinas assertiveness and North Koreas provocations. In terms of defense industrial collaboration, South Koreas advanced capabilities in shipbuilding, aerospace, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence present substantial opportunities for deeper engagement with the UK. Joint initiatives in defense research, co-production, and technology transfer could significantly bolster mutual capabilities and improve interoperability, ultimately enhancing the collective operational effectiveness of both countries. A policy framework prioritizing structured technology exchanges and co-development projects would maximize strategic outcomes, providing economic and security dividends to both nations. Further expanding on defense industrial collaboration, both nations stand to gain strategically from cooperative ventures in emerging defense technologies such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), autonomous maritime systems, hypersonic technology, and advanced missile defense systems. Collaborative research and joint ventures in these areas would not only provide significant economic benefits but also enhance strategic deterrence capabilities against potential adversaries. Leveraging each country's unique technological strengthssuch as South Koreas expertise in electronics and automation and the UK's experience in advanced materials and propulsion systemswould amplify the effectiveness and sophistication of joint projects. From a maritime security perspective, the complementary strengths of the UKs naval tradition and strategic maritime expertise combined with South Korea's robust shipbuilding industry and advanced undersea surveillance technologies represent critical avenues for strategic cooperation. Enhanced joint naval exercises, coordinated maritime patrols, and improved maritime domain awareness would significantly contribute to regional stability, particularly in contested maritime domains such as the South China Sea. Such maritime cooperation would require policy clarity and sustained commitment from both governments, supported by institutionalized channels for intelligence sharing and strategic communication. Furthermore, regular strategic dialogues and high-level military consultations would reinforce political trust and operational alignment, creating a cohesive approach to regional maritime security. Cybersecurity cooperation also emerges as a vital strategic pillar, given both nations' vulnerabilities to sophisticated cyber threats. South Korea's frontline experience with cyber threats from North Korea, coupled with the UK's advanced cybersecurity frameworks and expertise, could facilitate robust collaborative frameworks aimed at enhancing mutual cyber resilience. Policy recommendations should emphasize the establishment of joint cyber defense strategies, real-time intelligence sharing mechanisms, and coordinated incident response protocols to mitigate cyber risks effectively. Additionally, bilateral cybersecurity training programs and joint simulations could further enhance mutual preparedness, significantly increasing the effectiveness of responses to cyber incidents. Beyond military and technological dimensions, intelligence cooperation and diplomatic alignment on international security issues represent another area of potential growth in South Korea-UK relations. Regular intelligence-sharing mechanisms addressing broader security threatsincluding terrorism, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and transnational organized crimewould expand the strategic scope of their partnership. Diplomatic cooperation in international forums, such as the United Nations and regional multilateral frameworks, could also strengthen their collective voice, reinforcing shared values and security objectives on the global stage. However, the practical expansion of South Korea-UK defense cooperation must navigate complex geopolitical sensitivities, particularly concerning China. Both nations have significant economic stakes in stable relations with China, necessitating nuanced diplomatic strategies to avoid economic repercussions or diplomatic escalations. Strategic transparency, careful diplomatic signaling, and clearly articulated mutual security interests should underpin bilateral interactions to ensure the sustainable growth of defense cooperation without provoking unintended geopolitical tensions. Strategically deepened South Korea-UK defense cooperation offers significant policy advantages, enabling both nations to respond more effectively to regional security challenges and geopolitical uncertainties. Achieving this potential demands proactive policy efforts to capitalize on complementary strengths, effectively manage geopolitical sensitivities, and institutionalize mechanisms for sustained engagement. Successfully navigating these dynamics could position the South Korea-UK partnership as a critical element in broader Indo-Pacific security and defense frameworks. Jihoon Yu is the director of external cooperation and an associate research fellow at the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses. Jihoon was the member of Task Force for South Koreas light aircraft carrier project and Jangbogo-III submarine project. He is the main author of the ROK Navys Navy Vision 2045. His area of expertise includes the ROK-U.S. alliance, the ROK-Europe security cooperation, inter-Korean relations, national security, maritime security, hybrid-threats, and strategic weapons systems. He earned his BA in International Relations from the ROK Naval Academy, MA in National Security Affairs from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School and Ph.D. in Political Science from Syracuse University. Country music icon Dolly Parton has partnered with Good American to release "Dolly's Joleans," the brand announced Tuesday. ADVERTISEMENT "I've always believed what you wear should make you feel as fabulous as you truly are," Parton, 79, said in a statement. "And this brand new line, Dolly's Joleans, is all about celebrating individuality with a touch of sparkle. I'm inspired by Good American's ability to create clothes that make women feel confident and ready to shine!" The new denim will be available at Good American and select Nordstrom locations and online, a press release states. "Dolly Parton is a true icon whose influence transcends generations, and partnering with her on this collection is an incredible honor. Together, we created a collection that embodies self-expression and embracing what makes each of us unique," said Good American CEO Emma Grede in a statement. In a video posted on Good American's Instagram account, Parton appears in a red gingham button-up shirt, dark denim jeans and red high heels. "I'm a funny rascal," she laughs after singing "Joleans" in a nod to her iconic song. "And I've got good jeans, too." The jeans arrive April 3. Parton recently released a song honoring her late husband Carl Thomas Dean. "If You Hadn't Been There" arrived in March. The Handmaid's Tale is officially getting a sequel series. ADVERTISEMENT Hulu announced on Tuesday that filming for The Testaments, starring Ann Dowd, will begin April 7. Dowd will reprise her Handmaid's Tale character, Aunt Lydia, while series star Elisabeth Moss will serve as an executive producer. The upcoming series takes its inspiration from Margaret Atwood's sequel to her 1985 book The Handmaid's Tale. Viewers will learn more about the totalitarian government of Gilead as it stands some 15 years after The Handmaid's Tale. "You get to see it through the eyes of a young woman who has grown up within Gilead and hasn't known any form of life. You get to see it through a young woman who's grown up across the border from Gilead in the beauteous refugee location of Toronto," Atwood told Seth Meyers in 2019. "Then, we see it through the point of view of somebody who's been a foundational person from the beginning of Gilead, namely Aunt Lydia of the Aunts, whom we see in Handmaid's Tale only from the outside, only through the eyes of the narrator." New cast members include Mabel Li, Amy Seimetz , Brad Alexander, Zarrin Darnell-Martin, Eva Foote, Isolde Ardies, Shechinah Mpumlwana, Birva Pandya, Kira Guloien, Chase Infiniti, Lucy Halliday, Rowan Blachard and Mattea Conforti. The Handmaid's Tale will return for a sixth and final season April 8 on Hulu. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 2. Member of the British Parliament Bob Blackman made a speech in the British Parliament on the occasion of the Day of Genocide of Azerbaijanis on March 31, Trend reports. According to information, in his speech, the MP recalled the massacre committed against Azerbaijanis and stated that it is important for the House of Commons to also honor and remember those who perished during these terrible events. In his speech, Bob Blackman also touched on the mine danger in the territories of Karabakh liberated from occupation. He noted that hundreds of mines are currently being manually cleared in these territories, a process that is extremely dangerous and time-consuming. He asked the UK government to support Azerbaijan's demining efforts. It is important to honor the memory of those who tragically died on the anniversary of the genocide committed against the Azerbaijani people. Today, hundreds of mines are still being cleared by hand in Karabakh, which has been liberated from occupation. How can the government support Azerbaijan in demining these lands so that these lands are used for useful purposes? In response to the MP's speech, British Minister of State for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories Stephen Doughty stated that the MP rightly raised the issue of mines and emphasized the important role the UK plays in the field of mine clearance worldwide. As you know, the UK plays an important role in the world in this field. The UK's support for Azerbaijan's demining efforts is also known, the minister said. In his speech, the minister also touched upon the importance of peace in the region. Disney/Christopher Willard By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 04/01/2025 ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade. The Golden Bachelor star Gerry Turner has revealed that he turned down an opportunity to look for love on 's upcoming tenth season.Gerry was sitting in the audience for The Bachelor's Season 29 finale on March 24, but he apparently won't be walking in the sand in Mexico this summer.Gerry told TMZ on Thursday, March 27 that he turned down an offer to appear on 's tenth season.Gerry claimed he had turned down his invitation to Paradise just three weeks ago.Gerry's main reason for passing on Paradise was simply that he's already dated all of the Golden women who will be searching for a partner on this year, according to the website.For example, Leslie Fhima -- who was officially announced as one of 's Golden bachelorettes on The Bachelor: After the Final Rose -- finished Gerry's The Golden Bachelor season in second place.Gerry, however, noted that he'd probably have a change of heart about dating on if new women are introduced on the beach.Gerry also shared how he'd be open to making a cameo on 's tenth season or making some cocktails in order to give bartender Wells Adams a break.Gerry is still single after he finalized his divorce from The Golden Bachelor winner, Theresa Nist , last summer.Gerry had filed for divorce in April 2024, just three short months after he and Theresa got married in a live televised special on ABC.On the live portion of The Bachelor finale, host Jesse Palmer also announced The Bachelor alum Zoe McGrady and The Golden Bachelorette alum Gary Levingston will be appearing on this summer.Gary was one of the golden contestants on Joan Vassos ' The Golden Bachelorette season, which wrapped on ABC late last year."This is really happening!" Jesse gushed."For the first time ever, Golden men and women will be hitting the beaches of Paradise alongside all of your Bachelor and Bachelorette favorites from seasons past."Jesse shared how he's extremely excited for this groundbreaking season.Leslie agreed she's "so excited" about the opportunity and can't wait to head to the beach."I am so excited to be with my old friends and make new friends and just, maybe, find love!" Leslie shared, adding how she's looking forward to continuing her televised journey to find The One.And when asked what Bachelor Nation can expect from him this summer, Gary said "a lot of dancing in the sand" and soaking up some sun."[I'll] be looking for love in all the right places!" Gary noted.And Leslie insisted, "Oh, and we're going to dance!"'s tenth season will premiere this summer on ABC, but its official premiere date and entire cast have yet to be announced.Prior to Jesse's announcement on Monday, only two previous contestants had been confirmed to be appearing on 10: Jonathan Johnson and Hakeem Moulton from Jenn Tran 's The Bachelorette season.Interested in more The Bachelor news? Follow our Bachelor Nation News Page on Facebook or join our The Bachelor Facebook Group After suffering a crushing defeat, the Democratic Party has been left wandering about the wilderness in search of new messaging through which they can regain control over Republicans. However, there seems to be an unprecedented slew of vitriol directed at the Democratic Party and its leaders; one that is redolent of the Tea Party movement wherein the Republican Party shifted towards its now more radical viewpoints and incendiary rhetoric. As the largest student-led news organization in Georgia, The Red & Blacks independent newsroom covers the University of Georgia and Athens, with daily reporting on news, sports, arts, culture and more at redandblack.com. Founded in 1893, the paper operated for 87 years under the University of Georgia and was approved as an independent organization in 1980. Today, we operate as a nonprofit with dual missions: giving students hands-on training in the news industry and providing our community with reliable, independent news and information funded through advertising sales and donations. In 2019, The Red & Black won the national Mark of Excellence Award from the Society of Professional Journalists as the best non-daily college paper in the country. In 2021, The Red & Black became the first student organization member of the Institute for Nonprofit News. In 2022, The Red & Black was inducted into the Associated Collegiate Press Pacemaker 100, which honors the top 100 newspapers from the past 100 years. In addition to the newsroom, The Red & Black Publishing Company produces a series of award-winning special publications including UGA 101, a guide for freshmen, and Eat & Drink Athens, GA, a guide to local restaurants and bars. We also put on special events such as the annual Housing Fair. Up to 250 students a year are involved in The Red & Black, mastering skills such as journalism, photography, digital production, videography, editing, graphic design and social media management. Outside of the newsroom, students also work on advertising sales, merchandise programs, ad design and other aspects of the corporation. The Red & Black Publishing Company, Inc. is an independent, private, nonprofit corporation. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN: 58-1410389), The Red and Black is governed by a volunteer board of directors. The board of directors appoints the Executive Director, Editor in Chief, and Student Ad Manager to carry out the day-to-day duties of publishing the newspaper and digital products. Quick Links The Red & Black Code of Ethics The SPJ Code of Ethics is voluntarily embraced by thousands of writers, editors and other news professionals. The present version of the code was adopted by the 1996 SPJ National Convention, after months of study and debate among the Society's members. Fall 2012 Editor-in-chief Polina Marinova and Managing Editor Julia Carpenter expanded upon this code to detail specific instances and circumstances confronted by student editors at The Red & Black. The code is reviewed annually by the student-newsroom leadership. Preamble Members of The Red & Black student editorial staff have a duty to the Athens community to report the news. Student journalists should seek to provide truthful accounts of events and issues and in adhering to the following code of ethics, Red & Blackers will continue to foster a positive newsroom atmosphere and to promote credibility of the institution. 1. Seek the truth and report it accurately. Student journalists should be honest, fair and courageous in gathering, reporting and interpreting information. Test the accuracy of information from all sources and exercise care to avoid inadvertent error. Deliberate distortion is never permissible. In case of error: Staff members should hold themselves to the utmost accuracy within their pieces, both with facts and with language. In case of error, a correction shall be appended immediately to the online story and be additionally noted in the online corrections box. Diligently seek out subjects of news stories to give them the opportunity to respond to allegations of wrongdoing. Identify sources whenever feasible. The public is entitled to as much information as possible on sources' reliability. Always question sources motives before promising anonymity. Clarify conditions attached to any promise made in exchange for information. Keep promises. In case of anonymity: Staff members should always first seek the approval of a desk editor before promising anonymity to sources. The use of unidentified sources is permitted only when information is vital to the public and unattainable by more traditional open reporting. The Red & Black will not use anonymous sources when named sources are readily available. Make certain that headlines, news teases and promotional material, photos, video, audio, graphics, sound bites and quotations do not misrepresent. They should not oversimplify or highlight incidents out of context. Never distort the content of news photos or video. Image enhancement for technical clarity is always permissible. Label montages and photo illustrations. Avoid misleading re-enactments or staged news events. If re-enactment is necessary to tell a story, label it. Avoid undercover or other surreptitious methods of gathering information except when traditional open methods will not yield information vital to the public. Use of such methods should be explained as part of the story. In case of undercover reporting: The desk editor should advise his or her team of writers to use such methods only if important information is unavailable through any other channels. An editor's note should accompany the story in order to clarify for readers the reporting circumstances. Never plagiarize. In case of plagiarism: Any member of The Red & Black staff found guilty of plagiarism is immediately terminated. 2. Tell the story of the diversity and magnitude of the human experience boldly, even when it is unpopular to do so. Examine their own cultural values and avoid imposing those values on others. Avoid stereotyping by race, gender, age, religion, ethnicity, geography, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance or social status. Support the open exchange of views, even views they find repugnant. Give voice to the voiceless; official and unofficial sources of information can be equally valid. Distinguish between advocacy and news reporting. Analysis and commentary should be clearly labeled and not misrepresent fact or context. Distinguish news from advertising and shun hybrids that blur the lines between the two. Recognize a special obligation to ensure that the public's business is conducted in the open and that government records are open to inspection. 3. Minimize harm and maintain compassion. Ethical journalists treat sources, subjects and colleagues as human beings deserving of respect. Show compassion for those who may be affected adversely by news coverage. Use special sensitivity when dealing with children and inexperienced sources or subjects. Be sensitive when seeking or using interviews or photographs of those affected by tragedy or grief. Recognize that gathering and reporting information may cause harm or discomfort. Pursuit of the news is not a license for arrogance. Recognize that private people have a greater right to control information about themselves than do public officials and others who seek power, influence or attention. Only an overriding public need can justify intrusion into anyones privacy. Show good taste. Avoid pandering to lurid curiosity. Be cautious about identifying juvenile suspects or victims of sex crimes. In case of profanity: Such language should only be used in situations that demand it: crime reports and quotes. Desk editors should eliminate the use of profanity in other instances and work with the writer to rewrite the phrase or sentence with other language. In case of naming victims: The Red & Black does not name victims of assault or other crimes. The names are removed from the crime report prior to publication and not disclosed to the public in any circumstance. Be judicious about naming criminal suspects before the formal filing of charges. Balance a criminal suspects fair trial rights with the publics right to be informed. In case of complaints about previously published articles. Red & Black policy is to leave all articles, letters to the editor, columns, photos and cartoons on redandblack.com once they are posted. The website is our online archive and we do not erase history. If charges have been dropped or additional details about a case are made available, add a correction and/or update. Readers can submit relevant legal documentation here. 4. Act independently and for the enlightenment of your audience. Student journalists should be free of obligation to any interest other than the public's right to know. Avoid conflicts of interest, real or perceived. In case of conflict of interest: All staffers should not also be employed with any direct competitor of The Red & Black. Members of the editorial staff should also not write opinions or columns for the editorial board on topics that he or she has written about objectively for other sections. Remain free of associations and activities that may compromise integrity or damage credibility. Refuse gifts, favors, fees, free travel and special treatment, and shun secondary employment, political involvement, public office and service in community organizations if they compromise journalistic integrity. In case of meeting with administrators, sources, etc.: Should an individual offer to pay for lunch, coffee, etc. with a student, the student should respectfully decline unless he or she is meeting in a capacity unassociated with Red & Black activity. Disclose unavoidable conflicts. Be vigilant and courageous about holding those with power accountable. Deny favored treatment to advertisers and special interests and resist their pressure to influence news coverage. Be wary of sources offering information for favors or money; avoid bidding for news. 5. Be accountable. Student journalists are accountable to their readers, listeners, viewers and to each other. Clarify and explain news coverage and invite dialogue with the public over journalistic conduct. Encourage the public to voice grievances against the news media. Admit mistakes and correct them promptly. In case of libel: The Red & Black is a teaching institution, and not all mistakes are small. When a writer commits libel, desk editors and upper management are also held accountable for the error. Members of the editorial staff should immediately seek counsel with the editorial adviser and the executive director in such cases. Expose unethical practices of journalists and the news media. Abide by the same high standards to which they hold others. In case of conduct unbefitting a Red & Blacker: As members of the staff, we are also representatives of The Red & Black inside and outside the newsroom. Staffers should conduct themselves as such at all times if you wouldnt do it in the newsroom, then dont do it in a public space. Financial Independence & Transparency The Red & Black was founded in 1893 and operated as a student organization at the University of Georgia. In 1980, student leaders at The Red & Black successfully secured independence for the organization from The University of Georgia and The Red & Black Publishing Company, Inc. was established as an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit. As an independent student news organization, we receive no funding from UGA student fees or the administration. We fund ourselves through advertising and donations. Financial and Editorial Independence Independence means Red & Black journalists can cover UGA without censorship or pressure from the university. 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FY2023 FY2022 FY2021 FY2020 This article was first published 4 years ago We have a government with an extremely weak economic team advising a PM who hardly pays attention to their thoughts, says Jayanta Roy. I had the privilege of working under six prime ministers during my seven years as economic adviser to the Government of India. I started off in the then Planning Commission under Morarji Desai (1977-1979). We had a fantastic team of economists in Vijay Kelkar, Nitin Desai, T L Sankar, Lovraj Kumar, Yoginder Alagh, Montek Singh Ahluwalia, who had just joined then, D C Rao, Shankar Acharya and many others. Our guiding guru was the late Sukhamoy Chakravarty. We all worked as a team and took the right economic steps with full support of the prime minister. I then went back to the World Bank, and returned in 1988 and stayed on till 1993 as economic adviser, commerce. My initial period was with Rajiv Gandhi, who is not given sufficient credit even by his family for laying the foundation for the 1991 economic reforms. He promoted exports, introduced telecom and electronic reforms. We had a crackerjack economic team -- Montek Singh, Shankar Acharya, Rakesh Mohan, yours truly, D R Mehta, Arvind Virmani, Nitin Desai, Vijay Kelkar, Y V Reddy, Bimal Jalan, and top bureaucrats like Amar Nath Verma, Gopi Arora, and S Venkitaramanan. This team continued after the PM's death and ushered in the 1991 reforms, which turned the Indian economy from inward-oriented to fully integrated in the world economy. How the reforms were designed and implemented are very well described in Mr Ahluwalia's latest book. One thing that needs to be emphasised is that throughout this period the PMs listened to our advice. I am including Morarji Desai, Rajiv Gandhi, V P Singh, Chandra Shekhar Singh, Narasimha Rao, and Manmohan Singh. I did not have the good fortune to work under Atal Bihari Vajpayee, whom I regard as one of our best PMs. The United Progressive Alliance-II made a big mistake, however, by inviting economists with no exposure in the GoI to serve as chief economic adviser. Although their reputation is outstanding, most of them did not make valuable contributions during the short period they were there. The CEA, as in the past, must be totally familiar with the complex Indian bureaucracy. PM Narendra Modi repeated the same mistake by hiring outsiders as CEA. Compare that with the situation today. We have a government with an extremely weak economic team advising a PM who hardly pays attention to their thoughts. The PM probably has more faith in some bureaucrats whom he consults, often bypassing their ministers. Can we expect this government to undertake reforms? The answer certainly is no. This is clearly manifested in the trade initiatives of the government under a weak Ministry of commerce and industry starting from taking a highly protective stance killing international competitiveness, to dropping out of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and degrading itself by not taking the right leadership position at the World Trade Organisation and instead still clamoring for special and differential treatment while simultaneously boasting of being a top-rung economic power. We also are not carrying through the good reforms we initiated under PM Modi in logistics and trade facilitation. We have no economic modelling capability in the government. We suffer from a weak statistical system. The same problems are seen elsewhere -- from banking reforms and fiscal decentralisation to demonetisation and to the recent farmer's agitation. The PM's actions lack economic focus. What we need now is to strengthen the economic team, rely on the outstanding think tanks and be guided by economic analysis, and not politics. The PM should start listening to economists. We need to have, as in the past, top economists in the key economic ministries as economic advisers. These posts should not be reserved for the Indian Economic Service officers alone, but outside economists should be allowed to compete for these jobs. We need to revamp the NITI Aayog. It should serve two major roles. First, it should be the Secretariat of Economic Reforms where economic policies would be analysed and presented to the PM. This is the role played now by the prime minister's office. Secondly, it should focus on achieving efficient fiscal decentralisation with better center-state fiscal relations. For these, the NITI Aayog must expand the number of members. We need a strong economic team within the government to help the PM undertake the much-needed post-Covid economic reforms. The time to build that team is now. Jayanta Roy is a former economic advisor to the Union commerce ministry. Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff.com This article was first published 4 years ago When Jawa Motorcycles owner Jiri Gerle sold the legendary but defunct brand to Classic Legends (part-owned by Mahindra & Mahindra), he had one request to the new owners: Please do bring the brand back to its homeland -- the Czech Republic. Image: The iconic Jawa. Photographs: Kind courtesy, Jawa Motorcycles When Jawa Motorcycles owner Jiri Gerle sold the legendary but defunct brand to Classic Legends (part-owned by Mahindra & Mahindra), he had one request to the new owners: Please do bring the brand back to its homeland -- the Czech Republic. Two years since then, the company has managed to fulfil the septuagenarian's wish, with Anand Mahindra, chairman, Mahindra Group, tweeting: Life comes full circle for Jawa. Jawa motorcycles, created by Frantisek Janecek in Prague, will now be riding on the city's lanes after 90 years. Janecek introduced the first model of Jawa bike on October 23, 1929. Though the launch in Prague will add more heft to the brand, fulfilling Gerle's wish hasn't been easy, said Anupam Thareja, founder and managing partner of Phi Capital, who is an investor, along with Boman Irani, chairman and managing director of Rustomjee Group, in Classic Legends. We are on a wait list and we don't have a motorcycle to export. But since it's a Czech brand and a person we have bought this brand from is very nostalgic about it and it runs in his blood, we had to do it, said Thareja. Image: The Jawa 42 Gerle has kept the brand alive and kicking. Despite the long hiatus, the brand continues to occupy the mind spaces of the country's biking enthusiasts, historians, and photographers. Gerle has converted the old factory into a museum and has been watching the developments in India, where it got a new life, closely. Last month, despite a three- to four-month wait for the Jawa and Perak models in India, Classic Legends shipped close to 750 models to the Czech Republic and the motorcycles flew off in no time. We knew the moment they land there, they will be picked up by historians and photographers. All the stories, pictures that you see on the social media are very organic. It's a national pride for them, said Thareja. "The demand pull is strong despite a slow season for sales. There is a lockdown in Czech and it's cold, he said. Image: The Jawa Perak. Gerle isn't too happy with the small batch he has got, but Thareja and his teams have their hands full and would be able to ship the next batch only after production ramps up. Production, which got disrupted due to the Covid-19 lockdowns, will get stabilised by the first quarter of 2021. Things are stabilising. We sold 3,500-4,000 units of the newly launched Perak in three days of Diwali, said Thareja. Meeting the demand has been a challenge for the company since brands were introduced in India. Barely a month after breaking covers in February, the models -- the Jawa, the Jawa 42, and the Perak -- were sold out. In December 2018, Classic Legends announced the models are booked till September 2019. The initial estimates showed the three-year-old firm had garnered bookings in excess of 100,000 units. The deliveries of the models began some time in April 2019. Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff.com This article was first published 2 years ago According to Siam data, Indian auto companies sold 982,456 units of utility vehicles in the first half of FY23, a 50.29 per cent growth over the corresponding period last year. IMAGE: Suzuki Motor Corp President Toshihiro Suzuki with Maruti Suzuki India Managing Director and CEO Hisashi Takeuchi present the EVX electric SUV concept at the Auto Expo 2023. Photograph: Rahul Singh/ANI Photo Maruti Suzuki underestimated the speed of the sport utility vehicle (SUV) segment's growth in the country and was now aiming to be number one in this section of the Indian car market, managing director and chief executive officer Hisashi Takeuchi said on Thursday. Maruti was planning to launch its first electric vehicle (EV) by 2025 and that would not be "too late", he said. Tata Motors and Mahindra and Mahindra sold more utility vehicles than Maruti Suzuki in the first half of FY23, according to data from industry body Siam. During a round-table with reporters at Auto Expo 2023 in Greater Noida, Takeuchi said the company was selling small cars (mini and compact cars) quickly. "Our market share in entry-level cars and compact cars is nearly 90 per cent and 70 per cent, respectively. "So, our market share is very high and the volumes that we are selling are also very good. We will keep this going," Takeuchi noted. The size of the total India auto market was increasing but that was largely due to the growth seen in the SUV segment, the MD and CEO of India's largest automobile company added. IMAGE:A model presenting Suzuki's Grand Vitara, at Auto Expo 2023, in Greater Noida on Wednesday, January 11, 2023. Photograph: Sanjay Sharma/ANI Photo According to Siam data, Indian auto companies sold 982,456 units of utility vehicles in the first half of FY23, a 50.29 per cent growth over the corresponding period last year. On the other hand, the small cars (mini and compact cars) segment grew by just 28.56 per cent to 821,459 units in the first half of FY23. Takeuchi said Maruti had identified the SUV segment as its weak area. "Therefore, last year, we introduced the next generation Brezza. We also launched a completely new product Grand Vitara, and we did some minor changes in XL6," he added. IMAGE: Jimny and Fronx unveiled at the Auto Expo 2023 on Thursday, January 12, 2023. Photograph: Amit Sharma/ANI Photo Maruti Suzuki on Thursday unveiled two new SUVs the Fronx and Jimny at the Auto Expo 2023. "Now, sub-4-metre SUV (those with a length less than 4 metres) Fronx and Jimny have been unveiled and our line-up is getting very strong. "With these two products, our aim is to get the number one position in the SUV segment. "That will naturally contribute to achieving a higher overall market share in India," Takeuchi said. "Our forecast (in the past) also said that the SUV segment will grow in India, just like other parts of the world, but we underestimated the speed of its growth. "Our introduction of new products is a little bit delayed. "We understand this delay," he said. "We have a firm plan for EVs. "Our plan includes local production of components. "We are developing an exclusive EV platform and it will take some time to make. "This is the first product, so it is taking some time," he explained. IMAGE: Toshihiro Suzuki with Hisashi Takeuchi presenting the EVX electric SUV concept, at the Auto Expo 2023 on Wednesday, January 11, 2023. Photograph: Rahul Singh/ANI Photo He said that India could not change 100 per cent from internal combustion engine (ICE)-run vehicles to electric vehicles in one day. "That change will happen gradually." Meanwhile, what Maruti could do was develop and sell vehicles that run on alternative fuels such as compressed natural gas (CNG), ethanol, flex-fuel and hybrid mechanisms to reduce carbon emissions, he added. "We will employ all potential and possible technologies in order to contribute to India. "So, if the government wants to support those alternative technologies (fuels) also, it will help us contribute to India even better," Takeuchi noted. Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 2. President Ilham Aliyev provided his German counterpart, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, with detailed information regarding the Azerbaijan-Armenia peace process, Trend reports. The head of state made this statement in response to journalists' questions. "During our discussion today, I provided Mr. President with comprehensive information about the Azerbaijan-Armenia peace process. I stated that following the end of the Second Karabakh War, Azerbaijan, and myself personally, initiated the start of peace negotiations. At that time, neither Armenia nor the OSCE Minsk Group, which was still active, put forward such a proposal. This proposal came from the Azerbaijani side. This in itself demonstrates how interested we are in concluding a peace agreement," the Azerbaijani President emphasized, adding that until January 2024, Armenia insisted on including the so-called "Nagorno-Karabakh Republic" in the peace agreement, which does not exist and only lived in Armenia's fantasies. The Karabakh region of Azerbaijan exists. This article was first published 4 years ago The compact segment where Sonet will be launched is crowded with the Maruti Vitara and Brezza, which top the sales' list, and a bevy of models from Mahindra & Mahindra apart from Hyundai's offering. But volumes in this are slightly higher than those in the mid-segment, making it attractive, says Surajeet Das Gupta. Photographs: Kind courtesy, Kia motors India Initially it was being designed and built with only the Indian market in mind. But Sonet, the compact SUV from Kia Motors that has been designed collaboratively in its R&D centres across the world (including Hyderabad), drew attention in other markets. So the car-maker decided that the Sonet would be manufactured in India and launched here first, but would also be sold in as many as 70 countries. And the markets identified for exports, to begin with, include Chile, Indonesia and Africa. Kia has huge expectations from its new compact utility vehicle sub-four metre Sonet. The pricing has not been divulged (experts expect it to range between Rs 600,000 and Rs 12 lakh) but the South Korean car-maker is hoping to replicate the magic of its mid-sized utility vehicle, Seltos, with which Kia made its India debut last August. Aggressive pricing (Rs 9.89 lakh to Rs 16.3 lakh for Seltos), slick designing, smartwatch connectivity and connected car technology helped Kia reach the 100,000 sales mark in quick time, despite the impact of Covid-19 and the lockdown, which saw sales fall to virtually zero. The car-maker says it has helped it to grab a 43.5 per cent share of the mid-SUV segment since its launch. This is despite the fact that it competes with Hyundai's Creta and Maruti's Ertiga and S-Cross. Image: The interiors of Kia Sonet The initial response for the Sonet has been encouraging. When bookings opened on August 21, Kia garnered over 6,500 orders (the upfront money was Rs 25,000). If all goes well, the company is looking to hit the 100,000 mark with the Sonet in a year. Insiders say that based on the trends of the Seltos, which accounted for 80 per cent of total exports in its segment in April-August (11,392), the Sonet could see decent export numbers, too. Motors executives declined to participate or respond to questions for this article, saying they were busy with the launch. But in a series of interviews last year, H W Park, former president of Kia Motors, elaborated the company's goals -- a 5 per cent market share in three years, making India an export hub and sticking to SUVs and MUVs. If things go as planned, India would be Kia's fifth largest market. Kia's global projections reflect this ambition. In its annual report, it has targeted sales of 120,000 in India in 2020, almost a threefold increase from 45,000, which it clocked in 2019, the highest growth for any country in which Kia operates. That would already, say analysts, bring its India share of total revenues from 1.5 per cent last year to around 4 per cent this year. Its largest market is the US (where it has targeted to sell 630,000 cars this year) followed by South Korea, Europe and China. In many ways Kia has leveraged its association with its older sister concern, Hyundai, which has an over 33.88 per cent stake in the company and is an established player in India. And it is no secret that the two work together in many areas -- from sharing platforms and engines to strategising on markets and with personnel hopping from one company to the other. The two also compete in the same segments with differentiated products. Auto experts say there might be some cannibalisation, but the two have together successfully grabbed a large part of the pie in the segment where they both operate. So in the 4 to 4.4 metre UV segment under Rs 20 lakh, their combined share was 65 per cent between April and August 2020 compared to 45 per cent in the same period last year. The synergies are clear. Sonet is based on the same platform as Hyundai's Creta, say auto experts. Similarly, the Seltos shares the platform with Hyundai's Venue. Kia has also replicated Hyundai's learnings in the country. So both put in money to build a large plant as well as bring in vendors to support their India forays. This helps start with a very high localisation (analyst say it is over 80 per cent for Kia, just as it was for the Santro), which pares costs that can be passed on to consumers through aggressive pricing of the car and spare parts. Kia invested over $2 billion to set up a new plant in Andhra Pradesh with a capacity of 300,000 vehicles plus an adjacent vendor park. That is more like Hyundai, which put in over $400 million with a capacity of 125,000 vehicles a year to kickstart its Indian journey with the Santro. Kia has also built a sizeable dealership network -- estimated at 150 -- just as Hyundai had at the start. Also, key executives from Hyundai play a strategic role in Kia. For instance, Park was finance director and then MD of Hyundai in India before becoming Kia president. But there are areas both need to keep a watch on. For instance, Kia's second car, the Carnival, which was targeted to take on Jeep and the Honda CRV (price between Rs 20 lakh and Rs 30 lakh) did not make waves. Between April and August, it sold 641 vehicles, compared to 1,207 Jeep Compass sold by FCA India Automobiles. Given that it is way ahead as a product, the lacklustre sales of Carnival are a dampener. I think it is a positioning issue, rather than pricing, and they have to rethink. I hope it is not arrogance and complacency too early on, says BVR Subbu, former president of Hyundai Motors India and consultant to auto companies. The compact segment where Sonet will be launched is crowded with the Maruti Vitara and Brezza, which top the sales' list, and a bevy of models from Mahindra & Mahindra apart from Hyundai's offering. But volumes in this are slightly higher than those in the mid-segment, making it attractive. The question is whether Kia will be able to replicate its success with another model. Or remain a one-model wonder. Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff.com This article was first published 3 years ago Tata Motors on Wednesday expanded its electric vehicle range in the country with the launch of Nexon EV MAX, priced between Rs 17.74-19.24 lakh (ex-showroom). Equipped with a 40.5 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, the Nexon EV Max offers 33 per cent higher battery capacity than the Nexon EV, delivering ARAI certified range of 437 km (under standard testing conditions), ensuring uninterrupted inter-city travel. ARAI refers to Automotive Research Association of India. The model produces 105 kW (143 PS) of power and delivers a torque of 250 Nm, resulting in 0 to 100 sprint times in under 9 seconds. It comes in two trims -- the Nexon EV Max XZ+ and Nexon EV Max XZ+ Lux -- and features 30 new additional safety and comfort features like seat ventilation for front passengers, air purifier, wireless smartphone charging, auto-dimming IRVM and cruise control. The Max XZ+ trim with 3.3 kW charger is priced at Rs 17.74 lakh while the same trim with 7.2 kW fast charger is tagged at Rs 18.24 lakh. The XZ+ Lux trim with 3.3 kW charger is tagged at Rs 18.74 lakh while the same variant with 7.2 kW charger is priced at Rs 19.24 lakh. The 7.2 kW AC fast charger can be installed either at home or at the workplace, which helps in reducing charging time to 6.5 hours. The Nexon EV MAX also supports faster charging -- 0 to 80 per cent in just 56 minutes from any 50 kW DC fast charger. "Keeping customer centricity at the core and dedicated to bringing in newer products at regular and quick intervals, we are elated to launch the new Nexon EV MAX an SUV that offers all EV users MAX freedom to undertake regular and uninterrupted long distance travel," Tata Passenger Electric Mobility head, marketing, sales and service strategy Vivek Srivatsa noted. The SUV offers more range, more power, and faster charging while improving the overall driving efficiency, providing an uncompromised EV ownership experience, he added. The Nexon EV Max features 3 driving modes eco, city and sport - and gets eight new features on the upgraded ZConnect 2.0 connected car technology. The ZConnect app offers 48 connected car features enabling deeper drive analytics and diagnostics. The add-on feature list covers a smartwatch integration, auto/manual DTC check, setting a limit for charging, monthly vehicle reports, and enhanced drive analytics. The model comes with enhanced safety features like ESP with i-VBAC (intelligent vacuum-less boost & active control), hill hold, hill descent control, electronic parking brake and all four-disc brakes. Besides, the battery and motor on Nexon EV Max is eight years or 1.6 lakh km. Tata Passenger Electric Mobility (vice president, product line & operations) Anand Kulkarni said the company has been trying to ramp up production of EVs despite chip shortage challenges. "Last year this time we were producing just 500-600 units. This has gone up significantly. "Last month, we rolled out around 3,500 units...So we are trying to overcome the situation of chip shortage and to reduce waiting periods," he added. Since its entry into the personal EV space in 2020, Tata Motors has sold over 25,000 EVs, out of which over 19,000 are Nexon EVs. "The Nexon EV Max is a testament to our state-of-the-art high voltage EV architecture Ziptron, designed for unique Indian driving and weather conditions. "It offers significantly enhanced range, safety, performance and luxury to give a truly MAX experience to our customers," Kulkarni said. With more than 30 new features in the Nexon EV MAX and three mainstream EV offerings for personal segment buyers, Tata Motors is set on an ever evolving journey to bring performance and technology to the fore, he added. Tata Motors had earlier stated that it is planning to invest Rs 15,000 crore in the EV business in the next five years. Last year, the company raised $1 billion in funding from private equity major TPG for EV business, valuing the vertical at $9.1 billion. Tata Motors currently sells three electric models -- Nexon EV, Tigor EV and Xpres-T EV -- in the domestic market. The company reported 353 per cent growth in its EV sales last fiscal compared to 2020-21. Photographs: Kind courtesy, Tata Motors This article was first published 3 years ago Tata Passenger Electric Mobility (TPEM), a subsidiary of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, is on a massive recruitment drive as it seeks to build the electric mobility business and scale it up in a big way. We are going for a huge ramp up not only of new talent but also up-skilling the talent within the organisation. "The number of people we plan to hire is going to be big-- not in 100s but in 1000s, Shailesh Chandra, managing director, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles and TPEM, told Business Standard in an interaction last week. With a plan to increase the EV volumes over four times from 19,000 units in FY22 to 80,000 units by the turn of the current fiscal, as reported by Reuters, the TPG Rise Climate-backed firm targets electric vehicles to account for more than 30 per cent of its PV sales by 2030. Recently, TPEMs first born electric concept, Avinya broke cover. The model promises a minimum range of 500 kilometres and advanced technology features, aimed at buyers in India and outside. TPEM, the newly formed entity may also consider a separate dedicated sales channel for the EVs with a distinctive corporate identity once the volumes reach a critical mass and throughput is large enough for the dealers to be profitable, said Chandra. Elaborating further on the hiring strategy he said, We will hire from everywherewherever the talent of the required competency is available. The hiring will be across functions including advance engineering, product development, supply chain, operations and commercial functions at different levels. This would include recruiting those with engineering background, strong domain knowledge and experience for these functions. To be sure, other firms including Mahindra and Mahindra, Ola Electric, Hyundai Motor India, Maruti Suzuki India and a few others may take the same trajectory and build similar capabilities as they firm up their EV strategy over the next few years. For now, Tata Motors that dominates the e-PV market with 90 per cent share is charging ahead. It sold 2,322 EVs in April against 581 units it sold in the corresponding month last year, it said in the monthly sales release on Sunday. TPEM has outlined an investment of $2 billion (Rs15,280 crore) for developing new vehicle architectures, technologies and the requisite supporting infrastructure. Tata Motors is on its mission to decarbonize India, and has managed to give confidence to suppliers and consumers. "To cater the EV business -- which still has unknowns, re-aligning the organisation is a must, said Puneet Gupta, director- S&P Global. The company may single-handedly quintuple the marketnext year, sooner than expected, he said. The only deterrent could be the battery prices, which have been heading north, said Gupta. To align itself with the upcoming trend the Tata group will soon reveal plans to produce battery cells locally. It is also evaluating plans to make semiconductors in-house to support its EV push, N Chandrasekaran, chairman Tata Sons said at the unveiling of Avinya. The current focus of TPEM, said Chandra, is IP (intellectual property) creation, building new architectures. Presently, the ICE (internal combustion engine) PV business and TPEM have quite a few joint functions. For instance, theres a manufacturing service that is taken from the PV Company and the sales organisation also sits in the same company. The restructuring has been done to adjust to the new situation where one can support an intense focus and growth in the EVs, explained Chandra adding that electric mobility is a new business for the firm that requires massive investment and will see huge development work in the coming years. Photographs: Kind courtesy, Tata Motors This article was first published 3 years ago The carmaker is set to redefine SUVs with the all-new Scorpio N. Rajesh Karkera offers a peak. The BIG daddy of SUVs is coming on June 27! We've been seeing the SUV being tested, camouflaged, all over the country. And now, Mahindra & Mahindra have finally revealed the D segment SUV which will be named the New 'Scorpio N' The all-new Scorpio-N, which was earlier codenamed Z101, is built on a new body-on-frame platform and will be equipped with advanced modern features and the latest technology says M&M. This will be a full-blown SUV from what we have seen and it will also come with a panoramic sunroof. It will be available with both gasoline and diesel engines, and a choice of manual and automatic transmissions, along with 4x4 capabilities. Speaking about it, Veejay Nakra, president, Automotive Division, M&M Ltd. said, "The all-new Scorpio-N is expected to recreate benchmarks in the SUV segment in India. With an unmissable design, thrilling performance and high-end technology, we continue to carry forward the Mahindra legacy of building authentic, tough yet sophisticated SUVs." Slated to arrive on June 27, 2022, local dealerships have already started taking bookings for the new SUV -- even without the price being revealed yet! Speaking on the development of the Scorpio-N, R Velusamy, president, Automotive Technology and Product Development, M&M, said, "The Scorpio-N is an important vehicle for Mahindra, set to redefine the SUV segment in India. It is built on a new body-on-frame platform. This tough yet sophisticated SUV has been engineered and designed by our young, enthusiastic, and energetic teams at Mahindra Research Valley (MRV) near Chennai, Mahindra North American Technical Center (MNATC) in USA and Mahindra Design Studio in Mumbai." And of course, the promos have been given voice by none other than Amitabh Bachchan himself, in its earlier ad where it was announced that a superstar is all set to make a grand debut and the current video above! And no, the current generation of the popular Mahindra Scorpio will not be phased out. It will continue as the Scorpio Classic. After Chennai, it is Coimbatore, Madurai, and Tiruchirappalli, that are emerging as manufacturing hubs. Coimbatore is India's top Tier-II city in terms of the number of GCCs, according to a report by Cushman & Wakefield. IMAGE: Women workforce at an Industrial unit in Tamil Nadu. Photograph: Kind courtesy Guidance Tamil Nadu/X Tamil Nadu last month announced a plan to make industrial city Hosur a hub for global capability centres (GCCs), after setting up a similar thriving network in Chennai and Coimbatore. GCCs in Tamil Nadu are spread out, giving the state an edge over Karnataka and Telangana, where such infrastructure is largely in Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Tamil Nadu has more than 250 of the 1,800 GCCs in India, employing 150,000 people in the state. It is expected to have 460 GCCs by 2030. A panel discussed 'Shaping Tamil Nadu's Future: Role of GCCs & Beyond' during the Business Standard Tamil Nadu Round Table 2025 in Chennai on March 12. The panellists were Gangapriya Chakraverti, managing director, Ford Business Solutions; Siva Padmanabhan, MD, AstraZeneca India; Kewyn George, global director of information services at Expeditors; and Jaikumar Subramanian, partner at Deloitte India. A GCC is a strategic unit that supports an organisation's global operations, according to one definition. GCCs in India operate across businesses as varied as finance, retail, health care, aerospace, and oil and gas, according to a recent report by information technology (IT) industry association Nasscom. GCCs are expected to contribute about $112 billion in IT export revenue in FY25. Ford, World Bank Group, Pfizer, Amazon, Walmart, Standard Chartered, Citibank, and Bank of America, are among global organisations that have GCCs in Chennai. British-Swedish pharmaceutical major AstraZeneca last year expanded its GCC in Chennai, marking it the company's largest such centre worldwide. GCCs can help Tamil Nadu in its target of becoming a $1 trillion economy by 2030, according to state government estimates. What GCCs can do "There has been a rapid transformation in what GCCs can deliver. From basic processes and SLAs (service-level agreements), we have had joint ownerships with the headquarters to deliver on important projects," said Chakraverti. "And then we have ownership for new work which is being led, managed, and run from here. We take ownership, drive a project, and engage in product development using high-end analytics to make the right decisions." Ford started in Tamil Nadu in 1998 and has 12,000 employees in the state. Its GCC in Chennai provides services to Ford Motors across functions. "There is access to talent in this state and the talent base has to be willing to go out of their comfort zone. There is this huge ecosystem of automobile talent," said Chakraverti. GCCs will boost Tamil Nadu's knowledge economy by creating high-quality jobs and attracting talent from other states, said Padmanabhan, of AstraZeneca India. The drugmaker's GCC in Chennai employs about 3,500 people and was set up a decade ago. "The mission of GCCs should be to build products and platforms for the world, which means a lot of focus on R&D (research and development). However, that should not be confined to physical laboratories and scientists. We are talking about the digital avatar of R&D." Tamil Nadu's engineering talent makes it an attractive destination for GCCs, according to panellists. George, of Expeditors, said 20 per cent of STEM graduates in India are from Tamil Nadu and 25 per cent of all hiring for such talent is from the state. "Product management knowledge is important along with R&D. While 90 per cent of the centres are in Chennai, there are also other viable places such as Coimbatore, Trichy, Salem, and Madurai. Because these cities are also close to many engineering colleges. Talent is the new currency, and Tamil Nadu is printing it," said George. India's states are wooing companies to set up GCCs and the central government wants Tier-II cities to have such centres, sparking interest in a sector that has hired more people than IT services companies for two years straight. Knowledge hubs Deloitte India's Subramanian said Tamil Nadu should strengthen collaboration with industry and universities for economic growth. "Policy will play an important role in this growth, and so is the knowledge of global enterprises in GCCs," he noted. After Chennai, it is Coimbatore, Madurai, and Tiruchirappalli, that are emerging as manufacturing hubs. Coimbatore is India's top Tier-II city in terms of the number of GCCs, according to a report by Cushman & Wakefield. Another report by real estate consultancy firm CBRE said Chennai will add about 12-13 million square feet of premium office space in 2025-26. "The whole manufacturing industry is transforming to a service model. The state is not only good at manufacturing, but also the services component. Within that, we are good at business process, engineering R&D, and software product development," said Subramanian. Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com 'Each state is unique, but when it comes to finance, the fundamentals cannot be different.' IMAGE: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman at the launch of the NITI NCAER States Economic Forum portal developed by Niti Aayog at the Dr Ambedkar International Center in New Delhi, April 1, 2025. Photograph: Shrikant Singh/ANI Photo Raising money is as important as managing debt, and while borrowing may be tempting, it must align with present realities, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Tuesday, referring to trends in state finances. Speaking at the launch of the States Economic Forum by NITI Aayog and the National Council of Applied Economic Research, Sitharaman said, "Each state is unique, but when it comes to finance, the fundamentals cannot be different. "My debt-to-gross state domestic product (GSDP) ratio cannot be three times more than my GSDP, and some states cannot constantly do a fantastic job of it and then stand out as good-performing states." The Forum will address a critical information gap in the current economic discourse -- comparative and disaggregated studies on state finances. It will produce in-depth reports and analyses on states across six domains, including demography, economic growth, socio-economic indicators, public finances, and state fiscal rules. Stressing that there can be no politics when it comes to the country's finances, both at the Centre and in states, the FM said that just as there is a struggle to become a faster-growing economy, there is also a challenge in containing borrowing. "Countries have become debt-ridden, and it is going to take a generation for them to even reach acceptable levels, let alone ideal levels. It's not for lack of data. They know it." While praising the Forum for meaningfully presenting data in an area where, often due to concerns over authenticity, it is not accepted, particularly by states, she said, "Data gives you the hard truth -- states that call themselves developed are ridden with huge debt." In a lighter vein, she noted how senior bureaucrats adopt a different stance when they are in state governments. "I wish all of them got posted in the finance ministry. When they are in some departments, they say, 'No way, you have to give this'. "Post them as the expenditure secretary, and the voice changes, the priorities change. But that's the closer look at the data," she said. NITI CEO B V R Subrahmanyam said the Forum would provide an alternative engagement mechanism with states, one that is less confrontational than the usual Centre-state engagements. In January 2025, the government think-tank released its first Fiscal Health Index, raising concerns about the debt sustainability of states like West Bengal and Punjab. Poonam Gupta, director general, NCAER, said debt levels have increased in all but four of the 28 states between 2013 and 2023. In its summary report on states, NCAER noted that the per capita income of richer states has been growing faster than that of poorer states. At the current pace, some states will cross the income threshold of a rich economy, while several others will lag. Finance Secretary Ajay Seth had earlier told the Standing Committee on Finance that the government's plan to bring down the debt-to-GDP ratio to 50 per cent by 2031 would not be sufficient to reduce overall general debt in the country. States, too, would need to lower their debt-to-GSDP ratio. Last week, the Centre announced its plan to borrow Rs 8 trillion from the market in the first half of 2025-2026, about 54 per cent of the total gross market borrowing target of Rs 14.82 trillion. FM Denies Cong's Capex Cut Claim Ruchika Chitravanshi, Business Standard Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday said that the Centre had released Rs 1.46 trillion to states in a special assistance for capital expenditure (capex) for FY25, and this is over 95 per cent of the budget allocation till March 26. In a reply to a question by Congress leader P Chidambaram in the Rajya Sabha, Sitharaman stressed that the government had not slowed down its capex push, saying, "Capital expenditure has not been cut at all. "From Rs 11.11 trillion in the FY25 Budget, capex allocation has gone up to Rs 11.21 trillion in FY26. "Capital assistance to states has also gone up proportionately. "Cutting down capital expenditure is not the case with us." The scheme for special assistance to states for capital expenditure, through 50-year interest free loans, was brought in October 2020 amid a tough fiscal environment and shortfall in tax revenue due to Covid. In a statement in Parliament, Sitharaman said that state governments have requested for continuing the scheme and enhancing the outlay from time to time. In FY25, a total of Rs 1.53 trillion was earmarked for this scheme. "Such requests have been received in 2024-2025, inter alia, from Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Manipur and Nagaland," she said. Total outstanding of Rs 3.27 trillion is yet to be released to states under the special assistance scheme. "Capital expenditure has a higher multiplier effect and enhances the productive capacity of the economy. "Therefore, the scheme has been included in the Budget of every financial year thereafter," Sitharaman said in her statement. The FM also told the Rajya Sabha that the government would come to know of the appropriate utilisation of funds by states for capex purposes with a time lag. This would be through single nodal agency accounts which ensure better monitoring of availability and utilisation of funds by states. The Centre's capex for February 2025 contracted by 35 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) with the overall spend for April-February FY25 at 79.7 per cent of the revised estimates. This is against 85 per cent last year, according to the latest Controller General of Accounts data. The government did not raise funds through sovereign green bonds (SGBs) in FY25 due to maturing and deepening of the Indian G-Sec market. This helped in mobilising relatively low-cost borrowing, according to a finance ministry statement laid in Parliament on Tuesday. Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chowdhary said in a statement that, 'Due to the recent gold price volatility and global economic headwinds, this form of borrowings has become relatively expensive.' There has been a total of 67 tranche-wise issuance of SGBs till FY25 amounting to 146.96 tonnes of gold. The outstanding value as on March 20, 2025 on the issue price is Rs 67,322 crore for 130 tonnes of gold. The SGBs, in addition to other borrowing instruments, have been instruments for raising resources for financing fiscal deficit. Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com This article was first published 4 years ago India's telecom sector has been through dizzying peaks, troughs, policy U-turns, court battles, brutal competition, and daily controversies. India could go back to a private sector duopoly with just Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel surviving the mayhem. The third player, Vodafone Idea, could be history. 1994:The government projects the market for mobile phones in New Delhi to be 30,000 subscribers. When Essar builds a network of 100,000 subscribers, everyone is taken aback. In Kolkata, Modi Telstra, which launched the first mobile network, was struggling to get 30 subscribers a day. With a charge of Rs 18 a minute for voice calls and Rs 40,000 for a phone, this luxury was only for the well-heeled. 2020: The government projects the New Delhi subscribers number at 53 million, voice calls are free, and India is the largest user of data in the world. A 4G phone costs Rs 500, the cheapest perhaps anyway in the world. Mobile density soars from 4 per cent in 2001 to over 88 per cent today. It is impossible to over-state the scale and impact of the telecom revolution. At another level, its an industry whose overdependence on regulatory or policy interventions has not changed. Nor has the impact of court orders on disputes. In 1996, it was clear that the two licensees each who were operating in the 23 circles did not have a viable financial business model to survive. The operators collectively spent a staggering Rs 27,000 crore as licence fee. But at least eight of them were accumulating huge losses, with revenues not even matching their annual licence fee outgo. The mobile dream was about to collapse. But the government bailed out operators by migrating them from an annual licence fee to a revenue share model. The duopoly of two players per circle was also changed with state-owned corporations allowed to join in. This migration package happened just two years after the mobile revolution began. All these years later, a court verdict the Supreme Courts judgement last year on telcos having to pay their AGR dues - could change the course of telecom once again. India could go back to a private sector duopoly with just Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel (at one time there were even 12 operators per circle) surviving the mayhem. The third player, Vodafone Idea, could be history. Stung by the payouts it has to make, financially stressed Vodafone Idea told the court that it lost Rs 6 trillion in revenues and as much as Rs 1 trillion of equity has been washed away. Even if the court gave it 15 years to pay Rs 50,000 crore, it will have to double its ARPUs to stay afloat. Thats tough. Looking back, the revenue share model was a game changer: the number of subscribers went up dramatically. Twelve million were added between 1999 to 2002 compared with less than a million between 1995 and 1999. The move was reinforced by the government and Trai through other key decisions. For example, an interconnect regime was put in place to ensure level playing field between private and state-owned telcos, access deficit charges were reduced and later abolished, and forbearance on tariffs was introduced. But the most impactful was the introduction of the calling party pay regime in 2004 which made incoming calls free. Subscriber numbers boomed five-fold between 2004 and 2007, hitting 233 million. Yet in the same period, the government created another crisis by allowing fixed-line operators to offer limited mobility within their circles in 2002. GSM operators felt this was a backdoor entry to Reliance and Tata. The then communications minister Arun Shourie pushed the two sides to arrive at an out-of-court settlement. Still, not everyone was happy. Meanwhile, Reliance's attempt to stir a data revolution in mobile was ahead of its time. Monsoon Hungama offer - mobile phones bundled with data and talk-time for only Rs 501 - was snapped up. The rates weren't sustainable though. Reliance was forced to write off Rs 4,500 crore as losses. Not only Reliance, even the government made mobile affordable to the masses. Then telecom minister Dayanidhi Maran pushed operators to cut roaming charges up to 56 per cent and introduce one-year validity cards. Two more operators were allowed in every circle and the FDI cap was raised from 49 to 74 per cent. Between 2004-05 and 2005-06, FDI inflow jumped from Rs 541 crore to Rs 2,751 crore. Mobile companies were making money and the sector held promise. But in 2008, controversial decisions by then telecom minister A Raja brought the industry to its knees. First, he successfully conducted a 3G auction but limited the spectrum to five MHz an operator (against 20 MHz globally), leading to fierce competition. Operators paid as much as Rs 67,000 crore for limited 3G spectrum. Even the most aggressive of bidders, such as Bharti Airtel and Vodafone, did not have the cash to acquire pan-India 3G spectrum. Telcos ran out of money, service roll outs were slow and 3G tariffs were kept high, restricting the expected data revolution. Raja's second decision was more catastrophic. He changed the rules on licences to a first-come-first-served basis, allegedly to help his friends. He offered four to five new players licences and suddenly there were a dozen odd players in each circle, prompting cut throat competition. Tariffs dropped to 2005 levels. The business looked unviable while customers had a field day. The final nail in the coffin came when the Comptroller and Auditor General alleged that the government had made a notional loss of Rs 1.76 trillion by giving away spectrum at throw-away prices. Raja was imprisoned and the case was subjected to a CBI probe which eventually found little to nail Raja. Taking cognizance of the CAG, the Supreme Court cancelled 122 licences, including those of top global telcos. These companies lost huge sums and global investors questioned Indias investment environment. The storm, however, led to the first consolidation, with nearly five to six operators shutting shop. Cut-throat competition was over, operators could increase realisation per minute, and subscribers were ready to pay for it. The average revenue per user or ARPUs went up from under Rs 100 in Q4 FY13 to Rs 128 in Q1 FY16. The industry Ebidta nearly doubled from Rs 29,500 crore in 2012-13 to an attractive Rs 54,000 crore in 2015-16, on a gross revenue of Rs 2.53 trillion. But there were other worrisome winds of change. It was clear that all spectrum would be auctioned by the government and with the introduction of the UASL licence, spectrum would be de-linked from services so that telcos could use any spectrum for any service. The auctions that followed in 2015 saw a massacre, especially in the 900 MHz band (the licence for this band was expiring for incumbents but it was a popular band for 4G), and prices went up by three to five times. The telcos spent more on spectrum (Rs 1.75 trillion in just two years, 2015 and 2016) than they had spent since launching their services (Rs 1.5 trillion). That was not the only challenge. Mukesh Ambani unleashed a disruptive strategy offering a 4G network across the country while his competitors were far behind. Ambani made voice free, offered data at rock bottom prices, and made the services free for six months, despite complaints by rivals. Companies like Vodafone Idea who were sceptical about the future of 4G, had to change tack. Financial mayhem ensued. Incumbent operators not only had to pay for the huge loans they had taken to finance spectrum costs, they had to invest more to catch up with Jio - and compromise on margins by dropping their tariffs to avoid losing too many customers. The industry debt burden skyrocketed from Rs 2.8 trillion in 2015 to Rs 7.7 trillion in 2018. ARPUs, which had hit an attractive Rs 141 in Q1 FY17, sank to half. Industry Ebidta also fell by half from Rs 54,000 crore in FY 16 to a mere Rs 24,400 crore in FY 19. The Jio onslaught forced the second consolidation. Many operators like Rcom and Aircel went to NCLT. Tata and Telenor sold their assets at throwaway prices. The market pecking order changed. Jio was the number one player in revenue share, ousting Bharti and Vodafone. But Jios relentless push to grab 500 million mobile customers eased and it moved away from a pricing war last December. Tariffs as well as ARPUs slowly moved up. The lockdown has also helped in increasing usage and therefore revenues for all operators. Beyond 2020:The future of telecom will depend on two things: how much time the Supreme Court gives them to pay the AGR dues and whether Vodafone Idea is game. This article was first published 4 years ago Chinese mobile brands are deeply entrenched in the Indian market. A move to bar them may send a bold diplomatic message. But its cost for the local industry is anybody's guess. In the event that Chinese brands face curbs, two handset makers - Samsung and Apple - squarely stand to gain. Photograph: Ally Song/Reuters Diplomatic dialogue and Chinas retreat from some key strategic outposts along the border had cast an image that Indias relations with its neighbour are correcting. That was until September, when hundreds of Chinese troops occupied areas on the Indian side of Pangong Tso lake in a fresh show of aggression. Avoiding armed conflict, India retaliated the way it did in the past--making Chinese businesses pay. So, another set of Chinese apps was banned on September 2, this time 118, including the hugely popular game PUBG by Tencent. India argued that the apps collect and share data in a surreptitious manner and compromise personal data and information of users that can have a severe threat to the security of the state. Beyond data privacy concerns, New Delhi knows that hurting Beijings business interests in India, the worlds largest growing Internet bastion, is the best tool at its disposal. Sources in the government said that the border situation is developing, and policy makers are looking hard at other imports from China on which India can apply the same formula. These are Chinese electronics, mainly smartphones. Photograph: Ally Song/Reuters Currently, Chinese smartphone brands hold a domineering 81 per cent market share, according to Counterpoint Research. Over the years, Xiaomi, OnePlus, Oppo, Vivo and Lenovo have hooked Indian consumers mainly first-time Internet users with growing spending propensity with cheap power-packed handsets. The rise of Chinese brands also coincided with data rates plummeting, thanks to Reliance Jio, and the growth in Internet-enabled services. Among the many affected were Indian makers Micromax and Karbonn, which now have less than one per cent market share. With tensions rising, sources said, Import curbs, if not an outright ban, on Chinese mobiles are not off the table. An August 14 Reuters report said electronic components from China were facing customs delays at Indian ports, adding that the main affected party is Xiaomi. Further, India has moved to implement a rule that directs local e-commerce platforms to display the country of origin of goods sold. Amazon and Flipkart said they needed two months to comply with the directive. India will avoid armed conflict because it will be more detrimental to us than them, but business curbs is a key lever, and will be duly used in the same way as for Chinese investments in India, said a senior entrepreneur-investor, requesting anonymity. In April, the government came out with a directive that all Chinese investments in Indian companies must be vetted and approved by its commerce ministry. This left Zomato, Big Basket, Oyo, Ola and Patym, and their investors Softbank, Tencent, Steadview, Alibaba, to name a few, in a tizzy. Alibaba, in its earnings conference call on August 25, acknowledged that it would further evaluate additional investment in Zomato following the FDI tweaks. The Jack Ma-promoted company also holds 30 per cent in Paytm. At a time of growing anti-China sentiment, which includes consumers shunning Chinese TVs and appliances, smartphone companies are wary of regulatory action. Xiaomi, which holds a 20 per market share, is pushing hard to display its nationalistic credentials. A few days after the border skirmish in June 29, Xiaomis website sported a large logo at the bottom, branded Made in India. The logo, which leads to a webpage link, mentions that 99 per cent of smartphones and 85 per cent of TVs Xiaomi sells in India are made locally, and its factories employ more than 30,000 people. Xiaomi did not immediately respond to a request for a comment. OnePlus refused to comment on this story. Chinese brands are taking stock of the situation and quantifying perceived risks to their businesses. Last month, Vivo, another Chinese brand, walked out of sponsorship deals with Big Boss and the Pro Kabaddi League, before the tenure of the contract expired. This was followed by BCCL and Vivo jointly cancelling the IPL sponsorship deal, a Rs 2,199-crore five-year contract signed in 2017. No reasons were given. There are enough non-Chinese companies (handset makers) operating in India, and the demand will obviously shift to those brands. "If something like this (the ban on Chinese smartphones) happens, the ecosystem will re-adjust and alternatives will be thought through and pushed by the government. said Sunil Raina, president and business head, Lava International. Noida-headquartered Lava sells two million handsets, mainly feature phones, every year. The government may push for a faster component-manufacturing ecosystem in the country. "Chipsets, memory and display components are some key components in the phones, which are imported. "The point to note here is that most of these companies (component makers) are non-Chinese companies, say, Taiwanese or Korean, with manufacturing bases in China. "If this scenario happens, they can shift manufacturing to India, where the demand is, said Raina. Photograph: Stephen Lam/Reuters That is easier said than done. Electronics - both components and finished goods - are the largest imported items from China among all, and it will be hard to fill up that supply gap instantly. According to commerce ministry data, electronics imports from China in 2018-19 were Rs 1,84,789 crore or 21.8 per cent of all items (by value) imported from the country. The next three items were nuclear machinery, organic chemicals and plastics. The other bit is how deeply entrenched China is in the Indian smartphone market. Of the total 158 million smartphones sold in 2019, some 70-80 per cent were Chinese. In terms of value, Chinese brands stand at $18-20 billion annual sales in the smartphone market, which is estimated at $28-30 billion, according to Counterpoint Research. Unlike the Chinese apps, where India made the case for data privacy risks, the same is hard to establish in smartphones, said Tarun Pathak, associate director, Counterpoint Research. (The move) looks unlikely, and you need some basis for the ban. In terms of apps, they said they were a privacy risk because they shared data, but all the device makers have data stored locally. "So you need to have a strong case under the IT Act, you cant just ban based on country of origin, said Pathak. Making a case in handsets seems difficult. And it will hurt India more. We have to accept that our dependence on China for electronics is still high, said Pathak. At least two more forces are playing up in the background--the e-commerce lobby led by Amazon and Flipkart, and Reliance Jio. Smartphones are the largest selling category on e-commerce, comprising almost 50 per cent of total annual sales, according to various estimates. For years, through exclusive sale partnerships between Xiaomi, OnePlus, Vivo, and Amazon and Flipkart, both Chinese players and e-commerce firms have pushed out millions of handsets. It is only recently that offline sellers have put up a revolt against such tie-ups, calling them anti-competitive and price-manipulative. Experts said pulling Chinese brands out of the system will hurt e-commerce sales, which have barely recouped from the slump during the early pandemic months. Often missed, the other big actor is Reliance. With the backing of Google, Reliance Jio had announced in July that it would build a new operating system for modern 5G smartphones. Analysts, however, expect Jio to go beyond by making its own smartphones. The move is likely because Qualcomm, the biggest handset chipmaker in the world, is a backer of Jio. Jio launched a set of feature phones and through that captured 100 million users for its telecom business, a Mumbai-based telecom analyst said, requesting anonymity. For Jio, the strategy is to acquire users through handset bundled with telecom plans. "Maybe Jio will upgrade existing users to new low-cost smartphones. Photograph: Stephen Lam/Reuters In the event that Chinese brands face curbs, two handset makers squarely stand to gain. These are Samsung, a South Korean multinational, and Apple. Over the past year, Samsung has widened its portfolio by launching phones in all price categories, ramping up competition against the Chinese. In Q2 2020, Samsungs online sales market share was 25 per cent, higher than 11 per cent in the same period a year ago, according to Counterpoint. Samsung is also in a comfortable position given its large assembly plant in Noida (which backs its local-manufacturing credentials) and the fact that it is a key 5G component supplier to Reliance. Apple is also pushing the pedal hard in India through local manufacturing and online sales. The company began selling gadgets online from September 23 for the first time in India. Separately, its key manufacturing partners, Foxconn and Wistron, have committed to invest several million dollars to expand their capacities in India. If Chinese phones are zapped out, the demand will naturally move to other brands. But the question is whether the other players will be able to service the ramped up demand in a short time. Indian brands Lava and Micromax have manufacturing units in Noida, NCR that produce a dozen million smartphones a year. Samsungs unit, also in Noida, and touted as the biggest smartphone manufacturing plant in the world, can produce about 100 million handsets a year. The BBK Group, which owns brands OnePlus, Vivo, Oppo, and Realme, manufactures from Oppos plant in Greater Noida, which has an installed capacity of 50 million smartphones a year. Photograph: Ally Song/Reuters Photograph: Bobby Yip/Reuters And finally, Xiaomi manufactures through its contract partner Foxconn, which has units in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Noida. What is interesting with Foxconn is that it has units that produce circuit boards (capable of printed circuit board assembly and surface-mount technology) in India itself. That gives it a competitive edge. Currently, major components in phones - display units, mother circuit boards, and batteries - are imported. Foxconn is also the biggest maker of iPhones in India, and makes iPhone XR and iPhone 11 for the local market. With Foxconn looking to put $1 billion to expand capacity, as part of a move to shift a fifth of its production capacity from China to other places, it will have the capacity to service other brands, even Indian ones, should they approach it, said experts. The same goes for contract manufacturer Wistron, which said it was investing $165 million in local operations and opening a new facility in Bengaluru. On October 6, India approved the proposals of 16 entities to expand manufacturing capacity. These include Foxconn, Wistron, Pegatron, and Samsung. The approvals will allow these companies to dip into the governments $6.65-billion incentive scheme to make the country an export and manufacturing hub. How much each entity receives has not been made public. Samsung, Foxconn and Wistron did not respond to a request for comment. The present utilisation of their facilities is not immediately clear, but informed market participants say it could be anywhere between 40 per cent and 70 per cent owing to the Covid-19 pandemic. Experts, however, are sceptical about whether a move of this nature will help the businesses, and India at large. Is it easy to dissuade the public by saying youve banned this and youve banned that, and that will bring manufacturing to India. "But all of those things should have been a 20-year effort. "It is only then that you can start to say that you have a viable option to China, said Arvind Singla, founder and chairman of Gurugram-based consultancy Tecknopak Advisors. Singla highlighted that Chinese brands have created a strong sales supply chain in the hinterlands. This has provided livelihoods to various tier-III agents, distributors, mom-and-pop mobiles stores. Xiaomi alone claims it has 7,000 Mi-preferred partner stores (multi-brand mom and pop retailers), apart from 2,500 exclusive stores and about 100 high-end studios. Should they prioritise reducing debt or push forward with growth? The proposed safeguard duty and domestic demand might shape the decision. Ishita Ayan Dutt/Business Standard reports. IMAGE: Workers load TMT bars into a truck at a factory in Mandi Gobindgarh in Punjab. Photograph: Priyanshu Singh/Reuters The weaponisation of economic activity through tariffs and sanctions is now a reality, with countries leveraging these tools strategically, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said at the Raisina Dialogue recently. Speaking at the strategic affairs conference hosted by the external affairs ministry and the Observer Research Foundation in New Delhi, Jaishankar emphasised that India would have to negotiate the best possible deals because governments fight for their businesses. He added, Youre fighting for your comprehensive national power, of which business makes a very important contribution. An example of this fight for businesses was demonstrated last week, when the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR), under the commerce and industry ministry, recommended a 12 per cent safeguard duty for 200 days on certain steel products. The measure aims to protect the domestic steel industry from serious injury caused by a surge in imports. The recommendation now awaits approval from the Department of Revenue in the finance ministry. Significance of steel Steel is the backbone of an economy, serving as a critical input for infrastructure, construction, automotive, defence, and manufacturing industries. As India grows, so will the demand for steel. Producers like JSW Steel, Tata Steel, ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India), and Jindal Steel and Power (JSPL), which are at the forefront of a private-sector capital expenditure push, have aligned their plans with Indias target of achieving a 300 million tonne (mt) steel production capacity. According to Icra estimates, Tata Steel, JSW Steel, AM/NS India, JSPL, and public sector NMDC Steel would add 50 mt of capacity between FY21 and FY28, of which 37.1 mt was added by FY24. However, a surge in low-cost imports, which has depressed steel prices, has made the industry cautious about expansion. Whether the proposed 12 per cent safeguard duty will provide enough relief to encourage continued investment remains a subject of debate. The injury The DGTRs recommendation on certain non-alloy and alloy flat steel products is based on an application filed by the Indian Steel Association (ISA) on behalf of its members AM/NS India, JSW Steel, JSPL, and SAIL. The application sought protection against surging imports of key products such as hot rolled coil (HRC), cold rolled coil and sheets, and various flat steel products. About 48 per cent of total imports into India in calendar 2024 was accounted for by HRC, which is widely used in automotive and appliances. The surge in imports primarily from South Korea, Japan, Vietnam (countries with which India has free trade agreements), and China has turned India into a net importer of steel. The DGTR noted that the large influx of cheaper imports has forced domestic producers to slash their prices to remain competitive and prevent further increase in imports, significantly impacting their profitability. Price impact The steel industry wanted a 25 per cent safeguard duty, with internal expectations of an 18-20 per cent levy. While the recommended 12 per cent duty falls short of these demands, it is still expected to lead to price increases. Ritabrata Ghosh, vice president (Corporate Ratings and Industry Research) at Icra, estimates that the safeguard duty will push average HRC prices up by 7-8 per cent compared to FY25, improving per-tonne earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (Ebitda) to $135-$140. Sehul Bhatt, director of research at Crisil Intelligence, also said that the provisional safeguard duty would provide pricing support to local manufacturers in the first half of fiscal 2026. The government had acted proactively this time round, Ghosh said. In 2015, when a safeguard duty was imposed, the industry was already on its knees, he said. The average Ebitda per tonne was just $50 back then, compared to $110 per tonne now. A sense of deja vu The steel industry has seen this scenario before a deluge of supply from China, pressure on prices and margins, followed by a safeguard duty. In September 2015, the Indian government had imposed a 20 per cent safeguard duty on hot rolled flat products for 200 days after China flooded global markets with discounted steel. In a way, that shaped the global landscape for the industry. Now, history seems to be repeating itself. Protecting turf Protectionist measures in the steel sector have been rising since 2015-16 when low-cost Chinese imports shook the industry. The Donald Trump administration has now announced a 25 per cent additional duty on steel imports from March 12, 2025, revoking previous relaxations and exemptions, and sparking potential retaliatory measures from other economies. According to the DGTR, global trade remedy actions on steel have surged from 2019 to 2024 in major global markets. Between 2011-2013, an average of 77 steel-related investigations were initiated. That number jumped to 117 in 2015-16 and reached 129 between 2019 and 2023. In just the first nine months of 2024, 67 new anti-dumping investigations were launched globally the highest since the 2015-16 overcapacity crisis. More than 70 per cent of steel-related trade remedy actions between 2019-23 targeted flat steel products. Chinas role in global steel trade remains a major factor. Its oversupply and aggressive pricing have contributed to protectionist actions worldwide, affecting Indias steel export prospects. In FY24, India exported 9.5 mt of steel, but provisional data from BigMint suggests this could drop to 6.5 mt in FY25. To deleverage or expand? At least two major steel producers said that the 12 per cent safeguard duty might encourage them to plan their next phase of expansion. However, decisions will depend on capital allocation strategies, said a top official from a steel company. If China cuts production due to global tariffs and no longer needs to export to India, the industry may feel more confident about expanding, said a senior official at a steel company. Some companies have already delayed capacity expansion due to the past 18 months of stress, he added. Post-Covid, steel prices increased as global economies pumped money into the under-invested infrastructure to emerge from the pandemic-induced slowdown. According to BigMint data, HRC prices peaked at Rs 76,025 per tonne in April 2022, prompting steel companies to deleverage and initiate expansion plans. However, the Russia-Ukraine war soon disrupted markets, and by December 2022, HRC prices had tumbled to Rs 53,950 per tonne. Indian steelmakers now face a pivotal decision: Should they prioritise reducing debt or push forward with growth? The proposed safeguard duty and domestic demand might shape the decision. Goods from sectors, including agriculture, precious stones, chemicals, pharma, medical devices, electricals, and machinery may get impacted if the US will go ahead with imposing reciprocal tariffs on Indian products, according to experts. IMAGE: A cargo ship full of shipping containers is seen at the port of Oakland as trade tensions escalate over US tariffs. Photograph: Carlos Barria/Reuters They said that these sectors could face additional customs duties from the Trump administration because of the high tariff differential or gap, which is the difference between the import duties imposed by the US and India on a product. At the broad sector level, the potential tariff gaps between India and the US vary across the sectors. The gap is 8.6 per cent for chemicals and pharmaceuticals; 5.6 per cent for plastics; 1.4 per cent for textiles and clothing; 13.3 per cent for diamonds, gold, and jewellery; 2.5 per cent for iron, steel, and base metals; 5.3 per cent for machinery and computers; 7.2 per cent for electronics; and 23.1 per cent for automobiles and auto components. "The higher the tariff gap, the worse affected a sector could be," an exporter said. US President Donald Trump has said that the tariff announcements, scheduled for early morning Wednesday (India time), will amount to a 'Liberation Day ' for the US. According to an analysis of the think tank Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), the hardest-hit sector in agriculture would be fish, meat, and processed seafood, with $2.58 billion in exports in 2024, facing a 27.83 per cent tariff differential. Shrimp, a major export to America, will become significantly less competitive due to the imposition of the US tariffs. "Already our exports have antidumping and countervailing duties in the US. "The additional hike in tariffs will make us uncompetitive. Out of India's total shrimp exports, we ship 40 per cent to America," Kolkata-based seafood exporter and MD of Megaa Moda Yogesh Gupta said. He said that Indian exporters may get some relief if the US will impose similar tariffs on competitor countries - Ecuador and Indonesia. India's processed food, sugar, and cocoa exports may also face heat as the tariff gap is 24.99 per cent. Its exports stood at $1.03 billion last year. Similarly, cereals, vegetables, fruits, and spices ($1.91 billion shipments) have a tariff differential of 5.72 per cent between. Dairy products, with exports worth $181.49 million, could be "severely" affected by a 38.23 per cent differential, "making ghee, butter, and milk powder costlier and reducing their market share in the US," GTRI founder Ajay Srivastava said. The other products which can be affected include edible oils ($199.75 million exports and 10.67 duty gap); alcohol, wines, and spirits ($19.2 million exports and 122.10 per cent tariff differential); live animals and animal products ($10.3 million exports and 27.75 per cent gap). Srivastava said that tobacco and cigarettes, whose exports are valued at $94.62 million in 2024, may remain unaffected, as the US already imposes 201.15 per cent tariffs, creating a negative tariff differential (-168.15 per cent). In the industrial goods segment, sectors could be impacted by American duties, including pharmaceuticals, jewellery, and electronics. "We are keeping our fingers crossed because of the unpredictability of the Trump administration at the tariff front. "But if it will be imposed, it may affect initially but not in the longer run. "The whole burden, though will be on American consumers," Mumbai-based engineering exporter SK Saraf said. The pharmaceutical sector, India's largest industrial export, worth $12.72 billion in 2024, faces a 10.90 per cent tariff differential, increasing costs for generic medicines and specialty drugs. Diamonds, gold, and silver, with $11.88 billion in exports, may see a 13.32 per cent tariff hike, raising jewellery prices and reducing competitiveness. Similarly, electrical, telecom, and electronics exports worth $14.39 billion face a 7.24 per cent tariff. According to the GTRI, machinery, boilers, turbines, and computers, with a worth $7.10 billion of exports, could see a 5.29 per cent tariff hike, impacting India's engineering exports. "Chemicals (excluding pharmaceuticals), exports worth $5.71 billion, could be affected by a 6.05 per cent tariff, reducing US demand for Indian specialty chemicals," GTRI founder Ajay Srivastava said adding textiles, fabrics, yarn, and carpets, with $2.76 billion in exports, can face a 6.59 per cent tariff, making Indian textiles pricier. Rubber products, including tires and belts, shipments worth $1.06 billion, may face a 7.76 per cent tariff, while paper and wood articles ($969.65 million) could have a 7.87 per cent tariff. "Ceramic, glass, and stone products, with $1.71 billion in exports, will face an 8.27 per cent tariff, impacting demand. "Footwear, with $457.66 million in exports, faces a high 15.56 per cent tariff differential," he added. Srivastava, however, said that reciprocal tariffs may not be exactly the same as the tariff differential as the US has indicated that they may also factor in non-tariff barriers, VAT (GST), and currency impacts in its reciprocal tariff policy. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 2. Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Trend reports. "Excellency and Dear Brother, I am writing to extend my heartiest felicitations and warm greetings to Your Excellency, your loved ones, and the brotherly people of Azerbaijan on the joyous occasion of Novruz. As a celebration of the arrival of spring, Novruz symbolizes new beginnings, harmony, and hope. It also provides us with a propitious opportunity to renew bonds of friendship and share aspirations for the year ahead. In this spirit, I reaffirm Pakistan's strong commitment to elevate our warm and brotherly ties into a mutually beneficial economic partnership. Excellency, I fondly recall my most cordial and productive meetings with you during my visit to your great country, last month. I greatly look forward to welcoming Your Excellency to Islamabad next month. Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration," the letter reads. This article was first published 4 years ago Besides opening up the possibility of a policy that allows vintage cars retrofitted with electric batteries to ply on roads, this also gives a clue to how cars older than 15 years that are banned can be valued again by a similar conversion to EVs, says Ritwik Sharma. Image: The Centre of Excellence for Research on Clean Air (CERCA) at IIT Delhi is behind this test case to promote electric mobility. Photographs: Kind courtesy, CERCA IITD/Facebook On a recent afternoon, a venerable old Bug glided around the administrative block of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi. For a handful of vintage car aficionados who had gathered, this was a Bug -- as the iconic Volkswagen Beetle is fondly called -- that crept up a surprise unlike any. The canary yellow Beetle, a 1948 model, is the first vintage car in India to be converted into an electric vehicle (EV). The two-door sedan, with its curvy roof and just enough space for four adults, sported no visible difference in its new avatar, except for the absence of any revving sound as its petrol engine got replaced by an electric motor, and the addition of a panel of switches next to the gear lever inside. Unlike for bystanders, those taking a ride would hear the steady hum and whir of the motor and the flywheel accompanied by mild creaks and groans one would expect from a septuagenarian car. The Centre of Excellence for Research on Clean Air (CERCA) at IIT Delhi is behind this test case to promote electric mobility. The electric Beetle is a symbolic action to demonstrate that we can take actions to eliminate air pollution in Delhi NCR (National Capital Region) and in India by use of technology and innovation, CERCA founder Arun Duggal said in a statement. Because of the restrictions on the use of vintage cars in the capital, Duggal, an alumnus of IIT Delhi, thought of the possibility of replacing the petrol (internal combustion) engine with a clean electric engine in such vehicles. The vintage Beetle was given for conversion by his friend Manjit Rajain, executive chairman of Tenon Group of Companies. The car had an air-cooled petrol engine mounted on the rear. Jawaad Khan, an engineer, removed the engine and replaced it with an electric motor, controller, batteries, a battery management system and other EV components. The project was started just before the pandemic struck, which delayed what would otherwise have been completed in two months, said Khan, who graduated a month ago from Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University in Bathinda. About 70 per cent of the new components were locally made. Such conversions of old cars into EVs will also boost local firms, added Khan, who is part of a retrofitting start-up. The Beetle now has a 48V 100Ah battery. On full charging, it can run up to 50-60 km. The conversion cost over Rs 400,000, and we are working on using an artificial sound system and wireless charging, added Khan. The mileage would increase depending on the size of batteries. Although it is a first-of-its-kind experiment, it wasn't a laborious one, said Hemant Kaushal, head of CERCA, which is planning to similarly convert a vintage Austin that has been lying on campus. You just need a battery and a motor, and you have to take out the engine. The crankshafts have to be coupled with the motor, which is run by a battery. That's it. Besides opening up the possibility of a policy that allows vintage cars retrofitted with electric batteries to ply on roads, this also gives a clue to how cars older than 15 years that are banned can be valued again by a similar conversion to EVs. They will have value, save costs for users, and protect the environment from air pollution, unlike petrol or diesel cars, added Kaushal. Two years ago, the Supreme Court banned 15-year-old petrol and 10-year-old diesel vehicles from plying in Delhi-NCR, in agreement with a 2015 order of the National Green Tribunal. Diljeet Titus, general secretary of the Heritage Motoring Club of India, pointed out that vintage cars were exempted from the ban on the condition that they have to be more than 50 years old. But the question is, what about cars manufactured after 1970? he said, adding that a lot of cars that are less than 50 years old are good candidates for being converted to EVs. As collectors, that is welcome because we are able to enjoy these cars, which we otherwise can't, and there is pride of ownership of a car that is not polluting the environment. According to Titus, under the Antiquities and Art Treasures Act of 1972, vintage cars are protected objects that are prohibited from being exported. The government has recognised that vintage cars are part of our national heritage, so they need to be protected, he said. Retrofitting more recent cars, he argued, would also help many, including senior citizens and pensioners -- particularly if costs of conversion were brought down. The Beetle has certainly floated such hopes, within and beyond IIT Delhi. Vintage power Air-cooled petrol engine replaced with electric motor, controller, batteries, battery management system, other EV components The Beetle now has a 48V 100Ah battery, which can run up to 50-60 km on full charging Mileage would increase depending on the size of batteries The conversion cost over Rs 400,000 Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff.com This article was first published 4 years ago In India, many players are in the throes of chaos and pain but at least one partnership -- Air Asia India -- that was fraying even before the pandemic now finds itself at breaking point, says Anjuli Bhargava. Image: An AirAsia Airbus A320. Photograph: Kind courtesy Wikimedia commons As Covid-19 tightens its grip on the world's aviation industry, fault lines are beginning to appear. In India, many players are in the throes of chaos and pain but at least one partnership -- Air Asia India -- that was fraying even before the pandemic now finds itself at breaking point. In the last few weeks, conflicting news reports have appeared across media on how the Tatas want to sell their stake and exit, followed closely by reports that the Malaysian partner Air Asia Berhard wants to bow out. The truth of the matter is that Air Asia India today is a failure -- although neither side is openly acknowledging the fact -- and is a bit like an unwanted child, with neither parent keen to take full responsibility. In 2014, Air Asia Berhard chairman Tony Fernandes might have sold a dream to then Tata Sons chairman Ratan Tata but over six years, the dream has effectively unravelled. More recently, this newspaper carried a report claiming a valuation of Rs 550 crore for Air Asia Berhard's 49 per cent stake, a figure almost everyone in the industry laughed off. Most argued that they would pay nothing -- not even Rs 2, as Ajay Singh famously did for Kalanithi Maran's stake in SpiceJet back in 2014 -- because the joint venture has accumulated losses, many liabilities and requires large doses of capital injection to stay relevant. All this when aviation is at one of its lowest points in history and airline economics is likely to be grimmer than ever. If someone is willing to pay Fernandes Rs 550 crore for his 49 per cent in today's scenario, he should simply grab it, said one industry player. He says finding adoptive parents for this child in today's environment seems close to impossible and he wouldn't take it on even if it were handed to him free on a platter. A point worth reflecting is why Air Asia Berhard -- with its wealth of experience and expertise -- failed to replicate its success in Malaysia and Thailand, in India. Barring these two countries, none of Air Asia India's forays in the region can be called unequivocal successes. One, comparisons with Malaysia don't hold much water since that was home territory for Fernandes and he was able to manage government policy and the environment -- a bit like Jet Airways founder Naresh Goyal in India -- to his advantage, besides being an early entrant. When Air Asia Berhard got going, serious competition was virtually non-existent in Malaysia and Fernandes, who famously bought the loss-making airline from its Malaysian owner for a token one ringitt in 2001, was able to offer a new product at the right price point to capture a chunk of the market. It was young and nimble. Moreover, Malaysian Airlines -- the national carrier -- was beset with all the usual problems flag carriers suffer and far stodgier and relatively unsteady. It was a bit like Jet Airways taking on Indian Airlines in the early days, says an industry analyst. Image: Tony Fernandes Photograph: Reuters In Thailand, a very early entry (2004) was one of the major factors that helped Air Asia succeed. It was able to quickly occupy an empty space (the country's first low-cost airline) and a strong partner (then prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra) helped. Competition was virtually non-existent with only the State-owned Thai Airways and a very small, boutique although well-managed Bangkok Airways in the fray. Thai Air Asia was able to find its niche, and is now one of the dominant players in the country. It has contributed significantly to its parent's profitability over the years. But in Indonesia (where Lion Air is the largest player) and in Philippines (CEBU Pacific is dominant), Air Asia Berhard remains relatively insignificant. Lion Air, in fact, has taken on Air Asia Berhard in its home country with its subsidiary Malindo and more recently in Thailand with Thai Lion. In Indonesia, Air Asia Indonesia is in a position similar to what Air Asia India is to IndiGo in India -- more an annoying fly to swat at than something to take notice of. Similar attempts to replicate its success in Malaysia and Thailand in China and Japan have not worked either for a variety of reasons. Other than its own home base, it's only Thailand where it had a first mover advantage that Air Asia Berhard has been successful. In all other markets, its performance has been lacklustre, says an industry source familiar with the region. In India too, Air Asia India entered in 2014 when competition was already intense and the opportunity to manage the environment limited despite a powerful partner. This combined with a series of poor decisions, from choice of CEOs to routes that failed to deliver, landed the airline in the abyss it finds itself today. Controversies also dogged the venture from the word go. Aviation industry analysts and observers are divided on how this unhappy saga will play out but almost everyone is convinced that we are seeing the beginning of the end. Tony Fernandes and Ratan Tata are faced with the sad prospect of watching their joint dream unravel. Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff.com. Putin is keen on establishing a good personal rapport with Trump and anchor a meaningful US-Russia partnership, realistic enough to accept that Trump is as good an American president as Russia would ever get, observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar. IMAGE: Russian President Vladimir Putin visits the nuclear-powered submarine Arkhangelsk in Murmansk, Russia, March 27, 2025. Photograph: Sputnik/Kirill Zykov/Pool via Reuters The Kremlin apparently came to the conclusion last week that it was about time to do some plain-speaking that US President Donald Trump's quest for a 30-day ceasefire in the Ukraine war was a non-starter. Over the weekend, in a series of remarks, Trump reacted sharply that he's 'very angry' with President Vladimir Putin over his approach to the proposed ceasefire and threatened to levy tariffs on Moscow's oil exports if the Russian leader does not agree to a truce within a month. Trump is either incapable or unwilling to accept that neither the Russians nor the Ukrainians have their heart in the ceasefire deal (for different reasons, though) even while paying lip service to it, as each wants to have Trump on its side. Unlike the Ukrainians who are blase about their desire to continue to wage the war until Russian forces vacate their territories in the east (knowing that may never happen), Russians are savvy operators who prioritise the unfinished business of the war while playing their part in the diplomatic circuit. Actually, Russians are in two minds whether the war could end once their military gains total control over Donbass, or, should they also take control of Odessa, Nikolaev, Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkov, etc. to create a security zone roughly, along the Dniepr river, and, let the UN figure out the future of the rump State of Ukraine. Such is the backlog of the West's betrayals and repudiation of agreements, including during Trump's first term, that Russia may come to estimate that its best security guarantee for durable peace lies in creating solid, immutable facts on the ground. IMAGE: US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office, March 31, 2025. Photograph: Leah Millis/Reuters Trump will do well to read the extraordinary report featured in the New York Times dated March 29, 2025 titled The Partnership: The Secret History of the War in Ukraine. It is a doctored version of the untold story of America's hidden role in Ukrainian military operations against Russia but the main thing is that it confirms the Russian allegation that this has been a proxy war kick-started by the US with great deliberateness. Suffice to say, Trump's claim to be a good Samaritan with a bleeding heart who wants the war to end, et al, won't fly. On the other hand, Putin is nonetheless keen on establishing a good personal rapport with Trump and anchor a meaningful US-Russia partnership on it, realistic enough to accept that Trump is as good an American president as Russia would ever get. That said, Putin is also unwavering that in order for peace to be durable, conditions must be created first where he needs Trump's understanding, although Russian people are deeply sceptical about any US mediation. Trump refused to say if there was any deadline for Russia to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine, but he told reporters on board Air Force One, 'It's a psychological deadline. If I think they're [Russians] tapping us along, I will not be happy about it.' On the contrary, the Russians have been as transparent as they could in the prevailing climate of deep distrust -- and no real effort has yet begun to address the root causes of the conflict. IMAGE: An apartment block damaged during an overnight Russian drone strike in Dnipro. Photograph: Violeta Santos Moura/Reuters The Russian negotiator Grigory Karasin, an accomplished career diplomat and deputy foreign minister and currently a senator heading the foreign affairs committee of the Upper House Federation Council, who was the negotiator at the expert group negotiations at Riyadh last Monday, said over the weekend with great candour on Russia's national television that the 12-hour talks 'haven't led to any radical breakthrough yet, but the opportunities are there. It would have been naive to expect any breakthroughs.' Karasin claimed that the US negotiators, including senior National Security Council director Andrew Peek and State Department policy planning chief Michael Anton, initially presented 'proposals that are unacceptable to Russia.' 'But then, in my opinion... they realised that a team of civilised, reasoned interlocutors was sitting in front of them,' he said, describing the talks as having had a 'good atmosphere' despite the lack of progress. Importantly, Karasin said he expects US-Russian negotiations on Ukraine to continue at least until the end of 2025 or beyond. We will never know how accurate was the feedback Trump received from the inconclusive negotiations in Riyadh. Clearly, the US has since resiled from the understanding given to the Russian side in regard of waiving the sanctions for the export of Russian food and fertilisers to the world market, facilitate the payments system and provide other underpinnings needed. Karasin's glasnost was apparently not music to Trump's ears. Nonetheless, good sense prevailed finally, as Trump signalled his intentions to talk to Putin. Will that help? Putin said as recently as last week that Russia's interests will not be bartered away. Even if Trump were to now decide to join hands with the UK and France to lead the 'coalition of the willing' to continue the Ukraine war, it is unlikely Putin will budge on Russia's core interests. IMAGE: The site of a Russian drone strike in Dnipro, Ukraine, March 29, 2025. Photograph: Mykola Synelnykov/Reuters However, Trump's real predicament is something else. He had a choice to decouple the US from the war. But then, he was also swayed by Wall Street's obsessive interest in Ukraine being a honeypot, which of course is incompatible with his known aversion to assuming the obligations and responsibilities of a de facto colonial power in a faraway land 10,000 kms away. The result is, Ukrainians have lost respect for him. Zelenskyy hit out on Friday, saying, 'Ukraine has received the new draft agreement from the US, which is totally different from the previous framework agreement on natural resources. Ukraine will not recognise the United States military aid as a debt. We are grateful for support but it's not a loan.' The Wall Street Journal reported Saturday on the new revised draft document sent to Kyiv from Washington, which insists on Zelenskky signing an agreement giving the American companies control over key economic projects. In particular, the US seeks the right to be the first to participate in Ukraine's infrastructure projects and mining programs, including rare-earth metals and construction of ports. The fund, managed primarily by US representatives, will channel the profits to pay off the cost of military aid provided by Washington to Kiev. If the agreement is signed, Ukraine will have 45 days to submit a list of projects for consideration by the fund. IMAGE: The site of a Russian drone strike in Dnipro, Ukraine, March 29, 2025. Photograph: Mykola Synelnykov/Reuters Britain's Daily Telegraph reported that under the latest version of the deal, the US would control half of Ukraine's oil and gas reserves, its metals and much of its infrastructure, including railways, ports, pipelines and refineries, through a joint investment fund. The US plans to receive all profits until Ukraine pays it at least $100 billion in compensation for military aid, with a 4% surcharge. Kyiv will start receiving 50% of the profits only after the debt is repaid. The newspaper added that the new fund will be registered in the state of Delaware but will operate under the jurisdiction of New York. And the US will have the right to veto the sale of Ukrainian resources to third countries and the prerogative to check the accounts of any Ukrainian agency involved. Trump has fallen between two stools. Ukraine is highly unlikely to accept the deal with the US. Also, trust Russian ingenuity to make a counter offer of a business relationship to Trump that he can't refuse. In sum, Trump's attempt to enhance trust with Putin was indeed the right approach. And Putin had reciprocated in earnestness. Indeed, their parley made some headway until it came under weather, thanks to the mercantile considerations regarding Ukraine's resources, which require that the war must be put to sudden death. Whereas, such wars have their own dynamics too. Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar served the Indian Foreign Service for 29 years. Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com 'I represented India across the world, but here, in my own country, I was treated in this bad manner.' 'Everyone in Prayagraj respects me a lot and it is in this same city that I became homeless.' IMAGE: A demolition drive by the Prayagraj Development Authority bulldozer underway in March 2021. The Supreme Court directed the authority to pay within six weeks Rs 10 lakh compensation each to the house owners. Photograph: ANI Photo On Tuesday, April 1, 2025, the Supreme Court came down heavily on the Uttar Pradesh government for its 'bulldozer justice'. The apex court told the UP government to compensate Urdu Professor Ali Ahmed Fatmi Rs 10 lakhs for illegally demolishing his home in Prayagraj in March 2021. Professor Fatmi lost all the books in his personal collection as the UP government did not give him time to vacate the house before the demolition. The UP government served him with a demolition notice on March 6, 2021, and the very next day a bulldozer arrived to demolish his home. Professor Fatmi could not move the court against the demolition as it was a Sunday. "My wife lost her life in this tragedy. The demolition happened in March and in September my wife passed away. My daughter's home too was demolished and my wife could not take this tragedy," Professor Fatmi tells Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff.com after the Supreme Court ruled in his favour. The Supreme Court ruled against the bulldozer justice meted out to you by the Yogi Adityanath government. Were you hopeful that you would get justice? I had lost hope when the Allahabad high court did not give me justice, but I am thankful the Supreme Court gave me justice. The apex court scolded the Uttar Pradesh government for its high-handedness in my case. The court also ordered them to pay me compensation. And this message is good for society. Can you share with us the loss and suffering that you went through? I have still not come to terms with the loss that I faced. I had 50 years of my book collection. I had a library in my home. I had rare book collections which are lost forever. My wife lost her life in this tragedy. The demolition happened in March and in September my wife passed away. My daughter's home too was demolished and my wife could not take this tragedy. Which are the rare books that you lost? I had rare books by (legendary poets) Firaq Gorakhpuri and Faiz Ahmed Faiz. I had special books on the progressive movement in Urdu literature. All has been lost forever. When you bought the home, did you know it was illegal? My house was on lease land (from the government) but then, you got to know that the entire area of Rajapur and Allahabad (Prayagraj) is settled on leased land. When I bought it at that time I didn't notice this lease clause as it was owned by one of my close friends. I built my home there. Later, my daughter too made her house next to my land. And let me tell you, my issue was nothing to do with lease land but with (gangster) Atiq Ahmed. He had captured some illegal land around my house and I got trapped because of him. The lease was just an excuse to demolish my home. It was bound to happen and it happened. The Supreme Court did say that what the UP government did was illegal and inhuman. The compensation money does not matter, but I got justice. Did you feel you were punished for Atiq Ahmed's crime? Yes, I got entangled in this controversy unnecessarily because of Atiq Ahmed. We stayed in a colony where there were 6, 7 homes. On the right and left side of my house was Atiq Ahmed's land. The government acquired those lands; my house was in between his land. The Prayagraj Development Authority gave us a notice on the evening on March 6. The very next day, on March 7, they demolished my house. It was a Sunday and they did it intentionally so I could not approach the courts. I have travelled across the world as a professor. I have seen in those developed countries homes are given to professors and writers for their work. And here they are demolishing homes of writers and professors. Why professors? Even a common man's home must not be demolished for no reason. It is so difficult to build a home and the government ruthlessly demolishes it. IMAGE: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Photograph: ANI Photo Do you feel the government should have given time to prove your innocence? You see, they issued the notice to demolish my home on March 1, but they did not serve me the notice. They came to my home on March 6, a Saturday, stating the next day they are coming to demolish my home. They did it very ruthlessly and inhumanely. This bulldozer culture, where has it come from in UP, I have no idea. The Supreme Court has repeatedly spoken against the bulldozer culture but still the governments are going on demolishing this and that for no reason. I am not denying there must be illegal structures, but there are due process and the law which are not being applied. How long was your lease for? The lease period was over in 1993. I applied in 1996 for freehold for my land. I have a receipt for it as I paid Rs 14,000 at that time. This receipt was produced in the Supreme Court of India. I was waiting to pay and get freehold for my property, but the government never did anything about it. Did the government grant any extension for your lease? No, they just took the money and gave me a receipt for converting my lease land to freehold. They never did anything about it until March 6, when they came with the demolition notice. What happens to the land now? I will speak to my lawyer and find out. I have no idea about it at this moment. I have lost interest in that land now. Even if I get lease land again, what is the point? I don't want to get a notice again. My heart is broken now. They did this to a writer and a professor. I taught for 40 years at Allahabad University. No respect was given to me and no humanity was shown towards me. I represented India at different forums, different seminars and lectures across the world but here, in my own country, I was treated in this bad manner. No pity was shown towards me. This was the biggest pain that I suffered. Where are you staying now? When I retired I bought a flat. I have two daughters. I had given one flat to my daughter. ow I am staying in the same house that I gifted my daughter. A flat is a flat and it will never have that bungalow feel which has spacious rooms. Do you feel you were targeted by the Yogi Adityanath government because you are a Muslim? I would not say that because two other Hindus were not spared. There was Raju Kharbanda and one Sharmaji, his house was also broken. This was not a Hindu-Muslim issue, but of the Atiq mafia. What message would you like to give Yogi Adityanath? I would only say that he has to keep a check on which citizen is of what category. No doubt, he must take action against goondas and the mafia but don't harass good citizens in the name of bulldozer justice. Honest citizens are being harassed in the name of bulldozer justice. There are professors, engineers and doctors who are being treated like criminals, that is not right. Everyone in Prayagraj respects me a lot and it is in this same city that I became homeless. This hurts. 'Muslims need to work according to strategy and not fall into the trap of Opposition parties.' IMAGE: Minority and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju tables the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 in the Lok Sabha, April 2, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo/Sansad TV The new Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 was presented in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, by Minority and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju amidst uproar from the Opposition. The bill seeks to improve the functioning of the Waqf Board and ensure transparency in managing the numerous Waqf properties in India. Presenting the bill, Rijiju said, 'Millions of poor Muslims will bless me for this effort. Why should I take these blessings alone? You should receive them, too. Support this bill, it is my sincere request to you all.' The Waqf Act of 1954 governs properties used for religious and charitable purposes by the Muslim community. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's National Democratic Alliance government wanted to pass the new Waqf bill in the monsoon session of Parliament in August 2024 but objections from NDA constituents like the Janata Dal-United and the Telugu Desam Party compelled the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government to send the bill to a Joint Parliament Committee. After several suggestions from different political quarters and members of the public, the Modi government toned down the original Waqf bill and added 14 new clauses to it. "Opposition parties are spreading lies against the Modi government so strongly because all they want is Muslim votes and not to do anything good for Muslims in return," Ghulam Ali Khatana, the BJP's lone Muslim MP, tells Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff.com. Even after the JPC was formed it looks like the Opposition and the government do not agree on the new Waqf bill. Why? The Opposition is opposing the new Waqf bill for no reason. They are opposing it just for the sake of opposition. The government could have passed this new Waqf bill in the August 2024 Parliament session itself but still we sent it to the Joint Parliament Committee because we wanted to get the Opposition's feedback and suggestions for passing the bill. The government got 1.2 crore e-mail responses and suggestions after which we are presenting the new Waqf bill in Parliament. During our JPC meetings, the Opposition parties never took the issue seriously. They used to unnecessarily delay JPC meetings and we finally realised that the Opposition was never interested in the wellbeing of the Muslim community. How will the life of poor Muslims change post the passing of the Waqf bill? I will give you the example of Jammu and Kashmir since I am from that state. There was a Hindu shrine at Vaishno Devi run by sadhus. The government took control of it (in 1987). After the (Vaishno Devi) board was formed by the government the facilities for religious tourists and locals improved drastically. One university was opened later, a cancer hospital was built too and there was transparency put in place. Today, Katra has a railway division (36 minutes away from the Vaishno Devi shrine). Life changed for the better. And let me remind you, Hindu sadhus had opposed the government taking control of Vaishno Devi board then. Similarly, if you see, the Waqf board has the third largest landholding in India after the Indian Railways and the Indian Army but it never became an institution with transparency. We want to change that. Why are non-Muslims allowed to be members of the Waqf board according to the new Waqf bill when Muslims cannot be a member of any temple trust? In India there have been Muslim rulers whose rule lasted for centuries. After Partition, many Muslims left India. The Waqf property that was left behind by them has many Hindus living or doing business on those properties. Somewhere it has been observed that they never get justice. Moreover, Prophet Mohammed's Islam covers the entire humanity and is for the universe. We as Muslims therefore must keep our doors open. And when we do things with honesty, it does not matter if Hindus or Christians come in (as Waqf board members). But this is one of the main points of opposition from Muslims. They do not want people of other religions to be Waqf board members. Muslims in this country have been misled by the Opposition. They have stereotyped them, like they are eating mutton all the time, which is not true. Muslims need to work according to strategy and not fall into the trap of Opposition parties. You had only one objection to the old Waqf bill. What was it? I only suggested that the Waqf board should have as one of its members a scholar of Arabic, Persian and Islam. This scholar must have knowledge about Muslim society and empathise with the cause of Muslims. It has been accepted in the new draft bill. Therefore, I said Opposition parties did not do constructive opposition for the new Waqf bill and they were opposing the new Waqf bill for the sake of opposition. IMAGE: Members of the Joint Forum of Waqf Protection protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in Kolkata, March 31, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo What was the fight with the Opposition parties in the JPC about? There is narrative, perception and practice in politics. The Opposition wanted only to set a narrative in the JPC that the government is not listening to them. They were not doing constructive criticism in the JPC. They were looking only at headlines for the next day's newspapers which would show the government in poor light on the new Waqf bill. Opposition leaders say that after disallowing Muslims from getting instant triple talaq the Modi government now wants to seize the rights of Muslims over Waqf properties. The new Waqf bill is not about suppressing the rights of Muslims. It is a wrong analysis. Muslims must join their battle against injustice and stand by the truth. Take, for example, the Modi government gave funds to madrasas for modernisation but the Muslim leadership spread a false narrative that the Modi government was shutting down madrasas. In Jammu and Kashmir, a Muslim majority state, people got Rs 5 lakh (Rs 500,000) worth free medical treatment. But Opposition parties are spreading lies against the Modi government so strongly because all they want is Muslim votes and not to do anything good for Muslims in return. If the BJP is so good for Muslims, then why don't Muslims understand the Opposition's plan? And you are the lone Muslim MP from the BJP. I am in the BJP as a Muslim with conviction. I know for a fact that the Muslim majority of J&K has treated Muslims very badly for the last 70 years. I am an educated Muslim and I know for a fact that (then chief minister) Sheikh Abdullah crushed our culture and everything that was dear to us. And he lived like a prince. So why do Muslims shun leaders like you and elect other Muslims? It will take time. Muslims have been associated with illiteracy. If you see earlier films all gangsters were Muslim characters. Later their characters were associated with terrorists. This is what Opposition parties have given Muslims, by setting a narrative against Indian Muslims across India. The All India Muslim Personal Law Board has opposed the new Waqf bill. Indian Muslims will have no problems in the future with the new Waqf bill but, yes, the Muslims who collect rent on Waqf properties will have problems with it for sure. They are threatening other Muslims that your mosques will be seized by the government whereas the fact is Muslim heritage sites (under Waqf) are in khandar (ruins). Do you believe poor Muslims will benefit from the Waqf bill? Yes, they will have a better life though let me clarify, I am not a farishta (angel) to predict accurately. Because as long as there are humans there is scope for error, but yes, we will build a new (Waqf) institution after the Waqf bill is passed in Parliament. The commissioner who will be the CEO of Waqf will run the department smoothly. He or she will be an important person in any state of India, which is not the case now. 'I certainly hope the two can avoid a trade war and believe they will.' IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump shake hands after their meeting at the White House, February 13, 2025. Photograph: Press Information Bureau Mark Linscott, former assistant United States Trade Representative (USTR) for South and Central Asia, led negotiations for the unsuccessful mini-trade deal with India during Donald Trump's first term. Now a senior advisor with the US India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF), Linscott, in an e-mail interview with Asit Ranjan Mishra/Business Standard, discusses the potential impact of Trump's reciprocal tariff on India and feasibility of the proposed bilateral trade agreement (BTA). How do you think the reciprocal tariffs that are set to kick in from April 2 could be structured, especially for India? Frankly, it's hard to say. I sense some in the Trump administration don't want to over-complicate an already complicated scenario. My bet is that reciprocal tariffs applied to any trading partner in April will use a simple average tariff rather than a trade-weighted one. The tariff applied will likely be set at a level to provide for equivalence with India's simple average applied tariff. How seriously reciprocal tariffs could hurt India and which sectors could be worst hit? No country's exporters favour new tariffs and there can be real impacts, especially for price-sensitive sectors that face plenty of competition in global markets. If a reciprocal tariff in the range of 10 to 15 per cent across-the-board was applied to India or any target country, the impacts will be significant for most exports. Above that level could even shut down exports of some products, all depending on whether many countries are hit simultaneously. Since India has agreed to negotiate a bilateral trade agreement (BTA) with the US, do you think the Trump administration will spare New Delhi from reciprocal tariffs or use it as a bargaining tool? First, I'm very pleased that the US and India have started negotiating a big agreement. It's high time and I think both sides are motivated. But I will be surprised if a deal on tariffs can be done in a matter of a week or two that avoids reciprocal tariffs altogether. Trump's expectations that India will reduce its tariffs to US levels are very ambitious. If Trump imposes reciprocal tariffs on India, do you think it may lead to a trade war like situation and New Delhi may retaliate? I certainly hope the two can avoid a trade war and believe they will. I expect some in India will push for retaliatory tariffs if the Trump administration applies significant reciprocal tariffs. However, I don't think that will advance interests in serious negotiations to seek a broad and deep BTA. In fact, it could backfire, with Trump responding with additional tariff increases and negotiations on a BTA getting set back. You were part of the mini-trade deal negotiations between both sides. What led to the breakdown of the talks? What was agreed upon and what couldn't be resolved? I was the first lead US negotiator to do a mini-trade deal during the first Trump administration and before that I negotiated with India in the WTO over many US administrations, Republican and Democrat. I think that the mini-trade deal was a tremendous effort by both sides, and we learned a lot about how to formulate a negotiating agenda and think creatively in solving problems. In the end, I'm not sure that President Trump thought it was large enough to eliminate most trade barriers between the two countries and make any substantial dent in the US trade deficit with India. Since President Trump has undermined the USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement) -- a deal he himself renegotiated during his first term -- through his tariff actions against Canada and Mexico, how can other countries, including India, trust him to negotiate bilateral trade deals? It is a fair question. I lean towards believing that the Trump administration will be faithful to its word in future trade agreements because its leverage will be diminished if it starts to upend them. Leverage is a precious commodity in trade negotiations, and care should be taken to preserve leverage where it exists. In which sectors do you think the US would push India to bring down tariffs under the BTA? From India's side, what do you think will be the key demands? On priority US sectors, let's start with agriculture. That may be the hardest and the most sensitive sector, but it is central to success in the negotiations. There are even areas, such as US feed grain exports, where there could be mutual benefits, given that Indian livestock producers, particularly poultry farmers, need new sources for feed. Another key sector is the digital realm, which is actually cross-sectoral. I expect US negotiators to push for a digital chapter in the BTA. I also think that the health sector could offer benefits on both sides, especially in pharmaceutical and medical device markets. India also has interests in all of these sectors -- agriculture, digital, and health. Beyond these areas, I think it's likely that India will push for more predictability in visas for high-tech professionals. Do you think both sides can realistically conclude a trade deal by the fall of 2025 as they have publicly committed to? In fact, the two sides have committed to conclude the first tranche of a BTA by the fall of this year. I fully expect that negotiations to conclude a BTA will extend into 2026 and maybe even 2027. Trade negotiations are never easy, but I think a first tranche is doable. The most immediate question is whether they can do a tariff deal even sooner before Trump's reciprocal tariffs are applied. What do you have to say about the impression among developing countries that after immensely benefiting from globalisation, now developed countries are turning their back on it as they are losing their competitive advantage? Certainly, the US has a much different perspective, which is at the root of some of the grievances that President Trump feels about unfair foreign tariffs and non-tariff barriers. While India and several other major developing countries may be within their WTO commitments with their current tariff schedules, they did not seriously try to negotiate market access in the Doha Round of negotiations. That has left huge tariff disparities, which is the case between India and the US. The US simple average of 'bound' WTO tariffs is 3.4 per cent, while the Indian 'bound' rate is around 50 per cent, and the applied rate at 17 per cent. This situation was never very sustainable and is one of the reasons the WTO has lost relevancy over the last two decades. Do you think WTO will formally cease to exist as an institution with the US imposing reciprocal tariffs on countries, ignoring the multilateral obligations of each member country? The WTO has been on decline for many years before the first Trump administration. Its failure in the Doha Round to continue the progressive liberalisation of global trade, and, in particular, tariffs, led to the collapse of negotiations. In its wake, populist forces on trade have unfortunately taken root. We may be entering a bit of a Wild West scenario with tariffs, perhaps similar to that which existed between the two world wars in the 1930s, and I expect global trade and the global economy could suffer the consequences. Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com Only the Left has the wherewithal and conviction to fight and counter "Hindutva neo-fascism", and the Communist Part of India-Marxist will work toward strengthening Left unity and bringing together secular democratic forces against the Bharatiya Janata Party-Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, CPM interim coordinator Prakash Karat said at the 24th party congress that kicked off here on Wednesday. IMAGE: CPM interim coordinator Prakash Karat presents the political review and the political resolution to the CPIM 24th party congress in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, April 2, 2025. Photograph: Courtesy CPI-M on X Being held at the Thamukkam ground in the temple city of Madurai, the inaugural session of the congress was attended by prominent Left leaders, including CPI general secretary D Raja, CPI(ML) Liberation general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya, RSP general secretary Manoj Bhattacharya and AIFB general secretary G Devarajan. Addressing the party congress that will decide the CPI(M)'s line of action in the days to come, Karat said the nature of the government and the ruling party can be gauged by asking three questions -- "Who claims to be a friend of Donald Trump? Who is a close friend of Gautam Adani and Mukesh Ambani? Who owes loyalty to the RSS?" "The answer to all three questions is the same -- Narendra Modi and the BJP," Karat said. Claiming that the Modi government represents the "Hindutva-corporate nexus that is closely allied to US imperialism", Karat said that in its third term, the government is displaying "neo-fascist characteristics", which entail the constant targeting of the Muslim minority. "It is the Left which has the ideological wherewithal and conviction to fight and counter Hindutva neo-fascism. Only the Left can lead the fight against imperialist designs in our country. The CPI(M) will work with all the Left forces to build a Left-wing democratic alternative," Karat said. The senior Left leader also said that the party congress will address the prime issue of how to increase the independent strength of the CPI(M), as he emphasised on strengthening Left unity. In his address, Raja said, "Structural oppressions of class, caste, and patriarchy have become brutal under the BJP-RSS regime, which is nothing but a political tool of the bourgeois. India is not just suffering from bad governance, India is suffocating under a system designed to exploit." He said the occasion called for all communist and Left forces to forge principled unity to mount resistance against "corporate-communal assault". "We must be the voice of the voiceless. Jai Bhim, Lal Salaam and Inqilab Zindabad are not just slogans," he said. CPI-ML's Bhattacharya expressed concern over Home Minister Amit Shah's announcement of making India "Maoist-free", and alleged it has unleashed a "brutal war" on the Adivasis in Bastar of Chhattisgarh. "We must fight for an immediate end to this reign of unmitigated state terror and surveillance and release of all activists currently subjected to indefinite detention without any fair trial," he said while echoing calls for Left unity. "Despite all our historical differences, we in the CPI-ML hope to work together with the CPI-M and other sections of the communist movement in India more closely than ever before to meet the challenges of the day," he said. The Left leaders also in one voice condemned Israel's aggression in Gaza and expressed concern over the international situation, especially with the situation in the US under the Trump administration. The venue of the CPI-M congress has been named "Comrade Sitaram Yechury Nagar" in honour of the leader who passed away last year while serving as the general secretary of the party. The conference is being held in a hall named after the party leader from Kerala, Kodiyeri Balakrishnan. Former chief minister of Tripura Manik Sarkar, who presided over the inaugural session, called for mobilising the working class people and youths. He said the 24th party congress will show the way for uniting secular and democratic forces to "fight, isolate and defeat" the BJP, and how to widen and intensify the struggles of the working class, peasantry, urban and rural poor. Politburo member Brinda Karat read out a message paying tribute to Yechury, Kodiyeri, Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, and N Sankaraiah. She also paid tributes to party workers who were "killed" and said 22 party workers have lost their lives since the last party congress held in 2022. The all-India party congress -- the supreme organ of the party -- is usually convened by the central committee of the CPI(M) once every three years. The outgoing central committee will recommend names for the election of a new central panel. The committee will also elect members for the Politburo, including the general secretary. The post of CPI-M general secretary fell vacant after the demise of Sitaram Yechury last year, with Karat taking charge as the interim coordinator of the party. Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma on Wednesday said his government has already clarified it was ready for unconditional peace talks with Naxalites, remarks coming after the top rebel group showed willingness to declare a 'ceasefire' with preconditions. IMAGE: Maoists also appealed to intellectuals, human rights organizations, journalists, students, tribals and environmental activists to pressure the government into initiating peace talks and run a nationwide campaign to push for negotiations. Photograph: ANI Photo A statement attributed to outlawed Communist Party of India-Maoist, which was being circulated on social media on Wednesday, set preconditions for a ceasefire, including halting anti-Naxal operations and stopping setting up of new camps of security forces. The banned group, which has been facing depletion in its ranks following heavy casualties in frequent encounters with security forces, has asked Central and state governments to create a conducive environment for peace talks. The statement dated March 28, 2025 purportedly issued by Abhay, a spokesperson of the Central Committee of Maoists, surfaced two days ahead of Union Home Minister Amit Shah's scheduled visit to Chhattisgarh. Reacting to the purported Maoists' statement, Sharma, who holds the home portfolio, said the government has already clarified it was ready for unconditional peace talks with Naxalites and has introduced an attractive surrender and rehabilitation policy for cadres who quit the armed movement. "They (Naxalites) have earlier also spoken about it (peace talks), but had put several terms and conditions. Maoists had presented conditions like security forces should remain inside camps for six months and no new camps of security forces should be set up. "All such demands do not make any sense and cannot be considered. Now, they have said in their letter (statement) that they will declare a ceasefire. There is no issue of a ceasefire. I cannot understand how dialogue will take place with such terminology," the Deputy CM said. Naxalites should shun violence and join the national mainstream, Sharma insisted. "I have already said and saying it again that state and central governments do not want to fire a single bullet and the rehabilitation policy has been brought for this very reason. So many people have surrendered. They are being given the benefits of the policy. We want Naxalites to shun violence and join the mainstream and live a happy life," he maintained. The deputy CM emphasised on all-round development of the state's Bastar region, where Left-wing extremists are active. "We want the menace to end and development to take place in every village of Bastar region," Sharma insisted and asked Naxals to send a representative if they are serious about holding peace talks with the government. "They say if the government does not expand camps of security forces then they will declare a ceasefire. Is there a situation of war? If they really want peace talks without any condition then the government is ready a hundred times. If you (Naxal) want peace talks then you should send a person or form a committee. Then it will definitely take place," he asserted. Queried whether the government will form a committee for peace talks with the outlaws, Sharma pointed out that the state administration had formed such panels in the past, but will not do the same now. The Maoists' press note, originally released in Telugu, said the Centre and the government of the state (facing the menace of Naxal violence) have jointly launched an operation 'Kagar' against what they call a "revolutionary movement". The central and state governments have intensified counter-insurgency operations, particularly in Chhattisgarh, and more than 400 Maoists have been killed in the last 15 months, it said. The statement also alleged that several civilians have been unlawfully detained. "We are always ready for peace talks in the interest of people. Therefore, we are asking central and state governments to create a positive atmosphere for peace talks. The government should halt the killings being done in the name of anti-Naxal operations in Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra (Gadchiroli), Odisha, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Telangana and stop the establishment of new camps of armed forces. If central and state governments respond positively to these offers, we will immediately declare a ceasefire," it said. Maoists also appealed to intellectuals, human rights organizations, journalists, students, tribals and environmental activists to pressure the government into initiating peace talks and run a nationwide campaign to push for negotiations. While it is expected that the JD-U, a major ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party, will support the Waqf Bill, two JD-U MPs, Union Minister Lalan Singh and party Working President Sanjay Jha met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi on Tuesday. IMAGE: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar with Janata Dal-United MLC Gulam Gaus. All photographs: Kind courtesy Mohammed Zama Khan/Instagram Ahead of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 being tabled in Parliament on Wednesday, Janata Dal-United MLC Gulam Gaus on Tuesday said his party was against the Bill and will wait for Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who is also the JD-U president, to make a formal statement on the matter. "Our party (JD-U) is not in favour of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill and our leader Nitishji has not formally made any statement on the issue. We will wait before everything will be clear," Gaus told this correspondent. "The JD-U and Nitishji are committed to secular politics and will take a final stand on the Waqf Bill in accordance with this background." "I appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to withdraw the Waqf Bill as the government had withdrawn the Farmers Bill," Gaus said. "Can the Tirupati Balaji temple trust, the Patna-based Mahavir temple trust or any temple trust appoint me as a member? If not, why try to create trouble through the Waqf (Amendment) Bill?" While it is expected that the JD-U, a major ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party, will support the Waqf Bill, JD-U MPs Union Minister Lalan Singh and party Working President Sanjay Jha met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi on Tuesday. Sources in the JD-U said they met Shah on Nitish Kumar's instructions. However, it is not known what transpired in the meeting. Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff.com There is a "high possibility" of a meeting between Bangladesh chief adviser Muhammad Yunus and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok, a senior official said here on Wednesday. Photograph: / Rediff.com IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the 3rd edition of the Voice of Global South Summit, via video conferencing, in New Delhi, August 17, 2024 as head of Bangladesh's interim government, Mohammad Yunus (top right) looks on. Modi will travel to Thailand on Thursday on a two-day visit, during which he will attend the 6th BIMSTEC Summit (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) and hold talks with his Thai counterpart Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Khalilur Rahman, the High Representative to the Chief Adviser for the Rohingya issue and other priorities, was quoted by the Dhaka Tribune newspaper as saying that Bangladesh has requested a meeting between the two leaders and "we have reasonable grounds to remain hopeful". He told reporters that there is a "high possibility" of the meeting, the paper added. The state-run BSS news agency also quoted an unnamed source as saying that talks between the two leaders will be held during the summit. In New Delhi, sources did not rule out a meeting. Since the interim government headed by Yunus stepped in following the ouster of the then prime minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024, the ties between the two countries have seen a slump amid India's concerns over the violence targeting Hindus and a rise of hardline Islamist forces there. During his visit to China last week, Yunus urged Beijing to extend its economic influence to Bangladesh, controversially mentioning that India's northeastern states being landlocked could prove to be an opportunity. Yunus, who met Chinese President Xi Jinping and signed nine agreements with Beijing during the trip, said, The seven states of India, the eastern part of India, are called the seven sisters. They are a landlocked region of India. They have no way to reach out to the ocean. Calling Bangladesh as the only guardian of the ocean in the region, he said this could be a huge opportunity and could be an extension of the Chinese economy. The remark surfaced on social media on Monday. His comments drew sharp reactions from political leaders across party lines in India, who dubbed his remarks as "shameful" and "provocative". Rahman said that the chief adviser's comment on the northeastern states of India was misinterpreted. "He made the statement with honest intentions. If people interpret it differently, we cannot prevent it," he said in response to a question at a media briefing in Dhaka. Prime Minister Modi will join the BIMSTEC leaders from Thailand, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Myanmar and Bhutan on Thursday to oversee the signing of the Agreement on Maritime Cooperation. This would be the first physical meeting of the BIMSTEC leaders since the 4th BIMSTEC Summit in Kathmandu, Nepal in 2018. The last summit was held in Colombo in March 2022 in a virtual format. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 2. To date, the text of the peace treaty consisting of 17 paragraphs has been fully agreed upon. Azerbaijan is not putting forward any additional conditions here. Our conditions are known to Armenia; they are not new. We have been putting forward these conditions for a long time. However, we have not received any serious response from Armenia to date. What do they consist of? First, the OSCE Minsk Group must be dissolved, President Ilham Aliyev said during a joint press conference with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Trend reports. The head of state added: "The second issue concerns the Armenian constitution. There is a reference to the Armenian act of independence in the Armenian constitution. This is an integral part of that constitution. It contains a provision about the unification of Azerbaijan's legal and historical territory with Armenia, and this is considered an open territorial claim against us. Therefore, the removal of this clause from the Armenian constitution is our legitimate demand. Once these two conditions are met, there will be no obstacles to signing the peace treaty. As they say, the ball is in Armenia's court. If Armenia genuinely wants to sign a peace treaty, it must accept these two legitimate conditions of Azerbaijan." Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font on Tuesday praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's exceptional qualities, noting that Modi can talk to every leader in the world, adding that he is a "key geopolitical player nowadays." IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font hold wide-ranging talks in New Delhi. Photograph: @narendramodi/X In his remarks at the Rashtrapati Bhawan, he said, "President Modi, you have the status nowadays that you can talk to every leader of the world. You're supporting Trump, Zelenskyy, the European Union, and the Latin American leaders in Greece or Iran. That is something that no other leader can say now. So you're a key player in the geopolitical atmosphere nowadays," he said. He also expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome he received in India. "I am here for the first time for a State visit... I want to thank you for the warm welcome that we have received here...for the past 16 years, no one from Chile has come here, and in that 16 years, India has changed a lot." Upon his arrival, President Droupadi Murmu hosted a banquet in honour of Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Further, he stated that 'Chile wants to work on our relationship with India.' "Chile is a country that is connected to the world, and now we want to work on our relationship with India. Today, we have signed several MoUs," he said. India and Chile on Tuesday announced starting negotiations on a comprehensive economic partnership pact as PM Modi and Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font held wide-ranging talks focusing on boosting the ties in areas of trade, defence, critical minerals and health. Describing Chile as an important "friend and partner" for India in Latin America, Modi said several new initiatives were identified to enhance overall cooperation in the coming decade. Boric, accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising ministers, members of Parliament, senior officials and business leaders, is on a five-day state visit to India from 1-5 April 2025. Union Earth Sciences Minister Jitendra Singh also announced that India and Chile will soon launch joint research expeditions to Antarctica in climate change, geosciences, microbiology, and innovation. The Supreme Court on Wednesday pulled up the Bihar government observing its officials were suspended after incidents of bridge collapse but brought back after the furore died down. IMAGE: People gather at the site where an under-construction bridge collapsed over the Kosi River, in Supaul, Bihar, March 22, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo A bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar made the observation and transferred to the Patna high court a PIL raising concerns about the safety and longevity of bridges in Bihar while claiming the collapse of several such structures in the recent months. Certain officers were duly suspended after the bridge collapse incident only to be brought back after the furore over the incident died down, the bench observed. The top court was also critical of the voluminous reply filed by the state government and its authorities to the PIL filed by lawyer petitioner Brajesh Singh. The counter affidavit of the state government contains a long list of schemes, policies and does not provide any reason for the incidents, the bench said. Transferring the PIL, the bench said the Patna high court could monitor, preferably on a monthly basis, the steps taken to ensure structural and safety audits of bridges in Bihar. The bench asked the petitioner, state authorities and the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) to appear before the high court on May 14 when a future hearing date would be fixed there. In a brief hearing, the state government said it had inspected around 10,000 bridges in the state. "We have gone through the counter (affidavit). We are transferring the case to Patna (high court). In the counter affidavit, they (state authorities) have given details of what they are doing," the bench said. On November 18 last year, the top court granted a last opportunity to the Bihar government and others to file its response to the PIL on the issue. Earlier, the petitioner had moved the court seeking its nod to bring on record various news reports and additional documents to highlight the dilapidated condition of bridges in the state. On July 29, 2024, the court sought responses from the Bihar government and others, including the NHAI on the plea. The PIL sought directions for a structural audit and setting up of an expert panel to identify bridges that could either be strengthened or demolished based on its findings. Aside from the state and the NHAI, the top court in July last year also issued notices to the road construction department's additional chief secretary, Bihar Rajya Pul Nirman Nigam Limited chairperson and rural works department's additional chief secretary. Ten incidents of bridge collapse were reported in Bihar's Siwan, Saran, Madhubani, Araria, East Champaran and Kishanganj districts from May to July last year. Many claimed heavy rainfall to the probable cause behind these incidents. The PIL raised concerns about the safety and longevity of the bridges in the state that usually witnesses heavy rains and floods during the monsoon. Apart from setting up a high-level expert panel, the plea sought real-time monitoring of the bridges as per the parameters laid by the Union ministry of road transport and highways. The petitioner said Bihar was the most flood-prone state in the country with a total flood-affected area of 68,800 square kilometres, comprising 73.06 per cent of its total geographical area. "Hence, such routine accrual of the incident of falling bridges in Bihar is more disastrous as the lives of people at large is at stake. Therefore, the urgent intervention of this court is required to save the lives of people, as the under-construction bridges before its (their) accomplishment collapsed routinely," the plea said. In view of the incidents, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had directed the road construction and rural works departments to conduct a survey of all old bridges in the state and identify those in need of immediate repair. The day-long debate on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill was enlivened by moments of banter involving Home Minister Amit Shah and Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, as the BJP leader fired ripostes at the rival's bid to play at the ruling party's internal developments. Photograph: Screen grab/Sansad TV Yadav humorously asked Shah, who had just retorted to Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee's jibe during his intervention on the bill, to say something about Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath as well. "He is also going to be repeated (in the next elections)," Shah said, triggering laughter all around. The former Uttar Pradesh CM has often sought to make political points over Adityanath's alleged differences with BJP's central leaders and the internal affairs of the ruling party. Earlier in the day, the SP chief had said in the Lok Sabha during his address that a big party like the BJP was unable to elect its national president. "The BJP claims to be the largest party in India but it still has not decided on its leader," he said. Shah rose to say that since Yadav had spoken with a smile, he would reply in the same spirit. He then added, "In some parties, only five members of a family have to choose the president so it is easy and quick, but we have to elect (a president) following a process that involves crores of members, so it takes time." He said it would not take much time in Yadav's party. "Let me state that you will remain president for 25 more years," Shah said amid laughter from the members. Yadav then cited social media buzz to wonder if a recent trip was linked to extending the 75 years of retirement age, an apparent reference to the BJP. He, however, did not elaborate. US President Donald Trump announced a 26 per cent discounted reciprocal tariff on India, half of the 52 per cent levies imposed by India on American goods, as he described India as very, very tough. IMAGE: US President Donald Trump delivers his address on tariffs in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, DC, US, April 2, 2025. Photograph: Carlos Barria/Reuters This is Liberation Day, a day we've been waiting for a long time. 2nd April 2025 will forever be remembered as the day American industry was reborn, the day America's destiny was reclaimed, and the day we began to make America wealthy again, going to make it wealthy, good, and wealthy, Trump said on Wednesday in remarks from the Rose Garden at the White House as he announced the closely watched reciprocal tariffs on countries that impose levies on American goods. In his nearly hour-long remarks on a cold Wednesday late afternoon in the Rose Garden, Trump listed various countries from around the world and the tariffs they charge on US products, saying, For decades, our country has been looted, pillaged, raped and plundered by nations near and far, both friend and foe alike. American steelworkers, auto workers, farmers, and skilled craftsmen. They really suffered gravely. They watched in anguish as foreign leaders stole our jobs. Foreign cheaters ransacked our factories, and foreign scavengers tore apart our once-beautiful American dream. In his nearly hour-long remarks on a cold Wednesday late afternoon in the Rose Garden, Trump listed various countries from around the world and the tariffs they charge on US products, saying, For decades, our country has been looted, pillaged, raped and plundered by nations near and far, both friend and foe alike. American steelworkers, auto workers, farmers, and skilled craftsmen. They really suffered gravely. They watched in anguish as foreign leaders stole our jobs. Foreign cheaters ransacked our factories, and foreign scavengers tore apart our once-beautiful American dream. Joined by factory and automotive workers, as well as members of his Cabinet in the audience, Trump signed the historic Executive Order instituting reciprocal tariffs on countries throughout the world. Reciprocal. That means they do it to us and we do it to them. Very simple. Can't get any simpler than that, Trump said to applause from those gathered for the event. Let me offer just a few examples of the vicious attacks our workers have faced for so many years. The United States charges other countries only a 2.4 per cent tariff on motorcycles. Meanwhile, Thailand and others charge much higher rates, like 60 per cent. India charges 70 per cent, Vietnam charges 75 per cent, and others are even higher than that. Likewise, until today, the United States has for decades charged a 2.5 per cent tariff. Think of that -- 2.5 per cent on foreign-made automobiles. The European Union charges us more than 10 per cent tariffs. India charges 70 per cent and perhaps worst of all are the non-monetary restrictions imposed by South Korea, Japan, and very many other nations, he said. IMAGE: US President Donald Trump signs an executive order on tariffs, in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, DC, US, April 2, 2025. Photograph: Leah Millis/Reuters As he announced the tariffs, Trump held up a chart that showed the tariffs that countries such as India, China, the European Union, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan levy on US products, and the reciprocal levies these countries will now have to pay. On India, the chart showed that the country charged 52 per cent tariffs on the US, including currency manipulation and trade barriers, and America would now charge India discounted reciprocal tariffs of 26 per cent. India, very, very tough. Very, very tough. The Prime Minister just left. He's a great friend of mine, but I said, You're a friend of mine, but you're not treating us right.' They charge us 52 per cent. You have to understand, we charge them almost nothing, for years and years and decades, and it was only seven years ago, when I came in, we started with China and we took in hundreds of billions of dollars from China in tariffs, Trump said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited Washington, DC, in February, less than a month after Trump took the oath of office and began his second term in the White House as President. In the past, Trump has called India the tariff king and a "big abuser". During a joint press conference with Modi in the White House on 13th February, Trump had said that India has been very strong on tariffs, and I don't blame them, necessarily, but it's a different way of doing business. It's very hard to sell into India because they have trade barriers, very strong tariffs. Trump had said that the US trade deficit with India is almost USD 100 billion, and Modi and he agreed that we'll begin negotiations to address the long-running disparities that should have been taken care of over the last four years -- but they didn't do that -- in the US-India trading relationship, with the goal of signing an agreement. And we want -- really, we want a certain level playing field, which we really think we're entitled to, and he does also, in fairness, so we're going to work on that very hard. IMAGE: US President Donald Trump tries to reach a MAGA hat, on the day of his remarks on tariffs in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, DC, US, April 2, 2025. Photograph: Carlos Barria/Reuters In announcing the tariffs, Trump said America is being very kind to the countries and will be charging them approximately half of the levies they impose on US goods. For nations that treat us badly, we will calculate the combined rate of all their tariffs, non-monetary barriers, and other forms of cheating. And because we are being very kind, we're a kind people, very kind -- we will charge them approximately half of what they are and have been charging us. So the tariffs will not be fully reciprocal. I could have done that, yes, but it would have been tough for a lot of countries who didn't want to do that. It's going to be Liberation Day in America, and it's going to be a day that hopefully you're going to look back in years to come and say, You know, he was right. This has turned out to be one of the most important days in the history of our country, Trump said as he concluded his remarks. The US Trade Representative noted that India's average applied tariff rate stood at 17% per cent, the highest of any major world economy. Kindly note the image has been posted only for representational purposes. IMAGE: A truck passes shipping containers stacked at the container terminal at Cochin Port on Willingdon Island in Kerala. Photograph: Sivaram V/Reuters Ahead of the imposition of reciprocal tariffs on April 2, the United States has raised concerns over India's high import tariffs in key sectors, such as automobiles, agricultural goods, medicines, and alcohol. It also flagged what it described as 'sudden' tariff changes and regulatory hurdles that act as non-tariff barriers to American exports. The National Trade Estimate report on Foreign Trade Barriers, released by the US Trade Representative (USTR), noted that India's average applied tariff rate stood at 17 per cent in 2023 (down from 18.1 per cent in 2022), 'the highest of any major world economy'. The average import tariff for non-agricultural goods was 13.5 per cent, while agricultural goods faced an average of 39 per cent. Following Customs Duty cuts in the FY26 Budget, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) Chairman Sanjay Kumar Agarwal had said in an interview with Business Standard that India's average tariff has now dropped to 10.66 per cent from 11.65 per cent, bringing it closer to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations' average. 'India maintains high applied tariffs on a wide range of goods, including vegetable oils (as high as 45 per cent); apples, corn, and motorcycles (50 per cent); automobiles and flowers (60 per cent); natural rubber (70 per cent); coffee, raisins, and walnuts (100 per cent); and alcoholic beverages (150 per cent),' stated the USTR report. The report also underscored India's high basic Customs duties on drug formulations, including life-saving medicines listed on the World Health Organization's essential medicines list. It stated that high tariff rates also restrict trade in agricultural goods and processed foods, such as poultry, potatoes, citrus fruits, almonds, pecans, apples, grapes, canned peaches, chocolate, biscuits, frozen French fries, and other prepared foods used in fast-food restaurants. The USTR argued that India's significant gap between its bound and applied tariff rates under the World Trade Organization allows it to change rates for both agricultural and non-agricultural products at any time, creating what it called 'tremendous uncertainty' for US workers, farmers, ranchers, and exporters. On Sunday, US President Donald Trump said the reciprocal tariffs would apply to 'all countries' without exception, dashing hopes in India for an exemption amid ongoing negotiations on tariff concessions under the proposed bilateral trade agreement (BTA). A day earlier, Trump described India's tariffs as 'brutal' but maintained that trade relations between the two nations would 'work out very well'. While releasing the report, USTR Jamieson Greer said: 'No American President in modern history has recognised the wide-ranging and harmful foreign trade barriers (that) American exporters face more than President Trump. 'Under his leadership, this administration is working diligently to address these unfair and non-reciprocal practices, helping restore fairness and put hardworking American businesses and workers first in the global market.' The annual report, which underscores Trump's 'America First Trade Policy', lists nearly 60 countries whose policies and regulations it considers to be trade barriers. Though the broad concerns over India's trade and non-tariff barriers remain similar to those outlined in the 2024 USTR report under the Joe Biden administration, the latest assessment aligns more closely with Trump's push for reciprocal trade policies. On Monday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt pointed to high tariff rates imposed by the European Union, Japan, India and Canada, suggesting that these countries would be among the primary targets of the reciprocal tariffs. For the first time, the USTR report flagged concerns over the draft rules of India's Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA), warning that they could impose 'burdensome requirements' on data fiduciaries and mandate the disclosure of personal data to the Indian government. The report noted that the draft rules allow the Indian government to restrict cross-border data transfers to specific countries through formal notifications. India's data privacy law may also introduce sector-specific data localisation requirements. The USTR acknowledged that India had made 'progress' by raising the foreign direct investment (FDI) cap on the insurance sector from 74 per cent to 100 per cent. However, it pointed out that India has yet to clarify whether it will remove safeguards that require a majority of board members to be Indian residents. Besides, if an insurer is incorporated or domiciled outside of India, the current safeguards mandate them to maintain a higher solvency requirement for foreign-invested insurers. Experts argue that while India's tariffs are high, they remain compatible with global trade norms. Ajay Srivastava, a former trade ministry official and founder of the think-tank Global Trade Research Initiative, said the US continues to pressure India to alter its trade policies to serve American commercial interests. However, he emphasised that India must assess each demand through the lens of its own national priorities, development goals, and cultural values. "Many of the proposed changes -- in areas like agriculture, digital governance, and public health -- pose serious risks to India's ability to protect its small farmers, maintain food safety, uphold deeply rooted social norms, and secure its digital future. "India is not opposed to reform or global cooperation, but any engagement must be fair, reciprocal, and respectful of sovereignty," he said. What's new in 2025 report Key trade and non-tariff barriers flagged by the US regarding India High import duties on automobiles, agricultural goods, medicines, and alcohol Proposed data privacy rules may impose burdensome requirements on data fiduciaries, and mandate personal data disclosures to the Indian government Insurance FDI cap raised to 100%, but there is no clarity over potential removal of certain 'safeguards' Laptop import monitoring system in focus, and the US is engaging with India on this matter Dairy import restrictions and high tariffs limit the US' market access for milk , dairy products USTR Flags Unclear Safeguards in 100% FDI Move for Insurance Subrata Panda, Ajinkya Kawale Kindly note the image has been posted only for representational purposes. Photograph: Kind courtesy kalhh/Pixabay.com While India has announced raising the cap on foreign direct investment (FDI) in insurance from 74 per cent to 100 per cent, it remains unclear whether certain safeguards for domestic firms introduced in 2021 will be removed, says the USTR report. These safeguards include requirements such as resident Indians comprising a majority of the members of a board, and higher solvency for insurers domiciled outside India. 'According to India's 2025 Union Budget, India will raise its FDI cap on the insurance sector from 74 per cent to 100 per cent. 'While this represents progress, it still is not clear if India will remove safeguards instituted in 2021,' the USTR report said. According to reports, the government is reviewing and simplifying rules to increase the FDI limit in the insurance sector to 100 per cent. Meanwhile, the report has highlighted that India maintains an uneven playing field in insurance. The USTR report had raised the same concerns. 'State-owned companies are not subject to the same law and prudential supervision as private firms and enjoy various guarantees from the government. 'Currently, the Indian Government maintains an explicit sovereign guarantee on every Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) policy. 'As a result, many customers choose to buy LIC policies over those offered by private insurers, giving LIC an unfair competitive advantage,' the report said. Additionally, the report says Indian regulations give the country's reinsurers a mandatory first order of preference (or right of first refusal) in the reinsurance business. 'This results in unequal treatment for foreign reinsurers and consolidates risk in a small number of Indian reinsurers, which is counter to global best practices of global diversification of risk,' the report said. In India, state-owned GIC Re is the only domestic reinsurer, which has been in the business since 1972. After liberalisation in the insurance industry in 2001, GIC Re was designated 'national reinsurer' and has the advantage of the first right to refusal and obligatory cession. Currently, there are also 13 foreign reinsurance branches (FRBs), set up by global reinsurance companies, including Munich Re, Swiss Re, and Lloyd's, operating in India. Separately, the USTR report reiterates that under India's branch authorisation policy, foreign banks are required to submit their internal branch expansion plans annually, and their ability to expand is hindered in a non-transparent manner. In January, HSBC India, the local arm of London-headquartered HSBC, received approval from the Reserve Bank of India to open 20 branches, one each in 20 cities. The report also says banking in India is dominated by State-owned banks, which account for approximately 60 per cent of market share and 67 per cent of the branches in the country. Most privately owned banks are Indian-owned, with foreign banks constituting less than 0.6 per cent of the bank branches in India. Additionally, the report reiterated concerns over the 30 per cent market cap on players offering India's real-time payments services on Unified Payments Interface (UPI). The concerns were previously mentioned in a USTR report in 2024. It said that foreign digital payment companies were given until January 2023 to ensure their market shares met the 30 percent limit, but the ministry of finance has not enforced this market share ceiling. However, the timeline to enforce the market cap has been pushed by another two years for the second consecutive time to the end of 2026. 'The United States also has expressed concern over plans to expand the adoption of a National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) that only uses a domestic proprietary QR code standard, which disadvantages foreign suppliers,' it said. US Criticises India's High Farm Tariffs, Pushes for Dairy Market Access Sanjeeb Mukherjee Kindly note the image has been posted only for representational purposes. IMAGE: Bottles filled with milk samples are pictured inside a milk chilling centre. Photograph: Anindito Mukherjee/Reuters The US has once again slammed India for high tariffs on agricultural products and non-tariff restrictions to market access and has sought greater access to India's dairy market for its products. In the latest annual report on foreign trade barriers, the USTR said that India maintains high tariffs on a wide range of goods that include vegetable oils (45 per cent); apples, corn, and motorcycles (50 per cent); automobiles and flowers (60 per cent); natural rubber (70 per cent); coffee, raisins, and walnuts (100 per cent); and alcoholic beverages (150 per cent). 'High tariff rates also present a significant barrier to trade in other agricultural goods and processed foods (for example, poultry, potatoes, citrus, almonds, pecans, apples, grapes, canned peaches, chocolate, cookies, frozen french fries, and other prepared foods used in fast-food restaurants),' the USTR report said. It added that India's World Trade Organization (WTO) bound tariff rates on agricultural products are among the highest in the world, averaging 113.1 per cent and ranging as high as 300 per cent. The USTR's concerns are almost the same as they were in the last report tabled in 2024 except for the fact that trade negotiations between India and the US have reached a critical stage and the threat of reciprocal tariffs looming large has further underscored the criticality of the findings. The USTR report said that given the large disparity between the WTO bound and applied rates, India has considerable flexibility to change tariff rates for both agricultural and non-agricultural products at any time, creating tremendous uncertainty for US workers, farmers, ranchers, and exporters. The report also raised concerns about India's biotechnology approval process that hinders the registration of genetically-engineered (GE) products in the Indian market. 'India's biotechnology approval processes are slow, opaque, and subject to political influences and do not appear to take into account science-based approval processes for GE products in exporting countries,' the report said. It also said that though India has set an ambitious target of blending petrol with ethanol, it continues to prohibit importing ethanol for use as fuel. The report further said that on the critical issue of allowing import of dairy products into India, the US government has continued to press India to provide greater access to the dairy market for US products. Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com Brattleboro's Academy School Principal Kelly Dias and Assistant Principal Orly Hasbani read The Gingerbread Man to a class of kindergartners before the holiday break as part of a school tradition on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024. Each student got a gingerbread cookie to enjoy from Vermont Country Deli. BRATTLEBORO After being sworn into the new role, Brattleboro Fire Chief Jay Symonds received congratulations from fire department personnel, other town employees and community members. "I look forward to working with everybody," he said Tuesday at the Select Board meeting. His official start is Monday, April 7. After a search prompted by the retirement of Len Howard at the end of 2024, the appointment of Symonds was announced March 20. Brattleboro appoints Jay Symonds as fire chief BRATTLEBORO The town has appointed Jay Symonds as the new chief of the Brattleboro Fire De Symonds previously served with the Manlius Fire Department in upstate New York as a lieutenant and public safety coordinator, overseeing staff EMS education and recertification, according to the announcement. Throughout his career, he's held various leadership roles, including five years as assistant fire chief of the Sherburne Fire Department in upstate New York. He's also served as an engineer and leader in the New York Army National Guard. Following his deployment to Afghanistan in 2010 to 2011, he was awarded a Bronze Star for excellence in leadership. In an interview Wednesday, Symonds said his sister-in-law Hilary Francis told him about the job opportunity. Francis is Brattleboro's town clerk. When Symonds started looking into the town, he was struck by how much the people care. He said he watched meetings of the Select Board and Representative Town Meeting to initially get acquainted. "My wife and I want to live in a place with a lot of community, and Brattleboro really is that," he said. "Right now, everybody's struggling with tax raises but they don't want to cut services. They care about taking care of their people." Symonds described the fire department as "an amazing group of professional individuals who really want to perform their job," take care of their community and make improvements to build an even better organization. His very first task is not one of his choosing, he said. That involves re-examining the fire department's budget after RTM rejected the town's proposed spending plan last month. Symonds said his team will see if there are areas where the department can run more efficiently to help offset some costs. Another priority of his involves understanding the needs of the fire department and its personnel, as retention is a problem. "We have a lot of talent in the Brattleboro Fire Department," he said. "We want to retain that talent." A goal of his also involves identifying areas where additional training opportunities can bring improvements. Symonds is aware of the department transitioning to a fully municipal model in July. For more than 20 years, he's been a paramedic. He also served in EMS supervisor and chief positions in New York state, dealing with budgets and administrative tasks within a municipal service and a commercial entity. Before the ceremony Tuesday, Symonds made a couple of visits to the fire station and met with firefighters to talk with them and hear their expectations. He acknowledged the anxiety created when a chief from outside the organization comes in. "They don't know what my priorities or my expectations are," he said. "There's a lot of nervous energy surrounding that." Symonds said he's connected with Assistant Fire Chief Charles "Chuck" Keir III and Human Resources Director Sally Nix before starting to get helpful information. For 25 years, Symonds has been in a leadership position in the National Guard. "One thing I think it really brings is working with diverse governments and diverse groups of people, and to be able to work with all those different groups and come up with a successful product," he said. Symonds sees his personal, leadership and managerial skills being transferable to different entities. He said he's been successful in working through many issues and helping people struggling in their roles. His plan is to identify strengths and weaknesses to improve the department. Throughout the years, Symonds has been involved in flood and storm responses in New York state, including Tropical Storm Irene in 2011, Superstorm Sandy in 2012 and several snow storms in Buffalo. Mostly recently, the National Guard was activated for correctional officer strikes. Symonds said he's been helping out in prisons for the last six weeks. "Now, we're continuing to support the staffing at the prisons just because they're short handed," he said. Currently, Symonds is command sergeant major for the engineer battalion. He plans to continue his service in the Guard, which involves one weekend a month then annual training for two weeks out of the year. Symonds "has a track record that matches the excellence of the team" at BFD, Town Manager John Potter said in the announcement. Keir noted that Symonds' experiences in emergency management will provide staff with real-world examples as part of their ongoing training. Chase Ibey, union president of Brattleboro Professional Firefighters Association L4439, stated that the union looks forward to working with Chief Symonds and continuing the growth of the Brattleboro Fire Department in providing the best service possible for our community. Symonds said he's "honored" to take on the new role. "I'm excited to get on the ground, learn the Brattleboro way, learn all the Brattleboro systems, meet all the people I haven't met already, engage with the community, and find out what the community needs from the fire department and find out how to meet those needs," he said. Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 2. President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the occassion of the Ramdan holiday, Trend reports. "Dear Ilham Heydarovich, I am honored to convey our heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to You and the entire fraternal people of Azerbaijan on the occasion of the blessed Eid al-Fitr. Throughout history, the traditions and high spiritual ideals of this blessed holiday have promoted values such as purity, compassion, tolerance, kindness, mutual support, nobleness and goodwill among our peoples. I am confident that thanks to the high values of this sacred holiday, friendship and multifaceted cooperation between our countries will continue to evolve and expand in line with the fundamental interests of our peoples. May the Great Maker grant you robust health, happiness, new successes, and to the fraternal people of Azerbaijan continued progress, peace and prosperity," the letter reads. BRATTLEBORO A man accused of burning down his former girlfriend's family's house in Athens and stalking her will continue to be held without Brattleboro resident George Stone Jr. receives a quilt from Quilts of Valor at the American Legion in Brattleboro on Tuesday, March 25, 2025. Stone was a combat engineer, driving a Caterpillar D7 armored bulldozer across Europe in World War II, clearing obstacles from roadways for advancing troops. New Zealand headquartered cyber security distributor Chillisoft has strategically branched out into the Australian market, hiring Gavin Lawless as its new Australian CEO. While Chillisoft has serviced Australian partners for over a decade from New Zealand, this new phase marks the beginning of a dedicated, locally led operation under Lawless leadership. Gavin will be a fantastic leader for our Australian operation and addition to our A/NZ senior team, sharing our ambition, experience, and values, Chillisoft founder and director Geoff Cossey said. With a long-term vision of strengthening and expanding its vendor relationships beyond New Zealand, Chillisoft has been strategically assessing the right time and approach to establish a dedicated presence in Australia. Chillisofts existing New Zealand vendor portfolio features ESET, Netskope, Mimecast, CyberArk, Thales (Imperva), ExtraHop, WatchGuard, Exabeam, and Qualys. We are excited to ignite our focus in serving the Australian market, Chillisoft Group CEO Alex Teh said. With over three decades of IT industry experiencespanning vendors, distributors and some of the biggest names in the business Gavin has a proven track record of driving massive growth and building strong, scalable operations. His leadership, strategic vision, and deep understanding of the market make him the perfect fit to lead our Australian expansion. Significant distribution consolidation has happened in the A/NZ landscape in past few months including companies like Arrow ECS deciding to exit the A/NZ market and acquisitions such as Orca Tech and Tech Data, Nextgen and Exclusive Networks, and Wavelink becoming part of Infinigate. On April 3-4, NATO foreign ministers will gather in Brussels for their regular spring meeting. Much like at the defense ministerial in February, all eyes will be on the American representative. Then, it was Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth; this time, it's Secretary of State Marco Rubio. When Rubio was first slated for the role in the new Trump administration, most Europeans rejoiced. He was seen as an ardent "transatlanticist." Now, there is a certain nervousness, according to the NATO diplomats I have spoken to. While some say, "He still gets us and the alliance," they wonder what influence he really has within the US government and what he will say when it comes to Ukraine, Russia, and China. Two things, however, are apparent. Just like Hegseth, Rubio will hammer home the message that European allies need to step up on defense spending and burden sharing. And, just like in February, the allies will hope that the United States reconfirms its commitment to NATO and its mutual defense clause, Article 5. Since the only other NATO gatherings before the alliance's June summit are an informal foreign ministers' meeting in Turkey in mid-May and a defense ministers' session in early June, this week's meeting serves very much as a dress rehearsal for the summit in The Hague on June 24-26. The goal for that meeting is clear: Keep the alliance together by considerably ramping up defense spending. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte is pushing for every ally to commit to spending at least 3.7 percent of gross domestic product on defense as quickly as possible and with regular progress reports. This push is aimed at placating US President Donald Trump at the summit, but some European allies will be reluctant to commit too much on defense too soon given they are struggling with low growth and ballooning budget deficits. Will Rubio Snub The EU's Kaja Kallas Again? Perhaps the one thing to look for during the ministerial is the session devoted to NATO-EU relations, with the latter represented by the European bloc's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas. Rubio snubbed Kallas when she traveled to the United States earlier this year, and all EU diplomats I have spoken to admit that Washington doesn't see the EU as a serious interlocutor. There is also plenty of tension, not least when it comes to the European Commission's latest defense spending proposal: a potential 150 billion euro ($163 billion) loan for EU member states to buy arms, though not from non-European countries. The United States is especially wary of any moves that would lock it out of a European defense-spending splurge. But the biggest irritant, of course, is the fraying relationship on trade. Just one day before the NATO meeting, the United States is set to impose a 25 percent tariff on all vehicle imports, a move that will hit countries like Germany especially hard. This follows existing US duties on European steel and aluminum, which Brussels is planning to counter with retaliatory measures on April 13. Will The US Ramp Up Pressure On Russia? Another guest at the ministerial is Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha. An update on the situation on the battlefield is expected but, again, it will be Rubio who is in the spotlight. Will the United States increase pressure on Russia in case the cease-fire deals concerning infrastructure and Black Sea traffic aren't holding? While Ukraine's membership in NATO is off the table for now, most European allies are keen to at least get assurances that US weapons will continue to go to Ukraine and that NATO's training mission for Ukrainian soldiers, NSATU, continues to operate. So far, everything is still working. There also haven't been any changes when it comes to US troop posture on NATO's eastern flank. What has changed, however, is that the United States is no longer chairing the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, known as the Ramstein group, which coordinates military support for Kyiv. The United Kingdom already chaired the last meeting of the group in February, and the next one tentatively scheduled for April 11 could be co-chaired by the UK and France. Expect London and Paris to also continue working, at least on the sidelines of the ministerial, on a potential reassurance force in Ukraine should a permanent cease-fire take hold. However, details such as troop numbers, participating countries, and the exact mandate will have to remain sketchy for now. What's become increasingly apparent is that work on a new NATO strategy for Russia has stalled. The strategy -- defining how the alliance should engage with Moscow going forward -- was supposed to be endorsed at the Hague summit. But Washington has indicated that it wants to avoid introducing potential "irritants" on the path to a final peace deal, and such a strategy document could be exactly that. Finally, the foreign ministers of NATO's four Asia-Pacific partners -- Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea -- will also be participating in a session at the explicit request of the United States. While the US administration sees Beijing as a rival, its public criticism of China has so far been relatively muted. In this session, ministers will be keen to hear Rubio's comments on how to approach a range of China-related issues. With jets, warships, and a bombardment of propaganda, China simulated attacks and maritime blockades around Taiwan, in what Beijing called a warning after the islands president labeled China a foreign hostile force. The two-day war games around Taiwan that included long-range, live-fire drills came to an end on April 2, the Chinese militarys Eastern Theater Command said, but the unannounced drills mark an escalation from Beijing towards the self-governing island, which China has long threatened to invade and annex if it refuses to peacefully accept unification. While previous Chinese drills have sought to test Taipei's response times to an incursion, Beijing says this week's exercises -- called Strait Thunder -- were focused on its ability to strike key targets such as ports and energy facilities on the island. In a statement, the Chinese military said that the drills tested the troops' "integrated joint operations capabilities" as a coordinated seizure of the sea and airspace around Taiwan, blockading Taiwanese sea lanes, and launching attacks against sea and ground targets. Thats noteworthy as it represents the variety of ways that a crisis could develop around Taiwan and comes as Beijing looks to send an implicit message to US President Donald Trump and his administration that China is determined to put the island of 23 million under its authority one way or another. Taiwanese policymakers must contend not only with the potential threat of an outright invasion but also with the possibility of China launching a blockade to choke off trade and supplies until the island submits to Beijing. Another scenario would be what security analysts called a quarantine, which means China could restrict air and maritime traffic into Taiwan and tighten its control over the flow of commerce using its coast guard and other law-enforcement forces, rather than its military. Such a move could lead to difficulties in mobilizing international support for Taiwan and leave the island vulnerable before a response from Taipeis partners could be launched. The Strait Thunder drills were located in the middle and southern parts of the Taiwan strait -- a vital artery for global shipping -- and were clearly simulating for these scenarios. Taiwan imports nearly all of its energy supply and relies heavily on food imports, meaning in the event of a war, a blockade or even quarantine could paralyze the island. Beijing was keen to press this advantage with its war games, but it also turned to tough rhetoric against the islands leaders and messaging geared towards residents about Beijings military superiority. As Chinas military announced the drills, it also released posters declaring that it was closing in on Taiwan separatists, as well as a series of personal attacks on Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te. One animation depicted Lai as a poisonous parasite trying to hijack Taiwan -- until he ultimately met a fiery end. Lai is a popular target for Beijings messaging campaigns and Chinas Taiwan Affairs Office called the drills severe punishment for his rampant provocation with recent actions that exposed his ugly side of being anti-peace, anti-exchange, anti-democracy, and anti-humanity. Those actions refer to a March 13 speech where Lai laid out a coordinated roadmap for how to push back against Beijing and labelled China a foreign hostile force. "China has been taking advantage of democratic Taiwan's freedom, diversity, and openness to recruit gangs, the media, commentators, political parties, and even active-duty and retired members of the armed forces and police to carry out actions to divide, destroy, and subvert us from within," Lai said at the time. That speech followed months of escalating rhetoric from Beijing, as well as a series of incidents, from espionage cases to vessels caught trying to sever undersea data cables running off the coast of Taiwan. Lai has also looked to maintain US support for Taiwan during Trumps term, including by promising to raise its military spending to more than 3 percent of the islands economic output this year. The latest Chinese exercises also follow a visit to the region by US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth last week and a Washington Post report citing an internal Pentagon memo signed by him calling for the US military to prioritize deterring a Chinese takeover of Taiwan. China is the Departments sole pacing threat, and denial of a Chinese fait accompli seizure of Taiwan -- while simultaneously defending the US homeland is the Departments sole pacing scenario, Hegseth wrote in the memo. Trump has yet to detail his policy toward Taiwan and has said he won't state whether he would send US forces to defend it in a crisis or not, but with moves like the recent war games, Beijing is looking to probe for how Washington may react and show the Trump administration that its red lines around Taiwan arent going away. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 2. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of the Republic of India, has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Trend reports. "Excellency, As the blessed month of Ramadan comes to a close, I take this moment to extend warm greetings and felicitations to you and the people of the Republic of Azerbaijan on the joyous occasion of the festival of Eid al-Fitr. Over the holy month, 200 million Indians of Islamic faith joined their brothers and sisters across the world in spending pious time in fasting and prayer. The joyous occasion of Eid al-Fitr is a time of celebration, reflection, gratitude, and unity. It reminds us of the values of compassion, generosity, and solidarity that bind us together as nations and as members of the global community. On this auspicious occasion, we wish for peace, harmony, good health, and happiness for people across the world. May the bonds of friendship among our countries grow stronger. Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration," the letter reads. When Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits Hungary, it is virtually certain he will not be detained despite an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) over alleged war crimes in Gaza. As a signatory to The Hague court, Hungary has an obligation to arrest him, but its domestic legal situation is complicated and has given the government enough wiggle room to welcome him. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban publicly extended an invitation to Netanyahu in November shortly after the ICC issued the warrant. The Israeli leader was scheduled to arrive on April 2 for a four-day visit. "I will guarantee him, if he comes, that the judgment of the ICC will have no effect in Hungary," Orban said. Meanwhile, diplomatic sources inside Hungary told RFE/RL that the country had decided to withdraw from the ICC, though this could not be immediately confirmed officially. What Are The Political Reasons? The politics of all this are clear. Orban has closely aligned himself with Netanyahu and with US President Donald Trump, who has also criticized the court's warrant. Trump issued sanctions against the ICC last month, criticizing as "baseless" its arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto welcomed the decision with a social media post, accusing the ICC of being a "political tool." The indictment says Netanyahu is "allegedly responsible for the war crimes of starvation as a method of warfare and of intentionally directing an attack against the civilian population; and the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts from at least 8 October 2023 until at least 20 May 2024." What's The Legal Position? The legal situation is more complex. The court cannot arrest anyone; rather, it relies on countries who have signed onto the treaty creating the court -- the Rome Statute -- to enforce its warrants. "It is not for states to unilaterally determine the soundness of the court's legal decisions," court spokesman Fadi El-Abdallah told RFE/RL. He said it was a "legal obligation to the court" to enforce them. This view was endorsed by two senior lawyers who spoke to RFE/RL. "If Mr. Netanyahu visits a state party like Hungary or Germany and is not arrested, this state violates its obligations under the Rome Statute of the ICC," said Kai Ambos, professor of criminal and international law at Germany's Goettingen University. "The nonexecution of ICC arrest warrants undermines the court's legitimacy," said Ambos, who serves as a war crimes judge at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers, an international court set up for crimes committed during the 1990s Kosovo conflict. Tamas Adany, an associate professor of international law in Hungary, agreed with this but also pointed to a nuance. "Globally speaking, there are countries where, whenever they ratify an international treaty, it becomes part of the law of the land," he said. "Most other countries, where the typical language of multilateral treaties is not an official languagerely on a process called promulgation" to make an international obligation part of national law, he said. Hungary ratified the Rome Statute in 2001 under the first Orban government. But it has never carried out the second step, which basically amounts to incorporating the statute into the country's own national legal code. "The question is hard because Hungary is under a legal obligation from the perspective of international law to comply with this. But Hungarian national law does not make it possible for the authorities [to do so]," Adany said. This reasoning has also been used by the Hungarian authorities. "Thanks to former President Janos Ader, we had the sense to never make it part of domestic law," government spokesman Gergely Gulyas said on March 13. Yet Adany said the law was not entirely clear on this point, because Netanyahu is accused of crimes that have been considered part of customary international law since the 1940s. "I'm very positive that those parts of the Rome Statute, which are considered by a majority of states to be customary international law in nature, should be enforced in Hungary even without a formal promulgation," he said. Is Hungary Alone? Gulyas pointed to another reason for not arresting Netanyahu. When the court warrant was issued, Germany offered an ambiguous response. "I find it hard to imagine that we would make arrests on this basis," government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said, adding that legal questions had to be clarified about the warrant. Then, in January, Christian Democrat leader Friedrich Merz said he would find "ways and means" to invite Netanyahu to Germany. Merz's party subsequently won federal elections, and he is now preparing to take office as the country's next chancellor. Gulyas, the Hungarian government spokesman, seized on this. "Since a country of Germany's size and power thinks that it must disregard its own domestic law because the decision of the International Criminal Court is so absurd, what is the point of the whole thing?" he said. What Would Be The Consequences? Merz's comments were hugely controversial in Germany. Ambos said there could be "sanctions" for not carrying out an arrest warrant, imposed by the ICC's Assembly of State Parties, which is responsible for various court matters, including the election of judges and prosecutors and setting its budget. "Such a situation just arose with regard to Vladimir Putin's visit and nonarrest in Mongolia," he added, referring to the Russian president's visit there in September. Putin is wanted for the war crime of abducting children from Russian-occupied Ukraine. "The consequence for Hungary is that we may possibly lose our voting rights in the Assembly of States Parties," Adany said, adding there could be a "judicial investigation into this conduct of Hungary." The political fallout might be quite limited. Hungary is already highly isolated within the European Union, where it has been accused of democratic backsliding and curtailing media freedom. Its pro-Russia positions have also led to diplomatic problems. "I'm absolutely positive that the arrest is not going to happen," Adany said. "Netanyahu is going to travel home safely." The Hungarian government did not immediately respond to RFE/RL's questions for this article. The US military has announced a second aircraft carrier group will deploy to the Middle East to respond to regional threats to stability as US forces continue to hit Iran-linked Huthi fighters in Yemen from its ships in the Red Sea. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement on April 1 that the aircraft carrier Carl Vinson will join the aircraft carrier Harry S. Truman in the Middle East "to continue promoting regional stability, deter aggression, and protect the free flow of commerce in the region." The Carl Vinson has been ordered to arrive from the Indo-Pacific following completion of a scheduled exercise, Parnell said without saying when it would get there. The announcement comes as US forces hit Huthi fighters in Yemen with near-daily air strikes in a campaign aimed at ending the threat they pose to civilian shipping and military vessels in the region. "The United States and its partners remain committed to regional security in the CENTCOM AOR (area of responsibility) and are prepared to respond to any state or non-state actor seeking to broaden or escalate conflict in the region," Parnell said. CENTCOM is the US military command responsible for the region. Parnell added that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth continues to make clear that should Iran or its proxies threaten American personnel and interests in the region, the United States will take decisive action to defend our people. The Huthis, which the United States has designated as a terrorist group, began targeting shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden after the start of the Gaza war in 2023, claiming solidarity with Palestinians. Huthi attacks have prevented ships from passing through the Suez Canal, forcing many companies to send their goods on a costly detour around the tip of southern Africa that takes considerably longer. President Donald Trump vowed on March 31 that strikes on the Huthis will continue until they are no longer a threat to shipping. "The choice for the Huthis is clear: Stop shooting at US ships, and we will stop shooting at you. Otherwise, we have only just begun, and the real pain is yet to come, for both the Huthis and their sponsors in Iran," Trump said on his Truth Social platform. Trump added that the Huthis had been "decimated" by "relentless" strikes since large-scale air strikes began on March 15, saying that US forces "hit them every day and night -- Harder and harder." The large-scale air strikes began after Trump warned the Huthis that "hell will rain down upon you" if they did not stop their extremist actions, including missile launches against Israel. Trump has also said that "there will be bombing" if Iran does not reach a deal on its nuclear program. Huthi officials said at least 12 civilians were killed and another nine injured in the US attacks, but the claims could not be independently confirmed. The officials vowed revenge without specifying how it would carry it out. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on March 16 said the attacks were a message to Iran to stop supporting the Huthis, and Hegseth said Iran "is on notice" that Huthi attacks on American ships, aircraft, and troops will not be tolerated. With reporting by AFP STRASBOURG, France -- European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas says there have been no positive signs from Russia in ongoing cease-fire negotiations over Ukraine, and that Moscow is just playing games. She made the remarks in an exclusive interview with RFE/RL on the sidelines of a European Parliament plenary session in Strasbourg on April 2. Russia, Ukraine, and the United States have been locked in negotiations for a month in an effort to end the three-year full-scale war. While partial cease-fire agreements have been reached -- covering energy infrastructure and traffic on the Black Sea -- Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities continue on a daily basis. Watch the full Interview With Kaja Kallas: Asked whether she believes a full cease-fire can be achieved by April 20 -- a target date floated by Finnish President Alexander Stubb during a recent visit to US President Donald Trump in Florida -- the former Estonian prime minister stressed that pressure must be placed on Moscow. I think it could be very good to set them a clear deadline when they have to answer, what is their standing, and to really show some goodwill that they also want peace, she said. It's clear that the Ukrainians want it. Not Talking With Russia Yet This week, Kirill Dmitriev, a senior Kremlin adviser and head of a major state-backed investment fund, is expected to visit Washington for talks with US officials on Ukraine and bilateral relations, the Kremlin said. Dmitriev's reported visit comes as Washington and Moscow move to repair relations following years of spiraling tensions that predate Russia's February 2022 all-out invasion of Ukraine. When asked whether the EU should also engage directly with Dmitriev, Kallas said any discussions must center around Kyiv. For Ukraine, Ukraine has to negotiate with Russia, she said. It can't be done by anybody else, because it's about Ukraine and it can't be without Ukraine. So far, the European Union and its 27 member states have been sidelined from the talks. Pressed on whether the bloc or any of its member states were ready to talk directly with the Kremlin, Kallas emphasized that Europe must be part of any long-term settlement. When it comes to negotiations about Ukraine, then clearly Europe must be around that table because it also concerns us what is the result of this, she said. And any deal can't work without the implementation of the Europeans. Transatlantic Trade War? Kallas, who took over as the EU high representative in late 2024, will later this week attend the NATO ministerial in Brussels together with the new US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The meeting comes at a time of rising transatlantic trade tensions. On April 2, Washington imposed a 25 percent tariff on all car imports, following steel and aluminum levies introduced in March. Brussels is preparing a response, expected later in April, which is likely to include penalties targeting big US tech companies. Kallas, however, was keen to play down the latest rift, saying that, despite a lot of rhetoric on the subject, European negotiators still don't really know what is exactly coming. There are the statements we see, but what are the real actions? she said. What I want to stress is that there are no winners in trade wars. I mean it raises the prices and in the end the consumers get to pay for these products at a higher price and this is not wise, so I still hope that we are not starting this trade war. New Format For Serbia-Kosovo Dialogue? On April 78, Kallas will visit Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Montenegro -- her first trip to the Western Balkans since taking office. A visit to Serbia is also likely in May. Asked about the recent wave of anti-government protests in Serbian cities -- sparked by the deadly collapse of a newly renovated train station roof in Novi Sad which has fueled public anger over corruption and government mismanagement Kallas suggested such demonstrations were normal in democratic societies. It is democracy, she said. I mean we have it in our EU member states that people get tired of governments, and they protest. That shows that democracy is working. The EU has led the dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo since 2011, aiming to normalize relations between them. Kallass predecessor, Josep Borrell, last met with the leaders of the two Balkan countries in September 2023 but failed to strike a final agreement. While Kallas has named Danish diplomat Peter Sorensen as her special envoy for the talks, no high-level meetings have yet been convened, and she hinted that a new approach may be needed. It seems a bit that the dialogue is a bit stuck, because the parties just are complaining about each other, she said. I think we have to keep the end goal in mind -- the normalization of their relationship, so that they can both proceed on their European path. So maybe it's the dialogue, or maybe it is another tool. I'm willing to look into it, and I will do so together with the [Sorensen] in the coming days. Kirill Dmitriev, a senior Kremlin adviser and head of a major state-backed investment fund, was expected to visit Washington this week for talks with US officials on Ukraine and bilateral relations, the Kremlin said. Dmitriev's reported visit comes as Washington and Moscow move to repair relations following years of spiraling tensions that predate Russia's February 2022 all-out invasion of Ukraine. Dmitriev, who heads the Russian Direct Investment Fund, has assumed a more prominent role in negotiations with US officials in recent months. He recently met with White House envoy Steve Witkoff when the latter traveled to Moscow to meet President Vladimir Putin and others. Speaking to reporters on April 2, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed reports by Reuters and CNN that Dmitriev's visit might occur this week. "Yes, I confirm. This visit may be possible. We are continuing to talk to the Americans. I will not give more concrete (details)," Peskov said. In a post to X, responding to another report about the visit, Dmitriev said "maybe. CNN and Reuters, quoting unnamed officials, said Dmitriev would meet with Witkoff. Reuters said the meeting would reportedly take place on April 2. CNN said a special visa had to be granted to Dmitriev because he is under US sanctions. Earlier on April 2, Putin signed an order allowing a subsidiary of Goldman Sachs to sell stocks of major Russian companies that had been frozen since Russia invaded, The Moscow Times reported. Ukraine in February 2022. The US investment bank had to sell the stock to companies preselected by the Kremlin. Both countries have been touting steps to mend relations, which began to deteriorate in 2012 during the presidency of Barack Obama and then markedly worsened following the Ukraine invasion. Trump has made ending Russias more-than-three-year assault on Ukraine one of his top foreign policy priorities. In contrast to his predecessor, Joe Biden, who refused to engage with Moscow, Trumps administration has done just that, holding at least two phone calls with Putin and dispatching top advisers, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, to Saudi Arabia last month to open negotiations. However, last week Trump lashed out at Putin and threatened Russia with new tariffs on oil products if Moscow blocks his cease-fire initiatives. During a phone interview with NBC News on March 30, Trump said he was "very angry" and "pissed off" when Putin called for a transitional government to be put in place in Ukraine, which could effectively push out current President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Dmitriev was at the talks in Saudi Arabia, focused not only on resolving the war but more broadly on restoring US-Russian relations. Considered a close ally of Putin, he is seen as a key player in talks on reviving investment between the two countries amid reports of talks over joint rare earth metals projects. Western military leaders will discuss the possible deployment of troops to Ukraine who would monitor a potential cease-fire in the conflict with Russian and be part of the countrys new security structure, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address. This is our starting point: the Ukrainian army must be strong enough, and on this foundation, the entire security architecture is built, Zelenskyy said. A meeting will take place in just a few days -- on Friday (April 4) -- with representatives of our partner states -- these will be military representatives. Zelenskyy met in Kyiv on April 1 with outgoing German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, saying that a "narrow circle of countries" is willing to send contingents. The Ukrainian leader told a joint news conference with Baerbock that he was awaiting "more concrete" answers from allies on their readiness to participate. France and Britain have expressed a willingness to send troops as part of a so-called coalition of the willing to monitor a potential cease-fire. But Russia has strongly opposed any deployment of foreign troops in Ukraine. In his video address, Zelenskyy also said Ukraine has now shared all the necessary information regarding Russias violations in the energy sector with its US partners. He said there were strikes on April 1 in Kherson, including a Russian drone that targeted an energy facility and equipment entirely deliberately and purposefully and part of the city was left without electricity. We insist that every such violation must be documented and receive a response from our partners, he said. It is precisely these small details that add up to Russias major delays in the diplomatic process." Zelenskyy referred to an agreement between Kyiv and Moscow not to strike each other's energy facilities. The agreement was announced by the White House on March 25 along with a cease-fire to allow navigation on the Black Sea. Kyiv said the agreement on energy facilities would take effect immediately. Moscow, however, has said it would follow the partial lifting of sanctions pertaining to Russian companies and banks involved in the international food trade. A day after her visit to Kyiv, Baerbock arrived in Moldova for a two-day visit to meet with President Maia Sandu and Prime Minister Dorin Recean. Support For Ukraine Will Continue, German Foreign Minister Says No media source currently available 0:00 0:00:37 0:00 "Peace that is negotiated over the heads of Europeans -- or even over the heads of Ukrainians -- is not peace," she told RFE/RL's Moldovan Service at a news conference in Chisinau on April 2. Baerbock also reiterated the position that German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, along with French and British leaders, had previously expressed at the "coalition of the willing" summit -- that sanctions against Russia "will not be lifted without peace." "Just before I arrived, there was another attack on the energy infrastructure...The Russian side had supposedly indicated that they would no longer target energy facilities -- in fact, the exact opposite happened," Baerbock said. Germany announced a commitment to an additional 130 million euros ($140 million) in humanitarian aid and stabilization funds during Baerbocks visit. The package will bring German assistance since the start of the Russian invasion to Ukraine to 7 billion euros, he said. Zelenskyy thanked Germany for ensuring that its support for Ukraine remains predictable and systematic. The stability of support is one of the key factors in defending against Russian aggression, he said. "It is the interruptions in supplies, disagreements between partners, and all signs of instability that [Russian President Vladimir] Putin is highly counting on, he said. Russian troops launched a massive drone strike on Kharkiv on the night of April 1. Mayor Ihor Terekhov said 13 Shahed drones hit in the city, and at least eight people were injured. "The consequences included the fire of two industrial buildings, and more than 10 private sector houses were damaged nearby," Terekhov said. A Russian strike earlier on April 1 in the Zaporizhzhya region hit civilian infrastructure, killing one person, regional Governor Ivan Fedorov said. Exactly a month since British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the formation of a coalition of the willing to form a military mission to Ukraine, many questions remain. Starmer said the plan would involve British boots on the ground and planes in the air, together with others. This immediately raised uncertainty about who will contribute and how. Answers are still scarce. Who Could Send Troops To Ukraine? So far, France is the only other nation that has made a clear commitment to send military forces to Ukraine as part of the mission. The London conference and subsequent meetings have involved some 30 countries. Some of these will probably be involved in a backup function. Germany, for instance, has made noises about sending troops under a UN-mandate, but Russia opposes the mission and would veto it. So, Berlins involvement would likely be based on out-of-country support, such as logistics. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met in Kyiv on April 1 with outgoing German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, saying that a "narrow circle of countries" is willing to send contingents. Some countries have indicated that they could be in that circle. Asked about sending troops, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said it was ready to help under certain conditions, while Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said his country was prepared for it in principle. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said his country may send a small contribution, but he faces elections in May. Belgium said it would be "logical" to participate. Some of the 30 countries have ruled out sending troops, such as Poland, which is prioritizing its own immediate security concerns vis-a-vis Russia and Belarus. Greece has also said it wont deploy. Turkey, a major military power neighboring Ukraine with substantial air and naval assets, would be a big potential contributor. It has not made a clear statement one way or the other. What Would Western Troops Do In Ukraine? The initiative has often been referred to as a peacekeeping mission, but this is a misnomer. "If we call it a 'peacekeeping mission,' we usually mean a peacekeeping mission within the framework of the UN, which requires participation in the agreements of both sides. An 'assurance mission' does not require Russia's consent," a NATO diplomat told RFE/RLs Ukrainian Service on April 1. The idea is that, after a cease-fire or peace deal is reached, the force deploys to help give Ukraine confidence that Russia wont attack it again. If there was again a generalized aggression against Ukrainian soil, these armies would be under attack and then its our usual framework of engagement, French President Emmanuel Macron said ahead of a summit held by the coalition in Paris on March 27. Our soldiers, when they are engaged and deployed, are there to react and respond to the decisions of the commander in chief and, if they are in a conflict situation, to respond to it. But a frontline deployment is not envisaged. Speaking after the Paris gathering, Macron said the forces would be at certain strategic locations. Starmer and Zelenskyy have spoken of forces covering air, sea, and land. Over the last few weeks, military planners have been preparing for various scenarios. NATO diplomats told RFE/RL that the final vision of the future contingent has not yet been determined and will largely depend on the circumstances leading to its eventual deployment. Russian Opposition Russia has long made it clear it opposes any deployment to Ukraine involving forces from NATO countries. As noted, this rules out a UN-mandated mission. But European countries have indicated they would be willing to deploy without Russian assent. Macron made this clear in a recent interview with French regional newspapers. If Ukraine requests allied forces to be on its territory, it is not up to Russia to accept or reject them, he said. But if Russia cant stop the mission, there may be one more hurdle. The US Backstop From the very beginning, the deployment of the forces has been predicated on the existence of what Starmer called a US backstop. This refers to the provision of air support, logistics, and intelligence. But so far there has been no clear signal from Washington that its ready to help. On the contrary, theres been withering criticism from one of US President Donald Trumps closest aides. Steve Witkoff, a key figure in efforts to broker a cease-fire between Russia and Ukraine, dismissed it as a posture and a pose. One diplomat from a European NATO member told RFE/RL this was a challenge that needed to be overcome. "We have to come up with a specific proposal and present it to the United States," he said. "We should not demonstrate complete dependence on the American presence. We should have self-respect. We have to act ourselves and then invite the United States to join." The former head of the US Army in Europe, Ben Hodges, told RFE/RL last month that Europe should go it alone. The soldiers that I have encountered over the years from the UK, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland, and Poland are quality women and men with good equipment, he said. What Next? Since Starmers initial remarks, there has been a series of meetings at various levels to work on the proposals. The next talks, announced by Zelenskyy, are set for April 4. The process may have some way to go. "This is an attempt to find a new form of guarantees from our European partners, Serhiy Leshchenko, an adviser in President Zelenskyys office, told RFE/RL last week. "It takes time. There is no need to expect instant solutions here." US lawmakers and experts at a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing underscored a rare bipartisan consensus -- preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons as a top priority. However, divisions remain over how far Washington should go in applying pressure versus pursuing diplomacy. Republican lawmakers strongly supported the Donald Trump administrations decision to reinstate the maximum pressure campaign that defined his Iran policy during his first term as US president. The maximum pressure campaign devastated Irans economy and denied it critical resources. A nuclear Iran is not an option, Subcommittee Chairman Mike Lawler (Republican-New York) said on April 1. Democratic lawmakers also acknowledged the threat posed by Iran but stressed the importance of diplomacy. There is bipartisan understanding of the danger posed by Iran as the worlds foremost state sponsor of terrorism. We must combine pressure with diplomatic engagement, Ranking Member Gregory Meeks (Democratic-New York) said. Three expert witnesses provided testimony on the challenges posed by Iran and the potential consequences of US strategies. Norman Roule, a senior advisor at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, warned that Iran is advancing its nuclear program and could produce a weapon within months if left unchecked. Iran is closer than ever to producing a nuclear weapon, Roule warned, adding that military strikes could only delay its program. He called for a comprehensive approach that combines sanctions, military readiness, and diplomacy. Claire Jungman of United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) highlighted the economic toll that sanctions have taken on the country, noting that its economy remains fragile due to inflation and currency devaluation. She stressed the importance of targeting Irans oil trade with China in violation of US sanctions and leveraging its economic vulnerabilities to weaken its support for regional proxies like the US-designated Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah. Dana Stroul of The Washington Institute for Near East Policy noted that military strikes could escalate into broader conflict and urged Washington to pair pressure tactics with robust diplomacy. She added that the pillars of Irans security strategy, including its nuclear program, proxy network, and arsenal of missiles and drones, are more vulnerable today than ever. Trump has threatened to bomb Iran if it fails to reach a deal with Washington. Tehran has dismissed the threat, describing it as an affront to peace and security. Iran last week delivered a formal response to Trumps letter proposing direct talks to reach a new nuclear deal. Tehran has dismissed direct negotiations as long as the maximum pressure campaign is in effect. Axios reports that the White House is seriously considering Irans proposal for indirect talks while boosting its military presence in the Middle East. Addressing Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Committee Chairman Brian Mast (Republican-Florida) said Trump will work with you to peacefully end Irans nuclear and ballistic missile programs. Or, President Trump will destroy your nuclear weapons and ballistic missile program. You get to choose the remedy, he said. Iran maintains its nuclear program is peaceful, but there are growing calls in Iran to weaponize it as a form of deterrence against the United States and Israel. Later on April 2, the Trump administration announced sanctions against individuals and companies it claims are helping the Iranian-backed Houthis, a rebel group designated as a terrorist organization by the United States. The Houthis, formally known as the Ansarallah movement, seized power in Yemen in 2014 by toppling the internationally recognized, Saudi-backed government. The Trump administration last month launched strikes against Houthis rebels, who have been target shipping in the Red Sea, a crucial transportation corridor. The Trump administration sanctioned two Russia-based Afghan brothers who assisted an Iran-based financier l in orchestrating shipments of stolen Ukrainian grain from Crimea to Yemen. It also blocked eight digital asset wallets used by the Houthis to transfer funds associated with the groups activities. Mourners gathered at the US Embassy in Lithuania on April 1 to honor four American soldiers who died after their M88 Hercules armored recovery vehicle became submerged in a peat bog during a training exercise. The military announced on March 31 that they found three victims inside the vehicle after an intensive six-day search by US, Lithuanian, Polish, and Estonian rescue teams. A fourth soldier was found the next day. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 2. King Mohammed VI of Morocco has sent a congratulatory letter to President Ilham Aliyev, Trend reports. "Excellency, I sincerely congratulate you on the occasion of the blessed Eid al-Fitr. I convey my best wishes to Your Excellency," the letter reads. By Cate McCurry, PA The Government is working flat out to do everything it can to ensure that every child will have a school place next September, the Taoiseach has claimed. Micheal Martin said the Minister for Education is working with the National Council for Special Education to ensure a school place for every child for the next academic year. He made the comments as parents stage a protest over the lack of special school places available for their children. A second 24-hour sleep out is taking place outside Leinster House by parents who say they cannot find suitable school places for their children with additional needs. The group, Equality in Education, will sleep outside Leinster House on Wednesday, which is also World Autism Day. Speaking in the Dail, Mr Martin said that every child in Ireland has a constitutional right to a school place. Mr Martin said: I have already convened meetings with eight government ministers in respect of the disability issue, there will be full coordination across the whole of government in relation to disability and more specifically, in relation to special education. Minister (for Education) Helen McEntee and (Michael) Moynihan, (Minister of State at the Department of Education), are working flat out with the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) and with the Department of Education to ensure a school place for every child this September and progress is being made. Were working flat out to do everything we possibly can to make sure that every child will have a place next September. About 372 extra special classes have now been sanctioned for this year. Thats in addition to the numbers of classes that we already have, which are in the thousands. The ultimate objective is to have a central application system in place for the school year beginning in September 2026 thats the aim, to have it in place by then. Also, to have applications for places to start for that school year, next November of this year. He said that are some outstanding issues in relation to school places in Dublin. Thats what were working on and focusing on, and to do whatever it takes to make sure that the capacity is in place to provide for that, Mr Martin added. An additional 1,200 places are available this year, bringing the total available places total for 3,900 for about 3,275 students. Labour leader Ivana Bacik said there is a crisis in special education. Today, Equality in Education, a group of parents who cannot access suitable school places for their children, will stage a second overnight sleep out tonight in protest of the ways in which the state has failed their families, Ms Bacik said. A few weeks ago, they slept outside the Department of Education on Marlborough Street. Today, on World Autism Day, they will bring their protest to our door at Leinster House. The last time I raised this issue, you told me the Government would do all you could to work towards providing a place for every child, but Taoiseach, the NCSE does not even know how many children are without a school place, or how many places will be needed. So its understandable that parents are frustrated. Childhood is short and the consequences for a child of receiving inappropriate schooling or no schooling are massive. Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald raised concern about promises made to parents about the availability of school places. The parents are now beside themselves with worry, because following a meeting with the Minister for Education, no such guarantee was made or given, she added. These children and parents deserve that guarantee Taoiseach, they shouldnt be forced to protest again outside the Dail. So will you now, again, give a clear-cut commitment that every child will have access to a suitable school? Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon said: There is a common thread that aligns with all of those parents and guardians, and thats pain. Pain for what their child is being asked to go without. Olivia Kelleher A man who is on trial charged with murdering his wife has claimed that he accidentally cut her throat after a struggle ensued between them over a knife. Regin Parithapara Rajan (43) has denied the murder of his wife, Deepa Paruthiyezhuth Dinamani (38), at the home they were renting in Wilton in Cork city on July 14th, 2023. She died from massive blood loss after she sustained a 14cm cut to her throat. Mr Rajan went into the witness box at a sitting of the Central Criminal Court in Cork on Wednesday. He said he loved his wife and wished he could turn back time. He said he and Ms Dinamani had had an argument about pension money earlier in the day on July 14th and that his wife had gone to a bedroom. Mr Rajan claimed he wanted to get his passport from her. He said Ms Dinamani refused to give him his passport until she returned from a trip to Dublin. I was a hostage. I left the room and went to my sons bedroom. I was crying. I was depressed. I didnt know what to do in my own home. I drank a few drinks. Mr Rajan then said that he went into his wife's bedroom at their home in Cardinal Court in Cork in a further bid to retrieve his passport. He said that Ms Dinamani was holding her phone while only wearing a T-shirt. I was stunned. She was semi-nude. I thought, What is she doing? As soon as she saw me, her face went [he made an expression] and she asked me What do you want?' I didnt say anything. Mr Rajan said Ms Dinamani picked up a carving knife he had purchased a few days earlier for cutting fish and asked him to go back. He told the jury and Ms Justice Siobhan Lankford that he tried to get the knife from her but that they had a struggle and ended up on a bed. He said he had retrieved the knife from Ms Dinamani at this point and that she got cut by the knife in a tussle. There was blood everywhere. It was a shock to me. I didnt know what to do. I just tried to stop the blood from the neck. My mind was blank. I cant think straight. Defence counsel Brian McInerney SC asked Mr Rajan if he had accepted that he had told a 999 call taker, the gardai and a friend that he had stabbed his wife. The father of one said he accepted this was the case. Mr Rajan insisted that he simply went into the room to get his passport and never intended to harm his wife. What happened that day I wish I could turn back the clock. I wish she was alive. Cross examination got underway shortly before lunchtime with prosecution senior counsel Sean Gillane asking Mr Rajan if he had done anything to help his wife in the aftermath of what happened. Your wife began to die from the amount of blood she was losing. From the amount of blood she was swallowing. What did you do to help? Mr Rajan said he tried to make the blood stop with his hand. My mind was blank. I was in shock. Mr Gillane said that when Ms Dinamani was still alive and struggling to breathe with the blood going into her lungs, Mr Rajan was feeling sorry for himself and shocked. Mr Rajan said this was the case. The case continues on Wednesday afternoon. Castlerea Prison is at the heart of a unique tractor restoration project involving a collaboration with a dementia charity. The Foxford Alzheimers Community Trust CLG (FACT) Social Club has partnered with the Irish Prison Service to restore a 1950s Massey Ferguson tractor, donated by Pat Towey, owner of Toweys Spar & TopOil service station in Ballaghaderreen. The vintage tractor will be sold when fully restored by the Mens Shed in Castlerea Prison to raise funds for the charity. A related iDonate fundraising page has also been established. The unique project not only brings history back to life, but is also supporting individuals with dementia and those facing rural isolation. Governor of Castlerea Prison, Theresa Beirne, said the restoration project was a shining example of how collaboration and community involvement could create positive change. Our prisoners, alongside our dedicated work and training staff, are excited to contribute their skills to this meaningful cause. Its a chance for them to give back to the community and support the incredible work being done by FACT Social Club, she said. The Irish Prison Service said the collaboration brings together an unlikely team of people, each with their own reasons, to give back, to create awareness and to show that together really is better. Prisoners, alongside work and training staff, will undertake the hands-on work, contributing their skills and dedication to this meaningful cause. The prison service said local businesses and volunteers had generously donated the necessary parts, making this a true community-driven initiative. By generating funds through the sale of the restored vintage tractor, this project aims to provide ongoing assistance to families grappling with dementias complexities while simultaneously raising awareness about these critical issues within the community. Declan Howley, Manager of FACT Social Club said: This project exemplifies the power of community and compassion. Restoring an antique tractor serves as a tangible reminder of our collective responsibility towards vulnerable populations, it symbolises how communal efforts can lead to meaningful change. You can follow the restoration story on the Foxford & District Alzheimer Trust on Facebook and Instagram while the iDonate fundraising link is www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/CommunityDementiaTractorRestoration BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 2. Amir of the State of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabah has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. Trend presents the letter: "Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh. I am pleased to extend my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to you on the occasion of the blessed Eid al-Fitr. I pray Allah the Almighty to grant Your Excellency good health, a long life, to your friendly country and people continued development and progress, and to the Islamic Ummah abundance and prosperity. Happy holidays!" By Cate McCurry, PA The Taoiseach has warned that the old order is changing, as he questioned whether the European Union and the US could sit around a negotiating table following Donald Trumps tariff announcements. Micheal Martin said the looming tariffs are the most serious issue to face the Irish economy, adding that the scale of tariffs will be very significant. Mr Trump is expected to apply import taxes on goods going to the US from around the world in a White House statement at 9pm later today. Politicians and companies are braced for the impact of the tariffs, which are set to have a significant impact on the economy. Mr Trump is expected to target EU countries, including Ireland, with tariffs of about 20 per cent on imports into the US. Tariffs on all Irish exports will lead to higher costs, particularly in the pharma sector. Mr Martin told the Dail that neither Ireland nor the EU started the threat of tariffs. This is, without question, the most serious issue to face the Irish economy in a long time, and its clear that the scale of these tariffs will be very, very significant in European terms, Mr Martin added. I would, in the first instance, say Ireland does not believe in tariffs. The European Union does not believe in tariffs, and the European Union doesnt want tariffs. So the European Union hasnt started this. Ireland hasnt started this. The bottom line is this, however, that ultimately, to get this into a sustainable landing zone for the future, negotiations are key. President Donald Trump listens to a question from a reporter before signing an executive order in the Oval Office of the White House (AP photo) Part of the approach in designing any countermeasures from the European Union will be the negotiating table. Can we get this to a negotiating table where you can get a reasonable, settled pattern? It will not be status quo, and it will not be what it is now. I think the old order is changing, and its regrettable we are in a Europe of increased protectionism. That is not good for Ireland. Its not good for open economies. He said he has huge concerns for the agri-food sector, as well as beverages, spirits, and the pharma industry. Then we have to work within the European Union, make sure that other sectors arent damaged by any potential counter measures, he added. So the Government strategy is to optimise the protection of Irish jobs. That is the fundamental objective, to protect Irish jobs. He also agreed to a meeting of party leaders to take place after the tariffs have been announced. Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said the hard reality is that the Irish economy is particularly exposed. Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald said counter tariffs were not in Irelands interest (Liam McBurney/PA) She said that the United States is Irelands largest export market, adding there is real concern around the impact on Irelands pharmaceutical and tech sectors. Ms McDonald said: Whilst the severity and scope of these tariffs is yet unknown, it is clear that this will present a significant economic challenge to Ireland. As the European Union formulates its response, the chief responsibility of government is to stand up for Irelands interests, to protect Irish jobs, Irish industry and the prosperity of our people, to ensure that any action taken doesnt exacerbate potential. Its crucial, therefore, that there is no knee jerk reaction from the EU. Counter tariffs are not in Irelands interest. She added: The focus on infrastructure, on skills, on R&D (research and development), and on basic public services, including child care services, the absolute imperative to provide working people with the roof over their heads is now front and centre. On Tuesday, the Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe warned that Ireland is facing a possible slump in employment growth and job creation, a decline in tax revenue, as well as a delay in future income tax cuts. Mr Donohoe also said the Government will consider increasing income tax over the years, but any decision would be based on the tariffs, and how long they will be in place. How Donald Trump's tariff crackdown, which he has dubbed 'Liberation Day', will impact on Ireland and the EU dominates Wednesday's front pages. The Irish Times, Irish Examiner and Irish Independent lead with the US tariffs. The Echo and the Irish Sun also lead with the threat US tariffs pose to businesses in Ireland. Today's front page of The Irish Sun pic.twitter.com/qWt13woWaT The Irish Sun (@IrishSunOnline) April 2, 2025 The Government is set to shelve the Occupied Territories Bill to 'keep the US happy', the Irish Daily Mail reports. All this and lots more in Wednesday's Irish Daily Mail. pic.twitter.com/mv9ykKE4v9 The Irish Daily Mail (@irishdailymail) April 2, 2025 CAB found stairs missing at the home of a gang member, The Herald reports. In the North, the Belfast Telegraph leads with the controversial 'Brand Builder' company, which has been shut down leaving clients in the lurch. The Irish News leads with a pub stabbing. The front page of todays Irish News. pic.twitter.com/hCMWd3CmlP The Irish News (@irish_news) April 2, 2025 Donald Trumps tariff blitz dominates headlines across Wednesdays UK newspapers. The Times, the Independent and the i Paper say the US president is expected to hit the UK with a raft of tariffs, which will come into immediate effect. However, the Daily Telegraph says prime minister Sir Keir Starmer is preparing a number of economic concessions in an attempt to persuade Mr Trump to spare the UK from his liberation day trade crackdown. Among the concessions, according to The Guardian, would be a significant tax cut for US technology companies. Meanwhile, the Financial Times says scared investors are pouring into gold funds at the highest rate since the pandemic amid US tariff concerns. The Daily Mirror splashes on fears 25,000 car industry jobs could be lost in the tariff campaign. And the Daily Mail warns that tariffs could trigger a fresh crisis for chancellor Rachel Reeves, who delivered her spring economic statement last week. Metro leads on a Chinese student convicted of drugging and raping 10 women, as well as 23 more women coming forward with their own allegations. Lastly, The Sun writes that the charity boss who accused Britain's Duke of Sussex of harassment has deleted her social media accounts after being harassed by supporters of Harry and his wife. US attorney general Pam Bondi said on Tuesday that she would seek the death penalty for Luigi Mangione, who was charged with murdering a UnitedHealthcare executive in Manhattan last year, The New York Times reports. Acclaimed childrens writer Darren Shan will be a welcome visitor to Roscommon County Library on Tuesday, April 8th at 6 p.m.. The event will be held as part of the public libraries Spring into Storytime annual festival, held annually to encourage greater reading and engagement with national school age readers. Darren will be marking the 25th anniversary of the publication of his popular book, Cirque Du Freak, at this event as well as conducting some readings, answering questions from fans and signing books afterwards. Copies of the 25th anniversary edition of Cirque Du Freak will be available at the event and fans of the writer will also be able to bring along some of his other books for signing. Born in London but living in Limerick, his first published book was for adults and was released in 1999. However, he became better known for his books when Cirque Du Freak was first published in January 2000. Darren's books have sold more than 30 million copies worldwide The Roscommon event is the first of a number in 2025 to coincide with the silver anniversary of the release of Cirque Du Freak. Darren assures his fans of lots of fun and even the occasional flying limb or two! Tickets for this event, which has a capacity of 60 are free, but must be booked in advance. Walter Fittzwater was shot in an officer-involved shooting on Monday, March 31, on the 2300 block of 124th Q Ave. NW. in Watford City, ND. Deputies were responding to a domestic disturbance involving a firearm at 7:21 p.m. CT, finding Fitzwater and a female outside the residence. Law enforcement gave several verbal commands, which were ignored by Fitzwater. He was tased by one deputy as he advanced towards law enforcement, and continued to move closer even while being impacted by the taser, causing that deputy to fall to the ground. Fitzwater also fell, after lunging at the deputy. The 65 year-old male got to his feet and continued to advance towards deputies, despite their commands, stating multiple times that he had a firearm. Fitzwater was ordered to get back, but did not comply and was shot by one deputy. Fitzwater received immediate medical attention by deputies on scene until the McKenzie County Ambulance arrived. He was taken to the McKenzie County Hospital, but despite life-saving efforts, was pronounced dead at 8:12 p.m. The McKenzie County Sheriffs Office has requested the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation to investigate the incident. The deputy involved in the shooting has been placed on paid administrative assignment per agency policy pending the outcome of the investigation. His name is being withheld at this time. Fitzwater was staying in the Watford City area at the time of the occurrence. We are deeply saddened by the events that unfolded last night, resulting in the loss of life. This is a tragic situation for everyone involved, and our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the deceased, as well as our deputies, and the community, Matthew Johansen, McKenzie County Sheriff, stated in an April 1 media release. (Updated 4-2-25): At 7:21 p.m. on March 31, 2025, McKenzie Coutny Sheriff's Office deputies responded to the 2300 block of 124th Q Avenue NW in Watford City, North Dakota for a reported domestic disturbance involving a firearm. Multiple deputies arrived on scene and encountered a male individual in the front lawn of the residence along with a female. Deputies gave the male verbal commands, which were ineffective. The male advanced towards deputies at which time, one deputy utilized a taser (less-lethal) to gain control of the male. The male continued to advance towards the deputy utilizing the taser, resulting in that deputy to falling to the ground. While the deputy was on the ground, the male lunged towards the deputy, resulting in the male falling to the ground as well. Deputies on scene continued to give verbal commands while the male was on the ground. The male verbalized several times that he was in possession of a firearm. The male was able to get to his feet and continued to advance towards additional deputies on scene. The male was verbally instructed to get back, however, did not comply. One deputy discharged their firearm at the male. The male fell to the ground and was provided immediate medical aid by deputies on scene until the McKenzie County Ambulance arrived. The male was transported to the McKenzie County Hospital, where he received additional life-saving care, but ultimately succumbed to his injuries at 8:12 p.m. The deceased male has been identified as 65-year-old, Walter Fitzwater, whom was staying in the Watford City area at the time of the incident. At this time, the name of the deputy who discharged their firearm will not be released. The incident is under a thorough and independent investigation by th eNorth Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation to ensure full transparency and accountability. The deputy involved remains on paid administrative assignment per agency policy pending the outcome of the investigation. We are deeply saddened by the events that unfolded, resulting in the loss of life. This is a tragic situation for everyone involved, and our thoughts are with the family of the deceased, as well as our deputies, and the community. (Original Story): The McKenzie County Sheriffs Office has requested the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation (NDBCI) to investigate an officer-involved shooting that occurred on Monday, March 31, 2025. Deputies were responding to a domestic disturbance at a residence outside of Watford City, ND at 7:21 p.m. CT. An officer-involved shooting took place during the encounter, and emergency services were immediately notified, and on scene. The patient later passed away as a result of his injuries at the McKenzie County Hospital. We understand that incidents like this raise questions and concerns within the community. We ask for the publics patience as we gather all facts surrounding this incident. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available, stated Watford City Sheriff Matthew Johansen in a press release. The deputy involved in the shooting has been placed on paid administrative assignment per agency policy pending the outcome of the investigation. Waqf Amendment Bill to Be Discussed for 8 Hours; Opposition Stands Against It The bill include mandate inclusion of women and two non-Muslim members in Central Waqf Council and State Waqf Boards, according to reports. Waqf Amendment Bill to Be Discussed for 8 Hours; Opposition Stands Against It, latest updates: The contentious Waqf Amendment Bill is set to be discussed in the Lok Sabha for eight hours on Wednesday. The bill proposes 40 amendments to the Waqf Act, 1995, including renaming it to the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency, and Development Act, 1995. Currently, Waqf Boards manage 8.7 lakh properties spanning 9.4 lakh acres across the country, making them the third-largest landowners in India after the Armed Forces and Indian Railways, according to a Hindustan Times report. Advertisement Both the BJP-led NDA and the Opposition have issued whips for all their MPs to be present in the House on Wednesday. On Tuesday, the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) of the Lok Sabha, chaired by Speaker Om Birla and comprising leaders from all major parties, approved an eight-hour debate on the bill. However, the Congress requested 12 hours for discussion, seeking to address additional issues, including the situation in Manipur. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju told reporters that the debate duration could be extended if the House on Wednesday decides to do so, implying flexibility in the allotted time. Advertisement The INDIA Bloc held a meeting yesterday and confirmed its opposition to the bill. Speaking to ANI, Congress leader K.C. Venugopal said, He further stated, We are going to oppose this bill, adding that this decision was made unanimously by the INDIA Bloc. He also urged other like-minded parties to vote against the bill. What is Waqf Act 1995? The Waqf Act, 1995 the Waqf Act, 1995 is a law enacted by the Indian Parliament to regulate and manage waqf properties in the country. A waqf is a permanent dedication of property (usually for religious, charitable, or pious purposes) under Islamic law. The Act was introduced to ensure better administration and prevent the misuse of waqf properties. Advertisement The key provisions of the Waqf Act, 1995 are establishment of waqf boards in each state and union territory, regular survey of waqf properties, registration of waqfs properties with respective waqf boards, protection from encroachment or misuse of properties, judicial tribunal for disputes related to waqf in each state and the act gives the waqf boards authority to manage, develop, and supervise waqf properties. What is Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024? The waqf amendment bill introduced in the lower house of the parliament on August 8, 2024 proposes to make changes in the Waqf Act 1995 to improve the administration and management of Waqqf management of waqf properties in India and updating the definitions of Waqf, improving the registration process and increasing the role technology managing and maintaining Waqf records, according to media reports. Advertisement The bill introduced last year was adopted, reportedly, with some changes by a joint Parliamentary Committee and the report of the committee was presented in the parliament during the Budget session. Provisions of the bill include mandate inclusion of women and two non-Muslim members in Central Waqf Council and State Waqf Boards, according to reports. The bill empowers the state government to nominate members to the waqf boards and these nominees do not have to from Muslims which changes the previous composition critrea. Under the original Waqf Act, 1995, the Survey Commissioner of Waqf was responsible for conducting surveys of all waqf properties in a state or union territory. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 proposes transferring this responsibility from the Survey Commissioner to the District Collector or an officer not below the rank of Deputy Collector, who is a government-appointed administrative official. Under the Waqf Act, 1995, State Waqf Boards had the authority to inquire, identify, and declare a property as waqf. However, the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, removes this power from the Waqf Board. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 introduces a key provision stating that if any government-owned land or property has been previously identified as waqf property, it will no longer be considered waqf. It also mandates inclusion of at least one member each from Shia, Sunni, and Backward Classes of Muslims. In the 2024 Indian general elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies secured a total of 293 seats, while the INDIA Bloc, an alliance of opposition parties including the INC, collectively won 234 seats. With a clear majority, the ruling coalition is likely to pass the bill today. Chandigarh: Elderly Couple Loses 3.41 Crore rupees in Digital Arrest Scam Chandigarh: Elderly Couple Loses 3.41 Crore rupees in Digital Arrest Scam Chandigarh: Elderly Couple Loses 3.41 Crore rupees in Digital Arrest Scam, latest news: In another digital arrest scam, an 82-year-old retired army officer, Colonel Dalip Singh, and his 74-year-old wife, Ravinder Kaur Bajwa, fell prey to online fraud on March 18. The elderly couple, residents of Sector 2-A, Chandigarh, reportedly lost 3.41 crore ruppes to a scammer impersonating an Enforcement Directorate (ED) official. According to Hindustan Times, on March 18, Ravinder Kaur Bajwa received a call from an unknown number, accusing her of being involved in a money laundering case. The scammer falsely claimed that she had sold her bank account details to the jailed owner of Jet Airways for a5 lakh and had also received a20 lakh as a commission for laundering a2 crore. To make the scam appear legitimate, the fraudster displayed his ATM card over phone call and claimed to be investigating a a5,038-crore scam. He also shared photos of 24 alleged victims, falsely asserting that one had died by suicide and that a whistleblowers family had been murdered by Jet Airways founder Naresh Goyal. The scammer further alleged that the Supreme Court had issued an arrest warrant against them. Advertisement 10-Day Digital Arrest and Fund Transfers The couple was ordered to visit Mumbai for interrogation, but when Bajwa said he could not travel due to his age, the scammer arranged an "online inquiry," involving 15 questions related to Naresh Goyals case. From March 18 to March 27, the couple was placed under "digital arrest." On March 20, they were forced to reveal their account balances. Using fake arrest warrants and account freezing notices, the scammer pressured them to transfer funds via Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS). Bajwa then made multiple transactions to different accounts. Later, the scammer forced him to break his wifes fixed deposits to "close the fabricated case." Scam Exposed & Police Action Bajwa was kept on call 24/7 throughout the ordeal. He later realized he had been scammed and approached the Cybercrime Police Station in Chandigarh, filing a complaint on April 1. So far, Chandigarh police have managed to recover a6 lakh from the stolen funds. Authorities urge the public to stay cautious and report any suspicious calls to the Cybercrime Helpline (1930). ( For More News, Apart from 'Chandigarh: Elderly Couple Loses 3.41 Crore rupees in Digital Arrest Scam, Stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman) This is a representational image. (Image courtesy:BBC) This development is seen as a direct response to the visit of U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who visited Asia in March. China Increases Taiwan Exercises, Carries Out Live-Fire Drills in East China Sea Amid Rising Tensions, latest news: Chinas military on Wednesday carried out long-range live-fire drills in the East China Sea, escalating its ongoing exercises around Taiwan. China's Eastern Theatre Command did not disclose the exact location of the drill but stated that, as part of the "Strait Thunder-2025A" exercise, its ground forces conducted drills targeting ports and energy facilities, according to Reuters. "The drills involve precision strikes on simulated targets of key ports and energy facilities and have achieved the desired effects," Reuters quoted. The exercise reportedly comes after Chinas remarks against Taiwans President Lai Ching-te, whom Beijing called a "parasite" on Tuesday. This development is seen as a direct response to the visit of U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who visited Asia from March 24 to March 29, 2025. During his visit, Hegseth repeatedly criticized Beijing. Advertisement The Chinese government does not recognize Taiwan as an independent country and opposes any moves toward formal independence. Beijing insists that Taiwan is part of "One China" and pressures other countries and organizations to do the same. According to Reuters, a senior security official said there were more than 10 Chinese warships in Taiwans response zone on Wednesday. Taiwan has called the drill "harassment", adding that Chinas coast guard was also participating in the exercises. ( For More News, Apart from 'China Increases Taiwan Exercises, Carries Out Live-Fire Drills in East China Sea Amid Rising Tensions, Stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman) Romania, the Eastern Flank A team of the Joint Analysis and Lessons Learned Centre (JALLC) based in Portugal delivered a course for the Romanian Army officers convened at the Military Circle in Bucharest Romania - The Eastern Flank Agentia Media a Armatei, 02.04.2025, 11:32 The course has offered the participants a deep understanding of the lessons learnt during the military missions on the ground as well as in their planning and implementation process. During the course, participants had the opportunity of learning from earlier experiences through concrete examples, while the application of the lessons learnt was facilitated through interactive sessions and case studies adjusted to the present context of global security. In the final conference, Colonel Arturo Sabando, the JALLCs Lessons Learned Management Division Head, said, quote: We have a working programme through which we are offering learning and training activities in the field of lessons learned for approximately 25 various organisations per year, and cooperation with Romania has always been very good. The objective of this course is to train the personnel of the Defence Chief of Staff and those of the categories of forces in the field of lessons learned. The second aspect of our visit was the involvement of key-leaders. In this way we had the occasion of meeting 16 brigadier generals, brigade commanders and we also had the occasion of interacting with many top-brass of the Romanian armed forces. The objective of conveying the message of these top-brass was a successful one, because in the world of lessons learned, the involvement of these high-ranking officers is essential. For me it was impressing to see the Palace of Parliament as it was an objective I wanted to visit for a long time. And being for the first time in Romania, that proved to be a very pleasant experience. Another major aspect of this course was the officers direct interaction with the JALLC instructors and experts. Not only did they get the opportunity of asking questions and tackle major themes related to this aspect of lessons learned but they were also able to share their own experiences from previous missions. This exchange of information and prospects was considered very important as it allowed for a practical approach of the theoretical issues, easing the immediate implementation of the topics discussed in the future missions. Lieutenant-Colonel Antonio Antunes, JALLC team leader told us more about the cooperation with the Romanian officers. Cooperation with the Romanians, my counterparts here, was very profitable. We were offered everything we needed to create a good environment for teaching, training and learning. In these times so difficult we must try to learn from other peoples errors so that we may avoid making the same mistakes ourselves and paying in human or material resources. Here I had the chance of training a very young generation and I believe that can make a difference in Romania as these people may come with a new approach, a new way of thinking, they can create procedures and of course they can adjust these procedures, because you already have them, you have things that are already functional and can be put into practice. The participants in the aforementioned lessons learned course understood that every mission entails unique challenges and the ability to adjust to them and the continuous learning are essential for success. Through the careful assessment of errors and successes in the past missions, officers learnt how to apply the lessons learnt with a view to minimizing risks and maximizing the success of military operations. This type of exchange was beneficial not only for deepening the participants knowledge but also for creating bonds between various types of armed forces which are crucial in building successful joint operations in the future. (bill) BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 2. The King of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, has sent a congratulatory letter to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, on the occasion of the Ramadan holiday, Trend reports. "Dear Excellency President Ilham Aliyev, On the occasion of the holy Eid al-Fitr, it is with great pleasure that we extend to Your Excellency and the people of the Republic of Azerbaijan our fragrant congratulations, blessings, and best regards on this great religious occasion. We pray to Allah to grant Your Excellency abundant health and happiness and to bless the people of the Republic of Azerbaijan with further progress and prosperity. I willingly assure Your Excellency of my highest consideration," reads the letter. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel April 2, 2025 A roundup of local and international news. Newsflash Newsroom, 02.04.2025, 13:55 A roundup of local and international news. OECD Romania is on track to complete all the technical analyses to join the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development in the next 12 months or so, OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann said on Wednesday. In a video message sent to the conference Romania and the OECD The main country project after NATO, the EU and Schengen, held in Bucharest, Mathias Cormann said that excellent progress has been made since Romania became a candidate for accession in January 2022 and encouraged the continued involvement of the business community, trade unions and civil society in shaping the OECD accession process. Romanias unique perspective and policy experience will contribute to the OECDs work of building bridges between advanced, emerging and developing economies, Mathias Cormann said. Membership of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development will be an anchor for Romanias further development, said the countrys interim president, Ilie Bolojan. Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu said in turn that OECD membership, coupled with accession to Schengen and the completion of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, would represent a peak moment in the development of modern Romania. TRADE The White House announced that US President Donald Trump is adding the final details to his plans to impose increased tariffs, which he is expected to announce today. According to economic analysts, the measure could trigger a global trade war. In Strasbourg, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that the Union is ready to retaliate against the new import taxes by the Americans, although negotiation would be preferable. MOTION Romanian deputies are debating and voting today on the simple motion submitted by the parliamentary group AUR (the ultranationalist, populist opposition) against the liberal Interior Minister Catalin Predoiu. AUR is requesting Predoius dismissal from office and an analysis with a view to initiating criminal prosecution for alleged offenses committed as minister. According to AUR deputies, the suspension of Romanias entry into the Visa Waiver program and the downgrading of the country from deficit democracy to hybrid regime in the Democracy Index 2024 would also be the direct result of the policies promoted by the Interior Ministry under the leadership of Catalin Predoiu. The latter defines as intoxication the statements made by the AUR leaders, according to which he does not want to be present in Parliament during the debate on the motion against him. COURT Former left-wing President of Romania Ion Iliescu and former Prime Minister Petre Roman have been prosecuted in the June 1990 Miners Riot case, for crimes against humanity. In the same case, former Deputy Prime Minister Gelu-Voican Voiculescu, former Intelligence Service chief Virgil Magureanu, as well as Miron Cozma, former leader of the miners in the Jiu Valley, alongside former officers with the Ministry of Interior have been referred to justice. Aged 95, Ion Iliescu was previously sent to trial in this case alongside the other defendants in 2017, but the courts ordered the case to be returned to the Military Prosecutors Office, for a fresh start of the investigation. In June 1990, demonstrations against the leftist government installed in Romania after the collapse of communism were violently repressed by the police, with the help of miners called in from the Jiu Valley. The violence of June 13-15, 1990 resulted in deaths, injuries and extensive material damage. TRAVEL Romanians, like other Europeans, will need a mandatory travel authorization (ETA) as of today, April 2, if they want to travel to the United Kingdom. All travelers, including children, will need this electronic travel authorization for both short-term stays and transit through the United Kingdom. To obtain the document, Europeans must have no criminal record or any record of past immigration violations in the United Kingdom or elsewhere. The British government imposed this measure to reduce illegal immigration and strengthen border security. DEFENSE The Romanian Minister of National Defense, Angel Tilvar, is participating, on April 2 and 3, in the Informal Meeting of Defense Ministers of the EU Member States, held in Warsaw. The meetings agenda includes talks on the implementation of the directions of action highlighted in the programmatic document on the White Paper on European Defense Preparation. The defense ministers will also discuss the security situation on the continent and solutions to strengthen the support offered to Ukraine by the European Union. (EE) April 2, 2025 UPDATE A roundup of domestic and international news Newsflash Newsroom, 02.04.2025, 20:00 OECD. Romania is on the point of completing all the technical analyses required to join the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development in the next 12 months or so, the OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann said on Wednesday. In a video message to the conference Romania and the OECD The main country project after NATO, the EU and Schengen, held in Bucharest, Mathias Cormann said that excellent progress had been made since Romania became a candidate for accession in January 2022 and encouraged the continued involvement of the business community, trade unions and civil society in shaping the OECD accession process. Romanias unique perspective and policy experience will contribute to the OECDs work of building bridges between advanced, emerging and developing economies, Mathias Cormann said. Membership of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development will be an anchor for Romanias further development, said the countrys interim president, Ilie Bolojan. Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu said in turn that OECD membership, coupled with accession to Schengen and the completion of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, would represent a peak moment in the development of modern Romania. Trial. Former left-wing President of Romania Ion Iliescu and former Prime Minister Petre Roman have been sent to court in the June 1990 Miners Riot case, for crimes against humanity. In the same case, former Deputy Prime Minister Gelu-Voican Voiculescu, former Intelligence Service chief Virgil Magureanu, as well as Miron Cozma, former leader of the miners in the Jiu Valley, alongside former officers with the Ministry of Interior have been referred to justice. Aged 95, Ion Iliescu was previously sent to trial in this case alongside the other defendants in 2017, but the courts ordered the case to be returned to the Military Prosecutors Office, for a fresh start of the investigation. In June 1990, demonstrations against the leftist government settled in Romania after the collapse of communism were violently repressed by the police, with the help of miners called in from the Jiu Valley. The violence of June 13-15, 1990 resulted in deaths, injuries and extensive material damage. Motion. The simple motion filed by the parliamentary group of the Alliance for the Unity of Romanians (AUR) (ultranationalist, populist, in opposition) against the liberal Minister of the Interior, Catalin Predoiu, was rejected on Wednesday by the Romanian deputies. 138 votes for and 161 against were recorded. AUR requested the dismissal of Predoiu from office and the analysis with a view to initiating criminal prosecution for the acts committed in the exercise of his office. According to the AUR deputies, the suspension of Romanias entry into the Visa Waiver program and the downgrading of the country to hybrid regime in the Democracy Index 2024 would also be the direct result of the policies promoted by the Ministry of the Interior under the leadership of Catalin Predoiu. At the end of the debate and vote in the Chamber of Deputies, the Minister of the Interior stated that the motion had no merit, but was a useful parliamentary exercise. UK Travel. As of April 2nd, Romanians, like other Europeans, need a mandatory travel authorization (ETA) if they want to travel to the United Kingdom. All travellers, including children, will need this electronic travel authorization for both short-term stays and transit through the United Kingdom. To obtain the document, Europeans must have no criminal record or any record of past immigration violations in the United Kingdom or elsewhere. The British government imposed this measure to reduce illegal immigration and strengthen border security. Defence. The Romanian Minister of National Defence, Angel Tilvar, is participating, on April 2 and 3, in the Informal Meeting of Defence Ministers of the EU Member States, held in Warsaw. The meetings agenda includes talks on the implementation of the directions of action highlighted in the programmatic document on the White Paper on European Defence Preparation. The defence ministers will also discuss the security situation on the continent and solutions to strengthen the support offered to Ukraine by the European Union. EU Parliament. The MEPs have approved, by a large majority, the guidelines for the European Unions 2026 budget. They call for improving the EUs security and defence capabilities, as well as financing dual-use transport infrastructure. They also call for adequate support for farmers and underline the importance of implementing the asylum and migration pact. They also aim to boost industrial production in Europe, continue support for health and crisis preparedness programmes, education and culture, youth empowerment and the proper use of EU funds. The MEPs also stress the need for sufficient resources and pledge to support Ukraine unconditionally. The European Commission is expected to present its proposal for next years budget in June, with the Council and Parliament to agree on it by the end of the year. Indonesia. Romanian producers will soon benefit from a new market in Indonesia, after an authority in this country recognized the Bucharest food safety testing laboratory. Indonesia, a country with almost 300 million inhabitants, is one of the largest markets in Asia. The National Sanitary Veterinary Authority reaffirmed the commitment of the Romanian authorities to ensure high food safety standards and to open new opportunities for Romanian products on international markets. Through this recognition, the Bucharest food safety testing laboratory is also authorized to carry out official analyses to determine pesticide residues and other contaminants in fresh plant products intended for export to Indonesia. (MI) Romania is getting ready for elections The electoral campaign for the May 4 presidential election in Romania begins on Friday. Photo: roaep.ro Daniela Budu, 02.04.2025, 13:50 Romania had in 2024, like in no other year in three and a half decades since it transitioned to democracy, four rounds of elections local, parliamentary, presidential and European Parliament elections. It also had a premiere in the countrys democratic history: the cancellation of the first round of the presidential election of November while the second round was taking place abroad, due to possible external interference in favor of one candidate. In that election, an almost unknown independent, Calin Georgescu, whose alleged sole vector of electoral promotion was the TikTok account, and the head of the Save Romania Union (USR), Elena Lasconi, were to face each other. Now, Romania is getting ready to elect its president again, on May 4. There are 11 registered candidates, seven supported by political parties and four independents. The electoral campaign begins on Friday, and the Permanent Electoral Authority (AEP) has published, on its website, the revised edition for the presidential election of the Guide to Preventing and Combating Voter Disinformation Actions. According to a press release from the AEP, the Guide is not normative but sets out minimal recommendations for the correct identification of false news or information, in order to prevent and combat the effects that the spread of these phenomena could have on the electoral process. Headlines that promise sensationalism, alarmist news or with evasive wording are signs that the information published on social media networks could be false and it would be good to take a moment to analyze the content before distributing it further, is one of the recommendations of the Permanent Electoral Authority. The document includes several recommendations, both for voters and candidates, because, AEP claims, disinformation phenomena can influence both participation in the voting and voter choices. And, most often, disinformation involves the use of automated accounts, networks of fake followers or videos that have false or manipulative content, as, for example, was the case in the electoral campaign for last years elections, annulled by the Constitutional Court. Also in the context of the start of the electoral campaign, the president of the Senate Committee on Culture, Cristian Niculescu Tagarlas, recommended the competitors to have a positive attitude, without personal attacks and to promote the candidates programs. He said that the institutions responsible for managing the electoral campaign will monitor their activities, especially in the online environment, and will remove misleading or false content, according to the legislation in force. The electoral campaign for the first round of the presidential election will end on May 3. In the country, voting will take place on Sunday, May 4, but the Romanian citizens abroad will be able to go to the polls for three days, on May 2, 3 and 4. If no candidate obtains an absolute majority of the total number of voters, a second round will take place on May 18. (LS) The United Nations has expressed deep concern over the latest escalation of violence in Lebanon. Despite the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, four people including a woman were killed and several others injured in an Israeli airstrike in southern Beirut Tuesday. Tuesday morning's strike reportedly targeted a Hezbollah official who Israel accused of aiding Hamas in planning an imminent terror attack against civilians. It was the second Israeli attack in the southern suburb in five days. "The UN reiterates the calls on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and refrain from further escalatory activities, which endanger civilians and jeopardize the progress already made to restore stability on both sides of the Blue Line," UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said at a press briefing at the UN Headquarters in New York. He also reported that over the weekend, the Israeli army fired warning shots from a machine gun at UN peacekeepers across the Blue Line - which separates Israeli and Lebanese armed forces - near Rmeish in the south. The incident was "a clear violation of resolution 1701," Dujarric told reporters. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News The Pentagon has deployed an additional carrier strike group led by USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier to the Middle East amid rising tensions in the region. "Following completion of a scheduled exercise in the Indo-Pacific region, the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group will arrive in the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility to continue promoting regional stability, deter aggression, and protect the free flow of commerce in the region," Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement. The U.S. Navy's Nimitz-class super carrier, accompanied by Carrier Air Wing, cruiser and destroyer vessels, will join the Harry. S Truman Carrier Strike Group, which is currently leading an airstrike mission targeting the Houthis in Yemen. As Vinson departs from the Western Pacific, the Nimitz Strike Group led by aircraft carrier USS Nimitz is being deployed to the region "to preserve our warfighting advantage in the Indo-Pacific," Parnell said. To complement the CENTCOM maritime posture, the Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth also ordered the deployment of additional squadrons and other air assets to further reinforce the U.S. military's defensive air-support capabilities. The United States and its partners remain committed to regional security in the CENTCOM AOR and are prepared to respond to any state or non-state actor seeking to broaden or escalate conflict in the region, the Pentagon says. Secretary Hegseth made it clear that if Iran or its proxies threaten American personnel and interests in the region, the United States will take "decisive action" to defend its people. The Pentagon is bolstering American military presence around Iran as its biggest ally in the Middle East Israel stepped up airstrikes in Lebanon and announced expansion of military operation in Gaza. Despite the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, four people were killed in an Israeli airstrike in southern Beirut Tuesday. Defense Minister Israel Katz announced Wednesday that large areas of Palestinian land would be "incorporated into Israel's security zones," and Gaza's population will be evacuated from combat zones in "large-scale." For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News The Trump administrations' border security enforcement measures continue to yield significant results with illegal crossings along the southern border reaching a record-low in March. In last month, the Border Patrol data shows that around 7,180 southwest border crossings were recorded, a dramatic drop compared to the monthly average of 155,000 from the previous four years. Compared to the same month under the Biden administration, that represents a 95 percent decrease from 2024, according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Daily southwest border apprehensions have also fallen to around 230 per day, a number our country has never seen before especially when measured against the previous administration's average daily encounters of 5,100 per day. Migrant crossings have reportedly slowed to "a near halt" along the California-Mexico border. Border Patrol agents are making just "30 to 40 arrests per day down from more than 1,200 per day during the height of migrant arrivals to the region in April," The Los Angeles Times reports. "The last administration had the Border Patrol releasing millions of illegal aliens into the United States, which caused more and more to come. Thanks to President Trump and his game changing policies, those days are over. Thank you to the patriots of the Border Patrol who are making this country safe again," said U.S. Border Czar Thomas D. Homan. "Border Patrol agents are empowered like never before to shut down unlawful entry and protect American lives," said Acting CBP Commissioner Pete Flores. Customs and Border Protection said that in March, new border wall contracts were signed, ensuring continued construction. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Australia will on Thursday release February figures for imports, exports and trade balance, highlighting a modest day for Asia-Pacific economic activity. In January, imports were down 0.3 percent on month and exports rose 1.3 percent for a trade surplus of A$5.620 billion. New Zealand will see February data for building consents; in January, permits were up 2.6 percent on month. Several of the local regions will see services PMI results, including Australia, Japan and China, while Hong Kong and Singapore will see private sector PMI results. Finally, the in Indonesia (Eid-ul-Fitr) and Taiwan (adjusted) are closed on Thursday. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Economic News What parts of the world are seeing the best (and worst) economic performances lately? Click here to check out our Econ Scorecard and find out! See up-to-the-moment rankings for the best and worst performers in GDP, unemployment rate, inflation and much more. U.S. Attorneys for Southwestern Border Districts have charged more than 960 illegal aliens with immigration-related crimes during the fourth week of March, the Department of Justice stated. Last week, the U.S. Attorneys for Arizona, Central California, Southern California, New Mexico, Southern Texas, and Western Texas charged more than 960 defendants with criminal violations of U.S. immigration laws as part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations. The District of Arizona filed the most number of cases - 260 - in relation to immigration and border security. Of those, 98 face allegations of illegally re-entering the country. The Southern District of Texas filed 257 cases with the majority having felony convictions such as narcotics, violent and/or sexual crimes and prior immigration offenses. Federal prosecutors in the Western District of Texas have filed 261 immigration and immigration-related criminal cases. The Central District of California filed criminal charges against 20 defendants who allegedly were found in the U.S. following removal. The Southern District of California filed 90 border-related cases this week, including charges of transportation of illegal aliens, reentering the U.S. after deportation, deported alien found in the United States, and importation of controlled substances. The District of New Mexico filed criminal charges against 75 illegal aliens. In a significant case, a criminal complaint was filed against David Serrano-Dominguez, a Mexican national who has been illegally residing in the U.S.. He was charged with being an alien in possession of firearms, an unregistered short-barrel rifle, and reentry of a deported alien. HSI agents arrested him at his residence in Deming, NM. Agents had identified social media posts showing Serrano-Dominguez selling handguns and rifles. Agents discovered 10 firearms and approximately 500 rounds of ammunition from his apartment, the Department of Justice said. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has delayed its review of Novavax's Covid-19 vaccine after a senior official requested further data, according to sources familiar with the matter. Dr. Sara Brenner, the agency's Principal Deputy Commissioner, made the unusual decision to pause the approval process, diverging from the FDA's standard practice of deferring to career scientists responsible for evaluating drug and vaccine applications. The delay coincides with leadership changes at the Department of Health and Human Services, including the removal of Dr. Peter Marks, who previously oversaw vaccine approvals, and the appointment of Dr. Scott Steele as acting director of the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. An HHS representative denied that Brenner requested additional information. Novavax stated it has provided all requested data and remains confident in the vaccine's readiness for approval. The company previously announced that the FDA had set an April 2025 deadline for deciding whether to grant full licensure for individuals aged 12 and older. Currently available under emergency use authorization, the Novavax vaccine's full approval is critical for its long-term distribution. It would also activate a $175 million payment from Sanofi as part of an agreement transferring marketing rights for the 2025-2026 respiratory virus season. Novavax shares remained steady following the news as investors await further updates on the regulatory process. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News XIONG'AN, Hebei Province, April 1 (Xinhua) -- Stepping into the exhibition hall of Mech-Mind Robotics, a Chinese unicorn company, visitors are captivated by a robotic arm that responds to voice commands and precisely grasps intricate workpieces. With its expertise in equipping traditional robotic arms with "eyes" and "brains," Mech-Mind Robotics has become one of the leading enterprises in its field, exporting products to over 50 countries and regions. Last year, the company relocated its headquarters from Beijing to the Xiong'an New Area in north China's Hebei Province, aiming to thrive in this "city of the future." "Our company has evolved from 0 to 1 and from 1 to 10, and we believe Xiong'an is a good place for us to advance from 10 to 100, or even 10,000," said Zhang Dan, head of the president's office at Mech-Mind Robotics. In April 2017, China decided to establish the Xiong'an New Area as part of a strategy to promote the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. Xiong'an was designed to be a smart and livable city that is innovative, green and free from "urban ills." This futuristic city, with an urban landscape that has gradually taken shape over the past eight years, has a strong appeal for high-tech companies like Mech-Mind Robotics, with many opting to locate themselves in Xiong'an New Area Zhongguancun Science Park. Founded less than two years ago, the science park has already attracted more than 140 companies. Carrying forward the innovative spirit of Beijing's Zhongguancun, once known as "China's Silicon Valley," it is striving to become a paradise for businesses of all sizes seeking to break new ground. One such startup is Xiong'an Xingyuan Technology Co., Ltd., which has quickly made its mark in this burgeoning science park. Since launching a year ago, the company has been developing advanced technologies, including metaverse, large-scale virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI). Gong Wentong, CEO of Xiong'an Xingyuan, has been impressed by the business-friendly environment encountered at this location since his company's inception. He recalled obtaining his business license on the same day the company was registered -- and noted that the science park facilitates networking events linking startups and established local enterprises, thereby helping entrepreneurs like him access potential business opportunities. Through such interactions, Xiong'an Xingyuan has developed cooperative relationships with enterprises in need of technological support. "We plan to cooperate with an elderly care service company, using our VR technology to help senior citizens enjoy immersive travel experiences and social activities," said Gong. Gong's satisfaction was echoed by Wang Ling, deputy general manager of Zhijue Intelligent, a small company focusing on the application of LiDAR technology. In an interview with Xinhua, Wang not only referred to multiple opportunities to communicate with her peers in the science park, but also spoke highly of the favorable policies issued by local authorities. In recent years, Xiong'an has responded to the national call for innovation-driven development through a raft of incentive measures to pool talent from various sectors -- especially those involved in aerospace information, AI, new materials, and other cutting-edge industries, aiming to build a high-standard platform for innovators. As part of these efforts to foster entrepreneurship, competitions have regularly been held to support outstanding innovation projects. Wang's team won one such competition -- receiving housing subsidies, workspace allowances and extra bonuses as reward for their victory. There was a time when living conditions in Xiong'an were a great concern for Wang, but the rapid development of the city has since dispelled her doubts and worries. With a batch of public facilities, including schools and hospitals, gradually put into use, people like Wang are now able to relocate their entire families to this city -- thus embarking together on a new life journey. "We feel that we are being pushed forward by the surrounding opportunities here," Wang told Xinhua, adding that she even introduced her friends to new possibilities in this area. Wang's experience epitomizes the dynamics of innovation shaped by collaboration between government and market entities -- a process that delivers benefits to all stakeholders, with companies thriving, talent converging and all citizens enjoying the fruits of innovative development. "This year, we will step up efforts to build an industrial cluster featuring AI and robotics," said Liu Jingjing, general manager of the science park. Liu also said that more companies are expected to arrive in Xiong'an and contribute to its scientific and technological innovation. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 2. The "Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Education between the Ministry of Science and Education of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Education, Culture and Higher Education of Somalia" signed in Baku on February 12, 2025, has been approved, Trend reports. President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed the relevant decree. The decree tasks the Ministry of Science and Education of Azerbaijan with ensuring the implementation of the agreement's provisions upon its enforcement. Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry was tasked to notify the Government of Somalia about completion of the internal procedures necessary for enforcing the agreement. Justice Lex Mpati at #RUGrad2025 hosted at the 1820 Settler's National Monument By: The Division of Communications & Advancement As Rhodes University celebrates its Autumn Graduation, Chancellor Justice Lex Mpati is bowing out from the role he has assumed for the past 12 years. Justice Mpati, the first former Rhodes University student to become Chancellor and second Black student to graduate with an LLB from the University, championed judicial integrity, education, and transformation. His tenure as Chancellor marks an era of profound impact. I think the Administration has done very well so far, he said. Its obvious that students who are not white are many more than students who are white. When I came here, white students were in the majority. I myself came in on a permit at the time. Justice Mpati enrolled at Rhodes University, earning a BA in 1982 and an LLB in 1984a testament to perseverance. He is officiating his last Graduation for Rhodes University between 2 and 4 April in Makhanda, and day one of this special occasion was marked by several highlights. He says he is proud of the Rhodes University legacy, specifically as it relates to the institutions transformation efforts. During the Autumn 2025 Graduation, Advocate Paul Pretorius delivered a powerful and thoughtful acceptance speech on Wednesday upon receiving an Honorary Doctorate from Rhodes University for his unwavering commitment to fairness. His contributions, particularly as Evidence Leader for the State Capture Commission, have played a crucial role in shaping South Africas legal and democratic landscape. Reflecting on his personal journeyfrom being banned under Apartheid to leading investigations into state corruptionAdvocate Pretorius highlighted themes of conflict resolution, inequality, and the corrosive effects of corruption. He offered insights drawn from his life, calling for empathy, principled engagement, and active citizenship. He stressed the importance of fostering dialogue in a polarised world, addressing inequality in education, and taking decisive action against corruption, warning that complacency threatens justice and democracy. Advocate Pretorius praised Rhodes University for its efforts in education reform and encouraged graduates to embrace change, act with integrity, and remain committed to justice. Ending on a note of hope and challenge, he urged: If we are going to make a difference, we must be different. Acclaimed Zimbabwean writer and filmmaker Tsitsi Dangarembga was also awarded an Honorary Doctorate on Wednesday for her immense contributions to African literature, cinema, and advocacy for social justice, gender equality, and freedom of expression. Drawing inspiration from the film Thelma & Louise, she spoke of the importance of perseverance in the face of systemic resistance, asking: What if we dont stop? Dangarembga recounted her early struggles against patriarchy and racism in literature and film, sharing how her landmark novel Nervous Conditions was initially rejected before eventually finding a home at The Womens Press in London. She credited her success to persistence and the solidarity of others, particularly those who recognised and supported marginalised narratives. She challenged dominant cinematic and literary conventions that erase melanated voices, advocating for new frameworks such as "Ubuntu 2.0" to reimagine community and subjectivity. Her closing call was one of defiance and unity: to collectively resist forces of greed, racism, and fascism by not stopping the work of progress and justice. Furthermore, Dangarembga expressed deep gratitude for the honour, stating, I enjoy this honour today because you are, invoking a shared vision rooted in contemporary ubuntu. Rhodes Universitys Autumn Graduation Week continues this week. You can find updates on the Universitys official social media pages using #RUGrad2025. Honda Cars India reported total domestic sales of 7,228 units in March 2025, registering a modest YoY growth of 2.22% over the 7,071 units sold in March 2024. The brand also posted a strong month-on-month recovery with a 28.7% increase over February 2025, when it had sold 5,616 units. This growth reflects a positive customer response to Hondas offerings in the closing month of FY25. On the exports front, however, Honda Cars witnessed a significant decline. The company exported 4,656 units in March 2025, compared to 6,860 units during the same period last year, resulting in a 32.13% drop. As a result, total sales (domestic + exports) in March 2025 stood at 11,884 units, down 14.69% compared to the 13,931 units sold in March 2024. FY25 Performance Exports Up, Domestic Sales Dip For the full financial year 2024-25, Honda Cars India registered total sales of 1,26,151 units, marginally higher than the 1,24,173 units sold in FY24, reflecting a growth of 1.59%. The key driver for this growth was exports, which jumped 60.22% YoY from 37,589 units in FY24 to 60,226 units in FY25. However, domestic performance remained under pressure, with FY25 sales falling to 65,925 units from 86,584 units in FY24 a sharp decline of 23.86%. As the company looks ahead, the focus will likely be on revitalizing its domestic portfolio to regain momentum, even as export demand continues to show strong promise. India-made Honda Elevate has received record booking numbers in Japan. Speaking about overall fiscal year sales performance, Mr. Kunal Behl, Vice President, Marketing & Sales, Honda Cars India Ltd. said, HCIL sales performance in FY24-25 has been in line with the ongoing tough business environment. While on domestic front, the industry faced challenges in creating fresh demand from the market which was also reflected in HCIL domestic sales, we recorded our highest ever export volumes led by strong export business of Elevate to Japan. The recent launch of All-New Amaze has been well received from the market strengthening our position in the family sedan segment. While demand creation may still present challenge in the new fiscal year, we remain optimistic and believe our commitment to customer satisfaction will enable us to navigate the market effectively and continue driving positive results. It is expected that Honda E-VO will be using the Mobile Power Pack e:, the brands swappable battery system Honda is working on multiple new electric two-wheelers, one of which is the WH8000D electric motorcycle. As type-approval has been received, launch is expected soon. In the past, there have been many concepts from legacy bike makers, but only few have seen the light of day. Lets take a look at some of the key details of Honda WH8000D electric motorcycle, which looks rather promising. Honda WH8000D / E-VO What to expect? Upcoming Honda E-VO utilizes a neo-retro cafe racer design in a futuristic format. Some of the key highlights include a round headlamp, old-school headlamp cowl, circular bar-end mirrors, pulled-back handlebar and a single-piece tan seat. The bike has sleek and aerodynamic side panels that ensure a futuristic look and feel. The panels create a sizable enclosure that houses the battery pack and the electric drivetrain. Graphics are almost non-existent, ensuring a minimalistic profile for the electric motorcycle. Visually, there is only a dual-tone colour theme with a few yellow stripes. The badging elements include E-VO and Honda. However, the tasteful blend of retro and futuristic design elements has ensured a distinctive profile for Honda E-VO. When launched, the bike is expected to offer more striking colour options. Honda E-VO Performance, specs Equipped with an 8 kW (11 HP) electric motor, the Honda E-VO is positioned as a fun city commuter motorcycle. The 8 kW is the continuous power, which means the peak power will be higher. In terms of performance, the Honda E-VO will be comparable to a 150cc petrol powered motorcycle. Combined with its sleek, aerodynamic profile, Honda E-VO can effortlessly zip through city streets. It can also be fun to ride across highways. Dimensions appear compact and could be similar to the size of a Grom or CFMoto Papio. This could make the bike a popular choice among commuters and casual riders. Honda E-VO will be available in two variants. The base variant will weigh 143 kg and have a top speed of 110 km/h. The top variant weighs 157 kg and has a top speed of 120 km/h. Swappable batteries While battery details have not been revealed, it is likely that Honda E-VO will be using Hondas swappable Mobile Power Pack e:. Honda has been developing its battery swapping infrastructure in multiple markets including India, Japan, Thailand and Indonesia. From a business perspective and to ensure a hassle-free experience for consumers, it is likely that E-VO will be using the same battery swapping infrastructure. It remains to be seen when Honda launches the E-VO electric motorcycle. The distinctive full-faired cafe racer design can appeal to folks who are looking for something truly unique. With competitive pricing and backed by the convenience of battery swapping tech, Honda E-VO has potential to emerge a bestseller. As of now, Honda continues to derive much of its revenue from petrol-powered two-wheelers. However, the company is gradually increasing its focus on the EV segment. Some EV products are already on sale across global markets such as Honda EM1 e, CUV e and ICON e. In India, Honda has launched the Activa e: and Honda QC1. Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 2. Sultan of Oman, Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, on the occasion of the Ramadan holiday, Trend reports. "His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, It is our pleasure to extend to Your Excellency our heartfelt congratulations on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr. We wish Your Excellency personal well-being and happiness and your friendly people continued progress and prosperity. We implore Almighty Allah to bestow His blessings and bounties upon the Islamic Ummah with happy returns of such occasions," reads the letter. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 2. President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has sent a congratulatory letter to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Trend reports. "Dear Ilham Heydar oglu, Dear brother, I extend my sincere congratulations and best wishes to you and the fraternal people of Azerbaijan on the occasion of the blessed Ramadan holiday, celebrated by the entire Muslim Ummah with great joy and happiness. The brotherly peoples of Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan eagerly anticipate this great holiday, which for centuries has symbolized generosity and compassion. They celebrate it with immense joy. I would like to particularly note that one of the greatest achievements of our peoples is that, through the systematic work undertaken together with you and the firm political will we have demonstrated, we have elevated the multifaceted and long-term cooperation between our friendly countries to the level of strategic partnership and alliance. In these happy and blessed days, when God's mercy and grace are boundless and our souls are filled with divine light, I wish you robust health, family happiness and great success in your responsible state activity, and to the brotherly people of Azerbaijan - peace, sustainable development and prosperity," the letter reads. Certain lichen species can withstand Mars-like conditions with an X-ray radiation dose of 50 Gy (Grays) that is expected on the Mars surface over one year of strong solar activity, according to new research from Jagiellonian University and the Space Research Centre at the Polish Academy of Sciences. Lichens inhabit diverse ecosystems worldwide, but they are particularly crucial in extreme environments like hot deserts and cold polar regions. They are known as extremophiles, able to survive under extreme temperatures, intense radiation, and prolonged water scarcity. The remarkable ability of lichens to endure harsh conditions has led to the suggestion that they are well-suited to survive the extreme environment of outer space. Lichen successful life strategy depends on the symbiotic association between a fungus and an alga or cyanobacteria, which allows them to colonize extreme terrestrial habitats where no other multicellular organism is able to survive. The key to understanding their impressive resistance lies in their characteristics of stress-tolerant organisms, i.e., low metabolic rates, minimal nutritional requirements, and extended longevity, which are further supported by protective mechanisms: radiation screening, thermal dissipation, and antioxidant defense. Moreover, they can cope with prolonged water scarcity or even a total absence of liquid water. This is related to the lack of ability to regulate water content, which allows them to survive long periods of severe desiccation without damage in the dormant state, but also to tolerate high levels of ultraviolet/photosynthetic active radiation and temperature extremes associated with drought conditions. Mars is a primary focus of interest in astrobiology due to the presence of water and the associated potential for life. The present atmospheric conditions on Mars are inhospitable and thus the potential habitats for existing life are limited. Nevertheless, habitable environments may exist below or on the surface during more favorable climatic periods. These niches could act as isolated habitats that protect from harsh conditions. Despite the atmosphere being mostly composed of carbon dioxide (95%), the effectiveness of greenhouse warming is limited. The temperature on Mars predominantly remains below the freezing point of water and the atmospheric pressure is c.a. 6 millibars. Consequently, a considerable part of the existing water on Mars is ice and atmospheric water vapor; however, certain water amounts could be temporarily present as liquid water. Both ionizing and non-ionizing radiation constantly reach the Mars surface and pass through the atmosphere of Mars much more easily than on Earth. Since ultraviolet and ionizing radiation are extremely harmful to living organisms, this factor is the most limiting in the context of habitability on Mars. In our study, the fungal partner in lichen symbiosis remained metabolically active when exposed to Mars-like atmospheric conditions in darkness, including X-ray radiation levels expected on Mars over one year of strong solar activity, said Jagiellonian University researcher Kaja Skubaa and colleagues. In their research, the authors focused on two lichen species, Diploschistes muscorum and Cetraria aculeata, selected for their differing traits, exposing them to Mars-like conditions for five hours in a simulation of the planets atmospheric composition, pressure, temperature fluctuations, and X-ray radiation. The findings suggest that lichens, particularly Diploschistes muscorum, could potentially survive on Mars despite the high doses of X-ray radiation associated with solar flares and energetic particles reaching the planets surface. These results challenge the assumption that ionizing radiation is an insurmountable barrier to life on Mars and set the stage for further research on the potential for extraterrestrial microbial and symbiotic survival. Our study is the first to demonstrate that the metabolism of the fungal partner in lichen symbiosis remained active while being in an environment resembling the surface of Mars, Dr. Skubaa said. We found that Diploschistes muscorum was able to carry out metabolic processes and activate defense mechanisms effectively. These findings expand our understanding of biological processes under simulated Martian conditions and reveal how hydrated organisms respond to ionizing radiation one of the most critical challenges for survival and habitability on Mars. Ultimately, this research deepens our knowledge of lichen adaptation and their potential for colonizing extraterrestrial environments. The findings appear in the journal IMA Fungus. _____ K. Skubaa et al. 2025. Ionizing radiation resilience: how metabolically active lichens endure exposure to the simulated Mars atmosphere. IMA Fungus 16: e145477; doi: 10.3897/imafungus.16.145477 Using a mathematical model, researchers have shed new light on the transition from hunter-gatherer to farming societies. Rather than focusing exclusively on external factors, they looked at internal demographics and the significant impact of human interactions. The model identified potential societal outcomes based on demographic changes, emphasising aspects such as migration rates, cultural assimilation and the role of mortality in these transitions. The researchers aim to further develop their model with the aim of making it a standard tool for studying historical demographic interactions. Understanding the shift from hunting and gathering to farming has been a major concern in the study of human history. Often this major transition is attributed to external factors such as environmental changes. The shift could have happened in two ways: either groups developed agriculture independently, or these early farming groups interacted with hunter-gatherers who then adopted these new techniques. "In our new study, we argue that humans were not just passive participants in this process; they played an active and crucial role in this transition," says first author Alfredo Cortell-Nicolau from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany, and the University of Cambridge in the UK. "We focus on how the population dynamics of these groups directly influenced the adoption of agriculture." To study this, the research team adapted an ecological model that imitates the interactions between different species, in particular between predators and prey. In this context, farmers are the 'predators' and the hunter-gatherers are the 'prey'. Factors such as group migration and cultural assimilation were also included in the analysis. Radiocarbon dates as a demographic proxy The researchers used radiocarbon dating as a basis for this model. These dates, mostly from organic material, act as a demographic proxy -- the more dates, the larger the population. "By statistical fitting our model to observed population dynamics inferred from the radiocarbon dates, we can better understand how our variables relate to the existing archaeological record," explains co-author Enrico Crema from the University of Cambridge. "Using this model, we were able to explore what conditions could have promoted a rapid diffusion of farming economy or a longer persistence of hunter-gather lifestyle." The researchers also applied this model to specific case studies -- eastern Iberia (Spain), Kyushu Island (Japan) and Scandinavia (Denmark). Looking at these areas showed how different factors, such as different population growth rates or mortality rates caused by competition between hunter-gatherers and farmers, played a role in the agricultural development of these regions. Expanding the archaeological toolbox "Our study provides valuable insights into several aspects of prehistoric society. By applying this method, we were able to determine the impact of population growth on historical developments and observe some interesting phenomena, such as how the mode of agricultural expansion -- terrestrial or maritime -- affects the demographic dynamics of the interacting groups," explains co-author Javier Rivas from the University of Bath in the UK. "More broadly, the model suggests the role of migration rates and social assimilation in the adoption of farming." In the future, the researchers plan to include more complex factors and apply their model to larger regions. "We hope that the methods we developed will one day serve as a standard tool for studying past demographic interactions, providing insight into many prehistoric transitional periods beyond the transition to farming," the authors conclude. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 2. President of the State of Palestine and Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, Mahmoud Abbas, sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, Trend reports. "His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Dear Mr. President, I convey my sincere congratulations to Your Excellency on the occasion of the blessed Eid al-Fitr. I pray to Almighty Allah to grant you good health, happiness, and success and to the brotherly people of Azerbaijan and all nations abundance and joy. Happy Eid al-Fitr!" reads the letter. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 2. Secretary-General of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Haitham Al Ghais, has extended a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, Trend reports. "Dear Mr. President, With the first day of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic calendar, fast approaching, I would like to take this opportunity to extend my best wishes to you and your family on the joyous occasion of Eid Al-Fitr. Eid Al-Fitr marks the end of the Holy Month of Ramadan, a time of fasting, prayer, and reflection. It is a moment to celebrate spiritual growth, give thanks, and strengthen ties with family, friends, and our wider communities. As we approach this time of joy, gratitude, and generosity, may the Almighty Allah bless you and your loved ones with health, prosperity, happiness, and peace. On behalf of the entire staff at the OPEC Secretariat, Eid Mubarak! Please accept, Mr. President, the assurances of my highest consideration and respect," reads the letter. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 2. Today, another group of former internally displaced persons, consisting of families temporarily settled in dormitories, sanatoriums, pioneer camps and administrative buildings in various territories of Azerbaijan, was sent to the Sarijaly village of Agdam district from the Garadagh district of Baku, Trend reports. At this stage, another 28 families (110 people) moved to the Sarijaly village. Sarijaly residents thanked President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva for their comprehensive care and expressed gratitude to the valiant Azerbaijani Army, which liberated the lands from occupation. Currently, about 40 thousand people live in Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur. Among them are former internally displaced persons who have returned to these areas, as well as employees involved in the implementation of restoration and construction projects, employees of local departments of various government agencies, as well as specialists employed in healthcare, education, culture, tourism, industry, and energy institutions that have resumed their activities. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 2. An event called "Scenes of Friendship", dedicated to the Azerbaijani national theater and International Theater Day - March 27, was held for the first time at the State Academic Musical Theater of Uzbekistan named after Mukimi with the organization of the Azerbaijan Cultural Center named after Heydar Aliyev at the Azerbaijani Embassy, Trend reports. The event was attended by employees of the Azerbaijani Embassy and the Azerbaijan Cultural Center, cultural and art figures of Uzbekistan, representatives of the Azerbaijani diaspora, students, local residents and journalists. Deputy Director of the State Academic Musical Theater of Uzbekistan named after Mukimi Khairulla Inagamov, welcoming the guests, noted that Uzbek theaters from time to time turn to classical Azerbaijani musical comedies and always achieve success. The performances of works by Azerbaijani authors have always been met with full houses. Inagamov, noting the extensive ties with the Azerbaijan State Musical Comedy Theater and other Azerbaijani theaters, said that two years ago they toured Baku with Majid Shamkhalov's comedy "Mother-in-law". Their performances were successful and were met with great interest and applause from the local audience. Today's concert and performance program was also implemented in cooperation with the Azerbaijan Cultural Center named after Heydar Aliyev in Uzbekistan. Then the Director of the Azerbaijan Cultural Center named after Heydar Aliyev in Uzbekistan Akif Marifli spoke and said that March 10 is celebrated in our country as the "Day of the National Theater of Azerbaijan". The Azerbaijani theater was founded in 1873 and has come a long way in the past 152 years. The Azerbaijani theater has made an indispensable contribution to the creation and development of theatrical art throughout the East, including Uzbekistan. The birth of the theater in both Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan took place in March, and this once again testifies to the closeness of our friendship and brotherhood. The Azerbaijan Cultural Center is doing a lot of work in the field of popularization of the Azerbaijani theater in Uzbekistan. Thus, recently, a Theater Troupe consisting of young people was created at the Cultural Center, the actors of which stage plays by Azerbaijani authors. In addition, the Cultural Center began the process of translating plays by classical and modern Azerbaijani authors into the Uzbek language and presenting them in theaters. A. Marifli said that cooperation with the Uzbek State Academic Musical Theater named after Mukimi will contribute to the further expansion of our ties in the field of theater and the further development of cultural ties between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan. At the concert, the actors of the Mukimi Theater performed scenes from the musical comedies "Arshin Mal Alan" by Uzeyir Hajibayli, " Mother-in-law" by Majid Shamkhalov, and the theater troupe of the Azerbaijan Cultural Center showed scenes from the musical comedy "If Not That One, Then This One". The dance ensemble "Azerbaijan" of the Azerbaijan Cultural Center also took an active part in the above-mentioned comedies with musical compositions from these performances and dance numbers. The concert culminated with dances and the song "We are a Friendly Family" performed by the dance ensemble and actors. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel JABRAYIL, Azerbaijan, April 2. In the night between April 1-2, 2016, Azerbaijani positions and settlements across the front line came under heavy artillery fire from Armenian forces. In response to this provocation and to ensure the safety of civilians, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces command decided to take immediate countermeasures in the Aghdara-Tartar-Aghdam and Khojavend-Fuzuli directions. During the four-day conflict, Azerbaijani troops liberated strategic heights around the Talish village, which had posed a threat to the Goranboy district and the city of Naftalan, as well as the settlement of Seysulan. The troops also took control of the strategically significant Lelatape height in the direction of the Fuzuli district. Following the liberation of Lalatapa, the village of Jojug Marjanli in the Jabrayil district was restored and reconstructed as part of the State Program for the "Great Return." Initially, 150 houses were built, and 100 families returned to their homeland. Currently, alongside the return of former internally displaced persons, approximately 40,000 people reside in Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur, including those working on ongoing regional projects and in local branches of various government institutions that have resumed operations. Trend presents an exclusive photo report from the restored village of Jojug Marjanli. Sanho Steele-Louchart, an Attorney for the National Federation for the Blind who specializes in civil rights, with a particular interest in disabilities and LGBTQ + issues and education. Cayley Winters-Norrie, Public Relations Manager for Battle Creek Prides Board of Directors Haydale Graphene Industries announced on Wednesday that it has secured CE marking certification for its graphene-based JustHeat heating system, clearing the way for commercial deployment across the UK and the European Economic Area. The AIM-traded firm said the certification confirmed that the system met strict European safety and environmental standards, and could now be legally marketed and installed in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. It described JustHeat as a low-voltage, direct heating solution developed using Haydales patented HDPlas functionalised graphene. The system was designed to offer high energy efficiency, ease of installation, and cost-effectiveness, providing a potential alternative to traditional heating systems. Early performance data from trials and third-party testing indicated that the system could deliver up to 75% energy cost savings and reduce carbon emissions by up to 90% compared with gas boilers, air source heat pumps, and conventional electric or wet underfloor heating systems. The company said it had also published a white paper outlining the technical, economic, and environmental case for graphene-based heating. Securing CE certification for JustHeat is a major technical and commercial milestone, said chief executive officer Simon Turek. It confirms that our graphene-based heating system meets the highest European and UK safety standards. Turek said the approval would allow the company to accelerate commercial rollout, and position JustHeat as a low-carbon alternative to gas boilers, heat pumps and traditional electric or wet underfloor heating systems in new builds and retrofit projects. With growing demand for sustainable heating solutions, JustHeat represents a significant commercial opportunity for Haydale as we expand into the energy transition and smart building markets. At 1251 GMT, shares in Haydale Graphene Industries were up 3.56% at 0.14p. Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com. Intercede announced on Wednesday that it has secured a series of new orders and subscription renewals worth about $4.45m, with strong momentum continuing across both the US and Middle East markets. The AIM-traded cybersecurity software firm said the contracts, all received via partners, would lift revenue for 2025 above the boards expectations and further strengthen its contracted revenue backlog for the 2026 financial year. It said the largest of the agreements was a $3.49m annual subscription renewal for MyID CMS with a longstanding US federal government client, covering the 12-month period from 1 April. That, the board said, marked the second year in a base-plus-four optional year contract. Additional US orders included renewals with a US banking supervisory body and a global defence contractor, valued at $0.19m and $0.27m, respectively. A $0.145m professional services engagement had also been agreed, to support a federal agency operating across more than 250 sites worldwide. A further $0.32m contract was signed with an existing proof-of-concept client in the US federal sector for server licensing and support. In the Middle East, Intercede said it had secured three smaller licensing deals for MyID PSM and MFA products, collectively valued at $45,000 annually, with agencies spanning the government pension, financial, and critical infrastructure sectors. The company said the orders underlined sustained demand for its identity and access management solutions in regulated sectors, and supported continued growth in its subscription-based revenue model. I am delighted by the strong March order intake and indeed the full year outturn with new orders and major renewals, including the subscription renewal with a large US federal customer, said chief executive officer Klaas van der Leest. We now enter the 2026 financial year with further momentum, a geo-diversified pipeline, market leading product solutions and unwavering commitment from our largest asset, our group colleagues. At 1103 GMT, shares in Intercede Group were up 2.8% at 147p. Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com. Subscription to paid content Gain access to all that Trend has to offer, as well as to premium, licensed content via subscription or direct purchase through a credit card. A court of appeal ruling that has left lenders fearing PPI-level compensation bills over the motor finance commission scandal goes too far, the City regulator said on Tuesday. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) made the comments in a written submission to the supreme court on Tuesday, as part of a high-profile case being closely watched by the government. The Treasury, which tried but failed to intervene in the case, is concerned the standing decision could spook businesses and threaten investment in the UK. Guardian Ten leading car manufacturers plus two automotive trade bodies have been fined more than 77m by a UK regulator after admitting breaking competition law in relation to advertising their green credentials. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) launched an investigation after a tipoff from Mercedes-Benz, which allowed the German marque to avoid financial penalties despite also being involved in the cartel. Guardian Nearly 400,000 more people will be judged unfit to work after Liz Kendall scrapped Tory reforms in her overhaul of Britains welfare system. The decision by the Work and Pensions Secretary to undo tighter criteria for people applying for sickness benefits means many more will qualify for it by the end of the decade. Telegraph Energy supplier Rebel Energy has gone bust after allegedly raiding funds that were supposed to be ring-fenced for paying green levies. It means about 80,000 domestic customers and 10,000 businesses have been abruptly left without a supplier. The Bedford-based firms collapse followed a compliance order imposed a few weeks ago by Ofgem, the energy regulator, and raises new questions about the watchdogs ability to protect customers. Telegraph Tesla sales in key European markets fell again in March, adding to signs that consumers are shunning Elon Musks electric car brand as competition from China stiffens and some protest against his political views. New Tesla sales in France and Sweden dropped for a third consecutive month, contributing to its lowest first-quarter sales figures in the two countries since 2021. The European figures come before the worlds most valuable listed carmaker is due to report on Wednesday how many vehicles it delivered worldwide during the first quarter of 2025. The Times photo: Julia Gravette Katy Hays is the bestselling author of The Cloisters. In addition to writing, Hays works as an adjunct art history professor, teaching rural students from Truckee to Tecopa. She holds an M.A. in Art History from Williams College and pursued her Ph.D. in Art History at UC Berkeley. Her academic writing has been published by Ashgate, an imprint of Routledge. Her new novel, Saltwater (Ballantine Books), is an electrifying thriller about an opulent family and their mysterious assistant whose annual retreat to Italy is shattered by the resurfacing of a decades-old murder. Handsell readers your book in 25 words or less: The perfect novel to cure your White Lotus hangover; in Saltwater, three women will stop at nothing to escape a family that has everything. On your nightstand now: Dominick Dunne's People Like Us. I have a rule that when I'm drafting or actively revising, I'm not allowed to read books published after 2005 because if I do, and the book is really good, I despair that my work in progress will never be as good. So, to circumvent the comparison game (it's bad for everyone involved!), I only read older fiction. Someone, somewhere, mentioned Dunne and I squirreled away the recommendation and have become obsessed. It also scratches my itch for literary gossip: *whispers* he was Joan Didion's brother-in-law! Favorite book when you were a child: A tie between The Egypt Game by Zilpha Keatley Snyder and Over Sea, Under Stone by Susan Cooper. Both books were published in the late 1960s and I read them in the late 1980s or early '90s, but they were absolutely formative and the first books that taught me what a story could really be, what it was capable of doing. Also, talk about atmosphere! Your top five authors: My three north stars are Patricia Highsmith, Daphne du Maurier, and Shirley Jackson, but I'm also a huge fan of contemporary writers Christopher Bollen and Calla Henkel. If I were only allowed to read novels by these five writers for the rest of my life, I think I'd be just fine. Book you've faked reading: A Visit from the Goon Squad. I'm a huge, huge fan of The Keep by Jennifer Egan, but it's her only book I've ever read. Every time someone mentions A Visit from the Goon Squad, I nod along like I know what they're talking about, but the truth is, I've never so much as read the first page. Criminal, I know. Especially because I adore The Keep. Book you're an evangelist for: I really don't think enough people are reading Christopher Bollen. I'm a broken record--talk to me for three minutes about books, and it's likely I'll try to push a Bollen novel on you before you walk away--but in my opinion, he's the most compelling literary suspense writer working today. My favorite novel of his is The Destroyers, but I also think A Beautiful Crime and Havoc are wonderful. He's the kind of writer to whom I will happily give an extra 100 pages run time just because I want to exist longer in his worlds, and really, isn't that the best endorsement? Book you've bought for the cover: I've never bought a book for its cover! But for a long time I avoided Silvia Moreno-Garcia's Mexican Gothic because I didn't like the cover. Then I picked it up several years after it came out, loved it, and instantly acquired all her backlist and am now a diehard fan. Book you hid from your parents: Anything Baby-Sitters Club! My mom thought those books were trash! What she didn't realize was that a well-rounded reading diet necessarily includes some junk food, too! Justice for the Baby-Sitters! Book that changed your life: Victoria Holt's On the Night of the Seventh Moon. I still don't know how I first came across Holt. I think it's possible there was a copy of one of her novels in the free bin at our local thrift when I was younger, but in any case, she found me, and my life was never the same. The queen of gothic romance, Holt's novels were the first "sexy" books I ever read (pretty tame by contemporary romance standards!) and I've been a lifelong reader of romance ever since. (Like I said above: everyone needs a well-rounded literary diet!) Favorite line from a book: Not from a book. My favorite line is from a response Shirley Jackson wrote to an angry letter about "The Lottery." "Dear Mrs. White. If you don't like my peaches, don't shake my tree." Five books you'll never part with: Ira Levin's Rosemary's Baby Daphne du Maurier's The Scapegoat Jilly Cooper's Riders Sarah Waters's The Little Stranger Joan Didion's Slouching Towards Bethlehem Book you most want to read again for the first time: The Perfect Nanny by Leila Slimani. I found this novel so shocking, so compulsive that it left me literally breathless. I've since re-read it (it's still shocking!) and find it the perfect psychological thriller. I wish more writers were willing to take extraordinarily dark swings like Slimani does in Chanson Douce (the original French title translates as "lullaby"). What an achievement. If only I could recapture the original horror I felt on the first read! India's largest technology showcase, the 32nd Convergence India and 10th Smart Cities India expo, is an initiative by Exhibitions India Group (EIG) that focuses on transformative technologies and solutions shaping Indias future by creating an ecosystem that supports initiatives such as Digital India, Make in India, and the Smart Cities Mission. Shri Nitin Gadkari, Honble Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Government of India, inaugurated the expo. In a special address, the Honble Minister said, Today, AI is driving our economy. Indias future is connected with technological growth, so we need to push more research and innovations. The good news is that we boast the highest number of young engineers driving innovations and futuristic technologies. Under the theme Imagining an AI-Driven Future Today: Innovating for a Better Tomorrow, the event was a technological extravaganza and the epicentre of hectic activity, with thousands of visitors and delegates exploring technologies and innovations. They also had the opportunity to experience world-class gadgets, including drones, robotics, AR/VR glasses, mobile and digital gaming devices, etc. Meanwhile, the Smart City Pavilion offered an impressive lineup of smart city projects that deliver quality results and enhance millions of citizens lives. Ms. Chandrika Behl, Managing Director, Exhibitions India Group, said, This expo has played a pivotal role in fostering technological upgradation and national development, besides promoting an inclusive and sustainable ecosystem across the country. We are the foremost platform for businesses, especially startups, in the Digitech space and have launched several brands that have grown to achieve international acclaim. Taking a cue from the industrys mood at this years show, we will continue providing wholesome opportunities to companies and allow them to thrive and emerge as global brands. In addition to product launches, investor meets and collaborations, the venue hosted approx. 40 conference sessions ranging from a wide gambit of subjects. These sessions facilitated discussions between industry representatives, innovators, think tanks, and academia on the latest developments and market trends impacting new-age technologies. Moreover, the industrys future looks bright, with several ministry representatives participating in these discussions! Besides, strong representation from the Ministry of Electronics & IT, including Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretary & CEO India AI Mission; Sanket Bhondve, Joint Secretary; and Panneerselvam Madanagopal, CEO, Startup Hub; Sanjeev Shankar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of IB, and A. Dhanalakshmi, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Science & Technology, also participated in constructive interactions, proving the Governments resolve to guide the industry. While interacting with delegates during a conference session focused on Artificial Intelligence, Abhishek Singh observed, We are building AI-based applications in key sectors that can be scaled, rolled out and deployed at scale. The AI policy alignment opens doors for new tools to detect data bias, machine learning, detecting deepfakes, and watermarking AI-generated content. Prominent entrepreneurs such as Aman Gupta (Co-founder & CMO, boAt), journalist Barkha Dutt and Ankur Warikoo, founder of WebVeda, also engaged in deliberations, offering insights into Indias thriving startup ecosystem. During a Fireside Chat session, Aman Gupta said, The new India is dreaming big. However, Indian brands should not target to be affordable but aspirational. They should also have a competitive mindset. Talking about the qualities that a successful entrepreneur should have, he shared, Find your passion and follow it wholeheartedly. Keep yourself grounded, and dont get carried away. My mantra is - be efficient and take responsibilities seriously. Among the highlights were the Investors Pitch competition in the Startup arena that had 10 startups showcase innovative ideas to a distinguished jury. Products and ideas were shared across domains such as healthcare, farming, and safety. Fuselage Innovation, an agri-tech startup from Kerala, emerged as the winner. It received the Prem Behls Excellence Award, a cash prize of 1 Lakh from Exhibition India, and a fully funded participation in the reputed GITEX Dubai and GITEX Morocco, besides guaranteed pitch slots at the Supernova Challenge 2025 in Berlin. The highly popular Fintech and Smart Cities awards drew a large number of nominations. The Smart Cities awards were given under categories such as Best Use of AI for Urban Development, Best Smart Energy Solution, Digital Inclusion and Citizen Engagement, Innovation in Urban Mobility, etc. Some Fintech awards categories included Best Global Use of AI in FinTech, Best Digital Lending Solution, FinTech for Financial Inclusion, Best Fintech Leader, etc. Meanwhile, the first Mobile India awards were introduced as an extension of the Mobile India Expo to celebrate the outstanding contributions of companies and individuals towards revolutionising the sector. Notably, Russia-based Alfa Bank bagged awards in two categories: Global Leader in Fintech and Best Global Use of AI in FinTech. Sharing his thoughts upon receiving the award, Alexey Kashirin, Head of the Advanced Analytics Department, said, I am grateful to the FinTech India Innovation Awards for appreciating our banks contribution to innovation development. India is not just a global technology leader, but also one of Russia's key partners. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has named Poonam Gupta, a renowned economist and National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) Director General, as its new deputy governor. Her appointment precedes the central bank's bi-monthly monetary policy committee meeting from April 7-9, 2025. She will hold office for three years, replacing Michael Patra as the deputy governor. Gupta, a well-respected economist with long-term experience in international financial institutions, has been an important advisor to India's economic policy environment. She is a member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister and convener of the Advisory Council to the 16th Finance Commission. Prior to joining NCAER in 2021, Gupta worked almost two decades in senior roles at the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Washington, D.C. She also has teaching experience in the Delhi School of Economics, University of Maryland (USA), and the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI), Delhi. Also, she has been an RBI Chair Professor at the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy (NIPFP) and as professor at the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER). Gupta is also closely engaged in several advisory positions, being a board member of NIPFP and the Global Development Network (GDN). She is also an advisor to World Bank's advisory groups on 'Poverty & Equity' as well as the 'World Development Report.' Gupta has also been a major contributor to India's economic policy context, having presided over the Task Force on Macroeconomics and Trade in India's G20 Presidency. A 1998 EXIM Bank Awardee for her doctoral research in international economics, Gupta has a PhD and Master's degree in Economics from the University of Maryland, USA, and a Master's degree from the Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi. Running a successful PPC campaign isn't just about choosing the right keywords - it's also about knowing which ones to exclude. Negative keywords are essential for refining your targeting, preventing wasted ad spend, and ensuring your ads reach the right audience. If youre managing campaigns for clients, white label PPC services can help streamline the process while improving ROI. This article'll explore why negative keywords matter, how they impact campaign performance, and best practices for using them effectively. What Are Negative Keywords? Negative keywords prevent your ads from appearing in irrelevant search queries. When you add a negative keyword to your PPC campaign, your ads wont appear for searches containing that term. This helps filter out unqualified traffic, ensuring your budget is spent on leads that convert. For example, if you're running ads for a premium shoe brand, you wouldnt want your ads appearing for searches like cheap running shoes or free sneakers. Adding cheap and free as negative keywords prevents clicks from bargain hunters who are unlikely to convert. Why Negative Keywords Are Essential for PPC Success 1. They Reduce Wasted Ad Spend Every click on a PPC ad costs money. If your ads show up for irrelevant searches, youll end up paying for clicks that dont result in conversions. Negative keywords help eliminate these unnecessary expenses by ensuring your ads are only shown to the most relevant audience. A Google Ads case study found that implementing negative keywords significantly improved ROI by reducing cost-per-click (CPC) while increasing conversion rates. 2. They Improve Ad Relevance and Quality Score Google assigns a Quality Score to your PPC campaigns based on ad relevance, expected click-through rate (CTR), and landing page experience. A higher Quality Score leads to lower CPC and better ad placements. Negative keywords help keep your ads relevant, improving Quality Score and reducing costs over time. 3. They Enhance User Experience If someone clicks on your ad expecting something different from your offer, they will likely bounce immediately. This not only wastes money but also damages your conversion rate. Negative keywords help set the right expectations, ensuring users find what theyre looking for when they click your ad. How to Identify Negative Keywords 1. Analyze Search Query Reports Google Ads provides a Search Terms Report, which shows the exact searches that triggered your ads. Reviewing this report helps identify irrelevant queries that should be added to your negative keyword list. 2. Use Keyword Research Tools Effective keyword research helps identify terms that may attract the wrong audience. Analyze your traffic and search data to spot irrelevant or low-intent queries, then add those to your negative keyword list. This ensures your campaigns focus on attracting qualified leads while minimizing wasted ad spend. Keyword research platforms like Semrush and Ahrefs can help you find potential negative keywords. Look for terms that may drive unqualified traffic and add them to your exclusions. 3. Consider Intent-Based Filtering Some searches may be related to your industry but dont align with your campaign goals. For example, if youre offering paid consultation services, searches containing free or DIY might not be valuable. Best Practices for Implementing Negative Keywords 1. Use Negative Keywords at Different Levels Negative keywords can be applied at different levels in your campaign: Account-Level: Blocks irrelevant searches across all campaigns. Blocks irrelevant searches across all campaigns. Campaign-Level: Prevents specific terms from triggering ads in a particular campaign. Prevents specific terms from triggering ads in a particular campaign. Ad Group-Level: Ensures better segmentation within a campaign. 2. Choose the Right Match Type Google Ads allows you to set different match types for negative keywords: Broad Match: Blocks variations of the keyword (e.g., cheap shoes would also block cheap running shoes). Blocks variations of the keyword (e.g., cheap shoes would also block cheap running shoes). Phrase Match: Blocks searches that contain the exact phrase (e.g., buy cheap shoes would be blocked but not cheap sneakers). Blocks searches that contain the exact phrase (e.g., buy cheap shoes would be blocked but not cheap sneakers). Exact Match: Blocks only the exact keyword phrase with no variations. 3. Continuously Optimize Your Negative Keyword List Negative keywords arent a one-time fix. Update your list regularly based on campaign performance, seasonal trends, and changes in search behavior. How White Label PPC Services Can Help Managing negative keywords effectively requires ongoing analysis, testing, and optimization. For agencies handling multiple client accounts, this process can become overwhelming. Thats where white label PPC services come in. These services provide expert PPC management under your brand, helping you maximize efficiency and deliver better results without the heavy lifting. Conclusion Negative keywords are a game-changer in PPC advertising. By preventing wasted ad spend, improving targeting, and boosting campaign performance, they help you get the most out of your budget. Whether you manage PPC in-house or rely on white label PPC services, refining your negative keyword strategy is essential for long-term success. Start implementing these best practices today and watch your ad performance improve! FILE - This wanted poster posted on X by Ecuador's Ministry of Interior on Jan. 9, 2024, shows Jose Adolfo Macias Villamar, alias Fito, the leader of Los Choneros gang. (Ecuador's Ministry of Interior via AP, File) AP NEW YORK The fugitive leader of a violent Ecuadorian gang that relied on hitmen, bribes and military weapons to do business has been indicted in New York City on charges he imported thousands of pounds of cocaine into the United States, authorities said Wednesday. Jose Adolfo Macias Villamar escaped from a prison in Ecuador last year and is not in U.S. custody. He led Los Choneros and its network of assassins and drug and weapon traffickers since at least 2020, U.S. Attorney John Durham said in a news release. The defendant was a ruthless leader and prolific drug trafficker for a violent transnational criminal organization, Durham said. With an extensive criminal record including charges of murder and organized crime, Macias, whose nickname is Fito, has cultivated a cult status among fellow gang members and the public in his home country. While behind bars in 2023, he released a video addressed to the Ecuadorian people while flanked by armed men. He also threw parties in prison, where he had access to everything from liquor to roosters for cockfighting matches. The seven-count indictment unsealed in Brooklyn charges Macias and an unidentified co-defendant with international cocaine distribution, conspiracy and weapons counts, including smuggling firearms from the United States. Los Choneros employed people to buy firearms, components and ammunition in the United States and smuggle them into Ecuador, according to the indictment. Cocaine would flow into the United States with the help of Mexican cartels. Together, the groups controlled key cocaine trafficking routes through Ecuador, violently targeting law enforcement, politicians, lawyers and civilians who stood in the way. Los Choneros operated a vast network responsible for the shipment and distribution of multi-ton quantities of cocaine from South America through Central America and Mexico to the United States and elsewhere, the indictment says. The vast majority of drugs trafficked by Los Choneros were imported into the United States, where the drugs were consumed. In January 2024, Macias was discovered missing from his prison cell in Guayaquil, Ecuador, where he was serving a 34-year sentence for drug trafficking. Last year, the U.S. classified Los Choneros as one of the most violent gangs and affirmed its connection to powerful Mexican drug cartels who threaten Ecuador and the surrounding region. Authorities in Ecuador have classified the gang as a terrorist organization. Earlier this month, the Ecuadorian government announced the reward for the capture of Macias would be increased to $1 million. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. A Staten Island man was killed, and two other men were injured one critically when they were struck by a van Friday morning in Queens, police said. Zhihong Shi, 31, of New Springville, was unloading a double-parked car with the two other victims near the intersection of 87th Street and Atlantic Avenue at around 10:30 a.m. It was then that a van careened into a parked car, which then slammed into Shis car, according to a preliminary investigation by the NYPD Highway Districts Collision Investigation Squad. Shi and the other victims, ages 67 and 48, were rushed by EMS to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, where Shi was later pronounced dead. The 67-year-old male is listed in critical condition and the 48-year-old male is in stable condition, police said. The driver of the van, a 35-year-old man who had suffered a medical episode, according to a report published by the Daily News, was rushed in stable condition to the same medical facility for evaluation. There have been no arrests, and the investigation remains ongoing, police said. With roles spanning "Bonanza" to "L.A. Law," Sian Barbara Allen was a familiar face on television screens for two decades. Getty Images Sian Barbara Allen, who became one of the most popular television actresses in the 1970s and 1980s died Monday. She was 78. Allen died of Alzheimers Disease in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, her obituary said. The iconic actress, born in Reading, Pennsylvania, is known for her work in Bonanza, Gunsmoke, The Waltons, Hawaii 5-0, The Incredible Hulk, among many others. She also dabbled in film, appearing in Youll Like My Mother, Scream, Pretty Peggy with Bette Davis and Billy Two Hats with Gregory Peck and Jack Warden, the obituary also said. Emily Fonseca, her daughter, asked in her mothers obituary that in lieu of a service, everyone pick one of the following to honor Allen: - Donate to a local, grassroots organization working to combat systems of oppression - Donate to AuthoraCare Collective Hospice of Burlington who ensured Sian spent her final months peaceful and free of pain. Please consider directing your gift to support patients and families needing financial assistance to provide for loved ones. - Read your favorite book in bed - Listen to the entire Graceland album or any of Bob Dylans music - Eat some mac and cheese, a bacon cheeseburger or drink a root beer float Allen left the public life after her last on-screen credit in L.A. Law Season 4 in 1990 to focused on politics, family and creative writing, Variety reported. Karim Daoud of Flemington was detained on March 12 after he went to an appointment to pick up work authorization documents so he could remain in the United States, according to Rachel Mascitelli, a family friend. photo provided Family and friends are rallying for a well-loved community member in Hunterdon County after he was detained last month by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Karim Daoud, who is from Egypt, has been detained since March 12 when he went to an appointment to pick up work authorization documents, according to Rachel Mascitelli, a family friend. Daoud, of Flemington, remains in a detainment facility in New Jersey, she said. Mascitelli created a social media page called Free Karim and also created a GoFundMe account to help raise money for the family. The GoFundMe, which set up during the weekend, has raised more than $60,000 as of Tuesday morning. The money will be used for legal expenses. The outpouring of love has been amazing, Mascitelli said. Daoud has lived in the United States for more than two decades, she said. He is employed as a food service worker. She said Daoud has been working on getting his citizenship, but the process has been taking years to complete. Daouds wife, Jenn, declined comment. She is an American citizen, Mascitelli said, and the couple have two young children. Friends said it is unclear exactly why Daoud is being detained. ICE and the Department of Human Services did not respond to a request for comment from NJ Advance Media. He remained Monday at a detainment facility in New Jersey. His wife is allowed to visit. According to the social media post, Daoud did not anticipate being detained. When he arrived at the Intensive Supervision Appearance Program office, he was informed that there had been a mistake, and he had to go to ICE. Once at the Newark ICE facility, Karim was apprehended, according to the Free Karim social media post. Daoud had gone to the office willingly under the pretense of clearing up a mistake. He has lived in the United States for more than 20 years and has always worked, paid taxes and helped his community in every way he can, according to the post. Daouds friends are calling on Gov. Phil Murphy, U.S. Sen. Andy Kim, U.S. Rep. Tom Kean, former U.S. Rep. Tom Malinowski, Sen. Shirley Turner and Assemblywoman Mitchelle Drulis to intervene. Kims office confirmed on Monday that they are in touch with Daouds family. Karim Daoud was detained by ICE. Karim is not a criminal. He has no criminal history at all, said Mascitelli. Anyone who knows Karim knows his underlying love for the United States that he is a loving husband, an incredibly devoted father and a well-loved and upstanding community member, she posted. Mascitelli said the process to obtain citizenship hasnt been easy for Daoud. Its hard and a difficult process with a lot of paperwork, she said. Daouds family is holding up well, Mascitelli said. Obviously it is really difficult for them these are some of the strongest people, she said. Jenn is being an incredible wife and mom and she has been contacting congressmen and doing everything she can to bring Karim home. At the same time she is caring for the kids and trying to go see Karim every opportunity she has. They just all want him home. Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Stephanie Loder may be reached at SLoder@njadvancemedia.com. Border Patrol agents detained a mother and three children during an investigation in Northern New York in March. A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer listens during a briefing, Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, in Silver Spring, Maryland. (Alex Brandon | AP Photo) Alex Brandon | AP Photo A mother and three children enrolled at Sackets Harbor Central School were among seven people detained by federal immigration authorities at a dairy farm in Jefferson County in late March. U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement began enhanced targeted operations in New York in March, the agency said. The operations included a visit to North Harbor Dairy in the Jefferson County town of Hounsfield, according to North Country Public Radio. During the investigation at the farm, agents found seven people who were in the U.S. illegally. Agents took the individuals into custody and processed them. They have since been transferred out of New York state and are awaiting removal proceedings, NCPR said. The Sackets Harbor Central School District confirmed that the individuals included three children enrolled there: one child in the elementary school and two in the high school, one of whom was processed as an adult. The mother of the children was also detained. Basically, law enforcement was executing a warrant for a person who was allegedly involved in a crime. This happened at a local farm within my school district boundaries, Sackets Harbor Superintendent Jennifer Gaffney said, according to NCPR. My students were caught in the middle of that raid, and they were taken and detained. These kids are classmates, they are good friends, they are wonderful students, and they are part of the fabric of our school community, and they just need to be returned to their classrooms. Gaffney said the kids friends are wondering where they are. Their teachers are distraught, according to Spectrum News. Gaffney also released a statement saying the district wants the kids back in its classrooms as soon as possible, according to Spectrum. It is horrifying that these children and their mother were snatched from their home and disappeared, Murad Awawdeh, president and CEO of the The New York Immigration Coalition, said in a statement, according to NBC News. Gov. Kathy Hochul also weighed in. She said in a statement she has worked with multiple administrations on immigration, but could not think of any public safety justification for agents to take a family, including kids, from their home. That is not the immigration enforcement promised to the American people. Its just plain cruel, Hochul said, according to NBC. I want this family returned to New York state and believe ICE needs to immediately answer for these actions. Members of the Jefferson County Democratic Committee are planning a rally to support the students. It is set for Saturday at 2 p.m. in Sackets Harbor. The rally will end in front of the home of Tom Homan, President Donald Trumps border czar, which is in Sackets Harbor. He lives in that community and he is a North Country native, so this is right in his backyard. And its shameful, Corey DeCillis, chairman of the Jefferson County Democratic Committee, said, according to NCPR. Obviously this is the administrations policy, but I really think theyre going about it the total wrong way, and he needs to understand this is his backyard and his community and hes impacting it greatly. Members of the Jewish community met with members of the NYPD and other city agencies at the 121st Precinct stationhouse in Graniteville on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, ahead of the Passover holiday. (Staten Island Advance/SILive.com|Scott R. Axelrod) Scott R. Axelrod STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Local Jewish leaders met with members of the NYPD, FDNY, the Department of Sanitation and others at the 121st Precinct stationhouse in Graniteville on Tuesday to discuss security concerns ahead of the Passover holiday. As with the high holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, Passover gatherings traditionally bring out larger numbers of Jewish residents, as many families travel throughout the Island to synagogues, relatives homes and community centers for seders the traditional Passover meal celebrated over the course of the first two nights of the weeklong holiday. With the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and rising antisemitism, the Staten Island Jewish community relies on a strong partnership with local law enforcement. This is a tough time, said Scott Mauer, CEO and executive vice president of the Council of Jewish Organizations (COJO) of Staten Island. Ive been getting a lot of disturbing calls and emails that there will be issues around the Passover holiday. I just want to thank everyone here for the support and strength you give us that allows us to practice our religion in peace and health. NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Community Affairs Mark Stewart announced that while there is no imminent threat that the NYPD is aware of, there will be no absence of public safety throughout the borough. Stewart, a Bronx resident, revealed that he always looks forward to making the trip out to the Island for the annual Passover meeting. At the same time, Assistant Chief Melissa Eger, the NYPDs borough commander for Staten Island, stated simply: Were here for you. She added that officials will be monitoring events nationally and globally and will respond accordingly. When youre out and about with your families, well be there as well. To ensure safety during Biur Chametz a symbolic ceremony in which those of the Jewish faith rid themselves of bread and ensure all bread has been removed from their homes in preparation for Passover recently appointed FDNY Borough Commander of Staten Island, David Simms, confirmed that firehouses across Staten Island will be ready should any of the controlled fires get out of hand. Were very pleased that for the 58th year in a row weve had the annual meeting, said Council of Jewish Organizations President Mendy Mirocznik. We want to thank Chief Eger for her hospitality; the precinct commanders for attending; Chief [Christopher] Hancock in Sanitation; and Chief Simms with the fire department. The relationship that the community and COJO has with the police is strong and only leads to enhancing public safety and to us enjoying the holiday. For this, were very grateful, he said. A Central New York man has been arrested after allegedly stealing cookies and beer from two stores. WKTV reports Charles Green, 41, of Utica, has been arrested after a burglary investigation that began in January. The Utica Police Department said he shattered the front glass window at a local grocery store on Jan. 28 and entered the business. The suspect allegedly loaded more than $700 worth of cookies onto a flatbed cart valued at $500 and fled the store with the items. Green was identified by store employees from surveillance video, Utica police said. According to the Rome Sentinel, Green also allegedly stole cases of beer from a convenience store in a separate incident on Feb. 1. Police said store employees recognized Green. Police did not identify the two stores involved or what kinds of beer and cookies were taken. Green was located Friday and taken into custody on charges of burglary, grand larceny, criminal mischief and petit larceny. He is scheduled to appear in Utica City Court. Waters Edge, a complex currently under construction at 5 Stuyvesant Place in St. George, features 23 rent-stabilized residences. (Courtesy of the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development) (Courtesy of the New York City D STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Almost half of all New York City apartments are rent stabilized, according to the NYC Rent Guidelines Board. And a new study produced by that organization states that revenue profits for landlords of those rent-protected properties have risen roughly 12% -- an increase of about 2% from the previous year. Net Operating Income increased in 83% of the Citys neighborhoods, the report noted, detailing that the largest increases occurred in eight Manhattan neighborhoods and portions of Brooklyn and Queens. By contrast, landlord revenue fell by 10.6% in one Bronx neighborhood and dipped by a significant 5.8% across Staten Island. Kenny Burgos, CEO of the New York Apartment Association, highlighted the disparity of profits. Rent-stabilized buildings, especially the 1974 ones, the older ones, in the outer boroughs, think the walkups, think older elevators, those buildings are in real trouble, Burgos told NY1. But the problem is, the data is piled in with these newer rent-stabilized buildings. According to the Rent Guidelines Board, rent stabilization was enacted in 1969 when rents were rising sharply in many post-war buildings. The system has been extended and amended frequently, and now about 1 million apartments in the city are covered by the regulation that protects tenants from sharp increases in rent. Burgos, whose group represents a coalition of property owners and managers, called the uneven revenue spike a tale of two cities. The buildings that are in distress, especially in the outer boroughs, certainly need an increase, because they are decaying, Burgos told the outlet. Were seeing buildings fall into foreclosure, into bankruptcy, and without any assistance from the RGB, these buildings may not be there. Andrea Shapiro, director of Advocacy and Programs for the Met Council on Housing, told NY1 that landlords in areas with decreased profits are still making money - they just didnt increase their revenue. This is year after year of rental increases, Shapiro said. Under Mayor Adams, the board has raised rents a cumulative amount of 9%. Thats a lot of money that landlords have been getting. And tenants arent getting those increases with their wages. Shapiro said one way to solve the disparity is to issue a rent freeze. Tenants actually need rents lowered, but freezing the rent would actually level things out between tenants and landlords, she concluded. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Staten Islands own Empire State Bank has been recognized for its service and financial strength. The financial institution recently earned a spot on Newsweeks 2025 List of Americas Best Regional Banks for its ability to support small businesses, fund projects, and ensure easy access to essential banking services. It is the only Staten Island-based financial institution to receive this designation. The selection process for this designation evaluated several factors, including evaluating the Texas Ratio, which measures a banks credit quality, profitability, net loans and leases, and press coverage over the past two years. Were proud of the recognition and owe thanks not only to our leadership and staff, but to our clients for placing their trust in us, said Philip Guarnieri, CEO of Empire State Bank. This honor validates our commitment to providing customers with personal service and our focus on building relationships in our community at large. Were going to build on this momentum with the addition of three uniquely qualified individuals who align perfectly with our core values. Since January, Empire State Bank has expanded its Business Relationship Management Team with three new industry leaders. The bank welcomed Debra Denmark, formerly of the Staten Island Small Business Development Center, along with Frances Tutone and Maureen Surette, both previously with Signature Bank/Flagstar. All three have been appointed as Business Relationship Managers. Empire State Bank has expanded its Business Relationship Management Team. Joining the team are Maureen Surette (left) and Frances Tutone (right). (Courtesy of Empire State Bank) Empire State Bank Banking is not about numbers, its about relationships, said Tutone, VP Business Relationship Manager. Empire understands the importance of personalized service and Im looking forward to being part of their team. Maureen Surette, who also joined as VP Business Relationship Manager, echoed this sentiment. I made the decision to join Empire State Bank because of their dedication to servicing clients as well as their involvement in the community they serve. Im excited to take on this new role and looking forward to the future. Tutone and Surette, formerly of Signature Bank/Flagstar, have more than 40 years of experience in the banking industry, cultivating relationships and helping clients achieve their financial goals. Empire State Bank has expanded its Business Relationship Management Team. Joining the team is Debra Denmark. (Courtesy of Debra Denmark) Empire State Bank Complementing the experience of Tutone and Surette, Debra Denmark, formerly of the Staten Island Small Business Development Center, brings a specialized focus on small business growth and community outreach. My career has always been dedicated to assisting small businesses as well as the community, said Denmark, AVP Business Relationship Manager. My new role will allow me to provide clients with access to the tools they need to grow and scale their business, while also working hand in hand with local nonprofits and community organizations. Wagerers on one legal gambling site have put a big target on the back of a loose cannon official that they predict will be the first to exit President Donald Trumps cabinet. According to those placing bets on the Kalshi site, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, a key supporter of the controversial Trump tariffs, will be the first to leave Trumps cabinet either by being fired, resigning or being impeached. The site shows that 37% of wagerers are betting that Lutnick is the first cabinet member to leave the White House. Thats an 11% increase from the 26% who picked Lutnick just a week ago. The New York Post reported that Lutnick has become a focal point of exasperation within the Trump White House, with one insider calling the Commerce secretary a loose cannon with half-baked ideas. Lutnick was slammed for saying that a tariff-induced U.S. recession would be worth it and for suggesting that people buy Tesla stock as a way to prop up the company owned by top Trump aide and billionaire Elon Musk. Another source said that there is concern that Lutnick speaks too loosely in public and has been inserting himself in policy decisions where he doesnt belong. It is thought that Lutnick could be the fall guy if Trumps tariffs cause significant economic pain to Americans. The White House has defended Lutnick. Coming in second on the Kalshi list is Defense Secretary Peter Hegseth, with 13% of gamblers saying that he will be the first to go. Hegseth, a former Fox News personality, took scorching criticism after it was revealed that a group chat planning a military strike on Yemen was accidentally shared with a top journalist on the Signal app. Education Secretary Linda McMahon was third on the list, with 11% of gamblers saying that she will be the first cabinet member to leave the administration. McMahon is at the forefront of Trumps efforts to shutter the federal Education Department. A former City Council member who did time in jail for bribery has been arrested and charged with having more than a thousand child sex abuse videos on his phone. Former Councilman Dan Halloran was taken into custody at Miami International Airport on Saturday as he arrived for a layover flight from Cuba, according to a criminal complaint filed in the Southern District of Florida and reported by the New York Post. Authorities said Halloran was found with 1,362 child sex videos hidden on his iPhone. The video cache included about 35 videos of prepubescent girls being victimized, the complaint said. The former pol admitted knowingly having the material and told authorities that around two-thirds to three-quarters of the 1,362 videos in a hidden album depicted child sexual abuse, according to the complaint. Halloran, who served in the Council from 2010 to 2013, was buying the criminal content on the messaging app Telegram, the complaint said. Halloran was being held at the Federal Detention Center in Miami on two federal child pornography charges. Hollaran is scheduled for a pre-trial detention hearing on April 4. His arraignment is set to take place on April 14. Halloran served time in federal prison as part of the bribery scheme to rig the 2013 New York City mayoral election, according to the Post. Halloran was arrested along with then-state Senator Malcolm Smith after being accused of pocketing $20,500 in bribes as part of a scheme to get Smith, a Democrat, on the Republican ballot for mayor. Hallorans lawyer at the time made an unsuccessful attempt to try to claim an insanity defense for his client. Halloran served five years of a 10-year sentence before being released due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In this file photo, Elon Musk speaks at a presidential inauguration event in Washington on Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File) AP First Buddy Elon Musk might be rescinding his status within President Donald Trumps second administration sooner than later. In a report by Politico, Trump allegedly told his inner circle, including members of his Cabinet, that Elon Musk will be stepping back in the coming weeks from his current role as governing partner, ubiquitous cheerleader and Washington hatchet man. Musks position within the government has been a murky swirl of confusion, with the administration peddling between titles though it appears to have settled on aspecial government employee, USA Today reported. Musk is widely considered the de facto leader of the Department of Government Efficiency, though the official administrator of the new agency is Amy Gleason. When speaking with reporters on Monday, Trump said the following of the billionaire and his role within the American government: I think hes been amazing, but I also think hes got a big company to run. And at some point, hes going to be going back. He wants to. As a special government employee, Musk is given a special status that temporarily exempts him from some ethics and conflict-of-interest rules, Politico explained. That status will conclude sometime in May or June, per the 130-day-long period given to employees of that status. There are some murmurings within the administration as to what Musks role will be in the event of his exit. One senior administration official said Musk is likely to retain an informal role as an adviser and continue to be an occasional face around the White House grounds. Another cautioned that anyone who thinks Musk is going to disappear entirely from Trumps orbit is fooling themselves, Politico wrote. President Donald Trump is being warned that the United States is not ready to wage nuclear war with China. A video prepared by the conservative Heritage Foundation and set for release on Thursday argues that U.S. tactical nuclear stockpiles are outdated. The video says that the U.S. could not at present stand toe-to-toe with China were a tactical nuclear war to break out in the Indo-Pacific region. In addition, a continued nuclear buildup by China could also threaten the U.S. homeland. Fox News reported that according to the video, Americas newest atomic weapons are nearly 40 years old, about as modern as a grandpas vintage Corvette. Military experts have been gaming out scenarios should China invade Taiwan and the U.S. come to the island nations defense. The video details a scenario where China uses a tactical nuke to destroy the U.S. Air Force Base at Guam, which would kill 3,000, in an attempt to change the tide of the battle in their favor. "The president wants to respond in kind by targeting a similar Chinese target with our own tactical nuclear weapon, the video says. Theres only one problem with all this: we probably couldnt do such a mission if we tried. The video says that America has abandoned its buildup of tactical nuclear weapons, which are smaller and more targeted in their destruction than big-kill strategic nuclear weapons. Bob Peters, strategic deterrence fellow at Heritage, said that following the end of the Cold War, the U.S. has dramatically reduced the number of nuclear weapons around the world, signed multiple arms control agreements with the Soviet Union and the Russian Federation, and today has an arsenal that is roughly 85% smaller than the ones it fielded at the height of the Cold War. The U.S. removed naval and land-based tactical nuclear weapons from Korea in 1991 and retired the nuclear variants of the Tomahawk cruise missile that were stationed in the Pacific. China, however, has tripled its nuclear arsenal over the past five years, and plans to go from 500 to 1,000 warheads by 2030, the video says. China has also boosted its anti-ship nuclear capabilities and its fractional orbital bombardment systems, which are space-based platforms that can drop munitions, including nuclear ones, from space onto the Earths surface, including on America. GLOBALink | China reinforcing logging ban in sustainable forestry quest Pub Date:25-04-02 09:54 Source:Xinhua Tuesday marks 10 years since a commercial logging ban took effect in key state-owned forest areas in the Greater Khingan Mountains in Inner Mongolia. Over the past decade, local people have turned ecological preservation into economic prosperity. #GLOBALink Editor:Zheng Chen Related News Innovation Drives the Auto Industry Toward... JAC Motors kicked off its 2025 product cam... JAC hold the grand opening ceremony of the... A Record of Expressway Development in Sout... Support the Peninsulas only locally-owned newspaper. Subscribe! Subscribing annually brings you big savings. We also offer monthly and weekly subscriptions. Premium Subscription As low as $8.25 per week Premium Includes: -- Access to the Daily Journals e-Edition: a digital replica of our daily newspaper including crossword puzzles, games, comics, classifieds and ads. You can download a digital replica of the Daily Journal for offline reading. You can also clip & download articles or images from the e-edition to share with others The most recent 90 issues are available at any given time. -- Unlimited access to our award-winning online content -- Commenting access on all stories as a valued member of the DJ community -- NEW! Access to our online-only digital crossword puzzle. A new puzzle every day, seven days a week! Advertisement Eating outNon-alcoholic drinks Why are non-alcoholic cocktails as expensive as the boozy ones? Its a misconception that zero-alcohol drinks should always be a cheaper alternative. Just dont call them a mocktail. Daniel Herborn April 2, 2025 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A good non-alcoholic cocktail is light, refreshing, blessedly free of a hangover and, increasingly, comparable in cost to a traditional cocktail. So, whats behind the price tag? Jason Williams, group beverage director at House Made Hospitality, whose venues include Baptist Street Rec. Club in Redfern and Promenade Bondi Beach, says its a common misconception that the cost of a cocktail is solely driven by the amount of liquor used. Jason Williams at House Made Hospitalitys Baptist Street Rec. Club in Redfern. Steven Woodburn Liquor is certainly expensive, thanks to archaic Australian tax legislation, but the non-alcoholic ingredients can often cost just as much, he says. Fresh citrus juice, house-made syrups, and fresh fruit all come at a premium and are costed into any cocktail. Advertisement Pino Montis, bar manager at CBD rooftop bar Joji, agrees. Some of the non-alcoholic products have a lot of botanicals to give those hard flavours, and that can be expensive, he says. The price of a bottle is quite hefty; some cost $30 or $40, and then you have the prep and all the rest behind it. The Soba Clover cocktail at Joji, made with a non-alcholic gin alternative from new Australian brand Sammy Piquant, is priced at $20. Joji bar manager Pino Montis. Will Salkeld Montis says there is now a wealth of producers entering the non-alcoholic market with substitutes for spirits, beer and wine. They are coming out strong they see the trend and want to take a shot at it. Advertisement While there is no shortage of suppliers in this space, its not necessarily the case that companies with non-alcoholic beverages have the scale to compete with traditional alcohol producers on price. The fact its a new category with a burgeoning customer base may contribute to cost, Williams says. Also, making a de-alcoholised wine, beer or spirit means there is an extra step which may add to base costs. Evan Stroeve on bar duty upstairs at The Waratah. Jennifer Soo One way bars can keep labour costs down is through pre-batching classic cocktails such as the negroni, but Evan Stroeve, bartender and co-owner of The Waratah in Darlinghurst, says this task is more difficult with non-alcoholic drinks. Advertisement Most of the time, the alcohols are a preservative as well, so if youre batching non-alcohols, unless youre adding preservatives, the shelf life is diminished. Stroeve says the bottom line is that you get what you pay for. If youre using rhubarb sourced directly from a co-op in rural Tasmania, or if someone has invested a week in making kombucha, its going to be expensive, and that cost needs to be passed on to the consumer. While the price of non-alcoholic cocktails may sometimes raise eyebrows, theres no shortage of punters willing to pay top dollar for a satisfying booze-free drink. Joji rooftop bar in the CBD. Jennifer Soo Advertisement At the venues Williams oversees, he says non-alcoholic spicy margaritas have become as popular as wine spritzes. Stroeve is also seeing surging growth in the category, with an almost 100 per cent increase in non-alcoholic cocktails sold over the past six months at The Waratah. He says the trend is especially pronounced among Generation Z drinkers, pointing to recent studies showing young people are increasingly moving away from alcohol consumption. Its not just the case that bars are shifting more units of non-alcoholic cocktails; Stroeve says the whole culture around them is changing. Theres more of an expectation now that the same craft, thought and attention and detail that youd expect from a regular kind of cocktail is also invested in the non-alcoholic space. Advertisement Williams says a top modern bartender must now be adept at creating refined drinks without liquor. Gone are the days in which a bartender can be pretentious about, or disinterested in, cocktails without alcohol. While the general public and some bars use the term mocktail, Williams prefers to avoid it. It seems juvenile, and doesnt label the amount of care or importance we place on having great non-alcohol cocktail options, he says. For a lot of people, a mocktail was always a few juices slapped together with syrup and a mint sprig were doing better than that these days! Three non-alcoholic cocktails to try Nick and Noras, Parramatta Advertisement Ultraviolet, $15.50 Who says non-alcoholic cocktails lack theatre? A lighted rosemary sprig in the deep plum-coloured Ultraviolet adds a wisp of smoke and aromatics to an already heady mix. The tart notes of blackberry and verjuice combine with the light fizz of soda and aquafaba foam for a layered delight. Bar Planet, Newtown Tempo, $12 Its not just ice-cold martinis at the Enmore Road favourite. Theres a non-alcoholic version of the sorbet and soda Scorpino, and even better The Tempo, a kind of grown-up Passiona with tropical notes of hibiscus and pineapple making for an addictive concoction. Advertisement Sky Bar at Shell House, CBD The Orchard, $15 Served in a tall glass and christened with a suitably evocative name, The Orchard finds a sweet spot between tart fruitiness and the sharpness of ginger vinegar. Its an example of how thoughtfully constructed non-alcoholic cocktails can pack the big flavours and complexity of their traditional counterparts. Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Peter Dutton, like Donald Trump, speaks to the ignorant, making sweeping claims that have no basis in reality (Better off? Duttons trick question, April 2). How does he define woke? Who will make the decisions on which schools are woke? Couldnt the values of many Christian schools be considered woke? Also, is he going to tell the electorate how many external contractors will be employed to replace the 41,000 employees he sacks? Margaret McDonald, Erina Ethics and integrity will go by the wayside in Duttons lust after power. His Trump-like methods should be enough to alert voters to his populist rhetoric and deceptive tactics, but some are too self-absorbed to notice. Many say they are worse off than before without proper scrutiny. Unfortunately, desperate strugglers are likely to assume that Dutton will provide them with a brighter future despite the obvious lack of detail and substance in his policies. Populism, with its lies and empty promises, is spreading throughout the world, so Australia needs to be wary. Graham Lum, North Rocks Ross Gittins: the man who knows the answers Credit: Oscar Colman Ross Gittins and Peter Dutton both know that the are you better off? question is seductive to voters. It appeals to a natural feeling of pessimism which pervades peoples thinking when they have to make a decision. It beats having to think your way through. Ian Adair, Hunters Hill Peter Dutton wants to know if Im better off now. Why is anyone in the least bit surprised? This question is similar to his approach before the Voice referendum. I knew which way to vote then and will do so again now, despite his scaremongering and misinformation. George Zivkovic, Northmead Ross Gittins thoughtful exploration of the opposition leaders major pitch to electors exposes the inherent superficiality of Peter Duttons quest for power. And, although it is not said directly by Gittins, he implies that Dutton is treating a large percentage of voters as unthinking fools concerned only with their narrow personal circumstances. Also, Gittins focuses on two broad assumptions: that the Coalition would have done a better job had it been elected in 2022, and will do a better job than the ALP if elected in 2025. Based on the experience of the nine years of Coalition government until 2022 and the fact that Dutton and his leadership team are the leftovers from that administration, it is a brave individual who would give any credence to those assumptions. Like many, it appears Gittins is hoping that voters look at the broader picture when deciding which major party to support (if at all?), and at this stage, the solid record of the Albanese government, together with the policy-free zone that is the Coalition indicate re-election for the ALP. Ross Butler, Rodd Point Spot on, Ross Gittins. Its about the next three years. Roger Mail, Wahroonga Advertisement Let teachers teach As usual, Jenna Price is bang on (Were losing teachers because of horrid parents. Ban them, April 2). School leaders are leaving the profession because When the going gets tough at school, some parents try to save, step in for and excuse their kids. They get involved rather than let children face consequences and take responsibility for themselves. Teachers and principals are professionals; let them be. Let them do their job. Our society will benefit. Promise. Lisa Williams, Dulwich Hill Hear, Hear! is echoing across the country as current and ex-teachers read Jenna Prices article. When I started teaching at Petersham PS in the 1960s, we had to ban parents from the playground. It wasnt because they were malicious, but because they sat beneath the kindergarten windows chatting and smoking with the smoke drifting in. Personally, I found that when I worked in less affluent areas at disadvantaged schools, parents were less trouble. Most of them came from other cultures that valued education and trusted teachers and the school to do what was in their childs best interest. Unfortunately as the decades progressed, and parents were busier, most schools started seeing an escalation in parental interference. I wonder if there is an element of guilt there because they spend less time with their offspring. Whatever it is, it must stop if we are to retain our teachers. Who would blame any of them for walking away? Mary Lawson, Marrickville So true, Jenna Price. In wanting their kids to be the best, parents can forget that excellence comes in many forms, not all of them academic. I was a teacher for 35 years before a change of career because I just couldnt continue due to lack of support from a principal, which left me quite depressed at the time. Not all kids are high academic achievers. Its frustrating and harmful when a parent wont hear certain truths about their child, such as that they cheated on an assessment task by submitting an AI-written essay, and then intervenes to prevent their child from having to follow the rules and resubmit the task because they claim it will be too stressful for them. Where do you even start on what message that sends to a teenager, and what position it puts a teacher in? Kerrie Wehbe, Blacktown Schools are complex workplaces, with multiple stakeholders all expecting input into a wide array of school practices, including uniform codes, school sports, academic performance, after-school care, and homework. It may be worthwhile for a school to evaluate some core essentials of their organisation. Does the school have a published complaints policy for handling concerns and complaints? Are protocols in place for addressing requests for interviews with teachers, inclusive of emails sent to the school? Has the school website utilised parental input in terms of communicating key information to parents and the local community? Banning may be one strategy; harnessing energy and expertise is another. Rod Leonarder, Roseville The parent storms into the room, raging. They start the meeting very aggressively by yelling: Why did you ... and continue with their latest grievance. Their rage is based on feedback from their darling, who never does anything wrong, is always polite and attentive, but in reality, may be a non-stop disruptive unit. The parent may drop the volume a little, but the teacher will leave the session feeling wrung out. Is it any wonder that teachers and principals who also have to deal with this type of aggression also, are leaving the job? Parent/teacher meetings are meant to be an exchange of information on both sides, the parent giving background about their child and the teacher talking of the childs progress and how the child is being helped. Marjie Williamson, Blaxland I absolutely abhor those Tutoring Centres signage implying their tuition has the ability to unlock the little genius that lies within each child. Most of us are good averages. Thats great. Find out what youre good at. How are you intelligent? I dont usually call an aeronautical engineer to fix my loo. Pauline McGinley, Drummoyne Advertisement Banking on mum and dad Whatever happened to the much-heralded Gonski school funding review and reforms to create an equitable school funding system for public and private schools (Parents propping up public schools, April 2)? Parents propping up schools will add to the pressures on living costs. For transparency, perhaps the Education Department should release all public schools bank balance details to help justify the drive for parents contributions. Steve Ngeow, Chatswood Red tape should have already been cut Its time we got to grips with red tape and we should commend the shadow treasurer for his brave push to do just that (Angus Taylors plan for scissor gang to cut red tape, April 2). But why did Taylor, Dutton and co not cut this when they were senior ministers not three years ago? And does the solution really require setting up another government department Investment Australia presumably involving more not less of the dreaded tape? Tony Mitchell, Hillsdale The Herald has done an excellent job of showing where Duttons public service job cuts would likely be not Canberra. It would be good to show the job cuts under Mathias Cormanns 10 per cent efficiency savings that in reality gutted public services so that consultants and labour hire casuals could replace them. Or not. So departments ran with many vacancies. Hence, long waiting times for Veterans entitlements. Denise Thorpe, Wentworth Falls According to Angus Thomson, NSW doctors get paid an average salary of $222,017. Despite bonuses from working nights, weekends and public holidays, my pay packet never resembled this. Was this an April Fools prank? Jo Rainbow, Orange Trade with the EU not US Advertisement Australia and the EU should restart trade talks since the US has no intention of honouring its agreements (Farmers in Trumps sights, April 2). Trump can make Americans poor again, but theres no reason the rest of the world should follow suit. Samantha Chung, Kensington With possibly a million head of stock lost to flooding in Queensland and NSW, whatever Trump throws at the livestock industry may prove to be minor. Greg Baker, Fitzroy Falls Without wanting to sound unpatriotic, I look forward to Trump imposing a tariff on our meat products. Because this may result in lower meat prices locally. At my local butchers, lamb chops are $32.99 a kilo, rump steak $39.99 a kilo and the humble sausage $17.99 a kilo. These are outrageous prices. When we are one of the worlds biggest meat producers (like gas), why cant we share in our bounty? As an aside, when I was living in Asia I could buy Australian exported meat much cheaper than what it sold for in my home country. Ray Armstrong, Tweed Heads South President Trumps proposed tariff on Australian agricultural products could inadvertently affect local prices, and for the better. Rib-eye steak was $85 a kilo at my butcher this week. I look forward to a local fall in prices should Trump prevail. Genevieve Milton, Dulwich Hill Duttons Keatingism Paul Keating: still the man for le mot juste Credit: Louie Douvis Honestly, who wouldnt pick Kirribilli over Canberra (Letters, April 2)? Labor diehards should celebrate the fact that Dutton has inadvertently paid homage to their greatest living statesman by emulating his purported If you dont live in Sydney, youre just camping out opinion. Col Burns, Lugarno Advertisement Unhealthy divide If 40 years as a hospital staff specialist taught me nothing else, it is that the people of NSW will not get the system they deserve without joint management of the public hospitals by the Commonwealth and state (Doctors ordered back to work, April 2). The first planning step is to establish a national health and hospitals commission, a policy taken to the 2019 election by the ALP but not heard of since. Doctors resignations, ambulance ramping and unconscionable waiting times for surgery and outpatient specialist consultation are all solvable, but never by the state alone. The jurisdictional divide in health wastes precious resources and underpins the continuance of unnecessary dysfunction. Graeme Stewart, Avalon Beach Minority memory issues Im miffed by the enthusiasm offered by some readers who are hoping that we end up with a minority government, relying on teals and independent members holding the balance of power. You get a vision of them all holding hands walking down George Street whistling Waltzing Matilda, but Im wondering whether these people are either young or have memory issues. You only need to look back to 2010 when both major parties ended up with 72 seats a piece and Julia Gillard formed a minority government with the Greens and a handful of independents. The Greens eventually pulled out because of mining tax issues and I think one of the independents likewise withdrew his support because of a lack of action on poker machines. The ALP held on to power but only just. Do we really want a repeat of this? As they say, be careful what you wish for you might just get it. Ross MacPherson, Seaforth Outback future proofing Flooding: Wont somebody think of the cows? Credit: Sydney Morning Herald Outback residents know there will be floods, some with more impact than others. Outback properties are often vast. Id like to see, as part of future proofing outback properties that run animals, regular high mounds above the flood line, built on these stations that provide some refuge for animals to prevent the suffering that endures from natural disasters. There needs to be room for wildlife too. Jacqui Keats, Black Head Advertisement ASTANA, Kazakhstan, April 2. President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with the Minister of Industry and Construction, Yersayin Nagaspaev, during which he issued several directives, including the development of a unified registry of local manufacturers, Trend reports. In the course of the meeting, the President gave the following instructions: Increase production in medium and high-end industries; create a unified registry of domestic manufacturers; implement reforms in the field of subsoil use effectively and promptly; strengthen efforts to attract investors; ensure the timely commissioning of housing and manufacturing facilities; maximize water supply for the population; digitize processes in construction and utilities; strictly monitor support for domestic producers. The meeting also highlighted key areas of focus, including: Forming a geological study database using artificial intelligence; launching a Unified Subsoil Use Platform; digitizing urban planning projects; introducing a unified utility bill system down to the village level. Yersayin Nagaspaev was recently appointed as the Minister of Industry and Construction of Kazakhstan, a position previously held by Kanat Sharlapaev. Clare Nowlands children have welcomed a decision by prosecutors to appeal against the sentence for the former police officer who killed their 95-year-old mother, saying his punishment needs to match the crime. Kristian White was handed a two-year community correction order by the NSW Supreme Court on Friday for Nowlands manslaughter. White Tasered the great-grandmother inside her Cooma nursing home in May 2023, causing her to fall and hit her head. She died seven days later. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) on Wednesday revealed it would appeal Whites sentence on the basis it was manifestly inadequate. After careful consideration of the judgment, the director has determined to file an appeal against the inadequacy of the sentence imposed in this matter, a spokesperson for the ODPP said. Health authorities have urged the public to check their immunisation records as the number of measles cases in the state is expected to exceed last years total by the end of this month. There have been 17 measles cases recorded in NSW this year compared to 18 across all of 2024. Up to a third of people with measles have complications. Credit: Sydney Morning Herald Of the 17 cases, 11 were returning from travel to countries with measles outbreaks, including eight returning from Vietnam. The remaining seven cases caught the disease in their households and the community. On Wednesday, NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant said the number was significant. The founding member of a Sydney drill rap group closely linked to OneFour and a number of his associates have been arrested in a series of raids involving heavily armed tactical police in the citys west. Police had been investigating western Sydney drill rappers Section 60 and their associates since late last year, and in Tuesdays operation centred around Penrith and Mount Druitt charged 11 people with various drugs and firearms offences. Investigators seized six guns, several hundred rounds of ammunition, $43,000 in cash, 3 kilograms of cocaine, 2.6 kilograms of methylamphetamine, 644 grams of cannabis, and 126 grams of MDMA. They also seized a so-called dedicated encrypted criminal communication device, which are illegal in NSW, and a taser. Section 60 founder Viliami Eteaki, 25, was arrested at a South Penrith home on Tuesday afternoon. He was hit with 23 charges including drug and firearm supply charges and knowingly directing a criminal group, and refused bail to appear in Penrith Local Court on Wednesday. Fridays decision on Tony Mokbels bail application will go a long way to tell us what the Appeal Court is thinking about the underworld figures submission to have his drug trafficking charges quashed. Tony Mokbel is applying for bail. Credit: AAP The court has three options: Say the evidence against him is overwhelming and the conviction stands. That the role of barrister-turned-police informer Nicola Gobbo meant he didnt get a fair shake and the conviction is set aside so there can be a retrial. The whole thing is so poisoned that he should be acquitted and walk free. You might remember that when Jason Roberts convictions over the murders of police officers Gary Silk and Rod Miller were set aside, he was not granted bail because the High Court said the case against him remained strong. He was acquitted in a second trial. Police have released an image of a person of interest in the bungled firebombing that killed burlesque performer Katie Tangey the first innocent bystander to die in Victorias so-called tobacco wars. They also revealed they believed the arsonists had intended to target a different unit in the same complex in Melbournes outer west in the early hours of January 16. An image of the man police want to speak to in relation to the fatal house fire that killed Katie Tangey. Credit: Victoria Police On Thursday, police also returned to the site of the fatal fire, where Tangey had been house-sitting for her brother and sister-in-law while they were on their honeymoon, and set up an information hub in the hope it helps push their investigation forward. CCTV of the incident captured two people getting out of a dark-coloured vehicle similar to a BMW X3 or X5 before an explosion at the house in Dover Street, Truganina. The same car was filmed travelling north on Forsyth Road shortly after. Former West Australian governor Malcolm McCusker will lead a special probe into the recent state election debacle. McCusker will be joined by representatives from Labor, Liberals, the Greens and the Nationals, whose involvement has secured support of those parties for the inquiry. Now-Premier Roger Cook and former WA governor Malcolm McCusker during a press conference in 2018. The inquiry comes after strident criticism from all sides in politics over issues with voting in the March 8 poll due to huge lines, booths running out of ballot papers, poor training of staff, as well as a slow vote count and questions over the WA Electoral Commissions $86 million contract with recruitment agency Persol Kelly to help staff the election. New Electoral Affairs Minister David Michael said West Australians deserved a clear, convenient and straightforward process when they voted and vote counting should happen quickly. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has made an eleventh-hour bid to avoid the worst of US President Donald Trumps trade strikes by enlisting the advice of one of the most influential Australians in Trumps orbit, golf star Greg Norman. Albanese dined with Norman in Melbourne on Wednesday night after a day campaigning in Victoria and Tasmania. The dinner discussion was viewed inside the government as a late and unlikely effort to improve Australias case with the Americans after Albanese failed to secure a phone call with the president over recent weeks. Great to catch up with Greg Norman tonight in Melbourne, Albanese captioned the post. So why is Trump imposing these tariffs, and how has it affected Australia so far? Will Australia retaliate, if it should? Heres everything you need to know about Trumps tariffs. Trump tariff winners and losers Winners Australia in general: Minus Norfolk Island, only when compared to other countries. Losers Australia in general: Business groups warn the economy could take a hit from global trade disruption and dumping of cheap goods into Australia from other countries seeking to sell them outside the US. The Australian Financial Review is reporting $50 billion was wiped from the Australian Stock Exchange within 50 minutes after Trumps announcement, which equates to $1 billion a minute gone. Australian beef farmers: A 10 per cent tariff will apply to Australian beef exports to the US. Brazil, another major beef exporter, is subject to the same tariff, so the current competitive position was maintained, Albanese has said. Americans who like eating Australian beef: Burger meat in the US is a mix of quality Australian beef and beef sourced in America. Its likely the 10 per cent tariff imposed on Australian exports will cause burger prices to go up in the US, as they cant meet demand with their domestic supply alone. Treasury Wine Estates: Although the Australian winemaker says because about 85 per cent of the wine it sells in the US is produced there, the 10 per cent tariff will unlikely have a big impact on its business. Nevertheless, shares fell on opening this morning by 1.6 per cent. Cettire: About 41 per cent of the Melbourne-based luxury fashion online retailers sales are goods made in the EU and sold to US-based customers. Early trading saw Cettire down by 5.7 per cent. Cochlear: The medical device manufacturer is still trying to determine the impact of the tariffs, but was down 3.3 per cent in early trading. Nike, Adidas footwear fans: Vietnam, which produces roughly half of all Nike shoes and 39 per cent of Adidas shoes, was hit with a 46 per cent tariff on all exports to the US. This means sneaker prices will likely go up. Foreign car-lovers: Trump name-checked India, Thailand and Vietman for their motorcycles and Japan, South Korea and India (again) for their cars and other vehicles. All automobile exports to the US have been hit with a 25 per cent tariff. American parents: Most of Basic Funs toys, which include Tonka trucks and Care Bears, are made in China. Owner Jay Foreman said there is no other way to account for the 34 per cent increase in tariffs on Chinese imports but raise the price of his products in the US. What is Liberation Day? Liberation Day is Trumps name for Wednesday, April 2 (Thursday, April 3 AEDT), when he announced a series of tariffs on countries around the world, a move the prime minister has poured scorn on every chance hes gotten. There is a debate that frankly, I thought had gone away from my year seven economics class at school, Albanese said this morning of the idea of tariffs. In a press conference held at 7am AEDT titled Make America Wealthy Again, Trump released details of every tariff hes imposing on countries big and small, including China (34 per cent), India (20 per cent), Australia (10 per cent) and New Zealand (10 per cent). Complete with a prop board and the American flag at his back, Trump said its the US turn to prosper and claimed his reciprocal tariffs on allies and otherwise will bring in trillions and trillions of dollars to reduce our taxes and pay down our national debt, and it will all happen very quickly. With todays action, we are finally going to be able to make America great again, greater than ever before. This is not the first time Trump has given this name to a day, repeating several times in his last presidential campaign that election day, November 5, would be Liberation Day for his supporters. What is a tariff? A tariff is a tax or duty collected by the government on goods or services being imported into the country. Tariffs are paid by the business doing the importing and are often passed onto domestic customers. This means tariffs effectively raise the price of overseas goods for domestic consumers. Loading Tariffs are often used as a way to protect domestic producers by encouraging consumers to buy domestic goods over foreign-made goods, which may otherwise be cheaper or of better value. They can also be used as a punishment or stick to negotiate with other countries that are likely to see demand for their exports fall when hit with a tariff, or as a way to encourage more domestic production of a good or service in the interests of national security. Why is Trump imposing these tariffs? In February, Trump imposed sweeping 25 per cent tariffs on all steel and aluminium imported into the US. He said it would protect Americas critical steel and aluminium industries from excess production overseas, with the metals increasingly being imported to the US and hurting American steel and aluminium producers. This morning, it was announced Australian exports including $7 billion in farm produce such as beef will be hit with tariffs of 10 per cent. Trump said global tariffs will come into effect from midnight, which, assuming he means midnight in Washington, D.C., would be 3pm AEDT. It comes after the Australian government pushed back against demands from Trump to overhaul pharmaceutical subsidies and weaken biosecurity rules, which he argues disadvantage American producers. Albanese has confirmed Australia will not weaken biosecurity laws to allow uncooked US beef, which has been banned due to risk of mad cow disease, into the country. For Trump, tariffs are also seen as a money-making opportunity. He believes slapping tariffs on imports will make the country richer although this is questionable given tariffs are largely paid by domestic consumers, tend to worsen productivity and slow down economic activity. How will tariffs affect Australia? The direct effect of US tariffs on Australian goods is unlikely to be significant. This is because most Australian exports do not get sent to the US. In 2023-24, about $38 billion of Australian exports were sold to the US, compared to $210 billion to China, $81 billion to Japan and $42 billion to South Korea. Australias biggest exports are resources such as iron ore, coal and liquefied natural gas (LNG), which in 2023, comprised nearly half of the countrys total exports at a total value of more than $330 billion. Very few of these resources were sent to the US; most were shipped to countries such as China and Japan. That means the biggest hit will come from any flow-on effects of tariffs on Australias largest trading partners, who are more exposed to the US. Loading Tariffs on China, for example, could slow its economy down, dramatically reducing demand for Australias major exports such as iron ore, and hitting the Australian economy. Agricultural products mainly meat comprise the biggest part of Australian exports to the US, but Westpac senior economist Mantas Vanagas says these products could probably be sold to other countries. Australian farmers exported $7.1 billion in agricultural produce to the US in 2023-24. There are also costs which are more difficult to quantify, such as uncertainty around the details and the effects of the tariffs, which can discourage businesses from making investment decisions. Will Australia retaliate with its own tariffs? Its widely accepted by economists that tariffs do more harm than good. Thats because trade is a crucial way for countries to lift living standards, allowing them to make more of what they are good at in exchange for things other countries can make at a lower cost. For example, making cars or iPhones in Australia would be far more costly than it is in China, meaning it makes more sense for Australia to import these goods with money earned from activities such as mining and farming areas in which we have a relative advantage. Tariffs make goods and services more expensive both for domestic consumers and businesses importing them. Retaliating with more tariffs can lead to a tit-for-tat situation in which countries keep raising or adding tariffs on each other, worsening barriers to trade and making imports more expensive for consumers. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton have both said Australia would not impose retaliatory tariffs, saying tariffs and escalating trade tensions are a form of economic self-harm for the US. Loading We will stand up for Australia. We will continue to make the strongest case for these unjustified tariffs to be removed from our exporters, Albanese said this morning. Our existing free trade agreement with the United States contains dispute resolution mechanisms. We want to resolve these this issue without resorting to using [reciprocal tariffs]. As we do support continued constructive engagement with our friends in the United States. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 2. The Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ali Asadov, met with a delegation led by Liu Jianchao, the Head of the International Department of the Communist Party of Chinas Central Committee, on April 2, the Cabinet of Ministers told Trend. During the talks, the two sides expressed satisfaction with the growing momentum in bilateral relations, attributing it to the political will and joint efforts of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, and President of the People's Republic of China, Xi Jinping. According to the report, the adoption of the "Joint Declaration on the Establishment of Strategic Partnership between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Peoples Republic of China" last year has propelled the relationship between the two countries to a new level. The collaboration between Azerbaijan's ruling New Azerbaijan Party and China's Communist Party was also highlighted, with both sides stressing its importance for the continued development of bilateral ties. The meeting also touched upon key areas of cooperation, including trade, investment, green energy, digital development, and cultural exchange. A particular focus was placed on future collaborative projects in transportation and logistics, as well as tourism. Prime Minister Asadov underscored the strategic significance of the Middle Corridor for Eurasia, including South Caucasus countries, noting that the launch of the Zangezur Corridor would catalyze the further development of the broader Middle Corridor. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Independent Curtin MP Kate Chaney has launched an extraordinary tirade against Seven West Media, accusing the company of running a smear campaign against her as she vies for reelection in her formerly blue-ribbon seat. In a statement released Wednesday, Chaney said the Kerry Stokes-chaired company which has significant control of the media landscape in Chaneys home state of WA was running a campaign against her to claw back lost influence on Australian politics. Curtin MP Kate Chaney. Credit: Ross Swanborough Australias political landscape is shifting and the vested interests whove benefited from the old system are pushing back, she said. The more they feel their influence slipping, the harder theyll fight pulling every lever they can to protect their position. By contrast, China was hit with a 34 per cent across-the-board tariff, the European Union 20 per cent, South Korea 25 per cent, Japan 24 per cent, and India 26 per cent. US ally Israel copped a 17 per cent tariff, as did the Philippines. The announcement hit financial markets, which had not expected the size of some of the tariffs. The ASX200 shed $48 billion on opening but recovered through the day to finish 0.9 per cent or $23 billion down. Overseas, the sharemarket in Japan lost 3.1 per cent, South Korea fell by 0.8 per cent while Hong Kong edged down by 1.6 per cent. Global oil prices fell on fears of a slowdown in the American economy, while gold hit an all-time high of $US3192 on expectations the US will face higher inflation due to the tariffs. Financial markets now expect the Reserve Bank to cut official interest rates three times by November, starting with its next meeting in mid-May. The RBA held the cash rate steady at 4.1 per cent at its meeting this week. In its six-monthly review of the stability of the nationa financial sector, the bank used the term 21 times, noting Americas tariff plans posed substantial headwinds to the outlook for global economic activity. Commerce secretary Howard Lutnick holds up a chart showing tariffs of 10 per cent on Australia and other countries. Credit: AP Ongoing uncertainty about the United States international trade policies, and the reactions this may trigger, could have a chilling effect on business investment and household spending decisions, it said. Albanese said there were certain issues, including the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and the countrys media rules, that the government would never negotiate. Very clearly our position is not up for negotiation, whether it be the news media bargaining code or whether it be the social media position, which is world-leading, he said. Loading Trade Minister Don Farrell said there was now a chance to revisit free trade agreement negotiations with the EU which had stalled over key elements of its measures to protection European farmers and food producers. Albaneses five-point plan to deal with the tariffs includes an extra $5 million for the Anti-Dumping Commission to protect key industries such as steel and manufacturing, $50 million in trade support for companies to find new markets, and prioritisation of Australian firms in government procurement and local content. Coalition leader Peter Dutton, who backed the measures on anti-dumping, extra trade support and government procurement, said he could have negotiated a better outcome with the Trump administration. He said a deal with the Trump administration could be done very quickly, linking the issue to the defence relationship between the two nations. We have troops in the north of our country, we have the AUKUS deal, we have the ANZUS treaty, Dutton said. This is a bad day for our country. I want to resolve the matter and the question for us now is: who is best able to deal with this relationship? he said. Greens leader Adam Bandt said Australia should end the $368 billion AUKUS submarine deal with the United States, arguing that Donald Trump was dangerous. Former prime minister Paul Keating said the Trump tariffs were the effective death knell of NATO, while casting doubt over other diplomatic ties including the ANZUS treaty between the US and Australia. If NATO, Americas principal strategic alliance, is expendable, what credible rationale could underpin US fidelity to ANZUS and with it, to Australia? he said. Australias clutch of Austral-Americans, that phalanx of American acolytes, must have choked on their breakfasts, as Donald Trump laid out his blitzkrieg on globalisation, with all its implications for the rupture of co-operation and goodwill among nations. AMP chief economist Shane Oliver said the chance of a United States recession was about 40 per cent, with Americas average tariff rate now higher than when it was pushed up during the Great Depression. [Trumps] announcement will take the US average tariff rate to above levels seen in the 1930s, which will in turn add to the risk of a US recession via a further blow to confidence and supply chain disruptions and a bigger hit to global growth, he said. Renowned economic historian Douglas Irwin said Trumps tariffs were much bigger than the infamous Smoot-Hawley tariffs imposed by the US in 1930 which exacerbated and prolonged the Great Depression. Loading British historian Simon Schama warned Trumps actions, by driving up prices and reducing demand across the United States, would deliver a substantial blow to the global economy. Global economic crashes have historically been caused by a variety of problems, some more unavoidable than others, but this is the first one ever to have been brought about by sheer doltish stupidity, he said on X. Apart from the immediate economic fallout from the tariffs, Trumps announcement sparked criticism around the globe. China, which due to previous tariff increases faces effective tariff rates of up to 70 per cent, signalled it would respond forcefully to what it described as a typical act of unilateral bullying. China firmly opposes this and will take countermeasures to safeguard its own rights and interests, the Chinese Commerce Ministry said in a statement. President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said the group of nations - which combined are the worlds third-largest economy - preferred to negotiate with the US, the commissions members were prepared to respond. We are already finalising a first package of countermeasures in response to tariffs on steel, she said on a trip to Uzbekistan. We are now preparing for further countermeasures, to protect our interests and our businesses if negotiations fail. As part of its negotiation strategy ahead of the announcement, the Albanese government repeatedly noted that Australia had run a trade deficit with the United States since the Korean War wool boom of the early 1950s. But figures from the Bureau of Statistics released on Thursday showed for a second successive month, Australia sold more to America than it received in imports. The surplus of $1.1 billon in February was again driven by huge purchases of gold by American investors which has helped drive the price of the precious metal to all-time highs. The Australian Industry Group warned that Trumps tariffs will lead to dumping of manufactured goods across the rest of the world. Group chief executive Innes Willox said with around 50 per cent of goods being intermediate goods components of unfinished products the tariffs would have a far-reaching impact beyond products they hit immediately. PHILIPSBURG:--- The House of Parliament will sit in a Public meeting on April 2, 2025. The Public meeting which was adjourned on March 12, 2025, will be reconvened on Wednesday at 11.00 hrs. in the Legislative Hall at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg. The Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication will be in attendance. The agenda point is: Deliberations with the Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport, and Telecommunication regarding the issuance and regulation of licenses for casinos and other gambling activities (IS/671/2024-2025 dated March 5, 2025) This meeting was requested by MP E.J. Doran, MP A.M.R. Irion, and MP D.T.J. York Members of the public are invited to the House of Parliament to attend parliamentary deliberations. All persons visiting the House of Parliament must adhere to the house rules. The House of Parliament is located across from the Court House in Philipsburg. The parliamentary sessions will be carried live on TV 15, Soualiga Headlines, via SXM GOV radio FM 107.9, via Pearl Radio FM 98.1, the audio via the internet www.youtube.com/c/SintMaartenParliament and www.pearlfmradio.sx PHILIPSBURG:--- The Permanent Committee of Kingdom Affairs and Inter-Parliamentary Relations (CKAIR) of Parliament, will meet on April 2, 2025. The Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday at 15.00hrs. in the Legislative Hall at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg. The agenda points are: 1. Incoming documents 2. Appointment of a vice-chairman of the committee 3. Discussion on the documents related to the proposed Windward Islands Economic Union in preparation for the SSS Cooperative meeting (IS/623/2024-2025 dated February 18, 2025) Members of the public are invited to the House of Parliament to attend parliamentary deliberations. All persons visiting the House of Parliament must adhere to the house rules. The House of Parliament is located across from the Court House in Philipsburg. The parliamentary sessions will be carried live on TV 15, Soualiga Headlines, via SXM GOV radio FM 107.9, via Pearl Radio FM 98.1, the audio via the internet www.youtube.com/c/SintMaartenParliament and www.pearlfmradio.sx PHILIPSBURG:--- On March 24, 2024, the Minister of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor, Mr. Richinel Brug, met with the Diabetes Foundation of Sint Maartenan organization run entirely by volunteers. The foundation is highly visible within the Sint Maarten community, actively visiting various districts throughout the year to provide free diabetes testing for individuals. During the meeting, Mr. Louis Wever from the foundation highlighted the significant costs associated with their work. A single test strip costs between $3 and $5, not to mention the expense of the testing machines themselves. He noted that many individuals in the community struggle financially, and those most affected by diabetes are often the least willing to get tested. A common response from individuals hesitant to take the test is that they already suspect they have diabetes but would rather not have it confirmed. Volunteers work dedicatedly to encourage these individuals to take the test, emphasizing that early detection is crucial for their health. The discussion also covered the severe consequences of untreated diabetes, including the risk of limb amputations, a well-known issue in the community. Minister Brug acknowledged the seriousness of diabetes, noting that it ranks among the top five most prevalent diseases affecting the people of Sint Maarten. A key concern raised was the lack of government funding for the foundation. While the Diabetes Foundation receives support from various sponsors, securing funding remains a constant challenge. Despite these financial hurdles, the foundation remains committed to expanding its reach and raising awareness. Your body is the most important thing you have, and everyone should take good care of it. If we can contribute by providing insights and advice, we are happy to do so, the foundation stated. The foundation already collaborates with the Ministry of VSA through its partnership with the CPS department. Minister Brug expressed his determination in exploring opportunities for a stronger partnership to be implemented in 2026 to further support the foundations essential work. PHILIPSBURG: --- Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina highlighted the strategic pillars of the governing program for 20242028, emphasizing resilience, innovation, and improvements in health and well-being. He stated that these pillars would be the foundation for the governments vision and priorities. The resilience strategy includes introducing a robust legal framework to ensure long-term sustainability. This includes steps toward electoral reform, more transparent screening processes for ministerial candidates, and advancing mental health care infrastructure. A new ordinance led by the Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment, and Infrastructure is focusing especially on waste management. Strengthening cross-border collaboration was identified as another means of bolstering resilience. The Prime Minister spoke of enhancing ties with the French side of the island through improved emergency response mechanisms, joint economic initiatives, and integrated approaches to immigration, law enforcement, and education. He also noted the governments intent to pursue associate membership in regional organizations such as CARICOM and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). On innovation, the address highlighted steps to digitalize government operations, invest in education, and develop renewable energy initiatives. The government aims to address the shortage of skilled professionals in the labor market by restructuring the educational system and preparing future generations for technological opportunities. Plans include integrating artificial intelligence tools into schools and completing the reconstruction of key educational institutions, such as the Sister Marie Laurence School and the Charles Leopold Bell School. The establishment of a national library was also mentioned as a priority project. Healthcare remains a critical concern for the administration, with a renewed focus on preventative care, affordability, and quality improvements. Plans include raising mental health awareness, building a new mental health facility, and establishing a streamlined medical professional registry. The hospital construction project was described as a top priority for the government during this term. Updates on Budget 2025 Prime Minister Marcelina discussed the developments surrounding the 2025 budget, which was approved unanimously by parliament earlier this year. However, technical issues related to amendments from both the government and parliament have delayed the finalization of the budgets text. To address this, the government proposed adopting a legislative methodology reminiscent of practices in the Netherlands. This process involves creating an additional national ordinance to address and integrate these amendments. Once finalized, the legislation will be reviewed by Legal Affairs and other advisory entities before being submitted to the Committee for Financial Supervision (CFT). The Prime Minister underscored his administration's commitment to resolving the matter efficiently to move forward with the budget's implementation. Reflections on the Netherlands Mission Lastly, the Prime Minister shared highlights from his recent mission to the Netherlands from March 20 to March 30. During his visit, he participated in bilateral discussions and events, including career fairs, to engage the St. Martin diaspora and foster stronger connections. Mercelina emphasized the importance of extending opportunities for St. Martiners living abroad to contribute to the development of their home country. Moving Forward Prime Minister Marcelina affirmed his governments commitment to its resilient, innovative, and healthy St. Maarten vision. While acknowledging the extensive scope of the governing program, he stated that these outlined initiatives clearly indicate the administrations focus over the next four years. PHILIPSBURG: --- Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina has taken a decisive step to tackle one of St. Maartens most pressing challenges: the ongoing brain drain. On Wednesday, at the Council Minister's press briefing, he announced a comprehensive initiative to attract skilled professionals and young academics back to their homeland. With various financial and logistical incentives, this program reflects the government's determination to build a stronger, more self-sufficient workforce and promote national development. A Strategic Plan to Bring Local Talent Home One key aspect of this initiative is its broad range of benefits aimed at easing the transition for St. Maarteners considering returning. Among the incentives are financial relocation assistance, government-funded travel, temporary accommodation support, and even partial forgiveness of student loans. This package is tailored to address the needs of returning professionals and students, demonstrating the governments commitment to encouraging their return. As we work to build our nation, we need to ensure that we have the right professionals in place, Prime Minister Mercelina stated. Our government is investing heavily in bringing our talents home by offering these incentives. We acknowledge that salaries here may not match those in the Netherlands, but we are committed to easing the transition for professionals returning to St. Maarten. Financial Relocation Assistance The program offers direct financial support through relocation allowances to assist with the cost of moving. Married professionals will receive ANG 3,750, while single returnees will receive ANG 2,000. Families with children will benefit from an additional ANG of 250 per child, helping to cover resettlement costs for families of all sizes. Fully Covered Travel Expenses Relocating across borders comes with several hidden costs, but this initiative completely covers travel expenses. Professionals will be provided with economy-class airfare and extra baggage allowances of 10kg per adult and 5kg per child under 12. This support removes financial barriers tied to long-distance travel, making a return home more attainable for many. Housing and Logistical Support The government will provide temporary accommodation for six weeks upon arrival to ensure returnees have a comfortable start. Financial support will also be available for crucial logistical needs, such as obtaining personal identification documents and transporting vehicles and household goods. This includes covering the costs of freight containers up to 40 feet for vehicles and 20 feet for household belongings. Addressing Wage Gaps with Salary Adjustments One of the significant deterring factors for professionals leaving well-paying positions abroad is the potential salary disparity. The government is introducing a 15% salary adjustment allowance to address this. This compensation will cushion the income gap, fostering economic stability for those leaving higher-paying jobs overseas. Student Loan Forgiveness The initiative offers an attractive incentive for returning students who have benefited from government study financing. Graduate returnees are eligible to receive an annual 10% student loan forgiveness, up to a maximum of 50%. This measure rewards students who bring their expertise back to the island after completing their education abroad. Nation-Building Through Talent Repatriation Prime Minister Mercelina emphasized that these efforts are about more than just financial support. This initiative is not just about financial incentives, he explained. Its about proving to our people that their expertise is valued and that we are serious about nation-building. The government firmly believes that reversing the brain drain is not only an economic necessity but also a moral one. St. Maarten is taking bold steps toward self-reliance and fostering sustainable development by prioritizing the return of skilled professionals and academics. The Broader Impact This initiative marks a pivotal point in St. Maartens development. It highlights the governments commitment to strengthening its workforce and sends a powerful message that the expertise of its people is deeply valued. Investing in its citizens makes the nation take a decisive step towards a brighter, more prosperous future. With these ambitious measures in place, the island beckons its people home, offering financial incentives and a chance to contribute meaningfully to the growth of the country they call home. Prime Minister Mercelinas vision of a united, thriving St. Maarten is becoming a reality, one professional at a time. WILLEMSTAD:---In a unique setting, personnel from all five police forces of the Dutch Kingdom have gathered in Curacao for the pilot project War Room Kingdom Strategy. This initiative also includes participation from the Detective Cooperation Team (RST), the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee (KMar), and the Caribbean Coast Guard (KWCARIB). This extraordinary initiative was launched to strengthen the joint approach to tackling transnational and subversive crime. The War Room is led by the coordinator of the Inter-Island Information Coordination Platform (IICP) - a structural partnership between participating agencies and the Public Prosecutor focusing on intelligence coordination. The coordinator is supported by the liaison officer from the Dutch National Police and the coordinator of the Caribbean Information Coordination (ICC-NL). The term war room originates from the military domain, referring to a central hub for strategic planning and operational coordination. In this pilot, the concept takes on new meaning: over a two-week period - from March 31 to April 11, 2025 - analysts and intelligence specialists will work intensively to map and analyze criminal networks operating across the Kingdom. These joint intelligence products may be the foundation for criminal investigations or other interventions. At the same time, the pilot functions as a hands-on training opportunity for newly appointed analysts within the Caribbean police forces and the RST. On behalf of the Council of Police Chiefs, the War Room was officially opened by Chief of Police Raymond Ellis of the Curacao Police Force (KPC) and Ans Rietstra, head of the RST. According to Ellis, the initiative marks a new phase in cooperation within the Kingdom. The War Room setting, he emphasized, is no coincidence: The fight against organized crime resembles a modern form of warfare. It unfolds in our ports, airports, on the streets, and online. Our adversaries are increasingly well-organized, collaborate effortlessly across borders, employ advanced technologies, and possess strong intelligence capabilities. This means that we also have to become more organized, push the boundaries of cooperation, and strengthen our own intelligence position. The head of the RST expressed her appreciation and full support for the pilot, stating her confidence that the War Room would yield valuable insights and concrete results. This initiative demonstrates that law enforcement agencies across the Kingdom are not only committed to jointly combating organized crime, but are also actively taking coordinated action. Its more than just a pilotit is a powerful signal of unity and a shared sense of urgency in the fight against subversion. The approach being developed over these two weeks is expected to form the foundation for a long-term, structural, and collaborative strategy. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 2. The Baku Energy Forum, the main event of Baku Energy Week, will be held at the city's Convention Center on June 3-4, Trend reports. The forum, celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, brings together the main participants of Baku Energy Week, leading world experts, representatives of state institutions and the private sector, investors, and business representatives for a strategic dialogue. It shapes the future agenda of the energy industry, discussing strategic initiatives and key development trends. The main topics of this year's Baku Energy Forum are the development of a sustainable energy industry, digitalization of the energy sector, acceleration of green energy projects, and the study of innovative solutions for decarbonization. These discussions will play an important role in determining the future of the global energy sector by giving direction to its transformation. The Zero Waste and Zero Food Waste initiatives are being implemented within the framework of the event, which emphasizes the organizers' commitment to the principles of sustainable development. Baku Energy Week, where important issues in the energy sector are discussed and successful partnerships are launched, attracts a large number of sponsors. Currently, the sponsors of Baku Energy Week include ABB, Azfen, Baku Steel Company, bp, GAP Construction, Inpex, Kolin Construction, MOL Group, MVM, NewMed Energy, SLB, Tekfen Construction and Installation, Total Energies, and Turkiye Petrolleri AO. The intellectual partner of this event is Boston Consulting Group. The consulting partner of Baku Energy Week is Deloitte. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Commentary By David Macdonald Twice the proportion of Canadians today have little to no local news compared to 16 years agoand as this loss accelerates, the threat of disinformation does too. Since 2008, Canada has lost 11 per cent of its newspaper and online media outlets. Over that same period, nine per cent of private broadcasting outlets in radio and TV have also disappeared. Thats an average loss of about 25 newspapers and online media outlets every year over the past decade. And it isnt getting better: 2023 was an especially bad year, when 83 media outlets closed due to the bankruptcy of Metroland and the shutdown of Metro Media in Quebec. In 2024, 14.5 private broadcasting outlets closed. Public broadcasters like CBC, Radio-Canada and TVOntario have not shrunk, but they havent grown to keep pace with the eight million more people who live in Canada today than did in 2008. The consequences are real. Nearly 2.5 million Canadians now live in a postal code with only oneor nolocal news outlet. In that vacuum, disinformation, often from social media, spreads unchecked. Suburban cities outside Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal have been hit particularly hard. Their residents may get coverage from nearby major centres, but there is little journalism focused on local councils, events and businesses. Cities like Surrey, Vaughan, Mississauga, Markham, Brampton, Richmond, North Vancouver, Burnaby and Laval have grown rapidly, but local news has not kept pace. In smaller cities and rural areas, the decline is even more widespread. All provinces and territories except Ontario have lost local news outlets, a trend that cuts off communities from trusted information about their own affairs. Quebec, Prince Edward Island and Manitoba have seen significant losses, but the hardest hit is Newfoundland and Labrador, where small towns have lost three-quarters of their print outlets in just 16 years. Why is this happening? Part of the problem is media consolidation. As local coverage shrinks, larger companies buy up smaller outlets, often cutting programming and staff. When one of these companies falters, all of its properties are at risk, as seen in the recent collapse of Metroland and Metro Media. But the deeper issue is economic. The traditional ad-funded business model that sustained private Canadian news outlets has been decimated by tech giants like Meta and Google, which now absorb the advertising revenue that once paid for reporters and editors. Government efforts to regulate and support this model havent kept up. The result is a deepening crisis in local journalism. The traditional business model is dying and must be replaced. But with what? One solution is to expand public broadcasting. CBC and Radio-Canada could create new stations in suburban cities and underserved areas, filling the gap left by the private sector. Another path is direct support for local journalismthrough federal subsidies for print media or incentives to launch online-only news platforms backed by micro-targeted advertising. Ottawa has started down this road, but the pace is far too slow to match the rate of newsroom closures. Meanwhile, the threat is growing. Policy Horizons Canada, the federal governments forecasting agency, recently warned that misinformationand the rise of people who cant distinguish fact from fictionis one of the top 10 threats to Canadian stability. The solution is more local news, not less. Without it, Canadians are left in the dark and disinformation steps in to light the way. David Macdonald is a senior economist at the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. By Radha Agarwal, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter "In our town, foreign workers are not a convenience, they are a necessity," John Farrell told city council. Farrell, head of Community Futuresan organization helping entrepreneurs in the North Coast and Haida Gwaiiis also a business owner. On March 24, he joined other prominent local business representatives from the Crest Hotel, Highliner Hotel, and Opa Sushi at a council meeting to raise alarm over tightening immigration rules. The room included members of the Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Prince Rupert, all united in concern over the impact recent federal immigration changes are having on their ability to maintain a workforce. Many Prince Rupert businesses have long struggled to recruit locals or Canadians from other regions to move north, resulting in a dependence on temporary foreign workers (TFWs) and international students. The data illustrates the depth of this reliance: Skeena Taxi employs 60% of its drivers under temporary permits; Safeway, 50% of its 78 staff; Save On Foods, 35%; Tim Hortons, 30%; Chances Casino, 55%; and three local restaurants operate entirely with TFWs. The Crest Hotel employs 35% foreign workers; McDonald's has 50 of 80 workers on temporary permits. We had an employee who was renewing his LMIA, totally legal to work here. It came across a desk at IRCC, and a decision was made to pull their work visa on the spot, said Christopher Colussi, general manager of the Crest Hotel. So, on the day of, they lost all their Canadian rights. Some even had their kids kicked out of school and lost health care. This is not a minor concern; this is a crisis, said Farrell. Were asking the federal government to do one simple thing: treat rural, northern B.C. differently. Similar stories are unfolding across other towns such as Terrace, Kitimat, Smithers and Houston. Corrine Warburton, co-owner of the Highliner Hotel, said their restaurant, The Ridge, had to suddenly and literally shut down after their head chef, a foreign worker, was denied an extension. Theyve been unable to fill key roles in housekeeping, the front desk, and restaurant operations, leading to significant financial losses. This is a very local result of the federal policy, she said. Kristi Farrell, co-owner of Opa Sushi, has run the business for 25 years, employing over 110 foreign workers and their families, 90% of whom later obtained Permanent Residency. Some have even launched their own businesses. But now, some of her staff have been ordered to stop working and are in a 90-day grace period without income or certainty. We are a viable, very good, long-term business; probably we could go on for another 30 years... [the immigration caps] are doing a complete disservice to our community and disruption to the business, she said. Im very confident that our business will be closing due to this if we dont have some ability to change the structure of it. Business owners repeated a common refrain: they offer jobs, but no locals are applying. Urban-style immigration policy doesnt reflect the economic reality of small-town businesses reliant on minimum or slightly above minimum-wage jobs. Since Fall 2024, the federal government has tightened the Temporary Foreign Worker Program by increasing Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) requirements, lowering caps on foreign hires, refusing applications in certain job categories, and cutting low-wage employment durations from two years to one. Compounding the problem is bureaucratic inefficiency. LMIAs are handled by Service Canada, while work permits are processed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Delays and poor coordination between the two agencies have created massive backlogs, leaving both employers and workers stranded. In many cases, visa expirations are occurring while workers wait for LMIA approval. Some foreign workers whove held the same jobs for years and successfully renewed their permits in the past are now being rejected outright. SkeenaBulkley Valley MP Taylor Bachrach weighed in: The immigration issue has become deeply politicized, mostly at the hands of the Conservatives. And the Liberals, in turn, made some rash decisions that are now having a really difficult impact on our economy. The federal government says its 20252027 immigration Levels Plan aims to slow immigration to relieve pressure on housing and services, while focusing on long-term economic goals. Lalit Bhatia, an immigrant from India and head chef at Opa Sushi, is one of those impacted. Since joining the restaurant in 2021 during the pandemic, he had hoped to buy a home in Prince Rupert. Now, he faces deportation. Its a very solid possibility at this point that I will leave on 15th [April]. Its a heavy-hearted situation, said Bhatia. Spending four years in one kitchen, in one restaurant, and everything is good Leaving at this point, only because they are not issuing LMIA and permit, is a hard situation. We have to leave, thats the rule. Despite being a Red Seal certified worker and paying taxes like any Canadian, his future is in limbo. He applied for an LMIA on November 6, 2024, and hasnt heard back. Meanwhile, his work permit has expired. Even if I magically receive my LMIA tomorrow, renewing the work visa could take another three to four months, he said. At this point, our mental state is f****d up completely. Every morning, when we wake up, the first thing I do is check my email, whether I receive some LMIA or some permit or not. Hes preparing to return to Delhi, bracing for the challenges of adjusting to lower wages and a different work culture. One of my friends from Highliner, his grace period got over. And that guy was literally crying when I went to drop him at the Prince Rupert airport, Bhatia said. He already flew back to India, and now again, hes waiting for LMIA, but still no response. Not just me, my other friends, we are all suffering. With a federal election campaign underway, Farrell hopes to build momentum for policy change, so action can be taken swiftly once Parliament reconvenes. Its unlikely that much is going to happen over the next month because of the election But this region deserves better policy, and were going to keep pushing for that, said Bachrach, who submitted a formal letter about the issue to then-Immigration Minister Marc Miller in December. Presenters urged Prince Rupert's city council to sign a formal declaration addressing the staff shortages. The document will be circulated among other local governments along Highway 16, business leaders, and key advocacy groups. They are calling for: 1. Grandfathering existing LMIA assessments. 2. Reversing hiring caps. 3. Immediate work permit renewals for northern and rural B.C. 4. Faster permit processing timelines. Fourth, and most importantly, support rural Canada with immigration policies that reflect our needs and protect the dignity of the people who come here to work, Farrell said. Workers are being told to stop working immediately their families are in limbo and businesses are scrambling. This isnt just inefficient and unreasonable, it is unsustainable. By Mata Press Service Vancouver Fashion Week (VFW) is back in full force this April, unveiling a dynamic and diverse lineup for its highly anticipated Fall/Winter 2025 season. For over 24 years, this prestigious showcase has elevated Canadian talent while spotlighting the global diversity of the fashion world. With more than 45 designers from over 10 countries, VFW continues to offer a vibrant platform where creativity meets culture, empowering both emerging and established designers to expand their media presence and global reach. From April 8 to 13, 2025, fashion lovers and industry insiders will descend upon Vancouver for six days of immersive runway experiences. Whether it's the refined elegance of Australias Aisha Ellen Garments, the bold streetwear edge of Americas Astrophe Apparel, or the ethereal couture of French designer JULIE EHME, this season's lineup captures the spectrum of modern style. Standouts also include Thailands TRIKUL, Mexicos Indigenous collective NUDO 6/6, and Chinese visionary RuirUiruI, whose genderless, ageless, and classless designs are poised to redefine the limits of fashion identity. And while international designers bring global flair, local talent continues to make bold statements. Alex S. Yu, fresh off London and New York shows, returns with his whimsical aesthetic; Eduardo Ramos, a VFW alum since 2019, showcases a new Paris collection; and sustainability takes center stage with names like Delayne Dixon, who transforms upcycled and deadstock materials into runway-ready garments. Student showcases from LaSalle College and Vancouver Community College (VCC) further affirm VFWs role as a springboard for the next generation. This years Nancy Mak Award goes to Vancouvers Bahar Kianpour, a designer celebrated for her ethereal, elegant work. Honouring the late Nancy Maks legacy of creative mentorship, the award reaffirms VFWs commitment to investing in fresh, visionary talent. But just as the main event celebrates the vanguard of adult fashion, the spotlight also shines brightly on the next generation. Vancouver Kids Fashion Week (VKFW), taking place April 1213 at David Lam Hall, returns with a dazzling lineup of young designers and imaginative collections. A standout platform within the VFW ecosystem, VKFW has become a beacon for youthful creativity, inclusivity, and multicultural expression. The runway will burst with bold colours, whimsical silhouettes, and eco-friendly materials, highlighting the limitless joy and imagination that defines childrens fashion today. This years VKFW showcases both local prodigies and international designers, including high school creators from Vancouver making their runway debuts alongside renowned Japanese brands ikumi and kurumi. Collections range from streetwear to dreamy couture, all designed with childrens comfort and individuality in mind. Emphasis on sustainability and ethical production further reflects VFWs core values, ensuring that even the youngest fashionistas are dressed for a more thoughtful future. "At Vancouver Fashion Week, diversity is our greatest strength. We bring together the most incredible design talent from across Canada and the wider world, presenting the most forward-thinking creative concepts to the industry. Fashion is a truly global phenomenon, and it's inspiring to see such a strong mix of designers all under one roof here in Vancouver." says Jamal Abdourahman, founder of Vancouver Fashion Week. Under Jamals leadership, VFW has grown into Canadas largest and longest-running fashion event, second in North America only to New York Fashion Week. Through initiatives like the Global Fashion Collective and the ever-expanding VKFW, he has built a global bridge between emerging talent and industry heavyweights. From Tokyo to Paris to Vancouver, the VFW brand now signifies more than fashionit signifies opportunity, expression, and change. This season, Vancouver Fashion Week promises a spectacle of reinvention. From avant-garde to timeless classics, every show offers a glimpse into the future of fashiona future as diverse, dynamic, and daring as the city itself. Follow the journey at vanfashionweek.com and on social media @vanfashionweek. Whether you're a style devotee, trendspotter, or simply fashion-curious, this is the cant-miss cultural event of the year. Fatal Xiaomi crash raises questions about assisted driving tech in China Beijing, April 2 (AFP) Apr 02, 2025 Chinese EV maker Xiaomi said it would cooperate with a police investigation into a fatal crash involving one of its cars which had been in autonomous mode just before the accident. Three college students died on Saturday night after their Xiaomi SU7 hit a concrete barrier on a section of the Dezhou-Shangrao Expressway in eastern Anhui province. Before the crash, the vehicle was in Xiaomi's Navigate On Autopilot (NAO) assisted driving mode, traveling at 116 kilometres per hour (72 miles per hour), according to a company statement posted online. While travelling on a highway section with roadworks, the vehicle detected an obstacle ahead, issued a warning, and handed control to the driver, Xiaomi said. But seconds later, the vehicle hit a barrier at around 97km/h. Footage posted online showed a car in flames on the highway and later the burned-out wreckage. Xiaomi founder Lei Jun said in a social media post late Tuesday that he was "heavy-hearted" and that his company would "continue to cooperate with the police investigation". Since the crash, many online have questioned Xiaomi's assisted driving functions, why the car caught fire, and whether the doors could be opened in an emergency. On the X-like Weibo, an account identified by the platform and local media as the driver's mother accused Xiaomi of failing to contact her and "not taking the lives of three kids seriously". "As family members, we have many questions. Why did the vehicle catch fire after hitting the barrier?... We just want an explanation," the woman wrote. Xiaomi, a consumer electronics giant selling goods from smartphones to vacuum cleaners, launched the SU7 in March 2024 as it entered the auto sector. It sold more than 200,000 units in its first year, with the standard model priced at around 210,000 yuan ($28,900). The company's share price has fallen around five percent since the accident. China's EV companies are world leaders in assisted driving technology. Xiaomi says cars using its intelligent driving system can overtake and change lanes on the highway, though it cautions that it is not a replacement for drivers. Xiaomi said it had sent a team to investigate the crash and tried to contact the victims' families through local authorities. sam/mtp Xiaomi US approves $5.58 bn fighter-jet sale to Philippines Washington, April 1 (AFP) Apr 01, 2025 The United States said Tuesday it has approved a sale of $5.58 billion in F-16 fighter-jets to the Philippines, as Washington backs its ally in rising tensions over China. The State Department said it was green-lighting the sale that includes 20 F-16 jets and related equipment to the Philippines, a treaty-bound ally of the United States. The sale will "improve the security of a strategic partner that continues to be an important force for political stability, peace and economic progress in Southeast Asia," a State Department statement said. The sale will boost "the Philippine Air Force's ability to conduct maritime domain awareness" and "enhance its suppression of enemy air defenses," it said. President Donald Trump's administration has sought to redirect US military efforts to Asia to face a rising China, especially as tensions rise over Taiwan, and to lessen involvement in Europe despite Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The Philippines and China have seen months of escalating confrontations in the South China Sea. Beijing claims almost the entirety of the crucial waterway, despite an international ruling that its assertion has no merit. On a recent visit to Manila, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth vowed to "reestablish deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region" in light of "threats from the Communist Chinese." Secretary of State Marco Rubio has reiterated US defense commitments to the Philippines, a contrast to the Trump administration's frequent talk of "freeloading" off the United States by allies in Europe. China holds large-scale military drills around Taiwan Taipei, April 1 (AFP) Apr 01, 2025 China on Tuesday sent its army, navy, air and rocket forces to surround Taiwan for large-scale drills Beijing said were aimed at practising for "precision strikes" and a blockade of the self-ruled island. Taiwan dispatched its own aircraft and ships, and deployed land-based missile systems, in response to the ongoing exercises and accused Beijing of being the world's "biggest troublemaker". The drills come after US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in Japan on Sunday that the United States would ensure "deterrence" across the Taiwan Strait, and called Beijing "aggressive". China opposes US support for Taiwan, which Beijing insists is part of its territory and has threatened to forcefully bring under its control. Beijing has increased the deployment of fighter jets and naval vessels around Taiwan in recent years to press its claim of sovereignty, which Taipei rejects. China deployed 21 warships around the island, including the Shandong aircraft carrier group, along with 71 aircraft and four coast guard vessels in the drills, Taiwan's defence ministry said. No live fire had been detected, it said. It was the highest number of warships detected in a single day since May last year, when 27 navy vessels were reported, and the most aircraft since the 153 detected in October, according to an AFP tally of the ministry's figures. Tensions across the Taiwan Strait have escalated since Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te took office in May 2024. Beijing's leaders oppose Lai, who last month called China a "foreign hostile force" and proposed measures to combat growing Chinese espionage and infiltration. Tuesday's exercises were aimed at sending a "stern warning and forceful deterrence" to alleged separatists in Taiwan, Beijing said. They involved "sea-air combat-readiness patrols, joint seizure of comprehensive superiority, assault on maritime and ground targets, and blockade on key areas and sea lanes", said Senior Colonel Shi Yi, spokesman of the Chinese military's Eastern Theater Command. Beijing's armed forces "close in on Taiwan Island from multiple directions", he said. The drills also involved training for "multi-directional precision strikes", the Eastern Theater Command said in a statement. A video shared by the military on the X-like Weibo platform showed footage of weapons interspersed with animations of Sun Wukong, the legendary Monkey King from the classic Chinese novel "Journey to the West". The video climaxes with Chinese forces appearing to use satellites to mark targets across Taiwan, before ending with a flurry of rocket explosions while multiple Monkey Kings attack a giant frog monster. A graphic shared by the military depicted Lai as an insect being roasted over an open fire. "(Taiwan) authorities' stubborn persistence with the Taiwan independence stance and their futile attempt to split the country from outside by seeking independence... is doomed to fail," foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said. Taiwan's Presidential Office condemned "China's escalatory behaviour", and Premier Cho Jung-tai said "resorting to displays of military force is not what modern, progressive societies should pursue". - Potential flashpoint - In Washington, President Donald Trump "is emphasizing the importance of maintaining peace in the Taiwan Strait," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told a briefing. She reiterated US "opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion." The European Union accused China of increasing cross-strait tensions by holding the military drills and called on all parties to "exercise restraint". China has carried out multiple large-scale exercises around the island in recent years, often described as rehearsals for a blockade and seizure of the territory. Analysts have speculated that China was more likely to attempt a blockade of Taiwan than launch an all-out invasion, which was riskier and would require a huge military deployment. Taipei military expert Su Tzu-yun told AFP the drills appeared to be of similar size to the "Joint Sword" exercises in May and October. Holding drills straight after Hegseth's visit to the Asia-Pacific region showed China was testing the Trump administration, said Lin Ying-yu of Tamkang University. Taiwan -- a powerhouse in semiconductor chip manufacturing -- is a potential flashpoint between China and the United States, which is the island's most important security partner. While the United States is legally bound to provide arms to Taiwan, Washington has long maintained "strategic ambiguity" when it comes to whether it would deploy its military to defend the island from a Chinese attack. The dispute between China and Taiwan dates back to 1949 when Chiang Kai-shek's Kuomintang nationalist forces fled to Taiwan after losing the Chinese civil war to Mao Zedong's communist fighters. Taiwan sees itself as a sovereign country, but has stopped short of declaring formal independence, which is a red line for Beijing. Only 11 countries and the Vatican recognise Taiwan's claim to statehood. mya-joy/amj/mtp/dw/aha X Two injured in attack on Christians in north Iraq Dohuk, Iraq, April 1 (AFP) Apr 01, 2025 Two people were injured on Tuesday in a cleaver attack on an Assyrian Christian celebration in northern Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region, officials said, pointing to the Islamic State jihadist group. The region's Asayesh police force said it was investigating the attack in the city of Dohuk. The region's autonomous Kurdish authorities said the attacker was Syrian and influenced "by terrorist ideology affiliated to Daesh", using the Arabic acronym for IS. Kurdish media said the attacker used a cleaver. According to a police source, the attack took place in a market and targeted the Akitu springtime celebrations observed by members of the Assyrian community to mark the first day of their calendar year. "A 65-year-old woman was hit on the head" and suffered a haemorrhage that did not require surgery, Dohuk medical authorities said, adding that her condition was "stable". Another 25-year-old man suffered a minor scalp wound, the authorities added. Dohuk governor Ali Tatar told a press conference that "our security forces arrested the suspect... the investigation is ongoing". Iraq's Christian population plunged from some 1.5 million before the fall of Saddam Hussein in the early 2000s to about 400,000, the majority having fled successive bouts of violence in the country. The rise in 2014 of the Islamic State, which had conquered the city of Mosul in northern Iraq and made it their "capital" notably accelerated their exodus. But even when IS held Mosul and its surrounding areas until its defeat in 2017, neighbouring Kurdistan was relatively spared from jihadist attacks. Jihadist cells are still active in Iraq, sporadically attacking the army and police, particularly in rural and remote areas. A recent UN report said government-led counter-terrorism operations have resulted in the deaths of nearly half of IS's senior leaders in Iraq. However, it warned the group could use the unstable situation in Syria following the overthrow of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad, a member of the Alawite minority, to reinforce its position. Photo: Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan ASTANA, Kazakhstan, April 2. Fifteen Kazatomprom-run subsidiaries and dependent organizations will be ready for the Comprehensive Technological Audit during the current year, as confirmed during a working meeting with Yerlan Nysanbaev, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Kazakhstan, and representatives from JSC "Samruk-Kazyna" and JSC "Kazatomprom", Trend reports. In the course of the discussion, issues were raised regarding the readiness of the subsidiaries and dependent organizations of JSC "Kazatomprom" and JSC "Samruk-Kazyna" to transition to the principles of Best Available Techniques (BAT) and to obtain comprehensive environmental permits. Nysanbaev emphasized the importance of implementing BAT, noting that this not only meets environmental standards but also enhances the competitiveness of Kazakhstan's industry. "We see the companies' readiness for change and expect their active participation in implementing the green economy concept," said the minister. Representatives of Kazatomprom and JSC Samruk-Kazyna assured the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan of their full commitment to environmental policy and readiness to implement sustainable solutions at their enterprises. As part of this work, support for the state policy on non-budgetary financing for the development of a BAT guide for activities in the mining and enrichment of uranium ores will continue. The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan, together with JSC "Kazatomprom" and JSC "Samruk-Kazyna," will continue efforts to modernize enterprises environmentally and strengthen the environmental policy in the country. Kazatomprom is the national atomic company of Kazakhstan, and it is one of the worlds largest producers of uranium. The company is involved in the extraction, processing, and export of uranium, as well as the development of nuclear fuel for power plants. Samruk-Kazyna is a sovereign wealth fund and the largest investment holding in Kazakhstan. Established in 2008, its main purpose is to manage state-owned assets and promote the development of key industries within Kazakhstan. The fund owns a significant share in many large companies across various sectors, such as energy, transportation, finance, and telecommunications. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Yemen Huthis say four killed in strikes blamed on US Sanaa, April 2 (AFP) Apr 02, 2025 Yemen's Huthi rebels said on Wednesday that overnight air strikes on Hodeida province killed four people in an attack they blamed on the United States. "The casualty toll of the American aggression targeting the Water Management building in... Hodeida governorate... rose to four martyrs and three wounded," said Huthi health ministry spokesman Anees Alasbahi, updating an earlier toll of three dead. Huthi media had reported US strikes on areas controlled by the Iran-backed rebels, including water infrastructure in Hodeida and three strikes in the northwestern region of Hajjah. Strikes also hit the group's northern stronghold of Saada. The United States has not confirmed it carried out these strikes. But US President Donald Trump has vowed that attacks on Yemen's Huthis would continue until they are no longer a threat to shipping. Early Wednesday, Huthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said the group targeted US aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman for "the third time in 24 hours". His statement came just as Washington said it was increasing the number of aircraft carriers deployed in the Middle East to two, keeping the Truman and sending another from the Indo-Pacific. The Carl Vinson would join the Truman "to continue promoting regional stability, deter aggression, and protect the free flow of commerce in the region," said Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell. Huthi-held parts of Yemen have witnessed near-daily attacks blamed on the United States since Washington launched a campaign against the rebels on March 15 to force them to stop threatening vessels in key maritime routes. Since then, the Huthis have also claimed attacks targeting US military ships and Israel. On Tuesday, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said the campaign of "over 200 successful strikes against the Huthis" had been effective. The rebels had targeted passing ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, as well as Israeli territory, from shortly after the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023 until a January ceasefire, claiming to act in solidarity with Palestinians. Renewed US strikes followed Huthi threats to resume attacks on vessels over Israel's aid blockade on Gaza, after truce talks stalled. The Huthi attacks had crippled the vital route, which normally carries about 12 percent of world shipping traffic, forcing many companies into a costly detour around the tip of southern Africa. China probes for key target weak spots with 'paralysing' Taiwan drills Beijing, April 2 (AFP) Apr 02, 2025 China's military drills around Taiwan this week aim to send a clear message to the island's leadership, analysts say -- in the event of war, Beijing can cut them off from the outside world and grind them into submission. And while previous drills have sought to test Taipei's response times to Chinese incursion, Beijing says this week's exercises are focused on its ability to strike key targets such as ports and energy facilities on the island. "Taiwan is vulnerable from an energy point of view and China is playing up that vulnerability," Dylan Loh at Singapore's Nanyang Technological University told AFP. The air and sea around the self-ruled island have swarmed with Chinese jets and warships in what Beijing has dubbed its "Strait Thunder" exercises -- punishment, it said, for the separatist designs of Taiwan's "parasite" leader Lai Ching-te. The drills are located in the middle and southern parts of the Taiwan strait -- a vital artery for global shipping. The island also imports nearly all of its energy supply and relies heavily on food imports, meaning in the event of a war, a blockade could paralyse the island -- a fact Beijing is keen to press. "Taiwan's depth is shallow and has no buffer zone. Taiwan is also short of resources," Major General Meng Xiangqing, professor at the PLA National Defence University, told state broadcaster CCTV. "If Taiwan loses its sea supply lines, then the island's resources will quickly be depleted, social order will fall into chaos, and people's livelihoods will be affected," he said. "In the end, it will be the regular people of the island who suffer." - 'Blockade' - One Taipei-based analyst said Beijing's drills were shifting focus, from practising ways to prevent foreign forces coming to Taiwan's aid in the event of a war, to asserting full control over the waters around the island. "The containment and control drills are designed to test the ability to restrict supply routes to Taiwan and deter foreign commercial vessels from docking," said Su Tzu-yun, a military expert at Taipei's Institute for National Defense and Security Research. "The message to international shipping is that all destinations are open -- as long as they're not Taiwan," he added. While Tuesday's exercises were focused on offensive operations against the island, Lin Ying-yu, a military expert and assistant professor at Tamkang University, said Wednesday's "centre on practising a blockade of Taiwan". Such a tactic echoes techniques used in the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, which has since February 2022 also launched thousands of strikes against energy infrastructure -- to debilitating effect. A graphic shared by the military made the objective clear: declaring "paralysing strikes" were being prepared and showing missiles raining down on the island's southern port city of Kaohsiung. Taiwan's leaders, it warned, were "heading for a dead end". Another touted the army's skills in "controlling energy channels, cutting off supply arteries," -- and showed graphics of explosions on targets on the island's east, west and south. - 'Deadly surprise attack' - The drills are driven by growing fears in Beijing that its long-awaited unification with Taipei is further away than ever. Bonny Lin, Director of the China Power Project at the Center for Strategic & International Studies in Washington, told AFP there was "an assessment in Beijing that China needs to do more to step up the process for unification with Taiwan". That included, she said, "punishing Taiwan for any perceived provocative activities and more firmly countering potential foreign intervention to assist Taiwan". Beijing is also seeking to highlight just how unpredictable it can be in attacking the island. "The opponent won't know which card we will play, including when we'll play it," Fu Zhengnan, an expert at the Chinese military's Academy of Military Science, told CCTV. "The PLA is becoming more and more like an unpredictable magician," he said. This week's drills come just days after US defence chief Pete Hegseth vowed the United States would ensure "deterrence" across the Taiwan Strait in the face of China's "aggressive and coercive" actions. Wen-Ti Sung, a nonresident fellow at the Atlantic Council's Global China Hub, said "Straight Thunder" was testing that claim. "China wants to impose stress test after stress test and create an opportunity where the Trump administration will have to respond," he said. Greece to spend 25 bn euros in defence overhaul: PM Athens, April 2 (AFP) Apr 02, 2025 Greece will spend 25 billion euros ($27 billion) through to 2036 in the "most drastic" defence overhaul in its modern history, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Wednesday. "The plan involves the most drastic transformation of the armed forces in the country's modern history," Mitsotakis told parliament. "The world is changing at an unforeseeable pace," he said. The drive, which includes a new anti-aircraft defensive dome, is aimed at addressing rapidly changing geopolitical challenges and fraying transatlantic ties, Mitsotakis said. Greece has traditionally invested at least two percent of gross domestic product in its defence -- NATO's spending target -- owing to decades of tension with regional rivals Turkey. But the new initiative is also designed to make the country of under 11 million "a key branch" of the European Union's defence mechanism, contributing one of the bloc's "most advanced" armies, Mitsotakis said. China says ends two-day Taiwan drills with simulated strikes on key ports, energy sites Taipei, April 2 (AFP) Apr 02, 2025 China's military on Wednesday said it had completed two days of exercises that included "live-fire" drills and simulated strikes on key ports and energy sites aimed at Taiwan, the self-ruled island it claims as its own. The surprise manoeuvres were condemned by Taiwan, while the United States criticised it as "intimidation tactics". They came less than a month after Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te called China a "foreign hostile force". Named "Strait Thunder-2025A", the drills were in the middle and southern parts of the Taiwan Strait as well as the East China Sea, the military said. By Wednesday evening, a People's Liberation Army spokesman Shi Yi said "the Eastern Theater Command has completed all designated tasks of the joint exercises carried out from April 1 to 2". Earlier, he said that Wednesday's exercises were meant to "test the troops' capabilities" in areas such as "blockade and control, and precision strikes on key targets". The military also said it had held "long-range live-fire drills" and practised hitting "simulated targets of key ports and energy facilities". AFP journalists saw fighter jets circling over the island Pingtan, the closest point on the mainland to Taiwan and where there is a military base. China's Shandong aircraft carrier was also carrying out drills testing the ability to "blockade" Taiwan, the Eastern Theater Command said. Beijing's foreign ministry warned Wednesday the "punishment will not stop" until Taiwan's leaders stop pushing for what it says is independence from China. The democratic island of 23 million people is a potential flashpoint between China and the United States, which is Taiwan's most important security partner. The US State Department said Beijing's "aggressive" military activities and rhetoric towards Taiwan "only serve to exacerbate tensions and put the region's security and the world's prosperity at risk". Chinese leaders oppose Washington's support for Taiwan and detest Lai, who they call a "separatist". - 'Abyss of misery' - Wednesday's drills in the strait came a day after China sent its army, navy, air and rocket forces to surround Taiwan, prompting Taipei to dispatch its own air and maritime forces. Taiwan's defence ministry said there was no live-fire near the island on Wednesday. By early afternoon, 36 Chinese aircraft, 21 warships and 10 coast guard boats had been detected around Taiwan. That compares with Tuesday's count of 21 warships, 71 aircraft and four coast guard vessels. China's Eastern Theater Command kept up its propaganda on Wednesday, posting a "Paralysing Strikes" poster on its Weibo account, showing Chinese forces surrounding Taiwan and firing missiles at the island. "Pursuing Taiwan independence will only endanger Taiwan and plunge Taiwan compatriots into an abyss of misery," said Chinese Ministry of Defence spokesman Zhang Xiaogang in a statement Wednesday. Major General Meng Xiangqing, professor at the PLA National Defence University, warned more drills could follow this week's exercises. "As long as Taiwan independence separatists dare to cross the line, the PLA will definitely act," Meng told state broadcaster CCTV. - 'Robust' deterrence - Beijing has ramped up military pressure on Taiwan in recent years and held multiple large-scale exercises around the island that are often described as rehearsals for a blockade and seizure of the territory. Tensions have escalated since Lai took office in May 2024 and adopted tougher rhetoric than his predecessor Tsai Ing-wen in defending the island's sovereignty. While Taiwan sees itself as sovereign, most nations, including the United States, do not recognise its claim to statehood and instead have formal diplomatic ties with China. Last month, Lai called China a "foreign hostile force" and proposed 17 measures to combat growing Chinese espionage and infiltration. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth vowed "robust, ready and credible deterrence" in the strait during a visit to the region last week. Taipei analyst Wen-Ti Sung said China was using "stress test after stress test" to gauge the strength of US support for Taiwan and other allies in the region. "China is creating occasion after occasion for the Trump administration to publicly show how its support... is weaker or more conditional than in years past," Sung told AFP. Beijing was also trying to paint Lai as "the provocateur" to get what it wants on Taiwan from Washington, including reduced US support, Eurasia Group's Amanda Hsiao said. The United States is legally bound to provide arms to Taiwan, but Washington has long maintained "strategic ambiguity" when it comes to whether it would deploy its military to defend the island from a Chinese attack. A senior Taiwanese security official told AFP the drills were also aimed at "keeping troops out of their barracks to prevent unrest and speculation" following recent personnel purges in China's military. burs-amj-mya/dhw NATO chief says alliance with US 'there to stay' Brussels, Belgium, April 2 (AFP) Apr 02, 2025 NATO chief Mark Rutte insisted Wednesday that the United States remained committed to the alliance despite fears President Donald Trump is undercutting transatlantic relations. "I'm absolutely convinced this alliance is there to stay with the US. Their commitment is absolutely clear," Rutte said on the eve of a meeting of NATO foreign ministers. In just over two months in office, Trump's administration has raised the prospect of withdrawing forces from Europe, reached out to number one enemy Russia over Ukraine, and threatened the territory of Canada and Denmark. Trump is also expected to announce trade tariffs later Wednesday that would hit the economies of NATO countries. "I know there has been some tough language. I know that there have been allies, for example, on this side of the pond being worried about the long-term commitment of the US to NATO," Rutte said. "The Americans have stated again and again: 'We are committed to NATO. We are committed to article five'," Rutte said, referring to the alliance's collective defence pledge. Ahead of a summit in The Hague in June, Trump is demanding that allies ramp up defence spending -- with Washington insisting on a new target of five percent of GDP. "This commitment comes with a clear expectation, expectation that on this side of the Atlantic and Canada, we will spend more," Rutte said. Nervous NATO allies are set to press US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to lay out Washington's thinking on the future of NATO and Ukraine during two days of talks in Brussels starting Thursday. Diplomats say they hope Washington's top diplomat will give more details on Trump's push for a deal with Moscow, and also clarity if there are plans to withdraw US forces from Europe. Military confrontation 'almost inevitable' if Iran nuclear talks fail: French FM Paris, April 2 (AFP) Apr 02, 2025 France's foreign minister warned Wednesday that a military confrontation with Iran would be "almost inevitable" if talks over Tehran's nuclear programme failed. "In the event of failure, a military confrontation would appear to be almost inevitable," Jean-Noel Barrot said in parliament, adding that it would severely destabilise the region. Earlier Wednesday, President Emmanuel Macron chaired a meeting on Iran. US President Donald Trump has threatened that Iran will be bombed if it persists in developing nuclear weapons. Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has promised to hit back. "Our confidence and our conviction remain intact," Barrot said. "Iran must never acquire nuclear weapons." "Our priority is to reach an agreement that verifiably and durably constrains the Iranian nuclear program," he added. Since taking office in January, Trump has reinstated his "maximum pressure" policy, which in his first term saw the United States withdraw from a landmark 2015 agreement on Iran's nuclear programme and reimpose sanctions on Tehran. Western countries including the United States have long accused Iran of pursuing a nuclear weapon, which Tehran has denied, insisting that its enrichment activities are solely for peaceful purposes. The 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers required Iran to limit its nuclear processing in exchange for sanctions relief. Barrot also announced that France would "soon" lodge a complaint against Iran at the International Court of Justice over the fate of two detained French nationals. The complaint would be filed over "the violation of the right to consular protection", he said, referring to Cecile Kohler and Jacques Paris, who were detained in Iran in May 2022 on accusations of seeking to stir up labour protests. Western countries have for years accused Iran of detaining their nationals on trumped-up charges in a policy of state hostage-taking to use them as bargaining chips to extract concessions. "We are going to step up pressure on the Iranian regime even further," Barrot said. He also said "additional European sanctions against Iranian officials responsible for the policy of state hostage-taking" would be announced in the coming days. In March, French national Olivier Grondeau, detained by Iran in 2022 on security charges but described by his family as an innocent tourist, was returned to France after being released. DR Congo commutes death sentence against 3 Americans to life in prison Kinshasa, April 2 (AFP) Apr 02, 2025 President Felix Tshisekedi has commuted death sentences handed to three Americans into life imprisonment for involvement in what the army said was a failed coup bid in DR Congo last year, according to an announcement. Marcel Malanga, Tyler Thompson and Benjamin Zalman-Polun are being held in a military prison in the capital, Kinshasa. The three Americans, who are aged between 23 and 37, were among 37 people sentenced to death over the alleged May coup attempt, in which armed men attacked a minister's home before heading to presidential offices. The decision to commute their sentence was read out on state television overnight. Richard Bondo, Zalman-Polun's lawyer, told AFP they were happy with the presidential decision. The three Americans now have "the right to hope for a definitive release following a total remission of sentence which is also one of the methods of applying the presidential pardon outlined by the constitution" of the Democratic Republic of Congo, he said. The alleged coup bid began in the early hours of May 19 last year when several dozen armed men attacked the home of then-economy minister Vital Kamerhe, who is now the national assembly president. Armed men then went to a building housing Tshisekedi's offices waving flags of Zaire, the country's name under ex-dictator Mobutu Sese Seko, who was overthrown in 1997. Shots were heard near the building, several sources said at the time. An army spokesman said later on national television that defence and security forces had stopped "an attempted coup d'etat". The alleged plot was led by Christian Malanga, a Congolese man who was a "naturalised American" and who was killed by security forces, army spokesman General Sylvain Ekenge has said. He was the father of Marcel Malanga. In March last year, the DRC government lifted a moratorium on the death penalty that had been in force since 2003. It said the move was to target soldiers accused of treason, with the country facing armed rebellion in its troubled east. Human rights groups criticised the decision. Since then, more than about 100 death sentences have been handed down but none has so far been carried out. China says ends two-day Taiwan drills with simulated strikes on key ports, energy sites Taipei, April 2 (AFP) Apr 02, 2025 China's military on Wednesday said it had completed two days of live-fire exercises that included simulated strikes on key ports and energy sites aimed at Taiwan, the self-ruled island it claims as its own. The surprise manoeuvres were condemned by Taiwan, while the United States called them "intimidation tactics". They came less than a month after Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te called China a "foreign hostile force". Named "Strait Thunder-2025A", the drills were in the middle and southern parts of the Taiwan Strait as well as the East China Sea, the military said. By Wednesday evening, a People's Liberation Army spokesman Shi Yi said "the Eastern Theater Command has completed all designated tasks of the joint exercises carried out from April 1 to 2". Earlier, he said that Wednesday's exercises were meant to "test the troops' capabilities" in areas such as "blockade and control, and precision strikes on key targets". The military also said it had held long-range live-fire drills and practised hitting "simulated targets of key ports and energy facilities". AFP journalists saw fighter jets circling over the island of Pingtan, the closest Chinese territory to Taiwan and which houses a military base. China's Shandong aircraft carrier was also carrying out drills testing the ability to "blockade" Taiwan, the Eastern Theater Command said. Beijing's foreign ministry warned the "punishment will not stop" until Taiwan's leaders cease pushing for what it says is independence from China. The democratic island of 23 million people is a potential flashpoint between China and the United States, which is Taiwan's most important security partner. The US State Department said Beijing's "aggressive" military activities and rhetoric towards Taiwan "only serve to exacerbate tensions and put the region's security and the world's prosperity at risk". The UK Foreign Office said it was "concerned" over the Chinese drills, calling them "part of a pattern of activity which is increasing tensions and risking dangerous escalation in the Taiwan Strait." Chinese leaders oppose Washington's support for Taiwan and detest Lai, whom they call a "separatist". - 'Abyss of misery' - Wednesday's drills came a day after China sent its army, navy, air and rocket forces to surround Taiwan, prompting Taipei to dispatch its own air and maritime forces. Taiwan's defence ministry said there was no live-fire near the island on Wednesday. By early afternoon, 36 Chinese aircraft, 21 warships and 10 coast guard boats had been detected around Taiwan. That compares with Tuesday's count of 21 warships, 71 aircraft and four coast guard vessels. "Pursuing Taiwan independence will only endanger Taiwan and plunge Taiwan compatriots into an abyss of misery," said Chinese Ministry of Defence spokesman Zhang Xiaogang in a statement Wednesday. Major General Meng Xiangqing, professor at the PLA National Defence University, warned more drills could follow. "As long as Taiwan independence separatists dare to cross the line, the PLA will definitely act," Meng told state broadcaster CCTV. - 'Robust' deterrence - Beijing has ramped up military pressure on Taiwan in recent years and held multiple large-scale exercises around the island that are often described as rehearsals for a blockade and seizure of the territory. Tensions have escalated since Lai took office in May 2024, adopting tougher rhetoric than his predecessor Tsai Ing-wen. While Taiwan sees itself as sovereign, most nations, including the United States, do not recognise its claim to statehood and instead have formal diplomatic ties with China. Last month, Lai called China a "foreign hostile force" and proposed 17 measures to combat growing Chinese espionage and infiltration. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth vowed "robust, ready and credible deterrence" in the strait during a visit to the region last week. Taipei analyst Wen-Ti Sung said China was using "stress test after stress test" to gauge the strength of US support for Taiwan and other allies in the region. "China is creating occasion after occasion for the Trump administration to publicly show how its support is weaker or more conditional than in years past," Sung told AFP. The United States is legally bound to provide arms to Taiwan, but Washington has long maintained "strategic ambiguity" when it comes to whether it would deploy its military to defend the island from a Chinese attack. burs-amj-mya/dhw/acb/gv BAKUM, Azerbaijan, April 2. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is providing an additional loan of up to 72 million euros to BIG CEE, a Netherlands-based company, as part of a 100 million euro loan package to support its expansion in Serbia and the Western Balkans, Trend reports. The funding will be used for the development, upgrade, and acquisition of modern retail parks and shopping centers in the region. We are delighted to support BIG CEE's expansion, which aligns with the EBRD's Real Estate Sector Strategy 2025-29, said Vlaho Kojakovic, EBRD Head of Real Estate. He highlighted the banks focus on green transition, resilience in human capital, and affordability in housing. BIG CEE CFO Alon Bargiora welcomed the continued cooperation, noting that the financing covers four projects in Serbia, including existing retail centers in Pancevo and Rakovica, as well as new retail parks in Cacak, Sabac, and Bor, set to open in 2025. BIG CEE operates 16 retail properties in the region, including 14 in Serbia. Its portfolio includes 10 retail parks, three BIG FASHION shopping centers, and Serbias only designer outlet, BIG Fashion Outlet Inija. The company also owns the largest shopping center in Montenegro, BIG FASHION Podgorica. The EBRD remains a key institutional investor in Serbia, having invested over 9.8 billion euros in 374 projects. Last year, it invested 807 million euros in the country, focusing on private-sector competitiveness, green transition, and sustainable infrastructure. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 2. The European Investment Bank (EIB) Group, comprising the EIB and the European Investment Fund (EIF), has signed a 93 million euro synthetic securitisation deal with BBVA, focused on financing 100% green projects, Trend reports. This deal will enable BBVA to mobilise up to 185 million euros for the construction of near-zero emissions residential buildings by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid-caps in Spains real estate sector. Guaranteed by InvestEU, the EU programme aimed at mobilising both public and private investments, the transaction will provide SMEs and mid-caps working on sustainable housing projects with easier access to financing on favorable terms. This support is particularly aimed at regions with lower-than-average income levels. The funded projects will focus on improving energy efficiency, reducing CO2 emissions, and helping to combat climate change. Many of these projects are expected to be implemented in EU cohesion regions. The operation highlights the EIB Group's commitment to promoting new financial instruments like securitisation, which help unlock capital for green initiatives, reduce risks for financial institutions, and contribute to the EUs capital markets union. BBVAs portfolio, valued at over 1.4 billion euros in loans to SMEs, will include the senior and junior tranches, while the EIB Group guarantees the 93 million euro mezzanine tranche. The structure of the deal adheres to STS (Simple, Transparent, and Standardised) criteria and includes mechanisms to ensure pro-rata amortisation. When you have a situation where the SPS agrees with the lifting of Crown immunity, when the Scottish Government and every opposition party in the Scottish Parliament agrees with the lifting of Crown immunity, the question really is now for the UK Government to deliver on that, he said. Where to live Golden Visas: the four European countries where you can still get citizenship by buying property Four European countries still offering golden visas to property buyers BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 2. In line with the "State Program for Improving Transport Infrastructure in Baku and its Adjacent Areas for 2025-2030," approved by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, the expansion of Baku's metro system is set to begin, Trend reports citing Baku Metro CJSC. The first phase of the project will be all hands on deck to wrap up the construction of the "Darnagul" and "Khojasan" electric depots, which are seen as the backbone of the metros expansion. London is set to enjoy another week of uninterrupted sunshine, with temperatures set to steadily rise to 21C on Friday. But the London Fire Brigade (LFB) has warned that while London may not be experiencing the same high temperatures as the summer months, wildfires can still occur, especially because of the drier start to spring this year than usual. He said that in his statement, one of the soldiers claimed he opened fire when he believed those in the lorry were about to open fire on the patrol, however, he found that the IRA members were attempting to descend the lorry and run away and they could not have posed a threat. Russia has also long vied for influence in the region, which includes three Nato allies in Albania, North Macedonia and Montenegro, and its stability is seen by the Government as key to European security. He told the APPG: In this case, the evidence of torture is fairly strong, but the biggest problem we have had is that the Indian government has repeatedly refused to undertake an independent medial examination at the time to see whether there was evidence of torture. After law school, Mr Booker worked as a public interest attorney, focusing on tenants' rights and affordable housing issues in Newark, New Jersey. His passion for community advocacy led him to enter politics. In 1998, he was elected to the Newark City Council, where he gained attention for his efforts to combat crime and improve living conditions. In 2006, he was elected mayor of Newark, a position he held until 2013. He emphasized crime reduction, urban development and economic revitalisation during his tenure. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, April 2. During a meeting with Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev received an update on the fuel and energy industry and gave the go-ahead to recruit strategic investors for geological exploration projects, Trend reports. During the meeting, the president was brought up to speed on the smooth sailing of the nation's oil refineries, which are on track to handle a whopping 17.6 million tons of oil by 2025. President Tokayev was also informed about the development of the Concept for the Development of the Oil Refining Industry until 2040. Akkenzhenov outlined plans for gas production and the construction of new gas processing facilities at the Kashagan and Karachaganak fields and in the city of Zhanaozen. The construction of the second line of the main gas pipeline Beineu-Bozoy-Shymkent and the Taldykorgan-Usharal gas pipeline continues, Akkenzhenov underscored. Additionally, Tokayev was informed about plans to commission over 26 GW of new generating capacities by 2035 to meet the growing domestic demand. Following the meeting, the president issued a series of instructions regarding the further development of the fuel and energy sector. Tokayev brought attention to the importance of timely and high-quality implementation of planned infrastructure projects in the oil and gas, petrochemical, and energy sectors. He particularly highlighted the need to ensure the countrys energy security and the stable supply of energy resources to the population and the economy. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev instructed the adoption of a comprehensive set of measures to improve the investment climate and attract strategic investors to geological exploration. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 2. TotalEnergies has completed the acquisitions of VSB Group, a European wind and solar developer, and SN Power, a hydropower company operating in Africa, Trend reports. The company has also signed agreements with renewables developer RES for projects in Canada and closed the acquisition of a solar farm in Alberta. In Europe, the acquisition of VSB strengthens TotalEnergies' electricity business in Germany, adding to its recent investments in battery storage and offshore wind. VSB's portfolio includes over 15 GW of projects, increasing TotalEnergies' renewables pipeline in Europe to more than 40 GW. The company has also initiated the divestment of the Puutionsaari project in Finland. In Africa, the acquisition of SN Power supports TotalEnergies' multi-energy strategy in Uganda, where it now holds a 28.3% stake in the Bujagali hydropower plant, which supplies over 25% of the country's peak electricity demand. The deal also includes stakes in hydropower projects under development in Rwanda and Malawi. In Canada, TotalEnergies has signed agreements with RES to acquire wind and solar projects in Alberta, totaling over 800 MW. It has also completed the acquisition of the 184 MW Big Sky Solar facility, with a portion of its output secured under a long-term power purchase agreement. According to Stephane Michel, President of Gas, Renewables, and Power at TotalEnergies, these acquisitions contribute to the company's goal of reaching 35 GW of renewable capacity by 2025 and over 100 TWh of electricity production by 2030, while also supporting profitability targets in the electricity sector. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 2. The Zangezur Corridor will create a new multilateral platform for interaction between Azerbaijan and China, said Head of the New Azerbaijan Party's Central Apparatus Tahir Budagov during a conference themed "Azerbaijan - China: Strategic Partnership, Consolidation, and Promotion of Cooperation in the Global South," Trend reports. "Azerbaijan, located at the crossroads of international transport corridors East-West and North-South, has become an important transit hub in Eurasia. Being one of the first countries to support China's 'Belt and Road' initiative, Azerbaijan is practically demonstrating its interest in expanding cooperation within the framework of this project and the Middle Corridor. Undoubtedly, based on our country's principled position, the implementation of the Zangezur Corridor in the upcoming period will create a new multilateral platform for cooperation between Azerbaijan, China, and other partner states, contributing to the strengthening of constructive cooperation in Eurasia," he added. Budagov pointed out that both countries attach special importance to the development of bilateral relations, and Azerbaijan firmly adheres to the "one China" principle, while China highly values Azerbaijan's support for its position on the international stage. "The strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and China is significant for promoting consolidation and cooperation in the Global South," he noted. The Zangezur Corridor initiative put forth by Azerbaijan seeks to create a strategic transit conduit connecting its principal territory with the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, traversing Armenian territory. To note, this project emerged in the course of the implementation of the agreements set out in the trilateral statement signed by the leaders of Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Russia in 2020. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Romania's Defence Minister Angel Tilvar on Wednesday in Warsaw, Poland, met his Polish counterpart Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz to discuss the main security developments on NATO's eastern flank. According to the Romanian Defence Ministry (MApN), the meeting took place on the sidelines of an informal meeting of the defence ministers of the European Union member states, hosted by Poland, as the state that holds the rotating Presidency of the Council of the EU. The discussions between the two dignitaries focused on the main security developments on NATO's eastern flank, with Tilvar bringing to attention the challenges specific to the Black Sea region. "Given the current dynamics of the security situation in the Black Sea area, including the intensification of hybrid actions carried out by the Russian Federation, it is essential to strengthen cooperation between the countries on the eastern flank ahead of the NATO Summit in The Hague in June," Tilvar is quoted as saying in a MApN press release. The two officials reiterated their joint commitments to the implementation of NATO decisions, especially in the area of strengthening the deterrence and defence posture, Forward Defence on the eastern flank and cooperation within the European defence initiatives. At the same time, they highlighted the importance of practical cooperation between the armed forces of the two countries, including within the NATO missions to strengthen the defence and deterrence posture on the eastern flank. In this context, the deployment, between April and July 2025, of the 'Carpathian Vipers' Romanian detachment in Lithuania, consisting of approximately 100 servicemen and four F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft, which will perform missions alongside the Polish Air Force, within NATO's Enhanced Air Policing mission, was mentioned. According to MApN, Tilvar and Kosiniak-Kamysz also discussed the excellent cooperation between Romania and Poland within the B9 Initiative, highlighting the potential for bilateral collaboration in the field of military hardware production, including in the context of the recent initiatives launched by the European Union. During the meeting, the excellent level of Romania-Poland relationships was appreciated, as reflected in the numerous joint projects and activities, as well as in consistent support to Ukraine, according to MApN. The elimination of tax breaks and the lack of a national strategy for education and vocational training may affect Romania's long-term attractiveness in the field of business services, according to the latest report by the Association of Business Service Leaders in Romania (ABSL), in collaboration with Deloitte Romania. "In a dynamic global context, Romania is at risk of no longer being competitive in this industry, although ABSL estimates still show growth potential. Technology and digitalization are transforming all economies, and in many countries there are national programs that support education, research and vocational training. Companies in our industry, but also in other fields, are making efforts to compensate for the lack of a national strategy, but this is not viable in the long term," said Ciprian Dan, president of ABSL, as quoted in the release. While Romania no longer offers incentives for industry, other Central and Eastern European countries (Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia) have attractive support programs, consisting of grants, tax breaks and training facilities. In addition, the proximity of the war in Ukraine may have a negative impact on potential investors in some cases, the authors of the study argue. At the same time, the report highlights the current advantages of the business services industry and why its development should be a national priority. "Over the last decade, the business services sector has been one of the pillars of Romania's economy. In 2023, this sector's contribution to GDP was the highest in the region, i.e. 10.5% if we include IT services, consistently recording the highest share in the region over the last 10 years," the study further shows. The growth rate of the business services sector in Romania has also consistently outpaced the growth rate of the economy as a whole. This underlines the sector's major importance in Romania's economy. "In the long term, the business services sector has seen a higher growth in the number of employees compared to the dynamics of the economy as a whole. Over the last 10 years, the industry has grown at an average rate of 14% per year, the highest in the region. These achievements have significantly strengthened the national economy, created well-paid jobs and contributed to rising living standards. There is, however, a correlation between the sustained pace of growth and the tax breaks the sector has benefited from until the end of 2023. After that date, Romania has remained the only country in the region without specific governmental measures to stimulate this sector, and the negative effects are already visible in the decrease in the number of IT employees and potential investors," said Catalin Iorgulescu, ABSL vice-president. According to the report, the industry still has potential for growth, even if it will be slower due to the maturity of the market and high global and regional competitiveness. Thus, ABSL has identified a number of factors that may support an upward momentum in the near future. Currently, employees in the local business services industry account for 2.5% of the total labor force, compared to the Czech Republic and Bulgaria, where the share is 3.5%. Romania also has a large number of students, ranking second in Central and Eastern Europe after Poland, and 24 cities with more than 100,000 inhabitants, attractive for companies in the sector. "Another competitive advantage is the highest percentage of French, Spanish and Italian speakers in the region. The salaries of Romanian employees in the business services sector remain competitive," the research also shows. At the same time, Romania ranks 3-4 in terms of the total cost of employment, with the highest costs in the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia and, for some services, Hungary. However, this is mainly influenced by Bucharest, where most of the jobs in the sector are located, and salaries are 38% higher than the national industry average, mentions the cited source. The study was conducted by ABSL and Deloitte between October 2024 and March 2025 and analyzed data from Eurostat, the European Commission, partners (IO Partners and Randstad), as well as information available at national statistical institutes and Deloitte analysis. Two of the world's most interconnected global economies are hurtling towards a collision with the US President preparing to unveil a raft of new tariffs on America's closest trading partners. No one on either side of the Atlantic knows what to expect. The European Union is bracing for impact as US President Donald Trump prepares to unveil sweeping tariffs on all countries for what he has labelled the United States 'liberation day' on April 2. Trump wants to impose the wider US protectionist trade measures over what he said was years of European and other countries ripping off Americans and redressing supposedly unfair trade imbalances. The US President is pushing behind the scenes for the most aggressive measures, which he sees as a historic opportunity to radically transform the US economy, according to White House sources. To his closest aides, in fact, the president has admitted that he made a mistake during his first four years in the White House in allowing some of his advisers to dissuade him from higher tariffs, hinting that he does not want to fall into the same error. While publicly flaunting confidence, the White House fears that the announcement expected on Wednesday will create a new jolt on the financial markets, already agitated by fears of possible stagflation caused in part by the duties themselves. US Vice President JD Vance and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, have in fact privately confessed that they do not know what exactly Trump will do, who has appeared to contradict himself several times in recent weeks. Since taking office in January, the new US administration has threatened, and in some cases imposed, tariffs on goods from specific countries like Mexico, China and Canada and on targeted sectors, including aluminium, steel and cars. Trump has also floated the idea of universal or reciprocal tariffs to be applied to most imports regardless of the country of origin. The pending announcement has also sent investors and companies in Europe and across the world scrambling to position themselves against the mounting uncertainty with little detail offered by Washington. Trump regularly rails against the European Union The US President's threat last week to impose 25 percent tariffs on car and parts imports added to the dour mood, and some warn the volatility will likely continue as governments react to the measures by either appeasing the Republican or retaliating in kind. Trump has been especially critical of the European Union - because the US imports more cars from the EU than the other way around. The 78-year-old has repeatedly expressed his anger in the past about the EU's tariffs on car imports from the US. While the US only levies a 2.5 percent tariff on cars from the EU, the EU charges 10 percent on US car imports. However, the US tariffs on pickups and light commercial vehicles are significantly higher at 25 percent. Some companies therefore produce in the US or deliver the vehicles in individual parts and assemble them in the US. Trump is also bothered by other EU regulations, such as strict emissions and safety standards, which could act as further barriers to trade. A member of Trump's staff said that the 25 percent tariffs would be added to existing tariffs on car imports. Which European economies are at risk? With an early focus on the automotive sector and as a major exporting nation, Germany could be hit hard by the import duties. However, the exposure to Trump's tariff shock extends across Europe from Portugal and Denmark and all the way to Bulgaria. The Confederation of Industry, the Automotive Industry Association and carmaker koda Auto have warned many Czech exporters are at risk of losing orders due to looming US tariffs. Indirect impacts on the Czech automotive industry can be substantial, even though only 0.8 percent of Czech automotive exports go to the US market, according to the Czech Chamber of Commerce. Bulgarian Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev also warned the new wider US tariffs will affect the development of the supercomputer network in Europe and will have an impact on the Bulgarian science and research sector. The head of Slovenia's Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GZS) Vesna Nahtigal underlined that the automotive industry is of key importance for Slovenia's economy. Cars and car parts exported to the US account for 6.3% of Slovenia's exports to the country. The EU needs to think carefully before responding to additional US tariffs, Nahtigal warned. A response is necessary, but it could also be good to calm the situation, she said. 'I believe that tariffs and free market restrictions aren't good for anybody. Unfortunately, this is now reality, the zeitgeist,' said Nahtigal. She believes that in the short-term the tariffs will worsen the conditions for European vehicles on the US market. The increase in tariffs imposed by the US could have an impact of 1.1 percent of Portugal's gross domestic product (GDP), especially in the first two years of their implementation, according to projections by the Bank of Portugal (BdP). For the Euro zone, this increase in tariffs could result in a cumulative contraction of the Euro area's GDP of between 0.5% and 0.7% after three years, with a more significant impact in the first year, BdP forecasts. Although the prospect of a possible global trade conflict creates uncertainty about the future of the Danish economy, Danmarks Nationalbank believes in relatively high growth in the coming years. Denmark is helped by the fact that the share of Danish exports sensitive to US tariffs has fallen and is at its lowest level in six years. This is according to an analysis by the Danish Labour Movement Business Council based on figures from Statistics Denmark. Several Danish companies have moved parts of their production to the US. This avoids customs duties, which may be why the figure has fallen, according to Sofie Holme Andersen, Chief Economist at the Danish Labour Movement Business Council. Europe readies response The EU has indicated they had plans to deal with Trump's announcement. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday that the bloc still hopes for a 'negotiated solution' to US tariffs but that 'all instruments are on the table' to hit back if necessary. 'We are open to negotiations,' the Commission chief told European lawmakers in Strasbourg, 'but we have a strong plan to retaliate if necessary.' Von der Leyen added that her team was consulting the EU member states. The Commission leads the 27-country bloc's trade policy and has been in charge of discussions with the United States to avoid a trade war. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has announced that his government is preparing a contingency plan to help Spanish sectors that could be most affected by a potential trade war with the United States. Spanish Government spokesperson Pilar Alegria stated this Tuesday that Europe will give a 'forceful' response to the US if the US administration imposes tariffs that harm Spanish productive sectors. By contrast, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni cautioned the EU not to act impulsively. 'It is necessary to act in a reasoned manner, trying to reach a point of balance,' she said. Meloni enjoys closer relations with Washington than most European leaders and hopes to be a bridge to the Trump White House. Italian Agriculture Minister Francesco Lollobrigida said Italy and Europe 'cannot afford a trade war with the United States, it is our main market'. He added: 'We must reason with diplomacy, not with confrontation.' The US is the third largest market for Italian fashion exports, with a trade interchange from January to October 2024 of 4.5 billion Euro for fashion and 3.1 billion Euro for related sectors, according to data provided by trade associations. According to agriculture association Coldiretti, the blocking of wine shipments to the United States due to duty fears could cost Italian wineries 6 million Euro a day. 'Look, we have to be very strategic about our response here,' said European Commission Spokesman for Trade, Olof Gill. 'I repeat, we don't want to have to respond, but at the risk of sounding like my three-year-old son: they started it.' 'I can't tell you exact timings for when our potential response to these still not implemented actions will come, but I can assure you that it will be timely, that it will be robust, that it will be well-calibrated, and that it will achieve the intended impact,' he added. The content of this article is based on reporting by AFP, ANSA, BTA, CTK, dpa, EFE, Lusa, Ritzau, STA, as part of the European Newsroom (enr) project. Internal Affairs Minister Catalin Predoiu said on Wednesday that the indictment of former president Ion Iliescu and former prime minister Petre Roman in the June 1990 Mineriada [the miners' riot - ed.n.] case is to be appreciated, even if it came later than "we all would have liked", "As you know, I said it time and again whenever I was asked about the justice cases, that I do not comment on them. On the other hand, during my term as Minister of Justice, I have publicly expressed the opinion, at a general, principled level, that a very long time has passed without this important case of the Justice system being settled, judged and clarified for the good of Justice, for the idea of law, but also for history, for the Romanian citizens who have the right to know the truth as it was and as the courts will establish it. That is why I believe that this moment is one that should be appreciated, even if it came later than we all would have liked, but, on the other hand, we must recognize that it is a very complex case," Predoiu said at the Palace of Parliament. Former president Ion Iliescu and former prime minister Petre Roman have been indicted by the General Prosecutor's Office in the Mineriada case of June 1990, for committing crimes against humanity. In the same case, former deputy prime minister Gelu-Voican Voiculescu, former Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI) director Virgil Magureanu, Adrian Sarbu (former chief of staff of Petre Roman), Miron Cozma (former leader of the miners in the Jiului Valley), General (r) Vasile Dobrinoiu (former commander of the Higher Military School of Officers of the Ministry of Internal Affairs) and Colonel (r) Peter Petre (former commander of Military Unit 0575 Magurele, with the Ministry of Internal Affairs). Aged 95, Ion Iliescu was sent to trial in this case along with the other defendants in 2017, but the courts ordered the case to be returned to the Military Prosecutor's Office for the investigation to start over. ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, April 2. The volume of Turkmenistan's transit cargo from 2015 to the first quarter of 2025 amounted to 417,340 tons, and the number of transit aircraft landings exceeded 5,960, Trend reports. One of the key milestones in this process was the signing of an intergovernmental agreement on air transport between Turkmenistan and Luxembourg in April 2015. This allowed the largest European airline, Cargolux, to establish cargo flights on the LuxembourgTurkmenbashi route. The project to create modern airports in the country continues. After the opening of the international airport in Kerki, Lebap province, the construction of a new airport in Balkan province is in its final stages. These efforts are contributing to the improvement of international passenger and cargo transportation. Turkmenistan is actively developing international transport corridors such as EuropeCaucasusAsia (TRACECA) and AfghanistanTurkmenistanAzerbaijanGeorgiaTurkey, which confirms the strengthening of its international standing. Turkmenistan is also preparing to modernize the wagon cleaning complex at the Turkmenbashi railway station in Balkan province. Former independent candidate for Romania's president Calin Georgescu rode the neo-legionary wave and was backed by sympathizers of this movement in Romania, representative of the Romanian Jewish community in Parliament, MP Silviu Vexler said on Wednesday during debates on the simple motion filed by the Alliance for the Unity of Romanians against the Minister of the Interior. "I have carefully read the motion and I treat it with all due respect, as any parliamentary procedure should be. (...) However, I must say this, because the disinformation circulated in these pages must be pointed out, because the spread of disinformation in the public space must be condemned: an attempt is hereby made to draw a parallel or blur the lines between the people who have been or are active in the French Legion, the French Republic's Foreign Legion, and the legionary movement in Romania. Yet these are two completely different things. (...) Whether we like it or not, whether you accept it or not, the former candidate for the presidency of Romania, Calin Georgescu, was raised and supported by the sympathizers of the neo-legionary movements in Romania. It's not even an interpretable opinion, this is not even my personal opinion," declared the president of the Federation of Jewish Communities in Romania (FCER). According to the lawmaker, some of those arrested by police instigated the execution of members of the Jewish communities in Romania. Georgescu, Vexler said, is "a candidate who, like some of our fellow MPs today, embraced [marshal] Ion Antonescu as a national hero, claimed that the legionary movement in Romania was the movement of the country's rebirth and consider all those who committed the Holocaust in Romania to be national heroes. These are not, please note, personal opinions. You will find all this on the personal and official pages, including those of the former candidate for Romania's presidency," Silviu Vexler emphasized. "For those who don't know", he mentioned that "the legionary movement was a paramilitary and criminal, terrorist, fascist and anti-Semitic organization, which is essentially characterized by one thing: atrocities, inhumane acts and persecutions." "Also, the mystical-religious and anti-Semitic delirium of some politicians cannot change the reality and historical facts in any way. (...) Mr. Minister Predoiu, I want to thank you for everything you have done, I want to thank the Ministry of the Interior, the Romanian Police and all the other subordinate substructures for the correct way in which they understood to step in and combat extremism, and protect democracy in Romania. I want to thank the Romanian Intelligence Service, the Protection and Security Service and all the other institutions for defending and shielding democracy every day. As I believe that each of us should do," the FCER president said. Over 460 military reservists signed contracts with security companies that operated in the Democratic Republic of Congo after being transferred to the reserve force, the National Defense Ministry reported on Wednesday, adding that seven active troops - two non-commissioned officers and five professional soldiers - who were on parental leave unjustifiably carried out activities in Congo in various periods, between 2023 and early 2025. According to a release from the National Defense Ministry, Minister Angel Tilvar ordered at the end of February a complete check of all the forces of the Romanian Army for identifying active personnel on a temporary suspension of service relations with the institution who may have activated in Romanian private security companies that recently operated in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The checks looked at all forms of leave and free periods the Defense Ministry's personnel are entitled to. The checks revealed that a total of 466 reservists from the National Defense Ministry signed, after switching to the Reserve, contracts for various periods with security companies that operated in the D.R. Congo. The respective personnel were transferred to the reserve force for age limit, by resignation or for medical reasons, the release states. No cases have been identified of active military personnel on unpaid leave, as provided for in Art. 14 of Law No. 80 of July 11, 1995 on the status of military personnel, to have traveled in the respective periods to Congo in order to carry out activities within private security companies. The seven active military personnel who, during the legal leave for raising a child up to two years old, unjustifiably carried out activities in the D.R. Congo, the Ministry shows that they have violated several legal and regulatory provisions, including: leaving the national territory without approval, the prohibition to perform other activities than those for which they are assigned, or those the monthly child rearing allowance is being paid for, which is granted in the situation where the applicant lives in Romania together with the child/children for whom he/she is requesting the said benefits and is responsible for their upbringing and care. Three of these troops are still on parental leave, and four of them have returned to their units, the Defense Ministry reports, adding that investigations for one of them have already been completed, with the Military Prosecutor's Office being notified, and that similar measures will be taken in the other six cases; disciplinary and administrative proceedings have also been initiated. From the extensive checks carried out during this period, it also emerged that 24 troops who had been transferred to the reserve force by resignation in previous years and subsequently worked for private security companies in Congo were accepted back into active service in the period 2023 - 2024, being assigned to various military units of the Defense Ministry. Although the recall to active duty of these troops does not pose significant vulnerabilities in terms of national security, as all of them are assigned to positions at the base of the military hierarchy, and their access to classified information is at the minimum level, additional verification and monitoring measures have been ordered for each case, and depending on the results, measures will be instructed accordingly, the Ministry further specifies. Also, 14 situations have been identified in which reserve troops have been active over various periods in the D.R. Congo from this position and, subsequently switched to the status of voluntary reservist in the period 2020 - 2024. The defense minister ordered the clarification of the circumstances and responsibilities that made these situations possible, as well as the enforcement of urgent measures to prevent this from happening in the future. Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Florin-Ionut Barbu, said on Wednesday in Targu Mures, during a meeting with the Federation of Cattle Breeders in Romania, that the National Natural Gas Company Romgaz is in talks with Azomures to take over the assets of the chemical plant, as that can keep the cost of methane gas at extraction prices. "Azomures is in talks with Romgaz to take over Azomures' assets. I believe that this project will be carried out and, moving forward, Romgaz must take over the assets because if you take over the company completely, you enter the state aid scheme for gas that you have to give to that company. Romgaz will also take the assets, buy the assets and integrate the gas at the price they have during extraction. If we talk from a technical point of view about the use of fertilisers in Romania, Azomures can produce - if we respect the technical part with the amount of substance normally given per hectare - somewhere at 60-70% (...). You realise that when you have 60% of the production and you have a fertiliser price through a state-owned company, you can also regulate the import part that comes from other countries. That is, somehow to balance the price so that we no longer have a monopoly on what comes from exports (...). I say that it will be taken over by Romgaz," said Barbu when asked by a farmer about the resumption of the production of chemical fertilisers in Targu Mures. Barbu said that ever since he was the chairman of the agriculture committee of the Chamber of Deputies, discussions were advanced with Azomures on the takeover of the assets by Romgaz. Romgaz has published an announcement in the Electronic Public Procurement System (SEAP) for consultancy services in the evaluation, negotiation and acquisition of Azomures' assets, Energy Minister Sebastian Burduja announced on March 14. According to Burduja, this strategic move aims to diversify Romgaz's portfolio and expand on a production segment that will give Romanian gas a higher added value, including the resources extracted from the Neptun Deep project in the Black Sea. Romgaz Director General Razvan Popescu told ZF Power Summit 2025 on February 26, that the company's analysis of the takeover of the chemical plant is complex, as the company was looking not only at a single plant, but at the entire fertiliser market in Romania. A report prepared by TikTok as a signatory to the Code of Conduct on Disinformation under the European Union's Digital Services Act (DSA) outlines the threats observed in relation to Romania's November 2024 presidential election, the measures taken in the run-up to the election, pre-election interactions with national authorities and local experts, as well as engagement with national authorities and stakeholders and EU authorities post-election. TikTok emphasizes that the online platform has comprehensive measures in place to anticipate and address the risks associated with electoral processes, including the risks associated with election misinformation in the context of the Romanian November 24 election. The report on the Romanian election is included in the March 25 reporting for the period July 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024, which details the actions the main online platforms (Google, Meta, Microsoft and TikTok) are taking under the Code of Conduct on Disinformation. In the report, TikTok notes some of the threats it observed in connection with Romania's presidential election, such as removing six CIO (Covered Influence Operations) networks in 2024 that were identified as specifically targeting a Romanian audience. In addition to these networks, the report says, TikTok highlights its broader defences against covert influence campaigns in Europe, mentioning the removal in November 2024, as part of its anti-recidivism strategy, of 11 accounts believed to be associated with Sputnik Media and targeting Romanian and Moldovan audiences. The platform also notes that it has proactively removed more than 5,500 pieces of election-related content in Romania for violating its policies on misinformation, harassment, and hate speech since the end of October. Also in connection with the Romanian presidential election, 11 notifications were received through the COPD Rapid Response System in relation to the Romanian presidential ballot, which were rapidly addressed. Actions included banning or geo-blocking of accounts and content removals for violation of Community Guidelines. The report reviews the measures taken regarding content moderation capabilities (99 Romanian-language moderators), combating disinformation, fact-checking, establishing on October 23, 2024 a Mission Control Centre dedicated to the Romanian election, deterring covert influence operations (over 5,500 items of Romanian election-related content for violating policies on disinformation, harassment, and hate speech between the end of October and December 17), addressing AI-generated misleading content, addressing government, politician, and political party accounts (GPPPA). TikTok also notes that, ahead of the election, TikTok's GR team organized dedicated sessions with every political group in Romania to inform about its policies and to educate political actors about safety, and that it also requested a list of candidates to be provided by the Romanian authorities to ensure the GPPPA label could be correctly applied where relevant. The platform also states that it invested in media literacy campaigns as a strategy to combat disinformation, which is why it also entered into a partnership with the local NGO Funky Citizens. At the same time, TikTok's team in Romania organized on October 22 an election-dedicated meeting with ANCOM, the Permanent Electoral Authority and the Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digitalization, and on November 14 it organized a session with the said ministry on disrupting covert influence operations; the session was attended by experts from the ministry, ANCOM, National Cybersecurity Directorate, and the police. In the report, TikTok also states that, as a general rule, it has been in contact with the relevant authorities in Romania regarding the situation of the presidential election and has encouraged them to share any intelligence so that they could work together to ensure the integrity of the election. TikTok has also responded to content related requests from the authorities, including the EC, by answering their specific questions about accounts and sharing details of its investigations. Christian Probst grew up in a musical household. His mom, Julie Piekarski, played Sue Ann Weaver on The Facts of Life. His dad is a dentist, but has a great singing voice, Probst says. All five of us would sing as a family, says Probst, who has two siblings. While his siblings, who also were into theater, went on to pursue other careers, Probst became a Broadway actor. He was in Book of Mormon for four years and understudied the prince in Andrew Lloyd Webbers Bad Cinderella. Now, hes in the ensemble in the new musical Boop! which opened on Broadway in the Broadhurst Theater on April 5. Probst says it all started while he was growing up in St. Louis, where he went to St. Louis University High School and performed there and at stages around town including the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Opera Theatre and, of course, the Muny. I did 11 or 12 summers at the Muny, he says. He started as a Muny kid when he was around 7 or 8 and stayed through his high school graduation. It was there his Broadway dreams were solidified. I was doing the show Mame, and it was the biggest role Id played, Probst remembers. He was 10 at the time. And I got to bow, and I remember bowing by myself and hearing 11,000 people clap for me. It was the best feeling ever. Even as an undergraduate at Yale, Probst sang with the a capella group the Whiffenpoofs, and took a year off to perform around the country. He got the chance to sing for Angela Lansbury and Julie Andrews. In 2022, Probst auditioned for An Untitled Betty Boop Musical. At the time, the show was not only not headed to Broadway, it was still looking for backers and a title. For four weeks, the cast read most of the show from a script and performed a few dance numbers for potential investors. The show was undergoing constant changes. Its a chance to see what works and what doesnt, Probst says. In it, he plays a bunch of different characters, including a reporter and a Times Square mascot. It found a backer, and in 2023 opened for an out-of-town tryout in Chicago. Probst returned to the ensemble for the first staged version of the show. Boop! is about Betty Boop, a popular black-and-white cartoon from the 1930s. She was an alluring and flirty Jazz Age character who went on adventures with her dog. Similar to Barbie, she was known for taking on tons of different jobs and adventures: pilot, presidential candidate, judge, animal rights activist. This was all at a time when women had recently won the right to vote. In Boop! Betty wants a break from being a celebrity in her black-and-white world, and, thanks to a time machine that her grandfather made, ends up in present-day New York City. Its over the top, fun, colorful and all about love and light and joy, Probst says. But the show was still undergoing changes, especially now that it was getting fully staged. In our third week of shows, during previews (before it opens to reviews), we rehearsed during the day and then would do the show at night, Probst recalls. We came in one day, and we had an entirely new closing number that we all learned in three hours: the music, the lyrics, new dancing, and then that night we did an entirely different closing number. It paid off, Probst says. The audience liked the new number, and when the show opened for reviews they were all favorable. Chicago On Stage called Boop! something to shout about and one of the best new musicals reviewer Karen Topham had ever seen. A Reddit user, who called it mind blowing summed it up (emphasis theirs): The plot? Incredibly stupid! The performances? PHENOMENAL!!!! The choreography? Fantastic!! The design? Amazing! The costumes? GORGEOUS! The music was fun. Boop! has a score from David Foster, the songwriter behind hits for Mariah Carey, Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Chicago and Ne-Yo, to name a few. He has 16 Grammy Awards. When he was approached about doing the show, Foster had just decided to stop producing records, but this, he told Variety, sounded like a good challenge, because for Broadway, you dont have to write a hit song, you just have to write a good song. And I still felt capable of writing a good song. Susan Birkenhead was the other half of the songwriting team, responsible for lyrics. Tony Award winner Jerry Mitchell (Kinky Boots, Legally Blonde) directed and choreographed the piece and picked Chicago as the tryout location. He loves Chicago, Probst says of Mitchell. He says, Theyre as smart as a New York audience. Theyre just nicer. Bob Martin (The Drowsy Chaperone) wrote the book and Jasmine Amy Rogers plays Betty Boop in a role that many Chicago reviewers say was perfectly cast. With all of the good reviews, a Broadway transfer was inevitable. When the Post-Dispatch reached Probst, he was still in rehearsals and previews, but looking forward to opening night. (Boop) is all about love and finding yourself and finding your community, Probst says. Im very excited to finally show the world our musical. EDWARDSVILLE Andi Smith felt like her head was going to explode while reading the news within a month of the Trump administration taking power. On Feb. 4, Smith, 60, a retired business owner in Edwardsville, felt compelled to do something. She made a few signs protesting billionaire Elon Musks role in slashing government agencies and mass firings of federal workers. I was watching things I care about being shuttered, and I could not take it anymore, she says. She drove to the city park around noon and stood on the sidewalk with her sign. It was freezing cold. Smith had never done anything like this before. She felt like a crazy person. Then, a woman walking her dog stopped, thanked her and gave Smith a hug. The woman was a stranger, but she promised to return and stand with Smith. Fifteen minutes later, the woman came back. They stood together for the next hour. A few friends heard about Smiths small act of resistance and decided to join them. The next Friday, 12 people showed up. Smith brought more signs. David Vitoff, 69, was going to the Edwardsville library on Presidents Day with his wife. They saw a bunch of people with signs outside. Smith always brings extra signs. Vitoff and his wife each grabbed one and joined the group. We were so frustrated with whats been going on, Vitoff says. The checks and balances have been totally disregarded. In my adult life, this is wholly unprecedented. Each week, the protest attracted more people. Her spontaneous, impromptu protest had grown to nearly 300 people by March 28. Smith, who had been feeling isolated in her frustration, fear and anger, felt less alone. Seeing other people speaking out gives people some hope, some courage, Vitoff says. Various protests national and local are planned for this weekend. The grassroots Edwardsville group will continue to protest from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Fridays. The 50501 National protests against Project 2025, Trump and Musk will take place at all 50 state Capitols on Saturday. Theres a protest rally planned for Kiener Plaza, 500 Chestnut Street, from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday. A coalition of progressive groups are also organizing Hands Off our Social Security, health care, public schools and democracy mobilization events in various cities. On March 28, hundreds of people lined both sides of South Buchanan Street, across from a Massage Luxe and Wasabi sushi restaurant. They held signs representing a wide diversity of causes protecting National Parks, the Constitution, Social Security, the federal workforce, LGBTQ rights, Ukraine, immigrants, universities, free speech, vaccines and federal funding for research. Some attacked the plan for tariffs and cuts to food programs to feed the hungry. There was a party atmosphere among the crowd. Classic rock played on the speakers, while protestors chanted Hey, hey, ho, ho, Elon Musk has got to go! The majority of the cars driving by honked in support and gave thumbs to those on the streets. At least one gave them the middle finger. Paul Pitts, an Air Force retiree who served on the Edwardsville school board from 2007 to 2019 and a retired administrator at SIUE, says he is worried about how all the federal cuts will affect vulnerable groups such as the disabled, the elderly, veterans, working-class people and children. Whats more troubling is that President Trump and Elon Musk have no compassion for the rest of us, he said. The demonstrations have been drawing people from five nearby counties, Smith says. An off-shoot of the Edwardsville group has started protesting in Alton on Sundays. Vitoff says hes hopeful that the growing number of protestors will catch the attention of their local representatives. Some held signs directly addressing Reps. Mike Bost and Mary Miller, Republicans from Southern Illinois. Its the height of insanity that the Republican National Committee tells duly elected representatives not to meet with their constituents, he says. Thats their job. Last month, Republican party leaders, including Mike Johnson, the Republican House speaker, and Richard Hudson, the chair of the GOPs fundraising body, told Republicans lawmakers to stop holding the public events because public confrontations with angry constituents could hurt them politically in the midterm elections. Vitoff added that it will only take a handful of Republicans standing up for the separation of powers and checks and balances in the Constitution to safeguard democracy. Many of the protesters were retirees and senior citizens. An older man walking by with a cane waved at those holding signs. This is great to see, so great to see, he says. Joe Holleman | Post-Dispatch Political correspondent/columnist Follow Joe Holleman | Post-Dispatch Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today Many political advocacy groups that fought for causes now seem to fight for candidates. An example of this tendency is Abortion Action Missouri, which is drawing heat for its endorsement of St. Louis Mayor Tishaura O. Jones and only Jones in Tuesdays mayoral race. That singular endorsement is in spite of the fact that Jones challenger, Alderwoman Cara Spencer, also is a steadfast supporter of reproductive rights. Presented with several candidates who support their goals, advocacy groups often choose to endorse more than one candidate in a race. Or, as Planned Parenthood Great Rivers did in this mayoral contest, they dont endorse any candidate. But Abortion Action not only has endorsed Jones, it also has actively campaigned for her through social media posts and citywide mailers that criticize Spencer. The complaint from Spencer supporters is not that Jones does not support reproductive rights. Rather, the gripe is that Spencer is being targeted by the group for defeat. Cara Spencers public record for abortion rights is quite clear, but it seems as if (Abortion Action) is making a choice for reasons not related to abortion, said Dr. Diana L. Gray. Gray is an obstetrics and gynecology professor at Washington University and physician at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. To be sure, Gray supports Spencer for mayor and has in the past held a fundraiser for her. But her preference of Spencer over Jones has nothing to do with reproductive rights. I dont have any problem with Mayor Jones on that issue, Gray said. I just think Cara Spencer would make a better mayor, but that has to do with other reasons. She said groups looking to further a cause should support all candidates fighting for that cause. People donate money to these groups thinking its going to (promote) reproductive rights, Gray said. But it really seems like theyre just carrying out a personal political agenda. Said Gray, It seems like a misuse of funds. Sheila Greenbaum, a civil rights lawyer in St. Louis and past chair of Planned Parenthoods affiliate board, described the effort against Spencer as deeply troubling. Greenbaum said Spencer has been an unwavering champion for reproductive rights. Greenbaum pointed out that Spencer has worked with advocates to remove local abortion restrictions from the St. Louis city codes. In every critical moment, she has stood on the righteous side of this issue not just in words, but in action, Greenbaum said. Like Gray, she questions spending money in an effort to defeat Spencer, saying the resources are intended to fight for reproductive freedom in Missouri, not to tear down allies in that fight. Abortion Action Missouri which has gone by other names in recent years, such as Pro-Choice Missouri has a political action committee that gets involved in election efforts. Mallory Schwarz, Abortion Actions executive director, declined to comment in an interview Wednesday if there were any specific reasons related to reproductive rights that warranted opposition to Spencer. Later, Schwarz provided a written statement: We are not a pro-choice stamp of approval; our responsibility is to support those leaders who will best advance our cause of reproductive freedom and equity for all. When you look at Mayor Jones record on the issue, there is no question. Last week on Facebook, the group featured a post that lambasted Spencer by saying she has a well-documented record of pocketing corporate donations, running on conservative interests, and using harmful dog-whistle language ... The group also paid for a mailer, recently sent out citywide, which states Mayor Jones has a plan. Her opponent does not. As one would guess, Spencer questions the groups concerted efforts against her, calling them reprehensible, a slap in the face. Ive given unwavering support, staunchly and strongly, Spencer said of reproductive rights issues. This is not the first time that Abortion Action, which used to be known as Pro Choice Missouri, has drawn heat for its endorsements, or for specifically siding with Jones. In 2021, the group endorsed only Jones in her first run for mayor. Spencer said that while she was in the process of filling out the groups survey, the group publicly announced it was endorsing Jones. At the time, the group dubbed Jones as our one clear champion. In 2022, the group decided not to endorse state Rep. Tracy McCreery, D-Olivette, in her successful bid for the Missouri Senate, despite her long history of working for reproductive rights. In that race, McCreery received endorsements from Planned Parenthood and Access MO. In a 2023 interview, McCreery recalled that when she met with the group for endorsements, the conversation did not focus on her pro-abortion-rights record or legislative actions. It seemed like they were trying to get me to endorse (another) of their candidates, and I didnt think that was right, McCreery said. But hey, thats not to say Abortion Action has never had anything nice to say about Spencer. It did tack this following statement to the bottom of their February press release: Cara Spencer is pro-choice, and we acknowledge and appreciate her commitment. ST. PETERS The grandmother of a 4-year-old boy killed in a motorcycle crash said Wednesday that she is livid the boy was allowed to ride with his mothers boyfriend. It makes me very angry, said Janet Bond, the boys paternal grandmother. Her grandson, Calvin Spurlock, died and the man operating the motorcycle was critically injured in Sundays crash. The motorcycle hit a utility pole along westbound Mexico Road, near Belleau Creek Road. They were both wearing helmets, police said. Calvin died at a hospital. He loved Spiderman, he loved every construction machinery there was, Bond said. He could tell you what it was Grandma, theres a high lift. Theres an excavator. St. Peters police said their investigation could take weeks to complete, and the driver has not been charged. Investigators havent determined if speed contributed to the crash. Bond has pleaded on social media for any witnesses to the crash to come forward. She said she wanted to know if anyone was with Calvin after the crash, holding his hand. She found two people who stayed with Calvin until paramedics arrived. They did give him comfort, she said. The boys parents had been involved in a court case for custody arrangements in St. Louis County, where the father lives. Calvins mother, Haley Perez, had custody. James Spurlock of Affton wanted joint custody. Calvin lived with Perez and her boyfriend, whose name was not released by police. Calvin told his other grandmother that he was in a crash previously on a motorcycle with his mothers boyfriend but wasnt hurt, Bond said. After that, a judge issued a court order that Calvin could only ride with a driver who had a valid license, according to a Jan. 29 court document. Sgt. Melissa Doss of St. Peters police said that, because the crash is still being investigated, she wasnt able to confirm if the man on the motorcycle had a valid license. Perez could not be reached Wednesday but a friend of hers said Calvin was loved by many and had a beautiful life. Bond plans a vigil for Calvin on Friday night near the crash site. She asks the public to meet at 7 p.m. Friday at Fort Zumwalt South High School, 8050 Mexico Road. Calvin attended the Goddard School in St. Peters. He would have turned 5 in August. He was my best friend, Bond said. We did Cookies with Calvin. He loved to cook with me. Four-year-old killed in motorcycle crash in St. Peters When officers arrived at the scene, they found an adult male and the boy with serious injuries. They had been thrown from the motorcycle. A San Diego County jury has awarded a former St. Louis County police officer $10 million in damages after she said the department sexually harassed, discriminated against and retaliated against her and tolerated a hostile work environment in National City, California. Jurors agreed that Ashley Cummins was singled out for abuse by several National City Police Department workers and that senior commanders did little to stop the abuse. Cummins spent eight years with the St. Louis County Police Department, departing in 2018. She graduated 2006 from Marquette High School in Clarkson Valley after growing up in Chesterfield. The lawsuit and subsequent trial portrayed the department as a small-town agency rife with sexual harassment against women, and a command staff unwilling to enforce anti-discrimination policies or punish even repeat offenders. The monetary damages awarded to Cummins amount to almost one-third of the National City Police Departments $33 million budget, and nearly 15% of the citys entire general fund. It also comes at a time when the City Council is confronting a multimillion-dollar budget deficit and a state bar complaint filed against City Attorney Barry Schultz. Details of the complaint, filed by a member of the City Council, have not been publicly disclosed. Schultz declined to discuss the complaint but said the city strongly disagrees with the jury verdict. The City Council will be meeting in closed session (Tuesday) evening to discuss the verdict and will consider all legal options including appeal, he said by email. The city may have an additional statement after the closed session meeting. After a brief trial that concluded last week, the jury awarded Cummins a total of $10 million. The damages included about $166,000 in lost wages, $1.4 million in future economic losses and $4.2 million each in past and future non-economic losses. We always believed our client was wronged and had viable legal claims for sexual harassment and discrimination, said her attorneys, Jeffrey Hogue and Tyler Belong, in a statement. Ultimately, we presented those legal claims to a jury to decide, they said. We are grateful the jury found for our client on all accounts and awarded a just verdict. Cummins joined the National City Police Department in 2018. While working for the county department, Cummins served special assignments with federal task forces run by both the FBI and the Drug Enforcement Administration. She sought a position with National City for family reasons in 2018. According to trial testimony and the lawsuit, Cummins is openly gay and began being harassed by fellow officers and some supervisors almost as soon as she arrived. The bullying and harassment were a result of the culture at NCPD that expected male officers to excel above female officers and expected female officers to be submissive to their male counterparts, she said in her lawsuit. In fact, many of the male officers and supervisors indicated that if female officers wanted to fit in at NCPD, they either needed to be submissive to the male officers or sleep with them, the complaint added. Cummins complained on several occasions about the behavior exhibited by several officers, but nothing was done, the lawsuit alleged. She was not the first woman to register concerns with the way she was treated by the agency, she said. At least one sergeant at NCPD has responded to a female officers discrimination complaint by saying Ive had a female officer file a complaint about me before, the lawsuit said. Dont be that cop. If you do that, youll be just another female cop who plays [the female card] because she cant handle National City. Things will just get worse for you if you do that, the sergeant added, according to the lawsuit. In 2019, in response to a bullying and harassment complaint filed by another female police officer, a sergeant asked Cummins if she had any dirt on the complaining officer, the complaint added. As such, Ms. Cummins was discouraged and intimidated from making a formal report to IA (Internal Affairs), the lawsuit said. According to her lawsuit, the harassment grew so bad that fellow officers sometimes yelled at her over the police radio or directed her to leave crime scenes. She alleged that at one point, another officer put Cummins in danger by failing to search a homicide suspect for weapons, breaking protocol, and not telling Cummins. Cummins was singled out in other ways as well, according to her lawyers. She was passed over for a promotion to a K-9 assignment, even though the male officer hired for the job had much less experience, and she was placed on leave after a shooting even though she was not involved in the confrontation, the lawsuit said. After she returned to work from her administrative leave, defendants made sure everyone stayed away from Ms. Cummins, the lawsuit said. The city is already facing a $5 million budget deficit, which prompted city leaders to implement a hiring freeze and a cap on departments operation and maintenance costs. Councilmember Marcus Bush has been outspoken in his criticism of city expenses amid the budgetary shortfall, particularly out of the City Attorneys Office. At the March 18 City Council meeting, Bush raised concerns with his council colleagues about a request from Schultz to pay Devaney Pate Morris & Cameron LLP an additional $25,000 the third request since January 2024 for legal services regarding the San Diego Unified Port District. Schultz, who previously worked for the firm, said its expertise has been vital for National City and that he provided Bush with invoices detailing the work. But Bush said he could not support the citys continuing use of the firm. He and Councilmember Luz Molina voted against the expense. From a budget standpoint and the fact that we do have a projected deficit, I want to be more mindful of how were paying these outside consultants and, particularly, when I think that our staff needs to be doing more to push this stuff, Bush said. Bush filed a complaint with the California State Bar against the city attorney. The council member declined to provide specifics about the complaint and the state bar declined to say whether it had received the claim. In December, the city received an invoice from a downtown firm for more than $9,400 for work described only as State Bar Complaint adverse Schultz. City Manager Benjamin Martinez approved the payment in January. On Tuesday, the City Council is expected to vote on the expense. It also will consider paying an additional $50,000 to Schultzs former law firm for its work on the Cummins litigation. Cummins is now a mixed martial arts athlete who lives in Chula Vista and competes under the name Ashley Smashley Cummins. She also teaches part time at the police academy but says she has not been able to resume her law enforcement career. Ashley feels vindicated, and is overcome with emotion as a result of the jury verdict, her attorneys said. She has applied at many different police departments, but hasnt gotten a job because of the lawsuit. ST. LOUIS A Berkeley man charged with a 2023 murder was sentenced to 15 years after taking a plea deal with prosecutors. Jalen Black pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter on Monday, according to court documents. Judge Stanley Wallach then sentenced him to 15 years in prison. Black had been charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action in February 2023. Authorities said Black, who was 22 at the time, shot 34-year-old Todd Bishop on Jan. 31, 2023, in Bishop's mother's front yard in the 8000 block of Busieck Avenue in Berkeley. Bishop was pronounced dead at SSM Health DePaul Hospital - St. Louis. Officers said they found shell casings in the driveway of Black's home, at 8010 Busiek Avenue, next door to where Bishop was found. They searched Black's home and found a Glock that matched the casings at the scene and in Bishop's body, investigators said. Later, Black told police he fired the shots, according to court documents. ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, April 2. The execution of a novel infrastructural project involving the erection of a bridge spanning the Garabogazgol Bay is currently in progress in Turkmenistan, Trend reports. Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, during a working trip to the Balkan Region, visited the construction site of the highway bridge on the Turkmenbashi-Garabogaz-Kazakhstan border route. Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Baymurat Annammammedov presented a report on the progress of construction and showcased the bridge designs, which are expected to significantly increase trade volumes and improve transportation and passenger communication between the western and northern regions of the country, as well as with neighboring countries. As underscored by Berdimuhamedov, this initiative possesses transnational implications. The implementation of this infrastructure project will facilitate the seamless integration of Turkmenistan into the global economic framework, thereby enhancing bilateral and multilateral cooperation with international stakeholders. Furthermore, the bridge will serve as a pivotal component in the enhancement of the Garabogazgol resource portfolio and the optimization of the national transport and logistics framework. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel CLAYTON Two women on Tuesday were charged with assaulting three nonverbal students at the Academy of Innovation at Remington in Maryland Heights. Charnita Thomas and Angelette BoleyJack Calhoun were working as special needs classroom assistants when the assaults happened, according to court documents. Maryland Heights police said the entire March 25 incident was caught on surveillance camera at the Pattonville district school. The video shows Thomas entering the schools gym just before noon while holding a 7-year-old boy by his forearm, court records say. She shoved him several times, causing him to fall to the floor. Shes also accused of then shoving the boy into a closet, blocking him in and shoving him back in the closet when he tried to crawl out. Shortly after Thomas shoved the child into the closet, police said she approached a 5-year-old and pulled her by her arm for about 40 feet to a wall near the closet. BoleyJack Calhoun was in the gym for most of this, court records say, and she approached a third child, who was also 7 years old, who was playing on a scooter in the middle of the gym. She pulled the child off the scooter and appeared to shove him to the ground, police wrote in court documents. She then kicked the scooter away from the boy twice, court records say. Police said all three children are autistic and nonverbal. Grant Boyd, a lawyer who represents the family of the boy locked in the closet, said they are incredibly appalled by what happened to their autistic son. Children with these kinds of disabilities are incapable of reporting abuse, Grant said in a statement, making it even more important that the school provide safe environments for them. Perhaps even more egregious is the allegation that numerous employees were standing by and failing to intervene as these children were actively being abused in front of their eyes, Boyd said. Preying upon these vulnerable children and allowing people to prey upon them is despicable. Thomas faces two counts of fourth-degree assault. BoleyJack Calhoun was charged with one count of fourth-degree assault. On Tuesday, the schools principal sent a note to families about the charges and said the victims families had been notified. Superintendent Barry Nelson said he was notified Tuesday morning that the women had been arrested and charged. He said that when school officials became aware of concerns with these teacher aides, they immediately started an investigation with the Special School District, who assigned them to the school, and the Maryland Heights police department. A statement from a district spokeswoman said school officials also filed a report with the Division of Childrens Services in compliance with Missouri law. The aides were placed on administrative leave at that time, school officials said. We are deeply troubled by the allegations of employee behavior that do not align with our expectations to ensure student well-being, Nelson wrote to families. While all staff must undergo extensive background checks and participate in annual training, we are concerned when allegations of this nature occur. Remington teaches students in grades kindergarten through eighth grade and has about 350 students. ST. LOUIS Police said Wednesday that Robert Lee, 28, was the man fatally shot last week in the city's Walnut Park West neighborhood. The incident took place last Thursday night in the 5600 block of Pamplin Place, police said. Police said Lee, of the 1600 block of Carr Street, was shot by the father of a woman who was arguing with Lee. The circuit attorney's office decided against issuing charges against the father. ST. LOUIS Celeste Metcalf, who placed third in a three-way race for St. Louis comptroller earlier this month, is criticizing incumbent Darlene Green for firing her in what she says was an unexpected and arbitrary move in March 2019. Metcalf, a certified public accountant and former auditor with KPMG, joined Greens office in January 2019 to lead the citys internal audit division. According to Metcalf, it was Green who recruited her for the job. But after Metcalf had a dispute with another employee now deputy comptroller Jason Fletcher Green fired her over what Metcalf said seemed to be Metcalfs flagging of a mistake she had found in an old internal financial report. Metcalf said her firing raises questions about Greens management, particularly because Metcalf isnt the only high-ranking comptroller employee Green has dismissed with little explanation in recent years. We need someone who will spend some time gathering all the facts before pulling the trigger, Metcalf said. All I was doing was my job and about to do it very well. Green, however, said Metcalf was the one who asked her for a job and then struggled to understand her role. Metcalf didnt get along with other employees, Green said, and demanded a new computer and administrative assistant after she was hired. City employees can be fired without cause during their first six months of work. Green dismissed Metcalfs story as a stunt on behalf of Greens opponent in Tuesdays election, calling Metcalf messy. Everything she wanted we got for her, Green said. I saw the red flags right off the bat. Metcalf denies she asked for a new computer or office assistant thats not my style, she said. And Metcalf said Green wouldnt have known if she wasnt working because she was hardly in the office. Metcalf said she was already speeding up the offices audit procedures when Green fired her. Metcalfs criticism of Green comes a week before St. Louis voters decide who will serve as comptroller one of the citys most powerful positions for the next four years. Green, a 30-year incumbent, faces a well-financed challenge from Donna Baringer, a former state representative and alderwoman. After first declining to endorse either of the remaining candidates, Metcalf later said shed back Baringer despite her initial concerns that Baringer did not possess enough formal accounting experience. Whether her endorsement now will affect the outcome of the April 8 election is unclear. Baringer edged Green in the first round by just 532 votes. Metcalf won votes from about 24% of the electorate that participated in the March 4 primary, or about 8,500 votes. But the citys approval voting process allowed her supporters to also vote for Green and Baringer, so its unclear how many people identified Metcalf as their first choice. Before the primary, Metcalf had declined to elaborate on her brief employment in Greens office or why she left. She said she was concerned it would have come across as sour grapes. But she has since decided it is relevant because of Greens history of ousting top deputies, including two deputy comptrollers and her former chief of staff. And, Metcalf said, she wants to explain why an accountant who lives in north St. Louis and ran as a political outsider would be willing to endorse a longtime politician from southwest St. Louis. I didnt know Donna before this race, but in the short amount of time Ive had with her, she listens, she wants to make a difference, Metcalf said. Things that she doesnt know, shes willing to admit, and shes willing to look for the person who has the expertise to do whatever it is that needs to be done. Asked if Baringer had offered her a job should she win, Metcalf said Baringer has not promised me anything. Didnt make sense Green disputes most of Metcalfs account, including how she got the job in the first place. Metcalf said Green recruited her, approaching her at an event in early 2018 and then telling her she was working to budget a position for her. After Metcalf left a job at St. Louis Community College, she said she ran into Green at an event for former Sen. Claire McCaskill and that Green asked her again whether she would come work for her. Green, though, said it was Metcalf who wanted the job. Metcalf gave Green her card in 2018 at an event at the Missouri History Museum, the comptroller said. I believe she asked me, Green said. During her first days in the office, as her computer was being set up, Metcalf said she tried to stay busy reviewing some internal financial reports. She noticed a column in one report did not add up and was off by about $6 million. She brought it to Greens attention, who told her to go talk to Budget Director Paul Payne about it. But Metcalf moved on. It was an old report and could have been just a typo. She got busy in her new role. Metcalf said she later job-shadowed another auditor to see why it took the office so long to complete some audits. But Metcalf said that angered Fletcher, now Greens deputy comptroller, who told her she had no business following an employee who reported directly to him. Metcalf, at the time, was Fletchers boss. She said there was no shouting or cursing. But Metcalf did feel it was disrespectful for her subordinate to question how she approached the job. At one point during the encounter with Fletcher, Metcalf mentioned the $6 million discrepancy and made a quip to Fletcher about how she just wanted to find $6 million. But she said the remark was mostly glib. In an interview, Fletcher said he doesnt recall any sort of disagreement or confrontation with Metcalf. He actually thought they had a good working relationship. I know Ms. Green had her reasons, but I never had any direct issues with Celeste, Fletcher said. Fletcher said another manager in the office told him Metcalf was let go because she continued to fixate on things that were not part of her job, and the budget was one of them. Days later, Metcalf said she was summoned to Greens office. Im thinking Im going to get a pat on the back, Metcalf said. But Green instead brought up the $6 million error. I thought I told you to reach out to Paul Payne, Metcalf said the comptroller said to her. Im like, Oh, wow. Excuse me, what? She said she tried to explain what had happened with Fletcher, and how she wasnt serious about being concerned there was actually $6 million missing. Oh, thats what this is about? Let me explain, so I can explain the whole I just pulled something senseless out of the sky to shut him up, Metcalf said. She said, I dont want to hear it. Green fired her a few days later. If Im a CPA and if Im a Washington University MBA that is trained in accounting, that is trained in contracts, that is trained in auditing, why would you let me go? Metcalf said in an interview. It didnt make sense then. It still doesnt make sense now. Nothing there Green, though, said Metcalf seemed to be too focused on the city budget. She brought printouts from her own home, telling me, Oh, comptroller, theres a discrepancy with the budget. It wasnt balanced, and you need to see this. There was nothing there, Green said. Green also said Metcalf wasnt doing much work. There are certain people who are water cooler types, Green said. I think youll find her there all the time, always where the work isnt. Both the comptroller and Fletcher said Metcalf wanted a new administrative assistant. But Metcalf had a different recollection, and it was Fletcher asserting his sway in the department he would go on to lead after Metcalf was fired. I distinctly remember him saying, Were about to get a new administrative assistant, and the new administrative assistant is going to be reporting to me, Metcalf said. Green said Metcalf has a checkered work history, pointing to her dismissal as controller of St. Louis Community College and as a compliance officer in St. Louis Public Schools. Metcalf worked for Missouri state government for over six years, overseeing federal stimulus funds after the Great Recession and leading the Missouri Office of Equal Opportunity. Her name was floated as a potential state auditor in 2015 when former Gov. Jay Nixon was looking to appoint a replacement following the death of the former auditor. After she left state government in 2016, Metcalf went to work as controller for St. Louis Community College. And after she was fired from the comptrollers office, she went to work for St. Louis Public Schools under former superintendent Kelvin Adams. Metcalf admits she was fired from both jobs, but she says it was because she brought up concerns to management about financial controls. Less than a year after she was fired from St. Louis Community College, she said, the college accused employee Donald L. Robison of stealing $5.4 million. Metcalf said she didnt stumble on that specifically, but her questions about the colleges financial practices ruffled feathers as the fraud was close to being discovered. At SLPS, Metcalf said she confronted leaders about financial controls under former Superintendent Keisha Scarlett. A few months after Metcalf was let go last year, the school board fired Scarlett over her hiring and spending practices. A spokesperson for the district did not respond to a request for comment. You will see all the instances where I was fired are instances where I discovered something that someone didnt want to be discovered, Metcalf said. Metcalf said Green is trying to deflect from her own history of firing top employees. In 2016, Green put her longtime chief of staff, Elaine Spearman, on forced leave for unknown reasons. A few months after she dismissed Metcalf, Green put deputy comptroller Jim Garavaglia, a 30-year employee, on leave. Garavagalia later sued the city and said in court filings he was blindsided by Greens move to oust him. His lawsuit was dismissed after a judge said he failed to prove discrimination and didnt give the city a chance to remedy it. Garavaglia is white. Spearman is Black. In 2023, Green demoted Garavaglias replacement, former deputy comptroller LaTaunia Kenner, who then retired without explanation. Green said Spearman had done some things that were not according to the conduct of an employee. And she said Garavaglia had put the city in jeopardy. Metcalf said the city lost out when Green fired her. Even if there was nothing to that $6 million discrepancy, she believes she did her job by spotting it. You may be the comptroller, but this is not your fiefdom, Metcalf said. If youre not operating efficiently and effectively, then youre not doing whats in the best interest of the citizens of St Louis, and everyone who knows me and knows anything about me knows that thats what I stand for. ST. LOUIS A judge on Wednesday blocked Mayor Tishaura O. Jones administration from changing rules to allow the mayor to pick a leader of the powerful personnel department. The ruling marked the second time in two weeks the courts have thwarted City Halls attempt to bypass a former director who wants his old job back. Former Personnel Director Rick Frank, who retired in 2021, says a rule change the Civil Service Commission was scheduled to hear Thursday was an attempt to get around a judges order blocking a rule change last month that he said would have stripped him of his civil service reemployment rights. The latest rule proposal could have allowed Jones to skip over the longtime director to fill a vacancy created last month when the mayor fired Sonya Jenkins-Gray, the most recent head of the department. Jenkins-Gray was the first personnel director sacked by a mayor since the citys civil service system was created in 1941. She was accused of having a subordinate use a city car to drive her to Jefferson City and then around St. Louis, putting him in the middle of an awkward family matter. She had the driver promoted soon after the July 3 trip. In November, as Jenkins-Gray was facing termination hearings, she left behind a parting gift she granted Franks 2023 request for reemployment rights to his old job, which he retired from in December 2021 after 18 years. Frank and his lawyer say that gives him a right to return as personnel director, one of the most powerful jobs in city government, with broad say over hiring, firing and promotions across the 5,000-employee bureaucracy. Frank and the union representing St. Louis firefighters sued the city last month to halt a rule change that would have allowed the Civil Service Commission to cancel Franks reemployment rights for the director position. St. Louis Circuit Court Judge Christopher McGraugh agreed with them, calling the timing of the proposed rule change suspicious and temporarily blocking the commission from making that change. On Wednesday, Judge Joan Moriarty, too, sided with Frank and the firefighters union, blocking an amendment to a different set of rules that would have had a similar effect to last months proposal. Her temporary restraining order lasts until April 17 after the April 15 inauguration date for mayor. Jones trailed Alderwoman Cara Spencer in the March primary by 35 points. A close ally of the mayor leading the personnel department could help the administration install its people for a new term or keep allies in city jobs should the mayor lose reelection Tuesday. The department is currently being led by a longtime deputy in the department, John Unnerstall, whom the mayor appointed last week using an emergency rule. His emergency appointment expires April 18. Unnerstall is a longtime employee of the department, and he has pushed back at least once on a request from the administration to create a new position in the public safety department. With the ruling, the mayor may have few options to choose a new director that could hold office for months into the next mayoral term. The existing rules forbid the mayor from making a provisional appointment for an interim Director of Personnel when candidates have been certified on an eligibility list for the position, Franks lawyer, Emily Perez, wrote in a court filing Friday. Frank is the only person on that list. Perez alleged in the lawsuit that Jones has a personal grudge against Frank and wrote that the new proposed rule change clearly seeks to subvert the intent of last months court order. Frank has alleged the mayor wants to install a crony to run the department. Frank, while he was personnel director in the first year of Jones term, insisted that the search for a new police chief be conducted by his office, a departure from how former Mayor Lyda Krewson was allowed to choose a police chief. After Frank retired, Jones restarted the police chief search process. The firefighters union, Franks co-plaintiff, has also been a thorn in the administrations side. They backed Jones challenger, Alderwoman Cara Spencer, in the mayoral election. In court Wednesday, the citys lawyer, Inez Ross, pointed out the city firefighters union has spent much of Jones term fighting Civil Service Commission rule changes and the mayors past attempts to name personnel directors. Frank, she said, would be their crony. Perez countered that she had sat across the bargaining table from Frank representing the firefighters union and said the two of them had disagreed passionately about many things. Rather, she compared the administrations attempt to keep Frank out as an attack on civil service rules akin to President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musks extralegal moves to fire thousands of federal workers. Ross, though, said the civil service commission has broad power to set rules for city hiring and Frank and the firefighters union are attempting to tell them when to make the rules and what the rules should be, a position she called ludicrous. She seeks to compare this to some lawless takeover of the federal government, but that is not this at all, Ross said. They have the right to amend their rules. Frank does not have a right to return to his job, Ross argued. He has a right to be a candidate, she said, and the mayors office interviewed him and rejected him for the job last week. In addition to Franks job, the proposed rule change could also affect a wide range of city positions, Frank said. The rule change would give department heads the ability to make temporary hires of anyone for open positions if there are not six eligible candidates who have been tested for the job. The rule now only allows temporary hires of any applicant when there are no eligible applicants who have been tested for the job. In a city that has struggled to fill many positions, that could have given the administration a much freer hand in filling jobs without the usual civil service testing and certification requirements. An interim appointment to the job could hold the position for over six months. The Civil Service Commission, currently made up of two Jones appointees, is in charge of vetting candidates for a permanent personnel director. Whoever the next mayor is will pick from three candidates chosen by the commission, a process that in the past has taken months. Once a director is hired, they are insulated from mayoral control. Most past personnel directors have served long terms across mayoral administrations. KANSAS CITY, Mo. A pair of proposed ballot measures filed in Missouri would ask voters to force Tesla to close its Kansas City and St. Louis showrooms as the car companys billionaire CEO Elon Musk faces blowback over federal layoffs. Brad Ketcher, a St. Louis attorney who previously worked in the Missouri Governors Office under former Democratic Gov. Mel Carnahan, filed the initiative petitions on Friday. Ketcher, in an interview with The Star, pointed to cuts across the federal workforce tied to Musk. Hes going to do it on the back of working people, seniors and veterans, Ketcher said. He does it with bizarre glee. This is a way for folks to say that this man, this company, are not welcome in this state. Tesla did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment on Tuesday. The proposed initiatives come amid a public outcry against Teslas CEO Musk, whom President Donald Trump appointed to oversee the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency or DOGE. Cybertrucks were burned in Kansas City last month in what police investigated as possible arson, while Kansas and Missouri Republicans have repeatedly faced angry constituents. The proposed ballot measures, if passed by voters next year, would invoke Missouri state law over motor vehicle sales to force Tesla to give up its Missouri-based showrooms, including Kansas Citys showroom along State Line Road. The state law, called the Motor Vehicle Franchise Practices Act, requires that only franchised dealers sell new automobiles in the state. Before Tesla, buyers in Missouri purchased all new automobiles at authorized franchises whose ownership was separate from the manufacturer. That system prevented manufacturers from selling cars directly to consumers and was designed to keep profits with local car dealers, Ketcher said. However, in 2013 the Missouri Department of Revenue granted Tesla a showroom in St. Louis. It licensed a Kansas City showroom a year later. Those moves faced pushback at the time both in the Missouri Capitol and the courts. Under the proposed ballot measures, dubbed UnPlug Musk, those licenses would be stripped. It is the express intent of the people to prevent any manufacturer of new motor vehicles from circumventing the public policy as stated in (state law) by engaging in methods of retailing new motor vehicles which are designed to avoid the provisions of (state law), both proposed ballot measures said. It remains unclear whether the initiatives will receive enough support, financial backing and signatures to reach the Nov. 3, 2026, ballot. To get to the ballot, campaigners must garner at least 106,384 signatures spread among the states congressional districts before next May. The DOGE initiative led by Musk has slashed its way through the federal workforce, enacting cuts and firings across multiple agencies. The Kansas City region is bracing for a wave of federal job losses as roughly 30,000 people work for the federal government across the metro region. The Internal Revenue Service, Veterans Affairs, Social Security Administration and other departments with major presences in the region are all eyeing reductions. In the wake of those reductions, Republican lawmakers have also been forced to face angry constituents. In February, a furious crowd shouted at U.S. Rep. Mark Alford, a Missouri Republican, at a town hall near Belton in late February. U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, a Kansas Republican, abruptly ended another event in March after the audience repeatedly pressed him on actions by Trump and Musk. Ketcher pointed to the intense energy hes seen against federal firings, saying hes received dozens of emails from people asking him how to sign his petitions to put a measure on the ballot. Now is a great time to ask Missourians, are you for or against Musk doing business in the state? Is he the kind of businessman we want to have operating in Missouri? Ketcher said. I think Missourians are going to say hell no. Fighting Missouri abortion restrictions Missouris Planned Parenthood affiliates sued the state challenging existing abortion restrictions the day after voters approved Amendment 3. They also asked a Jackson County Circuit Court judge to temporarily block many abortion restrictions as the case plays out. The case is set for trial in January 2026. The abortion providers say they are ready to provide medication abortion which make up about two-thirds of abortions in the U.S. as soon as they are in accordance with the law. The judge on Dec. 20 and Feb. 14 paused many restrictions, including requiring patients to have two appointments 72 hours apart with the same doctor before getting an abortion and expensive and medically unnecessary building code requirements. In addition, the judge paused medication abortion plan requirements, stating that when complications arise, patients would seek emergency care at the nearest hospital emergency room, as with any other medical emergency. However, the judge left in place the entire medication abortion statute, which requires providers in abortion clinics to have a Department of Health and Senior Services-approved complication plan in place. The Planned Parenthood affiliates each submitted their plan to the state health department on Feb. 20 and Feb. 21, outlining how patients are advised to call the clinics should they experience complications and a doctor on call will recommend what to do. The affiliates followed up with health officials several times over the next few weeks, records show, but they received no response. (Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey on March 12 sent cease-and-desist letters to the Planned Parenthood affiliates, ordering them to stop providing medication abortions, even though they werent yet. In response, Planned Parenthood Great Rivers sued the attorney general on Monday.) DHSS on March 13 issued its emergency rule, reinstating several complication plan requirements similar to the ones the court had already paused and also added new ones. The rule would go into effect March 27. On March 27, the affiliates received a short email from state health departments bureau of ambulatory care denying their complication plan because it does not sufficiently meet the requirements. The Planned Parenthood affiliates are now asking the court to block the entire complication plan statute. It has become clear that State Defendants will stop at nothing and will continue their attempts to use any means at their disposal including the Complication Plan Statute to defy the will of the voters and to flout the orders of this Court, the motion read. Michele Munz ST. LOUIS COUNTY A frequent critic of county government has filed complaints against its top boss, claiming he illegally used taxpayer money to campaign against a proposition on Tuesdays ballot. Tom Sullivan, a University City resident, accused County Executive Sam Page of using nearly $5,000 for a mailer sent to voters about Proposition B, which would give the County Council the power to fire department directors and the countys top attorney. Everything about the flier is clearly designed to influence votes against Proposition B, Sullivan wrote in complaints filed Tuesday with two Missouri regulatory agencies. Public officials and governments arent allowed to use taxpayer money to advocate for or against a campaign issue. But county officials have mounted educational campaigns multiple times in recent years, saying they were seeking to inform voters without taking a side, at least obviously. The county spent money on a proposed 3% sales tax on the sale of recreational marijuana in 2023, for instance. Sullivan filed a complaint then, too. Doug Moore, a spokesman for Page, said it is proper, legal, and necessary to educate voters on ballot language. Why Mr. Sullivan would want to keep voters in the dark goes against his long-time declaration as a government watchdog, said Moore, who also pointed out Sullivan opposed Prop B itself in an editorial this week. Presort Inc. invoiced the county $4,999.55 for printing roughly 55,000 two-sided postcards, according to an invoice dated March 20 that Sullivan included in his complaints to the Missouri Secretary of State and the Missouri Ethics Commission. Postage cost the county $30,771.44, Moore said, for a total of $35,770.99 for printing and mailing. The card clearly does no favors for the proposition, which councilmembers say is needed to hold county department directors accountable. The card, for instance, says directors could be fired during emergencies like snowstorms though councilmembers have said using the power to fire directors would be a last resort. They wouldnt fire department heads without a good reason either, they have said. And the card says the police chief could be removed for political reasons, while the council has said it wont have the power to remove the chief. Only the St. Louis County Board of Police Commissioners has that power, councilmembers say. The commissioners in February voted to not support the measure, carefully avoiding using the word oppose, and cited a lack of clarity as a reason. The card also includes factual statements: The County Council called for the proposition to be put before voters. The council, with at least five of seven votes, could technically fire a director during a snowstorm or public health crisis. The St. Louis County NAACP, the St. Louis Labor Council AFL-CIO and business group Greater St. Louis Inc. oppose Prop B because they say it will create instability in county government. And Circuit Judge Bruce F. Hilton did call the ballot language misleading, insufficient, inaccurate, argumentative, prejudicial and unfair in his order removing the question from the ballot. An appellate court ruling later put the question back on the ballot. Editors note: This story was updated Friday to reflect the total amount St. Louis County paid for printing and mailing the postcard. JEFFERSON CITY A proposal to create a special commission to study the proliferation of billboards on Interstate 70 is a thinly disguised ruse to dismantle Missouris outdoor advertising business, an industry expert said Wednesday. Testifying in response to legislation that would launch a beautification study, Hank Milford, president of the Missouri Outdoor Advertising Association, told members of the Senate Rules Committee that the ongoing widening of the busy roadway was the result of years of study. Those studies, he suggested, did not address billboards along the transcontinental route, signaling that the issue is not a top priority of traffic planners. To create another commission amounts to a waste of taxpayer dollars, Milford said. His comments come in response to legislation that would create a committee to review the roadway signs in conjunction with the ongoing $2.8 billion widening of the interstate from Wentzville to Kansas Citys eastern suburbs. Under Senate Concurrent Resolution 9, sponsored by Sen. Steven Webber, D-Columbia, the review is needed to address the safety of motorists who are bombarded with messages on the stretch. Webber said he introduced the measure at the request of his constituents. I think its a good opportunity as we expand I-70 to have this discussion, Webber said. Its something weve been talking about for 30 years as a community. I wanted to give a forum for that discussion to take place. According to the legislation, as well as an accompanying bill in the House, Missouri has 2 times more billboards per mile on I-70 than any other state between Maryland and Utah. The 250-mile corridor averages some 3.64 billboards per mile, according to Scenic America, which is pushing for the legislation. John Hock, president of the groups Missouri chapter, told the Senate panel the construction project is an opportunity to reimagine the roadway. Many are not happy with the image I-70 now represents, Hock said. We believe this is the time to do that work. The commission could address landscaping, better rest areas, noise-reducing barriers and wildlife crossings, he said. Another supporter, Bill Ruppert, said he often commutes between Kirkwood and southern Boone County. I actually try to avoid Interstate 70, Ruppert said. Were a beautiful state, but it doesnt always show when you are driving on Interstate 70. Columbia resident Jeff Stack also wants to see the interstate less visually cluttered. We could do with a whole lot less billboards on our highways, Stack said. Sen. Mike Cierpiot, R-Lees Summit, said the issue could become mired in private property laws if the state attempts to regulate billboards. I know its a contentious issue, Webber said. But, Senate President Cindy OLaughlin, R-Shelbina, said she supports studying the issue. This committee, if it were appointed, is really just for recommendation. I dont see any harm in that, OLaughlin said. The plan would create a commission on safety and beautification that includes members of the House and Senate, officials from cities and counties and members of the states scenic byways advisory committee. The commission would be tasked with recommending strategies to enhance the safety and scenic character of the road through landscaping, sign control and lighting design standards. Under current law, the Missouri Department of Transportation is required to regulate the location, size, spacing and lighting of outdoor advertising signs. A Democratic U.S. senator from California is blocking the nomination of Missouri Republican Ed Martin to be U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, calling him a one-man wrecking ball on social media. U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff, in a news release issued Tuesday, cited Martins actions since being named interim U.S. attorney as the reason for the hold. For the past nine weeks, Ed Martin has consistently undermined the independence and abused the power of the U.S. Attorneys office in DC openly threatening and intimidating political opponents, dismissing charges against his own clients, firing public servants for their roles in legitimate investigations, and using his office as a cudgel to chill dissent and free speech, Schiff said. No one embodies Donald Trumps personal weaponization of the Justice Department more than Ed Martin. Martin did not respond to a message seeking comment Wednesday morning. Martin, who grew up in New Jersey, has spent most of his adult life in Missouri since attending St. Louis University Law School. After almost two years as chief of staff to Gov. Matt Blunt from January 2006 to November 2007, Martin twice ran unsuccessfully for office. Martin sought the Third District seat in Congress in 2010 and was the Republican nominee for Missouri attorney general in 2012. Martin was originally tapped by President Donald Trump to be the chief of staff in the Office of Management and Budget. But in January, Trump shifted Martin to the D.C. prosecutors office. Martin, who resigned in January after 10 years as president of Phyllis Schlafly Eagles, worked as a defense attorney for people charged with crimes for the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol. Since taking office in an interim appointment Jan. 22, Martin has drawn criticism from Democrats who accuse him of making political decisions about prosecutions. In early March, 10 senate Democrats complained about Martin to the D.C. Office of Disciplinary Counsel. The complaint said he had dismissed criminal charges against his own clients and threatened prosecution against government employees to intimidate them, the Hill reported. In a news release, Schiff said he was blocking Martins nomination because of his troubling conduct in his months as Interim U.S. Attorney in the same role. The nomination must get past the Senate Judiciary Committee before going to the Senate for confirmation. For the past few weeks, Ed Martin has been a one-man wrecking ball, Schiff wrote Tuesday on social media. Threatening political opponents, firing public servants, and using his office to chill free speech. His nomination must be blocked. Missouri Independent is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501(c)(3) public charity. Missouri Independent maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jason Hancock for questions: info@missouriindependent.com. Follow Missouri Independent on Facebook and X. MADISON, Wis. The Democratic-backed candidate for Wisconsin Supreme Court defeated a challenger endorsed by President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk on Tuesday, touting her victory as a win against powerful interests and cementing a liberal majority for at least three more years. Susan Crawford, a Dane County judge who led legal fights to protect union power and abortion rights and to oppose voter ID, stood on stage surrounded by the court's four current liberal justices and celebrated her win as a victory for democracy while also taking a dig at Musk. Growing up in Chippewa Falls, I never could have imagined that I would be taking on the richest man in the world for justice in Wisconsin, Crawford said. And we won. Musk and groups he backed had spent more than $21 million in an effort to defeat Crawford. Musk even traveled to Wisconsin two days before the election to personally hand over $1 million checks to two voters. Today Wisconsinites fended off an unprecedented attack on our democracy, our fair elections and our Supreme Court, Crawford said in her victory speech. And Wisconsin stood up and said loudly that justice does not have a price, our courts are not for sale. Crawford defeated Republican-backed Brad Schimel in a race that broke records for spending, was the highest-turnout Wisconsin Supreme Court election ever and became a proxy fight for the nations political battles. Overnight, Musk posted on his X platform that The long con of the left is corruption of the judiciary. In another comment, he seemed to take solace from voters approval to elevate the states photo ID requirement from state law to constitutional amendment. Trump, Musk and other Republicans lined up behind Schimel, a former state attorney general. Democrats including former President Barack Obama and billionaire megadonor George Soros backed Crawford. The first major election in the country since November was seen as a litmus test of how voters feel about Trumps first months back in office and the role played by Musk, whose Department of Government Efficiency has torn through federal agencies and laid off thousands of workers. Musk traveled to Wisconsin on Sunday to make a pitch for Schimel and personally hand out to $1 million checks to voters. Crawford was beating Schimel by more than 8 points, based on unofficial results. Turnout exceeded 52% of the voting age population, topping the record set in 2023 of nearly 40%. Spending was on its way to surpass $100 million. Schimel told his supporters he had conceded to Crawford, leading to yells of anger. One woman began to chant, Cheater, cheater! No, Schimel said. Youve got to accept the results. Schimel played bass with his classic rock cover band at his election night party both before and after conceding defeat, covering songs by the Allman Brothers, Tom Petty and others. A state race with nationwide significance The court can decide election-related laws and settle disputes over future election outcomes. Wisconsins a big state politically, and the Supreme Court has a lot to do with elections in Wisconsin, Trump said Monday. Winning Wisconsins a big deal, so therefore the Supreme Court choice its a big race. Crawford embraced the backing of Planned Parenthood and other abortion rights advocates, running ads that highlighted Schimels opposition to the procedure. She also attacked Schimel for his ties to Musk and Republicans, referring to Musk as Elon Schimel during a debate. Schimels campaign tried to portray Crawford as weak on crime and puppet of Democrats who, if elected, would push to redraw congressional district boundary lines to hurt Republicans and repeal a GOP-backed state law that took collective bargaining rights away from most public workers. Voters in Eau Claire seemed to respond to both messages. Jim Seeger, a 68-year-old retiree, said he voted for Schimel because he was concerned about redistricting. Jim Hazelton, a 68-year-old disabled veteran, said he had planned to abstain but voted for Crawford after Musk whom he called a pushy billionaire and Trump got involved. Hes cutting everything, Hazelton said of Musk. People need these things hes cutting. Whats on the courts agenda? Crawfords win keeps the court under a 4-3 liberal majority, as it has been since 2023. A liberal justice is not up for election again until April 2028, ensuring liberals will either maintain or increase their hold on the court until then. Crawford thanked each of the current liberal justices and hugged each of them after her win. One of the four is retiring, creating the open seat she won. The court likely will be deciding cases on abortion, public sector unions, voting rules and congressional district boundaries. Who controls the court also could factor into how it might rule on any future voting challenge in the perennial presidential battleground state, which raised the stakes of the race for national Republicans and Democrats. Donald Trump Jr., the presidents eldest son, campaigned for Schimel in the closing weeks and said electing him was essential to protecting the Republican agenda. Trump endorsed Schimel just 11 days before the election. Last year the court declined to take up a Democratic-backed challenge to congressional lines, but Schimel and Musk have said that if Crawford won, the court would redraw congressional districts to make them more favorable to Democrats. Musk pushed that message on election day, both on TV and on X, urging people to cast ballots in the final hours. Schimel, who leaned into his Trump endorsement in the closing days of the race, said he would not be beholden to the president or Musk. Crawford benefitted from campaign stops by Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the vice presidential nominee last year, and money from billionaire megadonors including Soros and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker. Record-breaking donations The contest was the most expensive court race on record in the U.S., with spending nearing $99 million, according to a tally by the Brennan Center for Justice. That broke the previous record of $51 million record, for the states Supreme Court race in 2023. Musk contributed $3 million to the campaign, while groups he funded poured in another $18 million. Musk also gave $1 million each to three voters who signed a petition he circulated against activist judges. Schimel leaned into his support from Trump while saying he would not be beholden to the president or Musk. Democrats have centered their messaging on the spending by Musk-funded groups. Ultimately I think its going to help Susan Crawford, because people do not want to see Elon Musk buying election after election after election, Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Ben Wikler said Monday. If it works here, hes going to do it all over the country. Voters weigh in on Musk and reasons for whom they backed At a polling place in Waunakee near Madison, 39-year-old Iraq War veteran Taylor Sullivan said he voted for Schimel for no reasons connected to Trump or Musk, but rather because I support the police as much as Schimel does. In Milwaukee, 22-year-old college student Kenneth Gifford said he feels that Trump has done damage to American institutions and that Musk is trying to buy votes. I want an actual, respectable democracy, he said. Associated Press writers Christine Fernando in Pewaukee, Wisconsin; Ali Swenson in New York; Christina A. Cassidy in Atlanta; Thomas Beaumont in Madison, Wisconsin; and Mark Vancleave in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, contributed to this report. ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, April 2. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Ahmet Gurbanov paid a working visit to Estonia to strengthen bilateral cooperation, Trend reports, citing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. In the course of the visit, political consultations were held with the Deputy Minister for Political Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia, Martin Roger. The parties discussed current issues of interaction between the two countries, emphasizing that regular intergovernmental and interdepartmental contacts contribute to strengthening ties in the political-diplomatic, trade-economic, and cultural-humanitarian spheres. Special attention was given to the need to expand the legal framework to intensify cooperation between the foreign ministries of both countries. The diplomats also thoroughly discussed prospects for increasing bilateral trade and economic partnerships, as well as opportunities for cooperation in the field of digitalizationone of Estonia's key areas of development. Moreover, the parties discussed the need to strengthen ties between the business communities of Turkmenistan and Estonia and explored the potential for creating platforms to increase and diversify trade turnover. A significant event of the visit was a tour of the E-Estonia" Digitalization Center in Tallinn, where the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan met with the center's digital transformation advisor, Petra Holm. The meeting focused on studying Estonia's experience in digital transformation and the possibilities of applying this experience in Turkmenistan. Earlier, in December 2024, Turkmenistan and Estonia also discussed expanding cooperation between the two countries, emphasizing that digital services, transport, and logistics hold the greatest potential for future collaboration. JERUSALEM Israels military operation in the Gaza Strip is expanding to seize large areas, the defense minister said, while officials at hospitals inside the Palestinian territory said that Israeli strikes overnight and into Wednesday had killed more than 40 people, nearly a dozen of them children. Israels offensive in the Palestinian territory was expanding to crush and clean the area" of militants and "seizing large areas that will be added to the security zones of the State of Israel, Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a written statement. The Israeli government has long maintained a buffer zone just inside Gaza along its security fence and has greatly expanded since the war began in 2023. Israel says the buffer zone is needed for its security, while Palestinians view it as a land grab that further shrinks the narrow coastal territory, home to around 2 million people. Katz didn't specify which areas of Gaza would be seized in the expanded operation, which he said includes the extensive evacuation of the population from fighting areas. His statement came after Israel ordered the full evacuation of the southern city of Rafah and nearby areas. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel aims to maintain an open-ended but unspecified security control of the Gaza Strip once it achieves its aim of crushing Hamas. The minister called on Gaza residents to expel Hamas and return all hostages. The militant group still holds 59 captives, of whom 24 are believed to still be alive, after most of the rest were released in ceasefire agreements or other deals. This is the only way to end the war, Katz said. Since the breakdown of the ceasefire last month, when Israel ordered people to move and expanded their areas of operation, the no-go zones in Gaza now constitute more than 60% of the strip, said Olga Cherevko, a spokesperson for the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Aid groups are providing assistance as the situation allows, as supplies dwindled because of Israels monthlong blockade on Gaza. No-go zones include the military zone in the Netzarim corridor a zone carved out by Israel separating northern from southern Gaza and the expanded buffer zone and evacuation areas. The Hostage Families Forum, which represents most captives families, said that it was horrified to wake up this morning to the Defense Minister's announcement about expanding military operations in Gaza. The group said the Israeli government has an obligation to free all 59 hostages from Hamas captivity to pursue every possible channel to advance a deal for their release." They stressed that every passing day puts their loved ones' lives at greater risk. Their lives hang in the balance as more and more disturbing details continue to emerge about the horrific conditions theyre being held in chained, abused, and in desperate need of medical attention, said the forum, which called on the Trump administration and other mediators to continue pressuring Hamas to release the hostages. Our highest priority must be an immediate deal to bring ALL hostages back home the living for rehabilitation and those killed for proper burial and end this war, the group said. Children killed in strike on UN building Israel continued to target the Gaza Strip, with airstrikes overnight killing 17 people in the southern city of Khan Younis. Another 15 people were killed in a strike in the north of the strip Wednesday, according to officials at hospitals where the bodies were taken. Officials at the Nasser Hospital said the bodies of 12 people killed in an overnight airstrike that were brought to the hospital included five women, one of them pregnant, and two children. Officials at the Gaza European Hospital said they received five bodies of people killed in two separate airstrikes. Later Wednesday, officials at the Indonesian Hospital said an Israeli strike on a building of the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, or UNRWA, in the Jabaliya refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip killed 15 people, including nine children and two women. The Palestinian Civil Defense said the building had been an UNRWA clinic that was now being used to house displaced people. It said the attack hit two rooms in the building, and that it evacuated the bodies of seven of those killed as well as 12 people who were wounded. Juliette Touma, a spokeswoman for UNRWA, said the site wasn't functioning as a clinic when it was hit, but was being used as a shelter for displaced people, with about 735 people from 160 families staying there. Despite UNRWA staff warning of the dangers of the facility after the Wednesdays attack, many displaced families haven't left the site, simply because they have absolutely nowhere else to go, Touma said, adding that no UNRWA staff were killed or wounded in the strike. The Israeli military said it struck Hamas members in the area, adding that they were hiding inside a command and control center that was being used for coordinating armed activity and served as a central meeting point for the Palestinian group. Separately, the European Hospital said that it had received the bodies of eight people killed in Khan Younis during the day Wednesday, while another three killed in Zawaida in central Gaza arrived at the Aqsa hospital, officials there said. The war began when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking 251 hostages. Israels offensive has killed more than 50,000 Palestinians, including hundreds killed in strikes since a ceasefire ended about two weeks ago, according to Gazas Health Ministry, which doesnt say whether those killed are civilians or combatants. Israel says it has killed around 20,000 militants, without providing evidence. Wafaa Shurafa reported from Deir al Balah, Gaza Strip. Elena Becatoros in Athens, Greece, Bassem Mroue in Beirut, and Sam Mednick in Tel Aviv, Israel, contributed to this report. A trio of spring elections provided early warning signs to Republicans and President Donald Trump on Tuesday, as Democrats rallied against his efforts to slash the federal government and the outsize role being played by billionaire Elon Musk in the early days of his new administration. In the marquee race for a Wisconsin Supreme Court seat, the conservative judge endorsed by Trump and backed by Musk and his groups to the tune of $21 million lost by 10 percentage points in a state Trump won in November. While Florida Republicans held two of the most pro-Trump House districts in the country, both candidates underperformed Trump's November margins. The elections the first major contests since Trump's return to power were seen as an early measure of voter sentiment as Trump works with unprecedented speed to upend the federal government, clashing with the courts and seeking revenge as he tests the bounds of presidential power. The party that loses the presidency in November typically picks up seats in the next midterm elections, and Tuesday's results provided hope for Democrats who faced a barrage of internal and external criticism about their response to Trump that they can follow that trend. Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist and podcaster whose group worked alongside Musk to boost conservative Brad Schimel in Wisconsin, argued Tuesday's Supreme Court loss underscored a fundamental challenge for Republicans, particularly in races where Trump is not on the ballot. "We did a lot in Wisconsin, but we fell short. We must realize and appreciate that we are the LOW PROP party now," he said in a social media post, referring to low-propensity voters who don't regularly cast ballots. "The party has been remade. Special elections and off-cycle elections will continue to be a problem without a change of strategy." Major shifts in Wisconsin Trump won Wisconsin in November by 0.8 percentage points, or fewer than 30,000 votes. In the first major test since he took office in January, the perennial battleground state shifted significantly to the left, and not only in typical Democratic strongholds. Sauk County, northwest of the state capital of Madison, is a state bellwether. Trump won it in November by 626 votes. Sauk shifted 16 percentage points in the direction of Judge Susan Crawford, the liberal backed by national Democrats and billionaire donors like George Soros. Besides strong turnout in Democratic-heavy areas, Crawford did measurably better in the suburban Milwaukee counties that Republicans rely on to run up their margins statewide. Turnout was just under 50%, a full 10 percentage points higher than the previous record high for a Wisconsin Supreme Court election, set just two years ago. In interviews with dozens of voters across the state, many Democrats suggested without prompting that their vote was as much if not more of a repudiation of Trump's first months in office than a decision on the direction of the state high court. "This is our chance to say no," said Linda Grassl, a retired OB-GYN registered nurse, after voting at the Waunakee Public Library corridor Tuesday. "We have to fight, and this is where the fight is today," agreed Theresa Peer, a 49-year-old business-owner born and raised in Milwaukee, who called the election a "fight for our democracy." She said she hoped a Crawford win would serve as a "symbol of opposition" to the Trump administration, particularly on the issues of women's reproductive rights and slashed education spending. Others disliked the richest man in the world playing such a prominent role. "I don't like Elon Musk spending money for an election he should have no involvement in," said Antonio Gray, a 38-year-old Milwaukee security guard. "They should let the voters vote for who they want to vote for instead of inserting themselves like they have." Florida vote Trump had better luck in Florida, where Republican Randy Fine won his special election in the 6th District to replace Mike Waltz, who stepped down to serve as Trump's national security adviser. But Fine beat his Democratic challenger, Josh Weil, by 14 percentage points less than five months after Waltz won the district by 33. Jimmy Patronis, the state's chief financial officer, fended off a challenge from Democrat Gay Valimont to win the northwest Florida seat vacated by Matt Gaetz but also underperformed Gaetz's last margin of victory. The pair of wins gave Republicans a 220-213 margin in the House of Representatives. For voters in both districts, the clear draw was Trump. Teresa Horton, 72, didn't know much at all about Tuesday's election but said she didn't need to. "I don't even know these people that are on there," she said of her ballot. "I just went with my ticket." Brenda Ray, 75, a retired nurse, said she didn't know a lot about Patronis, either, but cast her ballot for him because she believes he'll "vote with our president." "That's all we're looking for," she said. Both Patronis and Fine were badly outraised by their Democratic challengers. Michael Whatley, chairman of the Republican National Committee, argued that what was a GOP concern before Tuesday night had been a sign of the party's strength. "The American people sent a clear message tonight: they want elected officials who will advance President Trump's America First agenda, and their votes can't be bought by national Democrats," he said in a statement. The unseen cost of sand mining Sand mining often happens out of sight, but its consequences are impactful, and in many cases, devastating. According to two recent studies published in One Earth, by Centre researchers Kiran Pereira and Jean-Baptiste Jouffray and co-authors, sand extraction has far-reaching effects worldwide. The sand crisis poses a complex set of challenges. For millions of people living in poverty, sand extraction offers a crucial source of livelihoods and income. While limited and carefully regulated extraction can help meet the Sustainable Development Goals, in many places, it is causing extensive local and transboundary harm. In rapidly urbanizing areas, sand extraction is impacting water, food and coastal security, leading to the loss of traditional livelihoods such as fishing, farming and eco-tourism, while also impacting biodiversity and destroying critical ecosystems. In some regions, the rise of sand mafia has brought intimidation, violence and even loss of lives due to a nexus between business and political interests . These mounting social-ecological costs are often treated as negative externalities - unacknowledged and unaddressed by conventional practices - thereby worsening the sand crisis and undermining pathways to equitable and sustainable development. Dredging in Marine Protected Areas One of the studies, led by Aurora Torres at the University of Alicante in Spain, in which Jean-Baptiste Jouffray was a co-author, shows that the 'dredging frontier is expanding into new areas and intensifying in existing ones. Almost half of the global operators dredged for some time each year in Marine Protected Areas, highlighting the need to improve governance. This does not necessarily imply unlawful activity because not all Marine Protected Areas prohibit sand mining. But it shows regions where sand extraction and rich biodiversity overlap and conservation goals could be compromised. It highlights the urgent need to mitigate demand for the worlds most mined materials. Moving from sand crisis to sand sufficiency So how could the sand crisis be addressed? In the second study by Centre researchers Kiran Pereira and Jean-Baptiste Jouffray, and other co-authors including Jan Kuiper, Colette Wabnitz and Lova Schildt, the team argue for two overlooked approaches sand sufficiency and circularity to mitigate rising demand while safeguarding the ecological limits and social foundation of sand use in the Anthropocene. The circular economy calls for moving beyond the current take-make-dispose approach that is making the construction sector the biggest consumer of raw materials and contributing to huge wastes in landfills. There are many resources that can guide this transition. For instance as the study points out, architect, academic and environmental activist, Duncan Baker-Brown, author of the book Re-Use Atlas, urges the construction sector to mine the Anthroposphere instead of further depleting the natural world. A call for systemic demand reduction While circularity can mitigate demand, it alone cannot fully address the growing need for sand and its alternatives. The use of construction materials and built-up areas is projected to outpace global population growth by 2060. Such insatiable demand is irreconcilable with the need to build within planetary boundaries, says Pereira. Time is of the essence for effective climate and biodiversity action in a rapidly narrowing window of opportunity. Decisions and investments made today for the built environment will have lasting implications for humanity and the planet. The authors call on policymakers to prioritise systemic demand reduction by curbing commodification of housing, improving occupancy rates, repurposing buildings, and integrating resource sufficiency alongside circularity measures. Developing a shared vision for sand use, guided by the principles of sufficiency and circularity, offers a promising path forward. Other co-authors of the two articles are affiliated with Ghent University and the Institute of Natural Sciences in Belgium, Michigan State University, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, the University of California Santa Barbara, the University of Geneva in Switzerland, the University of Leeds in the UK and Stanford University in the U.S. Patent Attorney Gottfried Schull talks Via LA HEVC Patent Pool vs. Microsoft Infringement Suit Three licensors of the Via LA HEVC Patent Pool (M&K Holdings, Gensquare, and Tagivan II) have filed a patent infringement suit against Microsoft in the Landgericht Duesseldorf court in Germany, alleging unlicensed use of High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) technology in several Microsoft products. In this interview with Streaming Learning Center's Jan Ozer, patent attorney Gottfried Schull, who is representing Via LA HEVC, discusses what's at issue in the lawsuit. Heres our conversation with Gottfried Schull. Patent Owners and Via LA's Role Jan Ozer: So which patent owners are you representing and why doesn't Via LA bring this suit directly? Gottfried Schull: We do not disclose the patent owners who bring the suit traditionally (authors note: VIA LA provided the identify of the patent owners in this case). But the reason why Via LA is not suing, it's basically a strategic decision of Via LA. The patents are still owned by the owners, and Via LA has the right to sublicense according to the license agreement. And so the decision is that the patent owners file and litigation cases. Microsoft Products Involved Jan Ozer: Okay, which Microsoft products are involved in this lawsuit? Gottfried Schull: There quite a lot of Microsoft products involved. First of all, it's Windows 11, which is coming with an HEVC-compliant decoder. Xbox as well as the Surface tablets. A little bit different is the usage in the Windows 10 operating system, where you have to download a decoder and you have to pay for it. These are the products. The payment, by the way, for the download would easily cover the license fees. Damages Sought and German Legal System Jan Ozer: What are you suing for? What can you tell me about the damages that you're hoping for or suing for in the lawsuit? Gottfried Schull: That's something very different in Germany from cases in the United States. We don't sue for damages. We are going for the injunction claim. So, our goal is to obtain a cease and desist order by the court, which would stop the defendant from bringing the product on the market. And that's the key advantage of the German venue because that's taken very seriously. So, if the court order is not obeyed by the defendant, we have all kinds of punitive measures to make the defendant getting compliant with the court order. That's the silver bullet under German patent litigation. Why Sue in Germany? Jan Ozer: Okay. Is that why the VIA-LA members are suing in Germany as opposed to the United States? Gottfried Schull: Yes, I guess so. Perhaps it's worth in that context to mention that we have a long tradition in suing for the license also of the programs managed by MPEG LA and Via LA for more than 20 years now, nearly 25 years. We had about 500 patent cases in about 35 campaigns. We are the hotspot for patent litigation here in Germany for these programs. My understanding is that the injunction claim is a very powerful claim in case you want to have a starting point for discussions. Potential Outcomes for Microsoft Jan Ozer: Facing such an injunction, what would Microsoft have to do to avoid it? Would they license in Germany? Would they license worldwide? Gottfried Schull: Typically, defendants raise the defense that they only want to take a license for Germany, or for the EU when you talk about the UPC, so the new European court. But it's accepted in Germany that it's not sufficient. So, the pool can insist on only settling the case based on a worldwide license. History of Negotiations Jan Ozer: What can you tell us about the facts of the case? How long was the LA seeking a license from Microsoft? Do you have any history you can share? Gottfried Schull: Some basic history: The program has started in 2015, as you mentioned already, and the communication started in that year. So, it's communication now for 10 years. Reasons for Microsoft's Delay Jan Ozer: What's been the holdup? Why hasn't Microsoft taken a license so far? Gottfried Schull: I guess that's a question you should better ask Microsoft. Of course, we don't know, at least I don't know. And I cannot tell you. German Courts and Patent Pools Jan Ozer: So looking at German courts and their treatment of patent pools, what's the sense of the value of patent pools in German courts? Gottfried Schull: You imagine if you have about 30 licensees and 500 licensees, if you would have interaction and court interactions between them. That would be absolutely inefficient and that's absolutely accepted by the court. And that has been a discussion already in the first case we filed in 2000. So that has been very clear from the beginning that the court is very fine with the idea of a patent pool also in line with the guidelines of the European Commission. Reciprocity in Other Courts Jan Ozer: And if the plaintiffs win in Germany, how much reciprocity is there in other courts in the EU and in the United States? Gottfried Schull: By reciprocity you mean acceptance of other courts, of the decisions of the German courts and vice versa. So that's very difficult to judge. Always think about it like that. Our judges look at decisions from other countries. We expect that other judges in other countries do the same, but they make up their own mind. So there's no clear binding. Having said that, at least in Europe, I can say that the decisions of the German courts in patent litigation are very respected all over Europe. But there's no binding effect of that. FRAND Defense Jan Ozer: I know there's been a trend in some patent litigation cases that when you have a very unwilling licensee, they can lose the FRAND defense and the plaintiff can charge a reasonable fee that's not FRAND restricted. Is that something that you see in Germany? Gottfried Schull: Yes, I believe what you're referring to is happening in other licensing programs. The licensing programs of MPEG LA and Via LA are somehow the gold standard of FRAND licensing. So that has been the first licensing program where patent litigations have happened in Germany. And these things you're referring to do not happen in these cases, in our cases. It's perhaps a different situation. I can explain it like that. Historical Damages Jan Ozer: MPEG-LA started approaching Microsoft in 2015. It's now 2025. How many years back can you go when you seek a judgment like this? Gottfried Schull: There's no limitation. The only point is that the patent has to be still in force. You know patents expire in 20 years after filing. And for the injunction claim, there's no limitation. You can always, as long as the patent is in force, can go for the injunction claim. EU Patent Law Changes Jan Ozer: That's right. And you're not going for damages. The historical damage amount wouldn't matter. Speaking about EU law, I know there's been a lot of proposed changes in the EU patent law over the last 12 months. What's happening and what's the status of all that? Gottfried Schull: I'm not sure if I would call it changes. There has been a discussion about a new regulation about SEP patents licensing, but that has been withdrawn recently, very recently. There has been, of course, introduction of the Unified Patent Court, which is one and a half years ago, which has been established and it's picking up pace and picking up cases. And there has been also one discussion that has been introduced into German law an additional requirement regarding the injunction claim concerning proportionality. But all this has not changed the proceedings before the German national courts. And we are talking here about proceedings before the German national courts. I believe there's not really changed, at least in our environment, no changes which affect the situation. Microsoft's Likely Defenses Jan Ozer: Looking at the case itself, I know you've done a lot of cases like this. What are the defenses that Microsoft is likely to propose against the plaintiffs in this case? Gottfried Schull: These are typically, as in every patent litigation case, we have the defense that the patent is not implemented, not used. Defense number one. Defense number two is that the patent is invalid. These are irrespective of the type of patent. And then we have in the field of standard essential patents, and we are talking here about standard essential patents, SEPs, we have the defense that the licensing program under which the SEPs are offered for license is not FRAND. So it's not fair or reasonable and not non-discriminatory. That's the next defense. And the further defense is that the offer of a pool license is not in line with FRAND, but a bilateral license offer has to be made by the plaintiffs, thereby evading the pool license. So these are the four defenses basically we see. Bilateral License Defense Jan Ozer: The last defense seems counter to the whole benefit of the patent pool. You've got the pool now with over 550 licensees and they've got 23 patent owners. That's over 10,000 individual licenses if they force a bilateral agreement. Is the court typically going to listen to that? (Authors note: The actual numbers are 550 and 50, or 25,000 licenses). Gottfried Schull: They always listen. But you're absolutely right. There's a factual evidence or factual binding to the situation which has been established over the time and resulted in that many license agreements. And the legal way to interpret it is that in a situation in which a pool is as established as HEVC pool we are discussing, there is no other way than taking the pool license. Because bilateral license would be discriminatory because other licensees have a full license and so the licensors cannot even grant bilateral licenses because then they would render the whole program unFRAND. And there's only one way out of that under bilateral licenses which is that the defendant is seeking bilateral licenses from all pool members, which does not make sense economically. As I said, the court will listen to that. The likelihood that that will play an important role is, I would say, remote. FRAND Defense Likelihood Jan Ozer: And the FRAND defense, I mean, with 550 licensees, I that seems pretty remote as well. Gottfried Schull: Yeah, yeah. So, the FRAND defense also we have here a licensing managing entity which has established an image over the last 25 years for treating fair and transparent. And the FRAND defense is, of course, we have to cope with that always. But as you said. Timeline of the Case Jan Ozer: When did you bring the suit and what happens now and how do you see it unfolding over the next few months or years? Gottfried Schull: So, we are bringing a suit as soon as the license owners decide to bring a suit. So that's what we do. And as soon as we have filed the cases, which is presently the status, we have brought the cases over the last month. They got served and now there's a deadline for Microsoft to file their Statement of Defense. And then things will progress. Typically, expect, nearly in all cases, a defense by filing a parallel invalidity action. You know, we have a bifurcated system, perhaps you know that already in Germany. the validity is dealt with in a separate court. So, it's not before the infringement court. So that is what happens in the next month. We expect the bringing of invalidity actions. and we expect a decision by the infringement court within the next about 12 months on the injunction claim. Patent Validity in German Courts Jan Ozer: Do you know if Via LA or MPEG-LA has already defended that type of claim? I mean, have the patents been found valid by German courts in the past or any courts that you're aware of? Gottfried Schull: What we did, we had a case against another unwilling licensee ending about one and a half year ago, where we asserted parts of the patents we are now asserting. And they have been attacked by invalidity cases, as usual. But the case has been settled by taking a license by the defendant shortly before the main oral hearing. So it might be reasonable to conclude that he was not that optimistic about the chances of success on validity. Yeah, that's the situation here. We are presently discussing about the second HEVC case which has been brought. Validity Decision and Infringement Court Jan Ozer: Then what happens? Gottfried Schull: The validity decision is typically after the infringement decision. So, the infringement decision will be ruled without having the validity decision of the Federal Patent Court in Munich. That's at least in, I don't know, 99% of all cases. But the infringement court is also considering the arguments in the validity case and is making up its own mind. if the infringement court, which is the judges on the infringement benches are highly qualified, also technically qualified, and if they have considerable doubts about validity, they will stay in the infringement case irrespective of an outcome of the invalidity case. Timeline for Final Resolution Jan Ozer: Looking at the timeline, when would you expect a final resolution? Gottfried Schull: That's difficult to say. As I explained or mentioned, we had many campaigns, more than 35 campaigns over the last 25 years and everything is possible. So, we have seen campaigns settled immediately after filing the complaints. We have campaigns settled after the defendant has considered everything properly, I would guess so. Then we have cases settled typically just in before the main oral hearing in the infringement case and then later on as well. Maximum Timeline Jan Ozer: What's the maximum? Is that a two-year process, a one-year process, a five-year process? Gottfried Schull: So, yeah, we know we have about one year until we get the injunction claim. And as soon as the injunction claim has been issued, the typical measure is to enforce the injunction claim, meaning stopping the defendant to sell its products. And as I said, there a lot of punitive measures if it does not comply. US Court Experience Jan Ozer: Okay. And do you have any experience in US courts? I how long would it take for a similar case in the US to reach a conclusion? Gottfried Schull: No, we have no experience in US courts. No, cannot tell you. Only remotely, I'm not qualified to that. And I would say typically in the US it is taking longer. And you have a jury trial, is, according to my understanding, much different from the German benches, which are staffed by judges, which are basically doing nothing else than patent litigation cases. It's much easier to explain something to them than to a jury, I guess at least. So I've never explained anything to a jury. Typical Response to Injunction Jan Ozer: What's the typical response? Do any companies ever accept the injunction and agree not to ship in Germany, or do they always take a license? Gottfried Schull: No, we have not seen anybody who's really seizing products in Germany. Everybody has taken a license, eventually. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Related Articles A child with a Lithuanian flag stands in front of people holding an American flag at the U.S. Embassy in Vilnius, Lithuania, April 1, 2025, to honor the four U.S. soldiers killed in a training accident near Pabrade last week. (X/Lithuanian Defense Ministry) Mourners carrying wreaths and flags filled the streets in Lithuanias capital of Vilnius on Wednesday to memorialize four U.S. soldiers who died last week during a military training exercise. Hundreds of residents gathered near the U.S. Embassy for the fallen troops, all from the Fort Stewart, Ga.-based 3rd Infantry Division. The deaths have moved the public in Lithuania, a small Baltic state bordering Russias military exclave of Kaliningrad. The country, which was annexed by the Soviet Union during World War II and which gained its independence after the Cold War, has long viewed the U.S. military as a protector from potential aggression directed by the Kremlin. The tragic incident has shaken us all to the depths of our hearts, Lithuanias defense ministry said in a statement Tuesday. These soldiers will never be forgotten. The crowd, which began gathering Tuesday evening soon after it was announced that all four soldiers were found dead, is expected to increase for a larger community observance Thursday. A person places a heart on a memorial in Vilnius, Lithuania, April 1, 2025, in memory of the four U.S. soldiers who died in a training accident in the country last week. (X/Lithuanian Defense Ministry) An American flag stands amid a bouquet at a memorial in Vilnius, Lithuania, for the four U.S. soldiers who died in a training accident in the country last week. Scores of Lithuanians gathered at the U.S. Embassy on April 1, 2025, to honor the fallen soldiers. (X/Lithuanian Defense Ministry) Lithuanians gather outside the U.S. Embassy in Vilnius on April 1, 2025, to honor the four members of a U.S. Army armored brigade who died in a training accident near Pabrade, Lithuania, last week. (X/Kestutis Budrys) The Lithuanian government has organized a ceremony marking the dignified departure of the soldiers as they depart Vilnius for Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. Civic and military leaders will be among those paying tribute Thursday morning as a convoy carries the remains of the soldiers to the airport in Vilnius. Officials are preparing for crowds to line the streets. An honor platoon from the 3rd Infantry Division also will take part in the ceremony, U.S. Army Europe and Africa said Wednesday. After a nearly weeklong rescue and recovery effort, the Army on Tuesday announced the deaths of Staff Sgt. Jose Duenez Jr., 25, of Joliet, Ill.; Staff Sgt. Edvin F. Franco, 25, of Glendale, Calif.; and Pfc. Dante D. Taitano, 21, of Dededo, Guam, in the March 25 accident on a Lithuanian training site. On Wednesday, the Army identified Staff Sgt. Troy S. Knutson-Collins, 28, of Battle Creek, Mich, as the fourth soldier, who was recovered Tuesday from the bog where the groups armored vehicle had sunk during an early morning mission. Duenez, Franco and Collins all were promoted posthumously. The effort to recover the soldiers involved hundreds of personnel from the U.S. Army, Lithuania, Estonia and Poland. The accident, which happened near the city of Pabrade, was complicated by muddy terrain. Several hundred tons of gravel and earth were added to stabilize the soft ground near the bog, where the vehicle was submerged some 15 feet under water and thick sludge, the Army said. U.S. Navy divers, rescue dogs, helicopters and drones also were part of the recovery effort. We mourn this tragic loss with profound sorrow. In this time of grief, the Lithuanian nation stands in solidarity with the families of the soldiers and with the American people, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys said Tuesday. Scores of Lithuanians gather at the U.S. Embassy in Vilnius on April 1, 2025, to honor four American soldiers killed during a training accident near Pabrade, Lithuania, last week. (X/Kestutis Budrys) People lay flowers and light candles on April 1, 2025, at a memorial in Vilnius, Lithuania, for the four U.S. soldiers who died in a training accident in the country last week. (X/Lithuanian Defense Ministry) U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Eleazar Oliva, an infantry unit leader with Marine Coordination Element Norway, presents the U.S. flag to Abby Boretto, daughter of deceased U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Henry N. Pilger, during a commemorative hike on Grytoya Island, Norway, July 25, 2024. The hike covered nearly 8 miles and was conducted in honor of five U.S. Marines that lost their lives in a helicopter crash on the island during Exercise Strong Express in 1972. (Kedrick Schumacher/U.S. Marine Corps) (Tribune News Service) Three decades ago a parcel arrived for Abby Boretto that led her on a journey across the Atlantic Ocean to meet the sender. Boretto said the parcel contained her late fathers ring and was sent to her from Norway. During a NATO training exercise on Sept. 23, 1972, a helicopter carrying 1st Lt. Henry N. Pilger, as well as Gerald Merklinger, Pete Rodriquez, James Skinner and Raymond Reisner, crashed on the island of Grytoya, Norway, killing everyone on board. Decades later, Pilgers 1970 United States Naval Academy class ring was found in near-perfect condition at the crash site, Boretto said. The story of how Pilgers class ring was returned to his family is the subject of the 2023 documentary The Ring and the Mountain. The large-scale training exercise, called Operation Strong Express, held during the Cold War, was meant to simulate Russia attacking NATO territory and test the alliances ability to defend itself, according to the U.S.S. Little Rock Association. Pilger was the co-pilot of the helicopter during the accident and was 24-years-old when he died. On Oct. 1, 1993, during a hunting trip on a mountain in Grytoya to find grouse, Norwegian doctor Hans Krogstad found some debris left over from the 1972 crash. A golden ring stuck between two rocks caught his eye, he said in the documentary. The ring has a blue star sapphire embedded in it. An engraving around the sapphire reads United States Naval Academy and has Pilgers name inscribed inside. Feeling an obligation to have Pilgers ring returned to his family, Krogstad picked up the ring, put it in a brown envelope and sent it to the U.S. Embassy in Oslo, Norway, with the instructions that it be returned to Pilgers next of kin. Boretto received the ring when she was in her early 20s and described the ring as still looking like it was new. However, at the time she received the ring, she said she didnt know very much about the person her father was since he had died when she was 15 months old. It was a wow moment. I understood at that moment that this ring was found between two rocks after all of this time ... just spectacular. I knew it was a treasure, Boretto said. Boretto added that her late mother, Debbie Wadsworth, did not often talk about her father because his death was something incredibly painful for her. Abby Boretto, the daughter of U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Henry N. Pilger, addresses the crowd during a commemorative hike of Jamnfjellet on Grytoya Island, Norway, July 25, 2024. Pilger was one of five U.S. Marines that lost their lives in a helicopter crash on the island during Exercise Strong Express in 1972. (Sgt. Kedrick Schumacher/U.S. Marine Corps) When Boretto was about to turn 50, she was thinking about her life and she went through the memory box that she kept the ring in. She realized that she had never thanked the person who sent her family the ring and set out on a quest to find him. While Boretto knew Krogstads name from a letter that was included with the package that contained the ring, she had no idea who he was or if he was still alive. She tried searching for more information but didnt have much luck. At that moment of pulling the ring out again and re-reading the letters that were accompanying the ring in the brown envelope, I was like I have got find this guy. Its a monumental gift, she said. Around the same time, Krogstad began his own journey to find out if the ring had ever returned to its owners family, fearing it might have still been stuck at the U.S. Embassy in Norway. He reached out to the embassy, however, he said in the documentary that they werent able to provide him with answers. Krogstad connected with Norwegian journalist Simen Laholt, who wanted to do a story on the rings journey. Laholt reached out to Boretto over Facebook and told her that Krogstad had been trying to find out what happened to the ring. After decades, she finally learned that the person who found the ring was still alive. She decided to travel to Norway to meet him and turn the experience into a documentary. I had just gone through this period of trying to find him myself. I was completely taken aback, I was so excited, Boretto said. I didnt speak to him before I traveled to Norway because I wanted it to be super authentic when we met for the first time. Unspoiled. Boretto said that she struggled to find a way to make her documentary a reality until her 51st birthday rolled around. When Borettos aunt, Mary Lou Wadsworth, called to wish her niece a happy birthday, she told her about the 2016 documentary The Last Ring Home, which was surprisingly similar to Pilgers story. The Last Ring Home tells the story of how a World War II naval captains ring was returned to his family. Boretto connected with the director of The Last Ring Home, Fairfield County filmmaker Josh Shelov, who agreed to also direct Borettos documentary. Within 52 days of meeting Josh, I am in Norway with a film crew ready to tackle this first part of my documentary, she said. With a film crew in tow, Boretto traveled to Norway in 2022 to honor the 50th anniversary of her fathers death and finally meet Krogstad. The film captures their meeting, as well as their trek up the rocky mountain in Grytoya to reach the crash site. The film also shows the ceremony honoring the 50th anniversary of the crash. My very first initial meeting with him was monumental for me. It was easy, It was beautiful...It was a true celebratory meeting for both of us, Boretto said. Making it up the mountain was a celebration. I was so excited and that was an achievement in itself, to make it to the top and to be in this space, in this place of mystery 50 years to the day (my father died.) The film also showcases interviews with some of Pilgers classmates from the Naval Academy who recall their memories of the late Marine. Pilger was known by his friends by nicknames like Captain Easy and Rick and said he had a good sense of humor, according to the Naval Academys Class of 1970 40th Reunion Book. He came to the Naval Academy after studying in Syracuse, New York, and was also gifted in math and sports, the book added. This ring has finally helped me to connect, learn and understand who my father was, Boretto said. This ring stands as such a symbol. Its such a beacon. Its been waiting to tell the story. Its its own character, its taken on a life of its own. Boretto premiered the documentary in Norway in 2023 to honor the 51st anniversary of the crash. The film premiered in the United States at the USS Midway Museum in San Diego in 2024. It has also been screened by the Navy base in New River, N.C. (where Pilger was stationed). Boretto will also be screening it at her fathers 55th class reunion at the United States Naval Academy in Maryland in April. It is set to be released on the EvergreenNOW! streaming service on April 1, according to Boretto. 2025 the New Haven Register (New Haven, Conn.). Visit www.nhregister.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Am unidentified woman comforts a child aboard the World Airways plane. The plane left Saigon's Tan Son Nhut Airport Apr. 2, 1975 with 54 Vietnamese orphans aboard. (Bob Wickely/Stars and Stripes) This article first appeared in the Stars and Stripes Pacific edition, April 4, 1975. It is republished unedited in its original form. TOKYO The first refugees out of Saigon 54 Vietnamese orphans arrived at Yokota AB early Thursday after a dash to freedom from an increasingly nervous South Vietnamese capital. The children, ranging in age from three months to three years, were loaded onto a World Airways DCS jet in Saigon late Wednesday night [April 2, 1975] and headed away on a 25-hour journey to the United States, even though the control tower at Tan Son Nhut Airport ordered pilot Ken Healy: Dont take off, dont take off, you have no clearance! Healy, who flew refugees out of the rapidly falling Mainland China in the late 1940s, smiled afterward and said: I just didnt get the message in time. Just before the jet took off, Saigon airport had been closed because of a feared Viet Cong attack, and all nonmilitary people were ordered off the air base. More than 400 orphans were to be on the jet but according to Ed Daly, the colorful company president who last Saturday made a dramatic trip to Da Nang to snatch refugees from the airport, the U.S. Embassy interfered in his plans and advised Saigon orphanages not to fly in his plane. World Airways president Ed Daly holds court in front of reporters and cameramen at Yokota Air Base in Japan on April 3, 1975. (Bob Wickley/Stars and Stripes) Daly said the embassy would not okay the way he had configured his cargo plane to carry the large number of children. Asked about the truth of statements made by others on the plane that 450 children had been slated for the flight but were pulled off at the last minute by organizations pressured by U.S. Agency for International Development (US AID), and statements that the plane was unsafe and unsanitary, Daly said, Im emotionally upset but am fully aware of what I will say. Yes. Daly appeared too drawn and tired to repeat sharp accusations he made earlier in Saigon. He said there that the U.S. Embassy vindictively tried to block the orphan flight because he flew into Da Nang without clearing with embassy officials. Daly said the DCS stretch aircraft was completely safe. This aircraft was certified by the FAA, he said. When we put the rigging in, its 20 to 30 per cent safer than normal seating. Besides, the U.S. AID man who supposedly inspected it Clifford Frink was never on the aircraft, he added. Daly had charged in Saigon that AID officials had called his plane dangerously overloaded and said it had no toilets. Charles J. Patterson, also a senior vice president and director, called the charges, Balderdash! We had four Johns on the plane. Valerie Witherspoon, a stewardess on the five-hour flight from the Vietnamese capital, said she packed enough food and other supplies for the 450 children expected to make the flight to Oakland. She said , however, The Friends of All Children in Vietnam pulled back a large number of orphans because of the USAID charges. The theory was that the aircraft was being operated without seats, making it unsafe for the flight, said Brian A. Cooke, senior vice president and director of the airline. All the children were laid on blankets and pillows and were held in safe positions with cargo straps. It was the safest way to carry them. Joe Hrezo, manager for the airline at Clark AB, R.P., said after gently lying an infant on a blanket, Theyre full of ! Hrezo also charged seven agencies had readied children for the flight but placed only a fractional number aboard after the USAID charges were made. One World official said all the eyed as spotlights and flash children aboard had already been spoken for by American families. Others on the flight said, however, adoption proceedings have not been started for all the youngsters. A World Airways DC8 jet sits on the tarmac at Yokota Air Base, Tokyo, Japan. The plane left Saigon's Tan Son Nhut Airport April 2, 1975 with 54 Vietnamese orphans on board. (Bob Wickely/Stars and Stripes) World Airways president Ed Daly talks with an unidentified man at Yokota Air Base in Japan on April 3, 1975. (Bob Wickely/Stars and Stripes) Two children stare out of an airplane window as photographers snap away. (Bob Wickely/Stars and Stripes) Besides the children, 17 World Airways employes and two doctors were on the flight, which arrived here at 3:12 a.m. They were very excited about the lights of Saigon as we took off, and those still awake when we came in ran to the windows to see the lights of Tokyo. It was their bedtime and most slept soundly through the flight, a crewmember said. At Yokota many children slumbered on blankets and pillows in the cavernous cargo van of the DC8. Others sat up bewilderedly and stared wide-eyed as spotlights and flashbulbs glared at them. Some ran around inside the plane and chattered in sharp, shrill, Vietnamese, smiling and pulling at airline and Air Force officials and spreading their arms in a silent appeal to be picked up. Only one or two cried. Most of them were affectionate and happy, Miss Witherspoon said, describing the flight. A few were sad though. We never could get them to crack a smile. Were still working on it. Among those on the plane was Mrs. Mary Fisher, the wife of a Seventh Day Adventist Church minister, who was carrying six babies, three of them for clients of Hollywood lawyer Durand Cook. One of the toddlers with Mrs. Fisher was 11-month-old Wendy Carol Norberg, who has been adopted by Mr. and Mrs. Harold Norberg of Los Angeles. Mrs. Fisher said the Norbergs probably are not aware that their adopted daughter has managed to get out of Saigon. Two infants a boy and a girl tightly wrapped in blankets were taken from the plane at Yokota by Dr. Gene Hildebrand, from the Seventh Day Adventist Hospital in Saigon, and Dr. Elaine Shankel, from the Saigon Infant Hospital. Both babies were suffering from a number of things, all of which start with malnutrition, the doctors said. They were taken to the U.S. Air Force Hospital at Tachikawa AB for treatment. Dr. Elaine Shankel of the Saigon Infant Hospital, exits the plane with an ailing Vietnamese child wrapped in a blanket. On her right is Ed Daly, president of World Airways who organized the flight which took off from Saigon's Tan Son Nhut Airport April 2, 1975 with 54 Vietnamese orphans. (Bob Wickely/Stars and Stripes) Dr. Gene Hildebrand from the Seventh Day Adventist Hospital in Saigon, exits the plane with an ailing Vietnamese child wrapped in a blanket. (Bob Wickely/Stars and Stripes) An unidentified woman attends to children aboard the World Airways plane with 54 Vietnamese orphans aboard. (Bob Wickely/Stars and Stripes) Japanese immigration restrictions kept the rest of the children inside the plane, but the two who were treated were allowed off under emergency provisions of the law. The main thing were worried about is that they havent taken any liquid during the flight and theyre dehydrated, the doctors said. World Airways officials here loaded 10 cases of baby food, several cases of prepared formula, 400 more diapers, 80 cardboard bassinets and medical supplies, particularly remedies for malnutrition, aboard the plane for the rest of the flight to California. An airline employe said the DC8 was the same one which had been damaged earlier during a rice run into Phnom Penh. He said the plane had been repaired and had been slated to return to Oakland empty until Daly personally ordered it to Saigon to pick up the orphans. Daly told newsmen in an airport press conference that he was prepared to personally absorb every dollar of expense for the $70,000 trip. Earlier reports from Saigon were that the DCS was to take 1,000 children to the United States and a 747 aircraft was to take 500 to Australia. Australian government officials, however, refused clearance for the children to be brought into the country. When newsmen here told Patterson that Australia reportedly was sending seven airplanes to Vietnam for refugee relief, he said, Im glad to hear that. Daly arrived here with his right hand in bandages. Hrezo said the hand had been injured at Da Nang when Daly was pulling him from a mob of hysterical South Vietnamese soldiers and airmen attempting to crowd onto the last flight from the city. He called them wild beasts. On that last flight from Da Nang we watched women and children stomped to death by the soldiers. I only hope that doesnt happen to those kids left behind, he said. The DCS left Yokota at 5:45 a.m. for the nonstop flight to Oakland. Daly remained in Tokyo for a day or so of rest. (Bob Wickely/Stars and Stripes) Yokota Air Base, Japan, Apr. 3, 1975: Mary Fisher, wife of a Seventh Day Adventist Church minister, holds an infant as she is surrounded by reporters aboard a World Airways plane that landed at Yokota Air Base on April 3, 1975. The plane left Saigons Tan Son Nhut Airport the day before with 54 Vietnamese orphans aboard a World Airways DC8 jet. The flight was set to leave with more than 400, but many organizations bowed out after the U.S. embassy declared the plane unsafe an untrue statement according to World Airways president Ed Daly who had organized the flight. In the end, the flight landed at Yokota Air Base with the 54 children and 17 World Airways employees and two doctors, according to Stars and Stripes story at the time, before continuing to Oakland, California. U.S. president Gerald Ford announced on April 3 that the U.S. government would begin airlifting orphans out of Saigon in what would become known as Operation Babylift. Read the full article on the flight and see additional photos here. Looking for Stars and Stripes coverage of the Vietnam War? Subscribe to Stars and Stripes historic newspaper archive! We have digitized our 1948-1999 European and Pacific editions, as well as several of our WWII editions and made them available online through https://starsandstripes.newspaperarchive.com/ Zhongli Pang, 36, was sentenced March 28, 2025, to three months in prison for attempting to smuggle 12 migrants aboard the Helen, shown here, from Saipan to Guam on June 23, 2024. (U.S. Coast Guard) A Chinese man was sentenced to a short federal prison term for attempting to smuggle 12 Chinese migrants from the Northern Mariana Islands to Guam last year, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Guam announced Tuesday. The Northern Mariana Islands District Court sentenced Zhongli Pang, 36, to three months in prison, with credit for time served; one year of supervised release; 50 hours of community service; and a $200 fine, according to a news release Tuesday from the U.S. Attorneys Office. Chief Judge Ramona Manglona sentenced Pang on Friday, according to court records. Pang pleaded guilty Feb. 25 to conspiracy and aiding and abetting transportation of illegal aliens and conspiracy to defraud the United States. He will serve approximately one month in prison after credit with two months in jail prior to sentencing, U.S. Attorneys Office spokeswoman Carmela Rapadas told Stars and Stripes by email Wednesday. Pang will likely be monitored after his release from prison until he either returns to China or is formally deported from Saipan. We will continue to target illegal aliens unlawfully traveling between the [Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands] and Guam, U.S. Attorney Shawn Anderson said in the news release. The risk to personal safety is substantial. The route from Saipan the Northern Mariana Islands capital - to Guam over the past several years has been regularly used as a pathway for illegal immigration, according to U.S. authorities. Both are U.S. territories, but Saipan allows Chinese citizens to stay without a visa for up to two weeks. Those who attempt to enter Guam typically do so in search of better pay or economic opportunities. Pang on June 23 attempted to transport the 12 immigrants via a small vessel, the Helen, but the trip went awry when the boat ran out of fuel. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam ultimately had to rescue the 13 boaters. One passenger told investigators she had paid $3,500 to Captain Pang for the trip, according to court records. Chinese immigrants typically pay between $3,000 and $5,000 to be smuggled from Saipan to Guam, Ha Noul Lee, a special agent with Homeland Security Investigations, said in the criminal complaint against Pang. A separate, unrelated case involving nine Chinese citizens and two Northern Mariana citizens was also recently concluded, according to a March 17 news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office. The case bore many similarities, including an overloaded boat that ran out of gas. All 11 were found guilty, with sentences ranging from one year probation to 15 months in federal prison, as well as supervised release, community service and fines. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 2. Saipem has been awarded new contracts in the Middle East and Guyana, with a combined value of approximately $720 million, reinforcing its expertise in offshore engineering and construction, Trend reports via the company. The first contract covers engineering, procurement, construction, and installation (EPCI) services for repairing damaged subsea pipelines for a major client in the Middle East. The project, set to last three years, highlights the growing importance of maintaining existing offshore fields. This initiative aligns with Saipems broader portfolio, which includes Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Installation & Commissioning (EPCIC) and Engineering, Preparatory works, Removal, and Disposal (EPRD) services. In Guyana, Saipem has received a Limited Notice to Proceed (LNTP) from ExxonMobil Guyana Limited for the proposed Hammerhead oil field development. The contract, pending government and regulatory approvals, involves the EPCI of subsea structures, umbilicals, risers, and flowlines (SURF) for the production facility and gas export system in the Stabroek Block, at a water depth of approximately 1,000 meters. The LNTP enables Saipem to commence early activities such as detailed engineering and procurement, ensuring an accelerated project startup in 2029 if full approval is granted. The execution of construction and installation phases remains contingent upon government clearance and project sanctioning by ExxonMobil and its Stabroek Block co-venturers. Operations will be carried out using Saipems advanced fleet, including the Saipem FDS2 vessel. Logistics and execution will be managed entirely in Guyana through the Vreed-en-Hoop Shorebase Inc. (VEHSI) yard, contributing to local employment and content development. The project's estimated duration is four years. Navy contractors prepare granular activated carbon filter systems to filter out petroleum contamination in the Red Hill shaft in Aiea, Hawaii, in January 2022. (Luke McCall/U.S. Navy) FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii The Navy plans to build treatment plants near Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam that would purify the fuel-contaminated water in the Red Hill water shaft for use in its drinking water system. The service is seeking public comment through April 20 on a draft environmental assessment outlining plans to construct interim and permanent treatment facilities on the grounds of the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility. The World War II-era facility is in the process of permanent shutdown after a 2021 leak contaminated the aquifer. The interim treatment facility, which would filter the water using granular activated carbon, is already under construction and expected to be completed in 2026, the assessment states. No timeline was given for the subsequent completion of a permanent water treatment plant. Water from both treatment facilities would meet drinking water standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Hawaii Department of Health, the assessment states. A Navy map shows the location for planned water treatment facilities within the boundaries of the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility near Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Oahu, Hawaii. (U.S. Navy) A jet fuel leak in November 2021 contaminated the Red Hill water shaft, one of three sources the Navy used in a distribution system serving more than 90,000 people in military housing communities on and near the joint base. Many residents complained of ill health after consuming and bathing in the water. Thousands were relocated to area hotels for months as the Navy flushed and cleaned the system. The Red Hill shaft, which extends horizontally through the aquifer, was isolated from the Navys water system in the wake of the contamination. The Navy stopped pumping its Aiea-Halawa shaft in early December 2021 after traces of petroleum contamination were detected in it, leaving the Navys water system solely dependent on the Waiawa shaft. In January 2022, the Navy installed a series of massive carbon filters at the Red Hill shaft site. Each day, millions of gallons of tainted water are pumped up, filtered and released into the nearby Halawa Stream. The continuous pumping is intended to prevent petroleum contamination in the well from migrating elsewhere. The planned interim treatment facility would replace the existing emergency filtering system, the assessment states. The interim plant would initially continue to pump treated water into the Halawa Stream. It would later be connected to the Navys drinking water system following completion of the environmental assessment process and approval by the Hawaii Department of Health, the assessment states. In an email Tuesday, Wayne Tanaka, chapter director of the Sierra Club of Hawaii, said he would welcome ending the waste of draining millions of gallons of water daily into the stream. But he said he was concerned that the draft assessment did not address the need to test soil in the construction area for the presence of toxic chemicals known as PFAS. In addition, the treatment facilities must also not be used to excuse the Navy from its responsibility to remediate the environment itself especially with up to 2 million gallons of fuel and other toxic chemicals that may have been released over our islands primary drinking water aquifer throughout the last 80 years, he said. The Hawaii Department of Health in February gave the Navy conditional approval to begin using water from the Aiea-Halawa shaft, provided the water would be filtered using a granular activated carbon system, among other requirements. Some members of the Red Hill Community Representation Initiative have questioned the safety and transparency of the decision to restart use of that shaft. The group consists of 10 members from the Hawaiian community who work directly with the Navy, Defense Logistics Agency and EPA on matters related to the defunct Red Hill facility, including its defueling, permanent closure and drinking water safety. This community has already suffered enough, Healani Sonoda-Pale, a member of the CRI, said in a March 26 news release. We will not stand by while the Navy quietly turns the tap back on without full transparency and accountability, she said. The draft environmental assessment for the Red Hill shaft treatment plants can be viewed at https://pacific.navfac.navy.mil/About-Us/National-Environmental-Policy-Act-NEPA-Information/. Written comments can be mailed to the attention of Red Hill Water Treatment Facility, EA Project Manager, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Hawaii/EV21, Building 55, 400 Marshall Road, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, HI 96860-3139, or emailed to RedHillEA@hhf.com. Comments must be received or postmarked by April 20. The destroyer USS Mason sails in the Gulf of Aden in 2023. A budding alliance between al-Shabab in Somalia and Yemens Houthis could have implications for security through a commercial shipping choke point connecting the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, according to a report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies. (Samantha Alaman/U.S. Navy) Africas most lethal terrorist organization is expected to gain strength in Somalia, raising the security threat through a Middle East choke point for commercial shipping, a new report cautions. Somali militant group al-Shabab is poised to take advantage of its budding alliance with Yemens Houthi rebels, a team-up that could allow the former to attack vessels with drones or even missiles, according to a global terrorism threat assessment by the Center for Strategic and International Studies. The report, which was published Friday, called al-Shabab a de facto state and a direct threat to U.S. interests that is likely to grow more capable in 2025. A U.S. Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet, assigned to the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, flies a mission over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, March 2, 2025. Truman has been part of strikes in Yemen against Houthi militants, who researchers say are allying with al-Shabab in Somalia. (Jackson Manske/U.S. Air Force) Citing a senior aide to the leader of an anti-Houthi coalition known as the National Resistance Front, it said the group intends to supply al-Shabab fighters with more advanced weapons to give them the capability to target ships transiting the Gulf of Aden. The Houthis could provide, and potentially already are providing, Al Shabab with some of the benefits of state sponsorship, in the area of military training and drone technology, the report said. For over a year, U.S. warships have been battling the Iran-backed Houthis in an effort to stop the group from launching strikes at commercial ships. The militants in Yemen have fired on commercial and military shipping in the Red Sea since shortly after the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023, starting the war in Gaza. The Houthis maintained that they were targeting ships linked to Israel or its allies, most notably the U.S. However, many of the ships attacked had little or no connection to the conflict. Should al-Shabab enter the fray, that could complicate the effort to free up shipping lanes that run from the Gulf of Aden into the Red Sea. A Somalia Danab special operations soldier provides security during an exercise in Nanyuki, Kenya, Feb. 20, 2025. The al-Shabab terrorist organization could gain strength in Somalia in the year ahead, partly because of the groups budding alliance with Yemens Houthis, a new report said. (Kylejian Francia/U.S. Army) A U.S. Marine MV-22 Osprey aircraft takes off from Kismayo, Somalia, during a multi-day exercise, July 21, 2024. (Kathleen LaCorte/U.S. Air Force) Signs of closer ties between the Somali group and the Houthis could emerge as an issue Thursday, when U.S. Africa Commands Gen. Michael Langley is slated to appear before the Senate Armed Services Committee in Washington. The commands efforts to counter al-Shabab have been the militarys main effort in Africa for years. Over the course of more than two decades, the group aligned to al-Qaida has been waging a war for control of Somalia. And despite an internal campaign against it, the group has proved resilient. AFRICOM has launched numerous airstrikes against al-Shabab and sent special operations troops to advise and assist Somali fighters. Nonetheless, such efforts have made little difference, the CSIS report stated. Al-Shabab has somewhere between 7,000 and 12,000 fighters and controls a large swath of territory across southern Somalia, it said. The organization also generates more than $100 million a year in revenue through various means, including taxation, the report said, adding that al-Shabab is wealthy enough to distribute funds to other al-Qaida affiliates. Still, a stepped-up U.S. airstrike campaign could be counterproductive, the report said, pointing to previous years when the group intensified attacks against U.S. interests in response to American strikes. For instance, in 2020, al-Shabab launched a cross-border attack on a military site in Kenya, killing one U.S. soldier and two contractors at a time when drone attacks were at their peak. Hostility will probably increase if President (Donald) Trump resumes a highly kinetic approach to the group, the report said. However, it didnt offer any clear-cut prescriptions to improve the security situation in Somalia or weaken al-Shabab, saying only that a range of measures such as military assistance and increased diplomatic and financial support for the countrys weak government are needed. Regardless, the group will remain a threat for the foreseeable future, the report said. Highly qualified experts, civilian employees who are also reservists and foreign embassy staff do not qualify for the Defense Departments deferred resignation program because they are mission critical, the Pentagon said. (Robert H. Reid/Stars and Stripes) WASHINGTON Highly qualified experts, civilian employees who are also reservists and foreign embassy staff do not qualify for the Defense Departments deferred resignation program because they are mission critical, the Pentagon said. The rare exemptions were outlined in a memorandum issued Tuesday that detailed the reopening of the Defense Departments deferred resignation program as the Pentagon works to trim the civilian workforce by about 60,000 people. Also ineligible are non-appropriated fund employees, who are paid by organization-generated revenue rather than taxpayer funds, and reemployed annuitants, who are retirees rehired by the federal government. The deferred resignation program will be open from April 7 to April 14, allowing employees to enter a paid leave status for several months prior to resigning. Probationary employees who have been in their government position for less than 1-2 years are eligible to participate in the deferred resignation program. The effort aims to maximize the number of voluntary separations from government service before the Pentagon fires staff to achieve its target of a 5%-8% workforce reduction. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in a summary memorandum signed Friday that the military is realigning the workforce and looking for ways to automate more positions in an across-the-board restructuring to supercharge our American warfighters. The net effect will be a reduction in the number of civilian full-time equivalent positions and increased resources in the areas where we need them most, the summary memo states. Employees participating in the deferred resignation program will begin administrative leave no earlier than May 1. Eligible employees can elect to take voluntary early retirement without going through the deferred resignation program. Employees approved for either separation path must agree to leave federal service by Sept. 30. The Pentagon offered deferred resignations in January through a program managed by the governments Office of Personnel Management, offering participants full pay and benefits through September. OPM made the offer available to most full-time federal employees. As of March 18, only about 21,000 of DODs roughly 900,000 civilian workers had been approved. Applicants for deferred resignations deemed critical to national security and military readiness were denied that opportunity, known as the Fork-in-the-Road program. A senior defense official told reporters at the time that the Pentagon worked with the services and appropriate offices to ensure those who were approved to resign could do so without negatively impacting the departments lethality and readiness. The official was not authorized to share how many applicants were denied. This wasnt just a totally open process where any employee could depart, one senior defense official said. To ensure the departments ability to effectively function, it is important to consider things like which roles can be removed without losing effectiveness. Jules Hurst, the acting defense undersecretary for personnel readiness, said in Tuesdays memo that denying a request for deferred resignation or early retirement could be considered but should be rare. Principal staff and department leaders must conduct an analysis to determine which positions should be deemed ineligible. They should also consider the loss of that positions impact on readiness and the performance of mission essential functions, Hurst said. A man holds out four 20 dollar bills in his hands. (Pixabay) (Tribune News Service) A man who served 26 years in the U.S. Army went from average retiree to wealthy retiree after he won a top prize in the Virginia Lottery. It happened as David Revill was playing Wheel of Bonuses, an online game with a progressive jackpot that grows until someone wins. The pot of cash had just topped $2 million when Revill realized it was his for the taking, lottery officials said in an April 1 news release. I was kind of stunned at first, Revill said in the news release. I saw it and thought, No, it can never His winnings came to $2,164,899, which means he was still a millionaire after taxes. Lottery prizes of more than $5,000 face a 24% federal tax rate and a 4% state tax rate, officials said. Taxes are withheld automatically when the winner comes to collect. Details of how Revill intended to use the money were not revealed. His home is in Gainesville, Virginia, about a 35-mile drive southwest from Washington, D.C. Overall odds in Wheel of Bonuses are 1 in 3.67. Players try to reveal a cluster of three or more matching symbols to win a prize. 2025 The Charlotte Observer. Visit charlotteobserver.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. The Department of Veterans Affairs headquarters building in Washington, D.C. (Carlos Bongioanni/Stars and Stripes) WASHINGTON Hospitals at the Department of Veterans Affairs lag behind commercial hospitals in access to life-changing medical technology because of budget constraints and staffing shortages, leaders of medical technology companies told lawmakers Tuesday. VAs reliance on outdated technologies stems from unpredictable budget cycles and a lack of trained personnel to operate lifesaving technology, said Will Gray, vice president at Boston Scientific, a global medical technology company. Gray and other leaders from medical technology companies spoke at a House Veterans Affairs Committee oversight hearing that looked at recent medical innovations that are yielding promising outcomes and extending lives. But Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., sharply criticized Republican leaders at the start of the hearing for not including VA representatives to discuss challenges in adopting innovative medical devices. Without VAs presence, we will not be able to hear about the on-the-ground reality, about the actual need for these devices, Takano said. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, D-Fla., echoed Takanos comments about the absence of VA representatives at the hearing. It is important to have the VA here so they can talk about the infrastructure and procedures they have in place, she said. What we are looking at is a standard of care that veterans are being denied. Gray discussed advances in treating atrial fibrillation commonly known as AFib and preventing strokes that he said VA hospitals have been slow to adopt. Boston Scientific has developed a non-thermal treatment for atrial fibrillation that uses pulsed electrical fields to disrupt faulty heart signals while protecting surrounding tissues. The company also has developed a minimally invasive implant that prevents blood clots from forming and reduces the risk of strokes. In 2025, more than 60% of all AFib procedures in commercial hospitals use pulsed field ablation technology. But only 10% of VA hospitals have access to this technology, he said. Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Mich., asked about the reasons for the difference. Gray said budget uncertainty led to delays by VA hospitals in making purchases after the technology became widely available and the standard for care. This gap is not due to lack of clinical interest or demand, but instead stems from budget unpredictability, staffing challenges and procurement inefficiencies. We must modernize these processes to ensure veterans have access to the same life-saving advancements as civilians, Gray said. He also said the VA would benefit from a more predictable budget and acquisition process, which would allow for timely adoption of medical technology. The VAs capital allocation process is often fragmented and reliant on short-term budget solutions, Gray said. Staffing shortages in procurement aggravate the challenges, leading to purchasing delays, he said. Gray recommended the VA create a fast-track solution for adopting high-impact medical technologies. Devices developed by Philips are common at VA hospitals, including heart monitors, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging, or MRIs, said Jeff DiLullo, executive vice president and chief regional leader of Philips North America, which has a medical products division. Lawmakers need to ensure VA has the funds, tools and capabilities to deliver the best possible care, as quickly as possible to veterans, said DiLullo, a former Army Ranger and a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. Bergman said it would be appropriate for the Defense Department and VA to work collaboratively in adopting medical technologies. Philips recently pioneered the Rapid Analysis of Threat Exposure technology, which uses artificial intelligence to detect early warning signs of infectious disease. RATE technology uses off-the-shelf wearable devices, such as a watch, to monitor more than 150 different vital signs and biomarkers to identify physiological changes that might indicate infection. DiLullo said the company is running a pilot with 11,000 participants in the Defense Department. He said RATE technology has been able to detect infections in service members before symptoms appear. The company has been collecting biomarkers from service members to advance the technology. By providing early alerts, Philips RATE helps to contain the spread of diseases, ensuring better health outcomes and enhancing military readiness, he said. In a military context, Philips RATE can digitize the health of our military force, giving battlefield commanders the ability to see the health and fatigue status of the warfighters, which ultimately leads to a more lethal military force. DiLullo said the technology could be applied to VA hospital settings. He also said the company is looking at ways to modernize the VA and improve outcomes at its hospitals and clinics. For example, he said the VA runs separate and independent radiology departments at each hospital that rely on their own expertise and staffing levels. But creating a centralized network that connects all VA radiology departments would allow facilities to share resources and expertise, ensuring a more consistent standard of care. Philips offers a radiology operations command center that brings together imaging experts and technologists from various VA locations to work collaboratively, DiLullo said. This FDA-cleared remote scanning platform allows radiological specialists in a central command center, located at a VA medical center, to connect with technologists operating imaging machines in real time, he said. DiLullo said the VA would benefit from modernizing its imaging infrastructure to enable seamless data sharing across facilities, the Defense Department and clinicians within the community care network. Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., speaks at a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing on Jan. 17, 2025. (Ben Curtis/AP) WASHINGTON A Senate confirmation hearing for three nominees to assume leadership posts at the Department of Veterans Affairs was derailed Tuesday after Sen. Ruben Gallego announced his intention to block a vote on the Senate floor unless the VA reconsiders a plan to fire 83,000 workers. Gallego, D-Ariz., said during a Senate Veterans Affairs Committee hearing that he intends to hold all future nominees for VA leadership roles in an effort to force the agency to drop plans for widespread terminations planned for the summer. I will hold all nominees moving forward. A cut of 83,000 employees means 83,000 opportunities missed to help veterans, said Gallego, a Marine Corps veteran who served in Iraq. I cannot live with that on my conscience. What is the message we are sending to future employees? We were hiring more people to meet greater demand for care and benefits. Now we are firing these same men and women. Questions from Democratic senators during the two-hour confirmation hearing focused on the agencys plans to terminate thousands of workers. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., concurred with Gallego and said he would join the hold, a procedure that allows one or more senators to block a motion from reaching a vote. Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, declared he would vote against the three nominees over his objections about how the VA is being run and the agencys refusal to disclose its plans for future job terminations to the committee. Weve had 2,400 firings so far. Most of the [termination] letters folks got cited performance with no basis whatsoever, King said. And then we received information that the VA will fire 83,000 people over the next six months. But this committee has received no communication defining the plan, how people will be chosen or the impacts of the termination. Gallego said he recently learned the Phoenix VA Health System in Arizona will cut its staff by 15%. He predicted the reductions will delay medical appointments and the delivery of benefits. He said he plans to stick with his plan for all future nominees until veterans are shown to be harmless. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., the committee chairman, promised to schedule a committee hearing this month to discuss the nominations and deliberate over the senators objections. Nominated by President Donald Trump, the three candidates under consideration are slated to fill key positions at the VA. Retired Army Capt. Samuel Brown is tapped as undersecretary for memorial affairs. If confirmed, Brown will oversee the National Cemetery Administration, which operates and maintains 156 national cemeteries. James Baehr, a lieutenant colonel in the Marine Corps Reserve, was selected as VA general counsel. A military judge, Baehr deployed to the Middle East in 2018. He previously served at the White House Domestic Policy Council as special assistant to the president. Army veteran Richard Topping has been picked to be the VAs chief financial officer. Topping served as chief executive officer at a health care insurance plan that covers people with complex conditions and specialized medical needs. He formerly was a captain assigned to the 1st Battalion,10th Special Forces Group, with deployments to Afghanistan and throughout Europe. At Tuesdays confirmation hearing, the nominees were pressed by some committee members to disclose their views of the mass firings across the federal government in February, including at the VA. Each declined to criticize the Trump administration or VA Secretary Doug Collins. Baehr said he could not comment on the circumstances of the firings because they are the subject of litigation. He also said later in the hearing, as an individual who uses VA services and benefits, I want to see the VA improve and would advise the [VA] secretary on his path. Topping said it is his understanding that Collins has a baseline figure for a workforce reduction. He said Collins is seeking input from leaders so veterans services and benefits are unaffected. Brown told the committee that he does not have firsthand knowledge of operations at the National Cemetery Administration or the impact of workforce reductions. But he pledged to make honoring the lives of veterans his focus and mission. Rep. Morgan Luttrell, R-Texas, speaks during a news conference on Wednesday, April 2, 2024, on Capitol Hill in Washington, to announce the Service Dogs Assisting Veterans Act, which would require the Department of Veterans Affairs to award grants to nonprofits that provide service dogs to veterans at no cost. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes) WASHINGTON Army veteran Bob Ouellette and Cooper, a 9-year-old golden retriever, were outside the Capitol on Wednesday to support a bill that would fund $10 million annually for grants to provide service dogs to veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries. The bill called the Service Dogs Assisting Veterans Act or SAVES Act would authorize the Department of Veterans Affairs for the first time to award grants to nonprofits to provide service dogs at no cost to veterans with disabilities. Ouellette works with Warrior Canine Connection, a Maryland nonprofit that breeds, trains and pairs service dogs with eligible veterans. But he also attended the event as an advocate for his son, an Army veteran with PTSD and TBI who relies on a service dog to assist with his daily interactions that include attending classes at the University of Maryland. When my son first came home after tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, he would stay up in his room not engage or talk with anyone. But when he got his dog, he became sociable and would talk with us, said Ouellette about his son, Rusty Ouellette, a former sergeant medically retired from the military. The SAVES Act was reintroduced in the House on Wednesday after failing to advance to a final vote in fiscal 2024. Under the new legislation, it also will fund grants to train service dogs for veterans with hearing loss, blindness, paralysis and health conditions from military sexual trauma. The [VA] secretary shall award grants, on a competitive basis, to nonprofit organizations to assist such organizations in carrying out programs to provide service dogs to eligible veterans, according to the legislation. A companion bill is expected to be introduced next month in the Senate, according to the office of Rep. Morgan Luttrell, R-Texas, who is leading the House bill. He was joined at the news conference by about a dozen lawmakers from both political parties, as well as veterans and service dog organizations. This legislation is about giving our heroes the tools they need to thrive not just survive when they come home, said Luttrell, a former Navy SEAL and chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committees subpanel on disability assistance and memorial affairs. More than 450,000 returning service members have been diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries in the past 20 years, according to the VA. Serious head injuries place veterans at greater risk for unemployment, homelessness, substance abuse and suicide. Disabled American Veterans, the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America and Semper K9 Assistance Dogs are among more than two dozen nonprofits that have endorsed the bill. Luttrell and other speakers at the news conference said they believe the SAVES Act will help ease suicide risks among veterans and help them better manage the pressures of transitioning to civilian life. Having a service dog gives veterans a sense of purpose that they might lack after leaving the military, Luttrell said. Cooper, a golden retriever from the nonprofit Warrior Canine Connection, rests Wednesday, April 2, 2024, during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, to announce the Service Dogs Assisting Veterans Act, which would award grants to nonprofits that provide service dogs to veterans at no cost. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes) As a member of the Veterans Affairs Committee and proud grandson of veterans, I know we need to do more to help our veterans address both the visible and invisible wounds of war, said Rep. Morgan McGarvey, D-Ky. These brave men and women put on the uniform to defend our freedom, and we have a moral obligation to support them. Our veterans have sacrificed so much for our country, and we owe it to them to provide every possible resource to support their recovery and well-being, Luttrell said. But training an assistance dog costs on average about $50,000, according to nonprofits that breed, train and pair dogs with veterans. The SAVES Act would establish a five-year, $50 million VA-administered grant program for eligible nonprofit organizations. It would enable the organizations to provide trained service dogs to qualifying disabled veterans at no cost. Organizations now depend on donations to fund operations. The legislation will ultimately put more service dogs in the hands of veterans with visible and invisible disabilities, said Bill McCabe, vice president of government and external affairs at K9s for Warriors, which provides specially trained service dogs to disabled veterans whove experienced a brain injury, PTSD and military sexual trauma. Under the legislation, qualifying nonprofits would have to meet standards established by an accreditation organization with protocols for training assistance animals. Rusty Ouellette, 36, obtained his service dog through Warrior Canine Connection after his medical discharge, his father said. He served for a dozen years. But Warrior Canine Connection added a purpose to his sons life post-military, said the elder Ouellette, who also served in the Army for 17 years that included tours in Europe. He retired in 1998. At the news conference, he was joined by Cooper, trained as a service dog for Warrior Canine Connection. The two work together at public events, Ouellette said. The dog was bred and trained by the organization, which has kept him as its ambassador. Grants to nonprofits such as Warrior Canine Connection would help pay for staff, which include one-on-one care and training for the dogs, vet bills and operating the facilities where the dogs are raised, Ouellette said. Warrior Canine Connection has a puppy cam on its website to help engage users and draw interest to its mission. The organization breeds service dogs for their temperament and ability to work with their human companions, he said. Cooper goes out with me and meets people, Ouellette said. He is part of the team. In public, people see the dog first. They respect service dogs and have this warm response. For many veterans, having this bond gives them back their lives. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 2. Senior Advisor of the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Energy Resources (ENR) Erik Jacobs is on a visit to Baku, Trend reports via the U.S. Embassy. During his visit, he will meet with government officials, energy sector leaders, and sector experts to discuss the importance of energy security, underscore U.S. energy leadership, and explore opportunities to unleash energy abundance and greater prosperity for both our nations. On Friday, he will deliver opening remarks at the 11th Ministerial Meeting of the Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council, said the embassy. Baku will host the 11th Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council meeting on April 4 this year. The Southern Gas Corridor (SGC) is a strategic energy project designed to transport natural gas from the Caspian Sea region to Europe. The Southern Gas Corridor consists of three main pipeline systems: the South Caucasus Pipeline (SCP), the Trans-Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP), Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP). Its initial capacity is 10 billion cubic meters with the possibility of expanding to 20 billion cubic meters per year. The victim sustained catastrophic brain injuries, along with several fractures. Emergency services were initially unsure if he would survive A cyclist suffered catastrophic brain injuries after he was thrown higher than a double-decker bus following a collision with a car, a court has heard. The car's driver, Aleksandrs Garkovskis (then aged 17), had just broken a red light when the collision occurred on June 13, 2021 at Sheriff Street Upper, Dublin 1. The victim sustained catastrophic brain injuries, along with several fractures. Emergency services were initially unsure if he would survive. The court heard the injured party has no recollection of the collision, and suffers with slurred speech and other health issues. He continues to receive rehabilitative treatment and is living in assisted accommodation. Garkovskis (now aged 21) of Bremore Courts, Balbriggan, Co. Dublin pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm. Garkovskis was handed a two and a half year sentence, deferred until April 11 to allow him to complete his college exams. Judge Martin Nolan said the injured party suffered devastating injuries, and his former life has evaporated leaving his future grim. He said it was aggravating that Garkovskis drove through the red light and didn't stay at the scene. The judge noted the mitigation and Garkovskis's young age at the time of the offence. He said Garkovskis was a child in law at the time, but the court believed he understood the difference between right and wrong. Judge Nolan said he would impose a sentence of five years on an adult, but reduced it to two and a half years due to Garkovskis's young age at the time. Garda Sergeant Eoin Byrne previously gave evidence that Garkovskis agreed to buy a Seat Cordoba car advertised for sale online for 350 in the days before the collision occurred. Garkovskis sent a screenshot showing that 250 had been paid, telling the seller that the balance would be paid when the car was collected. When he arrived to pick up the car, Garkovskis completed the log book and paid 100 in cash, giving the seller an address which was found to be false. The car seller later realised that the 250 transfer had not been received. CCTV obtained as part of the investigation showed Garkovskis driving the car to Palmerstown, then towards Drogheda. Garkovskis did something similar to buy a Canada Goose jacket, on June 12, which had been advertised for sale online. Again, he sent the seller a screenshot showing a transfer of 250. He went with another individual to Greystones, Co. Wicklow to collect the jacket, giving the seller 100 cash. The seller later found out that the 250 transfer had never come through. The next day, Garkovskis was driving the Seat Cordoba car when he struck the injured party. CCTV of the collision was played to the court, which heard that witnesses told gardai the victim was thrown the height of a doubledecker bus into the air. Another witness, who attempted unsuccessfully to follow the car after the collision, told gardai that the bike was in bits with the wheels folded. A third witness screamed when she saw the collision from her window. CCTV footage showed Garkovskis taking the Canada Goose jacket from the car before he abandoned it on a street. A victim impact statement was handed to the court and not read aloud. After he was identified as a suspect, Garkovskis's home was searched, and items including clothing were seized. He initially provided a voluntary cautioned statement to gardai in which he claimed he was the passenger in the car, while another individual was driving. When interviewed, Garkovskis maintained the same position until he was shown the CCTV, after which he made admissions. He said the traffic light was orange when he passed through it. He has two previous convictions, which post-date this incident, for road traffic offences. Gda Sgt Byrne agreed with Michael Lynn SC, defending, that his client confirmed he was the driver of the car after he was shown the CCTV. It was further accepted that his guilty plea was valuable to the prosecution. Mr Lynn read an apology letter from Garkovskis to the injured party, in which he said he said he deeply regrets causing injury to the victim. Mr Lynn noted the aggravating factors in the case, and asked to take into account his client's young age at the time. Garkovskis is studying and is a good support to family members. A number of references were handed to the court. Mr Lynn submitted to the court that his client panicked as a very young person, did the wrong thing then but has been trying to do positive since then. Mr Lynn asked the court to defer sentence to allow his client to complete his college exams. Deirdre Arnold is alleged to have driven killer away from the scene of Lisa Thompson murder A drugs addiction counsellor in the HSE told gardai that a man she is alleged to have driven away from the scene of a murder broke her arm by holding it on the bottom of a stairway and stamping on it, a jury has heard. The trial of Deirdre Arnold was also told today that text messages sent to murderer Brian McHugh's phone from a number linked to her read "I could of been like Lisa today strangle n stab" and "Look what u done my arm in 3 pieces I've choke marks around my neck" over a month after Lisa Thompson was found dead in her home. The SMS text messages sent from a number saved as "Deirdre" also said: "I near end like Lisa" and "You tried to kill me ur an animal". Under cross-examination at the Central Criminal Court today, Garda Diane Byrne told Patrick Gageby SC, defending, that she had spoken to Ms Arnold on the phone, who said she was treated in hospital having been assaulted by her partner Brian McHugh but left due to being in fear. The officer said she had taken a statement of complaint from Ms Arnold. Brian McHugh The witness said Ms Arnold had informed her that she was asleep in bed at an address in Finglas on the morning of June 18, when Brian McHugh pulled her from bed and dragged her down the stairs. The accused also said McHugh had placed her arm on the bottom step of the stairs and held it there while he stamped on it, causing it to break. Ms Arnold told the garda that McHugh had then dragged her back up the stairs and punched her in the ribs before the accused fled from the house. A statement from Joseph Ruane, who is head of primary care services for the midlands area in the HSE, was read into the record by the prosecutor. He confirmed that the accused Ms Arnold had worked as a drugs addiction counsellor for the HSE since December 11, 2020. He said Ms Arnold was on annual leave on both Monday May 9 and Tuesday May 10 in 2022 and records showed she had returned to work on May 11. Mobile phone examiner Garda Stephen O'Carolan, from Ballymun Garda Station, told prosecution counsel David Perry BL that he examined phones in connection with the investigation into the murder of Ms Thompson. He said he had used the software 'Cellebrite' to extract and analyse data from the handsets and generate reports. Gda O'Carolan said he was aware that a Samsung Galaxy phone was seized by gardai on June 23 2022 from Brian McHugh's address at Cairn Court in Ballymun. He said the SIM card in that device was registered to Brian McHugh of Cairn Court in Dublin 11 and the phone number was also associated with him. He said there was a contact saved on the phone as 'Deirdre' and the phone number was linked to an account registered to Deirdre Arnold of Briarfield Grove, Kilbarrack in Dublin 5. Mr Perry said all of these messages were sent by 'Deirdre' to the user of a phone registered to Brian McHugh phone on June 18 and 19, 2022. Counsel said there had been no responses from the user of McHugh's phone and that the vast majority of the messages had been deleted. Lisa Thompson Mr Perry said there were spelling mistakes in a number of text messages due to it being an older style Nokia handphone, which is commonly referred to as a burner phone. One of the messages sent by the "Deirdre" number on June 18 said: "My arms broke I need surgery so before there no going back will you give my property". The next message sent by her at 17.26 on June 18 said: "I near end like Lisa". Another message said: "You enjoy her I just want my stuff I've to help the cops I will now u are with her watch". A few minutes later she said: "Is my stuf ready cause then Im doin you". The "Deirdre" number then said: "You tried to kill me ur an animal" and "That will be the last time you ring with your whore stay with her" as well as "Let me no where you left my property and enjoy her". The next set of messages from 'Deirdre' were sent in the early hours of June 19 when she wrote at 00.41: "Ring r never again" and then at 00.50: "Lisa I no". A message sent from "Deirdre" at 1.26am said: "U tried to kil me today" and "....U murdered her n tried to kill me today u stay with her". Another message saying "I'm off out now enjoy u murder I no were u r so Ill see u in the station" was then sent by 'Deirdre'. Then at 1.43am on June 19 she said: "Goin in bye Im at Ballymun station bye I'm tellin". A few minutes later she said: "Hope she was worth it I'm just waitin" and then at 1.55am "Murder Lisa n al". 'Deirdre' then sent a text message to McHugh's phone at 6.10am on the same date saying: "Move the knife did u" followed by "Right its all going in an email" and "All u told me typin nowt". She then said: "2 smoke left Im ready to tell the cop all you told me". A text message was also sent at 6.10am on June 19 saying: "I could of been like Lisa today strangle n stab" followed by "Goin to Beaumont the pain is unbearable". At 10.22am on June 19 a message was sent from 'Deirdre' saying: "U murder I'm goin the cops I swear ringing them now". Another message sent from her read: "Ur runners n the knife" and "I want my wallet or I'll tell all". The "Deirdre" number also also messaged: "I did everything for u and look what u done my arm in 3 pieces I've choke marks around my neck" "all I wanted was my wallet n money the broken bones n al were a reminder that ur a woman beater when they get here i will go throu with it". In her opening speech, counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions Fiona Murphy SC said the jury will hear evidence that the accused drove murderer Brian McHugh to the deceased's home, where she waited outside "for well over an hour" before driving him away from the scene and later checking him into a hotel in an effort to help him evade prosecution. The trial continues tomorrow before Mr Justice Patrick McGrath and a jury of six men and five women. Ms Arnold (42) with an address at Briarfield Grove, Kilbarrack, Dublin 5 is charged that on a date between May 9 2022 and May 10 2022, both dates inclusive, at a location within the State, did without reasonable excuse an act with intent to impede the apprehension or prosecution of Brian McHugh, a person who had committed an arrestable offence, namely murder, whilst knowing or believing Brian McHugh to be guilty of the offence or of some other arrestable offence. Ms Arnold is also charged that on a date between May 9 2022 and May 10 2022, both dates inclusive, at a location within the State, acted or embarked upon a course of conduct which had a tendency to and was intended to pervert the course of public justice. Ms Arnold has pleaded not guilty to the two counts. Ballyfermot criminal David Kavanagh pleaded guilty to possession of a sawn-off shotgun with its serial numbers removed A lone-ranger gunman has become one of the first people in Ireland to be convicted of firearms offences linked to three separate incidents years apart. Ballyfermot criminal David Kavanagh (46) received a five-year prison sentence at a recent sitting of Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. He pleaded guilty to possession of a sawn-off shotgun with its serial numbers removed at an apartment in Kilcronan Court, Clondalkin, on August 2, 2019. A detective garda gave evidence that gardai were carrying out a drugs search at the apartment, which was close to Kavanaghs home at the time. While carrying out the search, they found the weapon covered in plastic. A fingerprint was found on the plastic that belonged to Kavanagh and DNA testing connected him to the firearm. He was arrested and pleaded guilty to the offence when he appeared in the circuit court last November before being granted bail ahead of last weeks sentencing hearing. Judge Martin Nolan heard evidence of Kavanaghs difficult upbringing and other mitigation, including that he had not come to the attention of gardai since the gun seizure. However, the judge pointed out that no reason had been given as to why Kavanagh had the gun and said the court must infer these weapons are used to threaten people. Judge Nolan described it as a serious offence and said an aggravating factor in the case was Kavanaghs history of violent behaviour. He told officers his conscience stopped him firing shots through his neighbours front window Also noting his previous firearms convictions, he imposed the mandatory minimum sentence of five years for possession of a firearm with criminal intent. Kavanagh has been involved in a number of low-level but violent feuds in the Cherry Orchard area. It is fair to say he was always a lone ranger or rebel, a source said. He seems to have calmed down a bit, but the view among the criminal fraternity was he was too reckless to be trusted in a structured organised crime gang. This meant that he was never properly aligned to a particular criminal organisation and there were and still are plenty of them in operation where hes from. Kavanagh was jailed for seven years in 2009 in relation to an incident two years earlier during which he aimed a sawn-off shotgun at gardai. He later told officers his conscience stopped him firing shots through his neighbours front window, minutes before he and his brother Daniel were approached by an unmarked patrol car at Cherry Orchard Parade, Ballyfermot, early on November 11, 2007. The brothers pointed their firearms at the gardai, then ran a short distance before turning and aiming at the car again. The guns were later found discarded and the pair were arrested and charged. Kavanagh also pleaded guilty on that occasion to his role in a 2003 cash-in-transit van robbery at Navan Road, Dublin. He was the passenger in a car that was being passed off as a taxi, which the Special Detective Unit (SDU) saw pull up behind a cash-in-transit van at a service station. Officers intervened and seized an unloaded gun from a second passenger. Craig Fitzsimmons admitted he had no evidence against the councillor and did not make a formal complaint against him when offered the opportunity A Dublin man posted unfounded allegations about a Sinn Fein councillor and threatened to "expose" him as the operator of an Antifa social media profile that "stalked" Irish people, a court heard. Craig Fitzsimmons, 50, of Bayside Park, Dublin 13, pleaded not guilty to making public posts on a Telegram chat group calling David Jones, a member of Westmeath Co Council, a terrorist paedophile and publishing his mobile phone number. The offences, under section 4 of the Harassment and Harmful Communications Act, were said to have happened from May 21 - 28, 2022. However, his non-jury trial before Judge Deirdre Gearty at Mullingar District Court collapsed today. She dismissed the case due to the lack of a witness to confirm the origin of evidence taken from social media, and Mr Fitzsimmons walked free from court. Sinn Fein councillor David Jones During the hearing, the judge heard how the local politician for the Mullingar Kinnegad District contacted Garda Simon Connaughton on August 26, 2022. He complained that he had been subjected to unwanted phone calls, posts and text messages. He provided the garda with printouts and screenshots of the messages and calls. One of the images showed a Telegram messaging app account called Statistical Soldier, allegedly in the defendant's name. Messages sent to Mr Jones mentioned the left-wing group Antifa and claimed the organisation incited the murder of Irish people and stalked them, he alleged. One of the messages directed at the councillor said that he "needed to be exposed", would be held accountable, and go to jail, and the message sender referred to him as a paedophile. The councillor told the court he did not know members of Antifa or have connections with the group's activities. Under cross-examination, he replied, "I would not know the members. Is there a list?". He said there were people in all parties who were anti-fascist. In addition to the messages and posts, he reckoned he received about 30 phone calls. Councillor Jones provided the phone number used to contact him. Gardai tried to trace the phone, but it was unregistered. Then, Garda Connaughton ran the number through the Garda Pulse records system, and it was returned as associated with Craig Fitzsimmons. He went to the man's house, and Mr Fitzsimmons voluntarily went to Raheny station to make a statement, which was read in court. He claimed to Garda Connaughton that he wanted to write about the councillor for a publication called Irish Inquiry and expose him. Mr Fitzsimmons informed the officer that Antifa made unspeakable comments about him, "bleating about my alleged harassment of David Jones". He maintained that Antifa would not make that statement unless the complainant were in control of them. He accused the group of making untrue claims about people falsely calling them Nazis, bigots or homophobes. But Mr Fitzsimmons admitted he had no evidence against the councillor and did not make a formal complaint against him when offered the opportunity. The accused told gardai he had been blacklisted online. As he was about to testify in the hearing, his counsel said the defence would introduce screenshot images as evidence. Dismissing the entire case, however, Judge Gearty expected to hear from people from the social media organisations about the provenance of evidence offered by both the defence and prosecution. Judge Martin Nolan acknowledged that Lee Roche has since expressed remorse A man has been given a four year suspended sentence for an attack on his then-partner at their home. Lee Roche (33) of Cromcastle Court, Cromcastle Park, Dublin 5, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm on December 15, 2023. He also pleaded guilty to criminal damage on the same date. Garda John Courtney said Roche and his partner were living in Donaghmede when the assault occurred in the early hours of December 15, 2023. She told gardai there was a dispute with Roche. The woman said there was a bad atmosphere in the house and Roches behaviour became more aggressive as the night went on. She said she endured a sustained assault where he hit her to the side of the head causing her ear to ring. He also pulled out her hair extensions. He grabbed her right breast and was pushing into her ribs. She told him she couldnt breathe. Roche was shouting at her. He dragged her down the stairs headfirst, the court heard. There was some conversation and he hit her again. She was on the floor at the foot of the bed and between the wall. Roche hit her in the face any time she tried to protect herself. She brought her child to school and returned to her home. Roche slammed the front door and she felt she couldnt leave the home. She made a full statement of complaint at the garda station saying Roche had changed utterly since the time of his mothers passing. A victim impact statement was handed into court but not read aloud. Lee Roche The court heard Roche has no previous convictions. The relationship has since ended and they are co-parenting, the court was told. Under cross-examination, the garda agreed Roche had a drug use problem with cocaine and was taking steps to address this. A probation report put him at low risk of reoffending, the court heard. He also agreed the injured party broke her leg earlier this year and Roche has been taking care of the children. Roche is also taking care of his grandfather who has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Garda Courtney further agreed Roche set up a running club in Coolmine. It was also accepted that he was open that he had committed abuse against his partner and pleaded guilty. In mitigation, Marc Thompson BL said committing an assault on a woman is a very serious offence. Counsel said his client is struggling to understand why it happened but that drugs had played a large part. He handed in testimonials and said Roche is no longer taking cocaine or alcohol. It seems to me your client has perfect mitigation but committed serious crime, said Judge Martin Nolan. He acknowledged that Roche has since expressed remorse and there has been no repetition of what occurred on the night. Judge Nolan acknowledged that the mans partner had written a letter to the court and noted that Roche is now both contributing to his family and his local community. He sentenced Roche to four years in prison which he suspended in full adding the tipping factor was the letter from his partner. Dublin City Councillor Nial Ring (65) and the pub owner Liam McGrattan (70) were among five men found in the office A FORMER lord mayor of Dublin and his business partner have admitted breaching Covid regulations after they were found among a group of men drinking in an office above a pub during lockdown. Dublin City Councillor Nial Ring (65) and the pub owner Liam McGrattan (70) were among five men found in the office at the height of the pandemic in 2020, a court heard. Ring told Dublin District Court he regretted the breach, while McGrattan said he was ashamed and apologised to the people I upset as a result of this incident. Judge John Hughes adjourned the case for their lawyers to be present. Ring, from St Laurence Road, Clontarf and McGrattan of Clontarf Road, pleaded guilty to contravening Regulation 4 of the Health Act, prohibiting people from leaving their residences without a reasonable excuse. The emergency provision was brought in at the time to prevent, limit, minimise or slow the spread of Covid-19. A summons for allegedly holding or taking part in an event was withdrawn by the prosecution and struck out. The court heard the incident happened on April 17, 2020 while restrictions on movement were in place. Liam McGrattan Gardai on patrol in Ballybough at 11pm saw the shutters come up on the Ref pub and three men leave in separate directions. When they went over, the shutters had come down and they could see lights on and hear people inside the building. They banged repeatedly on the shutters and put the flashing blue lights on on their patrol car in an attempt to gain the attention of those inside. They could see people drinking from bottles upstairs but nobody responded to requests to come to the door. Eventually the shutters came up and gardai entered the premises. There were five men in a room upstairs consuming alcohol and all had different stories as to why they were there, a garda sergeant said. The licence holder, McGrattan, said no drinks had come from the bar downstairs. On inspecting the premises, gardai saw a note beside the CCTV that stated: put the plug back in the camera when leaving the pub. The accuseds lawyers were unable to attend court. Obviously we regret breaching the regulations, Ring told Judge Hughes. I would like to apologise to the court and the people I upset as a result of this incident, McGrattan said. I feel ashamed. Its not in my character, I apologise profusely. He said when he himself got Covid he ended up in ICU in hospital and near to death. Im at the mercy of the court and I beg for leniency, McGrattan said. McGrattan said the office was not the upstairs of a licenced premises but separate and happened to be over the pub. He said they were in the office and not in the pub, which was closed. He had the pub for 20 years without any problems and it changed hands six months ago, he said. The court heard two co-accused had been left without convictions after making 500 charity donations each. Judge Hughes said at the time of the incident, people watched every day in horror the news of infection rates and businesses closing down, and for the rest of the nation it was far from the clinking of glasses in pubs. While Ring and McGrattan said they were not in the pub, they had pleaded guilty to the prosecutions case, the judge said. It was a serious matter and he said he was adjourning the case lest there be any confusion" arising from the absence of the defence lawyers. He put the case back to next month for finalisation. Ring, an independent councillor for the north inner city, previously served as Lord Mayor of Dublin from June 2018 to June 2019. Last year, he and his co-accused lost a High Court challenge against the State's Covid-19 regulations. Ianos Carolea was handed down a suspended prison sentence just days before another man alleged he had exposed himself in a bathroom Anthony Boyle, who was a witness in the case of Ionas Carolea who was acquitted of a charge of exposing himself at a public toilet. Photo: Collins Courts A man who was cleared of exposing himself in the bathrooms of Dublins Jervis Centre was previously convicted of groping a department store worker. Ianos Carolea (39) was acquitted this week after pleading not guilty to exposing his genitals intending to cause fear, distress or alarm on March 13th 2023. However, the Sunday World can reveal that Carolea was previously handed down a suspended eight-month sentence for sexual assault on March 7th just days before the incident. In 2022, Carolea pleaded guilty after he admitted that he exited a bathroom stall while masturbating before approaching and assaulting a male employee of the store where the incident occurred. The court heard that the accused went to the sink area, where the victim was washing his hands, and made an attempt to unzip his clothing. The victim protested and Carolea groped his backside. The court also heard that he was married with children, but his marriage fell apart following the news coverage of the incident, which his solicitor Michael Kelleher, said had a catastrophic effect on his family. 01/04/2025 Ianos Carolea who was acquitted of a charge of exposing himself in a public toilet in Dublin. Photo Collins Courts In the separate case that came before the courts this week, his defence team, instructed by the same solicitor told the court that self-confessed far right activist Anthony Boyle had manufactured the recent complaint of exposure out of hatred for him because he was Romanian, and to back up his beliefs about foreigners committing crimes in Ireland. Mr Boyle denied this, insisting theres not a racist bone in my body. Boyle, who was the only witness of the alleged offence, said he saw the man performing a lewd act at a urinal on March 13, 2023, before chasing him and tackling him to the ground. He told Dublin District Court when he looked in the mirror at the toilets he saw Mr Carolea standing with his erect penis in his hand, masturbating in front of me, in plain sight . I got the impression he was asking me, did I want to partake in this or something, Mr Boyle said. He approached Mr Carolea, who sprinted off, so he chased after him and apprehended him, telling onlookers to contact the gardai. Mr Boyle said he wanted to stand up to this and do the right thing. Anthony Boyle, who was a witness in the case of Ionas Carolea who was acquitted of a charge of exposing himself at a public toilet. Photo: Collins Courts In cross-examination, defence barrister Gregory Murphy, said some people might describe Mr Boyle as far right to which he responded: People are entitled to describe me in whatever way they want, I have my political views. I have issues with the current political establishments trajectory on immigration policy, its not sustainable. I do have political beliefs but that is completely beside the point, I know what I saw. Its nothing to do with what country hes from. Mr Murphy read out social media posts shared by Mr Boyle, who denied that the theme was against people who are not Irish. One such post read its so cold right now even the Roma gypsies have their hands in their pockets. Mr Boyle said this was a joke but accepted he had described Carolea as the Jervis Street flute player. He also accepted he had asked for online donations to take a few days off work to get that flute player jailed. It was put to Mr Boyle that when he saw Mr Carolea in the toilets he decided to take advantage of it and told a lie to suit his social media narrative. To which he said: Its preposterous and abhorrent to suggest to me that I would make it up and get an innocent man into trouble. A security guard said in evidence that when he separated the men on the ground, Mr Boyle told him this male had his c**k in his hand and he was w**king. In evidence, Mr Carolea said of the allegation, I havent done any of this. He said he was peeing at the urinal and took about two minutes because he was on medication and having difficulty. He said he looked in the mirror and saw Mr Boyle looking at him and smiling. He said he had no interaction with him and thought at the time Mr Boyle knew him from his work. He alleged Mr Boyle punched him in the face and he ran, screaming for help. He also said Mr Boyle grabbed him, got him in a choke hold and punched him in the ribs. Mr Boyle denied punching him. Prosecutor Clare Barry said Mr Boyles evidence was clear and it beggared belief that he made it up from absolutely nothing. Judge John Hughes dismissed the charge against Mr Carolea, saying there was a complete conflict in the evidence and he had a doubt. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 2. The Bulgarian government has approved a draft memorandum of understanding between the energy ministries of Bulgaria, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkiye to cooperate on green electricity transmission and trade, Trend reports. The countrys Council of Ministers announced the decision. Under the memorandum, the four countries will work together on joint renewable energy projects, infrastructure development, knowledge and technology exchange, and other mutually beneficial initiatives. Their energy ministries will also support collaboration between public and private entities to explore opportunities for upgrading interconnection infrastructure and expanding electricity transmission and trade. The agreement outlines plans to improve energy infrastructure and increase the use of renewable energy sources. The memorandum will be in effect for three years, with an option for automatic renewal unless one of the parties decides to terminate it. Dr Mary Davoren today told the Central Criminal Court that she believes anger and resentment could explain why Brian Ibe fatally assaulted 65-year-old Peter Kennedy A consultant psychiatrist has told a jury that the first time a murder accused reported hearing voices in his head was over a year after he was remanded in custody, on the same day his awareness of the possibility of a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity was first documented. Dr Mary Davoren today told the Central Criminal Court that she believes anger and resentment could explain why Brian Ibe fatally assaulted 65-year-old Peter Kennedy , who had previously called gardai to have Mr Ibe removed from his home. Dr Davoren told prosecution counsel, Paul Carroll SC, that she interviewed the accused man, Mr Ibe (23), while he was on remand awaiting trial for the murder of Mr Kennedy at Mr Kennedy's home in Moore Park, Newbridge, Co Kildare. She said she disagreed with psychiatrists called by the defence who said Mr Ibe was in a psychotic state at the time of the assault due to schizophrenia and that the jury could consider returning the special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity. Dr Davoren said Mr Ibe has a dissocial personality disorder, which is not a mental disorder that qualifies for the special verdict. Dr Davoren said there was no evidence that Mr Ibe was suffering hallucinations or other symptoms of psychosis around the time of the offence but there was evidence that he was regularly smoking cannabis. She also found that an alternative explanation for the assault on Mr Kennedy was anger and resentment after Mr Kennedy called gardai to have Mr Ibe removed from his house about five months previously. On April 28, 2020, Mr Ibe took a taxi from the Peter McVerry Trust hostel where he was living in Walkinstown in Dublin to Mr Kennedy's home, broke into the house by smashing a window and assaulted Mr Kennedy, who died from his injuries in hospital two weeks later, on May 12. Mr Ibe, of no fixed abode but formerly of Moore Park in Newbridge has pleaded not guilty to murder by reason of insanity. He has entered a similar plea in relation to a charge of assault causing harm to Garda Brendan ODonnell at Newbridge Garda Station on or about April 29, 2020. The trial previously heard that Mr Kennedy took Mr Ibe's mother, Martha, into his home after learning she was living in her car. For a few months leading up to Christmas 2019, Mr Ibe also lived at Mr Kennedy's home but had to leave after he became aggressive and threatened his host. Dr Davoren said that in interviews with her, Mr Ibe described the alleged offence, saying that he awoke that day at about 11am at the Peter McVerry Trust hostel in Walkinstown where he lived after leaving Mr Kennedy's home. He watched a movie and hung around the house until he heard a voice in his head saying "nice jacket, Peter," which he said was a reference to something he had previously said to Mr Kennedy. He said he went to the kitchen where he got a butter knife. His intention, he said, was to hurt someone and he: "knew that someone was Peter because that's who I was thinking about at the time." He said he recalled having arguments with Mr Kennedy when they lived together but couldn't remember what they were about. "I just wanted to hurt him," he said. When he arrived at Newbridge, he said he banged on the front door of Mr Kennedy's home but nobody answered so he went to the back of the house where he found a rock. He used the rock to smash a window and climbed through, picking up a shard of glass as he went. He said he went upstairs and found Mr Kennedy on the landing beside Mr Ibe's mother, Martha. At some point he noticed that the knife he had taken from the hostel was missing so he used the shard of glass, about 8 inches long, to stab Mr Kennedy three or four times. Mr Kennedy fell to the floor, he said, so Mr Ibe started kicking him on the ground before leaving. He went to a nearby train station, took a train to Heuston Station and walked the rest of the distance back to the hostel. When Mr Ibe spoke to gardai 24 hours later, Dr Davoren noted that he did not report any hallucinations, gave coherent answers and did not display any disordered thinking. During those interviews, he lied to gardai, telling them he had not been to Newbridge the previous day, that he had only met Mr Kennedy once and that he never lived with him. He denied knowledge of the assault on Mr Kennedy and suggested that his mother could be lying when she told gardai that she saw him stabbing Mr Kennedy. Also while in garda custody, he refused to give a DNA sample or to allow gardai to take his fingerprints, became aggressive and punched a garda. Dr Davoren said this was "goal directed" behaviour rather than "irrational or bizarre behaviour". He didn't want to give samples to gardai and became agitated and aggressive when told he would have to, the psychiatrist said. Dr Davoren said there is no psychiatric explanation for his lies to gardai or for inconsistent accounts he gave of his cannabis use in the days and weeks before the assault. She also said there is no psychiatric explanation for his failure to tell her that he was put out of a residential home in his teenage years following multiple acts of aggression and violence towards staff and continually smoking cannabis despite repeated warnings and gardai being called. In the days and weeks following the alleged offence, Dr Davoren said medical staff at Cloverhill Prison noted no overt psychotic symptoms despite multiple reviews of Mr Ibe by GPs, nursing staff, junior doctors and a consultant psychiatrist. The first time that he reported hearing voices, Dr Davoren said, was one year and 13 days after he was remanded to Cloverhill. This was, she said, the same day that it was first documented that Mr Ibe was aware of the possibility of a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity. In his interviews with other psychiatrists, Mr Ibe reported symptoms which Dr Davoren said he did not report to her and which are not typical of schizophrenia, including that he would see images of his own death playing like a video in his environment. Dr Davoren said she formed the view that Mr Ibe might be an unreliable historian. Dr Davoren said her view is that Mr Ibe shows clear evidence of having had a childhood conduct disorder that progressed to a dissocial personality disorder. She said this is evidenced by his ongoing rule breaking as an adolescent and his aggressive and threatening behaviour towards others. She said he meets various criteria for the personality disorder, including a callous unconcern for the feelings of others, gross and persistent irresponsibility and disregard for social norms, low tolerance to frustration and low threshold for aggression and violence. He displays an incapacity to experience guilt or to benefit from punishment and is also prone to blame others or rationalise his behaviour, she said. Dr Davoren said she does not agree with the diagnosis of schizophrenia but if the jury finds that Mr Ibe was suffering from a mental disorder, she said that does not automatically mean that he is entitled to the special verdict. Dr Davoren said the jury must also also be satisfied that as a result of a mental disorder, Mr Ibe either did not know the nature and quality of his actions, or did not know his actions were wrong, or was unable to refrain from killing Mr Kennedy. Dr Davoren said Mr Ibe told her that as he was stabbing Mr Kennedy, he knew it would harm him and therefore, he did know the nature and quality of his actions. She said he also said that he knew stabbing Mr Kennedy was wrong and at no point did he think it was the right thing to do. She said he showed his ability to form an intent by engaging in a series of deliberate acts, including taking the butter knife, travelling from Dublin to Kildare by taxi, going to Mr Kennedy's home, banging on the door and then breaking in when there was no answer. Those deliberate acts showed no evidence that Mr Ibe was unable to refrain from the assault, she said. Dr Davoren also did not agree that Mr Ibe could be found guilty of manslaughter instead of murder due to diminished responsibility. She said there was no evidence that his capacity to form the intent to cause serious harm to Mr Kennedy was significantly impaired. In disagreeing with diagnosis of schizophrenia, Dr Davoren said an alternative explanation for Mr Ibe's assault on the deceased was anger and resentment after the row that resulted in Mr Kennedy calling gardai and Mr Ibe being put out of the house and moving to a homeless shelter. The trial continues tomorrow before Ms Justice Melanie Greally and a jury of six men and six women. Victor Hamilton was stabbed outside his Orkney Drive home in Ballymena on the evening of July 26, 2022 Three men were sentenced today for charges arising from the manslaughter of "entirely innocent" Co Antrim man Victor Hamilton. The 63-year old man was stabbed outside his Orkney Drive home in Ballymena on the evening of July 26, 2022 was found lying in a pool of blood outside his flat the following morning by his landlord. Mamadu Saido Djalo (32) from Derryveen Crescent in Dungannon pleaded guilty to a charge of manslaughter and was handed a sentence of six years by Mr Justice O'Hara which was divided equally between prison and licence. Mario Menezes (35) from Portmore Street in Portadown and Michael Hanrahan (43) of Thomas Street in Craigavon both admitted a charge of withholding information. They each had a sentence of two years imposed which was also divided equally between jail and supervised licence. The man suspected of carrying out the fatal knife attack was named in court as Casemiro Sano Lopez Vaz. He fled to his native Portugal in the aftermath of Mr Hamilton's death and, due to Portuguese legislation, has not been extradited to face a murder charge. As Mr Hamilton's three sisters sat in the public gallery, Mr Justice O'Hara addressed them and said: "I cannot punish the defendants who are in court today more harshly to make up for the fact that the killer is not here. "He has escaped, for now at least, but hopefully not for good." Expressing the hope that a change in law could result in Mr Vas "being brought before these courts for justice", the senior Judge said: "Even if that happens, I recognise that nothing that has happened in this court today or may happen in the future can ever bring back your brother." Following the sentencing, PSNI Detective Chief Inspector Neil McGuinness said: A post mortem examination determined that Mr Victor Hamilton died from a stab wound to his back. We know that four men, including the three defendants, had travelled from Portadown to Ballymena on the evening of 26 July in 2022. They went to a property in the Orkney Drive area of the town, and it was here that the attack, which would take an innocent life, took place. Victor Hamilton, who lived in the adjacent flat, was a peaceable and well-loved man. Essentially, he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Its hard to find the right words to convey not only the horror, but also the senselessness, of this vicious stabbing. Detective Chief Inspector McGuinness continued: Mr Hamilton had moved to the town just a few weeks earlier, and his murder has left an entire community in shock. Today, my thoughts are with Victors many friends and, importantly, with his loving family who have been robbed of a father and a brother. Its almost three years on now, and understandably their pain and sadness continue. Police said their investigation into the fourth suspect who fled Northern Ireland is ongoing. It is understood that around 70 wraps containing a white powder were found The High Court has previously heard about documents allegedly outlining the lifestyle of Jamie Dinnegan and his wife, Teresa A 34-year-old criminal involved in a feud was caught with a large quantity of suspected drugs after prison officers searched his cell. Jamie Dinnegan, a major target for the Criminal Assets Bureau (Cab), is currently on a discipline regime at Castlerea Prison in Co Roscommon after the seizure last Wednesday. It is understood that around 70 wraps containing a white powder were found during searches. The powdered substance was sent for analysis. Gardai have been told of the seizure, but Dinnegan has not yet been questioned by detectives. The Longford criminal is suspected of either holding on to the drugs or distributing the product for someone else within the system, according to a source. Dinnegans family home was sold at auction last November after being seized by Cab A value on the suspected illegal drugs has not yet been established. A spokesman for the Irish Prison Service said they do not comment on individual prisoners. Dinnegan is due to be released in June. He is serving an 18-month sentence for affray in relation to a feud in a Longford housing estate in January 2022. During the course of the incident, he was struck by a van just metres from his home. Dinnegans family home was sold at auction last November after being seized by Cab. The four-bedroom semi-detached Longford property was taken last August after Dinnegan settled the High Court case to have his assets declared the proceeds of crime. Jamie Dinnegan During the High Court action, it emerged documents related to breast augmentation and gastric band surgery in Turkey were found by gardai in the house, which the court heard were evidence of the lifestyle of Dinnegan and his wife Teresa. Designer goods were also part of the Cab case, including a Louis Vuitton Popincourt tote, a Popincourt wallet, another Louis Vuitton bag and a pair of Christian Louboutin Decollete nude heels. Dinnegan was described as being deeply involved in organised criminal activity and was part of a gang selling drugs in the area. The property had originally been bought for 24,000 by Jamie Dinnegan The house itself had been bought for just 24,000, which Cab said was funded partly from unknown sources with the explanation for another 14,000 being deemed not credible. According to the chief bureau officer Michael Gubbins, there was no evidence as to how improvements ofin excess of 261,000 were financed. Before being jailed, Dinnegan had 13 previous criminal convictions. Jamie Dinnegan and his wife Teresa His sentencing hearing at Longford Circuit Court heard evidence that he was shouting, Youre dead, Im killing you, yere leaving this place, at a rival just seconds before he was struck by the van. When gardai, including members of the armed support unit arrived, they found Dinnegan stretched out on the ground in a vest and boxer shorts while being tended to by his wife and other people. A man (20s) has been arrested and is being questioned in relation to alleged serious assault Gardai investigating the serious assault on a man in his 60s in Dublin yesterday have appealed for witnesses to come forward. Emergency services were alerted to a property in the Basin Street area of the south-inner city at around midday where they discovered the victim unresponsive. He was rushed to Beaumont Hospital with what are understood to be head injuries while a garda investigation is now underway. Detectives have arrested a suspect aged in his 20s and he is being questioned in relation to the alleged serious assault. The scene has undergone a forensic examination and inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the incident are ongoing. A garda spokesperson said: Gardai in Kilmainham are investigating a serious assault on a man in his 60s, which occurred at a residential property on Basin Street, Dublin 8, on Tuesday, April 1. At approximately 12pm, gardai and emergency services responded to a report of an unresponsive man found within a flat at the Old Convent on Basin Street. He was removed from the scene by ambulance and is currently receiving treatment at Beaumont Hospital. His condition is understood to be serious. A man in his 20s was subsequently arrested in connection with this incident and is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, at a garda station in the Dublin region. The scene has been forensically examined and remains preserved. Gardai are appealing for any witnesses or individuals with information to contact the incident room at Kilmainham Garda Station at 01 666 9700 or the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111. The investigation is ongoing. Investigations are ongoing An estimated 2.2 million worth of cannabis seized in Co Donegal. An estimated 2.2 million worth of cannabis has been seized and two men have been arrested in Co Donegal. The seizure in Ballybofey, Co Donegal was made in a joint operation by Revenues Customs Service, the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) and the Donegal Divisional Drugs Unit. Around 112kg of herbal cannabis was seized by Revenue officers, with an estimated value of 2,240,000. Gardai arrested two men aged in their 30s. Both men are currently detained at a garda station in the north west region under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996. The seizure was made as part of Revenues ongoing joint investigations involving organised crime groups and the importation, sale and supply of illegal drugs. Investigations are ongoing. Heemal Vaid, who went by Starkcake was handed down a sentence of 18 years A drug linchpin who used encrypted messaging service EncroChat to smuggle cocaine and heroin has been jailed. Heemal Vaid (49) was handed down a sentence of 18 years for the importation and sale of drugs worth more than 4 million (4.8 million). The National Crime Agency (NCA) pored through thousands of messages sent by the Londoner using the username Starkcake. During their search it became clear that he was a linchpin in the criminal world as he had links to suppliers overseas, and was a professional money launderer who managed and hid the millions he made through his drug operation. Starkcake was involved in a plot to smuggle 96kg of cocaine to be imported from Brazil over a month in 2020, as well as a plot to smuggle drugs up to 15kg from the Netherlands every week. The EncroChat messages also detailed his plot to supply 20kg of heroin and 1kg of cocaine in the UK. He received one message that indicated cash, which was the proceeds of crime, had been paid into the account of H Vaid which investigators matched to a transaction on his bank account. Police say they also identified that Vaid made a payment at a cafe in Dubai around the same time Starkcake told an associate he was in the country. They were able to match Vaids movements to conversations on EncroChat about Starkcakes whereabouts. In one instance, his phones cell site data showed Vaid was at a river near his then-home while Starkcake told an associate he was going for a riverside walk. Heemal Vaid was arrested at his home in April 2024, and pleaded guilty to 12 drugs and proceeds of crime charges, and one count of conspiracy to blackmail relating to threats he made to someone who owed him money. Vaid attempted to fly under the radar by using an encrypted phone and getting others to do his bidding, but he underestimated the capability and tenacity of investigators, Lead investigating officer Luke Seldon said. By taking a pivotal person like Vaid out of the service of organised crime groups, the NCA is disrupting the supply of the most dangerous drugs in the UK and taking the profit out of ruining lives. Police said he suffered prolonged abuse, starvation, severe neglect, and inhumane treatment. The home of Kimberly Sullivan was set alight by her alleged victim A man who was allegedly held captive by stepmother for 20 years set their Connecticut home on fire in order to get help Kimberly Sullivan (56) was arrested last month after the unnamed man, who is now 32 years old, set fire to an upstairs bedroom on February 17th to attract attention to the house. When police and fire responded to the emergency, the man said he had been in captivity for more than since he was 11-years-old. He suffered prolonged abuse, starvation, severe neglect, and inhumane treatment. Officers from Waterbury Police Department said he was found in a severely emaciated condition, as he had only been provided minimal food and water. He had not received medical or dental care over the years and told authorities he lit the fire as he wanted his freedom. The man lived at the home with the accused, as did his father, Kregg Sullivan who died in 2024. Read more Irish national detained by American immigration agents over alleged construction fraud He said that his father would allow him out of his room when his wife and her daughters were not in the house, and alleged that his treatment became much worse after his death. He was also allowed out of the room to do chores for Kimberly, who allegedly pulled him out of education in 2004, telling authorities he was going to be home schooled. Following an investigation into the claims made by the alleged victim, Kimberly Sullivan was arrested in March. She was charged with Assault in the First Degree, Kidnapping in the Second Degree, Unlawful Restraint in the First Degree, Cruelty to Persons, and Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree. Sullivans lawyer, Ioannis Kaloidis, claimed that his deceased father was the one in control. My client encouraged him to bathe, but she is not going to force a 32-year-old man to take care of himself, he told People. He also alleged that Sullivan never locked him in his room and said that the boy left the home daily while completing chores such as taking out the trash. He could have just walked away then if he wanted to leave, he added. Ultimately, it was the father which dictated the manner in which his son was raised and my client was only carrying out his orders. Images of the home show the unkempt conditions where Sullivan lived and kept her victim. Mess, clutter and debris are strewn across every room of the home. Snaps also show the charred remains of the fire. The home of Kimberly Sullivan was set alight by her alleged victim Sullivan is out on bail after posting a $300,000 bond to the Connecticut Department of Corrections. Supervisory Assistant State Attorney Don Therkildsen Jr. told a court hearing that the victim lives in fear, and cant understand why she has been allowed out on bail. This victim is afraid. This victim lives in fear, he said. I introduced myself to the victim, explained who I was. His first question in this fear is, Why is she out walking around when I was locked up in a room for 20 years? Waterbury Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo said the suffering the victim endured over the last two decades is both heartbreaking and unimaginable. This case required relentless investigative effort, and I commend the dedication of our officers and the Waterbury States Attorneys Office, he added. Their unwavering commitment ensured that justice is served, and the perpetrator is held fully accountable for these horrific crimes. There is a hidden feature that allows free WiFi calls Vodafone Ireland is encouraging Irish users to unlock the full potential of their mobile phones by enabling the hidden Wi-Fi Calling feature to improve their phone network experience. Available on Apple and Android devices, Wi-Fi Calling, also known as VoWi-Fi, allows users to make and receive calls in any location where you are connected to a Wi-Fi network, even if there is no regular phone signal or poor indoor coverage. The easy-to-use feature allows calls to be made using Wi-Fi, ensuring seamless communication, even in areas with challenging signal conditions. While mobile networks technology is continually advancing and improving for the better, network coverage may occasionally be influenced by structural, natural, and geographical factors. Consequently, mobile users may experience varying levels of cellular network as they go about their daily activities, especially in areas with unique signal conditions. By enabling VoWi-Fi, users can experience consistent call quality and connectivity, regardless of their location. Fiona Sheridan, Head of Network Deployment for Vodafone Ireland told SundayWorld.com: Vodafone has been consistently recognised as the best mobile network in Ireland by independent awards such as nPerf and Umlaut. "Even so, we want to enhance our customers network experience even more. By activating the Wi-Fi Calling feature, users can fully utilise their mobile phones, ensuring uninterrupted communication even in areas with weak signal coverage. This feature leverages Wi-Fi to make calls, offering consistent call quality and connectivity, without any additional costs. "We encourage all our customers to enable VoWi-Fi and enjoy the benefits of seamless communication, no matter where they are. Vodafone are spreading the love with VoWi-Fi The key points to VoWi-Fi: Providing seamless call quality, VoWi-Fi offers connection without fuss, and all from places that regular phone signal cannot reach no separate app needed. At no extra cost or hidden charges, Vodafone VoWi-Fi calling is charged at the same rate as making a call over the cellular network. Users can enable VoWi-Fi Calling on their iOS and Android mobile device by enabling the feature in Settings and switching the toggle Wi-Fi Calling to the On position, then click OK to confirm. Former elite cop breaks cover after three decades to tell the Sunday World what really happened the night he gunned down IRA leader A former cop who shot dead IRA volunteer Colum Marks in one of the RUCs most controversial killings of the Troubles broke his silence this week and told the Sunday World: I had no choice but to shoot him. Identified in official Police Ombudsman documents only as Officer B, the former undercover E4A surveillance officer last night told the Sunday World in an unprecedented interview that he gained no satisfaction from the death of any human being. And he insisted that given the circumstances he faced the night IRA man Marks died in Downpatrick in 1991, he certainly wasnt a trigger-happy cop or part of a shoot-to-kill cover-up. And he maintains he had no choice but to cut down Marks as he raced towards him. Colum Marks was an experienced IRA operative I knew through intelligence reports that Marks had killed around eight or nine people. And I honestly believed he was seconds away from shooting me, he told the Sunday World. With 29-year-old Marks bearing down on him in a field near the town centre as he fled the scene of a bungled IRA mortar attack, the armed police officer insists he shouted two clear warnings of Stop! Police! followed by two warning shots fired over his head. And when Marks continued to charge straight at the officer, he used his Hackler & Koch MP5 sub-machine-gun to bring the IRA man to the ground with three aimed shots. Officer B told the Sunday World: I want the public to know I gave Colum Marks every opportunity to be arrested which would have prevented him being shot. And I say in all honesty, if he had taken the chances he was given, its likely he would still be alive today. The Ombudsman Report says Marks was unmasked when he was shot, but I can tell you he had a balaclava on his head, albeit was pulled up into a beanie hat. He wasnt bareheaded. Part of the huge security operation at his funeral It was dark and as soon as the shooting happened, Colum Marks fell forward on the ground and I threw my weapon onto the grass to let other officers know I didnt pose a threat. Another officer arrived almost immediately and he asked the wounded man his name and he said Colum Marks. He was quickly taken off to hospital and after a few minutes, I walked round to my car to drive back to base for a debriefing session. I have given the Sunday World my eyewitness account, detailing the events of that night. Many others, who were not there have given a version of events as they see it, said the former RUC undercover officer. He added: In my opinion, they are either, inaccurate, propaganda or merely their opinion. Marks was in charge of an IRA mortar attack on security force personnel on the night he died. The former RUC officer talking to our man Hugh Jordan It later emerged, however, that he was unarmed when he ran through a field to evade arrest by police. Two weeks ago, in her report into the fatal shooting, Police Ombudsman Marie Anderson concluded the original RUC investigation, lacked independence and rigour and was wholly inadequate given the seriousness of the incident. The Ombudsman was asked to compile a report into death of Marks, who was shot by Officer B shortly before 10pm on April 10, 1991 during an intelligence-led counter terrorism operation intended to thwart a planned Provisional IRA mortar attack. The Police Ombudsman findings into the RUC investigation into the fatal shooting were as follows: It expressed concern that the RUC did not refer the shooting to the police complaints body at the time, given its gravity. It identified issues with the initial under caution interview of Officer B on April 11, 1991. Ombudsman noted the RUC destroyed records about covert operations, which hampered a fuller investigation into the incident. Ombudsman concluded there was a short window of opportunity to arrest Marks before the shooting, between 9.29pm and 9.47pm, but it wasnt acted up on. Ombudsman found that Marks was unarmed, unmasked and not posing a threat when he was shot. The Marks family believe that on the night Colum died, a police operation consisting of several hundred plain-clothed officers were on duty in Downpatrick town centre. And they insist there was ample opportunity to arrest the IRA man before the shooting incident which cost him his life. And in this, they are supported by the Police Ombudsman report. Last night, a spokesman representing the Marks family told the Sunday World: This case is at an end now. The family have the Ombudsmans Report and it concludes, Colum Marks could have been arrested sooner, he said. He added: Basically, the Ombudsman report concludes the shooting didnt have to happen in the field and thats what the family believed all along. Martin McGuinness carries his coffin Sunday World investigations in Downpatrick this week revealed three IRA men were involved in the planned terror attack on the night Marks was shot. He died in hospital later the same night as doctors carried out emergency surgery on a wound to his abdomen. St Patricks Avenue, off Market Street, is a busy through route leading in and out of the County Down town. And it is believed, the IRA had hoped to use the driveway of a large unoccupied property on the street to launch a so-called horizontal Mark 12 mortar attack on security force vehicles as they passed. Marks was the senior IRA officer in charge of the entire operation, our sources said. A native of Newry, Marks was suspected of being the leader of the South Down Brigade of the Provisional IRA. He had previously been suspected of involvement in an IRA bomb attack at nearby Ballydugan Mill in which four UDR soldiers died. And following the fatal incident in which he lost his life, Eddie McGrady, MP for South Down, praised the actions of the police, adding that the lives of many people, civilian and security force personnel had been saved as a result of the police operation. Its always tragic when anyone loses their life, particularly a young person, who like many others had been blatantly used by so-called armchair commanders to carry on this futile campaign. The former RUC officer who shot Colum Marks dead Ten years before, Marks had been involved in a republican attack in the fishing port of Kilkeel. He was wounded in the leg by a shot from a British soldier. In 1984, Marks was charged in connection with the Kilkeel incident and held on remand for 14 months, before the case collapsed. It is believed the prosecution was unaware of the wound to his leg Brought up in Newrys Derrybeg estate, Marks had been a classmate of 12 year-old Kevin Heatley. The schoolboy had been sitting on a wall when a British soldier shot him dead. Marks was a member of a schoolboy guard of honour at his funeral. Marks later joined the youth wing of the IRA and was first arrested when he was 14 years of age. He was married with children, but they left Co Down to live in England shortly before he moved from Newry to a house on Downpatricks Model Farm housing estate, where he assumed control of the IRA in the area. Following Marks demise, all IRA terror activity in the area ceased. James Donegan had been extradited from the Republic of Ireland before appearing before Newry Magistrates Court on Wednesday A man has been remanded in custody after being charged with the murder of a part-time soldier in Northern Ireland more than 40 years ago. Joseph James Porter, 64, a farmer and part-time soldier with the Ulster Defence Regiment, was shot dead in Mountnorris in June 1979. James Donegan, 67, Bruce Manor, Arvagh, Co Cavan has been charged with the murder of Mr Porter between June 22 and June 25 1979, as well as possession of a firearm and ammunition with the intent to endanger life and membership of a proscribed organisation, the Provisional IRA, Donegan had been extradited from the Republic of Ireland before appearing before Newry Magistrates Court on Wednesday. Donegan responded, I do, when asked if he understood the charges that had been read out to him. A detective sergeant told the court they believe they can connect the accused to the charges, An application for bail was opposed by the prosecution, who claimed a risk of the accused leaving the jurisdiction and fresh extradition proceedings having to be brought, delaying the trial. The prosecutor said Mr Porter was shot dead in the early hours of Sunday June 24 1979, and was discovered at the entrance of his farm yard on Creggan Road, Mountnorris, while his house had been ransacked. Police believe he left his house voluntarily and was shot shortly after he went outside. It cannot be established if he was carrying his personal protection pistol at this point, they said. Mr Porters house was subsequently searched by the murderers who were almost certainly looking for his personal protection weapon or any other military weapons that he might have had in his home. His personal protection weapon was stolen, but he had no other military weapons in his house. Mr Porter lived alone and at the time of his death, he was a part-time member of the Ulster Defence Regiment. No one has been charged or convicted in relation to this murder. Newry Magistrates Court heard that the Provisional IRA had claimed responsibility for the murder in the Armagh Guardian in 1979 (Michael McHugh/PA) They said witnesses saw Mr Porter in a bar in Markethill on the evening of Saturday June 23 for around an hour, before his Land Rover was seen driving towards Creggan Road. Later another witness in the area reported hearing two loud bangs, which they believe were gunshots at around 1am, while other witnesses also heard two shots and saw a car travelling at high speed. At 0930, Mr Porters neighbour found him lying dead, they added, saying a doctor concluded he had a fractured skull and had been dead for around six to eight hours. They also told the court that the Armagh Guardian reported on Thursday June 28 a claim of responsibility for the murder by the Provisional IRA, and had said he was interrogated and executed because he was involved with the British war machine in Northern Ireland. The prosecutor said they opposed the bail application due to a risk of flight. We understand that he has resided in the Republic of Ireland for a number of years, since in or around 1978, and therefore obviously he has significant links to the Republic of Ireland, they said, contending he had firmly resisted the extradition until the last minute and also cited potential for intimidation of witnesses. A defence lawyer said Donegan had been on holiday in Portugal when he was contacted by An Garda Siochana before his arrest, and offered to be arrested at the airport on his return, and surrendered his passport. He said an address in Crossmaglen, Co Armagh belonging to a friend of Donegan had been offered for bail, as well as a cash surety of 10,000 from a person present in court while a relative of the defendant had offered up the deeds of his home. He also pointed out that in the event of a conviction, the maximum sentence is likely to be a two-year sentence due to legislation for Troubles related offences, and said the defendant suffers from health difficulties and underwent bypass surgery during the course of the extradition proceedings in 2024. Nobody can say when this matter will come round to trial, and in terms of risks, where else would the defendant go he doesnt have access to a passport, he doesnt have access to means to travel outside the jurisdiction, he said. District Judge Eamonn King said he had to balance whether or not the defendant can be released on bail subject to conditions to manage any risks. In the circumstances of this case, it has taken 45 years to get to this point. There have been issues over those years and its only on conclusion on what took place in the Republic of Ireland that the defendant has made himself amenable to this court when his appeal against the extradition process was refused, he said. In the circumstances, I am of the view that the defendant would be a flight risk and for that reason, bail is refused. There is an investigation how the dramatic incident happened in the early hours of Tuesday morning A tractor has crashed into the front walls of two houses in Chester, UK. Emergency services were called to the scene early yesterday morning as extensive damage was caused to both semi-detached properties. A Cheshire Police spokesman said: Officers attended the scene and found that there had been a collision between a tractor and a Mercedes. The tractor had also collided with two houses. There are no reports of any serious injuries but the drivers of both vehicles have both been taken to the Countess of Chester Hospital as a precautionary measure. The occupants of the houses have all been accounted for, and are all safe and well. An investigation is under way. Protesters and police face off at the work site at Lake Rotokakahi where work on a controversial pipeline resumed. Photo / Protect Rotokakahi Construction had restarted, with police present, only days earlier after protests and injunction proceedings halted progress for months. Works on the Tarawera Sewerage Scheme paused about a month ago following applications to the Environment Court by groups protesting the works at Lake Rotokakahi. A legal bid to stop a sewerage pipe being installed in a wahi tapu area near Rotorua has failed in the Environment Court. The scheme would connect about 440 Lake Tarawera properties to the public wastewater network, aiming to reduce pollution of the lake from septic tanks. About 23km of pipeline was built, with the remaining 1.4km to run along Tarawera Rd parallel to Lake Rotokakahi. The area is considered wahi tapu by mana whenua, with tupuna (ancestors) buried nearby during the 1886 Mt Tarawera eruption. The Rotokakahi Board of Control and Protect Rotokakahi Incorporated initiated Environment Court proceedings on February 21 and 25 and asserted, among other things, that the council should have acquired resource consent for the works. They asked for an enforcement order to stop works that risked damage or disturbance to wahi tapu or burial sites. An urgent hearing was held in the Environment Court on March 19. Judge Laurie Newhook and Deputy Environment Commissioner Glenice Paine issued their decision dismissing the applications today. Their decision said they had no doubt the sewerage reticulation project was in the publics interest. Improving the quality of the freshwater in Lake Tarawera must be a given, for all relevant communities including Maori. Lake Tarawera near Rotorua. Photo / Laura Smith They found there had been extensive consideration of options for the scheme since 2018, and considerable attempts by the council at engagement including hui, correspondence, and offers of mitigation. Regrettably we find that the applicants have simply not accepted any ideas that did not reflect their own. Nor could the applicants command a right of veto under the Resource Management Act [RMA]. The decision said that while the cultural offence from piping of paru through a tapu area was considerable for the Maori community, it may not be to the wider community. There were also competing factors of importance to the wider community, and the court did not believe the project met the high threshold set in other relevant cases. We say this with some regret because we do understand the cultural offence felt by the applicants and other Maori. Newhook and Paine were also critical of the timing in the case, given physical project works started two years ago. While we remain concerned at the councils last-minute acknowledgement of a need for a resource consent, signalled by its issuing of the [RMA section 87BB] notice six weeks ago, we find the bringing of these proceedings as late in the piece as they have is the antithesis of timeliness. A considerable amount of time was consumed in protests and injunction proceedings, rather than the pursuit of any action under the RMA, let alone the taking of any judicial review proceeding in the High Court. They found the councils eleventh hour issuing itself the s87BB notice was somewhat inflammatory and a major catalyst for the proceedings. Aspects of the applicants case against the notice were out of the Environment Court jurisdiction but could be raised through a High Court judicial review. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has doubled down on allowing submissions on the Treaty Principles Bill to be excluded, and David Seymour agrees - saying it's important to meet their timing commitments. That's despite warnings from legal scholars the move sets a precedent that could erode democratic participation. Labour last week raised concerns thousands of on-time submissions on the bill would not be considered because the select committee was running out of time to process them. The party's justice spokesperson Duncan Webb had moved for the committee to seek an extension so all the submissions could be considered, but was voted down by government MPs. Academic warns of 'cynicism' about democracy Victoria University of Wellington law lecturer Eddie Clark told RNZ it was the first case he knew of where submissions delivered to the committee on time would not be processed. "Sometimes there's urgency [and] we don't get submissions, but when they're called for all the submissions that have come in have, in fact, been read by the committee before the bill is reported back to the house. And that doesn't look like it's going to take place here." While the Ministry of Justice would normally provide a summary, the submissions would typically be sent to the ministry once the committee had processed them - so there was a risk the unprocessed submissions would never be considered, even in summary form, he said. The precedent this set would, he suggested, risk creating additional cynicism about engaging with democracy. "I encourage people - my students, the public, people I talk to on social media - to submit on bills because the committee will read it ... and your ideas can potentially influence the legislation. "That has always been true, and if it becomes not true I think it really risks creating a cynicism about engagement with democracy between elections. "If this was a boring tax bill that they decided to [make] technical changes to tax legislation ... and 15 people submitted, and they said, 'now, we're not going to read them', that would be a real problem as well." Otago University law professor Andrew Geddis said he generally agreed with Dr Clark's view. Luxon refuses to back down Luxon last week said the committee had done its best to hear all sides of the debate, and he wanted the bill to come back to Parliament so it could be voted down. "Ultimately, Labour and the Greens have got to determine whether they're going to just carry on with it through a select committee process or whether they want to just end the Bill." Returning to Parliament on Tuesday, he stood by that position. "Look, we've been overwhelmed by the number of submissions. The positions on the Treaty Principles Bill are well known on all sides of that debate and what's important now is to actually wrap it up and actually move it forward," he said. "Ultimately that's a decision for the select committee to say, have they got a good sense of what the submissions pro and against are about, and what we've seen is a Labour Party that said they want to kill the bill, and now wanting to extend it out. And I think that's political, I think it's rather cynical." Asked if he thought it could undermine the democratic process, he said "sure, and that's a decision for the select committee under Parliamentary law, it's not for the prime minister to make". Luxon maintained that stance, even when it was put to him it was his own party's MPs who opposed the extension. Clark did not think Luxon had a legitimate point. "I don't think so, no - particularly given in this context, this is not a first-100-days commitment. This is not something that they've promised to pass quickly, in fact it will likely be voted down at the second reading. So there is nothing that'll be lost in extending this time out." 'What's important is the ideas come out' - Seymour Clark pointed to a media release from the bill's main proponent David Seymour. "He said every New Zealander can have the chance to be part of this conversation, and I'd just quite like to know what's changed between then and now, because not every New Zealander will have their ideas heard. "They could be supporters of the bill that are making really good points that could help make Seymour's argument, they could be really important points opposed that would strengthen the case against. We don't know, because the committee hasn't read them." David Seymour at the first reading of the Treaty Principles Bill in Parliament on 14 November 2024. Photo / RNZ, Samuel Rillstone Seymour, however, argued there was a time pressure. "Look, we've got a commitment to get it back this month, and I think it's important that we keep our commitments. Obviously we didn't expect so much interest but what that's really told me is that people genuinely are interested in this topic," he said. Seymour did not respond to questions about where this commitment was set down. However, it is not a requirement in the coalition agreement - which only demands that the government progress the bill to a select committee as soon as practicable. Another clause in the agreement requires the coalition's decisions to uphold "the principles of liberal democracy, including equal citizenship, Parliamentary sovereignty, the rule of law and property rights, especially with respect to interpreting the Treaty of Waitangi". "The real way to give people their say is to have a referendum," Seymour said. "The point of a select committee is actually to ensure that we get new ideas and ultimately if you have a thousand people submit, usually you don't get too many new ideas in the second thousand - and by the time you get to the third thousand a lot of it tends to be reinforcing points people have already made." He said it was not "ideal" for some of the legitimate submissions to be excluded from the public record, "but let's be honest, you've had over 300,000 submissions is my understanding ... what's important is that the ideas come out. It's not a referendum, if you want to have a straight referendum then the bill actually provides for having a referendum". Govt should 'eat what they ordered' - Labour Labour's Chris Hipkins said he had not been aware of the matter, but if the government wanted a national conversation on the Treaty Principles it should live up to that commitment to the public. Labour leader Chris Hipkins said the select committee should be able to table the submissions, even if they could not be collated and analysed. Photo / RNZ, Samuel Rillstone "I haven't spoken to our members on this, so this is the first that I've heard of it, but I would certainly be encouraging them to support there being more time to ensure that those views were reflected in the official record of the select committee's procedings," he said. "If the committee clerks are telling the committee that they just need more time to compile the submissions, I think that is quite a compelling argument. "Clearly on a committee process like this where there is just such a lot of submissions, you want to make sure that those are properly resourced - there's probably questions about why this wasn't flagged up earlier ... those are the sorts of things you would want to get good answers for. "The select committee should be able to at least table them even if they can't be collated and analysed. There's nothing to stop the committee doing that now - they can simply receive the submissions, they get tabled, and therefore they become part of the committee's official record." One of those Labour MPs on the committee - Tracey McLellan - said ensuring submissions were part of the official record was "the normal way of doing things and that is the expectation that New Zealanders should have". She did not think much of Luxon's stance. "We were never keen for this bill to come to the House in the first place - and when we said there should be a shortened period, that was to spare people from having to go through the process. The government didn't agree to that. "Given they've already had to go through that process, the least the government can do is eat what they ordered." Labour's Maori Development spokesperson Willie Jackson said he was saddened many of the submissions would not be included. "I think it's important you go through this process ... I would have thought good democracy meant everyone should be given a view. "Seymour waffles on and on, he should be on to this - but I think he knows 90 percent of those submissions are against his terrible bill and so he doesn't much care about it now." He said Luxon should intervene and allow an extension. "The reality is this bill has been probably the most offensive bill in many, many years and New Zealanders have been wanting to take an opportunity to have their protests vented and to have their protests heard, and I think this demands a prime minister intervention. "He should talk to his chair and say 'let those views be heard'." - RNZ A new TV series, described as a love letter to Tauranga, is set to bring comedy, drama and music to screens around the country. Happiness is the newest comedy drama series coming to Three on April 3, and stars renowned Kiwi actress Rebecca Gibney - known for her roles in The Flying Doctors, Halifax f.p, and Packed to the Rafters. It just felt like an amateur theatre production - and thats how we felt when we were filming it, it really felt like we became this little family, Gibney told Newstalk ZB. In Happiness, Charlie Summers, an ex-Kiwi Broadway director played by Harry McNaughton, is forced to return to his home town Tauranga, where his mum, played by Gibney, makes him join her amateur theatre society. He meets the eclectic cast and crew who, for the first time, are putting on a brand new musical for the good people of Tauranga - The Trojan Horse. Charlie cant help but try to make the show better and finds himself challenging the leadership, upsetting almost everyone on the cast and crew, and has to find a way to make the best show possible. Harriet Crampton, executive producer, said the show was multi-generational and acted as a love letter to the city of Tauranga. She said there had never been a musical theatre show in New Zealand, and Happiness was the first of its kind. Harriet Crampton (right) was the executive producer of Happiness and said the show was the first of its kind. Photo / Warner Bros. Discovery I consider it to be a bit of a love letter to Tauranga, because the shows called Happiness and the people in it are doing what makes them happy. We chose Tauranga because we wanted it to be in a place where people have as much fun as they do outside of work. She said Tauranga was chosen as the setting because its such a wonderful relaxation town as well as being a great town in its own right. Tauranga is one of the homes of theatre in New Zealand, theres so much of it there. There seems to be a very fine tradition of musical theatre in that city [Tauranga] and it seemed like the ideal setting, Crampton said. The majority of Happiness was filmed on an interior set in Auckland with exterior outdoor shots filmed in Tauranga to capture the essence of the city. Harry McNaughton and Jessie Lawrence were two of the lead actors in Happiness. McNaughton played Charlie and told the Bay of Plenty Times that Happiness was a true ensemble show and the show was such a joy. Harry McNaughton plays Charlie and said he hadn't been a leading man before but the show was such a joy. Photo / Warner Bros. Discovery Its a surprisingly premium show, theres heaps of heart underneath it, and I think the characters are broad and very funny. I havent been a leading man before, so being front and centre was confronting and it kind of changes your performance a little bit. He said there was a huge amount of truth underneath all the character portrayals. You cant just go for the gags, youve got to craft an emotional throughline that is heightened enough that its in the world of comedy but grounded enough so the audience can look through your eyes. Youre kind of the lens into the world. It was interesting to me, and I hadnt done that before. Jessie Lawrence played Jacqui and said she was one of the crazier characters. Ive played characters in theatre that were in a similar vein to Jacqui, but she was kind of unique in and of herself, and she was an absolute joy to play. There are a lot of different layers to her, but she has a big presentational mask that I had a lot of fun with putting on and playing with everyone elses amazing characters. Lawrence said those who love musical theatre will enjoy the show, and even those who have never seen musical theatre in their life will also enjoy it, as it isnt the main focus of the whole show. Jessie Lawrence, who played Jacqui, said Happiness felt like a breath of fresh air for New Zealand television. Photo / Warner Bros. Discovery The show feels like a breath of fresh air for New Zealand television, and theres so much uniqueness to it. It all just feels so homegrown, delicious and fresh, she said. Both McNaughton and Lawrence hope their portrayals of hometown Tauranga characters do the Bay of Plenty proud and show what happiness truly means. Were excited to be repping the Bay of Plenty, and I hope we do them proud, McNaughton said. I feel like the world needs a bit of happiness right now, Lawrence said. Happiness starts Thursday, April 3, 8.30pm, and is available to watch on Three and ThreeNow. The industrial hemp sector is feeling unified and buoyant by a long-awaited regulatory review that it hopes will see more farmers adopt the crop and unlock its economic, social and environmental potential. The government announced in late February it would review what Minister for Regulation David Seymour described as "outdated" and "burdensome" regulations around industrial hemp production. That sparked the NZ Hemp Industries Association, the Aotearoa Hemp Alliance and the NZ Medicinal Cannabis Council to come together and develop strategies and objectives they jointly put to government officials and ministers during a recent field and factory visit in Canterbury. The Hemp Industry Strategic Proposal for Regulatory Change report said it wanted to ease the regulatory burden for industrial hemp growers and processors, open up its use in animal nutrition, integrate it for carbon sequestration on farms and utilise all parts of the plant. Industrial hemp was classified as a Class C controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act, and while food legislation changed in 2017 opening up its use, it was limited to only seeds. Hemp Industries Association chairman Richard Barge said the site visit with officials was a chance to showcase the versatility of industrial hemp, on goals that aligned with government priorities for climate resilience, economic diversification and regional development. "With industrial hemp offering solutions across food, fibre, health, and farming or environmental sectors, it's time for a new approach to unlock its full potential." Seed company Midlands supplied hemp seeds for sowing and also produced food products from the seeds it received from up to 100 grower-suppliers. Company director and Aotearoa Hemp Alliance board chairman Andrew Davidson said there was huge potential in allowing the production and processing of hemp biomass from leaves and flowers, which was only enabled for medicinal cannabis at present. "There are various food processors handling seed and grain and making products like whole hemp seed, hemp flour, hemp oil, etc and there are now also businesses that are able to harvest fibre for the construction industries," Davidson said. "But there's not a well developed pathway for products from the leaves and flowers within hemp, because we're not permitted to process those products today. "That capability does exist within the medicinal cannabis industry, and we would like to see regulations that clarify that interface between hemp and medicinal cannabis so that we can develop that processing capability for those products from leaves and flowers locally." Photo: RNZ/Cosmo Kentish-Barnes Mack McIntosh of Hempseed Holdings helped form the Hemp Industries Association, and was its chair up until 2020. McIntosh said the government should urgently remove industrial hemp from the Misuse of Drugs Act to let the sector thrive, as industrial hemp was not a drug. He said it was a "tragedy" low-tetrahydrocannibol (THC) industrial hemp had been stifled by what he called "unworkable", "prohibitive" and "costly" legislation for decades. "At the moment, there are adventurous farmers that grow it," McIntosh said. "But your average farmer is not the slightest bit interested in doing a police check to grow an agricultural crop." He said iwi and hapu should also be encouraged to adopt the crop on Maori-owned land. He said greater definition around industrial hemp was needed, as stems and leaves were going to wasted as processing was not allowed. "You have to have a license to be in possession of hemp roots. That's the sort of idiocy that the Ministry of Health has brought to this. "There are some good people in the Ministry of Health, don't get me wrong, but they have no business being involved with an agricultural crop. It's just ridiculous." With long daylight hours in summer and usually a reliable rainfall, Southland has a good climate for growing hemp. Photo: Supplied Minister for Regulation David Seymour said it was working with MedSafe and the Ministry of Health to progress reform of the regulations around industrial hemp. "Reform of the industrial hemp sector has huge potential for economic growth," Seymour said. "A renewed regulatory regime will balance any risks of misuse with realising the potential of this industry to innovate and grow, and to be a significant contributor to our rural economy." Options for consideration were expected later this year. -RNZ Fifty teams of Mini lovers are preparing for an epic 2400km adventure across New Zealand, aiming to raise $500,000 to help children living in hardship. The Pork Pie Charity Run is inspired by the 1981 Kiwi film Goodbye Pork Pie, a chaotic cross-country escapade following two men in a stolen Mini as they try to evade police. The run, which will be the ninth, sets off from Paihia on April 4 and travels through Auckland, National Park, Wellington, Kaikoura, Hokitika, Cromwell and Dunedin to the finish line at Invercargill on April 9. Along the way the Minis will spin some laps around Hampton Downs, visit locations from the movie, and stop at KidsCans partner schools, where the money they raise helps students with food and clothing. This years event sold out in under three minutes, with precious spots snapped up by intrepid teams from around New Zealand. They include a couple on their honeymoon, fathers and daughters, and old schoolmates reconnecting after many years. The event is a celebration of the pint-sized Mini, a car many participants learnt to drive in. All manner of Minis take part, including a Mini Mack truck and a Mini stretch limo. Some date back to the 1960s, with steering columns, clutches and gaskets all at risk of giving out as they putter up steep mountain passes. Most people when they see a Mini will slow down and drive alongside you and wave and smile theyve just become a cult classic, organiser Kevin Hollamby said in a statement. And on the motorway, everyone will get out of your way because theyre scared theyre going to hurt you! Last years run raised a record $417,129 for KidsCan. Photo / Supplied Hollamby and his co-driver Peter Bjarnesen are driving a modified 1983 Mini City missing its bonnet, boot and lights a homage to the movies final scenes as the car limped into Invercargill. Their creation even needed NZ Transport Authority certification that it was still roadworthy. Being exposed to the elements is fantastic, said Hollamby. We went totally left-field, and the car is something to laugh and point at. Its even got a coffee machine between the seats. Last years run raised a record $417,129 for KidsCan and this year some teams have raised more than $30,000 alone. Hollamby said its vital to him that the event makes a difference, and fundraising for KidsCan has opened his eyes to the depth of child poverty in New Zealand. Weve tried to build the ethos of, We are a family. Were out there to help the community. Before we started fundraising for KidsCan we were among those who think theres no such thing as poverty in this country. We learned in a hurry about the reality. Weve learnt to look beyond what we believed. KidsCans chief executive Julie Chapman said thousands of children are on their waiting list, and with child poverty rates increasing the funds raised are vital. This is an incredible event which is a real celebration of the Kiwi spirit. Its so much fun - and it makes such a difference to children in poverty, she said. For an increasing number of families, there is nothing left at the end of the week. The money raised will support children with breakfast, snacks, lunches, warm jackets, good shoes and health products. With the essentials covered, kids can focus on learning, which gives them a pathway out of poverty. Were so grateful to the Pork Pie teams for the huge impact they have. Some people are repelled by Jimmys dark brand of comedy. This show is not for them. But if its the kind of thing you like, then this is the kind of thing youll like, an official press release for the tour said. Touting fast-paced, edgy one-liners with his trademark brand of in-your-face humour, Carrs new Laughs Funny tour (likely named after his distinguishable donkey-like laugh) aims to expand on the success of his previous outing, Terribly Funny, which was seen by more than 1.2 million people in 45 countries, including New Zealand. The 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown host, who has made headlines in the past for his boundary-pushing dark comedy , will perform 13 dates in regional and metropolitan centres across the country in January. His 2023 New Zealand tour brought widespread success, with additional shows added and many dates selling out. In New Plymouth the last time he was here, Carr took to Twitter/X with a picture of a knitted doll of himself and the caption: Im in New Zealand. First gig of the tour is in New Plymouth, which is frankly no improvement on the original. The gag simultaneously took aim at New Plymouth and the British city of Plymouth, with some taking offence to the tweet and biting back. Woah woah woah Jimmy Im a big fan of you but dont go dissing my city, one said. Hawkes Bay Today editor Chris Hyde, in reviewing Carrs Hastings show in 2023, noted how a number of the jokes were centred around vulnerable people and local community members. Theyre just jokes, [Carr] implores as he mocks transgender issues and domestic violence victims, describes Central Hawkes Bay residents as products of incest, and even laughs at gypsies, again, Hyde said. Carr would argue that his constant jabs are designed to slowly bring down any of the politically correct walls his crowds bring into the theatre with them. But it just doesnt feel necessary. Im going down swinging, he proclaims, as he hits his already weak opponents below the belt. Carr told podcaster Joe Rogan in 2023 about his experience involving a patched Hells Angels gang member while he was in NZ. I met a guy in Hamilton in New Zealand where they have biker gangs... I met him on stage. Im chatting to a guy in the front row. What do you do? the comedian recalled asking the man. The 2026 Laughs Funny tour will kick off in Invercargill on Wednesday, January 7, before finishing in Auckland on Wednesday, January 28. Tickets go on sale on Monday, April 7, at 2pm from bohmpresents.com . Jimmy Carr: Laughs Funny 2026 NZ Tour dates Invercargill Civic Theatre Wednesday, January 7 Dunedin Town Hall Thursday, January 8 Queenstown Events Centre Friday, January 9 Christchurch Wolfbrook Arena Saturday, January 10 Nelson Trafalgar Centre Tuesday, January 13 Wellington TSB Arena Wednesday, January 14 Palmerston North Regent on Broadway Saturday, January 17 New Plymouth TSB Stadium Tuesday, January 20 Hawkes Bay Toitoi Events Centre Wednesday, January 21 Rotorua Sir Howard Morrison Centre Saturday, January 24 Tauranga Mercury Baypark Sunday, January 25 Hamilton Globox Arena Tuesday, January 27 Auckland Spark Arena Wednesday, January 28 Pilar Martinez Malaga Wednesday, 2 April 2025, 13:09 Compartir The airline that supplies Malaga Airport with the highest volume of passengers - Ryanair - is expanding its operations this summer. Yesterday, the announcement came from easyJet, today - from the other low-cost giant. This week, the Irish company launches direct flights to Gothic gem Lubeck (Northern Germany) and to Munster (Western Germany), where tourists can visit the Pablo Picasso lithography museum. Teesside in England and Warsaw in Poland will also have direct connections with Malaga Airport as of this week. Last but not least, Brno in the Czech Republic is also in Ryanair's plans for Malaga. The 2025 programme is bursting with Ryanair flights operating at Malaga Airport. The new connections will have a few flights each week. The total number of destinations that the Costa del Sol will be connected to thanks to the Irish airline is 90. To facilitate the key position of Malaga Airport in Ryanair's operational agenda, the airline will base two more aircraft at the airport, bringing the total to 18. 5.3 million seats are offered by Ryanair at Malaga Airport this summer Jade Kirwan, Ryanair's director of communications, highlighted the company's role in offering Spanish passengers affordable connections for their summer getaways, with 5.3 million seats available from Malaga Airport. Elena Cabrera, Ryanair's country manager in Spain, said that the company is constantly expanding its operations in the Costa del Sol, making history year after year. However, all of these numbers cannot hide Ryanair's bitter negotiations with Spain. The company is facing fines charged by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs for charging extra fees for hand luggage or reserving adjacent seats to accompany dependent persons. Some other low-cost airlines are also subjected to these possible fines, which Ryanair has described as "illegal". The Irish company has denounced the charges, stating that the EU allows airlines to set prices without governmental interference. Ryanair hopes that the European Commission will overturn these fines, warning that their imposition will force companies to increase their ticket prices. Juan Cano Malaga Wednesday, 2 April 2025, 22:21 Compartir A magistrates court in the city has decided to take away the driving licence of the 18-year-old newly qualified driver who was clocked doing almost three times the speed limit in Malaga on 24 March. The youth will not be allowed to drive for eight months. In addition, the court ordered him to pay a 1,200-euro fine for an offence against road safety. Only a week after obtaining his licence, the individual was snapped by a speed camera while driving a Seat Leon on Avenida de Valle-Inclan. Despite the 50km/h limit, the car was going at 140km/h. The driver willingly testified during the trial and admitted to the charges, which led to a speedy resolution and handing down of a lower sentence. Photo: Administration of the President of Kyrgyzstan BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, April 2. President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Zhaparov and Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Alexey Overchuk discussed cooperation between the countries, Trend reports via the Kyrgyz presidential administration. Zhaparov received Overchuk as part of his visit to Kyrgyzstan. The head of state expressed confidence that the visit would be successful and would help strengthen the strategic partnership based on mutual trust. He noted the successful work of the Kyrgyz-Russian intergovernmental commission on trade, economic, scientific, technical, and humanitarian cooperation. Zhaparov emphasized the readiness of both countries to continue close cooperation and develop interaction in all areas. Meanwhile, Overchuk noted that cooperation between the countries is based on the principles of equality and mutual respect. He also congratulated the president on the successful resolution of the border issue with Tajikistan, noting the importance of this for the stability of Central Asia. The deputy prime minister expressed satisfaction with the level of interaction within such integration associations as the EAEU, CIS, SCO, and CSTO and pointed out that participation in these processes contributes to the development of the economy of Kyrgyzstan and strengthens the potential of the entire union. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Andrea Ippolito, a biomedical engineer and founder and CEO of the health technology platform SimpliFed, photographed March 24, 2025, on the campus of Cornell University. SimpliFed provides one-on-one support for breastfeeding moms. (Marie Morelli | mmorelli@syracuse.com) Marie Morelli | mmorelli@syracus Biomedical engineer Andrea Ippolitos career has wound through private industry, government, academia and entrepreneurship. The through line has been her drive to solve difficult problems, at scale. Ippolito, 40, is founder and CEO of SimpliFed, a maternal health platform providing breastfeeding counseling and support via telemedicine. It costs patients nothing, thanks to a provision in the Affordable Care Act that requires insurers to cover it. Roughly 16,000 patients were referred to SimpliFed last year, she says. The company has a staff of 13 and a nationwide network of providers. Utica police released officer body cam footage they say shows a 13-year-old boy pointing a weapon at officers on Friday, June 28, 2024 during a foot chase. The item pointed at officers turned out to be a replica Glock handgun pellet gun, police said. An officer fatally shot the boy. Utica police Utica, N.Y. A Utica police officer who shot and killed a 13-year-old boy will not face criminal charges, the state Attorney Generals Office announced Wednesday. The boy, Nyah Mway, pointed what appeared to be a handgun at an officer while running from police on June 28, 2024, the AGs office report states, pointing to police-worn body camera footage. In honor of its 30th anniversary season, the Friends of the Central Library held an essay contest for students in grades 9-12. Based on the novel The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas, Syracuse area students were invited to share how a second chance impacted them or someone they know. Jaylan Hill, an 8th grader at Onondaga Hill Middle School in the Westhill Central School District, won the essay contest. Jaylans favorite subject is social studies. When shes not in class, you can find her reading or expressing herself through creative writing. Shes also a big fan of R&B soul and musicians like Frank Ocean. Jaylan aspires to be a pediatrician because working with children touches her heart. Jaylan believes it is never too late in life to change, or turn your life around. Jaylan Hills winning essay Have you ever been given a second chance? I have, and it impacted my life changing me into a better person. Back in the sixth grade, my first official year of middle school, I transferred to a charter school. At the school I attended previously, I had altercations with students every single week. During my sixth grade year at the charter school, I struggled with serious behavior problems. I was often disruptive in class arguing with teachers, telling jokes out loud, talking when the teacher was talking. I was always getting into fights. I had a hard time following the rules like having my phone out during classes, wandering the halls, and not wearing the uniform some days. My actions shortly led to referrals and detentions and the referrals and detentions eventually led to being expelled from school. I sat in front of the leaders of the education system in early June. They looked through all my paperwork and charges, after some discussion they deemed me guilty and expelled me. My heart dropped, it felt like the end of the world and I thought I would never see my friends again. You might wonder how I was given a second chance? Well, I moved to a new school district and thats where my journey began. As I reflected on my past experiences, I knew I wanted people to see the best version of me. I learned that its okay to not say anything and to let things go when I get frustrated. I worked harder to focus on my grades and to never get anything lower than a 75. I was driven to be more kind and understanding because I never know the battles that other people are fighting inside and outside of school. These actions have paved the way for a more successful academic experience the second time around. This novel helped me understand why second chances arent just second chances, its actually the opportunity to change someones life. In The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas (who will speak in Syracuse on April 8), Mavericks story made me realize the real importance of second chances. Maverick was sentenced to three years in prison for King, another character in the book, in exchange to get out of the gang called King Lords. After serving his prison sentence, Maverick got out and he created a name for himself. He became a businessman, a devoted father and a role model in his community. In turn he helped the character Devante get out of the gang and even gave him a job. I believe that Starr was also given a second chance to finally speak her truth. Once she chose to speak her truth, her whole life changed and she became a stronger version of herself. Starr finding her voice and Mavericks transformation from a gang member to a businessman, a devoted father, and a role model in his community are powerful examples of how second chances can lead to redemption and a positive change. My own journey from being expelled to becoming an honor roll student demonstrates that with determination and support, it is possible to overcome obstacles and achieve success. I hope young girls will read my essay and get inspired to turn their life around and prove everybody wrong. It is never too late in life to change, dont let others tell you what you are capable of accomplishing. Jesse Leach of Killswitch Engage performs on board the Carnival Magic during day one of the ShipRocked cruise on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024. Amy Harris/Invision/AP Killswitch Engage is coming to Western New York for a concert at Buffalo RiverWorks on Wednesday, April 9. The show starts at 5:30 p.m., with support from Kublai Khan TX, Fit For A King, and Frozen Soul. Itll be the bands sole concert in New York State and third-to-final tour stop before wrapping up on April 12 in Portland, ME. Although the concert is completely sold out, fans of the metalcore band can still find tickets through reputable secondary platforms like Vivid Seats, SeatGeek, and StubHub. Heres a look at the best prices available (including fees): Prices and availability are noted at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Discount: First-time Vivid Seats customers can use code SYRACUSE20 for $20 off a $200+ ticket order. Killswitch Engage is a three-time Grammy Award-nominated New England hard rock, metalcore band consisting of vocalist Jesse Leach, guitarists Joel Stroetzel and Adam Dutkiewicz, bassist Mike DAntonio, and drummer Justin Foley. Theyre best known for hits like The End of Heartache, Hate By Design, and I Cant Be the Only One. I feel like the band is firing on all cylinders and the timing for this tour couldnt be more perfect. This will be a tour to be remembered...mark my words, Leach said in a statement. Dr. Nak K. Shim and his wife, Sue, pose at their Skaneateles home in January 2003. They were both born in North Korea and described their escape from the communist nation after the Korean War. "Now we are American," he added. Caroline Chen With hearts full of sorrow and gratitude, the family of Dr. Nak Kwang Shim announce his passing on Saturday, March 29. His obituary said he left this world peacefully, surrounded by his loving family. Border Patrol agents detained a mother and three children during an investigation in Northern New York in March. A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer listens during a briefing, Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, in Silver Spring, Maryland. (Alex Brandon | AP Photo) Alex Brandon | AP Photo A mother and three children enrolled at Sackets Harbor Central School were among seven people detained by federal immigration authorities at a dairy farm in Jefferson County in late March. U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement began enhanced targeted operations in New York in March, the agency said. The operations included a visit to North Harbor Dairy in the Jefferson County town of Hounsfield, according to North Country Public Radio. During the investigation at the farm, agents found seven people who were in the U.S. illegally. Agents took the individuals into custody and processed them. They have since been transferred out of New York state and are awaiting removal proceedings, NCPR said. The Sackets Harbor Central School District confirmed that the individuals included three children enrolled there: one child in the elementary school and two in the high school, one of whom was processed as an adult. The mother of the children was also detained. Basically, law enforcement was executing a warrant for a person who was allegedly involved in a crime. This happened at a local farm within my school district boundaries, Sackets Harbor Superintendent Jennifer Gaffney said, according to NCPR. My students were caught in the middle of that raid, and they were taken and detained. These kids are classmates, they are good friends, they are wonderful students, and they are part of the fabric of our school community, and they just need to be returned to their classrooms. Gaffney said the kids friends are wondering where they are. Their teachers are distraught, according to Spectrum News. Gaffney also released a statement saying the district wants the kids back in its classrooms as soon as possible, according to Spectrum. It is horrifying that these children and their mother were snatched from their home and disappeared, Murad Awawdeh, president and CEO of the The New York Immigration Coalition, said in a statement, according to NBC News. Gov. Kathy Hochul also weighed in. She said in a statement she has worked with multiple administrations on immigration, but could not think of any public safety justification for agents to take a family, including kids, from their home. That is not the immigration enforcement promised to the American people. Its just plain cruel, Hochul said, according to NBC. I want this family returned to New York state and believe ICE needs to immediately answer for these actions. Members of the Jefferson County Democratic Committee are planning a rally to support the students. It is set for Saturday at 2 p.m. in Sackets Harbor. The rally will end in front of the home of Tom Homan, President Donald Trumps border czar, which is in Sackets Harbor. He lives in that community and he is a North Country native, so this is right in his backyard. And its shameful, Corey DeCillis, chairman of the Jefferson County Democratic Committee, said, according to NCPR. Obviously this is the administrations policy, but I really think theyre going about it the total wrong way, and he needs to understand this is his backyard and his community and hes impacting it greatly. Contact Kevin Tampone anytime: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 315-282-8598 President Donald Trump congratulates Robert F. Kennedy Jr., after he was sworn in as Health and Human Services Secretary in the Oval Office at the White House, Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025, in Washington. (Photo/Alex Brandon) AP New York state is once again part of a group of states suing the Trump administration. This time, its over the administrations cuts to health care. The Trump administration recently announced cuts of more $11.4 billion in funds to state and local public health departments and other health organizations. The funds had been allocated as part of Covid-19-releated spending. On Tuesday, New York state was part of a group of 23 states that filed suit to stop the Trump administration from making the cuts. The Trump administrations illegal and irresponsible decision to claw back life-saving health funding is an attack on the well-being of millions of Americans, New York State Attorney General Letitia James said. Slashing this funding now will reverse our progress on the opioid crisis, throw our mental health systems into chaos, and leave hospitals struggling to care for patients. A fact sheet put out by Gov. Kathy Hochuls office estimated that New York state would lose more than $360 million in funding more than $300 million for the state Department of Health; $40 million for the Office of Addiction Services and Supports; and $27 million for the Office of Mental Health. Slashing funding for public health, suicide prevention and addiction services is just plain cruel, and its going to hurt everyday New Yorkers most, Hochul said. The lawsuit is just the latest of several that New York and other states have filed against the Trump administration in recent weeks, including lawsuits over DOGE access to government payment systems; the firing of federal workers; and the dismantling of the Department of Education. Meanwhile, about 10,000 Health and Human Services employees were laid off on Tuesday, the Associated Press reported. The layoffs are in addition to about 10,000 employees who took buyouts or early retirement offers. The cuts amount to about a quarter of the HHS staff. This is a difficult moment for all of us at HHS, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. posted on the social media site X on Thursday. Our hearts go out to those who have lost their jobs. But the reality is clear: what weve been doing isnt working. Despite spending $1.9 trillion in annual costs, Americans are getting sicker every year. In the past four years alone, the agencys budget has grown by 38% yet outcomes continue to decline. We must shift course. HHS needs to be recalibrated to emphasize prevention, not just sick care. These changes will not affect Medicare, Medicaid, or other essential health services. FILE - New York City Mayor Eric Adams appears before a House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform hearing with Sanctuary City Mayors on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, March 5, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr., file) AP NEW YORK (AP) A federal judge dismissed New York City Mayor Eric Adams corruption case on Wednesday, acquiescing to the Justice Departments extraordinary request to set aside criminal charges so the Democrat could help with President Donald Trumps immigration crackdown. The judge, though, denied prosecutors the ability to potentially bring the criminal case back after the mayoral election. Judge Dale E. Hos order to dismiss the case with prejudice spares Adams from having to govern in a way that pleases Trump, or potentially risk having the Republicans Justice Department revive the charges. The judge said he wasnt opining on the merits of the case, but that courts cant force prosecutors to move forward. Still, he expressed qualms about the governments move. Everything here smacks of a bargain: dismissal of the indictment in exchange for immigration policy concessions, Ho wrote. He said he found it disturbing that public officials might get special treatment from prosecutors by complying with policy goals. He rejected an alternative the Justice Department had sought dismissing it without prejudice, which would have left room for the charges to be refiled. Dismissing the case without prejudice would create the unavoidable perception that the mayors freedom depends on his ability to carry out the immigration enforcement priorities of the administration, and that he might be more beholden to the demands of the federal government than to the wishes of his own constituents, the judge wrote. Adams declined to address the cases dismissal at an unrelated event Wednesday. Messages seeking comment were sent to prosecutors, Adams lawyer and City Hall. The Justice Department said in a statement that the case had been an example of political weaponization and a waste of resources. Hos decision follows a legal drama that roiled the Justice Department, created turmoil in City Hall and left Adams mayoralty hanging by a thread amid questions about his political independence and ability to govern. Several prosecutors in New York and Washington resigned rather than carry out the Justice Departments directive to drop the case against Adams. Gov. Kathy Hochul, a fellow Democrat, pondered whether to remove Adams from office but decided instead to propose new oversight for city government. At a Feb. 19 hearing, Adams told Ho: I have not committed a crime. Adams pleaded not guilty to bribery and other charges after a 2024 indictment accused him of accepting illegal campaign contributions and travel discounts from a Turkish official and others and returning the favors by, among other things, helping Turkey open a diplomatic building without passing fire inspections. The case, brought during President Joe Bidens administration, was on track for an April trial until Trumps Justice Department moved to drop it. Ho delayed the trial while considering what to do, seeking advice from former U.S. Solicitor General Paul Clement. Hos decision comes about three months before a Democratic primary that will likely choose the New Yorks next mayor. Adams faces a large field of challengers, including former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and several Democrats who say hes now too indebted to Trump for New Yorkers to be sure hell prioritize their interests. Adams has said hes solely beholden to the 8.3 million New Yorkers that I represent, and I will always put this city first. As recently as Jan. 6, the assistant U.S. attorneys in New York who were prosecuting him wrote in court papers that they continued to uncover additional criminal conduct by Adams. But a month later, their new superiors in Washington decided to abandon the case. In court filings and a hearing, then-acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove has said he was particularly concerned about the impact of the prosecution on Mayor Adams ability to support Trumps immigration objectives. Bove also has questioned the prior administrations motives in pursuing Adams, who had criticized Bidens handling of immigration. The Trump administrations acting U.S. attorney in New York, Danielle Sassoon, resisted Boves order, saying she couldnt defend a dismissal linked to political considerations. Sassoon and several other career prosecutors quit rather than follow Boves order. After four of Adams top deputies at City Hall decided to resign, Hochul briefly considered taking the unprecedented step of ousting a New York City mayor. She ultimately concluded it would be undemocratic and disruptive to do so. Adams, a retired police captain and former state lawmaker and Brooklyn official, was elected in 2021 as a centrist Democrat in one of the United States liberal strongholds. Since his indictment, Adams has cultivated a warmer relationship with Trump, telling mayoral staffers not to criticize the president publicly. An Upstate New York man has been caught after cutting off his ankle monitor and disappearing, police say. WROC reports Daniel Sevigny, 43, was found at a home in Canandaigua on Tuesday, more than two weeks after he attempted to flee. The Ontario County Sheriffs Office put out a public plea for help finding him Monday, and credited an anonymous tip with getting him back into custody. Sevigny, also known as Zero, is a registered sex offender that is facing sentencing for predatory sexual assault. Sheriffs deputies said he removed his ankle monitor on March 14. According to WHAM, Sevigny was previously convicted of rape and sodomy involving a 13-year-old girl in 2001. Hes due back in Ontario County Court to answer a bench warrant for predatory sexual assault. The Melting Pot fondue restaurant plans to reopen a location at Syracuse's Destiny USA later this year. (2014 file photo by Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.com) Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse. Syracuse, N.Y. Seven years after it closed its location at Destiny USA, The Melting Pot fondue restaurant chain is planning a comeback. The company expects to reclaim the space it once occupied in the malls Canyon area, said Collin Benyo, Melting Pots franchise growth strategist. He said the plan is to reopen before the holidays. The Melting Pot opened at Destiny in 2012 and closed in 2018 citing declining profits. The 192-seat restaurant had offered a full, four-course fondue meal, including dessert, prepared tableside by servers. Officials from Destinys owner, the Syracuse-based Pyramid Management Group, approached the restaurant company about the return, Benyo said. The Syracuse location will be run by a group of franchisees, including one with a business history in Syracuse, Benyo said. He did not identify that franchisee because some details are still being worked out. The Melting Pot, headquartered in Tampa, Fla., has 91 current locations. That includes three in New York: Buffalo (in Pyramids Walden Galleria), White Plains and Farmingdale (Long Island). The company has nine new locations currently under development, showing that the fondue concept is still strong, Benyo said. The roots of fondue date to the 60 and 70s, he said, but the goal of the brand is not to shy away from that. The Melting Pot chain started in 1976. He said The Melting Pot is still seeking potential franchisees, including for locations in other parts of Upstate New York, like Albany. The Melting Pot plans to reopen at Syracuse's Destiny USA this year. (File photo by Dennis Nett) SYR Don Cazentre writes for NYup.com, syracuse.com and The Post-Standard. Reach him at dcazentre@nyup.com, or follow him at NYup.com, on Twitter or Facebook. Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. What just happened? Google is celebrating Gmail's 21st birthday by introducing new encryption features for enterprise users. The company's latest security system aims to simplify encryption options for businesses of all sizes while providing IT departments with the tools to maintain information integrity. Other updates from this week improved Google Chrome's encryption and allowed Google Fi subscribers to send encrypted RCS messages to iPhones. Starting today, IT departments participating in Google's beta can use Gmail to send end-to-end encrypted emails to recipients within the same organization. The functionality will expand to all Gmail inboxes in the coming weeks and to non-Gmail inboxes by the end of the year. The new functionality, which is activated in just a few clicks, aims to provide small organizations with email security that typically requires dedicated IT departments. It also circumvents the need for proprietary software and exchanging decryption keys. The animation above from Google's Workspace blog demonstrates the process. To send an encrypted email, simply draft a new message, click the lock icon on the right side of the recipient field, and select "Turn on" under "Additional encryption." Emails are encrypted locally on the sender's device and decrypted in the recipient's inbox. The user experience closely resembles using Gmail normally, and Google's servers can't access the encryption keys. Meanwhile, non-Gmail inboxes that receive Gmail-encrypted messages receive an invitation to view a restricted version of Gmail. The new system also supports S/MIME. IT departments can also tighten security by forcing all recipients, even Gmail inboxes outside an organization, to view messages in Gmail's restricted mode, which presents the content like a Google Drive document. Security managers can set messages to encrypt by default and set rules for automating clearance levels to add extra layers of security without significantly inconveniencing users. Google also introduced new encryption rules for Chrome this week, which should close certain HTTPS protocol loopholes. The tightened standards might significantly improve overall internet security, since Chrome is easily the most popular browser engine. In other Google-related encryption news, Apple's recently released iOS 18.4 update allows iPhones to receive RCS text messages from Google Fi subscribers. Before Apple introduced iOS 18 last year, messages sent between iPhones and Android devices lacked end-to-end encryption and other advanced features. The update that introduced cross-platform RCS initially supported only AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon users, but this week's patch extends support to Google Fi. Why it matters: In all the focus on the big processors and the "AI race," we often overlook the far less glamorous business of actually building compute systems. We have explored different parts of that (and here), but there is an underlying assumption built into all these conversations the role of Taiwanese companies upon which the whole ecosystem rests. What will the shift to AI compute mean for the hundreds of companies that make up this critical ecosystem? We were reminded of this during our recent visit to Mobile World Congress when we had the chance to visit the Taiwan ITRI Booth. ITRI is a trade organization representing their electronics companies. The booth had a dozen vendors offering various pieces of computing gear. This includes companies like iBase and Nexcom, which make specialty server gear (security and edge), Asrock, which makes motherboards, and Aerotek, which produces all sorts of radio equipment (Wi-Fi, mmWave, etc). These are small companies without the cachet of TSMC or MediaTek, but collectively they serve an important function in the market. Editor's Note: Guest author Jonathan Goldberg is the founder of D2D Advisory, a multi-functional consulting firm. Jonathan has developed growth strategies and alliances for companies in the mobile, networking, gaming, and software industries. The trouble here is that all of these companies were built on top of Intel. Look through their catalogs all those specialty servers and motherboards are built on Intel CPUs, often three years (or more) old. Prior to TSMC's rise as the flagship of Taiwan's electronics complex, Taiwanese companies formed the bedrock of modern compute, filling every available niche and spot in the supply chain. Over the years, many (but not all) of these companies moved their manufacturing base to the Mainland, but core R&D and headquarters remained in Taiwan. Now all those companies face two major transitions. The first is they must weather Intel's turmoil. No matter what Intel's new CEO does with their fabs, the company is almost certain to face a major headcount reduction and a corresponding narrowing of their scope of business. This will very likely lead to a reduction in support for this ecosystem. Companies that today bridge the gap in providing support to the long tail of enterprise electronics will likely find it much harder to maintain previous levels of support. Their second major transition is, of course, a big part of the cause of Intel's troubles the shift to AI compute and the rise of Nvidia. Nvidia has become the dominant force in data center compute applications, and as AI percolates into the edge, that long tail will need to source specialty compute hardware from someone. But it is not clear the traditional vendors in Taiwan will be able to support that. At MWC, the one refuge from the sea of AI-washing marketing was the ITRI booth, where almost no one talked about AI (at least not in explicit marketing materials). Nvidia is now in the process of building up the electronics ecosystem that provided so much support to Intel. Nvidia's GTC, and the upcoming Computex, are very much about Nvidia's efforts to find, train, and support partners who can fulfill their ever-growing book of business. That being said, it is unlikely that Nvidia will build up its partner network in the same way that Intel did. The world has changed a lot, and companies which today build semi-custom server boxes for traditional compute may not be the ones to build semi-custom, long-tail server boxes for AI. In our tour, we saw almost no support for AMD, let alone Nvidia. This complex is built on x86 and general compute the AI complex is going to look different. Nvidia's GTC, and the upcoming Computex, are very much about Nvidia's efforts to find, train, and support partners who can fulfill their ever-growing book of business. In some senses, we could see some of these companies just altering their designs a motherboard for a CPU is built with largely the same materials as a GPU board. But so much of this business extends beyond the basics of metal bending. Companies which have been building Intel-based servers for decades do not have the in-house experience with Nvidia new firmware, new pin compatibility schemes, new power and cooling requirements, etc. This sort of soft expertise helped these companies differentiate themselves from the pure manufacturing-focused box builders in the Mainland. With much of that expertise now rendered less critical to customers, whatever will replace it is very much green field a jump ball where the traditional vendors have no clear advantage. This does not mean that disaster is imminent, but it seems likely that a big transformation is starting soon. Intel's strength in this corner of the industry, not only with the small specialty makers but their larger peers (and often parent companies), has long served as a major competitive advantage that tripped up other aspiring CPU vendors. Intel's ability to hold on to this complex will play a large role in determining its future. If Intel can remain the preferred silicon partner here, this segment will provide an important source of demand on which Intel can rebuild. But it is not clear how well these companies can navigate the changes coming in the next few years. Something to look forward to: It's been eight years since Nintendo unleashed the Nintendo Switch on the world. While there have been several variants of that model since then, the company is finally unveiling the official successor in a few hours, and you can watch the whole thing live right here at 6am PDT / 9am ET. There have been a slew of leaks and rumors regarding the Switch 2 over the last 12 months or so. Nintendo offered some actual details during the first-look trailer in January, when it showed off the larger screen, top-mounted USB-C port, and an upgraded kickstand. We also saw the snazzy new controllers that appear to have PC-style mouse functionality. Following the first Nintendo Direct last week (below) that focused on new games, remasters, and the Virtual Game Cards feature that allows users to loan digital games to friends, the second Nintendo Direct takes place today. Nintendo is spending an hour on the Switch 2 reveal, which will hopefully mean we'll get an in-depth look at the console, its hardware, and all the features. We'll also find out the pricing details. There will also be several Switch 2 games unveiled. There was a brief glimpse of Mario Kart 9 during January's teaser, so expect to see plenty more details about that one later today. Other games that could be on display include a new 3D Mario, cross-gen titles, and some Microsoft and Xbox games. Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer said in January that he was looking forward to supporting Nintendo with the company's Xbox games. It's rumored that Halo: The Master Chief Collection, Forza Horizon 5, and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 are all heading to Nintendo's new handheld hybrid, and Microsoft signed a ten-year deal to bring Call of Duty to Nintendo's consoles after it acquired Activision Blizzard. Microsoft's Minecraft is already on the Switch, as are Pentiment and Grounded. Join us on April 3rd and April 4th at 7 a.m. PT each day for a Nintendo Treehouse: Live | Nintendo Switch 2 presentation featuring hands-on gameplay of #NintendoSwitch2 games! pic.twitter.com/gsi0MqyZyZ Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) April 1, 2025 There will be plenty of Switch 2 games shown off this week as Nintendo has announced the return of Nintendo Treehouse. These presentations take place at 7am PT / 10am ET today (straight after the Switch 2 livestream) and the same time tomorrow (April 4), when you can watch some hands-on gameplay of Switch 2 titles. Motorola has launched the Edge 60 Fusion, the inaugural smartphone in its new midrange series, featuring a striking faux-canvas design and budget-friendly pricing. Boasting a slender profile, robust construction, and respectable battery life, this phone is designed to provide style and functionality without spending a fortune. But is it powerful enough to make a difference in the jam-packed midrange market? A Stylish Twist: Canvas and Faux Leather Finishes One of the most discussed features of the Motorola Edge 60 Fusion is its special faux-canvas finish, which is only found on the Amazonite (teal) model. The blue and pink versions have a faux leather texture, further enhancing the phone's high-end look. Durability-wise, the IP68 and IP69 ratings provide dust, water immersion, and high-pressure spray protection, making it one of the most resilient devices in its class. Sleek Design With Amazing Battery Life Despite housing a 5,200mAh battery (5,500mAh for certain markets), the Edge 60 Fusion carries a slim frame under 8mm. The 6.67-inch OLED screen provides colorful graphics and blacked-out depths. It's an ideal pick for gamers who have no problem with a midrange handset. Can the Dimensity Chipset Hold Up? The Verge highlights that multitasking won't be an issue with the Motorola Edge 60 Fusion thanks to its 12GB RAM and 512GB of internal storage. That said, its MediaTek Dimensity processor (7300 or 7400, depending on region) is pretty humble, perhaps capping its performance relative to the competition in the same tier. Camera Features: Is It Truly Quad-Lens? On the surface, the phone seems to have a quad-camera setup, but that's deceptive. Two of the rear sensors are a flash and a flicker sensor, so only users are left with a 50MP primary shooter and a 13MP ultrawide camera. Although they should be able to take good pictures, they might not hold a candle to more sophisticated smartphone photography settings. Will It Launch in the US? The Edge 60 Fusion is set to be the first of a new lineup of Edge 60 phones from Motorola, with additional models in the pipeline. Still, US buyers may not see them, as last year's Edge 50 series never made it to American shores. American consumers may instead have to make do with the Moto G Power (2024), which, at $299.99, falls short of the OLED display and premium look of the Edge 60 Fusion. What's Next for Motorola: Razr Flip Phones With Wooden Finish? Motorola is rumored to be prepping new Razr flip phones coming with a wooden finisha retro tribute to the 2014 Moto X. If it happens, it would be an unexpected comeback for the brand. DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, April 2. Russia welcomes the signing of agreements between Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan on the junction point of the state borders of the three countries and the Khujand Declaration on Eternal Friendship, Trend reports via the Russian Embassy in Tajikistan. These documents were signed on March 31 in Khujand during a meeting of the Presidents of Kyrgyzstan, Sadyr Zhaparov, Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon, and Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev. "Russia supports these decisions aimed at strengthening friendly relations and expanding mutually beneficial cooperation between our closest allies," the embassy said. The embassy also emphasized that the agreements will give a new impetus to the development of good-neighborly relations and partnership between the three states, helping to ensure stability and security in Central Asia as a whole. The agreement between Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan on the junction point of state borders enshrines the legal aspects of interaction and regulation of issues related to the border zone. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel China urges firms to follow laws after Bangkok building collapse Bangkok, April 2 (AFP) Apr 02, 2025 China's embassy in Bangkok called on Chinese companies operating abroad to comply with local laws after a Chinese construction firm came under scrutiny for a deadly building collapse in last week's earthquake. The 30-storey skyscraper, set to house government offices, was the only major building to collapse in Bangkok when a 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck neighbouring Myanmar Friday, with tremors felt as far as the Thai capital. Thai authorities say they are launching a probe into the construction firms responsible amid suspicions they used substandard steel rebar in the structure. The development near Bangkok's popular Chatuchak market was a joint project involving China Railway No. 10 Engineering Group (Thailand) -- an offshoot of China Railway Group (CREC), one of the world's largest construction and engineering contractors. AFP was unable to reach the Chinese company involved in the project for comment. The Chinese embassy in Bangkok late Tuesday expressed "deepest condolences" for the collapse and urged firms to "strictly" comply with Thai laws. "The Chinese government has consistently urged Chinese companies overseas to abide by local laws and contribute positively to the society," the embassy said in a Facebook post only in Thai. Beijing has dispatched a team of rescue experts and disaster relief personnel to assist in Bangkok and vowed to "continue supporting Thailand as needed", it added. It has also urged Chinese firms to cooperate "strictly" with Thai authorities as they investigate the collapse. The local partner in the project, Italian-Thai Development (ITD), offered condolences on Monday to quake victims but said it was "confident" the incident would not impact its other projects. The collapse was the deadliest single incident in Thailand from the earthquake, with the majority of the kingdom's 22 fatalities thought to be workers on the building site. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, April 2. Uzbekistan and Turkiye discussed the FAST instant payment system, Trend reports. The matter was reviewed at a meeting between representatives of the Central Bank of Turkiye and the Central Bank of Uzbekistan in Ankara. Officials from the Central Bank of Turkiye provided insights into the measures implemented to prevent fraud in payment systems, mitigate cybersecurity incidents, and manage risks. They also explained the architecture of the payment systems operating in the country. Furthermore, representatives of the Central Bank of Uzbekistan shared the procedures introduced to ensure cybersecurity in banking and payment systems, as well as efforts to prevent fraudulent transactions and the results achieved. Following the event, the parties expressed their readiness to cooperate in developing instant payment systems and combating cyber threats that pose risks to the stability of the banking system. FAST instant payment system is Turkiye's real-time payment system, enabling instant money transfers between banks 24/7. Myanmar quake victim rescued after 5 days as aid calls grow Mandalay, Myanmar, April 2 (AFP) Apr 02, 2025 Rescuers on Wednesday pulled a man alive from the rubble five days after Myanmar's devastating earthquake, as calls grew for the junta to allow more aid in and halt attacks on rebels. The shallow 7.7-magnitude earthquake on Friday flattened buildings across Myanmar, killing more than 2,700 people and making thousands more homeless. Several leading armed groups fighting the government have suspended hostilities during the quake recovery, but junta chief Min Aung Hlaing said military operations would continue -- despite international criticism of multiple reported air strikes. UN agencies, rights groups and foreign governments have urged all sides in Myanmar's civil war to stop fighting and focus on helping those affected by the quake, the biggest to hit the country in decades. Hopes of finding more survivors are fading, but there was a moment of joy on Wednesday as a man was pulled alive from the ruins of a hotel in the capital Naypyidaw. The 26-year-old hotel worker was extracted by a joint Myanmar-Turkish team shortly after midnight, the fire service and junta said. Dazed and dusty but conscious, the man was pulled through a hole in the rubble and put on a stretcher, video posted on Facebook by the Myanmar Fire Services Department showed. - Call for peace - Min Aung Hlaing said Tuesday that the death toll had risen to 2,719, with more than 4,500 injured and 441 still missing. But with patchy communication and infrastructure delaying efforts to gather information and deliver aid, the full scale of the disaster has yet to become clear, and the toll is likely to rise. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported severe damage in the city of Sagaing, citing local rescuers saying one in three houses there have collapsed. Healthcare facilities, damaged by the quake and with limited capacity, are "overwhelmed by a large number of patients", while supplies of food, water and medicine are running low, WHO said in an update. Sagaing has seen some of the heaviest fighting in Myanmar's civil war, and AFP journalists have not been able to reach the area. Relief groups say the overall quake response has been hindered by continued fighting between the junta and the complex patchwork of armed groups opposed to its rule, which began in a 2021 coup. Julie Bishop, the UN special envoy on Myanmar, called on all sides to "focus their efforts on the protection of civilians, including aid workers, and the delivery of life-saving assistance". Even before Friday's earthquake, 3.5 million people were displaced by the fighting, many of them at risk of hunger, according to the United Nations. Late Tuesday, an alliance of three of Myanmar's most powerful ethnic minority armed groups announced a one-month pause in hostilities to support humanitarian efforts in response to the quake. The announcement by the Three Brotherhood Alliance followed a separate partial ceasefire called by the People's Defence Force -- civilian groups that took up arms after the coup to fight junta rule. But there have been multiple reports of junta air strikes against rebel groups since the quake. "We are aware that some ethnic armed groups are currently not engaged in combat, but are organising and training to carry out attacks," said Min Aung Hlaing, mentioning sabotage against the electricity supply. "Since such activities constitute attacks, the Tatmadaw (armed forces) will continue to carry out necessary defensive activities," he said in a statement late Tuesday. But the UN special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar, Tom Andrews, rejected the junta's characterisation of its operations. "Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has described ongoing junta attacks in the midst of Myanmar's suffering as 'necessary protective measures'," he wrote on X. "They are neither necessary nor protective. They are outrageous and should be condemned in the strongest possible terms by world leaders." - Thailand toll rises - Australia's government decried the reported air strikes saying they "exacerbated the suffering of the people". "We condemn these acts and call on the military regime to immediately cease military operations and allow full humanitarian access to affected areas," Foreign Minister Penny Wong said. Amnesty International said "inhumane" military attacks were significantly complicating earthquake relief efforts in Myanmar. "You cannot ask for aid with one hand and bomb with the other," said the group's Myanmar researcher Joe Freeman. Hundreds of kilometres away, in the Thai capital Bangkok, workers continued to scour through the rubble of a collapsed 30-storey skyscraper. The structure had been under construction when the earthquake hit and its crash buried dozens of builders -- few of whom have come out alive. The death toll at the site has risen to 22, with more than 70 still believed trapped in the rubble. burs-pdw/dhw German asset manager DWS fined 25 mn euros for 'greenwashing' Frankfurt, Germany, April 2 (AFP) Apr 02, 2025 German prosecutors on Wednesday hit asset management giant DWS with a 25-million-euro ($27-million) fine for "greenwashing" over misleading advertising for what the Deutsche Bank subsidiary claimed were sustainable financial products. Frankfurt prosecutors said that DWS' "statements in external communications, such as claiming to be a 'leader' in the ESG (environmental, social and governance) area or stating 'ESG is an integral part of our DNA' did not correspond to reality". The asset manager said it accepted the fine and admitted that "in the past our marketing was sometimes exuberant". DWS has been dogged by the case ever since a top executive came forward several years ago with "greenwashing" allegations, and the controversy has seen the asset manager's offices raided and prompted its CEO to step down in 2022. It had already been fined $19 million by the Securities and Exchange Commission in the United States for misleading green statements in 2023. In the German case, prosecutors said that DWS had given the impression of holding a "leading market position" in climate-friendly products, but this was not the case. Rather, a "transformation process" was still underway which had not yet been completed, they said in a statement. "Statements in external relations must not go beyond what can actually be implemented," it added. ESG products have become a major asset class as financial institutions seek to bring their portfolios in line with global climate targets. sr/fz/lth DWS Kazakhstan discovers its 'largest' rare earths deposit Almaty, Kazakhstan, April 2 (AFP) Apr 02, 2025 Kazakhstan discovered its largest deposit of rare earth metals, containing around one million tonnes of the elements that are seen as vital for the future economy, the Central Asian country said Wednesday. Rare earths comprise 17 raw materials that are essential for the green energy transition and highly sought by the likes of China, Russia, the United States and Europe. "As of today, this is the largest rare earths deposit" in Kazakhstan, a spokesperson for the industry ministry told AFP. The deposit -- in central Kazakhstan's Karaganda region -- contains cerium, lanthanum, neodymium, and yttrium, they said. The announcement of the find comes on the eve of the first EU-Central Asia summit, kicking off in Uzbekistan. The EU, Russia, China and Turkey are among those vying for influence in the resource-rich region. The summit will bring together the leaders of the five Central Asian countries -- Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan -- with the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, and the President of the European Council Antonio Costa. The prospective amount of resources at the new site -- dubbed "New Kazakhstan" -- could rise to more than 20 million tonnes, Kazakhstan's industry ministry forecast, subject to verification and additional research. "This could put Kazakhstan among the world's top countries with rare earth deposits in the future," the ministry added. The EU, which aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, is interested in rare metals and natural resources in the region. Kazakhstan, a former Soviet republic, does not have the technology required to exploit its rare earth deposits and is also courting foreign investment. Indonesia volcano spews ash as locals warned about air quality Jakarta, April 2 (AFP) Apr 02, 2025 A volcano in eastern Indonesia erupted twice on Wednesday, releasing a column of smoke nearly one mile into the air, the country's volcanology agency said. Mount Dukono on the Halmahera island in North Maluku province erupted at 16:52 local time (0752 GMT), sending an ash tower 1.5 kilometres (0.9 miles) above its peak. "The ash column was observed to be white to grey in colour with thick intensity towards the southwest," the volcanology agency said in a statement Wednesday. It had followed an earlier eruption that occurred around 6:46 am local time, which the agency said spewed an ash column one kilometre into the sky. The volcano is currently on the third-highest alert level of Indonesia's four-tiered alert system. The agency said locals and visitors should not hike, carry out activities or approach the four-kilometre exclusion zone around Dukono's active crater. It also urged people to prepare face masks to protect against ash falls. "It is recommended that people around Mount Dukono always prepare masks/face and mouth covering to be used in times of need to avoid the threat of volcanic ash to the respiratory system," the agency said. Indonesia, a vast archipelago nation, experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity due to its position on the Pacific "Ring of Fire" where tectonic plates collide. Last month, Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki in Flores island shot dark ash eight kilometres into the sky, forcing thousands to evacuate and cancelling at least seven international flights from the resort island of Bali. Myanmar junta chief to attend Bangkok regional summit despite quake Yangon, April 2 (AFP) Apr 02, 2025 Myanmar's junta chief will travel to Bangkok on Thursday for a regional summit, the military government said, despite the country grappling with the aftermath of a devastating earthquake. Min Aung Hlaing will join a gathering of leaders of South Asian countries plus Myanmar and Thailand to discuss the response to the 7.7-magnitude quake which has killed nearly 3,000 people. The trip will be a rare foreign excursion for the head of the isolated nation. Since seizing power in a February 2021 coup, he has mostly only travelled to his main arms supplier Russia, and main economic partner and political backer China. "State Administration Council Chairman Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing will travel to Thailand on April 3 to attend the sixth BIMSTEC Summit, and will attend the meeting on April 3 and 4," the junta said in a statement. It added Min Aung Hlaing will discuss with other leaders Myanmar's quake situation "and ways to cooperate with the international community to effectively carry out relief (and) rehabilitation". All the main leaders from the seven BIMSTEC countries -- Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand -- are expected to attend the summit. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Bangkok on Thursday for talks ahead of the meet with his Thai counterpart Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Thailand has proposed that the leaders issue a joint statement on the impact of the diaster when they meet on Friday -- one week on from the day the quake struck. The tremors destroyed buildings across large areas of Myanmar, and even caused damage in Bangkok itself, hundreds of kilometres away, flattening a tower block under construction and killing more than 20 people. Min Aung Hlaing's attendance at the summit is something of a diplomatic coup for the isolated government, as it breaks with a regional policy of not inviting junta leaders to major events since the military seized power in 2021. The main Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) regional bloc, which has led so far fruitless diplomatic efforts to resolve the Myanmar crisis, has refused to invite Min Aung Hlaing to its gatherings over their failure to make progress on an agreed peace plan. Four years of civil war put Myanmar in a parlous state even before the quake, but the junta on Wednesday joined its opponents in calling a temporary halt to hostilities to allow relief to be delivered. Myanmar junta declares quake ceasefire as survivors plead for aid Sagaing, Myanmar, April 2 (AFP) Apr 02, 2025 Myanmar's junta announced a temporary ceasefire on Wednesday as the death toll from a devastating earthquake rose and desperate survivors pleaded for more help amid frantic scenes of aid distribution. The shallow 7.7-magnitude earthquake on Friday flattened buildings across Myanmar, killing nearly 3,000 people and making thousands more homeless. The military government said it would observe a ceasefire from Wednesday until April 22 to make quake relief efforts easier, after other armed groups fighting the country's bloody four-year civil war made similar pledges. Rights groups and several foreign governments had earlier condemned the junta for continuing to carry out air strikes even as the country grappled with the quake aftermath. The junta said in a statement the ceasefire had "the aim of speeding up relief and reconstruction efforts, and maintaining peace and stability". But it warned its opponents -- a complex array of pro-democracy and ethnic minority armed groups -- it would still respond to attacks, acts of sabotage or "gathering, organising, and expanding territory that would undermine peace". The junta also said Min Aung Hlaing will travel to Bangkok on Thursday for a summit of South Asian countries plus Myanmar and Thailand, where he will discuss the quake response. It is a rare foreign trip for the leader, and something of a diplomatic coup as it breaks with a regional policy of not inviting junta leaders to major events in the wake of the putsch. - Scramble for food - AFP journalists saw frantic scenes as hundreds of desperate people scrambled for aid distribution in Sagaing, the city closest to the epicentre of the quake, with some running through traffic to join the queues. Volunteers handed out water, rice, cooking oil and other basic supplies to residents clamouring for assistance. "I have never queued for food like this before. I can't express how worried I am. I don't know what to say," Cho Cho Mar, 35, carrying her baby and clutching instant coffee packs and mosquito repellent, told AFP. Destruction in the city is widespread, with the World Health Organization (WHO) reporting that one in three houses have collapsed, and five days after the quake locals complained of a lack of help. Aye Thi Kar, 63, head of a school for young nuns razed to the ground by the tremors, said food supplies were low but shelter was a bigger priority -- along with nets to ward off mosquitos in the stifling tropical heat. Many people have been sleeping in the streets since the quake hit, unable to return to damaged buildings or fearful of aftershocks. "Right now we need roofing and walls to have proper shelter for the night," she told AFP. "We also need nets and blankets for sleeping, as we don't want to sleep directly on the ground." Healthcare facilities, damaged by the quake and with limited capacity, are "overwhelmed by a large number of patients", while supplies of food, water and medicine are running low, WHO said in an update. Hopes of finding more survivors are fading, but there were moments of joy on Wednesday as two men were pulled alive from the ruins of a hotel in the capital Naypyidaw. - Call for peace - The junta said Wednesday that the death toll had risen to 2,886, with more than 4,600 injured and 373 still missing. But with patchy communication and infrastructure delaying efforts to gather information and deliver aid, the full scale of the disaster has yet to become clear, and the toll is likely to rise. Relief groups say the overall quake response has been hindered by continued fighting between the junta and the complex patchwork of armed groups opposed to its rule, which began after the military seized power in a 2021 coup. Even before Friday's earthquake, 3.5 million people were displaced by the fighting, many of them at risk of hunger, according to the United Nations. Late Tuesday, an alliance of three of Myanmar's most powerful ethnic minority armed groups announced a one-month pause in hostilities. The announcement by the Three Brotherhood Alliance followed a separate partial ceasefire called by the People's Defence Force -- civilian groups that took up arms after the coup to fight junta rule. A junta spokesman said soldiers fired warning shots on Tuesday when a Chinese Red Cross convoy failed to stop while approaching a village in conflict-ridden Shan state to deliver aid to earthquake victims. Hundreds of kilometres away, in the Thai capital Bangkok, workers continued to scour through the rubble of a 30-storey skyscraper that was still being built when it collapsed on Friday. The death toll at the site has risen to 22, with more than 70 still believed trapped in the rubble. burs-pdw/dhc TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, April 2. Uzbekistan and SITA Europe discussed the creation of the Digital Travel biometric ecosystem for automated passenger and baggage services, Trend reports. The matter was reviewed at a meeting between Uzbekistans Minister of Transport Ilkhom Makhkamov and SITA Europe President Sergio Colella. During the discussions, the parties explored opportunities for cooperation in digitizing the countrys air transport sector, implementing digital technologies, and expanding automated management systems for transport infrastructure. Moreover, the sides exchanged views on developing a comprehensive airport management concept and creating a platform for collecting and processing passenger and baggage data. Sign up to IndyEat's free newsletter for weekly recipes, foodie features and cookbook releases Get our food and drink newsletter for free Get our food and drink newsletter for free Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice While everyone has received a wrong fast food order at some point, a study has found that one popular eatery is more inaccurate than others. Intouch Insight, a company known for tracking the speed and accuracy of drive-thru restaurants, recently released their 2024 findings revealing which fast food restaurants are the quickest at handing out orders and which are the most accurate. Chick-fil-A took the number one spot with an accuracy rating of 92 percent. Burger King and McDonalds were tied for the second-highest accuracy rating at 88 percent. At the bottom of the list, with the lowest rating of just 81 percent, was KFC. KFC did, however, record the most improved accuracy score since 2024. Also at the bottom of the list, though slightly higher than KFC, were Taco Bell, Wendys, and Dunkin. Despite the chicken chains low accuracy rating, KFC did have some redeeming qualities such as its shorter wait times. According to the report, KFC averaged just over one car in line before being able to place an order, while Chick-fil-A had an average of five cars in the drive-thru line. That resulted in a wait time of about eight minutes. Taco Bell had the shortest wait time overall with customers receiving their order and then leaving in 4.3 minutes. KFC had an accuracy rating of 81 percent compared to Chic-fil-As 92 percent ( Getty Images ) The report comes almost two months after KFC announced it would be moving its U.S. headquarters from Louisville, Kentucky, to Plano, Texas, causing 100 employees to relocate with the headquarters in the next six months. I am disappointed by this decision and believe the company's founder would be, too, Gov. Andy Beshear said in a statement. This company's name starts with Kentucky, and it has marketed our state's heritage and culture in the sale of its product. According to the chains owner, Yum! Brands, KFCs relocation is part of a larger plan to eventually have two brand headquarters, one in Plano and the other in Irvine, California. In addition to KFC employees relocating, Yum! Brands are also asking roughly 90 members of their remote workforce to relocate. Those 90 employees are expected to move over the next 18 months. Despite moving the chain from Kentucky to Texas, the company and the KFC Foundation plan to maintain corporate offices in Louisville, Kentucky. The chain is also planning on opening a flagship store in Louisville. These changes position us for sustainable growth and will help us better serve our customers, employees, franchisees, and shareholders, David Gibbs, Yum! Brands Chief Executive Officer said, according to a local Fox outlet. Ultimately, bringing more of our people together on a consistent basis will maximize our unrivaled culture and talent as a competitive advantage. Im confident this is another important step in growing our iconic restaurant brands globally. KFC currently has more than 30,000 restaurants across 150 countries. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Jeremy Clarkson has revealed the unlikely snack helping with his weight loss after quitting Ozempic. The Clarksons Farm star, who is determined not to die after undergoing major heart surgery last year, stating that he is determined not to die, has opened about his lifestyle changes as he attempts to slim down. Clarkson said he used Ozempic, the drug that was licenced to treat diabetes but has been co-opted by people as a quick fix for weight loss. However, Ozempic didnt work for Clarkson, who wrote in his Sunday Times column that he actually ended up half a stone heavier after using it. My body lost the ability to deal with gluttony but once the initial enthusiasm had worn off, my mind still wanted to breakfast on Cadbury Fruit & Nut, he said. This meant I was sick a lot. And after I had vomited, I figured I was empty and could have another bottle and maybe another bar of chocolate too. Instead, Clarkson said hes discovered a snack that goes a long way and has helped him get trimmer: snail caviar. He wrote: It is actually unborn snails. But weirdly it does taste and feel like the real deal. So you can pop a teaspoon of that onto half a Ritz cracker and you have yourself the 21st centurys answer to a medieval banquet. Snail caviar is the fresh or processed eggs of land snails, and is luxury gourmet speciality produced in Austria, Czechia, France and Poland. Clarkson previously revealed that he had been encouraged to make positive lifestyle changes by a desire to be around for his grandchildren. The presenter has two grandchildren via his eldest daughter Emily, the most recent of whom was born shortly before Christmas. open image in gallery Jeremy Clarkson has discovered a luxury food item thats helped with his weight loss ( Prime Video ) Discussing his grandchildren, he wrote: I have decided that it is so wonderful that I want it to go on for as long as is humanly possible. Which means I must do everything in my power to not die. Clarkson stated that he had attempted to live a more active lifestyle in the past, with limited success. Michelangelos David burns more calories than I do when Im out and about, so I continued to get fatter and more out of breath, and when you want to see your grandchildren grow up, thats not good enough, he wrote. In the aftermath of the heart surgery, however, Clarkson has taken up Pilates. open image in gallery Jeremy Clarkson underwent major heart surgery in 2024 ( Prime Video ) What weve learnt so far is that my pelvis is so cockeyed I look like a broken shotgun, my legs are very heavy and that my fat can be made to hurt, he continued. The former Top Gear presenter claimed that he had, until now, relied on luck to keep me alive. But Im in snipers alley right now and I have to work at dodging the bullets, he added. The usage of ozempic as a weight loss drug has been decried by eating disorder experts, with Fiona Yassin, eating disorder specialist and clinical director of The Wave Clinic, telling The Independent: It is very important to understand that Ozempic is not licensed for weight loss in the UK for individuals without diabetes. By using these medications to change how we feel about ourselves, were mimicking the behaviour seen in substance use disorders, where substances are used to manage internal discomfort. Its alarming, and the potential medical consequences are enormous. Meanwhile, several obesity experts told The Associated Press that perhaps 20 per cent of patients as many as 1 in 5 may not respond well to the medications. Side effects can include nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Its all about explaining that different people have different responses, said Dr Fatima Cody Stanford, an obesity expert at Massachusetts General Hospital. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Macaulay Culkin has emotionally opened up about his estrangement from his father, Kit Culkin. The 44-year-old actor spoke candidly about cutting ties with his father during Mondays episode of Kate Hudson and Oliver Hudsons podcast, Sibling Revelry. I havent spoken to him in about 30-something years, the actor, who grew up with six siblings, including Succession star Kieran Culkin, said. Oh, he deserves it too. Yeah. He's a man who, he had seven kids, and now he has four grandkids. Yeah. And, none of them want anything to do with him. The Home Alone star claimed that he has a feeling his father doesnt think he f***ed up his relationship with his children. I have more than an inkling that he does not feel that way. Like, we're wrong, and he's right, he continued. He's one of those kind of like narcissistic, crazy people. He noted that when he was a child, he realized he didnt want to be like his father. Macaulay is now a parent himself, sharing his two sons, Dakota, three, and Carson, two, with his fiancee, Brenda Song. Macaulay Culkin petitioned to remove his mother and father as his legal guardians when he was 15 ( Getty Images ) One of my earliest memories of him was [thinking], When I grew up, this is how I'm not gonna be with my kids, he explained. Now that I have kids of my own, it's like, you know, it kicks up some dust. I kinda go, you know, like, I can't believe he was like that. At the age of 15, Macaulay petitioned to remove his father and mother, Patricia Brentrup, as his legal guardians, which wiped their names from his $40 million trust fund. The trust, filled with Macaulays earnings as a child star, was managed by his familys accountant until he was 18. When Macaulay sued his parents, Brentrup was tied up in a custody battle with her ex, seeking custody of their six minor children and the right to manage their careers. Two years later, Brentrup won custody of her and Kits children. During Mondays episode of Sibling Revelry, Macaulay reflected on his parents custody battle, saying he wanted nothing to do with his father. He was just the worst, and the judge was like: Well, you have to do visitations with him. I didnt say this to the judge I was a smartass, but I wasnt that much of a smartass, he explained. But I told my lawyer: Im not doing that. Hes like: Well, youll be in contempt of court, I go: OK, how about I dare this judge to put me in jail for not wanting to visit [my] abusive father. Actually, Im going to double down on that; I double dare him to arrest the most famous kid in the world, he added. I never played that card, but that was the one time I kind of played that card. Before Brentrup and Kit who were never married broke up, they welcomed six children: Shane, Dakota, Macaulay, Kieran, Quinn, Christian, and Rory. Unfortunately, Dakota died at the age of 29 in 2008, after being hit by a car. Kit and his ex Adeena VanWagoner share a daughter, Jennifer Adamson, who died of a drug overdose in 2000 at the age of 29. Macaulay has previously opened up about his estranged relationship with his father, claiming Kit was physically and emotionally abusive. [He said] 'Do good or I'll hit you.' He was a bad man. He was abusive, physically and mentally I can show you all my scars if I wanted to, the My Girl star said on the WTF With Marc Maron podcast in 2018. Everything he tried to do in life, I excelled at before I was 10 years old. In 2001, Kit's late partner, Jeanette Krylowski, denied claims he was abusive during a conversation with New York Magazine. Krylowski also claimed that Brentrup was envious and resentful, alleging she turned Kits children against him. My analysis is she was the only one not getting famous and she felt left behind, Krylowski claimed about Brentrup. The kids do what Mom tells them to, because through the years, Mom had said, Your father doesnt love you, your father doesnt love you. Although Kit has kept out of the spotlight, following a brief acting stint in the Sixties, he did give a rare comment about his estrangement from Macaulay in 2016. I dont consider him a son anymore, he simply told the Daily Mail at the time. If you are a child and you need help because something has happened to you, you can call the NSPCC free of charge on 0800 1111. You can also call the NSPCC if you are an adult and you are worried about a child, on 0808 800 5000. The National Association for People Abused in Childhood (Napac) offers support for adults on 0808 801 0331 Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Melinda French Gates opens up about the betrayals she faced during her marriage to Bill Gates in her new book, The Next Day. It comes after Gates recently called his divorce from Melinda after 27 years the mistake he most regrets. Bill has publicly acknowledged that he wasnt always faithful to me, Melinda, 60, writes, according to an advanced copy of her book obtained by People. In 2021, the 69-year-old billionaire Microsoft founder resigned from the board of his company after a former engineer claimed to have had a sexual relationship with him for years. Though he did admit to being unfaithful to Melinda, Gates maintained his reasoning for stepping down wasnt because of the investigation launched against him as a result of the employees claims. Melinda and Gates, who share three children (Jennifer Gates Nassar, 28, Rory Gates, 25, and Phoebe Gates, 22), separated in 2020. Speaking to The Times in January, Gates expressed his regret over the way the divorce was handled. There are others [mistakes], but none that matter. You would have to put that at the top of the list. The divorce thing was miserable for me and Melinda for at least two years, he said. Melinda opens up about the betrayals she faced in her marriage to Bill Gates ( Getty ) He added: Melinda and I still see each other we have three kids and two grandchildren so there are family events. The kids are doing well. They have good values. There is a certain wonderfulness to spending your entire adult life with one person because of the memories and depth of things you have done and having kids together, he continued. When Melinda and I met, I was fairly successful but not ridiculously successful that came during the time that we were together. So, she saw me through a lot. The former pair met back in 1987 when she started as a product manager at Microsoft. The two then dated before tying the knot in 1994 in Lanai, Hawaii. In her book, Melinda refuses to reveal the reason for their 2021 divorce, arguing that Gates should be the one to do so. Speaking to People in a new interview published on April 2, Melinda said one of the biggest lessons she learned from her divorce was to be true to herself. Gates has since moved on romantically with Paula Hurd, the widow of Oracle CEO Mark Hurd, 62. As for Melinda, shes been dating Philip Vaughn, a 48-year-old tech entrepreneur. She also told People shes focusing on the next chapter in her career and has plans to donate millions of dollars through her investment corporation, Pivotal Ventures. It takes courage forging a different life, she said. When you change paths, you realize, oh, its a big opening. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, April 2. Uzbekistan and Air Products discussed new projects focused on carbon dioxide capture and storage, aviation fuel production, and coal gasification, Trend reports. The matter was reviewed at a meeting between Uzbekistans Minister of Investment, Industry, and Trade, Laziz Kudratov, and CEO of Air Products and Chemicals Inc. Eduardo Menezes ahead of the Central Asia-European Union Summit. The discussions centered on optimizing the companys existing projects in Uzbekistan, assessing progress on ongoing initiatives, and exploring new opportunities for collaboration. Kudratov highlighted Air Products' successful operations in the country. Currently, Air Products is implementing oxygen and nitrogen production projects at the Methanol-to-Olefins complex in Bukhara, with investments exceeding $200 million. This facility will supply methanol and olefins for industries such as plastics, automotive, and construction. At the meeting, both parties reaffirmed their dedication to enhancing collaborative synergies and established a strategic blueprint for the effective execution of current undertakings while propelling novel initiatives forward. Since 2019, Air Products has allocated $1.15 billion towards three significant initiatives, encompassing hydrogen synthesis at the Fergana Refinery and the generation of liquid carbon dioxide at Navoiazot. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Sign up for the Independent Women email for the latest news, opinion and features Get the Independent Women email for free Get the Independent Women email for free Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Date after date, 33-year-old Kelsey Grist was left disappointed and drained. The production manager from Rhode Island kept hoping her dating apps experience would improve, but it didnt. So, around two years ago, she deleted them. I decided I was going to stop waiting to start my life with somebody and just start pursuing the goals that I had intended with a partner, Kelsey told The Independent. Now she is a homeowner, sharing her home with friends, a married couple who rent one of her rooms. She values her financial independence, ability to travel anywhere at the drop of a hat and has learnt she is happier single. I found that I just have access to so much peace and joy in my life when I'm not being made to feel the ways that these men have made me feel, she said. Kelsey represents a growing number of American women shunning dating and embarking on life without a romantic relationship. Single women are, on average, more content with their relationship status than men, a 2024 study found, and the number of single women looking for love has declined. In 2019, 38 percent of single women were looking for a romantic relationship. By 2022, that had dropped to 35 percent, a Pew Research survey found. By comparison, 50 percent of single men were looking for a romantic relationship in 2022, down from 61 percent in 2019. Women are also outpacing men when it comes to college education 47 percent aged between 25 and 34 have a bachelors degree, compared with 37 percent of men, according to Pew Research. And homeownership among single women is also ticking upward. In 2022, 50 percent of single women without children owned their homes compared to 47 percent of single men, Pew also found. Women are finding they dont need a partner or the traditional norms. The moderator of the subreddit /SingleAndHappy community, who asked not to be named for privacy reasons, told The Independent the community has grown from 10,600 subscribers to 17,400 in the last 12 months. open image in gallery Kelsey Grist, 33, had enough of feeling disappointed and shot down on dating apps. She no longer wanted to wait for someone to start living her life, she told The Independent. ( Kelsey Grist ) I created it because there's so much stigma around not being in a couple, not being married, and it always bothers me. I've never wanted the traditional white picket fence life, the mod said. So I was like, all right, let me create a community for people like me who also don't want to be pigeon-holed into these conventional expectations. Single women, many who belong to that Reddit community, told The Independent that the decision to actively stop searching for the one was liberating. Instead, some have pursued becoming homeowners, prioritized their high-flying careers, traveled the world and become mothers. All say they have cherished the life-affirming friendships and relationships formed outside the traditional romantic ones. Like many women in their 30s, Kelsey was daunted by the idea of declining fertility. But not anymore. Once I realized the biological clock is not the be all and end all of my ability to love and have relationships with children, I was like, You know what? I could meet somebody in my 50s or in my 60s, she said. It ain't over till it's over. For 28-year-old civil engineer Phoebe Glazko, originally from Chicago and now living in suburban Detroit, a relationship ending amicably brought her clarity on the role of romantic relationships in her life. open image in gallery Phoebe Glazko, 28, pictured in Japan on one of her solo trips. The civil engineer who lives in suburban Detroit has learned she is happier single. ( Phoebe Glazko ) He was really special, she told The Independent. He was wonderful in many ways. But I realized that I'm still happier single, she said, adding that she is not looking to get married ever. I think relationships in general are a series of compromises, Phoebe continued. And I'm not a compromising person. I like to be able to decide on a whim, go somewhere or I don't want to go somewhere. Phoebe is also a homeowner. It's really comforting that I, alone, can afford somewhere and I don't need to rely on someone financially, she said. Independence takes on many forms. Vicki Eberts, a 33-year-old coffee shop manager from Ohio, previously hoped she would find that grand, romantic love, but stepping back from the dating scene gave her perspective. Looking back, I now see a little kid with some attachment issues not knowing how to be fulfilled without the attention of others, she said. Knowing that now, I can understand that it wasn't romantic love I was actually looking for, but something else. After a three-year relationship came to an end in 2023, Vicki found herself becoming more content as each day passed. I feel whole, she said. I don't have to play-act or placate anyone else. Vicki, who studied history in the U.K. for five years, said she never dreamt of marriage or having children but instead sought a life of travel and adventure. open image in gallery Vicki Eberts, 33, from Ohio, once hoped to find grand, romantic love as sold to women from a young age. But now she has a new perspective. ( Vicki Eberts ) I realized recently that I love being single for the same reasons I am permanently childfree by choice: I feel free, she said. And the decline of dating isnt just in heterosexual relationships. San Diego native Sofie Champassak, 38, who is gay, decided to stop dating around two years ago and has been celibate since October 2023. Ive dated, had several long-term relationships, been monogamous and poly, was married, tried again and have accepted that we never know where a relationship may go, as hard as you try and as much as you love, the clinical psychologist said. The outcome of whether it works out or not isnt up to you. After her marriage ended in 2018, Sofie said she entered into a monogamous relationship in 2021 that has since ended. I think being married, trying again in my mid-late 30s, and not having things work out just allowed me to let go of control, she said. Ive learned that were continuously growing as individuals and sometimes the person youre with isnt growing with you or alongside you. As Ive poured a lot into my relationships and my previous partners, I am happy to pour so much more into myself. open image in gallery Sofie Champassak, 38, is a clinical psychologist and was married to a long-term partner. When she split from her ex-wife, Sofie dated again but knew it wasnt for her. She has been celibate since October 2023 and says she is happier than ever. ( Sofie Champassak ) There is also a growing movement of women who are choosing to become mothers without finding a partner first. Casey Alexander, originally from Minnesota, is 41 and expecting her first child in June. She had previously been on the fence about having kids, but after becoming an egg donor for her sister, and her mother dying just over a year ago, her priorities became clear. It became very clear to me that I did not want to delay becoming a mother, she said. About the same time, I decided to get off the dating apps. Like many women, Casey said she felt she was putting in a lot more effort into men and dating than she was getting back. Stepping back from the apps was a relief. I think I knew, even before I stepped away from it, that it was something that I needed to cut out for my life, Casey said. Casey bought a home in upstate New York with two friends. The three have their own space and its where she will raise her child. open image in gallery Casey Alexander, 41, is about to welcome her first child after ditching dating apps. She found support from the group Singles Mothers by Choice and has an extremely close network of friends and family. ( Tim Moore/Casey Alexander ) The gallery director said she is still experiencing much of life the same as couples do, citing a deep and strong network of friendships and family bonds. I'm just doing it with these other people in my life. We think about single people being solo, but it's just different interests, she said. The mom-to-be is being supported by the Single Mothers by Choice group, who advocate for women who want to have children without a partner, and have helped over 40,00 women. Each year we get more new members than the previous year, said the organizations executive director, Kat Curtin. The stigma has changed, Kat said, citing advances in fertility and better career options for women. There's more awareness about being able to do this. Being a single mother by choice doesnt mean raising your child alone. Before she became president, Kat joined as a member in 2014 when she abandoned the premise that she needed to find a husband before having a child. I knew that I could live without ever having a partner or husband, she said. But I really didn't think I could without being a mother. That gave me the freedom to stop dating because I was dating in a way that felt like a job. It wasn't fun. open image in gallery Kat pictured with her daughter Nora, who is now five. Kat, president of Single Mothers by Choice, said: Being a single mother by choice doesnt mean raising your child alone. ( Kat Curtin ) After enduring six years of fertility struggles, Kat gave birth to her now 5-year-old daughter Nora. Shes also in a relationship again, which she credits to being possible because the pressure to find a co-parent was removed. I'm confident and comfortable that if my partner and I don't work out, he'll have a role in Nora's life, Kat said. But I fully define myself as a mommy and me family to Nora. We are the core and I'm raising her by myself. Casey, meanwhile, is focusing on the imminent arrival of her baby and said it has been empowering to see women before her buck the trend and go it alone although she is open to the possibility of a future relationship. I think the more we see other women do things on their own, the more emboldened we are to know that we can do it ourselves and we don't have to wait around for things to conventionally happen, Casey said. The more that we talk about these things, the easier it is for people to realize that there are other ways that you can make your life, she said. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Trader Joes has issued a recall of one of its popular salad dressings after a number of incorrectly labeled bottles hit the shelves. Fresh Creative Foods announced on Sunday that it was voluntarily recalling certain bottles of its Trader Joes Hot Honey Mustard Dressing due to a labeling error. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has since published the notice, which stated that dressing bottles with a Use By Date of May 27, 2025, were incorrectly labeled with a nutrition sticker that did not accurately include an allergy warning for peanuts, soy, sesame or wheat. The affected dressings have the product code 80152 and were sold at Trader Joes locations in Arkansas, Colorado, Washington D.C., Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, North Carolina, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia. Customers who purchased the product may either take it back to Trader Joes for a full refund or discard it. At this time, no customer complaints have been reported, according to the FDA. Should customers have any questions, they can call Fresh Creative Foods at 888-223-2127. open image in gallery Trader Joes recalled its Hot Honey Mustard dressing ( FDA ) This latest recall is Trader Joes third since February. Last month, the grocery store chain recalled 61,500 bottles of its Gerolsteiner Sparkling Natural Mineral Water over a laceration hazard. open image in gallery Certain bottles of Trader Joe's Hot Honey Mustard Dressing were not correctly labeled to accurately reflect 'allergen callouts for peanuts, soy, sesame or wheat; ( FDA ) The company warned that certain lot codes of the imported German product may have the potential for cracked/damaged bottles. The issue was identified by research related to bottle breakage during production and potentially affects 1% of bottles in the lot codes above, a news release read. Meanwhile, Trader Joes was forced to issue a recall of its Organic Acai Bowls in February out of concern that they may have contained plastic. Out of an abundance of caution, please discard any Trader Joes Organic Acai Bowls, as the product may contain foreign material (plastic), or return them to your neighborhood Trader Joes store for a full refund, the company said. The recall did not contain information detailing the lot numbers affected or specifying a range of dates when the affected products were made or sold. Of the recalls, Trader Joes spokesperson, Nakia Rohde, told The Independent: At Trader Joes, nothing is more important than the health and safety of our customers and crew members. With this in mind, we do the daily work to make certain our products meet our stringent food safety expectations. We dont take any chances when it comes to product safety and quality. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice An 18-year-old startup founder shared his college admission essay after being rejected from some of the top schools in the country and many readers were not impressed. Zach Yadegari shared a post to X/Twitter on Monday about a slew of colleges he was rejected from. This included schools with notoriously low acceptance rates like Stanford University, Harvard University, Columbia University, Princeton University, Cornell University, Yale University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the University of Pennsylvania. He was accepted into three less prestigious schools: the University of Miami, the University of Texas and Georgia Institute of Technology. The high school senior, whos the founder of the app Cal AI, claimed his business is making $30 million a year, that he has a 4.0 GPA and scored a 34 on the ACT. The highest possible score you can get on the test is 36. Yadegari followed up his post with screenshots of his college admissions essay, where he was asked to discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others. His essay bragged about his achievements over the years, from starting coding at seven to publishing his first app on the App Store when he was 12. He claims to have earned $60,000 a year on his online gaming website by the time he was 14. He explained that after moving to California to continue working on his startup, his mentors told him he didnt need college. He then described the success of his company, with his team allegedly growing to 15 employees and Cal AI becoming the fastest-growing app in its category. open image in gallery Zach Yadegari's college admission essay ( Zach Yadegari/X ) open image in gallery Zach Yadegari's college admission essay ( Zach Yadegari/X ) However, once his app hit one million dollars of revenue, he felt like something was missing and questioned his purpose. He looked back on how he rejected the idea of going to college since he had bound himself to another framework of expectations: the archetypal dropout founder. Ultimately, he said he realized college is more than a mere rite of passage and wanted to learn from other students and professors rather than just computers or textbooks. Yadegaris post has since racked up nearly 20 million views on X, with many people criticizing the student for being too self-aggrandizing and failing to address the question. I dont want to dunk on some poor teenager but it is unbelievably obvious why a college would not admit someone based on a statement like this and I'm honestly bewildered there weren't people in this kids life who tried to explain that to him, one person wrote. Its not even a bad essay in any vague literary sense, its just full of a lot of stuff that pretty clearly communicates 1) a major risk of dropping out and 2) no particular interest in the specific school or program. Both major red flags for admissions, they explained. This reads like a braggadocious cover letter more than a personal statement that showcases who you are as a holistic individual outside of your accomplishments, wrote a second person. A third suggested: Personal statement indicates that youre a high probability to drop out so they gave your spot to someone that actually wants to graduate college. Others thought Yadegari didnt share enough specifics about how hed benefit from going to college. As a former admission office staff, I would say you might wanna connect the dots on how your experiences built your skillset, and align it with the major you are applying, one person wrote. How these skill sets would contribute to the school, and specify the course you wanna take (must state alignment as well). My view is that you didn't get to the heart of what they were looking for until the final few paragraphs and it didn't last long enough. You spent too much time on why you didn't need college and not enough time on why it will benefit you and you will benefit the community, another agreed. However, other people defended Yadegaris essay and were impressed by his achievements. Reddit founder Alexis Ohanian responded to the tweet saying: Thats nuts. I hope everyone dunking on the essay saves some energy to dunk on the requirements that led to it. Yes, it would have been better for his admissions chances to create a fake charity and have a ghostwriter write treacle about it. But this is how ambitious 17-year-old boys think, another wrote. Zach was honest, and had the cojones to share it. It's amazing how many want to deride you and nitpick you for this essay, a third wrote. I presume it's to avoid dealing with the reality of the massive discrimination that's happening...and what it says about our society that it's still happening. Speaking to The Independent Yadegari responded to the immense backlash over his essay. It was interesting to see many different perspectives, but ultimately, Ill never know exactly why I was turned down, he said. At the end of the day, when I wrote my essay, I hoped admissions offices would perceive me as authentic - because thats all I ever want to be. In response to one tweet asking about his motivation, he replied: My motivation of going to college is just to have a social life. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Police in rural Virginia have arrested a suspect after a woman returned home and found a fatally injured man, whom she did not know, bleeding on her sofa. Jose Velasquez-Martinez, 27, was charged with murder after the homeowner in Fauquier County, about 48 miles from Washington, D.C., arrived at her residence on March 27 around 9:50 p.m. and found the victim suffering from serious injuries. The man, later identified as 29-year-old Brandon Probst of Stuarts Draft, was alone in the home, but had been stabbed in the neck and chest with a knife, court filings state. Probst was transported to Winchester Medical Center, where he died from his injuries a day later. The homeowner, who was not identified, told police she walked into the home, saw the man, ran out, and contacted authorities. She told police she didnt know the man and could hear him crying as she walked through the door. "I never saw him. I just heard a man crying, she told FOX 5. I hadn't turned the lights on, and I could tell somebody was on the sofa, and it looked like they had a blanket that I keep there on the sofa pulled over them." Officials with the Fauquier County Sheriffs Office launched an investigation, leading them to Augusta County, where they arrested Velasquez-Martinez on March 30 at a hotel in Front Royal. Authorities charged the man with malicious wounding and murder. open image in gallery The rural area where the alleged crime occurred ( Google Maps ) Court documents state the men became embroiled in an altercation in and around a vehicle outside the property where the victim was found. It is not known why the group were there. A woman inside the vehicle attempted to intervene, at which point police say Velasquez-Martinez cut her on the arm. She received 16 stitches while in the hospital, she told police. Officials did not provide additional details about the crime Velasquez-Martinez is being represented by a public defender and information for his attorney was not available in court filings. His arraignment was on March 31 and he remains in custody. Anyone with information on the incident is being asked to contact officials at 540-422-8650. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Two parents in Kentucky have been arrested after they whipped and tortured their five-year-old son for coloring outside the lines on his homework project, police say. Ricky and Nichole North, 27 and 24, respectively, were accused of punishing the young boy with physical abuse. The pair were arrested on March 30, following an investigation by Middlesboro Police Department. According to police, the investigation revealed that they intentionally abused Ricky North's five-year old child by duct taping his arm and legs, punishing him with cold showers, punching and slapping him in the head and face, choking and body slamming him. open image in gallery Ricky and Nichole North were accused of punishing their young son by forcing him to take cold showers, duct-taping his arms and legs and punching and kicking him ( Middlesboro Police Department ) Authorities added that the boy had been whipped for coloring outside of the lines on homework/ schoolwork. He had also allegedly been held by his ankles and had his head slammed into the floor numerous times. The child was subjected to this torture, cruel confinement, and cruel punishment on numerous occasions while in Mr. and Mrs. North's care, investigators stated. open image in gallery The pair were arrested on March 30, following an investigation by Middlesboro Police Department. Both are being held on $100,000 bond at the Bell County Detention Center ( Middlesboro Police Department ) The Norths were charged with first-degree criminal abuse, tampering with evidence, strangulation and failure to report child neglect and abuse. According to public records, both are being held on $100,000 bond at the Bell County Detention Center. It is unclear if they have entered pleas. Investigations into the incident remain ongoing. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A jury of 16 people has been selected to decide the fate of Lori Vallow Daybell at her murder conspiracy trial in Arizona. The 51-year-old known as the Doomsday Mom has already been convicted and sentenced to life in prison in Idaho for killing her two children and conspiring to kill her husbands first wife. Now, she is on trial in Maricopa County for the July 2019 shooting death of her ex-husband, Charles Vallow. Only this time, she is representing himself. Jury selection began on Monday and by the end of the next day, all 16 jurors 13 men and three women were selected and sworn in. Twelve will be seated, and four will be alternates. While questioning the potential jurors on Tuesday, Vallow told the jury their role was to protect her from the state. Youre basically here to protect me from the state, Vallow said. The prosecution is the state, the judge is the state and law enforcement is the state, so its all of them against me. open image in gallery ( Dateline NBC ) When Treena Kay of the Maricopa County Attorney's Office objected, Judge Justin Beresky clarified that the jurys role was not to protect a defendant but to determine whether the state had proven its case. Throughout the questioning, Vallow repeatedly asked if they would have trouble finding her innocent if she did not testify. Would anybody have a problem with the fact that if ... I dont tell any of my side of the story? she asked. If they didnt prove that I committed a crime at all, would anybody say, Well, I cant find you innocent until you tell me what happened? None of the jurors said they would. Vallow also asked the pool of potential jurors whether they could be strong enough to stand up against the others. Could you be strong enough if the other 11 people did not think that to stand your ground? she asked. Thats hard. That would be hard for me. When the state posed their questions, Treena Kay asked the potential jurors if they would give Vallow more leeway because she was defending herself. No one said they would. open image in gallery Charles and Lori Vallow pictured together. Lori is charged with conspiracy to murder Charles in Arizona in 2019 ( Provided ) While the convicted killer usually wears a bright orange jail jumpsuit, handcuffs and shackles when appearing in court, she will be able to wear civilian clothes and be restraint free for her trial, the judge previously ruled. Vallow has, however, been ordered to wear a stun belt. If she tries to flee, she could get a shock, the judges order said. Deputies will also be positioned outside the courtroom exits. This is the first of two trials Vallow faces in Arizona. Vallow, who has pleaded not guilty to the charges, will face trial for conspiracy to commit murder in the death of Charles Vallow as well as conspiracy to murder her nieces estranged husband Brandon Boudreaux after he narrowly escaped a drive-by shooting. He was not harmed. The two cases will be tried separately and then she will be returned to Idaho to finish out her three life sentences. On Tuesday, Judge Beresky went over jury instructions, explaining the definition of conspiracy to commit murder and said that the charge requires proof that Vallow intended to encourage or aid in first-degree murder and that either she or her brother Alex Cox planned to carry it out. Cox, who died in December 2019, claimed he shot Charles Vallow in self-defense. OFF THE RAILS - Here's a taste of what to expect next week when Lori Vallow Daybell's trial begins. Lori is fired up, raising her voice, etc..... #LoriVallow #LoriDaybell pic.twitter.com/fKD0Mrx4Np Cathy Russon (@cathyrusson) March 31, 2025 Charles death was the first step in a wider plot by Vallow and her current husband, alleged cult leader Chad Daybell, to rid their lives of obstacles, meaning their spouses and her children, according to text message evidence presented at her trial last year for the murders of young JJ and 16-year-old Tylee Ryan. In May 2023, Vallow was found guilty of the childrens murders and of conspiring to kill her husbands former wife, Tammy Daybell. Daybell was convicted of the same three murders in 2024 and received the death penalty. Vallows trial in Arizona will resume on April 7 with opening statements. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A Wisconsin teenager arrested 800 miles from where his parents were found slain has been charged with murder, with prosecutors alleging he lived with their dead bodies for weeks. Nikita Casaps parents, Tatiana Casap, 35, and stepfather, Donald Mayer, 51, were found dead in their home on February 28, The Independent previously reported. Now the teen, 17, is facing a slew of new charges in Waukesha County, including multiple counts of first-degree intentional homicide, hiding a corpse, theft of more than $10,000, and misappropriating an ID to obtain money. A Waukesha County Sheriffs Department statement read that the teenager was formally charged after police obtained new evidence and findings in the ongoing investigation. Waukesha County District Attorney Lesli Boese has accused Casap of shooting his mother at least three times twice in the stomach and once in the neck on February 11 two weeks before police attended the home, reports NBC News. open image in gallery Nikita Casap, 17, is facing a slew of charges concerning the murder of his two parents. Police now say he also recorded his stepfathers body a week after the murders ( Trego County District Court ) Prosecutors allege that Casap killed Mayer by shooting him in the back of the head before attending school the following day. The teen then reportedly continued to live at home with his parents dead bodies for nearly two weeks until February 23, when he fled with $14,000 in cash and contacted another person to obtain fake plates, said Boese. In another twist, Casap also allegedly filmed his stepfathers dead body a week after the alleged murder, according to a video police obtained from a camera memory card. At one point, Casap stood leering over his stepfathers corpse, preparing to take a picture, while another camera filmed him doing so. Then he was heard in the clip saying, So you can see him there. I can literally see the ******* rotting body, reports NBC News. Casap is also believed to have contacted a person in Russian or Romanian. The suspect is originally from Moldova and has relatives overseas. The charges are a result of meticulous investigation efforts emphasizing our dedication to community safety and justice, the department wrote in its statement. Police first became aware of the pairs deaths after Casaps paternal step-grandmother, Judith, called to request a welfare check for Mayer on the morning of February 28. She told them she hadnt heard from her son in weeks but received a flurry of suspicious messages from her sons phone on February 23. School authorities also shared that Casap failed to show up for classes two weeks before his slain parents were discovered, despite a perfect school attendance. On February 28, police entered the home to find Tatiana lying on the first-floor hallway, with her face blackened from decomposition [and] dried blood [was present] on the floor around her. open image in gallery Nikita Casap (left), 17, is accused of killing his parents, Tatiana Casap (middle), 35, and stepfather, Donald Mayer (right), 51, in February ( Supplied ) A blanket and a towel had been draped over her body. Casaps father, on the other hand, was found covered by a pile of clothing at around 5 p.m. in the office of the home. His body was described in the complaint as a male with a gray beard found with a gunshot wound to the head. Shockingly, Casap had fled the home and driven almost 800 miles to WaKeeney, Kansas, in Mayers Volkswagen Atlas, with the familys little black dog in the passenger seat. When he was caught by police, just 12 hours after his parents were found, they also found his stepfathers missing Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum firearm in the car. The teen was charged that day with operating a motor vehicle without the owners consent and a second count of theft of movable property a gun. Casap remains in police custody. Police urged community members to contact the Waukesha County Sheriffs Department with any additional information relevant to this case. Anyone with additional information or leads about the case should contact Detective Sam Yanke at 262-896-8117 or 262-548-7128. Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Tesla delivered 13 percent fewer cars in the first quarter of this year, it has said, amid growing backlash to Elon Musk and his continued backing of right-wing politics. The company is facing a host of problems, including criticism of Musks role in President Donald Trumps administration as well as increased competition and an aging lineup of electric vehicles. He and the president have been inseparable in recent months. Musk and his son are often spotted in the Oval Office. Trump bought a shiny red Tesla from the worlds richest man during a pop-up showroom from the White House lawn. Even before the president returned to the White House, Musk was renting a cottage for $2,000-per-night near Mar-a-Lago. For the first quarter of this year, the electric automaker reported Wednesday that it delivered 336,681 vehicles in the first quarter, down from 386,810 cars a year ago. Analysts expected Tesla to report deliveries of about 372,410 vehicles for the January-March period, according to an average estimate of 15 analysts from Visible Alpha, who lowered their company forecasts in the past 30 days. Musk has pledged a return to growth after Tesla's annual deliveries dipped last year, but waning demand for its aging lineup of electric vehicles and a backlash against his political stance could make that promise a hard one to keep. open image in gallery Sales at Tesla dropped in its first quarter of 2025 as backlash against its CEO Elon Musk grows as he advises the Trump White House ( Getty Images ) As boss of the Department of Government Efficiency, Musk has been instrumental in firing thousands of federal workers and cutting humanitarian aid, sparking discontent among some customers. Protests have erupted at dealerships in the U.S. and Europe, Tesla vehicles are being vandalized, while some data indicates a rise in Tesla owners trading in their vehicles. Last month, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the Justice Department is bringing severe charges against three people accused of targeting the electric vehicle manufacturer with arson attacks. Let this be a warning: if you join this wave of domestic terrorism against Tesla properties, the Department of Justice will put you behind bars, she said in a statement. Investors are waiting to see if refreshed models such as the Model Y and incentives have helped counter weak demand and tough competition from Chinese rivals including BYD and European companies such as Volkswagen and BMW. Speaking at an all-hands meeting last month, Musk told to Tesla employees that the Model Y will be the best-selling car on Earth again this year, CNBC reported. Tesla's sales in key European markets fell again in March, with sales in France and Sweden dropping for a third straight month. open image in gallery Trump purchased a Tesla in front of the White House - but the company has struggled since Musks increased involvement in politics. ( AP ) Data from auto industry associations and analyst estimates point to notable declines in Tesla sales during the first two months of the year in the U.S., Europe and China. Tesla has indicated plans to launch a lower-priced model based on its existing platform this year, but is yet to release specific details about the vehicle. Its pricey Cybertruck pickup, launched in late 2023, has seen limited demand due to its polarizing trapezoidal design and quality concerns. Tesla recently recalled nearly all Cybertrucks to address a potential exterior panel issue. While Tesla may see less pain from the new 25 percent tariffs on imported vehicles due to its US-based manufacturing, Musk has said cost implications are "significant." Tesla has also warned about potential retaliatory tariffs in response to the levies. Additional reporting by agencies TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, April 2. Chinese SF Airlines cargo airline operated its first cargo flight on the Lanzhou - Tashkent - Lanzhou route, Uzbekistan Airports told Trend. The cargo service will initially operate twice a week using Boeing 757 aircraft, with plans to increase flight frequency in the future. SF Airlines, headquartered in Shenzhen, Guangdong, is Chinas leading cargo airline. Founded in 2005, it is part of SF Holding Company Limited, one of China's largest logistics groups. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan aims to increase the volume of transportation services by 15 percent, reaching 185 trillion soms ($14.2 billion) in 2025. The volume of transportation services in Uzbekistan reached 145 trillion soms ($11.1 billion) in 2024. The exports are expected to rise to $2.2 billion. Half of the railway service exports will be focused on transit cargo. In addition, the volume of transit cargo by rail will increase to 22 million tons by 2030. Louisiana should rethink how it regulates utilities so that ratepayers dont end up paying for infrastructure improvements to meet the rising electricity needs of companies and industrial power users, Gov. Jeff Landry told a gathering of energy industry leaders in New Orleans on Monday. A video of Chinese dissident artist Badiucao silently saying you must take part in revolution has been playing hourly on two billboards in Hong Kong since March 28, but the potentially controversial subject matter has remained a secret until now. Badiucao, a Walkey Award winner who contributes to this masthead, revealed the true words and intention of his work titled Here and Now on social media overnight. He told this masthead that the video which has no audio was a test for the freedom-of-speech situation in Hong Kong. A still from Badiucaos Here and Now. The original work screened in Hong Kong has no audio or caption. You must take part in revolution is both a quote from Mao Zedong and the title of Badiucaos recently released graphic novel. Written with journalist Melissa Chan and set in Hong Kong, You must take part in revolution is a dystopian story that is described by the publisher as being about technology, authoritarian government, and the lengths that one will go to in the fight for freedom. Since the 2020 implementation of the National Security Law in Hong Kong, secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion have been criminal offences and hundreds of people have been arrested. Amnesty International described the law as dangerously vague and broad, saying that virtually anything could be deemed a threat to national security under its provisions. The law also extends beyond the border of Hong Kong and mainland China. Photo: Official website of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 2. On the evening of April 2, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev held an informal meeting with the President of the European Council Antonio Costa, Trend reports. The EU High Representative arrived in Uzbekistan this morning and has already visited the city of Bukhara, where he got acquainted with the cultural and historical heritage of the Uzbek people. An exchange of views took place on current issues of the bilateral and regional agenda. The issues of preparation for the upcoming first summit in the "Central Asia - European Union" format were thoroughly discussed. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size I cant remember the moment I first met Jo March, but I know my mother introduced me to her. Like the March family in Louisa May Alcotts Little Women, Mum grew up in the New England region of the United States. Her childhood home on a military base in Maine was not far from the March home in Concord, Massachusetts. Mum, an English teacher with fond memories of New England, was probably always going to give Alcotts autobiographical 1868 classic to her eldest daughter. But my name and my early habit of immersing myself in a vortex to write, happily forgoing food (and later, sleep) while in the grip of a story, likely clinched it. Perhaps Mum, who sees herself as a conventional person, recognised a link between odd, blunt Jos unconventional nature and my own. The sense of recognising myself in Jo was probably immediate: its never not been there. I can picture myself, long hair unbrushed, curled over the pages on our green velveteen couch in our wood-panelled living room, the world falling away as I read about a girl with my name. Though it feels like Ive always loved Jo March, its recently occurred to me, as an autistic woman in my late 40s, that theres a deeper level to my identification. Jo is an autistic headcanon (something fans interpret or imagine about a story that doesnt appear on the page). Such characters were not necessarily written as autistic, but can be read retrospectively as if they were, due to a constellation of autistic traits. Jo Case shares more than just a name with her Little Women heroine, Jo March. Credit: Sia Duff Jos writing vortex is a textbook example of hyper-focus, common in both autistic and ADHD people. She is described in the first chapter of Little Women as being awkward and uncomfortable in her body, with a flyaway look to her clothes that resembles what often greets me in the mirror. She is emotionally volatile (through she works hard to tame it), her quick temper, sharp tongue and restless spirit are always getting her into scrapes and she struggles to learn social manners. This blend of emotional volatility and difficulty reading or following social cues is very autistic. How do you learn all the proper quirk? she asks her sister, Meg, at one point. I never can. As a high-masking autistic woman who began to consciously learn and mimic social conventions in high school with the consequent low self-worth that comes from questioning your every social instinct there is something deeply joyful about watching Jo March, most of the time, just be herself. While self-improvement is at the core of Little Women, the sisters succeed when they are the best versions of themselves, and falter when they too closely imitate others. In February, chef Paul Yoda Iskov of native food pop-up Fervor went to Adelaide and cooked with former Fervor chef (and southwest resident) Jamie Musgrave of Restaurant Botanic: a high-powered fine diner in the citys botanical gardens that, like Fervor, focuses on native Australian ingredients and flavours. This month, WA hosts the fixtures return leg with Restaurant Botanic and team Fervor joining forces for an intimate 30-person dinner at Howard Parks Wine Chapel on Thursday April 24 that will highlight flavours and ingredients from the Wardandi and Bibbulmun regions alongside Howard Park wines. Tickets are $295 per person. The new-look Taste Great Southern First held in 1999, Taste Great Southern has long celebrated the deliciousness of our most southerly food and drink region. For its 2025 edition (May 1-4) the festival has switched to a more condensed four-day program that will deliver more bang for buck and likely pangs of FOMO for visitors heading south and making a long weekend out of the festivities. One of this years showcase events will be Tides of Taste (May 2-3) at luxury retreat Maitraya overlooking the Southern Ocean. Held over two evenings, the event will feature canapes and live cooking from a line-up of top-tier local chefs as well as Mark LaBrooy, formerly of Three Blue Ducks. Taste Great Southern is back with a four-day program. Jenny Feast Photography Other festival highlights include the Denmark Wine Hop (May 3), an all-day, hop-on and hop-off cellar door discovery tour where buses will whisk guests to key cellar doors throughout the day to enjoy wine, food and live music; Sundays Taste Market (May 4) starring local producers and guest chefs for tastings and demonstrations; plus the festivals DJ-powered closing party, the Elite Pie Party (May 4) that brings together baking powerhouses Bred Co and Big Loaf plus renegade winemaker La Violetta to end the festival on a high. One afternoon in the early 1960s, Barry Walker found two unusual bottles in bushland behind his school south of Rockhampton. His mother recognised them as coffee-and-chicory bottles that were common when she was young. So Walker kept them. Some years later, he found out about an antique bottle fair in Brisbane. Some of Barry Walkers Queensland-made historic bottles in the Precious exhibition. Credit: Claudia Baxter We walked into that hall and straight away I said, This is it. This is what Im doing. This is my hobby. Recorded cases of influenza in the first quarter of the year have hit an all-time high, as the state enters uncharted territory during the winter peak flu season. There were more than 10,000 laboratory-confirmed influenza cases across Victoria during the first quarter of this year, a year-on-year surge of more than 47 per cent and the highest number since regular quarterly reporting began in 2000. There were 5476 cases of lab-confirmed influenza during the first three months of 2024, according to federal government figures, and just 3557 cases the year prior. Ten years ago, in 2015, only 660 influenza cases were reported during the first quarter of the year. Applications for the vacant job of Victoria Polices chief commissioner close on Friday with the front-runner scratched. In the present political landscape, the successful candidate will inherit a job that spin doctors would describe as challenging. Acting Chief Commissioner Rick Nugent (who was odds on to be awarded the five-year contract) had six weeks with his feet under the desk. It was enough for him to walk out the door. Acting Police Chief Commissioner Rick Nugent will not seek the permanent job. Credit: Wayne Taylor. Nugent, a career cop popular with his colleagues, initially applied for the permanent job, but for the last two weeks has had second thoughts. He drew up a list of pros and cons. The cons won. The job would be satisfying, but all-consuming. Last Friday he decided to withdraw. I just didnt think I had five years in me. Labor is considering punishing the Greens for its stance on the war in Gaza by denying preferences to the minor party in a contentious move that could hand a critical Melbourne seat to the Liberal Party. The ultra-marginal inner-city seat of Macnamara takes in the suburbs of St Kilda and Caulfield and is being targeted by the Greens, the minor party falling just hundreds of votes short of knocking Labor into third position at the 2022 election. MP Josh Burns is in a tight three-way fight in his seat of Macnamara. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen Instead, the Liberal candidate battled incumbent Labor MP Josh Burns in the final count and Burns easily won the seat once Greens preferences flowed to him. If Burns falls into third position after preferences of less popular candidates are distributed, Labor voters preferences could hand the seat to the Greens candidate Sonya Semmens. Last year, some people felt comfortable predicting the winner of the 2025 election campaign was more likely to be Peter Dutton. Not because he had shown himself to be a formidable campaigner outside his electorate (he hasnt) or because of his reputation as a policy wonk (he isnt), but because he had resuscitated the Coalition, mainly by capitalising on Anthony Albaneses many bloopers and strategic errors. Illustration by Joe Benke This year has a very different vibe. Dutton has had a shaky start. He has sounded flat, looked flat-footed and seemed woefully unprepared for a fight he knew was coming on territory he should have already staked out. Meanwhile, Albanese has performed better and Labor has prepared better for the contest. This is Duttons first federal election campaign, possibly the first time in his political life that he will face sustained national scrutiny for weeks. It will be a supreme test of his stamina and reflexes. The federal election will be a litmus test for the NSW Liberals and their brand of conservatism. If prime ministerial hopeful Peter Dutton manages to seize suburban seats on Sydneys fringe and in the regions, the message to the state branch of the Liberals will be clear: right-wing populism, with a hint of Trumpism, is the future of the party. That will be disastrous for the moderate Liberals in NSW, and their state leader, Mark Speakman. NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman and federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton. Credit: Kate Geraghty, Alex Ellinghausen However, if Dutton fails to snatch must-win seats such as Werriwa in Sydneys south-west, the once-dominant moderate NSW Liberals will be buoyed. The federal takeover after the humiliating debacle of the failed local government nomination process will have been in vain; the moderates power will likely be restored and Speakmans potential detractors will retreat. At least for now. The key NSW battlegrounds for the Liberals in the May 3 federal election are not the partys long-held heartland. Most of those seats Wentworth, Mackellar and Warringah are in the hands of teals, Bradfield is under threat from a teal and Bennelong is the states most marginal electorate and on a knifes edge. Rather than inner metropolitan Sydney, the Liberals under Dutton see their path to victory in outer suburbia, where cars dominate and the cost of living is biting especially hard. Twenty-five years ago, those voters may have been Howards battlers. In the 1996 election, John Howard took Macquarie, Macarthur and Lindsay thanks to those heavily mortgaged, socially conservative voters in the suburbs who turned against Labor. Howards battlers stayed with him for a decade. But demographics have changed. A company that sued a Sydney council over the forced acquisition of land needed for drainage and habitat for a protected species of frog has won compensation but only half what it was offered in the first place. In a ruling in the Land and Environment Court on Tuesday, Justice Rachel Pepper said UPG 72 Pty Ltd was entitled to $1.24 million for the 1200-square-metre lot in Sydneys north-west that Blacktown City Council is expropriating for drainage and habitat for the green and golden bell frog. The lot in Riverstone has been acquired for drainage and to protect the habitat of the green and golden bell frog. Credit: Google Maps The council had offered UPG $2.49 million in September 2022 for the land in the Riverstone Precinct based on the opinion of the NSW valuer-general, which the company rejected. Instead, UPG sought more than $7 million, arguing the land should be zoned residential, while the council offered to pay nil. Pepper ruled that while a 500-square-metre section of the lot would have been zoned as low-rise residential housing, enough for a single dwelling, more than half would have been zoned E2 for environmental conservation and for drainage into the nearby First Ponds Creek. Melbournes median asking rent for a unit has risen by $25 a week over the past year, putting more pressure on tenants already reeling from almost four years of rent hikes. The asking rent for a typical unit is now $575 per week, 4.5 per cent more than it was a year ago, Domains latest Rent Report for the March quarter shows. The median house rent is $10 a week higher than a year ago at $580 per week, although in a glimmer of hope for tenants, house rents stabilised over the past three months. Melbourne rents reached their trough in winter 2021 when COVID lockdown delayed young adults from moving out of home, blocked international students and made it harder for landlords to ask for more money, given some tenants reduced incomes. Almost eight years after they were originally unveiled, Emirates Mercedes-Benz-inspired first-class suites have finally touched down in Australia. This week a retro-fitted Emirates Boeing 777, featuring four classes first, business, premium economy and economy - touched down at Melbourne Airport for the first time. The aircraft will fly the Melbourne-Dubai route daily. Emirates first class on the Boeing 777 features floor-to-ceiling walls and sliding doors. First unveiled in late 2017, the first-class suites have gradually been installed on the airlines 777-300ER aircraft as part of a multibillion-dollar program to upgrade the carriers fleet, including a plan to extend the life of its Airbus A380 superjumbos. Emirates is the worlds largest operator of 777s and A380s. The airlines other flights from Melbourne will be flown by A380s, which feature a different version of first class. The previous Emirates route from Melbourne to Dubai via Singapore, finished at the end of last month, with flights now going non-stop between the United Arab Emirates city and Melbourne. For over a decade, Marine Le Pen has fought, scrapped, and clawed her way towards the Elysee Palace. After three failed attempts, the 2027 French presidential race was set to be her best chance until a Paris court seemingly put an end to her dream. The 56-year-old leader of the National Rally has each time built on her hard-right base, pulling in more votes from the fringes, and next time, opinion polls suggest, she might have finally broken through. Marine Le Pen reacts at the National Assembly during a session on Tuesday. Credit: AP Le Pen was found guilty of embezzling European Union funds misusing 4.4 million ($7.5 million) meant for parliamentary duties to further the National Rallys political activities. The court handed down a harsh verdict: an electronic tag and house arrest, a two-year suspended jail sentence, a 100,000 fine, and crucially, a five-year ban from holding public office, effectively barring her from contesting the next presidential election. This wasnt some minor infraction it was a deliberate effort to skew Frances electoral process through a fake jobs scam involving parliamentary assistants. Le Pen may have avoided personal financial gain, but her role in the fraud was undeniable, the court found. The courts decision to bar her from running for office immediately, even before her appeal, was an attempt to preserve the integrity of Frances elections. 2025 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Limited AWD SUV Review by David Colman +VIDEO You cant do better for the money There are no less than 9 rungs on the RAV4 Hybrid ladder. The lowest step is designated LE, and carries a bargain base price of $33,295. From there, you progress through the XLE, SE, Woodland Edition, XLE Premium, and XSE models until arriving at our test vehicle this week, the 2025 RAV4 Hybrid Limited. This fully loaded version carries a base price of $40,205 and a delivered price of $45,203. Accounting for the sticker bump are $3,603 worth of optional accessories and services: $1025 for the "Limited Grade Advanced Technology Package," $815 for the "Limited Grade Weather Package," and $500 for the "Panoramic Glass Roof." While these accoutrements make for an exceptionally comfortable and livable SUV, you can probably do without the extra $120 for a "Black Chrome Exhaust Pipe" you can barely see. After recently evaluating a long string of highly automated, confusingly menu-driven SUVs, I reveled in the RAV4's comparatively simplified operation. The first best thing I discovered was that the RAV4 didn't automatically jerk the steering wheel out of my hands whenever I changed lanes on the Freeway. Thankfully, you could activate this Lane Tracing Assist (LTA) via a switch prominently located on the right spoke of the leather-wrapped steering wheel. By the same token, you could delete the annoying function without hunting all over the dash, the video screen, or the steering wheel spokes. Similarly, the RAV4 presented me with the most concise, clearly defined cruise control operation I have had the pleasure to enjoy in years. Simply hit the Cruise Control main switch on the right spoke, then hit the "SET" switch below it. Finally, adjust the vehicle-to- vehicle distance button, logically located on the right spoke. Cruise Control was never easier to operate than in a Toyota, and that fact still holds true. The simplified operational interface of the RAV4 is indicative of its overall design brilliance. This SUV has a sweet spot a mile wide. It's not only comfortable to live in and pleasurable to drive, but especially useful for transporting bulky cargo. Let's start with the Limited's cozy cabin, which is generously upholstered in Softex faux leather, fitted with 5 USB ports, heated and ventilated seats, heated steering wheel rim, and full power adjustment controls for both comfy front seats. Opening the Panoramic Glass Roof exposes the spacious interior to a refreshing curtain of external illumination. We particularly enjoyed the deep center storage bin between the front seats, as well as the usefully configured door storage pockets. Pulling just two manual levers allows you to convert the RAV4's 60/40 split backseat into a 70 cubic foot cargo space. Thanks to a hands-free power liftgate and a wide interior spread between the rear fender wells, loading my mountain bike into the RAV4 proved a piece of cake. Traversing the 90 or so switchback turns that separate my domicile from civilization, the RAV4 Hybrid proved itself an unexpectedly talented road runner, with really good grip available at all four driven corners from its 225/60R18 Michelin Primacy A/T radials, mounted on 18 x 7J dark metallic-finished alloy wheels. In fact, even with a slight surplus of body roll, this RAV4 really hauls the mail. It administered a real spanking to the twists and turns of my daily commute. You can button things down a bit more by electing to choose Sport setting from the Mode dial. According to Toyota, Sport mode "Controls the steering feeling and hybrid system to create an acceleration response that is suitable for sporty driving. Suitable for when crisp handling is desired, such as when driving on mountainous roads." The ultra-smooth hybrid link snaps this 3,817lb. beast from 0-60mph in just 7.3 seconds, and propels it through the standing start quarter mile in 15.6 seconds at 90mph. From the outside, the latest RAV4 Hybrid may look rather bulky and cumbersome, but when you push it hard through the twisties, you quickly gain confidence in its grip, and the unexpected responsiveness of its A25A-FXS petrol engine. Coupling this gas fed inline-4 to front and rear electric motors churns out 219 horsepower (combined). If that is insufficient for your needs, you can pick up an additional 83hp by upgrading to the Plug-In rechargeable, $49,170 RAV4 Prime XSE. This 302hp version of the Hybrid rockets the RAV4 to 60mph in 5.4 seconds, and clears the SS quarter mile in 14 seconds at 100mph. The Prime is the model I would personally select. The 219hp Hybrid we tested arrived with a full 14.2 gallon tank of gas, good for a stunning estimated range of 540 miles. The EPA states our test Toyota will travel 39 miles for each gallon of fuel, an achievement that will save you $2,750 in fuel costs over 5 years. In sum, the RAV4 Hybrid Limited is a remarkably useful vehicle, with design practicality and operational efficiency topping the hit list. I don't think you can do better for the money. 2025 TOYOTA RAV4 HYBRID LIMITED AWD SUV ENGINE: 2.5 liter inline-4, plus front and rear AC motors and 1.6kWh lithium-ion battery pack HORSEPOWER: 219hp TORQUE: N/A FUEL CONSUMPTION: 41MPG City/38MPG Highway PRICE AS TESTED: $45,203 HYPES: Great Graphic User Interface, Top Powertrain GRIPES: Need to Renew "Connected Service Trial Offering" STAR RATING: 10 Stars out of 10 BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 2. Iran will ever develop or acquire any nuclear weapons under any circumstances, the country's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi wrote on X, Trend reports. According to him, the US president may not like the 2015 nuclear deal, but it contains one vital commitment by Iran which remains in place, and which even the US, being out of the deal, has benefited from. Araghchi noted that 10 years after signing the JCPOAand seven years after the US unilaterally walked away from itthere is not one shred of proof that Iran has violated this commitment. "Diplomatic engagement worked in the past and can still work. But, it should be clear to all that there isby definitionno such thing as a "military option" let alone a "military solution". Catastrophic failures in our region, which have cost prior US administrations more than $7 trillion are ample evidence," he mentioned. On March 3, Rafael Grossi, Director-General of the IAEA, mentioned during the IAEA Board of Governors' meeting that Iran has increased its stockpile of uranium enriched to 60 percent purity by 93 kilograms, from 182 kilograms to 275 kilograms, compared to the previous quarter. Iran remains the only non-nuclear weapon state to enrich uranium to this level, raising significant concerns. On March 30, US President Donald Trump said that Iran would face unprecedented bombing if Tehran did not agree to a deal on its nuclear program. By the end of 2020, the Iranian parliament decided to pursue a strategic plan in the nuclear sector to counter the sanctions, leading to a suspension of additional steps and the Additional Protocol as per the nuclear agreement. Consequently, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) faced a reduction in monitoring capabilities by 2030 percent. Iran has officially affirmed that its strategy is not to pursue the development of an atomic bomb and that it does not support the production of weapons of mass destruction. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Orange alert issued for 4 distts in Vid, hailstorm likely on April 3, 4 Staff Reporter : India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert for thunderstorm with lightning in four districts of Vidarbha on April 2 and 3. According to the Weather Department, Chandrapur, Gadchiroli, Amravati and Yavatmal districts may also experience gusty surface wind speed reaching 40-50 kmph and hailstorm in the next couple of days. The Weather Department issued yellow warning for all other parts of Vidarbha including Nagpur on April 2 and 3. On Tuesday, due to cloudy weather, the maximum temperature dropped by 2-7 degrees Celsius in just 24 hours all over Vidarbha. Amravati witnessed a steep drop in day temperature by 7.2 degrees Celsius in just 24 hours. With 33.6 degrees Celsius, Amravati recorded the lowest maximum temperature on Tuesday. Nagpur witnessed the second highest temperature dip by 5.5 degrees Celsius in just 24 hours. Nagpur was 34.4 degrees Celsius. Except Bramhapuri and Chandrapur, all other places of Vidarbha recorded the maximum temperature below 40.0 degrees Celsius on Tuesday. In view of the forecast, people have been advised to keep a watch on weather and take shelter during thunderstorm activity to protect from lightning and follow traffic advisories in urban areas. According to Weather Department, a cyclonic circulation lies over Marathwada and neighbourhood in lower tropospheric levels. Whereas, a North-South trough runs form above cyclonic circulation over Marathwada to north Tamil Nadu across interior Karnataka in the lower tropospheric levels. Under the influence of these systems and confluence of moist winds from Arabian sea and Bay of Bengal in lower levels, thunderstorm, lightning and gusty winds (speed 30-60 kmph) are likely over Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Telangana, coastal Karnataka, Kerala and Mahe, Konkan and Goa, Madhya Maharashtra during March 31 to April 4. 21 killed, 6 injured after blast, blaze at firecracker godown in Banaskantha PALANPUR (Gujarat), TWENTY-ONE persons lost their lives while six others were injured on Tuesday after an explosion and blaze ripped through a godown where firecrackers were allegedly stored and manufactured illegally, leading to the structure collapse in Banaskantha district, officials said. The explosion, which occurred at approximately 9:45 AM, flattened the godown in an industrial area near Deesa town, around 30 km from the Banaskantha district headquarters. All the deceased persons were originally from Harda and Dewas districts of Madhya Pradesh, said district collector Mihir Patel. He said 21 people were killed and six injured. The identity of 19 persons has been established, while DNA samples are being taken to identify two others, he said. The blast was so intense that it sent body parts of workers flying 200-300 metres away. The impact brought down the RCC slab of the structure. Even family members of workers staying on the same premises were crushed to death after blocks of slabs fell on them, the collector said. Minister Rushikesh Patel told reporters that seven fire teams, eight ambulances, a State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) team and four bulldozers were rushed to the site for rescue operations. Superintendent of Police Akshayraj Makwana said the casualties occurred after the slab of the godown collapsed following a blast. He said forensic teams are trying to ascertain the cause of the explosion. Makwana said the structure- Deepak Traders- was owned by father-son duo Deepak Mohnani and Khubchand Mohnani. Prima facie, they were stocking firecrackers illegally. Police have registered an FIR, and formed five teams for investigation, he said. , adding that some persons have been rounded up for questioning. Deesa Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Neha Panchal said the godown had initially obtained a licence for storing firecrackers but it was not renewed after it expired on December 31, 2024, due to lapses. They had applied for renewal of the license after it expired. After authorities found that the unit lacked proper facilities, the renewal process was put on hold, Panchal said. Panchal stressed that the licence was only meant to store firecrackers. However, it seems they were prima facie illegally manufacturing firecrackers. Strong action will be taken for operating without permission, she said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief and announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased. Deeply saddened by the loss of lives in the explosion at a firecracker factory in Banaskantha, Gujarat. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon. The local administration is assisting those affected. An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs 50,000, the PMO posted on X. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel also expressed grief and declared financial assistance of Rs 4 lakh to the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured persons. The incident of the death of workers due to fire and slab collapse in a firecracker godown in Deesa is heart-breaking. My heartfelt condolences are with the relatives of the deceased in this hour of grief, Patel tweeted. Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav said the untimely death of workers hailing from his state in the incident was saddening. Yadav on Tuesday night announced financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh each to the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 each to the injured workers. A team of Madhya Pradesh officials headed by a Cabinet minister is headed to Banaskantha for coordination. Cabinet Minister Nagar Singh Chauhan accompanied by police and administration officials has been sent to the site for coordination. In this hour of crisis, our government stands with the families of the victims and is committed to provide all possible help, Yadav said. Bird Flu confirmed in Koriya; restrictions imposed Our Correspondent KORIYA, THE Koriya district administration has imposed strict containment measures following the confirmation of Avian Influenza infection at the Government Poultry Farm in Baikunthpur. In a press conference, Collector Chandan Tripathi announced that a 1-kilometre radius around affected farm has been declared an infected zone, while a surveillance zone has been extended up to 10 kilometres. The infected zone spans from Baikunthpur to Janakpur in the east, Dhauratikara in the west, Khuthanpara in the north, and MLA Nagar in the south. The surveillance zone extends from the boundary of the infected zone up to Mahora Bridge, Shankarpur, Chharchha Basti and Badgaon. The administration has imposed a complete ban on the movement of poultry products from the infected zone. Poultry markets, shops, and door-to-door delivery services have also been shut in both the infected and surveillance zones to prevent the spread of the virus. As part of containment efforts, authorities have culled 2,487 adult parent stock chickens, 2,448 quails, and 9,998 poultry chicks. Additionally, 19,095 eggs, 200 quail eggs and 7,500 kg of poultry feed have been destroyed. Oseltamivir tablets are being distributed among frontline workers involved in containment operations. Collector appealed the district residents to refrain from spreading rumours, warning of legal action against misinformation. To assist citizens, a district control room has been set up, which can be reached at 07836-232469. Barriers have been installed at entry points from Surajpur, Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur and Bilaspur for thorough inspections. Public announcements are being made regularly to spread awareness. Administration has assured that private poultry sellers affected by culling measures will receive compensation as per government norms. Federal judge orders Trump administration to restore legal aid to migrant children who travelled alone to US, reports AP. Date :02-Apr-2025 Federal judge orders Trump administration to restore legal aid to migrant children who travelled alone to US, reports AP. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 2. Iran is committed to advancing its peaceful nuclear program following international law, said Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, the country's foreign minister, Trend reports. In a recent phone conversation with Caspar Veldkamp, the Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Araghchi emphasized Irans serious efforts in furthering its nuclear program for peaceful purposes. The FM stated that, as in previous years, Iran is prepared for genuine discussions on equal terms. Additionally, the Iranian side is open to indirect talks with the US that could foster constructive conditions and steer it away from a strategy rooted in threats and violence. Araghchi also criticized recent remarks from US officials as threatening and contrary to international law, warning that such statements would only complicate the current situation. He reiterated that Iran would respond decisively to any attacks on its territorial integrity and sovereignty. The Iranian FM added that all countries that are members of the UN must uphold the rule of law on an international scale. During the conversation, Veldkamp expressed concern over the growing tensions in the region and stressed the importance of resolving conflicts through diplomatic means. The Dutch Foreign Minister also highlighted the need for Iran to play a key role in ensuring the safety of international shipping in the Red Sea. On March 3, Rafael Grossi, Director-General of the IAEA, mentioned during the IAEA Board of Governors' meeting that Iran has increased its stockpile of uranium enriched to 60 percent purity by 93 kilograms, from 182 kilograms to 275 kilograms, compared to the previous quarter. Iran remains the only non-nuclear weapon state to enrich uranium to this level, raising significant concerns. On March 30, US President Donald Trump said that Iran would face unprecedented bombing if Tehran did not agree to a deal on its nuclear program. By the end of 2020, the Iranian parliament decided to pursue a strategic plan in the nuclear sector to counter the sanctions, leading to a suspension of additional steps and the Additional Protocol as per the nuclear agreement. Consequently, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) faced a reduction in monitoring capabilities by 2030 percent. Iran has officially affirmed that its strategy is not to pursue the development of an atomic bomb and that it does not support the production of weapons of mass destruction. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Field Marshal Manekshaw: The soldiers General By Brig Advitya Madan : CIRCA the autumn of 1997, we were attending the staff course in the salubrious climes of Wellington, nestled in the foothills of Nilgiris. There was no room for a breather for the first three months amidst the whirlwind of a hectic course schedule. The onus of shopping for our basic daily needs fell on the shoulders of our better halves. One fine morning, a small group of ladies decided to visit the staff college canteen as soon as we scurried for our daily rigmarole. Having picked up the groceries, the ladies queued up at the officers billing counter, with my wife at the tail of the queue. Suddenly, my wife observed a smart old man in his 80s striding in with a swagger and exuding confidence. His sharp facial features included a well-defined jawline sporting a neatly groomed handlebar moustache with an upward twirl. My better half, assuming him to be a retired veteran, offered him to move ahead in the queue out of sheer respect, saying, Please go ahead we ladies can wait. No way sweetheart, you ladies have to go and cook for your dear husbands, I have all the time in the world, the venerable gentleman responded gracefully with a mischievous wink. My wife noticed that he just had a box of chocolates to buy, whereas all the twelve ladies had their trollies overflowing with the full one months stock. However, the veteran waited calmly with an equipoise never seen before. At this point, my wife amusingly asked the veteran officer if he still had a sweet tooth. No dear these chocolates are for my Gurkha buddys small kids, the old officer quipped with a smile. As the queue inched forward at a snails pace, the army personnel and the civilians manning the counter sprang to their toes and saluted the man smartly. During lunch, I broke the news to my wife that Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw would be addressing the college on Leadership, and ladies were also invited. In the evening, the auditorium was jam-packed with all the student officers and instructors along with their wives. The central lectures in the evening were a golden opportunity for the student officers to doze off, leaving the field open for a few Keen Kumars to ask a question in the end. As the Field Marshal took to the stage, my wife sitting next to me tugged at me with jaw-dropping glance whispering, This is the same man I met at the canteen this morning. We all listened to his wisdom on leadership with rapt attention, peppered with interesting anecdotes of his life. Everyone was wide awake, a rare phenomenon. In my later years, I was privileged to call on the Field Marshal at his residence named Stavka in Coonoor. No one has had a greater impact on me than Manekshaw, whose teachings I tried my best to implement during my service life. His charisma cuts across not only amongst all the armed forces personnel but also the civil strata who hold him in awe. Be it in any civil organisation or Army, we must imbibe his most cherished quality: to stand up for your organisation and subordinates- the need of the hour. He truly deserves a Bharat Ratna. Forest area encroached in 25 States, UTs: Govt NEW DELHI : 10 States yet to submit data on encroachme nts Over 1,000 sq km of forest area, more than the total geographical area of Delhi, Sikkim, and Goa combined, is under encroachment in 25 States and Union Territories that have submitted data to the Union Environment Ministry so far. Ten States are yet to submit data on forest encroachments. Last year, the National Green Tribunal took suo motu cognisance of a PTI report that cited Government data showing that 7,50,648 hectares (or 7,506.48 sq km) of forest area -- more than five times the size of Delhi -- was under encroachment in India. In April last year, the NGT had directed the Ministry to compile the details of encroachment of forest areas in all States and Union Territories in a prescribed format. In a report submitted to the NGT last week, the ministry said that as of March 2024, a total of 13,05,668.1 hectares (or 13,056 sq km) of forest area was under encroachment in 25 States and UTs that have provided data so far. These States and UTs are Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, Dadar & Nagar and Daman & Diu, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Maharashtra, Odisha, Puducherry, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Sikkim Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram and Manipur. States and UTs, which are still to submit the data and details on forest encroachment, are Bihar, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan, Telangana, West Bengal, Nagaland, Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Forest area or The Recorded Forest Area (RFA) includes land officially designated as forest by the Government, even if it does not have tree cover. RFA is further divided into three categories: reserved forests, which have full protection, with activities like hunting and grazing generally banned; protected forests, where some activities are allowed unless specifically restricted; and unclassed forests, which are not classified as reserved or protected. This is different from forest cover which refers to the actual area with tree canopy (more than 1 hectare with tree canopy density of at least 10 per cent), regardless of legal status. Forest cover includes forests inside and outside recorded forest areas, such as plantations, community forests and private lands with tree growth. According to the Ministrys report, Madhya Pradesh had the highest forest encroachment among all States and UTs, with 5,460.9 sq km affected as of March 2024. Assam has 3,620.9 sq km of forest area under encroachment. A total of 863.08 sq km of forest land in Karnataka is under encroachment, followed by 575.54 sq km in Maharashtra, 534.9 sq km in Arunachal Pradesh, 405.07 sq km in Odisha, 264.97 sq km in Uttar Pradesh, 247.72 sq km in Mizoram, 200.40 sq km in Jharkhand and 168.91 sq km in Chhattisgarh. Tamil Nadu has 157.68 sq km of encroached forest land, Andhra Pradesh 133.18 sq km, Gujarat 130.08 sq km, Punjab 75.67 sq km, Uttarakhand 49.92 sq km and Kerala 49.75 sq km, 42.42 sq km in Tripura, 37.42 sq km in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and 32.7 sq km in Manipur. The Ministrys report said that encroachment has been removed from 409.77 sq km of forest land so far. However, it is unclear whether this area was excluded from the total forest land under encroachment as of March 2024. The Ministry informed the NGT that it had asked states to submit data through letters sent on May 1, May 17 and May 28 last year. States and UTs were also reminded multiple times over the phone and a meeting was held with them on November 11. The Ministry sent further reminder letters on February 22 and March 26 this year, asking the remaining states and UTs to provide the information in a tabulated format. Jt forest team on search, rescue of wounded tiger in Mogarkasa Staff Reporter : Drones, camera traps deployed to trace location of the tiger. The tiger got injured after fight with a tigress, which also sustained injury on mouth. A joint team of Nagpur Forest Division and Wildlife Research and Training Centre (WRTC), Gorewada, is conducting a search operation to rescue an injured tiger in Mogarkasa Wildlife Conservation area, which likely got wounded after a fight with a tigress in the forest area. Mogarkasa, which is located near Paoni and part of the Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR), is gaining popularity among wildlife lovers as the Forest Department is developing it as a tourist attraction. Frequent tiger sighting is also making the spot tourism friendly in recent time. During biodiversity conservation activity in the forest area, we noticed the injured tiger which had a deep wound above its right eye on the forehead. Another tigress was also injured in the same area which was roaming the forest area with two cubs, Dr Bharat Singh Hada, Deputy Conservator of Forest, Nagpur and Deputy Field Director, PTR, told The Hitavada. The tigress has sustained injury over her mouth and the wound will heal on its own. However, we are concerned about the tiger which has the wound on his forehead and it may develop maggots if it does not get proper treatment, said Dr Hada. Avinash Londe, Honorary Wildlife Warden, said, We started the search operation four days back and on Wednesday, an intensive operation will be carried out by us to locate the tiger. The big cat is currently untraceable but our team is searching it daily. Around 35-40 staffers from Nagpur Forest Division and WRTC are involved in this search and rescue operation. Around 20 camera traps and live cameras were installed in the forest area but the tiger is still remains elusive despite some camera trap appearances, said Londe. The joint team is going to use drone to find out the tiger quickly as the wound will start developing maggots, said Londe. As per the sources, both tigers got injured after a fight when the tigress felt danger for her cubs. The Forest Department is planning to capture the tiger by tranquillising it. Kathua combing continues JAMMU : A SEEK and destroy operation to track down three terrorists, believed to be hiding in a forested area in Panjthirthi-Barota in Kathua following an encounter last night, resumed Tuesday with multiple agencies engaged in the effort, officials said. The area was placed under a cordon after the Monday night gunfire between police and terrorists. The officials said the three terrorists are believed to be from a group that had its first face-off with security forces in the Nursery area near the International Border on March 23. All of the terrorists had managed to escape. Four days later, security forces engaged them in an encounter in a forest area of the Sanyal belt of Kathua when two terrorists were eliminated, and the rest managed to flee. During this exchange of fire, four policemen were also killed and three others injured. With the hiding terrorists changing their locations in the jungle, the security forces have launched a multi-agency operation to track them down. Search and destroy operations were launched at first light on Tuesday morning. Operations in progress, the Armys rising star corps said on its X handle. Security forces on Tuesday launched search operations in five areas of Jammu and Kashmirs Poonch district. Acting on intelligence inputs, multiple surveillance-cum-ambushes were deployed in general area Panjtirthi Kathua by Indian Army, Police and CRPF. Suspicious movement was observed on the night of 31 March, leading to an exchange of fire, it added. Mine blast along LoC followed by brief firing in J&Ks Poonch: SECURITY forces resorted to brief firing following a mine blast along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmirs Poonch district on Wednesday, officials said. The mine blast occurred under suspicious circumstances in a forward area of the Krishna Gati sector early this morning, they said. This prompted the troops deployed along the LoC to open retaliatory fire briefly. There were no injuries or casualties reported in the incident. However, locals claimed there was firing from the Pakistani side also. Law does not prohibit convenience stores from remaining open 24 hrs: Bombay HC MUMBAI : CONVENIENCE stores operating 24 hours benefit customers as well as the economy and there is no embargo on them under the law, the Bombay High Court on Tuesday said, directing Pune Police not to force a shop to close by 11 pm. The concept of 24x7 convenience stores is popular worldwide, said a division bench of Justices Girish Kulkarni and Advait Sethna. It brings convenience, ease and flexibility to the consumers to make purchases, more particularly for the persons with non-standard working hours, the ruling said. It is also believed to boost the economy by increased consumer spending, as also by creating additional employment opportunities, which is crucial for a large country like ours, where unemployment is a major challenge, the court said. It appears that recognising these advantages and to achieve progress commensurate with global standards, no restriction has been imposed by the Maharashtra Government on the time during which such stores can operate, the bench said. The order came on a petition filed by Accelerate Productx Ventures Pvt Ltd that runs The New Shop in Hadapsar area of Pune. The petition claimed that the local police were illegally and arbitrarily asking the company to close the shop by 11 pm even though no law says that a convenience store can not operate through the night. The judges noted that under the Maharashtra Shops and Establishments Act there is no embargo on convenience stores to operate 24 hours a day and seven days a week. Restrictions exist only for establishments such as hookah bars, permit rooms, dance bars and/ or restaurants that serve liquor, the HC noted. In 2020, the Government permitted cinema halls to operate 24 hours, the bench said, adding, Thus, clearly there is no justification whatsoever for the police to impose any restrictions on the petitioner to conduct its shop. The court directed the police and other authorities not to force the company to close its shop after 11pm. The Pune police in their reply to the plea clarified that there had been a misunderstanding over time restrictions and there was no intention to prohibit the petitioner from conducing a lawful activity. Nailing the Lie UNION Minister for Minority and Parliamentary Affairs Mr. Kiren Rijiju has done well to nail the lies of some vested interests opposed to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 that is about to be tabled in Parliament by the Narendra Modi Government. Mr. Rijiju blasted those elements who have insisted that the proposed amendment Bill was unconstitutional, and narrated how the long history of the Bill, including its various amendments, in India for over a hundred years. As the Minister for Minority Affairs, he then insisted that minorities in India have every reason to be happy on all counts -- provided they refuse to fall prey to falsehood dished out to them by vested interests that included some political parties with disruptive agendas. And, as the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, he invited the Opposition to join the debate on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 for whatever length of time they wished on the floor of the House. Be part of the democratic process, and try to bring into the proposed Bill whatever changes you feel necessary. The Bill is every inch constitutional, and the debate on its provisions would be most welcome, Mr. Kiren Rijiju added in effect. Mr. Kiren Rijijus argument was impeccable in form and content as he went on putting forward the Governments view on the issue and asked simple but straightforward questions that the Opposition just cannot answer without being cantankerous. And of course, the Opposition knows this very well. That is the reason why it has adopted a cantankerous stand that blocks healthy and accommodative discourse on issues. But what Mr. Rijiju achieved in his media briefing was remarkable. He established a clear premium for the Government stand over the Oppositions approach. As the minister elaborated on the issue, he raised the point of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill -- CAA. He said, a hue and cry was raised that Muslims would lose their citizenship once the CAA came into effect. But show me one example to prove that a Muslim has lost his or her citizenship on account of CAA that was brought into effect over a year ago?, Mr. Rijiju asked. Similar would be the case of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024, he insisted. There is nothing unconstitutional about the Bill and the Government has been following every constitutional and legal norm to think of amendment of the Waqf law since the current one has ample provisions to be unjust and unreasonably loaded against non-Muslim communities and their places of worship and faith. Join the debate, prove your point (whatever that may be) and make a correction in the current law so that it becomes acceptable by all norms, Mr. Kiren Rijiju said. In fact, the Opposition appears to have lost a lot of moral ground on the issue as the Government and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party have continued with its patient approach to explain to the larger society what the actual contents of the proposed Bill are. That is exactly why the Opposition and some other elements are engaged in inciting Muslim sentiments by spreading lots of lies and making false accusations. One of the most popular accusations was that mosques etc would be taken over by the Government once the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 became law. Mr. Rijiju blasted that propaganda effectively by explaining every detail -- and leaving the Opposition with no ground to sand upon and oppose the proposed Bill. The Opposition must underastand the truth of the matter and stop standing in the way of the new Bills passage. For, once a correct law is in place, the scope for wrong actions would be erased. That is essential today when the atmosphere is fraught with much communal misunderstanding. PM Modi discusses trade, Antarctica cooperation with Chilean President NEW DELHI : PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday described Chile as an important friend and partner for India in Latin America and reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening cooperation across various sectors, including Antarctica exploration, health security, trade, and strategic partnerships. Modi welcomed Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font and his high-level delegation to India on his first State Visit. Addressing a joint press conference, PM Modi highlighted the growing bilateral relations and underscored the need to further expand collaboration. Chile is an important friend and partner country for India in Latin America. In todays discussions, we identified several new initiatives to enhance cooperation in the coming decade. We welcome the growth in mutual trade and investment. We agree that there is also untapped potential for more cooperation in this, PM Modi said. The Prime Minister revealed that both sides have directed their teams to initiate discussions on a comprehensive economic partnership agreement, which is expected to further boost trade ties. He also emphasised the significance of collaboration in critical minerals, resilient supply and value chains, and agricultural cooperation to ensure food security. PM Modi further stated that India is willing to share its expertise with Chile in digital public infrastructure, renewable energy, railways, and space technology. He noted the strategic importance of Chile as a gateway to Antarctica and welcomed the letter of intent signed between the two countries to enhance cooperation in this crucial region. The Prime Minister also highlighted Indias contribution to Chiles health security and expressed a commitment to deepening collaboration. India has been a reliable partner in ensuring the health security of Chile. We agreed to further deepen this cooperation, Boric said. Highlighting cultural ties, PM Modi lauded Chiles decision to adopt November 4 as National Yoga Day, calling it an inspiring gesture. He also emphasised the importance of traditional medicine, Ayurveda, and defence cooperation, pointing out that both nations are working towards enhancing industrial manufacturing and supply chains in the defence sector. At the global level, both leaders agreed on the need to resolve conflicts through dialogue and called for reforms in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and other global institutions to effectively address contemporary challenges. He also noted that Chilean Nobel laureate Gabriela Mistral found inspiration in the works of Rabindranath Tagore and Aurobindo Ghosh, emphasising the strong cultural ties between the two nations. Chiles literature has also been appreciated in India. The growing interest of Chilean people in Indian films, cuisine, and classical dances is a living example of our cultural relations, he said. Recognising the Indian diaspora in Chile, PM Modi thanked the Chilean Government for its support. Nearly 4,000 people of Indian origin who consider Chile their home are the custodians of our shared heritage. I express my gratitude to President Boric and his Government for taking care of them. We welcome the agreement reached today on the cultural exchange programme between the two countries. We also discussed simplifying the visa process and increasing student exchanges between India and Chile, he added. PWD Minister Singh updates on ongoing devpt works Staff Reporter : PWD Minister Rakesh Singh held Chaupals at various places in the West Assembly State Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Rakesh Singh held Chaupals at various places in the West Assembly and provided updates on ongoing development projects. He also listened to public grievances and directed concerned officials to ensure their timely resolution. During the chaupals, Singh interacted with residents in many wards including Jogini Nagar in Shankar Shah Ward, Rewa Colony in Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Ward, Lalpur Vanshkar Mohalla in Gaurighat Ward, Avani Vihar in Tripuri Ward and various areas in Rani Durgavati and Giriraj Kishore Kapoor Wards. Addressing the gathering on the occasion, he elaborated on the development works in the areas and assured that more public welfare projects would be carried out in near future. During interaction, people raised concerns included water supply, roads, drainage and sanitation. On that, PWD Minister Singh instructed officials to prioritise these issues, especially ensure uninterrupted water supply. Singh expressed gratitude to the people of Jabalpur for their support for electing him as Member of Parliament for two decades and now as a Legislator. He highlighted several projects accomplished during his tenure, such as the Dumna Nature Park, development of a cruise and resort in Bargi. He also emphasised major infrastructure projects, including Madhya Pradeshs largest flyover worth Rs 11,000 crore in Jabalpur, 117-kilometer Ring Road being constructed at a cost of Rs 4,500 crore, Indias first geological park, soon to be developed in the city, Airport modernisation at a cost of Rs 450 crore, modern railway station, to be built with Rs 300 crore. The Minister informed that a budget allocation of Rs 3,200 crore has been made for Jabalpurs development. Singh said plans have been made for six additional flyovers in the near future. Likewise, a two-lane flyover at Paintinaka Chowk on Mandla Road, 7.5-kilometer road from Pipariya to Ranjhi, six-lane bypass from Medical to Tilwara, road from Gwarighat Muktidham to Tilhari, White-topping from Bandariya Tiraha to Mahanadda, flyover from Angarh Mahaveer temple to Sai temple, development of Narmada ghats similar to Saryu Ghats. PWD Singh reiterated his commitment to Jabalpurs growth and assured citizens that these projects would surely enhance the citys infrastructure and overall quality of life. Religious conversion row Christians stage protest outside SP office Christian community people submitting memorandum to SP Upadhyay during the protest outside his office. Staff Reporter : Protesters ended the demonstrations after SP assured to arrest people responsbile for attack on Christian clerics within 24 hours A number of Christian community people, on Tuesday gathered outside the Superintendent of Police office to protest against the alleged assault on Christian clerics inside the Ranjhi police station. The atmosphere at the SP office remained tense for a long time during the demonstration. The protesters demanded immediate action against those responsible for the attack. The community people ended their demonstration only after the SP assured that within 24 hours, those responsible for the attack on the religious leaders will be arrested and legal action will be taken. The community people also demanded adequate police security in places of worship and religious places. On receiving information about the protest, police teams from various stations rushed to the scene to manage the situation. The Christian community is demanding strict action against the people involved in the assault and their immediate arrest. The protest was sparked by viral videos circulating on social media, allegedly showing the attack on Christian clerics inside Ranjhi police station on Monday. In response, on Tuesday, representatives of the Christian community submitted a memorandum to the Collector and the SP, urging stringent action against the attackers. Representatives of the community informed SP Sampat Upadhyay that on March 31, a group of Christian devotees, including women and children had travelled from Mandla to Jabalpur for prayers. However, some people allegedly stopped them unnecessarily and assaulted them. Later, when Vicar General of Jabalpur Catholic Diocese, Senior Religious Leader of St. Peter and Paul Church Sadar, Father Davis George, Secretary of Jabalpur Diocese Father George T and others visited Ranjhi police station to check on the victims, they were also attacked inside the station. The community leaders have urged authorities to take strict action and arrest those responsible. It may be noted that on Monday, members of Hindu organisations intercepted a passenger bus and took it to Ranjhi police station. The activists alleged that the bus was transporting tribal people from Maharajpur, Mandla for illegal religious conversions. The bus had been stopped near Bhawartal Park before the passengers were taken to the police station. However, the bus passengers stated that they had travelled voluntarily. At the police station, Hindu activists allegedly clashed with a father and his associates who had arrived to meet the passengers. The activists accused them of forcing tribal people into religious conversion. The situation escalated and turned into a heated exchange between the activists and the police. Authorities are now investigating the incident and the Christian community continues to demand justice and accountability for the attacks. Survivors still being found from Myanmar quake; toll exceeds 2,700 Myanmars rescuers work through rubble of a collapsed building following Fridays earthquake in Naypyitaw, Myanmar on Tuesday. (AP/PTI) BANGKOK : RESCUE workers saved a 63-year-old woman from the rubble of a building in Myanmars capital on Tuesday, but hope was fading of finding many more survivors of the violent earthquake that killed more than 2,700 people, compounding a humanitarian crisis caused by a civil war. The fire department in Naypyitaw said the woman was successfully pulled from the rubble 91 hours after being buried when the building collapsed in the 7.7 magnitude earthquake that hit midday Friday. Experts say the likelihood of finding survivors drops dramatically after 72 hours. Death toll numbers forecast to increase The head of Myanmars military government, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, told a forum in Naypyitaw, that 2,719 people have now been found dead, with 4,521 others injured and 441 missing, Myanmars Western News online portal reported. Those figures are widely expected to rise, but the earthquake hit a wide swath of the country, leaving many areas without power, telephone or cell connections and damaging roads and bridges, leaving the full extent of the devastation hard to assess. Most of the reports so far have come from Mandalay, Myanmars second-largest city, which was near the epicentre of the earthquake, and Naypyitaw. The needs are massive, and they are rising by the hour, said Julia Rees, UNICEFs deputy representative for Myanmar. The window for lifesaving response is closing. Across the affected areas, families are facing acute shortages of clean water, food, and medical supplies. Myanmars fire department said that 403 people have been rescued in Mandalay and 259 bodies have been found so far. In one incident alone, 50 Buddhist monks who were taking a religious exam in a monastery were killed when the building collapsed and 150 more are thought to be buried in the rubble. Structural damage is extensive The World Health Organization said that more than 10,000 buildings overall are known to have collapsed or been severely damaged in central and northwest Myanmar. The earthquake also rocked neighbouring Thailand, causing a high-rise building under construction to collapse and burying many workers. Two bodies were pulled from the rubble on Monday and another was recovered Tuesday, but dozens were still missing. Overall, there were 21 people killed and 34 injured in Bangkok, primarily at the construction site. In Myanmar, search and rescue efforts across the affected area paused briefly at midday on Tuesday as people stood for a minute in silent tribute to the dead. Relief efforts moving at a sluggish pace Foreign aid workers have been arriving slowly to help in the rescue efforts, but progress was still slow with a lack of heavy machinery in many places. In one site in Naypyitaw on Tuesday, workers formed a human chain, passing chunks of brick and concrete out hand-by-hand from the ruins of a collapsed building. The Myanmar military governments official Global New Light of Myanmar reported Tuesday that a team of Chinese rescuers saved four people the day before from the ruins of the Sky Villa, a large apartment complex that collapsed during the quake. They included a 5-year-old and a pregnant woman who had been trapped for more than 60 hours. The same publication also reported two teenagers were able to crawl out of the rubble of the same building to where rescue crews were working, using their cellphone flashlights to help guide them. The rescue workers were then able to use details from what they told them to locate their grandmother and sibling. International rescue teams from several countries are on the scene, including from Russia, China, India, the United Arab Emirates and several Southeast Asian countries. The US Embassy said an American team had been sent but hadnt yet arrived. Aid pledges pouring in as officials warn of disease outbreak risk Meantime, multiple countries have pledged millions in aid to assist Myanmar and humanitarian aid organisations with the monumental task ahead. Even before the earthquake, more than 3 million people had been displaced from their homes by Myanmars brutal civil war, and nearly 20 million were in need, according to the UN. Many were already lacking in basic medical care and standard vaccinations, and the destruction of water and sanitation infrastructure by the earthquake raises the risk of disease outbreaks, warned the UNs Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. The displacement of thousands into overcrowded shelters, coupled with the destruction of water and sanitation infrastructure, has significantly heightened the risk of communicable disease outbreaks, OCHA said in its latest report. Vulnerability to respiratory infections, skin diseases, vector-borne illnesses such as dengue fever, and vaccine-preventable diseases like measles is escalating, it added. The onset of monsoon season also a worry A milanese link bracelet and grained dial bring fresh allure to the timeless style of the Reverso Underlining the exceptional versatility of the Reversos Art Deco design, Jaeger-LeCoultre presents a new interpretation of the Reverso Tribute Monoface Small Seconds. With a Milanese link bracelet, an 18K pink gold (750/1000) case and a grained dial that perfectly matches the precious metals colour, the new model exudes vintage glamour and confident modernity an eloquent expression of the Reversos stylistic evolution that began with the unveiling of the first Reverso more than 90 years ago. A story of evolving style, from polo field to design icon Created in 1931, the Reverso was designed to meet the demands of the newly fashionable sporting gentleman. A challenge was set by polo-playing military officers in India during the British Raj to create a watch that could withstand the rigours of the polo field. The Reverso was the answer a masterful integration of form and function. Quickly adopted by tastemakers from all walks of life, the Reverso soon transcended its original sporting purpose as new variations appeared for both men and women. However, its iconic double-sided case and distinctive Art Deco lines have remained constant, making the Reverso one of the worlds most recognisable wristwatches. Over the decades, many variations of the Reverso have been created, both stylistic and mechanical, without ever compromising its identity. The distinctive and timeless design accounts for much of the Reversos enduring appeal and for its recognition as an icon of Art Deco style. The new Reverso Tribute Monoface Small Seconds with Milanese link bracelet perfectly highlights the Reversos unique adaptability to evolve over time balancing contrasting qualities: sporty or elegant, contemporary or retro; masculine or feminine, and often a blend of several attributes at once. Reverso Tribute Monoface Small Seconds in 18-carat pink gold (750/1000) Jaeger-LeCoultre Milanese link and a golden dial lend a subtly vintage air to contemporary style Milanese link is a dense and flat metal link made from two threads of metal that are twisted together to form a double layer of small interlocking links. It is very smooth and flexible and, because it requires no pins to join any sections, is highly durable. The origins of Milanese link can be traced to 13th-century Milan (from which it takes its name), where it was used for a type of chain mail. Later, Renaissance goldsmiths created precious metal versions for jewellery but the technique remained unknown outside Italy for several centuries. In the 1920s, jewellers in Germany mastered the technique, sparking a worldwide fashion trend. As with all trends, its popularity waned for a time, until the 1970s, when Milanese link became fashionable for watch bracelets. Today, Milanese bracelets are enjoying another revival, thanks to their ability to look either sporty or elegant, according to the timepiece. On the new pink gold Reverso Tribute Monoface Small Seconds, the link bracelet adds a dash of vintage chic to the pared-down Reverso Tribute dial aesthetic and all-pink golden colour palette of the watch. Its slim profile perfectly complements the sleek lines of the 7.56 mm-thick Reverso case and the lug attachment has been slightly modified so that the bracelet appears to be integrated. The finely grained dial provides a counterpoint to the polished shine of the case and bracelet links. The polished finish of the 18k pink gold (750/1000) integrated buckle complements the shiny surface of the links, enhancing the bracelets cohesive elegance. When the case is turned over, the metal caseback enhances the jewellery look of the watch, whether left blank or personalised with an engraving or lacquered decoration. On the wrist, the bracelet feels smooth, soft and sinuous a perfect fit thanks to the adjustable sliding clasp and beautifully balanced thanks to the weight of the pink gold. The signature iconography of the Reverso Tribute dial recalls the purity of the 1931 original Reverso, with the hours marked by applied indexes rather than numerals. Their elongated shape and faceted profile add visual depth and echo the form of the Dauphine hands. The circular track of the small seconds display at six oclock provides a counterpoint to the linear geometry of the dial and case. The Reverso Tribute Monoface Small Seconds is powered by the hand-wound Calibre 822, which offers a power reserve of 42 hours. The movement, which is shaped to echo the lines of the rectangular case, was designed, produced and assembled entirely in-house. The Reverso Tribute Monoface Small Seconds redefines elegance with its seamless blend of historical significance and contemporary sophistication, reaffirming its status as a timeless icon. Opinion articles written in the style of their author." These texts are to be based on verified facts and must be respectful towards people, even though their actions may be criticized. shall feature, along with the author's name (regardless of their greater or lesser renown), a footer stating their office, academic title, political affiliation (if any) and main occupation, or the occupation related to the topic being assessed Unlike physical goods produced by global companies and subject to tariffs in world trade, high tech SMEs utilizing additive manufacturing/3D printing technologies can share digital software files for their product lines with local distributors at near zero marginal cost around the world who can then print out the items and deliver them to consumers without paying tariffs. And that changes everything. On April 2, the U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will announce that the Trump administration will issue a reciprocal tariff number to various nations that the U.S. argues represents their tariffs obligation, in whats shaping up as the great geopolitical tariff war of the 21st century. This initiative will ultimately fail in light of a bold new technological revolution entering onto the world stage thats changing the very nature of commerce and trade. While nations around the world are fighting with one another in a vicious geopolitical tariff war which threatens to pull the global economy apart in real time, a game-changing Third Industrial Revolution is quickly moving onto the global stage, making tariffs obsolete on a vast number of physical goods with notable exceptions including fossil fuels, agricultural products, rare earth elements, and wood and stone products. Its called additive 3D printing. This Third Industrial Revolution platform is upending two centuries of subtractive manufacturing which went hand-in-hand with the first and second industrial revolutions of the 19th and 20th centuries and replacing it with additive manufacturing in the 21st century and, by doing so, neutering the geopolitical era. Companies around the world are bypassing tariffs by shipping digital files of 3D printed products at near zero marginal cost to vendors who then print out and distribute the smart products to clients and customers. Unlike physical goods, the transfer of digital software files used in additive manufacturing are not subject to tariffs. This shifts the zeitgeist from the seller-buyer markets of the first and second industrial revolutions to the provider-user networks of the emerging Third Industrial Revolution, and adds an additional dimension alongside conventional port operations. Establishing smart AI-directed additive manufacturing facilities at ports to pour out 3D printed projects for transfer to truck and rail delivery would provide an additional time savings element to move products quickly to end users. The economic implications are enormous and far reaching. In 2024, the global logistics cost of cargo transport via ocean, air, and land was estimated to be $12.8 trillion, or 11.6% of the $110 trillion GDP that year. On the upside, partially avoiding ocean, air, and land logistics that go hand-in-hand with the movement of physical products all around the world means dramatically reducing the cost of doing business as well as the price attached to the sale of goods and services for much of the human family across every continent. Then too, there is the time element to consider. Deloitte reported that during the Covid-19 pandemic companies using 3D printing were able to reduce lead times by a stunning 70% compared to those relying on traditional supply chains in customizing and delivering product lines to clients and customers. Of equal importance, streamlining the ports and reducing the cost of ocean, air, and land freight logistics infrastructure and accompanying warehouses and port facilities eliminates as much as 11% of greenhouse gas emissions. Then too, a warming global climate emerging from the emission of fossil fuels has triggered a rewilding of the hydrosphere with devastating spring floods, unprecedented summer droughts, heatwaves and wildfires, and catastrophic fall hurricanes and typhoons, crippling ocean, air, and land traffic all over the world and undermining logistics and supply chains at an ever increasing pace, stranding world trade and endangering our human family. The first and second industrial revolutions of the 19th and 20th century were based on subtractive manufacturing models. Subtractive manufacturing shaves material to create the final products resulting in considerable waste and a high entropy bill in the production process. The additive manufacturing technology of the Third Industrial Revolution pours out products layer by layer, creating objects with near zero-waste. For example, the 3D printing of a house begins with a computer program that develops a digital model of the building. The 3D printer is a robot that uses a feedstock, such as: clay, sand, limestone, metakaolin, cellulose, and recycled construction waste. The 3D printer then prints out layers arranged in rows designated by the software, pouring out the entire structure in as little as 24 hours. Consider the Italian architect Mario Cucinella who poured out the first clay house sourced entirely from locally available clay soils using 3D printing. The eco-sustainable structure was poured by the printer in 200 hours, with little waste or scraps generated in the construction. Cucinella said that what motivated the firm was the need for sustainable homes... and the great global issue of the housing emergency that will have to be faced particularly in the context of the urgent crises generated, for example, by large migrations or natural disasters. No less important is the new commercial exchange model that goes hand-in-hand with the manufacturing and distribution of 3D printed goods. Cucinella can shift his business plan from a seller-buyer market to a provider-user network by uploading and instantaneously sending the software instructions by computer at near zero marginal cost to any part of the world, allowing developers onsite to print out buildings on a just-in-time and just-in-need basis and pay a license fee to the provider for each building downloaded. Additive manufacturing in global provider-user networks comes with a plethora of additional advantages, including eliminating bloated inventories while continuously updating product lines. This is an example of the vast changes afloat as a fledgling Third Industrial Revolution makes possible a new economic exchange paradigm that takes the economy from globalization to glocalization. While a growing number of Fortune 500 companies are pioneering the use of 3D printed technologies including Airbus, Siemens, Volkswagen, Boeing, Medtronic, General Electric, Caterpillar, and BASF, the technology favors high-tech small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) engaged in a rich latticework of economic exchanges across industries and continents, avoiding the steep cost of ocean, air, and land transportation and logistics and tariffs. 3D printed additive construction is scaling all over the world. For example, Dubai seeks to make 25% of its buildings 3D printed by 2030. Saudi Arabia has announced that it will inject $500 billion for planning and construction of 3D printed buildings from the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia and international investors. Wind turbines, solar panels, car parts, headphones, surgical instruments, architectural models, footwear, practical visual effects and costuming in films, instruments, art restoration, prosthetics, aerospace parts, emergency supplies, aligners and dentures in dentistry, and eyeglasses, are just a few of the many new product lines that are being fabricated with 3D printing technology. High-tech SMEs pursuing additive 3D printed technologies fundamentally reduce their upfront research, procurement, and marketing costs of introducing incubator projects and start-up companies allowing them to quickly scale globally at near zero marginal cost and rewire at a moments notice while avoiding tariffs. This gives SMEs a distinct advantage over the centralized, vertically integrated global companies that framed the First and Second Industrial Revolution. The long and the short of it is that high-tech SMEs in a glocal economy are far more agile than giant global corporations and can adapt more quickly to changes brought on particularly by climate-related disruptions, especially as they affect supply and logistics chains. Now, at the tail end of the Second Industrial Revolution, its important to note that 500 highly centralized global companies make up one-third of the GDP of the world with revenues exceeding over $41 trillion and an employment pool of less than 65 million workers out of a 3.5 billion-person planetary workforce. And while 44% of the human race today live below the poverty level with an average daily compensation of $6.85, the ten wealthiest individuals on Earth own $1.9 trillion in combined wealth. With the fixed cost plummeting and the marginal cost falling in 3D printed product lines across most sectors of the economy, accompanied by the delivery of tariff-free software in provider-user networks around the world, its no surprise that high-tech SMEs are scaling. In the European Union, SMEs already constitute 99.8% of all non-financial businesses, providing 65.2% of all employment in the non-financial business sector, and account for 52% of the total GDP. SMEs make up 99.9% of businesses in the United States, employ nearly half of the workforce and contribute 45% of the GDP. Small and medium-sized enterprises make up roughly 90% of all businesses globally, and they contribute significantly to employment and economic growth, accounting for more than 50% of employment worldwide. A skeptic might argue that as countries become aware of the dramatic shift from seller-buyer markets to provider-user networks and the near zero marginal cost in sharing digital files in a glocalized world, there will likely be attempts to put the finger in the dike and place tariffs on 3D printed digital software coming into their countries, but to little avail, for the simple reason that small and medium-sized enterprises are ubiquitous, the market is there and theres no going back. While theres growing concern that geopolitics is rearing its head once again in the 21st century with nations fighting one another in an increasingly dangerous geopolitical environment, in reality what were experiencing is the death knell of the geopolitics that accompanied the First and Second Industrial Revolutions of the 19th and 20th centuries. A more glocalized bioregional governance is coming of age with the onslaught of 3D printing and high-tech SMEs in provider-user networks that criss-cross the world. Both the First and Second Industrial Revolution infrastructures, powered largely by fossil fuels, were engineered to be centralized and vertically integrated to create economies of scale and required massive financial capital and expansive geopolitical and military commitments to secure their uninterrupted operations. The Third Industrial Revolution infrastructure, by contrast, is designed to be distributed rather than centralized, scales laterally rather than vertically, and is bioregional in impact. When Tim Berners-Lee designed the World Wide Web to allow anyone to share information with everyone else from the edges without asking for permission or paying a fee to agents at the center, he opened the door to a vast new economic opportunity. High tech small and medium-sized enterprises sharing 3D printed software in provider-user networks and cooperatives take Berners-Lees vision to its completion. The additive manufacturing revolution is booming around the world and boasts trade associations on every continent made up of high-tech AI-driven small and medium sized companies. Trade shows are overflowing with attendees year round. Universities everywhere are sprouting new interdisciplinary innovation hubs promoting additive manufacturing incubators and start up companies, preparing a younger generation of AI savvy students to take the reins of an emerging Third Industrial Revolution. In short, the laterally integrated additive manufacturing revolution of the 21st century is unstoppable and will likely surpass and replace the vertically integrated Second Industrial Revolution platform well before mid-century. The reason is unlike the Second Industrial Revolution, the lead time and fixed cost of Third Industrial Revolution AI-directed research, development, and prototyping,, and the marginal cost of production and distribution of product lines is so much faster, cheaper, and adaptive and comes with a far smaller entropic footprint. Heres the bottom line. While the First and Second Industrial Revolution infrastructures were designed more to reward a few over the many in a zero-sum game, the Third Industrial Revolution infrastructure is engineered in a way that, if allowed to operate as it is intended, will distribute economic power far more broadly, fostering a democratization of economic life. Strangling high-tech SMEs with tariffs will fail in the end in a more distributed and increasingly glocalized world. The breakthrough is already here and will not be deterred. Jeremy Rifkin is an economic philosopher and the best-selling author of twenty-three books translated into thirty-five languages. His new book Planet Aqua: Rethinking Our Home in the Universe has just been published in all the major word languages. Mr. Rifkin is a principal architect of the European Unions and Chinas economic plans for transitioning into a Third Industrial Revolution to address climate change and he served as an advisor to Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer on the U.S. infrastructure plan. He is listed among the top ten most influential economic thinkers in The Huffington Posts global survey of the "World's Most Influential Voices." Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Israeli air and artillery strikes on Gaza left around 20 people dead in the southern towns of Rafah and Khan Yunis on Tuesday night. The attacks continued Wednesday with a bombing of U.N. facilities in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, resulting in at least 19 deaths (nine of them children), according to an initial report from the Gaza Ministry of Health. Images from the Jabaliya refugee camp, where the bombing took place, show residents removing bodies from the burning facility and transporting some of the wounded by ambulance. With this offensive, Israel has made clear its goal to occupy more territory in Gaza, potentially for an extended period of time or even permanently. The Israeli army announced the deployment of additional troops to southern Gaza on Wednesday. Shortly after, Defense Minister Israel Katz reinforced this expansionist stance, which has intensified since Israel decided to end nearly two months of ceasefire in the Gaza Strip on March 18. The minister reported that Israel was stepping up its operation against Hamas, which, he said, involves capturing extensive territory that will be added to the State of Israels security zone. The main forum representing the families of the 59 Israeli hostages still held by Hamas (more than half of whom are presumed dead) said they were horrified to wake up this morning to the defense ministers announcement. In a statement, the families said they believe Katz is sacrificing the hostages for the sake of territorial gains. In a similar statement, another group of relatives accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of refusing to implement the agreement that Israel and Hamas signed last January and of burying the hostages alive, according to the Haaretz newspaper. Katz, for his part, has called on the Gazan population to join the fight against Hamas and facilitate the release of the hostages. The testimonies of some of the hostages who have already been released paint a horrifying picture of mistreatment, torture, and humiliation during their captivity, increasing the anguish and fear that those still held will not survive. According to local media, the armys 36th Division, which has been stationed in Lebanon in recent months, will now join the operation in the southern Gaza Strip. Its deployment to the Palestinian enclave was announced days ago. Day after day, as ground and air attacks continue alongside orders for the forced displacement of residents, the Netanyahu-led government is announcing new expansionist plans. All of this moves Gaza and its 2.3 million inhabitants further from one of the commitments made at the time of the ceasefire: the definitive withdrawal of Israeli troops as a prelude to the end of the war. Katzs plans point in the opposite direction: Operation Strength and Sword [the new phase of the war] in Gaza is expanding to crush and cleanse the area of terrorists and terror infrastructure, and to seize large areas that will be added to Israels security zones, he said in a statement. Katz also reiterates what seems to be a call for Palestinians to continue rising up against Hamas: I call on the residents of Gaza to act now to remove Hamas and return all the hostages. This is the only way to end the war, he said. Meanwhile, as part of its war strategy, the Israeli government is continuing its blockade of food, humanitarian aid, and medical supplies entering Gaza, which has now entered its second month, making it the longest ever. Doctors Without Borders (MSF) described the blockade as a deadly siege and a form of collective punishment. This deliberate infliction of harm on people is like a slow death; it must end immediately, said Myriam Laaroussi, emergency coordinator for MSF in Gaza, in a statement. Her teams have been forced to treat wounds without painkillers and ration essential medicines. On Monday, Israeli authorities ordered the largest forced displacement of Gazas population since the ceasefire was broken, affecting tens of thousands of people from Rafah and Khan Yunis. According to Israeli government announcements, the main focus of the current offensive is in the southern area, where the bodies of 15 emergency workers from the Red Crescent, Civil Defense Corps, and the U.N. have been recovered. All were victims of an attack on March 23 in Rafah, near the border with Egypt. Since the ceasefire ended on March 18, the death toll in Gaza has risen to over 1,000, and more than 50,000 people mostly women and children have died since the war began following Hamas massacre of approximately 1,200 people in Israel on October 7, 2023. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition The lock on his cell in the prison in the Syrian city of Tartus creaked. Youre free, they told him. After 43 years and 15 days in prison, pilot Ragheed al-Tatari was walking in the sunshine as a free man, at the age of 70, having been Syrias longest-serving political prisoner. The calendar read Monday, December 9, 2024, when jubilation filled the penitentiary where, aware of the recent fall of Bashar al-Assads regime, the jailers decided to release the prisoners before fleeing. Ragheed was one of them. The fighters of the Islamist militias grouped under Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) had not yet reached this predominantly Alawite stronghold of the Assad regime, but images of long-bearded militiamen freeing prisoners from the infamous Sednaya prison on the outskirts of Damascus had already spread across screens around the world. Assad had fled aboard a plane to Moscow, ending 24 years of rule and half a century of the Assad dynasty. As history would have it, in 1981 it was Hafez al-Assad, Bashars father, who ordered Al-Tataris imprisonment, precisely for inciting other pilots to desert aboard their fighter jets. Al-Tatari, then 27, was a handsome young pilot judging from the photos he has preserved when his partner, pilot Maamun Nakar, landed his fighter jet in Amman, the Jordanian capital, in November 1980 to request political asylum. Nakar had fled to avoid orders to bomb his hometown of Hama during protests led by the Syrian branch of the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood. A second pilot, Abdelaziz Abed, also defected. A few months later, Al-Tatari was arrested along with other pilots. They accused me of colluding with Americans, Jordanians, and Egyptians in the defection of Syrian army pilots. It was all fabricated, he says. Social media has blown the situation out of proportion, clarifies the aviator, whom the Syrian and international press have presented in recent weeks as the pilot imprisoned for refusing to bomb civilians. I never received orders to bomb civilians, but I did urge my comrades to refuse to do so, he notes. I simply realized that we were an instrument of the [Assad] regime, working to preserve its survival and not to protect the country. Al-Tatari has outlived the two defecting pilots in captivity: Maamun died of Covid in Amman in 2021, and Abdelaziz was shot by the secret services in 1993, in an ambush, while illegally infiltrating northeastern Syria. I was always free here, says Al-Tatari, tapping his temple with his index finger. Since his release, this affable septuagenarian has been traveling around the country, visiting friends he met in prison and discovering a Syria disfigured by the past 14 years of war, poverty, and bombing. Ragheed al-Tatari uses his cell phone to record the aftermath of Syrian air strikes on the outskirts of Aleppo. Natalia Sancha He walks among piles of rubble in Al Mashhad, one of the neighborhoods in Aleppo that was hardest hit by the Syrian Air Force under Bashar al-Assads command. Al-Tatari films the skeletons of buildings with his cell phone, realizing for the first time the scale of the destruction of the country that so many young prisoners had described to him behind bars after the outbreak of the revolution in March 2011. Al-Tatari, who was imprisoned under Hafez al-Assad and then under his son Bashar al-Assad, claims that the prison conditions during both periods were exactly the same. Only in Suwayda prison did he have a cell phone and a decent bed. He had not been married even four months when he was arrested, on November 24, 1981. While deprived of his liberty, he learned that he was going to be the father of a son, whom his wife, Sama, named Wael and whom he met for the first time in 1997, when the boy was already 16 years old, during visiting hours. He was also widowed behind bars, in 2018. Since then, he hasnt seen his only son, who lives as a refugee in Canada and who in a few weeks will get his papers sorted out, says Ragheed, to come and meet him for the first time outside of prison. The first person he visited upon leaving Tartus prison was his lawyer, Khadija Mansour, the fourth defense attorney he had during his interminable legal journey. The interview with Al-Tatari, which begins at the home of some friends and continues on the streets of Aleppo and in the car, is constantly interrupted by the beeping of WhatsApp messages. A stranger asks if he knows anything about his father, imprisoned in the 1970s. He attaches a black-and-white photo. I dont recognize him at all, sighs Al-Tatari, who has been contacted by hundreds of Syrians hoping that he might have seen a relative who disappeared in the dungeons over the last half-century. Groups of former prisoners review thousands of photos with the faces of the more than 100,000 people who went missing under the regime to identify those who survived captivity, or to confirm that they succumbed to torture and disease. Al-Tatari has spent many more years in captivity than in freedom. He relays his memories with the help of his fingers: he spent the first three years in the dreaded Damascus detention center known as the Palestinian branch. It was there that he suffered the worst torture, which has left him with a slight limp in his left leg, broken by bludgeoning. It was also there that he learned about the bombing of Hama, a massacre perpetrated by Hafez al-Assads army in 1982 that left more than 20,000 people dead in less than a month. Those three years were followed by another year in Meze prison (Damascus), 15 years in Palmyra prison, 10 years in Sednaya and five years in Adra prison (both on the outskirts of Damascus), six years in Suwayda prison in the south, and the final three years in Tartus, on the coast. Al-Tatari asserts that 95% of the prisoners at Palmyra were Muslim Brotherhood members and recounts how they witnessed, from prison, the fall of the Soviet Union, a historic ally of Syria. Al-Tatari, in the 1950s, during his time at the military academy. Photo courtesy of him. In his account, Al-Tatari connects each prison with a historic turning point in Syrian politics. He experienced a prisoner riot in 2008 in Sednaya that lasted almost six months. Hardened by spending two-thirds of his life behind bars, in 2011 he welcomed young men arrested during the protests into the overcrowded cell. Their cries of pain as they were dragged into the torture chambers provoked a revolt among the most seasoned prisoners. We refused to eat, banged on the doors with our cups, and threatened a revolt if they continued torturing them, he says. From that conglomeration, dubbed the human slaughterhouse, forensic photographer Farid Al Madhan, until recently known as Caesar, managed to escape with 27,000 photographs of Syrian civilians who had died with signs of torture on their bodies. After six months of protests and subsequent arrests, the Sednaya leadership decided to transfer the oldest political prisoners to Adra prison, the first civilian penitentiary in which Al-Tatari set foot. He attacks the international sanctions, which, he says, have benefited the regime and impoverished the population. The impact was felt in the prison, he asserts, where all expenses are borne by the prisoners. His friends are former inmates, like 38-year-old Abdallah, with whom he shared a cell from 2013 to 2016 along with 137 other men in a space designed for 35. Loved by all, Al-Tataris mental and physical resilience made him a sort of therapist for the hundreds of prisoners he met. Now he dreams of opening a painting school in Damascus. He wants to paint its people and its streets, which he now explores with a serene gaze. I escaped from prison every day by painting, he says, scrolling through the portraits he drew in captivity on his cell phone screen. He isnt thinking about flying a plane again, but four days after leaving prison, he was already driving recklessly through the chaotic Syrian traffic. Celebrated as a hero across the country, Al-Tataris face has become a symbol of the arbitrary nature of the Assad regimes prison system, but also of rebellion against its dictates. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Fidelina Cruz, 72, wears a black T-shirt. A photo of her husband, Pablo Panduro Conquinche, is printed on the left side of her chest. She wears this shirt every March 28. The woman dons this uniform alongside the rest of the members of Bajo Remanso, a rural community in the jungles of the Colombian department of Putumayo. This past week, she commemorated the third anniversary of Pablos assassination. At the time of his death, he was the Indigenous governor of the community. She travels three hours by river from the urban center of Puerto Leguizamo, where she has lived ever since the attack. She takes the same route by boat that her husband traveled just hours before he died in a military operation in Alto Remanso, a hamlet near Bajo Remanso. This past Friday, the residents gathered to remember the former leader of the Kichwa people with a Mass. A procession follows, with flags and white balloons, to the abandoned house where Panduro lived until his death. This was supposedly the rifle that our governor carried, says Lucila Bastidas, raising the symbolic Indigenous baton of command. A minute of silence follows. At almost the same time, just over a mile away through the jungle or along the Putumayo River, Rodolfo Pama, 53, places a white cross on a cement base. It marks the spot where his son, Brayan Santiago Pama, was shot dead by a sniper during an operation. He was only 16 years old. On the grass rests another cross he planted a year after the massacre, which the wind and harsh climate of the Amazon rainforest have already toppled. He has also traveled from Puerto Leguizamo, where he now lives, to commemorate the three years since the tragedy. He retraces the steps that Santiago took before his death. He tells EL PAIS that his tribute to his son is to return, every year, to the place where it all happened. Rodolfo Pama, in Alto Remanso, Putumayo, on March 29, 2025. Mariano Vimos On March 28, 2022, the Military Forces of Colombia carried out an operation by air, water and land. The official target was the Border Command, an armed wing that belongs to the dissident group of the defunct FARC that, even today, maintains absolute control of the area. But far from hitting the criminals, the soldiers opened fire in the middle of a community bazaar, where residents were collecting funds to build a road that would connect them to the banks of the Putumayo River. Eleven people died, four were wounded and around 350 were displaced. It was the largest massacre during President Ivan Duques term (2018 - 2022) and one of the most resounding scandals of his administration. The executive branch initially reported the dead and wounded as being guerrillas who were killed in combat. Then-Defense Minister Diego Molano presented the operation as a blow to the dissidents. His boss, then-President Duque, proudly echoed the message. But since then, the Attorney Generals Office, which is still investigating irregularities in the operation, has determined that at least eight of the dead civilians were unarmed and defenseless. These victims included a pregnant woman, a community leader, an Indigenous governor and a minor. The Colombian Army has defended the legality of the incursion, but has presented no evidence to support it. For almost a year and a half, Alto Remanso and Bajo Remanso became ghost towns. In Bajo Remanso, when the population began to return a year after the operation, they felt the loss of the governor. We were left without a native language teacher, because he was the only one who taught the Kichwa language to children and adults, says 73-year-old grandmother Gloria Condo Alvarado, the midwife of the Indigenous reservation. Today, Gloria is the only member of the community who speaks that language, but shes been unable to replicate the governors legacy, because she cannot read or write. He was the only person who had that gift, most residents note. Eduardo Pascual prepares the people who will participate in a Yage drinking session in Bajo Remanso with tobacco. Mariano Vimos Pablo Panduro was also the communitys only doctor, as well as the taita, who oversaw the reservations harmony and spirituality. Yarley Ramirez, who assumed the governorship of Bajo Remanso after Panduro was assassinated, says that her predecessor had the wisdom to heal sick children and animals. He knew which plants to use and was in charge of the Amazonian Indigenous medicinal ritual, which connected locals with the spirits. Every March 28th, in his memory, the village prepares for a night of ancestral medicine, prepared by Grandmother Condo. But, in the absence of a taita, they borrow one from the Puerto Narino reservation to lead the ceremony. The ceremony ends at around 9 p.m., while the entire village gathers around the community hall. A bonfire is lit on the grass. Everyone places hammocks on the roof for the night of taking the remedy, or yage (Ayahuasca). The hall is dark and silent. The taita chants to summon the spirits, while waving a bunch of leaves in his hands. He pauses to smoke and blow tobacco over the Ayahuasca bottle, then asks the men who will be drinking to form a line. After this, he calls the women. Each one drinks from the same totumo (gourd). Around them, other Indigenous people chew coca leaves with ambil (a mixture of tobacco) to accompany the gathering. The reservation remains silent but awake for about seven hours. Then, at dawn, the taita begins the closing ritual of yage. Each person shares what the plant has shown them. The next day, the commemorative Mass to mark the three-year anniversary of the massacre is led by Father Francis Kitavi, a parish priest from Kenya who arrived in Colombia four years ago to fulfill his mission here. During the days of the military operation, the priest was one of the first to arrive at the village, along with a bishop, to offer a prayer for the victims. Yarley Ramirez in Bajo Remanso, Putumayo, on March 28, 2025. Mariano Vimos In Alto Remanso, where the majority of the population is rural, yet not Indigenous, the only one who commemorates the massacre is Rodolfo Pama. Most of the villages residents arrived one or two years after the military operation and regrouped. Pama fights to preserve the memory of what happened and, every year, he walks around the village and reconstructs the events from memory. This past March, in a conversation with EL PAIS, he recounted the operation from his home, where he was when the shots began. He recalls how, during the first month after the massacre, rifle casings and shards of broken glass from the houses that were hit could be counted by the handful on the ground. In one of the houses that suffered the most, bullet fragments still remain embedded in the wood, having entered through the side and passed through three walls. In another, one of the rifle shots struck the glass of a photograph hanging on the wall. They didnt even respect the deceased, a woman laments, pointing at the hole dug into the chest of the man in the photograph. Yarley Ramirez says that community-led reconstruction in both villages was slow and steady. When she took over as governor replacing the murdered Panduro there were only six families in Bajo Remanso. Now, there are 27. After the operation, they moved to the other side of the river, where the jungle falls under Ecuadorian territory. Even the dogs jumped on the boats to flee while the bullets rang out. We didnt understand what was happening, but we all went out to take cover, without speaking to each other. They remained hidden for nearly two hours while the shooting lasted. Then, they set out across the river toward Alto Remanso, in order to look for the governor and family members who had participated in the bazaar. But a line of military boats blocked their way. A day later, Ramirez learned from a local radio station that the government had accused them of being guerrillas Her sister, Derly, survived the attack because she managed to take cover behind a palm tree. There, lying on the grass, she saw Divier Hernandez the president of the villages Community Action Board and his pregnant wife, Ana Maria Sarrias, fall. The bullet that killed Divier knocked him across my knees. His wife, who watched him die, shouted to me: They killed my husband, maam! Help me! Somehow, Derly jumped into the river and snuck under the roots of a tree until the soldiers stopped shooting. For almost two years, she lived as a displaced person, working informal jobs in Puerto Asis and Leguizamo. She returned less than a year after leaving. Today, she has once again taken up the baton of commanding the Indigenous Guard. Shes the veritable sheriff of her community. Father Francis Kitavi celebrates a Mass to commemorate the death of Governor Pablo Panduro. Mariano Vimos However, the shadow of stigmatization remains. When the Army stops you at a checkpoint and asks where youre from, saying Alto Remanso or Bajo Remanso is almost like putting a cross on your head, Yarley sighs. Therefore, in addition to remembering the dead, they seek to clear the name of their communities. They say that theyve prohibited the Colombian Military from entering their territory. They also demand that illegal groups respect the self-government of their local council. However, the Border Command has taken over almost all the riverside communities in the region of Bajo Putumayo. A human rights defender from the region who requested anonymity, as he has already been threatened by the group, says that the most recent measure was to require all Community Action Board leaders or Indigenous governors to include a member of the Border Command in each communitys WhatsApp group. They went from very conventional territorial control strategies, like patrols, to even controlling who people talk to, what they say and when they say it. In other towns closer to the city of Puerto Leguizamo, people have reported that combatants sit at night in the tambos the empty spaces between the floor of the stilt houses and the ground listening to conversations. At the checkpoints set up on the Putumayo River, the communications route for the entire region, they stop boats and demand cell phones, in order to review text and WhatsApp messages. Silence prevails. Despite this fear, the victims of the military operation have cried out loudly. And their calls have reached far and wide. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) is studying the case, while the Attorney Generals Office of Colombia has laid charges of homicide and attempted homicide against 25 soldiers. However, the case has not reached the highest ranks. At the commemoration of the massacre, Juan David Ayure, one of the lawyers handling the case, offers some news: the soldiers who were preventively sent to a prison in a military garrison were released by a judge in October of 2024. We have information that five of them have left the country and are now fugitives. Their lawyers have stated in the hearings that they havent had any further contact with them, he says. Fidelina Cruz places white balloons in commemoration of Pablo Panduro's death. Mariano Vimos As the process moves forward, nobody seeking justice has been exempt from risks. Rodolfo Pama travels in a small canoe from Alto Remanso to Bajo Remanso. He whispers that, two months ago, he received death threats in Puerto Leguizamo. They mistook him for his brother. And, on a motorcycle taxi ride, a man told him to be careful with what he was doing to demand justice for Brayan Santiago. In 2023, when she travelled to the Congress to share what had happened, Yarley received death threats on her cell phone. Its been very hard to simply ask for the truth to be told we dont know how far it will take us. The governors voice breaks and her eyes water. On the night of the yage ritual, the Indigenous leaders dedicated the ceremony to Pablo Panduro so that, in his honor, they could win other battles, such as the one to formalize the status of their Indigenous reservation with the government. That was [Pablos battle] when he was murdered, says his wife, Fidelina. Another Indigenous guard says, over breakfast, that Panduro arrived for his commemoration. Last night, [he] came and sat here, sharpening his machete before going to work. He was sitting next to the taita. He appears before us every March 28th. Translated by Avik Jain Chatlani. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Yes Significant efforts are being made No Much more needs to be done Some progress But there are still critical gaps Vote View Results The recent publication of the 2024 results of the multinational Merck, which operates as Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD) outside the United States, has revealed an unprecedented figure in the history of the pharmaceutical industry. Sales of the drug Keytruda, a monoclonal antibody indicated for several types of cancer, reached $29.5 billion after growing 18% last year. Never before has a drug reached such levels, shattering the record once considered unattainable of $19.95 billion set by Abbvies Humira in 2022. To put the figure into context, Keytruda has a turnover as high as the fashion giant Zara or the gross domestic product (GDP) of countries such as Senegal and Iceland. Its a drug that has forced us to rethink how we fund some treatments in the public health system. The system wasnt prepared for a therapy that could reach this magnitude, says Sandra Flores, a member of the Spanish Society of Hospital Pharmacy (SEFH) and head of this service at Virgen del Rocio Hospital in Seville. One of the keys to the success of pembrolizumab the name of the active ingredient in Keytruda is its ability to act against various tumors. This has led the European Medicines Agency (EMA) to approve 30 indications for 15 types of cancer, 18 of which are currently funded by the public health system. And although it may be surprising today, there was a time at the beginning of the last decade when the molecule was almost thrown in the trash. When Merck bought the pharmaceutical company Schering-Plough in 2009 to acquire therapies such as ezetimibe, indicated for cholesterol, it also casually acquired other drugs pending development, such as pembrolizumab, which had come into Schering-Ploughs hands two years earlier when it acquired another company, Organon BioSciences. According to Forbes in 2017, the drug was so low on Mercks priority list that the company included it on a list of discarded molecules it was going to try to market. What happened then was a coincidence that, looking back, seems very striking. BMS [another pharmaceutical company] published encouraging results for two similar antibodies, ipilimumab and nivolumab [later marketed under the brand names Yervoy and Opdivo], and Merck realized that pembrolizumab might, after all, have some potential, explains Josep Tabernero, director of the Vall dHebron Institute of Oncology in Barcelona. Gregory J. Carven, one of the inventors of Keytruda. Gregory J. Carven was one of the drugs inventors at Organon, and he explains another paradox in the drugs history. Our program was actually focused on autoimmune diseases, like arthritis, not cancer. We wanted to reduce inflammation and the immune system response in these patients, he wrote to EL PAIS. In reality, he admits, they ended up discovering the opposite: We found antibodies that increased immune responses, so we changed our target and focused on cancer, the researcher explains. Immunotherapy has revolutionized oncology over the past 15 years, but the first steps weren't easy. "A major challenge was the general climate surrounding these drugs at the time. Before the success of PD-1, most of the industry wasn't interested in harnessing the immune system against cancer due to previous failures of other drugs," Carven recalls. PD-1 is a protein found on the surface of the immune systems T cells. Activating it serves to boost the immune response against cancer cells, but these cells have another protein, PDL-1, which binds to it and acts as a brake, allowing the tumor to evade the bodys defenses. Pembrolizumab prevents the two proteins from interacting, which allows the immune system to continue recognizing malignant cells and attacking them, Tabernero says. Merck believes the drug still has a long way to go, according to a spokesperson. Pembrolizumab has redefined the treatment of certain cancers, and we look forward to further innovation for patients in the coming years. We currently have the industry's largest immuno-oncology clinical research program, with more than 1,600 trials studying pembrolizumab across a wide variety of cancer types and treatment settings. In 2010, however, the company encountered a seemingly insurmountable problem: the years-long delay it had accumulated with respect to BMS and its research on ipilimumab and nivolumab. This led Merck to adopt a revolutionary approach to drug development, including more than 1,300 patients with different types of cancer in Phase 1, whereas this typically includes only a few patients to test the safety of the molecules. It was the largest Phase 1 trial ever conducted in oncology, Catalan researcher Antoni Ribas, who played a key role in those early phases, told Forbes. The positive results led the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to approve Keytruda for advanced melanoma in 2014 (the EMA did so in Europe in 2015). But Merck's strategy has allowed the company to expand the number of approved indications, which has become a challenge for healthcare systems like Spain's. Sandra Flores, head of the Hospital Pharmacy Department at the Virgen del Rocio Hospital in Seville. PACO PUENTES The law establishes that the initial price agreed between the Ministry of Health and pharmaceutical companies for the first indication must be gradually reduced if new indications are approved, as the number of units purchased increases. The problem is that this system has ended up being impractical with so many indications. In some cases, it could even be perverse, since some were intended for so few patients that the company might not be interested in ordering them if this would lower the price of all of them. We can say that Keytruda is the first drug for which the Spanish model has not worked, and we have had to rethink how to resolve some situations, says Flores. Keytruda sales have been growing at a rate of nearly 20% annually since 2020. This trend predicts revenues exceeding 200 billion ($217 billion) by 2031, the year in which patents expire in Europe (in the United States, they will expire in 2036). Initially, however, these patents were scheduled to expire in the EU in June 2028, but Merck has managed to delay them by resorting to an instrument called a supplementary protection certificate (SPC). This has led many experts to warn of the enormous profits that blockbuster drugs like Keytruda have been making for years at the expense of healthcare systems. Bernabe Zea, founding partner of the specialized consulting firm ZBM Patents and Trademark, explains that SPCs were created to "compensate" for the lengthy drug development processes: "Patents protect any invention for 20 years. But, for example, you can put a stapler on sale very soon after patenting it, while a drug cannot be sold for the first decade because that's when you're undergoing clinical trials and regulatory procedures to validate its safety and efficacy. The certificates were created to guarantee a sufficiently long period of exclusivity to be attractive to the industry and incentivize research." In the case of Keytruda, the SPCs have allowed the monopoly to be extended for two years, from June 2028 to July 2030, plus a six-month extension until January 2031 through the so-called pediatric extension, another mechanism intended to incentivize research in this field in exchange for extending the patents. Laura Vallejo Torres, a professor at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and a member of the Spanish Health Economics Association (AES), believes that the first extension is not justified for blockbuster drugs like Keytruda if another variable is taken into account: price. Immune system lymphocytes attack cancer cells, in an image provided by Merck. ANNE WESTON (FRANCIS CRICK INSTITUTE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/Merck) The success of the drug should be an incentive for innovation for Merck and other companies, but this cannot be at the expense of the sustainability of healthcare systems through high prices, which, moreover, are not always justified in relation to the health improvements they bring, she argues. In this experts opinion, the emergence of biosimilars the equivalent of generics for these types of biological drugs is essential for the sustainability of the system and to guarantee patients access to future innovation. Each vial of Keytruda has an official price of 3,566 in Europe ($3,871), an amount subject to confidential discounts. As the drug is administered in doses of 200 or 400 milligrams every three to six weeks, the annual cost per patient can amount to several tens of thousands of euros. For Zea, the problem for competition lies not so much in SPCs but in other strategies. One of them is the so-called patent networks. The original, which is the true innovation, is the one that expires first. Therefore, companies try to delay competition by requesting other patents related to secondary aspects, such as formulations, indications, etc., which are often of dubious validity and aim to extend exclusivity. Another strategy is to introduce more or less significant changes to the drug to patent the new version. In the case of Keytruda, Merck is promoting the subcutaneous version [the current one is intravenous]. If it manages to convince the medical community that this version is more convenient than the current one, it will de facto manage to extend the monopoly for many more years, says this expert. According to information available on the website of the Spanish Association of Biosimilar Medicines (BioSim), there are currently 10 companies developing a pembrolizumab biosimilar. Encarna Cruz, the organizations general director, warns, however, that this is not the norm and that in almost half of cases, a biosimilar is not ready when the original drugs patent expires. Developing a biosimilar takes six to eight years and requires an investment of 100 to 300 million. Its an investment not without uncertainty: first, because the launch date is often delayed by a complex network of overlapping patents. Keytruda, for example, has 129 different ones in the U.S. alone. And second, because new versions of the original are often marketed shortly before the biosimilar appears in this case, the subcutaneous version of Keytruda. This can mean that by the time the biosimilar has been developed, the market in which it competes simply no longer exists because all consumption has shifted to the new versions, Cruz concludes. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition It weighs around 10 kilos (22 lb), its sex is still unknown, and it doesnt even have a name. But theres a small animal with dark hair and white spots that has kept a large team of specialists on edge ever since its mother became pregnant in early 2024. Their nervousness was understandable. This is the first Malayan tapir (Tapirus indicus), an endangered species, ever to be born in Spain. And it is one of only 24 worldwide to have done so in the last decade in captivity. Weve been trying for many years, and its finally been possible. Were thrilled; its incredible, enthuses Javier Vicent, head of the Zoology team at Bioparc Fuengirola, where the miracle was captured and recorded by the zoos cameras. Everyone there now spends 24 hours a day monitoring the calf to ensure its developing well. They are very unique mammals, says Vicent, noting that adults typically weigh around 300 kilos (600 lb). They are solitary, herbivorous, and live in the jungles of Malaysia and on the island of Sumatra in Indonesia. They are related to horses and rhinoceroses. As prey for large predators like the tiger, they have a highly developed sense of hearing and smell, although they suffer from myopia. Their mottled fur evolves gradually, and when they are six months old, they change to a very distinctive adult coloration: one part white and the other black, which helps them camouflage themselves among the light and dark of the jungle. This is a basic element for their survival. Even more so given that there are barely 2,500 individuals left in the wild (plus about 50 in captivity), who are having increasing difficulty reproducing due to the fragmentation of their habitat because of deforestation for crops. Thats why the birth of this baby tapir is such a joy to behold. The birth gives meaning to a conservation program that the center, located on the Costa del Sol, has been pursuing for more than two decades. Rawa the mothers name and Mekong the father are the latest specimens to pass through these facilities under the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA) Endangered Species Program. It hasnt been easy, especially because for captive breeding to happen, there must be compatibility between the adults, and thats not easy at all. Some didnt tolerate each other well. And those who did were not interested in sex. Rawa, who arrived in Malaga at 11 months old in 2019 from France, also struggled with another male named Pi. That was until Mekong showed up in 2023, at the age of eight, from Sweden. Then everything fell into place. The pair got along well, and at the end of that year they began to mate. They were last seen mating in early 2024, but the impregnation is believed to have occurred weeks later, as the calf was finally born on March 29th after 13 months, a typical gestation period for the species. The first Malayan tapir calf (Tapirus indicus) born in Spain, with its mother in the background. Bioparc Fuengirola A quick birth For weeks, some movements had been noticed in the females abdomen like the little kicks that pregnant women feel and the entire team was reassured because the weekly ultrasounds indicated that everything was progressing as planned. Then, on Friday afternoon, the mother began to feel more nervous than usual, and by nightfall, things got worse. At 3:20 a.m., she delivered her baby in less than two minutes. The calf cleared the membranes, ate the placenta, and shortly afterward was nursing. The images captured by the surveillance cameras show the strength and tenderness of this natural process, highlighting the beauty of one of the most unknown and endangered species on the planet, according to the animal park, one of 20 worldwide and the only one in Spain working on the conservation of the Malayan tapir within EAZA. There is information in international manuals, but its a poorly described species, so were being very cautious and monitoring everything during the quarantine, says the veterinarian Adrian Martinez. Rawa, who is a first-time mother, is responding well to the babys care and feeding. The calf is also doing well: eating, following the mother, walking well, and responding to stimulation. Its showing energy, and thats important. When its a week old, Martinez will check it to determine its sex and weight, and conduct an extensive examination. Im excited about this birth, says the vet, who believes the baby is a female. But its not yet confirmed, he warns. If everything keeps going smoothly, the young tapir will soon be allowed outdoors. The first Malayan tapir ('Tapirus indicus') born in Spain. Bioparc Fuengirola The team of specialists at the Malaga facility has 24-hour access even from home to the cameras that monitor the progress of the mother and her baby. They will spend the next six to nine months together if their relationship is good. From then on, the baby will be transferred to another center to continue supporting the future of the species. And if it is confirmed that she is a female, a male will be found for her who is not genetically related to either one of her parents so that she, too, can become a mother someday. Orangefield High School students Embrie Manshack, Hannah Block, Elyse Gunter, and Blair Butler attended the 2025 SETX Women in Industry luncheon on Tuesday, March 25. This annual initiative brings together 25+ industrial facilities that collaboratively plan a series of events each year for local female high school students interested in pursuing careers in industry. Spencer Day, a board member of Heritage House Museum, will share her researched stories of the old Bland Cemetery on Sunday, April 6, from 2 to 4 p.m. The event is part of Heritage House's annual Spring Cemetery Walk in Orange County's burial places. Spencer Day shares her stories of Bland Cemetery on Sunday Spencer Day loves to spend her spare time looking through old cemeteries, wandering among moss-covered marble tombstones and wondering about the people buried there. She's now spreading her research and learning to the community by creating a guided tour of the Bland Cemetery off Interstate 10 east of FM 1442. Heritage House Museum of Orange, is sponsoring the Bland Cemetery Walk. The walk will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 6. The address is 11549 East Interstate 10 along the access road. There is no charge for the walk, but donations may be made. Day is now on the Heritage House board of directors and has researched history of the cemetery and the people buried there. She said the Bland family began in Orange in 1833 when 18-year-old Peyton Bland settled here. Day said no one knows where Peyton Bland is buried, but his son, Peyton Jr., is buried at the cemetery. All together, about 580 gravesites are at Bland Cemetery. The date of the first noted tombstone is from 1869. "There's several really old ones and some have been lost through the years," she said. She has done the research for people in some of the graves along with interesting history of the cemetery and tombstones. Other Heritage House board members will give presentations at the chosen graves. One bit of history Day learned is about zinc headstones. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, headstones with information engraved on a zinc plate were cheaper than the traditional marble carved headstones, she said. During the years of alcohol prohibition in the U.S., 1920-1933, bootleggers and their customers learned to use the tombstones for sales deliveries. Day said the headstone plaque could be unscrewed. A customer could leave money behind the plaque and screw it back in place. The bootlegger would take the money and leave the hooch. One gravesite to be featured is that of Orange County Commissioner John Dobbs, who was shot and killed in 1881 while in the Crescent City Saloon, which was along the Sabine River and faced Front Street. Day said the killer was John Gordon, who was related to Dobbs. No one really knows the reason for the shooting. Also, she will feature the burial site of Sergeant Malcolm Bruce Peveto, who was 28 years old and killed in action during the Korean War. Day said she accidently came across the grave and became interested in the young man who had been awarded ten honors, including the Purple Heart. However, she couldn't find information on whether he had any survivors or relatives left. After contacting someone who helps oversee the private cemetery. The soldier's daughter in Ohio, now 75, contacted Day to give more information. The daughter was born two months after her father was killed. Her mother had also been in the service and "it was love at first sight" when they met. The daughter was born two months after her father was killed. Her mother, who was from Ohio, moved back to raise the baby near her relatives. The mother never married again. Day said her interest in old cemeteries and history started only three years ago when someone gave her a gift of 23 and Me for ancestry testing and searching. She grew up without grandparents, aunts or uncles to share family stories and had been curious about them. When researching her roots, she would find the gravesite of ancestors and try to find interesting things about their lives. Day is a 2008 graduate of Orangefield High School and her mother was a Laughlin. Day's grandmother was Waldean Laughlin, who worked many years for Orange County in the child welfare office. Day, too, has worked for Orange County in the county clerk's office and is now working for the Mehaffy and Weber law firm. Her research has also revealed she has Bland ancestry and also is related to the Block family. The late W.T. Block of Port Neches was once postmaster in Orange and is a noted Southeast Texas historian. Perhaps that love of cemeteries and the past have been inherited. Day, a single mother of two teenage daughters, Gracie and Aadi, said the two girls are "absolutely not" into the history searching. "They will listen to be polite," said said. Day has also learned methods to clean old tombstones so the information can be read. She has also started a part-time business, Happy Souls Headstones, to contract cleaning markers. She has now learned that historical research can "take you down a rabbit hole" as she goes on her quests to discover histories mysteries. It was a good day to be underground. Canfranc, a village of 612 inhabitants in the Spanish Pyrenees, woke up looking gloomy, the color of its buildings dulled by dense, impenetrable clouds, with residents confined to their homes, almost no tourists on the streets, and a biting cold that cut the lips of anyone who ventured out. It was the kind of day that made one wonder, more than ever: why are we here? At the Canfranc Underground Laboratory (LSC), just a few miles from the French border, an international team of scientists is trying to find at least part of the answer to that question that has obsessed humanity since the beginning of time. Its 10:30 a.m. Carlos Pena, the director of the LSC, finishes his meeting in the research centers offices a gray building with straight lines that contrast with the mountains in the background puts on a fluorescent yellow work coat, and gets into the van. On the way to the lab, Pena tries to explain the most important experiment underway. The fundamental question is: why did nature choose matter over antimatter? To understand the LSCs contribution to the answer, a couple of things need to be explained first. The known universe stars, planets, flowers, and the air is made of atoms, and these are composed of three fundamental particles: protons, neutrons and electrons. These three particles are matter, meaning they also have an opposite: their antiparticle. The electrons antiparticle is the positron, which has a positive charge, as opposed to the electrons negative charge. But theres another particle that fascinates scientists: neutrinos. They are perhaps the most special of all: they exist in abundance in the universe, but barely interact with matter, have no negative or positive charge (unlike protons and electrons), and they pass through the Earth almost undetected. Carlos Pena, director of the Canfranc Underground Laboratory, at the facilities. Daniel Alonso Vina Their most interesting characteristic is that they are neutral, meaning they can be both matter and antimatter at the same time. Pena explains: In the description of nature given to us by quantum mechanics, when one thing is indistinguishable from another, it is both at the same time. Thats why we believe the neutrino is both matter and antimatter. Since the neutrino has no charge or internal structure, its antimatter version (the antineutrino) should be identical to it. This is essential to understanding the LSC experiment. Pena enters the Somport tunnel, which connects Spain with France, and proceeds through an interior detour until reaching a large white door: the Canfranc Underground Laboratory. The size of an industrial warehouse, it was inaugurated in 2006, and there are only three similar laboratories in Europe, as well as in the United States, Canada, Korea, and Japan. The LSC is made up of several rooms, and in each of them different experiments are carried out: some try to detect wimps (a possible type of dark matter), others search for axions (possible dark matter particles), and a biology laboratory studies how low cosmic radiation affects living organisms. Above the LSC, there is the Candanchu ski resort, 800 meters of land that are essential for the proper functioning of the detectors housed in the laboratory. Here, the ultra-fine particle detectors are almost isolated from the noise of the universe, the cosmic rays: high-energy particles coming from the Sun, supernovae and other galaxies. When these rays collide with the atmosphere, they generate a shower of secondary particles that pass through the surface. The mountain acts as a natural shield against these unwanted particles. If that cosmic noise were to reach here, it wouldnt let us see the improbable phenomena were trying to detect here, explains Pena. Neutrinos, however, pass through the mountain without difficulty to the gigantic detector installed at the LSC. Its the largest room. Its not cold. Its 18C [64F] here, compared to the 8C [46F] on the mountain out there, says Pena. An employee of the Canfranc Underground Laboratory in an image provided by the center. The site is as large as a warehouse in an industrial park. Two workers move around the space touching things, while Pena chats briefly with a third, a scientist who has come to give instructions and review the projects progress. About 30 people work here on a daily basis, although the total team numbers nearly 300 researchers operating remotely from around the world. In the main space, there is a glass-enclosed room that cannot be accessed, and inside, a small version of the machine they intend to use to capture this phenomenon, which has only been theorized on and would allow them to take a step toward explaining the origin of the universe or rather, our existence in it. The experiment is part of the NEXT project, an international collaboration led from Spain that already includes more than 130 researchers. Pena returns to neutrinos. Quantum physics has calculated we believe, says Pena that the neutrino is both matter and antimatter, and that only when we detect it does it become one of the two. Before we do, it is both at the same time. And what use is this to explain the origin of the universe? The final answer is near. But theres a small problem: the universe should be pure emptiness. The laws of physics dictate that the same amount of matter and antimatter were created in the Big Bang. This wasnt the case because we exist, and therein lies one of the great mysteries that quantum physics is trying to resolve. When a particle of matter (an electron) joins with its antimatter particle (a positron), they annihilate each other, leaving only energy (i.e., light). If everything had been perfectly symmetrical, the universe wouldnt exist. Mathematics dictates there shouldnt be galaxies, stars, planets, or people. Only light. But here we are. Most of the universe is light; were only three parts out of every 10 billion, Pena explains. A worker in the Somport railway tunnel, which connects France and Spain through the Pyrenees. Javier Larrea What does that mean? That something broke that perfect symmetry, and an excess of matter remained. Matter won by a little. Physicists dont know why, and they believe the neutrino holds the answer. That kind of spy, which can talk to matter and antimatter, meant the annihilation wasnt perfect, and matter ultimately won, he says, fascinated despite the number of times hes explained this to visitors. What were trying to demonstrate here is that the neutrino is both matter and antimatter, he says, standing in front of the detector theyve been developing for years. We hope its the first version before the final version, which will be able to detect this interaction (two neutrinos annihilating each other) once a year. They already have the container, a tank almost five meters high. Theyll use the technology currently installed in a smaller detector (about two meters long) that theyve installed. Why cant that interaction be detected with that one? Because, according to our calculations, it could only be detected once every hundred years with a detector of this size, Pena explains. Several workers work inside the neutrino detector that forms the backbone of the NEXT project in an image provided by the lab. The next vital experiment for physics is being developed in Japan and attempts to demonstrate the other theorized part of this explanation for the origin of the universe: that when two neutrinos annihilate each other, a remnant of matter remains. That experiment will have results by 2030. With the Canfranc experiment, we will have to wait until 2035 to find out if neutrinos can, in fact, be matter and antimatter. Its an essential answer. It would allow us to know where we come from, where the pieces that make us come from. We would know the mechanism by which protons, neutrons, and electrons won, Pena says. The exit from the laboratory is different from the entrance. Pena gets into the van and says, Lets go out through the railway tunnel. This is the origin of the LSC: a tunnel, built in 1928 to connect Spain and France, which fell into disuse in 1970 after the collapse of a bridge on the French side. The physicist Angel Morales, a professor at the University of Zaragoza, and his team, armed with rudimentary detectors and a great deal of ingenuity, arrived at the tunnel in a van around 1985. They fitted the vehicle with railway wheels so it could move over the railway tracks. They transported a small mobile laboratory and traveled through the tunnel, analyzing its conditions and measuring radiation levels. That improvised experiment confirmed what they suspected: the enormous mass of rock above their heads blocked cosmic rays, providing an ideal environment for detecting extremely rare particles, such as neutrinos, and possible traces of dark matter. That first trip, carried out with barely any resources, was the seed of what, decades later, would become one of the most advanced scientific infrastructures in Europe. This article was originally published as part of Tendencias (Trends), a project by EL PAIS, with which the newspaper aims to open an ongoing conversation about the major future challenges facing our society. The initiative is sponsored by Abertis, Enagas, EY, GroupM, Iberdrola, Iberia, Mapfre, the Organization of Ibero-American States (OEI), Redeia, Santander, and strategic partner Oliver Wyman. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Setting pre-conditions for talks Riders to cease hostilities | Three preconditions and that too qualified by the term non-negotiable and one is left wondering whether the Kuki-Zo civil society organisations are actually serious about ceasing hostilities. Or is this a ploy to strike a tough stand and be in a position to bargain for more before the Union Home Ministry pending the crucial April 5 meeting with their Meitei counterparts ? We are ready for talks to cease hostilities, but this should be on our terms and conditions, is the line maintained and nothing can get more farcical than this. Not clear how well the conditions set by the Kuki-Zo CSOs would have gone down with the people who matter, particularly the Meitei folks, but they have already laid their card on the table and one wonders whether the riders set by them would have any takers. The universal understanding of a dialogue to end days of hostilities should be about putting across ones ideas and thoughts without any strings attached and if the Kuki-Zo CSOs are under the impression that they can convince anyone to agree to their pre-conditions then it would be far removed from the understanding of any effort aimed at ending hostilities. Mark the first pre-condition they has lined up, No cross movement-meaning there shall be no movement of Meitei individuals in Kuki-Zo dominated areas and vice versa and this is nothing short of a direct challenge to the directive issued by Union Home Minister Amit Shah to ensure free movement of everyone across the length and breadth of Manipur from March 8. That the attempt to ensure free movement along NH-2 fell flat on its face on March 8 perhaps has given a fillip to the Kuki-Zo CSOs to strike such a nonchalant stand and this is where one is left wondering whether the free movement from March 8 call of Amit Shah was just a ploy to test the water ! It is also interesting to note that the Kuki-Zo CSOs have deemed it fit to lay down that the cessation of hostilities will be observed for 6 months and this should more than underline the fact that it is the armed militants of the Kuki-Zo community who have been on the offensive starting from the gun wielding elements who took part in the May 3, 2023 Tribal Solidarity March. The shadow of SoO continues to cast its long shadow and this is something which should not be brushed aside by Raj Bhavan and the Union Home Ministry. All indications that the Kuki-Zos are still itching for endless rounds of violence and confrontations and killings and to think that this is the same set of people who have been playing the victim card since the evening of May 3, 2023 and everything should fall into place. Manipur cannot afford to forget the slogan, Peace later, solution first, a slogan coined by the Committee on Tribal Unity and which has been the calling card of the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) too. It is as yet unclear which group or which CSO would represent Manipur in the April 5 meeting at New Delhi, but it would be interesting to see how things proceed. Or will it also go the way of the October 15, 2024 meeting last year at New Delhi, which ended with no one in Manipur really knowing what exactly transpired during the meeting ? This was in 2024 and one hopes things would have somewhat changed six months hence and Manipur can expect something concrete out of the April 5 meeting, that is if at all the meeting takes place. Or is it going to be a meeting between representatives of the Government (which is under PR) and the Kuki-Zo leaders ? In such a case, will the people or Manipur accept whatever is discussed or agreed to during the scheduled meeting ? Only questions at the moment, but it should be clear that the Kuki-Zo CSOs appear to be deadly serious about the scheduled meeting and hence the pre-conditions which have been given wide publicity in the Imphal based newspapers. A few days to go before April 5, but the efforts being taken up the Union Home Ministry to put Manipur on the track of normalcy cannot be dismissed that easily, especially not with the type of pre-conditions laid down by the Kuki-Zo CSOs and from the very pre-conditions laid down it should be clear who has been engineering the clash for the last 24 months. On the other hand Manipur should also make it clear that NRC is a must to weed out all illegal immigrants and make the War on Drugs meaningful and take it to its logical conclusion and in the process defang the narco-terrorists who have been masterminding the clash, from Day 1. Union minister of state for education Sukanta Majumdar today said that he would urge Union home minister Amit Shah to order an NIA investigation into the gas cylinder and firecracker blast in Dholahat, Patharpratima, which killed eight members of a family. Speaking to reporters at Bagdogra Airport, Majumdar alleged that North 24-Parganas has completely fallen under the control of jihadis under the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamul Congress (TMC) government and South 24-Parganas is heading the same way. Advertisement Entire West Bengal is sitting on a pile of bombs and explosives. After returning to Delhi, I will write to home minister Amit Shah, demanding an investigation to determine whether Jamaat, Bangladeshi groups, or anti-India forces are behind this incident, he added. Advertisement Mr Majumdar accused the TMC of inciting communal violence to polarise voters ahead of elections. Mamata Banerjee herself wants polarisation politics, he alleged. Muslims are naturally polarised, while Hindus in Bengal, from Jyoti Basu and Buddhadeb Bhattacharya to even MP Saugata Roy, who fled East Bengal, have become secular. Now, she desperately seeks this division for political gain. On the issue of Ram Navami, Mr Majumdar declared that if the BJP comes to power, grand celebrations would be held on Kolkatas Red Road. I urge Hindus in West Bengal to unite on the occasion of Ram Navami, he said, adding, This is the final battle for the survival of Hindus in the state. Artificial intelligence-generated images inspired by Studio Ghibli were posted on the social networks of the White House, the Israeli Army, and the Indian government. OpenAI announced on Tuesday that its new image-generation tool is now available to all users, not just paying subscribers. Just a week after its launch, the tool has already become synonymous with one particular aesthetic: the iconic style of Japans Studio Ghibli. Millions of users have used the new tool to recreate family photos and historical images in the distinctive look of Hayao Miyazakis legendary studio. Instructions for generating these Ghibli-style memes have even spread among people who dont usually engage in AI art. While AI-generated images had their moment of glory even before the arrival of ChatGPT, they now seem to be reaching an even wider audience. Over the past 12 months, ChatGPT usage has surged to an all-time high, according to Google Trends. For comparison, heres how it stacks up against Grok, the AI chatbot developed by X, which also saw a notable spike in interest this week Global searches for ChatGPT (blue) and Grok (red) in the last 12 months, according to Google Trends. Sam Altman, co-founder of OpenAI, said hed never seen such demand, saying users were flooding into the app by the millions. That might not sound too dramatic, considering the chatbot already boasts 700 million monthly users, according to Altman himself. But gaining a million users in an hour is still staggering. So, what happened? Its hard to come up on a single answer, but here are a few possibilities. 1. The images are undoubtedly better This was a Ghibli-inspired image generated by another AI in 2022: Heres an example of a higher-quality image though it likely required a great deal of effort at the time: Now, however, 700 million users can create such an image with just a click. That changes everything. Its no longer just about spotting AI-generated images. Ghibli is just one example of what the tool can do, but for some reason, Altman himself chose that style to announce its launch. Why is this more than just another meme? First, because it has gone beyond a mere viral trend. Its no longer just about sharing an image millions of anonymous users are now generating their own family photos in the Ghibli style. And, of course, celebrities, politicians, and even military forces have joined in. In Spain, Antonio Ortiz, a technology analyst at Error500, was one of the first to make a Ghibli meme go viral: Is this just a trendy meme, or does it show the power of something bigger? Id say both, he says. As a meme, its obviously going to have a short lifespan. However, technological advancement goes much further. What OpenAI has brought to the table is different from the traditional image generation models weve had until now. It significantly raises the bar when it comes to understanding your intentions and working with the semantics of whats inside the image. The real question is whether this meme, after so much repetition, will impact the brand itself. Will we still see Totoro or Chihiro the same way now that we know AI can so easily replicate them? 2. And what about copyright? Sam Altmans current avatar on X is an AI-generated Ghibli-style image. While a visual style isnt protected in the same way as individual works, OpenAIs casual use of it has sparked debate one thats often overtaken by new and increasingly sophisticated images. OpenAI must be well aware that Japanese copyright laws are laxer. To replicate Ghiblis signature aesthetic, theres little doubt that OpenAI used images from Studio Ghibli films. That could open them to a copyright infringement lawsuit, writes Andres Guadamuz, an intellectual property professor at the University of Sussex, on his blog. But this would not be as open a case as many on social media are stating. Assuming that Studio Ghibli would sue in Japan, the first hurdle would be that Japanese copyright law has a broad text and data mining exception that would appear to allow this type of training for commercial purposes. Not only that: there is an enormous number of Ghibli images available online. There is a reason why the Studio Ghibli content is so easy to reproduce, and it is because it is to be found all over the web, screenshot after screenshot in forums, GIFs on social media, etc. We are the infringers. We are the ones providing the inputs. There are three decades of Ghibli content to be found online, Guadamuz adds. 3. Human melancholy OpenAI is already embroiled in other legal battles over intellectual property. But beyond the legal implications, this meme and its near-perfect execution points to something bigger: AI means business, serious business. Its hard to shake off that creeping melancholy. AI researcher Ethan Mollick captures this sentiment every time another symbolic milestone is reached: Ive grown not to entirely trust people who are not at least slightly demoralized by some of the more recent AI achievements. Designer and founder of the Mendesaltaren studio, Danny Saltaren, shared a long message about Ghibli on X, which also expressed concern for humanity in the face of the relentless advance of AI. All and when I say all, I mean all references are now available for anyone to alter," he later explained to EL PAIS. This means anyone can generate or create. The problem remains the same: very few people have good references or taste. Now, we will have a world full of things that are without soul, without substance, but that are prettier. A world where bad taste becomes the norm, In his message on X, he tried to explain how human labor might still be needed: Now everything is better, yes, but also more standard. More correct. And more boring. We ask ChatGPT not to fail. Soon, we will ask it to fail. Randomly. So that we are not caught out. So that no one notices that we stopped creating and started imitating. To deceive. To pretend that we are still capable. When in reality, we are only capable of asking. Asking a machine to be more human than we are, he wrote. A year ago, YouTuber DamiLee posed a question: Why Studio Ghibli movies cant be made with AI? On Monday, one user commented: This video didnt age well. To which DamiLee replied: What do you mean by that? Do you think that generating images in the Ghibli style is equivalent to creating a Ghibli film? And do you think the images can capture the soul of Ghibli movies? Genuinely curious. You dont have to be a Ghibli film expert to distinguish a real scene from a movie from an AI imitation: Its likely that AI will achieve that level of detail in a single frame. But the rest of the film will still be missing. Why Ghibli is still surviving until now? Because we have chosen opposite position to the trend, said Hayao Miyazaki. I have never thought to dominate the market or win the competition. It is easier if things going to just one way. Because we can go the opposite way. If you dont have this attitude, it would be impossible to catch up this moody trend and huge mass-consumption society. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Hundreds of people staged a dharna (demonstration) in Kurseong since morning, protesting the death of a 15-year-old girl, who was hit by a toy train. Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) chief executive Anit Thapa extended his support to the protesters and assured them of legal action. Mr Thapa also held a meeting with railway officials today, demanding justice for the victim. Advertisement The deceased, identified as Roshni Rai, sustained critical injuries after being struck by the toy train yesterday and succumbed to her injuries last night. Angry locals staged protests, demanding accountability. The situation was brought under control following the intervention of the GTA chief. Advertisement The family needs help. I have provided financial assistance and will pursue legal action against the railways, Mr Thapa stated. A schoolgirl lost her life after being struck by the Darjeeling toy train near Kurseong. The GTA chief Anit Thapa met with railway officials and expressed solidarity with the protesters demanding justice. I stand with the people seeking justice for the child, he said. School bus accident in Siliguri; students escape unhurt In a separate incident, a school bus met with an accident at Jalpai More in Siliguri. Fortunately, none of the students on board were injured. However, locals and guardians expressed anger over the poor maintenance of school buses, blaming both the school authorities and bus owners. The accident occurred when all four rear wheels detached from the moving bus. The front portion of the bus continued moving for nearly 50 metres before coming to a halt. Fatal collision on highway claims 2 lives In another tragic incident, two young men died after the autorickshaw they were travelling in collided with a heavy container on Asian Highway-2 near North Bengal Medical College and Hospital. The victims, identified as Sujoy Biswas and Subhodip Mandal, were returning from Siliguri market after selling vegetables grown on their land in Phansidewa. An incident in Raghunathpur, under Ghatals Block 1, has triggered outrage after Hindu monk Hiranmoy Goswami Maharaj was brutally assaulted on Monday evening. Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari condemned the attack and demanded immediate arrest of miscreants. Police said that a group of miscreants attacked the monk and shaved his head, beard, and matted locks, creating panic in the area. The incident took place after Maharaj had been invited to the residence of a prominent family, owned by Shaktipada Manna, in Raghunathpur. The monk, associated with an ashram in Tamluk was there for a few days to conduct Bhagavad Gita recitations and partake in devotional events. On Monday evening, after concluding a session, Maharaj and a disciple went out for a stroll when the attack occurred. Reports suggest that the assailants not only beat the monk but also cut off his locks and beard before abandoning him in a distressed state. His disciple, overwhelmed by fear, was unable to react immediately. Advertisement As darkness fell, the usually quiet village saw an alarming turn of events. Concerned about his absence, Shaktipada Mannas family began searching for him and eventually found him lying injured on a village road. He was rushed to a rural hospital and later transferred to Ghatal Sub-Divisional Hospital for further treatment. Advertisement Upon hearing the news, local BJP MLA Shital Kapat visited Maharaj in the hospital. Subsequently, with the intervention of Leader of Opposition, the monk was shifted to a private hospital in Kolkata for advanced medical care. However, no formal police complaint has been lodged yet. BJP leader Shital Kapat stated: We are still unsure, who carried out this attack. Maharaj is unwilling to file a police complaint. I personally do not believe this was politically motivated; it may have been an act of personal vengeance. He also mentioned that Hiranmoy Maharaj had contacted him a few days prior, seeking assistance in reaching out to Suvendu Adhikari, which has now raised further questions about the timing of the attack. Notably, Maharaj is usually provided with police protection, including an armed escort and a civic volunteer. However, on the evening of the attack, he was out with only one disciple, which may have made him vulnerable to the assailants. Reacting strongly to the incident, Mr Adhikari has demanded enhanced security for Hindu monks in the state. Drawing parallels to the attack on Chinmoy Prabhu in Bangladesh, he expressed his concerns on social media, highlighting the growing threat to Hindu religious figures in Bengal. The BJP has condemned the incident and called for immediate action against the perpetrators. BJP co-observer and IT cell in-charge Amit Malviya wrote on X-handle: Earlier, during one of his Bhagavat recitations, certain individuals linked to Mamata Banerjees Trinamul Congress had demanded that slogans such as Bharat Mata ki jai, Hindu Sanatan Dharm ki jai, Gau mata ki jai, and Jai Sri Ram should not be chantedan instruction he refused to follow. This brutal attack is an act of retaliation driven by the TMCs vote bank politics. The space for Hindu religious freedom in Bengal is shrinking at an alarming rate. Tension flared up in Belgharia after a Trinamul Congress (TMC) worker was shot dead point-blank late on Tuesday night. Police said that the deceased, identified as Rehan Khan (aged between 30 and 35). The victim was reportedly a close aide of local TMC councillor Debjani Mukherjee. The incident took place in front of the party office in ward 35, triggering unrest in the area. According to local sources, miscreants targeted Rehan late at night, leaving him grievously injured. Shockingly, his body remained at the spot throughout the night. On Wednesday morning, he was rushed to Sagar Dutta Hospital, where doctors declared him dead. The murder has sent shockwaves through political circles. The Barrackpore Police Commissionerate has launched a manhunt for the attackers. Police are probing whether the killing was linked to business disputes, personal enmity, or political rivalry. Eyewitnesses described a disturbing scene. In the morning, we saw his body being taken away in a toto to the hospital. There was a visible hole at the back of his head. It seemed like a gunshot wound, said a local resident. A police officer involved in the investigation stated: He was sitting at the place talking. We even found a liquor bottle at the spot, suggesting he might have been drinking. His family informed us that they spoke to him between 11.30 p.m. and midnight. His body was recovered around 5.30 a.m. We are trying to identify who was present at the time and who might be responsible. Advertisement As political and security concerns escalate in Belgharia, police continue their probe into the brutal killing. Advertisement Leveraging digital platforms for agricultural advancement, the Sugarcane Development Council has successfully trained over 9 lakh sugarcane farmers through Facebook Live sessions. Under the guidance of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, this initiative seeks to equip farmers with modern techniques, contributing to Uttar Pradeshs position as the leading state in sugarcane production and productivity. Officials said here on Wednesday that since February 2024, the Sugarcane Development Council has been running this program, reaching over 15 lakh sugarcane farmers. The Facebook Live training sessions have not only benefited farmers in Uttar Pradesh but have also extended their reach to sugarcane growers in Uttarakhand and Nepal. Advertisement By integrating expert guidance from sugarcane research institutions, these live sessions offer farmers insights into advanced farming techniques while also addressing their queries in real time. The initiative ensures quick and effective knowledge dissemination, enabling farmers to adopt best practices for increased yield and productivity. Advertisement In just one year, the program has actively engaged 15,36,600 farmers, with over 9,10,342 directly participating in the training sessions. The Sugarcane Development Council has conducted 18 such Facebook Live programs, making technical guidance more accessible to farmers than ever before. The Uttar Pradesh Sugarcane Development Council is conducting training programs not only through Facebook Live but also through traditional methods at research institutes. Free training sessions are being organized at sugarcane research centers in Muzaffarnagar, Shahjahanpur, and Seorahi, where 19,039 farmers have been trained so far. Additionally, training camps have been held in Meerut, Rampur, Lakhimpur, Bareilly, Hardoi, Pilibhit, and even in Nepal. The main objective of these programs is to educate sugarcane farmers about improved sugarcane varieties and modern farming techniques. Along with training on cultivation methods, farmers also receive assistance in resolving issues related to payment, seed availability, and other agricultural challenges. As a result of these continuous efforts, Uttar Pradesh is now ranked number one in sugarcane production and productivity and leads the country in sugar production as well. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Wednesday, while addressing the assembly during discussions on the CAG reports on vehicular pollution from the previous regime, said that the present government is working tirelessly to tackle air pollution through various initiatives. She emphasized that rather than dwelling on the past governments inaction on vehicular emissions, her focus remains on implementing measures to improve Delhis air quality in the future. Advertisement Gupta accused the opposition of avoiding meaningful discussions on CAG reports, asserting that those responsible for past policy failures now hesitate to face the consequences of their actions. Advertisement The Chief Minister stated that discussions and reports have revealed alleged misuse of funds by the previous government, which resulted in a failure to improve Delhis public transport system and air quality. To prevent such negligence in the future, our government has been working tirelessly since day one. We prioritize public welfare and ensure every decision is made with the well-being of citizens in mind, Gupta added. As part of its action plan, the government has identified key areas that require immediate attention, with the goal of making Delhi a cleaner, greener, and healthier city. Gupta announced that increasing green cover is a major priority. This year, the government aims to plant 70 lakh new trees across Delhi, involving school children, educational institutions, social organizations, and local committees in this effort. On improving public transport, she stated that Delhi currently has 6,484 buses in operation, whereas the city requires 11,000 buses. The government is committed to meeting this requirement by 2026. Regarding the Electric Vehicle Policy, Gupta said that to encourage EV adoption, the government is preparing a policy that will provide incentives to individuals and businesses switching to electric vehicles. To address traffic congestion and reduce vehicular pollution, she announced that 500 new cameras will be installed at major traffic junctions. These cameras will be integrated with the command and control center for real-time traffic management. Further, she stated that the capacity of waste-to-energy plants will be increased, and new plants will be established to enhance waste processing efficiency. Gupta also revealed that six new air quality monitoring stations will be set up to track pollution levels across different parts of the national capital. A command and control center will be established to oversee pollution control measures, including waste management and air quality monitoring. The Chief Minister reaffirmed the governments commitment to making Delhi a cleaner, greener, and healthier city. Val Kilmer, the multitalented actor whose performances in cult classic movies like Top Gun, Batman Forever, and The Doors are etched in movie memory, died aged 65 following complications from pneumonia. His daughter Mercedes Kilmer confirmed his death on April 1, 2025. Kilmers six-decade acting career left a lasting impression on Hollywood with a string of unforgettable performances. Advertisement Born on December 31, 1959, in Los Angeles, California, Val Kilmer started his acting career on stage before moving to film. He initially made a name for himself with his appearance in the comedy Top Secret!, where he demonstrated his comedic timing and musical abilities as an American rock star embroiled in Cold War intrigue. Advertisement Here are some of the top movies of Val Kilmer. Top Gun (1986) Kilmers performance as Lieutenant Tom Iceman Kazansky in the 1986 blockbuster Top Gun propelled him to global stardom. As Mavericks cool and confident adversary, Kilmers acting brought depth to the films dynamic, with Iceman becoming a favorite among fans. Decades later, he reprised the role in the sequel Top Gun: Maverick (2022), giving a heart-wrenching performance that gained popularity among audiences. The Doors (1991) In Oliver Stones biographical drama The Doors, Kilmer portrayed the difficult role of Jim Morrison, the brooding lead vocalist of the legendary rock band. His fully realized performance, channeling Morrisons charm and intensity, was widely praised by critics and showed Kilmers commitment to portraying actual persons in their real-life aspects. Tombstone (1993) Kilmers rendition of Doc Holliday in the Western movie Tombstone is still one of his most renowned performances. His version of the irascible and consumptive gunslinger brought an extra dimension of depth and complexity to the character. Batman Forever (1995) Taking up the mantle of the Caped Crusader, Kilmer portrayed Bruce Wayne/Batman in Joel Schumachers Batman Forever. His take injected a brooding intensity into the character, striking a balance between the duality of the billionaire playboy and the mask-wearing vigilante. Although the film itself had mixed reviews, Kilmers work came to highlight for introducing a new depth to the superhero legend. Heat (1995) In Michael Manns Heat, a crime thriller, Kilmer was Chris Shiherlis, a talented thief caught up in an elaborate heist. Co-starring with acting giants Al Pacino and Robert De Niro, Kilmer was more than a match for them, giving a performance that provided emotional resonance to the supporting cast. The Saint (1997) Kilmer assumed the character of master thief and impersonator Simon Templar in The Saint. His ability to play around with different characters and accents exemplified his range as an actor, and so the film serves as a welcome addition to his filmography. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005) In the black comedy crime movie Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Kilmer played Gay Perry, a wisecracking private eye with a multifaceted personality. His performance received acclaim for its humor and chemistry with co-star Robert Downey Jr., a career revival. In 2015, Kilmer was diagnosed with throat cancer, which caused serious health issues, including losing his natural voice. He went on to remain in the industry despite these challenges, using technology to help him speak. His durability came out in the documentary Val in 2021 that gave a glimpse into his life and career in a very personal and intimate way. The Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA) has unveiled its official selections for 2025, presenting a wide-ranging lineup of films that explore themes of identity, family, tradition, and modernity. The festival will open with the LA premiere of Bad Girl, a Tamil-language coming-of-age drama directed by Varsha Bharath. The film follows Ramya, a young woman trying to balance love, family expectations, and her own desires in her search for the perfect partner. It is produced by Vetrimaaran and Anurag Kashyap, with music composed by Amit Trivedi. Advertisement The festival will close with the US premiere of Little Jaffna, a French-Tamil drama directed by Lawrence Valin. The film follows Michael, a young police officer infiltrating a Tamil separatist group, only to develop a deep connection with the community he was meant to surveil. Featuring performances from Radikaa Sarathkumar and Vela Ramamoorthy, the film delves into themes of identity and belonging. Advertisement Among the narrative feature selections, Sabar Bonda (Cactus Pears), directed by Rohan Parashuram Kanawade, will have its LA premiere. The Marathi film follows Anand, a city dweller who finds himself connecting with a struggling farmer during a period of mourning in rural India. The Fable, directed by Raam Reddy, will have its North American premiere. Starring Manoj Bajpayee and Tillotama Shome, the film follows Dev, who discovers a series of mysterious fires in his Himalayan orchard, unraveling dark family secrets. The festival will feature the North American premiere of Humans in the Loop, directed by Aranya Sahay. The film follows a tribal woman in Jharkhand who works as an AI data labeler while raising her daughter. This film examines the intersection of technology and tradition. Nepali director Deepak Rauniyar presents Pooja, Sir, a film based on real events. It follows Kathmandu detective inspector Pooja as she investigates the kidnapping of two boys in a politically charged border town. Rima Das returns with Village Rockstars 2, a sequel to her critically acclaimed Village Rockstars. Set in Assam, the film follows a teenage girl navigating the challenges of pursuing music while living in a rural village. The festival will also showcase an array of documentaries. A Fly on the Wall, directed by Nilesh Maniyar and Shonali Bose, makes its North American premiere, documenting a filmmakers personal journey as she captures her friends physician-assisted suicide. In television, the Bangladeshi series Dui Shaw, directed by Nuhash Humayun, will have its LA premiere. The supernatural thriller weaves together themes of hate crimes, curses, and the mystical elements of South Asia. IFFLA 2025 short film selections include Am I the Skinniest Person Youve Ever Seen?. Its a Canadian documentary by Eisha Marjara reflecting on her teenage years and struggles with anorexia. Jaskirat Singhs As Dusk Falls makes its world premiere. It tells the story of a young Punjabi man whose long-awaited Canadian visa forces him to reconsider what he is leaving behind. Blue Boy, directed by Nik Dodani, examines the queer identity of a young Indian-American boy through a spiritual awakening. The experimental animated short bonVoyage pour monVoyage transforms the filmmakers travels across eight Indian cities into a visual journey. Bunnyhood, a British animated short by Mansi Maheshwari, explores the hallucinatory experience of a teenager undergoing anesthesia in a hospital. Pakistani director Kamil Chima presents The Clown, a Punjabi-language narrative about loss and resilience. The festival promises an engaging mix of contemporary themes, personal stories, and bold filmmaking that reflects the regions evolving cinematic landscape. South Koreas highest-paid star Kim Soo Hyun has been facing a row of accusations involving late actress Kim Sae Ron. The actress family accused Soo Hyun of dating Sae Ron when she was a minor. They claim that the two were in a relationship for six years which started when Sae Ron was just 15 while Soo Hyun was 27. Moreover, the claim that Kim Soo Hyuns agency GOLD MEDALIST pressured the actress over her debt in connection to her DUI case. Her family also released a series of suggestive and flirtatious texts which Sae Ron received back in 2016. They claim that Soo Hyun sent her such texts. Following this, Kim Soo Hyun organised a press conference on March 31. In the press conference, he admitted to dating Sae Ron. However, he denied that she was a minor. Moreover, he stated that he or his agency did not pressure her over the debt. Amid the ongoing controversy, Soo Hyun has reportedly lost over twenty brand endorsements. Moreover, his agency which always had massive reserves of billions of Won is facing financial difficulties. As per reports, Kim Soo Hyuns agency GOLD MEDALIST is seeking external aid to mitigate the companys collapse. Advertisement Advertisement View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kim Soo Hyun (@soohyun_k216) Speaking with Newsen, a corporate expert familiar with the agency detailed the situation. GOLD MEDALIST always had a surplus of 2 to 3 Billion WON in its bank account. But things are different now. Over 20 Kim Soo Hyun advertisements have all been cancelled. But it is said that almost no one has demanded liquidated damages due to this issue. However, it seems that the bank account balance has been emptied due to the return of a portion of the model fees calculated for the day, the cancellation of various scheduled events, and fixed expenses. The source added, I heard that GOLD MEDALIST needs to secure about 6 Billion WON in damages before the press conference. I heard that they have even temporarily suspended their service contract with an external cleaning company. If this is true, there will be a restructuring of executives and employees soon. Despite the press meet, netizens are not buying the actors statements. Following his address, Garaseros YouTube channel released pictures of Soo Hyun and Sae Rons pictures from a ski trip, sparking a backlash against the actor. For complete details of the press conference, read: Kim Soo Hyun steps forward! Accepts dating Kim Sae Ron and files a lawsuit against her family Kiran Raos acclaimed slice-of-life film, Laapataa Ladies is facing plagiarism accusations. A social media user posted the clip of an Arabic short film, Burqa City directed by French filmmaker Fabrice Bracq. Since the clip started going viral, netizens cant help but note the uncanny similarities between the films. This has disappointed and enraged several fans as the film received widespread acclaim. Notably, since the title was Indias official entry to the Oscars, the possibility of plagiarism has contributed towards the disappointment. Kiran Raos Laapataa Ladies focused on the lives of two wives. They get separated from their husbands after an accidental swap occurs at the train station due to their veils covering their faces. The story focuses on how the women grapple with the circumstances and learn to depend on themselves. They embarked on the quest to find themselves and what they seek, be it reunion, or independence. Advertisement Taking to X, a user shared a clip of Burqa City. The user wrote, Kiran Raos Lapata Ladies, Indias official entry to the Oscars and projected as an original work, actually seems heavily inspired by a 2019 short film titled Burqa City. In the short film, a man realises that his burqa-clad wife is someone else, revealing a case of mistaken identity. Moreover, it has a scene where the police officer is in splits after hearing about the case. The man shows the officer his wifes photo in which a burqa overs her face- elevating the satire. Notably, Ravi Kishans scene as a police officer is identical to the one in the short film. The Arabic title focused on how women are generalised by patriarchy and devoid of any unique identity of their own. Advertisement Kiran Raos Lapata Ladies, Indias official entry to the Oscars and projected as an original work, actually seems heavily inspired by a 2019 short film titled Burqa City. Set in Middle East, the 19 min film follows a newlywed man whose wife gets exchanged due to identical pic.twitter.com/b7GcHN2MmI THE SKIN DOCTOR (@theskindoctor13) March 31, 2025 Since the clip went viral, several users took to social media. They are penning their disappointment and questioning the makers of Laapataa Ladies. A user wrote, So what will you call it? Inspiration or Copy? Another user wrote, There is nothing Original about Bollywood anymore. All inspiration comes from wine-filled-movie-nights-parties. If you know, you know!. A user also penned, It screams duplicity and sad to see copied/ inspired work like Laapataa Ladies presented as original for the Oscars. They also conveniently shifted from a Muslim to Hindu context in India just to fit a narrative feels disingenuous and unfair. Meanwhile, a user penned, Its intriguing that Lapata Ladies has drawn comparisons to Burqa City given the striking similarities in themes and narrative structure. If Raos film indeed mirrors key aspects of Burqa City, it raises valid questions about originality and the fine line between inspiration and imitation. While its possible that Rao took inspiration from the short film, the core message about patriarchy, societal norms, and the loss of identity is universal and worth exploring. However, recognizing the source of inspiration is essential, especially when it comes to international recognition like the Oscars. Also Read: IFFLA 2025 drops a sizzling roster of must-watch South Asian films Moreover, this is not the first time the film has faced plagiarism accusations. Earlier, actor-director Anant Mahadevan accused Rao of copying his film. He mentioned that his debut film Ghoonghat Ke Pat Khol featured the same premise. His film was the story of two brides who got accidentally exchanged on a train and landed in Bombay with the wrong husbands. The anti-naxal Hawk Force of Madhya Pradesh Police gunned down two women naxalites, carrying rewards of Rs 14 lakh each, in an encounter near the Kanha tiger reserve in Mandla district of Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday morning, according to police officials. The encounter took place at around 10 AM in the jungles of Mundidadar and Ghaneridadar under the jurisdiction of the Bichiya police station. Advertisement According to Madhya Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) Kailash Makwana, the Hawk Force shot down two women Naxalites in an encounter in Mandla district and recovered an SLR rifle, a bharmaar gun, a wireless set, and other daily use items from the spot. Advertisement Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav congratulated the police. The CM said that two women Naxalites carrying a reward of Rs 14 lakh each on their heads were killed in an encounter with police in Mandla district on Wednesday morning. According to sources, the eliminated women Naxalites, identified as Mamta and Pratima, were members of the Kanha Bhauram Dev Committee. First came the accusations. Now, the evidence. Since the Donald Trump administration began deporting Venezuelans to El Salvador, accusing them of being members of the Tren de Aragua criminal gang, family members and migrant rights advocates have been speaking out in their defense. They argue that these men are not and have never been gang members; that they were misidentified, purely due to prejudice based on their nationality, clothing, or tattoos. A lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), one of the countrys leading civil rights organizations, now seeks to prove these allegations. Contrary to the sweeping accusations from the Republican administration, the main evidence revolves around a form used to determine alleged membership in the Venezuelan gang and thus their classification as an enemy alien based on a point system. The threshold is low: eight points equals membership in the Tren de Aragua gang. The document provided as evidence by the ACLU starts with three basic criteria that must be met to proceed. The person in question must be at least 14 years old, be Venezuelan, and not hold U.S. citizenship or residency. Afterward, a table is filled out and tabulated. But its conclusion overlooks nuances, trends, or individual circumstances. There are 20 criteria, divided into six subgroups: Judicial Outcomes and Official Documents, Self-Admission, Criminal Conduct and Information, Documents and Communications, and Symbolism. If any of the conditions are met, between two and 10 points are awarded. In the initial sections, if the individual has been convicted of violating U.S. law for activities related to the Tren de Aragua, 10 points are given no more steps are required. The same applies if the individual openly admits to belonging to the gang. But then the process becomes more complicated. If U.S. or foreign intelligence links the individual to the gang, or if there is credible testimony from victims, community members, or informants confirming the connection, the individual receives four or three points, respectively. Likewise, if there are verifiable communications or financial transfers to known members of the Tren de Aragua, six and three points are awarded, respectively. The final two sections are the most controversial, as they focus on tattoos, clothing, group photos, and other symbols that allegedly signal membership with the Tren de Aragua gang. For instance, tattoos denoting membership/ loyalty to the Tren de Aragua earns four points, and social media posts that include gang symbols or depict activities with known gang members receive two points. As experts, whistleblowers, and activists have pointed out, these criteria are subjective, as many of the alleged symbols such as sportswear from U.S. teams are commonly used by the general public. Given that in this five-item section, two items are worth four points and three are worth two points, it is entirely possible for someone to be misidentified as a member of Tren de Aragua, classified as an enemy alien, and deported based on a biased interpretation of their appearance or style. Guide for migrant profiling. US BORDER PATRO In addition to the form, the ACLU also includes two guides from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Border Patrol for identifying suspected members of the Tren de Aragua gang. Both highlight tattoos considered suspicious, such as trains, crowns, stars, an AK-47, clocks, the Jordan logo, or the phrase Real hasta la muerte a reference to a song by Puerto Rican reggaeton artist Anuel AA. These are all fairly common tattoos. However, the guides from the different agencies contradict each other on one point. While the DHS guide suggests that wearing Chicago Bulls clothing may indicate gang membership, the Border Patrol guide notes that Bulls gear is simply popular among Venezuelans and should not be regarded as definitive evidence. The ACLUs lawsuit and the evidence it presents come two weeks after the Trump administration began deporting hundreds of Venezuelans to El Salvador on the grounds that they belonged to the Tren de Aragua. The U.S. government invoked the Alien Enemies Act for the deportations despite the fact that the 1798 law stating that the country must be at war and that those deported must be part of an invading force was temporarily blocked by District Judge James Boasberg as soon as the first flights became known. Since then, Trump has taken the case to the Supreme Court, and flights have resumed in open defiance of the judges order. Outside the legal realm, numerous reports have surfaced suggesting that some of the deportees are not gang members, according to testimonies from their family members. The ACLUs complaint includes many of these stories of individuals being identified as members of the Tren de Aragua based solely on a tattoo, which are used as evidence of the unjust and arbitrary persecution of Venezuelans. In a brief press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt argued: There is a litany of criteria that they use to ensure that these individuals qualify as foreign terrorists, and to ensure, to ensure that they qualify for deportation. That litany appears to consist of one specific number: eight. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Vikas Yadav, who is serving a 25-year-long jail term in 2002 Nitish Katara murder case, has approached the Supreme Court seeking interim bail to attend to his ailing mother, who is in serious condition. A bench of Justice Abhay S Oka and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan asked the Uttar Pradesh government to constitute a medical board to examine Yadavs mother, and submit a report before it. Advertisement Posting the matter for hearing on April 15, the bench also sought response from Uttar Pradesh government and complainant Nitish Kataras mother, on Vikas Yadavs application for interim release. It has now posted the matter for hearing on April 15. Advertisement During the hearing of the case, the Uttar Pradesh government said it will constitute a medical board to examine the health condition of Yadavs mother. Yadav in his application for interim release has said that his mother is admitted in Yashoda Hospital, Ghaziabad, and is being treated in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Yadav in his application has said that due to the serious condition of his mother, his assistance and presence is needed. Yadavs earlier plea on the denial of remission benefit to him has also been pending before the top court. A trial court in May 2008 held Vikas Yadav guilty of kidnapping and murdering Nitish Katara for being in a relationship with his sister Bharti Yadav. On October 3, 2016, the top court gave 25-year jail term without any remission to Vikas Yadav, son of controversial Uttar Pradesh politician DP Yadav, and his cousin Vishal Yadav for their role in the kidnapping and killing of business executive Katara. They kidnapped Katara from a marriage party on the intervening night of February 16-17, 2002 and then killed him for his alleged affair with Vikas sister Bharti Yadav. Strongly defending the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, Union Home Minister Amit Shah rejected the Oppositions charge that the government wants to interfere in the religious affairs of Muslims through the legislation and said its provisions are aimed at better management of the Waqf properties. Intervening in the debate on the Bill in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, the home minister said the legislation would not be implemented with retrospective effect. He accused the Opposition of trying to mislead the people and create fear among members of the Muslim community. Advertisement Extending his support to the Bill, Shah said there are misconceptions among several members, either genuinely or politically over the Bill. Advertisement In an apparent attack on the Opposition for opposing the Bill, the minister said attempts are being made to spread misinformation across the country through this House. Shah categorically said there is no provision for the appointment of non-Muslims in the processes related to the religion in the Bill. Informing the House that in 1995, the Waqf Act and Board came into effect, he said all the logic about non-Muslims inclusion are about interference in the Waqf. Stating that no non-Muslim would come into the Waqf, Shah said there is no such provision to include any non-Muslim among those who manage the religious institutions. Pointing out that there is a big misconception that the Bill will interfere with the religious conduct of Muslims and the property donated by them, he said this is being done to instill fear among minorities for their vote bank. Giving more clarity about the Bill, Shah said, Where will non-Muslim members be included? In the Council and the Waqf Board. What will they do ? They wont run any religious activity. The Minister further said that they would only look after the administration of property donated by someone under the Waqf Law. He said a person can donate only the property that belongs to him, not the property that belongs to the government or any other individual. The Minister also informed the House that changes have been made only in provisions related to Council and Board in the 1995 Act, which deal with the administrative tasks. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a case against former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and 19 others under charges of corruption, fraud, and violations of the Gambling Act in connection with the Mahadev betting syndicate. The accused include members of the Mahadev syndicate, businessmen, government officials and politicians. Advertisement The FIR, registered on December 18, 2024, drew widespread attention on Tuesday evening. The individuals named in the CBIs FIR include Ravi Uppal, Rohit Gaulati, Shubham Soni, Vishal Ahuja, Chandrabhushan Verma, Dheeraj Ahuja, Aseem Das, Anil Kumar Dammani, Satish Chandrakar, Bhim Singh Yadav, Bhupesh Baghel, Harishankar Tibrewal, Nitesh Diwan, Surendra Bagdi, Saurabh Chandrakar, Suraj Chokhani, Anil Agarwal, Vikas Chaparia, and several unidentified persons. Advertisement The CBI recently conducted raids across four states Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, and West Bengal targeting 60 locations linked to the accused. In Chhattisgarh alone, the agency searched over two dozen locations associated with 13 individuals, including former Chief Minister Baghel, Congress MLA Devendra Yadav, senior police officers, and prominent businessmen. Responding to the CBIs action, Baghel alleged political vendetta, questioning why action was not being taken against the masterminds of the betting syndicate. He further criticized the Central government, arguing that despite the absence of a clear legal framework for online gambling, the outdated British-era Public Gambling Act of 1867 remains in force. He contended that if online gaming were legal, the issue of protection money would not arise, and if illegal, the government should act decisively. Baghel took to social media, stating, Seven-year-old cases, in which I was even arrested, have been revived. When the court discharged me from CBIs allegations in that case, a new narrative is being built. My appointment as AICC general secretary and Punjab in-charge is bothering them. But I am not one to fear or bow down. He further alleged that efforts were being made to orchestrate his arrest, asserting that he had faced incarceration before and was ready to do so again while standing firm on the path of truth. Additionally, Baghel questioned the CBIs focus. If an FIR can be lodged against me based on Shubham Sonis accusations, then I accuse Modi, Shah, and Vishnu Deo Sai of sheltering the Mahadev app operations. Will the CBI investigate this? The government must clarify whether online betting is legal or illegal. If it is legal, then why is there a debate on protection money? If it is illegal, how is the Mahadev app still operating across the country, including Chhattisgarh, he asked. The EDs investigation has revealed that the Mahadev betting app operates as an organized syndicate, facilitating online gambling and laundering illicit funds through benami bank accounts. The app provides users with unique IDs for betting, and transactions are conducted through anonymous banking channels. Officials claim the syndicate has amassed illicit wealth worth thousands of crores through this operation. As part of its probe, the ED recently arrested Kolkata-based stock trader Gaurav Kedia, who was allegedly converting betting proceeds into white money via stock market investments. The agency has secured a five-day remand to interrogate Kedia and uncover further links in the syndicates financial network. The Mahadev scam has so far resulted in multiple arrests, with Bollywood celebrities also facing scrutiny. The ED has already filed a charge sheet against key promoters Saurabh Chandrakar and Ravi Uppal. Baghel raised concerns about the delayed action against individuals like Shubham Soni, whose alleged involvement surfaced before the elections. He accused the authorities of selectively targeting individuals while shielding others, including those based in Dubai. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has requested an urgent meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to voice concerns over the proposed delimitation exercise. He has sought to meet the Prime Minister, along with Members of Parliament from various political parties across the state. Advertisement In a post on the social media platform X on Wednesday, CM Stalin said: Honble PM Thiru @NarendraModi, I have requested a meeting with you, alongside MPs from various parties, to present our memorandum on the concerns surrounding the proposed delimitation. This follows resolutions from the #JointActionCommittee meeting for #FairDelimitation in Chennai. As previously mentioned, we urgently seek your time to convey our united stance on this critical issue for our people. Awaiting your earliest response. Advertisement The Chief Minister had earlier written to the Prime Minister on March 27, seeking an appointment. In his letter, CM Stalin stated that he wished to meet the Prime Minister along with select MPs from different political affiliations to submit a formal memorandum reflecting the concerns raised during recent deliberations. He noted that Chennai hosted the inaugural Joint Action Committee (JAC) meeting on Fair Delimitation on March 22 a landmark event attended by some Chief Ministers, Deputy Chief Ministers, and leading political figures from across India. The voices emerging from our deliberations transcend political boundaries, embodying the concerns of citizens from diverse regions who seek fair representation in our parliamentary democracy, CM Stalin wrote in the letter. Highlighting the significance of the issue, he added, As this issue holds significant importance to our states and citizens, I kindly request a meeting with you to formally submit the Memorandum on behalf of the Joint Action Committee. It may be recalled that the March 22 JAC meeting concluded with a resolution lauding Chief Minister Stalin for his leadership in initiating a fair and transparent delimitation process aimed at safeguarding the political and economic interests of well-performing states. The resolution also voiced serious concern over the perceived lack of transparency and stakeholder consultation in the proposed delimitation process planned by the Union Government. Emphasising the democratic nature of such an exercise, the JAC underlined the need for inclusive dialogue involving state governments, political parties, and civil society. It stressed that only a transparent and participatory approach would ensure a fair outcome. Another key concern raised was the potential penalization of states that have successfully implemented population control measures. The JAC argued that such states should not suffer reduced representation in Parliament as a result of their success in population management. To safeguard these interests, the resolution called on the Union government to initiate appropriate constitutional amendments that ensure equity in representation without discouraging effective governance practices. Congress on Wednesday demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should explain to the people of the country what prompted the government to normalise relations with China while our territorial integrity remains gravely compromised. The party further said that the prime minister should take the people into confidence on this issue of national importance. Advertisement Congress general secretary in-charge of Communications Jairam Ramesh on Tuesday noted that Indias Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Chinese Ambassador Xu Feihong jointly cut a cake to celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and China. President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi exchanged greetings with their Chinese counterparts, President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, respectively. What takes the cake is how this is a clear signal that the Modi government has decided to accept the greatest loss of Indian territory in decades, surrendering over 2,000 sq km of land in Ladakh in the guise of disengagement, he said. Advertisement Asserting that there is a consistency in the prime ministers pusillanimous approach to China, the Congress MP claimed that it started with the infamous public clean chit he gave to China when he declared na koi hamari seema mein ghus aaya hai, na hi koi ghusa hua hai on live television, only four days after 20 of our brave soldiers made the supreme sacrifice in Galwan on June 15, 2020. It continues today in the Modi governments failure to safeguard our sovereignty while pursuing normalisation with China. More than four months after the signing of the disengagement agreement of October 21, 2024, the Indian government has failed to assuage widespread concerns that the agreement represents a major setback to Indias territorial integrity and national interest, the parliamentarian said in a statement. Even amid the Chinese incursions on our sovereignty, our economic dependence on China continues to grow. Chinese imports have exceeded $100 billion and are headed higher in 2024-25, with our trade deficit vis-a-vis China also hitting record highs, he pointed out. Without naming anyone, he claimed that the Chinese firms that agree to tie up with the PMs close friends are being rolled out a red carpet to enter the Indian market, even as Indias job-generating MSMEs are being devastated by the onslaught of Chinese imports. We reiterate our demand that the prime minister should take the people into confidence on this issue of critical national importance and explain why we are normalising relations with China and deepening our economic dependence on them even as our territorial integrity remains so gravely compromised, added Ramesh. Led by Delhi BJP president Virender Sachdeva, workers of the Minority Morcha on Wednesday welcomed the introduction of the Waqf Board Bill in the Lok Sabha by displaying placards and distributing sweets at six prominent locations, including the Rail Bhawan Circle. Sachdeva and the Minority Morcha of the BJPs Delhi unit expressed their happiness, congratulating the countrys underprivileged Muslim brothers and sisters on the passage of this welfare bill. They also extended their gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Advertisement The Delhi BJP chief stated that the new Waqf Board Bill would not only open new avenues for the development of Muslims in Delhi but also benefit the community nationwide. Advertisement The BJP leader claimed that the bill would ensure the inclusion of long-marginalized Muslims into the mainstream of development. Sachdeva further stated, This bill is for those women and children whose rights have been denied for the last 75 years. He emphasized that it would be more appropriate to call it the Waqf Improvement Bill rather than an amendment bill, as it is supported by Muslims who seek positive change in society. Sachdeva also claimed that opposition to the bill comes only from those who have historically exploited Muslims for political gains. He asserted that under PM Modis leadership, the principle of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas would apply to all. The BJP leader further questioned why hospitals or schools were not being built on Waqf Board lands and why such lands were often misused at unreasonably low prices. Minority Morcha president Anis Abbasi pointed out that nearly eight decades after independence, PM Modi is the first leader to challenge the control of a few individuals over the Waqf Board and aims to transfer authority to the common Muslim community. He added that the bill was drafted after considering 97 lakh suggestions received by the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), urging that it should not be politicized or opposed unnecessarily. Key Minority Morcha members present at the event included Naim Saifi, Faisal Mansoori, Shabana Rehman, Irfan Salmani, Zulfiqar Ali, Imtiaz Ahmed, Murshida Khatun, and Khalid Chaudhary. Union Minister for Parliamentary and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju tabled the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday with an assurance that it does not interfere in any religious system, religious institution, or religious practice in any way. However, the Opposition parties strongly opposed the Bill, alleging that the proposed legislation is blatantly unconstitutional and an attempt to bring personal laws under state control and thereby undermine the Freedom of Religion. The Waqf Amendment Bill seeks to improve the administration of Waqf properties, introduce technology-driven management, address complexities, and ensure transparency. Along with the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, the minister moved the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2024 for consideration and passing in the House. Advertisement Speaking during the debate on the Bill, Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched a scathing attack on Congress for allegedly spreading misinformation on the Bill. He assured that it would not interfere with the religious matters of Muslims as is being made out to be by the Opposition. Advertisement He said the notion that the Waqf Bill is interference in Muslims religious matters and properties donated by them is fear-mongering for vote-bank. Refuting the claims over the inclusion of non-Muslims in the board, he said, No non-Islamic member will be part of Waqf. There is neither any provision for the appointment of a non-Muslim to manage the religious institution, nor do we intend to introduce any such provision. A rumour is being spread that the Bill is aimed at interfering with the religious practices of our Muslim brothers and their donated property. This is being done to intimidate the minorities. Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Janata Dal (United), Shiv Sena and LJP (Ram Vilas) the four key constituents of the NDA strongly backed the Bill. During the discussion, the Opposition members said the government was trying to hide its failures through this Bill. Though NDA allies were firmly in support of the Bill, the Opposition was not happy about it. The lawmakers of the Opposition INDIA bloc questioned the provision in the Bill that only a practicing Muslim of five years can create a waqf property. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill proposes 40 amendments to the Waqf Act. The key changes include the provision for the inclusion of Muslim women and non-Muslims in Waqf boards, along with significant reforms in the regulation and governance of Indias Waqf boards. The proposed amendment to the Waqf Act, 1995 will require Waqf boards to register their properties with district collectors to ensure accurate valuation. Currently, most Waqf board members are elected but if the Bill becomes a law, all members will be appointed by the government. Earlier today, amid loud protests from the Opposition, Rijiju piloted the Bill, asserting that the role of the Waqf Board is to supervise the management of Waqf properties by mutawallis (caretakers) and those handling Waqf affairs. This is purely a provision for governance and supervision. In no way does the Waqf Board manage Waqf properties. It is simply a matter of property management. However, the Waqf properties are managed by the Waqf Board and the Mutawalli. If someone fails to understand this basic distinction or deliberately chooses not to, then I have no solution for that, he said. The minister insisted that the Bill would be applicable prospectively, not retrospectively. He wondered why the Waqf property in India, the largest in the world, has not been used for education, medical treatment, skill development, and income generation of poor Muslims. Why has no progress been made in this regard so far? If this government, under the leadership of PM Modi, is working for the betterment of poor Muslims, then why is there an objection, he asked. He highlighted that the Centre wont usurp the power of the state waqf but women would be part of the Waqf board. Now, Shia, Sunni, Bohra, backward Muslims, women, and expert non-Muslims will also be there in the Waqf Board. Let me elaborate in detail. Ill give my example. Suppose I am not a Muslim, but I am the Minority Affairs Minister. Then I become the Chairman of the Central Waqf Council. Despite my position, there can be a maximum of four non-Muslim members in the Council, and among them, two women members are compulsory, the minister said. He assured the House that recommendations were received from several charitable organisations, community and religious leaders, policymakers, academicians, researchers, and all other relevant stakeholders. He apprised the House that 284 delegations and the Waqf board of 25 states and Union territories gave their recommendations. There will be no Waqf power in tribal areas, the Minority Affairs Minister informed the Lower House. The minister mentioned that a total of 14,417 litigants were awaiting a decision in the tribunal. He held that the tribunal would strive to ensure that the cases are disposed of swiftly. Furthermore, he told the house that the petitioners, if unhappy with the decision of the tribunal, can now approach courts. Bengalurus commuters are set to face more challenges as the Karnataka High Court has ordered a ban on bike taxi services. The ruling, issued on April 2, gives aggregators six weeks to shut down operations while the state government drafts new regulations over the next three months. This decision comes at a time when Metro fares in the city have increased by up to 71%, and BMTC bus fares have gone up by 15%. With public transport costs rising, many who relied on bike taxis for affordable rides will now have to rethink their daily commute. Advertisement Rapido, one of the leading bike taxi operators, expressed concerns about the impact on its drivers. A company spokesperson stated to the media, We are assessing legal options and will decide our next steps once the detailed order is available. Other major players like Ola and Uber have not yet commented on the ruling. Advertisement Interestingly, Karnataka had once embraced bike taxis, launching an electric bike taxi policy in 2021. However, under pressure from auto-rickshaw unions, the state withdrew the policy in March 2024. The ban has been welcomed by auto and taxi unions, who have long opposed bike taxis, arguing that they undercut their business. However, for many commuters, this move is yet another hit to their wallets. Auto fares are also expected to rise soon, with drivers demanding an increase in the minimum fare from 30 to 40 for the first 2 km and from 15 to 20 per additional km. This comes on top of a recent 2 hike in diesel prices in Karnataka, bringing the cost per litre to 90.90. Bike taxis have faced resistance across India due to regulatory roadblocks and opposition from traditional transport operators. Rapido first introduced bike taxis in Bengaluru in 2015, but their legal status has remained uncertain. Other states, including Delhi, Maharashtra, and Assam, have also imposed bans on the use of private two-wheelers for commercial purposes. Several early entrants in the sector, such as HeyTaxi, Baxi, Bikxie, and M-Taxi, were forced to shut down or scale back due to similar challenges. India and Thailands warm bilateral relations are heading for an upgrade with Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to the Southeast Asian nation. PM Modis two-day visit to Thailand from Thursday onward offers a chance to enhance Indias economic and commercial relations with the Southeast Asian country. Advertisement PM Modi will also be enhancing Indias deep civilizational linkages, maritime connectivity, and cross-cultural exchanges with member countries of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) grouping during his visit to Bangkok to attend the 6th BIMSTEC Summit. Advertisement During the visit, a Maritime Transport Agreement with the BIMSTEC countries will be signed at the summit in Bangkok. Established in June 1997, the BIMSTEC regional grouping forms a unique link between South and South-East Asia, with five members from South Asia Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka and two from South-East Asia, including Myanmar and Thailand. Besides BIMSTEC, cooperation between India and Thailand exists in various other multilateral forums like ASEAN, East Asia Summit, Mekong Ganga Cooperation, and Indian Ocean Rim Association. Thailand is the third largest economy in ASEAN and Indias fourth largest trading partner in the region after Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia in the region. Reaffirming the age-old cultural and religious ties, India recently sent the holy relics of Lord Buddha to Thailand. Indias Look East policy (since 1993) and Thailands Look West policy (since 1996) have metamorphosed into Indias Act East and Thailands Act West policies and are strongly contributing to the consolidation of bilateral relations, including economic and commercial linkages. Indias partnership with Thailand also has a strong regional dimension in the context of Indias engagement with ASEAN and membership of groupings such as BIMSTEC, Mekong Ganga Cooperation (MGC) and Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD). The defence cooperation between the two countries is also growing steadily and forms an important aspect of the multifaceted relationship. In a major narcotics bust, an Indian Navy ship intercepted and seized over 2500 kg of narcotics in the western Indian ocean. The drug haul includes 2386 kg of hashish and 121 kg of heroin which was found stored in different cargo holds and compartments onboard a dhow. A statement from the naval spokesperson stated that INS Tarkash, deployed in the Western Indian Ocean, received multiple inputs from Indian Navy P8I aircraft, regarding suspicious vessels operating in the area. Advertisement The naval ship altered its course to intercept the vessels who were believed to be involved in illicit activities, including narcotics trafficking. A suspected Dhow was narrowed down following which a helicopter was launched from the ship to monitor its activities in the area. Advertisement A specialist boarding team, along with Marine Commandos, boarded the suspect vessel and conducted a thorough search, leading to the discovery of various sealed packets of narcotics. The suspicious Dhow was subsequently brought under the control of INS Tarkash, and the crew underwent comprehensive questioning regarding their modus operandi and the presence of other similar vessels in the area. The richest person in the world and Donald Trumps right-hand man, tech oligarch Elon Musk, will leave his role in the White House as an advisor, partner in crime, and overseer of spending and personnel cuts in the United States administration soon, according to several U.S. media outlets, who reported Trump himself had told several of his collaborators this on Wednesday. The news immediately prompted a surge in shares of Tesla, the electric vehicle manufacturer of which Musk is CEO. When questioned by reporters, the White House simply stated that Musk will leave when DOGE [the Department of Government Efficiency, the agency created by Trump and Musk to cut staff and spending and dismantle government agencies] has completed its work. The information comes at a time when the billionaire is going through a rough patch and appears to be beginning to weigh on Trump and his Republican administration. Tesla has posted more than disappointing first-quarter results, according to data released Wednesday by the company, which has been dragged down, among other things, by the unpopularity of its CEO and the polarization he generates. Its vehicles have been the target of boycotts and protests by citizen groups opposed to Trump. And the oligarchs attempts to use checkbook pressure to support the Trumpist candidate in Tuesdays Wisconsin Supreme Court elections have backfired: the progressive candidate clearly won in a ballot that had been presented as a referendum on Musk and his influence on U.S. politics. According to the online publication Politico, which was the first to report the news, the departure of the businessman and Trump activist will be only relative, as although he plans to fully dedicate himself to his companies he will maintain a supporting role in White House and Trump circles. ABC News, for its part, quotes White House sources as saying that Musks supporters in the presidential office reject the idea that the tech magnate has been pushed out. Trump remains pleased with what Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency team have done with their cost-cutting across the government, despite the backlash publicly and in the courts, the sources told this outlet. Trump had tasked the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX with implementing government cuts and dismantling several departments, including the development aid agency (USAID) and the Department of Education. He was to carry out this task while heading the DOGE. Musk is performing these duties as a special government employee, a status that initially only allows him to serve for a maximum of 130 days. Its unclear when that deadline expires, as the exact timing when Musk assumed the reins of DOGE is unknown. If it was around January 20 the date Trump was inaugurated president those 130 days would be up by the end of May. According to Politico, both Trump and Musk have decided in recent days that the billionaire will soon return to his leadership roles at his companies. The president and the oligarch had recently indicated that the worlds richest man planned to step down from his role at the helm of DOGE. On Monday, Trump told reporters: At some point Elons going to want to go back to his company. He wants to. Id keep him as long as I could keep him. Musk, for his part, had stated in an interview with the conservative television channel Fox News that he was confident that by the end of his 130 days as a special government employee, he would have achieved his goal of cutting $1 trillion in government spending. In Wisconsin, he acknowledged that his political activism was hurting Tesla. These positions represent a shift from just a month ago, Politico notes. Back then, White House officials claimed Musk was there to stay and Trump would find a way to keep him on as an advisor after the 130 days were up. Immediately after the Politico article was published, Tesla shares, which had initially fallen 2% due to the companys poor first-quarter results, reversed course and rose 3%. Shares of other companies, including firms with major government contracts, also rose. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition The 4th edition of the bilateral joint Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) amphibious exercise between India and the United States of America Tiger Triumph 2025 started on Wednesday with the opening ceremony conducted onboard the Indian Navys INS Jalashwa (L41). Showcasing the deepening convergence of US-India strategic maritime interests and the countries defense partnership, the joint exercise aims to further enhance the interoperability and combined joint all-domain operations during large-scale HADR operations. Advertisement A joint statement issued by the Indian Navys spokesperson stated that the harbour phase of the exercise, underway at Visakhapatnam, involves a planning process for the execution of various training events at sea, as well as further refinement of procedures established in previous iterations of Tiger Triumph. Advertisement In addition, the harbor phase will include training and Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE) events on a range of professional subjects, such as special operations, emergency medical response procedures, and operations across the air, maritime, cyber and space domains. The sea phase of the exercise, scheduled to begin from April 8, wull have the bilateral forces working together to train for maritime, amphibious and HADR operations through a Joint Combined Command and Control Center. This phase will conclude with establishment of a joint combined humanitarian relief and medical response camp following an amphibious landing at Kakinada. Participating units from the Indian Navy include Landing Platform Dock INS Jalashwa with integral landing crafts and helicopters, the Delhi-class guided-missile destroyer INS Mumbai (D62), Magar-class amphibious assault ship INS Gharial (L23), Deepak-class fleet tanker INS Shakti (A57) and PBI Long-Range Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft, MH60R Helicopters and Hawk Aircraft. The Indian Army will be represented by an Infantry Battalion group, including Mechanised Forces, and Special Operations Forces from all the three services will also participate in the exercise. Cyber and Space specialists will also participate in the exercise. The Indian Air force will demonstrate the capability of C130, Mi-17 V5 and showcase the air portable BHISMA medical equipment. Meanwhile, the U.S. Task Force would comprise a US Navy Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Comstock (LSD 45), with embarked US Marines from the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit and 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance battalion, as well as the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114) and a Navy P8A Poseidon aircraft. The US Space Force and Air Force are supporting the exercise with subject matter experts and a C-130J aircraft, respectively. The US Army will be represented by a platoon, medical platoon, Civil-Military Operations Center and Multi-Domain Task Force Combined Information Effects Fusion Cell. The Madhya Pradesh police have arrested Firoz Khan, the prime accused who had been absconding for three years in the 2022 case related to the conspiracy to carry out blasts in Jaipur, from Ratlam city in MP in the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday, said police officials. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had declared Khan as the most wanted accused in the case and had announced a reward of Rs 5 lakh on his head. Advertisement According to Ratlam SP Amit Kumar, Firoz Khan was arrested from his sisters house in Ratlam based on a tip-off. The official said that the police received information that Khan would come to his sisters house in Ratlams Anand Colony. Advertisement Based on the input, a police team nabbed Firoz Khan during the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday. The SP said the police were questioning Khan, and the NIA had been informed about his arrest. According to reports, on March 28, 2022, the police seized a huge quantity of explosive material from a four-wheeler in Nimbahera town in Rajasthan. The recovery of the explosives from Rajasthan in 2022 was part of a plan to carry out a blast in Jaipur. Following the recovery of the explosives, the police arrested Saifullah, Zubair, and Altamash from the spot. Their interrogation led to the NIA arresting the mastermind of the blast, Imran, and his associates, but Firoz Khan had been absconding since then. With his arrest, a total of eight persons have been arrested in the case so far. The Kerala government will hold another round of discussions with Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers, who have been protesting in front of the Secretariat since February 10. They are demanding an increase in honorarium, retirement benefits, and improved working conditions. State Health Minister Veena George is scheduled to meet with the leaders of the protesting workers at the NHM office on Thursday at 3 pm. In addition to ASHA representatives, trade union leaders from CITU and INTUC have also been invited to participate in the discussions. Advertisement This will be the third round of talks between the state government and ASHA workers. Previous negotiations failed to yield an agreement, as the authorities cited financial constraints in accepting the workers demands. Advertisement Meanwhile, representatives of the Kerala ASHA Health Workers Association (KAHWA) have welcomed the governments decision to resume discussions. They remain hopeful, especially after the state health minister met with Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda on Tuesday. The ongoing ASHA workers strike is for the basic rights of all ASHA workers in the state. We hope the health minister will take a positive stand on our demands, including an increase in honorarium and retirement benefits, said KAHWA President VK Sadanandan. He pointed out that ASHA workers had been advocating for an honorarium hike and that a plan for an incentive increase had already been announced in Parliament. However, it is notable that despite meeting with the Union Health Minister, Veena George has not yet made any commitment regarding the honorarium hike. She reiterated her stance that if the central government increases incentives, Keralas contribution will also rise proportionately. ASHA workers have maintained that they will not withdraw from the strike without a concrete assurance from the government. The protest, which has been ongoing for 52 days, includes a hunger strike that has now entered its 13th day. On Monday, marking the 50th day of their indefinite protest, ASHA workers intensified their agitation by cutting their hair and some even shaving their headsan emotional act of defiance against the state governments perceived indifference to their demands. In a major reshuffle, the Manipur government has transferred 14 police officers, including the superintendents of police (SPs) of two districts amid growing security challenges to the state. The Personnel and Administrative Reforms Department issued an official notification on Tuesday detailing the transfers that affect key law enforcement positions. Advertisement As per the order, Jiribam SP Shaikh Mohd Zakir has been reassigned as the SP of Kakching district, while Priyadarshini Laishram, the former SP of Kakching, will now take charge as the SP of Jiribam. Advertisement Additionally, Gaurav Dogra, previously serving as the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Yairipok, has been appointed as the SDPO of Singjamei. Other significant changes include the appointment of Assistant Commandant of 1st Manipur Rifles, Abhinav, to additional responsibilities as the Additional Superintendent of Police (SP) for Kangpokpi district. Akoijam Sadananda Singh has been designated as the new Additional SP Traffic for Imphal East, while Keisham Bojoukumar Singh has been transferred to the post of Additional SP Vigilance. Furthermore, Rattana Ngasekpam will now serve as the Additional SP CID (Special Duty). The transfers came at a time when Manipur continues to grapple with ethnic unrest, insurgency, and rising cases of extortion linked to militant outfits. The state has witnessed frequent clashes between security forces and insurgent groups, necessitating a more strategic deployment of law enforcement personnel. The reshuffling of senior officers is seen as part of the governments broader efforts to strengthen administrative efficiency and tighten security in vulnerable districts. In a separate development, security forces apprehended three individuals, including a cadre of a banned militant outfit, on charges of extortion in Kakching and Imphal East districts. Police reported on Wednesday that a member of the proscribed PREPAK-Pro outfit was arrested on Tuesday from Aihang village in Kakching district. The individual was allegedly involved in extortion activities in Wangoo Chairel and Pangaltabi areas, targeting local businesses and residents. Legislators of BJP in Manipur have called for the review of the 2001 census and implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) before the state undergoes the Supreme Court-mandated delimitation exercise. The demand comes amid heightened ethnic tensions in the state, where the ongoing violence between Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities has claimed over 250 lives and displaced thousands since May 2023. Advertisement The demand was raised at a meeting of BJP MLAs on Tuesday, convened in response to the Supreme Courts March 17 directive to the central government to complete the delimitation process in Manipur, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Nagaland within three months. Advertisement Of the 37 BJP MLAs in Manipur, only 12 attended the meeting, all of whom represent constituencies in the Imphal Valley. Senior BJP MLA Konthoujam Govindas emphasized the need to rectify perceived discrepancies in the 2001 Census before proceeding with the delimitation process. The demand echoes concerns from the Coordination Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), a prominent Meitei civil society organization. COCOMI has strongly opposed any delimitation exercise before implementing the NRC, arguing that without removing illegal immigrants, the process could undermine the rights of indigenous communities. On March 25, a coalition of 13 political parties, excluding the BJP and Congress, held a meeting to push for a review of the 2001 Census. The partiesincluding the National Peoples Party (NPP), Janata Dal (United), Communist Party of India (Marxist), and Trinamool Congressurged the Centre to delay the exercise until the alleged errors in the Census are rectified. Delimitation is a constitutional process undertaken periodically to redraw electoral boundaries based on population data to ensure fair representation. The last nationwide delimitation occurred in 2008, but it was deferred in Manipur and three other northeastern states due to security concerns and demographic complexities. Days before Union Home Minister Amit Shahs scheduled visit to Chhattisgarh, the outlawed CPI (Maoist) has issued a press statement proposing peace talks, urging the government to halt security operations in Maoist-affected regions. The rebel outfit claims that intensified anti-Naxal operations, particularly under Operation Kagar, have led to large-scale violence against tribal communities. Advertisement The press note, issued by CPI (Maoist) Central Committee spokesperson Abhay, calls for an immediate ceasefire and withdrawal of security forces from conflict zones as a precondition for dialogue. The statement alleges that over 400 Maoist cadres and civilians have been killed in counter-insurgency operations, with reports of mass detentions and human rights violations surfacing from affected regions. The group also claims that women Maoist members have faced sexual violence and extrajudicial executions. Advertisement The Maoists have outlined a set of preconditions for the peace talks, including an immediate cessation of hostilities, a halt to anti-insurgency operations, and the withdrawal of security personnel from conflict zones. They have also alleged human rights violations, claiming that over 400 Maoist cadres, sympathizers, and tribal civilians have been killed in recent offensives, with reports of mass arrests, torture, and sexual violence against female combatants. The outfit has called on intellectuals, human rights organizations, journalists, students, and environmental activists to support their demand for negotiations and pressurize the government into engaging in dialogue. Chhattisgarh Home Minister Vijay Sharma responded to the Maoist proposal, stating that while the government is open to discussions, talks cannot proceed under preconditions set by the rebel group. The government is committed to bringing lasting peace to Bastar and other affected regions, but negotiations cannot be dictated by extremist forces. If Maoists are serious about peace, they should surrender and take advantage of the states rehabilitation policy, Sharma said. He further added that the authenticity of the Maoist statement is being verified. In the past, similar proposals have been issued, but with excessive demands. If they are genuinely seeking a ceasefire, they must come forward and communicate through a formal channel. The government will not halt operations unless there is a clear and sincere initiative from their end. The Opposition Congress has urged the government to have a serious approach to the peace proposal, stressing that a permanent resolution to the Maoist issue requires dialogue. Senior Congress leader Deepak Baij stated, If this proposal is authentic, the government should not dismiss it outright. Both sides must come to the table for discussions that prioritize the welfare of tribals and the overall security of the state. Despite the Maoist outreach, security forces are unlikely to ease operations in the immediate future. With Amit Shahs visit expected to include high-level meetings on internal security, sources indicate that counter-insurgency efforts in Bastar and neighboring districts will remain a top priority. The Maoist insurgency that has plagued Chhattisgarh for decades remains one of the most pressing internal security challenges for the central and state governments. While the CPI (Maoist) claims to fight for tribal rights, the state maintains that their activities are driven by extortion, violence, and disruption of democratic processes. As the situation unfolds, all eyes will be on whether the government and Maoists can establish a formal dialogue mechanism or if the conflict will persist. Shahs visit to Chhattisgarh is expected to provide key insights into the governments stance on dealing with left-wing extremism. A major security lapse was exposed when 21 juvenile inmates escaped from the juvenile correctional home in Chaibasa, the headquarters of West Singhbhum district in Jharkhand. The incident has triggered a wave of concern within the administration, prompting immediate action by law enforcement agencies. According to sources, the escape on Tuesday coincided with the Sarhul festival procession in the city. A scuffle broke out among the juvenile inmates inside the facility, quickly escalating into chaos. In the ensuing mayhem, the inmates attacked security personnel, vandalised CCTV cameras, and broke open the main gate before fleeing. Advertisement A video of the incident has gone viral on social media, showing the juveniles forcing their way out of the correctional home. Upon receiving the information, Trainee IPS officer Nikhil Rai, SDPO Bahaman Tuti, SDO Sandeep Anurag Topno, Sadar CO Upendra Kumar, and Mufassil police station in-charge Ranjit Oraon rushed to the scene. The police launched an extensive manhunt, sealing off key areas to track down the absconding juveniles. Advertisement West Singhbhum Deputy Commissioner Kuldeep Choudhary stated that the administration is on high alert, and a thorough review of security measures is underway. He confirmed that 21 juveniles had escaped, some of whom have already been traced. He further assured that strict action would be taken against negligent security personnel. The correctional home housed a total of 85 juvenile inmates, one of whom was reported to be mentally unstable. The opposition has seized the opportunity to criticise the government over the incident. The leader of the opposition, Babulal Marandi, took to social media, blaming the state government for its failure to ensure adequate security at juvenile correctional homes. He tagged Chief Minister Hemant Soren and remarked that the large-scale escape of juvenile inmates highlights the crumbling security infrastructure of such facilities. He demanded that the absconding juveniles be apprehended promptly and provided with proper counseling. Reports suggest that during the escape, the juveniles also attacked security personnel with sticks and even a kitchen gas cylinder, injuring three guards. The police have intensified search operations, conducting raids in various areas. So far, four of the escaped juveniles have been recapturedthree were voluntarily returned by their guardians, while one was apprehended near Badi Bazaar. The search for the remaining 17 fugitives is ongoing. West Singhbhum Superintendent of Police Ashutosh Shekhar and Deputy Commissioner Kuldeep Choudhary have ordered a high-level probe into the incident. Officials have indicated that strict disciplinary action will be taken against those found responsible for negligence. The incident raises serious concerns over the security arrangements at juvenile correctional facilities in Jharkhand. The administration now faces a critical test in swiftly recapturing the absconding juveniles and preventing such breaches in the future. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav has announced that financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh each will be provided to the families of all the labourers from MP, who lost their lives in the fireworks factory accident in Deesa area of Banaskantha, Gujarat. The CM said that the injured workers will receive Rs 50,000 each as aid. Advertisement Dr Yadav stated that the Minister for Scheduled Caste Welfare, Nagar Singh Chauhan, and police and administrative officials have been sent to the accident site in Banaskantha for coordination. Advertisement The CM assured that the government stands firmly with the affected families in this time of distress and is committed to providing them with all possible assistance, and every necessary support will be extended to the victims and their families. All the 18 labourers who were killed in the deadly blast inside the illegal firecracker factory in Gujarat on Tuesday were from the Harda and Dewas districts of MP. Ten of the deceased were from Sandalpur and Khategaon areas in Dewas, while eight hailed from Handia in Harda district. The deceased from Harda district included a mother and her three sons, identified as Guddi Bai (30), Vijay (17), Ajay (16) and Krishna (12). Amongst the 10 deceased from Dewas district, six were from one family of Sandalpur area and four were from another family of the Khategaon area. The six from Sandalpur were identified as Lakhan Bhopa (24), his wife Sunita (20), mother Keshar Bai (50), sisters Radha and Rukma, and brother Abhishek. The four deceased members of the family from Khategaon include Rakesh (30), his wife Lali (25) and daughter Kiran (5), and his brother Pankaj (40). The Pakistan Army violated the ceasefire agreement by opening unprovoked firing in the Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, a statement by the Indian Army said. According to a statement by Defence spokesman Lt Colonel Suneel Bartwal on Wednesday, On 01 Apr 25, a mine blast occurred in Krishna Ghati Sector while the Pakistan Army was patrolling along the LC. This was followed by unprovoked firing and ceasefire violation by the Pakistan Army. Own troops responded effectively. The Indian Army continues to dominate the LC. The situation is under control. Advertisement Meanwhile, it is learnt that the Pakistan Army and other agencies were trying to push heavily armed terrorists into the Indian territory by giving them a cover of firing. Advertisement The intrusion bid was made amidst three powerful blasts on the LoC. However, the exact number of casualties couldnt be ascertained immediately. The ceasefire has been observed between the India and Pakistan armies on LoC and the International Border since February 2021. Meanwhile, security forces have launched search operations in five areas of Poonch district. The search operations were conducted by joint teams of the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the J&K Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). On the other hand, the search operation against a group of terrorists entered its 11th day today in the Kathua district. Three heavily armed terrorists were on the run, while two were gunned down last week by the security forces. Highlighting the historic transformation of Indias education sector in the past decade, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday hailed the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 as Indias intellectual renaissance, paving the way for a self-reliant, globally competitive nation through education and innovation. Responding to a post by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on X, the PM stated, Union Education Minister Shri @dpradhanbjp highlights how Indias education sector has undergone a historic transformation in the last decade. NEP 2020 is more than a reform; it is Indias intellectual renaissance, paving the way for a self-reliant, globally competitive nation through education and innovation. Advertisement Mr Pradhan, in his post, said the NEP 2020 represents a decisive break from the inglorious past when corruption and governance deficit were the defining features of the countrys educational system. The policy is not merely an education reform, it is the intellectual decolonisation that India had awaited for a long time, he said. Advertisement Nothing could be further from the truth than the argument that the education system has veered off its course in the last decade, the education minister said and drew attention to an article he has written in a newspaper to showcase the true picture of Indias educational transformation. In the article, Mr Pradhan said the NEP has restored primacy to all Indian languages and knowledge traditions, overcoming the decades of English First policies. The government remains focused on building a Viksit Bharat wherein education truly liberates and empowers. The decade ahead will witness an educational renaissance that honours Indias past while fearlessly embracing the future. Indias educational system has finally broken free from colonial shadows and ideological captivity. It stands poised to fulfil the dreams of Millions of Indias, the minister said. He said one of the primary objectives of the NEP is to correct structural inequalities inherited from centralised, rigid and elitist frameworks. Since the beginning of what theyve called Americas golden age, Donald Trump and his team have made their message clear to millions of migrants: Leave now. If not, we will hunt you down, arrest you, and deport you. Faced with the enormous challenge of deporting nearly 14 million undocumented immigrants due to the financial investment, logistical difficulties, and the impossibility of tracking every migrant the new administration has focused on spreading the message that the best option for undocumented migrants is to leave voluntarily. This rhetoric, accompanied by threats, appears to be working. Authorities have confirmed that in recent weeks, the number of people choosing to return voluntarily has risen. Were seeing sky-high levels of reverse migration, people turning around at our southern border, Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for Public Affairs, said in an interview with Fox News on Monday. Although she did not provide specific figures, the official stated that many migrants are using CBP Home, the cell phone app that allows individuals to self-deport. Its a great, easy tool for illegal immigrants to use to leave now, she said. McLaughlin also defended the idea that self-deportation is the best path for migrants, arguing that if they leave on their own, theres the possibility they could return legally the right way and live the American dream. She argued that to have a chance of returning to the United States, they must leave now. Until now, the figures on migrant expulsions have left Republicans, especially the president, dissatisfied. An Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) official told The New York Post that approximately 100,000 people have been deported, while around 113,000 undocumented immigrants are detained and awaiting expulsion. Since Trump took office, the administration has promoted self-deportation, invested millions of dollars in advertising, and openly shown what can happen to those who dont comply. The images of dozens of deported individuals in El Salvadors mega-prison serve as a powerful form of threat. From one of the cells, with the tattooed bodies of migrants in the background, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, a staunch Trump ally on these issues, reiterated the message: If you do not leave, we will hunt you down, arrest you, and you could end up in this El Salvadoran prison. In recent weeks, several cases have emerged of individuals choosing self-deportation to avoid being locked up like criminals by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in one of the governments large detention centers. NBC News reported the story of a Mexican woman who, after spending 18 years in the United States and having children in the country, opted for self-deportation. Also in the news was the case of 22-year-old Cuban Eric Dayan Corcho Aguilar, who arrived on humanitarian parole and left just days ago when the Republican administration announced it would suspend protections for program beneficiaries in less than a month. Inside the detention centers, some detainees are demanding to return voluntarily, following numerous reports of overcrowding, poor nutrition, and mistreatment. Others, already discouraged, have begun their return journey before even reaching the United States, fearing what might happen under the Trump administrations policies. Maria Jose Espinosa, a foreign policy expert and executive director of the Center for Engagement and Advocacy in the Americas (CEDA), told EL PAIS that during her recent visit to Juarez, she met families who had decided to pay smugglers to take them back home, while others were choosing to return on their own. There are also individuals who crossed the border and are now requesting to appear before a judge to request voluntary departure from the country. By losing their legal status, many migrants will find themselves without work, and some may want to return to their home countries. However, the majority will likely remain in the United States despite their fears. Lawyers caution that the decision to leave voluntarily should be carefully weighed, as the official narrative surrounding a potential return may be misleading. Immigration attorney Alex Galvez warned in a statement to Telemundo that great care should be taken when carrying out voluntary deportations. Even with this option, he noted, individuals would still face penalties and would be unable to apply for a visa for 10 years. To apply for a tourist visa before the 10-year mark, you would need to request a pardon [...] but it is very difficult to obtain. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha has said that drugs are transported to Tripura from Myanmar via Assam and Mizoram, and his government has adopted a zero tolerance policy towards drug trafficking and substance abuse. Drugs are coming from Myanmar via Assam and Mizoram while ganja is going out of the state, the chief minister stated. Advertisement He highlighted that 70 individuals have been convicted under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act in the past three years. Advertisement Addressing the state Assembly, Saha pointed to Tripuras role as both a transit route and a production hub in the regional drug trade, emphasising the administrations intensified crackdown on narcotics. Responding to a notice, Saha outlined the law enforcement agencies approach against the drug menace. According to official records, 19 individuals were convicted in 2022 across 13 cases under the NDPS Act, followed by 20 convictions in 2023 across 16 cases. In 2024, the number rose to 26 convictions, while in the first two months of 2025 alone, five more individuals were convicted. Over the past two years, Tripuras security forces have made drug seizures. Saha reported that a total of 1.54 lakh kg of ganja was confiscated between 2022-23 and 2023-24. Additionally, authorities seized 5.82 lakh bottles of banned cough syrupoften misused as an intoxicantand recovered 25.62 lakh yaba tablets, a synthetic stimulant widely trafficked in the region. Tripuras geographical location, sharing an 856-km-long porous border with Bangladesh, has made it a key transit route for drug smuggling. The state has also grappled with large-scale cannabis cultivation, which remains a persistent challenge despite periodic destruction drives by law enforcement agencies. In a blistering attack on the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre for bringing the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in Parliament, the Opposition on Wednesday called it an attempt to interfere in the affairs of a religion. Initiating the debate on the Bill in the Lok Sabha, Deputy Leader of the Congress Gaurav Gogoi expressed concern over the intentions of the government for bringing the Bill. Today, they have their eyes on the land of a particular community; tomorrow, they will target the land of other minorities in society, he said. Advertisement Acknowledging the need for amendments in the law, he emphasised that such changes should strengthen the Act rather than exacerbate problems and disputes, which, he argued, would result from the proposed amendments. Advertisement Mr Gogoi accused the government of attempting to create chaos by enabling cases to be filed across the country, thereby disrupting the atmosphere of brotherhood. He highlighted the existing provisions in the law that allow the Waqf Board to make rules with the state governments permission, which the proposed amendments seek to eliminate. He argued that this move undermines the authority of state governments, which currently hold the power to make rules, including those favouring the survey commissioner. You want to remove everything and call these amendments, he remarked. The Lok Sabha member called out the government for the provision that seemingly diminishes the role of the high court following tribunal orders. He accused the government of spreading misconceptions, particularly the claim that the existing law is against women. Did the Minority Affairs Ministry make this Bill, or did some other department make it? Where did this Bill come from? Today, the condition of minorities in the country is such that the government will have to give a certificate of their religion Will they ask for a certificate from other religions, whether you have completed five years or not? Why is this being asked in this Bill? Why is the government interfering in this matter of religion, he asked. Our Constitution says every citizen must receive political, social, and economic justice freedom of expression and religion This Bill is an attack on the fundamental structure of the Constitution. This government aims to dilute the constitution through this Bill. Second, they want to defame the minority community. Third, they want to divide Indian society, he alleged. Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav hit out at the saffron party, saying whenever the BJP brings up a new Bill, it hides its failure. Participating in the debate on the Bill, Yadav alleged that the BJP is talking about identifying the land of Muslim brothers so that the issue of identifying the Hindus who have died or lost in Maha Kumbh can be covered up. Not only about the lives lost, but this government should tell where is the list of about 1,000 Hindus who have been lost and not been found yet, the Samajwadi Party chief said. Union Minister (Kiren Rijiju) should tell about the land on which China has settled its villages, but so that no one creates a ruckus about the huge danger, this bill is being brought, Yadav said. The Samajwadi Party chief questioned the coherence of terms like Unified Waqf Management, suggesting that the Bills essence, whether articulated in English or Hindi, remained incomprehensible. Yadav alleged that the BJP, despite claiming to be the worlds largest political party, was embroiled in internal leadership disputes and was unable to decide on its party president. Union Home Minister Amit Shah responded by contrasting the BJPs approach with that of the Opposition parties, which he claimed selected their national presidents from a narrow circle of five individuals, often within a single family. Shah emphasised the BJPs vast membership base, arguing that it required time to elect its leader. He remarked in a lighter vein that Yadav himself could remain president for the next 25 years, highlighting the difference in leadership styles. Speaking in the Lok Sabha during the debate on the Bill, Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Kalyan Banerjee strongly opposed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, calling it a direct violation of the Constitution. He claimed that the Bill hits the basic structure of the Constitution and encroaches upon the rights of the Muslim community to manage its religious affairs. Banerjee argued that the Bill impacts two key areas governance of religious aspects of the Waqf Board and granting state governments the power to decide disputes related to Waqf properties, including land and buildings. Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) also strongly opposed the Waqf Amendment Bill and slammed the BJP, saying that a party which does not have a single Muslim MP in the Lok Sabha is ironically going to protect the rights of the minorities. Speaking during the debate in the Lok Sabha, DMK MP A Raja said, ..The irony is that the rights of the minorities are going to be protected by a party which has no member of a Muslim community Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut said that the Waqf (Amendment) Bill would only lead to property disputes as it is meant to help only industrialists friendly to the prime minister grab Waqf land and properties. Speaking to media persons here on Wednesday, Raut said, Even the RSS does not fully support the provisions of this Bill. What is the connection between this Bill and Hindutva? Will Fadnavis explain? Or is the Bill an attempt to grab land meant to be given to industrialists? Advertisement Accusing the BJP and its allies of a plan to create chaos in Parliament, he stated that there are doubts whether MPs will be even allowed to vote for or against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. The BJP and its allies have a plan to create a ruckus in both Houses of the Parliament. So, I have serious doubts if there will be any voting on the Bill. There is an attempt to create an impression as if the entire country is waiting for this Bill to be passed, but that is not the case. Such kinds of Bills come and go. Nobody is keen on this Bill to be passed. All this is being done only to use the Bill to win the Bihar assembly elections, Raut said. Advertisement Speaking in a similar tone, Sharad Pawar-led NCP MLA Jitendra Awhad alleged that some big businessmen have been eyeing the land owned by the Waqf Board. Some of our ancestors, who used to be rich people, used to donate their land as Waqf and it is completely religious property. Then why is the government interfering in it? There are many such places in India which no one can even touch, but some capitalists have their eyes on them. Mukesh Ambanis house (Antilia complex in Mumbai) stands on Waqf Board land. Some leaders of the Muslim community have misused the law, Awhad said, adding that the Waqf Bill has been introduced with ulterior motives. I feel that the Waqf Board is being implemented forcibly. This land is not anyones personal property. Rather it is the land dedicated for religious purposes. The Muslim community uses Waqf land to build mosques, madrasas, colleges, education centres, and graveyards. There is gold worth billions of rupees in Hindu temples. My question to the government is will you now take possession of this gold. The government should answer me. What is the need to go into the religious affairs of the people? The work of violating the Constitution is going on. Now, we have twice the gold in temples of South India. Once the land is Waqf property, it has been donated to society and it cannot be transferred back, Awhad said. When asked to comment on Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijijus statement on Wednesday that had the central government not intervened, the land on which the Parliament building stands would have been grabbed under the garb of being a Waqf property, Awhad said, I can only laugh at this because the Parliament building has been there since the time of the British. Dont spread wrong information. The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has issued a whip to all its Members of Parliament in the Lok Sabha for April 2, when the Waqf Amendment Bill is scheduled to be introduced in the House. The party has issued a three-line whip to all its Members of Parliament, directing them to be present in the Lok Sabha and support the governments stand. Advertisement This directive comes in light of the scheduled introduction of the Waqf Bill, which is expected to be a matter of significant discussion in the House. The party remains committed to ensuring that its stance on this important legislation is effectively represented, the TDP, a partner in the BJP-led NDA government, said in a statement. Advertisement G. M. Harish Balayogi, TDPs chief whip in the Lok Sabha, issued the whip. All TDP members in Lok Sabha are hereby informed that some very important legislative business will be taken up for passing in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, i.e 2nd April 2025. All members of TDP in Lok Sabha are therefore, requested to be present in the House, throughout the day on Wednesday, 2nd April 2025 and support the governments stand, reads the whip. With 16 MPs in Lok Sabha, the TDP is a key partner in the Narendra Modi government, and its support will be crucial to pass the controversial bill. Muslim organisations on March 27 boycotted Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidus Iftar party to protest his tacit support for the Waqf Amendment Bill. On a call given by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), Muslim leaders had stayed away from the Iftar and dinner. The boycott call was given to mount pressure on the TDP to make the Narendra Modi government withdraw the Waqf Bill. The AIMPLB had called for a boycott of Iftar parties hosted by the TDP-led NDA government in Vijayawada and other places in Andhra Pradesh to demand that the TDP make the Union Government withdraw the Waqf Amendment Bill from Parliament. In October last year, an AIMPLB delegation had met Chandrababu Naidu and urged him to oppose Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 in the Parliament. The delegation apprised the Chief Minister of their objections to the amendments proposed by the Narendra Modi government to the Waqf Act. The Muslim leaders told Naidu that the proposed amendments would destroy Waqf properties and hurt the sentiments of Muslims. The leaders of AIMPLB and other organisations explained how the amendments would harm the very purpose of Waqf and would prove detrimental to the interests of the community. The TDP chief assured the Muslim leaders that the party would take an appropriate decision after a discussion over the issue. There is but one truly serious philosophical problem, and that is suicide. Judging whether life is or is not worth living amounts to answering the fundamental question of philosophy. All the rest ~ whether or not the world has three dimensions, whether the mind has nine or twelve categories ~ comes afterwards. So begins Albert Camus The Myth of Sisyphus, where he deliberates on the questions of life and suicide. The last chapter, and the namesake of the title, begins, The Gods had condemned Sisyphus to ceaselessly rolling a rock to the top of a mountain, whence the stone would fall back of its own weight. They had thought with some reason that there is no more dreadful punishment than futile and hopeless labour. Is life a futile hopeless labour? Are we all Sisyphuses trudging along the path of life, reluctantly, and unsure of whether we should at all make the effort? Advertisement Recently there has been some remarkably ghastly news that sent shudders across society. A car accident in the early morning, involving two brothers and a young boy (son of one of them) led the police to a mansion that housed three murdered persons (the wives of the two brothers and the daughter of one of them). Preliminary investigations revealed that they were a business family who lived lavishly, but at some point, returns must have dwindled, because in the recent past, they had accumulated debts of crores of rupees. Advertisement So the brothers decided to take the lives of their wives and kids and then end their own. In another shocker, a father killed his own daughter (who was ill) before ending his own life. Even if situations are not that dramatic, we often hear of such incidents. A couple of months back there was the following news: there was a woman who was working in a bank, her husband was working in an IT firm, they had an ele ven year old daughter, and the wo man had both her parents alive. She went to the office but did not come back home. So the family reported to the police and next day the police found that she had gone alone to a guest house/ hotel and checked in. When she did not order dinner or breakfast, the hotel staff contacted the police. She was found dead in the room, having consumed two bottles of insecticide. Why do people, apparently having everything that a person could ask for, decide to end their lives? Jibanananda Das, one of the greatest Bengali poets, describes a suicide in his famous poem Aat bochhor aager ek din (one day, eight years ago). He describes the circumstances under which a man com mits suicide, though, apparently, he had no obvious reason to do so. He was married and had a family, his wife and child were beside him (bodhu shuyechhilo paashe, shishutio chhilo; prem chhilo, aasha chhilo), there was love, there was hope, and yet he just felt like dying. In fact, had the earnest desire to die (moribaar holo taar shaadh). So apparently a man with a fulfilled life by all standards, decides to die, wants to die. The poet talks of tiredness ~ thats not related to any of the tangible measures of well-being ~ not love or family or children, not financial wellbeing, not fame, but rather a jeopardised surprise (biponno bismoy) that plays along in our blood and tires us, a feeling of exhaustion that overpowers our senses jeopardising our very urge to live. Death frees us of that tiredness. The poet then describes how that man, who is eager to kill himself, is so very different from every other living creature that tries, till the very last moment, to survive. A toad living in abysmal conditions still begs for another dawn that comes with warm love, even a mosquito within the confines of the mosquito net loves the force of life. Every living beings natural instinct is to try to live. Life is what defines it ~ and it clings on to it with everything it has. Yet man, willingly goes to embrace the end. But why are human lives so different? We dont want to live like every other living creature? There are spaces in us that cant get filled? Theres another poem titled Bodh (Sense/feeling) by Jibanananda that echoes similar feelings. That theres this sense working in us, an emptiness, a void, a blankness, a vacuum during prayers, nothing to seek, everything seems so futile, purposeless. This is not a want of love or peace, a sense that gets born, that doesnt let me be, that grows and makes everything else seem irrelevant. The poem then says how we become lonely, ever so lonely, even being amongst everyone. And the person feeling left out and isolated starts contemplating on questions such as Am I not like them whove come to propagate the human race? My heart? My mind? Jibanananda was unquestionably a astute and perceptive poet who was unerringly able to think through the thoughts of a person before he commits suicide. This seems to be exactly what drew the banker woman to her irreversible decision. Apparently she had a fulfilling domestic life ~ something that people spend their entire lives trying to ensure. She even had her parents. Yet all of it meant nothing. She just did not want to live ~ not for husband and daughter and parents not even for herself. She had a job, so it wasnt a financial hardship. What else could she have wanted? What else can any woman possibly want? What did she want to escape from that im pelled her to escape from life? (The writer is Associate Professor, Economic Research Unit, Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata ) US President Donald Trumps recent comments regarding Russia and its invasion of Ukraine signal a significant shift in his approach to global diplomacy. Despite his often-documented history of aligning with Russia in ways that left many in the West uneasy, Mr Trumps latest remarks reveal a mounting frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin. As he prepares to engage Mr Putin directly, Mr Trump has issued a stark threat: secondary tariffs on Russian oil if Moscow continues to obstruct peace efforts in Ukraine. This isnt just a diplomatic move ~ its an expression of Mr Trumps growing impatience with what he perceives as a lack of progress towards ending a conflict that has cost thousands of lives and destabilised Europe. The use of tariffs as a bargaining chip is not new for Mr Trump, who famously employed economic pressure as a tool during his first term in office. This latest threat to impose hefty tariffs on Russian oil buyers ~ potentially in the range of 25 per cent to 50 per cent ~ marks another step in his broader strategy to force international actors into compliance with US goals. Mr Trumps economic leverage has historically been a defining feature of his foreign policy. However, his actions here are particularly noteworthy because they directly target countries like India and China, major buyers of Russian crude. If these nations dont change their stance, they could find themselves on the receiving end of US sanctions, which could have severe economic repercussions. Advertisement Mr Trumps current position diverges from his earlier, more accommodating approach to Mr Putin, reflecting the growing frustration many feel about the lack of a resolution to the war. Mr Putins dismissive comments about Ukrainian President Volodymer Zelenskys leadership seem to have been the final straw for Mr Trump. He has long been vocal about his desire to end the war, describing it as ridiculous and emphasising the importance of finding a swift resolution. His rhetoric here echoes the sentiment of many who believe that peace efforts have stalled, and that strong measures need to be taken to break the deadlock. This is not just about oil or trade. Its about sending a message that the US will not sit idly by while Russia continues its aggression. Advertisement Mr Trumps threat is meant to underscore his resolve to end the bloodshed in Ukraine. Whether this stance will lead to concrete results is uncertain, but its clear that Mr Trump is intent on using whatever leverage he can to force Russias hand. For those who have questioned his commitment to confronting Russia, this is a signal that Mr Trump is ready to take more drastic measures. At the same time, the secondary tariff strategy raises questions. How will the US enforce these tariffs, especially when tracking oil shipments across international waters? Theres also the matter of how countries like India and China, which have grown more dependent on Russian oil, will respond. Home Minister Amit Shah and Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav were engaged in a wordy duel in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday during the debate on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. The two leaders took jibes at each other over their respective party presidents, though they kept smiling through the exchange, maintaining decorum in the House. Advertisement It all started when the SP leader stood up to speak on the controversial Waqf (Amendment) Bill. While slamming the BJP and the Centre over discriminatory amendments in the legislation, he said the party that projects itself as the worlds largest has not been able to hold elections for party president. Advertisement The home minister was quick to retort. For family-run parties, it is very easy to pick their presidents. But, the BJP, with its over 12 crore party workers, undertakes an extensive exercise to elect its leader, he remarked amid peals of laughter. He told Mr Yadav, In your case, it will not take much time. I am saying that you will remain president for 25 years. To this, Mr Yadav indirectly referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Nagpur recently for an RSS event and wondered whether the yatra was for an extension. The SP MP accused the Centre of targeting Muslims by bringing contentious amendments in the Waqf Bill and also of depriving them of their ownership rights. He further stated, There is a fight within the BJP leaders to prove who is the worst Hindu and stated that this was being done to garner support from one community. When you cancel your flight ticket, you may lose half to as much as the full ticket fare. But when the airline cancels your flight, what do you get? Nothing. In fact, 22 per cent of Indian passengers say they struggled to get even a refund. Doesnt sound fair, does it? This is increasingly becoming an issue, with more than 6 out of 10 airline passengers in India saying they have faced one or more flight cancellations in the past one year. While most of these are due to internal airline reasons, the passengers say they lose 50 to 100 per cent in penalties, while when the airline cancels a flight, there is no penalty offered. Respondents of a LocalCircles survey unveiled on Wednesday morning said they received no compensation while the majority got their refund in a timely manner, many did not even get there. While they were either re-booked on an alternate flight within 24 hours, some just got a refund of the ticket fare at a later date. With flight cancellations getting more common as more and more flights operate in the booming Indian domestic sector India is the worlds third biggest aviation market and the fastest growing right now, this is increasingly a matter for regulators to look into. According to government data, over 25,000 flights were cancelled between January 2022 and September 2024, more than 40 per cent of them due to weather conditions. With more and more Indians travelling by air, this means it affects more and more individuals, travel plans and business workings. For example, according to Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol, these cancellations between 2022 and 2024 affected nearly 11 lakh passengers. The civil aviation ministry had last year issued orders that a flight has to be cancelled if the delay is exceeding three hours." In the first eleven months of last year, one in every three domestic flights was delayed, according to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. This marked a stark deterioration from 2023, when only 22 per cent of flights by the countrys top six airlines faced delays during the same period. China continued with its military drills around Taiwan Wednesday under 'Strait Thunder-2025A' exercise amid the US warning. The war games come in the wake of the recent remarks by US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth that America is committed to sustaining robust, ready and credible deterrence in the Indo-Pacific, including across the Taiwan Strait. Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command (ETC) said its ground force held long-range live-fire drills in waters of the East China Sea, involving precision strikes on simulated targets of key ports and energy facilities. Spokesperson for the Chinese PLA ETC Senior Colonel Shi Yi said the exercise mainly focused on training subjects such as identification and verification, warning and expulsion, and interception and detention, to test the capabilities of the troops in regional control, joint blockade, and precision strike. A carrier strike group led by the CNS Shandong aircraft carrier conducted assault drills. According to Shi, the Shandong strike group cooperated with other naval and air units to carry out exercises of vessel-aircraft coordination, regional air dominance, and strikes against land and sea targets. READ MORE: China's 'reckless, irresponsible' war games around Taiwan: PLA launches large-scale drills as a 'stern warning' Taiwan's military said it was closely monitoring the war games but there was nothing unusual on the island. 76 PLA aircraft, 15 PLAN vessels and 4 official ships operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 37 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwans northern, central, southwestern, and eastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded. pic.twitter.com/SVKDXferVr Ministry of National Defense, ROC(Taiwan) (@MoNDefense) April 2, 2025 On Wednesday, Taiwan reported that 76 military aircraft, and 19 naval or government ships entered waters and airspace near the island over the past 24 hours, with 37 of the planes crossing the centre line in the 160-kilometre wide Taiwan Strait that forms an unofficial border. Amanda Hsiao, a director in Eurasia Groups China practice, has been quoted as saying that China is holding the exercise with the US in mind. "...they want to persuade the Trump administration that Lai (Taiwans president Lai Ching-te) is a troublemaker and to deter the US from maintaining high levels of support to Taiwan," The Guardian quoted Hsiao as saying. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth listed out three priorities of the US Defence Department and President Donald Trump during his address to a brigade of midshipmen at the US Naval Academy. Calling for renewed warrior ethos, he said, "I don't care if you are a mechanic, a lawyer, or a Marine (infantryman). You are a warrior on behalf of this nation, held to standards and accountable...We are not chasing electric tanks in the desert. We are focused on readiness and excellence." He listed rebuilding the military as the second priority. Citing his own experience as a young platoon leader deployed to Iraq to highlight his vision for a mission-focus, agile and adaptable armed forces, guided by accountable leadership, he said, "The only thing I cared about was to know that my command and my commander had my back...That if I had to make a difficult decision with little sleep, limited information my chain of command would have my back." ALSO READ: Why India decided to wet lease 60-year-old KC-135 aircraft from US military contractor Metrea for IAF, Navy He assured that President Trump would ensure that the armed forces are given all the resources to do their job. Hailing Trump for unveiling F-47 sixth-generation fighter jet, he said the platform would help maintain air dominance. Hegseth said Trump asked him to restore the warfighting piece of the military and "bring it back to basics." The third pillar, Hegseth said, is reestablishing deterrence in a world where increasingly bold adversaries have violated international norms without consequence. "Re-establishing deterrence is about declaring what you stand for and then you're willing to enforce it. You are the faces of American deterrence," he said. In a major drug haul, INS Tarkash, a frontline frigate of the Indian Navy operating under the Western Naval Command, intercepted and seized over 2,500 kg of narcotics in the Western Indian Ocean. While on patrol, INS Tarkash received several intelligence alert from Indian Navy P8I aircraft, regarding suspicious vessels operating in the area. These vessels were believed to be involved in illegal activities, including drug trafficking. Responding to the alert, INS Tarkash altered its course to intercept the vessels. After systematically interrogating all suspicious vessels, INS Tarkash intercepted and boarded a suspect Dhow, owing to the coordinated efforts with the P8I and the Maritime Operations Centre in Mumbai, the defence ministry said. Additionally, the ship launched its integral helicopter to monitor the activities of the suspicious vessel and identify other such vessels likely operating in the area. ALSO READ: Why India decided to wet lease 60-year-old KC-135 aircraft from US military contractor Metrea for IAF, Navy A specialist boarding team, along with Marine Commandos, boarded the suspect vessel to conduct a search. During the raids, they found various sealed packets. Search and interrogation revealed over 2,500 kg of narcotic substances (including 2,386 kg of hashish and 121 kg of heroin) stored in different cargo holds and compartments onboard the vessel. The officials questioned the crew of the Dhow regarding their mode of operations and the presence of other similar vessels in the area. Deployed in the Western Indian Ocean since Jan 2025 for maritime security operations, INS Tarkash is actively supporting Combined Task Force (CTF) 150, which is part of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) and is based in Bahrain. According to the defence ministry, the operation underscores the Indian Navy's commitment to combating maritime crime and boosting regional security. "The seizure of drugs underscores the effectiveness and professionalism of the Indian Navy in deterring and disrupting illicit activities, including narcotics trafficking at sea. The Indian Navys participation in multinational exercises aims to promote security, stability, and prosperity across international waters in the Indian Ocean Region," the ministry said in a statement. The Tamil Nadu police have said that the mysterious death of a 22-year-old college student in her home in Tamil Nadu's Tiruppur was a case of honour killing. The woman's brother was taken into custody in this regard. The victim has been identified as Vidya, a third-year degree student at Government Arts College in Coimbatore. She was found dead at her home at Palladam in Tiruppur on March 30 in a pool of blood. Her parents claim a cupboard fell on her, causing her death. The family hurriedly buried her at their property without alerting the police, reported DT Next. However, Vidya's boyfriend approached the police alleging foul play in the murder. The youth, identified as Venmani from Tirupur, filed a complaint with the Village Administrative Officer (VAO) in Paruvai, stating Vidya's phone was unreachable over the last few days. Feeling suspicious, he approached her house, after which he learnt about her death. He added that he, along with his family, had approached Vidya's parents with a marriage proposal, which the girls family outright rejected. Following the complaint, the police exhumed her remains and sent them for postmortem examination. Vidya's brother Saravanan was interrogated, which revealed that he had murdered his younger sister after he opposed her relationship with Venmani. Police said Saravanan opposed the relationship because Venmani hailed from a different community. The autopsy revealed that the student had suffered severe head injuries. CPI(M)s 24th Party Congress called for Left unity in its inaugural session, which was attended by senior leaders from other Left parties. CPI general secretary D. Raja, CPI(ML) Liberation general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya, RSP general secretary Manoj Bhattacharya, and All India Forward Bloc general secretary G. Devarajan were present at the event, presided over by veteran CPI(M) leader and former Tripura chief minister Manik Sarkar. The presence of these leaders augurs well for the strengthening of Left unity, said Sarkar in his presidential speech. CPI(M) Politburo member Prakash Karat emphasised the role of the Left in countering external influences, stating, It is only the Left which can lead the fight against imperialist designs on our country. The veteran leader also announced CPI(M)s commitment to collaborating with all Left forces to build a Left and democratic alternative. The CPI(M) will renew its commitment to join hands with all secular and democratic forces to forge the broadest unity, so that the struggle against the BJP-RSS can be successfully conducted. From Madurai, let this call go out loud and clear: All Left, democratic, and secular forces should unite to push back the dark forces of reaction! Let us work together to build a New Indiaon secular, democratic, and progressive lines. Towards peoples democracy and socialism, he said. Notably, the 23rd CPI(M) Party Congress, held in Kannur, had also called for Left unity against the BJP and RSS. However, little progress was made on the ground in the past three years. CPI general secretary D. Raja remains one of the strongest proponents of uniting Communist movements. In the last CPI(M) Party Congress, he described Left unity as a historic necessity. Raja made a similar call this time as well, saying: Comrades, the present situation demands that we, as Communists, rise to the occasion. All Communists and Left forces must forge principled unity to mount a decisive resistance against this corporate-communal assault. Speaking to THE WEEK, G. Devarajan, general secretary of the All India Forward Bloc, said that alliances today are formed based on electoral gains and losses rather than ideological commitment. We have to set that aside. If we can come together on the basis of ideological commitment, there is a possibility of a common platform. I raised my concern in the [inaugural session of the CPI(M)] Party Congress that there hasnt been enough commitment towards establishing such a platform, he said. In Kerala, where the CPI(M)-led LDF is in power, the RSP and Forward Bloc are part of the opposition UDF, led by the Congress. Notably, parties like the Communist Marxist Party (CMP) and the Revolutionary Marxist Party (RMP)which were formed by factions that broke away from CPI(M)were not invited to the Party Congress stage that declared Left unity. Speaking to THE WEEK, RMP leader and Vadakara MLA K.K. Remathe widow of RMP founder and slain leader T.P. Chandrasekharanmocked CPI(M)s call for Left unity. I find it funny when I hear CPI(M) talking about Left unity. CPI(M) is no longer Leftespecially CPI(M) in Kerala. It is a party that leans right in everything. How can they put forward the idea of Left unity? That is why they cannot invite parties like ours. The so-called Left unity and discussions are just an absurd drama, she said. Pakistan Army, while patrolling along the Line of Control on Tuesday, opened fire at the Indian security force personnel in violation of ceasefire agreement between the two neighbouring countries. Some reports suggested that the Pakistani Army crossed the Line of Control on Tuesday to enter Poonch district on Jammu and Kashmir. However, official sources told THE WEEK that the Pakistani Army personnel were patrolling along the LoC. #WATCH | Poonch, J&K | Pakistan Army violated ceasefire by firing at Indian side across LoC in KG Sector. Troops of the Nangi Tekri Battalion, under the aegis of the Krishna Ghati Brigade, of Indian Army retaliated strongly. Deferred visuals from the area. https://t.co/n8QJrHOq9I pic.twitter.com/H4i3Brb1Ji ANI (@ANI) April 1, 2025 The Indian Army's Nangi Tekri Battalion under the Krishna Ghati Brigade retaliated to the unprovoked firing "effectively", said a source. "On 01 Apr 25, a mine blast occurred in the Krishna Ghati Sector while the Pakistan Army was patrolling along the LoC. This was followed by unprovoked firing and ceasefire violation by Pakistan Army," the source told THE WEEK. "Own troops responded effectively. The Indian Army continues to dominate the LoC. The situation is under control." A mine blasted in Krishna Ghati sector on Tuesday when the Pakistani Army personnel intruded across the border. This comes amid efforts to track down three terrorists who are hiding in the forest near Panjtirthi area of Kathua. The operation is carried out jointly by the Indian Army, CRPF and the Kashmir Police. Police have arrested six people who helped the terrorists in Kathua by providing food, shelter and other support. Two of the terrorist were killed and three others escaped following the gunfight. They crossed over from Pakistan with the support of locals with past links to terrorism. Four policemen have lost their lives in the encounter and seven security forces personnel were injured. Intelligence reports have revealed that more terrorists could be hiding in the area with 20 infiltrators moving in small groups through the forests of Kathua, Billawar, Malhar and Bani. Authorities fear that more infiltration attempts could be under way as several groups have already crossed the border. With inputs from Sanjib Kr Baruah AIADMK general secretary and Tamil Nadu opposition leader Edappadi K Palanisami is likely to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Madurai on April 6, during which the revival of the alliance talks between the two parties is expected to come up. The AIADMK has been warming up with the BJP and has reopened its alliance talks in the run-up to the ensuing 2026 assembly general elections in Tamil Nadu. Palanisamis visit to Delhi with his party colleagues and his meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah created a buzz in Tamil Nadu on the AIADMK renewing its alliance with the BJP and getting back into the NDA fold. The Dravidian party which was part of the BJP-led alliance since 2017, broke away from the NDA in 2023 before the Lok Sabha election. The alliance talks between the two was confirmed by Amit Shah during a television interview. But the AIADMK is non-committal about its plans to tie up with the BJP looking at the other options available to float a mega alliance. The party founded by MGR has lost its strength with its vote share falling continuously after the death of Jayalalithaa. It had close to 34 per cent vote share which came down to 18 per cent in the recently concluded Lok Sabha election. The factional feud within the party, the party losing its strength in the southern districts, the domination by its leaders from the western districts, and Palanisamis idea of announcing a 10.5 per cent internal reservation for Vanniyars in the northern districts are sighted as the major reasons for AIADMKs fall. Palanisami who was firm on not aligning with the BJP, sources say, has decided to get back into the NDA fold, as most of the former ministers and his family are caught in a slew of corruption cases. A few months before the Income tax sleuths conducted searches at the premises of his sons father-in-laws entities. Also one of this close aides Salem Elangovan is in the ED radar for the past few years. With the intention of forming a formidable alliance, the AIADMK, under Palanisami, had explored alliance possibilities with actor Vijays fledgling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) before warming up with the BJP. The talks with TVK broke down after Vijay and his party came up with several conditions on alliance equations and power sharing. Multiple sources told The Week that the demands by TVK were unacceptable to the AIADMK. TVK demanded that Vijay should be announced as the chief minister candidate and out of the 234 assembly segments his party will contest in 50 per cent of the seats, paving way for power sharing. We are a party with a track record and have ruled the state for over 30 years. His demands were unrealistic," a senior AIADMK leader in Chennai told The Week. However, TVK sources said that Vijay did not have confidence in Palanisami as he had his own apprehensions if the AIADMK would go with the BJP. "We were not confident about dealing with the AIADMK. They werent promising," a senior leader who joined TVK recently told The Week. "Everything will be made clear when our leader meets Modi in Madurai. The alliance will be announced," a senior AIADMK leader told The Week. In his dual role as Tripura's Leader of Opposition and CPI(M) state secretary, Jitendra Chaudhury is on a mission to rebuild the party's organisational strength in the northeastern state. Speaking to THE WEEK at the venue of CPI(M)'s 24th Party Congressheld under the banner "Socialism Is the Alternative"Chaudhury asserts that the mass mobilisation leading up to the event has reaffirmed his comrades' resolve to restore not just CPI(M)'s foundational strength but also its electoral presence in Tripura. Edited excerpts: Q/ Tripura has long been a stronghold of the CPI(M), but you lost power in 2018 and have since faced a series of electoral setbacks. How do you plan to rebuild the partys strength in Tripura, and how crucial will the Madurai Party Congress be in this effort? A/ Tripura has traditionally been a stronghold of the CPI(M). However, if you look at the manipulated results of the recent elections, you would naturally feel frustrated. The 2018 election was something different, that was totally hijacked by RSS- BJP to dislodge a Left-ruled state led by CPI(M) by the use of its all might that is, false promises, money power, misusing the Union government's machinery and chauvinistic politics nurtured by local tribal groups in the of Tipraland a separate state. But the elections since then have been entirely different. Every election after 2018 has been marred by manipulationdriven by "dalalism" (brokerage politics), interference from the Election Commission of India (ECI), government machinery, hired goons, and black money. Elections in Tripura are no longer democratic, fair and peaceful; they have become mere formalities and mockery to our democracy. The party is actively working to reclaim Tripura from the RSS-BJP. The nation, and the rest of the country, are watching not just for CPI(M)'s inherent strength and its commitments to our republic but also for its electoral resurgence. A key question is how to counter the BJPs money power, muscle power, and use of religion and black money in elections. To achieve this, significant organisational reinforcement is required. We are planning and preparing for this. The mass mobilisation leading up to the Party Congress has demonstrated that people are determined to re-establish not just CPI(M)'s inherent strength but also its electoral presence. The outcome of this Party Congress will play a crucial role in reinvigorating our strength, morale, and strategy moving forward. #CPIM24thPartyCongress has begun! Senior leader Comrade Biman Bose hoisted the Red Flag. pic.twitter.com/JthqNt4yBm CPI (M) (@cpimspeak) April 2, 2025 Q/ This Party Congress will also determine how you engage with other parties, particularly those opposing the BJP. When discussing alliances, the question of your relationship with Congress naturally arises. From both a Tripura perspective and at a national level, what kind of relationship would arise from now on? A/ Our Party Congress resolution makes it clear that, at the national level, we are committed to uniting all secular and democratic forces, with Congress being an important part of that endeavour. However, at the state level, strategies will be state-specific. In Tripura, we joined forces in the 2023 elections, and again for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The approach for the 2028 elections will depend on the evolving political situation and the willingness of other parties to collaborate. While there hasnt been a formal joint agitation outside the assembly, we continue to echo each other's concerns and fight against the BJP on key issues of restoration of democracy and rule of law in the state. Future electoral understandings will be shaped by the situation as it unfolds. Q/ Kerala is one state where CPI(M) remains in power, but the state secretary recently stated that party policy and government policy may not always align, given that governance operates within a bourgeois system. When you come to powerespecially considering your long tenure in Tripurawhat kinds of restrictions or limitations do you face in implementing your socialist line? A/ A government takes oath in the name of the Constitution. I do not know in what context Kerala state secretary said it. We believe in socialism. While socialism is mentioned in the Constitutions preamble, the programmes implemented by governmentsregardless of the ruling partyoperate within certain constraints. In Kerala, the LDF government works within these limitations. While it may not be executing a purely socialist agenda, it is certainly advancing a progressive agendas with a Leftist orientation. Q/ Tripura has a rising drug problem. A/ Tripura has become drug corridor. Maybe compared to our size, Tripura is the number one in the country [in terms of the drug menace]. And we say it is not an accident. This is one of the agendas of the BJP. To spoil the youth. The recent comments about the landlocked Northeastern Region (NER) by Prof. Muhammad Yunus, head of Bangladesh's interim government, during his four-day trip to China has come as a shock to many not just in India but also within the strategic community in the West. However, it is worth noting that this is a pattern of gun on head diplomacy all South Asian nations practice from time to time when it comes to India where the proverbial gun being China. In order to squeeze out maximum benefits from India, which is the largest trading partner to Bangladesh, Yunus seems to have taken it to an unprecedented level this time. The Chicken Neck remains a strategic red-line for India to which New Delhi is ultra-sensitive, and rightly so. By crossing this red line, Yunus has tripped a wire which could have consequences for his already troubled nation, which even President Xi wont be able to offset, even if he wants to. The strategic aspect aside, there are other areas where Bangladesh depends on Indias NER crucially. James Carville, the campaign strategist of Bill Clinton, famously coined the phrase, It's the economy, stupid!. This phrase, in its many bastardised forms, remains catchy and relevant even today not just because of its simplicity but also because it is true. Since the violent regime change in August last year, the Bangladeshi economy has only gone one way, downwards. While the natural choice of partners in arresting this trend should have been New Delhi, its largest trading partner, Dhaka chose to further fuel anti-India sentiments for internal political convenience. Thus, in its attempt to shore up its fortune, Bangladesh seems to have chosen to lean on the Chinese. Despite having a free-trade agreement with China, this strategy has not proven to be of much consequence and that seems to have forced Yunus to personally plead in the court of President Xi. In doing so, the academician, who may have bitten a little more than he can chew by taking up the mantel of running a country instead of a successful bank or a university, is having to prove more loyal than the king. While China itself refrains from commenting directly on the NER, appreciating Indias strategic red-line, Yunus, in his ignorance of such diplomatic maneuvers, exposed a level of naivete, quite unbecoming of a man of his stature. Bangladeshs dependencies on NER may not be in the popular narrative either in New Delhi or in Dhaka, but it is as tangible as it can get. For instance, one of the primary contributors to the erstwhile growth of Bangladesh was its booming textile industry. For this, Bangladesh needs energy supply. In this regard, NER plays a crucial and yet largely unacknowledged role. The power supply from Palatana in Tripura to Comilla in Bangladesh provides 190 megawatts of power to an energy-hungry nation. The diesel supply through a 150 km pipeline from Siliguri Terminal in India to Parbatipur in Rangpur Division remains another critical point of dependency on Indias NER for Bangladesh. While courting China seems to be a critical pillar of Bangladeshi foreign policy currently, it is hard to imagine how these crucial dependencies can be mitigated without the cooperation of NER. There are other significant enablers to Bangladeshi economy and culture that the NER provides. Be it stones, boulders, coal and limestone from Meghalaya or tea from Assam and Tripura or spices from Sikkim or fruits and vegetables from Meghalaya and Tripura, all these exports play a vital role in Bangladeshs economy and culture. Thus, it would be advisable for Yunus to consider his options more prudently as neither the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative nor the free trade agreement has shown much impact on ground over the past years or months. However, Bangladeshs Achilles' heel remains within the NER. While there has been strong opposition to the professors statement across party lines, India has largely refrained from securitizing the issue beyond a point. Even the statement of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has been statesman-like as usual. However, it might be a good time to reintroduce Yunus to one word, the Brahmaputra. The river is as essential to Bangladesh as it is to Indias Northeast, providing the essential lifeline for all its people. If the Gangetic plains of India depend solely on the river Ganga and its tributaries, same is true when it comes to Brahmaputra for the states in Indias Northeast as well as large section of the Bangladeshi populace. India and Bangladesh have not signed any treaty on the river yet though there have been several levels of deliberations that have taken place. A reminder also seems due here, given Bangladesh is the lowest riparian state in Brahmaputra, that India, along with China, has not ratified the UN Convention on the Law of Non-Navigational Uses of International Watercourses which came into force in 2014 after the UNGA Resolution of 1997. Though, unlike China, India has taken a humanitarian view and has always been a responsible upper riparian state, it does not have any legal obligations to be so. It is only Indias rich international heritage, its cultural ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, and its historic and cultural connectivity with the people of Bangladesh that has fueled such behaviour, even when Dhaka had fueled or facilitated secessionist movements in Indias Northeast. That being said, the Siliguri Corridor remains a strategic red line, which, if tampered with, could provoke reactions on Indias part for which it cannot be held legally responsible by any party, especially when precedence is being set up by the uppermost riparian state of Brahmaputra, China. Thus, it would be a good time to borrow from Carville and remind Md. Yunus, The Brahmaputra, Professor. The author is a former Director General of Assam Police and General Secretary of the think tank SHARE (Society to Harmonise Aspirations for Responsible Engagement). The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of THE WEEK. Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee President Harshavardhan Sapkal on Wednesday hit out at the state government over a range of issuing including farmers loan waiver and financial aid for women. The saffron grand alliance had promised loan waivers for farmers and an increase in financial aid for women from 1,500 to 2,100. However, they have now changed their stance, issuing an order to repay loans before March 31. This sudden reversal suggests that the leaders of the saffron grand alliance are suffering from a 'Ghajini' syndrome, he said while speaking at a press conference at Tilak Bhavan in Mumbai. Sapkal said the farmers must receive loan waivers before the sowing season. If the so-called 'Triple Engine' government has credibility, it should secure a special package from the central government. The Congress leader remarked that the budget session was wrapped up without making any significant decisions. Lofty speeches were delivered, but they seem to have forgotten their own manifesto. The chief minister and the deputy chief minister acted like stage performers, but ultimately, their generosity turned out to be hollow. Instead of addressing fundamental public issues, they dug up Aurangzebs grave, he said. Sapkal alleged that the BJP-led government had completely ignored crucial matters such as unemployment, farmer loan waivers, and fair pricing for agricultural produce. The government has deliberately sidestepped these pressing issues, he added. Regarding the Khadakpurna Left Canal water issue, Sapkal said that when Devendra Fadnavis was the chief minister, he had approved a solution as a birthday gift for the local MLA. However, now he claims that the same solution is unfeasible. Due to the delay in resolving this issue, young farmer Kailas Nagare committed suicide. The people are now questioning, what happened to your promise?, said the Congress leader. On the Waqf Reform Bill, Sapkal stated that special land rights had already been established during the drafting of the Constitution. Land has been allotted to temples, places of worship, and inam (gifted) lands have been granted. In Maharashtra, even the descendants of Chhatrapatis have been given special land rights. In a country with a large landless population, Acharya Vinoba Bhave led the Bhoodan movement, collecting thousands of acres of land and distributing it to the landless. Pandit Nehru introduced tenancy laws under the principle of land to the tiller, followed by the Ceiling Act. Indira Gandhi took decisive steps to distribute land ownership, and under the UPA government, tribal communities were granted rights over forest lands, he explained. Sapkal alleged that the BJP government is now viewing the Waqf Bill through a religious lens and seems to be planning to take over this land to hand it over to industrialists and builders. They have already handed over Dharavis land to Adani, and under the pretext of the Shakti Peeth Corridor, attempts are being made to allocate Konkan land to Adani and Ambani. This appears to be a similar ploy, he further said. As security has been tightened in Uttar Pradesh, and the police carried out a flag march in Varanasi, there have been various views on the proposed amendments to the Waqf Act which is set to be discussed in Parliament on Wednesday. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said the government has brought in the bill to distract people from other matters. He alleged that the government first sold land that belonged to the railways, then that of the armed forces and now it wanted to sell off Waqf land. Watch: Union Minister Kiren Rijiju says, "...This bill that we are discussing is not a new subject. The history of this matter dates back to before independence... Later, in 1930, the Muslim Waqf Validating Act was introduced, emphasizing the role of family waqf. After pic.twitter.com/zuT0bL9d5K IANS (@ians_india) April 2, 2025 Ittehad-e-Millat Council president Maulana Tauqeer Raza accused the government of wanting to please a certain religion through the bill. He said while there were flaws in the Waqf Board, the solution was to reform the board. Raza accused the government of eyeing Waqf land in the guise of the bill. Sufi Kashish Warsi, national president of the Indian Sufi Foundation, meanwhile supported the bill, saying it would end the misdeeds of what he has labelled the Waqf mafia. He accused the board of not building any houses or institutions that benefit Muslims. National president of All India Muslim Jamaat, Maulana Shahabuddin Barelvi claimed that Muslims have nothing to fear and that they should refrain from trusting those who were doing vote bank politics. He said land mafia has been occupying Waqf properties and it is this element which is most scared. He has also appealed to the government to build hospitals, orphanages, schools and other such institutions on Waqf land that will benefit the community. India has the largest number of Waqf properties in the world. But why havent these properties been effectively used for the welfare of poor Muslims? That was the question Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju raised in the Lok Sabha as he introduced the new Waqf Amendment Bill. The Lok Sabha witnessed a heated debate over the issue as the Opposition parties accused the government of being against the interests of the Muslim community. They argued that the government was eyeing the land under the control of the Waqf. From the government side, Home Minister Amit Shah took on the united Opposition, charging that the 2013 amendment in the Waqf law had led to more complications and land under the ownership of the Waqf being misused. As the main contention against the bill was that non-Muslims were incorporated in the board, Shah said this was for better management of the property, while the religious duties under the Waqf will be by the Muslims. "No non-Islamic member will be a part of Waqf. There is neither any provision for the appointment of a non-Muslim to manage the religious institution, nor do we intend to introduce any such provision, Shah said during his intervention in Lok Sabha. The home minister said rumors were being spread that this Act interfered with the religious practices of Muslims. But the changes in the law were being done so that those misusing the provisions for selling Waqf properties will be stopped. So, what changes does the new bill propose? According to Rijuju, under the proposed legislation, Waqf Board will be more inclusive as representation will be given to different Muslim communities like Shias, Sunnis, Bohras, backward Muslims, women, and even non-Muslim experts. A centralized digital portal will be there for property tracking, auditing, and compliance. The state government will have an oversight for audits and compliance. The government argues that the amendment deals with some of the stringent provisions of the earlier law. Section 40 of the original Act allowed the Waqf Board to declare a property as Waqf land. The minister gave example of a gurdwara in Haryana and properties of 600 families in Kerala which were claimed as Waqf property. The new bill introduces stricter survey and registration processes, and in case of disputes where the government land has been declared as Waqf, the district collector, not the Waqf Board, will have the final say. Several Muslim bodies have already held protests against the bill. Inside the parliament, the opposition parties raised their concerns. But Rijiju defended it, stating that the new bill is about property management, not religion. He said after changes, the revenue from the Waqf properties would grow which can then be used for their welfare. And theres one more changethe bill will now be known as the UMMED Bill. Which stands for Unified Waqf Management Empowerment, Efficiency, and Development. But this change in terminology has not impressed the Opposition parties. During the spirited debate in the Lok Sabha most parties of the INDIA alliance strongly opposed the proposed law. Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi accused the government of using the bill to dilute the Constitution. He argued that the ruling party aims to divide Indian society and prolong litigations. Gogoi said though the government claimed they had listened to everyone's opinion, they did not accept even a single amendment of the opposition in the JPC meeting. Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav alleged that the government was using the bill to divert attention from its failures. Yadav said whenever BJP brings up a new bill, it hides its failure. According to him, the BJP is talking about identifying the land of Muslim to distract from other major issues, including the number of persons missing and died during the Maha Kumbh and even the land allegedly occupied by China. The other parties like the Trinamool Congress and the DMK also opposed the bill. For passing the bill, the government needs the support of its allies. During the Lok Sabha debate, the NDA allies made it clear they were behind the government. JDU leader and Union Minister Lalan Singh dismissed the oppositions concerns, saying the bill would benefit backward Muslims and women. Singh said the JDU government in Bihar has done a lot for Muslims, and the BJP is a partner in that development. After its passing in Lok Sabha, the bill will go to Rajya Sabha for discussion. How the proposed law will impact the upcoming polls, particularly in Bihar, which goes to polls in next six months, remains to be seen. The fire and explosion at Patharpratima in South 24 Parganas, which claimed the lives of eight members of the same family, including four children, has sparked a political clash between the ruling Trinamool Congress and opposition parties. The blast was reportedly caused by fireworks stored inside their home. Concerns have been raised about the possibility of illegal firework production with the police investigating whether the family had a valid license to manufacture fireworks. Opposition parties have pointed to multiple similar explosions in allegedly unlicensed firework units across West Bengal in recent years, accusing the state government of shielding this illicit industry. The BJP has called for an investigation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), with the partys state president and Union Minister of State for Education, Sukanta Majumdar, writing to Home Minister Amit Shah to press the demand. South 24 Parganas, West Bengal: A powerful explosion occurred while making firecrackers in Patharpratima under, Dholaahat police station limits, resulting in the death of two people and leaving several others seriously injured pic.twitter.com/AjVoNOt6dS IANS (@ians_india) March 31, 2025 The chief minister has made West Bengal stand atop piles of explosives, Dr. Majumdar said while speaking to the press at Bagdogra Airport. Its necessary to investigate whether any anti-India forces are involved in this incident. Under Mamata Banerjees influence, South 24 Parganas has completely fallen into the hands of jihadis. Subhankar Sarkar, the West Bengal Pradesh Congress (WBPCC) chief visited the spot in Patharpratima and spoke to local residents. He demanded an investigation under the watch of Calcutta High Court. Fireworks are being manufactured in village homes. Instead of taking action, the administration is covering it up. If such incidents occur, the responsible public representatives must be held accountable for their lack of awareness, Sarkar said. Meanwhile, the ruling party hit back at the opposition by questioning whether the BJP is also demanding an NIA investigation into the firecracker factory explosion in Gujarat's Banaskantha where 18 people lost their lives. The party also pointed out that while PM Narendra Modi tweeted about the incident from his home state, he has remained silent on Bengal. Labelling the BJP as anti-Bengal and outsiders, TMC leader Kunal Ghosh remarked, They are politicising accidents. Many people died in the Gujarat explosion. If the NIA must investigate, they should start with the Prime Minister and Home Ministers own state. Meanwhile, the police are investigating whether the owners of the firecracker factory in Patharpratima had a valid licence. Earlier, in 2022, one of the factorys owners, Chandrakant Banik, was allegedly arrested. He was later granted bail. The police are now investigating whether he had taken any steps to obtain a licence for the firecracker factory. IPS Supratim Sarkar, ADG & IGP South Bengal, informed the media during a press conference that the incident was a result of callousness and lack of awareness. If you or I store petrol at home, keep a gas cylinder nearby, and cook in the same space, its not possible for the police to monitor such activities daily. This is a clear case of negligence and a lack of awareness. BEIJING - China said Wednesday that it has completed two days of military drills around Taiwan meant to serve as a warning to the government of leader Lai Ching-te, involving the deployment of the Shandong aircraft carrier fleet and long-range live-fire exercises. The Eastern Theater Command, which covers the Taiwan Strait, said in a statement that it has "completed all designated tasks of the joint exercises" that tested the troops' integrated joint operations capabilities. The command added its troops will "remain on high alert" and will "continue to strengthen combat readiness with intensive training, resolutely thwarting any separatist activities seeking 'Taiwan independence.'" The exercises, code-named "Strait Thunder-2025A," employed the Shandong aircraft carrier group in coordination with naval and air units in waters east of Taiwan and involved simulated strikes on ground and maritime targets. The command also said its ground force conducted live-fire shooting drills in the East China Sea involving "precision strikes on such simulated targets as key ports and energy facilities," and they achieved the expected results. Beijing launched the large-scale drills near Taiwan on Tuesday, saying they serve as a "stern warning and forceful deterrence" against those seeking the island's independence. The mainland has been angered by Lai's move to prevent Beijing's infiltration and espionage activities in the self-ruled territory, categorizing China as a "foreign hostile force" last month. Taiwan's Defense Ministry said it had detected 36 mainland Chinese military aircraft, 21 navy vessels and 10 coast guard ships operating near the island Wednesday. Of the detected aircraft, 20 had entered Taiwan's "response" zone, while eight of the vessels were part of a naval formation led by the Shandong aircraft carrier, which was detected in the Western Pacific about 350 kilometers east of Taiwan's southern tip, it added. The ministry said it did not detect Chinese live-fire drills in areas around Taiwan, adding they took place outside of its response zone. The U.S. State Department criticized the Chinese military drills in a statement Tuesday, saying they "only serve to exacerbate tensions and put the region's security and the world's prosperity at risk." "In the face of China's intimidation tactics and destabilizing behavior, the United States' enduring commitment to our allies and partners, including Taiwan, continues," the department said, adding Washington "opposes unilateral changes to the status quo, including through force or coercion." In addition to the United States, Japan and the European Union have also expressed concern over China's military drills. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun rejected their claims, saying at a press conference in Beijing that the Taiwan issue is "purely China's internal affairs" and "no external forces have the right to point fingers at this." "We will never ever allow anyone, any force, to separate Taiwan from China in any form. We will take all measures necessary to firmly safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity," Guo said. On Tuesday, the Chinese military released a cartoon depicting Lai as a "parasite" that would "poison, hollow out, and ultimately destroy" Taiwan in a rhetorical attack against him. Some Taiwanese citizens who visited Xiamen on the southeastern Chinese coast, just across the Taiwan Strait, aired concern over the military drills. "There are many Taiwanese who are not afraid of (Chinese) exercises, but the issue will eventually affect us. (President) Xi Jinping will surely aim for unification," said a 70-year-old Taiwanese man, who often visits Xiamen from Taipei. Communist-led China views Taiwan as a renegade province to be brought into its fold, by force if necessary. The democratic island and the mainland have been governed separately since they split in 1949 after a civil war. Related coverage: China holds large-scale drills near Taiwan, raising tensions Japan PM seeks "future-oriented" ties with China, South Korea Japan blocked ex-Taiwan leader Tsai's 2024 visit over China concerns Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin has sought an urgent meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ahead of his April 6 visit to Rameswaram, to brief his concerns on the proposed delimitation exercise. Stalin has sought time for the meeting along with a delegation of MPs from opposition parties. I have requested a meeting with you (Mr. Modi), alongside MPs from various parties, to present our memorandum on the concerns surrounding the proposed delimitation. This follows resolutions from the Joint Action Committee (JAC) for fair Delimitation in Chennai, Stalin tweeted on X. Hon'ble PM Thiru @NarendraModi, I have requested a meeting with you, alongside MPs from various parties, to present our memorandum on the concerns surrounding the proposed delimitation. This follows resolutions from the #JointActionCommittee meeting for #FairDelimitation in pic.twitter.com/kkSoqgNjmG M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) April 2, 2025 Sharing his earlier letter in the tweet, he said the voices that emerged from the March 22 deliberations transcend political boundaries, embodying the concerns of citizens from diverse regions who seek fair representation in a parliamentary democracy. In his March 27 letter to Modi, Stalin had said, As this issue holds significant importance to our states and citizens, I kindly request a meeting with you to formally submit the Memorandum on behalf of the Joint Action Committee, Stalin said in the letter. Stalins tweet, reminding his request for an appointment with Modi, comes at a time when the Prime Minister is scheduled to visit Rameswaram to inaugurate the Pamban bridge. Stalin has always been of the opinion that Modi and his BJP have ignored the interests of Tamil Nadu. The DMK in the past two months have raked up every issue that it considers to be of importance to Tamil Nadu and Tamil pride. Be it the strong opposition to New Education Policy (NEP), implementing the two-language formula, opposition to proposed delimitation and also urging the centre to release funds for MNREGA, the DMK has played it to the gallery, making the BJP answer. The BJP on the other side, which has been struggling to make its presence strong in Tamil Nadu, has been listing out its performance in the state, by way of implementing various projects in Railways and other sectors. And now Stalins letter reminding Modi of fair delimitation ahead of his visit is clearly a political strategy to capitalise on the anti-Modi sentiment prevalent in the state. During 2018 and 2023 assembly elections, one of the key charges made by the Congress party against the then ruling Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) was its alleged promotion of dynastic politics. This criticism stemmed from the fact that the then chief minister K. Chandrashekar Rao (KC) had appointed both his son, KT Rama Rao and nephew, Harish Rao as ministers, Additionally, his daughter, K. Kavitha was a sitting MP in 2018 and an MLC in 2023. Congress senior leader Rahul Gandhi often highlighted the family rule in his election campaigns in Telangana. Now, with the Congress in power in Telangana, similar murmurs are surfacing this time from within. Ahead of cabinet expansion, a section of party is raising concerns over potential inductions that could reflect dynastic rule. The Congress government currently has 12 cabinet ministers including Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, and there is room to appoint six more. The state Congress leaders and the AICC have been deliberating on the fresh faces that could be inducted into the cabinet. For the past few days, lobbying in Delhi and Hyderabad has intensified with various factions pushing their candidates. However, discontent is growing over names that are seen as having strong backing from either the local leadership or AICC. A strong contender, G. Vivek is a legislator from Chennur constituency. He owns a regional news channel and a newspaper and is seen by some as resourceful. However, his elder brother, Vinod is already an MLA and his son, Vamsi Krishna, is an MP making three members of a family in the roles of public representatives. Party insiders argue that his inclusion in the cabinet would be a textbook example of the very dynastic politics that the Congress party opposed in the state. Similar concerns are being raised for another MLA, Komatreddy Rajagopal Reddy. While he is an MLA, his brother, Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, is an MLA and a minister handling the key roads and buildings and cinematography portfolios. Some Congress leaders complain that any elevation would mean they would lose out the moral right to criticise BRS in future in this particular aspect. There is also a buzz that a senior minister is trying for a plum post for his close family member, further feeling internal criticism. Amidst this, CM Reddy, Deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka and few other cabinet ministers are in Delhi to join a protest of BC organisation demanding increase in BC reservation in the state to 42 per cent, which would require parliamentary approval. With the state leadership already in Delhi, the list of new ministers is likely to be finalised tonight or early tomorrow. Bharatiya Janata Party MP Anurag Thakur on Wednesday launched a blistering attack on the opposition parties, accusing them of compromising the Constitution for vote bank. Speaking in the Lok Sabha over a debate on the controversial Waqf Amendment Bill, Thakur said the existing law has become a base of atrocity and corruption. #WATCH | #WaqfAmendmentBill | BJP MP Anurag Thakur says, "This is not a Bill but UMEED (Unified Waqf Management Empowerment, Efficiency and Development). This UMEED has empowerment, efficiency and development. Looking at this, the people of the country are supporting it. Several pic.twitter.com/7GBKcQzFsY ANI (@ANI) April 2, 2025 This is neither Pakistan nor the Taliban's country. Only one law will run in the countrythe Constitution. Today we won't let another destruction (by the Opposition) in the name of land 'jihad'," he said. The former Union minister also noted that in several countries the Waqf board works under the centralised framework. "This bill is not about Hindu vs Muslim, this is about law vs lawlessness, Constitution vs corruption, Bharat vs internal partition, he said, adding that the Waqf bill will be the last nail in the Coffin of Congress's politics of appeasement. Thakur claimed that the amendment in the Waqf law also seeks to curb corruption, while raking up an alleged scam in Karnataka. "The Karnataka government collected 4.50 crore, where do you spend that money? You should give the answers. Did you take the money from the Masjid or the Waqf board?," he asked. The MP claimed that several organisations like Catholic Bishops Conference of India, Church of Bharat, Kerala Council of Churches and Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council, All India Sufi Sajjadanashin Council and Muslim Rashtriya Manch had supported the bill. I thank them for this. It is time to amend the Waqf because this has become a base of atrocity and corruption. India needs liberation from the fear of Waqf because the Waqf law formed during the Congress regime meant 'khaata na bahi, jo Waqf kahe wahi sahi', said the BJP MP. Earlier in the day, Union Minority Affairs Minister Rijiju tabled the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, in the Lok Sabh. The Bill seeks to improve the functioning of Waqf properties, address complexities, ensure transparency and introduce technology-driven management. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill will be tabled in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, setting the ground for a stormy session as the Opposition has vowed to counter it on the floor. The bill will be tabled after the question hour following which an eight-hour discussion may follow. The NDA and the INDIA bloc have issued whips to their MPs and despite the political heat, the numbers heavily favour the ruling BJP-led NDA. The NDA has 293 MPs in the Lower House with a current strength of 542. What is Waqf? It refers to properties dedicated exclusively to religious or charitable purposes under Islamic law. These properties are used to maintain the mosques and graveyards, set up schools and other educational institutions and healthcare facilities or aid the poor and disabled. Any other use or sale of the property is prohibited. What is the Waqf Bill? The Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024, proposes to amend the Waqf Act, 1995, and address the regulation of Waqf properties. According to the government, the current bill aims to improve the administration and management of Waqf properties in India. It also proposes to overcome the flaws of the 1995 Act and enhance the efficiency of Waqf boards, improving the registration process, and increasing the role of technology in managing Waqf records. Key differences explained The bill was tabled in the Parliament in August last year, after which it was sent to a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) for scrutiny. The JPC submitted its report in February this year. The key provisions in the new bill are: 1) Unified Waqf Management: The Bill seeks to rename the Act to the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency, and Development Act, 1995. 2) Inclusion of non-Muslim members: The Bill proposes the inclusion of diverse groups like non-Muslims, members from other communities and backward classes among Muslim communities and Women etc in the decision-making. Two members of the board must be non-Muslims. Members of Parliament, former judges, and eminent persons appointed to the Council as per the Act need not be Muslims, the Bill proposes. Of the Muslim members, two must be women. 3) Formation of Waqf: While the 1995 Act allowed waqf to be formed by declaration, long-term use, or endowment, the Bill states that only a person practising Islam for at least five years may declare a waqf. It also proposes that the person must own the property being declared and removes the provisions which enabled deeming as waqf the properties that were used for religious purposes for a long time. It also adds that waqf-alal-aulad must not result in the denial of inheritance rights to the donors heir including women heirs. While the Act empowered the Waqf Board to inquire and determine if a property is a waqf, the Bill removed this provision. 4) Government Property as Waqf: Though there were no clear provisions in the Act, the new Bill maintains that government properties identified as Waqf cease to be Waqf. Disputes will resolved by the Collector, who reports to the state. 5) Audits of Waqfs: While the Central government to make rules regarding registration, publication of accounts of waqf, and publication of proceedings of Waqf Boards, the state governments could get the accounts of Waqfs audited at any point. The Bill empowers the Central government to get these audited by the CAG or a designated officer. 6) Separate Waqfs: The Act allows the establishment of separate Waqf Boards for Sunni and Shia sects if Shia waqf constituted over 15% of all waqf properties or waqf income in the State. The Bill also allows separate waqf boards for the Aghakhani and Bohra sects. 7) Waqf Tribunal: Under the Act, decisions of the Waqf Tribunal were final and appeals against its decisions in Courts were prohibited and the High Court intervention was available only under special circumstances. However, the Bill has done away with this provision. Waqf tribunals' orders may be appealed before High Courts within 90 days as per the Bill. Two back-to-back Calcutta High Court verdicts on Wednesday, allowing the BJP to hold rallies that earlier didn't get permission from the local administration, underscored the high political tension between the government and the opposition. Suvendu Adhikari claimed that he would be attending the 80th public event as the leader of the opposition when he leads a rally in his hometown of Contai in Purba Medinipur, on Thursday in protest of alleged communal incidents in Maldah districts Mathabari. He attended his 79th event on Wednesday which was a BJP Yuva Morcha rally to protest the alleged removal of Hindu voters from the voters list. Both the rallies had to obtain clearance from the Calcutta High Court after the local administration denied them permission. Reportedly, the police had denied permission to the BJP Yuva Morcha, claiming its rally would disrupt the traffic and law and order situation in the city. However, Justice Tirthankar Ghosh allowed the rally, directing the organisers to hold it between 4 PM and 6 PM. The High Court has come as a saviour to protect democracy today, said LoP Adhikari at the beginning of the rally. Our programme was scheduled for 3 PM. But the high court said we must begin it at 4 PM and march with only 1000 people. We will obey every word of the court order. The rally started from the headquarters of Bengal BJP at Muralidhar Sen Lane in central Kolkata and proceeded towards Dorina Crossing in Esplanade. A delegate from the rally went on to submit a memorandum to the office of the chief electoral officer of the state. The leader of the opposition then launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. He accused the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) of removing the names of Hindi-speaking residents of West Bengal from the voters list. LoP Adhikari said, Mamata Banerjee has targeted the removal of Hindi-speaking voters' names from electoral rolls, even though they are very much Bengalis. Her focus is on areas like Barrackpore industrial region, Howrah, Asansol, Siliguri, Kharagpur, and Kolkata's port area, where many Hindi-speaking Bengalis reside. Additionally, she has also targeted those who fled Bangladesh with nothing but their clothes, particularly voters from border areas. Those who became refugees due to religious persecution are now being singled out for name removal, he added. The Nandigram MLA further claimed there is evidence of a BDO in Krishnangar issues notices to 98 Hindu voters In Krishnanagar, evidence has been presented showing that the BDO issued notices to 98 Hindu voters that their names from the voter list would be removed. Meanwhile, the leader of opposition got the permission to hold Thursdays rally in Contai after a disagreement with the local administration over timing. The BJP initially wanted to hold the rally in Contai on Tuesday. The local administration denied, asking the BJP for an alternative date. The saffron party then applied for permission to march on Thursday, which was granted by the administration. However, the BJP wanted to hold the rally between 1 PM and 8 PM, while the administration restricted the time frame from 2 PM to 6 PM. On approaching the Calcutta High Court, Justice Ghosh on Wednesday directed that the BJPs rally can be held between 1 PM and 6 PM. Legal and political woes do not seem to end for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. On March 31, he faced a major setback as two of his top aides, Jonatan Urich and Eli Feldstein, were arrested in a scandal nicknamed QatarGate. The arrests, carried out by Israels elite anti-corruption unit Lahav 433 and the Shin Bet domestic intelligence agency, were part of a probe into allegations of foreign influence, national security breaches and political misconduct. For Netanyahu, that was not the only challenge for the day. It began in a Tel Aviv courtroom, where the prime minister attended the latest hearing in his ongoing corruption trial. Since 2016, he has been accused of exchanging regulatory favours for bribes and positive media coveragecharges he denies. But his courtroom appearance was overshadowed by the police summons to him asking the PM to return immediately to Jerusalem for questioning in the QatarGate affair. Though not a suspect, Netanyahu was summoned as a witness with insight into the case, which centres on his aides Urich and Feldstein. Netanyahu back in court over corruption case linked to Qatargate arrests Israeli PM returns to testify as two of his top aides face charges of bribery and foreign agent ties in widening corruption probe. pic.twitter.com/46xquXa45q NEXTA (@nexta_tv) April 2, 2025 The QatarGate investigation alleges that Feldstein, while working in the prime ministers Office, secretly took payments from an international firm linked to Qatar to push pro-Qatar stories in Israeli media. This builds on earlier accusations that he leaked classified documents about Hamas hostage negotiations. The probe raises serious concernsbribery, breach of trust, money laundering and possible ties to a foreign agentpotentially implicating others close to Netanyahu. His Likud party, however, dismissed the arrests as a "fabricated" conspiracy by the attorney generals Office and Shin Bet to undermine the government, even calling it a coup detat. Amid the uproar, Netanyahu escalated his feud with Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, who had spearheaded the investigation into the aides. That same day, he named Eli Sharvit, a former navy commander, as Bars replacement, defying a Supreme Court ruling that had stayed Bars dismissal until April 8. Netanyahu claimed he had lost faith in Bar, blaming him for intelligence lapses tied to Hamass attack on October 7, 2023, which ignited the Gaza war. Critics, though, saw it as a retaliatory strike against the 'QatarGate' probe, accusing Netanyahu of weakening Israels independent institutions. The Sharvit nomination, however, quickly unravelled. Netanyahu withdrew Sharvits name a day later after backlash from his conservative allies. Sharvit had recently penned a column criticising US President Donald Trump for reversing climate change policies, drawing ire from the right. There were also reports about Sharvit voicing his opposition towards Netanyahus judicial overhaul plans, further alienating Netanyahus core supporters. The ongoing legal struggle fits into a broader clash between Netanyahu and Israels legal and security systems. Since his corruption trial began in 2020, his refusal to step down has polarised the nation, triggering five elections in four years. His coalitions recent moveslike passing a law boosting political control over Supreme Court appointments and attempts to sack Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, who approved the police summonshave deepened the rift. Baharav-Miara has locked horns with Netanyahu over Bars dismissal and other decisions, pushing Israel towards a constitutional showdown. The Likud party, meanwhile, branded Urichs arrest thuggish, part of a political hunt to oust the prime minister and shield Bar, whose fate remains under Supreme Court review. For many, the standoff over Bar and Qatar Gate reflects a wider battle over Israels democracy, with Netanyahu accused of eroding judicial and law enforcement independence. The turmoil has spilled onto Jerusalems streets, as thousands protested against Netanyahus policies. Clashes erupted between police and demonstrators on March 31 and April 1, leading to 12 arrests. The unrest underscored the growing public frustration with a leader mired in legal battles, political scandals and a war that shows no end. Chile President Gabriel Boric Font praised India's unique geopolitical advantage of being able to engage with countries that are not in good terms with each other. Calling India a key geopolitical player, Font said Prime Minister Narendra Modi can talk to Russian President Vladimir Putin, US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, something that no other leaders can do. #WATCH | Delhi | Speaking on India's geopolitical stance, Chile President Gabriel Boric Font says, "... India is committed to peace in the world. PM Modi has a weird status nowadays that he can talk to every leader of the world, Mr Putin, Mr Trump, Mr Zelenskyy and the European pic.twitter.com/5rm8YhgKxF ANI (@ANI) April 2, 2025 "India is committed to peace in the world. PM Modi has a weird status nowadays that he can talk to every leader of the world," the Chilean president said, "You are supporting Trump, Zelenskyy, the European Union, and the Latin American leaders in BRICS or Iran." On Tuesday, President Droupadi Murmu hosted a banquet at the Rashtrapati Bhavan to honour her Chilean counterpart. Speaking on the occasion said Chile wants to deepen its ties with India, adding that they do not depend on one special country. #WATCH | Delhi | Speaking on India's geopolitical stance, Chile President Gabriel Boric Font says, "... India is committed to peace in the world. PM Modi has a weird status nowadays that he can talk to every leader of the world, Mr Putin, Mr Trump, Mr Zelenskyy and the European pic.twitter.com/5rm8YhgKxF ANI (@ANI) April 2, 2025 Thanking President Murmu for the warm reception on his first state visit to India, President Font said, "I am here for the first time for a State visit. I want to thank you for the warm welcome that we have received here. For the past 16 years, no one from Chile has come here, and in that 16 years, India has changed a lot." President Font is in India from April 1 to 5 to mark the 76th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Chile. The two sides negotiated deals in trade, health, defence and natural resources. PM Modi said the countries might be at different ends of the world map with oceans separating them, but "nature has linked us with unique similarities." US President Donald Trump has claimed that tariffs imposed on trading partners could bring in more than $1 trillion in a year to the country. He has also claimed that the move would reduce national debt. But is a there any truth to this? "You are going to see billions of dollars, even trillions of dollars coming into our country very soon in the form of tariffs," Trump said a week ago. One crop away from bankruptcy Republican Senator Thom Tillis warns Trumps tariffs will do irreparable damage to farmers. pic.twitter.com/v0MhsvL1ld Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) April 2, 2025 Experts, however, beg to differ. Some of the economists fear that the tariffs could force consumers to avoid splurging on foreign goods as the companies would hike prices to pass the cost to customers, according to CBS News. Some of Trump's claims have been contradicted by his own officials. After imposing 25 per cent tariffs on automobiles and components imported to the US, Trump claimed that the US exchequer would earn "from $600 billion to $1 trillion" in a year. However, a while before Trump's remarks, White House staff secretary Will Sharf has said the tariffs would bring in $100 billion revenue. The auto tariffs of 25% will be permanent for rest of my term." - Trump They might not even be permanent through this weekend. Let alone to January 2029. pic.twitter.com/mcaq45BOtM Spencer Hakimian (@SpencerHakimian) March 26, 2025 However, The Yale Budget Lab, a think tank, has suggested that just $60 to $65 billion could be raised by the auto tariff annually. According to the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, the country imported $3.3 trillion goods in 2024. If Trump imposes 50 per cent tariff on every country, it can only raise around $780 billion in a year, as per the Peterson Institute of International Economics. The Institute also adds that even a 50 per cent tariff on imported goods would not be able offset 40 per cent of the $2 trillion generated from income tax. The Trump administration announced Monday a major federal review of $9 billion in grants and contracts at Harvard University, citing the schools failure to protect Jewish students from antisemitic discrimination. The review, conducted as part of the Joint Task Force to Combat Antisemitism, will involve audits by the Departments of Education and Health and Human Services, along with the U.S. General Services Administration. Federal officials will scrutinize over $255.6 million in contracts between Harvard and the U.S. government, in addition to more than $8.7 billion in multi-year grant commitments. U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon delivered a sharp rebuke of Harvards handling of antisemitic incidents on campus, warning that the universitys reputation is at stake. Harvard has served as a symbol of the American dream for generationsthe pinnacle aspiration for students all over the world to work hard and earn admission to the storied institution, McMahon stated. Harvards failure to protect students on campus from antisemitic discriminationall while promoting divisive ideologies over free inquiryhas put its reputation in serious jeopardy. She added that Harvard has an opportunity to right these wrongs and restore itself as an institution dedicated to academic excellence and truth-seeking, but that federal intervention would proceed if necessary. The administrations announcement follows a similar crackdown on Columbia University, which resulted in the school agreeing to nine federal demands, including a ban on masked protests. That agreement ignited controversy and led to the resignation of Columbias interim president last week. Now, the Trump administration is sending a clear signal that Harvard could face similar consequences. Federal officials warned that stop-work orders could be issued on Harvards contracts, and if the university is found noncompliant with federal regulations, its federal funding could be terminated entirely. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) KUSHIRO, Japan - Seeing vacant buildings and houses in disrepair in Japan is becoming more commonplace with the aging and decline of the country's population. The phenomenon is being acutely felt in some small and midsize regional cities struggling to cope with a continuous outflow of population. One of them is Kushiro, a fishing port city located on the Pacific Ocean coast of the northern main island of Hokkaido. With commercial facilities switching to suburban areas, the area around JR Kushiro Station has lost much of its vitality, with many buildings abandoned and left to go to seed due to a lack of funds for their demolition. In the city's restaurant district, a huge vacant six-story building is stained with graffiti. It used to house Marui Imai Kushiro, a department store that once symbolized the city's prosperity but closed in 2006. The panels of the sheathing are peeling off, revealing the interior plumbing. According to the city, after Marui Imai closed, a company from the prefectural capital Sapporo acquired the land and building before conducting exterior wall work in an attempt to open a new commercial facility. However, unable to find any tenants, it canceled the plan. The city has been sending letters to the company since around 2016 asking that it properly manage the property, but there has been no response. "I remember Kushiro as a city full of people and growing, so it is really sad to see all the ruins," said Hiroaki Kimura, an 84-year-old local tour guide who used to work in the same building. Experts warning of the problem of "ghost towns" spreading around the country are calling for legislation to make it mandatory for building owners to factor in demolition costs when constructing large buildings. In addition to being a blight on the landscape, there is also concern in the case of Kushiro that abandoned buildings could pose an added danger in the event of a major earthquake and tsunami hitting the coastal city. In Kushiro, which has a population of about 153,000, an earthquake around the Japan Trench or Kuril Trench, where the Pacific plate collides with the Eurasian plate, is expected to kill up to 84,000 people. "I'm scared. The buildings are just getting weaker, and we need the government to get started tearing them down," Kimura said. According to the city, as of March this year, there were 19 vacant buildings around Kushiro Station. Two of them, including the former department store, have been designated as "special vacant buildings" of high risk. However, there are no plans to forcibly demolish the buildings through "administrative subrogation," which allows the city authorities to take the measure when the owner does not comply with an order. "It is difficult for government to get its hands on private property," a city official acknowledged. "Outside explanations and procedures are needed" to fully convince the people involved to take such action. The city also faces the problem of the huge costs of demolishing buildings, which can run into the billions of yen for a single structure. Even as a temporary fix, it is a huge sum, and there is a fear that the money will be unrecoverable even if the owner is billed. Still, Chie Nozawa, a professor of urban policy at Meiji University, noted the importance of preventing the emergence of more abandoned buildings. "There will be no choice but to demolish some of the vacant buildings now abandoned in various locations under administrative initiatives," she said. "It is necessary to legislate not only the rights of owners but also their 'duty to manage,' for example by requiring them to set aside the demolition costs when constructing large buildings," Nozawa added. Kimura says that he is often told by people to whom he gives tours of the city from around Japan that they too have many decaying, abandoned buildings and vacant houses in their own hometowns. Nozawa warned that with the increased frequency and severity of natural disasters, abandoned, half-destroyed buildings only act as a hindrance to relief efforts. "We have to act quickly," she said. New York City Mayor Eric Adams is urging a judge to expedite a decision on dismissing a criminal case against him as a key campaign deadline approaches. Hizzoner filed a motion on Monday asking Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Maxwell Wiley to speed up the ruling on tossing out the five-count indictment, which includes charges of bribery and fraud. Adams legal team argues that with the mayoral primary just months away on June 24, 2025, a swift resolution is needed so the mayor can focus on his reelection bid without the cloud of the criminal case hanging over him. Prosecutors allege Adams accepted illegal campaign contributions and luxury perks from foreign nationals, claims the mayor vehemently denies. Adams, a moderate Democrat and former NYPD captain, is facing a tough reelection fight in the heavily Democratic city. The criminal case threatens to derail his bid for a second term leading the Big Apple. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Six years ago Mexicos president disbanded the countrys Federal Police and handed security responsibilities fully to the military. Now, his successor has quietly begun to build an elite civilian investigative and special operations force to fight the drug cartels. President Claudia Sheinbaum had already shown a willingness early in her presidency to move away from former President Andres Manuel Lopez Obradors oft-criticized hugs, not bullets strategy. It focused on addressing the social roots of crime rather than directly confronting Mexicos powerful cartels. Sheinbaums security chief, Omar Garcia Harfuch, is drawing on his law enforcement contacts mostly from the former ranks of the Federal Police to claw back security capabilities from the armed forces with a civilian force under his direct command. The government has yet to formally announce the new National Operations Unit, known by its Spanish initials UNO, but its existence is an open secret among former members of the Federal Police, where Garcia Harfuch started his career. Three Mexican officials, all of whom requested anonymity to speak about the still unannounced force, confirmed its existence to The Associated Press. Security analyst David Saucedo, who has spoken with people who have joined the force, said he believes Garcia Harfuchs main objective is to have an armed force that allows him to meet demands from Washington. UNO takes shape The unit began to form shortly after Sheinbaum took office. It now has 250 members and hopes to have 800 by the end of the year, said one federal official, who is familiar with many of the units details. On Monday, while Garcia Harfuch was in Washington meeting with the Trump administration, the security ministry published a call for college graduates to make up the first generation of investigative and intelligence agents, only saying they will be part of a specialized group to strengthen the countrys security. UNO will have three branches distributed geographically across Mexico, as well as a high-impact team that will be the elite of the elite, the federal official said. Its current members are mostly former Federal Police and members of the special operations team Garcia Harfuch created when he was Mexico Citys police chief. Most have previously received training from security forces from the United States, Colombia, Spain or France. His challenge is rebuilding the trust of his U.S. counterparts after Lopez Obrador limited U.S. agents movements in Mexico and do it as President Donald Trump pressures Mexico to step up the fight against fentanyl trafficking. A controversial past Shortly after taking office, Lopez Obrador replaced the Federal Police with a new force, the National Guard, that he sold to the public as civilian, but that was always led by and made up of the armed forces. He lambasted the Federal Police as too corrupt to save and made Mexicos former security chief Genaro Garcia Luna, then facing trial in the U.S. and eventually convicted of working for the Sinaloa cartel, the poster child. He cut funding for training and equipping local police. What followed were six years of what critics decried as militarization that effectively concentrated unprecedented authority in the hands of the armed forces. Despite that, levels of violence remained stubbornly high and critics said the cartels grew stronger, fueled by soaring revenue from fentanyl. One of the main criticisms of the National Guard and military was that while they had numbers and fire power they did not have the investigative skills needed to dismantle large criminal organizations. Garcia Harfuch was initially a toothless tiger, who was frequently denied resources, information and investigative files by other security entities, said Saucedo, based in Guanajuato state, Mexicos most violent. UNO puts an elite force under his direct command. The Mexican federal official denied that UNOs objective was to satisfy Trump, but noted the unit was involved in the unprecedented delivery of 29 high-profile cartel figures to the United States at the height of negotiations between the two countries to suspend threatened tariffs. They were pulled out of prisons all over Mexico, assembled and sent to the U.S. without incident. The challenge: avoid corruption Special operations forces, be it from the Navy, Army, Federal Police or state police, have a checkered history in Mexico, having been involved in many scandals and abuses of power, extrajudicial killings and infiltration by cartels. There have been a lot of cases that were bad, said the previously quoted federal official, who added that there were also honest police. He said the security ministry is emphasizing stricter screening, exhaustive background investigations and better pay once theyre in. Garcia Harfuchs influence also extends to states where Sheinbaums party holds power. People he trusts are taking key security positions and UNO will train state special operations teams that are also made up of many former Federal Police. The southern state of Chiapas, where Mexicos most powerful cartels are battling for control of smuggling routes, announced a special operations force in December called the Pakal with some 500 members. Two members told the AP they were ex-Federal Police and did eight months of specialized training to join the Pakal. But doubts remain. For Saucedo, since the new elite force doesnt yet have effective internal controls and accountability mechanisms, theres no guarantee that this elite group wont commit the excesses committed by other special operations groups. (AP) Rescue workers saved a 63-year-old woman from the rubble of a building in Myanmars capital on Tuesday, but hope was fading of finding many more survivors of the violent earthquake that killed more than 2,700 people, compounding a humanitarian crisis caused by a civil war. The fire department in Naypyitaw said the woman was successfully pulled from the rubble 91 hours after being buried when the building collapsed in the 7.7 magnitude earthquake that hit midday Friday. Experts say the likelihood of finding survivors drops dramatically after 72 hours. Death toll numbers forecast to increase The head of Myanmars military government, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, told a forum for relief donations in Naypyitaw that 2,719 people have now been found dead, with 4,521 others injured and 441 missing, Myanmars state MRTV television reported. He said Fridays earthquake was the second most powerful in the countrys recorded history after a magnitude 8 quake east of Mandalay in May 1912. The casualty figures are widely expected to rise. The earthquake hit a wide swath of the country, leaving many areas without power, telephone or cell connections and damaging roads and bridges, making the full extent of the devastation hard to assess. Most of the reports so far have come from Mandalay, Myanmars second-largest city, which was near the epicenter of the earthquake, and Naypyitaw, the capital. The needs are massive, and they are rising by the hour, said Julia Rees, UNICEFs deputy representative for Myanmar. Myanmars fire department said 403 people have been rescued in Mandalay and 259 bodies have been found so far. In one incident, 50 Buddhist monks who were taking a religious exam in a monastery were killed when the building collapsed, and 150 more are thought to be buried in the rubble. Structural damage is extensive The World Health Organization said more than 10,000 buildings overall are known to have collapsed or been severely damaged by the quake. The earthquake also rocked neighboring Thailand, causing a high-rise building under construction to collapse and burying many workers. Two bodies were pulled from the rubble Monday and another was recovered Tuesday, but dozens were still missing. Overall, there were 21 people killed and 34 injured in Bangkok, primarily at the construction site. In Myanmar, search and rescue efforts across the affected area paused briefly at midday Tuesday as people stood for a minute in silent tribute to the dead. Relief efforts moving at a sluggish pace Foreign aid workers have been arriving slowly to help in the rescue efforts, but progress lagged due to a lack of heavy machinery in many places. In one site in Naypyitaw on Tuesday, workers formed a human chain, passing chunks of brick and concrete out hand-by-hand from the ruins of a collapsed building. The state Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper reported Tuesday that a team of Chinese rescuers saved four people the day before from the ruins of an apartment complex. They included a 5-year-old and a pregnant woman who had been trapped for more than 60 hours. It also reported that two teenagers were able to crawl out of the rubble of the same building using their cellphone flashlights to help guide them. Rescue workers were then able to use details from what they told them to locate their grandmother and sibling. International rescue teams from several countries are on the scene, including from Russia, China, India, the United Arab Emirates and several Southeast Asian countries. A small U.S. Agency for International Development disaster assessment team arrived Tuesday to determine how best to respond given limited U.S. resources due to the slashing of the foreign aid budget and dismantling of the agency as an independent operation. A U.S. official said the three-person team had waited for visas before making the trip from neighboring Thailand following a weekend decision to provide $2 million in emergency assistance to Myanmar. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the teams arrival has not yet been publicly announced. Aid pledges pouring in as officials warn of disease risk Meantime, multiple countries have pledged millions in assistance to help Myanmar and humanitarian aid organizations with the monumental task ahead. Even before the earthquake, more than 3 million people had been displaced from their homes by Myanmars brutal civil war, and nearly 20 million were in need, according to the U.N. Many were already lacking in basic medical care and standard vaccinations, and the destruction of water and sanitation infrastructure by the earthquake and the movement of people into overcrowded shelters raises the risk of disease outbreaks, warned the U.N.s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Vulnerability to respiratory infections, skin diseases, vector-borne illnesses such as dengue fever, and vaccine-preventable diseases like measles is escalating, OCHA said in its latest report. The onset of monsoon season also a worry Shelter is also a major problem, especially with the monsoon season looming. Since the earthquake, many people have been sleeping outside, either because homes were destroyed or out of fear of aftershocks. Civil war complicates disaster relief Myanmars military seized power in 2021 from the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, sparking what has turned into significant armed resistance and a brutal civil war. Government forces have lost control of much of Myanmar, and many places were dangerous or impossible for aid groups to reach even before the quake. Military attacks and those from some anti-military groups have not stopped in the aftermath of the earthquake, though the shadow opposition National Unity Government has called a unilateral ceasefire for its forces. The NUG, established by elected lawmakers who were ousted in 2021, called for the international community to ensure humanitarian aid is delivered directly to the earthquake victims, urging vigilance against any attempts by the military junta to divert or obstruct humanitarian assistance, saying that could have devastating consequences. The ceasefire plan for the armed wing of the NUG, called the Peoples Defense Force, would have little effect on the battlefield, but could draw more international condemnation of continuing operations by the military, including air attacks reported by independent media. A second armed opposition group, a coalition of three powerful ethnic minority guerrilla armies called the Three Brotherhood Alliance, announced Tuesday that it would also implement a monthlong unilateral ceasefire. However, Min Aung Hlaing seemed to reject implementing a ceasefire, saying in his speech on Tuesday that the military will continue to take necessary defensive measures against some ethnic armed groups that were currently not carrying out combat operations, but were conducting military training, which he said amounted to hostile action. It wasnt immediately clear whether the military has been impeding humanitarian aid. In the past, it initially refused to allow in foreign rescue teams or many emergency supplies after Cyclone Nargis in 2008, which resulted in well more than 100,000 deaths. Even once it did allow foreign assistance, it was with severe restrictions. In this case, however, Min Aung Hlaing pointedly said on the day of the earthquake that the country would accept outside help. Tom Andrews, a monitor on rights in Myanmar commissioned by the U.N.-backed Human Rights Council, said on X that to facilitate aid, military attacks must stop. The focus in Myanmar must be on saving lives, not taking them, he said. (AP) The final U.S. soldier who went missing in Lithuania has been found dead, bringing to an end a massive weeklong search for the four service members whose armored vehicle was pulled from a swampy training area, the U.S. military said Tuesday. The bodies of the three other soldiers were recovered Monday after U.S., Polish and Lithuanian armed forces and authorities dug the M88 Hercules vehicle out of a peat bog at the expansive Gen. Silvestras Zukauskas training ground in the town of Pabrade. Their identities have not been released as family notifications continue. The soldiers, part of the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, were on a tactical training exercise when they and their vehicle were reported missing a week ago, the Army said. This past week has been devastating. Today our hearts bear the weight of an unbearable pain with the loss of our final Dogface Soldier, Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie, 3rd Infantry Division commander, said in a statement Tuesday. Though we have received some closure, the world is darker without them. Hundreds of Lithuanian and U.S. soldiers and rescuers took part in the search through the thick forests and swampy terrain around Pabrade, 6 miles (10 kilometers) west of the border with Belarus. The 63-ton (126,000-pound) armored vehicle was discovered March 26 submerged in 15 feet (4.5 meters) of water, but it took days to pull it out of the bog. Lithuanian armed forces provided military helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, unmanned aerial systems and search and rescue personnel. They brought in additional excavators, sluice and slurry pumps, other heavy construction equipment, technical experts and several hundred tons of gravel and earth to help the recovery. Navy divers maneuvered through thick layers of mud, clay and sediment with zero visibility to reach the vehicle Sunday evening and attach steel cables so it could be pulled out. When just three of the four bodies were found, the divers began a search of the bog area for the fourth. Gen. Christopher Donahue, commander of U.S. Army Europe and Africa, expressed gratitude to the U.S. allies who sent troops and equipment to help in the search and recovery. I cant say enough about the support our Lithuanian Allies have provided us. We have leaned on them, and they, alongside our Polish and Estonian Allies and our own Sailors, Airmen and experts from the Corps of Engineers have enabled us to find and bring home our Soldiers, Donahue said in the statement. This is a tragic event, but it reinforces what it means to have Allies and friends. (AP) President Donald Trump s administration has acknowledged mistakenly deporting a Maryland man with protected legal status to a notorious El Salvador prison but is arguing against returning him to federal custody in the United States because of alleged gang ties. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials admitted in a court filing on Monday night to an administrative error in deporting the 29-year-old man, generating immediate uproar from immigration advocates. Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia was arrested on March 12 after completing a shift as a sheet metal worker apprentice at a construction site in Baltimore, according to a complaint filed in federal court by his lawyers. Abrego Garcia was then sent to a notorious prison in his home country, the Terrorism Confinement Center, or CECOT, which activists say is rife with abuses and where inmates are packed into cells and never allowed outside. He was placed at CECOT despite an immigration judges ruling in 2019 that he not be deported to El Salvador because he had established it was more likely than not that he would be persecuted by gangs, according to his lawyers complaint. Abrego Garcia left El Salvador when he was around sixteen years old, fleeing gang violence, according to the complaint. Beginning around 2006, gang members had stalked, hit, and threatened to kidnap and kill him in order to coerce his parents to succumb to their increasing demands for extortion. Although he has been accused of general gang affiliation, the U.S. government has never produced an iota of evidence to support this unfounded accusation, the complaint stated, adding that Abrego Garcia is neither a member of nor affiliated with MS-13 or any other criminal or street gang. Abrego Garcias wife later saw him in photos and video of him at the prison, identifying her husband through his distinctive tattoos and two scars on his head, the complaint stated. The Trump administration said in its court filing that ICE was aware of his protection from removal to El Salvador, but still deported Abrego Garcia because of an administrative error. The administration argued against his return to the U.S., citing alleged gang ties and claiming that he is a danger to the community. The administration stated that his gang ties were confirmed at a 2019 bond proceeding and upheld by the Board of Immigration Appeals. This was an oversight, and the removal was carried out in good faith based on the existence of a final order of removal and Abrego-Garcias purported membership in MS-13, Robert Cerna, ICEs acting field office director of enforcement and removal operations, wrote in a statement to the court. (AP) From France to Iceland to the United States, April Fools Day was celebrated on Tuesday with practical jokes and elaborate hoaxes. The jokesters custom has been around for hundreds of years, although its exact birth is difficult to pinpoint. These days, depending on your location, it could be marked with a fish secretly pinned to someones back or a whoopee cushion or even news reports of flying penguins (yes, that actually happened). In the U.S., the pranks are typically followed by screams of April Fools! to make sure all are aware that they were the unsuspecting recipient of a practical joke. Here are some thing to know about April Fools Day and its history: Where did April Fools Day come from? There are plenty of theories about where this day of pranks and hoaxes came from. Its not clear exactly which one might be true. But what is clear is that April Fools Day has roots stretching back hundreds of years. One idea is that it dates back to France in 1564, when King Charles IX moved the New Year celebration from its weeklong observance beginning March 25 to a celebration on Jan. 1, according to the Library of Congress. Those who forgot or were never told about the change were mocked. Although the library notes that the true history of the New Year is more complicated, as different parts of the country observed it on different days. A similar theory ties April Fools Day to the 1582 change from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar, according to the library. But it explains that this type of origin story has been used to explain several holidays and may be more of a migratory legend. And then theres the theory that it could be connected to the March 21 vernal equinox, which is known as a day when people are tricked by unexpected weather changes, according to Encyclopedia Britannica. Whatever its origin, the first time there was clear documented reference to the day was in 1561 when the Flemish writer Eduard De Dene wrote in his poem about a nobleman sending his servant on pointless tasks, according to the Library of Congress. The servant soon realizes that he has been sent on fools errands because its April 1, the library states. What are some of the most famous April Fools Day pranks? In 2021, then-first lady Jill Biden pretended to be a flight attendant on an airplane traveling from California to Washington. She wore a Jasmine nametag and passed out Dove ice cream bars while wearing a black mask, black pantsuit and wig. A few minutes later, Jasmine reemerged without the wig revealing herself to be Jill Biden, laughing and proclaiming, April Fools! Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin became known for announcing outlandish ideas every April Fools Day soon after starting their company more than a quarter century ago. One year, Google posted a job opening for a Copernicus research center on the moon. Another year, the company said it planned to roll out a scratch and sniff feature on its search engine. In 1992, NPRs Talk of the Nation program announced that former-President Richard Nixon, who resigned in 1974, would be running for president, according to the Museum of Hoaxes. A comedian had impersonated Nixon to say, I never did anything wrong, and I wont do it again. Outside of the U.S., one of the most notable pranks involved the BBC World Service in 1980 declaring that Big Ben would become a digital clock and renamed Digital Dave, according to the UK Parliament. How is April Fools Day celebrated around the world? From Scotland to Iceland to the U.S., the day is honored in a wide array of ways. In France, the day is known as poisson davril, or April Fish, and has long had a fish-themed pranking tradition. In modern times, its become more of a day for children to relish in attaching paper fish to their friends backs, Atlas Obscura says. In Scotland, April Fools has a history of being a two-day event. April 1 is known as Gowkie Day or Hunt the Gowk, explained Encyclopedia Britannica. Gowk is a term used to describe a fool. On April 2, the celebration may become more physical, with children attaching kick me signs to peoples backs. The day is also celebrated in Iceland, with the aim being to get people to hlaupa april, or make an April run. In other words, to trick someone in a way that makes them travel to a different location. News agencies have also been known to participate in pranking people. In 2014, for example, Iceland Review ran a story with the headline, Google Signs Deal with Iceland, saying the fake news was part of a long-standing tradition of the Icelandic media. (AP) Voters in Florida and Wisconsin went to the polls on Tuesday in a series of high-stakes special elections that offered the first significant electoral gauge of President Donald Trumps second term, just over two months after his inauguration. The outcomesa pair of Republican victories in Floridas deep-red congressional districts and a Democratic win in Wisconsins Supreme Court raceprovided a mixed bag of results, reflecting both the enduring strength of GOP strongholds and the challenges facing Republicans in battleground states. In Florida, two special elections to replace former Republican Representatives Matt Gaetz and Michael Waltz concluded with GOP wins, bolstering the partys razor-thin majority in the U.S. House of Representatives. In the 1st Congressional District, Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis defeated Democrat Gay Valimont, while in the 6th District, State Senator Randy Fine prevailed over Democrat Josh Weil. The victories push the Republican House count to 220 seats against Democrats 213, with two additional vacancies still pending. The 1st District, encompassing the western Panhandle and a reliably conservative region anchored by military bases like Naval Air Station Pensacola, saw Patronis secure a solid win. Trump had carried the district by 37 points in the 2024 presidential election, and Patronis, bolstered by the presidents endorsement and a tele-town hall last week, maintained a strong lead despite Valimonts impressive fundraising haul of $6.4 million. Patronis raised just over $1.1 million but leaned on the districts GOP leanings and Trumps vocal support, where the president praised him as a wonderful friend to me, and to MAGA. The 6th District race, however, proved more contentious. Spanning Daytona Beach and other parts of north-central Florida, the district had backed Trump by 30 points in November. Yet, Fines victory over Weil was narrower than expected, raising eyebrows among Republican strategists. Weil, a public school teacher, outraised Fine by a staggering margin$10 million to Fines less than $1 million, supplemented by a last-minute $400,000 personal loan from the candidate himself. Democrats poured resources into the race, hoping to capitalize on grassroots enthusiasm and dissatisfaction with Trumps early moves, such as proposed federal workforce cuts. While Fine ultimately won, the tighter-than-anticipated result prompted some GOP leaders, including Governor Ron DeSantis, to downplay it as a candidate-specific issue rather than a broader referendum on Trump. These are still red districts, and we held them, said a senior House Republican aide. But the margins suggest Democrats are finding some energy they didnt have in November. Well need to watch that. Polls closed at 7 p.m. ET in the 6th District and 8 p.m. ET in the 1st, with results certified by the Associated Press showing both Republican candidates underperforming Trumps 2024 numbers in their respective counties. Democrats, while falling short, expressed optimism. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who made small contributions to both Valimont and Weil, had predicted significant overperformance, a forecast that partially materialized. Across the Midwest, Wisconsins Supreme Court race stole the national spotlight, shattering records as the most expensive judicial contest in U.S. history with over $90 million in spending. The election pitted liberal Dane County Judge Susan Crawford against conservative Waukesha County Judge Brad Schimel, a former state attorney general backed by Trump and billionaire Elon Musk. Crawfords victory, projected by NBC News late Tuesday, preserved the courts 4-3 liberal majority, a critical outcome in a swing state where the judiciary is poised to rule on contentious issues like abortion rights, redistricting, and labor laws. The race, triggered by the retirement of liberal Justice Ann Walsh Bradley, became a proxy war for national political forces. Musk, a key Trump ally, poured an estimated $20 million into boosting Schimel through his America PAC and other channels, including a controversial stunt where he handed out $1 million checks to two Wisconsin voters at a weekend rally. Democrats countered with heavy investments from progressive groups like A Better Wisconsin Together, which spent $8.4 million, framing Musk as a meddling outsider. Crawford leaned into this narrative, arguing in debates that Musk had basically taken over Schimels campaign. Turnout was robust, surpassing early voting numbers from the states 2023 Supreme Court race, with over 453,000 ballots cast before Election Day. Polls closed at 9 p.m. ET, and final tabulations stretched into early Wednesday, with Crawford emerging victorious. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer hailed the win as a decisive message to Trump and Musk, while former vice presidential nominee Tim Walz called it a rebuke of the billionaires influence. The courts liberal majority, secured only since 2023, now faces a docket that could reshape Wisconsins political landscape. Pending cases include a challenge to an 1849 law interpreted as banning nearly all abortions and a review of GOP-drawn congressional maps that have long favored Republicans despite tight statewide margins. Tuesdays elections underscored the divergent dynamics at play in 2025s political landscape. In Florida, the GOPs structural advantageshigher Republican voter registration and a loyal baseheld firm, even as Democratic fundraising hinted at untapped potential. In Wisconsin, a battleground where Trump eked out a 0.86-point win in 2024, the GOP struggled to mobilize its voters, a recurring challenge outside of presidential cycles. For Trump, the results offer both relief and caution. The Florida wins provide House Speaker Mike Johnson with a slightly wider margin to advance the presidents agenda, which faces hurdles after a failed vote earlier Tuesday on a proxy voting rule change. Yet, the Wisconsin loss signals that his influenceand Musksmay not translate seamlessly to state-level contests, particularly in competitive regions. Democrats, meanwhile, see glimmers of hope. Were overperforming, winning races, and building momentum, said DNC Chair Ken Martin, pointing to recent upsets in Iowa and Pennsylvania state legislative races. With eyes on Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey elections later this year, the party hopes to channel this energy into the 2026 midterms. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio travels this week to a gathering of top diplomats from NATO countries and is sure to find allies that are alarmed, angered and confused by the Trump administrations desire to reestablish ties with Russia and its escalating rhetorical attacks on longtime transatlantic partners. Allies are deeply concerned by President Donald Trumps readiness to draw closer to Russian leader Vladimir Putin, who sees NATO as a threat, amid a U.S. effort to broker a ceasefire in Ukraine. Recent White House comments and insults directed at NATO allies Canada and Denmark as well as the military alliance itself have only increased the angst, especially as new U.S. tariffs are taking effect against friends and foes alike. Rubio arrives in Brussels on Thursday for two days of meetings with his NATO counterparts and European officials, and he can expect to be confronted with questions about the future U.S. role in the alliance. For 75 years, NATO has been anchored on American leadership, and based on what they have seen and heard since Trump took office in January, European officials have expressed deep concerns that Trump may upend all of that when he and other NATO leaders meet for a June summit in the Netherlands. Can Rubio reassure allies? As Rubio did last month at a meeting of foreign ministers from the Group of 7 industrialized democracies, Americas top diplomat, who is regarded by many overseas as a more pragmatic and less dogmatic member of Trumps administration, may be able to salvage a watered-down group consensus on the war in Ukraine. Thats even as Trump said this week that Ukraine was never going to be a member of NATO despite leaders declaring at last years summit that the country was on an irreversible path to join. But Rubio will be hard-pressed to explain Washingtons unprovoked verbal attacks on NATO allies Canada, which Trump says he wants to claim as a 51st state, and Denmark, whose territory of Greenland he says the U.S. should annex. Both have been accused of being bad allies by Trump and Vice President JD Vance. Its pretty clear neither territory has any interest in joining a Trumpian America, said Ian Kelly, U.S. ambassador to Georgia during the Obama and first Trump administration and now an international studies professor at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. Theres going to be a lot of very anxious Euros about what Trump is going to call for and what announcements hes going to make, he said. If he isnt already, Rubio is going to be in a mode of trying to reassure European allies that we are not, in fact, not dependable. Yet, in just under two months, NATO has been shaken to its core, challenged increasingly by Russia and the biggest land war in Europe since 1945 from the outside, and by the Trump administration from within, breaking with decades of relatively predictable U.S. leadership. Trump has consistently complained about NATO members defense spending and even raised doubts about the U.S. commitment to mutual defense in the alliances founding treaty, which says an attack on one NATO member is considered an attack on all. Europeans taking on more security guarantees Since Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned last month that U.S. security priorities lie elsewhere in Asia and on its own borders the Europeans have waited to learn how big a military drawdown in Europe could be and how fast it may happen. In Europe and Canada, governments are working on burden shifting plans to take over more of the load, while trying to ensure that no security vacuum is created if U.S. troops and equipment are withdrawn from the continent. These allies are keen to hear from Rubio what the Trump administrations intentions are and hope to secure some kind of roadmap that lays out what will happen next and when, so they can synchronize planning and use European forces to plug any gaps. At the same time, NATOs deterrent effect against an adversary like Russia is only credible when backed by U.S. firepower. For the Europeans and Canada, this means that U.S. nuclear weapons and the 6th Fleet must remain stationed in Europe. America is indispensable for credible deterrence, a senior NATO diplomat told reporters on condition of anonymity to speak ahead of the meeting. Around 100,000 U.S. troops are deployed across the continent. European allies believe at least 20,000 personnel sent by the Biden administration after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine three years ago could be withdrawn. Another priority for U.S. allies is to understand whether Trump believes that Russia still poses the greatest security threat. In their summit statement last year, NATO leaders insisted that Russia remains the most significant and direct threat to Allies security. But Trumps receptiveness to Putin and recent favorable remarks by some U.S. officials have raised doubts. The question, diplomats say, is why allies should spend 5% of their gross domestic product on their defense budgets if Russia is no longer a threat. At the same time, the Europeans and Canada know they must spend more not least to protect themselves and keep arming Ukraine. At their next summit in June, NATO leaders are expected to raise the alliances military budget goal from at least 2% to more than 3%. Rubio is in a very difficult position, said Jeff Rathke, president of the American-German Institute at Johns Hopkins University. Trump has tried to convince allies that a U.S. realignment with Russia is in the best interests of the U.S. and presumably Europe, and at the same time tell them that they need to double their defense spending to deal with threats posed by Russia, he said. The logical question they will ask is why? (AP) Former Biden administration Health Secretary Xavier Becerra on Wednesday became the latest Democrat to join the crowded field seeking to become Californias next governor, a contest that could be dramatically reshaped if former Vice President Kamala Harris becomes a candidate. The Stanford Law School graduate enters the race with a lengthy resume of government service, including stints as California attorney general, a U.S. House member and a state legislator. In December 2020, then-President-elect Joe Biden picked Becerra to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, putting a defender of the Affordable Care Act in a leading role to oversee his administrations coronavirus response. In a heavily Democratic state with punishing housing and grocery prices and some of the nations highest gas and utility costs, Becerra said working families are facing an affordability crisis. The California Dream is slipping away, he said in a statement announcing his run. The contest to replace term-limited Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom already has lured a large scrum of announced and likely candidates that would be reordered if Harris decides to seek the states top office. Harris, a former state attorney general and U.S. senator, has not ruled out seeking the governorship since she left Washington in January after a failed presidential bid. Democrats are expected to hold the seat in a state where they outnumber registered Republicans by nearly 2 to 1. Republicans have not won a statewide election in California in nearly two decades. In a statement, Becerra did not directly mention any of his Democratic rivals, who include former U.S. House member Katie Porter, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, among others. On the GOP side, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco in February became the first major Republican to announce a bid to replace Newsom, whose term runs through early January 2027. Bianco blamed Democrats for the ongoing homeless crisis and runaway housing prices. The low-key Becerra said he was ready to take on bullies who get in our way, an obvious reference to President Donald Trump. When Becerra was serving as California attorney general during Trumps first term, he developed a reputation for suing the Republican administration more than anyone else on issues from health care to environmental policy. While Becerra led the federal health agency during the pandemic, California instituted long lockdowns that have been faulted for disrupting education and the economy. That could make him a target for conservatives. Becerra frequently cites his working-class parents as inspiration. His mother was born in Jalisco, Mexico, and emigrated to the U.S. after marrying his father, a native of Sacramento, California, who had grown up in Mexico. My parents came to California with $12 in their pockets. They built a life they were proud of, Becerra said. Thats the promise of California, and I will fight to ensure its still within reach for everyone. (AP) A trio of elections on Tuesday provided early warning signs to Republicans and President Donald Trump at the beginning of an ambitious term, as Democrats rallied against his efforts to slash the federal government and the outsize role being played by billionaire Elon Musk. In the marquee race for a Wisconsin Supreme Court seat, the conservative judge endorsed by Trump and backed by Musk and his groups to the tune of $21 million lost by a significant margin in a state Trump won in November. And while Florida Republicans held two of the most pro-Trump House districts in the country, both candidates also underperformed Trumps November margins. The elections the first major contests since Trumps return to power were seen as an early measure of voter sentiment as Trump works with unprecedented speed to dramatically upend the federal government, clashing with the courts and seeking revenge as he tests the bounds of presidential power. The party that loses the presidency in November typically picks up seats in the next midterm elections, and Tuesdays results provided hope for Democrats who have faced a barrage of internal and external criticism about their response to Trump that they can follow that trend. Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist and podcaster whose group worked alongside Musk to boost conservative Brad Schimel in Wisconsin, argued Tuesdays Supreme Court loss underscored a fundamental challenge for Republicans, particularly in races where Trump is not on the ballot. We did a lot in Wisconsin, but we fell short. We must realize and appreciate that we are the LOW PROP party now, he said in an X post, referring to low-propensity voters who dont regularly cast ballots. The party has been remade. Special elections and off-cycle elections will continue to be a problem without a change of strategy. Major shifts in Wisconsin Trump won Wisconsin in November by 0.8 percentage points, or fewer than 30,000 votes. In the first major test since he took office, the perennial battleground state shifted significantly to the left. Sauk County, northwest of the state capital of Madison, is a state bellwether. Trump won it in November by 626 votes. Sauk shifted 16 percentage points in the direction of Judge Susan Crawford, the liberal favorite backed by national Democrats and billionaire donors like George Soros. Besides strong turnout in Democratic-heavy areas, Crawford did measurably better in the suburban Milwaukee counties that Republicans rely on to run up their margins statewide. Crawford won Kenosha and Racine counties, both of which went for Trump over Democratic nominee Kamala Harris. She won by about 10 percentage points. In interviews with more than 20 voters in Waunakee, a politically mixed town north of Madison, several Democrats suggested without prompting that their vote was as much if not more of a repudiation of Trumps first months in office as it was a decision on the direction of the state high court. This is our chance to say no, said Linda Grassl, a retired OB-GYN registered nurse, after voting at the Waunakee Public Library corridor Tuesday. Others disliked the richest man in the world playing such a prominent role. I dont like Elon Musk spending money for an election he should have no involvement in, said Antonio Gray, a 38-year-old Milwaukee security guard. They should let the voters vote for who they want to vote for instead of inserting themselves like they have. Republicans warn against drawing national conclusions Former Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker said that part of the challenge for Republicans had been trying to connect the dots to turn the state Supreme Court race into one about Trump a difficult task in a state judicial race. If youre somebody who showed up for Trump because you feel forgotten, you dont typically show up to vote in these kinds of elections, he said, imagining voters asking themselves: What does this have to do with Trump? Still, Walker cautioned against reading the tea leaves too closely. Id be a little bit careful about reading too much into what happens nationally, he said. Trump had better luck in Florida, where Republican Randy Fine won his special election in the 6th District to replace Mike Waltz, who stepped down to serve as Trumps national security adviser. But Fine beat his Democratic challenger, Josh Weil, by 14 percentage points less than five months after Waltz won the district by 33. This is the functional equivalent of Republicans running a competitive race in the district that is represented by Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, said House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries beforehand, invoking a liberal favorite whom Trump often denigrates. Kamala Harris won that district by 30 points. Do you think a Republican would even be competitive in that district in New York, currently held by Alex? Of course, not. Jimmy Patronis, the states chief financial officer, fended off a challenge from Democrat Gay Valimont to win the northwest Florida seat vacated by Matt Gaetz but also underperformed Gaetzs last margin of victory. The pair of wins gave Republicans a 220-213 margin in the House of Representatives, when concerns about a thin GOP majority led Trump to pull the nomination of New York Rep. Elise Stefanik to be United Nations ambassador. For voters in both districts, the clear draw was Trump. Teresa Horton, 72, didnt know much at all about Tuesdays election but said she didnt need to. I dont even know these people that are on there, she said of her ballot. I just went with my ticket. Brenda Ray, 75, a retired nurse, said she didnt know a lot about Patronis, either, but cast her ballot for him because she believes hell vote with our president. Thats all were looking for, she said. Both Patronis and Fine were badly outraised by their Democratic challengers. Michael Whatley, chairman of the Republican National Committee, argued that what was a GOP concern before Tuesday night had been a sign of the partys strength. The American people sent a clear message tonight: they want elected officials who will advance President Trumps America First agenda, and their votes cant be bought by national Democrats, he said in a statement. (AP) TOKYO - A Japanese medical team arrived Wednesday in Yangon, Myanmar's largest city, to deliver emergency relief supplies, including sanitary items, water and water purifiers, days after a powerful earthquake struck the Southeast Asian country. The 32-member team, the first of its kind to be dispatched by Japan, will engage in medical activities at the site through the government-backed Japan International Cooperation Agency and the United Nations, the Foreign Ministry said. "We will take a close look at the afflicted areas and hope to offer effective support," the head of the team told reporters after reaching Yangon. Japan, meanwhile, is ready to extend around $6 million in emergency grant aid for victims of the natural disaster, the government said Wednesday. The aid will be provided through international organizations, given "the massive humanitarian needs" expected in Myanmar, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said, as the death toll since Friday's magnitude 7.7 quake reached over 2,700 in the Southeast Asian nation. Two Japanese nationals were confirmed to have been injured in Mandalay, Myanmar's second-largest city near the epicenter, and another in Bangkok, the capital of neighboring Thailand. One Japanese national remained unaccounted for in Mandalay, the government said. "The Japanese government will stand side by side with the people of Myanmar and deliver humanitarian aid that can directly benefit them," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said at a press briefing. Related coverage: Japan ready to provide $6 mil. in grant aid to quake-hit Myanmar Myanmar junta chief says quake death toll rises to 2,700: reports After TikTok was banned in the United States earlier this year, President Donald Trump gave the platform a reprieve, barreling past a law that was passed in Congress and upheld unanimously by the Supreme Court that said the ban was necessary for national security. The Republican presidents executive orders have spurred more than 130 lawsuits in the little more than two months he has been in office, but this one barely generated a peep. None of those suits challenges his temporary block of the 2024 law that banned the popular social video app after the deadline passed for it to be sold by ByteDance, its China-based parent company. Few of the 431 members of the House of Representatives and the Senate who voted for the law have complained. Despite a bipartisan consensus about the risk to national security posed by TikToks ties to China, its as if nothing ever happened, said Sarah Kreps, director of Cornell Universitys Tech Policy Institute. TikTok has stayed online, delighting 170 million users in the U.S. TikTok continues to function, much to the delight of its 170 million users in the U.S., and the tech giants Apple, Google and Oracle have been persuaded to continue to offer and support the app, on the promise that Trumps Justice Department would not use the law to seek potentially steep fines against them. Trump declared he was suspending the law for 75 days, though no provision of the rule would appear to allow for that, to give ByteDance a fresh chance to find a U.S. buyer. The president has suggested he could extend the pause, but he has since said he expects a deal by Saturday, when the reprieve expires. He is meeting Wednesday with aides about possible suitors for TikTok. Oracle and the investment firm Blackstone are among the potential investors. Trumps action followed a fast-tracked free-speech challenge by TikTok and its users that ended with a unanimous Supreme Court ruling days before Trumps inauguration, in which the justices held that national security concerns overcame their usual receptivity to First Amendment claims. The courts opinions dealt at length with the potential for China to harvest vast quantities of TikTok users data that could allow it to track the locations of federal employees and contractors. The record before us establishes that TikTok mines data both from TikTok users and about millions of others who do not consent to share their information, Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote in a brief separate opinion. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, TikTok can access any data stored in a consenting users contact list including names, photos, and other personal information about unconsenting third parties. TikTok, which has headquarters in Singapore and Los Angeles, has said it prioritizes user safety, and Chinas Foreign Ministry has said Chinas government has never and will not ask companies to collect or provide data, information or intelligence held in foreign countries. Trump was against TikTok before he was for it The day after the ruling, TikTok went dark for U.S. users, but it came back online after Trump vowed to stall the ban. The presidents position has evolved over time. During his first term, he used an executive order to try to ban TikTok on national security grounds. But federal courts blocked it. His administration then tried to negotiate a sale of the platform, but it failed. Trump changed his tune during his 2024 campaign and said he would save TikTok, then credited the platform with helping him win more young voters. He issued the 75-day pause on the first day of his second term. The law allows for one 90-day reprieve, but only if theres a deal on the table and a formal notification to Congress. Trumps actions so far violate the law, said Alan Rozenshtein, an associate law professor at the University of Minnesota. The law does not permit the sort of extension that Donald Trump has announced, Rozenshtein said. But both he and Kreps acknowledged a court challenge or other pushback is unlikely. Whos the constituency? You have 170 million Americans using the app, and theyre pretty happy to see this continue to be available to them, Kreps said. It also might be hard for someone to establish the legal right, or standing, to sue, Rozenshtein said. A plaintiff would have to be able to show harm from the delay in enforcing the law, he said. More importantly, he said, the TikTok executive order was an early example of the Trump administration not caring about the rule of law. While Trump has directed the Justice Department not to seek fines from the tech companies, they still are taking a legal gamble, according to Democratic lawmakers who oppose the TikTok ban but also criticize Trump for his actions. A future administration might have its own reasons to pursue legal claims against Apple, Google and Oracle, they wrote Trump in a letter last week. Companies could face hundreds of billions of dollars in legal liability for facilitating TikToks operations since the laws effective date of Jan. 19, Democratic Sens. Cory Booker of New Jersey, Chris Van Hollen of Maryland and Ed Markey of Massachusetts wrote. Tech companies initially lacked clear guidance The companies themselves acknowledged their legally uncertain situation in their initial response to Trumps order. Oracle continued to provide cloud services to TikTok, the senators said, but Apple and Google, however, initially came to a different decision and refused to reinstate TikTok in their app stores. The companies changed course only after receiving written assurance from the Justice Department. The Democrats have called for amending the law to extend the deadline for a sale to October. Other opponents of the TikTok ban support a full repeal. Among the few supporters of the ban to speak out is Rep. John Moolenaar, R-Michigan, chairman of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party. But rather than take on Trump, Moolenaar has focused his criticism on ByteDance and its ties the Chinese Communist Party. If ByteDance stays involved in any way, the deal is illegal plain and simple, Moolenaar said in remarks to a TikTok event on Capitol Hill last week. Several potential bidders have stepped forward. Perplexity AI presented ByteDance in January with a merger proposal that would combine Perplexitys business with TikToks U.S. operations. Another possibility is a consortium organized by billionaire businessman Frank McCourt, which recently recruited Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian as a strategic adviser. Investors in the consortium previously said they offered ByteDance $20 billion in cash for TikToks U.S. platform. They had planned to redesign the popular app with blockchain technology they said would provide users with more control over their online data. Jesse Tinsley, the founder of the payroll firm Employer.com, had also organized a consortium, which included the CEO of the video game platform Roblox, and offered ByteDance more than $30 billion for TikTok. (AP) Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen is traveling to Greenland on Wednesday for a three-day trip aimed at building trust and cooperation with Greenlandic officials at a time when the Trump administration is seeking control of the vast Arctic territory. Frederiksen announced plans for her visit after U.S. Vice President JD Vance visited a U.S. air base in Greenland last week and accused Denmark of underinvesting in the territory. Greenland is a mineral-rich, strategically critical island that is becoming more accessible because of climate change. Trump has said that the landmass is critical to U.S. security. Its geographically part of North America, but is a semiautonomous territory belonging to the Kingdom of Denmark. Frederiksen is due to meet the incoming Greenlandic leader, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, after an election last month that produced a new government. She is also to meet with the future Naalakkersuisut, the Cabinet, in a visit due to last through Friday. It has my deepest respect how the Greenlandic people and the Greenlandic politicians handle the great pressure that is on Greenland, she said in government statement announcing the visit. On the agenda are talks with Nielsen about cooperation between Greenland and Denmark. Nielsen has said in recent days that he welcomes the visit, and that Greenland would resist any U.S. attempt to annex the territory. We must listen when others talk about us. But we must not be shaken. President Trump says the United States is getting Greenland. Let me make this clear: The U.S. is not getting that. We dont belong to anyone else. We decide our own future, he wrote Sunday on Facebook. We must not act out of fear. We must respond with peace, dignity and unity. And it is through these values that we must clearly, clearly and calmly show the American president that Greenland is ours. For years, the people of Greenland, with a population of about 57,000, have been working toward eventual independence from Denmark. The Trump administrations threats to take control of the island one way or the other, possibly even with military force, have angered many in Greenland and Denmark. The incoming government wants to take a slower approach on the question of eventual independence. The political group in Greenland most sympathetic to the U.S. president, the Naleraq party that advocates a swift path toward independence, was excluded from coalition talks to form the next government. Peter Viggo Jakobsen, associate professor at the Danish Defense Academy, said last week that the Trump administrations aspirations for Greenland could backfire and push the more mild parties closer to Denmark. He said that Trump has scared most Greenlanders away from this idea about a close relationship to the United States because they dont trust him. (AP) The IDF and Shin Bet uncovered a bomb-making laboratory in the city of Tulkarm last week, the military announced on Tuesday. The facility contained landmines, explosives, explosive-making materials, and a welding machine, highlighting ongoing concerns over terror infrastructure in the West Bank. In a series of coordinated operations over the past 24 hours, Israeli forces also arrested 12 wanted individuals in the towns of Tammun and Kabatiya. An additional 15 suspects were detained across the West Bank, with authorities seizing two firearms and other weapons during the raids. All detainees and confiscated materials were transferred to Shin Bet and the Yehuda and Shomron District Police for further investigation. The arrests form part of Israels ongoing campaign to dismantle terrorist networks and reduce violence in the region. On Monday, the IDF, Shin Bet, and Israel Police conducted a joint operation in Nablus, apprehending a Palestinian terror cell allegedly backed by Hamass headquarters in Turkey. The group was reportedly planning shooting and bombing attacks. Security forces seized an M16 rifle and $60,000 in cash during the operation. In a separate operation on Friday, the IDF, Israel Police, and Border Police arrested eight additional suspects and confiscated an M16 rifle, a tactical vest, magazines, and ammunition. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Newly appointed Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced snap elections in his country. This has set the stage for what many analysts are calling one of the most crucial votes in Canadian history. With key issues on the table and numerous tightly contested ridings (voting districts), the outcome of this election could shape the countrys future in significant ways. Beyond the general importance of this election, it is also considered especially critical for Canadas Jewish community. Among those who could play a decisive role in the election are Canadian citizens residing in Israel. Chaim VChessed has learned that many of these Canadians hail from some of the most hotly contested electoral districts, making their votes particularly impactful. As a result, eligible Canadian voters living in Israel are being strongly encouraged to participate in the election. With various policies and political shifts at stake, Jewish leaders and organizations have emphasized the need for community members to exercise their democratic rights. To facilitate voting for Canadian citizens in Israel, a dedicated website www.israelvotes.ca has been launched. The site provides clear guidance on how to register and cast a ballot from abroad, ensuring that voters can easily navigate the process. It is important to note that, by Canadian law, besides being a citizen, one must have LIVED in Canada at some point of their life to be eligible to vote. With the election set to be a defining moment in Canadian politics, officials and community leaders alike stress the importance of every eligible citizen making their voice heardno matter where in the world they reside. Following a barrage of overnight airstrikes in the southern Gaza Strip, the IDF has reinforced its presence by deploying an additional division to the region. Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that the military is intensifying its campaign targeting Hamas. In a statement, Katz outlined the escalation of IDF efforts, declaring that Israel is broadening its operations in Gaza. Troops will move to clear areas of terrorists and infrastructure, and capture extensive territory that will be added to the State of Israels security areas, he said. He also urged Gazans to act now to overthrow Hamas and return all the hostages. Palestinian sources reported a significant series of strikes overnight in Rafah and Khan Younis, with accounts this morning indicating that IDF troops were pushing forward into Rafah. Earlier this week, on Monday, the IDF issued a sweeping evacuation notice covering all of Rafah and a broad swath of land stretching between Rafah and Khan Younisan area where ground forces had not previously operated. Last month, the IDF disclosed that its 36th Division had been assigned to the Southern Command to gear up for Gaza operations. That division moved into southern Gaza this morning, aligning with the expanded offensive against Hamas. Katz reiterated the missions objectives, stating that troops will focus on eliminating terrorists and infrastructure, and capture extensive territory that will be added to Israels security areas. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) It was cleared for publication on Wednesday morning that Gil Birger, an Israeli businessman who works in the Gulf, was questioned by the police under caution on Monday for suspected involvement in the Qatargate affair. About ten days ago, Kan News published recordings in which Birger is heard saying that he transferred funds from Jay Footlik, an American lobbyist working for the Qatari government, to Eli Feldstein, a former spokesperson in the Prime Ministers Office. Birger said that Footlik asked him to make the transfer because of tax issues, adding that he has known Footlik for 25 years. Birger said that Footlik was the one who employed Feldstein for a few months, and that the work Footlik did was for the hostages. On Tuesday, the Rishon LTzion Magistrates Court extended the detention of Yonatan Urich and Eli Feldstein by two days, instead of nine days as requested by the police. Judge Menachem Mizrahi revealed the full suspicion against them that the suspects conveyed messages to journalists on behalf of Qatar that were presented as if they were coming from political sources in Israel. Feldstein and Urich are suspected of acting to promote a positive image of Qatar within the framework of the hostage deal while minimizing Egypts role as a mediator. They are facing criminal charges of alleged contact with a foreign agent, bribery, breach of trust, and tax offenses. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) The Honenu legal aid organization expressed outrage at the Supreme Courts decision this week to reduce the sentences of two Palestinians convicted of participating in a violent lynching of a Jewish family that mistakenly entered an Arab village in northern Israel during Operation Guardian of the Walls in 2021. One of the terrorists was originally sentenced to seven years in prison, and the Supreme Court reduced his sentence to three years and four months. The sentence of another terrorist, which was initially four years in prison, was shortened to two years and nine months. According to the indictment, the Jewish family got lost and mistakenly entered the village, where they were brutally attacked by a mob of dozens of Arabs who threw stones at their vehicle. The Arabs then climbed on the cars roof, smashed its windows, and forcibly tried to pull the family members out. The mother of the family protected her young children with her body and absorbed most of the blows and stones herself, including a direct hit to her face from a large stone thrown at close range. Only after much effort did the family manage to escape the severe lynching and were evacuated for medical treatment. Adv. Chaim Bleicher, who is representing the family, expressed anger and astonishment at the Supreme Courts decision. This is a scandalous decision that unacceptably lightens the punishment of terrorists who were partners in the attempted mass murder of an innocent Israeli family by a violent and bloodthirsty mob. At a time when Israeli citizens are facing an ongoing wave of terror and internal security is under threat, this decision by the Supreme Court directly harms punishment, deterrence, and security. Severe punishment for perpetrators of lynching and terrorism is essential for preserving the lives of Israeli citizens. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) While most sectors of Israeli society incite against Chareidim for not serving in the IDF, there is one group that is opposed to it. The chairwoman of the Israel Womens Network, Prof. Daphna Hacker, recently participated in a joint conference of the University of Haifa and the Hebrew University, where she claimed that the Chareidi Chashmonaim Brigade poses a threat to women, the army, and Israeli society, Channel 14 reported. The report noted that Hackers claim, which prioritizes feminist considerations over the recruitment of Chareidim, was met with opposition from other participants at the conference. The Israel Womens Network responded: The Israel Womens Network understands the security challenges facing the IDF, especially at this time, and supports the recruitment of Chareidim into the IDF. However, we warn of a serious danger to the equality of female soldiers and commanders. Women have proven their courage and contribution in the war and their significant role in the army. It is absurd that these same women, who defended the borders of the country, will now be excluded and discriminated against simply because they are women. We have appealed to the IDF Chief of Staff with an unequivocal demand to ensure that the recruitment of Chareidim does not lead to the creation of spaces sterile of women, a situation that would take the IDF backward and severely damage the principles of equality in the IDF. Another organization from the opposite strata of society, the Wives of Soldiers For The Kedushah Of The Machaneh organization, responded to the Israel Womens Networks attempt to thwart the proper recruitment of Chareidim into the IDF, saying: Radical feminism harms the IDF and the kedushah of the machaneh (sanctity of the camp). They issued a statement saying: We are wives of combat soldiers who are Shomrei Mitzvos who experience firsthand the damage of radical feminism in IDF units throughout the war in the mixing of sexes, and the harm to the ability of our husbands to serve in the army in accordance with halacha. Extremist organizations financed by foreign funds have negatively influenced the army through the Yahalam (Adviser to the Chief of Staff on Gender Affairs) and have discriminated against religious and Charedi men who preserve their way of life, thereby harming Israels security. We call on Defense Minister Katz to remove the influence of radical feminism from the IDF and allow soldiers who are Shomrei Torah to serve according to halachah. Only by fulfilling will there be Siyata Dishmaya to the soldiers in battle. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) Israels National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir ascended the Har Habayis in Yerushalayim on Wednesday morning, igniting a firestorm of criticism and reigniting tensions over the contentious site just days before Pesach. The visit, Ben-Gvirs first since rejoining Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahus coalition two weeks ago, drew sharp rebukes from rabbanim, political opponents, and Palestinian groups, underscoring the fragile status quo at one of the worlds most sensitive religious locations. Ben-Gvir, leader of the far-right Otzma Yehudit party, arrived at the Har Habayis under heavy police escort early Wednesday morning, flanked by personal bodyguards and a small group of supporters. In a statement posted on X, he declared, I went up to pray for Israels safety, the return of our hostages, and victory over our enemiesHar Habayis is ours, and we will not bow to threats. The visit coincided with a record surge in Jewish visits to the Har Habayis, with over 50,000 recorded in 2024, a trend Ben-Gvir has championed despite widespread halachic prohibitions from leading rabbanim. The move drew immediate condemnation from Degel Hatorah MK Moshe Gafni, who branded it a desecration of the sacred site and a provocation that risks bloodshed. Gafni, writing in Yated Neeman, reiterated the near-unanimous stance of Gedolei Yisraelpast and presentthat entering the Har Habayis is assur. Ben-Gvirs actions defy Torah and endanger Jews worldwide, he warned. This storming of Al-Aqsa reflects the Zionist agenda to Judaize our holy places, a Hamas spokesman said said, echoing sentiments from Jordan and the Palestinian Authority, which called for international intervention. The U.S. State Department, recalling its August 2024 condemnation of a similar visit, urged Israel to uphold the status quo, under which Jews may visit but not daven at the sitea policy Ben-Gvir has openly sought to dismantle. Prime Minister Netanyahus office swiftly distanced itself, stating, The status quo on the Temple Mount remains unchangedMinister Ben-Gvirs actions do not reflect government policy. The rebuttal came amid Netanyahus delicate balancing act with his coalition, bolstered by Otzma Yehudits return after a brief exit over a Gaza ceasefire deal. Yet Ben-Gvirs defiancehe has visited the Har Habayis multiple times since 2023, including davening there in July 2024has fueled accusations of weakness against Netanyahu from opposition leader Yair Lapid, who said, Bibi cant control his own government. Gedolei HaPoskim throughout the ages including todays leading rabbanim have ruled it is absolutely forbidden to visit Har Habayis. This is also the ruling of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel. This is an Issur Kares. Sixteen years ago on Sukkos, then President Shimon Peres paid a visit to the Sukkah of the late Posek Hador, Maran HaGaon Rav Elyashiv Ztl, during which Rav Elyashiv called on the president to prevent Jews from visiting Har Habayis, stating it is an act that that is viewed as extremely provocative by the goyim. He said everything possible must be done to avoid a religious war, and the provocateurs are playing with fire. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) The White House is seriously considering Irans proposal for indirect nuclear negotiations, even as U.S. military forces surge into the Middle East, preparing for the possibility of military strikes ordered by President Donald Trump, according to a report by Axios. The high-stakes balancing act follows a letter sent from Trump to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in which Trump reportedly delivered an ultimatum: two months to secure a new nuclear dealor face potential consequences. Iran rejected direct talks but left the door open for indirect negotiations, to be brokered by the Gulf nation of Oman, a longtime quiet mediator between Washington and Tehran. Iran has respondedbut not on U.S. terms, a senior U.S. official told Axios, requesting anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter. Theyre not ready to sit at the table, but they havent walked away from it either. While no decision has yet been made, the White House is reportedly divided: one camp pushes for diplomacy, albeit through indirect channels, while another argues the response is insufficient and urges a more forceful military posture to extract concessions. In anticipation of either outcome, U.S. troop movements and naval deployments are accelerating, signaling that Washington is preparing for both negotiation and confrontation. We are not naive, one defense official noted. Readiness is not provocationbut it is essential. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) KOBE - An American man was arrested in Kobe last month after he allegedly brought a handgun and ammunition into Japan in his luggage by mistake and passed through airport customs undetected, local police said Wednesday. The man, identified as Rand Alan Peterson, 73, is believed to have come through Kansai airport in Osaka Prefecture with the gun in his suitcase on a flight from Hawaii on March 22. He was arrested on March 24 on suspicion of possessing a firearm. The case has highlighted concerns over screening measures ahead of the World Exposition in the city of Osaka, with a large number of international arrivals expected for the event. Osaka Customs, which has jurisdiction over customs operations at the airport in Izumisano, declined to comment. According to police, Peterson realized he had brought the handgun, with three bullets in the chamber, in his luggage while at a hotel in Izumisano the morning after he arrived. Later that day, Peterson reported the discovery to an attendant as he was boarding a cruise ship departing from a terminal at Kobe port. The three bullets were found discarded in a trash box at the terminal. Peterson said he put the gun, which he carries for self-defense, into his suitcase by accident, and disposed of the bullets thinking having them together with the gun would constitute a more serious offense. Related coverage: Endangered turtles seized in apparent bid to smuggle into Japan 3 nabbed for illegally exporting 30 tons of wagyu beef to Hong Kong Gold smuggling soars in Japan as price rises For the millions of households stuck with a broken smart meter, last week's announcement that they could soon be eligible for compensation looks at first like a huge victory. As the Mail and This is Money revealed last week on broken smart meter payouts, the energy regulator Ofgem has proposed that any household with a smart meter that does not operate correctly should be paid 40 compensation if their energy supplier doesn't fix it within 90 days. If the rules were introduced today, households would rake in a mammoth 143 million in compensation. And that was just one of four proposals put forward by Ofgem to give households greater protection when something goes wrong with their smart meter. The announcement came after Money Mail reported that soaring numbers of households are stuck with 'dumb' smart meters that no longer work properly. We warned for months that suppliers need to be forced to fix the broken devices or else risk undermining the nationwide rollout. Infuriating: Soaring numbers of households are stuck with 'dumb' smart meters that no longer work properly The scale of the problem is so bad that as many as one in ten smart meters are not working correctly more than 3.5 million, according to the latest official figures. But study the proposals more closely and all is not what it at first seems. Here, Money Mail digs into the detail to find out what help you can really expect if you have a broken smart meter 'My meter hasn't worked properly for FOUR years!' Abandoned: Raymond Green's smart meter stopped working in October 2020 - and it's still not been fixed Raymond Green, 80, had smart meters fitted in October 2020 so that he no longer had to bend down to kneel on the floor to take meter readings every month. But the meters worked for all of four months before they went into 'dumb' mode when the retired civil engineer switched his supplier from British Gas to Shell. The widower was told that Shell couldn't pick up a signal from his smart meters. Shell told Raymond, who lives in Folkestone, Kent, that it was waiting on the technology to be able to fix it. That was four years ago. He says: 'When Shell was acquired by Octopus Energy more than a year ago, I informed it that my smart meters were not working. 'I even applied for a new smart meter when I went online to put in my readings, but it has never done anything about it. 'When they worked it saved me the problem of having to bend down and get into the cupboard to read the meters. 'The gas one is outside so I have to kneel on a mat when I read the figures. I could do without that it's not getting any easier.' Raymond has never been visited by an engineer from his original supplier, Shell or Octopus Energy. 'I quite agree with the idea of compensation. It's time somebody did something about it,' he says. 'I think the amount of compensation should depend on how long you have had to wait for the smart meter to work.' Octopus Energy says it can't see that Raymond has contacted it about his smart meter problem but is arranging for an engineer to sort this out. Stephen Farrell, 66, meanwhile, had smart meters installed at the North Lanarkshire home he shares with his wife Angela three years ago. But the gas one has never worked. He agreed to have the meters installed because he had a really good deal with his previous provider and may have needed to be switched to a different tariff if he didn't get the devices. Stephen, who worked for Glasgow City Council before retiring, says: 'Even the engineer who installed it said it didn't work at the time. 'It means I still have to do gas readings myself every month.' He says that his supplier sends him emails with instructions on how to fix it, such as resetting it, but he struggles with this as the meter is outside the back of the house. He has now switched to EDF and informed the firm that his gas smart meter had gone dumb, but to no avail. The grandfather of two adds: 'When I switched I did tell EDF but nobody ever bothered. Smart meters are a complete waste of time. Compensation of 40 probably isn't enough. 'I have to get down on my hands and knees every month to read the gas meter.' EDF says the gas meter has never communicated, even with Stephen's old supplier. This can happen if there are connectivity problems in the area or blocked or low signal strength in the home. It has made several attempts to establish a connection with the smart gas meter, with the last attempt made in March, but this wasn't successful. It is investigating further and will offer a goodwill gesture. What is the smart meter problem now? The Government has a grand plan to switch all the traditional energy meters in Great Britain to smart ones, which automatically tell your supplier how much gas and electricity you have used. The idea is that it should eliminate the need to take meter readings and allow you to take greater control of your consumption once you can see how much you're spending in real time. Energy suppliers have been tasked with getting smart meters into 75 pc of homes by the end of the year. The initial plan was that everyone should have one by 2019, but the rollout has been so riddled with complications, delays and incompetence that the target has been pushed back further and further. Energy suppliers face fines if they do not install enough, so they have been deploying every tactic they can think of to hit their targets from telling households they must have one installed (they don't) to telling them their old one has 'expired' (even when they haven't). What they are not incentivised to do is fix meters that have been installed and are now broken. So it is perhaps no surprise that energy suppliers are steamrolling ahead trying to get new smart meters into as many homes as possible while frequently ignoring customers who complain that their existing one does not work. Money Mail has heard from scores of readers in this position many of whom have received incorrect bills caused by faulty smart meters or been left for months with meters that do not work. The problems are also putting off households considering switching to a smart meter. After all, it doesn't exactly fill you with confidence to know there are some 3.5 million broken ones out there. So how will this smart meter problem be fixed? Last week, the regulator Ofgem came out fighting, finally promising to stand up for households with smart meter problems that have been dismissed and ignored. 'We're drawing the line on excuses,' said Tim Jarvis, director general for markets at Ofgem. 'Suppliers will need to follow our new rules or compensate their customers.' Strong words and about time. After all, Ofgem has fined six of the UK's biggest energy firms 10.8 million for missing smart meter installation targets. But it has not issued so much as a slap on the wrist to suppliers that take months to fix broken ones. Is it all talk or backed up by strong action? Let's unpick Ofgem's four proposed improvements. 1. Compensation for smart meters not operating in smart mode if not fixed within 90 days. The compensation would amount to 40 or 80 if both their gas and electricity meters did not work. The good news is that households would not have to apply for the compensation. There is already a mechanism through which energy firms automatically make payouts if they fail their customers in other ways, such as if they do not keep an appointment or if they take longer than five days to action a household's request to switch supplier. This system, called the Guaranteed Standards of Performance, would be rolled out to cover problems with smart meters as well. Once your supplier has agreed to pay you compensation, it would have ten days to do so or else face another 40 fine. That should light the fire under sluggish ones. Now for the bad news. Firstly, it could be months until the rules come into force. They are part of an 'initial consultation'. Ofgem is asking for views from interested parties on the proposals. And no doubt energy suppliers will have a thing or two to say about them. The regulator says households are welcome to respond as well but that the more feedback it gets, the longer it may take to evaluate it. That consultation closes on May 9. Next comes the 'statutory consultation'. After that, there will be a decision and then implementation. Ofgem says it does not know how long all this will take. As an example, a recent consultation into increasing levels of compensation paid from 30 to 40 took as long as eight months and that was a considerably more straightforward proposal than these smart meter ones. Ofgem says it is likely the clock will start ticking on the 90 days when the new rules are introduced which would mean households that already have broken meters may have to wait a further three months to get compensation. However, households may wish to keep hold of any evidence that shows they have had a broken smart meter for more than three months already in case allowances are made for them in the new rules. All told, it looks very unlikely that anyone would see a penny of compensation before 2026. Secondly, the compensation applies only to smart meters that have gone 'dumb'. In other words, ones that are no longer communicating with the energy supplier. It does not cover complications such as if your smart meter display is no longer working. 2. Customers requesting a new meter should be offered an appointment within six weeks. This may sound promising but, in reality, it's solving a problem that is practically non-existent. Suppliers are champing at the bit to install smart meters to reduce their risk of getting a fine for missing their target. If households actually want and request one, few are likely to be left waiting for long. 3. Quicker fixes if a customer reports a problem with their smart meter, requiring suppliers to provide a resolution plan within five working days of the report. A quick fix sounds great, but all that suppliers are required to do within five days is provide a 'resolution plan'. In other words, set out what they plan to do to fix it. But no deadline is being promised for them to actually sort the problem. Ofgem says it is considering issuing guidance on what constitutes appropriate action. 4. Compensation for a failed smart meter installation because of a fault within the supplier's control. In theory, this looks like a strong guarantee. Ofgem says it would expect suppliers to pay compensation within ten days of the failed installation. The question is whether suppliers find ways to wriggle out of paying by suggesting failures were out of their control. Payouts: Ofgem has proposed that any household with a broken smart meter should be paid 40 compensation if their supplier doesn't fix it within 90 days What is missing from the meter plan? Even if these four measures are introduced in full and soon, critics suggest they still won't fix the problem of broken smart meters. Consumer charity Citizens Advice says Ofgem must also reduce back-billing times for smart meter holders. At the moment, if you underpay for your energy because a fault with your smart meter means you are undercharged, your supplier can issue you with a 'catch-up' bill for the shortfall going back a maximum of 12 months. Debts older than this must be written off. Citizens Advice is among those calling for the period to be reduced for smart meter holders. Alex Belsham-Harris, head of energy policy at Citizens Advice, says: 'Ofgem's proposed new rules are welcome. 'They should reduce the number of people having issues with their smart meter, with automatic compensation if standards aren't met. It must now reduce the period smart meter users can be charged retrospectively, to help guarantee more accurate bills.' A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokesman said: 'We are working closely with Ofgem and energy suppliers to upgrade meters and ensure the transition is as smooth as possible for consumers. 'There are now 38 million smart and advanced meters in homes and small businesses across Great Britain, making up two-thirds of all meters. These are helping give consumers more control over their energy and save money on their bills.' How to get your meter sorted out If your smart meter isn't working, talk to your supplier it is responsible for fixing it. If your smart meter is not communicating properly with your supplier, your bill may be based on estimates rather than correct figures for how much you have used. Citizens Advice suggests that you look for the letter 'E' on your latest bill, which indicates that an estimate has been used. If your supplier tries to back-bill you for energy you used over a year ago, don't put up with it. It can't do this if it is at fault for not sending accurate bills. Ask your supplier to wipe the debt. If your dispute is not resolved, you may be able to seek help from the Energy Ombudsman. Go to energyombudsman.org. moneymail@dailymail.co.uk The thought of Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds making a deal with the billionaire hyenas in Donald Trumps trade and economic team will not fill anyone with confidence. The Labour apparatchik tried to explain, on Radio 4, why the country should be grateful for an increase in the minimum wage. His narrative was risible when council taxes, energy bills, water rates, the TV licence, mobile subscriptions and the cost of first and second-class stamps are surging. The best cheer Reynolds could offer was three reductions in the bank rate since July 2024. He neglected to say the Bank of England is independent of government and that UK rates at 4.5 per cent greatly lag the 2.5 per cent policy rate in the European Union. Reynoldss track record on negotiations with the rich and powerful is not reassuring. He faces ongoing difficulties with financially driven foreign ownership at Thames Water and British Steel. Tariff master: Britain's approach to US President Donald Trump's trade war is to argue we are not much of a threat Despite this, the Business Secretary signed off the 3.6billion sale of the Royal Mail to Czech Sphinx Daniel Kretinsky. Keir Starmer and Reynolds have been confident that they can extract a trade deal from Donald Trump. Britain calculated that humouring Trump is preferable to a fight it cannot win. The UKs approach is in sharp contrast to newly installed Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, the former Bank of England governor, who has chosen to make anti-Trump rhetoric the centre piece of his election campaign. His rejection of American imperialism is very different to Britains grovelling. The UKs approach to Trump is to argue that we are not much of a threat. Statistical differences mean the US claims a goods trade surplus with Britain. UK Trade and Investment data shows the opposite. Moreover, Britain ran a substantial services surplus of 67.5billion in the year to June 2024. One imagines that, by now, the Trump trade team will be aware of what will be perceived as unfair competition. Reynolds argues that the framework of an agreement is in place. The UK may suffer on Trumps Liberation Day. Yet there is surprising optimism that the 25 per cent tariff on cars and 20 per cent steel tariff will be swept aside rapidly. The price for Britains suffering high streets and retail parks of a tariff peace will be severe. The proposed accord envisages sweeping away the digital services tax on firms such as Amazon. At present, the levy raises up to 800million a year and is an attempt to rebalance the way that big tech avoids other UK charges, notably business rates. A second undertaking being made by Labour is light touch regulation of AI. That is a blank cheque for the moguls of Silicon Valley to use artificial intelligence to override the copyright, TV, film and music rights of Britains great creative industries. Reynolds and Trump have taken to calling this negotiation an economic deal. They carefully sought to keep contentious items, such as the export of American chlorinated chickens, off the agenda. Britains supine approach means that, for the moment, reciprocal tariffs as proposed by Brussels are off the table. Brexit has given the UK power to carve out its own approach. But as other nations around the world are learning, to count on the good nature or logic of Trump and his mercurial acolytes is high-risk. Sauerkraut conquest Some years ago, a boss of Sainsburys confidently told me that the German no-frills grocers Aldi and Lidl offered no long-term threat to UK incumbents. Like other upstarts such as Kwik Save they would not be able to withstand the competition. He could not have been more wrong. Together, Aldi and Lidl have grabbed 18.8 per cent of the UK food market and, if they were one company, would be second to Tesco leaving Sainsburys et al in the dust, according to Kantar research data. One factor encouraging explosive German growth are the struggles of Asda and Morrisons under indebted private equity ownership. Despite aggressive price cutting, Asdas market share has dropped 5.6 per cent to 12.5 per cent over the last year. Morrison, with its farm-to-fork supply chain, is holding its own. Quality and innovation still are appreciated, and M&S grocery sales soared 13.1 per cent last month. That doesnt include online Ocado baskets. Impressive. Trade group The City UK might have been advised to have postponed the issue of its report Exporting from across Britain. The paper looks at the contribution the regions make to Britains brilliant success in the export of financial and professional services. So far, Donald Trumps tariff war has focused on physical goods, such as steel, aluminium and cars, and aimed at levelling the playing field for American firms. Financial services have escaped notice. The City UKs research shows that despite Britains dull growth rate, in the period 2018-22, financial and professional service exports on average climbed by 11 per cent a year. Imagine how prosperous Britain would be if the same stupendous expansion was shared across other sectors. In 2023, the UK recorded a surplus of 78.9billion on invisible exports. Exports: So far Donald Trumps tariff war has focused on physical goods, such as steel, aluminium and cars, and aimed at levelling the playing field for American firms Data suggests that much of this gain was with America. It is not just champagne swiggers in City bars who are the winners. Some 47 per cent of the services exported originate in the regions. As Britain and the US seek some kind of trade accommodation, the focus largely has been on a digital accord lowering the tax charge. Republicans in Congress, representing rural and farmland areas, are demanding the White House wins greater access for US farmers to Britain. The City UK wants financial services to gain more access to Switzerland, India and the Arabian Gulf through free trade agreements. The US doesnt get a mention because we are doing fine without one. Keir Starmer needs to be cautious about how wide his vaunted economic deal with the US President stretches. Known unknowns Markets have been perturbed about Trumps trade machinations because of uncertainty about the goals. This stems from conflicting voices. He regards tariffs as a negotiating tool, forcing other countries to abolish barriers. He also wants to see supply chains shift back to the US. US trade adviser Peter Navarro argues tariffs offer a revenue opportunity and, if left in place, a universal 20 per cent levy on all imports could raise $6trillion over the next decade. That could then be used to fund a big tax cut for Americas middle-class the equivalent of Rachel Reeves working people. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent proposes each trading partner gets its own tariff number depending on negotiations. It is this approach which has given the UK and India confidence that they can escape the full blast of the White House wrath. Stephen Moore, an economist at the Heritage Foundation, the think-tank closest to Trumpian thinking, believes the outcome the President desires is to lower tariffs rather than raise them. It wants to see Trump focus on supply-side tax cuts. Conflicting goals, reshoring manufacturing and raising revenues have perplexed Wall Street. It has driven hedge funds, central banks and speculators to take a breather from the magnificent seven tech firms and trust in gold and European equities. Liberation Day will require analysts to make new calls. But the miasma should be lifted. Stanley Kalms The death of Dixons founder Lord Kalms, aged 93, marks the end of an era. Kalms was a retail titan who, along with other corporate leaders such as Lord (Arnold) Weinstock and Lord King of British Airways, enjoyed a productive relationship with Margaret Thatcher. His foresight at Dixons saw Kalms embrace new technology, including mobile telephony, with enthusiasm. He also had an appetite for takeovers, most notably for Currys in 1984, when there was a lengthy dispute over price. The son of Jewish immigrants, Kalms was a fervent believer in business ethics, as well as a force for modernisation in Anglo-Jewry. I came to know him personally, dining at his home with the good and the great from business and diplomacy. In 2005, Kalms and I were privileged to take part in a BBC Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) broadcast on corporate ethics filmed in the then flagship Dixons store on Oxford Street. Kalms rich legacy includes the survival of Currys. It remains a force long after many other high street electronic chains have disappeared in an online world. Peel Hunts boss has warned that Britain is losing companies hand over fist as he called for action to revive the UKs stock market and wider economy. Steven Fine, the City brokers chief executive, said tax breaks for entrepreneurs and investors could help deliver growth but that Britain first needs to learn to celebrate success and people earning a few bob. Peel Hunt also warned in a report that the scale of takeovers by foreign companies and lack of new initial public offerings (IPOs) was depleting the London market. Fine said: Youre losing companies hand over fist, you are losing companies at an alarming rate from the public markets. He said there had also been anxiety ahead of the autumn Budget and frustration and angst after it was delivered. Britain had a great history of bashing entrepreneurs, he said, adding: But if you want to stimulate growth, were going to have to celebrate success and people earning a few bob. Growth drive: Peel Hunt boss Steven Fine (pictured) said tax breaks for entrepreneurs and investors could help deliver growth but that Britain first needs to learn to celebrate success' Fine called for a revival of entrepreneurs relief, which allowed founders to pay a lower rate of capital gains tax when selling their business but has since been scaled back, but only if they carry out an IPO. He said Britain had a great history of bashing entrepreneurs and success, adding: But if you want to stimulate growth and you want to get things going, were going to have to celebrate success and people earning a few bob. He also called for the restoration of dividend tax credits for pension funds that were abolished by then chancellor Gordon Brown in 1997. For a cost of just a few hundred million pounds it will encourage retirement schemes to increase they have allocated to UK equities. A relative of the late Queen Mother has scooped almost 40million after selling his deodorant brand Wild. Unilever bought the company in a deal reportedly worth 230million, valuing the 17 per cent stake held by Charlie Bowes-Lyon at 39.1million. Bowes-Lyon, 35 a first cousin three times removed of the Queen Mother set up Wild in April 2020 with his best friend Freddy Ward, 36, who he went to school with in Dunbar, Scotland. Ward, who previously worked for meal delivery firm Hello Fresh, netted some 62million from the sale for his 26.9 per cent stake. Wild claims its plant-based products are better for you than typical brands using aluminium. The deodorants, which cost from 12, come in plastic-free cases that need refills. Wild, which is sold in Boots, Tesco, Sainsburys and Ocado, made 47million sales and 509,000 profits in 2023, according to its most recently filed accounts. Shares in British chip designer Alphawave soared yesterday after a takeover approach from a US rival. The stock jumped 46.5 per cent to value it at 1billion after Qualcomm said it was considering making an offer. A takeover would be a bitter setback for London as it struggles to attract hi-tech companies and others to the stock market, with many flocking to New York. Questions have been asked about the Citys status as a financial centre of the future since Cambridge-based chip designer Arm opted to list in the US rather than the UK three years ago. Arm is now valued at some 90billion which would make it the fifth biggest company in the FTSE 100 behind AstraZeneca, Shell, HSBC and Unilever had it listed in London. The approach by Qualcomm comes after Arm also looked at making a bid for Alphawave underlining its value to major players in the industry. Takeover talk: Uk chipmaker Alphawave jumped 46.5% to value it at 1n after Qualcomm said it was considering making an offer But the company has proved far less loved at home, however, with its shares tumbling 80 per cent from its peak in 2021 soon after it listed to yesterday before the Qualcomm approach. Alphawave designs and licenses semiconductor technology for data centres, networking and storage. Its serdes technology determines how fast information can be processed by chips crucial for AI development. Under UK takeover rules, San Diego-based Qualcomm now has until April 29 to make a firm offer or walk away. A spokesman for the US giant said: There can be no certainty that any firm offer will be made, nor as to the terms on which any firm offer might be made. London-listed stocks traded lower on Wednesday as investors anxiously awaited details of sweeping US tariffs on global imports due later in the day. Global markets went into freefall earlier in the week as investors fretted the implications of Donald Trump's 'liberation day', with the President promising to lay the foundation for a new 'golden age' of US industry. While full details are due at 4pm Washington time (8pm GMT), the White House is reportedly still weighing plans that could see the imposition of blanket 20 per cent levies across the board or some countries offered preferential treatment. Oliver Blackbourn, portfolio manager at Janus Henderson Investors, said: 'What is certain is that the introduction of new tariffs is likely to have negative consequences for economic growth, consumers, and markets. 'Perhaps the most important question is whether this announcement will tip the scales towards a global recession.' The internationally-focused FTSE 100, which clawed back some ground in the previous session, was down 0.6 per cent in late morning trading. The FTSE 250 also fell 0.5 per cent, dragged lower by further losses for Aston Martin Lagonda as investors fret the impact of US auto import tariffs on the luxury carmaker. President Donald Trump will later today reveals details on the latest tariffs imposed on US imports Similar patterns were seen overseas, with the STOXX Europe 600 down 0.6 per cent and Asian markets also down. Elsewhere, gold prices are maintaining their incredible run at record highs as investors seek refuge in the safe haven asset, which added 0.1 per cent to $3,131.26. Lale Akoner, global market analyst at eToro, warned of the long-term impact of reports suggesting Trump's team will opt to include VAT and other non-tariff barriers in so-called 'reciprocal tariffs'. She said: 'Incorporating VATs into the tariff plan by applying the trading partner's VAT on US imports to that country and rebating it for US exports would be a bigger hit to global trade in nominal amount than reciprocal tariffs alone. 'The bigger issue is that VATs are built into many countries' tax systems and are unlikely to change. 'So, unlike regular tariffs that can be negotiated, this approach could lock in long-term trade barriers, meaning that it does not just serve as short-term leverage. This would hit countries like Mexico, Ireland, and Vietnam the hardest.' What could it mean for the UK? The US imported UK goods worth $68.1billion in 2024, up 6 per cent from 2023. It means the US runs a goods trade surplus with the UK worth $11.9 billion in 2024, potentially leaving the country better placed against retaliatory levies than other countries with whom the US runs a trade deficit. However, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said he expects the UK will be hit and Chancellor Rachel Reeves has warned Cabinet ministers there would be an economic impact from the tariffs, despite diplomatic efforts. Susannah Streeter, head of money and markets at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: 'The UK is unlikely to be immune and is reportedly considering concessions aimed at mollifying Trump such as lowering tariffs on some US meat imports and reducing the headline rate of its digital services tax, which would benefit large American tech firms. 'Ministers appear to have weighed up that these are reductions worth offering up, as insurance against the risk of a blanket of punitive taxes on UK exporters, which could cost the economy much more. 'But this is a hard message to pull off, as Trump's demands appear to be appeased, while there are hints of austerity in the swathes of spending cuts planned for government departments.' Computer platform maker Raspberry Pi offered a glimmer of hope to investors that it can regain momentum from its blockbuster listing. Shares in the Cambridge business, which floated in June at 280p, rose more than 10 per cent in early trading yesterday to 523p before closing up 1.5 per cent at 478p. The rally followed a bullish update in which it said sales picked up at the end of last year as stock shortages eased. Investors will hope it puts the shares back in fashion having almost trebled between June and the end of January making it one of the most successful London floats of recent years. But shares have since fallen around 40 per cent. The firm, founded in 2012, designs products to make computer servers or retro games consoles, and is worth 910million. Raspberry Pi had struggled with sales after the semiconductor chip industry was affected by supply shortages. But investors were pleased after boss Eben Upton said he was confident there would be gradual improvements in the supply chain in 2025. The co-founder of Ben & Jerrys has launched a bid to buy back the brand in a move that would derail Unilevers ice cream demerger. Unilever wants to spin off the ice cream arm, which also includes Magnum and Cornetto, with a stock market listing in Amsterdam by the end of 2025. But Ben Cohen is trying to line up investors to buy Ben & Jerrys, which he set up with his friend Jerry Greenfield in 1978. Unilever has long had a tense relationship with Ben & Jerrys, which is outspoken on social and political issues. Investors in Unilever, which owns Dove deodorant and Hellmanns mayonnaise, have urged it to dial down its woke messaging and focus on boosting sales. But Ben & Jerrys has insisted on continuing its campaigning. Founder: Ben Cohen is trying to line-up investors to buy Ben & Jerrys, which he set up with his friend Jerry Greenfield in 1978 The brand was bought for 251million in 2000, with the agreement that it would be managed by an independent board. In the year 2000, Unilever loved us for who we were, Cohen told the Wall Street Journal. Now weve gone separate ways in our relationship. We just need them to set us free. A Unilever spokesman said: Ben & Jerrys, as a key part of the demerging ice cream business, is not for sale. It is planning to name the new division the Magnum Ice Cream Company. Tesla has fallen further behind Chinese rival BYD after another sales slump but its shares rose yesterday on reports boss Elon Musk is leaving the US government. With the carmaker facing a backlash over Musks close ties to Donald Trump and his foray into politics, deliveries dropped to just 336,681 in the first quarter down 13 per cent year-on-year and its weakest quarter since 2022. The dismal result left the Texas firm trailing BYD, which has been dubbed the Tesla killer. BYD, which stands for Build Your Dreams, has overtaken Tesla as the worlds biggest producer of electric vehicles. It sold 986,098 passenger vehicles in the first three months of 2025, figures this week showed. That was 58 per cent higher than in the same period of 2024 a sharp contrast to Tesla. Shares in Tesla fell more than 6 per cent in early trading after the figures were published. Exposure: Musk has faced a backlash over his political activity and investors worrying he is spreading himself too thin, and his political connections have caused his popularity to wane But they bounced back to rise by 5 per cent after Politico magazine reported that Musk will step back from his role at the cost-cutting department of government efficiency (Doge) in the coming weeks. Musk has faced a backlash over his political activity and investors worrying he is spreading himself too thin, and his political connections have caused his popularity to wane, particularly in Europe. His relationship with Trump and his appointment at Doge have sparked widespread protests. And the phasing out of the existing version of Teslas bestseller, the Model Y, has hurt sales. The company said that the changeover of Model Y lines across all four of our factories led to the loss of several weeks of production in the first quarter. It added that the ramp up of the new model continues to go well. Matt Britzman, an analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: Theres no way to sugar-coat it, first-quarter delivery numbers are a disappointment, though many investors were preparing for a soft number. A drop is no surprise, but the scale is worse than many had expected. He added: Its rare to see sentiment toward a company so closely tied to a polarising White House, and until Musk pulls his focus back to Tesla, shares will remain volatile. Tesla did not reveal a geographical deliveries breakdown, but industry data has shown a plunge in sales in Europe as anger over Musks links to Trump escalated. Tesla sales are down 41 per cent this year in France its second-biggest market in Europe behind the UK. And they have fallen by 55 per cent in Sweden and Denmark, by nearly 50 per cent in the Netherlands and by 12.5 per cent in Norway. SAITAMA, Japan - The last retired military personnel or civilian employee who received Japanese government medical benefits for trauma or other mental conditions developed in the line of duty died in 2021, government records showed Wednesday. With the passing of the individual in Shimane Prefecture, western Japan, the number of firsthand witnesses to the Second Sino-Japanese War and World War II has further dwindled, making it increasingly difficult to fully grasp the psychological impact of the conflicts. Ahead of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, the Japanese government is continuing its investigation into mental illnesses that developed under the harsh conditions of the battlefield. Under the Law for Special Aid to the Wounded and Sick Retired Soldiers enacted in 1963, the number of recipients of medical benefits for mental illness peaked at 1,107 in fiscal 1978, according to government statistics on welfare administration. The number, which includes both hospitalized and non-hospitalized patients, decreased to 444 in fiscal 1995, to 117 in fiscal 2005, and to 11 in fiscal 2015. According to the Shimane prefectural government, the last recipient was not hospitalized and died in January 2021. The prefectural government has declined to disclose any details about the individual or their cause of death due to privacy concerns. Related coverage: A-bomb survivor's son repeats call for elimination of nukes at U.N. 108-yr-old Japanese woman recognized as world's oldest female barber The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News. ---------- Japan medical team arrives in quake-hit Myanmar to offer assistance TOKYO - A Japanese medical team arrived Wednesday in Yangon, Myanmar's largest city, to deliver emergency relief supplies, including sanitary items, water and water purifiers, days after a powerful earthquake struck the Southeast Asian country. The 32-member team, the first of its kind to be dispatched by Japan, will engage in medical activities at the site through the government-backed Japan International Cooperation Agency and the United Nations, the Foreign Ministry said. ---------- China ends 2 days of drills near Taiwan in warning to leader Lai BEIJING - China said Wednesday that it has completed two days of military drills around Taiwan meant to serve as a warning to the government of leader Lai Ching-te, involving the deployment of the Shandong aircraft carrier fleet and long-range live-fire exercises. The Eastern Theater Command, which covers the Taiwan Strait, said in a statement that it has "completed all designated tasks of the joint exercises" that tested the troops' integrated joint operations capabilities. ---------- EU fines 15 major carmakers, entity 458 mil. euros over cartel BRUSSELS - The European Union said Tuesday it has fined 15 major carmakers, including Toyota Motor Corp., and a European industry body a total of around 458 million euros ($494 million) for taking part in cartel over vehicle recycling. The European Commission said the European Automobiles Manufacturers' Association facilitated the cartel by organizing meetings and contacts between 16 car manufacturers for over 15 years. ---------- Japan PM to hold one-on-one debate with opposition chiefs every month TOKYO - Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is set to hold one-on-one debates with opposition leaders every month during the ordinary parliamentary session through June, a senior official of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan said Wednesday. The decision marks a shift from the recent trend of fewer leadership debates and was agreed upon Tuesday by the main opposition party and Ishiba's ruling Liberal Democratic Party. The first of the three debates is expected to be held on April 23. ---------- Outgoing chief of Japan Post vows leadership change amid scandals TOKYO - The outgoing president of Japan Post Holdings Co. on Wednesday stressed the need to revamp the company's leadership amid a series of scandals, including the misuse of personal information from its banking unit's customers. "As it has been five and a half years since I took office, I judged that it is time for a leadership change," Hiroya Masuda said at a press conference, adding that the former state-owned postal and financial giant will promote a "drastic" generational shift. ---------- No more living recipients of Japan gov't benefits for war trauma SAITAMA, Japan - The last retired military personnel or civilian employee who received Japanese government medical benefits for trauma or other mental conditions developed in the line of duty died in 2021, government records showed Wednesday. With the passing of the individual in Shimane Prefecture, western Japan, the number of firsthand witnesses to the Second Sino-Japanese War and World War II has further dwindled, making it increasingly difficult to fully grasp the psychological impact of the conflicts. ---------- Japan Pavilion in Osaka Expo opens with rare Mars meteorite exhibit OSAKA - Japan has opened its pavilion in the World Exposition in Osaka, less than two weeks before the global event begins, with the first-ever public exhibit of a "Mars rock" discovered in Antarctica by a Japanese research team. The Japan Pavilion showcases three areas based on "circulation," a concept referring to reusing and recycling for a sustainable society. It also features biogas power generation using food waste from the expo site and underlines the role of microorganisms in meeting energy needs. ---------- Football: Former J-League star Domingues dies at 41 TOKYO - Brazilian playmaker Leandro Domingues, who helped Kashiwa Reysol become the first team to win the J-League football championship in their top-division debut season in 2011, died Tuesday, one of his former clubs, Brazil's EC Vitoria, said. He was 41. He had been battling testicular cancer since 2022, according to local reports. Video: Osaka Expo water show The fight for same-sex marriage in Japan continues Three Kyodo News reporters Toma Mochizuki, Eduardo Martinez and Peter Masheter discuss the Osaka High Court becoming the fifth high court in the country to rule a ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional. Listen as they talk about what the ruling means for the fight for same-sex marriage in Japan, and what the current status of same-sex unions is. Article mentioned in the podcast: Japan court rules same-sex ban unconstitutional Kyodo News presents a bilingual podcast for English learners about the ins and outs of news writing and how to translate tricky Japanese phrases into English. Have fun listening to journalists discuss recent articles as they occasionally go off on unrelated tangents. More podcast episodes: Podcast [English World] Episode 90: Hot springs and tourism Podcast [English World] Episode 89:Fukushima becomes "dark tourism" hotspot Podcast [English World] Episode 88: Sinkhole in Saitama The proposal to lift rent pressure zones was called unsettling, alarming and draconian in correspondence sent to the Housing Minister. Renters outlined their concerns and personal situations to James Browne after Taoiseach Micheal Martin said that rent caps could be lifted. Correspondence released to the PA news agency under a Freedom of Information request shows that two emails were sent to Mr Browne from Mr Martin, who asked his Fianna Fail colleague to examine his constituents concerns. The Taoiseach has said the Government will consider abolishing 2% rent caps at the end of the year. A review by the Department of Housing said there were challenges with rent pressure zones (RPZs) but it also acknowledged a need to regulate the rental market in a way that provides sustainable rents. On February 11, Mr Martin forwarded two emails to the Housing Minister he had received from Cork South-Central constituents concerned about abolishing RPZs. I would be grateful if the points raised could be examined and if you could advise me of the position, Mr Martin said in both cases. One email to the Taoiseach said: Dear Mr Martin, I am absolutely appalled by your proposal to end rent pressure zones by the end of this year. I am frankly dumbfounded as to how one could think that this would in any way help with the housing emergency which Ireland and Cork have been facing for the past 10 years. Another, sent to all TDs in the Taoiseachs constituency on February 11, said: I strongly disagree with removing this vital renter protection without first addressing the lack of housing. I sincerely doubt that many landlords have gotten out of the rental game explicitly because of rent pressure zones, which actually still allow them to incrementally increase rates. With houses as catastrophically expensive as they are, I do not know what renters like me are to do. Renters rely on a modicum of protection from our government to be able to afford to live, work and make a contribution in a town like Cork. I can stomach being unable to find a decent, affordable home to buy, but paying 100s of euro more in rent every year is pushing me and people in my position to breaking point, and ever further away from the simple wish of having a place of my own in a town I have made my home. A third-level student, who is renting in Dublin and a member of Fianna Fail, wrote to the Housing Minister to express their concern at Mr Martins comments. I understand there is a constant stream of discontent across the entire country about rent levels at the moment but this proposed scrap would be beyond detrimental to the young people of this country. I am currently paying 950 euros for a small room in a house which was recently increased by the maximum 2%. If this rent cap was abolished I have no doubt that this would increase even further. As a student, even with substantial support from my parents any further increase would be extremely tough to come up with and would be detrimental to my education. Please consider strongly opposing this change if it indeed does come to discussion in the coming months. On February 12, a renter told the Housing Minister that the only thing thats keeping a roof over my head is that their rent could not be put up by more then 2%. If its lifted I can see a considerable raise in my rent overnight, they said. In separate correspondence, a HAP recipient said removing RPZs could leave them homeless. This would be catastrophic for a large proportion of the vulnerable population of Ireland including ourselves, an email sent on February 11 said. I understand the need for private investment in future housing projects in Ireland but surely it cannot come at the expense of all us who are already unfairly burdened with extortionate rents. They said their HAP payments do not cover their rental costs, and they have to deal with issues such as black mould that the property management has not tackled in three years. We are in no position to pay an increased rent and will alarmingly find ourselves homeless if the rent pressure zone cap is abolished at the end of 2025 as apartments in our complex in (redacted) are currently renting in excess of 2,000 euro monthly. In the current climate I implore you all to reconsider such draconian measures and to think about the significant proportion of vulnerable people of this country that this change will adversely impact. Another renter wrote on February 12 that they and others they had spoken to were having sleepless nights due to the uncertainty in rent regulations. As someone who relies on the protection that RPZs currently provide, I am deeply worried about what a shift to rent referencing, as suggested by the Taoiseach, could mean for renters like myself. While I understand that the Government is aiming to create a more stable environment for investment, I want to stress that its just as crucial to create stability for those of us who are renting, especially when rents are already through the roof. They expressed concern about whether reference rents would price them out of the market. The constant worry over whether the next rent hike will push us out of our homes has already taken an emotional toll, they said. In correspondence sent on February 12, a renter said they were already paying excessive amounts in rent and the possibility this could increase by more than 4% was extremely unsettling. I understand in order for a rental marker to exist, private landlords need benefits and profit. However, I dont see how landlords receiving over 2,500 euro for one and two-bedroom apartments are not making a huge profit. Several landlords also wrote to the housing minister: one argued that RPZs limited their ability to repay their mortgage, another said that their area should not be a rent pressure zone and a third said the lifting of rent caps was not enough to keep them from exiting the market. Audiologist John Barnwell had some stark insights to share on Newstalk Breakfast today, April 2. According to Mr Barnwell, a significant number of young people are suffering from hearing loss and he told the show he has no doubt why this is happening. He explained: "There's a lot more young people coming in with earphones, the headphones. "They're constantly wearing them a lot longer, it's starting to cause hearing loss." READ MORE: Serial abuser John McClean admits indecently assaulting four more young boys According to the Irish Association of Hearing Aid Audiologists, one-in-twelve Irish adults are suffering from permanent hearing loss. In those over the age of 70, this figure increases to 50% however, it is also becoming increasingly common among young people. Mr Barnwell said he believes young people are largely unaware of the risks that come from loud noise. He said: "I dont think they are, no. Not really. They just listen to music loudly, dont they? They listen to everything loud. He continued: People dont realise the noise, the decibels in sound thats causing the trouble." Joining Mr Barnwell on the programme this morning, Dr Eoin King of University of Galway echoed the audiologist's concerns and added that long-term exposure to noise can trigger a wide array of problems. He said: Yes, it can affect your hearing but thats really only in the extreme cases. Wed be more worried about cardiovascular problems, sleep disturbance - and disturbance can lead to a cascade of problems like increased stress, immune deficiencies, things like that." Dr King also highlighted concerns about the cognitive development of children as studies show that children who grow up in noisy environments do not perform as well in reading tests as other children. Dr King also believes that Ireland is probably a little bit behind in terms of planning for noise. He said: Theres an awful lot of legislation, an awful lot of planning around air pollution. Noise would be somewhat behind that; so, theres an awful lot more that should be done. We really do need more guidance, more stringent legislation and, really, we just need the planning system and we need the authorities responsible to catch up. As it stands, under the Planning and Development Act 2024, local authorities can grant planning permission under the condition that measures are taken to limit or prevent the "emission of any noise or vibration from any structure or sitethat might give reasonable cause for annoyance either to persons in any premises in the neighbourhood". The full moon in April is known as the pink moon, which rises this weekend. The April full moon is the first full moon after the spring equinox, which is known as the paschal moon. The spring equinox occurred on March 20 this year marking the start of spring. The first full moon of spring is used to figure out the date for Easter. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Other names for the full moon in April include the sprouting grass moon or the egg moon, the fish moon and others. When is Easter and why is it so late in 2025? Heres what the moon and the spring equinox have to do with it Full moon in April is a micromoon Aprils full moon will be a micromoon, the opposite of a supermoon. Skywatchers in March got to see interesting solar and lunar events, including a partial solar eclipse and a total lunar eclipse that turned the moon red. This months lunar calendar also features a super new moon. But because its a new moon, you wont get to see it. During a new moon, the side of the moon facing Earth isnt lit up by the sun. Its considered a super moon because its closest to Earth in its orbit. When is the full moon in April? The full moon is Saturday, April 12 at 8:22 p.m. Will the full pink moon actually be pink? No, the pink moon wont actually appear pink in colour. Rather, the pink moon gets its name from the early spring bloom of phlox subulata, a wildflower native to eastern North America commonly known as creeping phlox, moss phlox or moss pink, which is in full bloom around Aprils full moon, explains the Farmers Almanac. What is a micromoon? When the full moon happens in proximity to the moon reaching apogee the point when the moon is furthest distance from Earth a micromoon occurs. Its called a micromoon because it appears smaller than normal. This months full moon will appear a bit smaller a more dim than normal, as the moon is reaching apogee the following day. A full micromoon appears about 12 to 14 per cent smaller than a full supermoon and about seven per cent smaller than an average full moon, according to EarthSky.org. Earth Sky explains the April micromoon is the most distant full moon of the year 406,006 kilometres away from Earth. How does the first spring full moon help determine Easter dates? Easter will fall on the first Sunday after the springs first full moon April 12 in southern Ontario, but it will occur in the early morning hours of Sunday, April 13 in other areas. This is why Easter will be celebrated this year on Sunday, April 20. What is the full lunar calendar for April 2025? April 1-3: Waning crescent April 4: First quarter April 5-11: Waxing gibbous April 12: Full moon April 13-19: Waning gibbous April 20: Last quarter April 21-26: Waning crescent April 27: Super new moon April 28-30: Waxing crescent For more cool events in this years lunar and solar lineup, check out our quick guide for 2025. Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee, speaks at a seminar on relevant work of the democratic oversight over the eco-environmental conservation of the Yangtze River, which is attended by leaders of the non-CPC political parties and personages without party affiliation, in Beijing, capital of China, April 2, 2025. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin) BEIJING, April 2 (Xinhua) -- China's top political advisor Wang Huning on Wednesday urged solid efforts to strengthen democratic oversight over the eco-environmental conservation of the Yangtze River. Wang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee, made the remarks at a seminar attended by leaders of the non-CPC political parties and personages without party affiliation. With the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) concluding this year, all tasks related to the democratic oversight over the eco-environmental conservation of the Yangtze River must be completed with high quality, Wang said. He called on non-CPC political parties and personages without party affiliation to give full play to the unique strengths of consultative oversight and offer pragmatic opinions and suggestions. Efforts and resources should focus on the most critical, urgent and prominent issues to make democratic oversight more targeted and effective, Wang said. He also urged efforts to review and assess the effectiveness of democratic oversight over the ecological and environmental protection of the Yangtze River and plan for a new round of special oversight. Li Ganjie, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the seminar. Leaders of the eight non-CPC parties and a representative of personages without party affiliation also delivered remarks at the seminar. by writer Xin Ping BEIJING, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Thanks to the United States, "tariff" has become one of the top buzzwords in international politics. In rapid succession, the White House has announced 25 percent tariffs on all imported steel and aluminum, slapped additional tariffs on Chinese imports and threatened reciprocal tariffs against all foreign trading partners. These actions have sparked immediate and almost unanimous opposition from the international community, with many countries pledging countermeasures while grappling to understand the underlying objectives behind these policies. Even more perplexing for policymakers outside North America is that the policies strike hardest at Canada and Mexico, with both subject to 25 percent tariffs without exemptions. This begs the question: What happened to decades of neighborly cooperation? And do these measures truly serve American interests, as politicians have claimed? The answer is a flat no. TRILATERAL PARTNERSHIP DESTROYED For decades, the trilateral partnership between the United States, Canada and Mexico has fostered deeply integrated networks across economic sectors, driving sustained growth in all three nations. Take a look at the statistics: In 2024, over 80 percent of Mexico's exports were destined for the United States. In the first three quarters, bilateral trade between the United States and Mexico totaled some 630 billion U.S. dollars, accounting for a record 15.9 percent of U.S. foreign trade. For Canada, 75 percent of its exports were directed southward, with crude oil and natural gas taking up a significant portion. Conversely, 18 percent of U.S. exports went to Canada. The automotive sector stands as the most compelling testament to this interdependence. Forged under the North American Free Trade Agreement and further shaped through the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, North America's auto industry operates as an intricately interconnected production chain, with components crossing borders multiple times before final assembly. Official data show that in 2024, Mexico produced a record number of nearly 4 million light vehicles, with a majority destined for the United States. From January to November 2024, the United States imported 87 billion dollars' worth of vehicles and 64 billion dollars in auto parts from Mexico. Canada also exported about 90 billion U.S. dollars in auto parts to the United States in 2024. To put it simply: Canadian resources + Mexican labor + American capital/technology = North America's golden economic formula. "AMERICA ONLY" Despite the clear benefits of this symbiotic relationship, the United States appears determined to dismantle it, under the populist slogan of "bringing our money back." However, this is both factually flawed and morally questionable. According to a Canadian think tank, a 25 percent tariff could result in a 5- to 8-percent decline in U.S. exports to Canada, and an even more substantial 10- to 15-percent dip the other way around. While these figures may seem abstract, the real impacts are directly felt by ordinary people: Factories reliant on cross-border trade lay off workers when orders drop. The implications of the ongoing tariff disputes extend far beyond North America. In addition to immediate losses, tariffs undermine international economic predictability and jeopardize long-term competitiveness. If cross-border economic networks in North America -- painstakingly built over 30 years and proven beneficial to all three countries -- could be dismantled by a simple executive order, what would happen to other bilateral and multilateral trade commitments the United States has? Is the United States still a reliable economic partner? Should the world brace for a United States that practices not just "America First" but "America Only?" WORLD IS WATCHING The international community is now closely examining Washington's new trade policies, trying to understand the real intentions behind them. Each tariff hike reveals a paradox: As the United States increasingly wields its trade policy instruments, it inadvertently erodes the very trust required for meaningful multilateral solutions. This self-defeating cycle turns temporary trade tools into long-term credibility deficits, leaving other countries even its own allies questioning whether transactional nationalism has irrevocably replaced visionary internationalism. When the world's largest economy prioritizes its own interest over the common good, the repercussions transcend borders and generations. This is why countries around the world scrutinize the growing trade disputes in North America with bated breath: In today's hyperconnected world, sustained prosperity demands more than just nationalist thinking. The ancient wisdom of "loving thy neighbor as thyself" remains a modern-day economic imperative. Simple justice requires that public funds, to which all taxpayers of all races contribute, not be spent in any fashion which encourages, entrenches, subsidizes, or results in racial discrimination. Those were the words of President John F. Kennedy in June 1963 speaking from the resolute desk live on radio and TV, framing civil rights as more than a legal issue, but a moral one. Kennedys attempt to pass a bill ended in filibuster, but his assassination later that year helped open the door for his successor, President Lyndon Johnson, to successfully restart the effort and eventually sign the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Two sections of that are of particular interest today: Title VI, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race and national origin but not sex in federally assisted programs, and Title VII, which protects equal employment opportunity for everyone. President Richard Nixon later signed into law the Education Amendment of 1972. That law included its own Title IX, which added a prohibition of discrimination on the basis of sex in educational institutions receiving federal money. Like so many other issues in the law, though, discovering the contours of the Civil Rights Act hasnt been a straight line. Federal court cases like Lau v. Nichols, Bakke v. Regents of University of California, Griggs v. Duke Power, and Bostock v. Clayton County sought to find the line between lawful and unlawful considerations of the prohibited factors race, color, national origin, sex, and religion. In 2025, since the inauguration of President Donald Trump, a succession of executive orders have changed the federal governments stance on civil rights law enforcement, particularly with regard to higher education. Just nine days into his administration, Trump issued this executive order: Additional Measures to Combat Anti-Semitism. In it, he directed the secretary of education to review all complaints of anti-Semitism filed in schools of all levels after the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, and directed the attorney general to take action under Title VI. It wasnt long before the administration declared that several dozen universities including the University System of Marylands Towson University were under investigation. At the top of the list was Columbia University, where the Department of Justice charged that Jewish students had suffered persistent harassment at the hands of pro-Palestinian protestors. A few weeks later, the administration applied sanctions, canceling some $400 million in Columbias federal grants and contracts. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said, Instead of inspiring universal condemnation, the Oct. 7 holocaust triggered a global wave of anti-Semitism. Ivy League campuses became a greenhouse for poison. Since then, under the supervision of a special administration joint task force, Columbia has made some changes, stiffening rules about protest locations, giving campus police more arrest powers, and making it easier to report harassment. A statement from HHS, the Department of Education, and the General Services Administration called those changes a positive first step. The statement also warned, Other universities that are being investigated by the Task Force should expect the same level of scrutiny and swiftness of action if they dont act to protect their students and stop anti-Semitic behavior on campus. Another significant shot across the bow of higher education was the Feb. 14 Dear Colleague letter issued by the Department of Educations Office of Civil Rights (OCR). The letter alerted schools and universities to the new focus of the administrations enforcement of Title VI. In recent years, American educational institutions have discriminated against students on the basis of race, including white and Asian students, the letter reads. Colleges, universities, and K-12 schools have routinely used race as a factor in admissions, financial aid, hiring, training, and other institutional programming. In a shameful echo of a darker period in this countrys history, many American schools and universities even encourage segregation by race at graduation ceremonies and in dormitories and other facilities. The Dear Colleague letter also cited another very significant Supreme Court ruling, 2023s Students for Fair Admissions v. President and Fellows of Harvard College. That ruling outlawed the use of racial preferences in admissions unless they satisfy a compelling state interest. The OCR also said it views that decision very broadly to prohibit using race in decisions pertaining to admissions, hiring, promotion, compensation, financial aid, scholarships, prizes, administrative support, discipline, housing, graduation ceremonies, and all other aspects of student, academic, and campus life. Last week saw perhaps the biggest shock of them all. The University of Michigan has spent $240 million in the last nine years building arguably the most robust diversity, equity, and inclusion program in academia. But on Thursday, President Santa Ono, PhD, declared the university would dismantle its diversity strategic plan, eliminate diversity statements in faculty hiring, annual reviews, and admissions, and begin a process of evaluating their web presence for compliance with federal executive orders and guidance. On April 1, these and other legal challenges facing higher education were the subjects of discussion on Virtual Face to Face. Program host and University of Maryland, Baltimore President Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS, spoke with University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law Dean and Professor Renee Hutchins Laurent, JD; Maryland Carey Law Professor Marley Weiss, JD; and Maryland Carey Law Assistant Professor Chris Mathis, JD. The program included questions from an audience of 500 UMB faculty, staff, and students. You can watch the video of the discussion above. Maryland Poison Center Expanding Service Area Beginning April 1, the Maryland Poison Center (MPC), a key service of the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy (UMSOP), will extend its coverage to encompass all 23 Maryland counties, Baltimore City, and the District of Columbia. Previously, Prince Georges and Montgomery counties, along with the District of Columbia, were serviced by the National Capital Poison Center. This expansion represents a significant milestone in the delivery of comprehensive poison control services and is being led by the Maryland Department of Health and DC Health. The Maryland Department of Health is proud to support UMSOPs expansion of Maryland Poison Center services to every jurisdiction in our state, said Nilesh Kalyanaraman, MD, deputy secretary for public health services at the Maryland Department of Health. This expanded coverage will give Marylanders closer proximity to poison control education and event reporting and help eliminate gaps in state, local, and regional incident response preparedness. Ayanna Bennett, MD, MSPH, FAAP, director of DC Health, emphasized the importance of accessible emergency resources, stating, We remain committed to ensuring all residents have access to life-saving resources and expert guidance when faced with a poisoning emergency. This expansion marks a vital step in strengthening regional public health services, improving response times, and enhancing collaboration across jurisdictions. We look forward to working alongside the Maryland Poison Center to continue protecting and educating our communities. Since 1972, the MPC has served as an essential resource, providing 24/7 expert guidance to Marylanders through the helpline, 1-800-222-1222. Callers receive immediate assistance from experienced health care professionals including pharmacists, nurses, and medical experts with a combined 250 years of experience at the Maryland Poison Center helping to address poisoning emergencies and provide critical information on treatment and prevention. With this expansion, the MPC will not only increase its geographic coverage but also will streamline data collection and health care communication across the region. The reorganization of services will ensure that health care providers can access up-to-date, reliable information, fostering new opportunities for collaboration and response to poisoning incidents. We are thrilled to bring the talents of our extremely dedicated staff to Prince Georges and Montgomery counties and the District of Columbia, said Angel Bivens, BS Pharm, MBA, CSPI, managing director of the Maryland Poison Center. Whether its our pharmacists and nurses providing expert and compassionate care to callers or our public educator creating programs and materials to provide awareness and poison safety tips, our new communities are in good hands. Maryland emergency medical service clinicians in EMS, EDs, and primary care across Maryland have relied on the Maryland Poison Center for just in time, evidence-based clinical guidance when a poison exposure has occurred, said Cyndy Wright-Johnson, MSN, director of EMS for Children at Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems. Having immediate access to experienced health care professionals in poisoning situations is a crucial part of providing the best care to our communities. The expansion to include Montgomery and Prince Georges counties in the population of citizens, visitors, and clinicians served by the same Maryland Poison Center will enhance the support in emergencies and increase the distribution of poison prevention educational materials. Sarah L.J. Michel, PhD, dean of the School of Pharmacy and professor of pharmaceutical sciences, emphasized the significance of this expansion. This is an exciting development for public health throughout the region, says Michel. Expanding our service coverage area will ensure that every community member will have access to the expertise and resources of the Maryland Poison Center. This step forward in integration will streamline communications and improve the efficiency of the entire system, benefiting all residents. In addition to the 1-800 help line, the MPC is utilizing a digital companion tool, PoisonHelp.org, to provide individuals with valuable information on poisons, symptoms, and treatments. This user-friendly online resource complements the centers phone services, allowing the public to quickly access trustworthy information on the internet at any time. This regional expansion will enhance the MPCs ability to respond to poisoning emergencies, improve public health outcomes, and ensure that critical data is available to health care providers and emergency responders when needed most. We are excited to provide a coordinated, regional approach to poisoning management and education, said Josh King, MD, FACMT, FAACT, medical director of the Maryland Poison Center. Our goal is for this change to be completely seamless for all residents of Maryland and the District of Columbia, with access to the same expert care in times of need. This change also offers opportunities to use consolidated data to improve our services to the public and health care professionals alike. The MPC encourages anyone with a poison emergency to call 1-800-222-1222, available 24/7 and free of charge. In addition, residents are invited to explore PoisonHelp.org for immediate, reliable information on poison-related issues. With this expansion, the MPC is poised to provide expert, timely assistance to all residents in Maryland and D.C. Whether for emergency treatment advice, prevention tips, or educational information, the MPC is ready to serve the public and ensure the safety and health of communities in the region. BEIJING, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Zhang Qingwei, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, mourned the victims of the strong earthquake in Myanmar at the southeast Asian country's embassy in Beijing Wednesday. Zhang expressed deep condolences and sincere sympathy for the heavy casualties and property loss caused by the earthquake on March 28. He said Chinese President Xi Jinping immediately extended condolences to Myanmar's leader Min Aung Hlaing, adding that China was the first to dispatch rescue teams to assist Myanmar and will continue to fully support the Myanmar people in earthquake relief work. Ambassador of Myanmar to China Tin Maung Swe expressed gratitude for Xi's condolence message on behalf of the Myanmar side. China has done its best to assist in the quake relief, demonstrating the profound meaning of the Myanmar-China community with a shared future sharing weal and woe, he said, adding that the Myanmar people will always remember this. Israels execution of 15 paramedics demands immediate accountability The international community must hold Israeli officials and responsible individuals accountable for the deliberate killing of 15 paramedics and first responders from the Palestinian Red Crescent and Civil Defence Wednesday April 2, 2025 10:48 PM , Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor Palestinian Territory: The international community must hold Israeli officials and responsible individuals accountable for the deliberate killing of 15 paramedics and first responders from the Palestinian Red Crescent and Civil Defence. The victims - killed by the Israeli military in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, also include an employee of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). This killing is part of Israels widespread and systematic attacks on humanitarian, medical, and UN workers, all of whom are protected by international law. "Horrifying Scene" According to field evidence, Israeli forces killed eight Palestinian Red Crescent paramedics, five Civil Defence personnel, and one UNRWA employee; all were on duty at the time of their targeting. The crime has been referred to as the largest mass execution of humanitarian workers in the history of modern warfare. Following the total destruction of the workersvehicles, the majority of their bodies were subsequently interred in a deep pit that was then filled with sand. This horrifying scene serves as further evidence of Israels ongoing genocide in the Gaza Strip, and is a major crime that is a serious breach of international humanitarian law. The crime is just one of a string of intentional assaults that have been directed at humanitarian and medical workers since 7 October 2023. Since then, Israel has killed over 1,400 medical personnel, 27 Red Crescent paramedics, and 111 Civil Defence personnel as part of a systematic campaign to destroy the Gaza Strips health and relief infrastructure to kill Palestinians, while simultaneously aiming to destroy their means of subsistence as well. What happened on March 23? A Palestinian Red Crescent ambulance left Rafahs Hashash neighbourhood early on Sunday (23 March 2025) to evacuate injured individuals who had been hit by Israeli attacks. However, the medical staff inside the ambulance suffered injuries themselves as a result of the Israeli occupation forces intense fire. Three more ambulances were sent to evacuate the injured, including the crew members hurt in the initial attack, as the situation worsened. The area was thenabruptly surrounded by a strict security cordon by the occupation forces, which has since cut off all communication with medical personnel. That same day, a Civil Defence rescue team in Rafahs Tal al-Sultan neighbourhood received urgent calls to travel to al-Hashash area. The calls stated that Israeli occupation forces had unexpectedly invaded the area, killing and injuring dozens of people and trapping medical personnel. Though the call was answered by a team of six Civil Defence personnel, communication with the team was lost shortlyafter they left to do their job. One of the crew members was severely beaten by the Israeli occupation forces and then released that evening. The restthe UNRWA employee, five Civil Defence personnel, and eight Red Crescent paramedicswere killed. Additional ambulance and Civil Defence crews were able to reach the scene on Friday 28th March, following international coordination, and discovered the mission leader, Civil Defence officer Anwar Abdul Hamid al-Attar, dead, with his body shredded. The rescue crews that arrived Friday also found all of the Red Crescent vehicles, fire trucks, and ambulances completely reduced to charred metal. Despite being protected by international humanitarian law, the paramedics were directly targeted, as evidenced by the ripped remains of the safety gear discovered at the crime scene. Additionally, evidence shows that theIsraeli occupying forces not only killed the victims, but also covered up their crime byusing bulldozers and other large equipment tobury the bodies in a mass grave. The bodies of the eight Red Crescent paramedics were recovered by rescue crews on Sunday 30 March 2025, the first day of Eid al-Fitr. One crew member is still missing, and is thought to be being held by the Israeli military. The bodies of the UNRWA employee and five Civil Defence personnel were also discovered on 30 March. List of Victims The Palestinian Red Crescent has identified the following victims: Mohammed Bahloul, Ashraf Abu Labda, Mohammed Al-Hila, Raed Al-Sharif, Mustafa Khafaja, Ezz El-Din Shaat, Saleh Muammar, and Refaat Radwan. The victims from the Civil Defence are Yousef Rasem Khalifa (ambulance officer), Fouad Ibrahim Al-Jamal (ambulance driver), Ibrahim Nabil Al-Maghari (firefighter officer), Samir Yahya Al-Bahabsa (firefighter officer), and Zuhair Abdul Hamid Al-Farra (firefighter driver). The victim who worked for UNRWA is Kamal Mohammed Shahtout. As soon as the incident occurred, we entered the site west of Rafah with OCHA crews, Sufyan Ahmed, a member of the Civil Defence team involved in the effort to recover the victims bodies, said in a statement to Euro-Med Monitor. The Israeli army told OCHA that the bodies of the victims were found next to a fire truck and an electrical pole. Using a small bulldozer, we started our excavation at the spot the army had designated. One body was discovered. After examining it, it was determined to be the body of the mission leader, Anwar Abdel Hamid al-Attar. He continued: We used OCHA to get in touch with the army and enquire about the whereabouts of the other bodies. They replied that the bodies were in the same hole from which we had taken al-Attars body, next to the electrical pole. We dug deeper into the hole and kept looking, but we could not find anything. We then had to leave the site because the army had given us a limited amount of time. We went to the site the following day and waited at a nearby location, awaiting the armys approval to enter, he added. After roughly five hours, we were told that entry was refused, so we departed. The following day, we anticipated being granted access to the site, but were still denied permission. After a few days of waiting, we received approval yesterday, Sunday, and were able to access the site. We were told that the army would stay with us until they told us where the bodies were interred so that we could start the excavation process. Explained Ahmed: When we got to the site, a quadcopter was flying overhead, showing us where the bodies were buried. We received a sign pointing to the graveyard from the drone. We were shocked to learn that the designated site was far from the one where we had previously been informed the bodies were interred. At that moment, we recognised that they had been attempting to delay, procrastinate, and waste our time the first [few days]. We, the Civil Defence staff (two paramedics and two drivers), convened briefly after the new location was determined to devise a strategy for safely retrieving the bodies. We had prior experience on similar missions and had the required equipment. We started digging right away, discovered a body, and recovered it. We dug out another body that we found underneath. We then found a third body underneath. We dug further until all of the Red Crescent and Civil Defence personnels bodies were found in the same hole. The body of an UNRWA employee was the only one still missing. We asked OCHA about its location, and they told us that it was close to the barracks area, west of Rafah. The bodies had distinct features, but they were in the early stages of decomposition. When they were examined, it was evident that a barrage of bullets had struck them. Based on my observations, the injuries were located in the chest region. A closer look revealed that some of the victims had still been alive despite their injuriesthey were apparently buried alive with their feet bound. Among the bodies we looked at was Ibrahim al-Magharis. His body was covered in severe bruises and showed evidence of torture, and his legs seemed bound. After being shot in the back of the head, his face was completely ripped apart. Regarding Fouad al-Jamals body, he was shot in the head from a very close distance, causing his skull to shatter,[giving the appearance of] crushed bones. We discovered that every employee of the Palestinian Red Crescent had been shot in the left and right sides of the head. After getting permission from the Israeli army, we removed the bodies with immense grief and suffering, moved them to ambulances, and left the site for the hospital. Ahmed went on, We saw bags, blankets, clothing, and other items belonging to thousands of citizens who had been displaced that day, when we first arrived at the scene of the incident and collected the body of Anwar al-Attar. However, these items were absent when we returned to the site a few days later, indicating that the incident site had been altered and tampered with. He affirmed: We were joined by a Red Cross delegation and a forensic physician with expertise in autopsies when the bodies were recovered. Along with documentation experts, we were joined by a delegation from UNRWA and OCHA. All of them observed the process of recovery. "Mass Grave" Another Civil Defence crews testimony, which was obtained by Euro-Med Monitor, claimsthat the victims were cruelly tortured and killed by the occupation forces. The body of one Civil Defence member was wearing handcuffs, while others were discovered in a state of partial undress, and additional victims were found to have suffered from extreme torturethat led to their deaths, such as having more than 20 bullets fired into their chest. Most of the victims bodies were discovered in a mass grave that was two to three metres deep, thistestimony confirms, suggesting that Israeli soldiers forced the victims out of their cars, killed them in cold blood, and then buried them to hide any evidence of the crime. The Geneva Conventions, which provide protection for medical personnel, relief and humanitarian workers, and United Nations personnel, are gravely violated by this heinous crime, which also blatantly violates international humanitarian law. This is one of many full-fledged war crimes committed by Israel as part of its genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. The international community must take prompt legal action and hold Israel and its allies accountable, as Israel is clearly attempting toeradicate the Strips Palestinian population, either by killing them directly or by destroying the institutions that support their existencethe gravest possible crimes. All states must swiftly launch international criminal investigations to bring every perpetrator to justice. This includes using national courts to hold their own citizens accountable for any crimes related to Israels genocide, as well as supporting the International Criminal Courts work and assisting the Court in any way possible, such as by issuing arrest warrants and turning over any criminals to the appropriate authorities. In order for states to fulfil their responsibilities under international law, Israeli citizens or dual citizens who have committed crimes against the Palestinian people must be prosecuted under the principle of universal jurisdiction. Every state, both individually and collectively, must fulfil their binding legal obligations and act quickly to end the genocide in the Gaza Strip. Since this is a fundamental, non-negotiable right of a population under international law, states should take all reasonable steps to protect Palestinian civilians in the Strip; protect medical, humanitarian, and UN personnel there; lift the blockade on the enclave; and permit the immediate and unhindered entry of humanitarian aid. There is no legal exception that would permit Israel to deny this aid to the Palestinian people. The international community must impose economic, diplomatic, and military sanctions on Israel due to its egregious and ongoing violations of international law. These sanctionsshould include a travel ban; a freeze on the financial assets of officials linked to crimes against Palestinians; a suspension of military cooperation; and a ban on arms sales toand purchases fromIsrael. In addition, trade privileges and bilateral agreements that give Israel economic advantages and allow it to carry out crimes against Palestinians must besuspended as part of these sanctions. The United States and other nations that give Israel any kind of support or assistance in connection with the commission of itsegregious crimes, including aid and contractual relationships in the military, intelligence, political, legal, financial, media, and other areas that contribute to the persistence of such crimes, should be held accountable and prosecuted. [Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor is a Geneva-based independent organization with regional offices across the MENA region and Europe.] Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. The State Council Information Office holds a press conference on the topic of improving the social credit system in Beijing, capital of China, April 2, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Xin) BEIJING, April 2 (Xinhua) -- China has expedited efforts to improve its social credit system and build a creditworthy society as part of the country's broader push to advance a market-oriented economy. The country has made progress in areas such as credit information sharing and the enforcement of penalties against bad-faith actions, as part of efforts to strengthen the social credit system, Li Chunlin, deputy director of the National Development and Reform Commission, told a press conference on Wednesday. The credit system is the bedrock of the market economy, according to experts. Credit plays a key role in optimizing the business environment, improving financial services, and enhancing governance and service efficiency of the government. To boost credit information sharing, China has established a national-level credit information sharing platform, which aggregated over 80.7 billion credit records from 180 million business entities, according to Li. The country has also set up a nationwide financing and credit service platform that compiles key enterprise-related credit data, including business registration and tax payment. Li said that the platform is designated to help financial institutions access comprehensive credit information of small firms, enabling them to provide targeted financial support to those in real need. As of February 2025, financial institutions across the country have issued a total of 37.3 trillion yuan (about 5.2 trillion U.S. dollars) in loans through the platform, including 9.4 trillion yuan in credit loans. This has significantly alleviated the capital constraints facing small private enterprises, according to the official. Regarding information security, the country is working to minimize the risk of information leakage by making data available but not visible. It also plans to incorporate blockchain technology to ensure traceability and enhance security during data processing. The press conference came days after the release of a new guideline on further improving the social credit system. The guideline includes 23 measures and aims to create a unified national market while ensuring a fair and orderly competitive market environment. The guideline calls for the establishment of a unified social credit system covering all types of entities, in order to promote the deep integration of social credit system into all aspects of social and economic development. Highlighting the significance of the guideline, experts noted that these measures are expected to address challenges such as fragmented regulatory rules and data silos. "The guideline marks a new historical starting point for China's social credit system, and it will undoubtedly propel the system to reach a higher level of development," said Wang Wei, a professor with the Party School of the Communist Party of China Central Committee (National Academy of Governance). China will support domestic credit service institutions in establishing independent and impartial third-party credit service partnerships with Belt and Road Initiative partner countries and BRICS nations, and will also promote the internationalization of domestic credit rating agencies, according to the guideline. Looking ahead, Li said China will increase efforts in data governance, facilitate the flow of data, effectively cultivate the credit market, and expand the credit economy. JERUSALEM, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz on Wednesday announced a major expansion of the military offensive in Gaza, saying troops would seize additional areas in the strip to establish buffer zones. The expansion includes a "broad evacuation of the Gazan population from combat zones," said Katz in a statement. Israel ended a two-month ceasefire on March 18 and resumed deadly air and ground assaults on the Palestinian enclave. The renewed Israeli attacks have so far killed 1,042 Palestinians and injured 2,542 others, Gaza health authorities said Tuesday, adding the death toll in the enclave since the war began in October 2023 has risen to 50,399, with 114,583 injured. Stepping onto the University of Wyoming campus for the first time is an unforgettable experience. The sight of the iconic Steamboat logo, watching students walk through Prexys Pasture and the crisp Wyoming air all point to the beginning of an exciting new adventure. Coming to New Student Days is a completely different experience than just visiting for a tour. This isnt just a walk through campus, its your first real taste of how your life would look as a UW student. During a normal visit, you get a glimpse of campus, but during New Student Days you can fully immerse yourself in it. Youll meet future classmates, connect with faculty and start to find your place in the Cowboy community. I remember my experience from New Student Day vividly. I was so nervous to be on campus with my future classmates for the first time, I couldn't help but wonder if Id find my place and what this new chapter would hold. Walking through campus, everything felt unfamiliar and intimidating, seeing the residence halls where I would live for a year, the consistent flow of students and the sheer excitement in the air. But as the day went on, I started to feel more at home, meeting new people who were just as eager and nervous as I was, exploring campus with my parents by my side and realizing that I was about to be part of the UW community. By the end of the day, I wasnt just a visitor, I was a future Cowboy ready to embrace everything UW had to offer. Watching my sister go through the same process filled me with excitement, as I knew that it was the beginning of an incredible experience for her. I saw the same nervous anticipation in her eyes that I had once felt, but I also knew what awaited her: lifelong friendships, unforgettable experiences and a sense of belonging within the Cowboy community. As she navigated campus, met her future classmates and friends and started to picture her own path at UW, I couldnt help but feel proud. I knew that, just like me, she would soon discover that New Student Days were more than just an introduction to college, it was the first step in finding her place at a university that would shape her future in ways she couldnt even imagine yet. New Student Days are absolutely worth the trip because they offer so much more than a regular campus visit. While a traditional tour gives you a look at facilities and a feel for the campus atmosphere, New Student Days immerse you in the full experience of being a UW student. Youre not just walking through classrooms, youre engaging with faculty, connecting with students who will be in your classes and getting a real sense of what your life will look like in Laramie. You even get to register for a few of the first classes you will take at UW, setting you up for success from the very beginning. During New Student Days youll have the chance to ask current students questions, learn about campus resources and start building relationships that will make your transition to college smoother. By the time you leave, you wont just feel like a prospective student, youll feel like a true part of UW. So, if youre debating whether to make the trip, take it from me, an out-of-state student, its absolutely worth it. New Student Day gives you an opportunity to embrace the Cowboy spirit, build connections and walk away feeling confident and excited for whats ahead. The University of Wyoming isnt just a place to earn a degree; its a community, a family and a home. And New Student Days are your first step in becoming part of it. Check Out New Student Days Experience New Student Days for yourself and get excited about your upcoming time at UW! BEIJING, April 2 (Xinhua) -- By doubling down on tariffs under the pretext of "fairness," Washington is expected to roll out a swathe of so-called "reciprocal tariffs" against a number of countries on Wednesday, including its long-term allies and major trading partners. As the countries worldwide prepare to face the repercussions, one thing has become increasingly clearer: this U.S. administration under Donald Trump takes economic coercion simply as a winning strategy. Concessions can only embolden its appetite for bullying. To set the record straight, willful tariff escalation is in no way to fix global trade problems. The more alarming truth is that building up trade barriers has already become one of Washington's attempts to wield economic pains as a leverage for geopolitical gains. It is also an effort to enforce obedience abroad while shifting blames for domestic structural failures overseas. The recent developments can serve as a reminder. Only days after the Trump administration took office in late January, it vowed to slap 25 percent additional tariffs on Mexico, blaming the country for illegal immigration and drug trafficking. However, the reality is that Washington itself bears primary responsibility for its drug crisis, fueled mainly by lax regulations. Likewise, the issue of illegal immigration cannot be resolved through economic coercion but requires genuine bilateral negotiations. Facing the threat, Mexico reached some agreement with Washington and deployed troops reinforcement at the borders. The Latin American country, in order to comply with the U.S. demands, is even weighing tariffs on Chinese goods. Those efforts, however, all failed to prevent the punitive duties from taking effect. And Mexico is also reported to be among those who will be hit by the "reciprocal tariffs." The fact is that the Trump administration's tariff-centered trade policy is in line with America's long-running history of economic bullying. Just look at Japan and its "Lost Decade" after bowing to Washington's pressure and signing the Plaza Accord. More signals are coming out that the Trump administration is going to further intensify its use of tariffs as its go-to instrument for global arm-twisting. In recent days, Trump threatened to impose so-called secondary tariffs, which affect buyers of a country's goods, on both Russia and Iran, aiming to influence Ukraine-Russia negotiations and the Iran nuclear deal in his favor. The consequences are already clear. By blurring the lines between commerce and coercion, Washington is risking turning global trade into an arena ruled by the law of the jungle. The countries worldwide now face a stark choice: appease Washington's unreasonable demands or stand up for their own legitimate rights? Already, the cry for countermeasures is growing worldwide, from Europe to Asia and Latin America. Both recent and distant histories have shown that Washington is only interested in maintaining its global supremacy. To that end, it will resort to all sorts of means at the expense of the interests of whoever it perceives as obstacles. This is not the time to pray for change of mind from Washington, but to stand together for a collective response. BEIJING, April 2 (Xinhua) -- The first batch of aid supplies from the Red Cross Society of China (RCSC) arrived in Mandalay, the epicenter of Myanmar's recent 7.9-magnitude earthquake, on Wednesday, according to the RCSC. The supplies include over 4,900 relief items such as tents, blankets, folding beds, and family kits to support the affected households. The Myanmar Red Cross will distribute these items with assistance from an RCSC rescue team, which had previously entered Myanmar and is also helping set up shelters. Following the deadly quake on March 28, the RCSC promptly donated 1.5 million yuan (about 208,900 U.S. dollars) in emergency funding. At the request of Myanmar, the RCSC dispatched relief supplies to the disaster-stricken area and deployed a rescue team to the epicenter to conduct humanitarian operations. Currently, 15 RCSC rescuers in Mandalay are conducting search-and-rescue operations, providing medical assistance and psychological support to those in need. Vance set to meet Meloni during visit to Rome. US vice president JD Vance plans to travel to Italy later this month, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday, however the Rome visit has yet to be finalised. According to the provisional programme, Vance should arrive in the Italian capital on Friday 18 April and depart on 20 April, coinciding with the Easter weekend. It was not immediately clear whether the planned visit is intended to correspond with Easter or whether it is coincidental. Neither was it clear whether Vance, who converted to Catholicism in 2019, planned to visit the Vatican during his trip to Rome. US diplomats in Rome have reportedly sought to arrange a meeting between Vance and Italy's right-wing prime minister Giorgia Meloni, who was the only EU leader to attend US President Donald Trump's inauguration in January. In a recent interview with The Financial Times, Meloni said she sympathised with Vance's scathing attack on European leaders that he made in Germany in February, and dismissed the idea that Italy will have to choose sides between the US and Europe as childish and superficial. Photo credit: Joshua Sukoff / Shutterstock.com. SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY JWR UPDATE. IT'S FREE. Just click here. Some years back, I fired off a forgettable social media post referencing the "three co-equal branches" of government. A friend a smart journalist steeped in American political history responded with a gentle correction reminding me that Congress was the "supreme branch," befitting its Article I status in the United States Constitution. Turns out we were both wrong, albeit for slightly different reasons. Since the turn of the century, Congress has increasingly functioned as a quasi-parliament rather than as an independent branch of government the legislative branch, to be precise. Rather than jealously guarding the distinct powers granted to them under the Constitution , members of the House of Representatives and the Senate , both Democrat and Republican, willingly, almost gleefully, cede authority to the executive branch whenever their party controls the White House . This phenomenon long predates President Donald Trump's second term and the current, compliant GOP majorities on Capitol Hill , although, to be clear, it certainly extends to both (more on that in a moment.) Are there exceptions? Sure. But on this matter, exceptions prove the rule, explained Yuval Levin , director of social, cultural and constitutional studies at the American Enterprise Institute , a conservative think tank in Washington, DC . "The president's party in Congress just functions as the president's party in Congress , rather than part of the separate, legislative branch," Levin said in a telephone interview. "The opposition party functions as the anti-president's party in Congress , and they don't really work with each other in a way that's separate from the president's agenda." In other words, the only time lawmakers take issue with a president infringing on their constitutional prerogatives, if not outright usurping them, is when it's the other party's guy doing the infringing and usurping. Not very "supreme." Not very "co-equal," either. Perhaps "the subordinate branch" is a better way to describe Congress . (The judicial branch Article III is, like presidents, not at all shy about exercising constitutional power.) That the legislative branch ended up here is partly a product of moves congressional Democrats made beginning in the 1970s, and that congressional Republicans continued in the 1990s, both under divided government with one party controlling Congress and the other the White House to strip influential policy committees of their muscle and concentrate political power in the hands of party leaders. In the House of Representatives , this resulted in the consolidation of power with the speaker, and in the Senate , with the majority leader. Rank-and-file lawmakers were effectively neutered. Ironically, this was done to thwart executive power. "Congress ended up, because it was centralized, becoming just a player in our presidential politics," Levin said. Representatives and senators understand themselves, first and foremost, either as critics or supporters of the president. Levin continued: "The separation of parties has overwhelmed the separation of powers." With Trump stretching the bounds of executive authority, there is a renewed focus on just how uninterested in exercising power members of Congress appear to be. The 45th and 47th president is busy dismantling or partially disassembling government agencies created by congressional statute. And yes, Trump is threatening to ignore the "power of the purse" reserved specifically for the legislative branch, through a process known as impoundment, under which he would simply refuse to spend money as authorized under the law by the House of Representatives and the Senate . Buried in his blizzard of executive orders are yet more power grabs at the expense of Congress . But Trump is hardly the first president to push the limits of his Article II prerogatives, nor are today's congressional Republicans unique in their readiness to acquiesce. Democrat Joe Biden did it; recall his unconstitutional student-loan forgiveness program. Democrat Barack Obama did it; recall his "pen and phone" decision to grant permanent residency to certain illegal immigrants. Republican George W. Bush did it; recall signing statements declaring he would not enforce aspects of legislation he opposed. And not once did Democrats (in the case of Biden and Obama) or Republicans (in the case of Bush) do anything about it. Indeed, they largely cheered them the on, as is the case in some instances so far, a little more than two months into Trump's second presidency. Another manifestation of this trend: Congress regularly has trouble agreeing to government spending packages and typically passes legislation that leaves the details up to bureaucrats and rule makers in executive branch agencies, allowing elected representatives to avoid tough decisions and political responsibility in the event of voter backlash. Yet another sign: the number of White House vetoes has plummeted over the years. Before this recent trend of Congressional acquiescence, Republican President Ronald Reagan issued 78 vetoes in his eight years in office. As the trend gathered steam, Democratic President Bill Clinton vetoed 37 bills in his two terms. But two-term presidents Bush and Obama each vetoed just 12. There was a slight uptick of vetoes issued by Trump during his first term (10) and by Biden (13), but nothing approaching the Reagan era. This synergy of the executive and the legislative is a feature of the parliamentary governments common across Europe and in countries like Canada , Israel and Japan . But it is entirely antithetical to the system of checks and balances with ruthless competition for power among the executive, legislative and judicial branches undergirding the constitutional order designed by the American Founders. At least, it's supposed to be. "In a parliamentary system, the executive comes from and is part of the legislative branch no separation of powers and little checks and balances. It is essentially rule by party," Jeff Brauer , a political science professor who teaches comparative government at Keystone College , a private university near Scranton, Pennsylvania , said. "Undoubtedly, over the past couple of decades, the US government has been acting more and more like a parliamentary system." Congress' ongoing abdication of power isn't likely to end anytime soon. Brauer points out that voters "probably don't understand the intricacies or differences that set the US system apart from parliamentary systems and perhaps don't care." Like their representatives and senators, they want congressional pushback against presidents they oppose. But they seem to prefer submission in the case of presidents they support. In fact, it's this preference that discourages Democrats and Republicans from telling president of their own party "no" when he overreaches. Possibly, an extended period of divided government might change matters. Possibly, even, disillusionment in Congress which apparently exists, Tom Reynolds , a Republican former member of the House of Representatives from Buffalo, New York , told me. "I talk to members all the time and I see the frustration," he said. Yet the challenge in getting the legislative branch to reclaim its power, as Brauer noted, is that lawmakers are reacting to the perceived will of the voters. That's something Reynolds, who retired from Congress in 2009 and now works in government relations, understands well. He was his party's campaign chief, serving as chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee in the 2004 and 2006 election cycles. "What has added to this [problem of a subservient legislative branch] is a very polarized base of both parties." (COMMENT, BELOW) David M. Drucker is columnist covering politics and policy. He is also a senior writer for The Dispatch and the author of "In Trump's Shadow: The Battle for 2024 and the Future of the GOP ." Firefighters work to extinguish a fire at a Tesla dealership on the outskirts of Rome, Italy, March 31, 2025. A fire broke out at a Tesla dealership on the outskirts of Rome early Monday, destroying at least 17 electric vehicles, local authorities confirmed. (Vigili del Fuoco/Handout via Xinhua) by Billion Temesghen Elon Musk's alignment with the Trump administration - which has launched tariffs on European goods and is alienating European Union (EU) allies on several international platforms - has further damaged Tesla's brand perception on the continent. BRUSSELS, April 1 (Xinhua) -- Italian authorities are investigating a suspected arson attack that destroyed 17 electric vehicles (EV) at a Tesla dealership on the outskirts of Rome early Monday, the latest in a series of incidents targeting the U.S. EV maker across Europe. Despite a swift response from firefighters and police, the blaze quickly engulfed the dealership showroom, destroying vehicles and causing significant structural damage. Authorities are collecting evidence at the site. A spokesperson for the Rome fire brigade told Xinhua that arson cannot be ruled out as the cause. The Rome incident comes amid a broader surge of vandalism and protest actions against Tesla facilities in Europe, fueled by growing criticism of Tesla CEO Elon Musk's political affiliations. Firefighters work to extinguish a fire at a Tesla dealership on the outskirts of Rome, Italy, March 31, 2025. A fire broke out at a Tesla dealership on the outskirts of Rome early Monday, destroying at least 17 electric vehicles, local authorities confirmed. (Vigili del Fuoco/Handout via Xinhua) Musk has increasingly drawn attention in Europe for his public support of far-right parties, including Alternative for Germany (AfD). Ahead of the German national election earlier this year, Musk posted on the social media platform X, which he owns, that "only a far-right party can save Germany." His alignment with the Trump administration - which has launched tariffs on European goods and is alienating the European Union (EU) allies on several international platforms - has further damaged Tesla's brand perception on the continent. Across Europe, protesters have vandalized Tesla showrooms and vehicles in acts seen as both political and symbolic. On March 14, four Tesla vehicles were set on fire in Berlin. Police said a political motive could not be excluded, although no group has claimed responsibility. Just weeks earlier, on Feb. 27, a suspected arson attack occurred at a Tesla-related construction site in Berlin, with far-left activists opposing the company's local expansion reportedly taking responsibility. This photo taken on April 15, 2024 shows a view outside a Tesla store in San Mateo, California, the United States. (Photo by Li Jianguo/Xinhua) These incidents followed a March 2024 attack when a far-left group calling itself "Vulkangruppe Tesla Abschalten" (Volcano Group Shutting Down Tesla) claimed responsibility for an arson attack on a power pylon near Tesla's Berlin gigafactory. The group said it aimed to halt Tesla's expansion, citing environmental and political concerns. Tesla launched production at its first European gigafactory outside Berlin in 2022. By the end of 2023, the company announced plans to double production capacity to one million vehicles annually. Although the factory employs around 12,000 people, opposition has grown. Environmental protests and a non-binding community vote signaled local resistance to the project. The backlash has not been limited to Germany. On March 29, demonstrators gathered outside a Tesla showroom in West London as part of a global 'anti-Musk' campaign dubbed "Takedown Tesla." Protesters accused Musk of promoting white supremacy, xenophobia, and misogyny. The screenshot from X shows Elon Musk's post supporting Germany's far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD) before the German national election. Musk's political comments have extended beyond party endorsements. He recently suggested the United States should exit NATO, questioning the financial burden of defending Europe. The remarks echo U.S. President Donald Trump's criticism of Europe's defense spending and have heightened concerns over transatlantic relations. Amid rising tensions, Tesla's sales in Europe have suffered. While EV sales across the continent rose by 28.4 percent in the first two months of 2025, Tesla's sales fell by 49 percent during the same period, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association. As investigations into the Rome fire continue, the interplay between Musk's political engagements, public opinion, and Tesla's commercial performance remains under scrutiny. Though no direct link has been established to the recent acts of vandalism, the incidents in Rome and Germany underscore the consequences of the political controversy surrounding Musk and its impact on Tesla's global image. By Rebecca Black, PA A man has been remanded in custody after being charged with the murder of a part-time soldier in Northern Ireland more than 40 years ago. Joseph James Porter, 64, a farmer and part-time soldier with the Ulster Defence Regiment, was shot dead in Mountnorris in June 1979. James Donegan, 67, Bruce Manor, Arvagh, Co Cavan, has been charged with the murder of Mr Porter between June 22nd and June 25th 1979, as well as possession of a firearm and ammunition with the intent to endanger life and membership of a proscribed organisation, the Provisional IRA. Donegan had been extradited from the Republic before appearing before Newry Magistrates Court on Wednesday. Donegan responded, I do," when asked if he understood the charges that had been read out to him. A detective sergeant told the court they believe they can connect the accused to the charges. An application for bail was opposed by the prosecution, who claimed a risk of the accused leaving the jurisdiction and fresh extradition proceedings having to be brought, delaying the trial. The prosecutor said Mr Porter was shot dead in the early hours of Sunday, June 24th 1979, and was discovered at the entrance of his farm yard on Creggan Road, Mountnorris, while his house had been ransacked. Police believe he left his house voluntarily and was shot shortly after he went outside. It cannot be established if he was carrying his personal protection pistol at this point, they said. Mr Porters house was subsequently searched by the murderers who were almost certainly looking for his personal protection weapon or any other military weapons that he might have had in his home. His personal protection weapon was stolen, but he had no other military weapons in his house. Mr Porter lived alone, and at the time of his death, he was a part-time member of the Ulster Defence Regiment. No one has been charged or convicted in relation to this murder. Newry Magistrates Court heard that the Provisional IRA had claimed responsibility for the murder in the Armagh Guardian in 1979 (Michael McHugh/PA) They said witnesses saw Mr Porter in a bar in Markethill on the evening of Saturday, June 23rd, for around an hour, before his Land Rover was seen driving towards Creggan Road. Later, another witness in the area reported hearing two loud bangs, which they believe were gunshots, at around 1am, while other witnesses also heard two shots and saw a car travelling at high speed. At 0930, Mr Porters neighbour found him lying dead, they added, saying a doctor concluded he had a fractured skull and had been dead for around six to eight hours. They also told the court that the Armagh Guardian reported on Thursday, June 28th, a claim of responsibility for the murder by the Provisional IRA, and had said he was interrogated and executed because he was involved with the British war machine in Northern Ireland. The prosecutor said they opposed the bail application due to a risk of flight. We understand that he has resided in the Republic of Ireland for a number of years, since in or around 1978, and therefore obviously he has significant links to the Republic of Ireland, they said, contending he had firmly resisted the extradition until the last minute and also cited potential for intimidation of witnesses. A defence lawyer said Donegan had been on holiday in Portugal when he was contacted by An Garda Siochana before his arrest, and offered to be arrested at the airport on his return, and surrendered his passport. He said an address in Crossmaglen, Co Armagh, belonging to a friend of Donegan had been offered for bail, as well as a cash surety of 10,000 (11,955) from a person present in court, while a relative of the defendant had offered up the deeds of his home. He also pointed out that in the event of a conviction, the maximum sentence is likely to be a two-year sentence due to legislation for Troubles related offences, and said the defendant suffers from health difficulties and underwent bypass surgery during the course of the extradition proceedings in 2024. Nobody can say when this matter will come round to trial, and in terms of risks, where else would the defendant go he doesnt have access to a passport, he doesnt have access to means to travel outside the jurisdiction, he said. District Judge Eamonn King said he had to balance whether or not the defendant can be released on bail subject to conditions to manage any risks. In the circumstances of this case, it has taken 45 years to get to this point. There have been issues over those years, and its only on conclusion on what took place in the Republic of Ireland that the defendant has made himself amenable to this court when his appeal against the extradition process was refused, he said. In the circumstances, I am of the view that the defendant would be a flight risk and for that reason, bail is refused. A Waterford woman has staged a campaign to highlight what she, and others in her community, feel is an issue that could result in a someone being seriously injured or worse in their village. Roisin McDonagh, who is originally from Dunmore East, is a resident in the Ballygunner area of County Waterford. On the morning of Wednesday, April 2, she began a campaign which saw her stand at the zebra crossing in the village complete with a placard highlighting the fact the traffic calming measure is there. Speaking to Waterford News & Star she said she was inspired to start the campaign because of something she herself experienced on Tuesday morning, April 1. "The cars just don't slow down like they should and someone is going to be seriously injured or worse," she said. "I had a very close experience myself with a car and there are others who have had similar and I just think something needs to be done," she added. While Roisin said she hasn't yet talked to Waterford City & County Council about the issue she said she wanted to bring the matter to their attention through her campaign. However, the more immediate impact she hopes to have is to make motorists aware that the zebra crossing is there and for them to slow down accordingly. "Cars just speed through the village and they just don't slow down," she said. The zebra crossing in question is used by a lot of people every day including a large number of children who attend local schools and a Montessori. It's located outside the church but Roisin said one of the issues is that it needs to be more visible. Roisin McDonagh with her placard. "That's what I'd like the Council to look at," she said. "Ways of making it more visible so that all motorists are aware that it's there and of the need to slow down," she added. "I'm just afraid that a child is going to be seriously injured trying to cross over or worse, if they get hit by a car." Roisin said she's afraid to let her own children use the zebra crossing on their own now to ensure they remain safe. She will also be talking about the issue this morning with Damien Tiernan on WLR radio. High Court reporters An Irish payroll manager received thousands of euro in monthly payments to pass information from his own firm to a rival company, and then was instructed by lawyers for the rival to provide false statements to the Central Bank of Ireland and the High Court in order to shift the narrative when the alleged spying arrangement came to light, the court has heard. In a sworn statement to the court, opened before Mr Justice Mark Sanfey on Wednesday, Keith OBrien said that while he was working for US-headquartered HR firm Rippling, he passed a lot of confidential information to Alex Bouaziz, the chief executive of rival firm Deel. Mr OBrien, of Ringford Avenue, Balrothery, Dublin, said that in and around September 2024, Mr Bouaziz, a French citizen, suggested that he become a spy for his company in return for a monetary reward. Mr OBrien and Mr Bouaziz had previously connected on LinkedIn after Mr OBrien unsuccessfully applied for a job at Deel in March 2024. The two men had been speaking over for some time when Mr Bouaziz made the suggestion I recall him specifically mentioning James Bond, Mr OBrien said after the Dubliner said he was considering leaving his job at Rippling. Mr OBrien eventually accepted Mr Bouazizs offer, he said. Mr OBrien was told hed be paid 5,000 a month for spying. I understood what Alex was asking me to do was wrong, and I believe he knew it was wrong too, Mr OBrien said. Mr Bouaziz told Mr OBrien that he would need to provide information regarding Ripplings ways of doing things. Mr OBrien said he understood this to mean corporate strategy, customer insights and other interesting company information. Mr OBrien said that his first payment was received in November 2024 for $6,000. The payment was made via Revolut, and sent by Alba Basha, the spouse of Deels chief operations officer, Dan Westgarth, Mr OBrien claims. Following this payment, Mr Bouaziz told Mr OBrien that future payments would be made via cryptocurrency as a method that would leave no trace," the latter said. Mr OBrien said he communicated with Mr Bouaziz multiple times a day every workday, and sometimes on the weekends. Mr OBrien said the Deel chief would direct him to search specific terms on various platforms used by Ripplings in order to yield the information he wanted. Mr OBrien said he screenshotted and screen recorded in order to capture information, and then sent the captures to Mr Bouaziz via Telegram, the online messaging platform. Mr OBrien said that he provided a lot of confidential information. When Mr OBrien expressed to Mr Bouaziz that he was planning to leave Rippling, Mr Bouaziz suggested that he keep spying for a few more months, he said. Mr Bouaziz said that chief operating officer Mr Westgarth would see to it that a venture Mr OBrien had started, dubbed Global Payroll Geeks, would get money from Deel. Amid the emergence of the suspected spying arrangement last month, Rippling obtained High Court orders to inspect Mr OBriens devices. The orders were served on Mr OBrien by an independent solicitor at Ripplings Dublin offices. Mr OBrien did not comply with these orders he reset his phone and left the office after the solicitor tried to stop him, he said. Over the following days, Mr OBrien spoke with Andrea David Mieli, Deels global senior director of legal, and Asif Malik, a Deel in-house lawyer. Mr OBrien said he received reassurances from the men, and that he understood Mr Malik to say that Mr Bouaziz would take care of him if he refused to co-operate with Rippling. Mr OBrien said he understood an offer from Mr Malik to fly him and his family to Dubai was his suggestion that he flee Ireland permanently and that Deel would put me up in Dubai. Mr OBrien claims that Mr Malik directed him in order to shift the narrative to make statements to the High Court, the Central Bank of Ireland and Deels Irish solicitors A&L Goodbody alleging that Rippling facilitated sanctioned Russian payments, and that he was being harassed for reporting such payments. Mr OBrien said he knew these claims to be false, but said he went along with the plan initially. It seemed like a way out of the situation, Mr OBrien said. Mr OBrien said he subsequently made a false report to the Central Bank of Ireland, and emailed A&L Goodbody alleging harassment over reporting Russian payments, and stated that he never shared data with Deel. On March 16th, as directed by Mr Malik, Mr OBrien destroyed his phone with an axe and put it down a drain at his mother-in-laws house, Mr OBrien said. This was two days after the date hed told the High Court hed destroyed it. Mr OBrien said that following a High Court hearing on March 19th, he felt that Deels support and that of its in-house lawyers was beginning to pull away. Mr OBrien subsequently agreed to comply with the orders of the High Court, and began to co-operate with Ripplings lawyers. He turned over devices and participated in interviews. Explaining why he decided to co-operate, Mr OBrien said he was getting sick concealing this lie. He said he was and still is concerned about how wealthy and powerful Mr Bouaziz is. I want to do what I can to start making amends and righting these wrongs, he said. On Wednesday, Marcus Dowling SC, for Rippling, moved a motion seeking to join San Francisco-based Deel Inc; Mr Bouaziz, with an address in Paris, France; Mr Malik, of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England; and Rome-based Mr Mieli to the proceedings brought against Mr OBrien. Mr Justice Mark Sanfey said it seemed appropriate to him to join the four proposed defendants, and gave permission to serve the proceedings on them. The application was granted with only the Rippling side represented. He said that the allegations made against the proposed defendants are extremely serious, and that they must be given an opportunity to meet those allegations in full. Deel has denied any wrongdoing. Mr Justice Sanfey also granted leave for Rippling to bring a motion seeking Revolut to provide details about a payment received by Mr OBrien. While some key American progressives are busy cooking up ways to fight Donald Trump, not so former vice president and failed candidate for the big job Kamala Harris, who will be heading to the Gold Coast to speak at the Australian Real Estate Conference next month. To be honest, this isnt a sentence we imagined ourselves writing last week, let alone a few months ago, when the pollsters rated Harris a coin-flip chance of winning the White House. Unsuccessful presidential candidate Kamala Harris gives her concession speech at Howard University. Credit: AP And yet, here we are, with Trump wreaking havoc on the global economy, and Harris hanging out with the nations finest realtors at the Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre while mulling whether to run for governor of California. Remarkably, this is her first speaking engagement in Australia, and we hear shes on a tight schedule, jetting in and out of the Gold Coast just for the AREC speech. But how, exactly? Informed sources tell us its because the conferences organiser, real estate kingpin John McGrath, simply asked. Hes had some success attracting A-lister types, with past conferences featuring the likes of Ryan Reynolds, Reese Witherspoon and Caitlyn Jenner appearing, albeit via satellite. A 17-year-old boy is in a critical condition after a freak accident at a beach in Perths northern suburbs left him with a broken neck. Matthew Haylett dived headfirst into the water at Mullaloo Beach on Saturday, unaware there was a sandbank. His friend, Camden Atfield, told 9 News Perth he had rushed into the water to rescue him. I didnt see him for like five seconds and I was just wondering if he was OK and then he just started screaming, he said. South African designer Jessica Jane (R) and her husband, Wandile Molebatsi, co-founders of South African fashion brand Molebatsi, display their collections at the trade exhibition MODE during Shanghai Fashion Week in east China's Shanghai, March 25, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhou Rui) SHANGHAI, April 2 (Xinhua) -- At the ongoing 2025 Autumn/Winter Shanghai Fashion Week, 22 African fashion brands made their debut, aiming to break into the Chinese and broader Asian markets while highlighting the appeal of China's burgeoning "debut economy." Models walked the runway in Shanghai, presenting the latest collections from African designer brands, from handmade weaving to natural dyeing and environmentally friendly techniques. Themed "Innovascape," the fashion extravaganza took place from March 25 to April 1, showcasing nearly 100 runway shows and about 1,000 brands in exhibitions. Hannah Ryder, CEO of Development Reimagined, brought 22 African designer brands from 12 countries to Shanghai Fashion Week, giving them the opportunity to connect with global buyers and retailers at the trade exhibition MODE. "This is the first time that African designers have come to China as a group, and I think our main message for the Chinese market is that African fashion brands are ready to enter China," said Ryder, noting that African designer brands have immense potential in terms of creativity and sustainability and can offer something truly unique to the Chinese market. "Shanghai Fashion Week is one of the top fashion weeks in the world," Ryder said, adding that this is not only an opportunity to showcase African creativity and culture but also an excellent chance to establish connections and expand business cooperation with the Chinese fashion industry, and even the rest of Asia, including Southeast Asia, Japan and the Republic of Korea. She noted that while African clothing is often associated with beautiful patterns and vibrant colors, African designer brands feature a much more diverse range of design languages and aesthetics. Ryder explained that while some of the brands have already entered the European market, they are still new to China and will use the exhibition and runway shows to introduce themselves, alongside launching select new collections on Chinese e-commerce platforms as a "test drive." A Chinese-style buckle and double-breasted design, featuring cuffs inspired by Hanfu yet reimagined with African geometric patterns, is paired with fabric adorned with scenes of local South African tribes. This striking ensemble is one of the latest creations from the South African fashion brand Molebatsi. South African designer Jessica Jane and her husband, Wandile Molebatsi, co-founded the brand. In 2023, Jane made a special trip to central China's Hunan Province to attend the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo, followed by a visit to Beijing. During her 10-day trip to China, Jane saw traditional Chinese clothing, such as Hanfu and horse-faced skirts, for the first time. "China's long history and traditional culture fascinated me," she said. After the trip, she began brainstorming ways to combine elements of traditional Chinese clothing with traditional African clothing, ultimately bringing the new products back to China. "It's an incredibly exciting opportunity because there are so many collaborations and mutually beneficial relationships between Africa and China," said Wandile Molebatsi. "There's a huge amount of opportunity for Africans here in China, and it's very exciting." Aristide Loua, from Cote d'Ivoire, is new to the Chinese market. Through pre-promotion activities at Shanghai Fashion Week, he received cooperation invitations and engaged in in-depth negotiations with numerous buyers. "I will formulate a plan for entering the Chinese market based on their feedback," Loua said. "As we witness African designers showcasing their work at one of the world's most influential fashion weeks, we are taking an essential step toward a more inclusive and diverse global fashion industry. Through continued collaboration, investment, and market access, African brands can carve out their space in the Chinese market -- not as a niche, but as a mainstream force," said Phuti Tsipa, Consul General of South Africa in Shanghai. Raphael Deray, a buyer from Printemps in Paris, went straight from the airport to the MODE exhibition to meet with designers from China, Africa, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and other places. "My expectations are quite high to find good designers and good products during Shanghai Fashion Week because I know China has a lot of potential. It is a big market for fashion," Raphael Deray said. "As a trendsetter in the Asian fashion industry, Shanghai Fashion Week is an amplifier of innovative fashion. We will create a gateway for international brands to engage with the Chinese market through a more open and inclusive approach and foster a new fashion ecosystem that spans from Chinese design to global resonance," said Tong Jisheng, director of the Shanghai Fashion Week organizing committee. Recently, the "debut economy" has emerged as a key driver of consumption in China. This concept encompasses product launches, flagship store openings, new service rollouts, and the development of innovative business models and technologies. Liu Min, deputy director of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce, said that the "debut economy" is an important measure to expand domestic demand and boost consumption. Shanghai has enhanced policy support across multiple areas, including exhibition support, streamlined customs clearance, and financial incentives. These measures have further optimized the launch environment for global new products and provided stronger service guarantees for both domestic and international brands introducing new products in the city. "We hope more brands will establish a long-term presence in Shanghai, starting with a first launch or debut show, followed by the opening of flagship stores, and ultimately establishing headquarters here to expand globally," she added. Collections of South African fashion brand Molebatsi are displayed at the trade exhibition MODE during Shanghai Fashion Week in east China's Shanghai, March 25, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhou Rui) Perths rental market has re-accelerated, with a diabolically low vacancy rate of 0.4 per cent driving tough competition and record high rents only worsened by an unfortunate supply-demand feedback loop but some bargains remain. Domains latest Rent Report shows while rents continue to rise in many areas, house rental price growth has plateaued, with Perth recording its slowest March quarter growth in several years. The median rental asking price for a house rose 3 per cent, or $20 a week to $690 in the March quarter, soaring past Melbourne ($580/week), Adelaide ($620/week) and Brisbane ($650/week). Perth is now the third-most expensive capital city to rent a unit in at $600 per week, behind only Sydney ($725) and Brisbane ($615). London: Police say there were no injuries reported in a car crash believed to have involved Virginia Giuffre, one of Jeffrey Epsteins victims, who claimed an accident left her with only days to live. Giuffre, who also accused Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, of sexually assaulting her as a teenager, posted on Instagram on Sunday saying she was dying from kidney renal failure after being hit by a school bus travelling at 110km/h. Prince Andrew settled a multimillion-pound lawsuit with Virginia Giuffre. Credit: AP, BBC Police in Western Australia, where Giuffre lives, confirmed to the London Telegraph a minor crash occurred between a bus and car in the farming locality of Neergabby, located about 20 kilometres north of Perth, on March 24, just after 3pm local time. However, Kylie Whiteley, acting Western Australia police commissioner, told reporters: There were no reported injuries as a result of the crash. NANJING, April 2 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command said its ground force on Wednesday conducted long-range live-fire drills in waters of the East China Sea according to training plans of the "Strait Thunder-2025A" exercise. The drills involve precision strikes on simulated targets of key ports and energy facilities, and have achieved desired effects, said Senior Colonel Shi Yi, spokesperson for the theater command. People shout slogans as they take part in a demonstration to protest the U.S. airstrikes on Yemen, in Sanaa, Yemen, March 28, 2025. (Photo by Mohammed Mohammed/Xinhua) ADEN, Yemen, April 1 (Xinhua) -- The Houthi group reported Tuesday that U.S. forces have carried out 22 airstrikes on its targets in Yemen's northern Sanaa and Saada provinces over the past several hours. According to a brief statement broadcast by the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV, five airstrikes at dawn targeted the Jarban area in the Sanhan district southeast of Sanaa, while two others hit the Bani Matar district west of the capital. The statement further indicated that Saada, a stronghold of the group, was subjected to 15 U.S. airstrikes overnight, but did not disclose specific locations targeted. The attacks came one day after U.S. airstrikes killed two people and injured a child in Bani Qa'is in Yemen's northwestern province of Hajjah on Monday, according to residents and local health authorities. This photo taken by a mobile phone shows smoke rising from a neighborhood after a new round of U.S. airstrikes in Sanaa, Yemen, on March 26, 2025. (Photo by Mohammed Mohammed/Xinhua) The U.S. military has resumed airstrikes on Houthi-held areas in northern Yemen since March 15 in a bid to deter the group from attacking Israeli targets, the U.S. Navy, and international shipping lanes in the region. However, the Houthi group responded by affirming its unwavering support for Gaza. It has resumed attacks on Israeli targets and U.S. military vessels in the Red Sea, as Israel ended a January ceasefire with Hamas and restarted military operations in Gaza. U.S. President Donald Trump vowed on Monday that strikes on Yemen's Houthis will continue until they are no longer a threat to U.S. ships. "The choice for the Houthis is clear: Stop shooting at U.S. ships, and we will stop shooting at you," Trump said on his Truth Social platform, declaring that the Houthis had been "decimated" by "relentless" strikes over the past two weeks. Father of Shin Shin draws a sketch of their home for the rescue team in Mandalay, Myanmar, April 1, 2025. China Search and Rescue Team, assigned by the country's Ministry of Emergency Management, and a rescue team from China's Hong Kong carried out a joint search and rescue operation for a missing child named Shin Shin at the Sky Villa residence on Tuesday. The 5-year-old girl has been missing since the earthquake last week. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) China Search and Rescue Team, and a rescue team from China's Hong Kong carry out a joint search and rescue operation for a missing child named Shin Shin at the Sky Villa residence in Mandalay, Myanmar, April 1, 2025. China Search and Rescue Team, assigned by the country's Ministry of Emergency Management, and a rescue team from China's Hong Kong carried out a joint search and rescue operation for a missing child named Shin Shin at the Sky Villa residence on Tuesday. The 5-year-old girl has been missing since the earthquake last week. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) Mother of Shin Shin prays in Mandalay, Myanmar, April 1, 2025. China Search and Rescue Team, assigned by the country's Ministry of Emergency Management, and a rescue team from China's Hong Kong carried out a joint search and rescue operation for a missing child named Shin Shin at the Sky Villa residence on Tuesday. The 5-year-old girl has been missing since the earthquake last week. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) China Search and Rescue Team, and a rescue team from China's Hong Kong carry out a joint search and rescue operation for a missing child named Shin Shin at the Sky Villa residence in Mandalay, Myanmar, April 1, 2025. China Search and Rescue Team, assigned by the country's Ministry of Emergency Management, and a rescue team from China's Hong Kong carried out a joint search and rescue operation for a missing child named Shin Shin at the Sky Villa residence on Tuesday. The 5-year-old girl has been missing since the earthquake last week. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) Mother of Shin Shin prays in Mandalay, Myanmar, April 1, 2025. China Search and Rescue Team, assigned by the country's Ministry of Emergency Management, and a rescue team from China's Hong Kong carried out a joint search and rescue operation for a missing child named Shin Shin at the Sky Villa residence on Tuesday. The 5-year-old girl has been missing since the earthquake last week. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) An aerial drone photo shows the collapsed Sky Villa residence in Mandalay, Myanmar, April 1, 2025. China Search and Rescue Team, assigned by the country's Ministry of Emergency Management, and a rescue team from China's Hong Kong carried out a joint search and rescue operation for a missing child named Shin Shin at the Sky Villa residence on Tuesday. The 5-year-old girl has been missing since the earthquake last week. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) This photo shows the collapsed home of a missing child named Shin Shin at the Sky Villa residence in Mandalay, Myanmar, April 1, 2025. China Search and Rescue Team, assigned by the country's Ministry of Emergency Management, and a rescue team from China's Hong Kong carried out a joint search and rescue operation for a missing child named Shin Shin at the Sky Villa residence on Tuesday. The 5-year-old girl has been missing since the earthquake last week. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) China Search and Rescue Team, and a rescue team from China's Hong Kong carry out a joint search and rescue operation for a missing child named Shin Shin at the Sky Villa residence in Mandalay, Myanmar, April 1, 2025. China Search and Rescue Team, assigned by the country's Ministry of Emergency Management, and a rescue team from China's Hong Kong carried out a joint search and rescue operation for a missing child named Shin Shin at the Sky Villa residence on Tuesday. The 5-year-old girl has been missing since the earthquake last week. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) This photo shows the collapsed home of a missing child named Shin Shin at the Sky Villa residence in Mandalay, Myanmar, April 1, 2025. China Search and Rescue Team, assigned by the country's Ministry of Emergency Management, and a rescue team from China's Hong Kong carried out a joint search and rescue operation for a missing child named Shin Shin at the Sky Villa residence on Tuesday. The 5-year-old girl has been missing since the earthquake last week. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) Parents (2nd and 3rd R) of Shin Shin communicate with rescue team members in Mandalay, Myanmar, April 1, 2025. China Search and Rescue Team, assigned by the country's Ministry of Emergency Management, and a rescue team from China's Hong Kong carried out a joint search and rescue operation for a missing child named Shin Shin at the Sky Villa residence on Tuesday. The 5-year-old girl has been missing since the earthquake last week. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) China Search and Rescue Team, and a rescue team from China's Hong Kong carry out a joint search and rescue operation for a missing child named Shin Shin at the Sky Villa residence in Mandalay, Myanmar, April 1, 2025. China Search and Rescue Team, assigned by the country's Ministry of Emergency Management, and a rescue team from China's Hong Kong carried out a joint search and rescue operation for a missing child named Shin Shin at the Sky Villa residence on Tuesday. The 5-year-old girl has been missing since the earthquake last week. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) VIENTIANE, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Laos' Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare will send more workers to South Korea for seasonal agricultural work, aiming to support the Lao agricultural sector by helping workers gain valuable skills and knowledge to apply upon their return. The Lao government is focused on improving agricultural productivity and providing rural workers with access to skills development and modern technology, according to the ministry's report on Wednesday. Sending Lao workers to South Korea will provide them with valuable skills and experience, which they can apply upon their return to support Laos' agricultural sector and overall socio-economic development. In return, South Korea will benefit by addressing labor shortages. Since 2022, the ministry has signed seasonal labor dispatch agreements with 73 cities and two provinces in South Korea, sending over 8,000 Lao workers for seasonal work, with more than 40 percent of them being female. If you have an event you'd like to list on the site, submit it now! Submit By Xinhua writers Cao Jiayue, Shao Yibo and Lu Junyu BEIJING, April 2 (Xinhua) -- An event hosted by northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in Beijing on Monday gathered 70 foreign envoys sharing their own views on Xinjiang with firsthand experiences. These diplomats from 43 countries and international organizations in China told their stories with Xinjiang, using statistics and what they saw. "Back then, I had just started my studies in China. I had the pleasure to sing and dance by the campus lake with my Uygur and Han classmates from Xinjiang, this remains as unforgettable as today's event," Somalia's Ambassador to China Hodan Osman Abdi recalled of her time in Zhejiang Normal University as an international student two decades ago. In 2024, Xinjiang's regional GDP grew by 6.1 percent year on year, with over 77 percent of fiscal expenditure allocated to livelihood-related fields. The region received more than 300 million tourists and created 483,200 new urban jobs throughout last year, a local official said at the event. "I must say numbers and actions speak louder than words. The social and economic progress is indeed very impressive," said Pakistani Ambassador to China Khalil Hashmi. "I visited Xinjiang twice last year, and travelled across the length and breadth. Urumqi, Kashgar and all the way to the Pakistan-China border. The region's progress is evident in its infrastructure, green energy hubs, digital economy, and increasing openness to the world," he added. "The respect for multi-ethnic cultures in Xinjiang enables every group to preserve its cultural identity," remarked Bolivia's Ambassador to China Hugo Siles. He added that Xinjiang's prosperity and diversity, which he has experienced, epitomizes China's endeavor toward modernization. "The people of Xinjiang are warm and open-hearted. They have the most say over Xinjiang's development," said Cuban Ambassador to China Alberto Blanco Silva, as a painting brought him back to the boundless grasslands, snow-capped mountains, and villages with ethnic charm of Xinjiang he experienced during his visit to the region. "In recent years, I have heard of many new achievements in its economic growth, technological innovation, and cultural inheritance. I eagerly await the chance to return to the region," he said. Xinjiang, a hub along the Silk Road, boasts unique geographical advantages for China's high-level opening-up to the outside world. Xinjiang borders several of the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), noted SCO Secretary-General Nurlan Yermekbayev, adding that platforms such as Urumqi International Land Port and Kashi Economic Development Zone are accelerating regional cooperation. "Xinjiang is our primary 'land bridge' for trade with China," said Farhod Arziev, Uzbekistan's ambassador to China. Major transportation routes connecting the two countries pass through Xinjiang, including the landmark China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project, which will open up new opportunities for further expansion of business and investment, he said. The foreign envoys said that there was so much to explore in Xinjiang, from learning practices for desertification management to a trip to the natural landscape of meadows and ice-capped mountains in the region. As the event was drawing to an end, Hodan, who just took office as the ambassador to China, said she cannot wait to arrange a visit to Xinjiang. Nebraska Welcomes The World's Largest Gathering Of These Migrating Big Birds Rowe Sanctuary Center Director Marcos Stoltzfus, in an exclusive interview with the Observer, shared his expert knowledge of the Sandhill Cranes and their migration through Nebraska. He described it as a "phenomenon unlike any place in the world," emphasizing the unique opportunity it presents to nature enthusiasts. Although crane migration is in its last few weeks, thousands of cranes are still stopping in central Nebraska as they head to Alaska, Canada and parts of Siberia. They began their trek in New Mexico and Texas, where they settle for the winter. The stopover in Nebraska for the cranes begins in March and extends into the first half of April. Last week between Lexington and Overton, roughly an 80-mile stretch, the Crane Trust supplies a weekly count. Surveying and counting cranes in the area by airplane, there were between half a million and 700,000 cranes in the area. The cranes stop on their northerly migration for 2-4 weeks to bulk up and get their reserve energy for the remaining flight. Stoltzfus said that they increase their body weight by 20% on their stop over in central Nebraska. Sandhill Cranes are easy to identify. They are large birds with long legs, a long neck and a long beak. Adult cranes are grayish and have red skin on their crowns. The Rowe Sanctuary encourages Nebraskans to visit any time, as they are open year round, but people are encouraged to take a tour during crane season and see the birds from viewing blinds when they take off or land. An incredible sight according to crane viewers. Tour reservations open in January but fill quickly for the viewing season. During this crane season, the Rowe Sanctuary in Gibbon, Nebraska, has had visitors from 49 states and 17 different countries, totaling around 30,000 tourists. Stoltzfus said it is the "largest gathering of cranes on the planet." Rowe Sanctuary celebrated its 50th anniversary on Saturday, March 29. Crane experts were somewhat nervous about the bird flu and the effect that it might have on the cranes, but no Sandhill Cranes have been reported to have succumbed to the bird flu. There are no reports of bird flu in the crane population at all. Eimear Dodd A man has been jailed for seven years at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for possessing over 1.4 million worth of drugs. Raymond Fortune (43) of Latchford Drive, Castaheany, Dublin 15, pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of drugs for sale or supply on July 4th, 2024. He has no previous convictions. Detective Garda Ronan O'Reilly told Derek Cooney BL, prosecuting, that a surveillance operation was put in place after gardai received confidential information that Fortune was involved in the distribution of drugs. The court heard on Wednesday that Fortune was driving a white Transit van when gardai stopped him. They found 7kg of cannabis herb with a street value of 140,000. He had been under surveillance at the Rosemount Business Park before his arrest and gardai later searched a storage unit there. They found 64kg of cannabis herb there, valued at over 1.2 million, along with 623g of ketamine valued at 37,380. The witness said adult nappies were the cover load for the drugs. Mixing agents were found when Fortune's home was searched, the court was told. When interviewed, Fortune said he had addictions to cocaine and alcohol. He told gardai he was to receive 2,000 off a drugs debt by transporting the drugs. Det Gda O'Reilly agreed with defence counsel Fiona Murphy SC that the storage unit was rented in Fortune's own name. It was further accepted that Fortune made admissions, was co-operative and told gardai he had a drugs debt. Det Gda O'Reilly agreed that Fortune outlined that his addiction issues spiralled out of control after his brother was charged with the murder of his father in 2019, and gardai were aware of Fortune's situation at that time. The garda further agreed that Fortune indicated he tried to repay the debt, but this was refused, and he was asked to do a favour instead. He also accepted that Fortune refused to name anyone out of fear and concerns for the safety of his partner and children. Ms Murphy told the court her client is apologetic and accepts responsibility for his actions. She noted that Fortune was an integral cog in the transportation and storage of drugs. Counsel said her client's addiction got out of control following the difficult events in 2019, but he managed to extricate himself from addiction, turn his life around and start a small business. She said he tried to repay his drugs debt but was asked instead to do a favour and felt he had no option but to engage. Ms Murphy said her instructions are that Fortune was relieved when gardai stopped him as he knew that would mean the end of it. She said her client has family support and asked the court to be as lenient as possible. Judge Martin Nolan noted that a large quantity of drugs were found by gardai in this case, and Fortune's involvement was serious. He noted the mitigation, including that Fortune had turned to drugs after a tragic incident in his family and had a debt, which led to third parties taking advantage of him. The judge said Fortune was a mature man who made bad decisions. He said the court was satisfied Fortune didn't own the drugs, but his level of involvement was pretty serious. He imposed a sentence of seven years, backdated to July 4th, 2024, when Fortune went into custody. Tom Tuite A Dublin man posted unfounded allegations about a Sinn Fein councillor and threatened to "expose" him as the operator of an Antifa social media profile that "stalked" Irish people, a court heard. Craig Fitzsimmons (50), of Bayside Park, Dublin 13, pleaded not guilty to making public posts on a Telegram chat group calling David Jones, a member of Westmeath County Council, a terrorist paedophile and publishing his mobile phone number. The offences, under section 4 of the Harassment and Harmful Communications Act, were said to have happened from May 21st-28th, 2022. However, his non-jury trial before Judge Deirdre Gearty at Mullingar District Court collapsed on Wednesday. She dismissed the case due to the lack of a witness to confirm the origin of evidence taken from social media, and Mr Fitzsimmons walked free from court. During the hearing, the judge heard how the local politician for the Mullingar Kinnegad District contacted Garda Simon Connaughton on August 26th, 2022. He complained that he had been subjected to unwanted phone calls, posts and text messages. He provided the garda with printouts and screenshots of the messages and calls. One of the images showed a Telegram messaging app account called Statistical Soldier, allegedly in the defendant's name. Messages sent to Mr Jones mentioned the left-wing group Antifa and claimed the organisation incited the murder of Irish people and stalked them, he alleged. One of the messages directed at the councillor said that he "needed to be exposed", would be held accountable, and go to jail, and the message sender referred to him as a paedophile. The councillor told the court he did not know members of Antifa or have connections with the group's activities. Under cross-examination, he replied, "I would not know the members. Is there a list?". He said there were people in all parties who were anti-fascist. In addition to the messages and posts, he reckoned he received about 30 phone calls. Councillor Jones provided the phone number used to contact him. Gardai tried to trace the phone, but it was unregistered. Then, Garda Connaughton ran the number through the Garda Pulse records system, and it was returned as associated with Craig Fitzsimmons. He went to the man's house, and Mr Fitzsimmons voluntarily went to Raheny station to make a statement, which was read in court. He claimed to Garda Connaughton that he wanted to write about the councillor for a publication called Irish Inquiry and expose him. Mr Fitzsimmons informed the officer that Antifa made unspeakable comments about him, "bleating about my alleged harassment of David Jones". He maintained that Antifa would not make that statement unless the complainant were in control of them. He accused the group of making untrue claims about people falsely calling them Nazis, bigots or homophobes. But Mr Fitzsimmons admitted he had no evidence against the councillor and did not make a formal complaint against him when offered the opportunity. The accused told gardai he had been blacklisted online. As he was about to testify in the hearing, his counsel said the defence would introduce screenshot images as evidence. Dismissing the entire case, however, Judge Gearty expected to hear from people from the social media organisations about the provenance of evidence offered by both the defence and prosecution. Ireland West Airport this week launched its busiest ever summer schedule, including a new service from Groningen in the Netherlands and an additional 110,000 seats added on flights to and from the airport for the summer season. The airport will operate flights to 23 International destinations this summer and is served by four of Europe's major international airlines: Aer Lingus, Lauda Europe, and Ryanair and will welcome Emerald Airlines to the airport this summer as the airline operating the new weekly service from Groningen. The first quarter of 2025 was the busiest on record at Ireland West Airport, as 168,000 passengers travelled through the airport between January and March, representing a 6% increase in 2024 passenger numbers. Both Aer Lingus and Ryanair also recorded their busiest-ever first quarter for passenger numbers at the airport. By Jonathan McCambridge, PA Police have issued a warning over young people gathering in south Belfast and behaving recklessly after a teenage girl was hit on the head with a brick. The incident involving a 15-year-old girl occurred at around 10.20pm on Tuesday in the Broadway area. The girl was taken to hospital but her injuries are not thought to be life-threatening. A 15-year-old boy has been charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place. He is expected to appear before Belfast Youth Court on April 28th. A PSNI spokesperson said: Its only through sheer luck that we arent looking at much more serious consequences for this young girl. Young people have been gathering in the area each evening, behaving recklessly, dangerously and, in some instances, criminally with little regard for other members of the public and local residents. This behaviour has to stop before someone is hurt, or worse. The PSNI said they are providing a visible policing presence in the area and liaising with community representatives. A direct appeal has been made to parents to know where their children are. The spokesperson said: Speak to the young people in your life about the dangers of getting involved in this type of behaviour. Ultimately, they could end up with a criminal record which may impact their future employment and travel prospects. We understand the concerns of local residents and the wider public regarding this ongoing anti-social behaviour and are committed to continuing our work alongside partner agencies, local representatives and the community to address this issue. We all have a responsibility to help make where we live safer for everyone. An art exhibition inspired by the work of a poet with deep Mayo roots will launch this Friday. The exhibition, titled Golden Mothers Driving West, is inspired by the work of the great Paul Durcan. It is a collaboration between Swiss/French artist Emmanuel Matt, who moved to his wifes native Ireland in 2021, and local artist Michael OBoyle, and the exhibition will launch at Ballina Library this Friday evening. It runs until April 22. Emmanuel spoke to the Western People last week about how Durcan, who turned 80 recently, and his work inspired the exhibition. My friend Niall MacMonagle gave me a copy of a book of Paul Durcans poems and I was shocked how attuned it is to our time, specifically the anxiety and the questions of our time. We wanted to find poetry that would inspire us and Paul Durcan came naturally. The way he writes is so shocking and strong. I felt a resonance in these poems where Paul talks about these echoes of the past through our daily life here in Ireland. Emmanuels work with Michael OBoyle is a new approach for him, as he has not worked collaboratively before. However, this is a collaboration more in the sense of working with similar insiprations. We worked separately and our work came out very different. If you read a poem of Paul Durcan's, you might have a totally different interpretation than I did. Its collaborative in the sense that we ended up in the same space with the same poems but it was a different path and a different approach. I never done collaborative work, it has always been me and myself toiling away. So this was a new thing for me. Being in a new place, it is a good way to come to understand the cultural life in Ballina. Michael has been around a long time and he knows this place so well. Te opening event takes place this Friday, April 4, at 6.30pm in Ballina Library and attendees will be invited to read Durcan's poems. Three primary schools in North Mayo will come together next week for a special traditional music session to celebrate the culmination of a two-year project. Behy NS, Bonniconlon NS and Cooneal NS are thrilled to announce the event to mark the culmination of their very successful two-year Creative Clusters initiative. Creative Clusters is a Department of Education project, under the Creative Youth Plan 2023-2027, that brought the three schools together to foster a love of traditional music among the young students while developing essential skills such as collaboration, critical thinking and innovation. Over the past two years, pupils from all three schools have been actively engaging in music workshops, exploring different instruments and honing their performance skills with the shared belief that music is for everyone. This has driven the initiative ensuring that every child, regardless of experience, has had the opportunity to flourish as a musician. The theme of the upcoming trad session is 'Dreams' and it will showcase the incredible progress made by the pupils of Behy, Bonnicolon and Cooneal national schools since they came together as a collective. Families, friends and community members are invited to attend this unique and lively musical gathering that marks the completion of this inspiring project. The special concert takes place this Friday, April 4, at 11.45am in the Great National Hotel in Ballina. It promises to be a wonderful celebration of youthful musical talent in the North Mayo area. Reading, PA (19601) Today Mostly sunny and pleasant with refreshingly low humidity! Great weather to celebrate the 4th of July!. Tonight Mostly clear skies and very comfortable overnight. Allentown, PA (18103) Today Mostly sunny and pleasant with refreshingly low humidity! Great weather to celebrate the 4th of July!. Tonight Mostly clear skies and very comfortable overnight. NANJING, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese mainland official Song Tao on Wednesday met with Andrew Hsia, vice chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) party, in the city of Xuzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province. Song, head of both the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are members of one family, rather than enemies. All separatist provocations are doomed to fail and the egregious acts of "Taiwan independence" separatists will be met with punitive measures, Song added. "We will adhere to the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus and work together with the KMT and other political parties, organizations and people from various sectors in Taiwan to firmly oppose 'Taiwan independence' and external interference, and deepen cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation," said Song. During the meeting, Hsia said both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one and the same China, while there are no differences between the two sides that cannot be resolved. The KMT is willing to promote the peaceful growth of cross-Strait relations, based on the common political foundation to adhere to the 1992 Consensus and oppose "Taiwan independence," Hsia stated. WELLINGTON, April 2 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand approved 33,595 new homes in the year ending in February 2025, a 7.4 percent decline from the previous year, according to the statistics department Stats NZ on Wednesday. The annual number of new home consents has been stable for nine months, said Stats NZ economic indicators spokesperson Michelle Feyen. Consents of multi-unit home, which includes townhouses, flats, and units, apartments, and retirement village units, dropped for the second consecutive year, down 15 percent to 17,743 in the year, while stand-alone house consents rose 2.3 percent to 15,852 over the same period, Stats NZ said. On monthly terms, 2,578 new homes were approved in February 2025, marking a 7.8 percent year-on-year decline, it said, adding stand-alone house consents fell 8.2 percent to 1,191, the lowest for any February since 2012, while multi-unit approvals declined 7.4 percent to 1,387. Despite the annual decline, seasonally adjusted home consents edged up 0.7 percent from January 2025, following a 2.6 percent rise the previous month. However, stand-alone house consents fell 7.5 percent after a 12 percent jump in January, Feyen said. NANJING, April 2 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command on Wednesday conducted military exercises code-named "Strait Thunder-2025A" in the middle and southern areas of the Taiwan Strait, said a spokesperson. The exercises focus on subjects of identification and verification, warning and expulsion, and interception and detention to test the troops' capabilities of area regulation and control, joint blockade and control, and precision strikes on key targets, according to Senior Colonel Shi Yi, spokesperson for the theater command. China rejects so-called U.S. "Hong Kong Policy Act Report" Xinhua) 08:07, April 02, 2025 BEIJING, April 1 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese government spokesperson on Tuesday strongly opposed and sternly condemned the so-called U.S. "Hong Kong Policy Act Report," and the so-called sanctions on relevant officials of the Chinese central government and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) government. The spokesperson for the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council denounced the so-called report, which smears and vilifies Hong Kong's national security legislation, and the so-called sanctions, as "mere pieces of waste paper." The egregious act of the United States has grossly trampled on international law and basic norms governing international relations, interfered in China's internal affairs including those related to Hong Kong, and infringed on the rule of law and judicial independence of Hong Kong, said the spokesperson. This once again exposed the hegemonic mentality and hysterical behavior of the United States to the whole world, the spokesperson added. The national security law in Hong Kong and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance have strengthened the legal barrier for Hong Kong to ensure national security, enhanced the solid foundation for the steady and continued success of the "one country, two systems" policy, and protected the law-based rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents under a safe environment, the spokesperson said. The United States has repeatedly violated freedom, democracy and human rights under the pretext of national security, the spokesperson said, adding that rather than reflecting upon itself, the United States points fingers at the legitimate actions of the Hong Kong SAR to safeguard national security. This lays bare the U.S. hypocrisy and double-standard as well as its vicious intention of destabilizing Hong Kong to contain China, said the spokesperson. The so-called report and sanctions by the U.S. can not shake the determination of the Chinese central government and the Hong Kong SAR government to safeguard national security and the rule of law in Hong Kong, stressed the spokesperson. Hong Kong's increasingly secure and stable development environment continues to attract growing investment from global capital and businesses. A series of economic and financial events held in Hong Kong over the past week had gathered a number of top international investors, demonstrating the global community's confidence in the city, the spokesperson said. The Chinese central government has always firmly supported the Hong Kong SAR in safeguarding national security and its prosperity and stability according to the law, the spokesperson said, stressing that it also resolutely supports relevant officials of the Hong Kong SAR government in fulfilling their duties according to the law, and spares no effort in protecting their legitimate rights and interests. Any attempt to block the progress of the cause of "one country, two systems" will be vigorously countered, said the spokesperson. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY JWR UPDATE. IT'S FREE. (AND NO SPAM!) Just click here. President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced that he had reached an agreement with the prominent law firm Willkie Farr & Gallagher - which employs Doug Emhoff, former vice president Kamala Harris's husband - making it the third firm to strike a deal with him in as many weeks. Trump has targeted several law firms for punishment, using executive orders to demand that they lose government contracts, access to government buildings and the ability to interact with government employees. These orders have created a growing divide within the legal community, with some firms fighting them in court and others seeking to reach deals to avoid sanctions. Willkie, as the firm is known, announced a week after Trump's inauguration that Emhoff, the former second gentleman, was coming on board as a partner. Emhoff did not immediately reply to a request for comment Tuesday evening about Trump's announcement. Emhoff told the firm's leadership that he disagreed with their seeking a deal with the Trump administration, according to a person familiar with the situation who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive issue. Earlier Tuesday afternoon, before Trump's announcement, Emhoff appeared at a Georgetown Law School event for a previously scheduled discussion. During the event, he said the rule of law was under attack and that lawyers needed to push back and fight for what is right. While Trump's statement about the agreement did not explicitly say so, it appeared aimed at helping Willkie avoid the punishments that the president has pursued with other firms. In his orders targeting firms, Trump has criticized them and cited their connections to his perceived political opponents, including investigators who scrutinized him. In addition to Emhoff, who is married to Trump's rival in the 2024 presidential election, Willkie employs Timothy Heaphy, who was chief investigative counsel for the House committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Firms targeted by Trump have described his punishments as catastrophic, saying the orders could devastate their ability to represent clients and stay in business. Three firms - Perkins Coie, Jenner & Block and WilmerHale - have all gone to court to challenge the orders. They have all had success, with judges at least temporarily blocking parts of those orders. Other firms, though, have instead reached deals with the White House. Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison was the first to strike a deal, agreeing to provide $40 million in pro bono legal services to causes Trump supports. In response, Trump withdrew his order targeting the firm. On Friday, Trump announced that he had reached an agreement with the firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom - which had not been publicly targeted by an executive order. That deal carried a higher price tag than the Paul Weiss agreement, though, with Trump saying the firm would provide at least $100 million in pro bono legal services this time. On Tuesday afternoon, Trump said Willkie had also agreed to provide at least $100 million in pro bono legal services in areas he supports, including fighting antisemitism and aiding veterans and military members. Trump also said Willkie had agreed to "not engage in illegal DEI discrimination" and would bring on an independent outside counsel to confirm that the firm's employment practices abide by antidiscrimination laws. And, Trump added, the firm said it would not deny clients representation due to lawyers' "personal political views." Trump posted the details on social media late Tuesday afternoon. He also included a statement from Thomas M. Cerabino, the firm's chairman, that said the firm looked forward to "a constructive relationship with the Trump administration." "The substance of that agreement is consistent with our Firm's views on access to Legal representation by clients, including pro bono clients, our commitment to complying with the Law as it relates to our employment practices, and our history of working with clients across a wide spectrum of political viewpoints," Cerabino said, according to the statement released by Trump. Cerabino and the firm did not immediately respond to requests for comment. KINSHASA, April 2 (Xinhua) -- President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Felix Tshisekedi on Tuesday granted a presidential pardon to several coup plotters of American origin, who had been sentenced to death, according to official sources. Marcel Malanga, born in Utah, United States, and two other Americans who were sentenced to death last September, "will not be executed, as the death penalty is commuted," said Tina Salama, spokesperson for the DRC presidency late Tuesday. Tshisekedi has ordered the commutation of Marcel Malanga's sentence to life imprisonment, said Salama, adding that the measure also applies to the other American nationals convicted. Thirty-seven alleged coup plotters were convicted and sentenced to death in September last year by a Kinshasa military court in a trial against the failed coup. The coup plotters attacked the residence of Vital Kamerhe, then vice-prime minister, before targeting the Palais de la Nation, which houses the offices of President Felix Tshisekedi. YANGON, April 2 (Xinhua) -- The China international search and rescue team has continued its rescue efforts in several areas of Mandalay, central Myanmar. On Tuesday, eight operational groups conducted comprehensive inspections and reconnaissance at five key locations, covering a total of 30 buildings, with disinfection of an area of around 2,000 square meters. Around Mandalay Buddhist University, in response to local residents' requests, a continuous nine-hour comprehensive search and demolition operation was carried out Tuesday in the nearby residential area, where the body of one victim was found and recovered. At the Golden City Crown Hotel, an eight-story building was severely damaged, with the bottom four floors collapsing. The rescue team began operations at 3:50 p.m. local time on March 31, and has been working continuously for many hours. Meanwhile, the rescue team deployed four medical groups Tuesday to provide on-site support for search and rescue operations, adjusted and set up epidemic prevention and disinfection points, established epidemic prevention and control guidelines for the Chinese rescue team camp, and carried out disinfection of 75,000 square meters in the camp and around 1,200 square meters at the rescue sites. Additionally, medical consultations were held. A girl looks at a closed bakery in Gaza City, on April 1, 2025. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) WFP said it continues food distribution with the remaining stocks, but the situation remains very critical since the cargo closure of the crossings almost a month ago. UNITED NATIONS, April 1 (Xinhua) -- The aid blockade has forced the shuttering of 25 bakeries in Gaza as food supplies shrivel, Israel's evacuation orders increase and bombardments continue, UN humanitarians said on Tuesday. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the suspension of aid entry into Gaza continues, with a devastating impact on people in need. The 25 bakeries supported by the World Food Programme (WFP) during the ceasefire are all closed due to the shortage of flour and the unavailability of cooking gas. WFP said it continues food distribution with the remaining stocks, but the situation remains very critical since the cargo closure of the crossings almost a month ago. OCHA warned that Israeli displacement orders continue to force civilians to flee across the Gaza Strip and limit the space available for families to shelter. People walk past a closed bakery in Gaza City, on April 1, 2025. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) On Monday, the office said the latest directive covered nearly the entire Rafah governorate, where about 150,000 people were estimated to be staying. The orders have left civilians exposed to hostilities and deprived them of access to services essential for their survival. OCHA reported that a complex, week-long rescue operation ended on Sunday with the recovery of 15 bodies of emergency and aid crews in Tal As Sultan in Rafah. An Israeli ground operation started in the governorate on March 23. Efforts to reach and extract causalities had continued since then. "The available information indicates that the first team was killed by Israeli forces on March 23 and that other emergency and aid crews were struck one after another over several hours as they searched for their missing colleagues," OCHA said. "They were buried under the sand, alongside their wrecked emergency vehicles, clearly marked ambulances, a fire truck and a UN car." UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher expressed condolences on Monday to the families of the victims. He said the United Nations demands answers and justice. At least 408 aid workers have been killed in Gaza since the conflict began on Oct. 7, 2023, according to OCHA. SYDNEY, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese and Australian researchers have developed a groundbreaking imaging technology that could transform the study of cellular processes and provide insights into diseases such as cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and metabolic conditions. Published recently in Nature Communications, the study introduced an innovative approach that combines super-resolution imaging with artificial intelligence and deep learning to reveal subcellular structures and dynamics. "It's like taking an aeroplane over a city at night and watching all the live interactions," said Jin Dayong, a professor at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), who led the project with researchers from Peking University and Eastern Institute of Technology, Ningbo in east China's Zhejiang Province. "This cutting-edge technology will open new doors in the quest to understand the intricate world within our cells," Jin said, adding many diseases and health conditions arise from problems within cells. Traditional imaging tools, like fluorescence microscopy, face limitations in resolution and can cause phototoxicity and photobleaching, damaging cells through light exposure, he said, adding they also struggle to visualize multiple structures simultaneously due to color restrictions. The new method overcomes these challenges by using a single laser and dye label, accurately predicting 15 different subcellular structures with just two detection channels, which speeds up imaging and reduces cellular damage, while producing high-resolution "optical fingerprints" of organelles, or cell compartments, said Jin, also director of the UTS Institute for Biomedical Materials & Devices. Highly adaptable, the technology works across different microscopes, cell types, and even complex living tissues, allowing scientists to examine the 3D structure of live cells during cell division and observe rapid interactions among intracellular compartments, according to the study. Jin's team is collaborating with medical research institutes, including scientists investigating cardiomyocytes to advance heart disease research, and hopes this breakthrough will lead to new insights and advances in medical research, it said. During last Thursdays CWU Live online event, Tony Bouch, Outdoor Assistant Secretary for the Communication Workers Union (CWU), was forced to acknowledge widespread opposition among postal workers to the USO reform pilots being jointly implemented by Royal Mail and the union bureaucracy. Bouch spent the hour-long livestream batting off criticism from workers that the Optimised Delivery Model being trialled at 37 unitsaimed at dismantling the Universal Service Obligation (USO)means impossible workloads and a degraded mail service for the public. Postal workers explained they were fatigued and failing and demanded answers from the CWU top table. Workers made clear that USO reform was already being implemented far beyond the 37 delivery offices targeted in the pilot scheme. Bouchs failed efforts to stem workers anger followed an attack just days earlier by CWU Deputy General Secretary (Postal) Martin Walsh on the World Socialist Web Site (WSWS) and the Postal Workers Rank-and-File Committee (PWRFC). Martin Walsh [Photo: CWU (www.cwu.org/staff/martin-walsh-2)] On Saturday March 22, Walsh publicly attacked WSWS and supporters of the PWRFC over their role in exposing the pilots. Walsh posted his tirade on the Royal Mail Chat website (royalmailchat.co.uk) in its News section. He was responding to a widely read WSWS article exposing the underhand methods employed by the CWU to close down opposition to the USO pilot at Cumbernauld delivery office in Scotland. Headlined, Cumbernauld delivery office: How the CWU is enforcing Royal Mails USO reform pilots, the WSWS article was read by thousands of postal workers, clocking up a record number of views and comments on Royal Mail Chat. The article reported efforts by workers at Cumbernauld to oppose the Optimised Delivery Model. The ODM means the break-up of fixed duties, introduction of flexible route coverage and increased call rates. At a workplace meeting on January 22, delivery workers at Cumbernauld described the new working practices as unworkable. A CWU member tried to move a motion to oppose the pilot scheme as detrimental to working conditions and an open door to mass job destruction. He called for a vote of no-confidence in the CWU Postal Executive for its collusion in dismantling the USO. This motion was seconded. But the CWU workplace rep blocked the motion from being voted on. He told members he was in contact with CWU Divisional Reps and national officials, including Walsh, who would visit the office. The next week, workers at Cumbernauld were herded into a joint management-union briefing aimed at ramming through the pilot and intimidating opposition. In his vitriolic reply to WSWS, posted on a Saturday morning, Walsh posed as an aggrieved defender of the CWU reps honour and reputation disgracefully attacked in this article. Two-thirds of his statement amounted to a defence of the agreement he co-authored with Royal Mail to establish the USO pilot scheme. The conflation of legitimate criticism with disgraceful attacks is to defend the reps who obediently toe the line of the union executive rather than standing up for the rights of the members. During his entire 500-word diatribe, Walsh was unable to refute a single fact reported by the WSWS. His reply confirms everything we have written about the CWUs role as de facto business partners with Kretinsky, working as industrial policemen to force through the companys attacks. Our article, and the response it elicited on Royal Mail Chat, smoked-out Walsh in front of the members. He declared: the current USO is no longer financially sustainable. No longer sustainable for who? Walsh and the CWU executive are crying poor on behalf of Daniel Kretinsky, who has a current net worth of more than 7 billion. The CWU has responded to Kretinskys EP Group takeover by abandoning even lip service to its own official policy of re-nationalisation, which they have rendered null and void. If there is one takeaway from this episode, it is how panicked the CWU leadership becomes when they are faced with even a hint of organised opposition in the workplace. Royal Mails shock-and-awe tactics, enforced by the CWU bureaucracy, are aimed at presenting USO reform as inevitable. But there is no support for the destruction of the USO among postal workers. Opposition on the shopfloor must be organised as part of a of rank-and-file network to share information and counter the isolation and gaslighting tactics of the CWU bureaucracy which is joined at the hip with management. On Sunday April 27 at 7 p.m., the Postal Workers Rank-and-File Committee will hold an online discussion about the USO pilots and its connection to the class war agenda being prepared by new owners EP Group, part of a new wave of attacks on post and logistics workers internationally. Register here to attend. The full text of Walshs statement is posted on the Royal Mail Chat News feed and is copied beneath the reply below that was posted by a supporter of the PWRFC on March 23. *** Reply to Martin Walsh: There is nothing to retract from the World Socialist Web Sites report on developments at Cumbernauld delivery office, where opposition arose among CWU members to the USO pilot. Martin Walshs reply is a transparent damage limitation exercise to stem rank-and-file opposition to the Terms of Reference he co-signed with Royal Mail executives in December to ram through the pilot scheme at 37 delivery offices. Unable to refute the factual account of the CWUs role at Cumbernauld, he resorts to lies. His assertion that the WSWS and the Post Workers Rank-and-File Committee (PWRFC) are calling for walks outs and rank and file disputes is simply made up. The PWRFC has called for workplace meetings so that CWU members can scrutinise Royal Mails plans for USO reform and their impact on jobs, working practices and the mail service, and to agree collective action to halt these attacks. The CWU postal executive is in so deep with management that members exercising their basic democratic rights at a union meeting is equated with unofficial action! Walshs reply confirms the position of the CWU: they agree with Kretinsky, Ofcom and the Starmer Labour government that the USO is financially unsustainable and that workers must foot the bill. Walsh states, no one should be in any doubt that when an independent regulator says that the current USO is no longer financially sustainable that it will change. His acknowledgment that Ofcom will proceed regardless of the pilot results, confirms the warnings made by the PWRFC that these trials are a fraud and the CWU executive will agree to anything. Walshs claim that the current pilots are leverage designed to ensure that members will benefit from USO reform, is bogus. As the WSWS article stated: The pilot scheme is a dress rehearsal for 300 million in cuts and mass job destruction via the dismantling of six-day-a-week letter deliveries to 32 million UK households. Walshs message is There Is No Alternative. It is the same argument Ward and Furey used to push through their negotiators agreement in April 2023, opening the floodgates to the biggest attack on postal workers terms and conditions in Royal Mail history. Walsh is in no position to lecture anyone about defending postal workers. The facts are that workers at Cumbernauld were denied even the right to vote on a resolution opposing the USO reform pilot. The CWU is now seeking to intimidate and attack any member who pushes back against the CWUs pro-company agreements. Postal workers should oppose the pile-on by Walsh against their colleagues at Cumbernauld and defend the democratic rights of all CWU members. Walshs ridicule of a survey that found 85 percent of respondents have no trust in the CWU leadership shows who really has their head in the sand and how out-of-touch, arrogant, and unaccountable these bureaucrats have become. *** Statement by Martin Walsh attacking WSWS, Saturday March 22: I will be in Cumbernauld meeting the members and supporting the local rep which has been disgracefully attacked in this article. The CWU choose 34 out of the 37 pilot sites after consultation. There have been numerous members meetings and Tony Bouch has visited Cumbernauld and had a members meeting. The problem is that your organisation has no responsibility at all and are free to shout from the comfort of your anonymous positions. However the CWU have to respond to the reality of the situation 1. Ofcom have said in their latest position that the USO is financially unsustainable and is losing Royal Mail over 300 million pounds per year. 2. Reducing just a Saturday would only save circa 50 million per year. 3. In their consultation paper they lay out that if it is not the Optimised Delivery Model then legislation will be required to move Royal Mail to a 3 or 4 day USO. So the current status quo of the USO is not going to remain. It is currently not working as we all know in terms of quality. The World wide Socialist Group are calling for walks outs and rank and file disputes. They have hardly any members. Any walks outs they wont be in control off it will be the CWU who have to get the members a return to work solution. For the record we are piloting the ODM in 37 sites to see if it achieves the overarching principles and will only reach an agreement on full USO development if the pilots achieve these overarching objectives. Any final agreement on USO reform will be subject to an individual member ballot. In terms of the Pilots only Newton Mearns have gone live. The issues with DTS and the Tops 2000 machine which was not deferring some Mail has now been reported as fixed. Cumbernauld and Girvan are now planned to go live on 31st March. However no one should be in any doubt that when an independent regulator says that the current USO is no longer financially sustainable that it will change. The only options on the table are a speed of delivery option or 3 or 4 day USO which would mean job losses in every function on a much larger scale. The CWU cannot afford and will not stick our head in the sand and allow USO reform to come in without either piloting it and shaping it so members will benefit from it. Finally having Polls about having trust in the CWU where 380 people vote when we have 99 thousand members is not in any way a representation of our members thoughts. I attend dozens of members meetings and the vast majority of them understand that change is going to come we have got to make that change the reset our members need in terms of workload, attendance patterns and restoring quality. Following my attendance in Cumbernauld we will release a further communication including interviews with members within the unit. The Truth will prevail. I am fair game as I knew when I stood what I would face a local rep doing their best is not and we will support from any attack. *** Register here to attend the April 27 Zoom meeting of the Postal Workers Rank-and-File Committee. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus far-right Israeli government is moving to dispense with all constraints on its powers and get rid of its political opponents within the state apparatusincluding the head of the Shin Bet domestic spy agency Ronen Bar and Attorney-General Galia Beharav-Miara. This is part of its preparations for a broader crackdown on all opposition to its policies at home and abroad. Last week, in an unprecedented move aimed at eliminating judicial oversight of government, the cabinet unanimously backed a no confidence motion against Baharav-Miara, who as Israels Attorney-General is the countrys most senior legal official and one of the few nominal checks on the power of the executive, while also heading the public prosecution. Her position is a fixed-term independent, not a political, appointment. The vote is the first step in a lengthy process to secure her dismissal that will likely go all the way up to the Supreme Court, which some ministers have already said they will ignore if the decision goes against them. Galia Baharav-Miara at the swearing-in ceremony of Judge Yitzchak Amit as President of the Supreme Court of Israel [Photo by Maayan Toaf/Spokesperson unit of the President of Israel - / CC BY-SA 3.0 Justice Minister and prime mover in the governments two-year long judicial coup Yariv Levin accused Baharav-Miara of acting as an extension of the governments opponents. She had made effective co-operation and was holding the government in contempt. The attempt to dismiss her is part of Netanyahus bitter feud with Israels judiciary that he accuses of organising a left-wing coup against him under the guise of a corruption trial. It follows a series of developments aimed at strengthening the governments powers against its political opponentsincluding initiatives that were put on hold after the post-October 7 assault on Gaza when opposition leaders joined the war cabinetthat are intensifying the tensions with Israels legal authorities and precipitating a constitutional crisis. Last month, Netanyahu announced his intention to fire Ronen Bar, the head of Shin Bet, a plan that has thus far been stymied by a Supreme Court interim injunction. Taking a leaf from their fascistic paymasters in Washington, ministers are threatening to ignore the Supreme Court if it rules against Bars dismissal. Bar had provoked Netanyahus anger by calling for a state commission of inquiry into the failures that led up to the October 7 attack that would examine Netanyahus role as well as that of the intelligence and military services. He also authorised an investigation into potentially corrupt financial links between some of Netanyahus closest aides and the government of Qatar that has now led to the arrest of two advisors and a summons for Netanyahu himself to testify, with the approval of the Attorney-General. Doha has for years transferred funds, at Netanyahus behest, to Hamas in Gaza as a means of maintaining quiet, weakening President Mahmoud Abbas Fatah-dominated Palestinian Authority (PA) in the West Bank and deepening the divisions between Hamas and the PA. Last week, the Knesset passed a new law that grants the government greater powers over the selection of Supreme Court judges that have the power to overrule legislation should they consider it unreasonable. Justice Minister Levin has also refused to recognise the authority of the head of the Supreme Court, whose appointment he sought to block over the last year. Baharav-Miara rejected Levins claims and accused the government of seeking to act above the law, saying that the no confidence motion does not seek to promote trust but rather loyalty to the political leadership, not governance but power without limits. She added, The government is seeking to be above the law and to act without checks and balances, even in extremely sensitive periods. Baharav-Miara has backed the governments most blatant violations of international law to the hilt and greenlighted war crimes against the Palestinians. As she acknowledged in her defence, she gave her legal support for the governments operational approach to Gaza. In other words, she approved Israels genocidal war on the Palestinians that led the International Court of Justice to conclude in January 2024 that the claim that Israel was committing genocide in Gaza was plausible, and the International Criminal Court to issue arrest warrants for war crimes for Netanyahu and his former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. Her support for the war on terror and incitement to terror has led to the arrest of thousands of Israels Palestinian citizens since October 7, even for the mildest expression of sympathy for the plight of the Palestinians in Gaza. She has initiated no prosecutions of far-right activists and some of Israels leading politicians who have made the most explicit statements to the press and on social media inciting violence and even genocide. She has backed the police in preventing protests by Israels Palestinian citizens. Baharav-Miara cited her support for the expansion of settlements and support for them that the United Nations has described as a war crime; administrative detention whereby Palestinians are imprisoned without charge or trial; the demolitions of homes belonging to those Israel accusestypically without charge or trialof terrorism; and the withholding of Palestinian bodies as bargaining chips. The Attorney-General has even defended the governments policy on humanitarian aid to Gaza, by which she means the total block on the shipment of all goods, including food, fuel and pharmaceuticals, to the 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza, aimed at starving them to death or forcing them to leave the besieged enclave that has now been in place for more than a month. Last week the Supreme Court signalled its own agreement with this policy. On Monday, Antoine Renard, Palestine director for the World Food Programme, told the UKs Channel 4 News, We have perhaps one to two days to continue to support 19 bakeries. We have provided our last food parcels to the population. It will last for a week, so thats really the fear currently in Gaza. There are few vegetables for sale in the markets as the war has stopped almost all local food production and aid workers cannot move around because of Israeli bombardment. The United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Thomas Fletcher, said that many have no water, no electricity, no food and no safety. The dire situation provoked several days of protests in Beit Layiha, triggered by an Israeli evacuation order, demanding an end to the war and their suffering. While Baharav-Miara has backed Netanyahus assault on the Palestinians, she has refused to call off his corruption trial. She has also opposed the governments efforts to exempt the ultra-Orthodox from military service. Netanyahu has promised the religious parties, on which his coalition is dependent, that once she has been removed from office it will be easier to bypass the law mandating conscription. It comes as the Knesset passed Finance Minister and Religious Zionist leader Bezalel Smotrichs war budget that allocates $30 billion of the $200 billion budget to the military and secures the survival of Netanyahus government until the next elections due at the end of 2026. The budget slashes spending on public services and welfare while raising taxes by nearly $11 billion to cover the ballooning cost of the war against the Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, and against Iran and its allies in Lebanon, Syria and Yemenultimately aimed at securing US control of the resource-rich Middle East. There will be a 5 percent cut for all departmental budgets, except for the police and military, with some departments facing even larger cuts: education is to lose $125 million in 2025, transport nearly $200 million over 2025-28 and health nearly $75 million annually. Welfare support, already very limited, will be frozen as will the minimum wage and public sector salaries. This massive assault on working families is to pay for the reality of an unending war. Netanyahu told the cabinet on Sunday that even if a deal is reached to free all hostages, ending the war is not on the agenda. War would only end if Hamas were disarmed and its leaders sent into exile. Israel would retain control of Gazas security and implement US President Donald Trumps plan to expel the Palestinians. Defence Minister Israel Katz on Wednesday announced plans to seize large areas of Gaza to crush and clean the area of terrorists and terrorist infrastructure and capture large areas that will be added to the security zones of the state of Israel. The Israel Defense Forces has deployed an additional division and issued evacuation orders to the civilian population in the south of the Gaza Strip. The Socialist Equality Party (SEP) is launching its campaign in the Australian federal election with an online public meeting on Thursday April 10 at 7 p.m. (AEST). Register now! The meeting will tell the truth, which is being covered up by every other party: This election will resolve nothing for working people. Whichever party forms government after the election will intensify a program of militarism, war and austerity that is being worked out behind closed doors. The SEP and its candidates will explain the relationship between the election and the massive upheaval internationally. That includes a developing world war, already comprising the US-Israeli genocide in Gaza, associated threats of war throughout the Middle East and the US-NATO proxy war against Russia in Ukraine, as well as preparations for a catastrophic conflict against China in this region. War means dictatorship. That is the significance of the unprecedented ascent of the Trump administration, which is attempting to establish a dictatorship in America, including through the persecution of political opponents, mass roundups of immigrants and the overturning of the Constitution. All of the official claims that Australia is an exception to the global crisis are a fraud. Under the Albanese Labor government, this country is already involved in every front of war around the world. Over the past three years, the continent has been transformed into a staging post for a US-led war against China that would threaten nuclear Armageddon. On the social front, Labor has inflicted the biggest reversal to working-class living standards since World War II. But far more is being demanded, with the corporate chiefs insisting that the first task after the election will be the further slashing of healthcare, education, wages and working conditions. As in the US, that agenda means authoritarianism. Already, Labor and the Coalition have cracked down on democratic rights, particularly targeting opposition to the Gaza genocide, but extending more broadly to the working class as a whole. The SEP and its candidates, who will stand for the Senate and several lower house seats, are explaining that the real issue is building an independent movement of the working class, against all the capitalist parties and their program of war, austerity and dictatorship. In opposition to the lies of the parties of big business, and the fraud of lesser-evilism peddled by the Greens and the fake-left, we are fighting to prepare the working class for the upheavals that will come after the election. Above all, that means building a revolutionary party, as part of the struggle to unify the working class globally against capitalism. After reports elaborating on these issues, ample time will be provided for questions and discussion. Register today! Meeting time in relevant time zones: Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne: 7 p.m., Thursday, April 10 Adelaide: 6:30 p.m., Thursday, April 10 Perth: 5 p.m., Thursday, April 10 To attend the meeting, register here. Authorised by Cheryl Crisp for the Socialist Equality Party, Level 1/457-459 Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills, NSW, 2010, Australia. Helyeh Doutaghi [Photo: Youtube screenshot] On Friday, Yale Law School (YLS) fired Dr. Helyeh Doutaghi in violation of her basic democratic rights. Falling in line with the witch-hunting campaign directed by the Trump administration against pro-Palestinian students and academics, YLS also lied about the events leading up to and the reasons for her firing. The campaign to remove Doutaghi began on March 4 when YLS placed her on administrative leave based on information published online by Jewish Onliner, an AI generated pro-Zionist website which claimed she was a member of a terrorist organization. Throughout the ordeal, Doutaghi has maintained that her opposition to the Israeli genocide in Gaza and her pro-Palestinian views were well known at Yale when she was hired. Doutaghi, an Iranian-born law scholar, was hired as the Deputy Director of the Law and Political Economy (LPE) Project at Yale in 2023 and held the position of Associate Research Scholar at YLS, was informed she had to submit to an inquisition at Yale by a representative of a New Haven, Connecticut law firm with extensive ties to the Zionist state and the US foreign policy establishment. In an unsigned statement from YLS, published in full by Yale News on Monday, the university administration falsified the record and claimed that it had repeatedly requested to meet with Ms. Doutaghi and her attorney to obtain clarifying information and resolve this matter. It furthermore claimed that Doutaghi has refused to meet to provide any responses to critical questions, including whether she ever engaged in prohibited activity with organizations or individuals that were placed on the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons list (SDN list). However, Doutaghis attorney Eric Lee explained in a post on Twitter/X that, It is not true, as Yale alleges, that Dr. Doutaghi refused to answer questions or was non-cooperative. Yale made a decision to fire her without a fair process. Another capitulation to Trump by a major university. In a review of the events leading up to Doutaghis termination, Lee exposed that the position of YLS as false: It is not Dr. Doutaghi who refused to communicate with Yale, but the reverse. On Thursday, March 20, Yale Law Schools (YLS) general counsel wrote me asking to speak to Dr. Doutaghi by March 27 about her political associations which turned out to be generated by a pro-Israeli Al-bot that routinely spreads misinformation, per a Haaretz exposure from January 2025. The March 20 email said, if there are terms or conditions that would encourage your client to meet with our counsel, please let us know. I replied that day acknowledging receipt. The next day, Friday, March 21, I wrote YLSs general counsel as follows: Dear Counsel: We are amenable to considering answering written questions by the 27th if they come from your office and not outside counsel. Lee continued: I did not hear back from Yale over the weekend and sent a follow up email on Monday, March 24, reaching out to make sure my email Friday didnt fall through the cracks. Later that day, YLSs general counsel replied saying it was demanding a live interview with the same outside counsel rejecting written answers, saying, We must be able to ask her questions, consider her answers, and ask her follow up questions in real time. This email also rejected our efforts to exclude outside counsel with ties to Israel and weapons manufacturers. Upon request, Yale agreed to a one-day extension to the March 27 response deadline until 3 pm on March 28. That morning, I wrote Yale as follows [see italics below]. This email was unanswered until the termination notice was sent. We believe this correspondence confirms that Yale was only interested in terminating Dr. Doutaghi and not in investigating any underlying facts, damaging her life in disregard of basic notions of fairness and due process: 10:44 AM Friday, March 28: Dear Counsel: In your earlier email, you had indicated that youd be willing to agree to conditions so we can help get you the information you need. I am confident, based on my knowledge of the facts and Dr. Doutaghis integrity and character, that she will be able to completely assuage your concerns if given a fair chance. We proposed three reasonable conditions: 1) that the questions and answers take place in writing, and 2) that the counsel with a clear conflict of interest not be the one posing the questions, and 3) that some assurances on confidentiality be given due to the concerns we have over Dr. Doutaghis safety and securityconcerns with which you yourself had expressed sympathy in an earlier email exchange. It now appears you are not interested in agreeing to any of these reasonable conditions, which leads us to wonder why you offered conditions in the first place. To clarify, as I mentioned earlier, we would be happy to answer your questions in writing and also provide you with an opportunity to ask a round of follow-up questions based on our answers. Perhaps it will help if I explain the basis for our request for written questions. Given the present political climate in the United States, we cannot put any faith in the present presidential administrations ability to properly enforce the countrys immigration laws. On the contrary, the administration is deporting many student visa holders because they have attended protests, written op-eds in school papers, or otherwise spoken out against US and Israeli policy. This is not lawful and is presently subject to litigation in numerous venues. On top of this, the administration and its allies in Congress are using their power to pressure universities to take action against people like Dr. Doutaghi who have not violated the law, who have been nothing but truthful, but who are nevertheless concerned that their lawfulness and truthfulness will not protect them from the unlawful policies of the present presidential administration. Given the concerning state of affairs in this country, we want the ability to give answers honestly and precisely. We stand by to answer your questions in writing. We are confused as to why answering questions in writing would not satisfy your concerns about Yales legal obligations here. We hope to cooperate and are prepared to answer questions A.S.A.P. Thank you, Eric This chronology and record of communication between Dr. Doutaghis attorney and Yale Law Schools counsel establishes that the version of events given for the firing is both false and designed to conform to a decision that had already been made by YLS to terminate the law scholar for her political views well before any questions were to be asked. The attack on Dr. Doutaghi is part of the deepening assault on foreign students and academics who have a legal right to be in the US but have been targeted by the Trump administration for their opposition to the US-backed Israeli genocide in Gaza. Momodou Taal , 31, a British-Gambian PhD student at Cornell University, decided on Monday to leave the US after his basic rights were repeatedly violated over his pro-Palestinian activism. After he filed a lawsuit against President Trump for the executive order violating the free speech rights of international students, the administration revoked his visa and sought to have him arrested, detained or deported before his lawsuit could be heard. , 31, a British-Gambian PhD student at Cornell University, decided on Monday to leave the US after his basic rights were repeatedly violated over his pro-Palestinian activism. After he filed a lawsuit against President Trump for the executive order violating the free speech rights of international students, the administration revoked his visa and sought to have him arrested, detained or deported before his lawsuit could be heard. Mahmoud Khalil , 30, a Columbia University graduate student and lawful permanent resident, was picked up last month in his apartment building by ICE officials in front of his eight-months pregnant wife, a US citizen, handcuffed and carted off to a detention facility in Louisiana without charges or any explanation of why he was being abducted. A federal appeals court judge ruled that his case must be heard in New Jersey, rejecting a motion by the Trump administration to move it to Louisiana which would route any challenges in the case to the more conservative Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. , 30, a Columbia University graduate student and lawful permanent resident, was picked up last month in his apartment building by ICE officials in front of his eight-months pregnant wife, a US citizen, handcuffed and carted off to a detention facility in Louisiana without charges or any explanation of why he was being abducted. A federal appeals court judge ruled that his case must be heard in New Jersey, rejecting a motion by the Trump administration to move it to Louisiana which would route any challenges in the case to the more conservative Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. Rumeysa Ozturk , 30, a Tufts University PhD candidate and Fulbright scholar was abducted on the streets of Boston by masked agents, forced into an unmarked vehicle and transported to the same detention facility in Louisiana. , 30, a Tufts University PhD candidate and Fulbright scholar was abducted on the streets of Boston by masked agents, forced into an unmarked vehicle and transported to the same detention facility in Louisiana. Yunseo Chung, 21, a South Korean permanent resident and Columbia University student who has lived in the US since she was seven years old, has sued President Trump and other White House officials for attempts to arrest and detain her. In a powerful statement on Twitter/X, Doutaghi wrote of her summary firing: This act is part of a broader, violent crackdown on students and scholars across the country, many of whom exist in precarious positions. What we are witnessing at institutions like Yale, Cornell, Columbia, and Harvard is the normalization of fascistic governance. From the kidnapping of students and scholars for exercising their free speech rights to criminalizing, doxxing, suspensions, and institutional gag orders now commonplace on campuses, universities have become active collaborators in silencing dissent and criminalizing resistance. Functioning as effective sites of surveillance and oppression, these institutionsin collaboration with the repressive state apparatusare setting new and dangerous precedents for rules of engagement across the country. Doutaghi also pointed to the widespread support for her that was organized after she was targeted: They tried to silence me and failed. Over one thousand professors, lawyers, scholars, students, and organizers rose in solidarity, condemning Yales capitulation to Zionist repression and its complicity in a Zionist-McCarthyite witch hunt against me. She continued, Neither YLS nor any Zionist report (or both!) has presented a single shred of evidence demonstrating any unlawful connection or act on my part. I have been terminated based on unproven allegations, absent any due process or substantiated claim. For a full account of the facts of my engagement with Yaleand to correct their false claims please refer to the statement issued by my attorney, Mr. Eric Lee. This sets a chilling precedent. If any Al botor anyone at allaccuses a Yale faculty or student of wrongdoing, that alone can now suffice to end their career. This is the state of the U.S. legal academy today: where due process and the rule of law are taught in classrooms but abandoned in practice. Doutaghi concluded by placing the attack on her rights within historical context: This is a pivotal moment in history and in the decline of the American empire. The US regime is coordinating violent repression of the domestic front with an escalation of war on the external front. Across multiple fronts, including the ongoing genocide in Palestine by the US terrorist Zionist proxy in our region; the savage bombing of Yemen; the ethnic cleansing in Syria by US proxies; and Israeli assaults on Lebanon and daily threats against Iran in both official discourse and media propaganda, the U.S. is actively driving the world toward a broader war in West Asia. To sustain the illusion of domestic stability, the machinery of authoritarian power must suppress dissenttargeting anyone who resists these policies in order to create a chilling effect on speech and silence opposition. This suppression of dissent is meant to sustain US and Zionist impunity in the face of rising resistance to their genocidal imperialism in West Asia and beyond. The US government is trying to stop the inevitable. But nothing will stop the demise of the American empireand nothing will stop history from remembering it as one of the most brutal empires the world has ever known. Massive wildfires tore through southeastern South Korean for 10 days at the end of March and were finally extinguished on Sunday. The fires have been described as the worst in the countrys history, killing 30 people and destroying upwards of 48,000 hectares of land. Houses burnt-out by wildfires in Andong, South Korea, Friday, March 28, 2025. [AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon] The blazes began in Sancheong County, South Gyeongsang Province on March 21. Over the next two days, there were 30 individual wildfires around the country. Separate fires broke out in Uiseong County, North Gyeongsang Province. It was this fire that quickly spread east across the region to other nearby cities and counties, including Andong, Cheongsong, Yeongyang and Yeongdeok. The Uiseong fire, the largest of the blazes burning some 45,157 hectares, had supposedly been extinguished on Friday but reignited Saturday evening and was brought under control again on Sunday. The Sancheong fire was also contained on Sunday. Among the fatalities, 26 died in the Uiseong fires while four were killed in the Sancheong fire. An additional 45 people were injured. Around 37,000 people were forced to evacuate, many of them elderly, but received little or no help from local governments. Several people died after being caught in their cars while attempting to flee. A resident of Cheongsong in his 60s with the family name Kim stated that there was no guidance (by the authorities) as to which direction was safe or dangerous while evacuating, according to Yonhap News. They just told us to evacuate quickly, so I just ran outsidebut it was frustrating that there were no clear or proactive instructions. Evacuees also reported receiving conflicting information as they attempted to reach safety. Messages alerting people to evacuate were sent too late or did not inform people of the location of evacuation centers. In one example, the Yeongdeok County government called for people to evacuate to the nearby towns of Ganggu or Namjeong, only to have the wildfires reach both within 30 minutes. Similar examples of confusion and conflicting information have been reported in other counties and towns. Strong winds, dry conditions and rough terrain helped to spread the fires and made them more difficult to extinguish. An estimated 5,000 buildings including homes, factories and agricultural facilities were destroyed in the fires. Historical sites were also destroyed, including the Goun Temple in Uiseong, which had been built in 681 during the Unified Silla Period (668-935). Artifacts in the temple, however, were relocated. Houses and structures preserved from the Joseon Period (1392-1910) were also destroyed in the fires. Police, firefighters and other related authorities began a joint investigation into the causes of the fires on Monday. At present, a 56-year-old has been accused of starting the fire that began at Uiseong as he tended to his grandparents graves on a hillside. Media reports suggest that he attempted to clear branches from the graves by burning them. Embers spread, igniting the blaze. He has been charged without detention and has denied the allegations. Acting President Han Duck-soo on March 26 declared, The record for worst-ever wildfire is being rewritten. He continued, We have been confronting the worst ever wildfires by mobilizing all available personnel and equipment but the situation is out of the ordinary. Han recently resumed his role as acting president after the Constitutional Court rejected his impeachment. He serves in this position until the court rules on whether or not to remove President Yoon Suk-yeol from office after he was impeached for his failed attempt to impose martial law in December. Wildfires are not uncommon in South Korea. Huge wildfires also took place in North Gyeongsang Province as well as Gangwon Province in 2022. However, it is clear that the government was unprepared to deal with the current disaster. Lee Cheol-u and Park Wan-su, the governors of North and South Gyeongsang Provinces respectively, both stated that firefighters lacked the necessary equipment and support to react quickly to the fires. Lee stated, We need to completely change the system for responding to wildfires. We need equipment that can put out fires early on with at least tens of thousands of liters of water, such as mobilizing transport aircraft like in other countries, and helicopters or firefighting equipment that can fly at night. Money that could be spent on preparing for natural disasters is being spent on preparations for war. Both governors are members of the right-wing People Power Party, which along with the Democratic Party, has backed the US-led war drive against China, funnelling huge amounts of money into these military preparations. Last year, South Korea spent 59.42 trillion won ($US40.37 billion) on its military, or 2.8 percent of its GDP. This percentage is higher than most countries in the region. Seoul plans to spend 61.59 trillion won ($US41.84 billion) this year. At the same time, wildfires in South Korea and around the world are not simply the result of mistakes or the lack of equipment, but the criminal failure of capitalist governments to take the necessary steps to halt climate change. Extreme wildfire activity around the globe has more than doubled over the past two decades, with northern and temperate forest regions, which includes South Korea, being particularly affected. The Korea Meteorological Administration reported in January that the yearly average temperature in 2024 was 14.5 degrees Celsius, or two degrees higher than the norm. This was the hottest since recordkeeping began 113 years ago. The previous record high was 13.7 degrees set in 2023. In addition, during the wildfires themselves, the temperatures in South Korea were 4.5 degrees to 10 degrees higher than the 1990-2020 average, according to Climate Central which conducts research on climate change. Dry conditions and higher temperatures mean wildfire seasons are also lasting longer, exacerbating the conditions that worsen wildfires in countries like South Korea and Japan, which recently experienced its own worst wildfire in 50 years. Last year was also the hottest year on record globally, with the UN World Meteorological Organization stating in January that temperatures had risen 1.55 degrees Celsius over pre-industrial levels. This surpassed the 1.5-degree level that governments had agreed to keep temperatures below in the 2015 Paris Agreement. The reality is that this supposed limit, itself inadequate to protect the environment, is being ignored as the major capitalist powers responsible for climate change base their policies on the profit interests of big business, not science and human need. From left to right: President Joe Biden, New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Edward Markey (Massachusetts) pose for a selfie, April 22, 2024. [Photo: POTUS] On March 30, the New York Times published a revealing interview featuring New York Representative and Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) member Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez headlined, What Ocasio-Cortez Wants for the Democrats. The article, by Times columnist Michelle Cottle, notes that Ocasio-Cortez has been appearing alongside Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders at a series of campaign-style events titled, Fighting Oligarchy. As the World Socialist Web Site has previously analyzed, these events are aimed at rebuilding the shattered credibility of the Democratic Party. This party is widely, and rightly, despised by large sections of the working class for facilitating the return of Donald Trump and collaborating with him and the Republicans in carrying out their shared agenda of further enriching the financial oligarchy through global war and social counterrevolution. Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez are not fighting oligarchy. Rather, they are fighting to preserve the Democratic Party and the capitalist system. They are safety valves deployed by the ruling class to block the development of an independent socialist movement in the working class aimed at abolishing oligarchy and its source, the capitalist system. To this end, Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez, speaking on behalf of a ruling class terrified of socialism and turning to fascism in anticipation of immense class battles, are shedding any talk of socialism and instead adopting the language of populism to mask the right-wing nationalist and pro-war agenda of the Democratic Party. I believe economic populism is the path forward, Ocasio-Cortez told Cottle. As an example of someone embodying this orientation, Ocasio-Cortez named CIA Democrat and Maine Congressman Jared Golden. Look at a front-liner like Jared Golden, who is on Medicare for all, she told the newspaper. Ocasio-Cortezs promotion of Golden is highly significant. Last month, Golden was the only House Democrat to vote for the Trump-backed Republican continuing resolution that continues funding for Trumps fascist administration and its assault on Democratic rights, federal jobs and bedrock social programs, and its erection of a presidential dictatorship. The bill, which the WSWS has compared to Hitlers Enabling Act passed by the German parliament in 1933, was pushed through the Senate by Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and nine other Senate Democrats. In a press release, Golden noted that the spending bill included $7.951 billion for DDG-51 funding ... slated to be built at [Maines] Bath Iron Works. The DDG-51 is an Aegis guided missile destroyer. Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine, attends an event, Friday, October. 25, 2024, in Lewiston, Maine. [AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty] The statement also noted that the bill increased funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and that [o]verall, the CR [continuing resolution] increases overall defense spending by $6 billion while cutting nondefense spending by $13 billion, relative to current spending levels. Golden is one of 30 former military, intelligence or State Department operatives nominated as Democratic Party congressional candidates in the 2018 election. As Patrick Martin of the WSWS noted at the time: Golden enlisted in the Marines after 9/11 and spent four years as an infantryman, deploying to Afghanistan in 2004 and to Iraq in 2005-2006. He is the only rank-and-file soldier among the 30 military-intelligence Democrats, and the only one to acknowledge the negative impact of the war on American troops, revealing his own diagnosis with post-traumatic stress disorder. He was clearly committed to the US wars, however, returning to Afghanistan as a volunteer schoolteacher, and then going to work as a staff member for the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, where he worked for Maines Republican Senator Susan Collins. Golden began his own political career in 2014, winning a seat, as a Democrat, in the Maine House of Representatives, rising to Democratic whip in 2016, and winning the nomination for Congress with the support of the party establishment this year. Since winning his election, Golden has served as a reliable supporter of the military-intelligence-industrial complex, the border Gestapo and police apparatus and fiscal responsibility, i.e., spending cuts for social programs. After initially supporting the Medicare for All Act of 2019, Golden has ceased public support for the proposal and did not co-sponsor a 2023 version of the bill. He has, however, repeatedly voted in favor of global war. After voting for last summers $95 billion supplementary military package, which provided over $60 billion to the Ukraine government and US war profiteers to further the proxy war against Russia, with the remainder allocated to furthering the genocide in Gaza and preparing for war with China, Golden released a statement declaring: The defense of Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan is the defense of America. Putins Russia, Iran-backed terrorists and Chinese communist autocrats are testing the boundaries of democracy and violating the sovereignty of our democratic allies in a way we havent seen in generations. An ardent supporter of the genocide in Gaza, Golden was one of 42 House Democrats who voted in favor of the Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act. The bill called for sanctioning the International Criminal Court for issuing arrest warrants against war criminals Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant. In the New York Times interview, after vouching for Goldens populist credentials, Ocasio-Cortez called for rejecting the political categories of left versus right so that folks can lean into certain issues. As an example, she pointed to immigration, calling it a political third rail and declared, Sure, there are third rails like immigration that are not going to fly in every single district. Indeed, in the Fight Oligarchy rallies, which have secured large turnouts of enraged opponents of Trump and the Democratic Party leadership, neither Sanders nor Ocasio-Cortez has made an issue of the mass deportation of migrants in violation of due process rights, and their disappearance to concentration camps in El Salvador, Guantanamo and for-profit prisons in the US. Nor have they demanded the release of pro-Palestinian international students abducted by federal police and disappeared to prisons. Ocasio-Cortez previously gained popularity and credibility for calling to abolish ICE, including weeping in front of a migrant detention facility. As she has continued her career in Washington, she has shed this call and any tears for immigrants. Instead, she slanders socialists who oppose the bipartisan war on immigrants as making privileged critiques of the Democratic Party. Notably, the New York representative has refused to speak in defense of Momodou Taal, a Cornell University Ph.D. student, resident of her home state and outspoken opponent of the US-Israeli genocide in Gaza, who has been targeted by the Trump administration for deportation. Taal, in light of the fact that the Trump administration is violating court orders to facilitate its deportation operation, left New York and the United States on his own accord this week. Instead of defending Taal, Ocasio-Cortez is promoting Golden, a self-described progressive conservative, who campaigned on the fact that he voted to fund 22,000 border patrol agentsthe largest such workforce in history, and voted to significantly increase funding for local law enforcement and border patrol, voting for more than $78 billion in border security funding during his time in Congress. Golden, like Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman, is a pace-setter for the Democratic Party as it races to the right to accommodate Trumps fascist agenda. Prior to last years election, Golden penned an op-ed headlined, Donald Trump is Going to Win the Election and Democracy Will Be Just Fine. He wrote: Democrats post-debate hand-wringing is based on the idea that a Trump victory is not just a political loss, but a unique threat to our democracy. I reject the premise. Downplaying Trumps January 6, 2021 coup and the fact that its main conspirators in the White House, Congress, Pentagon and Supreme Court remain free and in positions of power, Golden wrote: Jan. 6, 2021 was a dark day. But Americans stood strong. Hundreds of police officers protected the democratic process against thousands who tried to use violence to upend it. In his op-ed, Golden promised to work with a future Trump regime, writing: In 2025, I believe Trump is going to be in the White House. Maines representatives will need to work with him when it benefits Mainers, hold him accountable when it does not and work independently across the aisle no matter what. Ocasio-Cortezs promotion of Golden is not a mistake or aberration. In 2021, Ocasio-Cortez provided Golden and other centrist Democrats thousands of dollars in donations that had been given to her by supporters. While some moderate Democrats rejected the donation, Golden accepted it, telling Bangor Daily News that he also received donations from Harlan Crow. Crow, co-founder of the Club for Growth, is a billionaire and major Republican donor. He is also a major benefactor of arch-reactionary Supreme Court Associate Justice Clarence Thomas and a Nazi artifact collector, who has said his greatest fear is Marxism. That Ocasio-Cortez named Golden as the future of the Democratic Party reveals the thoroughly pro-imperialist, pro-capitalist and anti-communist politics of not only these individuals, but of the Democratic Socialists of America. The DSA and all those fake-left political groups that advance reforming the Democratic Party have nothing to do with socialism. They are, in fact, paving the way for a further lurch to the right of this party of the financial oligarchy and military-intelligence apparatus and working to block the emergence of an independent and socialist political movement of the working class, which is the sole basis for defeating fascism and defending democracy. Recent reports have revealed a youth homelessness crisis in Australia amid broader social hardship fuelled by the soaring cost of living, job insecurity and the worst housing affordability on record. The Specialist Homelessness Services Annual Report 202324 (SHSAR), published by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) in December, provides an overview of the number of Australians who access government support for homelessness. In 202324, some 280,078 people sought assistance from homelessness services. This figure is a 2.3 percent increase from the 273,648 who sought support in 202223. Homeless peoples belongings, Chatswood, Sydney, November 2021 [Photo by Sardaka via Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 Nearly 115,000 of those who were provided support were under the age of 25. A total of 38,631 young people aged 1524 who made homelessness service requests were in the most vulnerable cohort, appearing without family support or stable housing, or presenting alone. However, a lack of services means that tens of thousands more are going without support which ranges from general support and assistance to immediate transitional accommodation. According to the AIHW data, more than 75,000 (up from nearly 72,000 in 202122) people who made requests for homelessness services went unassisted. Of those who were turned away, 34,366about 46 percentwere under the age of 25. Couch-surfing now accounts for a significant portion of youth homelessness, with thousands of young people forced to rely on temporary stays with friends or acquaintances, further entrenching their vulnerability. Speaking to SBS News, a 19-year-old named Chelsea described her experience: I called everywhere for help, but there were just no places. I was told Id have to sleep in my car, but I dont even have a car. Chelseas experience is reflective of young people across the country who have been abandoned by a system that prioritises landlords, developers and military expansion over fundamental social needs. A separate analysis by Australian charity the Foyer Foundation highlights the youth homelessness hotspots around the country. The area with the highest youth homelessness according to the Foyer Foundation is Latrobe-Gippsland in regional Victoria. The region has more than 1,000 young people experiencing homelessness. Youth unemployment in Latrobe-Gippsland is almost 14 percent while school completion rates are below the national average. The Latrobe Valley is a case study for the social devastation wrought by mass redundancies with the corporate-driven destruction of manufacturing and other industries in Australia, overseen by successive Labor and Liberal-National Coalition governments at state and federal level. These massive job cuts began in the 1980s and 90s under the Labor governments of Bob Hawke and Paul Keating with the full support of the trade union bureaucracies. The demolition of energy production, logging, timber milling and paper manufacturing in the region has led to widespread poverty, unemployment and social problems like high levels of drug use. Other major regional centres in the top 20 include Illawarra (four) in New South Wales (NSW), Ballarat (number eight) in Victoria, Hunter Valley (13) in NSW, and Cairns (16) and Townsville (17) in Queensland. Like the Latrobe Valley, these regions have experienced massive social devastation over decades brought on by the axing of thousands of jobs. In the Hunter Valley, the destruction of coal mining in particular has seen thousands of job losses. Thousands of steelworkers, miners, dockers and transport logistics workers have also been sacked in the Illawarra in recent decades. In the top 10 youth homelessness hotspots are outback regions of the Northern Territory (number two), northern Western Australia (five) and Queensland (nine) where the vast majority of homeless youth are indigenous. These outback areas have little to no basic social infrastructure such as healthcare and education. This is a continuation of the protracted oppression of Australias Aboriginal people who comprise the most vulnerable section of the working class. Young indigenous people are regularly targeted by police and sent to juvenile detention centres and even adult prisons. Working-class areas of major cities are also in the top 20 youth homelessness hotspots. The western suburbs of MelbourneAustralias largest cityare 10th on the list. Melbournes west has a high population of immigrants, including those from Africa, the Middle East and South Asia. The industrial north of Adelaide, the South Australian capital, is number 11 on the list and Sydneys outer west and Blue Mountains region sit at number 12. Geelong, the second largest city in Victoria after Melbourne, rounds out the list of youth homelessness hotspots at number 20. The wholesale assault on manufacturing and other industries has led to an overall casualisation of the workforce, particularly among younger workers. With precarious work on the rise, many young people are unable to afford rent, food or essential services. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), 10 percent of Australians aged 15 to 24 were unemployed in January 2025. ABS data also shows that youth underemploymentstruggling to get more workwas at 14.1 percent in December 2024. While young people are about twice as likely to experience homelessness than the rest of the population, only 2.9 percent of public housing tenancies in 2021 were allocated to 1524-year-olds in the state of Victoria. This is a sharp expression of the broader need to increase state assistance for housing, yet the response of governments nationally has been to destroy the last vestiges of public housing which was won by workers in the post-World War II period. The Victorian Labor state government, under Premier Jacinta Allan, is leading the most aggressive attack on public housing in decades. Plans are underway to demolish 44 public housing estates, including the Flemington and North Melbourne towers, displacing 6,600 residents. These demolitions have nothing to do with improving housing conditions as the government claims. Instead, they are aimed at clearing prime inner-city land for private developers, with the vast majority of replacement housing designated for the private market rather than social housing. In New South Wales, the state Labor governments demolition program is almost the same. There, public housing in the inner-Sydney suburb of Waterloo is being targeted, leaving 3,000 residents without a home. Similar demolitions and sell-offs are taking place in South Australia and Western Australia. Meanwhile, the Labor federal government of Anthony Albanese has been forced to admit that virtually no new homes have been built under its $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund. The fund was promoted as part of the Labor partys election pitch at the 2022 election. Labor says the funds aim is to build 30,00055,000 social and affordable homes over five years. This is a mere speck compared to the estimated shortfall of 600,000 affordable dwellings nationally. As with the promotion of social housing in favour of government-owned public housing, such housing policies are primarily pitched as a potential goldmine for property developers. The attack on public housing is part of a decades-long and accelerating assault on social spending including slashes to health and education. Having a safe, well-built home is a social right, yet under the capitalist profit system more people are forced into homelessness. This highlights that capitalism offers no future for young people who are bearing the brunt of a global social retrogression which is making them worse off than their parents and grandparents generations. To guarantee a right to housing, as well as other necessities of social life, requires an alternative perspective based on the abolition of capitalism and its replacement with a socialist system based on social need, not private profit. Authorised by Cheryl Crisp for the Socialist Equality Party, Level 1/457-459 Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills, NSW, 2010, Australia. OSLO, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen arrived in Greenland on Wednesday for a three-day visit aimed at reinforcing ties between the Danish government and the Arctic island, as Greenland undergoes a political transition following recent elections. Frederiksen landed in the Greenlandic capital Nuuk at about 2 p.m. local time (1500 GMT). Later in the day, she is scheduled to meet with outgoing Prime Minister Mute Egede and his successor, Jens-Frederik Nielsen. The visit, which runs from April 2 to 4, comes shortly after U.S. Vice President JD Vance and an American delegation, on last Friday, visited Pituffik Space Base in northwest Greenland -- formerly known as Thule Base -- where Vance criticized Denmark for not doing enough for security in the Arctic or for the well-being of the Greenlandic people. Just hours ahead of the visit by Vance, Greenland announced the formation of a new autonomous government. Four political parties, representing 23 of the 31 seats in Greenland's parliament, signed a coalition agreement to establish the new government. Jens-Frederik Nielsen, chairman of the Demokraatit (Democratic Party), will serve as prime minister. "I look forward to continuing the close and trusting cooperation between Greenland and Denmark together with Jens-Frederik Nielsen and the rest of the Naalakkersuisut (Government of Greenland)," Frederiksen said ahead of the visit in a press release. "Greenland has just completed a healthy democratic process and formed a broad government. It is important for me to visit as soon as possible and greet the incoming leader," she added. Frederiksen also expressed her respect for how Greenlandic politicians and the public have handled increasing international attention and pressure on the region. "This is a situation that calls for unity across political parties and across the countries of the Kingdom of Denmark. And for cooperation conducted with mutual respect and equality," she said. Greenland, once a Danish colony, became an integral part of the Kingdom of Denmark in 1953. It was granted home rule in 1979, expanding its autonomy, though Denmark retains control over foreign affairs and defense. Elevenlabs AudioNative Player Momodou Taal Cornell University Ph.D. student Momodou Taal, under threat of seizure and disappearance by the Trump administration, has been forced to leave the United States. In mid-March, Taal and two co-plaintiffs at Cornell University filed a lawsuit challenging Trumps executive orders, which equate criticism of Zionism and the Israeli state with antisemitic harassment and lay the pseudo-legal basis for mass political expulsions. The response from the White House was immediate and extraordinary: His F-1 student visa was summarily revoked, and federal agents were dispatched to surveil and arrest him. Taal faced imminent detention, deportation or possible transfer to a prison in El Salvadorwhere immigrants have already been disappeared into mega-prisons overseen by Trump ally and fascistic President Nayib Bukeleor even Guantanamo Bay. Taal and his attorneys filed emergency requests for a temporary restraining order to block his seizure while the suit against Trumps executive orders went forward. The judge in the case denied an initial request, and an amended request is still pending. Even if Taal was able to win in court, however, the Trump administration has made clear that it will violate court orders that go against it. Trump did not want me to have my day in court, Taal wrote in a powerful statement released Monday evening. Given what we have seen across the United States, I have lost faith that a favorable ruling from the courts would guarantee my personal safety and ability to express my beliefs. Taals attorney Eric Lee told the World Socialist Web Site: Momodou has his freedom, and that is most important. But the administration drove him out of the country for his speech and for exercising his right to a day in court. Everyone should be outraged that courageous young scholars like Momodou are being forced to choose between opposing the government or staying in the country. Taal has been driven out of the country by a government of criminal, corrupt oligarchs that is presently overseeing the slaughter that Taal protested: the US-backed Israeli genocide in Gaza. Just days ago, 15 emergency and aid workersincluding members of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, Gaza Civil Defense and the United Nations Relief and Works Agencywere found buried in a mass grave in southern Gaza. They had been hunted down and killed by Israeli forces, then bulldozed under mounds of sand. Taal wrote in his statement: It is surreal that we live in a world where you get into trouble for saying killing babies is wrong. ... Where those advocating for, and celebrating, endless massacres against Palestinians are able to, time and again, present themselves as victims while presenting those fighting against genocide as oppressors. Taals case is part of a broader system of state terror now unfolding in the United States. Dissent is being criminalized, and the legal architecture of dictatorship is being constructed. Peaceful student protesters, such as Mahmoud Khalil, Rumeysa Ozturk and others, have been abducted. The Trump administration has invoked the Alien Enemies Act to carry out mass deportations, in defiance of court rulings. Among those deported into mass detention camps in El Salvador are individuals identified as gang members solely because they have tattoos. The administration has now acknowledged that one person, Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, a legal resident, was deported due to what the government now calls an administrative error. The Trump administration claims that because he is no longer in US custody, federal courts have no jurisdiction to intervene. In remarks given at the Leipzig Book Fair this weekend, WSWS International Editorial Board Chairman David North laid out the situation unfolding in the US and its historical context: Scenes reminiscent of the Chilean, Argentine and Brazilian dictatorships of the recent past, and even of Nazi Germany, are now becoming common in the United States, he said. Night and FogNacht und Nebelhas come to the United States. The reference is to Hitlers 1941 decree authorizing the secret seizure and disappearance of political opponents across occupied Europe. While the immediate targets of this repression are immigrants and students opposing genocide, the political logic of dictatorship leads inevitably to the targeting of all opposition, including by US citizens. If the First Amendment is declared null and void for 30 million immigrants, it is null and void for everyone. Trump, moreover, has made plans to invoke the Insurrection Act, which would allow the deployment of the military against protests in American cities. While Trump is spearheading this assault, he has many enablers. It was under the Biden administration that the slaughter in Gaza and the repression of protesters began, justified with the slander that opposition to genocide is antisemitism. Last month, the Democrats ensured the passage of Trumps spending bill, and they have maintained silence in the face of mass detentions and deportations. Pseudo-left figures like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have played a particularly foul role. While Sanders postures as an opponent of oligarchy, he has said not a word about the political persecution of Momodou Taal. In fact, as Taal was being hounded by ICE agents, Sanders went out of his way to praise Trump for doing right in cracking down on immigrants. Ocasio-Cortez, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America who is being elevated into the leadership of the Democrats, has likewise issued no statement condemning the assault on Taal or demanding that he be allowed to remain in the country. Then there are the university administrations, tied to the Democratic Party, which are acting as willing accomplices in Trumps reign of terror on the campuses. Harvard has removed both the director and associate director of its Center for Middle Eastern Studies and cut ties with a Palestinian university on the West Bank. Columbia has implemented a list of repressive measures demanded by the Trump administration, including placing entire departmentsMiddle Eastern, South Asian and African Studies and the Center for Palestine Studiesunder supervision. At Cornell, the administration set the stage for Taals targeting by attempting to suspend him last year over his participation in peaceful protests. And just this week, Yale University summarily fired Dr. Helyeh Doutaghi, a respected scholar of international law and critic of the Israeli assault on Gaza, without any semblance of due process. The trade union bureaucracy is no less complicit in these dictatorial policies. Taal is a dues-paying member of the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America (UE), which has done nothing to mobilize opposition. Shawn Fain, president of the United Auto Workers (UAW), which represents over 100,000 graduate students, applauded Trumps nationalist trade war measures just days before Taal was forced to leave the country. The AFL-CIO apparatus, staffed with functionaries making six-figure salaries, functions as an adjunct of the state, policing the working class and facilitating the transition to dictatorship. There exists, however, another social force: the working class of the United States and the world. The Trump administration and the ruling class it represents are lashing out not from strength but from fear. They recognize the enormous danger posed to capitalist rule by the growing opposition of workers and youth to its program of war, repression and social reaction. Workers, however, must recognize that the persecution of Momodou Taal, Mahmoud Khalil and so many others is directed at the entire working class. The measures being tested on campuses today will be used tomorrow to deport striking workers, detain those who resist the destruction of social programs, and criminalize all opposition to the policies of the corporate oligarchy. This also points to the basis upon which the defense of democratic rights must be waged: the conscious political struggle of the international working class. The Socialist Equality Party and the World Socialist Web Site stand unconditionally with Taal and all those resisting this regime. The fight to defend free speech, stop mass deportations and end imperialist war must become a fight to overturn the capitalist system itself, which concentrates wealth and power into the hands of a criminal financial elite. The alternative to dictatorship and genocide is socialism: the democratic control of society by the working class, in the United States and around the world. Donald Trump shakes hands with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at a Turning Point Action campaign rally, Wednesday, October 23, 2024 in Duluth, Georgia. [AP Photo/Alex Brandon] On Tuesday morning, thousands of workers at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awoke to the news that they had been subject to reduction in force (RIF) job cuts. The mass firings impacted employees at multiple agencies within HHS, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and more. They sent the RIFs at like 5 a.m. for maximum cruelty, one employee told Politico, adding, They also immediately shut RIFd people out of their emails so all of the work they do and programs they support are left high and dry. Scenes emerged Tuesday morning of dozens of HHS employees lined up outside the door to their building, unable to gain access after having been fired and locked out during the night. Some employees rushed to the office on learning the news of their firing, often by email, to attempt to retrieve their belongings prior to being locked out. Since Trumps inauguration, federal workers have endured weeks of anxiety and trepidation about the future of their jobs, careers and families, as well as the ultimate fate of the societal benefits of their work on public health and science more generally. Over 80,000 HHS employees have been on edge since the planned mass firings were announced last Thursday. The dust has not yet settled, but the cuts appear to have slashed two-thirds of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) workforce. At the FDA, the Office of New Drugs was completely wiped out, including its director, Dr. Peter Stein. Several other leaders at the FDA were eliminated, including the heads of the Center for Biologics Evaluation Research and the Center for Tobacco Products. Rob Califf, former FDA director under President Joe Biden, posted on LinkedIn: The FDA as weve known it is finished, with most of the leaders with institutional knowledge and a deep understanding of product development and safety no longer employed. At the CDC, in addition to NIOSH the cuts heavily impacted the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention. Notably, Kennedys stated rationale for the cuts includes ending Americas epidemic of chronic illness, with numerous agencies consolidated into a new Administration for a Healthy America. The term Orwellian barely begins to describe what is taking place. The NIH saw cuts of 1,200 staff and scientists, including several senior leaders. The cuts included the directors of the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the National Human Genome Research Institute, the National Institute for Child Health and Human Development, the National Institute of Nursing Research and the National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities. It is highly significant that these cuts coincided with new NIH Director Dr. Jay Bhattarcharyas first day on the job, having been confirmed by the Senate last week. Bhattacharya is notorious as the co-author of the Great Barrington Declaration at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, justifying the Trump administrations criminal herd immunity policy of mass infection, disability and death. In an email sent to NIH employees on his first day, Bhattacharya cynically wrote that the cuts would be implemented humanely. Later on Tuesday, it was revealed that the NIH has scrapped its Final Scientific Integrity Policy, which formerly mandated: This Policy codifies NIHs long-standing expectations to preserve scientific integrity throughout all NIH activities, establishes key roles and responsibilities for those who will lead the agencys scientific integrity program, and, as appropriate, establishes relevant reporting and evaluation mechanisms. The policy ensured that NIH scientists could report findings and personal views to the public without fear of reprisal, protected individuals who reported allegations of breaches of scientific integrity and established an NIH Scientific Integrity Council, among other things. Given last months announcement that the CDC will initiate a new study of the scientifically debunked claims of a link between vaccines and autismto be led by the known anti-vaccine fraudster David Geierthe rescission of the NIH scientific integrity policy is highly significant. The fix is in, and it is easy to predict that Geier will discover a link between vaccines and autism where none exists. Republican state legislatures across the country will then use whatever false conclusions are drawn to substantially weaken or even eliminate childhood vaccination requirements. This takes place under conditions in which measles is now surging at rates not seen since the virus was eliminated in 2000, due to the anti-vaccine propaganda of Kennedy, Geier and their ilk. The savage cuts now unfolding across HHS agencies, as well as the Scientific Integrity Policy rescission, are also intended to send a warning to university-based scientists. Obedience to the official narrative on vaccines, COVID-19, Long COVID, the threat of future pandemics, fluoride and any variety of quackery is demanded and, if not provided, will result in severe consequences. These cuts, combined with threats to university funding, are having their intended effect. A recent Nature poll of 1,600 scientists found that fully 75 percent are now considering leaving the US. This is a stunning reversal of decades of scientists migrating to the US, a major brain drain on the other nations of the world which is on the brink of total reversal. The World Socialist Web Site alone has continuously warned of and denounced the Trump administrations war on science and public health. As we wrote mere days before Trumps inauguration: Under the banner Make America Healthy Again, Trump, Kennedy and this gang of quacks will do everything in their power to facilitate the spread of disease, including previously eliminated pathogens like measles and new existential threats like H5N1 bird flu. The administration is gutting these agencies, systematically firing scientists and health workers en masse and without cause. Thousands of years of collective knowledge and expertise are being shown the door, leaving these agencies without the workforce required to function. The fact that these agencies are at the forefront of providing healthcare services, protecting the nations health, and making leading scientific advances is the reason they are being targeted. The American ruling class is clawing back decades of progress in the well-being of the working class. At the end of World War II, the United States became the center of the academic and scientific universe. The partnership between the federal government and universities nationwide was the cornerstone of what once made American academia the premier scientific destination. Since the turn of the century, this preeminence in scientific research had been declining relative to other countries, in particular China, a process which accelerated during the pandemic. But a qualitative turning point has now been reached. In less than three months the Trump administration has set in motion the complete dismantling of this post-war framework, prompting droves of scientists to head for the exits. Scientific integrity is being ruthlessly discarded, with charlatans like Bhattacharya and Kennedy now in charge of scientific and public health agencies, converting them into engines of disinformation and propaganda. The Democratic Party and trade union apparatus have not only failed to oppose these fascistic policies, they have enabled them. The Biden administration set the stage for Bhattacharya as NIH director by fully implementing his herd immunity policy. Declaring the end of the pandemic, the Biden administration set the stage for the cancelation by Trump this week of hundreds of millions of dollars in public health funding, as well as the NIH cancelation of Long COVID research. Furthermore, the Democrats first spearheaded efforts to whip up a climate of fear on university campuses. In Democratic strongholds such as New York and California, authorities have brutally repressed campus demonstrations against the US-Israeli genocide in Gaza and have capitulated to the Trump administrations demands to do even more. The trade unions have worked hand in glove with the Democrats to suppress workers resistance to the Trump administration and its war on science and public health. The unions representing swaths of workers fired by the Trump administration and its Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are not organizing strikes or calling for mass action. Instead, they are urging ineffectual appeals to the Democrats, who are collaborating with the Trump administration on these actions. The fight for science and public health cannot be separated from the fight for socialism, which requires a political struggle against both capitalist parties. To carry forward this struggle, HHS scientists and other federal workers under assault from the Trump administration must unite with the working class more broadly through rank-and-file committees, under the auspices of the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC). On the campuses, students and faculty must build sections of the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE). Women line up in front of a bakery to get their share of bread in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Thursday Nov. 21, 2024 [AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana] Every bakery in Gaza operated by the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) closed Tuesday due to shortages of food and fuel caused by the ongoing Israeli blockade. For nearly a month, Israel has prevented all food, fuel, water and electricity from entering the Gaza Strip as part of a deliberate policy of starvation and ethnic cleansing aimed at killing or displacing Palestinians in Gaza and annexing their land. Today, the 25 bakeries that were supported by the World Food Programme during the duration of the ceasefire are all closed due to the shortage of flour and the unavailability of cooking gas, said Stephane Dujarric, the spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, on Tuesday. Gazas government media office said Israels starvation policy has caused the complete shutdown of all bakeries and deepened the famine crisis. It added that Israels criminal action aims to complete the chapters of genocide and ethnic cleansing practiced by the occupation against our Palestinian people through systematic starvation policies and the deprivation of citizens of their most basic human rights. We have entered a new phase of famine due to the Israeli blockade, said Amjad Shawa, head of the Gaza NGO Network, adding, We have reached an unprecedented level of humanitarian disaster. Under conditions of a total blockade, Israeli officials have absurdly declared that there is enough food in Gaza. Dujarric, the UN spokesperson, said Israels claim was ridiculous, adding that the United Nations is at the tail end of our supplies. Mohammed al-Kurd, a father of 12, told the Associated Press his children regularly go to sleep without dinner. We tell them to be patient and that we will bring flour in the morning, he said. We lie to them and to ourselves. The deliberate starvation of the Palestinian people in Gaza is accompanied by intensified ground operations amid plans for the total military occupation of the enclave. At least 140,000 people have been ordered to evacuate the southern city of Rafah in preparation for what is expected to be a ground offensive in the area. Gazas health ministry said Tuesday that 42 bodies had arrived at the enclaves hospitals over the past 24 hours, bringing the death toll since Israel systematically abandoned a ceasefire in Gaza two weeks ago to at least 1,042. According to Gazas health ministry, the death toll of the genocide is over 50,000a figure that likely underestimates the true death toll. Amid the expanding military onslaught on Gaza, there is growing evidence that Israeli troops are carrying out mass summary executions. On Tuesday, the Guardian reported that the bodies of 15 Palestinian paramedics and rescue workers, whose bodies were discovered in a mass grave over the weekend, showed evidence of being bound and executed by Israeli forces. The Guardian reported that The witness accounts add to an accumulating body of evidence pointing to a potentially serious war crime on 23 March, when Palestinian Red Crescent ambulance crews and civil defence rescue workers were sent to the scene of an airstrike in the early hours of the morning in the al-Hashashin district of Rafah, Gazas southernmost city. Dr. Ahmed al-Farra, a senior doctor at the Nasser medical complex in Khan Younis, told the Guardian that he personally examined bodies that showed signs of being bound and executed. I was able to see three bodies when they were transferred to the Nasser hospital. They had bullets in their chest and head. They were executed. They had their hands tied, he said. They tied them so they were unable to move and then they killed them. The Guardian reported that al-Farra provided photographs of the bodies showing signs of summary execution. Another witness, identified by the Guardian as an official from an international aid agency, said he saw evidence of a summary execution when the bodies were exhumed from the mass grave. I saw the bodies with my own eyes when we found them in the mass grave, the witness told the Guardian. They had signs of multiple shots in the chest. One of them had legs tied. One was shot in the head. They were executed. The 15 aid workers included paramedics, employees of the Red Crescent, and at least one employee of the United Nations. Jens Laerke, a spokesperson for the UN aid coordination office, told the Guardian, This is a huge blow to us. These people were shot. In a statement over the weekend, Tom Fletcher, the head of the UNs humanitarian operations, asserted bluntly, They were killed by Israeli forces while trying to save lives. We demand answers and justice. I condemn the attack by the Israeli army on a medical and emergency convoy on 23 March resulting in the killing of 15 medical personnel and humanitarian workers in Gaza, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said in a statement. Available information indicates that the first team was killed by Israeli forces on March 23 and that other emergency and aid crews were struck one after another over several hours as they searched for their missing colleagues, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs told the AFP news agency. In a statement on Monday, the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) said that 322 children have been killed by Israeli forces over the past two weeks. The Israeli offensive has reportedly left at least 322 children dead and 609 injuredconstituting a daily average of around 100 children killed or maimed over the past 10 days. Most of these children were displaced, sheltering in makeshift tents or damaged homes. These figures include children who were reportedly killed or injured when the surgical department of Al Nasser Hospital, in southern Gaza, was struck in an attack on 23 March. It added that After nearly 18 months of war, more than 15,000 children have reportedly been killed, over 34,000 reportedly injured, and nearly one million children repeatedly displaced and deprived of their right to basic services. Characterizing the humanitarian situation, UNICEF wrote that With no aid allowed into the Gaza Strip since 2 Marchrepresenting the longest period of aid blockage since the start of the warfood, safe water, shelter, and medical care have become increasingly scarce. Without these essential supplies, malnutrition, diseases, and other preventable conditions will likely surge, leading to an increase in preventable child deaths. The World Socialist Web Site has received a large volume of correspondence from railroaders at BNSF, in response to an interview published earlier this year. We are reproducing a selection of these letters below. To have your say, fill out the form at the bottom of this article. All submissions will be kept anonymous. We also encourage workers to join the Railroad Workers Rank-and-File Committee to build a rebellion against the sellout union bureaucracy. BNSF track workers in Vaughn, New Mexico [Photo: BNSF] A Colorado railroader: Very well written article. However, you dont have to go past zero to get in trouble for attendance, if you even hit zero you get a letter of investigation. Therefore you effectively only have 29 points. Also, they have a low hours policy, where if you have points and you DO take time off, and if your hours fail to meet their requirements (which are unknown to us, there is no policy or anything anywhere stating minimum number of hours), they will send you a letter of investigation stating that youre not meeting the requirements of a full time employee. They also recently sent out letters stating that using paid time off, paid leave days, or vacation to extend time off is a manipulation and indifference to duty so we can get fired for that too now. Plus, they can require doctors notes for any sick time you take, even if you just happened to take time off for diarrhea or something. That then requires you to take more time off in order for you to go see the doctor. When I first hired out, there werent points, you had to be available 75 percent of the days for whatever month you were in and it was based off a 3-month rolling period. A railroad worker: Personally I think a wildcat strike is about the only option left unless, somehow, the RLA [Railway Labor Act, which imposes sharp limits on workers right to strike] can be eliminated. We could use the same excuse that the carrier used to change agreements in the past: its a very old agreement and needed to be looked into again. A railroader from Montana: BNSFs draconian attendance policy has gotten completely out of control. Youve heard all the stories on points and what it takes to get them back. What you havent heard is the anger, frustration, and hopelessness over not seeing family and friends, or just getting time to decompress and get some rest. The comments about workplace violence are getting more frequent. The hostility of employees towards management is a daily thing now. People talking about catching someone outside of work, etc. Then there is the constant lies and harassment from managers. Retaliation against employees for booking company mandated rest. And the constant blaming of trainmen taking that rest time for the delays in freight service. Worker from the Texas Panhandle: Class I railroads need oversight because their focus on profit over performance is threatening the economy. Their excessively long trains move slower and cause more delays, clogging supply chains and blocking communities. On top of that, harsh attendance policies are burning out workers, risking safety and pushing skilled employees out. Without intervention, these practices could grind freight movementand the economyto a halt. A railroad machinist from Nebraska: Conditions in the mechanical shops that cover machinists, electricians and pipefitters are just as bad. Tension is at an all time high. The micromanaging is so bad that a superintendent of a shop cannot even make decisions anymore without approval over the most basic things. The workforce has been reduced to about half at this point with no hiring in sight. People are forced [to work overtime] because of under-staffing. BNSF preaches safety everyday, but its all talk, no action. Anytime production would be affected, they take every opportunity to pressure workers to keep working even in unsafe conditions. the railroad shareholders have created a very dangerous work environment, and in my opinion safety will fail at some point creating another East Palestine incident again Its just a matter of when. An engineer from Illinois: We get penalized for using the 5 sick days we get per year. The carrier (BNSF) has been sending intimidating emails stating that using sick days could create a pattern, and they will be monitoring those who use them and discipline accordingly. Out of 365 days a year, we get our [attendance] points which are basically non usable. We get 5 whopping sick days. And then our vacation/personal days. They allow a certain amount of people off each day for vacation and personal days. Even if there is an opening for us to use a personal or vacation day, they still deny it and tell us there arent enough people available. So we cant even use our earned time off. Most normal jobs know what hours they work and have set days off. Not just Saturday/Sunday off. People get Friday night until Monday morning off every single week. If we took Friday night until Monday morning off once a year, we would exhaust all of our points and would have to work 6 months straight to get them back. It is absolutely ridiculous. Ive seen many coworkers with mental health struggles. Their families are ripped apart. And several others that are suicidal. Its terrible. A railroader from Oklahoma: What good is having days off, just to put them in and have the carrier decline your request? Im gone away from home over 220 days a year. With trains made to go slower and slower all in the name of fuel economy, Im rarely on duty under 10.5 hours. And getting a relief crew ordered for you is always a last minute decision. They let people make decisions that are not qualified to work a fry station at McDonalds. Im at the mercy of those idiots. BEIJING, April 2 (Xinhua) -- A total of 1,429 police officers received service awards for their outstanding contribution to China's border control, the National Immigration Administration (NIA) said Wednesday. The awards were granted to police personnel serving in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region or in other border areas with harsh conditions, the NIA statement said. They consist of three levels, the golden ones for police officers in service for 30 years, the silver ones for those in service for 20 years and the bronze ones for those in service for 10 years, according to the statement. Since the establishment of the awards in 2022, a group of border police officers have been honored with the medals each year, with this year being the third conferral, the statement noted. The awards have effectively inspired border police officers to remain true to their mission and encouraged them to defend the long-term peace, prosperity and stability of China's frontier regions with stronger resolve, the statement added. JAKARTA, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Refugees from the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki in East Flores regency, East Nusa Tenggara province, Indonesia, discovered 393 bullets and 16 active grenades, believed to be relics from World War II (WWII), while digging a septic tank on Tuesday. Authorities swiftly responded to the discovery, confirming that the grenades remain active. Iptu Anwar Sanusi, head of Public Relations of the East Flores Police, on Wednesday said that the grenades were temporarily stored in a safe location, away from residential areas. The explosive materials remain under tight security as authorities await the arrival of a bomb disposal team from the provincial police in Kupang. Meanwhile, the bomb disposal team from Sikka regency arrived at the temporary refugee housing site at 1:00 p.m. local time on Tuesday to assess the situation. The discovered items include 16 hand grenades made in Japan, each equipped with fuses and pull ropes, as well as 393 rounds of 6.5 MM caliber ammunition, which were used for the Arisaka Type 38 rifle during the war. ADDIS ABABA, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh has appointed Abdoulkader Houssein Omar as the country's new minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation. Following his appointment, Omar will succeed Djibouti's long-serving former foreign minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, who now serves as the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, the Djibouti President's Office disclosed in a statement late Tuesday. Omar, a former ambassador to Kuwait, will also serve as the Red Sea nation's government spokesperson in his new role, according to the presidential decree. Omar met with Guelleh to receive directions on the country's diplomatic and socio-economic development priorities. Guelleh also emphasized the promotion of peace, regional stability, and African economic integration as the country's key priorities, the statement added. Angela Deem is in mourning after she announced the death of Billy, her internet love connection she introduced during 90 Day Fiance: Happily Ever After? Angela, 59, announced the news of Billys death on Tuesday, April 1, in a post shared by 90 Day Fiance blogger John Yates. Angela Deem Shares that her good friend Billy passed away last night. 'Rest In Peace Beautiful Beautiful Friend' Condolences to Billy's family his girlfriend Dee and Angela, the caption read. Angela shared a slide on her Instagram Stories featuring a video that combined separate clips of herself and Billy due to their long-distance relationship. Alongside the footage, she wrote, Please, everyone, pray for Dee, Billys girlfriend. She was the real angel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Billy was first introduced to TLC fans on season 7 of 90 Day Fiance: Happily Ever After? in April 2022 as an online friendship Angela developed amid her marriage to her estranged husband, Micheal Ilesanmi. Angela met Billy after she reached out to him online to do a painting for her then-husband, 37, who was in Nigeria while she remained in the U.S. Their relationship rapidly grew as they spent more time chatting, eventually becoming close friends. They even teamed up to perform TikTok dances together, further deepening their bond. During the spinoff, Angela admitted that shed been leaning on Billy amid her marriage struggles. After she called Billy a man of many trades, she explained that he used to be a stripper in the 80s known as the Thief of Hearts. 90 Day Fiances Angela Deem Mourns Beautiful Friend Billy After Death Their online relationship eventually fizzled out as Angela focused on repairing her marriage with Michael, especially after his U.S. visa was finally approved in December 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, marital bliss didnt last long for Angela, as shortly after he moved into her Georgia home, she reported Michael missing in February 2024. Michael later explained his disappearance by saying he was in fear of his life, and he claimed he didnt want Angela to know where he was. Angela filed for annulment from Michael on June 20, 2024, In Touch confirmed at the time. In her paperwork, she claimed that Michael fraudulently induced her into marriage for the purpose of gaining legal permanent resident status in the United States. In response, the Nigeria native started a GoFundMe fundraiser in August 2024 in hopes of raising funds for his legal fees. After surpassing his $25,000 goal, he responded to Angelas annulment filing on August 21, 2024, and denied her claims of fraud. Michael accused his ex of cruel treatment and physical and mental abuse during their marriage. He also said that the treatment was one of the reasons for their divorce. The case is ongoing. In Touch exclusively reported that the case was moving along in the justice system after Michael informed the court on December 2, 2024, that he had turned over documents and information that Angela requested as part of the case. Angela had served interrogatories, which was a list of questions or demands, that she wanted Michael to provide information on or produce related documents for amid their split. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: XYZ Films Not since the days of Erich von Daniken's "Chariots of the Gods," director Steven Spielberg's "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," and publisher Bob Guccione's "Omni" magazine has there been this much interest in the study, history, and research of UFOs, an arena of curiosity branded as Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP). The latest entry into the mysterious mire of flying saucer mania is a new abduction thriller from Sweden called "Watch The Skies." The ominous title is a nostalgic nod to the finale of director Christian Nyby's "The Thing From Another World" from 1951, where Scotty the newspaper reporter character warns the whole world of potential extraterrestrial visitors over the radio. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Watch the Skies" was also the original name of Spielberg's "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," his sci-fi classic of 1977. Official poster for director Victor Danell's "Watch the Skies." | Credit: XYZ Films Premiering in theaters May 9, 2025 after a 2023 film festival circuit run and heralding from XYZ Films ("Ash") and directed by Swedish filmmaker Victor Danell, "Watch the Skies" is centered around a headstrong teenage girl named Denise who' s convinced that her missing father was snatched by aliens. She embarks on a daring rescue mission with a motley band of crazed UFO cultists to try and finally discover the truth. RELATED STORIES: "The monster will come for us all! Mon Mothma rouses the rebels in new 'Andor' Season 2 trailer Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watch two new trailers for 'The Alters', an upcoming sci-fi survival game where you clone yourself in a giant rolling base (video) Is Netflix's 'The Electric State' a sci-fi retelling of 'The Wizard of Oz'? "Watch the Skies" stars Inez Dahl Torhaug (Denise), with Eva Melander, Jesper Barkselius, Sara Shirpey, Hakan Ehn, Isabelle Kyed, Niklas Kvarnbo Jonsson, and Mathias Lithner. Harnessing the evolving power of Artificial Intelligence with impressive results, the actors' real voices were translated into English by Flawless using their visual dubbing technology to synchronize lip movements from Swedish. We think this judicious use of AI and this dubbing process is definitely something to keep an eye on in the future. "Watch the Skies" was originally titled "UFO Sweden" and hits U.S. theaters on May 9. Hailee Steinfeld made the latest stop on her Sinners promotional tour with an appearance on Good Morning America on Wednesday in New York City. The actress stars in the forthcoming film alongside Michael B. Jordan. For her GMA appearance, Steinfeld opted for the utilitarian trend styled recently by such stars as Leslie Bibb, among others. Steinfeld wore a covert twill utility jumpsuit courtesy of Michael Kors Collection. The gray jumpsuit featured an exaggerated, sinuous collar and angular lapels. More from WWD Hailee Steinfeld arrives to Good Morning America on April 2 in New York City. The sleeves of the garment also featured a slightly oversized design, echoed by the wide-leg pants of the jumpsuit. Black buttons featured down the front placket of the jumpsuit, while a long black belt served as a standout element of the look. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As for her glam, Steinfeld kept her look clean and simple. The Oscar-nominated True Grit actress opted for a serene makeup look with soft features, including a pink lip. Her hair was styled with a side part and featured soft curls. Hailee Steinfeld attends the premiere of Sinners on March 31 in Mexico City, Mexico. Prior to her GMA appearance, Steinfeld joined members of the Sinners cast and creative team for the films premiere in Mexico City on Monday. For the red carpet event, the actress wore a high-low black dress with long sleeves courtesy of Fendi. Steinfeld accentuated her modern gothic look with a pair of pointed toe heels courtesy of Rodo. Steinfelds hair was styled in a tight, sleek look courtesy of Ricky Fraser. Her makeup included dark glamour inspiration by Ash K. Holm. Steinfeld collaborated with stylists Mariel Haenn and Rob Zangardi on her Sinners promotional looks. Hailee Steinfeld arrives to Good Morning America on April 2 in New York City. Sinners, directed by Ryan Coogler, follows twins Elias and Elijah Smoke (Michael B. Jordan). In an effort to leave their past behind them, the brothers return home, only to find an even greater evil awaits them. The film hits theaters April 18. View Gallery Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Launch Gallery: Hailee Steinfeld's Fashion Moments Through the Years Best of WWD Sign up for WWD's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. A harrowing 2006 Navy SEAL mission in Ramadi, Iraq, comes to brutally authentic life in Warfare, the latest collaboration between Civil War director Alex Garland and military veteran Ray Mendoza. At Tuesdays U.K. premiere, the filmmakers revealed how their refusal to moralize about combat emerged from a shared commitment to truth-telling in a medium often prone to seduction. More from Variety Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The project emerged from Garland and Mendozas previous collaboration on Civil War, where Mendoza served as military advisor. During that production, Garland was struck by the authenticity Mendoza brought to a scene where soldiers navigate a corridor toward the Oval Office. It had a kind of electricity attached to it, Garland explained during the pre-screening Q&A. What I could see floating out was some truth, some reality about how these guys function. This observation sparked the idea for Warfare expanding beyond five minutes of fictional combat to create 90 or 100 minutes of recreation, a sort of forensic recreation, of actual combat, Garland said. Mendoza, who survived the actual 2006 operation in Ramadi (about 70 miles west of Baghdad), chose this particular mission partly to benefit a fellow veteran who lost his memory of the event. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was one [story] in particular with Elliott Miller, played by Cosmo Jarvis, Mendoza recounted. When Ali woke up, he immediately started asking questions about what happened, and its really hard to explain to him he doesnt have that core memory. After years of trying to convey the experience through maps and written accounts, Mendoza realized film might provide closure. Both filmmakers praised A24, who produced the film alongside DNA Films, for enabling their uncompromising approach. A24 [gave] us the economy and the freedom to do what we wanted, Mendoza noted when explaining why the timing felt right. Working with Alex, I felt it was right I think we all decided that it was time and that everything was aligned. Garland emphasized the films commitment to avoiding editorial judgment. Everything in the film, more or less, is sourced from a first-person account, he said. The film is just attempting to accurately recreate it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This approach stands in contrast to contemporary expectations, as Garland noted: We live in a period where its very difficult to make any kind of public statement unless you position yourself in the public statement with what you think in relation to what is happening. The director added that this neutral stance allows viewers to receive this as adults in their own way, calling the alternative approach, which often comes with an agenda, infantilizing and irritating, and I dont want to be part of it. Garland also addressed cinemas relationship with war: Cinema has a very long history with making war seductive, and it doesnt always do it intentionally but broadly, war films are often seductive. That can be fine, that can be very enjoyable. It can be entertaining, but it isnt always appropriate. The film features an ensemble cast, including Charles Melton, DPharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Kit Connor, Joseph Quinn, Will Poulter, Cosmo Jarvis, and Michael Gandolfini. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Warfare opens April 11 in the U.S. and April 18 in the U.K. Best of Variety Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. BEIJING, April 2 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Commerce announced on Wednesday that it would extend the duration of an anti-dumping investigation into brandy originating from the European Union (EU). Given the complexity of the case and in accordance with relevant regulations, the ministry has decided to further extend the probe until July 5, 2025, the ministry said in a statement on its website. The ministry initiated the investigation on Jan. 5 last year, following a request from the China Alcoholic Drinks Association on behalf of the domestic industry. Last December, the investigation was extended until April 5 this year. The anti-dumping investigation looks at spirits obtained by distilling grape wine in containers holding less than 200 liters imported from Oct. 1, 2022 to Sept. 30, 2023, according to the ministry. Since Oct. 11 last year, China has imposed temporary anti-dumping measures on brandy originating from the EU. Jeff Bezos is making headlines in Italy, where the Amazon founder and executive chair plans to marry Emmy-winning journalist, pilot and entrepreneur Lauren Sanchez this summer. Bezos and Sanchez were spotted in Venice on Tuesday making preparations for the three-day celebration that Luca Zuin, a spokesperson for the mayor of Venice, has said will run June 24-26. More from Variety Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to press reports, the wedding may take place on Bezos $500-million super yacht anchored in the Venice lagoon, though other options are being explored. The couple also dined with Diane von Furstenberg on Tuesday, according to Venice daily La Nuova Venezia. Italian media have been in a frenzy over the Bezos-Sanchez wedding, with several outlets reporting that the couple has fully booked five hotels and Venices fleet of water taxis. After Italys leading daily Corriere della Sera complained in an editorial that Bezos would seize Venice in its entirely: taxis, gondolas, hotels, calling this an annoying imbalance, Venice mayor Luigi Brugnaro issued a statement trying to tone down the controversy. The many speculations and fake news circulating about Jeff Bezos wedding are completely unfounded, the mayor said, adding that the city is working with the weddings organizers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brugnaro clarified that roughly 200 guests will be attending the ceremony, noting that Venice in the past has hosted international events with much greater impact than this one, citing, among others, the Venice Film Festival. Meanwhile, the rumor mill is spinning on who is going to be on the events guest list with Eva Longoria, Katy Perry, CBS Mornings co-host Gayle King, Orlando Bloom, Leonardo DiCaprio, Oprah Winfrey, Barbara Streisand, Kris Jenner and Kim Kardashian among Hollywood names being bandied around. As previously announced, Sanchez, Perry and King are set to embark on an all-women flight into space on April 14, a mission organized by Sanchez with Bezos aerospace company Blue Origin. The missions crew also includes Bahamian-American aerospace engineer Aisha Bowe, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen and film producer Kerianne Flynn. Best of Variety Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Jaco Pastorius. | Credit: Getty Images/Paul Natkin In 1979, three legendary jazz musicians united as the Trio Of Doom - and it was a combustible mix to say the least. The trio consisted of guitarist John McLaughlin, bassist Jaco Pastorius and drummer Tony Williams. They performed only one concert - the Havana Jam Festival in Cuba - and recorded enough material for just one album. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a 2016 interview with Jazz Times, John McLaughlin recalled the chaos of the Trios brief lifespan and explained how he and Williams struggled to cope with the errant Pastorius. McLaughlin said of his introduction to Pastorius in the 70s: "The first person Jaco Pastorius came to see in New York was me, and we jammed together at SRI [Studio]. He found me and asked me for 20 bucks to fix a flatmoney I never got back! He walked in and said, 'I'm Jaco Pastorius, the greatest bass player in the world.' I said, 'Oh, I like the way you talk. Let's play.' And we played and it was marvellous. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I told him, 'If I didnt have a great bass player already I'd hire you.' But I called Tony Williams that night and said, 'See if there's something you can do with this guy Jaco, because he's amazing. In the meantime, Pastorius was poached by keyboardist Joe Zawinul for the jazz fusion group Weather Report. Within six months Joe Zawinul had snatched him up, McLaughlin said, and the rest is history. According to McLaughlin, Pastorius was already experiencing troubles with mental health and drug addiction when he joined the Trio Of Doom. "In 1979 we were booked for the Havana Jam, McLaughlin said, and Jaco had already started his descent. So sad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But we went to rehearsals, and the rehearsals were just amazing. I'm so sad those rehearsals weren't recorded, because they were outstanding. So we played but the performance was not good at all. Jaco went on a star trip, and musically it was a bit of a disaster. "The three of us are onstage, and all of a sudden, Jaco, in the middle of a C-minor blues, starts playing in A-major, real loud, and going up front. [Tony and I] did what we could, as best as possible, and when we get offstage, Jaco says, 'You know, you're a bad motherfucker.' And I said, 'I have never felt so ashamed to be onstage If I never see you again, it's too soon.' And all the rats and snakes came out. McLaughlin recalled: I was so angry, because I felt he betrayed Tony and me. I'm the kind of guy, I just let it all out and I told him to fuck off. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "But CBS knew, and they could hear [the Havana recording], of course. So CBS calls two weeks later and says, 'Will you go into the studio with Tony and Jaco?' And I said, 'If Tony is ready to go, I'll go. According to McLaughlin, when the trio got back together, tensions quickly came to a head. "We went in, and Tony was very angry, still, he recalled. He should have gotten it out, really, because it was boiling over. Anyway, in the studio, he wouldn't talk to Jaco, he wouldn't even look at Jaco until finally Jaco said something and that was the triggerTony flipped. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jaco thought he was gonna die that day in the control room of CBS! "Tony was furious. He didn't touch [Pastorius], but Tony, in anger, was a volcano in activity. I thought it was funny by this time, because I'd let [his anger with Pastorius] out. But he [Williams] let it all out, and Jaco was afraid. Tony went in and destroyed his drums in the studio. And walked out. It was in 2007 that the self-titled Trio Of Doom album was finally released - 20 years after the death of Pastorius, and 10 years after the death of Williams. McLaughlin insisted that only he was qualified to mix it the album. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He recalled his orders to Sony: I said, 'Give me all the tapes. Because I love them both, I miss them both, and only I know how this should be mixed.' And so I did. But it was very tricky, because you've got two versions of things. I wanted to get the Havana part in as well, as part of the story, because it's interesting. Trio of Doom is a document, he said. It's not just a record. These two giants, they're gone. And I told Sony they had to give the money to their widows. I've lost a lot of friends over the years. More than friendspeople I loved." Ryan Kwanten, Jeremy Piven and fellow battle-hardened U.S. soldiers during the Vietnam War discover dinosaurs among their deadly jungle enemies in the trailer for Primitive War. Luke Sparkes upcoming sci-fi horror pic is based on Ethan Pettus book where American soldiers in an elite unit in Vietnam discover their enemies are not all human. Three days ago, I lost my Green berets. There was something going on in that battle, Pivens character says at one point in the trailer. More from The Hollywood Reporter Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A logline from the films producers adds about the mystery: Set in Vietnam in 1968, the Primitive War movie will follow a search and rescue team known as Vulture Squad sent to an isolated jungle valley to reveal the fate of a missing Green Beret platoon. As they hunt through the primordial depths of the valley and the casualties mount, the Vulture Squad members must embrace their savage instincts to survive the horrors they face, including the ultimate Apex predators, dinosaurs. Australian director Sparke helmed, co-wrote the adapted script, produced, edited and production designed Primitive War. The ensemble cast includes Tricia Helfer, Nick Wechsler, Ana Thu Nguyen and Jake Ryan. Dinosaurs in the Vietnam war? Whats not to love about that concept?! When I first heard about the books, I loved the ideas and concepts Ethan brought into them, and were shaping our film version into an exciting survival-horror film, Sparke said in a statement when first taking on the project in 2022. The Primitive War historical sci-fi military novel series includes Primitive War II: Animus Infernal and the upcoming third installment Primitive War III: Aeon Ouroboros. Carly Sparke and Carmel Imrie are producing Primitive War with Geoff Imrie as executive producer and Alex Becconsall as co-producer. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Sign up for THR's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Apr. 1No fooling, tickets for the greatest show off Earth will be available for purchase Friday. General admission, Park and Ride, and hospitality program tickets for the 2025 ExxonMobil Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta will be available at 9 a.m. Friday, April 4. The 53rd Balloon Fiesta runs from Oct. 4-12. General admission tickets for one session (morning or evening) will be $15 per person, with children 12 and under free. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Park and Ride one session tickets include round-trip transportation and admission. Tickets for Park and Ride are $25 for adults 13-61, $23 for seniors 62 and older, and $13 for children 6-12. Ticket prices increase if purchased day of the event. Tickets for the Gondola Club are $150 per session, and Chasers' Club tickets are $75 per session, with children 5 and under free. Also back this year is "New Mexico Day." General admission tickets will be free on Oct. 6 with a New Mexico photo ID or utility bill with a New Mexico address at the ticket booths. To purchase tickets, visit balloonfiesta.com/purchase-tickets (fees will be added for online credit card sales) or visit the Balloon Fiesta offices at 4401 Alameda Blvd. NE. The World Happiness Report for 2025 is officially here, and there's a LOT to take away from it including the happiest countries around the world that you can visit and live in this year. Whether there's better healthcare, more community, and everything in between, some places really are just happier than others. So, without further ado, these are officially the most happy countries in the world for 2025! Scroll to see what the happiest countries in the world are for 2025! When did the 2025 World Happiness Report come out? smiling woman traveling | Yan Krukau The 2025 World Happiness Report was aptly released on March 20, the International Day of Happiness! What does the World Happiness Report measure? happy woman in costa rica | Yan Krukau Published by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford, the report is based on data from the Gallup World Poll, which surveys individuals in over 140 countries. It ranks nations by happiness using the average life evaluations over the past three years, specifically from 2022 to 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Participants in the survey rate their overall life satisfaction, and these self-assessments determine the rankings. To better understand the factors influencing happiness, the report examines six key indicators: GDP per capita, healthy life expectancy, social support, generosity, personal freedom, and perceptions of corruption. What rank is USA in World Happiness Report? happy woman | Yan Krukau This year, the United States isn't faring so well. This year, our nation dropped to its lowest ranking ever: number 24. According to Illana Ron-Levey, Gallup's managing director, some of the United States' decline in happiness was "at least partly attributable to Americans younger than age 30 feeling worse about their lives." Why would some people be less happy in 2025? couple in a field | Yan Krukau "Today's young people report feeling less supported by friends and family, less free to make life choices, and less optimistic about their living standards," she added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The good news is that the research shows people are generally kinder than we assume, and recognizing this could boost our happiness and transform how we perceive those around us. Moreover, there are plenty of extremely happy countries that make desirable travel destinations. Here are some that topped the list in satisfaction. finland | Yan Krukau 2025's Happiest Countries In The World It may not come as a shock that Finland has taken first place for the eighth year in a row. The nation boasts many beneficial policies and initiatives, such as universal health care, as well as a strong social support and education infrastructure. It also has a very low crime rate. Visitors can enjoy a wide range of activities, too, from soaking up the northern lights under the Arctic sky to hiking in one of Finland's 41 national parks, seeing breathtaking architecture, experiencing Midsummer, a celebration of the summer solstice, and, of course, trying Finnish food. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The runners-up to Finland include Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden in second, third, and fourth place, respectively. Just like Finland, these three countries held onto their global happiness ranking from 2024. denmark | Yan Krukau Those hoping to visit Denmark can explore its capital city, Copenhagen, which is rich in museums and other cultural experiences, learn about the fascinating history of Vikings, and dine at Michelin award-winning restaurants. iceland | Yan Krukau Over in Iceland, experience unbelievable 24-hour daylight from mid-May to late July, go whale watching, take a diving tour or guided snorkeling trip at Thingvellir National Park, traverse glaciers, relax in geothermal spas, and walk along beautiful black sand beaches. sweeden | Yan Krukau Finally, in Sweden, there are various vibrant cities to check out, like Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmo. Pop fans must visit the ABBA museum, while culinary connoisseurs need to try authentic Swedish meatballs, and nature lovers can take in all the natural beauty that Sweden is renowned for. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aside from the Nordic countries, which are dominating the globe in terms of happiness, two Latin American countries also made it into the top 10 for the very first time. Costa Rica ranked at number six, and Mexico at number 10. costa rica | Yan Krukau If you travel to Costa Rica, you can embark on all kinds of adventures, from hiking and zip-lining to surfing and river rafting. oaxaca, mexico | Yan Krukau Or, in Mexico, see the archaeological site Chichen Itza, take a delicious food tour, and sit back on the sand of some stunning beaches. What's the full list of the happiest countries in the world for 2025? two happy women in iceland | Yan Krukau Finland Denmark Iceland Sweden Netherlands Costa Rica Norway Israel Luxembourg Mexico Australia New Zealand Switzerland Belgium Ireland Lithuania Austria Canada Slovenia Czechia United Arab Emirates Germany United Kingdom United States Belize Looking for more travel news? Sign up for our newsletter so you never miss a thing! Arizona has been a destination for thousands of hopeful settlers over the years. At one point, many of them were miners looking to find gold in the mineral-rich Sonoran desert mountains. But, just as the gold supply eventually vanished, so too did the residents of Arizona's ghost towns. Well, most of them, anyway. While the majority of the state's abandoned towns are actually abandoned, some are as lively as ever. Take Jerome, for example, which has transformed into a tourist hotspot known for its windy road and ghostly reputation over the decades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here are seven of the most unique ghost towns in the Grand Canyon state. Oatman This Western town of Oatman in northwest Arizona is overrun by burros descended from the pack animals miners brought to the area during the 1800s. If you ever find yourself on a Southwest ghost town tour, Oatman is an essential stop. Located 28 miles southeast of Laughlin, Nevada, in the Black Mountains of Mohave County, the vibrant town isn't just a roadside attraction it's the destination. It wasn't always this way, though. Oatman started as a mining camp after prospectors struck gold in the area in the early 1900s. In its heyday, from the start of the century to the 1940s, Oatman and the nearby town of Gold Road were Arizona's largest gold producers. The town had a hotel (which, by the way, is rumored to be haunted), a post office, its own newspaper, millions of dollars in gold and, at its peak, 10,000 residents. During World War II, the government needed other metal types for the war effort, so the miners were taken to other areas and the Oatman mines closed. Once Route 66 was changed in 1953 to make traveling south of the mountain passes easier, Oatman was reduced to ghost town status. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Route 66 came alive again in the late 1980s, so did Oatman. Today, the main street is lined with shops and restaurants. Wild burros wander the streets and actors recreate western shootouts. Oatman hosts an annual "Sidewalk Egg Fry," which is exactly what it sounds like, as well as a "Burro Biscuit Toss" where participants attempt to toss donkey poop the farthest. Santa Claus Santa Claus is one of the most unique ghost towns because, as the name might suggest, Christmas was celebrated year-round there. Sadly, though, all of the residents and their holiday cheer have long since disappeared. The abandoned town is located about 20 minutes northwest of Kingman on the U.S. 93 between Kingman and Boulder City. In 1936, Ninon and Edward Talbot, who operated Kit Carson Guest House along Route 66 in Kingman, purchased 80 acres of land near the Hoover Dam. The following year, the Holly Jolly Rest Stop was born. Santa Claus was comprised of a restaurant, the Talbots' house, two miniature buildings for kids and a Texaco service station, each adorned in festive decorations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Santa Claus' main draw was its popular roadside attraction, the Christmas Tree Inn. The Talbots served gourmet, holiday-themed feasts all year. From the 1950s onward, the town was tossed between owners. In 1990, the state erased Santa Claus from the official Arizona map. The Christmas Tree Inn closed two years later after it became a shadow of the fine-dining establishment it once was. Alamo Crossing Alamo Crossing is located in Mohave County and was settled in the late 1890s. It was once the only town in the area and served as a camp for mining prospectors in the Artillery Mountains range. It never expanded the way other Arizona ghost towns once had, housing only a mill, post office, several stores and a population of 25 in its heyday. The town was inconsistently abandoned throughout the 20th century. Alamo Crossing's claim to fame, however, happened in 1968, when it was intentionally flooded to create Alamo Lake. That's right, the town is currently submerged at the bottom of a lake. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The remains of Alamo Crossing are still intact underwater. The town road still exists, leading into the water. Brigham City If you know anything about the Church of Latter-day Saints, you might not be surprised to learn that Brigham City was founded by a member of the church. Brigham City was but a blip in Arizona history, as it was established in 1876 and abandoned by 1881. The town housed 20 Mormon families and 15 unmarried men from Salt Lake City. They settled the area and built homes inside protective walls measuring 200 feet long and 7 feet high. Only one of the communities' buildings and portions of a wall remain today. Flash flooding washed away the dams and irrigation systems, leading to crop failures and the eventual abandonment of the town. Brigham City was one of four Little Colorado River colonies in Navajo County. The town was annexed into the city of Winslow and is now a historic site. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hidden gold: AZ legends tell tales of hidden gold. Where can you find gold in the state? Nothing Located in eastern Mohave County, Nothing offers exactly that: nothing. The ghost town is west of Bagdad at milepost 148 on U.S. 93 between Wickenburg and Kingman. The settlement, now with a population of zero, was established in 1977 by Richard "Buddy" Kenworthy. At its height, there was a gas station, garage and store, and four people living in Nothing. Kenworthy abandoned the settlement in 2005, and the gas station began to collapse in 2008. Later that year, a hopeful, 49-year-old pizza chef named Mike Jensen bought the town and then opened a restaurant in 2009. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nothing would be abandoned again just two years later in 2011. Nowhere, Nothing, Why: The stories behind these weird Arizona town names Castle Dome Castle Dome City sits in the Castle Dome Mountains of Yuma County. It was first settled in 1863 as a transport depot and mining camp. As the area grew, a post office was established in 1875, but would only operate for one year. A nearby landing on the banks of the Colorado River became a shipping point for ore on its way to California in the late 19th century. Even though the mining camp in Castle Dome would decline, Castle Dome Landing thrived. For six years, the landing served as the first stop for steamboats traveling up the river from Yuma. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Castle Dome Landing peaked at a population of 3,000 people and almost became Yuma County's namesake. It housed a posted office, hotel, saloon, general store and smelting facilities. The area became a significant source of lead during the World Wars, but mining would later decline as demand decreased. By 1978, the mines were shut down and the last of the residents departed. The remains of Castle Dome Landing are now submerged beneath the Imperial Dam reservoir in Martinez Lake. In 1994, Castle Dome Mine Museum was built upon what was previously the city of Castle Dome. Kentucky Camp A freak accident that killed a mining engineer transformed Kentucky Camp into what it is today: a scenic canyon with mesquite trees, oak trees, tall grasses and cactuses. Located along the Arizona Trail in Pima County near Sonoita, Kentucky Camp used to be a mining camp, as so many ghost towns were. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gold was discovered on the eastern slope of the Santa Rita Mountains in 1874. The area became the Greaterville mining district, one of the richest placer deposits in southern Arizona. Placer deposits contain a mixture of gold, sand and gravel. Because working in the area was quite the task (miners needed to haul sacks of dirt to the few running streams in the vicinity so they could wash and separate the minerals), many gave up and moved on at the turn of the 19th century. In 1902, a California mining engineer named James Stetson was able to keep the mine operating by channeling seasonal runoff from the mountain streams into a reservoir. The reservoir held enough water to last ten months. With investors by his side, Stetson formed the Santa Rita Water and Mining Company. The buildings at Kentucky Camp served as the offices and residences for mine employees from 1902 through 1906, but tragedy struck the town. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One day before meeting with stockholders in 1905, Stetson was killed in a fall from a window at the Santa Rita Hotel in Tucson. Kentucky Camp was abandoned in 1912 despite efforts to keep the operation afloat. Throughout the years, Kentucky Camp would become a cattle ranch and a mining site once again. The United States Forest Service acquired the town in 1989 through a land exchange. Since then, Kentucky Camp has been part of the Coronado National Forest and cared for by the federal agency. Please enable Javascript to view this content. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: These 7 uniquely Arizona ghost towns in Arizona After moving back to New York from Japan, one woman calls an old college friend at Khanna Schultz Architecture to design a solar-powered house that can feed electricity back to the grid. After entering through a gate, the home's charred spruce siding presents a somber face. After dreaming of having a home in the Hamptons for years, one woman finally decided to make it a reality. "I have a couple of close friends who have places out east, and Ive always enjoyed visiting them there," says the homeowner, who spent three decades living in Japan before returning to New York during the early years of the pandemic. After an extensive search, she finally found the perfect spot in Amagansett. "I wanted to be close to my friends, and also be in a place where I could avoid having to be in my car all the time," she says. Recently divorced, she wanted to create a place that expressed her personality. "I found myself living by myself for the first time in my life," she explains. "I wanted to build a house that would be an escape from city life, as well as a place I could share with my friends and children." Brooklyn-based firm Khanna Schultz built a net-positive Hamptons home inspired by Japanese design. Photo: Eric Petschek After reaching out to architect Robert Schultz, an old friend from college who now leads New York firm Khanna Schultz with Vrinda Khanna, the homeowner set out to design her ideal weekend home. "From the beginning, she had the desire to make the house as energy-efficient and sustainable as possible," says Schultz. Located on a quarter-acre site in Amagansett, the house is closely bordered by neighbors but screened by mature landscaping. Photo: Eric Petschek The house was designed around two mature crepe myrtle trees, establishing a dialogue with the landscape. Photo: Eric Petschek Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement See the full story on Dwell.com: Budget Breakdown: They Built a Net-Positive Home in the Hamptons for $3.2 Million Related stories: Apr. 1MORGANTOWN As the old saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. As a public health leader in a state that perpetually finds itself at the bottom of national health rankings, Monongalia County Health Officer Dr. Brian Huggins said it's long past time for West Virginia to start investing in prevention. According to Huggins, the Monongalia County Health Department is ready to lead that charge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Almost all the statistics that make us 50th deal with some kind of chronic disease. Yet public health in West Virginia does not focus on chronic disease. We focus on clean water, clean food, communicable disease, immunizations, and these are all very important. That's kind of the public health 1.0 model, " he said. "But if we're going to get West Virginia out of 50th, somebody has to be looking at how we are preventing chronic disease." Huggins said he's been meeting with stakeholders across multiple fields from elected officials to social services, feeding programs, the hospital systems, Monongalia County Schools and others about a collaborative public health promotion effort. As a Monongalia County Commissioner and Executive Director of Pantry Plus More, Tom Bloom checks a couple of those boxes. Bloom said he recently spoke with Huggins and MCHD Executive Director Anthony DeFelice about a number of topics, including the in-school pantries, food giveaways and health and wellness programs Pantry Plus More has initiated across the county since 2016. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We came up with some really neat ideas and programs, working not only with the nonprofits, but in other areas to really promote community health, " Bloom said of the meeting. "If we can start being preventative, it solves these problems down the road." Huggins said community health promotion is already part of the mission for health departments according to West Virginia Code Chapter 16. The process, he continued, consists of a community health assessment, a community health improvement plan, an annual report and at least one community initiative annually. "We are going to go above and beyond that, " he said, explaining the initial framework will include a coalition working under three main categories: Physical health and chronic disease prevention ; mental health and substance abuse disorder ; and healthy habits and social behaviors. From there, Huggins said, he can envision "little coalitions and collaborations " forming around critical topics like homelessness, healthy eating and a number of others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The reality is that there are enough people out there ; different nonprofits, different for-profits, government agencies that are all doing work that if they actually were just able to collaborate together ..., " Huggins said. "We are going to be the leader in that. We are going to stand up this program, and one of the ways that we're going to do that is this collaboration effort." The goal is to start getting collaborators on board and a structure in place by July 1. "Now, how are we going to fund this ? Part of that is state money ; reallocating some of that money. Part of that is reallocating some of the county money. But we're also going to be looking at things like the Benedum Foundation. We're going to be looking at, potentially, [West Virginia ] First Foundation. There are multiple methods that we're going to look at, but we're also going to try to move some people around and try to make this work to the best of our ability with the budget that we have, because we want this to be sustainable, " Huggins said. "I really believe West Virginia still has a bright future in public health, and I want to make sure that I say that early on." Some holidays are "Hallmark holidays" like Sweetest Day, a.k.a Valentine's Day lite, where you feel like it was just made to sell cards and little stuffed animals. Then, there are the meaningful days like National Burrito Day. It's a holiday you can really sink your teeth into and it spices up your life. When is National Burrito Day? It's the first Thursday in April. This year it falls on Thursday, April 3. What is the history of the burrito? The burrito, which translates to "little donkey," likely arose from the co-mingling of foods in Mexico with that of Europeans, who arrived after the Spanish conquest in the 16th century, wrote Jeffrey Pilcher, a professor of food history at the University of Toronto, in his book "Planet Taco: A Global History of Mexican Food." Advertisement Advertisement Burros, or donkeys, likely inspired the name "burrito" because street vendors sold burritos from baskets carried by burros. Donkeys often also bore a cylindrical bedroll similar in shape to the food we now know and love. Here's where you can get deals and freebies in honor of National Burrito Day this Thursday, April 3. Moe's Southwest Grill offers BOGO deal on National Burrito Day On April 3, customers can get a Buy One, Get One Free burrito or bowl at participating Moe's Southwest Grill locations. Online redemption requires a Moe Rewards account and applying the reward at checkout, according to the chain. Moe's Southwest Grill is offering customers a BOGO deal on National Burrito Day this year. Moe's Southwest Grill near me in Delaware 4717 Kirkwood Highway, Milltown. 19266 Coastal Highway, Rehoboth Beach 1241 Quintilio Drive, Bear Chipotle brings back popular Burrito Vault game ahead of National Burrito Day Chipotle is bringing back its popular digital game, Burrito Vault, to give away more than 150,000 BOGO entree codes ahead of National Burrito Day. Advertisement Advertisement The promotion started Monday. Chipotle Rewards members in the U.S. and Canada can access the Burrito Vault game by visiting UnlockBurritoDay.com. "Players must guess the exact burrito order combination, ingredient by ingredient, to unlock the bank," the company said in a news release Monday. "Prizes are available for the first 2,500 Chipotle Rewards members who successfully decipher the Burrito Vault Code each hour." Chipotle Rewards members who unlock the vault after all the BOGO codes have been redeemed will receive 25 rewards points in the app, the chain said. Additionally, Chipotle is offering a $0 delivery fee to all Chipotle Rewards members ordering via Chipotle.com, Chipotle.ca and the Chipotle app with code "DELIVER." Chipotle is bringing back its popular Burrito Vault game to give away more than 150,000 Buy-One-Get-One free entree codes ahead of National Burrito Day on April 3. Chipotle near me in Delaware 132 Christiana Mall #1481, Christiana 2209 Concord Pike, Fairfax 3700 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington 36453 Seaside Outlet Drive, Rehoboth Beach 60 Geoffrey Drive, Stanton 136 E Main St., Newark 115A S Dupont Highway, New Castle 997 N. Dupont Blvd., Milford 657 Middletown Warwick Road, Middletown 1141 N. Dupont Highway, Dover 30 King Blvd., Camden 1200 Pulaski Highway, Bear Advertisement Advertisement DQ Summer Menu: Dairy Queen drops Summer Blizzard menu. Here's what's on it. Qdoba offers 'burrito insurance' on National Burrito Day On April 3, Qdoba is giving customers a free extra burrito as "burrito insurance" to ensure they enjoy a flavorful meal on National Burrito Day, according to the company. For one day only, Qdoba Rewards members will receive a free entree with the purchase of any entree and a drink, excluding quesadillas. Qdoba is offering customers a free entree with the purchase of any entree and a drink on April 3. Qdoba near me in Delaware 5609 Concord Pike Unit 7a, Brandywine Hundred 3230 Fashion Center Blvd. Ste 228, Christiana 58 E. Main St, Newark 1211 N. Dupont Highway, Dover This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: National Burrito Day 2025: Deals, freebies in Delaware ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) A report from the New Mexico Department of Health shows progress with childhood obesity in the state. The report shows obesity rates for third graders has decreased for the fourth straight year. Other key findings from the report show obesity rates for kindergarten students decreased from 18.2% to 17.3% over the past year. The obesity rate for third grade students decreased from 27.5% to 24.1% over the past year. The report also shows obesity rates in boys is 6.5% higher than girls. Story continues below Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NMDOHs Obesity, Nutrition and Physical Activity Program works with elementary schools, high schools and nursing programs to collect body mass index measurements of kindergarteners and third graders across the state. Data from about 2,950 students was included in the most recent report. We collect and analyze obesity data so we can invest our resources in areas that lack infrastructure for safe physical activity and opportunities to buy affordable healthy food, NMDOH Secretary Gina DeBlassie said in a release. The view the full report, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. GUANGZHOU, April 2 (Xinhua) -- After using a drawing pen to outline cartoon characters, Chinese designer Luo Yuan brightened stars via fluorescent markers. As lights dimmed, these stars held in the arms of the cartoon figures began to glow. These figures may seem simple, but each is connected to a true and touching story. Born in 1994, Luo is a designer working in the southern Chinese metropolis of Shenzhen in Guangdong Province. From a young age, he has enjoyed drawing cute little characters. At the beginning of 2021, Luo was inspired to create a series of cartoon figures holding stars, which he shared on the social media platform, Weibo, with the caption "send you stars." After posting his work on social media, he quickly gained attention. One comment from the mother of an autistic child deeply moved Luo. "My son has autism, one of the 'children of the stars.' Could you draw a little figure with stars in his eyes and a paintbrush in his hand?" the mother wrote. Inspired by this mother's words, Luo created a small figure with stars in its eyes, bouncing around with energy and joy. When he shared the artwork on social media, many netizens expressed their gratitude, describing it as warm and healing. "It's not just the stars that are being lit up, but also the hope of the autism community," one comment read. Such heartfelt comments strengthened Luo's resolve to continue creating star-holding cartoon figures. "The figures themselves may have no inherent meaning, but once a story is attached, they become more than just lines on paper -- they can offer spiritual comfort and bring warmth to people's hearts." Since March 2021, Luo has completed 5,000 star-holding figure drawings, all based on comments from netizens. Some requested the depiction of loved ones. "Could you draw a strong grandpa supporting a grandma in a wheelchair, both holding stars? They are my dear grandparents, and I miss them very much," one request read. Others wanted to portray their own strength. "Could you draw a beautiful girl in a wheelchair? I really love my wheelchair, and it makes me feel like I'm standing in the crowd, even though I'm sitting," a netizen wrote. Each cartoon figure, though basic, is unique. They include an elderly person sitting on a star, a dog lover with a star above the head, a girl in a wheelchair, a firefighter and a soldier. These glowing stars symbolize deep feelings of love and longing within people's hearts. Luo works as a designer for an internet company in Shenzhen. Despite his busy schedule, he insists on creating characters during lunch breaks, after work and on weekends. "Sometimes I spend the whole day drawing. I once drew as many as a hundred figures in a single day." Notably, the star figure series has been a bittersweet creative journey for Luo. He recalled that a fan battling a serious illness had once requested a personalized star figure, but that by the time he saw the message, the fan had already passed away. To express his condolences, Luo created a special video for the fan, featuring a little girl with a backpack rising from the ground, slowly spreading her wings, and eventually flying into a sky full of shining stars, where she gently falls asleep, holding a star in her arms. "Given the flood of messages, responding promptly and appropriately is quite challenging," Luo explained. "What's even harder is finding inspiration from these messages, as many are about departed loved ones. Over time, the sadness inevitably creeps in, as a glowing star often represents a life that has passed." Despite the dual challenges of a busy job and creative bottlenecks, Luo remains committed to using his art to help netizens realize their dreams. He plans to complete 10,000 star figures. "These works are a collective effort -- I'm simply bringing their words to life. It's their messages that give meaning to the figures," he explained. In today's fast-paced world, Luo has made time to create a starry sky for ordinary people through simple strokes. The glowing stars in his works serve as tiny lights in countless hearts. "May every star find its own night," he said. The roots of Thai Table run deep in both Maryland and Thailand. Co-owner Akachai Siri was born in Thailand before moving to Maryland at 15. Siri went to high school in Silver Spring and college at the University of Maryland Baltimore County. Then in his late 20s, he moved back to Thailand before returning to open restaurants in Frederick a little over two years ago. All the while, he worked restaurant jobs. He started as a dishwasher in high school, became a line cook and then a runner, waiter and ultimately manager. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said what he most loves about running restaurants is talking to the customers. I love chatting with people, he said. Sometimes you dont see your customers as customers. You see the customer as a friend. You see regular faces coming in. Along with Pornchai Moo Rung, Siri opened Thai Table in August 2022. Siri also owns two restaurants downtown but said he wanted a different vibe with Thai Table, which offers slow-paced dining and more parking. He said it pays homage to his family history. He said his grandfather ran noodle restaurants in Bangkok starting around 90 years ago. A restaurant that specialized in beef noodles owned by his grandfather became a duck noodle shop under his fathers watch. Siris mother continued the restaurant after his fathers passing, ultimately closing the Bangkok restaurant five years ago to retire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im second-generation-Chinese, born in Thailand, so thats why we grew up with the noodles, he said. We owned noodle shops. So sometimes I have three meals a day with noodles. These personal connections, Siri said, contribute to the atmosphere and relationships built at Thai Table. Its like [regulars] are part of the family, he said. Pretty much every cruise ship that leaves Florida stops in the Bahamas. Most Americans think of Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas, as being the Bahamas. In reality, it's one city that's part of a much larger nation. Related: Video: Carnival Cruise Line ship hit by driving rainstorm "The Bahamas is an archipelago of nearly 700 coral islands. Around 30 of the islands are inhabited. The Bahamas sits in the West Atlantic Ocean, 100 kilometres southeast of Florida in the United States and 80 kilometres northeast of Cuba. The islands are generally flat and low-lying," the country shared on its website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Every major cruise line stops at multiple destinations in the Bahamas. Nassau can accommodate seven ships at a time, so it's a very popular cruise ship destination, but it's certainly not the only stop in the region. Freeport is also a popular cruise port, and Carnival is building its new Celebration Key private destination about 20 miles east of the city on the Grand Bahama island. Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day at CocoCay and Norwegian's Great Stirrup Cay private islands are also in the Bahamas, as are multiple other cruise line private islands. The entire country, however, is under a serious warning from the U.S. State Department. Want the latest cruise news and deals? Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter. Perfect Day at CocoCay is in the Bahamas. Image source: Daniel Kline/Come Cruise With Me U.S. State Department revises Bahamas warning The Bahamas has been under a "Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution" warning from the United States State Department for months. That warning has been updated to "reflect crime, swimming-related risks, and information on traveling with firearms and ammunition," according to the State Department's website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's a broad warning cruise ship passengers should be aware of. "Violent crimelike armed robberies, burglaries, and sexual assaultscan occur anywhere in The Bahamas. Most crime occurs in Nassau and Freeport on New Providence and Grand Bahama islands. Stay alert in the 'Over the Hill' area in Nassau, south of Shirley Street, where gangs have killed residents," according to the warning. The State Department also provides specific warnings for people renting certain watercraft (a popular activity for cruisers). Jet skis and boating: Boating is not well regulated. Injuries and deaths have occurred. Sexual assaults by jet ski operators have also been reported. Due to the risks, U.S. government employees are prohibited from using jet skis and personal watercraft rented from independent operators on New Providence and Paradise islands. Watercraft may not be safe, and some operators are not licensed or insured. Watercraft operators sometimes ignore weather forecasts. Always follow local weather and marine alerts. Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter to save money on your next (or your first) cruise. U.S. warning also includes beaches In addition to renting boats and jet skis, many cruisers plan to spend the day at the beach in the Bahamas. They should be cautious when doing that. Beach safety: Never swim alone, and beware of jet skis or other watercraft operating close to shore. Sexual assaults have occurred on and near downtown Nassau beaches. Be aware of your surroundings and stay alert in public restrooms. Be aware of your own fitness and swimming capabilities. If you are new to snorkeling, understand the risks. Swimmers and snorkelers have died after overestimating their physical fitness or health. Stay alert for sharks. Shark attacks have led to serious injuries and death. Be aware of weather and water conditions and follow local warnings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of those warnings would apply not only in the Bahamas, but to swimming anywhere. Cruise line passengers should be aware of their surroundings but not fear visiting the Bahamas. Cruise line-sponsored excursions are your safest bet, but it's possible to explore these destinations on your own. If you do that, beware of your surroundings and stick to areas that are well-visited by other cruise passengers. Traveling in a group is your best bet, and try to stay on main roads. At the beach, mind your valuables and consider getting a waterproof phone holder where you can also keep your identification, cash, and credit cards on your body. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.) Make a free appointment with Come Cruise With Me's Travel Agent Partner, Postcard Travel, or email Amy Post at amypost@postcardtravelplanning.com or call or text her at 386-383-2472. For its commitment to delivering a taste of Mexico City to Detroit, Vecino is our 2025 Detroit Free Press/Metro Detroit Chevy Dealers Restaurant of the Year. More than anywhere in the city, southwest Detroit has its own culinary identity one that has largely been shaped by Mexican culture, namely by way of an immigrant population hailing from Jalisco along Mexicos western coast. Southwests working class lines up in front of small taco trucks parked on dirt lots for bites of street tacos after work, turning Detroit sidewalks into visions of Jaliscos street food culture. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At restaurants in what was dubbed Mexicantown more than 50 years ago, the flavors are robust. Beef is marinated in piquant spices before being charred on a grill. Shredded goat is tenderized in a heady blend of chiles. Whole fish are deep fried head first, and tomatoes stain everything from crimson stews to yellow rice. So how does a new Mexican restaurant add value to Detroits dining scene where the demand for Mexican food has already been fulfilled by the classics? It delivers something entirely new. Foundations of a dream Vecino, Detroits latest Mexican restaurant, has distinguished itself from the stalwart institutions that have staked their claim for generations, first, by positioning itself in Midtown, 3 miles outside of southwest Detroit, and by drawing inspiration from Mexico City, Mexicos south-central capital nearly 350 miles outside of Jalisco. Whereas the majority of Detroits Mexican restaurants are casual, Vecino is uniquely upscale, modeled after the contemporary fine dining restaurants that have typified Mexico Citys food scene in recent years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once a Spanish colonial center, modern Mexico Citys culinary fingerprint is reflective of its history. Flavors from both its European and indigenous pasts linger in corn tortillas and hand-held street foods. A Mexico City native who spent her formative years in southwest Detroit and raised in a family of restaurateurs behind some of the neighborhoods most adored Mexican eateries, Adriana Jimenez was poised to bring a new model to the city. Jimenezs mother, Eva Lopez, sought work in restaurants when she and her family arrived in Detroit from Mexico City in the mid-1990s. Lopez's uncle, then owner of Arandas restaurant, put her to work as a cook and soon, it became a family operation. Her teenage children ran the cash register while a young Jimenez at age 8 would help her mom peel shrimp. When she was 13, Jimenezs parents picked up and relocated to Waterford. Seeing an untapped market for a restaurant to serve the large population of Mexican immigrants in neighboring Pontiac, the Jimenez family opened another Arandas restaurant on Dixie Highway in Waterford, selling giant shrimp cocktails in a marinade of ketchup, orange soda, cilantro and cucumber; and tacos al pastor from her grandfather's recipe. They operated the business for two years before opening a second restaurant called Tapatio in Highland Township. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her restaurant experience never went beyond those days in the Arandas and Tapatio kitchens elbows deep in raw shrimp, but Jimenez romanticized the hospitality industry. From her career in sales for an automation engineering company and later the law firm she and her husband Lukasz Wietrzynski operated, she daydreamed about working in restaurants again. I like the thrill of hospitality and I'm so passionate about food, she said from a two-top in the dining room at Vecino, a beam of sunlight cascading across her olive skin. I'm also so passionate about showcasing Mexico in unique ways that maybe other people haven't seen. Refreshing mom-and-pop authenticity Jimenez is objectively beautiful. Shes petite, just shy of 5 feet tall, fit and not a strand of her long, glossy, dark hair is ever out of place. When she stops to greet a guest at the restaurant, you almost miss that shes deftly eased into speaking Spanish. Her tone is a gentle singsong, warm in the way you might speak to a child. Jimenez and her family immigrated to the United States when she was just 5 years old. Growing up, her memories of Mexico City were fleeting, but shed always held a fondness for her hometown. From American soil, she was proud of her Mexican blood and embraced her heritage. She grew up speaking Spanish fluently, listened to Latin music and ate traditional foods. When she returned to Mexico City for the first time in over 20 years in 2018, Jimenez was enchanted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was a dream for me. I always imagined Mexico through my parents stories and pictures, but finally going there was amazing, she said. She was pleasantly surprised by the diversity in Mexico City and credits the multitude of cultures that have passed through the city for contributing to its rich food scene. Her first real venture into the restaurant industry would bring a taste of Mexico City's multitudes to Detroit. In 2022, she and Wietrzynski transferred ownership of their law firm, and used the funds to lease the Midtown space that would become Vecino. Then they moved to Mexico City, where they spent a year working on research and development for the restaurant. Vecino owner Adriana Jimenez, center, talks with guests dining at her restaurant in Detroit on Friday, March 21, 2025. Vecino shines a spotlight on Mexico City staples sopes, enchiladas and lamb barbacoa and its flavors smoke with bursts of juicy fruits like pineapple, passionfruit and mango. Its mom-and-pop approach to upscale dining has quickly become a refreshing addition to Detroits restaurant scene, where the latest openings are at the ground level of hotels and backed by large-scale hospitality groups. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the kitchen, Executive Chef Edgar Torres, an alum of Chicago's Michelin-star-earning hospitality group The Alinea Group, is the performer, with Lopez, Jimenezs mother, as the choreographer. Signature salsas are Lopez's own recipes, and dishes like the half chicken with a tomatillo chimichurri are homey and extravagant as a lovechild of the two skilled cooks. Carlos Parisi, a Mexico City-born food entrepreneur, described Vecino as a warm, elevated space for community dining. Parisi, who hosts an annual tour of Mexico Citys restaurant scene, said, "it's necessary for more people to recognize the intricacies and differences in Mexican dining outside of just taco trucks and Tex-Mex standards." Vecino does just that. Anxious asylum Kitchens in restaurants across the Detroit area are powered by immigrants like Jimenez and her family. In 2023, 7.2% of the hospitality industry in metro Detroit employed foreign-born workers who crossed borders seeking refuge and opportunity in the U.S. according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of her own journey to this country, Jimenezs memory is hazy. All she recalls is the sweltering heat of the truck she, her parents and her two older siblings packed into for the trek from Mexico City to Austin, Texas. The familys stint in the South was brief. Soon, they boarded a Greyhound bus that drove from Austin to Detroit, shoveling Oreos into their mouths as their only food source during the journey. To this day, my mother won't allow us to eat Oreos," she said, alluding to the trauma associated with the confection. Jimenez said the family of five reached the Greyhound station on Fort Street on a hot day in early August, and walked to her uncles tire shop in southwest Detroit from there. Now an legal permanent resident, Jimenez knows too well the experience of the undocumented immigrant. In 2012, when she was 20 years old, she was able to benefit from the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA), created by executive action under the Obama administration to protect undocumented children. But the concern for her undocumented family, her parents who didnt have the same protections, loomed. Thats the worst thing you can live with the fear that someones going to take your freedom, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its why she is fiercely protective of Vecinos immigrant staffers. In 2017, during President Donald Trumps first term, the Administration attempted to cease the DACA program, putting thousands of recipients in jeopardy of deportation. The program was saved by the courts, but today, the Administrations continued hardline stance on immigration and its pursuit of mass deportation threaten the protections in place even for immigrants with legal resident status. Among them are many metro Detroit line cooks and dishwashers, grillers and maintenance staff. With changing policies threatening the protections in place that allow them to live and work in this country, these employees could be at risk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are the traditional concerns staffing challenges, tight margins and exorbitant food costs but the trials of operating a restaurant are compounded for Jimenez. She feels an added pressure to support her employees from a legal, financial and emotional standpoint should they be detained. Some of these employees have been here from the beginning, she said, noting that she's grown to view her staff as family. Thinking of them being detained I have that duty to help them, and that requires money. Theres only so much she can do, though. In my review of Vecino last year, I wrote about the vigilant tortillera who manned the masa station, the cornerstone of Vecinos mission to bring nixtamalized tortillas to the city. Then, she was the mysterious woman standing off kilter in the kitchen facing the dining room with the meditative job of pressing hundreds of tortillas, one after another. She was unable to remain legally in the U.S. And just two months after Vecinos grand opening, the tortillera was deported. [ Subscribe to the Eat Drink Freep newsletter for extras and insider scoops on Detroit-area dining. ] Defying expectations The menu at Vecino is a love letter to Mexican ingredients. Mild Oaxaca cheese tops duck-filled enchiladas. A rainbow of corn varieties from various regions in Mexico give tortillas their flavor and color. Chocolate ice cream, paired with a crispy, sugar-dusted churro ring, is made rich with chocolate also sourced from Oaxaca. That same chocolate deepens the flavor of a burly mole. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Spicy chiles from throughout Mexico prickle the tongue in a salsa trio and wines from Guanajuato and Queretaro place an emphasis on the bounty of central Mexico. Eighty percent of what comes out of here is sourced from Mexico, Jimenez said, another characteristic of the restaurant at risk under the new Administration. The trade war between the U.S. and Mexico has already impacted the cost of many of the goods that make Vecinos food and beverage program sing. My tequila is going to go up 20% and every time I compare an invoice to three months ago, it's 10% more and I dont think its going to stop, unfortunately, she said. Especially now. Executive chef Edgar Torres, center, is handed a dish before it goes out of the open kitchen at Vecino restaurant in Detroit on Friday, March 21, 2025. But Jimenez has chosen to divert her attention away from the impending threats to Vecinos livelihood. She keeps a permanent smile on her face, flashing her perfectly straight, white teeth as though her concerns are no concern at all. Oh, Im super nervous, she said, reassuringly. Ill just have to deal with it when I have to deal with it. Right now, I'm just going to embrace that it hasn't happened yet but it's going to happen. Rather than scaling back on the restaurants Mexican imports, Jimenez leans in, curating artesanias or crafts to line the red brick walls. She credits the Facebook group, Mexicanas en Michigan as her secret weapon for breathing authentic Mexican life into the space. Jimenez takes a special interest in Vecinos bar program, where cocktails are allusions to her favorite pastimes in Mexico City. Her memories sucking down the sweet-spicy juice at the bottom of a bag of sliced ripe mango dusted in chile powder is reimagined as the Mango con Chile, a milk punch of chile-infused tequila, mezcal, mango, lime and agave. Soon, shell push the boundaries with a cocktail featuring grasshopper dust pressed into the side of the glass. It's these subtle interpretations of Mexican culture and the skillful use of traditional ingredients that make Vecino so endearing. A coffee-based cocktail might resemble the trendy espresso martini, but the carajillo is a distinct beverage of Mexico City. A plate of beets is bedazzled in chicatanas flying ants for a salty crunch. Vecino exists to defy the expectation that Mexican food is a cheap eat. Its housemade masa program is a celebration of Mexicos ancestral corn varieties. The investment in a dedicated tortillera showcases a deference to tortilla-making as an artform in the same way a restaurant boasts its breadmaking or from-scratch pastas. Crafting totopos, tlayuda shells and tortilla discs, in some instances, is a days-long process. With a beloved collection of taquerias and food trucks just down the road, Jimenez recognizes that the spend at Vecino can be difficult to reconcile for some. That really motivated me to be very creative and intentional so that people didnt feel like they're just coming into a place where youre paying more for Mexican food with dim lighting and fun music, she said. So she zeroed in on nixtamalization and adding elements like tlayudas and chicatanas, which are hard to come by outside of a family home in Detroit. It was really about setting ourselves apart and creating a unique experience. A large part of the experience at Vecino is the warmth of the staff who walk guests through dinner like an attentive tour guide. I always tell my servers and my staff, Were performers, she said. People are here to see us the music, the lighting, the art, the drinks. Were putting on a show. In return, she hopes the restaurant will reward her staff for their stellar performance. She imagines a day when simply listing Vecino on a resume can bump a workers job application to the top of the pile. As a semifinalist for the 2025 James Beard Foundation Awards, up for Best New Restaurant, Vecino is already on its way to becoming a national treasure in hospitality. Taking home the prize in June, Jimenez said, would be a restaurateur's definition of the American Dream. Her only hope, however, is that the American people would love Mexican immigrants as much as they love Mexican food. Vecino address 4100 3rd Ave., Detroit. 313-500-1615; vecinodetroit.com Save the Date: On Tuesday, Aug. 19, Vecino, the Detroit Free Press and Metro Detroit Chevy Dealers will host a Top 10 Takeover dinner. Stay tuned for ticket information at Freep.com. For a chance to win five $100 gift cards to dine at restaurants on the 2025 Detroit Free Press/Metro Detroit Chevy Dealers Top 10 New Restaurants & Dining Experiences list, visit chevydetroit.com/community/giveaways/roy25. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Vecino in Detroit named 2025 Restaurant of the Year Lonna Carroll walks from the courtroom to a law enforcement vehicle after day one of her trial on April 1, 2025, at the Hughes County Courthouse in Pierre. (Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight) PIERRE As a trial opened Tuesday for a woman accused of stealing $1.8 million intended for children under South Dakotas care, the defense alleged that the state shares the blame for crimes that are too old to punish, while the prosecution described a long-running and calculated scheme. Lonna Carroll, a 68-year-old retiree, is charged with two felony counts of grand theft for crimes she allegedly committed from 2010 to 2023 while working as an administrative assistant for the Division of Child Protection Services in the state Department of Social Services. She faces up to 25 years in prison and a $50,000 fine for the first count, and 15 years in prison and a $30,000 fine for the second count. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case is part of a rash of criminal allegations against state employees that state Attorney General Marty Jackley has filed since last year, leading not only to criminal prosecutions but also to a series of administrative and legislative reforms adopted in response. Carroll has been held at the Hughes County Jail since her arrest last summer, because she has not posted bail of $50,000. Her trial is expected to last several days this week at the Hughes County Courthouse. The alleged crimes Once a child is placed in state custody, Child Protection Services employees can make financial requests on the childs behalf for items such as school supplies, clothing or a bed. The funds are deposited into a bank account for the child. Jackley alleged during opening statements that Carroll made requests, approved the requests, deposited checks at American Bank and Trust in Pierre into childrens accounts, and later withdrew the deposited amounts in cash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carroll allegedly did that 215 times, stealing a total of $1,777,665.73 over the course of 13 years. It wasnt by mistake, Jackley said. Investigators allegedly discovered a storage unit in Pierre associated with Carroll that had boxes full of receipts for expensive clothing. Carroll was making $21.09 an hour when she retired in March 2023 prior to the discovery of her alleged crimes, and she had since moved to Algona, Iowa. The South Dakota Department of Social Services has an annual budget of $1.8 billion and more than 1,500 full-time positions. The case begins Carroll spent much of the first day of trial hunched over with her arms crossed, staring at the floor. The day was consumed mostly by jury selection and opening statements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Questions to potential jurors from Carrolls court-appointed attorney, Timothy Whalen, largely centered on concerns about preconceived notions of the case. He also asked potential jurors what a statute of limitations means and whether they accept the notion. Whalens opening statement included a claim that the crimes are too old to prosecute, though he did not delve into specifics. Theyre time-barred, Whalen said. Whalen also said the state needs to take responsibility for its own negligence. He said prosecutors should be required to demonstrate the state was conducting some level of due diligence to prevent the theft from occurring. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Who was watching the door? Whalen asked jurors. Jackley asked potential jurors if they had negative ideas about the state or the criminal justice system. He also asked how they would feel if someone stole a car with the keys left in it. Jackley told jurors during his opening statement that they will hear audio of Carroll admitting she stole the money during a Division of Criminal Investigation interview. Youll see the whole paper trail process, Jackley said. Testimony kicks off Jackley kicked off the states case with testimony from Carrie Watts, the state employee who discovered the financial discrepancies that ultimately led to the investigation and criminal charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A court document says Watts discovered the irregularities in 2023 while comparing spreadsheet balances with actual account balances. One of the discrepancies was that certain accounts showed significant sums of funds in them on a spreadsheet, but the funds were not actually in the account, the court document says. Watts, who left the department last year, described her actions as routine. Its like balancing a checkbook, Watts said during her testimony. She said Carroll managed the bank accounts in question. They all had Lonnas name on them, Watts said. The defense attempted to use Watts testimony as evidence of the states negligence, asking why a simple audit took so long to be conducted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Later, Tonia Bogue, who worked with Carroll, took the stand. She said Child Protection Services has three tiers of approval for payment requests, and Carroll was authorized for all three levels. Bogue said she had no idea how Carroll attained that level of authority. When asked by Whalen who is tasked with ensuring someone requesting a payment is not the same person approving the payment, Bogue said I dont know. Two employees with American Bank and Trust also took the stand. The prosecution presented an exhibit showing a nearly $20,000 check was deposited by Carroll into a childs account on Oct. 6, 2020, and withdrawn by her as cash the next day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carroll allegedly kept individual withdrawals under $10,000 to avoid being flagged for fraud. Aimee Parsons, a bank employee, said she was familiar with Carroll depositing and cashing the checks, but she never reported the behavior. Because she was authorized to conduct those transactions, Parsons said. Other cases of alleged state employee crimes The Lonna Carroll case is one of five that Attorney General Marty Jackley has filed since last year accusing state employees of crimes related to their work for state government. The run of allegations started in August, when Jackley said a deceased former three-decade employee of the state Department of Revenue, Sandra ODay, had allegedly created 13 fake vehicle titles to help her secure $400,000 in loans. No charges were filed, because ODay died before her alleged behavior came to light. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In October, Jackley announced charges against two more former Department of Revenue employees, Lynne Hunsley, 64, and Danielle Degenstein, 51, both of Pierre. Hunsley has since pleaded guilty to forgery and grand theft by deception for creating a fake vehicle title that she used as proof of a trade-in to help her avoid excise taxes. She was sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and $1,200 in restitution to the state. Degenstein is charged with a misdemeanor for allegedly concealing her knowledge of a crime committed by a person identified in court documents as S.O. initials that match ODays. Degensteins case is scheduled for trial in June. In December, Renee Strong, 55, of Springfield, was charged with felonies for allegedly submitting falsified reports of food-serve health inspections while working for the state Department of Public Safety. Shes scheduled for a motions hearing next week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In January, Amalia Escalante Barrientos, 28, of Brookings, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor for using a grocery voucher intended for clients of the Department of Social Services. She was sentenced to pay a $400 fine, $96.50 in court costs and $449.98 in restitution. Shell avoid serving 180 days in jail if she complies with the sentence. In response to the run of alleged crimes, Jackley supported a package of four bills passed during the recent legislative session that will expand the investigatory authority of the state auditor, strengthen the Board of Internal Controls, institute mandatory reporting requirements for state employees and penalties for failing to report, and establish protections for whistleblowers. Lawmakers also passed legislation strengthening the ability of the Legislatures Government Operations and Audit Committee to conduct investigations and issue orders known as subpoenas requiring people to testify or supply information. Last year, then-Gov. Kristi Noem added an extra internal control officer position to the executive branch and ordered state employees to undergo annual training aimed at preventing criminal activity. (FOX40.COM) A 31-year-old woman was arrested and a 30-year-old man was hospitalized after a stabbing in Tracy Tuesday, according to the Tracy Police Department. Video Above: What to do if you witness a crime Police said they received reports of a stabbing around 3:50 p.m. at 1800 Bridle Creek Circle. The man was found with a stab wound and was taken to the hospital, according to TPD. Officers believe the victim and the suspect are married and the stabbing was a result of a domestic dispute. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Teenager arrested for fatally shooting friend in south Sacramento The woman was arrested and charged with assault with a deadly weapon. Police are investigating. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40 News. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) The El Paso County Sheriffs Office is investigating several thefts at an East El Paso beauty shop with one suspect having been arrested and two others having been identified. The Sheriffs Office says it is investigating thefts at the Ulta Beauty store, 13371 Gateway West. Aileen Rodriguez Escareno Jesus Alonso Reyes Guevara Adan Gutierrez In the first case, deputies responded to a theft on Feb. 18, after two suspects stole approximately $1,900 worth of makeup before fleeing in a white GMC Acadia with Chihuahua, Mexico license plates, the Sheriffs Office said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Security cameras captured the individuals leaving the store, the El Paso County Sheriffs Office said. Detectives launched an investigation, distributing surveillance images to law-enforcement agencies. Officers from the El Paso Police Department identified the suspects as 20-year-old U.S. citizen Aileen Rodriguez Escareno and 24-year-old Mexican national Jesus Alonso Reyes Guevara. Both are connected to other thefts in El Paso, the Sheriffs Office said. Further investigation revealed that U.S. Customs and Border Protection recorded Rodriguez and Guevara entering the United States in the same vehicle approximately 40 minutes before the theft. Detectives secured arrest warrants for both suspects. On Monday, March 31, U.S. Customs agents encountered the vehicle and Rodriguez Escareno as she attempted to enter the U.S. through the Paso Del Norte port of entry. Detectives responded and arrested Rodriguez Escareno. She was booked into the El Paso County Downtown Jail, and the vehicle was impounded. Reyes Guevara remains at large, the Sheriffs Office said. In a separate incident, deputies responded to another theft at the same Ulta Beauty location on March 4. A male suspect stole approximately $500 worth of merchandise, including a hair dryer, before fleeing in a Chevrolet Silverado with New Mexico license plates. Detectives shared surveillance images with law-enforcement agencies, and a Texas Department of Public Safety crime analyst identified the suspect as 42-year-old Adan Gutierrez using a facial recognition system, the Sheriffs Office said. Gutierrez was previously arrested for allegedly stealing from a jewelry store in the Cielo Vista Mall and was featured in a Sheriffs Office press release on Aug. 22, 2024, the Sheriffs Office said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sheriff: Man steals more than $9K of jewelry at Cielo Vista Mall Gutierrez is suspected of additional thefts in El Paso. A criminal warrant for theft of property-shoplifting was issued for Gutierrez, with bond set at $15,000. The El Paso County Sheriffs Office urges local business owners and department stores to remain vigilant. Anyone with information regarding these wanted shoplifters is encouraged to contact the Sheriffs Office immediately. We remain committed to protecting the community, holding fugitives accountable, and ensuring those who pose a risk to public safety face justice, the Sheriffs Office said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) One man was injured in a shooting early Wednesday morning at a hotel in Madison. According to Metro Police, officers were called to a reported shooting just before 1:30 a.m. at InTown Suites on Myatt Drive. Officials said Kenneth Blair, 61, and another man were arguing in a hotel room when Blair opened fire on the victim, shooting him in the upper left chest. Blair then left the hotel and fled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime-related reports from across Middle Tennessee The victim was transported to Skyline Medical Center in critical condition, but he is expected to survive. Two other individuals who were in the room at the time informed police that Blair was staying at a motel in the 300 block of South Main Street in Goodlettsville. He was located by officers and taken into custody. Blair was booked into Metro Jail and charged with felony intentional aggravated assault with bodily injury, felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and a felony charge for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Download the News 2 app to stay updated on the go. Sign up for WKRN email alerts to have breaking news sent to your inbox. Find todays top stories on WKRN.com for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee. This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. An investigation is underway after a deadly car crash that occurred Wednesday morning. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Just before 8 a.m., Canton police shut down Riverstone Parkway and Interstate 575 southbound on-ramp due to a fatal car accident. Officers said the crash involved a tractor-trailer and an SUV. One person died. Their age and identity were not released. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chief Ferrell of the Canton Police Department said the roadway was closed for the investigation but has since reopened. However, our investigation into the cause of the accident is still ongoing. Our thoughts remain with the family of the victim, and we appreciate the publics patience as we continue to look into the circumstances surrounding this tragic event, Ferrell said. The Canton Police Department is urging anyone with information to call 770-720-4883. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] SHAKER HEIGHTS, Ohio (WJW) Police are investigating after a shooting at the Shaker Heights library sent one person to the hospital on Tuesday afternoon. The FOX 8 I-Team first learned about the shooting, which happened around 4:42 p.m. inside the main branch of the Shaker Heights Public Library on Van Aken Boulevard. Upon responding, within a matter of seconds, we had seen a large crowd trying to exit the library, Shaker Heights Police Chief Wayne Hudson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When officers arrived, they started performing CPR on a male who was injured in the shooting. He was taken by ambulance to the hospital. Retired Beachwood officer facing misdemeanor charge: I-Team With help from other law enforcement agencies, Shaker Heights police set up a perimeter and a person of interest was taken into custody. No charges have been filed yet. There are no additional suspects, city officials said. The police chief confirmed that there were a number of people inside the library, including district students, at the time of the shooting. Watch: Local mail carrier caught on camera acting careless with packages Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Parents reunited with their kids at the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Building on Lee Road. When you look at violence occurring in a library, a place where individuals come to rest, a place where they come to read, to review, to learn, its quite disturbing, Hudson said. Hudson said there is no current danger to the city of Shaker Heights. In a Facebook post, the City of Shaker Heights Government announced that the library is closed until further notice. The Shaker Heights City School District announced on its website that there will be no classes at Shaker Heights High School and the Innovative Center for Personalized Learning on Wednesday, April 2. Other buildings in the district will remain open. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) Police are investigating a Baton Rouge shooting that left one person dead Wednesday afternoon. A Baton Rouge Police Department spokesperson confirmed that detectives are investigating after responding to a shooting before 2 p.m. An investigation is ongoing. This is a developing story. Details are limited at this time. Baton Rouge Police investigating 2 deadly Tuesday evening shootings Latest News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News. The Supreme Court heard oral arguments on the issue Monday, and the odds look good that the court will grant the exemption. But the way it does so matters. A narrow ruling would protect the general principle that religious organizations can be subject to employment and non-discrimination laws when they do secular things. A broad ruling, in contrast, could give religious organizations carte blanche to ignore general laws, even when they are performing functions that are also performed by secular entities. The case, Catholic Charities v. Wisconsin Labor & Industry Review Commission, grows out of a decision by the Wisconsin Supreme Court - the same court that's been in the news because of the hotly contested, ideological election for its swing seat. At issue was a provision of state unemployment law, modeled on language from federal employment law, that grants an exemption to an organization "operated primarily for religious purposes." It's settled law in Wisconsin and elsewhere that a church fits under this category and thus doesn't have to pay unemployment taxes. If the Catholic Church owned Catholic Charities directly, it would be exempt from the taxes. But Catholic Charities operates as a separately incorporated 501c3, not formally part of the church. The particular Catholic Charities arm in this case has the stated mission of "providing services to the poor and disadvantaged as an expression of the social ministry of the Catholic Church." A Catholic bishop controls the operations and appoints all the board members. Catholic Charities took the view that because of its design and because the objective of its activities is to fulfill a religious mission, it is "operated primarily for religious purposes" and should get an exemption under state law. The Wisconsin court held that the relevant legal question was whether the charity's activities were "primarily religious in nature." It defined "religious activities" as "typical" forms of religious exercise, such as worship services, proselytization, and religious education, and it also considered whether the activities were open to people of other faiths. By these measures, the court held, Catholic Charities' activities weren't primarily religious because it provides all kinds of aid to all types of people in need and doesn't handle worship, prayer and education, which are run by the Church directly. All or nearly all the justices at oral arguments on Monday seemed to think the Wisconsin court's opinion got the law wrong. I agree with them: it makes little sense to define religious purpose, which the law requires, regarding how religious some activities performed for a religious purpose may be. What makes the case tricky is that the Wisconsin Supreme Court, not the US Supreme Court, is supposed to have the last word on what state law means, even if its view is wrong. So Catholic Charities couldn't directly ask the Supreme Court to say the state court got the law wrong. Instead, it argued that the First Amendment mandates that it get the exemption. Justice Neil Gorsuch, who likes bright-line rules, suggested that the law as read by Wisconsin would discriminate between a religion that doesn't proselytize when it does charity (like Catholic Charities) and one that does. Justice Elena Kagan sounded like she was on board. Deciding the case that way would grant the exemption while avoiding a controversial doctrine known as "church autonomy," which Catholic Charities sought to invoke. The doctrine, if applied here, would carve out a broad exemption from general laws for any church-related entity. In practice, a broad church-autonomy holding, in this case, would enable any group that calls itself religious to be exempt from state laws. That includes not only unemployment laws but, importantly, anti-discrimination laws. It could also include laws requiring any conduct a religious group says it dislikes or disapproves of. Catholic hospitals alone have more than 750,000 employees in the US. No such doctrine was known to the Framers, nor can it be gleaned from First Amendment precedent, in my view. Pioneered by Notre Dame law professor Richard Garnett, a conservative scholar I admire and respect, the belief descends from the medieval Catholic teaching championing the "freedom of the church," or libertas ecclesiae. In other words, it's an aspirational Catholic governance ideal, not an argument derived from the Constitution that belongs in the Supreme Court. It's noteworthy that Justice Amy Coney Barrett, herself a former Notre Dame law professor and colleague of Garnett's, suggested that church autonomy might not logically apply here, where the church has itself chosen to incorporate Catholic Charities separately and is not being coerced to do anything it doesn't want to do. A narrow anti-discrimination ruling could highlight that it makes little sense for Wisconsin to decide that what counts as "religious" is proselytizing or focusing on co-religionists. Many faiths seek to do good for the outsider, not just the insider-believer. There is no reason to favor one religious approach to charity over another. Indeed, in today's polarized climate, the more we can be constitutionally fair to open-minded and open-handed approaches like that of Catholic Charities, the better. (COMMENT, BELOW) Noah Feldman, a Bloomberg View columnist, is a professor of constitutional and international law at Harvard University and the author of six books, most recently "Cool War: The Future of Global Competition." The screenshot from a video shows Mark Carney speaking to the media after a swearing-in ceremony in Ottawa, Canada, on March 14, 2025. (Photo by Mick Gzowski/Xinhua) Carney highlighted his plan to fight unjustified trade actions against Canada, protect Canadian workers and businesses, and build Canada's economy, including through increased trade between Canada and Mexico. OTTAWA, April 1 (Xinhua) -- Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Tuesday spoke with the President of Mexico Claudia Sheinbaum about the trading and investment relationship between the two countries. According to an information release issued by the prime minister's office, the leaders emphasized the importance of safeguarding North American competitiveness while respecting the sovereignty of each nation. Carney highlighted his plan to fight unjustified trade actions against Canada, protect Canadian workers and businesses, and build Canada's economy, including through increased trade between Canada and Mexico. U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to unveil the full scope of his protectionist trade policy on Wednesday, which he is calling "Liberation Day." Carney previously told Trump that the Canadian government will implement retaliatory tariffs to protect Canadian workers and its economy, following the announcement of additional U.S. trade actions. LIMESTONE COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) A deadly wreck on Highway 72 in Limestone County caused some traffic issues on Tuesday afternoon. According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, the westbound lane on U.S. 72 near Seven Mile Post Road was closed for a few hours because of a single-vehicle wreck. Limestone County Coroner Mike West confirmed to News 19 that one person was killed in the wreck. ALEA Troopers are continuing to monitor the situation, and the agency said it will provide updates as they become available. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com. HONOLULU (KHON2) First world countries are warning their citizens not to travel to the United States unless absolutely necessary. From students being abducted on city streets by hooded groups of people to young students being pulled from schools and legal residents being sent to third-party prisons oversees, coming the U.S. is becoming a gamble that many are not willing to risk. This will have the greatest impact on places that rely heavily on tourism, like Hawaii. With little investment in other forms of revenue, Hawaii may end up in a dire situation when tourists decide to forgo their tropical dreams of Hawaii to travel to safer destinations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thus far, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland, the Netherlands and Norway have all issued travel warnings. KHON2.com did a bit of digging to find the 10 things foreign tourists need to know when traveling to Hawaii. 1. Ensure you have proper documentation Make sure you carry all necessary travel documents. This includes a valid passport, your visa (if needed) and any supporting materials that explain the purpose of your visit, such as hotel bookings or return tickets. 2. Understand visa requirements Know the specific requirements for your visa category, if you are visiting on a visa. Overstaying your visa or violating its terms can lead to serious consequences. These consequences can include detention or deportation. 3. Be prepared for increased scrutiny When you enter through Hawaiis border control, U.S. immigration officials are currently conducting more detailed checks; so, visitors will need to expect to answer questions about your travel plans, where youll stay and how long you intend to be in the country. 4. Exercise caution with personal communications Be mindful of whats on your electronic devices, text messaging and social media because border control agents, ICE and/or the FBI may go through your content. In some of these cases, foreign travelers have been detained for hours, days and weeks because their devices contained content considered critical of U.S. domestic and foreign policies or government officials. Review your online communications before traveling to avoid any issues. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You 5. Stay informed on travel advisories Regularly check travel advisories and warnings from your home country. Keep up to date with changes in U.S. immigration policies that might affect your trip. 6. Know your rights Familiarize yourself with your rights as an international traveler. If detained, you are entitled to seek legal advice and contact your countrys embassy or consulate for assistance, although this has not necessarily been the case with some individuals caught up in mass deportations in recent weeks. 7. Be honest with authorities Always provide truthful answers to immigration officers about your travel plans, job prospects/responsibilities and intentions. Lying or providing false information can lead to immediate detention or denial of entry. 8. Avoid carrying restricted items Certain items, such as agricultural products, illegal drugs (including cannabis, even if legal in Hawaii) or other restricted goods, can cause delays or detention at the border. Make sure youre not carrying anything prohibited on your person or in your luggage. 9. Prepare for possible delays Immigration enforcement actions can sometimes cause long delays. Stay patient and remember that disruptions can cause you to be singled out for questioning. 10. Have emergency contacts ready Always have your consulates contact information on hand in case of an emergency. If possible, be sure to have the contact information for an immigration or civil/human rights attorney. This will help if you face any issues or legal complications during your stay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHONs morning podcast, every morning at 8 In short, while its safe to visit Hawaii, foreign tourists should be aware of these important rules and stay prepared for additional checks. Enjoy your trip but be vigilant and know your rights! Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2. 11 Investigates has obtained new crime stats from 2024 that show Downtown Pittsburgh is still a hot spot. Chief Investigator Rick Earle discovered good and bad news in the data. Earle asked Mayor Ed Gainey about data that shows Zone 2, which covers downtown to the Hill District to Lawrenceville, led the city in calls for police service. Its the third year in a row that Zone 2 has had the most calls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Downtown is safe. Downtown is not a situation where you have homicides every day, every month; its not like that, said Mayor Gainey on Tuesday morning. Gainey is proclaiming on Tuesday what hes been saying for months now. That Downtown is perfectly safe and that people have returned to the city. He said restaurants are crowded again, and so are the theaters in the Cultural District. Of the 31,008 calls that came in from Zone 2, half of them came from Downtown. 64% were citizen-initiated calls, and the other 36% were officer-initiated. 39% of those calls, or 3,705, were higher-priority calls, and 41% of the calls, or 3,928, were lower-priority. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earle: Does it still concern you? Mayor Gainey: All crime concerns me. Earle: Does it indicate its a hotbed of crime? Mayor Gainey: No, no, it doesnt mean its a hotbed of crime. The amount of restaurants that have been packed every single weekend. The Arts and Cultural District, that has been packed every weekend. In 2019, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Zone 3, which includes the South Side, Mt. Washington, and Allentown, among other areas, led the city in calls for service. Zone 2 actually ranked fourth in 2019. The Mayor said the opening of the Downtown Public Safety Center more than a year ago, along with the 20 or so officers who patrol Downtown every day, has played an important role in providing public safety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police did acknowledge a recent uptick in groups of young people fighting, shoplifting and causing chaos in the Market Square area Downtown. Earle also spoke with Commander Tim Novosel, who oversees Zone 2, including the Downtown Public Safety Center. Earle: Does this indicate theres still cause for concern when it comes to crime? Commander Novosel: You say concern, but I wouldnt say concern. This is one of the most proactive police areas in the City of Pittsburgh. Novosels zone also had the most arrests in the city, at 1,934. Of those arrests, more than half were made in the Downtown District and majority were for drugs and disorderly conduct. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earle: Does that indicate you guys are doing the job? Novosel: Yes, I would say thats exactly what it means. The officers respond to the calls, they see something wrong with all the activity and they arrest people. We put a lot of effort and resources in cleaning up downtown, Gainey said. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) 2025 will mark the 30th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing. We remember and honor those 168 who lost their lives on April 19, 1995, when a bomb went off in front of the Murrah building in downtown Oklahoma City. 168 Days to remember those lost in the OKC bombing: Jules A. Valdez. Image courtesy Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum. We want to remember Jules A. Valdez, while honoring those who survived and thanking those changed forever. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. Ukraine's anti-corruption bodies on April 2 announced charges in a corruption case involving overpriced food purchases by the Defense Ministry between 2022 and 2023. A former department head at the Defense Ministry, an owner of supplier companies, two heads of supplier companies, and one more individual were charged by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) with embezzling Hr 733 million ($17.7 million) and attempting to embezzle Hr 788 million ($19 million). The corruption case was first reported by the ZN.UA outlet in January 2023 and sparked a major scandal within the ministry as it unveiled purchases of food commodities, such as eggs, at greatly inflated prices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to ZN.UA's sources, the case involves food supplier Tetiana Hlyniana and the former head of the ministry's procurement department, Bohdan Khmelnytskyi. The agency is also reportedly examining the roles of former Deputy Defense Minister Viacheslav Shapovalov and ex-Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov. The scandal is often named one of the main reasons for Reznikov's eventual dismissal in September 2023. The scheme involved purchasing supplies for the military through so-called food kits, which had a set price that matched the average cost of all the food products included. However, common foodstuffs, such as meat, vegetables, or cereals, would comprise only about 10% of the kit, while the rest would consist of spices, berries, and other items that were ordered rarely or never. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The scheme's perpetrators then overcharged for popular products and undercharged for less-used products. This meant that the ministry greatly overpaid for common foods like potatoes or eggs. Two supplier companies thus pocketed excess profits of Hr 733 million. NABU said some of those funds were later withdrawn as dividends and used by an owner of one of the companies to purchase hotels and other real estate in Croatia. The media investigation in January 2023 helped prevent the embezzlement of further funds amounting to Hr 788 million, according to the statement. The investigation, launched immediately after the media revelations, is ongoing as NABU and SAPO work to identify other suspects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Exclusive: Massive data leak potentially exposes Ukrainian IDs to Russian intelligence, hackers Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The European Union is launching the Ukraine2EU program worth 16.7 million euros ($18 million) to support Ukraines preparation for EU membership, officials announced on April 1. This was stated during the "Ukraine's Accession to the EU: The Choice Has Been Made, It's a Matter of Time conference. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budris emphasized that the initiative aims to help Ukraine navigate the complex accession process, especially during wartime, with a goal of EU membership by 2030. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine's membership in the EU is crucial for the security and stability of Europe, Budris said. The three-year program, implemented by Lithuanias Central Project Management Agency, will provide strategic support to Ukrainian institutions and civil society involved in European integration efforts. Sweden and Denmark reaffirmed their commitment to Ukraines EU future and urged continued reforms, particularly in the fight against corruption. Moving along the European path still requires significant efforts from Ukraine, but it has already come a long way in extraordinary conditions, Danish Minister for European Affairs Marie Bjerre stated. The Ukrainian people can count on the support of their European friends in the process of gaining EU membership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarina Maternova added that Ukraine2EU is designed to build institutional capacity and ensure steady progress in Ukraines transformative journey toward EU membership. Ukraine applied for EU membership at the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. The country has made quick progress, achieving candidate status within months, with the initial negotiations formally launching in June 2024. There are six accession negotiation clusters, consisting of several individual chapters. Negotiations prepare a candidate country to become an EU member. The EUs Commissioner for Enlargement, Oliver Varhelyi, said that Ukraine could potentially join the bloc by 2029 if it successfully implements necessary reforms. Read also: Armenias parliament passes bill on EU accession Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. An 18-year-old man is dead after being shot inside an Ohio public library. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The shooting happened at the Main Branch of the Shaker Heights Public Library around 4:45 p.m. on Tuesday, according to WOIO in Cleveland. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When police arrived at the library, they found 18-year-old Charles Shanklin, of Shaker Heights. They started CPR until EMS arrived at the scene. Shanklin was transported to a nearby hospital where he later died from his injuries. WOIO reported that one person of interest was taken into custody at the scene. Their identity has not been released at this time. Shaker Heights City Schools confirmed that Shanklin was a student at Shaker Heights High School last year and that the person of interest is a current student in the district. As you are aware, a shooting took place earlier today at the Shaker Heights Main Library involving past and present Shaker Heights students. In light of this incident, there will be no classes at Shaker Heights High School and the Innovative Center for Personalized Learning on Wednesday, April 2. Students in CTE programs are not expected to report to their off campus sites. All other school buildings will remain open, the district said in a statement obtained by WOIO. No other injuries were reported in the shooting. The library will remain closed until further notice. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] TOPEKA (KSNT) A man arrested in connection to the death of a Topeka teenager in 2023 was sentenced this week to nearly 19 years in prison. 27 News checked Shawnee County court records on April 2 which show that Taylen J. Leclere, 18, was sentenced to 226 months or just under 19 years in prison in connection to the killing of 17-year-old Victor N. Carlton in 2023. Leclere pleaded guilty earlier this year to charges of murder in the 2nd degree and aggravated robbery. He was one of three teens arrested in connection to Carltons death which marked the 27th homicide of the year. Taylen Lecleres mugshot. (Photo Courtesy/Shawnee County Department of Corrections) Topeka police identify weekend crash victim Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police were called around 10:30 p.m. on Oct. 10, 2023 to the 2000 block of Pennsylvania Avenue on reports of a shooting. Topeka police found one individual, later identified as Carlton, who had a life-threatening gunshot wound to the chest. Medical personnel declared Carlton to be dead at the scene. Leclere was initially charged with murder in the first degree, murder in the second degree and aggravated robbery. However, the charge of murder in the first degree was later dismissed. A second individual involved in this case, Joshua M. Mitchiner, was recently found guilty during a jury trial. He was found guilty of multiple charges including murder in the first degree, multiple counts of sexual exploitation of a child and aggravated robbery. WATCH: Satanic Grotto leader taken away in handcuffs at the Kansas Statehouse Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more crime news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. SOFIA, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Bulgarian authorities have seized 34.207 kg of cocaine at Danube Bridge near Vidin at the border with Romania, the National Customs Agency (NCA) said on Wednesday. The illicit drug, split into 30 packets, was discovered on Monday evening, hidden in secret compartments under the floor of a cargo van when it attempted to enter Bulgaria, the NCA said in a press release. The vehicle, driven by a 37-year-old Bulgarian citizen, was traveling from Italy to Bulgaria, the NCA said. The driver of the vehicle was arrested at the scene. The NCA also said that the inspection of the vehicle was part of the compensatory measures carried out by Bulgarian authorities after the abolition of border control at the internal borders of the European Union following the full admission of the country as a member of the Schengen Area on Jan. 1 this year. Video above: This Nexstar Media video explains whats more likely to happen to you than winning the lottery. LA MESA, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) A recent stop at a grocery store in East County led one local man to millionaire status. According to officials with the California Lottery, a man named Nicholas Amour Leon stopped in at the grocery store, located on Lake Murray Boulevard in La Mesa, and purchased a Triple Red 777 Scratchers ticket. These tickets cost $10 each, with one in 2.92 overall odds and one in 4.13 cash odds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To win, players need to match their given numbers to any of the six winning numbers to win that prize. If a player uncovers a red 7, theyll automatically win that corresponding prize. For those who uncover a red 77, theyll automatically win double that prize, while scratching to find a red 777 means triple that prize. As for Leon, he scratched his way to $1 million winnings. The odds of winning this amount on Triple Red 777 Scratchers is one in 2,047,423, according to the California Lottery. Its safe to say that Vons trip will always be remembered by Leon, as its left his wallet much heavier. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. The first regional Michelin guide for North America is heading for the Southeast, and its anonymous inspectors are already in the field. This new Michelin Guide American South, announced Wednesday, will cover the top restaurants in six states: Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. It will also encompass a pre-existing Atlanta, Georgia, guide. This means that restaurants in Nashville and other areas in the South will soon be eligible for coveted Michelin Stars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Nashville Convention and Visitors Corp is partnering with the state of Tennessee in support of the project, Deana Ivey, NCVC's president and CEO, said in a statement. "We are thrilled that for the first time, our Nashville restaurants have the opportunity to be considered by the prestigious Michelin Guide, which reflects the incredible talent and creativity found across our culinary scene, Ivey said. While were known globally for our music, our restaurants and chefs have earned national acclaim and are consistently honored among the best in the country." Recognition by the Michelin Guide would further the city's growing reputation as a destination for world-class restaurants. The guide's full 2025 restaurant selection will be revealed later this year during the annual Michelin Guide ceremony for the American South. No further details have yet been released about the ceremony. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Michelin Guide was first published in France at the turn of the 20th century to encourage tire sales by giving practical advice to French motorists. It remains a stalwart source for identifying some of the best restaurants in the world. More: A Nashville Michelin Guide? Chefs say they'll be ready if expansion continues South Though the Michelin Guide covers restaurants from casual to fine dining in its search for broader excellence, its coveted Michelin Stars are reserved for the highest in culinary excellence. According to a media statement from Michelin North America, Inc., the new regional approach allows the guide to better uncover the authentic food culture of the American South, outside of its main urban centers. Diners at Fishmonger in Nashville, March 12. The restaurant's Atlanta location is recognized by the Michelin Guide. We are excited to embark on this new journey for the Michelin Guide as this will be the first time since the Guides North American debut in 2005 that we are launching a regional selection, International Director of the Michelin Guides Gwendal Poullennec said. The cuisine of the American South is a unique product of diverse influences creating an iconic array of specialties prepared by proud and impressive culinary talent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The South is a treasure trove of unique culinary culture, from the food of the Gullah-Geechie in the Lowcountry to, yes, Nashville hot chicken. The move to focus on such vibrant regional food is long overdue. "Our region has long deserved global recognition for its extraordinary farm-to-table cuisine, world-class seafood, and rich food culture crafted by some of the world's most creative and talented chefs, Travel South USA President Liz Bittner said. We couldnt be prouder to be the first region in the country to showcase our culinary assets in big cities and small towns on a global stage." More: A guide to Nashville's James Beard-nominated chefs and restaurants What is the Michelin Guide? The Michelin Guide is a selection of restaurants that display culinary excellence, based on Michelins historical methodology. Restaurants must display quality products, harmony of flavors, mastery of cooking techniques, the voice and personality of the chef as reflected in the cuisine, and consistency between each visit and throughout the menu. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Often, the Michelin Guide has relied on local tourism organizations to support the cost of creating and promoting the guides. Korea paid the company nearly $2 million to bring the guide to Seoul in 2016. What is a Michelin Star? A Michelin Star is awarded annually to restaurants deemed by the guide's anonymous judges as displaying mastery of the five criteria required to make it into the guide. Since the early 20th century, inspectors have crowned restaurants with one, two or three stars. A Michelin Star awards the food on the plate and does not take into account the restaurant's style or formality. The awards are handed out annually to the best restaurants around the world. A Michelin Star is one of the most coveted culinary achievements a chef can attain. Do inspectors have set criteria restaurants must adhere to? According to the Michelin Guide, there is no secret mathematical formula; theyre just looking for really great cooking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some Michelin-starred restaurants are innovative, some traditional, some prix fixe and some a la carte. "All we are saying is 'these are the restaurants with the best food, where you will enjoy the most outstanding culinary experiences,'" the guide says. "It is then up to the reader to choose the one that best suits their needs/preferences." Mackensy Lunsford is the senior dining reporter for The Tennessean. You can reach her at mlunsford@tennessean.com. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: 1st regional Michelin Guide to highlight Southern food, restaurants CAIRO (AP) At least two people were killed in attacks by Sudan's paramilitary forces on a famine-stricken camp in North Darfur for people displaced by the war in the country, officials and humanitarian organizations said. The Abo Shouk displacement camp in el-Fasher has been attacked on and off over the past 11 months, but attacks have intensified this week, Adam Rijal, the spokesman for the Coordination for Displaced Persons and Refugees in Darfur, said Wednesday. He told The Associated Press that two people were confirmed dead due to the attacks by the Rapid Support Forces that intensified on Monday. The paramilitary was using artillery shelling indiscriminately and deliberately, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Four people were reported injured on Tuesday, but that figure is likely higher. The attacks have also destroyed property in the camp, which houses around 450,000 displaced people. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said Wednesday that attacks on Abu Shouk camp reportedly killed and injured scores of civilians. Darfur Governor Mini Arko Minawi condemned the attacks in a Facebook statement on Monday and said the attacks were part of the RSFs plan to exterminate the residents of el-Fasher and nearby displacement camps. The war in Sudan broke out in April 2023 between the military and its rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces with battles in Khartoum and around the country. The Sudanese military has control over el-Fasher despite near-daily strikes by the RSF. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said Tuesday it was gravely alarmed by the reports of intensified hostilities. The humanitarian and security situation in Sudan remains dire and is worsening, Dujarric said. Clementine Nkweta-Salami, the U.N. humanitarian coordinator in Sudan, on Wednesday called the continued attacks against civilians across the country unlawful & morally indefensible. At least 20,000 people are thought to have been killed since the war broke out, though the number is likely far higher. The war has also driven more than 14 million people from their homes and pushed parts of the country into famine. UNICEF recently reported that an estimated 61,800 children have been internally displaced since the war began. Over the past several months, the Sudanese army made steady advances in its fight against its rival paramilitary in Khartoum and other areas. Most recently, the military retook government buildings in the capital, including the Republican Palace and recaptured Khartoums international airport. A woman and a teenager drowned during an alleged smuggling attempt after the driver of their vehicle drove into a canal while fleeing authorities following major flooding in Texas, authorities said. Now, two men face federal charges in connection with their deaths, the Department of Justice announced on Tuesday. The DOJ said the incident occurred Friday morning in McAllen, which saw record rain bring severe flooding last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: 3 dead after storms bring record-breaking Texas floods, officials say U.S. Border Patrol agents conducting surveillance spotted a white Ford F-150 that had "previously identified as being involved in alien smuggling," according to the federal complaint. The agents surveilled the vehicle and saw a "body swap of suspected illegal aliens" with a black Ford Explorer, according to the complaint. Agents followed the Ford Explorer and approached the vehicle after it stopped at a low spot in a flooded road, according to the complaint. PHOTO: A vehicle is seen being recovered from a canal in McAllen, Texas, on March 29, 2025, in a photo included in a federal criminal complaint. (Department of Justice) The driver of the Ford Explorer -- identified by the DOJ as Jose Alexis Baeza-Combaluzier, a 26-year-old Mexican national -- then fled and drove through the flooded area, according to the complaint. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agents found the vehicle approximately half a mile away in a nearby canal, according to the complaint. The agents jumped into the canal and were able to rescue Baeza-Combaluzier and four migrants, including an undocumented Guatemalan and her 13-year-old son, according to the complaint. Two other occupants of the vehicle drowned, the DOJ said. The rescued mother's 14-year-old son was found in the recovered vehicle, and the body of another woman was recovered from the canal, according to the complaint. MORE: 3 soldiers accused of smuggling undocumented immigrants Baeza-Combaluzier and the alleged driver of the white Ford F-150 -- Vicente Garcia Jr., 18, of Roma, Texas -- have been charged in the smuggling deaths, the Justice Department said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baeza-Combaluzier was denied bail during a court appearance on Monday and is scheduled to have a preliminary hearing on Wednesday, court records show. ABC News has reached out to his public defender for comment and has not gotten a response. Garcia is expected to make his initial appearance on Wednesday. It is unclear if he has an attorney. If convicted, they face up to life in prison or the possibility of a death sentence, prosecutors said. 2 men face federal charges after woman, teen drown in alleged smuggling attempt originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Ronald Bradley was along to pacify the situation. His grandson, Roy Browner, was in a dispute with Browners ex-girlfriend and was upset that she had a new boyfriend. The fractured former couple spent a day in September 2022 arguing about custody of their son. Browner and his grandfather drove the ex-girlfriends daughter to an apartment in Arlington. Browner and Bradley returned to south Fort Worth in a Cadillac. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bradley wanted something to eat from a Wendys restaurant, and his grandson steered into the drive-thru line. There, according to the account Browner described to Fort Worth police detectives, a sport utility vehicle pulled next to them. A back passenger opened fire. The detectives, Kyle Sullivan and Matt Anderson, concluded that the shooter was Xavier Bacon, the new boyfriend. Bacon shot Bradley, who was 60, in the head and he died in the Cadillacs front passenger seat. In the minutes before the killing, Bacon and Johnathan Banks, who was driving the SUV from which Bacon fired, stalked Browner and Bradley, following them from an apartment building where they stopped to pick up the grandfathers wallet to the restaurant, according to surveillance video reviewed by police. Bacon and Banks were indicted on murder in the killing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a plea agreement with the state, Banks, who is 38, on Friday pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of failure to report a felony and was sentenced by Judge Steven Jumes to two years of deferred probation. Bacon, who is 23, on Feb. 19 pleaded guilty to murder, and Judge Jumes sentenced him to 20 years in prison. Jumes presides in the 485th District Court in Tarrant County. More top stories from our newsroom: Family faces legal fight over services for daughter with Down syndrome Blue Cross Blue Shield drops coverage at North Texas hospitals Woman attacked, killed outside Arlington apartment Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [Get our breaking news alerts.] Banks admitted to following Browner and told the detectives that Bacon was the only person in the back seat of his SUV when he was driving in the Wendys parking lot in the 2100 block of Sycamore School Road. Banks said he heard gunshots but indicated he did not know their source, according to an arrest warrant affidavit supporting the suspects arrest that recounts the Fort Worth Police Department Homicide Units investigation. Detectives said they found in the back passenger door cup holder of Banks SUV a fired cartridge casing that is of the same brand as the cartridge casings that were found in the Wendys parking lot. In his first interview with Detectives Sullivan and Anderson, Bacon said he was at work in Irving at the time of the homicide and was not involved in the shooting. In another interview after his arrest, Bacon admitted to the shooting and said that Banks was driving him, according to an affidavit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a handwritten motion that he prepared from jail before he pleaded guilty, Bacon asserted a self-defense argument. Bacon wrote that Browner was jealous and intended to destroy the new relationship. Browner began to follow Bacon everywhere he went, and was following him at the time of the killing, Bacon wrote. He had a firearm in his hand pointing it at [me], Bacon wrote of Browner. Defense attorney Steve Gordon was appointed to represent Bacon. Defense attorney Kathy Lowthorp was appointed to represent Banks. Tarrant County Assistant District Attorney Chris Dewitt prosecuted the case. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) Plea agreements were reached Tuesday with two men charged in connection with a deadly shooting that occurred outside a Delano casino in 2014. Carlos Augusto Reveles, 41, pleaded no contest to first-degree murder, according to court records, and co-defendant Vincent Mike Gonzalez pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter. The two were charged years after the Aug. 9, 2014, death of David Medina, who was fatally shot outside the Aviator Casino. Medina was 46. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Man charged under Prop 36 law takes plea deal A sentencing hearing is scheduled May 22. Reveles faces to 25 years to life while Gonzalez will receive 11 years, prosecutors said. Reveles indictment alleged gang-related special circumstances and charges for shooting at an occupied motor vehicle, assault with a semi-automatic firearm and unlawful firearm possession. A murder charge against Gonzalez was dismissed. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17 News. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) Authorities have executed search warrants at two South Nashville massage businesses that are under investigation. Detectives with the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNDP) served search warrants Wednesday morning at Happy Feet Spa on Thompson Lane and Q Spa on Winford Avenue. Have breaking news come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department | READ MORE | Latest headlines from Nashville and Davidson County According to police, both businesses are under investigation for prostitution and unlicensed massages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials said charges against the owners are anticipated. No additional details were immediately released. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. Supporters and opponents of Planned Parenthood hold signs outside a U.S. Supreme Court hearing Wednesday, April 2, 2025, on a case that will decide whether South Carolina can remove Planned Parenthood from Medicaid rolls as a provider for non-abortion health care services. (Photo by Sofia Resnick/States Newsroom) Whether South Carolina Medicaid patients can go to the doctor of their choice could hinge on two words in federal law, attorneys argued to the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday. A section of the federal Medicaid Act says patients may obtain care from any provider who is willing and qualified. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It will be up to the nations highest court to decide what that means. Attorneys for South Carolina and the U.S. government contend that allows states to choose which providers can be reimbursed for Medicaid-covered health care services. An attorney for Planned Parenthood argued those words give patients the right to see the provider of their choice. The case stems from a 2018 executive order in which Gov. Henry McMaster directed the states Medicaid agency to remove abortion clinics from the list of providers that patients can choose to visit for non-abortion health care services. Planned Parenthood supporter Laura Dedig, a retired nurse from Richmond, Virginia, holds up a sign outside a U.S. Supreme Court hearing Wednesday, April 2, 2025, on the non-abortion health care services she said shes received from the organization for decades. (Photo by Sofia Resnick/States Newsroom) Under a federal provision followed by South Carolina, 16 other states and Washington, D.C., Medicaid can pay for abortions only in cases of rape, incest or to save a patients life, according to KFF. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Planned Parenthood also offers family planning services Medicaid does cover, such as breast and cervical cancer screenings, birth control, and testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections. Because the Medicaid Act doesnt explicitly use the word right, or similar words, such as privilege, entitlement or immunity, the state isnt legally obligated to allow patients to see whatever health care provider they want, argued John Bursch, an attorney representing the state, and Kyle Hawkins, an attorney for the Office of the Solicitor General. Were looking for unmistakable rights-creating language, said Hawkins, who presented the federal governments arguments in support of the state. Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson seemed to differ. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Requiring certain phrasing would be like telling Congress there are magic words that can make the court interpret the law a certain way, said the justices who are generally considered liberal. Justice Elena Kagan was more direct in her questioning. The laws phrasing seems to clearly convey that a patient has the right to choose their provider, she said. Abortion opponents hold defund Planned Parenthood signs outside a U.S. Supreme Court hearing Wednesday, April 2, 2025, on a case that will decide whether South Carolina can remove Planned Parenthood from Medicaid rolls as a provider for non-abortion services. (Photo by Sofia Resnick/States Newsroom) Its impossible to even say the thing without using the word right, Kagan said. The use of the word may is not related to a persons choice in what provider they visit but rather whether they choose to seek out health care at all, Kagan said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The may is just, You may see a doctor, Kagan said. Were not forcing people to see doctors. If the court interpreted the law as allowing states to deny Medicaid reimbursements to any doctor or practice state politicians deem unqualified, that could lead to any number of arbitrary decisions about who to include or exclude from the provider list, she said. Some states might decide to approve only the providers that perform abortions, offer contraception or do gender transition treatment, while other states might decide the opposite, she said. Every state could split up the world by providers like that, right? Kagan said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Allowing states to do that, she added, would give patients no ability to come back and say, Thats wrong, Im entitled to see my provider of choice, regardless of what they think about contraception or abortion or gender transition treatment. Congress passed that part of the Medicaid Act because some states were trying to steer their Medicaid beneficiaries to certain providers and away from others, Jackson said. That suggests Congress intended people to be able to choose which providers they want to see, said Nicole Saharsky, attorney for Planned Parenthood South Atlantic. There arent that many things that are more important than being able to choose your doctor, the person that you see when youre at your most vulnerable, facing some of the most significant challenges to your life and your health, Saharsky said. Congress said a long time ago, This is something we want to protect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response, Bursch argued that interpreting the wording as giving patients the right to choose their provider could open up a flood of lawsuits from people whose preferred doctors arent on the list. The law already creates an appeals process for patients who feel their care isnt sufficient, Bursch said. Providers can also appeal to the courts if they feel they were unfairly excluded, he said. He likened the process to private insurance, in which an insurance company will only cover care provided by doctors considered part of its network. The beneficiary doesnt have the right to whip out a magic wand and then just hit on the head the doctor that they want, and then they must be qualified under Medicaid, Bursch said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But that process doesnt allow a person to appeal until theyve seen the provider, meaning that person couldnt challenge the decision to remove a health care provider from the list entirely, said Justice Amy Coney Barrett. Thats the beneficiary taking the risk, going to the provider she wants to see and then potentially having to pay out of pocket, Barrett said. Outside the Supreme Court Activists on both sides gathered outside the U.S. Supreme Court during the hearing, with competing bright pink signs that read defund or fund Planned Parenthood. But representatives for Planned Parenthood said justices ruling is not about the organizations ability to operate, but whether patients will lose access to health care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If we lose, it wont shut us down, said Molly Rivera, communications director for Planned Parenthood South Atlantic. The real impact is going to be on the patients. Its going to be on people who rely on Medicaid and Title X for preventative health care. Other activists who traveled to the nations capital showed their support with homemade signs. They included Alex McNeil; her father, John McNeil; and her son, Glen, who came from Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania, to support Planned Parenthood. Poor people should also get to choose who their providers are, not just wealthy people, said Brunken, who described her work as being in reproductive health care, adding she wanted her son to see the work she and her co-workers do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This week, the Trump administration also temporarily froze nearly $30 million in Title X family-planning grants to Planned Parenthood affiliates, which the Guttmacher Institute estimates could impact more than 1 million people seeking contraception, testing for sexually transmitted infections or other reproductive health services. The Alliance Defending Freedom, which is representing South Carolina officials in the lawsuit, argues that any money going to Planned Parenthood ultimately goes toward funding abortion. We know that money is fungible, so any dollar thats going to an abortion facility like Planned Parenthood even earmarked for other services is going to enable more dollars that they have to then go towards things like their abortion activism or performing more abortions, said Gabriella McIntyre, legal counsel at Alliance Defending Freedom. States need to be free to fund real, comprehensive, high-quality health care in their states and exclude organizations like Planned Parenthood from their limited funding, she said. Rep. Ralph Norman, South Carolinas Fifth District congressman, spoke to anti-abortion activists Wednesday, April 2, 2025, outside the U.S. Supreme Court. (Photo by Sofia Resnick/States Newsroom) McIntyre said South Carolina has nearly 200 high quality, comprehensive healthcare facilities that are publicly funded where Medicaid patients could go instead of Planned Parenthood for family planning services. Rivera and other reproductive rights advocates in the state have argued there is a dearth of reproductive health providers who accept Medicaid and who are accepting new patients. Rivera said Planned Parenthood, which is a nonprofit, actually loses money as a Medicaid provider because the governments reimbursement rates are lower than the cost of the approved services they provide, such as cervical cancer screenings and birth control. Thats why many for-profit health providers do not accept or limit the amount of Medicaid patients they see, which Planned Parenthood does not, she said. She said she worries residents of South Carolina, where most abortions are currently banned after six weeks gestation, might have to start traveling out of state not just for abortions, but for birth control and Pap smears. Both of our health centers, Columbia and Charleston, are also part of Title X, so we see people for Title X and Medicaid, and if you cant do either because of the government, I dont know where people are going to go, Rivera said. Especially with cancer screenings, early detection saves lives. So, if you have to travel across state lines for your Pap smear, are you going to be able to do that? People will just forgo care. While reproductive rights advocates outside the court rallied in favor of patients rights, U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman of South Carolinas Fifth District argued states should have the right to determine their Medicaid providers. He called it a case about choice as laid out in the 10th amendment of the U.S. Constitution as giving powers to the states. Its about the states choice to determine where limited resources go, the choice of South Carolinians to align our Medicaid policies with our values, and the choice of our nation to uphold the principles of federalism that our founders so wisely enshrined, Norman, a Rock Hill Republican who might run for governor, said while addressing national anti-abortion leaders. I urge the court behind us to affirm our right to make these decisions free from outside interference, and I will continue to fight just alongside each one of you until this right is protected. Editors note: The name and family relations of supporters who traveled from Pennsylvania have been corrected. LAFAYETTE, La (KLFY) Throughout National Womens Month, KLFY honored four remarkable women who made a great impact in the Acadiana community. Today, KLFY 10 announced Brandy Roberts to be 2025s Remarkable Woman of the Year. Brandy is an educator in Iberia Parish at Johnston Hopkins Elementary school while also an advocate for online safety for children and adults. After the tragic death of her daughter, Englyn, who was a victim of online abuse and bullying. Brandy Roberts has really turned her pain into a purpose. She immediately turned to the Heart of Iberia, and Iberia Mental Health Initiative and in Englyns name helped bring awareness to the community about mental health and the online harms associated with social media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brandy has been to the Supreme Court in DC, speaking with Congressional leaders, including Louisiana Congressman and House Speaker Mike Johnson to pass the KOSA act (Kids Online Safety Act). She is a Community Leader with The Duke and Duchess, Harry and Meghans Archewell foundation, hosting zoom calls monthly with parents who have loss children due on social media harms and helping discuss how to survive the journey of grief. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KLFY Daily Digest In November 2024, Brandy went to Bogota, Columbia with the World Health Organization to speak with world leaders telling Englyns story in hopes of getting countries around the world to pass laws to keep children and families safe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brandy is determined to help children and advocates for online harms to be addressed through laws so that parents will have tools to supervise their kids on social media platforms. Brandys determination and care for other children and parents are the qualities that make her remarkable. Roberts will now advance to a conference in Los Angeles where a national Remarkable Woman of the Year will be announced. Brandy Roberts, 2025s Remarkable Woman of the Year Latest news Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com. BEIJING, April 2 (Xinhua) -- China's joint exercises around the Taiwan Island are a move to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and no external force is in any position to point fingers at this, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday. Spokesperson Guo Jiakun made the remarks at a daily press briefing in response to comments from the United States, the European Union, and Japan on the latest joint exercises by the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command around the island of Taiwan. Guo noted that the accusations made by a few countries and organizations against China disregard the facts, distort right and wrong and interfere in China's internal affairs. "China is strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposes this," Guo said. The Taiwan question is purely China's internal affairs that brook no external interference. "Taiwan independence" separatist activities and external forces that abet and aid them are the ones that undermine peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, Guo noted. He said that if relevant countries and organizations truly want peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, they should follow the international community's prevailing consensus of the one-China principle, honor their political commitments made to China, respect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and oppose "Taiwan independence" in any form. Moves to clamor for "Taiwan independence" mean separating China, support for "Taiwan independence" means interference in China's internal affairs, and attempts to abet "Taiwan independence" mean destabilizing the Taiwan Strait, Guo said. The joint exercises are a severe punishment against the Lai Ching-te authorities' aggressive provocations to seek "Taiwan independence," a stern warning to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces who deliberately undermine peace across the Taiwan Strait, and a responsible move to defend national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, Guo said. Guo said that as long as the provocations for "Taiwan independence" continue, the punishment against "Taiwan independence" will continue. "We will never ever allow anyone or any force to separate Taiwan from China in any form. We will take all measures necessary to firmly safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity," the spokesperson said. SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) The Louisiana State Police announced additional arrests and a total of 23 indictments related to what they call a major drug trafficking organization in Claiborne Parish. The investigation is a collaboration between LSP and the Claiborne Parish Sheriffs Office, which led to the identification and subsequent arrests of additional suspects. Evidence presented to the Claiborne Parish District Attorneys Office was brought to a grand jury in the 2nd Judicial District Court, and they returned 23 true bills of indictment. Claiborne Parish District Attorney Danny Newell emphasized, The Louisiana State Police played a vital role in investigating, identifying, and ultimately dismantling this drug trafficking organization that threatened the safety of our neighborhoods. Their tireless work and collaboration with the Claiborne Parish Sheriffs Office has been instrumental in bringing these individuals to justice and making our community safer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Three indicted in shooting death of cousins at Cross Lake Apartments Rontrell L. Sturdivant racketeering Georgerick J. Coleman racketeering Donnell Mitchell racketeering Jesse C. Thomas racketeering Alonzo Jackson racketeering Deonte Frazier racketeering Bryan D. Webb racketeering DeDarian K. Robinson racketeering Nicholas R. Willis racketeering Orillian V. Guidry Jr. racketeering Jaime R. Rockett racketeering and distribution of schedule II CDS DeMontre D. Robinson racketeering and distribution of schedule II CDS Dexter T. Washington racketeering and possession of a firearm by convicted felon Demond Maddox racketeering and distribution of Schedule II CDS Cheryl J. Bragg racketeering and possession of schedule II CDS Corey D. Scott racketeering and possession with intent to distribute Schedule II CDS Falante P. Hill racketeering, distribution of schedule II CDS, and possession of schedule II CDS Richard L. Jones Sr. racketeering, distribution of schedule II CDS, and possession of schedule II CDS Ashley Morgan principal to distribution of schedule II CDS and possession of schedule II CDS Yul McGee distribution of schedule I and II CDS, possession with intent to distribute schedule II CDS, and introduction of contraband into a penal facility Fernando Grider distribution of schedule II CDS and distribution of schedule I CDS Jelisha D. Warren racketeering and possession with intent to distribute Schedule II CDS Derrick D. Bradford racketeering, possession with intent to distribute schedule I CDS, possession of schedule II CDS, drug paraphernalia, and illegal carrying of weapons The indictments of the individuals below are related to the arrest of 15 people who were targets of a multi-jurisdictional investigation that included state and federal law enforcement and state, parish, and city law enforcement agencies. The COPS anti-methamphetamine program provided funding for this operation. When officers executed searches of the homes, they reportedly confiscated firearms, cash, crack cocaine, marijuana, and methamphetamine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This investigation is ongoing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com. London Police in the British capital said Wednesday that 23 more women had come forward to say they may have been sexually assaulted by a London-based Chinese PhD student who was convicted last month of raping 10 others. Zhenhao Zou, 28, was convicted in March of drugging and raping 10 women in the U.K. and China after "one of the most complex investigations" London's Metropolitan Police said it had carried out to date. Investigators say Zou invited women, many of them thought to be fellow Chinese students studying in Britain, to one of two addresses in the U.K. and gave them drinks laced with butanediol, which becomes the depressant GHB when ingested, and then filmed himself sexually assaulting and raping them. GHB is often used by sexual predators to incapacitate their targets, as it can be administered covertly. Investigators were only able to identify two of the 10 women seen in the videos that helped prosecutors convict Zou, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since an appeal was launched for other survivors to come forward based largely on the sheer volume of evidence found on Zou's devices 23 more women have contacted the London police, some of them living in the U.K., others in China and elsewhere, the force said Wednesday. Zhenhao Zou is seen in photos provided by the London Metropolitan Police after his arrest in January 2024 on rape charges. / Credit: Handout/London Metropolitan Police Investigators for the London Metropolitan Police, often known simply as The Met, say they have evidence to suggest that Zou attacked more than 50 other women, and their work to identify those survivors continues. "Given how prolific Zou seems to have been, there is every potential he could be one of the most prolific offenders that we've ever seen," said Met Commander Kevin Southworth. "The primary places where we believe offending may have occurred at this time appears to be... here in London, and over in China." Zou studied in Belfast, Northern Ireland, from 2017-2019, before moving to London. None of the women who have contacted police thus far have been from Belfast, but Southworth said investigators were "open-minded about" the possibility of there being survivors there, too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Given how active and prolific Zou appears to have been with his awful offending, there is every prospect that he could have offended anywhere in the world," he added. The Met has released officer bodycam video of Zou's arrest in South London in January 2024. Zou, who was studying engineering at University College London, was found guilty by unanimous jury ruling on 11 counts of rape in March, after the court heard how he had preyed on women he met online. Zou kept some items belonging to his victims, including articles of jewelry and clothing, according to the police. He is due to be sentenced on June 19. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police issued a fresh appeal on Wednesday for other survivors to come forward, and said they were still compiling evidence to be submitted after Zou's sentencing. Democratic-backed candidate wins record-breaking Wisconsin Supreme Court seat U.S. and the rest of the world prepare for Trump's "Liberation Day" tariffs From the archives: Val Kilmer as Mark Twain A local seafood company has big plans for a new facility at the Port of Tacoma. Details have emerged of Tacoma-based Fathom Seafoods plans for a new 550,000-square-foot cold storage and processing facility at a cost of $280 million. Fathom CEO Cody Mills recently discussed the plans in an interview with The News Tribune. Fathom is involved in live seafood, processing and distribution with a workforce of about 168 employees, according to Mills. The company is joining forces with New Jersey-based private equity investor Saxum Real Estate and Development in its latest venture. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Mills, the plans propose 450,000 square feet of cold storage, for all food, not just seafood, and more than 100,000 square feet of automated processing for seafood. The site would include two buildings, with a rail dock between the two, and construction taking place in phases. We are at kind of the final push of negotiations with the Port of Tacoma for the ground lease, Mills told The News Tribune. The port property, roughly bordered by Alexander Avenue, East 11th Street and Taylor Way, is 30 acres total. Were going to take our two current (seafood) plants and aggregate them into this facility and then expand it all at the same time, Mills said. The proposal calls for the site to operate as a third-party facility, so its third-party logistics and third-party processing, Mills told The News Tribune. The idea is to basically build this massive tool that people get to use in our industry and in the food industry as well. ... This is a food facility for all food that specifically services all of the agricultural and seafood needs for cold storage for the Northwest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He noted it would be a multi-temp facility, which means that we have a bunch of chambers in the facility, and every chamber can change from refrigerated temperatures all the way down to ultra low temp storage. There isnt any public ultra low temp cold storage thats at any kind of scale. So thats what were building, he added. He foresees the site creating hundreds of jobs with the full build-out. To help in the development, Fathom recently brought on Domenic Prinzivalli as senior vice president, strategy and operations. Prinzivalli at one time served as Amazons head of global operation services, and was tied to the companys early robotics research, according to a recent LinkedIn post. In the post, he wrote: Today, Im looking forward to leveraging this experience to transform the seafood supply chain at Fathom Seafoodimproving quality, worker safety, and productivity through advanced robotics and automation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hes going to bring a lot of higher tech industrial knowledge base down into our facility, Mills told The News Tribune. Negotiations and tariff pressures Port of Tacoma communications office said in an emailed statement in response to questions from The News Tribune that the port is still in the process of negotiating a potential lease of port-owned property for a seafood cold storage processing facility. At this time, were unable to share any details. The statement added, If both parties come to an agreement, information will be available when a lease is presented to Port of Tacoma Commissioners for their consideration at a future commission meeting. Mills said, The goal is to break ground this summer on the dirt work part, while were still working on the building permit. Then we get the building permit, and then well try and take keys on the facility by the end of 26, for the first phase, and then take the keys on the second phase the following year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Matthew Wassel is a principal with Saxum Real Estate and Development. In response to questions from The News Tribune, Wassel said via email that this would be Saxums first project in Tacoma. Saxum has been speaking with Cody and his team for several years about potential projects in the region, he wrote. Times have evolved for Mills and the company, which was founded in 2016 with the purchase of Alaska Ice Seafoods. In 2019, Mills told The News Tribune he had deep concerns about China tariffs placed on geoducks and how that was roiling the Alaska Ice brand. Were still dealing with that, he said this week. And now, a new round of U.S.-based tariffs has Mills more focused than ever on getting this latest expansion up and running, and is actively promoting it as a positive for the surrounding region both with the seafood processing and food storage capabilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This business idea came about before this new tariff war, he said. This is massive for food security in the Northwest, he added. Being an anchor in the food supply chain, you know, for Tacoma, is critically important, in our opinion. This isnt like another mega warehouse being built down next to somebodys housing development, he noted. Were actually where it should be, in the middle of the commerce zone, and thats pretty cool. Juneau, Alaska, has implemented cruise ship and passenger caps to curb its cruise boom. Three local businesses told BI they support these limits despite relying on cruisers for revenue. The influx of Alaskan cruises has increasingly strained Juneau's residents and infrastructure. To visitors scurrying around Juneau, Alaska, Caribou Crossings may look like any other seasonal tourist town gift shop. To its owner, Laura McDonnell, the 28-year-old storefront means so much more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McDonnell has worked at Caribou Crossings for 25 years, starting when she was 16. She said she "grew up in that little store," staying through high school and college before eventually purchasing the business in January 2020. She remembers holding one of her current employees as a baby. When she went into labor, her obstetric nurse had been a previous employee, working at the gift shop to put herself through nursing school. It's a self-described "typical Alaskan tourism love story" and it's all thanks to Juneau's booming cruise industry, whose passengers account for 98% of the store's revenue, according to McDonnell. Laura McDonnell stocks her Juneau gift shop, Caribou Crossings, with products made by Alaskan artists. Laura McDonnell Like many local businesses, cruisers are vital to Caribou Crossings' health. Yet, its owner supports the city's recent limitations on the vacation-at-sea industry and she's not alone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Southeast Alaska is a challenging place to live, and those of us live here because it's beautiful and because of the lifestyle that it offers," Alexandra Pierce, Juneau's visitor industry director, told Business Insider. "People in the visitor industry, myself included, are locals first, and protecting that balance in our communities is really important to us." Juneau is the state's busiest cruise hub. Alaska State Sen. Jesse Kiehl told BI that the city only saw 170,000 non-cruise visitors in 2024. It's a drop in the bucket or snowflake on Denali compared to the record 1.73 million by-ship tourists who visited last year a 33% spike from 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a study commissioned by the city. If the growth continues at this rate, it could be a windfall for local businesses like Caribou Crossings. Juneau Tours operates whale-watching and Mendenhall Glacier tours. Serene Hutchinson According to Juneau's study, the cruise industry fed $375 million into the city's economy in 2023. Most of this came from direct passenger spending, as Serene Hutchinson, the general manager of tour operator Juneau Tours, can attest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "These cruise lines coming to Juneau may be big corporations, but they're benefiting us local companies," she told BI, noting that 95% of her company's customers are cruise passengers. Yet, like McDonnell, Hutchinson supports Juneau's implementation of a five-ship per-day cap in 2024 and a 16,000 cruise passenger per-day restraint (12,000 on Saturdays) in 2026. The limitations, negotiated with the cruise industry, are projected to maintain the volume of cruise visitors for this and next year. For McDonnell, it's a worthy trade-off. "We need to manage the tourists we've got before we talk about growth," she said. The majority of Juneau's tourists come by cruise. Ken Schulze/Shutterstock The self-imposed restrictions may seem counterintuitive to outsiders: These floating resorts and their passengers are consequential to the livelihood of Alaska's capital city. It's spurred a locally-operated visitor industry boom, a shortlist of which includes gift shops, helicopter tours, whale-watching boats, and excursions to the nearby Mendenhall Glacier. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Without this economic bright spot, the region would be a different, more struggling place," Pierce said. However, for residents like Holly Johnson the 52-year-old chief marketing officer of tour operator Wings Airways and the Taku Glacier Lodge these caps are a "sweet spot." About 85% of her company's clients are cruise passengers. Yet, she too supports the restrictions, calling them a "really good sense of what Juneau needs and what is happening in the industry, growth-wise." Without them, the vacation-at-sea boom could have become increasingly overwhelming for the city fettered not by demand (which feels seemingly endless) but by the local infrastructure. Holly Johnson said she's worked at Wings Airways and the Taku Glacier Lodge for 25 years. Holly Johnson Like other cruise-plagued towns, as cruises have boomed, so has local discontent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the survey of 501 Juneau residents in late 2024, 20% of respondents said further limiting cruise volume should be the city's most important priority up 5% from 2023. On days when the 31,555-person city is slammed with upward of 17,000 cruisers, residents have complained about traffic, noise, excessive wakes from whale-watching tour boats, dropped cell reception, slower WiFi, and even bears searching for garbage visitors leave behind. "We have to drive through these streets every day, too," Caribou Crossings' owner said. "We know what it's like to live here with cruise ship passengers." Read the original article on Business Insider Officials in South Carolina have arrested and charged three men concerning a 13,000-plus-acre wildfire that happened last month. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] On Tuesday, South Carolina Forestry Commission law enforcement officials arrested Nyzaire Jah-Neiz Marsh,19, of Taylors, SC, Tristan Tyler, 18, of Greenville, SC and Isaac Wilson, 18, of Greenville, SC. The Pickens County Sheriffs Office in South Carolina said while deputies were searching for a missing hiker March 21, they found a rapidly growing wildfire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deputies immediately evacuated seven hikers, several of whom were questioned about the fires origin, officials said. TRENDING STORIES: During the investigation, deputies brought in three adults and a minor for questioning. Pickens County detectives got evidence that they say identified who started the fire. According to the arrest warrant affidavits, the suspects were smoking on a hiking trail at the state park and did not put their cigarettes out properly and safely. Authorities believe that led to the start of the Table Rock Fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The trio was each charged with one count of negligently allowing fire to spread to lands or property of another. A minor was charged with the same charge, however, he was not booked and released to his parent. All three were transported to the Pickens County Detention Center and released each on a $7,500 bond. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] According to a park advisory, Table Rock State Park remains closed due to the wildfire but is set to reopen on Monday. Other trails will reopen as they are evaluated and cleared for safety. Editor's note: The article was expanded with the Air Force's report on Russian drone attacks. Russian strikes across Ukraine killed at least three civilians and injured at least 18 over the past day, including a child, regional authorities reported on April 2. Ukrainian air defenses shot down 41 of the 74 Shahed-type strike drones and decoy drones launched overnight, with damage reported in the Kharkiv, Donetsk, and Odesa oblasts, the Air Force said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Twenty decoy drones disappeared from radars without causing damage. Russia launched 15 strike drones against the eastern city of Kharkiv, Mayor Ihor Terekhov reported. Eight people, including three children, suffered from shock, the State Emergency Service said, reporting no physical injuries. Two civilian enterprises were hit, and three fires broke out at industrial facilities, according to the service. In Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, four people including a 14-year-old boy were injured in Russian drone and artillery attacks against the Nikopol district, Governor Serhii Lysak reported. Eight houses, four outbuildings, and other civilian property were damaged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two people were killed and three injured in Russian strikes in Donetsk Oblast, said the regional governor, Vadym Filashkin. One civilian was killed and another injured in Pokrovsk, one was killed in Krasnyi Lyman, and one each was injured in Illinivka and Oleksandro-Kalynove. In Kherson Oblast, Russian attacks killed one civilian and injured nine, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin reported. Two high-rise buildings and 10 houses were damaged. A Russian attack against the village of Malokaterynivka in Zaporizhzhia Oblast killed a 45-year-old man and injured a 39-year-old woman and a 44-year-old man, Governor Ivan Fedorov said. Read also: The rise and fall of Ukraines Kursk gambit Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. She could have picked up any old stone from the thousands in the ruins of Tel Azeka, an ancient town in Israel. Instead, 3-year-old Ziv Nitzan pulled out a 3,800-year-old treasure from the Middle Bronze age. When she rubbed it and removed the sand from it, we saw something was different about it, Zivs sister Omer Nitzan said in a Facebook post released Tuesday by Israels Antiquities Authority. I called my parents to come see the beautiful stone, and we realized we had discovered an archaeological find. Experts later identified it as a Canaanite seal or scarab. Ziv Nitzan holds the ancient scarab she picked up. Scarabs were used in this period as seals and as amulets. They were found in graves, in public buildings and in private homes. Sometimes they bear symbols and messages, that reflect religious beliefs or status, Daphna Ben-Tor, an Egyptologist, said in the Facebook post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Originating in ancient Egypt, scarabs were commonly used as seals and as amulets and were designed in the shape of a dung beetles. This beetle, considered sacred in the eyes of the ancient Egyptians, was a symbol of new life, because of the dung ball it created and then laid its eggs into it, from which new life would hatch, the Facebook post said. Often they carried messages, reflecting religious beliefs. Ziv Nitzan, right, and her sisters holding a certificate of appreciation. Ziv's find is one of a number of artifacts found across Israel indicating ancient Egyptian presence in the country. She picked it up at the base of a key archaeological site in central Israel. Situated 25 miles west of Jerusalem, the village of Tel Azekah is referenced in the Bible as the site of the infamous battle between David and Goliath. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Omer Nitzan said that after her sister found the scarab on a family outing last month, they immediately called their parents who realized we had discovered an archaeological find. The family then reported it to Israels Antiquities Authority. The scarab was found in the village of Tel Azekah, which is referenced in the Bible as the site of the infamous battle between David and Goliath. The discovery connects us to a grand story, that of the ancient civilizations that lived in this land thousands of years ago, Israeli Minister of Heritage Amichai Eliyahu was quoted as saying in the Facebook post. The scarab Ziv found also reminds us that in the Land of Israel, even children can be a part of discovering history, Eliyahu said. Eli Escusido, director of the antiquities authority, also praised the family for its discovery and said the seal will be displayed in a special exhibition, which will also include other Egyptian finds across the country. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com BEIJING, April 2 (Xinhua) -- China's State Council on Wednesday announced the appointment and removal of several officials. Xu Qingsen was appointed vice minister of education. Xi Yanchun was appointed vice president of Xinhua News Agency. Ma Yanming was appointed president of Zhejiang University (vice ministerial level). Yuan Bingzhong was removed from the post of vice president of Xinhua News Agency. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) A real estate investment firm is planning one of the largest affordable housing projects in Franklin County history, including demolishing the vacant Latitude Five25 towers and rehabilitating the Hilltops Wedgewood Village. Nuveen Real Estates plans call for Latitude Five25 at 525 Sawyer Blvd. in east Columbus to face a bulldozer and be replaced with a 390-unit apartment complex for low-income families. The 15-story Sawyer Boulevard towers have sat empty since late 2022, when a pipe burst on Christmas Day forced more than 100 residents to evacuate. Watch a previous NBC4 report on Latitude Five25 in the video player above. Franklin County sales tax increase now in effect: how much it will cost you Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve cleaned communities, weve cleaned up entire residences, said Nadir Settles, Nuveens global head of real estate impact, during an Ohio Senate Housing Committee meeting in March. Sawyer towers is a project that is gonna get knocked down, restored back to the heart of what we know that it means to this community. The Latitude Five25 towers at 525 Sawyer Blvd. (Franklin County Auditors Office) Carrying a $147 million cost, Latitude Five25s redevelopment includes the construction of energy-efficient apartments across five-story buildings, 7,000 square feet of amenities, and more than 100,000 square feet of passive and active outdoor space. Nuveen plans to acquire the property this spring before completing demolition early next year. Latitude Five25 is one piece of Nuveens $370 million central Ohio investment that will yield more than 1,200 affordable housing units in the next five years. The projects have the backing of Franklin County commissioners who approved $25 million in grants in December, and green lit a $12.5 million loan through the countys Affordable Housing Trust in March. Downtowns Sheraton hotel again on the market Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When we looked at what happened at Sawyer towers, the condition those residents were living in, not one person in this room would stand for it, said Joy Bivens, deputy Franklin County administrator, during a meeting last December. [Nuveen], I can say, after looking at some of the things theyve done were not trying to concentrate poverty, they dont even look like buildings [for] folks who are low income. The real estate firms investment also includes the renovation of Wedgewood Village, a west Columbus apartment complex at 777 Wedgewood Drive that has been plagued with violence, but recently reported a decrease in crime. Nuveen is aiming to acquire the property by the end of this year. One of several buildings making up the Wedgewood Village complex at 777 Wedgewood Drive. (Franklin County Auditors Office) The Wedgewood project would cost $137 million, including $49 million dedicated to renovating the complexs existing buildings and 649 apartments. Like Latitude Five25, the redevelopment would prioritize energy efficiency and implement safety stabilization tactics, like improving security systems and technological integration with local police. Nuveens final piece calls for transforming a vacant lot at 620 Norton Road in west Columbus into an apartment complex with 226 units powered by renewable energy services. The project would cost $99 million and include more than 20,000 square feet of courtyards and outdoor space. Its unclear when the property could be sold to Nuveen, but the real estate firm is hoping to gain zoning approvals in summer 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once the face of Intel, Ohio One project falls second under new CEOs vision Im unbelievably excited about what this will do, said John OGrady, a Franklin County commissioner, during a December meeting. Weve seen what [Nuveen] does and what their model is and what theyre all about. Its a great partnership. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. A federal grand jury in Pittsburgh has indicted four people accused of taking part in a lottery scam in Western Pennsylvania. Charges for Yonel Burnett, 28, Omar McKenzie, 34, Shemeca Shields, 29, and Nicole Lamont, 30, were announced on Monday. The Department of Justice accuses the four of stealing more than $4.5 million from elderly and vulnerable people in our area, and elsewhere in the U.S. Investigators say the scheme involved falsely telling victims they won a multi-million dollar sweepstakes, but they needed to pay certain taxes or fees first, and the claims were often reinforced with false documents that sometimes bore the seals of government agencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These four face charges of mail fraud, wire fraud and money laundering. Seven others were charged in the same scheme in December 2023. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW A 5-year-old Florida boy died after he drank apple juice that authorities said contained methamphetamine, and his mother has been charged in connection with his death. Police responded to a report that a child was not breathing at 5:30 p.m. Sunday at an apartment in the 2400 block of Beach Court in Riviera Beach and found paramedics tending to the young child, Riviera Beach police said in a news release. Officers met with a babysitter who reported having seen the child grab a bottle of apple juice and drink it. The child then said it tasted weird and spit it out, the arrest report said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shortly afterward, the babysitter noticed the child shivering and shaking, it said, adding that he was cold to the touch and had begun to sweat and that rashes started to form on his front, back and arms. The babysitter saw the child go still with his head tilted down and began administering CPR, the report said. The boy vomited black stuff and suffered seizure-like symptoms, it said. The child was taken to St. Marys Hospital in critical condition after having ingested the methamphetamine and died, police said. Police officers questioned the boy's mother, Heather Opsincs, 37, who claimed she did not recently consume any recreational drugs and never used illegal drugs, authorities said. However, she failed a field drug test and tested positive for methamphetamines twice, they said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A toxicology test from the hospital also showed the boy tested positive for methamphetamines, authorities said. Methamphetamine paraphernalia. A search of the apartment under a warrant led to the discovery of six glass cylinder pipes that tested positive for methamphetamines, investigators said. The one-room apartment was also unkempt and rather deplorable, with rotting food and trash littered about, the arrest report said. Opsincs was arrested and charged with neglect aggravated manslaughter in the boys death. She made her first appearance in court on March 25, when she was ordered to have no contact with witnesses or minor children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Opsincs is being held in Palm Beach County Jail with bond set at $100,000. She was further ordered not consume drugs or alcohol, she cannot bear firearms or weapons, and she will be subject to random drug testing at her expense as part of bond conditions. A public defender for Opsincs did not immediately respond to a request for comment. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com PIERRE, S.D. (KELO) The first day of the criminal trial for a former employee accused of stealing more than $1.7 million from the South Dakota Department of Social Services featured five of the prosecutions witnesses explaining how the alleged crimes occurred. Lonna Carroll, who has pleaded not guilty to two charges of grand theft, listened and sometimes conferred in whispers with her court-appointed defense attorney throughout their testimony. Police: Suspect arrested after shooting officer in SF Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At one point her attorney, Tim Whalen of Lake Andes, with the jury as well as his client out of the courtroom, objected to all of the exhibits that state prosecutors had introduced or plan to offer as evidence. Whalen argued that the statute of limitations had expired and therefore none of the exhibits were relevant. Carroll is accused of taking a total of $1,777,665.73, on 215 different occasions over 13 years, from what are known as own accounts that the departments Child Protection Services Division maintains for children in its care. Carroll, an administrative assistant in the division, had authorization to both make requests for payments and to authorize those payments. I already ruled on that, Circuit Judge Christina Klinger replied to Whalen, referring to a pre-trial order she had made a few weeks ago, after Whalen had sought dismissal of the charges against Carroll. Whalen told the court on Tuesday that he was renewing the objection so that it would be preserved for an appeal. State Attorney General Marty Jackley and Nolan Welker, an assistant attorney general, presented the trials first five witnesses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carrie Watts, who started working in the departments finance division in October 2022. In October 2023, Watts came across oddities when she tried to reconcile amounts in the childrens own accounts. Watts took the matter to her supervisor, Bill Regynski. He is accounting and financial reporting manager for the department. Regynski said he looked into the childrens own accounts that Watts had drawn to his attention and saw many more transactions than normal. He reported it to his superiors, and the state Division of Criminal Investigation was then contacted. Tonia Bogue is the program specialist overseeing the Family and Child Information System, known as FACIS, that the Child Protection Services Division uses. She testified about the screenshots of prior authorization documents used to request money for childrens needs such as clothing and bedding. Bogue confirmed that Carroll had authorization to both request and approve those prior authorizations and acknowledged that none of Carrolls supervisors had approved those requests. Who should have been looking to make sure that doesnt happen? Whalen asked Bogue. She replied, I dont know. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Project Prison Reset: Whats coming first Carroll took checks to the Pierre branch of American Bank & Trust where the Department of Social Services has its local account. Aimee Parsons, the branch manager, said she assisted Carroll many times when Carroll arrived with a check for deposit. Parsons said Carroll would deposit the check, then withdraw the same amount in cash. No one at the bank questioned what Carroll was doing, according to Parsons. She was authorized to conduct those transactions. It was not for us to say, Parsons said. Parsons said Carroll would deposit checks that were more than $10,000 into two accounts. By doing so, the bank wouldnt be required to report any single transaction for more than $10,000 to federal authorities. Known as a currency transaction report, or CTR, the regulation is intended to identify possible instances of money-laundering. Parsons said she didnt suspect Carroll was engaging in any illegal activities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fifth witness on Tuesday was Haleigh Nevill, the Banking Secrecy Act and fraud manager for American Bank & Trust in Sioux Falls. She testified about the banks internal records regarding withdrawals, specifically the debit tickets and cash-out tickets associated with Carrolls transactions. Nevill said the bank didnt specifically monitor Carrolls transactions. Whalen asked whether the bank had a responsibility to inform federal authorities about repeated instances of Carroll coming close to the $10,000 CTR threshold. Not that I could recall, Nevill said. She noted that American Bank & Trust uses an automated monitoring system for when a currency transaction report might be needed. The trial resumes on Wednesday morning and is scheduled to run through Friday. The witness testimony started Tuesday after a jury had been selected that morning. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com. MADISON, Conn. (WTNH) Gov. Ned Lamont has authorized a $50,000 reward for information that could lead to the arrest of the person responsible for killing Barbara Hamburg of Madison 15 years ago, according to the Division of Criminal Justice. Unsolved in Connecticut: Cold case homicides On March 3, 2010, Hamburg was found murdered in the backyard of her Madison home. Despite efforts from police, no arrest has been made in connection with her death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the 15th anniversary of her death approached, the states attorney filed an application with Lamont for a $50,000 reward, with hopes that the new amount would renew public interest and awareness about Hamburgs death. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Madison Police Department at 9 Campus Dr., Madison, CT 06443, or at (203) 245-6500. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) Fifty-one Rockford restaurants will share $189,871 in COVID-19 pandemic relief grants to offset high unemployment taxes. Each business received different amounts, depending on their tax liability. The highest grant awarded by the Illinois Restaurant Relief Grant was $21,622. The Restaurant Relief Grant is making a real difference for our local hospitality industry, said John Groh, President/CEO of GoRockford. These businesses shape our community identity, spark creativity and create vital jobs. Were proud to see another round of funding go to the hardworking restaurant, bar, and coffee shop owners whose passion helps Rockford and our region grow, thrive and remain a vibrant place to live and visit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rockfords restaurants, bars and coffee shops are more than just businessestheyre the heart of our community, said Rep. Maurice West (D-Rockford). This grant program provides critical support to help them recover and thrive. Im proud to see another round of funding go directly to local establishments, ensuring they can continue serving our residents and creating jobs. Investing in our small businesses means investing in the future of Rockford. The funding aims to help with the financial strain placed on restaurants due to unemployment tax payments incurred during government-ordered shutdowns during the pandemic. The following restaurants received grants in the third round of the program: 27 Aluna @ Octane Abreo Restaurant Alchemy at Aldeen/ Gio events Alpine View Restaurant Broadway Joes (Dusty Boots Saloon) Carlyle Brewing Caseys Pub Culvers of Winnebago District Bar & Grill Don Carter Lanes Famous Daves Rockford Forest Hills Lanes Franchescos Ristorante Golden Corral Greenfire Restaurant & Bakery Hoffman House Hope & Anchor English Pub J. W. Marcs Fusion Cafe Joes Casa Di Amici Johnny Pamcakes Johnny Pamcakes Too Johns Restaurant LimaMar Restaurant Lucha Cantina Machine Shed Marys Market Mulligans of Rockford Murphys Pub & Grill Onyx Bar & Grill Oscars Pub & Grill Park Lanes Pig Minds Pizza Ranch Rookies Pub & Grill Rusty Nail Tavern Scanlans Spider Sushi Stockholm Inn Stockyard Rock Burger Bar/Half Baked Bar Tads Bar & Grill Tavern on Clark Thai Hut Restaurant The Cherry Bowl The Filling Station The Norwegian The Olympic Tavern The Pomodoro Thunderbay Grill Tower Kitchen & Bar Viking Lanes Vintage @501/TacoLibre Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is the third round of funding from the grant program, which has administered $855,158 to local businesses in total. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports. Six months after Hurricane Helene destroyed communities across the Southeast, five people remain missing in North Carolina due to the storm, according to officials. The missing include one person from Avery County, one from Mitchell County and three from Yancey County -- all of whom have not been in contact since the Category 4 hurricane hit North Carolina in September, officials confirmed to ABC News. Alena Ayers from Mitchell County has been missing since the hurricane's start, according to Sheriff Donald Street. PHOTO: In this Oct. 2, 2024, file photo, the remnants of a home are seen in Lake Lure, North Carolina, after the passage of Hurricane Helene. (Allison Joyce/AFP via Getty Images, FILE) Yancey County Sheriff Shane Hilliard said Lenny Widsawski, Yevhenii Segen and Tetyana Novitnia have also been missing since Helene devastated the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Avery County Sheriff's Office could not confirm the name of the individual missing since the beginning of the storm. Names continue to be removed from the list of missing, with one found as recently as last week. On March 28, an individual who had been missing since Helene's destruction was found and identified as 66-year-old Russell Wilber, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services confirmed on Wednesday. Wilber was recovered in Avery County after he had "washed into the Toe River from a campground," officials said. MORE: 'Hold on to that hope': Urgent search for missing after Helene continues Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of Tuesday, there have been 107 "verified storm-related fatalities in North Carolina," officials said. On the six-month anniversary of the hurricane, North Carolina Rep. Dudley Greene filed "Alena's Law," which allows for a "presumption of death in instances where the disappearance and continued absence of a person coincides with a disaster declaration," the bill said. It is still working its way through the House before a vote. Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida's Big Bend region on Sept. 26 as a Category 4 hurricane. Days later, in Asheville, North Carolina, the storm caused historic flooding that devastated roads, bridges and structures. PHOTO: In this file photo, an aerial view of flood damage wrought by Hurricane Helene along the Swannanoa River Oct. 3, 2024 in Asheville, North Carolina. (Mario Tama/Getty Images, FILE) The storm also ravaged through Georgia, South Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 230 people have died from the storm, which has become the deadliest mainland hurricane since Katrina in 2005. On March 27, "Good Morning America" returned to Asheville and announced $3 million in donations to the community from corporate sponsors including Lowe's, Food Lion, Samsung, BetterHelp, Bojangles, Red Ventures, Armstrong Flooring, 84 Lumber, Family Dollar, Honeywell, Starbucks and Hanes. After 6 months, 5 people still missing in North Carolina following Hurricane Helene originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Milwaukee nonprofit organization Hunger Task Force said the delivery of $615,000 worth of food it was supposed to receive this summer has been canceled after the U.S. Department of Agriculture halted funding. The USDA stopped $500 million in deliveries to food banks nationwide, Hunger Task Force said in a statement Tuesday. The funding came from the USDA's Commodity Credit Corporation, which provides resources to purchase food from American farmers and ranchers and send it to emergency food providers. A USDA spokesperson told WISN 12 News that the "Biden Administration inflated statutory programs with Commodity Credit Corporation dollars without any plans for long-term solutions, and even in 2024, used the pandemic as a reason to make funding announcements." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "While the pandemic is over, USDA has not and will not lose focus on its core mission of strengthening food security, supporting agricultural markets, and ensuring access to nutritious foods." The canceled orders were supposed to be received from June to September, totaling $2.2 million of food for pantries across Wisconsin, Hunger Task Force said. It didn't say which other food pantries have been affected. Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, another large emergency food organization in the Milwaukee area, didn't immediately respond to requests for comment. Hunger Task Force said the cancellations represented the loss of five full truckloads of canned chicken, cheese, milk and eggs and eight partial truckloads of turkey breast, chicken legs, pulled pork and pork chops. The organization said it represents over 302,000 pounds of food valued at $615,000, a little more than 25% of the state's canceled total. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the cancellations, Hunger Task Force said it'll have enough food to feed the people it serves through its network. This comes only a few weeks after the USDA cut the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement, Hunger Task Force CEO Matt King said in an email. Hunger Task Force lost the $250,000 it used through this program, which it had used to buy locally raised meat and fresh produce that was made available to 114 pantries in 29 Wisconsin counties. "This program was especially important to small farmers because it helped them have a guaranteed market for a portion of their products, which gave them the security to scale up and expand their business," King said. "Despite this setback, we will continue to prioritize access to healthy food and support Wisconsin farmers through our work." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: What to know about Wisconsin program, dumped by Trump, that put farm food in pantries and schools This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: USDA cuts funding for $615,000 in food deliveries to Hunger Task Force HONOLULU (KHON2) A recent study on the ancient glaciers of Mauna Kea on Hawaii Island has revealed important insights about how past climate changes affected the region and how these shifts could impact global climate patterns today. The research focused on boulders left behind by glaciers and provided evidence about the influence of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), an ocean current system in the North Atlantic. Heres what scientists discovered: 1. Mauna Keas ancient glacier Mauna Kea once had a large glacier that was about 70 square kilometers in size. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Peter Clark, a professor of geosciences at Oregon State University, explained, Mauna Kea had a large glacial ice cap of about 70 square kilometers until 14,500 years ago, which has now all disappeared. This glacier existed during the last ice age and melted as the global climate warmed. 2. A surprising glacier re-growth The research uncovered something unexpected: around 15,400 years ago, Mauna Keas glacier started to grow again. This growth almost matched the size of the glacier during the ice age. This timing coincided with a slowdown in the AMOC, an ocean current system that helps regulate global climate by moving warm water from the tropics to the North Atlantic. 3. The AMOC and its impact on global climate The AMOC is essential for keeping Europe warmer than expected for its latitude. Studies have shown that when the AMOC slows down, it causes a cooling effect in Europe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the new research showed that the slowdown of the AMOC didnt just impact Europe. It also affected places as far away as Hawaii. Clark noted, The decline of the AMOC basically caused climate changes all over the world. The study shows that changes in the North Atlantics currents can have ripple effects globally. 4. Increased Rainfall and Storm Activity It was found that the glaciers growth was due to more than colder temperatures; it was also caused by a dramatic increase in rainfall. Scientists found that the amount of rainfall on Mauna Kea during this time was three times greater than it is today. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You They believe this increased rainfall may have been caused by more frequent cyclonic storms moving in from the north, further influencing the glaciers size. 5. Helium isotopes in boulder analysis To pinpoint the timing of the glaciers growth and retreat, the researchers studied boulders left behind by the glacier. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By measuring a specific helium isotope in these rocks, they could determine when the boulders were last exposed to the atmosphere. This was a key part of uncovering the history of Mauna Keas glacier, as these boulders are the only known record of glaciation in the northern subtropical Pacific. 6. Global climate connections This study supports the idea that changes in the AMOC have a global impact. When the AMOC slows down, it can trigger shifts in climate patterns worldwide. Scientists are concerned that the continued effects of climate change, such as melting ice and changing precipitation patterns, could lead to another slowdown of the AMOC, which could cause significant climate disruptions globally. 7. Mauna Keas unique role Mauna Kea is the only place in the northern subtropical Pacific where evidence of ancient glaciation still exists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although Mauna Loa likely also had glaciers in the past, volcanic eruptions have erased those records. This makes Mauna Keas glacier boulders especially important for studying past climate events. You can click here to read the full study. The research shows that changes in the AMOC can have far-reaching consequences for the climate across the planet and can affect regions like Hawaii. Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHONs morning podcast, every morning at 8 The study also raises important concerns about future climate changes and the possible slowdown of the AMOC, which could cause significant disruptions to the climate system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2. SANAA, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Houthi group said early Wednesday that it had launched three fresh attacks on the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier and its escorting warships in the northern Red Sea in the past 24 hours. In a statement aired by the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said his group had carried out the three attacks, using missiles and drones. "Our operations will continue at an escalating pace against the American enemy by targeting its warships in the region," he said. "Our operations will not stop until the Israeli war against Gaza stops." The U.S. Navy has made no comment yet. On Tuesday, Houthi media and residents said at least three people were killed in fresh U.S. airstrikes that targeted a "water project and its building" in the district of Mansouria in central Hodeidah, western Yemen. The U.S. military resumed airstrikes on March 15, following Houthi threats to target Israeli-linked ships unless more humanitarian aid is allowed into Gaza. The U.S. airstrikes have since prompted the Houthis to target U.S. warships in the Red Sea. On Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump vowed to continue striking the Houthis until they stop attacking U.S. warships. The Houthis, who control much of northern Yemen, have been fighting the internationally recognized Yemeni government since 2014. Norfolk Superior Court Judge Beverly Cannone questioned nearly 90 more prospective jurors on Wednesday, ultimately seating another five in the retrial of Karen Read. Read, 45, of Mansfield, is accused of hitting John OKeefe with her Lexus SUV in Canton on Jan. 29, 2022, and leaving him to die in the cold after a night of drinking. The defense has sought to portray Read as the victim, saying OKeefe was actually killed inside the Albert family home at 34 Fairview Road in Canton and then dragged outside and left for dead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She has pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating under the influence, and leaving the scene of a crash resulting in death. Through the first two days of jury selection in Reads second murder trial, a total of seven jurors have been selected: four men and three women. The court needs to seat a jury of 12, including at least four alternate jurors. The 2nd day of jury selection in the Karen Read trial has concluded. A total of 7 jurors have been seated. 5 today. 2 yesterday. The selection process continues Thursday. My reports on #Boston25 at 5 and 6pm Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) April 2, 2025 Of the 87 jurors questioned by Cannone on Wednesday, 77 said they had heard or talked about the case, 38 admitted to having already formed opinions, and 14 revealed that they had bias or prejudice to either the defense or prosecution. Two jurors were seated on Tuesday. Cannone will question a fresh batch of prospective jurors on Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cannone has informed the court that, based on evidence in the case, the trial will last anywhere between six and eight weeks. Reads first trial ended with a hung jury in July 2024. Also, on Wednesday, Cannone ruled that California-based crash expert Dr. Judson Welcher will be allowed to testify on behalf of the prosecution during trial. Welcher is expected to say that the wounds found on John OKeefes arm are from Reads taillight and not dog bites, as the defense contends. As the second day of jury selection unfolded, a lawsuit filed against Cannone by four Massachusetts residents came to light. Plaintiffs Jason Grant, Allison Taggart, Lisa Peterson, and Samantha Lyons are suing Cannone over her decision to reinstate a 200-foot buffer zone outside Dedhams Norfolk Superior Court for the retrial of Karen Read, arguing that their constitutional guarantees to protest have been violated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That lawsuit is expected to be heard in federal court on Friday. On Tuesday, an independent audit of the Canton Police Department finds missteps in the handling of the Karen Read investigation, but no evidence to support claims she was framed. Jury selection resumes at 9 a.m. Thursday. Get caught up with all the latest news in the Karen Read case. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Egyptology, the study of Ancient Egypt, is an area of research that was once closed to women. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, a few women used their wealth to leave their mark on the field. Their stories were rarely told before a recent book, "Women in the Valley of the Kings." In the late 1800s, it wasn't unusual to see well-to-do Europeans climbing Egyptian pyramids in long dresses or peering into crumbling tombs. Many were tourists, but a few were studying the monuments, part of the burgeoning field of Egyptology. Egyptology, the study of Ancient Egypt, was still developing its scientific methods into the early 20th century. The men who excavated tombs during this period often lacked formal training, sometimes failed to keep detailed records, and typically kept a portion of the treasures they found. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was difficult for women to break into the profession, but a few prevailed. Female Egyptologists then made room for more women to join their ranks. "The way that the women who moved into those positions then kept making things better for women after them is one of the biggest impacts on the discipline of Egyptology," Kathleen Sheppard, a history professor at Missouri University of Science and Technology, told Business Insider. She's the author of "Women in the Valley of the Kings: The Untold Story of Women Egyptologists in the Gilded Age." These women had much in common. Many were wealthy and unmarried but often had same-sex partners who traveled and supported them throughout their lives. Several were ill and traveled to Egypt for the warm, dry climate. They also took home artifacts before present-day laws made buying and taking home such "souvenirs" illegal. The story of Egyptology's Golden Age, from Napoleon's invasion of Egypt in 1798 until Howard Carter found Tutankhamun's tomb in 1922, usually highlights the British, European, and American men who made the discoveries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, for many of those discoveries, women were there, cataloging the artifacts, making drawings, and doing other valuable work. "They're just not included in these main histories," Sheppard said. "But their impact is very clear," she added. Amelia Edwards blazed a trail for women who wanted to study Egypt and set up a foundation to help them do so. Egyptologist Amelia Edwards circa 1880 and one of her images of Abydos, Egypt. adoc-photos/Corbis via Getty Images ; Universal History Archive/Getty Images Though she only traveled to the pyramids once, Amelia Edwards had an enormous impact on the study of Ancient Egypt, especially for other British women. Inspired by Lucie Duff-Gordon, an English writer who lived and wrote about Egypt in the 1860s, Edwards traveled to the Giza pyramids, Dendera temple, and other sites for several months between 1873 and 1874. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Duff-Gordon's "Letters from Egypt" were focused on modern Egypt and her experiences there, Edwards was fascinated by the country's ancient monuments and history. In 1877, she published "A Thousand Miles up the Nile," describing her travels up the river and the sights along the way. It was an instant hit, going through several editions and reprints. She described crawling into tombs and temples, occasionally worried about being buried alive in a cave-in. Her lush descriptions of the glittering desert, pink mountains, and misty chasms captured readers' imaginations and spurred many to make their own journeys. With its vivid imagery and rich historical detail, Edwards' book served as a kind of template for Western women travelers, Sheppard said. She told them where to go and the significance of the monuments they would visit. In 1882, Edwards founded the Egypt Exploration Fund, which still exists today as the Egypt Exploration Society. Subscribers would help pay for expeditions and receive detailed reports in exchange. Edwards put women in charge of running the fund, while men did the excavation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When she died in 1892, she left money to the University College London for a department of Egyptology, but there were several stipulations. Some were about who would chair the department no man above 40 who was affiliated with the British Museum was eligible while another ensured that women would benefit from her bequest, too. Classes, scholarships, and exhibitions had to be "open to students of both sexes," according to Edwards' will. There was a specific reason UCL received the money, too. "They were the only ones in 1892 who were allowing women to take degrees on equal terms as men," Sheppard said. Margaret Murray created a program that taught generations of excavators. Margaret Murray, second from the right, at a mummy unwrapping in 1908. Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images Egyptologist Flinders Petrie spent years excavating important sites in Egypt. For a while, he brought Margaret Murray along to record his findings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "He specifically would bring Margaret Murray out to sites because his handwriting was so horrible," Sheppard said. "So if he tried to catalog anything, no one could read it." Murray would go on to have her own successes in the field. "She had this amazing 70-year-long career because she started in Egyptology when she was 30, and she lived till she was 100, and she was still working when she died," Sheppard said. For many of those years, Murray was training future Egyptologists. She'd been the one to develop the two-year program at University College London and served as the instructor, drawing on her experiences in Egypt. Students learned about geology, mineralogy, history, religion, languages, and more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of the students became famous in their own right. "They're known to history, to everybody else as Petrie's pups because Petri trained them in the field," Sheppard said. Yet many acknowledge Murray's influence as well. In 1908, Murray performed Britain's last public unwrapping of mummified remains. It was controversial, even at the time. Letters in the newspaper suggested Khnum-Nakht, the man who Murray was going to unwrap, should be left in peace. Yet 500 people came to watch her at Manchester University as she peeled off layers of linen, which were then given out as souvenirs. For her own research, Murray published an influential report about a structure she said was used for worshiping the god Osiris. Her discredited folklore work on witchcraft has overshadowed her work in Egyptology. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, her legacy remains thanks to her many students and their followers. "People who are still alive today can trace their academic genealogy back to Margaret Murray in the 1930s," Sheppard said. Maggie Benson was the first woman to officially excavate a site in Egypt. Statues of the goddess Sekhmet at the Precinct of Mut, Karnak Temple Complex, Luxor, Egypt. Prisma/UIG/Getty Images In 1894, Margaret "Maggie" Benson went to Egypt, hoping to ease her rheumatism, which affected her joints and lungs. Like many of the other women Egyptologists, the 28-year-old fell in love with the country, Sheppard said."They go home, and they keep wanting to go back." During her first trip, she went with one of the popular Thomas Cook & Son tours, which took thousands of tourists up the Nile each year, per The BBC. They traveled in comfort and style, with daily excursions to see tombs at Saqqara or Beni Hasan's cliffs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Benson decided she wanted to kickstart her own excavation. There were granite statues sticking out of the earth at the dilapidated Temple of Mut in Luxor. Though Benson had no formal training in archaeology, neither did many of the men who were excavating tombs and temples. It wasn't yet the careful, scientific discipline it would become in the next century. Money was the workaround. "If these women had enough money and if they had enough time, they could go be archeologists too, because that's all that the men had at that point," Sheppard said. Using her connections and supplying her own funding, Benson got permission to excavate the temple, making her the first woman who was officially allowed to do so. Nearly two dozen Egyptian men and boys did the digging and the hauling and sifting of dirt. Benson's brother Fred lent his expertise, having worked on excavations in Athens before. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By the end of the first season in 1895, the excavators had dug up dozens of statues, coins, and other artifacts. The next year, they found over a dozen lion-headed statues and countless fragments of others. One of Benson's most important collaborators at the site was Janet "Nettie" Gourlay, with whom she had an intense, long-lasting relationship. Together, they published "The Temple of Mut in Asher" in 1899, "which became a groundbreaking report, revealing the temple as it had never been seen before," according to "Women in the Valley of the Kings." Emma Andrews kept critical records during excavations of significant sites. A funerary mask from the Tomb of Yuya and Thuya on display in Cairo. DeAgostini/Getty Images Today, archaeologists meticulously track the locations of artifacts when they find them, but this wasn't always the case. "In British Egyptology, you have these stories of people going in and using explosives to get through a wall so they can pull out the big statue, and you don't need to record what was on that wall," Sheppard said. Luckily for Theodore Davis, he had Emma Andrews by his side. The two wealthy Americans were in a relationship, though Davis also had a wife. By 1900, they'd been traveling to Egypt for over a decade, often with a copy of Edwards' "A Thousand Miles" in their luggage. Together, they helped fund or excavate 24 tombs. In 1902, Davis received the coveted permission to excavate the Valley of the Kings, where many rulers were buried. It soon paid off, with his team rediscovering tomb 46, which belonged to Yuya and Thuya, Tutankhamun's great-grandparents. Unlike many looted tombs, it still had many of its treasures inside. While Davis marveled over an exquisite chariot or gilded chair, Andrews documented artifacts, drew maps, and kept a list of visitors to the site. These records were crucial because Davis could be slipshod in his own accounts. "Her diaries are the most accurate record historians and archaeologists have for over a dozen tombs," Sheppard wrote. Andrews also wrote about the work the Egyptian men did at the tomb, including much of the physical labor, something often omitted in official reports. In 1908, Davis started excavating a different tomb, KV55. He believed the mummified remains belonged to Queen Tiye and wrote his report based on that incorrect assumption. Archaeologists are still unsure whose tomb it was, though they've learned the body belonged to an adult male. Both Davis and Edwards left money and hundreds of Egyptian artifacts to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Winifred Brunton created portraits of Egyptian pharaohs. A portrait of Queen Tiye, wife of the Egyptian pharaoh Amenhotep III, by Winifred Brunton in the 1920s. The Print Collector/Print Collector/Getty Images Two of Margaret Murray's students were Guy and Winifred Brunton. The UCL students were married and spent their lives working at archaeological sites. Together, they worked at Lahun, a site in Faiyum, Egypt, in 1914, alongside Petrie. They found a tomb belonging to an unknown princess from around 1897 to 1878 BCE. Though people had plundered the tomb during antiquity, they left behind several items of jewelry, including a gold diadem adorned with gems. Winifred Brunton was an artist and painted portraits and scenes from the excavations. Some of her best-known works were her Kings and Queens of Ancient Egypt. She published books of portraits of Tiye, Nefertiti, Ramesses II, and other rulers. Myrtle Broome and Amice Calverley helped preserve the art of a historic temple. A relief at the Temple of Seti I or Great Temple of Abydos in 1986. DEA/G. SIOEN/De Agostini via Getty Images Construction began on the Temple of Seti I, now known as the Great Temple of Abydos, in the 13th century BCE. Ramesses II, Seti I's son, completed the temple to honor the deceased pharaoh. Scenes of the king making offerings to the gods and receiving the symbols of life decorate the walls of the temple's seven chapels. In the late 1920s, it was difficult for photographs to accurately reflect all the nuances of the artwork or inscriptions. To preserve these scenes, Egyptologist James Breasted created a laborious process for creating detailed copies that evolved over the years. Using a lighted tracing board, an artist would trace the lines of the enlarged photograph to pick up as many details as possible. An on-site expert would then compare the drawings to the original to make sure everything was identical. "It's neck cramping," Sheppard said. "It's backbreaking." Amice Calverley was one artist who was very skilled at it. In the late 1920s, she became field director for the Abydos temple project, doing much of the work herself along with help from an Egyptian staff. Fortunes literally changed when John D. Rockefeller Jr. visited and donated the equivalent of over $1 million to the project, Sheppard said. It "was a huge coup in Egyptology at the time," she said, because one of the requirements was that Calverley continue to lead the project. Due to the funding, Myrtle Broome, one of Margaret Murray's first students, joined the team. Together, they eventually published four volumes of "The Temple of King Sethos I at Abydos," with their intricate recreations of the scenes. With the onset of World War II, several volumes were left unpublished. Caroline Ransom Williams was the first woman in the US to earn a PhD in Egyptology. The Mastaba Tomb of Perneb at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Metropolitan Museum of Art Caroline Ransom Williams earned her PhD in 1905 from the University of Chicago, becoming the first woman in the US with an advanced degree in Egyptology. Nearly 30 years had passed since Amelia Edwards published "A Thousand Miles up the Nile." Sheppard said Ransom WIlliams followed her and other female Egyptologists' examples. "All of these women who came before Caroline set up these steps that she could follow along," she said. In 1910, she began working in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Egyptian Art Department. By then, she'd already been a professor in art history and archaeology at Bryn Mawr and spent months traveling in Egypt. One of her most influential projects at the Met was her reconstruction of Perneb's tomb. British Egyptologist Edward Quibell had uncovered it a few years earlier, and Edward Harkness bought it for the museum. Ransom Williams went through over 600 boxes of limestone. She preserved both the stone and its artwork by sealing everything in a varnish-like coating. Prepping and rebuilding the tomb indoors took about three years, and Ransom Williams and her team completed the work in 1916. Visitors can still see the tomb on display today. In the accompanying booklet, Williams explained that the tomb's hieroglyphs said that Perneb's family visited him regularly, helping to personalize the life of someone who had lived over 4,000 years earlier. Drawing on her expertise in art history, Ransom Williams said the artists' use of the Egyptian blue pigment was significant and part of "a sophisticated color scheme." Over a decade after finishing Perneb's tomb, Ransom Williams helped refine Breasted's epigraphic process for capturing scenes and reliefs on tomb and temple walls, which Myrtle Broome and Amice Calverley would use soon after. The combination of the way Ransom Williams' presented Ancient Egypt to the public as a museum curator and her work with the University of Chicago's Epigraphic Survey made her career one of the most significant in Egyptology at the time. "If she had been a man, we would be talking about her way more than we talk about even James Breasted or Howard Carter because she was so impactful with the work that she did," Sheppard said. Read the original article on Business Insider A British family is mourning the death of an 84-year-old father, grandfather and great grandfather who was killed by a banned breed of dog in an attack that left him battling serious injuries for five weeks. John McColl was attacked by an American XL bully, a dog breed that was banned in the U.K. only a year ago after a series of deadly attacks. According to CBS News' partner network BBC News, McColl was walking to his home in the county of Cheshire in central England on Feb. 24 when the dog chased him into a front yard, where he was mauled. Responding police officers shot and killed the dog. McColl "fought hard," but died in a regional hospital on March 30 surrounded by loved ones, his family said in a statement shared by the Cheshire Police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "As a family we are absolutely devastated with what has happened to John," they said. "He fought hard for the last five weeks but he decided he could not fight any more and passed away on Sunday." "Our dad, grandad and great grandad will always be loved by us all and sadly missed by each and every one of us," the family said, adding their thanks to the emergency services who helped McColl at the scene, along with local residents "who also came to his aide and the staff at Aintree and Whiston hospitals for all that they did for him and us as a family." A 30-year-old local man, Sean Garner, was arrested two days after the attack and has been charged with owning a dog "dangerously out of control causing serious injury," in addition to possession of a fighting dog, the police said. According to the BBC, the Cheshire Police have been considering additional charges since McColl's death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A ban on XL bully dogs came into effect in February 2024 in England and Wales following a spate of violent attacks, obligating any existing owners to apply for an exemption, which requires proof of neutering and liability insurance, to keep their pets. Under the law, XL bullies must be muzzled and kept on a leash in public. At the time the ban came into effect, more than 35,000 dogs in the U.K. were already registered for XL bully exemptions. Before 2021, there were only about three fatal dog attacks per year in the U.K., but since that year there have been at least two dozen, many of them involving XL bullies, according to BBC News. "These dogs aren't cared for by the breeders they just want money so from the greed at the start (and) irresponsible ownership in the middle, we've got children dying," Emma Whitfield, whose 10-year-old son was killed by an XL bully in 2021, said before the ban was enacted. "My youngest son started comprehensive school last week, and he should have had his big brother showing him the ropes, but he's had to do it on his own. We're missing a massive piece of our family." What is an XL bully? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An American bully is not identified by the U.K. Kennel Club as a specific dog breed. Rather, it is a type of bulldog that is the result of mixing several dog breeds, including Pit Bulls, American Bulldogs and English Bulldogs. The U.K. government published guidance to help identify the dogs in which it describes them as having "a muscular body and blocky head, suggesting great strength and power for [their] size." Before the addition of American XL bullies, the selling, owning, breeding and abandoning of four other dog breeds was and remains illegal in the U.K.: the Pit bull terrier, the Dogo Argentino, the Japanese Tosa and the Fila Brasileiro. If someone has a dog that is one of these breeds, it can be taken by police, even if there have been no complaints against it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democratic-backed candidate wins record-breaking Wisconsin Supreme Court seat U.S. and the rest of the world prepare for Trump's "Liberation Day" tariffs From the archives: Val Kilmer as Mark Twain Temple, TX (FOX 44) The winds of change blew through Baylor Scott & White McLane Childrens Medical Center on Tuesday as the hospital hosted its 8th Annual Stand Up Against Child Abuse event. The event featured blue pinwheels, which twirled in the breeze, symbolizing the whimsical nature of childhood and the belief that every child deserves a healthy and safe environment. Dr. Brian Moore, Director of the Emergency Department at McLane Childrens, spoke passionately about the prevalence of child abuse and neglect in Bell County and surrounding areas. According to Dr. Moore, child abuse is more widespread than the community may realize. We have a significant amount of child abuse and neglect right here in Bell County, and in the service area we cover, the areas that McLane Childrens serves are among the highest in the state of Texas, said Dr. Moore. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Moore emphasized that awareness and speaking up are key in helping to protect children. All you have to do is have concern and awareness, and to speak up and call somebody, he urged. This year, the event also featured a special contribution from local middle school student Ruby Kiesling. Ruby designed the events t-shirts, with the powerful message that Every child should have a voice, She expressed her joy in seeing the crowd wearing her design. It makes me feel very happy because its a very serious subject, said Ruby. Its good to know that people are seeing it and knowing about it. As part of its ongoing efforts, Baylor Scott & White McLane Childrens Medical Center continues to partner with local law enforcement and community groups to protect children from abuse and neglect. This event marked the beginning of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, drawing attention to the issue and highlighting the critical need for continued vigilance and action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baylor Scott & White officials also released statistics showing that in 2024 alone, more than 1,700 children across Bell, Coryell, and Milam counties were victims of abuse or neglect. The medical center and its partners remain committed to working together to safeguard children across Central Texas. Attendees of the event were encouraged to wear blue to raise awareness about child abuse prevention. The gathering served as a reminder that, through community collaboration and ongoing advocacy, steps can be taken to combat and prevent child abuse in the region. For more information on how to get involved in prevention efforts or to report suspected abuse, residents are urged to contact local authorities or the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KWKT - FOX 44. (NewsNation) A Louisiana couple received a surprise visitor on their patio last Wednesday night. However, thanks to the work of a family friend and two Livingston Parish Sheriff deputies, Bobby and Susan McKenzie didnt have to entertain long. According to WBRZ, Susan McKenzie noticed the alligator was on their patio area and immediately called 911. Alligator captured in southeast Texas She and Bobby McKenzie have lived in their Maurepas, Louisiana, home for 18 years without having a visit from a prehistoric beast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We see them on the swamp side, and we see them in the water, but never theyre usually not that aggressive, Mr. McKenzie told the outlet. It took the brave trio just 15 minutes to wrangle the alligator, tape its mouth and take it away. The McKenzies believe the crafty gator crawled through a hole in their screen window. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. A 9-year-old girl in California died after a dental surgery during which she was under anesthesia, according to the County of San Diego Medical Examiner's Office. Silvanna Moreno's procedure took place at a dentist office in Vista on March 18, the medical examiner's office said in a press release, providing an address for Dreamtime Dentistry. Following the surgery, she was moved to a recovery room and later discharged. In a statement to CBS News on Wednesday, the medical examiner's office said that the girl fell asleep during her ride home. Dr. Ryan Watkins, a dentist anesthesiologist with Dreamtime Dentistry, said in a statement given to CBS 8 San Diego that standard post-anesthesia protocols were followed and Moreno "was discharged in stable condition awake, with stable vital signs and protective reflexes intact into her mother's care." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The medical examiner's office said in its preliminary report that she "remained asleep during her transport home" and "stayed sleeping" when she was put into her bed at home. The 9-year-old's family checked on her throughout the day "to later find her unresponsive in bed," according to the release. Moreno's family called 911 for help and first responders transported her to the Rady Children's Hospital emergency department where she was later pronounced dead. The young girl's cause of death is still under investigation and a final report will be released when it's concluded, a spokesperson for the medical examiner's office said. Watkins said the dentist office was fully cooperating with the investigation. "The safety and well-being of our patients have always been and remain our highest priority. While we understand the concerns and questions surrounding this tragic event, we respectfully ask for patience as the investigation proceeds," Watkins said. "For the sake of the family and the integrity of the process, we encourage restraint regarding speculation." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A funeral for Moreno was held on Wednesday, March 26, CBS 8 reported. Authors of "Autism Out Loud" on motherhood, diagnosis and growth on the spectrum Democratic-backed candidate wins record-breaking Wisconsin Supreme Court seat Biggest takeaways from Trump's tariff announcement JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) The Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service (Volunteer Mississippi), in partnership with the Governors Office, announced the recipients of the 2025 Governors Initiative for Volunteer Excellence (GIVE) Awards. These awards recognize and celebrate the valuable contributions of Mississippis most dedicated citizens. Mississippi included in MICHELIN Guide American South 2025 GIVE Award Recipients First Ladys Youth Rising Star: Amelia Rose Cook, Madison and Joy Kitchens, Collinsville Marsha Meeks Kelly Award for Lifetime Achievement in Volunteer Service: Leola Washington, Hattiesburg Volunteer of the Year: Cassie McDuffey, Jackson Volunteer Family of the Year: The Wetzel Family, St. Martin Veteran Hero in Service: Jung Tai, Meridian Innovation in Volunteerism: Extra Table Feeds, Hattiesburg Corporate Volunteer Champion: Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula Excellence in Disaster Volunteerism: Mennonite Disaster Service, MS/LA Unit Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The GIVE Awards will be held at the Craig H. Nielsen Auditorium at Two Mississippi Museums in Jackson on April 24, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Mississippi is comprised of selfless individuals who are truly committed to bettering our communities and lending a helping hand to our neighbors, wherever they may be, said Suzanne Rutherford, executive director of Volunteer Mississippi. Volunteer Mississippi is honored to share their stories of lifelong service and dedication and celebrate their tremendous impact. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. Apr. 1Texas Gov. Greg Abbott appointed two new members to the Texas Tech University System (TTU System) Board of Regents for terms set to expire on Jan. 31, 2031, his office announced Friday, March 21. Regent Dusty Womble of Lubbock was also reappointed for another term. The new appointees are Doug McReaken (Pearland), chief operating officer and executive vice president of Media Riders, Inc., and Donald R. Sinclair (Houston), a private investor. "I'd like to congratulate our regents on their appointments and welcome them to the TTU System family," Dr. Tedd L. Mitchell, chancellor of the TTU System, said in a news release. "I am grateful to have the continued leadership of Regent Womble and for the passion each new board member brings to our universities. I look forward to collaborating with them as we continue to grow our dynamic university system, and I also want to thank Chairman Mark Griffin and Vice Chairwoman Ginger Kerrick Davis for their dedicated service to our universities and countless contributions during their time on our board." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All three appointees are subject to confirmation by the Texas Senate before officially taking the oath of office and starting or continuing their tenure on the board. Regents are appointed for six-year terms by the governor. Their first board meeting is expected to be in May, pending senate confirmation. The newly appointed regents replace Griffin (Lubbock) and Kerrick Davis (Houston) on the TTU System board. "It has been my distinct honor to serve on the TTU System Board of Regents and, most recently, as chairman in my final years on the board," said Griffin. "This is a bittersweet moment but one filled with tremendous gratitude. I'd like to thank each of my fellow regents for serving beside me, as well as Vice Chairwoman Ginger Kerrick Davis for her leadership and dedication to our system throughout her term. I also wish to congratulate Regent Womble on his reappointment and welcome our newly appointed regents, who will continue the work to advance our universities and higher education across this region and our great state of Texas." Douglas M. McReaken (Pearland) has been involved in multiple successful business ventures over the past 25 years, focusing on investing, mergers and acquisitions and initial startups. He is currently the chief operating officer and executive vice president of Media Riders, Inc. (MRi) and serves as president of McReaken Enterprises, McReaken & Associates and McReaken Agriculture LLC. Prior to his current positions, he worked for Lockheed Martin as a business development executive and served as vice president for Software Decisions, Inc. (SDi). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McReaken is an investor in a number of startups and sits on the board of directors of various organizations, including serving as board chairman for Sno Country, Inc. and Texas Waste Co. and as president of the Water Meters Services, Inc. board. McReaken graduated from TTU in 2000 with a bachelor of business administration in management from the Rawls College and is a member of the TTU Kappa Sigma Epsilon-Phi chapter. He resides in the Houston area with his wife, Erika, and their three children. Donald R. Sinclair (Houston) is a private investor who spent his professional career in the energy industry and currently serves on the board of directors of two energy companies. From 2009 to 2017, he served as president and chief executive officer of Western Gas Partners and was also senior vice president of Anadarko Petroleum Corporation. Sinclair has been associated with the energy industry for more than 40 years, focusing on marketing and trading and the midstream sector. Sinclair is the former chairman of the Texas Tech Foundation, Inc. Board of Directors and has served as chairman of the Rawls College Advisory Council for the Texas Tech University (TTU) Jerry S. Rawls College of Business (Rawls College). Sinclair is also a member of the Texas Tech Academy of Petroleum Engineers in the Bob L. Herd Department of Petroleum Engineering within the Edward E. Whitacre Jr. College of Engineering. He currently serves on the executive committee of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Board of Visitors as a vice chairman. Sinclair earned a bachelor of business administration in management in 1980 from the Rawls College and is a distinguished alumnus of the college. His wife, Susan, also earned her bachelor's degree in business administration management from TTU in 1981. ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) The Big Country is filled with excellent teachers who help ensure the safety and education of our children, so its no surprise that another teacher from Abilene is also a nominee for Americas Favorite Teacher. Rebecca Quick is a pre-kindergarten teacher for Wylie Early Childhood West. She is currently in first place for her group for the national honor of the Americas Favorite Teacher award. If crowned Americas favorite teacher, Quick would receive $25,000, a trip to Hawaii, and an exceptional school assembly featuring a personal appearance by famed science television host Bill Nye the Science Guy. She reflected on this nomination and how it is helping to reassure herself that she is doing what is best for her students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am a first-year teacher. I was an aide with the district for the last three years, so this is my first official year in my own classroom. It definitely reinforces that Im doing a good job and makes me feel like Im on the right track, said Quick. Lisa Salmon, the principal of Wylie Early Childhood West, emphasized that Quick frequently tailors her daily wardrobe to align with her students lessons. This approach not only enhances her effectiveness in the classroom but also contributes to creating a positive school experience for her students. She comes to work every day just to make their day the best she can. Here we are in pre-k. It starts here, and we want our kids to have a positive perspective of school, and hopefully that sets the tone for the future, Salmon said. Abilene teacher aims to become Americas Favorite Teacher Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quick said that shepherding these young minds into the school system is part of her goal of giving her students the same motivation for learning as she has. I am passionate about getting kids in love with learning. Pre-K is perfect for me because I know that this is their first time learning. A lot of times, this is their first time being away from their parents and being away from their families. So, I get them really, really excited about learning so that way they can go into kindergarten and first grade and just turn into lifelong learners and be excited about it, Quick expressed. While Rebecca Quick competes for the title in her group, Forrest Harmel, a Carpentry and Construction Trades teacher at ATEMS High School, is also vying for the title in a different group. Once this voting phase concludes, the first-place winners from nine groups will compete against each other for the national title. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. When James Baldwin returned to the United States in 1957 from exile in Paris, he wished to join the growing struggle against 350 years of violent oppression with his feet on the ground, his eyes on the action, and his body in danger. I could, simply, no longer sit around in Paris discussing the Algerian and the Black American problem, Baldwin wrote in an essay reflecting on his decision to return. Everybody else was paying their dues, and it was time I went home and paid mine. This is an expression of courageous solidarity, a commitment to stand with others at a time of great stress and opportunity. Contrast Baldwins decision with that of three Yale professors to abandon the United States at one of its most vulnerable moments. Historian Marci Shore, philosopher Jason Stanley, and historian Timothy Snyderall prominent scholars of authoritarianismannounced they will depart for the University of Toronto. They have all written important things about the global and American condition and no doubt will continue to do so. And we will all be better off for that. But they are making a clear, moral choice to exempt themselves from the consequences of their work as others choose to stay (or cannot leave for lack of resources or opportunity). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stanley, the author of, among other important books, How Fascism Works: The Politics of Us and Them, explained that his decision to leave was entirely because of the political climate in the United States. Stanley was particularly motivated by the recent decision of Columbia University, threatened with losing more than $400 million in federal science funding, to bow to President Donald Trumps demands that the university crack down on students who oppose the Israeli incursion into Gaza and that it put a department that employs scholars of the Middle East into receivership. When I saw Columbia completely capitulate, and I saw this vocabulary of, well, were going to work behind the scenes because were not going to get targetedthat whole way of thinking pre-supposes that some universities will get targeted, and you dont want to be one of those universities, and thats just a losing strategy, Stanley told The Guardian. Youve got to just band together and say an attack on one university is an attack on all universities. And maybe you lose that fight, but youre certainly going to lose this one if you give up before you fight. Stanley is right to demand solidarity among institutions. In the past few weeks, we have seen universities of great status and power fold to the demands of the Trump movement even before being ordered to or threatened to. But despite the cowardice and shortsightedness of the board that governs Columbia, the university is not its leaders. Columbia University did not fail academia or the country; only its temporary leaders did. The strength of the university remains committed to resisting and doing good work for society. More than 100 faculty members and students have been protesting the universitys decision to fold, each risking admonishment or worse from the administration. Many have been writing publicly against their bosses. That is courage. That is solidarity. Its a 90-minute train ride from New Haven to Manhattan. One would have hoped Yale professors upset with Columbia would join their colleagues on the streets of Morningside Heights rather than drive up the Queen Elizabeth Way to Toronto. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Next in the sights of the administration seems to be Johns Hopkins University, which stands to lose $800 million in health research funding for unclear reasons. I can only guess that because Johns Hopkins is Trump rival Michael Bloombergs alma mater and favorite beneficiary, Trump has chosen it for humiliation. It seems that Trumps people have figured out that if they attack one institution at a time (or a few at a time), they limit the opportunity for a unified defense. Had Columbia University leaders chosen to sue the Trump administration and take the hit to the universitys scientists (as painful as that would be to all of us who would be denied the fruits of their research on cancer and other problems), it would have set an example for other universities to hold together in protest, mount a public campaign in favor of research and education, and work through the courts while waiting for Congress to flip to the Democrats (if there will be fair elections in 2026) and stem the attacks. We have seen a similar challenge to the countrys largest, richest, and most influential law firms, as Trump issues orders to punish firms that work against his policies by suspending security clearances for their lawyers and restricting access to government buildings, officials, and contracting work. Two major law firms so far have bowed to Trumps extortion, and two others have sued to resist. Meanwhile, the legal profession at large remains silent and stunned by this attack on its ethics, values, and professionalism. Firms are mostly competing against one another for clients rather than seeking a way to stand for their long-term interest, let alone that of the country and the rule of law. While solidarity is the goal, powerful institutions like universities and law firms have an easy choice to make a stand. Vulnerable individuals under threat still have a difficult choice to make: Stay or run. Lets not presume this is a simple question, or that everyones situation is the same. Baldwin had no children to care for; others do. Baldwin found new perspectives on himself and his country of birth by living and traveling beyond the United States. Still, when the fight was on, he returned to fight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Stanley, the decision to run is personal as well as professional. He is the descendent of people who died in the Holocaust. He has spent much of the past few years teaching and lecturing in Ukraine, where he faces danger regularly. He does demonstrate personal courage consistently, even if its outside the range of solidarity with his fellow Americans. Through both his writing and his teaching, Stanley is someone worthy of admiration. My choice to stay, fight, and to urge others to as well is also informed by my own experiences and conditionsand my own cowardice. In August 2017 I decided to stay home with my family as Nazis swarmed the streets of my town, Charlottesville, Virginia. I thought first of my child and how I did not want her to have to worry about my safety or risk losing me to violence. Many of my friends and neighbors made the opposite decision. They stood their ground as men with guns and clubs surrounded them and police stood back and watched. Hundreds of my neighbors needed medical attention. One of my fellow Charlottesvillians died. They were protecting my family; I was not. Nor was I protecting theirs. Reflecting the next day on my decision, I wrote in The New York Times, I now believe we made the wrong choice. Does my status as a parent make me special? It shouldnt. A young man named Dre Harris was ambushed in a parking lot and took dozens of blows by club-wielding thugs. He took them so I wouldnt have to. Next time I will stand on the street with my neighbors, even at the risk of injury or death. Its the least I can do to repay those who stood bravely this time. My family chose this country in the late twentieth century, so to abandon it when it is most in need would betray my fathers dreams and hopes. We chose the United States as the site for us to live and raise children in relative freedom and security. We love this country deeply because we chose it. Now all of that is threatened, including the very citizenship we have earned. Yet there is no way I would abandon all my father strived for in his life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I once asked my father, a professor of biophysics, why he chose the United States over the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, or any other English-speaking country where Indians have settled. He told me the dynamism and creativity of the American spirit, largely informed by waves of immigration and energized by its commitment to science and higher education, made that choice simple. When I consider what a writer or scholar should do in these moments, I dont necessarily turn to Baldwin as a model any more than I reflect on Hannah Arendts experiences writing in the wake of the Holocaust. Baldwins situation in 1957 did not resemble Arendts in 1933, after she had been briefly jailed by the Gestapo and escaped to France to help Jewish children resettle safely in Palestine. Her second escape, in 1941, was from Paris to the United States, where she proceeded to form an intellectual network and write her most influential works, which, to this day, help people understand and resist various forms of authoritarianism and fascism. Because the threats to the United States from Trump and his allies only echo the deep roots of the oppression of Black Americans for 400 years and the Nazi takeover of Germany in the 1930s, we should not look to them, or any particular historical figurea Havel, a Michnik, a Sakharov, a Tagoreas a model for resistance, or for the key for whether we should run or fight. Learning from previous moments of terror and resistance can be helpful and inspirational, but the threats we face are unique in history, even if modeled on and informed by those elsewhere and from the past. I see many more patterns that pertain to the United States in 2025 in twenty-first-century Hungary, Poland, Brazil, Argentina, India, and the Philippines. Each of these countries is, or has been recently, led by authoritarian leaders legitimately elected within increasingly illiberal democratic systems. The rise of authoritarianism in each has been a reaction to late-twentieth-century neoliberalism, the global convulsions of the 2008 economic crash, and the Covid-19 pandemic of 2020. Those who fight most effectively against oppressive parties do so from within as long as they can. They do not run preemptively. They push back with a commitment to solidarity. Poland and Brazil have in recent years seen a return (if fragile and temporary) to decent, democratic politics and the rule of law. India, it seems, could be lost for a long time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So for writers and scholars who offer us a model for effective and inspirational resistance at this moment, may I nominate Arundhati Roy? Roy continues to stand her ground in a country that has been slipping toward fascism sooner and faster than the United States. Roy has served time in prison for her writing. She continues to face repeated legal and death threats for her commitment to a just India. Roy could live well and write freely in any country in the world. She chooses bravely to stay home and face the consequences of her moral commitments. She refuses to be silent and informs both her fellow citizens and the rest of the world of the nature of the threat that Narendra Modis government and affiliated parties (some inspired directly by Nazism) present to the worlds most populous country. More than Baldwins or Arendts, Roys case applies to the conditions that Shore, Stanley, and Snyder have found themselves in. Unlike Roy, they have decided to check out of their own communities long before they face actual state violence. Still, Baldwin offers them, and us, wisdom and guidance at this moment. The current condition of oppression in the United States is more generally threatening than at any time in recent years. But it is not totally new, at least not to people of African descent and immigrants to the United Statesas the prevalence of Confederate flags among fascist symbols during the 2017 invasion of Charlottesville showed. Black Americans and gay Americans have struggled through most of American history against the conditions that Trump is reviving and spreading. Yet despite the layers of violent oppression Baldwin faced from his home country, he never stopped loving it. Baldwins commitment to his neighbors, to his country of birth, is something we should never abandon. I love America more than any other country in this world, and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually, Baldwin wrote in Notes of a Native Son. This, I believe, is the difference between a writer who chooses to face down oppressors and one who ignores or betrays the call for solidarity in the face of oppression. Baldwin loved his countrymeaning, the people of his country and the potential of a better future for them. Baldwin, Arendt, and Roy offer different models of courage and solidarity. At this moment, Baldwins unromantic patriotism should move us to support our neighbors. ADDIS ABABA, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopia has successfully surpassed its ambitious goal of planting more than 40 billion seedlings under the Green Legacy Initiative, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced Tuesday. "This significant milestone underscores Ethiopia's commitment to environmental sustainability and the well-being of future generations," the state-run Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation quoted the prime minister as saying. Abiy said that this endeavor is not merely a task but a substantial investment in the nation's ecological future, showcasing Ethiopia's dedication to proactive climate action. Amid growing global climate concerns, he said Ethiopia's efforts could serve as an inspiration for similar initiatives worldwide. "By covering our land with green plants, we not only fight climate change but also create a more visually appealing environment," he said. Urging continued public participation, Abiy announced plans to plant an additional 10 billion seedlings over the next two years. Launched in 2019, the Green Legacy Initiative aims to combat deforestation, restore degraded landscapes, and enhance environmental resilience. The Ethiopian Forestry Development recently revealed plans to plant 7.5 billion seedlings during the upcoming rainy season from June to September. The Ethiopian government has also submitted a request to Guinness World Records to recognize the initiative's large-scale tree-planting efforts, which engage millions of Ethiopians each year. SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) Long-time Sioux City comic shop, game store, and gathering place for those with interests in pop-culture and the nerdy, ACME Comics, will be celebrating its 30th anniversary this weekend. On April 5 from 12 to 4 p.m., ACME Comics and Collectibles will be hosting their 30th-anniversary celebration. The event will feature several local clubs, including the Sioux City Ghostbusters and Darth Vaders 501st Legion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The anniversary celebration will also work as a chance to raise money for a local cause. Nebraska Street to see lane closures for water main replacement ACME Comics co-owner Fran McGarry said, For the 30th Anniversary Celerbation, we have partnered with Noahs Hope to raise money for their group. They are very near and dear to our hearts, and we want to help out the Siouxland community like they have helped us. We cant wait to have them here with us for our event! To raise money, the event will feature a charity raffle that includes many items from publishers and game companies, amongst other things. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. "Key Takeaways" There are active recalls on Chomps Beef Sticks, Aldi cheese, Coca-Cola and more. Many of these products were sold nationwide at Costco, Trader Joes and other retailers. Common recall causes include foreign matter contaminations and undeclared allergens. There are a slew of recalls you should be aware of at the moment. From brand-name favorite drinks to pantry staples sold at Costco and Trader Joes, there are several products to check your kitchen for. Heres everything you need to know about the latest alerts. Beef Sticks Chomps recalled two classic flavors, according to the Department of Agricultures Food Safety and Inspection Service. This was due to a foreign matter contamination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The recalled Chomps Original Beef Sticks were sold at retailers nationwide, including Costco locations in 22 states. Each recalled beef stick has a printed establishment number of 6220A and UPC of 856584004183. In addition, the sticks sold in 12-count packaging contain a UPC of 856584004763. The following lot codes are also printed on the individual sticks: 25016, 25017, 25018, 25020 or 25021. Related: Chocolate Is Being Recalled Nationwide Due to ContaminationHeres What to Know Some Chomps Original Turkey Sticks have also been added to the recall, all of which were sold individually and bear the UPC of 856584004404 and a lot code of 25022 or 25023 on the individual stick package. Those sticks also have a printed establishment number of P6220A. Two consumers reported finding metal fragments in the snack product, resulting in this recall. If you are experiencing any illness or injury after consuming these beef sticks, contact your doctor. For questions about this recall, call Chomps at 855-636-1150 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CST or visit chomps.com/recall for more information. Shredded Cheese Aldi just recalled cheese sold at locations in four states, according to the Food and Drug Administration. This is due to possible foreign matter contamination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The recalled cheese is the Happy Farms by Aldi Colby Jack shredded cheese. Sold in 12-ounce plastic pouches, the recalled shredded cheese has a printed UPC of 4061463330840 and best-by dates of July 13 or 14, 2025. The cheese was sold at Aldi locations in Connecticut, Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania. The recalled product may contain fragments of stainless steel in the shredded cheese, so check your refrigerator immediately for this product. If you have the recalled cheese on hand, return it to your local Aldi for a refund. For questions about this recall (or any recalls announced by the FDA), contact the FDA by calling 1-888-INFO-FDA (1-888-463-6332). Related: These 7 Food Dyes Are Starting to Get Banned in StatesShould You Still Eat Them? Coca-Cola Sodas Theres an active recall on Coca-Cola soda cans sold in two states, per a recent FDA report. This is due to a foreign matter contamination, as the drink may contain pieces of plastic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The soda recalled were 12-ounce cans of Coca-Cola Original Taste sold in 12-count packs. There is a UPC of 0 49000-00634 6 printed on each can and a UPC of 0 49000-02890 4 printed on the packaging. Each can has a best-by date of September 29, 2025, and the cases were sold at retail locations in Illinois and Wisconsin. Check your soda, and if it matches the recalled information, dispose of it or return it to your place of purchase for a possible refund. Liquid Egg Products Over 210,000 pounds of liquid egg products are being recalled right now, according to the FSIS. The recalled liquid eggs may have been in contact with cleaning products containing sodium hypochlorite. The egg substitutes affected include multiple brands. Each of the following products are impacted and contain a printed establishment number of G1804 on the carton: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Egg Beaters Original Liquid Egg Substitute in 32-ounce cartons with a best-by date of August 10, 2025 Egg Beaters Cage-Free Original Liquid Egg Substitute in 32-ounce cartons with a best-by date of August 9, 2025 Egg Beaters Cage-Free Original Frozen Egg Substitute or Egg Beaters No Enjauladas Original Sutituto de Huevo Congelado in 32-ounce cartons with a best-by date of March 7, 2025 Bob Evans Bettern Eggs Made with Real Egg Whites in 32-ounce cartons with a best-by date of August 10, 2025 Check your refrigerator for these products. While there are no illnesses or injuries connected to this recall, be sure to contact your health care provider if you are experiencing any side effects. For questions pertaining to this recall, contact Chuck Miller, Cargill Kitchen Solutions, at 1-844-419-1574 or media@cargill.com. Related: Over 12,000 Espresso Machines Recalled Nationwide Due to Burn Hazard Salad Dressing Trader Joes latest recall is a popular bottle of salad dressing sold in 18 states and Washington, D.C. The product may contain multiple undeclared allergens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The recalled salad dressing is the Trader Joes Hot Honey Mustard Dressing packaged in 12-fluid-ounce bottles. Each recalled bottle has a printed SKU of 80152 and a use-by date of May 27, 2025. They were sold at Trader Joes locations in the following states and district: Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, North Carolina, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia and Washington, D.C. This salad dressing may contain peanuts, sesame, soy and wheat, all of which are common allergens that are not properly declared on the bottle. Those with allergies to these unlisted ingredients may experience an allergic reaction as serious as anaphylaxis. Common signs of anaphylactic shock include hives, difficulty breathing, abdominal pain, dizziness, tightness of the throat and, in severe cases, cardiac arrest. Call 911 immediately if you have any of these symptoms after eating the recalled salad dressing. Consumers with questions can contact Trader Joes Customer Relations at (626) 599-3817 or by emailing via their product feedback form. Tostitos Chips If you have a bag of Tostitos chips in your kitchen, you may want to check it for this recall information. Some 13-ounce bags of Tostitos Cantina Traditional Yellow Corn Tortilla Chips are being recalled right now, according to the FDA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The yellow corn chips affected have a UPC of 28400 52848 and a guaranteed fresh date of May 20, 2025. The recalled Tostitos products were sold at grocery stores, retail locations and drug stores in the following states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. They may have also been sold online and shipped elsewhere. The recalled chips may contain milk, a common allergen that is not declared on the product. This means that those with a milk allergy could be at risk of an allergic reaction such as anaphylaxis when eating these chips. Seek immediate medical attention if you are experiencing symptoms of anaphylactic shock after consuming this recalled snack. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this recall, visit Frito-Lays contact page or call the company at 1-800-352-4477 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CDT, Monday through Friday. Related: Nationwide Recalls on Frozen Meals, Coffee Creamers and More to Be Aware of Right Now Read the original article on EATINGWELL President Donald Trump said Willkie Farr & Gallagher pledged $100 million in pro bono work for "conservative ideals." Legal activists are calling for Doug Emhoff to resign and "stand on the side of the rule of law." Federal judges have blocked most of Trump's orders that target Big Law and their security clearance. Willkie Farr & Gallagher, the law firm where Doug Emhoff, former Vice President Kamala Harris' husband, is a partner, is pledging at least $100 million in pro bono legal work for causes aligned with "conservative ideals," President Donald Trump said on Tuesday via social media. Willkie would be the third top law firm to formalize such a deal with Trump, following similar pledges from Paul Weiss and Skadden. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP proactively reached out to President Trump and his Administration, offering their decisive commitment to ending the Weaponization of the Justice System and the Legal Profession," said the White House, according to Trump's post on Truth Social. Doug Emhoff and Willkie did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Trump's social media post also said that Thomas M. Cerabino, Chairman of Willkie Farr & Gallagher, stated that "the substance of that agreement is consistent" with the firm's views on access to legal representation by clients and that the firm has a "history of working with clients across a wide spectrum of political viewpoints." The announcement comes amid a wave of executive orders from Trump targeting Big Law over their affiliations both with political adversaries and with causes he has publicly criticized. These executive orders have included reviewing the security clearances of law firms and terminating their contracts with the government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most of these executive orders, including ones targeting Perkins Coie, WilmerHale, and Jenner & Block, have been blocked by federal judges some indefinitely until an official ruling has been reached. "Willkie Farr's capitulation to Trump is absolutely shameful," said Molly Coleman, executive director of the People's Parity Project, an organization of law students and attorneys. "Emhoff and other partners need to show they stand on the side of the rule of law by resigning there's absolutely no other option." "If anyone should have the courage to refuse to practice the law under Trump's thumb, it should be Doug Emhoff," she added. Paul Weiss has also faced criticism for bowing to Trump's demands, and at least two lawyers have publicly resigned from Skadden before and after its agreement with Trump, with one calling the act "a craven attempt to sacrifice the rule of law for self-preservation." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just a week after Trump was sworn in for his second term, Wilkie announced it had hired Emhoff as a partner. In 2023, Wilkie brought on Tim Heaphy, the former chief investigative counsel for the House select committee that probed the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. The firm represented Trump during a 1990s bankruptcy case and successfully defended his close ally, Thomas Barrack, in a 2022 federal case. The firm also represents X, the social media company now owned by Trump ally and Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Read the original article on Business Insider Fresh off of getting his federal corruption case dropped, Mayor Adams plans to face off against his challengers in a candidates forum Thursday one of his first major campaign appearances of the 2025 cycle. Seven of the mayors opponents will also be in attendance at the National Action Network forum in Manhattan, including ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani and Council Speaker Adrienne Adams. Adams campaign spokesman Todd Shapiro confirmed the mayors planned attendance in a text message Wednesday after a Manhattan Federal Court judge agreed to permanently drop Adams corruption indictment in a manner that has still left the mayor severely politically vulnerable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He looks forward to engaging with fellow candidates and community leaders to discuss the future of our great city, Shapiro texted. At the forum, Adams and the other candidates will be pressed by the Rev. Al Sharpton, the National Action Networks leader, on how their policies would improve the lives of Black and Brown New Yorkers. It marks Adams first mayoral forum this cycle. Hes skipped out on dozens of other forums attended by his competitors, and he has neither hosted nor attended many campaign events. At a rare campaign event in February, he caught flak for contending that calls for his resignation were a modern-day Mein Kampf.' Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adams previously committed, and then pulled out of, a February debate between the Democratic candidates hosted by the citys largest municipal union, DC 37. Adams said at the time that his criminal defense attorney advised him to hold off on participating in debates until the judge ruled on his case: My counsel stated, Eric, theres a decision coming down Lets allow the court to do its process. Theres time for debates. The mayor attended a Wednesday morning ribbon-cutting, speaking alongside Sharpton and Speaker Adams. The mayor last month acknowledged he had not done much in the way of campaigning, and vowed that hed get back out on the campaign trail soon and very soon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adams has said that hes gathering signatures to get on the ballot for the Democratic Party, although hes also expressed some openness to running as an independent. After Adams wrapped up a speech Wednesday afternoon at Gracie Mansion railing against the case that had been lodged against him, as he was walking up the steps of the building, he turned around to emphasize that he was not dropping out of the race. Im running for reelection, he said, and you know what? Im going to win. HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) April is Child Abuse Awareness Month, and advocates planted thousands of blue ribbon flags along State Street in Harrisburg Wednesday morning to symbolize the number of child abuse cases in PA in 2023. The ceremony honored Pennsylvanians who went above and beyond the call to protect children. In 2023, there were more than 4,000 confirmed child abuse cases in Pennsylvania. Close Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News Alerts Advocates planted an additional 57 black flags this morning to honor the lives lost. One of the four individuals who received an award this morning, Joanne Godfrey of York County, said, I know that its a hard job. And the more support we can give to families and children, I think the better off everybody is. We all need support, so do they, so thats basically what I got from and connecting with families. Its been helpful. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. The News Artificial intelligence is taking center stage in Rwanda this week as more than 1,000 policymakers, business leaders, and interest groups gather for the first-ever global AI summit on Africa. The two-day event starting on Thursday in Kigali, where President Paul Kagame is scheduled to speak, follows ambitious plans to make AI applications mainstream in Africa. Last week Cassava Technologies, a group owned by the Zimbabwean billionaire and summit co-chair Strive Masiyiwa, announced plans to build an AI factory in South Africa by June, using chips from the US manufacturer Nvidia. And in December, Chinese telecoms giant Huawei launched its cloud services in Nigeria powered by multiple high-level data centers. Underpinning this private sector push is a wave of African governments designing policies to court long-term investment especially in cloud and fiber optic networks and develop local talent. Nigeria and South Africa, two of the continents largest economies, have both floated AI policy frameworks in the last 12 months. Rwanda unveiled its guiding document in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For years, Rwanda has positioned itself as an attractive hub for both African startups and established global companies. Its tech and venture capital receipts lag behind leaders Nigeria and South Africa as well as neighboring Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. But a concerted push by Kagames government despite diplomatic concerns about its role in regional tensions especially in DR Congo is making Rwanda the main town square for Africas AI deliberations. Know More Africas AI demand can be seen in the rise of bank chatbots automating customer service jobs but also in using algorithms to more effectively carry out poverty interventions. The potentially mammoth financial returns of the tech is another driver. But there is also deep curiosity surrounding the ethics of how AI should be deployed to a diverse region of 1 billion people. An increasing number of research groups are examining the technologys potential to transform African work and life, and the roles of government policy in realising the potential. A Google report last year projected that AI could add $30 billion to sub-Saharan Africas economy by 2030. A separate estimate expects AI to raise Africas annual GDP by 3% to $2.9 trillion by the same year. A gathering of cabinet officials from about 20 African countries in Rwanda should make for tangible outcomes and commitments towards strengthening the AI ecosystem across Africa, Chinasa T. Okolo, a fellow at The Brookings Institutions Center for Technology Innovation, told Semafor. She expects some sort of continental-wide declaration from the summit to emerge, as well as significant funding commitments from investors to back AI research and development on the continent. Alexanders view When Google opened its first AI lab in Ghana in 2019, Africas technology conversation was dominated by the emergence of startups promising to disrupt particular aspects of local economies. But rapid progress in cloud computing in the years since and OpenAIs breakout success have raised the urgency for considering AIs potentially sweeping effects across the entire region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last June, a group of 130 African tech ministers endorsed an AI strategy for the continent, underscoring this key moment. They praised the tremendous opportunities that come with AI but also urged the creation of a system that reflects Africas diversity, languages, culture, history, and geographical contexts. African AI innovators have been pushing efforts in this regard. Some years ago, I wrote about two researchers who produced a translation model to benefit speakers of Pidgin English in Nigeria. Local large language models like InkubaLM, released last year by South African firm Lelapa AI, are making the case for African representation. This year, a project by French telecom group Orange will see OpenAI and Meta collaborate to fine-tune existing models Whisper and Llama to translate regional African languages. As for opportunities, the $680 million acquisition of Tunisia-born AI startup Instadeep by German vaccine maker BioNTech remains a reference for what can be achieved by Africa-born companies under the right conditions. Producing successful companies and exits should be on the agenda in Rwanda. Room for Disagreement Sub-Saharan Africa is the worlds least prepared region for developing AI systems, according to an index by the International Monetary Fund, due to lower levels of digital infrastructure, economic integration, labor policies, and ethical frameworks. South Sudan, Central African Republic, and Chad were the lowest-scoring nations globally on the digital infrastructure indicator of the index. The View From Abuja Nigeria is hoping to attract big tech companies with vast financial resources to build hyperscale data centers in the country, said Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, head of Nigerian technology agency NITDA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are engaging Google and local providers to come and invest in infrastructure, while the government wants to focus on applications, Abdullahi told Semafor. DeepSeek has proven to the world that you dont need big infrastructure like OpenAI. We can use smaller infrastructure, be innovative and get similar quality. Notable (Reuters) - African Union mediators arrived in South Sudan's capital Juba on Wednesday for talks aimed at averting a new civil war after First Vice President Riek Machar was placed under house arrest last week. President Salva Kiir's government has accused Machar, a longtime rival who led rebel forces during a 2013-18 war that killed hundreds of thousands, of trying stir up a new rebellion. Machar's detention last Wednesday followed weeks of fighting in the northern Upper Nile state between the military and the White Army militia. Machar's forces were allied with the White Army during the civil war but deny any current links. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The AU delegation's flight arrived at Juba's airport on Wednesday afternoon with a "Council of the Wise" which included former Burundian President Domitien Ndayizeye and former Kenyan judge Effie Owuor. Machar's SPLM-IO party said in a statement that it "warmly welcomes the arrival of the Council of Wise as part of ongoing efforts to de-escalate tensions and support the peace process". The AU's Peace and Security Council called in a statement on Tuesday for Machar's "immediate and unconditional release", saying recent developments threaten the 2018 peace deal that ended the war. Kenya's former Prime Minister Raila Odinga came to Juba on Monday on behalf of an East African regional body to mediate between the rival camps. Odinga met with Kiir but said he was not allowed to see Machar. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Analysts say Kiir, 73, appears to be attempting to shore up his position amid discontent within his own political camp and that the war in neighbouring Sudan has worsened security conditions by leading to an influx of weapons. The 2013-18 war was contested largely along ethnic lines, with fighters from the Dinka, the country's largest group, lining up behind Kiir, and those from the Nuer, the second-largest group, supporting Machar. (Reporting by Hereward Holland; Editing by Aaron Ross and Ed Osmond) Air traffic controllers at Washington's Ronald Reagan National Airport will be offered crisis counseling and additional supervision after a fight in the tower and another alarming near miss two months after a midair collision between a passenger jet and an Army helicopter killed 67 people. The Federal Aviation Administration said Wednesday it is also evaluating whether the current arrival rate at Reagan is too high. The agency said it would extend extra support to the controllers who direct flights around the busy airport while Congress and the National Transportation Safety Board continue investigating the deadly January crash. Sen. Ted Cruz, the chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, said that troubling missteps since the crash underscore the precarious situation in the nation's airspace. Expressing frustration with the Army's refusal to turn over a memo detailing its flight rules, Cruz said during a Wednesday hearing that any deaths resulting from another collision near Reagan will be on the Army's hands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FAA's decision to bring in crisis counselors followed the Thursday arrest of a 39-year-old employee from Maryland on suspicion of assault and battery after the control tower fight, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority confirmed in a statement. No details were released about the altercation. The FAA said the employee was put on administrative leave while the fight is investigated. The next day, a Delta passenger jet had to take evasive action as it took off from Reagan because of the proximity of a flight of four Air Force jets involved in a flyover at Arlington National Cemetery. The incident continued a pattern of close calls that the NTSB has said went on for years around the airport as commercial flights repeatedly got dangerously close to helicopters and other aircraft. The FAA said Wednesday that it was reviewing the current arrival rate of aircraft per hour, which is disproportionately concentrated within the last 30 minutes of each hour. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After January's crash between an American Airlines jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter, the arrival rate at the airport fell to 26 an hour while crews worked to recover the wreckage and victims' bodies from the Potomac River. The acting head of the FAA said last week that arrivals were back up to 30 an hour and could go up to 32. Now, the agency is rethinking that. To help with the stress air traffic controllers are under, the FAA plans regular wellness checks of its staff at Reagan as well making a team of crisis counselors available. The agency offered counseling to its employees at the airport right after the Jan. 29 crash and encouraged them to follow up with individual appointments if needed. The FAA said that going forward, it will increase the number of supervisors from six to eight and evaluate whether it has enough controllers working each shift. The union that represents air traffic controllers at Reagan and airports across the country declined to comment on the situation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During Wednesdays hearing, Cruz threatened the Army with a subpoena if it did not give the committee a copy of its memo spelling out when its aircraft are allowed to fly without a key system that broadcasts their location to other aircraft turned on. The fact that system wasnt activated in the Black Hawk that collided with the passenger jet is a key concern investigators have highlighted. With the location system turned off, the tower had to rely on radar for updates on the helicopters position that only came once every four seconds instead of every second before the crash. It begs the question, what doesnt the Army want Congress or the American people to know about why it was flying partially blind to the other aircraft and to the air traffic controllers near DCA (Reagan airport)?, Cruz said. This is not acceptable. The Army didnt immediately respond to an inquiry Wednesday about the memo. The U.S. Armys head of aviation, Brig. Gen. Matthew Braman, told the Senate Commerce Committee last week that he wasnt sure if he could provide the memo because it is part of the investigation, but the head of the NTSB assured him that would be okay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The January crash was the nations deadliest plane crash since November 2001. But a series of other crashes and near misses in the months after fueled worries about air travel even though it remains safe overall. ___ Associated Press writers Tara Copp and Lisa Leff contributed to this report. China Search and Rescue Team, assigned by the country's Ministry of Emergency Management, and a rescue team from China's Hong Kong carry out a joint search and rescue operation at the Sky Villa residence in Mandalay, Myanmar, April 1, 2025. Equipment, including snake-eye endoscopes, radar wave all-view cameras and drones, was used in the joint mission. Using drones at the scene, the joint rescue force conducted an assessment to ensure the safety of the rescue. Locals provided clues on distress sounds at the scene. The Chinese rescuers rushed to the spot only to rule out the possibility of survivors. Twenty-four rescuers participated in the joint mission. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) In this aerial drone photo, China Search and Rescue Team, assigned by the country's Ministry of Emergency Management, and a rescue team from China's Hong Kong carry out a joint search and rescue operation at the Sky Villa residence in Mandalay, Myanmar, April 1, 2025. Equipment, including snake-eye endoscopes, radar wave all-view cameras and drones, was used in the joint mission. Using drones at the scene, the joint rescue force conducted an assessment to ensure the safety of the rescue. Locals provided clues on distress sounds at the scene. The Chinese rescuers rushed to the spot only to rule out the possibility of survivors. Twenty-four rescuers participated in the joint mission. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) In this aerial drone photo, China Search and Rescue Team, assigned by the country's Ministry of Emergency Management, and a rescue team from China's Hong Kong carry out a joint search and rescue operation at the Sky Villa residence in Mandalay, Myanmar, April 1, 2025. Equipment, including snake-eye endoscopes, radar wave all-view cameras and drones, was used in the joint mission. Using drones at the scene, the joint rescue force conducted an assessment to ensure the safety of the rescue. Locals provided clues on distress sounds at the scene. The Chinese rescuers rushed to the spot only to rule out the possibility of survivors. Twenty-four rescuers participated in the joint mission. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) In this aerial drone photo, China Search and Rescue Team, assigned by the country's Ministry of Emergency Management, and a rescue team from China's Hong Kong carry out a joint search and rescue operation at the Sky Villa residence in Mandalay, Myanmar, April 1, 2025. Equipment, including snake-eye endoscopes, radar wave all-view cameras and drones, was used in the joint mission. Using drones at the scene, the joint rescue force conducted an assessment to ensure the safety of the rescue. Locals provided clues on distress sounds at the scene. The Chinese rescuers rushed to the spot only to rule out the possibility of survivors. Twenty-four rescuers participated in the joint mission. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) China Search and Rescue Team, assigned by the country's Ministry of Emergency Management, and a rescue team from China's Hong Kong carry out a joint search and rescue operation at the Sky Villa residence in Mandalay, Myanmar, April 1, 2025. Equipment, including snake-eye endoscopes, radar wave all-view cameras and drones, was used in the joint mission. Using drones at the scene, the joint rescue force conducted an assessment to ensure the safety of the rescue. Locals provided clues on distress sounds at the scene. The Chinese rescuers rushed to the spot only to rule out the possibility of survivors. Twenty-four rescuers participated in the joint mission. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) In this aerial drone photo, China Search and Rescue Team, assigned by the country's Ministry of Emergency Management, and a rescue team from China's Hong Kong carry out a joint search and rescue operation at the Sky Villa residence in Mandalay, Myanmar, April 1, 2025. Equipment, including snake-eye endoscopes, radar wave all-view cameras and drones, was used in the joint mission. Using drones at the scene, the joint rescue force conducted an assessment to ensure the safety of the rescue. Locals provided clues on distress sounds at the scene. The Chinese rescuers rushed to the spot only to rule out the possibility of survivors. Twenty-four rescuers participated in the joint mission. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) In this aerial drone photo, China Search and Rescue Team, assigned by the country's Ministry of Emergency Management, and a rescue team from China's Hong Kong carry out a joint search and rescue operation at the Sky Villa residence in Mandalay, Myanmar, April 1, 2025. Equipment, including snake-eye endoscopes, radar wave all-view cameras and drones, was used in the joint mission. Using drones at the scene, the joint rescue force conducted an assessment to ensure the safety of the rescue. Locals provided clues on distress sounds at the scene. The Chinese rescuers rushed to the spot only to rule out the possibility of survivors. Twenty-four rescuers participated in the joint mission. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) China Search and Rescue Team, assigned by the country's Ministry of Emergency Management, and a rescue team from China's Hong Kong carry out a joint search and rescue operation at the Sky Villa residence in Mandalay, Myanmar, April 1, 2025. Equipment, including snake-eye endoscopes, radar wave all-view cameras and drones, was used in the joint mission. Using drones at the scene, the joint rescue force conducted an assessment to ensure the safety of the rescue. Locals provided clues on distress sounds at the scene. The Chinese rescuers rushed to the spot only to rule out the possibility of survivors. Twenty-four rescuers participated in the joint mission. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) In this aerial drone photo, China Search and Rescue Team, assigned by the country's Ministry of Emergency Management, and a rescue team from China's Hong Kong carry out a joint search and rescue operation at the Sky Villa residence in Mandalay, Myanmar, April 1, 2025. Equipment, including snake-eye endoscopes, radar wave all-view cameras and drones, was used in the joint mission. Using drones at the scene, the joint rescue force conducted an assessment to ensure the safety of the rescue. Locals provided clues on distress sounds at the scene. The Chinese rescuers rushed to the spot only to rule out the possibility of survivors. Twenty-four rescuers participated in the joint mission. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) China Search and Rescue Team, assigned by the country's Ministry of Emergency Management, and a rescue team from China's Hong Kong carry out a joint search and rescue operation at the Sky Villa residence in Mandalay, Myanmar, April 1, 2025. Equipment, including snake-eye endoscopes, radar wave all-view cameras and drones, was used in the joint mission. Using drones at the scene, the joint rescue force conducted an assessment to ensure the safety of the rescue. Locals provided clues on distress sounds at the scene. The Chinese rescuers rushed to the spot only to rule out the possibility of survivors. Twenty-four rescuers participated in the joint mission. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) In this aerial drone photo, China Search and Rescue Team, assigned by the country's Ministry of Emergency Management, and a rescue team from China's Hong Kong carry out a joint search and rescue operation at the Sky Villa residence in Mandalay, Myanmar, April 1, 2025. Equipment, including snake-eye endoscopes, radar wave all-view cameras and drones, was used in the joint mission. Using drones at the scene, the joint rescue force conducted an assessment to ensure the safety of the rescue. Locals provided clues on distress sounds at the scene. The Chinese rescuers rushed to the spot only to rule out the possibility of survivors. Twenty-four rescuers participated in the joint mission. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) In this aerial drone photo, China Search and Rescue Team, assigned by the country's Ministry of Emergency Management, and a rescue team from China's Hong Kong carry out a joint search and rescue operation at the Sky Villa residence in Mandalay, Myanmar, April 1, 2025. Equipment, including snake-eye endoscopes, radar wave all-view cameras and drones, was used in the joint mission. Using drones at the scene, the joint rescue force conducted an assessment to ensure the safety of the rescue. Locals provided clues on distress sounds at the scene. The Chinese rescuers rushed to the spot only to rule out the possibility of survivors. Twenty-four rescuers participated in the joint mission. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) Rep. Rex Reynolds, R-Huntsville (left) listens to Rep. Russell Bedsole, R-Alabaster on the floor of the Alabama House of Representatives on Feb. 13, 2025 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. The House Tuesday approved SB 40, sponsored by Sen. Keith Kelley, R-Anniston, and carried by Bedsole, which creates a firearm surrender program for people experiencing suicidal thoughts. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector) The Alabama House of Representatives passed a bill Tuesday that would allow people experiencing suicidal thoughts to surrender a firearm to a licensed gun dealer. SB 40, sponsored by Rep. Keith Kelley, R-Anniston, passed 93-1. Known as the Houston-Hunter Act, it would provide liability protection for federally-licensed firearms dealers who choose to participate in the Safer Together Program, where they may accept surrendered firearms from community members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They can place their weapon in there and they can walk away, Bedsole, who carried the Senate bill in the House, said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX He said any federally licensed firearm dealer or gun store can choose to participate in the program. Bedsole sponsors the House version of the bill, which passed the House 98-2 in February. Alabama has some of the highest rates of firearm death in the nation. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1,278 Alabamians died by gunfire in 2022, a rate of 25.5 per 100,000 people, the fourth highest in the nation and a larger total than New York States, which has almost four times the population of Alabama. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The CDC said 840 Alabamians died by suicide in 2022. That ranks Alabama 26th for suicides per capita. In the United States, 54% of suicides were done by gunfire. Rep. Travis Hendrix, D-Birmingham, a former policeman, shared a story of a co-worker that almost committed suicide. If this program was available two years ago, he probably wouldve been in a better situation, Hendrix said. Bedsole said the idea for the bill came from a crisis intervention conference he went to in Indiana. He said he met some people from Alabama that told him about the nonprofit program. Heres the heart and passion: If we can save just one persons life and prevent them from using their own weapon as an act of suicide, then this program is worth it, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill passed with a House Judiciary Committee substitute that mirrored the language of the House bill in the Senate bill. It goes to the Senate for concurrence or a conference committee. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Rep. David Faulkner, R-Mountain Brook, speaks to a colleague on the floor of the Alabama House of Representatives on Feb. 11, 2025 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. HB 332, sponsored by Faulkner, would require high school students to take a computer science class to graduate. It passed the House 99-1 on April 1.(Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector) A bill that would require high school students to take a computer science course to graduate passed the Alabama House of Representatives 99-1 Tuesday. HB 332, sponsored by Rep. David Faulkner, R-Mountain Brook, allows high school students to take a computer science course instead of one math or science course if they are on the standard diploma track. He said the requirement will better prepare students for college and career. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont feel like were giving our kids a college or career ready education if we dont provide computer science, Faulkner said. So thats what originally it was to provide that now its to make it a graduation requirement. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Faulkner passed a bill in 2019 that required schools to offer computer science courses but did not require students to take the classes. Rep. Mary Moore, D-Birmingham, said she wanted to know that schools are equipped to teach the classes before requiring students to take it. Are we sure that we have the number of teachers that would be able to teach computer science? Now once weve got all of that in place, then I think your bill is in order, Moore said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Laura Hall, D-Huntsville, echoed Moore. She said she is concerned about how artificial intelligence would be incorporated into the definition of computer science. So pushing this computer thing, Im not sure the right thing, she said. We may be on the right track, but I think it goes beyond that. Faulkner said that a House Education Policy Committee substitute expanded the definition of computer science to include AI, coding languages and quantum computing. The substitute passed 98-2. Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, said that he and Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, who chairs their respective Education Trust Fund committees in the House and Senate, met with State Superintendent Eric Mackey on the computer science classes. He supported the need for a loose definition of computer science. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its got to be fluid, changing, whatnot. So a lot of it is dynamic, Garrett said. A message seeking comment was sent to the Alabama State Department of Education on Tuesday afternoon. The bill goes to the Senate. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE DOTHAN, Ala. (WRBL) A Dale County Grand Jury has indicted a man with reckless murder in connection with a crash that left one woman dead. Jacob P. Dease, 45, of Ariton, Alabama was indicted in connection with the death of Indea L. Dease, 50, who was killed in a car crash in December of 2024. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency says Jacob Dease was the driver of the car, Indea Dease was the passenger. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A grand jury indictment is not a conviction, rather it serves as a means of establishing if there is enough evidence to charge a person with a crime. According to the ALEA, Jacob and Indea Dease were traveling on Dale County Road 72 the morning of Dec. 28 last year when their car left the roadway. ALEA says Indea Dease was fatally injured during the crash and soon after the car was engulfed in flames, she was pronounced dead at the scene. Jacob Dease was seriously injured and was transported to Southeast Health in Dothan for treatment. ALEA says Jacob Dease is being held in the Dale County Sheriffs Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL. Sen. Gerald Allen, R-Cottondale, listens to debate in the Alabama Senate on Feb. 13, 2025 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. Allen indicated he would add an amendment to expand the requirement to Pre-K. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector) An Alabama Senate committee approved a bill Wednesday that would require K-12 public schools to broadcast or perform The Star-Spangled Banner at least once a week during school hours. SB 13, sponsored by. Sen. Gerald Allen, R-Cottondale, is a constitutional amendment that, if passed by the Legislature, would need approval from state voters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We need to have an amendment that can come from the floor, maybe, but the pre-K needs to be added to the piece of legislation. Currently, it says K through 12, Allen told the Senate Education Policy committee Wednesday morning. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The bill only requires the first stanza of the song to be broadcast. But Democrats on the committee said that it would require students to be exposed to parts of the song, particularly the third stanza, which critics have said is an attack on Black Americans who escaped slavery by joining the British Army. Sen. Rodger Smitherman, D-Birmingham, pointed out that parts of the song could offend Black students and families and urged the other senators on the committee to read the third stanza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres no way that you can require students in general, and African American students in particular, to glorify [slavery], Smitherman said. Thats a slap in their face. Thats a slap in their parents face. Sen. Kirk Hatcher, D-Montgomery, said that a vast majority of our colleagues may not be aware of the historical context of the lyrics, adding that he was concerned about the erasure of Black history in trying to make this a requirement. Americans dont know American history because of things like this, Hatcher said. Smitherman said that is why diversity measures are needed, saying that Republican lawmakers dont consider the impact some bills have on other groups of people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because its not going to cause none to them. Not that they dislike other people. Not that theyre intentionally trying to do something to other people. Theres no sensitivity, he said. Sen. Vivian Davis Figures, D-Mobile, said that she was against proposing this policy as a constitutional amendment. Were talking about adding this as a constitutional amendment, Figures said. Im going to have to vote no on this. I can see you doing, maybe, a statute to require it, but I cant go along with the constitutional amendment for something like this. The bill can now be considered by the Senate. It will need the approval of three-fifths of legislators in the chamber to advance. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) An Alaska Airlines flight headed for Las Vegas was forced to return to Portland International Airport after fumes were reported in the cockpit and cabin after takeoff, officials said. Flight 757 departed at 9:10 a.m. and was in the air for 40 minutes as it rerouted back to PDX for an evacuation, according to flight records. Oregon is doling out $11M in unclaimed funds. Heres how to find out if youre owed money Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The aircraft landed safely and there was no fire or ongoing safety threat, but the first responders made medical evaluation services available to crew and passengers, officials with the Port of Portland said. No one was injured, but nine people requested medical evaluation from the responding PDX fire and rescue crew. The plane is currently in possession of Alaska Airlines maintenance team. Six Oregon James Beard contenders advance to final round, six semifinalists passed over The airline shared the following statement with KOIN 6 News: Crew members detected a strong odor this morning on board Alaska Airlines Flight 757 from Portland (PDX) to Las Vegas (LAS) shortly after takeoff. As a precaution, the pilots returned to PDX where medical professionals met the aircraft at the gate and evaluated crew members and guests. The aircraft was removed from service for inspection, and we are accommodating our guests on another aircraft. We apologize to our guests for any inconvenience or concern this may have caused. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This incident comes more than a year after Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 was forced to land when the main cabins door flew off the plane mid-air, prompting extensive investigations into Boeing, the planes manufacturer. Stay with KOIN 6 news as this story develops. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. The Alaska House of Representatives is asking the Trump administration and Canadian government to step back from a brewing trade war. In a 33-4 vote March 24, the House approved a resolution saying that state lawmakers oppose restrictive trade measures or tolls that would harm the unique relationship between Canada and Alaska or negatively affect our integrated economies. If approved by the Alaska Senate, the resolution would be sent to national officials in both the United States and Canada. Mondays vote comes amid continued threats by the Trump administration against the government of Canada, including claims that Canada should be the 51st state. The Trump administration has prepared a large number of tariffs against Canadian imports, and the Canadian government has preemptively enacted retaliatory measures. In British Columbia, the government has introduced legislation that could lead to tolls on traffic traveling between Alaska and the Lower 48. In a time when theres much global uncertainty, Alaska is speaking with the voice that is in one sense pleading between our two greatest powers, our government the United States and the Canadian government, to come together, to work together amicably, to resolve the tariff situation in a way that shows the respect for territorial sovereignty of both nations, and in a way that recognizes how urgently we need this relationship, said House Majority Leader Chuck Kopp, R-Anchorage. Alaska annually exports almost $600 million in goods to Canada while importing more than $750 million from the country, the resolution states. At least 20,300 Alaska jobs rely on ties to Canada, it says. Rep. Andi Story, D-Juneau, noted that Alaska and Canada have social and cultural ties that predate the creation of either country, with Indigenous communities stretching across what is now an international border. If we take care to acknowledge if we continue to exercise mutual respect, support and cooperation, we can more easily resolve the disputes that might arise, and continue to enjoy the manifest benefits of our relationship between Alaska and our good neighbor, Canada, said Rep. Dan Saddler, R-Eagle River. None of the lawmakers who voted against the resolution spoke on the House floor about their decision. After the vote, Rep. Bill Elam, R-Nikiski and one of the no voters, said he didnt think it was appropriate for a state legislature to be dabbling in foreign affairs. HJR 11 has not yet been set for a hearing in the Senate; a similarly written companion resolution is in the Senate Rules Committee. LIMESTONE COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said two people were killed and another was injured in a Tuesday afternoon wreck. ALEA said the single-vehicle wreck happened around 4:05 p.m. on U.S. 72 near Lakeview Street. The agency said 24-year-old Maria Alonzo-Perez from Athens was killed when the Ford Expedition she was driving left the roadway and hit a culvert. After the impact, ALEA said the Ford overturned, hit a sign and multiple trees. She was pronounced dead on the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ALEA also said a 5-year-old was a passenger in the vehicle and was also killed in the accident and was pronounced dead on the scene. The third person in the vehicle was a 6-year-old. ALEA said the child was injured and taken to a local hospital for treatment. There is no word on the extent of this childs injuries. Troopers with ALEAs Highway Patrol Division will continue to investigate this incident. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com. BAMAKO, Mali (AP) Algeria said Tuesday it shot down a military drone near the country's border with Mali in the first incident of its kind during growing tensions between the two countries governing a vast portion of the Sahara. The country's army said in a statement that the armed reconnaissance drone had entered Algerian airspace Monday near Tin Zaouatine, a border town and stronghold for Tuareg separatists opposed to Mali's government. Mali's army acknowledged that one of its drones had crashed in the area, but did not confirm whether it was shot down by Algeria. Rida Lyammouri, a Sahel expert at the Morocco-based Policy Center for the New South, said the shooting down of the drone rather than issuing a warning reflected simmering frustrations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It confirms the serious tensions between the countries and unwillingness and zero tolerance by Algeria to allow the use of its airspace and territory by Malian forces, he said. The incident comes as tensions rise between Algeria and its southern neighbors, including Mali. Algeria once served as a key mediator during more than a decade of conflict between Mali's government and Tuareg rebels. But the two countries have grown apart since a military junta staged coups in 2020 and 2021, putting military personnel in charge of the countrys key institutions. Algeria has denounced the direction that Mali's new government has taken and its expanded efforts to quash rebellion in historically volatile parts of northern Mali. Afraid of conflict spilling over the border, Algerian officials have denounced Mali's use of Russian mercenaries and armed drones near Tin Zaouatine, which is divided by the border separating the two countries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But failures to curb instability in northern Mali have led to the downfall of previous governments and Malis Prime Minister Abdoulaye Maiga addressed the issue in a speech at the United Nations General Assembly last year, promising to respond swiftly to violence in the north. Algeria has one of Africa's largest militaries and has long considered itself a regional power but military leaders in neighboring Mali and Niger have distanced themselves as they've championed autonomy and sought new alliances, including with Russia. Algeria did not specify who the drone it intercepted belonged to. A spokesperson for Mali's army declined to comment when asked about Algeria's alleging that an armed drone had crossed its border, but said the crash didn't hurt anyone or cause property damage. Unverified video circulating on social media showed images of an Akinci drone manufactured by Baykar downed in Tin Zaouatine. Mali purchased at least two from the Turkish company last year and has used them against armed separatists as well as fighters linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group. ___ Associated Press writer Sam Metz in Rabat, Morocco contributed to this report. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) Attorneys for an Iranian student who was detained by immigration officers at his home in Tuscaloosa last week believe his arrest may have been part of a targeted operation. Alireza Doroudi, 32, a doctoral student majoring in mechanical engineering at the University of Alabama, was detained by officials with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement before 5 a.m. March 25 at his off-campus apartment in Tuscaloosa. Doroudi, originally from Iran, is now being held at the Central Louisiana ICE Processing Center in Jena, Louisiana. ICE HSI made this arrest in accordance with the State Departments revocation of Doroudis student visa, an official with the Department of Homeland Security wrote in a statement to CBS 42 at the time. This individual posed significant national security concerns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to The Crimson White, Doroudis visa had allegedly been revoked not long after arriving in the United States in January 2023. He had been reportedly told, however, by UAs International Student and Scholar Services office that he would alright as long as he remained in school. David Rozas, Doroudis attorney, has said his SEVIS and I-20, also known as Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status, were valid and that he was set to graduate next year. Compared to other students, such as Mahmoud Khalil and Rumeysa Ozturk, who have been detained by ICE due to their views on the war in Gaza, Rozas has said that there has been no evidence that Doroudi shared any pro-Hamas stances or took part in any political demonstrations decrying the Israel-Palestine conflict. As of Wednesday, neither ICE or DHS has elaborated on why Doroudi was considered a security concern, nor has he been charged with any crime. Claire Angelle, publicist for Rozas, provided the following answers to questions CBS 42 had about Doroudis case: Has homeland security provided any other information as to why Alireza Doroudi was labeled a national security concern? DHS has not provided a reason as to why Mr. Doroudi would be labeled a national security threat. Does Alireza Doroudi have any tie to pro-Palestinian movements? To our knowledge, Alireza Doroudi does not have ties to pro-Palestinian movements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Have you received any update on his well-being since being transported to the ICE facility in Louisiana, such as is he isolated, in a cell with others, is he able to contact family/friends state side or back home in Iran? Alireza Doroudi is currently detained with others at the detention center in Jena, Louisiana. His attorney, David Rozas, was able to visit him on Sunday, March 30. He is allowed to make phone calls. Is there any indication that Alireza Doroudi will be moved to another facility inside or outside of the country? There is no indication that Alireza Doroudi will be moved to another facility at this point. Has a hearing been set? No hearing has been set. Is there anything that makes this case/arrest unusual/uncommon compared to other immigration cases? His case is notable because ICE came to his home in the middle of the night, suggesting that this may have been a targeted operation. Based on all available information, Mr. Doroudi was compliant with all of the rules and requirements needed in order to maintain his visa status. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CBS 42 reporter Avery Boyce contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42. BEIJING, April 2 (Xinhua) -- China congratulates Dilma Rousseff on her continued role as the president of the New Development Bank, a foreign ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday. It was confirmed last week that Rousseff would remain with the New Development Bank as its president for five more years. When asked for comment, spokesperson Guo Jiakun told a daily press briefing that China congratulates Rousseff and appreciates the important role that the New Development Bank has played in promoting relevant development and cooperation. "China will, as usual, continue to support President Dilma Rousseff in fulfilling her duty and the New Development Bank in playing a greater role," Guo said. SCOTTSVILLE, Ky. (FOX 56) An Allen County Schools staff member has been charged after a student was reportedly shown nude images in the classroom. On Tuesday, April 1, a student reported that 25-year-old Kerston Raines showed them text messages between Raines and another high school teacher that contained nude photos of both staff members. Read more of the latest Kentucky news In an interview with the Allen County Sheriffs Office, Raines allegedly admitted to exchanging pictures of each others private areas with a male teacher. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to an arrest citation, Raines laptop syncs with her cellphone, and she often leaves it open. Students also reportedly would have had the opportunity to use Raines cellphone to choose music to listen to in class and may have accessed the images either way. She allegedly told the deputy she did not show the student these pictures intentionally. In a statement, Allen County Schools Superintendent Travis Hamby said Raines would be placed on leave pending further investigation. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are aware of a situation involving an employee of Allen County Schools. The district takes such matters seriously and is currently gathering information. While the individual has not yet been available for comment, the employee will be placed on leave pending further investigation, in accordance with district policies. Because this is a personnel matter, and out of respect for the individuals rights and due process, we are unable to provide additional details at this time, Hamby wrote. Raines was charged with distribution of obscene matter to minors and lodged in the Allen County Detention Center. Jail records show she was released on Tuesday after posting 10% of a $10,000 cash bond. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News. PICKENS COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) Firefighters continued to battle the Table Rock Complex fire in Pickens and Greenville counties on Tuesday. Although progress has been made, the South Carolina Forestry Commission (SCFC) said theres still a long way to go. As of Tuesday evening, the Table Rock Fire is 30% contained and the Persimmon fire is 74% contained. Officials said rainfall over the weekend helped, but theres more work to be done. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were not going to just leave, you know, as soon as the fires cold and everything is secure, because were very concerned about making sure we dont have an impact and negative impact on the watershed, said Russell Hubright with the SCFC. [The] Table Rock Reservoir is extremely important. According to the SCFC, there is a fire break around the vast majority of the Table Rock fire and all the way around the Persimmon Ridge fire. Crews will spend rest of the week making sure firebreaks are complete. Teens arrested in connection to Table Rock wildfire Once these firebreaks are constructed, most of them by dozers, bulldozers, but then some strictly by hand lines by tools and men and women just digging lines, Hubright said. We want that fire break to be about 12 to 15 feet wide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crews will also expose bare mineral dirt to get rid of heat near the fire line. Then the next phase is the mop up phase, where we may go as far as 100 feet in from the edge of the firebreak and taking the material that is smoldering and maybe taking a rake or some kind of tool, turning it over, spraying water on it, which we get from several sources, explained Hubright. Pilots are using drones with infrared technology to show firefighters where pockets of heat are located. Several fire information boards scattered across Pickens County pinpoint where the fire is contained, road closures and smoke outlook. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are definitely some human impacts from this wildfire, especially this size, Hubright continued. I mean it costs lots of money to contain and control, but there are some positive impacts on the ecosystem. Were hoping most of the impacts from this wildfire will be positive but it still remains to be seen. The South Carolina Forestry Commission said evacuations are now voluntary in Pickens and Greenville County, but urged people to stay aware of any changes in the fires conditions. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS. Amazon has made a late bid to purchase TikTok, a person familiar with the ongoing White House-led discussions to identify a non-Chinese buyer for the social media app told NBC News. The bid, first reported by The New York Times, arrived this week, via a letter to Vice President JD Vance and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. Given the last-minute timing, days before a Saturday deadline to stave off a ban of the app in the U.S., the bid is not being treated as serious, said the source, who was granted anonymity to share details of private negotiations. A spokesperson for Amazon declined to comment. A representative for Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Donald Trump was expected to weigh TikTok offers Wednesday during an Oval Office meeting with Vance, Lutnick and other high-ranking administration officials. Trump has tapped Vance and national security adviser Michael Waltz to lead the effort to resolve TikToks fate. If and when there is an announcement on TikTok, it will come from President Trump, a White House official said Wednesday. The app has been in limbo in the U.S. since last year, when then-President Joe Biden signed bipartisan legislation that forced its Chinese-based owner, ByteDance, to sell it to a non-Chinese buyer or face a nationwide ban. No such deal came to fruition, and Trump extended the deadline through an executive order he signed on his first day in office, effectively giving TikTok until Saturday, April 5, to find a solution that would keep it online. ByteDance, which has said it did not plan to sell, still has not publicly confirmed talks with any buyers or officially stated that it is willing to sell TikTok. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement White House officials and Vance aides have kept a close hold on details of the TikTok talks, with the full slate of potential buyers or partners remaining a mystery. And despite Wednesdays scheduled meeting, there was no sign of an imminent deal. Trump, for his part, has expressed a willingness to extend the deadline again if an agreement is not reached by Saturday. Thats an outcome Vance has said he would like to avoid. But the vice president acknowledged in an interview with NBC News last month that while the broad contours of a TikTok deal could be in place by the deadline, the finer points might take longer to reconcile. Typically, some of these deals that are much smaller and involve much less capital take months to close, Vance, who worked in venture capital before entering politics as a U.S. senator from Ohio, said at the time. Were trying to close this thing by early April. I think that the outlines of this thing will be very clear. The question is whether we can get all the paper done. Bipartisan efforts to ban the app date back to Trump's first presidential term, during which he tried unsuccessfully to ban TikTok. Since then, the president has shifted his stance. While running for a nonconsecutive second term last year, Trump shared a viral video on the platform in which he said he was going to "save TikTok." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement TikTok had challenged the potential ban, but the Supreme Court upheld it in the final days of the Biden administration. The app briefly went dark in the U.S. just before Trumps inauguration, but restored service after the president signaled he would review the ban. Earlier this week, Trump appeared confident that there would be a deal. "We have a lot of potential buyers," he told reporters. "There's tremendous interest in TikTok. The decision is going to be my decision. TikTok is, it's very interesting, and a lot of people want to buy it." Suitors that have expressed interest in acquiring the app include the likes of Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, who joined billionaire investor Frank McCourts bid; artificial intelligence search engine startup Perplexity AI; and Steven Mnuchin, treasury secretary in the first Trump administration. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Originally appeared on E! Online Get ready with me to see who could buy TikTok. Ahead of President Donald Trumps April 5 deadline for ByteDance, the popular social media apps Chinese owner, to sell their U.S. operations to an approved buyer, Jeff Bezos company Amazon has emerged as a potential customer, a person familiar with the ongoing discussions told NBC News. The online retailers bid was sent in a letter addressed to Vice President JD Vance and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, but, given that it was submitted only days before the deadline, their offer is not being treated as serious, per the insider. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If a deal is not made with a non-Chinese buyer before the April 5 deadline, TikTok is likely to be banned in the U.S, though the president has hinted at a possible extension, according to the outlet. The app briefly went dark in January after the company did not adhere to legislation passed under former president Joe Biden last year, though Trump extended ByteDances deadline on his first day in office, resuming the apps operations hours after the ban went into effect. More from E! Online Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And though its unclear if Amazon could take over the video app, the president noted that he would like to see TikTok remain alive and is confident a deal will be made with a buyer. We have a lot of potential buyers, Trump told reporters March 30. Theres tremendous interest in TikTok. Commenting that the final decision is going to be my decision, he added, TikTok is very interesting. A lot of people want to buy it. Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto/Shutterstock; Jaque Silva/NurPhoto/Shutterstock Despite the presidents confidence that a deal could be reached by his April 5 deadline, Vance has noted that more intricate details of a plan could take longer to hash out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Typically, some of these deals that are much smaller and involve much less capital take months to close, he told NBC News March 14. Were trying to close this thing by early April. I think that the outlines of this thing will be very clear. The question is whether we can get all the paper done. (E! and NBC News are both part of the NBCUniversal family.) For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App The founder of OnlyFans has made a last-minute offer to buy TikTok competing with a bid from Amazon days before President Donald Trumps Saturday deadline, according to reports. Tim Stokely founder of OnlyFans made a bid through his startup Zoop at the eleventh hour to acquire the popular app, Reuters reported. The offer was made in partnership with cryptocurrency company The Hbar Foundation. The details of the bid arent immediately clear. The offer represents a David vs. Goliath moment against traditional social media giants by endorsing a creator-first revolution, Zoop said in a statement shared with Wired. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amazon also offered to acquire the social media platform Wednesday in a letter addressed to Vice President J.D. Vance and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, the New York Times reported. A source familiar with the matter confirmed to The Independent that Amazon made a bid for TikTok. Those involved in talks to find a new owner for the app do not appear to be taking the bid seriously, the outlet reported. Amazon declined to comment when contacted by The Independent. Days before Trump took office in January, the Supreme Court upheld a law forcing the short-form video app beloved by 170 million users to either divest from its China-based parent company ByteDance or face a ban in the United States due to national security concerns. On his first day in the White House, the president signed an executive order granting a 75-day reprieve to allow his administration todetermine the appropriate course of action. That deadline is Saturday (April 5). Now, his administration is finalizing plans for a long list of potential investors and venture capital firms that includes investment management company Blackstone and software giant Oracle, CBS News reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump and other officials including Vance, Lutnick, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard are set to hold a meeting on Wednesday in the Oval Office to discuss the apps future, the outlet reported. The details of the final proposal are not immediately clear. President Donald Trump is said to be considering a final proposal regarding the future of TikTok, days before the April 5 deadline (REUTERS) "We have a lot of potential buyers. There's a lot of interest in TikTok. The decision is going to be my decision, the president said over the weekend. "I'd like to see TikTok remain alive." If a deal is not reached by April 5, Trump has suggested he would extend the deadline. Hes even suggested lowering tariffs on goods imported from China if Beijing agrees to sell the app. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A number of deals have been put forward in recent months. Artificial intelligence startup Perplexity AI proposed merging with ByteDance in January, the Associated Press reported. The proposal would have allowed the federal government to own up to a 50 percent stake in the new company. Kevin OLeary, a businessman of Shark Tank fame, and Frank McCourt, an entrepreneur and founder of Project Liberty, also made a formal offer to buy the social media platform in January. The pair, alongside a group of investors, promised to to collect less data on users. Kevin OLeary, of Shark Tank fame, offered to buy the app alongside Frank McCourt, an entrepreneur and founder of Project Liberty. (Getty Images) Also that month, MrBeast, a YouTuber sensation whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, made a bid, alongside a group of investors, to preserve the app. The details of the offer were not made public at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I just got out of a meeting with a bunch of billionaires, he said on the app. TikTok, we mean business...We have an offer ready for you, we want to buy the platform, America deserves TikTok. Last month, Oracle "accelerated" talks with the White House about purchasing the app, Politico reported. The company would oversee American users data and ensure the Chinese government doesnt have access to it, a source familiar with the discussions told the outlet. We're hearing a lot of confidence from the Trump administration about getting a deal done by the deadline, which is odd considering how little we know about the specifics and how complicated the terms are likely to be, Damian Rollison, director of market insights at SOCi, said in a statement shared with The Independent. If ByteDance was willing to divest TikTok in the U.S., why didn't they make a deal months ago when they were in a better position to dictate terms? Rollison added that he believes the app wont be banned in the U.S.: Regardless, I think it's fairly safe to place bets on TikTok remaining available to U.S. users in one form or another, which will be welcomed as positive news by its large and still growing audience, who utilize TikTok for everything from connecting with friends to following the news and shopping for products. The Independent has asked the White House for comment. Apr. 1---- Bronze sculptures of Raymond Fagen and 11 other infantrymen charging out of a Higgins' boat and onto Utah Beach on D-Day provided a dramatic backdrop for James A. LaCoursiere Jr. and the quiet, to-the-heart message he usually delivers in the more subdued surroundings of Legion halls across the country. "Together we can and will destigmatize mental health," LaCoursiere, national commander of the , told more than 100 Legion members and guests at the Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement in Granite Falls on Friday. "My brothers and sisters, it is OK to not be OK as long as we are there for one another." His visit Friday was sponsored by American Legion Post 69 in Granite Falls. He spoke the preceding night in as the guest of Legion Post 271. The national commander has been speaking to veterans across the country to promote the Legion's "Be the One" mission to prevent veteran suicide. Each day, an average of more than 17 veterans take their lives in the U.S., according to a report released in 2024 by the . Veterans are at a 58% higher risk of suicide than those who have not served, according to the VA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Suicide is the second leading cause of death among post-9/11 veterans. LaCoursiere told his audience that he often starts by reciting a few of the key words that describe the hidden wounds suffered by some: post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, depression, loneliness, under-educated, unemployed and homelessness. "We need to be there for one another. We should always be there for one another," LaCoursiere said. His message for veterans is to use their compassion and listen to those expressing their distress. Whether talking in person or on the phone, "We need to be with them, locked in with them during that moment," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The national commander also emphasized to his audience that the American Legion is very much "all in" when it comes to protecting veterans' health care and other benefits from any federal budget cuts. "We care. We truly care and we are committed 110%. We're all in to make sure nothing happens there are no reductions to VA health care and your VA benefits. " ... We are on top of it," he said. "You may not hear the American Legion turning around and throwing out weekly messages and that's because we're making it clear with . We want to work with Congress." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added, "We also want Congress to be aware we will not allow any cuts or delays when it comes to veterans' health care or any reductions with our benefits." He encouraged his audience to use their voices and let their state and federal elected officials know their opposition to any cuts. After his address, LaCoursiere told the he has heard talk about cuts to veterans' health care and benefits, "but we're not going by hearsay and not acting on hearsay." He said he has had assurances from members of Congress that there will not be cuts to veterans. "We're staying on top of it. The Washington, D.C., staff is keeping me appraised daily," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LaCoursiere has been serving as national commander for the American Legion since Aug. 29, 2024. He is a U.S. Air Force veteran and prior state commander in Connecticut, where he is a member of American Legion Post 91 in Moosup. In welcoming the national commander, Steve Midthun, commander of Post 69 in Granite Falls, told the audience that he was only four months into his role. His start was challenging. The local post was dealing with a number of issues, including the death of its club manager, he said. When the state adjutant called unexpectedly, and started talking about a visit by the national commander, Midthun said he thought: "What the hell have we done now?" He turned to Ron and Diane Fagen about the possibility of hosting the commander at the Fagen Fighters Museum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "From the day we talked about it, it was 'what can we do for you,'" said Midthun while thanking his hosts. The museum, which opened in 2012, hosts thousands of visitors annually who come to tour four large hangars housing pristine World War II aircraft and equipment. The museum honors the memory of Ron Fagen's father, Raymond, who died in 2010 at age 91. Ray Fagen was part of the 4th Infantry which landed on Utah Beach on D-Day, June 6, 1944. Ray Fagen returned home with three battle stars for his role in the Invasion of Normandy, the Liberation of Paris and Battle of the Bulge. He received a Purple Heart for injuries suffered while fighting in Belgium. The Granite Falls museum's D-Day exhibit of the charging infantrymen includes sand from Utah Beach, and is situated in front of a wall-sized mural of the invasion created by the nationally known artist Dave Reiser. This isnt what Americans voted for. Everybody says this when Donald Trump does something stupid or awful. My friend Jonah Goldberg says it from time to time. John Bolton said it on a recent edition of the Dispatch Podcast. With all due respect to my friends and colleagues and for their desire to take a charitable view of their fellow citizens, and with equally due contempt for Rolling Stone et al.: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baloney. Americans are not stupid: Americans know damned good and well that whom were voting for is what were voting for. We do not have the excuse of ignorance or stupidity. And Americans are not timid little weaklings pushed into a corner by the big bad world and forced to turn to an erratic would-be caudillo to protect us from Canada and Denmark. On any given Monday morning, a comfortable majority of the worlds 100 most valuable companiesand 30-odd of the worlds 50 most valuable companiesare U.S. firms. (Saudi Aramco sneaks in at No. 6, Taiwan Semiconductor at No. 9, and Tencent at No. 16; Europe doesnt show up until LVMH down at No. 27.) The United States has 4.2 percent of the worlds population and 26 percent of the worlds economic output. The United States has more military resources than the rest of the top 10 players combined. The annual revenue of the 20 largest U.S.-based companies easily exceeds the GDP of any country except China or the United States itself. Sweden, Ireland, and the United Arab Emirates are rich countries, and none has an economy as large as Walmarts annual revenue. If CVS were a country, it would be a crappy countrybut its economy would be larger than Egypts. Our economy, already gigantic, has been outperforming supposed peers for decades and currently is growing at three times the rate of the United Kingdom and more than twice as fast as those of Canada, Switzerland, or France. We have more nuclear weapons ready to go than any other country in the world, more people than any country except China and India. We have about 6 percent of the worlds land but 30 percent of its wealth, more than all of Europe and Japan combined. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the United States cannot afford to act like a decent country, then no country can. And perhaps that nihilismthe conviction that human decency is too expensiveis what is at the heart of Trumpism and its hold over both the Republican Party and a large enough share of the U.S. population to win elections. Trump was not elected to help peopleeconomic growth during the first Trump administration was exactly the same as it was in the Obama years (please apply the usual caveats about presidents and economic performance) and less than during the Biden, George W. Bush, or Clinton administrations. American farmers were even reduced to taking supplementary federal handouts because Trumps idiotic trade wars wrecked their export markets. That isnt what help looks like. Trump was elected to hurt people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The creed of cruelty is nearly universal among Trump loyalists. Of course, they dont put it that way, but ask them and they will tell you the truth in spite of themselves: Trump was elected by people who resent this or that group for its status, its wealth, its influence, its political power, its class condescension, etc., and electing Trumpagainwas a way to get back at them, the media, elites, etc. Nobody voted for Trump for policy reasons, because he has no policies, only tantrums. Nobody voted for Trump for philosophical reasons, because he has no philosophy beyond, I am your retribution. The excitable ladies and gentlemen over at The Daily Wire sell Leftist Tears mugs, and theres a reason for that. The tearsof our fellow Americans, wrongheaded though they may be in their politicsare what this is all about. Forget policythose tears are the deliverable, the only one that really matters. It is timewell past timeto stop making excuses for Americans: for Americans cruelty, for Americans selfishness, for Americans childish insistence on being led by their resentment and by their lowest instincts. Trump did not trick Americans into electing himthere never has been, and never could be, any question about what sort of man he is: What else could you make of a thrice-married serial bankrupt borderline illiterate fantasist who before the presidency was best known for having appeared in a reality show franchise, a short string of pornographic films, and however many pro-wrestling programs? What new depths are there to be plunged by Donald Trump, who ended his last term in office with an attempted coup detat? From 2017 to 2021, the Trump administration offered a clown-car parade of lying, lawlessness, incompetence, imbecility, corruption, cruelty, kookery, cowardice, and so much whining that youd think theyd be sick of whining even though they werent. There was nobody eligible to vote in 2024 who wasnt walking the Earth in the first Trump administration. This is what they voted for. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of course Trump wants to imitate Vladimir Putin, with Canada and/or Greenland and/or Panama as his Ukraine; of course hes already talking about a third termif Xi Jinping can be president of China for life, then Trump must at least be able to violate the constitutional limit on terms to keep up; of course he is openly using his position to enrich his family and his cronies through dodgy crypto nonsensePutin is rumored to be possibly the wealthiest man in the world and he didnt get that way from savvy investments in tech startups; of course Trump is locking people up without any regard for due process or any other aspect of the lawthat is how the men he thinks of as his peers do it, and he himself is, let us not forget, a literal criminal. Elect a game show host, get a game show host. Elect a criminal, get a criminal. Elect a coup plotter, get a coup plotter. And, as a bonus, you also get an administration full of sycophants and henchmen who are themselves criminals and coup plotters and others who are simply comfortable working with criminals and coup- plotters and maybe prefer to do so. No amount of Fox News bluster or National Review turd-polishing is going to change that. Thems the facts, as plain and as visible as the sun. Americans are not children. Americans are not mentally disabled. Americans are whole and complete human beings, and, as voters, they are morally culpable for the decisions they makeespecially when they make that decision twice. And as Americans look out into the worldor look inward with honest eyeswe may begin to appreciate that the fundamental problem isnt that our country is reviled under the current administrationthe problem is that it deserves to be. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As somebody wrote way back in May 2016: You asked for this. And you got what you asked for. Read more at The Dispatch The Dispatch is a new digital media company providing engaged citizens with fact-based reporting and commentary, informed by conservative principles. Sign up for free. Edesia, a Rhode Island-based company that makes PlumpyNut packets of specially fortified and highly caloric peanut butter paste that saves the lives of severely malnourished babies and children recently laid off 10% of its staff and even briefly paused production altogether for more than two weeks. Its CEO says they are having serious cash flow problems. In Georgia, MANA Nutrition a plant that produces similar Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food, or RUTF, packets of peanut butter is leaning heavily on a line of credit from Bank of America to stay afloat for the time being, according to the companys founder. Neither company has gotten paid by the US Agency for International Development in months not since the last quarter of 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are irreparably breaking a good system for no particular reason, said Mark Moore, MANAs CEO and co-founder. And the impact on children its not at all dramatic to say that its going to cost, at the very least, tens of thousands of lives. Edesia and MANA are among the scores of organizations grappling with canceled USAID contracts and little to no payment from the agency. Both Edesia and MANA had their USAID contracts canceled before they were reinstated; for MANA, the cancellation was rescinded after Elon Musk personally weighed in. USAID, spurred by a court ruling, has begun issuing payments to other organizations but those payments have been sporadic and minimal. This May 2024 photo from the US Agency for International Development shows a worker handling RUTF at the MANA Nutrition Factory in Fitzgerald, Georgia. - US Agency for International Development A federal judge has ordered USAID to pay out contracts and grants for all foreign assistance work done by mid-February. However, processing those payments has been slow going, and as of a March 27 court filing, more than 6,000 payments still needed to be processed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The payment issues are among the many consequences of the Trump administrations efforts to abruptly shut down USAID and dramatically restructure foreign aid. The combination of the US governments sweeping freeze on foreign aid in late January, mass reductions in USAID staff, and thousands of contract terminations had already caused a significant impact even for aid groups that are still supposed to be receiving money. Some of those same groups are owed money for work done before the freeze. The administrations move to shutter the agency by July is expected to further exacerbate the consequences. The respective CEOs of Edesia and MANA Nutrition, Navyn Salem and Moore, told CNN in recent days that they can only guess when they might next get paid by USAID for the hundreds of thousands of boxes of lifesaving peanut butter paste they have already produced for the government agency. Their contacts at USAID who, according to Salem and Moore, were initially fired or put on leave before eventually being brought back to work can no longer provide them with any clear answers. Other humanitarian organizations have similarly struggled to get answers as USAID has been gutted and their usual points of contacts are cut off from the internal systems. They fear this will only get worse as the vast majority of USAID personnel are expected to lose their jobs as the Trump administration moves to abolish the agency and fold it under the State Department. Fewer than 900 USAID direct-hire employees remained on the job as of March 21, according to another notice from the agency to Congress. USAID said in a letter sent to Congress last week that it issued more than $250 million in payments between March 10 and March 21. However, sources who spoke to CNN said payments to aid groups have trickled in if they have arrived at all. Several humanitarian officials told CNN they are still owed money for work they had completed. Former US Agency for International Development employees terminated after the Trump administration dismantled the agency collect their personal belongings at the USAID headquarters on February 27 in Washington, DC. - Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images One humanitarian official said their organization has received so little its basically nothing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They need to start issuing significant payments for existing lifesaving programs or organizations wont be able to continue, they told CNN. An association that represents humanitarian aid contractors has heard from the more than 70 groups they represent that they are getting paid in dribs and drabs, a source familiar said. Another humanitarian official said if they dont get paid, even for grants that have not been terminated, their organization cannot continue their programs. We might have to shut them down proactively simply because we cannot pay salaries or rent, they told CNN. Because of slow payment or funding cuts, many humanitarian organizations have had to furlough or lay off staff. Nearly 19,000 American jobs have been lost and more than 166,000 global jobs have been lost, according to USAID Stop Work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A State Department spokesperson confirmed to CNN that between March 10 and March 21, 2025, USAID disbursed a total of over $257 million, which equates to approximately $25 million per business day. This work continues, as does streamlining the previously problematic and fragmented payment structure, the spokesperson said. Even if payments are made, it is not enough to fully stem the impact of USAIDs dismantlement. Some of the damage is irreparable, the first humanitarian official said. There are so many layers of impact. We can rehire, but trust with communities and some governments is broken. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No one will think of the US as a sure thing anymore, they told CNN. With the suspension of assistance and stop-work orders put in place in late January, efforts to combat infectious diseases like tuberculosis and to treat people, including children, with HIV/AIDS have been stymied. Local employees who worked with nonprofit organizations abroad may now be at risk in countries where affiliation with the US makes them a target. Moore, the MANA CEO, said his organization is making contingency plans for USAID potentially never returning to the equation, including by reaching out directly to nongovernmental organizations that could partner in distributing his companys packets of peanut butter. Were scrounging hard to drum up partners who could go around the USAID system, he said. Its a stopgap idea, but planning long term will be hard. CNNs Tierney Sneed contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. (WKBN/WHTM) Some among Pennsylvanias Amish community are concerned that someone may be targeting them, after two buggies were held up at gunpoint, according to State Police. Last Thursday evening, there was an armed robbery. A vehicle stopped an Amish buggy, pulled up in front of him, pulled him over and by gunpoint, he robbed an Amish man, took his wallet, Susan Hougelman, a tour operator who runs Simple Life Amish Tours in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania, told Nexstars WKBN. While State Police were at the scene, they learned of a similar incident that also involved a small black sedan and an Amish buggy, according to Nexstars WHTM. The sedan drove up next to the buggy and the cars driver ordered them to stop and hand over their wallet, the would-be victim told investigators. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The driver of the buggy refused, however, and the suspect drove off. Stagflation whiffs are back but what does it mean? In both cases police described the suspect as a male with dark clothes and a medical mask. Hougelman said she believes the buggies were targeted. Theres no one else going to be driving an Amish buggy but an Amish person so I think they were targeting the Amish, Hougelman said. To help her Amish friends, Hougelman started a social media campaign with the slogan I Stand With Our Amish Community. I wanted them to, the Amish community, to know that we do support them and we are going to be out there, Hougelman said. And I think, primarily, people in the United States know the Amish are such a peace-loving, kind group of people and they definitely want to support and help the Amish. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hougelman also wants people to be alert if theyre driving around New Wilmington and, if they see something suspicious, to call the police. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. NEW YORK, April 1 (Xinhua) -- Princeton University said Tuesday the Trump administration froze funding for research grants to the school, making it the latest Ivy League institution whose federal support has been cut or reduced. Princeton President Chris Eisgruber said the New Jersey-based school received notices that U.S. agencies were ending "several dozen" research grants, The Wall Street Journal and NBC News reported. "The full rationale for this action is not yet clear," he said in an email to students and staffers. The pause came from multiple U.S. government agencies, including the Energy Department, the Defense Department and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Eisgruber said that his university will comply with the law and that it is committed to fighting antisemitism and other forms of discrimination. "Princeton will also vigorously defend academic freedom and the due process rights of this University," he added. The White House has recently cut funding for several Ivy League schools, including Harvard and Columbia, to demand an investigation into allegations of antisemitism related to last year's campus protests against Israel's strikes in the Gaza Strip. On Monday, the administration opened a review of nearly 9 billion U.S. dollars of Harvard University's federal grants and contracts as part of its investigation, The Wall Street Journal reported. Columbia University was also canceled last month 400 million dollars by the government in grants and contracts over antisemitism concerns. By Devjyot Ghoshal and Panu Wongcha-um BANGKOK (Reuters) -Myanmar's deadliest natural disaster in years has strengthened the position of ruling general, Min Aung Hlaing, by opening diplomatic channels closed for four years after his junta ousted an elected government to unleash a brutal civil war. Just before last week's earthquake of magnitude 7.7 that killed almost 2,900 people, the junta chief was readying for a rare foreign visit to a regional summit in Thailand, as aides worked the phones to arrange meetings with other leaders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the devastation at home, Myanmar state television reported the visit would go ahead, with Min Aung Hlaing set to arrive in Thailand on Thursday ahead of the BIMSTEC grouping's summit in Bangkok on Friday. The visit, timed just after an outpouring of sympathy following the quake, is a step towards potentially ending his isolation by most world leaders over a war that displaced 3.5 million people and decimated the economy. "The junta knows that regional powers jostling for influence in Myanmar, like India, China, and Russia would want to use this opportunity to strengthen their own toehold in the country," said Angshuman Choudhury, an analyst based in Singapore. "By publicly and directly engaging with regional capitals, it can demonstrate its supposed indispensability as Myanmar's primary public authority." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A junta spokesman did not respond to telephone calls from Reuters to seek comment. In the days since the earthquake, Min Aung Hlaing has spoken with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim - conversations that have led to a flurry of international aid. Just weeks after the junta reaffirmed plans for a general election in December, one of the impoverished nation's strongest earthquakes in a century has opened a new window for its leader to engage with regional powers. The junta had steadily lost ground in the conflict sparked by the 2021 coup, suffering a string of battlefield defeats and piling unprecedented pressure on Min Aung Hlaing himself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Key allies such as China have backstopped the junta, with efforts such as pushing major anti-junta groups to stop fighting, but even Beijing had not entirely embraced the embattled general. He did not get an audience with Xi when he visited China in November for the first time since the coup, for example. But during a state visit to Moscow last month, Min Aung Hlaing held court with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, one of his earliest backers after the coup. "I would think he's getting like everything he ever dreamt of and more right now," said a diplomatic source in the commercial capital of Yangon, referring to the Moscow visit, the telephone call with Modi and a meeting of the ASEAN grouping. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "He's back in the circle. He has a seat at the table." However, the junta is doing what it can to benefit from the crisis and deny assistance to civilians and opposition groups, said a second diplomatic source in the country. Millions of dollars in aid, relief supplies and hundreds of rescue workers from countries such as China, India, Russia and Southeast Asia, have flooded Myanmar since the quake, though the junta keeps up military operations despite ceasefire calls. The junta could exploit the crisis to strengthen its position in Myanmar's battlefield, Choudhury added. "The quake will complicate the resistance's fight and its ability to retain support from the local population." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement TIGHTROPE WALK Some regime hardliners believe the junta can continue with the help of a handful of allies, said Sihasak Phuangketkeow, a former Thai vice minister for foreign affairs who visited Myanmar last month. "They see the world order as shifting, and that there is a new pole with China, Russia and India," Sihasak told Reuters. "They think Myanmar may be able to thrive without other engagement." During the BIMSTEC summit, Min Aung Hlaing would get a further opportunity for diplomatic validation, such as more engagement with India and Thailand. BIMSTEC, or the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation, comprises Thailand, Myanmar, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bhutan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "What I got from my recent trip was that Min Aung Hlaing doesn't want to be just under China only," said Sihasak. "It is about how we can assert our own position. We should not let this opportunity to engage Myanmar slip by." In Bangkok, the junta chief could meet Modi, who has rushed aid and personnel to Myanmar since the quake, said three sources with knowledge of discussions. "Modi, particularly, has already indicated that he is willing to directly engage," said Choudhury, referring to the two leaders' call. The visit may also give Min Aung Hlaing a chance to meet Thaksin Shinawatra, the former Thai prime minister whom Malaysia's Anwar appointed a personal adviser in his capacity as chairman of ASEAN. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some analysts say Thailand is walking a tightrope by giving legitimacy to Min Aung Hlaing as he battles the armed resistance which has eroded his grip on Myanmar. "There's a nasty, brutal, violent civil war," said Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a political scientist at Chulalongkorn University. "Thailand has to be very careful because it has a long border with Myanmar and lots at stake." (Reporting by Devjyot Ghoshal and Panu Wongcha-Um in Bangkok; Additional reporting by Shivam Patel in New Delhi; Editing by Clarence Fernandez) By James Oliphant and Jeff Mason WASHINGTON (Reuters) -In just 10 weeks in office, Donald Trump has imposed his will on perceived adversaries in business, politics, the media and allied nations by leveraging power in ways no other modern U.S. president has tried. His administration has sought the arrest and deportation of student protesters, withheld federal funds from colleges, ostracized law firms tied to his political opponents, threatened judges and tried to pressure journalists. At the same time Trump has downsized the federal government dramatically and purged it of workers who could stand in his way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Central to this effort has been Trump's use of policy-making executive orders to target opponents as never before. He has been unafraid to employ lawsuits, public threats and the power of the federal purse to bring institutions to heel. What unites all these efforts is Trump's desire to shut down every potential source of resistance to the MAGA agenda and to his personal power, said Peter Shane, a law professor at New York University. Some targets have rushed to placate the president, a few have fought back and many are still trying to figure out how to respond. Many of Trump's actions are being challenged in courts, where some judges have tried to slow him down. The stunning speed and breadth of the Republican presidents actions have caught Democrats, public-service unions, CEOs and the legal profession off guard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump's supporters say he is simply using the full reach of his presidency to achieve the goals he set as a candidate. "He's laid out these broad battle lines, whether it's with people that he thinks have tried to ruin him personally, whether it's with people he thinks have tried to ruin Western civilization," said Republican strategist Scott Jennings, a longtime adviser to Senator Mitch McConnell. "Everything he said he was going to do on the campaign, he's doing." Trump's aims are not just political. His actions show he wants to reorder American society with an all-powerful executive at the top, where financial, political and cultural institutions carry his stamp and where opposition is either co-opted or curtailed. With a compliant Congress controlled by his party and a U.S. Supreme Court dominated by conservatives, Trump is operating with fewer checks on his power than any of his modern-day predecessors. Trump has attempted to subdue and cajole his adversaries on an almost-daily basis, backed by the fearsome might of the law enforcement and regulatory agencies at his command. He has often succeeded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He managed to wring concessions out of several of his targets, including storied Columbia University, powerful law firms and corporate titans such as Meta and Disney. All of them settled with the White House rather than endure the pressure, surrendering some independence and setting what some view as damaging precedents. Others are taking preemptive measures to avoid Trump's wrath. More than 20 of America's largest companies and financial firms, including Goldman Sachs, Google and PepsiCo, have rolled back diversity programs that had drawn Trump's ire. Three law firms cut deals with the administration rather than risk losing their lawyers security clearances, access to government buildings and perhaps, as a result, clients, while three others targeted by Trump's executive orders sued in response. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump's orders have also been his vehicle to remake the government, deport alleged Venezuelan gang members with little due process and levy tariffs against U.S. trading partners. He has sued U.S. media corporations and silenced the Voice of America, taken control of the Kennedy Center, a leading arts facility, and sought to put curbs on the Smithsonian Institution, whose mission is to chronicle history. His administration has detained student protesters whose political views it says are a threat to the country. Trump has pushed a mineral-rights deal on Ukraine's leadership with the veiled threat of ending U.S. support for Kyiv in the Russian war in Ukraine. He has threatened NATO ally Denmark to try to wrest control of Greenland, spoken of annexing Canada and threatened to take the Panama Canal back from its home country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement TAILORED STRIKES Mark Zaid, a Washington lawyer who represents whistleblowers against the federal government and who himself had his security clearance stripped away by Trump, said the presidents conduct is like nothing he has seen in his 30-year career. Executive orders have never been designed to specifically target individuals nor non-government actors for purposes of retaliation or retribution, Zaid said. The White House and Trump's allies deny the president is acting out of revenge. A White House spokesman said more traditional approaches have failed to bring meaningful change. Unconventional is precisely what the American people voted for when they elected President Trump," White House spokesman Harrison Fields said. "The president is committed to upending the entrenched bureaucracy." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his first term from 2017-2021, Trump was hamstrung by a variety of factors: a federal probe into Russian interference, his aides' lack of experience and greater Democratic opposition in Congress. With those roadblocks gone, an emboldened Trump has demonstrated at the start of his second term that he has learned how to use the resources available to him more fully to get what he wants. "He really does know how to pull the levers of power this time, more so than last time," said Rina Shah, a Republican strategist. Claire Wofford, a political science professor at the College of Charleston, said Trump has used executive orders not only to push forward a policy agenda, but also to send messages to his political base, as in his attempt to scale back birthright citizenship, and to test the limits of his power, as with his invocation of an 18th-century law to designate some migrants as "alien enemies." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What strikes me most at this point is how strategic Trump is - but in new ways, Wofford said. FUNDING AND LITIGATION In cases such as with Columbia University, Trump has used the federal purse as a cudgel, concluding his targets have financial interests that make them vulnerable to coercion. In other cases, he has used the courts, forcing companies such as Disney and Meta into favorable settlements after Trump filed lawsuits against them. CBS News, another Trump lawsuit target, is under pressure to settle its suit because its parent, Paramount, is eager to have its proposed merger with Skydance Media approved by Trump administration regulators. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But not every institution has bent the knee. Many of Trumps actions, particularly those regarding his cuts in government, remain tied up in federal court. In the last two weeks alone, judges have ruled against Trump in matters challenging his deportation policies, attacks against law firms and plans to eliminate government agencies. In response, Trump and his allies have called for judges who rule against the administration to be impeached and drawn a rare rebuke from Chief Justice John Roberts. Walter Olson, a senior fellow at the libertarian CATO Institute, said Trumps attacks on law firms and judges are without precedent and are reminiscent of other nations with authoritarian regimes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Clipping the wings of law firms and the courts," Olson said, "is the behavior of an autocrat." (Reporting by James Oliphant and Jeff MasonEditing by Colleen Jenkins and Howard Goller) When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Here, one of the many statues within the Karnak Temple complex, Luxor, Egypt. | Credit: Julian Kaesler/Getty Images Ancient Egypt in North Africa was one of the most powerful and influential civilizations in the region for over 3,000 years, from around 3100 B.C to 30 B.C. It left behind numerous monuments, documents and works of art that continue to be studied by scholars today. However Egyptian civilization existed long before this period, and it has survived and flourished since. While the civilization's rulers, language, writing, climate, religion and borders have changed many times over the millennia, Egypt still exists as a modern-day country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ancient Egypt was closely connected with other parts of the world, bringing in and exporting goods, religions, food, people and ideas. At times ancient Egypt ruled territory outside the modern-day country's border, controlling territory in what is now Sudan, Cyprus, Lebanon, Syria, Israel and Palestine. The country was also occupied by other powers in ancient times the Persians , Nubians , Greeks and Romans all conquered Egypt at different points. A map of Egypt detailing the Nile, Lower Egypt and Upper Egypt. The cities of Memphis (the capital of ancient Egypt) and Thebes (modern-day Luxor) are highlighted in red. | Credit: PeterHermesFurian via Getty Images A number of names were used for Egypt. A popular ancient name for Egypt was "Kemet," which means the "black land." Scholars generally believe that this name derived from the fertile soil that was left over when the Nile flood receded in August. The Nile flooded between June and August each year, and the fertile soil it created was vital to ancient Egypt's survival, with fertility playing an important role in Egyptian religion. The burial of Tutankhamun in which his penis was mummified is but one example of how important fertility was in the rituals and beliefs of the ancient Egyptians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The country's ancient rulers are referred to today as "pharaohs," although in ancient times they each used a series of names as part of a royal titular, wrote Ronald Leprohon, a professor emeritus of Egyptology at the University of Toronto, in his book " The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary " (Society of Biblical Literature, 2013). The word pharaoh originates from the Egyptian term "per-aa," which means "the Great House," Leprohon wrote. The term was first incorporated into a royal title during the rule of Thutmose III (reign circa. 1479 to 1425 B.C.), Leprohon wrote. Egypt's prehistory Inside the Cave of the Swimmers in Egypt, archaeologists have found prehistoric cave art that some scholars interpret as people swimming. | Credit: John Zada / Alamy When exactly early hominids first arrived in Egypt is unclear. The earliest migration of hominids out of Africa took place almost 2 million years ago, with modern humans dispersing out of Africa about 100,000 years ago. Egypt may have been used to reach Asia in some of these migrations. Villages dependent on agriculture began to appear in Egypt about 7,000 years ago. The civilization's earliest written inscriptions date back about 5,200 years and reveal information about the early rulers of Egypt. These early rulers include Iry-Hor, who, according to the inscriptions, founded Memphis, a city that served as Egypt's capital for much of its history. The inscriptions also document a queen named Neith-Hotep, who ruled as a regent for a young pharaoh named Djer sometime In the late predynastic period. Related: How old is ancient Egypt? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How and when ancient Egypt was united into one kingdom is a matter of debate among archaeologists and historians. One possibility is that a number of smaller states coalesced into two kingdoms Upper and Lower Egypt and then these two kingdoms united. After Egypt was united pharaohs were often depicted wearing two crowns one for Lower Egypt and another for Upper Egypt. Egypt's climate was much wetter in prehistoric times than it is today, and some areas that are now barren desert were once fertile. One famous archaeological site where this can be seen is at the 6,000- to 9,000-year-old rock art at the "cave of swimmers," as it is called today, on the Gilf Kebir plateau in southwest Egypt. The cave is now surrounded by miles of barren desert; however, it has rock art showing what some scholars interpret as people swimming. After this wet period ended around 5,000 years ago , the deserts of Egypt have remained pretty similar to how they are now, Joseph Manning , the William K. and Marilyn Milton Simpson professor of classics at Yale University, previously told Live Science. Egypt's dynasties and pharaohs Here, one of the papyri in the ancient logbook, which documented the construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza. | Credit: Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities Ancient Egypt's history has traditionally been divided into 30 (or sometimes 31) dynasties. However, "the ' dynasties' of Egypt are really just retrospective constructs ," Michael Dee , an associate professor of isotope chronology at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands, previously told Live Science in an email. The Egyptian priest Manetho, who lived during the third century B.C., started the dynasty construct. His accounts of ancient Egyptian history were preserved by ancient Greek writers and, until hieroglyphic writing was deciphered in the 19th century, were among the few historical accounts that scholars could read. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Modern-day scholars often group these dynasties into several periods. Dynasties one and two date back around 5,000 years and are often called the "Early Dynastic" or "Archaic" period. The first pharaoh of the first dynasty was a ruler named Menes (or Narmer, as he is called in Greek). He lived over 5,000 years ago, and while ancient writers sometimes credited him as being the first pharaoh of a united Egypt, however archaeological research suggests that this is not true. Recently found inscriptions tell of rulers such as Djer and Iry-Hor who appear to have ruled earlier and other finds have been made which suggest that there were pharaohs before Menes who ruled a united Egypt . Scholars sometimes refer to these pre-Menes rulers as being part of a "dynasty zero." A Bedouin on a camel by the Pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure at the Giza Necropolis in Egypt. | Credit: Adrian Pope Dynasties three to six date from roughly 2650 to 2150 B.C. and are often grouped together into a time period called the "Old Kingdom" by modern-day scholars. During this time pyramid-building techniques were developed and the pyramids of Giza were built. Papyri that are still being deciphered suggest that groups of professional workers sometimes translated as "work gangs" played a major role in the construction of the pyramids, as well as other structures. From 2150 to 2030 B.C. (a time period that encompassed dynasties seven to 10 and part of 11) the central government in Egypt was weak and the country was often controlled by different regional leaders. Why the Old Kingdom collapsed is a matter of debate among scholars, with research indicating that drought and climate change played a significant role . During this time, cities and civilizations in the Middle East also collapsed, with evidence at archaeological sites indicating that a period of drought and arid climate hit sites across the region. The 12th, 13th and part of the 11th dynasties are often called the "Middle Kingdom" by scholars and lasted from around 2030 to 1640 B.C. At the start of this dynasty, a ruler named Mentuhotep II (who reigned until about 2000 B.C.) regained control of the whole country. Pyramid building resumed in Egypt, and a sizable number of texts of literature and science were created. Among the surviving texts is a document now known as the Edwin Smith surgical papyrus, which records a variety of medical treatments that modern-day medical doctors have hailed as being advanced for their time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dynasties 14 to 17 are often grouped together as the "Second Intermediate Period" by modern-day scholars. During this time, the central government again collapsed in Egypt, and a group called the "Hyksos" rose to power, controlling much of northern Egypt. While the Hyksos may have originally been from the Levant (an area that encompasses modern-day Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan and Syria), research indicates that they were already in Egypt at the time the government collapsed. One gruesome find from this time period is a series of severed hands , which were found at a palace at the city of Avaris, the capital of Hyksos-controlled Egypt. The severed hands may have been presented by soldiers to a ruler in exchange for gold. Scholars often refer to dynasties 18 to 20 as encompassing the "New Kingdom," a period that lasted around 1550 to 1070 B.C. This period took place after the Hyksos had been defeated by a series of Egyptian rulers and the country reunited. Perhaps the most famous archaeological site from the New Kingdom is the Valley of the Kings , which holds the burial sites of many Egyptian rulers from this period, including Tutankhamun (reign circa 1336 to 1327 B.C.), whose rich tomb was found intact in1922. The pharaohs stopped building pyramids during the New Kingdom for a variety of reasons one of which was to provide better security against tomb robbers. The 21st to 24th dynasties (a period from around 1070 to 713 B.C.) are often called the "Third Intermediate Period" by modern-day scholars. The central government was sometimes weak during this time period, and the country was not always united. During this time cities and civilizations across the Middle East had been destroyed by people from the Aegean, whom modern-day scholars sometimes call the "Sea Peoples." While Egyptian rulers claimed to have defeated the Sea Peoples in battle, it didn't prevent Egyptian civilization from collapsing. The loss of trade routes and revenue may have played a role in the weakening of Egypt's central government. A painting depicting the death of Cleopatra. | Credit: Fine Art Images/Heritage Images/Getty Images Dynasties 25 to 31 (from around 712 to 332 B.C.) are often referred to as the "Late Period" by scholars. Egypt was sometimes under the control of foreign powers during this time. The rulers of the 25th dynasty were from Nubia, an area located in modern-day southern Egypt and northern Sudan. The Persians and Assyrians also controlled Egypt at different times during the Late Period. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 332 B.C. Alexander the Great drove the Persians out of Egypt and incorporated the country into the Macedonian Empire. After Alexander the Great's death, a line of rulers descended from Ptolemy Soter, one of Alexander's generals, came to power. The last of these "Ptolemaic" rulers (as scholars often call them) was Cleopatra VII , who died by suicide in 30 B.C after the defeat of her forces by Octavian, who would later be named the Roman emperor Augustus, at the Battle of Actium . After her death, Egypt was incorporated into the Roman Empire . Although the Roman emperors were based in Rome, the Egyptians treated them as pharaohs. One excavated carving shows the emperor Claudius (reign A.D. 41 to 54) dressed as a pharaoh, Live Science reported . The carving has hieroglyphic inscriptions saying that Claudius is the "Son of Ra, Lord of the Crowns," and "King of Upper and Lower Egypt, Lord of the Two Lands." Neither the Ptolemaic or Roman rulers are considered to be part of a numbered dynasty. Ancient Egyptian Religion and Gods A vintage illustration from the Papyrus of Ani showing Osiris (left) with Isis (right) on a scroll with cursive hieroglyphs from circa 1250 B.C., during the 19th Dynasty of the New Kingdom. | Credit: duncan1890 via Getty Images Throughout much of Egypt's ancient history its people followed a polytheistic religion in which a vast number of gods and goddesses were venerated. One of the most important was Osiris, god of the underworld. Abydos was an important cult center for him, and numerous temples and shrines were constructed at the site in his honor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amun-Ra a god associated with the sun became particularly important during the New Kingdom and was associated with the city of Luxor (ancient Thebes). The Karnak Temple complex was built near Luxor in honor of this god. Navigating the underworld was vital to the ancient Egyptians, who believed that the dead could reach a paradise of sorts, where they could live forever. Egyptian dead were sometimes mummified, preserving the body, and were sometimes buried with spells to aid them in navigating the underworld. These spells included excerpts from what are sometimes called the " Book of the Dead " a 52-foot-long (16 meters) copy of which was recently found in a tomb at Saqqara . In ancient Egyptian mythology, one of the first steps in navigating the underworld was to weigh a person's deeds against the feather of Maat, who was a god associated with truth, justice and order. If the person had committed a great deal of wrong, the person's heart would be heavier than the feather and the person's soul would be obliterated. On the other hand, if their deeds were generally good, they passed forward and had the opportunity to successfully navigate the underworld. Figurines called shabti were often buried with the deceased. Their purpose was to do the deceased's work in the afterlife for them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Egyptian religion did not remain static but changed over time. One major change occurred during the reign of the pharaoh Akhenaten (circa 1353 to 1335 B.C.), a ruler who unleashed a religious revolution that saw Egyptian religion become focused around the worship of "Aten" the sun disk. Akhenaten built an entirely new capital in the desert at Amarna and ordered the names of some of Egypt's deities to be defaced. After Akhenaten's death his son, Tutankhamun, denounced him and returned ancient Egypt to its previous polytheistic religion. When Egypt came under Greek and Roman rule, the new rulers' gods and goddesses were incorporated into Egyptian religion. Another major change occurred after the first century A.D. when Christianity spread throughout Egypt. At this time Gnosticism, a religion that incorporated some Christian beliefs, also spread throughout Egypt, and a large corpus of Gnostic texts were discovered in 1945 in southern Egypt near the city of Nag Hammadi. Islam spread throughout the country after A.D. 641, when the country was captured by a Muslim army. Today, Islam is practiced by the majority of Egypt's inhabitants, while a minority are Christian, many being part of the Coptic Church. Egyptian writing The earliest inscriptions date back about 5,200 years and were written in a hieroglyphic script. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Ancient Egyptian was a living oral language, and most hieroglyphs represent the sounds of consonants and certain emphatically expressed vowels," wrote Barry Kemp, a professor of Egyptology at the University of Cambridge, England, in his book " 100 Hieroglyphs: Think Like an Egyptian " (Granta Books, 2005). Kemp noted that the ancient Egyptians also developed "an abbreviated 'long hand' form of writing which we call 'hieratic.'" During the first millennium A.D. this abbreviated hieratic script was supplanted by a new form of short-form writing called "Demotic." Egyptian language changed over the millennia, with scholars often subdividing the surviving writings into categories such as "Old Egyptian," "Middle Egyptian" and "Late Egyptian." The Greek language became widely used in the time after Egypt was conquered by Alexander the Great . In the late 19th century, archaeologists excavated half a million papyri fragments, most of which were written in Greek, at the ancient Egyptian town of Oxyrhynchus in southern Egypt, dating to the early centuries A.D. Coptic, an Egyptian language that uses the Greek alphabet, was widely used after Christianity spread throughout Egypt. As Greek and Coptic grew in popularity, the use of the hieroglyphic writing style declined and became extinct during the fifth century A.D. After A.D. 641 the Arabic language spread in Egypt and is widely used in the country today. Additional resources Several organizations within Oak Ridge and other areas of Anderson County are ready to continue fighting the ongoing battle against opioid addiction and its effects. They won grants totaling more than $427,000 from Anderson County that came from an opioid settlement. Members of Anderson Countys Opioid Settlement Funds Committee, back row, and County Mayor Terry Frank, front row, fourth from right, are pictured with representatives of the organizations that were awarded grants in the countys initial round of distribution for Opioid Settlement Funds received from the state of Tennessee. The grants will fund a variety of programs aimed at curbing the use of opioids in the area. Below are the organizations that will receive opioid grant funds to support awareness, treatment and counseling, housing, transportation, drug disposal, and peer support programs in Anderson County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Free Medical Clinic, based in Oak Ridge: $81,648 Foundation House: $60,000 New Purpose: $45,000 Anderson County Recovery Court: $65,000 Main Street Baptist Church in Rocky Top: $20,000 Boys & Girls Club of the Clinch Valley in Oak Ridge: $30,000 First Methodist Church in Oak Ridge (First Recovery): $18,500 PPS & Focus Group Ministries: $35,000 Allies for Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP): $38,796 Isaiah 117 House: $10,000 Celebrate Recovery at Heritage Fellowship Church in Oak Ridge: $13,500 Anderson County government (Project Clean Out Your Medicine Cabinet): $10,000 Anderson County Commissioner Shelly Vandagriff, who represents District 3 and serves as chairwoman of the Anderson County Opioid Settlement Committee, organized a special presentation for the awardees during the committees meeting March 25. Mayor Terry Frank and several other county officials attended the presentation. Grant funds came from the state of Tennessees Opioid Settlement Fund, established by state law in 2021. The state of Tennessee will be receiving more than $1 billion over 18 years in settlement funds from several large corporations "due to the extensive damage and loss of life caused by the opioid crisis that was brought on by the unethical and over-prescribing of opioid medications," according to a previous county news release. Using the Opioid Settlement and Remediation funds, we have the opportunity to support education and recovery programs serving our county, leading to improved outcomes for those suffering with addiction, Vandagriff said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The organizations that received these funds are filling in the gaps in recovery support and prevention efforts in our county. We were able to grant funds for transportation, housing, education, and access to mental health care. I am excited to see the impact these grants will have on the future of Anderson County, she added. The Anderson County Commission authorized the creation of an Opioid Settlement Task Force in 2023. The task force members a small group of county commissioners conducted several public sessions, including at least three town hall meetings throughout Anderson County in 2023 and 2024. County Commission changed the task force to a full committee in early 2025. After hosting the town hall-style meetings and other sessions and working with staff from the Anderson County Finance Department and the University of Tennessee at Knoxville to create the application process, the committee opened an online portal created by Anderson County Tourism Director Stephanie Wells to accept applications from the community for the $427,444 in allocated state opioid funds that were initially given by the state to Anderson County. The state plans to disburse funds of differing amounts to the counties each year. Jan. 31 was the application deadline for the initial round of grants. And upon review, committee members made their funding recommendation to both the Anderson County Budget Committee and County Commission. Those recommendations were agreed upon by county commissioners at their regular meeting on March 17. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Each grant awardee will be required to enter a contract, effective July 1, 2025, with Anderson County government before spending their grant funds. The county Finance Department will work with the University of Tennessees SMART Initiative to create a draft contract as well as finalize parameters for how best to provide data on programs, outcomes, and their impact and effectiveness. The UT Substance Misuse and Addiction Resource for Tennessee (SMART) Initiative, according to its website, guides community leaders in implementing evidence-based, cost-effective strategies to mitigate damage from substance use disorder and the opioid epidemic. Tennessee's Opioid Abatement Council was created by the Tennessee General Assembly in Public Chapter 491 to manage disbursement to the states 95 counties of proceeds from lawsuits relating to opioids. The council upholds the responsibility to ensure the disbursements of these funds go toward funding programs, strategies, expenditures, and other actions designed to prevent and address the misuse and abuse of opioid products and treat or mitigate opioid use or related disorders or other effects of the opioid epidemic. Shelly Vandagriff, center, Anderson County commissioner and Opioid Settlement Funds Committee chair, and committee members Denise Palmer, second from left, Sabra Beauchamp, and Josh Anderson are pictured with ASAP of Anderson Executive Director Shayla Wilson, third from right, and other ASAP team members. This article originally appeared on Oakridger: Anderson County organizations get $427K to fight opioid addiction Anna Paulina Lunas husband has drawn growing interest as the Florida congresswomans national profile continues to rise. Known for her bold political stances and unconventional alliances, Lunas personal lifeespecially her long-standing relationship with Andrew Gamberzkyhas sparked curiosity. Heres everything you need to know about Anna Paulina Lunas husband, Andrew Gamberzky. Who is Anna Paulina Luna married to? Representative Anna Paulina Luna is married to Andrew Gamberzky, a U.S. Air Force combat controller. The couple wed in 2011 and welcomed their first child, a son, on August 27, 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Andrew Gamberzky enlisted in the Air Force in 2009 and joined the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron in 2011. He served in combat zones and received both the Bronze Star and Purple Heart for his military service. Here is Anna Paulina Luna and Andrew Gamberzkys relationship history Anna Paulina Luna met Andrew Gamberzky while serving in the U.S. Air Force, where she worked as an airfield management specialist from 2009 to 2014. Gamberzky was a combat controller assigned to the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron in Florida after earning his beret in 2011. The couple married in 2011 and lived in Florida, later relocating to Portland when Luna joined the Oregon Air National Guard to serve alongside Gamberzky. In 2023, they had their first child. That October, they co-authored a childrens book titled The Legend of Naranja, published by Brave Books. In 2021, Gamberzky requested a religious exemption from the COVID-19 vaccine mandate, citing his Christian faith and concerns over vaccine research involving fetal material. He later resigned from the military and is now suing the Department of Defense, Air Force, National Guard, and Oregon Military Department for lost wages, benefits, and medical costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to court filings, Luna and Gamberzky claim the mandate led to financial and healthcare losses, including out-of-pocket costs for Lunas ongoing medical treatments (via Muck Rock). Luna stated in an interview with Washington Examiner, It seems like they were trying to essentially basically destroy Andys career. Their lawsuit challenges the vaccine mandates impact on religious freedom and service member rights. Originally reported by Vritti Johar on Comingsoon. The post Who Is Anna Paulina Lunas Husband, Andrew Gamberzky? & What Is Their Relationship History? appeared first on Mandatory. ANNAPOLIS, Md. (DC News Now) The Annapolis Police Department (APD) is seeking nonprofits to receive unclaimed bicycles. Police say, in 2025, the Annapolis City Council updated parts of the city code to require unclaimed bicycles in APDs property section to be donated to nonprofits that give bicycles to residents. One dead after high-rise apartment fire in Annapolis Nonprofits that wish to receive the unclaimed bicycles are asked to contact Sgt. Brian Criss, prove their 501(c)(3) status and explain how they provide bicycles to residents in need. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Organizations that satisfy the requirements will be placed on a roster, and the bicycles will be donated on a first-come, first-served basis. To be included in the first round of available bicycles, organizations must provide documentation by April 15. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. PITT COUNTY, N.C. (WNCT) The Annual Pitt County Special Olympics will be Thursday, Apr. 3, 2025. People around Pitt County are ready to welcome more than 600 athletes to the J.H. Rose High School track. This will be a two-day event that features elementary and middle school athletes, as well as, adult athletes. The competitors will be playing games and racing in different events learning the importance of teamwork. There will be prizes and medals for every athlete who participates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more information about the events and organization, visit WNCT.com. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WNCT. A third major law firm has reached an agreement with the Trump administration to escape a punishing executive order that would cost it government business. Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, which has more than 1,200 attorneys, will provide at least $100 million in legal services to causes favored by the White House and end diversity programs under terms of a deal President Donald Trump announced Tuesday on social media. The announcement included a statement from Thomas Cerabino, the chair of the law firm, where Doug Emhoff, husband of former Vice President Kamala Harris, is a partner, and which represented two Georgia poll workers in their defamation case against Rudy Giuliani. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Firm looks forward to having a constructive relationship with the Trump Administration, and remains committed to serving the needs of our clients, our employees, and the communities of which we are a part, Cerabino said. The Trump administration previously reached agreements with two other prominent law firms Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison and Skadden Arps to lift the threat of executive orders that would have cost them lucrative government contracts. In addition to ending diversity programs, Wilkie Farr, like the other firms, committed to providing pro bono services to causes favored by the White House, including assistance to veterans, countering antisemitism and ensuring fairness in our justice system, a nod to Trumps claim that he and others have been unfairly targeted with legal action. The substance of that agreement is consistent with our Firms views on access to Legal representation by clients, including pro bono clients, our commitment to complying with the Law as it relates to our employment practices, and our history of working with clients across a wide spectrum of political viewpoints, Cerabino said in the statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The White House statement said that the firm proactively reached out to President Trump and his Administration, offering their decisive commitment to ending the Weaponization of the Justice System and the Legal Profession. Trump has deployed executive orders and memos to punish law firms he views as adversaries. Among them are longtime Democratic Party partner Perkins Coie and Covington and Burling which provided legal services to former special counsel Jack Smith. Several firms, including Jenner & Block and WilmerHale, have fought back against Trumps punishing orders, suing to block the orders. (NewsNation) An appeals court Tuesday blocked the Department of Government Efficiency from obtaining sensitive Social Security data after the Trump administration filed a restraining order in the case. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit dismissed the governments appeal for lack of jurisdiction, and the case will proceed in the district court. On March 20, a federal judge temporarily blocked billionaire Elon Musks DOGE from Social Security systems that hold personal data on millions of Americans, calling its work there a fishing expedition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump to unveil Liberation Day tariffs, raising trade tensions That order also required the team to delete any personally identifiable data in their possession. U.S. District Judge Ellen Hollander in Maryland found that the team got broad access to sensitive information at the Social Security Administration to search for fraud with little justification. The DOGE Team is essentially engaged in a fishing expedition at SSA, in search of a fraud epidemic, based on little more than suspicion, she wrote. The order allows DOGE staffers to access data thats been redacted or stripped of anything personally identifiable if they undergo training and background checks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration says DOGE is targeting waste in the federal government. Musk has been focused on Social Security as an alleged hotbed of fraud, describing it as a Ponzi scheme and insisting that reducing waste in the program is an important way to cut government spending. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) A federal appellate court says two men accused of plotting to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in 2020 were not entrapped by government informants and agents. The U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Barry Croft Jr. and Adam Foxs convictions for kidnapping conspiracy and other charges in a ruling issued Tuesday. Between Defendants extremist group affiliations, threatening social media posts, and numerous self-incriminating private communications, it is evident that Defendants were ready and willing to commit these crimes long before being introduced to any government informants, the written decision reads in part. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Entrapment in play as appeals court looks at plot to kidnap Michigan governor Investigators say Croft Jr., Fox and other militia members wanted to snatch Whitmer from her vacation home near Elk Rapids and blow up bridges to slow down the police chasing them. Investigators say the men held training exercises and tried to buy explosives from undercover FBI agents. Croft and Fox were convicted in August 2022 at the conclusion of their second trial after the jury deadlocked the first time around. They were sentenced that December to prison. Inside woodtv.com: Plot to kidnap Gov. Whitmer Their attorneys appealed on a number of points, but one key theme was the argument that federal agents entrapped them. The appeals court didnt buy it, saying there was plenty powerful evidence that they were predisposed to commit such a crime before they met any government informants or agents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (T)he criminal thoughts were their own, the court said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. This undated file photo shows the center for allocation of water resources in Dongjiang River as part of the Dongjiang-Shenzhen Water Supply Project. (Guangdong Water Resources Department/Handout via Xinhua) GUANGZHOU, April 2 (Xinhua) -- In 1963, Hong Kong endured its worst drought in a century, leaving three million residents struggling for water. Six decades later, the once-parched city has bloomed into a vibrant financial hub, a transformation enabled by the Dongjiang-Shenzhen Water Supply Project. Breaking ground in 1964 and completed in just one year, the project diverts water from the Dongjiang River, which originates from east China's Jiangxi Province and flows to the Pearl River Delta in the southern Guangdong Province. Its 83-km pipeline channels water from Guangdong's Dongguan City to Hong Kong via the Shenzhen Reservoir. To meet Hong Kong's growing demand, the project has undergone multiple expansions, increasing its annual supply from 68 million cubic meters to 2.42 billion cubic meters. By March 12, it had delivered more than 30 billion cubic meters of water to the city, now supplying around 80 percent of Hong Kong's freshwater needs. Safeguarding this vital water source is a shared priority. In Jiangxi's Ganzhou City, forests around the river's headwaters are protected by strict conservation laws and regular patrols. Downstream, Guangdong's Heyuan City has invested over 10 billion yuan (about 1.39 billion U.S. dollars) in river restoration and rejected over 500 pollution-prone projects. "This project is a testament to the mainland's care for Hong Kong, and reminds me that Hong Kong and the mainland are one family," said a Hong Kong student from Raimondi College. As the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) develops, the water supply project is embracing advanced technologies: drones monitor reservoirs, robots inspect pipelines, and real-time data feeds into an intelligent surveillance network. "With patrol drones, we can conduct five daily inspections, transmitting real-time data to ensure water quality," said Liu Kuanguang with the Guangdong Yuehai water supply company. Cooperation between Guangdong and Hong Kong has also deepened. In 2020, the Ministry of Water Resources and the office of the leading group for GBA development introduced a water security plan outlining a multi-tiered approach to sustainable management. The following year, an innovation center was launched to advance research and technology in water resource management. Beyond infrastructure, the water supply project has become a cultural bridge. At Guangdong University of Technology, students are rehearsing a play reenacting the dedication of volunteers who joined the project's construction. "When we performed in Guangzhou, the audience response was overwhelming. In July, we will perform in Hong Kong to share this story with a wider audience," said the director Zheng Meng. This undated file photo shows the construction site of water resources allocation project for Pearl River Delta, where the Dongjiang-Shenzhen Water Supply Project is located. (Xinhua) Tents are lined up in rows in 12-by-12 squares painted on the cracking asphalt ground on July 1, 2020. The lots are located roughly between Eighth and Ninth avenues from Madison to Jefferson streets. Photo by Madeline Ackley | Arizona Mirror Arizona is among the 10 states with the highest rates of homelessness, but instead of working with advocates to resolve that ranking, Republican lawmakers are taking a hard-line approach that critics say will only lead to worse outcomes. Nicole Newhouse, the executive director of the Arizona Housing Coalition, the states largest housing advocacy group, criticized GOP legislators for advancing changes to state law that she warned will deepen the states chronic homelessness epidemic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The crisis is pretty enormous, and in the midst of it, we are grappling with political infighting when what we really need is decisive action to prevent a continuing humanitarian catastrophe, she said during a Tuesday morning news conference held to highlight the negative impacts of GOP proposals. A 2024 report from the Arizona Department of Economic Security estimated that 14,737 people were experiencing homelessness that January, the highest level in the past five years. Since 2019, the number of people without a place to sleep has only increased year over year. Newhouse added that resources for homeless people and low-income Arizonans alike are already too scarce, without GOP lawmakers creating new constraints. Arizona is short more than 133,000 affordable housing units, and only about 10,000 shelter beds and vouchers are available to help people get back on their feet. What are GOP lawmakers proposing? Purportedly intended to target the sale of dangerous and narcotic drugs, House Bill 2437 requires all shelters and facilities that provide services to homeless people to become drug-free zones. That would be paired with enhanced punishments for people who sell drugs within those zones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its currently a class 2 felony to sell or transfer narcotic drugs, which carries with it at least a $2,000 fine and a minimum sentence of five years if the drug involved is at least two hundred grams. The new law would add a year to that sentence. Along with punishing people in possession of the drug, shelter and facility employees who know and allow someone to have or use a drug in the area would be guilty of a class 1 misdemeanor and also face a minimum $2,000 fine or three times the value of the drug involved. Another proposal aims to prohibit the use of state and local money to pay for hotel rooms, called mixed hoteling. Housing solutions organizations sometimes place people facing housing insecurity in hotels on a temporary or emergency basis. That typically happens if shelters are full or if available services dont meet someones particular needs, as in the case of couples, people with pets, seniors or people fleeing domestic violence. Along with cutting housing groups off of that funding stream, the bill would also require hotels to post signs informing guests that homeless people are being housed there, and honor refund requests because of objections to that policy. Republicans also want to pull $1.25 million from the states Housing Trust Fund, which was set up to bolster housing assistance programs and increase Arizonas affordable housing pool, to pay for an analysis of how much is spent on helping homeless people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Arizona Auditor General would be required to compile a report that breaks down expenditures aimed at addressing homelessness statewide and in every city and county whose homeless population is higher than the per capita average in the entire state. The amount that law enforcement agencies spend on crisis calls, transporting people to emergency shelters, tearing down homeless encampments and holding homeless people overnight would also be included. Along with dipping into the Housing Trust Fund to pay for something it was never intended to, GOP lawmakers are clamoring for more control over the Arizona Department of Housing, and have refused to authorize a continuation longer than a year. State law requires agencies to be periodically evaluated. Though lawmakers can extend their operations for up to 10 years, they have historically done so for eight years at a time a figure that coincides with legislative term limits. But since Gov. Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, was elected, the GOP-controlled legislature has politicized the process. A one-year continuation means that officials in the housing department will need to focus most of their time preparing for its 2027 audit, despite having just undergone a sunset review in 2024. What are housing advocates saying? John Godfrey, the chief operating officer for Native American Connections, which works on solutions for homelessness among the states Native American population, criticized the bid to establish punitive drug-free zones as detrimental for Arizonans dealing with homelessness. He warned that it would only lead to shelter employees calling the police rather than face criminalization themselves, instead of giving them the space and opportunity to offer assistance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It turns our clinicians into enforcers of the law, he said. Our duty is to provide an environment where individuals who are struggling find hope, healing and recovery. By making clinicians criminally liable, it destroys the fabric of the therapeutic relationship by putting the interest of the clinician over the client. Ross Schaefer, the executive director of Flagstaff Shelter Services, the largest emergency shelter in Northern Arizona, added that deterring people from seeking help for fear of legal repercussions puts them at risk. Homeless people in Flagstaff, she noted, face freezing temperatures when they cant access a shelter bed, and someones struggle with drug addiction shouldnt be the reason to turn them away from life-saving interventions. Schaefer shared that just one month ago, a person was found dead near the Flagstaff shelter. She said it was unclear if they had died from overdose or from the freezing temperature, but noted that their body was covered in frost and said, either way, it would have been wrong to turn them away from the shelter. People shouldnt have to be sober to survive the night, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schaefer also spoke out against the proposed restrictions on mixed hoteling, saying that its a critical tool for housing organizations to address the needs of community members in crisis. What would you do if you saw a mom, a 3-year-old and a 5-year-old at 10 oclock when Safeway is closing and its freezing cold or snowing outside? she asked. If you saw them and you called a social service provider and they said Hey theres no room at the inn, meaning theres no more shelter space, everything is closed tonight, what would you, as a logical person, think to do? You might lean on somewhere thats always open. George Campbell, who heads the Arizona Veterans StandDown Alliance, echoed Shaefers assertion that mixed hoteling is a key resource when nothing else is available, adding that unless more is done to bolster homelessness assistance, organizations need all the help they can get. Campbell denounced the move to ban public funding for mixed hoteling as doing exactly the opposite. Not only is it not a solution, its exacerbating a problem that already exists, he said. Until we have unlimited shelter, this is a service that is definitely needed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Newhouse lambasted the move to claw back money from the Housing Trust Fund to scrutinize homelessness support programs as squandering the limited resources available to address homelessness, and highlighted the one-year continuation of the state housing department as particularly dangerous. (It) would force the department to focus on survival and not the collaborative solutions that the state deserves, she said. She pointed out that affordable housing deals can take between three and six years to develop, and requiring the housing department to focus on yet another performance review would necessarily turn its attention away from possible deals and lengthen the timelines of others. Newhouse also said that authorizing the department for such a short time creates uncertainty for both the federal government while considering whether to award the state grants and developers hoping to set up affordable housing projects. To look at the Department of Housing and see that its only going to be around, guaranteed, for a year creates some concerns about even starting a project until (developers) know that theres a commitment by the state to continue the work, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, Newhouse called on lawmakers to renew and expand Arizonas Affordable Housing Tax Credit, which is set to expire at the end of this year. The program is modeled after the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit and helps fill in the gaps that federal funding doesnt cover, especially for projects in rural Arizona. Since it was first set up in 2021, the program has helped oversee the creation of more than 1,500 affordable housing units. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SPRINGFIELD, Mo. A federal judge sentenced a man from Phoenix, Arizona, on Tuesday for taking part in distributing large amounts of methamphetamine in multiple areas across southwest Missouri. Joseph A. Gilbert, 42, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison without parole and was ordered to forfeit $616,756 in proceeds he obtained from drug trafficking. He pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine on Nov. 19, 2024. Court documents state that Gilbert acted as a source for meth supply for a drug trafficking organization from Nov. 1, 2020, to April 28, 2022. As part of the conspiracy, Gilbert distributed more than 220 pounds of meth from Arizona to Barry, Greene, Jasper, Lawrence, Newton, Polk and Stone counties in southwest Missouri. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trial scheduled for North Carolina trucker that struck and killed man in Springfield In April 2022, Gilbert initiated a high-speed pursuit and fled from Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers on eastbound I-44 to Missouri Highway 43 near Seneca, Missouri, after they tried to make a traffic stop on the red Chevrolet Captiva Gilbert was driving. Later that day, Gilbert was located in Ottawa County, Oklahoma later that day and was found with meth and 100 M-30 pills, which contain fentanyl. Gilbert is the seventh defendant to be sentenced and among 18 defendants who have pleaded guilty in this case. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOLR - OzarksFirst.com. (Screenshot from the National Weather Service's website) Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders declared a state of emergency and released state relief funds in preparation of severe weather predicted to strike the state over the next several hours and days. The National Weather Service predicted heavy rains and flooding for northeast Arkansas and upgraded the risk of tornadoes for a large swath of the state to a five out of five, the highest amount of risk, earlier on Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sanders said in a news release Wednesday afternoon that $250,000 had been released from the Governors Disaster Response and Recovery Fund. The release said that severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding are expected to occur in Arkansas, and continue thereafter, which may cause danger, hardship, and suffering throughout the state, which in turn, warrants this executive action. The National Weather Service has warned about generational flooding with potentially devastating effects in the northeast region of the state, which has been hit hard by severe weather in recent weeks. Ten to 15 inches of rain are expected in some areas over the next few days. Generational Flooding Possible This isnt routine, the weather service in Memphis, which is responsible for parts of extreme northeast Arkansas, wrote on its X account Wednesday. This is a rare, high-impact, and potentially devastating event. Heavy rainfall will likely lead to widespread river, flash, and areal flooding that could cause severe disruptions especially along and north of I-40. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of early Wednesday morning, a forecast graphic released by the Little Rock office of the National Weather Service on X said that the most extreme northeast areas of the state could get between 10 and 15 inches of rainfall by Sunday. Jonesboro, Searcy and Mountain View could receive between eight and ten inches. Little Rock, Pine Bluff and Hot Springs could receive between six and eight. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX PINE BLUFF, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) The longest-standing death row inmate in Arkansas has died while in a state prison, according to the Arkansas Department of Corrections. Officials said Bruce Earl Ward, 68, died of natural cause around 4:30 p.m. on April 1 at the Varner SuperMax prison in Pine Bluff. Bruce Ward (Courtesy: Arkansas Department of Corrections) Ward was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death in October 1990 for the murder of 18-year-old Rebecca Doss. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was originally set to be executed on April 17, 2017, as the state was rushing to use its expiring supply of lethal injection drugs. Wards attorneys, however, raised concerns about his mental competency during his trial and appeals after his conviction. Farmington man sentenced to 25 years in prison for rape Ward was later diagnosed with schizophrenia. In 2018, the Arkansas Supreme Court issued a stay of his execution and it was left in place when his execution warrant expired. 24 inmates remain on death row in Arkansas, according to the Arkansas Department of Corrections. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24. The Army has not yet provided Congress with records showing when they used a collision avoidance technology that was turned off during Januarys midair collision that killed 67 people, Sen. Ted Cruz, chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, said during a hearing Wednesday. If another Black Hawk helicopter strikes another passenger jet and murders 67 people because the Army refused to change its policy of turning off ADS-B Out and rather than act proactively to protect peoples lives - the Army chose to protect its bureaucratic a** - those deaths will be on the Armys hands, Cruz said. The military was given broad leeway by the Federal Aviation Administration to operate its aircraft with Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast technology switched off to protect mission security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cruz said since a hearing on the NTSBs preliminary report last week, the Army has not provided an August 9, 2024, memo titled ADS-B Out Off Operations in the National Airspace. Civilian and military aircraft use the technology, which broadcasts an aircrafts location, altitude and other key factors while monitoring other aircraft around it. The Army often turns ADS-B off when flying around Washington, DC including when in the airspace around Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. It begs the question, What doesnt the Army want Congress or the American people to know about why it was flying partially blind to other aircraft and air traffic controllers near DCA, Cruz said. If the Army continues to stonewall, they will face a subpoena from this committee. Brig. Gen. Matthew Braman testified during a Senate hearing last week that the status of the operation and functionality of the ADS-B Out system in the helicopter involved in the mid-air collision was still under investigation, but the crew was approved to operate with it off, in accordance with Army policy. Senators and investigators say the technology could have aided in avoiding the January collision, as it provides air traffic controllers frequent updates on the position of an aircraft, refreshing once every second rather than every four to six seconds through radar. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com HENDERSON, Ky (WEHT) The Gibson County Sheriffs Office says an arrest has been made in a fatal crash from back in January. Officials state deputies went to the 4800 block of North 200 West in rural Patoka to serve an arrest warrant on 41-year-old Justin Hill. Second teen arrested for Lodge Avenue murder Officials say Hill was involved in a crash on January 24 where he was driving a red Cadillac CTS when he allegedly failed to yield the right of way when crossing US 41 at Old US Highway 41. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This caused a crash with a Ford Escape that was going south on US 41. Officials also say each driver was submitted to a chemical test where Hills test indicated he was under the influence of methamphetamines. He was taken and booked into the Gibson County Jail, facing charges of Driving Under the Influence of Drugs. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW). A woman out for a jog in the city of Ventura found herself fighting off an alleged would-be kidnapper and escaping with the help of a Good Samaritan driving by late last month, officials announced. The terrifying March 25 ordeal reportedly unfolded near the intersection of Telegraph Road and Nevada Avenue just before 2:45 p.m., a news release from the Ventura Police Department stated. The victim, who has not been identified, told responding officers that she stopped her jog at the intersection when suddenly a man she did not know, had not seen and had not heard because she was wearing headphones approached from behind and wrapped his arms around her in a bear hug. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victim was able to struggle and break free, running from the suspect, the release noted. Telegraph Road and Nevada Avenue in Ventura where an alleged attempted kidnapping of a female jogger occurred on March 25, 2025. (Google Maps) Another woman driving in the area witnessed the suspect, now identified as 28-year-old Ventura resident Vincent Dominguez, allegedly approach the female jogger from behind and grab her, prompting her to pull her vehicle over and let the victim into her car. Man, 51, allegedly shot dead by father-in-law, 83, in his Southern California home Authorities added that the Good Samaritan was also able to get several photographs of the 28-year-old as he fled the scene on foot. The victim was not seriously injured during the attempted kidnapping. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As police investigated, locating additional surveillance cameras in the area, Dominguezs photograph circulated on social media. A Ventura resident recognized the 28-year-old and detectives were able to confirm his identity, authorities said. He was later arrested at his residence and booked at the Ventura County Jail for attempted kidnapping. Authorities did not provide any additional information, including an arrest date for the suspect. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. NORMAN, Okla. (KFOR) The Cleveland County Sheriffs Office is searching for a Norman teacher who is accused of enabling child sexual abuse. According to the CCSO, 47-year-old Valerie Ann Hartless, who is a teacher with Norman Public Schools, is wanted on felony charge of enabling child sexual abuse. Court records show the warrant was issued for Hartless on Thursday, March 27. Valerie Ann Hartless. Image courtesy Cleveland County Sheriffs Office. An affidavit obtained by News 4 says that the case stems from allegations of sexual abuse against 59-year-old Michael Hogue, Hartless ex-husband. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court documents allege Hogue inappropriately touched Hartless 15-year-old daughter in their home on several occasions between July 2015 and December 2016. The Cleveland County District Attorneys Office decline to file charges in 2017, but CCSO investigators reopened the investigation in 2025. Court records show an arrest warrant was also issued for Hogue on Thursday for lewd or indecent acts to a child under 16. The victim reportedly told Hartless about Hogue touching her inappropriately, but Hartless brushed off her concerns and told her daughters friend that there was nothing she could do until her divorce with Hogue was settled. As a result of Hartless alleged inaction, a warrant was issued for her arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hartless is believed to be traveling in either a black 2017 Ford F-150 with license plate number PSJ778, or a black 2013 Ford Edge with license plate number KAQ802. Anyone with information on Hartless whereabouts should contact the CCSO at 405-701-8888. Norman Public Schools sent News 4 the following statement regarding the allegations against Hartless. District officials were made aware that a Be On the Lookout (BOLO) has been issued for Valerie Hartless. Norman Public Schools (NPS) is cooperating with law enforcement regarding this matter. The Cleveland County Sheriffs Office has informed us that the charges against her are not related to her employment with NPS. As is standard procedure in such situations, Ms. Hartless has been placed on administrative leave. The district will also conduct a full internal administrative investigation. Ms. Hartless is a temporary employee and will not return to work this year. Because this is a personnel matter and an ongoing criminal investigation, we cannot provide further comment at this time, except to emphasize that this situation does not involve Norman Public Schools, Adams, or its students. Inquiries regarding this case or the charges should be directed to the Cleveland County Sheriffs Office. Norman Public Schools Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY JWR UPDATE. IT'S FREE. (AND NO SPAM!) Just click here. Republicans will make their case on Capitol Hill this week for reining in federal judges, amid an escalating clash between President Donald Trump and the courts that have blocked, at least temporarily, many of his key priorities. Both the House and Senate will hold hearings on the federal judiciary, and House lawmakers are expected to vote on a bill to bar courts from issuing nationwide injunctions. The odds of the bill becoming law are long. But the flurry of action shows how much the courts have become a threat to Trump's agenda and highlights questions about the judicial system that for years have frustrated whichever party occupies the White House. Trump charged into his second term issuing more executive orders - 107 to date - than any president in four decades. The push, and his administration's aggressive efforts on a variety of other fronts, has been met with an even larger wave of about 150 lawsuits. Judges have put more than 40 holds on Trump's agenda, according to a Washington Post analysis of data from digital legal journal Just Security and the nonprofit Fix the Court. Temporary restraining orders and preliminary injunctions have paused bids to fire thousands of probationary workers, block trillions in federal grants, loans and foreign aid, purge transgender troops from the military, and dismantle federal agencies. Five different judges have blocked Trump's move to end birthright citizenship while litigation on the issue continues. With Congress compliant and Democrats in disarray, the judiciary has emerged as the primary check on Trump's plans to assert sweeping presidential power. Amanda Frost, a law professor at the University of Virginia School of Law, said Trump largely has himself to blame for his early losses in court, because many of his actions contradict legal norms and precedents. "He's blatantly violating the law in many respects, not pushing the envelope or engaging in reasonable debate about what the law says," Frost said. Still, many of the adverse rulings could be overturned on appeal, and Trump has a friendly 6-3 conservative majority on the Supreme Court. The president has won a handful of notable victories too, including on firing heads of independent agencies. Republican frustration has mounted with each adverse ruling. Vice President JD Vance and Elon Musk have suggested officials defy court orders, government attorneys have tried to remove judges from cases, and Trump has called for impeaching judges. The anger reached a crescendo earlier this month after U.S. District Court Judge James E. Boasberg temporarily blocked Trump officials from using the Alien Enemies Act to deport alleged Venezuelan gang members without hearings. Trump called for Boasberg's removal from the bench, prompting a rare rebuke from Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. Hard-line Trump supporters in Congress crafted legislation to impeach Boasberg and other judges who had ruled against the president. House GOP leadership worked to tamp down that push, however, saying it is a political nonstarter, given opposition among some Republicans and the two-thirds Senate majority required to remove a judge. Republicans hold 53 of 100 Senate seats. Congress has also never impeached a federal judge based on a ruling he or she has issued, according to the Federal Judicial Center, and most GOP lawmakers do not want to establish that precedent. The punishment is designed to address judicial misconduct. "Impeachment is an extraordinary measure. We're looking at all the alternatives," Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) told reporters last week. He suggested that Congress has the authority to eliminate district courts but later clarified that the House would not do so. Democrats have derided Trump's impeachment calls. "I share the chief justice's feelings that discrediting the judiciary is a perilous thing in a constitutional democracy," said Sen. Dick Durbin (Illinois), the top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee. Another avenue House Republicans plan to explore is limiting funding for federal courts through the yearly appropriations process. It's unclear if Rep. Dave Joyce (R-Ohio), a moderate who chairs the relevant subcommittee, would allow steep cuts. The idea would also face at least some GOP opposition in the Senate. "I'm not going to support defunding an independent and equal branch of government, and I'm not going to support impeaching a federal judge unless you can prove to me that he or she has committed a crime or misdemeanor," said Sen. John Neely Kennedy (R-Louisiana), a Judiciary Committee member. He said he instead favored legislation to curtail nationwide injunctions, an idea that has more traction with Republican lawmakers. Such rulings pause a policy or regulation while a lawsuit is pending if the judge believes the action may be unconstitutional and implementing it would cause immediate harm. Two House Judiciary subcommittees held a joint hearing to "examine the constitutional limits of the judicial power, with a focus on recent temporary restraining orders (TROs) and injunctions that have infringed on the rightful power of the President of the United States," a news release said. Scheduled witnesses include former House speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Georgia), a fellow from the conservative Heritage Foundation, and a victim of the Venezuelan criminal organization Tren de Aragua. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) will lead a hearing on nationwide injunctions on Wednesday. Grassley and Sens. Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Josh Hawley (R-Missouri) each have introduced their own bills on injunctions. The House is expected today to pass a bill by Rep. Darrell Issa (R-California) that would limit injunctions to the parties bringing a lawsuit. The politics of turning such legislation into law remain daunting. Republicans hold a slim majority in the House, and any legislation would have to win the support of at least seven Democrats to avoid a filibuster in the Senate. Democrats, who are shut out of power in Washington, are unlikely to go along with efforts to rein in judges because courts are one of the few existing cudgels against Trump's agenda. Among some Republicans, that reality appears to be setting in. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), a Judiciary Committee member, said on his podcast there's almost no chance Democrats vote to restrict nationwide injunctions. Defeating such rulings, he said, will have to come from the courts. "The most likely and swiftest remedy will be the appellate process: the courts of appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court," Cruz said in an interview. Complaints about nationwide injunctions generally come from whichever party holds the presidency. Not too long ago, Democrats were calling for limits, and Trump and his allies were celebrating judges who blocked parts of President Joe Biden's agenda. In 2023, Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) introduced a bill that would have made the U.S. District Court in D.C. the only federal court in the nation that could impose nationwide injunctions. There are exceptions to the partisan trend: Republican Sens. Mitch McConnell (Kentucky), Tom Cotton (Arkansas) and Thom Tillis (North Carolina) introduced an anti-injunction bill last year. Nationwide injunctions were sparse before the 1960s, but their use has spiked in recent years amid a polarized Congress and increasingly divided political environment. "Both the left and the right are finding they can get preferred outcomes through the courts as opposed to through Congress much more now than in the past," said Gabe Roth, executive director of Fix the Court. "In the past, Congress took a more robust view of its power and responsibilities to pass legislation." Federal judges issued six injunctions against the policies of President George W. Bush, 12 against President Barack Obama's initiatives and 64 against Trump's agenda in his first term, according to data compiled by the Harvard Law Review. Biden had 14 injunctions issued against his priorities. Federal courts have latitude to apply injunctions to the parties involved a lawsuit or broaden them to the entire nation if a judge feels damage will be widespread. The injunctions are usually temporary and meant to preserve the status quo, giving courts time to consider additional action or rule on the merits of a lawsuit. Supporters say nationwide injunctions offer the swiftest remedy to potentially illegal government action, prevent federal courts from becoming clogged with multiple lawsuits on the same issue and are the only practical way to address some regulations, like immigration policy, that have nationwide sweep. But an increasing chorus of critics say these types of rulings give the nearly 700 federal district court judges too much power. Nicholas Bagley, a professor at the University of Michigan Law School, said partisans in both parties have perfected the art of seeking out friendly courts to file their challenges. "It increases the benefits of forum shopping," Bagley said of nationwide injunctions. "That's why we saw all these cases during the Biden administration being brought in single courthouse districts in Texas because you know you are going to get a judge who is pretty partisan and be more willing to enter a nationwide injunction against whatever program you dislike." The Harvard Law Review data reveals a starkly partisan picture of nationwide injunctions. Nearly 90 percent of blocks issued against presidential policies and regulations were from judges nominated by a president from the opposing party. Elizabeth P. Foley, a professor at the Florida International University College of Law, said the divide erodes trust in the courts. "This creates a public perception that judges are just politicians in robes," Foley wrote in an email. "And this, in turn, undermines public confidence in the judiciary and the rule of law." Trump has tried to stoke that perception in a barrage of posts on Truth Social, saying the judges restraining him are politically biased. The attacks are reminiscent of his playbook during his criminal prosecutions. "Unlawful Nationwide Injunctions by Radical Left Judges could very well lead to the destruction of our Country!" Trump wrote on Truth Social last month. But a Post analysis of every court action against Trump shows judges appointed by both Democratic and Republican presidents have regularly ruled against him, although judges appointed by Democrats have handled about 70 percent of the cases so far. At least five preliminary injunctions and eight temporary restraining orders have been issued by judges appointed by Republicans, compared with at least 25 temporary restraining orders and 20 preliminary injunctions from those appointed by Democrats. These figures include rulings where only part of the plaintiffs' proposed orders were issued. Judges appointed by Trump in his first term have heard a relatively small number of challenges, but they have overwhelmingly ruled in his favor. Congress is not the only entity that could limit nationwide injunctions. Foley said a majority of the Supreme Court could amend the scope of such rulings under a law known as the Rules Enabling Act. Justices Neil M. Gorsuch, Clarence Thomas and Elena Kagan have expressed concerns about nationwide injunctions recently. Acting solicitor general Sarah M. Harris asked the high court to curtail nationwide injunctions in her recent appeal of rulings that have blocked Trump's effort to end birthright citizenship, one of his most controversial and legally questionable initiatives. "Universal injunctions have reached epidemic proportions since the start of the current Administration," Harris wrote in a court filing. "That sharp rise in universal injunctions stops the Executive Branch from performing its constitutional functions before any courts fully examine the merits of those actions." WASHINGTON, April 2 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. State Department has approved the possible sale of F-16 fighter jets to the Philippines to bolster its defense, the Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency said Tuesday. The sale involves 20 F-16 fighter jets and related equipment, with a total value of 5.58 billion U.S. dollars, it said in a statement. Manila and Washington have deepened defense cooperation since Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. took office in 2022. CHEMUNG COUNTY, N.Y. (WETM) A man from Ashland, New York, has been arrested on a rape charge after officials say he sexually assaulted minors for an extended period of time. Warren F. Morrison, 49, was arrested on the charge of rape in the first degree, a class B violent felony, as stated in a release from the Chemung County Sheriffs Office. Elmira Heights man faces child sexual abuse material charge Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deputies say that Morrison was arrested on the charge following an investigation conducted within the sheriffs office. The investigation began after a school resource officer from the Chemung County Sheriffs Office Civil/Community Services Division was informed by a minor girl that she and other girls were being sexually assaulted by Morrison over a number of years. The investigation was then taken over by the Chemung County Sheriffs Office Investigations Division, which began working jointly with the Chemung County Child Protective Services and the Chemung County Child Advocacy Center. Steuben County man arrested after attempted arson in Bath Following the investigation, deputies say Morrison was arrested on the rape charge and had his charges read to him in the Ashland Town Court. He was then placed in the Chemung County Jail with no bail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deputies say that an investigation into this case is ongoing and that more charges are expected to be filed. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WETM - MyTwinTiers.com. Aston Martins and Scotch whisky are likely to become more expensive in the US under Donald Trump. Car manufacturing and the food and drink industry are among the UK sectors most impacted by the US presidents wave of new tariffs. All export billions of pounds worth of good to the US every year, which will now be subject to 10pc import taxes. Economists believe this will in practice lead to lower sales, dealing a significant blow to some British industries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The UK sold 58.7bn worth of goods to the US last year, making America the largest export market for British goods, excluding the EU. 16.1pc of all items sold abroad went across the pond. While only one in 10 UK businesses export goods, deep-pocketed American consumers are a lifeline for some. This is how key British industries are likely to fare: The automotive industry Britains auto industry is one of the biggest victims of Trumps liberation day. UK car manufacturers sold 9bn worth of vehicles to the US last year, making it Britains largest single export. Americans are particularly fond of highly customised British luxury cars. A third of Aston Martins revenue came from the US last year, while Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) sold more than one in five cars to Americans in 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has already announced tariffs of 25pc on all foreign car imports and British manufacturers face extreme pressure as a result, the Institute for Public Policy Research warned this week. The think tank predicts 25,000 jobs are at stake, with workers at JLR and the Cowley Mini factory the most exposed. A spokesman for JLR said: Our luxury brands have never been stronger and we will address the new US trading terms when they come into force. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) described the new tariffs as deeply disappointing. Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: The announced imposition of a 10pc tariff on all UK products exported to the US, whilst less than other major economies, is another deeply disappointing and potentially damaging measure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our cars were already set to attract a punitive 25pc tariff overnight and other automotive products are now set to be impacted immediately. While we hope a deal between the UK and US can still be negotiated, this is yet another challenge to a sector already facing multiple headwinds. These tariff costs cannot be absorbed by manufacturers, thus hitting US consumers who may face additional costs and a reduced choice of iconic British brands, whilst UK producers may have to review output in the face of constrained demand. Trade discussions must continue at pace, therefore, and we urge all parties to continue to negotiate and deliver solutions which support jobs, consumer demand and economic growth across both sides of the Atlantic. Aircraft Britain is one of the worlds largest aerospace exporters, being home to companies like BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce. Aircraft exports accounted for 2.2bn of goods sold to the US last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As well as home-grown companies, Frances Airbus also has a factory in Broughton, Wales, which supplies wings for its A320 jets to factories in the US. Most of the other parts are also imported from Europe. The manufacturers larger planes, which are used on long-haul routes, are all built outside the US and come with engines from Rolls-Royce, which together with the wings from Wales gives them a 30pc British content. Guillaume Faury, Airbuss chief executive, said last month: It is really an integrated ecosystem across the North Atlantic and we believe tariffs in this industry would be lose-lose. An Airbus spokesman said the company was assessing the likely impact of tariffs on its operations and supply chain, and working with US airline customers to evaluate how best to navigate these evolving conditions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The company said it remains committed to its US and Canadian plants, having made significant investment in jobs, innovation and the manufacturing supply chain. Food and drink In Scotland, whisky makers know the price of US tariffs all too well. The industry suffered a 600m blow from higher tariffs during Trumps first stint in the White House and face another blow. America is the top export destination for Scotch, accounting for 1bn a year. A spokesman for the Scotch Whisky Association said: The industry is disappointed that Scotch whisky could be impacted by these tariffs. We welcome the intensive efforts by the UK Government to reach a deal with the US administration, and we continue to support this measured and pragmatic approach towards a mutually beneficial resolution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not just whisky: a tenth of all British food and drink exports end up on US shelves. This includes 460m cups of tea and 436m biscuits, according to the Food and Drink Federation. Tom Athron, the chief executive of Royal grocer Fortnum & Mason, said this week that the price of its jams, teas and other staples would have to rise in the US as a result of tariffs. He told The Telegraph the US was a really important market for us. Aluminium and steel Trump hit all steel and aluminium imports with a 25pc tariffs last month, hitting 470m of British trade with the US. The White House confirmed that imports would only be subject to this levy, rather than incurring an additional 10pc tariff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bosses of Tata Steel and British Steel said they instantly saw a drop-off in customers as a result of the tariffs, with cancelled orders and requests for refunds. British Steel blamed tariffs earlier this month as it announced plans to shut the countrys last two remaining blast furnaces. UK steel has described the levies as a sledgehammer for the sector. Some 5pc of UK steel exports and 6pc of aluminium exports are sold to the US, although trade bodies believe the figures are in actuality higher. Gareth Stace, UK Steel boss, said:The UK Government must continue its efforts to strike a deal with the US, but we recognise that this requires willingness from both sides. Domestic trade policy on the other hand is entirely within the Governments gift and it can immediately take action to strengthen our trade defences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the direct impact is relatively small in pound terms, the use of these materials in other products means a further 2.2bn of exports have been caught by the new levies Relief for pharmaceuticals The US is the biggest buyer of British pharmaceutical, including vaccines, medications and bandages. Medicinal and pharmaceutical products accounted for 6.5bn of exports to America last year. Separate figures show that a quarter of Britains chemicals exports go to the US, with pharmaceuticals accounting for more than half of that. This leaves some of Britains most valuable companies exposed to Trumps decisions. GSK makes more than half of its sales in the US and AstraZeneca two fifths. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking earlier this year, Dame Emma Walmsley, GSK chief executive, pointed out that medicines traditionally have been excluded from global tariffs in recognition of the fact that it matters for patients. However, there were fears ahead of Trumps announcement that he would target drugs. The US president had said he would be announcing [tariffs on] pharmaceuticals at some point because we have to have pharmaceuticals. Despite this, a fact sheet circulated by the White House suggests pharmaceuticals will not be hit by the import tariffs. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. PRICEVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) An Athens man was arrested on multiple drug charges by Priceville Police on Wednesday. On Wednesday, officers noticed a motorcycle stopped on the left shoulder of I-65 near the Tennessee River Bridge around 12:15 a.m. Priceville Police then stopped to see if the driver needed any kind of assistance. PPD said that the driver identified as Charles Ellie Oden Jr., 52, of Athens started to act nervously during the exchange with police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to police, Oden also had two characters on his license plate covered with electrical tape. While speaking with Oden, officers noticed the smell of marijuana coming from him. Download the WHNT News 19 App to stay updated on the go. Sign up for WHNT News 19 newsletters to have news sent to your inbox. As a result of a field investigation, Priceville Police Departments K-9 Unit was called out to the scene. K-9 Kilo was deployed and alerted a positive result for narcotics, leading to a probable cause search by officers. As officers searched Oden, a quantity of methamphetamine/fentanyl mixture, marijuana, an assortment of drug paraphernalia and brass knuckles were all found on him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oden was arrested and charged with trafficking dangerous drugs, unlawful possession of marijuana 2nd, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of brass knuckles. He was transported to the Morgan County Jail and is being held on a $250,000 bond. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com. ATHENS, Ala. (WHNT) The Athens Police Department said a couple was charged with animal cruelty and neglect following the search of a home. APD said following an investigation, 75-year-old Larry Moore and 73-year-old Rhonda Moore were charged with 38 counts each related to animal cruelty and neglect. APD said cruelty to animals is a misdemeanor crime. CLICK HERE for News 19s Interactive Radar Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement APD said on March 31, officers searched the house of an alleged commercial dog breeding operation on Lindsay Lane after they received a call about an odor coming from the house. The department said Officer Paul Tucker responded to the initial call and found numerous dogs living in squalid conditions without access to proper veterinary care. With help from Dr. Elisabeth OConnor and Dr. Jorge Acosta at the Limestone Veterinary Clinic, APD said they were able to successfully remove the dogs from the residence. The investigation suggested that the couple had allegedly been operating the large-scale dog breeding operation for an extended period. The couple turned themselves in to APD with bonds set at $38,000, APD said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sound Bites is Your Local Entertainment Resource! Click here for all the latest art and entertainment stories Athens Mayor Ronnie Marks commented on the situation, saying, This was a terrible situation that we do not tolerate here in our community. We took immediate steps to remedy this situation. We are so proud of the work that has been done by both the Athens Police Department and the Limestone Veterinary Clinic here in Athens. Athens Police Chief Anthony Pressnell also comments on the incident, saying, These were very bad living conditions for these animals to live in. The Athens Police Department is committed to protecting all of the members of our community, including animals. This was a very bad situation, and we will continue to work to ensure that those responsible for any kind of animal abuse are held accountable. APD said this is still an ongoing investigation and there will be no further comments at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Dr. OConnor, the animals will not be ready to be adopted until next week. There is a process to fill out an application online here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com. Apr. 2On a sunny Saturday morning on a quiet side street in Portland, Keyko Torres climbed the steps of a duplex and greeted the woman who answered the door. Torres, the community health and wellness director for Presente! Maine, spoke with the woman in Spanish while a volunteer carried over a box of rice, beans, vegetables and other groceries. A few minutes later, Torres and the volunteer hopped back in their truck to head to the next stop and check in on another family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The scene plays out twice a month across Portland, South Portland and Westbrook as volunteer drivers and community health workers drop off food boxes put together by the Portland nonprofit. President Donald Trump's recent rhetoric on immigrants has left some members of that community feeling unsafe leaving their homes, Presente leaders say, even to get basic necessities like food out of fear of being targeted or detained. Presente recently switched to door-to-door delivery instead of holding a market-style distribution at its office so the community could access support without fear of gathering in public. "We didn't want to wait until something bad happened. We want to make sure that we're considering the safety and security of our community at all times, and that we're centering any of the delivery and implementation of our programs around what are the needs of the community," said Executive Director Crystal Cron. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement BACK TO DELIVERY Launched at the start of the pandemic to support the immigrant community in the Portland area, Presente has grown from a food brigade that boxed up and delivered food to 50 people in its first week, to a nonprofit that distributes food to hundreds of people every other week with an added focus on increasing access to health care. Most of the people Presente works with are from Central America, Venezuela and Columbia. Many work in the seafood processing and hospitality industries and have young families. Some are here on visas, or other temporary immigration status, and some are undocumented. For the past several years, Presente has distributed food through its Despensa Solidaria (Solidarity Pantry) program at farmers market-style gatherings, at times in a parking lot on Park Avenue and more recently from its office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But with the Trump administration's crackdowns on immigration and increased pace of deportations, some members of Maine's immigrant community said they no longer felt safe congregating outside and waiting to get into the building to get food, said Cron. So some people stopped showing up altogether. "They weren't coming to appointments to sign up for health care," Torres said. Flor Cron, Presente's food sovereignty lead and Crystal Cron's sibling, said it has been "devastating for community members to be living in fear." "No one should be afraid to leave their home to access basic needs," Flor Cron said. "It was really beautiful to gather together in one place. That has been lost." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The decision in January to switch back to delivering food brought the organization back to its roots. The process involves more volunteers than the market-style distributions, but people stepped in to help, said Tophe Thorne, who started as a volunteer in 2020 and now works for Presente. A CRITICAL NEED Crystal Cron had already been working on plans for an organization to better meet the needs of people in her community when the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown started in March 2020. It was immediately clear that many people could not simply afford to stay home from work. As she talked to people about how to stay safe from the virus, they'd tell her, "What other choice do I have if I don't work? I'll die anyway." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It was like, 'No more time for planning and talking,'" she said. "Our community needs us now." Working from Cron's garage, a contingent of volunteers boxed food they bought wholesale through a local restaurant and delivered groceries to 50 families in its first week. Two weeks later, the food brigade delivered to 250 families. By the following year, they were delivering 15,000 pounds of food to 2,200 people weekly around Portland, Biddeford and Lewiston. "It came at the right moment because people were so paralyzed and so at a loss of what to do," Cron said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Presente surveyed the families it was helping and found that for many, the food was not just supplemental, it was the bulk of the food they had access to. Families also had other needs diapers, cleaning supplies, basic household items and Presente delivered those too. "The impact was huge and it was such a critical need," Cron said. "It really highlighted for us just how bad the situation was that a 25-pound box of food would make such a big difference in their lives. But people really depended on that and it only continued to grow." Presente, which now has an annual budget of $1.15 million funded by donations and grants, has expanded to include health equity work, both at the individual and community level. The organization helps people access health coverage, navigate the health care system, make appointments and advocate for their needs. It also has a 2-acre farm in Androscoggin County where it grows food for community distribution. That land is also a place for people to play and reconnect with the land, Cron said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Presente operates with the mindset "Solo el pueblo salva al pueblo:" "Only the people save the people." 'EVERY WEEK THE LIST GROWS' Every other Friday, staff and volunteers pick up food ordered through Good Shepherd Food Bank and Wayside Food Programs, which collects and redistributes food to programs across southern Maine, then come back to the Presente office to prepare to make deliveries the following day. All of the volunteers who help with the food distribution are carefully screened. Many have been involved with the organization for years, while others have signed up recently to support the community. Tophe said Presente now relies on volunteers including 95 people so far this year to make sure the community's basic needs are met. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On a recent Saturday morning, nearly a dozen volunteers and staff members showed up at the Presente building to fill 112 boxes to be delivered to 395 people the highest number in the month or so since the organization switched back to delivering food to clients' doors. They expect that number to grow as community health workers connect with more people, and the clients tell their friends and neighbors. "Every week the list grows," Torres said. "The power of the community is word of mouth." The focus at Presente has always been on providing culturally appropriate food with dignity, Cron said. Typically, the boxes include rice and dried beans, maseca (a fine corn masa flour used to make tortillas and other dishes), fresh produce, protein and other grocery staples. During the growing season, the boxes will included fresh produce and herbs harvested from Presente's farm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Volunteers lined up dozens of boxes, then methodically filled them with rice, beans, sweet potatoes, onions, grapes, apples, granola bars, pasta, tomato sauce and small jars of cumin, paprika and oregano. Some boxes got packets of chicken, others a frozen turkey breast. "Programs like this help them feel empowered and help parents not feel ashamed to feed their children," said Lili Joseph, a first-time volunteer who was helping out with a group from Jewish Voice for Peace and Jewish Action Maine. When the boxes were full, volunteers loaded them into cars to be delivered on eight routes in Portland, South Portland and Westbrook. On four routes, a community health worker accompanied the volunteers to talk to clients about safety, wellness or other issues. On her third stop of the afternoon, Torres talked to the woman on her front porch in Portland about her needs and promised to bring her a space heater and fan next month. Presente will also deliver fire safety supplies, along with smoke detectors through a partnership with the American Red Cross. As difficult as it has been to see community members living in fear, Torres sees some positives in moving back to food delivery; it has eliminated the transportation barrier for some families and made it possible for those who couldn't get to the Presente office to receive food. It also allows workers to check up on clients in their homes and assess how the organization can support them, she said. "When people are looking at the news and it's so bleak, it's easy to feel powerless and hopeless," Torres said. "It's important to remember that there are still small ways to help the community." Copy the Story Link We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others. We do not enable comments on everything exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion. You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs. Show less PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield is calling on U.S. House leaders to strike down a bill that could reshape elections across the United States. In a letter sent Monday to Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), Rayfield and a coalition of 17 other attorneys general called on the House leaders to oppose H.R. 22, the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act. The bill has several provisions, including a requirement for eligible voters to show documented proof of citizenship to register to vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the coalition of attorneys general argues that the bill creates hurdles for people who do not have easy access to documents proving their citizenship and could make it difficult for millions of Americans to vote. DONT MISS: Trump executive order will make Oregon elections less safe, Secretary of State says This law just makes it harder for people to vote, Attorney General Rayfield said. We can protect the integrity of our elections while still making sure that every legitimate voter has an equal opportunity to cast their ballot without obstacles or discrimination. The SAVE Act was introduced in January by Congressman Chip Roy (R-TX) who says the legislation is necessary to protect against ineligible voters from participating in U.S. elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement American elections belong to American citizens, and the publics confidence in those elections is the cornerstone of our republic, Congressman Roy previously said. We in Congress have a duty to our fellow citizens to provide that confidence and put concrete enforcement in place to ensure that our elections and our sovereignty cannot be hijacked and influenced by foreign nationals who have no business voting in this country. Thats why I am proud to reintroduce the SAVE Act with my friends Senator Mike Lee and Representative Andrew Garbarino. The House passed this critical bipartisan bill last year I look forward to working with the Republican Senate to put this policy on President Trumps desk. If passed, the act would amend the National Voter Registrations Act to require voters to provide proof of citizenship before registering to vote. Arguing against the bill, the attorneys general wrote, The legislation purports to protect federal elections from non-citizen voters by imposing burdensome proof of citizenship requirements. Congressman Chip Roy, the sponsor of the Bill, asserts that the legislation is necessary because of the risk that millions of non-citizens may have access to the ballot box. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, the SAVE Act is an oppressive solution in search of a problem that would directly disenfranchise eligible voters who reside in our states. Close Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Eye on Northwest Politics In their letter, the attorneys general said cases of non-citizen voting in the U.S. are extremely rare, pointing to several studies and an audit of Georgias voting rolls by the Secretary of States office, which found 20 non-citizens registered to vote out of 8.2 million residents and nine of the 20 non-citizens had a record of voting, as reported by The Associated Press. According to the attorneys general, the bill would also require expensive documentation, such as passports or birth certificates to match voters current names which could be difficult for some, including married women, whose legal name no longer matches the name on their birth certificate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over 21 million voting-age citizens do not have ready access to a passport, birth record, or naturalization record, the coalition wrote. And 80% of married women would not have a valid birth certificate under the SAVE Act because those women chose to adopt their partners last name. The bill also mandates in-person presentation of the citizenship documents, which effectively eliminates online voter registration systems, which is available in 42 states, the attorneys general argue, noting this could also disenfranchise active-duty service members who cannot return to their local election offices. Eagle Creek Fire led to hundreds of debris flows in Columbia River Gorge The attorneys general furthered that the bill would create substantial administrative and financial burdens for states by requiring new voter registration procedures, new systems for document verification and criminalizing mistakes made by election officials with penalties of up to five years in prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other attorneys general signing the letter include the attorneys general of Maryland, Illinois, Connecticut, Minnesota, New York, Nevada, Rhode Island, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Vermont, District of Columbia, California, Maine, Washington, New Jersey and Michigan. On Tuesday, Democratic Oregon Congresswoman Maxine Dexter (OR-03) introduced an amendment to the SAVE Act which would have required state-level certification that the laws new requirements would not prevent eligible married women from casting their ballots. Kaiser Permanentes new Clackamas campus will be Oregons first fully-electric hospital During a vote on Tuesday, House Republicans voted down Dexters amendment, along with seven additional amendments introduced by the congresswoman, which she said would have required states to ensure the SAVE Act did not disenfranchise members of the military, people of color, native communities, survivors of domestic violence, seniors, people with disabilities and rural residents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The SAVE Act isnt about preventing fraud, its about preventing participation in our elections, Dexter said. Thats why I demanded that House Republicans adopt my amendment to give assurances that married women who change their last name will not be shut out of the ballot box. This amendment isnt a theoretical, its about the married woman in Hood River whose documents dont match after changing her name. Its about making sure our democracy includes all of us. And House Republicans voted it down. On Tuesday, House Republican leaders canceled votes for the rest of the week after a small group of Republicans staged a rebellion on the floor, bringing legislative action to a screeching halt, The Hill reports. This blocked several planned votes for the week, including a vote on the SAVE Act; however, the bill can still be voted on later this session. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. April 2 (UPI) -- The California man who planned to kill U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh in 2022 will plead guilty in the incident, his lawyers said Wednesday. Nicholas John Roske, now 29, of Simi Valley, was originally scheduled to go on trial in June. On Wednesday, lawyers for Roske wrote in a letter to U.S. District Court Judge Deborah Boardman. In it, they said the matter had been talked over with federal prosecutors and offered next Monday for the guilty plea hearing to the single charge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We write to inform the Court that Mr. Roske wishes to plead guilty to the one-count Indictment pending against him," they said in part. Prosecutors say that Roske, then 26, traveled from his native California to Maryland with the intent to assassinate Kavanaugh. The California man who planned to kill U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh (seen Oct. 2022) will plead guilty to the alleged 2022 crime, his lawyers said Wednesday. On Wednesday, lawyers for Nicholas Roske told U.S. District Court Judge Deborah Boardman the matter was discussed with federal prosecutors and offered next Monday for the guilty plea hearing to the single charge. File Photo by Eric Lee/UPI He was charged for the attempted crime by a federal grand jury in June 2022. According to the indictment, he was carrying a firearm, two bullet magazines, 17 rounds of ammunition in a plastic bag, a speed loader and other firearm-related items. Police said that he called 911 on himself after speaking to his sister and was later captured near Kavanaugh's home after he took a taxi. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He later told authorities he did so because he was "upset about the leak of a recent Supreme Court draft decision regarding the right to abortion, as well as the recent school shooting in Uvalde, Texas." Roske indicated he had "been suicidal for a long time." He was, his attorney's wrote in a court filing, "acutely suicidal, visibly exhausted and had repeatedly expressed his need for psychiatric care." "And when I saw that the leaked draft, it made me upset and then it made me want to -- I don't know," he said, adding that he "was under the delusion that I could make the world a better place by killing him." The attempted assassination charge, meanwhile, carries a sentence of up to life in prison. As part of the 200-page audit into the Canton Police Department released Tuesday, the audit team determined all procedures were followed related to officers investigation into the death of Sandra Birchmore. Birchmore was found dead in her apartment at Windsor Woods 3307 on February 4, 2021. Canton Police initially ruled her death a suicide by hanging, but in the years since, former Stoughton Police Officer Matthew Farwell has been charged with her murder. According to court documents, Farwell was one of three Stoughton officers who had an inappropriate relationship with Sandra when she was a young teen in the Stoughton Police Departments Explorers Program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators believe Farwell killed Sandra when she was 23 years old after learning she was pregnant with his baby. He was also a married father of three at the time. The night of Birchmores death, the 5 Stones Intelligence Audit Team determined Canton Police officers followed all procedures related to crime scene preservation. The timeline is as follows below: On February 6, 2021, two days after she was found dead, 5 Stones Intelligence said that Canton Police received critical information from two witnesses who said Birchmore had been dating a police officer, who didnt want the baby, and if Birchmore did not get an abortion, he [boyfriend] would take care of the problem himself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After identifying that Farwell was present at Birchmores apartment on the night of her death, and establishing he was involved in a long-standing intimate relationship with her, Chief Helena Rafferty advised the audit team that after February 6, investigative authority into Birchmores death was turned over to the Massachusetts State Police and Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrisseys Office. Pursuant to Canton Polices handling of the investigation, the audit team recommended the following: Officers should digitally photograph all crime scenes and sketch the scene. Chief of the Investigations Division should review all death investigation police reports to ensure completeness, accuracy and exhaustion of all investigative avenues prior to being finalized. Canton Police should remain involved in death investigations that occur within the Town of Canton. Town officials and the Police Audit Committee are now carefully reviewing the findings to assess any necessary next steps, audit committee chair Robert McCarthy shared in a written statement. The committee is committed to working with all stakeholders, including the police department, town leadership, and residents to ensure that any recommendations are thoughtfully considered and appropriately implemented. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for the Canton Police Department told Boston 25 News on Tuesday they had yet to review the full 200-page audit. The full audit can be on the towns website here. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW AURORA, Ill. (WGN) The mayoral race rematch in Aurora ended in defeat for incumbent Mayor Richard Irvin on Tuesday. Irvin was aiming to maintain his seat for a third term by besting area Alderman John Laesch, who Irvin defeated in 2021, but voters decided otherwise. With 99% of precincts reporting, Laesch had 9,188 votes (52.32%) to Irvins 8,374 votes (47.68%). WGN News cameras caught up with both candidates Tuesday morning. Irvin greeted commuters at the Route 59 train station and cast his ballot at Wesley United Methodist Church. Weve done more economic development in the last seven years than all the mayors and administrations put together in the last 70 years, which has allowed us to expand our tax base, allowed us to add $2 billion to our EAV, and allowed us to make this city one of the better cities in the state of Illinois, Irvin said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Sen. Napoleon Harris wins Thornton Township supervisor seat, Jason House victorious in Dolton mayoral race Laesch, a military veteran who received the backing of Illinois Democrats, also visited several polling places and knocked on doors for support. This is a very important election, Laesch said. Whether youre concerned about the national scene and what this race might implicate for that, or if you just want to see more ethical and better government that is working to bring our community together and be fiscally responsible, then I hope that people exercise their right to vote. In February, Irvin led Laesch by 636 votes in the five-way primary. Laesch supporters connected Irvin, a moderate Republican, to President Donald Trump, while Irvin supporters painted Laesch as a liberal socialist. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines Irvin, who lost a Republican bid for governor in 2022, had also touted Auroras low crime rate since taking office. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. TASHKENT, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian have agreed to further enhance trade and economic ties between their countries. Both leaders discussed pressing issues on the bilateral agenda during a telephone call Tuesday and expressed satisfaction with the current development of their ties, the press service of the Uzbek President reported on Wednesday. "Indicators of mutual trade and cargo transportation are on the rise, the number of joint ventures is increasing, regular direct flights between the capitals are being carried out, and businesses as well as cultural and humanitarian exchanges are expanding," said the report, citing a statement by the Uzbek government. Both sides agreed to further enhance cooperation in the chemical, petrochemical, textile and food industries, agriculture and the construction materials sector, among other areas. By Kirsty Needham and Alasdair Pal SYDNEY (Reuters) -Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his rival in a May election, Liberal Party leader Peter Dutton, said they would stand up for the country's national interests in the face of looming U.S. tariffs that could hit Australian beef. Australia recorded its first trade surplus with the United States in January as gold exports surged, after decades of trade deficits. The two countries have a free trade agreement that allows duty-free entry for U.S. exports. Albanese has said his government will not retaliate against the Trump Administration with reciprocal tariffs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Toughening his language in an election campaign, Albanese said on Wednesday he would "stand up for Australian interests", and would not compromise on Australian regulations that the United States is likely to target. Opposition Liberal Party leader Peter Dutton similarly told reporters: "My job is to stand up for Australians." "If I needed to have a fight with Donald Trump or any other world leader to advance our nation's interests, I'd do it in a heartbeat," Dutton said in a Sky News Australia interview. Albanese said he "won't compromise" on three areas likely to be targeted, after they were listed in a report on foreign trade barriers released a day earlier by the United States Trade Representative. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We won't compromise on our Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, on our biosecurity or our Media Bargaining Code," he said. The report listed Australia's ban on U.S. fresh beef products, in place since bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) was detected in U.S. cattle in 2003. Albanese said Australia was not prepared to change its strict biosecurity controls on meat, because it "could do enormous damage to our meat products". Australia and the United States are among the world's largest beef exporters. A slump in U.S. beef production opened the door for Australia to export record amounts of meat last year, growing its market share in North America and Asia and channelling billions of dollars to cattle processors and farmers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Australia exported A$4 billion worth of beef to the United States last year, its biggest market. The U.S. trade barriers report also referred to Australia's 2021 law requiring U.S. tech giants, such as Google and Meta, to negotiate with media companies and compensate them for the links that lure readers and advertising revenue. In December, Albanese's government said it planned to toughen the rules, and charge big tech firms millions of dollars if they did not pay Australian media companies for news hosted on their platforms. Exports to the United States were less than 5% of Australia's total goods exports, compared to one in four export dollars coming from trade with China, Albanese said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Australia was focussed on expanding its exports to growing economies in South East Asian and India, he said. Australian beef exporters were previously barred from China after a diplomatic dispute between Canberra and Beijing, which was resolved last year. (Reporting by Kirsty Needham and Alasdair Pal in Sydney; editing by Barbara Lewis) WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) As April marks Austim Awareness Month, one local authors latest release has specific ties to the month, not only in the story but also in the proceeds. Roger Browning first wrote The Walking Man of Chapel Hill in just two weeks, seven years ago, but it took time to develop the main characters relatability and authenticity regarding his mental disorder as he carries traits some might relate to autism. HotterN Hell Hundred named in 10 best road cycling events for 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the book itself is fiction, the storys basis comes from actual events that transpired in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, in 2018, when two factions of Americans collided over the removal of statues. Browning wanted the story to be authentic and separate from both factions, bringing to life JW. All my profits, Im not taking a penny of it. Im donating my writing to this, and theyre going to four different organizations. The first one on my list is the Roundup for Autism, Browning said. Its an important one to me; its kinda local, and it helps people get the right information they need for their caregivers, for people who are on the spectrum to be able to live out their lives without draining them financially, gives them educational tools, things like that. In addition to the Bobby Norris Roundup for Autism, Brownings proceeds will go to the Autism Self Advocacy Network, the Child Mind Institute, and the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Walking Man of Chapel Hill can be purchased on Amazon. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Texomashomepage.com. Former President Barack Obama pushed hard to try to prevent Kamala Harris from being anointed the Democratic nominee in the 2024 race for president, the author of a new political book said Tuesday on MSNBC. (Watch the video below.) He did not have faith in her ability to win the election, said Jonathan Allen, co-author of Fight: Inside the Wildest Battle for the White House. NBC News Allen and co-author Amie Parnes of The Hill appeared on Morning Joe to plug their account of Donald Trumps eventual victory in November. Host Joe Scarborough noted that the books section about Obamas initial opposition to Harris really jumps out. Allen jumped in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He didnt think that she was the best choice for Democrats, Allen explained. And he worked really behind the scenes for a long time to try to have a mini primary or an open convention or mini primary leading to an open convention. Did not have faith in her ability to win the election. As it turned out, she didnt win, but he was really working against her. Allen pivoted to a specific anecdote suggesting that Obama was working the phones against Harris right after President Joe Bidens withdrawal from the race and endorsement of the vice president. In one moment, he had set up a phone call with Congressman [Jim] Clyburn from South Carolina on the day that Joe Biden handed off the baton to Kamala Harris, and Obama had set up a call with Clyburn for like 5:30 that afternoon, Allen said. And Clyburn thought to himself, this guys going to try to rope me into the open convention thing. I better get my endorsement of Harris out there fast, so this is a short conversation. And when Harris talked to Obama on the day that Biden handed off to her, Obama was unwilling to give his endorsement. Five days later, however, Obama finally endorsed Harris in a video with former first lady Michelle Obama. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harris has enjoyed near-unanimous support from the party since current President Joe Bidens withdrawal from the race Sunday, defying pundits who predicted Democratic infighting should Biden bow out, HuffPost wrote at the time. But, for a while at least, one of the partys most prominent figures was allegedly digging in his heels. Obamas office didnt immediately respond to a HuffPost request for comment. Related... (NewsNation) Ahead of tariffs and retaliatory tariffs going into place Wednesday, the heads of auto companies Ford, General Motors and Stellantis are making a last-minute effort to appeal to the White House, NewsNation has learned. The powerful auto execs are all making a last-minute push to get effective carve-outs on some less expensive auto materials needed for automobile construction. Some effective carve-outs for the automotive industry have already been made. Last month, a pause on automotive tariffs was introduced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the president has repeated that grace periods will end and tariffs will come down across the board April 2. Reciprocal tariffs are a chief cornerstone of the presidents economic vision to once again level the playing field regarding international trade and commerce. For months, he has accused many other nations of ripping the United States off. Trump administration admits it wrongly deported man to El Salvador Notwithstanding this belief, he told reporters Monday that he intends to be generous to foreign nations. The numbers will be lower than what theyve been charging us, and in some cases, may be substantially lower, Trump said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But we sort of have a world obligation, perhaps. But were going to be very nice. Relatively speaking, were going to be very kind. Not everyone sees it that way. The European Union, among others, has promised to introduce retaliatory tariffs of its own. Europe has not started this confrontation. We do not necessarily want to retaliate, but if it is necessary, we have a strong plan to retaliate, and we will use it, Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, said this week. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. On a cliffs edge, overlooking the rippling waters of Lake Pleasant, biologists from the Arizona Game and Fish Department anchored ropes to nearby palo verde trees before carefully lowering themselves down the bluff. Their destination was a bald eagle nest, wedged between the cliffside and a lone saguaro cactus, filled with three growing nestlings ready for their first and only health check-ups. In about five weeks, these eaglets will take flight and join Arizonas small but growing bald eagle population. In 2024, Arizona Game and Fish biologists documented 90 breeding pairs of eagles successfully raising 77 chicks into fledglings across the state, the largest number ever documented. But conserving the iconic national bird isnt easy. Throughout the breeding season, areas of public land, including this section of Lake Pleasant, are closed to outdoor recreationists and other visitors who might disturb or endanger the majestic species. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arizona does have a relatively small and relatively isolated population, said Kenneth "Tuk" Jacobson, bald eagle management coordinator for Arizona Game and Fish. We spent a lot of work bringing this population up from 25 nests in the late 1970s to the 104 nests that we have now, and we don't wanna see that backslide at this point. In the nest, Kyle McCarty, one of the eagle biologists, carefully affixed hoods over the eaglets heads and soft boots over their sharp talons before placing them into a carrier to be raised out of the nest. All the while, the mother and father eagles circled above, occasionally calling to the biologists before settling on a nearby ridge to watch. On solid ground, the team of biologists got to work measuring the brood and testing them for avian influenza. The team worked quickly to minimize stress to the birds. The big thing is we want to make sure they're doing well, make sure that they don't have problems with parasites in the nest, said Jacobson. It gives us a chance to remove fishing line and fishing hooks from the nest if they've come in with the fish that's been brought in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After completing the health check, blue and silver identification bands marked with numbers and letters are placed around the birds' feet. Three bald eagle chicks are temporarily removed from their cliffside nest by Arizona Game and Fish during a mission to monitor the health and well-being of the eaglets and affix bands for identification at Lake Pleasant Regional Park. Banding the bald eagles helps the biologists understand their movements and monitor their survival and breeding success, providing crucial data for conservation efforts. We're able to track these birds for the rest of their lives, said Jacobson. It gives a lifetime of information. It's been really valuable as one of our tools for managing this population. Mexican gray wolf: Their numbers rise for 9th year, but advocates question foster pup strategy How species protections helped the bald eagle recover Throughout the last century, protecting bald eagles has become a national priority and an Endangered Species Act success story. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bald eagle populations initially began to decline in the mid-1800s due to nesting habitat loss and shooting by farmers who perceived the birds as threats to chicken flocks and other domestic livestock, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Three bald eagle chicks are temporarily removed from their nest by Kyle McCarty from Arizona Game and Fish to monitor the health and well-being of the eaglets at a cliffside nest at Lake Pleasant Regional Park. By 1940, federal lawmakers had taken note of the eagle species decline toward extinction, and Congress passed the Bald Eagle Protection Act, which prohibited the killing, possession or selling of the birds. In 1962, the legislation was amended to include protection for the golden eagle, and the law became the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. After World War II, a new threat to the eagles emerged. A synthetic pesticide gained popularity across the nation. Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, commonly known as DDT, washed into waterways and contaminated the bald eagles food source. The contamination caused the eagles to produce thin eggshells that were easily broken during incubation or failed to hatch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By 1963, only 417 nesting pairs of bald eagles remained. In 1978, bald eagles were designated as threatened and endangered throughout the lower 48 states under the Endangered Species Act, but not in Alaska, where the population remained strong. Audrey Jordon, a nest watcher for the Arizona Game and Fish Department, is following the health check and banding of three eaglets at Lake Pleasant Regional Park. Through robust conservation efforts, including captive breeding, reintroduction, nesting site protections and ongoing monitoring, the population grew. In 2007, U.S. Fish and Wildlife officials estimated at least 9,789 nesting pairs of bald eagles in the contiguous United States, and on June 27, 2007, the species was officially delisted. The bald eagle has stood as a prominent American symbol for over two centuries, but it became official in 2024, when President Joe Biden signed a bill naming the bald eagle the national bird. Protecting Arizona's desert-nesting eagles Since the eggs hatched in February, Audrey Jordon and Griffin Lay have kept a watchful eye over the nest. The pair of recent graduates moved from central Florida to work for the Arizona Bald Eagle Nestwatch Program, a seasonal monitoring effort that collects data on the bald eagles and educates the public on nesting site closures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 24-year-old nestwatchers carefully handled the eaglets during the health checks and banding process. It's such a special experience to be able to watch these birds grow up from just a little hatchling in the egg, and now being able to be so up close and personal with them and hold them, said Lay. It's a very special experience. One of the parent bald eagles flies near its cliffside nest as Arizona Game and Fish temporarily removed three eaglets to monitor their health and well-being at Lake Pleasant Regional Park. Although bald eagles across the country made a recovery, the desert nesting population in Arizona still struggle with low reproduction rates and loss of valuable riparian habitat. After the species was delisted from the Endangered Species Act, conservation groups filed multiple lawsuits to get the bald eagles in the Sonoran Desert designated a distinct population segment. The lawsuits did not restore endangered status to the birds, but the species is still protected by a number of other laws, including the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The nestwatchers with the Arizona Bald Eagle Nestwatch Program help educate the public on nesting site closures when they venture into areas where bald eagles are raising their young. When disturbed by human activity, bald eagles will change their behaviors and disrupt vital feeding routines which can cause accidental eaglet deaths. For Arizonans hoping to catch a glimpse of the national bird, biologists have one recommendation to ensure the eagles are not disturbed. Enjoy the bald eagles, but enjoy them from a distance. Bring your binoculars, bring a spotting scope, said Jacobson. If you see one, watch it from a distance and let them be eagles. John Leos covers environmental issues for The Arizona Republic and azcentral. Send tips or questions to john.leos@arizonarepublic.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Environmental coverage on azcentral.com and in The Arizona Republic is supported by a grant from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust. Follow The Republic environmental reporting team at environment.azcentral.com and @azcenvironment on Facebook and Instagram. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona biologists check health of bald eagle chicks, attach leg bands SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) The City of Ballinger is organizing an urgent town hall meeting after claiming that Runnels County has failed to provide adequate financial assistance for fire services and that there is growing disagreement about the management and operation of dispatch services. According to the City of Ballinger, issues between it and Runnels County regarding the management, operation and financial upkeep of fire services in the region have led to its citizens paying for inadequate services. The City provided the following claims regarding this dispute between it and Runnels County: City of Ballinger citizens are taxed for City and County Services Runnels County does not want to pay more than $13,000 for County fire suppression that costs over $160,000 to the City of Ballinger residents Runnels County officials do not regularly accept recommendations from other entities and officials regarding improvements for dispatch services Runnels County is demanding that the City of Ballinger pay $81,000 for dispatch services that are inadequate and not dispatching correctly, leaving both city and county residents at risk Runnels County Residents are not taxed for city services but receive free City Fire Suppression at the cost of the citizens of Ballinger Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All three kindergarten teachers at Abilenes TLCA fired due to unacceptable discipline practice For too long, city taxpayers have been footing the bill for fire services that should be shared with the county, the City of Ballinger said. Meanwhile, there is a growing disagreement over the management and operations of dispatch services that affect both our city and county residents. The City of Ballinger is planning to hold a town hall meeting on Monday, April 7, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. inside the Ballinger Community Center, located at 200 Crosson Ave. The City stated that it wishes to discuss the following topics with citizens: Countys failure to pay city fire services The impact on city taxpayers Disagreement over dispatch operations What needs to change to benefit all citizens? How can we work together to make changes to enhance safety and security for our citizens and first responders? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is your chance to express your views and work with the city council on finding a solution, the City of Ballinger said. Your voice matters! Concho Valley Homepage staff contacted Runnels County officials for further information but did not receive any statements as of the time of publication. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com. BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) Chapter 11 bankruptcy is a legal process that allows businesses and individuals to reorganize debts and finances, while continuing to operate, trying to avoid liquidation. But what does that look like for a company like Gulf World? Operations running may mean paying chief organizational officers salaries and paying security and paying water bills and winding down the corporation and selling or transferring off assets and collateral, said Bankruptcy Attorney Michael Wynn. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wynn says the nature of bankruptcy moves fast, and more documents are still coming out. One of the things I just read said that they, on the eve of filing, removed all of the leadership of the corporations involved and brought in a restructuring team. Not unusual, but when youre dealing with a debtor that specializes in, you know, marine mammals and the well-being and care of animals that, you know, deserve to be treated appropriately, making sure that you have people in place to protect those animals is very important, added Wynn. The first day of motions will begin Wednesday, April 2nd. Jimmy Patronis wins Floridas 1st Congressional District seat Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres going to be a number of things that get addressed tomorrow, including but not limited to the protection of the dolphins and other marine life across all 13 entities. Right? Because this isnt just Gulf World. Its Gulf World and 12 others and so one court in Delaware is addressing what happens to all of that across the board. And a lot of thats going to occur tomorrow so is our Gulf World open on Wednesday? Hard to say I might make other plans, elaborated Wynn. In this bankruptcy case those animals are perceived as assets to the company. And so while they should be afforded rights and they should be taken care of and they should be cared for delicately, they are also assets that have money values affixed to them that have to be addressed, said Wynn. Wynn says if those assets are turned over to other marine parks or rehabilitation facilities the debtor can no longer utilize them to pay debts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are several other parties, aside from the animals, that could suffer. Unfortunately, a lot of people come out with their hands in the air saying, wheres my money? And I would anticipate that in a case like this, there very well may be a lot of claimants at the end of the day who have unsecured claims that are not going to be able to be paid, said Wynn. Whats unique about this case is you can tell that they did a decent amount of pre-petition work. However, they have not filed fully complete documents in all of the cases. What does that let you know? Lets you know that most likely this came up a little bit quicker than others, added Wynn. A federal bankruptcy judge in Delaware is set to hear a 275-page document tomorrow, related to the financing package the debtors want approved. Debt funding is also on the docket. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com. Susan Crawford's win over Brad Schimel for a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court has led to national political figures offering their congratulations. Former President Barack Obama and progressive U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders were two who took to social media Tuesday night shortly after the race was called to celebrate Crawford's victory. Obama endorsed Crawford shortly after President Donald Trump backed conservative Schimel in a race that got national attention and broke spending records. Congratulations to Judge Susan Crawford on her victory, and to the people of Wisconsin for electing a judge who believes in the rule of law and protecting our freedoms. Barack Obama (@BarackObama) April 2, 2025 "Congratulations to Judge Susan Crawford on her victory, and to the people of Wisconsin for electing a judge who believes in the rule of law and protecting our freedoms," Obama tweeted Tuesday night. Bernie Sanders congratulates Susan Crawford, references that her victory defeats Elon Musk Bernie Sanders, the Vermont senator and former progressive presidential candidate, referenced how Crawford's victory was a win over not just Schimel but also Elon Musk, who made himself one of the central figures in the race. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk and his political groups poured in $20 million in the race, backing Schimel. He also led a rally in Green Bay on Sunday where he gave away two $1 million checks, a move that led to Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul suing Musk for trying to buy votes and others questioning the legality of it. Musk also gave away another $1 million check to a Green Bay man through his political action group days earlier. Musk, who has become one of Trump's closest ally as he has headed the president's Department of Government Efficiency, is the richest man in the world. "Congratulations Wisconsin on electing Susan Crawford," Sanders wrote on X. "As a result of your strong grassroots organizing, you have defeated the wealthiest person on earth. "You have set an example for the rest of the country. We can do it." Congratulations Wisconsin on electing Susan Crawford. As a result of your strong grassroots organizing, you have defeated the wealthiest person on earth. You have set an example for the rest of the country. We can do it. https://t.co/hpbsV7tFzi Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) April 2, 2025 This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Barack Obama celebrates Susan Crawford win in Wisconsin Supreme Court PARIS, April 2 (Xinhua) -- French government spokesperson Sophie Primas said on Wednesday that the European Union (EU) would retaliate, by the end of April, against new tariffs that U.S. President Donald Trump was expected to announce later on Wednesday. Speaking to the press after a Council of Ministers meeting, Primas told reporters that France and the EU have already prepared two responses to Trump's tariffs. "The first, which will take place in mid-April, is a response to the tariffs already announced on steel and aluminum," she said. A second response to the new tariffs, at the European level, would be announced by the end of April after a precise study. She stressed that the European response would be delivered in a "consistent, united and strong way." She noted that the EU has already begun to study which sector of activity would be subject to the retaliatory measures. "We need to be very vigilant about the choice of these sectors of activity, and at the same time very strong and united, because obviously, one of the United States' strategies is to try to disunite us and find points of divergence between European countries," she added. Trump is set to roll out "reciprocal tariffs" on what he called "Liberation Day" this Wednesday, targeting any country that has imposed levies on U.S. goods. The initiative aims to match the tariffs levied by other countries on American goods by imposing equivalent rates on their exports to the United States. However, this approach has drawn widespread criticism for its potential to undermine the established multilateral trade system that has contributed significantly to global prosperity. BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) The Baton Rouge Police Department arrested a man accused of selling drugs from his home on multiple charges. According to an affidavit, on Oct. 18, 2024, BRPD officers were alerted of high traffic to a home on Cristy Drive. During surveillance of the property, investigators reported seeing several people being served drugs through a side door. Investigators also saw a car in the driveway next to the home, a driver approach a man standing outside of the home on Cristy Drive before going back into the car. As the vehicle left the area, police attempted a traffic stop, which led to a search of the car. During the search, officers found an amount of drugs in a freshly bagged bag. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The affidavit states that investigators continued surveillance of the home and saw two people in a car in the driveway of the home. Officers made contact with the pair and detained them. Officers approached the residence, where a woman informed them that one person was inside with a 3-month-old baby. The individual was identified as Norman Turner, 40. A warrant for the home was granted, and the following items were seized: digital scales sandwich bags inmate ID from Livingston Parish Promethazine 39 grams of crack cocaine 22 grams of suspected marijuana 1 gram of fentanyl 4 boxes of baking soda measuring glass Kevlar vest 2 THC vape cartridges ID of Norman Turner Taurus handgun AR round cannabis test 2 cocaine tests marijuana bong smoke mask Officers reportedly found the THC vape cartridges and an amount of marijuana in the babys room. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baton Rouge man charged in deaths of pregnant girlfriend, child pleads guilty According to police, Turner admitted to owning the crack cocaine but said he was unaware of the fentanyl in the home during questioning. Turner was arrested and booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on the following charges: simple possession of marijuana 2 counts of manufacture, distribution or possession with the intent to distribute a Schedule II drug cruelty to juveniles clandestine lab unlawful manufacture of a controlled dangerous substance unlawful use of body armor illegal carrying of a firearm with a controlled dangerous substance possession of a firearm by a convicted felon by a person convicted of domestic abuse battery Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jail records show Turner was booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on March 27. No bond amount has been set for Turner. Latest News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News. BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) The Baton Rouge Police Department is investigating two separate shootings that left two people dead on Tuesday. While on the scene of the first shooting, Louisiana First News photographer, Brett Landrews, witnessed another shooting while other people and police units were in the area. It was a lot going on, said Landrews. Ive been doing this for a long time, and when I arrived at the scene, it was a regular shooting scene. All I heard out of the blue were shots ringing, and that was just out of the ordinary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Autopsies are pending in both cases. La Margie Avenue shooting BRPD officers responded to a shooting at an apartment complex in the 12200 block of La Margie Avenue around 6:45 p.m. that left one man dead. The East Baton Rouge Parish Coroners Office identified the victim as Samuel Jackson, 25, on Wednesday morning. Police said a motive and suspect in this case are unknown at this time. Avenue E shooting Police said shortly after the first shooting, shots rang out in the 10000 block of Avenue E around 7:45 p.m. Officers confirmed one man was pronounced dead. The coroners office identified the victim as James Williams, 80, on Wednesday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said a motive and suspect in this case are unknown at this time. Police seek tips in both shooting cases Investigations are ongoing into both shootings. Anyone with information is asked to contact BRPD at 225-389-2000 or Crime Stoppers at 225-344-7867. Livingston Parish alleged gang members arrested after Bogalusa shooting, drug bust Latest News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) The mast of the Battleship Oregon is a popular landmark on the waterfront, but it has fallen into disrepair. Volunteers who look after the mast told KOIN 6 News when they went to the city with their concerns, they were told they would have to fix the mast themselves. Portland Parks and Recreation owns the mast. The Portland-Blueback Navy League Council takes care of the signal flags and the United States flag on the mast. They have done it for decades, for free. In summer 2024 members of the council went to the city with a list of suggested repairs that totaled around $50,000. But members of the council said the city told them there was no money in the budget for the repairs and told the council they would have to fund it themselves. Members said the city also asked the council to take a larger role in maintaining the mast, but still work as volunteers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oregon bill allocating $800M toward Portland MLB team forges ahead Joe Baney with the Navy League has been the one to raise the flags over the years. He said the whole situation is sad because the mast belongs to the city, and the council cannot cover the costs on its own. Joe Baney with the Portland-Blueback Navy League Council, April 1, 2025 (KOIN) Its hard for us to do the fundraising, he said. So its something that the city should take over because it reflects on them as well. That they have a nice city that looks, you know, attractive for visitors to come and see our city. Baney said if nothing else, the council would at least like to see a new sign in the area. In a statement to KOIN 6 News, Portland Parks and Recreation said, The Portland/Blueback Navy League of the United States notified Portland Parks & Recreation that the League would no longer support nor be involved in maintenance of the USS Oregon mast after the parties agreement and activities concluded in January 2025. We appreciate the Leagues stewardship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Portland Parks & Recreation will continue to maintain the site to ensure it remains safe, clean, and welcoming. The City is still working to determine the current state of the mast and potential next steps for its maintenance. Ex-partner sick to stomach over Vancouver Outdoor Expo Tom Finneran, the councils president, said the city asking this from a group of volunteers is disheartening. Tom Finneran with the Portland-Blueback Navy League Council, April 1, 2025 (KOIN) It felt like, you know, shift their responsibility from them that - lets be frank, this is a city owned park and the city owns this mast and the Parks bureau, you know, not us. So they want us to take assume responsibility for something thats not even ours. Its the citys. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baney said he believes there is room for this to be resolved if the city will work with the council. The city has so much money and I dont know where they spent some of their money, but it would be good for recognition for all the veterans in the United States and seagoing service, he said. It would be nice if they could go halfway with us, with the expense at least. Finneran said something needs to happen soon because the mast is too important to the city. The Battleship Oregon in an undated photo (Courtesy to KOIN) Its a real vital part of Portland, he said. A piece of history that I dont want to see, you know, go away or get damaged anymore than it is. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baney said by mid-April he will still go back up the mast to raise the signal flags and US flag for the summer. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. WACO, Texas (FOX 44) Baylor University is once again joining universities and communities around the country to increase public awareness and prevention education about sexual assault and interpersonal violence during Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). Throughout the month of April, the universitys Equity, Civil Rights, and Title IX Office are providing opportunities for students, faculty and staff to join its commitment to fostering a safe and healthy campus, preventing acts of sexual violence and treating all members of the campus community with dignity and respect. Baylors schedule of events for SAAM are below: Tuesday, April 1, 2025 SAAM Active Awareness Event Fountain Mall, 3 to 4 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Join staff from the Equity, Civil Rights, and Title IX Office at Fountain Mall to learn more about Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Wednesday, April 2, 2025 Empowerment Journey Fountain Mall, Noon to 2 p.m. The Equity, Civil Rights, and Title IX Office welcomes partners from across campus and the community to share how everyone can be a part of preventing sexual violence and supporting survivors. Participating partners include the Counseling Center, the Care Team, BUPD, Student Government, Health Services and Waco`s Advocacy Center for Crime Victims and Children. Thursday, April 3, 2025 Light the Night/Campus Lit for SAAM Baylor Campus, 7 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Baylor campus will glow teal in support of SAAM. Light the Night begins at 7 p.m. in Fountain Mall as teal lights go on at Rosenbalm Fountain, Pat Neff Hall and the Mark and Paula Hurd Welcome Center. Wednesday, April 9, 2025 Teal Treats Baylor Sciences Building E-Side Atrium, Noon to 2 p.m. Students are invited to come by and sample teal treats and learn more about SAAM. Wednesday, April 16, 2025 Succulents for Survivors Baylor Sciences Building, Noon to 2 p.m. Decorate a succulent in honor of a survivor and learn more about preventing sexual violence and supporting survivors. Tuesday, April 22, 2025 Empowerment & Self-Defense Class Foster Campus, Room 404, 5 to 7 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Learn about the importance of stopping the cycle of violence and how to defend yourself in high-risk situations during a free self-defense class led by trained instructors. Wednesday, April 30, 2025 Denim Day Barfield 213, Noon to 2 p.m. Denim Day, a national awareness campaign, encourages wearing denim on the last Wednesday of Sexual Assault Awareness Month to demonstrate support for survivors of sexual assault. Participants are encouraged to share photos on Instagram with #DenimDay and tag @BU_Equity. Denim Day was established in 1999 in response to a judge`s ruling that a survivor could not have been assaulted since she was wearing tight jeans. The day was set aside in solidarity with survivors and to shift misconceptions surrounding sexual assault. For more information about Baylor University events or resources, you can email Title_IX@baylor.edu, call 254-710-8454 or visit baylor.edu/equity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KWKT - FOX 44. A former senior BBC correspondent helped a Pakistani asylum seeker avoid deportation by supporting his human rights claim. Owen Bennett-Jones a former Islamabad bureau chief for the BBC backed the mans claim that he faced being arrested by security services and imprisoned if he were deported back to Pakistan. Bennett-Jones, who was the long-time host of the World Services Newshour programme, used his personal contacts to establish whether the individuals claims were true, the hearing was told. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The broadcaster said he had been informed the asylum seeker was on a control list and would likely be picked up on his arrival in Pakistan. After the former correspondent described the poor conditions of prisons in Pakistan in a report to the tribunal, the individual was granted refugee status. An immigration judge found that it would breach the mans Article 3 rights, which protect against persecution and torture, under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) if he were to return to his home country, where he claimed he was wanted by the Pakistan military for desertion. The judge overruled the Home Office, which had claimed that little weight could be attached to Bennett-Joness report as he was an expert on extremism rather than the Pakistan military. Arrested, tortured, interrogated The Pakistani, who was granted anonymity, came to the UK on a student visa in 2010 after fleeing Pakistan. He applied for leave after his visa ended, with appeals lasting until 2020, when he was told he would be deported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He then appealed against the deportation, saying that he had turned to the Pakistani military for help after the Taliban tried to recruit him. He said the Taliban told him he would be of great use to to them as he had experience working as a radar technician for the Pakistani air force (PAF). The police refused to help him, so he returned to his PAF base to inform his commanding officer of what had happened. He was then arrested by military police, tortured and interrogated for nine days before being granted a months leave during which he fled to the UK. The tribunal said: [He] claims that he is now wanted as a deserter by the PAF and that military officials often visit his familys home to question them about his whereabouts. As a deserter, he faced arrest and court martial if he returned, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bennett-Jones provided the tribunal with a country expert report, which the asylum seeker relied upon in the proceedings. The former BBC journalist said: Having been given [the asylum seekers] passport number and CNIC [ID card] number by his lawyer, I enquired from my contacts in Pakistan about [his] status. It turns out that he is on the passport control list. Bennett-Jones said he managed to obtain this information through good senior contacts in Pakistan but could not divulge the names of his sources as it would put them at risk. He said the asylum seeker was still on the passport control list and would therefore be picked up on his arrival in Pakistan. An impressive CV Matthew Hoffman, an upper tribunal judge, rejected the Home Offices argument that Bennett-Jones was an expert on extremism rather than the Pakistan military. He said: We find that Dr Bennett-Jones has an impressive CV. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The judge referred to the fact that Bennett-Jones was a former BBC foreign correspondent and had been the corporations Islamabad bureau chief, as well as his having reported on South Asia for 25 years. He also noted that he ran seminars for British diplomats and civil servants and that he had a PhD. Judge Hoffman said: Considering the evidence together in the round and applying the lower standard applicable in protection cases, we are satisfied that the appellant is on the [exit control list]. We also find that the most likely reason for this is that the [individual] is wanted for desertion from the PAF having not returned from his one months leave in early 2010. We are satisfied to the lower standard that on return to the country [the man] is likely to be stopped at the airport and arrested pending a court martial. We accept [evidence from] Dr Bennett-Joness first report that the likely punishment for desertion is a period of imprisonment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are therefore satisfied that if the [man] was to be arrested and detained on return to Pakistan as a deserter from the PAF, then his removal would breach the UKs obligations under Article 3 [of the ECHR]. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) Beavercreek City Schools has announced the anticipated hiring of two new principals. Laura Bailey will be the next Principal of Beavercreek High School and Jay Reynolds will be the Principal of Ankeney Middle School. For the past eight years, Bailey has served as an Assistant Principal at Beavercreek High School. She has a Master of Educational Leadership from Miami University. She also has both a Master of Education with a Specialization in Reading and her Bachelor of Science in Education from Bowling Green State University. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before her time at Beavercreek, she was an Assistant Principal at Colerain High School and a math teacher at Lebanon City Schools. Pizza chain to open Fairborn location Reynolds has previously been an Assistant Principal at Beavercreek High School for five years. Before joining Beavercreek, he worked at Clinton-Massie High School and West Carrollton High School. He has a Master Degree in School Leadership from Miami University, a Master Degree in School Counseling from the University of Dayton and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Wright State University. The Superintendent, Paul Otten, will recommend both be hired to the Board of Education during the Wednesday, April 23 meeting. If approved, their new contracts will start on Friday, August 1. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The school will also look to fill the two open Assistant Principal positions at Beavercreek High School soon. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. A former Rippling employee detailed his time spying on behalf of Deel in a new court filing. Keith O'Brien said Deel's CEO instructed him to steal Rippling's corporate secrets. When he was caught, Deel offered to relocate his family to Dubai, he wrote. A man accused of being a corporate spy for a rival HR software company admitted to secretly working for Deel while he was an employee at Rippling. The now-former employee, Keith O'Brien, wrote in an affidavit made public in an Irish court Wednesday that he was recruited as a corporate spy by Alex Bouaziz, Deel's founder and CEO. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Alex told me he 'had an idea.' He suggested that I remain at Rippling and become a 'spy' for Deel, and I recall him specifically mentioning James Bond," O'Brien wrote in the affidavit. "About thirty minutes later, I called Alex back over WhatsApp and told him that I was onboard with the plan," O'Brien added. The affidavit is part of legal proceedings in Ireland, where O'Brien worked in one of Rippling's satellite offices. The San Francisco-based workforce management software company has a long and bitter rivalry with Deel. Each company has been valued at north of $10 billion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In March, Rippling sued Deel in San Francisco federal court, alleging Deel turned O'Brien who was not named in the lawsuit into a corporate spy. Rippling said O'Brien had collected company secrets on the company's Slack, Salesforce, and Google Drive networks and then passed them on to Deel, giving the rival a competitive edge. O'Brien said in the newly filed affidavit that he collected the information at Bouaziz's direction. His first conversations with Bouaziz are recounted in a section titled "I Begin Spying for Deel." "Alex was particularly interested in Rippling's strategies around global payroll and expansion efforts, as well as reviewing specific sales, marketing information, and customer details," O'Brien wrote. "Alex would give me direction for what terms to search on Rippling's Slack system in order to yield the information he wanted." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement O'Brien, who was hired in Rippling's Dublin office to oversee payroll issues in Europe, wrote that he first met Bouaziz after he created a payroll consulting company as a side job. O'Brien, while offering to consult for Deel, told Bouaziz he was considering quitting his day job and consulting full time, he wrote. O'Brien says Bouaziz suggested he continue working for Rippling and "spy" for Deel. For his work, O'Brien received a monthly payment of $6,000, mostly in cryptocurrency, he wrote. He also communicated with Philippe Bouaziz, Alex's father and Deel's CFO, he wrote in the affidavit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement O'Brien's attorneys at the Irish law firm Fenecas Law attached 47 pages of exhibits to the affidavit, showing records of crypto transactions, notifications of deleted messages, and examples of documents O'Brien says he stole from Rippling on Deel's behalf. Representatives for Deel didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. The company previously said it denies "all legal wrongdoing" and would file a counterclaim against Rippling. 'He believed it was a "trap"' Rippling said in its lawsuit last month that O'Brien was caught after the company devised an elaborate honeypot operation that led him to search for information in a phony Slack channel called "#d-defectors," where Rippling employees purportedly discussed information Deel would find embarrassing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the new affidavit, O'Brien wrote his handlers at Deel realized Rippling had set the trap but not until it was too late. "I ran the search immediately and began to look at the results," O'Brien wrote. "Within minutes, Alex messaged me again and told me not to run the search because he believed it was a 'trap.'" "I told Alex that by the time I got his message, I had already done the search and he said 'oh shit,'" O'Brien continued. Rippling said in its lawsuit that it brought O'Brien's spying to the attention of an Irish court, which appointed a lawyer to Rippling's office to seize his electronic devices for preservation in potential future litigation. O'Brien's affidavit, dated April 1 and made public Wednesday, came in a court case related to those proceedings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When O'Brien was confronted by the court-appointed lawyer, he hid in the bathroom and appeared to try to flush his phone down the toilet, Rippling alleged. In O'Brien's affidavit, he said the lawyer's appearance made him realize "how serious this was" and he "panicked." He performed a factory reset on his phone while in the bathroom and "flushed the toilet a couple of times," he wrote. O'Brien left the Rippling office and contacted Alex Bouaziz, he wrote. A Deel lawyer instructed him to get rid of his phone, he wrote. "He told me to destroy my old phone by breaking it up and throwing it in the canal," he wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The next day, O'Brien "smashed my old phone with an axe and put it down the drain at my mother-in-law's house, as Deel's lawyer Asif had advised," he wrote. Deel also offered to move O'Brien's entire family to another country, he wrote. "Deel's lawyer Asif said they would move me and my family to Dubai, and would figure out a mechanism to cover my legal costs," O'Brien wrote. O'Brien said he became frustrated with the people at Deel, who he said wanted to promote a false story accusing Rippling of violating Russian sanctions to "shift the narrative." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deel's attorneys also deleted their messages and made it hard to reach them, he wrote. After a few days, O'Brien agreed to cooperate with Rippling, he said. "I was getting sick concealing this lie," he wrote. "I realised that I was harming myself and my family to protect Deel." "I was concerned, and I am still concerned, about how wealthy and powerful Alex and Philippe are, but I know that what I was doing was wrong," he continued. April 2, 2025: This story has been updated with more details from the court documents. Read the original article on Business Insider BELCHERTOWN, Mass. (WWLP) Belchertown and the surrounding area gathered Tuesday morning to raise the Child Abuse Prevention flag at town hall. The Childrens Advocacy Center of Hampshire County helped to raise the flag for child abuse prevention while also continuing to raise awareness. Its easy to think that this doesnt happen here but unfortunately, child abuse is a reality here, just like it is in communities across our nation, says Executive Director for the Childrens Advocacy Center of Hampshire County, Kara McElhone. The important thing to recognize is that every adult has a role and that as kids, kids need adults to be able to speak to and be that trusted adult in their life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McElhone said child abuse is far too common and often, adults are the only voice for children. She adds, Statistically one in four girls is sexually abused before they turn 18 years old. In Massachusetts, 84% of offenders were family members or someone the child already knew. There are a number of signs to look out for to help identify a situation of child abuse. If a childs behavior changes a lot, if they start to withdraw, you know if youre worried about clearly this physical indicator of abuse, but you know its not your job to investigate. Its your job to report, states McElhone. The general rule of thumb is if you see something, say something. David Sullivan with the Northwestern District Attorneys Office told 22News, I cant say enough about being the eyes and ears in a community. People can speak up, they can report to the Department of Child and Families (DCF), or the local police department if they suspect any kind of abuse. But if you do see signs, leave the investigation to the proper officials. Sullivan adds, We have a team of people that work with these children first, to make sure that theyre safe and second, to make sure that any trauma, that theyre starting to heal and lastly is to make sure that if we can go forward on a criminal case with abuse that we can. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Childrens Advocacy Center helps to minimize the number of times a child has to talk about their abuse while they help them heal from it. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. 27,523 people played the daily Crossword recently. Can you solve it faster than others? 27,523 people played the daily Crossword recently. Can you solve it faster than others? TOKYO, April 2 (Xinhua) -- The Japanese police have arrested a tourist from the United States after he reported that he had accidentally brought a handgun into the country, local media said Wednesday. The 73-year-old man entered Japan through Kansai Airport in the western Japanese city of Osaka on March 22 after departing the U.S. state of Hawaii and told cruise ship staff that he had a gun in his baggage after boarding a vessel at Kobe Port on March 23, public broadcaster NHK reported. The police arrested the tourist after finding a revolver in his suitcase, citing violation of Japan's firearms control law, the report said. According to the police, the man told investigators that the gun was for self-defense and he had packed it into his suitcase by mistake and he realized it while staying at a hotel in Osaka. The man also explained that he threw away bullets at a Kobe Port terminal because he thought possessing both a gun and ammunition would lead to more serious charges, the report said. The police said three bullets were found in a trash can in a restroom at the terminal. The police believe the man passed through security checks at both the Hawaiian airport and Kansai Airport with the handgun in his suitcase. Belleville City Clerk Jenny Gain Meyer has defeated Mayor Patty Gregory, who became the citys first female mayor four years ago by successfully challenging a longtime incumbent. Belleville voters in Tuesdays consolidated election cast 3,399 ballots (63%) for Meyer, 1,972 (36%) for Gregory and 17 (less than 1%) for write-in candidates, including Ryan Musick, according to unofficial results released by the office of St. Clair County Clerk Tom Holbrook. That includes all ballots from early voting, all ballots from Election Day voting and a portion of mail-in ballots. Officials have two weeks to count the remainder of mail-in ballots postmarked by Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meyer, 49, gathered with supporters, including Illinois Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Swansea), on Tuesday night at Tavern on Main restaurant and bar for an election watch party that quickly turned into a victory celebration. I feel fantastic, Meyer said. All of our hard work and perseverance and support paid off. When Meyer was asked how she liked the title Mayor Meyer, she said, just call me Jenny. Gregory, 71, couldnt be reached for comment on Tuesday. Just after 9 p.m., Meyer told the BND that the mayor hadnt called to concede. Meyer will officially take office May 1. Belleville mayoral candidates included incumbent Mayor Patty Gregory, left, and challenger Jenny Gain Meyer, who now serves as city clerk. Contractor Ryan Musick was a write-in candidate. Other city races In other Belleville city races, Ward 5 Alderwoman Shelly Schaefer defeated Irma Golliday for city clerk (3,620 to 1,589), according to unofficial results released by the St. Clair County clerks office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Golliday is a St. Clair County Board of Review member who ran as part of a team with Gregory. Meyer and Schaefer did door-to-door canvassing together without creating a formal slate. Gigi Dowling Urban defeated incumbent Jamie Eros for Ward 2 alderwoman (247 to 206), and Kathy Kaiser won a three-way race for Ward 5 alderperson with 571 votes, compared to 230 votes for Ashley Pollock and 132 for Michael Hagberg. Urban and Kaiser had endorsed Meyer and Schaefer. City Treasurer Sarah Biermann won reelection with no opposition, as did Ward 1 Alderman Bryan Whitaker, Ward 3 Alderman Kent Randle, Ward 4 Alderman Johnnie Anthony, Ward 6 Alderwoman Mary Stiehl, Ward 7 Alderman Dennis Weygandt and Ward 8 Alderman Nora Sullivan. In the 2021 mayoral election, Gregory defeated the late former Mayor Mark Eckert, who had served for more than 16 years after being appointed by Kern, elected and reelected three times. Eckert died of cancer in 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People at Meyers party on Tuesday night included Eckerts family. They were happy for me, said Meyer, who was close friends with Eckert and served as a department head in his administration. Also celebrating Tuesday night were Meyers parents, Rosemary and Larry Hamann. Rosemany Hamann is listed as treasurer of her campaign committee on the Illinois State Board of Elections website. Im just so happy, her mother said. Shes always wanted this, even back in Eckerts day. She wanted to run then, but it wasnt her time yet. But its her time now. Were all just so proud. Belleville s mayor-elect, Jenny Gain Meyer, hugs Illinois Rep. Jay Hoffman during an election watch party that turned into a victory celebration Tuesday night at Tavern on Main restaurant and bar. Voter turnout rose In 2021, 4,987 people cast ballots for mayor out of 32,389 registered voters in Belleville (about 15%), said St. Clair County Elections Supervisor Laura Kaemmerer. That included 2,806 for Gregory (56%), 2,145 for Eckert (43%) and 36 (less than 1%) for write-in candidate J.D. Dixon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Tuesdays election, 5,388 people cast ballots for mayor out of 29,075 registered voters (about 19%), not including a portion of mail-in ballots that are still being counted. So that percentage may rise. This years mayoral campaign was about more than city politics. It represented a split between two powerful Democrats in the region. St. Clair County Chairman Mark Kern, who formerly served as Belleville mayor, supported Gregory. Hoffman supported Meyer. Gregory largely ran on her record, touting the citys purchase and transformation of Lindenwood Universitys former Belleville campus into the Southwestern Illinois Justice & Workforce Development Campus and demolition of the old Executive Inn and 51 other derelict homes and buildings. Gregory also maintained that her administration was more aggressive on economic development than her predecessor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meyer argued that the city needed to do more to revitalize properties before they reached the point of condemnation by working with neighborhood groups, local banks and real-estate companies. Meyer also suggested a more personal approach to policing with officers spending time in neighborhoods to help reduce crime, and she promised to formulate a comprehensive long-term plan for the city. Gregory is a retired public-school teacher for 34 years who taught special needs and second grade. She also served as founding director of Art on the Square for 20 years before being elected mayor. Meyer is former director of environmental programs for St. Clair County Health Department and former director of health, housing, building, cemetery operations and animal control for Belleville. She was elected city clerk in 2017 and reelected in 2021. Apr. 1BEMIDJI The Beltrami County History Center will be closed Saturday, April 5, so staff and volunteers may celebrate the life of Mary Lou Marchand, a beloved friend, longtime volunteer and lifetime member of the Beltrami County Historical Society. The museum will reopen to the public on Wednesday, April 9, for its regular hours. The museum will also be closed to visitors on Friday, April 11, in preparation for Train Days, scheduled for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 12, and from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 13. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Beltrami County History Center is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, and is located at 130 Minnesota Ave. SW in Bemidji. For more information, visit beltramihistory.org or call (218) 444-3376. Gov. Andy Beshear is taking the Kentucky legislature to court over a new law that limits the executive branch's authority to enact regulations. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Liam Niemeyer) Democratic Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear has gone to court to block what the lawsuit calls the latest power grab by the GOP-controlled legislature. At issue is a new law that curbs the executive branchs authority to make regulations. The bill was a priority for the conservative group Americans for Prosperity which is pushing the measure in multiple states and the U.S. Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a complaint filed in Franklin Circuit Court on March 28, attorneys for the Office of the Governor and the Public Protection Cabinet wrote House Bill 6 is unconstitutional because it essentially hands over control of a state executive branch function and power issuing and implementing regulations to the legislature. Attorneys for the plaintiffs write the debate over HB 6 on the House floor clearly shows the legislative branch is intentionally violating the strict separation of powers in the Kentucky Constitution. Attorneys pointed to comments made by Rep. T.J. Roberts, R-Burlington, on the House floor last month in which Roberts said they better ask us for permission before they engage in executive branch lawmaking. Franklin Circuit Court Judge Phillip Shepherd held a hearing on the case Wednesday morning to consider the plaintiffs request to block the law temporarily. Shepherd granted counsel for the Legislative Research Commission (LRC) the administrative body of the legislature that has an employee listed as a defendant in the case more time to file a legal memo on the request from plaintiffs. A request for comment sent to a spokesperson for Republicans in the Kentucky House of Representatives was not immediately returned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Republican-controlled legislature passed HB 6, dubbed the REINS Act or Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny, over a veto by Beshear in the final days of this years legislative session. The legislation went into immediate effect on March 27 because of the bills emergency clause. HB 6, primarily sponsored by Rep. Wade Williams, R-Madisonville, would prevent executive branch agencies from filing, amending or repealing regulations unless the regulations meet one of six prerequisites. Wade in a previous statement touted the bill as a way to put common sense boundaries on the regulatory powers of unelected government employees. Those prerequisites include that the regulation will not cost more than $500,000 over two years to implement; is needed immediately to to meet an imminent threat to public health, safety, or welfare; is needed to prevent the loss of funds or meet a deadline established in laws or regulations; or is needed relating to the licensure of health facilities and services. The lawsuit names Emily Caudill, the regulations compiler for the LRC, as the defendant. Attorneys for the governor wrote HB 6 gives Caudill the power to determine whether regulations can be filed including when the legislature is not in session. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The governor also says HB 6 restrictions could prevent the implementation of laws passed by the legislature this year, such as creation of a Parkinsons Disease registry that state officials estimate could have an upfront cost of at least $635,000. Another law that the complaint states could be impacted is a move to license retailers who sell nicotine which has regulatory costs that could reach into the millions of dollars, exceeding the limits in HB 6. The passage of HB 6 was applauded by the conservative advocacy group Americans for Prosperity-Kentucky (AFP-KY), a part of a network of political groups affiliated with businessmen Charles Koch and the late David Koch. AFP-KY State Director Heather LeMire said in a statement that while the governor can grandstand, his lawsuit claims are off base. If the governor or his administration had read the law, they would know that it has a stipulation for regulations that come out of legislation for the executive branch to promulgate these regulations, as well as a generous stipulation for the governors emergency powers, LeMire said. It is clear that Governor Beshear wants to avoid accountability and make policy, but that is the job of the legislature. If he is set on being a policymaker, we welcome his resignation so he can run for the General Assembly in November of 2026. She said the legislature gives the governor the power to issue regulations through a specific chapter of state law. This story has been updated with information on a Wednesday morning court hearing. SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) Law enforcement and businesses shared their best jokes, and pranks, Tuesday for April Fools. Here are some of the best: Shocking developments from the Statesboro Police Department: Chief Broadhead hosted a meeting yesterday morning to announce our latest project. Going forward, we will be joining in on the latest trend of using electricity from eels as our charging source for all SPD issued tasers. This serves as an organic, renewable power source that cuts down on costs, is environmentally friendly, and encourages the breeding of electric eels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All eels will be cared for in-house at the station and officers are already scheduled for training in their handling and electric current production. We look forward to taking this exciting new step with you and will keep you posted as we progress! Breaking praline developments from River Street Sweets! BREAKING NEWS Kelley Cale Were live on River Street with Tim Strickland, co-owner of Savannahs beloved River Street Sweets, where some seriously sweet news is unfolding Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [Cue WSAV Ben Senger Anchor] Tim, is it true? Locals are buzzingare yall really launching an Instant Praline Kit? [Tim nods, holding up a shiny new box] Thats right, Ben. Just add water, give it a stir, and boomperfect pralines in 60 seconds. No candy thermometer, no butter splatters. Its praline magic. Too good to be true? You bet it is. APRIL FOOLS! Nice trybut pralines take time, love, and a whole lot of butter to get just right. Leave it to the pros! Flocking to Bulloch County Sheriffs Departments new unit! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Introducing our new AVN unit! Over the years, the Bulloch County Sheriffs Office has had great success with our K-9 unit in keeping the public safe. In an effort to continue our public safety measures through new technologies, we would like to introduce our new AVN unit! This state-of-the-art technology uses trained Canadian Geese to aid in narcotic detection, suspect tracking, and even threat neutralization. Several other states have also implemented this advantageous technology, including New York, Nebraska, and Illinois! Beginning this month, the AVN and K-9 units will work together to make Bulloch County a safer place! Happy April Fools! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Camera shy gators at the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge (AP Photo/Alan Diaz, file) In response to growing concerns over the safety and well-being of Okefenokees alligator population, starting today, a PERMIT will be required for anyone wishing to take photos of alligators in the refuge. Heres what youll need: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Official Alligator Photography Permit (available at the Visitor Center) Photography lessons from a licensed wildlife photographer Special gator-friendly lenses (dont worry, weve got you covered!) Officials have noted that the alligators have become increasingly camera-shy, and its critical that theyre not overwhelmed by flash photography or sudden attention. Okay, were just kidding, happy April Fools! Get outside and enjoy your national wildlife refuge! Statesboro Police Departments new sirens ATTENTION, CITIZENS! The police department has decided that all sirens have been replaced with officers making the noises themselves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you hear a cop going WEE-OOH WEE-OOH behind you, please pull over accordingly Just dance! With the Pooler Police Department? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sometimes you just have to dance Dont miss out on this special offer and opportunity today. I dont know about you, but these officers have some pretty impressive moves if you do attempt this, please record for our enjoyment. *April Foolsyadda yadda legal stuff* Tybee Post Theaters bird closure Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Important Public Notice The Tybee Post Theater is temporarily closed until further notice. During a routine maintenance inspection, a rare and protected avian species, identified as a nesting Maritime Crested Tern, was discovered within the theaters catwalk. In accordance with guidelines from the Coastal Georgia Avian Preservation Society and the Tybee Island Marine Science Center, the theater must remain closed to allow for the undisturbed nesting and potential hatching of this endangered species. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and APRIL FOOLS!!! Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV. WINDHOEK, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Windhoek, Namibia's capital, is set to introduce electric buses as part of efforts to reduce carbon emissions and improve public transportation in the city. The Windhoek Municipal Council has approved the revival of the low-carbon public transportation initiative under the Move Windhoek Project, which will see the procurement of electric buses and a feasibility study to determine the best routes for their integration, the council said in a statement issued Tuesday night. The Move Windhoek Project, funded by the Green Climate Fund, aims to ease traffic congestion, improve air quality, and promote public health. Windhoek, Namibia's largest city with a population of about half a million and its economic center, relies heavily on private vehicles due to limited public transportation options. Urban mobility studies have highlighted the need for investment in high-capacity buses, improved infrastructure, and policies that promote sustainable transportation. City officials say the initiative will make commuting more affordable and accessible for low-income residents while reducing pollution from fuel-powered vehicles. GENEVA, N.Y. (WROC) Former Geneva American Legion Post Commander Dale Henry Mosher has been indicted for grand larceny after prosecutors said he stole more than $100,000 from the organization for more than six years. Former commander of Geneva American Legion accused of stealing $92K Mosher was arrested in the Spring of 2024. However, with the Grand Jurys recent action on the case, First Assistant District Attorney Kelly Wolford said the investigation was a lengthy one to see if the Grand Larceny charge was necessary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It has been a very long process, Wolford said. But we are committed to seeking justice and getting justice for the legion. Prosecutors said Mosher began taking cash from the Legion accounts in December 2015 until May 2023 totaling more than $100,000 said to have been taken. I cant get into the details necessarily of what it was used for. But it was very clear when we went through the records that it was being used for personal use, Wolford said. Current Commander AJ Fratto succeeded Mosher in the position. It was in June 2023 when deputies said Fratto contacted them and said he was trying to get records from Mosher, but Mosher was not cooperating. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres a lot of love and a lot of tradition there, and when that is stolen Its not just about dollars and cents. Its not about monetary value. Its about the hearts and souls, Fratto said. Fratto said despite the losses, the legion is staying committed to its mission. Times change. People change. Like I said, nobody is getting any younger. At one time, you had thousands of people you could volunteer for 20 minutes and that could last five years. Its not like that anymore. We depend on a very small group of people, and only two of them are under 40 years old, Fratto said. Fratto also called the alleged actions of Mosher, betrayal. Nobody under any circumstance wants to believe that their commander their commander would steal from them Nobody wants to believe that, Fratto said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mosher does face 15 years in prison if convicted on the second-degree grand larceny charge. His arraignment is scheduled for April 17. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst. Betty Webb, who has died aged 101, was an intelligence reporter at the Second World War codebreaking centre at Bletchley Park in Buckinghamshire, reporting on the contents of decoded Japanese army messages; she worked in the Japanese Military Section in Block F, rewriting decoded messages so that no one realised that they had been produced by breaking the codes. They had to look as if theyd come from some other source like a human spy, she recalled. One was given these messages, and you had to put them into different wording so that it could be put out in this disguised form. Everything went out under a double-envelope system. There were a lot of numbers on the outside one so that the dispatch rider could tell where it was supposed to go, and then someone else opened it and sent it on to the address on the inside envelope. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although she was dealing with the actual messages, Betty Webb was never aware of the impact her reports might have had on the war. The strict rules on not discussing anything relating to what they were doing left her entirely in the dark about how important her own role was. As with everything we did, we knew very little of the next step, she said. But while small fry like me didnt fully understand the importance of our own input, we did understand that it was imperative that we kept at it and that we did so in the utmost secrecy. Her ability was nevertheless respected sufficiently for her to be sent to Washington when the war in Europe was over, to work alongside the US Army codebreakers working on the same messages in the Pentagon. Life in America was a complete contrast to the austerity of Bletchley. Betty Webb had been used to hard shifts and only a rare weekend off. But in Washington, she had every weekend off and enjoyed food like inch-thick fillet steaks and ice cream that was not available in the UK. Betty Webb in 2017 - Yui Mok/PA Wire Charlotte Webb, always known as Betty, was born in the village of Aston on Clun, near Ludlow in Shropshire, on May 13 1923. Her father, Leslie Thomas Vine-Stevens, was a bank clerk at Lloyds in Ludlow. Her mother Charlotte, nee Harris, was a music teacher. They moved to nearby Rycroft, where Betty and her sister Margaret were home-schooled by their mother. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She had spent a year in Germany during the First World War, so the girls grew up speaking both English and German. In 1937, Betty was sent to Germany to spend three months with a family at Herrnhut, near Dresden. I attended school with the two daughters, she said. We were obliged to stand to attention and give the Hitler salute at the beginning and end of every class. I didnt fully comprehend the German threat but felt it was diplomatic to join with the class requirement to salute. On her return to England, Betty went to a domestic science college near Shrewsbury, but in the summer of 1941 she joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service, the female equivalent of the Army. I wanted to do something more for the war effort than bake sausage rolls, she said. Basic training was a complete culture shock after a very sheltered life in the country. We had women instructors mostly, but I remember one male instructor smacking me across the backside. I said: How dare you? And that was the end of that! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the end of training, she was given a brief interview and a German test in London and sent immediately to Bletchley Park, where she was initially put to work in the military section run by John Tiltman, who is still widely regarded within GCHQ as one of the best codebreakers ever to work for the organisation. Given her ability in German, she was originally put to work in Ralph Testers German Police Section, which was breaking hand ciphers, which while not providing the detail of the Enigma messages, was providing information about the elimination of Jews on the Eastern Front. Staff-Sergeant C E (Betty) Vine-Stephens, aged 22, at the Pentagon in May 1945 - Courtesy of Bletchley Park It is a great honour to know that I played a small part in breaking the codes that allowed the Allies to comprehend the atrocities committed during the Holocaust, she later said. After leaving Bletchley Park, Betty took a secretarial course but struggled to find work. I tried of course but you would go to a prospective employer and they would ask what you were doing during the war and you would say you couldnt tell them. I just said I was not at liberty to say. Faces went blank. They didnt understand and they were quite shirty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She briefly worked as an assistant matron in a college training nursery nurses but left to take up a secretarial post at Ludlow Grammar School. The then headmaster had worked at Bletchley himself and when he interviewed her they recognised each other. That was before the veil of secrecy was lifted. We didnt say anything about it. We just knew that we had both been there, but we didnt talk about it. She moved to Chester to take up another secretarial post and while there joined the Territorial Army. She was commissioned in the Womens Royal Army Corps, eventually taking up a permanent staff job as the recruiting officer for the West Midlands. It was there that she met a former Guards officer, Alfred Webb, who had served in France during the D-Day invasion, and on July 18 1970 they were married, setting up home in Redditch. When he died in 1978, Betty worked as an administrative secretary for the Birmingham Law Society until she retired in the early 1990s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With the ban on speaking about her work at Bletchley lifted in the 1970s, Betty gave more than 200 talks around the country about her time there. As an extremely popular and knowledgeable ambassador for Bletchley Park, she was a frequent guest there. Betty Webb was appointed MBE in June 2015 and as a Chevalier de la Legion dHonneur in 2021. Charlotte Betty Webb, born May 13 1923, died March 31 2025 Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Disclaimer: The views and interpretations expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or positions of WiProud. This article is intended for informational and discussion purposes only. Readers are encouraged to explore multiple perspectives and conduct their own research when forming conclusions about religious texts and beliefs. According to the Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, surveyors recorded for 2025 that 32.3% of the worlds population identified as Christian. Out of the current 8.2 billion people on planet earth, that comes to approximately 2.6 billion proclaiming to be a born again follower of Christ. However, in recent decades people within Christian groups have divided up into many different self-beliefs. Many Christians today have abandoned nearly all of the main and plain core teachings of scripture in attempts to make Christianity more emotionally palatable for themselves and others. And with over half of Christians in just the US alone rejecting scripture as being Gods literal inspired, inerrant, and infallible word its no wonder that basic core teachings within its pages would deteriorate as well. Jesus and His disciples, along with apostles after them, all taught very clearly what doctrines we were to hold fast to. I would beg to ask who of us, that call ourselves Christians, have true salvation as God has defined it? Its a fair question. Afterall, Jesus Himself stated Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mat 7:21-23 KJV If you do not quite understand what Jesus is saying here, He is letting you know that not every self-proclaimed Christian will enter His house. Many will get to the pearly gates, knock, and act like they are friends with Jesus, calling Him Lord Lord. But Jesus will reply that He doesnt know them and never had any relationship with them. Honestly though, the type of relationship Jesus wants with us is not a hard concept to understand. Let me give you an example. Say you randomly friend someone on Facebook because you think they look cool, cute, or because they are popular. This does not mean you are their real life friend. In fact, even if you kept them in your Facebook friends list for years, if you never engage with them or meet them in person, there is no meaningful relationship between the two of you. Now lets say you show up at their house, knock on their door, and demand to be let in because you are friends with them on Facebook. I would bet anything that you would be greeted in the same fashion Jesus expresses in Matthew 7:21-23. They would say they have know idea who you are and would not let you into their house because you are a stranger. They might even call you crazy while dialing the local police. First and foremost, Christianity is an ongoing active relationship with God. And while in this relationship, we learn from the life and teachings of Jesus Christ (who is the physical materialization of God) who gives us a very clear picture of what it means to be His follower. It is a life of relationship and sacrifice, to die to yourself in the pursuit of selflessly loving others and God (Mark 12:29-31). To make God the center of your life everyday above everything else. And with this comes trust in the words that we are reading in the bible to instruct us on our journey in this relationship. If you dont believe the bible is the inspired word of God, then you really cant trust much about what it says concerning Heaven and your salvation either. At that point, why bother being a Christian at all? Afterall, Christian literally means little Christ which implies we are to strive to be like Him. But if you dont trust what you are reading in scripture, then honestly, what is the point? Now Im not speaking of those who cry out to Christ while having no access to a bible. That is a different topic altogether. Im speaking to those who have access to scripture openly, but think of it as not relevant. Consider this, a poll done by Gallup News in May of 2022, in a random sample of 1,007 adult Christians in the US, showed that less than 51% of Christians believe the bible is Gods literal word. And with only 62% of Americans identifying as Christians today, that only equates to an estimated 110 million people out of 347 million of the total population, or less than 1/3, that believe scripture is Gods literal word. And its on a steady decline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Let me be frank for one moment, if I may Christianity is not a fraternity club, or some tavern softball team. Christianity is not a do-gooders community group where we all get credit for showing up for a 30 min meeting to read a brochure on stuff you dont really care about in the first place. And its certainly not falling asleep in the pews once a year while at a Christmas church service. If you are an authentic follower of Christ, its imperative that we take it a bit more serious than that. Scripture needs to be taken seriously, as it has for thousands of years. The bible needs to be the final authority in all things concerning your life. Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance, the only thing it cannot be is moderately important. C.S. Lewis The bible is history and instruction in faith. If someone has scripture but dismisses it, I have a hard time believing that person even understands what a Christian is. Because without the basic instructions for faith that the bible gives Christians, one has to invent and fabricate their own version of Jesus Christ and salvation. But true faith is acquired by hearing scripture. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Rom 10:17 KJV Could you imagine if you were about to get brain surgery from a surgeon that has never read a medical manual in his life, or even performed a surgery previously? What if you heard the surgeon boasting, Oh well, I dont believe the text books have anything useful and their outdated anyway. Or if you were about to get on a plane with a pilot that had never read a flight manual or flown an actual plane? If both of these people stated they just made up their own version of being a surgeon or pilot, you would never take them seriously. They have no real association with their proclaimed profession. This holds true with Christianity. Its very easy to say you are a Christian. But if you say you are a Christian, yet refuse to accept the proper instruction and doctrine, then its not the Christianity Jesus Christ taught. The bible states within its own pages that its not something conjured up by religious old men with an imagination, writing down myths and legends to scare and control people. But rather its words spoken by God while He guided the pen of those writing, and it should be used for correction and instruction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came NOT in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 2Pe 1:20-21 KJV All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 2Ti 3:16 KJV Giving scripture its place of authority, true Christians understand that the words are literal and cling tightly to them. Its no surprise then that they believe the universe was created in 6 literal days about 6000 years ago. Its no surprise they believe God is one God in three parts; God the Father, God the Holy Spirit, and God in the form of a man Jesus Christ. Its no surprise they believe Jesuss words when He stated that He is the ONLY way to Heaven. Its no surprise they believe in a literal eternal Hell as Jesus taught. Its no surprise they believe marriage was created by God only to be between a man and a woman for a lifetime. Its no surprise they believe scriptures definition of sexual immorality. Its no surprise they believe Jesus Christ died on a cross, in exchange for our punishment for sin, and rose from the dead 3 days later to prove all He said was true. In fact, everything Christianity hinges on is by this latter fact. If you can prove Jesus Christ never rose from the dead, you will have effectively killed Christianity. Paul stated himself Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. 1Co 15:14 KJV Years ago, my father and I were having a conversation concerning the bible and I will never forget what he told me. He does not believe the bible is inspired, and that its only written by man full of errors and lies, but still maintains that hes a Christian. In fact, if I tried to convince him he really wasnt a Christian by definition, he got extremely offended and angry. One day he said to me, Well, Im what you would call a New Age Christian. I dont need the bible, nor do I need to change anything about the way God made me. When I die, God and I will simply have a chat and Hell understand and let me into Heaven. I cant help but wonder if this is the very way many so-called Christians think. God is no respecter of persons (Romans 2:11). No one is going to get a special pass outside of the means to salvation God has already provided through Jesus Christ. And certainly not by any fabricated Jesus Christ that so-called Christians have conjured up in their minds to suite their lifestyles. Only by the TRUE Jesus Christ that Gods word speaks of. But how would you know that if you dont believe in Gods word? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jhn 14:6 KJV Disclaimer: The views and interpretations expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or positions of WiProud. This article is intended for informational and discussion purposes only. Readers are encouraged to explore multiple perspectives and conduct their own research when forming conclusions about religious texts and beliefs. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX2548 & WIProud. Just how nervous is billionaire Elon Musk about allegations that he may be violating the state's bribery statute by paying people to vote? On Tuesday, Musk's super PAC, America PAC, pulled a video from X featuring $1 million giveaway winner Ekaterina Deistler in which she said she received the money, in part, to "vote." X is owned by the tech billionaire. "My names Ekaterina Deistler," she said in a video posted Monday morning. "I did exactly what Elon Musk told everyone to do: sign the petition, refer friends and family, vote, and now I have a million dollars." In a video posted by Elon Musks PAC, a $1M check recipient linked voting to receiving the money: My names Ekaterina Deistler. I did exactly what Elon Musk told everyone to do: sign the petition, refer friends and family, vote, and now I have a million dollars. pic.twitter.com/PrXUlk76mO PatriotTakes (@patriottakes) March 31, 2025 But the video was taken down yesterday, and America PAC posted a new video of Deistler on X on Tuesday afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "My names Ekaterina Deistler, and I'm from Green Bay, Wisconsin," she said in the new video. "I did exactly what Elon Musk told everyone to do: sign the petition, refer friends and family, and now I have a million dollars." It's almost exactly the same, except the word "vote" has been removed. She is no longer saying she was paid, in part, to vote in the Supreme Court race. Ekaterina Diestler from Wisconsin became a $1 Million spokesperson for signing our Petition In Opposition To Activist Judges. SIGN: https://t.co/TMeyWUhJhf pic.twitter.com/z5qKcA8kWi America (@america) April 1, 2025 Andrew Romeo, a spokesman for America PAC, declined to say why the first video was taken down. "I don't think we're going to comment on it," he said. Jeff Mandell, general counsel of the progressive voting rights firm Law Forward, said it's clear what's going on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement America PAC keeps changing its cover story, but the underlying reality is unchanged," Mandell said. "That this should happen more than once shouts everything you need to know about their intentions." Musk, who has led President Donald Trump's efforts to slash the side of the federal government, and two groups tied to him have spent more than $20 million helping conservative Supreme Court candidate Brad Schimel. He squares off today against liberal Supreme Court candidate Susan Crawford. Last week, Musk offered $1 million to someone who signed his "Petition In Opposition To Activist Judges." A Green Bay resident ended up receiving that check. Musk then promised to dole out two $1 million checks at his Sunday event in Green Bay "in appreciation for you taking the time to vote," in a since-deleted post on X. Several experts said these giveaways could be seen as an inducement to vote, making it a possible violation of the states bribery statutes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk said in a new post that he would instead be handing over the checks to two people who would serve as spokespeople for his petition. He ended up giving $1 million each to Deistler and Nicholas Jacobs, the chairman of the Wisconsin College Republicans. Diestler, who works as a graphic designer, does not appear to have worked in politics. She could not be reached for comment. Contact Daniel Bice at (414) 313-6684 or dbice@jrn.com. Follow him on X at @DanielBice or on Facebook at fb.me/daniel.bice. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Elon Musk group removes video of $1M winner under bribery concerns PORT SULPHUR, La. (KLFY) On Monday, around 5 p.m., Louisiana State Police officials were notified of a two-vehicle crash involving a bicycle on LA 23 near Fosters Road in Plaquemines Parish. Officials said the crash claimed the life of 72-year-old Kenneth Oshell of Cornelius, North Carolina. Officials said Oshell was riding a bicycle south in the right southbound lane on LA 23, near Fosters Road. At the same time, a 2018 Ford F-150 was also traveling in the right southbound lane on LA 23. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials said for reasons still under investigation, the Ford crashed into the bicycle. At the time of the crash, Oshell had a blinking strobe light on the bicycle and was wearing bright clothing. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KLFY Daily Digest Officials said Oshell suffered serious injuries and died on scene while the driver of the Ford was properly restrained and uninjured. This crash remains under investigation. Latest news Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com. LOS ANGELES (AP) Former Biden administration Health Secretary Xavier Becerra on Wednesday became the latest Democrat to join the crowded field seeking to become Californias next governor, a contest that could be dramatically reshaped if former Vice President Kamala Harris becomes a candidate. The Stanford Law School graduate enters the race with a lengthy resume of government service, including stints as California attorney general, a U.S. House member and a state legislator. In December 2020, then-President-elect Joe Biden picked Becerra to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, putting a defender of the Affordable Care Act in a leading role to oversee his administrations coronavirus response. In a heavily Democratic state with punishing housing and grocery prices and some of the nation's highest gas and utility costs, Becerra said working families are facing an affordability crisis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The California Dream is slipping away, he said in a statement announcing his run. The contest to replace term-limited Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom already has lured a large scrum of announced and likely candidates that would be reordered if Harris decides to seek the states top office. Harris, a former state attorney general and U.S. senator, has not ruled out seeking the governorship since she left Washington in January after a failed presidential bid. Democrats are expected to hold the seat in a state where they outnumber registered Republicans by nearly 2 to 1. Republicans have not won a statewide election in California in nearly two decades. In a statement, Becerra did not directly mention any of his Democratic rivals, who include former U.S. House member Katie Porter, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, among others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the GOP side, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco in February became the first major Republican to announce a bid to replace Newsom, whose term runs through early January 2027. Bianco blamed Democrats for the ongoing homeless crisis and runaway housing prices. The low-key Becerra said he was ready to "take on bullies who get in our way, an obvious reference to President Donald Trump. When Becerra was serving as California attorney general during Trump's first term, he developed a reputation for suing the Republican administration more than anyone else on issues from health care to environmental policy. While Becerra led the federal health agency during the pandemic, California instituted long lockdowns that have been faulted for disrupting education and the economy. That could make him a target for conservatives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Becerra frequently cites his working-class parents as inspiration. His mother was born in Jalisco, Mexico, and emigrated to the U.S. after marrying his father, a native of Sacramento, California, who had grown up in Mexico. My parents came to California with $12 in their pockets. They built a life they were proud of, Becerra said. Thats the promise of California, and I will fight to ensure its still within reach for everyone. HONOLULU (KHON2) Big Island police are investigating a fatal single-car crash that claimed the life of a woman in her 40s on Sunday night. Kilauea enters episode 16 of ongoing eruption Authorities said the woman was driving on Makuu Drive when her vehicle crashed into a rock wall. She was rushed to a nearby hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police believe alcohol may have been a factor in the crash. They also noted that the woman was not wearing a seatbelt and may have been distracted while driving at the time of the incident. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news The investigation is ongoing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2. Five Arkansans spoke against Senate Bill 536 before the Senate Committee on State Agencies and Governmental Affairs on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. From left: Misty Hawkins, regional director of the Arkansas River Valley Regional Library System; Allie Gosselink, director of the Calhoun County Library; Debbie Hall, grants manager for the Arkansas State Library; John McGraw, executive director of the Faulkner-Van Buren Regional Library; and Clare Graham, Mid-Arkansas Regional Library System director. (Tess Vrbin/Arkansas Advocate) After more than two hours of debate, an Arkansas Senate committee advanced a proposal on Tuesday to abolish the Arkansas State Library and its board, which disburses state funding to local public libraries. Senate Bill 536 would transfer the agencys and boards powers, authorities, funds, contracts and employees to the Arkansas Department of Education. The State Library is already under the departments umbrella but operates independently. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill would delete all mentions of the State Library from existing state statute and make prohibit[ing] access to age-inappropriate materials to a person who is sixteen (16) years old or younger a condition for public libraries to receive state funds from the education department. My entire library, all 30,000 books, would fit inside this room, Calhoun County Library Director Allie Gosselink said, speaking against SB 536 before the Senate Committee on State Agencies and Governmental Affairs in the Arkansas Capitols Old Supreme Court room. I need a definition for access, or I cant let anyone thats under 16 inside my door, Gosselink continued. SB 536 defines age-inappropriate material as books, media, or any other material accessible at a public library containing images or explicit and detailed descriptions of sexual acts, sexual contact and human genitalia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The location and availability of books based on appropriateness for minors was the thrust of Act 372 of 2023. The law would have given local elected officials the final say over whether to relocate challenged library materials some consider obscene and made librarians legally liable for disseminating such materials. A federal judge temporarily and later permanently blocked portions of Act 372; Attorney General Tim Griffin appealed the ruling in January. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Jonesboro, sponsored Act 372 and is the primary sponsor of SB 536. Protecting minors from age-inappropriate material in libraries and detaching from the American Library Association were the two requests Sullivan said he gave the State Library Board last month as conditions of its survival. The board voted against two proposals with those stated goals from Republican ex-senator Jason Rapert, who has called for the boards abolition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sullivan subsequently doubled down on his existing promise to dissolve the board. He introduced a bill in February to abolish both the State Library Board and the Arkansas Educational Television Commission, which oversees Arkansas PBS, but he said he reached an agreement with the latter in March that led him to decide not to dissolve the commission. On Tuesday, Sullivan told the State Agencies committee that his requests to the State Library Board should not have been difficult to fulfill and that SB 536 would ensure the states oversight of entities that receive public funds. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Jonesboro (John Sykes/Arkansas Advocate) When people say Book Ban Dan is taking away their library or killing their library, they chose that path, Sullivan said. SB 536 would require libraries to submit annual reports to the Department of Education that include an assurance of compliance with the applicable laws of the state, rules promulgated by the department, and the policies of the public library. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For example, Sullivan said, libraries should not espouse diversity, equity and inclusion policies or allow transgender people to use bathrooms that do not match their gender assigned at birth. Sullivan has sponsored or supported laws to these ends this year and in 2023. Four library directors, including Gosselink, and Arkansas State Library grants manager Debbie Hall spoke against SB 536. No members of the public spoke for the bill. Semantics If the education department determines a library no longer qualifies for state funding, the library would be allowed to appeal the decision as long as it can prove the determination was made in error or the determination was correct but remedial actions have been taken by the public library to bring the public library into compliance, according to SB 536. The appeal process would not be sufficient if the bill goes into effect July 1 in accordance with its emergency clause, said Misty Hawkins, regional director of the Arkansas River Valley Regional Library System, which has seven branches in Franklin, Johnson, Logan and Yell counties. The library system would have to rewrite its interlocal agreements between the four counties to account for the new code and repealed code in SB 536, which is not possible to complete in only three months, Hawkins said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a director, I am now doing more [to] ensure my libraries are in compliance in order to get the same amount of funding, which is $188,000 from the state, Hawkins said. She also said SB 536 does not specify how librarians must determine whether a book is appropriate for a 16-year-old but not for a 15-year-old. All five people who spoke against the bill said libraries already organize books on shelves in an age-appropriate manner in accordance with existing standards, and State Library Board members have made similar statements. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX After rejecting the two proposals put forth by Sullivan and Rapert last month, the State Library Board passed a motion to create non-binding policies to protect children while honoring First Amendment freedoms and libraries material selection policies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sullivan said this was not enough to deter him from dissolving the board, partly because the majority of members still opposed removing references to the American Library Association from board documents. On Tuesday, Sullivan repeated his criticism of a former ALA president for publicly calling herself a Marxist and the ALAs Library Bill of Rights for stating that access to libraries should not be restricted based on a persons age. The ALA presidency is a ceremonial job that does not directly influence the policies of the nonprofit trade association that advocates for libraries and helps them secure grant funding, said John McGraw, executive director of the Faulkner-Van Buren Regional Library. Sen. Alan Clark, R-Lonsdale, said the ALAs Library Bill of Rights rubs him the wrong way because it asserts you cant protect a 3-year-old from inappropriate content. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gosselink called Clarks statement semantics. Not a single person sitting behind me will tell you that you do not need to protect a 3-year-old from certain things that are in our libraries, she said. That is the parents job. We cant make a whole library acceptable for a 3-year-old. Local libraries are already governed by their local boards that know their communities best. This bill takes that away, replacing it with centralized oversight that doesnt understand the unique needs of each town and city. Clare Graham, Mid-Arkansas Regional Library System director McGraw said, not for the first time, that his library system doesnt have a mechanism to lock away books that might be appropriate for adults but inappropriate for small children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A bill advanced later on Tuesday that would require Arkansas public school libraries serving K-5 students to segregate non-age-appropriate sexual content in a locked compartment within a designated area. House Bill 1646 passed the House with 75 votes for it and 14 against it, mostly along party lines, and will next go to the Senate Education Committee. SB 536 includes a limited exception to the proposed restrictions on age-inappropriate materials. Sex education materials would be accessible to minors between 12 and 15 years old, and those under 12 would not be able to access such materials if their parents or guardians have forbidden their access in writing. Six of the eight Senate State Agencies committee members, including Sullivan, voted to pass SB 536. Sen. Bryan King, R-Green Forest, voted against it. The committees sole Democrat, Sen. Clarke Tucker of Little Rock, was absent during the vote. Hours of operation and federal chaos SB 536 would also require libraries to maintain a specific minimum hours of operation depending on the populations of the areas they serve. For example, a library in a community of less than 10,000 people would have to be open 1,480 hours per year in order to receive state funding, and a library that serves 10,000 to 19,000 people would have to be open 1,730 hours per year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The library directors who spoke against the bill said this would disproportionately threaten rural libraries funding. McGraw called the provision an unfunded mandate and said it would apply unevenly to the branches he supervises in Conway and in rural areas. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US Gosselink said the payroll and utility costs to meet the hours requirement at the Calhoun County Librarys main branch in Hampton would cost more than the state funding she currently receives, which is $7,100 per year. Its my entire discretionary budget for programming, for books, for computers, for anything I might do thats above and beyond opening the doors and turning on the lights, she said. Sullivan said county governments and taxpayers would be required to put in extra effort to make up for any library funding that might be lost, but he also said he doubted that libraries are at risk of losing funding in the first place. McGraw challenged this statement and mentioned that the entire staff of the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services was put on administrative leave for 90 days Monday. Earlier in March, President Donald Trump issued an executive order to gut the federal agency that provides grant funding to libraries nationwide. The Arkansas State Library distributes IMLS funds to Arkansas libraries. These funds support summer reading programs, interlibrary loan programs, resources for blind and print-disabled library patrons and state document depositories, among other things, Arkansas Library Association president and Garland County Library director Adam Webb told the Advocate. McGraw called SB 536 an unnecessary introduction of chaos into the already uncertain landscape of library funding, and he said the bill does not include any metrics for measuring improvements within libraries that meet all of the bills state funding requirements. The fourth library director to speak against the bill was Clare Graham, who oversees the five-county Mid-Arkansas Regional Library System. This bill imposes a one-size-fits-all approach that stifles creativity and flexibility, Graham said. Local libraries are already governed by their local boards that know their communities best. This bill takes that away, replacing it with centralized oversight that doesnt understand the unique needs of each town and city. The full Senate will consider SB 536 Wednesday. The bills emergency clause requires two-thirds of the chambers support, or 24 votes. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Protesters against a bill that would allow public schools to deny education to some immigrant children stand outside a Senate committee meeting in March. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout) A Tennessee Republican leading the effort to exclude some immigrant children from public schools has refused to rule out the possibility his bill could also force educators to report students to U.S. immigration authorities. Sen. Bo Watson, a Republican from Hixson, is cosponsoring the legislation to require immigration status checks of every student at each one of Tennessees more than 1700 K-12 public and charter schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement School districts would then have the option to deny children without legal status access to an education or charge their families tuition. The bills language contains no requirement that schools report students without legal status to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), but Watson told lawmakers Tuesday that was something to be considered in the rules and regulations the state Department of Education would develop should the bill become law. The prospect drew immediate pushback from Sen. London Lamar, a Memphis Democrat. I think that sets a dangerous precedent for our schools, where folks go to schools to be protected, and now children are going to be subjected to be wrangled up by ICE officials if they cant provide the appropriate documents, said Lamar, one of two Democrats on the 11-member Senate Finance committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. London Lamar, D-Memphis: Senator Bo Watson (R) Hixon Photographs by John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout 2025 Photographs by John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout 2025 Lynn McFarland is carried out by State Troopers when she refused to leave the session Photographs by John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout 2025 Nashville psychologist Lynne McFarland, 80, is held by a Tennessee state trooper after several troopers carried her from a Senate committee room. McFarland would not leave her seat after the committee chair cleared the room of spectators. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout) Lawmakers on the committee voted 7-4 to approve the measure, with two Republicans joining Democrats to vote no. Tuesdays vote was the bills last stop in the Senate before it heads for a full vote on the floor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill has yet to be reconciled with its House counterpart, which gives school districts the option rather than the mandate to check student immigration status, exclude children or charge tuition. A statement by the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition called the bills advancement a troubling step towards exclusionary policies undermining our public education systems foundational principles of equality and access. A test case If enacted, Tennessee would likely become the only state in the nation to deny students without legal status the right to a public school education. Texas, Indiana, Idaho and Ohio are weighing similar school exclusion policies, but Tennessee is the only state in which a bill is actively moving through its legislature, according to the National Immigration Law Center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill has drawn large and often loud protests as it winds its way through the legislative process, but Tuesdays meeting drew a smaller and more muted turnout. One protester, 80-year-old Lynne McFarland, was carried out of the Capitol by state troopers after she refused to leave voluntarily. Republican backers of the bill have said they hope it serves as a test case to overturn Plyler v. Doe, the 1982 Supreme Court case that established that all children have a constitutionally-protected right to a public school education regardless of immigration status. Watson on Tuesday said that the legislation was necessary to address the rising costs of illegal immigration for Tennessee taxpayers, including a steep increase in state expenditures for English-Language Learner (ELL) instruction since 2016. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The proposition is that we continue to increase exponentially the funding we are providing for ELL education, and I have long felt we need to have a conversation imposed upon the citizens in funding ELL, Watson said. While ELL incorporates both documented and undocumented students, it is difficult or impossible to tease out the difference between the two, and I use ELL funding as at least a correlation of what may be occurring within the undocumented community, he said. Sen. Jeff Yarbro, a Democrat, said that in his Nashville district 80% of English language learners are U.S. citizens or legal residents. Yarbro argued the exclusion of children without legal status would do little to reduce ELL costs. Whats the long term-cost of having a group of people who are, at the states direction, illiterate and just creating a long term underclass in society. That tends not to work well. Sen. Jeff Yarbro, D-Nashville Tennessee schools would also continue to receive consistent funding even if immigrant children are disenrolled. Gov. Bill Lees school voucher bill, enacted earlier this year, guarantees steady funding to schools experiencing enrollment drops. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, Yarbro said, the state may incur greater costs by preventing children from attending school. Whats the long term-cost of having a group of people who are, at the states direction, illiterate and just creating a long term underclass in society, he said. That tends not to work well. A fiscal analysis of the bill noted it may also jeopardize over $1 billion in federal education funding to the state for violating federal civil rights law. People, humans, only get to be 6 or 7 once Yarbro questioned why Republican lawmakers werent focused on enacting legislation that punishes employers who rely on immigrant workers if the aim of the bill is to reduce illegal immigration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, we are in this legislation punishing kids. Children. For conduct that, regardless of what you think here, certainly isnt the 6-year-old or 7-year-olds fault, he said. People, humans, only get to be 6 or 7 once. Yarbro also questioned the financial cost of requiring school officials to verify immigration documents of every student, noting the complexity of immigration law could prove challenging to local schools. If you talk to districts and think about what it means to convert all 1800 public schools into institutions that review the citizenship status of every student every year, that is going to be massively expensive, he said. Watson, however, noted that school districts already require parents and guardians to produce documents as a requirement for enrollment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I believe theyre already asking for this information and I believe the costs would be insignificant, he said. The House version of the bill, sponsored by Leader William Lamberth, a Portland Republican, is scheduled to be heard in the House Government Operations Committee. No date for the House hearing nor a Senate floor vote has yet been set. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE GAZA/JERUSALEM, April 2 (Xinhua) -- At least 19 Palestinians, including nine children, were killed by an Israeli airstrike on a UN clinic in the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza on Wednesday, the Palestinian official news agency WAFA reported. An Israeli aircraft bombed a clinic affiliated with the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East in the refugee camp, which shelters displaced people, WAFA said. Dozens of others were wounded, and a fire broke out in the building, it added. The Israeli military and internal security service Shin Bet claimed in a joint statement that the airstrike targeted Hamas militants. According to the statement, Hamas militants were "hiding inside a command and control center that was being used for coordinating terrorist activity and served as a central meeting point" for Hamas. Hamas' Jabalia Battalion used the compound to plan attacks against Israeli civilians and troops, according to the statement. Also on Wednesday, at least 25 Palestinians were killed and dozens of others injured in Israeli airstrikes targeting multiple areas in southern and central Gaza, Mahmoud Basal, spokesperson for Gaza's Civil Defense, told Xinhua. In southern Gaza, "at least 10 members of the Abdul Bari family, including women and children, were killed by the Israeli army in Khan Younis city," Basal said, adding that the Israeli army killed five others in another attack on the city. An Israeli airstrike targeting a greenhouse in Rafah, where a Palestinian family was taking shelter, killed three people, he said, adding that a separate airstrike on Rafah killed two others. Residents in southern Gaza told Xinhua that "destructive missiles" were used in the attacks, causing extensive damage. Meanwhile, local sources in southern Gaza said more than 50 families remain trapped in the Khirbet al-Adas area, north of Rafah, unable to evacuate due to a lack of transportation and high travel costs. In central Gaza, five people were killed in Israeli bombardment targeting the Nuseirat refugee camp and Deir al-Balah, Basal said. Rescue teams continued to search for survivors amid widespread destruction, which has become much more difficult amid ongoing airstrikes and a shortage of necessary equipment, he noted. The attacks across Gaza came hours after Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced a major expansion of the military offensive in the enclave, saying troops will seize additional areas in the strip to establish buffer zones. Israel ended a two-month ceasefire on March 18 and resumed deadly air and ground assaults on the Palestinian enclave. The renewed Israeli attacks have so far killed 1,066 Palestinians and injured 2,597 others, Gaza health authorities said Wednesday, noting that 24 dead bodies and 55 injuries arrived at Gaza hospitals over the past 24 hours. The death toll in Gaza since the war began in October 2023 has risen to 50,423, with 114,638 injured, the authorities said. BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) Could a tax cut be coming for workers below certain income levels who receive tips in Louisiana? A bill about this was filed for introduction during the upcoming legislative session. State Rep. Alonzo Knox, D-New Orleans filed House Bill 198 which would allow workers to deduct tips from state income taxes. This legislation will bring much-needed relief to many of the hardworking people of Louisiana, Knox said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A breakdown in the bill shows what percentage of a deduction that a worker can claim depending on the amount of their adjusted gross income. Tip-deduction-amount-Download If passed, the law would apply towards taxable periods that start on or after Jan. 1, 2026, according to the bill. Louisiana has one of the nations highest percentages of tipped workers, with a significant concentration in my district in New Orleans, Rep. Knox said. These workers-servers, bartenders, barbers, hair stylists, hotel staff, rideshare drivers, spa workers, and many others-keep our economy and hospitality industry thriving. Yet, I hear their struggles firsthand when I move through my district. The cost of everything has increased-essential grocery items, rent, insurance, and property taxes-making it harder than ever to make ends meet, Knox said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Knox said his bill is getting support from both sides of the aisle. He said, Im pleased to share that my bill is already receiving bipartisan support. This is another step in my effort to prioritize Louisiana workers, help them take home more of what they earn to improve their quality of life, and strengthen the foundation of our economy. Latest News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News. Cindy Lou, a Havenese puppy kept in an employees bathroom at Puppy Heaven in Las Vegas while ill. (Photo provided by Humane Society of the United States) Efforts by local governments to put a kink in the pipeline between midwest puppy mills and Nevada are being derailed by neighboring municipalities that permit retail sales of dogs and cats, say advocates of legislation that would expand the bans statewide. The bill is sponsored by Assemblywoman Natha Anderson and was heard Tuesday by the Assembly Committee on Natural Resources. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eight states, including the entire West Coast and nearly 500 localities, including Clark County, Reno, North Las Vegas, and Mesquite have prohibited the sale of puppies in pet stores, testified Rebecca Goff of Humane World for Animals, formerly the Humane Society of the U.S. Assembly Bill 487 can bridge that divide and allow us to bring our nation one big step closer to that day when puppy mills must no longer exist. The City of Henderson allows pet sales at existing stores, while the City of Las Vegas has refused to ban sales, prompting retailers affected by the ban to move across city limits and into pet store-friendly territory. Regulations imposed by Las Vegas in lieu of a ban have increased transparency and exposed just how awful the puppy mill pipeline is, Goff told lawmakers. Its crucial that this should be tackled statewide, rather than a patchwork of ordinances. An undercover investigation by the Humane Society released in January alleges pet stores in Southern Nevada are keeping sick puppies without seeking veterinary treatment, and in at least one case, failing to obey a law requiring regular veterinarian visits for animals for sale. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The legislative measure is named for Cindy Lou, a sick Havenese puppy kept in a pen in the employee bathroom at Puppy Heaven and allegedly denied medical care until animal officials who were tipped off the illness required the store to take her to a veterinarian, where she died, according to the investigation. Her story is a heartbreaking example of what happens when profit is placed above animal welfare, testified Christy Stevens, executive director of Hearts Alive Village, who described horrific incidents of animal cruelty and neglect that were allegedly known to a Las Vegas pet store that continued to sell animals to the alleged perpetrator. These are not isolated incidents. They are part of a systemic problem. Clark Countys largest shelter, the Animal Foundation, as well as the Nevada Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals support the measure. The legislation would permit pet stores to hold adoption events for shelters and rescues. It prohibits the sale of pets on street corners, parking lots, and other public places. A violation of the proposed law would be a misdemeanor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The legislation would give the 15 retail stores that sell pets in Nevada a year to adjust their business model. The Retailers Association of Nevada is neutral on the legislation, testified executive director Bryan Wachter. The vast majority of pet stores in Nevada already do not sell puppies, but rather thrive as part of the $147 billion pet products and service industry, Goff testified. Pet store puppies are likely to be sick or have behavioral issues, making them more likely to land in local shelters, supporters of the measure said. Amy Jesse of Humane World for Animals noted a report from the Centers for Disease Control that traced a drug-resistant, multistate human infection outbreak to puppies from breeders and distributors sold through pet stores as the outbreak source. Of 149 retail store puppies, 95% received one or more courses of antibiotics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill is opposed by pet stores, some of which are named in the Humane Society investigation, including the owner of Petland in Henderson. Ken Kirkpatrick, owner of Petland in Boca Park, testified he and his staff have provided pets and peace of mind to Las Vegans since 2001 in a highly regulated environment. He predicted backyard breeding will expand. thanks to demand from families who cant adopt from shelters or rescues because they want a specific breed, or they need a hypoallergenic dog. Kirkpatrick noted a review of the Animal Foundations adoption list revealed 200 dogs for adoption. For a population of 2.5 million people, its really not that many dogs. On Tuesday, the Animal Foundation listed 370 dogs for adoption. Last year, the shelter euthanized more than 3,300 dogs, down from just under 3,900 the previous year. Assemblywoman Heidi Kasama, a Republican from Clark County, said her family visited a shelter recently while looking for an addition to the family and for some reason it was just not a right fit. I wanted a smaller dog, and we ended up at a pet store. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. The Arkansas House passed a bill on Monday that would extend post-partum care for Medicaid recipients if it becomes law. House Bill 1004 would extend the coverage from the current six months to 12 months. It passed with a bipartisan 71-10 vote, with 19 either not voting or voting present. Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signs Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Act into law The bill would provide extended coverage using funding from the Medicare and Medicaid Services Childrens Health Insurance Program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill has been transmitted to the Senate, where it has received its initial votes and been forwarded to the Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee for hearing. Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders has opposed extending Medicaid coverage to 12 months. The Healthy Moms Healthy Babies Act, signed into law by the governor on Feb. 20, changes and streamlines the Medicaid maternal care process but does not extend coverage. Arkansas earns an F on March of Dimes report card for infant, maternal health In November 2024, Arkansas received an F from the March of Dimes for infant and maternal health. According to Arkansans for Improving Maternal Health, the state leads the nation in its maternal mortality rate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK. Long-time critic of President Donald Trump and HBO host Bill Maher joined the president, Kid Rock and Dana White for a dinner at the White House on Monday, and the four apparently found some common ground. Trump teased the meeting on March 30 on Truth Social, saying his friend Kid Rock was the one who had proposed that he meet with Maher. I really didnt like the idea much, and dont like it now, but thought it would be interesting, Trump wrote. Maher and Trump have been at odds for years, with Maher at one point calling the president everything wrong with a human being stuffed into one man. In the same vein, Trump has called Maher a radical left maniac with modest television ratings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the group got together, and 54-year-old musician Kid Rock said the result was mind blowing, in an appearance on Fox & Friends on Tuesday. President Donald Trump listens to Kid Rock before signing an executive order in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Monday, March 31, 2025. | Associated Press Kid Rock: Nothing happens if people dont break bread together and meet face-to-face In addition to dinner, Trump gave Maher, Kid Rock and White, who is CEO of UFC, a private residence tour of the White House, featuring the Gettysburg Address and the Lincoln Bedroom. We talked about things we had in common, you know, ending wokeness, securing the border, the president was asking him what he thought about policy going on with Iran and Israel and things, Kid Rock explained. It blew my mind. I was very proud. A Fox reporter asked if he believes Maher walked away liking Trump. 100%, Kid Rock said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Greg Gutfeld, a Fox News host said the meeting started off with Maher showing up at the White House with a list of insults Trump had said about him. Gutfeld said Maher gave the list to Trump, and what did he do? He signed it. Kid Rock explained a conversation he had with Maher about the meeting. I said, Bill, I know some of this Hollywood stuff, itd probably be great for you to get thrown out, and it would be good for you to double down and say, I cant stand this guy. And he goes, Bob, Im not going to sabotage something that potentially could bring us and people together. Kid Rocks given name is Robert James Ritchie, and he goes by Bob. Kid Rock added that Trump called him after the meeting. Everybodys mind was kind of blown, he said, adding, Everyone was a little suspect going into this. Were just trying to show people that, you know, weve been pretty hard on each other, but when you get face to face, maybe you can have a little more civility in this country and try to bring people together, Kid Rock said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He continued, One thing we learned during Covid is that isolation breeds hatred. We need to get out and talk to one another. Maher said he would discuss the meeting in more depth on his show on April 11. Hey everybody, thank you for all the interest in my dinner with the president last night, he wrote in an X post. I promise, all will be revealed on the next @RealTimers on April 11. As its April 1 today, no one would believe what I said today anyway! Kid Rock playing President FDRs Grand Piano gifted by the Steinway Family in 1938 at the White House.pic.twitter.com/psjjOr8Erh Department of Government Efficiency News (@DOGE__news) April 1, 2025 The internet seems to support the meeting Mahers X post has been viewed nearly 1 million times, and while there is a fair sprinkling of harsh words from both sides of the aisle, the comments show a significant amount of support for Kid Rocks plea to break bread with ideologically different people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One stated, More power to you brother. Respect. We have to get past the poison of partisanship. We have to give ourselves the chance to engage in dialogue. On The Five, Gutfeld also praised Maher and Trump for meeting civilly. So both of these guys had something to lose, but they put their egos aside because they realize theres nothing to lose once you put your ego aside, he said. The US government spent $4.5 trillion on pandemic relief, and may have lost $300 billion to fraud. A new bill would give prosecutors more time to investigate restaurants and venues that may have abused aid funds. A senator who introduced the bill cited a 2024 BI investigation into one of the bailout programs. Congress responded to the pandemic by pumping trillions of dollars into the economy with an alphabet soup of assistance programs: PPP, PUA, EIDL, EIPs and ERCs. Fraud was rampant, and the government lost an estimated $300 billion. On Tuesday, Republicans Sen. Joni Ernst and Rep. Roger Williams introduced a bill that would give prosecutors additional time to bring charges of defrauding two of these lesser-known pandemic bailouts: the $28.6 billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund and the $14.6 billion Shuttered Venue Operators Grant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ernst's office cited a 2024 Business Insider investigation, which found that hundreds of millions of dollars flowed from the Shuttered Venues program to some of America's most successful musicians, including Lil Wayne, Alice in Chains, Marshmello and Chris Brown. If the bill passes, the timeline to bring charges would extend to 10 years. Ordinarily, prosecutors have five years to bring charges. "Fraudsters were let off the hook for the last four years, but there is a new sheriff in town," said Ernst in a statement. "These bad actors stole billions in relief that were meant for hardworking small businesses struggling to keep their doors open. I am ensuring that every last criminal is held accountable and taxpayers get their money back." The bill comes three weeks after a federal watchdog estimated that nearly a third of the restaurant fund $9 billion was paid out improperly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawmakers made attempts to safeguard pandemic aid funds. They set aside $25 million from a $2.2 trillion pandemic-relief law in March 2020 to set up the Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery, and set aside tens of millions of dollars more for the IRS. They also gave prosecutors an extra five years to bring charges when people defrauded two of the Small Business Administration's key assistance programs. The Justice Department said in a report last April that over 3,000 people had been charged relating to the abuse of over $1 billion in pandemic funds. Kelly Loeffler, who was named by President Donald Trump to lead the SBA, has said that pursuing fraud is one of her top priorities. She has said the Biden administration improperly reduced safeguards around the agency's lending programs. Under the Trump administration, the SBA has said it will cut its staff by 43%, taking it back to pre-pandemic staffing levels. The agency's inspector general, its internal watchdog, was among several anti-fraud officials fired by Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An SBA representative didn't reply to a request for comment. The pandemic inspector general's office, known as SIGPR, quietly closed its doors after Congress failed to pass legislation that would extend its mandate. The office had fewer than 60 staffers and its numbers shrank as its closing date approached, according to one of its final monthly reports. Nennette Day, a retired special agent who served at SIGPR, said that even if deadlines to bring charges are extended, competing enforcement priorities and a loss of investigative momentum could frustrate efforts to hold pandemic wrongdoers accountable. "All of those cases had to get switched to another agency, which I'll tell you right now, from experience, almost always kills the case," she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In late March, Congressman Jason Smith, a Missouri Republican who leads the House committee that prepares spending bills, urged the Senate to take action on a measure that would give prosecutors more time to go after unemployment-aid fraud. About $135 billion was lost to criminals, Smith said. Have a tip? Know more? Reach Jack Newsham via email ( jnewsham@businessinsider.com ) or via Signal (+1-314-971-1627). Do not use a work device. Read the original article on Business Insider This coverage is made possible through Votebeat, a nonpartisan news organization covering local election administration and voting access. Sign up for Votebeat Texas free newsletters here. In a quick vote after little debate, the Texas Senate approved a bill that would require voters to provide proof of citizenship before registering and would restrict them to voting in congressional races only if they do not. The bill, a Republican legislative priority, still needs approval in the state House before it can become law. It would cost state officials nearly $2 million over the next five years to implement, according to the bills fiscal note, which doesnt include any costs expected to be borne by local election officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate Bill 16, written by state Sen. Bryan Hughes, and supported by all Senate Republicans, is modeled after an Arizona law that requires proof of citizenship to vote in state and local elections, but there are some important differences. For one thing, it would apply to already registered voters in Texas, rather than just new applicants. It would bar voters who dont provide citizenship proof from voting in presidential elections, as well as state and local ones a provision that federal courts have so far blocked in Arizona. And it prescribes new duties for local election officials to continually check the citizenship status of voters on their rolls with potential felony charges for lapses. The Republican lawmakers are responding to a nationwide GOP campaign to raise alarm about the threat of noncitizen voting, even though it doesnt occur in significant numbers. Most Texans have already proven their citizenship when they got their drivers license, but the feds have not allowed us to do this for voter registration. Senate Bill 16 will address that, Hughes said Tuesday during a Senate floor debate on the bill. Hughes said the process for voters would be seamless. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But voting rights advocates say the bill could create a new barrier to voting for Texas more than 18 million registered voters and could diminish the rights of eligible voters who are not able to provide documents proving their U.S. citizenship. This is going to upend the way we do elections here in Texas, Elisabeth MacNamara, advocacy chair for the League of Women Voters of Texas, told Votebeat. This is a huge burden on voters. It's also a huge burden on election administrators and we already don't over-resource our elections so this is going to make things a whole lot worse. If approved by the Legislature, the new law would go into effect in September. Some election officials are concerned that the bills requirements will confuse voters. Its not enough time to get everyone familiar with the requirements. We have a primary in March of 2026, said Jennifer Doinoff, president of the Texas Association of County Election Officials. It could create a huge influx in provisional ballots. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Doinoff said election officials across the state are still trying to understand how the bill will be implemented. Among unanswered questions is how the process will work for Texans who vote by mail. In Texas, only elderly voters, people with disabilities, and those who are away from their county on Election Day, including members of the military, can cast ballots by mail. The bill doesnt address that, she said. In addition, election officials are asking legislators to consider including a backup option, such as an affidavit voters can sign if they cant provide proof of citizenship. We use something similar to that at the polls for voters who cant provide an ID, she said. What the state would need to do to implement the change If passed, the sweeping bill will require much work and additional resources. It directs the Texas Secretary of States Office to, by the end of the year, send all counties lists of already-registered voters who had not provided proof of citizenship prior to September 2025. Election officials would then have to document every effort made to check for such proof. If they cant verify that a voter is a U.S. citizen, they would have to notify the person that they are permitted to vote only a federal limited ballot unless they can provide proof. A voter who has provided proof before or has been verified as a U.S. citizen wouldnt have to provide proof when updating or changing their registration information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the bills fiscal note, the Texas Secretary of States Office would need a modification to the states voter registration management system in order to record whether a person has submitted evidence of citizenship, since the system currently isnt set up to do so. The state has estimated the cost of that at $578,931 in 2026 and $84,000 per fiscal year thereafter, the fiscal note says. In addition, the Secretary of States Office said it would need two additional staff members to conduct citizenship verification reviews and to coordinate with county voter registrars. The two positions would be paid $70,662 per year, and benefits and other costs for both positions would cost around $45,000 per year. The agency also estimates that the positions would require roughly $16,000 in setup costs in 2026. The agency declined to comment. Opponents question why the bill is needed Last month, during a two-hour public hearing on the bill, more than 200 people signed up to oppose it and many testified against it. Twenty-six people supported it, including people from across the state who identified as Republicans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some Senate Democrats Tuesday pressed Hughes on why the bill was necessary and warned that it would set up the state for legal battles, much as it has in Arizona. Hughes denied that would happen. In arguing that the bill isnt necessary, Sen. Carol Alvarado, a Houston Democrat, cited the findings of an investigation by Votebeat, ProPublica and the Texas Tribune that showed an announcement from Gov. Greg Abbott about noncitizens removed from the states voter rolls inflated, and in some cases misstated, the numbers. Alvarado also said the bill could become cumbersome for local election officials and lead to voter confusion. Hughes said there would be plenty of time to prepare ahead of next years elections and said he believes many Texans have already shown proof of citizenship while obtaining a drivers license. Election officials will be able to verify others, he said. So we're talking about a relatively small group of people, Hughes said. Which documents would be accepted as citizenship proof? Under the legislation, voters could prove their citizenship by providing any of the following: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement a copy of a U.S. passport; a passport card; a certified copy of a birth certificate issued by a U.S. state or territory; United States citizenship papers; identification issued by the U.S. agency responsible for citizenship and immigration; or for citizens born outside the U.S., a consular report of birth abroad. The list does not include tribal documents, which Arizona does accept. Anyone who shows up to the polls who has yet to provide proof of citizenship will have six days to provide it in order for their full ballot to count. If a voter does not provide it, only the federal races will be counted. A big part of the bill is new duties and burdens for election officials and others who manage voter registration. Deputy registrars volunteers who work at voter registration drives would have to notify people registering to vote that they must present documented proof of citizenship to their local county registrar. In addition to checking for proof themselves and documenting their efforts, local election officials would have to report the names of voters who have not provided proof to the state attorney general. And they would be subject to potential criminal penalties, including jail time, for knowingly registering an applicant without first verifying that they are citizens. The provision requiring already registered voters to prove their citizenship could affect voters who registered prior to the 2002 Help America Vote Act, which created voter identification procedures, and the 2005 Real ID Act, which requires people obtaining a state-issued ID or drivers license to provide proof of citizenship or proof of lawful presence in the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Natalia Contreras covers election administration and voting access for Votebeat in partnership with the Texas Tribune. She is based in Corpus Christi. Contact Natalia at ncontreras@votebeat.org. Disclosure: League of Women Voters of Texas and Texas Secretary of State have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here. Tickets are on sale now for the 15th annual Texas Tribune Festival, Texas breakout ideas and politics event happening Nov. 1315 in downtown Austin. Get tickets before May 1 and save big! TribFest 2025 is presented by JPMorganChase. Boscovs department store inside Providence Place mall. (Photo by Michael Salerno/Rhode Island Current) Those accused of working together to steal from retailers in Rhode Island could face felony charges under legislation under consideration in the state Senate. The bill sponsored by Sen. Leonidas Raptakis, a Coventry Democrat, would impose up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000 if two or more people are found guilty the same punishment given to a repeat offender who has taken over $100 worth of merchandise. The bill would take effect upon its passage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is the second straight year Raptakis has filed a proposal to crack down on retail crime. Opponents argue it would disproportionately impact low-income youth. But Raptakis told the Senate Judiciary Committee that shoplifting will only continue to grow if its treated as a petty crime. Under existing law, first-time offenders are charged with a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in prison and a fine of at least $50 or two times the full retail value of the merchandise that was reportedly stolen, whichever is greater. You see them all the time individuals run into a store and steal probably tens of thousands of dollars in a matter of minutes, Raptakis said. Hopefully we can do something to toughen our statutes to send a strong message against organized shoplifting. Should the General Assembly move forward on the bill, Rhode Island would join a growing number of states, including Vermont, that have tried to crack down on rising retail theft. Major retailers have also taken measures to curb shoplifting, often by locking up merchandise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even Mucinex, a cough syrup, is locked up, Raptakis said. Democratic Sen. Leonidas of Coventry, center, is the lead sponsor on the bill that would make it a felony if two or more people shoplift. (Photo by Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current) Stricter penalties cannot come soon enough for Nick Fede Jr., director of the Rhode Island Liquor Operators Collaborative. He told the committee that package stores are frequent targets for shoplifters, leading to fewer expensive beverages on display. Theres a romance to what we do, he said. People want to pick the bottle up, they want to feel it. While store owners are used to petty theft, Fede told lawmakers that groups of shoplifters only target items with high resale value. This is not unique to any specific geographic area of our state, Fede said. Its happening everywhere. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its especially been true for Providence and Warwick, both of which are home to malls. Providence Police reported 365 reported shoplifting offenses in 2024, representing a 52% increase from the year prior. A 2023 report from the Warwick Police Department, the most recent available, notes 388 cases of shoplifting representing an 8% increase from the prior year. Organized retail theft is a true concern of ours and exists at a pretty steady rate, Warwick Police Chief Bradford Connor said in an email to Rhode Island Current. But the bill has sparked serious warnings from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Rhode Island and the states Office of the Public Defender. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ACLU Executive Director Steven Brown called Raptakis bill a rather draconian penalty. Shoplifting some item from a local store shouldnt lead to such an excessive, such an incredibly harsh, prison sentence, he said in an interview. Megan F. Jackson, legislative liaison for the public defenders office, wrote to the committee that the bill takes an overtly harsh approach and that the language is unclear on how such a law would actually be applied. The law would undoubtedly have a disproportionate impact on vulnerable communities already overrepresented in the criminal justice system, especially given that shoplifting is often driven by poverty, Jackson wrote. At best, it is counterproductive; at worst, it could be unconstitutional. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Raptakis bill was held by committee for further study, as is common practice when legislation is first considered. Companion legislation has not been filed in the House. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A handful of environment-adjacent legislation made it into law this year. (Photo courtesy of National Park Service) A bill that could strip away an environmental permit moratorium intended to protect the water quality of the Buffalo River watershed passed out of a Senate committee Tuesday. Senate Bill 290, sponsored by Sen. Blake Johnson, R-Corning, passed the Senate Agriculture, Forestry and Economic Development Committee on a voice vote, with audible dissent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill has gone through multiple revisions since it was introduced and has sparked strong opposition from environmental groups in the state that said removing the permit moratorium could again allow another facility like C&H Hog Farms to open up shop in the watershed, endangering the Buffalo National River. The state of Arkansas spent $6.2 million to buy the farm and shut it down in 2019, after years of efforts led by groups such as the Buffalo River Watershed Alliance. Unlike previous versions of the bill, the latest version would not immediately strike the moratorium that is currently in place, but would instead require the Department of Energy and Environments Division of Environmental Quality and the Department of Agriculture to go through the rulemaking process again for the rules that contain the moratorium if the bill goes into law. The effective date for the bill, if passed, is Jan. 1, 2026, and agencies would have 90 days from that date to get approval for a moratorium. The rules containing the moratorium would then go back before the Arkansas Legislative Council or the Joint Budget Committee after agencies approve them through their usual rulemaking processes. The council, according to Johnson, would be granted greater leeway to reject the moratorium once it goes before them under his bill. Moratoriums would expire four years after their effective date under the bill, requiring agencies to resubmit them for consideration and requiring legislative council approval every four years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sam Dubke, a spokesperson for Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, said the governor would not support legislation that did not protect the river. Governor Sanders appreciates Senator Johnsons leadership and dedication to Arkansas agriculture, but she is opposed to legislation that does not protect the Buffalo National River, Dubke wrote in an emailed statement. Dubke did not say whether Sanders would sign the bill in its current form if it makes it through both chambers of the Legislature. Multiple people spoke against the bill before the committee, urging lawmakers to protect the jewel of the state of Arkansas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Little Rock resident Richard Johnson said the moratorium needed to remain in place, citing pollution hazards posed by swine CAFOs, or concentrated animal feed operations. They tend to pollute way beyond their footprint, Johnson said. Mark Lambert, who represented Arkansas Farm Bureau, expressed support for the bill, saying that it was a right-to-farm issue. The bill wouldnt take away any protections for the watershed an assertion opponents of the bill pushed back against. Committee members questioned why moratoriums would receive a different threshold for making it past the legislative council compared to other rules. Johnson said it was to return oversight to elected officials, and described the Buffalo River watershed moratorium, which has been in place for 10 years, as a slippery slope that could lead to other moratoriums. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is oversight of executive branch departments, Johnson said. The moratorium is something thats an outlier also, in my opinion as an agricultural producer, because thats not allowing an agricultural producer to even apply for a permit. This is telling a producer that he cant even attempt to use his property in the way he wants to, and this can be expanded beyond just CAFOs. The only other watershed-based moratorium is for Lake Maumelle, a primary source of drinking water for the Central Arkansas region. Johnson said everyone agrees that people dont want CAFOs in the Buffalo River watershed and he didnt think a producer would put one there in the first place. However, there is a long history of swine farms within the watershed beyond C&H Hog Farms something the DEQ said explicitly in its response to the Farm Bureaus comments on changes to Rule 6 last year that would have made the moratorium permanent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The potential impacts of swine farms, including farms large enough to be considered CAFOs, on the Buffalo River have been an ongoing concern in Arkansas, and the Division (or its predecessors) have taken action to mitigate the impacts of existing farms in that watershed, the division wrote last year. In 1992, APC&EC Regulation 5 was adopted to address how liquid waste from swine farms should be handled. Also in 1992, the Arkansas Department of Pollution Control and Ecology (the Divisions predecessor) issued an administrative notice regarding its intent not to issue permits in the Buffalo River Watershed. Following that notice, Arkansas participated in the Buffalo River Swine Waste Demonstration Project, which was initiated in 1995, to improve swine manure management in the Buffalo River watershed. Beth Ardapple, a Newton County farmer, called out a false narrative that farmers were opposed to a moratorium when she spoke against the bill. She said the Buffalo River has served as an affordable vacation spot for Arkansans for decades and that it needed to be protected. I have great respect for my CAFO friends, people who own CAFOs. They love the land as I do. Its simply that the science doesnt support having the CAFO in the Buffalo River watershed, Ardapple said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marti Olesen, the vice president of the Buffalo River Watershed Alliance, said her business on the river would not survive if a CAFO returned to the area and polluted the river. There is no other Buffalo River in Arkansas; its a national treasure, Olesen said. John Ray, a self-described environmentalist, said that one was not against farming if they supported protecting the states natural resources. Fishing and hunting businesses in the area were supportive of a permanent moratorium, he said, and tourism on the Buffalo River supports hundreds of jobs for concessioners, lodges and others who cater to those who enjoy the river each year. These things are not going to change every four years, and there is no slippery slope when it comes to these kinds of large CAFO moratoriums, Ray said. This moratorium in the Buffalo River has been in place for over ten years; there hasnt been an avalanche of moratoriums on hog CAFOs in other areas of the state. Opponents of legislation that would place restrictions on transgender Georgians gathered across from the state Capitol in January. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder As the 2025 legislative session comes to a close, transgender Georgians continue to be relentlessly targeted by state legislators, including with Senate Bill 30, Senate Bill 39, and Senate Bill 185, all of which would restrict access to evidence-based medical care. Despite opposition from medical, mental health, and legal experts, the Georgia Senate passed these bills, handing them off to the House for consideration. SB 39, a vaguely worded and wide-ranging bill, inserts lawmakers directly into the patient provider relationship. It would prevent access to any health care deemed transition related for more than half a million state employees and their dependents who rely on the State Health Benefit Plan, as well as others who receive care that is state funded. The breadth of its impact regarding state associated funding is unclear, and perhaps that is the point, allowing its sweeping prohibition to be as widely applicable as possible. Likewise, what qualifies as transition-related care is similarly unclear, risking the restriction of funds for a wide range of medical care. At a House Health Committee hearing on March 26, when questioned about whether SB 39 would prevent access to mental health care, Sen. Blake Tillery, the bills sponsor, stated If not aligned with ones sex at birth, then I think yes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To push through the myriad of anti-transgender legislation prior to the end of the session, SB 39 has adopted language from SB 185, a bill that specifically prohibits gender-affirming care for transgender adults who are incarcerated in Georgia, including medications that were previously prescribed by their medical provider. To protect the health of transgender individuals, we must prevent these bills becoming law. Ignoring Evidence-Based Medicine As medical and mental health providers, we believe all patients deserve access to high quality, evidence-based medical care. For many transgender people, gender-affirming care is essential and lifesaving. Numerous studies demonstrate the indisputable benefits of gender-affirming care for transgender patients, including reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression, less psychological distress, lower risk of suicidal thoughts, and better interpersonal relationships. Every major medical and psychological association in the U.S., including the American Medical Association, the Endocrine Society, the American Psychiatric Association and the American Psychological Association, among others, recognize the evidence basis supporting the medical and psychological necessity of gender-affirming care. These bills inappropriately insert legislators into medical decision making, infringing on the rights and well-being of transgender patients. Taking away individuals access to gender-affirming therapies while in prison constitutes cruel and unusual punishment and increases the likelihood of abuse and detrimental health consequences. Abrupt cessation or forced weaning of medically necessary, ongoing treatment is a health risk. Physical effects of hormone withdrawal are accompanied by psychological distress, which may manifest as anxiety, depression, and suicidality. These bills risk the forced detransition of individuals who may have consistently taken gender-affirming hormone therapy for years. This physically and psychologically damaging experience is unnecessary and profoundly harmful. Banning care behind bars Transgender people often endure significant discrimination, economic insecurity and, in some cases, homelessness. These vulnerabilities make it more likely that transgender individuals will face criminalization and incarceration. Within the criminal legal system, transgender people experience further marginalization and discrimination. It is common for transgender individuals to be dangerously and illegally placed in prison facilities misaligned with their gender, increasing risk of harassment and violence. They are also less likely to receive necessary services, including personal care items and essential medical care. At least one in three transgender people in prisons and jails have reported being sexually assaulted. The danger is much greater for transgender females, with almost 50% reporting harassment, physical violence, or sexual assault while incarcerated. These statistics are likely an underestimate as some prison staff facilitate and perpetuate violence towards transgender individuals, making it dangerous to report abuse. Often, the only protection offered is solitary confinement, which exacerbates stigma and may result in serious mental health consequences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. Department of Justice has determined that Georgias prisons fail to reasonably protect incarcerated people from harm, violating their constitutional rights. SB 185 would prohibit the state from funding medically necessary gender-affirming therapies, including hormone therapy, for transgender people who are incarcerated. All people who are incarcerated in Georgia have a right to medically necessary care, not only those deemed deserving by state politicians. Multiple lawsuits brought against the Georgia Department of Corrections as well as departments in several other states have resulted in courts ruling that transgender individuals who are incarcerated have a right to access gender-affirming care. Prior discrimination lawsuits involving transgender people in Georgia have cost taxpayers more than $4 million since 2015, including cases brought by transgender people who were unable to access medical care while incarcerated. SB 39 and SB 185 run counter to established precedent and medical expertise. This would not only worsen the health of transgender individuals in Georgia but also continue a track record of costly litigation paid for with taxpayer dollars. Reject politicization of patient health care The bills are dangerous and discriminatory and create new problems for the state while addressing none. By dismissing medical expertise and interfering with the patient-physician relationship, the Georgia Legislature once again seeks to make Georgians health decisions for them. Lawmakers should devote their time and the states resources to improving healthcare gaps currently impacting millions in our state. This legislation targets the rights and wellbeing of transgender people, who are made vulnerable by widespread societal stigmatization. Under the guise of fiscal responsibility, this paternalistic legislation seeks to politicize medical care at the expense of a marginalized patient population. It is incumbent upon all Georgians who respect a patients right to make their own medical decisions with their physician and oppose state sanctioned discrimination against minoritized groups, to contact our state legislators and urge them to oppose any legislative efforts to harm transgender Georgians. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Visitors are seen in the Colorado Capitol on the first day of the 2025 session of the Legislature on Jan. 8, 2025. (Lindsey Toomer/Colorado Newsline) A bipartisan bill would restructure the vacancy committee process to replace members of the Colorado Legislature based on when a vacancy occurs, such as when a member resigns. House Bill 25-1315 was introduced on Monday, about three months into a lawmaking session that has seen a handful of vacancy committee appointments. It would have vacancy-appointed lawmakers run for their seat in either a regularly-scheduled general election or odd-year special election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vacancies in the General Assembly are an issue I heard about as I traveled the state as the Minority Leader. The people want to preserve the vacancy committee process while also having the opportunity to vote for their legislators. This bill will do both, House Minority Leader Rose Pugliese, a Colorado Springs Republican, said in a statement. It is sponsored by Pugliese, Rep. Emily Sirota, a Denver Democrat, Sen. Mike Weissman, an Aurora Democrat, and Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer, a Weld County Republican. The bill would set the following guidelines for vacancy committees: If a lawmaker resigns before July 31 in an even year, a committee would appoint a replacement and that person would need to run for the seat that November. If a lawmaker resigns on or after July 31 in an even year, a committee would appoint a replacement and they would run for the seat in the next years November vacancy election. If a lawmaker resigns before July 31 in an odd year, a committee would appoint a replacement and there would be a vacancy election that November. If a lawmaker resigns on or after July 31 in an odd year, a committee would pick a replacement and that person would need to run for the seat in the next general election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The effect of the change would be that appointed lawmakers serve one legislative session, which runs from January to May, until they need to run for reelection, either in a regular election or a vacancy election as created by the bill. The new odd-year vacancy elections would take place alongside the statewide elections for ballot issues, local candidates and other items. Unaffiliated voters and voters from the same political party as the lawmaker who resigned in the legislative district would be able to participate in the new new odd-year vacancy elections. Six lawmakers already appointed this year Candidates could make the ballot for that election by collecting 200 signatures of voters from their party or by getting the support of at least 30% of the districts vacancy committee. Vacancy committees are currently composed of party central committee members, precinct leaders and state lawmakers who live in the district, as well as other highly involved party members. That means committees are typically made up of a few dozen people, but they can be much smaller. The bill would extend committee membership to county commissioners of the same party who live in the district. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill would also require vacancy committees to be livestreamed for the public. It also imposes campaign finance requirements for vacancy candidates. Six lawmakers have been appointed via vacancy committee this year: Republican Sen. John Carson, Democratic Sen. Matt Ball, Democratic Sen. Iman Jodeh, Democratic Rep. Jamie Jackson and Democratic Sen. Katie Wallace. That high volume of appointments two of which came when lawmakers resigned immediately after winning reelections led to calls for process reform. For the past few years, voters have grown increasingly alarmed with our vacancy laws for important elected government offices, Kirkmeyer said in a statement. A handful of political insiders should not determine who sits in a state legislative seat for years at a time without voters being able to express their will. Im pleased to be part of a bipartisan coalition that brings impactful reform to this process. A separate resolution in the Legislature also targets vacancy reform. House Concurrent Resolution 25-1002, also introduced Monday, would ask voters to amend the state constitution so that appointed lawmakers could not run as an incumbent in the election following their appointment. Rep. Bob Marshall, a Highlands Ranch Democrat, ran a similar resolution last year and is sponsoring it again this year alongside Rep. Larry Don Suckla, a Cortez Republican, and Sen. Marc Snyder, a Manitou Springs Democrat. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE VIENTIANE, April 2 (Xinhua) -- The Lao government and the United Nations (UN) launched the 2024 annual results report, highlighting progress under the Laos-UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2022-2026 and reaffirming their commitment to accelerating sustainable development and building resilience. The report, launched at the Joint Steering Committee meeting, compiles the efforts of UN agencies, funds, and programs, aligning with the ninth National Socio-economic Development Plan, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and National SDG 18. The meeting, held here on Wednesday, brought together representatives from key ministries and UN agencies, according to Lao National Radio. Discussions focused on achievements and priorities in four strategic areas, including people's well-being, inclusive prosperity, governance, and environmental resilience. The 2024 annual results report highlights progress in sustainable agriculture, education, and climate resilience. Key successes include the expansion of digital learning in remote areas, improved access to water and sanitation, and continued support for survivors of gender-based violence. The meeting also emphasized the need for increased collaboration, greater coherence, and improved efficiencies in 2025. UN agencies outlined their strategic priorities for the year ahead, focusing on youth engagement, digitalization, food systems transformation, green financing, climate mitigation, and social protection. A bipartisan group of U.S. senators proposed "hard-hitting" sanctions against Russia in a press release on April 1. "The dominating view in the United States Senate is that Russia is the aggressor, and that this horrific war and (Russian President Vladimir) Putins aggression must end now and be deterred in the future," the press release said. In March, the White House let an exemption on the Russian banking system expire, strengthening sanctions. U.S. lawmakers have previously voiced support for introducing strong sanctions against Russia if it does not cooperate in peace talks to end its war against Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The sanctions against Russia require tariffs on countries who purchase Russian oil, gas, uranium and other products. They are hard-hitting for a reason," the senators said. A group of 50 senators is leading the effort, with 25 Republican and 25 Democratic senators backing the proposal. The group of lawmakers is proposing that "primary and secondary sanctions against Russia and actors supporting Russias aggression in Ukraine" be imposed. "We share (U.S.) President (Donald) Trumps frustration with Russia when it comes to obtaining a ceasefire, and support President Trumps desire to achieve a lasting, just, and honorable peace," the statement said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A 500% tariff would be imposed on imports from countries that purchase various Russian energy products, including oil. The senators decried the Budapest Memorandum and Minsk agreements for failing to secure peace and sovereignty in Ukraine. "In 1994, as part of the Budapest Memorandum, Ukraine gave up approximately 1,700 nuclear weapons with a promise from the U.S., Russia, and (the U.K.) that Ukraines sovereignty would be honored in the future. This failed to deter Russian aggression," the statement said. Russia has asked for relief from sanctions as a precondition to a U.S. ceasefire proposal in the Black Sea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moscow has shown signs it is unwilling to move forward on a peace deal with Ukraine, and Russian authorities have listed maximalist demands in ceasefire negotiations with Ukraine and the U.S. Ukraine has agreed to a U.S.-proposed full 30-day ceasefire, saying on March 11 that Kyiv is ready if Russia also agrees to the terms. So far, Moscow has refused. Read also: Massive data leak: Ukrainian IDs, other documents exposed by years of cyber negligence Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. It reads like an April fools joke. British Airways plane banned from flying because seats are too comfy, the headline said. A British Airways flight from Milan to London was barred from take off by the Italian government, thanks to an unlikely culprit. The seats were too darned comfy, the newspaper claimed. I telephoned British Airways to get to (ahem) the bottom of it. Er, its true, a senior executive told me, not sure whether to be pleased or embarrassed. BA flight 575 from Milans Linate Airport to Heathrow last year was grounded after inspectors from the Italian aviation authority conducted a surprise inspection of the Airbus A320. They found that the seats in the exit row next to the wings had cushions that exceeded mandated thickness. Seat cushions in exit rows are thinner than in other rows to make it as easy and as quick as possible for passengers to get off in an emergency. Before the plane could take off, BA had to find smaller seat cushions for the exit row. Aviation is the most strictly regulated form of transport, for good reason. What are the other rules and regulations that you might not be aware of? Here are my favourites: 1. Rapid exit The number of passengers on a plane is determined not by Ryanair boss Michael OLearys determination to squeeze every pound from every square inch of the cabin, but by the number of seats, which in turn is dictated by the number of doors an aircraft has. The more doors, and the larger they are, the more seats. Why? Because airlines and manufacturers have to show that a full aircraft can be evacuated with half the doors unusable within 90 seconds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The importance of this was illustrated in January when all 379 passengers and crew got off through three doors of a Japan Airlines Airbus A350 that caught fire as it landed at Tokyos Haneda Airport in around two minutes. Moments later it was engulfed in flames. 2. Crew cuts The number of cabin crew is determined not by what level of service an airline wants to provide more for more attentive service, fewer for less but rather by a minimum of one flight attendant for every 50 seats, regardless of whether those seats are occupied. 3. Safety in darkness You might think that the cabin lights are dimmed and you are told to keep window blinds open when taking off and landing at night to make sure the cabin crew can see out in the event of an accident and to make it easier to see the emergency lights inside the cabin that show the way to an emergency exit. But thats only part of the story. Dimming the lights also helps passengers eyes to adjust faster to a dark or smoke-filled cabin. Better views during take-off and landing are a bonus on top of the safety reasons for dimming cabin lights - Jaromir/Moment RF 4. Blinds up Blinds are kept open to make sure that if there is a fire, firefighters can see inside the cabin and identify any flames on board and their location. 5. Queues for the loos There are no rules on the number of bathrooms an airliner has to have. BA recently reduced the number of bathrooms on its short-haul jets, so go before you go. 6. Batteries not included Airlines have to observe a minimum equipment list. If an important item is missing or defective, the aircraft cannot fly and a strict deadline for repair or replacement is enforced. Something as seemingly small as a battery powered exit light above an overwing door has to be checked before every flight. If there is a power cut, passengers still need to be able to see where the nearest exit is, an engineer tells Telegraph Travel. 7. Flying solo All jets have to be able to fly on one engine. Yes, once airborne, a 550-tonne Airbus A380 superjumbo can fly on a single engine. Single-engine operation helps determine a flights routing and airports it would use if it needs to divert. 8. Feeling the heat There is no set temperature for an aircraft cabin. It can be anywhere between 18C and 30C. Airlines raise the temperature to encourage passengers to go to sleep and lower it when it is time to wake up. Aircraft can be heated by using hot air which is bled off the engines and even by harvesting the heat generated by the batteries that run its computer systems. 9. A breath of fresh air There is no requirement that airlines provide individual air vents over every seat. Many Asian airlines do not offer these on wide-body jets. Air has to be filtered every three minutes using HEPA filters, which are also used in a hospital operating theatre. This means you are unlikely to pick up airborne viruses on board but you may well catch a cold from the constant variations in temperature when you travel. Individual air vents over each seat are an additional luxury that airlines are not required to provide but most do - Alavinphoto/Moment RF 10. Window dressing You might have noticed a small triangle sticker above the window next to your seat. This indicates that it is the best window through which to see the moving parts and controls of the wing. The sticker is there to help the cabin crew to be as fast as possible to observe the condition of the wing or an engine in an emergency. 11. Tipping the scales Cabin crew tell passengers to take your assigned seat before take off not because they want to split up families but because theyve used data on the average weight of passengers to distribute the weight evenly around the aircraft for takeoff and landing. Every five years, some airlines, including Air New Zealand and Korean, do random, voluntary weight checks of passengers in the countries to which they fly which they use to develop an average weight. Passengers are invited to step on to the scales at check in. 12. Phoney rules Even though we are all told to switch off our mobile phones, some private flights allow mobile calls and there is little evidence that interference from mobile phones has affected an aircrafts performance or navigation. 13. Screen time Theres no regulation size for an aircraft window but some manufacturers like to use bigger windows as a marketing ploy. This is despite the fact that some airlines hate windows because the core is made of glass, which is very heavy. Tim Clark, Emirates boss, has speculated that airlines will do away with windows and use cameras on the fuselage to project images on a screen in place of the window. That means you could choose which view you wanted to see the one from the left hand side or the one from the right hand side. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This story was first published in March 2024 and has been revised and updated. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has announced the dates of three virtual meetings for public feedback on a possible black bear hunt in Florida. The meetings will discuss proposals based on comments from the public meeting on March 13, as well as meetings with stakeholders groups. the FWC said. The material covered at all three meetings will be identical. The proposals for "highly regulated black bear hunting" will be presented to FWC commissioners at a meeting in May. When are the FWC's virtual meetings to discuss a black bear hunt in Florida? Why is the FWC considering a Florida black bear hunt? The FWC reported at its December 2024 commission meeting that bear populations across the state have grown to around up to five times above the minimum population objectives to maintain a healthy population. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Florida currently has more than 17,000 square miles of suitable bear habitat, of which 46% is protected. But statewide bear-related calls are at an all-time high, up 42% from 2016. The calls run about 60% positive (bear sightings) and 40% negative (complaints), which has stayed fairly constant through the years. After the presentation, the commissioners directed staff to bring back options for a potential bear hunt. When was the last state-sanctioned bear hunt? The last black bear hunt, the first in 21 years, happened in 2015 under then-Gov. Rick Scott. But the planned 7-day hunt was shut down at the end of the second day after nearly 300 bears were killed, with hunters hitting nearly triple the kill limit in the Panhandle region. There was a public outcry at how quickly the bears were killed and reports of hunters baiting bears. Bear hunting was allowed in Florida from the 1930s through 1994 but was made illegal when the black bear population was in danger of dying out. The population has grown back from several hundred in the 1970s to over 4,000 today, something the FWC says is one of Florida's most successful conservation efforts. Where are there black bears in Florida? How to get involved with meetings on Florida bear hunt Those interested in attending the meetings can join by going to myfwc.com/hunting/bear/ and clicking on the links. You must have the Zoom app installed. Comments can be sent to BearComments@MyFWC.com. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Bears in Florida: FWC considers Black bear hunt, seeks public feedback Sens. Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty told Knox News the Trump administration's firings of two members of the Tennessee Valley Authority Board of Directors will provide space for the Senate to confirm new board members who will bolster Tennessee's effort to lead on nuclear energy. A spokesperson for Sen. Blackburn sent a joint statement from the two senators in an email to Knox News on April 2, one day after Trump directed the firing of TVA Board Chair Joe Ritch. We share the Trump administrations commitment to the long-term future of the Valley and will work together to ensure the TVA is fulfilling its potential. TVA requires bold and competent leadership to keep America at the cutting edge of energy innovation. The Trump administrations decisive actions to shake up the status quo at the TVA will allow us to confirm new board members who will champion the future of Tennessees energy needs and ensure our state leads the way in nuclear energy. We cant let this moment pass us by," Blackburn and Hagerty said in the statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The senators play a large role in recommending members for the Trump administration to nominate to the board, which governs the Knoxville-based federal utility. The U.S. Senate confirms new board members, but the process can take months or years as a low priority for elected officials outside the seven-state Tennessee Valley, where TVA sells electricity to 10 million people and manages the river system. Republicans control the Senate with 53 seats. There were six board members, all nominated by President Joe Biden, before Trump fired Michelle Moore of Virginia and Ritch of Alabama. The remaining four Biden appointees do not constitute a quorum to conduct business and cannot approve new policies or programs. The senators did not say when they would recommend new board members or when the board members could be confirmed. The Senate often waits until the end of the session of Congress, when board members whose five-year terms have expired must leave the board, though the current session does not end until January 2027. U.S. Senator Bill Hagerty (right) and U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (left) praised the Trump administration's firing of two TVA board members as a chance to select new members to pursue new nuclear technologies, a growing focus of Gov. Bill Lee (center). Trump has not commented publicly about the terminations from the TVA Board and his administration has not nominated new board members. He took the extraordinary measure of firing two TVA board members in his first term over the utility's decision to outsource IT jobs to companies with overseas workforces, and the utility later reversed the decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Board members typically serve under multiple presidents, making the niche governing body traditionally insulated from turnover when a new administration takes office. Blackburn, Hagerty want nuclear focus for TVA board Blackburn and Hagerty laid out a vision for a new board at TVA in an op-ed published March 20 in POWER Magazine, in which they argued the current board had "fallen victim to paralysis by analysis" on new nuclear technologies and was too focused on diversity of TVA executives. "The presidentially appointed, Senate-confirmed, TVA Board of Directors lacks the talent, experience, and gravitas to meet a challenge that clearly requires visionary industrial leaders. The group looks more like a collection of political operatives than visionary industrial leaders," they wrote. Tennessee has become a hub of new nuclear development, thanks largely to TVA, Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, which form a powerful trifecta for nuclear research and operations. Gov. Bill Lee set aside millions for a state nuclear fund and formed a nuclear energy advisory council in 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The senators also called for an interim CEO trusted by Trump who could fast track development of small modular reactors at the Clinch River Nuclear Site in Oak Ridge. Small modular reactors have potential to be built faster and more frugally than traditional large nuclear plants, and they can be located flexibly depending on power needs. TVA's design would produce about one-third the electricity of a large nuclear reactor. The technology, which has never been built in the U.S., must go through a lengthy licensing process with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. TVA secured the first early site permit for the technology in 2019 and the board has allocated $350 million for the project. The utility plans to submit a construction permit application for a 300-megawatt small modular reactor this year, but Blackburn and Hagerty called for the utility to "immediately file" the application. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before the Trump administration fired the two board members, the board selected TVA Chief Operating Officer Don Moul as the utility's next president and CEO. The current CEO, Jeff Lyash, announced in January his plan to retire this year as soon as the board selected a successor. TVA announced Moul's selection on March 31, and he starts the job April 9. As chief operating officer, Moul has overseen TVA's seven nuclear reactors at three plants in Tennessee and Alabama. Blackburn and Hagerty criticized the board for hiring what they called a "tiny headhunter firm" to quickly choose the next CEO from inside the organization. The senators did not answer a question Knox News asked about their reaction to the board's hiring of Moul. The board conducted an external and internal search to avoid the appearance of a predestined internal hire, Moul told Knox News in an interview, though he said he was brought on as chief operating officer in 2021 in part to "make a deeper bench of CEO succession candidates." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moul, who sits on Lee's nuclear council, has decades of experience in the nuclear industry and said the new technologies would be a focus of his tenure. "I know that nuclear is the vital part of our energy security, of our economic future," Moul said. "I grew up in the nuclear industry, so it's ingrained in me." Small modular reactors could be located by manufacturing plants or AI data centers to power technological innovation, but would also generate enough electricity each to power about 175,000 homes. TVA executives visited the Clinch River Nuclear Site with Hagerty and U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright in February. Are you a current or former federal employee with a story to tell? Contact Daniel Dassow, a growth and development reporter focused on technology and energy, at daniel.dassow@knoxnews.com or on Signal @danieldassow.24. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe. This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Blackburn, Hagerty plan to confirm new TVA board after Trump firings PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now) Two of the Prince William County Police Departments (PWCPD) newest members are taking on a new role: tracking missing and endangered people. After nearly a year of training and passing their certifications as search dogs, canines Dory and Sadie are now PWCPD bloodhounds. PWCPD said it has experienced a sharp rise in calls to find missing and/or endangered people. To handle those cases, department officials relied on specialty dogs from outside law enforcement agencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jefferson High School students take class on crime solving, leading to careers in forensic science The arrangement worked if those dogs and their handlers were not busy with calls in their own jurisdictions, but due to the volume of calls for service it was time for the department to move in a different direction. PWCPD purchased the bloodhounds from a reputable breeder in Georgia, who is used by other law enforcement agencies with bloodhound programs. Sadie and Dory arrived in April 2024 and were immediately acclimated to their new jobs by coming to work every day, being introduced to traffic noise, large numbers of people and other conditions they would face in their day-to-day duties. Courtesy of the Prince William County Police Department Courtesy of the Prince William County Police Department The two canines began their formal training in May 2024 and successfully completed the certification process in March 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bloodhounds were paired with experienced K-9 handlers, decreasing the amount of training time for their human partners and meaning the officers do not have to be reassigned from patrol duties. Authorities said the bloodhounds work an entire shift with their handlers, riding in vehicles with dual kennels one for the patrol canine and one for the tracking canine. If you happen to encounter Dory or Sadie, it will be hard to resist the urge to say hello to them. But their K-9 handlers remind everyone that they are working animals so please ignore their cuteness so they can focus on their important work serving the Countys residents, the department noted. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. Bloomington is the third best college town in the Midwest and the 11th best in the U.S., according to a new report from the rent search website RentCafe. Bloomington ranked as the No. 3 college town in the Midwest last year, but this year, it climbed two spots in the national ranking, moving from No. 13 to No. 11. B-Town lost only to Ann Arbor and East Lansing, Michigan, homes to the University of Michigan and Michigan State University. Bloomington is a full eight slots above Purdue Universitys West Lafayette, which placed No. 18 in this years ranking. A Bloomington transit bus drives past the Sample Gates on Tuesday, May 17, 2022. How were college towns evaluated? To create its ranking, RentCafe looked at college towns with a population between 10,000 and 300,000 across three key categories: affordability, livability and education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Affordability included metrics like tuition and cost of living, livability included the share of residents in their 20s and local amenities, and education included factors like student-to-faculty ratio, graduation rate, and a schools U.S. News and World Report ranking. Stay informed: Access Bloomington news anywhere with the Herald-Times app Bloomington among best in the Midwest Black Key Bulls rider Will Wagner is lifted by teammates after they won the 72nd men's Little 500 race at Bill Armstrong Stadium on Saturday, April 20, 2024. Bloomington has ranked as the third best college town in the Midwest for two years in a row and, according to the data, it keeps getting better. Last year, Bloomington scored a 90.58% on RentCafes ranking, which is calculated using 12 metrics across the key categories of affordability, livability and education. This year, it scored a 94.60% less than one point shy of No. 2-ranked Ann Arbor, at 95.26%. What makes Bloomington a great college town? The crowd enjoys Sleater-Kinney during the Granfalloon concert on Kirkwood Avenue on Saturday, June, 8, 2024. Bloomingtons No. 11 national ranking was likely due to a number of factors, including the Midwest regions relatively low cost of living, IUs low in-state tuition rates, and the community's high percentage of people in their 20s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bloomington is also home to a particularly well-educated population, with 60% holding a bachelors degree (or higher), according to the U.S. Census Bureau. IU is ranked No. 73 for national universities on the U.S. News and World Reports college ranking. Its ranked the No. 34 public university in the country. Reach Brian Rosenzweig at brian@heraldt.com. Follow him on Twitter/X at @brianwritesnews. This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Bloomington ranked 3rd best college town in Midwest, 11th in US BLUFFTON, S.C. (WSAV) A Bluffton man who crashed his vehicle while under the influence and killed a four-month-old has been sentenced to 20 years in prison, the 14th Solicitors Office said. Gregorio Hernandez-Castillo pleaded guilty Tuesday, April 1, in Beaufort County General Sessions Court to driving under the influence resulting in death. The infant, who was not properly restrained in her child seat, was killed in the May 2024 wreck. Hernandez-Castillo and two other passengers were traveling east on Bluffton Parkway when he lost control of the vehicle and struck a tree. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The South Carolina Highway Patrol investigated the wreck and initially faced charges of Felony DUI, Child Passenger Restraint System Article Violation, Open Container In A Motor Vehicle and Driving Without A License. Hernandez-Castillo affirmed that he was the driver and that he was driving about 60 mph in a 45-mph speed zone. He failed a field sobriety test and was found to have a blood-alcohol content of 0.18 about an hour and a half after the crash. Hernandez-Castillo also pleaded guilty as indicted to child endangerment and driving under suspension. He must pay $10,100 in restitution in addition to the sentence. This defendant has a history of drunken and irresponsible driving, said Deputy Solicitor Mary Jordan Lempesis of the 14th Circuit Solicitors Office, who prosecuted the case. Tragically, an infant has now paid with her life for Mr. Hernandez-Castillos disregard for the law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The office added that Hernandez-Castillo was previously convicted in South Carolina for driving under the influence (DUI) and driving under suspension. He also was convicted of DUI in Georgia. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV. Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) appeared to confuse Oliver Stone, an American filmmaker and a witness before House lawmakers on Tuesday, with political strategist Roger Stone during a hearing on the release of new documents related to the assassination of John F. Kennedy. You wrote a book accusing LBJ of being involved in the killing of President Kennedy. Do these most recent releases confirm or negate your initial charge? Boebert asked. No, I didnt, Oliver Stone said. If you look closely at the film, theres no it accuses the President Johnson of part, being part of, complicit in a cover-up of the case, but not in the assassination itself, which I dont know. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jefferson Morley, editor of the JFK Facts blog and another witness before the House task force, stepped in to suggest that Boebert had mistaken the witness. I think youre confusing Mr. Oliver Stone with Mr. Roger Stone. Its Roger Stone who implicated LBJ in the assassination of the president. Its not my friend Oliver Stone, Morley corrected the Colorado Republican. I may have misinterpreted that and I apologize for that. But there seems to be some alluding of, like you said, incompetence or some sort of involvement there on the back end, Boebert responded. Sorry, Im going to move on. Roger Stone, a longtime political operative and Trump ally, authored the 2013 book The Man Who Killed Kennedy: The Case Against LBJ. Oliver Stone, a director, worked on the controversial 1991 political thriller JFK, which stoked conspiracy questions surrounding Kennedys death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oliver Stone was speaking on Tuesday before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committees Task Force on the Declassification of Federal Secrets, in an inaugural hearing related to the so-called JFK files that comes a few weeks after the National Archives last month released more than 2,000 files related to the Kennedy assassination. The move followed an executive order from President Trump. Experts have said the latest release does not contradict the Warren Commissions conclusion that Lee Harvey Oswald was the lone gunman in the assassination. But multiple witnesses on Tuesday raised questions about the investigations and long-held conclusions about the case. I ask the committee to reopen what the Warren Commission failed miserably to complete. I ask you to reinvestigate the assassination of this President Kennedy from the scene of the crime to the courtroom, Oliver Stone told lawmakers in his opening statement, contending that the CIAs muddy footprints are all over this case. Task force Chair Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) said in a release announcing the hearing that lawmakers will get to the bottom of this mystery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg will testify in front of the U.S. Senate today, facing some tough questions from lawmakers regarding the manufacturing behemoths safety issues and culture changes. Ortberg said he plans to own up to the companys mistakes, especially where safety is involved. Senators could also grill him over the companys decision to withdraw a guilty plea over two deadly crashes from several years ago. The company initially pleaded guilty to deceiving regulators. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He will address the incident where a door plug blew out mid-flight on a trip from Portland. ALSO READ: Passenger recounts Boeing door plug blowout one year later He is also expected to have questionings calling back to the deadly crashes from 2018-2019 involving the 737 MAX jets made in Renton. Those crashes included the Indonesian Lion Air Jet flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines flight 302 that killed 346 people. Some of the victms families are expected to be at the committee hearing. Boeing has acknowledged the design of flight software to prevent stalls on the MAX contributed to the crashes. Ortberg is expected to speak at 7 a.m. You can watch the livestream here. ST. LOUIS Boeing is donating $100,000 to the Salvation Army to support tornado recovery efforts in the Greater St. Louis area. The donation from Boeing is expected to provide much-needed relief to those impacted by the tornadoes, helping them begin the process of rebuilding their lives. The donation is aimed at assisting Missourians affected by the tornadoes that struck on March 14 and 15, significantly impacting the region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Salvation Army, the tornadoes resulted in damage to 3,000 homes, with many being completely destroyed. Over the next few weeks, the organization plans to distribute gift cards and other essential living items to hundreds of survivors. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. NANJING, April 2 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command has successfully completed all designated tasks of the joint exercises carried out on Tuesday and Wednesday, said a spokesperson for the theater command. Senior Colonel Shi Yi said the drills tested the troops' integrated joint operation capabilities. The troops of the theater command remain on high alert at all times, and will continue to strengthen combat readiness with intensive training to resolutely thwart all separatist activities seeking "Taiwan independence," said the spokesperson. It's been ten months since NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams traveled to the International Space Station on board Boeing's issues-riddled Starliner spacecraft. After years of delays, Starliner finally launched from Space Launch Complex-41 at NASA's Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on June 5, 2024, following three separate scrubs and the discovery of several helium leaks. Things didn't improve once the capsule reached space. Docking procedures with the ISS proved harrowing due to reaction-control thruster malfunctions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And according to a new Ars Technica interview with the two astronauts, the situation was even more terrifying than was reported at the time. "I don't know that we can come back to Earth at that point," Wilmore told Ars' Eric Berger. "I don't know if we can. And matter of fact, I'm thinking we probably can't." News that NASA had actively bent flight rules to allow Starliner to continue attempting to dock with the station despite multiple thrusters failing highlights the real danger Wilmore and Williams were in, and how close they were to simply turning around. It's a damning new revelation, especially considering how much of a disaster Boeing's Starliner project has already been. The aerospace giant has poured billions of dollars into the project and has yet to complete a single, successful crewed mission to and from the station. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the pair said the launch atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas rocket went more smoothly than anticipated, things started to go haywire when reaction control system thrusters started failing one by one, making docking procedures a lot more difficult. During briefings preceding the launch, Wilmore had already been made aware that thruster issues could land them in a "situation where we're in space and can't control it," as he told Ars. While trying to dock with the ISS, Wilmore recounted that the crew became single fault tolerant, meaning that the mission was one failing thruster away from losing full control of the capsule's movement. "We're single fault tolerant, and I'm thinking, 'Wow, we're supposed to leave the space station,'" Wilmore told Ars. "Because I know the flight rules." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, heated conversations back at NASA's headquarters led to the space agency deciding it was still worth the risk, waiving flight rules about the loss of thrusters. "I did not know that the flight directors were already in discussions about waiving the flight rule because we've lost two thrusters," the astronaut added. "We didn't know why. [The flight rules] just dropped." "We're already past the point where we were supposed to leave, and now we're zero-fault tolerant and I'm manual control," Wilmore recalled. "And, oh my, the control is sluggish. Compared to the first day, it is not the same spacecraft. Am I able to maintain control? I am. But it is not the same." "There was a lot of unsaid communication, like, 'Hey, this is a very precarious situation we're in,'" Williams added. "I think both of us overwhelmingly felt like it would be really nice to dock to that space station that's right in front of us." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All told, four out of the 28 reaction control system thrusters failed. Two of them came back online after NASA remotely reset the system. The pair returned on board a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule earlier this month after being stranded on board the space station for nine months. Their original mission was meant to last a mere week. NASA is still working to get Starliner which returned without the pair on board in September back off the ground. In an update last week, the agency revealed that NASA and Boeing are "making progress toward crew certification of the companys CST-100 Starliner," with teams "working to resolve Starliners in-flight anomalies and preparing for propulsion system testing in the months ahead." When or if the plagued spacecraft will again attempt to journey to the space station remains unclear. According to NASAs Commercial Crew Program manager Steve Stich, the next flight likely won't happen before late 2025 or "early next year." More on Starliner: NASA Is Investigating Boeing Starliner's "In-Flight Anomalies" WAYNE COUNTY, Miss. (WHLT) A boil water notice has been issued for Hiwannee Water Association #1 in Wayne County. The notice affects 1,443 connections on the east side of the system. Mississippi governor seeks disaster aid after tornado outbreak According to the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH), water system officials notified the agency of a system wide pressure loss due to a line break in a transmission line. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Health officials strongly recommend that all water be boiled vigorously for one minute before it is consumed. The water system will notify customers when the boil water is lifted. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. HILLSBORO, Mo. Christopher Moriarty, a 44-year-old man from Imperial, is set to appear in court Wednesday morning in Jefferson County as he is facing multiple sex crime charges involving children. Moriarty is due for a bond review hearing at 10 a.m. and is currently held without bond at the Jefferson County Jail, located across from the courthouse. Moriarty faces 14 charges, including statutory rape or attempted statutory rape, statutory sodomy or attempted statutory sodomy, sexual misconduct involving a child under 15 years old, and enticement or attempted enticement of a child. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PHOTOS: Severe storm impacts St. Louis area, beyond Neighbors recorded cell phone video of a heavy police presence during Moriartys arrest at his Imperial home on Seckman Ridge Way last week. While at the home, investigators discovered marijuana, drug paraphernalia, sex toys, and an active camera pointed toward Moriartys bed at his home. Court documents reveal five alleged victims, aged between 12 and 13, who provided graphic descriptions of the alleged sex acts involving Moriarty. These incidents reportedly occurred from June 1, 2024, to March 24, 2025. Although the case is charged in Jefferson County, a St. Louis County task force led the investigation. Authorities believe Moriarty used social media to contact his victims and suspect there may be additional victims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities are urging anyone with information related to the case to contact St. Louis County Police as the investigation continues. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. A prominent Tampa defense attorney has been appointed to temporarily serve as Central Floridas top federal prosecutor, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Tuesday. Gregory W. Kehoe, who previously served more than 20 years as a DOJ prosecutor, was appointed as the interim U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, the department said. He will serve in the role until President Donald Trump appoints a permanent U.S. Attorney to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate which could be Kehoe. When reached by phone Tuesday, Kehoe said he was proud and honored to serve the Middle District. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kehoe, 70, previously served in the Middle District as First Assistant U.S. Attorney from 1989 to 1992 and from 1993 to 1995, according to his profile with Greenberg Traurig, the international law firm where he was recently a shareholder. He replaces Roger Handberg, who was appointed by then-President Joe Biden to the position from 2022 and then fired by Trump in February. Handberg was previously appointed as the districts interim U.S. Attorney by then-U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland in 2021. Prominent Orlando defense attorney Mark NeJame, who was critical of Handbergs firing, praised Kehoes appointment in a statement to the Orlando Sentinel. Greg Kehoe is an excellent choice. Hes smart, experienced, and highly respected. Although the dismissal of Roger Handberg was unnecessary, Greg Kehoe is a wise and mature selection, who will continue the great work the people of the Middle District of Florida deserve, NeJame said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a DOJ prosecutor, Kehoe handled high-profile cases involving financial institutions, corporate fraud allegations and racketeering charges. The DOJ release also said he led the team of lawyers and investigators that advised the Iraqi Special Tribunal, an ad hoc court formed to prosecute Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein and members of his former regime. The Middle District of Florida is the largest of the three federal court districts in the state, and is the second most populous in the nation, according to its website. It includes 35 of Floridas 67 counties, over half of the states population. It extends as far as Jacksonville in the north and Fort Myers in the south. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) U.S. Border Patrol agents from San Diego stayed with two stranded and injured Mexican women in the Otay Mountain wilderness and built a makeshift shelter until they could be airlifted to safety, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reports. U.S. Border Patrol agents responded to a rescue call from Mexican authorities just after midnight on Friday for two Mexican women that had crossed the border into the United States illegally and were in distress with injuries and depleting food and water supplies. One of the women was reportedly pregnant as well. Connect with us: Sign up for newsletters | Get our app | Read latest stories Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CBP reports Border Patrol agents found the women six miles east of the Otay Mesa Port of Entry in a remote canyon in the Otay Mountain wilderness. When agents reached the women, they found both were unable to walk because of ankle injuries. However, because of the cold weather and dense fog that night, the medical evacuation helicopter was unable to fly. One migrant dead, another injured in fall from San Diego border wall Agents from the Border Patrol Search Trauma and Rescue Team (BORSTAR) stayed with the women overnight and built a makeshift shelter to keep them out of the cold until they could be airlifted out of the canyon, according to CBP, which said the weather that night on the mountain had dropped to near-freezing levels during a cold front. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once weather conditions improved, a San Diego Sheriffs Department helicopter extracted the women the next morning and took them to a nearby fire station for medical examination. US Coast Guard tripled personnel to prevent maritime human smuggling Agents found, assisted the two injured females, and remained on scene to provide shelter until the two females were successfully airlifted (Photo: U.S. Customs and Border Protection) Border Patrol Agents from Chula Vista Station responded to a distress call from two females on Otay Mountain (Photo: U.S. Customs and Border Protection) Once their injuries were cleared, the women were taken to a Border Patrol station for processing and removal from the United States, according to CBP. CBP emphasized the dangers of illegally crossing the border at any time of the year. DOJ: 22 charged for role in drug trafficking organization linked to Beltran Leyva Cartel Im extremely proud of the Border Patrol agents who work tirelessly to safeguard our nation while also rendering aid to those in distress, said San Diego Sector Acting Chief Patrol Agent Jeffrey D. Stalnaker. The border region can be treacherous, with extreme weather and rugged terrain posing serious dangers. Entering illegally not only breaks the law but also puts lives at risk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Customs and Border Protection says you can report suspicious activity by calling 911 or the San Diego Sector at 619-498-9900. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. A Boston police officer is facing OUI charges after crashing into another vehicle and injuring another officer. According to Massachusetts State Police, Stephen OConnell, 38, of Hanover was driving a black 2023 Nissan Frontier when he lost control and struck an SUV shortly after midnight on April 1 on Route 3 southbound in Weymouth. The SUV, which was later identified as an unmarked Boston Police cruiser was pushed across lanes of traffic, off the road, and into the tree line. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cruiser was driven by an off-duty Boston Police officer driving home after his shift. He was taken to the hospital as a precaution. After further investigation, officers determined that OConnell displayed several signs of impairment and was placed under arrest and charged with operating under the influence (liquor), negligent operation of a motor vehicle, marked lanes violation, failure to signal, and possession of an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle. According to Boston police, OConnell was on administrative leave at the time of the incident Monday night and an investigation remains on going. OConnell was released on personal recognizance appeared in court on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) A child died after a tragic accident with a zipline in Lancaster County Sunday, police say. A boy was on a zipline, attached to a tree that broke, and fell on him in a backyard in the 1400 block of Chadwyck Lane in East Hempfield Township just before 12 p.m., police said in a Tuesday report. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Severe Weather Alerts Sadly, the child was pronounced dead at the scene, police said, despite life-saving attempts provided by other residents and EMS. The Lancaster County Coroners Office was then called to the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said it was determined the incident was not criminal, but a tragic accident. It was determined that this incident was a tragic accident, and not criminal in nature, police said in a statement. Out of respect to the families involved, the East Hempfield Twp Police Department has no further comment and is not releasing any further information about this incident. We are deeply saddened, and offer our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the child who tragically lost his life. We would also like to express our gratitude to all persons on scene who did everything they could to render first aid. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. UPDATE: According to the Bakersfield Police Department, a 15-year-old girl who was reported missing on Tuesday and last seen in the 900 block of South Baker Street has been found. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) The Bakersfield Police Department asked for the communitys assistance in finding a 15-year-old who went missing on Monday. Diana Sotero was last seen at around 7 a.m. on April 1 in the 900 block of South Baker Street, according to BPD. Diana is considered to be at risk due to this being her first time running away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement BPD described Diana as 5 feet and 100 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a gray sweater, gray sweats and black Crocs, BPD said. Anyone with information about Dianas whereabouts is asked to contact BPD at 661-327-7111. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17 News. BRADENTON, Fla. (WFLA) The owner of Gulf View Windows and Doors was arrested on Tuesday after he was found to have used customers money for flights, gambling, and expensive dinners, the Bradenton Police Department announced. Jeremy Demers, 45, was charged with misappropriating construction funds of $100,000 or more and scheming to defraud of $50,000 or more. Demers took over the company in 2023 after his brother Jordan was diagnosed with cancer. Jordan died in April 2024, BPD said. (Bradenton Police Department) Detective Michael Carpenter began investigating complaints from Buky Construction and Easton Construction in late April 2024 after they reported that Demers failed to fulfill their orders, leading to liens being placed on their properties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They have projects they are trying to complete, they dont have the items that they need to complete these projects, so now they are unable to meet their obligations, they are losing money because of this and now liens are placed on their property properties, so now they have to go through that process of getting that cleared up, that is financially challenging for the businesses, said BPD Public Information Officer Meredith Censullo. BPD said between October 2023 and March 2024 both companies paid Grand View Windows and Doors around $792,383 for products made by E.S. Construction. Demers placed the order to E.S. Construction but did not pay the manufacturer. Instead, Demers funneled the money into multiple personal and business accounts, according to police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In financial subpoenas, it was revealed that Demers had around 21 accounts at different banks. Police said between August 2023 and November 2024, Demers transferred customer funds that were deposited into the business accounts to his other accounts, or payroll company account, and withdrew money. Demers also did the same with a $1 million life insurance policy payout, BPD said. There were multiple transactions, money was being moved around to any number of accounts in an apparent effort to hide where this money came from, that is according to the probable cause affidavit, said Censullo. The owner used customers money for personal expenses including travel, gambling, and investments in digital currency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to BPD, Demers spent $19,554 on airline tickets and at least $200,000 on gambling. Along with airline tickets and gambling, Demers withdrew money at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino and charged expensive meals, spa treatments, and purchases from gift shops. Demers business is no longer operational. On Wednesday afternoon during his first appearance in court, a judge set his bond at a total of $800,000. Bradenton Police Department asks if anyone has a similar complaint against Gulf View Window and Doors, contact Detective Carpenter at michael.carpenter@bradentonpd.com. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. QINGDAO, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Boosted by an expanded flight network and China's visa-free policy, over 78,000 visitors from the Republic of Korea (ROK) entered China via the coastal city Qingdao in east China's Shandong Province in the first quarter of 2025, up 45 percent year on year, the Qingdao Airport said on Wednesday. As a key gateway hub to Japan and ROK, Qingdao Airport now handles an average of 33 daily round-trip flights to and from ROK, operated by multiple airlines, according to Qingdao International Airport Group. This includes 29 daily round-trip flights between Qingdao and Seoul, and 4 daily round-trip flights between Qingdao and Busan. Additionally, there are 2 weekly round-trip flights between Qingdao and Jeju. Notably, to accommodate the growing demand, Shandong Airlines has increased the frequency of its Qingdao-Seoul route, raising its daily round-trip flights to 14 from 12. Since November 2023, China has continuously adjusted and optimized its visa-free transit policy to boost openness and people-to-people exchanges. According to data from the online travel platform Trip.com, after China implemented the visa-free policy for ROK and eight other countries in November 2024, the year-on-year growth rate of inbound tourism orders from ROK exceeded 150 percent within less than a month. Last year, over 20.1 million foreign visitors entered China under the visa exemption policy, marking a year-on-year increase of 113.5 percent in eligible transit visa-exemption travelers. Apr. 1POLO A steady stream of onlookers drove past the Congress School on Tuesday as workers continued to demolish the historic, but dilapidated, school building that had stood in Polo for 126 years. Workers from Fischer Excavating of Freeport began demolishing the north section of Congress School, 208 N. Congress Ave., on March 27 creating small clouds of dust as the 18-inch-thick brick walls were collapsed, sparking waves of nostalgia from former students. Demolition of historic school continues in Polo A steady stream of onlookers drove past the Congress School on Tuesday as workers continued to demolish the historic, but dilapidated school building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most of the school's newer edition built in the late 1940s located on the north side of the building was removed by Friday, allowing demolition crews to start razing the original, larger portion of the once-grand school Monday. A portion of the brick wall that faced the alley to the east was caved in by crews late Tuesday afternoon. "They are digging out the center now, which is wood, not brick," Public Works Director Kendall Kyker said Tuesday afternoon. "Then they [Fischer's] will start caving the walls in rather than out. This is not their first rodeo. They know what they are doing." Kyker said it is likely that Congress Street, between Locust and Dixon streets, will be closed to traffic when the west walls of the 1899 school are taken down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "That would just be a safety precaution," Kyker said. "My guess is that entire building will be down by the end of this week." Eventually, bricks from the building will be available to the public at no charge, placed outside the fenced demolition area on the northwest and southwest corners. "We want no one inside the fenced area, ever," Kyker said. Demolition of the 41,000-square-foot building is estimated to take at least three weeks. When completed, the 1.12-acre lot will be completely free of asphalt and concrete, covered with dirt and seeded. "Once they have the debris hauled out, they will crush the concrete into gravel and cover with dirt so we can grow grass," Kyker said. "The whole lot will be completely free of of blacktop and concrete. It will kind of look like a park." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Polo City Council voted unanimously March 12 to demolish the school, citing potential liability issues and a public safety risk. The building had not been used as a school for many years and has since sat vacant. ExpandAutoplay Image 1 of 8 Workers from Fischer Excavating of Freeport demolish a portion of the east wall of the Congress School, 208 N. Congress Ave., on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 in Polo. Demolition of the 41,000-square-foot school built in 1899 is expected to continue this week. (Earleen Hinton) "The city of Polo is taking action to address a growing safety concern regarding the old Congress School building," the city announced. "Unfortunately, the structure has become a target for break-ins, creating a serious liability and public safety risk. After careful consideration and a public meeting, we have declared this an emergency and will be moving forward with its demolition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city purchased the towering vacant building in August 2023 for $15,000. In October 2024, council members unanimously voted to accept a $66,900 bid from Husar Abatement LTD of Franklin Park to abate asbestos in the original portion of the school that was built in 1899. The building and its two parking lots take up the east side of the 200 block of North Congress Avenue. According to March 12 meeting minutes, Kyker told the council that when he let Husar Abatement in to remove the asbestos, he had to remove all the boards that had been put on the doors to prevent people from getting in. Demolition begins on vacant Congress School in Polo Workers from Fischer Excavating of Freeport have begun demolishing the north section of Congress School, 208 N. Congress Ave. (Earleen Hinton) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After Husar Abatement left, Kyker said the boards were not immediately reinstalled, and he later noticed that several windows had been broken and there was evidence that people had been inside the school. The doors were boarded again, but Kyker told the board that he was concerned people would continue to try to break into the school, creating a potential liability issue for the city. Attorney Tom Suits agreed that the building posed a safety concern because of its dilapidated condition. The city approved a bid from Fischer Excavating to demolish the building for $230,000. Congress School History Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The complete story of Congress School started with the formation of Polo's school district in 1857. When the north and south school districts were combined in 1867, a new school was built for the new district at the corner of West Dixon Street and North Congress Avenue. That eight-room blue limestone building that could accommodate 500 elementary to high school students quickly became overcrowded and by 1899 it was torn down and the new Congress School opened in November 1899. The 1899 building was designed by Joseph Lyman Silsbee, who was a prominent American architect during the 19th and early 20th centuries. He is most known for his works in Chicago as well as Syracuse and Buffalo, New York. Congress served as Polo's high school before the high school was moved to a building on East Mason Street now known as Aplington Middle School until Polo Community High School was built. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Up until Congress School closed, there were four schools in the district. They were Centennial Elementary School, built in 1957, for kindergarten to fourth-grade students; Congress for kindergarteners to sixth graders; Aplington, where seventh and eighth graders attended; and the high school. The main entrance to Congress School faced West Locust Street. It had a grass lawn with a walkway leading up to its front doors, which were framed by a large portico supported by four pillars. In March 1985, the Polo School Board voted 4-3 to close Congress and later that year, the school was formally closed and put up for sale. Over the years the building passed through many different private owners, each with their own idea of what to do with the building. Some wanted to turn it into apartments or restore it to its historical value, which would cost millions, Kyker said in an earlier interview. Eventually, high renovation costs and the large size of the building caused it to fall into disrepair, Kyker said. Payton Felix contributed to this story. BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. (WBOY) Bridgeport Mayor Andy Lang has issued a statement on Thursdays special council meeting to discuss the potential removal of City Manager Patrick Ford. In a statement emailed to 12 News on Wednesday morning, Lang wrote Thursdays Special Meeting was called by me in accordance with the Citys procedural requirements. City officials have not commented publicly on the reason theyre considering Fords removal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The City Council and I are elected to serve the residents of the City of Bridgeport, and we took an oath to serve and always work in the best interests of the City, Lang wrote. Many times, we must discuss and act on tough issues and make decisions to keep the City moving forward. Bridgeport city manager intends to fight for his job Ford, who was hired in October of 2024, has claimed his possible termination is an effort by city leaders to hide the results of an internal investigation initiated in February of 2025. In a letter to City Council obtained by 12 News, Ford wrote on February 10th, 2025, you (city council) unanimously voted to initiate an internal investigation the initial results of which you are collectively now attempting to hide through my termination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In that same letter, Ford invoked West Virginia State Code, which he said gives him the statutory right to have an open meeting concerning his employment status. In an email sent to local media outlets Tuesday, Ford said there was a wealth of misinformation circulating about his reputation and character and that he intends to fight for what is right and my job. The Thursday special meeting has one item on the agenda: discussion and possible action on Fords removal from office. Thursdays Special Meeting was called by me in accordance with the Citys procedural requirements, wrote Lang in his Wednesday statement. As an elected official who takes my responsibilities seriously, I will not deviate from the processes that we are obligated to follow. Rest assured, regardless of any information posted on social media or elsewhere, accurate information will be provided when appropriate. We must follow State Law and the Charter of the City of Bridgeport. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The special meeting is scheduled for Thursday at 5 p.m. 12 News will be at the meeting and will bring you the latest. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com. BRISTOL, Conn. (WTNH) A 100-year-old World War II veteran was welcomed back home in Bristol on Tuesday night after making a trip to Japan. Joe Caminiti went to celebrate the anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima. He is one of the few survivors from that battle who is still alive today. New Britain honors outstanding women in the community During the trip he was able to revisit the battle site and hang a wreath where Marines were able to raise the American flag back in March 1945. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I wanted to see where we came in, where we landed, and we did, Caminiti said. We came down to where the red beach was right by the mountain there, and I said to Neal, Thats where I came down.' Bristol Mayor Jeff Caggiano (R) praised Caminiti for his service and dedication to his country. Heres a guy who goes back to Iwo Jima at 100 years old, Caggiano said. We have 50 year olds that wouldnt make a trip like that half way across the world, and he is as humble as can be and doesnt believe that he has done anything amazing and its one of the most amazing stories that I have ever known in the city of Bristol. Almost 7,000 Americans were killed in the 36-day battle, and 100 were from Connecticut. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. BRISTOL, Tenn. (WJHL) Bristol, Tennessee has become the latest locality to commit funds to bringing a new airline to the Tri-Cities Airport. The City Council approved a financial commitment to the local economic development group BRIDGE, which has been working to bring new air service to the airport. Bristol, Va. joins effort to bring new airline to Tri-Cities Airport as April 7 fundraising deadline looms Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement BRIDGE needs a $2 million minimum revenue guarantee to attract a new airline. The group is roughly $1.2 million short of meeting that goal. The council approved a financial commitment, but the exact amount will be determined in the Fiscal Year 2026 budget. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. By James Davey LONDON (Reuters) - European visitors to Britain will have to purchase an electronic permit in advance for trips from Wednesday, as the UK government follows other countries in seeking to strengthen immigration security by screening people before they cross its borders. The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme requires all visitors who do not need a visa to enter Britain to purchase pre-travel authorisation online at a cost of 10 pounds (12 euros), rising to 16 pounds from April 9. Irish citizens are excluded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The regime was initially rolled out to non-European nationals last year, including visitors from the United States, Canada and Australia. "Expanding ETA worldwide cements our commitment to enhance security through technology and innovation," migration minister Seema Malhotra said last month. Britain's Home Office, or interior ministry, said applying for an ETA should be simple through the UK ETA app, with the vast majority of applicants receiving a decision automatically in minutes. Applicants provide a photo and biographic details and answer questions on suitability and criminality. Once an applicant has successfully applied, their ETA is digitally linked to their passport. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An ETA allows multiple visits to the UK of up to six months over a two-year period. Airlines, ferry and train companies will be responsible for verifying the ETA status of travellers before they board. Budget airline easyJet said on Tuesday it did not expect the new permit requirement to dent demand for Europe to UK travel. The United Kingdom received 22.5 million visitors from the European Union in 2023, up from 19.0 million in 2022, according to official data. The EU's much delayed post-Brexit border security checks for UK nationals entering the bloc are slated to be introduced in October. Britain left the EU in 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) will remove the requirement to manually stamp passports at the EUs external borders and instead create digital records that link a travel document to a persons identity using biometrics. EES will be a precursor to an enhanced system, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), which will also require non-Schengen area citizens to pay a fee before they travel. Britons currently pay about 17 pounds for a similar permit to enter the U.S. ($1 = 0.7744 pounds) (1 euro = 0.8366 pounds) (Reporting by James Davey; Editing by Alexandra Hudson) A British couple who emigrated to New Zealand have been found dead at their home in a suspected murder-suicide. The bodies of Ben and Claire Anderson were discovered by police at a residential property in a Wellington suburb on Monday. Officers forced their way into the home in Palliser Road around 10:25pm after a concerned family member raised the alarm. Neighbours in the suburb of Roseneath reported hearing a series of loud bangs that evening, but said they did not sound like gunshots. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Post-mortem examinations on the couple were conducted on Wednesday and the case has been referred to the coroners office. Police have said they were not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths. The couple, who have four children and are originally from Suffolk, are believed to have been boarding with their landlord, who described them as my British lodgers. Police discovered two bodies at a property in Palliser Road in the Wellington suburb of Roseneath after responding to a call by a concerned family member - CHP Mr Anderson is believed to have worked as a scientist for the Building Research Association of New Zealand (BRANZ) since January this year and had previously been employed as a lead researcher for Southampton University. New Zealand media said Mrs Anderson was a teacher. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The landlord said the couple were passionate about being in New Zealand and giving their family the experience of living here. In a statement to the New Zealand Herald newspaper, they said: He was a clever, caring, charming man. She was vibrant, kind, intelligent and both of them made friends wherever they went. They were both absolutely wonderful human beings. They were both such positive and incredible parents, friends, and members of many communities. We send our love and condolences to their whanau [a Maori term for extended family] and friends. Dream neighbours Emma Prestidge, a neighbour, described them to Radio New Zealand, the countrys public broadcaster, as lovely people and dream neighbours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said: My understanding is theyd finally... packed up their lives in London and all their stuff was in a shipping container, and they were kind of looking to move here for good. They were... in the next phase of their life, I guess, and ready to kind of set themselves up for the next part of their chapter, which is... truly sad. Paul Prestidge told the Herald newspaper that he met the Andersons a few months ago when he moved in, and the homeowner invited him and his wife over for dinner. The group had shared a welcome dinner and would see each other on the properties shared walkway from time to time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said the couple were very friendly people, giving an example of how theyd met a man on a flight and struck up a friendship to the point they invited him over for dinner. Police have issued an appeal for those with CCTV or dash cam footage to come forward to help with the investigation. No ongoing risk Det Insp Haley Ryan, from New Zealand Police, said: I want to provide assurance that there is no ongoing risk to the Roseneath community. The force said in a statement: Police are providing support to the family at the centre of this tragic event. The family have requested privacy as they grieve their loss. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police have said they were not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths. A spokesman for the Foreign Office said:We have not been approached for consular assistance in this case, but our staff stand ready to support British nationals overseas 24/7. The coroners court in Wellington has been approached for comment. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. The Senate passed a $67 billion budget for fiscal 2026 Tuesday. The overall budget grows by about 1.5% even though the general fund budget the portion funded by direct state taxes fell by more than $400 million. The bill now heads to a House-Senate conference committee. (Photo by Bryan P. Sears/Maryland Matters) The Senate Tuesday voted to approve the two-bill budget package that includes the overall spending plan and a second proposal that includes $1.6 billion in taxes. The 33-14 vote on the overall $67 billion plan fell mostly along party lines. Sen. Mary-Dulany James (D-Harford) joined the 13 Senate Republicans in opposition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill that includes some budget cuts and the tax package drew more votes from Democrats. The package of budget bills now heads to a conference committee with the House to work out differences before the last day of the legislative session Monday. Senate Budget and Taxation Committee Chair Sen. Guy Guzzone (D-Howard) said the bills address projected structural deficits for fiscal 2026 and 2027 without requiring massive cuts to priorities, including education. Despite the projections that included a $3 billion structural gap this year, Guzzone said he was not worried about our situation in the grand sense because I always knew in my back pocket we had the ability to get rid of that structural deficit in seconds. But why would we? Why would we destroy that? We didnt. We didnt with this budget. We took tough stances. Not making the heavy-handed cuts he said some Republicans wanted was a sign that we still have hope that we can accomplish those great goals that we established, because we decided that every child deserves a world-class education. We balanced this budget this year, and we still kept sort of the hope of what would be the future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even so, Republicans who had voted for eight budgets under Gov. Larry Hogan (R) and the first two proposed by Gov. Wes Moore (D) said they could not vote for the spending plan this year. Sen. Johnny Mautz (R-Lower Shore) said the Senate version is much better than the House version, and I think that has to be acknowledged. The willingness to take a different look at the budget from the Senate versus the House is a good thing. Its a good thing. Unfortunately, it doesnt go far enough. Republicans also voted against the companion bill that includes more than $1.6 billion in taxes, even though they were able to get Democrats to agree Monday to earmark a new $5 per tire fee for highway projects. Five Democrats joined all 13 Republicans to vote no on the companion bill: James and Anne Arundel County Sens. Dawn Gile and Shaneka Henson, Sen. Katie Fry Hester (D-Montgomery and Howard) and Sen. Carl Jackson (D-Baltimore County). Both bills, which were amended by the Senate, will head to a conference committee Wednesday with the House. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX BURLINGTON, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44) A Buffalo man has pleaded not guilty to federal charges that he took a Vermont minor across the state line into New York with sexual intent. Court records allege that Ian Blochwitz, 33, met his victim online anonymously through a chat platform. Blochwitz drove a rental car from Buffalo to Vermont in order to meet the minor in February 2023. He then reportedly took the victim to Whitehall, New York, engaged in sexual activity with them, drove the minor back to Vermont and returned to Buffalo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Blochwitz was ordered held pending his next trial date. If convicted, he faces a minimum 10-year sentence and a maximum of lifetime imprisonment. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC22 & FOX44. Discount fashion retailer Burlington is coming to The Mayfair Collection in Wauwatosa, moving into the vacant site that once was Saks Off 5th, which closed in 2019. The new store will open at 11500 W. Burleigh St. this spring, likely in May, said Brenton Schrader, leasing and development manager for the shopping center. The Wauwatosa store will be Wisconsin's 16th Burlington location and joins Skechers as a newer retailer in The Mayfair Collection. Burlington carries items in women's fashion, menswear youth apparel, baby, beauty and footwear, priced at "up to 60% off other retailers' prices," according to a news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's not the only new thing coming to the 69-acre shopping center. The center plans to build up to 1,000 residential units over the next five to 10 years, according to The Mayfair Collection's website. Whole Foods and Nordstrom Rack are the anchor stores at the shopping center. Boot Barn, Carhartt, Old Navy, Ulta, J. Crew Factory and DSW are among the nearly two dozen retailers found at The Mayfair Collection. Explorium Brewpub and The Pizza Man are local restaurants found there, along with Corner Bakery Cafe. A full list of restaurants can be found on The Mayfair Collection website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Besides shopping, the site also has the Homewood Suites by Hilton and luxury apartments at The Regent Senior and The Oxford. Bridget Fogarty covers Wauwatosa, Brookfield and Elm Grove for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Contact the reporter Bridget Fogarty at bfogarty@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Burlington is the newest retailer for The Mayfair Collection in Tosa MAPUTO, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Mozambique's Assembly of the Republic unanimously and by acclamation approved a bill on Wednesday on the political commitment to an inclusive national dialogue and peace. The document, submitted to the parliament by President Daniel Chapo, establishes principles for a comprehensive debate process for reforms in the state, the justice system, and the country's electoral model. The proposal was supported by all four parliamentary groups, namely Frelimo, Podemos, Renamo, and MDM. Eduardo Mulembwe, minister in the presidency for parliamentary, local government and provincial assembly affairs who presented the document to the members of parliament, highlighted that the initiative seeks to "overcome the country's current political and economic challenges, and promote effective reconciliation among Mozambicans, the consolidation of national unity, social harmony, political stability, and the strengthening of state institutions." The law also mandated the establishment of a 21-member technical team, with 18 representatives appointed by political parties and three by civil society. The political commitment was signed on March 5 between the government and parties with seats in the country's various legislative bodies. The government and lawmakers expressed hope for the new legislation to strengthen Mozambique's political and institutional stability, ensure greater inclusion in national decision-making, and foster a conducive environment for development. Enditem. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) The burn ban in Minnehaha County has been lifted after recent rain and snow. The county placed the ban on March 25. Highmore woman dies in crash near Wessington The grassfire index for April 2 in southeast South Dakota is low. The index on the Nation Weather Service page attributes this to favorable weather conditions and high mositure content in the grasses. Outdoor burning under these conditions can usually be with reasonable safety precautions, but should be monitored, the index said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sioux Falls is expected to get about 1/2 an inch of rain on Wednesday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) Butler Countys Emergency Response Services Unit has been organized in preparation of potential severe weather threats to the area. Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones indicated Wednesday that the countys ERS team are accessible to conducting a rapid response in the event of a severe situation. The team is made up of dispatchers, ERS team members and information technology professionals. Through previous training, Jones said the response team is prepared for what could occur. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With the potential of a turbulent weather system bearing down on our Butler County community this evening, we urge you to stay vigilant, said Jones. Always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst. If you find yourself needing to contact Butler County dispatchers, dial 1-513-785-1300. You should call 911 if you have an emergency. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. California State Superintendent Tony Thurmond announced Wednesday that he will present a bill that aims to limit the presence of ICE agents on school campuses. Under President Trumps executive order, ICE is now allowed to target migrants at sensitive locations, like schools and churches, for arrests and potential deportations. Trump wont ban immigration arrests at school. Some families are now weighing school attendance Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate Bill 48, authored by State Senate Lena Gonzalez (D- Long Beach) and sponsored by Thurmond, will address safety concerns of immigrant families and protect school funding that is projected to decline in some parts of the state as attendance is suppressed as undocumented individuals fear deportation consequences at school, a news release said. We know that the fearmongering happening across our nation has disruptive impacts on children in our immigrant families, and it could cost California schools millions of dollars, Thurmond said in a statement. California is one of a handful of states that still uses an average daily attendance system for attributing funding or the loss of funding to schools. The bill is in direct protest to Trumps calls to lead mass deportation efforts at schools and houses of worship. In February, Angelenos held protests in response to Trumps crackdown on immigration and emphasis on deportation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) A historic building just north of Downtown Peoria has been sold albeit for a loss to a California-based company. According to records at the Peoria County Recorder of Deeds office, the 130-year-old building near the intersection of Interstate 74 and Knoxville Avenue was sold two weeks ago for $99,000 to Tres Poderes, LLC, a company based in Sacramento. The seller? Kim Blickenstaffs KDB Group. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A call to the company as well as their Peoria-based attorney was not immediately returned Tuesday. Looking Back: KDB Group pulls out of all Peoria-area projects It wasnt known, and the recorder documents dont discuss what plans are in store for the old mansion, which suffered a fire about six years ago. For years, the mansion, which was built in 1893 by Peter E. Spurck, was home to the Junior League of Peorias Family House, which offered help to families who needed help with medical issues. This historic mansion, beginning its new mission, opened its doors to its first guest families on June 5, 1985. Just as the original owner Peter Spurck first paved the streets of Peoria, Family House paved the way of kindness and hope for families who need relief from the emotional and financial stress brought on by medical problems, according to the groups website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then, it was sold for $140,000 to Christopher Petruzzi who used the building for a nondenominational Christian home. He then sold it to the KDB Group in 2020 after a fire ravaged the building in 2019, for $130,000, according to Peoria County property tax records. KDB was the real estate firm for Kim Blickenstaff, who brought the mansion and several other buildings in the area with promises to rehab them and restore them to their former glory or more. Blickenstaff appeared to be the savior of the building, which was on the verge of being demolished due to the fire. However, two years ago and without warning, he put all his parcels on the market and since then, they have been selling off one by one. Some had been finished and restored. Others were left largely untouched. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The building appears to be just within the East Village Growth Cell tax-increment financing district. So its possible revenue from that TIF fund could help with any development of the property. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com. A California man is planning to plead guilty two years after he was charged in an alleged plot to kill Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, his lawyers said Wednesday. Attorneys for Nicholas Roske, who was 26 when he was arrested, said in a letter to a judge that their client is prepared to plead guilty to the single charge he faces, attempting to assassinate a justice, next week. He was scheduled to go on trial in June. Roske, wearing all black and armed with a handgun, knife and zip ties, flew across the country and took a taxi to Kavanaughs Maryland home late at night in June, 2022, authorities say. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roske turned around when he saw Kavanaughs detail, court documents say. He then spoke to his sister over the phone, and she convinced him to call 911 instead of carrying out the attack. The arrest sparked mass concern about the justices security. Roske allegedly told investigators after his arrest that the assassination attempt was in part motivated by the high courts draft decision overturning Roe v. Wade and their potential expansion of gun rights. Ive been suicidal for a long time, Roske told authorities after his arrest, a transcript of the interview shows. And when I saw that the leaked draft, it made me upset and then it made me want to I dont know I was under the delusion that I could make the world a better place by killing him. Roskes attorneys have said in court filings that when he was arrested, he was acutely suicidal, visibly exhausted, and had repeatedly expressed his need for psychiatric care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Should his guilty plea be accepted by the Maryland judge overseeing the case, Roske faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. CNN has reached out to the Supreme Court and Justice Department for comment. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com For the record: 10:15 a.m. April 2, 2025: An earlier version of this story said an emergency room doctor at St. Joseph Hospital was responsible for Anna Nusslocks care. She was seen by a family medicine doctor. A Eureka woman who nearly bled to death while miscarrying twins last year is suing the Catholic hospital chain that she claims refused her lifesaving abortion care. Anna Nusslock, a chiropractor who sued Providence St. Joseph Hospital Eureka and its parent companies in Humbolt Superior Court on Tuesday, said she hopes the action will force the company's California hospitals to follow state law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The work that were doing is going to protect people today and its going to help people survive," she said. "Im hoping to hold the whole Providence healthcare system accountable." The hospital says it already complies with the law. "The experience described in this lawsuit is deeply saddening and troubling," a spokesperson for Providence South Division wrote in a statement. "We are fully committed to delivering care in accordance with federal and state law, as well as our mission as a faith-based organization. This includes providing emergency life-saving medical interventions that may result in indirect fetal death." Read more: Beverly Hills seeks $400,000 in legal fees from abortion provider blocked from opening Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suit builds on a September action filed by California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta, accusing the hospital of violating the state's emergency services law. "There is an existing injunction in the attorney generals case, but its only against the hospital and it is limited just to while the litigation is pending," said K.M. Bell, senior litigation counsel for reproductive rights and health at the National Women's Law Center, which brought the lawsuit with Nusslock. Tuesday's suit seeks to make the injunction permanent and binding for all St. Joseph hospitals in California. "I've been really surprised at how healing the process has been," Nusslock said. "We need to be putting pressure on these hospitals." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nusslock and her husband had been trying for years for a baby when she got pregnant with twins in late 2023. After her water broke late last February, just 15 weeks into her pregnancy, she rushed to the emergency room fearing the worst. Yet, despite clear signs Nusslock's life was in peril and her twins could not survive, the ER's attending physician told her she was not "sufficiently close to death," to receive emergency abortion care, according to court papers. "I remember saying to somebody, 'But this is California!'" Nusslock recalled. "But its a technicality when the only hospital you can have a baby at wont help you." Read more: 'League of Justice': California AG part of group gearing up for court battles with Trump Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the advice of the doctor at St. Joseph, a hemorrhaging Nusslock drove herself 12 miles to Mad River Community Hospital, where both twins were delivered dead, one spontaneously and the second via an abortion procedure. "'If you try to drive [to UCSF], you will hemorrhage and die before you get to a place that can help you,'" the doctor told her, according to the suit. In December, after Mad River closed its labor and delivery department, another woman sued the Eureka hospital, alleging she was denied similar care during three separate miscarriages. In the first incident described in her claim, she traveled five and a half hours to San Francisco "in active labor" for help. The second time, she required two units of blood to recover from a preventable hemorrhage. In the third, she alleges she was left to deliver her dead baby into a hospital toilet. The woman now suffers from post-traumatic stress, anxiety and depression "from being denied care at the only major hospitaland now the only labor & delivery unitin her county," the suit said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Because Plaintiff desperately wants to have a baby, Providence St. Joseph is certainly the hospital where she will go for her next delivery," the suit said. The hospital has denied wrongdoing in court filings. As American hospitals consolidate, an ever-growing number are now run by Catholic groups. According to the Catholic Hospital Association of the United States, one in seven patients in the U.S. receives care at one of their facilities. More than 15% of American babies are born in Catholic hospital delivery rooms. After the Supreme Court's ruling in Dobbs vs. Jackson Women's Health Organization overturned the right to abortion in the 2022, about two dozen states restricted or outlawed the procedure, about half of them with narrow exceptions for life or death cases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Catholic hospitals in many abortion-protective states such as California also deny terminations in cases such as Nusslock's. "These refusals of care unfortunately are not new," Bell said. "But the situation is more dire now post-Dobbs." Read more: Trump's axing of L.A. federal prosecutor part of broader war on perceived legal enemies Although St. Joseph's agreed last fall to provide emergency abortion care, the hospital has since reversed course, seeking to have the state DOJ suit dismissed on the grounds that compliance infringes on its 1st Amendment right to religious freedom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "SJH could not comply with such an order without forsaking its Catholic identitythe ultimate burden in a religious freedom case," the motion said. Bonta said the hospital was flouting the law. "The stakes of this could not be clearer: having acknowledged that they have, and will continue to, violate a law which requires them to adequately care for patients experiencing life threatening medical emergencies, SJH now asks this Court to condone their conduct by dismissing this action, the state wrote in opposition to the motion. The court is set to rule on the issue May 15. In the meantime, Nusslock said the hospital's actions have stiffened her resolve. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It felt cruel and it continues to feel cruel," Nusslock said. "Youre placing this religious policy over my actual life." Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Des Moines Greater Southside Health and Rehabilitation, formerly Genesis Senior Living. (Photo via Google Earth) While legislation allowing all Iowa nursing home residents to have cameras in their rooms has failed to advance this session, the technology is being successfully used in one Iowa care facility. State records show that unlike many Iowa nursing homes, Des Moines Greater Southside Health and Rehabilitation has a policy of allowing the use of resident-installed cameras so that family members can remotely monitor their loved ones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The son of one elderly male resident of the home took advantage of that policy and had a camera installed in his fathers room at Greater Southside. Footage captured on Jan. 17, 2025, allegedly shows a certified nurse aide entering the mans room at about 2 a.m., as the resident slept, and then accessing a locked drawer where the resident kept his money. It was later reported that $55 was missing from the drawer. Based on the video, the worker was fired. The nurse aide was later interviewed by state inspectors and reportedly admitted entering the residents room but denied taking any money. She reportedly told inspectors that she was not aware the residents room was monitored by a camera installed by the mans son. The homes administrator, Dirk Timm, told inspectors he watched the video on the sons phone and it was evident to him that the nurse aide had unlocked the residents dresser drawer with a key, picked up something and placed the item in her pocket. He told inspectors the nurse aide informed him the resident had asked her to put his wallet in the drawer a claim the resident denied. The facility was subsequently fined $500 for failing to protect residents from abuse in the form of financial exploitation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Timm told the Iowa Capital Dispatch the facility allows resident-installed cameras as long as they dont intrude on the privacy of other residents and dont capture bedside care in a manner that could violate a residents right to dignity. If a resident who wants an in-room camera has a roommate, the roommate and the facility must each agree to the use of such a device. So far, Timm said, the policy of allowing cameras hasnt caused any problems. There has been some suspicion of the cameras among some people, but I think that may be just paranoia, he said. But we do have information posted, as far as our policies go, and so if anyone does have an issue with the policy we just try to contact the residents family and let them know. After nine years, legislation remains stalled A week after the incident at Greater Southside, legislation that would prohibit Iowa care facilities from barring the use of resident-installed cameras was introduced in the Iowa House and referred to a committee. Although it is backed by the states Office of Long-Term Care Ombudsman, it has failed to advance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Similar legislation was introduced in the Iowa Senate last month, but it, too, has failed to advance. Since 2017, similar legislation has repeatedly run into stiff opposition from the Iowa Health Care Association, the organization that lobbies the Iowa Legislature on behalf of many of the states nursing homes. During the 2023 legislative session, IHCA lobbyist Merea Bentrott told Iowas nursing home owners she was locked, loaded and ready to go in opposing that years cameras-in-nursing-homes bill. This is something weve opposed for many, many years, Bentrott told IHCA members on a call the association recorded and later uploaded to its website. She said she was able to persuade a committee chairman to spike the bill and prevent it from moving forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im happy to say that yesterday we were able to kill that legislation, Bentrott said in the call. That is good news. That was on the House side of things. The bill never had legs in the Senate. We talked to them very early on and we were able to get them to a point where they agreed that camera legislation was not something that they would make an issue this year. So, we were confident we would be able to kill the bill in the Senate, but we didnt even want it to get to a subcommittee in the House and we were successful in preventing that from happening. So that is a big win. During a subsequent call, Bentrott warned the IHCA members that the camera legislation was likely to come up again in the future. This is something that will probably come up every single year, she said. Best case scenario is that we kill it before it even gets any legs. This year, the Iowa Health Care Association is not officially registered as lobbying lawmakers on either the House or Senate version of the camera-in-nursing-homes bill. However, IHCA was never registered as opposing the 2023 bill, either despite Bentrotts admission that she had actively and successfully lobbied lawmakers in an effort to kill the legislation. OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada will fight U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs with countermeasures, Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Wednesday. "It's essential to act with purpose and with force, and that's what we will do," he told reporters ahead of a cabinet meeting to discuss Canada's response. (Reporting by David Ljunggren; Editing by Leslie Adler) Candidates interested in seeking public office across Niagara County have been busy in recent weeks going door-to-door in an effort to secure enough signatures from registered voters to qualify for placement on the ballot. Coming off what felt like an extra-long winter season this year, several said the process which this year required candidates to submit petitions by April 4 left them feeling cold. In fact, some said, it was more like downright freezing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first day of the petition process started it was like 10 degrees, said Lockport auto repair shop owner Dave Mongielo who is seeking a spot on the ballot in the race for the Niagara County Legislatures 12th District seat. It was freezing. This has been like the worst time ever because its just been rainy and cold and blowing. New Yorks primary elections were traditionally held in September until 2019 when state lawmakers agreed to change the schedule. The move shifted the primary day to June to coincide with the date for federal primary elections statewide. Changing the date of the primary election meant requiring petitions to be passed in March, not in June as it had been in prior years. Weather-wise, much of March this year was more like a lion than a lamb, presenting candidates and party officials with chilly temps, rain and at times snow. Instead of carrying petitions when its summertime and its warm and everybody is happy and outdoors, you are trying to do it in the freezing cold, Mongielo said. When I walked two weeks ago, it was a 7-degree day on a weekend. In three and a half hours, I got 15 signatures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tanya Barone, a Niagara Falls realtor and registered Republican who announced her candidacy for city council earlier this year, started passing petitions door-to-door in late February. At times, she said, she was so bundled up that she felt like Kenny from South Park, a reference to one of the animated shows main characters who is known for having muffled speech because the hood of his orange parka is tied up tightly over his mouth. Barone said she experienced all kinds of weather conditions from high winds to rain to snow and freezing temperatures while passing petitions in recent weeks. The conditions werent always kind to the paper petitions themselves, she noted. There were some days when it was so windy and so rainy that you couldnt go out, she said. My petitions looked like my dog ate my homework because they were so wrinkled and so wet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Barone said she submitted her petition with signatures from registered voters to the Falls Republican Party on Saturday. She said she averaged roughly one signature for every six houses. At that rate, she estimated, a candidate would need to visit more than 1,000 homes to obtain about 300 signatures over a five-week timeframe. It was a lot of hard work, she said. While she could have done without all the poor weather, she said the process did offer one benefit being able to interact with Falls residents and hear their questions and concerns. It was more about for me, personally, going to the doors and introducing myself and getting my face and name out there, said Barone, who has never run for office before. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Incumbent Falls Councilman and registered Democrat Donta Myles said he values the voter interaction that happens while petitions are being passed but said its been difficult to engage with home and business owners this year because many days conditions outside just wouldnt allow it. Add in the tight window of securing voter signatures over the course of weeks and he said the process can be taxing. You cant sit out there and have a real conversation with a voter because theres this crunch of a deadline you have to meet, but also, its cold, he added. It almost makes it feel kind of disingenuous because youve got to hurry up. You cant really have a heavy, hardcore conversation, but I have had an amazing response from the people. Myles said a year with weather like this year calls the process into question. I feel like the whole idea does not accomplish what I think the idea of getting petitions should accomplish, he said. For me, it is more of a hurdle than an opportunity to get out and meet people while getting signatures at the same time. It becomes a rat race. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Niagara County Democratic Party Chairman Chris Borgatti acknowledged that this year was one of the more difficult years hes experienced in terms of passing petitions for candidates. He said that while he understands the purpose behind aligning the state primary with the federal election schedule, walking door-to-door in March in Western New York can, as it was at times this year, be problematic. It makes it harder, he said. We dont get paid to do any of this so getting people to go out in sub-zero temperatures is very difficult. The question, Borgatti said, is what, if anything, should be done about it. While a return to the states former election schedule seems unlikely, Borgatti suggested perhaps lowering the number of signatures required might be an option for state lawmakers to consider. This has expanded the political season and its made it a year-round business really, he said. Thats made things very difficult for a lot of people, especially when you have older committee people or younger committee people who have families. Its just not fun going out in this weather. ADDIS ABABA, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopia earned more than 360 million U.S. dollars from the export of horticultural commodities during the first eight months of the current fiscal year, according to the Ministry of Agriculture. Ethiopian Minister of Agriculture Girma Amente addressed the opening ceremony of the International Floriculture and Horticulture Trade Fair on Tuesday in Addis Ababa, the country's capital. Amente said the East African country generated about 366 million dollars from exporting horticultural commodities to the international market during the first eight months of the current fiscal year 2024/2025, which started on July 8, 2024, the state-run Ethiopian News Agency (ENA) reported. Noting that flower exports secured the largest share of the total revenue generated from the export of horticultural commodities during the reported period, the agriculture minister stressed that the Ethiopian government is working hard to harness the horticulture sector's "immense potential" to boost hard currency earnings and create jobs for the country's burgeoning youth. According to recent data from the Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, and Britain represent the top three destinations for Ethiopia's flower exports, while the top three vegetable export destinations are Somalia, Djibouti, and the Netherlands. Statistics from the ministry also show that Ethiopia earned over 3.84 billion dollars from the export of goods during the first seven months of the current fiscal year, registering 146 percent of the initial target. Key export commodities such as gold, coffee, oilseeds, electricity, and livestock have exceeded their revenue expectations. A Cape Cod man has been arrested for allegedly threatening to murder a prominent federal official and their family. Michael Mahoney, 62, of South Dennis, is charged with one count of transmitting interstate threats to injure another person after placing a call to a relative of a federal official. The United States Attorneys Office of Massachusetts says a relative of a prominent federal official was having dinner with two other people on Friday, March 28, when they allegedly received a phone call with No Caller ID. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said Mahoney then confirmed the relatives full name before unleashing a tirade of expletives and stating that he was going to murder the relative, their spouse and the federal official. The US Attorneys office says the relative who picked up the phone hung up after around 12 seconds while Mahoney was still yelling. Mahoney allegedly called back but the relative did not pick up the phone again. Call records obtained from the relatives phone service provider back up the relatives claims, federal officials say. Law enforcement officials visited Mahoney at his home in South Dennis the following day, but Mahoney allegedly refused to answer the door or his phone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mahoney was arrested Wednesday morning and will appear in federal court in Boston Wednesday afternoon. The charge of transmitting interstate threats to injure another person provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000, according to the US Attorneys Office. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Some car buyers and car dealers are collectively holding their breath as they brace for the 25% tariffs President Donald Trump is expected to impose on auto imports. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] There is going to be a pretty significant increase, Steve Raymond of Collectible Motor Car of Atlanta told Channel 2s Audrey Washington on Tuesday. The customer cant take a 25% increase in pricing right now. The cars are priced too high already, Raymond explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Raymond said anyone in search of a new car, particularly a foreign car should prepare to pay more. I think its going to affect the higher priced cars more than the lower priced cars, but it affects everybody, Raymond said. TRENDING STORIES: Some car dealers said the time to buy is now because once auto tariffs go into effect that added price will only trickle down to the consumer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The tariffs are set to go into effect this week. Also, this week, new digital billboards were posted in metro Atlanta. The billboards, sponsored by Canadian officials read: Tariffs are a tax on hard-working Americans. Taxes that will be paid partly by foreign producers, partly by American consumers, said Raymond Hill, an economic and finance professor at Emory University. Hill said while it is unclear just how much higher the average price for a car will increase, he believes it is clear the tariffs will shake up the auto industry. Parts of that supply chain are going to get disrupted, and people are going to lose their jobs, Hill told Washington. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] However, the White House said the tariffs will fuel domestic manufacturing. Trump said the tariffs would raise $100 billion in revenue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No one likes the increase in pricing but if thats the way this president made a decision about what hes going to do, were all going to be affected by tariffs, Raymond explained. Economists also predict that the cost of repairs, particularly on cars that use foreign parts, will increase too. A slew of new Michigan laws signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and passed by state lawmakers in the last legislative session take effect Wednesday, impacting a range of policies from unemployment benefits to gun regulations. Lawmakers voted on the bills during the previous legislative session when Democrats controlled both the Michigan House of Representatives and the Michigan Senate. But the new laws didn't kick in right away because they didn't receive the Republican support needed to take effect immediately. Here's a look at some of Michigan's new laws kicking in: Michigan's new car seat law Michigan has new car seat regulations for child passengers: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Infants to 2-year-olds: Rear-facing car seats must be used by children until they turn two years old or until they reach the weight or height limit of the manufacturer. 2 to 5-year-olds: Forward-facing car seats with an internal harness must be used by children until they turn 5 years old or until they reach the weight or height limit of the manufacturer. 5 to 8-year-olds: A belt-positioning child booster seat with a lap-and-shoulder safety belt must be used until a child reaches four feet nine inches or turns 8 years old. Children under 13 years old: All children younger than 13 years old must ride in the rear seat if the car has one available. Children placed in a rear-facing car seat can only ride in the front seat if the airbag is disabled. Michigan ends ban on paid surrogacy agreements A new Michigan law brings an end to the state's prohibition on paid surrogacy agreements. Michigan's ban previously stood out as a national outlier and dates back to 1988. Surrogate parenting, a means of assisted reproduction, refers to the process in which a woman will carry a pregnancy and deliver a child for another family. Parental surrogacy has been taking place in Michigan in the years since the ban on compensated surrogacy agreements was put in place, but parents and surrogates said during committee testimony on the bills signed by Whitmer in 2024 that the practice was difficult, forcing parents to go through lengthy adoption processes for their own biological children. The new law requires those entering a surrogate agreement to be at least 21 years old, complete consultations with medical and mental health professionals and secure independent legal representation, which supporters say will protect carriers. Michigan sees expansion of unemployment benefits Unemployment benefits expanded in Michigan for the first time since 2002. The maximum weekly benefit increased from $362 to $446 Wednesday. It will increase to $530 in 2026 and $614 in 2027. The maximum number of weeks for receiving benefits will also expand from 20 to 26. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Unemployment Insurance Agency said in a press release it will review claims filed between Jan. 1 and April 2 "on a case-by-case basis" to determine those eligible for higher payments. In 2011, Whitmer's Republican predecessor Gov. Rick Snyder signed legislation cutting the maximum number of weeks unemployed people could claim benefits from 26 to 20 weeks. Until the new law took effect Wednesday to restore 26 weeks of unemployment benefits, Michigan was one of a dozen states offering unemployed workers fewer than 26 weeks of unemployment insurance, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Gun ban at polling locations Michigan law now bans the open carry of firearms at Election Day polling locations, early voting centers, clerks' offices and absentee ballot drop boxes. It allows possession of a firearm at those locations for peace officers, individuals permitted to possess firearms on private property, those licensed to carry a concealed pistol and those transporting firearms. The law also bars firearms at locations where election workers count absentee ballots, with the lone exception for law enforcement officers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Separately, Michigan law now requires the complete destruction of firearms turned over to Michigan State Police through gun buyback programs that aim to curb gun violence. Lawmakers introduced the legislation after an investigation by The New York Times found that the Michigan State Police was the biggest client of a company that destroyed only some parts of firearms through buyback programs and sold the rest, enabling a secondary firearms market. An end to Michigan's gay and trans panic defense State law now bans what's known as the "gay and trans panic defense" in criminal cases. Specifically, Michigan prohibits using sexual orientation or gender identity as evidence to "demonstrate reasonable provocation," to "show that an act was committed in a heat of passion" or to "support a defense of reduced mental capacity." Including Michigan, 20 states and Washington D.C. currently ban gay and trans panic defense, according to the Movement Advance Project, a think tank that researches LGBTQ+ issues. Advocates for banning gay and trans panic defense say prohibiting the practice will make Michigan more welcoming for LGBTQ+ residents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although a majority of Republican lawmakers voted against the measure, four Republican senators joined Democrats in voting yes on the legislation, which was signed into law by Whitmer in July. Michigan Politics: Veterans, unions, top Michigan Dems gather to protest Trump VA order in Ann Arbor Michigan sees update to its child labor law Michigan lawmakers voted along partisan lines last year to create a central database within the state's Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) for youth work permits, a shift away from previous law, which placed responsibility on schools to issue the permits. Supporters say by having LEO issue work permits, the state can better track when minors are working and ensure Michigans child labor laws are not being violated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Along with having LEO issue and track work permits, Michigan's updated child labor law also modifies the hours minors under 16 years old can work, including barring them from working outside the hours of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. from the period after Labor Day through May 31. Beginning June 1 and ending Labor Day, minors under 16 can work shifts falling between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. Contact Clara Hendrickson at chendrickson@freepress.com or 313-296-5743. Contact Arpan Lobo: alobo@freepress.com This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: New Michigan car seat law, others take effect today ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) A career criminal who has made headlines for over 14 years is behind bars again after violating his probation in a federal gun case from 2015. In February, the Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office was tipped off to his whereabouts, leading to his arrest. Opening statements wrap up in trial against former APD officer accused of unlawful arrest Deputies saw Nicholas Blume driving in northeast Albuquerque. He sold a car to a woman, and was taking her to it, when several deputies trapped his grey Mercedes in a parking lot at the corner of Montgomery and Monroe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Upon making contact, deputies told Blume to put his hands up and not to run, or force will be used. Blume complied with these orders before being taken into custody. Leading up to that, Blume told deputies he was not trying to run. I was getting ready to turn myself in, Blume said. I swear it on my life. Upon searching the vehicle, a gun was found in the back, leading to this exchange captured by a dashcam: Deputies: Whats up with the strap? Blume: What strap? Deputies: In your car. Blume: I aint got a strap. Deputies: You dont have a strap in your car? Blume: I dont have a strap. The gun was later determined to be stolen. Blume has been charged with possession of a firearm by a felon and receiving stolen property. He is awaiting his probation violation hearing for his federal case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Back in 2011, Blume was involved in an excessive force case settled by the city. He had been caught after crashing a stolen truck and running from police. When the officers caught up with Blume, they beat him. That case was settled in 2015 with the City of Albuquerque paying him over $140,000. The two officers were fired. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. Apr. 2The oldest Carrs grocery store, a landmark near downtown Anchorage since the 1950s, will shut its doors in the coming weeks, a Carrs-Safeway official confirmed Tuesday. The planned closure of the store and pharmacy at 1340 Gambell St. will leave a hole in the neighborhood of Fairview as community advocates are trying to revitalize the area, said James Thornton, president of the Fairview Community Council. The shutdown also raises questions about access to a grocery store and pharmacy for a neighborhood where many people walk and don't own vehicles, he said. Fairview, a diverse neighborhood home to many low-income residents, was once the center of the Black community in Anchorage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's devastating," Thornton said. "The neighborhood needs this primary source of food, especially those that don't have vehicles. It's their only way to get food and medicine in a lot of cases." "It's a very sad day," said Richard Watts Jr., who began his decades-long career at Carrs working at the Gambell store in 1964 as a box boy a bagger today and later managed the store. The Gambell store is unique among other Carrs stores in Anchorage because it's so central to the people in the Fairview neighborhood, he said. "The Carrs-Safeway on Gambell is the heartbeat of Fairview, so it's almost like cutting the heart out of the community," Watts said. "I just hope another store opens there after it closes." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Gambell location will close by May 10, said Sara Osborne, a Carrs-Safeway spokeswoman, in an email. The 35 people employed by the store will have the option to transfer to surrounding stores, she said. The store's pharmacy will close on the same date as the overall operation, Osborne said. The pharmacists and prescriptions at the Gambell Carrs will transfer to the Carrs pharmacy in the Midtown Mall at 2920 Seward Highway, Osborne said. "Carrs-Safeway has been proudly serving Anchorage for decades, and the decision to close this store isn't one we made lightly," Osborne said. "With our focus on growth, we continuously evaluate the performance of our stores, and occasionally it's necessary to close locations that are not growing and are perpetually unable to meet financial expectations," she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Carrs-Safeway supermarket chain, a subsidiary of Albertsons, will continue to operate eight stores in Anchorage, Osborne said. Workers at the store Tuesday said they could not comment on the planned closure. Shoppers expressed shock and dismay. Some said they drive in from other areas of Anchorage in part because they love shopping there, even though it has a reputation for attracting sometimes unsavory loiterers outside its doors. They said the store is well-stocked with groceries compared to other Carrs locations, in part because it seems to draw fewer shoppers. They also praised the store's employees for their longevity and often knowing customers by name. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I just heard and it's like, 'What? Oh no!'" said shopper Christina Anowlic of the closure, her arms full of fruits, vegetables and other items. She said she grew up shopping at the store in the 1980s with her parents. She still returns to shop there occasionally, also from Government Hill where she lives. "It's kind of sad," she said. A historic grocery store The Carrs store at Gambell opened in the 1950s. It was located near the original Carrs that was opened by Laurence John "Larry" Carr in a Quonset hut in 1950, at 14th Avenue and Gambell Street. Within a couple of years, Carr moved the store to the current location at 13th and Gambell. The building suffered a fire and was rebuilt, Watts said. The current 30,000-square-foot building was constructed in 1957, Anchorage municipal records show. With the land it sits on, it's appraised by the municipality at $3.1 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the store hired Watts in 1964, he became the first Black person to work in retail in Anchorage, he said. He was hired at the store after he and others, including his late parents, picketed the Carrs for not hiring Black people in public-facing positions, at protests organized by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Watts said his hiring opened the door for "other people of color" to be hired at other Anchorage stores. The Carrs at Gambell for many years served as the administrative headquarters for the Carrs chain as it began to grow around the state, said Watts. He moved up through the ranks at Carrs to eventually become one of two district operation managers in Alaska, overseeing 15 stores. He retired in 2017 at the age of 70. A blow to the store came in 2019, when Carrs opened in a new spot at the Midtown Mall, after closing at a different spot in the mall four years earlier, Watts said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "That probably drew some customers from the Carrs on Gambell, and added to the red ink that was already there," Watts said. Thornton, with the Fairview Community Council, said he hopes the closure can somehow be averted. "We're going to do everything we can to fight this, because I don't know how Fairview continues on without our Carrs store," he said. "There's a stigma associated with the store, but it's the original Carrs store in Anchorage and a lot of people love it. And the people that run it have done a great job supporting the community over the years." WASHINGTON Maria Weston Kuhn was on vacation with her family when a head-on car crash changed her life. Kuhn and her mother, both in the back seat, were rushed to the hospital with serious injuries. The seatbelt Kuhn wore pinned her intestines to her spine. After emergency surgery and a hospital stay, Kuhn, then 19, had to take a semester off from school to recover. Yet even though her father and brother were closer to the site of impact, they walked away with only scratches. After Kuhn, who is now 24, returned home from the hospital, she noticed a clipping from Consumer Reports on her bed: Her grandmother had cut out an article about gender disparities in car safety testing. Kuhn learned that her injuries were exactly the kind of injuries women are most likely to suffer in car crashes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its just like reading your life in a story. Its crazy, she told NBC News in an interview last month. As Kuhn then discovered, women are 73% more likely to be seriously injured in a head-on car crash compared with men in the same crash. Female drivers and front-seat passengers are 17% more likely to be killed in a car crash than a male occupant of the same age, according to multiple studies conducted over the last five years. Chris OConner, president and CEO of Humanetics, one of the worlds leading producers of crash test dummies, said thats for a relatively simple and chilling reason: Cars are not designed to be safe for women. If you look back in history, the crash test dummy was designed around a male, and that male became the baseline, OConner said, adding that vehicles are being designed around a male. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Safety standards today look much like they did in the 1980s, when the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) first mandated the use of dummies in car safety testing, though there were moves to do more testing with female dummies during the Obama administration. But NHTSA regulations still allow car companies in the U.S. to test for safety using 40- to 50-year-old dummies that are not anatomically representative of the average female, in terms of height, weight and body type despite newer, more high-tech testing dummies being available. Today, more women have driver's licenses than men, and OConner argues NHTSA must bolster testing requirements to force American car companies to prioritize safety. The car companies arent required to test with the new dummy, because the regulation says you only have to use the old standard, which is from 40-50 years ago. So why are the car companies still using this? Because its available and its easy, OConnor said. The standard female car-test dummy in use today weighs 108 pounds and is 4 feet, 11 inches tall. The Hybrid III dummy, created in the 1970s, is based on the smallest 5% of American women and, according to OConner, is really just a smaller version of a male-representative dummy with a chest strapped on to it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Humanetics newer model, called the THOR-5F, has 150 sensors, including in the legs, where female drivers are at a nearly 80% higher risk for injury than male drivers are in the same accident. The model has also been designed to better mimic an actual female body, according to OConner. This enables us to be able to design cars that are safer for women as well as safer for men, OConner said. A Department of Transportation spokesperson said Secretary Sean Duffys top priority is safety. He agrees that new crash test dummies that better cover the only two genders male or female have taken too long to develop, the spokesperson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Five and a half years after her accident, Kuhn and her organization, Drive US Forward, are driving forces behind the She Develops Regulations in Vehicle Equality and Safety (She DRIVES) Act a bipartisan bill requiring that NHTSA uses the most advanced testing devices available and directing the agency to update federal motor vehicle safety standards. Duffys spokesperson said he appreciates Congresss interest in resolving this issue and is committed to accelerating the process to improve safety for all Americans. The Senate Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over NHTSA, voted unanimously to advance the bill to the full Senate earlier this year. This legislation deals with passenger safety and specifically for women to be safer when theyre traveling in vehicles, Sen. Deb Fischer, who leads the bill, told NBC News in an interview last month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is truly a safety issue for women. It needs to be addressed, added Fischer, a Nebraska Republican. Theres a simple fix, and that fix is to be able to have crash test dummies that reflect a womans lighter frame, lesser weight than an average man, and to gather the data from that in order to make these vehicles safer for women to travel in. Asked why Congress needs to act to force NHTSA to update safety regulations, she replied: Sometimes manufacturers need to be pushed a little bit, but I think it always needs to be based on science and facts, and thats what we have here. We have facts out there that show that there is a problem. Its a big safety problem, and theres a simple fix. So lets do it. Since her accident, Kuhn has shared her story with several lawmakers, many of whom support a legislative solution. The She DRIVES Act is unifying and nonpartisan, Kuhn said. With enough determination and commitment, we can come together as Americans to make our country a better place for everyone, she added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is difficult when you entrust your government to protect you and take care of you, and when they fail to do that, it costs lives, Kuhn said, adding, Everybody deserves to feel safe in a car. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Rick Caruso announced his aim to reopen Palisades Village the luxury shopping and dining center that he saved from the Palisades fire's path of destruction by hiring private firefighters in early 2026. The billionaire real estate developer shared the projected timeline in an interview with ABC7 this week. The 25,000-square-foot shopping center and its 42 businesses which include Chanel, Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta remained largely unscathed in the fire, suffering mostly from smoke damage. Many of the structures around it, meanwhile, were razed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His early 2026 reopening timeline for Palisades Village is likely months, if not years, ahead of the recovery timeline for other Palisades businesses and homes that have been reduced to rubble. But he told the station he hopes getting the mall reopened as soon as is safe and reasonable will give the community a reason to return. A total of 6,822 structures were destroyed in the Palisades fire, including more than 5,500 residences and 100 commercial businesses, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Read more: Mapping the damage from the Eaton and Palisades fires Caruso attributed the mall's survival to the hard work of private firefighters, the water tenders they brought in and the fire-resistant materials used in the mall's construction. The $200-million shopping and dining center opened in 2018. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Caruso has faced criticism for using private firefighters to defend his mall and home by people concerned about the inequity these crews highlight and the possibility that they could pull water resources away from public firefighters. Caruso defended his actions in his interview with ABC7, calling it "the smart decision to do." "We protected our property and we also freed up L.A. fire resources to go protect other properties, so we were very much independent and we were also loaning our equipment to the L.A. Fire Department, which was short equipment," he told the station. "We are very much a part of the community." State Assembly members have introduced a new bill to make public fire hydrants off limits to private fire crews in response to Caruso's and other wealthy individuals' recent use of private firefighters. Caruso, for his part, has said his crews did not use any city water. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: As wildfires rage, private firefighters join the fight for the fortunate few Caruso, who ran for mayor in 2022, quickly emerged as a key public figure during the L.A. County wildfires. The real estate mogul owns several area shopping centers, including the Grove, the Americana at Brand and the Commons at Calabasas. His estimated net worth is $5.8 billion, according to Forbes. When the fires broke out on Jan. 7, he quickly lambasted L.A. Mayor Karen Bass for not being on the ground and accused the city of mismanaging water resources. "There's no water in the Palisades. There's no water coming out of the fire hydrants. This is an absolute mismanagement by the city," he told Fox11 during the first night of the fire. "We've got a mayor that's out of the country, and we've got a city that's burning, and there's no resources to put out the fire." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In February, he announced the launch of a foundation called Steadfast L.A. dedicated to accelerating recovery from the Palisades and Eaton fires by cutting through red tape, leveraging private-sector expertise and promoting the use of fire-resistant building materials. At the time, he said he was ready to put politics aside and work hand in hand with Bass to rebuild the city. "I will gladly have her be the hero, because this is all about the thousands and thousands of people that are displaced, he told The Times in February. If we do a great job, which I think were going to were going to work really hard and it helps her do a good job, and she comes out as a great mayor of the city for moving this along, Ill be thrilled. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Supporters of Mahmoud Khalil rally outside the federal courthouse in Newark on March 28, 2025. (Reena Rose Sibayan for New Jersey Monitor) The case of a Columbia University activist who is facing deportation because of his pro-Palestinian protests on the schools campus will remain in New Jersey, a federal judge ruled Tuesday. U.S. District Court Judge Michael Farbiarz rejected a push by federal prosecutors to move the case to Louisiana, where the activist, Mahmoud Khalil, has been detained since soon after immigration agents arrested him March 8. Farbiarz said New Jerseys federal courts have jurisdiction over Khalils case because he was detained in Elizabeth at the time his lawyer filed his plea for release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This case, as filed on March 9 at 4:40 am, can go forward in New Jersey because that is where the Petitioner was confined at that moment, Farbiarz wrote in the 67-page ruling. Khalil, a legal permanent resident married to a U.S. citizen, faces no criminal charge. His case has garnered national attention as the government attempts to revoke his green card status, saying his anti-Israel protests amount to support for terrorist group Hamas. Appearing in Farbiarzs Newark courtroom on Friday, attorneys for the Trump administration argued that federal courts in Louisiana were the proper jurisdiction for Khalils case because thats where he is detained. Kahlils legal team said prosecutors were hoping to get Khalils case before a judge who would be friendlier to their side, commonly referred to as forum shopping. Farbiarz in Tuesdays decision said court rules channel certain cases to particular courts, partly to limit forum shopping. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Petitioner was in custody in New Jersey as of March 9 at 4:40 am, Farbiarz wrote. And under a federal statute, the Petition, though filed in New York, must be treated as having been filed in New Jersey on March 9 at 4:40 am. Therefore, this Court has jurisdiction. Baher Azmy, one of Khalils attorneys, said the legal team is grateful the court understood that the government cannot try to manipulate the jurisdiction of the United States courts in a transparent attempt to shield their unconstitutional and frankly chilling behavior. The next step in Khalils case is to get him out of detention, Azmy said. Khalils wife, Noor Abdalla, who is nine months pregnant and expecting to give birth this month, said in a statement that she is relieved at the courts decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is an important step towards securing Mahmouds freedom, but there is still a lot more to be done. As the countdown to our sons birth begins and I inch closer and closer to my due date, I will continue to strongly advocate for Mahmouds freedom and for his safe return home so he can be by my side to welcome our first child, she said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX PLATTSBURGH As home to many thriving Canadian businesses and attractions for visitors, the Town of Plattsburgh arguably has the most to lose in a trade war brought on by U.S. tariffs. Town Supervisor Michael Cashman knows all too well that as the Gateway to the North, so to speak, the Plattsburgh area thrives on deep economic, cultural, and social ties with Canada. He is worried about the damage tariffs may inflict. These reckless tariffs threaten to upend the foundation of our regions prosperity, driving up costs for families, straining local businesses, and jeopardizing thousands of jobs that depend on cross-border trade, Cashman said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Plattsburghs economy is built on cooperation, not confrontation. Canadian visitors are part of the lifeblood of our small businesses, hotels, and tourism industry. These tariffs disrupt supply chains and push away customers. Already it has forced businesses to reconsider reinvestments in our community. Cashman said that for decades, Plattsburgh has thrived as a hub for Canadian travelers, shoppers, and businesses. The Trump tariffs risk unraveling the economic ties that have fueled the regions growth and stability, he said. This isnt just a policy debate; Its about protecting jobs, keeping storefronts open, ensuring our region remains a welcoming destination, he said. This market share also ensures locals have things we could not have without them in our economy. Plattsburgh cannot afford to be collateral damage in a trade war. We need leadership that strengthens partnerships, not weakens them. Washington must reverse course before this economic gut punch does irreparable harm to our community. MOSCOW, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Russia and Ukraine on Wednesday accused each other of hitting energy infrastructure despite a previous agreement to halt strikes on such facilities. The Russian Defense Ministry said Ukrainian forces attacked Russian energy infrastructure in the Kursk region twice over the past 24 hours. The ministry reported one drone attack on a power unit and another artillery shelling on the local electricity operator's facilities. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Telegram that a Russian drone hit a substation in the Sumy region overnight, while an artillery strike damaged a power line in Nikopol in the Dnipro region. After their separate talks with U.S. delegations in late March, Russia and Ukraine agreed to develop measures implementing a 30-day ceasefire on energy infrastructure. The venerable CBS Evening News has, for many of its viewers, been something consumed along with dinner. In recent weeks, the show has served up reports that could stop someone in mid-bite. Correspondent Nikki Battiste recently traveled to New Jersey, where CBS News cameras were allowed into the bedroom of an ALS patient on the day she had chosen to die. The video stopped just before the woman drank medicine that would put her into a deep sleep before passing on all legal under state law. Half a world away, foreign correspondent Debora Patta recently managed to get into Sudan after two years of trying, and delivered a searing report on the plight of children there who arent getting the help once expected from the now-shuttered United States Agency for International Development. One infant shown in the report was starving, barely able to move, and clearly blind in one eye. More from Variety Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both stories were given more than four minutes of airtime an eternity in a program that lasts just half an hour, with a good chunk of that devoted to commercials. Its not a story you can tell in 90 seconds, says Patta, during a recent phone call from Cape Town. Its just not. CBS has picked a fraught time to see if it can successfully shake up TVs hoary evening news format, which still aims to update viewers getting home from work with the biggest stories of the day even if those items have been chewed up and spit out on cable and social media. CBS Evening News has run in third place behind ABC and NBC for years, but it remains one of the best-known offerings from the Paramount Global network, with a storied history that reaches back to Dan Rather and Walter Cronkite. CBS News big swing comes amid industry drama: The TV-news business faces a slew of challenges to reach digital viewers, and Paramount is awaiting regulatory approval to be acquired by Skydance Media, with the company cutting millions of dollars in costs in the interim. Last week, CBS announced it would leave its 12:30 a.m. hour empty of original programming after late-night host Taylor Tomlinson opted to devote herself fully to stand-up comedy. Its also a tough era for figuring out what news audiences want to see. There is still a sizable audience that wants the usual evening debrief, with quick-hit reports on the news of the day, and a few inspirational segments featuring good deeds and interesting ideas from all over America, all delivered between commercials for pharmaceuticals with names like Librela and Rinvoq. Nearly 17.3 million people watched CBS Evening News, NBC Nightly News and ABCs World News Tonight last week, according to Nielsen . And yet, more people can keep up with minute-by-minute changes in news stories all day by staying close to the web and social media. In a future driven by artificial intelligence, a journalism fan might be able to get a summary of breaking news across multiple subjects with a well-crafted query negating any need for a summary show in the early evening. The nation needs good journalism. How best to make viewers want to watch? That may be a mystery without an immediate solution. Every audience, every generation, is on a different platform consuming news, and we have to meet our audiences now in so many different places, says Kate West, an assistant professor of journalism at the Moody School of Communication at the University of Texas at Austin. You cant expect them tune into the evening newscast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Perhaps thats why CBS has launched a version of Evening News that is not like anything else on mainstream broadcast TV. This Evening News has two anchors John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois not the single voice that many viewers have come to expect from the format. This Evening News likely wont lead off each night with a rat-a-tat-tat series of headlines and on many days has little room from the daily utterances of President Donald Trump. And this Evening News gives more of a spotlight to the reporters around the globe who help put it together even letting them surface before commercial breaks to tell viewers to stay tuned for their coming stories. Many reports like those from Patta and Battiste have CBS News reporters holding forth from Iowa, Kanas, Missouri or spots from around the globe, rather than well-worn perches in front of the White House or the U.S. Capitol. The idea is to get people thinking of CBS Evening News in much the same way they do another CBS mainstay, 60 Minutes. Indeed, Bill Owens, the executive producer of the newsmagazine, is now also overseeing Evening News. On Mondays, people are talking about something that happened on 60 Minutes, and every night were trying to deliver that a few times in these stories, he says. Such efforts give rise to original content that isnt available elsewhere and hasnt already been hammered by cable pundits and the digirati. Such stuff might also have new life via TikTok or YouTube, and have appeal to a new group of people who have been turned off by incessant and dour reports of increasingly harsh weather, backsliding democracy and overseas war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For now, at least, people arent racing to watch. Since its debut following President Trumps second inauguration, the audience for the retooled CBS Evening News has fallen significantly, shedding nearly 800,000 viewers overall and more than 200,000 between 25 and 54 the demographic coveted most by advertisers in news programming. Still, these are early days, and CBS research shows new interest in Evening News in places like Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Baltimore, Pittsburgh and Phoenix, with a recent surge in viewers who say the program offers them context and perspective. Views on the CBS Evening News: YouTube channel have increased 25% in March over the same period last year. CBS has muddied the waters somewhat by dropping several Friday broadcasts of Evening News from Nielsen tabulation with a practice known as retitling, according to two people familiar with the matter. The network gives a lower-rated broadcast a different name, so its not counted in Nielsens analysis of the shows other, properly titled episodes. CBS isnt alone in its use of the technique many of the network news divisions tap it with increasing frequency but such a move doesnt suggest complete confidence in recent performance. Executives say they are cautiously optimistic about the new Evening News trajectory. Every programming switch brings with it a dose of viewer churn, they say, and the fall off in recent weeks is not as severe as declines that took place when Evening News made previous anchor changes. They may be studying other lessons from the past. When CBS overhauled its morning program, and hired Charlie Rose, Gayle King and Erica Hill to lead a new CBS This Morning, the network had to navigate its way through months of ratings uncertainty, according to people familiar with the shows trajectory. In 2025, CBS Mornings remains in third, but it has made gains in certain critical audiences and has crept closer to Good Morning America in the critical audience that is between 25 and 54. What buoys most of the people involved in Evening News is the fact that they are producing a show that has more of the things viewers and journalism aficionados say they want, and less of what they dont. Staffers privately say they like the additional time their stories get on camera, and they get on screen. There is a heighted emphasis on in-depth reporting, more correspondents on the ground in places other than New York, Washington D.C. and Los Angeles, and more attention paid to the effects of White House policies on blue-collar workers. There are no breaking news chyrons in the lower third of the screen, and fewer pivots to tell viewers about stuff thats popping off the new wires while the show is already in progress. We might do some breaking news, but it has to rise to a certain level, says DuBois. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a massive test of what will ultimately bring viewers to a screen in an era when streaming video is on the rise and every bedrock element of the TV business is crumbling. Audiences have in recent years gravitated to news shows that feature interruptions, conflicts, clashes, and lots of on-screen bells and whistles. The most-watched program in cable news is The Five, a roundtable show that often has liberal panelist Jessica Tarlov trying to score debate points with four conservative colleagues. At CNN, the program that has gained new traction is News Night a late-evening panel program that relies on demure anchor Abby Phillip to keep peace among contributors from across the political spectrum. CBS, meanwhile, has tried to cut a different path. Some of the most-watched programs in broadcast news are the networks Sunday offerings, which include Sunday Morning and 60 Minutes. The network has already tried to imbue its weekday program with some of the markings of its Sunday A.M. mainstay. Now its time to give Evening News a Sunday injection. Its the big bet, acknowledges Dickerson of the new format. Such moves are necessary, says Wendy McMahon, the CBS executive who oversees the companys news, stations and syndication businesses. We were third, she says. To continue to do a product every night that is consistent with what our competitors are doing is a commitment to staying in third. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under McMahon, CBS has reworked its news division in a series of rip-the-Band-Aid-off maneuvers. Barriers between CBS News and the companys local stations have fallen. Two new CBS News companion shows for CBS Mornings and CBS Evening News are built to stream and to appear on local stations that want to include them. Some top CBS News personnel, including Norah ODonnell and Jeff Glor, have been given new assignments or parted ways with the company. In weeks to come, the new Evening News may look even more distinctive. Lester Holt, the steady presence behind the desk on NBC in the evenings, will step down this summer, when he will be succeeded by Tom Llamas, a younger anchor who was once seen as poised to eventually succeed David Muir, the evening anchor at ABC. The bet within CBS is that the NBC newscast will look more like ABCs, leaving Evening News with something different to offer. Theres always going to be churn when you make a change, says McMahon. And I feel like our show will be completely operating on all cylinders when NBC makes its anchor switch. Siphoning viewers away from rivals isnt really the main plan. I always cite the research of the 50-50 conundrum, which is that 50% of people want an evening news product that is a recap of the day and 50% of people say, I dont need to watch the evening news because its just a recap of the day of the headlines that Ive seen all day, says McMahon. And so I think David Muirs show completely nails that first 50, right? I think our opportunity is in the audience that says, Give me a reason to watch the evening news again. Will I learn something? Will I find out something new? Will this be an exploration of versus a repetitiveness of all that I saw today? And so thats the guiding light in many respects. Thats the audience piece that were betting on. Much of the task of standing up a new Evening News falls to Guy Campanile, a CBS News veteran who has logged many years working for Scott Pelley, Katie Couric and 60 Minutes. On one afternoon, with just a few hours before a new Evening News broadcast starts, he was waiting for reports from correspondents flung around the country. Some of them were coming in very close to deadline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have a correspondent reporting out of Arkansas today with a woman who believes her husband was among those who was rounded up and sent to El Salvador, and our reporting indicates that he is not running with anybody, and theres no indication hes a gang member. He has no criminal record, Campanile says while checking on the status of the nights stories. He went to the ICE office, as is required for an asylum seeker to check in, and they kept them there, and now we think hes in that prison. The story makes it to air, with interviews and a cinematic look, even as wire headlines flash that President Trump is expected to issue an executive order calling for the end of the Department of Education. This Evening News is less reliant on its anchors. Gone is a large space in its headquarters once reserved for the main face of Evening News (Scott Pelley had room for a rack of weights and a giant maritime painting). Now theres more emphasis on the correspondents. Even CBS White House crew is finding ways to get out of spitting distance of the West Wing. Nancy Cordes recently traveled to Baltimore to give viewers a sense of what a family that has a child with Down Syndrome might grapple with if the Trump administration succeeds in cutting certain government policies. Ed OKeefe, meanwhile, flew to Ontario to examine the effect of Trump tariffs on electricity from Canada. DuBois and Dickerson werent necessarily groomed for this job, a change from how evening anchors were selected in the past. Dickerson, a former writer for Time and Slate, has been a familiar CBS News face over the years, holding forth at Face The Nation and CBS This Morning. He also hosts a half-hour CBS Evening News Plus that streams immediately after CBS Evening News ends for the night. DuBois spent much of his career at WNBC and WCBS in New York, and maintains a smooth, unflappable presence that contrasts with Dickersons kinetic, lean-forward style. I know the difference between 9/11 and another story, says DuBois. Theres a time for your hair to be on fire, and theres a time to understand that this is a story to simply tell the viewers. In days to come, reporters are likely to get more spotlight. We are going to redo the newsroom so we can feature our family of journalists as part of the broadcast, says Campanile, who envisions a track camera being deployed to sweep in and sweep out and show our viewers that we are working. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dickerson and DuBois are eager to do stories of their own, but chances are viewers wont see them hightailing it to the scene of a school shooting or massive tornado damage. That is in many cases left to reporters on the ground, who know the areas where such disasters have taken place. In an era when attention is hard to win, Dickerson thinks the new format will reward those who turn to it. This newscast, he says, is less dependent on the beat of official Washington for its nightly lineup. And it gives people room to think. There are not 18 different stories crammed into the first five minutes, he says. You know others will open up with five headlines, and they repeat the headlines again, and theres not much more than the headline itself. Another news program that aims for longer stories and enterprise journalism regularly wins critical acclaim but has significantly fewer viewers than its broadcast counterparts. The PBS News Hour wins about 1.9 million viewers to its nightly newscast and, behind the scenes, executives have begun focusing more intently on reaching its audience via digital media. There is a risk that the changes spur Evening News regulars to sample something else, says Mark Feldstein, chair of the broadcast journalism program at university of Maryland. The real question will be if this doesnt work, what comes next? he asks. If viewership falls to an unacceptable level in an era when cost-cutting is top of mind, might executives think its not the original Coke anyway, and there will be less people who will miss it? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Executives think if they keep putting out smart stories every day, word will get out. When asked if viewers were ready for a new format that seeks more of their attention, Campanile replies that viewers arent ready unless you show them what youre going to do. Then youve got to give them a chance to make that decision. That chance that takes time, he says, noting that even 60 Minutes had to fight for attention in its earliest days. Thats not something that happens in a week, two weeks or two months. You have to make the investment. All CBS News can do is keep setting the table. Its the audience that will decide whether its time to eat. Best of Variety Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Census Bureau employees work on one of the machines that were used to tabulate the 1930 census, in Washington, D.C., on July 20, 1929. Credit - Underwood ArchivesGetty Images Amid the chaotic first months of the second Trump Administration, too little attention has been paid to recent debates over seemingly obscure 2030 census-related legislation that aims to subvert how the U.S. House of Representatives (and thereby the Electoral College) is reapportioned. Last term, the Republican House majority adopted the so-called Equal Representation bill of 2024 with little fanfare. It aimed to require the inclusion of a citizenship question on the 2030 census. The measure would have also commanded the U.S. Census Bureau and the Commerce Department to employ that data to exclude noncitizens from the population when reallocating states seats to the House of Representatives. Though the 2024 bill died in the last Congress, recent hearings indicate that GOP leaders could introduce similar legislation in this Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is not the first time that Congress has strenuously debated legislation seeking to exclude noncitizens from federal apportionment policy. Indeed in the 1920s nativists in Congress routinely introduced citizen-only reapportionment bills as a means of delaying the decennial reallocation of House seats as required by the federal constitution. Then, as now, such measures have a fatal flaw at their core: the national constitution unequivocally requires that the whole number of all residents in the countryregardless of citizenship statusbe counted as part of the countrys population for the purposes of federal reapportionment. But congressional history also teaches that anti-alien bills, however unconstitutional, represent major roadblocks to the operation of federal reapportionment that can metastasize into a veritable constitutional crisis. Read More: Federal Webpages Go Dark as Trump Administration Removes Public Data The Founders famously and vigorously debated congressional apportionment policy at the Philadelphia Constitutional Convention of 1787. They eventually agreed that a national decennial census would be established and used to apportion seats to the House of Representatives. The Constitution further stipulated that the House would be reapportioned every ten years based on the federal censuss count of the total population, while infamously excluding Indians not Taxed and counting enslaved persons at a three-fifths ratio. Eighty years later, federal apportionment policy once again emerged as a key topic of constitutional revision in the wake of the Civil War. Proponents of Black suffrage rights fought hard to ensure that the 14th Amendments birthright citizenship and equal protection guarantees, enshrined in its first clause, were coupled with an apportionment penalty provision, its second clause. The latter threatened to reduce the number of House seats assigned to states if they disfranchised male U.S. citizens for reasons other than crime or rebellion. The terms of the penalty provisionexpanded to American women by virtue of the 19th Amendmenthave never been enforced. And subsequent federal legislation would do away with the Indians not Taxed apportionment provision in practice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Less remembered today, Reconstruction-era lawmakers also overtly debated whether to include or exclude noncitizen immigrants, and other groups, from the basis of congressional reapportionment. They ultimately voted to retain a total population basisthereby including all noncitizen immigrantswhen writing and approving the 14th Amendment. That standard has remained part of the Constitution ever since. Half a century later, a powerful bloc of federal politicians would nevertheless try to subvert that unambiguous constitutional requirement. The results of the 1920 census showed a rapidly urbanizing population, propelled largely by the millions of working-class (often Southern and Eastern European) immigrants and their children who had moved to the countrys industrial centers in preceding decades. Many national lawmakersespecially southern Democrats and rural Republicans who also supported draconian federal immigration restriction legislationfeared they and their factional allies would lose relative power (or even their seats), with Congress set to be reapportioned for the 1922 midterms. In response, these recalcitrant members of Congress simply refused to adopt must-pass federal reapportionment legislation. For the first and only time in U.S. history, Congress failed to meet its constitutional requirement to reallocate states respective number of House seats every ten years. Lawmakers in this camp increasingly embraced nativist rhetoric and anti-alien reapportionment legislation to justify their strategy of gridlock. Republican Representative Homer Hoch of Kansas claimed it was unfair that other states were set to gain seats in the House to the detriment of his own due to the inclusion of thousands of unnaturalized aliens in the count. Others, like the noxious white supremacist Representative John Rankin, were less subtle. The Mississippi Democrat deemed it an outrage that California was set to gain nine additional seats after the 1930 enumeration in part because thousands of Mexicans and oriental aliens were (rightly) counted as part of the Golden States population. In response, a bipartisan coalition emerged to fight back against these anti-alien apportionment bills. Opponents, including political titans like New York lawmakers Republican Fiorello La Guardia and Democrat Emanuel Celler, marshalled numerous arguments against these nativist schemes and the inequity in representation produced by the gridlock over reapportionment. Opponents often argued that anti-alien apportionment bills threatened taxation without representation. Congressman James Beck, a conservative Republican from Pennsylvania and a former U.S. Solicitor General, went further. He alleged that supporters of anti-alien apportionment schemes were trying to virtually effect a coup detat by subverting the Constitutions requirements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read More: The Regional Origins of Americas First Comprehensive Federal Immigration Law Beck, La Guardia, and their allies ultimately won the long battle in Congress. For the 1932 elections, the House was reapportioned, based on what was constitutionally required: total population figures. The House has been similarly reapportioned every ten years since. Just under six years ago, the first Trump Administrations attempt to add a citizenship question on the main census form abruptlyif brieflyput this topic back on the national radar. That effort was famously rebuffed by the U.S. Supreme Court when the Commerce Departments stated rationale for adding a citizenship question was proven to be misleading. In a close 5-4 decision, the Court ultimately penalized the Trump Administration by rejecting the addition of a citizenship question on processnot substantivegrounds. The second Trump Administration is unlikely to make the same mistake again. However, even if a citizenship question was included on a subsequent enumeration, the U.S. Supreme Court should and very likely still wouldstrike down federal anti-alien reapportionment legislation as a blatant affront to the Constitutions requirements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But federal lawmakers should first carefully weigh whether they want to replay 1920s-style politics of apportionment at all. Members of Congress from both parties hailing from states with growing immigrant populations risk curtailing their own states share of federal funding and relative power in the House and Electoral College. Confusion, gridlock, and even delaythis time ensnaring the courts as wellremain possible outcomes of anti-alien apportionment debates in the 2020s. A century ago, a coalition of lawmakers from both parties thought federal nativist reapportionment schemes ran counter to their personal political interests, harmed their constituents, produced an unfair and unrepresentative delay, and were just plain unconstitutional. In response, they pushed back against their opponents irrespective of party lines and, eventually, won the day. Their successors might very well find themselves in a similar predicament soon. Lawmakers today should consider taking a page from that history and forthrightly reject anti-alien reapportionment proposals before this little-noticed subject can metastasize into a full-blown constitutional crisis. Brendan A. Shanahan is an associate research scholar at Yale Universitys MacMillan Center for International and Area Studies, and a lecturer in the Department of History. He teaches courses on the history of U.S. immigration and citizenship policy, and comparative Canadian and American political history. He is the author of Disparate Regimes: Nativist Politics, Alienage Law, and Citizenship Rights in the United States, 1865-1965 (New York: Oxford University Press, 2025). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Made by History takes readers beyond the headlines with articles written and edited by professional historians. Learn more about Made by History at TIME here. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of TIME editors. Write to Made by History at madebyhistory@time.com. The Nativity of Our Lord Church in South Scranton will hold its final service in June amid the Diocese of Scrantons ongoing restructuring plan to address shrinking congregations and dwindling clergy. The Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, bishop of Scranton, signed a Feb. 24 decree to permanently close the 120-plus-year-old church at 633 Orchard St. with a final Mass on June 8 for the parishioners of the St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish. The decree allows the church to be sold, though not for sordid use. The impending closure is the latest change for parishioners of the former St. John Neumann and St. Paul of the Cross parishes, which consolidated into the St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish in November 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After June 8, the congregations sole church will be the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Church, 1217 Prospect Ave. Sacred Hearts has been the congregations primary worship site, with Nativity as its secondary site. Saint Teresa of Calcutta Parish has been challenged with declining and aging membership, with a resultant offertory that is insufficient to sustain operational costs, the bishop wrote in his decree. * Nativity of Our Lord Church in Scrantons southside Tuesday, April 1, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) * A door to the entrance of Nativity of Our Lord Church in Scrantons southside Tuesday, April 1, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * The steeple of Nativity of Our Lord Church is framed through tree branches in Scrantons southside Tuesday, April 1, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) * A handicap accessible ramp leads into the entrance of Nativity of Our Lord Church in Scranton Tuesday. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) Show Caption 1 of 4 Nativity of Our Lord Church in Scrantons southside Tuesday, April 1, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) Expand Bambera first notified parishioners of impending changes in May 2021, telling churchgoers in a letter that the St. John Neumann and St. Paul of the Cross parishes would be linked, meaning they would share a pastor while remaining separate parishes. Those parishes had previously formed from six churches: St. Paul of the Cross Parish formed from the St. Francis of Assisi, St. John the Evangelist and the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary parishes; and St. John Neumann Parish was created from the Nativity of Our Lord, St. Mary of the Assumption and Holy Name of Jesus parishes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time of the linkage nearly four years ago, the parishes encompassed three churches: St. John Neumann had the Nativity of Our Lord Church and the Holy Name of Jesus Church at 1414 E. Elm St. on East Mountain, and St. Paul of the Cross had the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Church. The Holy Name of Jesus Church held its final Mass on July 17, 2022, and the Diocese of Scranton sold the building and its 1.5 acres to the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Pennsylvania for $260,000, according to a property transaction recorded Nov. 30, 2022. The diocese later sold Nativitys former convent and school building in February 2023 to developer John Basalyga for $675,000, who intended to turn them into apartments. In June 2023, the bishop suggested the parishes consolidate, with the two congregations formally combining into the St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish five months later. The changes are part of the 11-county dioceses Vision 2030 restructuring process, which launched in January 2022 as a revision to the dioceses previous Vision 2020. Vision 2030 attributes the restructuring plans to significant challenges faced by the diocese due to changing demographics, including fewer parishioners supporting the mission of the church, financial challenges and parish infrastructure needs, and diminishing numbers of ordained priests as retiring priests outpace incoming ones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those same challenges were reflected in Bamberas decree, which cited: Changing demographics of the community, resulting in dwindling Mass attendance. Concentration of available Mass time at principal parish churches in the immediate geographic area. Declining numbers of priests. In holding the assets and liabilities of Nativity of Our Lord Church, St. Teresa of Calcutta is financially burdened. Ready and effective assistance available to the parish from the sale of Nativity of Our Lord. For the Rev. Jonathan Kuhar, pastor of St. Teresa of Calcutta, the decision to close Nativity of Our Lord Church was heartbreaking for both himself and his parishioners. Kuhar was ordained as a priest nearly five years ago, with Nativity being his first assignment before he eventually became pastor of the linked parishes, overseeing their consolidation. He also spent two summers at Nativity as a seminarian. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I adore Nativity Church. It is a magnificent place. Its a beautiful building, Kuhar said. More important than all of that, that community that has gathered there is just wonderful. Reading from a church history, Kuhar said the Nativity parish was established in February 1902, its cornerstone was placed in June 1904, and the lower church was dedicated in July 1905. As part of the dioceses Vision process over the last five-plus years, the congregation has looked at its pastoral needs in regard to churches, facilities and how to best serve the people of South Scranton both now and into the future, he said. That conversation has been going on for a long time, and weve had a very open process and a very clear process in which weve engaged the parishioners in conversation and dialogue and debate throughout this process, Kuhar said. In the context of that, weve been looking at our facilities, looking at our operating costs, looking at our needs, and weighing that against, What are the needs of the community in regard to their pastoral care? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The reality is that the buildings are incredibly expensive to operate and maintain, he said. Both the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary and Nativity of Our Lord churches are more than a century old, and deciding between the two was a difficult, painful conversation, he said. Although Sacred Hearts is a few years older than Nativity, its facilities are overall in fairly good condition, Kuhar said. Having a school building is also incredibly important for the future of the community for the educational needs of children in the parish and to have classrooms available for faith formation, as well as having an auditorium for community events, he said. That allows for a lot of opportunity for parish building and community building that we no longer had at the Nativity site after the school and convent had been sold, Kuhar said. Sacred Hearts facilities are also smaller, which means lower operating costs, and the rectory is newer and in better shape, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There were a lot of factors involved, but just looking at all of it weighed out together, the community would be best served by the facilities that are available in Sacred Hearts, he said. When deciding on the June 8 closure date, Kuhar said they wanted to have one final Easter at Nativity, and June 8 is Pentecost weekend, which he said is symbolic of new life. Moving forward, the parish will work in consultation with the diocese regarding the potential sale of the building, according to Diocese of Scranton spokesman Eric Deabill. It will conform with Catholic faith and morals and with its dignity as a former place of divine worship, Deabill said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nativity is the most recent church closure in Lackawanna County; no additional closures have been announced, he said. The parish is now beginning talks with people who could be interested in buying the Nativity building and exploring their options, but nothing is concrete, Kuhar said. Sometimes we tend to think that its only buildings, but its not only buildings these buildings are where the community has gathered for well over 100 years, and its where peoples faith has been nourished, nurtured and grown, he said. The buildings matter a great deal, (but) not as much as our discipleship, as our lived faith, as our commitment to the Lord. LEBANON, Pa. (WHTM) Lebanon Transit announced earlier today that it is changing how it administers its Student Fare Card program on all Fixed Route buses. According to Lebanon Transit, effective immediately, students will no longer be required to show drivers a colored Lebanon Transit Fare Card in order to receive the reduced fare of $1. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News Alerts Moving forward, students will only have to show drivers their current school issued ID card. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It should be noted that if students do not have a school issued ID, then they can still receive a Student Fare Card directly from Lebanon Transit. Proof of current enrollment, such as a signed letter from the school, is still required. Another change from Lebanon Transits previous policy is that now student fare will be honored all year long, including over the summer. We believe that loosening our student fare policies will open up more economic opportunities for the young adults of Lebanon County, especially those working summer jobs executive director Angie Luciotti said. According to Lebanon Transit, students must be actively enrolled in a K-12 school, college or university, or a trade school. These students are able to receive the reduced fare regardless of when or where they ride the bus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you have any questions, you can call the Lebanon Transit main office at 717-274-3664. abc27 news will keep you updated as more information becomes available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. WASHINGTON (WCBD) Federal prosecutors moved to dismiss charges Tuesday against a man U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) accused of assaulting her during an event at the Capitol last year. Mace accused James McIntyre of Illinois, a national foster care advocate, of accosting her during a Dec. 10 reception celebrating the 25th anniversary of the passage of the Foster Care Independence Act of 1999. She claimed the assault came in response to her efforts to bar transgender women from using womens restrooms on federal property, writing in a Dec. 10 post on X that she was physically accostedby a pro-tr*ns man. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McIntyre pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor assault charges. Those charges are no longer being pursued, according to an April 1 filing in D.C. Superior Court. Government attorneys did not provide a reason for the dismissal in their noelle prosequi filing, which is Latin for not to wish to prosecute. Mace denounced the decision in an April 2 statement to Nexstars WCBD, saying it sends an appalling message. When a man can physically assault a woman in the halls of Congress, with impunity, it sends an appalling message to every woman in America, she said. If it can happen here, it can happen anywhere. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several eyewitnesses disputed Maces characterization of the Dec. 10 incident, suggesting it looked like a normal handshake. But Mace claimed her arm and wrist were injured, and she was spotted the next day wearing a sling on Capitol Hill. I was injured, intentionally, and I am still in pain, she said. I filed charges, and they were inexplicably ignored. But I will not be. I will not back down. I will not be intimidated, and I sure as hell wont stay silent. The Lowcountry congresswoman, who is mulling a bid for South Carolina governor, visited the State House in Columbia on Wednesday. The Hills Zach Schonfeld contributed to this report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. WASHINGTON (WCBD) Federal prosecutors moved to drop charges Tuesday against a man U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) accused of assaulting her during an event at the Capitol last year. Mace accused James McIntyre of Illinois, a national foster care advocate, of accosting her during a Dec. 10 reception celebrating the 25th anniversary of the passage of the Foster Care Independence Act of 1999. She claimed the assault came in response to her efforts to bar transgender women from using womens restrooms on federal property, writing in a Dec. 10 post on X that she was physically accostedby a pro-tr*ns man. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McIntyre pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor assault charges. Those charges are no longer being pursued, according to an April 1 filing in D.C. Superior Court. Government attorneys did not provide a reason for the dismissal in their noelle prosequi filing, which is Latin for not to wish to prosecute. Mace denounced the decision in an April 2 statement to News 2, saying it sends an appalling message. When a man can physically assault a woman in the halls of Congress, with impunity, it sends an appalling message to every woman in America, she said. If it can happen here, it can happen anywhere. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Do your job: Voters voice frustration after Nancy Mace declines town hall invite Several eyewitnesses disputed Maces characterization of the Dec. 10 incident, suggesting it looked like a normal handshake. But Mace claimed her arm and wrist were injured, and she was spotted the next day wearing a sling on Capitol Hill. I was injured, intentionally, and I am still in pain, she said. I filed charges, and they were inexplicably ignored. But I will not be. I will not back down. I will not be intimidated, and I sure as hell wont stay silent. The Lowcountry congresswoman, who is mulling a bid for South Carolina governor, visited the State House in Columbia on Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Hills Zach Schonfeld contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2. PORT CARBON A Saint Clair woman charged with felony child endangerment after she was accidentally shot and wounded by her 2-year-old son saw all charges bound over for court on Tuesday afternoon. Marissa Sheeler, 34, appeared for a preliminary hearing before District Judge David A. Plachko on a felony charge of endangering the welfare of a child, and other offenses. Saint Clair police charged Sheeler in connection with a shooting reported at Extreme Fitness on Jan. 31. Police said Sheelers son accidentally discharged his mothers 9 mm Glock, causing a wound in her right hand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the end of the brief stipulated hearing Tuesday, Plachko ordered the felony charge along with misdemeanor charges of reckless endangerment and carrying a firearm without a license bound over to court. Bail was set at $25,000 unsecured. Sheeler is represented by attorney Jeffrey M. Markosky, Mahanoy City. Assistant District Attorney David Noon is prosecuting the case. According to reports, Sheeler told police the gun had been in her purse. It had not been secured in a holster in the purse, police said. Police said Sheeler received treatment on scene for her wound and was transported to Lehigh Valley Hospital Cedar Crest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A witness to the shooting told police that she and Sheeler had been hanging decorations in the gym when Sheelers son took the gun from her purse and it went off, hitting Sheeler in the hand. The witness said she picked the gun up off the floor and placed it on the countertop, then called 911 and attempted to help Sheeler with her injury. Police spoke to William Sheeler, Marissas husband and the childs father, after he arrived on scene. The problem is this, a year ago we tested (with an unloaded firearm) to see if he could squeeze the trigger, and he could not, William Sheeler told police. We never tested to see if he could squeeze the trigger since. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police found the bullet in a piece of gym equipment across the room. Police said they reviewed video footage that showed Marissa Sheeler and the witness jumping as the gun was fired. Marissa Sheeler is the registered owner of the gun and did not have a concealed carry permit, according to police. Members of the Chinese rescue team extricate a male survivor in Mandalay, Myanmar, April 2, 2025. The Chinese rescue team successfully extricated a male survivor at a hotel on Wednesday afternoon in Mandalay, Myanmar. The man, an employee of the E-outfitting Golden Country Hotel, had been trapped for over 120 hours and was in stable condition when rescued. The survivor has been transferred to a local hospital for further treatment. This marks the ninth survivor successfully rescued by the Chinese rescue teams. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) YANGON, April 2 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese rescue team successfully extricated a male survivor at a hotel on Wednesday afternoon in Mandalay, Myanmar. The man, an employee of the E-outfitting Golden Country Hotel, had been trapped for over 120 hours and was in stable condition when rescued. The survivor has been transferred to a local hospital for further treatment. This marks the ninth survivor successfully rescued by the Chinese rescue teams. Members of the Chinese rescue team extricate a male survivor in Mandalay, Myanmar, April 2, 2025. The Chinese rescue team successfully extricated a male survivor at a hotel on Wednesday afternoon in Mandalay, Myanmar. The man, an employee of the E-outfitting Golden Country Hotel, had been trapped for over 120 hours and was in stable condition when rescued. The survivor has been transferred to a local hospital for further treatment. This marks the ninth survivor successfully rescued by the Chinese rescue teams. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) Members of the Chinese rescue team extricate a male survivor in Mandalay, Myanmar, April 2, 2025. The Chinese rescue team successfully extricated a male survivor at a hotel on Wednesday afternoon in Mandalay, Myanmar. The man, an employee of the E-outfitting Golden Country Hotel, had been trapped for over 120 hours and was in stable condition when rescued. The survivor has been transferred to a local hospital for further treatment. This marks the ninth survivor successfully rescued by the Chinese rescue teams. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) Members of the Chinese rescue team extricate a male survivor in Mandalay, Myanmar, April 2, 2025. The Chinese rescue team successfully extricated a male survivor at a hotel on Wednesday afternoon in Mandalay, Myanmar. The man, an employee of the E-outfitting Golden Country Hotel, had been trapped for over 120 hours and was in stable condition when rescued. The survivor has been transferred to a local hospital for further treatment. This marks the ninth survivor successfully rescued by the Chinese rescue teams. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) Members of the Chinese rescue team extricate a male survivor in Mandalay, Myanmar, April 2, 2025. The Chinese rescue team successfully extricated a male survivor at a hotel on Wednesday afternoon in Mandalay, Myanmar. The man, an employee of the E-outfitting Golden Country Hotel, had been trapped for over 120 hours and was in stable condition when rescued. The survivor has been transferred to a local hospital for further treatment. This marks the ninth survivor successfully rescued by the Chinese rescue teams. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) Members of the Chinese rescue team extricate a male survivor in Mandalay, Myanmar, April 2, 2025. The Chinese rescue team successfully extricated a male survivor at a hotel on Wednesday afternoon in Mandalay, Myanmar. The man, an employee of the E-outfitting Golden Country Hotel, had been trapped for over 120 hours and was in stable condition when rescued. The survivor has been transferred to a local hospital for further treatment. This marks the ninth survivor successfully rescued by the Chinese rescue teams. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) Members of the Chinese rescue team carry out rescue work in Mandalay, Myanmar, April 2, 2025. The Chinese rescue team successfully extricated a male survivor at a hotel on Wednesday afternoon in Mandalay, Myanmar. The man, an employee of the E-outfitting Golden Country Hotel, had been trapped for over 120 hours and was in stable condition when rescued. The survivor has been transferred to a local hospital for further treatment. This marks the ninth survivor successfully rescued by the Chinese rescue teams. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) Members of the Chinese rescue team extricate a male survivor in Mandalay, Myanmar, April 2, 2025. The Chinese rescue team successfully extricated a male survivor at a hotel on Wednesday afternoon in Mandalay, Myanmar. The man, an employee of the E-outfitting Golden Country Hotel, had been trapped for over 120 hours and was in stable condition when rescued. The survivor has been transferred to a local hospital for further treatment. This marks the ninth survivor successfully rescued by the Chinese rescue teams. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) A Woodbury High School student had a replica firearm that looked like a real gun in his backpack, according to charges filed Wednesday. The student ran from the school, charges said, which led the high school and Royal Oaks Elementary to put additional security measures in place while a search for him was underway Monday afternoon. He was arrested Monday. The Woodbury City Attorneys Office charged the 18-year-old student Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, after lunch, the teen was in another students vehicle in the schools parking lot. There was discussion about fights with acquaintances and the 18-year-old said, I would not fight him, I would just pop him. Look at this, and pulled a handgun from his backpack, according to the criminal complaint. Just before 1:45 p.m., a Woodbury police school resource officer was told about the gun. The officer found the teen and asked if he had anything he shouldnt. He grew aggravated and walked away, said he would refuse the search and left the school, the complaint said. Witnesses reported seeing someone running from the school. After an extensive search of the area, police found the teen, the complaint said. He didnt have a backpack or a firearm. During a search, an officer found the bottom/handle of what appeared to be a firearm on Cypress Drive near Cochrane Drive. Officers continued searching and located the top portion and slide. It was determined to be a replica firearm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The teen is charged with brandishing a replica firearm while on school property, a gross misdemeanor, and fleeing a peace officer, a misdemeanor. Related Articles CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) At least half a dozen bars and restaurants on Tyvola and off Woodlawn Roads in Charlotte have been hit with break-ins over the last two months, with alcohol stolen and property damaged. On Tuesday, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police released new surveillance pictures to try and catch the accused thief whos targeting businesses. PREVIOUS | Burglar hits Charlotte businesses: Steals large amounts of alcohol, causes damage The manager at Kabuto Japanese Steakhouse says the place got hit twice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The latest break-in happened exactly a week ago. The manager believes the suspect has been waiting and watching to hit when the restaurant closes. He came in the first time around midnight and yanked our front door, just pulled on it until it yanked open, said Kendall Posey, the restaurant manager. The boozy break-ins were caught on camera. Photos: CMPD Photos: CMPD Photos: CMPD Photos: CMPD Photos: CMPD Photos: CMPD We all felt like hes been in the restaurant before and knew exactly where to go to because hes coming into a dark building and going straight for the same thing both times, said Posey. Kabuto was hit twice and was one of about half a dozen break-ins in the area in the last two months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The others include Queen Park Social, Argon Video Bar and Lounge, Jocks & Jills, Rally Pickleball, and Yummy Crab. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im thankful for cameras because I definitely think somebody will know him, said Posey. At Kabuto, the manager says the suspect got away with seven or eight bottles of liquor both times. While hes still out there, the manager worries about the safety of her workers. Its just wondering every night if hes going to try to come back in for a third time. We really didnt think that he would come back in a second time, said Posey. The manager says the restaurant has taken steps to upgrade safety, like changing the locks, and shes hoping the surveillance pictures help police find him. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) In the days after wildfires devastated the Los Angeles area, a formerly stray dog named Jackie lucked into a new life. She was rescued from an overburdened shelter in Los Angeles County, where she faced possible euthanasia, and given a home far away in Juneau, Alaska. But Jackie didnt stay long. The German shepherd-husky mix slipped her collar on the first day with her new family in mid-February and absconded to a pocket of forest. Since then, she has been living by her wits eluding a trap that was set with food such as cheeseburgers or chicken by animal control workers and volunteers worried about her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The forested area Jackie frequents is near a busy road. Further, black bears are starting to reemerge from hibernation, raising the potential the dog could have an unfortunate run-in. Volunteers have stopped putting out food and cat kibble to avoid attracting bears. Maybe this is what she wants, is to be free and feral like this, said Thom Young-Bayer, a Juneau animal control officer. "It's not a safe way for her to live here. Young-Bayer and his wife, Skylar, have been searching in their free time, often at night, for the skittish canine, painstakingly trying to build trust with her. Jackie has been known to burrow into the soft moss on the forest floor for cover and to avoid looking directly into the Young-Bayers headlamps, making it hard to detect her eyes in the dark. On videos Thom Young-Bayer has taken with his infrared camera, Jackies red heat signature resembles something out of the movie Predator. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On a recent day, Young-Bayer caught a fleeting glimpse of Jackie in the lush forest, her dark coat helping camouflage her movements among the stumps and roots. He surveyed the undergrowth and surroundings but came up empty as did a nearby trap he had been monitoring for weeks. When Young-Bayer returned to a trail where a fellow animal control officer had been waiting, he learned Jackie had trotted past on a frozen pond. Lately Young-Bayer been encountering Jackie on every visit. Young-Bayer says that's progress. Weeks ago, if Jackie saw someone, she would flee. He and his wife aren't trying to sneak up on the dog and want to help her feel safe, he said. Juneau Animal Rescue, a local pet adoption agency that also handles animal control and protective services, has asked that people who see Jackie report their sightings. Given the dog's skittishness, officials want to limit those searching for her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Little is known about Jackie's history. She was brought into a California shelter as a stray in early January, days before deadly wildfires swept through the Los Angeles area. She is believed to be 2 to 3 years old. Her intake forms listed her as quiet with a moderate anxiety and stress level. Skylar Young-Bayer, who has volunteered with rescue groups in that region, helped arrange for Jackie and two other dogs at risk of being euthanized to be transferred to Juneau for adoption. Jackie was with a foster home before her adoption placing. Other dogs have gained fame as fugitives, including Scrim, a 17-pound, mostly terrier mutt who was recaptured in New Orleans in February in a cat trap after months on the lam. Mike Mazouch, animal control and protection director for Juneau Animal Rescue, noted Jackie didn't have much time to bond with her new family before bolting. Officers deemed trying to tranquilize her as too risky because they didn't know if they would be able to find her once she was sedated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mazouch accompanied Thom Young-Bayer to the forest last week to disassemble the trap when Jackie came within 50 feet (15 meters) of Mazouch on the frozen pond. Mazouch snapped a photo of her as she appeared between the skinny, tall trees. He called efforts to capture her a battle of wills. She is not willing to give up, and we're not willing to give up, either, Mazouch said. Of all the Michigan culinary semifinalists for prestigious James Beard Award nominations, only two Traverse City chefs will move on as finalists for the prestigious awards. Chefs Jennifer Blakeslee and Eric Patterson of The Cooks' House in Traverse City will be up against three Chicago chefs and a chef from Cincinnati, Ohio, vying for a coveted James Beard Award, Great Lakes division, which also includes Indiana. Built on the concept of farm-to-fork, sustainable cuisine, The Cooks House is a 26-seat eatery on Wellington Street, according to its website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After working together cooking in Las Vegas Michelin-starred kitchens, Blakeslee and Patterson got the idea to open the restaurant. Blakeslee, according to The Cooks House website, is a Traverse City native. We take most of our focus from the actual ingredients themselves, Patterson explains on the website. My food is a bit simpler, whereas Jen likes to work with more complex flavors from her travels in India, Mexico, and Southeast Asia. Small place, big offerings Inside, paintings from local artists are one of the small dining room features, according to its website. While described as a comfortable come-as-you-are approach setting with clothes as its dress code, tables are set with white linens and crystal. Its website also boasts that the restaurant retains a high staff-to-guest ratio so that diners are never wanting for comfort, and the atmosphere is relaxed and social with tables trading conversation. There is an a la carte menu plus 5- and 7-course menus highlighting local items, such as mushrooms. Multi-course menus start at $105, with an optional wine pairing for an additional charge.Dinner service is offered throughout the year, but the restaurant also offers cooking classes that focus on exploring regional cuisines in addition to seasonal options from local farmers' markets. Prestigious awards Considered the highest honor in culinary excellence, the annual awards recognize restaurants and chefs nationwide for their achievements and skills in several categories. Excitement from the 2024 awards included Clawson sushi chef Hajime Sato being named the Best Chef Great Lakes. At the 2022 James Beard Awards Restaurant and Chef Awards, Warda Bouguettaya, owner of Midtowns Warda Patisserie, was awarded Outstanding Pastry Chef. Metro Detroits dining scene snubbed Across several categories, 10 Michigan chefs, mostly in metro Detroit, were named semifinalists. Five chefs from Michigan made the Best Chef Midwest category, which includes, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio.Semifinalist Michigan chefs were: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This was Ji Hye Kims fifth nod as a James Beard Semifinalist. For the second year in a row, Selden Standard in Midtown was on the list of Outstanding Restaurants. Vecino, Detroit, which was just revealed as the Detroit Free Press/Metro Detroit Chevy Dealers Restaurant of Year, a semifinalist in the Best New Restaurant categories. Vecino restaurant in Detroit on Friday, March 21, 2025. Javier Bardauil, Barda, Detroit Jennifer Blakeslee and Eric Patterson, The Cooks' House, Traverse City Missy Corey, Pennyroyal Cafe and Provisions, Saugatuck Ji Hye Kim, Miss Kim, Ann Arbor John Yelinek, Ladder 4 Wine Bar, Detroit More: Vecino, for bringing a taste of Mexico City to Detroit, is 2025 Restaurant of the Year Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Puma, an Argentinian joint where fire and ice collide, is Detroit's best new restaurant Outstanding Bakery semifinalist, Secret Bakery in Ferndale landed on the 2024 Detroit Free Press/Metro Detroit Chevy Dealers list of Best New restaurants. Baobab Fare, Detroit, known for East African cuisine in New Center, made the Outstanding Hospitality category. Its owners, Nadia Nijimbere and Hamissi Mamba, are Burundi natives who made the JBA Outstanding Restaurateur list in 2024 and both owners made the list of semifinalists in the 2022 and 2023 Best Chef awards, Great Lakes category. Baobab Fare on Woodward in the New Center area was named the 2022 Detroit Free Press No. 1 Best New Restaurant. Ann Arbors Spencer was nominated again as a semifinalist in the Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program category. Spencer made the list as a semifinalist in 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's the 35th anniversary of the prestigious James Beard Awards, which are considered the highest honor in culinary excellence. The annual awards recognize restaurants and chefs across the country for their achievements and skills in categories that include best chefs, best new restaurants and, new to the awards categories, best new bar. The final winners will be named on June 16 at the James Beard Foundation Awards Gala at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. You can see the full list of finalists at jamesbeard.org. Contact Detroit Free Press food and restaurant writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news and tips to: sselasky@freepress.com. Follow @SusanMariecooks on Twitter. Subscribe to the Free Press. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Only one Michigan restaurant moves on as James Beard Award finalist BLACKSBURG, S.C. (WSPA) The South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce (SCDEW) will be hosting a job and resource event in Blacksburg as part of the Rural Connections Program. The event will take place at the Cherokee County Public Library at 201 S Rutherford Street. It will start on Tuesday, April 29, from 1-4 p.m. Staff will be available for visitors to assist with job searching, editing resumes, preparing for interviews, and other things to prepare individuals for work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS. A major drug bust in Chesterfield County, South Carolina, led to the arrest of two individuals and the seizure of significant quantities of illegal substances and contraband. The operation, spearheaded by the Chesterfield County Narcotics Division with assistance from multiple agencies, resulted in the confiscation of 100 marijuana plants, 3 pounds of processed marijuana, 29 grams of methamphetamine, and 4 grams of fentanyl. Drones intended for smuggling contraband into correctional facilities were also seized. Sheriff Cambo Streater praised the collaborative effort, stating, This investigation was the result of tireless work by our Chesterfield County Narcotics Division, along with our federal and state partners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ALSO READ: More than 65 pounds of fentanyl seized in massive York County drug bust, investigators say Charles Boyd Allen III, a resident of McBee, was charged with several offenses, including manufacturing marijuana, trafficking fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, and trafficking methamphetamine. Allen was on federal probation for unrelated offenses at the time of his arrest. A second search warrant was executed at the residence of Tracy Sheppard, also of McBee, who now faces charges for manufacturing marijuana and possession with intent to distribute marijuana. Sheriff Streater highlighted the significance of the operation, noting the impact on the local drug trade and the innovative tactics used by criminals, such as drones for smuggling contraband. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The use of drones to smuggle contraband into correctional facilities is a growing concern, he said. The sheriff urged community involvement in combating drug-related activities, encouraging residents to report suspicious activity to the Chesterfield County Sheriffs Office tip line. VIDEO: More than 65 pounds of fentanyl seized in massive York County drug bust, investigators say CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) A raccoon trapped in Chicopee is recovering at the Urban Wildlife Rehabilitation after being found to have a broken leg. The Chicopee Police Department was called Tuesday night for a report of a possible rabid raccoon on Fairway Drive. Upon arrival, the office observed the raccoon and didnt believe that it was showing signs of distemper or rabies. The owner of a non-profit organization that provides medical care to injured wild animals, Urban Wildlife Rehabilitation, safely secured the raccoon in a crate and determined its front leg was broken. They say it was caused by a possible fight with another raccoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Spring migration to increase risk of spreading bird flu (Chicopee Police Department) What is rabies? Rabies is a very serious disease that affects the brain and spinal cord of mammals (if an animal has hair or fur, it is a mammal). Cats, dogs, raccoons, coyotes, and foxes are mammals, as are people. Rabies is caused by a virus and almost always causes death. Rabies is usually a disease of animals, but it can spread from an infected animal to a person. How is rabies spread? Rabies spreads when an animal with rabies bites another animal or person. The rabies virus is in the saliva (spit) of infected animals. Infected animals can also spread rabies if their saliva gets into a scratch or other wound, or the eyes, nose, or mouth of another person or animal. What should you do if you think youve been exposed to rabies? If you are bitten or scratched by an animal: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wash the wound with soap and water right away for ten minutes. Call your health care provider or local board of health. They can help you determine if you need to be treated for rabies exposure. Your local animal control officer may be able to catch the animal that scratched or bit you. Wild animals should be tested immediately for rabies. Cats, dogs, ferrets, and cows can be watched for 10 days. If they stay healthy, they do not expose you to rabies. What should you do if you think your pet has been exposed to rabies? If your pet is bitten or scratched by another animal: Call your veterinarian to help you determine if the animal needs medical attention. Your local animal control officer may be able to catch the animal that scratched or bit your pet. Wild animals should be tested immediately for rabies. In some cases, it may be necessary to confine your animal and watch it to see if it develops signs of rabies. Your local animal inspector can help you determine if this is necessary. How can you help prevent rabies in Massachusetts? Teach children to never approach animals they dont know even if they appear friendly. Report any animal that behaves oddly to your local animal control official. Enjoy wild animals from a distance. Do not keep wild animals as pets. This is against the law in Massachusetts. Make sure your pets are vaccinated against rabies. By law, all dogs, cats, and ferrets must be regularly vaccinated against rabies. Dont feed or water your pets outside. Even empty bowls will attract wild and stray animals. Keep your pets in a fenced yard or on a leash and do not let them roam freely. Keep your garbage securely covered. Open garbage will attract wild or stray animals. Keep your chimney capped and repair holes in attics, cellars, and porches to help keep wild animals like bats and raccoons out of your home. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. China has been accused of stealing a British aircraft design in a fresh row over intellectual property theft by the Communist country, The Telegraph can reveal. Propaganda websites controlled by the Chinese government said in March that a state-owned company had tested its first home-grown cargo drone. Footage published by the Global Times shows that the alleged drone very strongly resembles a British aircraft that has been in production for more than half a century. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The revelation will spark fears that China is mounting a fresh attack on valuable British intellectual property such as confidential design information. The Conservatives called on the Government to condemn the shameless theft. Specifications on Yi-Tong UAV System Companys website say that its TP1000 drone has a top speed of 315kph which is exactly the same as the British-made Britten-Norman Islander. The alleged Chinese drones wingspan is given as 14.9m, compared with 14.93m for the Islander, and an aviation insider said video footage online showed that the Chinese aircraft features a window underneath its wing in the exact same place as the Islander. A British Airways Britten-Normans BN-2 Islander. It is thought that China has stolen its design to create its TP1000 drone Solent-based Britten-Norman is now investigating the striking similarities to see whether China has infringed its intellectual property rights over the Islander design. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beijings embassy in London has denied that either the design or the aircraft itself was stolen. Alicia Kearns, the shadow national security minister, said: We outright condemn the shameless theft of the iconic British Islander aircraft design by a Chinese-state company, and the industrialised nature of intellectual property theft by the Chinese Communist Party. Global trade relies on respect for the rule of law. Chinas economic model is based on intellectual property theft, currency manipulation, state subsidy and the dumping of artificially cheap products to suffocate industries in the UK and those of allied economies. Chinas threat to Western prosperity has been confronted by British officials, albeit sluggishly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In July 2022, the heads of the UK and US security services made an unprecedented joint public appearance to warn of the threat from Beijing. Ken McCallum, the head of MI5, said at the time that his service had more than doubled its work against Chinese activity in the last three years and would be doubling it again. Take the threat from China seriously Ms Kearns added: The Labour Party claims to be the party of British workers. If this claim has any validity, they would do well to start taking the threat from China seriously, call out and act on this theft, and build on the protections we put in place across business and academia to stop the theft of British designs and products including putting China on the enhanced tier of the foreign influence registration scheme (FIRS), which the Government failed to do again only yesterday. Labour has so far ignored calls to place China on the top level of the Governments new FIRS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia was added to the scheme on Tuesday, joining the likes of Iran, but so far ministers have failed to place China on the enhanced tier. Chinas apparent targeting of the Islander aircraft represents a swipe at one of the crown jewels of the British aerospace industry. Marketed as the worlds most versatile aircraft, the Islander design was first drawn up in 1965 after Britten-Norman spotted a niche in the market for a light passenger and cargo transport aircraft. It has been in continuous production for more than half a century, being bought by airlines and governments alike in more than 50 countries. We are investigating A spokesman for the British aircraft manufacturer said: Britten-Norman is aware of a UAV [unmanned aerial vehicle] currently undergoing testing that bears a striking resemblance to our BN-2T Islander aircraft, including unique design elements specific to our product. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Islander is a globally renowned, iconic airframe and this UAV does not have our endorsement. We have already developed and produced our own cargo variant and we are actively exploring autonomous capabilities. The situation raises concerns regarding potential misuse of our intellectual property, which we are investigating to determine if any rights have been violated and whether further action is required to protect the Islanders iconic design. No solid evidence Kai Yan, a Chinese embassy spokesman, claimed there was no solid evidence that Yi-Tong UAV System Co Ltd had stolen Britten-Normans intellectual property or had tried to pass off a genuine Islander as its own product. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Chinese government is committed to protecting intellectual property rights. We are firmly against any allegations of IP infringement that are not based on solid evidence, said Yan. Technological innovation in China has come a long way, a result of both the hard work of Chinese scientists and businesses and international collaboration. Chinas scientific and technological advancement cannot be held back by some groundless and unfair allegations. The Department for Business and Trade failed to respond to a request for comment. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. JOHANNESBURG, April 2 (Xinhua) -- South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has confirmed that its top officials returned from a trip to the United States, where discussions covered South Africa's G20 presidency, and engagements with the United Nations (UN) and U.S. government departments. According to a statement issued late Tuesday by the department, the delegation, led by South Africa's G20 Sherpa and DIRCO Director-General Zane Dangor, first briefed the UN General Assembly on the country's G20 presidency during the visit. The officials also furthered discussions initiated by former South African Ambassador to the U.S. Ebrahim Rasool, with representatives from the White House and the State Department to address bilateral priorities. "We believe that these dialogues will assist to refine the current administration's understanding of South Africa's position on critical matters, fostering a more nuanced perspective," said DIRCO. Rasool was expelled by the United States and declared persona non grata for remarks made during a webinar in which he criticized U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration, implying that there was a push to further white supremacist ideals in the United States. According to the statement, the delegation held meetings with U.S. government representatives to clarify key issues and address misconceptions about South Africa's policies and legislation, including the Expropriation Act. DIRCO said the delegation directly tackled concerns and misconceptions that South Africa's policies were designed to violate minority human rights, noting that the government's efforts to address inequality are constitutionally mandated and necessary. In an effort to combat rising global temperatures, China has announced new renewable energy plans. The "world's largest producer" of planet-warming gases has set a goal to become carbon neutral by 2060, according to Reuters. Renewable energy projects will be the main driver toward achieving that ambition. New offshore wind farms are one of the key components of China's ambitions, as well as the construction of what the National Development and Reform Commission called "new energy bases" in desert areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While some of the renewable energy projects are a step in the right direction, some of the proposed plans have sparked controversy, such as a hydropower facility on the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Tibet. Experts have pointed out it would have the potential to "impact on downstream water flows," as Reuters reported. Another concerning aspect of the plan is the country's continued reliance on coal. According to the NDRC report, China plans on increasing its coal production even as it transitions toward clean energy sources. "China has been struggling to strike a balance between fostering economic growth and meeting its environmental goals," noted Reuters. Though the country has been trying to increase its use of renewable energy, economic growth has made the transition more challenging. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Despite the world record expansion of renewables, an inconvenient truth is that China's economy hasn't become much more energy efficient in recent years," Yao Zhe, global policy advisor with Greenpeace in Beijing, told Reuters. Shortcomings aside, the new projects still offer hope that China will utilize more renewable energy sources and decrease its carbon emissions. Burning dirty energy, such as coal and oil, contributes to the world's pollution, which exacerbates rising global temperatures. However, renewable forms of energy, such as wind, solar, and hydropower, offer opportunities to decrease a country's environmental footprint and fend off the climate crisis. Do you think America could ever go zero-waste? Never Not anytime soon Maybe in some states Definitely Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) China conducted military drills around Taiwan for a second day Wednesday, focusing on the Taiwan Strait a crucial conduit for international trade separating the self-governing island democracy from China. The Strait Thunder-2025A drills were held in the middle and southern areas of the strait, a Peoples Liberation Army spokesperson said. Taiwans military said that it was closely monitoring the drills, but there was nothing unusual on the island of 23 million people that China claims as its own territory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The latest exercises focus on subjects of identification and verification, warning and expulsion, and interception and detention so as to test the troops capabilities of area regulation and control, joint blockade and control, and precision strikes on key targets, Eastern Theater Command spokesperson Shi Yi was quoted as saying on the Chinese Defense Ministry's Weibo social media account. Shi later announced on the same account that the exercises had ended with the completion of all objectives, but that troops of the theater command remain on high alert at all times, and will continue to strengthen combat readiness with intensive training, resolutely thwarting any separatist activities seeking Taiwan independence. Taiwan reported that 76 military aircraft and 19 naval or government ships had entered waters and airspace near the island, with 37 of the planes crossing the center line in the 160-kilometer (110-mille) wide Taiwan Strait that forms an unofficial border, but which China refuses to acknowledge. China's Shandong aircraft carrier group also entered into Taiwans air defense identification zone, a self-defined area tracked by the military. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shi said the Shandong joined in on Wednesday's drills in coordination with naval and air units in the Pacific Ocean east of Taiwan. The exercises focused on seizing air superiority in the area and evaluating forces' ability to integrate operations inside and outside the island chain, Shi said, in a reference to the arc of islands closest to China including the Philippines, Taiwan, Okinawa and southern Japan. Beijing sends warplanes and naval vessels toward the island on a daily basis, and it has stepped up the scope and scale of these exercises in recent years. Taiwanese officials have recently warned that China could launch a sneak attack under the guise of military exercises. Chinese coast guard ships are are also operating around Taiwanese-held island groups just off the East China coast, where they are being shadowed by their Taiwanese counterparts at a rate of two or three to one Chinese ship, Taiwanese coast guard Deputy Director-General Hsieh Ching-Chin told reporters. Regarding this military drill, I think that China is adopting a threat and intimidation approach. They unilaterally altered the peace and stability," Hsieh said. "This not only violates international law, but also threatens the safety of ships cruising on the sea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Taiwan Strait is in international waters, but China monitors it heavily and objects strongly to the presence of U.S. and other foreign naval vessels in the area. Any conflict could draw in the U.S., which maintains a series of alliances in the region, provides Taiwan with high-tech arms and is legally bound to respond to threats to the island. Once again, Chinas aggressive military activities and rhetoric toward Taiwan only serve to exacerbate tensions and put the regions security and the worlds prosperity at risk, U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said. In the face of Chinas intimidation tactics and destabilizing behavior, the United States enduring commitment to our allies and partners, including Taiwan, continues, Bruce said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taiwan has set up a central response group to monitor the latest exercises, according to Taiwanese Defense Minister Wellington Koo. Chinas Taiwan Affairs Office said that the exercises were directed at Lai Ching-te, Taiwans strongly pro-independence president. Polling shows the overwhelming majority of the island's residents reject the possibility of Chinese rule and back their current state of Taiwan independence. Taiwan and China split amid civil war 76 years ago, but tensions have risen since 2016, when China cut off almost all contacts with Taipei. By Joe Cash, Yimou Lee and Ben Blanchard BEIJING/TAIPEI (Reuters) -China's military concluded two-day war games around Taiwan in which it held long-range, live-fire drills in the East China Sea, marking an escalation of exercises around the island. The military's Eastern Theatre Command said late on Wednesday it had completed the drills, which tested the troops' "integrated joint operations capabilities." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Troops of the theatre command remain on high alert at all times, and will continue to strengthen combat readiness with intensive training, resolutely thwarting any separatist activities seeking 'Taiwan independence'," the military said in a post on its social media account. China has stepped up rhetoric against Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, calling him a "parasite" on Tuesday in the wake of U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's Asia visit, during which he repeatedly criticised Beijing. China views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory and has repeatedly denounced Lai as a "separatist". Lai, who won election last year, rejects Beijing's sovereignty claims and says only Taiwan's people can decide their future. The Eastern Theatre Command said that on Wednesday as part of the Strait Thunder-2025A exercise its ground forces had conducted long-range, live-fire drills into the waters of the East China Sea, though it did not specify the location. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The drills involve precision strikes on simulated targets of key ports and energy facilities, and have achieved desired effects," it said, without elaborating. Taiwan's benchmark stock index briefly slipped into the red after the announcement, but closed up 0.1%. China's Maritime Safety Administration announced late on Tuesday a closed zone for shipping due to military drills until Thursday night in an area off the north part of the eastern province of Zhejiang, more than 500 km (310 miles) from Taiwan. A senior Taiwan defence official told Reuters that area was outside its "response zone", and Taiwan's defence ministry said it had detected no live fire drills around the island itself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement China's military published a video it said was of the live fire drills that showed rockets, rather than ballistic missiles, being launched and hitting targets on land, and an animation of explosions over Taiwanese cities including Tainan, Hualien and Taichung, all home to military bases and ports. The words, "Control energy corridors, disrupt supply routes, block clandestine routes to docks", then appear on the screen. The aircraft carrier Shandong also took part in drills to the east of Taiwan, focused on integrated operations between naval and air forces and "multi-dimensional blockade and control", China's military said. Taiwan has denounced China for holding the drills. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taipei's defence ministry said it had detected on Wednesday 36 Chinese military aircraft, against 76 for the previous day. The ministry added that Taiwan had activated its own "rapid response exercise" for a second day, saying this was needed to boost the alert level in case of a sudden Chinese move. China's recent pressure against Taiwan also included a call last week for people to email reports about separatist activity. Chiu Chui-cheng, head of Taiwan's China policy-making Mainland Affairs Council ministry, said that given the rising risks of visits to China, people should carefully consider whether they need to go, including to Hong Kong and Macau. WAR GAMES Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement China has not formally named Tuesday's drills. Beijing called two rounds of major war games last year around Taiwan Joint Sword-2024A and Joint Sword-2024B. Chinese state television said Tuesday's activities were not part of Strait Thunder-2025A, hence they did not have that name, and cited a military expert as saying this demonstrated the armed forces' ability to adapt to rapidly evolving combat situations. "No matter what the name is, it cannot cover up the naked provocative nature of the drills and their mentality of threatening Taiwan's people," Taiwanese defence ministry spokesperson Sun Li-fang told reporters in Taipei. China's widely read Global Times, published by the ruling Communist Party's official People's Daily, said advanced equipment had been used, pointing to pictures from the military showing YJ-21 air-launched ballistic missiles slung under H-6K bombers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The H-6K is an extended-range strike aircraft, while the YJ-21 is an advanced anti-ship weapon. H-6 aircraft, some of which are capable of carrying nuclear weapons, have been involved in past drills around Taiwan, and also spotted over the disputed South China Sea. Previous Chinese war games have also practiced precision strikes and blockading the island. Taiwan has not reported any travel disruptions because of the drills. The United States, Taiwan's most important international supporter and main arms supplier despite the lack of formal diplomatic relations, condemned the latest exercises. "Once again, China's aggressive military activities and rhetoric toward Taiwan only serve to exacerbate tensions and put the region's security and the world's prosperity at risk," the U.S. State Department said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Japan and the European Union also expressed concern. "The EU has a direct interest in the preservation of the status quo in the Taiwan Strait. We oppose any unilateral actions that change the status quo by force or coercion," an EU spokesperson said. Speaking in Beijing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said China was "firmly opposed" to such comments, saying Taiwan was a purely internal affair that brooked no outside interference. Taiwan has lived under the threat of Chinese invasion since 1949 when the defeated Republic of China government fled to the island after losing a civil war with Mao Zedong's communists, though the two sides have not exchanged fire in anger for decades. (Reporting by Joe Cash, Yimou Lee and Ben Blanchard; additional reporting by Angie Teo in Taipei, Liz Lee and Ethan Wang in Beijing and Greg Torode in Hong Kong; editing by Himani Sarkar, Stephen Coates, Gerry Doyle, Kim Coghill and Mark Heinrich) The News China intensified a de facto blockade of Taiwan and railed against a US jet fighter deal with Manila, heightening tensions with Washington. The second day of live-fire drills near the self-governing island, which Beijing claims as part of its territory, involved an aircraft carrier as well as dozens more ships and jets. Chinese officials meanwhile criticized the US for agreeing to sell 20 F-16 fighter jets to the Philippines. Ties between Washington and Beijing are worsening, with a deal for a US investment firm to buy ports near the Panama Canal from a Hong Kong company in doubt and China set to be among those most affected by todays White House tariff announcement. "Key Takeaways" Tonys Chocolonely Dark Chocolate Almond Sea Salt and Everything bars are recalled. These chocolate bars were sold nationwide in the U.S. and Canada. The recall follows consumer complaints of finding small stones in the product. Theres an active recall on two types of chocolate bars sold across the U.S. and Canada, according to the Food and Drug Administration. This is due to a foreign matter contamination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The brand impacted by this recall is Tonys Chocolonely, and the company is recalling its Dark Chocolate Almond Sea Salt and Everything Bar flavors. The 6.35-ounce recalled chocolate bars contain the following information printed on their packaging: Tonys Chocolonely Dark Chocolate Almond Sea Salt: lot code 4327, 4330, 4331 or M4331, best-by date November 25, 2026, and UPC 850011828564 or 850032676441. Tonys Chocolonely Everything Bar: lot code 163094, 162634 or M162634, best-by date February 28, 2026 or April 2, 2026, and UPC 858010005641 or 850011828908. Related: Trader Joes Just Recalled a Popular Salad DressingHeres What to Know Check your chocolate bars for this recall information, and if you have a recalled product on hand, dispose of it or return it to your place of purchase for a refund. The recall follows 12 consumer complaints of finding small stones in the chocolate, which the company explains is from being not filtered during third-party almond harvesting and the almond processing process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you are experiencing any illness or injury after eating the recalled chocolate, consult with your doctor immediately. For questions about this recall, contact Tonys Chocolonely USA at 1-503-388-5990. Related: Over 210,000 Pounds of Liquid Egg Products Recalled Due to Contamination Read the original article on EATINGWELL NAIROBI, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Strategic deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Africa's public health systems will be key to containing the continent's high disease burden and alleviating poverty and underdevelopment, scientists said Wednesday at a virtual forum. Convened by Science for Africa Foundation (SFA), a Nairobi-based non-profit body that promotes science and innovation in Africa, the virtual forum hailed the potential of AI in revolutionizing disease surveillance, diagnosis, and treatment on the continent. Thomas Kariuki, the chief executive officer of SFA, urged African countries to set up policy and regulatory safeguards that are key to facilitating a seamless and ethical deployment of AI in healthcare to boost efficiency. "Harnessing AI for better health outcomes across the continent is critical. We must shape a future where emerging technologies, including AI are used to fix the fragile healthcare systems in Africa," Kariuki said. He said that African countries must also address skills and infrastructural bottlenecks that have derailed the AI adoption in healthcare. The African Union and other regional blocs have endorsed a comprehensive roadmap to guide AI governance, access, safety and affordability to help revolutionize healthcare, minimize threats posed by pandemics, said Uzma Alam, the policy and data lead at the SFA Foundation. According to Alam, AI can help reduce health inequities on the continent and governments need to step up investments in research, innovation and data centers to support its large-scale deployment in health facilities. Fatai Aremu, the executive director of Research Enterprise Systems, a think tank based in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria, said that the integration of AI in Africa's healthcare systems will boost the reporting, detection and treatment of disease-causing pathogens, easing pressure on clinicians. Aremu called for the establishment of innovation hubs, joint research and data sharing, improved governance and capacity building in order to hasten the integration of AI in the continent's healthcare ecosystem. The CIA has withdrawn Ralph Goff, an agency veteran and vocal supporter of Ukraine, from consideration to serve as its chief of clandestine operations, according to four people aware of the decision. The people, which include three former CIA officials and one person familiar with the decision, were all granted anonymity to discuss sensitive personnel matters at the agency. The decision appears to have been made in recent days. Two former CIA officials said that Goff had been appointed and given a start date for later this month before he was pulled from consideration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of those former officials said that the appointment had been confirmed directly to them by Goff and a person currently serving in the agency. The CIAs deputy director for operations is responsible for overseeing the agencys covert activity and the gathering of human intelligence one of the most challenging and vital aspects of the agencys work. The role is commonly seen as one of the most powerful jobs in the agency. Reports that Goff, a six-time station chief who retired in 2023, was a leading contender for the role, had been well received at Langley, according to multiple former officials. The Washington Post reported last month that he had been selected for the role. No immediate explanation was given as to why Goff had been withdrawn from consideration for the position. The CIA declined to comment on this story. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Goffs career at the agency spanned 35 years, and included significant stretches in the Middle East, Central Asia and Europe. He served as chief of operations for Europe and Eurasia Since leaving the agency, Goff has spoken in support of Ukraine, which has fueled speculation as to whether this played a role in the decision not to appoint him to the deputy director role. The Trump administration has been critical of Ukraine as it has sought to push Kyiv into peace talks with Moscow. Ukraine has received extensive support from U.S. intelligence since the full-scale Russian invasion in 2022. Goff has traveled to the country on a number of occasions since leaving the agency, according to his LinkedIn and media interviews, meeting with government and intelligence officials in the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ralph is a patriot, an outstanding case officer and a staunch supporter of the Ukrainian people, said James Lawler, a retired CIA operations officer. Perhaps that is out of fashion these days, he said, noting that he hadnt heard anything either way as to whether Goff was under consideration for the position. In a recent series of posts on LinkedIn, Goff posted pictures of himself in Kyiv, including with former CIA Director Gen. David Petraeus and members of Invictus Global Response, a non-profit that provides humanitarian aid to Ukraine. On Monday, Goff posted a link to an article about Rep. Don Bacon, a Republican from Nebraska, a vocal Trump supporter who has called on the president to stand up to Putin. Last year, he was quoted by the New York Times describing Israeli airstrikes on an Iranian Embassy compound in Syria as incredibly reckless. Daniel Lippman contributed to this report. Three South Carolina men and a juvenile were charged with a misdemeanor Tuesday after authorities said their failure to properly put out their cigarettes sparked the Table Rock Fire, which has burned more than 13,000 acres. Nyzaire Jah-Neiz Marsh, 19, of Taylors, and Tristan Tyler and Isaac Wilson, both 18, of Greenville, were arrested Tuesday morning and charged with one count each of negligently allowing fire to spread to lands or property of another, the South Carolina Forestry Commission said. A juvenile whose name and age were not released was also charged but was not booked and was released to their parents, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Table Rock Fire was sparked by their handling of cigarettes while they were hiking in Table Rock State Park on March 21, the Forestry Commission said. Arrest warrant affidavits allege the suspects took part in smoking activities on a hiking trail at the state park and did not extinguish their cigarettes in a proper and safe manner, which officials allege led to the ignition of the Table Rock Fire, the Forestry Commission said. The fire was 30% contained Tuesday. No injuries have been reported. Authorities were searching for a missing hiker on March 21 when Pickens County sheriffs deputies and state park personnel came upon the rapidly growing wildfire, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They got seven hikers in all to safety and questioned them about how it started, the Forestry Commission said. Pickens County Sheriff Tommy Blankenship said on the evening of March 21 that investigators had identified the hikers who started the fire. Attempts to reach Marsh, Tyler and Wilson by phone Tuesday evening were not immediately successful. Online court records did not list attorneys for them. They were all released on personal recognizance bonds of $7,500 apiece, the Forestry Commission said. The charge of negligently allowing fire to spread to lands or property of another is a misdemeanor punishable with a minimum of five days in jail and a maximum of 30 days in jail if convicted or a fine of $25 to $200. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Table Rock Fire is burning mostly in South Carolina, but a part is in North Carolina. In South Carolina, 12,652 acres have burned, and 635 acres have burned in North Carolina, the Forestry Commission said in a daily update. Around 1 inches of rain that fell on the fire complex has "significantly reducing fire activity," the commission said Tuesday. South Carolina is in its annual wildfire season, and the U.S. Drought Monitor largely classifies both it and North Carolina as either "abnormally dry" or in moderate drought. A second large fire in South Carolina, the Persimmon Ridge Fire, had ceased growth by Tuesday and was at 2,078 acres and 74% containment, the commission said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The danger of forest fires in South Carolina is typically highest from January through mid-April, the commission says on its website, because that's when most of the vegetation is either dead or dormant. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Three South Carolina men and a teenager have been arrested on suspicion of starting the largest mountain wildfire in state history, the South Carolina Forestry Commission said. The teens were smoking on a hiking trail at Table Rock State Park on March 21 and did not properly extinguish their cigarettes, which sparked the inferno, according to the state agency. The Pickens County Sheriff's Office said Tuesday that Nyzaire Jah-Neiz Marsh, 19, Isaac David Wilson and Tristan William Tyler, both 18, and a minor who was not identified were charged with arson and negligently allowing a fire to spread. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Data from the South Carolina Forestry Commission shows the Table Rock Fire has burned more than 13,200 acres, the largest mountain wildfire in South Carolina history. As of Tuesday, the wildfire was 30% contained. Rounds of heavy rainfall have helped firefighters. The Table Rock Fire was one of several large wildfires that broke out across the Carolinas last month, straining firefighting resources as officials issued burn bans, evacuated neighborhoods and opened shelters. Downed trees and dry brush left over from Hurricane Helene fueled the blazes, along with strong wind gusts and low humidity. Just east of the Table Rock Fire, the Persimmon Ridge Fire has burned more than 2,000 acres and was 74% contained as of Tuesday, according to the forestry commission, which said in an operational update that the fire "has ceased growth and will remain in its current footprint." The Table Rock Fire was discovered March 21 while rescue crews searched for missing hiker Stephanie Womack. The search group evacuated seven hikers, including the teens, and questioned them about the origins of the fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marsh, Wilson and Tyler posted $7,500 bonds and were released. The juvenile was not booked and was released into his parents' custody. More: What to do after a wildfire? Here's what to do if your property is damaged This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Cigarettes started Table Rock wildfire in South Carolina Photo via Getty Images. Minneapolis recently became the fourth U.S. city to ban algorithmic rental price-fixing software, joining San Francisco, Philadelphia and Berkeley, California, in a growing wave of legislation aimed to protect renters from rental price-gouging. While momentum builds at the city level with Portland, Oregon; Providence, Rhode Island; and San Diego exploring similar laws statewide bans have been slower to emerge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The legislation targets tools such as RealPages YieldStar, which uses landlord-shared data to recommend rent increases a practice critics say worsens unaffordable housing. Stateline reported last year that the algorithms have drawn increasing oversight attention as the country continues to wrestle with an affordable housing crisis. This wave of action shows that local governments are stepping up where federal enforcement takes time, said Ivan Luevanos-Elms, executive director of Local Progress, the national network helping coordinate these efforts. In 2024, proposed legislation failed to prohibit the use of these algorithms stalled in Illinois, New York and Rhode Island. Washington state has seen the most movement, with a proposed ban passing the Senate and awaiting a House vote. Colorados House approved a similar bill this week, and its now headed to the Senate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elsewhere, New York Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul has proposed legislation to ban algorithmic rent-setting tools, while Oregon lawmakers are considering an expansion of city-level bans. Lawmakers in Arizona, California, Idaho, Illinois, Georgia, New Hampshire, Hawaii have introduced bills, but none has advanced. The legislative surge follows lawsuits against RealPage and six major landlords, accused by the U.S. Department of Justice and 10 state attorneys general of collusion and anticompetitive practices. But with court cases expected to drag on for years, cities are opting for faster action. Still, these bans have met resistance from real estate and landlord groups. In Oregon, landlords and property managers argue the software helps manage rentals more efficiently. Without these tools, we must rely on outdated methods, said Oregon landlord Aaron Douglas in submitted testimony. This isnt just an inconvenience; its a step backward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stateline reporter Robbie Sequeira can be reached at rsequeira@stateline.org. Like Minnesota Reformer, Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org. JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) Johnson City leaders are giving citizens the opportunity to share their concerns regarding the recent Jane Doe lawsuit settlement on Thursday. The Johnson City Commissions April 3 final agenda has been updated to include a portion for public concern on the settlement. The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. at the Water & Sewer Services Complex at 2250 Eddie Williams Rd. $27 million of $28M Jane Doe settlement to come from JC city funds Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In February, the commission approved a settlement proposal to the tune of $28 million. Almost all of that money will come from city reserves. A Johnson City spokesperson confirmed in March that the citys insurer will contribute $1 million to the settlement. The remaining $27 million will be drawn from the citys undesignated fund balance and restricted fund balance. At the end of 2024, Johnson Citys combined fund balance totaled $49.6 million. The lawsuit was filed in June 2023 by multiple women who claimed to be victims of former downtown resident and now-convicted child predator Sean Williams. It alleges that the Johnson City Police Department failed to properly investigate sexual assault allegations against Williams years prior. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The City of Johnson City denied all claims in the lawsuit throughout the ordeal and has maintained the same stance in two other federal lawsuits against it that are also tied to Williams. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. A banner advertising voting hangs outside the Leon County Courthouse on Aug. 12, 2024. (Photo by Jay Waagmeester/Florida Phoenix) An election measure raising citizenship-related roadblocks to voter eligibility won approval in a Florida House committee on Tuesday, but not before receiving criticism from members of he public some who thought it is far too restrictive, and others who thought it isnt tough enough. Fort Myers Republican Jenna Persons-Mulicka presented her bill (HB 1381) before the House Government Operations Subcommittee. It now has two more stops before going to the floor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A variety of bills in the Senate carry some of its provisions, although perhaps the most similar, proposed by GOP Sen. Blaise Ingoglia (SB 1414), has yet to be heard in any committee. Persons-Mulicka noted that her measure is in part a response to the executive order published last week by President Donald Trump that would require prospective voters to show proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote. This bill fully answers the president, she said. The measure contains numerous provisions ostensibly to ensure that only U.S. citizens vote. It says that if an applicant has not provided the necessary evidence of their legal status, or is not verified before the applicant requests a vote-by-mail ballot or presents to vote, the applicant must be provided a provisional ballot that can be counted only if they confirm their legal status by 5 p.m. on the Thursday after a Tuesday election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill also says that a supervisor of elections must remove the name of a deceased voter from the voter rolls within seven days if they receive a copy of a death certificate or a published obituary or notice of death, a letter of probate or estate administration, or personal knowledge of a registered voters death. Other provisions include: The states division of elections office can use lists from federal agencies or other state governments to remove voters from the rolls. It requires jury coordinators for federal jury duty to create a list of those disqualified for not being U.S. citizens and to provide it to the Florida Division of Elections according to the jury summons cycle used by the court clerk. Eliminates certain categories of voter identification options such as student identification, debit or credit cards, and retirement cards. Changes from challenge to protest voter challenges of vote-by-mail ballots. In a manual review of ballots open to the public, the bill says that each political party may designate one person with expertise in the computer field who must be allowed in the central counting room where all tests are being conducted and where the official votes are being counted. Requires all voting to be by paper ballot, unless a person with a disability requires a voter-interface device. Would make Florida first state in the nation to require an automated, independent vote validation process for every ballot cast in every election before certification. Cathi Chamberlain, who works with voting integrity advocates skeptical of election security, complained the proposal does not go far enough, preferring a bill presented by Pinellas Republican Rep. Berny Jacques. We believe it still does not fully align with President Trumps executive order, she said. It does not remove and prosecute noncitizens already on our voting rolls. It does not address vote by mail or technology security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jonathan Webber, policy director with the Southern Poverty Law Center, said the measure was a voter suppression bill. Millions of our family members, friends, and neighbors lived through Jim Crow, he said. Poll taxes, literacy tests, and intimidation used to silence Black voters across the Deep South. Not because they werent citizens, but because the system was built to block their voices. This amendment continues that legacy, just with cleaner language and more paperwork. Praise Karen Jaroch of Heritage Action called it an excellent bill. The amended bill 1381 delivers targeted reforms that rebuild voter trust, she said. Voter roll accuracy is also important. Section 6 authorizes data sharing with other states to purge deceased or ineligible voters. And Section 8 leverages federal jury data to flag ineligible voters. Thats smart practical reforms to protect every lawful vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pasco County Republican Rep. Jeff Holcomb argued the proposal is necessary. The threat is real because of illegals voting, he said. Broward County Democratic Rep. Darryl Campbell disagreed, saying the measure wasnt about fraud, but about fear. Orlando Democratic Rep. LaVon Bracy later attempted to introduce an amendment that would essentially wipe out Persons-Mulickas bill and insert her own proposal (HB 1409), which included automatic registration for eligible Floridians to vote when they interact with the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV), unless they opt-out. Her amendment also included a centralized database for returning citizens to determine voter eligibility; permanent vote-by-mail requests; and would allow eligible voters to register to vote at any time, up to and including Election Day. The committee voted down her amendment along party lines. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) The couple at the center of a lawsuit arguing a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police officer used unjustified, excessive force during an airport arrest opposed the citys motion to dismiss the latest filing in the case. The suit against Lowery and the city is based on the Second Amended Complaint (SAC) stemming from the March 2020 arrest of Michael Kernea at the Charlotte-Douglas International Airport. He was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting a public officer, but court documents show the legal team serving Kernea and his wife Christy argue that CMPD Officer Lee Lowery had turned off his bodycam during the incident. Judge progresses CTE lawsuit in case of ex-NFL player accused of killing 6 in Rock Hill Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case is being handled in the Western District Court of North Carolina in Charlotte. Durham-based attorney Nichad Davis claims that not only did Lowery use excessive force but criminal charging documents indicate Lowery presented false statements to the Mecklenburg County magistrate, attempting to cover his malicious and brutal acts against Mr. Kernea, believing that there would be no other evidence to demonstrate his blatant reckless actions. However, the airports video surveillance was captured showing an alleged malicious cover-up by Lowery. Court documents demonstrate that the night of the arrest, Lowery reportedly observed Kernea sitting on a stool near the 1897 Market, and accused him of not returning the stool to its correct position. Kernea told Lowery it was not his responsibility to move the stool to its proper location. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The legal team claims Lowery was allegedly being aggressive, yelling at Kerneas face to move the stool, and eventually punching him in the face. The officer then grabbed Kernea by the waist, lifted him into the air, and slammed him to the ground, crushing his shoulder, face, and upper extremities to the concrete floor. Lowery then proceeded to arrest Kernea, causing him to plead to loosen the handcuffs since he allegedly experienced his circulation being cut off. Court documents say Christy Kernea witnessed the incident and has suffered severe emotional distress after witnessing the alleged attack and violent arrest. Between April and June 2020, following an investigation of the incident and subsequent discovery of Lowerys conduct that was caught on surveillance, the criminal charges against Kernea were all dismissed by the Mecklenburg County district attorney. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mecklenburg County promotes from within for new county manager to replace Diorio In a May 2020 report, CMPDs Internal Affairs Bureau concluded that the use of force upon Kernea was not justified. On Monday, the Charlotte City Attorneys office claimed their motion to dismiss should be granted. Officials say that years into this litigation, the plaintiffs allegedly rewrote their entire complaint over the citys objection, only after having sought permission from the court to add allegations about emotional distress. Even if any of Plaintiffs claims would have otherwise survived, the court would be justified in striking the (SAC) for failing to comply with its previous order, it reads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A week before, the Kerneas legal team says the citys motion to dismiss should be denied, citing Fourth Amendment and North Carolina law. Further, they argue that the claims against Lowery in his official capacity are not duplicative and establish causes of action against Lowery and the city who has waived immunity from the suit. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) On Monday night, Grand Junction City Council members voted 7-0 to keep the resource center open until June 30. Mayor Abe Herman commented on the decision calling it a tough issue, saying compromise is what the council was voting on. What we do is compromise. Were not there to make black-and-white decisions. The outcome we had, I think, is one that everybody is a little happy with and everybody is a little disappointed with; and thats probably the place that you need to be when youre making decisions for a whole community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Extending the date of closure was something advocate for the unhoused Eric Niederkruger was calling on City Council to do, even holding a State of the Homeless Summit last week. Victorys are hard to come by with the homeless community. This extension is definitely a small victory. Originally, the resource center was scheduled to close April 15. Now, the center has a new schedule that will gradually reduce its days and hours of operation. April 15 May 15, open six days a week, 10 a.m. 4 p.m. May 16 June 15, open three days a week, 10 a.m. 4 p.m. June 16 June 30, open one day a week, 10 a.m. 4 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement United Way of Mesa County has been an active partner with the resource center since December 2024. United Way will continue to offer services as the resource center finds a new home. Executive Director of United Way of Mesa County Faith Rodriguez says, In the meantime, well be housed in an office out of sunshine community that can provide the mental and behavioral health services that our community so desperately needs. In regard to the food services offered by United Way, Rodriguez says they will most likely be offered out of church parking lots and parks. WesternSlopeNow asked Herman about a possible future location for the resource center, Mayor Herman said a new location for the resource center has not been decided. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WesternSlopeNow.com. Just when you thought you could relax about putative 'city killer' asteroid 2024 YR4, back it comes, with a vengeance. Don't worry it's still not a danger to Earth for the time being. When we last checked in, odds of a collision between 2024 YR4 and Earth were at just 0.001 percent, far too low to be considered potentially hazardous, and that's where it remains. So we're in the clear. That's great. The Moon, though? The Moon might still be in the asteroid firing line. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a report led by planetary astronomer Andrew Rivkin of Johns Hopkins University, 2024 YR4 has a small chance of smacking into the Moon when the asteroid next flies close to Earth in December 2032. "While an Earth impact by 2024 YR4 on December 22, 2032 has now been ruled out," the researchers wrote in a preliminary report, "it continues to have a non-zero probability of impacting the Moon at this time." Discovery observations of 2024 YR4. ( ATLAS What does this mean? At the moment, we don't really know. Further JWST observations of the rock are planned for May 2025; hopefully they will help narrow down the odds of a collision with the Moon, and the potential effect if any it would have on Earth. In a more comprehensive report published in the Research Notes of the AAS, the researchers laid out the full details of their observations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The asteroid was only discovered for the first time on 27 December 2024, and rapidly rang alarm bells. Its projected trajectory around the Sun brought it close enough to Earth to pose a hazard; at their highest, estimates of an impact in 2032 rose to 3.1 percent, which may not seem very high, but it's high enough to pose a huge problem. Continued observations and furious calculations restored normalcy, dropping the odds down to practically zero, and everyone breathed a huge sigh of relief. However, we still need to know more about the asteroid; it's going to continue to fly past Earth as it flies around the Sun, and we need as much observational data as possible to predict its ongoing course. As YR4 receded and grew fainter, scientists recruited JWST to take measurements. According to a measure of light reflecting off 2024 YR4, Rivkin and his colleagues determined that the asteroid is about 60 meters (197 feet) across. This is consistent with previous measurements, and confirms that the asteroid is large enough to be a significant danger if it were going to hit us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement JWST also measured a range of wavelengths emitted by 2024 YR4 that could be used to determine how reflective it is. While we can't be certain, the analysis could not rule out an asteroid with a rocky composition. If this is the case, the researchers calculated, an impact with Earth would release energy between 2 and 30 megatons of TNT, creating a blast radius up to 80 kilometers. The most powerful nuclear bomb tested by the US, for context, released 15 megatons of energy; and the Tunguska event, a meteor airburst that flattened a Siberian forest, is thought to have released about 15 megatons also. Luckily, we don't have to fret about any of this for Earth from YR4 for now. Nevertheless, we haven't heard the last from YR4. In addition to the planned observation in May, another observation opportunity is going to arrive in 2026, allowing scientists to further narrow down its orbit and composition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fingers crossed that it's going to be good news for the Moon. The report has been published in the Research Notes of the AAS. Related News This lawsuit was filed on March 31, 2025, in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas by the City of Leavenworth, Kansas, against CoreCivic, Inc. (Case No. 5:25-cv-4032). KANSAS CITY, Mo. The City of Leavenworth has filed a lawsuit against CoreCivic, a corporation thats trying to reopen its Leavenworth facility as an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention centerafter recently being awarded a contract with ICE, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit claims that CoreCivic is trying to reopen the facility without acquiring the necessary permit from the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judge sides with State Tax Commission over Jackson County property assessments Before the detention center shut down in 2021, the lawsuit points out that CoreCivic was accused of multiple violations. U.S. District Court Judge Julie A. Robinson described the facility as an absolute hell hole in 2021. The complaint filed on Monday, March 31, opens with the following statement: The only way I could describe it frankly, whats going on at CoreCivic right now is its an absolute hell hole. The Court is aware of it. The defense bar is aware of it. The prosecutors are aware of it. The United States Marshals are aware of it. Hes doing his best to get people moved as soon as the United States Marshal Service nationally can negotiate contracts with other facilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So thats no news to me as well, all thats going on there and causing trauma to everybody guards are being traumatized. Guards have been almost killed. Detainees are being traumatized with assaults and batteries, and not long ago a detainee was killed. So Im well aware of the situation at CoreCivic and very troubled by it as well. United States District Court Judge Julie A. Robinson, United States v. Mathew Clark, Case No. 16-cr-20078-JAR, Doc. 87, pp. 46-47 (Transcript of Resentencing, Sept. 8, 2021). In 2012, a city ordinance (Ordinance No. 7911) went into effect, requiring certain developers to apply for a specialized use permit (SUP). CoreCivic, however, did not have to apply for a SUP because there was a grandfather provision that allowed it to bypass the ordinance. According to city regulations, the grandfather provision no longer applies once a facility has stopped operating for 12 months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the lawsuit, CoreCivic opted to close the detention center, effective Jan. 1, 2022; no detainee has resided at the center since 2021. That means CoreCivic lost its grandfathered status and would need to apply for a SUP to reopen the detention center. Thats exactly what CoreCivic did when it applied for a SUP on Feb. 21, 2025, according to the lawsuit. In its application, the lawsuit says CoreCivic claimed that the facility would house approximately 1,000 detainees at a time. It says detainees will be held for approximately 51 days as they are processed through the immigration system, and no ICE detainees will be released into the Leavenworth community. The city claims in the lawsuit that CoreCivics application failed to address the following concerns: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How it calculated the 51-day estimate that individual detainees would be held on average; The countless ways in which detainees may be held for longer periods or ordered free to walk out its gates by a court; Accountability for the potential strain on critical city services (such as sanitary sewer, fire protection and police services); Measures to ensure cooperation with city police investigations of violent crimes; and Assurance that the facility would be appropriately staffed so as to minimize the need for intervention by the citys police. All of these concerns had been problems that the city encountered with CoreCivic prior to its closing in 2021, according to the lawsuit. The city said it intended to address these concerns at a public hearing that had been scheduled for April 7, as well as final hearings on May 13 and May 27. However, on March 13, CoreCivic withdrew its SUP application. FOX4 reached out to CoreCivic, and Senior Director of Public Affairs Ryan Gustin on Tuesday sent us the following statement: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We dont believe its right for Leavenworths taxpayers to have to pay for a lawsuit protesting efforts at the facility that would result in the creation of 300 jobs, payments worth millions of dollars to the city, and a vital solution to one of the most pressing challenges facing the country. Weve been part of this community as a dedicated employer for more than 30 years, and our intention remains to meet the emerging needs of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at our Midwest Regional Reception Center. As weve shared before, we believe our site is zoned properly, that a special use permit is not required under the City Code, and we look forward to partnering with the local community as we always have. According to the lawsuit, CoreCivic withdrew its SUP application on March 13, 2025, taking the position that it does not need a special use permit because obtaining one would take too long to comply with ICEs demands. The city says in the lawsuit that this is a problem because, without a SUP, the city would not be able to determine or impose conditions regarding CoreCivics use of the property. Heres a breakdown of the problems and violations that allegedly occurred at the detention center prior to its 2021 closing. CoreCivic failed to comply with law enforcement, lawsuit says In the lawsuit, CoreCivic is not only accused of failing to comply with law enforcement its accused of destroying evidence, impeding investigations and failing to report crimes in a timely manner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit claims that the Leavenworth Police Department ran into one roadblock after another when investigating violent crimes within the detention center. The lawsuit accuses CoreCivic of prohibiting its employees who were victims of crimes from sitting for interviews with police while they were on duty. According to the lawsuit, officers with the Leavenworth Police Department found it difficult to access the facility at all and were often required to conduct interviews from outside the detention centers gate. Instead, these crime victims were forced to provide an often incomplete written statement through the facilitys fence and then follow up on their own time, the lawsuit states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city also claims that officers were granted no access to other third-party witnesses to crimes, regardless of how critical their testimony may have been to a potential prosecution. CoreCivic failed repeatedly to report significant crimes that occurred on the property, often several days and sometimes months later, the lawsuit says. In November 2018, CoreCivic failed to report the death of an inmate to police for six days, the lawsuit cites as an example. The city claims in the lawsuit that CoreCivic staff refused to provide names of potential witnesses for several weeks at a time and routinely refused to turn over evidence, such as photographs and weapons that were used in assaults among inmates and against guards. This also occurred multiple times with sexual assault allegations, according to the lawsuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On several occasions, the lawsuit says detainees and staff were instructed to clean up the crime scene before police even arrived, which of course destroyed all evidentiary value and any hope of successful prosecution. This included an inmate death by hanging, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit also accuses CoreCivic of hindering the police departments ability to attain video evidence. Instead of cooperating with City police investigations and providing them courtesy copies of videos (as is standard in most jails), CoreCivic forced them to go through the more cumbersome, time-consuming, and unnecessary process of obtaining a formal subpoena to obtain video evidence, the lawsuit says. Department of Justice audits CoreCivic in 2017 In 2017, the U.S. Department of Justices Office of the Inspector General (OIG) audited CoreCivics contract with the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) regarding its Leavenworth facility. The audit report cited a multitude of problems and violations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You can read the full report here. In its audit, the OIG said the USMS failed to provide sufficient oversight of the Leavenworth detention center which allowed several problems to persist over a significant period of time. The audit also says the USMS failed to hold CoreCivic accountable to its contractual requirements and also failed to be proactive when it came to identifying discrepancies and thwarting potential incidents. The audit highlighted understaffing as a persistent problem. According to the OIG, the shortage of correctional officers led to systemic closures of security posts that were mandatory to ensure the safe and secure operation of the detention center. Rather than take steps to address understaffing, both USMS and CoreCivic took actions that exacerbated the problem, the OIG says in its report. Instead of transferring staff from other CoreCivic facilities to help, the lawsuit claims that CoreCivic actually transferred staff to other facilities. Bafflingly, it then added to its already disproportionate burden by agreeing to take on additional detainees from local non-federal prosecutions, the lawsuit states. The audit also says CoreCivic had been triple bunking detaineesbut had uninstalled the triple bunk beds prior to at least one inspection in order to avoid demerits. The report also found that CoreCivic had unlawfully withheld sick account funds that should have been paid to correctional officers on a regular basis. ACLU urges White House to shut down Leavenworth facility Conditions only worsened after the OIG issued its audit report, the lawsuit claims. In 2021, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and regional Federal Public Defenders (FPD) sent a letter to the White House, highlighting an upward trend of violent incidents at the detention center. The lawsuit cited the following examples: Beatings and stabbings, including of correctional officers, became so rampant due to insufficient patrolling that detainees and the lawyers who visited the facility considered them routine. Suicides were prevalent due to insufficient suicide-watch monitoring. Detainees were required to clean up the feces of the deceased. Following the homicide of one detainee, the facility went on lockdown for several weeks. Detainees were not allowed out of their cells except to shower every three-to-four days and were denied basic hygienic supplies and routine medical care. Weapons were typically found stashed away following major incidents. Sexual assault reports were discouraged and impeded by management. Detainees were locked in showers as punishment. Calls for help often went unanswered, leading detainees to arm themselves for their own protection. Many cell doors didnt even lock, which forced detainees to create makeshift barricades for their own safety. You can read the full letter here. What does the city want? The city is asking for a temporary restraining order, preliminary injunction and permanent injunction prohibiting CoreCivic from housing any detainees in its Leavenworth facility without applying for and obtaining a SUP in accordance with city regulations. The City is likely to suffer irreparable, irreversible, direct, and intangible harms to the health, safety, comfort, economic development, and property values of Leavenworth citizens and businesses, the lawsuit states. The city says in the lawsuit that its been advised CoreCivic may begin moving detainees to the detention center in Maybut fears that CoreCivic may move sooner. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. OTTAWA, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Wednesday Canada will fight U.S. tariffs with counter measures. Carney promised to act with purpose and with force to counter U.S. President Donald Trump's auto tariffs and bring in supports for impacted workers. "In a crisis, it's important to come together and it's essential to act with purpose and with force," he said, adding that Canada's strategic sectors are facing the U.S. potential threat. Carney said he will speak with the provincial and territorial premiers Thursday morning and the detailed counter measures are expected to be announced then. AUSTIN (KXAN) The city of Austin is partnering with a nonprofit that helps connect people with significant housing barriers to vacant rental units, according to a release. Housing Connector uses Zillow-powered technology to remove barriers to housing and match people with vacant units, the release said. So far, roughly 2,000 units are already on that platform, according to Austins Homeless Strategy Officer, David Gray. These are clients who are moving in with some form of income to pay their rent or theyre tied to an organization that has income to help pay their rent. The city also has money that weve given Housing Connector to stabilize folks once they get housed as well to pay for things like repairs to units that might get damaged, Gray explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city of Austin and Housing Connector are asking property owners/landlords, or local outreach groups working with people facing housing instability, to reach out to them to learn more about the process. You can find property benefits here and frequently asked questions here. Housing Connector launched in Seattle in 2019. It has since expanded to Denver, Portland, Dallas and now Austin according to Shayna Dunitz, managing director in Austin for Housing Connector. Housing Connector has so far helped 9,000 people get into a unit, Dunitz said. The nonprofit tracks success on a one and two year graduation rate, meaning the client successfully stays in their unit for 12 or 24 months. I believe right now our one year graduation rate across all of our markets sits around 90% and our two year is around 80%, Dunitz said. How does it work? Think Zillow with additional help for people facing significant barriers to housing. In fact, the housing search tool is powered by Zillow, according to the release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If someone is facing housing instability, they will go to one of our community partners and so Sunrise Homeless Navigation Center was our first community partner here in Austin so you go to Sunrise, you say, hey, I make this much money. I have this voucher. Im looking for rent. However, I always have challenges in the private market because I have been evicted before,' Dunitz said. A case manager will then take that information and create a renter profile on Housing Connector, Dunitz explained. The process from there looks much like using Zillow. Youll plug in number of bedrooms, rent, location, etc. and then apply to applicable properties. A Housing Connector letter of support is generated and so the individual takes that with their housing application and that basically says, hey, this persons a Housing Connector client. Youre gonna screen them with that reduced screening criteria we agreed upon, Dunitz said. But Housing Connector doesnt just help get people into those units, it also works with those clients to ensure success once they get there. Housing Connector staff will stay in touch with the property, community partner involved (like Sunrise) and renter to ensure rent is being paid and the client is being a good neighbor to others in the community, Dunitz said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Housing Connectors belief is that no unit should sit vacant while there are folks in need of homes and we have a lot of folks in need of homes here in Austin, she said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. HIGH POINT The city of High Point plans to begin a capital project this spring that will clear the way for overhead utilities to be placed underground in the Washington Street Historic District. The City Council has awarded a $2.07 million contract to Carolina Conduit Systems to install an underground duct bank system to accommodate the utility conversions along the portion of Washington Street between N. Centennial Street and Washington Street Park. The city has long targeted this part of the street which served as the heart of the citys Black community during the era of segregation for revitalization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After being petitioned by property owners, the city in 2023 designated it a local historic district, and Business High Point is working on a new initiative to support minority entrepreneurs on Washington Street. City officials expect Carolina Conduit Systems a general contractor based in Garner to start duct bank construction in May and take about six months to complete it, said Engineering and Facilities Director Trevor Spencer. Once this is done, High Point Electric and private utilities will each be responsible for converting their respective overhead lines to underground in the district. We have been meeting regularly with the private utilities to keep them updated on the project timeline, Spencer said. The citys goal is to facilitate a timely underground conversion so the existing poles can be removed as soon as practicable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said the street will remain open to two-way traffic during construction. The council last year OKd the undergrounding to supplement a 2015 streetscape project in the district in which the city put in new sidewalks, lighting and other improvements and replaced underground infrastructure. The upcoming undergrounding work is separate from the citys realignment of the part of Washington Street away from the railroad slope in front of Penn-Griffin School for the Arts that was completed last summer. Mayor Brandon Johnson has put up for sale more than 400 vacant lots across Chicago, part of an initiative to cut red tape, better leverage city resources, attract more private investment, and build more affordable housing. Johnson said he envisions getting these empty city-owned spaces into the hands of developers ready to build new mixed-use districts, other commercial projects or affordable homes. Being marketed on the ChiBlockBuilder.com website, the properties are collectively valued at $26 million and represent some of the best private investment opportunities in the entire city, Johnson stated in a Tuesday news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the most prominent locations is a half-acre lot next to the CTAs Red Line station at Belmont Avenue. The site at 3214-54 N. Wilton Ave. in Lakeview had been used since 2006 as a staging area for construction crews working on the soon-to-be completed $2.1 billion Red-Purple Line modernization project. The winning bidder can use housing tax credits to help create a mixed-income development where nearly half the units are affordable. More than 50 of the lots are in the South Side neighborhoods of Chatham, Morgan Park and South Chicago. Investors can purchase these lots, part of Johnsons $75 million Missing Middle Infill Housing Initiative, for $1 each and receive up to $150,000 per unit to subsidize construction costs, according to the planning department. The goal is to build low-cost, for-sale homes on the South and West sides, potentially reversing a decades-long population decline in disinvested communities. The price point for a single-family home will likely be less than $300,000. The initiative launched in North Lawndale in October with 44 lots. So far, five developers have been selected to construct 99 new homes valued collectively at $40 million, city planners said. The city owns more than 7,000 residential lots as of this spring, with many of them located in neighborhoods with populations significantly less than 50% of their 1960 levels, according to the citys Missing Middle program guide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Missing Middle initiative is a part of Johnsons five-year, $1.25 billion bond program, approved by the City Council in April 2024. It will provide $250 million per year through 2028 for economic development and affordable housing projects helmed by the citys housing and planning departments. Other recent mayoral efforts to kick off development and clear red tape include a green housing initiative, and the up-zoning of a 20-block stretch of Broadway in Edgewater and Uptown, possibly clearing the way for thousands of new apartments in the transit-rich area. The administration earlier this year also pushed a pair of landowners it called Chicagos worst to put up for sale hundreds of vacant lots in South Side communities like Englewood and North Lawndale. Supporting the redevelopment of these sites is how we all Build Better Together, Johnson said in the Tuesday news release. Particularly during Fair Housing Month, we need to continue to leverage all of our tools to spur development and build affordable housing across our city. The city is also selling a 1-acre riverfront parcel at 466 W. Cermak Road, just north of Chinatown and within the Pilsen Industrial Corridor. The site is across the street from a century-old warehouse that a developer plans to transform into a luxury hotel. Planning officials value the plot at about $1.16 million and say its suitable for commercial, industrial, restaurant, artist workspaces and other uses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another 350 lots throughout Chicago are also for sale. Submissions for the Lakeview and Pilsen sites are due June 30. These neighborhood investment opportunities are part of the Citys holistic approach to neighborhood needs, starting with the land where people work, live and raise families, Chicago Department of Planning and Development Commissioner Ciere Boatright said. Its exciting to return them to productive uses by the private sector, where they belong. A few months ago, a test revealed that a child in Milwaukee had elevated levels of lead in their blood. The results triggered an investigation into the familys home, then the childs school and then more aging school buildings still riddled with lead paint. With 68,000 students in the Milwaukee Public Schools district and dozens of buildings potentially affected, the citys health commissioner, Dr. Michael Totoraitis, knew that he needed more help, so he reached out to the National Center for Environmental Health, a division of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to make a plan to address the threat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the past two months, Totoraitis has been working with a medical toxicologist to triage, essentially, which schools and children might need additional screening and how to understand the lead levels they might find. On Tuesday, he got an email that made his stomach drop. The environmental health team he had been working with at the CDC had been cut, swept up in a massive layoff of federal health workers thats hitting entire divisions of some agencies. Many employees were immediately placed on administrative leave and are no longer able to access their work. They were able to send a last email giving us new points of contact, but the new points of contact were essentially unable to say what level of support they would provide us moving forward, Totoraitis said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Totoraitis had also put in a request for Epi-Aid, a short-term loan of an officer from the CDCs Epidemic Intelligence Service, or EIS. These officers, often called disease detectives, are sent to state and local health departments to investigate urgent public health problems. The commissioner hoped an additional person would help scale up testing programs at the schools to help reach the most vulnerable students, those whose families might not be able to follow through on the school districts recommendation to see a pediatrician for testing. So far, the EIS program hasnt been affected, but with deep cuts elsewhere at the agency, Totoraitis said he wasnt sure the Epi-Aid would come through, either. We have issues with the transportation and access and busy parents, and being able to bring the testing to the schools, or to a community center near a school, is an effective strategy that worked really well during the pandemic, he said. Were trying to replicate that here. Dr. Michael Totoraitis speaks at a news conference with Milwaukee schools Superintendent Dr. Brenda Cassellius and Dr. Mike Gutzeit, a physician from Children's Wisconsin. - Jovanny Hernandez/Milwaukee Journal/USA Today Network We no longer have lead experts When US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the restructuring of his sprawling agency last week, he pledged that the organization would elevate a new priority: ending Americas epidemic of chronic illness by focusing on safe, wholesome food, clean water, and the elimination of environmental toxins. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The CDC lost roughly 2,500 workers on Tuesday. In some cases, whole divisions and programs were wiped out. One of those was the Lead Poisoning Prevention and Surveillance Branch in the agencys National Center for Environmental Health. We no longer have lead experts, said a person at the agency who spoke on the condition that they not be named because they were not authorized to share the information. The EIS program remains, but an officer from that program would have coordinated with experts in the lead program and wont be able to do that now. So we wont be able to provide that service at this time, the person said, adding that the CDC may be able to send someone to help but that the help provided might be different than it would have been before the cuts. The Milwaukee Department of Health put in its Epi-Aid request on March 26, city spokesperson Caroline Reinwald said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It typically takes two to three weeks to get an answer. The city has confirmation that the request was transferred from the National Center for Environmental Health to another branch of the CDC, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, or ATSDR. Last week, HHS said that office would be absorbed into a new agency, the Administration for a Healthy America, although it isnt clear when that will happen or how its priorities might change. HHS said Thursday that efforts to address lead issues would continue through ATSDR. ATSDR did not have any cuts in the reduction in force, said Andrew Nixon, director of communications for the HHS. One of [ATSDRs] areas of focus is on toxic chemicals and this work with lead will continue there. The CDC is returning to its core mission of preparing for and responding to epidemics and outbreaks. Through the reorganization, HHS is reducing redundancies across the enterprise and consolidating efforts to better serve the American people. The loss of the National Center for Environmental Health experts is the latest blow from the federal government to hit the Milwaukee health department, coming barely a week after it learned that it would lose about $5 million in government funding distributed in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Milwaukees funding was part of an $11.5 billion clawback by HHS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The COVID-19 pandemic is over, and HHS will no longer waste billions of taxpayer dollars responding to a non-existent pandemic that Americans moved on from years ago, Nixon said in a statement about the cuts. Democratic governors and attorneys general in 23 states and DC filed suit against HHS and Kennedy this week, alleging that the departments sudden clawback of funding was unlawful and harmful. Totoraitis knows that Covid funding sounds like cities and states were sitting on piles of money leftover from Covid tests or treatments, but they werent. I think one of the real critical pieces is that they were funding Covid recovery, not Covid response, Totoraitis said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Milwaukee was using a substantial chunk of that money to improve ventilation in congregate care settings like homeless shelters and nursing homes, places where a lot of people were sleeping, put everyone at highest risk for exposure and spread of flu and Covid, he said. It wont be able to finish the project. It also had to end a partnership to train public health workers and another to start a neighborhood nursing program to visit people where they live. That was really frustrating, Totoraitis said. The latest and most pressing threat for the city, however, is lead. Tackling lead paint hazards in aging schools Milwaukees crisis began in January, after a child tested positive for an elevated level of lead in their blood. Children are considered exposed if they have lead levels above 3.5 micrograms per milliliter, according to the CDC. This childs level was closer to 15, Totoraitis said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lead tastes sweet and is especially tempting to young children who are always putting their hands in their mouths and kids with developmental disabilities that make them susceptible to pica, the desire to eat things that arent normally considered food. Lead is toxic to the brain, and exposure to even low levels can lower a childs IQ and contribute to problems with attention and behavior. The childs test results were sent to the Milwaukee health department, where they triggered an environmental investigation to find the source of the toxic heavy metal. These kinds of investigations are part of the critical work undertaken every day by local health departments to address health risks that might not be picked up any other way. The CDC lost roughly 2,500 workers on Tuesday. In some cases, whole divisions and programs were wiped out. - Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images Tests from the familys home and those of close relatives found nothing containing lead. Yet strangely, the childs lead level didnt drop as it should have if the threat had been removed. The child continued to be actively exposed to something, but where? That led us into the to the school, based on the further continued investigation with the family and the child, Totoraitis said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then, two other students in the district were found to also have high blood lead levels. From there, the problem snowballed. Tests of dust around the windowsills and on the floors at the childs elementary school found lead levels far above federal safety thresholds. Investigators zeroed in on lead paint in a basement bathroom as the likely source of the childs lead poisoning. As a next step, the city reviewed the school districts building records and discovered that 100 out of 150 buildings were built before 1978, when it was still legal to use lead in paint. Many had not been well-maintained. We were able to determine pretty quickly that there was widespread lead hazards in many of the schools, Totoraitis said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The health department has identified seven schools with unsafe lead levels. As of Friday, three remain closed for cleanup. The department has held two free clinics for students and tested several hundred of them, but officials want to screen more. That will be difficult to do without the CDCs help. This is just another example of how quickly federal policy can affect local on the ground work, Totoraitis said. I think, for a lot of our city residents who are following the lead crisis here in our schools, when we continue to update everybody, this is yet another complication to the work that were doing. It wont be the only place with challenges ahead. The extent of the cuts at the CDC and other health agencies isnt clear. Lori Tremmel Freeman, chief executive officer of the National Association of County and City Health Officials, said that local, state and federal health departments play equally important but different roles in supporting public health, like the legs on a stool. If youre cutting off one leg off a three-legged stool at its knees, the stool is going to fall over. Its going to cripple and fall down, Freeman said. And Im worried about our governmental public health system overall, when we are losing positions in key health agencies that support really crucial functions all day, every day, to keep people safe and healthy in counties and cities across this country. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Jerome Dees, policy director for the Southern Poverty Law Center speaks to supporters at the Statehouse on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 to focus on voting rights legislation that has yet to receive consideration in the Legislature. Civil rights groups hosted a Statehouse rally and workshop Tuesday in support of voting rights legislation that has largely stalled in the Alabama Legislature. Representatives of the Southern Poverty Law Center; Faith in Action Alabama and the League of Women Voters of Alabama urged lawmakers to consider bills that allow people to cure their absentee ballot affidavits, eliminate obstacles for people who are formerly incarcerated to regain their voting rights, and stump for the Alabama Voting Rights Act that protects voters from possible voter discrimination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Voting should be a simple, convenient process that allows every eligible voter to easily participate, said Jerome Dees, policy director for the Southern Poverty Law Center. But we know in Alabama, far too often, that is not the case. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The proposals, mostly sponsored by Democrats, have yet to garner any consideration from the Republican-dominated Legislature. I dont know of any issues of people having trouble voting, said Rep. Bob Fincher, R-Woodland, the chair of the House Constitution, Campaigns and Elections Committee in an interview Monday evening. Anyone who is eligible to vote in the state may register. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bills have stalled amid fears that states are further restricting access to the ballot box. I think nationally, what we are seeing, is an increasing gulf between states that are moving to restrict access to the ballot and making it harder for people to vote, and states that are doing the opposite and making it easier for people to vote, and increasing access to the ballot box, said Jonathan Diaz, director of voting advocacy and partnerships with the Campaign Legal Center, a nonpartisan democracy rights organization. States that have increased restrictions for voting have focused on laws that prove eligibility. Basically, requiring voters to provide new and burdensome documentation or paperwork requirements to prove their eligibility, so states requiring passports or birth certificates, or other documents that many Americans dont have even if they are a U.S. citizen, or that would require some kind of cost or time to obtain, Diaz said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alabama has had a photo voter ID requirement since 2014. In recent years, it has banned drop boxes for ballots and private aid for conducting elections. Last year, the Legislature approved a measure criminalizing some forms of absentee ballot assistance, a law that was partially blocked by a federal judge last fall. Civil rights groups are monitoring two fronts, concerned with not only rules and regulations that states are imposing on voting, but also the federal government that has followed laws enacted by states. The SAVE Act, which is currently working its way through Congress, would require people to provide another set of documentation to register to vote, such as enhanced drivers licenses, passports or birth certificates. It would also hinder efforts of people to register to vote by mail and online, while increasing the frequency that states must update their voter rolls by removing people from their voter registration lists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Election workers could go to prison for up to five years if they help to register somebody without the correct documents, even if the registered voter is a citizen, according to an explainer from the CLC. This is not going to save anything, said Kathy Jones, president of the League of Women Voters of Alabama, at Tuesdays rally. It is going to disenfranchise a whole lot of people. President Donald Trump also issued an executive order to further restrict voter access by requiring people to provide proof of citizenship, such as a passport, to register to vote. It also prohibits state election officials from counting ballots received after the election allowed by state law or having their federal funding withheld. Diaz said that the Campaign Legal Center filed a lawsuit to challenge the presidents authority to implement additional regulations aimed at further restricting voters access to the ballot box. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The constitution is very clear that the president does not have the authority to set election policies or set voter registration requirements, Diaz said. The states have that responsibility, and Congress has the power to set national rules by legislating. The constitution has no role for the president in the establishment of election rules. Among the bills that groups prioritized during the event is SB 7, sponsored by Sen. Kirk Hatcher, D-Montgomery, called the Alabama Voting Rights Act. The bill is comprehensive meant to address several aspects of voting that have been priorities for voting rights groups. Hatchers bill creates the Alabama Voting Rights Commission that would assume the role that the U.S. Department of Justice performed prior to 2013s Shelby County v. Holder ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court that struck down a portion of the Voting Rights Act requiring the U.S. Department of Justice to preclear changes to voting laws in jurisdictions with a history of discriminatory voting practices. The bill would also allow voters to cast absentee ballots without citing a reason like illness or confinement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It would also allow people who were released in prison to regain their voting rights automatically for crimes considered crimes of moral turpitude after they meet the conditions of their parole absent paying for court costs and fines and restitution. If we can have a convicted felon to be president, then why are we setting up barriers to stop people from voting, said Gregory Scott, pastor of Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in Huntsville, who spoke for Faith in Action Alabama during Tuesdays rally. That is hypocritical, and if Alabama is to be the kind of state it needs to be, we cannot have that kind of hypocritical work done in this Legislature. HB 31, sponsored by Rep. Adline Clarke, D-Mobile, allows people with a disability, or those unable to read or write, to designate someone to assist them with delivering an absentee ballot application or the absentee ballot itself, to the election manager. I know that bill, and I believe that people with a disability should receive assistance, Fincher said. We are working with the Secretary of States Office to address that issue administratively, so that is the reason that has not been introduced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HB 97, sponsored by Rep. Kenyatte Hassell, D-Montgomery, allows people to cure their absentee ballot affidavit if they submit them before the election and the absentee election manager finds an error. Currently, the ballots are set aside and not counted if election officials find a defect with the affidavits. HB 64, sponsored by Rep. Ontario Tillman, D-Bessemer, would make election day a federal holiday so that people are able to vote without excusing themselves from work. Thus far, none of the bills have even been considered in their respective committees. I think it would give credibility to the state of Alabama, said Terry Hamilton-Poore, pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, of expanding voting rights for Faith in Action Alabama. Right now, this state is viewed as backwards, and it is not entirely wrong in terms of our politics. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Civil rights groups, including the NAACP, filed a federal lawsuit on Tuesday challenging President Donald Trump's effort to overhaul the election system. The executive order, which Trump signed on March 25, requires stricter voting regulations in federal elections, including showing proof of citizenship when registering to vote. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is among the groups representing the plaintiffs in the complaint. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We know that providing documentation in general tends to fall more heavily on people who are already having so many obstacles thrown in their lives at them," ACLU attorney Sophia Lin Lakin told ABC News. "These are real barriers for populations that unfortunately intersect very much with voters of color." Lakin highlighted logistical obstacles such as transportation, childcare responsibilities and financial barriers that could prevent people from obtaining and paying out of pocket for documents like passports and naturalization certificates. The order directs the Election Assistance Commission (EAC), an independent agency of the U.S. government that supports election officials, to require people to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote to prevent noncitizens from voting. PHOTO: President Donald Trump displays an executive order after signing it during a meeting with US Ambassadors in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on March 25, 2025. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images) This comes after the president and his Republican allies characterized noncitizen voting during the 2024 presidential campaign as widespread -- a false claim that was debunked by experts and by a spate of GOP-led inquiries in the weeks leading up to the election, which found that noncitizen voting is extraordinarily rare. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Election fact check: Noncitizens can't vote, and instances are 'vanishingly rare' "Using this very racialized, this very xenophobic fear mongering -- it's really just a vehicle for voter suppression to justify imposing requirements that are going to silence a certain segment of the population," Lakin, director of the ACLU's Voting Rights Project, told ABC News. Plaintiffs in Tuesday's lawsuit, which was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, include organizations that advocate for voting right across the country: the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote, the Hispanic Federation, National League of Women Voters, League of Women Voters of Arizona, League of Women Voters Education Fund and Asian Pacific American Advocates (OCA). The complaint names Trump and EAC officials as defendants. ABC News has reached out to the White House and EAC but requests for comment on the lawsuit were not immediately returned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit, which is known as "League of Women Voters v. Trump," argues that the president "has no authority to make or change the rules for conducting federal elections," -- a claim that was also made in a similar federal lawsuit challenging this executive order that was filed in D.C. court on Monday by The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) the largest civil rights organization in the U.S. "In the [Executive Order] the President attempts to usurp the power to regulate federal elections from Congress, the States, and an independent agency to which Congress delegated certain limited responsibilities," plaintiffs argue in the "League of Women Voters v. Trump," claiming that the president is violating the "constitutional separation of powers." Organizations file suit challenging Trump's effort to overhaul election system PHOTO: Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump arrives for a rally at Festival Park on June 18, 2024 in Racine, Wisconsin. (Scott Olson/Getty Images) Existing federal law, as outlined in the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) of 1993, already requires anyone who registers to vote to swear to their citizenship under penalty of perjury, but it does not require individuals to present documents to demonstrate proof of citizenship when they register. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The executive order directs the EAC to revise its national mail voter registration form within 30 days of the order's issuance to require voters to show proof of citizenship through a U.S. passport, a state-issued driver's license or identification card, an official military identification card or a valid federal or state government-issued photo identification. The order mandates that all documents provided should show proof of citizenship, but many state or government-issued ID's, including drivers licenses, don't show an individual's citizenship. The lawsuit argues that requiring documentation to prove citizenship "would impose a severe burden on, if not wholly disenfranchise, millions of voters" who face various barriers, including financial and logistical, that prevent them from obtaining the required documentation. Ahead of Trump's inauguration, on Jan. 3, Texas Republican Rep. Chip Roy introduced H.R. 22 -- legislation known as the "Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act" or the SAVE Act -- a bill that would require people to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections. "Like the SAVE Act, this executive order is part of a broader voter suppression strategy designed to silence eligible voters rather than protect election integrity," Lakin said. PHOTO: Speaker of the House Mike Johnson takes questions on tariffs while meeting with reporters at a news conference, at the Capitol, in Washington, April 1, 2025. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP) As the U.S. House considers the SAVE Act this week, House Speaker Mike Johnson House and GOP leaders urged bipartisan support for the legislation in a statement on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "American citizens -- and only American citizens -- should decide American elections," the statement says. "This legislation cements into law President Trump's executive action to secure our voter registration process and protect the voices of American voters. We urge all our colleagues in the House to join us in doing what the overwhelming majority of people in this country rightfully demand and deserve." ABC News' Peter Charalambous and Olivia Rubin contributed to this report. Civil rights groups sue Trump over executive order requiring citizenship proof in registering to vote originally appeared on abcnews.go.com YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) A class-action lawsuit has been filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio against Insight Foundation after local hospitals closed and employees say they were left without paychecks. Read next: Cigna to remain in network for Ohio Mercy Health providers Filed by David McCullough, of Garrettsville, Ohio, the lawsuit contends that he was an employee of Insight Hillside and that he and other employees of Insight Trumbull and Hillside were terminated without cause as a result of massive layoffs on March 28. The lawsuit says employees were not provided 60 days advanced written notice of their terminations as required by the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN Act). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plaintiffs are seeking to recover 60 days pay and ERISA benefits, as well as the repayment of money deducted from wages for fringe benefits and compensation for accrued but unpaid vacation time. The law firm of Dubyak Nelson filed the lawsuit. We filed this lawsuit to try to get employees paid for the money that they are entitled to for the hours that they worked and were unpaid, and also for additional funds that they may be entitled to under federal and state law, said Christina Spallina, attorney for the plaintiffs. McCullough says he was notified that his health insurance was terminated on March 31, but he says Insight is withholding his contributions to the health plan and has not returned them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit contends that those at Insight told employees they were being temporarily furloughed and would remain on the payroll and receive accrued vacation time, but employees have not been paid for accrued vacation time and at least three weeks worth of wages prior to the termination of their employment. A spokesperson for the company announced last Thursday that all services at the hospitals were pausing, citing a lack of funding that was supposed to come from Steward Health through bankruptcy court. Union representatives told WKBN that communication hadnt been clear, and Trumbull County commissioners previously said they were dismayed that the board hadnt been notified of Insights decision to halt services at most of its facilities. Judge Benita Y. Pearson has been assigned to the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Insight has not entered a response yet. WKBN reached out to Insight for comment but has not yet heard back. Meanwhile, Rep. David Thomas is reacting to the shuttered hospitals. I feel for the workers, for the folks who use the hospital systems who rely on them; my heart goes out to them. Its very, very disappointing, Thomas said. Thomass district includes parts of Trumbull County. He says hes been coordinating with Rep. Nick Santucci and the Governors Office, plus has talked with the head of the hospital system to offer support. Unfortunately, given this current situation and where theyre at just as a basic reality, there does not seem to be much, if anything, we at the state level can do, Thomas said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ohio Congressman Dave Joyce also released a statement: In Congress, I have always fought for access to quality healthcare in communities across my district. I am incredibly disappointed to hear the news that Insight has closed Trumbull Regional Medical Center and Hillside Rehabilitation Hospital in Warren, severely limiting healthcare access for local residents and creating unsettling job instability for hospital staff. At this time, I remain committed to working with local officials to support community healthcare access and the workers who have dedicated their lives to patient care. Spallina says people can reach out to their law offices for more information by calling 216-364-0500. Were interested in speaking to anyone who has questions about what we filed and whether or not that lawsuit applies to them, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. The Fox Point Hurricane Barrier stands open on July 1, 2024. The 25-foot barrier is meant to keep storm surges from flooding downtown Providence. (Christopher Shea/Rhode Island Current) For many California residents, the Los Angeles wildfires earlier this year were the latest and most searing example of the devastating effects of climate change. Some estimates have pegged the damages and economic losses from the fires at more than $250 billion. Weve had disaster after disaster after disaster, said Assemblymember Dawn Addis, a Democrat. Its the taxpayers and the insurance ratepayers that are bearing the cost. Its not sustainable, its not right and its not ethical. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Addis and Democratic lawmakers in nearly a dozen other states want to force the worlds largest fossil fuel companies to help pay for the recovery costs of climate-related disasters. Last year, Vermont became the first state to pass a climate Superfund law, followed soon after by New York. This session, 10 states have seen similar proposals, several of which have advanced in key committees. Advocates point to legislation in Maryland that has drawn support in both chambers, as well as to strong grassroots support in California after the Los Angeles wildfires. Lawmakers say the rapidly increasing cost of climate disasters from wildfires to floods to sea level rise is more than state budgets can bear. Climate Superfund is the it girl policy of the [2025] session, said Ava Gallo, climate and energy program manager with the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators, a forum for state lawmakers. Theres a lot of popularity in the idea of holding polluters responsible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The momentum for these polluter pays bills is tied to the maturation of attribution science. That new field of research can help calculate fossil fuel companies contributions to historic emissions totals, as well as the role climate change played in causing or worsening natural disasters. Vermonts law was the first attempt to use that science to charge emitters for their role in causing devastating floods and other catastrophes. Fossil fuel companies and their allies have fought back hard. Late last year, the American Petroleum Institute and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce filed a lawsuit challenging Vermonts measure. The groups argue that emissions are governed by the federal Clean Air Act, precluding states from charging companies over global pollution. Neither group responded to a Stateline interview request. The Independent Petroleum Association of America also declined an interview request. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A separate lawsuit, led by 22 Republican attorneys general, is challenging the New York law. And a conservative group has targeted Rachel Rothschild, an assistant professor of law at the University of Michigan Law School, who helped draft the legal justification for climate Superfund policy. The group, Government Accountability and Oversight, has sought to subject Rothschild to a deposition, The New York Times reported, a move that some experts view as an intimidation tactic. Meanwhile, oil and gas executives asked President Donald Trump during a White House meeting this month to direct the Justice Department to join the legal fight against climate Superfund laws, The Wall Street Journal reported. Industry leaders are also pushing Congress to shield them from more than 30 lawsuits brought by state and local governments that aim to make them pay for some of the results of climate change. While experts expect a bruising legal battle over climate Superfund policies, the threat of lawsuits hasnt deterred more lawmakers from backing the concept. States were a little bit wary; they wondered, Is this some new radical plan? said Cassidy DiPaola, communications director with the Make Polluters Pay campaign, a coalition of groups backing such bills. Then one of the littlest states passed it and this powerhouse, New York, passed it. That really set the ball rolling. Fossil fuel companies have cast doubt on attribution science. They also note that their production of oil and other products was done legally under U.S. and international regulations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Manufacturers will see this as a shakedown of any industry you dont like at some point in the future, even though in the past they were licensed and operated under government regulation, Brett Vassey, president and CEO of the Virginia Manufacturers Association, said during legislative testimony about a climate Superfund proposal in that state. It will have a chilling effect on Virginia being able to grow its economy. Proponents of Superfund legislation point to legal settlements with large tobacco companies in the 1990s. Although those companies also sold their products legally, they were held responsible because they knew about the harmful effects of those products and deceived the public. Most climate Superfund proposals target companies for their emissions over the past 30 or so years, after leading experts had documented the dangers of greenhouse gases. Theres good documentation of how well the fossil fuel industry knew the probable long-term impacts of their product, said Oregon state Sen. Jeff Golden, a Democrat. Should an industry that made such historic profits over a period of time and made so many representations that we had no problem not bear any of the costs? Golden and other lawmakers say its becoming impossible for taxpayers to cover the costs of recovery from wildfires and other catastrophes. In Rhode Island, sea level rise is causing massive damage for coastal communities, said Democratic state Rep. Jennifer Boylan, who has sponsored a climate Superfund bill to help the state adapt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some advocates also note that Trumps return to the White House has cut off the possibility of federal climate relief. All the states are affected by the disappearance of this federal funding, said Gallo, of the state lawmakers group. States everywhere are going to be looking at some way to fill the gap. This session, climate Superfund bills have been introduced in California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee and Virginia. While the bills are structured differently, they all seek to target the largest polluters often covering companies that produced 1 billion metric tons of emissions over the last 30 or so years. Lawmakers say that applies to roughly 100 companies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The measures also take different approaches to assigning damages. Some direct state agencies to conduct complex studies to determine the costs of climate-caused disasters over a certain period, the approach pioneered by Vermont. Others set a fixed number that represents a conservative baseline for those damages. New Yorks law set that figure at $75 billion over a 25-year period. Many of the bills also require that significant amounts of the funding be directed to the communities hit hardest by pollution. Advocates are particularly optimistic about the measures in California and Maryland. Lawmakers in Maryland modified their bills to commission a study about the financial impacts of climate change. Those measures passed both the House and Senate, and legislators are working to reconcile the versions from each chamber. Figures produced by the study would be the backbone of a climate Superfund policy in a future session. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From a legislative perspective, its a shot in the dark as to what the costs are, said Democratic Del. David Fraser-Hidalgo, who sponsored one of the bills. This will give us the factual data needed to make a more well-educated decision on policy. In New Jersey, an Assembly committee advanced a climate Superfund bill this month. State Sen. Bob Smith, a Democrat who chairs the Environment and Energy Committee and who sponsored the bill, said it will help to rebuild and fortify water treatment plants, schools and firehouses. He noted that Trump has called for the dismantling of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The end of the world is coming; its kind of hard to ignore, Smith said. FEMA has been the backstop to help communities recover from disasters. If the handwriting isnt on the wall to all the states that theyve got to deal with this, shame on them. Lawmakers in many states have heard from mayors and other local government leaders that more climate recovery funding is essential. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Municipal officials are getting behind [climate Superfund policies], said Massachusetts state Sen. Jamie Eldridge, a Democrat who has sponsored similar legislation. Theyre facing the costs of flooding, of droughts, of heat waves, and really asking for relief. Stateline reporter Alex Brown can be reached at abrown@stateline.org. Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org. Its official: New York is being sued over delays in implementing its climate law. Four environmental and climate justice groups filed a lawsuit Monday in a state court, claiming that New York is stonewalling necessary climate action in outright violation of its legal obligations. By not releasing economy-wide emissions rules, the suit alleges, the state Department of Environmental Conservation, or DEC, is defying the Legislatures clear directive and prolonging New Yorkers exposure to air pollution especially in disadvantaged communities. CLCPA Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its the first lawsuit to charge the state with failing to enforce the core mandate of its 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, or CLCPA: eliminating nearly all of New Yorks greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The law tasks DEC with crafting rules to get there and to reach an interim target of 40 percent emissions cuts by 2030. The states deadline to release those rules was Jan. 1, 2024 a date the agency blew past. More than a year later, New York has yet to issue even draft rules, and its becoming less and less clear that it intends to do so, even though, throughout last year, Governor Kathy Hochuls administration promised that it was working on them as quickly as possible. The lawsuit centers on rules for cap and invest, an economy-wide carbon pricing program that Hochul has been promising since 2023. DEC and the states energy research and development arm, NYSERDA, spent much of the last two years developing the program. In December, agency staff told environmental groups that the draft rules were all but ready to go and would be released in January, allowing the state to start charging polluters before the end of 2025. STATE OF THE STATE Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then came the about-face. At her State of the State speech in mid-January, Hochul made no mention of cap and invest. Her briefing book said DEC and NYSERDA needed more time to work out the details, promising only that DEC would publish rules requiring polluters to report their emissions. Her administration maintains that it is still moving ahead with cap and invest, but has declined to commit to any timeline for doing so. (Asked last week whether Hochul stands by this position, the governors office referred New York Focus to DEC and NYSERDA. A spokesperson said the agencies are continuing to develop a cap-and-invest program and pointed to the newly released emissions reporting rule as evidence.) Hochuls backtracking is at the heart of the lawsuit filed Monday by Earthjustice and two other environmental law groups on behalf of Citizen Action of New York, PUSH Buffalo, Sierra Club, and WE ACT for Environmental Justice, all members of the NY Renews coalition that led the charge to pass the CLCPA. Weve just seen a continual slow walk of climate action at the state level that puts us in a position where we need to have a judge put us back on track, said Eric Walker, the energy justice senior policy manager at WE ACT. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New York Focus reached out to Hochuls office, DEC, and the Attorney General for comment after the lawsuit was filed and will update this story if they respond. CAP AND INVEST State regulators estimated that cap and invest could prevent up to 1,500 premature deaths and 1,800 asthma-related emergency room visits per year by 2035. The draft rule DEC published last Wednesday could help the state implement cap and invest. The rule one of three meant to set up the program lays out which polluters are required to report their greenhouse gas emissions and how. But, as DEC emphasized in its press release, this rule is solely for reporting purposes and would not require pollution reductions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Todays lawsuit highlights that the reporting rule, if adopted as proposed, would not take effect until June 2027. It also points out that DEC intends for the collected data to help inform other policies or actions that may be taken to reduce pollution, including but not limited to a potential future cap-and-invest program implying that cap and invest rules might not be released for years, if ever. An FAQ page from the agency explicitly asks when the cap and invest program will be implemented, and does not provide a date. CLEAN AIR AND WATER The plaintiffs charge that by walking back from its climate plan, New York is also infringing on its residents constitutional rights specifically the rights to clean air and water, and a healthful environment enshrined through the Green Amendment that voters approved in 2021. Air pollution is especially harming the health of residents in disadvantaged communities, they allege, where several of the groups members live near fossil fuel plants or in high truck traffic areas. As we continue to not put cap and invest in place, we see the continued disproportionate impacts of air quality on disadvantaged communities, communities of color, and low-income communities across the state, said Walker. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We need cap and invest to be in effect right now. and it could be if we had simply just released the regs that are sitting on a shelf, he continued. (Internal emails reported by Politico show that DEC and NYSERDA had already completed the draft rules at the beginning of this year.) The lawsuit is not the CLCPAs first test in court. The climate law has been at the center of nearly 20 court cases, mostly challenging agency decisions over things like air permits and highways, but also the governors abrupt suspension of congestion pricing last summer. But its the first lawsuit seeking to enforce the emissions reduction mandate as a whole, according to Rachel Spector, Earthjustices lead attorney in the case. These regulations are the core of the law, and theyre necessary for it to be effective, said Spector, adding that the DEC must issue enforceable rules to give the law any kind of teeth. Less than a year ago, Hochul spoke about cap and invest as if it were already up and running: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We set a cap on statewide climate pollution, she told attendees of the Global Economic Summit in Ireland last May. Every year, we set the cap lower to align with our aggressive climate goals. Major polluters must pay to emit greenhouse gases. Since then, regulators have admitted that the state is far behind in meeting key climate targets, and business groups have stepped up calls for the state to rethink the CLCPA. But for now, its still the law, and Spector said theres no excuse for the state not to enforce it. Regulators do have discretion they can shape regulations in a way they see fit, as long as they comply with the pretty high-level, broad requirements that are set out in the law, she said. But they still have to do it. TEHRAN, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain expressed a mutual commitment to improving relations between their nations during a phone call on Wednesday, according to a statement released by the Iranian president's office. The conversation, which included an exchange of greetings for the recent Eid al-Fitr holiday, represents a tentative step toward reconciliation between the two countries, whose diplomatic ties remain severed. Pezeshkian emphasized that fostering stronger relationships with neighboring and Muslim countries is a key foreign policy objective for Iran. "We are eager to further develop relations with Bahrain," Pezeshkian said, according to the statement, adding that Iran "will spare no effort to facilitate and accelerate bilateral cooperation." Hamad reportedly described the historical ties between the two nations as "deep and friendly" and reciprocated the sentiment, stating, "We are also willing to further promote bilateral relations." The exchange is notable given the prolonged diplomatic freeze. Bahrain cut off relations with Iran in early 2016, shortly after Saudi Arabia took the same step. That move followed the storming of Saudi diplomatic facilities in Iran by protesters angered by Riyadh's execution of a Shiite cleric. While Saudi Arabia and Iran agreed to restore diplomatic relations in a landmark deal brokered by China in March 2023, formally resuming ties the following month, Bahrain has yet to follow suit. Diplomatic representation has not been restored, and full economic engagement between Manama and Tehran remains on hold. Pennsylvanias former largest coal plant was imploded to make space to build a data center campus. The former Homer City Generating Station will be turned into a gas-powered data center campus to meet the growing demands for artificial intelligence and high-performance computing, Homer City Redevelopment (HCR) and Kiewit Power Constructors Co. said Wednesday. The Homer City Energy Campus will be more than 3,200 acres, and GE Vernova (GE) will support the project with seven hydrogen-enabled, gas-fired turbines the first of which are expected to be delivered starting next year. HCR, which owned the coal plant, started taking down its cooling towers and stacks late last month, the Wall Street Journal (NWSA) reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The data center campus is expected to start construction this year, with hopes that it will be able to generate power by 2027. According to HCR and Kiewit, the campus will deliver up to 4.5 gigawatts of power enough to power more than three million average U.S. households. Kiewit is building the Homer City Energy Campus, and the Marcellus Shale region will provide it with natural gas. In addition to supporting large data center customers, the campus will be able to supply power to thousands of local homes on the grid, the companies said. The project is expected to receive an initial capital investment of more than $10 billion that will go toward infrastructure, followed by billions more to build the data centers. The investment will be the largest of its kind in Pennsylvanias history, according to the companies. In the first eight months of 2024, Microsoft (MSFT), Meta (META), Google (GOOGL), and Amazon (AMZN) spent a combined $125 billion on investing in and running AI data centers, according to a JPMorgan (JPM) report citing New Street Research. This year, those companies plan to spend even more on AI a combined $320 billion, according to statements by their CEOs. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said in January that the company is building a data center with a capacity of more than two gigawatts a site that could cover a large part of Manhattan. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The U.S. Coast Guard on Tuesday returned to Haiti almost 100 people who were stopped offshore of the island country in an overloaded migrant boat last week, the agency said. The 99 people were intercepted Thursday about 35 miles north of Cap-Hatien, Haiti, packed into a 35-foot boat that was heading north toward the Turks and Caicos, the Coast Guard said in a statement. They were returned to their home country Tuesday aboard the Cutter Seneca, the agency said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Coast Guard remains steadfast in our defense of the U.S. maritime borders and approaches with patrols in the Florida Straits, Windward and Mona Passages to interdict unlawful maritime migration attempts before they reach our shores, Lt. Cmdr. Brent Pearson, Coast Guard liaison officer to U.S. Embassy Port-au-Prince, said in a statement. Attempting illegal migration in overloaded, unsafe vessels with no safety equipment is extremely dangerous and puts you and your loved ones lives at risk. Dont take to the sea just to be sent back. Since October, the Coast Guard said it has intercepted 412 people from Haiti attempting to leave the country by sea. From Oct. 1, 2024 to Sept. 31, U.S. authorities repatriated 857 people stopped at sea, according to the Coast Guard. WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) Cody Melton is officially the top guy in the Wichita Falls Fire Department. The council voted in unison to make the appointment official. He has taken over since former chief Donald Hughes retired in February. Wichita Falls approves Jeffery Jenkins as new city manager Melton said after moving here 18 years ago, he couldnt imagine living anywhere else. During his career here, hes seen four fire chiefs, and hes ready to use the lessons he learned under them to lead his department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The men who came before me. I couldnt do it without him. Like I said, theyve all been great mentors to [me], Melton said. [I would] like the community to know that theyve got one of the best fire departments in Texas, in the nation. Theyve got a group of men and women who will lay their lives down for them at a moments notice. This comes as the local fire union is set to begin collective bargaining negotiations with the city. The department has faced staffing shortages, but Melton said he is confident that it can get the most out of its resources to serve the citizens. The fire departments great at doing more with less. Were accustomed to that, Melton said. I think right now we want to see where were at take and maybe shrink some things up and get some things done, and then well start expanding. Weve got some stuff in the pipeline that we need to get done. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Melton served the department in the interim when Hughes retired. Firefighters showed support this morning by being in attendance. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Texomashomepage.com. LEMON GROVE, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) A $1,000 reward is being offered to anyone with information that leads to an arrest in the killing of a man in Lemon Grove. On Sunday, Aug. 27, 2023, authorities responded to a homeless encampment south of eastbound State Route 94, next to North Avenue between Harris and Citrus Streets, San Diego County Crime Stoppers said in a news release Tuesday. When law enforcement arrived on scene, they found the body of 50-year-old Tyrice Lamar Jacquett. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One migrant dead, another injured in fall from San Diego border wall An autopsy determined Jacquetts manner of death to be homicide. A photo of Jacquett, as well as another one of him riding his bicycle two days before he was killed, were released. Tyrice Jacquett (San Diego County Crime Stoppers) Tyrice Jacquett on a bicycle two days before his killing. (San Diego County Crime Stoppers) Authorities are asking the publics help in identifying and locating the suspect(s) in this case. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the CHP Border Division Major Crimes Unit Detective A. Berain at 619-572-6953 or the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at 888-580-8477. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) A man arrested in connection to a cold-case homicide in which an Ohio State student was killed 25 years ago is set to face a judge on Wednesday afternoon. According to court records, Brian Swanson, who has been living in Cincinnati, is charged with the murder of 22-year-old Charles Ballard, who was found shot dead on Feb. 8, 2000. Swanson was arrested March 28 and will appear in Franklin County Court of Common Pleas for an arraignment hearing at 1 p.m. Charged with murder and aggravated murder, the investigation led police to Swanson, 48, after years of circumstantial evidence that tied him to Ballards murder. For an earlier report on this story view the video player above. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One dead after collision with semi-truck on I-71, north of Downtown, Columbus Based on a contemporary report from The Lantern student newspaper, Ballard was found the morning of Feb. 9 shot dead and partially burned in the basement of his East 17th Avenue apartment. Police said he was laying on top of a gun that may or may not have been used in the homicide. Ballard was shot three times, once each in the head, chest and abdomen and he was lying on the basement floor and on top of some paper, which was partially burned. The bottom half of Ballards body suffered severe burns, according to The Lantern, and were less severe on his torso and clothes. Also burned was the basement door, which was left ajar, though police do not believe there was a struggle. It is still not clear how the fire was ignited. Details of the decades-long investigation were revealed on a Columbus police podcast called The Fifth Floor, which described a dispute occurred between Ballard and an employee at the BP gas station near Ballards residence. Police said that on one occasion, the employee followed Ballard home before Ballard scared him away with a gun. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Feb. 18, 2000, police discovered that the same employee was seen about 90 minutes after Ballards death, at 4:18 a.m., using an ATM card on North High Street. Officers questioned Swanson, who was wearing a mask while attempting to use the bank card. The name on the card was Ballards girlfriend, who opened an account and co-signed it with Ballard. She told police she never was in possession of the ATM card and that it was Ballards card. $370M project would bulldoze Latitude Five25, renovate Wedgewood Village The employee, now believed to be Swanson, said he found the card and was considered the main suspect in Ballards death. The ATM card and ski mask were submitted into evidence, but he was not charged in what was described as a suspicious incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The link between that incident and Ballard, however, was never confirmed, as the evidence appeared circumstantial, police said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) The Coleman Police Department has requested the publics help in gathering information after a burglary occurred at the Coleman Grain Elevator Office at the beginning of April. According to Coleman PD, the burglary took place at the business, which is located at 1000 W. Gross St., between 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 1, and 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 2. City of Coleman awarded $5.1M for pedestrian, bicycle safety improvements Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The police department stated that a large sum of money was taken from the business, which included cash and quarters. Anyone with information regarding the burglary is asked to contact Coleman PD by calling (325)-625-4114 or sending a message via Facebook. Coleman Grain specializes in selling products such as grain, feed and fertilizer, according to a business representative. The businesss Facebook page stated that it also sells planting seeds and mowers. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com. Dr. Joshua Barocas, an associate professor of medicine at the University of Colorado Anschutz campus, said recent news of a decline in overdose deaths is deceptive and, in fact, grim. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) Columbus City Schools Board of Education had its first meeting Tuesday since students preferred names were changed in the districts system to match what is listed on their birth certificates. After the meeting, district leaders spoke about apparent confusion in the decision. Students, teachers and parents were given no warning when names were suddenly changed on March 19, a move that mainly impacted transgender and gender variant students. Many people attended the meeting Tuesday night and gave public comments to the board, sharing their disappointment with this decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Columbus schools facing special education teacher shortage It was embarrassment. I was angry, said Stephen Hardwick, the father of two transgender district students. We get dozens and dozens of notices a week from CCS, but they couldnt tell us this in advance? This I get a letter on a Saturday when they already made the change Tuesday or Wednesday. Columbus Schools Superintendent Dr. Angela Chapman said there is an investigation into what exactly happened. There are more questions than answers and so at this point, we have to accept non closure and so once we learn more, well be able to provide more of an update, Chapman said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a letter to students, staff and parents on Friday, Chapman cited Ohio laws like the bathroom bill and the Parents Bill of Rights as reasons why preferred names were changed back to birth names in the districts system. After Tuesdays meeting, the superintendent said the policy over students gender identities had to be changed because of the bathroom bill, but its still unclear why names were changed as well. Chapman said she, too, has questions. Franklin County sales tax increase now in effect: how much it will cost you We are still looking into a better understanding to figure out how the decisions were made, why they were made, when they were made, and so forth, Chapman said. So, there are lots of questions that we have and were continuing to work on those details. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But for Hardwicks two children, he said all they want is to be able to go by their preferred names at school. Thats what I want them to do, is to allow the preferred name in the same way that Governor Michael DeWine signs his orders Mike and Attorney General David Yost signs his pleadings Dave, Hardwick said. Parents have questions about the name changes and it seems district leaders have them as well. Chapman said once they have answers, they will update the CCS community. The district has not yet cited any laws that require them to change students names back to what is on their birth certificates, nor did they acknowledge whether or not this was a mistake. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hardwick and other parents and teachers said they are hopeful CCS will bring the preferred name option back to students. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) Columbus City Schools is facing a special education teacher shortage. As the district works to fill these critical positions, it is also facing a growing number of students requiring this specialized support. Now, a CCS special education teacher is speaking out to NBC4 Investigates as she said staffing shortages and an overload of students are hurting everyone involved. Why Columbus fire officials are saying theres a critical vehicle shortage Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She asked to remain anonymous to avoid backlash. However, she wanted to speak up because she feels the district is not handling the shortage well. Were just babysitting, the district intervention specialist said. Were not helping anyone. About 10% of Columbus City Schools total intervention specialists, commonly called special education teachers, quit in 2024. If we could hire 30 teachers tomorrow, we would do so, Columbus City Schools Executive Director of Accelerated and Extended Learning Mikki Nelson said. Its not a matter of not being willing to do it. Its a matter of not having a pool of candidates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So, the district is getting creative and what leaders are doing has some CCS staff concerned. Columbus City Schools reverting to birth names catches students, teachers off guard What weve had to do is make that, quite frankly, tough decision to ensure that every student that is in our district has a licensed intervention specialist, Nelson said. That decision is a reassignment and is what happened to the teacher we spoke with. I was pulled from my school that Ive been there for a long time and placed into a severe MD unit. Nonverbal. And I like told them, I have no training of doing any of the work with these students, the woman said, who added her license is for teaching children with mild to moderate disabilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I didnt know how to change students, I didnt know how to feed them or to lead my own classroom, she said. Obviously, thats always a concern because a license doesnt tell the whole story, so we, throughout the year, provide ongoing professional development and support, Nelson said. Franklin County sales tax increase now in effect: how much it will cost you CCS moves intervention specialists between schools to ensure every classroom that needs this sort of teacher has one. However, the intervention specialist we spoke with said this is driving even more teachers to quit. I cried every single day, the CCS intervention specialist said. I didnt know what I was doing. I felt like there is a disservice to the students that I now had and I was not capable of filling their needs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not only are there not enough teachers, but the number of students in need is quickly growing. Our students are coming into kindergarten with skills that are so significantly below their typical peers, Nelson said. The Ohio Revised Code lays out specific guidelines for how many special-needs students can be with one teacher. Elementary, middle and junior high teachers cannot serve more than 16 children with intellectual disabilities. At the high school level, that number is 24. For children with autism, its no more than six. We are overworked, underpaid, the intervention specialist said. Downtowns Sheraton hotel again on the market Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some CCS classrooms are above the legal limit, although the district would not tell NBC4 Investigates how many. It has been an issue for the past couple of years where we have had teachers that have had more students on their caseload than what the Ohio Revised Code requires, Nelson said. Teachers are getting paid more when they have to take on more than the legal caseload. This year is the first year weve had a formalized memorandum of understanding with CEA to compensate all teachers with the same formula, Nelson said. However, the intervention specialist said this wasnt enough. I know a lot of us dont go into education for the money, or at least I didnt, so that is not even the issue for me, the woman said. Its mostly that our students are not being serviced and theyre not being serviced adequately. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once the face of Intel, Ohio One project falls second under new CEOs vision The district is working with the Ohio Department of Education to find a solution. Not only just sharing with them all the things weve done, all the efforts we put forth to prevent this from being a problem but how we will go about systematically designing a process so that on an ongoing basis, we are always looking at the workload calculation, Nelson said. The intervention specialist said shes seeing the changes impact on students. My one student, especially, that never had any behaviors, the next week, they are just getting written up and leaving the classroom, disrespecting the teacher and not wanting to come to school anymore, the woman said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The district has almost 10,000 students with disabilities and plans to ask for an additional 20 intervention specialists for the next school year. CCS is ramping up recruiting, including investing in teacher pipeline programs, in order to hire teachers just out of college. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. A $2,500 reward is being offered for information leading to what happened to Baby Jane Doe, an infant girl whose body was found in a pond at a New Hampshire park on Thursday, police said. Authorities are still treating this case as a suspicious death investigation, Manchester Police Chief Peter Marr told reporters on Wednesday. We still need the publics help. This case needs those in our community who have information to come forward, Marr said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators believe the baby girl was placed in the water in the area of Pine Island Park sometime between Tuesday, March 25, and Thursday, March 27 before her body was found around 4 p.m. on March 27, Marr said. At that time we received a report of an object floating in the water later identified as the body of newborn female, Marr said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An autopsy was conducted the next day, and additional tests are ongoing, but Marr said he could not release further details on Wednesday. The police chief said any input from the public is vital to the case. We are looking for information from anybody who may have seen somebody discarding an object into the water between March 25 and March 27, Marr said. If anybody has photographs or videos taken at Pine Island Park and Pine Island pond during that time, we ask that you send those to us. We are also still requesting information about anyone who was pregnant during that time frame but who is no longer pregnant and does not have a newborn baby with them, Marr said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So far, Marr said police have received around 50 tips through departments tip line and CrimeLine. He urged the public to share and repost the infants story on social media with the hope of solving the case. The more we share it and the more we get it out there, the better outcome well have, Marr said. Anyone with information for investigators is urged to contact Manchester Police at 603-716-7236. Tips and related information can also be provided anonymously via the Manchester CrimeLine at 603-624-4040. Tips and related photos can also be uploaded anonymously at www.manchestercrimeline.org. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW SANAA, April 2 (Xinhua) -- At least one person was killed and another injured on Wednesday evening in fresh U.S. airstrikes on Yemen's port of Salif in the Red Sea city of Hodeidah, Houthi media reported. The port, which is used for importing fuel, has been frequently targeted by U.S. and Israeli airstrikes in recent months in retaliation for the Houthis' attacks on Israel-linked ships transiting the Red Sea. The bombing of Hodeidah coincided with a series of other air raids targeting several locations in the capital, Sanaa, and the northern province of Saada. According to Houthi-run al-Masirah TV, an airstrike hit a car in the Kuhaza area on Sanaa's southern outskirts, while another 17 airstrikes targeted the Kahlan military camp in the eastern part of Saada's namesake central city. No casualties were reported. The new wave of U.S. airstrikes came hours after the Houthi group announced it had launched multiple missile attacks against the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman in the northern Red Sea. The U.S. navy stationed in the region has not yet commented on the alleged Houthi attack. Tensions between the Houthis and the U.S. military have escalated since Washington launched fresh airstrikes on Yemen on March 15. The Houthis, who control much of northern Yemen, have been launching regular rocket and drone attacks against Israel and disrupting "Israeli-linked" shipping in the Red Sea since November 2023 to show solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza amid their conflict with Israelis. The Johnson County Commissioners Court voted to adopt the Major Thoroughfare Plan during its March 24 meeting. The plan, more than 12 months in the making, involved partnerships with cities and other political entities within the county as well as town halls and other methods of feedback and input from residents and business owners, County Public Works Director Jennifer Vanderlaan said. The plan addresses projected county growth over the coming years and the need to formulate plans, projects as well as transportation and other infrastructure needs to accommodate that expected growth. The plan identifies short, mid and long-term needs and projects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A committee of county and city residents used the master thoroughfare plan study as a guide to identify transportation needs and projects throughout the county, Vanderlaan said Such projects include railroad crossing improvements, feasibility and alignment studies for several south and west corridors, major east and west arterial improvements and safety and mobility improvements. Engineering firm Freese & Nichols worked with the county on development of the plan, part of which took into account analytics, public outreach, online surveys and identification of future county safety, mobility and infrastructure needs. Freese & Nichols officials said county growth estimates now look on track to exceed predictions made by the North Central Texas Council of Government numbers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The commissioners vote to formally adopt the plan ties into a $60 million bond package approved by voters in November. Although commissioners could have issued certificates of obligation bonds, they decided instead to let voters decide the matter, Vanderlaan said. This will allow the county to advance projects in partnership with the Texas Department of Transportation and the North Central Texas Council of Governments, County Judge Chris Boedeker said. The identified projects, to be addressed over the next few decades, will cost substantially more than $60 million but the bond funds will help the county leverage $60 million into about $500 million of road projects through grant funding opportunities and those partnership opportunities with state and federal agencies, county officials said. The bond funds will allow the county to render the projects some of which are on TxDOTs radar, some of which are not shovel ready for construction. Bond funds will allow county officials to address such pre-construction needs as environmental studies, right-of-way acquisition, utility relocations and other matters to allow TxDOT to move straight to construction and ultimate maintenance responsibility for such projects, county officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The goal of this bond is to get everything ready for TxDOT to come in and spend money on construction, County Engineer Colt Friedrich said. Our goal is to do the upfront items. And, by doing that, it will help advance TxDOTs construction timeline by years. Hours extended Johnson County Elections Administrator Joy Adams reminded that Thursday is the deadline to register to vote for the May 3 election. Early voting in that election is underway and election hours have been extended, Adams said. The Johnson County Elections Office, 103 S. Walnut St. in Cleburne, is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday. The office will not close for lunch those days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Proclamations Commissioners joined Boedeker and members of the Johnson County Child Welfare Board in proclaiming April as Child Abuse Awareness Month. They joined members of the Johnson County Family Crisis Center to proclaim April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Grandview residents Nita Redmon, Lisa Hill and others joined commissioners to proclaim Antique Alley Event Days in Johnson County. Antique Alley occurs the third Friday, Saturday and Sunday of April and September. Founded in 1999, the event originally stretched from Cleburne to Grandview along Farm-to-Market Road 4. We all worked together on what was then a sidewalk sale, a few yard sales and items people brought to sell in front of our [downtown Grandview antique store], Hill said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Antique Alley has since grown to include Alvarado, Joshua, Venus, Maypearl and Waxahachie, as well and involves property owners, tourism agencies, vendors, schools, churches and others. Its a Johnson County tradition started by some of the folks with us up here today that was a small collection of antique stores and yard sales, Boedeker said. But has since become a major event attracting people from all over to Johnson County. Redmon spoke of the events positive impacts on community, tourism and economic gain. Its a major event held twice a year for 26 years running, Redmon said. The success of which is due to the great support of the county, the community and everyone involved over the years. JEFFERSON The Ashtabula County Board of Commissioners is considering reviewing the process whereby area governments apply for permits through the county. During a Tuesday morning work session, Saybrook Township Trustee Robert Brobst and Saybrook Township Road Superintendent Shane Shetler visited the commissioners to discuss the process of demolishing a building in the township. Brobst said the township first approached the health department, at a cost of $100; then the building department, at a cost of $100, then were told they needed to pay $110 to become a registered contractor to complete the work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brobst said he felt the numerous fees and layers of red tape were a bit much. I think it is something for the board to consider, Ashtabula County Administrator Janet Discher said. The staff is doing what is laid out for it. Commissioner Casey Kozlowski said the health departments job is to handle the safety of a demolition, which could include asbestos, and the building department the structural integrity of the operation and how it is completed. Kozlowski said he would like to see the health and building departments functions be streamlined, but the county has not been able to make that happen so far. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The area most in question was the $110 to register as a contractor. Commissioner J.P. Ducro said he felt a government entity is different than a homeowner, and he would be willing to review the process. Kozlowski said staff costs are important to maintain budgetary processes but was also willing to review the process. I think we should look into that ... we will circle back, he told Brobst. During the commissioners regular meeting, a resolution supporting farmland preservation in Richmond Township through an easement program was approved. The Natural Areas Land Conservancy is seeking to preserve approximately 224 acres of farmland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The resignation of Joseph Owens from the Ashtabula County Mental Health and Recover Services Board was approved, effective March 3. A juvenile arrest tracking agreement between the county and Talitrix, Inc. was approved at the rate of $3.50 per day per offender, not to exceed $5,000 per grant year starting April 1 through March 31, 2028. The commissioners certified delinquent sewer and water rates to the county auditor for collection. House Judiciary Chair Luke Clippinger (D-Baltimore City) said the amended bill on child sexual abuse claims is "fairly close to being a place where I don't know that everybody's totally happy or totally unhappy, which is ... our goal from time to time." (File Photo by Bryan P. Sears/Maryland Matters) The House Judiciary Committee is set to vote Wednesday on an amended version of a bill that could limit the states financial liability stemming from claims of institutional abuse. The amendments to House Bill 1378 would lower the maximum payout claims for thousands of plaintiffs who said they were abused as children while in state custody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Del. C.T. Wilson (D-Charles), who sponsored the 2023 law that first opened the door to the lawsuits as well as this years bill to contain them, said he backs the changes. House Economic Matters Chair C.T. Wilson (D-Charles). (File photo by Bryan P. Sears/Maryland Matters.) I think it strikes a good balance, without a doubt, Wilson said. We are kind of fishing for ways to do it whats best, whats constitutional? I think we came up with a very good balance. I think it allows the plaintiffs to keep going. So, yeah, I think that it does definitely strike a good balance. But the bill, which had a hearing in the House Judiciary Committee last week, faces a tight deadline for passage. The General Assembly ends its work at midnight, April 7. The bill must get out of the House Judiciary and through a preliminary and final vote by the full House of Delegates, before beginning again in the Senate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sources said passing the bill this year gets tougher if its not in the Senate by Thursday. The subject matter of the bill is emotionally charged. That and concerns about potential litigation could attract lengthy committee and floor debates. Budget-hawk Republicans on the committee worried the amended bill focuses on limiting the costs to the state rather than focusing on the victims. It seems what were doing right now is were saying, How can we protect the state and the budget?' Del. Robin L. Grammer Jr. (R-Baltimore County), said during a Judiciary Committee meeting Tuesday. Del. Robin L. Grammer Jr. (R-Baltimore County). (File photo by Bryan P. Sears/Maryland Matters) Im not sure how a different level of justice for public versus private makes these people whole, Grammer said. And in this moment, it very much seems like were not thinking of these folks. Were actually saying, What are we going to do about the budget? So, I just dont feel comfortable with this at all. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Child Victims Act, passed in 2023, made it easier for adults who were sexually abused as children to sue the institutions that protected their alleged abusers. The bill eliminated time restrictions on filing lawsuits both against private institutions but also state and local governments. That law also capped claims against private institutions at $1.5 million per occurrence. Claims against public institutions state and local government agencies are capped at $890,000 per occurrence. One group of lawyers claiming to represent 5,000 plaintiffs has been in negotiations with the state since 2023 with claims under that law. The total potential liability for those claims has not been made public but could easily be in the billions. Wilson said he filed this years bill in an attempt to reconcile the need for survivors to bring their cases to court, while addressing the unintended, potentially bankrupting consequences facing the Maryland government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His bill would have lowered the cap on claims against the state from $890,000 to $400,000. Additionally, it proposed limiting payouts to an individual claimant regardless of the number of alleged instances of abuse. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE The amended bill changes the maximum payout for cases against public and private institutions beginning June 1. Claims filed before the effective date would be subject to the current law. Claims against private institutions, such as private schools or religious institutions, would be capped at $700,000. Claims against government agencies would be capped at $400,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The amendments also eliminate the per occurrence multiplier that exposes the state to billions in potential liabilities. Similar claims forced the Archdiocese of Baltimore to preemptively seek bankruptcy protection before the 2023 law took effect. Should the amended bill pass, all of the different occurrences would be happening under one umbrella, said House Judiciary Committee Chair Luke Clippinger (D-Baltimore City). Maximum payouts under that umbrella would be limited to $700,000 or $400,000 total. Del. Lauren Arikan (R-Harford), speaking during a committee meeting, said the lower cap was too low. Del. Lauren Arikan (R-Harford). (File photo by Bryan P. Sears/Maryland Matters) Six thousand dollars a year is offensively low given these children could not escape their abusers, Arikan said, basing her estimates on a boy abused as a teen who lives to the average life expectancy for a male. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attorneys fees in such cases would also be limited 20% for out of court settlements and 25% if the case goes to court. The amended bill asks the state judiciary to adopt rules to handle the influx of cases. In other words, basically signaling to them: Hey, youre going to have a number of cases. You should probably look to get together and draft rules, Clippinger said. The bill asks the court system to provide the legislature with an annual report on resolved cases, including the amounts paid out and a summary of the underlying claims in each case. One of the most problematic portions of the bill as introduced was language that placed limits on damages retrospectively. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Initially, lawmakers said they received assurances from Attorney General Anthony Brown that the change would be legal. But the decision to strike the retroactive language in spite of those assurances indicates they were less certain about those claims. Ive heard a lot from a lot of different people over the last week, Clippinger said. I think that is fairly close to being a place where I dont know that everybodys totally happy or totally unhappy, which is, as has been stated, our goal from time to time. Restoration projects in North Carolina have been providing palpable benefits to residents in flooding season, according to BlueRidgeNow. Nonprofit Conserving Carolina has been remediating areas around waterways to build healthier floodplain ecosystems. This has included raising berms, creating pond off-shoots called sloughs, and planting native species. All of this work has provided an environment that can mitigate flooding before reaching people's homes downstream. Three restoration projects along the French Broad River contained 1.25 billion gallons of water from Tropical Storm Helene, according to their designer Greg Jennings. Residents have been thankful for the work. "I feel like the hard work y'all did kept our house on Mud Creek Road from flooding worse," said local homeowner Lisa Moffit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even outside of a crisis situation, these habitat restorations are providing value. Floodplains are another filter, catching sediment that would otherwise go downstream. This improves water quality overall. Floodplains and wetlands are able to retain water when drought conditions are present, which is good news for local crops. The added geographic complexity also brings more wildlife to the areas. Workers have noted the quick return of some rare birds. That's a bonus for biodiversity and any sightseers. We've seen small-scale wetland restoration on private property, but proper legislative protections like the BEACH Act are needed for more large-scale support. Conserving Carolina still sees plenty of work to do ahead. "As we look ahead, the cumulative effect of more restoration projects like these can make an even greater difference," said David Lee, Conserving Carolina's Natural Resources Director, per BlueRidgeNow. "And we don't always have to do a full-scale restoration. We improve resilience every time we conserve the farmland and natural areas that already exist in the river corridor. Each conservation and restoration project contributes to a more resilient network of flood control that helps to safeguard both natural ecosystems and human communities." Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. ASHE COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY HOMETOWN) It all started around that grill. No matter where we live or how we grew up, there are some experiences we all share. Likely, just the sight of a grill is enough to awaken your taste budsand your memories. We can say with certainty that people love to gather around a grill. She thought this was where she needed to be, said Carla Young, Loras mom. It wasnt food that drew Lora Young to the grill, but rather people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shed say, Mamma, Im where I need to be; it gives me purpose; I want to help others. So she was here every day, said Carla. Right after Hurricane Helene, Lora and her friend Steven Howell fired up an old grill in downtown Lansing, North Carolina. There was mud and debris everywhere, and the two of them knew people needed helpneeded to eat. So, for the next five months, they served up hot dogs, spaghetti, or whatever they could find for the people who needed it. People just kept coming, so they kept cooking, said Charles Young, Loras dad. She kept working and helping until she passed away on February 25, 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most people didnt know she was sick at all, said Charles. Lora was diagnosed with cancer in August of 2019. She battled it on and off until she found out it had spread, right around the time of Helene. They did another scan, and it was in her lungs, and that one went fast, remembered Carla. Lora knew what that meant, but those she loved did not. I didnt know how bad it was, said Steven, Loras friend. Hometown Nonprofits: Organizations step up to rebuild, support post-Hurricane Helene Loras younger brother, John, had no idea that her cancer had spread. She had told him something else. It was an infection. Which was what everyone was thinking it was, remembered John. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im very proud of her, very proud of her. That was who she was, said Carla. Lora spent the last six months of her life happily giving hope to those who needed it. In the middle of the week, Loras friends and family hosted a special lunch. They fired up the grill once more to raise money for Lansings Bridge to Recovery, a nonprofit she helped start after Helene. They hope to help those affected by Helene and also to put a grill in their town park in honor of Loras memory. Were thinking a table at the far end and the grill over there, said Carla. She always had a smiling face, and she would be laughing, telling stories despite really being in a lot of pain, remembered Steven. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We know youll remember Helene. But we have a favor to ask. Remember the people who stepped up. Thats what I want people to rememberjust reach out and help your neighbor, said John. Remember the time we all cared for our neighbors. She was down here every day; everyone remembers her. And please, remember Lora Young. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. Evacuation orders near Alpine in eastern Arizona were lifted by the Apache County Sheriff's Office and Apache County Emergency Management and Preparedness just before 5 p.m. The agencies announced on April 1 at 12:35 p.m. that the Alpine Village East area was placed into "go" status, urging residents to immediately evacuate the area to a shelter or stay with friends or family. Residents in the area were placed under a "set" status. Apache County Emergency Management and Preparedness said residents could return to their homes but need to stay aware of evacuation orders. ***** 12:35 PM: ******Due to a fire in Alpine, AZ, Alpine Village East and the surrounding area has been put on GO! Evacuate NOW! Posted by Apache County Emergency Management and Preparedness on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 The advisory warned that those who opted to ignore the evacuation notice needed to understand emergency services may not be able to help them. It was not immediately clear how large the fire was, how long it had been burning or what caused it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agencies announced at around 4:06 p.m. that a second fire had ignited in Alpine near Luna Lake and urged people to avoid the area as fire crews worked to extinguish it. No structures were being threatened by the fire, officials said. The Alpine Fire Department confirmed the fire by the lake was stopped at 6 acres. An update just after 3 p.m. revealed Highway 191 was closed from milepost 251 to 253.7. Officials recommended checking az511.com for more information on road closures. Those who wished to receive emergency notifications from Apache County could sign up at 311info.net. (This story has been updated to add more information.) This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Alpine community's fire evacuation orders lifted; status now at 'set' EUNICE, La. (KLFY) Rays Bakery, a staple in city of Eunice, left many in shock when it burned down in March just before Mardi Gras. As owner Steven Oncale was looking through the damage, he provided a promise the bakery would return. Oncale told News 10 back in March, It is what it is. I mean, its been here since 1969. I guess things happen. Were going to be back soon, sorry for the inconvenience, but Ill try. But as the journey to rebuild begins, it left 11 employees out of work and in need of financial support. This is where Joey Trichell stepped in, organizing a benefit in the form of a burger sale with all the proceeds going to the employees at Rays Bakery. The efforts brought together residents and businesses in the area to support the cause. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Volunteers did a bake sale at the same time, sold some t-shirts, said Trichell. So, not only did the burger sale drive it, but there were other things that were contributing to raising the funds even higher. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KLFY Daily Digest With an entire community showing up to support their own, Trichell says they were able to exceed their goal of selling 1,500 burgers and ensure that Rays employees can at least get back on their feet. We actually raised almost $20,000, explained Trichell. It was $19,700 is what it what it peaked out at. And to calculate that into the Rays payroll, it gave them about a five-week duration of average paychecks that theyll be able to collect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was also a donations account set up at a local bank that helped show the strength and heart of a small town. Latest news Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) The Mahoning County Board of Elections Chairman Dave Betras has been pushing to have the election offices moved out of Youngstowns Oakhill Renaissance Place because of what Betras considers the deplorable condition of the building. One option is moving to Austintown but Tuesday, people showed up at a Board of Elections meeting to say such a move would hurt inner city voters. Jaladah Aslam, president of the Youngstown Warren Black Caucus, asked the Mahoning County Board of Elections to hold a public hearing on any potential move. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People are concerned about transportation, being able to come to vote early there are a lot of concerns, Aslam said. Also at the meeting was the Reverend Ken Simon who the night before, while hosting a political debate pushed for the Board of Elections offices to stay in Youngstown. Its been suggested that the board move to the Patriot Building in Austintown. Were taking that away from the inner city and taking it out of the county seat and taking it to Austintown. I mean, thats just going to be a challenge for many people, Reverend Simon said. Board of Elections Chairman Dave Betras appeared to sympathize with inner-city voters but said moving from Oakhill is a must. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I realize that no matter where we move, its going to be inconvenient for someone but this building has lost its functionality, Betras said. Betras did say that whatever location is chosen, it must be on the WRTA bus line but Reverend Simon said thats not good enough. Youre talking maybe a two- to three-hour process for an individual to get out and vote. That can be discouraging, Simon said. Board of Elections director Tom McCabe said its the Mahoning County Commissioners who should hold a public hearing since theyll make the final decision on where the Board of Elections will go. Reverend Simon just wants more discussion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But lets not make a hasty decision and move it out to Austintown, where it just prohibits many of our inner city residents from voting, said Simon. Betras also urged the board to create a contingency plan should there be a major problem with Oakhill during early voting or on election day. Early voting for the May 6 primary begins April 8. Board of Elections Director Tom McCabe estimated a turnout of 10 percent. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) New Haven Line customers are saving about 10 minutes per trip thanks to a new super express train running from the Elm City to Grand Central Station, according to the Department of Transportation (DOT). Metro-North updates train schedules out of New Haven Run time is now down to 90 minutes for most trains. Major factors of this change was making improvements, such as modernizing and fine-tuning signals. With these updates, MTA leaders say that Metro-North is now faster and cheaper than the Acela coming into Grand Central from New Haven. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We know that the residents of Connecticut, the Nutmeggers who rely on it to get into the city every single day have come to trust the on time performance, DOT Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto said. Its critical for us in Connecticut and our economy to know that people can rely a fast safe reliable and predictable commute. New timetables are also in effect. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. Just a few years ago, pledges to tackle climate change were a staple of corporate PR. Amazon trumpeted its climate pledge and stamped it on the name of Seattles biggest arena. Walmart promised to slash a gigaton of carbon emissions from its supply chain, and the worlds largest money manager, BlackRock, with its $11 trillion in investments, pressured companies to come up with a plan to zero out their emissions by 2050. Now, many corporations are avoiding the subject altogether. During earnings calls, mentions of many well-known terms related to the climate are down 76 percent compared to three years ago, according to a recent analysis of S&P 500 companies by Bloomberg. The sharpest declines came from financial firms and consumer discretionary companies, the category for those offering optional purchases, like Starbucks and Airbnb. The hesitancy to talk about climate change sometimes called greenhushing could decrease pressure on the big corporate polluters that have been slow to cut their emissions. The trend has been linked to a growing backlash against sustainable investing, as well as a shifting political landscape with President Donald Trumps second term underway. I think large companies in particular today are very, very cautious, said Hortense Bioy, the head of sustainable investing research for Morningstar, a financial services firm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Companies have been caught in a tug-of-war: On one hand, investors are pressuring them to be serious about the risks of climate change to their business. On the other, the mention of any word related to so-called ESG the polarizing acronym that refers to environmental, social, and governance investing threatens blowback from the Trump administration. The way to thread the needle, experts suggest, is to stay away from flashpoints like ESG and talk specifically about the financial risks that the warming planet poses to companies. John Marshall, the CEO of the Potential Energy Coalition, a nonpartisan marketing firm focused on climate action, says that silence isnt a winning strategy. We do not think that voters or consumers are at all impressed, regardless of their political stripes, by taking the concept of climate change out of any language, Marshall said. His research shows that investors and the public want companies to talk about climate change as an investment risk, not a matter of morality. According to a Potential Energy report from last September, 3 in 4 Americans surveyed think companies have a responsibility to limit their impact on the climate. Whats more, roughly 9 in 10 U.S. retail investors want companies to reduce emissions and prepare for the ways increasingly unpredictable weather could lead to risks like supply chain disruptions and rising insurance costs. The first signs of greenhushing appeared in 2023, when the Swiss consultancy South Pole found that a quarter of large companies around the world had decided not to publicize their progress on climate targets. The reason, South Pole later found, was that companies wanted to avoid the legal risks that came with high-profile pledges. It was a response to countries crafting new laws against greenwashing, the term for deceptive environmental advertising. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read Next Photo of silhouetted office employees walking with briefcases. Companies are hiding their climate progress. A new report explains why. Kate Yoder At the same time, financial institutions were already dealing with the backlash against ESG, which heated up in 2022. Lawsuits targeted asset managers, pension funds, and federal agencies, claiming that woke capitalism was putting politics over financial interests. Red states including Florida and Texas pulled billions in state funds out of BlackRock and other ESG-friendly firms. BlackRock, which in 2021 had supported almost half of shareholder proposals to address environmental and social issues, pulled a U-turn. Between July 2023 and June 2024, it only backed 4 percent of them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They were too visible and too vocal about what they were doing in that space, Bioy said. She expects that companies with big climate plans may now have to disclose the opposition to ESG as a risk in their annual reports. That sense of caution is showing up in the markets, too: Over the last two years, there has been more money leaving sustainable funds in the U.S. than whats coming in, according to Morningstars research. Bioy suspects that trend still has room to run, given Trumps hostility to climate action. In December, corporations including Apple, Walmart, and Siemens failed to sign an open letter reaffirming their commitment to the Paris Agreement, a letter organized by the climate coalition they joined after Trumps first presidential victory in 2016. Bioy pointed to the guidance circulating in government organizations warning against using terms like pollution, clean energy, and climate science. Companies that do business with the administration or any state organization, they will be careful not to use those terms, Bioy said. In the past, some companies have used language around climate change that embraced a moral framing, such as do the right thing. But most people dont think thats the province of what businesses should be doing, Marshall said. Two-thirds of Americans believe that businesses should avoid taking a stance on political issues, according to his firms research. The moral framing provokes backlash because it feels like forcing an idea on somebody, Marshall said. We have seen its much more effective to have language in the business community thats about money and reality. It raises the broader question of how regular people should talk about climate change when many of the terms environmental advocates use can provoke a knee-jerk reaction. I think that the climate movement needs to be very thoughtful about and strategic about whether or not it is a DEI or ESG initiative, said Austin Whitman, CEO of The Change Climate Project, a nonprofit offering tools to help businesses cut their emissions. I think for all of us across the spectrum, regardless of what cause were fighting for, we need to distance ourselves from these lightning-rod acronyms and topics that are really easy to just cut down with a single swipe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This story has been updated to clarify Apple and other corporations involvement in the climate coalition they joined. This story was originally published by Grist with the headline Companies used to tout their climate plans. Under Trump, theyve gone quiet. on Apr 2, 2025. OSLO, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Wednesday emphasized that Greenland should not be taken over by the United States, amid growing geopolitical attention on the Arctic region. Speaking during her visit to Greenland, Frederiksen said the primary purpose of her trip is to discuss the foreign and security policy situation and how Denmark and Greenland can jointly respond to what she called "a very difficult task." "The USA must not take over Greenland. Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders," she said, adding that a unified message would be delivered in the coming days. Frederiksen made the remarks alongside outgoing Greenlandic Prime Minister Mute Egede and incoming leader Jens-Frederik Nielsen, amid the leadership transition in Greenland's autonomous government. The Danish prime minister also stressed the importance of unity between Greenland, Denmark, and Europe in the face of external pressure. "We need to stand together in this very difficult time Greenland is facing. And when Greenland is in a difficult situation, the Kingdom of Denmark and Europe are also in a difficult situation," she said. "It is clear that, with the pressure coming from the Americans on Greenland in terms of sovereignty, borders, and the future, we must stand together," the prime minister added. The Easter holidays are nearly upon us, meaning thousands of families are preparing to jet off on their first sunny getaway of the year. If you are one of them, be aware that your first holiday hurdle could arise before you have reached duty-free. Right now there is one set of security rules at some UK airports, and an entirely different set of rules at the others. And if you think you know the score, the goalposts are moving all the time: Britains second-biggest airport, Gatwick, quietly changed its regulations this week. The words travel chaos get thrown around a lot these days, and may be a stretch in this instance, but I do anticipate that this lack of clarity around liquids and electronics at airport security will cause confusion at best, and significant hold-ups at worst. An overhaul of the 100ml rules It didnt have to be this way. In December 2022, the Department for Transport (DfT) instructed all UK airports to overhaul their security systems with the introduction of new CT scanners by June 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The scanners, powered with 3D technology and more effective at detecting hazardous materials, should eventually allow passengers to pass through security with larger quantities of liquids in their hand luggage. They will also eliminate the requirement to remove liquids or electronic items from bags. However, the rollout didnt quite go to plan. These new scanners are hefty things the size of a Ford Transit van and some airports had to reinforce their floors or expand their terminals just to fit them in. Some will recall scenes of queues snaking out of Birmingham Airport last summer as the security terminal underwent major renovations. Uncertainty around liquids and electronics rules could lead to significant hold-ups at British airports - iStockphoto But the biggest problem in meeting that June 2024 deadline lay in the supply chain. There are only two international suppliers of these scanners, which also have orders coming in from scores of European airports, meaning there simply werent enough to go around within the given timeframe. As the deadline approached, some smaller airports unveiled their new CT scanners and began relaxing their security rules. As long ago as March 2023, I travelled through City Airport with a snow globe and a bottle of Malbec in my hand luggage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But when June 2024 arrived and major hubs like Heathrow and Gatwick had still failed to update their systems, the Government issued a deadline extension of June 2025. To the dismay of some airport bosses, the 100ml limits were then reintroduced across the country. To add an extra cog of confusion, the European Commission announced in late July that there was a technical issue detected in this new generation of scanners. By the beginning of September, all of the European airports that had relaxed their rules, such as Amsterdam and Rome, were instructed to revert to the original regulations. It is not known exactly what the issue of concern is, and the DfT said that it is working with manufacturers and international partners to ensure improvements are being made. The implications for your next holiday So what does this all mean for your next getaway? It depends which airport you are flying from. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The airports that have already installed the new scanners have introduced a half-way relaxation of the liquid and electronics rules. So if you are flying from Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Gatwick, Leeds Bradford, Liverpool, London City, Luton, Newcastle, Southend or Teesside airports, you must only carry liquids in containers holding 100ml or less, but you are allowed to leave these in your bag, alongside your electronic items. There is also no limit on the total volume of liquids allowed within these containers. At all of Britains other airports (Aberdeen, Bournemouth, Cardiff, East Midlands, Glasgow, Glasgow Prestwick, Heathrow, Inverness, Isle of Man, Manchester, Newquay, Norwich, Southampton, Stansted) you must stick to the old rules of removing your liquids (in containers holding no more than 100ml) and placing them in a single resealable bag at security. You must also remove large electronic items. To compound the confusion, some of the stick to the old rules airports listed above specify that you are only allowed to take a total of one litre of liquids on board, whereas a handful do not. Glasgow Prestwick, Inverness, Norwich and Southampton Airports say nothing about a maximum liquid volume, although this is a slightly pedantic point given theres only so much liquid you can feasibly squeeze into a 20cm x 20cm resealable bag. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I asked the DfT if it had any update on whether airports are on track to hit the June 2025 deadline. It said there was no update, although a spokesperson added: Passengers should continue to check security requirements with airports before they travel and come prepared with liquids in containers no larger than 100ml in hand baggage. Over the next two months, more than 25 million people will depart UK airports many on their first holiday since last summer and a fair percentage of them will not be up to speed on our current two-tiered system regarding 100ml liquid rules. But at the very least you, having done your own thorough research by reaching the end of this article, will know to pack your snow globe and bottle of Malbec in your check-in luggage for now. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Three US soldiers were killed last year in a drone attack at a military outpost in Jordan. BI obtained the investigation into the attack, which said failures preceded the carnage. It described extensive problems among the command and control soldiers who handled base security. Intelligence had come in before the fatal strike on a US military base that an imminent attack was possible. The base soldiers responsible for tracking threats were monitoring the situation. But they say they never saw the hostile drone coming. Business Insider obtained via the Freedom of Information Act the US Army command investigation into the January 28, 2024, attack on Tower 22, a small logistics outpost in northeastern Jordan. The explosive-packed drone launched by an Iranian-aligned militia group killed three American troops and wounded over 100 more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the blast, a soldier whose name and position were both redacted in the report jumped out of bed and rushed into the base defense operations center, asking its personnel why they didn't catch it. Another soldier interviewed for the investigation said someone was screaming, asking: "How did you guys not see it?" Everyone in the BDOC said nothing was on any of their systems, aside from a couple of tracks they dismissed as balloons or trash. "I could've sworn I was looking at the radar 30 seconds before the attack and didn't see anything on it," a soldier said, adding that they "don't remember seeing anything that was even close." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just before the attack, though, the BDOC's focus was on a ScanEagle recon drone that was landing at the base. That soldier acknowledged that it might have been a distraction. Finding failures President Joe Biden watching an Army carry team move the transfer case containing the remains of a soldier killed in the Tower 22 attack. AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File The Army investigation report described extensive problems among the command and control soldiers handling base security. Threat assessments were conducted regularly at Tower 22, and all of them determined there was a high risk of attack. The investigation indicated that base defenders at the time of the attack, however, were unprepared to meet the threat. The report identified several failures, including a lack of key leadership presence, "cumulative exhaustion from an insufficient number" of base defense crew shifts, and "inadequate, poorly rehearsed, and overly centralized battle drills." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It also said there was a failure to recognize the threat of attacks from certain directions. For example, it said personnel at the base erroneously assumed the southern approach to the base was safe. There was some confusion about where the drone came from. The investigation said all the soldiers working the night shift at the BDOC during the drone attack said they saw two tracks south of Tower 22 on the radar but didn't look into them. The soldiers said that the tracks observed to the south of Tower 22 before the attack were "too far away," "moving too slowly," or "possibly birds or trash," the investigation said, adding that this indicated a "negligent departure from their" standard operating procedure. The report said that "at the time of the attack, the BDOC crew also admitted they were very focused on watching the Scan Eagle recovery and did not interrogate or assess the unknown air tracks to the south of Tower 22 with the Night Hawk camera." A ScanEagle drone is a low-altitude surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft made by the US aerospace company Boeing. US civilian contractors retrieving a ScanEagle drone using a universal sky hook at the Al-Asad base in Iraq in March 2020. US Army photo by Spc. Derek Mustard Soldiers said that the ScanEagle drone returned to Tower 22 just moments before an explosion rocked the base at about 5:30 a.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The missteps moments before the attack that were described in the report would indicate a command failure for the BDOC crew charged with monitoring threats. Soldiers, the investigation said, were confused about the leadership roles at the time and felt they couldn't make big decisions "even when faced with imminent danger to the base." "We do assess that the BDOC night shift crew was not properly manned with the appropriate rank and experience level required of those positions given the current threat environment at Tower 22 and the important decisions required to protect the personnel on the base," even though senior leaders were available, the report said. US Central Command did not respond before publication to a request for comment about any accountability actions taken. One document included in the investigation said there was no warning from any radar or other system at either Tower 22 or the nearby Al-Tanf garrison, a US military base several miles away in Syria. The bomb-laden enemy drone destroyed a six-person housing unit and damaged surrounding ones, killing three Army National Guard soldiers and wounding 104 others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Tower 22 blast came amid a larger campaign of Iran-backed militia attacks on American forces across the Middle East over the US stance in the Israel-Hamas war. The Biden administration responded days later with widespread airstrikes on Tehran-linked targets in Iraq and Syria. Drone challenges Crucially, the Tower 22 attack underscores the challenges of detecting small drones packed with explosives and the related readiness requirements. These munitions, increasingly being used in combat, are very different from traditional threats such as missiles. They're more easily acquired by threat actors, have small radar signatures that can be mistaken for other things, and demand vigilance to engage. And even then, they can be missed. An Iranian-made Shahed-136 drone, which Tehran has used for Middle East attacks. Photo by ANONYMOUS/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images The US recognizes that drones are a significant threat to its armed forces. In December, then-Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said that adversary drones "have evolved rapidly" in recent years, adding that "cheap systems are increasingly changing the battlefield, threatening US installations, and wounding or killing our troops." Toward the end of the Biden administration, the Department of Defense outlined its approach to the drone threat. The US is looking to build up its inventory of counterdrone capabilities. Such systems were in place at Tower 22, but something else went wrong. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the recommendations in the Tower 22 investigation, it was suggested that US Army Central, tasked with Middle East operations, establish a "comprehensive and standardized" BDOC/counterdrone crew training plan for all units before deploying to a region where counterdrone capabilities or missions may be needed. The report recommended that the program "include recent experiences"; tactics, techniques, and procedures; and lessons from across the CENTCOM area of responsibility. Read the original article on Business Insider KINSHASA, Congo (AP) Congos President Felix Tshisekedi has commuted the death sentences of three Americans convicted on charges of participating in a botched coup attempt in the countrys capital Kinshasa last year, an official said Wednesday. A presidential order commuted their death sentences to life imprisonment, Congolese presidential spokesperson Tina Salama said, more than six months after a military court sentenced the three and more than 30 others to death for the failed coup. The pardon came amid efforts by Congolese authorities to sign a minerals deal with the U.S. in exchange for security support that will help Kinshasa fight rebels in the conflict-hit eastern region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Six people were killed during last year's botched coup attempt, led by little-known opposition figure Christian Malanga, that targeted the presidential palace in Kinshasa as well as a close ally of Tshisekedi. Malanga was fatally shot while resisting arrest soon after live-streaming the attack on his social media, the Congolese army said. Malangas 21-year-old son Marcel Malanga, who is a U.S. citizen, was among the Americans convicted for participating in the coup plot. The other Americans are Tyler Thompson Jr., 21, a high school friend of the younger Malanga who flew to Africa from Utah for what his family believed was a free vacation, and Benjamin Reuben Zalman-Polun, 36, who is reported to have known Christian Malanga through a gold mining company. Marcel Malanga told the court that his father had forced him and Thompson to take part in the attack. Dad had threatened to kill us if we did not follow his orders, he said previously during hearings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most of the defendants were Congolese but also included a Briton, Belgian and Canadian. Their charges included attempted coup, terrorism and criminal association. Fourteen people were acquitted in the trial. Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of State announced late Tuesday that President Donald Trumps new senior advisor for Africa, Massad Boulos, will travel to Congo and three other African countries Rwanda, Kenya, and Uganda starting April 3. Boulos will advance efforts for sustainable peace in eastern Congo and promote U.S. private sector investment in the region, the State Department said in a statement. HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) State Attorney General William Tong announced Tuesday that Connecticut has joined a multistate lawsuit against the Trump administration over $175 million in public health grant money that was rescinded from the state last week. Layoffs begin at US health agencies responsible for research, tracking disease and regulating food The lawsuit is the latest in a flood of legal actions brought by Democratic attorneys general attempting to block President Donald Trump from fulfilling his campaign promise of sweeping spending cuts across the federal government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People will die as a result of this proposed federal cut, State Sen. Martin Looney, the president of the Connecticut State Senate, said. The grant money was intended for programs across the state that provided newborn health screenings, supported disease outbreak monitoring and promoted childhood vaccinations. When the pullback of the grants was announced by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) last week, Connecticuts Public Health Commissioner Dr. Manisha Juthani called it A dark day for public health. Last week, an HHS spokesperson told the Associated Press the new administration will no longer waste billions of taxpayer dollars responding to a non-existent pandemic that Americans moved on from years ago. In announcing his involvement in this latest lawsuit, Tong made an appeal to his colleagues across the aisle in Connecticut. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To my Republican friends, these are your constituents, too, Tong said. This is your state, too. I know you love this state. So, join with us in this fight. Several of Tongs fellow Democrats, including Looney and State Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff, also challenged leading Republicans to join them in their denunciation of the president. Gov. Ned Lamont pushes for more money for program aimed at getting disconnected youth back into school Earlier in the day, many of those leading Republicans were gathered in Ansonia for a press conference of their own. Locking arms with a local business owner and the trade association that represents the states trucking industry, State Senate Minority Leader Stephen Harding touted a proposal that he says will substantially lower energy and tax bills for Connecticut residents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Responding to news that Tong would join the multistate lawsuit challenging HHS funding claw back, Harding said, Its incumbent upon the state of Connecticut to advocate for the state of Connecticut but as is typical for the Democratic party in our state, they dont want to address what is in the here and the now. Harding went on to accuse Connecticut Democrats of promoting policies that have raised the cost of living across the state. The cost of living, not action in Washington, should be the focus, Harding said. They dont want to talk about the fact that theyve been in charge since [State Sen. Ryan Fazio] and I were in high school and have done nothing but raise taxes, and fees, and regulations upon small businesses and residences alike, Harding said. Duff, the Democratic majority leader in the State Senate, levelled sharp criticism directly at Harding and his Republican colleagues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rather than stand at some oil, heating delivery service, they should be standing with us right now, looking into the cameras, saying to the president of the United States, This is bad, this will hurt our state. Duff said. He pointed to the Trump administrations designs to impose a broad regime of tariffs as an example of a Republican policy raising the cost of living. Duff has previously said the Republican tax and energy plans are infeasible and would not achieve their stated goals. Earlier in the day, Harding had preempted such criticism from Democrats predicting what his counterparts across the aisle would say. Theyll lie about aspects of our plan and then point to Washington DC, Harding said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tune in for more on the lawsuit starting at News 8 at 5 p.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. [Watch previous FOX 8 News coverage in the player above.] COLUMBUS, Ohio (WJW) With enactment of the states new transportation budget, a contentious proposal to build a new interchange between Brunswick and Strongsville appears to have stalled out. Gov. Mike DeWine on Monday signed into law House Bill 54, the states two-year transportation budget. It repealed a provision in the states last biennial transportation budget specifically designed to bring a new interchange to Interstate 71, between exits 225 and 231, intended to relieve traffic congestion in the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement US issues new travel advisory for The Bahamas State Sen. Tom Patton, R-Strongsville, whos been working on the new interchange plan for years and installed it in the last transportation budget bill in 2022 said he was disappointed and confused by its reversal. But across the Medina County line, residents rejoiced. The plan would have razed dozens of occupied homes in Brunswicks Boston Road area through eminent domain, turning a dense residential area into a commercial corridor, said Nicholas Hanek, Brunswick City Council president. He said he thinks it was the dogged opposition from hundreds of residents, including a grassroots group that appeared at city council meetings in both Brunswick and Strongsville and testified before the legislature, that turned of the tide toward the plans undoing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There were people who got to sleep last night and not be afraid of losing their home for the first time in two years, Hanek said. This is a really remarkable thing to have happened. This is a situation where government worked. The interstates six-mile span between Brunswick and Strongsville is the largest distance in the entire interstate system between two urban areas, Patton told FOX 8 News in 2023. The congestion sometimes causes I-71 to back up to the turnpike exit. The interstates state Route 82 ramp also has one of the highest accident rates in the region, Patton said. The project would have been partially funded with state highway safety money. After several years in the works, it was added to the transportation budget in order to expedite it, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But were it to have gone ahead, Brunswick would have been on the hook for widening the area around Boston Road to six lanes which would have disturbed a jet fuel pipeline running along the roadway and the safety of what would essentially be a new commercial area in the city, Hanek said. He said the interchange plan wouldnt have solved traffic congestion on state Route 82 since the proposed interchange was too far south and may have actually caused more slowdowns on I-71. It also wouldnt have covered Brunswicks costs. By all accounts, and even a conservative financial projection, it would have ruined the entire budget of the city of Brunswick, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 1 hospitalized, 1 in custody after shooting in Shaker Heights library The latest state transportation budget instead mandates a traffic study in that same area along I-71, bounded by U.S. Route 42 to the north and west, state Route 303 to the south and West 130th Street to the east to find ways to make traffic smoother. That study started in 2024 and must be completed by the end of 2026, under the new law. Patton said the traffic congestion isnt exclusive to Brunswick. Since the interchange plans defeat, more complaints to his office have come from residents of Brunswick than Strongsville, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said he now plans to shift his focus to other issues in his district. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. A convicted rapist has been rearrested in Ventura on suspicion of spray-painting swastikas throughout the city and then documenting the hate crimes on social media in an effort to sow fear, authorities said. John Williams, 30, was arrested Sunday and booked at the Ventura County Jail on suspicion of vandalism, a hate crime and a parole violation after officers connected him to at least five reports of spray-painted swastikas, according to the Ventura Police Department. "It appeared that Williams was spray painting swastikas and then taking photos of them and uploading to social media in an effort to give the appearance that other people were committing hate crimes and spreading fear," the department said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Ex-Torrance police officers charged with spray-painting swastika on car Williams was convicted of forcible rape in 2019 after pleading guilty to the 2015 crime, according to court records. At the time of his most recent arrest, he was on parole for the rape conviction, Police Department spokesperson Cmdr. Sarah Heard confirmed. The suspected serial swastika spray painter has a history of parole violations, court records show. Just 10 days before his most recent vandalism arrest, he was booked into Ventura County Jail on a parole hold, according to the county's inmate log. On Sunday morning, the department received a call from a business in the 1000 block of East Front Street near downtown Ventura reporting that someone had spray-painted a swastika on a wall of their property. Officers reviewed surveillance camera video of the crime and identified the suspect as Williams, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then they received four more calls regarding swastikas spray-painted on public and private property throughout the city. While investigating the first vandalism, officers spotted Williams riding an electric scooter near Main and Ash streets. They said they made an enforcement stop and found evidence connecting him to the crimes. Williams is being held on $250,000 bail and is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday, according to the county's inmate log. He was booked on four counts of felony vandalism, one count of misdemeanor vandalism, one count of misdemeanor hate crime, one felony count of violating parole and one misdemeanor count of being in possession of a stun gun with a prior felony conviction, according to the inmate log. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. has seen a significant surge in antisemitic hate crimes and vandalism in recent years. Read more: How antisemitism came roaring back into American life In the 12-month period after the Israel-Hamas war began on Oct. 7, 2023, the Anti-Defamation League reported more than 10,000 antisemitic incidents in the U.S. a 200% increase from previous years and the highest number recorded. This included more than 1,840 incidents of antisemitic vandalism. L.A. County saw a 91% increase in anti-Jewish hate crimes from 2022 to 2023, the latest year for which data are available. The number of incidents rose to an all-time high of 242 from 124. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2023, a Los Angeles man was charged with spray-painting swastikas on more than a dozen vehicles. Swastika graffiti have also been found in Santa Monica, West Hollywood, San Dimas, Calabasas and on the campuses of USC and UCLA. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. CHICAGO Cook County prosecutors have dropped all charges against a man who spent nearly 30 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. Robert Johnson was freed in February after a judge vacated his conviction. It feels like a building has been lifted off my shoulders, Johnson said. MORE: Wrongfully convicted man, now free, wants justice to come for arresting officer Johnson was only 16 years old when he was arrested for the 1996 murder of Eddie Binion. He was later wrongfully convicted of first-degree murder, armed robbery and home invasion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His lawyers said there was no physical evidence or witness linking him to the crime. Johnson said hes ready to put it all behind him now. Im looking forward to everything, every different experience. Im just ready to live my life, you know? Im not going to focus on the last 28 years, Im going to focus on the next 28 years. I feel like my future is bright, Johnson said. Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines He said hes planning on using his experience to help raise awareness about wrongful convictions and bring about change. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. U.S. Bank vice chair Terry Dolan was confirmed Tuesday as the person killed when his single-engine plane crashed into a suburban Minneapolis home over the weekend, a medical examiner ruled. Terrance Robert Dolan, 63, died of blunt-force injuries, the Hennepin County Medical Examiners Office said. The avid pilot was flying a single-engine Socata TBM7 from Naples, Fla., to his home in Edina, Minn., when he went down. Dolan had stopped in Des Moines, Iowa, then taken off from Des Moines International Airport headed for Anoka County-Blaine Airport. He crashed around 12:20 p.m. Saturday in Brooklyn Park, the Federal Aviation Administration said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The house the plane hit was immediately engulfed in flames, though the sole occupant escaped uninjured. The home was destroyed, displacing a family, authorities told The Minnesota Star Tribune. Dolan was remembered for his ascent from humble roots growing up in a tight-knit Irish family on a farm near Lucan, Minn. to the top ranks of the Minneapolis-based bank, the Star Tribune reported. He was known as much for his community work as he was for his roles as the banks vice chair and chief administrative officer, the news outlet reported. He had been with the bank since 1998. U.S. Bank had said Monday it believed Dolan was the one flying the plane, which was registered to him. With News Wire Services DAMASCUS, April 3 (Xinhua) -- At least four members of Syria's Ministry of Defense were killed and 12 others wounded in a wave of Israeli airstrikes that targeted several military sites across Syria Wednesday evening, in what marks one of the most extensive escalations in recent months. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Israeli fighter jets launched approximately 25 airstrikes, the majority of which, 18 in total, struck the Hama Military Airport in the central Hama province. The bombardment targeted aircraft, runways and control towers, rendering the airport completely out of service. Three additional airstrikes were carried out on the T4 Airbase and its surroundings in eastern Homs. No casualties were reported, but assessments of material damage are ongoing. In Damascus, Israeli warplanes struck the Scientific Research Center in the Barzeh district, where plumes of smoke were seen rising. On the ground, Israeli forces shelled the Harsh Sadd Tasil area, known locally as the "National Park," and the vicinity of Tal al-Jumou between Nawa and Tasil in western Daraa province. Israeli reconnaissance aircraft were reported flying over the area, although no casualties or damage figures were immediately available. Israeli troops also reportedly entered the Harsh Sadd al-Jubailiyah area near Nawa in western Daraa, supported by dozens of military vehicles. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Israel has conducted 43 attacks on Syrian territory since the start of 2025, 37 aerial and six ground assaults, resulting in the destruction of roughly 50 targets, including weapon depots, headquarters, and military vehicles. These strikes have killed at least 24 people, including nine from Syria's Ministry of Defense and security agencies and 13 civilians. New Hampshire conservation officers arrested Travis Cushman, the superintendent of the Merrimack County jail, last week for multiple offenses after an 8-month investigation. Officers seized three deer mounts, a firearm, and archery equipment while executing a search warrant as part of the investigation, according to the New Hampshire Fish and Game Law Enforcement Division. Cushman was taken into custody on March 25 and has since been placed on leave. Merrimack County records indicate that Cushman held various positions with the Merrimack County Department of Corrections from 2015 to 2022, including corporal, lieutenant of operations, captain of operations, major, and superintendent. Cushman now faces seven misdemeanor charges and 10 violation charges, including unlawful baiting, use of a live-action game camera, and multiple illegal night hunting charges. If found guilty, Cushman could be charged multiple fines. His hunting license could also be suspended, although the charges dont carry potential jail time for the one-time jailer. He is scheduled to appear in Laconia District Court on May 15. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court records indicate Cushman is accused of illegally hunting deer outside of legal hunting hours on several consecutive evenings in November 2023, according to WSHU. One charge claims he registered a whitetail deer harvest the morning of Nov. 15, despite a timestamped image showing the animal the previous evening. The New Hampshire Antler and Skull Trophy Club, a nonprofit organization dedicated to keeping records of trophy animals taken in the Granite State, announced in a Facebook post on Sunday that it was removing two of Cushmans entries. A post by the club indicated that Cushman shot a 220-pound buck in Belknap County with a gross score of 155 inches during the 2023 muzzleloader season. That post and photos of the buck have since been removed. Read Next: Giant Drop Tine Deer That Made Whitetail Hunting History When you enter a buck into NHASTC, you sign that the animal was taken legally and ethically. We find these actions disturbing and will not tolerate them, the post read. Once the legal actions are complete, this individual will be removed from the upcoming record book. A New York Judge has dismissed the corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams with prejudice meaning the government will not be able to resubmit charges against the embattled mayor who allied himself with the Trump administration following his indictment last year. On Wednesday, Manhattan Federal District Court Judge Dale E. Ho granted the Department of Justices request to have the case against Adams dismissed, but reprimanded the Trump administrations attempt to leave the door open to revive the case against the mayor in the future. Everything here smacks of a bargain: Dismissal of the indictment in exchange for immigration policy concessions, Ho wrote in his ruling. Dismissing the case without prejudice would create the unavoidable perception that the Mayors freedom depends on his ability to carry out the immigration enforcement priorities of the administration, and that he might be more beholden to the demands of the federal government than to the wishes of his own constituents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ho also made a point to bash the government assertions that the case against Adams had been little more than a politically motivated prosecution by using their own words against them. The record before the Court indicates that the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York prosecutors who worked on this case followed all appropriate Justice Department guidelines. There is no evidence-zero-that they had any improper motives. Indeed, [the] DOJs memorandum directing dismissal of this case took care to note that it did not call[] into question the integrity and efforts of the line prosecutors responsible for the case, or the efforts of the U.S. Attorney leading the office at the time of the memorandum, Ho wrote. Last year, Adams was indicted on five federal counts bribery, conspiracy, fraud, and two counts of soliciting illegal foreign campaign donations. The charges came after a lenghty investigation of the Mayors office that saw several prominent members of his administration caught in its net. Virtually the moment he was charged, Adams began making blatant overtures to the Trump administration, essentially prostrating himself before the incoming president in the hopes of receiving some sort of reprieve. As previously reported by Rolling Stone, the groveling was so egregious that some in Trumps administration mocked Adams as thirsty for a pardon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In February, during a joint Fox News interview with Trumps border czar, Tom Homan, Adams was asked about allegations that he had offered to help with the migration problem in the immigration agenda in exchange for the case being dropped. Thats quid-pro-quo, Adams replied. Thats a crime. Homan immediately undermined the mayor, telling Fox News that If he doesnt come through, Ill be back in New York City, and we wont be sitting on a couch. Ill be in his office, up his butt, saying, Where the hell is the agreement we came to? Rolling Stone reported in February that lawyers for Adams sent a letter to the Justice Department lamenting that as his trial grows near, it will be untenable for the mayor to be the ever-present partner that [the Department of Homeland Security] needs to make New York City as safe as possible. The letter, written to Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove, advocated strongly in favor of dismissing the charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weeks later, U.S. Attorney Danielle R. Sassoon resigned from her position after being ordered by Bove to drop the case. The case is now dead, and the Trump administration has once again demonstrated that its willing to steamroll Lady Justice if it means getting a political leg up. Instead of granting Trump the ability to hold an indictment over Adams head in order to force the implementation of policies unpopular with New Yorkers, Judge Ho instead gave Adams the get-out-of-jail card he was looking for. Its no victory. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. After breaking the record for the longest Senate speech in history, Cory Booker now seems to have broken the internet, with a slew of praise, memes and even TikTok videos commemorating his mammoth achievement. The New Jersey Democrat took to the Senate floor on Monday evening, saying he would remain there as long as he was physically able. The speech lasted a whopping 25 hours and 5 minutes. Bookers filibuster speech was hailed as an act of leadership by his political contemporaries, but also generated a buzz online, with some marveling at his stamina. US Senator Cory Booker broke the record for longest Senate speech in history on Tuesday, prompting a slew of memes and songs (AP) Cory Booker still manages to sound more coherent in the 20th hour of his speech than trump in the first minute of any of his speeches!, one user said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When I send you this...just know I got TIME today, posted another, alongside a picture of the Senator still reading from a script. Do you think Cory Booker can make it for 3 years and about 10 months longer? joked another user, referring to the length of time left in Donald Trumps second term. Going into his 23rd straight hour of standing on the floor, Bookers TikTok live stream had reportedly been liked over 175 million times. His performance was later clipped up and turned into a pop remix. Now THIS is recession music, commented one user. I did not expect him to make history AND a bop, added another. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One user branded the track genre as EDM. Economy Dance Music. Our generation is so unserious, we could be in a literal apocalypse and thered be a remix, wrote another user. do you think Cory Booker can make it for 3 years and about 10 months longer? Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 1, 2025 Ok but I need a 25hr full remix please, added another. During the speech, Booker was assisted by fellow Democrats who gave him a break from speaking by asking him questions on the Senate floor, sparking even more reaction online. Get you a partner who supports you like Chris Murphy support Cory Booker, one wrote, referencing the Connecticut Senator who remained on the floor for the whole filibuster. Many also posted congratulations online following the conclusion of his remarks, including former Vice President Kamala Harris. The true measure of a leader is not based on who you beat down but on who you lift up, she wrote on X. The true measure of a leader is not based on who you beat down but on who you lift up. For over 24 hours, my friend @CoryBooker stood on the floor of the Senate and lifted up the voices of the American people harmed by the current administration. We must continue to fight for Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) April 2, 2025 For over 24 hours, my friend @CoryBooker stood on the floor of the Senate and lifted up the voices of the American people harmed by the current administration. We must continue to fight for the best of who we are as Americans. Thank you, Cory, for your leadership. While New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker was causing good trouble on the Senate floor, one of his staffers was getting in some real trouble outside the room. Capitol Police led him away in handcuffs over what he tried to bring in the building. A representative for the U.S. Capitol Police tells The New York Post that a member of Congress led an IDed staff member around security screening in the Hart Senate Office Building on Monday, April 1. However, later that evening, the staff member in question told officers he was armed. The staffer was identified as 59-year-old Kevin A. Batts, a retired Newark law enforcement officer and allegedly one of Sen. Bookers best friends, according to a dated social media post. The two had been working together since 2014, gaining him the nickname of The Batt Man. In a statement, Bookers spokesperson told The Post Batts was a retired detective who drives for Booker and often comes to events with him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, another post from Booker suggests the two go wayyyy back. Kevin Batts has been a friend and team member since 2006 when I became mayor and even before. I so deeply appreciate his steadfast friendship, incredible dedication to Newark and now his service to the state, Booker said in a January 2016 Instagram post. At the time of the arrest, Booker was already over 12 hours into his stride toward breaking the late Sen. Strom Thurmonds filibuster record from 1957. Its unclear how Batts got through security in the first place but the authorities made it clear the gun was a big no-no. The staff member, 59-year-old Kevin A. Batts of New Jersey, was arrested for Carrying a Pistol Without a License. All weapons are prohibited from Capitol Grounds, even if you are a retired law enforcement officer, or have a permit to carry in another state or the District of Columbia, authorities say, per the report. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. BANGKOK (AP) The trade war that U.S. President Donald Trump has escalated in his second term is a challenge for all Asian economies, large and small, in an era when the most populous region of the world is expected to drive global economic growth. Export manufacturing and free trade helped transform China and other Asian countries into economic powerhouses over the past decades. Trumps barrages of tariffs, aimed at compelling companies to keep or set up their factories in the United States, are rupturing trade agreements often made at great political cost to trading partners. The White House says the criteria for raising tariffs will include not just U.S. trade deficits but also various taxes, exchange rates, government subsidies and various non-tariff trade barriers. Apart from the tariffs to be announced on Wednesday's Liberation Day, as Trump calls it, 25% tariffs on imports of autos and auto parts are due to take effect on Thursday. Trump has also ordered levies against China, Canada and Mexico; expanded tariffs on steel and aluminum, and imposed tariffs on countries that import oil from Venezuela. He plans more import taxes on pharmaceutical drugs, lumber, copper and computer chips. Higher costs already have led many manufacturers to shift away from China to other economies in South and Southeast Asia, Africa and Latin America. But for now the prevailing uncertainty over what Trump will do with what he calls reciprocal tariffs may lead most to sit tight and see what comes next. Theres no script for how reciprocal tariffs get priced, and uncertainty is the only constant, Stephen Innes of SPI Asset Management said. Here's a look at how higher U.S. tariffs might affect some major Asian economies. China Despite some decrease in trade since Trump launched a trade war with China during his first term in office, the U.S. trade deficit has continued to climb, hitting $295.4 billion last year. China, the world's No. 2 economy, has leaned heavily on exports to make up for weak demand at home. The ruling Communist Party has made exports of autos, especially electric vehicles, and batteries a priority, but 27.5% tariffs on auto exports and 102.5% duties on EVs have in effect closed the U.S. market for its automakers. China is the second largest supplier of auto parts to the U.S. behind Mexico. During Trump's first term, higher tariffs led leader Xi Jinping to champion a shift to high-tech production. That will likely continue as U.S. pressure intensifies, causing job losses due to changes in manufacturing rather than direct damage from the tariffs themselves, Raymond Yeung of ANZ Research said in a report. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) A couple in West Carrollton was recognized Tuesday night for their help in catching a murder suspect. Kaitlynn and Matthew Pope were taking a walk on March 13 when a homicide investigation quite literally ended up at their front door. With some quick thinking, the couple helped police arrest their suspect. Law enforcement had spent all night searching for Dametrius Turner, when the couple found the man in their front yard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All night long we used the resources of the state highway patrol, the sheriff and agencies around us, said Mike Brem, Miamisburg Police Department chief of police. Turner was wanted for murder and felonious assault after police had found 52-year-old Leslie Ross dead in a Miamisburg home just hours earlier. Turner had been on the run since fleeing the scene, pursued by dozens of officers and drones. It wasnt until Kaitlynn and Matthew Pope were returning home from a walk that the case shifted. I spotted this individual down the road and he didnt look right to me, so I just kept my eye on him, said Matthew Pope. He kind of stopped in front of our house in the driveway, kind of going back and forth and that was right after we saw a Miamisburg police officer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Later out of curiosity, the couple says they checked their local Facebook groups and saw a post Miamisburg PD shared just hours before. We had this gut instinct and at first we didnt listen, said Kaitlynn Pope. We kept talking about it and talking about it and were like, okay, somethings going on. After some discussion, the couple phoned the police. With the description of Turner confirmed, officials were able to close in on the area and arrest him after a 13-hour manhunt, where he traveled on foot from Miamisburg to West Carrollton. On Tuesday night, Miamisburg city leaders wanted to recognize the couple for their quick thinking and actions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We were in the right place at the right time, and I feel like any other resident wouldve done the same, Matthew said. Turner remains in the Montgomery County Jail where he is facing felonious assault, murder and several other charges. His next court date is April 16. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. WEST SENECA A heavy caseload before West Seneca Town Justice Jon Minear on Tuesday night has led to another postponement of the scheduled non-jury trial in the drunken driving case against Starpoint Central School District Superintendent Sean Croft. Crofts trial had been scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m. and the law enforcement witnesses set to testify in the case were at the courthouse. But more than a dozen other cases that Minear had to hear pushed the potential start of the trial past 9 p.m. With the trial expected to last several hours, Minear suggested a postponement. The trial is now rescheduled for 7 p.m. on April 29. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Croft faces charges of driving while intoxicated, imprudent speed and unsafe movement from a traffic lane in connection with a Labor Day weekend car crash that caused property damage but no injuries. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges and is free on his own recognizance. Erie County prosecutors offered no objection to the delay. In addition to the officers testimony, prosecutors have previously turned over evidence in the case to Crofts defense. That evidence is known to include multiple videos from the crash scene recorded by West Seneca Police patrol car dashboard cams and officer-worn body cameras. West Seneca police said the crash occurred about 3:40 p.m. Aug. 31. Officers had responded to a call of a single-vehicle crash on Nina Terrace near East-West Road. Crash investigators said Croft is suspected of driving his vehicle at a speed in excess of the legal limit, when he drove off of the roadway and hit a tree in the residential neighborhood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Croft, 50, of Cheektowaga, was treated at the scene by paramedics. If convicted on the DWI charge, Croft could face up to a year in jail. His New York State drivers license has been temporarily suspended. After the crash, Croft was placed on leave from his post as the Starpoint superintendent. However, in November, the members of the Starpoint Central School District Board of Education agreed unanimously to return Croft to his job with the district. Croft returned to work on Nov. 14. SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY JWR UPDATE. IT'S FREE. (AND NO SPAM!) Just click here. It's not an exaggeration to say that much of the media's coverage of Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency effort has veered between contempt, ridicule and sheer hatred. Coverage and commentary have villainized Musk, the maker of climate-friendly electric cars and pioneering space projects, as an evil tech bro bent on destroying the U.S. government. The same coverage and commentary have characterized Musk's team of assistants as young, reckless, immature gamers bent on destroying the U.S. government. You want a sample? Look up "DOGE" and "Big Balls." A significant part of DOGE narrative-making is driven by Democrats, who early on sensed a serious threat to cherished spending priorities and the heavily Democratic and deeply entrenched 2.4 million-employee federal workforce. The angry rhetoric of Democratic leaders was then megaphoned in many press outlets. It's also true that Musk harmed his own effort with his periodic bouts of irrational exuberance. When he bounded around the stage at a conservative gathering holding a big chainsaw above his head or when he talked about feeding a federal agency to a wood chipper, Musk distracted the public from the seriousness of the DOGE mission. And it is a serious mission. It is impossible to look at the trajectory of federal spending and deficits and not be deeply concerned. There is no single and acceptable way to bring the deficits down; if it is done, it will have to be done in a number of ways. One of those ways is to cut wasteful and fraudulent spending by making the workings of the government more efficient. The purpose of DOGE, as laid out in President Donald Trump's Jan. 20 executive order establishing the agency, is "to implement the president's DOGE agenda, by modernizing federal technology and software to maximize governmental efficiency and productivity." All of that is a prelude to what happened Thursday night a moment that could mark a turning point in the public debate over DOGE. Fox News anchor Bret Baier gathered Musk and seven key DOGE officials to give an update on the work that has been done so far. Although Musk has spoken publicly before, it was the first opportunity people have had to see and hear the people behind Musk who are doing the hands-on work of DOGE. The short version is that it is a group of impressive, serious people who are doing serious work to improve the functioning of the government. A few examples: Joe Gebbia, a co-founder of Airbnb, described the ancient, paper-based system the government uses to handle the records of federal employees. "There is actually a mine in Pennsylvania that houses every paper document for the retirement process in the government," Gebbia explained. "Now picture this: This giant cave has 22,000 filing cabinets stacked 10 high to house 400 million pieces of paper. It is a process that started in the 1950s and largely hasn't changed in the last 70 years." DOGE is working to modernize the system to make it far easier for 21st-century federal workers to negotiate. "We really believe that the government can have an Apple store-like experience," Gebbia said, "beautifully designed, great user experience, modern systems." On a similar theme, another DOGE worker, Aram Moghaddassi, described being astonished by the Social Security system's computers. "The first thing that got me really excited about DOGE was learning basically the state of government computers," Moghaddassi said. "By some estimates, government IT costs about $100 billion. Its funding systems are over 50 years old in the case of something like Social Security or the IRS. So really critical systems are old. They cost a lot of money to maintain, and the efforts to improve them are often very delayed. So I thought, I'm a software engineer that maybe could make a difference here." Another example came from Brad Smith, who is examining the Department of Health and Human Services, which is basically a network of separate duchies that don't communicate with one another. "There are 700 different IT systems today at the National Institutes of Health," Smith said. "Software systems that can't speak to each other. They have 27 different CIOs." Baier interrupted to ask, "Twenty-seven different chief information officers?" Smith answered, "Correct." The theme of vastly outdated technology, redundant staffing, and decades of delayed modernization ran through Gebbia's, Maghaddassi's, Smith's and other DOGE workers' comments. For that matter, it ran through then-Vice President Al Gore's "reinventing government" effort in the 1990s. When it comes to updating how the government works, it's an old, old story: Government never keeps up with advancements in every other area of life. It's always behind the times, sometimes decades behind the times. Bringing it into the present day is a never-ending task. Much of the problem involves technology. And that, of course, is Musk's thing. "When I say our job is tech support, I really mean it," Musk said. "We have to fix the computers. What we have here are a bunch of failing computer systems that are preventing people from receiving their benefits, that are preventing research from happening, that are extremely vulnerable to fraud and we are fixing it." DOGE has taken a lot of criticism for trying to fix things too quickly. Some of that criticism is valid the DOGE team has to remember that beyond their own mistakes, there is a powerful political and communications apparat working to terrify the public about what Musk & Co. are doing. Moving too quickly can scare people. But at the same time, there are all those decades of unsuccessful efforts to update government systems, plus the contrast with much faster progress in the tech world. "I think in the context of the government, we are moving like lightning," Musk said. "In the context of what I'm used to moving, it's slower than I'd like." In the end, what was striking about the group interview was how straightforward and thoughtful the DOGE leaders were. The contrast between their statements and demeanor on the one hand and the media characterizations of them on the other was remarkable. NIAMEY, April 2 (Xinhua) -- The foreign ministers of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) will pay an official visit to Moscow on Thursday and Friday, as part of an initiative aimed at deepening relations between the AES and the Russian Federation, said a joint statement released on Tuesday. This first session of consultations, which brings together the foreign ministers of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger and their Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, is part of the desire of the heads of the AES countries and Russia to expand their collaboration in the political, economic, and security fields, the statement said. Discussions will focus on issues of mutual interest, including regional stability, economic development, and defense, the statement said. The three countries have signed defense agreements and established cooperation relations with Russia in the areas of energy and mining, local media reported. A new 30-page filing by the Government Tuesday in Federal Court details the timeline following the arrest of Tufts University student Rumeysa Ozturk last week. The documents show ICE agents took the Tufts Ph.D. student out of state within an hour of her arrest. ICE agents arrested Ozturk one week ago in Somerville. According to this new filing, the Department of State revoked her student visa on March 21, which was allowed by the Secretary of States discretion. In this image taken from security camera video, Rumeysa Ozturk, a 30-year-old doctoral student at Tufts University, is detained by Department of Homeland Security agents on a street in Sommerville, Mass., Tuesday, March 26, 2025. (AP Photo) Ozturk is still being held in a Louisiana jail while her attorneys petition to bring her back to Massachusetts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But in the governments response Tuesday: federal immigration laws strip district courts of jurisdiction over the sorts of governmental decisions challenged in the Petition, including revocation of Petitioners student visa and ICEs decision to initiate removal proceedings. The government says ICE transferred Ozturk out of state because there was no bedspace for her in a detention facility in New England close to an immigration court. Their filing details a timeline of what went down last week following Ozturks arrest in Somerville on March 25 at 5:25 p.m. From there, ICE took her to Methuen at 6:22 p.m., and then Lebanon, New Hampshire at around 6:36 p.m. that night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then by 10:28 p.m., Ozturk was taken to Vermont where she spent the night in an ICE Field Office before flying out of Burlington at 5:31 a.m. By 2:30 p.m. on March 26, Ozturk landed in Louisiana, where she remains in custody. The government says when she tried to petition to stay in Massachusetts, she was already in Vermont that night, so the courts in Massachusetts have no jurisdiction over this case. The government argues she should file any complaints with the courts in Louisiana, where shes being held. Meanwhile students at Tufts University continue to rally support for the Turkish national. They say she has a right to free speech and worry shes being deported for an op-ed she co-authored, supporting Palestine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Federal authorities say she engaged in activities supporting the terrorist group, Hamas. Boston 25 News reached out to Ozturks lawyers for a response on this latest filing but havent heard back. Shes expected to face an immigration judge in Louisiana on Monday morning. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department released the final report on the Covenant School shooting Wednesday morning. The 48-page report covers a number of topics including motive, planning and a detailed look at how the attack played out. Click here to read the complete report. On March 27, 2023, six people, including three children, were shot and killed at the Covenant School in Green Hills. The victims were identified as Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs, and William Kinney, all 9 years old; as well as Cynthia Peak, 61; Dr. Katherine Koonce, 60; and Mike Hill, 61. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The shooter, former Covenant School student Audrey Hale, 28, was shot to death by Metro officers Rex Engelbert, a 4-year veteran, and Michael Collazo, a 9-year veteran. The report states the shooter sought notoriety and detectives worked to determine if Hale was sane. Metro police also determined Hale did not have any help with planning or on the day of the attack. The report claims there was no manifesto and Hale never left a single document that explained the reason for the attack, nor why the Covenant School was specifically targeted or what Hale hoped to gain by carrying out the attack. Still image from the video surveillance footage from Royal Range, USA, showing Hale parked at the location between 8:16 a.m. and 9:33 a.m. on March 27, 2023, with Hales vehicle circled in red. (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department) Photograph of Hales vehicle in the parking lot following the homicides. This photograph is the car as it was parked. (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department) Photograph of Hales vehicle in the parking lot following the homicides. This photograph is the location of items of interest in the front passenger seat area. (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department) Photograph taken by a faculty member of the school while barricaded inside a room. This image shows Hale as shes firing upon police officers within the parking lot of the school. (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department) Photograph taken by crime scene investigators following the homicides, showing the vehicles Hale damaged in the distance. (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department) Photographs of Hales firearms, taken following the murders by crime scene investigators. (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department) Photographs of Hales firearms, taken following the murders by crime scene investigators. (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department) Photographs of Hales firearms, taken following the murders by crime scene investigators. (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department) This photograph shows the handmade t-shirt found in Hales closet similar in appearance to the one she wore during the attack. (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department) This photograph shows the shotgun found in her closet.(Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department) Photograph of the notebooks, composition books and sketchbooks, and folders recovered from Hales bedroom during a search of Hales residence on March 27, 2023. (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department) Photograph of the communications and memory storage devices, cassette tapes, and DVD seized from Hale during the investigation. (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department) RELATED | Covenant School Mass Shooting Continuing Coverage Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators executed search warrants at the Hale family home the same day of the shooting. Inside the home, officers found two shotguns, one in a bedroom closet and another next to a desk in a bedroom. A suicide note was reportedly found on a desk in one of the bedrooms. According to police, a total of 152 rounds (126 rifle rounds and 26 9mm rounds) were fired from the time Hale shot into the school to the time Hale was shot and killed by police. They also found writings, artwork, sales receipts and lists made by Hale, as well as five cellphones, two laptop computers, VHS cassette tapes and multiple thumb drives. A judge presided over the legal battle to release writings by the shooter. Covenant families have fought in court to keep Hales writings secret, and a judge sided with them in the summer of 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hale was a biological female but identified as male and used he/him pronouns. The report refers to Hale using female pronouns, which is required by Tennessee law. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. Coweta County deputies arrested a daycare worker accused of slamming a 3-year-old child on a cot. The alleged assault happened March 21 at Big Blue Marble Academy on Bailey Station Circle in Sharpsburg, according to the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning. Days later, deputies charged Samantha Hertzog, 33, with cruelty to children in the first degree. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] In a short surveillance clip, you can see a teacher, identified as Hertzog, walk to the back of the classroom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At one point, deputies say the teacher kicked a 3-year-olds cot before she picked up the toddler and forcefully slam them back onto the cot. The sheriffs office report did not say what injuries the child had. Deputies went to Hertzogs apartment on March 26. Body camera video shows deputies escorting Hertzog to one of their patrol cars. The Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning confirmed to Channel 2 Action News that it is investigating the daycare and sent the following statement: A child care worker was arrested following allegations of physically assaulting a child during naptime. The worker has been charged with first-degree cruelty to children. Parents and guardians seeking childcare resources can visit www.qualityrated.org for information on quality-rated childcare options. Alternatively, assistance is available by calling 1-877-ALL GA KIDS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The well-being of our children is our top priority, and DECAL remains dedicated to maintaining a safe and nurturing environment for all young learners. TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Craig Ford - WTVA Craig Ford has retired from WTVA after more than 25 years. Ford was the assistant news director and anchor at the Tupelo, Mississippi ABC and NBC affiliate. In his on air goodbye, he talked about his cancer diagnosis and surgery in 2023 where he was off the air for before coming back in March 2024. He said the doctors removed most but not all of the cancer. I was recently reminded to enjoy life now in case I have to go back for more surgery or treatment, he said. But before I go, I cant leave without saying Thank you, because you gave me a career at a great television station that lasted a good part of my life. You gave me an opportunity to work with some of the best people in broadcasting, in journalism, and you gave me time out of your day to watch, to listen to read some of my work. You did that. And because of that I will always be grateful. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ford helped launch the 9 p.m. news on what was then WLOV in December 1999 and added anchor duties at WTVA in July 2001.Before coming to Tupelo, Ford was news director and 6 p.m. anchor for CBS affiliate WHLT in Hattiesburg-Laurel. Hes also worked in radio at KTRH-AM in Houston, Texas; WWL-TV and WWL-AM in New Orleans; WBBN-FM in Laurel-Hattiesburg where he was news director. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) Catalina Alvarez spoke with WDTN.com to discuss her experimental documentary, Sound Spring, ahead of its premiere at the Cleveland International Film Festival. Yellow Springs documentary to debut at long-running festival In Sound Spring, Catalina Alvarez explores the sources and casualties of sound and speech. Characters lip-sync or speak alongside recorded versions of their stories. Some mouth the speech of other people. Some speak over playback of their own voices. Some lip-sync to loops of themselves speaking. The filmmakers behind Sound Spring, via press release. The concept behind Sound Spring For Alvarez, Sound Spring, is an exploration of how people tell stories. I like the sound of how people tell you a story. And so I had a concept, Alvarez says. I knew that first I was going to record audio only interviews and that these interviews would record people telling a historical story that was personal to them, that had some that they were personally connected to and that how they told it would become part of the experience of the story, their unique telling of it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The film is also an ode to Yellow Springs. Just as quickly as she discovered the concept for the film, Alvarez knew that the documentary would feature history from the village. This is not a film that tries to be in any in any way comprehensive about its history. Its an experimental film. Its a film depicting some peoples histories of Yellow Springs. But I think its my ode to the village. My portrait of this incredible village. How the project would add images to its audio-only stories; however, would happen much later, in production. Initially, Alvarez imagined having the interviewees lip sync their audio alongside their on-screen performance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I thought there was a lot of potential for playing creatively with dividing the sound from the image. But in this case, people would just tell their stories and and then I would add the image, rather than the other way around, as its done in Hollywood. And the other thing about my technique was that I wanted to get to know Yellow Springers, people from Yellow Springs, and I wanted to work with them. Interviews and filming Sound Spring Alvarez conducted nearly all of the interviews herself, which were done between January and March 2019. This work saw her speak with several residents including Karen McKee, Rose Pelzl, Charles Arthur Williams, Shane Creepingbear, Anne Bohlen, Donna Denman, Jalyn Roe and Talon Silverhorn. After the interviews were completed, Alvarez wrote a script for the visual component of the film. One of the interviewees, Jalyn Roe, didnt want to film her portion of the film, so Alvarez searched for young women who could embody the ages described in her stories. One of those residents was Sumayah Chappelle, the niece of Dave Chappelle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I found Sumayah because Jalyn Roe had done her audio interview and was not not thinking she was up to doing, staging a visual scene after that, but was like, you can do whatever you want with the audio interview. Sumayahs aunt recommended her for the opportunity. Rukiya Robertson also participated in the scenes based off Roes audio stories. The other interviewees partook in filming the audio stories. Filming took place between May and June of 2019. After the cameras rolled, there was a bit of a lull period, thanks in part to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, Alvarez took part in a virtual residency with the Wexner Center for the Arts. It was here where the scope of the film was enhanced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They would spend like 3 hours with me just on one meeting, talking about a cut. And through my conversation with them, I started to think maybe I did need more footage, Alvarez says. A lot of the footage that Id gotten was in peoples homes and didnt show Yellow Springs, the village, enough. Filming restarted in 2021. From that point, she obtained more stories and footage that expressed Yellow Springs history, as well as the stories of the indigenous peoples who lived in the village before the Ohio Trail of Tears. That history was available thanks to Antioch professor Richard Kraince, who put her in contact with Talon Silverhorn. Silverhorn is a citizen of the Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma and is also the Cultural Programs Manager at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Hes been an interpreter since 2007. In early 2022, Alvarez was close to giving birth to her child and was away from Yellow Springs. She still needed to film Silverhorns stories for the documentary, which is when Sumayah stepped up to the directors chair, coordinating with Alvarez to capture the scenes. The purpose of Sound Spring, and how to watch All of the work to capture the film in this way was worth it for Alvarez though, as she wanted to present an authentic portrait of the village. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the interesting challenges in filmmaking, especially fictional filmmaking, if speaking of fiction and documentary is getting realistic performance from actors. So in a way, by recording real audio interviews, I was ensuring that there was no staginess in the acting, because its not acting. So, even if they are performing in a very performative way, everything theyre saying is real. Sound Spring, is premiering on Saturday, April 5 at 5:10 p.m. The film will be available for Ohio viewers to purchase and watch via CIFF Streams. The purchase window opens on April 6 and closes April 13. Click here to learn more about the film, to see its full list of contributors and to even see its trailer. Catalina Alvarez is a professor at Fordham University. She teaches in the Art and Engagement program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. Apr. 1LIMA Crime Victim Services is celebrating April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month using the theme of togetherness, according to a press release. In April and beyond, Crime Victim Services invites the community to collaborate and learn about sexual assault to pass along resources. "Together, we can help others. Together, we can overcome. Together, we can heal," the press release said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crime Victim Services encourages anyone with information regarding a victim of sexual violence to call and ask for the Day One program, which serves survivors of sexual violence and human trafficking. The Day One program is collaborating with various Lima area businesses throughout April: Bradfield Community Center: 2nd annual Pound & Paint from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 3, 550 S. Collett St. Central District Haehn's Simply Brewed Lady Redd Fitness Lima Mall Lima Social House Phoenix Nutrition Plush Cookie Co. Vibe Coffeehouse & Cafe Winan's Coffee & Chocolate Featured Local Savings MCHENRY COUNTY, Ill. (WTVO) A man suffered critical injuries in a two car crash on Route 176 near Union on Tuesday morning. According to the Marengo Fire and Rescue Districts and the Union Fire Protection District, first responders went to the intersection of Route 176 and North Union Road at 7:59 a.m., where the driver of one car was found unconscious and heavily entrapped in his vehicle. Marengo Fire & Rescue Districts Marengo Fire & Rescue Districts The extrication took approximately one hour while a flight crew from a local hospital landed in an adjacent field and provided medical care throughout the rescue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The injured man was flown to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville. The driver of the second car involved was taken to Northwest Medicine Huntley Hospital by what officials described as moderate injuries. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports. CHEYENNE Amid major cuts in federal grants to health departments nationwide, Cheyenne Regional Medical Center was notified last week that three of its 10 federal grants will be impacted. Funding for these grants was either paused or cut for the next fiscal year. As a result, there will be funding reductions to the mental health co-response program, mobile integrated health program and Enroll Wyoming, said CRMC spokesperson JJ Barley-Dunning. We know that there's going to be significantly less funding grant funding available next year, Barley-Dunning told the Wyoming Tribune Eagle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Federal sources account for approximately 44% of the total net revenue for the Cheyenne hospital, most of which is provided through direct patient care we provide, she said. In addition, CRMC has also experienced delays in payments from federal insurance providers Medicare and Medicaid. Last week, the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced plans to lay off 10,000 full-time employees. Hospitals across the nation, including CRMC, are concerned about the future of (these) timely payments, Barley-Dunning said in an email to the WTE. Despite these challenges, CRMC remains dedicated to providing high-quality care and support to our patients and community, she wrote. We are actively monitoring the situation and will take necessary steps to ensure continuity of care for our patients, their families and our communities. Cuts to Enroll Wyoming Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the three impacted grants is funding for Enroll Wyoming, a statewide nonprofit and affiliate of CRMC that helps Wyomingites navigate health insurance options at little to no cost. On Feb. 14, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a 90% reduction in federal funding to the Affordable Care Act Navigator Program, from $97.6 million to $10 million. Enroll Wyoming was awarded $1.5 million in its last grant from the program last year, and the funding is expected to last through late August. The next grant should arrive by the last week of August, said Enroll Wyoming marketing director Caleb Smith. We do not know specifically what we're going to receive, Smith said. Nationally, the amount of money for that grant has been reduced by about 90%, so we're expecting to see our funding be reduced by a proportional amount. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While specific funding allocations havent been announced, Enroll Wyoming anticipates a proportional reduction from its current $1.5 million budget to $100,000 for the 2025-26 fiscal year. The nonprofit Wyoming program is exclusively funded through federal money, according to Smith, and it anticipates major budget cuts following these funding reductions, including potential layoffs. Enroll Wyoming is currently seeking alternative sources of funding outside the federal government, Smith said. This is something that has occurred in the past, he said. We have a history of (working) with the resources that are made available to us. However, with potential staff cuts looming, some staff members of Enroll Wyoming, including Smith, are on the lookout for other job opportunities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think anybody in this type of industry is keeping their eyes open, Smith said. We just dont know whats going to happen next. Major cuts to health care The Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) was notified last week it will lose nearly $40 million in federal grant funding, part of an $11.4 billion pullback of COVID-19-related funds by HHS. WDH spokesperson Kim Deti said the department expects to lose more than $39 million in grant funding for the Public Health Division and less than $1 million for the Behavioral Health Division. Affected funding includes COVID-19-related grants for immunizations, epidemiology and laboratory operations, health disparities and substance abuse prevention, Deti said in an email to the WTE. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wyoming counties, hospitals and health care programs will be impacted by these cuts, Deti said, including some in Laramie County. We have started notifying direct recipients of these grant funds about the situation, Deti said in an email, and we recognize there will be some tough effects. Its unclear at this point what the impacts of these cuts will be. WDH officials are currently working to clarify and work through the timing issues of the loss in grants. At the same time, it was always known these grants were temporary, Deti said. We have been planning, where possible, for funding transitions to ensure many key activities could continue. This weeks notices mean those transition plans will begin a little sooner than expected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) posted a list on March 23 of every state and university health department that will lose federal grant money, claiming $33 billion in total savings. A review of the list by the WTE calculated an estimated loss of $45 million in federal grants to the WDH. However, Deti said she could not confirm whether those numbers are reflected in actual cuts to the state health department. Furthermore, Deti could not confirm if the $39 million in terminated grant funding was related to the DOGE cuts. Last weeks notification came through the federal grant system, she said, and the action was covered by an executive order. Were not sure how the federal government is labeling or attributing reductions, Deti said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Justifying cuts CMS announced cuts for the ACA Navigator Program on Feb. 14, returning funds to pre-pandemic amounts, expecting pre-pandemic results. CMS said savings from this reduction will allow the Federally-facilitated Exchanges (FFEs) to focus on more effective strategies that improve Exchange outcomes and to reduce the user fee in future years, which would translate into a reduction in premium, according to the release. CMS also expects to see enrollment costs decrease from $1,061 per enrollment in 12 cases, $3,000 per enrollment down to $211 per enrollment. These numbers indicate that Navigators are not enrolling nearly enough people to justify the substantial amount of federal dollars previously spent on the program, the release reads. This reduction will ensure funding is focused on meeting the statutory goals of the program more efficiently and effectively. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Navigator program is funded by user fees, and the decrease in funding to $10 million per year will save a total of $360 million over a five-performance period that runs through Aug. 26, 2029, according to CMS. Because the user fee is directly passed through to the premium that health insurers charge, the savings supports lower premiums for consumers in the individual health insurance market. People who do not qualify for federal premium subsidies will directly benefit from lower premiums, the release reads. Lower premiums will also translate to less federal spending on premium subsidies. When asked why CMS experts expected pre-COVID funding to produce pre-COVID results, given that the economy has drastically changed, CMS redirected the Wyoming Tribune Eagle to the press release, which did not answer the question. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CMS also did not provide clarity on whether these cuts are related to external pressures for government efficiency or how they determined enrollment costs. In coordination with its announcement, CMS posted 2017-2024 Navigator Funding and Enrollment Data. While CMS anticipates savings and a reduction in premiums, Enroll Wyoming expects to work with limited resources in the upcoming grant year. Our staff, our partners and the consumers we serve know how valuable our work is, and we are incredibly proud of what we do, Enroll Wyoming project manager Jason Mincer said. Our services will continue as scheduled through August. If you or someone you know needs help securing health insurance, now is the time to reach out. Call, email or find an Enroll Wyoming Navigator were here to help. As of Jan. 15, Wyoming reported 46,643 enrollments in health care coverage during the Marketplace Open Enrollment Period for 2025. CMS releases Marketplace Open Enrollment Period Public Use Files (PUFs) on an annual basis. PUFs for 2025 have not yet been released. Enroll Wyoming will continue assisting as many people as possible, running awareness campaigns and promoting advanced tax credits that make marketplace health insurance more affordable. Even outside of open enrollment, many individuals qualify for marketplace plans through special enrollment periods. We are actively exploring partnerships and alternative funding sources, Mincer added. Strengthening collaborations with health care providers, nonprofit organizations and government agencies will be crucial in ensuring that Wyomingites do not fall through the cracks. JERUSALEM, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Wednesday that the military is seizing additional territory in southern Gaza to establish a new security corridor for Israel. "Last night in the Gaza Strip, we shifted gears. The IDF (Israel Defense Forces) is seizing territory, striking militants, and destroying infrastructure," Netanyahu said in a video statement. He said the Israeli military is "taking control of" the area between the cities of Khan Younis and Rafah. "This will be the second Philadelphi, an additional Philadelphi Corridor," he said, referring to land along the Gaza-Egypt border that Israeli troops now fully control. Troops are also controlling the entire buffer zone between the enclave and Israel. Netanyahu said the seizure of the "second Philadelphi" is carried out "because we are slicing up the enclave." The Israeli military is "gradually increasing the pressure, step by step," he said, warning that the more Hamas refuses to release Israeli hostages, "the more the pressure will increase -- until they comply." Earlier on Wednesday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced a significant expansion of the military offensive in Gaza, saying troops will seize additional areas in the strip to establish buffer zones. Israel ended a two-month ceasefire on March 18 and resumed deadly air and ground assaults on the Palestinian enclave. The renewed Israeli attacks have so far killed 1,066 Palestinians and injured 2,597 others, Gaza health authorities said Wednesday, noting that 24 dead bodies and 55 injuries arrived at Gaza hospitals over the past 24 hours. The death toll in Gaza since the war began in October 2023 has risen to 50,423, with 114,638 injured, the authorities said. A 53-year-old man on a Caribbean cruise with his wife is facing federal charges after choking out a fellow passenger for dancing barefoot in one of the ships cocktail lounges, according to a criminal complaint reviewed by The Independent . Kenneth DeGiorgio was arrested by FBI agents after the adults-only Virgin Voyages ship, Resilient Lady, docked Tuesday in San Juan, Puerto Rico. DeGiorgio is accused of grabbing the barefoot victim around his neck and threatening to f**king kill him, the complaint states. It describes DeGiorgio as a heavy-set white male, and says his shoeless target, identified in court filings by the initials M.A., felt as if his throat was going to be ripped out. The incident, which allegedly began when DeGiorgios wife told the victim to put his shoes back on, took place in international waters, approximately 70 nautical miles west of Fort-De-France, Martinique, according to the complaint. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DeGiorgio, the CEO of First American Financial, a Southern California mortgage lender, did not respond on Wednesday to emails and voicemails seeking comment. In a statement provided to The Independent after publication, a spokesperson for DeGiorgios legal said, Mr. DeGiorgio responded to the actions of an individual who harassed his wife, making her feel threatened and intimidated. Although charged with a simple misdemeanor, Mr. DeGiorgio looks forward to being absolved of any wrongdoing. Messages sent to a spokesperson for billionaire Richard Bransons Virgin Voyages went unanswered. The adults-only Resilient Lady is part of the Virgin Voyages fleet, one of the various companies owned by Sir Richard Branson (Getty Images for VIRGIN VOYAGES) When Resilient Lady arrived in San Juan on April 1, the ships security chief contacted the FBI to report an assault, the complaint says. The attack occurred in the On the Rocks bar during the early morning hours of March 31, the security chief told agents. He and one of his staffers identified DeGiorgio as the suspect upon a review of security footage, and, according to the complaint, located him and his wife Nichol in their stateroom, which was one of the RockStar Suites. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a result of the incident, the ship's captain had ordered passenger DeGiorgio confined to [the] cabin pending arrival at the next port of call, the complaint states. The security chief shared the security footage with agents, who observed a tall white male, identified as the victim, dancing, the complaint continues, which IDs the victim by the initials M.A. The alleged assault happened shortly before the Resilient Lady docked in Puerto Rico (Getty Images) While on the dance floor, the complaint says the footage showed M.A. give the finger to a woman, later identified as Nichol DeGiorgio, after which a heavy-set white male is seen on the footage standing up, walking to [M.A.], and placing his hands around [M.A.] 's neck. The heavy-set white male was identified as Kenneth DeGiorgio, the complaint goes on, adding that M.A. could be seen stumbl[ing] while under the physical control of DeGiorgio. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Next, agents interviewed M.A., who said a stranger had approached him on the dance floor, grabbed [him] by the neck and began to choke him, according to the complaint. M.A. stated that the unknown male used a lot of force and felt as if his throat was going to be ripped out, the complaint says. During the assault the unknown male stated, I am going to f**king kill you, the complaint alleges. After the assault, a bartender on board the ship called security staff who spoke to [M.A.]. Surveillance footage from the ship's bar led FBI agents to Kenneth DeGiorgio (DDP/AFP via Getty Images) It says agents then spoke with Nichol DeGiorgio, who explained what set off the confrontation. She stated that during the cruise an unknown male was dancing barefoot on the dance floor and [that she] told him, Look, we are all grown-ups here, can you put your shoes on? The male responded, Shut up, you f**king bitch. After that, an infuriated Kenneth DeGiorgio assaulted the shoeless M.A., the complaint contends. Nichol told the agents that she should not have told the unknown male to put his shoes on, and that the barefoot man never touched her, according to the complaint. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Finally, the FBI attempted to interview Kenneth DeGiorgio, the complaint states. After being advised of his Miranda warnings, DeGiorgio requested an attorney and refused to answer any questions, it concludes. Connecticut officials are offering a $50,000 reward in exchange for information on a cold case involving the death of a woman who was found bludgeoned outside a home in Madison 15 years ago. The reward was announced Tuesday after being approved by Gov. Ned Lamont, according to the state Division of Criminal Justice. New Haven Judicial District States Attorney John P. Doyle, Jr. had filed an application for the reward in exchange for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for killing 48-year-old Barbara Hamburg, a mother of two. In a statement issued by the DCJ, Doyle and Madison Police Department Chief John Drumm said they believe the reward will renew public interest in the case and prompt anyone with information to come forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The public is advised not to underestimate the significance of what they may know and not to assume that law enforcement must already possess that information, DCJ officials wrote. Sometimes a small piece of information may be what investigators need to solve a case and achieve a successful prosecution. Hamburg was found dead on March 3, 2010, in the yard of her home on Middle Beach Road West. Police responded to the home on the report of an injured woman when Hamburg was found by family members, including one of her two children, but she was pronounced dead at the scene. Hamburg was supposed to appear in family court the morning of her death in connection with thousands of dollars of alimony and child support payments she said she was owed by her ex-husband, Jeffrey Hamburg, but she never showed. Jeffrey Hamburg was later charged with larceny in connection with allegations he withdrew funds from a custodial account tied to the family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No one was ever charged in connection with Barbaras Hamburgs killing. An autopsy found that she died of blunt force trauma and stab wounds. The Madison Police Department investigated the death with assistance from the Connecticut State Police Central District Major Crime Squad and the State of Connecticut Division of Scientific Services Forensic Science Laboratory. Madison Police have devoted countless hours and resources to the investigation and continue to vigorously pursue any leads, DCJ officials wrote. Barbaras Hamburgs killing became the subject of the HBO miniseries Murder on Middle Beach after her son, Madison Hamburg, began investigating his mothers death as part of a college project. He directed the series. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The making of the documentary led to a battle over the records tied to the police investigation after the Madison Police Department appealed a ruling ordering them to turn over everything they had on the case. The decision was eventually appealed to the Connecticut Supreme Court which ruled that the department, in order to withhold the records, needed to show that an arrest or prosecution was at least reasonably possible. Anyone with information on Barbara Hamburgs death has been asked to contact Madison police at 203-245-6500. OLD SAYBROOK, Conn. (WWLP) Connecticut authorities have released a new video of a wrong-way driver on I-95 North in Old Saybrook that happened over the weekend. Photos show living conditions of Connecticut man allegedly held captive for over 20 years Police say 49-year-old Jaclyn Jerome of Glastonbury is facing several charges including reckless driving and interfering with an officer. She was asked to take a sobriety test after police smelled alcohol on her breath, but did not perform to standard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jerome was held on a $50,000 bond and appeared at Middletown Superior Court on Monday. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Tuesday that some of his more left-leaning mayoral race rivals have aligned themselves with forces of antisemitism, an accusation that sparked immediate and strong pushback. Cuomo leveled the broadside at his opponents during an evening speech at the West Side Institutional Synagogue in Manhattan. His targets included City Comptroller Brad Lander, who is Jewish. A significant portion of Cuomos remarks were dedicated to the Democratic Socialists of America, a left-wing group he argued is part of the forces of antisemitism and pro-Palestinian policies stoking hate against Jews in New York City amid the Israel-Hamas war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Incredibly, many major New York City politicians are their disciples, said Cuomo, who isnt Jewish and resigned as governor in 2021 amid sexual misconduct accusations he denies. Cuomo then turned his attention to three of his opponents in the June 24 Democratic mayoral primary. Cuomo, whos polling as the front-runner in the mayoral race, first lumped in City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, who isnt a DSA member and widely seen as a political moderate, with the lefty group, faulting her for being the first speaker in the history of New York to never visit Israel. Lander, whos an ex-DSA member and one of the only Jewish candidates in the race, is also helping advance DSAs purportedly antisemitic agenda, Cuomo claimed, pointing to the comptrollers decision to pull some New York City pension fund investments out of Israeli government bonds amid its military campaign in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Finally, he took aim at Queens Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, a DSA member who has recently climbed in the mayoral race polls as he courts significant support from younger voters. The DSA charter calls for the end of American aid to Israel and does not recognize the existence of the State of Israel, Cuomo said. Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, a DSA devotee, proposed a bill that would revoke the not-for-profit designation of any organization that aided Israel. Remember this is happening here, the ex-gov continued. These are New York City officials who are aiding and supporting the most aggressive anti-Israel policies. We cannot allow this political movement to continue unopposed. The campaigns for the three mayoral candidates Cuomo targeted swiftly pushed back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Andrew Cuomo does not care about antisemitism, read a statement from Mamdani, who has introduced a bill in Albany that would scrap not-for-profit status for New York-based groups that aid Israels settlements in the occupied West Bank. Andrew Cuomo cares about one thing and one thing only: himself. And hes willing to weaponize any issue, lie about any person, or take advantage of any vulnerable group if he deems it politically convenient. Lander campaign spokeswoman Dora Pekec connected Cuomos rhetoric with his disgusting history of exploiting Jewish suffering for his political gain. Cuomos reference to Adrienne Adams appeared related to her decision in 2022 to not go with some other Council members on a trip to Israel sponsored by the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York. Lupe Todd-Medina, a rep for the speakers mayoral campaign, called it rich for Cuomo to reference that trip, given that he launched a pro-Israel group last year that fell short on several promises for action. Meanwhile, Adrienne secured millions in real funding to fight anti-Semitism in New York City, Todd-Medina said. Division and name-calling might be Andrew Cuomos way, but they wont solve a single New Yorkers problem. No drama, no scandal just competence and integrity, thats how Adrienne leads, and thats what New York City needs. NEW YORK Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Tuesday that some of his more left-leaning mayoral race rivals have aligned themselves with forces of antisemitism, an accusation that sparked immediate and strong pushback. Cuomo leveled the broadside at his opponents during an evening speech at the West Side Institutional Synagogue in Manhattan. His targets included City Comptroller Brad Lander, who is Jewish. A significant portion of Cuomos remarks were dedicated to the Democratic Socialists of America, a left-wing group he argued is part of the forces of antisemitism and pro-Palestinian policies stoking hate against Jews in New York City amid the Israel-Hamas war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Incredibly, many major New York City politicians are their disciples, said Cuomo, who isnt Jewish and resigned as governor in 2021 amid sexual misconduct accusations he denies. Cuomo then turned his attention to three of his opponents in the June 24 Democratic mayoral primary. Cuomo, whos polling as the front-runner in the mayoral race, first lumped in City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, who isnt a DSA member and widely seen as a political moderate, with the lefty group, faulting her for being the first speaker in the history of New York to never visit Israel. Lander, whos an ex-DSA member and one of the only Jewish candidates in the race, is also helping advance DSAs purportedly antisemitic agenda, Cuomo claimed, pointing to the comptrollers decision to pull some New York City pension fund investments out of Israeli government bonds amid its military campaign in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Finally, he took aim at Queens Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, a DSA member who has recently climbed in the mayoral race polls as he courts significant support from younger voters. The DSA charter calls for the end of American aid to Israel and does not recognize the existence of the State of Israel, Cuomo said. Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, a DSA devotee, proposed a bill that would revoke the not-for-profit designation of any organization that aided Israel. Remember this is happening here, the ex-gov continued. These are New York City officials who are aiding and supporting the most aggressive anti-Israel policies. We cannot allow this political movement to continue unopposed. The campaigns for the three mayoral candidates Cuomo targeted swiftly pushed back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Andrew Cuomo does not care about antisemitism, read a statement from Mamdani, who has introduced a bill in Albany that would scrap not-for-profit status for New York-based groups that aid Israels settlements in the occupied West Bank. Andrew Cuomo cares about one thing and one thing only: himself. And hes willing to weaponize any issue, lie about any person, or take advantage of any vulnerable group if he deems it politically convenient. Lander campaign spokeswoman Dora Pekec connected Cuomos rhetoric with his disgusting history of exploiting Jewish suffering for his political gain. Cuomos reference to Adrienne Adams appeared related to her decision in 2022 to not go with some other Council members on a trip to Israel sponsored by the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York. Lupe Todd-Medina, a rep for the speakers mayoral campaign, called it rich for Cuomo to reference that trip, given that he launched a pro-Israel group last year that fell short on several promises for action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, Adrienne secured millions in real funding to fight anti-Semitism in New York City, Todd-Medina said. Division and name-calling might be Andrew Cuomos way, but they wont solve a single New Yorkers problem. No drama, no scandal just competence and integrity, thats how Adrienne leads, and thats what New York City needs. _____ EAU CLAIRE As a first for the technical college, Chippewa Valley Technical College was named a 2025-26 gold-ranked Military Friendly School by the Military Friendly organization. Cody Dennis, CVTC Veteran Advisor and School Certifying Official, said, This is the first year that CVTC has received a Military Friendly gold status, so we are very excited. It is a historical moment. The president of CVTC [Sunem Beaton-Garcia] has really been supportive of our Veterans and our military families, so this is just fantastic news for us. It is a great honor for us. Last year and in the year prior we were silver, and in 2019 through 2023 we were bronze, so for us to be able to move up to gold is just awesome. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In being ranked by a national organization, Dennis said the designation looks at how well the school performs in 10 categories ranging from support resources, to graduation rates, to how they focus their accreditations to support Veterans, active duty members and their families. The highest thing we scored this year was graduation rates; CVTC has some really great graduation rates for our Veterans, he said. Dennis said they currently serve 218 Veterans and active duty service members, with an additional 113 recognized as spouses and dependents of military members. The Military Friendlys gold designation is awarded to the top 20 percent of schools which exceed their criteria, as it recognizes the institutions support for those military students. We are dedicated to our Veteran service members and their families, said Dennis. This role as a full-time Veteran advisor and school certifying official means that students have someone to go to to assist them. One of the things we do besides just getting you connected with your Veteran benefits is a big focus on transitioning to campus lifestyle and transitioning back to the community for a lot of our Veterans who have recently gotten out. We provide resources, connections with other Veteran groups, as well as we have our own Veteran community group here on campus where we are able to connect with students and help them as they transition out of the military and be there for them as someone who can relate to the service and sacrifices they made. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dennis said the honor is less about achieving the ranking and more about showing their community that they are dedicated to their Veterans and their families. For the future, he said their aim will be to continue creating spaces and creating more community outreach opportunities for their students on top of continuing what is being done currently at the college. When they are coming here, they know that we are going to support them all the way through and then we are going to get them out into the workforce and start working again, he said. For myself as a Veteran getting out, it can be stressful and a little scary transitioning to the civilian world because you are worried that the skills you have learned in the military may not apply to real life. CVTC does a fantastic job of tailing our programs to make sure that our Veterans can take what they have learned, go out into the community and do great things. The Allegheny County District Attorneys Office has charged the owners of Pittsburgh Mills mall with creating a criminal public nuisance. The criminal complaint states that emergency services access to the property was impeded due to pothole-riddled roads, causing hazardous conditions for both civilians and emergency responders. The long-term hazardous conditions resulted in longer and unexpectable emergency response times and vehicle damage from the potholes, the DAs office said. >>>Previous coverage: Neighbors concerned over potholes around Pittsburgh Mills Mall Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In March, representatives from the DAs office went to the mall to assess potholes after community members and the Frazer Township Police expressed their safety concerns. In the past 4 years, police say theyve been called 38 times all for issues related to potholes. Additionally, the DAs Office issued a search warrant that same week for bank records from the property owner, Namdar, LLC. According to court paperwork, bank records showed that businesses that surround the mall have paid thousands of dollars to the realty company to maintain the roads. Despite the townships diligent efforts to compel the defendant to remediate the long-term hazards, no actions were taken. Recent events indicate the defendant had the ability to remediate earlier but declined to do so, the DAs office said in a release. The investigation is ongoing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement John Ott is a customer at the mall and said he was thinking about warning others of the conditions. I was thinking about enter at your own risk signs putting those up or danger turn around now, Ott said. He went as far as trying to fill the potholes himself, but said the effort was a lost cause. Kim Dunays husband owns Dave and Brians Collectors Den inside of the mall. She said she wishes the charges had come earlier. Unfortunately, weve come to expect Namdar not following through on things that need to be maintained at this mall, Dunay said. We feel it may have deterred some customers from coming. Namdar Realty Group has yet to comment on the charges. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) Wednesday on the Daily 8, were looking at the first measles case in Kent County, changes to Michigans surrogacy laws, a new candidate making a run for U.S. Senate and more. You can watch the full Daily 8 for April 2, 2025, in the video player above or check out any of the stories mentioned below: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Each weekday, the Daily 8 brings you the top eight stories we are keeping an eye on in and around West Michigan. Join us again on Thursday for the Daily 8. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. Its Liberation Day! But what does Donald Trumps plan for sweeping tariffs mean for the rest of the world? The UK hopes to carve out an exemption, with Keir Starmers negotiators even offering last-minute concessions. And the stakes are high the OBR has warned that tariffs could wipe out the Governments fiscal wiggle room. Kamal and Camilla assess the prime ministers response to the saga and ask if he has the political skill to reach a trade deal. Later, Kamal speaks to Brian Glenn, the White House correspondent who shot to fame when he challenged President Zelensky on his choice of outfit in the Oval Office. He explains the motivation behind Trumps tariff plan - and his own state of mind during that now-infamous showdown. Watch episodes of the Daily T here. You can also listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts, and subscribe to The Daily T newsletter for updates Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. A Palestinian boy is seen at the home of Palestinian man Hamza Muhammad Saeed Khammash after an Israeli forces' raid in the West Bank city of Nablus, on April 2, 2025. Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian man in the old city of Nablus on Wednesday, the Palestinian Ministry of Health said. The ministry identified the man as Hamza Muhammad Saeed Khammash, 33. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua) RAMALLAH/GAZA, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian man in the old city of Nablus in the northern West Bank on Wednesday, the Palestinian Ministry of Health said. The ministry identified the man as Hamza Muhammad Saeed Khammash, 33. According to the official Palestinian news agency WAFA, Israeli forces stormed Nablus, raided Khammash's home, and shot him at close range. Three people were arrested during the raid, it said. The Israeli military has not commented on the incident. Israel describes its operations in the West Bank as counter-terrorism measures targeting individuals linked to Palestinian armed groups. The Israeli forces continued their military operation in Jenin and its adjacent refugee camp for the 72nd consecutive day. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in January it had launched a counter-terrorism campaign in the area. In Gaza, two people were killed and five wounded in an Israeli airstrike on the central city of Deir al-Balah, Gaza's interior authorities said. In a statement, the authorities said the strike targeted police personnel, resulting in casualties among security officers and civilians. The two killed were identified as Hamas police officers Murid Farajallah and Younis Mohammed al-Masharfa. Condemning the attack, Gaza authorities said the officers were carrying out security duties and assisting citizens. They accused Israel of seeking to destabilize the situation and urged international intervention to stop strikes on police forces. The Israeli military has not commented on the airstrike. A Palestinian man is seen at the home of Palestinian man Hamza Muhammad Saeed Khammash after an Israeli forces' raid in the West Bank city of Nablus, on April 2, 2025. Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian man in the old city of Nablus on Wednesday, the Palestinian Ministry of Health said. The ministry identified the man as Hamza Muhammad Saeed Khammash, 33. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua) A Palestinian man is seen at the home of Palestinian man Hamza Muhammad Saeed Khammash after an Israeli forces' raid in the West Bank city of Nablus, on April 2, 2025. Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian man in the old city of Nablus on Wednesday, the Palestinian Ministry of Health said. The ministry identified the man as Hamza Muhammad Saeed Khammash, 33. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua) A Palestinian man inspects the home of Palestinian man Hamza Muhammad Saeed Khammash after an Israeli forces' raid in the West Bank city of Nablus, on April 2, 2025. Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian man in the old city of Nablus on Wednesday, the Palestinian Ministry of Health said. The ministry identified the man as Hamza Muhammad Saeed Khammash, 33. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua) People attend the funeral of Palestinian man Hamza Muhammad Saeed Khammash in the West Bank city of Nablus, on April 2, 2025. Israeli forces shot and killed the Palestinian man in the old city of Nablus on Wednesday, the Palestinian Ministry of Health said. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua) People attend the funeral of Palestinian man Hamza Muhammad Saeed Khammash in the West Bank city of Nablus, on April 2, 2025. Israeli forces shot and killed the Palestinian man in the old city of Nablus on Wednesday, the Palestinian Ministry of Health said. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua) People carry the body of Palestinian man Hamza Muhammad Saeed Khammash during his funeral in the West Bank city of Nablus, on April 2, 2025. Israeli forces shot and killed the Palestinian man in the old city of Nablus on Wednesday, the Palestinian Ministry of Health said. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua) NEW YORK (AP) UFC is joining up with Facebook's parent company Meta in a deal that will bring mixed martial arts to more fans around the world. The companies said Wednesday that their multiyear partnership will give UFC the ability to use Meta's technology platforms, services, and products, including Meta AI, Meta Glasses, Meta Quest, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Threads, so that UFC fans have more ways to view its content. Meta and UFC, whose parent company is TKO Group, said they will work together to incorporate Meta's AI glasses into UFC events. Meta has the greatest minds in tech and they are going to take fan engagement to the next level," UFC President and CEO Dana White said in a statement. White mentioned that Meta is already working on some innovations for a new fighter rankings system. The deal, whose financial terms were not disclosed, will also see the Meta brand appear in UFC's Octagon, as well as across numerous broadcasts. Meta's social media platform Threads will feature exclusive original UFC content. I love this sport and Im looking forward to working with the UFC to let fans experience it in new ways, Meta Founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg said. Zuckerberg is trained in mixed martial arts and posted about completing his first jiu jitsu tournament in 2023. That same year, there were talks of him and Tesla CEO Elon Musk squaring off in a cage match, but the event never happened. Zuckerberg and White are no strangers to each other, with White joining Meta's board of directors in January. Both Zuckerberg and White are among the many high profile business figures within the orbit of President Donald Trump. After Trump won reelection in November, Zuckerberg dined at the president-elects Mar-a-Lago club in Florida and Meta donated $1 million to Trumps inauguration fund. Other Big Tech companies such as Amazon have donated similar amounts. Trump is a longtime UFC fan and frequent attendee of major fights. His ties with White date back to 2001, when White hosted a UFC at the Republicans former casino-hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey, the Trump Taj Mahal. Trump has also appeared with White at UFC matches over the years, especially in his 2024 campaign as part of efforts to appeal to younger male voters. White has had speaking roles at the 2016, 2020 and 2024 Republican conventions and appeared on stage at Trumps election victory party in November. Shares of Meta Platforms Inc. rose slightly in midday trading, while shares of TKO Group Holdings Inc. climbed more than 2%. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen arrived in Greenland on Wednesday, five days after US Vice President JD Vance's visit. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly said he wants the large Arctic Island to become part of the world's biggest economy. At present, Greenland is autonomous within the Kingdom of Denmark. "The US will not take over Greenland. Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders," Frederiksen told reporters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Frederiksen and her husband were welcomed by Greenland's outgoing Prime Minister Mute B. Egede and his wife. She emphasised that, despite their individual relationships, it was clear Denmark and Greenland must stand together in the face of US pressure. Frederiksen faces the challenge of balancing relations with the US as an important trading partner, while also affirming Greenland's right to self-determination and maintaining cohesion within the Kingdom of Denmark. While Vance's visit last Friday was limited to a few hours at a remote US military base in northern Greenland, Frederiksen plans to stay until Friday and hold talks with leading politicians. There was criticism in Greenland of Frederiksen's trip coming too soon after Greenland's recent election, with a new coalition government not yet having taken office. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen will visit Greenland this week after the Trump administration ramps up its rhetoric about a takeover of the semiautonomous Danish territory. Frederiksen will meet with the territorys new leader, Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen. It is important for me to visit and greet the future Chairman of the Government of Greenland as soon as possible. It has my deepest respect how the Greenlandic people and the Greenlandic politicians handle the great pressure that is on Greenland, Frederiksen said in a weekend statement announcing her travel, Wednesday through Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is a situation that calls for unity across political parties. Across the countries in the Danish Realm. And on cooperation in a respectful and equal way, she added. Frederiksen also is slated to meet with the Naalakkersuisut, Greenlands chief executive body, amid President Trumps vocal desires to annex Greenland, which is rich in raw minerals and natural resources, for U.S. security purposes. We need Greenland, and the world needs us to have Greenland including Denmark. Denmark has to have us have Greenland, Trump told reporters March 26 in the Oval Office. And, you know, well see what happens. But if we dont have Greenland, we cant have great international security, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Arctic island elected its new leader last month. Nielsen became Greenlands youngest prime minister after being sworn in Friday, coinciding with Vice President Vances visit to the territory. Nielsen, a former minister of industry and minerals, has vehemently opposed the Trump administrations swipes at controlling Greenland. We do not belong to others. We decide our own future, Nielsen wrote in a social media post Sunday. However, Vance has other predictions. What we think is going to happen is that the Greenlanders are going to choose, through self-determination, to become independent of Denmark, and then were going to have conversations with the people of Greenland from there, the vice president told reporters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The White House has not only publicly shared its intentions but has also privately launched a research study for the allotted financial costs of providing government services for Greenlands 58,000 residents as reported by The Washington Post. The Danes subsidize services on the island at a rate of about $600 million every year. The point is, Well pay you more than Denmark does, said one official familiar with the plans, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss plans that remain in the works, according to the outlet. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. DANVILLE The Danville Police Department said a student who made a social media threat against the Danville Middle School is in custody. The FBI flagged an online threat made overnight by a Danville Middle School student and school officials said action has already been taken to ensure student safety. Danville Police said they were notified of a threat posted on social media at around 1:30 a.m. Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FBI red-flagged the threat and relayed it to the Pennsylvania State Police, who contacted the Danville Borough Department, police said. Danville police immediately conducted an investigation and the student was taken into custody and charged with terroristic threats. The student was turned over to Montour County Juvenile Probation, according to police. Danville Area Superintendent Molly Nied said borough police are taking the situation "extremely seriously" and the student will not be on any school property for the remainder of the school year. "Police action has already been taken and this student will not be on any school property or buildings until the investigation has concluded," Nied said in an email to parents Wednesday morning. "If you see an increased police presence at the middle school this morning, it is out of an abundance of caution. Student safety is a priority for us in the DASD." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Montour County Sheriff William McKenna said Nied notified him of the situation and his department checked in at all district buildings Wednesday morning. This is a developing story. More details will be published when they become available. DAUPHIN COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) Dauphin County election officials are sharing our voting process with people from Europe. Young professionals from Kosovo traveled to Central Pennsylvania as part of a congressional exchange program. Over ten days, the group has learned about the Democratic process with a trip to DC and here in the Midstate. Four of the delegations members are full-time election officials in Kosovo. Close Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News Alerts They are like 20 years behind us in the actual electoral sense, said Mike McElhaney of the Kittanning Rotary Club. They became a country in 2008 so they are a brand new democracy. It is very different than those with ones in Kosovo, said Violeta Haxjolli. We only have three types of elections, and we hear people here vote two times a year but for different issues, which is a different system than Kosovo. Kosovo hand-counts ballots, so it can take a month or longer to finish. The participants said they were excited to go home and work to make their election process faster and more accurate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. These days, fear doesnt leave him alone, the Honduran immigrant and Drug Enforcement Administration informant said, even when hes working in construction or at home with his family. He spends sleepless nights, watching his daughters and praying that the Trump administration doesnt deport him to Honduras, where he claims death awaits him for his collaboration with U.S. authorities. Thank God, the opportunity to be in this country has been the best thing ever. My focus has always been my family, my work, and going to church, he said in an interview with Noticias Telemundo. He requested anonymity for fear of retaliation from the Honduran criminal group he was involved in. If tomorrow they expel me I dont know what will happen to me. My problem isnt small, its a matter of life or death, the informant said, explaining hes provided information to U.S. authorities that, among other things, led to the arrest of a major Honduran drug trafficker. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Federal agencies often rely on the help of confidential informants to conduct investigations and secure the conviction of drug traffickers and criminal kingpins. Some of these informants, however, are in the country illegally. Immigrant informants like the Honduran man and others whove spoken publicly about their cases say that without the protection of a visa or legal immigration status, they're always at risk of deportation and potential danger if theyre sent away. Though the Honduran informant doesn't have a visa or green card, he was able to obtain protection under the Convention Against Torture (CAT) a measure that prevents deportation to a person who runs a real risk of being tortured in their home country. However, experts consulted by Noticias Telemundo confirmed that current laws that allow for deportations to third countries apply to cases of deportation suspension and CAT protection. This, despite the fact that in many cases international criminal networks have tentacles throughout Latin America. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Noticias Telemundo contacted the Department of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security, Citizenship and Immigration Services, the DEA and the FBI for information and comment on the situation of immigrant informants, following President Donald Trumps promise to carry out the largest migrant deportation plan in the countrys history. It did not receive a response from the agencies. 'Informants are the wheels' "The FBI investigates more than 250 types of crimes, including counterterrorism, counterintelligence, kidnapping, extortion and drug trafficking, and I can tell you that much of the work, almost of all of it, involves help" from informants, said Arturo Fontes, who worked for 28 years at the FBI on drug trafficking and organized crime cases. Fontes was one of the agents who tracked Mexican drug trafficker Joaquin El Chapo Guzman. We always say that informants are the wheels, and the government is the cart. And without the wheels, the cart cant move forward; informants are too important, Fontes said. The Honduran informant said that "in another country, without the collaboration of a third party outside law enforcement, its very difficult for the FBI or the DEA to capture someone sometimes we make mistakes, like everyone else, but if it werent for what we were able to do, maybe they wouldnt have arrested anyone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The DEA had more than 18,000 informants assigned to its national offices between 2010 and 2015 and more than 9,000 of them received nearly $237 million in total payments for information or services, according to an audit by the DOJ's Office of the Inspector General. That figure has not been updated in subsequent public reports; also, the latest report doesn't indicate how many of the informants were foreign nationals. In 2021, the group Open the Books, which charts government spending, reported that informant funding from the DEA, the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives reached $550 million. Rocky Herron, a former agent who spent 31 years investigating drug trafficking networks, said that in his "career at the DEA, there are no cases without an informant every investigation depends on them." "Maybe the informant introduces an undercover agent who carries out the investigation, but that agent has to enter the organization through someone, or it could be a person who falls into prison and wants to negotiate a reduced sentence with the government and provides information," Herron said. "I used informants in all my investigations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The complex relationship between law enforcement and immigrant informants has produced high-profile cases in which individuals have alleged they provided crucial assistance in a criminal investigation but later faced deportation. Ernesto Gamboa, a Salvadoran auto mechanic in the West Coast, generated headlines when he claimed he helped police for 14 years in hundreds of drug raids but faced deportation in 2009 once he ended his collaboration claiming he had stopped getting a stipend. Authorities later dropped deportation charges against him. Carla Deras, a Mexican immigrant, stated she was recruited by ICE to assist in dismantling a child-trafficking ring; she said an agent she worked with urged authorities not to deport her while she was waiting to obtain a special visa. But after the agent left, Deras said she was left in limbo. Were illegal. I dont have any money, and I cant apply for unemployment benefits, she said in a 2010 interview with the Los Angeles Times. There are almost no restrictions on who the government can pressure to become informants, Alexandra Natapoff, a Harvard Law School scholar and author of Snitching: Criminal Informants and the Erosion of American Justice, told Noticias Telemundo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We dont provide good protections for any whistleblower, let alone those pressured to cooperate under threat of deportation, she said. In 2017, then-Justice Department Inspector General Michael E. Horowitz told Congress that the use of informants carries risks because these individuals typically have criminal records, and they often provide assistance or cooperation in exchange for cash or the prospect of a reduced sentence, rather than out of a desire to help enforce the law. A 'huge risk' Foreign informants face immigration problems even though cooperation with authorities could give them an opportunity to apply for an S visa, which allows federal law enforcement agencies to submit applications for them to receive a green card. Normally, the district attorney helps the applicant apply for a visa, but it can be very difficult to obtain and time-consuming, Kevin Johnson, a law professor at the University of California, Berkeley, said. With Trump, were seeing a tightening of the requirements for all visas so I wouldnt be surprised if this category is subject to special scrutiny. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several former federal agents interviewed by Noticias Telemundo said the process is so exhaustive that its rare to obtain this kind of visa. Although there is a legal limit of 200 S visas per year, a report by the Congressional Research Service indicates that between 1995 and 2004, only 511 were approved for informants. In 2012, for example, only one such visa was issued. The Honduran informant said he hasnt been able to obtain an S visa. Attorney Javier Maldonado, who has litigated immigration issues in Texas for decades and has had many clients who've cooperated with authorities, said about half of those clients have ultimately been deported. "It's a huge risk, he said. Ive had clients who have cooperated with these law enforcement agencies, and I always have to warn them that the balance of power is not equal. They depend on the mercy of the agencies and what they want to decide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many of these individuals have immigration or criminal records that prevent them from regularizing their legal status in the United States, Maldonado said. He said that if authorities don't facilitate the process for an informant, "they remain in a kind of limbo unless they request measures such as suspension of deportation and the Convention Against Torture. All of us who are currently in the program, those of us who have collaborated, are in grave danger, the immigrant informant said, citing the death in Honduras of someone who had helped them with the investigation. Maldonado, the attorney, said these migrants are at great risk," especially if theyre from certain regions of the world like Central America. They have great concern about returning to those countries," Maldonado said, "and now that the president has started sending people to El Salvador even if theyre not from that country, thats going to make many more fearful of what might happen if theyre detained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Honduran informant said he wants to stay in the U.S. working in construction. He enjoys getting up early and watching the bricks he hauls and installs become walls and roofs of new homes. Its hard; its 10 to 11 hours a day in the cold and the sun. And I do it to support my family because, since my first daughter was born, it has radically changed my life, he said. I regret my mistakes a thousand times over, the informant said. If I had come to this country when I was young, maybe I wouldnt be in this situation. An earlier version of this story was first published in Noticias Telemundo. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com President Trump said Friday that he will sign an executive order to extend the deadline for China-based tech company ByteDance to sell TikTok to a U.S. buyer. ByteDance later acknowledged in a statement that it was working with the U.S. government on a sale but that an agreement had not been reached. My Administration has been working very hard on a Deal to SAVE TIKTOK, and we have made tremendous progress, Trump wrote on Truth Social. The Deal requires more work to ensure all necessary approvals are signed, which is why I am signing an Executive Order to keep TikTok up and running for an additional 75 days. Trump confirmed to reporters on Sunday that the administration had been close to a TikTok deal last week, but China pulled out over his tariffs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His "Liberation Day" tariff plan instituted a 10% minimum tax on all imported goods and an additional 34% levy on imports from China. CNN reported that ByteDance representatives informed the White House the morning after the tariff plan was announced to say that China was pulling out of the TikTok deal until tariff negotiations were discussed. "We had a deal pretty much for TikTok not a deal but pretty close and then China changed the deal because of tariffs," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. "If I gave a little cut in tariffs they would have approved that deal in 15 minutes, which shows the power of tariffs." The popular social media platform faced a possible ban in the United States for the second time this year if ByteDance did not strike a deal to sell partial ownership by April 5. Trump's decision to extend the deadline comes two days after Amazon and a startup run by Tim Stokely, the founder of adult content site OnlyFans, both placed last-minute bids to purchase TikTok. In an interview with Fox News on Thursday, Vice President JD Vance, who is in charge of overseeing the TikTok sale with national security adviser Michael Waltz, said he believed a sale would be reached before the April 5 deadline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I think that we're in a good place," Vance said in an interview on Fox & Friends. "We're going to keep on working at it." On Jan. 19, TikTok temporarily went dark for its 170 million U.S. users, after months of fighting the federal governments demand that it separate from ByteDance due to national security concerns. But the outage lasted only a few hours before access to the app was restored, according to a message displayed to users, as a result of President Trumps efforts. In one of the first official acts of his second term in the White House, Trump signed an executive order delaying the enforcement of the TikTok ban for 75 days and proposed that the U.S. should own 50% of the platform, in what he called a joint venture. Trump speaks to reporters about the TikTok ban aboard Air Force One on March 30. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters) TikToks future in the U.S. has been uncertain since April 2024, when then-President Joe Biden signed a law passed by Congress requiring the popular app to be sold or banned in the U.S. The Biden administration and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have argued that TikToks Chinese ownership presents a potential threat to national security, and the Supreme Court agreed, moving to uphold the ban on Jan. 17 of this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not clear whether this latest extension of the deadline for a sale would violate the law signed by Biden. The law prohibits TikTok from operating in the U.S. if it continues to use algorithms controlled by ByteDance. However, it could be hard to challenge Trumps decision to push back the deadline again in court, since the law also grants some flexibility to the president over its enforcement, CNN reported. Is ByteDance interested in selling TikTok? TikToks parent company, ByteDance, acknowledged in a statement on Friday that it was still seeking a "potential solution" for TikTok U.S. after Trump announced he planned to extend the deadline. "ByteDance has been in discussion with the U.S. Government regarding a potential solution for TikTok U.S. An agreement has not been executed. There are key matters to be resolved. Any agreement will be subject to approval under Chinese law," the statement read. ByteDance previously said it had no plans to sell TikTok, citing in part the Chinese governments opposition to a sale. However, on Jan. 20, a spokesperson for Chinas Foreign Ministry, Mao Ning, told reporters that the decision should be independently decided by companies in accordance with market principles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two days later, General Atlantic CEO Bill Ford, who is a board member and a major investor in ByteDance, said at an Axios event in Davos, Switzerland, that he believed ByteDance would soon reach a deal to sell the app. "We'll get on with it, as soon as maybe the end of the week, in terms of negotiating what might work, Ford said. The Chinese government, the U.S. government and the company and the board all have to be involved in this conversation." Who has talked about buying TikTok? Multiple outlets have reported that the Oracle Corporation is the frontrunner to buy TikTok. Oracle is one of the worlds largest software companies and one of the three major backers behind Trump's $500 billion AI infrastructure investment. TikTok has worked with Oracle to store and process user data in the U.S. since 2020. When asked about the TikTok deal at a press conference on Jan. 21, Trump said, referring to Oracles cofounder and chief technology officer Larry Ellison, "I'd like Larry to buy it." But Trump clarified on Jan. 25 that he had not spoken directly to Ellison about the sale. Oracle cofounder Larry Ellison speaks about AI infrastructure in the Roosevelt Room at the White House on Jan. 21. (Carlos Barria/Reuters) Multiple American companies and entrepreneurs have also offered to buy TikTok from ByteDance, including Frank McCourt, the former owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers and the founder of Project Liberty, who pulled together a group of investors in December. One of those investors was Shark Tank host Kevin OLeary, who told Yahoo Finance that the group is willing to pay up to $20 billion for the app. Project Liberty announced on Jan. 9 that it had formally submitted a proposal to ByteDance to buy TikTok. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A creator on YouTube, Jimmy Donaldson, better known as MrBeast, posted on Jan. 15 that he had met with several billionaires and had an offer ready to buy TikTok as well. A spokesman for Donaldson, Matthew Hiltzik, told Yahoo News on Jan. 23 that while several potential buyers are in ongoing discussions with Jimmy, he has no exclusive agreements with any of them. Bloomberg and the Wall Street Journal reported that Chinese government officials discussed selling TikTok to Elon Musk, who also owns X. However, Musk said at an economic summit in late January that he did not have an interest in buying the app. Ive not put in a bid for TikTok, and I dont have any plans for what would I do if I had TikTok, Musk said in a video released on Feb. 8 by the Welt Group, which hosted the summit. He later said that he doesn't use the platform and isnt familiar with it. I do not acquire companies in general, its quite rare, he continued, clarifying that his 2022 acquisition of X, formerly known as Twitter, was "unusual." Companies like Oracle, Walmart and Microsoft expressed interest in buying TikTok back in 2020. Trump told reporters on Jan. 27 that Microsoft was once again in talks to buy TikTok, although Microsoft never publicly commented on the matter. Back in 2021, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella called the failed deal the "strangest thing I've ever worked on." ADEN, Yemen, April 2 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from U.S. airstrikes on Houthi-controlled areas in northern Yemen since March 15 has risen to 61, with 139 others injured, the Houthi group said Wednesday. Earlier in the day, the group said it had launched three fresh attacks on the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier and its escorting warships in the northern Red Sea in the past 24 hours. It also said that the death toll from U.S. airstrikes on Yemen's western province of Hodeidah on Tuesday night had risen to four. Houthi media and residents said Tuesday that fresh U.S. airstrikes targeted a "water project and its building" in the district of Mansouria in central Hodeidah, killing at least three people. The U.S. military resumed airstrikes on March 15, following Houthi threats to target Israeli-linked ships unless more humanitarian aid is allowed into Gaza. The U.S. airstrikes have since prompted the Houthis to target U.S. warships in the Red Sea. On Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump vowed to continue striking the Houthis until they stop attacking U.S. warships. The Houthis, who control much of northern Yemen, have been fighting the internationally recognized Yemeni government since 2014. SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) The deadline to register to vote in the upcoming May 3 general election has almost elapsed. For those wishing to cast their ballots for the mayoral election, the coliseum bond and more, heres how to register. According to voting information available on the Tom Green County website, the last day to register to vote is Thursday, April 3. The City of San Angelo stated that citizens can obtain voter registration applications at the Tom Green County Voter Registrars Office, which is located on the first floor of the Edd B. Keyes Building found at 113 W. Beauregard Ave. Citizens may also obtain applications online at votetomgreencounty.gov, by mail or by calling (325)-659-6541. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once the form is completed, it may be submitted to the Tom Green County Voter Registrars Office in person or by mail. The City said that citizens may also register to vote when renewing their drivers license in person at a Texas Department of Public Safety office. Citizens must be registered 30 days prior to any election to vote. A citizen must meet the following requirements to be eligible to vote, as per Tom Green County: be 18 years of age or older be a United States Citizen cannot have been determined totally mentally incapacitated or partially mentally incapacitated without the right to vote cannot have been finally convicted of a felony, or, if so, must have fully discharged all conditions of the sentence or pardoned be a resident of the county in which application for registration is made. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first day of early voting is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, April 22, which is the same day as the last day to apply for a ballot by mail. Early voting will then be held during the following days and hours at select locations in Tom Green County: April 22 April 25 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 26 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 27 Noon to 6 p.m. April 28-29 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. During the May 3 general election, citizens will be able to vote on a number of races and potential bonds. Among them are the mayoral election, multiple councilmember seat races for the San Angelo City Council, a $41.6 million bond election for renovations at the local coliseum and a $397 million bond election for a variety of renovations at select San Angelo ISD campuses. For more information on how to register to vote, call the Tom Green County Voter Registrars Office at (325)-659-6541 or visit the Tom Green County websites voter registration webpage. Related election coverage San Angelo Mayoral Candidate: Juan Acevedo Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement San Angelo Mayoral Candidate: Tom Thompson San Angelo Mayoral Candidate: Gary Jenkins San Angelo Mayoral Candidate: Trinidad Aguirre, Jr. City council calls bond election for coliseum renovations San Angelo ISD provides bond election breakdown Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com. The killing of a Kansas City, Missouri, reporter covering the Super Bowl in New Orleans was part of a running plot to drug and rob people, according to authorities. Suspects Danette Colbert, 48, and Rickey White, 34, have been charged in the death of Adan Manzano on Feb. 5 in the suburb of Kenner, Louisiana. Manzano, 27, was in town to cover the Super Bowl for Kansas City Telemundo affiliate KGKC. Investigators believe Manzano was the latest in a series of victims who were drugged and then robbed by Colbert and White, ABC News reported Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Colbert and White routinely traded text messages sharing other peoples financial information, and Colbert texted White multiple times about needing pills to knock out targets, law enforcement sources told the Guardian. Manzano was found dead with Xanax in his system, and cops said they found Xanax at Colberts apartment. The anxiety medication can be deadly if mixed with alcohol, and obtaining it legally requires a prescription. Additionally, cops found Colbert carrying Manzanos cellphone and credit card. In a search of her home, they found four additional cellphones. Colbert and White listed the same home address in the suburb of Slidell, Louisiana, sources told the Guardian. Additionally, Colbert filed a domestic violence complaint against White in 2024. The duo have only been charged in connection with Manzanos death, but New Orleans police told ABC News they have identified other victims. _____ Michele Lee decided to go outside with her neighbor in the warm, fresh air Friday evening. Lee, who uses a wheelchair, went over to Navy Pier and back to a pet store near her Streeterville apartment. As she made her way home, she said she heard lots of yelling and saw hundreds of teenagers gathered on the street in front of her building. They didnt move for pedestrians. At that point, she said she started to feel unsafe. I couldnt even go into my door, she said. I had to flag down a bicycle policeman to take me across the street. I have a wheelchair its not like I can run away or easily weave through people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Videos of the so-called teen takeover circulated on social media Friday night, showing young people running through the streets. Chicago police reported that a 15-year-old boy sustained a graze wound to his leg. Meanwhile, another teen was arrested Monday morning for allegedly shooting a tourist last month in the same area as she was walking back to her hotel with her 11-year-old son. Residents, including a Streeterville neighborhood group, are now calling on Mayor Brandon Johnson to stop the reckless and unlawful behavior. A downtown alderman has also promised to revive a stalled City Council bid to install an 8 p.m. unaccompanied minor curfew. Johnson has resisted calls in the past for an earlier curfew, including last summer after a group of teens attacked a couple in Streeterville. On Tuesday he told reporters he was more interested in how to invest in young people and create more healthy safe spaces for them. For Lee, a longtime disability advocate and CTA board member, fixing the issue is a matter of accessibility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a person with a disability, I just dont know my other options, Lee said. I personally lived in this neighborhood because of accessibility, and I dont know where to go now. I dont want to go outside of my house after dark now. It makes me even talking about it right now its making me shake a little because Im scared for another warm weather day, Lee added. Lee said shes lived in Streeterville for about four years. She chose the neighborhood because its generally easy for her to get around with her wheelchair, from the grocery store to the bank. Its also close to her physical therapy appointments and she enjoys being near the lakefront. What she experienced Friday night made her feel very vulnerable, and was the opposite of accessibility, she said. She described it as a disaster and a nightmare, and said the group felt hostile. While an officer helped her through the street, she said she thought about the tourist who was shot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was thinking like, Oh my gosh, what happens if this crowd turns and somebody pulls a gun, she said. Im not able to duck into a store, or get down onto the ground or run away. I cant just go off the curb anywhere. Officers on patrol Friday heard gunshots in the area and saw a large group of teens fleeing the scene. Police found the wounded 15-year-old boy lying on the ground shortly before 9:45 p.m. in the 400 block of North Cityfront Plaza Drive. He was taken to Lurie Childrens Hospital in good condition. Two adults and 10 juveniles were arrested in connection to Fridays gathering, police said. We will continue to monitor these large gatherings to maintain public safety for all involved, police said in a statement. Earlier in the month, the tourist, a 46-year-old woman, was walking back to her Streeterville hotel from dinner with her 11-year-old son while on a visit to Chicago. They were waiting for a light at the corner of North Columbus Drive and East Illinois Street around 8:10 p.m. on March 9 when they heard two gunshots, according to police. The woman felt a sharp pain in her right forearm. Her son wasnt injured, police said. Debate over earlier curfew Johnson faced a flood of questions Tuesday about this weekends shooting. He repeatedly insisted it was a critical issue, but pushed back against the potential of a stricter curfew for unaccompanied minors. The solution is not simply an act of government, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have to do the things that work, Johnson said. And what I have seen is that we are better off putting our efforts towards getting guns off the streets, creating more structure for our young people, and then doing that together. The mayor pointed to the citys Teen Bash Navy Pier event that about 1,000 young people attended Saturday as proof positive youths can gather safely downtown with constructive space. He also touted the citys decreasing violent crime rates and ramped-up violence prevention efforts. People are working hard to prevent these types of incidents. One is too many, he said. But lets just keep this in mind its not like this is happening every night, every weekend. Despite Johnsons resistance, some aldermen are convinced a stricter teen curfew is needed. Ald. Brian Hopkins said everyone supports efforts to add safe spaces for kids and get illegal guns off streets but those goals do nothing to curb mayhem when it erupts. A stricter curfew would empower police to disperse large teen crowds when needed, the alderman argued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hopkins, 2nd, said he plans to push his stalled ordinance to move the citys teen curfew from 10 p.m. to 8 p.m. forward for a vote this month, but added it is hard to say whether he has enough support. Hopkins previously called for the earlier curfew last summer after a group attacked a Streeterville couple amid chronic youth gatherings, and again after the tourist was shot. Hopkins pushed back when asked about critics who say such a curfew would be too strict on young people. These are crimes that are being committed, Hopkins said. No ones criminalizing this behavior, this behavior by definition is criminal behavior. The Streeterville Organization of Active Residents said in a letter to the mayor that current city regulations limit police intervention, emboldening disruptive behavior and put innocent people at risk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They asked the mayor to give police the necessary authority to intervene before violence occurs and with necessary resources for crowd control, such as dogs and mounted police and to engage community leaders to address the root causes of this issue. While we respect the right to gather, no one has the right to take over our streets and sidewalks in a manner that terrorizes residents, businesses, and visitors, the letter said. Lee said she supports the city offering more opportunities and resources for the kids but an 8 p.m. curfew isnt a bad idea as an immediate answer. She also acknowledged that safety and security is a problem on CTA as well, and that its an issue we have to tackle citywide. Lets open more safe spaces for them to gather. Lets open more community programs for them, but, like, that takes time, she said. The immediate need is people are getting injured and people are getting shot. We can spin up a community program but thats not going to solve the problem for next weekend when its 70 degrees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said she has a tough decision ahead of her. While she enjoys the neighborhood and its great amenities, she doesnt know if she can stay if her ability to move independently is taken away. I just want to be able to go out on my own for a walk with my neighbor, she said. What can we do? Just hide now. Chicago Tribunes Alice Yin and Caroline Kubzansky contributed reporting. Defence ministers from the coalition of the willing will meet at NATO headquarters next week. Source: European Pravda, citing the NATO press service Details: Defence ministers of the coalition of the willing will meet on Thursday 10 April. The meeting will take place at NATO Headquarters in Brussels at the initiative of the UK and France. The meeting will take place on the eve of the next meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (also known as the Ramstein Format), which the UK and Germany are organising on 11 April. Background: On 27 March, agreements on new military aid packages for Ukraine were reached at the previous meeting of the coalition of the willing in Paris. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! EBENSBURG, Pa. Defense attorneys for a Johnstown teenager accused of criminal homicide argued in court Tuesday that he should be moved from Cambria County Prison to a juvenile detention facility. Cambria County public defender David Raho contended that the prison isnt a proper environment for 17-year-old defendant Kaden Woodring, whos accused in the November shooting death of Syrina Raneri. Raho told Cambria County Judge Forrest B. Fordham III that George Junior Republic, a juvenile detention center in Grove City, would provide the teen more structure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Woodring is being held in a separate juvenile portion of the county prison and has no interactions with adult inmates as is the law. Theres absolutely no reason Kaden shouldnt be transferred, Raho said. He and Cambria County chief public defender Kimberly Feist called George Junior secure detention manager Maranda Addison to testify to that end. She informed the court that the 11-bed unit is a regimented program with multiple barbed wire fences, video surveillance and other security measures she declined to describe. Addison said that the center provides young men educational and counseling opportunities during their time there, and theres daily oversight of the residents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although there are no beds available as of Tuesday morning she was waiting on the results of two other cases that would wrap up Tuesday afternoon she said shed would secure accommodations for Woodring. He is first on the list and I would hold that bed for any type of transportation, Addison said. Education was a point Raho focused on for his argument. He noted that Woodrings studies at the prison are through a teacher who visits the facility once or twice per week. Cambria County Assistant District Attorney Hannah Myers rebutted that, and said that although the defendants education is important, theres nothing to her knowledge preventing him from earning his GED in a few months, and the fact that hes being charged as an adult supersedes a potential need for more structure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She described the option to move him to George Junior as special treatment, considering his charges of criminal homicide, aggravated assault, receiving stolen property and recklessly endangering another person. Myers conceded that the juvenile facility has more opportunities than a prison, but also noted possible transportation barriers from Grove City to Ebensburg for hearings. She also raised concerns that George Junior does not monitor residents mail, phone calls and visitors as prisons do. Myers said prosecutors often find information gleaned from those correspondence useful in a case. Raho disagreed with her evaluation and told the court that the juvenile detention facility is a place where Woodrings needs can be better met. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also argued that the surveillance of correspondence is not on George Junior to provide, and the prosecutors should make their own case rather than rely on those items. Cambria County Prison security captain and future warden Kurt Wolford testified that Woodrings needs are being met, and to his knowledge the teen is not experiencing any issues at the county lockup. Fordham said hed take the arguments under consideration and have a decision on the matter at a later date. April 2 (UPI) -- Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has authorized a civilian workforce reduction at the Department of Defense, but some civilians continue to be hired. "The Department of Defense will continue to hire the civilians that support the lethality of the Total Force," Jules Hurst III, DOD Under Secretary for Personnel and Readiness, announced Wednesday. The Defense Department "will continue to recruit the great Americans who manufacture artillery shells, repair and refit our warships, maintain our fleets of military vehicles and equipment, teach the sons and daughters of service members and provide medical care to our warriors and their families," Hurst said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Defense Department's components and military departments received clarification that hiring should continue for supply systems, immigration enforcement, national security, public safety, recruiting and readiness. Hurst provided a link to the Defense Department's information detailing the exemptions to the hiring freeze. "We will hire and retain employees that are central to the department's core war-fighting mission while exercising stewardship of taxpayer dollars," Hurst said. "As we optimize DOD's civilian workforce, we will employ a deliberate process to align our civilian workforce against the president's top national security priorities," he added. "Together, we will continue to build our readiness, deter and defeat our enemies, and achieve peace through strength." All Military Medical Commissions (MMC) are obliged to issue their conclusions in electronic format starting from April 1, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announced on April 2, marking the completion of the first stage of the commissions' reform. The MMC is a commission of medical doctors conducting examinations to determine fitness for military service. Since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022, there have been cases of medically unfit citizens being drafted into the military, or vice versa, of fit people avoiding military service through corrupt schemes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The reform of the MMC is part of a larger transformation that we are implementing together with the Health Ministry, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and international partners," Umerov said. Thanks to the reform, the commission's medical reports automatically appear in relevant registers and the online application Rezerv+ (Reserve+), which the government has promoted as a convenient and quick alternative to lengthy waits at enlistment offices. The reform also aims to reduce corruption risks and eliminate the need to bring documents to enlistment offices personally. The reform of the MMCs began following a corruption scandal involving medical examination commissions (MSEC) for determining the severity of disabilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following the National Security and Defense Council meeting last October, Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) head Vasyl Maliuk said that the SBU had exposed corruption schemes at MSECs, resulting in the cancellation of 4,106 fake disability status certificates. Maliuk added that 64 officials at medical examination commissions have been charged with committing crimes, while another nine suspects have been convicted. Read also: Exclusive: Massive data leak potentially exposes Ukrainian IDs to Russian intelligence, hackers Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Attorneys for Nelson Odige said they will take the night to consider if he should testify in his own defense after prosecutors rested their case Wednesday afternoon. Odige is facing a possible sentence of life in prison if hes convicted of bein the Pine Hills Bus Stop Rapist. Prosecutors have accused him of attacking four women as they waited to catch a ride to work in January and February 2023. Prosecutors spent approximately one day presenting what they believe is a rock-solid case. All four women testified, as well as experts who linked Odiges license plate and DNA to each of the four scenes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They also said Odige willingly allowed detectives to swab him without a warrant and, after denying any contact with the women, changed his story and admitted he had sex with one of them as part of an agreement to help a family member immigrate to the United States. Hi, its Nelson, an apology note to the woman read in court stated. I am sorry about everything. I know Im wrong, Im so sorry, forgive me please. Odiges attorneys took issue with the post-arrest interviews, which happened in English instead of Odiges native Creole. Despite detectives characterizing the interviews as smooth, Odige clearly struggled to understand the rights that were read to him. Detectives said they didnt think to offer Odige a translator because he responded to their questions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not clear what else they might be preparing, if anything. Their opening statement was a few sentences long, and they have asked few other questions of witnesses. The judge indicated jurors would begin deliberations around lunch, though that could be impacted by Odiges decision on whether or not to take the stand. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. GENEVA, April 2 (Xinhua) -- The World Health Organization (WHO) is facing a budget gap of 1.9 billion U.S. dollars for 2026 and 2027, along with a 600-million-dollar deficit through 2025, according to media reports on Wednesday. Health Policy Watch, a non-profit independent global health news outlet, reported that the 1.9-billion-dollar funding gap accounts for nearly 45 percent of its already slashed budget for the two-year period until 2027. The report, citing WHO officials at a Tuesday meeting, said the United States owes WHO 260 million dollars in dues for 2024 and 2025. Raul Thomas, WHO's assistant director general of business operations, revealed at the meeting that the outgoing administration of U.S. President Joe Biden never paid the U.S. 2024 dues of 130 million dollars owed before leaving office. Speaking to WHO staff via Zoom at the meeting, Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus forecasted staff reductions. "Starting with senior leadership, but will reflect all levels and regions," he was quoted as saying. "Everything is on the table, including merging divisions, departments and units, and relocating functions," Tedros added. Following the U.S. decision to withdraw from the WHO, the organization reduced its 2026-2027 budget from 5.3 billion dollars to 4.2 billion dollars. WHO data showed that the U.S. share of the organization's regular budget for the 2024-2025 period was assessed at 22 percent, the highest among all members. On Jan. 20, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order shortly after his inauguration to withdraw the country from the WHO, which will only take effect after a one-year notice period. As Democrats continue to express frustrations over Elon Musk's outsized role in reshaping the federal bureaucracy, a new effort on Capitol Hill takes aim at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) while proposing guardrails to reassert congressional oversight authority over the executive branch. California Democratic Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove is proposing the Defending American Diplomacy Act, which would prohibit the executive branch from reorganizing the State Department without Congressional consultation and approval. "They are gutting foreign assistance, and I'm not going to be complicit in that," Kamlager-Dove, who sits on the Foreign Affairs Committee, told ABC News in an exclusive interview ahead of the bill's release Wednesday. "It is unfortunate that they are crushing USAID -- What that means is American farmers are not going to have contracts that they would normally have to produce crops to sell them to other countries. By crushing foreign assistance, it also means that people in other spaces are going to get sick." PHOTO: Protesters hold signs and sing chants during a protest against Elon Musk and his Tesla car company outside the Tesla dealership in Boston, March 15, 2025. (Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images) MORE: Elon Musk's disclosure of planned Social Security fraud arrest troubles top law enforcement officials: Sources Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The measure, which has more than 20 Democratic original cosponsors, requires any major reorganization of the State Department to be passed into law by an act of Congress and calls for the secretary of state to submit a detailed plan to Congress about the administration's intended reorganization and an assessment of any impacts to the U.S. diplomatic toolbox. "We have three pillars: defense, development and diplomacy," Kamlager-Dove said. "All of those things are very important when you are trying to stop us from going into war. And if we are going to get rid of those tools in our toolbox because of some dodgy thing called DOGE that is using taxpayer dollars to actually hurt taxpayers, I feel like I have a responsibility to step up and say no." The bill has consequences for noncompliance built into the legislative text, directing Congress to cut funding for DOGE and even prohibit travel for President Donald Trump's political appointees, including every member of his cabinet, if the administration initiates a reorganization that circumvents Congress. MORE: DOGE says it's saved $105 billion, though it's backtracked on some of its earlier claims Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "DOGE has been operating in the shadows," Kamlager-Dove said. "So part of the noncompliance elements of the bill is about bringing in a little sunlight so that we have a sense about what is actually going on." While the administration has signaled that some eliminated jobs could be potentially absorbed by other federal agencies, the bill also prohibits that from happening without Congressional say-so. Kamlager-Dove explained that her gripe with DOGE "is not about efficiencies." PHOTO: Tesla CEO Elon Musk wears a 'Trump Was Right About Everything!' hat while attending a cabinet meeting at the White House, in Washington, Mar. 24, 2025. (Carlos Barria/Reuters) "It is about unlawfully accessing our systems and our codes and stealing taxpayer dollars and doing things in the shadows," the representative said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The American people deserve to know what is happening, and if what DOGE is doing is so great, then I would think they would be more than willing to come to Congress and share with us and the American people all that they are doing," she added. "But the reality is they are not willing to share that information." MORE: Federal workers laid off by DOGE sound off as they look for new jobs With narrow Republican majorities in both chambers and a Trump White House -- there is virtually no chance the bill becomes law in this session of Congress. But at a minimum, it gives Democrats who are powerless on the legislative front another messaging tool to campaign alongside their hopes to seize congressional majorities. Still, Kamlager-Dove argues the measure is more than a messaging bill. PHOTO: We Choose To Fight: Nobody Elected Elon Rally (Jemal Countess/Getty Images for MoveOn) "There is a lot of dysfunction with this Republican Congress right now, and the reason why we probably won't have this come up for a vote is because Republicans are too afraid of the bill. If it does come up for a vote, then they would have to put their cards on the table," Kamlager-Dove said. "They would have to say, I recognize that Congress is being complicit in self-neutering itself and yielding all of its power to Donald Trump." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the long odds, Kamlager-Dove maintains optimism that her bill won't be lost among thousands of other bills as Democrats toil in the minority. "My hope is that having this bill, having other bills like this, talking about these issues in committee, will rattle their brains and clear out the hypnotic fog that they're in," she said. "If you continue to beat the drum, you do make headway, and that's what this bill is about: Beating the drum." Democrat Kamlager-Dove takes aim at DOGE ahead of potential State Department cuts originally appeared on abcnews.go.com A Democratic lawmaker has introduced a long-shot bill to require special government employees, like Elon Musk and his DOGE cohort, to undergo regular drug testing. Rep. Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey accused Musk of a well-documented history of drug use (allegations that he denies) while announcing the Drug Testing for Special Government Employees Act on Tuesday. Donald Trump has given billionaire Elon Musk the keys to our government, and with it, access to highly sensitive information from Treasury and Social Security data to even our most guarded military plans, Sherrill wrote in a press release. Those with access to sensitive information must be thoroughly vetted, clear-eyed, and exercise good judgment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sherrill argued that Musk and his underlings at the so-called Department of Government Efficiency should be held to the same standards as other executive-branch employees, whether for conflicts of interest or passing a drug test. Elon Musk speaks during a Wisconsin town hall on March 30, 2025. On Tuesday, Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey introduced a bill requiring Musk and DOGE employees to be drug tested. Bloomberg via Getty Images The bill, which has little hope of passing through the Republican-dominated legislature, would require special government employees to pass a drug test before their first day on the job and to undergo regular screenings thereafter. Anyone who tests positive for illegal substances would be barred from federal service for at least a year. HuffPost has reached out to representatives for Musk and DOGE for comment. Sherrills announcement linked to a January 2024 Wall Street Journal investigation, in which multiple sources close to Musk reportedly said they had witnessed or had direct knowledge of him using LSD, cocaine, ecstasy, mushrooms and ketamine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report also claimed that multiple Musk insiders, including high-level Tesla and SpaceX executives, were alarmed by his increasingly volatile behavior. In response, Musks attorney, Alex Spiro, told the Journal that his client is regularly and randomly drug tested at SpaceX and has never failed a test. The billionaire has openly admitted to using physician-prescribed ketamine for therapeutic purposes, however. While questioning the impact of SSRI-style antidepressants in a 2023 tweet, Musk called ketamine, an anesthetic drug with dissociative and psychedelic effects, a much better option. Related... By Katharine Jackson WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Democrat Xavier Becerra on Wednesday launched a run for governor of California, potentially pitting himself against former Vice President Kamala Harris. California voters in 2026 race will select a governor to succeed Democrat Gavin Newsom, who has held the post since 2019 but cannot run for re-election due to term limits. Becerra, 67, served as health and human services director under former President Joe Biden, and was the first Latino to hold the office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I watched my parents, a construction worker and a clerical worker, achieve the California Dream. Can we do that today with this affordability crisis? ... We can do that but you need a leader who can be tough," Becerra said in a video announcing his run. A Sacramento native, he became a state legislator in 1990 before representing the state in the U.S. Congress for more than two decades and later becoming the state's attorney general. Harris, who was also California's attorney general and a U.S. senator before becoming vice president, has told people she intends to decide later this year whether to run for California governor, Politico reported last month, citing sources. Former U.S. Representative Katie Porter launched a run for governor in March. (Reporting by Katharine Jackson; editing by Barbara Lewis) Sen. Tim Mathern, D-Fargo, speaks on the Senate floor during the organizational session on Dec. 4, 2024. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor) A state senator wants to more than double the staff for the North Dakota Ethics Commission, arguing the state should be doing more to prevent public corruption. The amendment was brought before the House Appropriations Committees Education and Environment Division on Wednesday by Sen. Tim Mathern, D-Fargo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said his proposal was prompted by news coverage of former Republican state Sen. Ray Holmbergs prison sentence. It seems like every week, sometimes every day, theres some sort of news story about our former colleague, Sen. Holmberg, Mathern told lawmakers. Holmberg was sentenced to 10 years in prison last week after he pleaded guilty to traveling to Prague, Czech Republic with the intent to engage in commercial sex with minors. One of Holmbergs trips to Prague was subsidized by taxpayer dollars, according to federal prosecutors. A prosecution sentencing memorandum also alleged that Holmberg arranged for commercial sex on countless occasions while traveling in the U.S. Meanwhile, the Ethics Commission faces an unprecedented number of complaint filings. In mid-March, Executive Director Rebecca Binstock told lawmakers that the board had received 59 complaints since the beginning of the year. Thats more than the 41 filed in all of 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ethics staff have testified previously that they lack the legal authority and resources to process these complaints as quickly as they would like. Mathern said the state ought to do more to support the commission. He suggested adding four to five new staff members, which would cost North Dakota an additional $1.5 million for the 2025-2027 budget cycle. That would roughly double the size of its budget. Its not just the fact that there are all these complaints, Mathern said. He said not granting additional staff will be damaging the Ethics Commission itself because its bogged down and cant be really acting on much. Under Matherns proposal, the commission would have three attorneys, an educational/communications administrator and a paralegal, in addition to an executive director. It would also include an operations manager and an administrative assistant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Ethics Commission currently has three staff members. The proposed budget for 2025-2027 already includes an additional employee for public education. Binstock said the commission hasnt taken a stance on Matherns proposal, but that the commissioners do appreciate his support. She said the boards priority for now is securing the education staff member. Earlier in the session, the House rejected House Bill 1360, which sought to make changes the commission said would have helped it address bottlenecks in its complaint process. The Attorney Generals Office and Gov. Kelly Armstrongs Office testified against House Bill 1360, expressing concerns that some parts of the bill were unconstitutional. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mathern on Wednesday also brought up the new term limits for state lawmakers, which North Dakotans approved in a ballot measure in 2022. Under the constitutional amendment, many lawmakers will turn over in the coming years. He said the commission will need more resources to ensure it can effectively educate new legislators. He noted that many current lawmakers are still confused about ethics rules. Mathern also cited the need for more public education about the purpose of the commission. Its coming at the late hour, Rep. Mike Nathe, the committees chair, told Mathern. Im not knocking the idea, Im just saying it looks like it would need more discussion. The committee didnt take any action on the budget bill on Wednesday. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The News US Sen. Cory Booker set a new record for the Senate chambers longest speech Tuesday evening after holding the floor for more than 25 hours in a dramatic protest against the Trump administration. The New Jersey Democrat surpassed the late Sen. Strom Thermonds 1967 filibuster against civil rights by 48 minutes. Maybe my ego got caught up that maybe, maybe, just maybe, I could break this record of the man who tried to stop the rights upon which I stand, Booker said. Im not here, though, because of his speech; Im here despite his speech. He was unable to leave his desk or sit down: Senators can speak for as long as they like but only if they do so continuously. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer praised his colleagues efforts. The disastrous actions of this administration in terms of how theyre helping only the billionaires and hurting average families you have brought that forth with such clarity, he said. The News Democrats held onto their majority on Wisconsins state supreme court on Tuesday, while Republicans retained two deep red House seats in Florida by margins lower than previous elections. The Wisconsin race had been seen by both parties as the most competitive, after a high-profile and expensive investment from Elon Musk. The loss was a setback for Republicans, whod hoped that by starting early and nationalizing the race, they could excite enough 2024 Donald Trump voters to change the swing states electorate. They came up short, with Judge Susan Crawford running ahead of Kamala Harriss 2024 numbers across the state. Still, Trump and Republicans celebrated the Florida wins, while Democrats saw each result as a sign of strength. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dems just set $20 million on fire to lose two House seats by double digits, wrote Will Kiley, communications director at the National Republican Congressional Committee, after the states 1st District was called for Rep.-elect Jimmy Patronis and the 6th District was called for Rep.-elect Randy Fine. But heavy Democratic fundraising in both races, especially the $14 million raised by Josh Weil in the Daytona Beach-based 6th District, convinced Republicans to spend money in what had been a very safe seat. Trump carried the 6th District by 30 points last year, and the Panhandle-based 1st District by 37 points. His party won on Tuesday by 14 and 15 points, respectively. And the GOP did worse in Wisconsin, where hopes that they could turn out a critical mass of 2024 Trump voters ran up against higher Democratic enthusiasm. Wisconsin Democrats branded the final stretch of the race the People v. Musk, highlighting the DOGE figureheads spending and touting polls that found him to be toxically unpopular with their base. (Their first anti-Musk rally was held in Sauk County, which Trump won last year but Crawford won on Tuesday.) What Dems learned? The power of the people to take on billionaires and win, Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin told Semafor. What Trump and Elon learned? That they better brace themselves for November 2026. Davids view Republicans tried something new in Wisconsin this year, and with a lot of help. They backed Brad Schimel for the court seat, a former attorney general whod won statewide and wasnt afraid to tie himself to Trump. They worked with Turning Point Action, which poured resources into a ballot chase, and with Musks PACs, which told Republican voters that a vote for Schimel was a vote to support Trump and DOGE. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are going to win in Wisconsin and send a message to the radical left, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, a former congressman from the states northwest, said at Sundays rally with Musk in Green Bay. Dont mess with Trump. Dont mess with DOGE. Dont mess with Elon, and dont mess with Wisconsin. Heres the problem with calling an election a referendum on your agenda: You could lose. Democrats will now control the states high court for years, and have fresh evidence that campaigning against Musk and DOGE works, after 71 days of ineffectively whacking at them in DC. When I reported from Wisconsin last month, Republicans said that Schimel could win if he found 200,000 Trump voters who usually skipped these races. They amended the usual playbook for these races judicial candidates promising to rule fairly and put crooks in jail with MAGA messaging that warned of Democrats halting the Trump agenda and redrawing maps to erase two Republican House seats. That did pull out more conservative voters than their recent campaigns. But Democrats found more votes for Crawford, drawing from a base more highly educated, more attuned to traditional news and political developments that is wired to vote in every election. And they effectively portrayed Musk, romping across a Green Bay stage in a foam cheesehead, as an interloper trying to buy an election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Growing up in Chippewa Falls, I never imagined that I would take on the richest man in the world, Crawford said in her victory speech on Tuesday. The party didnt expect to win in Florida. Indeed, a few weeks ago, I was hearing frustration from Democrats that Weil was tapping so many small donors for his race, when the resources might be better spent in more competitive elections. But Democrats have now shown that at least some of their voters are more motivated than Republicans, despite polling that has found record-low support for the party. Anyone who counted Democrats out was dead wrong, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said after Crawford declared victory. Room for Disagreement Republicans did win those Florida races, and they easily passed an amendment that locked Wisconsins existing voter ID policy into the state constitution, blocking any possibility that the liberal court would limit or strike down the 10-year-old policy. As Crawford took the podium in Madison, she was in the only part of the state that opposed that amendment. Notable House Democrats on Tuesday decried the Trump administrations rollout of records related to the 1963 assassination of former President Kennedy, raising concerns about the release of personal information even as they agreed with Republican colleagues that there was value in accessing the files. Weve got to have transparency so that we can learn to be better, so that we can hold agencies accountable. But being reckless with this sensitive information is also not the way to do it, said Rep. Summer Lee (D-Pa.) during a hearing focused on the flood of so-called JFK files. Unfortunately, the rollout of documents that weve seen so far has been sloppy and rushed. The release didnt really give us a smoking gun, but it did produce plenty of collateral damage, Lee said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An executive order from President Trump prompted the National Archives to release thousands of files related to Kennedys killing. Through unredacted documents, hundreds of Social Security numbers and other personal data were made public, putting some living individuals named in the records at risk. Though Democrats on the committee largely said there was value in examining previously classified information, Lee and others sounded alarm about the risks of releasing materials without regard for personal data. We know that in the past the government has over-classified documents. Over-classification at the expense of transparency is something we should all take seriously. But also note that its incredibly serious and a delicate subject, said Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), the ranking member of the House Oversight Committees Task Force on the Declassification of Federal Secrets. Later in the hearing, Garcia stressed his concern that a lot of personal information had been released during the document rollout that has actually caused harm to folks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement John Davisson, senior counsel and director of litigation at the Electronic Privacy Information Center, testified that the National Archives were aware that the documents included sensitive personal information and completed the document release without taking the steps that are ordinarily taken to redact that information and to ensure the privacy is protected. Theres a whole host of harms that can come from that, Davisson said, pointing out the possibility of identity fraud and other issues. The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) in a release acknowledged that files went out without redactions and contained the personal identification information of some living individuals. Along with the Social Security Administration, NARA said its now working to protect the individuals who may be affected from their information being exploited. Officials at the White House have also said theres a plan in place to help those affected by the document release, according to the Associated Press, but Davisson argued that significant harm can still happen in the meantime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also testifying before the committee was Oliver Stone, the American filmmaker behind the 1991 political thriller JFK, which stoked conspiracy questions surrounding Kennedys death. I ask the committee to reopen what the Warren Commission failed miserably to complete. I ask you to reinvestigate the assassination of this President Kennedy from the scene of the crime to the courtroom, Oliver Stone told lawmakers in his opening statement, contending that the CIAs muddy footprints are all over this case. But Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas), another of just five Democrats on the 12-member subcommittee, stressed that the latest flood of documents does not contradict the Warren Commissions conclusion that Lee Harvey Oswald was the lone gunman in the assassination. While I value government accountability and transparency like most of my colleagues, nearly all of the previously classified JFK assassination files are now public and show no evidence of a CIA conspiracy, Crockett said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But what I find funny about this hearing is that the Republicans are here litigating whether CIA agents lied 60 years ago, but arent doing anything about the CIA director lying to Congress just six days ago, she added, decrying that Trump administration officials who controversially used a Signal group chat, arguing they were carelessly discussing classified military plans. Task force Chair Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) pitched the document release as a historical day for transparency. With the recent efforts made to declassify over 80,000 pages of classified documents, fighting against the request for redactionscombined with prior releases under the previous administrationwe have an unprecedented opportunity to peel back the layers of that dark day and lay bare the facts for all to see and for the first time in many years we are seeing complete cooperation between the U.S. government enterprise, Luna said in her opening remarks. Jefferson Morley, editor of the JFK Facts blog, and James DiEugenio, author of books on the assassination, were additional witnesses who raised questions about the investigations and long-held conclusions about the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The Virginia state Capitol in Richmond in the spring of 2025. (Photo by Markus Schmidt/Virginia Mercury) In a dramatic but ultimately symbolic show of defiance, Virginia House Democrats on Wednesday tried and failed to override 13 of Gov. Glenn Youngkins vetoes from this years legislative session, knowing full well the numbers were never in their favor. Youngkin, a Republican, rejected 157 of the 915 measures sent to his desk by the Democratic-controlled General Assembly in February, flexing his veto pen more aggressively than any Virginia governor in decades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But with Democrats holding only narrow majorities 51-49 in the House and 21-19 in the Senate their chances of reversing any of those decisions were always slim. Overriding a gubernatorial veto in Virginia requires a two-thirds vote in both chambers. Still, Wednesdays veto session was less about math and more about momentum in a pivotal election year. With every seat in the House of Delegates on the ballot and a gubernatorial race already underway, Democrats used the day to draw sharp contrasts with the Republican agenda and with the partys standard bearer, President Donald Trump. Nearly every Democratic lawmaker who rose to speak did so with a common refrain, casting House Republicans as terrified of Trump and unwilling to stand up for Virginia values from voting rights and gun safety to fair wages and union rights. Bid to ban assault-style weapons falls short While the Senate declined to take up any of the vetoed bills, House Democrats fell short in their attempt to override Youngkins veto of a bill restricting assault-style firearms. The 50-46 party-line vote was a setback for legislation central to Virginias ongoing gun debate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House Bill 1607, identical to Senate Bill 1181, would have made it a Class 1 misdemeanor to import, sell, or transfer assault-style firearms, with exceptions for antiques, inoperable or manually operated guns, and those made before July 1, 2025. It also barred those under 21 from possessing such firearms and banned high-capacity magazines. Del. Dan Helmer, D-Fairfax, a combat veteran and the bills sponsor, defended it as a public safety measure. These weapons were designed for the battlefield, not for our streets, Helmer said. They have no place in Virginia. Our law enforcement officers work tirelessly to keep our community safe The least we can do is to support them. He accused GOP lawmakers of bowing to special interests: Once again, the Republicans priorities are not the priorities of Virginias working families. They are too terrified of Donald Trump to act to remove weapons of war from our communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Del. Nick Freitas, R-Culpeper, also a veteran, pushed back, saying the bill would punish law-abiding citizens. I also carried weapons overseas in combat situations, and I dont recall once when I was either conducting combat operations (or) any part in the oath I swore to the Constitution to then be able to come back, sit in this legislature and deprive American citizens of their constitutionally protected rights to defend themselves. Protecting voting rights The House also came up short in an effort to override Youngkins veto of HB 1657, a bill that would have required the Department of Elections to complete any large-scale voter roll removals at least 90 days before any primary or general election a safeguard currently in place only for federal races. Mirroring SB 813, the measure permitted removals in cases of death, felony conviction, mental incapacity, or at the voters request all allowed under current law. It also would have extended the time registrars have to process cancellations from 30 to 60 days and doubled the response window for voters flagged over citizenship concerns from 14 to 28 days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The right to vote is sacred as the cornerstone of our democracy and the foundations of our commonwealth, said Del. Rozia Henson, D-Woodbridge, the bills sponsor. To have a persons voting rights stripped away so close to an election is simply something that you cannot fathom. Henson added, Let me be clear, if you are ineligible to vote, you simply cannot vote, but it is also the law that voters cannot be systematically purged at the whim of the governor. Yet time and time and time again, Republicans have shown that theyre too scared of Donald Trump to stand up for our democracy and too afraid to protect the right to vote. A similar fate befell HB 2002, which sought to limit local registrars to canceling voter registrations only based on data from the Department of Elections or approved state agencies unless a voter submitted a written request to cancel their own registration. The bill also aimed to reinstate protections for active-duty military members, Americans temporarily overseas and their families, ensuring their registrations couldnt be canceled while they remained eligible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Virginia we believe in fair, secure, and accessible elections, said Del. Amy Laufer, D-Albemarle, the bills sponsor. We have a duty to ensure that our elections are secure without undermining the fundamental right to vote, and we cannot allow outside influences or partisan games to threaten that sacred right. Minimum wage hike fails An attempt by House Democrats to override Youngkins veto of a proposed minimum wage increase also fell short. HB 1928, sponsored by Del. Jeion Ward, D-Hampton, outlined a phased wage hike codifying the already-scheduled increase to $12.41 per hour on Jan. 1, 2025, followed by raises to $13.50 in 2026 and $15.00 by 2027. Ward framed the legislation as essential to working families. Raising a minimum wage is about people, its about families struggling to keep lights on, she said. Its about parents working double shifts to afford childcare. And its about the workers who keep Virginia running, but they are still left behind. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Republicans pushed back, arguing the bill would backfire on the very people it intended to help. What your bill actually does is make it illegal to hire someone at a certain amount, Freitas said. Theres no such thing as just one minimum wage, there is always two. There is the arbitrary wage that you set, and then there is $0. And a lot of people are going to end up getting $0. He warned that higher wage mandates could eliminate jobs altogether: You dont just lift people up to a higher wage. Marijuana justice efforts stalls Another proposal HB 2555 which would have offered sentencing relief for individuals convicted of marijuana-related felonies, also failed to clear the hurdle of a veto override. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill would have granted automatic hearings to those still incarcerated or under supervision as of July 1, 2025 for marijuana offenses committed before legalization in 2021. The bill recognized Virginias shift in marijuana laws and aimed to provide relief for people still serving time for outdated crimes. But Youngkin, in his veto statement, argued that the bill went too far by potentially benefiting individuals convicted of serious crimes. While framed as a measure for non-violent offenders, he wrote, this bill would allow sentence reductions for individuals convicted of serious crimes, including those involving fentanyl distribution, sales to minors, and violent offenses where marijuana was a factor. He also warned of broader consequences for the justice system. The proposal places an undue burden on courts, prosecutors, and victims, Youngkin stated, requiring hearings even for those whose sentences were enhanced by prior marijuana convictions but were primarily convicted of far more serious offenses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Henson, who sponsored the legislation, defended the bill as a matter of justice. We came a long way in legalizing marijuana, he said. The question is why are they afraid to give someone a second chance? Justice is supposed to be about balance, Henson added. We have people convicted of marijuana-related offenses still suffering, even though what they did is no longer against the law. This bill gave a chance to make things right. No strengthening of union rights Lastly, the House was unable to secure enough votes to override the governors veto of HB 2764, which would have allowed collective bargaining for Virginias public employees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The measure aimed to repeal the states ban on public-sector union negotiations and create a Public Employee Relations Board to oversee the process for state and local workers. The bill required good-faith bargaining over wages, hours and working conditions, and removed a provision mandating secret ballots in union elections a change critics said could compromise employee privacy. In his veto statement, Youngkin called the proposal a major policy shift that would threaten the funding and delivery of critical state and local services and cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars a year. He also criticized the lack of a funding plan, saying agencies were unprepared for the legal and administrative demands. Del. Kathy Tran, D-Fairfax, the bills sponsor, said the measure was about standing with workers. Virginia has an opportunity to lead, she said. We can demonstrate that we value our workers by giving them a seat at the table and (improving) our services. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Indiana lawmakers in the House Education Committee are considering a bill to build out state law around "human sexuality" instruction in schools. (Getty Images) Opposition to a bill targeting human sexuality instruction continued Wednesday at the Indiana Statehouse, where critics argued that parents already have access to and authority over such coursework for their kids. On the table before the House Education Committee, too, was legislation to further address widespread chronic absenteeism among Hoosier students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Up first was Senate Bill 442, which requires any instruction and learning materials used to teach human sexuality for grades 4-12 be approved by a school board. Basic information about the curriculum would have to be published in a conspicuous place on the schools website. That includes a list of classes, by grade level, in which any instruction concerning human sexuality will be taught, and whether that instruction will be provided by a male or female instructor. The schools parental consent form which lets parents remove their children from sexual education classes would also need a link to that information. A grievance procedure would additionally need to be in place for parents to call out non-compliant schools. Sen. Gary Byrne listens in committee on Thursday, March 27, 2025. (Leslie Bonilla Muniz/Indiana Capital Chronicle) Critics of the bill emphasized, however, that Indiana parents already have the right to remove their child from sex education classes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Currently, school boards also have the authority to review and approve curricular materials. State law further requires school corporations to make instructional materials available to parents so that they can consent to instruction on human sexuality. A parent can contact the teacher and say, Whats the curriculum? And the teacher has to tell them and then (parents) can already opt their child out of whatever education that they dont feel is appropriate, said Rep. Tonya Pfaff, D-Terre Haute. Im wondering why were doing this when it already exists. But bill author Sen. Gary Byrne, R-Byrneville, questioned if school boards are actually having conversations about related curriculum. He reiterated Wednesday that his proposal respects both local control and parental rights and just says materials used in sex ed must be approved by the local school board. Byrne said the bill stems from concerns brought to him by teachers and parents and intends to help parents better decide whether they want to opt their child out of sex ed courses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He gave a similar argument before the Senate education committee earlier in the session. His bill advanced from that panel and from the full chamber along party lines. We all know conversations on sex ed are more sensitive than other subjects because families have different values, different ideals, about what is appropriate to talk about and when its appropriate to talk to their child, or when its appropriate for their child to hear about it, Byrne said. We dont have any state standards for sex ed, so teachers dont have a lot of direction, he continued. I didnt want to force anything at the state level. But as a former school board member, I think putting local school boards in the drivers seat on this issue makes good sense. They are elected by the voters, after all, so I think this is a good bill. More opposition against sex ed measure The introduction of sex education usually starts in the fourth grade, according to state guidelines. But Indiana does not require the course in schools. Instead, it only mandates that schools teach lessons on HIV and AIDS. Schools that do teach sex education are expected to focus on abstinence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Byrne introduced a similar bill in 2024 that advanced from the Senate but died in the House without a committee hearing. I'm wondering why we're doing this when it already exists. Rep. Tonya Pfaff, D-Terre Haute This years bill has some tweaks: non-public schools are excluded; and a new provision, added in the Senate education committee, updates reference to sexually transmitted diseases in the existing sex education statute with sexually transmitted infections. The House Education Committee heard testimony on Byrnes proposal but is not expected to take a vote until next week just before the deadline for bills to advance from committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two amendments to the bill are pending. One offered by Rep. Julie McGuire, R-Indianapolis, seeks to require sex ed instruction to include a presentation on human growth and development during pregnancy that includes: a high-definition ultrasound video, at least three minutes long, showing the development of the brain, heart, sex organs and other vital organs in early fetal development; and a high-quality computer-generated rendering or animation showing the process of fertilization and each stage of fetal development inside the uterus, noting significant markers in cell growth and organ development for every week of pregnancy from fertilization to birth. Democratic Rep. Ed DeLaney, also of Indianapolis, questioned whether lawmakers are confusing what this new term human sexuality is. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think Im in support of this particular amendment, but Im worried about where were going here, he said. Are we opening the door here to a broad discussion of, Lets call it everything about sex except the sex act? Thats whats troubling me here. Wheres the line here as to what we cant talk about, what we can talk about? DeLaney offered his own amendment to the bill to better specify what would be required of school boards and get rid of telling the parents whether the teacher whos going to teach the class is male or female I find that personally offensive. Rep. Ed DeLaney, D-Indianapolis, sits in the House Education Committee on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025. (Casey Smith/Indiana Capital Chronicle) Byrne held that parents should know information about the teacher so they can decide if their child should participate in the instruction. A young child or young boy they may behave differently depending on whether its a male or female teacher, he said. And if you think about a daughter, do I want a man teaching those subjects to her? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats along with Rep. Becky Cash, R-Zionsville separately asked what would happen if materials, or even the class teacher, changed during the academic year, since the postings are due in July. Byrne replied that locals can figure that out theyll be able to navigate that. Roughly 30 minutes of public testimony, mostly from school and teachers groups, was critical of the bill. Samantha Bresnahan, a senior policy specialist for the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana, cautioned, for example, whether the bill would apply to a wide range of subjects beyond sex education, including literature and science classes. This could create confusion about which courses need to be approved and reported on, and have a chilling effect for education on a wide range of subjects, she told the committee. Only Micah Clark, representing the American Family Association of Indiana, spoke in favor, saying the bill informs parents of what will be taught on a potentially sensitive subject, and ensures that elected school board members have reviewed whatever might be taught on this topic. Continued support for chronic absenteeism interventions House lawmakers additionally considered Republican Sen. Stacey Donatos measure to beef up the states absenteeism statute. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate Bill 482 has multiple parts, including a new definition in state code for chronically absent, specified in the bill as missing 10% or more of the school year, regardless of whether it is excused. Another provision allows local prosecuting attorneys to hold intervention meetings with parents to help improve a students attendance before any legal action is taken. A final section of the bill would prohibit K-8 students from expulsion solely because that student is chronically absent or habitually truant, said Donato, of Logansport. Current law permits students in those grades to be expelled for missing too much school. The Senate measure mirrors House Bill 1201, which unanimously passed the House but has yet to get a Senate hearing. A House committee vote on Donatos bill is likely to come next week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Multiple school advocates who testified Wednesday supported Donatos effort. This bill acknowledges that a one size fits all approach simply wont work, said Cindy Long, assistant executive director for the Indiana Association of School Principals. It gives schools the tools they need to support students, engage families and take additional action when necessary, without penalizing our youngest learners for struggles beyond their control. Chris Lagoni, of the Indiana Small and Rural Schools Association, said his organization also backs the proposal, but recommended other language be added to the bill to address students who use school transfers as a way to escape accountability. Wed like to really work on focusing and getting kids to school, Lagoni said. If they can make it to school, they can make it to work. And (we want to) continue to look at, and make sure, that students arent using the opportunity to transfer to another school to escape the process of trying to improve their attendance. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Democrats just won their biggest electoral victory of the second Trump era. And Elon Musk lost big. Democratic voters came out in force on Tuesday in a Wisconsin Supreme Court race, a sign that the once-latent resistance is raring to go. Musk put in a ton of money but so did Democrats, amping turnout to midterm-level performance and showing the party's strength outside of low turnout specials elections. And Democrats now have a legal bulwark to defend their positions on abortion rights and congressional maps in the closely divided state. By defeating Republican-aligned candidate Brad Schimel, Susan Crawford secured a seat on the states highest court and rejuvenated Democrats nationwide as they cast Musk as the No.1 villain of the second Trump era. Democrats framed the result as an explicit rejection of President Donald Trump, who endorsed Schimel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republicans, meanwhile, still havent cracked the code for how to turn out Trump voters without the president on the ballot. Donald Trump does two things wonderfully: He gets people to turn out to vote for him and he gets liberals to turn out and vote against anyone he supports, said Rohn W. Bishop, the Republican mayor of Waupun, Wisconsin and former chair of the Fond du Lac County GOP. The problem is that he can never turn out conservatives to vote for his candidate when he's not on the ballot." Heres what we learned about this moment in U.S. politics from the results in Wisconsin, which were called late Tuesday evening. What does this mean for Musk? The GOP losing a statewide race in a crucial battleground where Trump and Musk loomed large is a warning sign for the White House. Democrats hammered away at how DOGEs cost-cutting could hurt Wisconsinites as Musk and his allies expel thousands of federal workers and curtail government services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republicans who have broadly defended DOGEs mission could become wary of standing by Musk now that his move-fast-and-break-things ethos clearly poses an electoral risk. Musks time in government may be limited Trump indicated this week that the Tesla founder eventually will return to the private sector. But his efforts to downsize government will live on: Agencies across government are preparing wide scale reductions in force that will result in the layoffs of even more federal employees. Musk injected a pay-to-play element to the race by initially dangling a million dollar reward to Wisconsinites who voted in the election. He quickly backtracked, in the face of legal opposition in part from Wisconsins Democratic Attorney General, instead choosing to give six-figure checks to two Republicans who signed a pledge saying they oppose judicial activism. But in the end, all his millions proved insufficient to win the contest for Republicans. Where do Democrats go from here? Democrats are all-but-guaranteed to continue with their anti-Musk messaging. The biggest opportunity to test that strategy ahead of the midterms comes in November, when voters in Virginia and New Jersey will elect new governors and state lawmakers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wisconsins result builds on a string of successes Democrats have enjoyed in special elections so far this cycle by racking up wins in Iowa and Pennsylvania in heavy GOP areas. On Tuesday night, Democrats also over-performed in a pair of Florida House special elections, improving their margins by double-digits in deeply conservative districts. The DOGE factor is likely to prove especially potent in Virginias gubernatorial and state legislative races, where thousands of federal workers live. Likely Democratic nominee Abigail Spanberger, a former member of Congress and CIA officer, has seized on the economic repercussions of DOGE as a key theme of her gubernatorial campaign. Musk is becoming electoral poison, said Evan Roth Smith, a Democratic pollster. The Democratic Party is going to make Elon a central issue in its messaging, as it should, and Democrats are getting better at focusing on what matters to voters, which is the threat he poses to entitlements. Even though Democratic base voters are frustrated by the partys congressional leadership, seen in town halls across the country in recent weeks , that didnt stop them from showing up in Wisconsin. Whats on deck for the Wisconsin Supreme Court? The Wisconsin Supreme Court which will remain tilted toward Democrats with Crawford on the panel will likely answer several major legal questions with wide-reaching implications on abortion, labor rights and congressional maps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The court is expected to hear a case later this year on whether the Wisconsin constitution guarantees the right to abortion. And the justices are already mulling, after holding arguments in November, whether to revive an abortion ban from 1849, though that is set to be decided before Crawford is seated. Both candidates sidestepped questions on the campaign trail about how they would rule on those cases. Crawford said she believes in the right for women to make their own choices about their bodies and their health care, while Schimel voiced support for the 1849 abortion ban and argued the issue should be left to voters though Wisconsin lacks the citizen-led ballot initiative process other states have used to enact protections since Dobbs. Both abortion-rights and anti-abortion groups deployed volunteers, sent out mailers, cut ads and poured funds into the race. Ultimately, progressives were able to achieve a repeat of 2023 when an abortion-rights centered campaign and a surge in off-year turnout delivered progressives a narrow majority on Wisconsins high court for the first time in 15 years. Making abortion rights the leading issue, however, did not help Democrats in 2024 and it did not dominate the Wisconsin Supreme Court race the way it did two years ago, raising questions about how effectively the party can run on the issue to win crucial battleground contests going forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Should the Supreme Court revisit Wisconsin's congressional maps, Republicans in Congress are frank about how they may fare in a shakeup of the delegation. Republican Rep. Derrick Van Orden warned he could lose his competitive district along with GOP Rep. Bryan Steil. Six of the states eight congressional seats are held by Republicans in what is typically a 50/50 state. Being a member of Congress is not my identity, Van Orden said in an interview after Crawfords win. So if through all these crazy machinations I dont get reelected because far-leftists on the court decide to redistrict and make it nearly impossible for me to get reelected I can accept that without any malice or bitterness. Van Orden said he would still work doggedly on his re-elect bid and framed Crawfords victory as a disaster for the nation. How did Democrats pull it off? Turnout was high after record spending roughly $90 million flowed into the race. While ballots were still being counted on Tuesday night, preliminary results suggested turnout would substantially exceed the 2023 Wisconsin Supreme Court race more comparable to a midterm election, although still well short of presidential turnout. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And the results from a handful of counties reporting nearly complete results showed Crawfords win looked a lot like how other Democrats have won in Wisconsin in recent years. She outperformed former Vice President Kamala Harriss narrow 2024 loss in the state by losing by less in rural red counties, running up the numbers in blue urban areas and flipping the purple and light red suburban counties that solidified Trumps victory last year. In Kenosha County, south of Milwaukee, Crawford won roughly 53 percent of the vote, according to unofficial results Tuesday night. Trump won the county by 6 points in November. Crawford also performed better than Harris in deep-red areas. In Fond du Lac County, a historic GOP stronghold, she performed roughly 4.5 points better than Harris, according to preliminary results. And in Adams County an Obama-Trump county now firmly in the GOP column she ran 6.5 points ahead of Harris. Its a formula that other Democrats will certainly be looking to replicate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The [Republican] party has to worry about the position they'll be in with voters in Virginia and New Jersey, and then looking down the road, where they'll be going into the midterms, said Charles Franklin, who leads Marquette Universitys Law School poll . It's not an auspicious start, coupled with the accumulating polling data about how unpopular Trump's most prominent policies, tariffs, are. What worked with voters of color? Some Democrats were worried the party hadnt learned its lesson on mobilizing voters of color. Now theyre breathing a sigh of relief. Heading into Election Day, there was trepidation among progressive activists that centering Musk might not work . Some were skeptical that message would resonate with voters of color, especially compared with economic arguments that could be more compelling with low-propensity voters. Some compared it to Harris making saving democracy central to her closing argument. But on Election Day, turnout among Black and Latino voters in the Milwaukee area didnt plummet the way they feared. Instead, nervous organizers and elected officials saw unexpectedly high numbers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There has been a lot of activity. Were expecting historic turnout, Paulina Gutierrez, executive director of Milwaukees Election Commission, proclaimed during a news conference hours before polls closed. Seven polling sites in the area even temporarily ran out of ballots. The message appeared to be working, activists said Musks role in dismantling pieces of the federal government appeared to be energizing voters of color, too. This is a new dynamic we never felt, said Milwaukee-based grassroots organizer Angela Lang, who leads Black Leaders Organizing for Communities. And it felt like the whole resistance movement was looking to us to see if we could stop this. Shia Kapos, Meredith Lee Hill and Jessica Piper contributed to this report. CAIRO, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Several Middle Eastern governments condemned Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir on Wednesday after his visit to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem, a site revered by both Muslims and Jews. Jordan's Foreign Ministry labeled the visit a "dangerous escalation," asserting that it violated the "historical and legal status quo" at the site, which is managed by Jordanian religious authorities under a decades-old agreement. The ministry accused Israel of attempting to impose a "temporal and spatial division" of the compound, known to Jews as the Temple Mount while reiterating that Israel holds "no sovereignty" over it. Jordan called on the international community to take decisive action to prevent further provocations. Egypt's Foreign Ministry also condemned the visit, describing it as a breach of international law and warning of its potential to destabilize the region. The ministry expressed concern that such actions could provoke widespread anger, further intensifying the Middle East's volatile situation and undermining global peace and security. The Turkish Foreign Ministry characterized Ben-Gvir's visit as a "dangerous step," cautioning that it could exacerbate tensions in the region. It condemned his "storming" of Al-Aqsa and urged the international community to work toward de-escalation. Hamas, the Palestinian militant group, also condemned the visit, calling it a "provocative and dangerous escalation." Hamas urged Palestinians, particularly youth in the West Bank, to escalate their resistance in defense of Palestinian land and holy sites, with a specific focus on Al-Aqsa. Saudi Arabia, through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, strongly denounced Ben-Gvir's visit as an infringement on the sanctity of the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The kingdom also condemned the Israeli targeting of a UN-affiliated clinic in Gaza and the ongoing targeting of relief organizations, reiterating its rejection of actions that alter the historical and legal status of Jerusalem and its sacred sites. Reports indicated that Ben-Gvir entered the Al-Aqsa compound earlier on Wednesday, accompanied by heavy police protection. This marked his sixth visit since joining Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government in 2022. The Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, a frequent flashpoint for violence, is revered by Muslims as a noble sanctuary and by Jews as the site of two ancient temples. Non-Muslims are allowed to visit the site but are prohibited from praying there under the current status quo. Ben-Gvir, an ultranationalist politician, has long advocated for expanded Jewish access to the compound. Tensions escalated at the site in April 2023, when violent confrontations between Palestinians and Israeli police resulted in 50 injuries and at least 400 arrests. These clashes followed reports that Jews planned to sacrifice a goat at the site, an act forbidden by Israeli law. Israel annexed the eastern sector of the city, including the Old City where the compound lies, in 1967, a move that remains unrecognized by most of the international community. Screenshot of Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried on Zoom call organized by the DNC on April 2, 2025. What can Florida Democrats take out of Tuesday nights special congressional elections? They lost two races that most everyone always expected them to lose. But cutting the margins of defeat in half from elections held just four months ago is giving them hope for 2026. These races should have never been competitive, but we outworked them, Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried said in a Zoom call Wednesday afternoon, referring to the candidacies of Democratic candidates Gay Valimont in Congressional District 1 and Josh Weil in Congressional District 6. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We outraised them and we slashed their margins by more than half, Fried added. And they panicked. They had to call Daddy [Donald Trump], hosting emergency town halls, slashing last-minute cash and even sacrificing [New York U.S. Rep. Elise] Stefaniks nomination [as U.N. ambassador] to protect their very slim majority. In CD1 in the Panhandle, former state Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis defeated Valimont by 15 percentage points, 57%-42%. In Northeast Floridas CD6, former GOP state Sen. Randy Fine defeated Weil by 14 percentage points, 57%-43%. Congressional 6 Democratic candidate Josh Weil (Photo from the Weil campaign) Democratic Congressional candidate Gay Valimont (photo from Gay Valimonts Twitter page) Democrats spent far more money in both races despite the fact that the districts rank among the most Republican in the state Trump won both districts by more than 30 percentage points last November. Nevertheless, Weils 14-point loss to Fine was 18 points closer than Democrat James David Stockton got in losing to then-Republican incumbent Mike Waltz in the same district just five months ago. Republican Party of Florida Chair Evan Power dismissed the Democrats spin, saying, We took everything that the Democrats had and we gave it back, and we won by double-digits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We won big in record numbers in Florida last time, and getting people to turn out to vote right after they delivered a big victory is always hard, Power told Newsmax. Special elections in Florida have always been close. This wasnt close, even though they spent millions and millions of dollars. The Florida GOP, our grassroots teams made 400,000 calls, knocked on thousands of doors, and I think that everyone was united to the fact that they wanted to send a message that President Trump needed Floridians to go support him in Washington, D.C., and they sent two great ones in Jimmy Patronis and Randy Fine. Fried disagreed, saying that the Florida outcome is a warning sign for Republicans in Florida and around the country, and it should send shivers to the spine of any Republican, in an R-plus-15 seat or below. There are no more safe seats in Florida. He repels people Meanwhile, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis saw the closer margin of victory for Fine on Tuesday was a reflection of his weakness as a candidate and not a referendum on the presidents first two months in office. Sen. Randy Fine talks to reporters at the Capitol on Jan. 28, 2025, during a special session on immigration. (Photo by Jay Waagmeester/Florida Phoenix) Jimmy Patronis via his Facebook page During an appearance in Ocala Wednesday morning, the governor bashed Fine as a squish for supporting the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas Public Safety Act and for opposing his proposal on illegal immigration earlier this year (as did the majority of the GOP-controlled Legislature initially but they later approved a watered-down bill). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So when people see that, our base voters dont get excited about that, DeSantis said. Youre not giving them a reason to go out and vote. And also the way that he conducts himself, he repels people. He repels people in the Legislature. They wanted to get him out of the Legislature so they asked me to put him up for Florida Atlantic [University] president. I did, and the whole board would have resigned rather than make him president, he continued. So, it was unique problems with this candidate that was causing it to be a close race, and I think it was trending to be a lot closer. Then what happened was they put a lot of money in a Trump plus-30 seat. They shouldnt have had to do, but they did. And then the president did a couple of tele-town halls where he said, Listen, for my agenda, I need you to go out and vote.' Fine responded via X, writing, A dying star burns hottest before it fades into oblivion. Im focused on working with @realDonaldTrump to stop Democrats from taking this country backwards, not working with them. Lets go. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin promised that the resources the party brought to the Florida races will continue into next years midterms. Youre going to continue to witness a level of aggressive investment in organizing from this DNC thats unlike anything that weve done before, he said on the Zoom call, organized by the DNC. Last nights special elections in Florida show Trump, Musk, and Republicans that theyre in trouble even in the reddest districts. Worthy investment? The fact that Democrats spent so much money (Weil raised more than $10 million and Valimont more than $6 million) was mocked by Republicans but was controversial with some Florida Democrats, too, who questioned whether it was a worthy investment. Theres easily been 2x as much money donated in these races as donated to the FL Dem Party for voter reg since Obama12, Tallahassee Democratic strategist Steve Schale wrote on X Tuesday night. Until people get excited about funding infrastructure, its going to be a long road back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fried maintained that the money made a difference, even though her party came up short in both races. I heard Republicans say, Well, it was a waste of money. They spent $20 million on these races and we still won. But they dont understand this, these races, came down to the wire because we invested in them, she said Wednesday. Put money into a strong ground game and organized in red counties like never before. Investment on the ground matters. Money spent in specials was largely on the ground, not TV, she continued. So, dont tell me Florida is too expensive. We have proven that we can raise the money and spend it wisely. We put a down payment on our future, and were going to make Republicans pay for it in the long run. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE By Tom Little and Louise Rasmussen NUUK, Greenland (Reuters) -Denmark's prime minister pledged to support Greenland against U.S. President Donald Trump's expressions of interest in acquiring the Danish semi-autonomous territory as she landed in Nuuk on Wednesday for talks with its incoming government. Mette Frederiksen began her three-day trip to the vast Arctic island less than a week after a visit to the territory by U.S. Vice President JD Vance drew a frosty reception from authorities in Denmark and Greenland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The U.S. shall not take over Greenland. Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders," Frederiksen told reporters in the capital Nuuk soon after her arrival. The Danish leader said she wanted to support Greenland "in a very, very difficult situation". Ahead of her visit she had said she aimed to strengthen Copenhagen's ties with the island and emphasised the importance of respectful cooperation at a time of what she described as "great pressure on Greenland". Greenland's incoming Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen, who won last month's parliamentary election and will form a coalition government, has welcomed Frederiksen's trip, saying that Denmark remains "Greenland's closest partner". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Frederiksen promised to do what she could to ensure equal rights to Greenlanders and Danes within the Danish realm. "Most of all, we need to discuss the foreign and security policy situation, geopolitics, and how we approach this very, very difficult task together because that is what it is all about now." Nielsen's new coalition is expected to formally take office on April 7. Relations between Greenland and Denmark have been strained after revelations in the past few years of historical mistreatment of Greenlanders under colonial rule. Trump's interest in controlling Greenland, part of a growing international focus on competition for influence in the Arctic, has prompted Denmark to step up efforts to improve relations with the island. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nielsen told Reuters late on Monday that Greenland would strengthen its ties with Denmark until it could fulfil its ultimate wish to become a sovereign nation. 'RESPECTFUL' Meanwhile, Greenland wishes to establish a "respectful" relationship with the United States, he said. "Talking about annexation and talking about acquiring Greenland and not respecting the sovereignty is not respectful. So let's start by being respectful to each other and build up a great partnership on everything," he said. Frederiksen's visit is primarily about signalling support at a time of intense scrutiny, said Ulrik Pram Gad, an academic at the Danish Institute for International Studies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It is important for Denmark to signal to Greenland that Denmark is Greenland's closest friend and ally - and to the U.S. that it stands behind Greenland," he said. During his visit to a U.S. military base in northern Greenland last Friday, Vance accused Denmark of not doing a good job of keeping the island safe and suggested the United States would better protect the strategically-located territory. Frederiksen, who has said it is up to the people of Greenland to decide their own future, called Vance's description of Denmark "not fair". Opinion polls show that a majority of Greenland's 57,000 inhabitants support independence from Denmark, but many oppose seeking independence too quickly, fearing their island could become worse off and expose itself to U.S. interests. (Reporting by Tom Little in Nuuk, Louise Breusch Rasmussen and Stine Jacobsen in Copenhagen, additional reporting by Terje Solsvik in Oslo and Anne Kauranen in Helsinki, editing by William Maclean, Gareth Jones and Jane Merriman) (WHTM) A Bhutanese refugee who was living in Dauphin County and subsequently deported earlier this year has been arrested in Nepal, according to County Commissioner Justin Douglas. Ten Bhutanese refugees, including several Dauphin County residents, were deported from the region and flown to Bhutan via New Delhi, India. According to Douglas, 10 refugees who resettled in the U.S. were deported, and Douglas has reason to believe that eight additional refugees were deported. Close Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Local Business Beat Among them were two individuals from Dauphin County, bringing the total to three county residents deported. Douglas says the deported individuals were taken to a town in India and crossed into Nepal to visit family in refugee camps. At least four of the deported individuals, including a man who lived in Dauphin County, were arrested while traveling into Nepal. Fourteen deported refugees are unaccounted for, and at least nine from Pennsylvanias Bhutanese Nepali community are being detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to Douglas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a developing story. Stay with abc27 News as more information becomes available Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. DES MOINES, Iowa The Iowa Department for the Blind is celebrating 100 years on Wednesday by inviting the public to learn more about their services. The Iowa Commission for the Blind was first established by the state on April 2, 1925. In the 1980s, it was renamed the Iowa Department for the Blind. Their agency is located in downtown Des Moines and has called the same building home since the 1960s. However, Chief Information Officer, Connie Mendenhall, says many Iowans dont know about their department or the work they do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We no longer want to be the best-kept secret in Iowa, so we want everyone to come in the doors and see what we do here, she said. While Mendenhall now works for the department, she first started as a client. I lost my sight about almost exactly 10 years ago, she said. Ive worked in the insurance industry in Des Moines from the time I was 18. All of a sudden, your world shifts and changes. Smoke still impacting Otley after Monday fire Their mission is to empower blind and low vision Iowans. During the 2024 calendar year, the department helped approximately 6,000 Iowans ranging all age groups. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Blindness should never be a reason for a persons life to stop. Blindness should never be a reason a person cannot live independently, achieve their goals, become whatever they want to become, and live their best life independently, empowered, and successful, said Mendenhall. Downtown Des Moines residents and visitors may recall seeing low vision Iowans walking the streets of downtown with their white canes. This is part of the Iowa Blindness Independent and Empowerment Center, where the department offers classes teaching folks how to live independently. Mendenhall said clients work with teachers to develop adaptive skills that can help them in day-to-day life, even if their world changes. For example, clients may start college or move to a new city, but the skills they learn at the department can be transferred to other places. The program lasts around six months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One class they offer is on reading Braille, which is a tactile writing system of raised dots that can be read with the fingers. I, myself, have been an avid reader my whole life and I cannot imagine a day in my life without a book, said Mendenhall. The department is home to the The Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled, which provides thousands of books and other materials in alternative formats to Iowa residents who are unable to read standard print materials. Library services are available at no cost to Iowans of any age who cannot read traditional print materials because of a visual disability, physical disability, or physically based reading disability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Department for the Blind also hosts the Braille Challenge in their downtown agency, where blind and low vision students participate in a national competition. In February, the department hosted its 25th annual regionals. Another class they provide is on home economics. Karly Prinds is a teacher in this field. She helps clients learn how to cook and feel confident in a kitchen. They teach clients how to use all types of kitchen equipment in case the client moves to a new home and has new appliances. Iowa dog gets big screen break in The Friend Amanda Sesker is a client at the department who lost her eyesight in her 30s and started the program in September. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We pretty much went into surgery, came out, and they put me in a wheelchair with no cane and sent me on my way, she said. We had no idea that this place even existed. After doing research, Sesker found the department and joined the program without hesitation. Now, she is near the end of her program and is an expert on all of the classes. Its given me an opportunity to be a person, an independent person, and not feel like I have to rely on other people, she said. One of her favorite skills that she learned is cooking. Through the classes, she learned how to cook efficiently, and she can now make Thanksgiving dinner for 20 to 40 people again, like she once enjoyed doing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Clients also learn how to travel. They are taught how to use a white cane. Mason Armstrong is another client at the department. He said white canes are generally the height of a persons nose. The purpose is to extend almost a whole bodys length ahead of the individual. He demonstrated that the most common way to use a white cane is the ten-two method. Under this method, when a persons right foot moves forward, the cane swings to the ten-oclock position, or in front of the body to the left. Then, when a persons left foot moves forward, the cane swings to the two-oclock position, or in front of the body to the right. Many clients practice traveling with their white cane on the streets of downtown Des Moines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another class they participate in is woodshop, where clients are taught to build any furniture or decorative piece from scratch. They use the same tools sighted people use, they just rely more on their sense of touch. Its not really that much different than doing it sighted, said a client working in the woodshop class. Most of the clients can see light and shadows, but all of the classes are completed with masks over their eyes. Mendenhall says this encourages clients not to rely on lights and shadows but to instead rely on their other senses and the skills they learn in the program. The departments ultimate goal is to help clients acquire skills to find employment opportunities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I can do everything that I did before I lost my eyesight, said Sesker. On the Department for the Blinds 100th anniversary, representatives for the agency are hoping to share their purpose with Iowans so everyone knows the available services. They are hosting a Centennial Celebration on Tuesday from 3-6 p.m. at their department. All members of the public are encouraged to attend. The Iowa Department for the Blind is located at 524 4th Street in Des Moines. Iowa news Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. Gov. Ron DeSantis announces the creation of the Florida State Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE) task force to pare back state government, in Tampa on Feb. 24, 2025. (Photo courtesy of the Executive Office of Gov. Ron DeSantis) Given Gov. Ron DeSantis penchant for political theater, full embrace of a far-right extremist agenda, and need for attention, its not surprising that he would attach himself to the Trump-Musk DOGE project. Despite the utter chaos the project has created at the federal level, DeSantis recently announced the creation of a Florida version of the Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE) task force, which he claims will target and eliminate waste in state government, save taxpayers money, and ensure accountability in Florida. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Florida DOGE task force will work similarly to the department created by President Donald Trump and led by Elon Musk, the tech billionaire who is unelected and unaccountable to the American people. Musk and his minions have orchestrated the slashing of agency budgets since Trump came back into office on Jan. 20. Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Frieds response to the announcement captures the absurdity of DeSantis action. Florida Democrat Chair Nikki Fried speaks at a press conference involving Occupy Tally on April 4, 2023. (Photo by Danielle J. Brown/Florida Phoenix) Republicans have been in total control of Floridas government for nearly 30 years, and he wants to talk about government waste? she said. Ron has consistently passed the largest state budgets in Floridas history, illegally spent millions of taxpayer dollars to run political campaigns to take down Amendments 3 & 4, and just allocated $250 million to fund his political stunt on immigration. Dont lecture us on wasting taxpayer dollars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fried argues everyone knows this isnt about reigning in spending its about Trump endorsing Byron Donalds instead of Casey DeSantis. Maybe Ron should have considered the political consequences before he decided to run against the leader of his party for president. DeSantis said the DOGE team will likely shutter 70 boards and commissions this year to cut costs. Meanwhile, the task force will review 900 positions in state agencies to ascertain whether they should be cut. His intention to have the task force identify potential wasteful spending in college and university operations should be viewed as dubious after he signed legislation last year that banned public colleges and universities from using taxpayer money to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Institutional memory The governors hostility towards Black Floridians and his crusade to eradicate any programs to level the social, political, economic, and business playing fields continue unabated. Its likely that DOGE will be just another tool to eviscerate any entity deemed a threat to DeSantis implementation of an arch-conservative imprimatur on Florida. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is also the fear that Florida will lose experienced civil servants who not only carry out critical government functions but also carry with them critical institutional memory. As it has played out nationally, the DOGE carousel will distract state employees from focusing on the peoples work. If past is prologue, this political power move will increase fear among employees that they may lose their jobs, inducing paralysis among the ranks. Most of all, Florida governments best employees may seek greener pastures to the detriment to the states people. DeSantis said the task force will use artificial intelligence to reduce bureaucratic bloat. He said the DOGE team will be a continuation of the cost-cutting measures he has overseen during his six years in office. The governor boasted that Florida saved $3.8 billion in last years budget and has paid down 41% of state debt since 2019. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DeSantis plan comes even though Florida has the lowest number of government employees per capita of any state, and the state has about $14.6 billion in cash reserves. DeSantis plan comes even though Florida has the lowest number of government employees per capita of any state and $14.6 billion in cash reserves. Yet DeSantis is looking to slash 740 full-time jobs and scrap as many as 900 more related off-the-books positions. Democrats pushed back by noting that Florida already has in place a voter-approved government efficiency task force created in 2006 that carried an almost identical mandate; Florida DOGE therefore itself is an example of unnecessary spending. The effort is really an attempt to flatter Trump and Musk to restore DeSantis to his partys good graces. GOP pushback If Floridians are lucky, the significant pushback verbalized by the leaders of both of Floridas Republican-supermajority legislative chambers may end up with DeSantis cockamamie plan being tossed to the trash pile. Sen. Ben Albritton via Florida Senate Speaker Daniel Perez via Florida House Lets focus on what matters. Lets pass actual reforms rather than symbolic gestures, Daniel Perez, the Florida House speaker, told members on the legislative sessions opening day. Lets repeal government programs instead of reshuffling them. Lets swing for the fences and not just try to get on base. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Perez turned the knife a little deeper when he said that DeSantis, a self-styled fiscal conservative, benefited from a 70% budget increase for the executive office of the governor over his six years in office. Senate President Ben Albritton, a member of the existing efficiency taskforce, said in remarks to the Senate that he was proud that Florida already has a great framework for accountability, and that he and other lawmakers had made a substantive number of recommendations to improve flexibility [and] simplify processes. The fact is we are a state and nation of laws that should be created by elected officials accountable to the people who elected them, not appointed professional staff, he said. None of this may matter though, because DeSantis has his eyes firmly set on running for the White House in 2028, which necessitates rebuilding the frayed ties with Trump and his loyal supporters, as well as positioning his wife Casey to run for governor when he sets down in 2027. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Florida state Sen. Randy Fine (R) is still expected to win Tuesdays special election in Floridas Sixth Congressional District. But as multiple local and national news outlets have noted in recent days, national Republicans never expected it to be this close. Ahead of polls closing on Tuesday afternoon, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis tried to do some expectation resetting around the race for the seat that he used to hold before he became governor, a district that President Trump and former Rep. Mike Waltz (R) both won by more than 30 points in November. The margins of that special election and another in Florida, as well as the Wisconsin Supreme Court race, also today, have been cast as the first electoral bellwethers on Trumps presidency. Specifically, some Democrats says theyll view the results as a referendum on Trumps first few months in office, and political commentators are eager to read into the results as a measure of how well the American public is stomaching Elon Musks assault on congressionally authorized federal spending. (Musk in particular has become a flashpoint in Wisconsin, where he has been campaigning for the candidate in person and promoting questionable get-out-the-vote gimmicks that experts have likened to vote buying.) DeSantis, for his part, is trying to get out ahead of any bad-for-Trump headlines that may arrive if Fine wins the race by close margins, telling reporters in Florida this afternoon that the special election should not be seen as a test of voters views on Trump, but, rather, on Fine. DeSantis has been publicly blaming Fine for his own potentially impending poor performance despite Trump giving Fine his MAGA endorsement for a few weeks now. The attacks began once it became clear that Fines Democratic opponent a progressive and a school teacher named Josh Weill had substantially out-raised him. Weill raised about $10 million for his campaign and began airing TV ads in the district at the beginning of March. Fine reportedly raised a little less than $1 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of course, Trump and DeSantis and national Republicans are only in this position because Trump decided to make Waltz, who previously represented the district in Congress, his national security adviser. The Atlantic/SignalGate snafu paired with Fines lackluster fundraiser may be giving Trump some buyers remorse on Waltz. Its believed to be part of the reason Trump decided to pull Rep. Elise Stefaniks (R-NY) UN nomination last week concerns about special election turnout among scared Democratic and Independent voters while Republicans hold such a tiny majority in the House. Heres what DeSantis told reporters this afternoon, per The Hill: You can quibble with Trump endorsing or not, but thats a separate question from why are voters reacting the way they do if theres an underperformance, and I think its going to be more of a local reason. I think its going to be more of a candidate-specific reason. I dont think that if theres an underperformance that thats a referendum on the president, the governor said. DOJ Drops Biden-Era Georgia Election Suit Attorney General Pam Bondi has instructed the Department of Justice to dismiss a 2021 Biden administration legal challenge to a Republican-backed Georgia election law, which the government, at the time, argued disproportionately impacted Black voters rights. It was assumed that Bondi would eventually drop the suit, as Trumps DOJ has dropped other litigation brought by the Biden administration. She announced she had done just that in a press release this week, when she claimed that the governments challenge to the election law, which was introduced in the aftermath of President Donald Trumps 2020 loss, was weaponized litigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Trump and Attorney General Bondi are committed to dismantling weaponized litigation and ensuring fair, lawful elections for all Americans. Instead of wasting time on false, divisive lawsuits, the Department of Justice will continue to root out real discrimination, promote common-sense election safeguards, and ensure equality for every American, Bondi added. Those common sense election safeguards that the Trump administration has attempted to mandate thus far are, of course, mostly unconstitutional, with Trump exceeding his branch of governments authority. Much of what the Trump administration outlined in its new executive order targeting elections has been not only outside the authority of the executive branch, its also involved giving the DOJ a sweeping mandate to police states election administration. If states refuse to comply, they could lose out on federal funding for conducting elections. Khaya Himmelman Small Win For Alabamians Seeking Abortion Care A federal judge ruled on Monday that the state of Alabama with its draconian abortion ban, one of the most strict in the nation cant prosecute doctors or health care clinics for aiding patients in seeking abortion care outside the state. The ruling came in response to lawsuits filed by several doctors and clinics in the state after Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall suggested in 2022 that doctors could be charged criminally for recommending a patient leave the state for an abortion. Per the Times: On Monday, the judge, Myron H. Thompson of the Middle District of Alabama, in Montgomery, ruled that Mr. Marshall would be violating both the First Amendment and the right to travel if he sought prosecution. It is one thing for Alabama to outlaw by statute what happens in its own backyard, Judge Thompson, who was named to the court by President Jimmy Carter, wrote in his 131-page opinion. It is another thing, he added, for the state to enforce its values and laws, as chosen by the attorney general, outside its boundaries by punishing its citizens and others who help individuals travel to another state to engage in conduct that is lawful there but the attorney general finds to be contrary to Alabamas values and laws. In Case You Missed It Inside Cory Bookers Plan To Disrupt Business As Usual On The Senate Floor Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Random Assortment Of Excuses ICE Used To Send Venezuelan Detainees To El Salvador Hellhole State Dept. Spox Bungles Questions On New Deportations To Salvadoran Jail Judge Gives DOGE Go-Ahead To Plunder U.S. Institute Of Peace Judge Beryl Howell of the D.C. District Court ruled that DOGE can continue to ransack the U.S. Institute of Peace, which its lawyers said Tuesday includes over $20 million in various bank accounts and its $500 million building. The fired board members of the Institute had filed an emergency motion to stop the transfer of the organizations assets. Howell denied the motion for similar reasons that she denied the members request for a temporary restraining order last week: They hadnt shown a likelihood to succeed on the merits, and she still had significant questions about whether USIP is an executive branch agency or not. Kate Riga Yesterdays Most Read Story Inside Cory Bookers Plan To Disrupt Business As Usual On The Senate Floor What We Are Reading The Onion: White House Correspondents Dinner Scraps Host In Favor Of Terrified Silence Waltz and staff used Gmail for government communications, officials say The Lawlessness Is the Point Before this year, the most recent deed for the Point of Rocks Colored Cemetery was from 1879 when the cemetery was established. In February of this year, 146 years later, a Maryland Circuit Court judge granted a quiet title which establishes clear and undisputed land ownership to descendants of people buried in the cemetery. The descendants have been maintaining the property for over 20 years. The original deed was recorded on Feb. 3, 1879, by William Whalen Sr. and other trustees of the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church, which may have been on the plot adjacent to the cemetery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whalen died in 1916. According to descendants of people buried in Point of Rocks, the nearby church might have burned down or been torn down; it's unclear what happened to it. Circuit Court Judge Kathleen English ordered on Feb. 18, 2025, that Donna Nelson and Eric Ashby-Bey, who are related and descendants of people buried there, be given the rights to the property. The cemetery about a half-acre contains graves of veterans from the Civil War, World Wars I and II, and the Korean War. Generations of families, including mothers, fathers and their children, are buried there. Ashby-Bey's grandmother, Edith Bowins Proctor, was the last person buried in the cemetery in 1989. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Obtaining the deed Nelson said in an interview that her work to legally obtain the deed began in September 2023 when she contacted the Black Cemetery Network, which works to raise awareness about the erasure of Black cemeteries throughout the country. Nelson and Ashby-Bey had support from lawyer Stephanie Franklin, the founder, president and CEO of Baltimore-based firm Franklin Law Group, who has worked pro bono since January 2024 to help the descendants acquire legal rights to the property. In an interview, Franklin said the work of Nelson, Ashby-Bey and other descendants has been "amazing." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is one of the few historic Black cemeteries that I've seen across the country that has been well maintained," she said. "It's well maintained because of the love and the care that the community and the descendants of those who are buried there have done for centuries." Franklin said the property did not go through Maryland's Orphans' Court for a few reasons. The Orphans' Court handles probate law and presides over the administration of estates. She said a will for Whalen might not have been drafted or filed, or trustees of the church might not have had an agreement on what would happen to the property. Additionally, Franklin said, if trustees of the church did have an agreement on the property's succession, it might not have been filed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nelson, Ashby-Bey and their relatives Kenneth "Sonny" Parker and Barbara King-Freland are all descendants of people buried in the cemetery. King-Freland said in an interview that the four were all members of Pleasant View United Methodist Church. She said Parker asked if the family members would pay $300 per year "for the upkeep and the maintenance of the cemetery, and some of the graves" that were unmarked. "We all took pride in making sure that our relatives would be remembered, that they weren't just lying there and no one knew where they were," King-Freland said. "So, it's been an effort of love from everyone that's been on the committee." Ashby-Bey said Parker was instrumental in the cemeterys upkeep over the past 20 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Parker found unmarked graves by recognizing depressions in the ground, then put topsoil, grass seeds and the retaining wall in for landscaping purposes. As a finishing touch, he added a sign displaying the name of the cemetery. Ashby-Bey said King-Freland was the reason he and Nelson met. He said although the title was granted to him and Nelson, "this is not our thing. This is a family affair." He said they are "the next ones that are picking up the torch to make sure that our beloved cemetery does not fall into public domain." "When a cemetery falls into public domain, and it's built on top of, those people actually disappear from history," Ashby-Bey said. "These days and times that we're dealing with, we don't need anybody else disappearing." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Franklin said from the descendants' work, "I had a lot of information, but I still had to do a lot of digging." She said Ashby-Bey and Nelson "have been clear that this is about the family." "This isn't about them individually owning the land," Franklin said. "They want to make sure that they had legal ownership of this property, so that they could continue this going forward, even for those who outlive them." She added that the deed includes the right of survivorship, which means the property will stay in the family or go "to whomever they feel is appropriate so that they can continue the upkeep of this property that this family and this incredible community have done for over a century." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Maryland state Senate has approved SB1021, which would repeal existing law and prohibit the sale of a burial ground in court for a purpose other than a cemetery without the approval of the director of the Office of Cemetery Oversight. The bill is pending in the House of Delegates. The bill would also authorize the state, a county or municipality to acquire an abandoned cemetery to transfer ownership to a descendant community or nonprofit organization "that must agree to properly maintain, preserve and protect the cemetery," according to the bill's fiscal note. Nelson submitted favorable testimony for the bill that said "our journey would have been significantly different" had the municipality been able to transfer ownership, which is what the bill is proposing to do. "It took us almost two years to receive an order for a quiet title deed through the courts, and we were finally granted ownership on February 18," she said in the testimony. "If this bill had been in place earlier, we, as descendants, would have been authorized to transfer ownership to our community much sooner, ensuring that we could protect and honor our ancestors." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Parker said Ashby-Bey, Nelson, Franklin and King-Freland have "made a lot out of nothing," and he appreciates the work they have done to attain the deed. "This means so much, not just to me, but to the community," he said. "This is like writing the last chapter to a long, long story." A look back at local, national and world events through Deseret News archives. On April 2, 1982, Argentine troops seized the disputed Falkland Islands from the United Kingdom, sparking the Falklands War. A total of 649 Argentines and 257 Britons died in the 74-day war. The Falklands had been a British colony for a century and a half. In the years following World War II, Argentina had requested that the Falklands be returned to them within the context of increasingly anti-colonialist policies around the world. In 1965, the United Nations passed Resolution 2065, which encouraged Britain and Argentina to negotiate a settlement to the dispute. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In mid-March, elements of the Argentine navy, disguised as civilians, landed on South Georgia Island and raised the Argentine flag. Some in Britain regarded this action with mild amusement, though others saw it for what it was: a prelude to an invasion of the Falklands. But the Argentinians did attack on April 2. The move was seen as an act of naked aggression by the Argentines, and Britain chose to fight to reclaim the islands. By late April Argentina had stationed more than 10,000 troops on the Falklands, although the vast majority of these were poorly trained conscripts, and they were not supplied with proper food, clothing and shelter for the approaching winter. In this undated photo released by retired British Army Col. Geoffrey Cardozo, Cardozo stands next to a mine field in the Falkland Islands shortly after the 1982 war against Argentina for the archipelago still claimed by the South American country. | Colonel Geoffrey Cardozo, Associated Press It did not take long for the British military to overpower the troops, making assaults by land, sea and air. On June 14, the military leadership surrendered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The British captured some 11,400 Argentine prisoners during the war, all of whom were released afterward. The Falkland Islands are currently a self-governing British Overseas Territory, with the United Kingdom providing defense and handling foreign affairs. While Argentina claims sovereignty over the islands, the islanders voted overwhelmingly in 2013 to remain a British territory. Here are some articles from Deseret News archives about the conflict and the aftermath: Argentines seek peaceful resolution in Falklands 30 years later This week in history: Argentina invades the Falkland Islands Thatcher pays a visit to Falklands The front page of the Deseret News on April 3, 1982, as the Falkands War heated up off the coast of Argentina. Argentine denies British shot prisoners Argentine war cemetery in Falklands vandalized Margaret Thatcher, Iron Lady, dead at 87 KIGALI, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Rwanda's Minister in Charge of Emergency Management Albert Murasira on Wednesday warned that over 100,000 people living in 522 high-risk locations across the country could be affected by disasters during the ongoing rainy season. Speaking during a senate plenary session in the Rwandan capital Kigali, Murasira said that these areas are home to more than 22,000 households and also key agricultural zones. "Our resilience is still low. Research on disaster resilience across different sectors, such as infrastructure and agriculture, indicates that we stand at 46 percent nationally. Some areas have better resilience, while others are highly vulnerable. The lower the resilience, the higher the susceptibility to disasters, even minor ones, like light winds that can damage homes," Murasira said. He said that disaster assessments have identified over 25,000 hectares of farmland, about 200 infrastructures and 23 public buildings, including offices and churches, as vulnerable. Among the most at-risk districts in the Western Province, 88 households in Rusizi are in danger, while Rubavu has 452, Rutsiro 424, Nyabihu 364, and Nyamasheke 100 households face potential disaster threats. As lightning remained one of the leading causes of fatalities during the rainy season, Murasira underscored the need for early warning systems and rapid interventions. "We have identified specific areas prone to disasters, and we prioritize thorough inspections in those locations," he added, urging residents in high-risk areas to remain vigilant and heed early warnings to prevent loss of life and property. Rwanda has established 14 designated relocation sites to house affected individuals. Since devastating floods and landslides struck the Western Province in May 2023. The East African country has continued to strengthen its disaster response mechanisms. The government launched emergency housing efforts, completing 904 houses in the immediate aftermath and accelerating reconstruction through the Contingency Emergency Response Component project. So far, 900 homes have been completed, with an additional 1,888 under construction, according to the Ministry in charge of Emergency Management. Jesse Tree provides emergency rent assistance to individuals and families based in the Treasure Valley. (Mia Maldonado / Idaho Capital Sun) As rent prices continue to rise within the Treasure Valley, a Boise-based nonprofit, Jesse Tree, successfully prevented eviction for 1,500 families in 2024. Jesse Trees mission is to prevent eviction and homelessness in the Treasure Valley. It provides financial assistance, case management and educational resources to families at risk of eviction. In February, it released its annual report highlighting the demand for rental assistance in 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were not just handing out a check and sending folks on their way, Jesse Tree Grants and Communications Manager Dona Ochoa told the Idaho Capital Sun. Were providing education and support through the process with actual social work. While it successfully kept thousands of Idahoans housed, more Idaho families are relying on Jesse Trees help than the nonprofit can reach. Since 2020, Jesse Tree has seen a 132% increase in rental assistance applications. And in 2024, it helped 28% of those applicants through the eviction process. It could not help everyone because of waitlist limitations and grant requirements, Ochoa said. In those cases, Jesse Tree can provide other resources and referrals to individuals, even if they do not qualify for financial help. Boise rent costs have increased since 2020. (Courtesy of Jesse Tree 2024 Eviction Report) Highlights from the report show in 2024 there were: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 1,615 eviction court filings in Ada County 605 eviction court filings in Canyon County 3,608 applications from families facing eviction $1.7 million in funds distributing to Idaho families, or about $150,000 distributed each month to keep clients housed If you are facing eviction or struggling to pay rent, contact Jesse Trees Tenant Resource Center at 208-383-9486 between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Sustaining services despite loss in federal funding Jesse Tree at the end of 2022 lost millions of dollars in federal grants as COVID-19 funding was phased out. As the need for our services continues to grow, the loss of funding makes it harder than ever to meet increasing demand, Executive Director Ali Rabe said in the report. Our ongoing ability to keep families safely housed is at risk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the beginning of 2023, Jesse Tree had to cut its budget by 51% while sustaining its services, Ochoa said. But for the first time since at least 2018, Jesse Tree secured more private funding than government funding in 2024 and it is preparing to continue that trend. We do anticipate shifts in funding, considering whats been happening with the current term, Ochoa said, referring to federal grant cuts happening under the Trump administration. Despite federal funding cuts, Jesse Tree received $1 million in private funding in 2024. Preventing eviction prevents long-term homelessness Ochoa said Jesse Trees ultimate goal is to prevent eviction, because an eviction record is permanent and creates barriers to accessing future housing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boise and Nampa had the highest number of evictions filed last year, Ochoa said. As folks are displaced from more expensive areas, moving costs are always a thing to consider and it leads to folks being stretched a lot more thin in Meridian, Caldwell, Nampa the places further from their workplaces, Ochoa said. Ochoa said anyone can seek information from the nonprofits Tenant Resource Center. If they just need information on Idahos eviction process, if they want understanding on resources they can reach out to, or if they just need to talk through options with somebody, we encourage folks to contact us, Ochoa said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Martinsville, IL (WTWO/WAWV) The Martinsville Community Unit School District superintendent said Wednesday he is working with his school attorney to remove a teacher facing criminal sexual assault charges. Mike Lowery, 53, is charged with criminal sex assault on a victim between the ages of 13 and 17 while he was a teacher in the Kansas Community Unit School District. We are working with our school attorney to place him on leave effective immediately, said Robert Waggoner, Superintendent of Martinsville Community Unit School District. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The alleged incident occurred in Kansas, IL while Lowery was a teacher in that school district. He has taught junior and senior high history at Martinsville High School and was in his third year at the district. According to Waggoner, law enforcement has shared that, at this time, there is not information suggesting that any current or former Martinsville students or other staff members are involved in this matter. Waggoner sent out a letter to parents to explain the situation. In the letter, he assured parents that the school is working with law enforcement. We have no reason to suspect that any student or staff member in the district has been in any danger at any time, said Waggoner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When hiring for the school district, Waggoner stated, they conduct fingerprint-based criminal background checks and cross-reference state and national sexual and violent offender registries as a part of their pre-employment process. The District will monitor ongoing developments regarding this matter and review information shared by Law Enforcement throughout their ongoing investigation ensuring our district continues to make decisions in the best interest of our students, said Waggoner. WTWO spoke with the Kansas Police Department and confirmed they are the lead investigators in the case. Police in Kansas, Illinois wrote in a news release that Lowery allegedly sexually assaulted one of his students multiple times in 2023 while a teacher in Kansas. Kansas Police wrote in a news release that Lowery was the victims teacher and developed a relationship with her while he was a teacher at Kansas High School. While there he visited the girl in her home and sexually assaulted her, police said. Lowery is being held in the Edgar County Jail without a bond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WTWO has reached out to Kansas Community Unit School District for comment. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyWabashValley.com. NORFOLK, Neb. (KCAU) More details about the search for a new superintendent for Norfolk Public Schools have been released. During a meeting on Monday, a member of the Nebraska Association of School Boards helped the Norfolk school board put a timeline together. Woodbury County freezes 4 department positions Board members are expected to review resumes and discuss who the candidates will be during their April 14 meeting. Then, the school board is set to conduct public interviews in a special meeting on April 22. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Norfolk Public Schools is looking for an interim superintendent for the 2025-2026 school year. The search comes after the board accepted the resignation of Dr. Jami Jo Thompson last week. Dr. Thompsons resignation takes place at the end of her contract year. She took the superintendent job at Rapid City Area Schools and begin the role on July 1. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. At least three students recently detained by the Trump administration and put in deportation proceedings have been taken to highly remote detention centers in rural Louisiana that human rights groups have called a black hole. Students Mahmoud Khalil, Rumeysa Ozturk and Alireza Doroudi were arrested near their homes, then taken hundreds of miles away to desolate, rural detention centers in a state that, since President Donald Trump's first administration, has become an increasingly critical part of the countrys immigrant detention apparatus. The federal government has broad authority to transfer immigrants facing deportation to different facilities. But advocates and experts said that there have been major human rights abuses in facilities in this region and that the Trump administration has sent the students to a very conservative jurisdiction that is highly favorable to its immigration policy goals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyre being placed in facilities that have pretty horrendous conditions, a lot of difficulties with access to counsel and in what is really a more hostile legal jurisdiction to fight their case for the right to remain in the United States, said Mary Yanik, the director of the Immigrant Rights Clinic at Tulane Law School in New Orleans. Yanik is also an associate law professor at the university. The Department of Homeland Securitys ICE detention facility in Jena, La., on March 21. The Department of Homeland Security did not comment on its decision to detain the students in Louisiana, allegations against facilities in the state or the role the facilities play in the administrations immigration agenda. The White House did not respond to a request for comment. In court documents related to the arrest of Khalil, the administration said overcrowded facilities and bedbugs in the Northeast led to its decision to send him to Louisiana. Khalil, a legal permanent resident and pro-Palestinian protest leader at Columbia University, was arrested at his apartment building in New York City on March 8, before being shuttled to a detention center in New Jersey and then taken some 1,000 miles away to the Central Louisiana ICE Processing Center in Jena, Louisiana. Mahmoud Khalil stands by the gates of Columbia University last year. Khalils lawyers are fighting to have him returned to the Northeast and released in a case challenging his arrest and detention that was recently moved to a New Jersey court. Meanwhile, his separate deportation proceedings have begun playing out in front of an immigration judge in Louisiana. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, Alireza Doroudi, a doctoral student from Iran who was studying at the University of Alabama, was arrested off campus by federal immigration authorities with little known about his case. Immigration and Customs Enforcements detainee locator has since revealed Doroudi was also taken to the Central Louisiana ICE Processing Center in Jena. Alireza Doroudi on the University of Alabama campus. The same day, Tufts University doctoral student Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish national who was in the United States with a valid student visa, was pulled off the street on her way to break her Ramadan fast with friends in an arrest by plainclothes agents captured on video. She was taken to the South Louisiana ICE Processing Center in Basile, Louisiana, which holds female detainees. Ozturk was transferred to Louisiana without the administration notifying her legal team, her lawyers said in court documents. The documents said that her location was withheld for nearly 24 hours. Her lawyers said moving Ozturk to Louisiana was consistent with ICEs pattern and practice of moving people detained for their speech to distant locations incommunicado and in secret. Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish doctoral student at Tufts University. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last week that the State Department has revoked 300 or more student visas, as the White House increasingly targets foreign-born students whose main transgression seems to be activism. The administration has accused some of the students of engaging in activities and activism supporting Hamas, which the students and their attorneys deny. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some considerations the federal government takes when placing immigrants in detention are how long someone might be in detention, the current availability of beds as well as a persons nationality, said Kathleen Bush-Joseph, a policy analyst with the U.S. Immigration Policy Program at the Migration Policy Institute, a nonpartisan think tank. Deportation proceedings for people who are detained move much faster than those who are released, because the immigration courts prioritize those cases, she said. Louisiana became a hub for holding thousands of immigrants in ICE custody during Trumps first term, as the administration expanded the detention of migrants and asylum-seekers. Louisiana has detained more immigrants than any other state, save Texas, Yanik said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are currently more than 7,000 immigrants detained by ICE in Louisiana, according to the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse based at Syracuse University. There are nearly 48,000 people in ICE custody nationwide, the highest number since 2019. Reports of human rights abuses NBC News has previously reported on allegations of human rights abuses in Louisiana detention facilities. In 2024, a report by the Department of Homeland Security documented problems at the Basile facility including a mosquito infestation and a lack of sufficient medical staff. In an August 2024 report titled Inside the Black Hole, multiple groups said they documented systemic human rights abuses against immigrants in the facilities, which included the detention centers in Jena and Basile where the students have been taken. There was deprivation of human necessities, abusive and discriminatory treatment. There was medical abuse and neglect, said Sarah Gillman, a co-author of the report and the director of Strategic U.S. Litigation at the nonprofit Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report and others have documented for years that detainees also are exposed to unsanitary conditions, including yellow, undrinkable water; moldy food; insect infestations; and inadequate access to basic hygiene supplies. Gillman said the rights groups also found that in past cases, immigrants detained in Louisiana lacked access to lawyers and faced other major obstacles such as a lack of translators and having to prepare important documents in their deportation cases in English, a language some of them didn't speak. We met many, many, many people who didnt have access to lawyers who could help them, didnt have access to their families, didnt have access, really, to the outside world, she said. GEO Group, which runs the facilities where the students are detained, did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the allegations in the report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ICE did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the report and allegations of human rights abuses in its Louisiana facilities. But it previously told NBC News during the Biden administration that it takes its commitment to promoting safe, secure, humane environments for those in its custody very seriously the agency provides comprehensive policy and strict oversight for the administrative custody of one of the most transient, diverse populations of any correctional or detention system in the world and holds firm to continuous review of the many factors relevant to the continued operation of each of its facilities. The students detained in Louisiana are in deportation proceedings before an immigration judge, in a court system that is separate from the criminal justice system. A concern of immigration attorneys and advocates is that any appeal in the students cases would fall under the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which is among the most conservative jurisdictions in the country. The jurisdiction where an immigrant is detained has very different precedents which can really affect the outcomes of immigrants cases and requests for everything from release from detention to the grant of asylum or other immigration benefits, Bush-Joseph said. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com BOSTON (AP) A Tufts University doctoral student from Turkey who was detained by immigration authorities had been moved to Vermont by the time a federal judge ordered authorities to keep her in Massachusetts, lawyers for the U.S. government said. Rumeysa Ozturk, 30, was taken by immigration officials as she walked along a street in the Boston suburb of Somerville on March 25. After being taken to New Hampshire and then Vermont, she was put on a plane the next day and moved to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center in remote Basile, Louisiana. There was no available space to detain her in New England, the Justice Department lawyers said. U.S. District Judge Denise Casper in Boston scheduled a Thursday hearing on the matter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Casper, responding to a petition filed last week by Ozturk's lawyers, issued a ruling on March 28 that Ozturk can't be removed from the United States until further order of this court. But on Tuesday, lawyers for the Justice Department argued that the judge lacks jurisdiction to decide Ozturk's case. They said Ozturk's lawyers had to file her petition in the jurisdiction where she was confined, according to court paperwork. They said the case should be dismissed or transferred to Louisiana, and that any challenge belongs in immigration court. Ozturk "is not without recourse to challenge the revocation of her visa and her arrest and detention, but such challenge cannot be made before this court, Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Sauter wrote. The filing mentioned an April 7 appearance for Ozturk before an immigration judge in Louisiana. Ozturk's lawyers pushed back, saying that at the time they filed the petition, they had no way of knowing where she was. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Ms. Ozturks counsel was kept in the dark about her clients whereabouts as ICE quickly and quietly moved her to three separate locations in three different states on her way to Louisiana," the attorneys wrote in a response filed Wednesday. ICEs deliberate and secretive hopscotch approach is an unlawful attempt to game the system. Attorneys also noted the petition was filed while Ozturk was in a vehicle within the control of Massachusetts-based ICE officials, making the Boston court the appropriate venue. But they said if the judge disagrees, the case should be moved to Vermont. Ozturk's lawyers have said her detention violates her constitutional rights, including free speech and due process. They asked the judge to order that she be immediately returned to Massachusetts and released from custody. Nearly two dozen of Ozturk's colleagues have submitted letters to the court backing that request, describing her as a gentle, compassionate and cherished member of the Tufts community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The university's president, Sunil Kumar, also submitted a declaration praising her doctoral research into how youth can use social media in positive ways. Kumar noted that at the time of her detention, Ozturk was in good immigration standing according to a federal database of international students. About an hour later, however, her record was updated to note that her visa was terminated. Ozturk is among several people with ties to American universities who attended demonstrations or publicly expressed support for Palestinians during the war in Gaza and who have recently had visas revoked or been stopped from entering the U.S. She was one of four students who wrote an op-ed in The Tufts Daily last year criticizing the universitys response to student activists' demands. The student activists were demanding that Tufts acknowledge the Palestinian genocide, disclose its investments and divest from companies with direct or indirect ties to Israel. Friends have said Ozturk was not otherwise closely involved in protests against Israel, and the opinion piece was not in violation of school policies surrounding freedom of expression, Kumar said in the declaration to the court. A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson confirmed the termination of Ozturk's visa last week, saying investigations found she engaged in activities in support of Hamas, a U.S.-designated terrorist group. The department did not provide evidence of that support, and there was no further explanation in the government lawyers' response Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We gave you a visa to come and study and get a degree, not to become a social activist, to tear up our university campuses, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last week when asked about Ozturk. Hamas militants invaded Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, in an attack that killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and during which about 250 hostages were seized. Israels retaliatory offensive has killed more than 50,000 people, according to Gazas Health Ministry, and destroyed much of the enclave. ___ McCormack reported from Concord, New Hampshire. Associated Press writer Holly Ramer also contributed from Concord. WARWICK, R.I. (WPRI) The investigation continues into the cause of a Warwick womans death. Michele Romano, 56, was reported missing out of Warwick last summer by a family member, according to police. Her remains were discovered last week in the woods off of Plainfield Pike in Foster. Police have determined that Romanos death is suspicious in nature, though it remains unclear exactly how she died. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RELATED: Body found in Foster identified as missing Warwick woman 12 News was there as detectives searched Romanos last-known address on Hazard Avenue in Warwick Tuesday night. Warwick Police Chief Bradford Connor told 12 News that officers are assisting Rhode Island State Police detectives with searching the property. Connor said no one has been arrested or charged in connection with Romanos death at this time. Anyone with information regarding Romanos disappearance or death is asked to contact the Rhode Island State Police by calling (401) 647-8039. NEXT: Irish national arrested in Warwick, held by ICE as authorities allege construction fraud Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the new 12+ smart TV app. Follow us on social media: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. Detroit is standing by a Thursday deadline for victims of the Feb. 17 southwest water main break flood, even as key community group leaders say residents could use more time. The city has asked residents affected by the break to file a formal notice that they have claims of damage by the end of the day on Thursday, April 3. But even this past Monday, the leader of one community group spoke to four households who hadnt filed the notice, multiple because they were confused and thought they already did this when they signed other paperwork. Mary Carmen Munoz, executive director of Latino Americans for Social and Economic Development, or LA SED, on Tuesday said shed been in contact with 10 such households over the last week. Shes concerned there are more out there that she is unaware of. The people shes speaking to are low-income families that would struggle to make up the losses on their own. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even if it's a granting of 10 additional 15 additional days, I think that you would be able to be more confident that all the houses that were affected have filed claims, she said. The same day as the break, Mayor Mike Duggan called the incident a failure of the water system. He announced that the citys water department and its partner in water administration, the Great Lakes Water Authority, would cover all uninsured damages for residents and split the cost between themselves 50/50. The city is handling that claims process on behalf of both entities. Initial notices due April 3 alert the city that residents believe they have damage that the entities should pay for, but not all specific losses need to be included in this initial filing, Bryan Peckinpaugh, public affairs director for the citys water department, previously said. The filings should be able to be updated at least through April. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Given the citys outreach knocking on doors, working with translators and going to hotels where the city put up residents, there is no intention of extending the deadline, Peckinpaugh said Wednesday. Extending the deadline would extend the entire claims process, he argued. So far, 451 notices of claims from impacted residents have been filed with the city, Peckinpaugh said. The number is higher than the number of houses in the impacted area because some homes had multiple households living within them. We appreciate our community partners providing feedback and if they have addresses, we will reach out to those homes (with residents that havent filed) to help them apply for the claim, Peckinpaugh said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also argued the waivers for work that Munoz and others reported as causing confusion actually made clear with a top sheet that they werent the notice of claims. Munoz said she personally asked representatives from the water department to move the deadline, but they cited a law that requires a notice of claim to be filed within 45 days of an incident. April 3 marks 45 days since Feb. 17. Signs with the deadline that have been placed in the neighborhood also point to this law. However, Peckinpaugh previously confirmed the law being referenced is one for sewage backups and overflows. Officials were relying on this, he said, because technically municipalities and water utilities in Michigan have government immunity for water main breaks. Two lawyers previously interviewed by the Free Press did say its a high bar to overcome governmental immunity in cases like these if they land in a courtroom. But David Dubin, an Ann Arbor-based attorney, said its not absolute or insurmountable, and Paul Doherty, managing partner at Ven Johnson Law in Detroit, argued it wasnt an "extremely" high bar. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dohertys law firm and Dubin are part of an effort seeking to have the Michigan Court of Appeals reinstate cases against the city water administration partners and numerous other municipalities for flooding damage in 2021. Both said they did not have clients in the Feb. 17 matter. Doherty even credited the water authority for their work to step up and pay for the damage in the Feb. 17 flooding. More: What Mayor Mike Duggan would change in southwest Detroit water main break response But he also said that compensation is owed under constitutional law when property is taken through damage. He would argue that it wouldnt matter if such losses were reported after 45 days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That said, a judge would have to rule between his argument and the governments on that. If the entities are trying to make good after the water main break, Doherty advised they just shut up and accept these claims for the next six months or whatever. In a news conference last week in which the mayor praised community groups, including LA SED, for their work in the floods aftermath, both the water department director and Duggan said covering the uninsured costs was the right thing to do. Theyve pointed to how long federal emergency responses take, and Duggan said there would have been class-action lawsuits that left the water authority and the city department pointing fingers at each other for years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It wouldnt have done these neighbors any good, he said. More: SW Detroit residents must report water main break flood damage by April 3, officials say Three community group leaders who spoke with the Free Press all pointed to concerns with the deadline or said they think residents would benefit from a delay. Some residents didnt realize they needed to take a photo for a claim as city-sent workers hauled out their broken appliances, said Angela Reyes, executive director of the Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation. Some didnt realize they needed to file, and some arent tech-savvy for an online filing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Munoz said her organization had to serve as translators on Monday so one person could get questions answered and get their notice filed. Reyes estimated that about two-thirds of the households in the impacted area had primarily Spanish-speaking adults. Christine Bell, executive director of the Urban Neighborhood Initiatives, said shes had some discussions about how the claims form and the administrator werent set up on day one of the 45 days. The claims form was up within three days. Bell did say she was glad there was a claims process at all. In maybe another community, they would have fully worked through the individual insurance, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Peckinpaugh said residents can file the notice online at detroitmi.gov/dwsd until midnight Thursday or take their notice in person to the Water Board Building, 735 Randolph Street, by 5 p.m. Thursday. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit to keep Thursday flood damage deadline despite concerns DENVER (KDVR) After travel between Denver and Mexicos second-largest city, Monterrey, more than doubled in 2024, the Denver International Airport is adding a new flight. Starting Tuesday, Mexico-based airline Volaris will operate flights three days per week year-round to Monterrey, according to a Denver International Airport press release. In 2024, nearly 40,000 people traveled between Denver and Monterrey, more than double the demand volume recorded in 2023, according to DIA. Amplifying service to major cities in Mexico, our largest international market, further strengthens DENs global connectivity, said DEN CEO Phil Washington. We appreciate Volaris contribution to providing more options to fit the needs of passengers and all their travel purposes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Volaris first began service at DIA in 2012 with flights to Mexico City and has since expanded to Chihuahua and Guadalajara, and now Monterrey. Volaris is the largest Mexican airline serving DIA. 30 years, 30 photos: Denver International Airport through the years Mexico was Denvers largest international market in 2024, accounting for almost a third of the total international travel demand, according to the airport. Mexico celebrates the addition of a new air route that will enhance commercial and tourism exchange between the United States and Mexico, said Pavel Melendez Cruz, Consul General of Mexico in Denver, in a press release. Volaris has steadily strengthened its position in domestic and international connectivity, and Denverites are eager and pleased to hear of more non-stop flights to Mexico. Congratulations to Volaris, and congratulations to Denver International Airport. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another Mexican airline, Viva, also has a nonstop flight to Monterrey from DIA. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. NEW YORK CITY (PIX11) Mayor Eric Adams on Wednesday celebrated the end to his federal bribery case after Judge Dale Ho dismissed his charges. Today finally marks the end of this chapter, Adams said. As Ive said all along, this case should have never been brought, and I did nothing wrong. More Local News In a letter filed Wednesday, Judge Dale Ho ordered the federal corruption case dropped with prejudice, meaning the government cannot bring these charges against Adams again in the future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adams was indicted in September on federal charges including bribery, solicitation of a contribution by a foreign national and wire fraud. I also want to apologize to New Yorkers for having to go through this with me, Adams said. I never stopped working for you, not for one day, not for one hour, not for one minute. Asked by PIX11 News, Adams added that hes still running for mayor in the upcoming June primary, and expects to win. Emily Rahhal is a digital reporter who has covered New York City since 2023 after reporting in Los Angeles for years. She joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of her work here and follow her on Twitter here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. TEHRAN, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian emphasized the need for greater unity among Muslim nations to help end Israel's military campaign in Gaza during a phone call with Tunisian President Kais Saied on Wednesday, according to a statement from Pezeshkian's office. Pezeshkian commended Tunisia's support for Palestinians and stated that increased cohesion among Islamic countries could help prevent further "atrocities" in Gaza, the statement said. He also reiterated Iran's readiness to deepen relations with Muslim states, including Tunisia. Saied affirmed Tunisia's solidarity with the Palestinian cause, backing Palestinians' legitimate rights and resistance against "occupation and aggression," the Iranian statement noted. He also expressed hope for a Palestinian "victory" and highlighted Tunisia's desire to strengthen bilateral ties with Iran, according to the statement. A proposed sentencing guideline in England and Wales has Brits and social media users roiling over a policy they say would introduce a two-tier justice system that unfairly discriminates against white men. The Sentencing Council for England and Walesestablished by the U.K. Parliament in 2010 to promote transparency and consistency in sentencing and made up of eight British judges and six experts on criminal lawin early March proposed a significantly revised set of guidelines to take effect on April 1. Members in both major U.K. political parties quickly objected to the guidelines changes to pre-assessment reports, with critics calling the guidance discriminatory because it could bring information about an offenders gender, ethnicity, and religion into sentencing decisions. As members of Parliament from both parties committed publicly to passing a bill to block parts of the guidelines, the Sentencing Council announced March 31one day before the new guidelines were to take effectan indefinite delay on enacting the proposed guidance. While the United Kingdom is governed by its unitary parliament, the country splits its judiciary into three distinct legal systems. England and Wales share a legal system, while Scotland and Northern Ireland each have their own. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement English and Welsh courts, in cases where a defendant pleads or is found guilty, may request a pre-assessment report that summarizes details of the criminal offense, general background information about the defendant (e.g., prior criminal history, age, educational attainment, etc.), a risk and needs assessment of the defendant, and a recommended sentence. These reports are written by an official with England and Wales Probation Service after meeting and interviewing the defendant. The reports provide the court with a greater understanding of the background and the context of the offending behaviour, rather than just the details of the offence, the U.K. government states on its website. However, the Judiciary will form an independent view for the most appropriate sentence based on all the evidence they have heard. Pre-assessment reports are not required when a court finds it unnecessary; for example, when the court believes it has enough information regarding the case and defendant to issue a sentence. In its proposed guidelines, the Sentencing Council laid out under what conditions a pre-assessment report will normally be considered necessary. Included on this list was whether the defendant is a female; part of an ethnic, cultural, or religious minority group identity; or identifies as transgender. However, social media users have conflated the guidance over pre-assessment reports with actual sentencing recommendations, falsely claiming that the guidance recommended longer sentences for individuals outside those categories. Communist Britain about to fully officially & formally embrace a Two Tier Justice System where White British Christian Men are prosecuted by the full force of the law vs any other group of people, tweeted one X user, a self-described conspiracy realist/coincidence analyzer with more than 900,000 followers on the platform. Similarly, another X accountRadio Europe, a European-based right-wing news aggregator that has no connection to Radio Free Europe/Radio Libertytweeted, The British Sentencing Council has decided that starting Tuesday, white men will be sentenced to longer prison sentences than women and ethnic minorities. Alex Jones also chimed in on X to repeat the claim, calling it irregular warfare. Christopher Hopea British journalist with the U.K.-based, right-of-center news network, GB Newssaid on-air on March 28, White men are going to be treated a lot tougher by judges from Tuesday, compared to other groups. GB News X account posted a segment of its show, including both Hopes remarks and separate comments made by U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who does not support the proposed guidelines. In its caption, GB News quoted Hopes remark with no attribution. The same tweet mentioned Starmer and quoted a portion of the comment he himself gave the network. Many prominent users attributed Hopes remark to Starmer. GOP Sen. Mike Lee of Utah, Dilbert comic creator Scott Adams, Blaze Media television show writer and producer Kyle Becker, and Voz Media, a right-wing, Spanish-language news outlet based in Texas, all incorrectly claimed that Starmer himself had said white men would face more intense scrutiny under the guidance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The guidance does not state that white men will or should face tougher sentencing. Rather, it states specific instances where a pre-assessment report is necessary. Other provisions on the list were found to be rather uncontroversialfor example, if the defendant is a first-time offender, between the ages of 18 and 25 years old, is pregnant or postnatal, the primary caretaker for their children or other dependant relatives, has a chronic medical or mental health condition, or suffers from an addiction. Moreover, the guidelines state a report might be necessary if the court knows or suspects that the defendant is a victim of 1) domestic abuse, physical or sexual abuse, violent or threatening behaviour, coercive or controlling behaviour, economic, psychological, emotional or any other abuse, 2) modern slavery or trafficking, or 3) coercion, grooming, intimidation or exploitation. Still, a judge can use information cited in the pre-assessment report in considering the length of a sentence. The aim of the revised guideline is to make sure the courts have the most comprehensive information available about the circumstances of the offender and the offence, and the range of possible sentencing options, the Sentencing Council wrote in a March 5 news release, so that they can impose a tailored sentence that is the most suitable and appropriate for the offender and offence before them. The proposed guidance does not explicitly stipulate that lesser sentences should be handed down based on gender, ethnic origin, or religious identity. However, because the necessity of pre-assessment reports would be determined, at least partly, on the basis of gender, race, and religion, the proposed guidance could certainly lead to differential treatment in sentencing. As the proposed guidance itself states, pre-assessment reports include any factors that may be helpful to the court in considering the offenders suitability for different sentences or requirements. I have been clear in my view that these guidelines represent differential treatment, under which someones outcomes may be influenced by their race, culture or religion, tweeted U.K. Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice Shabana Mahmood, a Labour Party member. A week earlier on March 20, Mahmood requested that the Sentencing Council revise its proposed guidelines to remove the full list of cohorts for whom a pre-sentence report will normally be considered necessary. But the Sentencing Councilan independent body not directly answerable to the U.K.s lord chancellor and secretary of state of justicedeclined Mahmoods request on March 28. However, as U.K. parliamentary members prepped legislation to block the proposed guidance, the Sentencing Council reversed course. The [Sentencing Council] Chairman [Lord Justice William Davis] indicated that the Council would not introduce a guideline when there is a draft Bill due for imminent introduction that would make it unlawful, a March 31 press release from the judicial body stated. On that basis, the Council, an independent statutory body, has chosen to delay the in force date of the guideline pending such legislation taking effect. If you have a claim you would like to see us fact check, please send us an email at factcheck@thedispatch.com. If you would like to suggest a correction to this piece or any other Dispatch article, please email corrections@thedispatch.com. Read more at The Dispatch The Dispatch is a new digital media company providing engaged citizens with fact-based reporting and commentary, informed by conservative principles. Sign up for free. (NewsNation) Sean Diddy Combs had a legal victory in civil court after his accuser would not reveal her identity. The judge dismissed the case, which was filed in October 2024, against the scandal-plagued rapper, according to federal court documents. The accuser, listed as Jane Doe, originally alleged Combs attempted to sexually assault her in 1995 in New York City at a party after she thwarted his unwanted advances. The rap mogul denied the claims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Does attorney filed for her to stay anonymous in January. What is Sean Diddy Combs net worth? Does attorney, Tony Buzbee, told NewsNation in a written statement on Wednesday, This was expected. In this particular case, Jane Doe opted not to proceed. There is a lot of fear amongst these plaintiffs. I thus cant blame her. These are tough cases, and they are many times re-traumatizing for those who pursue them. Each case stands on its own merit. This woman chose not to proceed and subject herself to the media circus and the perceived danger she felt. We have to respect that. Doe was asked by the judge to refile the complaint with her legal name by March 20; however, the alleged victim was unwilling to do so. U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman threw out the case March 31 after the deadline was missed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Diddys lawyer: Improper pretrial publicity preventing fair trial Liman wrote in the dismissal order, On March 6, 2025, the Court denied Plaintiffs motion to proceed anonymously and ordered her to file a complaint in her own name by March 20, 2025, or the case would be dismissed. As of today, March 31, 2025, Plaintiff has not filed a complaint in her own name, nor has she sought an extension of time to do so. Accordingly, the case is dismissed. The Clerk of Court is respectfully directed to terminate all pending motions and deadlines and close the case. NewsNation reached out to Combs attorneys but did not receive a response at the time of this articles publication. Combs is currently embroiled in several lawsuits with allegations of sexual abuse and assault with multiple plaintiffs that span over 30 years. Combs also faces federal racketeering and sex trafficking criminal charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year, federal agents raided Combs residences in Los Angeles and Miami as part of an investigation into sex trafficking claims. The trial is scheduled for May 5. Arick Fudali, an attorney who represents two of Combs accusers, former Danity Kane member Dawn Richards and a woman also referred to as Jane Doe, told NewsNation on Tuesday in the wake of the judges dismissal that, While I cant comment on any specific ruling from the court, I can say that representing victims of sexual abuse against high profile individuals, I have seen first-hand the detriment a victim faces when they are forced to reveal their identities publicly. Fudali continued, From the stigma that comes with being a victim of sexual abuse, to online backlash, questioning of motives, and even threats, having to reveal ones name can often be too much of a deterrent for some victims, causing them to continue to suffer in silence and allowing their abusers to go without being held accountable. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. NEW JERSEY (PIX11) Disability advocates in New Jersey say Gov. Murphy is doing a disservice to the state by cutting all state funding for the Centers for Independent Living from his proposed 2026 budget. There are 12 Centers for independent living statewide. More Local News Our biggest focus is to help people integrate into the community, providing the support services so they can be employed, so they can be inclusive, independent, said Marily Gonzalez, the CEO of Heightened Independence and Progress (HIP) in Hackensack, one of the states 12 independent living centers. Were truly the 4-1-1 for the State of New Jersey for people with disabilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The centers are funded almost entirely by state and federal funding: $3.8 million from the federal government and $3 million from the state. A few of the Centers for Independent Living will literally have to close their doors, said Gonzalez. I will have to cut staff by 40%, many of whom are individuals with disabilities. Blagica Jankuloskas job is among those on the chopping block. Jankuloska, who lives with cerebral palsy, began as a client of HIP before becoming a part-time employee. Not only would I lose my paycheckI would lose my benefits, said Jankuloska. More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jankuloska and other HIP clients hope Governor Murphy will reconsider. These people are very important, said Wendy Vitiello, whose son Giovanni is a client. Theyre an integral part of a success story when you have a child with special needs. If I didnt have the people in this office to help me navigate, I would be in a worse place, said HIP client Tom Brown. Its hard being a person in a wheelchair, feeling invisible, and these budgets make you feel even more invisible, said Jankuloska. PIX11 News reached out to Governor Murphys office for comment. We were directed to an excerpt from the Governors 2025 budget address: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And while, yes, every responsible budget, including this one, requires hard decisions like scaling back programs that we would rather increase funding for we can, and we must, make those decisions while also keeping our promises, whether it be making the full payment into our pension system or fully funding our public education system. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY, N.Y. (WWTI) The St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce welcomed restaurant and food enthusiast Anothony Tringale of Eat Local New York for two private culinary tours that highlighted some of the countys independent restaurants. Anthony Tringale, Eat Local New York Owner, filming at Gristmill Brewery in Massena. (WWTI/STLC Chamber) The trips, organized as part of the Chambers ongoing destination development initiatives, aimed to raise awareness of the regions dining alternatives. These activities aim to attract more consumers to local eateries, thereby supporting a thriving food scene in the Countys rural towns. Yum Brands CEO announces plans to retire in 2026 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Chambers tourism team financed and created the itineraries, which Tringale around the countys locally owned restaurants. Bringing Anthony here was an ideal way for us to promote our local restaurant scene in an authentic way, said Tiffani Amo, Director of Tourism for the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce. The food itineraries weve published online are important marketing tools for our more traditional tourism promotion efforts, but this type of social media exposure and engagement is something that resonates with both visitors and residents in a completely different way. Its also a unique and exciting form of promotion for local business owners, which is important because we want them to be engaged and invested in how theyre represented through a tourism lens. The Cheesecake Factorys original menu was 1 page, and it was missing this popular staple Tringales first visit took place on November 1, 2024, with stops at: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Foster the Plant in Potsdam; Barking Dog Saloon in Potsdam; Hoof and Horn Butcher and Einery in Potsdam; Jakes On the Winer in Hannawa Falls; Sabads in Norfolk; and Blue House in Madrid. Returning on March 28, 2025, he explored another set of restaurants, including: Wimpys Inn in Ogdensburg; The Place in Ogdensburg; Gristmill Brewery in Massena; and 1844 House in Potsdam. An early post announcing Tringales first visit in November received over 186,000 views on Instagram. Is Chipotle closing all its restaurants after filing for bankruptcy? Heres what we know In addition to these influencer-led excursions, the Chamber has established three new Foodie Fun itineraries to assist tourists in exploring local cuisines, with regional emphasis on restaurants in the St. Lawrence Seaway, the River Valley, and the Adirondack Foothills. Additional information can be obtained at Visit STLCs website. These efforts are part of a broader tourism marketing campaign to attract visitors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more information about St. Lawrence Countys dining scene and tourism initiatives, you can contact Tiffani Amo, Director of Tourism, at tif@slcchamber.org. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWTI - InformNNY.com. DAMASCUS, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Israeli warplanes carried out a series of airstrikes on Wednesday evening, targeting multiple locations across Syria, including the outskirts of the capital Damascus, as well as areas near the Hama and Homs provinces, according to Syrian state media. SANA, the country's official news agency, reported that Israeli strikes hit the vicinity of the Scientific Research Center building in the Barzeh district of Damascus. Additional strikes reportedly targeted the outskirts of the central city of Hama. Meanwhile, Syria's al-Ikhbariyah TV reported hearing explosions near the Hama Military Airport, suggesting the facility was directly targeted. Simultaneously, blasts were also reported around the T4 Military Airbase in the eastern countryside of Homs. There were no immediate reports of casualties or material damage, and Syrian authorities have not issued an official statement on the attacks. These adjustments enhance readability without changing the meaning. DOGE cuts directly impact Kansas food insecurity TOPEKA (KSNT) Changes through the federal government are making a significant impact on food assistance programs right here in northeast Kansas. The cuts come at a time when one in eight people in the area are facing food insecurity, according to Harvesters. Organizations that work to combat that insecurity are raising the alarm bells. We actually right now are facing a food insecurity crisis higher than its been in a decade, higher than its been since the pandemic Harvesters Chief Resource Officer, Elizabeth Keever said. One of the main reasons is rising costs. We have the rising costs of housing, rising cost of food. Food is up 29% since the pandemic. Thats why some of the issues that were facing now with the cuts and the TEFAP (The Emergency Food Assistance Program) program hit really hard, because we need help more than ever. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a result of the need rising since 2022, the Flint Hills Breadbasket, a local food pantry, is expanding to a significantly bigger building in the next month. Burlingame locals rally around restaurant after overnight fire Our families that are experiencing food insecurity look like everybody else, Executive Director of the Flint Hills Breadbasket, Karla Hagemeister said. They are working families, they are maybe families who are caregivers, theyre taking care of a family member who is sick, elderly, disabled. A flat tire, a car repair, a medical bill, anything like that happens could throw some families into chaos or throw them into poverty or food insecurity at any given moment. Last week, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) made cuts to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), directly impacting their emergency food assistance program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harvesters said that was highly desirable food and essential ingredients that the organization was expecting starting this week, and was set to continue throughout 2025. It was a cancellation for things like eggs, milk and healthy protein like chicken and turkey, Keever said. This is food that would have otherwise gone directly into the hands of our neighbors, and now is completely canceled and we dont know the status of it. Last month, 18,500 neighbors received Tefap product in the region. Those folks in this upcoming month, are going to have 30% less food to take home of that product. That hit to Harvesters impacts food banks and pantries across the region, even those that dont receive any federal or state funding like the Flint Hills Breadbasket. Kansas agencies team up in effort to stop deadly crashes Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our relationship with Harvesters is one of the things that has allowed us to grow our program and make sure we are meeting the needs of our community, Hagemeister said. Harvesters is a piece of the equation for us. Its not all of the equation, but it is something that allowed us to grow and has allowed us to be stable and sustainable. Changes to what food options will be available at any given time are leaving big questions that local food banks dont necessarily have the answer to. Can I replace these items? Are we going to have to restrict some things, change some programing? We dont want to do that, our families are needing our support, Hagemeister said. You have things coming in right now. You have that just in time, and what do I need for today. Weve got today taken care of, what worries us is where are we two months from now, three months from now, four months from now. The Flint Hills Breadbasket estimates it serves 400 families in any given week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harvesters works directly with 27 counties and about 900 agencies. Its expecting these cancellations to impact 4% of all food that they distributed in 2024.. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt says the Oklahoma Division of Government Efficiency (DOGE-OK) has identified $157 million in wasteful health grants they intend to return to the federal government. On Tuesday, DOGE-OK released their first report since the divisions creation in February. The report outlines 15 federal health grants, which account for $157,600,300 in funding, that they have deemed unnecessary or wasteful. As a result of these findings, Stitt says the grant funding will be returned to the federal government without disruption of services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oklahomans work hard for their moneyDOGE-OK is making sure the government does the same, said Stitt. We all want Oklahoma to lead with common sense and make responsible choices that prioritize citizens over bureaucracy. Congressional Republicans have worked with DOGE on the federal level to make incredible progress, even as Democrats and the swamp attempt to block their efforts. I look forward to continuing our work to implement reforms to protect taxpayers. Oklahoma Election results: Heres what you need to know The full DOGE-OK report can be read here. On Wednesday, Oklahoma Senate Democratic leaders reacted to the decision to return the federal health grant money. I stand with Oklahomans who are outraged that politicians are shipping their hard-earned tax dollars back to Washington, D.C., where they will no doubt be spent in other states, instead of being invested in our communities helping Oklahoma families. Oklahoma families are waiting too long for medical care they cant afford, and many are dying of preventable diseases. We remain committed to solving real problems and putting people over politics. We call on our Republican colleagues to do the same. Senate Democratic Leader Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City Oklahoma ranks among the worst in the nation for key health outcomes. Our hospitals are closing, our physician shortage is deepening, and too many families are struggling to access care. Instead of using our own federal tax dollars to address these challenges, were choosing to leave them on the table, ensuring that our states health crisis remains just that a crisis. This isnt leadership. Its negligence. Assistant Senate Democratic Leader Carri Hicks, D-Oklahoma City. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. This is an edition of The Atlantic Daily, a newsletter that guides you through the biggest stories of the day, helps you discover new ideas, and recommends the best in culture. Sign up for it here. Tax season is always a busy time at the IRS. This year has been especially eventful. In February, the agency was told to start firing up to 7,000 workersbefore judges ordered that such firings needed to be paused. Some 5,000 more workers have signed up for the governments deferred-resignation offer, and various departments have been slashed or targeted for cuts. About 50 IT workers were put on administrative leave Friday. Overall, The Washington Post reported, the agency will end May with about 18 percent fewer employees than it had at the start of this year. And people familiar with the matter told The New York Times that the Trump administrations ultimate goal is to cut the agencys staffing by half. The stated purpose of these firings, and of DOGEs other cuts across federal agencies, is to save money. But the cuts may actually translate to a meaningful dip in taxpayer revenue. The IRS is effectively the governments accounts-receivable department. Staffing cuts set up the IRS to lose money in two ways, Natasha Sarin, a Yale law professor and former Treasury counselor, told me: A reduced IRS has less capacity to collect and enforce taxation, and taxpayers who think they wont be audited may be more inclined to start cheating. Sarin expects that the agencys losses will far outweigh the $140 billion DOGE says it has saved (DOGEs self-reported data is opaque and has been full of errors). She and her colleagues at the Budget Lab at Yale forecast that the plan to cut half of the agencys workforce alone would conservatively translate to $395 billion in lost revenue in the next decade, and possibly up to $2 trillion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other expectations have been bleak, tooand have considered factors beyond reductions in force. Amid the chaos of this filing season, the agency is on track to see a more than 10 percent drop in tax receipts by the tax-filing deadline this month, according to predictions from Treasury and IRS officials who spoke anonymously with The Washington Post last month; if that happens, it would translate into more than $500 billion in lost revenue this year. Such changes could be because some people are skirting their duties and hoping that an understaffed IRS will lead to less enforcement, but other peoples filing may just happen later this year. Victims of natural disasters, including the 2025 California wildfires, have received deadline extensionsand, in general, corporate tax receipts may decline if businesses are facing challenges. (A spokesperson for the Treasury department denied that a $500 billion tax-revenue drop is plausible, adding that baseless claims from those who have promoted wasteful spending for years at the IRS should be dismissed out right. Representatives of DOGE did not immediately respond to a request for comment.) Recent history provides a case study in what happens when the IRS is diminished: In the 2010s, the IRSs budget was depleted over several years. The number of agents declined by a third from 2010 to 2017, and the audit rate went down by about 40 percent (and down by about 50 percent for people earning more than $1 million) in that period. The number of agency investigations of people who didnt file returns went from 2.4 million in 2011 to 362,000 in 2017. The total amount of money lost through weak enforcement during those years amounted to some $95 billion, ProPublica estimated. One theme of the late 2010s and early 2020s was general sloppiness in filing, especially from corporations, Michael Kaercher, the deputy director of the NYU Tax Law Center and a former IRS lawyer, told me. That period, Sarin argued, demonstrates the direct relationship between reduced capacity for enforcement and loss of revenuethough the cuts then were much smaller and more spread out than DOGEs current plan. Of course, even if the public starts to get the impression that there wont be consequences for evasion, many will continue to do their civic duty and make good on their obligations. But if the IRS doesnt have enough staff to help people with the (often confusing) process of filing, some people may just make mistakes, too, and start accidentally underpaying. The exact amount the IRS may lose in the years to come will depend on a few factors, including which functions and staff end up ultimately being cut. Since January, the IRS has lost nearly 40 percent of the staff of the Global High Wealth unit, which focuses on audits of very wealthy individuals. Those audits have an extremely high return on investment, Vanessa Williamson, a senior fellow at the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center, reminded mea single audit can lead to millions or tens of millions in revenue. In the 2010s, she noted, the tax gapthe amount of taxes that were owed but not paidrose, which was primarily attributable to high earners underreporting their income. In 2021, the top 1 percent of earners were responsible for more than a third of unpaid taxes, which cost the government nearly $200 billion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As some of the agencys functions are diminishing, it is being tasked with a new role. The IRS, which holds information about every taxpayer, is close to signing an agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement in which it would share addresses and names about migrants. Sending sensitive taxpayer information to authorities would cut against a fairly core aspect of the IRSs culture, Kaercher told me: The agency has always taken data privacy very seriously. For decades, the IRS has told undocumented people that they need to pay taxes, and that it would not share information with immigration authorities. Now that the agency is reneging on that promise, the changes may deter immigrants from paying taxes, leading to further dips in the revenue the agency can collect. In recent decades, Williamson noted, even through lean IRS eras, whats called tax morale, or a willingness to pay taxes, has remained high in the United States. Americans are traditionally good taxpayers by international standards, she said. But trust in the system is predictive of compliance. As that trust diminishes, compliance may go with it too. Related: Here are four new stories from The Atlantic: Todays News Voters are heading to the polls in the contentious Wisconsin Supreme Court race. Elon Musk has handed out $1 million checks to two people who signed a petition against judicial activism. Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey is delivering a speech on the Senate floor that has gone on for more than 23 hours. The U.S. Health and Human Services Department started issuing notices of dismissal to employees; layoffs are expected to total approximately 10,000 people. Evening Read The New Marriage of Unequals Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By Stephanie H. Murray Once upon a time, it was fairly common for highly educated men in the United States to marry less-educated women. But beginning in the mid-20th century, as more women started to attend college, marriages seemed to move in a more egalitarian direction, at least in one respect: A greater number of men and women started partnering up with their educational equals. That trend, however, appears to have stalled and even reversed in recent years. Gaps in educational experience among heterosexual couples are growing again. And this time? Its women who are marrying down. Read the full article. More From The Atlantic Culture Break Illustration by Liz Hart. Source: Alamy. Read. In a new book, Elaine Pagels searches for the narrative origins of Jesuss miracles. Listen. In 1966, the conductor Leonard Bernstein arrived in Vienna with a mission: to restore Gustav Mahlers place in 20th-century music. Play our daily crossword. P.S. I have some personal news to share: This is my last edition of The Daily. I am moving on to pursue other career opportunities. Thank you so much for reading! Whether you have been here for years, or whether you just subscribed this week, I truly appreciate your interest in our work. The Daily is in wonderful hands with David and the teamand now I look forward to joining you among the ranks of The Dailys loyal readers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lora Stephanie Bai contributed to this newsletter. Explore all of our newsletters here. When you buy a book using a link in this newsletter, we receive a commission. Thank you for supporting The Atlantic. Article originally published at The Atlantic A court ruled against the Trump administration by dismissing the criminal case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams with prejudice on Wednesday. This means that the Department of Justice cannot bring those charges back at any point in the future. The decision by Judge Dale Ho rejected the Justice Departments request to dismiss the case against Adams without prejudice. This would have allowed them to hang those charges over the mayors head in order to pressure him to do the administrations bidding on immigration policies. In light of DOJs rationales, dismissing the case without prejudice would create the unavoidable perception that the Mayors freedom depends on his ability to carry out the immigration enforcement priorities of the administration, and that he might be more beholden to the demands of the federal government than to the wishes of his own constituents, Ho wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adams was charged with multiple felony corruption charges in 2024, but the Trump administration quickly moved to dismiss the case by arguing, without evidence, that the prosecution was somehow tainted and that the mayor needed to be free from criminal indictment in order to enact the administrations deportation agenda. Ho firmly rejected these rationales as unsupported by any objective evidence. There is no evidence zero that [prosecutors] had any improper motives. ... All of this suggests that the appearances of impropriety rationale is not just thin, but pretextual, Ho wrote. While some had asked the court to deny DOJs motion to dismiss the charges altogether, Ho wrote that the court had no ability to force DOJ to prosecute someone nor was there any reason to believe it could appoint an independent prosecutor to take the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Denying dismissal would also not protect the rights of the defendant since the Government may be seeking to extract policy concessions from the Mayor and denial would keep the charges hanging over Adams head. Still, Ho lit into the administrations immigration rationale as both false and tantamount to blackmail. DOJs immigration enforcement rationale is both unprecedented and breathtaking in its sweep, Ho wrote. DOJ cites no examples, and the Court is unable to find any, of the government dismissing charges against an elected official because doing so would enable the official to facilitate federal policy goals. And DOJs assertion that it has virtually unreviewable license to dismiss charges on this basis is disturbing in its breadth, implying that public officials may receive special dispensation if they are compliant with the incumbent administrations policy priorities. That suggestion is fundamentally incompatible with the basic promise of equal justice under law. The dismissal of Adams case was the first major scandal to hit the Justice Department during President Donald Trumps second term. DOJs decision to seek dismissal led to multiple resignations of high-level officials, including the acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. Resigning officials, all of whom were Republicans, issued scathing letters attacking the administrations actions as antithetical to the rule of law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the charges have now been dismissed, Ho noted that the court did not rule on their merits. Now free from prosecution, Adams faces a tough reelection campaign in a crowded Democratic Party primary to be held on June 24. The combined force of the now-dismissed charges and his deal with the Trump administration have tainted his mayorship with corruption. He currently trails badly in the polls. You know, FDR. 16 years. Almost 16 years. He was four-term. I dont know, are we going to be considered three-term or two-term? You tell me. Then-candidate Donald Trump speaking to the National Rifle Association, May 2024. Four years ago at about this moment, in the still-early days of his administration, Joe Biden was taking a fateful ego trip. The historian Jon Meacham, an occasional adviser and speechwriter to Biden, had organized a late-March gathering at the White House of other popular historians of a Democratic bent, including Doris Kearns Goodwin, Michael Beschloss, Michael Eric Dyson, Annette Gordon-Reed, and Walter Isaacson. The money quote from Biden, as reported by Axios: Im no FDR, but Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But nothing. Biden, like the president he served, Barack Obama, was being tempted with the seeming possibility of being the new Franklin Roosevelt, the most important and influential Democrat in the past century and a half. Obama managed a signature policy initiative and a solid reelection to a second term, but he didnt get close to the father of the New Deal. Biden, though, would get pushed out his own bid for a second term by his fellow Democrats. He would leave office with a job-approval rating in the 30s and blamed by both parties for the sorry state of affairs that led to the return of Donald Trump, which at the time of Bidens session with the scribes in March 2021 would have been unimaginable to mostlike hearing in 1933 that Herbert Hoover would win in 1936. The 46th president was obviously enamored with the idea of transforming the country in important ways in a short timeplaying with ideas like abolishing the Senate filibuster and packing the Supreme Courtas well as the idea, Heaven help us, that he was cool. Even cooler than Obama. Biden and Obama were hardly the first Democratic presidents to be tempted or tortured by the comparison to Roosevelt. While Bill Clinton was always more interested in the Kennedy mystiquea young president, generational change, and sex, lots of sexand Jimmy Carter was decidedly humble in his ambitions, Lyndon Johnson carried FDRs legacy around like a monkey on his back. Everything Johnson did in his Great Society misadventure was haunted by comparisons to the New Deal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What none of Roosevelts would-be imitators among his Democratic heirs ever seriously considered, though, was making a run at the one thing that sets FDR apart from every other president: defying George Washingtons example and serving more than two terms. The shorthand from your high school history class was probably that with war already raging in Europe in 1940, Roosevelt was drafted to run for an unprecedented third term. But the draft was, of course, a campaign orchestrated by the incumbent and his team. They dumped the sitting vice president, John Nance Garner, who disapproved of the idea as monarchical, and replaced him with Henry Wallace, a kook who as the secretary of agriculture had become a favorite of the hardline progressives. But the real swindle happened at the 1940 convention when a statement from Roosevelt was read from the dais. His message to the delegates was that he never had, and has not today, any desire or purpose to continue in the office of president and that all of the delegates in this convention are free to vote for any candidate. Which was, of course, hogwash. After stoking rumors and speculation that he would run, Roosevelt seemed to be pulling the rug out from under his supporters. And then, on cue, a crew in the basement of the convention hall in employ of Roosevelts ally, Chicago Mayor Ed Kelly, cranked up a loudspeaker to fill the hall with piped-in chants of, We want Roosevelt. A dirty trick if ever there was one. But if youre an FDR admirer, you might call it a little old-fashioned rascality in service of keeping the world safe for democracy. If Roosevelt had not rigged the convention, would the Allies have even won the war? Maybe you think that it was a moment in history so perilous and Roosevelt a man so remarkable that Washingtons example had to be pushed aside for the sake of the nation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you did, youd sound a lot like Trumps message guru, Steve Bannon. Im a firm believer that President Trump will run and win again in 2028, so Ive already endorsed President Trump, he said in a recent interview. A man like this comes along once every century, if were lucky. Weve got him now. Well, now. There is a rhetorical conveyor belt on which Trumps ideas are carried out of the shadows of impossibility and into the broad daylight of inevitability. It starts as trolling or a joke, then its a bargaining position in service of a real policy issue and then the last furlong is carried by an incredulous surprise that anyone would be shocked that hes doing exactly what hes been saying all along. But what about the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution? In 1951, Democrats made the tacit admission that Roosevelt had stayed too long, and a number of them joined with Republicans to put a hard cap on presidential terms. The Amendment says: No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps allies were talking about changing that before he had finished the first week of his second term. People are already talking about changing the 22nd Amendment so he can serve a third term, Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick offered in January. If this pace and success keep up for 4 years, and there is no reason it wont, most Americans really wont want him to leave. The same week, the first proposal to change the Constitution in Trumps favor landed in Congress. Like the Roosevelt men down in the basement with the microphones in 1940, team Trump is busy engineering a groundswell. There is a rhetorical conveyor belt on which Trumps ideas, or as Vice President J.D. Vance might say, desires, are carried out of the shadows of impossibility and into the broad daylight of inevitability. It starts as trolling or a joke, then becomes a bargaining position in service of a real policy issuethe old seriously but not literally rope-a-dopeand then the last furlong is carried by an incredulous surprise that anyone would be shocked that hes doing exactly what hes been saying all along. From irony to strategy to reality. Greenland is a gag. Greenland is actually about highlighting European security weaknesses. Greenland is deadly serious. So it has gone with the idea of a third Trump term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The joke part started as far back as 2020, when Trump told attendees at a campaign rally: We are going to win four more years. And then after that, well go for another four years. Watch how he plays to the crowd, teasing his supporters with the idea of infinite MAGA. By the 2024 race, the third term had become a pretty standard part of the Trump schtick. He would tease his supporters and torment his foes with the idea, but then dismiss it as a joke. I dont know anything about [the 22nd Amendment]. I mean, youre telling me now that somebodys looking to terminate. I wouldnt be in favor of it. I wouldnt be in favor of a challenge. Not for me. I wouldnt be in favor of it at all, Trump told Time in April of 2024. I intend to serve four years and do a great job. And I want to bring our country back. I want to put it back on the right track. As soon as the election was won, though, Trump was back to dangling, telling House Republicans who took it as a joke in November: I suspect I wont be running again unless you say, Hes so good weve got to figure something else out. Ha ha? As soon as he was back in power, Trump kept pushing the idea, but again, as explicit trolling. It will be the greatest honor of my life to serve not once, but twiceor three times or four times, Trump said at his post-inauguration rally in Las Vegas in January. Headlines for the fake news! No, it will be to serve twice. For the next four years, I will not rest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hes kidding, and if you think otherwise youre part of the lamestream media. And yet, he persisted. The idea then moved into the essential gaslighting phase, with trying it out on House Republicans again at the same time the amendment resolution was being introduced. I think Im not allowed to run again. Am I allowed to run again? He even got into specifics, talking about his available campaign funds for another run, then looked at House Speaker Mike Johnson and said, Mike, I better not get you involved in that. Because it would be bad for Johnson or because Trump would need Johnsons help later in getting around the term limit or that Johnson, full of rectitude, might object? Who knows, but if you dont get the hilarious joke about how much fun it is to troll the media and own the libs, youre just being a snowflake, right? Then we got to the bargaining part, as Trump used the idea of another run as a deflection to a question about whether he would endorse Vance as his successor. Trump, dont you see, is just keeping his options open. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president trotted it out twice more soon after, where else but at the National Prayer Breakfast and a Black History Month celebration? And as Trump pushed the idea, his normie defenders dismissed the anxieties about Trump running again, changing the Constitution, or looking for some legal loophole as preposterous. Right up until this week, when Trump told NBC News, No, no, Im not joking, about the third term. There are methods which you could do it, as you know. Ulp. The press did the same thing with Trumps stubborn refusal to say that he would accept the results of an election he lost. It was a troll. It was a negotiating position. It was an attempted coup. This time, as the conveyor belt started lurching under our feet, most in the media went along for the ride on the third-term talk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, we know that Trump isnt going to be able to amend the Constitution to get a shot at FDRs title as the longest-serving president. He probably couldnt get two-thirds of Senate Republicans for that, let alone the Senate as a whole. And it may be, contra Trumps claim to NBC that he has the highest poll numbers of any Republican for the last 100 years, that all the talk will come to naught if his popularity continues on its present downward trajectory. A bad midterm, a recession, more scandals could all render Trumps desires as moot. Plus, hes the oldest person ever elected to the presidency, so maybe he wont even be physically able to run again (not that it stopped Roosevelt in 1944). But we ought to at least stick with taking Trump literally and seriously for now. What crisis might befall us that could cause enough panic and instability that people would start talking about the need to keep Trump in power? What legal or extralegal maneuvers might his lieutenants use to make it possible? We know that if Trump had Vance in 2021 instead of Mike Pence as vice president, the effort to steal a second term might have succeeded, or at least thrown the country into a constitutional crisis and the kind of negotiated settlement that resolved the election of 1876. Again, its not likely. The most likely scenario still has to be that Trump will be a true lame duck after the midterms and finds his power substantially diminished in divided government. But a third term is worth treating as a credible threat. And if it goes nowhere, you know what theyll say: Lighten up, snowflake. He was just kidding. Read more at The Dispatch The Dispatch is a new digital media company providing engaged citizens with fact-based reporting and commentary, informed by conservative principles. Sign up for free. Apr. 2March 25 Aaron Richard Moncel, 36, Duluth, domestic battery, deferred prosecution agreement fulfilled, dismissed. Kara Lee Smith, 36, Duluth, possession of narcotic drugs, deferred prosecution agreement fulfilled, dismissed; possess drug paraphernalia, deferred prosecution agreement fulfilled, no further sentence. March 26 Steven Michael Davis, 21, Flint, Michigan, possession of marijuana, deferred prosecution agreement fulfilled, dismissed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cole Jerome Johnson, 24, Willow River, Minnesota, possession of narcotic drugs, deferred prosecution agreement revoked, 11 days jail, 150 days jail stayed, two years of probation, $748.50 fine. March 27 Chace Paul Carlson, 36, Duluth, domestic strangulation and suffocation, deferred prosecution agreement canceled, two years of probation, 90 days jail served, $618 court costs. March 28 Lissa Marie Anderson, 32, Ashland, retail theft, possess illegally obtained prescription, no contest pleas, 167 days jail concurrent, $1,907.09 restitution and court costs. Virginia Diane Clink, 63, 2530 E. Eighth St., disorderly conduct, no contest, $547.50 fine and court costs; intentionally subject an individual at risk to abuse-not causing or not likely to cause bodily harm, dismissed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Joyce Christian Griffiths, 47, Lake Shore, Minnesota, possession of marijuana, guilty plea, three days jail, $673.50 fine and court costs. March 31 Joshua Nicholas Nipper, 23, Duluth, battery, guilty plea, six days jail, $2,558.05 restitution and court costs; disorderly conduct, possession of marijuana, dismissed. DeShon Patrick Norman Pleau, 28, 2328 Hughitt Ave., operating while revoked, amended to ordinance violation operate without carrying license, no contest plea, $150.10 fine. Eric David Rondeau, 32, Bigfork, Minnesota, threats to communicate derogatory info, guilty plea, 118 days jail, $518 court costs; repeater intimidate victim/dissuade complaints, dismissed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Autumn Brooke Russell, 34, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, disorderly conduct, amended to ordinance violation disorderly conduct, guilty plea, $200.50 fine; battery, dismissed. Jalyn Mark Schilling, 29, 3925 Itasca St., intentionally mistreat animals, deferred prosecution agreement fulfilled, amended to ordinance violation disorderly conduct, $267.50 fine. William Lawrence Tandler Jr., 25, 901 N. 12th St., operating while revoked, amended to ordinance violation operate without carrying license, guilty plea, $150.10 fine. Triston Michael George Williams, 27, 4938 Michigan Drive, domestic disorderly conduct, no contest plea, one-year deferred prosecution agreement. The Superior Telegram publishes court records as part of its obligation to serve as a keeper of the local historical record. All items are public records submitted by the courthouse in Superior. Individual requests for items to be withheld will not be granted. Maj. Robert Alfred Lodge was the consummate professional in U.S. Air Force circles. In his second tour of duty over Vietnam he approached the coveted status of fighter ace. Even though he fell short of that marker, he left behind a legacy for his branch of service. Born in New York City on June 30, 1941, Lodge decided on his career early, entering Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps during his first year at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and obtaining his Master of Science degree in aeronautics at Purdue University, Indiana, from June 1964 to March 1965, while at the same time attending the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Bob Lodge was a friend, said Vietnam War ace Richard Stephen Steve Ritchie in an interview with Military Times. A fellow 1964 graduate of the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and one of my former students in the Air Force Top Gun school at Nellis Air Force base, Nevada, he was promoted to major in three years, which is the earliest possible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At 103, this P-51 Mustang pilot could soon become WWIIs last ace In March 1966 Lodge qualified as a pilot at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia. Among the assignments that followed were bombing missions over North Vietnam. From December 1966 to July 1967 Lodge flew in a Republic F-105D Thunderchief with the 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron (TFS) from Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base. Upon his second tour in Vietnam in January 1971, he was chief of the Fighter Tactics Branch for the 432nd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, operating from Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base. By this time, Lodge, now a major, was flying a McDonnell F-4D Phantom II fighter equipped with the latest APG-81 Combat Tree radar of the 555th TFS with 1st Lt. Roger Locher as his weapons systems operator (WSO). On Feb. 21, 1972, the duo was credited with shooting down a Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 of the Vietnamese Peoples Air Force (VPAF). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On May 8, President Richard Nixon launched an all-out bombing campaign against North Vietnamese industrial and transport targets, with the Viet Cong responding in kind. Navy A-7E Corsair IIs of VA-195 from carrier Kitty Hawk bomb the Hai Duong railway bridge in North Vietnam on May 10, 1972. The photograph was taken by the rearward-looking strike camera of Lt. Mike Ruths Corsair. (National Museum of Naval Aviation) The U.S. fielded far more aircraft with the latest technology, while the North Vietnamese countered with a defensive triad comprised of surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) at the highest altitude, MiG fighters below them and anti-aircraft artillery (AAA) awaiting the lowest-flying enemy aircraft, all coordinated by ground control intercept (GCI). Flying on the first day of the campaign Lodge and Locher were credited with another MiG-21 their victim was most likely Lt. Vo Sy Giap of the 921st Fighter Regiment, who after being hit tried to force-land, only to see his plane descending on the Truong Trung Secondary School. He veered to avoid it but crashed and died of his injuries on May 11. May 10, 1972, proved to be the largest and wildest air engagement of the Vietnam War, with the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy and Vietnamese Peoples Air Force committing all they had. That morning Lodge led four Phantoms of Oyster Flight, 555th TFS, which included his old schoolmate, Capt. Steve Ritchie. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plan was to go in low level with Combat Tree birds, to intercept and defeat enemy fighters that would attempt to prevent our strike Phantoms from dropping their highly accurate laser guided bombs, Ritchie said in an interview. Approaching our planned orbit some 25 to 30 miles west of Hanoi, we stayed below 300 feet as planned and continued radio silence until we electronically spotted a flight of four MiG-21s in orbit northwest of Hanoi. The F-4s turned north, pointing their radar sensors skyward to achieve full system radar lock-ons at 15 miles. Closing at 1,200 mph, the computers for their radar-guided AIM-7 Sparrow missiles indicated they were in range and the first two jets Lodges Oyster One and Oyster Two crewed by 1st Lt. John Markle and Capt. Stephen Eaves launched their Sparrows at seven miles. Within seconds, two MiGs fell in flames. Lodge and I, in Oyster One and Three, immediately turned our fighters as hard as possible to achieve rear-quarter positions on the remaining two MiGs, said Ritchie. I locked on to the third MiG using the auto-acquisition switch on the left throttle and fired two Sparrows at a range of 6,000 feet. His second missile exploded under the fuselage and the pilot bailed out at 15,000 feet. Ritchie had his first of an eventual five victories. North Vietnamese accounts mention MiG-21 MFs of the 921st Fighter Regiment, scrambling up from Kep airbase, being ambushed and pilot Nguyen Van Ngai being killed immediately probably by Lodge and Locher. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A second 921st pilot was reportedly killed by one of the VPAFs own SAMs and another MiG-21 was damaged by 20mm friendly fire as it returned to Noi Lai Air Base. Cao Son Khau, after claiming an F-4, was struck by a missile possibly Ritchies and ejected, only to subsequently die of injuries. A KC-135 tanker refuels F-4E Phantom II fighters and F-105G Thunderchief fighter-bombers, Wild Weasels, equipped with electronics that enable the F-105 to home in on and destroy radars at SAM sites. (National Museum of the U.S. Air Force) Thus far, Ritchie thought Oyster Flight had performed splendidly: a perfectly planned, perfectly executed mission, resulting in four American victories. But it was too good to be true. Bob Lodge got the first MiG for his third victory and he and Locher were positioning for a shot at MiG number four when we spotted some MiG-19s coming down on him from above and behind. Oyster One Break! Break! we screamed. MiG-19s at six oclock. Oyster One, Oyster One Break! MiG-19s firing! He did not respond to our frantic calls and was hit by enemy cannon fire. Within seconds, the Phantom burst into flames and rolled. Lodge and Locher had been ambushed not by a Mach-2 MiG-21, but a Shenyang J-6, a Chinese-built version of the Mach-1 MiG-19, newly delivered to the 925th Fighter Regiment and only operational since May 8. The VPAF credited Nguyen Van Phuc of the 925th with the destruction of Lodges Phantom. What began as a triumph was ending in tragedy, Ritchie lamented. Two of Americas finest young officers, and two very close friends, were going down in flames, and Oyster Two, Three and Four were being chased out by the remaining MiG-21 and the MiG-19s. It was not supposed to end that way. He had three victories at that time and would probably have made ace if that MiG-19 hadnt downed him. He did not bail out. He was the wings weapons officer, and always told us that if he was ever shot down, I will not be captured. None of us believed him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lodges Phantom was upside down, Ritchie continued, on fire and out of control at 7,000 feet when he told Roger Locher, You can bail out if you want to. Locher barely made it, but Lodge knew too much information and was concerned that the North Vietnamese might get it out of him, so he rode the plane down. After the May 10 mission I became weapons officer for the 432nd FRW. Locher was still missing as his squadron mates overflew the area, hearing nothing from his survival radio but likewise no news of his death or capture from the North Vietnamese. Then, on June 1, a 555th TFS strike force was near Yen Bai Air Base, some 70 miles northwest of Hanoi, when a call came up: Any U.S. aircraft this is Oyster-Zero-Zero-Bravo over. The 555th was not using the Oyster call sign that day, but its pilots suddenly realized: My God, thats Roger Locher! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They answered and Locher said, Hey, guys, Ive been down here a long time. Any chance of picking me up? Ritchie radioed back, You bet you bet there is! Back at Udorn we quickly planned and launched one of the deepest, most difficult and dangerous rescues ever attempted, Ritchie continued. There were numerous SAM sites and more than adequate AAA around Yen Bai, one of North Vietnams most important airfields. And of all places, Locher was only five miles off the south end of the runway. Gen. John Vogt Jr., commander of Air Forces in Vietnam/Thailand, canceled the days 150-plane strike mission to Hanoi and dedicated the more than 150 aircraft to rescuing Locher. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite a record 23 days of evasion deep in enemy territory, Sikorsky HH-3 Jolly Green Giant rescue helicopters extracted Locher with no injuries and no losses. Lodge, however, was not as lucky. In 1977 the Vietnamese government returned Lodges remains, which have since been interred in the U.S. Air Force Academy Cemetery. With two combat tours, 186 sorties in 2,000 flying hours and the Silver Star with four oak leaf clusters, Lodge has also posthumously received the Senior Pilots Wings and the 1974 Jabara Award. HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) The Heart of the Valley YMCA is looking for a new location for the Downtown Express YMCA. It announced last week, that the lease on the space inside the building owned by Huntsville Utilities is expiring on August 31. News 19 reached out to the Heart of the Valley YMCA for more details on the closure and search for a new space. LISTEN: Rep. Dale Strong holds telephone town hall Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They need the space back that weve been using for the past 15-20 years, said Interim CEO Jeff Collen. Collen said keeping the location downtown is a priority. We think its really, really important that the YMCA remain downtown, he said. Collen told News 19 that the Y is working with downtown partners to find a new location that is just as convenient. Download the WHNT News 19 App to stay updated on the go. Sign up for WHNT News 19 newsletters to have news sent to your inbox. Well find another location that will serve the downtown community as well, if not better, than weve ever been able to, Collen said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In August of 2024, the Heart of the Valley YMCA filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy. It cited financial issues due to mortgage debt from the Hogan YMCA in Madison. As a result, the YMCA sold Camp Cha-La-Kee in Guntersville. However, Collen told News 19 that the decision to move the Downtown YMCA is purely due to the expiration of the building lease and that it has nothing to do with financial issues. It has absolutely nothing to do with it, Collen told News 19. During the month of March, Collen told News 19 that there were more than 4,300 visits to the Downtown Y. He said once the Y finds a new location to relocate to, it could be very, very positive for membership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At this time, he said they are still looking for the perfect location. News 19 will keep you updated on when a new location is selected. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com. NAIROBI, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Several countries in the Horn of Africa are set to experience more-than-usual rainfall in the coming days, potentially leading to flooding, the Climate Prediction and Applications Center (ICPAC) of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), a regional bloc, said on Wednesday. ICPAC said in its latest forecast that eight countries in the region would receive heavy rains, with flash floods to mainly hit Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya. "More than usual rainfall is expected over parts of northern and southern Tanzania, southern Kenya, southwestern Somalia, western regions of Rwanda, and Burundi, most parts of South Sudan, and western Ethiopia," ICPAC said, noting that rainfall amounts could range from 50 to 200 mm. Of the three countries in East Africa, Tanzania faces the highest flood risk, followed by Uganda and Kenya. ICPAC also noted that temperatures across most of the Horn of Africa are expected to be warmer than usual, increasing the likelihood of heat stress, particularly in parts of South Sudan, Sudan, Kenya, Somalia, and Tanzania. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and IGAD reported that 69.2 million people in the Horn of Africa are facing food insecurity. The forecasted floods are likely to worsen the region's already severe food crisis, which is also exacerbated by recurrent droughts. Steep federal funding cuts have forced public health officials in one of Texas most populous counties Dallas to cancel dozens of vaccination clinics and lay off 21 workers on the front lines of combatting the states growing measles outbreak. I just had to tell our commissioners this morning that weve had to cancel over 50 different clinics in our community, said Dr. Philip Huang, director and health authority for the Dallas County Health and Human Services Department. Many of the clinics had been planned for schools in areas with low vaccination rates, he said. The vaccines, which included measles, mumps and rubella shots, were meant to be given free to families. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The money being cut $11.4 billion nationwide was originally allocated to aid community health departments during the pandemic. Local public health officials have more recently been using the Covid funds for other public health initiatives, such as measles prevention, surveillance and testing. Last week however, the Department of Health and Human Services announced that it would no longer waste billions of taxpayer dollars responding to a non-existent pandemic that Americans moved on from years ago. Thats very short-sighted and not understanding of the way public health works, Huang said. Being prepared for Covid helps build our capacity to be able to respond to other issues. Huang said his team was still assessing the exact amount of money slashed in his budget, but estimated it to be in the millions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of Tuesday, 422 measles had been reported by the Texas Department of State Health Services. None are in Dallas County, but Huang said the cuts would leave his community vulnerable to cases. Eleven full-time and 10 part-time staffers were let go, he said. The majority were health care providers giving vaccines, epidemiologists and lab staff involved with measles surveillance and prevention. Staff operating vaccine clinics in West Texas, which remains the epicenter of the measles outbreak, said those clinics are continuing as planned for now. Other states reporting measles outbreaks include Kansas with 23 cases, Oklahoma with 10 cases, and New Mexico with 48 cases. And public health officials in Ohio have identified at least a dozen cases. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Apr. 1AUSTIN Texas 10 Most Wanted Criminal Illegal Immigrant Jassim Al-Samawi is this month's Featured Fugitive. The reward for information leading to his arrest is increased to $6,000 during April if the tip is received this month. According to a Department of Public Safety news release, Jassim Abdul Hussain Al-Samawi, 55, a criminal illegal immigrant from Iraq, has been wanted out of Tarrant County since August 2022 for a probation violation related to a previous arson conviction. Al-Samawi has numerous arrests dating back to 2001 in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex area, including arrests for unlawfully carrying a weapon, arson, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, burglary of a habitation with intent to commit a felony, burglary of a building, terroristic threat, failure to identify as a fugitive and criminal mischief. In April 2020, Al-Samawi was convicted of arson in Tarrant County and subsequently received 10 years' probation. He was last arrested in June 2022 by the Alvarado Police Department in Johnson County for criminal mischief. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Al-Samawi is 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighs about 200 pounds. He has tattoos on both hands, both arms and his right leg. Al-Samawi may be frequenting homeless shelters in the Fort Worth and Arlington areas. More information about Al-Samawi or updates in the event of his arrest can be found here. Funded by the Governor's Public Safety Office, Texas Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to any person who provides information that leads to the arrest of one of Texas' 10 Most Wanted Fugitives, Sex Offenders or Criminal Illegal Immigrants. So far in 2025, DPS and other agencies have arrested 18 Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitives, Sex Offenders and Criminal Illegal Immigrants, including five sex offenders and five criminal illegal immigrants with $22,000 in rewards being paid for tips that yielded arrests. To be eligible for cash rewards, tipsters MUST provide information to authorities using one of the following three methods: Call the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-252-TIPS (8477). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Submit a web tip through the DPS website by selecting the fugitive you have information about then clicking on the link under their picture. Submit a Facebook tip by clicking the "SUBMIT A TIP" link (under the "About" section). All tips are anonymous regardless of how they are submitted and tipsters will be provided a tip number instead of using a name. DPS investigators work with local law enforcement agencies to select fugitives for the Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitives, Sex Offenders and Criminal Illegal Immigrants Lists. You can find the current lists with photos on the DPS website. The president of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has commuted the death sentences of three Americans convicted of attempting a coup to life imprisonment, days before US government officials are due to visit the central African country. The Americans, Marcel Malanga, Tyler Thompson Jr., and Benjamin Reuben Zalman-Polun were among 37 people handed death sentences by a military court in September following last years failed coup attempt led by Malangas father, Christian. The putschists had targeted the countrys presidential palace and the residence of Congolese politician Vital Kamerhe in an attempt to overthrow the government in May 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At least six people, including Christian Malanga, an opposition politician who livestreamed the coup attempt, were killed in a gun battle with presidential guards. President Felix Tshisekedi granted the Americans clemency in a presidential order read out on national television late Tuesday, his spokesperson Tina Salama told CNN. The clemency petition was filed by the public prosecutor, and it was on the recommendation of the Minister of Justice, Salama added. CNN has contacted Justice Minister Constant Mutamba for comment. Salama said the clemency decision was not made to placate the US, with whom the DRC has sought a minerals-for-security partnership. It comes as war rages in the countrys resource-rich eastern region between government forces and a Rwanda-backed rebel group. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have no deal with the Americans at this stage on any American intervention, Salama said. A spokesperson for the US State Department told CNN the US is aware of the DRCs announcement that it is commuting the Americans sentences. Due to privacy considerations, we have no further comment, the statement said. The new US Senior Adviser for Africa Massad Boulos and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Corina Sanders will travel to the DRC Thursday, the State Department announced this week. The officials aim to advance efforts for durable peace in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and to promote US private sector investment in the region, it noted. They also plan to visit neighboring Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya. CNNs Lex Harvey contributed reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com One of the most storied tribes in Indian Nation has taken another step toward reclaiming history that was ripped away from it more than 200 years ago. The Stockbridge-Munsee Mohican Tribe of Wisconsin recently closed a deal to purchase 372 undeveloped acres of Monument Mountain, which carries sacred meaning and is part of its original homeland in Massachusetts. Shannon Holsey, President of the Stockbridge-Munsee Mohican Nation, makes remarks last summer. The Mohican Tribe had been located on what is now parts of Massachusetts and New York for thousands of years before being forced to move by European colonists, and eventually settling in Wisconsin more than 200 years ago. The tribe has been reclaiming some land in New York and Massachusetts in the past few years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: This tribe helped win the Revolution, then were expelled and migrated to Wisconsin. What's changed now? It represents a landback movement to reclaim land in a way that differs from the Western colonial way of thinking about it, Stockbridge-Munsee Mohican Nation President Shannon Holsey said in a statement. We are trying to reclaim our ways of being, which was never based on money. Its the reclamation of our kinship systems, our governance systems, our ceremony and spirituality, our language, our culture and our food and medicinal systems. Those are all based on our relationship to the land. Mohican people still make pilgrimages to Monument Mountain as it has always been a place where tribal members would leave stone offerings imbued with prayers to Creator. The stones had been formed into a monument, giving the mountain its name. The mountains peak reaches 1,642 feet and includes public hiking trails offering views of a river valley and the Berkshires highlands and Catskill Mountains. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2023, Massachusetts Commonwealth legislators voted to award the Mohican Nation $2.6 million to assist it in purchasing the mountain. With the award, the tribe is now responsible for implementing tribal conservation and forest management strategies on the mountain. The award is part of ongoing efforts by Massachusetts officials to renew relationships with the tribe. Thats a shift from the tribe being unwelcome more than 200 years ago. The town of Stockbridge, Massachusettes, was founded in 1739 as a kind of experiment in which Mohicans and colonists would live, work and govern together. Mohicans also helped to win the American Revolution, serving as scouts and warriors for the Continental Army. General George Washington visited Stockbridge shortly after the war to thank the Mohicans personally for their services. More: Stockbridge-Munsee Mohican officials aim to prove feast with George Washington happened Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the founding of a new nation also attracted many more European immigrants who coveted property owned by the Mohicans and other Indigenous peoples. The Mohicans were driven away from Stockbridge and from New England, eventually settling on Menominee land in Wisconsin, where they were joined by a group of Delaware people known as the Munsee. I feel like we have an opportunity to welcome people back, said Patrick White, selectman for the Stockbridge Town Board, to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel last year. I personally have had enough of the division (in America). In 2021, the conservation group Open Space Institute returned part of an island from the Mohican ancestral homeland in New York to the tribe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 156-acre portion of Papscanee Island, in the Hudson River, that was returned to the tribe remains a nature preserve with a public hiking trail. More: New York island returned to Wisconsin-based Mohican Nation after hundreds of years Sign up for the First Nations Wisconsin newsletter Click here to get all of our Indigenous news coverage right in your inbox Frank Vaisvilas is a former Report for America corps member who covers Native American issues in Wisconsin based at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Contact him at fvaisvilas@gannett.com or 815-260-2262. Follow him on Twitter at @vaisvilas_frank. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Mohican Tribe in Wisconsin reclaims sacred mountain in Massachusetts CONWAY, Mass. (WWLP) Multiple police and fire units responded to the area of Main Poland Road and East Guinea Road in Conway Tuesday afternoon to assist with a vehicle rollover. Former MSP trooper pleads guilty in false licensing case The Conway Police Department said that at approximately 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, officers received a report of a vehicle rollover blocking the roadway. Crews arrived at Main Poland and East Guinea Road to find the vehicle with significant damage in the middle of the road. Courtesy of the Conway Police Department. Courtesy of the Conway Police Department. Courtesy of the Conway Police Department. The driver reportedly freed themselves and sustained minor injuries due to the crash, and declined being brought to a hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Conway Fire Department, Ashfield Police Department, Plainfield Police Department, and Northampton Fire Rescue provided mutual aid during the incident. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. Editors Note: This story has been updated to reflect that someone suffered minor injuries in this crash. UPDATE (3:37 p.m.): A Mobile Police Department spokesperson has provided more information on an incident involving a car crashing into a drivers license office in Mobile. According to the MPD spokesperson, the car hit the building, but the driver suffered minor injuries. Polcie said the driver thought she was pushing the break but instead pressed the gas. PREVIOUS REPORTING: MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) A car crashed Wednesday afternoon into the exterior of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Drivers License Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LSU student arrested in Okaloosa County after ticket given for underage drinking: OCSO A News 5 crew on the scene spoke with a witness who said he was waiting for his son to get his drivers license when a woman drove onto the sidewalk and crashed into the exterior of the building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The wrecked glass is currently being boarded up. This is a developing story. News 5 will provide updates as more information becomes available. Clancy Callahan contributed to this story. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5. The driver of a Tesla Cybertruck drove onto Library Mall on the University of Wisconsin-Madison's campus Tuesday night, before the 31-year-old driver was arrested for disorderly conduct and the vehicle towed away. The incident occurred about 7:20 p.m. on the campus's Library Mall, according to a press release from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Police Department. The driver, David Volm, 31, of Stevens Point, drove the truck on campus just over 30 minutes before polls closed. Volm was arrested and taken to Dane County Jail on misdemeanor disorderly conduct charges and was cited for multiple traffic violations. Volm was not listed on Dane County Jail logs on Wednesday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Library Mall is a park which acts as a gathering place for the university's students and is across the street from Memorial Union, which hosts a polling place. A campus police spokesperson said they had no indication the incident was related to the election. Volm's actions were quickly noted on social media, seemingly heightened due to the relationship between the manufacturer of the truck, Tesla, and the company's owner Elon Musk. Musk donated handsomely to conservative supreme court candidate Brad Schimel, a conservative Waukesha County judge, who lost to liberal Dane County Judge Susan Crawford. The race was the most expensive judicial race in U.S. history, with over $100 million in spending from wealthy donors, and Musk contributed over $20 million in support of Schimel alone. Musk also campaigned in support of Schimel. The towing of the vehicle was noted by state Rep. Francesca Hong, D-Madison, on the social media site X, which Musk owns. The Democratic state representative shared a video of its towing and said, "may this cybertruck being towed away be a sign for our democracy." May this cybertruck being towed away be a sign for our democracy #SCOWIS pic.twitter.com/Z4hktEBVs5 Francesca Hong (@FrancescaHongWI) April 2, 2025 Volm's arrest happened around the same time three people were arrested for disrupting a ticketed event occurring on campus. Campus police said the incident was unrelated to Cybertruck driver. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement David Clarey is a public safety reporter at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He can be reached at dclarey@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Driver of Tesla Cybertruck drives onto UW-Madison campus, arrested FRUITPORT TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) A new roof is expected to be completed in the next few days at Beach Elementary after Sunday storms peeled part of the old one off. Surveillance video captured the moment a strong gust of wind blew over Beach Elementary on Ravenna Road in Fruitport Township Sunday, sending a shed full of playground toys flying and ripping part of the roof off. Due to the roof damage, the gym floor sustained significant water damage. Classes were cancelled at Beach Elementary through Wednesday, leading into the schools spring break that begins Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Storm shears off part of Fruitport Township elementary school roof In a letter to the school community Tuesday, Fruitport Community Schools Superintendent Jason J. Kennedy said contractors are working hard to get students back to learning. Emergency roof repairs are being made to protect from rain that is forecast Wednesday but will soon be replaced with a completely new roof that he expects to be finished in the next few days. The current gym roof, which was greater than 20 years old, was a fully adhered membrane roof, which relied on glue to hold the roof membrane in place. The new roof will be a mechanically fastened membrane roof, Kennedy explained. Aerial images of the progress on the cleanup and restoration efforts at Beach Elementary after storms damaged the roof. (Courtesy John Winskas, Director of Operations) Aerial images of the progress on the cleanup and restoration efforts at Beach Elementary after storms damaged the roof. (Courtesy John Winskas, Director of Operations) Aerial images of the progress on the cleanup and restoration efforts at Beach Elementary after storms damaged the roof. (Courtesy John Winskas, Director of Operations) A structural engineer has confirmed that the building is structurally sound, he added, and a team is working on preparing documents for the State Bureau of Construction Codes to review. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Surveillance video shows whipping winds at Fruitport-area elementary school Inside the gym, dehumidifiers are running to remove as much water as possible and Kennedy said he would provide updates to Beach Elementary families about replacing the gym floor, which he said may take seven to eight weeks. The gym floor that was destroyed is original to the school more than 60 years old. The building operations manager said it is made of 1-inch pieces of maple that isnt manufactured anymore; it will likely be replaced with 1/2-inch maple. Because the gym also served as a cafeteria for students, the school is working on a plan to serve breakfast and lunch to children somewhere else while the repairs are going on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Likely (it) will need to be a situation where breakfast and lunch are served in the classroom, and so were working through ensuring that we have ample staff to make that happen, ensuring that our teachers have duty-free lunches that theyre entitled to, and working through all of the logistics that it takes to serve meals to hundreds and hundreds of students, Kennedy told News 8 Monday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. The News in Brief Wednesday, April 2, 2025 Badri Japaridze, one of the leaders of Lelo - Strong Georgia, has been summoned to the Prosecutor's Office as part of an investigation launched at the request of the Parliamentary Temporary Investigative Commission. Japaridze dismissed the probe as "groundless" and stated that he would only testify before a magistrate judge."An investigator from the Tbilisi Prosecutor's Office, Marta Kikinashvili, contacted me. They want to question me as a witness," Japaridze wrote on Facebook.He criticized the process, noting that the initial letter from the Prosecutor's Office did not specify which case he was being summoned for, and this information was only clarified after his lawyer made an inquiry."Of course, this interrogation is related to the baseless investigation initiated by the so-called Parliamentary Temporary Investigative Commission," he stated.Japaridze invoked his rights under Article 113 of the Criminal Procedure Code, opting to testify before a magistrate judge rather than appearing at the Prosecutor's Office.The Prosecutor's Office of Georgia has charged Mamuka Khazaradze, leader of Strong Georgia, for failing to comply with the lawful request of the Temporary Investigative Commission of Parliament. According to the Prosecutor's Office, a preventive measure will be requested from the court within the legally established timeframe.The statement from the Prosecutor's Office outlines that Khazaradze was summoned to appear before the Temporary Investigative Commission on March 25. The commission was set up to examine the activities of Georgia's previous government from 2003 to 2012. He was officially notified of this obligation on March 22, with a document signed by the commission's chairman. Despite being informed of the legal consequences of non-compliance, Khazaradze did not attend the session without providing a valid reason.As a result, he has been charged under Article 349 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which pertains to the failure to comply with a Temporary Investigative Commission's request. The charge carries penalties including a fine or imprisonment for up to one year, as well as the possibility of being barred from holding office or engaging in certain activities for up to three years. KUALA LUMPUR, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia's manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) dipped to 48.8 in March, from 49.7 in February, signaling a slight moderation in the health of the sector, according to S&P Global on Wednesday. S&P Global said in a statement that March saw a moderation in the Malaysian manufacturing sector as demand conditions remained muted. Slowdowns in production and demand weighed on business confidence, with the overall degree of optimism easing to its lowest point since August 2023, it noted. The historical relationship between the PMI and official gross domestic product (GDP) data indicates that the first quarter of 2025 will likely see continued growth. "Malaysian manufacturers remained under pressure at the end of the first quarter of 2025, as the latest PMI data signaled that the sector experienced a slightly steeper moderation in operating conditions," said Usamah Bhatti, economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence. According to him, new orders faced a renewed reduction, which was the most pronounced in a year, while output, employment, and inventory levels all softened during the month. Cited panel members, he said the subdued environment was broad-based, as new export orders also fell further, with some evidence suggesting that global trade uncertainty had impacted international demand. "That said, confidence waned compared to the previous month, with the level of optimism reaching its lowest point in just over one-and-a-half years. Firms pinned their hopes on a broad-based demand and economic recovery but raised concerns regarding the timing of any such recovery," he added. EAST LIVERPOOL, Ohio (WKBN) Tuesday, the Columbiana County Sheriffs Office helped the Columbiana County Drug Task Force execute a search warrant in East Liverpool. Read next: Police arrest women trying to run each other over during argument over man: Report It happened in the 600 block of Avondale Street. City police also helped, along with other local police departments. Courtesy: Columbiana County Sheriffs Office Officers took 96 grams of suspected methamphetamine, 28 grams of suspected cocaine, 15 grams suspected fentanyl and 8 grams suspected crack cocaine, plus $519 in cash. They also found packaging material consistent with drug trafficking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lisa Cunningham was one of two suspects they encountered. She was taken to the county jail for an active warrant. The Columbiana County Sheriffs Office posted about the arrest on its Facebook page. They said in the post that these drug investigations are made possible by funding from the Columbiana Countys Sales Tax, which is up for renewal in May. Madison Meeker contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. CORSICANA, Texas (FOX 44) Two people have been arrested and two people are being sought after drugs, guns, magazines, and ammunition were seized in Corsicana. Police received a 9-1-1 call at approximately 11:45 a.m. Tuesday regarding multiple suspects discharging firearms in the 3400 block of West 7th Avenue, near the Weston Apartments. Responding officers found a vehicle matching the description, color, and license plate provided to dispatchers. A felony traffic stop was conducted in the 2900 block of West 7th Avenue. Three individuals were detained at the scene, but later released after it was discovered they were not involved in the incident. All three tested negative for gunshot residue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police say additional suspects were identified through eyewitness accounts and electronic evidence recovered at the scene. Officers contacted three suspects at the apartment complex. Based on evidence, two were taken into custody. A search in the area resulted in the seizure of narcotics, multiple firearms, several hundred rounds of ammunition, and various extended high-capacity magazines including drum-style magazines. Two additional suspects fled the area on foot, heading eastbound through a nearby wooded area. Both suspects are described as late teens to early 20s, wearing black hoodies. One suspect was wearing black pants and the other was wearing red pants. One was armed with a handgun and the other with an AR-style rifle. Police say detectives are actively working to obtain surveillance footage and will release any usable still images as they become available. Forensic evidence was also collected and might assist in identifying the fleeing suspects. Several parked vehicles in the area were struck by gunfire. No injuries have been reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you have any information about this incident, you can contact the Corsicana Police Department at 903-654-4902. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KWKT - FOX 44. MT. MORRIS, Ill. (WTVO) An Oregon man was hospitalized Tuesday after crashing into a fence and telephone pole while driving drunk, according to police. The Ogle County Sheriff reported that deputies were called to the 1200 block of N. Ridge Road around 9 p.m. for reports of a crash. Investigators determined that Abdelhalim Khoga, 37, of Oregon, was driving southbound and failed to negotiate the curve, hitting the ditch and metal culvert, becoming airborne, overturning, colliding with a fence and then a telephone pole. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Khoga was taken to OSF St. Katherine in Dixon for his injuries. His current condition is unknown. He was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, failure to reduce speed, improper lane usage, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports. A conservation project to revitalize the North Aral Sea in Kazakhstan has delivered encouraging returns, with the lake now nearly twice the size it was in 2008. According to the Astana Times, Kazakhstan's Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation announced in January that its efforts, in coordination with the World Bank, increased the body of water's volume by 42%. As a result, the North Aral Sea now contains 27 billion cubic meters of water, and its salinity has dropped by a factor of four. Additionally, the plan has helped local fisheries up their annual catch total to 8,000 tons, which pales in comparison to peak levels but is still a positive development. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "These figures are the result of two years of systematic work. We have reached mutual understanding with neighboring countries on the protection and equitable sharing of water resources in transboundary rivers," Nurzhan Nurzhigitov, the department's minister, said during a public meeting in the Aral district of the Kyzylorda Region. Improved water management of the Syr Darya River allowed authorities to fill the North Aral Sea with 2.6 billion cubic meters of water last year. Deutsche Welle also noted that conservationists are planting native black saxaul trees in the area to combat desertification and improve climate resilience. The Aral Sea was once the fourth-largest lake in the world at around 68,000 square kilometers, per the U.S. Geological Services. However, it split into two and is now just a 10th of the size it was in 1960 after the Soviet government diverted the rivers that feed into the sea to irrigate the arid region surrounding it. This led to what the U.S. Embassy & Consulate in Kazakhstan called "one of the worst ecological catastrophes in human history." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Aral Sea's heightened salinity rendered the water undrinkable and killed off several commercial fish species, impacting the lake's biodiversity and economic productivity. Dust from the exposed seabed has also caused numerous health issues, such as respiratory illness and cancer. That's what makes continued commitments to improve the North Aral Sea and others like it, including Michigan's Great Lakes and Bolivia's Lake Uru Uru, all the more crucial. Many lakes and other aquatic habitats are disappearing because of Earth's overheating and anthropogenic activities. "We will continue negotiating and making every effort to maintain a stable level of important reservoirs. The Aral Sea restoration project aims, first of all, to improve the environmental situation in the region, develop fisheries and tourism, and improve the well-being of the population," Nurzhigitov added. How often do you worry about the quality of your drinking water? Never Sometimes Often Always Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. In the 2023-2024 school year, 82.5% of students demonstrated literacy proficiencyan increase from 81.9% in 2023. (Getty Images) Early literacy forms the foundation on which a childs academic and life success is built. Extensive research shows that children who achieve reading proficiency by third grade are more likely to graduate high school, pursue higher education, and secure stable employment. In contrast, those who struggle with reading at this critical stage often encounter greater obstacles both academically and in life. As Indiana works to improve early literacy rates, the latest Indiana Reading Evaluation and Determination (IREAD-3) results highlight both progress and persistent gaps demanding urgent attention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Each year, Indianas third graders take the IREAD-3 assessment, which evaluates foundational reading skills such as phonics, vocabulary, and comprehension. In the 2023-2024 school year, 82.5% of students demonstrated literacy proficiencyan increase from 81.9% in 2023. While this improvement is encouraging, overall proficiency levels remain below pre-pandemic rates, underscoring the lingering impact of COVID-19 on early education. More concerning are the disparities found among student populations. Twenty-seven of Indianas 92 counties had proficiency rates below the state average, 5 more counties than in 2023. Special education students had the lowest overall proficiency, with a 31.1 percentage point gap compared to their general education peers, and English learners proficiency was over 21 percentage points lower than that of non-English learners. Students from low-income households also showed lower proficiency rates, highlighting the impact of economic disparities on early literacy. Early childhood experiences Literacy development begins long before a child enters kindergarten. The first five years are a critical period of brain development, shaping cognitive, social, and emotional growth. High-quality early learning environments, rich language exposure, and supportive relationships with caregivers are essential for early literacy success. Unfortunately, many Indiana children face barriers to these experiences. Approximately 42% of children under age three live in households with incomes below twice the federal poverty level, and 18% of children under five live in poverty. Financial hardship often brings additional stressors, such as food insecurity and unstable housing, which can hinder early learning. Chronic absenteeismheightened by the pandemicremains a significant concern, particularly for students from low-income families, who may face transportation challenges or other obstacles to consistent attendance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite these challenges, Indiana has made strides in providing early intervention services, with high participation rates in developmental screenings, early intervention programs, and home-visiting services, all of which positively impact school readiness and long-term achievement. Expanding Access to Quality Early Learning Access to high-quality early childhood education is a proven strategy to foster literacy and close literacy gaps. Research shows children attending such programs demonstrate stronger reading and math skills in later grades. The states On My Way Pre-K program provides access to high-quality preschool for low-income four-year-olds. However, Indianas funding for such programs remains among the lowest in the nation. Furthermore, many children, particularly in rural areas, lack access to quality preschool programs. Investment in early education systems benefits not just individual children but also strengthens the states workforce and economic future. Literacy Development Indiana has taken promising steps to enhance literacy through innovative programs and strategic investments. A $9.5 million investment from Lilly Endowment Inc. supports literacy through out-of-school time (OST) programs. Led by the Indiana Afterschool Network, this initiative reinforces in-school learning through before-school, after-school, and summer opportunities. Using the Science of Reading framework, the program strengthens word recognition and language comprehension. Launching in 2025, the initiative will provide grants, professional development, and workforce credentials for OST staff to ensure high-quality literacy programming. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another program having a positive impact on literacy is the Imagination Library of Indiana, which fosters a love of reading among young learners by ensuring access to free monthly books. Through Dolly Partons Imagination Library, children receive high-quality books at no cost, helping them build home libraries and develop early literacy skills. Research has validated this programs effectiveness in improving reading readiness and inspiring a culture of literacy in families across the state. Reach Out and Read Indiana is another evidence-based program dedicated to giving young children a foundation for success. Integrating books into pediatric care, this model provides training and resources to pediatric clinicians to promote shared reading and meaningful family interactions. Research has shown that building strong foundational relationships through reading together can mitigate the negative effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Recognized by the American Academy of Pediatrics, Reach Out and Read strengthens early literacy and relational health, helping children develop resilience and lifelong learning habits. These initiatives, together with current state efforts, demonstrate Indianas commitment to enhancing early literacy through both in-school and out-of-school learning opportunities. Indianas Future Improving literacy outcomes requires taking a multi-faceted approach, with support beginning in early childhood and running through elementary education. In 2022, Indiana set a goal for 95% of third graders to achieve reading proficiency on IREAD-3 by 2027. The following year, the Indiana General Assembly adopted the Science of Reading as the foundation for literacy instruction. In 2024, a bill enforcing retention for third graders not proficient in reading was passed and came into effect for the 2024-2025 school year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite these efforts, too many young Hoosiers lack foundational reading skills. As families, teachers, youth workers, clinicians, local and state elected leaders, and employers who want to see our children succeed consider next steps, we must work together. A strong commitment to evidence-based action can transform early literacy in Indiana. Doing so will equip all our students, regardless of background, with the foundational reading skills essential to the future of our children, workforce, and communities. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX HAWKINS, Texas (KETK) An East Texas man has been arrested for murder after he allegedly shot and killed another man while dropping off his son with the sons mother. Witnesses say the man was carrying his son during the shooting. According to an affidavit obtained from the Wood County Sheriffs Office, on Friday at around 11:52 a.m., Texas Rangers arrived to the scene of a shooting in the 1000 block of N. Beaulah Street where they found a man laying in the dirt driveway with a white sheet covering him. Man accused of sexually assaulting child family member multiple times a week for almost 2 years in Rusk County Mugshot of Shawn Moore, courtesy of the Wood County Jail When the Hawkins Police Department arrived to the scene prior to the Texas Rangers, they found a man, later identified as Shawn Moore, standing in the driveway with a black handgun in his holster. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The police department was then able to remove the handgun and detained him. EMS then checked on the victim, identified as Mitchell Wayne Palmer, who was dead. Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace Jerry Parker then officially pronounced Palmer dead at 11:58 a.m. Texas Rangers observed the victim to have two entry wounds in his chest and another wound over his right collarbone. Six silver spent shell casings were found near the ground where the victim lay. The casings, according to the affidavit, matched the 9mm cartridges that remained in the handgun retrieved from Moore. Texarkana man arrested after hit-and-run sends man to hospital Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A witness from across the street stated he observed a while male, Moore, draw a handgun from a holster on his person and shoot the victim, Palmer, at close range, the affidavit stated. The witness identified Moore from a Texas Driver License photo shown to him. After being transported to the Wood County Sheriffs Office Jail, Rangers conducted an interview where Moore said he went to the location to drop off his son with the sons mother. Moore told [the Texas Ranger] he and Palmer exchanged words. Moore told me he thought Palmer was coming at him with a small knife, so Moore drew his handgun from the holster on his right hip and fired an unknown number of rounds towards Palmer. Moore fired his handgun while holding his son with his left arm. However, witness testimony did not reveal a knife being used during the altercation and officials did not recover a knife from the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moore was arrested for murder on Friday and is currently being held on a $1 million bond at the Wood County Jail. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com. Chicagoans got a taste of the macabre when a story broke last November of the discovery of the dead body of a woman found next to her own severed foot at the bottom of a South Loop stairwell. But the story behind the grisly finding was all too familiar a tragedy. The dead woman was Caitlin Tracey, 36, who had reported multiple incidents of abuse against her husband. Though she lived in New Buffalo, Michigan, her body was found in the Chicago building where her husband lived. He was named as a suspect in Traceys death, according to reports. Domestic violence in and around Chicago began climbing in 2019, and incidents have spiked yet again to start 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In January, 41-year-old Tanisha Weeks was shot and killed in front of her 7-year-old daughter in the North Lawndale neighborhood on Chicagos West Side. The shooter, who also killed himself, was her 35-year-old ex-boyfriend, who had been served orders of protection not long before the killing. Also in January, mother of three Edith Castrejon was shot and killed in her Portage Park home. She was five months pregnant. Doctors tried to save her infant son, but the child died a week later. Robert Pasco III, the father of Castrejons children, has been charged in connection with the deaths. Later in January, a judge granted Castrejons mother the guardian of the couples surviving children an order of protection against Pasco, according to Tribune reporting. In an affidavit supporting the petition for the order, Castrejons mother said her oldest grandson had informed (her) that he had seen mommy on the floor and that daddy is bad. Abusers dont just stop at their partner often they attack others in the family, as was the case when 11-year-old Jayden Perkins was slain in March 2024 trying to defend his pregnant mother in their Edgewater home against an abusive ex-partner against whom shed filed for an order of protection. The case brought to light major issues with the states parole system and led to resignations from the Illinois Prisoner Review Board. Recently, Jaydens mother, Laterria Smith, who was injured in the attack, sued the board and other agencies in the tragedy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Chicago Police Department Superintendent Larry Snelling said after Jaydens death, We cannot wait until tragedy happens to decide were going to do something about it. We agree. These victims and others who have lost their lives to domestic violence deserve our attention as this problem grows. Of course, this isnt just a Chicago problem. The Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence reported a 110% increase in deaths caused by domestic violence across Illinois from 2022 to 2023. One of the methods of protection for women who fear physical harm from an abuser is to file for an order of protection. But that doesnt help much if abusers arent served with the papers. Reporting from CBS-Ch. 2 Chicago showed that in situations where women had obtained protective orders between 2021 and 2023, the Cook County sheriffs office actually served the alleged abusers in only 25% of the cases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Improving enforcement of orders of protection is an important step, but more is needed and it wont be an easy or quick fix. Beyond law enforcement, victims of abuse need physical sanctuary. Victims and survivors need access to emergency services and shelter, Amanda Pyron, executive director of The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence, told us. When people have the resources to flee, they can flee. When they have shelter beds, they go there. Right now, the city partners with providers to offer support services and shelter, but the city has far fewer beds than other major cities and not enough space to meet the needs of people at risk. For roughly half of last year, Pyron, whose organization operates the Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline, said the city had to turn away requests for shelter because they had no available beds in Cook County. They had to send people as far as Aurora and Kankakee for shelter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chicago has 185 shelter beds. New York has 3,000. Harris County, Texas, which includes Houston, has 336 beds. While Chicago experienced 59 domestic-violence homicides in 2023, New York had 23 and Harris County had 38. Pyron points to these numbers as evidence that providing sanctuary for victims works. If you look at neighborhoods where domestic violence homicides are highest, youll see a lack of visible domestic violence services, she said. These incidents are lowest where people have physical, accessible services. More shelter and services for victims is a priority. Failure to invest in protecting the vulnerable likely means the current awful trends will continue. Lets commit to better safeguarding our vulnerable mothers, sisters, daughters, friends and neighbors and the people who love them. If you or a loved one is suffering from domestic abuse, you can get help by calling the Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline at 877-863-6338. Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com. This article was originally published in Capital News Service. WASHINGTON Suitcases and large cardboard boxes rolled across the pavement outside the Department of Educations offices this week as recently fired federal workers packed up their desks. Waiting outside, workers were greeted with claps, cheers and whistles as they emerged from the buildings, some raising their fists in defiance. Colleagues embraced, sharing quiet words or simply holding on. Signs with various messages floated above the crowd, most thanking the workers for their public service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What began on Wednesday as a smaller clap out outside the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), home to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) offices, grew into a larger demonstration by Friday. Fired employees gathered at department headquarters, joined by advocates rallying in solidarity. Get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter About two weeks ago, workers in the 4,200-employee department began to hear rumblings of a large round of layoffs aimed at reducing the workforce by 50%. Some employees opted for early buyouts, while others took early retirements. Another 1,300 employees were subject to reduction in force notices, according to Nikki Churchwell, a Calvert County resident who worked at the Office of Performance and Improvement, and Kaitlyn Vitez, of Alexandria, Virginia, from the Office of Communications and Outreach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. Office of Personnel Management lays out specific procedures for downsizing, which include ranking employees based on seniority and performance. However, Churchwell said the administration altered the way competitive areas were identified to bypass this process. Veronica Greene, 56, a nearly retired worker, made her way down the path outside the OSSE, her belongings packed into two cardboard boxes stacked on a dolly. A security guard and another man, also carrying boxes, helped guide the load. A car pulled up to the corner of the building, its windows down. A man and a woman inside waved and clapped in support. With teary eyes, Greene said, These are my colleagues. We party hard. We love each other. Its hard to see these people leave because I dont know if Ill ever see them again, she said. Some I might, but a lot I might not. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Greene said that she planned to retire, but this departure was not on her own terms. In just 15 to 20 minutes, the place she had considered home for decades was reduced to two boxes, after dedicating her life to student aid and loan services since 1991. Her days were spent answering phones and sorting through mail, but it was in her office in meetings, where she said she witnessed the dedication of her colleagues. Kelisa Wing, of Virginia, a former employee with the Office of the Deputy Secretary at the department, was escorted to her workstation around 9 a.m. on Friday with just 30 minutes to pack up her belongings. As she moved through the office, she noticed Homeland Security personnel monitoring the building. By 11 a.m., the walls of her workspace, once decorated with family photos, potted plants and an image of Martin Luther King Jr. from the night before his assassination, were bare. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Everything had been carefully placed into a sleek black suitcase with a box stacked on top. All I ever wanted to be was an English teacher and look what God did, because of education, she said. Education saved my opportunities, so thats what they want to take away. Though for Wing, the moment was bittersweet. The abrupt departure offered a sense of closure, giving her the chance to say a proper goodbye to colleagues she had worked alongside for years. This is an assault on public education, because people know that education is the great equalizer, she said. It is the way that a student, a person like me, who came from nothing from Toledo, Ohio, from nothing, can end up working in a place like this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Supporters gathered with former employees, holding signs of solidarity. One sign, adorned with Cookie Monster, read: Thank you! Gracias! Merci! Salamat! Tony Sarmiento, a retired worker from Silver Spring who has attended 21 demonstrations in support of federal employees since the new administration took office, stood beside Greene, snapping photos and helping her with her belongings. He said firings like these often led to deep emotional struggles, with laid-off workers battling depression and self-blame. So, even with the completely irrational, cruel way these closings are happening, he said, theres a phenomenon where workers are so depressed, they arent going to blame the right person. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bill Bimber, a retired science and technology high school teacher with 34 years of experience in Northern Virginia schools, spent many years without computers to teach his students computer repair. If it werent for funding programs created by the Department of Education, he said, he may never have received computers to teach his class. Bimber expressed his concerns that if the department is experiencing massive layoffs, programs like this that provide equipment and materials to students may no longer get off the ground. I know how programs from this agency, this department, have affected schools over the years, and its largely invisible, but its huge, Bimber said. It really is enormous what they do. Dressed in a Department of Education graphic T-shirt Jackie Murray approached her firing with grace after 40 years in communications and outreach with a positive outlook on her future. After being placed on administrative leave more than two months ago, the popular Murray bounced around the outside of the building with a smile and laughter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She responded to a question about her next steps, saying, My mouth moves a lot, so it needs to get paid because it has to eat, you know. For her, a support system of girlfriends, music and Scripture was key during moments like this that felt shared by many federal workers across the Washington region. Find you a support group that has accepted this, because there are still individuals, um, that I know who have not fully accepted this, she added, offering advice to those in her situation. In the coming days, there will be debates about what form the department should take and how programs should be implemented, Vitez said. At the end of the day, we need to do whats best for schools and for students and provide them the most resources and support to get the job done, she said. And people need more support, not less. Business Insider recently traveled to Pripyat, an abandoned town next to Chernobyl. Pripyat was evacuated right after the 1986 disaster at the nuclear power plant. The city is a complete ghost town. These photos show what it's like now. PRIPYAT, Ukraine There's a silence in Pripyat that's unsettling but also hauntingly peaceful. There's no traffic or commotion in the streets or on the sidewalks. In fact, there are no cars or people at all in this city. Pripyat had the deep misfortune of being situated only a few miles down the road from the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in what is now northern Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At its peak, nearly 50,000 people lived in Pripyat, an industrial city established in 1970 near the Belarusian border. It had everything one might need, from a grocery store to a restaurant. It was a relatively new city with a vibrant community. But on April 26, 1986, disaster struck at Chernobyl. One of the plant's reactors exploded, sending highly radioactive contamination into the air across the Soviet Union and into Europe. Pripyat was evacuated the day after the deadly meltdown that killed 30 operators and first responders. It's now a ghost town. Business Insider recently traveled to Pripyat deep inside the now-established Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, a highly radioactive area of 1,000 square miles that encompasses the nuclear power plant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Getting to Pripyat was no easy task. Visitors need a permit to enter the exclusion zone, which is about a two-hour drive north of Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital. We met our guide at the entrance, which is a military checkpoint. The soldiers looked over our documents before allowing us into the restricted area. A building sits behind the forest in the abandoned city of Pripyat. Jake Epstein/Business Insider Driving to Pripyat through the actual town of Chernobyl and past the nuclear power plant is a constant reminder that Ukraine is at war. The Russian army initially occupied this area during the early days of the invasion three years ago, but it's now back under Ukrainian control. There are soldiers, checkpoints, armored vehicles, and fortifications everywhere. When we finally arrived in Pripyat the former main road into the city is full of potholes that made it difficult to travel we were on the clock. The International Atomic Energy Agency says that the lingering radioactive isotopes in the atmosphere are at tolerable exposure levels but only for limited periods of time. We couldn't stay for too long. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We walked through the city, careful not to stray too far from the path the guide had taken. A glance around the town reveals emblems from the former Soviet Union on street lights and atop buildings. The city was silent abandoned in every sense. Vegetation creeps into the buildings, some of which no longer have windows. Beyond a Ukrainian military vehicle that was there only briefly and two other visitors, no one else was around. These photos show just how eerie it is in Pripyat: The road into Pripyat. Jake Epstein/Business Insider An abandoned building. Jake Epstein/Business Insider Another road in the city. At the end, a building with a Soviet Union emblem on the top. Jake Epstein/Business Insider Steps lead to a town square. Jake Epstein/Business Insider Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another abandoned building, with rubble on the exterior. Jake Epstein/Business Insider The famous Ferris wheel. Jake Epstein/Business Insider Another ride at the abandoned amusement park. Jake Epstein/Business Insider Abandoned bumper cars. Jake Epstein/Business Insider Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A mural on the wall. The exclusion zone still has considerable wildlife. Jake Epstein/Business Insider The entrance to one building is covered with graffiti. Jake Epstein/Business Insider Another building with no windows. Jake Epstein/Business Insider Vegetation grows all over the buildings in Pripyat. Jake Epstein/Business Insider Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The supermarket. Jake Epstein/Business Insider A radioactive sign outside the supermarket. Jake Epstein/Business Insider Pripyat is surrounded by forests. Jake Epstein/Business Insider When it was time to leave, we packed up the car and headed back to Chernobyl, where a soldier went through my camera to make sure I didn't take any photos of sensitive military sites. Heading out, we drove through a checkpoint, where we had to stand in radiation detector devices. These resembled the rectangular scanners at an airport. These devices checked our clothes, shoes, and hands for any radioactive residue. To my surprise, I was clean. Still, when I returned to my hotel in Kyiv, I washed everything I had with me. Read the original article on Business Insider YANGON, April 2 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Embassy in Myanmar has delivered cash assistance worth 1.5 million yuan (206,700 U.S. dollars) to the Myanmar Red Cross Society. Minister Counselor Cao Jing met here on Tuesday with Myo Nyunt, president of the Myanmar Red Cross Society, and handed over the cash aid offered by the Red Cross Society of China. Cao said that China expresses sincere condolences to the Myanmar government and people for the casualties and property losses caused by Friday's 7.9-magnitude earthquake. The Chinese government has decided to provide 100 million yuan of emergency humanitarian earthquake relief assistance to Myanmar, as numerous Chinese rescue teams have been working in the quake-affected areas, according to Cao. "The assistance from the Red Cross Society of China once again demonstrates the profound friendship of the Chinese people towards the Myanmar people," Cao noted. Myo Nyunt thanked the Chinese side for coming to the aid immediately and extending a helping hand to the Myanmar people. The Myanmar Red Cross Society is willing to make joint efforts with China to overcome difficulties and rebuild its homeland as soon as possible, said Myo Nyunt. (1 yuan equals 0.14 U.S. dollars) EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) An El Paso Police officer was arrested after he was wanted on multiple charges including assault, according to the El Paso County Sheriffs Office. The Sheriffs Office says its Fugitive Apprehension Unit apprehended Gerardo Reyes Jr., 37, who was wanted on multiple charges including two counts of assault causing bodily injury to a family member and one count of interfering with an emergency request for assistance. Reyes was taken into custody and was booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility under a $12,500 bond on Tuesday, April 1. He posted bond the same day, according to jail records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jail records also show that the alleged offenses took place in July 2023. El Paso Police held a press conference on Wednesday, April 2, to clarify Reyes situation. EPPDs Public Information Officer Sgt. Robert Gomez confirmed that the incident involving Reyes occurred in July 2023. He said the department investigated that incident and presented it to the District Attorneys Office. Gomez said that on Tuesday, a warrant was issued by the court, and as soon as EPPD and Reyes were aware, arrangements were made for Reyes to go to the Internal Affairs Division in Downtown El Paso, where he was relieved of duty, and then turned himself in to the Sheriffs Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The El Paso Police Department is committed to investigating its own, as always, and we just wanted to clarify the sequence of events and how this arrest actually occurred, Gomez said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. BELLEVILLE, Ill. Illinois Election results are coming in for several key municipal races across Illinois, including the high-profile mayoral contests in Belleville and Alton. Incumbent Mayor Patty Gregory, seeking a second term, lost to City Clerk Jennifer Gain Meyer in a competitive showdown. Gain Meyer received 2,118 votes, while Gregory had 1,268. For the Edwardsville School District School Board, Scott Ahart leads the race. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over in Alton, voters decided between incumbent Mayor David Goins, former Mayor Brant Walker. Goins won 39% of the vote, with Strebel only receiving 32%. Polls closed at 7 p.m., and election officials are now tallying votes. See the results as they come in here: Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. GATES, N.Y. (WROC) Challenges appear to be mounting as school districts across New York State stare down a deadline to acquire and use only electric buses. Those challenges are even being felt in the Gates Chili Central School District, which, with its 15 electric buses, has been a leader in this area. In fact, it recently added an electric bus with a lift to its fleet the first in the state to do so. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Getting around 100 miles per charge, the new buses have won over their drivers, according to Gates Chili Director of Transportation Matthew Helmbold. They have instant heat in the winter, they have air conditioning in the dash, on a rainy day they dont have to stand outside for fueling, they just get right back inside, thats something they really enjoy, Helmbold said. But with less than ten years left before all school districts have to be fully electric, based on the states mandate, Helmbold and education leaders across the state acknowledge possible speed bumps and road blacks ahead. First, the electric buss price tag is high as is a districts electric bill once they add them. Helmbold says the state has told power companies to come up with a new rate plan so school districts can afford to charge their fleet. They have given us a rebate on that until the new rates are established, Helmbold said. Then theres the power issue. News 8 recently asked RG&E President Patricia Nilsen whether theres enough capacity to charge electric fleets throughout the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She didnt say, but suggested it would be difficult for some districts to build up the infrastructure necessary to power them. So we have to look at is there a customer-owned equipment upgrade or a company-owned equipment upgrade that has to take place, Nislen said. So its really a case by case basis whether those buses can be electrified. In the case of Gates Chili, while Helmbold doesnt know how theyd go all electric by 2035 without serious financial help, his experience up to this point has only encouraged him. I just know that what weve needed weve been able to get to run the buses that we have, he said. Governor Kathy Hochul recently talked about the possibility of pushing back that 2035 deadline, but News 8 has not heard anything concrete. Also, RG&E says its consistently working with the Public Service Commission on the issue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst. The Lyndon Baines Johnson Department of Education Building pictured on Nov. 25, 2024. (Shauneen Miranda/States Newsroom) Political and media blather about the potential demise of the Department of Education (DE) is continuous. Lacking empathy and understanding of the positive role of public education, the president is calling for the departments termination. Not surprising, as he has stated his love for the poorly educated. The lead mission statement on the DE website is Fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access. Federal policies and funding have helped create better opportunities for students with disabilities and others that require more resources for their education. Along with anti-DEI initiatives, many students of poverty and color will be denied equal access. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the self-created functions of the Department of Education has been the delivery of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). A standardized test titled as The Nations Report Card, that assesses reading and mathematics nationwide at the 4th and 8th grade levels. The NAEP claims to offer a common measure of student achievement and offers a window into the state of our K-12 education system and what our children are learning. The NAEPs stated purpose of is to measure the educational achievement and progress of the nations students NAEP results have been stagnant for decades. In 1992, 29% of students were considered proficient (or above) readers in both 4th and 8th grades. In 2024, proficiency levels were 31% for 4th grade and 30% for 8th grade. NAEP results also enable comparisons , among various demographic groups, and over time. NAEP test scores have accurately reflected demographic differences of school populations for decades. Schools, districts and states with lower family income levels, lower parent education levels, higher numbers of English language learners and special education students have lower test score averages. Year, after year, after year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Nations Report Card is a political hoax; not an accurate measure of learning. Presumed to be a reliable measure of school quality; it is not. Differences in test score averages always reflect student demographics. Educators (especially educational leaders) need to stop pretending that they have considerable influence over test scores. Standardized tests are designed to allow predetermined percentages of rank. If proficiency is set at the 60th percentile (a common standard), only 40% of students can attain proficiency. NAEP reading proficiency levels nationwide have never reached 40%. Profound improvements in test score averages come about by changing the demographics of the student population tested or by cheating. Retaining low level readers in 3rd grade changes the tested population in 4th grade. Removing failing students improves test score averages; regardless of curriculum or instructional method. In Mississippi, NAEP 4th grade reading scores have increased from 21% proficient in 2013 to 32% in 2024. They attribute this Mississippi miracle to 3rd grade reading instruction with increased emphasis on phonics and seem overly proud that still less than one third of their students are considered literate by this measure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mississippi began a retention policy during the 2014-15 for 3rd graders with low-level reading levels. Thus, removing 7 to 9% (2019-23) of failing students from the tested population of 4th graders. It seems reading deficiencies are not the only academic shortcomings in Mississippi. Basic math skills seem to have eluded state policymakers. Simple statistical comparisons should embarrass politicians and educators in Mississippi. They pretend to have nailed the science of reading while lacking evidence linking phonics to improved 4th grade reading scores. There is a clear connection between the percentages of retained 3rd grade students and 4th grade proficiency levels. There is no evidence that retention improves academic achievement in later grades or that retained students ever catch-up. There have been no sustainable gains in the reading ability of Mississippi students. 8th grade NAEP reading scores have declined, as have ACT scores, since the 3rd grade retention policy was adopted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, there is evidence that retention contributes to higher dropout and lower graduation rates. The threat of retention does not raise test scores. It should be called the Mississippi mirage. This false claim of success is just a matter of fudging statistics. An illusion that would not play well on the Strip. Nevada is on tap to follow the same failed 3rd grade retention policy (as Mississippi) in 2029. Low-level readers are not lazy. They didnt choose to be in the bottom reading groups in first and second grades. If terminated, the NAEP would be missed only by politicians and media pundits that use test scores to unfairly denigrate public education and at-risk students. Across the country, including Nevada, there is an obsession with the ill effects of the pandemic on academic achievement. There were no permanent effects on long-term academic outcomes and lives were saved by shutting down in-person classroom instruction. Test scores have mostly rebounded to previous levels with the same demographic gaps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Spoiler alert for CCSD: Extended school days and longer academic years have never provided an effective solution to closing standardized test score gaps. There is a saturation point for learning. More of the same will not change outcomes. Test scores have become the accepted measure for school success; despite a lack of evidence that differences in school settings and educational practices appreciably affect individual test scores. There is a continued fascination with comparisons of standardized test scores using the same tired statistical data when annual results are released. It is nonsense. ELMIRA, N.Y. (WETM) An Elmira man has been arrested on a burglary charge following an investigation conducted by the New York State Police and the Chemung County Sheriffs Office. Brandon Fuller, 33, was arrested on March 27 and charged with burglary in the second degree (class C felony), criminal mischief in the third degree: damage to another persons property over $250 (class E felony), and criminal possession of stolen property in the fifth degree (a misdemeanor) as stated in a release from the New York State Police. Ashland man arrested on rape charge for incident involving minors Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police say they, along with deputies from the Chemung County Sheriffs Office, were called to the area of Watkins Road in Horseheads for the report of a burglary. Police say the person who filed the report stated that their apartment had been ransacked and electronic devices, including a modem and router, were missing. Two injured after being hit by SUV in Hornellsville, one arrested Upon arrival at the scene, police say that there was no one inside the home. During the investigation and after speaking with the person who filed the report, deputies noted that earlier in the evening, they had encountered Fuller, who they say had the stolen property. Fuller was located and placed into the custody of the New York State Police for processing. He had his charges read to him in the Town of Horseheads Court and was then taken to the Chemung County Jail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WETM - MyTwinTiers.com. This article is part of HuffPosts biweekly politics newsletter. Click here to subscribe. Elon Musk wanted Tuesday nights Supreme Court election in Wisconsin to be a very big deal. He spent at least $20 million of his own money on the race, paying for both an extensive ground game aimed at low-propensity conservative voters and for television ads. He personally cut two $1 million checks for supporters. Appearing at a town hall in Green Bay a few nights before the election, he said the race would affect the entire destiny of humanity by possibly altering control of the House of Representatives. But by 1:15 a.m. ET on Wednesday morning, just hours after polls had closed in the Badger State, he changed his tune about what really mattered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This was the most important thing, Musk wrote, referring to the passage of a constitutional amendment requiring voter ID in Wisconsin. (Wisconsin already has voter ID laws.) In the interim, Wisconsinites had disagreed with Musk in the way that really matters. They agreed the election was important: 49% of the states registered voters cast a ballot an absurdly high turnout for an election held in the spring of an off-year. They did not, however, agree with his choice of candidate. Liberal Susan Crawford trounced Republican Brad Schimel, 55% to 45%. The election was already important for the people of Wisconsin: It couldve changed whether the state protects abortion rights and whether the vote gerrymandered congressional districts. But Musk, in a lot of ways, turned the election into a referendum on himself. And he lost badly. Couple the Wisconsin results with massive swings against Republicans in two deep red congressional districts in Florida, and you suddenly have a political party looking for a scapegoat. And Musk makes a pretty good one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats loathe him almost as much as they loathe Trump, a combination which drove massive Democrat turnout in Wisconsin. And polling indicates a small but substantial group of Trump supporters dislike Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency, which has spent the past two months occupied with taking a chainsaw to government institutions and services. A Marquette Law School poll released this week found Trumps approval at 46%, with 54% disapproval. Musk was substantially less popular: Just 41% approved of his work leading DOGE, with 58% strongly disapproving. Its an increasingly troubling problem for Republicans, who have been screamed at by constituents at town halls over the DOGE cuts, and have been visibly anxious at the likelihood some of the cuts will hit hardest in the states they represent. Musk has positioned himself and DOGE as the face of the cuts, and despite his unpopularity (and Trumps famously capricious approach to staff turnover), the president has largely stood by him so far. In late February, a White House spokesperson told Politico that there was no end date foreseen for Musks tenure in the administration. No one here at the White House is tired of winning, the spokesperson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But that was before his $20 million-plus investment couldnt win the Wisconsin seat for conservatives. And it was definitely before a massive swing toward Democrats since November in Tuesdays special elections in two separate Florida districts, both of which President Donald Trump handily won in 2024. While Republicans ultimately won both those races, the new margins are rattling. But reporting from Politico on Wednesday later strongly denied by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt that Trump is prepared for Musk to take on a less prominent role when his time as a special government employee ends at the end of next month, may be music to the ears of vulnerable Republicans, some of whom are working with margins much tighter than 14 points. And despite the denial, Leavitt didnt say Musk would never leave in fact, just the opposite. Elon Musk and President Trump have both *publicly* stated that Elon will depart from public service as a special government employee when his incredible work at DOGE is complete, she wrote on social media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Musks allies have said hes not going anywhere as a force in Trumps orbit. Hes already signaled plans to spend $100 million supporting Republican candidates and Trumps agenda. DOGE continues to request access to sensitive government databases, and its not clear if the staff hes assembled there will follow him out the door. And its not clear Republicans can truly afford to have Musk leave. His money is incredibly valuable, with multiple Wisconsin Republicans noting it was the only way Schimel had a chance of matching Crawford in terms of resources. Democrats, high off their first major election win, are very eager to troll Musk. On X the social media website Musk himself owns the Democratic Partys official account posted on Tuesday night a screenshot of Musk campaigning for the election, wearing a hat shaped like a wedge of cheese. It was captioned simply, loser. And House Majority PAC, a super PAC controlled by allies of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, invited Musk to go on a nationwide tour. HMP greatly encourages one of the most unpopular men in America to campaign with Republicans across the country, spokeswoman Katarina Flicker said. His efforts will be crucial to Democrats taking back the House in 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But liberals and Democrats eager to show Musk the door can overstate the extent to which the results revolved around Musks popularity. While Democrats did run television ads suggesting Musks donations would be a corrupting influence on Schimel, they were just as likely to attack the Republican for opposing abortion rights as everything else. The Florida elections, however, do provide some evidence Musks work slashing the federal government could have a particularly deleterious impact. In Floridas 1st District, which covers the western half of the states panhandle near the border with Alabama, Democrat Gay Valimont lost to Republican Jimmy Patronis by just 15 percentage points, a massive swing compared to Trumps 33-point win there in November. In particular, this election saw Valimont become the first Democrat to win Escambia County, the home of Naval Air Station Pensacola and a number of other military facilities, in nearly two decades a notable flip in a county Trump won by 19 points in 2024. Voters in the area could be more sensitive to Musks campaign of slashing the government, including the Department of Veterans Affairs. For now, its clear Musk is an issue in almost every election imaginable. A week before the Wisconsin and Florida races, there was a close state Senate race in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, best known for its Amish population. Trump had won the seat by 15 percentage points in November. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrat James Malone, the mayor of the small borough of East Petersburg, won the race. His campaign manager, Stella Sexton, told HuffPost that Musk and DOGE came up constantly while they were knocking on doors to encourage turnout. Malone started campaigning against DOGE, linking it to a message he was already using about his Republican opponent, County Councilmember Josh Parson, attacking public education and taking cash from billionaires. He was funded by billionaires trying to destroy public education in Pennsylvania and and so then when the billionaire whos trying to destroy public education at a federal level tweeted about us, that dovetailed, Sexton said. It was pretty easy to draw the line. While Musk didnt spend any money there, he did send several of his signature !!! missives on X about news about the contest the weekend before election day and Malones campaign was able to turn those missives into text messages to supporters encouraging them to vote. And that might have made the difference. If that cost Parsons another 500 votes, which I think is plausible, or helped our turnout by 500 votes, which I also think is plausible, Sexton said, that could have cost him the election. Elon Musk's super PAC poured more than $12 million into the Wisconsin Supreme Court race. In the end, the liberal candidate, Judge Susan Crawford, defeated Judge Brad Schimel, a conservative. The loss is a blow for Musk, who held a town hall in Wisconsin and urged voters to back Schimel. For Wisconsin Republicans, regaining a conservative majority on the state's highest court was a top priority. Elon Musk, the world's richest man, funneled more than $12 million via his America PAC to sway the pivotal judicial race in one of the country's premier swing states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It wasn't enough. On Tuesday, Musk's big bet on the Wisconsin Supreme Court race fell apart, with the Associated Press reporting that Susan Crawford, a liberal judge in Dane County, had defeated Brad Schimel, a conservative judge in Waukesha County, in the most expensive judicial race in US history. Musk, the face of President Donald Trump's White House DOGE office, has been met with increasingly vocal opposition by voters over the task force's cost-cutting efforts. And the fallout from DOGE is also affecting Tesla, the company that catapulted Musk to international prominence. Crawford's victory is a significant blow for Musk as DOGE's work continues to face increased scrutiny from the public and could lead to electoral gains for Democrats in the 2026 midterm elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here's how Crawford's win is set to upend Musk's political playbook: Musk is caught in the DOGE-house For weeks, scenes of frustrated voters sharply questioning and booing GOP members of Congress have become a defining narrative of DOGE, as many lawmakers have had to defend waves of staffing cuts. As a guiding force behind efforts to cut costs at critical federal departments along with efforts to eliminate the US Agency for International Development Musk has faced mounting pushback over the task force's aggressive tactics to rein in spending. Musk went all in for Schimel, arguing that the Wisconsin race was "important for the future of civilization." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Referring to the potential for Democrats to make gains through a new congressional map, Musk argued that if the Wisconsin Supreme Court "is able to redraw the districts, they will gerrymander the district and deprive Wisconsin of two seats on the Republican side." "Then they will try to stop all the government reforms we are getting done for you, the American people," he added. In a state that narrowly backed Trump over Kamala Harris in November, voters this week made a new choice. Crawford's win keeps the liberal bloc in the majority. The court could revisit the state's congressional maps, with a redraw likely to offer Democrats an opportunity to pick up additional seats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With Republicans clinging to a razor-thin 218-213 majority in the US House ahead of what could be a tough midterm cycle, holding the lower chamber will be key for Musk and Trump especially as it relates to future oversight over DOGE's work. Musk may approach other races differently Musk campaigned heavily for Trump in Pennsylvania in last year's election, with America PAC pouring millions of dollars into the state, much of it for canvassing and other digital-related efforts. The tech mogul's decision to hand out $1 million checks to select voters who signed petitions at town hall events similar to what he employed in Wisconsin this time around drew many people out as he criticized Harris and the media. Trump would go on to win Pennsylvania in the 2024 general election. Schimel's loss, on the other hand, is a setback for Musk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wisconsin Supreme Court races in recent years have become increasingly polarized, with issues like abortion rights, union collective bargaining rights, and voting regulations being used to drive up turnout among base voters. This week, conservatives fell short in their efforts to take the court in a different direction. Musk is poised to wade into other contests ahead of the midterms, especially with Trump's agenda on the line. But the latest results in Wisconsin show that there's a limit to such an influence. Read the original article on Business Insider Elon Musk made a last-ditch plea to Wisconsin voters during his appearance in front of a fawning panel of Fox News personalities hours before polls closed in a closely watched state Supreme Court race. The worlds wealthiest man and his allies have spent more than $20 million to boost a conservative judges campaign in a race that could determine the ideological balance of the states highest court, among the first high-stakes elections during Donald Trumps presidency. Musk and his political action committee are pouring money into elections across the country to support Republican candidates, including legally dubious pledges to personally hand voters $1 million checks and give out $50 to anyone who takes a picture of themselves outside a voting booth after voting for the candidate he supports. Elon Musk and his allies have pumped millions of dollars into a Wisconsin Supreme Court race (AP) The billionaires press blitz to support a conservative candidate in Wisconsin follows widespread protests outside Tesla businesses and a wave of vandalism targeting Tesla vehicles to protest his efforts to purge the federal workforce and gut entire agencies with his so-called Department of Government Efficiency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is fundamentally a case of terrorism for the purpose of intimidation. Its harming innocent people. Its really terrible, he told Foxs The Five on Tuesday. What we actually have to get to is the people who are organizing and paying for these attacks and protests, he said. The people who are actually throwing the molotov cocktails, they are the foot soldiers. We need to go after the generals. Asked if he knows who those generals are, Musk said we know. Attorney General Pam Bondi is seeking a 20-year prison sentence for a Colorado man accused of firebombing a Tesla dealership last month, among several attacks against Tesla property in apparent response to the billionaires unprecedented role in the Trump administration that several judges and legal experts have warned is blatantly unconstitutional. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, thousands of people have joined dozens of Tesla Takedown protests across the U.S., Canada and Europe outside Tesla showrooms. Musk has repeatedly accused his critics of being paid protesters while spending millions of dollars himself to influence voters. He also recently suggested that crowds attending rallies hosted by Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez were paid to be there and are moved from event to event. The Dems just move around the same group of paid protesters, said Musk, without supplying any evidence, sharing a post that accused the lawmakers of astroturfing support. Musk has characterized Wisconsins state Supreme Court election in apocalyptic terms with the destiny of humanity and future of the world at stake, noting that the court could redraw Wisconsins congressional maps while Republicans have only a razor-thin majority in the House of Representatives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you lose control of the House, there will be nonstop impeachment hearings, there will be nonstop hearings and subpoenas, theyre gonna do everything possible to stop the agenda the American people voted for, Musk told Foxs The Five. The race could be decided by a single voter, thats how close it is, according to Musk. Elon Muskattempted to downplay the results of Tuesdays Wisconsin state Supreme Court race by claiming he got what he really wanted all along, despite his preferred candidate losing. Musk wanted Brad Schimel, a Waukesha County circuit judge and a former Republican attorney general, to win really, really badly. So much so that he and his cronies poured a record $21 million into the race. Musk himself even gave a handful of Wisconsin voters $1 million checks in order to goose the results. A seemingly small election could determine the fate of Western civilization, Musk said Tuesday in a last-ditch effort to sway the results on X, per The Associated Press. I think it matters for the future of the world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet, despite Musks involvement, Schimel lost to Susan Crawford, who was favored by Democrats. On Wednesday, Musk attempted to spin the narrative by claiming his obvious defeat was actually a major win. This was the most important thing, Musk wrote, while retweeting a post that announced that a ballot measure involving voter IDs was approved by Wisconsin voters. BREAKING: Wisconsin Question 1, which adds a Voter ID requirement to the states Constitution has passed, the tweet reads. This was the most important thing https://t.co/x99NunhUkA Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 2, 2025 Although the retweeted post makes it appear like Wisconsin residents were able to vote without photo identification until Wednesday, that isnt the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The New York Times reported that Wisconsin law already requires voters to show photo identification. This amendment just makes it harder for courts or the state legislature to remove the ID requirement in the future. Several X users immediately smelled Musks BS and called him out. It was already the law you stupid bitch you lost big time tonight. Burn that money, fucking loser Elite E Man (@Eman856) April 2, 2025 Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahahaha. You said the fate of western civilization depended on the Supreme Court race and now you are coping hard. This has been the law in Wisconsin since 2016!!! Brett Meiselas (@BMeiselas) April 2, 2025 So the thing you said Western Civilization hinged on actually wasn't that important Michael Tracey (@mtracey) April 2, 2025 Elon calling this the most important thing is wild. Mans been L-ing so hard lately hes counting voter ID laws as wins just to feel something. Saleh Aldwais (@SAldwais) April 2, 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You failed, you couldn't buy the vote. That was the most important thing. PaulC (@EarningsThe) April 2, 2025 Despite Musks attempt to gaslight everyone into thinking the Wisconsin Supreme Court election was no big deal, Crawford was well aware of the larger context behind her win. Ive got to tell you, as a little girl growing up in Chippewa Falls, I never could have imagined that Id be taking on the richest man in the world, she told a cheering crowd during her victory speech Tuesday. For justice in Wisconsin. And we won! she added, causing the crowd to cheer even more. SEOUL, April 2 (Xinhua) -- South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who is serving as acting president, pleaded to accept a scheduled ruling on President Yoon Suk-yeol's impeachment, local media said Wednesday. "No matter what decision is made, we must accept the consequences calmly and level-headedly in accordance with the principle of the rule of law," Han said at a meeting with public safety-related ministers, including chiefs of interior, justice and defense ministries as well as police and firefighting agencies. The constitutional court will decide whether to remove Yoon from office on Friday over his botched martial law bid last December. The acting president called on people to peacefully express their views during rallies in support of or against Yoon's impeachment, saying the ongoing crisis of confusion and conflict would be overcome if people become one again with their strength and wisdom. He urged politicians to refrain from remarks provoking or inciting illegal protests and violence and show responsible attitudes contributing to social cohesion rather than division and conflict. Han noted that any act challenging government authority and destroying the communities, such as the destruction of facilities, assault and arson, will be met with arrests on the scene and held accountable under a principle of zero tolerance, adding that the government will never tolerate any illegal or violent act. Apr. 1An endangered Mexican gray wolf that wandered outside the wolf recovery area was found dead Sunday, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service confirmed, and the cause of death is under investigation. The female wolf, F2996, had wandered north of Interstate 40 outside the Mexican Wolf Experimental Population Area and been located near Mount Taylor in New Mexico after escaping a crate near Show Low, Arizona, during the annual wolf population count. On Friday, Fish and Wildlife announced that it would not try to relocate the wolf, which had wandered broadly through Arizona and New Mexico. The agency was monitoring the wolf's movements to see if she returned to her pack. The decision was celebrated by environmental advocacy groups, which have pushed for the species to be allowed to expand their territory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Mexican wolves like Ella have shown time and again that the wildlands north of Interstate 40 are desirable wolf habitat," said Taylor McKinnon, Southwest director at the Center for Biological Diversity. Ella is the name advocacy groups use for F2996. "Her death is a tragedy and its cause and circumstances need to be investigated and shared with the public." The endangered wolf population has slowly increased after years of recovery efforts, going up 11% in the 2025 wolf count, and at least 286 wolves live in New Mexico and Arizona. The last wild Mexican wolf death was reported in November, when a female wolf, F2979, was found dead northwest of Flagstaff, Arizona. That wolf was also outside the experimental population area, although wildlife agencies were trying to capture and relocate her, along with the wolf she was traveling with. In 2023, U.S. Fish and Wildlife reported 31 Mexican wolf deaths in Arizona and New Mexico. Of those, 11 died from illegal shooting or trapping, nine had natural deaths, four died from vehicle collisions, four died from capture-related mortalities or legal shootings or trappings, and three died from unknown causes. Mexican gray wolves are protected under the Endangered Species Act. Killing or harming an endangered species can result in a hefty fine or jail time. A reward of up to $105,000 from conservationists and agencies is available for information that leads to the conviction of anyone who violates the Endangered Species Act and unlawfully kills a Mexican wolf. BOSTON (WWLP) The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced New England has issued its first-ever Request For Procurement for long-term transmission investmentsand its expected to significantly lower energy costs for consumers. This project calls for all New England states to work together and foot the bill, and bidders will pitch their ideas for the best possible long-term transmission solution that benefits the region and consumers alike. Governor Healey spoke about the importance of this project. This nation-leading transmission procurement will unlock affordable electricity for Massachusetts residents and businesses at a critical time, said Healey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Massachusetts is particularly interested in connecting northern and southern New England to take advantage of Maines affordable energy resources. For the better part of a decade, the construction of a transmission line between Quebec and Massachusetts, through Maine, has been a source of controversy, as many Mainers expressed serious concern about its impact on Maine wildlife. The Bay States energy secretary spoke to Maines culpability in delaying affordable energy. Affordable electricity has been stuck behind inadequate transmission in Maine when it could flow freely to power communities across our region. Transmission is the key to lowering costs, said Secretary Rebecca Tepper. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, the competitive bidding process could allow for a solution to energy transmission in Maine that works for everyone. Bids will be accepted until September 2025, and a bid will be selected around September 2026, with an overall project completion estimation by 2035. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) The Mississippi Museum of Natural Science (MMNS) will host a night under the starts with the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra (MSO) and NASAs Solar System Ambassadors. The 3rd Annual Moonlight, Music, and Meteors will be held on Friday, April 25, 2025, from 7:30 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. at The Den in LeFleurs Bluff State Park. Guests are invited to bring lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy a night of live music, cosmic wonders, family fun, and they might even see the Lyrid meteor shower. 2025 Remarkable Women Central Mississippi Winner: Dr. Emily Harber Williams Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moonlight is one of those magical nights where science, art, and nature blend perfectly. Were proud to support this unique experience and celebrate connecting families to Mississippis wild side, said Mississippi Museum of Natural Science Foundation (MMNSF) Executive Director Susan Frazier. We are delighted to provide a creative program of music to enrich an evening of star and planet-gazing. We look forward to exploring the cross-section of MSO and the Museums missions, said MSO Maestro Crafton Beck. The 3rd Annual Moonlight, Music, and Meteors will be held on Friday, April 25, 2025, from 7:30 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. at The Den in LeFleurs Bluff State Park. (Courtesy: MDWFP) The 3rd Annual Moonlight, Music, and Meteors will be held on Friday, April 25, 2025, from 7:30 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. at The Den in LeFleurs Bluff State Park. (Courtesy: MDWFP) The 3rd Annual Moonlight, Music, and Meteors will be held on Friday, April 25, 2025, from 7:30 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. at The Den in LeFleurs Bluff State Park. (Courtesy: MDWFP) The 3rd Annual Moonlight, Music, and Meteors will be held on Friday, April 25, 2025, from 7:30 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. at The Den in LeFleurs Bluff State Park. (Courtesy: MDWFP) Tickets will be available online for $20 until April 24 at noon or $25 at the door. Concessions will be available to purchase. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) EPA Chief Lee Zeldin announced in a post on X plans to visit the US-Mexico border in the coming weeks. He wants to see the sewage crisis and hes also demanding permanent solutions. Its a public health ticking time bomb, said Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre. For South Bay leaders like Aguirre, hopes are high after hearing the news of Zeldins intent to visit. Its great to see and hear that theres interest in better understanding this crisis. My hope with his visit is that hell not only see the treatment plan thats being upgraded, but get to talk to the families that are affected get to see firsthand the main source of pollution which is the river itself, Aguirre said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In mid-March the EPA denied Aguirres request for the Tijuana River Valley to be designated as a federal superfund clean-up site. Zeldin has since promised the EPA would ramp up efforts on both sides of the border to confront this crisis. Aguirre and Chula Vista Mayor John McCann say they have both made repeated efforts to get Zeldin involved. Just the idea of having the administrator be able to view it himself and understanding the problem. Over 100,000,000 gallons of raw sewage goes from Tijuana into the United States every day. Its a serious health crisis and we have to make sure that we go to the top level and escalate this issue, McCann said. Aguirre and McCann are both currently candidates to fill the District 1 seat on the County Board of Supervisors and share the commitment to fighting the issue thats caused prolonged beach closures and a myriad of health and environmental concerns for the entire southern region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve been successful as a region to be able to get over $600 million to be able to start attacking the issue, but when you really look at the issue as a whole were going to need more than $1 billion to be able to do that, McCann said. Aguirre and McCann have both advocated in Washington D.C. several times for continued funding and support and look forward to what Zeldins visit may mean for the future. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. A federal judge has dismissed the criminal case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) with prejudice, ensuring they cannot be refiled, writing that a Department of Justice (DOJ) request to leave open the possibility of future charges smacks of a bargain. The ruling dropping the charges comes after the Trump administrations DOJ requested that the case be dismissed against the embattled mayor, who was facing a range of charges alleging corruption. The ruling is notable in that the DOJ had requested the charges be dropped without prejudice, which would have allowed them to be possibly refiled at a later date. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Critics and legal experts expressed concern that the move could cause Adams to be under the Trump administrations thumb to avoid the charges being refiled. U.S. District Judge Dale Ho in the ruling slammed the DOJs rationales for dismissing the case, calling them unsubstantiated. Ho acknowledged briefs arguing the case shouldnt be dropped and said many of them had merit but maintained the court has limited authority to reject the DOJ request. The DOJ filed a highly controversial order to request the case against Adams be dropped in February after several federal prosecutors, including the acting U.S. attorney overseeing the case, resigned rather than submit the request. Adams was charged in September based on allegations that for years he solicited and accepted bribes from wealthy foreign businesspeople and at least one Turkish government official trying to influence him. The indictment states that Adamss actions began as early as 2014 and continued through his 2021 mayoral campaign and during his tenure as mayor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was charged with five counts, including bribery, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and solicitation of a contribution by a foreign national. Adams has maintained his innocence and argued the charges were politically motivated, pointing to his criticism of the Biden administration over its immigration policy. But he hasnt pointed to any specific evidence. But Adamss allegations and his increasing ties to Trump as he was set to return to the Oval Office raised speculation the president would either pardon him or have the DOJ drop the charges against him. The department in its arguments for dropping the case said that it had been tainted by appearances of impropriety and that it interfered with Adamss ability to govern and address crime and illegal immigration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ho said the first rationale of the case being tainted is unsupported by any objective evidence, as the record shows prosecutors followed all DOJ guidelines, and has no signs of improper motive. He noted that the DOJ motion did not raise questions about the integrity of prosecutors responsible for the case. On addressing the federal governments crime and immigration priorities, Ho wrote that Adams has demonstrated his ability to take actions on immigration while under indictment, and the record shows that the mayor took a new immigration enforcement action after prosecutors moved to drop the case. Everything here smacks of a bargain: dismissal of the Indictment in exchange for immigration policy concessions, Ho wrote. The former acting U.S. attorney who resigned, Danielle Sassoon, alleged a quid pro quo occurred in her resignation letter, saying Adamss attorneys repeatedly pushed for it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adams has denied that claim. Alex Spiro, Adamss attorney, declared victory in response to Hos ruling, saying the case should never have been brought. The case against Eric Adams should have never been brought in the first placeand finally today that case is gone forever, he said. From Day 1, the mayor has maintained his innocence and now justice for Eric Adams and New Yorkers has prevailed. Ho said despite compelling arguments criticizing the DOJs move, he could not rule to keep the case going. He said the courts role in this type of motion is to protect the rights of the defendant, and a court cannot compel the government to continue a case it doesnt want to pursue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But he added that dismissing it with prejudice ensures that the threat of charges being refiled cannot be used as leverage against Adams. Ho said his ruling shouldnt be seen as weighing in on Adamss guilt or innocence, as the mayor is innocent until proven guilty, adding that the motion from DOJ wasnt based on the merits of the case, unlike many other motions to dismiss charges. Updated at 1:25 p.m. EDT Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. With Wednesdays dismissal of his federal corruption indictment, Mayor Adams is finally out of the woods from a legal perspective. But from a political viewpoint, his troubles may only be getting started. Adams mayoral race rivals made clear Wednesday they will continue to paint him as willing to do President Trumps bidding, a theme given fresh ammunition by Manhattan Federal Court Judge Dale Ho in his dismissal order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his ruling, Ho wrote he is permanently dropping the indictment or with prejudice because he doesnt have the power to force Trumps Department of Justice to continue a case it wants to abandon. But Ho also wrote hes not opining on whether Adams is innocent or guilty and rejected the argument that prosecutors under President Biden were politically motivated in bringing the case, declaring theres no evidence for that claim, which the mayor and Trumps DOJ have pushed. In fact, Ho wrote theres merit to the idea that the case should continue and panned the disturbing way in which Adams reprieve only came after Trumps DOJ suggested he could get a special dispensation if hed be compliant in assisting the presidents mass deportation agenda. Since Trumps DOJ first moved to kill his case in February, Adams has signaled willingness to play ball, including by promising to let ICE agents on Rikers Island. Everything here smacks of a bargain: dismissal of the Indictment in exchange for immigration policy concessions, Ho wrote in his 78-page ruling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That rebuke, along with the widespread condemnation of the DOJs efforts to link a decision in a criminal prosecution to a political goal, leaves Adams as politically vulnerable as ever as he faces nearly a dozen challengers in Junes Democratic primary. Facing record low approval ratings, less than three months to go until the primary election and flagging fundraising, Basil Smikle, a longtime Democratic strategist, argued itll be all but impossible for Adams to distance himself from Trump, especially since its thanks to Trump that a dismissal of his case before a trial even became possible. You cant un-ring the bell, Basil Smikle, an ex-New York State Democratic Party executive director, said, noting distaste for Trump is a major issue on New Yorkers minds ahead of the June 24 mayoral primary. And I feel that New Yorkers are still quite aware that he had charges against him, Smikle continued. They may not know all the details but they do remember. That will raise questions in the minds of a lot of voters as to whether hell have the ability to be a strong advocate for the city against the Trump administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adams mayoral challengers seized on the dismissal decision to remind New Yorkers of those questions. Even the judge in the case agrees: this slimy deal reeks of a quid pro quo with the Trump administration, Queens Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, one of Adams nine primary challengers, said after Hos ruling. In exchange for his freedom, Adams has looked the other way while the federal government detains and disappears New Yorkers, steals money from our city, and wages war on working people. Adams should resign in disgrace. City Comptroller Brad Lander, another Adams challenger, concurred: The ruling does not change the facts: Eric Adams works for Donald Trump, not New Yorkers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hos reference to a bargain echoes the language of ex-Manhattan U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon, who resigned in February rather than drop Adams case at Trump officials orders due what she described as the quid pro quo underpinning the deal. Four of Adams own deputy mayors resigned days later over the same concerns. Shira Scheindlin, a retired Manhattan Federal Court senior judge, told the Daily News that Ho tried with his decision to tell the public that hes troubled about what has happened. He wants to say what he feels. Hes saying although it looks like a corrupt bargain, it looks like a quid pro quo, my hands are tied, Scheindlin said. Its a way of letting the public know that he has these views, but theres nothing he could do. Adams has denied any quid pro quo with the Trump administration and said Wednesday hed done nothing wrong. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im now happy that our city can finally close the book with this and focus solely on the future of our great city, Adams said during a brief appearance at Gracie Mansion. As I have repeatedly said, I have always been solely beholden to the people of this city. No special, special interest, no political opponents, but just everyday New Yorkers, just you. Im going to continue to do that. But Adams, doing little to dispel criticism over Trump, brought a copy of Government Gangsters, a book penned by Trump FBI Director Kash Patel, to the brief appearance. The book has been criticized for regurgitating pro-Trump conspiracy theories about a deep state. Im going to encourage every New Yorker to read it, read it and understand how we can never allow this to happen to another innocent American, Adams said, holding up Patels book before walking inside his mansion and telling reporters in response to shouted questions: Im running for reelection, and you know what? Im going to win. Scott Stringer, the ex-comptroller running against Adams, said in an interview after the dismissal that the mayor should use that confidence and show up to a mayoral forum scheduled for Thursday where most of his challengers will debate. And in a sign his now-dead corruption case is likely to come up at the forum, Stringer warned: The Eric Adams corruption allegations arent going away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amid his legal troubles, Adams has largely stayed off the mayoral campaign trail, not appearing at candidate forum to date. But after Stringers dare, Todd Shapiro, a PR consultant volunteering as a spokesman for Adams campaign, said the mayor will attend Thursdays forum. A spokesman for ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo, the front-runner in the race to replace Adams, didnt return a request for comment on the dismissal. I respect the decision of the court, thats about all I have to say, City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, a newcomer to the mayoral race, said Wednesday while walking into City Hall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adams was first indicted on Sept. 26 on charges alleging he took hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes and illegal campaign cash, mostly from Turkish government operatives, in exchange for political favors. Those favors allegedly included Adams pressuring the FDNY after his 2021 mayoral primary election win to dismiss fire safety violations at Turkeys consulate in Manhattan so the building could open in time for a visit by the countrys leader, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Adams, the first sitting New York City mayor to face criminal indictment in modern history, pleaded not guilty to all the charges and, prior to the Trump DOJs intervention, had been scheduled to go on trial on April 21. Ghost guns are still legal in the city of Erie for now. Erie City Council reached a 3-3 stalemate regarding an ordinance that would prohibit ghost guns, which are unregistered, untraceable homemade firearms that lack serial numbers and can be purchased without a background check. The weapons have become popular nationwide. While City Council members Jasmine Flores, Chuck Nelson and Tyler Titus voted for the ordinance, three of their colleagues Council President Mel Witherspoon, Maurice Troop and Ed Brzezinski voted against it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Councilwoman Kathy Schaaf was absent. In this April 2022 photo, "Ghost guns" seized in federal law enforcement actions are displayed at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives field office in Glendale, California. Since the vote resulted in a 3-3 tie, the motion failed. It was not immediately clear if/when the issue would return to City Council's agenda. The citys ordinance would have banned the creation of ghost guns in the city and prohibited the sale or transfer of those weapons in Erie unless the person involved holds a federal firearms license. City Council gave preliminary approval to the ordinance, which was modeled after legislation put in place in Philadelphia, on March 19. The city of Erie's ban aims to limit the use of ghost guns in crimes and promote responsible gun ownership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court is reviewing the legality of Philadelphia's ghost gun ban. The court's decision could impact similar ordinances in Erie and other cities. More: Erie police seize guns, including ghost gun, in recent investigations in the city Brzezinski, before his "no" vote, suggested that the city hold off on the ordinance until the state's high court makes a ruling. Brzezinski said he and other council members also heard from gun rights advocates who oppose the legislation. Craig Storrs, the executive director of Pennsylvania Gun Rights, a nonprofit firearms rights group, urged City Council to reject the ordinance during the public comment portion of Wednesdays meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Storrs said such gun bans are prohibited by state law, and he claimed the move violates the Pennsylvania Constitution and infringes on citizens Second Amendment rights under the U.S. Constitution. You cant regulate them, Storrs said. "I would encourage restraint here today on this ordinance." Contact Kevin Flowers at kflowers@timesnews.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ETNflowers. This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Why Erie City Council failed to approve a ghost gun ban Erie County has announced that they have been awarded a home investment partnership grant to help owners improve their homes. The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development has allocated $400,000 to Erie County for its Housing Rehabilitation Program. St. Martin Center offering free budget, home buying classes This funding will support low and moderate-income homeowners by addressing necessary code deficiencies, health and safety improvements, lead-based paint remediation and more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The county is working in conjunction with the City of Erie and Corrys redevelopment authorities to administer this program. Rise like the phoenix New transition house opens in Erie This new money will be used with our other existing programs that we have to really enhance county-wide housing rehabilitation. The county planning department in partnership with our redevelopment authorities, will be taking a county-wide housing plan to really look at the condition, quality and availability and affordability of housing county wide, said Jessica Horan, director of planning in Erie County. If you would like more information or to apply, click here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com. Apr. 1MORRISON An Erie man has been sentenced in Whiteside County to four years in prison after pleading guilty Tuesday, April 1, to sexually assaulting a teenager in 2020. Dallas N. Jones, 23, pleaded guilty to that charge as well as charges in two other cases one in which he pleaded guilty to possessing a video in February 2021 depicting a person younger than 18 being sexually abused and another in which he pleaded guilty to criminal sexual abuse for having sex with two 16-year-olds in his apartment in January 2021. The cases were filed in connection with three separate events that happened in 2020 and early 2021 when he was a recent high school graduate with teens he had met while in high school. The Whiteside County State's Attorney's Office filed trial information in all three cases March 30, 2021. Those cases include: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * One felony case accusing him of committing two counts of sexual assault and two counts of sex abuse on Oct. 11, 2020. The charge accused him of having sex with a 15-year-old while she was under the influence of cannabis. He pleaded guilty to one count of criminal sexual assault, was sentenced to four years in prison and will be on mandatory supervised release anywhere from three years to life. The other three charges were dismissed as part of a plea deal. * A second felony case accusing him of two counts of creating a video depicting sexual abuse of a person younger than 18 on Sept. 5, 2020, and a third count of possessing a video on Feb. 26, 2021, depicting a person younger than 18 being sexually abused. He pleaded guilty to the possession charge and was sentenced to 180 days in the Whiteside County Jail and 48 months of probation. The other two charges were dismissed as part of a plea deal. * The third case charged him with two misdemeanor counts of criminal sex abuse of two 16-year-old victims on Jan. 3, 2021. He pleaded guilty to both counts and was sentenced to 180 days in the Whiteside County Jail. Whiteside County Assistant State's Attorney Ryan Simon said the two teenagers went to Jones' apartment knowing they would be drinking alcohol, that Jones would be there and sex acts would occur. The teens, who drank to excess, later learned they had been video recorded while having sex with Jones, Simon said. The recording was not found. The victim of the felony cases as well as the two misdemeanor victims were aware of the terms of the plea agreement and supported them, Simon said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After hearing the terms of the proposed plea and the factual basis for the charges, Whiteside County Circuit Court Judge Jennifer Rangel-Kelly left the courtroom to weigh her decision. When she returned, she said she had left the courtroom to think about whether to accept the agreement, not to cause angst for the defendant. "Disturbing is an understatement for what these charges were," Rangel-Kelly said. She said she would accept the agreement because all victims supported its terms. If they had not, Rangel-Kelly said, she would not have accepted the plea deal. After he was sentenced, Jones was taken into immediate custody. Jones also was ordered to have no contact with the three victims. He also was ordered to register as a sex offender. BENNETTSVILLE, S.C. (WBTW) Lax security and chronic understaffing at a Bennettsville prison is to blame for the 2023 death of an inmate following an assault, a newly filed lawsuit claims. Tony Leonard Gilliard, 42, died June 20 from injuries sustained in a fistfight with another inmate on June 9, the state Department of Corrections said at the time. Gilliard has been in prison since 1999 after a murder conviction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The complaint filed March 25 in Marlboro County Common Pleas Court points to the facilitys long history of overcrowding, understaffing and failing to provide adequate security and supervision over the inmates as a contributing factor in Gilliards death. It names the South Carolina Department of Corrections as defendant. Gilliard was attacked near his cell in a location where administrators, employees and correctional staff either observed the assault and did nothing to stop or prevent it, or was in a location where they should have observed the assault and stopped it from happening, the lawsuit claims. At no point during this assault did Defendant SCDC intervene or make any effort whatsoever to protect Mr. Gilliard, the lawsuit says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gilliards estate is suing on two grounds of negligence. * * * Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. Donald Trumps tariff blitz is not exactly making friends with long-time allies, economists, or the libertarian, free trade Right. His approach has made him persona non grata at publications such as National Review and the Wall Street Journal. Yet although the president wields the tariff stick like a madman swatting flies, there is more logic to his approach than one might glean from much of the press. Fundamentally, Trumps tariff policy is an attempt, albeit crude, to reverse decades of unfair trade relations, most notably with Europe. His focus is to force the EU, whose trade policies he has labelled an atrocity, to reform its protectionist system, under which tariffs on US-made cars are by some counts four times higher than the equivalent American tariffs on European cars. The situation is similar in such sectors as food, beverages and other agricultural products. In some areas, American products sold in Europe are frequently taxed at 30 per cent or more. As the historian Michael Lind has pointed out, tariffs have long been a tool in the arsenal of both advanced and developing countries. And they still are. Today, the EU imposes high tariffs on electric vehicles made in China. Other countries, including rising power India, have levied tariffs of 70 to 100 per cent on electric vehicles from China and elsewhere. Few Canadians recognise that Canada, beneficiary of a $100 billion merchandise trade surplus with the US last year, has been highly protectionist and for a long time. Canada recently levied a 100 per cent tariff on imported Chinese EVs and a 25 per cent surtax on Chinese steel and aluminium. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To deal with Trumps policies, Americas traditional allies need to recognise that the greatest threat to the West is not American tariffs but Chinas massive drive to dominate the market in manufactured goods in virtually every industry. In the US, notes an EPI study, the growth of Chinas trade deficit cost roughly 3.7 million jobs between 2001 and 2018. Until recently, multinational corporations and financial markets have been remarkably untroubled by Beijings stated aim by 2050 of becoming the leading global superpower. But those in the public realm have to take a longer range view that recognises that the Wests greatest long-term challenge lies in relentless Chinese mercantilism. This Wests trade disadvantage with Beijing extends from the most prosaic to the cutting-edge. During the pandemic, the US found itself dependent on China, the source of the affliction, even for the most basic medical supplies. Why cant the greatest economy in the history of the world produce swabs, face masks and ventilators in adequate supply? asked Lawrence Summers, the former head of President Obamas National Economic Council, on social media on March 21 2020. Americas inability to produce even basic goods has not fundamentally altered since. The generally anti-Trump media complains how companies cannot even source screws in the United States. Although chief executives and libertarian economists may see this as a reason to keep the floodgates open, a rational person might suspect that an America that cannot produce even such simple goods will not long lead the world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Chinese dominance is also spreading to the most critical sectors. In 2023, it consumed roughly half of the worlds steel and emerged as one of the worlds largest automobile producers electric cars largely powered by coal play a key role. It has also invested heavily to take over the aerospace industry from both Boeing and Europes Airbus. It has grown rapidly in sectors like semiconductors, batteries, airplanes, and automotive parts, and now accounts for more than half of all world shipbuilding. Unlike Japan in the 1980s, whose growth threatened American industries, Chinas rise also threatens Americas basic ability to produce advanced military goods. Once this is understood, it seems fairly insane for Europeans and the UK to be criticising the United States while continuing to turn a blind eye to China. Britains Keir Starmers attempt to cosy up to China in order to Trump proof his realm seems the road to ever great irrelevancy, although perhaps his Labour Party can benefit in its drive to curb free speech from the censorship masters in Beijing. European leaders need to realise that Trumps desires are not revolutionary, but similar to their own: if you want to do business in our country, create jobs and production here. This is not only reliant on getting key trade partners to reduce their protective barriers but to force companies, like Honda, to scrap plans for shifting production of new models to Mexico and instead make them in Indiana. Both Eli Lilly and chipmaker Taiwan Semiconductor have already been persuaded to invest billions in the United States, when their products in the past could easily be shipped in from abroad. Of course many businesses notably those with strong Chinese supply links will be reluctant to accept that the current economic regime is over. But others are now seeking out more domestic suppliers. McKinsey surveyed supply chain executives and found consistent concern that supply chains are too vulnerable to international disruption. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rather than rant, European, UK and Canadian political leaders need to push for negotiations aimed at equalising tariff barriers and look for ways to build a reinvigorated economic and security alliance. Trump, after all, is a committed dealmaker, and perhaps can be persuaded to ratchet down his demands and give countries, including his own, time to adjust. Trump will, and rightfully so, work to unravel existing trade barriers, and recalibrate relations by ending nearly 80 years of now unsustainable American economic and security protection. Americas president may be half-mad, but our friends abroad also need to realise that, without a strong tie to America, they would likely be reduced to little more than Chinese vassal states. Joel Kotkin is presidential fellow in urban futures at Chapman University and senior research fellow at the Civitas Institute at the University of Texas Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Members of the European Parliament plan to take part in this summer's Budapest Pride Parade in support of LGBTQ+ rights, despite a government-imposed ban. "I am looking forward to going to Budapest," said Marc Angel, a Luxembourg MEP and co-chair of a cross-party group of over 100 fellow lawmakers advocating for Europe's LGBTQ+ community, speaking in Strasbourg late Tuesday. Angel added that Iratxe Garcia, leader of the Socialists and Democrats (S&D) faction, had urged her party's lawmakers to attend the march, too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two weeks ago, Hungarys parliament hastily approved a bill banning the annual Pride event, backed by Prime Minister Viktor Orban's right-wing populist government. Participants face potential fines of up to 200,000 forints (around $540) for violating the ban, with authorities planning to use facial recognition technology to identify marchers. Both organizers and attendees could be penalized under the new law. Should the ban remain in place, Terry Reintke, a German politician co-leader of the Greens in the European Parliament, has vowed to travel to Budapest for the march, expecting many fellow Green lawmakers to join. Members of the European Parliament have expressed dismay at the new US administration's policy on Russia. A clear majority supports parliamentary reports criticizing appeasement towards Russia, the European Parliament said in a statement on Wednesday. "MEPs are worried about the fast pace at which the new US administration is reversing established partnerships and dismayed by its policy of appeasing Russia and targeting traditional allies," the statement said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Around two-thirds of the members present in Strasbourg for the vote voted in favour of reports on EU foreign and defence policy. It was also stated that the members of parliament "strongly deplore any attempts at blackmailing Ukraine's leadership into surrendering to the Russian aggressor for the sole purpose of announcing a 'peace deal.'" However, they also emphasized that it is more important than ever to continue to work with the United States. The members of parliament encourage EU member states to use bilateral diplomatic channels with their US partners, according to the statement. For nearly three decades, Eurostar has been the only rail operator running through the Channel Tunnel, connecting the UK with mainland Europe. But recent shifts in regulation and burgeoning demand for lower-carbon travel options have boosted interest from competitors. Companies from the UK and Europe are eagerly eyeing a share of the market, but starting services hasnt been easy. Expensive trains, limited space for them to be serviced, maintained, and stored, and Eurostars dominance have conspired to maintain the monopoly. But things are starting to change. A new report commissioned by the Office of Road and Rail has ruled that Eurostar must provide access to new operators at Temple Mills depot. It also demanded that HS1, the high-speed rail link between London and the Tunnel, reduce its fees from almost 30 per mile. Currently these are the highest fees in Europe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As each barrier comes down, excitement for new cross-Channel options rises. Several companies are confident their bids will be a success and claim that increased competition will ultimately mean lower prices for passengers. Which rail operators want to run Channel Tunnel services? While the Channel Tunnel has been open to competitors since 2010, no other operator has attempted to challenge Eurostars dominance. But recent regulatory shifts and legal challenges have seen interest accelerate, with several companies vying to provide new services. The Virgin Group is one such company and has stated a desire to launch cross-channel train services by 2029. Discussions are already underway for a fleet of trains to operate the service. Competing for access to the Chunnel is a Spanish-led consortium known as Evolyn. The company wants to launch high-speed services between London and Paris and has indicated it has reached an agreement with Alstom to purchase 12 high-speed trains for the service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also throwing its hat in the ring is a start-up called Gemini Trains. led by Lord Tony Berkeley, a British aristocrat and former Eurotunnel engineer. Gemini has applied for an operator's license to service Paris, Strasbourg, Cologne, and Geneva with a fleet of 10 trains by 2029. Other operators have previously expressed an interest in open access to the Channel Tunnel. Deutsche Bahn showcased a high-speed train at Londons St Pancras in 2010, signaling its intent to connect London with destinations in Germany, such as Frankfurt and Cologne. However, it has not yet officially joined the bidding war for services. Related New report brings Eurostar competition closer Since the opening of the Channel Tunnel in 1994, Eurostar has held a monopoly on rail services between the UK and Europe. Although theres been nothing stopping new operators from venturing into the market, barriers to entry have been high. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For a start, trains must be long enough to align with tunnel evacuation points, and there are various technical requirements that not many manufacturers can meet. The cost of acquiring new trains that comply with these requirements, estimated at 35 - 60 million per train, has deterred competitors from getting involved. In order to operate a cross-channel service, operators also need a depot. Londons St Pancras International and the Temple Mills maintenance depot are under Eurostars control, and it has frequently argued that Temple Mills is already at capacity. However, a new report, commissioned by the UKs Office of Road and Rail (ORR) and conducted by independent consultants IPEX, suggests this is not necessarily true. In its report, IPEX stated that there is some capacity at Temple Mills for more trains to be serviced, maintained, and stored. It says that some of the capacity can be accessed immediately, without any changes, but that the rest will be delivered through investment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Virgin Group applauded the findings of the report, saying that claims suggesting Temple Mills was at capacity have been blocking Virgins bid for cross-Channel services. Finally a green signal for competition, a spokesperson for Virgin says. There are no more major hurdles to overcome, and Virgin is ready to take up the challenge. However, Eurostar argues that the report effectively validates its claim that the depot is at capacity. A spokesperson said, It confirms what Eurostar has said all along: the Temple Mills depot is effectively almost full today for major maintenance work and would require investment to meet the growing demands of international rail. Eurostar notes that the options in the report could create some capacity, but this would not be enough to accommodate any single additional operator. Related Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Will new options be good for cross-Channel passengers? Increased competition on the Eurotunnel services is widely considered to bring benefits to passengers. In any market, more competition tends to lead to lower prices, better services and more choice, and the cross-Channel rail market is no different. Yann Leriche, CEO of Getlink (the company that operates the Channel Tunnel), told the BBC that through competition, the market will be more dynamic, all operators will improve their offer. I love Eurostars service, but competition keeps everyone on their toes, says Mark Smith, also known as the Man in Seat 61. The extra capacity this will bring has been shown to lower prices. Its definitely good news for travellers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While prices for Eurotunnel service may fall as competition hots up, having more choice is crucial to the attractiveness of rail options. Being able to travel directly to London from cities in Germany, Switzerland and beyond is a good first step in making rail a workable alternative to air travel and encouraging passengers to switcht to this lower carbon form of transportation. Smith further notes that there could be more connections in the UK too, as Gemini Trains has touted services from Ebbsfleet in Kent. Eurostar doesnt want to do that, he says. Lets also hope competitors will consider easier bike access and allowing dogs. Evanston voters appear to want to keep the momentum going on a number of issues in the city, including Ryan Field, reparations, Envision Evanston and others, by retaining the incumbent mayor, unofficial Cook County Clerks office election results show. Mayor Daniel Biss declared victory over challenger Jeff Boarini after unofficial results showed he had captured about 60% of the vote to about 40% for Boarini. I want to thank Jeff for running, for giving the community a choice, for making points and bringing forward issues that I think well all be better off for having discussed together, Biss said to his supporters at an election-night campaign gathering. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With 100% of Evanstons precincts tabulated in the April 1 election, unofficial results from the Cook County Clerks office show incumbent Evanston Council Members Clare Kelly, Krissie Harris, Bobby Burns, Jonathan Nieuwsma and Juan Geracaris leading in their races. City Councilmember Devon Reid (8th) was the only incumbent to be losing Tuesday night, unofficial results show, to former Evanston Land Use Commission Chair Matt Rodgers. City Councilmember Tom Suffredin was showing about a 9% lead over his challenger Candance Chow for the hotly contested 6th ward race, unofficial results showed. Newcomers Shawn Iles and Parielle Davis were also in the lead for open seats in the 3rd and 7th wards, respectively. In his next term, Biss will face big issues in Evanston, including charting the future of the Lorraine H. Morton Civic Center, continuing to oversee Ryan Field and dealing with a K-8 school district, Evanston-Skokie District 65, in dire financial straits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The next City Councils first big items will include the consideration of Envision Evanston, the citys comprehensive 20-year plan and an updated zoning code, which received heavy pushback from Evanston residents in the months leading into the election. Previously, Biss campaigned hard for the Envision Evanston plan, but the city had to dramatically slow the pace of the project due to dissenting voices. Envision Evanston 2045 was a tough issue in this campaign, Biss said. To those who are concerned about some of the changes weve been discussing, I hear you. I respect you. I appreciate that your voice is just as critical as every other voice, and thats why we slowed this down. Thats why we created opportunities for more discussion and more engagement. I need to say that every voice counts equally and so to those of you, or those maybe not in this room, who would say, Hey, nobody is asking for this, I say simply, you are wrong.' Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You dont know my friend, Katie, who, when you ask her how she feels about Evanston, she says, The thing I love best is the new bagel shop in my neighborhood, and I just want more people so there can be more customers for more small businesses like that,' Biss said. And you dont know the couple whose door I knocked on a couple months ago in the Fourth Ward who are way too busy with their multiple jobs and their small child to even really be paying attention to municipal politics at all. But when I ask them whats on their mind, they said, you know, we live in this two-unit building, and it was so hard for us to find something like this in this town Could you do something so we could have more of those in this town? Biss, a former state representative and state senator, has maintained that he will not seek higher office during his next term as Evanston mayor. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) A customer at a North Tampa convenience store was killed Monday night after being shot by an employee, according to police. Officers with the Tampa Police Department said they received a call around 6:14 p.m. regarding a disturbance at a 7-Eleven gas station located off North Nebraska Avenue. Man who stole gold bars from Tampa UPS driver caught trying to flee country: deputies Ive been living here for eight years now, and this is the first time Ive seen a crime like this, Christopher Rosario said. I dont know what happened. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police found a man with a gunshot wound when they arrived at the scene. He was taken to a local hospital where he later died from his injuries, according to the police department. Nothing really surprises you around here anymore, said Glenn McCall, a nearby business owner. You just have to watch what youre doing in certain areas and this is one of them. Investigators say the shooting started after an argument between the store clerk and the customer turned violent and deadly. Everybodys on edge, McCall said. It is what it is. Officials have not shared details about who was involved or if any charges will be filed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The employee is cooperating with the investigation, and police said there is no ongoing threat to the public. The case remains under investigation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. An ex-con who served seven years in state prison for manslaughter has been busted for making ghost guns in the Queens home he shares with his wife and mother, police said Wednesday. Glen Martinez, 53, was sound asleep when police early Monday morning broke down the door to his College Point apartment on Riviera Court near 121st St., police said. Martinez, clad only in his boxers, was arrested and hit with numerous gun possession charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I thought I had the right to bear arms, Martinez said, according to the court criminal complaint. Recovered inside the apartment were a Glock-style semi-automatic pistol, two silencers, three ammunition feeding devices, two lower receivers the part of the gun that holds the other components ammunition, two 3D printers and 59 spools of thermoplastic polymer filament used to print the weapons, according to the complaint. Martinezs wife and mother were not charged and appeared surprised to learn what he was doing when he was alone in his bedroom, a police source said. It appears Martinez was not selling ghost guns but is some sort of 3D printer hobbyist though a book detailing how to use the printers to make money was found in his apartment, the source said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And with his past you never know, the source added. Martinez was busted for murder in 1996 after Geraldo Albertorio, 20, was shot dead on the Lower East Side. The Daily News at the time reported the victim managed to identify his killer, telling police Martinez was angry that Martinezs sister had been arrested for drugs, with Albertorio failing to step up and claim the drugs belonged to him. Martinez pleaded guilty to manslaughter in May 1997, was sentenced to up to 12 years in state prison and released by parole in June 2004, a police source said. Martinez was arrested seven times after his release, including once for burglary and once for driving without a license. The other cases are sealed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His eighth arrest, for the ghost guns, was sparked when police learned he was receiving parts and equipment at his apartment typically used to make ghost guns, though Martinez tried to avoid detection by using in his mailing address the name Ken Martin, the source said. He had used that name when he worked as a photographer, the source said. Martinez pleaded not guilty at his arraignment in Queens Criminal Court and is being held on $50,000 bail. A spokesman for Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said Queens accounts for 38% of the ghost guns seized in the city since 2021. Last year, the spokesman said, 162 ghost guns were recovered in Queens, followed by 92 in the Bronx, 79 in Brooklyn, 35 in Manhattan and 16 on Staten Island. Former Costa Rican President Oscar Arias told reporters on Tuesday that the U.S. has revoked his visa to enter the country. The move comes several weeks after Arias, 84, criticized Donald Trump on social media, likening the president to a "Roman emperor." "I received an email from the U.S. government informing me that they have suspended the visa I have in my passport. The communication was very terse, it does not give reasons. One could have conjectures," he said, according to Reuters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arias speculated as to whether or not "the revoking of my visa is some sort of punishment because I say what I think." In February, Arias posted a comment on social media ahead of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio's high-profile visit to Costa Rica. Former Costa Rican President Oscar Arias Sanchez says his US visa has been revoked, and speculated it was because he criticized Donald Trump on social media (AP) "It has never been easy for a small country to disagree with the U.S. government, much less so, when its president behaves like a Roman emperor, telling the rest of the world what to do. In my governments, Costa Rica never received orders from Washington, as if we were a 'Banana Republic,'" Arias wrote, seemingly a jab at current Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves' apparent willingness to cooperate with the Trump administration. That commentary may have cost him his ability to travel to the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If someone wants to punish me in the hopes of silencing me, that isnt going to work, Arias said on Tuesday, according to the New York Times. Social media posts seemingly play a broader role in determining whether or not visa applicants are admitted to the US. On March 25, Rubio approved a cable informing all overseas U.S. missions that visa applicants can be denied if their social media posts or other actions suggest they have a "hostile attitude toward U.S. citizens or U.S. culture (including government, institutions, or founding principles)." Rubio bragged last week that he had signed more than 300 letters revoking the visas of students and visitors who he claimed had objectionable foreign policy views or had participated in criminal activities. Those people will be expelled from the US. Arias won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1987 for helping to negotiate an end to civil wars in Latin America. Many of the conflicts Arias helped to stop were exacerbated in part by the Reagan Doctrine guiding U.S. foreign policy at the time. During the Cold War, the U.S. was trying to counter the Soviet Union's foreign influence, and did so by funding armed rebel groups to oppose socialist and communist governments. Some of those rebel groups would go on to brutalize and displace local populations. ROME, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Two individuals were found dead in the wreckage of an ultralight aircraft that crashed Wednesday afternoon in the hinterland of Genoa, Italian media Rai News reported. According to eyewitnesses, the aircraft -- believed to be a Piper -- was flying at low altitude when it suddenly plummeted. It was reportedly seen flying close to the treetops before disappearing into a fogbank. A loud explosion was later heard in the area, confirming the crash. Firefighters, emergency medical services, and alpine rescue teams were deployed to the crash site. Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the incident. HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) A former Little River teacher who was arrested after allegedly having drugs on campus had his educator certificate suspended, according to the state Department of Education. Aaron Musick, 50, was arrested last month and charged with possession with intent to distribute drugs near a school and manufacturing, distribution and possession of narcotics. He was released on a $25,000 bond two days after his March 7 arrest. The SCDE has reason to believe that, due to the serious nature of this allegation of misconduct, Mr. Musick may pose a threat to the health, safety, and welfare of students who may be under his instruction, and that emergency action is required, the education departments order of summary suspension reads. After considering the evidence presented by the SCDE, the Chair of the State Board finds that Mr. Musicks educator certificate shall be summarily suspended until a due process hearing is held and/or this matter is otherwise resolved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to an Horry County police report, two people at Waterway Elementary School in Little River told police they searched his desk, backpack and coats after noticing his behavior and found a vial containing 5.23 grams of a white powder. They also found multiple prescription drugs with mismatched pills in the bottles in his desk and a straw with the powder on it. Musick had no criminal history involving narcotics before his arrest, according to arrest warrants. He submitted his resignation to the school district on March 10. Count on News13 for updates. * * * Caleb is a digital producer at News13. Caleb joined the team in January 2023 after graduating from Liberty University. He is from Northern Virginia. Follow Caleb on X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. VANCOUVER, Wash. (KOIN) Andrew Bubba Young was not only one of the unhappy vendors at the recent Vancouver Outdoor Expo, hes a former business partner of the event organizer Shane Barbour. Im sick to my stomach thinking about how Shane conducted business, Young told KOIN 6 News. Better off burning $1K in the middle of street One of the empty booths and empty aisles at the Vancouver Outdoor Expo at the Clark County Fairgrounds, March 28, 2025 (KOIN) Young said he was speechless when he saw the lack of attendees at the 3-day show at the Clark County Fairgrounds. He said as others have told KOIN 6 News he was promised tens of thousands of people would show up to the event. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Billy Sanborn, a vendor with Beach Bandit Crab Snares, said he was impressed there were 55,000 pre-sold tickets. Im like, Wow, thats going to be some good exposure for me. Heres my credit card.' He said he put off paying some bills to buy stuff for the show. And now its time to pay rent and I didnt make anything. Fairgrounds statement Other Vancouver vendors said the Clark County Fairgrounds had warning signs about Barbour. Several phone calls to the expo center, right here, begging them do not allow this guy Shane to use this venue for this expo, vendor Andrea Baker told KOIN 6 News. In a statement to KOIN 6 News, Fairgrounds Manager John Morrison said: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We received a call about an investigation being opened and we were asked if there was a show contracted here. We responded in the affirmative and were told there was nothing further we needed to do. At that time the promoter had satisfied all the contractual obligations for the event. We believed him Bubba Young said hes known Barbour for 13 years. He admitted his Sportsman Expo in Reno suffered the same lack of attendance as Barbours show in Vancouver, but he also said they were not in business together until recently. Asked if Barbour was ever involved in the Reno show, Young said, No, not at all. And hes never going to be. Now, as hundreds of vendors ask for their money back websites advertising Young and Barbours upcoming shows are still live. Young said they wont happen. Andrew Bubba Young was one of the vendors at the Vancouver Outdoor Expo, April 1, 2025 (KOIN) We believed him, just like all the other vendors there in Vancouver. We thought, shoot, this is going to be amazing, and its not. So those shows are canceled, he said. I have the paperwork right here for dissolving those companies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Young said he has refunded vendor deposits for expos in Spokane and Nampa and is working to cancel and refund the remaining two in Yakima and Wenatchee. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. YORK COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) It happened April 1 but was most certainly not a joke. On April 1, 1975, the first-ever 37 emergency medical technicians (EMTs) got credentials and hit the street in York County, which essentially changed the way that we know pre-hospital care today, said John Senft who was one of the 37 and would later become the city of Yorks fire chief. Nowadays, someone calling 911 because of an illness or injury can expect that of course someone with medical knowledge and technology will perform skilled care before they get to the hospital, and of course someone in the ambulance will speak with the hospital medical team so theyre as prepared as possible to take over when the patient arrives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But none of that was a given 50 years ago. This started as part of Pennsylvanias initiative to bring what we know as modern-day emergency medical services into the commonwealth, Senft said. Federal funding paid about 70 percent of the tab, he said; county commissioners agreed to cover the rest. Bob Whyland at 86 years old, the most senior of three class members who spoke Tuesday about their recollections said he recalls learning how to apply the right splints instead of tying a rope and a rock around an ankle and stretching it out. Two-way radios to dispatch ambulances, and for workers aboard ambulances to communicate with hospitals, came a few years later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carley Shaw, at 18 years old one of the countys newest EMTs, said the highlight of her short career so far was the first cardiac arrest she treated successfully, as it happens; shell never forget the patient opening his eyes and looking at her. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Severe Weather Alerts And if history is any guide, shell never forget that. Asked one of his favorite moments of a long career, Ken Myers also in that first graduating class recalled a patient who he estimated was between 5 and 7 years old. We had a crash on East Market Street, and we had our young kid go into cardiac arrest. And we were able to save him, Myers said. Thats one of the ones that sticks in my head most. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You can definitely tell theres a lot of loyalty to the career, Shaw said of the people like those gathered alongside her in a First Capital EMS station in West Manchester Township. People who are much older than me who just absolutely cant stop doing it. And I understand why. And what do they think of the enthusiasm of young people like Shaw? Im glad there are young people to care for me as I age gracefully, Senft said. But with that, certainly the demands today are much greater than what we had. But so, too, is the knowledge thanks partly to York Countys trailblazing first EMTs. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. By Leah Douglas and Timothy Gardner (Reuters) - The Trump administration has begun the process of reclassifying workers at some agencies to a new job category with fewer protections, according to two sources familiar with the situation and an email seen by Reuters. The moves, which the sources said are taking place at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Department of Energy, are the first evidence the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump is following through on a plan announced in his first day in office to recategorize tens of thousands of government workers to facilitate layoffs and remove career civil servants that may oppose its policies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was not immediately clear if reclassifications were under way at other agencies or how many employees at NOAA and DOE would be reclassified. Employees at NOAA's fisheries branch were told on Tuesday afternoon that the agency would soon alert those on a preliminary list for reclassification submitted to the Department of Commerce, which oversees NOAA, according to a copy of the email sent to staff and seen by Reuters. The email from acting assistant administrator Emily Menashes said that the list was subject to change and others could be added, and added there was no further information on the timeline for reclassifying the workers. "I understand that there is a lot of concern and uncertainty about Schedule Policy/Career and want to provide the best information currently available," she wrote in the email, referring to the job reclassifications. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some staff at the DOE have also been notified that they will be reclassified, according to another source familiar with the situation. A NOAA spokesperson said the agency does not discuss personnel matters, while the DOE did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Most of the 2.2 million employees of the federal government are hired to career positions that are not tied to specific administrations, and can only be fired for cause. Trump on January 20 signed an executive order creating the new "schedule policy/career" category of federal employees, who could be fired at will. The executive order pointed out that career federal employees had resisted and undermined the policies of the White House in the past. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two unions representing federal workers sued the administration in January hoping to slow down the effort to reclassify as many as 50,000 employees, arguing it was an attempt to politicize the federal workforce. In their new category, NOAA employees would remain career staff, not political appointees, but would be expected to support the administration's agenda, the email to fisheries staff said. The NOAA staff who received notification that they are on the preliminary list are supervisory researchers at offices including the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service; Oceanic and Atmospheric Research; National Ocean Service; and Office of Marine and Aviation Operations, according to a source familiar with the situation. Trump attempted to reclassify thousands of federal workers at the end of his first term, an effort supported by Russell Vought, his then and current director of the Office of Management and Budget. (Reporting by Leah Douglas; Editing by Richard Valdmanis and Chizu Nomiyama) I teach history in Connecticut, but I grew up in Oklahoma and Kansas, where my interest in the subject was sparked by visits to local museums. I fondly remember trips to the Fellow-Reeves Museum in Wichita, Kansas, and the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. A 1908 photograph of my great-grandparents picking cotton has been used as a poster by the Oklahoma Historical Society. This love of learning history continued into my years as a graduate student of history, when I would spend hours at the Smithsonian Institutions National Air and Space Museum learning about the history of human flight and ballooning. As a professor, Ive integrated the institutions exhibits into my history courses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration, however, is not happy with the way the Smithsonian Institution and other U.S. museums are portraying history. On March 27, 2025, the president issued an executive order, Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History, which asserted, Over the past decade, Americans have witnessed a concerted and widespread effort to rewrite our Nations history, replacing objective facts with a distorted narrative driven by ideology rather than truth. Under this historical revision, our Nations unparalleled legacy of advancing liberty, individual rights, and human happiness is reconstructed as inherently racist, sexist, oppressive, or otherwise irredeemably flawed. Trump singled out a few museums, including the Smithsonian, dedicating a whole section of the order on saving the institution from divisive, race-centered ideology. Of course, history is contested. There will always be a variety of views about what should be included and excluded from Americas story. For example, in my own research, I found that Prohibition-era school boards in the 1920s argued over whether it was appropriate for history textbooks to include pictures of soldiers drinking to illustrate the 1791 Whiskey Rebellion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But most recent debates center on how much attention should be given to the history of the nations accomplishments over its darker chapters. The Smithsonian, as a national institution that receives most of its funds from the federal government, has sometimes found itself in the crosshairs. Americas historical repository The Smithsonian Institution was founded in 1846 thanks to its namesake, British chemist James Smithson. Smithson willed his estate to his nephew and stated that if his nephew died without an heir, the money roughly US$15 million in todays dollars would be donated to the U.S. to found an establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge. The idea of a national institution dedicated to history, science and learning was contentious from the start. In her book The Stranger and the Statesman, historian Nina Burleigh shows how Smithsons bequest was nearly lost due to battles between competing interests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Southern plantation owners and western frontiersmen, including President Andrew Jackson, saw the establishment of a national museum as an unnecessary assertion of federal power. They also challenged the very idea of accepting a gift from a non-American and thought that it was beneath the dignity of the government to confer immortality on someone simply because of a large donation. In the end, a group led by congressman and former president John Quincy Adams ensured Smithsons vision was realized. Adams felt that the country was failing to live up to its early promise. He thought a national museum was an important way to burnish the ideals of the young republic and educate the public. Today the Smithsonian runs 14 education and research centers, the National Zoo and 21 museums, including the National Portrait Gallery and the National Museum of African American History and Culture, which was created with bipartisan support during President George W. Bushs administration. In the introduction to his book Smithsonians History of America in 101 Objects, cultural anthropologist Richard Kurin talks about how the institution has also supported hundreds of small and large institutions outside of the nations capital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2024, the Smithsonian sent over 2 million artifacts on loan to museums in 52 U.S. states and territories and 33 foreign countries. It also partners with over 200 affiliate museums. YouGov has periodically tracked Americans approval of the Smithsonian, which has held steady at roughly 68% approval and 2% disapproval since 2020. Smithsonian in the crosshairs Precursors to the Trump administrations efforts to reshape the Smithsonian took place in the 1990s. In 1991, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, which was then known as the National Museum of American Art, created an exhibition titled The West as America, Reinterpreting Images of the Frontier, 1820-1920. Conservatives complained that the museum portrayed western expansion as a tale of conquest and destruction, rather than one of progress and nation-building. The Wall Street Journal editorialized that the exhibit represented an entirely hostile ideological assault on the nations founding and history. The exhibition proved popular: Attendance to the National Museum of American Art was 60% higher than it had been during the same period the year prior. But the debate raised questions about whether public museums were able to express ideas that are critical of the U.S. without risk of censorship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1994, controversy again erupted, this time at the National Air and Space Museum over a forthcoming exhibition centered on the Enola Gay, the plane that dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima 50 years prior. Should the exhibition explore the loss of Japanese lives? Or emphasize the U.S. war victory? Veterans groups insisted that the atomic bomb ended the war and saved 1 million American lives, and demanded the removal of photographs of the destruction and a melted Japanese school lunch box from the exhibit. Meanwhile, other activists protested the exhibition by arguing that a symbol of human destruction shouldnt be commemorated at an institution thats supposed to celebrate human achievement. Protesters demonstrate against the opening of the Enola Gay exhibit outside the Smithsonian Institutions National Air and Space Museum in 1995. Joyce Naltchayan/AFP via Getty Images Republicans won the House in 1994 and threatened cuts to the Smithsonians budget over the Enola Gay exhibition, compelling curators to walk a tightrope. In the end, the fuselage of the Enola Gay was displayed in the Smithsonians National Air and Space Museum. But the exhibit would not tell the full story of the planes role in the war from a myriad of perspectives. Trump enters the fray In 2019, The New York Times launched the 1619 project, which aimed to reframe the countrys history by placing slavery and its consequences at its very center. The first Trump administration quickly responded by forming its 1776 commission. In January 2021, it produced a report critiquing the 1619 project, claiming that an emphasis on the countrys history of racism and slavery was counterproductive to promoting patriotic education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That same year, Trump pledged to build a vast outdoor park that will feature the statues of the greatest Americans to ever live, with 250 statues to mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. President Joe Biden rescinded the order in 2021. Trump reissued it after retaking the White House, and pointed to figures hed like to see included, such as Christopher Columbus, George Washington, Betsy Ross, Sitting Bull, Bob Hope, Thurgood Marshall and Whitney Houston. I dont think there is anything wrong with honoring Americans, though I think a focus on celebrities and major figures clouds the fascinating histories of ordinary Americans. I also find it troubling that there seems to be such a concerted effort to so forcefully shape the teaching and understanding of history via threats and bullying. Yale historian Jason Stanley has written about how aspiring authoritarian governments seek to control historical narratives and discourage an exploration of the complexities of the past. Historical scholarship requires an openness to debate and a willingness to embrace new findings and perspectives. It also involves the humility to accept that no one least of all the government has a monopoly on the truth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his executive order, Trump noted that Museums in our Nations capital should be places where individuals go to learn. I share that view. Doing so, however, means not dismantling history, but instead complicating the story in all its messy glory. The Conversation U.S. receives funding from the Smithsonian Institution. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Jennifer Tucker, Wesleyan University Read more: Jennifer Tucker does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. EXETER Three men arrested in Tuesdays police manhunt in the town forest were arraigned Wednesday. All are being held on preventive detention as a judge deemed them to be a danger to the community. Luis Rosado, 20, of Worcester, Massachusetts; Luis Negron, 20, of Lowell, Massachusetts; and Xavier Deleon, 19, of Lawrence, Massachusetts, were arrested Tuesday on charges of resisting arrest or detention after reports of gunfire near the Henderson-Swasey Town Forest. Rosado was also charged with simple assault and a second resisting arrest charge for allegedly hitting an Exeter police lieutenants arm during the incident. State police follow a K-9 on from the railroad tracks leading to the edge of Route 101 in Exeter April 1, 2025. A fourth man seen with the three is still unidentified and at large, according to Exeter Police Chief Stephan Poulin. Authorities searched for several hours in a large wooded area of the town forest with the help of several agencies, K9 teams, a drone, and a New Hampshire State Police helicopter. Poulin said Wednesday morning police are confident the suspect is no longer in the area. Exeter police say they are searching for this man believed to have been involved in an incident involving reported gunfire at the town forest on April 1, 2025. Anyone with information is asked to call 603-772-1212 or leave an anonymous tip to Seacoast Crime Stoppers by calling 603-431-1199 or online at seacoastcrimestoppers.com. Police released a photo of the individual Wednesday and asked anyone with information to call Exeter police at (603) 772-1212 or to leave an anonymous tip to the Seacoast Crime Stoppers by calling (603)431-1199 or online at seacoastcrimestoppers.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Previous story: Three arrested, one at large after gunfire reported in Exeter near town forest Police affidavit says officer assault led to manhunt Officers were dispatched to the area of the forest at approximately 12:24 p.m. Tuesday, according to Exeter police. They said at least two of the men were reported to be armed with a handgun, one of whom was wearing a ski mask, according to Poulin. Xavier Deleon Police were told by the person who called that there was a group of men shooting guns in the woods and laughing, according to a police affidavit written by Exeter police Lt. Devin West. When officers arrived at the scene, they walked down a trail and came upon two of the men, Rosado and the fourth person, who evaded police that day. Luis Rosado West wrote in the affidavit that he asked Rosado if they had been shooting in the woods, to which Rosado replied, no. Rosado then asked West if he could tell them where they were, and when West approached him, he noticed a firearm in Rosados pocket. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is when police say Rosado allegedly assaulted West by hitting him. Luis Negron I then grabbed his right hand in an attempt to handcuff and detain him, West wrote. He immediately pulled away, striking my hand in the process. West stated, at that point, Rosado, his unidentified accomplice, and the two other men ran away. The officer wrote he then pulled out his firearm, pointed it at Rosado, and yelled, stop. West then chased the unidentified man, while officer Arthur Joseph, who was with West, pursued Rosado. West wrote he also saw the other two men running in the direction of the Western Front biking trail. Exeter area schools went into lockdown due to a nearby police investigation Tuesday, April 1, 2025, in which a heavy officer presence was seen on Epping Road. Unable to apprehend the fleeing suspect, West assisted Joseph, who had detained Rosado and recovered a firearm from him, according to West. Other officers located the remaining two men on Industrial Drive, West wrote. West and Joseph also discovered a second handgun along the trail, as well as a shoe matching the one Deleon was missing when apprehended, and a balaclava, or ski mask, reportedly worn by one of the suspects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a separate affidavit, Exeter police detective Patrick Mulholland stated Deleon told officers he had been "jumped." When asked for further details, Deleon refused to comment until speaking to an attorney. Mulholland noted Deleons wet pant legs, suggesting he had traversed a wooded area. Deleon was detained along with Negron, who was with Deleon at the time, according to Mulholland. When Joseph arrived, he said the two suspects fit the description of the men seen running, Mulholland wrote. Joseph indicated one of them could have been wearing the ski mask, noting the person had a dark complexion visible under the mask. Exeter police say more charges could be forthcoming Poulin said the investigation is ongoing and more charges may be forthcoming. Poulin said while they were not immediately charged with firearms violations, he said it could be illegal to shoot in the town woods depending on proximity to homes, vehicles and people walking or hiking, which would be considered reckless conduct. It is also illegal to assault an officer and then to run after being told to stop, Poulin said. These crimes coupled with being armed with firearms, unknown identities and unknown reasons for shooting (at what, at who?) sparked the need for further investigation and to locate (them). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The three men are now awaiting their next hearing. Mulholland, who served as prosecutor at the arraignment, said resisting arrest would not normally result in preventive detention, but he said given the circumstances of the case they were considered a danger to the public. Mulholland told the judge Negron was previously convicted of assault and battery assault with a dangerous weapon in 2023 and was on probation. The other two did not have adult criminal records, although Mulholland said Deleon has an active warrant issued Tuesday from Massachusetts from the Department of Youth Services. Rosado said he would not be a flight risk if he returned to his community. He said he lives with his family and wants to return to work and care for his son. The judge said while Rosado did not have an adult criminal history, there was evidence he was a flight risk because he ran from police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Local schools were advised to remain on lockdown in Exeter and Newfields during the incident out of an abundance of caution, though police said there was no direct threat. This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Exeter police allege officer assaulted before manhunt Lebanon city officials are hoping to ramp up foot traffic in the downtown after major construction finishes on a multi-year revitalization project to improve sidewalks and features along Cumberland Street. City, state and county officials, along with various community leaders, gathered at the Lebanon City Hall Tuesday, April 1, for theLebanon Streetscape Project ribbon cutting. The $5.2 million construction project encompassed Cumberland Street from 4th through 12th Streets, and included decorative sidewalk areas, curb extensions and the replacement of some existing trees. Lebanon City Mayor Sherry Capello said that creating a more pedestrian friendly environment helps to boost local businesses and property values. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Improving sidewalks encourages people to explore the downtown area on foot," she said. "Features like crosswalks, curb extensions and pedestrian signals prioritize pedestrians, creating a more welcoming environment for shoppers, diners and visitors." Government officials and community leaders gathered at the Lebanon City Hall April 1 for the Lebanon Streetscape Project ribbon cutting, a $5.2 million construction project on Cumberland St. that included decorative sidewalk areas, curb extensions and tree replacements. Designed by Steckbeck Engineering & Surveying and built by Doug Lamb Construction, the project consisted of works including 100-foot-long section of sidewalk on the south side of Cumberland St. between 428 and 5th street and an 8-inch-wide straight curb for the southwest corner of Chapel St. The two-year construction project caused multiple detours and delays on Cumberland Street, with crews tearing out sidewalks in front of local businesses and traffic delays. However, many officials Tuesday said that the hassles were worth it for the streetscape that now lines the Lebanon downtown. "I will say as someone who has walked downtown many, many times, you could not walk and text at the same time downtown because the sidewalks were so uneven," Karen Groh, president and CEO of the Lebanon Valley Chamber of Commerce, said during the ceremony. "Now they are so beautiful, you don't want to walk and text the same time because the architecture shines through in the way everything has been enhanced." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Plans to renovate the streetscape began in 2016 while officials were looking to move the Lebanon City Hall back to the downtown. Capello said she was visiting the city of Easton, where she fell in love with their streetscape. "I'm like 'We need to have that here in Lebanon,' because it just looked so fresh, new, inviting and I just thought that would help with revitalization," she said. Steckbeck Engineering Director of Civil Engineering Stephen Sherk and Lebanon City Mayor Sherry Capello, along with other officials, talked Tuesday about the efforts to complete the streetscape project. The nine-year project received $100,000 from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Multimodal Transportation Fund and more than $5.1 million in American Rescue Plan funding, according to Capello. While city officials would like to continue streetscaping projects for other areas in the downtown, they would need to look for outside funding to do a similar project because "concrete is very expensive." "So when we first sprung the idea on everyone, it was supposed to be a public/private partnership with the property owners," Capello said. "But then when we were able to get ARPA funding, cause we knew not everyone would be able to afford it, we just used the ARPA funding to make it happen." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Capello added that if the city would look into doing other areas, there would likely have to be a public/private partnership with property owners paying for some of the improvements. City officials moving forward are working on a downtown retail strategy, which include working with consulting services to create a virtual, on-demand training portal for small businesses. Capello said many local businesses are still struggling with issues like supply and demand issues, online competition and staffing shortages. "Those challenges still exist, so we're hoping that maybe we can provide some sort of support to help come up with some ideas," she said. "How successful we will be with that, I'm not sure. But we need to try. We need to try, and we want to be there to help and support them." Matthew Toth is a reporter for the Lebanon Daily News. Reach him at mtoth@ldnews.com or on X at @DAMattToth. This article originally appeared on Lebanon Daily News: Lebanon city officials celebrate completion of streetscape project TOPEKA (KSNT) 27 News is looking at some Topeka businesses that have survived the test of time this week. We combed through online directories and cross-referenced older publications to build a list of businesses that have been operating for over 100 years. A photograph of the home on the Topeka Cemetery grounds from June 10, 1890, in Topeka, Kansas. The boy on the horse is possibly David O. Crane. Photo courtesy of the Kansas Historical Society. The Topeka Cemetery may be the oldest business in Topeka still in operation today. It was established in January 1859 and later incorporated in October 1877. Superintendent Lisa Ford said when Topekas founders saw the city was growing faster than anticipated, the city cemetery at 10th Street and Kansas Avenue was moved to the Topeka Cemetery. Ford said Topekans didnt want a cemetery in the center of town, so a donation was made by Dr. Franklin Crane to build the Topeka Cemetery. Ford said that in recent years, bones were found at the original city cemetery site at 10th Street and Kansas Avenue; she said those bones were later repatriated to the Topeka Cemetery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We were originally designated a cemetery, Ford said. Its never been anything else; it has always been occupied by someone residing in the cemetery; its changed hands several different times. A photo of a procession of cars attending a funeral at the Topeka Cemetery. Photo provided courtesy of the Topeka Cemetery. A historic photo of the Topeka Cemetery Office. Photo provided courtesy of the Topeka Cemetery. Dr. Franklin Loomis Crane moved to the Topeka Cemetery property in 1855 and started building a house. He quarried limestone from the grounds for the construction, according to the Topeka Cemetery. Topeka author publishes third book in series Rhonda Jensen is the owner of Reuters Shoes, a business that has been operating since 1880. Jensen said there has always been a need for shoe repair, which has given her business longevity, but noted the business has had to adapt to the times. A photograph showing the entrance and display window at Reuters Shoe Store between 1915 and 1920. Photo courtesy of the Kansas Historical Society. [We] work with problematic feet, thats how weve had the same business, Jensen said. Back when polio was a big deal in the 50s and 60s, a lot of the shoe repair people collaborated with the doctors. It kind of evolved. Polio is pretty much gone now, but now we have diabetes, which is a pandemic; there are about 38 million diabetics in the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jensen said the COVID-19 pandemic nearly killed her business. She said customers had a hard time seeing their doctors to be prescribed pedorthic remedies. Im still struggling from the pandemic; we were basically closed for two years, Jensen said. Junction City Eagle Scout cleans community skate park Joseph Frobisher, the owner of The Aurora at Vinewood, said its going on 150 years in business. Frobisher said The Aurora at Vinewood has been many things over the years. He said it started as an amusement park and has been a roadhouse, dancehall and event venue at different times over the years. We hosted the Capper Foundation for a fundraiser, they were telling us Mr. Capper used to throw his birthday party there, Frobisher said. He would trolly people out. They would trolly everyone back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Frobisher said The Aurora at Vinewood has changed over time to fit the needs of the community. He said one of the most important things for the business is community involvement. We host a lot of nonprofit fundraisers because its a way for us to plug ourselves back into the community, Frobisher said. I think community involvement is critically important. Gov. Kelly proclaims April as Kansas Safe Digging Month 27 News compiled a list of some of the oldest businesses in the Capital City in the table below. Have we missed any? Let us know by contacting colter.robinson@ksnt.com. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. This photo taken on March 31, 2025 shows the exhibition booth of "Invest in China" at Hannover Messe 2025 in Hannover, Germany. Held under the theme "energizing a sustainable industry," the five-day event has drawn more than 3,800 exhibitors from around 60 countries and regions. Chinese companies make up a significant portion of participants, with around 1,000 exhibitors, making China the second-largest exhibitor group after host country Germany. (Xinhua/Du Zheyu) A visitor talks with staff members at the exhibition booth of Jufeng Power at Hannover Messe 2025 in Hannover, Germany, on April 1, 2025. Held under the theme "energizing a sustainable industry," the five-day event has drawn more than 3,800 exhibitors from around 60 countries and regions. Chinese companies make up a significant portion of participants, with around 1,000 exhibitors, making China the second-largest exhibitor group after host country Germany. (Xinhua/Du Zheyu) People visit the exhibition booth of NIO at Hannover Messe 2025 in Hannover, Germany, on April 1, 2025. Held under the theme "energizing a sustainable industry," the five-day event has drawn more than 3,800 exhibitors from around 60 countries and regions. Chinese companies make up a significant portion of participants, with around 1,000 exhibitors, making China the second-largest exhibitor group after host country Germany. (Xinhua/Du Zheyu) Visitors talk at the exhibition booth of Epsea at Hannover Messe 2025 in Hannover, Germany, on April 1, 2025. Held under the theme "energizing a sustainable industry," the five-day event has drawn more than 3,800 exhibitors from around 60 countries and regions. Chinese companies make up a significant portion of participants, with around 1,000 exhibitors, making China the second-largest exhibitor group after host country Germany. (Xinhua/Du Zheyu) Visitors talk with staff members at the exhibition booth of Deman at Hannover Messe 2025 in Hannover, Germany, on April 1, 2025. Held under the theme "energizing a sustainable industry," the five-day event has drawn more than 3,800 exhibitors from around 60 countries and regions. Chinese companies make up a significant portion of participants, with around 1,000 exhibitors, making China the second-largest exhibitor group after host country Germany. (Xinhua/Du Zheyu) Visitors watch a robot performing at the exhibition booth of Unitree at Hannover Messe 2025 in Hannover, Germany, on April 1, 2025. Held under the theme "energizing a sustainable industry," the five-day event has drawn more than 3,800 exhibitors from around 60 countries and regions. Chinese companies make up a significant portion of participants, with around 1,000 exhibitors, making China the second-largest exhibitor group after host country Germany. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan) People visit the exhibition booth of Cainiao at Hannover Messe 2025 in Hannover, Germany, on April 1, 2025. Held under the theme "energizing a sustainable industry," the five-day event has drawn more than 3,800 exhibitors from around 60 countries and regions. Chinese companies make up a significant portion of participants, with around 1,000 exhibitors, making China the second-largest exhibitor group after host country Germany. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan) People walk past the exhibition booth of Zhongguancun Science City at Hannover Messe 2025 in Hannover, Germany, on April 1, 2025. Held under the theme "energizing a sustainable industry," the five-day event has drawn more than 3,800 exhibitors from around 60 countries and regions. Chinese companies make up a significant portion of participants, with around 1,000 exhibitors, making China the second-largest exhibitor group after host country Germany. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan) People visit the exhibition booth of Huawei at Hannover Messe 2025 in Hannover, Germany, on April 1, 2025. Held under the theme "energizing a sustainable industry," the five-day event has drawn more than 3,800 exhibitors from around 60 countries and regions. Chinese companies make up a significant portion of participants, with around 1,000 exhibitors, making China the second-largest exhibitor group after host country Germany. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan) Visitors talk at the exhibition booth of Degson at Hannover Messe 2025 in Hannover, Germany, on April 1, 2025. Held under the theme "energizing a sustainable industry," the five-day event has drawn more than 3,800 exhibitors from around 60 countries and regions. Chinese companies make up a significant portion of participants, with around 1,000 exhibitors, making China the second-largest exhibitor group after host country Germany. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan) This photo taken on April 1, 2025 shows a robot at the exhibition booth of Hkpc at Hannover Messe 2025 in Hannover, Germany. Held under the theme "energizing a sustainable industry," the five-day event has drawn more than 3,800 exhibitors from around 60 countries and regions. Chinese companies make up a significant portion of participants, with around 1,000 exhibitors, making China the second-largest exhibitor group after host country Germany. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan) A visitor watches a robot performing at the exhibition booth of Unitree at Hannover Messe 2025 in Hannover, Germany, on April 1, 2025. Held under the theme "energizing a sustainable industry," the five-day event has drawn more than 3,800 exhibitors from around 60 countries and regions. Chinese companies make up a significant portion of participants, with around 1,000 exhibitors, making China the second-largest exhibitor group after host country Germany. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan) A visitor talks with a staff member at the exhibition booth of CRRC at Hannover Messe 2025 in Hannover, Germany, on March 31, 2025. Held under the theme "energizing a sustainable industry," the five-day event has drawn more than 3,800 exhibitors from around 60 countries and regions. Chinese companies make up a significant portion of participants, with around 1,000 exhibitors, making China the second-largest exhibitor group after host country Germany. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan) People walk past exhibition area of Chinese companies at Hannover Messe 2025 in Hannover, Germany, on March 31, 2025. Held under the theme "energizing a sustainable industry," the five-day event has drawn more than 3,800 exhibitors from around 60 countries and regions. Chinese companies make up a significant portion of participants, with around 1,000 exhibitors, making China the second-largest exhibitor group after host country Germany. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan) People visit the exhibition booth of Lenovo at Hannover Messe 2025 in Hannover, Germany, on March 31, 2025. Held under the theme "energizing a sustainable industry," the five-day event has drawn more than 3,800 exhibitors from around 60 countries and regions. Chinese companies make up a significant portion of participants, with around 1,000 exhibitors, making China the second-largest exhibitor group after host country Germany. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan) People talk at the exhibition booth of "Invest in China" at Hannover Messe 2025 in Hannover, Germany, on April 1, 2025. Held under the theme "energizing a sustainable industry," the five-day event has drawn more than 3,800 exhibitors from around 60 countries and regions. Chinese companies make up a significant portion of participants, with around 1,000 exhibitors, making China the second-largest exhibitor group after host country Germany. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan) People visit the exhibition booth of Shanghai Electric Group at Hannover Messe 2025 in Hannover, Germany, on March 31, 2025. Held under the theme "energizing a sustainable industry," the five-day event has drawn more than 3,800 exhibitors from around 60 countries and regions. Chinese companies make up a significant portion of participants, with around 1,000 exhibitors, making China the second-largest exhibitor group after host country Germany. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan) People talk at the exhibition booth of CHN Energy at Hannover Messe 2025 in Hannover, Germany, on April 1, 2025. Held under the theme "energizing a sustainable industry," the five-day event has drawn more than 3,800 exhibitors from around 60 countries and regions. Chinese companies make up a significant portion of participants, with around 1,000 exhibitors, making China the second-largest exhibitor group after host country Germany. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan) People visit the exhibition booth of Huawei at Hannover Messe 2025 in Hannover, Germany, on April 1, 2025. Held under the theme "energizing a sustainable industry," the five-day event has drawn more than 3,800 exhibitors from around 60 countries and regions. Chinese companies make up a significant portion of participants, with around 1,000 exhibitors, making China the second-largest exhibitor group after host country Germany. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan) Visitors talk at the exhibition booth of ZWSOFT at Hannover Messe 2025 in Hannover, Germany, on April 1, 2025. Held under the theme "energizing a sustainable industry," the five-day event has drawn more than 3,800 exhibitors from around 60 countries and regions. Chinese companies make up a significant portion of participants, with around 1,000 exhibitors, making China the second-largest exhibitor group after host country Germany. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan) Claim: A screenshot circulating online in early April 2025 authentically showed a Truth Social post by U.S. President Donald Trump in which he announced he would be ending dual citizenship in the U.S. Rating: Rating: Fake On April Fools' Day 2025, a claim began circulating online that U.S. President Donald Trump had announced the end of dual citizenship for U.S. citizens via a Truth Social post, meaning that people holding U.S. citizenship would no longer be able to hold citizenships for other countries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For example, one X user posted a screenshot of the alleged Truth Social post attributed to Trump (archived) that read: STARTING ON MONDAY, I AM ENDING DUAL CITIZENSHIP UNDER THE ESPIONAGE ACT AND ALL THESE TRAITORS WILL BE 'DENATURALIZED AND DEPORTED' TO THE COUNTRY THEY CAME FROM. NO EXCEPTIONS!!!!! AMERICA IS FOR AMERICANS, NOT ALL THESE FOREIGNERS WHO HATE OUR GREAT COUNTRY AND DON'T EVEN PAY TAXES. The X post had amassed more than 3.9 million views and 77,000 likes as of this writing. The rumor also appeared in a YouTube video posted by a junk content channel that shares dubious rumors. (X / @guelphgirlchris) Some people replied to the X post wondering if the supposed policy would apply to Israel and Jewish people. Another suggested it could apply to the president's wife, Melania Trump, and his son, Barron Trump, while several others inquired about the status of Elon Musk, the tech magnate who is the public face of Trump's advisory initiative, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Snopes reported in March 2024, Musk holds three citizenships: one for South Africa, where he was born, one for Canada, which he obtained through his Canadian mother Maye Musk, and one for the U.S., of which he became naturalized in 2002. Similarly, according to the book "The Art of Her Deal: The Untold Story of Melania Trump," Melania and Barron are both dual citizens of the U.S. and Slovenia, the first lady's country of origin. However, a review of Trump's Truth Social feed revealed no evidence that he had announced such a measure. Likewise, a search for the term "I am ending dual citizenship" on Trump's Truth a website that archives the president's Truth Social posts, including those that are deleted produced no results matching the alleged post in the screenshot posted on X. In fact, there were numerous signs that the screenshot showed was fabricated. First, the format of the text in the screenshot was different from the format of the text in authentic Truth Social posts. Second, a separate, genuine post (archived) on his feed was posted at the exact same time 4 p.m. (ET) on March 30, 2025 but with different comments, which suggests that this was used as a template to create the fake post. Therefore, we have rated this screenshot and claim as fake. Indeed, while many countries prohibit dual citizenship, including China, Iran and San Marino, the U.S. does not. As of this writing, the U.S. State Department's website reads (emphasis ours): U.S. law does not impede its citizens' acquisition of foreign citizenship whether by birth, descent, naturalization or other form of acquisition, by imposing requirements of permission from U.S. courts or any governmental agency. If a foreign country's law permits parents to apply for citizenship on behalf of minor children, nothing in U.S. law impedes U.S. citizen parents from doing so. U.S. law does not require a U.S. citizen to choose between U.S. citizenship and another (foreign) nationality (or nationalities). A U.S. citizen may naturalize in a foreign state without any risk to their U.S. citizenship. Sources: Dual Nationality. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/travel-legal-considerations/Relinquishing-US-Nationality/Dual-Nationality.html. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rascouet-Paz, Anna. 'Elon Musk Is an Immigrant?' Snopes, 29 Mar. 2024, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/elon-musk-immigrant/. 'The Art of Her Deal - Boston Public Library - OverDrive'. Boston Public Library, https://bpl.overdrive.com/media/5373660. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025. What Is Dual Citizenship & Countries That Allow Dual Citizenship. https://www.endevio.com/en/insights/countries-that-allow-dual-citizenship. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025. Claim: In March 2025, billionaire Elon Musk, a close ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, offered money to Wisconsin residents for voting in the state's Supreme Court election. Rating: Rating: True Context: Musk removed an initial post offering the money to two people for "taking the time to vote" and later said the $1 million was for people "to be spokesmen" for a political petition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk offered $100 to any Wisconsin resident who signed or shared a petition created by his political action committee, America PAC. On March 28, 2025, he also announced on X he would give $1 million to two people who voted in the upcoming Wisconsin State Supreme Court election. The following day, Musk deleted his post announcing the $1 million giveaway and slightly changed the terms so that it was eligible to anyone who signed the petition, not to anyone who had voted in the election. Wisconsin's attorney general sued Musk, as state law bans giving "anything of value to an elector in order to induce the elector to go to the polls, vote or refrain from voting, or vote for a particular person." Wisconsin appeals courts allowed the giveaway to proceed after Musk changed the terms, although some experts still considered the giveaway legally dubious. This is not the first time Musk has offered to give money to voters before changing the terms after legal challenges he tried an almost identical strategy in Pennsylvania in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election. On March 27, 2025, Elon Musk, the tech billionaire and close ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, posted to his social media platform X announcing that at an upcoming rally in Green Bay, Wisconsin, he would "personally hand over two checks for a million dollars each" to two people who had voted in the state's Supreme Court election. While Musk deleted the post (for reasons we discuss later), the outrage was immediate. Numerous social media users accused him of trying to bribe voters with various amounts of money either $100 or $1 million. Snopes readers searched the site hoping to learn more. The claim is true Musk did make a social media post announcing he would give $1 million to two voters in Wisconsin's Supreme Court election but it also requires context, as Musk quickly deleted the post, changed the terms of the giveaway and faced a lawsuit from Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul. Here's what to know: 'The most expensive judicial election ever' Wisconsin, a swing state that voted for Joe Biden in 2020 but Trump in 2016 and 2024, currently has a 4-3 liberal majority on its Supreme Court, and the election is to replace a retiring liberal justice. As such, the vote will decide whether the conservative or liberal bloc of judges has a majority on the court in the next years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The election is now the "most expensive judicial election ever," according to the Brennan Center for Justice, a nonpartisan think tank working to "uphold the values of democracy." Although the race is officially nonpartisan, the lack of a "D" and "R" on the ballot isn't keeping Democrats and Republicans out of the race. Brad Schimel, a Waukesha County judge and a former state attorney general, has Trump's endorsement, while former President Barack Obama endorsed Dane County Judge Susan Crawford. Political pundits have painted the race as a referendum on the first few months of Trump's second term as president. The petition and the giveaway On March 20, 2025, America PAC, a political action committee founded by Musk, released a petition on its website titled "Petition in Opposition to Activist Judges." The petition was largely in line with rhetoric from Republican talking points claiming that judges issuing orders stopping or slowing down Trump's agenda were improperly taking matters into their own hands. According to a social media post from America PAC, Wisconsin residents could receive $100 for signing it, and an additional $100 for every person they referred. The petition required signees to provide their name, address, email and phone number. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On March 27, America PAC announced that Scott Ainsworth of Green Bay, Wisconsin, had received $1 million for signing the petition. Later that day, Musk upped the ante. In a since-deleted post on X, he announced he would "give a talk in Wisconsin" open only to "those who have voted in the Supreme Court election." This post said that two people would receive $1 million checks "in appreciation for you taking the time to vote." (While the archived version of the post linked in this article indicates that Musk made the post on March 28, this is due to time zone differences the screenshot of the post featured in a lawsuit filed by the Wisconsin attorney general listed the posting time as 11:57 p.m. on March 27). That offer was illegal under Wisconsin state law According to The Associated Press, which spoke to several legal experts, Musk's initial offer was illegal because Wisconsin state law forbids giving "anything of value" to a potential voter in order to influence them to vote, not vote or vote a certain way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Musk quickly deleted his post and altered the terms of his giveaway, posting to X that "entrance [to his speech] is limited to those who have signed the petition in opposition to activist judges," and that the two $1 million checks were for people who would "be spokesmen for the petition." The same day, Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul sued Musk for violating the state law. The lawsuit read: Wisconsin law forbids anyone from offering or promising to give anything of value to an elector in order to induce the elector to go to the polls, vote or refrain from voting, or vote for a particular person. Wis. Stat. 12.11(1m). Musk's announcement of his intention to pay $1 million to two Wisconsin electors who attend his event on Sunday night, specifically conditioned on their having voted in the upcoming April 3, 2025, Wisconsin Supreme Court election, is a blatant attempt to violate Wis. Stat. 12.11. This must not happen. The lawsuit relied on the following argument: The state law includes the word "offers," in addition to "gives" or "promises to give," as falling under bribery. While Musk deleted the X post, he never officially announced the offer was off the table, meaning he was still in violation of the statute. Court OK'd giveaway after Musk changed the terms A Wisconsin appeals court rejected the lawsuit, allowing Musk's giveaway to proceed under the revised rules. On March 30, Musk handed out the two $1 million checks at his speech in Green Bay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, according to some experts the AP spoke to, the revised rules were still somewhat questionable. Richard Painter, a University of Minnesota law professor and White House ethics chief under former President George W. Bush, said the revision "at least purports to comply with Wisconsin law." Bryna Godar, staff attorney for the State Democracy Research Initiative at the University of Wisconsin Law School, said the new terms placed the rally and giveaway in a "gray area." Musk has done this before In the weeks leading up to the 2024 presidential election, Musk announced $47, and then $100, giveaways to people who signed a separate America PAC petition. He later announced a few $1 million check giveaways for voters in swing states such as Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Arizona. In that case, the America PAC petition was open only to those who had registered to vote. UCLA law professor Rick Hasen, who runs the Election Law Blog, wrote that the giveaway was "clearly illegal." Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner sued Musk on the grounds that his giveaway was an "illegal lottery scheme," and the U.S. Justice Department warned Musk that it could violate federal laws, according to CNN. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just like in Wisconsin, America PAC quickly reframed the giveaways, saying that the winners would "earn $1 million as a spokesperson for America PAC." However, a lawyer for Musk said in the Pennsylvania case that the $1 million presidential election giveaways weren't random, and that the checks were given to "people who signed the petition who [America PAC] thought would be a good fit to represent the organization." (It is unclear whether the Wisconsin giveaway was random). A Pennsylvania judge ruled in favor of Musk and America PAC in that case because the prosecution had not shown that his giveaway was an illegal lottery. NBC News, citing several experts, reported that there could be more legal problems. Since the admission that winners were not chosen randomly contradicted earlier statements from Musk saying that the winners were random, Musk and America PAC could be violating a law that bans misleading and deceiving marketing practices. (In the Wisconsin case, Musk's posts did not state whether the winners would be chosen randomly.) Sources: 264. The Most Expensive Judicial Election Ever | Brennan Center for Justice. 24 Mar. 2025, https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/most-expensive-judicial-election-ever. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 241003509 Krasner v Musk Philadelphia | Cases of Public Interest | News & Statistics | Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania. https://www.pacourts.us/news-and-statistics/cases-of-public-interest/241003509-krasner-v-musk-philadelphia. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025. Beck, Jesse Lin, Daniel Bice, Alison Dirr and Molly. "Green Bay Man Who Won First $1 Million from Elon Musk's PAC Identified in Social Media Posts." Green Bay Press-Gazette, https://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/story/news/politics/elections/2025/03/28/elon-musks-pac-identifies-green-bay-man-who-won-1-million/82702638007/. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025. Cohen, Evan Perez, Hannah Rabinowitz, Marshall. "Justice Department Warns Elon Musk That His $1 Million Giveaway to Registered Voters May Be Illegal | CNN Politics." CNN, 23 Oct. 2024, https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/23/politics/elon-musk-justice-department-letter/index.html. Cohen, Marshall. "Philadelphia DA Sues Elon Musk and His Super PAC over $1M Sweepstakes | CNN Politics." CNN, 28 Oct. 2024, https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/28/politics/elon-musk-philadelphia-lawsuit/index.html. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Elon Musk Hands out $1 Million Payments after Wisconsin Supreme Court Declines Request to Stop Him." AP News, 30 Mar. 2025, https://apnews.com/article/wisconsin-supreme-court-musk-million-dollar-giveaway-cdea66e0dcbaa53dd183e1d10bee2b35. "Elon Musk's Lawyer Says $1M Giveaway Winners Not Randomly Chosen, Which Could Raise Legal Issues." NBC News, 4 Nov. 2024, https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/elon-musks-lawyer-says-1m-winners-arent-randomly-chosen-raise-legal-is-rcna178711. Hasen, Rick. "Elon Musk Veers Into Clearly Illegal Vote Buying, Offering $1 Million Per Day Lottery Prize Only to Registered Voters." Election Law Blog, 19 Oct. 2024, https://electionlawblog.org/?p=146397. "Meet the Candidates Running in the 2025 Wisconsin Supreme Court Election." WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR, 18 Mar. 2025, https://www.wuwm.com/meet-the-candidates-running-in-the-2025-wisconsin-supreme-court-election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Musk Announces $1 Million for Wisconsin Voter in 2025 State Supreme Court Race, Which the Opposition Calls 'Corrupt.'" PBS Wisconsin, https://pbswisconsin.org/news-item/musk-announces-1-million-for-wisconsin-voter-in-2025-state-supreme-court-race-which-the-opposition-calls-corrupt/. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025. "Musk Group Offers $100 to Voters in Wisconsin Ahead of the State's 2025 Supreme Court Election." PBS Wisconsin, https://pbswisconsin.org/news-item/musk-group-offers-100-to-voters-in-wisconsin-ahead-of-the-states-2025-supreme-court-election/. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025. "Musk Offers Voters $1 Million a Day to Sign PAC Petition Backing the Constitution. Is That Legal?" AP News, 20 Oct. 2024, https://apnews.com/article/musk-1-million-giveaway-trump-voters-petition-b4e48acbfe04fde735e60b1911ad0197. Network, The NPR. "The Wisconsin Supreme Court Vote Is Getting National Attention and Millions from Musk." NPR, 31 Mar. 2025. NPR, https://www.npr.org/2025/03/31/nx-s1-5338901/wisconsin-judge-election-musk-trump-abortion. Press, The Associated. "Elon Musk's $1 Million-a-Day Voter Sweepstakes Can Proceed, a Pennsylvania Judge Says." NPR, 5 Nov. 2024. NPR, https://www.npr.org/2024/11/05/g-s1-32345/elon-musk-voter-sweepstakes-proceed. Reuters. "Elon Musk Sued over $1m-a-Day Election Giveaway." The Guardian, 6 Nov. 2024. The Guardian, https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/nov/05/elon-musk-america-pac-election-giveaway-lawsuit. SA, JR Ross. "Musk PAC Offering Wisconsin Voters $100 to Sign Petition Opposing Activist Judges." WisPolitics, 21 Mar. 2025, https://www.wispolitics.com/2025/musk-pac-offering-wisconsin-voters-100-to-sign-petition-opposing-activist-judges/. Schleifer, Theodore. "Elon Musk Backtracks on a Legally Questionable Plan to Pay Voters." The New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/28/us/politics/elon-musk-paying-voters-wisconsin.html. Sullivan, Andy, and Andy Sullivan. "Musk Gives Away Two $1 Million Checks to Wisconsin Voters in High Profile Judicial Race." Reuters, 31 Mar. 2025. www.reuters.com, https://www.reuters.com/world/us/musk-gives-away-two-1-million-checks-wisconsin-voters-high-profile-judicial-race-2025-03-31/. Watch, Jack Kelly /. Wisconsin. "Control of Wisconsin Supreme Court at Stake in Pivotal Election." Wisconsin Watch, 6 Jan. 2025, http://wisconsinwatch.org/2025/01/wisconsin-supreme-court-election-liberal-conservative-crawford-schimel-hagedorn/. "What Does Wisconsin Law Say about Musk Having Offered Money to Voters?" PBS Wisconsin, https://pbswisconsin.org/news-item/what-does-wisconsin-law-say-about-musk-having-offered-money-to-voters/. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025. "Wisconsin Appeals Court Won't Stop Musk's $1 Million Payments to Voters after Attorney General Sues." AP News, 29 Mar. 2025, https://apnews.com/article/wisconsin-supreme-court-musk-million-dollar-checks-43fa79215e16c333a1079a86cb9aab08. "Wisconsin Attorney General Sues Musk to Block $1 Million Payment Offers before 2025 State Supreme Court Electon." PBS Wisconsin, https://pbswisconsin.org/news-item/wisconsin-attorney-general-sues-musk-to-block-1-million-payment-offers-before-2025-state-supreme-court-election/. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025. Claim: The photographer who took the picture of U.S. President Donald Trump with a bloodied face and raised fist after an attempted assassination has been barred from the White House's press rooms. Rating: Rating: Mixture What's True: The photojournalist in question, Evan Vucci, was barred from the White House press pool, a small group of journalists with privileged access to the president, alongside his Associated Press colleagues. As a result, from February to April 2025, Vucci lost access to the Oval Office, Air Force One and other important locations the president frequents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What's False: However, Vucci, like his fellow AP journalists, still had access to the White House's primary press briefing room during this time. What's Undetermined: It's unclear exactly how much access AP journalists do or don't have. While the Trump administration said in a court filing that AP continues to have the "general media access" available to all reporters with White House credentials, AP wrote in its own court filing that its journalists have been turned away from events otherwise available to the broader White House press corps. Editor's note: The Associated Press, previously barred from the White House press pool, won restored access to cover presidential events on April 8, 2025, after a judge ruled that the U.S. government cannot retaliate against the AP for its editorial decisions, but as of April 14, 2025, the administration had reportedly defied the judge's order, continuing to block the AP from the White House. This story has been updated to reflect these news events. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On March 27, 2025, social media users claimed on X that the photographer who took an iconic image of U.S. President Donald Trump after he survived an assassination attempt while campaigning in July 2024 "is no longer allowed to be in Trump press rooms." One post received more than 100,000 likes and nearly 2 million views as of this writing. the photographer who tooks this is no longer allowed to be in Trump press rooms lol pic.twitter.com/5XnariN1NK Joseph (@MingAutocrat) March 28, 2025 Underneath the post above, the X user posted the source that inspired the claim, a Politico story titled "He took the iconic Trump fist-pump photo. Now he's fighting Trump to be allowed back in the Oval Office." The Politico story's headline is accurate. Alongside the rest of his Associated Press colleagues, Evan Vucci, the AP's chief photographer in Washington, D.C., and the photojournalist behind the photo in question, was barred from the White House press pool, a small group of journalists with privileged access who travel with the president at almost all times. This means that as of the date of the X posts, Vucci no longer had access to the Oval Office, Air Force One and other areas with limited media access. However, AP journalists, including Vucci, did continue to have some access to White House press facilities including the White House briefing room. Thus, we rate this claim a mixture of truth and falsehood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a lawsuit The Associated Press filed against three Trump officials in February over the press pool ban, the news organization said "allowing such government control and retaliation to stand is a threat to every American's freedom." The White House, in response, said "this case is about The Associated Press losing special media access to the Presidenta quintessentially discretionary presidential choice that infringes no constitutional right." While a judge ordered on April 8, 2025, that the White House must restore the AP's "full access to cover presidential events," per the publication's own story, The Associated Press also reported on April 14, 2025 that the White House barred the newsroom from accessing an Oval Office news conference. "The extent of AP's future access remains uncertain, even with the court decision," wrote AP reporter David Bauder. Snopes previously fact-checked a misleading claim comparing former President Joe Biden's White House press pool changes to those of the Trump administration. White House barred AP over 'Gulf of Mexico' language On Feb. 11, 2025, the AP's executive editor, Julie Pace, released a statement announcing that the White House informed her organization that "if AP did not align its editorial standards with President Donald Trump's executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America, AP would be barred from accessing an event in the Oval Office." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This afternoon AP's reporter was blocked from attending an executive order signing," the statement continued. (The AP's guidance on the Gulf of Mexico notes that as a "global news agency," it "must ensure that place names and geography are easily recognizable to all audiences.") The White House doubled down on its decision to bar AP journalists on Feb. 14; Taylor Budowich, a senior White House official, announced on X that AP journalists would be barred from "access to limited spaces, like the Oval Office and Air Force One." According to both the White House (see Page 5) and the AP, Trump himself made the decision to bar AP journalists from the White House press pool. The Associated Press continues to ignore the lawful geographic name change of the Gulf of America. This decision is not just divisive, but it also exposes the Associated Press' commitment to misinformation. While their right to irresponsible and dishonest reporting is protected Taylor Budowich (@Taylor47) February 14, 2025 As a result, Vucci, the AP photographer, was barred alongside the rest of his colleagues between February and April and there is no question that Vucci took the famous image of Trump referenced in social media posts. The Associated Press ran a "behind the news" story crediting the image to Vucci alongside a collection of news stories that used the image with credit to Vucci. While other photographers captured images of Trump's fist-pump, Vucci's photo has been used on flags, Trump's upcoming book and even as a backdrop for U.S. lawmakers questioning the Secret Service director in the wake of the attempted assassination. In the April 8 decision restoring the AP's access, U.S. District Judge Trevor N. McFadden, an appointee of Trump, said his decision aligned with the right to free speech. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Under the First Amendment, if the Government opens its doors to some journalists be it to the Oval Office, the East Room, or elsewhere it cannot then shut those doors to other journalists because of their viewpoints," McFadden wrote. "The Constitution requires no less." White House, AP disagreed on how much access AP journalists had The White House claimed in Feb. 24 court filings that "The Associated Press continues to enjoy general media access to the White House press facilities" despite being banned from the more exclusive press pool. But the AP's media relations director, Patrick Maks, in response, sent this excerpt via email from the AP's Feb. 21 lawsuit (emphasis ours): Notably, this matter is not only about the press pool, as the AP's journalists are also banned from larger events including press conferences with the President and other world leaders that are held in some of the White House's biggest spaces or even outside of the White House and that are open to all White House-credentialed journalists so long as they sign up in advance. The AP's journalists, despite signing up in advance, are turned away. The net result is that the AP's press credentials now provide its journalists less access to the White House than the same press credentials provide to all other members of the White House press corps. The White House did not immediately respond to an inquiry as to whether the Trump administration disagrees with the AP's claim that its journalists have less access than the general White House press corps. We also reached out to Vucci and will update this fact check if we learn more. Both the AP's (Page 10) and the White House's (Page 6) court filings carry detailed lists of times the news agency was either barred or allowed into official Trump administration events. Maks also sent a link to an AP story about the court case; that story noted the AP and the White House disagree on how much access the AP has had to the East Room, which is used for White House receptions and other events. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to stories from multiple reputable news outlets, including the AP, Vucci testified in court that being barred from the press pool affected his ability to do his job; many other news organizations rely on AP, which acts as a wire service, for images that are expected to be sent "on the wire and to the world within a minute after taking them while the event is still going on." Maks and the White House acknowledge that the AP still has a seat in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room, which has been "the on-grounds quarters for the White House correspondents and news photographers since its construction in 196970." The Trump administration's press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, continues to hold her briefings in the James S. Brady Briefing Room as of this writing. Vucci himself Vucci himself was also clearly still allowed in the press briefing room despite being kicked from the press pool; photos of Leavitt in the Brady briefing room taken by Vucci as recently as April 1 are available on the AP's newsroom website. However, those seats are traditionally arranged by the White House Correspondents Association, not the White House; after the association publicly supported the AP, the White House announced its intention to control the press pool, as well as, reportedly, the press pool seating chart, meaning the AP may lose its seat in the future. Thus, while Vucci was barred from many White House events and spaces after Trump kicked the AP out of the White House press pool at the time the claim first spread, Vucci could still access some White House press rooms and events although the White House and AP disagreed on how much access the news outlet's journalists had. Sources: Allen, Mike. "Scoop: White House to Take Charge of Briefing-Room Seating Chart." Axios, 30 Mar. 2025, www.axios.com/2025/03/30/white-house-press-briefing-seating-chart. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "AP Search: 'Evan Vucci.'" AP Newsroom, Associated Press, 1 Apr. 2025, newsroom.ap.org/editorial-photos-videos/search?query=evan%20vucci&mediaType=photo&st=headline. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025. "AP Trump Photo Garners Global Attention | the Associated Press." The Associated Press, 22 Nov. 2024, www.ap.org/the-definitive-source/behind-the-news/ap-trump-photo-garners-global-attention/. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025. ASSOCIATED PRESS v. BUDOWICH. 21 Feb. 2025, storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.277682/gov.uscourts.dcd.277682.1.0_1.pdf. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025. ASSOCIATED PRESS v. BUDOWICH. Vol. 25-0532, 24 Feb. 2025, s3.documentcloud.org/documents/25542455/whresponse.pdf. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bauder, David. "Court Rules Government Must Readmit AP to White House Events." AP News, 8 Apr. 2025, apnews.com/article/trump-ap-media-court-white-house-events-access-f346a0efe87c1dec4d6f90e6041abd09. Accessed 8 Apr. 2025. ---. "The Associated Press, Banned from White House Press Pool, Renews Request to Court for Reinstatement." AP News, 27 Mar. 2025, apnews.com/article/trump-ap-white-house-press-pool-ban-cdf091900ae5371329234ddfafef3a91. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025. ---. "Trump Says AP Will Be Curtailed at White House until It Changes Style to Gulf of America." AP News, 19 Feb. 2025, apnews.com/article/trump-ap-white-house-press-corps-pool-91535a6384d681fee1cd7e384ea6c627. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025. ---. "White House Bars AP from Oval Office Event despite Court Order." AP News, 14 Apr. 2025, apnews.com/article/trump-ap-press-freedom-court-gulf-caffd32aa8ec6b04a50b8c5277d7c9cb. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Budowich, Taylor. "The Associated Press Continues to Ignore the Lawful Geographic Name Change of the Gulf of America. This Decision Is Not Just Divisive, but It Also Exposes the Associated Press' Commitment to Misinformation. While Their Right to Irresponsible and Dishonest Reporting Is Protected by the First Amendment, It Does Not Ensure Their Privilege of Unfettered Access to Limited Spaces, like the Oval Office and Air Force One. Going Forward, That Space Will Now Be Opened up to the Many Thousands of Reporters Who Have Been Barred from Covering These Intimate Areas of the Administration. Associate Press Journalists and Photographers Will Retain Their Credentials to the White House Complex." X (Formerly Twitter), 14 Feb. 2025, x.com/Taylor47/status/1890453490398326919. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025. Cheney, Kyle. "He Took the Iconic Trump Fist-Pump Photo. Now He's Fighting Trump to Be Allowed Back in the Oval Office. - POLITICO." POLITICO, Politico, 27 Mar. 2025, www.politico.com/news/2025/03/27/associated-press-court-hearing-trump-00253952. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025. Easton, Lauren. "AP Statement on Oval Office Access | the Associated Press." The Associated Press, 20 Feb. 2025, www.ap.org/the-definitive-source/announcements/ap-statement-on-oval-office-access/. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025. Izzo, Jack. "Trump's Takeover of White House Press Pool Selection Isn't Same as Biden's Limits on Press Pass Eligibility." Snopes, Snopes.com, 21 Mar. 2025, www.snopes.com/fact-check/trump-biden-white-house-press-pool/. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025. McFadden, Trevor N. ASSOCIATED PRESS v. TAYLOR BUDOWICH, et Al. 8 Apr. 2025, storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.277682/gov.uscourts.dcd.277682.46.0_1.pdf. Accessed 8 Apr. 2025. Updates: April 8, 2025: This story was updated to reflect that the AP won restored access to cover presidential events on April 8, 2025, after a judge ruled that the U.S. government cannot retaliate against the AP for its editorial decisions. April 14, 2025: This story was updated to reflect that in defiance of a court order restoring the AP's access to the White House, the White House blocked the AP from accessing an Oval Office news conference. (Reuters) - China launched its latest round of war games around Taiwan on Tuesday, saying on Wednesday they were code-named "Strait Thunder-2025" and were a "stern warning" against separatism. The People's Republic of China has claimed Taiwan through its "one China" policy since the Chinese civil war forced the defeated Republic of China government to flee to the island in 1949, and has vowed to bring Taiwan under Beijing's rule, by force if necessary. The government in Taiwan strongly rejects the Chinese sovereignty claims, saying it is already an independent country called the Republic of China, and that only its people can decide their future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here are some facts on military tensions between China and Taiwan and previous Chinese military exercises. - China and Taiwan have nearly gone to war several times since 1949. The two sides last joined battle on a large scale in 1958, when Chinese forces bombed the Taiwan-controlled Kinmen and Matsu islands for more than a month, alongside naval and air combat. - Ahead of Taiwan's first direct presidential election in 1996, China carried out missile tests in waters close to the island, hoping to prevent people voting for Lee Teng-hui, whom China suspected of harbouring pro-independence views. Lee won convincingly. - In August 2022, furious at a visit to Taipei by then-U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, China held several days of war games around Taiwan, including launches of ballistic missiles, some of which flew over Taipei, and simulated sea and air attacks in surrounding skies and waters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement - In April 2023, China held three days of drills around Taiwan, saying they had tested integrated military capabilities under combat conditions, having practised precision strikes and blockading the island. Those drills came after Taiwan's then-President Tsai Ing-wen returned to Taipei following a meeting in Los Angeles with Kevin McCarthy, who at the time was U.S. House speaker. - In August 2023, China launched military drills around Taiwan as a "serious warning" to "separatists" in an angry but widely expected response to then-Vice President Lai's visit to the United States. - In May 2024, shortly after Lai's inauguration as president, China launched "punishment" drills dubbed "Joint Sword - 2024A" around Taiwan in what it said was a response to "separatist acts", sending up heavily armed warplanes and staging mock attacks. - In October 2024, China held one day of "Joint Sword - 2024B" war games around Taiwan in response to a national day speech by Lai. Taiwan said China used a record number of military aircraft in those exercises. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement - In December 2024, Taiwan reported a large rise in Chinese air force and navy activity around the island and in waters in the region, though China never officially confirmed it was holding exercises. (Writing by Ben Blanchard; Editing by William Mallard and Gerry Doyle) (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump announced a slew of reciprocal tariffs on trading partners on Wednesday, the latest in a series of extensive duties imposed since his return to the White House earlier this year. The U.S. will now impose a 10% baseline tariff on all imports to the country effective April 5 and higher duties on several of its biggest trading partners. The levies could be particularly damaging for U.S. companies in sectors already slapped with duties. The following U.S. business sectors are most exposed to Trump's reciprocal tariffs: AUTOS & ELECTRIC VEHICLES Trump announced 25% tariffs on auto imports last week on all cars and parts made outside the United States. The duties will go into effect on Wednesday. The Detroit Three automakers - Ford, General Motors and Stellantis - have a much bigger exposure to manufacturing outside of the U.S. vis-a-vis Elon Musk's Tesla, and face a bigger hit. CHIPS Semiconductors were not named in the list of goods subject to reciprocal tariffs, despite Trump stating in February that he intended to impose tariffs of around 25% on the imports of semiconductors and related products. The 34% tariffs on China, however, could prove disruptive for chips, PCs, semiconductors and server manufacturers, industry experts said. U.S. chip companies and artificial intelligence networking equipment makers have complex and diverse supply chains spanning multiple countries, with executives saying the near-term fallout from any tariffs will be "uncertain." Industry heavyweight Nvidia's CEO has said the company plans to move manufacturing domestically in response to higher tariffs but expects little short-term impact. PHARMACEUTICALS Pharmaceutical products, long spared from trade wars due to the potential harm, were exempt from Wednesday's announcement, a temporary relief for drugmakers. U.S. drugmakers have been lobbying Trump to phase in tariffs on imported pharmaceutical products in hopes of reducing the sting from the charges and to allow time to shift manufacturing. Trump is planning other tariffs targeting pharmaceuticals, an official said. PC MAKERS PC makers such as Dell face the risk of potential price increases driven by the tariffs on China. Research firm International Data Corporation lowered its traditional PC forecast for 2025 and beyond in February due to tariff-related risks. RETAIL & E-COMMERCE Walmart, Target, Best Buy and several other U.S. retailers have been bracing for a likely hit from the tariffs, especially on key supplier China. The companies have been piling pressure on suppliers over prices on categories ranging from toys to cake pans. ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) April is National Fair Housing Month, a month dedicated to raising awareness of housing rights and ending discrimination. Now, Abilene is joining the effort by officially proclaiming April as Fair Housing Month in the city. This year marks the 57th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act, a law that established a national policy against housing discrimination. On April 1, Abilene Mayor Weldon Hurt issued a proclamation recognizing Fair Housing Month in the city. Trump administration looks to slash HUD workers tackling the housing crisis Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As mayor and on behalf of the city council, I extend my sincere appreciation to the Abilene Association of Realtors for their unwavering commitment to fair housing, Hurt said. The citizens of Abilene proudly proclaim April 2025 as Fair Housing Month. Hurt also emphasized the Abilene Association of Realtors dedication to promoting the Fair Housing Act by addressing discrimination, supporting educational programs, and advocating for equal housing opportunities. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. OSLO, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Wednesday emphasized that Greenland should not be taken over by the United States, amid growing geopolitical attention on the Arctic region. Speaking during her visit to Greenland, Frederiksen said the primary purpose of her trip is to discuss the foreign and security policy situation and how Denmark and Greenland can jointly respond to what she called "a very difficult task." "The USA must not take over Greenland. Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders," she said, adding that a unified message would be delivered in the coming days. Frederiksen made the remarks alongside outgoing Greenlandic Prime Minister Mute Egede and incoming leader Jens-Frederik Nielsen, amid the leadership transition in Greenland's autonomous government. The Danish prime minister also stressed the importance of unity between Greenland, Denmark, and Europe in the face of external pressure. "We need to stand together in this very difficult time Greenland is facing. And when Greenland is in a difficult situation, the Kingdom of Denmark and Europe are also in a difficult situation," she said. "It is clear that, with the pressure coming from the Americans on Greenland in terms of sovereignty, borders, and the future, we must stand together," the prime minister added. Frederiksen's visit, which runs from April 2 to 4, comes shortly after U.S. Vice President JD Vance and an American delegation, on last Friday, visited Pituffik Space Base in northwest Greenland -- formerly known as Thule Base -- where Vance criticized Denmark for not doing enough for security in the Arctic or for the well-being of the Greenlandic people. Just hours ahead of the visit by Vance, Greenland announced the formation of a new autonomous government. Four political parties, representing 23 of the 31 seats in Greenland's parliament, signed a coalition agreement to establish the new government. Jens-Frederik Nielsen, chairman of the Demokraatit (Democratic Party), will serve as prime minister. Greenland, once a Danish colony, became an integral part of the Kingdom of Denmark in 1953. It was granted home rule in 1979, expanding its autonomy, though Denmark retains control over foreign affairs and defense. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) The family of Christian Black is demanding answers from local authorities after the 25-year-old died while in police custody. The family says they are not jumping to conclusions as to what happened to Black, but they say there are questions as to how he was treated inside of the Montgomery County Jail where authorities say he injured himself. Blacks mother says she did not know that March 23 would be the last time that she spoke to her son. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I know my strength that I have right now is from God first, but I know Christians spirit is still with me, said Misti Black, Christians mother. In a press conference held on Tuesday, the family says they want to know more about the condition Black was in when he left the county jail for the hospital on March 24 with a severe head wound. No mother should ever have to walk into a hospital to see her son in that condition with nothing, no explanation, no phone call, no nothing, said Misti. According to the Montgomery County Sheriffs Office, Black was in custody for reportedly crashing a stolen car. After the crash, police say he jumped a fence and tried to swim across a pond to flee police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Drag-racing vehicles crash into Dayton homes, several in critical condition Authorities say while at the jail, Black fought officers and tried to escape from a cell. He allegedly slammed his head into the bars of his own cell, forcing officers to restrain him. While he was restrained, police say he suffered a medical emergency, ultimately leading to his death at the hospital two days later. Black was an organ donor, and his kidney and lungs were able to save three lives. But lawyers for the family say they believe Blacks death was preventable. Now his loved ones grieve him while also fighting for more answers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As you can see, Christian leaves behind a number of individuals who love him. He leaves behind a legacy, said Robert Gresham, attorney at Wright & Schulte, LLC. Lawyers for the family say that an independent investigation into this incident is being completed alongside the investigation that is being led by the Dayton Police Department. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) The family of the Spring Arbor couple who are behind bars in a Mexican prison after being accused of breaching a timeshare contract has released a statement thanking U.S. Rep. Tom Barrett (R-Charlotte) for traveling to Mexico Tuesday to help get them home. The Akeos. (Lindsey Hull) The Akeos. (Lindsey Hull) Paul and Christy Akeo were arrested on March 4 at an airport in Cancun and have been held without bond. Lindsey Hull, Chrisys daughter, and Pauls stepdaughter told WLNS that the couple was being held because they had challenged charges made on their American Express credit card by The Palace Company, owners of Palace Resorts. Local Mexican outlets reported that the Akeos have been charged with defrauding a Cancun hotel chain out of more than $100,000, alleging they signed a contract in Nov. 2021 to purchase a membership with the hotel, giving a credit card for the hotel to charge the monthly payments to. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The full Akeo family statement can be read below: We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Representative Tom Barrett for his courageous action in traveling to Cancun, Mexico to assist in securing the release of our parents from captivity. His dedication, leadership, and willingness to personally intervene in such a critical situation means more to our family than words can express. Through four straight weeks of fear and uncertainty, Representative Barretts commitment to bringing our parents home safely provided us with hope and reassurance. He was the first local representative to simply make a phone call to our family and listen to our horrific situation and offer his assistance. His efforts exemplify his commitment to not only our family, but our community as a whole, and we are forever grateful for his support and determination. Thank you, Representative Barrett, for standing by us in our time of need. We are all hoping The Chapur Family and The Palace Company will make the correct decision in releasing our parents and putting an end to the unjust torture they have forced our parents to endure. Lindsey Lemke Hall and family, April 2, 2025. Lawyer for Michigan couple held in Mexican prison says resort company is at fault Barrett visited the detained Akeo parents Wednesday morning, and released the following statement to 6 News. Barrett visits the Akeos. (U.S. Rep Tom Barrett) Barrett visits the Akeos. (U.S. Rep Tom Barrett) After landing in Cancun this morning, I traveled directly to the maximum security prison where Paul and Christy Akeo are being held. I met with them personally for an hour and learned of the horrific conditions they are facing rubbled walls, overcrowded cells, toilets that dont flush, and disgusting food. This has left them scared, frustrated, and struggling to find hope. I assured them that I am doing everything I can to urgently secure their safe release. Following my meeting with Paul and Christy I met with the president of the Quintana Roo Supreme Court to expedite any relief we can provide. Thank you to the U.S. State Department for their assets and support on the ground to end this familys nightmare, and I hope to have more to share soon U.S. Rep. Tom Barrett (R-Charlotte), April 2, 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Barrett visits the Akeos. (U.S. Rep Tom Barrett) Barrett visits the Akeos. (U.S. Rep Tom Barrett) Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News. (KRON) The family of slain Cash App founder Bob Lee filed a civil lawsuit against killer Nima Momeni and his family. Lees family alleges that the Momeni family tampered and attempted to destroy evidence linked to Lees murder. The lawsuit was filed on March 28 to the Superior Court of California of the County of San Francisco. The lawsuits defendants also include a homeowners association and a security camera company. It alleges the improper release of surveillance video that was used by the media. Momeni was found guilty of second-degree murder for fatally stabbing Lee in April of 2023, which a verdict was reached last December. The civil lawsuit was hinted back in December. Lees ex-wife said, after Momeni was found guilty, the family would file a civil suit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Odell Beckham Jr. denies allegations in Diddy lawsuit for alleged rape in East Bay: I was not anywhere near Orinda The full 26-page lawsuit can be viewed below. New-Bob-Lee-Lawsuit-1Download Momemi faces 16 years to life in prison. His sentencing is set for May 16. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. One year since Sade Robinson's disappearance and death, her mother and sister stood alongside family and supporters to mark her memory. Adrianna Reams, Robinson's younger sister, spoke of their relationship. She described the way she and Robinson fought as young siblings do, then grew close as they aged. She watched Robinson take care of herself as she got older, picking up work and still managing to take care of her younger sister, like when she would cook for her despite a hectic work schedule. "Anyone who knew us knew that she was the person who you wanted to talk to. She could put a smile on anyone's face," Reams said. "Her laugh was iconic for one and unmatchable." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The memorial event was held to mark one year since Robinson was last seen and, the day after, her remains were found at Warnimont Park, the same park where the event, dubbed an angelversary, was held. About 50 people attended to support Robinson's family as they discussed Robinson's memory and advocacy for crime victims and missing Black, brown and indigenous women and girls. "We want justice for Sade," said Sheena Scarbrough, Robinson's mother. "There are other crime victim families in Milwaukee. There are so many other missing and murdered Black and brown women who have not been found." Robinson was killed in April 2024, after last being seen on April 1 and reported missing the next day. Over the next weeks, remains believed to be hers were found on the shoreline of Warnimont Park and other parts of Lake Michigan's shores. Milwaukee County prosecutors have charged 33-year-old Maxwell S. Anderson with first-degree homicide, mutilating a corpse and arson after prosecutors say he killed Robinson and dismembered her body earlier that month. Authorities say Anderson and Robinson went on a date together, before going to his home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A trial was initially set for early December but was postponed to May. Scarbrough thanked the community for its support, before remarking on how difficult the wait for justice has been. At times speaking through tears and at others speaking firmly, Scarbrough said she was fighting for justice for her daughter. "This is not to be tolerated. I'm very upset," Scarbrough said. "I miss you so much baby girl." After her daughter's death, Scarbrough and supporters started Sade's Voice Foundation, a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to supporting missing persons and crime victims, especially for Black, brown and indigenous women. The organization intends to hold self-defense training in the future and Scarbrough urged people to advocate for the issue at the memorial event. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Statistics show Black women and girls make up a disproportionate amount of missing persons cases nationwide. Journal Sentinel reporting from 2016-2022 showed Black women represented 40% of domestic violence homicides. "This is a pandemic that needs to be addressed," Scarbrough said on Tuesday. Robinson's mother has previously advocated alongside legislators to create a taskforce meant to gather statistics on how many women and girls currently are missing and data on the number of murder cases. Robinson's uncle David Scarbough II, who goes by the moniker Lil Dave the Poet, closed the memorial with a poem he wrote about his niece. As he concluded his poem, the crowd released pink balloons into the sky, that were quickly swept away by winds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "As we release these colors high, may they dance upon the sky. Carrying our hopes and dreams." David Scarbrough recited. "We'll remember you forever more and cherish the love we shared before ... Until we meet again and play our part, we fly these balloons through the pain. Sade Carleene Robinson is her name." David Clarey is a public safety reporter at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He can be reached at dclarey@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Family, supporters of Sade Robinson commemorate one year since death For 25 hours and five minutes, New Jersey Democratic Sen. Cory Booker stood on the Senate floor, delivering a speech that set a new record for the longest filibuster. Underneath the surface of his impeccable stamina and ability to yap endlessly, theres a much bigger meaning behind what this record-breaking moment meant. Did anyone tell you what a filibuster is before Bookers big moment? Let us refresh you: its pretty much a super long speech to stall time, keeping legislators from being able to decide on a bill or any other legislative action. The last person to filibuster the hell out of the Senate floor was mega-racist Sen. Strom Thurmond from South Carolina. About 68 years ago, the senator filibustered for 24 hours and 18 minutes in opposition to the 1957 Civil Rights Act, standing firmly on the belief segregation should remain in America, per NPR. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Booker, the first Black person to represent New Jersey in the Senate, also used the Senate floor to stall but in a starkly different vein. While Thurmonds stance was footed in sheer racism against policies that would help this country live up to its declarations of unity and democracy, Booker protested the wrath of unethical policies coming from President Donald Trumps White House which have posed serious threats to our democracy. I was very aware of Strom Thurmonds record. Ive always felt it was a strange shadow to hang over this institution ... It always seemed wrong, Booker said after the speech, via USA TODAY. Booker said in preparation of the lengthy speech, he didnt eat or hydrate himself for days prior, per USA TODAY. With outstanding poise and a chilling sense of urgency, he delivered remarks criticizing Trumps policies on Social Security, the Department of Education and immigration. He described the country to be in a state of crisis, citing the seemingly unsupervised, Elon Musk-controlled Department of Government Efficiency. Booker also repeatedly referenced the late civil rights leader Rep. John Lewis, labeling his filibuster as good trouble - all in an effort to reintroduce Democratic power in the current GOP-controlled Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ive been hearing from people all over my state and indeed all over the nation calling upon folks in Congress to do more, to do things that recognize the urgency, the crisis of the moment. And so we all have a responsibility, I believe, to do something different, to cause, as John Lewis said, good trouble, and that includes me, said Booker in a social media video moments before making history. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Fans of Wendy Williams gathered on Hollywood Boulevard on Tuesday morning to demand her release from her current guardianship and the assisted-living facility shes currently living in. A small group of people stood on Williamss star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at the same time as another Free Wendy protest was underway in New York. Paris Hiltons nonprofit grants $1M to women-owned businesses The former daytime talk show host has been at that facility to address cognitive issues after being diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia in 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, in a January interview with The Breakfast Club, Williams denied that she was cognitively impaired and called the facility a prison. Since the interview, Williams has continued to be outspoken about her guardian and conservatorship. The former radio host has been under legal guardianship since 2022. During the East Coast rally, Williams was spotted waving to demonstrators outside. Full House star Dave Coulier says hes cancer free They have posters and t-shirts, she told People Magazine. Im standing here and looking out the window because I like things like that. I love nothing better than to stop and pose. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its nice to see regular people, but its even more important at this time in my life to see media, Williams continued. At this point in life, I cant trust a lot of people and I cant even get into who I cant trust, but there are people that oh my gosh, I cant trust them as far as I can throw them. From 2008 to 2021, Williams hosted the popular daytime talk show The Wendy Williams Show. She stepped away due to health issues tied to lymphedema and Graves disease. The show aired its final episode in June 2022. She was placed under legal guardianship in May 2022 when Wells Fargo claimed she was an incapacitated person and the victim of undue influence and financial exploitation, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. The Supreme Court on Wednesday debated one states effort to keep public money away from Planned Parenthood and the rights of individual patients to sue when that effort interferes with their personal medical choices. In Medina v. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, the court is considering whether Medicaid recipients in South Carolina have a legal right to challenge a state order prohibiting Medicaid funds from going to abortion providers. Before the order went into effect, patients were covered when they went to Planned Parenthood for non-abortion services, like cancer screenings and blood pressure checks. During oral arguments on Wednesday, the court debated whether the federal Medicaid Act gives individual Medicaid recipients the right to try to force changes to a states list of qualified providers through legal action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At least five of the nine justices seemed skeptical of South Carolinas claim that theres no individual right to bring a lawsuit under the federal law. Justices, including Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr., and Neil M. Gorsuch, pressed South Carolinas lawyer about the availability of meaningful recourse for patients other than litigation if a Medicaid recipient is denied access to their chosen medical provider, according to The Washington Post. Planned Parenthood case background The Supreme Court case originated in 2018, when South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster ordered state agencies to stop sending public funds to any physician or professional medical practice affiliated with an abortion clinic, according to The Washington Post. The order expanded an existing prohibition against using Medicaid funds for abortion and aimed to stop abortion providers from accessing any amount of public money. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The payment of taxpayer funds to abortion clinics, for any purpose, results in the subsidy of abortion and the denial of the right to life, McMaster wrote in the order. As a result of the order, Medicaid recipients are no longer covered if they use Planned Parenthood clinics for cancer screenings, birth control prescriptions and other types of non-abortion medical services. Planned Parenthood patient Julie Edwards objected to the change and, along with Planned Parenthood, sued to block it. Their lawsuit argues that South Carolina is violating the part of the federal Medicaid Act that deals with a patients right to seek treatment from any qualified provider, according to SCOTUSblog. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Edwards and Planned Parenthood believe the Medicaid Act created an individual right to use the medical providers you want to use. South Carolina officials, on the other hand, say the law deals with the relationship between states and the federal government, not with the rights of individual Medicaid recipients. Edwards and Planned Parenthood won at the district and circuit court levels, where judges agreed that South Carolinas order is violating patients rights. South Carolina represented by the conservative advocacy group Alliance Defending Freedom appealed to the Supreme Court last June, asking the justices to decide whether Edwards and Planned Parenthood have a legal right to sue to enforce the Medicaid Act. The justices agreed in December to weigh in," SCOTUSblog reported. Supreme Court ruling on Planned Parenthood The Planned Parenthood case is the latest in a string of abortion-related cases to reach the Supreme Court in the past three years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since the justices returned control over abortion restrictions to states in June 2022, theyve debated access to abortion pills and whether or not state-level abortion bans violate federal rules on emergency care. The court unanimously protected access to mifepristone in the first of those two cases and determined the second one was improvidently granted. One of the Supreme Court briefs filed in favor of South Carolina in the Planned Parenthood case said that siding with state officials would fit the spirit of the 2022 ruling by making it clear that states can regulate abortion and oversee abortion providers without interference from the federal government or individual Medicaid recipients, SCOTUSblog reported. US dairy workers at risk of catching bird flu are avoiding tests because of worries they will be deported amid Donald Trumps migration crackdown, public health officials believe. Seventy human cases of H5N1 bird flu have been reported in the United States since April 2024, 41 of them associated with exposure to sick dairy cows, according to the US Centres for Disease Control (CDC). But as the virus sweeps the country, so have federal crackdowns on farms where undocumented workers often find casual employment, leaving the individuals most vulnerable to the disease fearful to get tested. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For symptomatic employees, we worry about some of them coming forward because of the current political milieu and fear of whatever their immigration status is, San Joaquin County Public Health Officer Dr Maggie Park told local news outlet, The Merced Focus. We really want to reassure people who work on farms that public health agencies are here to help them. We are not here to check on their immigration status, Dr Park added. More than 79 per cent of the milk produced in the US comes from farms that employ migrant workers, including many who are undocumented. Reports suggest that the threat of immigration raids has struck fear into farm workers, with some immigrants reluctant to engage with government agencies out of fear of harassment, and epidemiologists concerned that cases may be being missed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fear among undocumented workers especially in the current climate is real and can significantly impact public health efforts said Dr Krutika Kuppalli, associate professor in the division of infectious diseases at the University of Texas Southwestern. If people dont feel safe coming forward for testing or care, we risk missing early signs of spread, especially in high-risk populations like dairy farm workers, she added. When the bird flu strain currently circulating among US cattle infects a person, symptoms include eye redness or irritation, a temperature, cough, sore throat, breathing difficulty, headaches, runny or stuffy nose, aches, or diarrhoea. In humans it causes really quite minor symptoms, said David Heymann, Professor of Infectious Disease Epidemiology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, but he warned that might be passed off as conjunctivitis, a viral infection of some type or another flu type virus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although the strain circulating in the US is mild, H5N1 has infected almost 900 people since it first emerged in the late 1990s, all of which have caught the virus directly from animals. Roughly half of those who have caught the virus have died. El Concilio, a non-profit organisation, provides healthcare support for Hispanic communities in the San Joaquin Valley including bird flu testing and flu vaccinations. They say they have seen a drop in requests for their services. There have been less people coming out, but one of the things that were trying to do is create a sense of normalcy and let people know that our events are safe and secure, said Jose Rodriguez, president and CEO of El Concilio. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since the election, they have also faced harassment, it started right after Trump got elected, in terms of harassing calls, Mr Rodriguez said. We had somebody drop off a Trump manifesto to us. We get harassing phone calls. We get harassing messages on Facebook. Its just the climate. Theres an anti-immigrant climate and some people are taking it further than they should. In February 2025, a CDC study reported that two separate dairy farmers in Michigan may have given bird flu to their pet cats but refused testing. Neither cat had known direct exposure to the farms and both farm workers had experienced symptoms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In one case, the worker had reported getting splashed in the face and eyes by unpasteurised milk, a known vector of the disease. Despite their animals having tested positive for bird flu, neither of the dairy workers agreed to testing, with one saying they feared losing their job for implicating their dairy farm. As a result, the studys authors couldnt conclude whether they had passed the virus onto their pet cats. With cases continuing to rise there are now 995 infected herds across 17 states experts warn that tracking the transmission of the virus is vital. Its important to watch this virus, said Prof Heymann, Its already changed, and it could change in other ways. The virus can mutate either to more virulent or less virulent, more transmissible or less transmissible in humans, so it must be watched. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Protect yourself and your family by learning more about Global Health Security Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Tennessee lawmakers failed to support a bill that would allow physicians to perform abrotions in cases of 'fatal fetal anomalies,' or fetuses with conditions incompatible with life. (Photo: John Moore/Getty Images) A bill enabling physicians to perform abortions involving fatal fetal anomalies failed in the Tennessee legislature, forcing lawmakers to settle for a measure clarifying the dangers women must face to end a pregnancy. Senate Bill 1425 sponsored by Sen. Richard Briggs, a Knoxville Republican, was never brought to a vote in the Senate Judiciary Committee, averting the effort to pass legislation enabling physicians to perform abortions for fatal fetal anomalies without the threat of being charged with criminal abortion. Rep. Esther Helton-Haynes, a Signal Mountain Republican, sponsored the House version of the bill to provide a new exception for abortions after the legislature outlawed the procedure three years ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In its place, the lawmakers are supporting Senate Bill 1004, which expands the conditions in which a woman could be at substantial risk for death or irreversible impairment, enabling her to have an abortion. It is set to go to the Senate floor for consideration. Rep. Bryan Terry, a Murfreesboro Republican and a physician, is sponsoring a bill that would allow doctors to perform an abortion if medically necessary to save a pregnant womans life. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout) The House Health Committee approved its version Tuesday on a 15-6 vote. Committee Chairman Bryan Terry, who sponsored the bill, assured lawmakers it didnt provide new exceptions for an abortion but listed conditions doctors could use to determine whether a woman should end a dangerous pregnancy. Terry, a Murfreesboro anesthesiologist, told colleagues that doctors could use the definitions to make a diagnosis and then decide whether an abortion would be medically necessary to save the mothers life. All efforts would have to be made to save the baby, in keeping with the states abortion law. The Tennessee Medical Association supported the fatal fetal anomalies bill following an October 2024 ruling in Blackmon v. State of Tennessee in which a three-judge panel found that physicians may terminate pregnancies to save a womans life when shes critically ill. The court also outlined the types of fatal fetal diagnosis that could qualify under the ruling after women who had to leave the state for abortion procedures filed suit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill sponsored by Briggs and Terry, both Republicans, gives a clearer definition of the times a woman could receive an abortion, including inevitable abortion, a type of miscarriage in which the pregnancy ends and the uterus expels matter. It also includes any medically diagnosed condition that complicates a pregnancy to the point the woman could die from deadly problems such as ruptured membranes, inevitable abortion, severe preeclampsia and an infection that can result in uterine rupture or loss of fertility. Because the matter remains in litigation, Briggs would say only that the bill headed to the Senate floor complements the court ruling. Tennessee Medical Association lobbyist Julie Griffin said her group was disappointed that the initial bill failed but called the replacement measure a step in the right direction. She was uncertain whether the group would push the defeated bill again next year, but said fatal fetal anomalies remain a problem, forcing women to travel out of state for abortions to avoid the risk of life-threatening pregnancies. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton. Credit: FAU Florida Atlantic Universitys police department has a pending agreement with the federal government that would allow campus officers to question and detain people they suspect are in the country without authorization. The public university in Boca Raton could be the first to enter such an agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which lists the campus police department as one of 75 entities that have submitted paperwork for consideration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An FAU spokesperson wrote in an email to Florida Phoenix Thursday that all state law enforcement agencies are expected to follow the governors directive to enter into agreements with ICE. This includes FAUPD and other state university police departments, wrote Joshua Glazer, associate vice president for media relations and public affairs, pointing to a Feb. 19 press release announcing the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and the Florida State Guard would deputize officers to act as immigration enforcement officials. Florida Atlantic University President Adam Hasner. (Photo via FAUs website) FAUs trustees in February picked a new president: Adam Hasner, a former GOP state lawmaker and executive of a for-profit prison group that manages 16 ICE detention centers across the country. Hasner served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2002 to 2010, taking the role of House majority leader during his last three years in the chamber. Between 2016 and his appointment at FAU, he was executive vice president for public policy at the GEO Group, where he oversaw 60 consultants representing the companys interests in D.C., according to his resume. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The $4 billion companys stock value doubled after Election Day, according to ProPublica. Following a two-year-long presidential search, FAUs trustees picked and the state university systems Board of Governors confirmed Hasner as the new president, with a base salary of $875,000 and a potential performance bonus of $150,000, according to his contract. When I step onto this campus, if I were to be the eighth president of this university, my commitment to you, sir, and my commitment to this board and my commitment to this entire university community is that I am not involved in partisan politics, Hasner told trustees during the Feb. 10 meeting when they picked him. I do not believe that it is politically red or politically blue to be a university president. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Incredibly concerning and unbelieveable The university of more than 31,000 students describes itself as a Hispanic-serving institution and the number-one Florida public university in terms of campus ethnic diversity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details of the paperwork FAU submitted to ICE, such as the number of officers it intends to deputize, have not been published. Paula Munoz, executive director of Florida Student Power Network, said that, considering Hasners background with GEO Group, she wasnt surprised FAPD could be the first campus department to deputize its officers to act as immigration enforcement agents, which requires them to undergo a 40-hour online training. Its incredibly concerning. Its something that should not be a part of the education or institutions, Munoz said in a phone interview with the Phoenix. They should be worried about how to make sure that students are feeling safe on campus. The pending agreement raised concerns for FAU junior Nicholas Ostheimer in light of the detention of nearly a dozen students and faculty across the country. He led the student protests against Hasners selection as president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its unbelievable and its an insult to our community and an attack on our freedoms, Ostheimer told the Phoenix. Push for as many ICE agreements as possible Meanwhile, the DeSantis administration is pushing for cities and counties to enter into the agreements that the governor has characterized as the maximum level of collaboration and has said will lead to street-level enforcement. So far, Florida cities, counties, and state agencies have entered into 194 agreements with ICE, although some of the agreements are aimed at apprehending people without legal status already in jails and prisons. In early March, the chief of Pinellas County Schools Police signed and submitted paperwork to enter into the task force model agreement with ICE without the knowledge or authorization of the school board and superintendent, which he later told the board he had done because he thought he had to comply. The school district didnt know about the agreement until the Phoenix contacted a spokesperson for comment. FAU and ICE didnt respond to the Phoenixs request for comment. This story has been updated to include comment from FAU sent to the Phoenix after publication. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE The Fayette County Commission will meet twice this week. The commission will convene in regular session on Wednesday, April 2 at 9 a.m. in commission chambers at the Fayette County Courthouse. In addition to usual activities such as exonerations and orders to combine or divide land, vouchers and invoices and payroll, the commission will also have discussion and decision on the following: Health reimbursement account provider; Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bid openings for a paving project and the Fayette County Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Building roof; Highway safety north of the New River Gorge Bridge; and Outside funding requests. Also, county administrator Ruth Lanier will discuss several items with commissioners, including a recognition letter for Meadow Bridge Regional students who were honored by the Secretary of States office, a budget letter to elected officials, hazard mitigation leases, a new sheriffs hire and a budget correction approval. The commission will then gather for a special meeting on April 3 at 9 a.m. That meeting will feature follow-up discussion regarding the West Virginia American Water purchase offer related to three Fayette County public service districts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to commission president John Brenemen, the governing body will meet with WVAW representatives to discuss their proposal on the heels of public hearings that were staged in the affected communities in March. The utility company has proposed to purchase the water and wastewater systems of Kanawha Falls PSD and the sewer systems only of Armstrong Creek PSD and Page-Kincaid PSD. WVAW already owns the Page-Kincaid PSD water system, and its ownership of the Armstrong Creek PSD water system was pending as of early March. The purchase price offered by WVAW is $15.6 million, which would include repayment of about $13 million in debt on those systems, company representatives said at the time. The overall package is broken down as follows: $13.6 million for Kanawha Falls, $1.4 million for Page-Kincaid and $600,000 for Armstrong Creek. Brenemen said he and his fellow commissioners want to interact with WVAW officials Thursday to see if there have been any changes in the proposal. We want to see if its still the same, Brenemen said. Plus, we have questions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In one facet of the proposal, he said the commission aims to make sure the employees will be taken care of, that theyll have a position if they decide (to stay with their respective PSDs). The commission also wants to explore various aspects of the funding scenario, he said, as well as look ahead at proposed rates. The county commission is conducting a PSD customer survey through April 10. It asks that respondents only participate if they are a customer of the PSD. It can accessed at https://fayettecounty.wv.gov/commission/Pages/County%20Commission.aspx There have been some interesting questions, Brenemen said of the surveys. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After Thursday, Brenemen said the commission will request additional information from PSD officials which has yet to be provided. No decisions will be made at Thursdays meeting. The West Virginia Public Service Commission has scheduled a meeting on the situation on May 7 at Montgomery City Hall. The county commission will make its recommendation to the PSC at that meeting, Brenemen said. The commission also has planned regular meetings for April 15 and 30. Email: skeenan@register-herald.com FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) The Fayetteville Fire Department has achieved Accredited Agency status with the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI), joining 123 accredited agencies in the United States. This accreditation was granted after the department successfully met the CFAIs criteria through a voluntary self-assessment and accreditation program. The Fayetteville Fire Department is now the fifth agency in Arkansas to reach this status and one of over 300 agencies worldwide to earn International Accreditation from the CFAI and the Center for Public Safety Excellence, according to a news release from the City of Fayetteville. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Legislation to remove Arkansas Library Board passes in committee hearing The department also holds a Class 1 Insurance Safety Office (ISO) rating. Earning this recognition demonstrates the commitment of the agency to provide the highest quality of service to our community, FPD Fire Chief Brad Hardin said in the release. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24. (Reuters) -The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has missed its deadline for making a decision on traditional approval for Novavax's COVID-19 vaccine, the company told Reuters on Wednesday. The delay comes on the heels of the FDA's top vaccine scientist Peter Marks' exit from the agency, which will be effective April 5. Marks, who played a key role in developing COVID-19 vaccines during U.S. President Donald Trump's first term, was forced to resign, according to media reports. His departure led to a selloff in drugmakers' stocks on Monday and some analysts said it could put pressure on companies that currently have therapies under regulatory review. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The regulator had set an April 1 deadline to decide on the vaccine, the company told Reuters in an emailed statement. "As of today, we continue to wait on action from the agency and have not yet received an official decision from the U.S. FDA," Novavax said. Senior leaders at the FDA said the company's application needed more data and was unlikely to be approved soon, according to the Wall Street Journal, which first reported on the matter. The company, however, said it had responded to all of the FDA's information requests as of April 1 and it believes its application is "ready for approval". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FDA and the Department of Health and Human Services did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment. Novavax's traditional protein-based COVID shot offers an alternative technology to messenger RNA-based rivals from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, but has failed to make a mark in the U.S. vaccine market. The vaccine was initially authorized for emergency use in 2022. (Reporting by Bhanvi Satija and Mariam Sunny in Bengaluru and Michael Erman in New York; Editing by Shreya Biswas and Krishna Chandra Eluri) The Trump administration is giving thousands of federal workers a second chance to walk away and some, exhausted by months of chaos and fearing whats next, are seriously thinking about leaving. This week, at least seven agencies, including the departments of Defense, Agriculture, Energy, Housing and Urban Development and Transportation, as well as the Small Business Administration and the General Services Administration, are making a new round of offers for workers to leave their jobs, using the same Deferred Resignation Program that prompted more than 77,000 federal employees to voluntarily leave earlier this year. The proposal would allow workers to resign now and be paid and keep their benefits through at least Sept. 30, according to the agency notices. But unlike the first wave of offers , which was coordinated through the Office of Personnel Management and gave employees weeks to consider their options, this round is moving much faster. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Agencies are setting their own deadlines, and workers have as little as one week two at most to make a decision. Offer windows vary across agencies but will begin closing as soon as Monday and stretch no later than April 18. With thousands of federal workers already dismissed involuntarily , agency leaders are now making clear that the voluntary offer is a final opportunity to exit before they risk getting fired. To mitigate the effect of potential involuntary separations, I am immediately instituting a DOE Deferred Resignation Program, which allows for employees to take needed time for future planning while continuing to be paid through the designated period, Energy Secretary Chris Wright wrote to employees. The urgency is no accident. The offers are landing days before an April 14 deadline for agencies to submit updated reduction in force plans to OPM. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We're getting close to an official plan that will be announced, and in order to get that final number of RIF people, we want to see if there's any stragglers, said a White House official granted anonymity to speak about the plan. Now, with the federal government fully funded and earlier participants appearing to be receiving their payments as promised, more employees may be ready to take the deal. I didnt take it initially because there wasnt enough information available, plus there was the looming threat of a government shutdown, said a federal worker now planning to opt in and granted anonymity to discuss it. But now its clear that people are getting paid and the government is fully funded. This is likely the final round of offers thatll be offered to federal employees, the official said. I don't see a situation where throughout the remaining four years we want to continue with this, the person said. If we can do it in the front end, thats the goal. The proposals are also aimed at addressing another hurdle for the Trump administrations aggressive push to shrink the federal workforce: the 24,000 employees who are in the process of being reinstated following court rulings that deemed their terminations improper. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two of the agencies now offering staff exits through the Deferred Resignation Program Defense and HUD were among the six ordered by federal judges to reinstate dismissed employees immediately. That means the agencies are being squeezed from both sides, legally compelled to bring workers back while also under White House pressure to cut headcount. Given those pressures, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth left nothing to the imagination when announcing the Pentagons program Friday. My intent is to maximize participation so that we can minimize the number of involuntary actions that may be required to achieve the strategic objectives, he wrote. HUD, in its internal communication, addressed concerns that surfaced during the first departure wave, such as the uncertainty around government funding last month that left payments in question. This uncertainty may have prevented some employees from taking advantage of the program, the agency acknowledged in a department-wide email. For some federal workers, the increasingly uncertain and untenable work environment ranging from mass firings to the request emailed to all federal employees to list five things they accomplished in the week prior is playing a role in their decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A lot more people are considering it, thats for sure, a senior FAA official granted anonymity to speak candidly wrote in a message. We feel beaten down. If the 5 bullets were all we could take. If the fork in the road email (original) was all we could take..but the emails that followed, the 5 bullets every weekIt feels like were in a vise and every day is a quarter turn more and were starting to feel the sides close in on us. Its awful. For probationary employees, who lack the full civil service protections afforded to more tenured staff, the pressure is even greater. One USDA employee within their probationary period, granted anonymity to discuss their thinking, said it felt like they were having to make the decision "at gunpoint." Marcia Brown contributed to this report. Photo by Getty Images. More than 125,000 Minnesota households get help with their winter heating bills through the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, but thats at risk now because the entire staff that run the program has been fired. As part of massive cuts to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, every staffer was laid off from the Division of Energy Assistance, NPR reported this week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The nonprofit energy consumer advocate Citizens Utility Board of Minnesota, known as CUB, released a statement Wednesday decrying the cuts. Energy Assistance is a vital and extremely popular program, said Annie Levenson-Falk, CUBs executive director. Even a delay in funding will mean that eligible Minnesotans risk utility shutoffs or being unable to refill empty propane or fuel oil tanks. CUB says Minnesota is currently awaiting the final 10% of federal funding for the current program year, which was approved by Congress. If the funding is delayed, support to Minnesota households will be paused. . About 75% of the energy assistance goes to households outside the 7-county metropolitan area, according to CUB. Nationwide, LIHEAP, as the program is known, helps 5.9 million low-income households pay heat and cooling bills and afford energy efficiency projects, according to NPR. ARLINGTON, Va. (DC News Now) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is making changes to increase safety around Reagan National Airport (DCA), including increasing support and oversight for the air traffic controller team and evaluating plane arrival rates, the agency said Tuesday. According to the FAA, to support the well-being of controllers following stressful events, a Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) team will visit the airport in early April and offer confidential support for staff. In addition, the FAA will conduct regular wellness checks, increase operational supervisor staffing from six to eight people and review certified professional controller staffing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Federal officials have been raising concerns about an understaffed and overtaxed air traffic control system for years, according to an Associated Press report. FAA bans helicopter route near DCA after deadly midair crash Lastly, officials will review the aircraft arrival rate at DCA per hour. The agency noted that the current rate is disproportionately concentrated within the last 30 minutes of each hour. The changes come just two months after a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines plane collided above the Potomac River near Reagan National Airport (DCA) on Jan. 29, leaving 67 people dead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The announcement also comes just days after an FAA employee was arrested and charged with assault and battery after an incident in the air traffic control (ATC) tower at DCA. There was also a near-miss reported at the airport last week. Flyers who spoke with DC News Now were encouraged by some of the measures. Laura Berg, of Potomac, Md., commended the wellness checks and use of the Critical Incident Stress Management team. Any stressful job, especially when you need to be 24/7, you definitely want to make sure those people are the most mentally fit, she said. Katelyn Benton, of Arlington, said she was thinking of the victims of the crash on her flight back from Florida. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I hope that enough changes have been made to make sure that we were safe, she said. She supported the efforts to review staffing levels of controllers, but also reiterated her belief that the main action that needed to be taken was related to military use of the airspace. Washington D.C. is not a playground for the military, she said. Previously, the FAA banned nearly all helicopters from flying near DCA on the same route where the midair collision happened. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. Kevin Hardy Stateline For the Day Eagle Hope Project, federal money has helped volunteers deliver fresh produce and meat to families in need across the remote Fort Belknap Indian Reservation in northern Montana while putting cash into the hands of farmers, ranchers and meat processors. The nonprofit generally has less than $300,000 to spend per year. So the $200,000 from a U.S. Department of Agriculture local food buying program drastically raised both the quantity and quality of the food it could distribute. They were a major, major contributor to our food, said Tescha Hawley, who directs the organization, which aims to improve physical, mental and spiritual health. The USDA recently nixed more than $1 billion from two programs that helped food banks and school meal programs buy local foods, including $660 million for schoolchildren. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins recently described the programs as nonessential. But the move has left hundreds of school systems and food banks reeling. They already face rising food prices and are struggling to help community members with growing food insecurity. Created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Local Food Purchase Assistance and the Local Food for Schools programs aimed to build more resilient supply chains of domestic food by connecting schools and food pantries with small ranches, farms and dairies. The program was initially funded by 2021s American Rescue Plan Act but later expanded by the Biden administration. The federal programs stimulated the purchase of locally grown fruits, vegetables, dairy and meats benefiting both the smaller farmers who received fair market pay for their products and the organizations granted funds to buy high quality foods. The noncompetitive grants sent hundreds of millions of dollars to all 50 states, the District of Columbia and 84 tribal governments, boosting business for more than 8,000 farmers and providing local food to almost as many food banks. The Trump administration is killing the programs, despite Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s campaign against processed food, which he says is poisoning Americans. Without ongoing funding, Hawley said, she would have to rely on cheaper, less nutritious food. Its simple, right? I can get a truck in here with all highly processed food, no problem, she said. Schools are facing a similar challenge: While officials running breakfast and lunch programs would prefer to buy more local products, those are often expensive. And with underfunding, high food costs and labor struggles, school lunch programs are already stretched thin. In Milan, Tennessee, the federal funds allowed the local school system to buy minimally processed beef from a local stockyard, and broccoli, purple hull peas, tomatoes and melons from local growers. Vickie Dunaway, who supervises the school systems food services, told the Tennessee Lookout the federal cuts mean going backwards on purchasing healthier foods. That will obviously have to be cut out, because our budget will not withstand being able to purchase local, she said. Purchasing local, minimally processed food is way more expensive than buying from a distributor. A devastating cut to food banks Late last year, USDA said the programs had already spent more than $1 billion on local foods, and announced an expansion of the two programs with an additional $1.13 billion. USDA has killed that $1.13 billion expansion; it is still reimbursing the previously committed funds. The Trump administration, which has sought to dramatically slash the size of the federal government, told recipients earlier this month that the programs no longer effectuate the goals of the agency. In a statement to Stateline, the USDA said the current administration is prioritizing stable, proven solutions that deliver lasting impact. The COVID era is over USDAs approach to nutrition programs will reflect that reality moving forward, the statement said. "The only thing well be able to do is just ration what little we have to spread it as thinly as possible over the number of households we provide food to." Eric Cooper, president and CEO of the San Antonio Food Bank Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The nonpartisan National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, which represents the ag department leaders of all 50 states, last month lobbied the federal government to continue the local foods program with permanent funding and ease procurement regulations for school meal programs. Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward, president of the association, said in a statement that the local food programs aid both producers and consumers. Investing in local and regional food systems not only strengthens the connections between farmers and their local communities, it bolsters supply chain resiliency as well, his statement read. In New Mexico, the program allowed food banks to buy some 900,000 pounds of locally grown food from more than 200 farmers since 2023. Before the program was terminated, the state was expecting close to $3 million in additional funding, Source New Mexico reported. Jill Dixon, executive director of The Food Depot in northern New Mexico, called the cuts devastating. In Texas, the San Antonio Food Bank counted on USDAs local food program to help round out the food boxes it provides to families in need. The food bank, which serves more than 100,000 people across 29 Texas counties, largely relies on donated foods from hotels, restaurants and grocery stores. The challenge is I might get peanut butter donated, but I dont have the jelly, or I might have pasta donated, but I dont have the marinara, said Eric Cooper, president and CEO of the food bank. This program allowed us to purchase those items that we didnt get that then helped round out the food box, or really complement the food that was being donated to give families the ability to make meals. The program initially provided the food bank nearly $3 million in grant funding about 20 percent of what the organization spends each year on bulk food purchases. It expected a similar amount this year, before USDAs announcement. Cooper said cuts come even as the need for assistance rises. Food prices have squeezed families, and mass layoffs of federal workers portend more demand for food assistance in the coming months, he said. And well be caught in the middle. And you know, thats an incredibly uncomfortable place to be. The only thing well be able to do is just ration what little we have to spread it as thinly as possible over the number of households we provide food to. A boost for school lunches For years, school meal programs have struggled with tight margins. Not only do they have to meet strict nutritional guidelines, but schools also face lagging reimbursement from the federal government and spend millions covering the cost of students unpaid meal debt. At the 1,600-student Monticello School District in Arkansas, that debt is approaching $60,000. So $50,000 from USDAs local food program was a significant boost to the bottom line. That was such a help, said Amanda West, the districts child nutrition director. The southeast Arkansas district used grant money to buy locally grown ground beef. The beef went into dishes including taco salad, meatloaf and spaghetti. West said staff and students immediately noticed a difference in taste from conventionally purchased meats. And though the local product cost more, West said it also yielded more because it was not full of additives that cause the meat to shrink when cooked. West, who is the president of the Arkansas School Nutrition Association, noted that her state is home to the nations highest rates of food insecurity. West had hoped to see the local foods program help turn that tide by bringing more stability to school meal programs and growing the state economy by boosting local farmers, ranchers and distributors. Were all upset about it. I hate that were not receiving it because grocery prices are 30, 40 percent higher than what they were a few years ago, and it really hurts our budget, she said. It helped a lot of districts, including mine, and it would be amazing if we could get it back. On top of the local foods program cuts, congressional Republicans are considering billions in potential cuts to free and reduced-price school meal programs cuts the School Nutrition Association says could potentially affect millions of American students. The federal government partially subsidizes breakfast, lunch and after-school snack programs at rates calculated by the income level of students families. The School Nutrition Association, which represents 50,000 school meal providers across the country, said the school meals are the healthiest many American children receive. But that group says federal reimbursements are far from adequate, leaving members worried about the future of their meal programs. In a recent association survey of more than 1,390 school meal directors, more than 90 percent reported serious or moderate concern over the financial sustainability of their school meal programs three years from now. Stateline reporter Kevin Hardy can be reached at khardy@stateline.org. CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WBOY) As the Trump Administration cuts down on the Department of Health and Human Services, one of the branches that will likely be impacted is SAMHSA, or the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. One of SAMHSAs roles is facilitating the 988 suicide and crisis prevention hotline, which in West Virginia is run by First Choice Services in Charleston and is mostly funded by the state government. SAMSHA personnel have expertise in the field and provide critical guidance in the West Virginia lines operation. First Choice Services at times see challenges they are unsure of how to handle, such as receiving an increased number of calls from a demographic they have less experience with, but that they can receive guidance from SAMSHA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Major West Virginia teachers unions merge to form Education West Virginia CEO of First Choice Services Lata Menon talked to 12 News about the issue. We have partners at SAMSHA who have done this for their careers. Theyve made it their focus, Menon said. She went on to say that First Choice Services losing these partners will have an impact down the line. First Choice Services says that over the past two years the number of calls they have received has increased from 9,500 to 20,000, and that the number of texts and chats that their crisis counselors have engaged in has increased from 600 to 8,000. First Choice Services says that 988 lines across the country have likely seen similar increases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Menon told 12 News she hopes the federal government pays the proper attention to the issues of mental health care and crisis intervention. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com. BRATISLAVA, April 2 (Xinhua) -- The Slovak government on Wednesday declared a state of emergency in several districts and approved the culling of 350 brown bears, citing the danger to humans after a spate of attacks. According to Environment Minister Tomas Taraba, an extraordinary cull will be carried out in selected districts, bringing down the country's bear population from more than 1,300 bears. He said 800 would be a "sufficient number" for Slovakia. Police confirmed that a 59-year-old man was killed in a bear attack on Wednesday in the woods of central Slovakia. This is the latest fatal bear attack this year. Speaking after a government session the same day, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said Slovakia can't become a country where people are afraid to enter the woods. Apr. 2The Flathead Valley's food banks are grappling with how to fill funding gaps left by cuts to federal food assistance programs amid rising demand for services. The county is home to several food banks that provide both fresh and non-perishable goods to thousands of families, seniors and working people. While food banks stock their shelves in various ways, including private donations, grocery surpluses and buying food, they also lean on the federal government for assistance in buying fresh, home-grown items. But the Trump administration axed two U.S. Department of Agriculture programs that gave schools and food banks the opportunity to buy locally, halting more than $1 billion in federal spending. Five hundred million in funding was also cancelled from a 40-year-old federal program providing emergency food assistance to low-income individuals, which also helps stock food pantries in the Flathead Valley. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the Flathead Food Bank and North Valley Food Bank needed to stock up on milk, eggs or fresh produce, they looked to the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program to reimburse those purchases. But the program is set to sunset this year and will not be renewed, and Chris Sidmore, executive director of the Flathead Food Bank in Kalispell, doesn't see any new funding opportunities popping up. "There was hope that it would be renewed, but that got stopped," Sidmore said. "Both us as an organization, and then talking with other food banks, it doesn't seem that there's that much government funding on the horizon." Established in 2021, the program was meant "not only as a tool to ensure that more Montana food is ending up on the plates of Montanans, but also to initiate long-term buyer-seller relationships that will grow our local food economy," according to the federal agency's website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Flathead Food Bank received $112,000 disbursed over 18 months through the program that will end in May. When funding runs out, Sidmore expects a reduction in the number of eggs and fresh produce on the pantry shelves because the food bank won't be able to match the grant money lost. At one point, Sidmore was not sure whether the federal government would reimburse the food banks on goods already purchased. North Valley Food Bank Executive Director Sophie Albert previously expected to see the program come back again after spending $155,000 awarded through the program over two years. "It was really great, because really what people want when they come to the food bank is locally grown fresh produce," she said. "Produce is expensive. We want people to eat healthy. They want nutritious food. And this grant was huge for us." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Agriculture said the pandemic-era program "will now be sunsetted at the end of the performance period, marking a return to long-term, fiscally responsible initiatives." ALBERT EXPECTS rural pantries to be hit hardest by the $500 million cancelled from the Emergency Food Assistance Program, which was sourced from the Commodity Credit Corporation and amounts to 40% of the program. While North Valley, based in Whitefish, serves around 1,200 people a week, it also acts as a food hub for Northwest Montana, supplying groceries to FAST Blackfeet in Browning and rural pantries in Yaak, Eureka, Libby and Troy. The goods, which consist of produce, dairy, meat and shelf-stable items, are delivered from the Montana Food Bank Network based in Missoula, which receives federal dollars from the Emergency Food Assistance Program to dole out goods to food banks across Montana. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The statewide food bank supplied five food banks in the Flathead Valley with almost 450,000 pounds of Emergency Assistance food last year. Around 181,000 pounds of which were funded through the Commodity Credit Corporation. "This is a significant amount of TEFAP food that will not be going to our partners and in turn will not be available to our hungry neighbors in Flathead County and across the state," said Jesse Schraufnagel, programs manager for the Montana Food Bank Network. About 20% of the food moving through the North Valley Food Bank comes from the federal program, which amounts to about 230,000 pounds a year. Due to federal cuts, that amount will be slashed by 100,000 pounds, creating an estimated $250,000 gap in funding that Albert said she will have no option other than to fill because of demand. The Flathead Food Bank received around 58,000 pounds of food sourced through the Commodity Credit Corporation. Sidmore said losing that supply would be a huge hit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rural pantries North Valley supplies will be the most impacted, though, Albert said. "For those pantries, it's going to be much more devastating because with them, it's honestly probably the majority of the food they hand out to their community," she said. THE WHITEFISH and Kalispell food banks stock shelves partly through grocery rescue, which involves gathering edible food that would otherwise go to waste from grocery stores. But the Bigfork Food Bank doesn't have access to many grocery stores like the more populated neighboring towns do. That's why Executive Director Jamie Quinn said the loss in goods will need to be made up either through more private donations or by buying the food. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because 90% of the Flathead Food Bank's revenue comes from private donations, Sidmore doesn't see a substantial loss in service in the near future but expects more effort to go to finding non-governmental grants and organizing fundraisers to fill the gap in supply. But looking further down the road, Sidmore sees money getting tighter as operational costs rise with demand. "It's a heavy lift because food prices go up, everything else goes up," he said. "And then year over year we are just seeing more people as the valley grows." Last year, the food bank distributed 1.8 million pounds of food, half of which was donated from grocery stores, farmers or the community. The other half is purchased, which amounts to a bill of about $26,000 per month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Flathead Food Bank saw a record number of visits in January at around 2,200, up 15% from the previous January. Demand across all services, which includes senior and student food assistance and mobile pantries, rose 12% between 2023 and 2024, and Sidmore expects that rate to hold steady. Over 76% of pantry visitors last year reported either an active income or are elderly trying to live off retirement. "We see a big percentage of working people here," Sidmore said. At Bigfork, Quinn compared food banks to a "canary in a coal mine," because they are often the first service people turn to during difficult times, whether that is teetering the line of homelessness, struggling with unemployment or other situations. She expects more cuts to federal food programs to come. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If we're going to help our most at risk and keep them healthy, that means we're going to have to have a significant amount more money to be able to provide these items especially with the deficit of government," she said. According to Feeding America, the nation's largest food bank network, one in nine Montanans face hunger, and one in six children do. In Flathead County, 10% of the population is food insecure, according to the organization. Food insecurity is defined as a lack of access, at times, to enough food for an active, healthy life, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect that federal cuts to the Emergency Food Assistance Program will lead to an estimated $250,000 loss in funding at the North Valley Food Bank, equal to 100,000 pounds of food. Reporter Jack Underhill can be reached at 758-4407 and junderhill@dailyinterlake.com. Arkansas' first-in-the-nation social media age-verification law was ruled unconstitutional and blocked from enforcement by a federal judge Monday. (Photo illustration by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) A federal judge declared an Arkansas law requiring age verification to create new social media accounts unconstitutional late Monday and permanently blocked the law. The law, Act 689 of 2023, was the first of its kind in the nation and was a priority of Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders in her first year in office. It required social media platforms to verify the age of all account holders in Arkansas. Those under 18 could only access sites with parental permission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. District Judge Timothy L. Brooks of the Western District of Arkansas said in Mondays ruling that Act 689 would violate the First Amendment rights of Arkansans because it is a content-based restriction on speech that is not narrowly tailored to serve a compelling government interest. The law also would violate the due process rights of the plaintiffs, the judge wrote. The ruling marked the first permanent injunction that NetChoice, the nonprofit trade association for large tech companies that brought the suit, has obtained against similar laws it has challenged as violating free speech and enterprise online, according to a press release. NetChoice filed its lawsuit against the state in June 2023, and Brooks issued a preliminary injunction that August, about two weeks before the law was set to take effect on Sept. 1. The courts ruling confirms NetChoices argument that restricting access to protected speech violates the First Amendment, the groups litigation director, Chris Marchese, said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This ruling protects Americans from having to hand over their IDs or biometric data just to access constitutionally protected speech online, Marchese said. It reaffirms that parents not politicians or bureaucrats should decide whats appropriate for their children. Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin said in a statement Tuesday that he respects the courts decision, adding that his office is evaluating its options. Sanders called for lawmakers to amend Act 689 during her January State of the State address so that its no longer held up in court and can begin to be enforced. To date, no such amendments to the law have been proposed, but Sen. Bart Hester, R-Cave Springs, told the Advocate last week he expects it to happen one way or another since the governor said its important to her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brooks 41-page opinion on Monday granted NetChoices motion for summary judgment and declared that NetChoice members and their users will suffer irreparable harm if Act 689 takes effect because it abridges the First Amendment rights of Arkansans who use social media and contains terms too vague to be reasonably understood. The Court does not doubt the reality, well supported by the record, that unfettered social media access can and does harm minors, Brooks wrote, adding that the state does have a compelling interest in protecting minors. The state does not, however, have a free-floating power to restrict the ideas to which children may be exposed, he said, quoting from another courts opinion. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The law is maximally burdensome on both the social media platforms and the users it targets, the judge wrote. It erects barriers to accessing entire social media platforms rather than placing those barriers around the content or functions that raise concern, he said. It not only hinders adults ability to speak and receive protected speech online, it excludes minors whose parents do not consent (or cannot prove their consent) from accessing forums on the internet. If the Legislatures intent was to protect minors from materials or interactions that could harm them online, there is no evidence that the Act will be effective in achieving that goal, the judge said. Rather than targeting content that is harmful to minors, Act 689 simply impedes access to content writ large. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The law also is unclear which NetChoice members are subject to regulation, forcing some companies to choose between risking enforcement penalties and implementing age-verification requirements that burden their users First Amendment rights, Brooks wrote. NetChoice members whom the Act clearly regulates would be pressed into service as the private censors of the State, Brooks noted. No legal remedy exists to compensate Arkansans for the loss of their First Amendment rights. The state argued that the acts language made it clear that it covers Meta, Twitter (now X) and TikTok, but NetChoice argued that members like Snapchat, Nextdoor and Pinterest couldnt be certain the law does not apply to them, according to the ruling. The state responded that the law didnt apply to Snapchat because its different from a traditional social media platform. The law also specifically exempted YouTube and Google from having to verify users age. The act is unconstitutionally vague because it fails to adequately define which entities are subject to its requirements, risking chilling effects and inviting arbitrary enforcement, according to the ruling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brooks concludes by stating Act 689 is a content-based restriction on speech, and it is not targeted to address the harms the State has identified. Arkansas takes a hatchet to adults and minors protected speech alike though the Constitution demands it use a scalpel. Deputy Editor Antoinette Grajeda contributed to this story. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE For the record: 1:16 p.m. April 2, 2025: A previous version of this article said an order for a hearing last week requested that LAHSA Chief Executive Va Lecia Adams Kellum and California Gov. Gavin Newson attend. That order was for a hearing in May. With the top city and county elected officials sitting in his jury box, the judge lectured for more than an hour, excoriating what he called the "Rocky Horror Picture Show" of homeless services in Los Angeles. But when it came time to reveal the drastic remedy anticipated by a courtroom full of spectators, U.S. District Judge David O. Carter hit pause at a hearing last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He gave Mayor Karen Bass and Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger until May to fix the broken system, vowing only then to become "your worst nightmare" should they fail. "I think as elected officials, you've inherited an extraordinarily difficult task," he told them. "And I imagine you came to court today thinking that hell and brimstone would rain upon you. Quite the opposite. At the end of this, I'm going to be asking if there's anything that your branch of government can do to resolve the problems that have been presented to you." An attorney in the case, alleging that the city had failed to meet its obligations in a settlement agreement, urged Carter to employ his ultimate weapon appointing a receiver to run the city's homelessness programs. But that prospect led the often blustery judge to turn openly introspective, ruminating on the limits of his power and the risks of using it to try to reverse decades of mismanagement by other branches of government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "So unless the two of you can work this out in some way, the court's going to have to," he told Bass and Barger. "And I'm not sure what to do about that because then I am intruding. I've got a great chance of a reversal [on appeal], I understand that. But if I don't, then I'm complicit, I'm sitting here doing nothing." His dilemma arises from a five-year-old lawsuit brought by the L.A. Alliance for Human Rights, a nonprofit organization of business owners, property owners and residents. It alleged that the city and county had failed to address street homelessness. Through an order and a settlement agreement reached earlier in the case, the city is required to create nearly 20,000 new beds for homeless people and to remove about 10,000 tents and vehicles from the streets. A separate settlement requires the county to pay for services at some of the city beds and to create 3,000 new mental health beds. Read more: Court-ordered audit finds major flaws in L.A.'s homeless services Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carter's oversight of those agreements took a sharp turn last year when the L.A. Alliance's law firm, Umhofer, Mitchell and King, accused the city of noncompliance and asked the judge to fine it $6.4 million. He declined to do that but, in place of sanctions, pressured the city to pay for an outside audit of its accounting for billions of dollars it has spent on homeless services. That audit, released late in February, found disjointed services and inadequate financial controls, leaving the city's homelessness programs susceptible to waste and fraud. But it focused particularly on the lack of accountability at the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, a joint agency formed in the 1990s to manage homeless services for the city and county. Through the 2017 Measure H homelessness sales tax and an infusion of city and state funds, LAHSA's budget has grown more than seven times over to its current $875 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At last week's hearing to explore the ramifications of the audit, Bass, Barger, City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson and City Controller Kenneth Mejia attended at the judge's request. The judge added LAHSA Chief Executive Va Lecia Adams Kellum and California Gov. Gavin Newsom to his order for the next hearing in May. I want you to get together and call Gavin down here, he said. "He has a blog, and he's busy blogging." But he lamented that he had no authority to compel Adams Kellums to be present since LAHSA is not a named party to the lawsuit. Twice he suggested that the agency should be sued, bringing it under his jurisdiction. The judge's outrage over the state of homelessness poured forth for more than an hour as he quoted from a handful of audits going back decades that, over and over, faulted LAHSA for poor accounting procedures. This week he posted those audits, in total 490 pages, on his court website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "So this isn't new," Carter said. "This is old news to elected officials and to LAHSA. There's no auditing going on. There's no transparency. There's no accountability." But his posture turned skeptical when L.A. Alliance attorney Matthew Umhofer said he planned to petition for a receiver. "What's this supposed to look like?" Carter asked sharply. "What's the function of this receiver? What are they going to do?" "The receiver, from our perspective, becomes the homelessness czar for the city," Umhofer replied. "It's going to have to be an 800-pound gorilla," Carter said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Umhofer said that he would not propose names off the cuff but that it should be someone with gravitas, such as Kenneth Feinberg, the lawyer who oversaw the compensation for 9/11 claims. "Anybody know what his fees are?" Carter asked. "I do." In a back-and-forth on what a receiver could do, Umhofer said it might include "control of the budget around homelessness in Los Angeles." Carter found that problematic. "Nobody elected the court, nobody elected the receivership," he said. "That could be construed as a real intrusion of power. And I'm trying to get a resolution from you, but let's hear the drama of this for just a moment, because I'm having trouble sorting through what this would even potentially look like." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Umhofer argued that the remedy needed to be "extraordinary because the failure of the city and the county is extraordinary." Because the city has failed, he said, the receiver would have authority "vested by the court to commandeer what it needs within the city in order to solve this problem." "That's really a dramatic action by a court," Carter said. "And if that was ever to be considered, I need to be very certain what the attainable goals are and why the legislative and executive branch can't accomplish this." "Because they have not accomplished it, your honor. That's exactly the point ... because the executive and legislative branches have failed." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Could the receiver, Carter asked, order Los Angeles City Councilmember Traci Park to proceed with an unpopular housing project in Venice that she has blocked? "If we need to overcome some NIMBYism to get shelter and housing built,we should absolutely empower a receiver to do that," Umhofer said. "It's the kind of power that I would expect this court to exercise if faced with that question." When he continued to press the issue, Carter asked: "Are you asking that the court take over the entire city? First of all, I would be working with a bureaucracy that is not functioning from my situation. I dont know that I want to work with those same people anymore. That's doomed to failure." Finally, he said, "Go back and think, if you're asking for this drama of a receivership, how that really works and why the court would be more effective." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No mention was made during the hearing of the looming decision made by the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday to strip LAHSA of $375 million in annual funding and shift it into a new county department. Carter gave no indication whether he would view that as a positive step or a distraction. But, in response to a question from The Times, Umhofer partner Elizabeth Mitchell later said the move did not address the law firm's complaints about the city, characterizing it as no more than "moving the deck chairs around the Titanic." "There needs to be some massive structural changes to address the underlying issues, and I cant see them proposing anything that will possibly come close," Mitchell wrote in an email. The firm will soon file a motion asking Carter to appoint a receiver, she said. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. April 2 (UPI) -- A federal judge on Wednesday dismissed criminal corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams Wednesday after the Trump administration ordered the Department of Justice to drop the case. Judge Dale Ho's order chastised the Justice Department for dismissing the charges in return for Adams complying with Trump administration immigration policies. He said it implies that public officials can get special disposition on criminal charges "if they are compliant with the incumbent administration's policy priorities." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "That suggestion is fundamentally incompatible with the basic premise of equal justice under the law," Judge Dale Ho wrote in his dismissal order. Ho dismissed the case "with prejudice," a legal term meaning the charges cannot be brought back later based on the same evidence. Ho's order said he dismissed with prejudice rather than granting Justice Department's motion to dismiss without prejudice because it "would create the unavoidable perception that the Mayor's freedom depends on his ability to carry out the immigration enforcement priorities of the administration." He added if future prosecution was held over Adams "he might be more beholden to the demands of the federal government than to the wishes of his own constituents." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The judge wrote that after Trump's DOJ sought dismissal of the Adams case, "The Mayor took at least one new immigration-related action consistent with the preferences of the new administration. Everything here smacks of a bargain: dismissal of the Indictment in exchange for immigration policy concessions." Ho noted in the dismissal decision that Adams, while still under prosecution threat, announced he would allow "Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to operate at the Rikers Island Jail Complex, an act that appears to be contrary to New York City law." U.S. Solicitor General Paul Clement, retained by Judge Ho to review the Department of Justice's request to dismiss the Adams charges, recommended no chance of reinstatement. Seven prosecutors resigned rather than follow the Trump DOJ's controversial order to request dismissal of the charges against Adams. "I expect you will eventually find someone who is enough of a fool, or enough of a coward, to file your motion. But it was never going to be me," Prosecutor Hagan Scotten said as he resigned. SAN FRANCISCO (AP) Federal judge orders Trump administration to restore legal aid to migrant children who traveled alone to US. HANNOVER, Germany, April 2 (Xinhua) -- "Bring me a piece of salted chocolate." When Alexander Zorn gave this order to a computer at the ongoing Hannover Messe 2025, Germany's leading trade fair, an Artificial Intelligence (AI) agent immediately activated a robotic arm to identify and select the correct item. Within around five seconds, the robotic arm handed Zorn the piece of chocolate. Zorn, a data scientist at the Fraunhofer Institute for Intelligent Analysis and Information Systems, told Xinhua that he was demonstrating the "industrial magic" of AI agents. AI agents enable robotic arms to understand human speech and can serve as assistants in industrial production, he explained. "The big advantage is that you do not have to code everything on your own. The agent performs the work step by step, coordinating all the necessary actions," he said. "In a traditional setup, you would need coders, programmers, and a specific model for your robot. But with the AI agent, you simply provide it with the instructions, and the agent takes care of all the work." AI agents capable of carrying out the roles of human "co-workers" are gaining attention at this year's trade fair. Siemens AG President and CEO Roland Busch said at the opening ceremony that Hannover Messe 2025 will show people "how Large Language Models and generative AI will change the industrial world and our energy systems." "Whatever the mix of humans and machines may look like in the future, there is something else we need to do in the meantime in order to change our operating system. We need to learn how to collaborate more in technology-based ecosystems," he said. Digital technologies could also revolutionize the pharmaceutical industry. Axel Lorenz, CEO of process automation at Siemens, told Xinhua that AI agents play a vital role in the company's pharmaceutical production. Lorenz gave the example of Siemens' Industrial Copilot, a generative AI-powered assistant, which can help automation engineers create code more quickly, answer engineering questions, and develop Human-Machine Interface (HMI) visualizations. Also, with the AI-based chatbot Simatic eaSIe, technicians and maintenance personnel can communicate with the system via chat-style conversations or voice interaction. They can also access relevant data from a pharmaceutical plant, which can facilitate maintenance, making it safer and more reliable. Chinese companies also delivered impressive performances at Hannover Messe with Inspur Cloud Information Technology Co., Ltd. showcasing its Hairuo agent. "The key concern for customers is solving real-world challenges in specific scenarios, to ensure that intelligent solutions can be effectively applied in practice," Zhou You, head of the Hairuo solution at Inspur Cloud, told Xinhua. "With the Hairuo agent, we have integrated various technology modules to provide our customers with a comprehensive solution." Despite its emerging impact, AI agents still face challenges in practical application. Christian Buckner, senior vice president of Altair Engineering Inc., said in his keynote speech during the event that when deploying AI agents in industrial production, issues such as data silos and data complexity need to be overcome. "The first thing you need to do is to get the data harmonized," he explained. "In particular, for generative AI, effective agents must have the appropriate context." Elements like a knowledge graph are needed to support the contextual model of the semantic framework, he added. Agents require episodic memory to track past interactions and must be able to learn over time, as humans do, he explained. "When you have an AI agent that's backed by a knowledge graph, that means you hire, quote, and unquote agents that have experience," he said. "That means those agents will be much more effective. They can take on much larger roles in organizations, not just the simplified task," he added. In his opening statement before two House Judiciary subcommittees on Tuesday, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich said, The notion that unelected lawyers can micromanage the executive branch and override a commander-in-chief who received 77.3 million votes should trouble every American. The current national discussion on whether federal judges are abusing their power through political activism is not new, though Gingrich pointed to a 2024 Harvard Law Review report that showed 92.2% of the injunctions in President Donald Trumps first term in office were issued by a judge appointed by a Democratic president. Since Jan. 20, 2025, lower courts have imposed 15 nationwide injunctions against the current Trump administration, Gingrich added. This is compared to six during George W. Bushs eight years, 12 during Barack Obamas eight years, and 14 during Joe Bidens four-year term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The joint hearing on judicial overreach and nationwide injunctions took place before the House Subcommittee on the Constitution and Limited Government and the Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, Artificial Intelligence, and the Internet. Democratic and Republican lawmakers on the committees clashed over whether the judiciary branch is overstepping its authority by barring much of Trumps actions since entering the White House in January and what the remedies are to ensure balance between the three branches of government. Nationwide injunctions have been placed on several of Trumps orders, ranging from his attempt to end birthright citizenship and the deportation of illegal immigrants to dissolving federal diversity, equity and inclusion offices and reducing federal grant funding. Democratic lawmakers accused the president of using his executive power to bully those who dont support his actions. Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Ga., said during Tuesdays hearing that Trumps actions are designed to instill fear, intimidate, exact revenge against and punish those who dare to stand up to him and hold him accountable to the laws of our nation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Johnson also claimed that of the record 107 executive orders Trump has filed in his first 71 days in office, many are unlawful or unconstitutional, and the president does not have the power to change the Constitution through executive order, even if his name is Donald Trump. Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, countered that a single appointed federal judge shouldnt have the authority to freeze an action taken by the president. But Democrats argued that as the minority in the House and Senate, federal judges are the only defense against Trumps agenda. The Tuesday hearing comes ahead of a House vote on a bill brought by Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif. The bill would keep federal judges from establishing nationwide injunctions. A similar bill brought by Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, would restrict judicial rulings to only the parties involved and not a universal decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Utah Sen. Mike Lee also introduced a bill that would limit the ability of a single district court judge to block a presidential order through a nationwide injunction. Instead, such a move would be issued by a three-judge district court with the possibility of a direct appeal to the Supreme Court. During opening remarks of Tuesdays hearing Issa said, The federal judiciary isnt interpreting the law, it is impeding the presidency. It is, in fact, not co-equal, but holding itself to be superior. The reality is every judge is considering himself not to be an associate justice, not to even be the chief justice, but in fact, to be a combination of the justice and the president the United States. This demands that we make a change and make it quickly, he said. Constitutional or not? Gingrich claimed that federal judges recent rulings against Trump could be a potential judicial coup detat and that Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts should institute a policy that would require the U.S. Supreme Court to review any nationwide injunctions made by a lower court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is clearly a potential constitutional crisis involving the judicial branchs effort to fully override the legislative and executive branches. Fifteen district judges effectively seized control of various executive branch duties in the first six weeks of the current presidency through nationwide injunctions, Gingrich said. It clearly violates the Constitution and more than 200 years of American history. However, Kate Shaw, a law professor at the University of Pennsylvania, said in her testimony that accusing judges of an abuse of power was a misstep. The premise of this hearing that courts have overreached or transcended the limits of their authority and that this overreach calls for some response is badly mistaken, she said. The Trump administration has been on a losing streak in the federal courts. The lawsuits have been brought and have overwhelmingly succeeded because many of the challenged actions have been taken without regard for and often with outright contempt for both statutes and the Constitution, and by that I mean both the constitutionally required process for lawmaking and the rights the Constitution commands government to respect, she added. "Replica firearms -- even though not always functional -- can be easily mistaken for genuine weapons by the public and law enforcement. Such misidentification can lead to tragic outcomes," Cheryl M. Davies, LA's CBP director of field operations, said Tuesday. Photo Courtesy U.S. Customs & Border Protection/UPI April 1 (UPI) -- The U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency said Tuesday its field operations in southern California have been "working relentlessly" to prevent entry of replica firearm into the United States. Officials say that, since the start of this year, more than 1,000 replica firearms have been seized at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) by CBP officers in coordination with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). "Replica firearms -- even though not always functional -- can be easily mistaken for genuine weapons by the public and law enforcement. Such misidentification can lead to tragic outcomes," Cheryl M. Davies, LA's CBP director of field operations, said in a release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cohen said that, if the counterfeit items did reach the streets, they could have "significant" consequences. Federal officials say nearly 3,000 replica guns or other firearms were seized from fiscal year 2022 to date at all U.S. ports of entry. Border officials added that some 953 replica firearms, 111 replica suppressors and 92 abandoned suppressors have since been destroyed in the process. The recent shipments originated in China via air parcel destined for various points in the United States. In early 2018, the Transportation and Security Administration announced it set a weekly record when TSA officials located more than 100 firearms in carry-on bags at U.S. airports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new arrivals, however, intentionally were misdeclared as "Alloy Miniature Toys" in the effort to fool authorities. Imitation firearms in public can lead to criminal charges. Toy guns, look-alike firearms and imitation firearms sold or transported across state lines, according to federal law, must have a blaze orange plug inserted in the barrel or a stripe on both sides of it. The law change dates back to a Reagan-era effort in Congress spearheaded by then-Senate Republican Leader Robert Dole of Kansas in 1988. The Consumer Product Safety Commission chief said it was committed to working alongside CBP to prevent illegal products from entering the U.S. market, particularly from China. "Now more than ever, we are grateful for this ongoing partnership between CPSC port inspectors and their CBP counterparts," CPSC Acting Chairman Peter Feldman said Tuesday. BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) FeedMore WNY is facing a multi-million dollar loss of food after a Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) program, a main federal funding source for FeedMore, was terminated, the organization announced Wednesday. The United States Department of Agriculture said $500 million worth of food purchases for The Emergency Food Assistance Program funded by CCC was permanently canceled. FeedMore WNY said it will lose over $3.5 million worth of food due to the cancelation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The organization said between May and August 2025, 12 pending orders from CCC, which would include chicken, turkey, pork, cheese and eggs, have been canceled. The orders accounted for 13 percent of the total amount of food FeedMore distributed in 2024, according to Catherine Shick, FeedMore WNYs public relations manager. This is a significant funding cut for FeedMore Western New York and its coming at a time when we know there is increased demand for food assistance in our community, Shick said. We know about 2.1 million pounds of food that we distributed last year came from the funding for food purchases through CCC. Shick also explained the truckloads are a huge loss to the community because items such as poultry and dairy are considered high value. Its a little tricky to make up those type of food items to go out to our agencies because that is something that is difficult for the general public to donate, Shick said. It is much more difficult for us to accept donations of items like poultry and dairy products unless its coming from a food industry partner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The organization said there was a 46 percent increase since 2021 in the number of people it serves across Western New York, with last years numbers totaling 165,722. FeedMore WNY is deeply disappointed to learn of the cancelation of food purchases funded by the Commodity Credit Corporation, Collin Bishop, FeedMore WNYs chief communications officer said in a statement. These additional funds did not simply help us during the pandemic; they have been essential as we serve an increasing number of people who are food insecure. Shick also expects food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters to not have access to quality food as often as they normally do. To have these programs end at a time when we know the cost of living remains incredibly high is disappointing, Shick said. Many hardworking families are going to be struggling to make ends meet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shick said FeedMores services are not going away and it will continue to provide food and support to the community. Acting Buffalo Mayor Chris Scanlon said in a statement that he is deeply concerned by the funding loss. The impact of this funding cut will be felt throughout Buffalo and the entire region, he said. FeedMore WNY has been a cornerstone in addressing food insecurity, and I offer my support as they work to overcome this setback and keep serving those who rely on them. Latest Local News Katie Skoog joined the News 4 team in April 2024. She is a graduate from the University at Buffalo. You can view more of her work here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trina Catterson joined the News 4 team in 2024. She previously worked at WETM-TV in Elmira, a sister station of WIVB. See more of her work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo. With a flurry of executive orders and advisories, the Trump administration has left Connecticut and other states grasping for answers about their continued eligibility for emergency management funding and whether the Federal Emergency Management Agency is destined for an overhaul or the scrap heap. The states top public safety officials warned attendees at the annual Connecticut emergency management symposium Tuesday that the only certainty is that billions of dollars currently slated for emergency operations across the U.S. are under review by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The last thing I want to do is stand up here today and sound any sort of alarm. But in our field, what we do as emergency managers, we plan and prepare. Normally, were planning and preparing for storms, said William Turner, the state emergency management director. Today were planning for a little bit different of a scenario. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Turner, who has overseen emergency management for the past three years, said that scenario is one in which the federal resources long relied upon by state and municipal agencies might not be readily available or available at all. The uncertainty is the product of messages from Washington, D.C., that have been contradictory and indecipherably vague. A case in point is the clear warning that certain grant programs, including two that send $9 million annually to Connecticut for emergency planning and operations, are likely to be off limits to sanctuary jurisdictions at odds with the Trump administrations aggressive deportation campaign. And what are those jurisdictions? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FEMA wont or cant say. The big question we have is: What is the list of sanctuary cities youre using? Turner said in an interview. And if thats going to be like an automatic Youre a sanctuary city or state, and youre not getting money thats the big question we have right now. Are we on that list? Are we going to get our money? During Donald J. Trumps first stay in the White House, his administration ultimately concluded that Connecticuts Trust Act was not in conflict with federal immigration law. The state law essentially bars state and local law enforcement from acting as extensions of the federal government. There is no legal definition of a sanctuary city or state, and the Trump 2.0 administration has yet to offer a precise definition or provide a list of sanctuary jurisdictions if, indeed, one exists. FEMA wont say. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Everybodys scared. No one wants to put anything in writing, Turner said. Turner and his boss, Commissioner Ronnell Higgins of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, apologized for not having hard information for the audience at Camp Nett, a National Guard facility in Niantic, a village in East Lyme. We know that federal funds are in jeopardy and that our ability to plan for, recover and respond will be impacted, Higgins said. The threat, as we face a potential loss of millions of federal dollars in the state of Connecticut is very, very real. Higgins said they felt obligated to put their municipal partners on alert after the receipt of a confusing memorandum about grant disbursements and standards from the acting FEMA head, Cameron Hamilton, to Kristi Noem, the secretary of homeland security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was dated March 20 and included a color-coded chart of grants for non-government and government entities that were under various stages of review and which might be linked to immigration and diversity, equity and inclusion policies. Turner got a few questions from local officials about its meaning. Turner said most emergency management officials expected and even welcomed changes at FEMA. An executive order in January created a FEMA review council with a seemingly deliberate approach and timetable for change, which Cameron reiterated at a recent meeting with his state counterparts. But 48 hours later, Noem raised the idea of eliminating FEMA. What we do know is that theres a strong push to reform FEMA, and a lot of state directors who I just had the chance to meet with last week in Washington are on the same page. Changes are needed. Disaster recovery from the federal perspective its too expensive, it takes too long. We need to get money and resources into the disaster survivors hands quicker, Turner said. Theres a lot of areas where there could be improvement. We all agree on that, but burning the house down or doing away with FEMA completely is not the solution. House Budget Committee Chairman Dirk Deaton, a Republican from Noel, speaks during a Jan. 30 news conference with House Speaker Jon Patterson. (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications) Democrats failed on Tuesday to win major changes in the $47.9 billion state budget plan during Missouri House debate, suffering defeat on proposals to shift money to the school funding formula and increase payments to child care providers. Few Republicans broke ranks with party leadership on those or any other proposal put forth by Democrats, leading one lawmaker to wonder out loud why the chamber was bothering with debates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why take us through this dog and pony show? said state Rep. Marlene Terry, a Democrat from Bellefontaine Neighbors. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US Democrats did win a few minor changes to the budget, but the biggest difference between the plan approved in the House Budget Committee last month and the bills given first round approval Monday were made by Republican amendments. In the Medicaid program, for example, the House cut about $50 million in general revenue matches to federal funds, arguing the funds were not needed because enrollment is not meeting earlier expectations. A final series of votes on the 13 spending bills funding state operations will be held Thursday to send the budget to the state Senate. Three more bills, allocating money to capital improvements, are awaiting action in the House Budget Committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the House worked on the budget, the state Senate debated a bill exempting long-term capital gains from state income tax. Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Lincoln Hough, a Republican from Springfield, said during debate that federal budget cuts could force Missouri to spend more state tax dollars on Medicaid. Hough questioned whether a tax cut of about $335 million in the coming fiscal year was prudent. If the federal match rate for low-income adults added to the rolls since 2021 is changed from 90% to 80%, Hough said, it would require $300 million in additional general revenue. That is a fairly scary financial forecast, Hough said. Hough has said he intends to use cash balances to fully fund the foundation formula and that he will support the increase for child care providers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The possibility of cuts in national spending federal funds provide about 45% of Missouris budget was also raised in the House. Our entire budget will be blown to bits if we lose federal funding, said state Rep. Stephanie Hein, a Democrat from Springfield. The state had a substantial balance of $3.8 billion in the general revenue fund as of Monday, down from historic high of about $5.7 billion set in 2023. The budget for the coming year anticipates leaving about $1.9 billion unspent. Missouri received $13.4 billion in general revenue in the year that ended June 30 and the budget anticipates $13.5 billion for the coming fiscal year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The budget plan debated by the House cuts almost $800 million in general revenue and $2.1 billion overall less than the operating budget proposed by Gov. Mike Kehoe in January. The spending proposal achieves those savings in part by cutting appropriations that had no funding available, by reducing Medicaid to match expected enrollment and by slicing Kehoes plan for state employee pay raises in half. Instead of a raise of 1% for every two years in a state job, capped at 10%, the House pay plan is to provide a raise of 1% for every two years in a state job but capped at 5%. Additions to the budget proposed by Kehoe include 105 earmarked items, including nine added Monday, with a total cost of $170 million. The House also added $28 million that will be distributed to state colleges and universities for deferred building maintenance. The two biggest clashes of the day bookended the five-hour debate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Only one Republican joined Democrats on a failed amendment to shift $50 million in general revenue from a tax credit program supporting private school tuition scholarships to the foundation formula. Democrats argued that the budget shortchanges public schools by failing to meet the new state adequacy target, which is a measure of how much high-performing districts spend per student. The House plan allows for a state adequacy target of $6,760 per student instead of the $7,145 that resulted from the calculation mandated by state law. To boost foundation formula funding, state Rep. Betsy Fogle, a Springfield Democrat, tried to strip out $50 million for the MOScholars program, which was supposed to be funded by donations tied to tax credits. Too many of the private schools participating in the scholarship program wont accept students with developmental disabilities or who wont participate in religious instruction, Fogle said. I cant think of anything more frustrating to me, personally, than my tax dollars going to a school that wouldnt have educated me, that wouldnt have educated a lot of people in this body, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Defending the set-aside for the scholarship program, Republicans said the influx of state cash will help hundreds more students. This is a historic investment in our childrens future, fostering flexibility around parental involvement and educational freedom for our kids, said state Rep. Ben Baker, a Republican from Neosho. While the budget plan accepted Kehoes proposal for scholarships, it did not include his $107 million plan for child care subsidies. The system for delivering payments has been plagued by mistakes and delays and some providers have closed as a result. Hein sought to restore about $85 million of the cut. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have the opportunity to fix the situation and bring the state into compliance with federal rules, Hein said. We can stabilize the child care industry and help our workforce. Republicans, however, said the expense will have to be paid from general revenue in the future and it is too costly. The problems with the payment system are solved, said House Budget Committee Chairman Dirk Deaton, a Republican from Noel, and a change now could cause problems to resurface. Changing how you pay providers from attendance to enrollment is not just flipping a switch over at the Department of Elementary Secondary Education, he said. There are substantial software changes that have to be made. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Norwich Jennifer Lundberg, an accredited early childhood educator with 25 years of experience in the field, hopes to open a new preschool in of her home at 18 Blueberry Hill Road next month. But that depends on if she can get parents to enroll their children. I am ready to open, Lundberg said standing in the furnished preschool in her basement. "I just need people. The opening comes as the state faces a severe shortage of preschools and child care facilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lundberg will hold an open house Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. The preschool would be open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the core pre-school program being operated from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., sandwiched by before and after-school care periods. The cost is $255 a week with additional hourly fee for early drop off and late pickup. She said the preschool has 10 seats for students from ages three to five, and people can fill those spots if they will commit their student for the whole preschool day. No students are enrolled yet, she said, but a few parents have sent emails interested in her prices. Dina Sears-Graves, the president and CEO of United Way of Southeastern Connecticut, said Lundberg should have no problem filling the seats. You talk to any business in the state, they will tell you they struggle to find affordable childcare, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sears-Graves said the state is in the midst of a "childcare crisis," where the demand is 41% higher than the amount of available childcare slots. She said compounding the problem is the dramatic shortage of people to staff existing facilities, as childcare workers are undervalued and underpaid. It's led United Way to lead a group of 80 businesses, tribal governments, municipalities and schools to come up with ways to address the crisis. We have a huge gap to fill, she said, adding the Lundberg's new preschool would bring the region one step closer to filling the need. On Tuesday Lundberg walked down a recently-constructed concrete walkway next to her home. She entered a door to the basement floor, where there's a room of cubbies, for students to keep jackets, along with blankets, pillows and stuffed animals for naptime, which will be two hours every day, with cots provided. More cubbies by the door are for parents to pick up students' artwork, or teachers' notes. There's a schedule on the wall that list what snacks will be served for the day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lundberg recognized there can be a stigma around offering preschool in a house," and was aware of the questions parents may have such as, "Is there junk all over the house?" or "Is it set up for my child to be there?" She said her school has the materials students need, as well as offering smaller, more intimate class sizes than counterparts. In addition to her experience, Lundberg holds degrees in early childhood education and human development and family studies. The pre-school has a kitchen area with 10 little seats at two kid-sized tables, along with a set of drawers for math and science table toys, and an arts center" with crayons, construction paper and other craft supplies for use during daily free play," or in instructional activities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Next to that Lundberg showed blocks, Legos, dinosaurs and trains, and an open space on the floor for circle time. Each day will have time allotted for music, and physical activity. If it's too cold outside, dancing will be the exercise of choice. There's an instructive calendar, and weather board, on the wall, and what Lundberg called a "dramatic play area," currently set up like a play grocery store, with pretend food and a register, but which Lundberg said could be changed monthly. There's a writing center and library with puzzles, puppets and books. Two sensory tables can be filled with sand, water, or snow for students to explain and describe what they're feeling, and what it looks like. A fenced-in outdoor play area has a sandbox, a table, and eventually may feature slides. Lundberg, seated at the tiny table in the kitchen Tuesday, said it has long been her dream to open the school. I just have a passion for it," Lundberg said. "I love children. I love seeing their creativity and where they come from. And how they come up with ideas." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said she loves watching preschoolers 'a-ha' moments, in which they make a connection in a conversation, and finally understand how something works, or how something is made and created. Lundberg has lesson plans prepared but with kids of this age who are learning things for the first time, she said the plans sometimes need to be modified as things come up. "Preschool is, you kind of see where theyre at, and you base your lesson plans off what theyre interested in," she said. If they seem like theyre understanding or if theyre not getting it. Or if they have their own conversations about, my mommy just had a baby, and he cries a lot. So maybe Ill decide, next week were going to talk about babies, and how this helps families and what you need to do, and those kind of things. d.drainville@theday.com KANSAS CITY, Mo. After nearly three months, the North Kansas City Police Department has wrapped its investigation into the death of a 63-year-old woman who was found on a hospital campus back in January. According to NKCPD, Loria Fells was found dead on the morning of Monday, Jan. 6, outside of North Kansas City Hospital. Previous reporting said that Fells had arrived at the hospital via ambulance the day before, Jan. 5, just before 12:30 p.m., but she was discharged that same day just after 1 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Olathe home damaged in fire during storm; 2 residents displaced However, at about 9:45 a.m. the next morning, she was found dead, prompting questions and concerns from the public about her death and how she was allowed to leave. On Wednesday afternoon, NKCPD officially announced that no foul play is suspected in Fells death. Upon further investigation, the Forensic Medical Center of Kansas determined that she had died from complications related to coronary artery disease. The police department said that since no criminal conduct took place, it would have no further comment on the case. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. April 2 (UPI) -- Finland joined other European nations in abandoning a long-standing treaty that bans the use of anti-personnel mines. Finnish president Alexander Stubb announced Tuesday that his country "will prepare for the withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention," based on what he described as "a thorough assessment by the relevant ministries and the Defense Forces." Ministers of Defense from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland announced jointly in March that their countries would no longer observe the Ottawa Convention, or Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, which was ratified in 1997. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.N. stated that since the treaty was signed, it has "led to a virtual halt in global production of anti-personnel mines, and a drastic reduction in their deployment." The joint statement released from Poland and the three Baltic states said "military threats to NATO Member States bordering Russia and Belarus have significantly increased," and that due to "Russia's aggression and its ongoing threat to the Euro-Atlantic community, it is essential to evaluate all measures to strengthen our deterrence and defense capabilities." Stubb did not directly connect Finland's withdrawal to Russia, but it too shares a border with Russia, and Russia's war with Ukraine is high among Finnish concerns. The nonprofit Human Rights Watch noted Tuesday that Russia has not banned the use of anti-personnel landmines and alleges "Russian forces have used anti-personnel landmines extensively in Ukraine since 2022." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With the withdrawal of Finland from the Ottawa Convention, Norway is now the only European country that borders Russia but remains a member of the treaty. "'I regret Finland's intention to withdraw from the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention," said Norway's Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide in a press release Wednesday. Despite the plan to leave the Ottawa Convention, Stubb added that "Finland is committed to its international obligations on the responsible use of mines." SENECA, Mo. Seneca authorities are investigating a fire that broke out early Wednesday morning at the former Seneca vet clinic. Crews responded to the area of Highway 43 and Kentucky Rd just north of town shortly after 5:30 a.m. When they arrived, they found heavy fire coming from the rear of the structure. Teams from Redings Mill and Wyandotte came in to provide mutual aid. The fire marshal has been called in to help investigate the incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No injuries were reported, and the business had been shut down. The fire happened shortly before the storm hitbut the area did have high winds at that timewhich fire officials say made fighting the fire much more difficult. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com. CCTV: Its reported that the U.S., EU, Japan and some others made remarks on the joint exercises around Taiwan Island conducted by the Peoples Liberation Army on April 1. They oppose unilateral changes to the status quo, including through force or coercion, and said that there is no justification for Chinas irresponsible threats and military pressure operations near Taiwan. Whats Chinas comment? Guo Jiakun: The accusation of a handful of countries and organizations against China is a mischaracterization of the facts and truth and an interference in Chinas internal affairs. China deplores and opposes this. The Taiwan question is purely Chinas internal affairs that brook no external interference. Taiwan independence separatist activities and external forces that abet and aid them are the ones that undermine peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. If certain countries and organizations truly want peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, they should follow the prevailing trend of international commitment to the one-China principle, abide by their political commitments made to China, earnestly respect Chinas sovereignty and territorial integrity, and oppose Taiwan independence in any form. Moves to clamor for Taiwan independence mean separating China, support for Taiwan independence means interference in Chinas internal affairs, and attempts to abet Taiwan independence mean destabilizing the Taiwan Strait. Chinas joint exercises is a severe punishment against the Lai Ching-te authorities aggressive provocation to seek Taiwan independence, a stern warning to Taiwan independence separatist forces who deliberately undermine peace across the Taiwan Strait, and a responsible move to defend national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity. No external force is in any position to point fingers at this. As long as provocations for Taiwan independence last, our punishment against Taiwan independence will continue. We will never ever allow anyone or any force to separate Taiwan from China in any form. We will take all measures necessary to firmly safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity. Bloomberg: Regarding reports that soldiers in Myanmar opened fire on a convoy of vehicles carrying relief supplies for the Chinese Red Cross. These were made for earthquake victims in Mandalay. Can the Foreign Ministry confirm if this is accurate and, if so, provide some further details? Guo Jiakun: China and Myanmar are neighbors that share pauk-phaw friendship. Immediately after Myanmar was hit by the earthquake, China launched an emergency response with an all-out search and rescue operation. The relief supplies provided by the Red Cross Society of China have already arrived in Myanmar and are being transported to disaster-stricken areas in Mandalay. The rescue team and relief supplies are safe at present. Saving lives is the top priority. It is imperative for us to do everything we can to respond to the disaster. China sincerely hopes that all ethnic groups and factions in Myanmar can work as one to overcome difficulties together. We strongly urge all parties in Myanmar to ensure the safety and security of rescuers and supplies from China and other countries, and keep logistics corridors fully accessible. China stands ready to do everything we can to provide relief and support to affected regions in light of the need of Myanmar. Kyodo News: Its reported that the ROK constitutional court will decide on April 4 whether to dismiss President Yoon Suk Yeol. Given the ongoing turbulence in the ROK and the upcoming APEC summit to be held in the ROK this fall, what impact do you think the courts ruling will have on China-ROK diplomacy? Guo Jiakun: We noted the reports. As weve stressed more than once, China follows the principle of non-interference in other countries internal affairs, will not comment on the ROKs domestic situation and believes that the ROK people have the wisdom and capability of properly handling their domestic issues. As an important neighbor and cooperation partner, China stands ready to work with the ROK to make active effort in deepening friendly cooperation and strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries. Reuters: Also to do with the Myanmar junta and the shots fired at the convoy. We would like to ask what happened because the junta said right before this press conference that the Chinese Red Cross did not inform the government of it being in a conflict zone. Also, our question is, would China consider sending any security to protect its Chinese humanitarian personnel there or consider temporarily stopping delivery of aid? Guo Jiakun: After Myanmar was hit by the earthquake, various parties, including the Red Cross Society of China, announced that they will provide relief supplies to Myanmar. As I just said, the relief supplies provided by the Red Cross Society of China have already arrived in Myanmar and are being transported to disaster-stricken areas in Mandalay. The rescue team and relief supplies are safe at present. We also hope that all ethnic groups and factions in Myanmar can take disaster relief as the main task, ensure the safety and security of rescuers and supplies from China and other countries, and keep logistics corridors fully accessible. AFP: The U.S. State Department said yesterday that it had approved the possible sale of F-16 jets to the Philippines. Would the Foreign Ministry like to comment on this? Guo Jiakun: Weve made clear more than once our position on military and security cooperation between the Philippines and the U.S. Defense or security cooperation between the Philippines and other countries should not target any third party or harm their interest, still less threaten regional peace and security or escalate tensions in the region. Who exactly is fueling the flames? Who exactly is instigating military confrontation? Who exactly is turning Asia into a powder keg? Regional countries are not blind. Beijing Youth Daily: A recent report issued by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) shows that global renewable power capacity grew by a record 585 gigawatts in 2024, representing 92.5 percent of all new power added worldwide. Sixty percent of the global added capacity was contributed by China. The Spokesman for the United Nations Secretary-General recently commended Chinas contribution to international renewable energy development. Under the current international circumstances, will China continue to contribute to global green transformation? What effort will China make in this regard? Guo Jiakun: Chinas commitment to green and low-carbon development is an inherent requirement of its pursuit of high-quality economic growth, which also serves as a driving force for global climate response and sustainable development. In 2024, four out of every 10 kilowatt-hour of electricity in China was generated by clean energy. As the largest exporter of clean technologies, China creates 46 percent of the job opportunities in the global renewable energy industry. According to another report from IRENA, over the past decade the average cost per kilowatt-hour of global wind power projects has decreased by more than 60 percent, and that of PV power projects by more than 80 percent. The reductions are largely attributable to Chinas efforts. In Chinas cooperation with neighboring countries for sustainable development, green transition and blue contributions stand out. China has conducted cooperation with Viet Nam, Thailand and other countries on clean energy, signed cooperation documents on blue economy with Indonesia, among other countries, and promoted cooperation in relevant fields. Building a clean and beautiful world is the shared responsibility of all countries. Some countries are now groundlessly going after Chinas green sector, which will lead to self-isolation, and even worse, cost the international community and developing countries more to access renewable energy, and hinder global green and low-carbon development. China will continue to work with other parties, empower development through green transition, and promote cooperation on blue economy. We also call on all parties to jointly create favorable conditions for international green cooperation and make greater contributions. AFP: The Philippines military chief said yesterday that the Philippines would inevitably be involved if there were a conflict over Taiwan. He also said that China was actively infiltrating Philippine institutions, including the military. Would the Foreign Ministry like to respond to these comments? Guo Jiakun: The Taiwan question is Chinas internal affair and is at the core of Chinas core interest. Resolving the Taiwan question is a matter for the Chinese ourselves that no one can interfere in. We urge certain people in the Philippines to refrain from making provocations and playing with fire on the Taiwan question. Those who play with fire will perish by it. We also oppose relevant personnel calling white black and making groundless accusations. AFP: Final one on the Philippines. The Chinese Embassy in the Philippines yesterday put out a notice warning that Philippine law enforcement has been harassing Chinese citizens and businesses. Can you provide any information on this and specifically what kind of harassment or other activities China is worried about in the Philippines? Guo Jiakun: Given what happened recently regarding travel safety in the Philippines, the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines issued a security alert. There is much relevant media coverage, which you may refer to. O Globo: Last week, it was confirmed that President Dilma Rousseff stayed as President of the New Development Bank for five more years. Can you comment on why China supports the extension of the tenure? Guo Jiakun: China congratulates Mrs. Dilma Rousseff on staying on as President of the New Development Bank. We also appreciate the important role that the New Development Bank has played in promoting relevant development and cooperation. China will, as usual, continue to support President Dilma Rousseff in fulfilling her duty and the New Development Bank in playing a greater role. JERUSALEM, April 2 (Xinhua) -- U.S. carrier Delta Air Lines has resumed operations in Israel with a flight that took off Tuesday from New York's JFK Airport and landed Wednesday at Ben Gurion Airport outside Tel Aviv. Delta stopped flying to Israel in early August last year due to the escalation of Israel's multi-front conflict. It thus became the second U.S. airline to resume activity in Israel, following United Airlines' return to service in mid-March. Latvia's flagship airline, airBaltic, has also resumed flights to Israel, following its flight suspension in September 2024, with a flight originating from Riga Airport on Tuesday and landing in Tel Aviv on Wednesday. British Airways, which stopped flying to Israel in August last year, is expected to resume flights to Israel on Saturday night. An Indiana fire department got a call from a local National Guard base with an unusual though not unheard of request. A paratrooper on a training jump at the Guards Muscatatuck Training Center had not quite completed a key part of a mandatory task on a training jump namely, reaching the ground. Instead, the Indiana National Guard soldier had gotten hung up in a tree just off the Bowden Drop Zone, about 30 feet up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A rope rescue team from a nearby department was called to the scene to bring the paratrooper down, while the Edinburgh Fire Department sent its ladder truck to see if it could assist. As it happened, the ladder truck was all that was needed, Edinburgh Chief Justin Lollar told Task & Purpose. The department posted photos on its Facebook page of the soldier climbing down the trucks ladder, apparently unhurt. It was right there at edge of the road, he said. Weve been called on some of them before and usually theyre back on the range. An unidentified paratrooper makes his way onto the platform of the Edinburgh, Indiana fire departments ladder truck. Photo courtesy of Edinburgh Fire Department. That part about being called before was not an exaggeration. Local firefighters have been called to the Muscatatuck range at least three other times since 2018 for paratroopers caught in trees. The website for the Muscatatuck training range, which is at the Indiana Guards Camp Atterbury, 30 miles south of Indianapolis, notes that the Bowden dropzone is one of the longest personnel drop zones east of the Mississippi River. The base is also home to a major urban training center, with 300 buildings and close to 2 miles of underground tunnels for urban warfare training. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An Indiana guard official confirmed that the soldier was assigned to the guards 2nd Battalion, 134th Airborne Infantry Regiment. He had jumped from a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter from the guards 38th Combat Aviation Brigade. Our soldiers train regularly to maintain their proficiency in all operations so that they can maintain a high level of readiness and be ready at a moments notice, Master Sgt. Jeff Lowry said in an email to Task & Purpose. Its not something you do every day, said Loller. But it was a neat opportunity for us. The latest on Task & Purpose SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) Bulgaria received on Wednesday the first of 16 new F-16 military jets from the United States that the Balkan country needs to upgrade its defense and bring its air force in line with NATO standards. Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov hailed the arrival of the first jet at the Graf Ignatievo air base in central Bulgaria. This is not just a fighter jet, but a symbol and embodiment of Bulgarias strategic partnership with the United States a partnership that offers a new perspective for the Bulgarian Army," the prime minister said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bulgaria contracted to buy eight multi-role F-16 Block 70 aircraft in July 2019 for $1.3 billion. Plans initially called for the first planes to arrive in Bulgaria in 2023, but the coronavirus pandemic delayed their delivery. In 2022, the Bulgarian government signed a contract with American aerospace company Lockheed Martin for a second batch of another eight of the F-16 fighter jets by the end of 2027. Bulgaria, which joined NATO in 2004, has for two decades sought to update its militarys air fleet of aging Soviet-made MiG-29 jets, but financial problems forced repeated postponements. Amid Russias ongoing war on Ukraine, Bulgaria has been relying on assistance from other NATO countries to fulfill its air policing obligations as an alliance member. Pete Hegseth will not attend a gathering of 50 countries to coordinate military support for Ukraine, multiple European officials and a U.S. official said the first time the coalition will gather without Americas secretary of defense participating. The group will meet April 11 in Brussels and will be chaired by Germany and Britain. Hegseth attended the last meeting in February, though he became the first U.S. defense secretary in the coalitions 26 meetings not to lead it. Hegseth wont join in person and isnt expected to join virtually either, according to a U.S. official, who like others was granted anonymity to discuss the planning. In fact, the Pentagon is unlikely to send any senior representatives, which typically join the secretary on such trips. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The United States is still assessing how its officials will participate in the various forums that support Ukraine, including those that help manage security assistance and training, the U.S. official said. For Europeans, the secretarys absence is the latest sign of the Trump administrations lower-priority approach to arming Ukraine a point Hegseth made clear at the last meeting in February. In a speech from Brussels, Hegseth scolded European officials, urging them to take more control of their own defense rather than relying on Americas 75-year role helping defend the continent. He also ruled out the possibility of NATO membership for Ukraine before the administration had itself made a decision on the topic something the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Roger Wicker, R-Miss., called a rookie mistake. President [Donald] Trump will not allow anyone to turn Uncle Sam into Uncle Sucker, Hegseth said, referring to a quote from former president Dwight D. Eisenhower. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hegseths predecessor, Lloyd Austin, founded the Ukraine Defense Contact Group shortly after Russias full-scale invasion in 2022. Since then, the group has helped raise and coordinate more than $126 billion in security aid to Ukraine, around half of which has come from America. In the three years since, the group became synonymous both with Ramstein Air Base, where it was founded, and U.S. leadership. The only time Austin did not attend one of the groups in-person meetings was early 2024, when he was recovering from complications following cancer treatment. Instead, he called into the summit and had Celeste Wallander, a top Pentagon policy official, convene the group. Sensing the U.S. may step back from its role, European officials were already planning for alternate formats when the group last gathered during the Biden administration, Wallander said in an interview. One of the arrangements discussed was for Germany and the United Kingdom to take the lead, representing Europes economic powerhouse and one of its most capable militaries. While the Ukraine group could continue meeting without U.S. leadership, Wallander said, there would be real costs. American defense officials, along with military counterparts from U.S. European Command, have typically led briefings on the state of the war and how it relates to Ukraines battlefield needs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Without them, the group would lack key U.S. intelligence, something European officials are already preparing for. In late February, after a disastrous visit to the Oval office by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the U.S. stopped sharing intelligence with Ukraine and paused weapons deliveries for a week. The Pentagon has $3.85 billion left in authority to send Ukraine military equipment, but no money left to replace it. Leaders in Congress have said they have no plans to pass more. GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) Dr. Rachel Herlihy, state epidemiologist for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, states, Measles is actually the most transmissible infectious disease that we know of. Its much more infectious than other infectious diseases that we see more commonly and have come to know over the last couple of years. So much more infectious than COVID-19, much more infectious than influenza. On Monday, the Colorado Department of Health and Environment announced that the Centennial State has spotted its first measles case in Pueblo. Randy Evetts, public health director for Pueblo, states, The good news is that this individual has not traveled outside of Pueblo, and so we believe it is limited to Pueblo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the CDPHE, the case comes from an unvaccinated Colorado adult who traveled to an area of Mexico experiencing an ongoing measles outbreak. Evetts says there are no other active cases so far, but there is high lookout for the sickness not to spread. But there are ways to prevent the spread if it were to hit Mesa County. Kathleen Satterfield, supervisor epidemiologist for Mesa County Public Health, states, So the best prevention for measles is the MMR vaccine. Its proven safe and effective. That stands for measles, mumps and rubella, and we have the MMR vaccine available at the Mesa County Public Health clinic here at the Community Services building. Satterfield tells WesternSlopeNow if the cases were to hit the Western Slope, Mesa County of Public Health would make an announcement to the community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Satterfield and CDPHE officials say the vaccine is 97% effective and for parents with infant children that are under the age of five. But if you got your vaccine between 1963-67, it is recommended to get another dose, while those born before 1957 are immuned. Dr. Ned Calonge, chief medical officer for CDPHE, states Because measles is so infectious, we want to make sure that people get the care they need as early as they can, and we want to make sure that we protect anyone else from being exposed. But if you were to be exposed, there is another way to make sure you dont have the sickness. If you go to your health care provider to be tested for measles, they will perform either a nasal swab or an oral swab and that swab will be sent to the state health department for further testing. But you can go to your provider for testing, Satterfield said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Herlihy says it hasnt been confirmed yet, but it is a possibility that these measles cases are connected to the ones in New Mexico and Texas. CDPHE states people exposed to measles typically develop symptoms seven to 21 days after exposure. Symptoms include fever, cough, a runny nose, red eyes and a characteristic rash. Which usually starts several days later on the face and then spreads to the rest of the body. And the sickness can stay up to two hours in the air. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WesternSlopeNow.com. Apr. 1LIMA The Lima Fire Department Memorial Honor Guard stood at attention, their hands raised in a salute, but this reverent moment was not for a loss of one of their own, but for a different kind of victim. The honor guard gathered with other community representatives Tuesday morning at Allen County Children Services for a flag-raising ceremony to mark the beginning of Child Abuse Prevention Month. The flag used to commemorate this month features outlines of children filled in with blue on a red background with an outline of a child left blank to commemorate children who have lost their lives due to abuse and neglect. "On April 1, we do our annual flag raising to remind the community of the abuse and neglect happening," Allen County Children Services Executive Director Sarah Newland said. "It does happen, and we all play a role in preventing it and making sure as reporters [of abuse] we are ensuring children are safe." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the ceremony, Allen County Commissioner Brian Winegardner issued a proclamation on behalf of the Board of Commissioners, noting that protecting the county's most vulnerable, while primarily a moral imperative, also offers practical benefits to both the county and society at large. "Children are Allen County's most precious and valuable resource, and each child has the right as a human being to live and grow in a safe and supportive environment," he said. "Children who are loved and nurtured grow up to love and nurture others by giving back to their own family, their community and their state the care that was bestowed upon them." According to Newland, approximately one in 13 children in Allen County were the victims of abuse or neglect in 2024, a statistic that makes efforts to raise awareness and encourage community action all the more imperative. "Not a day goes by in Allen County when we're not getting a report of abuse and neglect, and we're responding to those every day," she said. "Those reports come in in the evenings, on weekends and holidays, so it is prevalent, and the recognition that it does happen is the first step in all of us knowing what we can do next to prevent it." For more information on Allen County Children Services and its observances during Child Abuse Prevention Month, go to https://bit.ly/3XFA1BG. Featured Local Savings TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) A bill was filed in Florida that would require stricter regulations regarding the sale and distribution of Kratom products. The new bill, HB 1489, amends the Florida Kratom Consumer Protection Act by providing requirements surrounding the sale of Kratom products, allowing only certain businesses to sell Kratom products at retail, instilling stricter licensing qualifications, and declaring specific Kratom products as contraband. This amendment also adds additional requirements for online sales and ordering kratom products to be delivered via mail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill would revise the criminal penalties for failing to comply with the new requirements as well. You can read the bill in its entirety here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. MIAMI, Fla. (WFLA) Two people were arrested Monday for allegedly attacking and beating an officer outside of a club in Miami. An officer with the Miami Police Department was in uniform, patrolling the area near NW 24th Street just before 3 a.m., when he was flagged down by a bystander, NBC affiliate WTVJ reported. Florida couple arrested after baby arrives at hospital in extremely critical condition: deputies Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An arrest report obtained by WTVJ said the bystander told the cop a man was beating on a female with a belt in the parking lot of The Dirty Rabbit, a Miami bar and club. The alleged abuser, 26-year-old Patryk Maka, began walking toward the officer from the back of the parking lot with a belt wrapped around his neck. Lauren Budreck, 26, followed behind Maka, telling the cop that everything was okay, according to the report. Maka reportedly refused to sit on the curb and tried to flee. When the officer tried putting Makas hands behind his back, Budreck stepped in, interfering with his ability to detain Maka. The man resisted, resulting in the officer falling on top of the suspect and getting cut on the arm. He allegedly tried taking his Taser in the process. During the struggle, Budreck struck the officer in the head and kicked him before punching him in the left eye, WTVJ reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vet who killed his girlfriend, 3 kids in Florida is set for execution Maka and Buderck took off running down NW 24th Street but were eventually arrested after a perimeter was set up. They were transported to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in Miami. According to court records, Maka is facing charges of battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting an officer with violence, and using a weapon against law enforcement. Budreck is facing a charge of battery on a law enforcement officer. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233. Tampa Bay residents can call or text The Spring of Tampa Bay at 813-247-7233 for local resources. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. FORT MYERS, Fla. (WFLA) A Florida man and a woman were accused of neglecting an infant so severely that the child is expected to have serious medical issues for life. Charlotte County detectives were called to respond to Golisanos Childrens Hospital in Fort Myers on March 24 in reference to an infant in extremely critical condition. Polk County principal accused of skip scanning at Walmart self-checkout Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sheriffs office said the babys injuries included multiple skull fractures, bleeding in the brain, a stroke and more. They were rushed to emergency surgery and are expected to survive, however, the infant is facing a lengthy recovery and is expected to have significant medical issues for the duration of its life, a sheriffs office news release stated. Shona M. Hochsprung, 22, and Alexander M. Ransom, 24, were identified as the couple who brought the infant to the hospital and were responsible for caring for the child at their home in Port Charlotte. Deputies said they provided conflicting explanations of how the injuries occurred and had inconsistent stories. Hochsprung told detectives she rolled over onto the infant in her sleep, but hospital staff reported that the story did not explain the childs injuries. Detectives said they did not seek medical attention when the infant was injured on March 23. Ransom searched the internet that day for dent in baby forehead and do babies snore?, according to CCSO. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a father, I know there is nothing so precious as the life of a child, Sheriff Bill Prummel said in a statement. I ask you to join me in prayer, as this infant fights for survival, that God grants a better life going forward. The individuals who were supposed to be caring for this child have many questions still to answer, and they will be held accountable. In the meantime, my heart is with that child and all who are impacted. Hochsprung and Ransom were arrested and charged with child neglect with great bodily harm. They are being held without bond at the Charlotte County Jail. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. WASHINGTON, April 2 (Xinhua) - Democrats won an expensive Wisconsin Supreme Court race, while Republicans held onto two House seats in Florida, in the first major elections of the year, which were held on Tuesday. Susan Crawford, a county circuit judge who was supported by Democrats, emerged as the winner in the Wisconsin Supreme Court race against Brad Schimel, a county circuit judge and former Republican attorney general who was backed by Elon Musk. The high-profile race in a major swing state for presidential elections became the most expensive state Supreme Court race in U.S. history, according to U.S. media. Despite the more than 15 million U.S. dollars that Musk and groups affiliated with him dropped into the race, "Democrats overall held a narrow ad spending advantage," the NBC News cited AdImpact as saying. Democratic-aligned groups spent millions of dollars blasting Musk as "trying to buy" Schimel and the election, the report said, noting that Musk even offered 100 dollars to Wisconsin voters to sign a petition to oppose "activist judges." In Florida, Republican candidates won two special House elections, replacing former GOP Representative Matt Gaetz and former GOP Representative Michael Waltz, who is now President Donald Trump's national security adviser. Waltz faced significant scrutiny after inadvertently adding Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, to a confidential group chat on the messaging app Signal, where high-level Trump administration officials discussed military plans for strikes against the Houthi group in Yemen. In their respective races, Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis defeated Democrat Josh Weil, while Republican State Senator Randy Fine beat Democrat Gay Valimont. These victories are crucial for Republicans as they manage an already slim majority in the House. Currently, Republicans hold 218 seats in the lower chamber, while Democrats hold 213 seats. There are four vacancies, following the death of two Democratic representatives in March. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) A Florida insurance company has agreed to pay more than $30 million to the states hurricane fund following allegations that the company fraudulently submitted numerous ineligible claims for reimbursement, according to the attorney generals office. Attorney General James Uthmeier said Tuesday that Universal Property & Casualty Insurance Company (UPCIC) will return the money to the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund (FHCF). The attorney generals office said the company violated the Florida False Claims Act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Uthmeier said this is the first time the Office of the Attorney General has secured repayment related to an insurance fraud case. Milton one of the most powerful Atlantic hurricanes on record, NHC report says Thanks to the outstanding work of Associate Deputy Attorney General Nicholas Weilhammer, Director Liz Brady, and Assistant Attorney General Andrew Butler, our office secured the return of more than $30 million to the states hurricane fund from fraudulent insurance submission allegations following Hurricane Irma, Uthmeier said. As Floridians, we know the impact that hurricanes can have on our state and how important recovery efforts are in a storms aftermath in helping residents start to rebuild. This office is committed to a healthy and stable insurance market for Florida homeowners, meaning insurance companies must play by the rules. The attorney generals office said the hurricane fund serves a vital role in stabilizing the Florida insurance market when hurricanes cause widespread or catastrophic damage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It provides reimbursements to residential property insurance companies for a portion of their payments to homeowners for hurricane-related property damage. In the event of widespread major hurricanes, like Hurricane Irma, the fund provides a backstop to the losses faced by insurance carriers. DeSantis says Florida special election isnt referendum on Trump During an investigation into UPCIC, the attorney generals office said that numerous unrelated claims were identified in the submissions from UPCIC to the FHCF following Hurricane Irma. As a result, the company agreed not to seek reimbursement for those claims, lowering the FHCF payout from Hurricane Irma to UPCIC by more than $30 million, the attorney generals office said in a news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Universal Property & Casualty Insurance Company agreed to pay more than $4 million in fines and implement changes to its policies and procedures, according to the attorney general. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. The Florida Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to block the scheduled April 8 execution of Michael Tanzi for the 2000 murder of a woman who was kidnapped in Miami during her lunch break and driven to Monroe County where she was strangled. Justices, in a 23-page opinion, unanimously rejected a series of arguments raised by attorneys for Tanzi, including that using the states lethal-injection procedure on him would violate the constitutional ban on cruel and unusual punishment. That argument stemmed from Tanzis obesity and other medical conditions, which his attorneys said could result in issues such as a sedation drug in the lethal-injection procedure not fully taking effect and difficulties in placing intravenous lines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the Supreme Court opinion said the argument was untimely because Tanzis medical conditions were known as early as 2009. Also, it described the argument as meritless, pointing to past rulings about the lethal-injection procedure, including the use of the sedative, etomidate. This court has repeatedly upheld Floridas lethal injection protocol, including the etomidate protocol. Additionally, this court has considered and rejected similar arguments based on obesity and IV procedures, the opinion said. Also, the Supreme Court said Tanzis attorneys had not identified an alternative method of execution that would entail less pain. The opinion said Tanzis attorneys had raised the prospect of a firing squad or lethal gas. Under Florida law, executions must be carried out by lethal injection or the electric chair. Tanzi has not shown how either of his two proposed alternate methods, lethal gas and the firing squad, could be readily implemented, or in fact significantly reduces the substantial risk of severe pain, given the physical conditions he describes, the opinion said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tanzis attorneys went to the Supreme Court after Monroe County Circuit Judge Timothy Koenig issued a 12-page decision rejecting arguments seeking to halt the execution. After losing at the Florida Supreme Court, defense attorneys typically make last-ditch appeals to the U.S. Supreme Court to try to prevent executions. Gov. Ron DeSantis on March 10 signed a death warrant for Tanzi, 48, who was convicted in the April 2000 murder of Janet Acosta. Tuesdays opinion said Tanzi approached and attacked Acosta as she sat in her van reading a book during a lunch break. Threatening Acosta with a razor blade, he abducted her, the opinion said. After driving to Homestead with Acosta in the van, Tanzi bound, gagged, and sexually battered her. Tanzi continued to drive until he reached Cudjoe Key, where he fatally strangled Acosta and disposed of her body. In a brief filed at the Supreme Court, Tanzis attorneys described him as morbidly obese and said he had medical conditions such as sciatica, a nerve condition that affects his back. Tanzis lawyers argued that because of his body mass, etomidate, the first of three drugs administered in lethal injection, likely would not keep Mr. Tanzi in a deep state of sedation for the duration of his execution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The brief argued that there is a significant risk that Mr. Tanzi will be paralyzed but aware when another drug is administered, creating the sensation of being burned from the inside. But the Attorney Generals Office, in a brief, disputed those arguments. Tanzi fails to offer any support for his groundless assertion that the massive dose of etomidate, that has been repeatedly and successfully used in Floridas lethal injection protocol, will not work for him, the states brief said. The Supreme Court issued its opinion a day after DeSantis issued a death warrant for Jeffrey Hutchinson, who was convicted in the 1998 murders of his girlfriend and her three children in Okaloosa County. Hutchinson is scheduled to be executed May 1. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tanzi would be the third Florida inmate executed this year, after James Ford on Feb. 13 and Edward James on March 20. The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops on Monday appealed to DeSantis to grant a stay of execution to Tanzi and commute his sentence to life in prison. In a letter, Michael Sheedy, executive director of the conference, described the murder of Acosta as heinous and said it is indeed a duty of the state to protect the lives and safety of its citizens and to impose appropriate punishment for crimes. But he urged DeSantis to spare Tanzis life. Life imprisonment without the possibility of parole is still a severe punishment which also serves to protect society from further danger from Mr. Tanzi, the letter said. The intrinsic dignity and unalienable rights of every human being are not annihilated by even gravely evil acts. Mr. Tanzi still deserves to be treated in accordance with that dignity. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Advanced academic courses and career and technical programs at public schools could land on the chopping block next year as state lawmakers seek to shrink Floridas budget in the face of anticipated revenue declines. A House proposal to halve additional funding for students in International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement, Cambridge, dual enrollment and career-technical courses has prompted school officials across the state to blitz their local delegations with calls to reconsider. Several showed up in Tallahassee on Wednesday to voice their concerns. I want to start mobilizing parents and families who care about this, said Jessica Vaughn, chairperson of the Hillsborough County School Board. The district is already operating at bare bones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vaughn and others expressed hope that the House might shift its approach when lawmakers are made to understand how the reduction would impact students learning. In Hillsborough, for instance, the loss of about $12 million could lead to the elimination of International Baccalaureate programs in elementary and middle schools. The district faces a $7 million decrease in career education money. Pasco County schools could lose more than $3 million, potentially pinching efforts to expand career and technical programs. The hit to Pinellas County schools could approach $10 million. The Legislature has been advocating over 10 years or more this direction of boosting career and advanced courses, which count in a high schools state grade, Pasco County superintendent John Legg said. Were trying to watch how it plays out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Opposition to the proposal surfaced Wednesday in both legislative chambers as lawmakers discussed their budget plans. Students, teachers, parents and school officials told the House Budget Committee how the cuts to the funding, which is paid to districts based on students success on program exams, diplomas and certifications, would detract from the states focus on improved career and advanced education. Sehar Sarang, a Leon County high school student, spoke of how her schools ability to offer advanced courses has allowed students to overcome economic disadvantages. She said she earned a full scholarship to Dartmouth College as a result of her experiences. By defunding this transformative program, Florida will be stopping thousands of students from reaching their full potential, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House PreK-12 Budget chairperson Jenna Persons-Mulicka, R-Fort Myers, said last week that the goal was not to cut programs. But a state Department of Education report indicated that the rising amount of money going to districts has not aligned with needed expenditures, such as teacher pay supplements and course materials, she said. For instance, in career-technical courses, 20% of the money last year went toward teacher compensation compared to 36% for other, she noted. On Wednesday, Persons-Mulicka stressed that the funding under discussion is an incentive beyond the base per-student funding/ She added that school districts have come to rely on it too heavily to support entire programs rather than for specifically targeted uses. She argued that those opposed to the reduction should be talking to their school boards about better spending the base funding for career and advanced programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These do not fund entire programs, she said, noting that while the add-on might be cut, overall per-student funding has been recommended to increase. The House budget proposal calls for a $62.21 rise in per-student funds, entirely paid for by local taxes. The state share would decrease by just over 1%. While Persons-Mulicka stood firm in the face of Democratic opposition, Budget vice chairperson Rep. Susan Valdes, R-Tampa, assured the public that cut just is proposed. This is not the end product, Valdes said. Your voices have been heard. The discussion could move toward the Senate plan, which Appropriations PreK-12 chairperson Sen. Danny Burgess, R-Zephyrhills, told his colleagues did not include the same cuts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some senators had pointed questions about the issue, after observing that the bill Burgess brought forth referred to reducing the add-on amounts by half. Burgess said Department of Education officials indicated that half the money would be sufficient to cover the testing, teacher bonuses and other items needed to provide the courses. That will allow the Legislature to shift the other half into the general fund, he said, so schools can use the money for the career and advanced programs or anything else they deem appropriate. Were giving them additional flexibility, Burgess said. Sen. Tina Polksy, D-Boca Raton, urged Burgess to stand firm during negotiations with the House. Lets not let public schools get any further disadvantaged, Polsky said. The House is moving ahead with legislation intended to meet President Trumps executive order requiring prospective voters to show proof of U.S. citizenship to register. But the proposal, advanced Tuesday by a House panel, drew a cascade of criticism from voter groups whose members warned that the new demands will create obstacles that could block thousands of Floridians from casting ballots. The requirement for citizenship verification is nothing more than a new literacy test to suppress voter turnout, just as Jim Crow (laws) did, said Rep. Daryl Campbell, D-Fort Lauderdale, citing laws used decades ago to discriminate against Black residents across the South. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But House sponsor Jenna Persons-Mulicka, R-Fort Myers, said her measure (HB 1381) will go a long way toward assuring election integrity. And, she added, it complies with the presidents order, now challenged in federal court by several Hispanic organizations as an unconstitutional overreach of his authority. With every bill, we heard the same concerns: voter suppression, voter suppression, Persons-Mulicka said, recalling earlier fights over election-related bills. Youre making it harder for those who are eligible to vote, to vote. But in debate, on each bill, I stood up on the floor and said, were not making it harder to vote, were making it harder to commit fraud. With the latest bill, though, even Floridians already registered to vote may face challenges when doing something as simple as changing their address with election supervisors. The legislation, advanced Tuesday by a House panel, drew a cascade of criticism from voter groups. More hoops for citizens ballot measures? Florida GOP lawmakers look to layer new demands on state's ballot measures Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Voters groups halt registration drives: Grassroots groups end voter registration drives, fearing Florida law pushed by GOP Proof of citizenship would soon be needed Beginning in October, the bill would require the voter to verify U.S. citizenship with one of seven forms of identification, including a drivers license, passport or birth certificate, to make changes on an existing registration. Such IDs also would be needed for first-time registrants. The bill would require that, beginning next year, Florida drivers licenses display information on whether the holder is a U.S. citizen. The legislation also makes irregularities or fraud involving voter registration, voting, or candidate petitions subject to criminal racketeering charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill cleared the House Government Operations subcommittee on a 12-5 vote, with all Republicans in favor and all Democrats opposed. With Republican supermajorities controlling the House and Senate, the legislation is expected to win approval before lawmakers adjourn next month. The threat is real of illegals voting, said Rep. Jeff Holcomb, R-Spring Hill. A response to Trump's unfounded claims Ahead of the 2024 election, Trump and his allies made unfounded claims about large numbers of noncitizens voting. In Tuesdays House hearing, Persons-Mulicka was criticized by some who testified for not going far enough and failing to require hand-counting of ballots. Much of the two hours of discussion of the bill sounded a lot like debate that has swirled around Trumps order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats argued the ID requirements could prove a bureaucratic nightmare for voters who lose a birth certificate, dont have a passport, are uprooted from their homes and lose documents because of storms, and for spouses who change their names after marriage. Also, some warned that outdated or unreliable government databases can erroneously list naturalized citizens as noncitizens. Others said securing the proper documents to prove citizenship will discourage some people from voting. Rep. Wallace Aristide, D-Miami, said lines at his countys drivers license and clerks offices are out the door on any given day: This is going to be a struggle. This is going to be a challenge. I just dont see how this is going to work, he told Persons-Mulicka. John Kennedy is a reporter in the USA TODAY Networks Florida Capital Bureau. He can be reached at jkennedy2@gannett.com. Follow him on X: @JKennedyReport. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Got ID? Proof of citizenship may soon be needed to vote in Florida Who are the winners and losers in Tuesday's special election? Florida voters cast ballots Tuesday, April 1, 2025, with their picks for Congress, in the U.S. House District 1 and District 6 races. The U.S. House District 1 winner will fill the seat left vacant by Matt Gaetz. Democrat Gay Valimont and Republican Jimmy Patronis are vying for the seat. Independents Richard Dembinsky, Stanley Gray and Stan McDaniels are also on the ballot, along with Stephen E. Broden, who has no party affiliation. Jimmy Patronis and Gay Valimont are vying to fill the District 1 Congressional seat vacated by former U.S. Rep Matt Gaetz. The U.S. House District 6 winner will fill the seat left vacant by Republican Mike Waltz, who resigned to become President Donald Trump's national security advisor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republican Randy Fine and Democrat Josh Weil are vying for the District 6 seat. Also on the ballot are Libertarian Andrew Parrott as well as Randall Terry who has no party affiliation. Follow along below for the latest election results, continually updated until the last ballot is counted. Democrat Josh Weil and Republican Randy Fine are candidates in the April 1 special election for Florida's 6th Congressional District. When do polls close in Florida? Polls close at 7 p.m. local time. Any voters waiting in line at 7 p.m. will have the opportunity to cast a ballot. Where is my voting location? How to find my precinct Use the voter information look-up to check your voter registration and party status. To find your polling place, sample ballot, and vote-by-mail ballot status, check the voter precinct look-up. Florida special election 2025 results Editor's note: Due to technical limitations, only the top two vote-getters are displayed for races with more than three candidates, and links in results modules are disabled. Candidates are listed in alphabetical order until results come in. U.S. House District 1 special election results Patronis vs. Valimont U.S. House District 6 special election results: Fine defeats Weil Republican Randy Fine defeated Democratic challenger Josh Weil on Tuesday in the special election to fill a U.S. House of Representatives seat in northern Florida, a critical win for President Donald Trump and the GOP given their narrow majorities on Capitol Hill. The race was called for Fine just half an hour after polls closed in the heavily Republican district by the New York Times and CNN. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fine, 50, will be taking over the seat left vacant by Mike Waltz, who Trump tapped to serve as the national security advisor. Waltz previously represented Floridas red-leaning sixth congressional district, which covers cities such as Daytona Beach as well as the Ocala National Forest. Florida State Senate District 19 special election results Florida House District 3 special election results Florida House District 32 special election results Special Election Day: Florida voting dates 2025 April 1: Special Election What are we voting for today in Florida? The key races for Florida voters are U.S. House District 1 and 6. There are also two state House and one Senate seat up for grabs. In District 1, Republican Jimmy Patronis is battling Democrat Gay Valimont to replace Matt Gaetz. In District 6, Democrat Josh Weil and Republican Randy Fine are vying to replace Mike Waltz, who resigned to be National Security Advisor in the Trump administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To see a sample ballot, check your county elections office website. Support local journalism by subscribing to a Florida news organization. This story was updated to add a video. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida special election results for congressional districts 1 and 6 TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) With a razor thin GOP majority in the House, this years special elections sure are special, with both parties saying this may be the most important vote Floridians will ever make in a congressional race. Voters headed to the polls Tuesday in parts of the state to elect two new members of Congress. Special elections are being held to fill the seats of Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gov. Ron DeSantis weighed in on what he believes will be the outcome. DOGE checks? Elon Musk claims progress has been made, but says it isnt his decision Look, those are so overwhelmingly Republican districts that I think its physically impossible for someone as long as you put an R by your name to not win, said DeSantis. I dont think if there is an underperformance that its a referendum on the president; I think if the president was on the ballot, he would win by 30 again. Republicans in D.C. are looking to add two more seats to their house majority in Florida Congressional Districts 1 and 6. Democrats, however, remain optimistic that they can flip the red districts blue. The entire country is watching Wisconsin and their state Supreme Court race, and theyre watching the two districts here in Florida and theyre doing that because theyre trying to take that temperature of whether or not Donald Trump and Elon Musk putting his thumb on the scale with his heavy investments through his pack and his personal contributions to state parties and whether they can really move elections, said Tara Newsom, Political Analyst, St. Pete college. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Newsom added that these special elections brought both conservative and liberal investments, with Democrats over-funding their GOP candidates. I think that youre already seeing an underperformance in both of these districts to the fact that Donald Trump had to take an hour out of his time this week to do telephone calls into these congressional districts because they saw that if in fact, they hadnt done that, they were going to absolutely lose, said Nikki Fried, Chair, Florida Democrats. 8 On Your Side followed up with both Republican candidates in the congressional races and asked them if they thought their competitors could turn the red district blue. Well know tonight, but Im pretty optimistic that this is MAGA country. This is Trump country. President Trumps troops are going to show up today. Were going to put up a big number tonight and were going to go to Washington and stand behind the president, said Randy Fine, (Republican CD-6 candidate). USPS changes begin Tuesday: How could your mail be affected Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While it may appear to be MAGA country in Districts 1 and 6, is the Republican margin of success going to be eroded by the increased Democratic investment? Former Chief Financial Officer and GOP candidate Jimmy Patronis thinks not. President Trump won the majority of the popular vote, the electoral vote. And this is exactly whats happening in northwest Florida. Were going to send Jimmy Patronis to Congress, and were going to Make America Great Again,' said Patronis. President Donald Trump made it clear the stakes are high, and time will only tell if these efforts on the ground here in the sunshine state are enough for Democrats or Republicans to head to D.C Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. Democrats' Supreme Court win in Wisconsin and the Republican margin of victory in Florida races serve as a primer for the bigger battle brewing between Republicans and Democrats as the parties gear up for the midterm year. In Wisconsin, Elon Musk's consistent presence in the race -- the cash giveaways, campaign trail appearances and the posts to his social media site -- all seem to have backfired for Republicans backing the conservative Judge Brad Schimel. Additionally, Schimel's cozying up to President Donald Trump in a technically nonpartisan race wasn't successful either. Democrats and liberal judge Susan Crawford, however, were successful in making this race a referendum on the world's richest man and rallying support on a key issue that may come before the court -- reproductive rights. In turn, voters cast ballots to maintain liberal control of the state's highest court. PHOTO: Democrat-backed Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate Judge Susan Crawford reacts after voters elected her to the state Supreme Court, at her election night headquarters in Madison, Wisconsin, April 1, 2025. (Vincent Alban/Reuters) If Musk continues to intervene in elections in a similar fashion, Democrats may have a winning playbook to replicate. Though, it remains to be seen if this loss will spur Republicans to distance themselves from Musk in future contests or if Trump himself will sour on the idea of Musk as a spokesman for the MAGA movement in critical races. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And even though they lost both special House races in Florida, Democrats made inroads with voters on ruby-red Republican turf. Republican Congressmen-elect Jimmy Patronis and Randy Fine won by double-digit margins but in comparison to their predecessors, the pair of Trump-endorsed Republicans eked out wins that were much narrower. PHOTO: Randy Fine, Republican nominee for 2025 Florida's 6th congressional district special election, speaks at a watch party in Ormond Beach, Florida, April 1, 2025. (Octavio Jones/Reuters) Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz each won by more than 30 points in November. Democratic candidates Josh Weil and Gay Valimont trailed Tuesday's winners by about half as much. Still, Republicans relished in the victories. "The American people sent a clear message tonight: they want elected officials who will advance President Trump's America First agenda, and their votes can't be bought by national Democrats," said Republican Party Chairman Michael Whatley. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Trump touted the power of his own endorsement for the wins. "THE TRUMP ENDORSEMENT, AS ALWAYS, PROVED FAR GREATER THAN THE DEMOCRATS FORCES OF EVIL," he posted to social media. A key takeaway for the GOP: Wins may have to be harder-fought than in the past as anti-Trump sentiment mobilizes voters in the reddest of areas. Democrats celebrated putting Republicans on defense, already looking to capitalize on Tuesday's energy as they look toward 2026, their next big chance to reclaim some power in a Republican-led Washington. "Republicans everywhere know a reckoning is coming -- Democrats are taking the majority in 2026," Democratic Party Chair Ken Martin said in a statement Tuesday. Adding in a separate statement, "Make no mistake: The momentum is on our side." Florida, Wisconsin races are a possible glimpse into how Dems and GOP could approach midterms: ANALYSIS originally appeared on abcnews.go.com WALTON COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) A Florida woman lost more than $280,000 to a gold bar scheme, according to the Walton County Sheriffs Office. The woman told deputies that she was contacted by someone claiming her Social Security number had been compromised and transferred her to another person posing as a federal officer. This person instructed the victim to protect their assets by moving $10,600 to the Treasury Department and purchasing gold. The scammer directed the victim to a coin and bullion store, where they bought over $280,000 of gold, the sheriffs office posted on Facebook. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Polk deputies: Road rage driver points gun at truck driver, yells I am going to blow your brains out Investigators said the crooks had the woman repackage the gold and deliver it to a designated vehicle using a password provided for a supposed undercover officer. When the victim tried to follow up with the supposed officer, she discovered the phone number had been disconnected. The victim said the crooks falsely claimed the gold would be placed in a U.S. Treasury vault for safekeeping. WE CANNOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH: No legitimate government or law enforcement agency will EVER ask you to make payments or transfer valuables using gift cards, cryptocurrency, bullion, bitcoin, or through undercover operations, the sheriffs office said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deputies said if you receive a suspicious call, text, or email, hang up, ignore, or delete it. Do not give out your personal or financial information. You should also report the incident to local law enforcement officers. Bradenton business owner uses $219K of customers money for gambling, flights: BPD Please help our agency spread the word by talking to our most vulnerable populations. Tell your friends. Tell your neighbors. Tell someone you meet in the grocery line. The more we band together the more we can stop these fraudsters from scamming people out of their hard earned money, Walton County deputies said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. MELBOURNE, Fla. (WFLA) A Florida woman is accused of telling two teens that shell blow their heads off as they were attempting to fish in a residential pond. On March 28, a Melbourne woman called the Brevard County Sheriffs Office to report that she had petrified and stopped two boys who were fishing in her backyard. Man who stole gold bars from Tampa UPS driver caught trying to flee country: deputies Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The woman, 59-year-old Donna Elkins, told the deputy she walked out into her backyard with a pellet gun to scare them, an arrest affidavit said. The 13 and 15-year-old boys told the deputy that they wanted to fish in the pond when Elkins emerged from her home, armed with a long black pellet gun, and pointed it at them. According to the report, Elkins told them she would blow their heads off and ordered them to the ground. Out of fear of being shot, the teens said they laid on the ground for about five minutes until Elkins husband came out of their home and disarmed her. Man with horns suspected of trying to break into Florida apartments Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have a right to protect my property and my house, Elkins is heard saying in the video captured by the 15-year-old boy. The deputy reviewed the property lines, discovering the two boys were on the peninsula near the pond, located approximately 30 feet beyond Elkins property. That peninsula is owned by the Baytree development district. I hope she gets what she deserves, the 15-year-old told NBC affiliate WESH. Elkins was arrested for two counts of aggravated assault and false imprisonment. She was taken to the Brevard County Jail and is being held without bond. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. NEW YORK, April 2 (Xinhua) -- A federal judge from New York decided Wednesday to permanently dismiss the criminal trial of New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Dale Ho, a judge from the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, granted an earlier directive from the U.S. Department of Justice to dismiss the case but denied the motion to dismiss the indictment without prejudice. The judge's decision means that the charges in the indictment can't be brought up again in the future by the federal prosecutors. "Dismissing the case without prejudice would create the unavoidable perception that the Mayor's freedom depends on his ability to carry out the immigration enforcement priorities of the administration, and that he might be more beholden to the demands of the federal government than to the wishes of his own constituents," said the judge in an opinion and order. The decision would protect the defendant's right to be free from prosecutorial harassment and the court can't order the Department of Justice to continue the prosecution and have no authority to appoint an independent prosecutor, according to the document. "If dismissal is inevitable, the public interest weighs in favor of its happening now rather than later" as it's uncomfortably close to New York City mayoral primary election on June 24, said judge Ho. Federal prosecutors filed a motion with the court to drop bribery and corruption charges against Adams on Feb. 14 following a memo from Emil Bove, acting U.S. deputy attorney general. In September 2024, Adams was charged with five counts of bribery, wire fraud and solicitation, primarily related to his mayoral campaign in 2021. Another House Democrat is getting an age-driven primary challenge. Jake Rakov, a former staffer to Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.), is launching a bid Wednesday to oust his onetime boss. Rakov, 37, is part of a string of Democrats waging intraparty battles against a longtime House incumbents by calling for a generational change in leadership. Standing in front of a Los Angeles structure decimated by wildfire, Rakov used a 2.5-minute long launch video to blast Sherman, 70, as out of touch with his constituents and unwilling to mount a meaningful resistance against President Donald Trumps MAGA hellscape. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He and people like him, who have stayed on for so long, who don't even check into the district anymore, Rakov said in an interview with POLITICO, are why we have Trump twice, and why our party is so bad at fighting back against him now. First elected in 1996, Sherman is serving his 15th term in the House. His last truly competitive election was in 2012 when redistricting pitted him against then-Rep. Howard Berman in a race that turned so acrimonious that the two nearly came to blows during a debate. Sherman ended 2024 with $3.9 million in the bank. Rakov served as Shermans deputy communications director in 2017. He is active in the LGBTQ+ community in the district and sat on the steering committee for Los Angeles Stonewall Democratic Club. The district spans the western San Fernando Valley and includes Pacific Palisades, a part of Los Angeles devastated by the wildfires in January. Sherman was a regular presence at press briefings in the area as a series of major fires fueled by high winds and dry brush raced through the county. He also sparred with Trump during the president's January visit to the disaster area, challenging the assertion that FEMA was doing a poor job. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Rakov said Shermans response to the tragedy was lacking and that he did little besides maybe tweeting out a 1-800 number. If I were in office and our district had gone through what it's gone through, I would be here every recess with my staff out at the Westside Pavilion rebuilding center, Rakov said. How can the federal government help? Who do you need us to talk to? He hasn't done any of that. Rakov pledged to eschew corporate PAC money he is married to Abe Rakov, who is the executive director of campaign-finance reform group End Citizens United to serve no more than five terms in the House and to hold monthly in-person town halls, a practice he says Sherman avoids. He said his challenge is motivated more by Shermans leadership style rather than ideological differences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We're both progressive Democrats, and I'm sure we'll find daylight on a few things here and there, he said, but I think this is much more about being a better member of Congress and actually doing what needs to be done in this moment in time. Shermans speeches on the House floor and lengthy social media videos dont win the party new voters or get any of our message out there, Rakov said. Younger Democrats can better relate to Gen Z and millennial voters, he argued, and know how to reach them on new mediums. In an interview after Rakov's launch, Sherman pushed back on many of his opponent's claims. He described himself as "fit as a fiddle" and said he attended plenty of in-person town halls around the wildfires this year, though they were organized by others. He said his office helped set up the FEMA center at the Westside Pavilion and helped constituents file claims with insurance agencies and "unsnarled problems for hundreds of people." Sherman said he recalled Rakov but that he mostly interacted with Rakov's boss, the office's communications director. He pointed to his 2012 race against Berman as evidence that he is a formidable opponent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "He was a major political force nationwide and certainly in California," Sherman said of Berman. "And I beat him by 20 points." Californias primary advances the top two vote-getters regardless of party to a general election, so Rakov and Sherman could face off twice. Such a campaign would require significant resources. But Sherman, a senior member of the House Financial Services Committee, has remained skeptical of cryptocurrencies, which he has called a Ponzi scheme. Pro-crypto super PACs spent heavily in the 2024 election and could see an opportunity to dethrone an opponent by spending against him. Sherman said he knows he is a target of the crypto industry, but argued any candidate associated with the interest group will face backlash. "Crypto is incredibly unpopular with Democratic voters, especially since Trump and Musk," he said. "If crypto does anything against me for this or some other candidate, they'll try to hide the fact that they're doing it. But it's going to be pretty clear." Besides Rakov, two other younger progressives have launched prominent campaigns against older Democrats. YouTuber Kat Abughazaleh, 26, is challenging Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), and Saikat Chakrabarti, the 39-year-old former aide to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), is primarying Nancy Pelosi. Both described their campaigns as an attempt to usher in a new cohort. Jake Rakov, a former aide to Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.), on Wednesday announced he is launching a primary challenge against his onetime boss. In a video announcing his campaign, Rakov directly criticized Sherman, who is serving his 15th term in the House, as out of touch with his constituents who want him to take a stronger stand against the Trump administration. If you want to know why we as Democrats are so bad at fighting back against Trump, look at guys like my former boss, he said. Brad Sherman has been in Washington for nearly 30 years, he sold his home in LA and bought a $2 million house in D.C. that he now calls home, and he doesnt make it back to LA much. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Congressman Sherman hasnt held a town hall here in the district in five years. He even bragged about giving speeches to an empty House chamber while his constituents have to fend for themselves after their home is burnt down, Rakov continued. If you love Washington that much, theres no way youll be a part of changing it. Rakov said he was running for Congress to advocate for term limits for lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. He said he wouldnt accept corporate PAC money and would hold monthly town halls with constituents if elected. Rakov served as Shermans deputy communications director in 2017. These guys lit the rule book on fire. Its gone, he said in the video over clips of President Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk. And too many on our side dont seem to get that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rakov is launching his campaign amid a reckoning among Democrats about the best way to fight back against Trump and Republicans while the GOP holds a trifecta control of the Senate, House and White House in Washington. It also comes as a wave of younger lawmakers and candidates are making the case for generational change in the party. In posts online, Rakov said it is time for a new generation of Democrats to step up because the party cant keep sending the same politicians to Washington and expect things to change. The candidate said he was 8 years old when Sherman, now 70, was elected in 1996. In an interview with The Hill, Sherman noted that he downsized to a condo within his district and has held various town hall meetings with specific constituent groups and has one slated for mid-April at California State University, Northridge. Sherman also pushed back on Rakovs view that older lawmakers need to step aside. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He says hes younger than I am. Hes right, the California Democrat said. On the other hand, its good to have seniority in Congress. Seniority is critical in committee assignments. Seniority is critical in getting earmarks. Seniority is critical in going to Republicans that youve worked with for years and trying to get an appropriation, Sherman later said. Knowing how this place works takes a while. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Video: Senate confirmation hearings held for former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabees Israel ambassadorship WASHINGTON A former Arkansas governors move to ambassadorship cleared a hurdle on Tuesday after a Senate committee vote. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved former Gov. Mike Huckabee as the nominee for ambassador to Israel. Huckabee, the states 44th governor and father of current Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, was nominated by President Donald Trump shortly after he took office in January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump picks former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to be ambassador to Israel The committee approved Huckabees nomination, along with Ron Johnsons nomination as ambassador to Mexico and Kevin Cabreras nomination as ambassador to Panama. Foreign Relations Committee chair Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho) said the committee would continue to support Trumps nominees. With the passage of these three qualified nominees, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee has now approved the nomination of 10 of President Trumps national security nominees, Risch said. We will do all we can to keep up this quick pace to ensure President Trump and Secretary Rubio have the support they need. I urge my colleagues to confirm these qualified nominees when they come to the Senate floor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate confirmation hearings held for former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabees Israel ambassadorship An ordained Southern Baptist minister, Huckabee has led multiple tours to Israel. According to the U.S. State Department Certificate of Competency, he has a deep familiarity with Israels people and its leaders. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK. Former Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra on Wednesday launched a bid for California governor, joining a growing field of candidates looking to replace term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom (D). As AG I took on Trump and won. As HHS Secretary, I took on Big Pharma and won. Its time to do it again for California, Becerra said in a post on social platform X announcing his campaign. Lets rebuild the California Dream for everyone. Becerra spent 12 terms representing the Golden State in the House and served as Californias attorney general before former President Biden tapped him to lead HHS, becoming the first Latino to hold the office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He now joins state Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, former state Senate leader Toni Atkins and former state Controller Betty Yee in the growing group of Democratic primary contenders. Former Rep. Katie Porter (Calif.) also jumped in last month. But some political observers have seen the field as effectively frozen by the question of whether former Vice President Kamala Harris, with whom Becerra worked in the Biden administration, will join the race. California Attorney General Rob Bonta (D) in February decided against a run for governor and told Politico hed support Harris if she ran, saying her candidacy would be field-clearing. Harris, a former California attorney general and U.S. Senator, has previously shrugged off chatter, but shes topped early polls since losing the 2024 election to President Trump. Politico reported last month she would decide about a gubernatorial campaign by the end of summer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats are expected to hold on to the seat in the blue stronghold state. But on the Republican side, Trumps special envoy Richard Grenell has said he may not be able to resist running if Harris gets in. Becerra in his announcement didnt touch any of his current or potential rivals but stressed the need for a leader who can be tough in the face of an affordability crisis in California. He highlighted his work on the Affordable Care Act during his tenure in Congress and noted that, as state attorney general, he sued Trump over 100 times and won during the the presidents first term. Honestly, look, speeches and fancy announcements, those can wait. Right now, what cant wait is that California dream, he said in the video that accompanied his announcement. Real change comes with our participation. Im looking forward to seeing you because together we will rebuild the California dream, the former Biden official added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra announced Wednesday that he is running for governor, joining a crowded field of Democrats hoping to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom. Becerra said he had been pondering running for some time and decided to jump into the race because of his experience fighting President Trump and managing disasters, two traits he believes are crucial for the state's next leader. "Watching what's unfolding before our eyes made it clear this is not a time to sit on the sidelines," Becerra said in an interview. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said his experience dealing with natural disasters, notably the deadly COVID-19 pandemic, makes him uniquely suited to navigate the man-made disasters created by Trump and billionaire Elon Musk, a top advisor to the president, as they indiscriminately slash essential federal government agencies and services. "Americans are being punished," he said, "whether it's the cancer patients who are no longer going to see that fruitful research completed, whether it is the seniors who live in nursing homes who will not have the inspectors coming by to investigate elder abuse, or whether it's seeing lead in the toys that our children buy and put in their mouths." He said he believes California is at a tipping point, and in an apparent swipe at the state's Democratic leadership needs sensible executive leadership that draws businesses back and makes it easier for wildfire victims in areas such as Pacific Palisades and Altadena to rebuild. Although protecting the environment must remain a priority, laws such as the California Environmental Quality Act, the power of the Coastal Commission and the state's regulations should be open to review, Becerra said. Becerra also said that while he believes everyone deserves access to healthcare, California may have to revisit coverage for immigrants in the state who are undocumented because of the expense, which has become a budget flash point in part because of potential cuts to Medicaid funding by the Trump administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Can we afford to do it?" Becerra told Fox 11's Elex Michaelson in an interview that aired Wednesday morning. "That's where a governor has to decide." The looming question in the race is whether former Vice President Kamala Harris will run, a decision she is not expected to make until the summer. If she enters the contest, the move is expected to winnow the field because of her national profile, fundraising ability and her multiple successful statewide campaigns. Becerra said he would remain in the race if Harris runs. Other announced candidates include the following Democrats: Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, state Controller Betty Yee, state schools chief Tony Thurmond, former Rep. Katie Porter, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, former state Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins and businessman Stephen Cloobeck. Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, a Republican, is also running. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Who is running for California governor in 2026? Meet the candidates Becerra joins another prominent Latino, Villlaraigosa, in a race in which the Latino vote could be crucial. Becerra said he believes his credentials and experience speak for themselves. "I feel very comfortable knowing who I am, what I've done, what I can tell people I did, what I built, how I protected, how we achieved," he said. "It's one of those things where you try to give people a choice. That's what elections are about." A spokesperson for Villaraigosa did not respond to a request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mike Madrid, a GOP strategist who is working for Cloobeck's campaign and was an advisor on Villaraigosa's unsuccessful 2018 gubernatorial campaign, said that the presence of two prominent Latino candidates in the race would likely divide the Latino vote. He argued that shifting trends among Latino voters, notably seen in the 2024 presidential election, also create headwinds for Villaraigosa and Becerra. "Latino voters are the fastest-growing segment to the Republican Party looking for something very different than what Democratic candidates have been offering for the last 20 years, and they're voting with their feet," Madrid said. "The idea that Latino voters rally around a Latino candidate is not the way to look at this at all." Becerra, 67, has been in public office for 35 years. He served in the state Assembly for two years before being elected in 1992 to Congress. He ultimately served 12 terms in the House and held multiple leadership positions under former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco). In 2016, he was nominated by then-Gov. Jerry Brown to become the states attorney general, a traditional springboard to higher office, after Harris was elected to the U.S. Senate. During his tenure as the states top prosecutor, he filed more than 120 lawsuits against Trump during the president's first term. Trump is expected to be a major focus of the governors race in a state that is once again expected to be a leading force in efforts to fight the Trump administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I've seen this B-rated movie before, and we're ready to take it on," he said. Becerra, who was the first Health and Human Services secretary to visit a Planned Parenthood clinic, pointed to the administrations work to push back on Trump administration policies, such as those about reproductive care, during his tenure in the Cabinet. The Biden administration, he noted, went to the Supreme Court to protect access to mifepristone , one of two drugs used to medically end pregnancy. Weve clearly played strong defense, he said in an interview earlier this year in the formal conference room outside his office days before Trump was inaugurated. Read more: Is Xavier Becerra's next move running for governor? He's not saying. Yet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Becerra took the oath of office in March 2021 to lead the sprawling Health and Human Services bureaucracy of 95,000 people, at a time when COVID was a top concern. He said one of his agencys top accomplishments was getting 700 million COVID vaccination shots into the arms of Americans. He also highlighted the launch of the 988 hotline that provides round-the-clock suicide and crisis counseling as well as providing more than 300 million people access to healthcare, with 46 million Americans getting health insurance coverage because of the Affordable Care Act, popularly known as Obamacare. But Becerra also faced criticism as secretary over his handling of issues including the m-pox outbreak, including from members of the Biden administration who argued that he lacked urgency and sought to offload responsibility to the states, according to reports published by the New York Times, Washington Post and others. He defended his response, arguing that his department was ahead of the curve in distributing m-pox vaccines across the nation, and that state and local jurisdictions ultimately made decisions about how they were distributed. "We can't control how the states and local jurisdictions distributed the vaccine, but we made sure they got it," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter. Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond, in your inbox twice per week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. WASHINGTON, April 1 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on Tuesday began its mass layoffs, dismissing thousands of employees across various agencies, U.S. media reported. Significant budget cuts to divisions of the HHS, such as the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Institutes of Health, among others, have raised serious concerns about public health and scientific research. "The Trump administration laid off thousands of federal health workers on Tuesday in a purge that included senior leaders and top scientists charged with regulating food and drugs, protecting Americans from disease and researching new treatments and cures," The New York Times reported. The report quoted workers as saying that layoff notices began arriving at 5:00 a.m. local time (1000 GMT), affecting offices responsible for everything from global health to food safety. Staff had to present their badges at the building entrance and those who had been fired were given a ticket and "told to return home," USA Today reported. "Infectious disease experts, including those addressing HIV, argued the latest HHS cuts will make the country less safe from infectious and chronic diseases," the report said. "The FDA as we've known it is finished, with most of the leaders with institutional knowledge and a deep understanding of product development and safety no longer employed," wrote Robert Califf, former two-term commissioner at the Food and Drug Administration, in a post on LinkedIn. "I believe that history will see this a huge mistake," said Califf. The HHS announced Thursday its plan to cut about 10,000 full-time employees as part of its "restructuring" effort. Including early retirements and the government's buyout program, the department's full-time workforce will be reduced from 82,000 to 62,000. A former legislative aide to St. Paul City Council Member Anika Bowie who was fired after five months on the job is suing Bowie and the city based on a highly critical email she circulated to 11 city officials after he was quickly rehired by another council member. Jon Berry filed his lawsuit on Monday in Hennepin County District Court, and the case was assigned Tuesday to Judge Susan Burke. He is being represented by the Minneapolis law firm of Gustafson Gluek. In the 16-page civil filing, he accuses the city of violating the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act by illegally disclosing his private personnel data, and he accuses both defendants Bowie and the city of a single count of defamation and a single count of negligence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city council met behind closed doors in January to consider Berrys suit, when it was still deemed pending litigation, but the city has yet to file a formal legal response. Bowie did not return calls for comment on the lawsuit Wednesday. City Attorney Lyndsey Olson on Wednesday said her office had just received a copy of the Berry complaint and is still reviewing it. Hired last May Bowie hired Berry last May as her legislative aide, a position that paid $42 per hour. He maintains he received positive feedback from various city staff about his job performance but was still let go by Bowie on Oct. 2, with the sole reason given being that he was not a good fit for the position, according to the lawsuit. On Oct. 21, Council Member Cheniqua Johnson hired Berry back to City Hall for a 10-week part-time communications position in her office, a job that paid $17 per hour. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After his rehiring, Bowie sent a two-page email that same day to 11 city officials, including Johnson, Berry, the city attorney, a deputy city attorney, officials with Human Resources and others who work in city finances. In that email, she illegally disclosed private personnel data about him and made four defamatory statements, according to the lawsuit. Berry maintains that much of the information Bowie shared by email was not true, but even misinformation can be characterized as private data under the law. Among the claims that Berry maintains constitute private data, Bowie accused him of a misappropriation of travel funds and unauthorized expenses during a Sept. 10 to Sept. 13 work trip. She noted he consistently failed to meet the needs of the office, demonstrating a lack of organization and preparation for community meetings, and she said he was terminated based on her decision to forgo an investigation into the misappropriation of funds. Bowie said Berry was issued an employee improvement plan on Aug. 12, and he failed to meet expectations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This statement is false and defamatory, reads the lawsuit. Mr. Berry was never issued an improvement plan by Councilmember Bowie. Accordingly, he never failed to meet any such improvement plan. She also wrote in her email that there were rumors of a prior intimate relationship between Berry and Johnson, and that the relationship had been mentioned to her by mutual acquaintances in Councilmember Johnsons presence. No such conversation, in the presence of Councilmember Johnson, took place and, more importantly, Councilmember Johnson and Mr. Berry never had an intimate relationship, reads the lawsuit. Email mailed out In what the lawsuit describes as yet another breach of state data privacy laws, someone anonymously mailed a printed copy of Bowies Oct. 2 email to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, which published a front-page article about the internal council dispute in December after attempting to confirm details and interview individuals involved. Given that the email had initially been shared with city personnel, Berry maintains that it must have been a city employee who leaked it to the media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Dec. 11, two days after the article was published, an independent investigator hired by the city substantiated a workplace conduct complaint against Bowie, which had been filed by Johnson in response to the Oct. 2 email. The investigator, who reviewed city records and conducted multiple interviews, found that Bowie violated city policy, defied state data privacy law and potentially defamed Berry. The investigator concluded that Councilmember Bowie had no objectively valid or productive business reason to publicly disseminate the email to 11 recipients,' states the lawsuit. Berry is seeking attorneys fees and damages for an amount to be proven at trial. Related Articles Apr. 2After three decades in Lodi, Sierra Brucia is moving on to a new adventure. The former Lodi police chief's last day at the San Joaquin County Office of Emergency Services was last Friday, and come the end of the week, he'll be moving across the country. "It's kind of something (Shana and I) talked about five years ago or so," Brucia said of the move. "We wanted to try something new, so we bought a house about a year ago. We love the East Coast." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brucia and his wife will be moving to Tennessee's Tri-Cities area, located in the northeast corner of the state. The region is comprised of the cities of Bristol, Kingsport and Johnson City. Brucia grew up in Placerville, and joined the Lodi Police Department as a reserve officer in 1995. He became a regular officer in 1996, and then a sworn officer later that year. He worked his way up the ranks for the next two decades, ultimately becoming chief in 2020 and retiring three years later. Retirement was short-lived though, as Brucia took the role of Director of Emergency Operations for San Joaquin County in January of last year. He said he has no immediate plans when he gets to Tennessee, but will miss Lodi and San Joaquin County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I am going to miss my friends and the time I spent in Lodi," he said. With his two sons enrolled in college and serving in the military, it will just be Brucia and his wife Shana who he met when they were both officers stating anew in the Volunteer State. "Lodi is a great community," he said. "There's a lot of civic support in the community, and I'm just very blessed they allowed me to serve as chief. I'm definitely going to miss it." San Joaquin County Supervisor Steve Ding was thrilled when Brucia took over the OES director role last year, and said he elevated the department. "We hired him shortly after the floods that happened the first month I was on the board," he said. "We thought we should bring somebody in who could bring OES to a higher standard. Sierra came in and developed a plan not only for those floods and prevention, but for the department. And for that, we're extremely grateful." BOSTON, Mass. (WWLP) A former Massachusetts State Police trooper will plead guilty after being charged for his involvement in falsely approving Commercial Drivers Licenses (CDL) for persons who failed the test. According to prosecutors, Calvin Butner, 64, of Halifax, MA, and five others were charged in a 74-count indictment in January 2024. Investigators say that between or about May 2019 and January 2023, Butner and three other members of the CDL Unit conspired to give preferential treatment to at least 17 CDL applicants by agreeing to give passing scores on their CDL tests regardless of whether or not they actually passed. Worcester medical company indicted for alleged MassHealth fraud, patient abuse Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A CDL is required to drive a commercial vehicle, such as a tractor-trailer, a box truck, or a school bus. Test requirements for CDLs are established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, which is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation but states administer CDL tests and issue the licenses. An applicant must prove they have detailed knowledge of commercial vehicles, perform certain maneuvers, and safely drive on public roadways, including a highway. Only drivers who have passed the test and thereby proved they are qualified to drive a commercial vehicle may be issued a CDL, because public safety is at issue. Test scores reported by members of MSPs CDL Unit are material to whether applicants meet federal requirements for, and therefore whether the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles may issue, CDLs. All CDL recipients identified as not qualified during the investigation were reported to the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles. Butner has agreed to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to falsify records, three counts of falsifying records and aiding and abetting, and five counts of making false statements. On March 21 a civilian co-defendant, Eric Mathison, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit extortion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plea hearing is scheduled for April 7. Butner is facing possible prison sentences of 20 years for the conspiracy to falsify records charge and for each falsification charge, and $750,000 in fines. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. Corey Alston, the former South Bay city manager who resigned amid a corruption scandal more than a decade ago, pleaded guilty on Monday to his role in a scheme that defrauded Medicare, in which federal authorities said he personally earned more than $2 million. Alston, 47, of Fort Lauderdale, and co-defendant Latresia A. Wilson, an emergency room doctor in Marion County in north-central Florida, used companies they owned to submit more than $8 million in fraudulent claims to Medicare that were not eligible to be reimbursed, the U.S. Department of Justice said in a news release Wednesday. According to the plea agreement, Alston, the CEO of Heritage Pharma Group, and Wilson, who was an enrolled Medicare provider, paid a marketing company about $85,000 to receive Medicare beneficiary identification numbers for thousands of people across the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alston and Latresia Wilson caused over-the-counter COVID-19 tests to be shipped to those Medicare beneficiaries whose Medicare beneficiary identification numbers had been purchased, regardless of whether the Medicare beneficiaries had requested the tests, the plea agreement said. They then submitted claims to Medicare for the test kits. Medicare paid about $2.6 million between July 2022 through February 2023, the DOJ said in the news release. Nearly 90% of the reimbursement payments were transferred to Alston through Heritage Pharma Group, according to the plea agreement. Alston, whose brother is prominent Broward County figure and now Broward College President Torey Alston, became the city manager of South Bay in northwest Palm Beach County in 2009 and resigned a few years later amid a corruption scandal. The countys Office of the Inspector General conducted an audit of the citys expenses between 2009 and 2012, questioning more than $300,000, the South Florida Sun Sentinel previously reported. Alston ended up facing multiple charges after the city fired its handyman, who then reported to the State Attorneys Office that Alston received a $25,000 payout for unused vacation time while employed by the city, according to a probable cause affidavit in that case. Ultimately, he was adjudicated of misuse of official position, a misdemeanor, and was placed on probation, court records show. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wilson pleaded guilty last June to conspiracy to defraud the United States and to illegally purchase Medicare beneficiary identification, the DOJ said. A scheduling hearing is set for May 15. Alstons sentencing is scheduled for July 9. He and Wilson each face up to a maximum of five years in prison. Were grateful that Mr. Alston has taken this step towards acceptance and responsibility, accountability and focusing on rehabilitation, said his attorney Johnny McCray Jr. He plans to move forward and is committed to making amends, and we believe he will make a positive change. FORT SMITH, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) A Fort Smith teacher, who was initially placed on administrative leave, has been suspended for 90 days without pay after a racial slur was on a test he handed out to students in February. According to his attorney, Joey McCutchen, Robert Duff Taylor, an American Literature teacher at Northside High School, has worked at the school for years. Tuesday, McCutchen shared his thoughts on the boards decision in an interview with KNWA/FOX24. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When youre teaching history, you cant sanitize it because thats the way we learn, and if we dont learn from our history, were doomed to repeat it, McCutchen said. We want our students being taught real true history. The decision came after Taylor instructed a lesson on civil rights, reading through a book called Warriors Dont Cry, written by Melba Pattillo Beals, a member of the Little Rock Nine. The book contains sensitive language, including racial slurs, that Beals says she endured at Little Rocks Central High School. To not use her words, to sanitize Melba Beals words, is wrong. These literary works contain the N-word and the library at Northside High School has at least five different literary works that use the N-word. The 11th grade literature textbook uses the word, and Mr. Taylor taught a powerful lesson to his students, McCutchen said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fort Smith student earns perfect score on ACT However, according to McCutchen, the allegations of racism surfaced when Taylor quoted part of the text that contained a racial slur on a test. Taylor says the test was AI-generated through an approved program, yet it still resulted in being placed on administrative leave. Monday night, Fort Smith Public Schools held a hearing on the situation, where it stood its ground, choosing to suspend Taylor for 90 days without pay. McCutchen believes this was an overreaction. They threw Mr. Taylor under the bus and without even talking to him, without even giving his version of what had happened. If youre calling someone the N-word, obviously thats unacceptable, McCutchen said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also says Taylor is receiving support from the very person who experienced that racism and wrote that book. Dr. Beals supported Duff Taylor 100%, said that he had given the students a gift. We thought thats what she would say because she wrote those words, because words have power to them, and you cant sanitize history. Its what she lived, and its what she experienced, McCutchen said. KNWA/FOX24 did reach out to FSPS for a statement on the decision, to which it declined. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24. When 66-year-old Richard Bhoolai didn't show up Wednesday morning for a scheduled sentencing, there was concern. Bhoolai's attorney, Kory Jackson, told U.S. District Judge Douglas Cole that he had spoken to Bhoolai the previous evening about the hearing. Bhoolai, the founder of the fast food restaurant chain Richie's, faced a three-year sentence for tax evasion charges. Jackson told Cole that Bhoolai wasn't answering his phone or responding to text messages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cole rescheduled the sentencing for 4 p.m., saying he hoped that Bhoolai hadn't been involved in a vehicle accident. But the late-afternoon sentencing never took place. Bhoolai had died by suicide. In an interview, Jackson said that when he talked to Bhoolai Tuesday night, Bhoolai didn't show signs that anything was wrong. "He sounded like his usual, ebullient self," Jackson said, adding: "It's just really sad that this is how this situation ended." Bhoolai, a native of the Caribbean island nation of Trinidad and Tobago, immigrated to the U.S. in the mid-1970s when he was 17, court documents say. He founded the first Richie's in 1986, according to the restaurant's website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jackson said in a sentencing memorandum that at its peak, there were "multiple Richie's locations in multiple states." But according to federal prosecutors, for nearly two decades, Bhoolai "flouted federal law" and actively tried to "delay and deceive the IRS." Prosecutors say that in 2006, he chose to stop paying his employment taxes. Investigators estimated that ultimately, he was responsible for a tax loss of $2.3 million. Richie's would withhold taxes from employees' paychecks, including federal income taxes, Medicare and Social Security taxes. But that money was never submitted to the IRS, prosecutors said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, according to court documents, Bhoolai withdrew more than $1 million from business bank accounts and spent much of it gambling. Jackson, in the sentencing memorandum, said Bhoolai was "ready to admit that he has a gambling problem and that his loss of large sums of money led him to be convicted of these charges." Last year, a jury in federal court in Cincinnati found Bhoolai guilty of eight counts of willful failure to pay employment taxes. In addition to the prison term, prosecutors were seeking nearly $600,000 in restitution. Anyone struggling with suicidal thoughts can call or text the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 800-273-8255 any time day or night. A chat option is available online at 988lifeline.org/chat. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Richie's founder dies by suicide before sentencing for tax crimes Editor's note: This is a developing story and is being updated. Russia launched a ballistic missile attack on Kryvyi Rih in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast on April 2, killing four people and injuring 14, Governor Serhii Lysak reported. The strike damaged apartment buildings and caused a fire at the scene, where rescue operations are ongoing, said Oleksandr Vilkul, head of the city's military administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An 8-year-old boy and a 6-year-old girl were among those injured, Lysak said. The boy was hospitalized in moderate condition, with his condition later described as "severe." Kryvyi Rih, the hometown of President Volodymyr Zelensky, remains a frequent target of Russian missile strikes. The city, with a population of about 660,000, is the second-largest in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast and lies roughly 70 kilometers (40 miles) from the nearest front line. Russia has continued missile and drone attacks across Ukraine despite U.S. efforts to negotiate a ceasefire. Kyiv argues that Moscow's strikes on civilian areas show it is not serious about peace. The Kremlin rejected a 30-day ceasefire agreement reached by the U.S. and Ukraine in Jeddah on March 11, agreeing only to a limited truce on attacks against energy infrastructure and in the Black Sea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine has already accused Russia of violating the energy ceasefire, while the future of the Black Sea truce remains uncertain as Moscow ties its implementation to the lifting of Western sanctions. Read also: More than fifth of Russian intelligences recruits in Ukraine are minors, SBU says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Rhode Island's first harm reduction center, offering space for people to safely use illegal drugs in a medically supervised setting, opened in south Providence in January. (Courtesy of Mandy Roman with Project Weber/RENEW) Rep. Jay Edwards expected opposition when he first pitched the idea of setting up medically supervised sites in Rhode Island where people could safely use illegal drugs. But in the four years since Edwards bill was signed into law, making Rhode Island the first state in the nation to authorize harm reduction centers, concern and misunderstanding has dissipated over what researchers and health care providers agree may help mitigate drug overdoses and deaths. Since opening in mid-January, the states first and only harm reduction center has drawn more than 500 visitors and prevented 27 overdose deaths, according to information from Project Weber/RENEW, the nonprofit that operates the south Providence site. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Which is why Edwards was caught off guard by the lengthy and fiery debate among his House colleagues Tuesday over a proposed two-year extension to the existing program, to March 1, 2028. It kind of surprised me, Edwards, a Tiverton Democrat, said in an interview Wednesday. This is a law that is already in place and we already have a site up and running. Theyre not going to take it down this minute. The House ultimately approved the extension legislation by a 52-17 vote, with six members absent, following a 90-minute floor debate. The passionate debate centered not on whether the existing pilot program should be extended, and more on the criminal and health implications of offering a place for people to use illegal drugs at all. They were just rehashing the same issue that we already decided, Edwards said in an interview Wednesday. There was nothing novel about the opposition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He went on to characterize opponents proclamations as grandstanding and playing to the cameras. Phrases like sanctioned opium dens and Band-Aid approach were invoked by opposing lawmakers of both political parties, who alleged that giving people a place to safely use drugs would drive up violence and criminal activity in the surrounding neighborhood. The city of Providence has not received any police, fire or emergency management calls to the address of Project Weber/RENEWs center near Rhode Island Hospital since the safe injection site opened this year, Anthony Vega, a city spokesperson, said in an email Wednesday. Data on 911 calls and arrests to other addresses surrounding the center were not immediately available. How the center impacts visitors and the community, including police activity, is being studied by Brown University researchers. More time = more data Amendments to Edwards extension bill bolster program reporting requirements to include the number of people connected to other specialists for addiction treatment, and total overdoses prevented. Existing law requires state-authorized harm reduction centers to provide other health-screening and disease prevention resources by medically trained professionals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Project Weber/RENEW relocated its headquarters to the south Providence building that houses the safe injection site, providing space for administrative work and other community health and support services, Roman said. House Minority Whip David Place, a Burrillville Republican, supported the extension of the pilot program as a way to gather more data on its effectiveness, even though he said he adamantly opposed the original bill. We made a decision however many years ago to put this policy into effect, Place said during the floor debate. We owe it to ourselves to check it out and see how it works. We made a decision however many years ago to put this policy into effect. We owe it to ourselves to check it out and see how it works. House Minority Whip David Place, a Burrillville Republican Mandy Roman, a spokesperson for Project Weber/RENEW, also stressed the importance of a longer operational period in an email Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We know firsthand that building trust, gathering meaningful data, and demonstrating impact takes time, Roman said. A longer pilot period is essential to fully evaluate the programs effectiveness in saving lives and connecting people to care. Gov. Dan McKee, Providence Mayor Brett Smiley and the Mental Health Association of Rhode Island also wrote to lawmakers to back the extension bill. Rep. John Edwards (left) explains his bill extending the states pilot program for safe injection sites during the Rhode Island House of Representatives floor session on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. (Capitol TV) Critics reemerge Rep. Pat Serpa, a West Warwick Democrat, pointed to the lack of buy-in from cities and towns except for Providence the law requires city or town councils to formally vote to agree to host a harm reduction center as evidence of the public opposition. If this is so virtuous, if this such a great idea, why dont you propose this in your district, said Rep. Jon Brien, a Woonsocket independent. My suspicion is there will be somebody sitting in your seat after the next election? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet Rep. Jose Batista, a Providence Democrat whose district includes the center operated by Project Weber/RENEW, supported the program, and the two-year extension. He acknowledged he was initially concerned. The shortest point that helped convince me was, if you dont like safe locations, what about all the unsafe locations that exist right now: under bridges, in the dark, Batista said. Batista also argued that punitive measures to sanction illegal drug activity have historically failed. Perhaps we should try something different, something backed by science and research and data, he said. I am totally against drugs, but guess what, if these harm reduction centers save one person, whats the value of that life? Id give everything I have, everything I own to see my brother again. Rep. Gregory Costantino, a Lincoln Democrat whose brother died due to substance abuse Drug-related overdoses in Rhode Island fell by 21% from 2023 to 2024, to 320 deaths, according to state health data. Illegal drugs, used alone or in combination with authorized prescription medications, continue to dominate, responsible for nearly 84% of drug-related overdose deaths in 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have to stop thinking people who use drugs are bad people and we have to stop shaming them, said Karen Alzate, a Pawtucket Democrat. We are not here as a legislative body to continue to shame people who go into these centers. State law specifies that harm reduction centers be funded by revenue from opioid settlement lawsuits. But several opposing lawmakers decried other costs associated with centers. Project Weber/RENEW, as a nonprofit, doesnt pay property taxes, for example. Rep. Charlene Lima, a Cranston Democrat, also questioned the burden on first responders, assuming that police and ambulance visits to the south Providence neighborhood had increased since Project Weber/RENEW opened its doors. Dont tell me you think this is free and its just falling out of the sky, Lima said. Thats a load of baloney. Part of the space dedicated for safe, supervised use of illegal drugs within Project Weber/RENEWs new south Providence headquarters. (Courtesy of Mandy Roman with Project Weber/RENEW) When politics is personal Amid the rising tones and tensions, Rep. Gregory Costantino, a Lincoln Democrat, struck a noticeably subdued tenor as he shared a story about an unnamed pair of teenage brothers, the older of whom struggled with addiction to various drugs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At 27 years old, I had to bury my brother, Costantino said. It devastated, devastated our family. The whispers in the chamber quieted as Costantino continued. I am totally against drugs, but guess what, if these harm reduction centers save one person, whats the value of that life? Id give everything I have, everything I own to see my brother again. Similar though not identical legislation in the Rhode Island Senate sponsored by Melissa Murray, a Woonsocket Democrat, would make the pilot program permanent. Murrays bill remains under review by the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services following an initial hearing on March 4. A committee vote has not been scheduled, and potential amendments to Murrays bill are still being reviewed, Greg Pare, a Senate spokesperson, said in a text message Wednesday. How they voted Seventeen members of the House of Representatives voted against a bill to extend the states pilot safe injection program by two years. They are: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Jon Brien, a Woonsocket independent Rep. Julie Casimiro, a North Kingstown Democrat House Minority Leader Mike Chippendale, a Foster Republican Rep. Arthur Corvese, a North Providence Democrat Rep. Richard Fascia, a Johnston Republican Rep. Marie Hopkins, a Warwick Republican Rep. Charlene Lima, a Cranston Democrat Rep. George Nardone, a Coventry Republican Rep. Thomas Noret, a Coventry Democrat Rep. William OBrien, a North Providence Democrat Rep. Christopher Paplauskas, a Cranston Republican Rep. Ramon Perez, a Providence Democrat Rep. Robert Phillips, a Woonsocket Democrat Rep. Robert Quattrocchi, a Scituate Republican Rep. Earl Read, a Coventry Democrat Rep. Paul Santucci, a Smithfield Republican Rep. Patricia Serpa, a West Warwick Democrat Representatives Samuel Azzinaro, Jacquelyn Baginski, Stephen Casey, Alex Finkelman, Brandon Potter and Sherry Roberts were absent. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The fourth and final soldier killed in a heavy vehicle accident last week was a 28-year-old artillery mechanic from Michigan, the Army said Wednesday. Staff Sgt. Troy S. Knutson-Collins of Battle Creek, Michigan was killed on March 25 along with three other soldiers when their M88A2 Hercules a tank-like tow-truck for other armored vehicles sank into a swampy bog in a Lithuanian training area. He had been assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division since 2018. Although we are relieved to have found all our Dogface Soldiers, it does not make the pain of their loss any less, said Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie, the commanding general of the 3rd Infantry Division. We will continue to care for and support the Soldiers Families and loved ones as we bring them home and honor their memory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Staff Sgt. Jose Duenez, Jr., 25, of Joliet, Illinois; Staff Sgt. Edvin F. Franco, 25, of Glendale, California; and Pfc. Dante D. Taitano, 21, of Dededo, Guam were all identified Tuesday. All four were assigned to the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team at Fort Stewart, Georgia. In an interview Tuesday with a local news station, Knutson-Collins father, Robert Collins, said he was grateful for the Armys week-long recovery effort to find his son. I want to thank them, he told News Channel 3 in Kalamazoo. I would do it in person and shake every one of their hands if it took me a day or two to tell them I appreciate what they did. Three soldiers who died in a training incident in Lithuania last week were identified Tuesday. Left to right: Sgt. Edvin Franco; Sgt. Jose Duenez, Jr.; Pfc. Dante Taitano. Army photos. After the soldiers M88A2 disappeared during a routine training exercise, the Army launched a massive recovery operation with hundreds of soldiers from across Europe and a Navy dive team from Spain. Soldiers and civilian workers from Lithuania and Poland were also heavily involved in the recovery effort. Divers found the M88A2 under 15 feet of mud and water in a muddy bog. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Knutson-Collins, Jose Duenez Jr., and Edvin Franco were all posthumously promoted to the rank of staff sergeant. Knutson-Collins had graduated from the Army Basic Leader Course, the Advanced Leaders Course, the Tracked Vehicle Recovery Operations course, and the Combat Lifesaver course. He deployed to Korea in 2020. His awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Master Technician Badge. Words cannot express how deeply this loss is felt by everyone in our unit, said Capt. Jackson Patillo, commander, Foxtrot Company, 1st Battalion, 41st Field Artillery Regiment. Staff Sgt. Troy Collins was an exceptional friend to all of us and an irreplaceable member to our entire Fox family that we will truly miss. The latest on Task & Purpose SACRAMENTO, the United States, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Twenty-three U.S. states and the District of Columbia have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for abruptly cutting over 11 billion U.S. dollars in federal public health funding. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Rhode Island on Tuesday, claimed that the cuts were illegal and would harm critical public health programs across the nation. U.S. Congress allocated funding during the COVID-19 pandemic to strengthen public health infrastructure, improve emergency preparedness, and support programs like mental health services and addiction recovery. California Attorney General Rob Bonta criticized the decision, calling it "egregiously irresponsible." He explained that the cuts would jeopardize essential programs in his state, including vaccinations for 4.5 million children and efforts to combat diseases like measles and influenza. "HHS (Department of Health and Human Services) and its Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., cannot unilaterally do away with that critical federal funding," Bonta said in a press release. "Thousands of jobs and key public health programs could be eliminated." Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser expressed similar concerns, warning of devastating consequences for his state. Colorado stands to lose more than 229 million dollars, which would force the closure of programs providing behavioral health services and infectious disease surveillance. "This action ... is inexplicable, illegal, and will cause untold damage to Colorado," Weiser said. He emphasized that the lingering effects of the pandemic, including mental health challenges, make these funds more necessary than ever. The Trump administration justified its actions by stating that the pandemic is over and the grants are no longer needed. However, critics argued that these funds were intended for long-term improvements to public health systems rather than short-term pandemic relief. The attorneys general alleged that terminating these funds violates federal law because Congress explicitly authorized them without tying them to the end of the pandemic. Health officials warned that rescinding these funds will disrupt vital services nationwide. Programs addressing addiction recovery, mental health support, and disease prevention are at risk of being dismantled. For example, California alone could lose nearly 972 million dollars, while Colorado faces significant setbacks in immunization distribution and lab services. This lawsuit is part of a broader effort by Democratic-led states to challenge Trump administration policies they view as harmful or unlawful. It is the latest legal challenge to the Trump administration's health policies. It also came amid a broader HHS restructuring that eliminates approximately 20,000 jobs, representing a quarter of the department's workforce. If successful, it could restore critical funding and set a precedent for federal accountability in managing public health resources. Fox News correspondent Mike Tobin delivered some tough news to Fox & Friends viewers on Thursday, letting them know that first buddy Elon Musk is considered an unpopular rich outsider in Wisconsin, and the states voters pushed back on his efforts to influence the Supreme Court election. Tobins report comes the morning after Susan Crawford decisively defeated Musk-backed opponent Brad Schimel, retaining liberals 4-3 majority on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Seen as something of a proxy for Democrats political future following Donald Trumps election and his chaotic first few months in office, the race delivered a crushing defeat to Trumps DOGE chief, who dumped $20 million in support of Schimels campaign. As a little girl, growing up in Chippewa Falls, I never could have imagined that I would be taking on the richest man in the world for justice, in Wisconsin, and we won, Crawford said in her victory speech. Wisconsin stood up and said loudly that justice does not have a price. Our courts are not for sale. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the run-up to the election, which also featured Musk handing out million-dollar checks to Wisconsinites and jumping around on a Green Bay stage with a cheese hat, Musk made a last-ditch appeal on Fox News most-watched show to turn out the vote for conservatives. Fox News correspondent Mike Tobin reports that Wisconsin voters weren't "really swayed" by Elon Musk's "star power" and considered him a "rich outsider." (Fox News) Noting that the worlds future and the destiny of humanity rested on the state Supreme Court election, Musk begged the networks Wisconsin viewers to back Schimel. If you lose control of the House, there will be nonstop impeachment hearings, there will be nonstop hearings and subpoenas, theyre gonna do everything possible to stop the agenda the American people voted for, he declared, claiming the race was so tight a single voter could decide it. The Tesla CEOs apocalyptic warnings, however, didnt turn the tide for conservatives. As of Wednesday morning, Crawford held a lead of 10 points over Schimel. During Wednesdays broadcast of the presidents favorite morning talk show, the hosts largely steered the conversation toward Trumps Liberation Day tariffs, the waste and fraud Musks DOGE team was supposedly finding, and Musks claims that Tesla protests are fundamentally a case of terrorism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the same time, though, they did acknowledge the election results though they were also framed within the GOP pulling out two special elections in Florida in which the Democrats also overperformed. Still, when Tobin delivered his report during the last hour of the broadcast, the truth about the growing disdain for Musk across the country broke through to the shows millions of loyal viewers. For all the record-setting money spent here in Wisconsin, it seems Wisconsin voters weren't really swayed by the star power of Elon Musk. A lot of them said they were pushing back at the idea of a rich outsider coming in and spending money to try to impact the Wisconsin votes, Tobin noted. It was also the first time Wisconsin liberals had an opportunity to push back at Donald Trump and they were motivated so motivated, in fact, turnout for the special election caused Milwaukee officials to run out of ballots, the Fox reporter continued. They had to delay the process while Milwaukee County and other organizations had to step up and rush ballots to polling locations. Elon Musk gives away a million-dollar check ahead of the Wisconsin Supreme Court election, which his candidate lost. (AP) Tobin wrapped up his segment by noting the special election was so important because the states Supreme Court justices are set to hear a redistricting case that could potentially flip two Wisconsin congressional seats to Democratic-majority districts, which would possibly put the GOPs razor-thin majority in the House at risk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elsewhere on Fox & Friends, there were other signs that the right-wing network which has fawned over the Trump-advising billionaire nearly as much as the president may start looking to distance itself from Musk amid his rising unpopularity. Democrats in Wisconsin say this is a referendum on Donald Trump and Elon Musk, Fox & Friends host Steve Doocy said. Thats not the way it was presented. The Democrats ran against Elon Musk. They said he is the worlds richest man, and he cant buy an election. So, it wasnt about Trump as much as it was about Musk. Notably, the editorial board of The Wall Street Journal a paper owned by Fox News founder Rupert Murdoch stated that Tuesday nights election results were a backlash to the Trump-Musk governing style. The board added that the Democratic bet paid off while Musks efforts to mobilize the Trump voters who tend to stay home in spring elections failed. PARIS France is calling for a new European plan to ramp up ammunition production, including of complex ordnance such as missiles, and wants to move forward at a meeting of European Union defense ministers in Warsaw this week, French Armed Forces Minister Sebastien Lecornu said. Lecornu will also ask the European Commission to speed up deployment and increase the budget for the IRIS sovereign satellite constellation, the French minister said in a press briefing with his Danish counterpart, Troels Lund Poulsen, in Paris on Tuesday afternoon. The defense ministers are meeting on April 2 and 3 to discuss a white paper on the future of European defense, developing and financing defense capabilities within the 27-nation bloc, and military support for Ukraine. Lecornu said policymakers need to move on to concrete measures to build up Europes defense industry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have to stop with the big speeches, we have to stop with the packages of billions where we dont always know exactly how it works, Lecornu said. We need things that are sometimes perhaps more modest, but very effective. The EUs Act in Support of Ammunition Production worked, we are therefore calling for a new edition of an ASAP-type facility, according to Lecornu. The European Commission allocated 500 million ($540 million) through the program to boost ammo output, and now forecasts the bloc will produce 2 million artillery shells this year, from an estimated annual capacity of 230,000 rounds in early 2023. A new ammo program should cover both simple and complicated munitions, including missiles, the French minister said. EU aid could help in a hypothetical scenario where missile maker MBDA sets up licensed production in European countries by adding to corporate financing and purchases by the host country, according to Lecornu. France has support from other EU members to ask the Commission to speed up the IRIS plan for a sovereign European satellite constellation, Lecornu said, declining to name the countries. The project is key to European strategic autonomy and is progressing, but has an enormous challenge in terms of execution time, the minister said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The consortium picked to deploy the satellite constellation , led by SES, Eutelsat and Hispasat, is targeting full operational status for the early 2030s, pushing back IRIS by several years compared to an EU timetable in March 2023 that envisaged full service in 2027. Its an issue on which the commission is obviously eagerly awaited and on which wed like to help, Lecornu said. Its about money because its about speeding up, and money means speeding up. It may also be about simplifying the organization, the very governance of IRIS. It makes sense, because we dont have a solution, we dont have a plan B, its either that or Starlink, Lecornu said, referring to the satellite constellation operated by Elon Musks SpaceX. The problem is, we have industrial time that is sometimes decorrelated from diplomatic time, Lecornu said. Im trying to reduce diplomatic time, because there are still people making noise and doing complicated things, when in fact there are industrial opportunities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Denmark formalized the purchase of French Mistral short-range air defense missiles in Paris, and we can do even more together, Lund Poulsen said. I hope also that it will be possible to make further announcements in the coming month about new procurements in France. I think the French defense companies have a lot to offer. The Danish government in February agreed to allocate an additional 50 billion kroner ($7.2 billion) to defense over the coming two years, boosting defense spending to more than 3% of GDP in 2025 and 2026. The Nordic nation is looking to rebuild an air-defense bubble after decommissioning its Hawk missile systems in 2005. Denmark last month shortlisted the French-Italian SAMP/T and the U.S. Patriot air-defense batteries to cover the high end of the threat spectrum in its planned purchase , while MBDA Frances VL MICA system, Kongsbergs NASAMS, the IRIS-T SLM from Germanys Diehl Defence and the U.S. IFPC. are in competition for the lower end. We are in Denmark very concerned about the situation with the land-based air-defense system, because we dont have any, Lund Poulsen said. He expects the government will be able to make a decision before summer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im very happy that France also today have told me directly that they will be willing to collaborate with Denmark in that context, the Danish minister said. We have to see the offers that will come in, but let me just underline that it is of our interest also to have a decision before summer. Buying SAMP/T would make Denmark the first export customer in the EU for the long-range air-defense system, with France and Italy currently the only users in the 27-nation bloc. Ukraine uses a donated SAMP/T system to defend the Kyiv area, while Singapore is the only other export user following a purchase in 2013. Meanwhile, Lund Poelsen commented on the American military presence in Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, where the U.S. operates Pituffik Space Base. U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to annex Greenland, citing security needs. Denmark has a long-lasting good relationship with the U.S., also about the security in Greenland, the minister said. He said Denmark has an agreement from 1951 about the U.S. presence in the territory. So if the U.S. would like to have more bases in Greenland, it is possible for them to raise that question to the Danish government. And will they be doing that? Well be willing to discuss that. By John Irish and Elizabeth Pineau PARIS (Reuters) -France's foreign minister warned on Wednesday that if world powers were unable to quickly reach a new agreement with Iran over its contested nuclear programme then a military confrontation seemed "almost inevitable". Speaking after President Emmanuel Macron convened a rare and undisclosed meeting of key ministers and experts on Wednesday to discuss the Iran dossier, Jean-Noel Barrot appeared to ramp up the pressure on Tehran. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement European powers are seeking to create a diplomatic path with a view to getting an agreement to curb Iran's uranium enrichment activity by the summer and ahead of an October 2025 deadline, when U.N. sanctions related to a 2015 accord on Iran's nuclear programme with world powers expire. Western powers say the nuclear programme amounts to a disguised effort to develop an atomic bomb. Iran has long denied seeking nuclear weapons. "The window of opportunity is narrow. We only have a few months until the expiration of this (2015) accord. In case of failure, a military confrontation would seem to be almost inevitable," Barrot told a parliamentary hearing. The earlier cabinet meeting, confirmed by three diplomatic sources, is rare and highlights mounting concern among Washington's European allies that the United States and Israel could launch airstrikes on Iran's nuclear facilities unless there is a quick negotiated deal on its nuclear programme. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. has reinforced military capabilities in the Middle East with more warplanes, the Pentagon said on Tuesday, amid a U.S. bombing campaign against the Houthis who control much of Yemen and are supported by Iran. A senior European official said European strategists were asking themselves whether the campaign could be a precursor to a U.S. strike on Iran in the coming months. Trump, who has urged Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to engage immediately in negotiations, threatened Iran on Sunday with bombing and secondary tariffs if it did not come to an agreement over its nuclear programme. The foreign minister of Iran's direct adversary Israel will be in Paris on Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Diplomatic sources said ministers from France, Britain and Germany, all party to the 2015 deal, were hoping to discuss the Iran dossier with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio when they convene in Brussels for a NATO ministerial meeting this week. Trump withdrew the U.S. from the 2015 deal that placed strict limits on Tehran's nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. Since then, Iran has far surpassed that deal's limits on uranium enrichment, producing stocks at a high level of fissile purity, well above what Western powers say is justifiable for a civilian energy programme and close to that required for nuclear warheads. The European powers have sought to raise pressure on Iran to coax it back into nuclear discussions. They have held several rounds of talks with Iran including at technical level last week, to try to lay the groundwork. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the Trump administration has focused initially on a campaign of "maximum pressure", and the Europeans have found coordination complicated, diplomats say. The European powers, who can invoke a return of full UN sanctions before October, had hoped to convince Iran to begin negotiating new restrictions on its nuclear activities with a view to having a deal by August at the latest. That would give enough time to set new limits for Iran's programme and begin lifting sanctions before the 2015 accord expires in October 2025. (Reporting by John Irish; Editing by Kevin Liffey, Alexandra Hudson) Pamela Sargent cherishes two distinctive attributes of Fred Reed: his steadfast courage during civil rights marches and the deep, resonant timbre of his voice that could stir the soul. Reed was a leader of the Milwaukee Commandos, a security unit of young Black men formed by the NAACP Youth Council to protect protestors and quell violence during the Milwaukee Fair Housing Marches in the late 1960s. His remarkable life included signing background vocals for musical groups such as Ike and Tina Turner and serving as an usher at the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr's funeral. Reed died March 17. He was 87. Services will be held at 10 a.m. April 12 at New Testament Church-Milwaukee, 10201 W. Bradley Road. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sargent was one of the hundreds of young people who protested to demand equal rights. She recalled marching across the 16th Street Viaduct at the age of 10, facing an angry white mob armed with bricks, sticks, and marbles, their voices filled with hate. I always felt safe knowing Fred Reed was protecting me. He was like my big brother and more like a father figure to me, said Sargent, 70. The Commandos were men ages 18 to 30 who formed a protective barrier around the protestors during 200 nights of marches in 1967 and 1968. Reed later recounted the subtle art of de-escalation these young men practiced, skillfully navigating tense situations with a calm and composed approach. For the group, violence was avoided and force was only used for self protection. Before the nightly marches began, Reed and Sargent would often take the stage and lead a "Freedom Fighter" song, to inspire hope and unity among the group. Each note served as a call to action against the injustice surrounding them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore, D-Milwaukee, who first met Reed when she was a sophomore at North Division High School, would sneak out of her house to join the marches while her mother attended Bible study. She recalled when he lead the marchers in signing Oh Freedom!: Oh, freedom, Oh, freedom Oh freedom over meAnd before I'd be a slaveI'd be buried in my graveAnd go home to my Lord and be free Although she was caught sneaking back into her house, Moore said her mother understood the significance of the struggle and did not punish her. No more weepin', (don't you know), no more weepin'No more weepin' over meAnd before I'd be a slaveI'd be buried in my graveAnd go home to my Lord and be freeOh freedom Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She just wanted me to be safe, but we knew we had the Commandos protecting us, Moore said. Reed kept Commando's memory alive in documentaries and projects Reed was not just a Commando with a voice that resonated like thunder; he was a passionate historian dedicated to safeguarding the marchers' legacy. He chronicled their stories, ensuring that the courage and determination of these youthful guardians would never be forgotten. Min. Wendell J. Harris, Sr., NAACP National Board Member, speaks about Fred Reed during the ceremony honoring Reed Sunday, April 28, 2024, at New Testament Church of Milwaukee. Reed, a member of the NAACP Youth Council Commandos, lead the struggle for open housing legislation, served as a member of the March on Milwaukee 50th Anniversary Coordinating Committee and so much more. I first met Reed in 2017 while working on the project 50-Year Ache" where I examined the progress and struggles Milwaukee faced since the 1967 marches, with a focus on housing, education, race, and employment. Reed connected me with many members of the group. Over that time, I learned about his passion for preserving their legacy and passing down that history. Reed was more than just a source in my research; he was a vital connection to the past, bridging the gap between the present and the struggles those who came before faced. Through Reeds stories and insights, I gained a deeper understanding of their sacrifices and triumphs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I collaborated with Reed on the Emmy-winning, Crossing the Bridge: A Black Nouveau Special, which documented Milwaukees civil rights struggle and the marches advocating for open housing. In the special, Reed recalled August 28, 1967, when about 200 marchers crossed the 16th Street Viaduct heading toward Milwaukees south side. 50-year ache: How far has Milwaukee come since the 1967 Civil Rights marches? When we got to the bridge, it felt endless. The further you walked across that bridge, knowing what awaited us, the more tense it became, Reed said. When we reached the end of that bridge, a reception was waiting for us. This "reception" consisted of thousands of angry white individuals, some armed with sticks and bricks, forcing the group to turn around. Resistance to fair housing lead to city's label as 'Selma of the North' Father James Groppi, a former Catholic priest and renowned civil rights activist, helped lead the marchers. He regrouped them as they prepared to face a more hostile crowd the following night. The event gained national attention and led to Milwaukee being labeled the Selma of the North. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Groppis widow, Margaret Rozga, said she couldnt stop crying when she learned of Reeds passing. While most people remember Reed for his time with the Commandos, Rozga recalls her friend for his compassion towards others and his willingness to step back from the spotlight so that others could shine. When the Milwaukee NAACP celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2024, Rozga said Reed called her and asked if she could give him and his wife a ride to the event. During the program, the emcee asked Rozga to stand. Reed had organized a special honor for Rozga to celebrate her decades of contributions to the Civil Rights movement. Rozga, 79, joined the Milwaukee NAACP Youth Council in the 1960s. In the summer of 1965, she volunteered with a group of Milwaukee residents on a Southern Christian Leadership Conference summer voter registration project in rural Alabama. She was also involved in the open housing marches before marrying Groppi, after he left the priesthood. Man with sgt. stripes is Fred Reed. Four members of the youth council of the NAACP sat in front of Father James E. Groppi as he spoke to an overflow crowd at the Unitarian Church West, 13001 W. North Av., Brookfield. The talk was sponsored by the West Suburban Council on Human Relations. Father Groppi asked west suburbanites to enact open housing laws. She first met Reed at St. Boniface Church, where he was about to lead a march in 1967. She recalled how he he stood out in the crowd due to his height, leadership, decisiveness, and kindness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was and will forever be a great leader and friend, she said. Commandos used military strategies to de-escalate violence The Rev. Joseph Baring said after he returned home from serving in Vietnam in 1966, he wanted to be involved in the marches so he talked with Reed about what it took to become a Commando. Soon he went through the initiation process to join the highly strategic organization that employed various military principles of rank and commitment to protect marchers. Baring served as the groups secretary, while Reed served as a command sergeant major. Baring emphasized that Reed was the crucial link among all the Commandos for many years, ensuring their contributions and legacies were never overlooked. Whenever a Commando fell ill or faced difficulties, Reed was one of the first to reach out to help them. Furthermore, Reed often notified me when any Commandos passed away. He would always tell me what their role was as a Commando along with why they were important to the history of the civil rights struggle. Baring said of the original 125 members of the Milwaukee Commandos, only 8 remain alive today. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the Commandos played a vital role in Reed's life story, he was much more than a guardian to the marchers. His rich tenor voice resonated with listeners, allowing him to travel extensively across the United States. During his journeys, he collaborated with some of the most celebrated musical acts of the era, providing background vocals for iconic groups, including the legendary Ike and Tina Turner. But his true passion was singing for the Lord. Baring, 79, also said Reed played a key role in securing 10 state historical markers to commemorate Milwaukees Fair and Open Housing Marches of 1967-68. The last time the two men spoke was over Zoom, just about a week before Reeds passing. Im going to miss my friend. He was truly one of a kind, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baring said the Commandos received national recognition from many prominent Black stars and politicians. The group had meetings with influential leaders in the civil rights movement, including Muhammad Ali, Dick Gregory, and Martin Luther King Jr. After King was assassinated, Reed and members of the Commandos went to Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta to honor the slain civil rights leader. Reed served as an usher at King's funeral. Reed's other mission: giving back to Milwaukee's youth Reeds wife, Andrea, said that while many will remember her husband for his extensive work in civil rights, he was also a loving husband who believed in God and enjoyed giving back to young people and those who faced incarceration. During their 25 years of marriage, Andrea noted that her husband was dedicated to improving the lives of those who had been discriminated against, as well as the lives of young people. Opinion: Milwaukee can't afford to lose federal health dollars. Lives will be lost. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reed helped establish the first Milwaukee Voter Registration Drive, assisted the state of Wisconsin in setting up the first ADA guidelines for all individuals, and was involved in helping youth in the Black Data Processing Associates (BDPA), Milwaukee Chapter of Black Innovation in Technology. The mentoring program trains local high school students on the fundamentals of coding and life skills. Reed was the vice president of management support services until this year. He regularly visited high schools to talk about the history and struggles we experienced. He believed this was important. It became a part of his mission, Andrea Reed said. "He also was instrumental in encouraging youth to turn their passions into purpose through education and training." Reach James E. Causey at jcausey@jrn.com; follow him on X@jecausey. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Reed protected protestors at Milwaukee fair housing marches | Opinion Britain has probably been the only country in history to regard import tariffs as a moral issue. For Victorians, free trade was like the Green movement today. Religious groups, womens associations, peace campaigners and liberals generally supported free trade as a moral obligation, regardless of economic and social consequences. They were convinced it would bring peace and freedom, while tariffs were the bedrock of oppression. As a tract for children put it, everybody may be joined together in love and trade, like one great family; so that we may have no more wicked, terrible battles. On the other hand, some people stood to make a lot of money: exporters who wanted unrestricted markets and employers who wanted to keep wages down. The alliance of moralism and profit had some squalid consequences. Sir John Bowring, a leading free-trade crusader appointed governor of Hong Kong, encouraged war with China to force its government to permit the opium trade both a step towards open-market utopia and also a gift to amoral merchants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Few other countries bought into this utopian vision. That was Britains problem: practising free trade in a protectionist world. The Treasury refused to introduce tariffs, even as a bargaining tool. America, Germany and (after a brief and unpopular free-trade experiment) France kept tariffs to protect domestic industry and agriculture for political and strategic reasons. By 1902, America was imposing 73 per cent tariffs on British imports, France 34 per cent, and Germany 24 per cent. They were fostering new industries when Britain remained tied to old staples such as cotton. British agriculture, though efficient, declined further and faster than in neighbouring countries. Even when Britain was a leader in industry and finance, its move to free trade arguably made it somewhat poorer, though it certainly benefited countries exporting to Britain, including parts of the Empire which nevertheless adopted tariffs against British exports. When Joseph Chamberlain persuaded the Conservatives to advocate limited tariffs on non-Empire products, it caused electoral collapse. It was only in the 1930s, faced with disastrous industrial decline, rising protectionism and economic depression, that Britain adopted a system of imperial preference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are of course a long way from Victorian free-trade utopianism. Our position today is unfortunately more like the 1930s than the 1850s. Yet we still carry the imprint of Victorian orthodoxy. More than other countries, the British instinctively regard free trade as good and tariffs as bad. Only a panic about post-imperial decline pushed us into the protectionist Common Market in the 1970s, which raised British food prices. The Common Agricultural Policy (with its butter mountain) was a particular British bugbear. Successive governments pressed for freer trade, while for many Europeans this obsession seemed irrational and destructive: why join an organisation and then try to dismantle it? Our dislike of protectionism, over-regulation and waste fuelled Euroscepticism and, finally, Brexit. Our continuing divisions since 2016 have kept us in a strange no mans land, neither a free-trading Singapore on Thames, nor a protected province of the gently declining EU. Whatever lip service we pay to freer trade, our official class- and self-interested industrial and farming lobbies will not wean themselves away from the European consensus. Although outside the EU except, of course, for Northern Ireland, that cleverly designed halter attaching us to Brussels Britain is retaining much of its knee-jerk protectionism. This is so even when there is no possible advantage. For example, we still have EU legacy tariffs on tropical produce we cannot create ourselves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We maintain strict quotas on free-range food from Australia and New Zealand, even if their production is at different times of year from ours. We believe scare stories about chlorinated chicken but happily consume chlorinated salad. We agree without qualms to unlimited imports of factory-farmed meat from Ireland, Denmark and Poland. We deplore the growth of food banks, yet refuse to buy cheaply from outside Europe while importing expensively from the EU. In short, having long abandoned Victorian free-trade dogma and painfully extricated ourselves from EU protectionism, we are in a state of political and mental confusion. This matters because we now risk being drawn into a trade war that is essentially between Washington and Brussels. Both are protectionist, and have been for most of their histories. America has used many ways of protecting its industries. But at the moment, the EU, and especially Germany, have built up a large trade surplus with the US. This is due, in part, to Germanys enviable tradition of manufacturing quality. But it is able to run such a huge and perpetual trade surplus due to a relatively cheap euro. The EU as a whole has damaged many of its trading partners with tariff and non-tariff barriers. These mean, for example, that developing countries export primary products to the EU, which then gains the main profit from processing them. Hence, we import much of our tea not from Kenya but from Poland. However repugnant his methods, President Trump and others have a case against high tariffs on cars and food, and against over-restrictive regulations. The idea that we should respond to Trumps policy by re-engaging with the EU is illusory. We often hear complaints that makers of artisan cheese or micro-brewed beer can no longer export to the EU. That is unfortunate. But our visible exports that count and the US is our largest national customer are aircraft parts (worth more than 2 billion), luxury cars and, until net zero intervened, oil products, pharmaceuticals and chemicals. It is important to get exemptions for our struggling major exports, and in return we should accept more American agricultural products including salmonella-free chicken. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unlike the Victorians, we should not be dogmatic about free trade, but bargain and bargain hard. It is no consolation that whatever harm Mr Trump may do to our exports, by rushing to net zero we are already doing far more damage ourselves. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Greg Cabana, a veteran government teacher, remembers a time where his job as an educator felt secondary to being the phone police. It was absolutely every class period, Cabana told CNN. It wasnt the question of if students would have their cell phones out, it was just a question of how much would they? This year, however, hes no longer fighting that battle. Wakefield High School in Arlington, Virginia is part of a pilot program for the district that launched in September 2024, requiring students to put their phones inside magnetic locking pouches every morning. At the end of the day, they use a specialized box to unlock them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It comes after the states Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin issued an executive order last July requiring districts to move towards phone-free education in 2025. In that order, Youngkin wrote the move was meant to promote a healthier and more focused educational environment. A rocky start On the first days under the new policy, students were hesitant to part with their devices. When I walked into the cafeteria right after we got them, all you could hear is the banging. Everyone was banging their pouch, Lucas Lopez, a junior at Wakefield, said. Senior Karen Mines demonstrates how to unlock a Yondr pouch, where students are expected to keep their phones during the school day, at Wakefield High School in Arlington, Virginia. - CNN Cabana, for his part, said the initial resistance justified the need for a drastic policy change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyre going through this kind of trouble to this extreme. This shows how this dependency has really turned into an addiction, not dissimilar from a drug, Cabana said. Between July 2021 and December 2023, one-half of teenagers ages 1217 reported four hours or more of daily screen time, according to US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. Wakefield students admit their screen time before the ban was oftentimes much higher. Proponents for phone restrictions or bans point to fewer distractions in the classroom. After an adjustment period, students at Wakefield attest theyve felt more present and focused on the instruction. I remember the first day I was sitting in physics, my phone was locked up in my bag and I kept reaching for it, but I couldnt, and the only thing I could do was sit on my computer and listen, junior Alex Heaton said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was so freeing, he added. Though its too soon to figure out if the bans have corresponded to better academic performance, Cabana says he believes its undeniable that the achievement will be there. Its already clear that students are socializing with their peers in a renewed way. Senior Gabrielle Harber said the ban led to a realization that phones were giving people an excuse to be isolated. People actually talk to each other at lunch now, she said. Its very adorable. Theyre hanging out, like something out of a movie. Interpersonal violence has been at a record low, too, with one student saying she hadnt seen a single fight this school year. Phone bans emerge as a rare bipartisan issue While Wakefield is a guinea pig for its district by implementing the pouches, phone-free schools are becoming more common across the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Besides Virginia, eight other states have introduced state-wide policies that ban or restrict cell phone use in schools. And 15 other states plus the District of Columbia have introduced state-wide legislation to do the same. In this 2024 photo, a phone holder hangs in a classroom at Delta High School in Delta, Utah. Utah state lawmakers sent a bill banning cellphones in schools to Gov. Spencer Cox's desk this February. - Rick Bowmer/AP/File The policies vary from state to state: Some keep phones away from bell to bell, while others provide exceptions for teacher-approved activities and special education purposes. The issue is a rare instance of bipartisanship with state leaders on both sides of the aisle using mental health to justify the orders. We know that excessive smartphone use increases anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues but we have the power to intervene, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, said in an executive order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have seen a staggering rise in mental illness among young people over the past decade. The culprit is clear: unrestricted access to smartphones and social media, Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, a Republican, echoed. Working out the kinks Not every educator is on board with the trend. Brandon Cardet-Hernandez, a former public-school principal and senior education adviser to New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, believes banning phones is ignoring how integrated they are in younger generations lives. We have to teach digital literacy skills, he said. Kids need to know how to use social media and by an outright ban of smartphones in schools, we are not getting any closer to teaching those skills. Cardet-Hernandez also says the most vulnerable and the most under-resourced schools, where low-income students rely on school buildings for reliable Wi-Fi, are being forgotten in the discussion. A student uses their laptop while working on an assignment at Wakefield High School in Arlington, Virginia. - CNN Others have pointed out that the policy does not address what happens in case of an emergency if phones are locked away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All the parents would be going crazy because they cant text their kids, Heaton said. Cabana, the teacher, said he understands that concern but believes that the possibility of misinformation running rampant is a hindrance to keeping students safe. Though the kinks are getting figured out at Wakefield, Cabana says hes mostly grateful for returning to his true passion: teaching. I love my job, he said. Were not constantly monitoring and reprimanding students for phones. Were back to engaging. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com WASHINGTON The U.S. Department of Transportation is giving freight carriers, trade groups, small businesses and others a direct line to the Trump administration to explain what regulations should be revised or taken off the books. Consistent with DOTs commitment to public participation in the rulemaking process, DOT is beginning this process by soliciting views from the public on how best to conduct its analysis of existing DOT regulations, guidance, or reporting requirements, the department stated in a request for information (RFI) posted on Wednesday. It is also seeking views from the public on specific regulations, guidance, or reporting requirements or DOT-imposed obligations that should be altered or eliminated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The RFI is a follow-up to executive orders issued by President Donald Trump within the first month of his second administration aiming to reduce regulations he considers to be burdens on Americans. That includes Executive Order 14219, Ensuring Lawful Regulation and Implementing the Presidents Department of Government Efficiency Deregulatory Agenda, issued on Feb. 19. In an apparent effort to cast as wide a net as possible, DOT created a separate email inbox for public responses Transportation.RegulatoryInfo@dot.gov in addition to the customary regulatory comment portal https://regulations.gov, beginning on Thursday in docket DOT-OST-2025-0026. Those wishing to comment on the RFI have until May 3, but the inbox can be used to identify to DOT on a continuing basis existing regulations, guidance, reporting requirements, and other regulatory obligations that they believe can be modified or repealed, DOT stated. Comments received via email by May 3 will also be placed in the RFI docket. Together, these steps will help DOT ensure it acts in a lawful, prudent, and financially responsible manner in the expenditure of funds, from both public and private sources, and manages appropriately the costs associated with private expenditures required for compliance with DOT regulations, according to the department. Cost data welcomed DOT is encouraging the public to back suggestions with economic data showing what it costs to comply with current regulations, as well as money saved if those regulations were revised or eliminated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The RFI includes a non-exhaustive list of 12 questions that are not intended to restrict issues that can be addressed. Some of those questions include: Are there any regulations or guidance commenters can identify that fall within the seven categories outlined in Executive Order 14219? Are there regulations, guidance or reporting requirements that simply make no sense or have become unnecessary, ineffective or ill-advised? Are there regulations, guidance or reporting requirements that have become outdated and, if so, how can they be modernized to better accomplish their objectives? Are there regulations, guidance or reporting requirements that are still necessary but have not operated as well as expected such that a modified approach at lower cost is justified? Does DOT currently collect information that it does not need or that it uses ineffectively? Are there regulations, guidance or reporting requirements or regulatory processes that are needlessly complex or could be streamlined to meet statutory obligations more efficiently? Can new technologies be leveraged to modify, streamline or rescind existing regulations, guidance or reporting requirements? Another chance for truckers For the trucking industry, the action by the Trump administration is the second opportunity in less than a year to provide regulators feedback on eliminating what the industry considers to be burdensome oversight. In August, President Joe Bidens Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration sought input from motor carriers on whether guidance documents issued by the agency should be updated or dropped altogether. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FMCSAs regulatory guidance portal contains roughly 1,300 documents dating from 1987, dealing with issues such as hours of service, electronic logging device operations and specifications, the Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse, emergency declarations, and sexual harassment and assault in the workplace. Since taking control of the White House, the Trump administration has heard from the trucking industry small-business owner-operators in particular on potential reforms to ELDs, hours-of-service restrictions and broker contracting. In addition, pending rulemakings on speed limiters, automatic emergency brakes and side underride guards have been delayed or await further action. Related articles: Click for more FreightWaves articles by John Gallagher. The post Freight industry: Which regulations should DOT cut? appeared first on FreightWaves. Recent market volatility notwithstanding, equities generally deliver solid returns over long periods, like a decade. The key is to purchase shares of robust companies, occasionally adding more, and to stick with your holdings through the highest market peaks and the most severe downturns. Despite not-so-great performances in recent years, Merck (NYSE: MRK) and Fiverr International (NYSE: FVRR) are stocks that could deliver competitive returns to patient investors in the next 10 years. Let's discover why. 1. Merck Merck is a leading drugmaker that develops medicines across several areas. Oncology is the company's most important field. It markets Keytruda, a cancer drug that topped the list of the world's best-selling drugs last year. Keytruda will run out of patent exclusivity in the U.S. in 2028, but Merck is developing a subcutaneous version of the cancer therapy that will extend its patent life well into the 2030s. Merck has a strong vaccine business, thanks to the human papillomavirus (HPV) products Gardasil and Gardasil 9. It's also a leader in the animal health business. However, its shares underperformed the market last year because Keytruda, its biggest moneymaker, could face increased competition from medicines currently in development. Even with these challenges, the better-established Keytruda should still generate strong sales. Moreover, Merck will seek to diversify its base of revenue. It has already done so thanks to products like Winrevair, a medicine for pulmonary arterial hypertension that earned approval last year. The company will, no doubt, launch other brand-new products. Merck recently signed an agreement to develop a weight loss medicine with China-based Hansoh Pharma. This might be a long shot, considering how crowded the anti-obesity market could become soon, but Merck is always looking for its next blockbuster. With several dozen programs in development and the cash needed to sign licensing agreements with smaller drugmakers, it should be able to eventually move past its Keytruda-related challenges and generate strong revenue and earnings. Lastly, Merck is a solid dividend stock and has increased its payouts by 80% in the past decade. The current forward yield of 3.6% is well above the S&P 500's average of 1.3%. With dividends reinvested, the stock's performance in the next 10 years should be excellent. 2. Fiverr International Fiverr provides a platform that helps connect freelancers with the individuals and institutions who need their services. Unsurprisingly, the company's business was highly popular in the early pandemic years, but things have cooled down significantly since. Its shares dropped like a rock three years ago. (KRON) A teenager who lives in Fremont was among twelve Young Marines who traveled to Iwo Jima, Japan to honor the 80th anniversary of the WWII Battle of Iwo Jima. Akshaya Krishna and 11 other teens climbed Mt. Suribachi and planted a flag on the summit. The site was famously photographed during the 1945 battle as U.S. Marines raised an American flag. Krishna is part of the Young Marines, a youth leadership program organized by a national nonprofit. Col William P. Davis USMC (Ret), national executive director of Young Marines, said, Standing atop Mt. Suribachi with these Young Marines is more than a privilege its a living tribute to the courage and sacrifice of those who fought here in 1945. Watching them reenact the raising of the flag reminds us that the legacy of Iwo Jima isnt just history, its a torch being passed to the next generation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Capturing the island of Iwo Jima, which is only 8 square miles, was considered crucial to Americas WWII Pacific campaign strategy, according to the U.S. Department of Defense. Hegseth orders fitness standards to be gender neutral for combat jobs The task for doing this fell to the 3rd, 4th and 5th Marine divisions, the Armys 147th Infantry Regiment and the Navys 5th Fleet, the DOD wrote. The Battle of Iwo Jima took place from Feb. 19, 1945 to March 26, 1945 with heavy casualties suffered on both sides, according to DOD. Marines raise the U.S. flag on Mt. Suribachi, Iwo Jima, Feb. 23, 1945. The Pacific island became the site of one of the bloodiest battles of World War II against Japan. (AP Photo/Joe Rosenthal, File) One of the most iconic images of World War II was taken by The Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal. His photograph captured six Americans raising the U.S. flag on Iwo Jima on Feb. 23, 1945. Marine Sgt. Bill Genaust, who was standing beside Rosenthal, captured the same moment on video. Genaust was killed March 4, 1945, by Japanese fire while clearing a tunnel, DoD wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot has warned of a potential military confrontation if a new nuclear agreement with Tehran is not reached. Iran is advancing its nuclear programme to unprecedented levels despite numerous setbacks in its sphere of influence, Barrot said in a speech in Paris on Wednesday. France's position remains unchanged in that Iran must never acquire nuclear weapons, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Our priority is to achieve an agreement that permanently and verifiably limits Iran's nuclear programme. The window of opportunity is narrow," Barrot said. Only a few months remain before the 2015 agreement, in which Iran committed to significantly curbing its nuclear programme, expires. "If the effort fails, a military confrontation would be almost unavoidable, which would come at the very high cost of severely destabilizing the region," he added. US President Donald Trump recently threatened bombings if Tehran does not agree to a deal limiting its nuclear programme. In response, Iran countered that such threats could encourage a pursuit of nuclear weapons for national protection. Currently, Iran is enriching uranium to a purity level of 60%, while experts say more than 90% is required for nuclear weapons. As the verdict was being read by the judge, Marine Le Pen sat stony-faced in the dock at the Paris criminal court next to her National Rally colleagues on trial for the misuse of public funds. The minute she was found guilty and therefore barred from running for president of the French Republic in 2027 she rose and stalked out of the court without waiting for her co-defendants to know their own fates. In the past 24 hours, her tone has risen to histrionic heights, comparing herself on X to the late Alexey Navalny, Vladimir Putins opponent who died in a Siberian prison last year; or to Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, jailed by Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan ten days ago on corruption charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Le Pen and her 12 former assistants are undeniably guilty of using funds from the European Parliament to finance National Rally aides one of whom, said the judges, had not done a single days work in Brussels or Strasbourg she may have a point in feeling like a victim. Several points in fact, all of which she has been inept at articulating. One, which is no defence but provides context, is that her party was hardly alone in such practices. Francois Bayrou, the current prime minister, was also accused of using his centrist partys Brussels aides in the same way, but they at least did work for the European parliament while also fulfilling party duties in Paris. He was eventually cleared by a court. Members of Jean-Luc Melenchons hard-Left party in the European parliament were also accused of confusing parliamentary and party work, so it is understandable why Le Pen feels she has been singled out for harsh treatment because of her, and her partys, history. The main target of Le Pens outrage however is directed at the hardening of a 1993 law, the Sapin Bill. In 2016, under president Francois Hollande, it was changed to ensure that any politician condemned for corruption would be barred from running for office even if they appealed. Legal minds all the way up to the countrys highest constitutional authority have said it contradicts the spirit of judicial independence. All told, its a mess, hastily concocted in an orgy of virtue-signalling after Mr Hollandes own budget minister was found guilty of tax evasion. Calls to change this have started being voiced from various sides, including the Rallys own opponents and notable jurists. The French dont have a word for lawfare but they are familiar with its practice. Nicolas Sarkozy was put in the dock many times for variations of influence peddling and corruption. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The polarisation of politics across the world has meant an increase in the creative use of legal processes to target opponents: from Donald Trumps impeachment to the jailing of Imran Khan in Pakistan. The primary aim appears to be stopping a strong leader before they get voted in. Its an ugly tactic, and it will backfire, even when its targets are clearly in the wrong. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. (Reuters) -The Federal Trade Commission put on hold a lawsuit against pharmacy-benefit manager (PBM) units of UnitedHealth, Cigna and CVS Health over insulin prices after the Trump administration fired two of the agency's commissioners. The two Democratic commissioners, Alvaro Bedoya and Rebecca Kelly Slaughter, who had voted in favor of the lawsuit against the PBMs, were fired last month. In court filings this week, the FTC said the case will be put on hold for 105 days, as there were no sitting commissioners available to participate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of its five sitting commissioners, two were fired, two removed from the case, and one resigned when Trump took office. The FTC lawsuit accuses the PBMs of unfairly limiting access to insulin drugs with lower list prices and steering diabetes patients towards higher priced insulin in order to reap millions of dollars in rebates from pharmaceutical companies. "CVS Health is confident the facts are on our side drugmakers alone set the price of insulin and we will continue to defend the case vigorously to protect our ability to make insulin affordable for American businesses and their members," David Whitrap, vice president, External Affairs at CVS, told Reuters in a statement. UnitedHealth and Cigna did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The three companies own the country's largest PBMs - Caremark, Optum and Express Scripts. PBMs act as middlemen between drug companies and consumers. They negotiate volume discounts and fees with drug manufacturers on behalf of employers and health plans, create lists of medications that are covered by insurance, and reimburse pharmacies for prescriptions. Bedoya and Slaughter sued U.S. President Donald Trump last month saying their removals violated federal law and a 90-year-old U.S. Supreme Court precedent upholding agency independence. (Reporting by Puyaan Singh in Bengaluru; Editing by Shinjini Ganguli) Apr. 2BISMARCK The funding was cut in half for a bill that would help county fair associations in North Dakota with infrastructure projects. The Senate Appropriations Committee gave a do-pass recommendation on Friday, March 28, to an amended version of House Bill 1591 sponsored by Reps. Mitch Ostlie and Bernie Satrom and Sens. Cole Conley and Terry Wanzek, all R-Jamestown that would create a grant program for county agriculture fair associations. There are 33 county agriculture fair associations in North Dakota. Wanzek said the funding for the bill was reduced from $3 million to $1.5 million because the state general fund is $300 million over a balanced budget for the next biennium. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Every dollar counts," he said. HB 1591 goes back to the House where the amended version can be approved. If the amended bill isn't approved, the House and the Senate would each appoint three members for a conference committee who would try to come to an agreement on the bill's final language. "By then, we will have a better idea," Wanzek said, referring to potentially appropriate $3 million to HB 1591. "Maybe we'll have the budget balanced. The steps or efforts made in all the other numerous bills and budgets, maybe we'll have it balanced and can afford to add it back." HB 1591 would create a matching grant program and appropriate $1.5 million to the agriculture commissioner to provide grants to county agriculture fair associations for the planning, design and construction of infrastructure projects. No more than $100,000 can be awarded to a county agriculture fair association. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wanzek said discussions were held to lower the maximum dollar amount that could be awarded to a county agriculture fair association. "We rebelled against that a little bit," he said. "I just feel that $100,000 unfortunately doesn't go very far anymore." He said a fair association would be completing a $200,000 project with a 1-for-1 match with the grant program. The agriculture commissioner would be responsible for creating the guidelines to distribute the grant funds, including the requirement for a recipient to provide $1 of matching funds from nonstate sources for up to $2 of grant funding received. The matching funds may be provided in cash or in-kind contributions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The grant program would be funded one time and ends on June 30, 2027. The bill was amended to have an emergency clause, meaning it would take effect immediately after the governor signs it into law. "The minute this passes and is signed by the governor, they can start the program and maybe they could get their money in sooner rather than later," Wanzek said. "Maybe they could actually get the money and utilize it for this year's fair this summer." He said there were questions on whether some smaller county fair associations could meet a dollar-for-dollar match to get the maximum $100,000. "Some of them maybe won't be able to fully utilize the full $100,000 and might only (utilize) say $30,000, $40,000, $50,000," Wanzek said. "So there was a thought that maybe considering that it was a new idea and considering the fact that some of the smaller fairs were going to struggle to meet the match, we changed the matching requirements ... . We changed that to the discretion of the ag commissioner it will be his department that oversees this grant and we were going to let them develop some guidelines or rules and it had to be anywhere from 1-to-1 to 1-for-2." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said in-kind contributions can include work donated to a fair association that can be used as a matching fund. For example, donated time by an electrician or plumber could be viewed as an in-kind match for the grant program. Wanzek anticipates the grant program will be popular among county agriculture fair associations. If the bill is popular, he said the Legislature could look at appropriating $3 million for the program in the next legislative session in 2027. "So many of our citizens have memories of their county fair," he said. "I think this might be an ongoing idea." MPs will be spared from a new council tax premium on second homes, leaving taxpayers on the hook for five-figure bills, The Telegraph can reveal. Town halls will be able to charge 100pc council tax on additional properties from this month, a move that has left homeowners facing crippling bills, including on inherited homes. However, the allowance for MPs, funded by the taxpayer, will rise to cover the surcharge, allowing them to pass the whole bill on to the public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an email leaked to The Telegraph, the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) told MPs that their accommodation budget had been uplifted by a significant amount to mitigate the additional charge. It comes as households across the country have received bills as high as 10,000. The email said: Local councils have recently been given the power to charge council tax for secondary homes, and many are doing so. MPs have not been included on the list of exemptions. The accommodation budget has been uplifted by a significant amount for the 2025-26 financial year which will mitigate the additional charge, but Ipsa would be happy to discuss contingency if this cannot be covered by the new increased budget. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over two thirds of authorities in England have introduced the levy in an attempt to plug budget shortfalls. Telegraph Money has heard from dozens of readers who have been hit with crippling bills and feel they are being extorted by councils. It is the latest in a series of embarrassments after a Labour MP claimed back 900 from the taxpayer in pet rent. Taiwo Owatemi, MP for Coventry North West and a Government whip, made the payment to her landlord so that her dog could stay at her second home in London, according to The Times. Parliamentary authorities paid the expenses claim, which is not in breach of the rules governing MPs expenses. However Dan Jarvis, the security minister, said the rules cant be right. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement John OConnell, of campaign group the Taxpayers Alliance, said: This will only pour salt in the wounds of those homeowners now facing 100pc premiums just for having the temerity to own a second home. It is beyond contempt that many of the same MPs who voted through the policy to allow these additional charges will now be completely shielded from the financial impact of it. Earlier this year, it was revealed that Rachel Reeves had charged taxpayers 10,800 for her second home council tax bill over the past five years. The Chancellor was one of 41 Labour ministers to claim back the expense, including education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, and business secretary, Jonathan Reynolds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MPs with constituencies outside of the capital are allowed to expense accommodation and the associated costs including council tax. At least 81 of Labours MPs have a rural constituency, suggesting that they are more likely to require permanent accommodation near Westminster. Andrew Dixon, of campaign group Fairer Share, said: The unfairness of MPs receiving taxpayer-funded support for their council tax bills is symptomatic of a broader issue with our tax system one that prioritises privilege over equity. While millions of households struggle under the regressive burden of council tax, which hasnt been reformed in over 30 years and disproportionately hits lower-income families, its galling to see elected representatives cushioned by public funds for their own bills. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MPs should lead by example, not lean on a system thats already creaking under its own inequities. Dennis Reed, of charity Silver Voices, added: Once again, it is double standards for our featherbedded and aloof MPs. They cut winter fuel payments for pensioners but get their energy bills paid. They force councils to raise council tax but protect themselves from its impact. No wonder they deny there is still a cost of living crisis, at least there isnt for them. An Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority spokesman said: Any annual changes to accommodation budgets are made following analysis of the overall rental market, and are not based on any one single factor. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Local leaders are poised for a major networking event later this month which will explore avenues for future growth in southern West Virginia. According to a press release, the Future Forward Summit and Expo in April will focus on four crucial pillars of success for southern West Virginia housing, downtown development, small business growth and the economic outlook. The New River Gorge Regional Development Authority (NRGRDA) and Beckley-Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce (BRCCC) have recruited expert speakers to lead discussions and to seek recommendations for improvements in each of the four areas for the summit, which is planned for April 22-23 at the Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Future Forward planning committee has done an excellent job in securing in-state talent who can be a convener for innovation, collaboration and actionable progress in southern West Virginia, Jina Belcher, executive director of NRGRDA, said in the press release. Michelle Rotellini, president/CEO of BRCCC, said the annual Future Forward Summit gives business leaders, entrepreneurs and community representatives the opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions, forge strategic partnerships and explore opportunities. The focus is a little bit different than last years summit, Rotellini said. Were very excited about it. The aim is to provide a platform for our community stakeholders to engage in meaningful conservations geared toward laying the groundwork for workable solutions to guide long-term success in the region, said Rotellini. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The BRCCC is partnering with the NRGRDA and West Virginia Hive (WV Hive) to bring together the various industry, business and civic leaders and policy-makers who will be featured on the agenda for the two-day summit. Sessions and presentation leaders scheduled to attend include: New and existing housing modernization needs Patrick Bowen, president, Bowen National Research; Southern West Virginia economic outlook Dr. John Deskins, director, Bureau of Business and Economic Research at West Virginia University; Downtown development and revitalization Moderated by Jina Belcher, NRGRDA; and Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Small business development Judy Moore of NRGRDA and the WV Hive. In addition, West Virginia State Sen. Brian Helton (R-Fayette) will guide a dialogue with state legislators and industry leaders. That session is expected to cover recent legislative developments and provide a platform for attendees to ask questions and gain insights into policy changes, organizers say. There will also be breakout groups featuring areas of concentration including downtown planning and zoning, tourism and workforce resources. In addition, a diverse range of exhibitors is expected to showcase products, services and initiatives from the region. "We were asked this year to partner with the Beckley-Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce on Future Forward," said Moore, executive director of the West Virginia Hive and deputy director of the NRGRDA. "We have very diligently worked to pull together what we think is going to be a really good conference opportunity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It definitely is an economic development-based conference, and what we're attempting to showcase in this conference is some of the topics that are most prevalent right now with economic development. That's everything from housing to child care to small business support." "The conference is appealing to community leaders, legislators, decision-makers," she added. "That's who we want to have in the room." Moore said the summit will also provide an opportunity for WV Hive to spread the message on the services it offers. "Sometimes, quite honestly, even though the West Virginia Hive has been in existence since late 2016, a lot of people still don't know about us or the services that we provide," said Moore. "So, we're going to take this opportunity to be in front of these key community leaders to let them know what we can actually do to support the small businesses that they are also supporting as legislators and community developers and community leaders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We're really looking forward to having that opportunity to be on that platform." The Future Forward: Growing Our Economy, Strengthening Our Community event will kick off Tuesday, April 22, at 3:30 p.m. with a downtown development and revitalization session followed by a legislative reception from 5 to 7 p.m. On Wednesday, April 23, a full day of forums, educational sessions and networking opportunities will all focus on driving local communities toward a prosperous future. For more information on this years Future Forward Summit and Expo, visit https://nrgrda.org/future-forward/. For ticket information, visit https://beckleychamber.jagsuitesite.com/events/122/122-future-forward-2025. For information and booth reservations, contact 304-252-7328 / chamber@brccc.com. A police officer was arrested after he stole a suspects personal items during a traffic stop last month, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] On March 26, Lyons Police Chief Wesley Walker contacted the GBI to investigate a theft case involving one of his departments officers. The investigation stemmed from a traffic stop that happened on March 22. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the GBI, 30-year-old Ofc. Dustin Matejcik, of Glennville, was asked to assist another Lyons officer with a traffic stop that led to an arrest. TRENDING STORIES: The GBI said, the person being arrested asked that his personal items be given to his employer who was supposed to arrive at the scene to get them. While the other officer was taking the suspect to jail, Matejcik was left alone at the scene, authorities said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On March 25, the LPD was contacted about getting the items back. The GBI said the items were never found. The investigation revealed no one arrived at the scene to get the money and the items that belonged to the person who was arrested, according to the GBI. Matejcik never turned the money, passport, and keys into evidence after the suspect was arrested, officials said. The amount of money taken was not disclosed. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] The GBI arrested Matejcik on Tuesday. He was charged with one count of violation of oath of office and one count of theft by taking. Matejcik was booked into the Toombs County Detention Center. By Gerauds Wilfried Obangome and Ngouda Dione (Reuters) -The commanding win of junta leader Brice Oligui Nguema in Gabon's presidential election over the weekend gives him a seven-year mandate to turn the page on more than half a century of father-and-son rule by the Bongo family. The 50-year-old - who ousted President Ali Bongo in a 2023 coup, then ran for office - will now have to deliver on pledges to diversify an oil-reliant economy and end corruption. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He will also have to show he can break with the administrations he once backed - for all the talk of a fresh start, he is a distant cousin of Ali Bongo. "My dear compatriots, as I told you during the election campaign - and I repeat - there is no happiness without effort," Nguema told supporters on Sunday after provisional results showed him with 90.35% of votes cast. "Tomorrow (Monday) is a workday... Our country is under construction," he said. Nguema was widely expected to beat the seven other candidates in the central African nation as he rode a wave of public support for the coup and for his vows to fight graft. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A week after seizing power in 2023, Nguema publicly dressed down the heads of public agencies, ordering them to return any stolen money within 48 hours. Several corporate executives were arrested in a crackdown and government officials gave testimony to a commission investigating corruption. "Gabonese tell themselves that someone who works with this much ardour is trying to transform things," Joseph Tonda, a sociologist at Omar Bongo University in Libreville, said. Saturday's election unfolded without the unrest that marred votes in 2016 and 2023 - both elections that Ali Bongo's critics said were rigged in his favour. Nguema seized power after the 2023 election results came out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In those earlier contests "we couldn't even go outside. There were gunshots, the internet was cut and shops were looted," university student Worah Jean Yves said. "But this time, everything went very smoothly, without any problems." HOPES AND FEARS Nguema's most prominent opponent, former Prime Minister Alain Claude Bilie By Nze, got just over 3% of the vote according to the provisional results. He acknowledged his defeat at a press conference on Monday though he said the lopsided outcome raised doubts about the election's fairness. Analysts say it remains to be seen whether Nguema's tenure will mark a final break with the past. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nguema was aide-de-camp to Omar Bongo, Ali Bongo's father who ruled for more than four decades until his death in 2009. Nguema was also the commander of Gabon's Republican Guard under his cousin Ali Bongo. He was an army general when he seized power and keeps that title - though he has promised to step aside from any military role. "Many Gabonese hope that this is a really transformational moment for their country," Rogers Orock, a Gabon expert at Lafayette College in the United States, said. But he added there was reason to fear that "this new order is old wine - authoritarian despotism that Gabonese have historically had to deal with - in a new bottle". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nguema has faced questions about his own finances. A 2020 investigation by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project, a global network of investigative journalists, found he had bought three properties in the U.S. state of Maryland for a total of more than $1 million in cash. He declined to respond to questions from OCCRP, saying his private life should be respected, and has not commented further. Nguema has promised to keep up Gabon's historically close ties to former colonial ruler France - a markedly different approach from other juntas that have taken power in the region in recent years and ended longstanding defence cooperation with Paris. Announcing his candidacy last month, Nguema said he dreamt "of a Gabon that rises from the ashes". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I am a builder and I need your courage, your force, to build this nation," he added. (Additional reporting by Robbie Corey-Boulet and Aaron Ross; Editing by Mark Heinrich and Andrew Heavens) By Gerauds Wilfried Obangome LIBREVILLE (Reuters) - Alain Claude Bilie By Nze enjoyed just seven months as prime minister of Gabon before a 2023 military coup. Now "Bilie", as he is known, is back to face off against putsch leader Brice Oligui Nguema in this month's presidential election. Nguema's takeover, which ousted President Ali Bongo and ended the Bongo family's nearly 56-year dynasty, drew widespread support in the Central African country. Nze's challenge as the main opposition candidate will be to persuade voters that electing Nguema would cement the military's grip on power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rebranding as a credible opposition leader is a tall order for a man so closely associated with the old guard. Nze, 57, was appointed in 2012 as an adviser to Ali Bongo, who served as president for nearly 14 years. Bongo had taken over in 2009 after the death of his father, Omar Bongo, who had ruled since 1967. Several ministerial roles followed for Nze, including a long stint as government spokesman. The August 2023 coup took place amid growing public criticism of the Bongo family, who are widely blamed for failures to fairly distribute the nation's oil wealth, leaving a third of its 2.3 million people in poverty. Detractors also questioned Bongo's fitness to govern after a stroke in 2018. "It is a challenging situation for (Nze), given that people typically think of him as a candidate that represents, in some measure, the old order," said Rogers Orock, a Gabon expert at Lafayette College in Pennsylvania. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "But I would argue that he would perhaps emphasise more the danger of a permanent or long-term military government." Ahead of the April 12 election, Nze has tried to distance himself from the Bongo family and the military. In 2024 he left the Bongos' Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG) and created his own movement, "Together for Gabon", after several PDG members defected to the junta's transitional government. In a book published last year entitled "Daring to Hope for Another Gabon", Nze acknowledged that the old regime had lasted too long. "Whatever the positive aspects of Ali Bongo's performance," he wrote, "citizens needed change." PRAGMATIC APPROACH Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nze went to a vocational secondary school to train as a policeman before studying literature at Gabon's main public university, named after Omar Bongo, in the capital Libreville. He founded the university's student union and was expelled in 1994 for allegedly humiliating a rector during a student strike that sparked clashes with the authorities. "He was studious, brilliant and disciplined," said former transport minister Eric Joel Bekale, who has been friends with Nze since school. "But he was like sleeping water," Bekale said, playing on a French expression used to describe people with a forceful character who appear calm on the surface. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During his campaign for president, Nze has presented himself as an experienced politician with a pragmatic approach to resolving Gabon's political and economic problems. Despite its oil riches, infrastructure in the densely forested and sparsely populated country is poor, and the nation is highly dependent on food imports. Nze has promised to boost the private sector and create jobs, improve access to healthcare, water and electricity, and streamline the government to reduce costs. He also said that he would revise bilateral cooperation and military accords with France amid a growing regional backlash against the former colonial power. (Additional reporting by Robbie Corey-Boulet in Dakar; writing by Sofia Christensen; editing by Edward McAllister and Mark Heinrich) Coin collecting, or numismatics (a term which also encompasses the study of coins), has been a practice for at least 2,000 years, with Augustus also known as Octavian famously gifting a variety of exotic coins and foreign currency as gifts during the celebration of Saturnalia. The market has since been highly formalized, with collectors across the globe contributing to a vibrant and competitive secondary market, particularly for the less common and more desirable pieces. And that market is flourishing, according to Christian Briggs, CEO of Hard Asset Management. Find Out: 4 Kennedy Half Dollar Coins That Are Worth Up to $150K Read Next: 6 Hybrid Vehicles To Stay Away From in Retirement Numismatics has always offered a unique blend of culture, craftsmanship and scarcity, Briggs stated in a Mar. 24 press release. Todays demand reflects a deeper appreciation for that blend. Were seeing renewed energy across all segments of the market, from early American gold to modern proofs and historical silver issues. The question, then: Which coins from the past are making a value-driven comeback in 2025? 1890-CC (Carson City) Morgan Silver Dollar Numismatist Justin Heller of New Haven Coins (or The Collector of Coins via YouTube) suggested the 1890-CC representing a minting from Carson City Morgan silver dollar as a prime candidate for coin collectors looking for value in 2025. Stating that this mintage was one of the most frequently asked-for coins when Im set up as a dealer at a coin show, Heller also indicated that the value could range anywhere between $500 to $2,500 depending on grading, condition, and market timing. This coin exhibits relative scarcity, even though a little more than 2.3 million were initially minted. Explore More: 6 Popular Collectibles That Have Skyrocketed in Value 1955 Double Die Lincoln Penny One of the most famous and dramatic mint errors in U.S. coin history, in Hellers words, this error occurred at the Philadelphia Mint, with approximately 20,000 to 24,000 pennies being struck with this error. The error is easily visible without magnification, making these error coins notably easy to spot, per the numismatics expert. Being one of the most desirable errors among collectors, Heller suggested his audience purchase the coin in good to fine circulated condition at between $1,200 to $2,500 or high-end graded mint state for up to $30,000 with the anticipation of holding for greater future valuation. 2021 $10 Quarter-Ounce Red-Tailed Hawk While technically from the past, but not particularly old, the 2021 $10 quarter-ounce red-tailed hawk as issued by the Royal Canadian Mint is a contender, trading at higher valuation than even the current record-high gold spot price might suggest. UTICA, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY) Mayor Mike Galime is calling on the Utica Common Council to support a bed tax in the city to raise revenue. The measure would allow the City of Utica to collect a small tax on hotel and short-term lodging stays. Galime says We must explore every opportunity to bring additional revenue into our city to reduce direct burden on our residents, Mayor Galime said in a statement. A bed tax is a smart, fair way to ensure that Uticas growing hospitality and tourism economy contribute to Uticas continued growth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No numbers were given by Galime as to how high the bed tax would be. In a statement, Galime did say that several municipalities have implemented similar taxes, generating funding for development and tourism. The mayor said in his that that is where the funding from this tax will go Galime says that Utica does not have such authority to implement such a tax at the moment. If the Common Council gives their approval, Galime said in his statement that the request will be submitted to the New York State Legislature for consideration. The legislature must approve the request before any bed tax can be implemented. The past decade has been about redevelopment, Galime said in a statement. This measure will ensure the benefits of increased tourism, better infrastructure, and stronger local services will have a positive impact in supporting our municipality. The resolution will be presented at the Common Council meeting on Wednesday, April 2. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WUTR/WFXV - CNYhomepage.com. PLATTSBURGH The national average price of gasoline rose for a second week, up 2.7 cents to $3.11 per gallon, and in New York State, it is up 1.2 cents to $3.07. According to GasBuddy data, the national average is up 2.2 cents from a month ago but 39.7 cents lower than a year ago, and in New York state, 6.8 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and 35.6 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. Weve seen the national average inch up for the second straight week, but with renewed refinery issues on the West Coast, gas prices there are likely to jump 10-35 cents per gallon over the next couple weeks. Meanwhile, motorists in the Northeast should consider filling up soon, as the final step in the transition to summer gasoline is just a couple of weeks away and with it, a likely increase in prices, Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As we head into April, Americans should expect gas prices to rise, with a peak that could occur in mid-to-late April. While average prices remain well below last years levels, well likely begin to catch up, with prices expected to increase in most if not all states over the next few weeks. Continued uncertainty around whether tariffs will be implemented on April 2 could also impact pump prices, setting the stage for a volatile period for American drivers. The most common price per gallon encountered by motorists remains unchanged at $2.99. The top 10% of gas stations have a reported average of $4.46 per gallon, with the bottom averaging $2.58. California, Hawaii and Washington continue to average the highest prices per gallon at $4.71, $4.41 and $4.10 respectively. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The states with the lowest average prices per gallon are Oklahoma at $2.64, Mississippi at $2.66 and Tennessee at $2.70. LOCAL PRICES As of Monday, Mar 31 these are the reported prices per gallon from stations around the North Country. Plattsburgh: Sams Club (membership required) $2.89 Luckys (NY3) $2.89 24 Hour Fuel (Archie Bordeau Road) $2.93 Stewarts Shops (Rugar Street) $2.93 Stewarts Shops (7137 US9) $2.97 Stewarts Shops (S. Catherine Street) $2.97 Mountain Mart #109 $2.97 St Armands (US9) $2.97 Maplefields (US Avenue) $2.97 Sunoco (Margaret Street) $2.97 Maplefields (NY3) $2.97 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mannys Sunoco (cash only) $3.05 Champlain: Mobil (US11) $3.19 Irving (Spiegel Drive) $3.19 Sunoco (cash only) $3.19 Valero (US11) $3.19 Lake Placid: Stewarts Shops (Main Street) $3.49 Mobil (Main Street) $3.49 Stewarts Shops (Saranac Avenue) $3.49 Saranac Lake: Mobil (Lake Flower Avenue) $3.49 Stewarts Shops (Bloomingdale Avenue) $3.49 Mobil (Broadway) $3.49 Keeseville: Sunoco $3.17 Chazy: Stewarts Shops $3.19 West Chazy: Mobil $3.09 Ray Brook: Sunoco (cash only) $3.49 Ticonderoga: Stewarts Shops $3.48 CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) Gas prices continued to trend upward in West Virginia on Tuesday as economists say President Donald Trumps Liberation Day threatens to bring higher prices for Americans in several industries. Many West Virginians have noticed a spike in gas prices. In Clarksburg, the price per gallon of regular fuel jumped up from $2.85 last week to $3.29 in some places on Tuesday, but are tariffs to blame? Tariffs going into effect on April 2 include a 25% tariff on imported steel and aluminum, 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, and an additional 10% tariff on imports from China. The 25% tariff on imported vehicles and parts that Trump announced last week also goes into effect this week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Potential Trump tariff plan could cost households thousands: new analysis According to GasBuddy reports, the tariff on Canadian imports will cause price impacts rather quickly on fuel for some Americans, while others might not see an impact for several weeks. Gas Buddy predicted an increase of 20-40 cents in the Northeast first, followed by the Midwest, Great Lakes and Rockies regions. West Virginia, which is not in any of those regions, will see a negligible impact because it is less reliant on Canadian crude oil, GasBuddys report said. In a press release on March 27, AAA said that gas prices naturally begin trending upward in the spring as demand increases for the summer, which accounts for the price increase in West Virginia over the last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement West Virginia coal industry could see severe negative impacts from China tariff: report According to AAA, the average cost of gas per gallon in northern West Virginia increased by 9 cents last week and by another 7 cents from Monday to Tuesday, although some residents reported seeing a 20-cent spike at their local gas stations overnight. The average price per gallon of gas in West Virginia was $3.07 as of Tuesday morning, which was 16 cents less than the national average and 33 cents than the average on the same day last year. President Trump is expected to announced more details on his tariff plans during a press conference Tuesday afternoon. The tariffs could amount to a huge cost for businesses and consumers depending on the scope, scale and implementation of the plan, The Hill reported Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com. GASTON COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) Questions remain following a shooting that occurred following a domestic disturbance in Gaston County. Around 12:15 a.m. Tuesday, Gaston County police responded to a domestic dispute in the area of Joseph Antoon Circle in Stanley. Officers located the victim, while the suspect fled the scene. Queen City News is tracking CRIME in your area >> Latest stories here Police say the suspect fled to Charlotte, where he was transported to Carolinas Medical Center by Medic after sustaining gunshot wounds during the initial incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials have not released any details on how or when the suspect was shot. They also have not provided any information on the alleged victim in the incident. This incident remains under active investigation. The Gaston County Police Department is working closely with the Gaston County District Attorneys Office on the case. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. A generational flooding event could pound parts of the central U.S., dumping four months of rain over the course of just a week. More than 46 million Americans will be affected by repeated rounds of intense rainfall over the region, including at least 13 million people within a high-to-extreme risk zone. "Should the amount of rain occur that we anticipate over the middle of the nation, it would exceed the 500- to 1,000-year average," warned AccuWeather Senior Storm Warning Meteorologist William Clark. "Truly, the potential is there for a historic flash-flooding event." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Forecasters warned some areas of Tennessee could expereience as many as 15 inches of rain between Wednesday afternoon and Sunday morning. Video Wednesday showed hail pelting the states roads. Transportation crews were working to clear gutters of debris in preparation for the rain. This isnt routine. This is a rare, high-impact, and potentially devastating event, the Memphis National Weather Service office wrote on social media. Heavy rainfall will likely lead to widespread river, flash, and area flooding that could cause severe disruptions, especially along and north of Interstate 40. An early morning severe storm damaged homes in Oklahoma. Tornadoes were sweeping through Missouri and Tennessee on Wednesday afternoon ahead of potentially historic flooding (AP) Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and state emergency managers told residents to heed local guidance, and make a plan to stay safe. Make sure youre paying attention. Make sure you have a plan if you have to leave of where you would go and how you communicate that with folks, Tennessee Emergency Management Agency Chief of Staff Alex Pellom advised at a press conference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The multi-day catastrophic and possibly historic heavy rainfall event may also produce life-threatening flooding from the Ozarks into the Ohio River Valley. The powerful storm system will also bring a barrage of other life-threatening weather hazards, including strong tornadoes throughout the Lower Ohio Valley and mid-South on Wednesday. Tornado damage was already reported in Oklahoma and Missouri, where trees were knocked down, structures were destroyed, and power poles were knocked askew. Tornado warnings were issued through the mid-afternoon in Missouri and Tennessee. Several school districts had canceled classes there, in Indiana, Arkansas, and other states. More than 9,500 Arkansans were left without power, according to the outage tracker PowerOutage.US. The storm system is forecast to become nearly stationary on Thursday. More severe weather is expected throughout the weekend (Missouri State Highway Patrol/Facebook) The severe weather outbreak is also bringing damaging winds and the risk of very large hail to the region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unfortunately, this severe threat will be compounded by the beginning of a life-threatening flash flood event, the National Weather Service said. After the first round of rainfall and flash flooding, it said the system will become nearly stationary on Thursday. It will remain stalled into the weekend, bringing the possibility of long duration and severe disruptions to daily life, it added. Severe thunderstorms are also anticipated on Thursday and Friday. The repeated rounds of rainfall will lead to increasingly saturated soils, with possible additional rainfall over areas already experiencing flooding, forecasters said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Climate change is making rainstorms more intense, according to a new analysis from the nonprofit group Climate Central. It said that more than 125 cities have experienced an increase in hourly rainfall intensity since 1970, and that hourly rainfall intensity has increased in every U.S. region. Alcoa and IGNIS EQT, an energy company, have entered into a joint venture (JV) agreement to ensure continued stable and sustainable operations at Alcoa's San Ciprian complex. Effective 31 March 2025, Alcoa holds a 75% interest in the complex and will continue as the managing operator, with IGNIS EQT owning the remaining 25% stake. Alcoa and IGNIS EQT have contributed $81m and $27m, respectively, to the JV and to fund the complexs operations. Additionally, Alcoa may provide up to $108m (100m) as needed for operations, with a priority position in future cash returns. Any further funding will require agreement from both partners and will be shared 75% by Alcoa and 25% by IGNIS EQT. The agreement facilitates the planned restart of the San Ciprian smelter in 2025, following its curtailment in 2021 due to high energy costs. The restart is part of the viability agreement signed between Alcoa and the employees. Work to support the restart was already under way before the JV announcement. In 2024, the San Ciprian smelter recorded a net pre-tax loss of approximately $50m and negative cash from operations of around $60m. The net cash outlays covered employee compensation, holding costs and limited production volumes from the casthouse to meet customer commitments. For 2025, Alcoa expects a net pre-tax loss of approximately $80m100m, equating to $0.310.39 per common share. Associated cash used by operations is expected to be around $90m110m. Capital expenditure (capex) for the smelter's restart are estimated at $10m, included in Alcoa's unchanged capex guidance. The JV is a result of Alcoa's efforts to improve the long-term outlook for San Ciprian operations. It combines Alcoa's expertise in managing global aluminium operations with IGNIS EQT's knowledge of energy markets. The partnership was first announced in October 2024, conditional on cooperation with San Ciprian stakeholders. In September 2024, Alcoa had agreed to sell its 25.1% stake in the Maaden JV to Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Maaden) for approximately $1.1bn (SR4.13bn). The agreement includes $950m in Maaden shares and $150m in cash as consideration. "Alcoa, IGNIS EQT form JV to support Spains San Ciprian complex operations" was originally created and published by Mining Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. GENEVA The Geneva Area City Schools Board voted to negotiate a contract for the districts open superintendent position at a special meeting Tuesday morning. Board President Michele Krieg said the name of the person with whom the district is negotiating with will not be available until negotiations are complete. The contract will be negotiated by Krieg and District Treasurer Shelley McDermott. Krieg wants to get a contract on the agenda for the April 16 board meeting, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The district advertised for the superintendent position in January, and received 13 applications. Six candidates were interviewed, and later the pool pared down to four finalists: * GACS Interim Superintendent David Riley * Austinburg Elementary School Principal Anthony Markijohn * Wallace H. Braden Middle School Principal Timothy Neal * Cleveland Heights-University Heights City Schools Assistant Superintendent Paul Lombardo The district has been without a superintendent since the board separated from Terri Hrina-Treharn at an August 2024 meeting. At that same meeting, the board appointed Riley interim superintendent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The board hosted a candidates night with the four finalists March 20, where select community stakeholders were invited to attend and submit questions. The board had an executive session March 26 to discuss the candidates night and survey. Board member Brock Pierson said the feedback was overwhelming. It was not slightly skewed, he said. It was not slightly implied there was a standout candidate. There was a superlative that took well over 50% of peoples polled view that aligned with my own opinion [of] the way that the interviews went. Pierson said his opinion was reinforced by community feedback. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Board Vice President Beth Cybulski agreed the results aligned with the boards opinion. The process was transparent and was very much what our community needed, she said. I was happy to see the feedback we got. There was a 67% response rate on the survey, Krieg said. We had overwhelming feedback, she said. It was not close at all, and it made us feel better as a board with what we had seen as well. I feel really good about where we are as a board, and decisions that were going to be making moving forward. Krieg said stakeholders were happy with how the candidates night was formatted. If a future board ever finds a need to this again, we will preserve this format with notes on improvement and best practice for posterity, she said. In what became the most expensive judicial race in U.S. history, liberal Dane County Judge Susan Crawford defeated conservative Waukesha County Judge Brad Schimel on Tuesday night for a spot on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Total spending in the race topped $100 million, with contributions from more than 100,000 donors in all 50 states, according to a Journal Sentinel review. As of Monday, Crawford's campaign had raised just under $28 million and Schimel's, a little over $15 million. The remaining money was raised and spent by third-party groups. Throughout the campaign, Crawford criticized Schimel for receiving support from billionaire Elon Musk, who is also leading federal efforts to fire thousands of government workers and slash foreign aid. In Wisconsin, Musk paid door-knockers to campaign for Schimel and handed out $1 million checks at a Green Bay town hall days before the election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, billionaire donors were also part of Crawford's ultimate victory namely George Soros, an investor and philanthropist known for supporting Democratic causes. Here's what to know about Soros and other large donors in the Wisconsin Supreme Court race: Who is George Soros? George Soros is an investor and philanthropist who built his fortune through his hedge fund, Soros Fund Management, which he launched in 1970 in the U.S., according to his website. After the success of his hedge fund, Soros launched Open Society Foundation, to which he has donated more than $32 billion. Among other causes, Soros is a frequent and megadonor to Democratic causes, including former President Joe Biden's campaigns. Biden awarded Soros the Presidential Medal of Freedom before leaving office in January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Soros, now 94 years old, immigrated to the U.S. from Hungary. He lived through the Nazi occupation, which he and his Jewish family escaped by concealing their identities. How much did George Soros donate to Susan Crawford's campaign? Soros donated $2 million to the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, which then gave the money to Crawford's campaign. Per Wisconsin election law, large donations must first be given to the state parties, then transferred to the candidate. In February, Crawford defended Soros's support of her campaign, telling the Journal Sentinel it is unlike Musk's support of Schimel. "The difference is that we have Elon Musk as Donald Trump's righthand man dismantling the federal government right now," Crawford said. "(Musk) has canvassers going around the state, hanging flyers from doors that say we need Brad Schimel to protect the Donald Trump agenda. You will not see anyone from George Soros to [Illinois] Gov. [JB] Pritzker making similar assertions about me." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schimel, meanwhile, said donors to his campaign were "buying nothing." Illinois Governor J. B. Pritzker speaks at a press conference before the start of the Wisconsin Democratic Convention on Saturday June 8, 2024 at Potawatomi Hotel in Milwaukee, Wis. Who were other major donors to Susan Crawford's campaign? Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, also a billionaire, gave $1.5 million to the state Democratic Party for Crawford's campaign. How much did Elon Musk donate to Brad Schimel? Elon Musk spent more than $20 million on the Wisconsin Supreme Court race, split between donations to the state Republican Party and campaign efforts by his own political groups. Daniel Bice contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: How much did George Soros donate to Susan Crawford in Wisconsin? Flock Safety, the Georgia-based technology solutions provider, is opening a new manufacturing facility for drones in Smyrna. On Wednesday, company leaders and state officials gathered in Cobb County for the 97,000-square-foot facilitys ribbon-cutting ceremony, where Gov. Brian Kemp and Flock CEO Garrett Langley shared their excitement for the new venture. In Georgia, we foster a business environment where innovative companies can get off the ground and grow into leaders in their industry while operating in safe communities, Kemp said in a statement ahead of the event. Flock Safety is a great example of the success that approach has created, and were proud to celebrate this milestone with them. We look forward to many years of partnership with Flock Safety in their efforts to help keep Georgians safe.. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At Wednesdays ribbon cutting, Channel 2s Steve Gehlbach heard how Flock plans to hire hundreds of people to work at the new facility. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The company, founded in 2017 in Georgia, is expected to create 210 new jobs over the next three years. The governors office said the facility also represents a $10 million investment. In Smyrna, Flock Safety CEO Garrett Langley said its easy to see that drones are the future of law enforcement. They are safer, they are faster, they work 24 hours a day, seven days a week. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Flock purchased drone company Aerodome in 2024 before it launched its Drone as First Responder system. Now, the Smyrna facility will produce the companys public safety tools, which includes the drone technology. Itll also refurbish damaged devices and put together solar panels. Currently, Flock Safety employs 250 positions in Georgia and over 300 law enforcement agencies and 100 businesses in Georgia have deployed Flock Safetys technology to solve and reduce crime. We feel fortunate to have our roots in Georgia, the state that is undisputedly the leader in the American aerospace industry, and are proud to invest further by creating hundreds of advanced manufacturing and aviation jobs locally, Langley said in a statement. Drone as First Responder technology stands to transform emergency response, and these made-in-America, NDAA-compliant drones will have a transformative impact on the local communities we aim to serve. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking at the ribbon-cutting, Cobb County Police Chief Stuart VanHoozer spoke about how partnering with Flock has helped stop crime in the county. Cobb police have seen dramatic drops in motor auto thefts and violent armed robberies, the chief said. Last week, Channel 2 Action News reported on how Flock technology even helped police find a kidnapping suspect accused of trying to take a child from an Acworth Walmart. We caught homicide suspects from metro Atlanta, we seized guns we would have never seized, gang members we would have never taken into custody, VanHoozer said. All for the people of Cobb County. Hiring for the facility is already underway, the governors office said. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Georgia House Democrats walked out of the legislative chamber before a vote Wednesday that would ban gender-affirming care for the states prison population. State Democrats told Channel 2s Richard Elliot that House Bill 185 would only impact five people currently in state custody. They walked out to protest the parade of transgender bills they call political theater while the state still doesnt have a fiscal year 2026 budget. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The budget is the only law the legislature is required to pass. Democrats left the House chamber and moved to the North Steps of the Capitol, where they held an impromptu news conference. Back inside, House Republicans responded sharply to the walkout, demanding that Democratic lawmakers return to the chamber to represent their constituents. With the states Democrats out of the chamber, HB 185 passed easily with 100 votes for the bill and two against. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] A federal judge denied efforts by Alabama to have more say over how Georgia water is portioned out during droughts by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. On Monday, Judge Loren AliKhan ruled in favor of USACE and the State of Georgia, following up on a previous December 2023 agreement made by Alabama and Georgia regarding water in Lake Allatoona. In 2021, the Corps had updated its operational manual in 2021 to grant the State of Georgias request for additional water supplies, so Alabama filed an additional complaint in court, saying that the way the Corps had allocated water for the states when in drought conditions. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Alabamas initial lawsuit, which kicked off the first phase of this lengthy litigation started in 2015, when the Corps revised the manual for using water in whats known as the ACT Basin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That water system is made up of the Alabama, Coosa and Tallapoosa rivers, along with their larger network of tributaries and drainage areas. When USACE updated the manual for the first time in about 50 years, Alabama sued. TRENDING STORIES: Georgias neighboring state was trying to hold onto water it said was needed in droughts, while Georgia was requesting increases in water supply for its own cities that were near the Allatoona Project. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Corps considered Georgias request, and an accompanying proposal for offset, but Alabama pushed for a different decision. Additionally, Alabama officials said that analysis by federal partners had failed to conduct any of the required legal analysis, and Georgia disagreed, continuing the fight. The decision in 2021 to grant Georgias water supply request was adopted, but the battle in court continued. Alabama motioned for a full, final decision in June 2024. Now that decision has been made, but not in its favor. AliKhan ruled against Alabamas requests for intervention, instead allowing USACE to provide Georgia the supply of water its been asking for, meaning the nearly 1 million residents and water customers in Cobb County and near Cartersville have their water secured. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The office for Gov. Brian Kemp sent the following statement to Channel 2 Action News. This ruling brings greater certainty to our states access to the water supply from Allatoona Lake. The state of Georgia will continue to work with stakeholders and be a good steward of our natural resources as we continue to grow. Channel 2 Action News has reached out to the Alabama Governors Office for comment and is waiting for their response. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Two Senate bills eliminating gender-affirming care for transgender inmates moved through House committees Tuesday. One also bans state employees from receiving gender-affirming care on the state health plan. Getty Images With only a few more days left to pass legislation, the state Legislature advanced two controversial Senate bills that would add new restrictions to gender affirming care. State health plan ban gets inmate addition Vidalia Republican Sen. Blake Tillerys Senate Bill 39 passed through a House committee on a party line vote with a new amendment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The original version of the bill, which had already passed the committee, barred transgender state employees or their dependents from receiving care on the state health insurance plan. The version that passed the House Health Committee Tuesday also specifically prohibits people in state correctional institutions from getting gender care. There are currently about five people who are incarcerated in Georgia who receive this care, according to Cataula Republican Sen. Randy Robertson. Rep. Marvin Lim, right. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder Norcross Democratic Rep. Marvin Lim argued that removing transgender health care from the plan would violate the law. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported in February that discrimination lawsuits and other complaints involving transgender people had cost taxpayers at least $4.1 million since 2015, including $2.1 million to settle claims and another $2 million in legal costs. Those numbers include $365,000 paid out in a 2023 settlement in which the state agreed to provide coverage for gender-affirming care and not to restrict it again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We feel very strongly that it would be an unconstitutional impairment of contracts to undo those settlements, let alone just an unconstitutional move to say that this wouldnt violate Title VII, that this wouldnt violate the equal protection clause, he said. Rep. Brent Cox. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder Lim was referring to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits employers from discriminating based on an employees sex, which includes whether they are transgender, and the equal protection clause in the 14th Amendment. Dawsonville Republican Rep. Brent Cox, who is sponsoring the bill in the Senate, indicated that the law will be a message to the state judicial branch that the Legislature wants it to be legal to ban transgender health care. My belief is that it clears up for the judicial branch to be able to work within these guidelines on how theyre going to rule and move forward, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lim said he was not convinced. It is not enough for us to say this is our policy, he said. This is a violation of the U.S. Constitution and federal statutory law on anti-discrimination. So we can pass whatever law we want at the state level and say the attorney general cant do this, the Department of Community Health cant do this. But the argument has always been that this is violating higher law, the federal law, and specifically the U.S. Constitution. Democrats on the committee also argued the language in the bill could eliminate mental health treatments for transgender people, which Cox said was a misinterpretation. The bill will need to pass through both chambers before Fridays final deadline if it is to become law. Standalone ban on jail treatment Around the same time the House Health Committee passed SB 39, the House Public and Community Health took up Robertsons Senate Bill 185, which also bans gender-affirming care for inmates but does not affect state employees. Sen. Randy Robertson. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder Robertsons bill passed out of the committee with a voice vote, teeing it for a potential final vote by the Legislatures April 4 adjournment. Speaking to a reporter in the hallway after the committee approved his bill, Robertson said he hadnt had time to see the latest revision on SB 39, but he supports Tillerys state health plan ban and would likely be happy if either bill passed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republican supporters make the case that taxpayer money should not go toward gender-affirming care in state prisons. I understand individuals get upset when I say this, but I do mean it with all compassion: elective surgeries cannot be a part of our cost in the Georgia Department of Corrections, Robertson said. Opponents of the bill counter that gender-affirming care encompasses more than surgeries, is far from elective and can be necessary for a persons wellbeing. Several speakers, including two attorneys with civil rights organizations, argued Tuesday that the measure is unconstitutional. If adopted, Senate Bill 185 would impose blanket bans on the provision of gender-affirming care to incarcerated people with gender dysphoria, regardless of needs, said Emily C. R. Early with the Center for Constitutional Rights. These blanket bans have repeatedly been found unconstitutional because they show deliberate indifference to the needs of incarcerated people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This Senate bill puts lives at risk, and in so doing, would bring constitutional challenges, she added. Robertson was dismissive of those potential challenges to the state. We have the five individuals who are seeking the care, and then we have the lawsuits, and if you look at that, one of the failures within our system right now is the fact we do not have a policy against it, Robertson said. Rep. Michelle Au.. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder Tuesdays debate also veered into discussion about the origin of the slate of bills targeting transgender Georgians this year. There are at least five bills gaining traction, and lawmakers have spent hours deliberating on them and hearing public input on them, and they are spending the final days of the session trying to finalize them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Michelle Au, a Johns Creek Democrat, said House Republican colleagues have told her that she should support Robertsons bill because the issue of inmates receiving gender-affirming care is why former Vice President Kamala Harris lost the presidential election last year. A leading Senate Democrat representing an Atlanta district caused an uproar last month when she joined three other Democrats who voted for Robertsons bill. That comment has been made to me several times, and I just have to put on the record that I really resent a subset of our patient population being used in this way for clearly political reasons, and I really wish that you would not put your voice behind this bill, Au said to Robertson. Robertson said politics wasnt the motivation for him. But Rep. Scott Hilton, a Peachtree Corners Republican, acknowledged the influence of the 2024 election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Politics does inform policy as much as that politics reflect what our communities want, Hilton said. And I think if anything this last cycle, we learned that this was an 80/20 issue, not just in Georgia, but frankly America, and that folks were flabbergasted to learn that a small segment of our population opposed policies like this. But Bentley Hudgins, state director with the Human Rights Campaign, argued that exit polling showed that transgender issues ranked low on the list of voter priorities. We have seen time and time again in history where powerful people have used public opinion to excuse crimes against humanity, Hudgins said. I do want to challenge that notion that just because, even if it were true that the majority of people think that this is a popular issue, it doesnt give you the right to pass it. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) A Jamaican citizen and Georgia resident was indicted by a federal grand jury of allegedly running a sweepstakes scam which included a victim in Connecticut. Jimmy Smith, 30, of Hinesville, Ga., was arrested on March 17 and is currently in home detention with electronic monitoring. He is scheduled to be arraigned in New Haven federal court on Friday. Feds: Connecticut man made down payment on contract murder during Vermont drug buy Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The indictment alleges that Smith and others defrauded at least four victims residing in Connecticut, New York, California and Texas. The alleged victims were told they had won a Publishers Clearing House Sweepstakes and needed to pay taxes or a fee in order to claim the prize. Smith allegedly recruited others to use their bank accounts to deposit the money that had been paid by the victims. The co-conspirators then withdrew cash and gave it to Smith, or sent Smith money using bank transfer applications. In July 2022, the alleged Connecticut victim was contacted by telephone and told she had won a $2.5 million sweepstakes prize, and needed to pay taxes to claim the winnings. In August of that year, the victim mailed a $75,000 check paid to the order of Keshelski & K Transport to an address in Brooklyn, N.Y. The account was deposited into an account in the name of Keshelski & K Transports LLC, which was controlled by Keshelski Bates, an alleged co-conspirator of Smith. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The indictment also alleges that Smith participated in a separate scheme that defrauded an Arkansas resident who believed he was paying for farm equipment. The indictment charges Smith with one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering and conduct illegal monetary transactions. Each offense carries a maximum term of 20 years in prison. On January 21, Keshelski Bates, 30, also of Hinesville, Georgia, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud. He was released on a $100,000 bond pending sentencing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. The Georgian Parliament passed the final reading of a new "foreign agents" law, Georgian media outlet Sova reported on April 1. The law, replacing a controversial version adopted in May 2024, broadens the definition of foreign agents to include individuals, with noncompliance punishable by up to five years in prison or a $10,000 fine. Based on the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), the Georgian version includes a set of restrictive changes to the countrys broadcasting law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FARA, originally enacted in the U.S. in 1938 to counter Nazi and Soviet ideology, requires foreign lobbyists to disclose their ties and funding sources. The law has rarely been enforcedonly a handful of cases have led to criminal charges in recent decades. Georgian opposition leaders argued that the Georgian Dream partys use of FARA as a model is misleading, as the U.S. law is narrowly applied and not used to target NGOs or media, unlike the Georgian version. Approved by 86 MPs, the Georgian law targets both organizations and individuals who receive foreign funding and fail to register with the Justice Ministry. The legislation includes criminal penalties for noncompliance, which lawmakers say are meant to prevent evasion and ensure the public knows how foreign money is used. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several NGOs have begun re-registering in countries like Estonia to avoid falling under the laws jurisdiction. The bill has drawn sharp criticism from Georgian opposition parties and U.S. and EU officials, who believe this bill will be used as a tool to further suppress civil society and independent media. Originally, the first version of the foreign agents bill was passed in May 2024, in its third and final reading. The law, backed by Georgian Dream, mirrors repressive Russian legislation used to crack down on the Kremlin regime's critics and NGOs in Russia with foreign ties of any kind. Georgian Dreams repressions against independent media and decisions to distance the country from the EU have prompted mass protests spanning months and violent crackdowns by the police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Armenia refuses to finance Russian-led CSTO security alliance budget Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Germany's Development Ministry is needed more than ever, Development Minister Svenja Schulze said on Wednesday, amid calls for the body to be merged with the Foreign Office. "My position is very clear: I want to keep this ministry," said Schulze, from the centre-left Social Democratic Party (SPD), at a summit for people with disabilities in Berlin. The merger is currently under discussion in negotiations to form the next German government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The conservative CDU/CSU bloc - made up of Friedrich Merz's Christian Democrats and the Bavaria-only Christian Social Union - has proposed combining the two ministries. "I believe that it is needed even more in the current times, that it is a great asset that we have," said Schulze. "And I am very, very happy to be development minister." Schulze also confirmed that she was asked whether she wanted to remain in the post in the new government. The minister's comments came in response to efforts by the new US administration to dramatically cut government spending and bureaucracy, including effectively shutting down the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). German investigators said Wednesday that they had dismantled a major platform for the distribution of child sexual abuse images that had 1.8 million users worldwide, in an international operation coordinated by the pan-European police agency Europol. The move to shut down the "KidFlix" streaming service was "one of the biggest blows against child pornography in recent years, if not ever," said Guido Limmer, deputy head of the Bavarian Criminal Police. The investigation was led by German police and supported by authorities in 38 countries, including Australia, Canada and the U.S., under the coordination of Europol. In all, "KidFlix" is said to have hosted more than 91,000 videos with images of child sexual abuse, totaling around 6,288 hours of video, according to the Bavarian police force. Authorities were able to identify almost 1,400 individual users of the platform, which was hosted on the so-called darknet or dark web. An image shared by the international law enforcement agency Europol on April 2, 2025, shows the names of partner agencies that took part in an operation to dismantle the online child sexual abuse platform Police in March carried out searches at locations in 31 countries in the "largest operation ever" organized by Europol, according to Limmer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A joint raid by German and Dutch authorities resulted in the seizure of a hard drive with around 72,000 videos of child sexual abuse, he said. In Germany, police carried out raids at 96 locations, targeting 103 individual suspects, the Bavarian police said. German authorities said they had worked to identify child victims of the abuse while the investigation was still in progress. Police arrested a 36-year-old man in the eastern German city of Chemnitz in January 2024 who had searched for abuse images on "KidFlix". The man had also "offered his young son for games," Limmer said. The child had been handed over to child protection services. Investigators had also been able to identify a "serial" abuser in the United States, Limmer said. "KidFlix" was created in 2021 by a "cybercriminal who made huge profit from it," according to Europol, "as it quickly became one of the most popular platforms among pedophiles." About 3.5 new videos were being uploaded to the site per hour before it was taken down, according to the international police agency. Democratic-backed candidate wins record-breaking Wisconsin Supreme Court seat Busy Port of Oakland prepares for Trump's tariffs Breaking down the Wisconsin, Florida election results Allianz Partners New Zealand has reached a multi-year agreement with Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Company New Zealand Branch (MSI NZ), part of the MS&AD Insurance Group. The collaboration aims to enhance and diversify the insurance solutions available in the New Zealand market. It is expected to provide Allianz with the opportunity to offer new insurance products and improve customer service. Changes to policy wording and disclosure documents will be made to reflect the new partnership and comply with the conduct of financial institutions (CoFi) regime, Allianz stated. Allianz Partners New Zealand managing director Kevin Blyth said: Allianz Partners is thrilled to join forces with MSI [Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance] in this strategic partnership, which represents a significant step forward in our commitment to delivering innovative insurance solutions in New Zealand. MSIs strong global presence and dedication to innovation align well with our vision, ensuring we continue to meet the evolving needs of our customers. MSI, a Japanese insurer, offers insurance products and operates in 48 countries and regions. MSI Australia and New Zealand head of distribution David Hall said: Partnering with a market leader such as Allianz Partners in the New Zealand travel insurance market is very exciting for us. Travel insurance is part of our core growth strategy in the region and we are delighted to have this opportunity to work with Allianz Partners. Last month, Allianz reportedly reached a preliminary agreement with Jio Financial Services to establish an insurance joint venture (JV) in India, following the exit from its JVs with Bajaj. "Allianz Partners forges alliance with Mitsui Sumitomo in New Zealand " was originally created and published by Life Insurance International, a GlobalData owned brand. BERLIN (Reuters) - Wind farms off the northern German coast have been asked to install radar facilities in an attempt to boost surveillance of ships and drones, the federal maritime authority said on Wednesday. Russia's invasion of Ukraine has heightened security concerns in European waters, with attacks on infrastructure and the discovery of ageing oil tankers. German authorities recently initiated customs proceedings after towing the Eventin vessel, which was spotted adrift in German waters. The European Union believes the tanker to be part of a "shadow fleet" Russia employs to circumvent oil sanctions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some vessels may have navigation systems switched off, authorities have reported, and Finland's Coast Guard last year reported disturbances to satellite navigation signals in the Baltic Sea and some tankers spoofing their location data. A spokesperson for Germany's federal maritime agency, the BSH, confirmed a Bild newspaper report that offshore wind farms had been asked to install radar. The 2025 standards, published by the BSH in late January, call for wind farm operators to install state-of-the-art radar systems at suitable structures and deliver the collected data to authorities. "The data is primarily used to secure transport routes," BSH official Nico Nolte told Bild, adding it is also delivered to the federal maritime security centre in the port of Cuxhaven. The authority is responsible for the safety and security of the German coast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Companies operating wind parks in the North and Baltic Sea include utilities EnBW and RWE. Germany is preparing for major investment in security and defence, following a constitutional reform pushed through by parties seeking to form the next government. The reform allows for practically unlimited spending in those areas. (Reporting by Rachel More, editing by Kirsti Knolle and Ros Russell) GERMANTOWN, Tenn. Germantown residents are bracing for severe weather followed by heavy rain over the next couple of days, which could lead to flooding. Some parts of the Mid-South may receive up to ten inches of rainfall from Wednesday to Sunday which means some communities might be more anxious about whats to come. Nearly six years ago in 2019, more than $7 million in damage was done to more than 200 homes after historic flooding in a Germantown neighborhood that had not experienced flooding before. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Floodwaters wash through Germantown homes The Germantown Public Works team says they have been preparing for this heavy rain to come. Crews have been inspecting and clearing storm drains, ditches, and laterals like this to ensure proper water flow, so history doesnt repeat itself. Germantown Public Works preparing for this weeks rainfall. Germantown Public Works preparing for this weeks rainfall. Germantown Public Works preparing for this weeks rainfall. Elise Frost, a Germantown resident, recalled June 2019 and the 10 inches of rain that fell within three hours, blocking drains, ditches, culverts, and laterals. We jumped up and from the time I was walking from the bedroom to the hallway, I was walking in water, said Frost. We had to tear out everything in the house, all the walls in the house. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Germantown residents say theyre tired of frequent flooding A 2019 flood victim told WREG she had never experienced flooding like this before. Germantown flood 2019 (WREG) A home in Germantown that flooded in June 2019 Floods washed up a fish into a Germantown yard in June 2019 (photo by Ian Ripple, WREG) Germantown flood June 2019 (WREG) Trying just one step at a time get everything out and save what I can, said six years ago, Laura Yeargin. Frost now has flood insurance, but many in 2019 did not since flooding wasnt likely in the neighborhood. One neighbor told WREG that every time it rains, all the neighbors get antsy and they pray that it doesnt happen again. The City of Germantown encourages residents to take the following precautions: Sign up for emergency alerts by calling or texting Alert to (901) 979-9955 or visiting Germantown-TN.gov/Alert. Help prevent flooding by clearing stormwater inlets near your home, securing outdoor furniture, and avoiding blocking inlets with yard debris. Report storm-related issuessuch as stormwater backups or downed treesby contacting Public Works at (901) 757-7350. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. Germany has called for an investigation after eight paramedics were reportedly killed in the Gaza Strip. "We believe that a comprehensive investigation into the events is necessary," a spokeswoman for the Foreign Office said in Berlin. The spokeswoman said the incident in the southern Gaza city of Rafah was "shocking" and insisted that medical personnel and humanitarian workers should never be the target of attacks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eight employees of the Palestinian Red Crescent rescue service were killed, reportedly by Israeli fire, more than one week ago. A UN employee was also killed. The Israeli military said its soldiers fired at several vehicles after they approached Israeli positions in a suspicious manner. It accused militants of misusing ambulances for terrorist purposes. Germany has called for an investigation after eight paramedics were reportedly killed in the Gaza Strip. "We believe that a comprehensive investigation into the events is necessary," a spokeswoman for the Foreign Office said in Berlin on Wednesday. The spokeswoman said the incident in the southern Gaza city of Rafah was "shocking" and insisted that medical personnel and humanitarian workers should never be the target of attacks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eight employees of the Palestinian Red Crescent rescue service were killed, reportedly by Israeli fire, more than one week ago. A UN employee was also killed. The Israeli military said its soldiers fired at several vehicles after they approached Israeli positions in a suspicious manner. It accused militants of misusing ambulances for terrorist purposes. Group of German nationals leaves Gaza Earlier on Wednesday, the Foreign Office said that it had facilitated the departure of a group of German citizens and their relatives from the Gaza Strip. Nineteen German nationals and 14 of their close family members crossed into Israel via the Kerem Shalom border crossing in coordination with Israeli authorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From there, they were flown directly to Germany on a chartered flight. Exiting Gaza, which has been under blockade for nearly two decades, has become even more challenging since the war began a year and a half ago. For the 2 million residents of the coastal territory, departures are only possible through an arduous process, with Palestinians holding foreign citizenship having slightly better chances. Large parts of the territory lie in ruins from the conflict, which erupted on October 7, 2023, following the terrorist attack on Israel led by the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas. After a six-week ceasefire expired earlier this year, Israel resumed aerial and ground operations against Hamas in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Living conditions for civilians are dire, with homes destroyed, the health care system in crisis, and shortages of food and essential supplies. A Foreign Office spokeswoman said a low two-figure number of German citizens remain in Gaza. Work is under way to facilitate their departure, but the process cannot be achieved "from one day to the next," she said. Far-Right politicians in Germany could be banned from running for office under plans by the incoming government, echoing a decision in France to block Marine Le Pen from a presidential bid. Germanys centre-Right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party and the centre-Left Social Democrats (SPD), which are holding coalition talks, have proposed a law that will block people with multiple extremism convictions from standing in elections. To strengthen the resilience of our democracy, we are withdrawing passive suffrage [the right to contest elections] in cases of multiple convictions of incitement to hatred, states an extract of the two parties draft agreement, according to German newspaper Die Welt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The paper adds that the reforms, which could ban convicted extremists from parties such as the far-Right Alternative for Germany (AfD), are part of efforts to tackle terrorism, anti-Semitism, hatred and incitement...to hatred. It comes after Ms Le Pen, the leader of the far-Right National Rally party in France, was banned from politics for five years after a court convicted her of embezzling EU funds. The verdict, which also imposed a 100,000 (83,000) fine and a suspended prison sentence, will prevent Ms Le Pen from contesting the 2027 presidential election which she may have gone on to win. It has also led to speculation in the German press about a knock-on effect for high-profile members of the AfD, which came second in the February elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bjorn Hocke, a senior AfD member in the eastern state of Thuringia, has been named as one of the politicians who could be banned from front-line politics if the German reforms come into force. Mr Hocke, who is reportedly planning a bid to become state president in Thuringia, has convictions for using a slogan associated with the Nazis at political rallies. He also faces separate, ongoing charges of incitement to hatred over a post on social media in which he spoke of a mental disease among immigrants, referring to extremist migrants who commit terror attacks. The trial for that alleged offence is due to begin later this year and, if convicted, Mr Hocke could be affected by the new reforms, the Bild newspaper reported this week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The AfD secured an unprecedented 20 per cent of the vote in February, having campaigned aggressively against mass migration and foreign criminals. Support was boosted by a string of terror attacks committed by foreigners, including rejected asylum seekers, during the election campaign. The Telegraph revealed this month that German authorities suspect some of the attacks were orchestrated by Russia to boost support for the AfD, which is friendly towards Moscow. This week, a poll in Germany suggested the AfD was just one point behind the CDU, with the far-Right party predicted to win 24 per cent of the vote in the next federal elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The AfD rejects the far-Right label and says it is simply reflecting the views of ordinary Germans about migration, energy prices and foreign policy. Alice Weidel, the leader of the AfD, has a close relationship with Elon Musk, the US tech billionaire, who actively promoted her party in the run-up to the February elections on his X social media platform. But senior members in the party have faced a string of scandals recently involving Nazi apologism, such as playing down the war crimes of the SS and the Holocaust. The party is designated as a suspected extremist group nationwide by the German security services, and is formally classified as an extremist group in some regions of Germany. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Germany is deploying troops to another country on a long-term basis for the first time since World War II. It's putting thousands of soldiers in Lithuania, a NATO member that borders Russia. It described the move as an effort to protect NATO. Germany's defense spending is also rising. Germany's armed forces, the Bundeswehr, announced on Tuesday that they'd created a new brigade, the 45th Armored Brigade, to be stationed in Lithuania. It will be the first long-term deployment of German soldiers to another country since World War II, the Associated Press reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brig. Gen. Christoph Huber, the commander of the 45th Armored Brigade, said that with its creation, "we're not only moving toward operational readiness, we're taking responsibility." "For the alliance, for Lithuania, for Europe's security," he said. "As a sign of our determination to defend peace and freedom with our partners." Russia's invasion of Ukraine has sparked a surge of defense agreements and spending among European countries. When plans were first made for the 45th Armored Brigade in 2023, Germany described it as part of growing efforts by NATO members to boost both their own security and the security of NATO's eastern borders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Germany's defense minister, Boris Pistorius, previously said, "With this war-ready brigade, we're taking on leadership responsibility on NATO's eastern flank." German and Lithuanian soldiers holding a German flag at a ceremony for the new 45th Armored Brigade. Alexander Welscher/picture alliance via Getty Images The new brigade is made up of several battalions and will have about 5,000 soldiers and civilian staff, the Bundeswehr said this week. It added that the brigade's command facility was already fully operational and that the aim was to have it at full wartime readiness by 2027. Lithuania which borders the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad and the close Russian ally Belarus is one of the countries that has sounded the alarm the loudest that Russia could move beyond Ukraine to attack elsewhere in Europe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's also one of NATO's biggest defense spenders by proportion of GDP and one of Ukraine's biggest allies, describing Ukrainian troops as the ones who are protecting all of Europe. There are already NATO troops in Lithuania, on a rotating basis, with a multinational battle group led by Germany. NATO countries have also deployed assets such as fighter jets and air defenses there. US troops are among those stationed in Lithuania, though their long-term future is less clear, with President Donald Trump critical of US allies, of NATO, and of assistance to Ukraine. Dovile Sakaliene, Lithuania's defense minister, told Business Insider in February that her country wanted US troops to stay and that she expected the US could see "eye to eye" with countries who pay their part when it comes to defense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We do our part," she said, adding that she expected the US to do its part, too. Lithuania has also been strengthening its border with Russia. Germany's new brigade is the latest in a series of measures introduced by the country since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. It spent 1.51% of its GDP on defense in 2022, which jumped to an estimated 2.12% in 2024, according to NATO. The rise in defense purchases by Germany, and Europe more broadly, has been a boon for the continent's defense industries. The German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall said in March that it expected sales this year to rise by 25% to 30%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Germany's defense spending has increased less than some of its allies: It ranked 15th out of 31 NATO members for defense spending as a proportion of GDP in 2024, according to NATO estimates. But it has vowed to do more. After grappling with its World War I and World War II legacies, which led to an avoidance of heavy militarism, Germany has committed to major military moves. Lawmakers this month voted to alter the German constitution in a way that would unlock billions of dollars that could be used for defense spending. Sakaliene, Lithuania's defense minister, told BI in February that Europe "needs to up our defense spending very fast and very significantly." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said Europe needed to be able to match the US and to match Russia, which was escalating its own defense production: "We need to catch up to the speed of Russia," she said. Read the original article on Business Insider Germany plans to support the World Health Organization (WHO) with an additional 2 million ($2.16 million) following the US withdrawal from the international organization, acting Health Minister Karl Lauterbach said in Berlin on Wednesday. The administration of US President Donald Trump cancelled the country's membership after taking office in January. The withdrawal will take effect in January 2026. In view of the blow to the WHO's budget, the German contribution is a drop in the ocean. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The US was by far the largest donor. In 2024, it financed around 18% of the budget of around $3.4 billion. Due to the expected loss and cuts in development aid in other countries, the WHO is trying to save around 20%. "The United States withdrawal from the WHO jeopardizes not only financial stability but also multilateral cooperation in the global health architecture," Lauterbach said. "The World Health Organization is indispensable for global health monitoring, pandemic prevention, disease control and equitable access to health care," he added. Acting German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Jordanian King Abdullah II have called for increased international efforts to promote inclusion and participation for people with disabilities. "Despite the progress of recent years, people with disabilities continue to face systemic barriers," Scholz said on Wednesday at the opening of an international conference in Berlin on the issue. These barriers range from education and employment to healthcare, political participation, and access to modern technologies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scholz warned against setbacks "at a time when diversity, participation, and inclusion are increasingly being questioned and even attacked in many countries." He added, "We are here to make it absolutely clear: we will not let this happen." More than 3,000 representatives from government agencies and civil society organizations from 100 countries are attending the third World Summit on Disability, which runs until Thursday. The aim of the summit is to achieve concrete progress in implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Participants have been urged to make specific commitments. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier visited Baku on Wednesday, pushing for a peace deal between Azerbaijan and Armenia to be signed. At a press conference with his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Alyev, Steinmeier said he was campaigning for "a journey accompanied by many difficulties and obstacles to be completed." "That requires the courage to compromise, decisiveness and the political will to implement and enforce the negotiated peace agreement," he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The neighbouring countries announced in March they had agreed on the text of a peace deal to end decades of hostilities centring on the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh. Shortly after declaring independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, the two countries went to war over the territory, which is legally part of oil-rich Azerbaijan. The conflict was long frozen, but fighting resumed in 2020 and escalated in 2023, when Azerbaijan took full control of the region, leading many ethnic Armenians to flee. Aliyev on Wednesday named two conditions for his signature. Armenia must amend its constitution to give up claims on Azerbaijani territory, he demanded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And the Minsk Group, set up by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to find a solution to the conflict, must be dissolved, Aliyev added. The Azerbaijani president denied that he was placing obstacles in the way of peace. Steinmeier's trip to Baku followed a two-day visit to Armenia, in which he highlighted the need for peace in the South Caucasus region. It is a rare household that hasnt wondered what their ever-rising council tax bills pay for, as the bins pile up, or potholes plague the roads, or streets remain inadequately lit. A new report on the remuneration of council bosses offers a rather grim answer to that question. Since 2007, the TaxPayers Alliance has compiled its Town Hall Rich List, documenting a council-by-council breakdown of local government executive pay deals. Yesterday, as the country ushered in Awful April with households and businesses being hit by a combination of price rises and tax hikes, a report from the pressure group revealed that a record 3,906 officials received more than 100,000, with 1,092 receiving over 150,000 in 2023-24, another record. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The number of Town Hall bosses receiving over 200,000 is 262. Glasgow City Council alone reportedly employs 42 individuals with pay packages ranging from over 100,000 to upwards of 500,000. Within this elite pool of employees, the outgoing Chief Executive of the Council, Annemarie ODonnel, emerged as the highest remunerated council employee. With a tax rise of 7.5 per cent agreed by the SNP-Green administration, the average household in Glasgow will be paying more than 2,000 a year in council tax from this month which, according to local press, is a result of one of the biggest increases in the last 20 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Back in January, it was reported that nearly 1 in every 4 raised in council tax is already spent on funding pensions in the public sector. Ms ODonnels final pay package is an example of the sheer scale of the pensions burden on taxpayers. The Council boss, who had been in the post for almost a decade, received a jaw-dropping 567,317 in total remuneration, which included 209,472 in salary and a staggering 357,845 in pension contributions. With a price tag of half a million pounds, hers seemed to me to be a record worth looking into some detail. Is it truly difficult to overstate Annemaries contribution to Glasgow during her long career at the council, and particularly as Chief Executive, as Susan Aitken, the Council Leader, claims? In February, the Herald reported that Ms ODonnels city was facing a debt burden of more than 1.6 billion, with Glasgow having overspent its budgets to the tune of 80 million over the past three years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Annemarie Ward, the Chief Executive Officer of FAVOR-UK, an addiction advocacy and recovery charity, has taken to social media to attack the Councils controversial Drug Consumption Room scheme, where drug users come to inject illegally-bought heroin or cocaine under medical supervision at a cost of 2.3 million to taxpayers. Glasgow tragically holds the dubious honour of being Europes drugs death epicentre. The amount, according to Ms Ward, could instead fund nearly 200 rehab placements. Scotlands leadership is prioritising drug use management over real recovery, Ms Ward concludes. Under Ms ODonnels leadership, a plan to impose a 20mph zone on nearly every road in the city was originally costed at 4.5 million. However, according to a Freedom of Information request response revealed by the local press, the scheme is now projected to cost taxpayers 8.5 million instead. Meanwhile, in a further act of punishing motorists, Glasgow Council has raised 1.6 million since June 2023 by fining drivers of older vehicles for driving through its Low Emission Zone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Time and again in my research into public sector spending, what shocks me more than the waste of taxpayers money is the near complete lack of justification provided for spending decisions. What have Ms ODonnel and her 41 colleagues achieved in office to warrant the staggering salaries extracted from a Council deep in debt? Does the outgoing Chief Executive bear no responsibility for example, for the 80 million overspend, or the failure to tackle the Citys drug problems over her ten-year tenure? If she does, then how are these failures reflected in her remuneration? As taxpayers are forced to tighten their belts while services continue to crumble around them, the demand for answers will only continue to grow. Please share share examples of public spending in your personal and professional lives which you consider to be a waste of taxpayers money. You can email us your stories either in writing or as voice notes at wastewatch@telegraph.co.uk Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. LONDON, April 02, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of B+ (Good) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of "bbb-" (Good) of Compagnie Commune de Reassurance des Etats Membres de la CIMA (CICA-RE) (Togo). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. The ratings reflect CICA-REs balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, neutral business profile and marginal enterprise risk management. CICA-REs balance sheet strength is underpinned by its risk-adjusted capitalisation, which is expected to remain at the strongest level at year-end 2024, as measured by Bests Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR). AM Best expects CICA-REs risk-adjusted capitalisation to remain comfortably above the minimum required for the strongest assessment prospectively, with organic capital generation sufficient to support the companys strategic growth plans. CICA-REs balance sheet strength assessment also factors in its good financial flexibility, demonstrated through successful capital raises from existing and new shareholders in recent years, which have led to paid-up capital reaching XOF 60 billion (USD 101 million) at year-end 2023. CICA-RE holds a well-diversified investment portfolio by asset type and country; however, assets are concentrated in the Conference Interafricaine des Marches dAssurances (CIMA) region, which exposes the companys balance sheet to elevated economic, political and financial risks. CICA-RE has a track record of adequate operating performance, demonstrated by a five-year (2019-2023) weighted average return-on-equity of 9%. Over this period, the company has reported a robust technical performance, underpinned by healthy underwriting profits from the non-life segment, evidenced by a five-year weighted average combined ratio of 92% (as calculated by AM Best), complemented by positive contributions from the life segment. CICA Res results have been enhanced by good investment income, highlighted by a five-year weighted average net investment return (including unrealised gains/losses) of 5%. AM Best expects continued robust underwriting performance prospectively, supported by the good underlying profitability of the insurance markets in the CIMA region. CICA-REs neutral business profile assessment reflects its strong market position in the CIMA region, where the reinsurer benefits from compulsory cessions on reinsurance and direct insurance businesses, as well as established direct relationships with local cedants. CICA-REs gross written premiums (GWP) have grown strongly in recent years, with a five-year weighted average GWP growth rate of 17%. This was supported by revisions to the legal cessions structure in the CIMA region in 2020, and the companys focus on regional and international expansions. In 2023, the company generated 50% of its GWP from the CIMA region, including legal cession businesses, with the remaining conventional open-market business originating from Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America. The assessment considers CICA-REs good diversification by lines of business and product type, as well as its small size by global standards, with GWP of XOF 118 billion (USD 198 million) in 2023. A soldier from Los Angeles County is among the four killed by a training exercise in Lithuania last month. The four soldiers were reported missing last week when their armored vehicle sank in a bog, the New York Times reports. The four U.S. soldiers, from the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, were reported missing early on March 25, when they did not return from a training mission in an M88A2 Hercules, a 70-ton vehicle that is essentially a giant military tow truck, the Times explained. Sgt. Edvin F. Franco of Glendale is shown in an undated image provided by the U.S. Army. Among the dead is 25-year-old Sgt. Edvin F. Franco of Glendale, who along with Sgt. Jose Duenez Jr., 25, of Illinois and Pfc. Dante D. Taitano, 21, of Guam was an M1 Abrams tank system maintainer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fourth soldier has not been publicly identified, though the Army confirmed that the fourth body was located Tuesday, one day after the other three bodies and the armored vehicle were removed from the bog. This past week has been devastating. Today our hearts bear the weight of an unbearable pain with the loss of our final Dogface Soldier, said Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie, commanding general of the 3rd Infantry Division. Though we have received some closure, the world is darker without them. A GoFundMe campaign has been organized for the families of Franco and Duenez Jr. as they navigate the losses of their loved ones and spouses. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Deusdedit Ruhangariyo Special to ICT Around the world: Indigenous Indonesians demand an end to government land grabs, British Columbia opens new beds for Indigenous womens addiction and mental health, Queensland to build 2032 Olympics stadium on sacred Indigenous land, and Greenland reggae band Sauwestari to perform at Alianait Festival. INDONESIA: Fighting government land grabs Hundreds of Indigenous Indonesians and civil groups demand an end to violence, rights violations, and land seizures for government projects, Mongabay reported on March 26. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In mid-March, over 250 Indigenous and local community members affected by Indonesias National Strategic Projects gathered in Merauke, Papua, to share their experiences of displacement, violence and loss of rights. The projects, including roads, dams, plantations and industrial sites, have uprooted communities, often without consent or adequate compensation. The Agrarian Reform Consortium reported 154 National Strategic Projects-related conflicts between 2020 and 2024, impacting 103,000 families and 1 million hectares of land. Indonesias National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) received 114 complaints in the same period, citing forced evictions, labor abuses, environmental destruction, and attacks on journalists. On March 14, the attendees, facilitated by the NGO Pusaka, issued the "Merauke solidarity declaration," calling for the termination of National Strategic Projects projects. We demand the complete cessation of National Strategic Projects that sacrifice the people, the declaration stated. Pusaka director Franky Samperante called it the beginning of stronger resistance. The National Strategic Projects framework, introduced under former president Joko Widodo (2014-2024), enabled the government to seize land for development. His successor, Prabowo Subianto, expanded the program, adding 29 new projects focused on food, energy and mining. Critics argue that National Strategic Projects primarily benefits corporations while fast-tracking approvals and bypassing regulatory safeguards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Merauke, agribusiness giants have made vast concessions for a food estate project, clearing millions of hectares for rice and sugarcane. Indigenous Papuans, who were not properly consulted, fear for their safety due to military presence and community pressure to sell their land. Vincen Kwipalo, a 67-year-old Indigenous leader, has resisted selling his clans land. We are not selling our customary land. We want to manage it ourselves, he said. His family has faced intimidation, including machete-wielding attackers threatening him for refusing to sell. His wife, Alowisia Kwerkujai, emphasized, This land is for our children and grandchildren. By January 2025, thousands of hectares of forest had been cleared for the sugarcane and rice projects, despite government claims that no forests were being destroyed. The countrys energy minister dismissed concerns, saying the area had only eucalyptus, swamps, and savannas. However, spatial analysis revealed the destruction of the biodiverse Melaleuca swamp forests, which store significant carbon and sustain local ecosystems. During the dialogue, Vincen directly challenged government officials, asking, Sir, can you guarantee my safety if I get killed in the forest? He also made a plea to President Prabowo: You see the development, but not that we, Indigenous people, are being forced into conflict into bloodshed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite growing evidence of rights violations, officials offered no concrete solutions. Experts warn that unchecked National Strategic Projects projects could spark unprecedented social and ecological crises. The Merauke declaration warned of an impending socioecological chaos if Indigenous voices continue to be ignored. CANADA: Indigenous womens home opened The British Columbia Health Minister, Aboriginal Housing Management Association, and Fraser Region Aboriginal Friendship Centre Association have announced new complex-care housing beds for Indigenous women in Surrey. The 10-bedroom home, operated by the Fraser Region Aboriginal Friendship Centre Association, will offer 24-hour staffing, medical support, harm reduction, and culturally relevant services. It aims to support women struggling with substance use and mental health challenges by connecting them to counseling and primary care. "We need to stop closing doors and finding a way to open them," said Kyla Painter, Fraser Region Aboriginal Friendship Centre Associations executive director. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She highlighted the importance of round-the-clock staffing, ensuring women can access care whenever needed. "The 24/7 staffing, medical support, and primary care is a really exciting and new way of addressing the homeless crisis and supporting people where they're at," she said. Women in the program can stay as long as needed and will have opportunities to reconnect with Indigenous cultural traditions. "We're offering an opportunity to get out and engage in ceremony and to understand their identities and to connect to their cultural roots," Painter explained. Family reunification is also a priority, helping women reconnect with children or estranged relatives. The 2023 Metro Vancouver homeless count found that 33 percent of homeless individuals identified as Indigenous. Among them, 34 percent were women, compared to 25 percent of non-Indigenous homeless individuals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aboriginal Housing Management Association CEO Margaret Pfoh stressed the need for Indigenous-led care to address barriers in the health-care system. "Indigenous people have many, many real and perceived barriers to adequate health care, just at a base standard," she said. "Never mind adding in the fact that they might be dealing with addiction, or they might be dealing with brain traumas." She added that her organization had long envisioned such a program. "[It] gives a safe place for people to rest, allows them to actually take a few moments to take care of themselves before they can address whether it's addictions, alcohol, brain injury, or other compounding issues," she said. British Columbia's Ministry of Health will provide $1.8 million annually for operations. "Far too many Indigenous peoples, particularly women, are facing significant barriers to stable housing and care," said Health Minister Josie Osborne. The province allocated $430 million to expand complex-care housing, with an additional 20 beds planned for Surrey. "What's unique about this place is that it's specifically for Indigenous women and Indigenous-led," Osborne said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new beds are expected to be available in mid-April. AUSTRALIA: 2032 Olympics stadium plan criticized The Queensland governments decision to build the 2032 Olympics stadium on Victoria Park, a site of deep Indigenous significance in central Brisbane, has sparked controversy and protests, National Indigenous Television reported on March 26. The $3.8 billion stadium will accommodate 63,000 spectators, but critics argue the development will destroy vital green space and disrespect the areas cultural heritage. Victoria Park, traditionally known as Barrambin, was historically a gathering site for the Turrbal and Yuggera peoples and contains sacred sites, including a Bora ground and a bunyip waterhole. Archaeological evidence, such as stone flints and oyster shells, has been uncovered throughout the park. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yuggera woman Aunty Deb Sandy voiced her concerns, emphasizing the lands deep cultural ties. "Its almost like our history doesnt matter," she said. She described the area as home to many Indigenous people, stressing that development would erase its historical and spiritual significance. Historian Dr. Ray Kerkhove, who has extensively studied Victoria Park, highlights its value as one of the regions most culturally significant sites. Premier David Crisafulli, who previously ruled out Victoria Park as a stadium location during his election campaign, has now approved the project. The announcement has led to a backlash, with groups like Save Victoria Park organizing protests and considering legal action. Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner, who once supported preserving the park as a public space in 2020, now endorses the stadium plan despite previously acknowledging its Indigenous heritage. His shift has intensified public outcry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Victoria Parks history spans centuries. In the 19th century, it housed up to 1,500 Indigenous people before forced removals sent them to missions. Many later returned in the 20th century when restrictions eased. Aunty Deb Sandy, whose family has long ties to the area, emphasized why the site remains crucial. "Its home," she said", according to National Indigenous Times GREENLAND: Reggae band to perform The Alianait Arts Festival, an annual cultural event in Arctic Canada, recently announced its 2025 dates as June 19-22. Eye on the Arctic reported on March 28. We dreamed of hosting this band in Iqaluit since we heard their first single, said Co-Executive Director Andrew Morrison, according to Eye on the Arctic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is exactly in line with our vision for Alianait world-class Inuit performers inspiring, collaborating, and sharing their energy and passion. It is contagious, and I have no doubt theyll inspire a new generation of music lovers at Alianait. Held annually in Iqaluit, the capital of Nunavut, the festival will take place during the summer solstice weekend and coincide with National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21. Co-Executive Director Jaqqa Petersen emphasized the festivals growing commitment to Inuit representation, not only on stage but also behind the scenes in areas like production, lighting, sound, photography, and stage management. We are working hard to create collaborations with different organizations in Iqaluit and across Nunavut to increase Inuit influence on all aspects of the festival, Petersen said, according to Eye on the Arctic. This includes organizing our Inuit Excellence Program, where professional Inuit producers and technical directors train the next generation of young Inuit in Nunavut. More details on the festival lineup will be shared on the Alianait website and social media in the coming weeks. For over twenty years, Alianait has showcased artists from across the Arctic, welcoming both rising talents and established performers. My final thoughts My final thoughts are in Indonesia where the Indonesian governments National Strategic Projects have systematically dispossessed Indigenous communities, violating their rights and devastating their lands. Under the guise of economic growth, these projects have forcibly evicted families, enabled violence, and destroyed vital ecosystems. The states use of eminent domain to seize customary lands, often without proper consultation or compensation, is a blatant disregard for human rights and justice. No development should come at the cost of peoples dignity, safety and survival. These projects must be stopped immediately to prevent further displacement, social conflict, and environmental destruction. The governments continued expansion of National Strategic Projects, despite widespread reports of rights abuses, reflects a dangerous prioritization of corporate profits over human lives. Ignoring the voices of affected communities will only deepen resentment, escalate tensions, and fuel long-term instability. Infrastructure and economic policies should serve the people, not exploit them. A just and sustainable way forward requires full recognition of Indigenous land rights and the immediate cessation of forced evictions. Development must be community-led, respecting traditional land stewardship and ensuring proper consultation and consent. The government should redirect resources toward empowering local economies, supporting small-scale agriculture, and investing in renewable energy projects that do not displace communities or degrade ecosystems. True progress is not measured by the number of highways, plantations, or industrial zones but by the well-being of the people. The Indonesian government must choose justice over greed, sustainability over destruction, and inclusion over oppression. Only by prioritizing human rights and environmental protection can Indonesia build a future that benefits all its people, not just the privileged few. Our stories are worth telling. Our stories are worth sharing. Our stories are worth your support. Contribute $5 or $10 today to help ICT carry out its critical mission. Sign up for ICTs free newsletter. The News Global markets were rocked by volatility Wednesday as the world awaited details on US President Donald Trumps sweeping tariff plan, which he plans to unveil this afternoon. Beyond White House confirmation that the duties will go into effect immediately after theyre announced, little is known about their scope including what nations and goods will be targeted. US investors are on edge, companies are rethinking investments, and world governments are girding for a punishing trade war. SIGNALS How countries are preparing to respond to Trumps tariffs Sources: Bloomberg, The Japan Times Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement US allies and adversaries alike are preparing to respond to the tariffs, with reactions ranging from carrots to sticks. The European Union is preparing emergency measures to support parts of its own economy and mulling going after Big Tech and US banks a potentially huge escalation. Canada has vowed retaliation, and could target American car imports, a step it has avoided taking so far in the trade conflict with Washington. Trump is unlikely to give Japan the exemptions it has requested, but the country could extract concessions using the leverage it has over Washington, The Japan Times wrote, including the unusual step of limiting Japanese car exports to the US, or simply importing more from the US to reduce the trade deficit. Some investors are looking forward to tariff clarity Sources: The Wall Street Journal, Joseph Politano US stocks, which for weeks have tumbled over recession fears sparked by Trumps whiplash tariff approach, have ticked up in the days leading up to Liberation Day, because some investors are betting that any clarity whatsoever will bring stability to markets, The Wall Street Journal reported. There is also continued confidence that Trump wont stick with any tariff policy that would cause a serious drag on growth. Executives arent as sure: The shift in trade policy is also by far-and-away Trumps least popular move among businesses, with a sizeable share of CFOs now saying changes in tariffs have caused them to cut their hiring and investment plans, economic analyst Joseph Politano wrote in his newsletter. Asias export-heavy manufacturing sector braces for impact Sources: Bloomberg, The Los Angeles Times Asias manufacturing sector is bracing for upheaval from the flood of new tariffs. The continent has long benefited from a growth model centered around exports to the US and a world of low trade barriers, Bloomberg wrote. But factory activity slowed last month in several countries, including Japan and South Korea, as signs of risk bubbled up. Companies are now playing a global game of catch-me-if-you-can, a supply chain expert told The Los Angeles Times: Trumps 2018 tariffs on China pushed firms to relocate to other Asian countries, but with more nations now in the line of fire, corporations are hunting for places spared by Washington the Middle East has become very hot at the moment. KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) Over 150 immigrants became official United States citizens at a naturalization ceremony in Knoxville Tuesday morning. Im proud of what this country stands for, the freedoms that we dont have in places like Cuba, said new United States citizen Jose Hechavarria. He explained that this was a long time coming, with the cares of life getting in the way of completing all the paperwork. God bless America, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new citizens are from fifty different countries. Suzanne H. Bauknight, Chief United States Bankruptcy Judge, presided over the ceremony. Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs gave opening remarks. Newport couple left with $3,000 electric bill after meter mix-up Aliana Lovato, also from Cuba, said she felt grateful and very excited. When asked why she wanted to become a citizen, she explained that she wanted to vote. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side. Rep. Chellie Pingree outside the U.S. Capitol. (Rep. Chellie Pingree via Facebook) Thousands of Mainers rely on the federal heating assistance program whose entire staff the Trump administration fired on Tuesday, leaving its future uncertain. The Low Income Heating Assistance Program is federally funded and provides financial assistance to lower income households to reduce the cost of energy bills. While the program remains in effect, its roughly 20 federal staffers were among the approximately 10,000 Department of Health and Human Services workers terminated this week as part of a mass layoff to make the agency more responsive and efficient. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democratic U.S. Rep. Jared Golden responded to the firings on social media, writing in a post on X, What efficiency is achieved by firing everyone in Maine whose job is to help Mainers afford heating oil when its cold? For fiscal year 2025, Maine was awarded about $37.6 million in LIHEAP funding, as well as about $1.4 million for the Wabanaki Nations, according to a press release from Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins last fall. Most of that funding has already been received, however, the last 10% is funded through the continuing budget resolution Congress passed in March. In a social media post condemning the firings, Democratic U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree asked, How will LIHEAP distribute these funds (which have ALREADY been allocated by Congress) without staff? Make it make sense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Without the assistance, families will have to choose between heating their homes and putting food on the table, Pingree wrote. Its not only callous and cruel, it defies logic, she added. Lucy Hochschartner, the climate and clean energy director for Maine Conservation Voters, said long-term the state should continue to invest in clean energy and double down on efficiency measures to decrease energy costs for Mainers but that LIHEAP is what Mainers need right now. I can bet that the people who decided to cut the entire LIHEAP staff have never struggled to pay their heating bill, Hochschartner said. In Maine, it doesnt matter who you voted for we know that everyone deserves to stay warm during our long winters, and this is the program that makes that possible. Federal cuts aside, the program in Maine is already strained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During a meeting of the Legislatures Government Oversight Committee on Friday, Daniel Brennan, director of Maine State Housing Authority, told lawmakers that the state has seen an increase in applications for LIHEAP over the last five years from 45,000 in 2019 to 70,000 in the past year with no corresponding increase to its federal grant that provides the administrative dollars to hire enough staff to meet demand. The grant has remained at about $40 million. This year has been a particularly difficult year because this year is the first year where weve had to face this head on, where we simply dont have the money that the [community action programs] need to meet the higher demand of the applications, Brennan said. The program puts out $675,000 on average per week, providing between 1,200 and 1,300 households with fuel assistance, he said, but a backlog of applicants remain. The system is maxed out, Brennan said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Apr. 2A lot has happened in Westbrook over the last six decades: Downtown buildings were demolished in the 1970s as part of the federal urban renewal program. The S.D Warren Paper Mill was sold to Sappi in 1994. Market Basket opened in 2020 as the anchor tenant of the first phase of massive mixed-use development Rock Row. And who could forget Wessie, the 10-foot-long snake spotted along the banks of the Presumpscot River, never to be seen again, or the floating ice disk that formed in the river and drew worldwide attention. Through it all, residents have been able to read about what was going on in their city when a freshly printed issue of the American Journal hit news racks every week. That happened for the last time on March 27. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of course, in recent years, fewer and fewer people have looked to the print edition of the paper for the latest news, which they can read online as it develops in real time. As the Maine Trust for Local News which purchased that paper, the Press Herald and 20 others in 2023 refocuses its resources on its digital products, it's making a slew of changes to print production and distribution. For someone who got her start in journalism at the American Journal, the end of that paper's print publication is the most personal. The American Journal started as merger of the Westbrook American and the South Portland-Cape Elizabeth Journal in 1968, three years after former Press Herald editor Harry Foote bought both papers. Foote became legendary for dogged coverage of those communities, digging deep into stories about local government and holding its leaders accountable. The American Journal wasn't universally beloved, but it was respected and, more than anything, read with interest. Foote sold the AJ in 2002 to Current Publishing, a group of weekly newspapers that had launched the year before and, in 2007, hired me. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My first job was covering Scarborough and Cape Elizabeth for the company's flagship paper, the Current, but it was clear to me from the get-go that the primo beat was Westbrook because of both the size of the city and the expectation established by Foote that the American Journal would cover it aggressively. So, when the job opened about a year after I started, I raised my hand. The city was ripe with news crime related to a growing drug problem, new industries brought in to diversify the former paper city's tax base, and downtown revitalization efforts attempting to reverse the effects of failed urban renewal programs. More than 15 years later, the paper's staff is still telling those stories and more, like the surge of residential development that's happened in the city in the face of the area's housing shortage. Among the latest projects is a 110-unit complex proposed downtown, on the site of the former American Journal building that has sat vacant, with its faded green sign, for more than two decades. Even though the American Journal name will start to fade into memory, its influence lives on, including throughout the Maine Trust for Local News, where its former employees are among our reporting, editing, design and distribution teams. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement None, however, is more important than Bob Lowell, who was hired as a full-time reporter by Foote in 2000 and will carry his legacy into a new era. Now, Bob's focus will be on getting the news of Westbrook, Gorham and Buxton online and compiling it in a digital newsletter, Westbrook-Gorham Now. When you think about how few Westbrook businesses are still around from the time the first issue of the American Journal was printed, it shouldn't come as a huge surprise that, as our lifestyles and habits have changed, the mode of getting news to the community has had to adapt too. And though you can no longer hold the American Journal in your hands or find it on newsstands, you still can rely on reading the latest stories from the same communities every Thursday delivered instead to the inbox of your email. Copy the Story Link INVERNESS, Fla. (WFLA) A 6-year-old German Shepherd will be going back to his days of chasing balls rather than suspects after serving with the Citrus County Sheriffs Office for over four and a half years. The sheriffs office announced the retirement of K-9 Marino on Tuesday. Described as an invaluable member of the team, K-9 Marino will be sorely missed, but has more than earned a healthy retirement, said Citrus County K-9 Sergeant David Miller. 2 arrested after going more than 100 mph on I-4: FHP Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement K-9 Marino proudly served the community for almost 5 years and can now enjoy some much-deserved relaxation with his handler, Miller added. K-9 Marino (Credit: Citrus County Sheriffs Office) K-9 Marino (Credit: Citrus County Sheriffs Office) K-9 Marino (Credit: Citrus County Sheriffs Office) K-9 Marino (Credit: Citrus County Sheriffs Office) According to deputies, Marino contributed to countless investigations throughout his career, helping keep the community safe by tracking down wanted suspects and sniffing out tens of thousands of grams of illegal narcotics. Over the course of his time with the sheriffs office Marino aided in the seizure of the following amounts of drugs: 14,013.7 grams of marijuana 2,352.9 grams of cocaine 1,168 controlled pills 551.69 grams of methamphetamine 182.5 grams of fentanyl Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities said Marino also helped locate 168 firearms and 281 items of drug paraphernalia. But it wasnt just narcotics and weapons that he was after. Marinos keen nose also helped deputies locate over two dozen people 12 of which were wanted suspects. As he heads into retirement, Marino will be spending out the rest of his days under the care of his loving handler, the sheriffs office said. Thank you for your service, Marino, the sheriffs office wrote in a social media post Tuesday. Enjoy your retirement, good boy. Youve more than earned it. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. Gov. Andy Beshear appeared before a joint session of the House and Senate on Jan. 8, 2025 to deliver his State of the Commonwealth address. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Arden Barnes) This article mentions suicide. The number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 988. Changes the Kentucky General Assembly ordered in Medicaid face an uncertain future after Gov. Andy Beshear said lawmakers failed to fund the legislation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the second year in a row, Beshear last week sent the House and Senate a letter listing bills that they had passed without providing what Beshear said was the necessary funding. Beshear sent the letter on the next to last day of the 2025 session, listing 11 bills and writing there is still time in this legislative session to add appropriations. Senate President Robert Stivers (LRC Public Information) The Republican-controlled legislature took no action in response to the Democratic governors letter, and Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester, told reporters Beshear is obligated to carry out laws as enacted by the legislature. He wants to make some excuse about, oh, you didnt give me the money. But its basically: yes, you do have the money. Find it within your budgets, Stivers said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among the 11 bills that Beshear said lack the appropriations necessary to implement them is House Bill 695, which directs the Beshear administration to take steps to enact a Medicaid work requirement while prohibiting the administration from making any changes in the $15 billion program without first receiving the legislatures approval. The bill also creates a Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board to look for cost savings in Medicaid. Beshear vetoed the bill and the legislature easily overrode his veto. The clash comes as Democrats in Washington are bracing to fight Republican efforts in Congress to cut Medicaid a federal-state program that covers health care for low-income people in order to pay for renewing federal tax cuts. In the letter, Beshear said HB 695 would require rebidding Medicaid managed care contracts, which he said would cost the state $1.4 million, including hiring a contractor to help develop the request for proposal. The bill also is estimated to cost $500,000 in state funds to conduct a managed care long-term service study, Beshear wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his veto of HB 695, Beshear said the Medicaid community engagement requirement, commonly called a work requirement, would undoubtedly cost some adults their health coverage and also spark costly litigation challenging the requirement. Emily Beauregard Emily Beauregard, the executive director of Kentucky Voices for Health, said health care advocates are concerned about new costs associated with a work requirement. One of our concerns all along with HB 695 has been the additional administrative cost it requires to ultimately provide less health care, which isnt a good use of taxpayer dollars, she said. Beshears letter to lawmakers last week echoed one he sent the year before, which has sparked a lingering controversy over the states failure to fund relief for kinship care families. Lawmakers have previously said Beshear has misinterpreted a 2005 state Supreme Court decision that he says precludes the executive branch from spending money the legislature has not appropriated. That decision came out of a cycle when the General Assembly passed no budget. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, Beshear wrote: These holdings are simple: if the legislature creates a policy or program but does not provide funding, it does not intend for the executive branch to perform those services over the biennium. The omission of an appropriation is the same as its elimination. Beshear also cited a more recent federal court decision. On Friday, Stivers criticized Beshears handling of the kinship care issue, which resulted in months of back and forth with no solution for families who are raising minor relatives and need more assistance. He decided to expand Medicaid rolls, not do kinship care, but then he says he doesnt have the money to do it, Stivers said. He picks and chooses what he wants to do, even though weve told him what to do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve talked about on this floor all the things he decided to fund without authority, things he does without authority. We send him bills, and its his obligation to carry out those laws that we change and empower him to execute on, Stivers said. Most of the funding for Medicaid comes from the federal government. Beshear said 1.6 million Kentuckians are covered by Medicaid and the Childrens Health Insurance Program. Beshears letter to lawmakers also said they had failed to take into account the costs of their decision to protect conversion therapy. House Bill 495 overrules restrictions Beshear had placed on the discredited practice and also prohibits Medicaid from covering transgender-affirming medical care. Beshear estimated it would cost $540,000 to $1.95 million in state funds. Other states with similar laws have experienced an increase in suicide attempts, some by as much as 72%, Beshear wrote. The increase in services expected include an additional six hours of behavioral health counseling and therapy, an increase in pharmacy costs and increased psychiatric hospitalization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among other bills Beshear said the legislature failed to fund: Senate Bill 4, which he said would cost at least an estimated $2.5 million to operate a centralized registry of artificial intelligence systems in state government and implement an AI governance process. House Bill 390 to set up an accessible online vehicle insurance verification system, which Beshear said would cost $600,000 to $1.1 million initially and then $750,000 a year to operate. Beshear also said that House Bill 346, exempting emergency temporary internal combustion engines from paying an emissions assessment fee and to retroactively refund some fees would cost the Division of Air Quality $1 million in expected revenue from fees. Read Beshears letter to Home and Senate FILE_4515 (1) The Azerbaijani Cultural Center named after Heydar Aliyev, located at the Azerbaijani Embassy in Uzbekistan, has has hosted an event titled "Scenes of Friendship" for the first time at the State Academic Musical Theater named after Mukimi, Azernews reports. The employees of the Azerbaijani Embassy in Uzbekistan and the Azerbaijani Cultural Center, as well as cultural figures and artists from Uzbekistan, representatives of the Azerbaijani diaspora, students, local residents, and journalists attended the event, dedicated to the Azerbaijani national theater and coincided with the International Theater Day. The Deputy Director of the State Academic Musical Theater named after Mukimi, Khayrulla Inagamov, welcomed the guests and noted that Uzbek theaters periodically stage classic Azerbaijani musical comedies and always achieve success. He underlined that performances based on works by Azerbaijani authors have always been well attended. Khayrulla Inagamov emphasized the extensive ties with the Azerbaijani State Theater of Musical Comedy and other Azerbaijani theaters, mentioning that two years ago, they toured Baku with the comedy "Mother-in-Law" by Majid Shankhalov. Their performances were successful and received great interest and applause from the local audience. The event titled "Scenes of Friendship" was also organized in collaboration with the Azerbaijani Cultural Center named after Heydar Aliyev in Uzbekistan. Next, the Director of the Azerbaijani Cultural Center named after Heydar Aliyev in Uzbekistan, Akif Marifli, spoke and stated that March 10 is celebrated in our country as the Azerbaijan National Theater Day. "The Azerbaijani theater was established in 1873, and over the past 152 years, it has undergone significant development. The Azerbaijani theater made an invaluable contribution to the creation and development of theatrical art throughout the East, including Uzbekistan. The emergence of theater in both Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan occurred precisely in March, further underscoring the closeness of our friendship and brotherhood," he said. In his speech, Akif Marifli also touched upon the cooperation between the Azerbaijani Cultural Center in Tashkent and other institutions. "The Azerbaijani Cultural Center is actively working to popularize Azerbaijani theater in Uzbekistan. Recently, a theatrical troupe consisting of young people was formed within the Cultural Center, whose actors stage plays by Azerbaijani authors. The Azerbaijani Cultural Center has also initiated the translation of plays by classic and contemporary Azerbaijani authors into Uzbek and their presentation in theaters. He pointed out that the cooperation with the Uzbek State Academic Musical Theater named after Mukimi would contribute to the further expansion of our ties in the field of theater and promote the development of cultural connections between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan. During the concert, the actors of the Mukimi Theater performed scenes from the musical comedies "The Cloth Peddler" by Uzeyir Hajibayli and "Mother-in-law" by Majid Shankhalov, while the theatrical troupe of the Azerbaijani Cultural Center presented scenes from the musical comedy "If Not That One, Then This One". The aforementioned comedies featured active participation from the "Azerbaijan" dance ensemble of the Azerbaijani Cultural Center, with musical compositions from these performances and dance numbers. The concert concluded with dances and the song "We Are One Big Family," performed by the dance ensemble and actors. By Tom Westbrook and Stella Qiu SINGAPORE/SYDNEY (Reuters) - The Australian dollar's surprising resilience in the face of the hit to market sentiment from U.S. tariffs is raising questions whether its long-standing role as a proxy for risk is ending. The Antipodean currency just notched its steadiest quarter for two years, rising almost 2% this year to around 63 cents, even as U.S. shares have dropped more than 4%. The breakdown in that correlation is slowing trade in the Aussie, hurting Australian investors in the U.S., and highlighting how U.S. President Donald Trump is rocking the pillars of financial markets. It is a consequence of an unusual turn in the U.S. dollar, which, says Bank of America currency strategist Oliver Levingston, has shot lower together with stocks for only the third time in 25 years. "It's just not playing its game," said Nick Twidale, chief analyst at online broker ATFX, referring to the Aussie, adding that his firm is seeing a drop in trading volumes of the currency. "It feels like the Aussie has lost its correlation." The Aussie earned its reputation as markets' "risk" proxy from Australia's export profile, since Australia sells the raw ingredients of economic growth: iron ore, coal and gas. Over the four decades the currency has been freely convertible, the expectation that those bellwether exports justify it tracking the global mood has been self-reinforcing and earned it an outsized role in foreign exchange trade. Australia is the 13th-largest economy in the world and its currency is the world's sixth-most traded. Now, according to analysts at Westpac, its relationship with U.S. stocks is weaker than at any time since the pandemic as Trump's trade war accelerates what had been a slow but decade-long decline in the Aussie's relationship with global risk. "Our conjecture is that Trump's presidency has fundamentally rewired the relationship between currencies and equity risk metrics," Westpac's head of foreign exchange, Richard Franulovich, said in a note published on Monday. The other big changes analysts point to in the past decade are the steady growth of Australia's offshore investment portfolio, and a shift in reliance on commodities, with the result that Australia's net international assets have surged. "The country is literally less leveraged to global growth compared to what it used to be, just from the balance of payments perspective," said Lachlan Dynan, foreign exchange strategist at Deutsche Bank in Sydney. WASHINGTON The Senate is on the verge of confirming Harmeet Dhillon to lead the Civil Rights Division at the Department of Justice, putting someone who has spent years attacking voting rights, abortion rights and LGBTQ rights in charge of protecting those rights for millions of Americans. Republicans advanced Dhillons nomination on Wednesday, clearing a procedural hurdle in a 52-45 vote along party lines. Dhillon now awaits a Thursday vote to be confirmed, which, barring something extraordinary, is all but certain given that no GOP senators have raised concerns with her. Dhillon, a far-right conservative attorney and former California Republican Party official, has been President Donald Trumps legal adviser for the last four years. During his 2020 campaign, she perpetuated his lie that the election was stolen from him due to widespread voter fraud, which did not exist. She did TV interviews falsely claiming there was persistent voter fraud in Pennsylvania, a state that Trump legitimately lost to Joe Biden. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her law firm, Dhillon Law Group, over the years has filed more than a dozen lawsuits across eight states aimed at challenging voting rights, election processes or the ability of Trump to appear on 2024 ballots in states that disqualified him because of his role in inciting the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection. Dhillons firm also submitted amicus briefs on behalf of conservative groups in cases before the Supreme Court: one in support of a racially discriminatory Alabama congressional map and another in support of the far-right independent state legislature theory. Both cases were struck down by the court. As recently as October 2024, Dhillon falsely claimed the results of the 2020 election were the result of a wholesale ignoring of laws passed by legislatures. Dhillon has also directly attacked the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the landmark law that prohibits racial discrimination in voting which she will now be in charge of enforcing, if confirmed. Shes called a congressional effort to restore part of the law that was struck down in Shelby County v. Holder a 2013 Supreme Court decision that has allowed states with a history of voter discrimination to pass new voting laws without federal oversight an unnecessary power grab based on false propaganda about voting rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wheres the suppression? she wondered in a 2021 Fox News op-ed in which she dismissed the negative effects of the Shelby County v. Holder decision. During Dhillons Senate confirmation hearing in late February, Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) pressed her on how she would decide when to sue over state laws that discriminate against voters. Hirono gave examples of former U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland filing lawsuits under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, in one case in response to a state law prohibiting civil rights groups from passing out water to people standing in line to vote. In another case, Garland filed suit against a state law limiting counties use of absentee ballot drop boxes. There are a number of these kinds of voting rights laws that the states enacted after Shelby County, and in fact, 13 states very immediately passed all kinds of laws that made it a lot tougher to vote, said Hirono, referring to states that closed 1,688 polling stations within six years of the court decision. How are you going to decide which ones to go after? I mean, these obviously have the effect of discrimination against certain groups, making it harder to vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dhillon said she disagreed with the premise of the senators question that all of these measures that Georgia and other states took to improve confidence of all citizens in voting in fact had any form of discriminatory impact. Hirono interjected, with dismay: That is the crux, isnt it, as to whether or not these laws have an anti-discriminatory effect? And you obviously do not think so. "Where's the suppression?" Tom Williams via Getty Images Dhillons record on reproductive rights is also terrible, as is her record on LGBTQ rights. She uses inflammatory language when talking about either of these issues. Shes said she opposes abortion rights because she doesnt support killing children in the womb. And when it comes to transgender peoples rights, shes referred to doctors who provide gender-affirming care as butchers and predatory who are pushing trans lies. In her free time, Dhillon has fueled dangerous conspiracy theories and in 2018 founded a nonprofit legal group, the Center for American Liberty, that curiously claims to defend the civil liberties of Americans left behind by civil rights legacy organizations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of its featured clients is Andy Ngo, a far-right influencer who the Southern Poverty Law Center once described as publishing anti-antifa, Islamophobic and transphobic tweets and articles to his sizable Twitter following, along with disseminating the arrest records and personal details of left-wing demonstrators. The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, an actual civil rights coalition that represents more than 240 national organizations, has been urging senators to oppose Dhillons nomination for all the reasons listed above. Ms. Dhillons lack of independence and record of going after the rights of the very people that she would have the duty to defend is disqualifying, the group said in a letter delivered to senators in mid-March. We deserve an assistant attorney general who will work for all of us and who has a record of protecting and advancing the rights of all people in America, they wrote. Unfortunately, Ms. Dhillons record and her statements at the hearing demonstrate she is not fit for this role. We strongly urge the Senate to oppose her confirmation. The letter is signed by organizations including the AFL-CIO, the Human Rights Campaign, the NAACP, the National Womens Law Center and People for the American Way. Apr. 1OLYMPIA As lawmakers grapple with a multibillion-dollar budget deficit, Gov. Bob Ferguson has broken sharply with budgets proposed by Democratic legislators, telling reporters he does not support the plans passed by the House and Senate that call for billions in new spending and revenue. "Washington's families must budget to the actual salaries of their family members," Ferguson said. "The state of Washington, as long as I am governor, will do exactly that." Standing in the Governors' Conference Room, Ferguson said Tuesday he remains skeptical of a new "wealth tax" on the state's wealthiest residents each chamber used to bring in new revenue and balance the budget, saying the proposal was untested and could ultimately be thrown out in court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Despite that, both chambers adopted budgets that rely on an untested wealth tax," Ferguson said. "I will not sign that." The comments come as the Legislature works to close an estimated $16 billion budget deficit in the weeks ahead and amid heightened uncertainty and concern about plans by the federal government to slash spending. Washington's grim budget outlook grew even murkier last month when an updated revenue forecast published by the Office of Financial Management showed the state will bring in $845 million less over the next four years than it previously projected. "Those storm clouds are not on the horizon, they are on top of us right now," Ferguson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In February, Ferguson unveiled a plan he said could save the state $4 billion over the next four years after former Gov. Jay Inslee proposed approximately $3 billion in cuts. On Tuesday, Ferguson noted that both budgets incorporate many of the proposals. "Those reductions constitute significant progress in meeting our shortfall, and demonstrate to Washingtonians that we are carefully searching the budget for efficiencies and appropriate cuts that preserve our core services," Ferguson said Tuesday. While Ferguson said the Legislature could not adopt a budget that relies solely on cutting spending, which he said would ultimately result in cutting "core services," the governor did not say what amount of new revenue he would support. He did say, however, it was not the time for "major" investments into programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "When you have a $16 billion budget shortfall, you have to stop digging," Ferguson said. The governor also outlined his budget priorities, which include refraining from tapping into the rainy day fund, basing the budget on "realistic revenue projections," minimizing new investments, incorporating previously identified spending cuts and nonreliance on a new wealth tax, which he said had a "real possibility of being overturned by the courts." "We must take a balanced approach that prepares our state for an extremely challenging situation with the federal government and our economy," Ferguson said. The state government, Ferguson said, is heavily reliant on money from the federal government, amounting to 28% of the state's revenue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We can, and we must, prepare for even greater cuts from the federal government," Ferguson said. "We need to accept that we are in unprecedented times with the federal government, that is intent on making significant cuts, no matter the resulting harm to Americans." According to Ferguson, Washington receives approximately $34 billion for Medicaid, $2.5 billion for education, $1 billion for child welfare, $600 million for disaster response, $304 million for unemployment insurance and $864 million for temporary assistance during a two-year budget cycle. "We cannot predict with certainty what is going to happen with our federal funding, but we can be sure there will be chaos, with more cuts to come, with little or no warning," Ferguson said. Washington's economy could also be hit hard by a potential tariff war, with the governor noting the state is among those "most dependent" on international trade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "A trade war will hit Washington hard," he said. Following the governor's news conference, Sen. Chris Gildon, R-Puyallup, the Senate Republican budget leader, said in a statement that Ferguson was "absolutely right to say the budgets from the Senate and House Democrats propose 'far too much' in new taxes." "Tens of thousands of people have told us as much in the course of opposing the Senate Democrats' record-breaking $21 billion tax package. We're glad the governor seems to be hearing them as well," Gildon said. Gildon added that Republicans "remain ready to help deliver a budget that meets the needs of students, families and employers." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. June Robinson, D-Everett, chair of the Ways and Means Committee, said in a statement that she appreciated "the governor providing more clarity today on his vision for the operating budget and his commitment to a balanced approach one that includes both new revenue and responsible, targeted reductions." "This aligns with the thoughtful, forward-looking mindset that's guided our process from the start," Robinson said. "I'm confident we will continue working together to deliver a final budget that meets the needs of Washingtonians and puts our state on a strong financial footing for the future." Washington's legislative session is scheduled to end April 27. By Daniel Leussink TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese automakers have long relied on the "dependable and affordable" appeal of their economy cars to drive U.S. sales, thanks in part to low-cost production in Mexico. Now, U.S. President Donald Trump is turning that business model on its head. Trump has announced 25% tariffs on auto imports that are due to take effect on April 3. While the longer-term fallout remains unclear, Nissan, Honda, and other carmakers may need to raise sticker prices, industry experts say, including on economy models that target the most price-sensitive buyers. It is another big headache particularly for troubled Nissan, given its reliance on both the U.S. market and Mexican production. Last year, major Japanese carmakers exported almost 880,000 vehicles to the United States from Mexico, according to data from Mexico's national statistics agency. While Toyota's Tacoma pick-up was the most exported model, Nissan had the biggest share of any automaker, accounting for more than a third, with 327,000 vehicles, the data showed. The Sentra was Nissan's most exported model, with 180,000 of the compact sedans going across the border. The car starts at $21,590, according to Nissan's website. "The reason cars are made in Mexico is because costs are cheap, allowing automakers to produce economy vehicles there. A lot of those cars being made in Mexico are models where it is difficult to raise the prices, or if you do, you can only raise the price by a little," said Koji Endo, head of equities research at SBI Securities. In one scenario, Goldman Sachs sees tariff-related price hikes depressing Japanese automakers' sales and operating profits in the current financial year. Mazda could see the biggest hit with a 59% profit reduction, with Nissan next with an estimated 56% drop, according to Goldman estimates. Toyota, the world's top-selling carmaker, would see a 6% decline and Honda would take an 8% hit. That is especially bad news for Nissan, which is already flailing in the United States due to an ageing line-up and lack of hybrid models. It cut its profit forecast three times in the financial year just ended and has had its debt downgraded to "junk". Nissan's new chief executive, 46-year-old Ivan Espinosa, a Mexican national who was earlier its planning boss, has promised to dramatically cut the time it takes the company to develop new cars. Slow decision-making at Nissan was one of the reasons why its merger talks with Honda collapsed in February, Reuters has previously reported. BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) Gov. Jeff Landry issued an executive order Wednesday placing a hiring freeze for the state governments executive branch to save $20 million in state funds. The hiring freeze does not include local government agencies, according to the governors office. To ensure the long-term fiscal health of Louisiana and protect essential services for our most vulnerable citizens, we must take decisive action now to address revenue shortfalls. By implementing a temporary hiring freeze, we will reign in spending, saving an annualized $20 million. This is a necessary step to give the Legislature more options, to prevent deeper cuts to healthcare and education, and to safeguard the future of our state, Landry said. Louisiana lawmakers must decide budget priorities Lawmakers will have to decide which items will be prioritized in this years budget after voters rejected tax reforms-focused Amendment 2 in the March 29 election. Landry said the 2025-2026 budget was created using a standstill approach, removing one-time items and incorporating cost savings to address the projected shortfall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This new budget will allow us to use any new revenue on non-recurring expenditures, such as continuing to lower the personal income tax rate even further OR by making investments in critical state infrastructure such as roads, bridges, water, and sewer systems, Landry said in a Feb. 19 address. Lawmakers passed Amendment 2 during a special tax reform session in October 2024. After the amendment failed in the March election, Landry placed blame on Soros and far-left liberals. We realize how hard positive change can be to implement in a State that is conditioned for failure. We will continue working to give our citizens more opportunities to keep more of their hard-earned money and provide a better future for Louisianians, Landry said in an election night statement. Louisianas legislative session is scheduled to start on April 14. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LSU president announces hiring freeze amid federal funding uncertainty Latest News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News. Rep. Ginny Shaver (left), R-Leesburg, and Sen. Vivian Figures (right), D-Mobile, laughing in the House press room at the Alabama State House in Montgomery, Alabama, on March 20, 2025. Ivey signed the pair's legislation to give eight weeks of parental leave to state employees and educators. (Anna Barrett/Alabama Reflector) Gov. Kay Ivey Wednesday signed a bill giving public school educators and state employees paid parental leave. SB 199, sponsored by Sen. Vivian Figures, D-Mobile, allows women who give birth, have a stillbirth, or a miscarriage after 12 weeks to receive eight weeks of paid leave. It also allows the father to take two weeks of paid leave under those circumstances. If a couple adopts a child under three years old, either parent may have eight weeks of leave if they are both eligible employees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No parent should have to choose between their paycheck and spending time with their newly welcomed child, Ivey said in a statement. Today, Alabama sends a clear message: We value families, and we value our workforce. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The law, named the Alabama Public Employee Paid Parental Leave Act of 2025, will go into effect on July 1. The legislation passed the House 94-2 on March 20. The two votes against it were male representatives that claimed parents could use their accrued sick leave or catastrophic sick leave for parental leave. According to the Alabama State Department of Education, teachers earn one sick day per month for 10 months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Ginny Shaver, R-Leesburg, a longtime supporter of paid parental leave who carried Figures bill in the House, said during debate on the House floor last month that it takes more than 10 days to recover from having a baby. Having a baby is a normal function. The catastrophic leave is for that, catastrophic and for unusual circumstances, Shaver said in March. The legislation does not make parental leave an accruable benefit. According to the Legislative Services Agency, the leave will cost $10,750 for parents that take eight weeks and $2,600 for those that take two weeks. Figures sponsored a bill last year for educators that was changed to remove male employees leave and leave in the case of a miscarriage and stillborn. The Senate passed the bill, but then-Senate President Pro Tem Greg Reed, R-Jasper, prevented it from being sent to the House, something any senator can do after the 26th legislative day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paid leave is an essential tool for workforce and economic growth, providing education and state employees with the opportunity to care for their newborn or newly adopted child without worrying about unnecessary financial strain, Figures said in a statement. According to the statement, providing paid parental leave to public employees was a recommendation included in the Final Report of the Governors Study Group on Efficiency in State Government as a way to increase the recruitment and retention of public employees. This is a proud day for Alabama families, and I want to thank Sen. Vivian Figures and Rep. Ginny Shaver for championing this effort from the very start, Ivey said. Shaver sponsored the House version of the bill. She echoed Ivey that the bill supports Alabamas values. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By providing paid parental leave for state employees and education employees, we are not only recognizing the fundamental importance of family, but also investing in the well-being and stability of our workforce, Shaver said in a statement. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Gov. Kim Reynolds, joined by Iowa families who had lost loved ones in distracted driving crashes, law enforcement officers and others, celebrated after the governor signed a ban on handheld cellphone use while driving into law April 1, 2025. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch) Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed into law Wednesday a measure banning drivers from using cellphones behind the wheel outside of hands-free or voice-activated modes. Reynolds was joined by more than 50 people in her office Wednesday, many of whom were related to people who had died because of distracted driving. The governor recognized the names of many of the people who lost their lives due to distracted driving incidents before signing the measure into law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to their families for being here today and for their tireless advocacy, Reynolds said. I cant imagine how hard its been to tell and to retell your stories, but your courage will save lives. So, on behalf of all the families across our great state, thank you. With the bills signing, the measure, which is an expansion from Iowas current law banning texting while driving, will go into effect July 1. Law enforcement officers will give warnings for violations from July through the rest of 2025. Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, using handheld personal electronic devices while driving will result in a fine of $100. If the incident results in an injury, the fine is raised to $500, and incidents that cause death will raise the fine to $1,000. The governor said that Iowa has become the 31st state in the country to have a hands free law on the books, and that neighboring states like Minnesota and Illinois have seen major decreases in car crashes since enacting similar laws. Im grateful, because this legislation will save lives, Reynolds said. According to a recent study, a 10% reduction in distracted driving in Iowa will prevent over 1,200 crashes, 700 injuries and six deaths, as well as over $50 million in economic damages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The measure had received support from Reynolds at the beginning of the session, when she mentioned the proposal in her January Condition of the State address. Part of the governors push came in part after meeting the family of Roland Taylor of Terril a victim of a distracted driving crash in 2023. The governor said she signed the measure into law, nearly two years to the day of the crash in his memory, and wed do the same for every Iowan killed due to distracted driving. Angie Smith, the daughter of Taylor, said she and her family met Reynolds at the Clay County Fair in 2024 and talked to her about her fathers death. My mom stated to the governor, We need to do something about a handsfree bill, and it caught her attention, and it was very emotional for the governor also, Smith said. So (she) reached out to us and has been pushing and supporting ever since. Smith said theres not a better way that we could have honored dad today, saying Taylor would have been proud to see the law being signed and save lives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the governor called me personally last week and said that it was passed, I just broke down in tears, Smith said. And I called mom immediately, so happy to just know that this is going to save someone elses life, hopefully that these families will not have to go through this. Senate File 22 was an effort that advocates have pushed lawmakers to pass for almost seven years. While in previous sessions the measure failed in the Iowa House, the chamber passed the 2025 bill in a 84-11 vote in late March. Peter Bengtson, the father of Ellen Bengtson, who was killed by a distracted driver while biking in 2020, said that the years of the bill failing to advance felt like a kick to the gut, but that the law being signed Wednesday was a good first step toward preventing distracted driving deaths. He said the law will allow law enforcement officers to start educating and informing people about the dangers of using phones while driving, and is an important start in stopping preventable deaths on Iowa roads. This is an experience you dont want to have, Bengtson said. You dont want to be on the side of the situation where you lose a loved one, and I cant imagine you want to be the person behind the wheel who knew that you made a bad choice and you killed other people or maimed them. This is an epidemic beyond compare for public safety. We need to do something about it, and this legislation gets us closer. Idaho Gov. Brad Little gives his annual State of the State address on Jan. 6, 2025, on the House floor at the Statehouse in Boise. (Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun) Four days after Idaho Gov. Brad Little vetoed a bill that wouldve banned medical intervention mandates including vaccines, medical treatment or medicine by businesses, governments, schools and colleges, the Idaho Legislatures immediate path forward to respond remains unclear. The governor vetoed the bill Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, the Idaho Senate introduced a new tweaked version of the bill. On Tuesday, the Idaho House made a similar move. But the Senate has not officially attempted to override the governors veto; the original bill narrowly passed the Senate and would need broader support to pass a veto override, which requires two-thirds support in each legislative chamber. Idaho Senate President Pro Tempore Kelly Anthon, R-Rupert, makes an announcement from the Senate floor on Jan. 7, 2025, at the State Capitol Building in Boise. (Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun) Senate President Pro Tempore Kelly Anthon, R-Rupert, hasnt ruled out a vote to override the governors veto on the bill, he told the Idaho Capital Sun in an interview on the Senate floor Tuesday afternoon. But first, he said, lawmakers are focused on working with the governor to come up with language that is doable. Asked if the Senate would override the governors veto, Anthon told the Sun It very well could happen. But until we know that the road is completely at a dead end, you wont see that happen. I think youre going to first see, Can we work with the governor to come up with language that is doable? But you may not want to play that card or give up that leverage until you know you cant work out a deal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Revised legislation surfaces in both the Idaho House and Senate The Senates revised bill, Senate Bill 1210, exempts day cares and adds language specifying the school medical mandate ban provision is subject to various other Idaho laws that let school boards block sick students from attending, spell out parental rights, and more. The Houses revised bill, House Bill 472, adds language specifying that the bill wouldnt overrule existing powers of school districts, or school board trustees as already granted in Idaho law. To become law, Idaho bills must pass the House and Senate, and avoid the governors veto. Right now, the Legislature is in the middle of a negotiation, Anthon told the Sun, and he doubts the new bills will become law as drafted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I personally think that none of those bills, as printed, will end up becoming law, he said. The new bills appear to be competing versions of revised bills that attempt to address the governors concerns over the original vetoed bill. Idaho Gov. Brad Little gives a press conference after delivering his annual State of the State address on Jan. 6, 2025, in the Lincoln Auditorium in the Idaho Capitol. (Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun) Explaining his veto of the original bill, Senate Bill 1023, Little said he valued medical freedom but worried that the bill removes parents freedom to ensure their children stay healthy at school because it jeopardizes the ability of schools to send home sick students with highly contagious conditions, including measles. The Idaho governors office couldnt be immediately reached for comment about how much either bill addresses Littles concerns over the original bill, called the Idaho Medical Freedom Act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once the bill got vetoed we start down a road where we try to figure out Whats a bill that can actually pass both Houses? Anthon told the Sun. And so you start to see the clamor of legislation. The Idaho Legislature is more than a week past Republican leaderships nonbinding goal to adjourn, or end, this years legislative session on March 21 largely due to budgeting delays by the Legislatures powerful budget committee, the Sun previously reported. Senate revised bill pulled last minute from committee agenda On Tuesday afternoon, the revised Senate bill was scheduled to be considered in the Senate State Affairs Committee, where it couldve been advanced to the full Senate for a vote. But the meeting was canceled. Sen. Dan Foreman, R-Moscow, discusses a piece of legislation on the Senate floor on March 10, 2025, at the Idaho Capitol Building in Boise. Also pictured is Sen. Kevin Cook, R-Idaho Falls. (Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun) Sen. Dan Foreman, R-Moscow, cosponsored the original bill that the governor vetoed and the revised Senate bill. He declined to comment on the bills future to the Sun on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate State Affairs Committee Chairman Jim Guthrie, R-McCammon, told the Sun in a Tuesday interview that Foreman had asked him to remove the bill from the committees agenda. But Guthrie said he didnt know Foremans reasons. Anthon, the top Senate Republican, told the Sun that Foreman is working really, really hard to get a policy across the finish line that effectuates, at the end of the day, the goal and the goal is to get that medical freedom piece in place. How to fine tune that language to get all of the different players happy is very difficult. So theres a negotiation taking place, Anthon said. Sometimes you have to throw out a piece of legislation to get people to the table. So Senator Forman has done that. It looks like the House has done that a couple of times now. And once that piece of legislation is printed, the dialog starts. So I think were just in the middle of a process. Idaho Gov. Brad Little (right) is interviewed by KTVB reporter Joe Parris after the governor delivered his State of the State address in the House chambers of the Idaho Statehouse on Jan. 6, 2025. Behind them, Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador (center) greets Idaho House Majority Leader Jason Monks, R-Meridian (left). (Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun) Idaho AG, who lost a challenge to Gov. Little, urged Legislature to override veto Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador on Monday urged the Idaho Legislature to override the governors veto, calling the bill the defining bill of this session. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Five years ago, COVID-19 brought chaos: lockdowns, mandates, business closures, school shutdowns, and restrictions that crushed our freedom, Labrador said in a prepared statement. In hindsight, the damage to our society, children, and economy was far worse than the virus itself. I ran for Attorney General because our State failed to protect our citizens from government overreach. The legislature now has the opportunity to do the right thing. Labrador is a former U.S. House of Representatives member. In 2018, he lost a Republican primary governors election challenge to Little. In 2022, Labrador was elected as Idaho attorney general. Idaho Freedom Action, the lobbying arm of the Idaho Freedom Foundation, also supported a legislative veto override. Before Little vetoed the bill, Idaho Republican Party Chairwoman Dorothy Moon urged people to ask Little to sign the bill. How the bill works: Banning medical intervention mandates beyond vaccines Both bills introduced this week modify a bill that previously passed the Legislature, and was vetoed by Little. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The original bill would have banned businesses and any Idaho governments local, county or state from requiring medical interventions for employment, admission to venues, transportation, or providing products or services. The bill wouldve also extended to schools in Idaho private or public and colleges, universities and trade schools, blocking them from requiring medical interventions for school attendance, employment, or entrance into campus or school buildings. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US The new broader medical intervention requirement ban the governor vetoed would have expanded on a previous Idaho law banning COVID vaccine requirements, which Little signed in 2023, despite its similarities to one he vetoed a year earlier, the Idaho Statesman reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This years broader bill amended twice was cosponsored by Sen. Foreman and Rep. Robert Beiswenger, R-Horseshoe Bend. Health Freedom Defense Fund President and Founder Leslie Manookian wrote the bill. Under the bill, medical interventions include a procedure, treatment, device, drug injection, medication, or action taken to diagnose, prevent, or cure a disease or alter the health or biological function of a person. Business medical intervention mandates for employment would still be allowed in a few excepted circumstances, including in certain federal travel scenarios if jobs require entry into facilities that require medical interventions, or if required by federal law. The bill would also exempt medical intervention bans in situations where employers require personal protection equipment, items, or clothing based on existing traditional and accepted industry standards or federal law. But the bill says COVID-era requirements, such as for masks or vaccines, are not exempt from the ban. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill would allow the Idaho attorney general or county prosecuting attorneys to enforce the law through injunctive relief, which are essentially civil court actions issued in lawsuits. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Governor Shapiro visited Fegleys Brew Works in the Lehigh Valley to highlight his Administrations work to grow Pennsylvanias economy and support our small businesses and Main Streets. (Commonwealth Media Services) A few hours before President Donald Trumps announcements of another round on tariffs, Gov. Josh Shapiro described it as a disastrous, reckless policy. He expressed his concern about the impact it would have on businesses and consumers in the state during a visit to a brewery in the Lehigh Valley. Im mindful that we are here today in Bethlehem, on the same day that the federal government is about to impose massive tariffs across the board, and Im worried about the impacts on Pennsylvania businesses once those tariffs hit and other countries then hit us back with retaliatory tariffs, Shapiro said Wednesday at Fegleys Bethlehem Brew Works. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For weeks, Trump has been teasing April 2 for his administrations announcement on taxing imported products from around the world. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Shapiro described the expected tariffs on aluminum and other products from Canada by the Trump administration as a tax that would increase prices for consumers and businesses. Listen, this is not hard to understand, Shapiro said. You do not need a degree in economics in order to make sense of what is about to occur. Shapiro specifically highlighted the potential impact on Main Streets across the commonwealth. That included 530 craft breweries, which make Pennsylvania the second-largest craft beer producer in the nation. He said the industry generates $5.4 billion in annual economic impact for the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fegleys Brew Works was established in 1998 in Bethlehem. Jeff Fegley, the owner of the brewery, said theres great concerns about the impact that tariffs will have on his business. Whats going on right now with the economy, the future of the economy, and specifically these tariffs, which are a concern for small businesses like myself and for many, Fegley said. And its a big unknown as to whats going to happen, how thats going to affect them. We have ingredients that come from Canada and other things that are sourced that potentially are going to be increasing overnight. Wednesday was the latest stop for Shapiro across Pennsylvania, speaking out against the Trump administrations tariff policy. The day before, he was in Mifflin County making the case how tariffs would hurt the timber industry. I just wish the president wasnt working against us as recklessly as he is, Shapiro said Wednesday. This tariff war that he is starting, this button that he is pushing is going to have one effect, and that effect is to drive up costs on consumers and businesses throughout Pennsylvania at a time where we cant afford that, and its going to make our lives way more difficult. Billboard located in Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Lambert/Pennsylvania Capital-Star) During Trumps successful 2024 campaign, the GOP presidential nominee argued implementing tariffs would help boost American manufacturing and help prevent the flow of fentanyl into the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What Ive seen over the first 70 days of his administration is chaos that has resulted in higher prices, fewer rights and more worry from so many people that I meet all across Pennsylvania, Shapiro said. As an example, Shapiro referenced the negative effects of tariffs during Trumps first term on the hardwood industry he believes is proof it would not achieve what the president said he is setting out to do. We have seen enough from him over his first four years and over these first 70 days, the chaos, the confusion, the higher prices to know that the direction hes heading in right now is really reckless and really dangerous, Shapiro said. Shapiro claimed the way to spur American manufacturing was by investing in businesses, the workforce, schools, and STEM education in the United States, while also not eviscerating the Department of Human Services. Governor Josh Shapiro and Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding visited Metzler Forest Products in Mifflin County on April 1, 2025. (Courtesy of Commonwealth Media Services) On Tuesday, Gov. Josh Shapiro visited a timber business in Reedsville to highlight his administrations investment in agricultural companies in the commonwealth. Mifflin County-based Metzler Forest Products is using a state grant to increase production of biochar, used by farmers to boost soil health and crop yields. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Shapiro had another message as well. Ahead of the visit, his press team touted the appearance as an effort to showcaseefforts to support Pennsylvania farmers and agricultural innovation in the face of economic uncertainty. During his speech, Shapiro framed his administrations investments in Pennsylvania businesses in contrast with expected tariff announcements from President Donald Trump on Wednesday. Governor Josh Shapiro and Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding visited Metzler Forest Products in Mifflin County on April 1, 2025. (Courtesy of Commonwealth Media Services) For weeks, Shapiro, who was considered as a running mate for 2024 Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, has been highlighting how Trump administration policies have impacted the state and its industries. Last week, Shapiro announced a challenge to a Trump decision to cancel $13 million in federal funding to support Pennsylvania farmers and food banks. His office is also suing the administration over $2 billion of federal funding that was frozen early in the new administration. Shapiro has claimed credit for getting the president to unfreeze them after he visited the White House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the federal government imposes policies that hurt our economy, Pennsylvania is leading the way in driving economic growth investing in agricultural innovation, supporting our manufacturers, and delivering real results for farmers and their families, Shapiro said in Reedsville. Metzler primarily sells domestically, which means they would theoretically avoid direct impacts from tariffs. And the money Metzler received was part of the Agricultural Innovation Grant program, which was created during budgets over the 2024-2025 budget, before Trump returned to office. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE But Shapiro noted that Pennsylvania is among the countrys leading hardwood exporters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since the beginning of the agricultural innovation program, roughly $2 million has gone to hardwood projects. Nate Metzler, who spoke at the event, said the company was started by his father and employs over 80 people. Shapiro was joined by other Pennsylvania timber and hardwood industry members who discussed the potential impacts of Trumps tariffs. Nick Gilson, the CEO of Selinsgrove-based Gilson Snow, which makes skis and snowboards, voiced his concern, since theyve shipped products to 50 countries. He said 50% of their exports have historically gone to Canada, where boycotts of American products are growing over Trumps trade war and threats to take over the country and make it the 51st state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Canada has long been one of Americas staunchest allies. I understand the intention behind the tariffs in protecting American manufacturing, but in actual practice, on the ground level, there are adverse side effects, Gilson said. They raise input costs, strain supply chains and make it harder for American manufacturers to compete with foreign competitors. Beyond the cold economics, I also want to recognize that these tariffs are having an impact on the perception of American made goods. Governor Josh Shapiro and Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding visited Metzler Forest Products in Mifflin County. (Courtesy of Commonwealth Media Services). Shapiro was also joined by Mifflin County Commissioner Kevin Kodish, Executive Director of the Keystone Wood Products Association Stephanie Phillips-Taggart, and Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. Following the announcement, Shapiros office issued a press release saying the governor will be in Northampton County Wednesday to support Pennsylvania brewers and small businesses in the face of tariffs and economic uncertainty. Separately, the Department of Agriculture announced Redding and Lt. Gov. Austin Davis will be in Duquesne to discuss the impact of federal funding cuts and proposed state investments on Pittsburgh-area farms and food banks. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer discusses the Fiscal Year 2025 Education Budget at Educare in Flint. | Kyle Davidson Following a string of ice storms which tore through the northern Lower Peninsula over the weekend, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is expanding her initial state of emergency and deploying the Michigan National Guard to help clear roadways and areas overcome by debris. On Monday afternoon, Whitmer declared a state of emergency in for Otsego, Oscoda, Montmorency, Presque Isle, Emmet, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Mackinac and Alpena counties, expanding the declaration to include Alcona and Antrim counties on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By declaring a state of emergency, Whitmer has made all state resources available in cooperation with local response and recovery efforts in the area of emergency. It also authorizes the Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division to further coordinate state efforts, following the governors activation of the State Emergency Operations Center on Sunday. In addition to the two teams assigned to clear debris, the Michigan National Guard has responded to a request from the MyMichigan Medical Center in Alpena to stand up a temporary shelter to support emergency room overflow. With many counties experiencing widespread power outages and fuel shortages, Whitmers office said temporary fuel depots are necessary. Signing an executive order, Whitmer has temporarily suspended restrictions on commercial driver hours as well as seasonal load restrictions to ensure there is a consistent flow of gasoline, distillate and propane alongside the transport of equipment to address transportation and supply needs. According to a report from MLive, 90,000 homes and businesses were left without power at the storms peak. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Whitmer was initially scheduled to give an address in Washington D.C. on Thursday centered on American manufacturing and national defense, the governor has postponed her speech to remain in Michigan and coordinate emergency response efforts. The governors office also shared the following updates on resources for Michiganders impacted by the storms: Since Elon Musk took the mantle of power thanks to Donald Trump, Tesla has become a universal focus of protest around the world. In the US, frustrated taxpayers have taken to the streets to occupy dealerships, steal tires, and vandalize Teslas wherever they appear. In response, the federal government has declared a crackdown on dissent. A recently formed FBI-ATF taskforce is said to be working to identify vandals and arsonists on behalf of Tesla even as Musk decries accusations that the US has descended into oligarchy. Those allegations aren't likely to go away if Attorney General Pam Bondi has anything to say about it. She recently announced that the Justice Department will seek a staggering 20-year federal prison sentence for Cooper Jo Frederick, a Colorado man accused of vandalizing a Tesla Service Center earlier in March. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I've made it clear, if you take part in a wave of domestic terrorism of Tesla properties, we will find you, arrest you, and put you behind bars," Bondi said in a video posted on X-formerly-Twitter. "Let this be a warning: you can run, but you cannot hide. Justice is coming." Bondi's demand for a 20-year stint comes weeks after she announced charges against three other defendants accused of destroying Tesla cars and charging stations. A Justice Department press release states that each defendant faces a "minimum penalty of five years and up to 20 years in prison" for property destruction. "The Department of Justice is committed to ending all acts of violence and arson directed at Tesla properties and otherwise," it concludes. The monumental penalties are part of a push by the Trump and Musk administration to equate property damage and vandalism with "domestic terrorism," even in incidents like this one, in which no people were harmed. Musk and Bondi have also both repeated unsubstantiated claims that Tesla protests and vandalism are funded and organized by a shadowy cabal that needs to be taken down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's not unlike the rhetoric used during a federal crackdown on nonviolent environmental and animal activism known as the "Green Scare." In May of 2007, two saboteurs with the Earth Liberation Front were charged with 12 and 16 years in federal prison for torching a forest ranger station, a police substation, an SUV dealership, and a tree farm. According to The Intercept, fears of property damage led the fur and animal testing industries to increase "their efforts to convince the FBI and the DOJ to treat animal rights and environmental protestors as terrorists." This led to an expansion of the Animal Enterprise Protection Act, allowing acts of property damage to be prosecuted as acts of domestic terrorism. Still, the Tesla crackdown is a notable stepping stone in what seems like ever-harsher sentencing guidelines for acts of non-violent vandalism, which feels especially stark when the goal is protecting the property of a corporation run by the sitting president's best buddy. For context, in 2022, a Philadelphia woman was sentenced to two and a half years in federal prison after pleading guilty to torching two police cruisers during 2020 protests. The 17.5 year difference between her sentence and the threat of Frederick's 20-year stint for roughly the same crime suggests that Musk's involvement in US politics comes with a heavy hand. Mess with Tesla, and the government will make an example out of you. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even disregarding Tesla's special treatment, prison sentences in the US are already higher than in most nations. In 2022, an analysis by the Council on Criminal Justice found that the US is a global outlier in its use of prison sentences of 10 years or more. And when it comes to non-violent property damage, sentencing has skyrocketed in recent years, from an average of 18.3 months in 2016 to 60 months in 2023. All told, it's a troubling time as demonstrations against Tesla become a nearly everyday occurrence. If vandalism can be prosecuted as domestic terrorism, how soon until peaceful protests incur the wrath of Musk's FBI? More on oligarchy: Mothers and Children Are Already Dying Because of Elon Musks Cuts We recently published a list of 10 Best Metal Stocks to Buy According to Billionaires. In this article, we will look at where AngloGold Ashanti plc (NYSE:AU) stands against other best metal stocks to buy. When investing in the best metal stocks, the stakes are high, and the potential rewards are even higher. Metals power the modern economy, from the foundations of skyscrapers to the circuits in your smartphone. For savvy investors, these commodities offer a strategic opportunity to capitalize on global demand, fluctuating prices, and billionaire-backed bets that shape the future of the industry. As of March 2025, the U.S. stock market has been riding a wave of volatility, with the broader market reaching a record high of 6,152.87 in February, marking a 3.49% increase year-to-date. However, the index suffered a decline in March. Meanwhile, copper prices have skyrocketed to an unprecedented $5.24 per pound, largely driven by looming 25% tariffs on imports and Chinas aggressive economic stimulus measures. Investors have been quick to respond, driving up the stock prices of major mining giants. The precious metals sector has been equally dynamic. Gold futures are climbing 14%, and analysts are projecting further earnings growth of 17% in 2025 and 16% in 2026. One of the strongest signals in the metals market comes from billionaire investors. Heavyweights like Berkshire Hathaway, led by Warren Buffett, have a strong presence in the metals sector, with a strategic focus on silver and gold mining companies rather than direct gold ownership. Beyond U.S. borders, Buffetts investment strategy has extended into Japans massive trading conglomerates. These firms operate across multiple industries, with significant stakes in natural resources and metals, highlighting the global nature of the metals market. The rise of rare metals has also drawn significant interest, with billionaires like Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos funneling $537 million into Africas rare metals sector, as reported by Business Insider. As the world shifts toward renewable energy and advanced technology, the demand for critical minerals is soaring, promising new wealth for those who control these resources. With 40% of investors planning to increase their exposure to gold and other precious metals in the next 12 months, as highlighted by the UBS Billionaire Ambitions Report 2024, the metals and mining sector remains a dynamic and lucrative space. While tech and banking CEOs dominate the headlines, eight of the worlds 100 richest individuals on the Forbes Billionaires List have built their fortunes in metals and mining. Understanding the factors driving these investments is key to making informed decisions. The Greek government plans to invest 25 billion ($27 billion) in defence over the next 12 years, becoming the latest EU member state to significantly increase military spending. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Wednesday described it as the most significant military overhaul in the country's modern history. Mitsotakis said the funds would primarily go toward new defence technologies and strengthening Greece's domestic arms industry. The goal, he said, is for Greece to have "one of the most modern systems of defence in Europe." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Greece's centre-right leader also called on the European Union as a whole to redefine its position on the geopolitical map given Turkey's military manoeuvrings, Russia's war against Ukraine and US President Donald Trump's "America First" agenda. Mitsotakis welcomed the activation of the EU Stability and Growth Pact's escape clause. This provision allows member states to take on additional debt for defence spending without triggering an excessive deficit procedure. "This budgetary flexibility should not and will not lead to excess," Mitsotakis said, pushing back against criticism from left-wing opposition parties, which argue that funds should be directed toward social welfare rather than military spending. "Without protection against external threats, there will be no sustainable development, no investment, no tourism, and no innovation," he countered. Greece has consistently allocated more than 2% of its economic output to defence due to tensions with neighbouring Turkey. The two NATO members frequently clash over territorial rights in the Aegean and the eastern Mediterranean. The Greek government plans to invest 25 billion ($27 billion) in its armed forces, marking the most significant military overhaul in the country's modern history, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced in parliament on Wednesday. While he did not specify the time frame, Greek media, citing government sources, reported that the investment will be spread over 10 years. Mitsotakis said the funds would primarily go toward new defence technologies and strengthening Greece's domestic arms industry. The goal, he said, is for Greece to have "one of the most modern systems of defence in Europe." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Greece's centre-right leader also welcomed the activation of the EU Stability and Growth Pact's escape clause. This provision allows member states to take on additional debt for defence spending without triggering an excessive deficit procedure. "This budgetary flexibility should not and will not lead to excess," Mitsotakis said, pushing back against criticism from left-wing opposition parties, which argue that funds should be directed toward social welfare rather than military spending. "Without protection against external threats, there will be no sustainable development, no investment, no tourism, and no innovation," he countered. Greece has consistently allocated more than 2% of its economic output to defence due to tensions with neighbouring Turkey. The two NATO members frequently clash over territorial rights in the Aegean and the eastern Mediterranean. Melissa Beson photo courtesy LDF Police Department On Tuesday, April 1, the Lac du Flambeau (LDF) Tribal Police Department said in a press release that it is continuing a search for Melissa Beson, 37, who has been missing since March 17 from the Lac du Flambeau Reservation in Vilas County. The Wisconsin Examiners Criminal Justice Reporting Project shines a light on incarceration, law enforcement and criminal justice issues with support from the Public Welfare Foundation. Chief of Police T.J. Bill said there had been ground, air and water searches using drones and dogs, and images from over 300 reservation surveillance cameras have been reviewed for clues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beson, a member of the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, was last seen in the vicinity of Indian Village Road and Chequamegon Forest Trail in Lac du Flambeau. She was last seen wearing red sweatpants, a black sleeveless shirt, and a gray sweatshirt. Beson is a Native American female, 57, with a medium build, brown hair and brown eyes. She has numerous tattoos, including on her neck, arms and leg. Besons family reported her missing on March 23, six days after she was last seen. Finding her has been the number one priority of the LDF Police Department, Bill in a statement. We have conducted extensive ground searches on foot, even in severe weather conditions. Our officers have even come in on their days off to search for her. The dedicated members of Newbold Search and Rescue have once again come to our aid and have assisted us by searching with their specially trained canines.The dogs have shown interest and appeared to pick up Melissas scent in the area of her last known sighting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The LDF Police Department has used two high-quality drones to search a portion of the Bear Rivers open water and plans to use an underwater drone to dive under ice. Although we are expending monumental efforts in searching the area in which Mellisa was last seen, we are in no way ignoring the possibility that she may be elsewhere, said Bill. Our officers are working non-stop, during every shift, to follow up on every lead and tip that we receive. We have combed through countless hours of surveillance footage, have interviewed dozens of people, and have reached out to law enforcement agencies in various areas of the State of Wisconsin, who have assisted us by contacting persons with possible information and even conducting searches of residences in their jurisdictions. Bill told the Examiner that the LDF Police Department has reviewed surveillance footage from over 300 cameras monitored around the reservation. So nothings been revealed on them, on the surveillance of the cameras, where she was last seen, he said. Where Beson was last seen is in more of a desolate area, he added, so we dont have cameras that go out that far. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also noted that the ground searches using dogs had been hampered by recent weather, including snow. We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to LDF Emergency Management, LDF Tribal Roads Department, LDF Economic Support Department, Newbold Search and Rescue, the Vilas County Sheriffs Department, and Vilas County Dispatch for their vital assistance to our investigative and search efforts, he said. He added, We would also like to thank everyone in the community who has provided assistance to our Department and been supportive to Melisas family during this difficult time. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Lac du Flambeau Tribal Police Department. at (715) 588-7717 or the Vilas County Sheriffs Office at (715) 479-4441. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX CONCERT We L.A. April 1 Christina Aguilera joins Gustavo Dudamel and LA Phil at the Hollywood Bowl for this free concert honoring first responders and victims of the L.A. wildfires. The show will also be broadcast live on KUSC 91.5 FM. AWARDS Trailblazer's Ball April 2 The Sierra Clubs annual ceremony honors Dr. Jane Goodall and William Shatner, and recognizes other individuals for their dedication to nature, animals and the environment at the Skirball Cultural Center. FESTIVAL Los Angeles Festival of Movies April 3-6 Presented by MUBI and Mezzanine, this curated annual event offers new independent and restoration premieres, highlighting L.A. as an indie hub with premieres, panels and parties at venues including Vidiots in Eagle Rock and the Philosophical Research Society in Los Feliz. FILM A Minecraft Movie April 4 The video game sensation gets its own film, and the cast is out of this world. Jack Black, Jason Momoa and Jennifer Coolidge star in the Warner Bros. pic about a portal that pulls people into a cubic wonderland FESTIVAL LA Beer Fest April 5 Over 80 breweries and 200 brands will be on hand for this hop and bop at L.A. Center Studios thatll also have food trucks, live music and Power 106 pumping up the jams. Outside of the Wende MuseumCourtesy Wende Museum DISCUSSION Night of Ideas 2025 April 5 Centered on the theme Common Ground, thinkers, artists and scientists gather at the Wende Museum to discuss what unites humans exploring topics like literature, urbanism, sports, history, ethics and AI. FOOD Generous Plates April 6 While the popular Masters of Taste food event is on pause this year, the organizers offer a one-night-only dining experience in the same culinary spirit at Pasadenas Rose Bowl Stadium. TV The Handmaid's Tale April 8 Season 6 is the final chapter of the dystopian drama based on Margaret Atwoods books about power-hungry leaders controlling womens bodies, which feels eerily timely. BOOK E.A. Hanks The 10 (Simon & Schuster) April 8 The Vanity Fair and The New York Times contributor who also happens to be Tom Hanks daughter shares a pivotal cross-country road trip inspired by her late mother in this emotional memoir. MUSIC Record Store Day April 12 Music collectors rejoice every year when record shops all over Los Angeles drop special limited-edition merchandise like colored vinyl and reissues on this day. Expect big outlets like Amoeba in Hollywood to have a line out the door. Puppet time!Courtesy Bob Baker Marionettes Advertisement Advertisement FAMILY FUN Bob Baker Day April 13 Tens of thousands of kids, families, artists, and fun-loving Angelenos celebrate L.A.'s beloved puppet theater at L.A. State Historic Park with a carnival-like array of amusements. CANNABIS Underground 420 Festival April 20 April 20 aka "420" is the ultimate day to light up. This 5th annual holiday event in Downtown L.A. features live music, munchies, games, cannabis vendors and community vibes. Hop into Spring at the Bunny Bungalows at The Grove and The Americana Courtesy Caruso/Americana at Brand HOLIDAY Easter at The Grove and The Americana Now through April 20 The popular Caruso shopping properties, at Beverly Grove and Glendale, respectively, host family-friendly Easter activities including a petting zoo, egg hunts, brunch with the Easter Bunny and much more. HOLIDAY Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day April 24 Honoring the memory of the 1.5 million people killed in 1915 by the Ottoman Empire (modern day Turkey) therell be rallies in Hollywood and Glendale, and at UCLAs annual commemoration with Armenian music, dance, comedy, and art; plus webinars, lectures and screenings. FILM TCM Classic Film Festival April 24-27 Themed Grand Illusions: Fantastic Worlds on Film, the annual screening event looks at myths, ghosts, magical creatures and time travel in movies and features special events such as a look at the work of Michael Schultz and Michelle Pfeiffer immortalizing her hands and feet at the Chinese Theater. Back to the Future bitesCourtesy Universal Studios THEME PARK Universal Fan Fest April 25-May 18 This all-new after hours series invites fans to step into the worlds of Star Trek, Back to the Future, Dungeons & Dragons, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Super Nintendo World at night with themed food, exclusive merchandise and cool activations. FILM Cheech and Chongs Last Movie April 25 The iconic comedy duos history is explored in this new documentary chronicling Tommy Chong and Cheech Marins rise on stage and on film as pioneers of the stoner comedy genre and more. FESTIVAL Los Angeles Times Festival of Books April 26-27 The annual two-day bibliofile bonanza at USC offers book vendor booths, readings, signings, demos, and discussions with authors. FOOD Pizza City Fest April 26-27 Demos, discussions, and tastings from 40 of the best pizzerias in SoCal; giving pizza fans the opportunity to sample and learn from culinary experts over two days at L.A. LIVE. For more events see our Weekend Guide every Thursday. Never Miss a Beat! Subscribe to Los Angeles Magazines The Daily Brief for daily updates delivered straight to your inbox. Join below or by clicking here. CONAKRY, Guinea (AP) Guineas military junta has set Sept. 21 as the date for a long-promised constitutional referendum that would set the west African country on the path of a return to democratic rule more than three years after it experienced a coup. A presidential decree scheduling the referendum for the adoption of a new constitution was read on state television late Tuesday by Gen. Amara Camara, secretary-general of the presidency. Guinea is one of several West African countries where militaries have staged coups and delayed a return to civilian rule. Guinea is governed by a military charter that serves the transition period following the suspension of the constitution in the aftermath of the coup. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Junta leader Col. Mamadi Doumbouya, in power since 2021, initially set Dec. 31 as the deadline to launch a democratic transition. However, he missed the deadline, triggering protests and criticism from activists and opposition figures. Under growing pressure, Doumbouya promised in his New Year's message that a decree for the constitutional referendum will be signed. Authorities have also said that all elections would be held this year, without committing to a particular date. Activists and opposition groups have accused the junta leader of arresting critics, including journalists, on false charges in what rights groups have described as a clampdown on civic rights to strengthen his grip on power and prolong military rule. It is not clear why anyone in their right mind would want to be secretary-general of the United Nations. The organization seems to be stuck in a state of permanent crisis. The veto-wielding permanent members of the Security Council have been arguing vociferously over Ukraine and Gaza. The wave of aid cuts by U.S. President Donald Trumps administration threatens to do deep damage to U.N. agencies. If I were a global statesperson, just one look at the state of the U.N. would be enough to make me run away from it as fast as I could. Yet it seems that there are still quite a few global high-fliers who would like the top U.N. job. The incumbent, Antonio Guterres, is set to stand down at the end of 2026. The Security Council will discuss who should succeed him in the second half of next year, and then recommend its choice to the General Assembly for approval. But candidates are already poking their heads up. Whatever the outcome, the race to replace Guterres could be a useful opportunity for a global debate over how to get the U.N. back on track. Possible contenders to replace Guterres have been positioning themselves for the race for some time. Candidates from Latin America and the Caribbean have been most active, as an informal U.N. convention suggests that the next secretary-general will come from the region. The unofficial front-runner has been Mia Mottley, the prime minister of Barbados and a compelling public advocate for international cooperation on development and climate change. Within the U.N. system, Rebeca Grynspana Costa Rican politician and senior U.N trade official who helped negotiate the Black Sea grain deal between Russia and Ukraine in 2022has a strong following. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pool of potential candidates inside and outside Latin America is, however, much broader, and some of them may now be testing the waters. Last month, Michele Bachelet, a former Chilean president and U.N. high commissioner for human rights who has been talked about as a potential secretary-general for a decade or more, admitted that she is indeed thinking about running for the position. There have been media reports that Vuk Jeremic, a onetime Serbian foreign minister who ran against Guterres in 2016, is also standing up a new campaign. To get more in-depth news and expert analysis on global affairs from WPR, sign up for our free Daily Review newsletter. Other aspiring candidates will now be considering when will be the best moment to present themselves. The presumption that this is Latin Americas turn is likely to be tested further. It is an open secret in Turtle Bay that Nigerias Amina Mohamed, who has been deputy to Guterres since he took office in 2017, would like a shot at the top job. I have heard names of candidates from Europe and the Middle East as well, although some are tentative and some may be pure fiction. Up until last year, most U.N. insiders were fairly convinced that a female candidate would win the race. Every secretary-general of the U.N. since its foundation has been male. As Guterreswho fought off a solid slate of female rivals to win his first termhas acknowledged, this should change. But diplomats now speculate that the Trump administration, which like other veto-wielding powers can block individual candidates, might make a point of backing a male secretary-general to annoy liberal critics. This gamesmanship in the race to be the next secretary-general would all be great fun if the U.N. wasnt going through the most serious crisis in its post-Cold War history. Trump and his advisers may see an even bigger potential prize in the race. From their perspective, the U.N. has been an advocate for progressive causes, such as diversity and sustainability, for many years. The U.S. could team up with Russia and China to promote more conservative candidates for secretary-general who could use the post to rein in the U.N. systems progressive priorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This conspiracy theorizing and gamesmanship would all be great fun if the U.N. wasnt going through the most serious crisis in its post-Cold War history. Whoever ends up leading the U.N. after Guterres will face at least two enormous tasks. The first will be to outline a convincing pitch for how the multilateral system can function on significantly reduced resources. This is not just a problem caused by U.S. aid cuts. Many major donors, such as the U.K. and the Netherlands, have also slashed their aid budgets in recent months as they reinvest in defense. While Guterres has set up an efficiency review, many diplomats predict that it will fall to his successor to do the hard institutional labor of merging U.N. agencies, revising their mandates and making harsh cuts to balance the books. The second major challenge will be to define how the U.N. can promote peace in a bleak geopolitical environment. As secretary-general, Guterres has been outspoken on climate change and pushed the U.N. system to take new challenges like Artificial Intelligence seriously. But he has struggled to play a significant role on global peace and security issues. This is in part because he is innately cautious, but it also reflects broader obstacles to U.N. peacemaking and peacekeeping in an era of high geopolitical tensions. Nonetheless, a growing number of diplomats in New York say that the next secretary-general must get back to basics and focus on resolving conflicts. That is a tall order, and smart candidates for the top job will likely avoid talking too much about great power politics. Anyone who sounds too ambitious as a peacemaker is liable to offend one or more of the veto-wielding powers on the Security Council. But anyone who wants to get the U.N.s broader membership behind them will need to promise that they are not only exceptionally good at budgeting, but also willing to take some risks to insert the U.N. into the management of future crises in an effective manner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of now, it is not clear who will tick those boxes. But candidates will need to lay out some ideas on these issues, not to mention other urgent matters such as climate change and poverty, fairly soon. This could in turn spark a broader international discussion about what sort of U.N. the worlds states and civil society want to see emerge from the current messif there is in fact a way out of it. Richard Gowan is the U.N. director of the International Crisis Group. From 2013 to 2019, he wrote a weekly column for WPR. Follow him on Twitter at @RichardGowan1. The post Guterres Successor Will Take Over a U.N. in Crisis Mode appeared first on World Politics Review. The public is invited to celebrate the groundbreaking for Habitat Homes #143 and #144 on Saturday, April 5, according to a news release. (OurQuadCities.com) The first groundbreaking ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. at 2510 5th Ave., Moline. This empty lot will be the future home of Koko and family. The home is being sponsored by The John Deere Foundation and Mel & Judy Rullman. The second event will take place at 11 a.m. at 1402 18th St., East Moline. This empty lot will be the future home of Akouyo and Kokouvi and family. The home is being sponsored by Russell, CNH, Arconic, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, QC Community Foundation and the QC Housing Council. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Habitat Quad Cities has a total of two home builds underway in Davenport. Habitat QC hopes to break ground on three additional home builds later this year. Habitats affordable home-ownership program is a long-term solution to the current affordable housing crisis. Habitat partner families must complete a minimum of 250 volunteer hours of sweat equity and attend mandatory home-ownership preparation classes with the support of a volunteer mentor. When their home build is finished, partner families purchase the home from Habitat with affordable monthly payments on a zero-interest mortgage. About HFHQC Habitat for Humanity Quad Cities is dedicated to building thriving communities. For nearly 32 years, the local Habitat for Humanity affiliate has served low-income families with the construction of affordable homes. Habitat also operates a home repair program and an accessibility ramp program for low-income homeowners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. Aviation is a notoriously expensive industry, and in addition to a workable aircraft, Archer has also developed working partnerships with larger companies. These partnerships include access to manufacturing facilities (with the automaker Stellantis), to civilian and military dual-use markets (with the defense contractor Anduril), and to airline connector routes (with United Airlines and its existing partners). First on our list today is Archer Aviation, a $3.8 billion eVTOL startup founded in 2018 and now on the brink of commercialization. The company has designed a short-hop commuter air taxi, using all-electric propulsion, redundant battery packs and rotors, and featuring capacity for a pilot with four passengers plus luggage. This is more than just a paper project; Archers aircraft, dubbed Midnight, already has prototypes flying and the company is progressing through flight test programs toward FAA regulatory approval. Covering this niche for Cantor Fitzgerald, analyst Andres Sheppard has an upbeat view of the industry. Pointing specifically at Archer (NYSE:ACHR) and Joby Aviation (NYSE:JOBY), he lays out a clear case for the bulls and encourages investors to buy in. Lets take a closer look. The market for these aircraft is small, which is not surprising for a field in its early stages, but it reached $1.7 billion last year. according to Research and Markets, the eVTOL market is expected to grow to $1.91 billion this year and to keep growing with a CAGR of 12.6% to reach $3.47 billion in the next five years. New breakthroughs in areas such as battery technology and lifespan, air traffic management technologies, and autonomous navigation are combining to make short-hop air taxis both more feasible and less expensive. Aviation tech firms are actively pursuing solutions for the field, developing innovative designs for air taxis and even launching pilot projects in carefully targeted markets. Commuter air travel has always been something of a pipe dream. While small airfields and heliports capable of operating light aircraft and helicopters do exist, and those aircraft can easily carry 2 to 6 passengers with luggage, the costs have generally kept short-hop aerial commuting out of reach for the masses. That is beginning to change with the advent of electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOLs). Story Continues The most recent partnerships that Archer has entered were announced this past March. The first of these, with Palantir, focuses on developing the Palantir AI platform to work with the next generation of aviation technologies. Potential applications will include scaling of manufacturing capabilities along with air traffic control, movement control, and route planning software. Archer has also announced a partnership with the largest air carrier in Africa, Ethiopian Airlines. The partnership will aim to deploy a fleet of Midnight aircraft for air taxi route service in the region. Archer will provide Ethiopian Airlines with pilots, technicians, and engineers to operate and support the aircraft. This partnership, set up under Archers Launch Edition program, is valued at $30 million. As part of their mutual development of air taxi operations, the two companies will also explore additional uses for the aircraft and routes, such as eco-tourism. Archers Launch Edition program is aimed at commercialization of the Midnight aircraft, and the company has already taken steps on that path with its first customer, Abu Dhabi Aviation (ADA). ADA has plans to deploy a fleet of Midnight aircraft later this year, with pilot and tech support from Archer. For Archer, the Launch Edition program offers a route to commercialization and to spur product demand before receiving full FAA regulatory accreditation. On the financial side, Archer is still a pre-revenue startup firm. The company reported a net loss in 4Q24 of $198.1 million. On a positive note, Archer finished 2024 with $834.5 million in cash and cash equivalents on hand. For Sheppard, the bull case is clear. He notes that Archers partnerships have high potential, and that the Launch Edition program should provide a spur to commercialization activities. Sheppard writes, We Remain Bullish on ACHR over the long-term. We continue to view the partnerships with Anduril (private), the Department of Defense (DOD), United Airlines, and Stellantis as important differentiators that should help the company ramp up its commercialization efforts, increase its TAM, and facilitate operations and manufacturing, respectively. We are also encouraged by the recent announcement to expand into hybrid VTOLs, which we see as a way for ACHR to de-risk its business, particularly if Type Certification with the FAA is delayed (since FAA certification is not required for military use). We continue to expect the U.A.E. to be the initial market for ACHRs eVTOL commercialization, and we are encouraged by Archers Launch Edition program, given that management will target to commercialize in international markets ahead of FAA Certification. This long-term bullish stance comes along with an Overweight (i.e., Buy) rating, and a $13 price target that points toward a one-year upside potential of 83%. (To watch Sheppards track record, click here) Archer gets a Strong Buy consensus rating from the Street, based on 7 recent analyst reviews that feature a lopsided 6 to 1 split favoring Buy over Hold. The shares are currently priced at $7.11, and their $12.83 average target price suggests that the stock will gain 80.5% in the year ahead. (See ACHR stock forecast) Joby Aviation The next Cantor stock pick were looking at is Joby Aviation, one of Archers peers at the leading edge of commuter aviation and eVTOL technology. Joby is notable for becoming, in 2020, the first eVTOL company to receive an airworthiness approval rating from the US Air Force. Like Archer above, Joby has developed and put into prototype production a multi-rotor, multi-battery eVTOL aircraft. The full-scale prototype is currently undergoing flight testing, on the way to regulatory certification from the FAA and other global aviation oversight agencies. Joby boasts that it has already flown more than 30,000 miles in its test program. Jobys aircraft, with its six independently powered electric tilt rotors, was originally designed to cover the route between New Yorks JFK airport and the downtown heliport on Manhattan Island, while carrying up to four passengers. Joby is preparing for commercialization efforts, including the development of a production-scale manufacturing facility located in Marina, California. The company has additional offices in Santa Cruz, San Carlos, Washington DC, and Munich. In February of this year, Joby announced that it was progressing on stage four of the FAAs 5-stage regulatory process and had delivered a second test aircraft to the USAF at Edwards Air Force Base. Jobys flight test fleet now includes five aircraft and one of these is a hybrid aircraft capable of running on hydrogen fuel. In another parallel to Archer, Joby is planning to pursue its initial commercial routes in the United Arab Emirates. The company has plans to deliver its first operational passenger aircraft to Dubai in the middle of this year, with the goal of completing flight testing and opening up passenger routes during 4Q25 or 1Q26. Looking ahead, Joby expects that its operations during 2025 will cost between $500 million and $540 million. The company has deep pockets to cover this, however; it finished 2024 with $933 million in available cash and liquid assets. Management took care to note that the total did not include upcoming investments from Toyota, related to a manufacturing partnership, which will total an additional $500 million. When we check in again with analyst Sheppard, for the Cantor view, we find that he is upbeat on Joby and not shy about listing reasons. Sheppard says, We remain bullish on JOBY over the long term, and we are encouraged by the companys plans to enter into service and to carry its first passengers in Dubai by 4Q25/1H26. Additionally, JOBY continues to have the strongest liquidity position in the industry with ~$933M in cash and equivalents as of 4Q24 (~$1.4B in total liquidity inclusive of Toyota investment). JOBY is Partnered with Toyota for production, Delta Air Lines for operations, and the DoD, which we continue to see as meaningful differentiators. While we dont expect Type Certification till at least 2026, we are also encouraged by JOBYs opportunity to continue to leverage its partnership with the DOD and explore additional opportunities with the military. Once again, the Cantor analyst gives an eVTOL startup an Overweight (i.e., Buy) rating, and his $9 price target implies a one-year gain of 49.5%. Joby has picked up 7 recent analyst reviews, which include 5 to Buy and 2 to Sell, giving the stock its Moderate Buy consensus rating. The shares have a trading price of $6.02, and their $8.92 average target price suggests an upside of 48% on the one-year horizon. (See JOBY stock forecast) To find good ideas for stocks trading at attractive valuations, visit TipRanks Best Stocks to Buy, a tool that unites all of TipRanks equity insights. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the featured analyst. The content is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is very important to do your own analysis before making any investment. Disclaimer & DisclosureReport an Issue CHEYENNE When U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman, R-Wyo., decided last week to pivot to tele-town halls from in-person events, she blamed the Democratic Party for making the events too unsafe to proceed. In response, the Wyoming Democratic Party and Laramie County Democratic Party put together their own overlapping in-person town hall. Around 80 people gathered at Laramie County Community College Friday evening, where Hagemans in-person town hall was previously set to be held, to share their concerns and make their voices heard. Laramie County Democrats Chairman Matthew Snyder said his goal for the event was to give constituents a place to be heard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our interest, as a party, is having an opportunity to organize around these events, or lack thereof. In many ways, I see this as a watershed opportunity to be meaningful, he said. His fear is that leaders not meeting face-to-face with their constituents as a national trend will lead to a disconnect between Washington, D.C., and the rest of the country. Instead of hosting an in-person town hall Friday evening at LCCC, Hageman hosted a tele-town hall meeting that allowed constituents to submit questions online or over the phone to staffers, dial in and listen. Hageman said more than 100 constituents tuned into the call, down from around 500 who attended a chaotic recent town hall in Laramie that made national news. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrat town hall 2 Attendees listen to speakers at a town hall hosted by the Laramie County Democratic Party discussing the actions of Wyoming's U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman at Laramie County Community College on Friday. In order to get the number to dial in, attendees were required to list their full name, contact information and address in an online form. Some attending the Democratic Party event said sharing this personal information made them uncomfortable. Shortly after the event began, however, automated calls went out to Hagemans constituents, offering them the opportunity to listen in. Over the course of about an hour, Hageman answered 16 questions that had been previously submitted by those who listened to the live call. At the end of the event, she said she hopes to resume in-person town halls as soon as next month if we can get the temperature turned down a little bit and make sure that we can provide for the safety and security of people who attend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The questions she fielded ranged from the impacts of reported cuts of up to 80,000 Veterans Affairs jobs to the dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education on the state of Wyoming. She said that Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins is a friend of hers who cares deeply for U.S. veterans. She supported the cuts of the positions, saying that it weeds out waste, fraud and abuse. Hageman said the cuts focus specifically on the administration and bureaucracy, rather than the service providers of the VA. We need to have some changes at the VA, Hageman said. We need to go in. We need to be not just tinkering around the edges, we need to go into these agencies, pull up the hood, pull out the engines, start looking at all of the different things that go on in these agencies, find out what works, find out what doesnt work, and focus on the services that we need to provide to our men and women in service, as well as the veterans. Hageman also defended the dismantling of the federal Department of Education, saying that education was better off in Wyoming when she grew up and graduated from Lingle-Fort Laramie High School in 1981. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said she is confident Wyoming will be the best state in education going forward with the federal government out of it. Attendees at the Democratic event identified these as two of the top priorities they would have liked to ask Hageman about if she had been at LCCC Friday evening. Right now, its very scary to me for my grandchildren, one attendee, who asked not to be identified, said as she began to tear up. Right now, I dont (have hope), but Im hoping that will change. Her husband, who said he is a veteran, said he is concerned with how cuts to the VA may negatively impact veterans. Perhaps the top concern of those who gathered at LCCC Friday evening was Social Security. One of the three panelists at the event, Ted Hanlon, said he is currently receiving Social Security payments, and he wants to keep it that way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I know about Social Security; thats my money, thats not their money, he said. And then somebody tells me theyre going to take it away from me. And then they wont even listen to me when I want to talk about it? President Trump has said he will not cut Social Security, which has more than 70 million recipients. However, he does plan to cut jobs in the agency. Last month, the Social Security Administration announced plans to cut about 7,000 employees, or about 12% of its workforce. Hageman addressed Social Security on her call. She said that Congress cannot touch Social Security by law, but she knows that there is an enormous amount of fraud within the program. She said cutting federal spending in certain areas will help strengthen programs like Social Security. Someone who has 17 Social Security numbers that he is receiving Social Security on every single one of those, thats fraud. We need to wipe that out, she said. There are a whole variety of things, but I do believe that the President has made clear over and over and over again, we are not going to touch the benefits for Social Security Administration or Medicare, but were going to have to strengthen those programs if theyre going to exist a decade from now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also during the call, Hageman said she supports bipartisan legislation to have at least one United States Post Office Processing and Distribution Center in every state, she has been fighting a mandate on electronic identification eartags for cattle crossing state lines, and she supports most executive orders becoming law. We are in the process of, right now, writing the laws and introducing the laws to actually carry out those executive orders that should be written into law, she said. And not all of them should be, but some of them should be ... and they may need some tweaks. We may need to do things a little bit differently than whats going on with the President. But again, the executive orders are directed at the executive branch. They happen to impact us now because the executive branch has become so powerful. Thats the problem. Thats what Im trying to take care of. At the time of publication, President Trump had signed 103 executive orders since he took office Jan. 20. In former President Joe Bidens four years in office, he signed 162 executive orders. Snyder concluded by asking his attendees, Whats next? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said he is not hopeless about the future, but he is not optimistic that Hageman will deviate from the party line set by President Trump or listen to her Democratic constituents as the sole U.S. representative for the state of Wyoming. This is happening all over the country, where duly elected representatives are not showing up, and thats part of the job. Thats a lot of the job, showing up and being responsible and accountable and knowing your constituents in a meaningful way, and addressing issues if they may have them, he said. Not everything is rosy in our country right now, putting it mildly, and there is discontent all over the country, and for representatives, including Representative Hageman, not to answer for those things ... thats problematic. Schuylkill County Commissioners are expected to vote Wednesday on the settlement of a federal sexual harassment and assault lawsuit involving former Schuylkill County Commissioner George F. Halcovage Jr. Four women, all county employees, sued Halcovage and the county and other defendants in March 2021. The lawsuit accused Halcovage of sexual harassment, and in some cases sexual assault, and led to impeachment proceedings by the Legislature, which were not successful. Halcovage, who could not be reached for comment Tuesday, has denied the accusations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, Commissioner Larry Padora said he would comment on the settlement after a vote is taken by commissioners. The agenda outlines the amounts paid, but also includes the non-admission of liability by the county and county defendants. Commissioners announced last week that they would settle the case, which has had many twists and turns over the last four years. The Schuylkill County Courthouse in Pottsville. (FILE PHOTO) Judge: Pattern of rampant sexual harassment When U.S. Magistrate Judge Daryl F. Bloom denied a partial summary judgment sought by Halcovage and other defendants, and allowed the federal lawsuit to proceed, he said a jury could conclude the plaintiffs suffered adverse employment actions at the hands of Halcovage after they reported his unlawful, discriminatory behavior. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In this case, Bloom said in his ruling, we have no trouble finding that a jury could conclude that Halcovage, as the plaintiffs supervisor, engaged in a pattern of rampant sexual harassment of all four plaintiffs, as well as other female county employees, that was sufficiently severe or pervasive to alter the terms or conditions of their employment. The evidence also shows, Bloom wrote, that Halcovage repeatedly subjected the plaintiffs, as well as other female county employees, to harassing comments and jokes of a sexual nature. In December 2023, with four business days left in his tumultuous third term, Halcovage was permanently banned from the courthouse. He subsequently lost his bid for reelection in last years primary. A mediation was held March 11, which resulted in the decision to settle. Bloom, the judge, ordered the case administratively closed and directed all parties to submit a stipulation of dismissal within 60 days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Settlement also reached in retaliation case Money will also be paid for a case filed in March 2024 by one of the four women involving Kent Hatter, the former chief assessor; and Heidi Zula, the former human resources director, both defendants and the county, according to the commissioners agenda. Hatter and Zula are alleged to have retaliated, engaged in a hostile work environment, committed disparate treatment and committed aiding and abetting, according to court documents. The county is named in all the counts except aiding and abetting. Payouts to plaintiffs Melissa Goodman: $1,066,666.67 (Of that amount, $157,134.56 is for Goodman and $122,211.05 to her attorneys for one case and $472,392.64 to Goodman and $314,928.42 to her attorneys for another). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Angela Toomey: $1,066,666.66 (Of that, Toomey receives $629,659.05 and her attorneys receive $437,007.61). Denise Gerchak: $1,066,666.67 (Of that, Gerchak gets $629,659.06 and her attorneys receive $437,007.61). The countys insurance carrier will pay for $1,550,000; Hubric Resources, a firm the county hired for human resources work will pay $100,000; and the county will pay $1,550,000, according to the agenda. The Derek Smith Law Group in Philadelphia will receive $1,302,607.36 of the $1,550,000 paid by the county. Furthermore, the county will pay $247,302.94 to Goodman, according to the agenda. Catherine Lowry of the Derek Smith Law Group represented the plaintiffs. Commissioners previously approved a $1.7 million settlement for Jane Doe 1 in connection with the lawsuit in April 2024. Around 50% of Russians support a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine, according to a poll by the independent Russian pollster Levada Center published on April 1. The poll follows Ukraine's acceptance of a full 30-day ceasefire proposed by the U.S. during talks in Saudi Arabia on March 11. The Kremlin refused to accept the ceasefire immediately, demanding conditions that would undermine Kyiv's defenses, particularly by halting foreign military aid. Instead, Ukraine, Russia, and the U.S. agreed last week to a partial truce covering energy infrastructure and the Black Sea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The partial ceasefire has not come into effect either. Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of violating the ban on energy infrastructure strikes, and Moscow has stated that the Black Sea ceasefire would take effect only after some sanctions against Russia are lifted. The Levada Center survey found that 26% of respondents strongly support a truce, while 24% "somewhat support" it. Meanwhile, 41% oppose the idea, including 25% who strongly reject it. Support for a ceasefire is higher among women, young Russians under 24, and those critical of the country's direction, distrustful of President Vladimir Putin, or skeptical of state media. Those who watch television news less frequently or prefer independent sources, such as YouTube, are also more likely to back a pause in fighting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Opposition to the truce is more common among men, older Russians, Putin supporters, daily television viewers, and those who back Russia's war against Ukraine. Read also: Ukraine, Russia must focus on ceasefire over peace deal Many respondents against a ceasefire believe it would allow Ukraine time to rearm (37%), while others see it as pointless (9%) or insist Russia must "go all the way" (8%). Since launching its full-scale invasion, Moscow has intensified state propaganda, portraying the war as a defensive struggle against the West. Russian television talk shows glorify the military and suppress dissent, reinforcing the Kremlin's narrative that the war is essential for national survival. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Levada Center conducted the poll from March 22-26, surveying 1,615 adults across 137 settlements in 50 Russian regions. It is labeled a "foreign agent" in Russia under a law used to suppress independent media and NGOs. Since implementing the partial ceasefire, Ukraine and Russia have accused each other of violating the energy truce, while Moscow has linked the Black Sea deal's future to Western sanctions relief. Despite the mixed sentiment among the Russian public, the Kremlin has shown no sign of easing its broader war efforts, continuing large-scale assaults. While the Trump administration has long expressed frustration with Kyiv over its negotiating stance and hesitancy on a U.S.-backed minerals deal, Reuters reported on April 1 that Washington is now also growing impatient with Moscow. Read also: Ukraines sovereignty at stake in the US minerals deal Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. At least 73 people were killed during Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip over the course of Wednesday, according to the Hamas-controlled health authority. The figures do not distinguish between civilians or combatants and cannot be independently verified. The Palestinian news agency Wafa reported deadly attacks in Khan Younis in the south and in Al-Sawaida in the central Gaza Strip. Additionally, reports said there were many fatalities in Jabalia in the north of the territory when an Israeli airstrike hit a clinic operated by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). "The only thing that can stop our further advance is the release of our hostages," said Israel's Chief of General Staff Herzi Halevi, according to an Israeli army statement, during a troop visit in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. By Nidal al-Mughrabi CAIRO (Reuters) -A Gaza family's open admission this week that they killed an officer from the Hamas-run police force after they said a relative was shot dead has added to signs of popular dissent against the militant group after 18 months of war with Israel. It drew a warning from the Hamas-run interior ministry that actions that undermined public order would not be tolerated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But following protests against Hamas by hundreds of demonstrators in northern Gaza last month, the incident underscored the increasing willingness of some Gaza civilians to voice criticism or act against Hamas, which has run the Palestinian enclave since defeating the rival Fatah faction in 2007. On Wednesday, hundreds of Palestinians also rallied in Beit Lahiya, in the northern Gaza Strip, chanting "Hamas out" and "Enough death" in renewed protests against the Islamist faction. Residents were angered by new Israeli military evacuation orders, which the military said followed rocket salvoes by militants from the area. They may have been emboldened to take the streets by a sharply reduced presence of Hamas police and security forces in the past weeks since Israel's large-scale attacks have resumed, after a surge during a ceasefire in January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pockets of anti-Hamas sentiment were highlighted by the video of the street killing of the police officer going viral on social media. It showed him being shot in the head and then sprayed with bullets from an assault rifle as other men urged on the family members. The family, well known in Deir Al-Balah in central Gaza, issued a statement on social media, which was shared by several relatives, saying they had killed the officer, without identifying who had pulled the trigger, but also said it had not been a planned action. They said one of the family had been killed by a police officer as police tried to resolve a feud outside a flour storage site - rejecting that he had been caught by shrapnel. "We will not allow any party to spread chaos in Gaza Strip or take the law into their hands," Hamas said in a statement, adding that it had begun measures to bring those involved to justice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a separate statement, Hamas said the killing of the officer was a crime that only "serves Zionist goals in breaking the internal Palestinian front and spreads chaos and anarchy". In a different incident, in Gaza City, another family accused Hamas police of killing a relative and vowed vengeance. "The blood of our son will not be wasted," the family said in a statement. There was no immediate comment by the Hamas-led police about that incident. (Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi; Editing by Alison Williams) HAMPTON The City Council is interested in adding a voting precinct near Hampton University to address student voter accessibility after students waited in three-hour lines to vote during last years presidential election. The City Council discussed pursuing an additional precinct at a meeting last week. At that meeting, the council shot down proposals from the citys Electoral Board to move East Hamptons polling location from Phoebus High school, which currently sits about 300 feet outside the precinct, to a more central location. The council also rejected proposals to close four precincts and redraw seven others. Phoebus High School is where Hampton University students voted in Novembers presidential election. Despite having additional staff on site on Election Day, the precinct was overwhelmed with long lines and many students completing same-day voter registration waited nearly three hours to fill out paperwork. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Same-day voter registration took effect in Virginia in 2022. Nearly 600 Hampton University students utilized it during last years general election, according to Hampton Electoral Board Chair Rebecca Winn. While its great to see such high turnout for students, Winn said its the citys responsibility to improve voting accessibility for them. Theyre kids, theyre like 18 or 20. Theyre not registering however long it is in advance, Winn said. They dont have the rules on the front end, so oftentimes, college students are left out of the voting process. Creating a 31st precinct in Hampton is not a simple change. State law requires each precinct have a polling place within a mile of the precinct or inside it with between 500 and 5,000 registered voters. Hampton City Attorney Courtney Sydnor said in an emailed statement the city will work with the city Office of Elections to make the new precinct and the City Council will review and adjust the proposal. There will then be a public hearing process and 60-day attorney general review before any changes are made. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sydnor said during last weeks meeting it is unlikely for any potential changes to be implemented before this years June primaries. Hampton University did not respond to requests for comment this week about the proposal. Voting accessibility concerns for Hampton University students extend beyond same-day-registration, according to Winn, and include issues with receiving mail-in ballots for out-of-state students. Phoebus High School is also a nearly 40-minute walk from Hampton University. The university arranged for buses to transport students to the polling location. But Winn said scheduling conflicts with buses required many students to walk or Uber to their polling place and many students worried about long lines interfering with their attendance for classes, practices or work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The university did excuse absences for voters at the Electoral Boards request, Winn said. Winn said the barriers are enough to discourage students from participating in the process again, and should be addressed by creating accessibility that matches that of other universities throughout the state. A 1979 U.S. Supreme Court decision protects college and university students against voter disenfranchisement. Many universities in Virginia, including Old Dominion University, William & Mary and the University of Virginia have polling locations on the edges of their campuses. With regard to colleges and the needs of colleges and universities where there are dorms and on-campus living options, it would be treating Hampton University more equally to the way others are being treated, Winn said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NAACP Hampton Branch Chair Gaylene Kanoyton said students have grown more politically engaged since they first advocated for a Hampton University precinct in 2012, and have continued to show up despite experiencing disenfranchisement. Students have been advocating to have a polling precinct on their campus for a while. This is nothing new, Kanoyton said. They have the voting numbers to have a precinct. The numbers are there. We want to always expand the access to vote, its essential for a healthy democracy. Devlin Epding, 757-510-4037, devlin.epding@virginiamedia.com BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) Fun and engaging classes and activities and a special education program that provides more inclusive opportunities for students with special needs are part of what makes Hanahan Middle School our Cool School of the Week. The Hawks are flying high as the Coolest School. Hanahan Middle School is currently in villas, a temporary location, while the schools campus undergoes a major renovation and expansion project. HMS has around 800 students in sixth through eighth grade. Students are engaged in classes like Gateway to Technology, a pre-engineering class, health, and Spanish, and the school also has an award-winning jazz band. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of our main missions here at Hanahan Middle School is to make sure every person that comes into our building feels seen, heard, and loved, so we really do some extraordinary efforts to make sure were bringing all of our students into the climate into the school, so everybody can participate and feel like theyre a part of our school community, said Hahahan Middle School Principal Kelli Roberson. We do a lot of fun things, a bunch of activities that includes the whole school, said Sixth-grade student Kinsley Hildebrant. Not only is Hanahan Middle a News 2 Cool School, but they are also the Mount Pleasant Police Departments Special Olympics Polar Plunge Coolest School for raising more than $3,000 two years in a row. Stormy Walker is the special education teacher for students with mild intellectual disabilities. She says, Weve been the Coolest School two years in a row. Weve been doing the Polar Plunge two years in a row as well, so its just a really fun event that we get to be a part of. I really love that weve been able not only go there and do the event but bring the Polar Plunge here for our students to be able to participate in and our staff. Its something we highlight and look forward to every year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The school raised funds through a coin war. Students and staff put coins in the jar of the staff member they wanted to see in the dunk tank. Walker says, We raised 36-hundred dollars in total. Half of that is going to be able to come back to our Unified Program, so we can go on field trips, we can buy materials, we can get our uniforms for different field days, things like that with the supplies. Hanahan Middle has two Unified Classes. The Buddy program in Walkers class brings students from general education and special education together to learn from each other through activities and music, providing more inclusive opportunities for students with special needs. We like to provide them opportunities to not only learn, but also to apply what they learn throughout the building. We give them opportunities to go out and about with general education, but we have hands-on activities. Everything is very engaging and hands-on, said Walker. I like school because its fun, said sixth-grader JJ Mason. His buddy Jahyanna Reaves, an eighth-grade student, says, I like when we communicate with each other, have fun with each other doing other activities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eighth-grade student Adam Olmsted says, I like it. Its fun and you get to help them learn. Ayden Baylock, an eighth-grade student, is Adams Buddy. Ayden says, Its a good thing you get to spend some time with your buddy so, you can do some stuff with your buddy instead of doing things by yourself. you can play with your buddy and learn stuff with your buddy. Students in Walkers class are also in charge of the Hawk Express. Students roll around a cart and visit staff members with the treat cart every Friday. They deliver snacks and drinks provided by families and members of the community. Students also deliver positive affirmations. Thats one of the highlights of the week for our staff here. When they go around and visit all the teachers, and give them a little treat, a little word of encouragement. It helps them to get out and practice some of those social skills and be known by everybody in the school. I think its really special because of the people in this building and people around the building. Our community truly supports our school. They love our school. Our kids respect one another. They want to learn. Hanahan Middle School is a Cool School because we truly have the best students. We truly do. They are what makes it fun coming to work every single day, said Principal Roberson. If you would like to nominate a Cool School, teacher, or principal, send an email to Octavia Mitchell at omitchell@wcbd.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2. Apr. 1WILKES-BARRE A Hanover Township man was sentenced Tuesday for the drunken driving crash that killed 19-year-old Kaycee Ann Kreitzer, whose mother, as a Luzerne County 911 call-taker, received the emergency call last summer. Tyler Mizell, 20, of Pulaski Street, apologized during the emotional sentencing hearing before Luzerne County Judge Joseph F. Sklarosky Jr. "I apologize to the family; there is no excuse for anything I did," Mizell said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mizell's apology was hard to accept as Kreitzer's father, Adam Kreitzer, said he wanted to harm Mizell himself, and her sister said Mizell only had remorse for himself for being arrested. But it was Kreitzer's mother, Melisa Hanna, who learned her daughter was in a vehicle crash when Mizell called 911 on June 22, 2024. Hanna said her daughter enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps when she was 17 years old and was studying to become a diesel mechanic. "This past year has been dreadful," Hanna said, "Any sentence you receive will mean nothing to me." Pennsylvania State Police at Shickshinny, in court records, say Mizell had a blood alcohol level of .081 percent when he crashed a 2010 Chevrolet Colorado into an embankment at Nevel Hollow Road and Hunlock-Harveyville Road in Union Township. At the time of the crash, Mizell was 19-years-old. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A person under 21 years old is considered legally intoxicated with a blood alcohol level above .02 percent. Sklarosky noted Mizell did not adhere to warnings or the dangers of drunken driving when he pled guilty before Judge Michael T. Vough to an unrelated drunken driving offense on May 23, 2024, about one month before the fatal crash. Sklarosky sentenced Mizell to two to 10 years in state prison on charges of vehicular homicide, driving under the influence as a minor and reckless driving. Mizell pled guilty to the charges Jan. 28. Vough on Oct. 10 sentenced Mizell to six months probation for driving under the influence that involved striking a pedestrian in the area of Sans Souci Parkway and Main Road in Hanover Township on Sept. 16, 2023. Chicago suburbs held elections Tuesday in pivotal races for mayors, councils and more. Here are some election results from Aurora, Elgin, Elmhurst, Evanston, Glenbrook, Gurnee, Homer Glen, Naperville, Northbrook, North Chicago, Oak Park, Orland Park, Park Ridge, Skokie, the south suburbs, Thornton Township, Tinley Park and Waukegan. Aurora Abbey Kemph becomes emotional when celebrating mayoral challenger John Laesch during a watch party at Two Brothers Roundhouse on April 1, 2025, in Aurora. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune) Mayoral challenger John Laesch makes a celebratory speech at Two Brothers Roundhouse during a watch party on April 1, 2025, in Aurora. "Tonight the candle of hope burns a little brighter," Laesch said. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune) Calvin Wilson, right, hugs mayoral challenger John Laesch as people attend a watch party for at Two Brothers Roundhouse on Election Day on April 1, 2025, in Aurora. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune) State Sen. Karina Villa attends a watch party for mayoral challenger John Laesch at Two Brothers Roundhouse on April 1, 2025, in Aurora. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune) Mayoral challenger John Laesch makes a celebratory speech at Two Brothers Roundhouse during a watch party on April 1, 2025, in Aurora. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune) Aurora mayoral challenger John Laesch talks with supporters Dorothy Thompson, center, and Loretta Burke during his watch party at Two Brothers Roundhouse on April 1, 2025. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune) Show Caption1 of 7Mayoral challenger John Laesch, center, cheers as results roll in during a watch party at Two Brothers Roundhouse on April 1, 2025, in Aurora. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune)Expand Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Incumbent Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin has admitted defeat to his challenger, Ald. John Laesch, in the Aurora mayoral election. As of 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, Laesch had 52.32% of the vote while Irvin had 47.68% of the vote, according to unofficial voting results from DuPage, Kendall, Kane and Will counties, with all precincts reporting. Also, Aurora voters appear to have mostly kept incumbent candidates on City Council except in the alderman at-large race. Incumbent at-large Ald. Ron Woerman trailed challenger Keith Larson with his 41.95% of the vote to Larsons 58.05%, according to unofficial results Tuesday night from Kane, Kendall, DuPage and Will counties, with all precincts reporting. In addition, two incumbents board President Richard Kerns II and Julie Stone as well as challenger Erika Garcia appear to have won four-year seats on the West Aurora School District board in Tuesdays election. And voters in Will and DuPage counties appear to have reelected four incumbent Indian Prairie School District 204 board members, per unofficial results. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, voters appear to have shot down a referendum question in Kane County that would have increased the sales tax by 0.75% to pay for public safety expenses in the county. Elgin It appears the three incumbent Elgin City Council members running in Tuesdays election will return to the dais, joined by one newcomer. Elmhurst Incumbent Elmhurst Mayor Scott Levin appeared to defeat challenger Mark Mulliner by a wide margin, taking 6,436 votes, or 71% of the 9,000 votes cast, according to unofficial results from Tuesdays voting. Mulliner, the citys longest serving alderman before leaving the City Council two years ago, drew an unofficial tally of 2,625 votes, or 29%. Here are some election results from Aurora, Elgin, Elmhurst, Evanston, Glenbrook, Gurnee, Homer Glen, Naperville, Northbrook, North Chicago, Oak Park, Orland Park, Skokie, the south suburbs, Thornton Township, Tinley Park and Waukegan. Evanston Evanston voters appear to want to keep the momentum going on a number of issues in the city, including Ryan Field, reparations, Envision Evanston and others, by retaining the incumbent mayor, unofficial Cook County Clerks office election results show. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mayor Daniel Biss declared victory over challenger Jeff Boarini after unofficial results showed he had captured about 60% of the vote to about 40% for Boarini. Glenbrook A slate of candidates that received endorsements from a local caucus, an educator union and a support staff union appears poised to win seats on the Glenbrook School District 225 Board of Education. With all 62 precincts reporting Tuesday night, unofficial results showed incumbents Peter Glowacki and Matthew OHara and newcomers John Jack Downing and Beth Hope receiving a majority of the vote over opponents, and newcomers, Julian Cheng, Lowell Paul Eisenstadt and Lisa Kane. Gurnee Gurnee Mayor Tom Hood appeared headed for a second term in office after his opponent, Trustee Quin OBrien, conceded the election Tuesday night. Hood was leading 69.99% to 30.01%, or 2,533 to 1,086 votes, according to unofficial results posted Wednesday morning by the Lake County Clerks Office. Homer Glen Rose Reynders, Michael LePore and Nicholas Muller had a commanding lead Tuesday night in a race for three 4-year seats on the Homer Glen Village Board. The Homer Glen trustee race featured mostly newcomers to village politics. Naperville Wth all Naperville precincts in DuPage and Will counties reporting, incumbents Benny White and Ian Holzhauer appeared headed toward another term on Naperville City Council alongside newcomers Mary Gibson and Ashfaq Syed, according to unofficial results. Incumbent Jennifer Bruzan Tayor was trailing behind as the fifth-highest vote getter in the eight-way race for the four, four-year council seats up for election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And with all the votes counted in Will and DuPage counties, unofficial results show incumbents Leslie Ruffing, Alison Thompson and Rhonda Ansier headed toward second terms on the Naperville Park Board, joined by newcomer Aishwarya Balakrishna. Here are unofficial Naperville election results for council, park board and other races. Northbrook In unofficial results from Tuesdays election, voters supported referendums in both Northbrook School District 28 and Northbrook School District 27. North Chicago Already North Chicagos longest-serving chief executive, Mayor Leon Rockingham Jr. claimed victory Tuesday night in his bid for an unprecedented sixth term that will give him another four years to add to his 20-year tenure and continue to push his agenda forward. Oak Park After what was an unusually contentious and at times personal battle, incumbent Oak Park Village President Vicki Scaman appeared to win a convincing victory over challenger Ravi Parakkat, a member of the Village Board, according to preliminary results from Tuesdays municipal elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also, the liberal status quo appeared to have scored a big victory in the Oak Park and River Forest High School District 200 School Board race after Tuesdays election, although whether it was a clean sweep wont be known for a few weeks. Orland Park Keith Pekau conceded defeat Tuesday evening in his bid for a third term as Orland Park mayor, with challenger Jim Dodge ahead with nearly all precincts reporting. With 44 of 45 precincts reporting, Dodge had 57% of the vote to 43% for Pekau, unofficial results show. Park Ridge In Park Ridge, Martin Marty Maloney appears to have breezed to another term as mayor, holding off a challenge from the current city clerk Sal Raspanti. And sfter squeaking out a win last election for his current role as Park Ridge city clerk, Sal Raspanti was on pace Tuesday night to be decisively defeated in his bid for mayor, with incumbent Martin Marty Maloney appearing to breeze into another term. Michael Lupo, however, captured 56% of the vote to replace Raspanti as city clerk, according to unofficial vote totals from the Cook County clerks office. Skokie Former Skokie official Ann Tennes declared victory in the race for Skokie mayor Tuesday, with unofficial results from the Cook County Clerks office showing she commanded a hefty percentage of vote totals. The victory starts a new era in the village of about 65,000 after 24-year mayor George Van Dusen chose not to run for another term. South suburbs There were more than two dozen mayor and village president races to be decided Tuesday night in the south and southwest suburbs. Unofficial results from Cook and Will counties show some incumbents heading toward defeat. See unofficial results of those races. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also, several high school district boards were on the ballot in Tuesdays election, with voters in the south and southwest suburbs electing members to full and shortened terms. See unofficial results from the Cook and Will county clerk offices. Thornton Township State Sen. Napoleon Harris and members of his Democratic slate were far ahead of other candidates seeking positions on the Thornton Township Board, according to unofficial results Tuesday from the Cook County clerks office. With 102 of 104 precincts reporting, Harris had 74%, followed by Independent candidate Nate Fields with 10.8%, Republican Richard Nolan with 10.4% and Harvey Mayor Christopher Clark with 4.6%. Tinley Park More than 50 people packed the dining room of a Tinley Park restaurant Tuesday night, rallying in support of Mayor Michael Glotz as he seeks a second term, along with his One Tinley Park slate. Unofficial results show Glotz leading with 59.7% of the vote over Michael Maloney, a former union executive, with all precincts reporting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also leading was Glotzs One Tinley Park slate, which includes Village Clerk Nancy OConnor, with 58.8% of the vote or Cynthia Cindy OBoyle. Waukegan Former Waukegan Mayor Sam Cunningham, the citys first Black chief executive, declared victory Tuesday night in his bid to regain the office he lost four years ago, thus extending the citys 28-year string of one-term mayors. Leading in a four-candidate race, Cunningham was ahead of incumbent Mayor Ann Taylor, who defeated him four years ago to become the citys first woman chief executive, according to unofficial results. Black queer activist Preston Mitchum has been on PrEP pre-exposure prophylaxis, a medication used to reduce the risk of getting HIV since around 2014, just two years after its approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The Washington, D.C., resident remembers the barriers he and many others faced when trying to secure PrEP before 2021, when almost all private insurers had to start making the drug available at no cost to patients under the Affordable Care Act. It was exorbitantly expensive when I first attempted to access it, the 39-year-old said, explaining that had he not had an insurance plan that covered PrEP, or at least part of it, the drug couldve cost around $2,000 a month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But PrEP might soon be beyond reach once again. The U.S. Supreme Court is gearing up to hear Kennedy v. Braidwood Management Inc., a case that could effectively sever access to cost-free preventive care services including PrEP. The courts decision could have major implications for Black Americans, who are more likely than other demographic groups to underutilize the drug. Though Black Americans account for roughly half of the countrys HIV diagnoses, studies have shown that only about 12% of PrEP users are Black. A decision in the Braidwood case is expected this summer. This uncertainty comes as extensive job cuts rattle federal health agencies, including sections responsible for HIV research. One infectious diseases expert remarked that this latest round of mass layoffs some 10,000 workers were fired on Tuesday will go down as one of the darkest days in modern scientific history. In the years since it gained popularity, PrEP has helped to slow the spread of HIV particularly among queer men, a population devastated by the virus in the 1980s and 90s and combat the stigma associated with it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that annual new HIV infections were 12% lower in 2021 the year that the ACA mandate went into effect than in 2017, and that this decline was driven in part by the increased use of PrEP among gay and bisexual men, who account for about two-thirds of new HIV infections. Notably, the power of PrEP isnt evenly felt. Most new infections in 2021 were among gay and bisexual men; Black men, however, made up the majority of that group. Likewise, Black women accounted for most new infections among women. These disparities suggest less awareness of and access to PrEP among Black Americans due to health care deserts and other structural barriers. Still, health advocates are united in their calls for the Supreme Court to ease peoples ability to get on PrEP. Doing so, they stress, would advance the meaningful gains that have been made in recent years. Among Black gay and bisexual men, for instance, new infections were 27% lower in 2021 than in 2017, according to the CDC report. To 75-year-old Joyce Turner Keller, whos been living with HIV for nearly 25 years, eliminating the no-cost coverage mandate for PrEP would be like issuing a death sentence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, shes the founder and CEO of Aspirations, a nonprofit organization that connects those with HIV to care; the group also provides testing to those at higher risk of getting the virus, including Black women. What we need to do is make sure that all Americans are afforded every opportunity to have proper health care, Keller told Capital B. When we dont get that, we die. The whiplash of possibly losing PrEP coverage At its core, the case grapples with the constitutionality of the ACAs no-cost requirement for a variety of preventive care services. In 2020, two small Christian-owned businesses Kelley Orthodontics and Braidwood Management Inc. and a group of Texas residents went to federal court. They challenged the ACA mandate that insurers cover certain preventive care services, with some of the residents even claiming that drugs such as PrEP encourage and facilitate homosexual behavior. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among other things, the plaintiffs argued that the structure of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force violates the Constitution. The task force is under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and if it gives an A- or B-level recommendation to a preventive care service PrEP falls into this group, as do heart medications and a number of cancer screenings then, per the ACA, insurers must cover that service at no cost to patients. In June 2024, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit affirmed a 2023 District Court ruling that the ACA mandate based on the task forces recommendation is unconstitutional under the Appointments Clause, because its members arent appointed by the president with Senate confirmation. The federal government appealed the decision to the Supreme Court, which announced at the beginning of this year that it will review the constitutionality of the mandate. Oral argument is expected in April; a decision could be issued by late June or early July. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (Relying on the landmark 2014 case Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores Inc., the District Court in 2022 found that the mandate violates Braidwoods religious freedoms, but the Supreme Court is zooming in on the narrow issue of the structure of the task force.) To Mitchum, a civil rights attorney and the former director of federal advocacy and government affairs at The Trevor Project, the legal resistance to broadening access to PrEP coverage goes against the core mission of the countrys public health system, which is designed to stem the spread of disease and prevent premature deaths. Preston Mitchum is a civil rights attorney and the former director of federal advocacy and government affairs at The Trevor Project. (Crystale Vail Spearman/Eye Imagery) Not only that, he said, but the opposition to expanded access to PrEP is particularly galling to Black queer communities because of the lingering trauma of the AIDS crisis, which began in the early 1980s and, by the end of the decade, had become one of the leading causes of death among young Americans. I think a lot about our Black queer elders who lost friends and family to AIDS, Mitchum said. I can only imagine the whiplash of seeing preventive care services become available services that couldve saved people you love and then having to deal with them possibly being taken away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement George M. Johnson, a 39-year-old Black queer activist and the author of the 2020 memoir-manifesto All Boys Arent Blue, shared some of Mitchums sentiments, and also underscored the ongoing threat that HIV poses to Black communities. Its still really an epidemic for us, Johnson, who was diagnosed with HIV about 15 years ago, told Capital B. I started talking about [my status] publicly because we know that there are a lot of people within Black communities who live with HIV and feel silenced. They dont want to talk about it. And they dont have to talk about it, but its important that some are as vocal as Phill Wilson and Ron Simmons were in the 80s and 90s. We need those voices today. Advocates fear a spike in infections Neutralizing no-cost coverage of PrEP could be catastrophic, health experts and advocates warn. A 2023 report from the Yale School of Public Health found that such a move could result in more than 2,000 preventable HIV infections a year. And Black Americans and other vulnerable groups would bear the brunt of that spike. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The harms of the Braidwood ruling will be borne disproportionately by racial and ethnic socio-demographic groups at particularly high risk for HIV infection, according to Meredithe McNamara, an assistant professor of pediatrics at the Yale School of Medicine and one of the reports authors. The burden of new restrictions on access to PrEP will fall on Black and Latino gay and bisexual men, as well as transgender women, who already face significant barriers to HIV prevention and care, she added. The harms felt by indirect beneficiaries of PrEP, including children, must not be ignored. Keller, with the Louisiana nonprofit, emphasized that whats important is boosting knowledge of and access to HIV prevention, not just treatment. Depending on the basis of the Supreme Courts decision, the U.S. could return to a time, not too long ago, when only the latter was possible. Its her determination to move the country forward that motivates her to continue her grassroots work. She travels around the Pelican State with a particular focus on rural areas to provide HIV testing, connect people to care, and host conversations on issues ranging from HIV to sex to gender identity to domestic violence to racial bias in the health care system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She worries that the latter may be at work in the persistent issues with access to care among Black Americans, especially Black women, who are too often overlooked in conversations about HIV and PrEP, even though they could benefit considerably from using the drug. Research has shown that less than 2% of eligible Black cisgender women use PrEP, and that theres similarly low uptake among eligible Black transgender women. We cant forget to talk about Black women, who are the women most likely to acquire HIV, Keller said. Racism plays a large part in what we do or do not get in our community. And Im not content with people in my community dying dying because theyre not getting the resources they need. Mitchum also stressed the necessity of access, specifically the way that affordability deeply shapes whether someone is on PrEP: Just because a drug is technically available doesnt mean that you can actually obtain it if the cost is too high. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Millions could lose guaranteed coverage, meaning that plans and employers would have to determine the preventive care services they would cover and the cost-sharing they would charge. This would likely result in irregular coverage that would only heighten the hurdles that Black Americans already face when it comes to safeguarding their health. No one is accidentally on PrEP. Its a consistent regimen that you have to talk with your medical provider about, Mitchum said. And if you think that youre going to engage in sex thats considered riskier, then the best thing you can do is protect yourself on your terms and in your own way. The fact that peoples ability to protect themselves could be denied when we say that thats what we want them to do? That just feels like a slap in the face. The post What Happens If a Highly Effective HIV-Prevention Drug Is No Longer Free? appeared first on Capital B News. Argentina has initiated gas exports from its Vaca Muerta shale formation to Brazil, utilising Bolivian pipelines. This strategic deal involves TotalEnergies, Bolivia's YPFB and Matrix Energia, and marks a significant step in establishing a long-term route for Argentina's gas to markets in Brazil. Approximately 500,000m of gas was exported through the Bolivian pipeline, reported Reuters, citing sources. "The objective of the unprecedented operation is to ensure the technical viability of the logistics network," Matrix Energia said in a statement. Matrix Energia has entered into agreements with both Total's Argentine division and Bolivia's YPFB, establishing a tripartite operational agreement. Initially, Bolivia was reluctant to charge a tolling fee for its infrastructure as the country preferred to buy gas from Argentina and resell it to Brazil. However, negotiations have progressed after several potential supply contracts were identified, the report said. The pipeline in Bolivia, historically carrying Bolivian gas to Brazil and Argentina, faces declining volumes due to Bolivia's reduced gas output, necessitating new suppliers and solutions. For Brazil, the arrival of Vaca Muerta gas aligns with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's goal of providing cheaper gas to the country's industry. Sustained exports could also benefit Argentina, whose gas output is increasing under President Javier Milei's policies, potentially improving the country's energy trade balance. The tripartite agreement includes a spot contract allowing supply interruptions to Brazil during Argentina's higher winter demand. While Bolivia's YPFB did not comment, Brazil's Petrobras is exploring contracts to import liquefied natural gas and negotiating pipeline supplies from Argentina. Petrobras' former chief of energy transition, Mauricio Tolmasquim, was quoted as saying: I think that there is a real possibility to make some deal. In a related development, CB&I has secured a contract for the engineering, procurement, fabrication and construction of new storage facilities at the Vaca Muerta crude oil exportation facility in Punta Colorada, Argentina. Awarded by VMOS, the project involves building storage with a total capacity of 630,000m, equivalent to four million barrels. "Argentina commences Vaca Muerta gas exports to Brazil through Bolivian pipelines" was originally created and published by Offshore Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. A 30-year-old southwest Harnett County man was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison on Monday for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Jeremy Shane Gentry Jr., who also apparently previously lived in Hope Mills, pleaded guilty on Dec. 6, 2024 and was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Greensboro, according to a release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of North Carolina. His sentence follows an incident on Jan. 14, 2022 when officers responded to a call about a man with a gun at 1026 Post Office Road in Sanford. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deputies Amezquita, Thomas and Daniel Holmes responded, according to the release, and after Amezquita told Gentry he was going to pat him down, Gentry responded by reaching toward his right hip. At that point, Holmes grabbed Gentry from behind and Gentry produced a Sig Sauer .45-caliber pistol and fired on Holmes. The bullet struck Holmes' bullet-proof vest, but he was not seriously injured. Gentry then placed his gun to his head and pulled the trigger, but the gun malfunctioned and no bullet was discharged, according to the release. He was then detained. Gentry, of 38 McDuffie Road, southeast of Cameron Hill Road, still faces several charges in Lee County, including attempted first-degree murder, assault on a law enforcement officer with a firearm, trafficking opium and a schedule 2 controlled substance, possession with intent to sell marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He has an administrative hearing set for Sept. 22 in regard to those charges. In November 2018, Gentry was sentenced to between one and two years in prison on consolidated charges of involuntary servitude and promoting prostitution. NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) Grieving families say theyve been taken advantage of by a local monument company. They say all theyre trying to do is honor their loved ones whove passed. Since we first aired this story, it has taken many twists and turns. Now, a good Samaritan has stepped forward, weve learned the Connecticut Attorney Generals Office is taking swift action, and the owner of this monument company talked exclusively with News 8 Investigative Reporter Jeff Derderian. Connecticut families claim they were scammed by monuments company Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone that has a stone, they are going to get it, but right now Im having my lawyer dealing with all this, said Eric Reichbart, the owner of Spartan-Giordano Monuments in New Haven. Michelle Groom said she paid in full for her moms stone, but still doesnt have it. It sits unfinished behind the businesss fence. He showed me the mockup, her picture is right here, I finished paying him off, and I never heard nothing else, Groom said. I wanted to put it down for her birthday because I wasnt ready at the time when she passed, because it makes it final. Groom is not alone. Willona Ferguson is still waiting for her moms marker. But her story took an unexpected turn. A stranger has stepped forward, offering to help the family get the cemetery marker at a deep discount. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My family is very, very grateful and thankful, Ferguson said. But I still, even for other families, we want to see justice served because this shouldnt happen at all. Reichbart answered the door and answered our questions. He promised he would get people their stones once he was in a new location, and he never meant to hurt anyone. Listen, when I make a stone, I treat it, I make it a really good stone, Reichbart said. I had no idea I was going to get sick. Volunteers clean community garden in honor of Yales inauguration of president Connecticut Attorney General William Tong told News 8 that a 14-page civil demand letter is now being sent to the owner. The letter demands several things from the owner, including information related to any complaints. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Specifically, all communications, contracts, agreements, orders, bills, payments and a complete description of all services provided to the consumer. The Civil Investigative Demand or CID requires information by a certain date, and this is an actual law enforcement response, so we do expect it to be taken seriously, Tong said. Reichbart said hell personally contact everyone when hes in his new spot. The attorney generals office sent him a demand letter, which he must answer by 5 p.m. April 25. Watch the full story above. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. New London When John Sharon arrived at his Connecticut College dorm in August 1982, he had the distinction of being only the second physically disabled student enrolled in the schools history. The first student was here in the late 1960s and I was told she used a walker to get around, said Sharon, a 61-year-old North Carolina school administrator who was born with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita, a rare condition that affects his muscles and bones. On Tuesday, Sharon adjusted his leg braces and sat down on a cushioned chair inside the colleges new Disability Cultural Center ahead of a grand opening ceremony later in the day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As he looked around at student artwork, blue-trimmed windows and a wide entryway, Sharon compared the amenities to his time on campus, well before federal disabilities requirements were in place and accessibility was a foreign concept even to him. It wasnt until a friend mentioned the idea of accessibility that I really looked around, he said. And the more I looked, the more I saw. And I got mad. But I know anger would just shut down conversations about what was needed. So Sharon channeled his outrage about a lack of elevators, too many steps and too few ramps into activism. About a year later, he and some friends hosted the colleges first disability awareness week complete with student volunteers spending a week in wheelchairs loaned by a local pharmacy. So, my mind is blown being here, he said, looking around the center. Its gratifying. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From beer pong to a "place of belonging" Discussions over a disability center began about two years ago at the urging of students seeking a dedicated space to call their own, said Jillian Heilman, the colleges director of student accessibility services. Heilman noted the campus already boasted similar centers for LGBTQ+, Muslim and Jewish students along with a sexual violence prevention and advocacy group. These are spaces where events can be hosted and students can feel at home, she said, adding the center had a soft opening over the fall. The college was able to convert a former dorm room and quad area inside the Smith House dormitory into new office and center spaces by stripping out old carpets, repainting walls, widening doors and generally airing out the rooms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This used to be a mens quad and when we walked in last year, it still smelled like stale beer the rumor mill says the room had a beer pong table, Heilman said, pointing out puzzle tables and book stacked near a microwave and refrigerator. Now its a place of belonging. Becca Bachenheimer, a 21-year-old junior from New York's Westchester County, is a center volunteer who works to keep the area welcoming, from ensuring lighting, temperature and sound levels are kept correct to answering guests questions. Bachenheimer, who suffers from chronic pain and movement issues, said students with her challenges can find traditional study and social spaces uncomfortable. Its calming and quiet here, but its still a place to meet with other students, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heilman said about 500 of the colleges 2,000 students have registered with a disability with her office. Those disabilities range from physical issues mobility, sight and hearing to those related to mental health or neurodivergent diagnosis. Intention, not afterthought Anna Vredevoogd, 21, of Chelmsford, Mass., who uses a wheelchair to navigate around campus, helped spearhead the student push for a new center. Having this means we matter, that disability culture is important to the college, said Vredevoogd, co-president of the schools Disability Affinity Club. Vredevoogd said a big challenge for disabled students is finding and connecting with peers sharing similar backgrounds and experiences, a problem other disabled students said they also faced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "When I first came here, I had a hard time finding anyone else like me and now disabled people and their allies can come right in," she said. "My hope is the changes made by this class will give the next class of disabled students an easier time here. Alex Eikinas, a 21-year-old immunocompromised junior with arthritis and mobility issues, said too often accessible spaces are afterthoughts, places cobbled together without vision. This place was intentionally made, though, Eikinas said. Its a place to meet with friends, to get advice and be our authentic selves. If you have a place like this, a community forms. And community is the backbone of change. j.penney@theday.com HONOLULU (KHON2) Hawaiis economy heavily relies on tourism, but this makes it vulnerable to changes in travel safety perceptions. In recent months, other countries have issued travel warnings to the United States, and this could hurt Hawaiis tourism industry. To address this, community leaders in Hawaii have long been working to diversify our economy, and one way theyre doing this is by strengthening its film industry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since the late 1990s, Hawaii has used tax incentives to attract film and television productions. Local attorney Bill Meyer was a key player in securing work shoot the hit TV series LOST in Hawaii. We worked really hard to get the show brought to Hawaii, and it paid off, said Meyer. Not only does the film industry bring millions of dollars in revenue to the state each year, but tourism also gains a big leg up with a lot of visitors coming to the Hawaii because of their exposure to Hawaii in a series or a film. These incentives were designed to make Hawaii an appealing location for filmmakers by offering them a break on taxes. In 1997, Hawaii introduced its first film tax credit, which offered a 4% tax credit on production costs. The program grew over time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The film industry isnt just about cameras and actors, explained Meyer. Its about jobs, infrastructure, and putting Hawaii on the global stage. By 2006, the tax credit was raised to 15% for filming on Oahu and 20% for other islands. The tax credit was further boosted in 2013, which helped bring even bigger productions to Hawaii. A key part of the legislation, called the Motion Picture, Digital Media, and Film Production Income Tax Credit, has been adjusted over the years to keep Hawaii competitive. If we want to keep Hawaii competitive, we need to adapt, said Meyer. Stronger incentives mean more productions, more jobs, and a more resilient economy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For example, in 2023, the tax credit was increased to 22% for Oahu and 27% for the Neighbor Islands. The state also set caps on how much money could be claimed, which ensures that the program remains effective without overburdening the state budget. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You For example, Hawaii set a cap of $50 million per year for the entire program starting in 2023. These tax incentives have paid off. In 2022, Hawaiis film industry contributed around $577 million to the states economy. Every dollar the state invests in film incentives brings back many more in economic activity, said Meyer. Thats a smart investment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This included money spent by production companies on everything from hiring local crew members to purchasing materials. For this large investment in our economy, the state only provided $74.5 million in tax credits. That means the film industry received a financial boost to encourage continued filming in the state. Studios dont just come here for the scenery, explained Meyer. They come for the talent, the resources, and the commitment to making productions work. A new bill is circulating through the Hawaii State Senate, SB732. James Kunane Tokioka, Director of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, pointed out these four important facts when it comes to tax incentives for the film industry in Hawaii. 1. On the industrys economic impact: Hawaiis film industry has consistently demonstrated its ability to generate significant economic benefits for the state, supporting thousands of jobs and injecting hundreds of millions of dollars into the local economy. 2. On tax incentives for the film industry: The proposed amendments to the Motion Picture, Digital Media, and Film Production Tax Credit seek to enhance Hawaiis competitiveness by attracting more high-budget productions while ensuring greater economic returns for the state. 3. On workforce development: By expanding workforce training provisions and increasing local hiring incentives, this bill aims to cultivate a sustainable and thriving film industry that provides long-term career opportunities for Hawaii residents. 4. On tourism and cultural representation: The visibility of Hawaii in major film and television productions not only boosts tourism but also allows for authentic storytelling that reflects the rich cultural heritage of the islands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tourism will always be vital, but film offers a way to showcase Hawaii beyond just being a vacation destination, added Meyer. You can click here to access information on SB32 and here to read Tokiokas full statement. With more countries issuing travel warnings and tourism potentially declining, these legislative efforts help ensure Hawaii has another way to create jobs and support its economy. Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHONs morning podcast, every morning at 8 By growing the film industry, Hawaii can reduce its dependence on tourism while building a more sustainable future. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2. STAR-ADVERTISER / SEPT. 13, 2024 Attorney General Anne Lopez has joined attorneys general and governors from 22 other states and the District of Columbia in a lawsuit against the Trump administrations cancellation of $11 billion in federal grants the states were allocated during the COVID-19 pandemic. 1 /2 STAR-ADVERTISER / SEPT. 13, 2024 Attorney General Anne Lopez has joined attorneys general and governors from 22 other states and the District of Columbia in a lawsuit against the Trump administrations cancellation of $11 billion in federal grants the states were allocated during the COVID-19 pandemic. LEAH MILLIS / REUTERS The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services building in Washington, D.C., is seen in this photo from Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2 /2 LEAH MILLIS / REUTERS The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services building in Washington, D.C., is seen in this photo from Thursday. STAR-ADVERTISER / SEPT. 13, 2024 Attorney General Anne Lopez has joined attorneys general and governors from 22 other states and the District of Columbia in a lawsuit against the Trump administrations cancellation of $11 billion in federal grants the states were allocated during the COVID-19 pandemic. LEAH MILLIS / REUTERS The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services building in Washington, D.C., is seen in this photo from Thursday. A group of Democratic-led states, including Hawaii, today sued President Donald Trumps administration to challenge its cancellation of $11 billion in federal grants the states were allocated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attorneys general and governors from 23 states and the District of Columbia in a lawsuit filed in federal court in Rhode Island argue the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services lacks the authority to unilaterally claw back funding the states had already built health programs around. The grant funding was being used by states to track, prevent and control infectious diseases, including measles and bird flu, as well as track mental health services and fund addiction treatment. The Hawaii Department of the Attorney General said in a news release today that the state could lose over $89 million from the grant terminations. The federal grants fund Hawaii Department of Health contracts for data infrastructure and modernization, community support services, substance abuse prevention services, public health staff, and capital improvements and equipment upgrades for state labs on Oahu and Kauai, state officials said. Many of the contracts may have to be terminated if the money is not restored, they added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The HHS cuts threaten the urgent public health needs of Hawaii and other states around the country at a time when emerging disease threatssuch as measles and bird fluare on the rise, Gov. Josh Green said in the news release. Don 't miss out on what 's happening ! Stay in touch with breaking news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It 's FREE ! Email 28141 Sign Up By clicking to sign up, you agree to Star-Advertiser 's and Google 's and. This form is protected by reCAPTCHA. Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez added, Congress made wide-ranging public health investments that support and protect community health programs, prepare states for future health threats and fund local partnerships with community health providers. Hawaii relied upon the federal governments legally binding obligations. Terminating hundreds of millions of dollars in in federal grants obligated to Hawaii that have already been appropriated by Congress, without notice, is unlawful and harms our most vulnerable and underserved communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RELATED STORY : HHS officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The slash in funding was the latest wave of cuts to be overseen by new Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The department said the funds were largely used for COVID-19 testing, vaccination, and other responses to the pandemic in announcing the termination of the grants last week. The COVID-19 pandemic is over, and HHS will no longer waste billions of taxpayer dollars responding to a non-existent pandemic that Americans moved on from years ago, the department said at the time. The funding included money from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for pandemic preparedness, overdose prevention and community health programs, and from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration for addiction treatment and suicide prevention. By eliminating billions in critical funding for essential public health initiatives, the administration is effectively telling the American people to fend for themselves, Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha said in a statement. Deputy Chief Tim Greenwood (Courtesy Hays Police Department) HAYS, Kan. (KSNW) The Hays Police Department has a new second-in-command. Chief of Police Don Scheibler announced in a news release Tuesday the promotion of longtime officer Tim Greenwood to deputy chief of police, effective immediately. The 27-year veteran brings extensive experience to his new role. He started as a patrol officer in 1998 and has progressed to sergeant, lieutenant, and training coordinator. Tim Greenwood has consistently demonstrated strong leadership and a deep commitment to the community, Chief Scheibler said in the release. He has a wealth of experience and a proven track record of helping the department move forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Greenwood has held various department roles, including field supervision and tactical command. He has also been a key figure in the Hays Police Departments Special Situation Response Team, serving as team leader from 2005 to 2011 and as commander since. State of Kansas tax collections $13M below estimate His experience in tactical leadership and training has been essential to the departments readiness and performance, Scheibler said. Were excited to have him step into this new role. Greenwood is a Fort Hays State University graduate with a criminal justice degree. He completed the Kansas University certified public manager program and the Kansas Police Administrator Seminar at KLETC. He has been on the executive board of the Kansas Peace Officers Association since 2020 and currently serves as president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tims leadership has earned him respect across the state, Scheibler said. His involvement at the state level has brought valuable insight to our department and reflects his ongoing commitment to the law enforcement profession. Greenwood succeeds former Deputy Chief Brian Dawson, who retired in March after more than 25 years with the department. In his new role, Greenwood will take on administrative and operational oversight of the department, helping to shape departmental policies and support strategic initiatives. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. Children at The Playing Field, a Madison child care center that participates in the federal Head Start program. (Courtesy of The Playing Field) Head Start child care providers in Wisconsin and five other Midwestern states were stunned Tuesday to learn that the federal agencys Chicago regional office was closed and their administrators were placed on leave throwing new uncertainty into the operation of the 60-year-old child care and early education program. The Regional Office is a critical link to maintaining program services and safety for children and families, said Jennie Mauer, executive director of the Wisconsin Head Start Association, in a statement distributed to news organizations Tuesday afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The surprise shutdown of the federal agencys Chicago office and four others across the country left Head Start program directors uncertain about where to turn, Mauer said. We have received calls throughout the day from panicked Head Start programs worried about impacts to approving their current grants, fiscal issues, and applications to make their programs more responsive to their local communities, Mauer said. The regional offices are part of the Office of Head Start in the Administration for Children and Families at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). In an interview, Mauer said there had been no official word to Head Start providers about the Chicago office closing. Some program leaders learned of the closing from private contacts with people in the office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have not seen official information come out to local Head Start directors, who operate on the federal grants that fund the program, Mayer said. Its just really alarming. For an agency that is about serving families, I dont understand how this can be. The National Head Start Association issued a press release Tuesday expressing deep concern about the regional office closings. In order to avoid disrupting services for children and families, we urge the administration to reconsider these actions until a plan has been created and shared widely, the association stated. Katie Hamm, the deputy assistant secretary for early childhood development at HHS during the Biden administration, posted on LinkedIn shortly before 12 noon Tuesday that she had learned of reduction-in-force (RIF) notices to employees in the Administration for Children and Families earlier in the day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RIF notices appear to have gone to all employees of the Office of Head Start and the Office of Child Care in five regional offices, Hamm wrote, in Boston, New York, San Francisco and Seattle in addition to Chicago. Staff are on paid leave effective immediately and no longer have access to their files, Hamm wrote. There does not appear to be a transition plan so that Head Start grantees, States, and Tribes are assigned to a new office. For Head Start, it is unclear who will administer grants going forward. Hamm left HHS at the end of the Biden administration in January, according to her LinkedIn profile. Mauer said regional office employees are our key partners and colleagues, and their departure has left Head Start operators incredibly saddened and deeply concerned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Regional employees work with providers to ensure the safety and quality of services and to meet the mission of providing care for the most vulnerable families in the country, Mauer said. The regional offices provide grant oversight, distribute funds, monitor Head Start programs and advise centers on complying with regulations, including for child safety, she said. They also provide training and technical assistance for local Head Start programs. The Regional Office is a critical link to maintaining program services and safety for children and families, Mauer said. These cuts will have a direct impact on programs, children, and families. In addition to Wisconsin, the Chicago regional office oversees programs in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Minnesota. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Head Start supervises about 284 grants across the six states in programs that enroll about 115,000 children, according to Mauer. There are 39 Head Start providers in Wisconsin enrolling about 16,000 children and employing about 4,000 staff. The federal government created Head Start in the mid-1960s to provide early education for children living in low-income households. Head Start operators report that the vast majority of the families they serve rely on the program to provide child care so they can hold jobs. The regional office closings came two months after a sudden halt in Head Start funding. Head Start operators get a federal reimbursement after they incur expenses, and program directors have been accustomed to being able to submit their expenses and receive reimbursement payments through an online portal. Over about two weeks in late January and early February, program leaders in Wisconsin and across the country reported that they were unable to log into the system or post their payment requests. The glitches persisted for some programs for several days, but were ultimately resolved by Feb. 10. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mauer told the Wisconsin Examiner on Tuesday that so far, there have not been new payment delays. But there has also been no communication with Head Start operators about what happens now with the unexpected regional office closings, she said. No plan for who will provide support has been shared, and the still-existing regional offices are already understaffed, Mauer said. Im very nervous to see what happens. With no transition plan this will be a disaster. In her statement, Mauer said the regional office closing was another example of the Federal Administrations continuing assault on Head Start following the earlier funding freeze and stalled reimbursements. She said closing regional offices was undermining the programs ability to function. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We call on Congress to immediately investigate this blatant effort to hamper Head Starts ability to provide services, Mauer stated, and to hold the Administration accountable for their actions. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX BOSTON (SHNS) A big swath of the Massachusetts court system faces a potential hiring freeze if legislators do not boost funding levels beyond Gov. Maura Healeys recommendations. The Trial Court system is seeking $985.5 million in fiscal 2026 to keep up with labor and lease costs and IT modernization efforts, according to Administrator Thomas Ambrosino. Ambrosino said the request a more than $30 million increase over Healeys recommended funding level of $952 million would help the Trial Court stave off an immediate hiring freeze. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ill lose 400 people with a hiring freeze in one year because thats the number of people we go through in a yearly basis. We lose about 30-plus people a month mostly through retirements, people leaving, the rare occasion when someones terminated, Ambrosino said at a budget hearing Friday in Clinton. There are nearly 400 Trial Court judges and more than 6,500 employees, Chief Justice Heidi Brieger said. The seven Trial Court departments are District Court, Boston Municipal Court, Housing Court, Juvenile Court, Land Court, Probate & Family Court, and Superior Court. The Trial Courts projected spending for the current budget year is $938.1 million. The court received a $932 million appropriation in the fiscal 2025 budget, up from $877.2 million in fiscal 2024 and $861.5 million in fiscal 2023. While the hiring freeze would save millions of dollars by slashing personnel costs, Ambrosino warned public safety would suffer as the Trial Court sheds court officers and probation officers. Customer service will also deteriorate as the system loses clerical workers, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Kimberly Budd told lawmakers that Healeys budget falls dangerously short of meeting the Judiciarys needs. The biggest concern is the recommendation for the Trial Court, said Budd, who also acknowledged the fiscal realities that are looming on the horizon. Beacon Hill budget-writers are grappling with modest revenue growth and escalating federal funding uncertainty. Healeys budget incorporated more than $16 billion in federal dollars, with the majority linked to Medicaid funding congressional Republicans are eyeing for potential spending cuts. Ambrosino called the Trial Courts $985.5 million request a maintenance budget that would preserve the current fiscal years court operations and services. The ask is a $47 million increase over the Trial Courts fiscal 2025 budget, which Ambrosino said involves $30 million in cost of living and collective bargaining raises, $7 million in higher lease costs for court buildings, and $10 million for modernization efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Legislature in 2022 approved a $165.5 million judiciary IT bond, though Ambrosino lamented its stalled rollout. He said the laws six-year implementation plan requires an annual investment of $27 million to $28 million. We are not getting an allocation of anywhere near that amount from the states capital budget, Ambrosino said. We are getting, in the three years weve been into this, between $10 and $13 million a year. And I just learned yesterday from EOPSS that their recommendation for us for next year is $5 million, so that does not allow us to meet this need at all. To make up that capital investment deficit, Ambrosino said the Trial Court has dipped into its operating budget over the last three years to invest in WiFi and digital signage in courthouses. Brieger, the chief justice, gave lawmakers a snapshot into the growing workload at the Trial Court, which has fielded 543,000 case filings since last July a jump of 30,000 cases compared to this point last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trial Court has also seen a tremendous increase in self-represented civil litigants, including in Housing Court, District Court, and Probate and Family Court, Brieger said. Officials must deploy extensive resources to help those confused litigants navigate court procedures and paperwork, she said. We have a number of court service centers many, many of them in your districts that try to answer litigants basic questions, trying to give not legal advice, but procedural advice so that these folks can file their cases and get a hearing scheduled, Brieger said. In the courtroom, the judges take more time with self-represented litigants. It slows the docket down significantly, but its absolutely necessary to help people understand why it is theyre there. The Trial Court also has 17 judicial vacancies, including seven in Superior Court, Brieger said. This is not good, as you can imagine. Its not good for the court system, Brieger said. Fewer judges lead to greater delays, and in many ways, this is throwing sand in my gears, and it causes judicial burnout. It erodes public trust and public faith in the outcome of our cases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House Democrats plan to release their redraft of Healeys budget in mid-April. The governors bill called for a 7% spending increase and relied on some tax and revenue sources that House leaders have already dismissed. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. CAPITOL HEIGHTS, Md. (DC News Now) Prince Georges County will have a new Health and Human Service in Capitol Heights, making service easier to find in the county. On Tuesday, state and county officials came together to cut the ribbon on a new six-story facility for Health and Human Services in Prince Georges County. The Department of Family Services, Health Department, and Department of Social Services are some of the few expected to move into the building as well. Council Member Wala Blegay says this new hub of services will be important for everyone, especially seniors. Many of our seniors dont have any activities in this area. Theyre often having to travel out and at night is dangerous for them. said Blegay This is really this is a concept that weve been putting forth. And now this is actually an action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Latest: Mass layoffs begin at the US Department of Health and Human Services Tara Jackson, the acting County Executive, agrees and believes this will be a cost-effective solution. Were combining agencies really should help us in terms of efficiency, said Jackson We wont have different offices, but all will be within one building. The building isnt just for offices its equipped with many rooms for a healthy lifestyle and activities. An entire workout room, an area for eating and a pool room are just some of the new features. Many in the county are keeping an eye on Washington D.C, as widespread job cuts begin at health agencies. Prince Georges County government wants to make sure that this building is available to those residents who need it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So many of our residents have to travel over to get the support and the services that they need, said Jackson. So the fact that it is right here inside the beltway in Capitol Heights is so, so special to us. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WBOY) Tuesday may have been April Fools Day, but it was also the kickoff to Interprofessional Education (IPE) Month at WVU Health Sciences Center. For the first time since the pandemic, the IEP Health Fair was back in business, with nearly 20 booths all featuring different programs within Health Sciences, each one showing off the resources available to the community. Were really fortunate at WVU that we have this comprehensive Health Sciences Center where so many students are learning in one building, and I think we really do an exceptional job of making sure theyre not learning in silos and making sure were breaking down those barriers, so they can learn about, from and with one another, said Gina Baugh, IPE organizer and clinical professor in the school of pharmacy & director of interprofessional education for WVU Health Sciences Center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Significant downsizing happening at NIOSH in Morgantown: UMWA Some disciplines highlighted at the fair included the school of dentistrys tobacco treatment specialist certification, helping students get the certification so they can aid future patients in treating tobacco use disorder. This certification has now expanded to other disciplines across the school. Several disciplines are involved in tobacco cessation now, but you should really come to the school so we can help you out. Whether its over-the-counter meds or prescriptions meds, its catered to the individual person, and counseling that goes along with it, to make them successful in their journey, Amy Funk, chair of the department of dental hygiene said. There will more events during IPE month. For more information, you can go here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com. Bloomberg / Contributor / Getty Images Key Takeaways Bank of America analysts issued a "buy" rating for Cava while kicking off coverage of the fast-casual chain on Monday. The analysts gave Cava a $112 price target, which is about 30% above where Cava shares closed Monday. The bank said Cava is positioned to expand its customer base and potentially grow its footprint beyond its previously announced target of 1,000 stores. Bank of America analysts kicked off coverage for Cava Group (CAVA) on Monday with a buy rating for the fast-casual chain's stock. The analysts gave Cava a $112 price targetalmost 30% above where its shares closed Monday. Other analysts are even more bullish, with the average target compiled by Visible Alpha at $124. Cava shares have had a tough start to the year, losing more than one-fifth of their value in 2025 so far amid broader concerns about consumer health. However, their recent slide could offer investors a "compelling buying opportunity" said Bank of America, suggesting Cava could be poised for growth as the chain attracts new diners, deepens its appeal with existing customers, and expands its footprint. New customers may be drawn in by advertising and relatively new menu items, including steak and garlic pita chips, the analysts said. A revamped loyalty program could also promote more frequent visits from existing customers, they added. Cava has nearly 370 locations and has announced plans to grow to 1,000 stores, according to its most recent annual report. Bank of America described this as a conservative expansion plan and estimated the brand could support 2,200 locations. We believe CAVA's growth runway extends well beyond its 1,000 domestic restaurant target, Bank of America wrote, adding that Cava appears capable of increasing same-store sales, as well as shareholder returns. The comments come after JPMorgan analysts recently upgraded the stock and S&P Global announced the company's addition to the S&P MidCap 400. Cava shares edged 0.7% higher to close at $86.41 Monday. Despite a weak start to 2025, they've gained about one-quarter of their value over the past 12 months. Read the original article on Investopedia DEPEYSTER, N.Y. (WWTI) New York State Police arrested a Heuvelton man for criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation and third-degree criminal mischief. State Police say they arrested Tyler J. Brothers, age 37, on April 1. Troopers responded in the town of Depeyster at approximately 1:57 p.m., for a report of a domestic dispute. An investigation revealed that allegedly Brothers and the victim had engaged in a verbal argument that escalated into a reported physical altercation. During the incident, Brothers allegedly took the victims phone and damaged it, then placed his hands around the victims neck, restricting their ability to breathe. Brothers was arrested and transported to SP Ogdensburg for processing. He was subsequently arraigned in the Town of Canton Court and released on his own recognizance, according to police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWTI - InformNNY.com. Lawmakers from the Kansas Statehouse haven't exactly been eager to engage with constituents, writes our columnist. (Max McCoy/Kansas Reflector) This past decade or so, I have considered myself an increasingly engaged voter in Kansas. I work in education and have lived in this area for more than 20 years. My kids attended the surrounding public schools, and my family works and volunteers in this community. What happens in Kansas matters to me. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With so much uncertainty in government lately, Ive been paying close attention to local and state politics. After watching the disastrous town hall meeting held by Sen. Roger Marshall in distant Oakley, I decided to request forums from my state-level elected officials, Rep. Carl Turner and Sen. Kellie Warren. After all, they are voting on a lot of important matters that affect my family and my neighbors. Voter rights, school funding and policy, judicial matters. The list goes on. I was curious: Would they even be open to a town hall meeting? Would they handle it differently than Marshall? Would they help ease voters minds or add to the discontent and uncertainty? I began by emailing requests for town hall meetings to Turner and Warren, whose crew frequently canvassed for votes in my neighborhood during elections. I offered to help facilitate a town hall if they would agree to make an appearance something I have no idea how to do but figured I would learn if they said yes. Its been about five weeks now, and I have yet to hear back about scheduling a town hall or meeting with either of them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have continued to send email requests at the start of every week. I have called their offices. A representative in Warrens Topeka office advised me that she was really busy with everything going on but assured me my letter would be printed out and placed upon her desk for review. Ive heard nothing. Turner replied to one email regarding his stance on Senate Bill 4, which eliminates the three-day grace period for mail-in ballots. While he didnt offer a town hall, he did offer to meet with me. Progress. Or so I believed. When I replied that I would like to meet, Turner did not respond to my email. If I cant connect with them, how do I know they are listening to any of their constituents? Our elected officials, who were busy knocking on doors in October, making appearances and kissing babies all over town, are nowhere to be found now. I could not easily find updates from them in newsletters or social media posts, either. Even so, newsletters wouldnt be enough. The lack of even an automated reply to a constituent week after week is inexcusable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their inaccessibility to Kansans is worrisome. They are voting on issues that affect Kansans and the neighborhoods they live in. We deserve more. The area where I live in southern Johnson County has allowed Turner and Warren to become invisible. They live in our neighborhoods; their children may have attended schools in the community, or we run into them at a grocery store or at church. Some of us may be friends with them.In any case, we shouldnt give them a pass not to listen. They are our neighbors and promised to govern for us. Our elected officials, especially those embedded in our neighborhoods, should make it a priority to connect with our community and let their constituents know that they care about what we have to say outside of an election year. Kansans should demand more from leaders. I guess the problem lies in finding them first. Krista Gordon is a mom of three living in Leawood. She has worked in education for more than 25 years. Through its opinion section, the Kansas Reflector works to amplify the voices of people who are affected by public policies or excluded from public debate. Find information, including how to submit your own commentary, here. Colorado U.S. Sens. Michael Bennet, left, and John Hickenlooper, center, address reporters at a Harris-Walz campaign event ahead of Donald Trump's visit to Aurora on Oct. 11, 2024. (Chase Woodruff/Colorado Newsline) Its been three months since members of the 119th Congress were sworn in on Capitol Hill, and the U.S. Senate, especially, has been busy in the early days of President Donald Trumps second administration. Connecting the news in Colorado to the big picture. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A total of 41 Trump appointees have now been confirmed by the Republican-controlled upper chamber, including 21 out of 22 Cabinet-level positions. The Senate also passed a controversial short-term spending bill to fund the federal government through September, enacted new detention requirements for undocumented immigrants accused of certain crimes and repealed a handful of Biden-era rules and regulations. With Republicans holding a 53-47 Senate majority, Democrats dont have the votes to stop most of Trumps agenda. But liberal and progressive activists have pressured Democratic senators, including U.S. Sens. Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper of Colorado, to do more to erect procedural hurdles, slow down Senate business and vote in blanket opposition to Trump nominees as a protest against the executive branchs unprecedented power grab. The administrations actions have included mass firings of federal workers, purges of prosecutors involved in criminal proceedings against Trump, and attempted funding freezes and agency shutdowns that run contrary longstanding separation-of-powers principles. When it comes to Senate floor votes, neither Hickenlooper nor Bennet has heeded the activists calls. They have been among the Senate Democrats most likely to back Trumps Cabinet picks, voting to confirm eight and 10 nominees, respectively, out of the 21 selected so far. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A more comprehensive database tracking 2025 Senate votes, including votes on lower-level appointees, procedural motions and legislation, tells a similar story. The tracker, maintained by Massachusetts-based progressive organizer Jonathan Cohn, tallied 155 votes by the full Senate through March 27. When collated with 2024 election results, this vote data shows a clear, unsurprising pattern: Senate Democrats representing swing states are more likely than those in safe blue seats to cross the aisle and back Trumps nominees and legislative priorities. For example, Sen. Ruben Gallego of Arizona elected narrowly in a state that Trump won by more than 5 percentage points last year has voted with Republicans almost 33% of the time in 2025, while Sen. Elizabeth Warren of deep-blue Massachusetts has done so just 3% of the time. The single biggest exception to this rule? Colorado and its moderate Senate duo, who have voted with Trump and their GOP colleagues roughly a quarter of the time while representing a state that voted for former Vice President Kamala Harris by 11 percentage points in the 2024 election. Through the end of March, Hickenlooper who is serving his first six-year term and up for reelection in 2026 has been the Democratic caucus number one outlier, voting with Trumps agenda almost twice as often as would be expected, based on the states electorate. Bennet ranks sixth out of 47 Senate Democrats by the same metric. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In comparative terms, the Centennial State finds itself in 2025 with the electorate of true-blue Illinois, but the Senate representation of purplish-red Arizona. No other state with two Democratic senators has such a large disconnect between its partisan vote share and its Senate representation. No other state besides New Hampshire even comes close. As Democrats and independents across Colorado have begun mobilizing in recent months to oppose Trumps agenda, their disconnect with Hickenlooper and Bennet has been on full display on social media, at town halls and demonstrations and in a daily deluge of calls and messages to the senators offices. Bennet has defended his votes to confirm some Trump appointees including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Energy Secretary Chris Wright on the grounds that maintaining good relationships with leaders of important executive-branch agencies will help his constituents more than a stance of blanket opposition. Hes also argued that Democrats, after being repudiated in the 2024 election, have to select our battles. A rapid political evolution If such messages no longer resonate the way they once did with Colorados Democratic base, its largely because of the states rapid political evolution in recent years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both of Colorados senators entered state politics more than 20 years ago Hickenlooper as a successful restaurateur elected mayor of Denver in 2003, and Bennet, a friend and fellow Wesleyan University graduate, as his chief of staff. At the time, Colorado was a traditional battleground that had veered to the right: Attorney General Ken Salazar was the only statewide Democratic elected official in a state otherwise dominated by Republicans. As recently as 2016 when Hickenlooper and Bennet were in their second terms as Colorado governor and U.S. senator, respectively Colorado had tilted towards Democrats but could still lay claim to bellwether status, with Republicans like former U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner able to win narrowly in favorable conditions for the GOP. But Trumps rise abruptly ended that: In the last eight years, Democrats have gone 15 for 15 in statewide elections, winning their races by an average of more than 10 percentage points. Much of that shift has been driven by voters in fast-growing cities and suburbs along the Front Range. Younger, left-leaning voters have moved to the state in droves. In 2024, even as Democrats lost ground in many states across the country, the party fared relatively well in Colorado, maintaining wide leads among suburban voters and even making gains in more rural areas on the Western Slope. Political alignments like this dont last forever. But in an era of nationally polarized politics, Trump has tanked the GOPs electoral fortunes in Colorado, and for now, a wide gap partly generational, partly ideological, but perhaps above all attitudinal has opened up between the states two senators and many of its voters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Everyone out here, everyone I know moderates, hardcore left people they want someone who will fight, Greeley resident Robert Casey told Bennet at a recent town hall. And we need that. The Trendline offers analysis on public policy in Colorado. Articles explore ways to think about the news based on research, history and other important context, helping Coloradans connect the headlines to the big picture. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE The deadline for TikTok to split from its Chinese-owned parent companyextended once by President Donald Trump on his first day in officeis fast approaching, and congressional Republicans want him to enforce the law. Upon taking office, Trump issued an executive order delaying the enforcement of a law signed just less than a year ago that would ban TikTok if its owner, ByteDance, a company with ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), refused to divest from the popular social media platform. That extension expires Saturday, and with a deal being considered but not yet finalized, Trump may either need to delay the ban further or enforce the law designed to address national security concerns about ByteDances ties to the CCP and the safety of Americans data. Republicans on Capitol Hill are hoping for the second option. Unless he has authority to, then he shouldnt [issue an extension], Rep. Carlos Gimenez, who sits on the Houses Select Committee on the CCP, told The Dispatch. Its a law we passed. Its bipartisan in nature. I think TikTok is a security concern and an issue for the United States of America, and if they cant sell it to an American company, then it should be banned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although the law signed by former President Joe Biden took effect the day before Trump took office, it gave the president authority to grant a one-time extension for its enforcement of no more than 90 days, provided there were binding legal documents in place to execute the transfer. None were present then, nor are any now. Neither did Trumps order make use of the extension power. Instead, he directed the Justice Department to not enforce the ban for 75 days. He also said last week he would issue another extension if he does not have a deal by Saturday. Some Republicans acknowledged to The Dispatch back in January that the initial delay did not comport perfectly with the law. They argued, however, that if Trump could get a deal done, that would fulfill the laws intention. Now, they are sounding more emphatic that he needs to follow the laws letter as well as its intent. Various concerns exist about the potential for TikTok remaining under ByteDances control even after a sale. Rep. John Moolenaar, who chairs the Select Committee on the CCP, has named two circumstances he says would be unacceptable under the lawhaving TikTok still run on ByteDances algorithm and keeping it staffed with employees beholden to ByteDance. Sen. Bill Cassidy, echoing comments he made about the first extension, said Trump should enforce the law as written if there is no sale of TikTok. Were a nation of laws, he told The Dispatch. Asked whether he was concerned that Trump might not enforce the law, he replied: Youre asking me theoreticals. Ill just leave it at that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Gus Bilirakis, another House China committee member, said a short extension might be appropriate if progress is being made toward reaching a sale but called for the laws enforcement, absent steps toward a deal. We did pass a law, he said. ByteDance has to be out of the picture. Thats the way I see it. Sen. Mike Rounds made similar comments. I do know the law is very clear, that they will have to basically terminate operations, and I expect that they will follow the law, he told The Dispatch. Although Trump during his first term favored banning TikTok, he has since changed his mind on the issue, nodding to the apps popularity among young people. To work out a sale and comply with the law, he tasked Vice President J.D. Vance and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz with finding U.S.-based buyers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moolenaar said another extension could be an option, but he did not say whether that would be in compliance with the law. Im more interested in getting the deal done so ByteDance is no longer the owner of TikTok, and I trust that the White House is working on it, he told The Dispatch. And there are a number of good offers, and my hope is that that deal would close. I think President Trumps a great negotiator, and he can pull this together. It was clear from speaking with congressional Republicans that few have been closely following the sale negotiations. News broke Tuesday that Andreessen Horowitza venture capital firm whose co-founder, Marc Andreessen, is a vocal supporter of Trumpcould be an investor in TikTok under new ownership. CBS News reported that Trump will consider a final proposal on Wednesday, and mentioned Blackstone and Oracle as potential investors, among others. Bilirakis said he did not know the status of the negotiations but said he trusted Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I believe the president. The president says theyre negotiating, that theres a lot of potential there for a dealwhich I have no access to, he told The Dispatch. Read more at The Dispatch The Dispatch is a new digital media company providing engaged citizens with fact-based reporting and commentary, informed by conservative principles. Sign up for free. Democratic Judge Susan Crawford, who handily won Wisconsin's Supreme Court race Tuesday evening, left, and Elon Musk, who spent millions trying to defeat her Credit - Jim VondruskaBloomberg/Getty Images, Jamie Kelter Davis/BloombergGetty Images This article is part of The D.C. Brief, TIMEs politics newsletter. Sign up here to get stories like this sent to your inbox. On Capitol Hill, there was one universal sentiment circulating among Republicans of all political stripes: Finally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wednesdays wordif accuratethat billionaire Elon Musk was poised to leave President Donald Trumps inner circle in the coming weeks came as a relief to top GOP aides who saw Trumps favorite chaos agent as a drag on their efforts to deliver on a conservative agenda. There were some suggestions that Musk may not leave the Administration entirely, but rather downgrade his public involvement. The murkiness of the scale-back was typical for a President who hates to be boxed in or give his critics validation. Musk, the Tesla chief who purchased Twitter and has vowed to populate Mars, has been a colossal distraction and a magnet for controversy from what should be a unified Republican team in control of the House, the Senate, and the executive branch. He has been a ubiquitous presence at the White House, an annoyance to Cabinet Secretaries and department chiefs, and a walking personification of the Trump orbits amateurism and kleptocracy. Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency have been rushing through Washington, slashing programs and jobs with what even some small-government conservatives view as too fast and with little consideration for the consequences, all while cashing billions in government contracts for his own companies. News of Musks expected withdrawal, first reported by Politico, came less than 24 hours after troubling results for Republicans in special elections in Florida and Wisconsin. Those early verdicts on the second Trump era saw Republicans underperform in MAGA Country and completely fail in a state Supreme Court race that Musk all but made his own personal crusade. Its that last race, in a state typically decided by one percentage point or so but on Tuesday saw the liberal candidate win by 10 points, that left the most obvious damage. Day late. Dollar short, one Hill aide texted me, linking to the Politico story. Glad we made the WI-SC race all about Elon. The sarcasm dripped. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another responded with a clip of a Lizzo lyric: About damn time. The report got immediate pushback, especially among Trumps apologists. The argument went something like this: Yes, Musk hurt the GOP brand and his work in Wisconsin was nothing short of a failure, but his celebrity marries nicely with Trumps self-image. Plus, Musk remains the worlds richest man and his pockets are ripe for raiding. For its part, the White House officially called the report garbage. But there have been hints that Musks time was short, including the President who said Musk would at some point have to return to the private sector. At some point, Elons going to want to go back to his company, Trump said on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To a tee, Hill Republicans have tolerated Musk because he clearly has the ear of the President, who has invited his billionaire patron to join Cabinet meetings, bill signings, and even his joint address to Congress. Musks star has overblown any other shine in the Trump Cabinet, and spats inside the inner circle have seeped into the open as the folks actually charged with leading the government have bristled at orders from the billionaire bestie. Lawmakers have complained that theyve been blindsided by cuts and changes, leaving them exposed while home. Musk and his hacker minions have blown into departments, demanding access to highly sensitive data in pursuit of finding waste, fraud, and abuseoften making cuts and promoting the reductions before fully understanding what was going on. What has resulted in the first weeks of Musks campaign against government has been reports of veterans being fired, whole agencies mothballedprobably unconstitutionally, courts are declaringand benefits thrown into risk. The result has been an unrelenting pile of bad headlines, although White House aides have done their best to mask the setbacks, knowing Musk spent more than a quarter of a billion dollars on Trumps last election and has pledged $100 million going forward. For their part, lawmakers have tried to flag for the White House the back-home problems for constituents, but have been careful not to come off as anti-Musk. Trump voters may say they want government slashed, but are less supportive when the details come outparticularly as farm subsidies are thrown into question, V.A. clinics are threatened, and popular programs in rural schools are put at risk. Simply put, the local ripples could end up causing a national tide. Tuesdays election results were the first real warning sign of those troubles and their costs. Musk made the Wisconsin race his Waterloo, saying Western civilization itself hung in the balance. He visited the state over the weekend, campaigning for a Trump-backed candidate and handing out checks to voters. The state is no stranger to out-of-town political activistsit has long been a testing ground for the network of groups funded by the billionaire Koch familybut the enthusiasm among Democrats in rejecting Musks bid was unstoppable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Florida, Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday trashed the results and credited Trump with saving the pair of races in deep-red MAGA territory. DeSantis, who has savaged one of the nominees as uniquely terrible, nonetheless acknowledged this was not the right trajectory for the GOP. So, as White House aides figured out how to spin the setbacks, the most obvious answer was also the easiest: cut Musk loose. By the very nature of his position, Musk was always going to be a short-time fed, likely exiting in May. His DOGE gig remained a side-hustle as he kept running his companies and launching rockets into space. Hastening his exit, or at least advertising his move into the background, would help Trump. After all, Trump has proven in the past that his loyalty is conditional. Rather than take the political discomfort, he has shoved aide after aide out the door. While Musk has commanded Trumps respect and aweand has an unmatched pocketbooktheres no reason to think he cant eventually be sidelined as well. Its been precisely what traditional Republicans have been counting on, and they took heart on Wednesday that some patterns never fail. The specifics of Musks climb down remain to be seen, but the fact that chatter about it is being received with such glee among Hill Republicans may be the validation that moves Trump to a hard yes on Musks shift. Make sense of what matters in Washington. Sign up for the D.C. Brief newsletter. Write to Philip Elliott at philip.elliott@time.com. If conservatives cared about Hillary Clintons email scandal, then they should be up in arms over Mike Waltz. The national security adviser and his staff have been using Gmail to communicate, The Washington Post reported Tuesday. Waltz and one of his senior aides relied on the commercial email service to discuss sensitive military positions and powerful weapons systems relating to an ongoing conflict, according to email receipts obtained by the Post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Gmail is not a secure platform to do so on. Users effectively sign away their privacy and metadata to Alphabet, Googles parent company, when they sign up for a Gmail account. Every way you interact with your Gmail account can be monitored, such as the dates and times you email at, who you are talking to, and topics you choose to email about, Rowenna Fielding, founder of privacy consultancy Miss IG Geek, told The Guardian in 2021. Its the latest in a growing series of flubs for Waltz, who made Donald Trump furious by accidentally inviting a journalist to a Cabinet group chat on Signal about bombing Yemen last month. Note here: Gmail is even less secure than Signal, which at least is an encrypted communication app. In the days after the scandal broke, Wired reported that an account sharing the intelligence officials name had seemingly left his Venmo profile public. In doing so, Waltz disclosed the names of hundreds of his personal and professional associates, including government officials and lobbyists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And as the scandals pile up, its becoming increasingly clear that Waltzs behavior is more than just a string of isolated mistakesinstead, they suggest a pattern of haphazard carelessness from an individual who should be one of Americas foremost security experts. Last week, the German newspaper Der Spiegel reported that several senior administration officials had their personal dataincluding account passwords, cell phone numbers, and email addresseslisted online. Some of the compromised Cabinet members include Waltz, as well as National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The foreign publication was able to track down their information via commercial search engines as well as databases composed of hacked customer data. Clinton was excoriated by the right for using private email servers as opposed to her government issued address. But the American public has seemingly been able to spot the difference, with a majority of people believing that the Signal scandal matters more than Republicans scapegoats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Harvard CAPS/Harris poll released Sunday suggested that 60 percent of polled Americans felt that the administrations decision to use Signal was wrongthat included 73 percent of Democrats, 65 percent of independents, and 43 percent of Republicans. A YouGov survey published last week found that 53 percent of nearly 6,000 polled Americans felt that the Trump administrations Signal leak was very serious, while another 21 percent described it as somewhat serious. Meanwhile, a survey conducted in the wake of Clintons email scandal by YouGov and The Economist in March 2015 found that 30 percent of polled Americans felt that Clintons server was very serious. Another 26 percent noted that it was somewhat serious to them. According to Donald Trump and J.D. Vance, Greenland and Canada have everything to gain and nothing to lose from being annexed to the United States. "Denmark hasnt done a good job at keeping Greenland safe, Vance said at America's Pituffik Space Base in Greenland last week. Denmark, which oversees Greenland's administration, hasn't kept Greenland "safe from a lot of very aggressive incursions from Russia, China and other nations," he added. Trump talks as though Canada's becoming the 51st state would be an economic win-win for both countries. We do not have uninsured or underinsured residents. We do not have different qualities of insurance depending on a person's employment....All Canadians have health insurance and need rather than wealth is what drives access to care. Danielle Martin, expert on Canadian healthcare Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leaving these assertions aside, it's proper to note that the influence exerted by annexed lands is a two-way street. And that's why the U.S. should annex needs to annex both Greenland and Canada. Let's start the process without delay. The principal gain for Americans from making both countries part of the U.S. comes from their social policies. In both countries, they're better than America's in many respects. They cover more residents, provide greater benefits and have more support from political leaders across the partisan spectrum. Let's take a closer look at what Americans can learn from its putative new territories. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We'll start with Canada. Like the United States, Canada provides old-age pensions, though unlike in the U.S. these are partially paid out of general tax revenues. Canadians also can receive unemployment relief and workers' compensation. The difference between the effectiveness of the two countries' government pension programs can be measured by comparing their poverty rates for residents ages 65 and over. In Canada it was 14.5% in 2019-2022, in the U.S. it was 23.1%. Read more: Hiltzik: Acting commissioner's disastrous reign shows that Social Security needs protection from Trump There are several notable differences between the American and Canadian safety nets. One is a child benefit. Canada provides parents as much as $7,787 Canadian (about $5,438 in U.S. currency) per child for children through age 5, and $6,570 Canadian (about $4,600) for children ages 6-17. The benefit phases out for those with incomes over $67,000 (about $47,000). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. child tax credit is currently $2,000 a year per child and is scheduled to drop to $1,000 in 2026. It phases out for couples earning $400,000. Perhaps the most significant difference concerns the countries' government healthcare programs. Canada's system is a single-payer program, with the government paying for most necessary care; households can buy private plans to cover services that aren't part of the government system, such as vision and dental services and outpatient prescriptions. But all Canadians are covered by the government program. American politicians have tied themselves into knots trying to find negative things to say about Canada's universal single-payer healthcare system. A sterling example was provided by then-U.S. Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.), who during a 2014 Senate hearing grilled Danielle Martin, a Canadian expert on healthcare policy, about the supposed shortcomings of the Canadian system. Burr homed in on Canadians' most common complaint about their system: the long waits for some services, largely resulting from a shortage of primary care doctors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "On average, how many Canadian patients on a waiting list die each year, do you know?" Burr asked Martin, with a smirk suggesting he had just unshipped a "gotcha." Martin batted it right back: "I don't, sir, but I do know that there are 45,000 in America who die waiting because they don't have insurance at all." Read more: Hiltzik: Trump, the GOP and DOGE have launched their attack on Social Security. You should start worrying now As Martin had said in her prepared statement: "We do not have uninsured or underinsured residents. We do not have different qualities of insurance depending on a person's employment.... At substantially lower cost than in the U.S., all Canadians have health insurance and need rather than wealth is what drives access to care." The Canadian government pays for reproductive healthcare, including abortions. There are no gestational age restrictions, although most abortions are performed during the first trimester and those after 23 weeks require specialized care. There are no criminal penalties for performing abortions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those are obvious differences from the American experience. By law, federal funds can't be spent on abortions. Since the Supreme Court overturned the 1973 Roe vs. Wade decision in 2022, individual states have imposed their own restrictions on abortion, sometimes by outlawing the procedure outright and even exposing those who perform abortions to criminal charges. The consequences for maternal health in the U.S. have been horrific. In Canada, according to 2023 statistics, the maternal mortality rate per 100,000 live births was 12.22. The U.S. rate that year was 18.6. More worrying was a trend seen in Texas, among the states with a strict ban on abortions, where maternal mortality rose sharply to 28.5 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births in 2022, a year after Texas banned abortions. The social safety net in Greenland is a bit harder to analyze. For the most part Greenlanders enjoy the benefits of Danish policies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Greenland's social environment is also different from Denmark's its Indigenous population, which has its own social mores, is larger as a proportion of the population, and residents are concentrated in the giant island's southwest. The island has a population of about 60,000, about a third of whom live in the capital, Nuuk. Read more: Hiltzik: Inside the Bakersfield raids that showed how Trump's immigration policies will sow chaos Denmark's social policies are among the most socially liberal in the world. According to a government website, tax-funded benefits for Danish citizens include paid parental leave that can total almost a full year, subsidized day care, a universal single-payer healthcare program with no copays except for prescriptions; dental care is typically provided by private plans. All medical and nursing education is free. Denmark doesn't have a minimum wage law, but collective bargaining agreements have resulted in a standard minimum of about $15.57 (U.S.) an hour more than in most jurisdictions in the U.S., where the mandated federal minimum is $7.25 an hour. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Denmark recently liberalized its abortion law, raising the right to obtain abortion upon request to up to 18 weeks of pregnancy from 12 weeks, beginning June 1. Girls ages 15 or over don't need parental consent. Abortions are free, covered by the government program. The maternal mortality rate in Denmark is about 5 per 100,000 live births but may be higher in Greenland, where medical care is less accessible in remote communities. The political cultures of the U.S., Canada and Greenland (or Denmark, if you prefer) are also divergent. Those other countries don't seem to have the same proportion of crass blowhards in their political structure as the U.S. That's not the same as saying they don't have any crass blowhards in politics Canadians will remember the escapades of former Toronto Mayor Rob Ford or the efforts by former Quebec Premier Rene Levesque to have his francophone province secede from English-speaking Canada. Once all these factors are considered, another question arises: Why stop with Canada and Greenland? There are other countries that have managed to score higher than the U.S. in terms of the happiness of their populace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The list has been led for years by Finland, followed by Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, the Netherlands and Norway, among others. On this roster, the U.S. ranked a dismal 24th in 2024, behind Mexico, Australia, New Zealand and, indeed, Canada. Think of it this way. Going only by which countries might teach us how to make our people happier, if we could only make them part of the U.S. the number of candidates for annexation comes to 23, not just two. Trump and Vance need to get down to work. Get the latest from Michael Hiltzik Commentary on economics and more from a Pulitzer Prize winner. Sign me up. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Hut 8's (HUT) new subsidiary, American Bitcoin Corp., a partnership between the mining company and the Trump family, could be spun out, allowing the company to focus on data center hosting, broker Clear Street said in a report Monday. The broker noted that the new unit will be included in the bitcoin miner's financials, but the "businesses could be separated, allowing HUT to focus on high-margin data center hosting revenue." Hut 8 is expected to secure more power and expand its data center hosting business, the report said, and the "potential to secure a hyperscaler" is a key catalyst for the company. Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr. are merging their firm, American Data Centers, with American Bitcoin, a new mining venture, taking a 20% stake in the company. The remaining 80% will be owned by Hut 8, which is contributing almost 61,000 mining machines to the new entity. Core Scientific's (CORZ) deal with cloud computing firm CoreWeave led to a re-rating of the sector last year, as investors warmed to the idea of bitcoin miners pivoting to artificial intelligence and high performance computing (HPC). Hut 8 is projected to enter a phase of considerable growth, starting in the second half of the year, "driven by the energization of the BITMAIN Colocation agreement," the report added. Clear Street has a buy rating on Hut 8 shares with a $23 price target. The shares were over 4% higher at $12.10 in early trading. Investment bank KBW noted that Eric Trump will serve as the chief strategy officer of American Bitcoin, which could be a large positive given his "commitment to the industry as well as his obvious relationships." KBW has an outperform rating on the stock with a $30 price target. HASTINGS, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) Years before a 12-year-old student was hit by a car on Route 11, history shows repeated requests for the State Department of Transportation to enhance safety outside Central Square Middle School. Letters obtained by NewsChannel 9, dating back 25 years, show written requests for the DOT to install a traffic signal at Route 11s intersection with the middle schools driveway. The letters indicate that the school district made the request at least four times: in 2000, 2004, 2013, and 2016. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Each time, responding representatives for the State DOT indicate the agency conducted studies at the intersection and rejected a traffic signal or light outside the middle school. In an August 1, 2016 letter to State Senator Pattie Ritchie, the Oswego-area state senator at the time, DOT Commissioner Matthew Driscoll wrote: The study was very comprehensive and included an analysis of a six-year accident history, a three-day traffic count during school peak periods, and evaluation of the on-site conditions. The traffic volumes were below the minimum needed to warrant a signal, and the accident history did not support making any changes to the intersection. The initial request from Senator Richie said, Parents, village officials in Central Square and members of the community all agree that the addition of a traffic light would greatly contribute to improved safety at the school. This traffic light would help ease the spike in traffic during times when parents are dropping off and picking kids up, as well as ease the difficulty for school buses. NYSDOT staff will continue to monitor the intersection for a change in conditions that would warrant a restudy, Driscoll concluded his letter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Wednesday, Central Square School Superintendent Tom Colabufo told NewsChannel 9 hes renewing the districts efforts to get the DOT to improve safety in front of the middle school. Colabufo said hes been in touch with Hastings Town Supervisor Tony Bush and State Senator Chris Ryan. Colabufo said installation of a traffic light, as has been requested for years before his administration, would come with a crosswalk to benefit the safety of students crossing the street. Senator Chris Ryans office confirms it heard from Colabufo on Wednesday and commits to renewing the conversation with the State DOTs engineers. Through a spokesperson, Senator Ryan said, It is deeply concerning to learn that numerous attempts and requests to initiate a light or crosswalk did not come to fruition. The recent accident involving a Central Square student is a tragic reminder that we must prioritize the safety of our children over traffic convenience. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hastings Town Supervisor Tony Bush doesnt want to blame the State DOT. He told NewsChannel 9 hes already been in touch with the agency, which he said is planning to prioritize studying the intersection. In the mean time, the supervisor said hes pushing police to park outside the school during peak times with lights turned on to slow traffic. In a statement to NewsChannel 9 on Tuesday, when asked about the safety concerns on Route 11, a State DOT spokesperson said: Safety is always the priority of the New York State Department of Transportation. As the recent pedestrian-involved crash is the subject of a law enforcement investigation, we cannot comment further at this time. The DOT did not respond to requests on Wednesday, even to confirm progress its team shared with the town supervisor. Another letter obtained by NewsChannel 9 shows the Town of Hastings discontinued employment of a crossing guard used by the district in 2007. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement the Town of Hastings will no longer provide this service and your employment is terminated as of this date, wrote then-Supervisor James Weatherup to the crossing guard. In 2004, lawyers for the Central Square School District said state law requires crossing guards to be employed by the municipal government, not the school district. Senator Chris Ryans Full Statement My office has heard from the Central Square School District Superintendent Tom Colabufo regarding previous conversations with the Department of Transportation about installing a traffic light and crosswalk in front of Central Square Middle Schoolconversations that predate my time in office. It is deeply concerning to learn that numerous attempts and requests to initiate a light or crosswalk did not come to fruition. The recent accident involving a Central Square student is a tragic reminder that we must prioritize the safety of our children over traffic convenience. I am fully committed to reigniting this conversation with the DOT and will advocate for the necessary safety measures to be implemented as soon as possible. The safety of our students, families and community members must come first. I look forward to working with the District, local leaders and state officials to ensure that no family has to endure this kind of heartbreak again. New York State Senator Chris Ryan (D), Geddes 50th District Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSYR. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) An Ohio healthcare system tailored to the LGBTQ+ community says federal cuts to HIV funding could undo progress in treating and preventing new cases, possibly leading to deadly ramifications. David Munar, CEO of Equitas Health, said the healthcare company is joining 13 other systems nationwide in opposing Trump administration plans to eliminate the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions division focused on HIV prevention. Munar argues that the cuts, which will hinder efforts to track and prevent future HIV outbreaks, will have a chilling domino effect. Ohio stands to lose, not only the funding, but also the ability to fight the epidemic in our state, and the ability to curve the epidemic for our people, Munar said. Every case, every new infection means a lifetime cost of a half-a-million dollars. So, its not even the human suffering, but economically its also a big step back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This should be a welcoming state: DeWine denies claim of anti-LGBTQ+ climate in Ohio NBC4 reached out to Sens. Jon Husted and Bernie Moreno from Ohio for statements about the threat to the public health workforce and federal funding but have yet to receive responses. A statement from Gov. Mike DeWine said, We do not have immediate comment as many of these announcements are fluid. Munar said concern for some of the healthcare companys funding started this year when Trump ordered a freeze on domestic and foreign federal aid at the end of January. The appointment of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the new secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services further fueled those worries, Munar said. Now, Equitas is continuing to provide care for Ohioans living with HIV, while also developing backup plans as the federal budget evolves. Making these investments also makes us better prepared for the epidemics that are on the rise, Munar said. The better we are at tracking and preventing things like HIV [and] STIs makes us more nimble. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Delaware, Marysville LGBTQ+ groups say local businesses are dialing back support The administrations plans to dial back HIV funding have also caught the attention of Ohio LGBTQ+ advocates like Gil Kudrin. A long-term HIV survivor, Kudrin spoke at the inaugural State of the LGBTQ+ Community meeting in Cleveland in late February after concern a program delegating treatment grants for low-income HIV patients could be the next target of cuts. If there is a 90-day interruption for that medication funding, it is likely in the following year there will be 109,000 deaths attributed to that interruption of treatment, Kudrin said at the meeting. Kurdins plea is especially poignant in a state like Ohio, which is home to six laws that have yielded at least 214 HIV-related criminal prosecutions from 2014 to 2020. While Statehouse proposals to repeal or alter those laws have been unsuccessful, Kurdin encouraged community members to continue advocating for the 27,000 Ohioans living with HIV. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. ALBANY, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is releasing some prisoners early in an effort to cut costs incurred by a recent correction officers strike, according to an internal memo. The move garnered her swift support among left-flank Democrats and admonition from a Republican rival. Commissioner Martuscello has directed that a list of incarcerated individuals who are scheduled to be released in the next few months be reviewed for their transition into Residential Treatment, said Thomas Mailey, a spokesperson for the states corrections department. Incarcerated individuals are not eligible for the program if they have been convicted of sex crimes, violent felonies or more serious felonies like murder, terrorism and arson. Participating individuals must also have an approved residence, which is not a shelter or DSS placement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A state official with knowledge of the matter said the inmates set to be released early will likely make up less than 2 percent of the incarcerated population. Were looking at hundreds, not thousands out of a population of 32,500, added the person, who was granted anonymity to freely discuss a matter still under review. At issue is the wildcat strike, which started Feb. 17 when about 11,000 correction officers walked off the job in what became a 22-day political crisis for Hochul. The officers, who went on strike without union approval, were protesting mandatory overtime shifts and a state law limiting the use of solitary confinement, a tool the officers say is crucial to ensuring safety within the prisons. Hochul called in 6,500 members of the National Guard to replace the officers, whom she contended were acting illegally. Though the strike ended three weeks ago, the state is still short 2,000 officers and the National Guard is still in place to fill those vacancies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Budget Director Blake Washington told reporters Monday the strike and the related installment of the National guard in prisons is costing the state over $100 million per month. "Governor Hochul's top priority is the safety and well-being of all New Yorkers, Hochuls spokesperson Matt Janiszewski said in a statement. The Governor is aware of Commissioner Martuscello's memo and supports his efforts to safely address staffing shortages and personnel concerns." Republican Rep. Mike Lawler, who is eyeing a run for governor next year, called Hochuls decision a dangerous misstep. We need leaders who will tackle tough problems head-on, not resort to quick fixes that compromise the safety of law-abiding citizens. New Yorkers deserve better than policies that prioritize criminals over victims, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawmakers to Hochuls political left applauded the measure, while saying the policy should not be limited to those with a residence. We don't want those people to stay behind, simply because their families outside cant afford to pay the rent. said Brooklyn Assemblymember Latrice Walker. Michaelle Solages, chair of the states Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislative Caucus, also applauded the move. We need to come up with creative solutions to ensure that our correctional facilities are safe for every individual, including the employees and for the incarcerated, Solages said. These people are at the end of their sentence, and this is just a common-sense way to relieve some of the pressure that's going on. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) said it was just plain cruel for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to detain a family, including a child in third grade, from their home in upstate New York. In a Tuesday statement, Hochul said she is willing to work with the Trump administration on immigration enforcement but said this latest incident went too far by targeting an innocent family. Under Presidents Biden and Trump, I have been clear that I would work with the federal government to help secure our borders and deport violent criminals who pose a threat. But I cannot think of any public safety justification for ICE agents to rip an innocent family, including a child in the third grade, from their Sackets Harbor home, Hochul wrote in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That is not the immigration enforcement promised to the American people, she continued. Its just plain cruel. Hochul called for the family to be released from custody. I want this family returned to New York State and believe ICE needs to immediately answer for these actions, Hochul said. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) confirmed in a statement to local outlets that, in the course of a separate investigation in Sackets Harbor, N.Y., Border Patrol agents encountered seven individuals determined to be in the United States illegally, including two minors. These individuals were not part of the original investigation but were taken into custody, processed, and subsequently turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the statement continued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The CBP statement noted that the seven individuals have already been transferred out of the state and are currently awaiting removal proceedings. Three of the individuals, according to school Superintendent Jennifer Gaffney, are students in the Sackets Harbor school system. Gaffney, in a statement to the school community reported by local outlets, pledged to leave no stone unturned in our efforts to ensure their return to our school. President Trumps so-called border czar, Tom Homan, lives in the Sackets Harbor school district, according to local outlets. The local countys Democratic Party is helping promote a rally this Saturday, at which supporters will march from the local visitors center to Homans house. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration has prioritized its immigration enforcement since the president took office in January. The governments bold tactics have been derided by political opponents but praised by supporters as effective. The Hill has reached out to the Department of Homeland Security and CBP for comment. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. UPDATE 4/2: Below are the unofficial results of the primary election. There will be a runoff later this month. City-of-Holly-Springs-2025-Democratic-Primary-ElectionDownload *** HOLLY SPRINGS, Miss. Holly Springs voters are casting ballots to choose a mayor and alderman in the towns Municipal Primary on Tuesday. This is a very important election and everyone knows it, and if they dont, they should know it, said Holly Springs resident Bobbie Osborne. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We need to turn around the city. We need for it to have someone that has a vision as a Mayor and the Aldermen and the Aldermen at Large that wants to see that we get growth, bring new businesses to the community, said Osborne. Public comments open for xAIs Memphis Data Center expansion Along North Holly Springs Street, many campaign workers waved to passing traffic, and posters with candidates names were held high. This city, you know, stays in the news about something, so its important for us to get out and cast our vote and try to get some things done in the city that we need to get done, said Ishmell Edwards, Holly Springs voter. (Photo by WREG) (Photo by WREG) The most interest is in the Mayors race, where incumbent Sharon Gipson faces three challengers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gipson, who manages the Holly Springs Utility Department, has faced harsh criticism from the public and the State over its service to customers. On Tuesday, Mayor Gipson met with supporters but declined to go on camera. Dyersburg residents prepare for potential flooding ahead of storms The whole city, I think, is just tired of it so they want a change and thats why were here to try and make a change, said Jimmy Holt, another voter. Voting ends at 7 p.m., and there will be an unofficial count of ballots. Absentee ballots will be counted at City Hall, followed by an unofficial count of all ballots at the Marshall County Courthouse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The winners of Tuesdays primary will face challengers in the June 3 general election. WREG will let you know when the results are available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) The 42 Annual Northwest Louisiana Holocaust Remembrance Service will be held in Shreveport. The event commemorates the victims of one of the most tragic genocides in human history. This years guest speaker will be Kathy Kacer, the daughter of Holocaust survivors and an award-winning author. Kacer has written over 30 books focusing on the Second World War and the Holocaust. She also lectures at colleges and universities about how to teach sensitive material to young people, emphasizing the importance of remembering the Holocaust and keeping its memory alive. More U.S. & World News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since 1984, an annual remembrance service for Holocaust victims has been held in Northwest Louisiana. St. Pauls Episcopal Church will host this years service. The event chair, Father Michael Cannon, emphasized the importance of speaking out about the Holocaust. We must remember what happened to millions of innocent people who were tortured and murdered. We must remember how the will to power tried to extinguish the light of innocence, said Cannon. He also noted that people must actively remember this difficult chapter in human history. Eleven candles will be lit in memory of the eleven million lives lost during the Holocaust. The Holocaust Remembrance Service will be held on Sunday, April 27, at St. Pauls Episcopal Church, starting at 3:00 p.m. The church is inviting everyone to come, regardless of their religious background. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com. Amanda Moore, at microphone, shares the story of her son Jackson, who depends on Medicaid to cover life-saving treatments for his rare disease. (Whitney Downard/Indiana Capital Chronicle) Nine-year-old Jackson Moore has Angelman syndrome, a condition that delays his development. His mother, Amanda Moore, said her child is nonverbal and has frequent seizures, symptoms that are more manageable with therapy and medication. But she worries all of his progress could be jeopardized if he loses his Medicaid coverage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our fear is that any sort of these cuts could impact his medications, it could impact the therapies that you need, said Moore, a Hamilton County resident. if it was left to be covered by private insurance or families? Thats a crisis. Our private insurance covers six therapy sessions a year. He gets five a week in order to give him the quality of life he deserves. Rallying Hoosiers sign a birthday card addressed to Gov. Mike Braun, thanking him for supporting Medicaid in the past. (Whitney Downard/Indiana Capital Chronicle) So the fear of any of that going away? Its a terrible thought. Moore is the CEO of the national Angelman Syndrome Foundation, pushing at the state and federal levels to protect Medicaid from potential changes that could disrupt coverage for the millions of Hoosiers enrolled in the government insurance program. She, along with roughly 200 others from all over the state, gathered at the Indiana Statehouse on Tuesday to protect Medicaid many explicitly targeting Senate Bill 2, a proposal that would establish work requirements for some beneficiaries. Still, Moore was quick to note Jacksons happy nature and preschool-like wonder, feeling infuriated whenever someone suggests that Medicaids services should be limited in a way that might exclude her son. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moore wouldnt be impacted by Senate Bill 2 directly, since Jackson is covered by another Medicaid program, but she and others worry that provisions like quarterly checks could carry over. Managing my sons complex needs is already a full-time job. Now, imagine asking families like mine to complete repetitive and confusing paperwork just to maintain the basic needs he deserves, Moore told the rally crowd. This is not only wrong, this is dangerous Indiana already faces serious gaps when we care for individuals with disabilities. Removing access to Medicaid will only widen that gap and it will cost lives. More on Senate Bill 2 Senate Bill 2 primarily focuses on the Healthy Indiana Plan, which covers moderate-to-low-income Hoosiers. As currently written, the bill has nearly a dozen exceptions to work requirements for HIP enrollees, such as caregiving, having a disability or volunteering. But advocates like Tracey Hutchings-Goetz, an organizer and policy director with Hoosier Action, predict that as many as 150,000 Hoosiers could lose their HIP coverage if work requirements were established. If work requirements were implemented nationwide, some estimate 5 million adults could lose their coverage. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Providers like Allison Case, a physician with HealthNet in Indianapolis, shared her concerns about implementing a barrier for her patients, many of whom are HIP members at the federally qualified health center. The majority of these patients have jobs but still struggle to make ends meet these are people who are often one setback away from a major crisis, said Case. She described a patient, dubbed Mary, who had a job but needed HIP to get treatment for her diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and depression. She briefly lost her coverage and Case reported losing touch with her, meaning Mary didnt get her needed health care. Finally, months later, we were able to get a hold of her (but) shed had multiple trips to the ER. She had run out of her medications, Case said. She had been in the hospital with life-threatening hyperglycemia, which would have been prevented if she had had her insulin. Hoosiers hold signs urging lawmakers to protect Medicaid at the Indiana Statehouse on April 1, 2025. (Whitney Downard/Indiana Capital Chronicle) Being so sick made Mary miss work and Mary worried that shed lose her job, according to Case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is one example of what happens when people lose their Medicaid coverage: they get sicker, Case said. They can lose their jobs; they can lose their housing It costs the state more money when people are sicker and use the hospitals as a primary care clinic, rather than clinics like mine and it stresses an overwhelmed health care system. SB 2 will result in more people like Mary suffering, Case continued. Cuts to Medicaid could also have a disproportionate impact on the states rural hospitals, which cover populations that are more likely to rely on the government insurance program. Case and others rallying to protect Medicaid pointed to the bills fiscal note, which projects that work requirements and quarterly eligibility checks will cost the state money because of the additional administrative workload. Additionally, the federal government funds 90% of HIP and the state uses provider and cigarette taxes to pay for the remaining 10%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But that funding mechanism could also be threatened, part of the bill authors stated motivation to revisit the program. On the federal level, the current budget includes cuts that would impact the $880 billion spent on Medicaid, with a particular target on Medicaid expansion populations like HIP enrollees. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) Outdoor burning is once again allowed in Horry County and across South Carolina after local and state authorities lifted a ban that had been in place in some areas for more than a month because of a threat of wildfires. Horry County officials and the South Carolina Forest Commission lifted the ban at noon on Wednesday while reminding residents that they still must follow local and state burning laws. Even when the burn ban is not in place, we ask for consideration and due diligence when actively involved in open burning, the county said. Always remember to lean on the side of safety, and do not burn in windy or dry conditions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Horry Countys ban was initiated in late March before the start of the Covington Drive Wildfire in Carolina Forest, which has continued to smolder. The Forestry Commission lifted its statewide ban on Monday but kept it in place in Horry and five other counties until Wednesdays announcement that outdoor burning could resume. County officials said that even though open burning is legal again, people still must contact the South Carolina Forestry Commission at 800-986-5404 before starting to burn. The county has more information about rules and regulations on its website. The Forestry Commission initiated the statewide ban on March 21 because of dangerously low relative humidity and gusty winds. Improved weather conditions led to the ban being lifted. Tremendous progress has been made on containing the two wildfires making up the Table Rock Complex in Greenville and Pickens counties, which will allow the release of resources to return to their home units for response to new wildfire ignitions, the Forestry Commission said on Wednesday. The Table Rock Complex and the Covington Drive Fire continue to be monitored using local resources. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials also warned that conditions could change. Underlying conditions still warrant the need to be extremely vigilant when burning outdoors, as above-average fire danger and activity is expected through April, which has historically seen the worst, most damaging and costly wildfires in South Carolina, the Foresty Commission said. Anyone who burns outdoors and allows their fire to escape will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. In Horry County, authorities have charged Alexandra Bialousow, 40, in connection with the Covington Drive fire. State officials allege that she failed to use proper precautions to prevent a March 1 debris burn in her backyard from escaping. The fire eventually covered 2,059 acres. Four teens were arrested on Tuesday for allegedly starting a wildfire at Table Rock State Park on March 21. The fire began while Pickens County deputies were searching for Stephanie Womacks, a hiker who was last seen on March 3. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fires across the state also prompted a Myrtle Beach lawmaker to lead for sticker penalties for those who violate public burning rules and regulations. * * * Dennis Bright is the Digital Executive Producer at News13. He joined the team in May 2021. Dennis is a West Virginia native and a graduate of Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. Follow Dennis on Facebook, X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. Originally appeared on E! Online Miller Gardner's new possible cause of death is being disputed. After Costa Rican officials said they discovered "high levels of carbon monoxide contamination" within the 14-year-old's hotel room while investigating his untimely death, a rep for the Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resortwhere Miller was vacationing with his family, including his dad, former New York Yankees player Brett Gardneralleged authorities made "an error in this initial reporting." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We understand the concern has grown and to clarify the high levels of carbon monoxide were in a mechanical room that guests do not occupy," hotel spokesperson Dana Cohen told People April 1. "The levels in the hotel room were non-existent and non-lethal." Cohen added that the resort will wait for "conclusive results to confirm the cause of this unfortunate death." A public information officer for the country's Judicial Investigation Agency told NBC News on April 1 that the department will not respond to the hotel's claim as Miller's death is still under investigation. Previously, the agency's general director Randall Zuniga Lopez said Miller "could have died from" inhaling carbon monoxide that seeped into his room. More from E! Online Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It is important to point out that next to this room, there is a specialized machine room which is believed to have some type of contamination," he said March 31 during a Spanish-language press conference. "The initial investigative findings indicate that the incident was due to this contamination, with levels as high as 600 parts per million detectedwhen the appropriate level in this case should be zero." However, investigators are still waiting for "the final results from forensic toxicology" before determining Miller's official cause of death, according to the agency director. Per the Judicial Investigation Agency, autopsy results could take months due to a backlog in cases. Yankees / X In the meantime, Miller's family will continue to wait for more details. As Brett and his wife Jessica Gardner shared in a March 23 statement, "We have so many questions and so few answers at this point, but we do know that he passed away peacefully in his sleep on the morning of Friday, March 21st." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Miller was a beloved son and brother and we cannot yet comprehend our life without his infectious smile," the couplewho are also parents 16-year-old son Hunter Gardneradded. "He lived life to the fullest every single day." For more on Miller and the investigation surrounding his death, keep reading... (E! and NBC News are both part of the NBCUniversal family.) Miller and his brother Hunter were raised in South Carolina. Despite Brett Gardner spending his entire MLB career as a member of the New York Yankees, the outfielder and his wife Jessica Clendenin Gardnerwho tied the knot in 2007kept their sons Hunter and Miller largely out of the public eye in South Carolina. Still, they occasionally stepped out in support of their dads career, attending the CCandy Children's Clothing Line Launch at MLB Fan Cave in New York in 2013. Miller was known to live "life to the fullest every single day. In a statement announcing his tragic death, Millers family described the 14-year-old as having an infectious smile and someone who lived life to the fullest every single day. He was similarly remembered by the New York Yankees in a March 2025 statement, who emphasized Millers outgoing and feisty personality. Miller was following his father Bretts footsteps. Like his dad, Miller was athletic, though in addition to baseball, he also took up football, golf, fishing and hunting. In a TikTok post he shared earlier this year, he emphasized his love for football by sharing photos of himself on the field, adding, "Miss it." Miller made an impact on the New York Yankees. In a March 2025 statement by the Yankees confirming Millers death, the organizationfor whom Brett played from 2008 to 2021remembered the teen for the "spark in his eyes" as well as a "warm and loving nature. The team continued in their statement, "It wasn't just Brett who literally grew up in this organization for more than 17 yearsso did his wife, Jessica, and their two boys." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Gardner family is still looking for answers after Millers sudden death. In a statement shared by Bretts former team, the outfielder and his family shared that after Miller and others had fallen ill while on vacation, the 14-year-old passed "peacefully in his sleep the morning of Friday, March 21." "Miller was a beloved son and brother, they wrote, and we cannot yet comprehend our life without his infectious smile." And amid their grief, the Gardner family expressed how they are still trying to determine what happened. As they added in their statement, "We have so many questions and so few answers at this point." U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica confirms why the Gardner family was in the country. The day after Brett and Jessica revealed that Miller had died, the U.S. Embassy of Costa Rica told Inside Edition that the family was vacationing in the Central American country for spring break at the time of his death. The Embassy also confirmed that it was in discussions with the Gardner family about transporting Millers body back to the U.S. Costa Rican officials release Miller's preliminary cause of death. One day after Brett and Jessica announced the sudden passing of Miller, Costa Rican officials said the teenager likely died from suffocation after possibly ingesting a toxic substance. Preliminarily, apparently the manner of death would be by asphyxia after a possible intoxication after apparently ingesting some food, an Organismo de Investigacion Judicial spokesperson told NBC News in a statement translated from Spanish. At the moment it is a death under investigation and is awaiting the results of the autopsy, as well as the analysis of the Toxicology Section, to determine the exact cause of death. Miller's cause of death as suffocation is ruled out. However, authorities soon ruled out suffocation as his cause of death, because they did not find any obstruction in his airways. They shared instead that Milleras well as his parents and siblinghad fallen ill on March 20 after returning to their hotel from a restaurant, agency spokesperson Juan Pablo Alvarado Garcia told NBC News March 25. Hotel medical staffers treated all four family members before Miller's body was found in his room the next morning. The investigation is ongoing and pending medical test results. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The resort where Miller died releases a statement. Two days after the Gardner family announced Miller's death, the Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort where the family was vacationing in Costa Rica shared their condolences. We are deeply saddened by this loss, and our hearts go out to the family during this incredibly difficult time, a representative for the hotel said in a March 25 statement to People. The factors that led to this tragic incident are unknown, and we are fully cooperating with authorities as they investigate. The resort added, We remain committed to supporting our guests and staff, prioritizing their well-being and safety, while respecting the privacy of those affected. The hotel also denied responsibility for the Gardner family getting sick at a nearby restaurant hours before Millers death. "The family did not eat at any of Arenas Del Mars restaurants for lunch or dinner the previous day, the resorts rep continued. Additionally, on March 14th, we had an inspection by the Health Ministry in which the hotel passed with a 98.5 out of 100. A Costa Rican official provides multiple major updates. The day after the resort where the Gardner family was staying spoke out, Juan Pablo Alvarado Garcia, a spokesperson for Costa Rica's Judicial Investigation Agency (JIA), confirmed that Miller's autopsy results will be delayed by months due to high crime in the area. We're having a hike in homicides as these drug gangs battle for territory, he told DailyMail.com, and every one of them needs an autopsy. He added, I can confirm that an autopsy has been carried out on Miller, but the full analysis and results, as in every one of them, will take at least two to three months due to these constant killings causing a backlog of cases. That's the reality. Alvarado Garcia did confirm, though, that there was no indication Miller's death was a result of recreational drugs or alcohol. Though the results will be delayed, the official explained that, since all the samples necessary had been taken for Millers autopsy, his body can be repatriated to the United States, however, the Gardner family has been held up by the U.S. Embassy in Costa Ricas processing of their request. New York Yankees pay tribute to Miller. During their Opening Day 2025 festivities March 27, Brett's former team took a moment of silence to honor Miller. During the tribute, players stood with their hats removed along the edge of the baseball diamond at Yankee Stadium while a picture of Miller smiling was shown on the big screen. Accompanying the snap were the words Remembering Miller Gardner. Investigators discover another possible cause of death. Miller "may have died from inhaling" carbon monoxide, according to the general director of Costa Rica's Judicial Investigation Agency Randall Zuniga, who said in a March 31 press conference that "high levels of carbon monoxide contamination" were found within the family's hotel room. Noting that a "specialized machine" was located next door, Zuniga said authorities believe "some form of contamination may have reached the guest rooms, potentially causing the incident." "Nonetheless, the initial investigative findings indicate that the incident was due to this contamination, with levels as high as 600 parts per million detectedwhen the appropriate level in this case should be zero," he continued, adding that officials will "wait for the final results from forensic toxicology" before releasing Miller's cause of death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App The law would prevent any public entity from taking action to implement, promote, or otherwise engage any programs or policies related to DEI, and it would block state funds from being spent on them. (Photo by Dana Wormald/New Hampshire Bulletin) Republican lawmakers are advancing legislation that would prohibit diversity, equity, and inclusion clauses in state contracts, adding the measure to the state budget as Democrats object to the late notice. In an amendment added to the budget trailer bill, House Bill 2, Republicans on the House Finance Committee voted to block state agencies, towns, and school districts from entering into contracts that have provisions relating to DEI. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the proposed law, DEI includes any program or policy that classifies individuals based on race, sex, ethnicity, or other group characteristics for the purpose of achieving democratic outcomes. The law would prevent any public entity from taking action to implement, promote, or otherwise engage any programs or policies related to DEI, and it would block state funds from being spent on them. It would also bar state agencies from entering into contracts with vendors that include any DEI-related provisions, and would require state agencies to submit a report by October of any current contracts it has that include those provisions. Public schools would be prevented from DEI programs, including implicit bias training, and race-based hiring, and public schools would also need to conduct a review of all contracts that might contain those programs by October, according to the bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill emerged Monday as a last-minute amendment to the budget. The House Finance Committee is expected to vote Thursday on its final recommended version of the budget, which must be voted on by the full House on April 10. The two budget bills, House Bill 1 and House Bill 2, will then move on to the Senate. Democrats objected that the anti-DEI amendment, brought by Reps. Rich Nalevanko, of Alstead, and Joe Sweeney, of Salem, came too late in the process and should have received a full hearing in a policy committee. I simply want to point out that if the public has not said already that they want input on big decisions such as this one, and they see again that this committee is going to go ahead and jam through on literally the last day something like this without proper notice, proper discussion, and input from the community, I think they are going to lose their confidence in this body, said Rep. Laura Telerski, a Nashua Democrat. Democrats also said the language was overly vague and would likely be challenged in court, which they said would cost the state in legal fees. They argued the phrase other group characteristics is confusing and could be read to exclude contracts and programs meant to help people with disabilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A similar law, known by some as the divisive concepts law, was passed in 2021 and was also the subject of a lawsuit. That law was struck down by the U.S. District Court of New Hampshire in May 2024 for being unconstitutionally vague; the state has appealed the decision to the First Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston. Good attorneys will argue on their interpretations of the words, and then a judge will determine the outcome. And the last time we took that gamble, it cost the state of New Hampshire $3 million, said Rep. Mary Hakken-Phillips, a Hanover Democrat, referring to the litigation costs brought by the divisive concepts law. Are we going to do that again? The amendment nearly didnt pass. In an earlier vote Tuesday afternoon, the committee voted down the amendment after two Republican representatives, Jess Edwards, of Auburn, and Brian Seaworth, of Pembroke, broke with their party to oppose it. At the time, Edwards said he was voting against the amendment on principle, since the amendment was introduced late and did not receive a proper hearing. But later in the day, Edwards and Seaworth reversed their votes and the committee passed the amendment. Neither explained their decision publicly, but Edwards said he supports the aim of the amendment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Edwards criticized Southern New Hampshire University, a private institution, for a course that delves in part into why white-majority neighborhoods have better health outcomes than minority-dominant neighborhoods. Its that calling out of a demographic to assign a group characteristic that doesnt make any sense when you put it back into individual terms. It causes one to think, Arent we supposed to be judged by the content of our character and not of our skin? he said. Republican House Finance Chairman Ken Weyler, of Kingston, dismissed concerns about the late filing of the amendment. He pointed to a broader push against DEI initiatives by the Trump administration, and said if New Hampshire did not pass the proposed law, it could see federal funding withheld. We want to make sure that we dont lose federal money because we have something in there that lot of us dont support anyway, he said. Lydur and Agust Gudmundsson founded Bakkavor in 1986 - Justin Thomas Two brothers dubbed the business Vikings are in line for a 250m payday after selling their ready-meal business to Irish sandwich-maker Greencore. The Gudmundsson brothers, who founded Bakkavor in 1986, are cashing in after striking a 1.2bn deal with Greencore, which will create a new food-to-go giant worth 4bn. Under the terms of the deal, Lydur and Agust Gudmundsson will receive 177m shares in the new group alongside their 250m cash payout. The news of the deal comes after months of speculation over a merger between the two London-listed companies. Bakkavor previously rejected two approaches from Greencore, with the board claiming last month that an earlier 1.14bn offer had significantly undervalued the business. Together, the food manufacturers produce sushi, ready meals, sandwiches, dips, hummus and salads for Britains biggest supermarkets, including M&S, Sainsburys and Tesco. It will, however, come as a significant turning point for Bakkavor, which only joined the London Stock Exchange in 2017. The listing had been seen as a crucial moment for the Gudmundsson siblings, who had set the company up as a business processing and exporting cod roe. They had previously borrowed from banks to fund Bakkavors expansion but came unstuck when the financial crisis hit Icelands banking system in 2008. The pair had been forced to cede control of Bakkavor in 2010 in a debt-for-equity swap before taking it back in 2016 in a tie-up with US hedge fund Baupost. Despite the London float, the brothers remained the largest shareholders in Bakkavor with a 50pc stake. They were previously in charge of Bakkavors day-to-day operations between 1986 and 2022 and have since retained seats on the board as non-executive directors. They are also expected to join the board of the new combined business. Concern over potential job losses The tie-up is expected to ease pressure on Greencore, which has recently been targeted by activist investor Oasis Management over boosting shareholder returns and speeding up a turnaround plan. Greencore said together with Bakkavor, it could free up more cash to invest in growth by looking at combining their distribution and buying teams. However, union chiefs at GMB raised concerns over potential job losses. Eamon OHearn, GMB national officer, said Companies assessing synergies is often management speak for cost cutting. It is widely acknowledged by the Government and the wider industry, that the UK food and drink industry needs more capacity not less. He added: The GMB is calling for a commitment to no factory closures and no job losses. Apr. 1The Howard County Board of Education apologized to the Muslim community for its communications about holding a full school day on Eid al-Fitr. Subscribe to continue reading this article. Already subscribed? To login in, click here. Originally Published:April 1, 2025 at 1:27 PM EDT Denise Robinson, an engineering technician at the Rhode Island Department of Transportation, is one of hundreds of state workers awaiting a job reclassification, which has been delayed due to a state software improvement project. (Photo by Michael Salerno/Rhode Island Current) Denise Robinsons role at the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) has changed dramatically since she started 36 years ago. New technology and updated government regulations require constant expansion of her job as a record keeper on state construction projects. But her job classification, engineering technician IV, has never been upgraded to reflect her growing workload a problem faced by many of her coworkers and fellow members of the RI IFPTE Local 400, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They constantly create new things for us to learn; just expect us to adjust with no compensation, said Robinson, president of the union representing about 300 engineers at RIDOT and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. And because our pay grades are so off from surrounding states, we cant attract people to open positions. The union began negotiating in January 2024 with the Rhode Island Department of Administration to reclassify some of its members at higher pay grades based on seniority, performance and expanded duties. But the required public hearing needed to make merit-based changes for classified state workers separate from annual cost-of-living adjustments - has been on hold for nearly as long. The state administration puts the blame on a major state software transition that includes its payroll system as reason why it cant hold the hearings, and in turn, grant raises. The planned upgrade to a cloud-based system does not reflect any serious technical problems with the existing payroll software. It has also not prevented 11 state department heads from receiving proposed raises within a month (barring formal action from the Rhode Island General Assembly to stop it). Among the cabinet members Gov. Dan McKee wants to give a raise to is RIDOTs Peter Alviti Jr., whose 2% increase would put his annual base salary at $192,000. Thats more than double the $93,000 Robinson earns, according to the states payroll database. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A March 26 public hearing on cabinet raises drew opposition from local union leaders who represent state workers, including Robinson. I am not against anybody getting a pay raise, I just want it to be fair and equitable, Robinson said in a later interview. Why do my members have to keep suffering because you people dont have your sh*t together. Robinson estimated hundreds of classified state workers spanning the state health, education, health and human services departments were not able to negotiate for and receive merit increases for the last year due to the software upgrades. She was unsure of the exact number. Under Gov. Dan McKees proposal, Rhode Island Department of Transportation Director Peter Alviti Jr., shown entering the House chamber for McKees State of the State on Jan. 14, 2025, would receive a 2% pay raise, bringing his base salary to $192,000 a year. (Photo by Michael Salerno/Rhode Island Current) (Michael Salerno/Rhode Island Current) Bad timing Karen Greco, a spokesperson for the Department of Administration, confirmed in an email that the administration paused public hearings on large job classification and pay grade changes during the transition to a new, cloud-based software system. The pause began May 2024 directly following annual cabinet-level pay raises and was lifted in March, just in time for the 2025 hearing on department head raises. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hearings for raises for lower-level state employees like Robinson will happen later this spring, Greco said. She did not give a specific date. Asked how many people were affected by the delays, Greco answered, Public hearings are held to evaluate job classifications to determine if occupational standards have evolved over time. It is about evaluating positions, not people. She declined to say how many positions were affected, noting agencies and local unions were still submitting requests. Matthew Gunnip, a case worker with the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth, and Families and president of SEIU Local 580, called on the directors slated for raises not to accept them until their employees also received merit-based increases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not about who deserves an increase or not, its about timing, said Gunnip, who represents 850 state workers across DCYF, the Department of Human Services and the Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals, among others. It feels contradictory that the priority of a directors salary be more important than frontline workers. Its not about who deserves an increase or not, its about timing. It feels contradictory that the priority of a directors salary be more important than frontline workers. Matthew Gunnip, a social case worker at the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families and president of SEIU Local 580 Greco said that proposed raises for department heads can happen only in March of each year under state law. Public hearings for classified state workers in any agency can happen at any time, and there is no statutorily prescribed cadence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, the cost and time to complete the long-awaited modernization of state payroll, finance and other software systems referred to as the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) project - are growing. McKee proposed revising the states current year, fiscal 2025 budget to include $15.8 million more for the project, bringing state spending on the project to $84.5 million, according to a March 21 budget amendment. McKees fiscal 2026 budget proposal allocates another $6.7 million to the project for a total cost of $91.2 million. Transitioning the payroll system from a smattering of individual programs and, in some cases, paper timesheets, to a universal, cloud-based system is now expected to happen by September nine months later than the original January target. The state plans to return to a regular public hearing schedule for state worker reclassifications once the transition is completed, Greco said. The explanation puzzled Patrick Crowley, president of the Rhode Island chapter of the AFL-CIO. If they didnt need the software for department head raises, why do they need it for the rank and file? Crowley questioned. I dont understand that. Department of Administration Director Jonathan Womer listens as reporters ask questions during a briefing on Gov. Dan McKees proposed fiscal 2026 state budget on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025. (Photo by Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current) Embracing the modern era Rhode Island Department of Administration Director Jonathan Womer explained during a March 25 hearing before the Rhode Island House Committee on Finance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is about the time its taking us going through 50-plus collective bargaining agreements and rules and regulations around payroll, primarily for employees and how complicated it is to document and put in the system, Womer said. Womer insisted it was still a worthwhile and long overdue project, despite repeated increases in the bottom line and completion date. We dont have enough modern controls over our finances and financial transactions, Womer said. We have been relying on typewriters and carbon papers for a long time. The states Division of Enterprise Technology Strategy and Services in a 2019 report called the software transition less of an opportunity and more of a necessity. At the time of its strategic plan laying the framework for the transition to a universal cloud system, Rhode Island was one of 12 states that lacked a modern cloud software system, six of which had already begun to implement one, according to the report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report highlighted benefits for efficiency, transparency and security, the latter of which was compromised by the aging and uncoordinated systems used by various agencies to track spending, contracts and other financial information. The more touchpoints, the more opportunities for malicious actors to exploit weaknesses, the report stated. A breach of HR, payroll or financial data has massive economic and reputational costs and consequences. Sage advice, especially on the heels of a December 2024 cyberattack on the RIBridges public benefits system, which compromised personal information of up to 650,000 residents. An audit of the states fiscal 2024 financial statements published on March 26 found 28 material weaknesses and control deficiencies across state agencies deemed of critical importance to address by the state auditor general. The administration in its written response to these findings said the ERP system would address many of these deficiencies, according to the report Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of the increasing price tag for the ERP project, Womer said it was mostly due to having contracts there longer. We dont have enough modern controls over our finances and financial transactions. We have been relying on typewriters and carbon papers for a long time. Jonathan Womer, Rhode Island Department of Administration director A bulk of the funding, $55.5 million with McKees proposed budget adjustment, comes from a state account reserved for IT projects based on revenue from selling state land and buildings. A separate restricted receipts account using revenue derived from Division of Motor Vehicles service charges also covers part of the project costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even so, Rep. Alex Marszalkowski, a Cumberland Democrat and second vice chair of the House Committee on Finance, questioned Womer about the rapidly rising cost amid a $250 million forecasted budget deficit for the upcoming fiscal year. Now, more than ever, we need to be able to control the controllables, Marszalkowski said in a later interview. Thats why youll hear me say over and over that projects need to come in on-time and on budget. Especially because lawmakers had the same discussion with the administration last year during budget deliberations. We asked them then, what are we doing to ensure this is being rolled out on time? Marszalkowski said. When government IT upgrades fall flat Delays and rising costs plague government IT projects, including for ERP systems. And completing the software transition doesnt guarantee results; as few as 13% of large government IT projects succeed, according to a field guide by the U.S. General Services Administration. In Idaho, a $121 million transition to a similar cloud-based software system called Luma led to payroll issues and failure to properly distribute $100 million in interest payments to state agencies. Since Maine debuted a $30 million software upgrade for its child welfare system in 2022, case workers continue to criticize the program as cumbersome and laborious to use. Many of the reported problems related to state workers abilities to understand and use the new system, a challenge Rhode Island tried to head off by hiring a contractor to train state workers on implementation and usage. The $6.2 million purchase order with Houston-based IT consultant Precision Task Group Inc. was awarded through a competitive bidding process in 2022, the same time as the primary $37.6 million purchase order to Boston-based Accenture LLP, which is providing the subscription to a software called Workday, according to state bidding award documents. The existing contract for Accenture runs through Sept. 30, while the agreement with Precision covers through the end of 2025. A third purchase order based on a bid awarded last summer to Deloitte Consulting LLP allocates $600,000 for the consultant to support the existing payroll team in transitioning from the current payroll program, ADP, to the new cloud program, Workday, according to the bid documents. Deloitte is the same vendor hired to administer the RIBridges program hacked last year. Greco sought to separate the work Deloitte was hired to do for the ERP system from its role as the administrator of the RIBridges contract. They are not building or managing the system; they are accountants helping with the transition, she said of the new software contract. RIBridges is a wholly different project with a completely different scope of work. Its inaccurate to conflate the two. Senate Finance Chair Lou DiPalma, a Middletown Democrat who works as a technical director for Raytheon, was unconcerned by Deloittes involvement in the software project. But he was not assured by the states explanation that the ERP project was the reason why state workers pay raises had been put on hold. DiPalma was not aware of the situation prior to being interviewed by Rhode Island Current. That should not be the case, he said. If they need to do something with regards to appropriately compensating somebody, technology should not be the means by which it is delayed. Marszalkowski was similarly uninformed about how the project was affecting public hearings for worker reclassifications. If I had known that would have been one of the first questions I asked during the hearing, he said. Robinson has asked leaders of the Department of Administration, multiple times, she said. Theyre not willing to give an answer, she said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Hungary's right-wing populist government plans to temporarily revoke the citizenship of certain dual citizens in the future, according to a bill submitted to parliament by a member of Prime Minister Viktor Orban's ruling party. The proposal, which is expected to pass easily, targets individuals deemed by authorities to be a threat to the state. Critics see it as a repressive tool aimed at silencing government opponents. The draft law specifies that citizenship can only be revoked from dual nationals whose other nationality is not from an EU country, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Iceland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Citizenship can be revoked if a person acts in the interest of a foreign power or organization, pursues the goals of a foreign power or organization or poses a threat to Hungary's public order and security. The proposed legislation would allow for citizenship to be revoked for a maximum of 10 years, a time-limited regulation that is uncommon internationally. Typically, citizenship is either permanently revoked or voluntarily renounced. The law could affect individuals such as a dual Hungarian-US citizen involved in a human rights organization in Hungary, as citizenship revocation could lead to deportation - while a Hungarian citizen cannot be expelled from the country. Orban has been using repressive methods against critics and independent civil organizations for years, often justifying his actions by claiming that individuals and groups critical of the government harm Hungary and represent foreign interests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Orban has been ruling his country with authoritarian methods for almost 15 years. Orban has been ruling his country with authoritarian methods for almost 15 years. The EU says that freedom of the media and the rule of law are restricted in Hungary, which is why it has frozen some of its aid money. Hunter Biden has agreed to give up his license to practice law in Washington, D.C., as a result of his criminal record. The D.C. Bars Board on Professional Responsibility, which oversees attorney discipline proceedings, revealed the decision by former President Joe Bidens son in a series of filings made public this week. The voluntary decision to accept disbarment avoids potentially protracted proceedings over whether Hunter Bidens two prior criminal cases required him to lose his law license. Last June, he was convicted of owning a gun while using illegal drugs and lying on a gun-purchase form about his drug use. And in September, he pleaded guilty to tax evasion and other tax crimes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His father pardoned him of all of those crimes in December. The details of Bidens decision were maintained under seal by the board under what its members described as their typical practice. The board recommended that the D.C. Court of Appeals which has the final say on all attorney discipline matters accept Bidens voluntary disbarment. HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) In the fall, Alabama will roll out the CHOOSE Act, which pays for Education Savings Accounts for students attending private schools and homeschool programs. The application deadline is less than a week away for parents, and Gov. Kay Iveys office says more than 27,000 students have been signed up so far. Longtime administrator selected as new Deputy Director for Alabama State Parks Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Montessori School of Huntsville is one of more than a dozen private and independent schools in Madison County that will participate in the first year of the program. We got information and just told parents there was another option for funding, said Rebecca Duke, the head of the Montessori School of Huntsville. Duke said that since applications opened in January, she has worked with parents who have had questions about how the program will work. For each student who qualifies, the state will pay $7,000 toward their school expenses like tuition, fees and instructional materials. The program also includes homeschool students, paying out $2,000 per student to those families. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Duke said her school sees the program as a growth opportunity. Weve had about 15 applicants altogether, Duke said. I mean, our school is fairly small. We have 140 students, so thats not bad for the first year. Were hoping that continues to grow once people learn more about it. Get breaking news, traffic and weather alerts directly to your smartphone. Download the News 19 App Those applicants are a fairly equal mix of current and prospective students. The state has allocated $100 million for the first year of the program, meaning every family that applied is not likely to receive an ESA this year. Over the next few years, the program is supposed to open up to more students, possibly bringing them to more private and independent schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were always looking at ways to make Montessori education accessible to the greater community, Duke said. Theres a lot to be discovered the first year, just kind of rolling everything out. This upcoming school year, the first 500 ESAs will be reserved for students with special needs. The program also prioritizes children of active duty military who are attending a priority school, meaning their school received a failing grade on the last state report card. Families whose income does not exceed 300% of the federal poverty guidelines can qualify. 300% of Federal Poverty Guidelines 2 persons in household: $61,320 3 persons in household: $77,460 4 persons in household: $93,600 5 persons in household: $109,740 6 persons in household: $125,880 7 persons in households: $142,020 8 persons in households: $158,160 For households with more than 8 persons, add $5,380 for each additional person. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The governors office said families will be notified if they were approved for the program in May and will be able to use the funds beginning in July. Applications for the CHOOSE Act close on April 7. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com. By Tim Hepher and Joanna Plucinska PARIS/LONDON (Reuters) - Global airlines have issued their bluntest warning yet that efforts to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 are sliding off course, as the head of their main trade body accused oil firms and the rest of the aviation sector of dragging their feet. Airlines agreed in 2021 to target net-zero emissions in 2050 based mainly on a gradual switch to Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). But cracks have appeared as airlines clash with airports, manufacturers, air traffic control agencies and energy companies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Willie Walsh, director general of the International Air Transport Association, told Reuters in an interview that airline bosses are increasingly alarmed at the unbalanced burden of the target. "We don't see others playing their part. In fact, they're behind where they should be and moving in the wrong direction," he said. "They're all committed, so long as we pay the bill. And that's just unacceptable." The outspoken former British Airways boss doubled down on recent comments, reported by Aviation Week, in which he predicted increasing pressure to reassess the target. That marks a shift in tone from an IATA gathering just 10 months ago when Walsh described the target as "existential not optional" and hailed a "fundamental consensus" in aviation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We're going to have to reevaluate the commitment to net zero in 2050, because we're just not getting the support that the airlines require," he said. "What I'm seeing now is more and more concern being expressed by airline CEOs that more is expected of the industry, which is going to cost even more than the eye-watering estimates that we've had." The next test could be IATA's annual meeting in New Delhi in June. "It's not our intention to formally revisit (the target)," he said. "But it would not surprise me if we get calls from member airlines to look again at that commitment, because (it) was made on the basis that everybody would play their part." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 'PLAYING THEIR PART' Walsh also dismissed an interim goal by governments to reduce emissions 5% by 2030 through the use of low-carbon fuels. IATA opposes interim targets, given there is enough SAF available for only 1% of today's fuel needs. Walsh criticised fuel companies as the "cause of the problem", saying they had ignored their own SAF supply promises. "They've got to start playing their part," he said, adding that airlines would spend an additional $3.8 billion on fuel this year due to government mandates and broader carbon emissions pledges. FuelsEurope, which represents conventional and renewable energy firms, did not respond to a request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Airlines would also take stock of delays in new aircraft deliveries, Walsh said. "It would be foolish for us not to flag these issues and foolish of us to believe that we are on track," he said. Groups representing the aerospace industry in Brussels and Washington said manufacturers remain committed to supplying efficient new jets but face persistent supply chain issues. Walsh also blamed airports and a stalled two-decade effort to reform airspace in Europe. "These guys can't try and benefit from the halo effect of what the airlines are doing, if they're not prepared to commit to supporting the industry," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ACI Europe, which represents airports, said they are doing "more than their fair share" in decarbonising aviation and accused IATA of shifting responsibility. CANSO, an air traffic control umbrella group, said it was strongly committed to net zero and making airspace more efficient to help burn less fuel. Walsh said airlines were not interested in a "blame game", but that, if net-zero goals were to be met, the entire sector needed to understand the state of play. "It's reality. We're highlighting the nature (and) scale of the challenge," he said. (Reporting by Tim Hepher and Joanna Plucinska; Editing by Joe Bavier) Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden announced Wednesday that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is harming public safety in Boston after a federal agent detained a suspect last week while he was on trial. ICE routinely claims that their actions are improving public safety in Boston, and Im here today to tell you and to say that theyre doing the exact opposite, Hayden said during a morning news conference. Haydens criticism of the Department of Homeland Security agency comes after ICE agent Brian Sullivan detained Wilson Martell-Lebron as he was leaving court in Boston on Thursday, March 27. His trial had just begun with opening statements and the first witnesses. This family photo provided by attorney's shows Wilson Martell-Lebron. (Family photo/Erkan & Sullivan, PC via AP) One of Martell-Lebrons lawyers said that ICE agents jumped on Martell-Lebron without identifying themselves, put him into a truck, and sped away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This action by ICE was troubling and extraordinarily reckless, Hayden said. ICEs actions deprived Mr. Martell-Lebron of his right to a fair trial. It also deprived our office of our intent to hold the defendant accountable for his alleged crime. During an emergency hearing on Monday, Boston Municipal Court Judge Mark Summerville dismissed the charge of making a false statement on a drivers license application that Martell-Lebron faced and held Agent Sullivan in contempt of court. Summerville accused ICE of obstructing justice and ruled that Sullivan intentionally and egregiously violated the rights of Martell-Lebron. I find that this court cannot trust ICE to return the defendant back to court. I dont find that theyre credible, Summerville said. I have no confidence in ICE, no matter what they told the Commonwealth, that they would ever bring this defendant into court. Boston Municipal Court Judge Mark Summerville addresses the court room, while holding an U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in contempt after he detained a suspect while he was on trial, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Boston. (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via AP) ICE hasnt responded to our request for comment following Wednesdays press conference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judge Mark Summerville (Boston Municipal Court) tasked the Suffolk County DAs office with investigating the ICE agent in contempt of court. Hayden said theyre considering bring criminal charges against him, but they have a lot to go over in the case before proceeding with that. Hayden noted that his office did everything in our power to return Martell-Lebron to court, but the attempt was unsuccessful. All of our actions, in this case, clearly demonstrated our intent to hold Mr. Martell-Lebron accountable, and none of our actions demonstrated any collusion with ICE to deprive him of the right to a trial, Hayden said. Any claim that we collaborated with ICE and their actions to remove the defendant from the trial are wholly unsupported by any credible evidence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hayden expressed concerns over ICEs recent operations in Boston and across Suffolk County. A raid led by President Trumps border czar, Tom Homan, netted nearly 400 arrests in late March. My offices responsibility is to hold defendants accountable, secure justice for victims, witnesses, and the greater community, and to work with our law enforcement partners and the community to reduce crime and ensure public safety, Hayden said. We can not and will not tolerate ICE hindering our ability to pursue those vital public safety goals. Hayden touted Boston as the safest major city in America, citing historic lows in homicides, shootings, and other serious crimes in recent years thanks to collaboration with government, city neighborhoods, and community partners. Ive watched ICEs actions over the last few months, and I have concerns that those actions are harming our public safety goals, Hayden said. Were now finding witnesses reluctant to cooperate with investigators due to fear of ICE. This harms public safety. We are seeing victims refuse to provide information about crimes against them due to fear of ICE. This harms public safety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hayden said the presence of ICE in Suffolk County is having a chilling effect on some of the most vulnerable residents. Hayden warned that his office will not stand silent if ICE continues to remove suspects mid-trial. We will not stand silent while ICE operations jeopardize the public safety gains we and our partners have worked so long and so hard to achieve, Hayden said. Hayden noted that hes cautiously optimistic that his office will be able to work with ICE moving forward. In a statement issued Tuesday morning, an ICE spokesperson confirmed the detainment of Martell-Lebron outside court and said that he is an illegally present Dominican national with prior drug trafficking convictions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The detainment of Martell-Lebron comes just days after six federal agents, with their faces covered, approached Tufts University graduate student Rumeysa Ozturk on a Somerville street, took her into custody, and rushed her to an ICE Processing Center in Basile, Louisiana. In this image taken from security camera video, Rumeysa Ozturk, a 30-year-old doctoral student at Tufts University, is detained by Department of Homeland Security agents on a street in Sommerville, Mass., Tuesday, March 26, 2025. (AP Photo) In this image taken from security camera video, Rumeysa Ozturk, a 30-year-old doctoral student at Tufts University, is detained by Department of Homeland Security agents on a street in Sommerville, Mass., Tuesday, March 26, 2025. (AP Photo) In this image taken from security camera video, Rumeysa Ozturk, a 30-year-old doctoral student at Tufts University, is detained by Department of Homeland Security agents on a street in Sommerville, Mass., Tuesday, March 26, 2025. (AP Photo) In this image taken from security camera video, Rumeysa Ozturk, a 30-year-old doctoral student at Tufts University, is detained by Department of Homeland Security agents on a street in Sommerville, Mass., Tuesday, March 26, 2025. (AP Photo) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In this image taken from security camera video, Rumeysa Ozturk, a 30-year-old doctoral student at Tufts University, is detained by Department of Homeland Security agents on a street in Sommerville, Mass., Tuesday, March 26, 2025. (AP Photo) In this image taken from security camera video, Rumeysa Ozturk, a 30-year-old doctoral student at Tufts University, is detained by Department of Homeland Security agents on a street in Sommerville, Mass., Tuesday, March 26, 2025. (AP Photo) In this image taken from security camera video, Rumeysa Ozturk, a 30-year-old doctoral student at Tufts University, is detained by Department of Homeland Security agents on a street in Sommerville, Mass., Tuesday, March 26, 2025. (AP Photo) In this image taken from security camera video, Rumeysa Ozturk, a 30-year-old doctoral student at Tufts University, is detained by Department of Homeland Security agents on a street in Sommerville, Mass., Tuesday, March 26, 2025. (AP Photo) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In this image taken from security camera video, Rumeysa Ozturk, a 30-year-old doctoral student at Tufts University, is detained by Department of Homeland Security agents on a street in Sommerville, Mass., Tuesday, March 26, 2025. (AP Photo) Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW By Amanda Stephenson CALGARY (Reuters) - Canada's Trans Mountain oil pipeline has downgraded forecasts for the amount of oil expected to flow through its system over the next three years, documents filed by the operator show, as use of the newly expanded pipeline increases more slowly than expected. The lower forecasts, filed by Trans Mountain with the Canada Energy Regulator last month, have not been previously reported. They indicate unwillingness by oil companies to pay higher tolls the government-owned Trans Mountain has been charging customers to ship oil on the newly expanded pipeline, analysts said. They said 20% of the pipeline's capacity that is reserved for spot shipments is being underutilized because shipping costs are higher than the Enbridge Mainline system, the largest crude pipeline system in North America, which moves oil from western Canada to markets in Eastern Canada and the U.S. Midwest. The lower forecasts raise questions about the Trans Mountain pipeline's ability to generate revenue and attract a private sector buyer. Ottawa has indicated it ultimately wishes to sell the pipeline. Lower expected usage also shows the difficulty of diversifying Canadian oil exports away from the U.S., which buys 90% of Canadian crude. Trans Mountain is Canada's only operational east-west pipeline and the only outlet to Asia and non-U.S. markets. One possible wild card: analysts and Trans Mountain itself have said business could improve quickly if U.S. President Donald Trump slaps tariffs on Canadian oil. The expanded 890,000 barrel-per-day (bpd) pipeline, which runs from Alberta to Canada's Pacific Coast, started service in May 2024. At that time, and as recently as November, Trans Mountain was forecasting 96% utilization on the pipe every year starting in 2025, its first full year of operations. The latest documents do not show the pick-up the pipeline operator expected. In its first eight months, Trans Mountain saw only 18,500 bpd of spot shipments, compared to a forecast 30,600 bpd. Total utilization was 77% for 2024, well shy of the 83% that had been forecast. The new forecasts are for the pipeline to be 84% full this year, 88% full in 2026 and 92% full in 2027. The pipeline now is not expected to reach 96% utilization until 2028. A Trans Mountain spokesperson said in an email to Reuters on Tuesday that spot shipments depend on market factors including Canadian crude production levels, global crude oil market hub pricing differentials, and marine freight rates. Analysts cited massive budget overruns during construction, and noted that last spring Trans Mountain hiked the tolls it charges customers to ship oil. Total construction costs came to about C$34 billion, nearly quintuple a 2017 estimate. After a swell of community support that ultimately couldn't save Le Petit Four, the sunny French-Californian bistro in West Hollywood closed after 44 years of business. A celebrity-favorite fixture in the Sunset Plaza shopping center, the restaurant is the latest in a wave of closures along the Sunset Strip. As the neighborhood contends with a decline in pedestrian traffic and other lingering challenges from the pandemic, a new initiative from the city of West Hollywood aims to boost midweek sales for local businesses. An Instagram post announced the closure of Le Petit Four less than two weeks ago, calling the decision "unavoidable" amid a downturn in foot traffic and higher costs, including a minimum-wage increase and rising rent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I've owned the restaurant since January 99. Sunset used to be the place to hang out. It was packed, packed, packed," owner Alexandre Morgenthaler said in a phone interview. "But since COVID everything went up in price. Minimum wage went up 30% in West Hollywood. We lost traffic." He said that prior to COVID, the restaurant typically made more than $4 million a year in sales and managed a staff of 64. But since the pandemic it has been averaging $3.5 million annually, and its staff has shrunk to 50. "It's not even enough to pay the bills," he said. Patrons were invited to come out for the restaurant's final days of service, with doors closed permanently on March 31. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The date wasn't arbitrary. Morgenthaler owed more than $100,000 in back rent with a court order to pay by the end of the month. "I didn't have the money at the time I posted, so I knew we had to close," he said. Reservations filled up quickly. With permission from Morgenthaler, a longtime customer launched a GoFundMe that has since raised more than $9,000. "We got so busy," Morgenthaler said. "Every day our gross [sales] were going up and up, and I said, 'Maybe we can make it.'" On Saturday evening, the sidewalk under Le Petit Four's yellow awning was crowded with drop-in guests waiting for tables to open. Servers wove through the packed dining room, balancing plates with herb-drenched escargots, Parmesan-crusted penne and steak tartare. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Outfitted in one of his signature patterned button-ups, Morgenthaler flitted from table to table, greeting longtime customers and uncorking bottles of wine as a final celebration. "The ambience, especially this week, has been incredible," he said. On Monday morning, the restaurant posted another Instagram update, announcing that it would remain open thanks to the generous outpouring of support from patrons. "Le Petit Four is here to stay," the post's caption read. But everything changed just hours later when Morgenthaler went to his landlord to deliver a check that would cover the overdue rent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "He refused it," Morgenthaler said. "He said, 'You're not strong enough. You're not going to make it.' Basically we're back to zero so I have to close the doors." Less than 24 hours after the Instagram announcement that the restaurant would remain open, another post shared that it would be closing permanently after all. "Thank you for your love, support, and the beautiful memories," the caption read. About a mile from Le Petit Four, the Den on Sunset marked its final night of service with free shots on Saturday. Standing out on West Sunset with its stone-brick A-Frame exterior, the neighborhood bar and restaurant was open for 16 years. The West Hollywood location of Rock & Reilly's, a local Irish pub chain, closed abruptly just before St. Patrick's Day after 14 years in business. Just days later, Hudson House, an American restaurant chain owned by Dallas-based Vandelay Hospitality Group, closed after three years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an effort to bring traffic back to the area, West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and the city of West Hollywood launched an April initiative that provides free parking across all meters, city lots and city structures every Wednesday from 4 p.m. to midnight. Dozens of restaurants and bars are offering discounts and happy hour deals to encourage further patronage, including $10 cocktails and bites at Formosa Cafe and $8 cocktails at Connie & Ted's. "A lot of our small businesses are hurting right now, particularly in the hospitality industries" said Genevieve Morrill, president and CEO of the chamber of commerce. "And I think it's important for the public right now, because everything's become so unaffordable. This gives everybody an opportunity to drum up some business during a slower time of the week." Sign up for our Tasting Notes newsletter for restaurant reviews, Los Angeles food-related news and more. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Members of the Idaho House of Representatives hold a floor session on March 10, 2025, at the Idaho Capitol Building in Boise. (Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun) The Idaho Legislature this week approved an additional portion of Idaho Medicaids budget, sending the bill to Gov. Brad Little for final consideration. Senate Bill 1201 would allocate nearly $674.2 million for Idaho Medicaid. Most of the funds about $515.1 million will come from the federal government, with the states general fund contributing $70.1 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The budget bill would fund a mix of largely administrative programs, including some that are required by the federal government or court order, along with a complex hospital tax structure. The Idaho House passed the bill on a 40-30 vote Wednesday, two days after the Senate passed the bill on a 22-13 vote. Idaho Medicaid is the states largest government program that offers health insurance assistance to roughly 351,000 Idahoans. All told, Idahos total Medicaid budget for next fiscal year could be almost $5.25 billion, an 11.5% growth from this fiscal year. Most of next years budget $3.4 billion is set to come from the federal government, which funds most regular Medicaid costs for Idaho and 90% of Medicaid expansions costs. The states general fund would contribute a little less than $1 billion to Idaho Medicaids total budget next year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 2026 fiscal year starts in July. The bill also cuts $15.9 million in Medicaid expenses, anticipating that amount in savings from House Bill 345, a sweeping Medicaid policy reform bill Little signed that calls for work requirements, privatized Medicaid benefit management and more. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX House debate rehashed worry over growing Medicaid budget, and angst over enhancement budgets For the past two years, Idahos powerful budget-setting committee has used a new practice of splitting state agencies budget bills in two categories. So-called maintenance budgets just include enough funds for essential services. New spending is included in so-called enhancement budgets, like Senate Bill 1201. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Idahos budget committee, the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, crafted the budget bill March 21. Rep. Rod Furniss, R-Rigby, speaks on the House floor on March 10, 2025, at the Idaho Capitol Building in Boise. (Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun) But these are not new programs they are ongoing enhancements, bill cosponsor Rep. Rod Furniss, R-Rigby, told House lawmakers in debate Wednesday. Many items on this budget are expenses weve incurred. And we have an invoice for, that we need to pay, Furniss told House lawmakers. These are hospital stays. These are people in homes. These are infants with brain tumors. The list goes on and on of people that were helping in the state of Idaho that cant help themselves. The Houses debate, which lasted over half an hour, rehashed Republican Idaho lawmakers yearslong concerns over Idaho Medicaids growing budget. It also was another example of a newer trend this year of state lawmakers trying to (with some success) reject state agency enhancement budgets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Calling next years Medicaid total budget the largest Idaho has ever had, Rep. Faye Thompson, R-McCall, said she couldnt vote for a budget of this size. This comes at a very great cost to the working man. And it comes at a very great cost to generations that follow us, and that also includes everybody in this room, she said. Correction: This story has been corrected to accurately reflect Idaho Medicaids total enrollment. (Courtesy of Idaho in Session) SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Illegal border crossings hit record low in March, says White House SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) In March, illegal border crossings hit a new record low, according to data from the White House released on Tuesday. According to the new data, Border Patrol encountered 7,181 illegal migrants at the southern border in March, a 95% decrease from 2024, when a reported 137,473 migrants were encountered at the border. The data also shows a 96% decrease since 2023, and a 97% decrease from 2022, when 211,181 illegal migrants were reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With a little more than two months into the Trump administration, the changes are evident. Local migrant advocacy group, American Friends Service Committee, said they are seeing more enforcement, more wiring getting put on the border wall, a national guard presence, and nearly zero migrants. Whiskey 8, the name for a border wall gate in San Ysidro, used to be a common spot for migrants to gather as they wait to seek asylum. Border Patrol agents stay with stranded Mexican women overnight on Otay Mountain During the end of Title 42 in May 2023, hundreds of migrants waited there for days to be picked up by Border Patrol agents to begin the process to seek asylum. During that time, the American Friends Service Committee, with the help of volunteers, helped with emergency supplies, clothes, food and basic necessities during the time the asylum seekers were waiting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of their tents remains, but they havent seen a migrant since mid-February. We havent seen people in a while, Adriana Jasso, the committees program coordinator said. Pedro Rios, the director of the committee, said the way migrants are trying to get into the U.S. is changing. The past couple of years we have been providing food and water, Rios said. Now we arent doing that because there just arent people arriving in the same way. Its a mixed feeling, Jasso said. The setup was to provide a service to people, we dont have people on the other side which is a good thing, she added. But at the same time, I worry that the reinforcement and some of the changes that we see in the landscape could potentially lead to the loss of life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One migrant dead, another injured in fall from San Diego border wall On Monday night, one person died and another was hurt while trying to climb the wall. Rios said they are seeing less people trying to climb the wall, and more people trying to enter the U.S. through the ocean. Its not as common anymore because of the presence of the Mexican National Guard on the south side. They also are preventing certain types of migration patterns that we might have seen in the past, however I dont think its going to stop everyone trying to scale the border wall, he added. US Coast Guard tripled personnel to prevent maritime human smuggling Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Coast Guard said they have tripled their fleet in the last two months, but Rios said trying to cross through the ocean is extremely dangerous. Often times people dont know how to swim, theyre not told of what the dangers are, theyre not wearing the proper equipment in case they do fall into the ocean. Sometimes boats, which are small Panga boats, are overpacked with people. The committee said they are shifting more of their efforts for educating migrants already on U.S. soil. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. A very specific streak of bad luck has begun for the Armenian lobby. At one time, the Armenians relied on scoundrels and scammers, who were easier to harness into dirty games. Scoundrels and scammers have made huge fortunes over the years working for the Armenians, and today their unexpected wealth has become the topic of investigations and discussions. As previously reported, the head of the Department of Public Administration Efficiency (DOGE), Elon Musk, promised to find out how lawmakers on Capitol Hill became "dubiously rich," despite their relatively modest salaries. Speaking in Wisconsin, he promised that he and his team would launch an investigation in this direction. Indeed, how did Adam Schiff, whose name was mentioned at a meeting at the Wisconsin City Hall in connection with USAID money transfers, become rich? He is just a senator from the Democratic Party, not an entrepreneur, not the owner of an innovative company, nor an industrialist. Schiff's shady activities and the murky schemes in which the lobbyist was involved are, of course, not only related to Armenian royalties. Elon Musk is determined to shake up Adam Schiff seriously. A couple of months ago, he called this figure a criminal. He expressed this opinion under a video in which well-known lawyer Kash Patel discusses Schiff's activities and calls him "the worst criminal in the US Congress over the past 250 years." And before that, Musk spoke very accurately about Schiff, writing on social media that he had "too small a brain." Adam Schiff's brain is really tiny. He has not achieved any great success in politics. His highest position in the Congress is vice-chairman of the faction on Armenian issues. He lost the post of head of the intelligence committee. Earlier, Republican Speaker of the House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy denied Schiff membership in this committee as having abused his official duties to the detriment of the interests of the United States. "I rejected the appointments of Adam Schiff and Eric Swalwell to the House Intelligence Committee. I am determined to return the intelligence committee to genuine integrity and credibility, which will restore it to the trust of the American people," said McCarthy. It is clear that this is not about the pro-Armenian machinations of the lobbyist. Adam Schiff, who at one time actively put sticks in Trump's wheels and spread conspiracy rumors, abused his position as chairman of the House Intelligence Committee when he called for censorship of information on X (then Twitter) to protect Democrats and Hunter Biden. During the reign of Donald Trump, Schiff launched a hysterical campaign against the president, seeking his impeachment. At the same time, he used the traditional means of pro-Armenian lobbying - fakes. For example, he distributed an untrue fragment from Trump's conversation with Vladimir Zelensky, from which it followed that the head of the White House was blackmailing Kiev. In the end, the real transcript was published and it became clear what happened and how, but the scandal caused Trump some trouble. "Member of the House of Representatives Adam Schiff illegally composed a false and terrible statement, passed it off as mine as the most important part of my conversation with the President of Ukraine and read it aloud to Congress and the American people. It had nothing to do with what I was saying on the phone. An arrest for treason?" - then Trump wrote on the social network X. Unfortunately, Adam Schiff has not yet been punished for his dealings, although his activities have always been really contrary to the interests of the United States. A few years ago, Schiff almost caused a diplomatic scandal by spreading, with reference to the Saudi ambassador to the United States, a fake about Saudi Arabia's alleged willingness to pay for the recognition of the "Armenian genocide" by the United States. There was a big uproar, and Riyadh expressed its indignation at the appearance of such a fake. But Schiff didn't get any credit for that at the time. The Armenians stood up for their pet, in which they invested millions. I must say that the Armenians take their investments very seriously. I remember that during the events on the Lachin road, the American diaspora threw stones at Adam Schiff, demanding that he work effectively. Quite rightly, because everything Schiff has is due to his machinations and service to the Armenians. So, the senator was harshly demanded to get some kind of action from the White House, and also, sorry, to lift his ass and go to the Lachin checkpoint to make his loud statements from there. There's no need to sit around in the Senate, it's time to justify the high fees. He went to Ukraine, so why doesn't he want to go to the border with Azerbaijan? Today, employers are also asking Schiff for the fact that he was unable to achieve pressure on Baku and the unconditional return of Armenians to Karabakh. I should have deducted the penalty from him before it's too late. After all, Elon Musk is not joking. Musk is in the mood to seriously empty his pockets and punish the scammers from the Democrats, including Adam Schiff, a real movie star. Nordic private asset company CapMan Hotels II (CMH II) has completed the acquisition of Midstar Fastigheter, expanding its hotel real estate portfolio in the region. The transaction, which closed on 31 March 2025, includes 28 hotel properties across Sweden; Denmark; and Norway, and is considered as the "largest of its kind in the region". The acquired portfolio, now managed by CapMan Real Estate, consists of 4,709 rooms, with plans to increase this number to 4,887 by 2027. Currently operated by Scandic Hotels Group and Strawberry, the hotels are situated in key metropolitan and regional locations, complementing CMH II's existing assets. CMH II is an open-ended core plus fund with a focus on investing in Nordic hotel properties. This acquisition diversifies CMH IIs portfolio and positions it as a non-listed entity with a presence in the hotel sector. The private asset company aims to add value to the newly acquired assets through active management, refurbishment, and repositioning strategies, targeting a reduction in operating expenses and emissions. CapMan Real Estate partner and CMH II's fund director Thomas Laakso said: The Nordic hotel market is well positioned for continued growth, and we look forward to developing the portfolio further in line with the funds long-term strategy. In addition to the geographic diversification across four stable countries, the portfolio also benefits from a diverse operator base additionally balancing risk, which is ideal for the fund's income profile. In conjunction with the acquisition, CapMan Real Estate has strengthened its hotel team. Marcus Carlsson joins as senior property director, and Robin Stenlund as investment director and portfolio manager. Additionally, Simon Hulten has been promoted to the role of investment director and deputy fund director. CapMan CEO Pia Kall said: We are thrilled to complete this acquisition after receiving the regulatory approval from the Swedish Competition Authority. "This milestone transaction not only strengthens our position in the Nordic hotel investment market but also attracts new investors, contributing to the growth of CapMan Group's assets under management by 0.4bn towards our strategic target of 10bn during the ongoing strategy period. "CapMan Hotels II expands Nordic portfolio with Midstar Fastigheter acquisition" was originally created and published by Hotel Management Network, a GlobalData owned brand. Morton's "Final Four" candidates led opponent Dr. Ashley Fischer by a wide margin in the Morton school board race Tuesday night. Each of the top four candidates garnered close to 4,500 votes to Fischer's 1,382, with 100% of precincts reporting, according to unofficial Tazewell County election results. In a particularly tense competition, Morton voters making their way to the polls had the opportunity to weigh in on who should fill the four open seats in the village's school board race. Incumbents Jerry Rudd and Dr. Diane Krall ran as part of a slate with Wes Ohnesorge and Krystiana Purdy Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those four, who titled themselves the "Final Four" in campaign mailers and messaging, competed against Fischer, a local pediatrician. After 10 p.m. Tuesday, all "Final Four" candidates had more than 4,000 votes, running ahead of Fischer's 1,382 votes. Krall was already set to be reelected due to a rule requiring the election of one person from the unincorporated portion of Morton. In a joint statement Tuesday night, the four winning candidates shared their thoughts on their successful campaign and plans for the future. "We share the same principles and ran as a team, and we are gratified with the overwhelming results of the election," Purdy stated, speaking for her fellow candidates. "We will be responsive to students, parents, teachers and taxpayers. We are pleased that we will be able to continue making improvements in our already high-quality school district. The four candidates thank the community for their support." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fischer shared her thoughts following the election in a text to the Journal Star. She said the results only reinforce the importance of advocates like herself as a supporter of marginalized students. "There is still so much work to do to ensure that Morton schools remain safe and inclusive learning environments for all students, and while the results of this election are disappointing, the campaign shone a giant spotlight on the issues 709 has been trying to sweep under the rug for decades," she stated. "Now, the public expects action. I sincerely hope the school board rises to the occasion." Fischer said she will continue to be a resource for children and families who reach out to her and offer her expertise as a pediatrician and mental health advocate to the school district. More about the Morton school board candidates Throughout their campaign, the winning four candidates cited a desire to upgrade school facilities, expand course offerings and implement Vision 2030. In her campaign, Fischer identified implementing new report systems and combatting bullying as her priorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Illinois school board races are by rule nonpartisan, Tazewell County political groups backed the candidates, with the Tazewell County Moms for Liberty and the Tazewell County Republicans expressing support for the "Final Four." Fischer garnered support from the Tazewell County Democrats. The school board race has been underscored by tension stemming from disagreements over the presence and handling of bullying and discrimination claims in Morton schools. Fischer recently told the Journal Star local families have relayed to her hundreds of claims of racist and anti-LGBTQ+ bullying in Morton schools. She said she believes Morton has a culture of dismissing claims and retaliating against teachers and families who speak up. Like Fischer, the "Final Four" slate also seeks to strengthen anti-bullying efforts. However, Purdy, Krall and Rudd previously told the Journal Star bullying is not especially concentrated in Morton compared to other districts. The group said the presence of trained support staff, policies and cameras in schools are examples of Morton's commitment to handling reports of discrimination, and have also criticized Fischer for practicing gender-affirming care as a pediatrician. Illinois Republicans who support the "Final Four," including Tazewell County Republicans chair Jim Rule and State Representative Bill Hauter (R-Morton) have stated they believe Fischer's anti-bullying goals are a cover for a deeper, pro-transgender agenda. Morton school board results Ashley Fischer: 1382 (7.27%) Krystiana Purdy: 4361 (22.94%) Wes Ohnesorge: 4462 (23.47%) Jerry Rudd: 4382 (23.05%) Diane Krall: 4423 (23.27%) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Editor's note: Unofficial results with 100% of precincts reporting. This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Morton school board election results: 'Final Four' defeat Ashley Fischer An American hostage that was freed last month from the Taliban in Afghanistan is now back home. George Glezmann arrived at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport around 5 p.m. Tuesday evening, and Channel 2 investigative reporter Mark Winne was there to greet him. Glezmann was abducted by the Taliban in 2022 while on vacation in Kabul and held prisoner there until a month ago. The freed hostage said he feels gratitude and emotion being back home here in Atlanta. RELATED STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An indescribable feeling of being home, being protected, being back where I belong, Glezmann told Winne. He said his familys support is one of the things that got him through the last couple of years. My wife ... was there for me every single minute, Glezmann said. Glezmann is a mechanic for Delta Air Lines, who also helped bring him home. He said that he is not only thankful for them, but also President Donald Trump and others in the administration that helped get him freed from the Taliban. They never gave up until they brought me home, Glezmann said. Winne has been reporting on Glezmanns capture since it happened. Glezmann thanked him for keeping his name in the news and not giving up on him. By Rupam Jain New Delhi (Reuters) - The Indian government on Wednesday presented a bill in parliament that plans sweeping changes in the management of vast tracts of land set aside solely for Muslim use, potentially stoking tensions between the government and minority Muslims. The land and properties fall under the "waqf" category, which means "to stay" in Arabic, and are endowed by a Muslim for religious, educational or charitable purposes. Such land cannot be transferred or sold. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Government and Muslim organisations estimate that over 25 waqf boards hold nearly 85,1535 properties and 900,000 acres of land, putting them among the top three landowners in India. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, tabled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, proposes inclusion of non-Muslim members in the central Waqf Council and waqf boards and will enable the government to determine ownership of disputed waqf properties. The legislation comes amid tensions between the Muslim community and Modi government. Opposition lawmakers and Islamic groups see the bill as a plan to secure assets owned by Muslims and to weaken their property rights under the Indian constitution. Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju, who tabled the bill, said it would end corruption, mismanagement and examine ownership rules largely controlled by some Muslim families and elite groups. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill should "be viewed as a "pro-Muslim reform," he said. VOTE TO DECIDE BILL'S FATE A vote by ruling alliance and opposition lawmakers in the lower house will decide the fate of the bill later on Wednesday. "It is okay to reserve two posts in the Waqf board for non-Muslims but does it mean that Muslims will get similar reservation in the boards of Hindu temples?" asked Kamal Farooqui, an official of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board. "Modi government wants to control the Islamic land bank and they have no right to undermine our institutions," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A 2006 report by the government-appointed Sachar Committee had urged an overhaul of waqf boards and monitoring of properties to generate higher returns for the Muslim community. India is set to have the world's largest Muslim population by 2050, the Pew Research Center has forecast. Yet the community, which makes up about 13% of India's population, lags the national average on indicators such as education, employment and political representation. Muslim groups allege Modi's ruling party and hardline Hindu affiliates since 2014 have promoted anti-Islamic policies, violent vigilantism and demolished Muslim-owned properties. Modi and his party officials deny religious discrimination allegations. (Reporting by Rupam Jain, Nigam Prusty; Editing by Bernadette Baum) INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and today lawmakers and child abuse advocates gathered at the Statehouse in Indianapolis to raise awareness. The event was hosted in conjunction with the Villages of Indiana. The Villages are the states largest licensed and accredited nonprofit agency dedicated to family and child services. At todays event, organizers and lawmakers, including Governor Mike Braun, talked about the importance of keeping young Hoosiers safe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two arrested on child abuse, neglect charges in Knox County Child Abuse Prevention Month is a reminder that it is on all of us to know the signs of child abuse and to speak up for the victims that cant speak up for themselves, said Gov. Braun. We shouldnt have to talk about it but the fact that a crowd this large is here to punctuate that, that means we got work to do. According to the Indiana Youth Institutes most recent stats in 2023, more than 7,500 young Hoosiers were removed from their homes due to abuse and neglect. Officials said thats a 26% increase from 2022. To report abuse or neglect, call the Indiana Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 800-800-5556. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fort Wayne woman faces 5 felony counts, accused of leaving children bruised with belt Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyWabashValley.com. spending Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith talks at a town hall in Franklin March 31, 2025. (Photo from Beckwith's official X account) Mass spending cuts to Indiana Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwiths office have offset the taxpayer-funded purchase of a luxury car, according to a Wednesday news release. But he has also asked cash-strapped budget writers for other boosts, and told local governments to do more with less in a move to bring property tax cuts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The office said its canceled a $195 subscription to the New York Times, renegotiated a contract to save $15,000 and wont renew almost $150,000 in other contracts. The services were for professional development, graphic design, social media and image hosting. Beckwith said when he came into office he asked his team to look for items and services that could be cut immediately. I knew there would be wasteful spending left over from the previous administration. Fiscal responsibility isnt just about numbers its about ensuring that taxpayer money is going to essential services to Hoosiers. One major purchase, however, was a new car. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 2025 Chevy Tahoe High Country SUV cost taxpayers just under $88,000 when purchased in February, the Indianapolis Star reported shortly before Beckwith sent his release on cuts. The High Country is the SUVs most expensive model, with more features than lower-trim versions. The office noted that price tag is less than what its saved through contracts. Overall, the Lt. Governors office has already saved the state money, Beckwith said in the release. The previous administrations car was in multiple collisions and had mechanical issues, according to the release, and wouldnt have been able to accommodate Beckwith and his staffers for town hall trips and community leader meetings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We needed a car that was big enough for the guys on my team, because the previous lieutenant governor had a smaller car, because she had a bunch of women that would travel with her, and we got some big guys that go with us, Beckwith told the Indianapolis Star. And so I said, Hey, Ive got to have something thats good for three or four guys. And so when you start looking at those models, I mean, the price gets up there when youre talking about a new car. The release noted that, when the office submitted a request for a vehicle meeting its needs, it was given just two options by the Indiana Department of Administration. Legislation moving through the Statehouse now would have added greater scrutiny to that purchase. House Bill 1518 requires that the state buy or lease only base, standard or government models, and bars luxury or semi-luxury vehicle brands if non-luxury alternatives use the same vehicle platform. Vehicles for Indiana State Police, the governor and short-term use are exempt. The Indiana Department of Administration can also grant an exception if its necessary for an agencys intended use. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Mitch Gore, D-Indianapolis, filed the legislation after Indiana Secretary of State Diego Moraless office used taxpayer funds to buy a $90,000 GMC Yukon Denali over the summer. Beckwith has also raised eyebrows for big asks from budget builders trying to navigate falling revenue and rising expenses. He requested to nearly double his offices budget to nearly $9.5 million for each of the next two years mostly to support faith-based initiatives, the Indianapolis Star reported. He also asked for more spending for agencies he oversees even as Gov. Mike Braun has called on cabinet secretaries to identify 5% in savings across agencies. Correction: A previous version of this story mistakenly identified the legislations author as Rep. Justin Moed; it is Rep. Mitch Gore. It also reported Beckwiths budget request as $9.5 billion; it is $9.5 million. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX This article was originally published in Chalkbeat. A bill to give Indiana school board candidates the option to run as Republicans or Democrats has passed a key vote in the House and could soon head to the governors desk. But the changes that House lawmakers made to Senate Bill 287 may first require a stop in a conference committee, where legislators from both chambers would hash out a final version. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill passed by the House on Monday gives school board candidates the option to state a party affiliation, identify as independent, or remain nonpartisan in general elections. It creates mechanisms for county parties to challenge an affiliation, and provides that a straight ticket vote does not apply to school board offices. It also provides raises to school board members. Get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter The bill passed by the House doesnt require a primary election for school board candidates. However, in the version passed by the Senate, the bill would have required school board candidates to go through the same primary process as other political candidates. The bills sponsor in the House, GOP Rep. J.D. Prescott, said that disclosing party affiliation would drive up voter turnout in school board elections and help voters choose a candidate that aligns with their values. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Politics are already in our schools, whether we like it or not, influencing everything from how schools handled COVID-19 to budgets, tax rates, debt, curriculum choices and more, he said. Just because our elections are nonpartisan, certainly doesnt mean the candidates and board members are. A version of this proposal has been repeatedly brought forward by Indiana legislators since school boards became a hotbed of conflict during the pandemic over issues like masking and school closings. It previously stalled due to concerns over the effect it could have on school boards. Board members primary responsibilities are approving a school budget and hiring a superintendent. Related In Indiana, a Fight Over Splitting Money Between Districts and Charter Schools Most public testimony on the proposal this year and in years past has been in opposition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democratic lawmakers, too, have rejected the idea. Among several arguments they made on Monday, Democrats said the bill actually disincentivizes voters from learning more about their school board candidates, and possibly creates an opportunity for candidates to disingenuously state a party affiliation for political advantage. [Voters] dont care if its a Democrat or Republican, they just want to make sure our kids needs are being served, said Rep. Cherrish Pryor, a Democrat who spoke in opposition to the bill. Rep. Tonya Pfaff, a Democrat, also raised concerns about conflicts with the Hatch Act, which bars certain government employees from partisan political activities. And Democratic Rep. Chuck Moseley, a former member of the Portage Township School Board, rejected the argument that politics on school boards is a fact of life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We kept politics out of that for one specific reason, because we were representing not just the taxpayers of that school corporation, we were also representing the kids that were in that school, he said. We had a responsibility to the parents of those kids that we wouldnt interject our political thoughts and ideology into school board decisions. But some GOP lawmakers explicitly supported the possibility that the bill could help conservative candidates. Rep. Hunter Smith said the educational landscape has been growing increasingly and covertly more political for decades, to the point that district curriculum directors could not find curriculum void of slanted cultural endorsements and ideologies. I believe this measure will promote leadership more in line with the values of Indianas over 2 million parents who entrust their children to our schools every week, Smith said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the bill, in order to state a party affiliation, a school board candidate must have voted in that partys two most recent primary elections, or obtain written certification from the county party chairman that they are a member of the party. A candidates affiliation could be challenged if they dont take one of these steps. The bill also raises pay for school board members from $2,000 as in current law, to an amount not more than 10% of the lowest starting salary of a teacher in that school district. It would take effect this July; however, there are no school board elections in Indiana in 2025. The bill passed the House 54-40, with several Republicans joining Democrats in opposition. The Senate will vote on accepting or rejecting the changes made in the House. This story was originally published by Chalkbeat. Chalkbeat is a nonprofit news site covering educational change in public schools. Sign up for their newsletters at ckbe.at/newsletters. Conservatives are hunting for clandestine libs hiding out on sanctuary school boards across Indiana. Their solution: partisan school board elections. The House on Monday passed Senate Bill 287, which would enable school board candidates to declare political party affiliation. The House made notable changes to the bill, which already passed in the Senate, including scrapping a requirement for primary elections (a good tweak, which could tamp down the ideological temperature). While the bill's final version has yet to be determined, Indiana appears to be on a path toward adopting partisan school board elections. In doing so, we're creating a new farm system for wannabe career politicians to train for higher offices. That's going to be good for their careers and bad for schools. Transparency, so they say Republicans frame the need for partisan school boards in terms of transparency. They say left-leaning candidates are sneaking onto school boards despite holding views at odds with conservative communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is truth to that. Most school board members hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above the average educational attainment in Indiana. Given our stark education polarization, school boards filled with college graduates almost certainly are operating to the left of many conservative-leaning towns and cities. We've seen these dynamics play out through school boards' support of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and pandemic-era restrictions in Republican-voting places. Republicans say party affiliation would clarify choices so voters could choose school board candidates who reflect their views. I would have more sympathy for this concern if Republican lawmakers weren't simultaneously working to suppress school board control over Indianapolis Public Schools, the district my son attends. When you tie together the education debates playing out in the Indiana General Assembly, you see that Republicans aren't actually concerned with tailoring public school board members to community sensibilities. They want public schools to adopt conservative-approved curriculum on history and sex education and supply conservative-approved library books, while also accepting a decreasing status relative to charter and private schools. Republicans who support partisan school boards aren't exactly hiding those preferences. But they're not upholding their professed standard of transparency, either. No to nonpartisan school boards; yes to drama School boards have leverage over curriculum and library books, but culture wars aren't their primary areas of concern. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, Indiana's school boards hire superintendents, make budget decisions, review employee contracts, handle disciplinary matters and oversee maintenance and construction. Boring! Partisan local elections aren't inherently detrimental to these duties. After all, Indiana's mayoral and council elections are partisan affairs, and I would hold up many municipalities as bright spots in responsive government, especially relative to the state and federal levels. School board members could continue to serve their districts well with Rs and Ds next to their names. But there is no evidence that declared party affiliation has improved school governance in other states that have adopted it. Instead, it has made school boards more attractive career opportunities for ambitious political junkies set on trolling their way to the top. Those candidates aren't likely to be satiated by routine school board business, so they'll have to create drama and controversies. Remember, before Micah Beckwith became our lieutenant governor, he served a disgraceful stint on the Hamilton East Public Library board for a year and a half. The library board was nothing more than a convenient waiting room for Beckwith to generate attention and outrage while biding his time for higher office. Expect more Beckwith-types to be attracted to partisan school board elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Partisan school boards aren't a sky-is-falling moment for public education in Indiana. But they will lead to cases in which people with relevant subject matter expertise are replaced with unqualified political hacks who've trusted internet articles about furries in schools. As with all things touched by politics, our school boards are going to get dumber. Contact James Briggs at 317-444-4732 or james.briggs@indystar.com. Follow him on X and Bluesky at @JamesEBriggs. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Partisan school boards will attract aspiring politicians | Opinion MOTORS has relaunched Cazoo as a dedicated used car search platform, now serving as the leading brand within the network. The launch comes after MOTORS acquired the Cazoo brand in June 2024 and is part of a major investment strategy aimed at competing with the market leader. With a catalogue of more than 230,000 dealer listings, the MOTORS website will continue to play a crucial role within the growing network, which also encompasses eBay, Gumtree, and Parkers. Expanding on the success of the Cazoo mobile appintroduced just a month after the acquisition and already surpassing 400,000 downloadsthe new website is expected to strengthen the brands digital presence. Cazoo's branding has been updated while preserving its distinctive and recognisable identity, according to the press release. MOTORS CEO Barry Judge said: This is a new start for the Cazoo brand which is now a dedicated marketplace. For the first time, there is a real challenger brand in the sector giving dealers more choice and a credible alternative for their vehicle advertising. Cazoo is one of the most recognised automotive brands by consumers in the UK, which is why we wanted it in our portfolio. We are turning it into a car buying destination of choice and a powerful advertising platform for our dealer partners. Judge stated that the new website has been built from the ground up to cater to both dealers and buyers. It draws on MOTORS' 17 years of expertise in managing a marketplace while incorporating advanced, scalable technology to deliver consumer leads directly to retailers. He added that the launch of the Cazoo app last year demonstrated strong consumer engagement, with high conversion rates and a steadily increasing number of downloads. During the launch phase, dealers with multisite advertising packages will be featured on Cazoo at no additional cost, giving car buyers instant access to used car inventory from more than 5,000 retailers. In the coming months, a series of ongoing website and app upgrades will introduce new features and tools. Additionally, MOTORS said it is committed to sustained investment in marketing to expand audience reach and generate leads for dealers. "Cazoo relaunched as used car marketplace" was originally created and published by Motor Finance Online, a GlobalData owned brand. By AJ Vicens (Reuters) -A prominent Indiana University cybersecurity professor who was abruptly fired and disappeared from public view has not been detained and there are no pending criminal charges against him or his wife, a lawyer representing him told Reuters. Attorney Jason Covert's statement is the first official word about the fate of XiaoFeng Wang, and his wife, Nianli Ma, since March 28, when the FBI and Department of Homeland Security carried out simultaneous searches on two homes associated with the couple. That was also the same day the university terminated his employment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rumors in the cybersecurity community ran rife that couple were detained or arrested, and questions were raised as to what could have caused such a heavy law enforcement operation. Media reports cited colleagues and students who said the couple weren't responding to attempts to communicate with them. Wang, who studied in China in the 1990s before coming to the U.S., has been a professor at Indiana University since 2004 and has been recognized by both the university and the cybersecurity community as a top mind in the field. The FBIs Indianapolis field office conducted court-authorized law enforcement activity, an FBI spokesperson told Reuters. The spokesperson would not answer questions about the nature of the allegations against Wang or when additional information would become available. DHS did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Covert told Reuters neither Wang nor his wife has been arrested, and there are no pending criminal charges as far as we are aware. Prof. Wang and Ms. Ma are thankful for the outpouring of support they have received from colleagues at Indiana University and their peers across the academic community, Covert said in a statement. They look forward to clearing their names and resuming their successful careers at the conclusion of this investigation. Covert declined to comment on the couples physical location. Riana Pfefferkorn, a researcher at Stanford University, filed a motion on April 1 asking a federal judge in the Southern District of Indiana to unseal the warrants and supporting materials, including supporting affidavits, used by the government to enable the searches of Wang and Ma's homes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A federal judge on April 2 ordered the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana to respond to the motion by April 17. A spokesperson for that office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. FIRED IMMEDIATELY Wang was until March 28 the associate dean for research at Indiana Universitys Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering, according to a since-deleted faculty page on the universitys website. Ma was also employed at the university as a lead systems analyst and programmer at the Herman B. Wells Library, according to a since-deleted page previously hosted on the universitys site. Alex Tanford, an Indiana University professor of law and president of the Bloomington chapter of the American Association of University Professors, said he had been in touch with Wang including on the day of his firing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tanford told Reuters that a complaint was filed with the university in mid-February accusing Wang of research misconduct by failing to properly disclose who was principal investigator on a grant application and not fully listing all co-authors on an article, a charge that seemed trivial. By March 13 or 14 the matter escalated, Tanford said, and Wang was informed he would be temporarily suspended, banned from his office and denied access to computers, research and data while the investigation continued, interim measures that are permitted under the universitys research misconduct policy. On March 28, the day federal agents carried out operations at his home, Wang received a letter from Indiana University Provost Rahul Shrivastav saying he was being terminated immediately with no reason given, Tanford said. The immediate firing runs contrary to university policy and is unlawful, Tanford said. Tanford said Wangs department told the union Wang had accepted a job elsewhere next year, and normal advanced notice was provided so the school could plan accordingly. Covert did not immediately respond to a question about Wangs employment plans for next year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is not grounds for termination and I have never heard of it happening in the 45 years I have been at this university, Tanford said. If the administration can fire a tenured professor without Due Process and in violation of a policy approved by our Trustees, none of us is safe, he said. The union sent a letter to university leadership on March 31 asking the university to revoke the firing and provide Wang due process, according to a copy shared with Reuters. University spokesperson Mark Bode told Reuters in an email that the university was recently made aware of a federal investigation of a faculty member. At the direction of the FBI, Indiana University will not make any public comments regarding this investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to an archived version of Wangs resume, which linked to a since-deleted university page that was live as recently as September 2024, Wang studied at two Chinese universities in the 1990s and worked as a software engineer and IT specialist before earning a doctorate from Carnegie Mellon University in 2004, when he became an assistant professor at Indiana University. (Reporting by AJ Vicens in Detroit; Editing by Chris Sanders, Leslie Adler and Edwina Gibbs) Who is Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia? If you ask the left, he's an innocent father of three (one biological kid, two step-kids) who lives in Maryland, has no criminal record, and was wrongly deported to El Salvador's most notorious prison, CECOT, or the Centro de Confinamiento del Terrorismo. If you ask the right, he's a dangerous MS-13 member who was in the country illegally, has made only bullshit asylum claims, and does not deserve to live in our country. Who's telling the truth? Here's what we know to be true: Abrego Garcia had been in the U.S. since 2012, living under protected legal statuswithholding of removal, which protects him from deportation back to El Salvador due to likelihood that he'd be persecuted theresince 2019, married to a U.S. citizen, with a 5-year-old autistic child. He has no criminal record here. He worked in construction for years, soliciting in Home Depot parking lots, and finally got a job as a sheet metal apprentice about a year ago. On March 12, he was stopped and informed by ICE agents that his status had changed. On March 15, he "was removed to El Salvador because of an administrative error," say attorneys with the Justice Department. Now he's at CECOT, the notorious prison in rural El Salvador, touted by President Nayib Bukele as an option for the U.S. government to send deportees. Contra the DOJ, which says he was wrongly removed to El Salvador, Vice President J.D. Vance says Abrego Garcia "was a convicted MS-13 gang member with no legal right to be here" and that "it's gross to get fired up about gang members getting deported while ignoring citizens they victimize." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abrego Garcia's wife is suing the Trump administration and asking a judge to order the U.S. government to get the government of El Salvador to return Abrego Garcia. Here's what's claimed by each side: In court documents from 2019seven years after entering the country, once stopped by law enforcementAbrego Garcia says his family had attracted the attention of local gangs (Barrio 18) in El Salvador because they ran a successful pupusa business while he was growing up. His parents reportedly went to great lengths to protect their sons from being handed over to those gangs. The family moved over and over again to try to escape extortion. Abrego Garcia's case was compelling to a judge, who dinged him for failing to make an asylum claim within the one-year deadline but ended up granting him withholding of removalprotection from being deported back to El Salvador, described by some as "asylum lite"because of a credible threat of persecution there. The Trump administration, meanwhile, says he is a "danger to the community" and an active member of MS-13, which has been designated a foreign terrorist organization. Abrego Garcia's lawyer claims the gang allegation is false and that they are due to "a 2019 incident when Abrego Garcia and three other men were detained in a Home Depot parking lot by a police detective in Prince George's County, Maryland," per reporting by The Atlantic. ("During questioning, one of the men told officers that Abrego Garcia was a gang member, but the man offered no proof and police said they didn't believe him, filings show.") More on this claim here, and here, from one of the lawsuits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are two issues worth separating here: Whether he is a dangerous gang member, and whether he is here illegally and thus legally able to be deported. Many appear to be conflating the two, since claiming the first makes the second an easier pill to swallow. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called Abrego Garcia "an illegal criminal who broke our nation's immigration laws." "These are vicious criminals," Leavitt continued. "This is a vicious gang, and I wish that the media would spend just a second of the same time you have spent trying to litigate each and every individual of this gang who has been deported from our country as the innocent Americans whose lives have been lost at the hands of these brutal criminals." From my vantagesomeone broadly in favor of more immigration, done legally; more pathways to citizenship as well as more work authorization granted; someone who wasn't keen on the Biden-era border chaosthe White House is being irresponsible at best, deceitful at worst, by spreading the idea that Abrego Garcia is a gang member when we don't have sufficient evidence to establish that fact. By the looks of it, he was not supposed to be deported to El Salvador. It's possible that, given Bukele's crackdown on gang activity, he no longer had a credible fear of persecution in his home country. (Then his status would need to have been changed.) It's possible that he was not telling the truth about the pupusa business and the gang extortion. It's possible that he did have gang ties. But it's also possible that the Trump administration screwed up and deported the exact type of person our asylum system is designed to protect, someone well on his way to making a good life in the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taibbi sticks it to the Truth Czar: "The American government has no role in protecting citizens from speech," journalist Matt Taibbi said before Congress yesterday, in a hearing on the State Department's Global Engagement Center, which was meant to counter so-called foreign disinformation and misinformation but had pivoted to targeting American social media users during the Biden administration. "The whole idea of the system that was designed by Jefferson and Madison is that the American people view each other as adults who are capable of sorting out the truth for themselves. They do not need a nanny state or a guardian or a law enforcement agency to decide for them what's truth." More Taibbi on the collapse of the American censorship regime here: Scenes from New York: HUD's April 1st data release is unfortunately not an April Fools joke: If you're a family of 4 earning ~$100,000 annually in NYC, you now officially qualify for Low Income Housing Tax Credit projects (60%AMI) https://t.co/qBNbgNmWCH Alex Armlovich (@aarmlovi) April 1, 2025 QUICK HITS Absolutely wild piece from The Atlantic on Leonard Peikoff, who inherited Ayn Rand's whole estate, and who may be in danger of losing it all due to a caretaker-turned-wife who has possibly taken advantage of him. ("I would let her step on my face if she wanted," Peikoff once said of Rand, with whom he was extremely close.) "In recent weeks, China has been practicing unusual maneuvers off its southern coast involving three special barges. The vessels have linked up one behind another, forming a long bridge that extends from deeper waters onto the beach," reports The New York Times. "The vessels' debut suggests that China's People's Liberation Army may be a step closer to being able to land tens of thousands of troops and their weapons and vehicles on Taiwan's shores." Sen. Cory Booker (DN.J.) just filibustered for 25 hours, breaking the record formerly held by Strom Thurmond. "These are not normal times in our nation," said Booker. "And they should not be treated as such in the United States Senate." The kind of odd thing about it all is that he wasn't filibustering in favor of or against a specific bill; there's no clear action item, nor is there much fixation on the actual contents of the speech (with the exception of a few lefty pundits who seem to like what they're hearing), just the stunt. "Elon Musk's candidate faced a resounding loss in a Wisconsin judicial race despite the world's richest man pouring millions into the campaign, while Republicans avoided upsets in two critical US House seats in Donald Trump's home state of Florida," reports Bloomberg. "Taken together, Tuesday's special election outcomes came to a draw. Republicans couldn't break the 4-3 liberal majority on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, while Democrats fell short in their longshot bids to win either of two heavily Republican House seats, which would've complicated the GOP's efforts to advance Trump's tax cut plan through Congress." Tariffs-as-solution-to-fentanyl-crisis continues to be absurd framing: Senator Tim Kaine, who ran against me with Crooked Hillary in 2016, is trying to halt our critical Tariffs on deadly Fentanyl coming in from Canada. We are making progress to end this terrible Fentanyl Crisis, but Republicans in the Senate MUST vote to keep the National Emergency Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) April 1, 2025 Pivot to Alaska: the trump admin firing a bunch of NIH leadership and offering to relocate them to alaska if they want to keep their jobs is the funniest thing they've done so far pic.twitter.com/24LACsh1mh nic carter (@nic__carter) April 2, 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The post Innocent Father or MS-13 Gang Member? appeared first on Reason.com. The nations top intelligence officials have told lawmakers that it was routine for them to discuss sensitive national security issues on the encrypted messaging app Signal. Its widely used at their agencies, they said, and even came preinstalled on their government devices. But conversations with a dozen current and former government employees reveal a hazier picture of the governments use of the commercially available chat app with guidance varying drastically across agencies and no clear oversight over the type of information shared. Some agencies, including the Department of Defense, have issued recent guidance against using Signal and other publicly available mobile messaging apps to transmit nonpublic, unclassified information. In 2023, the Pentagon's Office of the Inspector General called out DOD personnel for downloading mobile apps to their government-issued devices, stressing that this could pose cybersecurity risks. Later that year, a memo was issued to senior Pentagon leadership specifying that Signal was "NOT authorized to access, transmit, process non-public DOD information," though an exemption from the policy could be requested. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In February, the National Security Agency issued a warning about the apps security vulnerabilities and stressed that Signal is not approved to process or store nonpublic unclassified information. The app has been thrust at the center of a debate on whether top officials should be using Signal to communicate critical and potentially classified information, following the release of a report by The Atlantic last week detailing how members of the presidents Cabinet including Vice President JD Vance, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth used it to coordinate military strikes in Yemen. The contents of the group chat including the specific timing and weapons used in the attacks were published in full last week by The Atlantics Jeffrey Goldberg, who was mistakenly added to the conversation by national security adviser Mike Waltz. Current and former federal workers across agencies, granted anonymity to discuss sensitive government communication methods, revealed a complex and looser use of Signal on government-issued phones in recent months, but didnt know when the policy shift was sanctioned and by whom. These officials also agree that the free chat app should not be used to discuss sensitive or classified information, which adversaries could intercept. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For comms like that, you just always assume that theres somebody on your phone, said one former CIA official, who called the level of detail relayed in the now infamous group chat beyond idiotic. The Trump administration has asserted that the information discussed was not classified although cybersecurity and national security experts have cast doubt on those claims. The issue is further complicated by the emergence of reports in recent days that Waltz created and hosted multiple other Signal group chats to relay sensitive national security information to Cabinet members. While Waltz has denied leaking classified information, he has not commented publicly on the potential additional Signal chats. Its not fully clear which agencies allow their employees to use the app on government-issued devices, and it often varies even within offices. The Pentagon did not respond to requests for comment, and neither did the CIA. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency declined to comment on questions around the use of Signal at the agency. Alexa Henning, spokesperson for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, tweeted last week that widespread use of Signal began under the Biden administration, adding that at ODNI, when I got my phone, it was pre-installed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But not all officials had that experience. I dont recall using it on my government phone, said Chris Inglis, who served as national cyber director at the White House under the Biden administration from 2021 to 2023. A Defense Department employee said two senior officials in at least one Pentagon service branch had to specifically request that the app be installed on their government-issued devices and were granted a waiver to do so. An administration official said that Signal is available on many US government devices based on local IT policies. A former White House official who served under the Biden administration said they did not have Signal on their government-issued device and that it would be very new and rare for federal officials to have the app automatically available on their devices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Matthew Shoemaker, a former Defense Intelligence Agency analyst who left the agency in 2021, said that while Signal was used during his time in government, it was almost exclusively restricted to scheduling purposes, such as letting their boss know that theyll be late to work because of personal circumstances. Thats why Signalgate is all the more staggering because these senior leaders were doing the exact opposite of what even my most junior intelligence officers knew not to do, he said. Signals robust privacy features, such as end-to-end encryption and minimal data collection, make it more secure than other messaging apps. But officials who handle classified information have procedures for how to engage with it and often do so in a sensitive compartmented information facility, otherwise known as a SCIF. One former security and intelligence official confirmed that Signal is increasingly used across the U.S. government but only for unclassified discourse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Agencies and departments typically have guidelines regarding what apps are sanctioned for use on government phones and for what purposes, they added. Top Trump officials embroiled in the scandal have rebuffed suggestions that Signal should not be used as an official communications platform. Testifying before the House Intelligence Committee last week, Gabbard said Signal comes preinstalled on government devices. She pointed to guidance issued by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency in December, following a massive Chinese government-linked hack of U.S. telecommunications systems. The guidelines recommend highly targeted individuals, including government personnel, use only end-to-end encrypted communications like Signal. But this guidance was not binding and does not apply to classified information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, Ratcliffe told the Senate Intelligence Committee last week that Signal was loaded onto my computer at the CIA, as it is for most CIA officers, and insisted that the practice began during the Biden administration. A current CISA employee told POLITICO that it was not an option for workers at the agency to download the app onto their government-issued devices. Multiple former national security officials said they received no explicit guidance from their agencies about their communications on Signal, beyond the broad spectrum training they received on cybersecurity and the handling of sensitive and classified information. Its so blindly obvious, I dont recall it being a big focus, said a former senior official at the Pentagon, who served in the Biden administration and confirmed that they had used Signal on their government-issued device. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Experts have also raised concerns about Signals disappearing messages feature, which allows conversations to be automatically deleted after a set time frame. Under the Federal Records Act, administration communications need to be preserved, and the destruction of such communications may be considered a crime. One of the problems for government officials using Signal is they can automatically set it to delete messages, and then once deleted, it cant be brought back, said Greg Nojeim, director of the nonprofit Center for Democracy and Technologys Security and Surveillance Project. And ultimately, government communications are not the same as personal messages. Security concerns aside our communications were officially the property of the government, subject to FOIA, and must be retained in perpetuity, Inglis said. Val Kilmer, the actor known for his roles in "Top Gun" and "Heat," died from pneumonia Tuesday night in Los Angeles after having struggled for years with throat cancer that permanently altered his voice. Kilmer, 65, was first diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014 and recovered before he ultimately underwent painful treatments that included a tracheostomy. His daughter confirmed his death from pneumonia Tuesday to The Associated Press. Director Michael Mann said Wednesday on Instagram: "While working with Val on 'Heat,' I always marveled at the range, the brilliant variability within the powerful current of Vals possessing and expressing character. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "After so many years of Val battling disease and maintaining his spirit, this is tremendously sad news." Despite the brutal toll cancer took, Kilmer said he never felt bad about his health issues. "I have behaved poorly. I have behaved bravely. I have behaved bizarrely to some. I deny none of this and have no regrets, because I have lost and found parts of myself that I never knew existed, Kilmer, a longtime smoker, said in Val, the 2021 documentary about his career. And I am blessed." Kilmer famously revived his "Iceman" role in "Top Gun: Maverick," bringing his real-life struggles to screen as a cancer-inflicted commander who eventually dies during the sequel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have no regrets, Kilmer told the AP in 2021. Ive witnessed and experienced miracles. Kilmer initially kept his cancer from the public, disclosing it only in 2017 during a Reddit Q&A. He disclosed it after Michael Douglas revealed that both he and Kilmer were fighting throat cancer. Kilmer once recalled that, early in his cancer battle in 2015, he got horribly sick while he was staying with his former lover and longtime friend Cher. "One night, I suddenly awoke vomiting blood that covered the bed like a scene out of 'The Godfather,'" Kilmer wrote in his 2020 memoir, "Im Your Huckleberry." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I prayed immediately then called 911. Then alerted my hostess. Cher stepped in and stepped up. Cher paid tribute to Kilmer on Wednesday, calling him "BRILLIANT as Mark Twain" and "BRAVE here during ur sickness." In a rare interview on ABC's "Good Morning America" in 2020, Kilmer disclosed that he had to undergo a tracheostomy to help him breathe, an invasive throat procedure that forever altered his distinctive voice. He also underwent chemotherapy and radiation. "I feel a lot better than I sound, but I feel wonderful," he said. "I was diagnosed with throat cancer, which healed very quickly. This is a tracheotomy to help me breathe because the glands in my throat swelled up, as well." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kilmer, however, still managed to find humor in such a devastating development. Asked what he missed about losing his voice, he said on "Good Morning America": "That I had one! And that I didnt laugh like a pirate." In a 2021 cover story for People magazine, Kilmer declared himself fit and cancer-free. His son, Jack, 29 at the time, told the magazine: He has crazy energy. He cant be stopped. He wants to go out there and be the best that he can be. Despite that proclamation, years of cancer treatment can take an awful toll and leave a body unable to fend off disease, said Dr. Robert Alter, division chief of head and neck oncology at Hackensack Meridian's John Theurer Cancer Center in New Jersey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The body's composition of all these different elements can be slowly torn down. And I think if you're nutritionally deficient, your body slows down," Alter told NBC News. "Your body just gets weaker, and I think your body just cannot fight as much off. We deal with some cancers, and sometimes these infections become overwhelming." Alter watched "Top Gun: Maverick" on Wednesday and was moved by Kilmer's line from the movie Its time to let go. He said he couldn't help thinking of patients who have bravely taken on the disease but had more left to give. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "You know, there's an unfortunate difference between living and existing," he said. "And I truly believe that when one sort of feels as if the fight cannot be fought anymore, they realize that it's time to sort of let go." This article was originally published on NBCNews.com An island hailed as the most beautiful in the Mediterranean is now a rat-infested, litter-strewn disaster zone in need of urgent intervention, campaigners say. Comino, a tiny limestone outcrop off the coast of Malta, is famed for its turquoise waters, white sand and an idyllic swimming spot known as the Blue Lagoon. But like many parts of the Mediterranean, from the Balearics and Dubrovnik to Santorini and Mykonos, the island is buckling under extreme levels of overtourism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its popularity has been turbocharged by social media, with its translucent cyan shallows proving irresistible to Instagram aficionados. Credit: Instagram Cominos profile has also been boosted by its appearance in Hollywood blockbusters, including Troy, starring Brad Pitt and Eric Bana, and 2002s The Count of Monte Cristo, which starred Guy Pearce and Richard Harris. During the summer months, huge boats drop off up to 10,000 tourists a day on the island, which is supposed to be a protected nature reserve and a bird sanctuary. Many holidaymakers are drawn by social media images of a lone snorkeler or swimmers floating in the cobalt waters of the bay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Visit Malta, the countrys tourism authority, says the Blue Lagoon is often deemed the most beautiful spot in the Mediterranean. Nestled in the channel between Comino and Cominotto, and easily accessible from both Malta and Gozo, a dip in this spectacular swim spot is an absolute must. Maltas tourism authority says the Blue Lagoon is often deemed the most beautiful spot in the Mediterranean - Alamy But the reality is very different hundreds of people jostling for space and packed into the bay as if it were a giant swimming pool. Unscrupulous operators cover every inch of beach with loungers and umbrellas, while blaring loud music from makeshift bars. The bars, known locally as kiosks, serve cocktails in hollowed-out pineapples, which tourists then discard on the ground providing rich pickings for a burgeoning population of rats. An unbearable situation Its an unbearable situation. Operators recruit tourists in places like Sliema (on the island of Malta) and bring them to Comino in massive boats. They pour hundreds of tourists onto the tiny beach. It gets crowded beyond what you can imagine, said Andre Callus from Moviment Graffitti, a civil society organisation that is campaigning for radical change to the way the island is managed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the people of Gozo and Malta, its a nightmare and they dont go there anymore. Comino has been taken over by intense commercial interests. It is a very small place and yet there are 11 kiosks selling food and drink. They want to extract as much profit as possible from the island, he added. Moviment Graffitti staged a protest in 2022 in which they forcibly removed deckchairs and umbrellas. The demonstration garnered plenty of attention but ultimately had little effect on the over-exploitation of the island. A study was commissioned several years ago to determine how many visitors the island could support. It has never been released, with NGOs alleging a cover-up by the authorities. Its a disaster. When you have 10,000 people on the island, theres noise disturbance, the vegetation gets trampled and there is all the waste that is produced, which is a very big problem, said Mark Sultana, the chief executive officer of BirdLife Malta, a conservation organisation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Discarded food has led to an explosion in the number of rats on the island and they are having a big impact on native wildlife. Theres now a rodent infestation. The rats go down the burrows of birds like shearwaters and eat the eggs. They [prey] on lizards as well, said Mr Sultana. Its location on a migration path between Africa and Europe means that Comino is or was rich in birdlife, from raptors such as marsh harriers and ospreys to nightjars, short-eared owls and larks. The letters pages of Maltas newspapers are full of comments about the lamentable state of Comino. Island turned circus The area around the Blue Lagoon looks like some run-down favela in some forsaken country, one reader said recently. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another wrote: There has to be a reduction in the number of kiosks and a drastic reduction in the number of visitors. A third disgruntled local wrote: This once beautiful island has been turned into a circus and I wouldnt go near it again if you paid me. The government of Malta now says it is determined to get to grips with the situation. Ian Borg, the minister for tourism, did not respond to a request for an interview but has told Maltese media that he wants to reduce the number of boats allowed to anchor off the island and halve the number of daily visitors from 10,000 to 5,000. The Maltese tourism minister wants to cut the number of boats anchoring off the island We must clean up Comino. We cant keep permitting operators to unload boatloads of 700 or 800 passengers at one time in such a small space. The plan is to reduce the number of passengers by half, he told The Times of Malta. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That will entail making a list of commercial boat operators, checking how many passengers they carry and how many trips they make each day, and then imposing restrictions. There will be a review of the number of bars that are allowed to operate and public lavatories will be installed, said Mr Borg, who is also foreign minister and deputy prime minister. But none of this goes far enough for campaigners. Mr Callus says the big tour boats should be banned altogether and the number of makeshift bars drastically reduced. A campaigner described intense tourism as a nightmare - Dave Porter Were not against having two or three kiosks with limits on the food and beverages they can sell. But Comino is a Natura 2000 site (an EU-protected wildlife reserve) which means it should have the highest level of protection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement BirdLife Malta goes one step further and says there should be no bars at all. Instead, food and drink could be brought in on barges each day, which would take the rubbish away each evening. There should also be a cap on the number of tourists allowed to land each day on the island. The chaotic situation on Comino reflects wider issues in Malta, where developers and some politicians have acted with impunity, squeezing the islands for as much money as possible. Environmental degradation and unchecked coastal development are the consequences. Malta being small means that politicians are very accessible and come under a lot of pressure from businesses and developers. You can go to a ministers town and have a beer with him. It puts a lot of pressure on politicians, said Mr Sultana. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its good that we are finally understanding that far too many people were being allowed to go to the Blue Lagoon. Courageous decisions need to be taken. The cow has been milked for too long. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. The United States is one of the worlds biggest travel destinations. More than 72 million people came to America last year, nearly half of them on tourist visas. The countrys massive tourism industry has been booming in the post-COVID years, creating more than $1.3 trillion in spending in 2024. But Americas role in the world has changed dramatically since President Trump returned to the White House. There are early signs that his controversial policies and adversarial approach to other countries may be dampening travelers enthusiasm for visiting the U.S. Overseas tourist travel into the U.S. was down 5% in February, the first full month of Trumps second term, compared to the previous year, according to federal government data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the global travel industry is far too complex to attribute that drop-off entirely to Trump, there have been numerous reports quoting foreigners who say they are avoiding America specifically because of him. Some forecasters also say the economic uncertainty caused by his agenda may be creating headwinds for U.S. tourism. A Danish traveler told Reuters, I'm never going to go to the United States as long as Mr. Trump is the President there. A British woman, who typically comes to the U.S. twice a year, asked the New York Times, Why would anyone want to visit, especially right now? One Canadian man cited Trump's divisive nature as a reason to stay away, telling a local TV station, We just dont want to get caught up in it at all. Tourist visits were down overall in February relative to 2024, but there were big differences from country to country. The largest decline was in travelers from Asia, driven by large drops in tourists from China (24%) and South Korea (20%). Arrivals also dipped from the majority of Western European countries, with the most noteworthy declines coming from Germany, Switzerland and Belgium. Visits from the United Kingdom, however, were up nearly 7%. Travel from Africa, Central America and the Caribbean dipped significantly overall, while arrivals from the Middle East and Eastern Europe increased slightly. Americas biggest source of incoming travelers, Canada, isnt included in those numbers because Canadians typically dont require a visa to enter the U.S. There are indications, though, that the number of people visiting from Americas northern neighbor was down significantly in February compared to last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Polls suggest that opinions of the U.S. in Canada and a number of European countries have soured since Trump returned to office. But his impact on travel may be about more than just changing attitudes. The president's economic policies, centered around steep and at times unpredictable tariffs could also slow the American tourism industry. The influential travel forecasting company Tourism Economics predicts that international travel into the U.S. could drop by more than 9% in 2025. In an earlier report released in February, the company argued that an escalating trade war between the U.S. and its most important trading partners could hurt the economies of everyone involved and leave their citizens with less money to spend on trips. The U.S. Travel Association has estimated that, on its own, a 10% reduction in travel from Canada could lead to $2.1 billion in lost spending and 14,000 lost American jobs. Another factor that may be stifling foreigners' interest in visiting the U.S. is the growing list of travelers who have been detained and reportedly endured harsh treatment at the hands of U.S. immigration authorities, despite having all of their travel paperwork in order. People are very surprised and very cautious looking at the U.S. as a destination for the moment, Eric Dresin, Secretary General of the European Travel Agents and Tour Operators Association, told CNN on Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Keith Serry, a writer and comedian from Canada, decided to cancel all of his upcoming appearances in the U.S. over concerns that he too could become ensnared in the Trump administration's immigration crackdown. The honest truth is that I just dont feel safe traveling to the States right now, he wrote on his Facebook page. Its too early to know whether February's tourism drop was a blip that will ultimately correct itself or the start of a trend that could deal a serious blow to the American travel industry. We also cant know how Trumps trade war will shake out or what shape the world economy might be in when the summers peak travel season arrives. But there are enough early warning signs and enough angry voices abroad that tourism experts say theres reason to be worried about the industry in the near future. SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) The Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center is sharing a look back at a local church parishs history in the latest installment of their Whats on Wednesday event series. On April 2 at 5:30 p.m., Lisa Nebuhr will share the history of Sioux Citys Mater Dei Catholic Parish (Immaculate Conception and Nativity Churches), as well as a look at whats going on in the parish today as the congregations look to the future. Remarkable Women: Terri Batschelet leads Clay County during flood recovery Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All Whats on Wednesday events offered through the Interpretive Center are free to attend. Each week, the series focus alternates between adults and families with young children. For more information on the April 2 event, you can reach out to Kristine Bornholtz by phone at (712) 224-5242, or by email at kbornholtz@siouxcitylcic.com. To learn more about the Interpretive Center and the Whats on Wednesday event series, you can find them online here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. LAWRENCEBURG, Ky. (FOX 56) Two Kentucky men allegedly had explosives and narcotics during a traffic stop Monday in Anderson County. Kentucky State Police said authorities stopped a vehicle for multiple traffic violations near Anderson Crossing Drive. The driver was identified as 41-year-old Ronald Coffman, of Mercer County, and the passenger as 36-year-old Zebadiah Murphy, of Anderson County. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a news release, police were given consent to search the vehicle and allegedly found illegal narcotics and two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in the rear floorboard. Coffman allegedly told a trooper the explosive contained black powder and lead pellets. Police said a perimeter was established and a hazardous device unit responded to the scene to remove the devices. Kentucky State Police said a search warrant was obtained and Murphys home near Hammonds Creek Road in Anderson County was searched. Police allegedly found two more IEDs, along with the items needed to manufacture more. LATEST KENTUCKY LISTS AND RANKINGS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities also reported finding several firearms, improvised firearm suppressors, and restricted ammunition. Murphy and Coffman were arrested and lodged in the Franklin County Detention Center. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News. The two Des Moines police officers who fatally shot a man wielding a screwdriver in early February during a narcotics investigation were justified in using lethal force, the Iowa attorney general and Polk County attorney have concluded. Investigators from the Des Moines Police Department's Narcotics Section requested assistance in stopping an "involved person" in the 1200 Block of Maury Street on the city's southeast side on Feb. 6, police said. The investigation found that narcotics officers surveilled a womans vehicle as part of a drug investigation when they saw a masked man, later identified as David Leroy Kintz Jr., exit the passengers seat with a duffle bag and leave on foot, according to the report from Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers requested that patrol officers were to contact Kintz, the report said. Two officers, identified as senior police officers Neal Shaffer, who has been with the department since 2018, and Titus DeFord, who has been with the department since 2020, responded in separate vehicles. Officers instructed Kintz to take his hands out of his pockets, which Kintz complied with, the report said. Kintz told police he had a screwdriver when asked by police what he had in his pockets. Kintz swiftly pulled a screwdriver from his pocket and lunged at Shaffer, stabbing at the officers head and neck, the report said. Shaffer began to back away from the attack, but Kintz advanced with the screwdriver. Shaffer drew his firearm as he backed away, but Kintz continued to charge at the officer, the report said. Shaffer and DeFord fired at Kintz, who collapsed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kintz was handcuffed as he was still alert and communicating, the report said. Officers requested an ambulance and provided medical care to Kintz. Kintz subsequently died at the hospital from his injuries. Polk County Attorney Kimberly Graham also concluded Monday that Shaffer and DeFord were justified in using lethal force against Kintz. "Given all the circumstances, it was reasonable for Officer Deford and Officer Shaffer to conclude that they were in imminent danger of great bodily injury or death at the time the deadly force was used," Graham reported. Des Moines Police Department records show Kintz had previously run at police with a large, hunting-style knife during a traffic stop in 2023, the report said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In that incident, Kintz told police, kill me, during the altercation, the report said. Multiple officers used their tasers before Kintz threw the knife and surrendered. "Sadly, this time, Mr. Kintz ran at and lunged at officers such that there was no time or distance available to use a Taser or otherwise prevent grave bodily harm to the officers," Graham's report said. Kintzs family told police he was aware he had a warrant for parole violation. Kintz told family that he would not go back to prison, and if police made contact with him, he would try to stab them and make them kill him, Bird's report said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kintz then charged and attempted to stab Officer Neal Shaffer, who continued to retreat while pulling his firearm. Despite this, Kintz continued to advance on Officer Shaffer, repeatedly stabbing at him, putting the officers life and safety in danger, Bird said in the report. Officer Shaffer and Officer Titus DeFord were justified in their response with deadly force, as it was necessary to stop that threat. Jose Mendiola is a breaking news reporter for the Register. Reach him at jmendiola@dmreg.com or follow him on X @mendiola_news. This story was updated to add more information. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa AG: Des Moines police justified in fatal February shooting We recently published a list of 12 Best FMCG Stocks to Buy According to Billionaires. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) stands against other best FMCG stocks to buy according to billionaires. Historically, the consumer-packaged-goods (CPG) industry outperformed most of the other industries, mainly due to the high growth and consistent margins, says McKinsey. However, since 2012, numerous factors, such as inflation, market saturation, significant competition, fluctuating consumer tastes and behaviors, along with a fragmented consumer base resulted in growth challenges. Given increased interest rates and elevated industry multiples over the previous few years, there has been lesser deal activity, says the firm. Furthermore, a range of leading CPG companies continue to take a more measured approach, emphasizing midsize deals and aiming to achieve cost and growth synergies. What Lies Ahead? The broader downward trend of rates, along with strong, cash-rich balance sheets (and increased capability to take more affordable debt) of CPG companies can result in higher deal activity over the near future for the sector, says McKinsey. The firm expects a mix of 3 types of transactions, i.e., signature, sector-shaping deals, sizable horizontal deals allowing for greater subcategory consolidation, and targeted spin-offs of brands and business units possessing limited synergies or growth enablers with their current owner. While the consumer sector remains broad, much of the analysis was focused on the F&B sector. McKinsey anticipates to see increased activity throughout CPG sectors, mainly in the personal care and beauty sectors. However, it also expects that the F&B sector might continue to capture a significant share of deals. READ ALSO: 7 Best Stocks to Buy For Long-Term and 8 Cheap Jim Cramer Stocks to Invest In. Different Levers for Growth Deloitte believes that, in 2025, the consumer products companies are likely to address the product portfolio and mix in a bid to entice the consumer and invest across the broad set of demand-generation capabilities. Furthermore, the businesses are projected to develop transformative efficiency so that savings can be produced, which can help finance such investments. Deloitte points out that increasing the unit volume sold remains an important lever that can support in driving profitable growth. Notably, some consumer products companies, mainly the profitable growers, remain focused on innovation to re-engage consumers. Deloitte also highlighted that high-performing companies seem to be adopting a clear-eyed view of their portfolios, and they continue to divest and acquire as needed. DES MOINES, Iowa An Iowa Senate judiciary subcommittee voted to unanimously move a bill that lowers the age to own and purchase a handgun to the full committee level on Tuesday morning. The bill was voted through the full Iowa House chamber last week by a vote of 79 to 18. The wording in the legislation changes the age from 21 to 18-years-old to purchase, acquire or carry a pistol or a revolver in the state. All three state senators signed off on moving the bill forward, with the one democrat on the subcommittee wrestling with his vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whats fair is if we set the adult age of 18 and you become 18, then you get adult rights. Thats hard to swallow in some cases, said State Senator Tony Bisignano (D), District 15 from Des Moines. Sen. Bisignano weighed not wanting to put more guns on the streets with what is constitutionally fair. He added at the end that he is reluctant to sign off on it, but deemed it appropriate. Urbandale Food Pantry reopens in new facility The chair of the subcommittee, State Senator Scott Webster (R), District 47 shared that his daughter had just turned 18 and is a real estate agent. He signed off on the bill saying that this gives him more comfort that she will be able to properly defend herself. Two members of the public shared their thoughts on if the bill should advance or not, the Iowa Firearms Coalition argued that at 18 you are considered an adult, so this law change is necessary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Iowa law provides that when you reach 18, youre an adult, you may marry, vote, join the military, said Richard Rogers with the Iowa Firearms Coalition. The second speaker cited the high rates of violence amongst the younger population, and also added that someone is not fully matured, and the brain not developed at age 18. 18 to 20-year-olds comprise of 4% of the U.S. population, but account for 17% of known gun homicide offenders, said Connie Ryan, the executive director at the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa. Ryan also noted the high suicide rates and these weapons being a large contributing factor to those causes of death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Federal law does not allow someone to purchase a handgun under the age of 18 from a federally licensed dealer, but the state is able to change Iowa code to allow for an 18-year-old to purchase a gun from a private dealer, or have a parent or guardian purchase it and gift it to the individual; along with allowing the person to carry the handgun as well. The bill must be passed through the Iowa Senate Judiciary committee before Friday, April 4 to be considered funnel-proof. Iowa News: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. An Iowa Senate subcommittee passed a bill Wednesday that would set general education requirements for public universities. (Photo by Brooklyn Draisey/Iowa Capital Dispatch) Despite concerns about vague language and potential impacts reaching beyond targets of the bill, an Iowa Senate subcommittee on Wednesday advanced legislation to establish statewide general education requirements for public universities. House File 401, which passed out of the Iowa House of Representatives in mid-March, would require state universities to develop new general education standards for students, requiring study in English, math and statistics, natural and social sciences, the humanities, western and American heritage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the legislation, these courses cannot distort significant historical events or include any curriculum or other material that teaches identity politics or is based on theories that systemic racism, sexism, oppression, or privilege are inherent in the institutions of the United States of America or the state of Iowa. However, language directly after this section states course instructors academic freedoms and the free discussion of ideas in class will not be limited. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Keenan Crow, director of policy and advocacy at One Iowa, asked the subcommittee during public comment to strike the section of the bill including identity politics, due to the lack of a definition of the term and its vagueness. Under his interpretation of the bill language, Crow said instructors would not be able to teach students about the civil rights and womens liberation movements or the Stonewall uprising. I understand that a lot of this leaves room for interpretation, and maybe folks dont agree with my interpretation, but thats kind of my point, Crow said. My interpretation is just as valid as yours. Since theres no specificity, I dont think thats a positive thing for educational institutions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Herman Quirmbach, D-Ames, agreed with Crows comments and added that with the current language stating instruction cannot be based on ideas that systemic oppression is inherent to U.S. institutions, teachers would also be prohibited from teaching about slavery or the time when women could not vote. The hypocrisy of this bill is blatant, Quirmbach said. These two sentences are side by side you have freedom of speech, you have academic freedom to talk about anything you want, as long as you dont talk about things we dont want you to talk about. Subcommittee chair Sen. Jeff Taylor, R-Sioux Center, said he doesnt see anything in the legislation that would stop the teaching of the facts of U.S. history, including slavery and segregation. Since the bill puts its restrictions in the present tense, he said it only prohibits teaching the idea that systemic oppression is still inherent to U.S. institutions. He concurred that the term identity politics should either be defined or removed from the bill, since it is broad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I know what it is, I know when I see it, but thats different than putting it into Iowa code and specifying what it is, Taylor said. I think we have to have better guidance for the institutions. Representatives of community colleges and the Iowa Board of Regents shared concerns during the meeting that articulation agreements between colleges and universities would need to be reworked, as new standards would change what courses community colleges need to offer to ensure students are completing their general education before going to a four-year school. Community Colleges for Iowa is registered as unopposed to the bill, and Iowa Board of Regents State Relations Officer Jillian Carlson said the board has changed its stance from undecided to in favor, as the House took many of the boards suggestions in refining the bill. Another concern Carlson reiterated from previous meetings was the different definitions of diversity, equity and inclusion listed in different pieces of legislation. Carlson asked for clarity on the issue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taylor said he understood the articulation agreements would need work if the legislation passes, which could pose problems, adding that he appreciated the addition of American and western history as general education requirements. He and Sen. Julian Garrett, R-Indianola, signed the bill to move it to the full Iowa Senate Education Committee. Its possible that the bill may need to be tweaked a little bit before it reaches the floor, but I would like to see the bill continue to move forward, Taylor said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE A bill that would bar state entities and private universities from having DEI offices or officers passed out of subcommittee Tuesday. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch) An Iowa Senate subcommittee advanced legislation Tuesday to ban DEI offices and officers in certain public and private entities while noting there are proposed changes in the bill still to come. House File 856 would bar state entities, including universities and community colleges as well as private universities, from spending any funds, public or private, on diversity, equity and inclusion offices or officers, with some exceptions. If found to be noncompliant with the law, private universities would become ineligible for the Iowa Tuition Grant program until they make changes meaning students who receive Iowa Tuition Grant dollars would not be able to spend them at the offending universities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The section of the bill pertaining to private universities was the main topic of discussion for members of the public, both in opposition and support. It was also the section that subcommittee chairman Sen. Ken Rozenboom, R-Oskaloosa, told those gathered he would be submitting an amendment to remove. In the Iowa Tuition Grants more than 50-year history, Rozenboom said the Legislature has never added conditions to the program, and if it starts now, more conditions will added later. Im very uncomfortable, personally with dipping our toe into conditioning the Iowa Tuition Grant, Rozenboom said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He and Sen. Tim Kraayenbrink, R-Fort Dodge, signed off on the legislation, with Sen. Herman Quirmbach, D-Ames, abstaining. Patty Alexander, who identified herself as a concerned mom, was joined by other parents and lobbyists in support of the legislation. Inspired Life lobbyist Amber Williams said the bill will stop division sowed by DEI policies and activities and protects students from being judged by their demographics rather than their efforts and merit. I support this bill because it will hold higher learning institutions accountable and allow them to make corrections, and will ensure that the unhealthy and misguided pursuit of power, which DEI supports, will not be tolerated, Alexander said. Interfaith Alliance of Iowa lobbyist and Executive Director Connie Ryan opposed the bill and said DEI is about both acknowledging past disparities between different groups and their effects, and also about setting up every Iowan for support and success in the future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The concepts of DEI are key to ensuring members of Iowas institutions, educational or not, are provided opportunities without erecting barriers, she said. Thats the goal of diversity, equity and inclusion. It should be the goal of Iowas elected officials, Ryan said. We are grateful that you took out private institutions. We hope that you would take out the rest of the language as well. Iowa Board of Regents State Relations Officer Jillian Carlson said the board is registered as undecided on the bill, but it is generally supportive of moving away from DEI, as is happening on the federal level. With other legislation targeting DEI moving through the Statehouse, Carlson said the board would appreciate lawmakers aligning the varying definitions of DEI included in different bills, which Quirmbach and Rozenboom acknowledged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quirmbach said he was happy to hear of Rozenbooms intentions to remove private universities from the bill, but said he wished community colleges and public universities were also included in the proposed amendment. Echoing comments he made during debate of Senate File 507, which would bar local governments from utilizing DEI practices, Quirmbach said the ideas making up DEI are an asset to organizations wanting to ensure they have the best people and training for the job. In general, looking for people of high merit, you want to have the broadest possible pool of candidates, Quirmbach said. The bigger the pool, the more likely youre going to find somebody who is absolutely, spectacularly wonderful. But there are certain groups that arent typically recruited. One acronym brought up by supporters of the bill was MEI or merit, excellence and intelligence. Rozenboom said the tenets of MEI have been replaced over the years with DEI, with negative consequences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both he and Kraayenbrink said the public signaled its wish to do away with DEI in the last election, and this legislation will help clean up the mess. MEI resonates with me a lot more than DEI does, and I hope thats the direction we can head from now on, Rozenboom said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE A coalition of Iowa State University students and Ames community members held a makeshift funeral Wednesday for Iowa State's LGBTQIA+ center. About 50 people gathered in front of Parks Library around a makeshift coffin painted with the LGBTQIA+ flag. Many were wearing black, sporting pride pins or holding pride flags. More: Iowa State students plan on campus 'funeral' for Center for LGBTQIA+ Student Success Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Iowa State's Center for LGBTQIA+ Student Success, often referred to as The Center, must be restructured and rebranded due to Senate File 2435. The law, which will take effect on July 1, 2025, prohibits state universities like Iowa State from starting, maintaining or funding DEI offices or positions unless required by law or for accreditation. The Iowa Board of Regents imposed directives and a Dec. 31 deadline to eliminate functions like the Center. Holding a 'funeral' for a community resource ISU Students Against SF 2435 Coalition published a mock obituary and shared it with the Ames Tribune prior to Wednesday's event. The obituary said the Center was "killed" on Dec. 31, "with the assistance of Iowa State University." "This marks a great loss for the community, and we encourage those impacted to join us and find community in these trying times," the mock obituary reads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several students addressed the crowd on Wednesday, noting how the Center provided them with a safe space to connect with their community. They said they are frustrated that it's closing. Several said the presence of the Center was a key factor in attending the university. The Center is a place where LGBTQIA+ students could go for safety and support, Iowa State student Silvera Dudenhoefer said on Wednesday. "It was a space that celebrated queer joy and accomplishment, academically and personally," Dudenhoefer said. "Above all, it was a clear mark that LGBTQIA+ students mattered to this school." By removing the LGBTQIA+ from the Center, Dudenhoefer said the Board of Regents has "shown who they're willing to push aside in an effort to comply." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Center, according to Iowa State's website, is still open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, on the fourth floor of the Iowa State Memorial Union. Iowa State now lists The Center under the umbrella of multicultural student affairs. Iowa State Students and community members gathered for a 'funeral' for the Center for LGBTQIA Student Success on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Ames, Iowa. 'The Center' has been a LGBTQIA+ student resource for more than 30 years Iowa State University's Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Student Services (LGBTSS) opened on Nov. 8, 1992, and was housed above Student Services. It was initially staffed by student volunteers until 1997, when four full-time staff members were brought on. The LGBTSS was rebranded as The Center for LGBTQIA+ Student Success in 2019 and relocated to the Memorial Union. The Center is "a space for you to be yourself, find and build community, get involved, and explore lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and ally life at Iowa State University," according to the school's website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: The Ames Renaissance Fair has doubled in size as it prepares for year 2. What to know: A person speaks during a 'funeral' for Iowa State University's Center for LGBTQIA Student Success on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Ames, Iowa. Senator Quirmbach voices support for 'encouraging' campus environment Senator Herman Quirmbach of Ames attended Wednesday's gathering and addressed the crowd. He said Iowa State has a responsibility to provide a supportive and encouraging environment for every student, regardless of their background. "This university is failing in its moral responsibility," Quirmbach said. "The members of the Board of Regents are failing. And the legislature? Don't get me started." Iowa State graduate student Amanda Thomas assured the gathered students that they have allies willing to support them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: The Ada Hayden trail is expanding in Ames. What to know about the $1.4M project Iowa State Students and community members gathered for a 'funeral' for the Center for LGBTQIA Student Success on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Ames, Iowa. "When attacks like this hurt my friends, my family, my coworkers and my peers, it hurts me and that's not okay," Thomas said. "Allies are here, even if you can't see them." Reverand Kelli Clement from the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ames said students are learning to take the "stone in their shoe" that came with Senate File 2435 being passed. "When you find your people, it is a holy moment," Clement said. "And the loss of this center does not mean that your people go away." Students against SF-2435 protest Iowa law More: Ames nonprofit, The Romero House, provides homeless with friendship and essential services Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ISU Students Against SF 2435 coalition was formed to combat the law's ensuing impact. The group's first protest was held Oct. 24. The students protested the law again on Nov. 20. The group also filed a pair of petitions on Change.org, one for the Board of Regents and another for the Iowa Legislature. Celia Brocker is a government, crime, political and education reporter for the Ames Tribune. She can be reached at CBrocker@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Why did Iowa State students hold a 'funeral' in Ames? WARWICK, R.I. (WPRI) Federal authorities are investigating an Irish national who they say may be linked to a multistate fraud operation that duped customers through his masonry and construction company, according to the Warwick Police Department. After a joint investigation between the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Warwick police, investigators arrested 27-year-old John OBrien last Friday, police said. A database shows OBrien is currently being held at the Plymouth County Correctional Facility on an ICE detainer. Warwick Police Chief Bradford Connor said OBrien owns Traditional Masonry and Construction and that police had received reports that the company would damage the foundation of peoples homes, only to offer expensive services to fix the problem. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ALSO READ: Detectives search Warwick home in suspicious death investigation U.S. Air Force veteran Don Fife told Target 12 that OBrien first approached him early last week while his company was working on a neighbors home. His neighbors said they gave OBrien a $7,000 deposit to work on the front and back of their home. According to Fife, OBrien offered to fix the cracking foundation of his home with no money down, until a few days later when he asked for thousands of dollars. I wrote a check for $995, and then the next day there was more damage. And now he said this is a $95,000 project, Fife recalled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They eventually settled on an $80,000 job, but Fife said he still felt uneasy. Warwick police and Homeland Security soon descended on the neighborhood to arrest OBrien. Fife said he watched as some of his employees walked to the back of his yard, took off their sweatshirts, left their tools and jumped his back fence to escape from police. They went on the tree stump and jumped over the fence and they got away, he said. 12 RESPONDS: Whats your question or concern? Target 12 called a number listed for OBriens business seeking comment but did not immediately hear back. Fife says he is frustrated that someone would take advantage of senior citizens, who now fear they are out thousands of dollars and left with a mess in their yard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fifes front and back yard has a trench dug around his home. Im 83 and all the stress is ridiculous, he said. Connor said police are not looking for the workers who fled, but are looking into if anyone else is connected with the fraud-operation. Sarah Guernelli (sguernelli@wpri.com) is the consumer investigative reporter for 12 News. Connect with her on Twitter and on Facebook. Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the new 12+ smart TV app. Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. By Will Dunham (Reuters) -It is the site of a dramatic moment in Scottish history. The Isle of Skye's rocky shoreline is where Charles Edward Stuart - known as Bonnie Prince Charlie - arrived by boat disguised as a maid to hide from the English in 1746 after his defeat at the Battle of Culloden. But this celebrated claimant to the British throne was not the only one to make tracks at what is now called Prince Charles Point. Some 167 million years earlier during the Jurassic Period, large dinosaurs left footprints at the same place. Researchers now have identified 131 fossilized tracks produced by meat-eating and plant-eating dinosaurs as they milled about what was a subtropical freshwater lagoonal environment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This extraordinary batch of trackways is important not only because it dates to a time underrepresented in the fossil record but because it shows a scene of routine life among the denizens of this bygone ecosystem, akin to animals of various species today congregating at watering holes on the African savannah. "It's very much a tranquil snapshot of dinosaurs gathering, perhaps to drink or move between vegetated areas," said Tone Blakesley, a University of Edinburgh graduate student in paleontology and lead author of the study published on Wednesday in the journal PLOS One. "The plant-eating dinosaurs were at that point not under any immediate threat from the predators." "The trackways provide us with insight into how these dinosaurs behaved and interacted with their environment - something bones alone cannot provide," Blakesley added. The researchers cannot be certain of the exact species that left the tracks, but their sizes and shapes offer good clues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All meat-eating dinosaurs were part of a group called theropods. The ones that made the Isle of Skye tracks were part of a family called megalosaurs. One possibility is Megalosaurus, which lived about 100 million years before its distant relative Tyrannosaurus, measured about 20 feet (6 meters) long, walked on two legs and had a mouthful of large serrated teeth. It was one of the first dinosaurs discovered by scientists and, in 1824, became the first one to be given a name. The plant-eaters that left footprints were part of the group called sauropods, known for their long necks, four pillar-like legs, small heads and teeth adapted for consuming vegetation. One possibility is Cetiosaurus, about 52 feet (16 meters) long. The theropod footprints each measure about 18 inches (45 cm) long, with imprints of three toes, pads housing foot muscles and sharp claws. The sauropod footprints are different, about 20 inches (50 cm) long with a round shape widening a bit toward the front, and sometimes preserving marks from four, short and stubby triangular toes. In all, about two dozen individual dinosaurs left the footprints. The researchers made digital models of each trackway after observing the site with a drone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These dinosaurs lived at the heart of a vast river estuary surrounded by forested areas composed of conifers, tree ferns and ginkgoes, like those still in existence today. The footprints of the theropods and sauropods were found in lagoonal settings while tracks of other dinosaurs - plant-eating stegosaurs and ornithopods - were found in what were drier landscapes, away from the lagoons. Sharing this ecosystem were crocodiles, salamanders, lizards, turtles, small mammals and flying reptiles called pterosaurs. This time period predates the earliest known bird fossils. "Footprints of this age are very rare, but when we find them, they provide direct evidence of behavior," University of Edinburgh paleontologist and study senior author Steve Brusatte said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brusatte highlighted the intersection of prehistory and Scottish history. Bonnie Prince Charlie - a romanticized hero of Scotland - survived his flight from the English, though his aspirations of kingship and the Jacobite rebellion he led were dashed. "When the prince was running for his life, he was running on the footsteps of Jurassic dinosaurs. And he did make it. He hid out on Skye for a while, then was able to escape to France," Brusatte said. (Reporting by Will Dunham in Washington, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien) Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has announced a major expansion of the military's operations in the Gaza Strip which aims to "crush and cleanse the area of terrorists and terrorist infrastructure." The minister said on Wednesday the operation will "seize large areas that will be added to Israels security zones," without giving further details. The military has deployed an additional unit for the expansion of operations in southern Gaza, according to media reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The defence minister called on residents of the coastal strip "to act now to remove Hamas and return all the hostages. This is the only way to end the war." Katz had warned last month that Israel would permanently take over parts of Gaza if Hamas unless the remaining hostages are freed. Recently, the Israeli military had called on the residents of the southern city of Rafah and neighbouring towns to evacuate. Following months of conflict, a ceasefire took effect in Gaza on January 19, prompting many displaced residents to return home. In mid-March, Israel resumed its massive air attacks after no agreement was reached with Hamas on the conditions for an extension of the ceasefire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since then, Israel has also launched ground operations against the Palestinian militants in Rafah, and on Saturday it reportedly extended the offensive to a second neighbourhood. The aim of the new ground offensive in is also to establish a buffer zone along the borders of the coastal area, Israel said. The war erupted after Hamas and other extremist groups attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people and seizing more than 250 hostages. According to the Hamas-controlled health authorities in Gaza, more than 50,100 people have been killed so far, a third of them children and young people. The figures cannot be independently verified. However, international organizations such as the UN consider them to be largely credible. Israel has been accused of executing Palestinian paramedics after bodies were found in a mass grave with their hands tied and bullet wounds to the head. In what would amount to a serious war crime if proven, some 15 people from a number of groups are alleged to have been killed by the IDF. Their bodies were recovered from a shallow grave on Sunday after a week-long rescue operation, according to the UN. Accounts from Gaza suggest some of the group, from the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS), Palestinian Civil Defence (PCD) and the UN Palestine refugee agency (UNRWA), had been handcuffed, or had their hands or feet tied. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The clearly identified humanitarian workers had been dispatched to collect injured Gazans on March 23 in the Rafah area amid an escalation of Israeli military operations. The UN claims the humanitarian workers came under fire from Israeli forces who were advancing in the area, with video footage taken near Tal as-Sultan by a United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) rescue party showing a crushed UN vehicle, ambulances and a fire truck that had been flattened and partially buried in the sand by the Israeli military. Those people were shot This is a huge blow to usThese people were shot, said Jens Laerke, a spokesman for OCHA. Volker Turk, a UN human rights chief, issued a statement on Monday condemning the Israeli militarys attack and calling for an independent, prompt and thorough investigation into the apparently systematic killings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Normally we are not at a loss for words, and we are spokespeople, but sometimes we have difficulty finding them. This is one of those cases, he said. The discovery of the bodies buried next to their clearly destroyed vehicles was deeply disturbing he added. This raises significant questions with regard to the conduct of the Israeli army during and in the aftermath of the incident. Mourning relatives at the funeral of the eight Palestine Red Crescent Society workers killed - Anadolu The week-long rescue operation ended on Sunday with the recovery of the bodies of 15 humanitarian workers, eight from the PRCS, six from the PCD and one UNRWA worker. The body of one more PRCS worker is still missing at the site, according to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a report in The Guardian, Dr Ahmed al-Farra from the Nasser medical complex in Khan Younis, said: I was able to see three bodies when they were transferred to the Nasser hospital. They had bullets in their chest and head. They were executed. They had their hands tied. Others in Gaza corroborated the claims. Dr Bashar Murad, the PRCS director of health programmes in Gaza, said at least one of the other paramedics whose body was recovered had his hands tied. Mahmoud Basal, spokesman for the PCD in Gaza, said the bodies had been found with at least about 20 gunshots. He also said that at least one of them had their legs bound. Gazas Hamas controlled health ministry also released a statement claiming the workers had been executed, and some of them handcuffed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They were buried in a deep hole to prevent their identities from being identified, the statement said. Terrorists are once again exploiting medical facilities The Israeli military told The Telegraph that an investigation was ongoing. Nadav Shoshani, its military spokesman, refuted the allegations that the workers were deliberately targeted. The IDF did not randomly attack an ambulance on March 23, he wrote on X. Several uncoordinated vehicles were identified advancing suspiciously toward IDF troops without headlights or emergency signals. IDF troops then opened fire at the suspected vehicles. Earlier that day, cars that did not belong to terrorists were coordinated and passed safely on the same route, he explained in an account of the days events. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said that following an initial assessment, it was determined that the forces had eliminated Mohammad Amin Ibrahim Shubaki, a Hamas military operative who took part in the October 7 massacre, along with eight other terrorists from Hamas and the Islamic Jihad. After coordination between the IDF and international organisations, the evacuation of bodies was carried out, he added, saying that terrorists are once again exploiting medical facilities and equipment for their activities. In an UNRWA statement, the agency said the latest incident brings the death toll of aid workers killed to 408, among them more than 280 UNRWA staff, since the current conflict began a year and a half ago. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. After almost 18 months of unremitting bloodshed and carnage in Gaza, it is little wonder that the overwhelming body of world opinion favours a lasting ceasefire at the earliest opportunity. For, despite the terrible losses suffered by both sides in this pitiless conflict, there have been no winners, only traumatised losers. Israel may have suffered fewer casualties, but the entire nation remains in shock at the sheer barbarity of the atrocities committed by Hamas terrorists during the October 7 attacks in 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The comprehensive report into those events by the inimitable British historian, Lord Roberts of Belgravia, leaves no doubt about the inhumanity committed against the 1,200 victims, including a baby who was just fourteen hours old. For their part, Gazas two million Palestinian residents have seen their once lively and bustling enclave largely reduced to rubble as the Israel Defence Forces have attempted to achieve their stated goal of erasing Hamas from the face of the earth. The total number of Palestinian casualties is hard to assess, not least because the figures are deliberately manipulated as a propaganda tool by Hamas, a fact conveniently overlooked by credulous news organisations like the BBC. Even so, it is clear that thousands of Palestinians have perished, and a significant proportion of Gazas pre-war population have been forced to flee their homes as a consequence of Israels unrelenting military effort. This weeks announcement, therefore, by Israeli defence minister Israel Katz that the Israeli military is expanding its operations in Gaza will be seen by many as a retrograde step. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Katz says the aim of the new offensive is to clear areas of Gaza of terrorists and infrastructure, and capture extensive territory that will be added to the State of Israels security areas. At the same time he has called on Gazans, who have been increasingly restive under Hamass authoritarian rule, to act now to overthrow Hamas and return all the hostages. This is easier said than done, given the violence meted out by the Iranian-backed terrorists against anyone who defies their will. It was revealed earlier this week that Hamas had beaten a protester to death and left his broken body on his familys doorstep pour encourager les autres against any future anti-Hamas activity. It is behaviour such as this, of course, that utterly refutes Hamass claim to be the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people, and has made the task of negotiating a lasting ceasefire in Gaza nigh on impossible. Both the Biden and Trump administrations, together with key regional allies such as Jordan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, invested a great deal of political capital in organising a ceasefire for Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their efforts did, ultimately, result in a brief cessation of hostilities, and the release of a handful of Israeli hostages in return for hundreds of convicted Palestinian terrorists. But Hamass malevolent handling of the hostage releases, with many of the Israeli captives subjected to humiliating public rituals, exposed the terror groups fundamental lack of good faith. This has been a key factor in the collapse of the ceasefire. Hamass reprehensible conduct, together with its insistence on adding new conditions that US officials said were entirely impractical, basically left the Israelis with little choice other than to resume hostilities. The renewed Israeli offensive has the Trump administrations full backing after the US president warned last month that there would be hell to pay for Hamas if it did not release the remaining Israeli hostages, a warning the terror group has failed to heed. The timing of Israels fresh assault against Gaza, moreover, needs to be seen within the context of the Trump administrations deepening stand-off with Iran over the ayatollahs nuclear ambitions. Having personally written to the countrys Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, offering to engage in direct talks aimed at dismantling Irans nuclear programme, US President Donald Trump makes no secret of his anger at Tehrans refusal to play ball. In a television interview last weekend, Trump bluntly warned that if they dont make a deal, there will be bombing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Khamenei, who has always insisted that Irans nuclear programme had no military dimension, is now threatening that Tehran will have no choice but to develop nuclear weapons if attacked. As Iran is also one of the primary backers of Hamass terrorist network, any attempt by the Trump administration to attack Iran will inevitably result in Iranian-backed terror groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah targeting the US and its allies, including the UK. Senior Iranian commanders are already calling for pre-emptive attacks against the US-run Diego Garcia military base which is part for the moment at least of the British-controlled Chagos Islands. Iran and its terrorist proxies make no secret of their contempt for the West and its liberal values, which is why Western leaders should think twice before condemning Israels latest offensive in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israels war against Islamist fanatics in Gaza and Iran is very much the Wests war too, one that it is in all our interests that Israel wins, and wins decisively. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. The News Israel struck a Beirut suburb and said it would expand its ground offensive in Gaza, shattering hopes for calm in the region over the Eid al-Fitr holiday. The countrys defense minister announced plans to seize swaths of Gaza in order to create security zones, a month into an aid blockade of the enclave. In Beirut, an Israeli air strike killed four people: Israeli officials said a Hezbollah commander was among them, with analysts warning the attack would strain an already-fragile truce with the Lebanese group. The dual offensives point to a militarily ascendant Israel, yet The Economist cautioned that overextension risks turning hubris into disaster. Marimaca Copper Corp. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Marimaca Copper Corp. (Marimaca or the Company) (TSX: MARI) (ASX: MC2) refers to its announcement dated March 31st, 2025 (ET) / April 1st, 2025 (AEDT) in relation to the commencement of trading on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX). The Company advises that the announcement contained an error and Marimaca is not admitted to the ASX as a Foreign Exempt Listing. The Company was admitted to the official list of the ASX on March 31st 2025 (AEDT) and commenced quotation at 13:00 (1:00pm) (AEDT) on April 2nd 2025. Shares of the Company trade under the ticket MC2 and will be settled in the form of CHESS Depositary Interests (CDIs). Each CDI will be equivalent to one fully paid common share of the Company. About Marimaca Copper Corp. Marimaca is a copper exploration and development company focused on its 100%-owned flagship Marimaca Copper Project and surrounding exploration properties located in Antofagasta Region, Chile. The Marimaca Copper Project hosts the Marimaca Oxide Deposit (the MOD), an IOCG-type copper deposit. The Company is currently progressing the Marimaca Copper Project through the Definitive Feasibility Study led by Ausenco Chile Ltda. In parallel, the Company is exploring its extensive land package in the Antofagasta region, including the >15,000ha wholly-owned Sierra de Medina property block, located 25km from the MOD. Contact Information For further information please visit www.marimaca.com or contact: Tavistock +44 (0) 207 920 3150 Emily Moss / Ruairi Millar marimaca@tavistock.co.uk Forward Looking Statements This news release includes certain forward-looking statements under applicable Canadian securities legislation, including, without limitation, anticipated benefits of the ASX listing, expansion into new markets, future financial performance, permitting timelines, development timelines, exploration strategy and financing plans. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by Marimaca, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and the parties have made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: risks related to share price and market conditions, regulatory changes, access to capital markets, the inherent risks involved in the mining, exploration and development of mineral properties, the uncertainties involved in interpreting drilling results and other geological data, fluctuating metal prices, the possibility of project delays or cost overruns or unanticipated excessive operating costs and expenses, uncertainties related to the necessity of financing, uncertainties relating to regulatory procedure and timing for permitting submissions and reviews, the availability of and costs of financing needed in the future as well as those factors disclosed in the annual information form of the Company dated March 27, 2025 and other filings made by the Company with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities (which may be viewed at www.sedarplus.ca). There is no assurance that the Company will achieve the anticipated benefits of its ASX listing or successfully execute its strategic initiatives. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Marimaca undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements contained herein whether as a result of new information or future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to arrive in Hungary on Wednesday to meet with its nationalist prime minister despite an international arrest warrant for the Israeli leader over the war in the Gaza Strip. Netanyahu's four-day visit to Budapest is a sign of both his close relationship with Prime Minister Viktor Orban and the latter's growing hostility toward international institutions like the International Criminal Court, of which Hungary is a member. Orban, a conservative populist and close Netanyahu ally, has vowed to disregard the ICC warrant, accusing the worlds top war crimes court based in The Hague, Netherlands, of interfering in an ongoing conflict for political purposes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Members of Orban's government have suggested that Hungary, which became a signatory to the court in 2001, could withdraw. Currently, all countries in the 27-member European Union are signatories, and all members are required to detain suspects facing a warrant if they set foot on their soil. But the court relies on member countries to enforce that. The ICC, the worlds only permanent global tribunal for war crimes and genocide, issued the arrest warrant in November for Netanyahu as well as for his former defense minister and Hamas military chief, accusing them of crimes against humanity in connection with the war in Gaza after the Hamas attack against Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Tens of thousands of Palestinians, many of them children, have been killed during the Israeli militarys response, which it resumed last month while shattering a ceasefire. The warrants said there was reason to believe Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant used starvation as a method of warfare by restricting humanitarian aid to Gaza, and intentionally targeted civilians in Israels campaign against Hamas charges that Israeli officials deny. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ICC has criticized Hungary's decision to defy its warrant for Netanyahu. The court's spokesperson, Fadi El Abdallah, said it's not for parties to the ICC to unilaterally determine the soundness of the Courts legal decisions. Participating states have an obligation to enforce the courts decisions, El Ebdallah told The Associated Press in an email, and may consult with the court if they disagree with its rulings. Orban, regarded by critics as the EU's most intransigent spoiler in the bloc's decision-making, is seen as using some of the tactics that Netanyahu has been accused of employing in Israel: subjugation of the judiciary, antagonism toward the EU and cracking down on civil society and human rights groups. The two leaders are practitioners of illiberal governance a term adopted by Orban rejecting the tenets of liberal democracy and are allied with U.S. President Donald Trump, who signed an executive order in February imposing sanctions on the ICC over its investigations of Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Netanyahu, the visit to Hungary offers another opportunity to defy the ICC warrant and project an image of statesmanship while he faces mounting protests at home. He has faced mass protests by Israelis who fear his decision to resume the war endangers the lives of the remaining hostages held by Hamas. He has also sparked anger by trying to fire or sideline top officials in what critics view as a power grab and an attack on state institutions. Along with resuming its offensive in Gaza last month, Israel halted all imports of food, fuel and humanitarian aid to the territorys 2 million Palestinians to pressure Hamas to release more hostages and accept proposed changes to the truce agreement. Erika Guevara-Rosas, the head of global research, advocacy and policy of human rights group Amnesty International, said in a statement that Hungary must arrest Netanyahu if he travels there and hand him over to the ICC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hungarys invitation shows contempt for international law and confirms that alleged war criminals wanted by the ICC are welcome on the streets of a European Union member state, Guevara-Rosas said. Liz Evenson, international justice director at Human Rights Watch, said Hungary allowing Netanyahu's visit "would be Orbans latest assault on the rule of law, adding to the countrys dismal record on rights. In March 2023, the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin for war crimes, accusing him of responsibility for the abductions of children from Ukraine. Putin visited Mongolia, which is also a member of the ICC, in September last year, but he wasn't arrested. Last year, judges found that the country failed to uphold its legal obligations and referred the matter to the courts oversight body. ___ Associated Press writers Molly Quell in Amsterdam and Joseph Krauss contributed to this report. Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) have identified possible places where the Russians might advance near the town of Lyman in Donetsk Oblast. Source: ISW Quote: "Russian forces are expanding their bridgehead northeast of Lyman as part of a mutually reinforcing effort to create conditions for the seizure of Borova and Lyman in the coming months." Details: It was noted that footage posted on 28 March and geolocated on 1 April showed that Russian troops had recently advanced northwest of Novoliubivka (northeast of Lyman) and might have captured the village. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russian troops recently advanced southeast of Nove (west of Novoliubivka), and Ukrainian military observer Kostiantyn Mashovets stated on 31 March that Russian troops had advanced to the southern outskirts of Katerynivka (northwest of Novoliubivka). Quote: "Russian forces advanced across the Zherebets River onto the west (right) bank in early January 2025 and have slowly expanded their bridgehead on the right bank over the last three months. Russian forces began efforts to push Ukrainian forces from their positions on the east (left) bank of the Zherebets River in late 2023 and have only recently established a relatively stable bridgehead from which Russian forces can launch further offensive operations. Russian forces appear to be leveraging a significant manpower advantage to make advances in the area." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: Experts speculated that Russian troops could exploit their extended bridgehead northeast of Lyman in order to seize Borova or Lyman in the coming months. Furthermore, the Russians may be attempting to combine these footholds to provide a stable springboard for attacks southeast of Borova. Quote: "Russian forces have recently struggled to advance east and southeast of Borova after advancing northeast of the settlement in January 2025, and the Russian forces may be creating the salient northeast of Lyman to support future offensive operations against the southern tip of the Novoserhiivka-Druzheliubivka-Novyi Myr line (east to southeast of Borova). The Russian military command may attempt to outflank Ukrainian defences in these settlements in order to force Ukrainian troops to withdraw and enable Russian advances east of and into Borova in the coming months." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More details: It was also stressed that the Russians might try to use the expansion of the bridgehead on the west bank of the Zherebets River near Ivanivka to support future Russian operations and capture Lyman. They could try to advance on Karlivka from Nove and on Drobysheve from Kolodiazi to establish defensible positions on the Karlivka-Shandryholove-Drobysheve line (on the eastern bank of the Oskil River). Russian troops might try to use this progress along the Oskil River to challenge Ukrainian positions in Lyman from the northeast. Meanwhile, they could also try to intensify their offensive near Torske (east of Lyman) to push on Lyman from the east. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "Further Russian advances towards Borova and Lyman are part of an enduring Russian effort to push Ukrainian forces from positions on the east bank of the Oskil River and attack further into western Kharkiv Oblast and set conditions to attack the Ukrainian fortress belt in Donetsk Oblast from the north." Details: Analysts said that Russian troops could also use their bridgehead northeast of Lyman to seize the remaining 1% of Luhansk Oblast that is under Ukrainian control, completing Russia's long-standing goal of capturing the whole of Luhansk Oblast. Russian troops have been trying to seize the last 1% of Luhansk Oblast (about 266 square kilometres) since late November 2024. Russian forces first seized the whole of Luhansk Oblast on 3 July 2022, but Ukrainian forces later pushed them back. Experts said that the Kremlin was likely to use the recapture and retention of Luhansk Oblast to gain leverage during ceasefire negotiations and future peace talks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "ISW continues to assess that Russian officials are intentionally stalling the ceasefire and peace negotiations in hopes of gaining more territory to leverage during future peace negotiations." To quote the ISWs Key Takeaways on 1 April: Russian forces are reportedly continuing to shell Ukrainian energy infrastructure amid ongoing negotiations over details of the ceasefire agreement on energy infrastructure strikes, indicating that Russia may be exploiting the ceasefires vague or unfinalised terms to strike Ukrainian energy infrastructure with shorter-range artillery but not longer-range cruise missiles or one-way strike drones. Senior Russian officials continue to reiterate the Russian demand for the elimination of the "root causes" of the war in Ukraine as a precondition for a peace agreement a reference to Russia's initial war demands that directly contradict US President Donald Trump's goal to achieve lasting peace in Ukraine. Russian forces are expanding their bridgehead northeast of Lyman as part of a mutually reinforcing effort to create conditions for the seizure of Borova and Lyman in the coming months. Russian forces can leverage their expanded bridgehead northeast of Lyman to support the seizure of Borova or Lyman in the coming months. Russian forces may also leverage their bridgehead northeast of Lyman to seize the remaining one percent of Luhansk Oblast under Ukrainian control and complete Russia's long-standing goal of seizing the entirety of Luhansk Oblast. Russian ruler Vladimir Putin signed a decree on 1 April to raise salaries for Russian governors starting January 2026, aligning the pay with that of Russia's deputy prime ministers. Russian forces recently advanced in Kursk and Belgorod oblasts and on the Lyman, Pokrovsk, and Kurakhove fronts. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! ITHACA, N.Y. (WETM) An Ithaca man has been arrested on robbery and weapons charges after police say he threatened someone with a knife at a restaurant. Ira Bingham, 44, was arrested on the charges of robbery in the first degree (class B felony), criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree (class D felony) and menacing in the second degree (class A misdemeanor), as stated in a release from the Ithaca Police Department. Juvenile arrested in Ithaca on arson charge Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police say Bingham was charged with these crimes after an incident that occurred on Wednesday, April 2, where police say they were called to a restaurant on the 400 block of East State Street around 11 a.m. for the report of a man with a knife. Upon arrival at the scene, police say they learned that the man had used a knife to steal food items from the restaurant. In addition, police say the man was then involved in a confrontation in the parking lot of the restaurant with a person who was uninvolved in the previous incident. As a result, the person sustained minor injuries. Elmira man arrested on theft charges following investigation Police say the man involved in the incidents was identified as Bingham, and he was then taken into custody near the restaurant. As a result, Bingham had his charges read to him in the Ithaca City Court and was placed in the Tompkins County Jail on $50,000 bail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone who may have witnessed either of these incidents or has additional information is encouraged to contact IPD by any of the following means: Police dispatch: 607-272-3245 Police administration: 607-272-9973 Police tip line: 607-330-0000 Anonymous email tip address: www.cityofithaca.org/ipdtips Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WETM - MyTwinTiers.com. CALGARY, AB, April 2, 2025 /CNW/ - Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited (TSX: CP) (NYSE: CP) (CPKC) today said CPKC and the Lanco Group/Mi-Jack have sold the Panama Canal Railway Company (PCRC) to APM Terminals, a global terminal operator and an independent division of A.P. Moller - Maersk. PCRC provides ocean-to-ocean freight and passenger services along the Panama Canal and has been a 50/50 joint venture between CPKC subsidiary Kansas City Southern and Lanco Group/Mi-Jack since its formation in 1998. In 2024, the PCRC generated revenue of US$77 million and EBITDA of US$36 million. "We are pleased to have completed this transaction with APM Terminals, a part of A.P. Moller - Maersk, a key strategic partner of CPKC's and major customer of the Panama Canal Railway Company," said Keith Creel, CPKC President and Chief Executive Officer. "The sale of this non-core asset creates value for our shareholders and reflects our commitment to optimize our assets as we focus on growing our core North American rail business through our unrivalled three-nation network connecting Canada, the United States and Mexico." "Lanco is very proud to have worked with CPKC and A.P. Moller - Maersk over the past several years," said Mike Lanigan, Chief Executive Officer of Lanco Group/Mi-Jack. "Keith Creel and his group have been a pleasure to work with and I wish to congratulate APM Terminals on the purchase of the Panama Canal Railway. As we all know, Panama is a major transportation hub, and I am quite confident the container business will continue to grow under the leadership of APM Terminals." "PCRC represents an attractive infrastructure investment in the region aligned to our core services of intermodal container movement," said Keith Svendsen, CEO, APM Terminals. "The company is highly regarded for its operational excellence and will provide a significant opportunity for us to offer a broader range of services to the global shipping customers we serve." PCRC was formed when it was awarded a concession from the Republic of Panama to reconstruct and operate the Panama Canal Railway, a 47-mile railway located adjacent to the Panama Canal. It is a north-south railway traversing the isthmus of Panama between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and part of Panama's logistics network. APM Terminals has developed and operated advanced container terminals around the world for more than half a century. The company operates in 60 key locations in 33 countries, employing approximately 33,000 people. In the Americas Region, APM Terminals operates 14 terminals in eight countries. Among the many recommendations floating around during early COVID timesalong with the now-disproven hydroxychloroquine, and President Donald Trumps suggestion that scientists study UV rays and bleach injectionswas ivermectin, a drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration only to treat some parasitic worms (and also used to treat parasites in animals). U.S. outpatient prescriptions for the drug, according to a recent study, increased 10-fold above pre-pandemic ratesdespite strong evidence that disproves its effectiveness in treating COVID. Before becoming health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. name-checked the drug in an October rant on X about the FDAs war on public health and its suppression of many treatments, also including raw milk, hyperbaric therapies, clean foods, and anything else that advances human health and cant be patented by Pharma. And in January, actor Mel Gibson, speaking as a guest on the popular Joe Rogan Experience podcast, said that the drug had helped three friends with stage 4 cancer become cancer-free. This stuff works, man, he told Rogan (who had said he took ivermectin, among other remedies, after testing positive for COVID in 2021). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now that episode, seen by more than 10 million viewers, appears to have reignited interest in the drug and fueled misinformation across social media, worrying many experts. The Canadian Cancer Society quickly posted a rebuttal on X. During Joe Rogans podcast on January 9, Mel Gibson promoted drugs that are not scientifically proven cancer treatments, it read. Misinformation on cancer treatment is dangerous, cruel, irresponsible and gives false hope to people with cancer and their loved ones. Still, despite the warnings about ivermectins lack of efficacy and a risk of toxicity that could cause side effects from coma to death, believers have worked to make the drug more accessible: Arkansas just legalized over-the-counter ivermectin; a Georgia senator just introduced legislation to do the same in that state; and in the Texas senate, a bill has been introduced that would protect doctors who prescribed ivermectin (and hydroxychloroquine) for COVID from being punished by the states medical board. Other states, including Louisiana, West Virginia, and Kentucky have also introduced legislation to approve ivermectin as an over-the-counter drug. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Below, everything we know about ivermectin. Ivermectin for COVID In a 2022 systematic review and meta-analysis of 25 randomized controlled trials, ivermectinso effective in the fight against parasitic diseases that it snagged the Nobel Prize in 2015 for the two scientists who discovered its powersdid not show an effect in reducing mortality or mechanical ventilation; it also did not show much in the way of adverse effects, though researchers said there was a very low quality of evidence regarding those effects. A 2023 clinical trial on 1,432 largely vaccinated outpatients with mild to moderate COVID saw a median recovery time of 11 days with the ivermectin and 12 days with the placebo. Therefore, the study concluded, These findings do not support the use of ivermectin among outpatients with COVID-19. A 2024 clinical trial, meanwhile, showed that ivermectin used on patients hospitalized with COVID had no significant effect on clinical symptomsthough it did result in statistically significant lower viral load in patients with mild to moderate Covid-19. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FDA notes, in information on its website last updated one year ago, that it has not authorized or approved ivermectin for use in preventing or treating COVID-19 in humans or animals. Animal versions of ivermectin are different from human formulations, it stresses, noting, The FDA has received multiple reports of patients who have required medical attention, including hospitalization, after self-medicating with ivermectin intended for animals. Further, FDA says it has determined that currently available clinical trial data do not demonstrate that ivermectin is effective against COVID 19 in humans. Possible risks of taking ivermectin, particularly in large doses, can be dangerous, according to the FDAwhich warns it can interact with other medications, including blood thinners. Overdoses are possible, and can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, low blood pressure, allergic reactions, dizziness, balance problems, seizures, coma, and even death. What about ivermectin for cancer? The Associated Press disproved, in 2023, a popular Facebook claim that ivermectin was being withheld as a magic cancer cure. It did explain that there had been early studies exploring the role that ivermectin might play, if any, in slowing the growth of cancer cells or treating tumors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Susanne Arnold, associate director for clinical translation at the Markey Cancer Center in Kentucky, told the AP that some preclinical studies looked at how ivermectin slowed cancer cell growth in labs, and that results were interesting. But, she stressed, I know of no reports of clinical trials that yielded successful results in humans with cancer. Additionally, Dr. Peter P. Lee, chair of the immuno-oncology department at City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center in California, told the AP he had studied ivermectin in combo with a specific antibody for treating breast cancerand saw positive results in mice. He was preparing to run a clinical trial in humans (now active), but said, Certainly by itself ivermectin is not a cure or even an effective treatment for breast cancer. Studies have shown it has anticancer potential. But larger, randomized clinical trials are needed, Dr. Skyler Johnson, a radiation oncologist at the University of Utah Huntsman Cancer Institute, told the New York Times. Thats because a drug working in animals doesnt necessarily mean it will work in people. There are hundreds of medications that look to be promising in a preclinical setting every year, he said. The vast majority of those will never be shown to be effective in humans. More on cancer: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This story was originally featured on Fortune.com Apr. 1PLAINS TWP. Peyton Spall and Chayse Roche, both sophomores at Carbondale Area High School, on Tuesday said the "JA Inspire Career Exploration Experience" exceeded their expectations, offering invaluable information that will help decide their career paths. Junior Achievement NEPA president Susan Magnotta said JA Inspire is a "one-of-a-kind career exploration experience" that brought together more than 2,900 students from 40 regional schools with 100-plus area businesses and entrepreneurs to help introduce students to a world of future work options right here in NEPA. "This has been more than I expected," Spall said. "There is so much information here that will help students decide what they want to study in college, or what trade they might want to get training for." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Spall said she is planning on going to college to seek a degree in business management Roche said he is undecided on what career path he may take, but he said he gathered a lot of information at the JA Inspire event. "This really helps a lot," Roche said. "It's very well organized and there are so many employers here to talk to." All those comments were like music to Magnotta's ears. She said the event, in its third year, has grown by leaps and bounds. "It's really amazing to see all these students interacting with the employers," Magnotta said. "It's great to have an interactive event that opens the eyes of the students to so many opportunities to help them make informed decisions on their futures." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Junior Achievement of NEPA called JA Inspire "a one-of-a-kind career exploration event" that engages high school students in hands-on, interactive exhibits with local companies and business professionals, exposing them to career opportunities, creating connections, and inspiring them toward a pathway for future success. "JA Inspire provides students with the opportunity to learn about careers in a variety of industries and sectors," Magnotta said. "We also want to thank our presenting sponsor, Mericle Commercial Real Estate Services & Discover NEPA." A sampling of interactive activities at JA Inspire 2025 included virtual reality tools and demos, welding activities, construction equipment and tools, electric excavator, 3D printer, personality test, ultrasound technology, dental hygiene demo, augmented reality health science glass demo, robotics demo, HVAC tool demo, electrical line worker tools, drone technology, night vision goggles, basaltic gear, HAZMAT identifiers, sensory activities and more. JA Inspire was held at Mohegan Sun Pennsylvania Convention Center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Students who participated in the JA Inspire event: Connected with hundreds of professionals from NEPA's most prominent employers. Explored career pathways and learn about the skills needed for in-demand jobs. Recognized career clusters that match their skills and interests. Identified job and internship opportunities. Spoke to colleges and universities about majors that fit their career needs. Received help with resume building and interview skills. A sampling of results from the 2024 event showed that: 97% of students said that JA Inspire helped them to determine their future career path. 60% of students said that the event helped them to eliminate a career they were considering. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 86% of students said they found a new career that they want to learn more about. Industry clusters represented Architecture, engineering, construction, technology and trades. Hospitality, media and marketing. Banking and finance. Business, insurance, sales and service. Health services. Education and training. Energy, utilities and environment. Government and public safety. Manufacturing and transportation. Entrepreneurship. Nonprofit. Schools in attendance Benton Area High School. Carbondale Area High School. CareerLink. Crestwood High School. Dallas High School. Dunmore High School. Greater Nanticoke Area High School. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hanover Area High School. Hazleton Area High School. Holy Cross High School. Holy Redeemer High School. Keystone Job Corps. Lackawanna Trail High School. Lake-Lehman High School. MMI Prep. North Pocono High School. Northwest Area High School. Old Forge High School. PA CareerLink. Pittston Area High School. Riverside High School. Scranton High School. Scranton STEMM Academy. Valley View High School. Wallenpaupack Area High School. Wilkes-Barre Area High School. Wilkes-Barre Homeschool Group. West Scranton High School. West Side CTC. Wyoming Area High School. Wyoming Valley West High School. Wyoming Valley Homeschool Group. Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle. KANSAS CITY, Mo. Jackson County taxpayers got a win Tuesday morning as a judge ruled in favor of the Missouri State Tax Commission (STC), saying taxpayers should not have more than a 15% increase on each of their 2023 property assessments. Its a story FOX4s been covering for nearly two years after property assessments jumped tremendously for some in 2023. Missouri bill could pave way for Royals stadium in Clay County Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republican Legislator Sean Smith and Democratic County Executive Frank White have been at odds about this issue for quite some time. FOX4 tried talking to White Tuesday, but he would not do an interview. Director of Assessment Gail McCann Beatty spoke to reporters for about two minutes after coming out of a Jackson County courtroom. She disagreed with the state court judges ruling that the countys assessment process in 2023 was done incorrectly. Seventy-five percent of homeowners in the county saw property assessment increases of more than 15% that year with the average assessment increase being 30%. We absolutely sent notices out to every single person in the county, McCann Beatty said. They were given the opportunity for the interior inspection if they wanted it. We completed over 4,000 inspections, and so I dont agree that that was the case. And so we will see where we go from here. Thats all I have to say for right now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the summer of 2024, the STC ordered the county to roll back all the 2023 assessments that were more than 15%, ruling them illegal. The county, though, took that fight to the courtroom. On Tuesday, FOX4 learned about the judges ruling in favor of the state. Following the Tuesday morning decision, Smith called for McCann Beatty, White and Jackson County Counselor Bryan Covinsky to resign. McCann Beatty said she wouldnt do that. The STC issued its order more than a year after Jackson County completed its state-mandated 2023 reassessmentand nearly a year after property taxes had already been billed, collected and distributed to other taxing jurisdictions, according to a news release from the county. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We understand this ruling has caused confusion and concern, McCann Beatty said in that release. Our mission remains what it has always been: to ensure every property is assessed fairly, based on real market data, and in accordance with the law. That commitment has not changed. Smith on the other hand, said that the county legislature has told White that the 2023 assessment process was done wrong. White disagreed, though. He ignored it, Smith said of the county executive in response to the legislatures resolutions. He used taxpayer money to continue to appeal the process, which has caused more harm, people getting foreclosed on, and cities and counties and school districts that relied on us to get these numbers right who now are going to have to see money clawed back from them probably. Smith said that any district in the county funding a bond off of property taxes may be impacted by Tuesdays ruling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I will just say to the public, consider that you might be putting your city [and] your school district in a place where they might not have the money to repay this when this order gets enforced, he said. So thats a factor in deciding what you want to do with those bond issues. Smith spoke to FOX4 for more than 10 minutes Tuesday. One question we had for him was whether he thinks taxpayers will be getting a refund. See the latest headlines in Kansas City and across Kansas, Missouri I think that homeowners may want a refund, he said. I think that homeowners are entitled to a refund. I think that whether or not we have the money to give them back or have to do future tax credits remains to be seen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The countys news release Tuesday said its carefully considering its next steps. Theres no word on whether the county will appeal the ruling, although Democratic Legislator and Chair DaRon McGee expects them to do that. Smith and Democratic Legislator Manny Abarca are each calling for a special meeting after the ruling. On Tuesday, Abarca issued a statement in response to the recent court ruling. This ruling is yet another example of the continued failures of the current County Executive and his administration, Legislator Abarca said. Frank White has repeatedly shown a disregard for transparency, accountability, and competent governance in Jackson County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the court did not find that the demonstration knowingly violated the Sunshine Law, this outcome does not absolve them of the secrecy and dysfunction that have plagued this process form the beginning. Last week, County Executive Frank White initiated an independent investigation into Legislator Manuel Abarcas alleged misconduct. Frank White launches investigation into Jackson Co. Legislator Abarcas alleged misconduct The people of Jackson County deserve leadership that works for them, not against them, Abarca said regarding Tuesdays ruling. The County Executives repeated missteps, from mismanaging the property assessment process to failing to provide clear, honest communication with residents, have eroded public trust. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fact remains: the people of Jackson County have been left with higher taxes, unanswered questions, and a government that refuses to acknowledge its shortcomings. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. NORTH JACKSON, Ohio (WKBN) Learning the spirit of philanthropy is starting young at Jackson Milton Elementary School. For the past seven years, the first-grade class has donated snacks to the Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley. It was first started by Ms. Corinne Tomaino for Kindness Month to teach students the importance of community service. Since 2018, over 7,200 individual snacks have been collected and donated, including over 1,500 delivered on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ms. Tomainos class really blesses the Mission in so many ways! So thankful for this partnership and how Ms. Tomaino teaches the children about the shelter every year, said Crystal Eckman, Rescue Mission ambassador. This years drive, which happened throughout the month of March, saw enthusiastic participation from students, who worked hard to gather these snacks for kids at the Mission. Credit: Rescue Mission Credit: Rescue Mission Credit: Rescue Mission Credit: Rescue Mission Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. UPDATE: JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) Jackson police announced the man accused of pointing a gun at an officer in a patrol car has been arrested. Police said Steven Perry, Jr., 24, was arrested just before 6:00 p.m. on April 2 while a search warrant was being executed in the 5000 block of Baxter Drive. Steven Perry, Jr. (Courtesy: Hinds Co. Detention Center) Steven Perry, Jr., was taken into custody on April 2, 2025. (WJTV) Perry was charged with terroristic threat and transported to the Hinds County Detention Center. He made his initial appearance in court on April 3, and his bond was set at $25,000. Previous story: JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) Jackson police are searching for the suspect who pointed a gun at an officer in a patrol car. The image of the incident was shared on social media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jackson Police Chief Joseph Wade said the incident occurred at the intersection of Robinson Road and Highway 80 on Tuesday, April 1. He said the suspects gun had a Glock switch, which is illegal. No shots were fired during the incident. Suspect fires shot during Family Dollar robbery in Jackson I guess God was in the passenger seat of that vehicle, because the individual didnt fire on him. And apparently, he (the officer) didnt see him for whatever reason, because he would have fired upon him. So, we avoided a catastrophic situation, Wade said. He said investigators have developed a person of interest in the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We will be investigating this as a terroristic threat. This will not be prosecuted as no simple misdemeanor pointing and aiming. We will be looking for a state prosecution, and we will also be speaking to our federal partners. We will not allow individuals to point guns at law enforcement, he said. Jackson police are searching for the suspect who pointed a gun at an officer, who was in a patrol car. The image of the incident was shared on social media. (Courtesy: JPD) The police chief encouraged other law enforcement agencies in the Jackson area to be on alert after the picture was shared on Instagram. Wade said many Jackson police officers were disturbed by the photograph. He said this was not the first time something like this has occurred, and there could be additional arrests. We are going to stay steadfast on this. Were going to stay locked-in, and were going to be very resilient until we bring this coward, coward, coward to justice. You will not point guns at law enforcement here in the City of Jackson. And also, you will not have a cheering section cheering you on as you point guns at law enforcement, the police chief said. Man wanted for stabbing Jackson woman to death inside her home Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wade also called for filters on social media that would prevent violent images from being shown. It looks like theres some type of way that this stuff should be flagged and not posted on social media. There should be something in place that people are not allowed to post violence on law enforcement or violence on anybody, he said. Anyone with information about the incident can contact the Jackson Police Department (JPD) at 601-960-1234 or Crime Stoppers at 601-355-TIPS (8477). Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan announced Wednesday that she will not sign, nor will she veto, an immigration bill passed by the City Council last week. She was surrounded by a dozen faith and immigrant leaders as she made the announcement. You can watch the news conference below: JACKSONVILLE MAYOR SPEAKS ON IMMIGRATION BILL WATCH: Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan, community leaders speak about City Council's immigration act Posted by Action News Jax on Wednesday, April 2, 2025 The bill makes it a crime to be in Duval County without legal status in the country. It also provides funds to the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office for fingerprint scanners to determine suspects immigration status and requires city departments to cooperate with state and federal immigration enforcement efforts. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Without her signature, the legislation will go into effect Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prior to her news conference, Councilmen Kevin Carrico, Ron Salem, and Terrance Freeman held a news conference urging Deegan to sign the bill. You can watch that news conference below: JACKSONVILLE CITY COUNCIL VP ON IMMIGRATION BILL WATCH: Jacksonville City Council urges Mayor Deegan to sign Illegal Immigration Act into law Posted by Action News Jax on Wednesday, April 2, 2025 Action News Jaxs Jake Stofan will have the latest updates on CBS47 and FOX30 Action News Jax at 5. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. A man is stable condition at a Jacksonville hospital after police said he was shot in the stomach early Wednesday. Police said the victim, a man in his mid 20s, was standing in his home in the 3000 block of Rosselle Street when he was shot at about 1:30 a.m. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< Police said theyre interviewing residents who were in the home when the shooting occurred and they have no suspect information. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. Diddy is now facing another lawsuit from an alleged victim who named JAY-Z, Beyonce, and LeBron James as witnesses to their assault. Hovs legal team and 50 Cent shared their reactions to the accusations. A man named Joseph Manzaro accused the Bad Boy co-founder of sex trafficking and assault, which allegedly took place at a 2015 that they all attended, according to TMZ. Manzaro claims that he was drugged, humiliated in front of others, and forced into non-consensual sexual acts at King Combss 17th birthday party held at a mansion owned by Gloria and Emilio Estefan. Manzaro claims that Gloria saw what he was going through and called for help but was silenced by Emilio. He also claims he saw LBJ walk by him in a bath towel and say, Yall better do something about that! Upon being ushered through a tunnel to Puffs nearby mansion, he came in contact with Hov and Bey. Whats this all about? Why is this half-naked white man with a [expletive] mask standing here in front of me? the Cowboy Carter artist allegedly asked. Manzaro claims one of Diddys associates said, Diddy wants him to see what we do to snitches. This is part of his punishment. BEVERLY HILLS, CA MARCH 04: P. Diddy attends the 2018 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 4, 2018 in Beverly Hills, California. 50 Cent shared a screenshot of the article in a now-deleted post and wrote, Got Damn how many of these boys Diddy was touching, with eye emojis. JAY-Zs legal team, however, did not treat the lawsuit as a laughing matter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr. Carter wasnt in Florida at that time to witness this incidenthe was engaged in easily findable public activities that prove he was not at this event, Alex Spiro, his attorney, told TMZ. This is more nonsense that erodes the trust in our justice system. TMZ also reported that JAY-Z was in New York City doing a presentation about Tidal when the party allegedly took place, thus making him unable to have been in attendance and witness the alleged misconduct. Gloria and Emilio Estefans team also provided information that could render these accusations null. Gloria and Emilio Estefan strongly deny the allegations made, their representative said. The property in question was never a home where Gloria and Emilio resided, but it was rather a house they owned for family use. There were no parties thrown at that property between 2012 and 2019. We have all necessary documentation to support these facts and will provide it to the court. Time will tell what comes of this particular lawsuit, but Diddy has no shortage of allegations as he heads into trial in May. The controversial mogul has been behind bars since September 2024, arrested on federal charges of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking. He has been denied bail on multiple instances, and more lawsuits have continued to roll in. More from VIBE.com Sign up for Vibe's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. The kickoff for Jazz in the Park has been rescheduled due to expected severe weather in Little Rock Wednesday. The weekly Jazz in the Park series will be begin Wednesday, April 9, and will be extended to Wednesday, May 7, at the River Market Pavilions. The Rod P Outfit will be moved to perform on May 7. April 9 Soulfudes Jazz Night Jam Session Band April 16 Jacksonville High School Jazz Band, Little Rock Parkview High School Jazz Band and Little Rock Southwest High School Jazz Band April 23 Dino D and the D Train April 30 DeeDee Jones May 7 The Rod P Outfit Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The series was initially scheduled to begin April 2. Arkansas Storm Team Blog: Multiple rounds of severe storms & heavy rain this week Strong to severe storms will arrive in Arkansas Wednesday, April 2, bringing threats of large hail, damaging winds and a chance of strong tornadoes. Flood watches are in effect across the state through Sunday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK. CTA Construction Managers has started construction on the new Fort River Elementary School, a new 105,750ft building in Amherst, Massachusetts, US. The three-storey building will replace the current Fort River and Wildwood schools. Upon completion, the new school will house 575 students from preschool to fifth grade. The design for the new school has been provided by DiNisco Design as a net-zero energy building. The facility will feature building-mounted and canopy-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) panels. A ground-source heat pump mechanical system will also be installed, supported by 85 geothermal wells. The building will generate 100% of its energy requirements on-site, in line with Amherst's commitment to sustainability. Amherst town manager Paul Bockelman said: "The project has been meticulously planned to ensure fiscal responsibility. Construction bids were opened on 17 September 2024, with CTA Construction Managers LLC of Waltham, Massachusetts, submitting the lowest bid at $73.48m, contributing to total project savings of $4.8m to date. CTA Construction Managers principal Jeff Hazelwood said: "The new school is expected to open its doors to students in the fall [late] of 2026. Demolition of the existing structure will follow, with all remaining site work projected to conclude by late spring/early summer [mid] 2027. CTA is a construction management and general contracting company specialising in municipal, academic, multifamily residential, and commercial facilities. The companys portfolio of projects totals more than $1.7bn. CTA is also working on the new Lincoln-Eliot Elementary School in Newton, Massachusetts. "CTA Construction starts work on Fort River Elementary School in Massachusetts" was originally created and published by World Construction Network, a GlobalData owned brand. PINE BLUFF, Ark.- Jefferson County Judge Gerald Robinson announced in a letter to the justices of the peace that he is seeking legal relief by asking the court to step in and find a legal solution. This comes after the ongoing budget gridlock between him and seven of the justices of the peace. We (he and the finance committee) have come to the table several times, as you know, and we have made concessions at least three to four times, Robinson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signs Jefferson County budget correction bill, goes into immediate effect The letter addresses ongoing budgetary and procedural violations within the Jefferson County Quorum Court. The judges letter highlights the reintroduction of a rejected 2025 budget, violations of Arkansas law, and the improper calling of special meetings without the County Judges consent. Seven have went along with and creating these irregularities in the budget and are consistent on these irregularities continuing, Robinson said. He said these actions led to the enactment of invalid legislation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The letter criticizes unauthorized salary increases, improper positions added, nepotism violations, and defiance of court rulings, particularly regarding the employment of Morgan Tillman, the daughter of the County Assessor. My opinion is total corruption on their part, corruption on the part of elected officials that have created these irregularities in the budget, Robinson said. READ THE FULL LETTER It also notes the Quorum Courts failure to pass a legally compliant budget, which led to state intervention through Senate Bill 182. It created a stir to where the state had to step in and that we could at least get the employees paid, Robinson said. The bill that was created holds the county judge and the quorum court responsible with nonpayment or without being paid, therefore I am the only constitutional officer that is not getting paid and the 13 justices are not receiving their per diem. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lastly, the letter addresses that the quorum court held another invalid meeting on March 21st, where they tried to pass a procedural ordinance without the judges consent. He stated he has since vetoed the ordinance. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLRT - FOX16.com. JEFFERSON COUNTY, W.Va. (DC News Now) Some high school students in West Virginias eastern panhandle are on track for careers in forensic science crime solving. In a classroom at Jefferson High School in Shenandoah Junction, senior Kalie Hickman is focused on her future. Science has been my passion since I was little, said Hickman. Id watch crime shows, documentaries. So I guess thats what made me enjoy this class so much. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Classmate Ella McCabe loves this learning experience and has an eye on working in a crime lab someday. Two weeks to go: West Virginia delegates debate House rules before passing 20 bills I like measuring stuff, collecting different evidence. Its really neat, said McCabe. The chair of Jefferson Highs science department, Dayna Juraschek, sees her students rewarded. Theyre doing things. Thats the best part of it. We learn by doing, said Juraschek. In the classroom, teacher Catherine Jozwik teaches her students to be analytical. She holds a Ph.D. in molecular biology and worked as a scientist at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center before coming to the classroom here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Analyzing results is needed in every career, but it particularly prepares those going into forensic science or a related science career such as chemistry, biology, molecular biology, said Jozwik. Graduating senior Kalie Hickman feels fortunate to have this learning experience. Not many schools offer this program, says Hickman. So its really special we got this opportunity to have this class here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. CHICAGO Two Jewish students at DePauls Lincoln Park Campus who were attacked last November are suing the university, saying it failed to protect them. The lawsuit, filed Wednesday morning, is asking for both physical and emotional damages to be awarded to the students. Last November, Max Long, a first-year DePaul student and Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reservist, says he was speaking his truth about antisemitism when two masked men, who were captured on camera, knocked him to the ground and beat him causing a concusion. Photos provided by Chicago police show two persons of interest wanted in connection with the attack of two DePaul students on the universitys Lincoln Park campus. Micheal Kaminsky stepped in to help and was also injured. He needed surgery on his wrist. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stop the Hate: Jewish DePaul students call for reform after on-campus attack The men say a DePaul security officer did nothing to help. The lawsuit seeks to hold DePaul accountable for its failure to protect its Jewish students, said Jaclyn Clark, Lawfair Project Attorney. Both Jewish men say they reported antisemitism directed at them, and other Jewish students, to the university prior to the attack. DePaul has failed me, not just as a student, but as a human being. Universities are supposed to be places of information, safety and dialog. But instead, they become platforms for fear, mob rule and censorship, said Long. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They say they continue to be threatened and the target of antisemitic slurs. Yet the university continues to persist there is nothing they can do, Kaminsky said. Attorneys for the pair hope this lawsuit changes that, and forces more protection for Jewish students on college campuses across the country. We also hope this case will serve as a cautionary tale for colleges and universities across the country. You must take swift and decisive action now to protect your Jewish students, said Attorney Clark. Chicago police are still searching for the suspects involved in the attack. WGN News has reached out to Depaul University for a response to the lawsuit, but have not yet heard back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. Ed Milibands North Sea shutdown is raising the risk of blackouts across Britain, Sir Jim Ratcliffe has warned. Writing in The Telegraph, the Ineos chief accused the Government of squeezing the life out of the UKs oil and gas sector, and piling pressure on the countrys strained power grid. To revive the North Sea, he called on ministers to scrap the windfall tax, which currently requires oil and gas producers to pay a headline rate of 78pc on profits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said: Government tax policy on energy is squeezing the life out of our abundant energy reserves in the North Sea. The UK came perilously close to energy blackouts during this Januarys cold snap, when the wind stopped blowing. With one week of gas storage and strained electricity supply, the National Grid was forced to issue emergency market notices. These warnings, and the threat of energy blackouts, will only become more frequent and more serious as domestic gas production falls and critical infrastructure is prematurely decommissioned. Sir Jim also called on the Government to follow Donald Trumps drill, baby, drill agenda in the US, where oil and gas producers are subject to much lower tax rates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said: The US taxes the oil and gas industry at 21pc the same corporate rate as other industries, with a total effective tax take from offshore operations of around 40pc. Investment there is at an all-time high. Tax rates in the UK on energy are 78pc and investments are at an all-time low. The result of this strategy is that we import most of our energy from abroad. It is expensive. It leaves the UK strategically vulnerable, as Europe discovered from its dependence on Russian supplies. High energy costs mean fewer jobs in the North Sea, he added, while they also hinder growth in domestic manufacturing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As one of the biggest chemicals companies in the world, Sir Jims Ineos has been hit hard by high energy costs in the past year. It has also suffered from the Governments retreat from the North Sea, where it owns and operates a number of platforms. Ineos also owns the Forties Pipeline System, a sprawling network of pipes that is crucial for transporting oil and gas from more than 80 offshore fields, which was expected to keep running until the mid-2040s. However, its closure is likely to be brought forward to the early 2030s given the sharp drop in production expected under Labour. The scale of the North Seas decline is reflected in that around 180 of the UKs 280 oil and gas fields are poised to close by 2030. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ineos has also recently confirmed plans to close its Grangemouth oil refinery in Scotland, which will result in the loss of hundreds of jobs. As well as damaging the economy, Sir Jim said the North Sea shutdown was also bad for the planet because it means the UK has to rely on more imports from overseas. He said: As a tax-raising mechanism, the windfall tax is a failure. Capital is migrating abroad, resulting in lower investment, lower production and lower UK tax receipts, offsetting the short-term EPL [Energy Profits Levy] tax gains. However, the real cost isnt lower tax receipts, it is the damage to the wider UK economy and the climate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By asking other countries to produce oil and gas for us, it means the lost UK production will be replaced by more expensive imports with a higher carbon footprint. Sir Jims North Sea warnings follow others issued earlier this week from the North Sea Transition Task Force, an independent body set up by the British Chambers of Commerce in partnership with the Government. It called on the Energy Secretary to scrap the windfall tax and reopen the North Sea for exploratory drilling, warning that such moves were essential to preserve the workforce needed for the transition to renewable energy. Referring to Mr Milibands decision to ban any further exploration for new oil and gas resources, taskforce chairman Philip Rycroft, a former permanent secretary, said it was clear the Government needed to rethink its policies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said: It makes no sense. The UK still has a lot of need for oil and gas and while that need exists, we should be getting it from our own resources, not from imports. The Government was contacted for comment. Axe the windfall tax to keep pace with Trumps America Punitive levies on oil and gas are squeezing the life out of the North Sea and leaving us vulnerable, says Sir Jim Ratcliffe Competitively priced energy is key to growth in an advanced economy. This has been proven many times in the last two centuries. But government tax policy on energy is squeezing the life out of our abundant energy reserves in the North Sea. The US taxes the oil and gas industry at 21pc the same corporate rate as other industries, with a total effective tax take from offshore operations of around 40pc and investment there is at an all-time high. Tax rates in the UK on energy are 78pc and investments are at an all-time low. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The result of this strategy is that we import most of our energy from abroad. It is expensive. It leaves the UK strategically vulnerable, as Europe discovered from its dependence on Russian supplies. It removes North Sea jobs from the UK economy. And it hinders growth in manufacturing. The Government should be bold. Remove the Energy Profits Levy (EPL) and return tax rates for its strategic energy sector to levels competitive with the US. Then investment will return. The UKs North Sea oil and gas industry has kept the lights on, heated homes and turned the wheels of industry for more than 50 years. Since production started, the equivalent of around 50bn barrels of oil and gas have been produced, contributing about half a trillion in production taxes to the Treasury. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ineos has been a big part of that. We supply natural gas to the UK from gas fields off Humberside and the Orkneys and our stake in the Greater Laggan Area. In 2017, we also acquired the Forties Pipeline System, which transports oil and gas from over 80 offshore fields roughly half of North Sea production. We are happy to pay our taxes on earnings from operations in the North Sea, but we need a stable tax regime that gives us the certainty to plan and invest for the long term. In 2022, the EPL was introduced as a windfall tax in response to a steep rise in energy prices due to the crisis created by the war in Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Subsequently, there have been three further changes to the EPL, increasing and extending the tax. All this has created acute fiscal uncertainty for the oil and gas industry. Today, the headline tax rate on the industrys production profits stands at 78pc a rate set when prices peaked three years ago and which has remained in place, despite oil and gas prices trending back towards pre-crisis levels. The EPL is flawed. Its success is short-term, trading near-term tax gain for long-term damage to the UK oil and gas industry. As a tax-raising mechanism, it is a failure. Capital is migrating abroad, resulting in lower investment, lower production and lower UK tax receipts, offsetting the short-term EPL tax gains. However, the real cost isnt lower tax receipts, it is the damage to the wider UK economy and the climate. According to Offshore Energies UK, the industry body whose Business Outlook was published this week, the UK is on track to extract up to 4bn barrels of the 13bn to 15bn required domestically by 2050. However, a further 3bn barrels will remain untapped due to current tax and energy policy. This production would have added 150bn of gross value to the UK economy. Instead, we will export this value to other economies with more sensible tax and energy policies, and all for no benefit to the environment. By asking them to produce oil and gas for us, it means the lost UK production will be replaced by more expensive imports with a higher carbon footprint. The industry estimates there are currently 30bn worth of investment opportunities requiring the right fiscal conditions to be unlocked. This investment alone would have an economic value of 60bn now at risk of being lost to the UK. On top of this, there are significantly wider detrimental impacts of the windfall tax on the UK. Reduced investment and steepening production decline will lead to fields and production hubs shutting down earlier, accelerating decommissioning. Decommissioning activity is simply an expenditure, not an investment, and results in reduced tax take. It is estimated that the total industry costs from 2024 onwards for decommissioning all UK oil and gas infrastructure are in the order of 45bn. The Exchequers cost of tax relief associated with this is estimated to be 11bn, according to the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA). The NSTA, the Governments regulator, has confirmed the UK has significant remaining oil and gas resources offshore. Much of the NSTAs contingent resources are in mature, developed areas. But these resources will become stranded without the infrastructure to produce them. Premature closure of vital hubs will result in future resources being permanently lost. Reduced UK production will result in increased imports, with less security of supply. The UK came perilously close to energy blackouts during this Januarys cold snap, when the wind stopped blowing. With one week of gas storage and a strained electricity supply, the National Grid was forced to issue emergency market notices. These warnings, and the threat of energy blackouts, will only become more frequent and more serious as domestic gas production falls and critical infrastructure is prematurely decommissioned. The UK relies on oil and gas for 75pc of its total energy needs, with UK production currently providing approximately 50pc of that total demand. Imported LNG has a significantly higher carbon footprint than domestically produced gas. Production, processing and transport processes generate almost four times the amount of CO2 than the equivalent amount of piped gas. The Government response is that: Sprinting to clean power by 2030 is the only way the UK can take back control of its energy and protect both family and national finances from fossil fuel price spikes. This is simply not practical given the intermittency of solar and wind and the constraints within the National Grid. Compare all this to the US, where production is at an all-time high and where the fiscal policy is highly effective and stable, providing an investable business environment and security of supply of domestic energy. Change is needed. The UK North Sea is a strategic national economic asset. It will continue to be an essential resource for supporting UK energy security for many years to come as we move through the energy transition. However, the right policy environment is required to ensure it can deliver. A lower tax rate that provides balanced risk and reward and long-term certainty would help create an investable environment once again, which would be more beneficial to the UK economy in the long run compared to the current EPL feast and famine policy. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. PENSACOLA, Fla. (AP) Florida's Republican chief financial officer Jimmy Patronis fended off a challenge by Democrat Gay Valimont to win Tuesday's special election for northwest Florida's 1st Congressional District, which President Donald Trump carried by about 37 points in November. Patronis, who was endorsed by Trump, was the heavy favorite for the reliably conservative seat, which opened up after former Rep. Matt Gaetz was tapped to be Trump's attorney general. Gaetz later withdrew himself from consideration amid allegations of sexual misconduct, which he has denied. Here's what to know about Patronis: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He's a familiar face in Florida politics Patronis' family founded the well-known Panama City restaurant Capt. Anderson's, located along the Gulf of Mexico. He has been involved in Florida politics since he was in college, interning in the state Senate before being elected to the state House in 2006. He was appointed by then-Gov. Rick Scott to become the state's CFO in 2017 and won races to keep the Cabinet-level office in 2018 and 2022. Patronis won the endorsement of Trump in November, which appeared to head off a more robust Republican primary, even though Patronis doesn't live in the district. He faced a tougher than expected challenger Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Patronis was far outraised and outspent by his Democratic opponent, who pulled in more than $6 million from donors in all 50 states, according to the most recent campaign finance reports. Valimont focused on Trump's push to fire federal workers and dismantle federal agencies, as well as to tie Patronis to Floridas property insurance crisis. His office helps regulate insurance in the state, which has some of the highest rates in the country. Even Trump got involved National Democrats had pointed to their massive fundraising hauls in the conservative oasis of Florida as a sign voters are dissatisfied with the Republican presidents second term. They were hoping to carve into the GOP's margin of victory in the 1st District as they work to build grassroots support and raise more money ahead of the 2026 midterms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the final days of the campaign, the president directly got involved, joining Patronis by telephone on a tele-town hall to help get out the vote in what he called the all-important April 1 election. The whole countrys actually watching this one, Trump said of the race. ___ Kate Payne is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. WALTON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) Jimmy Patronis has won the seat for Floridas 1st Congressional District. Patronis won with 55% of the vote, over Democrat Gay Valimont with about 44% of the vote. Voters went to their precincts today to cast their ballots for the vacant Congressional District 1 seat, which was previously held by Matt Gaetz. Patronis is a Bay County native and Floridas previous Chief Financial Officer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com. The Taste of Minnesota is returning to Downtown Minneapolis for the third straight year on July 5 and 6. On Wednesday, organizers unveiled its most star-studded lineup since the festival returned from an eight-year hiatus in 2023, even if two of the top-billed names played big outdoor shows in the Twin Cities last year. Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, Cheap Trick, and Ludacris will headline the Taste's 2025 lineup. Joan Jett & the BlackheartsCourtesy of Taste of Minnesota Here's the complete lineup for this summer's Taste of Minnesota. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Saturday, July 5: Joan Jett & the Blackhearts Cheap Trick Bluewater Kings Rhythm Street Movement The Steels Family Affair DJ Sophia Eris Sunday, July 6 Ludacris Nur-D David Yang Frankie Torres Good for Gary DJ Sophia Eris Additionally, the festival will announce two more stages featuring local acts in the near future. Taste of Minnesota 2024Courtesy of Taste of Minnesota As always, the Taste of Minnesota is a free event that also features food trucks, visual artists, and other performers showcasing the state's creative community. New in 2025, the Taste of Minnesota is adding VIP pass tiers, because that's what festivals do. The tickets include a pair of drink tickets, a reserved viewing area, happy hour from 24 p.m. each day, a private bar, and private air-conditioned bathrooms. Those tickets, available on April 8, are $200 for a single day or $350 for the weekend. Related: 20 of the best concerts in the Twin Cities this spring THE BRONX, N.Y. (PIX11) A resource and job fair tailored to help hundreds of African immigrants connect with jobs, health care, insurance and free legal aid was held at Bronx Borough Hall on Tuesday. Ramatu Ahmed, the executive director of the African Life Center, was one of 29 heads of community groups that came together with one mission in mind to help African immigrants. Originally from Ghana, she is now on a mission to help immigrants in New York City thrive. More Local News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ahmed said the common problems immigrants face right now in the Big Apple include affordable housing, jobs and access to quality education. This event, she said, is a catalyst for change. Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson called the event a huge success and said its part of her push, Future Forward Bronx. Job fairs will be held at Bronx Borough Hall through the end of the year, partnering with the New York State Department of Labor. The Pride in Employment fair will be held at Bronx Borough Hall on May 6 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Find out more by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. As the Trump administration continues to implement its immigration crackdown, the presidents deportation efforts are beginning to attract criticism even from a few of his most high-profile supporters. On Saturdays episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, the popular podcaster, who backed Trump in November, referred to a recent deportation operation as horrific. You got to get scared that people who are not criminals are getting, like, lassoed up and deported and sent to, like, El Salvador prisons, Rogan said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rogan referenced the deportation of Andry Jose Hernandez Romero, a makeup artist and hairdresser from Venezuela who was seeking asylum in the United States. The 31-year-old was deported to El Salvador last month after the Trump administration accused him of belonging to Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan gang. Immigration officials cited Hernandez Romeros tattoos a pair of crowns on his wrists reading Mom and Dad as evidence of links to the gang. However, as experts have noted, Tren de Aragua, unlike other Latin American gangs, is not known for using tattoos to identify its members in general, or tattoos like Hernandez Romeros in particular. Thats bad for the cause, Rogan said. The cause is, lets get the gang members out, everybody agrees. But lets not [let] innocent gay hairdressers get lumped up with the gangs, and then, like, how long before that guy can get out? Can we figure out how to get him out? Is there any plan in place to alert the authorities theyve made a horrible mistake and correct it? BREAKING: In a stunning moment, podcaster and Trump supporter Joe Rogan comes out against the slipshod fashion in which ICE is rounding up people who are NOT gang members, without due process, calling it "horrific." They've lost Joe Rogan.pic.twitter.com/GqyPCmgIGu Really American (@ReallyAmerican1) April 1, 2025 Hernandez Romero is just one of more than 200 Venezuelans the Trump administration has deported to El Salvador in recent weeks by invoking the Alien Enemies Act, a 1798 law that had only been used during wartime a move thats currently being challenged in court. Rogan isnt the only figure on the right who is calling out Trump over his immigration enforcement. Earlier this month, conservative commentator Ann Coulter publicly questioned the administrations arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate student and green-card holder who participated in pro-Palestinian protests on campus last spring. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a post on X, Coulter wrote, Theres almost no one I dont want to deport, but unless theyve committed a crime, isnt this a violation of the first amendment? David J. Bier, the director of immigration studies at the libertarian-leaning Cato Institute and a former GOP aide on Capitol Hill, told The New York Times that some influential figures on the right believe some of Trumps immigration policies are a threat to the countrys constitutional principles. Were talking about doing something extraordinary here for the government to sentence people to whats essentially slave labor, torture, prison in El Salvador based on nothing, Bier said. Once we get in the neighborhood of getting rid of due process, thats the thing that protects all of our citizenship rights. While Trump faces some cracks in support from right-wing pundits, elected Republicans appear more hesitant to break with him publicly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One exception is the Republican mayor of Springfield, Ohio, Rob Rue, whose city was a frequent target of Trump on the campaign trail due to its concentration of Haitian immigrants. In February, Rue told Newsweek that Trumps decision to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian immigrants would harm his citys economy and immigrant families. I encourage this administration to reform federal immigration policies in a way that protects our borders, ensures fairness, and enriches our nation while also giving immigrants seeking to become productive citizens a clear path forward instead of facing immediate deportation, he said. I firmly believe in protecting our borders and reforming our immigration policies. Hasty changes and swift deportation will cause hardworking immigrants to be lost, negatively impacting our economy. These individuals were given hope and a sense of security through the Temporary Protected Status policy, which has been embraced by several administrations, Rue added. The United States must continue to be a beacon of hope and a torchbearer of democracy. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com "You gotta get scared that people who are not criminals are getting lassoed up and deported and sent to El Salvador prisons," Joe Rogan said on his hugely popular podcast this week. "This is kind of crazy, that that could be possible. That's horrific." Rogan was alluding to Venezuelan makeup artist Andry Hernandez, who was shipped off to El Salvador's notorious Center for Terrorism Confinement (CECOT) last month. Based largely on innocent tattoos, Hernandez's supporters say, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) mistakenly identified him as a member of Tren de Aragua, the Venezuelan gang targeted by President Donald Trump's March 15 proclamation invoking the Alien Enemies Act (AEA). As Reason's Fiona Harrigan notes, Hernandez is by no means the only Venezuelan who seems to have been deemed a member of Tren de Aragua, and therefore subject to immediate deportation under that proclamation, based on iffy evidence such as supposedly suspicious tattoos and clothing. Rogan, who endorsed Trump in last year's presidential election and supports his efforts to deport violent criminals, nevertheless thinks it's "crazy" and "horrific" that someone like Hernandez could be consigned to CECOT without due process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, by contrast, sees nothing amiss in the administration's use of the AEA. "The president made it incredibly clear to the American public that there would be a mass deportation campaign of not just foreign terrorists but also illegal criminal aliens who have been wreaking havoc on American communities," Leavitt said on Monday after Andrew Feinberg, The Independent's White House correspondent, asked her about ICE's criteria for identifying Tren de Aragua members. "And shame on you and shame on the mainstream media for trying to cover for these individuals. This is a vicious gang, Andrew." Leavitt's tirade either obtusely or intentionally missed the point of Feinberg's question: Granted that Tren de Aragua is "a vicious gang," how does ICE know the people it is sending to CECOT are actually members of that gang? That issue is distinct from the question of whether Tren de Aragua qualifies as a "foreign nation or government" that has "perpetrated, attempted, or threatened" an "invasion or predatory incursion against the territory of the United States," as would be required to invoke the president's broad deportation authority under the AEA. There are good reasons to doubt Trump's counterintuitive interpretation of that 227-year-old statute. But even if the proclamation were perfectly legal, that would not settle the question of whether any particular individual is subject to it. The uncertainty about ICE's judgments underlines the importance of providing a forum in which alleged Tren de Aragua members can challenge them. That concern was the main basis for the March 24 ruling in which James Boasberg, the chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, rejected the government's motion to lift his March 15 temporary restraining order (TRO) barring deportations based on Trump's proclamation while a legal challenge to them is pending. The case, J.G.G. v. Trump, involves five named plaintiffs representing a broader class of alleged Tren de Aragua members. "Each vehemently denies being a member of Tren de Aragua and thus subject to the Proclamation," Boasberg notes. "Several in fact claim that they fled Venezuela to escape the predations of the group, and they fear grave consequences if deported solely because of the Government's unchallenged labeling." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boasberg notes that Trump's "unprecedented use of the [AEA] outside of the typical wartime contextimplicates a host of complicated legal issues, including fundamental and sensitive questions about the often-circumscribed extent of judicial power in matters of foreign policy and national security." Those concerns "arise principally in connection with Plaintiffs' contention that any action taken pursuant to the Proclamation is unlawful because, despite the President's determination otherwise, Tren de Aragua is not a 'foreign nation or government,' and its actions, however heinous, do not amount to an 'invasion' or a 'predatory incursion.'" In deciding whether to lift the TRO, Boasberg says, he "need not resolve the thorny question of whether the judiciary has the authority to assess this claim in the first place" because the plaintiffs "are likely to succeed on another equally fundamental theory: before they may be deported, they are entitled to individualized hearings to determine whether the Act applies to them at all. As the Government itself concedes, the awesome power granted by the Act may be brought to bear only on those who are, in fact, 'alien enemies.' And the Supreme Court and this Circuit have long maintained that federal courts are equipped to adjudicate that question when individuals threatened with detention and removal challenge their designation as such." The government argued that the plaintiffs should have filed habeas corpus petitions in Texas, where they were detained pending deportation. But Boasberg ruled that the plaintiffs can challenge their deportation (as opposed to their detention) as "arbitrary and capricious" or "contrary to law" under the Administrative Procedure Act. And he cited a long line of cases in which federal courts have intervened to determine whether foreign nationals threatened with deportation under the AEA were in fact "alien enemies," meaning they were "natives, citizens, denizens, or subjects" of a "hostile nation or government." In this case, even accepting Trump's claim that Tren de Aragua counts as a "hostile nation or government," the relevant factual question is whether the plaintiffs are actually members of that criminal organization. "The named Plaintiffs, on behalf of themselves and their class, contest their designations as members of Tren de Aragua and argue that they must be given an opportunity to challenge Defendants' position that they fall within the Proclamation," Boasberg writes. "Because the caselaw is clear that such questions are reviewable, and because those outside the bounds of the Proclamation's definition of 'alien enemies' are not removable under the [AEA], Plaintiffs are likely to succeed on the merits of their claim." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is telling that Leavitt took umbrage at the suggestion that ICE might have erred in identifying people as Tren de Aragua members. "There is a litany of criteria that they use to ensure that these individuals qualify as foreign terrorists and to ensure that they qualify for deportation," she told Feinberg. But as Feinberg noted, the "alien enemy validation guide" used by ICE says "aliens scoring 8 points and higher are validated as members" of Tren de Aragua, and the combination of supposedly gang-related "tattoos" (four points) and "dress" (four points) would be enough to cross that threshold. Both of those factors fall into the "symbolism" category of the checklist, which also includes social media posts (two points), grafitti (two points), and "hand signs" (two points). There is also an "association" category, which includes living, associating, or appearing in photos with "known" Tren de Aragua members (two points each). "If all tallied points for an alien are from the Symbolism and/or Association categories," the document says, "consult your supervisor and OPLA [the Office of the Principal Legal Advisor] before determining whether to validate the alien as a member" of the gang. People with scores of six or seven "may be validated as members" of Tren de Aragua based on "the totality of the facts." Leavitt thinks Feinberg should be ashamed of himself for even raising the possibility that innocent people could be erroneously "validated" as members of Tren de Aragua based on those criteria. "You are questioning the credibility of these agents who are putting their life on the line to protect your life and the life of everybody in this group and everybody across the country," she said. "They finally have a president who is allowing them to do their jobs, and God bless them for doing it." As Leavitt sees it, "questioning the credibility" of ICE agents is unacceptable because they are "putting their life on the line" to protect public safety. The same logic could be applied to any allegation by any police officer, making due process for criminal defendants an affront to brave public servants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite his sympathy for Trump's agenda, Rogan sees a problem with that mentality. "That's bad for the cause," he said. "The cause is 'let's get the gang members out.' Everybody agrees. But let's not [let] innocent gay hairdressers get lumped up with the gangs." Shame on him! The post Joe Rogan Is Right: It Is 'Kind of Crazy' To Deport Innocent People Mistakenly Identified As Gang Members appeared first on Reason.com. Diageo has sold its majority stake in Seychelles Breweries to Mauritius-based Phoenix Beverages for around $80m. The Guinness owner held a 54.4% stake in the publicly-listed Seychelles Breweries, which markets a range of drinks products, including SeyBrew beer. Diageos sale of its stake in Seychelles Breweries is the latest in a series of disposals in Africa. Seychelles Breweries will continue to be listed on the Seychelles Stock Exchange after the deal is closed. Under the terms of the deal with Phoenix Beverages, Diageo will distribute IPS in-market, which will be licensed to Seychelles Breweries under a new long-term agreement. In a brief statement, Dayalan Nayager, the president Diageos business in Africa and chief commercial officer, said: I am excited to extend our successful partnership with Phoenix Beverages, a long-term partner in the Indian Ocean region, to further unlock value for Seychelles Breweries and deliver long-term sustainable growth. In the year to 30 June, Seychelles Breweries generated net sales of SRs568.2m ($39m), versus SRs578.3m 12 months earlier. The companys operating profit fell 23% to SRs137.8m. Profit for the year stood at SRs91m, against SRs122.2m the year previous. Phoenix Beverages, which produces Guinness and Smirnoff Ice for Diageo in Mauritius, is a subsidiary of local conglomerate IBL Group. Arnaud Lagesse, the chairman of Phoenix Beverages, said the acquisition of Diageos stake in Seychelles Breweries, allows us to fast-track our ambitions in a way that organic growth alone could not match. He added: Strengthening our presence in the Seychelles gives us the momentum to create lasting value and deepen our leadership across the Indian Ocean beverage landscape. In January, Diageo announced a deal to sell its stake in the publicly listed Guinness Ghana Breweries to French drinks group Castel for $81m. In 2022, Diageo sold its its Guinness brewing operation in Cameroon to Castel. A year ago, the Tanqueray gin owner offloaded its shareholding in publicly-listed Guinness Nigeria to Singapore-based consumer group Tolaram. "Diageo offloads Seychelles Breweries stake" was originally created and published by Just Drinks, a GlobalData owned brand. A physician and former health insurance medical director has taken legal action against "Last Week Tonight" host John Oliver, filing a defamation lawsuit against the Emmy winner. Dr. Brian Morley, a hospital administrator who was a former medical director for AmeriHealth Caritas in Iowa, filed his lawsuit Friday in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. Morley's complaint stems from a Medicaid-themed episode of "Last Week Tonight" that aired in April 2024. The lawsuit, reviewed by The Times, alleges Oliver and "Last Week Tonight" producer Partially Important Productions linked Morley to a drastic decrease in Medicaid services and accused him of thinking "it's ok if people have s on them for days." An attorney for Morley did not comment to The Times on Wednesday and a representative for Oliver did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: After party rift on shutdown, California Democrats try to refocus budget fight on Medicaid The episode central to Morley's lawsuit aired April 14, 2024, and saw Oliver explore the state of Medicaid, examining healthcare companies' cost-cutting measures and their toll on patients across various states. During the segment, which aired on HBO and is available on YouTube, Oliver explained the role of managed care organizations (MCOs) in the healthcare system and shared a news outlet's video about dwindling patient care. The 2018 news snippet featured a cerebral palsy patient in Iowa named Louis whose care was negatively impacted by MCO involvement. Oliver followed that part of the segment with an audio snippet of Morley's comments about patient care from a 2017 administrative hearing. In the clip, Morley can be heard saying: "People have bowel movements every day where they don't completely clean themselves and we don't fuss over [them] too much. People are allowed to be dirty. You know, I would allow him to be a little dirty for a couple of days." The quote garnered a strong reaction from the "Last Week Tonight" studio audience and led Oliver to say he thought Morley's comments were taken out of context. He explained that he first thought "there is no way a doctor, a licensed physician, would testify in a hearing that he thinks it's OK if people have s on them for days." Oliver continued his segment stating his team obtained the full hearing and that Morley "said it." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Lawyers for security consultant say CNN report on Afghan evacuations destroyed his career "He meant it and it made me want to punch a hole in the wall," Oliver said. The segment returned to the 2018 video of Louis and his mother, both responding negatively to Morley's comments. The "Last Week Tonight" host had some choice words for Morley which were cited in Friday's lawsuit. In his complaint, Morley says, "Defendants' false accusations were designed to spark outrage, and they did. "The false accusations Defendants made were so heinous that John Oliver felt justified in telling his millions of viewers: 'F that doctor with a rusty canoe. I hope he gets tetanus of the balls,'" the complaint said. "Oliver's feigned outrage at Dr. Morley was fabricated for ratings and profits at the expense of Dr. Morley's reputation and personal well-being." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Morley accused Oliver and "Last Week Tonight" of making him the "face" of the dramatic decrease in Medicaid care and increased cost-cutting. The lawsuit also raised concerns about how "Last Week Tonight" allegedly misrepresented Morley's 2017 comments and "knew and disregarded" various details of the hearing in the April episode. The lawsuit alleges that the "Last Week Tonight" team "conveyed the false and defamatory meanings" that Morley denied care to "Louis and/or the alleged 'similar' individual subject" of his testimony and that he allegedly said it was acceptable for patients who wear diapers or who cannot bathe themselves to "be left sitting in their own bowel movements for days." Read more: Chabria: The family-values hypocrisy of cutting Medicaid The complaint says that the "Last Week Tonight" team obtained and reviewed "an unabridged audio recording" of the 2017 hearing and that one of the show's senior news producers allegedly confirmed to Morley that they had reviewed the hearing. According to the lawsuit, Morley made his "bowel movement" comments in regard to a "hypothetical average person, who is independently mobile and can toilet transfer" but who might not have been able to clean themselves entirely after a bowel movement. "Last Week Tonight" allegedly did not disclose that detail, according to the lawsuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He accused the show's producers of "negligence, knowledge of falsity, and/or a reckless disregard for the truth." Morely also alleges that a "Last Week Tonight" news producer "refused" to meet when he offered to explain his comments. The defendants also allegedly refused Morley's October 2024 request that they "retract their false and defamatory statements." Morley seeks an unspecified amount in damages including legal fees and additional relief. He also requests that judges order "Last Week Tonight" to remove the "false and defamatory statements from all platforms" and keep them from republishing. He is seeking a trial. Sign up for Screen Gab, a free newsletter about the TV and movies everyones talking about from the L.A. Times. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) Abby Martinez couldnt believe it. I didnt know anything about it, Martinez said. I just knew our superintendent just sent out an email saying that there was going to be some sort of an award. When Martinez stepped into the elementary school gym, she had no idea that she was the reason. Martinez is one of KELOLANDs Remarkable Women winners. She teaches third grade at Jones County Elementary School in Murdo, South Dakota. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ive always had a passion for kids and working with kids, and so theres never been a point in my life where I havent worked with kids, Martinez said. Ive worked in school districts outside of teaching as well, but every job that Ive ever had pretty well revolves around kids. When shes not in the classroom, Martinez is an advocate for foster care and adoption. She also runs gymnastics and wrestling classes and has co-founded a rural youth leadership program. Abbys commitment to her students, family, and community has made her an exceptional role model, proving that small town living doesnt limit ones aspirations, Ashley Geigle, who nominated Martinez for the award, said. Martinez received a $1,000 donation to the charity of her choice. Shes decided to give that money to Jones County Turner Youth. They fundraise and they fund projects in our community that are driven by kids. You know, how do we think that we can best impact the youth of our community? Martinez said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said shes passionate about empowering children to use their voices to impact their community. My son, four years ago, dreamed of having a wrestling team in our community. He stood up in front of a community meeting of about 70 adults and got to the microphone and told them that he wanted a wrestling team, Martinez said. And four years later, weve got a wrestling team. Her determination is helping kids unlock their potential through a limitless potential of her own. Martinez is headed to Los Angeles to represent South Dakota in the National Remarkable Women Conference later this month. She will travel along with KELOLANDs second Remarkable Women winner Jill Janecke. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com. A district judge ruled Monday that an antisemitism lawsuit accusing the University of California, Berkeley of inaction regarding harassment of Jewish students can proceed. District Judge James Donato in a 5-page ruling said the suit alleging the university violated the civil rights and equal protection rights of Jewish students could move forward. Taken as a whole, the FAC plausibly alleges disparate treatment with discriminatory intent and policy enforcement that is not generally applicable, the judge wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FAC also plausibly alleges that Berkeley was deliberately indifferent to the on-campus harassment and hostile environment, he added. The judge dismissed one claim that involved contracts with legal academics. The case was brought on by the Louis D. Brandeis Center and Jewish Americans for Fairness in Education. The Hill has reached out to the university for comment. The case comes as dozens of universities are under investigation by the Department of Education for alleged inaction on antisemitism. Columbia University had $400 million of funding paused over similar accusations, and billions of dollars in Harvard University contracts and grants are under review due to the same allegations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration has made combating antisemitism a top priority for the Education Department, with the president signing an executive order on the matter and creating a federal antisemitism task force. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. By Gabriel Stargardter PARIS (Reuters) - The judge who barred far-right leader Marine Le Pen from running in France's 2027 presidential election is under police protection after facing death threats and having her home address shared online, a source with direct knowledge of the matter said. The address of Benedicte de Perthuis - the head of a three-judge panel that found Le Pen guilty of embezzling EU funds and handed her a five-year ban on seeking public office - was shared online after she delivered her ruling on Monday, the source said. She is now receiving police protection at work and at home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement De Perthuis also received threats on social media, with her photo plastered all over X and far-right sites. Paris police confirmed an investigation was under way into the threats, referring further queries to the Paris prosecutor's office, which did not respond. In a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, President Emmanuel Macron delivered his first comments since Le Pen's conviction, telling ministers that France's justice system is independent and its decisions must be respected as a pillar of democracy, according to government spokeswoman Sophie Primas. "The threats made against judges are absolutely unbearable and intolerable," Macron said, according to Primas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The threats against de Perthuis and other judicial officials involved in Le Pen's trial have prompted soul-searching in France about a current of populist discontent that is undermining faith in the country's justice system. Nearly 90% of Le Pen's National Rally (RN) supporters believe the court treated her more harshly than other politicians, while over half of French people believe she got a fair trial, according to an Odoxa poll published on Monday. LE PEN CONDEMNS THREATS Before Monday's ruling Le Pen was the front-runner for the 2027 vote. She and her allies at home and abroad have accused the French establishment of sabotaging her presidential ambitions, saying judges have caused a democratic crisis by meddling in politics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Le Pen has denied stoking a backlash against the judiciary, and has condemned the threats against de Perthuis. She has pledged to use legal means to overturn her sentence on appeal. Christophe Soulard, the head of the Court of Cassation, France's highest judicial court, said in an interview with Le Monde published on Wednesday that the threats showed France's democracy has been weakened and was facing a "worrying moment". "Attacking the judicial system is not only an attack on judges, but also on the foundations of our democracy," he said. "Judges today are being attacked personally, particularly on social media, which is a new phenomenon." The Le Pen ruling and the threats against de Perthuis have echoed frictions seen in other countries over how judges adjudicate thorny political questions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After President Donald Trump called for a judge to be impeached, U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts issued a rare public statement last month saying appeals, not impeachment, were the correct response to disagreement with judicial rulings. Political support for de Perthuis and her colleagues has poured in, including from Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin, who condemned the threats, and the High Council for the Judiciary. (Reporting by Gabriel Stargardter; Editing by Richard Lough, Frances Kerry and Alison Williams) NEW YORK A federal judge on Wednesday permanently dismissed the criminal case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, clinching a remarkable turn of fortune for the embattled Democrat who was indicted on corruption charges six months ago but was let off the hook when President Donald Trumps Justice Department decided to stop prosecuting him. The department wanted to drop the charges while retaining the right to refile them someday an arrangement that could have given the Trump administration powerful leverage over Adams. U.S. District Judge Dale Ho rejected that proposal in scorching terms, and he criticized the departments rationales for abandoning the case. But because judges have little power to force a criminal case to continue against the wishes of the Justice Department, Ho ordered the charges dismissed forever. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a 78-page decision, the judge wrote that allowing the Justice Department to reserve the right to refile charges would create the unavoidable perception that the Mayors freedom depends on his ability to carry out the immigration enforcement priorities of the administration, and that he might be more beholden to the demands of the federal government than to the wishes of his own constituents. The demise of the case caps a dramatic saga for both Adams and the Justice Department. New York prosecutors' headline-grabbing charges last fall marked the first federal indictment of a sitting New York City mayor in modern history, plaguing the embattled mayor throughout his reelection campaign. And when, weeks into the start of the Trump administration, a top Justice Department official decided to reverse course and seek to drop the prosecution, his order to abandon it sparked a wave of protest resignations by career prosecutors in New York and Washington. With the dismissal of the charges, Adams can now turn his attention to running for reelection in a crowded Democratic primary field led by former Gov. Andrew Cuomo. The case, which has lingered in limbo since February, has cost Adams time and millions of dollars in public matching funds. Petitions for those participating in a primary are due Thursday, and Adams has not said whether he intends to run in the Democratic primary. The mayor has barely campaigned: He skips mayoral forums, didn't participate in a union candidate screening and has only a skeletal staff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Wednesday afternoon outside Gracie Mansion, Adams addressed Hos decision, saying he was pleased that our city can close the book on this. The mayor punctuated his remarks by holding up a copy of a memoir, Government Gangsters, written by Trumps FBI director, Kash Patel, which the mayor said helped explain the rationale behind federal prosecutors charging him. Adams encouraged New Yorkers to read the book, which espouses the existence of a vengeful deep state within the federal government, to understand how we can never allow this to happen to another innocent American. Asked for comment on the decision, a spokesperson for DOJ called the case an example of political weaponization and a waste of resources. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hos decision came after a court-appointed lawyer advised the judge last month to reject the Justice Departments effort to dismiss the charges while preserving its ability to revive them. The lawyer, former U.S. solicitor general Paul Clement, argued that granting the department that ability could create an appearance of improper leverage over the mayor. Clement also suggested such a scenario could prompt an actual shakedown, in which Trumps administration could use the threat of the charges to pressure the mayor to assist with the presidents agenda. Those concerns arose in large part because Emil Bove, then the Justice Departments acting No. 2 official, told Ho that DOJ sought to drop the charges because the case had impeded Adams ability to assist Trump on immigration and national security matters. Boves decision to abandon the case triggered a revolt inside the Justice Department. Senior prosecutors in Washington and in the U.S. attorneys office in Manhattan resigned in protest. Some accused Bove of engaging in an unethical quid pro quo with Adams. In a hearing in February, Ho, an appointee of President Joe Biden, acknowledged he had very little discretion to interfere with the departments effort, signaling the eventual fate of the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Federal prosecutors in the Manhattan U.S. Attorneys office charged Adams in September 2024 with wire fraud and bribery and alleged he participated in a yearslong conspiracy to receive illegal foreign campaign contributions. Trump on the campaign trail said he was open to pardoning Adams, and the two met at Mar-a-Lago shortly before Trump took office. On Feb. 10, Bove ordered New York prosecutors to drop the case. In his order, Bove said the decision had been made not on the strength of the evidence or the legal theories underpinning the case, but because the department believed the prosecution would interfere with the defendants ability to govern in New York City. And Bove argued, because the timing of the charges, nine months before the mayoral primary, gave the appearance of impropriety. The interim Manhattan U.S. Attorney, Danielle Sassoon, and the prosecutors who brought the case balked at those justifications, and Sassoon and at least five others in New York and Washington resigned rather than comply with the dismissal order. In his decision, Ho excoriated Justice Department officials rationales for abandoning the case. Though Bove wrote that it had been marred by appearances of impropriety, the judge said of the prosecutors who worked on it that there is no evidence zero that they had any improper motives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And Ho dismissed Boves argument that the case was charged too close to the mayoral primary, writing that the timing is entirely consistent with prior public corruption prosecutions. All of this suggests that the appearances of impropriety rationale is not just thin, but pretextual, Ho wrote. And he derided the Justice Departments argument that the case impeded Adams ability to assist in immigration enforcement as similarly unsubstantiated. Ho noted that shortly after DOJ asked him to dismiss the case, the mayor said he would allow Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents into the jail on Rikers Island, an act that appears to be contrary to New York City law. Ho wrote: Everything here smacks of a bargain: dismissal of the Indictment in exchange for immigration policy concessions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The judge described the Justice Departments immigration enforcement rationale as both unprecedented and breathtaking in its sweep. Ho said he couldt find any examples of the government dismissing charges against an elected official in order to facilitate that persons ability to assist with federal policy aims. And he wrote that the Justice Departments assertion that it has the virtually unreviewable ability to drop charges on that basis disturbing in its breadth, implying that public officials may receive special dispensation if they are compliant with the incumbent administrations policy priorities. That suggestion is fundamentally incompatible with the basic promise of equal justice under law, Ho wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But while he rejected the departments arguments for dismissing the case, the judge acknowledged his predicament: He cant force the government to prosecute someone. The court, he wrote, would have no way to compel the government to prosecute a case in circumstances like those presented here. But even as the dismissal of the case delivered a significant legal reprieve for the mayor, the decision by the department had become his political albatross, drawing accusations by Adams fellow Democrats that the Trump administration would use the threat of future prosecution to force compliance from the mayor. The mayor in the past has restricted himself from criticizing the president of the United States, but our office, obviously, has not, said New York Attorney General Letitia James, a Democrat and Trump foe, in an interview after the ruling. We will continue, obviously, to defend the rights and privileges of the residents of the great state of New York including New York City going forward. Well see whether or not the mayor steps up and joins us in that effort. Sally Goldenberg, Jeff Coltin and Joe Anuta contributed to this report. The judge overseeing the corruption case against Eric Adams has dismissed the charges against the New York City mayor, and in a split with the Trump Justice Department, ordered that the charges cannot be brought again. Judge Dale Ho said his hands were essentially tied even though he has concerns about the Justice Departments reasons to dismiss the case he could not force them to prosecute a defendant. Hos ruling criticized the Trump administrations motives for dropping the case at a time when the White House is seeking to bolster its authority over the Justice Department and federal prosecutors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DOJs effort to drop the case and retaining the ability to restore charges resulted in the mass resignation of several Justice Department officials, including the acting US attorney in the Southern District of New York and the top career prosecutors overseeing public corruption cases. In a strongly-worded opinion, Ho rejected the Justice Departments core argument that New York prosecutors were politically motivated in bringing the case and that the charges were impacting the mayors ability to carry out Trumps immigration agenda. Everything here smacks of a bargain: dismissal of the indictment in exchange for immigration policy concessions, he wrote in a 78-page opinion. He said DOJs position is disturbing because it implies public officials may receive special treatment if they go along with political priorities. That suggestion is fundamentally incompatible with the basic promise of equal justice under the law. A spokesman for the Justice Department said, This case was an example of political weaponization and a waste of resources. We are focused on arresting and prosecuting terrorists while returning the Department of Justice to its core mission of keeping Americans safe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alex Spiro, an attorney for Adams, said the case should have never been brought in the first place and finally today that case is gone forever. From Day 1, the mayor has maintained his innocence and now justice for Eric Adams and New Yorkers has prevailed. In light of DOJs rationales, dismissing the case without prejudice would create the unavoidable perception that the Mayors freedom depends on his ability to carry out the immigration enforcement priorities of the administration, and that he might be more beholden to the demands of the federal government than to the wishes of his own constituents, the judge wrote Wednesday. In remarks to reporters at his New York City home, the mayor reiterated his claim that the case should never have been brought and that he did nothing wrong. He made no mention of Trump, although he did hold up a copy of Government Gangsters a book written by FBI Director Kash Patel. Adams, who is up for reelection this fall, was indicted in September on charges related to bribery, wire fraud, conspiracy and soliciting campaign contributions from foreign nationals in exchange for political favors. He pleaded not guilty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The indictment alleged Adams illegal actions stretched back to 2014, when he was Brooklyn Borough president. Prosecutors said Adams received luxury travel benefits including hotel room upgrades, meals and other perks from a Turkish official. In exchange, prosecutors say Adams pressured a New York City Fire Department official to grant permits to open a Turkish consular building that had failed to pass inspection. In February, Trumps DOJ recommended the case be dropped following a meeting with the mayors lawyers in Washington. Then-acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove said, The pending prosecution has unduly restricted Mayor Adams ability to devote full attention and resources to the illegal immigration and violent crime that escalated under the policies of the prior Administration. Boves letter spurred several DOJ prosecutors to resign rather than carry out his order. In her resignation letter, then-acting US attorney for the Southern District of New York, Danielle Sassoon, wrote that during the meeting Adams attorneys repeatedly urged what amounted to a quid pro quo, indicating that Adams would be in a position to assist with the Departments enforcement priorities only if the indictment were dismissed. Both Adams and Bove appeared in court and denied the existence of any quid pro quo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The judge then asked Paul Clement, a well-known conservative attorney, to advise him on DOJs request. In his report, Clement said the complete dismissal of the case would resolve any taint over the issue. A dismissal without prejudice creates a palpable sense that the prosecution outlined in the indictment and approved by a grand jury could be renewed, a prospect that hangs like the proverbial Sword of Damocles over the accused, Clement wrote. Dismissal with prejudice avoids those concerns and promotes another important separation-of-powers virtue namely, accountability. On Wednesday, Ho explained his reasons for dismissing the charges permanently and denying the Justice Departments full request. In light of DOJs rationales, dismissing the case without prejudice would create the unavoidable perception that the Mayors freedom depends on his ability to carry out the immigration enforcement priorities of the administration, and that he might be more beholden to the demands of the federal government than to the wishes of his own constituents, the judge wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It ensures that, going forward, the charges in the Indictment cannot be used as leverage over Mayor Adams or the City of New York, the judge added. Rev. Al Sharpton, one of several key leaders who met with New York Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul when she was deciding on using her power to remove the mayor, says that the perception that Adams is controlled by the White House should now be gone. It takes away the felling that he was under the thumb of the president, Sharpton told CNN. It clearly says that now whatever he does, now hell be judged on his own decisions. The judge said his decision should not be read as an opinion on the allegations against the mayor. Ho added that its ultimately the publics opinion, not his, that matters. With limited options, the judge said one that he has is to provide transparency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bringing these decisions into the open may, in turn, lead to attempts by the public to influence these decisions through democratic channels, the judge wrote. CNNs Mark Morales contributed to this report. This story has been updated with additional developments and comment. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com A federal judge on Wednesday permanently dismissed the corruption case against embattled New York City Mayor Eric Adams, absolving him of his crimes while ensuring that his case will never be brought up againeliminating any leverage that the Trump administration may have had over the mayor, who quickly capitulated to Trump and the MAGA agenda earlier this year in the hopes of a pardon. Adams was indicted in September on charges of wire fraud, bribery, conspiracy, and soliciting campaign donations from Turkish officials. He pleaded not guilty and is up for reelection this November. Trumps Department of Justice had asked the case to be dismissed without prejudice, meaning the charges could be reinstated in the future. Judge Dale E. Ho of Manhattan refused, dismissing the case with prejudice so that going forward, the charges in the indictment cannot be used as leverage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ho also noted that he wanted to minimize the likelihood of Adams being bribed with freedom by the Trump administration. In light of DOJs rationales, dismissing the case without prejudice would create the unavoidable perception that the Mayors freedom depends on his ability to carry out the immigration enforcement priorities of the administration, and that he might be more beholden to the demands of the federal government than to the wishes of his own constituents, Ho wrote. When Attorney General Emil Bove ordered state prosecutors to drop the charges against Adams in February, the request was for a dismissal without prejudice, setting up a blatant quid pro quo dynamic that led to multiple staff resignations in protest. This story has been updated. U.S. District Judge Dale Ho on Wednesday dismissed New York City Mayor Eric Adams corruption indictment with prejudice, meaning the case cannot be revived in the future. The Trump Justice Department had moved to dismiss the Democrats case without prejudice to have the option of reviving it, which would have given President Donald Trump leverage over Adams as the Trump administration seeks local cooperation to enforce its immigration priorities. Ho summarized the DOJs position as the case should be dismissed because (1) it is tainted with impropriety; (2) it is detrimental to national security and immigration enforcement; and (3) it was a weak case to begin with but the Court should also allow DOJ to bring the prosecution back at any time, for essentially any reason. The judge wrote that he cannot and will not authorize such a result. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In light of DOJs rationales, dismissing the case without prejudice would create the unavoidable perception that the Mayors freedom depends on his ability to carry out the immigration enforcement priorities of the administration, and that he might be more beholden to the demands of the federal government than to the wishes of his own constituents, Ho wrote. That appearance is inevitable, and it counsels in favor of dismissal with prejudice. The Biden-appointed judge called the Trump DOJs approach both unprecedented and breathtaking in its sweep and fundamentally incompatible with the basic promise of equal justice under law. But while he rejected the DOJs argument for how it wanted to dismiss the case, the judge ultimately felt constrained to dismiss it. First, Ho said, the courts main role here is protecting the defendants rights, and rejecting the motion outright wouldve gone against that principle. And second, the judge noted that hed have no way to force the prosecution even if he wanted to. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A court cannot force the Department of Justice to prosecute a defendant, he wrote. Several federal prosecutors resigned rather than move to dismiss the case as ordered by then-acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove, a former Trump criminal defense lawyer who appeared before Ho at a Feb. 19 hearing himself to argue for the dismissal. (Since then, fellow former Trump criminal defense lawyer Todd Blanche has been confirmed as deputy attorney general and Bove became the principal associate DAG.) Rejecting the Trump DOJs contention that New York prosecutors had tainted the case, Ho wrote Wednesday that that argument was unsupported by any objective evidence. He said the record indicated that prosecutors followed all appropriate DOJ guidelines and that theres no evidencezerothat they had any improper motives. Indeed, Ho called the Trump DOJs appearances-of-impropriety rationale not just thin, but pretextual. Adams agreed to a without prejudice dismissal at that Feb. 19 hearing. But rather than immediately approve the deal that both sides said wasnt a quid pro quo, Ho appointed an outside lawyer to present additional arguments for the court to consider before ruling. The judge noted that there is typically adversarial testing of legal arguments, so appointing a third party would help present such testing here, given the unusual agreement between Adams and the government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet, before that outside argument was submitted for Hos consideration, Adams on Feb. 26 moved to dismiss his charges with prejudice, meaning the case would be done for good. He claimed prosecutorial misconduct and the tainting of his presumption of innocence due to negative information about him emerging in leaked letters from prosecutors who resigned rather than move to dismiss his case without prejudice as Bove instructed. Ho noted in his ruling Wednesday that the DOJ hadnt opposed Adams motion, which effectively waived the governments objection to permanent dismissal. On March 7, the lawyer appointed by Ho, Paul Clement a top Supreme Court attorney who served as solicitor general during the George W. Bush administration filed his brief on the matter. Clement supported Adams bid for dismissal with prejudice, writing that a without-prejudice dismissal creates a palpable sense that the prosecution outlined in the indictment and approved by a grand jury could be renewed, a prospect that hangs like the proverbial Sword of Damocles over the accused. Clement said that prospect is particularly problematic when it comes to the sensitive task of prosecuting public officials. While Ho didnt express an opinion on Wednesday about the underlying charges or whether they should move forward, he wrote that DOJs rationale is inconsistent with a decision to leave the charges in the Indictment hanging like the proverbial Sword of Damocles over the Mayor. If dismissal is to be granted, then it should be with prejudice, the judge wrote, citing the importance of protecting a defendants right to be free from prosecutorial harassment. Subscribe to the Deadline: Legal Newsletter for expert analysis on the top legal stories of the week, including updates from the Supreme Court and lawsuits against the Trump administration. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Chinese state-owned automakers Dongfeng Motor and Chongqing Changan Automobile Company are in advanced talks to merge their operations, reported The New York Times, citing people familiar with the matter. The discussions, involving detailed plans for combining the companies, have been communicated to their foreign partners. Dongfeng is valued at $4.89bn and Changan Automobile at $15.65bn, according to data compiled by London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG). This development follows discussions from February, when the two companies were understood to be considering a merger to create a stronger entity. This move aligns with China's strategy to encourage state-owned automakers to become more self-reliant, particularly in the field of new energy vehicles. Changan Automobile encompasses brands such as Chang-An, Deepal, Avatr, and joint ventures like ChangAn Ford, ChangAn Mazda, and JMC. The company recently held a European launch event, announcing its intention to enter at least ten regional markets in Europe by the end of the year. It aims to sell three million vehicles this year, with a target of five million units annually by 2030. Adding to its global expansion efforts, Changan Automobile announced in January a partnership with Kim Long Motor to build a new vehicle manufacturing plant in Hue, Vietnam. The facility is set to produce Kim Long Changan Vietnam five to seven seater passenger vehicles. Changan Automobile Group vice-president Wang Hui said: This collaboration with Kim Long Motor Hue marks a crucial step in Changan Automobiles globalisation strategy, and will serve as an important starting point for Changan Automobiles entry into the Vietnamese market. "Dongfeng and Changan advance merger talks" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand. NOTE: A lawsuit represents one side of a story. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) The lower court judge presiding over a lawsuit against the legislature in a redistricting case involving the states current congressional boundaries is asking for the parties to provide more arguments over tossing out Utahs current congressional maps signaling that a resolution to the suit could be nearing. According to an order issued March 31, Third District Judge Dianna Gibson is asking for additional information from the lawyers representing the plaintiffs who are the League of Women Voters, Mormon Women for Ethical Government, and seven Salt Lake residents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The group is suing the legislature, arguing that Utahs current congressional boundaries should be thrown out and the citizen-led initiative, known as Prop 4, that created an independent commission to draw the lines should be reinstated. The plaintiffs argue the legislature violated Utahns rights when lawmakers ignored that commission and Prop 4s anti-gerrymandering criteria to draw those lines. Utah House polls members about overrides on the six 2025 vetoes Specifically, Judge Gibson is asking for more arguments on whether she can just toss the legislature-created current maps if she rules that they didnt comply with Prop 4s criteria. Is that alone sufficient legal basis to grant a permanent injunction of SB 2004? Judge Gibson asked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Or, as Gibson poses, would there be to be an evidentiary hearing to determine if the maps are indeed unlawful. Furthermore, the judge wants more arguments on why she should permanently toss the legislatures maps beyond the arguments in the major ruling of state Supreme Court that the legislature overstepped by overturning the initiative. The (plaintiffs) did not cite any legal or factual authority, but an injunction of SB2004 was not before the court, the order says. The plaintiffs argued that because a Supreme Court ruling in July of 2024 said lawmakers do not have unlimited power to repeal ballot initiatives; rather, when an initiative alters or reforms government, any changes must be narrowly tailored to advance a compelling government interest, the same standard should apply to the permanent injunction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Please clarify the legal basis for Plaintiffs position that a permanent injunction of SB 2004 is an appropriate remedy if the court grants Plaintiffs Motion Judge Gibson writes. The order asks for the additional arguments by the end of the day on April 8, at which point the legislature would have about a week to file its response. The plaintiffs would be given another opportunity to reply if they choose to do so. Its unclear when a ruling in the case might be coming, and the order does not mean the ruling will toss out the maps. However, it does signal that the judge has gotten to the point where shes asking about what the remedy might be. This complex case started back in 2018, when a citizen ballot initiative run by Better Boundaries, called Prop 4, was passed by voters, creating an independent redistricting commission to draw the new boundaries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2020, the Utah Legislature watered down Prop 4, gutting the commission created by the initiative in S.B. 200 and replacing those maps with its own in SB 2004. The plaintiffs argue those maps, the ones used today are gerrymandered. In 2022, the plaintiffs sued, arguing the lines crack Salt Lake into four districts to dilute minority votes in the Republican stronghold and that Utahns have a constitutionally protected right to alter and reform their government which they attempted to do via Prop 4. In 2024, the Utah Supreme Court upheld that right in a game-changing ruling that top lawmakers called the worst decision theyve ever seen. That ruling kicked the case back to the lower courts to determine its fate. In January of 2025, the parties argued the merits of the case before Gibson. Lt. Governor Deidre Henderson has asked that the case be finalized before November 1 so that if new lines need to be drawn, they can be drawn before the 2026 midterm elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. A New Jersey-based federal judge on Tuesday declined the Trump administrations request to transfer pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalils immigration detention challenge to Louisiana, where is he is being held. U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz ruled he has jurisdiction over Khalils case because the Columbia University graduate and legal permanent resident was detained in New Jersey when his lawyer filed the challenge. The case as filed can go forward only here. The other 93 districts, where the Petitioner was nowhere to be found, are out of the question, Farbiarz, an appointee of former President Biden, wrote in his 67-page ruling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Immigration authorities arrested Khalil, a student negotiator in the recent pro-Palestinian demonstrations at Columbia, last month. The Trump administration seeks to revoke his green card over accusations he is pro-Hamas and engaged in pro-terrorist, antisemitic activity. Khalils case has gained national attention as the administration cites a rarely used immigration law provision that makes someone deportable if the secretary of State determines their continued presence poses serious adverse foreign policy consequences. The administration has since begun using the provision for other students, too. Just before 5 a.m. EDT on March 9, Khalils legal team challenged his detention in New York by filing a federal habeas petition. A judge quickly blocked officials from deporting Khalil but later transferred the case to New Jersey after finding thats where he was detained when the petition was filed. The Trump administration has moved Khalil to Louisiana and has since sought to transfer his legal challenge there. Such a trajectory would route any appeals through the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, regarded as the most conservative federal appeals court in the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This Courts jurisdiction is not undone because the Petitioner is no longer in New Jersey, Farbiarz wrote in his ruling, rejecting the request. The judge noted that such decisions are normally unappealable, but he suggested the unusual nature of the case may merit an exception in this case. He asked the parties to submit their views in writing on the issue. Noor Abdalla, Khalils wife and a U.S. citizen, in a statement said she is relieved by the decision and called it an important step toward securing her husbands freedom. What happened to Mahmoud is a violation of his rights as a lawful permanent resident of this country. ICE agents ripped him from our home and took him across state lines to Louisiana, violating his rights and holding him as a political prisoner. He is being illegally held by the Trump administration, over a thousand miles away, simply because he advocated against Israels genocide in Gaza, Abdalla said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Updated at 6:17 p.m. EDT Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A lawsuit against firearm manufacturer Smith & Wesson and two other gun dealers linked to the July Fourth 2022 mass shooting in Highland Park will be allowed to move forward, a Lake County judge ruled Tuesday. Judge Jorge Ortiz denied Smith & Wessons motions to dismiss counts of unfair business practices and negligence but granted a motion to dismiss allegations around deceptive business practices in a 34-page decision. Ortiz also denied a motion to dismiss filed by the other two gun dealers named in the case, Red Dot Arms in Lake Villa and Budsgunshop.com. Lawyers and advocates hailed the decision as a major victory for the plaintiffs in the case, who were injured or lost family members in the shooting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Survivors of the shooting and its victims first accused Smith & Wesson of negligent and unlawful marketing targeting people such as Robert Crimo III in September 2022. The lawsuits, now consolidated into one case, also alleged that Red Dot Arms and Buds Gun Shop in Kentucky both facilitated Crimos purchase of M&P 15, an AR-15-style weapon produced by the gunmaker. Crimo pleaded guilty to carrying out the shooting last month with that weapon. Todays historic decision sends a clear message that the gun industry does not have carte blanche to engage in irresponsible marketing of assault rifles, without any concern for the obvious dangers of such marketing, a group of attorneys representing some of the plaintiffs said in a statement. Attorneys for Smith & Wesson didnt respond to an emailed request for comment Tuesday afternoon. Crimo, now 24, pleaded guilty to the criminal charges against him on March 3 in an about-face that relieved survivors of the shooting and their families, who had been preparing to recount their experiences of that day in court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Robert Crimo III pleads guilty to Highland Park parade shooting; Mayor calls it 1,000% better than a trial Crimos father Robert Crimo Jr. pleaded guilty in 2023 to seven counts of misdemeanor reckless conduct for sponsoring his sons firearm license application. Crimo Jr. was ordered to spend 60 days in Lake County Jail but was freed early for good behavior. Another flurry of lawsuits was still pending against the Illinois State Police for approving Crimos firearm owners identification card application despite concerns he was a danger to public safety. The civil case is next set for a hearing May 1. Crimo is set to be sentenced April 23. Editors note: This story has been updated to clarify that a statement about the ruling was not made on behalf of all plaintiffs. While a lot of attention is paid to Nvidia's edge in raw power, perhaps its most important, enduring advantage is in its CUDA platform. Think of CUDA as a sort of language that allows programmers to use GPUs for purposes other than rendering graphics (for which they were originally created). Its growth has been monumental. In the same period, Nvidia also vastly expanded its margins while continuing to innovate to stay well ahead of the competition. The fact is, that no company has been able to touch it when it comes to producing the best chips around. And with the capacity to greatly outspend rivals in research and development (R&D) and the ability to attract and retain the best talent, it seems unlikely to me that this will change any time soon. Without a doubt, no company has a hold on the AI GPU market like Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) and it's been handsomely rewarded for it. Driven almost entirely by the sale of these chips, the company saw its revenue skyrocket since 2023. Check out the chart showing the sales growth compared to Meta (a major customer), Advanced Micro Devices (a rival chipmaker), and Alphabet (which relies on AI to improve its Google search engine, as well as in products such as Waymo, Nest, and YouTube). The not-so-secret sauce powering this AI revolution are the uber-powerful chips the technology demands. When you ask ChatGPT how to make the best roast chicken (hint: mix a little baking powder and salt to get that skin extra crispy), a hive of graphics processing units (GPUs) spring to life in a many-football-fields-sized data center somewhere in rural America. I'm not kidding: Meta Platforms is building one in Louisiana, on which you could lay 70 football fields. As you can imagine, to fill such an area, companies need to purchase a lot of GPUs. But have you ever met a tech CEO that doesn't claim their company is changing the world? It's a good thing that AI optimism extends well beyond the C-suites of Silicon Valley. Investors can take comfort in the fact that organizations from the International Monetary Fund to the United Nations have made clear they believe AI will have a massive impact. Few technologies captured the market's attention quite like artificial intelligence (AI) over the course of the last few years. It comes as no surprise, however, given the enormity of the technology's potential power -- at least according to its ambassadors. The Sam Altmans (CEO of OpenAI) and Dario Amodeis (CEO of Anthropic) of the world see a not-too-distant future in which their products transform our economy and fundamentally reshaped the way most firms do business . Story Continues CUDA is the software foundation on which the complex scaffolding of AI is built. The higher-order development platforms and tools that almost all AI developers use are made to work with CUDA. This means that if a customer wanted to switch to a rival's chips, they would need to invest enormous time and money transforming their entire workflows and workforces -- either through retraining or firing and hiring new developers. While this isn't impossible, the cost of this makes it a nonstarter for most. CUDA keeps Nvidia's clients locked in to its ecosystem, willing to pay a premium. It's not an easy path forward Despite Nvidia's dominance, there are still a lot of challenges that lay ahead. I don't see any major hurdles in the near future that Nvidia can't easily clear. All signs point to the company continuing its blockbuster sales over the next year. Its major big tech clients have all committed to record amounts of AI-focused capital expenditures, much of which is earmarked for data center expansion. Longer term, however, a few big questions stand out. First, AI will have to begin delivering returns that can justify the vast sums being spent on its development. Promise and potential only get you so far. The shareholders of Alphabet, Meta, and their ilk will grow increasingly uneasy with the spending spree if a commensurate return isn't made clear. If this doesn't begin to happen within the next two years, I could see the money slowing. Second, while Nvidia is likely to maintain its edge for the foreseeable future, tech is an industry defined by disruption. An upstart chip firm using radical new technologies could burst onto the scene. Or, perhaps in less dramatic fashion, its major clients develop their own chips and make the switch in spite of the CUDA moat I discussed. Finally, Nvidia's success has become one of its biggest challenges -- at least for its stock price. The company delivered another monster earnings report last month, delivering nearly 80% sales growth year over year, yet Nvidia shares are down 21% in the last six weeks. There are macro factors that aren't helping, but the point remains that the market currently expects perfection from the company, and perfection doesn't exist -- unless you ask my fifth-grade violin teacher; then it does, and I'm just not capable of it. Still, there are few companies with the vision that Nvidia has demonstrated. Nvidia will be able to adapt to the challenges that lie ahead. It won't be all roses by any means, but I also think that over time, expectations of perfection will fade, and Nvidia's bottom line will continue to grow substantially. And considering that after the stock's recent decline, its price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) is now the lowest in many years -- well before the AI craze took off -- I think Nvidia makes a smart investment. Dont miss this second chance at a potentially lucrative opportunity Ever feel like you missed the boat in buying the most successful stocks? Then youll want to hear this. On rare occasions, our expert team of analysts issues a Double Down stock recommendation for companies that they think are about to pop. If youre worried youve already missed your chance to invest, now is the best time to buy before its too late. And the numbers speak for themselves: Nvidia: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2009, youd have $281,057 !* Apple: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2008, youd have $42,114 !* Netflix: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2004, youd have $502,905!* Right now, were issuing Double Down alerts for three incredible companies, and there may not be another chance like this anytime soon. Continue *Stock Advisor returns as of April 1, 2025 Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fools board of directors. Randi Zuckerberg, a former director of market development and spokeswoman for Facebook and sister to Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Johnny Rice has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Advanced Micro Devices, Alphabet, Meta Platforms, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Down 28%, Should You Buy the Dip on Nvidia? was originally published by The Motley Fool April 1 (UPI) -- Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil's case will remain in New Jersey after a federal judge Tuesday rejected the Trump administration's bid to transfer the case to Louisiana, where Khalil is being held. "The court's jurisdiction is not defeated by the petitioner having been moved to Louisiana," the judge ruled from Newark. In his ruling, U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz called the government's argument to move Khalil's case "unpersuasive." Khalil was briefly detained in Manhattan before being transferred to a facility in New Jersey following his arrest last month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The petitioner was in custody in New Jersey as of March 9 at 4:40 a.m.," Farbiarz wrote. "And under a federal statute, the petition, though filed in New York, must be treated as having been filed in New Jersey on March 9 at 4:40 a.m. Therefore, this court has jurisdiction." Khalil, who is a Palestinian refugee raised in Syria, remains in federal custody in Louisiana following his arrest last month. The Columbia graduate student was the lead student negotiator at the Ivy League school's New York City campus in 2024 as student protests against Israel's war in Gaza drew nationwide attention. He was arrested March 8 at his campus apartment. Protesters rally in support of Mahmoud Khalil, a leader of the protests at Columbia University against Israel's war in Gaza, in New York City on March 12. ICE immigration officers arrested Khail after President Donald Trump vowed to deport foreign pro-Palestinian student demonstrators. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI Khalil is married to an American citizen who is eight months pregnant. He is a green card and student visa holder, but his attorney says the U.S. State Department is working to revoke both. The Trump administration says Khalil is being held as the government seeks to deport him for his role in campus protests against Israel. The administration recently pulled $400 million in funding from Columbia over what it called the school's failure to control pro-Palestinian violence on campus. Noor Abdalla arrives at a hearing for her husband, Columbia graduate student Mahmoud Khalil, on his deportation case at federal court in Newark, New Jersey on Friday. On Tuesday, a federal judge ruled Khalil's case will remain in New Jersey following a challenge by the Trump administration to move it to Louisiana, where Khalil is being held. Photo by Derek French/UPI "He was taken by U.S. government agents in retaliation, essentially, for exercising his First Amendment rights, for speaking up in defense of Palestinians in Gaza and beyond, for being critical of the U.S. government and of the Israeli government," claimed Khalil's attorney Ramzi Kassem. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is the second time the Justice Department has tried to move Khalil's case. After his arrest, attorneys for the Trump administration argued successfully that the case should be moved from New York to New Jersey. The second motion was filed to transfer the case from New Jersey to Louisiana, where the case could have gone before one of the country's more conservative appeals courts. "I am relieved at the court's decision today to keep my husband's ongoing case in New Jersey," Khalil's wife Dr. Noor Abdalla said Tuesday, as she called him a "political prisoner." "This is an important step towards securing Mahmoud's freedom, but there is still a lot more to be done." KANSAS CITY, Mo. A Platte County, Missouri judge has ruled that the countys commissioners do not have to implement a child services tax. Nearly 60% of Platte County voters approved of the quarter cent sales tax during the November 5, 2024 election, which would have funded childrens mental health initiatives. View the latest Weather Alerts in the Kansas City region on FOX4 In mid-December, the three-member county commission voted not to implement it, saying because of the way state law is worded. They say it authorized the commission to levy the tax, but just because the majority of voters said they wanted this doesnt mean its automatically instituted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Supporters of the tax sued the county in court. On Tuesday, that judge sided with the county, saying while voters did approve of it, the countys not legally obligated to do so. Voters in 11 other Missouri counties, including Jackson and Clay, have passed similar taxes for similar purposes. The quarter-cent sales tax would raise between $5 and $6 million each year to be used to help kids going through a mental health crisis. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. Apr. 1A federal judge has decided not to revoke permits for the controversial New England Clean Energy Connect corridor, effectively ending a long-running legal battle but not until more than a third of the project had already been completed. Chief U.S. District Judge Lance Walker on Monday ruled in favor of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Department of Energy, after several environmental groups sued the federal agencies over their environmental analysis of the $1.5 billion 145-mile transmission corridor to bring Canadian hydropower to the New England grid. The Appalachian Mountain Club, Natural Resources Council of Maine and Sierra Club Maine in 2020 alleged the Army Corps failed to rigorously assess the transmission corridor project's environmental impact on 53 miles of undeveloped forestland in western Maine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Army Corps previously determined the project would have "no significant impact" on the environment, a determination that the environmental groups argued was reached without adequate due diligence. They said the agencies "cherry-picked" environmental impacts instead of considering them holistically when evaluating alternatives and took a quality-over-quantity approach to its analysis, focusing on the acreage impacted instead of the impact on the aquatic ecosystem. But in a 59-page decision, Walker disagreed and found the Corps analysis was thorough and appropriate. Walker said the judgment was not a "comprehensive statement" about the transmission project as a whole. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The environmental groups also took umbrage with the Department of Energy's decision not to circulate a draft environmental document for comment after saying it would. Walker agreed that reneging on a promise was "discourteous" but said it was not arbitrary and capricious, as alleged. It was not immediately clear if the environmental groups plan to appeal. Maine voters rejected the corridor in a 2021 referendum, but developers were allowed to resume construction after a Cumberland County jury found, in a separate suit, that the project's developer had established "vested rights" to continue building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The corridor is expected to be finished by the end of the year. The project is organized under NECEC Transmission LLC, a subsidiary of Connecticut-based Avangrid Inc., the parent company of Central Maine Power Co. Both are controlled by Iberdrola, a Spanish multinational energy company. The transmission line will connect 1,200 megawatts to the New England electrical grid. Advocates say the project will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Opponents are skeptical of the environmental benefits and have said developers are gouging a path for the transmission line through some of Maine's most pristine forested areas. Copy the Story Link A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from cutting funding to the program that provides legal representation to tens of thousands of unaccompanied migrant children. In her ruling Tuesday night, U.S. District Judge Araceli Martinez Olguin said the groups that sued the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services over the cuts "have suffered near-immediate financial impacts, and they have thus made a sufficient showing of concrete and imminent economic injury." "The irreparable harm resulting from Defendants' actions weighs in favor of temporary injunctive relief," Judge Olguin said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Trump administration halts funding for legal aid for migrant children Judge Olguin said that the government's termination of funding for direct legal representation directly interferes with the groups' mission, "impeding their ability to provide the direct legal representation of unaccompanied children in immigration proceedings." "The Court additionally finds that the continued funding of legal representation for unaccompanied children promotes efficiency and fairness within the immigration system," the judge said. Last week, groups that have collectively received over $200 million in federal grants were told that the program's contract was partially terminated, ending the funding for legal representation and for the recruitment of attorneys to represent migrant children in immigration proceedings. PHOTO: Asylum seeking migrant, Peyl from Gujarat, India carries her daughter Aary, 2, while waiting to be apprehended by U.S. Customs and Border protection officers after crossing over into the U.S. on June 25, 2024 in Ruby, Arizona. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images) Currently, 26,000 migrant children receive legal representation through the funding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Michael Lukens, the executive director for the Amica Center, which represents migrant children in the Washington, D.C., area, called the ruling "a win" for advocates who work with unaccompanied children every day. "While we recognize that this is the first step in this fight, we are grateful to see the courts are recognizing the immense damage that the government's decision in canceling this funding means to children and our organizations," said Lukens. "There should be no political divide over protecting children." Judge temporarily restores funding for legal aid for migrant children originally appeared on abcnews.go.com A federal judge in New York permanently dismissed the corruption and bribery charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams on Wednesday morning, siding with President Donald Trumps Department of Justice. In a lengthy order, Judge Dale E. Ho said he would dismiss the case but rejected the governments request to dismiss the charges without prejudice which would have allowed federal prosecutors to bring the charges again. In light of DOJ's rationales, dismissing the case without prejudice would create the unavoidable perception that the Mayor's freedom depends on his ability to carry out the immigration enforcement priorities of the administration, and that he might be more beholden to the demands of the federal government than to the wishes of his own constituents, Ho wrote on the order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After Trump took office in January, leaders he appointed in the DoJ requested federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York dismiss the indictment against the mayor who had signaled he would assist the administration in carrying out their mass deportation agenda and implementing other policies. New York City Mayor Eric Adams had urged the federal court in New York to drop the charges against him (Kena Betancur) The decision arrives after weeks of back-and-forth between the government, Adamss attorney and the federal court in New York, which initially refused to comply with the DoJs request to dismiss the indictment against the mayor. Multiple prosecutors at SDNY, including the Trump-appointed acting head of the district, U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon, had raised concerns that Adams and the DoJ engaged in what amounted to a quid pro quo. Prosecutors under the Biden administration brought a five-count indictment against Adams in September, which included bribery charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mayor had denied all allegations and claimed the indictment was brought against him because he had made comments supporting then-presidential candidate Trumps immigration agenda. Adamss case was supposed to head to trial later in April. Adams had largely agreed with the governments reasoning for dropping the charges against him, saying they were brought unfairly (REUTERS) While Ho complied with the governments request, his lengthy order addressed and rejected several arguments the DoJ had made when asking for the dismissal. The judge rejected the DoJs claim that Adams was unable to assist in Trumps immigration agenda with the charges against him, pointing to Adamss recent announcement permitting Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to operate at Rikers Jail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said there was no support for the DoJs argument that the case was brought to interfere with the 2025 New York City mayoral primary and, if anything, the timing of the case is entirely consistent with prior public corruption prosecutions. Ho also emphasized there was no evidence zero that prosecutors in SDNY acted improperly or had improper motives. Rather, Ho said he agreed to drop the charges to protect Adams from the government using the possibility of the charges as leverage against him in the future and because SDNY would have no way to compel the government to pursue the case if he refused to drop it. Adams became the first sitting New York City mayor to be indicted in September. A judgment against one of the world's most well-known environmental activism groups could put its future in jeopardy. What's happening? In March, a North Dakota jury found that Greenpeace must pay more than $660 million in damages to Energy Transfer and Dakota Access over the group's protests against oil-pipeline construction. The Associated Press reported that Greenpeace USA was found liable for defamation, trespass, nuisance, civil conspiracy, and other acts. Greenpeace International and Greenpeace Fund Inc. were also found liable on certain counts. The total damages awarded are $666.9 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The energy companies had sued Greenpeace over protests that occurred in 2016 and 2017 against the Dakota Access oil pipeline, which now carries roughly 5% of U.S. oil. The Standing Rock Sioux tribe had vocally opposed the project, saying it would threaten their water supply. A jury found that Greenpeace lied about the project, paid people to protest it, and provided supplies to block its construction. Why is this important? Before the trial began, Greenpeace said that a substantial judgment against the organization could bankrupt and cripple it. After the judgment was announced, it struck a more defiant tone. "This verdict is not the end of this case," Greenpeace said in a release. "We're going to appeal. And we're prepared to fight this all the way to victory." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Greenpeace, which was founded in 1971, has been a leading voice in the fight against plastic pollution and climate change, among many other issues. If it goes away, so too will one of the most recognizable names in environmental activism. The New York Times reported on Monday that the verdict could "chill free speech" and that "First Amendment issues are likely to figure prominently in an appeal." "[This] will send a chill down the spine of any nonprofit who wants to get involved in any political protest," David D. Cole, a Georgetown Law professor and former national legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union, told the Times. "If you're the Sierra Club, or the NAACP, or the NRA, or an anti-abortion group, you're going to be very worried." What's being done about this? This also makes the verdict a precarious moment for environmental protest and activism across the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The truth is, 'victory' doesn't just mean defeating this specific lawsuit," Greenpeace said. "It means that no other organization or individual has to defend themselves against this type of attack." Because of that, there may be no time where it's more important to inform yourself on environmental causes and use your voice for advocacy. By utilizing your right to free speech, you can help advocate for the changes that matter most to you, and help make our planet a cleaner place. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. COURTLAND, Va. (WAVY) The jury in the murder case against James Goodwyn Jr. saw the murder weapon and grim scenes inside the home of Cynthia Carver, 36, who was killed in the spring of 2019. Southampton murder case underway involving woman stabbed, dumped in Suffolk swamp Goodwyn faces one count of first-degree murder in Carvers 2019 death. A man from North Carolina testified Tuesday afternoon for the Commonwealth that he had a relationship with Carver, and had sex with her the day before she went missing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On cross-examination, Defense Attorney James Ellenson asked the married man if he was sorry that Carver is dead. The man responded yes and said six years later, his wife does not know about it to this day. Several current and retired officers from the Southampton County Sheriffs Office described the bloody scene inside Carvers Everett Street home in Newsoms. Inside the two bedroom home were several spots of blood in the living room, hallway and kitchen. Body camera video played for the jury had the voice of a detective saying lots of blood, heres a knife, its got blood all over it as they searched the residence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The jury saw the knife a wood handle serrated edge with a blade about six inches long. The jury also saw Goodwyns white and gray Nike sneakers, which the Commonwealth said matches bloody footprints inside the house. A sheriffs captain showed the jury a fingernail that was recovered from the living room floor, which the Commonwealth said contains Goodwyns DNA. Prosecution photos of Carvers body had a fingernail missing from the middle finger of her right hand. Investigators also found a bloody shirt on the ground a few feet from the steps that led to the entrance of the house. It had several holes in it, and Carvers autopsy indicates multiple stab blooms to her neck, torso and vaginal area. Cynthia Carver was first reported missing Feb. 22, 2019. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carver had dropped off her two daughters with family friend Sheila Sledge the night before. Her mother, Ann Carver, called 911, and deputies responded about 1 p.m. About a month later in March 2019, Cynthia Carvers body was found off Winona Trail just off a logging path in Suffolk. A Franklin Lumber employee was driving through the area when his two dogs got restless inside the vehicle. He stopped, and his shorthaired pointer ran to an area off a logging trail. The dogs owner went to investigate and saw Carvers body about 15 feet from the logging trail. Carver was found face down in a marshy area, her underwear had been pulled down to her ankles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Goodwin was arrested three months after that at his girlfriends home on Edna Way in Virginia Beach and charged with Carvers murder. The case is expected to last into the middle of next week. If convicted, Goodwyn would face from 20 years to life in prison. Previously: Man accused of murdering Southampton woman pleads guilty in separate case Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. DEDHAM, Mass. (WPRI) The second day of jury selection for Karen Reads second murder trial wrapped up with seven jurors being seated on Wednesday. The seven chosen jurors, four men and three women, were picked out of a pool of 91 potential jurors. Of those potential jurors, 78 admitted to knowing about the case, 40 had already formed an opinion and 16 confessed being biased toward either side. The judge overseeing Reads second trial expects jury selection to take quite some time since it is such a high-profile case. The court is looking to seat 16 jurors total, of which 12 will end up deliberating and four will serve as alternates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement BACKGROUND: Jury selection underway for Karen Reads second murder trial I feel good. I always feel good. I always feel optimistic. I have faith. I have great support. I have great attorneys. I have the truth, Read told 12 News outside the courthouse. Read is accused of ramming into her then-boyfriend, John OKeefe, with her SUV and leaving him for dead in a snowstorm back in January 2022. She has been charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter and leaving the scene of a crime. Her first murder trial ended in a mistrial last July after jurors were unable to reach a unanimous verdict. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reads defense attorneys have repeatedly argued that shes the victim of a sloppy investigation and extensive law enforcement cover-up. Specifically, her attorneys believe she is being framed to protect the three men who are believed to actually be responsible for OKeefes death. During this retrial, Reads supporters are being kept hundreds of extra feet from the courthouse in Dedham, Massachusetts, outside a designated buffer zone. An independent audit into the Canton Police Department was also released on Tuesday, which determined there were mistakes made when police were investigating OKeefes death. RELATED: Former Karen Read investigator fired by Mass. State Police Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report said the responding officers should have photographed OKeefes body at the original location. It also said the interviews of critical witnesses should have taken place at police headquarters with a recording. It also found that Massachusetts State Police and Canton police should have maintained a presence at the home until a secondary search was conducted. Its unclear if the defense or prosecution will use any elements of the report in the trial. READ MORE: Karen Read murder trial Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the new 12+ smart TV app. Follow us on social media: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. Jury selection in Karen Reads retrial is entering its second day. The first day of jury selection in the Karen Read trial concluded Tuesday with two jurors seated, a man and a woman. Before breaking for lunch on Wednesday, another two jurors were seated, bringing the total to 4. 2 more jurors have been seated in the Karen Read trial bringing the total to 4. Jury candidates get to break for lunch and will return at 1pm. Some will go home and come back tomorrow. Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) April 2, 2025 Click here for LIVE updates from Ted Daniel in court. Good morning from the center of the criminal trial universe. Its day 2 of jury selection in Commonwealth vs. Karen Read. I expect today will be a rinse/repeat of yesterday with new jury candidates. The trial of Dover, MA surgeon Ingolf Tuerk, whos accused of strangling his Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) April 2, 2025 Ninety-two jury candidates appeared in the Norfolk County Superior courtroom Tuesday, where Judge Beverley Cannone asked them over 30 questions regarding the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of the 92 potential jurors, 40 indicated theyve already formed an opinion of the case, 16 indicated theyve already formed a bias and 78 indicated theyve heard or spoken about the case. Sixty-two juror candidates were questioned by both the defense and prosecution before the two sides were able to agree on two selections. Some of those jury candidates who filled out questionnaires Tuesday were sent home to come back Wednesday for questioning. Read, 45 of Mansfield is accused of hitting John OKeefe with her Lexus SUV in Canton on Jan. 29, 2022, and leaving him to die in the cold after a night of drinking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The defense has sought to portray Read as the victim, saying OKeefe was actually killed inside the Albert family home at 34 Fairview Road in Canton and then dragged outside and left for dead. She has pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating under the influence, and leaving the scene of a crash resulting in death. It doesnt feel great to be back, but Im here, were fighting, well keep fighting. I feel strong, so I feel good, said Karen Read outside of Norfolk Superior Court Tuesday. The court clerk has said up to 130 potential jurors could be coming to the courthouse each day this week for the selection process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At least 16 jurors will be chosen, including the alternates. Reads first trial ended with a hung jury in July 2024. Since the end of the first trial, Michael Proctor, who served as the lead investigator in the Read case, was fired from his role within the Massachusetts State Police in mid-March. On Tuesday, an independent audit of the Canton Police Department finds missteps in the handling of the Karen Read investigation, but no evidence to support claims she was framed. Get caught up with all the latest news in the Karen Read case. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW By Jonathan Stempel NEW YORK (Reuters) - Estee Lauder must face a lawsuit accusing the cosmetic giant of defrauding shareholders by concealing its overdependence on improper gray-market sales in China, a federal judge in Manhattan ruled on Monday. U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian said shareholders identified "several misleading omissions" and "half-truths" in Estee disclosures, related to the negative sales impact from a January 2022 government crackdown on the "daigou" gray market. Shareholders in the proposed class action said Estee became dependent in China on "daigou," or duty-free purchases by resellers, after the COVID-19 pandemic began, especially in the Hainan province. They said the New York-based company concealed the truth about how the crackdown was hurting sales until November 1, 2023, causing its shares to plunge 19% and wiping out about $8.7 billion of market value. "Defendants attributed the decline to everything but the crackdown and reassured investors that an upswing was coming soon," Subramanian wrote. "What matters is that Estee Lauder touted the reasons for its success while leaving out the parts of the truth it found inconvenient," he continued. "The telling of half-truths that's what the securities laws don't tolerate." The Estee defendants also include former Chief Executive Fabrizio Freda and former Chief Financial Officer Tracey Travis. Estee and lawyers for the defendants did not immediately respond to requests for comment. In seeking a dismissal, the defendants said there was neither proof of fraudulent intent, nor a showing that legally actionable false statements caused shareholder losses. But the judge said Freda and Travis should have been able to pinpoint the "daigou" crackdown as a major cause of falling sales, cited accusations about their attentiveness to sales data and that Estee devoted an entire team to analyze "daigou" sales. The proposed class action covers shareholders from February 3, 2022 to October 31, 2023. Estee shares have lost nearly half their value since the latter date in part because of China, which accounted for about one-quarter of sales in 2024. The case is In re Estee Lauder Co Securities Litigation decision, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 23-10669. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel; Editing by Sandra Maler) North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein delivers his first State of the State address to the General Assembly at the Legislative Building in Raleigh on March 12, 2025. (Photo: Galen Bacharier/NC Newsline) The hypocritical double standards at work on the modern political right these days are often enough to make your head spin. Just think what Fox News shouters would be saying right now if a Kamala Harris administration had committed an outrageous breach of national security like the one Trumps defense team did recently by divulging details of planned military operation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And the same hypocrisy would undoubtedly apply closer to home as well. Just imagine if Gov. Josh Stein who controls the state budget office did what Trump is doing by issuing directives to budget officials to simply cancel government funded programs authorized in a duly enacted budget. Funding for school vouchers and crisis pregnancy centers? Gone. New programs at council of state departments led by Republicans? Canceled. Republican lawmakers loyal to Trump would be apoplectic. The bottom line: Gov. Stein would never take such action because hes an honest and responsible leader who believes in the rule of law. Would that Trump and the political puppets he controls were of the same character. For NC Newsline Im Rob Schofield. Glynn County police arrested a juvenile in Brunswick on Tuesday accusing him of firing a gun in the yard of a home. Police were called at about 1:25 p.m. for reports of shots fired in the area of Emanuel Avenue and Fifth Street. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< Upon arrival, officers located 23 spent shell casings in the backyard of a residence in the 3500 block of Norwich Street, a Glynn County police news release states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers detained two juveniles and an adult who were in the home. Investigators got a search warrant for the residence and found a firearm consistent with the shell casings that were in the yard, the news release states. As a result of the investigation, one juvenile was arrested and charged with ... Reckless Conduct and Possession of a Handgun by a Person Under the Age of 18, the news release states. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. KANSAS CITY, Mo. The City of Kansas City, Missouri is hoping to hire some of the Federal workers impacted by Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) cuts. The city held a career fair on Tuesday. View the latest Weather Alerts in the Kansas City region on FOX4 Since the cuts began, hundreds of thousands of federal workers have been wondering if theyd receive an email or call impacting their job future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Armina Brazzel, whos set to return to the USDAs downtown Kansas City office next week, that came Tuesday afternoon. I currently am still employed but as of an hour ago, we did have all hands call saying soon to come, we will be riffed, Brazzel said. RIF, means reduction in force. At the same time the City of Kansas City is looking to increase its staffing, hiring more than 80 open positions across more than a dozen departments. The city says it will expedite federal workers applications. We wanted to reach out to them because it is just unfortunate everything that happen. So many people losing so many positions, so many being laid off. So we wanted to say hey guys we are right down the street and your skillset will transfer over to the city just come over and give us a shot! LaToya Black, City of Kansas City talent acquisition manager, said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Seven-year veteran federal worker Patrice Perkins job with Office of Personnel Management is set to be eliminated at the end of the month. When you had made plans and career goals and to have all of that uprooted yeah its very life changing, she said. Each worker facing uncertainty in their careers we spoke with said they are thankful for the potential opportunity, at a time when theyve had to rely on faith bills and mortgages would keep getting paid. Got Milk? Kansas senator pushes bill to bring back whole milk options in schools I dont have faith in upper management, anybody in the White House, anybody in D.C., my faith is in the Lord and he guides my path and thats all Im concerned with, Brazzel said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you missed Tuesdays career fair you can still apply online. One important thing to know, Kansas City does have a residency requirement meaning youd have to move to within city limits within nine months of accepting employment. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. KANSAS CITY, Mo. Kansas City police are investigating after a suspicious death turned into a homicide. On Tuesday around 7 p.m., officers were sent to a home on Blue Ridge Boulevard near 90th Street in Kansas City for a welfare check. Download WDAF+ for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV Police said when they arrived, they found a woman unresponsive who had died. Her injuries were unknown. Officers preserved the scene and called for detectives due to the suspicious nature of the womans death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Overnight, detectives were told by medical examiners that the death was a homicide. Detectives are now working to identify the victim and figure out the cause of death. View the latest headlines from Kansas City, Missouri, and Kansas at fox4kc.com Police did not say anything about a suspect. If you have any information, call the TIPS hotline at 816-474-8477. There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information submitted anonymously to the TIPS hotline. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. KANSAS CITY, Mo. Kansas City leaders have been vocal about the need for a new municipal jail. Right now, people who are arrested for municipal offenses are housed at the Johnson County and Vernon County jails, 65 and 90 miles away from KCMO, respectively. MO pastor gets deportation notice for sponsored son from Haiti They want to build it right next to the site for the new Jackson County Detention Center on 40 Highway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A portion from the quarter cent public safety sales tax would go towards the new jail if voters decide to renew it. Darron Edwards is the lead pastor at United Believers Community Church and supports one question. We can pump all the resources in the community that we want to, but you have to have a place so people can have time out so they can get the time in the things that they need so they dont reoffend, Edwards said. But Pateisha Royal with DecarcerateKC says a jail will not solve a deeper rooted issue in the community. We have seen so many people from the community right now that has been impacted by going to jail and come out and have not been rehabilitated, Royal said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sales tax has been in place since 2002. Its set to expire next year, but voters will have the final say. I am for the resources and within this voting yes, is there are resources that will be available, but at the same time we have to do something to help aid those who desire to feel safe, Edwards said. Nobody should have to go to jail to receive mental health services. Nobody should have to go to jail to receive a proper place to stay, Royal said. Dog stuck in shelter for 2 years still waiting for forever family The money will also help people continue to help first responders pay for upgrades and equipment purchases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Election Day is next Tuesday. If the sales tax passes, it will be in place for 20 years. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. TOPEKA, Kan. (KSNW) Kansas communities looking to bring life back to their downtowns now have an opportunity to turn empty upper floors into much-needed housing. The state is offering $250,000 in grants through its Residential Opportunities on Main Street (ROOMS) program to help convert unused spaces above downtown businesses into livable homes. The funding is available exclusively to Designated Kansas Main Street communities and aims to address a growing need for affordable, quality housing while breathing new energy into local economies. Kansas project aims to turn infrastructure into art Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last years initial round of ROOMS funding resulted in 34 new housing units across the state and nearly $6 million in total investment, Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said in a news release. Another year of funding allows us to continue breathing life into communities across this state and growing economic opportunities for generations to come. Upper-floor housing has become a critical piece of the solution to Kansas housing challenges, while also strengthening the economic health and identity of downtown areas. The Kansas Main Street program has worked to help communities build their capacity in developing upper-floor housing in downtown buildings, Kansas Main Street Director Scott Sewell said in the release. ROOMS grants help these types of projects become reality. Projects must follow Main Street design standards and local codes, and must directly lead to the creation or retention of housing units. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More information on how to apply for ROOMS funding is available through the Kansas Department of Commerce website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. Senate President Ty Masterson, a Republican from Andover, and Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly don't appear to be on the same page in terms of the new state budget adopted by the House and Senate. The package could leave state government in the red by $461 million within three years based on current revenue estimates and proposed spending. Nine months into the fiscal year, Kansas has taken in $165 million more in tax revenue that predicted in November. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) TOPEKA Substantive income and sales tax reform in Kansas continued during March to carve new channels in the state revenue stream, officials said. Adjustments to state retail sales tax policy by ending application of a 6.5% sales tax on grocery items contributed to a $89 million decline in collections during the first three quarters of the fiscal year compared to this point in the previous fiscal year. The sales tax, and associated compensating use tax, has delivered $2.6 billion to the state during the fiscal year starting July 1. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Legislature and Gov. Laura Kelly agreed last year to eliminate a personal income tax bracket and lower the highest individual income rate to 5.58% retroactive to Jan. 1, 2024. That was combined with a reduction in the states corporate income tax rate from 4% to 3.5% effective Jan. 1, 2024. The Kansas Department of Revenue reported the state took in $88 million less year-to-date in corporate income taxes than at this juncture one year ago. That decline exceeded projections of state analysts by more than $11 million. Shrinkage in corporate income tax collections has been eclipsed, however, by the surprise $200 million increase in individual income tax collections through March compared to the previous year. State analysts underestimated growth in individual income tax revenue by $187 million. Three-fourths into the fiscal year, Kansas state government was more than $110 million up in terms of corporate and individual income tax revenue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Overall, the Department of Revenue said Kansas received $6.9 billion in revenue from all tax sources in the current fiscal year. That represented a $47 million, or 0.7%, increase from the previous fiscal year. Kansas has taken in $165 million more in tax revenue through the initial nine months of the fiscal year than predicted by state financial analysts. The consensus revenue group, comprised of individuals from the Department of Revenue, Kansas Department of Administration, Kansas Legislative Research Department as well as economists from University of Kansas, Kansas State University and Wichita State University, scheduled a meeting April 17 to evaluate economic conditions and make changes to state revenue projections. The Legislature sent the governor last week a new state budget that could put Kansas in a $461 million budget hole within three years. On KCURs Up To Date program, Kelly said she was apprehensive about the Republican-led Legislatures spending plan and compared it to the approach taken by Gov. Sam Brownback more than a decade ago when income taxes were aggressively slashed. The result was a five-year calamity that prompted state budget cuts and an increase in the statewide sales tax. The Legislature repealed, over Brownbacks objection, much of his tax program in 2017. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With the budget theyve passed, we will be way underwater, Kelly told KCUR. The governor said the Legislature could modify the budget legislation when it reconvened April 10 or gather for a special session after new state revenue estimates were released. Kelly vetoed a bill that would have left in place the previous years state budget if the Legislature and governor failed to agree on a budget deal. She said she wouldnt sanction Senate Bill 14 because it could freeze the budget in a manner not contemplated through periods of war, famine, pandemic, recession, the Dust Bowl and even the Great Depression. House Speaker Dan Hawkins, R-Wichita, and Senate President Ty Masterson, R-Andover, said they planned to rally votes necessary to override Kellys veto of SB14. The GOP holds supermajorities in the House and Senate, meaning a veto by the governor could be overridden by Republicans alone. TOPEKA, Kan. (KSNW) Electrical boxes, fire hydrants, and even trash cans could soon become vibrant expressions of community spirit across Kansas, thanks to a new state initiative blending public art with placemaking. The Kansas Department of Commerce has introduced the Transformative Art for Public Spaces (TAPS) grant program, designed to revitalize neglected infrastructure with community-driven art projects. With $150,000 in funding available, TAPS aims to enhance public spaces and create lasting impressions. Council starts process to put Crown Uptown Theatre on historic register Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This program is about more than just aesthetics, Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said in a news release. Attractive public gathering spots encourage more people to use them, stay longer, and support nearby businesses. These are small investments that will lead to long-term economic benefits. Grants between $1,500 and $2,000 will be awarded per project, covering materials, supplies, and artist compensation. Applicants are encouraged to work with local artists, students, and community members to reflect local culture and creativity. Up to five projects may be submitted per applicant. Qualifying structures include: Electrical boxes Fire hydrants Trash cans Water utilities Other small public infrastructures Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Murals, business advertisements, live performances, or large-scale installations requiring structural changes are not eligible for funding. The grant application period is open now through Dec. 5, or until funds run out. Priority will be given to communities that have not received Kansas Department of Commerce funding in the past three years. This is an exciting way to celebrate community identity, Assistant Secretary of Quality Places Matt Godinez said. Were eager to see how these creative projects inspire collaboration and strengthen connections among Kansans. Applicants must get permission from local governments or property owners before proceeding. Complete guidelines, examples, and application materials are available online. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. Opening statements began Tuesday in the second trial of Karen Read, who is accused of killing her boyfriend, a Boston police officer, in January 2022. The jury selection was finalized last week. Prosecutors allege that Read, 45, backed her SUV into John OKeefe after dropping him off at the home of a fellow officer after a night of drinking. The defense argues that Read has been framed and that OKeefe was physically attacked, potentially by the homeowners German shepherd, before his body was placed on the front lawn. Read was charged with second-degree murder, vehicular manslaughter and leaving the scene of a collision that caused injury and death. Reads first trial concluded in July 2024 with a mistrial, when, after deliberating for nearly a week, the jury was unable to reach a unanimous decision. Prosecutors were given until July 2025 to retry the case, per Massachusetts Criminal Procedure, so the Norfolk County District Attorneys office moved quickly to bring Read back to court on the same three charges. If convicted of the most serious charge, motor vehicle homicide, Read faces a possible sentence of life in prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Norfolk County Superior Court Judge Beverly Cannone, who presided over the first trial, is overseeing the retrial as well. Reads attorneys filed an emergency appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court to delay the retrial, but the court denied the delay and is expected to consider an appeal to drop two of the charges against Read on Friday. What is the case against Karen Read? Read dropped OKeefe, her then boyfriend, off at the home of a fellow Boston police officer, Brian Albert, after a night of bar-hopping on Jan. 28, 2022. The next morning, OKeefe was found in the front yard of the officers home and later pronounced dead at a hospital, with his autopsy listing his cause of death as hypothermia and blunt force trauma. Read was arrested on Feb. 1, 2022, on charges of manslaughter, motor vehicle homicide and leaving the scene of a deadly crash, to which she pleaded not guilty. During her first trial, prosecutors argued that Read and OKeefe had a rocky relationship and that the two had been fighting the night before he died. The prosecution claimed that, in anger, Read intentionally backed over OKeefe with her car before driving away pointing to her cars vehicle data, a broken back taillight and and the fact that OKeefes hair was found on the bumper as evidence to support this. Prosecutors also called several first responders as witnesses who testified that they heard Read say, I hit him. I hit him. Oh my God, I hit him, at the scene where his body was found. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attorneys for Read, however, presented a very different version of what they believe happened. They allege that OKeefe was beaten up inside Alberts house, perhaps attacked by Alberts dog, based on some apparent teeth or claw marks found on his body, thrown outside and positioned to make it look as if hed been hit by Reads car. The defense said that Alberts house was never properly searched for evidence of a fight and claimed that the investigation was biased against Read because the lead investigator in the case, Massachusetts State Police Trooper Michael Proctor, had used derogatory language to describe Read in messages with other officers and was close friends with Albert. Latest developments ahead of the new trial The case against Read has received substantial public interest since the first trial. Read, who did not testify during the first trial, has recently spoken out about the case in a five-part Investigation Discovery docuseries that first aired on HBO last week. On March 25, Read appeared in court for a pretrial hearing, where a prosecutor requested records related to the documentary series, including all unedited video and audio recordings. Prosecutors have also claimed that Read and Aidan Kearney, a local blogger known as Turtleboy, who strongly advocated for Read during her first trial, communicated extensively throughout 2023. Judge Cannone has agreed to allow data from Kearneys cellphones to be introduced in the new trial as evidence, which prosecutors argue show Reads consciousness of guilt. Prosecutors allege that Read colluded with Kearney, who has been accused of intimidating witnesses in the case. Blogger Aidan Kearney, center, walks out of the Stoughton District Court in October last year, surrounded by his supporters, after his arraignment on witness intimidation charges in connection with the Read case. (Matthew J. Lee/Getty Images) While it has not been confirmed whether Read will testify during this retrial, she told Boston 25 News in February that she was not afraid of taking the stand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reads legal team will continue to be led by David Yannetti, as well as her other representative, Alan Jackson. The defense also welcomed a New York-based litigator, Robert Alessi. Last week, Read added to her legal team an attorney, Victoria George, who served as an alternate juror during the first trial. The defense team also plans to show the new jury-unseen footage from the Canton Police Departments sallyport, where police brought Reads vehicle for analysis the day after OKeefe was found dead. The defense claims this footage supports its case that officers are trying to frame Read for OKeefes murder, the Boston Globe reported. The Norfolk district attorneys office brought on Hank Brennan to serve as the new special prosecutor for the retrial. The prosecution has added Reads father, William, and her brother, Nathan, to its new list of possible witnesses. The lead investigator in the case, Massachusetts State Trooper Michael Proctor, became the subject of an internal investigation over a potential violation of department policy after he acknowledged he had made some inappropriate comments about Read to other officers. The day after the mistrial was declared, Proctor was suspended without pay for the duration of the investigation. He was ultimately terminated from his role with the Massachusetts State Police this March for unsatisfactory performance and a charge related to alcohol. Proctor is planning to appeal the termination. Massachusetts State Police Trooper Michael Proctor testifying at Read's first trial, June 10, 2024. (Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images) Why was a mistrial declared? A mistrial can be declared for several reasons, including in cases where a jury is unable to reach a verdict or where a judge identifies procedural issues that prevent a defendant from obtaining a fair trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After almost a week of deliberating at the end of the first trial, the jury wrote a letter to Judge Cannone, saying, The divergence in our views are not rooted in a lack of understanding or effort but deeply held convictions that each of us carry, ultimately leading to a point where consensus is unattainable. We recognize the weight of this admission and the implications it holds. In the months since the first trial concluded, Reads attorneys have claimed in court filings that a number of jurors have contacted the defense team to say that the only charge they could not agree on was the manslaughter charge, and that they were all in unanimous agreement that Read was not guilty of the other two charges: second-degree murder and leaving the scene of personal injury or death. Her attorneys have unsuccessfully sought to have those two charges dropped ahead of the new trial starting this week. By Nazrin Abdul Bob Blackman also addressed the mine threat in the liberated territories of Garabagh during his speech. He highlighted that hundreds of mines are currently being manually cleared in these areas, a process that is both extremely dangerous and time-consuming. He appealed to the British government to support Azerbaijan's mine clearance efforts: "On the anniversary of the genocide committed against the Azerbaijani people, it is crucial to remember those who tragically lost their lives. Today, hundreds of mines are still being cleared manually in liberated Garabagh. How can the government support Azerbaijan in clearing these mines so that these lands can be used for productive purposes?" In response to the MP's speech, Stephen Doughty, the British Minister of State for Europe, North America, and Overseas Territories, acknowledged the importance of addressing the mine issue and emphasized the significant role the UK plays in global mine clearance efforts: "As you know, the UK plays a major role in this area worldwide. Britain's support for Azerbaijan's mine clearance efforts is also evident," the minister said. The British minister also emphasized the importance of peace in the region. By Kate Abnett BRUSSELS (Reuters) -Automakers are set to get three years, rather than one, to comply with the EU's 2025 CO2 emissions targets for cars and vans under a proposal to soften the rules, published by the European Commission on Tuesday. European car manufacturers had asked Brussels for relief from the targets, which depend on selling more electric vehicles, a segment where they lag Chinese and U.S. rivals. Under the proposed changes published on Tuesday, the EU would base compliance with the CO2 rules for 2025 on a carmaker's average emissions over the period 2025-2027, rather than just this year. "With today's initiative, we grant more flexibility to this key sector, and at the same time we stay the course of our climate goal," Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement. Von der Leyen pledged earlier this month to give automakers "breathing space" on the rules after European car manufacturers said the original targets could result in the industry facing up to 15 billion euros ($16.2 billion) in fines for missing the goals. The tighter EU carbon dioxide emissions limits for carmakers kicked in this year, which require at least one-fifth of all sales by most car companies to be electric vehicles. Tuesday's proposal to adjust the law requires approval from the European Parliament and EU countries, who can propose further changes. The Czech Republic, a hub for car manufacturing, has previously said it would push for a five-year compliance period. European car manufacturers have already been hit by falling demand, factory closures and are now bracing for U.S. tariffs. Volkswagen and Renault are among those that have expressed support for extending the compliance period but not all industry players have backed such a change. Volvo Cars, which is majority owned by Chinese EV maker Geely, had warned against disadvantaging companies that have already invested in making sure they could comply with the 2025 targets. Electric transport industry group E-Mobility Europe has warned changing the 2025 CO2 limits will put Europe further behind China in EVs and deter investments in charging infrastructure. The EU also has a longer-term climate target for all new cars sold from 2035 onwards to have zero emissions - effectively ending new sales of combustion engine vehicles. Some EU lawmakers and member governments plan to push to overturn that target in a review of the policy later this year, arguing it will hurt already-struggling carmakers. The European Commission has so far refused to amend the 2035 target, which it says is crucial for meeting green goals and providing a predictable long-term investment climate. APPLETON, Wis. (WFRV) A 22-year-old Kaukauna man pleaded no contest and was found guilty of two felony charges by the court on Tuesday. Court records show that Zachary Burr was convicted of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle and hit and run involving death for crashing his motorcycle while under the influence of alcohol, killing a 20-year-old girl. 39-year-old Fond du Lac man surrenders to authorities month after 23.5 mile police pursuit Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As part of the plea, Burrs charge of knowingly operating while revoked causing death will be dismissed, but read in during his sentencing. Another charge of homicide by use of a vehicle with a prohibited alcohol concentration was dismissed on the prosecutors motion. This all stems back from August 11, 2024, when two officers with the Kaukauna Police Department responded to the intersection of Taylor Street and Depot Street at around 4:30 a.m. for a report of a motorcycle accident. Upon arrival, the two officers located the motorcycle that had damage to it alongside a 20-year-old woman who was lying on the street with heavy blood loss in her head region. The officers immediately began rendering life-saving aid until emergency medical services arrived on the scene and transported her to a nearby hospital, where she later died. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two witnesses at the scene of the crash told officers that Burr had fled the scene. The police later found Burr walking along the street with significant road rash injuries. While talking with the Kaukauna Police Department, Burr told authorities that the motorcycle was his brothers, whom he lived with. During the conversation, officers noted that Burrs eyes were red and glassy. Burr was also slightly slurring in his speech. Officers conducted two sobriety tests on Burr, which he completed successfully. However, a preliminary breath test reported a value of .11 breath alcohol concentration (BrAC). This led to Burrs arrest. While interviewing Burr at the police station, he told officers he had been talking to the woman who died at the scene for around two weeks. The two were hanging out together, and the complaint states that both had consumed four alcoholic beverages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both Burr and the woman made their way to the garage to look at the motorcycle, which the woman said she wanted a ride. Burr told the authorities the woman had never ridden a motorcycle before, and although he attempted to get the woman to wear a helmet, she refused. Burr also did not wear a helmet. Burr, who admitted to not having a drivers license or a motorcycle endorsement, took off with the woman and rode around the city. Shortly before the crash, Burr told the authorities he was traveling around 50 miles per hour in a 35-mile-per-hour zone before a peg hit the concrete, causing the bike to hit the curb and crash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The complaint states Burr noticed the woman on the ground with lots of blood around her. He checked for a pulse and could not find one. Thats when two females showed up to help. 49-year-old Sheboygan man found dead at construction site, investigation underway Burr told the authorities he was scared and panicked, so he ran back to the motorcycle and took the license plate off the bike. He then fled the scene. Burrs sentencing hearing has been scheduled for June 16 at 8:30 a.m. He faces up to 50 years in prison and $200,000 in fines for the two felony charges. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. Reality Check is a Star series holding those with power to account and shining a light on their decisions. Have a suggestion for a future story? Email our journalists at RealityCheck@kcstar.com. Have the latest Reality Checks delivered to your inbox with our free newsletter. In his bid for a Kansas City school board seat in the April 8 special election, Joseph R. Nelson says he wants to build a shared investment in public education through transparency, equity and accountability. But nowhere in his social media bios or his campaign website does he detail his time as a former lieutenant commander for the Navy Reserve. Or his several years of fighting military criminal charges and subsequent convictions involving allegations against him, as well as other reservists, while serving in Bahrain in 2017-2018. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nelson was among several sailors initially charged in relation to what prosecutors then described as a sex trafficking ring, where some were accused of patronizing Thai sex workers and housing them in their off-post apartments, court records and media reports from that time show. According to a February 2021 article from Military.com, Nelson was the only officer to be charged; at least nine sailors were accused of sex crimes and human trafficking. An online search of Nelsons name and the incident in Bahrain eight years ago brings up several articles from Military.com and The Navy Times, as well as court records from his appeals. Contacted about these military criminal charges and his 2019 court-martial, Nelson downplayed their relevance to his life now. Those cases, they didnt stick, Nelson told The Star in a phone call. There was nothing there. The whole thing should have been overturned because there was no evidence. But, at least so far, that hasnt happened. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court records show that Nelson was initially charged with nine military criminal counts, including several counts for conduct unbecoming, with one allegation that he wrongfully and dishonorably fail(ed) to report misconduct committed by other members of the uniformed services, including patronizing prostitutes and sex trafficking. Nelsons case was referred to a general court-martial on Sept. 28, 2018, and he was arraigned on Oct. 18, 2018, court records said. Prior to a trial on the merits, the government withdrew and dismissed four of the charges, records show. At trial, Nelson was convicted of four of the five remaining military counts, including going absent without authority, patronizing prostitutes, and two specifications of conduct unbecoming an officer. A 2021 appellant court brief, written by Nelsons attorney at the time, described the background of the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While at a local bar, Wranglers, he met women who turned out to be prostitutes, the brief stated in a section titled, Statement of Facts. Although he occasionally engaged in sexual intercourse with them, he eventually developed non-sexual friendships with these women. When these women became fearful of the controlling and dangerous people they lived with, they sought refuge with LCDR Nelson. Because LCDR Nelson had several extra rooms in his house in Bahrain, he allowed the women to come live with him in order to safely get on their feet. The brief went on to say that Nelson treated the women with respect and did not charge them rent, letting them stay in his spare rooms until they could support themselves. In exchange, the brief said, the women helped Nelson by taking care of his cooking and cleaning. An emailed attempt to reach his past counsel resulted in an auto response referring questions to another defense attorney. That attorney did not respond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court records show that the Naval Criminal Investigative Service searched Nelsons home in early 2018 and found that Thai prostitutes were living with him. Months later, NCIS again searched his residence and found evidence, to include a Thai woman hiding behind a bedroom door, according to background spelled out in a ruling from the U.S. Navy-Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals on findlaw.com. Although his motives in allowing the prostitutes to live with him may have been mainly altruistic, after being put on notice in January 2018 that his conduct in this regard was under law enforcement scrutiny, he persisted in living with the prostitutes until May 2018, the ruling said. When asked by The Star if authorities on one occasion found a sex worker living in his home, Nelson said they had not. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They found my housekeeper, he said. Transparency is important to me One of Nelsons convictions was tossed out after an opinion by the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals (NMCCA), written about in the Military.com article in February 2021. That opinion found that Nelson was wrongly convicted and sentenced on one charge of conduct unbecoming. Two convictions remain, Nelson said. One for unauthorized absence and another for conduct unbecoming. The last ones are administrative on the military side that Im still fighting, Nelson said. Theres nothing that translates to civilian life. When you do an actual background check nothing will come up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nelson said that other officers have been through what hes going through. It can take up to 10 years for them to get their name cleared and Im still working on that, Nelson said. Again, my record is clean. My active duty status, my honorable discharge is clear, Im at the VA. Im not sure where this tip came from but theres nothing to it. Nelson provided a copy of his honorable discharge, which was issued in 2011 and related to a previous term of service. After his reactivation and deployment to Bahrain, and the subsequent charges and 2019 trial, he said he was not immediately discharged. Instead, I transitioned out of active service under administrative separation due to the charges this is not the same as a dishonorable discharge, he said in an email to The Star. Currently, I am actively pursuing an administrative review to upgrade this separation to fully honorable status, which is a lengthy bureaucratic process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to an article in FEDweek, a publication for federal employees, an administrative separation is a process applied to a service member who is seen to have violated the standards, practices, or codes of military law or conduct in some substantive way. Nelson said he maintains his innocence and will continue to administratively pursue reinstatement. Transparency is important to me, he said, and I appreciate the opportunity to clearly explain this. Joseph Nelson More questions surface Nelson sat down for a Facebook Live conversation Thursday on Policy Pulse: Education Edition, a new local weekly broadcast that addresses whats happening with education on the local, state and national level. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Catina K. Taylor and Cecilia Belser Patton, hosts of the broadcast, are interviewing Kansas City school board candidates individually before the April 8 election. Nelson initially spoke to the pair about the need for transparency and honesty in general, even when conversations can be uncomfortable. Taylor told him she was glad he brought that up, because it may get a little uncomfortable tonight with us. Some information has surfaced from your time in the military that raises questions for some voters about past conduct, Taylor said. My question to you is, are you willing to speak to that chapter of your life? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After he said he was, she asked about several points, including his discharge from the Navy and that you co-habitated with sex workers. Taylor also explained that she looked at court records that explained the charges and convictions in military court. We want to have an opportunity to just have a real clear conversation about that period in your life, she told him. What can you share with us? Nelson said he was happy to address the situation. Because it would be disingenuine (sic) to make the statements I made earlier and then not walk the talk, right? he said. Nelson said while serving in Bahrain, he ended up staying longer than he expected. When he was tired of eating Taco Bell he said he hired someone locally to prepare his meals and take care of the house he had. At one point, someone said to him, Hey, I need help, Nelson said. And I helped them find a job with someone on base. Turns out that that person had been forced into some unfortunate situations. The incident was reported to the Naval Criminal Investigative Service and that agency launched an investigation. During that, Nelson said, his name came up as someone who offered help. He said he ended up talking to NCIS as a witness and ultimately he faced military charges. Most of that went away before it even went to court, he said. I was asked several times to sign different deals so I could go home, and I refused, because I wasnt guilty of anything. And then eventually the process played out. And so when you look at the final result, Nelson said. Taylor responded: I did. All of that is gone, Nelson said. And Taylor responded: Its not, referring to the last remaining convictions. Trust of the community Taylor, a former K-12 teacher in the Kansas City area for 15 years, said the weekly broadcast is a way to inform people in Kansas City about whats going on in their elections. Its important, she said, for voters to know that a candidate has the legal requirements to run for school board and the level of expertise needed to serve. Another critical aspect, Taylor said, is that a candidate has to have the trust of the community as a representative of the community. And to me, that requires a level of transparency and integrity, especially when youre talking about children and families, she told The Star. So these allegations, these convictions directly go to the moral character, integrity that I think needs to be discussed when youre talking about representing, interacting with children and families. I think, the constituents, the stakeholders namely children, families, teachers deserve to know who seeks to sit in a seat and represent their interests. Belser Patton also inquired about Nelsons military background on the broadcast. The question I have is that with the world that we live in, where you can Google a persons name and you can know everything about them, she said, I wonder why you did not lead with this information and then move from there, because people are going to find it out. Thats what happens in politics, she said, even at school board levels of politics. The reason I wouldnt lead with this is because the allegations were not proven to be substantial, Nelson said. And then anything that even made it to court was downgraded or overturned. So again, the justice system did what it was supposed to do. I cooperated the entire time. I was very transparent with them. The ultimate result is I dont have anything that translates to civilian life, and Im still pursuing the administrative review in order to basically clear my record on the military side. Vendors are putting the finishing touches on their booths, rides are getting their final inspections, and the community prepares for day one of the 39th annual Clay County Fair. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] This is the great fair, said business owner Daniel Jolley. We do about six fairs in Florida and this is probably our favorite. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jolley is the owner of Custom Engraving Ring Booth based out of Vermont. hes been coming to the Clay County Fair for the last 4 years. We ran into him as he was putting up his banner ahead of tomorrow. What keeps him coming back to this specific Florida fair? The energy thats here is a really big deal, said Jolley. Theyve continued to grow more new people are coming in which means more people can discover your product and Its just fun. This years theme is Meet Me at the Fair. Making its grand return to the fair since Covid is Exhibition Room 1. There, people can submit their photographs and art for judging. Also new is the Rocking Rolling Himalayan ride and the fast experience where you can skip the line and save some time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I love the fair! said Guest Services Volunteer Lynn Peaslee. Peaslee has been volunteering here for the last 15 years and says she loves it more and more with each passing year. The whole atmosphere, said Lynn. I dont like fair food, but I love the fair, so I keep coming back. And something that Lynn tells me thats interesting is that there are only 5 paid positions working the fair this year. Everyone else is a volunteer. Although the Clay County Fair is a time for good family fun, Clay County Sheriff Michelle Cook is encouraging fair-goers to stay aware of their surroundings and prepare ahead of time to stay safe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are going to have zero tolerance for any shenanigans, said Sheriff Cook. The Clay County Fair is traditionally a safe event. However, Sheriff Cook tells me they are expecting almost 200,000 people over the next 11 days to visit the fairgrounds. With that being said, they are not taking any chances. We have lots of deputies in uniform thatll be working. The fair has security guards thatll be working and then we will also have undercover personnel monitoring the crowd, said Sheriff Cook. We want people to enjoy the fair, but were going to keep it very safe. One thing Sheriff Cook strongly encourages everyone to do before they step foot on the fairgrounds is to download the Safer Watch App on your mobile device. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lets say that you see something suspicious at the Fair, or you see somebody suspicious, you can snap a photo and send that right to our team via the Safer Watch app, and that way we know exactly who were looking for or what were looking for, said Sheriff Cook. Another safety concern the Sheriff expressed to me going into this weekend is the heat. Make sure you stay hydrated and enjoy everything the fair has to offer. Fairgrounds open at 2 pm April 3rd. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) During Womens History Month each March, KOIN 6 News and our parent company Nexstar encourage people to nominate Remarkable Women, those whose everyday actions speak to a larger sense of purpose and a can-do spirit. This year, KOIN 6 News received hundreds of nominations. Four of those nominees were chosen as Remarkable Women in our area: Tiffany Slottke heads up the St. Johns Food Share, but she does more than that. She saved it, she manages it, she supervises an army of volunteers as they pack and distribute food to those in need. A few years ago, the group lost its non-profit status and lost donations from grocery stores and the Oregon Food Bank. The food share was on the verge of shutting down until Tiffany Slottke stepped up to make sure that didnt happen. Asked what she thinks when people say shes remarkable, Tiffany Slottke merely said, Thank you with a smile. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rachel Mackenzlee Yee is a bold, one-eyed role model who found her voice when she popped her fake eye out on Instagram in an empowering video moment. She started the Fun Eye Fund just to share the stories of one-eyed people because there werent support groups for me to send them to. The charity has now gifted more than 300 unique prosthetic eyes. Becky Berger took over the family business when her husband died and became the sole caretaker for six kids. She is the owner and CEO of what is now a world-renowned grass seed brand, Berger International. And in 2015, she opened Griffins Place, where people with intellectual disabilities from 14-adulthood can connect with community. Its life-changing work, the result of years of dedication, sacrifice and loss. But the KOIN 6 News Remarkable Woman for 2025 is Cheryl Bickle, who has been changing lives inside a classroom for 35 years. When the Community Transitional School began in 1990, she was there. She opened the doors to a welcoming place of learning for Portlands homeless and transient children. She remembered there was only one child who came to school that day. She was determined. She raised money for supplies and eventually moved into a permanent spot in the Cully neighborhood in 2007. Joan Dalton, left, and KOIN 6 News anchor Emily Burris flank Cheryl Bickle, the 2025 Remarkable Woman in the region (KOIN) In recognition for being the 2025 Remarkable Woman, KOIN 6 News presented a $1000 check to Cheryl Bickle (that she donated to the school), and she will travel to Hollywood to meet the other Remarkable Women chosen by Nexstar stations nationwide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the check was presented, Bickle turned the attention back to the students. They do inspire you to be a good teacher, to be the teacher that they need and the more you direct them to succeed, the more they do succeed, she said. But she was very surprised at her selection. I dont believe all this, Bickle said. It seems really unbelievable. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. The Kremlin is open to a meeting between Russian official Kirill Dmitriev and US special envoy Steve Witkoff in Washington. "Yes, I can confirm this, such a trip is possible," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Wednesday. He added that Russia continues its dialogue with the United States on ending the war in Ukraine. US broadcaster CNN had earlier reported that Kremlin adviser Dmitriev intended to travel to Washington this week for talks. It would be the first trip by a senior Russian official to the US since the start of Moscow's war on Ukraine in February 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dmitriev had represented Russia during recent negotiations with the US in Saudi Arabia. The head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, which is Moscow's sovereign wealth fund, is still on the White House sanctions list. For Dmitriev to enter the country, these sanctions would need to be lifted - at least temporarily. Peskov also responded to recent remarks by US President Donald Trump about further sanctions against Russia if President Vladimir Putin delays negotiations for peace in Ukraine by reiterating accusations against Kiev. The Kremlin spokesman said Putin was open to peace negotiations, but Kiev was not ready to take this path. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This was evident, Peskov said, because Russia was adhering to a moratorium on strikes against Ukraine's energy facilities while Ukraine was not reciprocating. Trump and Putin agreed on a partial ceasefire involving energy infrastructure during a phone call two weeks ago, with Ukraine also on board. However, both sides have regularly accused each other of violating the agreement. A video of a Black mans confrontation with employees at a Los Angeles-area Whole Foods has gone viral after thousands who have viewed the video accused the store manager of racial profiling. In the video, the man who was shopping at the Culver City store can be heard in a heated exchange with a Latino employee. The employee, who identified himself as the store manager, approached the shopper, accused him of stealing his groceries and asked for his receipt. The shopper, who knew the store doesnt make a habit out of asking people to show their receipts, called the manager on his BS and asked why he was being questioned. The managers response was even more disturbing. Thats all of our product right there, if you didnt pay for it, the manager replied. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The shopper, who insisted he paid for everything, had his receipt (literally) and walked to a register to ask employees to return over $200 worth of grocery items for a full refund. You can watch the video of his exchange with the store employees here: tiktok-7485753389452709166 The video has since received over 150,000 likes and nearly 14,000 comments from viewers who believe the store manager was way out of line. You did right by returning it back. They act like they dont need your money, wrote one person in the comments. One Mexican viewer apologized, calling the mangers behavior an embarrassment to Latinos everywhere. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a Mexican I apologize he dont represent us and its an embarrassment what he did and the way hes acting, they wrote. Others were quick to point out that the shopper never received an apology from any of the employees he encountered, even after showing his receipt, and called on other shoppers to boycott the store. Until Whole foods apologizes to this man, lets boycott, they wrote. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has voted to pull funding from the regional agency tasked with combating the homelessness crisis and will instead create a new countywide department to take on the effort. The Board voted 4-0 on Tuesday to revoke hundreds of millions in taxpayer dollars annually for the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority after audits and a judge found that the agency couldnt properly account for much of its funding. The County will now shift the previously earmarked funds toward creating a new countywide department to manage the crisis, which Supervisor Lindsay Horvath said will be modeled after the Department of Health Services Housing for Health program, which she says has the best success rate in the region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Los Angeles County is leaving the status quo behind, and is embracing a model for homeless services that centers accountability and results, Horvath said in a release. This isnt making the system bigger; its making it work better, which our communities have been demanding for years. The taxpayer funding originally meant for LAHSA will be stripped from the agency by next year. Horvath was joined in the vote by fellow supervisors Kathryn Barger, Janice Hahn and Hilda Solis. Supervisor Holly Mitchell abstained. While unanimity was essentially reached at the County level, Los Angeles city leaders had urged the County leaders not to pull funding from LAHSA, and instead work on solutions to better rein in spending increase transparency in the agency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LAHSA desperately needs more transparency and accountability. However, the speed at which the County is moving raises serious concerns about service disruptions, a statement from L.A. City Councilmember Ysabel Jurado reads. FILE A man walks past a homeless encampment in downtown Los Angeles, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File) Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass agreed that there have been persistent and systemic issues with LAHSA and the regions approach to battling homelessness, but argued that the corner has already been turned in the last two years since she took office and made the crisis her main priority. We are making forward movement. We must keep building on this and confronting our challenges, together, a letter from Bass and Councilmember Nithya Raman reads. The two highlighted the decrease in homelessness in L.A. City in the previous point-in-time count as proof that the joined efforts between the City and County are working. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While homelessness rises across the country, we are driving it down and have dispelled the myth that people want to live on the streets, the letter reads. We locked arms, each declaring a state of emergency, and have moved with unprecedented urgency. We are making forward movement. But the supervisors ultimately decided that LAHSA had failed taxpayers and that progress will need much more oversight and transparency. This crisis demands a dedicated County departmentone that will focus relentlessly on addressing the root causes of homelessness with a comprehensive, accountable approach, Barger said. Our Board is taking full responsibility for the tax dollars we collect and distribute, ensuring transparency, efficiency, and real results for those we serve. The buck stops here. According to the Los Angeles Times, when the new County department is formed, it will have a budget of more than $1 billion, removing sales tax funds from LAHSA and redirecting it to the new department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hundreds of county workers will be transferred to the new agency by Jan. 1, 2026, and hundreds more will be added in the months that follow. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) On Tuesday, the group pushing for La Jolla to become its own city submitted to the San Diego County Registrar of Voters office a collection of more than a thousand signatures in support of its efforts, just in time for the April 1 deadline. We actually turned in almost 1,500 additional signatures, and we only needed 1,027, said Ed Witt with the Association for the City of La Jolla. So were feeling very confident that we will be good to go to the next phase. PREVIOUS: Proposed La Jolla split from city of San Diego hits setback Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of Tuesday, the group has submitted more than 8,000 signatures, putting them one step forward. The next step, Kane said, is a financial analysis. Its the first time that weve achieved step two, because this is really just a step of the whole process, is validating the signatures, said Diane Kane, the vice president of the association. The grassroots movement to split La Jolla from the city of San Diego has been in the works for several years, with informal talks of interest in seceding beginning in the 1950s. From my perspective, by carving La Jolla off from the city, they are getting rid of a huge financial deficit in terms of maintenance that is unfunded and in terms of capital improvement projects that will never get built, Kane stated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year, the association finally began gathering signatures. However, the Local Agency Formation Commission, which is behind municipal boundaries set within the county, said last month the group fell short of the 6,750 threshold to get the initiative out to voters. It gave the Association for the City of La Jolla until April 1 to collect an additional 1,027 resident signatures for them to reconsider their proposal. Back in December, the association said it had submitted more than 7,000 signatures from supporters. However, the commission said only 5,723 of the signatures submitted were validated, setting back the groups efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FOX 5/KUSIs Dan Plante contributed to this report. Watch his report above. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. GREENVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) Throughout March, WNCT 9 On Your Side introduced you to four remarkable women making a difference in our communities. The winner for 2025 is LaNeika Benbow-Bruinton. Im super excited, Im flabbergasted, speechless, just very, very thankful for this opportunity, Benbow-Bruinton said. I love mentoring, as a social worker, thats my passion. Its kind of like passing along the support for me to them for other people. Her unwavering compassion and dedication to people, she puts others first and she has shown me how to put my feelings aside and help those that we serve, Ashley Dearcia, the woman who nominated Benbow-Bruinton, said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I cant think of anyone else well-deserving of this opportunity, Benbow-Bruintons husband Shon said. Ive seen her numerous nights just sit up and the wheels turning in her head, just thinking about the different things she could do. That drive she has, thats what I love about her. As the winner, Benbow-Bruinton gets $1,000 toward the charity of her choice and she will meet up with all the local winners at the National Remarkable Womens event in Los Angeles. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WNCT. The American Apparel & Footwear Association and the Fair Labor Association have once again come to the defense of the U.S. Department of Labors Bureau of International Labor Aairs, which suffered a body blow last week after the federal government axed nearly $580 million in grants meant to shore up workers rights and fight child and forced labor in global supply chains. Their letter to Jamieson Greer, who was confirmed in late February as the 20th United States Trade Representative, is the trade group and multi-stakeholder organizations second joint entreaty to fully preserve and promote the bureau commonly known as ILAB. The AAFA had also posted a reaction last Wednesday night expressing what it said was its alarm at the cancelation of contracts that promote a fair global playing field for American workers and businesses by educating workers about their rights and rooting out forced labor. Together, AAFA and FLAs rosters include such brands as Gap Inc., J.Crew Group, H&M Group and Nike. More from Sourcing Journal Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Writing to Geer on March 31, Steve Lamar, AAFAs president and CEO, and Je Vockrodt, FLAs president and CEO, appealed to the Trump redux administrations protectionist trade policies, which it maintains can resuscitate made in the U.S.A. and reduce the nations dependence on imports. While 97 percent of all clothes, shoes and accessories sold in the United States originate from overseas, Lamar and Vockrodt said, the domestic fashion industry employs 3.5 million American workersin design, R&D, compliance, marketing, logistics, retail and, indeed, manufacturingwho rely on ILABs essential work to further their interests. ILAB grants, technical assistance and support build institutions in countries around the world so that they can eectively protect their workers, raising labor standards and eliminating opportunities for less scrupulous foreign businesses to profit from labor abuses while American businesses and workers play by the rules, they said. ILAB does this by enforcing the worker rights commitments of Americas trading partners and employing technical assistance and support to combat forced labor, including child labor and human tracking and other labor abuses. In their dispatch to Greer and, mere weeks before that, to Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer, who would later celebrate her departments disendowment on X, Lamar and Vockrodt described ILAB as not just an organization that builds institutions so other countries can eectively protect their workers, but also a critical funder and manager of the International Labour Organizations Better Work program, which establishes strong labor enforcement and transparency in key countries around the world and pushes back against unsavory trade. American workers and businesses, they said, should not have to face unfair competition, in a race to the bottom, from labor markets whose profitability depends on forced labor or other labor abuses such as unsafe workplaces and blocking workers freedom of association. I worry that the U.S. is also being pretty unstrategic in terms of ceding a lot of ground to China, Shawna Bader-Blau, executive director of the Solidarity Center, a Washington, D.C.-based workers rights nonprofit that estimates its losing $78 million over multiple years because of the ILAB cuts, told Sourcing Journal. This is one of the most bipartisan thing you can find: America and Chinas roles in the global economy and how they fit together, and the extent to which ILAB programs were supporting the development of models of labor standards that were based on international standards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As things stand, maintaining those standards could face significant headwinds. The ILO, the United Nations workplace standards-setting body, was especially hit hard by the Department of Government Efficiencys carve-outs. Of the active grants listed on a federal website, the agency was the beneficiary of some $215 million, or more than 40 percent, of the congressionally appropriated funds. The money was being used to combat human trafficking in Mexico, promote migrant workers rights in Jordan, support industrial relations reform in Malaysia and tackle child labor in West Africa. Together with aggressive cost-cutting measures that have rendered the U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID, all but eliminated, the ILO estimates that 50 of its U.S-funded projects are now dead in the water, affecting nearly 190 staff at its Geneva headquarters and in the field. With the United States as its second-largest voluntary funding contributor after the Netherlands, which is also tightening its foreign aid belt, in 2024, the ILO is still assessing the full impact of this decision on the beneficiaries of these programs, a spokesperson said. Better Work alone spans roughly a dozen countries, including Bangladesh, Haiti, Indonesia, Uzbekistan and Vietnam. Though the program has come under scrutiny in the past, including for failing to identify breaches of workers rights in Cambodia, it also contributed guardrails to a sector that is woefully bereft of them by working to prevent abusive practices, excessive overtime and an ever-widening gender gap at participating factories that make clothing for the likes of Target, Calvin Klein owner PVH Corp., Ralph Lauren and Zara parent Inditex. Its important that brands continue to support the program, which is subsidized by ILO, said one former staffer, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the issue. Factories and buyers pay Better Work but they dont fully cover all the costs. In Bangladesh, for instance, 50 percent of the Better Work program is paid for by ILO donors. The private sector, this person said, will have to step up, particularly in poorer countries like Haiti and Jordan, where the factory monitoring platform is statutorily required under the HOPE II legislation and the Jordan-United States Free Trade Agreement, respectively. Enforcing labor provisions in trade agreements has been ILABs driving force, AAFA and FLA agreed. The bureaus work under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which President Donald Trump negotiated in his first term, and the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement help provide good jobs in their respective regions that discourage migration to the United States, Lamar and Vockrodt told Greer, hitting another one of the administrations policy priorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Data backs this up: A study in Honduras by Mark Anner, founding director of Pennsylvania State Universitys Center for Global Workers Rights and lately of Rutgers University, found that workers covered by collective bargaining agreements in the workplace are 25 percent less likely to want to leave their country because they have access to decent work and fair wages. Anner also takes the long-term view that weakening workers rights elsewhere in the world will similarly erode the ability of U.S. workers to organize. One person familiar with the ILABs work with the USMCA, who also requested anonymity, said that the bureaus technical assistance and worker hotline, as part of the Rapid Response Mechanism it operates with the Office of the USTR to investigate potential workers rights violations in the signatory countries, was set up by U.S. law to have funding through 2027. The unilateral cancellation of those programs, which should be protected under the trade agreement, is something thats not within the purview. It may even be unconstitutional. The Office of the USTR did not respond to a request for comment. If ILAB and its programs are not funded, it will lead to more unfair trade for American businesses and American workers, Lamar and Vockrodt said. This will put American workers and American businesses last, leading to unfair competition with countries and foreign businesses that are not held to the same laws and standards for labor abuses, forced labor, human tracking and child labor. Labours ban on silent prayer outside abortion clinics has been blamed for a growing free speech row with the US. Legislation introduced under Sir Keir Starmers Government in October made it a criminal offence to attempt to influence a persons decision to access abortion within 150 metres of a clinic, creating so-called buffer zones. The law has no requirement to prove the offending behaviour has distressed or influenced anyone else. The legislation was passed under the Conservatives, but Labour chose to drop draft guidance that said silent prayer should still be allowed within the new buffer zones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Suella Braverman, the former home secretary, claimed Labours decision to scrap the guidance that explicitly protected silent prayer amounted to yet another attack on free speech. On Tuesday, Mrs Braverman, who was behind the original policy during her time in the Home Office, blamed Labours decision to withdraw the guidance effectively banning silent prayer for fuelling the free speech dispute that is straining relations with the US. It comes after the US state department said it was monitoring the case of Livia Tossici-Bolt, a British woman prosecuted for holding a sign reading Here to talk if you want near an abortion clinic in Bournemouth. Mrs Braverman told The Telegraph: I published guidance that explicitly protected silent prayer, to enable freedom of religion. I also told the police that free speech and freedom of religion must be protected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Labours removal of that guidance is yet another attack on free speech, freedom of thought and freedom of religion. The now-scrapped guidance struck a fair balance between women exercising their legal right to access abortion services whilst maintaining an individuals fundamental right to prayer. This has now gone and opens the possibility of the thought police knocking on our doors. Her intervention comes as the row over freedom of expression continues to cause problems for Sir Keir, who is seeking to avoid billions of pounds of tariffs due to be imposed by the Trump administration this week. Draconian interpretations of the law Earlier on Tuesday, Kemi Badenoch, who has backed Donald Trump, warned that free speech in Britain was at risk and that the UK should not be persecuting people for expressing themselves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Tory leader said she was not familiar with the details of Ms Tossici-Bolts case, but warned against draconian interpretations of the law, telling LBC: We have freedom of expression in this country, we have free speech in this country. However, it is at risk because a lot of people are expanding the law way beyond the original intention. From 2017, the Conservative government opposed national legislation banning protests outside abortion clinics, arguing that existing local powers were sufficient to manage public order. That position held until the final days of Liz Trusss premiership in 2022, when the government allowed a free vote on a cross-party amendment to the Public Order Bill introducing buffer zones across England and Wales. The amendment passed by 297 votes to 110, with Mrs Braverman, Mrs Badenoch and fellow cabinet minister Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg voting against. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to banning influencing someone outside an abortion clinic, the amended law which came into force on Oct 31 last year prohibits more overt acts such as obstructing or impeding access and causing harassment, alarm or distress. But it is the broad wording of the influencing ban also adopted in Scotland, Northern Ireland as well as the Republic of Ireland that sets Britain apart globally. Other countries with buffer zones, such as Australia and several US states, focus on harassment, intimidation or obstruction. Canadas legislation cites advising or persuading. Prayer protected as an absolute right The axed guidance, which would have allowed silent prayer, was intended to prevent overzealous interpretation of the new law by police and prosecutors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It said that prayer has long received legal protection in the United Kingdom and that these protections have not changed. Silent prayer, being the engagement of the mind and thought in prayer towards God, is protected as an absolute right under the Human Rights Act 1998 and should not, on its own, be considered to be an offence under any circumstances, it said, adding a caveat that where an individual is praying, but their conduct is also intrusive there would likely be an offence. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Fidelity Investments filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) earlier this month to register an Ethereum-based, on-chain share class of its Fidelity Treasury Digital Fund (FYHXX). The money market fund, which came to market late last year, primarily invests in cash and U.S. Treasury securities. According to the filing of the new share class, The funds transfer agent maintains the official record of share ownership of the OnChain class in book-entry form. Ownership of the OnChain class will also be recorded on a public blockchain. The filing also says that while the on-chain share class currently uses the Ethereum network, the fund may use other public blockchain networks. Its expected to come into effect on May 30, subject to regulatory approval. Fidelity Investments has long been an innovator and adopter of new technologies that improve customer experiences and outcomes, Cynthia Lo Bessette, head of Fidelity Digital Asset Management, told etf.com in an emailed statement. Aligned with this heritage, we see promise in tokenization and its ability to be transformative to the financial services industry by driving transactional efficiencies with access, and allocation, of capital across markets. The Tokenization of Real-World Assets Fidelity joins other fund giants in the race to tokenize U.S. Treasuries. BlackRock launched an investment vehicle in March 2024the BlackRock USD Institutional Digital Liquidity Fund (BUIDL)that tokenizes cash and U.S. Treasury bills on the Ethereum network. Franklin Templeton, meanwhile, offers the similar Franklin OnChain U.S. Government Money Fund (FOBXX). In looking at use-cases, posting a tokenized asset as non-cash collateral to satisfy margin requirements could improve operational infrastructures and enhance capital efficiency, Lo Bessette said. Last year, McKinsey & Co. published a report estimating that total market capitalization for the tokenized market could reach around $2 trillion by 2030. Fidelitys Approach to Blockchain Technology Fidelity has been clear about its belief in blockchain technology and seeks to be a leader in the space, Matt Apkarian, associate director of product development at Cerulli Associates, told etf.com. Funds with recordkeeping running side-by-side with traditional transfer agency serve as a proof of concept and testing ground that can set the stage for greater future adoption of blockchain technology, Apkarian said. He added that its essential for the future of tokenization to have a strong stablecoin infrastructure: While this isn't exactly a stablecoin, it serves a similar purpose in a cash-like instrument that is reconcilable on a blockchain and a step in the right direction for getting the traditional finance and decentralized finance systems working together. LAKELAND, Fla. (WFLA) The SUN n FUN Aerospace Expo, which kicked off Tuesday, attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors to Lakeland and contributes tens of millions of dollars to the local economy. Its something we look forward to every year, said Manuel Meza, general manager at Harrys Seafood Bar and Grille in downtown Lakeland. Florida man buys $10 scratch-off ticket at convenience store, wins $2 million Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said busy season in Lakeland starts around Christmastime. Then the [Detroit] Tigers come to town. Thats always really busy with them being right down the street, and then its followed up by SUN n FUN, which is typically our last big hoorah for our busy season, Meza said. Early Tuesday, Meza was preparing for what he knows will be a unique, week-long crowd. Typically, restaurants start to die out after 9 but because of the air shows being during the day, you get a lot of stuff coming in later at night, he said. Theres always groups that are coming in every year. They tend to make it a habit of coming to the local restaurants on certain days of the week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One hotel manager said its like the Super Bowl for Lakeland. But as Amy Wiggins, the president and CEO of the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce, pointed out, its better since the host city never changes. Weve already made the investment in our airport and have done for that a long time. We get it every year. So again, for 51 years, to say that were having a Super Bowl here in Lakeland is pretty remarkable, Wiggins said. SUN n FUN is Floridas largest convention and the second largest aerospace expo in the world. We are considered the worlds busiest airport this week of SUN n FUN. We typically have an airplane landing about every minute. Sometimes that can go down to about every 30 seconds, said Adam Lunn, assistant director at Lakeland Linder International Airport. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said this year theyre planning had to involve Avelo, the commercial airline that began flying out of Lakeland in June 2024. As far as the aircraft themselves and moving them on the northside of the airport, its business as usual. Theyll be able to land and taxi over here to our terminal while all the SUN n FUN traffic continues to head down to the south side, Lunn said. The FAA provided 63 air traffic controllers from all corners of the country to help coordinate the takeoffs and landings. Wiggins said she wants to remind residents to expect restaurants will be busier and traffic will be slower because of all the visitors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell has axed the head of the department's constitutional policing office, parting ways with a top lawyer who had drawn the wrath of the police union for her role in the controversial release of thousands of mugshot-style photos of officers. In the most significant change to his staff since taking over the department, McDonnell ousted Lizabeth Rhodes, the LAPD's highest-ranking civilian employee. McDonnell informed Rhodes through a subordinate that her services would no longer be needed, according to multiple department sources who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss personnel changes. I am grateful for Ms. Rhodes years of dedicated service, particularly during some of the Departments most challenging periods," McDonnell said in a statement. "Her leadership and contributions played a significant role in shaping the direction of the Los Angeles Police Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Judge tosses police union lawsuit against LAPD commander accused of computer fraud Attempts to reach Rhodes at her city-issued phone number were unsuccessful. Rhodes is expected to remain with the department through June as she takes leave accrued during her tenure, the department sources said. In her role, Rhodes oversaw the operations of various units, including the Risk Management Legal Affairs Group, Audit Division and Strategic Planning Section. Her office was created in the early 2000s under the U.S. Department of Justices consent decree, which mandated reforms to addressed basic problems of accountability that stretched back decades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A former federal prosecutor appointed by then-Chief Michel Moore in 2019, Rhodes has been a deeply polarizing figure inside the department. Among her backers, she was seen as a no-nonsense, straight-talking leader who had helped steer the department through ever-changing legal issues including traffic stops, press access and news events. But the powerful Los Angeles Police Protective League frequently targeted Rhodes with stinging criticism in its monthly magazine, including over a policy that limited pretextual stops of motorists and pedestrians. The union, which represents rank-and-file officers, also blamed Rhodes and Moore for releasing thousands of photos of police officers under the state's public records law in 2022. The images and other information such as officer pay and rank were handed over to journalist Ben Camacho and the activist group Stop LAPD Spying Coalition, which turned the material into a searchable online database called Watch the Watchers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: LAPD cops shot 21 bystanders in 10 years. How does it keep happening? Users can look up an officers photo using their name or badge number, which the website's creators called a step toward greater police transparency. Union leaders have blamed Rhodes and Moore for releasing information that put officers at risk, including some who allegedly worked undercover. After the Watch the Watchers site went live in March 2023, Moore said he was unaware of the photo release until it had already happened. He issued an apology and ordered an internal investigation. The LAPD inspector generals office launched a separate probe. At the time, Mayor Karen Bass called the release an unacceptable breach that put the lives of our officers and their families at risk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 300 officers filed a lawsuit against the city, alleging their families had also been placed in danger. The city, in turn, sued Camacho and Stop LAPD Spying, trying to claw back the photos. Officers who signed on to the legal challenge against the city numbering in the hundreds and listed as John Does have argued the release put scores of LAPD employees in harms way, particularly those working in sensitive assignments who have to go to great lengths to disguise their identities. In November, however, the city conceded in court filings that the vast majority of the officers involved were not truly undercover. The case against Camacho and the Stop LAPD Spying Coalition was thrown out in court, and the city was ordered to pay $300,000 in legal fees. The litigation by the officers against the city remains pending. Department lobbyists have since pushed for changes to state law to prevent similar disclosures in the future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city has denied public records requests by The Times for communications sent and received by Rhodes and Moore about the release of the photos. Before coming to the LAPD, Rhodes worked in the local U.S. attorney's office alongside Eileen Decker, who would later serve on the LAPD's Police Commission. Rhodes prosecuted several high-profile cases, including that of former L.A. County Sheriff Lee Baca, convicted in 2017 of thwarting a federal investigation for his role in keeping an informant out of the reach of his FBI handlers and away from a grand jury. Read more: Secret recordings reveal LAPD cops spewing racist and sexist comments, complaint alleges Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her job at the LAPD was to ensure officers followed the law, but activists bemoaned what they saw as her unwillingness to push for transformative change. The police union, meanwhile, accused Rhodes and other department leaders of kowtowing to progressive interests and making it harder for cops to do their jobs. In recent weeks, signs began to appear that Rhodes had apparently fallen out of favor with McDonnell. She was rarely seen around police headquarters and replaced at a recent presentation before the Police Commission by her predecessor as constitutional policing director, Arif Alikhan. Alikhan had been brought to the department last year to work on "risk management and harm reduction strategies, Department programs, and other critical issues." He was paid a $240,000 salary over six months, thanks to a donation by the Police Foundation. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A man faces charges for allegedly stabbing three people outside a Las Vegas Walmart. A judge set bail at $250,000 for Ricky Tasley, 43, on charges including battery with the use of a deadly weapon and mayhem, documents said. On March 25, a person called 911 reporting a stabbing at a Walmart on West Charleston Boulevard near Decatur Boulevard, documents said. In all, police said three people were injured. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Video from the store showed a man, later identified as Tasley, shoplifting from the store. Two uniformed loss-prevention staff then approached him in the parking lot. The video then showed Tasley striking the employees with a large knife, police said. One victim ran for safety in the store and hid under a deli counter, police said. Tasley told police he believed more than a dozen people were following him through the store, documents said. Tasley remained in custody as of Tuesday. A preliminary hearing was scheduled for Wednesday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and Clark County Commissioner Jim Gibson spoke with southeast Las Vegas residents about the uptick of gang activity and tagging in the area. Weve seen an increase, Gibson told 8 News Now. People have been reporting to us and weve seen it ourselves more than ever before, he added. Detective C. Stiles, with Metros Gang Investigation Unit, described the types of gangs prevalent across the valley from 18th Street to JRM and what type of tagging they typically do. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and Clark County Commissioner Jim Gibson spoke with southeast Las Vegas residents about the uptick of gang activity and tagging in the area. (KLAS) With gang culture evolving throughout the years, the detective noted that not all members fit the stereotype. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyre not always going to be covered in tattoos so theres no good way to really tell, you cant assume, Stiles shared. Those in attendance on Tuesday were pleased that the issue is on law enforcements radar. Those in the area, taking it upon themselves to secure their property in the midst of the vandalism. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and Clark County Commissioner Jim Gibson spoke with southeast Las Vegas residents about the uptick of gang activity and tagging in the area. (KLAS) It helped reaffirm that, yes, we are seeing the uptick, and that police are aware of whats going on, Amy Beaulieu shared. I know we all have video cameras up around our house for extra security so that has helped in the neighborhood, she added. As for resources, the public can reach out to gangunit@lvmpd.com or call Crime Stoppers at 702-385-5555. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You can report graffiti to the FixIt Clark County website or use their app. You can also call Clark County Commissioner Jim Gibsons direct line at 702-455-5561. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. By Gerry Doyle SINGAPORE (Reuters) - North Korea's new class of warship can accommodate dozens of vertical launch cells to carry missiles its military has already developed, analysis of a satellite image showed, a step that would give its navy more punch and create an export opportunity. Little is known about the unnamed class of ships being built in the Chongjin and Nampo shipyards. In December, South Korea's military said they would displace about 4,000 tons, somewhat less than half the size of a U.S. Arleigh Burke-class destroyer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Images captured of the ship in Nampo in the last week of March, however, show cavities on its deck large enough to hold more than 50 missiles, depending on their type, said researcher Jeffrey Lewis. "Theyre pretty big cavities," said Lewis, director of the East Asia Nonproliferation Program at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in California. "I would think 32 (missiles) in front and a few fewer in the back would be a very reasonable number. Or it could be a much smaller number of ballistic missiles." Vertical launch systems (VLS) allow ships to carry more missiles, and make launching and reloading easier. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lewis said North Korea had developed several different types of missile that would be compatible with VLS cells, which Pyongyang had not fielded on any previous surface ship. Such types include anti-ship cruise missiles, land attack cruise missiles, air defence missiles and submarine-launched ballistic missiles, he added. The new ships' armament seemed to hew close to South Korean navy standards, said Euan Graham, a senior analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute. "I think we have to take conventional enhancements seriously, because North Korea has limited resources and has invested in nuclear weapons to close the deterrence gap with the Republic of Korea and United States," he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "So it must fit within their concept of operations, even if the concept appears odd to us." North Korean state media released first photos of the ship in December, when leader Kim Jong Un conducted an inspection. He later made several more visits to the shipyards, where the country said as recently as early March it was also building its first nuclear-powered submarine. "Overwhelmingly powerful warships must serve as a strong nuclear deterrent against hostile forces habitual gunboat diplomacy," state media reported Kim as saying. South Korea's national defence ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lewis said compatibility with a VLS would make the weapons even more attractive as exports for countries that are cut off from, or cannot afford, other arms suppliers. "If you were interested in buying North Korean anti-ship missiles because they were cheap, it would be awfully nice if they came in a tested VLS system," he said. "Quantity has a quality all its own. Those North Korean missiles might not be as good as their Russian counterparts, but they are much, much cheaper." The new ships, although more advanced than others in the North Korean fleet, may not make much of a difference in conflict, said Collin Koh of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their locations are well-known, they cannot operate far from North Korean shores and are decades behind the technology in South Korean and U.S. warships. But they show Pyongyang is serious about investments to improve its navy, he said. "The North Korean navy is largely traditionally a coastal defence navy," he said. "So they are likely trying to reinvigorate the fleet." Last year Kim stressed the importance of strengthening North Korea's navy. It recently finished fitting out its latest Sinpo-C ballistic missile submarine, according to 38 North, a Washington-based North Korea monitoring programme. (Reporting by Gerry Doyle; Additional reporting by Josh Smith in Seoul; Editing by Clarence Fernandez) Latvia will provide 1,500 combat drones to Ukraine, the countrys Defense Minister Andris Spruds said on April 1. "Two Latvian companies will deliver a total of 12,000 drones worth 17 million euros to Ukraine in the first half of this year as part of the international drone coalition," he wrote on X. The allied initiative, co-led by the U.K. and Latvia, was launched in January 2024 to strengthen Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capabilities, a key factor in modern warfare. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By late 2024, nearly 20 countries had joined the coalition. Latvia, one of Ukraines biggest supporters, has committed to providing military support at the level of 0.25% of its GDP every year and will provide thousands of drones. Ukraine is also working to scale up domestic production. In Dec. 2024, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said that Ukrainian drones accounted for over 96% of all UAVs used by the military in 2024. Read also: Sweden unveils its largest military aid package for Ukraine worth nearly $1.6 billion Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. One of the powerhouse law firms that caved to President Donald Trump and agreed to provide him with millions in pro bono legal services to avoid an executive order targeting it has been admonished by the family of one of the firms late partners who accuse it of cowering and caving to Trump. We were utterly stunned, two granddaughters of the late Judge Simon Rifkind, who was a name partner with the international firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, wrote of their reaction in a letter to the firms chairman, according to a copy obtained by The New York Times. You traveled to Washington to surrender before you had even begun to fight, Amy and Nina Rifkind, who are both practicing lawyers, wrote to Brad Karp in a letter dated March 27. Two granddaughters of the late federal Judge Simon M. Rifkind, who was a name partner with the international firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, have expressed their disgust and outrage over the firm's decision to cave to Trump's threats. via Associated Press The nearly 150-year-old law firm, colloquially known as Paul Weiss, agreed to $40 million in free legal services to avoid being federally blackballed in part due to one of the firms former attorneys overseeing an investigation into Trumps finances before he became president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps executive order was one of several he signed against large law firms whose lawyers have been involved in work that he has disagreed with. Three other firms Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, Willkie Farr & Gallagher, and Milbank have also each pledged $100 million in free legal work to Trump to avoid legal retaliation. Some of Trumps other targeted law firms have vowed to fight his challenges. People hold signs as they protest outside of the offices of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP on March 25 in New York City. Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images In their letter, Amy and Nina Rifkind said that their grandfather never would have rolled over to Trumps threat without a fight. They also stressed that when the country hovers between a new authoritarianism and its longstanding freedoms, that what is good for the nation and rule of law is good for Paul, Weiss, not the other way around. We are confident that neither our grandfather, nor his colleagues with whom he built Paul, Weiss, would have negotiated a truce for themselves when the rest of the legal professional remains under threat for doing its jobs as lawyers, they wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Going forward, the women asked that Karp stop invoking our grandfathers name to justify your actions and that he support publicly the law firms that are opposing governmental attacks for the clients they advise and the attorneys they hire and to defend the erosion of the rule of law in the courts. Activists held a protest at the law firm after the firm's managing partner Brad Karp reached a deal with the Trump administration to avoid litigation following an executive order targeting them. Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images More than 140 former Paul Weiss associates and staffers also signed a public letter last month that protested the firms craven surrender to Trump. We expected the firm to be a leader in standing up for the legal profession, the adversary system, and the right to counsel, the letter read. Instead of a ringing defense of the values of democracy, we witnessed a craven surrender to, and thus complicity in, what is perhaps the gravest threat to the independence of the legal profession since at least the days of Senator Joseph McCarthy. Karp expressed gratitude to Trump in a statement issued by the White House after the executive order was dropped against the firm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are gratified that the President has agreed to withdraw the Executive Order concerning Paul, Weiss. We look forward to an engaged and constructive relationship with the President and his Administration, he said. Related... Four Massachusetts residents are suing Judge Beverly Cannone over her decision to reinstate a 200-foot buffer zone outside Dedhams Norfolk Superior Court for the retrial of Karen Read, arguing that their constitutional guarantees to protest have been violated. The buffer zone was first put in place ahead of Reads first trial in April 2024 due to the significant public attention the case had drawn and then extended last week by Cannone at the request of the prosecution to limit demonstrators from gathering in the neighborhood around the courthouse. Plaintiffs Jason Grant, Allison Taggart, Lisa Peterson, and Samantha Lyons called Cannones buffer zone a lawless act, arguing in the federal lawsuit that Cannones order violates the constitutional guarantees of free speech and due process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plaintiffs state in the complaint that all of their previous protests of Cannone and Reads murder case have been peaceful and not on the grounds of the courthouse. Included in the complaint was a photo showing Grant engaged in a peaceful demonstration, with no adverse incidents. The photo shows him holding signs that read, Judge Bev is Conflicted and Bevs Court is a Clownshow. They have been doing so peacefully. They have been doing so while Judge Cannone presides over cases in the Dedham Courthouse, and neither the Sixth Amendment nor the First Amendment have felt the slightest chafe, the lawsuit states of the plaintiffs protests. However, Judge Cannone has found her pretext to shut down protests against her an ignoble request from the Commonwealth that an ill-defined buffer zone be declared on the streets, public walkways, public library, and private properties surrounding the Dedham Courthouse. In reinstating the buffer zone for Reads retrial, Cannone explained that she was fearful that demonstrators would taint the minds of prospective jurors as they make their way into the courthouse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the matter is in court, individuals line the sidewalks outside the courthouse, loudly chanting and voicing their opinions about witnesses, attorneys, and the strength of the Commonwealths case, Cannone wrote in her ruling. If prospective jurors are exposed to the protestors and messages displayed on signs or otherwise, particularly before this Court has had an opportunity to instruct the jurors about their obligations with regard to remaining fair and unbiased, there is a substantial risk that the defendants right to a fair trial will be jeopardized. In addition to naming Cannone in the complaint, the plaintiffs also list the Trial Court of Massachusetts, Massachusetts State Police Superintendent Geoffrey Noble, Dedham Police Chief Michael dEntremont, and Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey as defendants. Cannones buffer zone ruling, which is being enforced by authorities, expliclity indicates that no individual may demonstrate in any manner, including carrying signs or placards, within 200 feet of the courthouse complex during trial of this case, unless otherwise ordered by this court. The lawsuit seeks to block enforcement of the buffer zone order and restore their right to protest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There were no disturbances, incidents, nor interference with any of the trials taking place, but Judge Cannone was apparently embarrassed and annoyed by people protesting against her, the lawsuit states. Plaintiffs wish to continue to demonstrate, including criticizing Judge Cannone, off the grounds of the said courthouse complex but within the buffer zone during the second trial. Reads second trial started Tuesday with the beginning of jury selection. Read the full lawsuit below: Complaint in Suit Against Judge Cannone by Boston 25 Desk on Scribd Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW This story was originally published on Trucking Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Trucking Dive newsletter. Two more members of Forward Airs board of directors plan to step down, the carrier said in a securities filing March 20. Ana Amicarella and Valerie Bonebrake informed the company they will not stand for reelection to the LTL carrier's board, the filing said. Their departure was not due to any disagreement with the Company on any matter relating to the Companys operations, policies or practices, according to the filing. The decision by Amicarella and Bonebrake follows the resignation of Craig Carlock, the boards former lead independent director and compensation chair, last year. STG Logistics CEO Paul Svindland has been nominated to join Forward Airs board. The shakeup is part of an ongoing changing of the guard at the carrier after last years merger with Omni Logistics, which prompted investors to call for a sale of the company. The merger turned ugly in 2023, when Forward Air tried to pull out of the deal and Omni sued to force it through. Layoffs, a nearly $1 billion quarterly loss and the ouster of Forward Airs president and its CEO followed last year. Unlike several other recent additions to Forward Air leadership, Svindland does not hail from Ceva Logistics. STG Logistics is a domestic port-to-door services and supply chain solutions provider, per Forward Airs filing. Svindlands prior board experience includes time with Celadon Group, Stella Environmental Services, BDP International, Roadrunner and Warehouse on Wheels, according to his LinkedIn profile. Recommended Reading Rep. Kathleen Fogarty, a South Kingstown Democrat, speaks about her recent cancer diagnosis while advocating for a bill to expand access to diagnostic mammograms at the Rhode Island State House on April 1, 2025. (Photo by Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current) Breast cancer is among the most common cancer diagnoses in Rhode Island, making up about 13% of diagnoses each year as well as 7% of all cancer deaths. Early detection can make a difference. South Kingstown Democratic Rep. Kathleen Fogarty is sponsoring a bill that she hopes will make mammograms, which can help with early detection, more accessible and affordable by prohibiting insurers from levying out-of-pocket costs for the diagnostic tests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed and leading killer of Black women, Fogarty said. Despite a lower incidence rate, Black women have a 38% higher mortality rate than white women, which I think is just disgraceful. So we really need to help out all women. According to the state health department, more than 91% of women diagnosed with breast cancer for the first time live at least five years after being diagnosed. Fogarty knows firsthand the value of early detection. I will share with you that I was just diagnosed with early uterine cancer, and I am actually going in tomorrow for surgery, Fogarty told the crowd gathered in the State House Library on Tuesday. So when doctors tell you, if you have any bleeding in your postmenopausal, make sure you go back to your doctor, because thats what I did. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fogarty shared her experiences as a featured speaker at the American Cancer Societys Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) advocacy day at the statehouse. I had a sister whos a nurse who stayed on top of me, and hopefully were going to get it early enough, but tomorrow I go in for surgery, Fogarty continued. I am with all of you in your fight against cancer here in Rhode Island. Uterine cancer, when detected early, has a five-year survival rate of 95%, according to the National Cancer Institute. Averaged across different demographics and stages of disease severity, over 80% of diagnosed patients live for at least five years from diagnosis. Still, disparities exist in how cancer is diagnosed and treated, something Fogarty pointed to in her remarks. The same applies to other forms of cancer, too. Uterine cancer mortality rates, for instance, decreased for decades until rising across all demographic groups, according to a 50-year, population-based analysis published in 2023 in the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology. Non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic women ages 30 to 39 had the highest annual increases, at 3.3% and 3.8% respectively, in uterine cancer mortality from 2001 to 2018, the study noted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fogartys bill along with its twin in the Rhode Island Senate, Bill S0197 by Providence Democratic Sen. Sam Zurier, is one of three lobbied for by the American Cancer Societys Cancer Action Network in Rhode Island this year. The ACS estimates that 7,500 Rhode Islanders will receive cancer diagnoses this year, and it predicts 2,100 people in the state will die from the disease. We should be making it easier, not harder, for Rhode Islanders to afford medications, screenings, treatments that they need, Ryan Timothy Strik, ACS CANs government relations director in Rhode Island, said Tuesday. A third bill, this one from East Providence Democratic Sen. Robert Britto, would essentially force insurance companies to deduct copay assistance payments from patients deductibles for medications. That would help Paul Adam, an American Cancer Society volunteer who told the crowd about his experience with the expensive biologic drugs. Biologics are derived from living organisms and often carry special handling and storage requirements. They have been a major driver of pharmaceutical development in the past two decades, and are used in a variety of hard-to-treat conditions, from cancers to autoimmune disorders like arthritis an ailment for which Adam said he gets two shots once monthly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The drugs also tend to be expensive: Adam said his copay is $2,400 until his deductibles are met. Fortunately, Ive been able to benefit from copay assistance, which essentially covers my copay in full, Adam said. However, my insurance company stepped in. Without notice, they stopped applying my copay assistance to my deductible, all because it was coming from a third party. Drug manufacturers have long offered copay assistance programs to offset the cost of the expensive drugs they manufacture. Insurers have retaliated in recent years by leveraging tools like copay accumulators. A 2024 review in the Journal of Managed Care and Specialty Pharmacy broke it down like this: Under a manufacturer assistance program, an insurer might pay $16,000 and the manufacturer $8,000 for a drug that costs $24,000 a year. With a copay accumulator in place, the cost might be split evenly between patient, manufacturer and insurer, at $8,000 apiece. This is the third year Adam has rallied for the bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I find myself with significant medical debt after three years, and more recently, had to go without my medication for six months, Adam said. People shouldnt have to choose between paying their bills, putting food on the table and affording medications or screenings or treatments. Cancer doctors have also expressed dissatisfaction with the pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) used by insurers to dispense and manage prescriptions for specialty drugs like biologics or newer cancer treatments. In a 2024 survey from Oncology News Central, 50% of the oncologists surveyed said they strongly supported legislation that would regulate PBMs ability to deliver cancer drugs. All three bills have been heard in committee hearings in their respective chambers as of Tuesday, and all three have been held for further study, as is standard practice for bills when first introduced. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) Another attempt at fixing Michigan roads is being tried in Lansing. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer made it a pivotal part of her initial campaign for the office and more than six years later, politicians are still talking about finding a way to fix the roads. There has been progress made on some major highways and interstates in Michigan in the last several years, much of that thanks to federal funding and even the state bonding or borrowing money. But its not enough, according to state lawmakers and many drivers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The argument in Lansing isnt whether or not the roads need to be fixed, but rather how to pay for it. Speaker of the House Matt Hall has rolled out a plan in the Republican-led House that he said will meet the need from the driveway to the highway. What we voted to do is to fund the local roads the village roads, the county roads, the city roads. We want to put the money that were putting into roads into that. Because a lot of work has been done on the bigger roads, the highways, the very populated roads particularly in the Detroit area, but what were not seeing here in West Michigan is investment in our local roads, Hall, R-Richland, explained. Hall said his plan, which was passed out of the lower chamber, is bipartisan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its the only bipartisan plan that exists for 30 years, politicians have talked about it. This is one of the times, rare in Michigans history, where we put our money where our mouth is and we voted to do it. We put out a plan, Hall said. But as always, the funding who pays and how is a sticking point as described by Walker Democratic Rep. Carol Glanville. Theres two places it comes from: existing funding or new funding, i.e., taxes. So one of those two or a combination of them is going to have to pay for the roads. So then the question becomes, well, do we have an extra $3 billion were sitting on that needs to be spent? And the answer to that is no. So, where does the money come from? And thats where I have concerns. what services do we have today that were going to trade off for roads? And until theres a clear picture from the governor or the Republicans, its hard to say what the right way to go forward is, Glanville said. Halls plan is not the only one out there, as Glanville points out, because theres also been another plan that has been forwarded by the governor. But Halls is the only one that has been passed by either chamber. Speaker Hall says he wants it done with no new taxes while the Governor has suggested new corporate taxes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The real question comes down to whether there will be a roads deal or not. Its almost certain to be a fight but with divided government and a governor ending her time in office largely built on a promise of fixing the roads there might be a chance of getting compromise. Any deal is still likely a long way from being finalized and with a new election cycle looming, this years budget process may be the best opportunity to find a way to fix the roads for this governor and this group of legislators. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) State lawmakers have introduced legislation that would establish a statewide notification system to assist police in future searches for missing individuals with intellectual disabilities. The legislation, introduced by Rep. Tina Spears and Sen. Todd Patalano, would create a so-called PURPLE Alert, which would function similarly to the states existing AMBER and Silver alert systems. This is a missing piece in our statewide system of care for the health and safety of adults with disabilities, said Spears, whos the executive director of the Community Provider Network of Rhode Island. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The PURPLE Alert would only be activated for missing adults with physical or neurological disabilities that are serious enough to warrant concern for their immediate safety and wellbeing. The legislation comes after Linda DaLomba, a 45-year-old nonverbal autistic woman, went missing for four days and was eventually found curled up in the back seat of a parked car. Our recent experience in Cranston showed clearly that we need an alert program that is tailored to the specific needs of adults with more serious disabilities in our community who rely on caregivers in their daily lives, said Patalano, whos also a major with the Cranston Police Department. This is a tool that I sincerely hope we will not have to use often, but it is important that we establish a working protocol now before the next time we are on the clock with a missing individual. RELATED: Caregiver was at nail salon when autistic woman went missing Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other states have already implemented similar alert systems, including Florida, Georgia, New York and Texas. DaLomba vanished while her caregiver was visiting a nail salon in the city, according to police. Investigators believe she got out of the car in the parking lot and walked down the street to the unlocked vehicle, where she remained until she was discovered. Her disappearance triggered an extensive citywide search, and detectives began fearing the worst as the caregiver continued to provide them with conflicting statements regarding DaLombas potential whereabouts. Thankfully, a mechanic with the Cranston Fire Department went outside to jumpstart his family friends car and found DaLomba laying down in the backseat. He decided to call the police after hearing about DaLombas disappearance on the news. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SEE ALSO: Cranston honors man who found missing autistic woman DaLombas caregiver, 43-year-old Roberta Gerard, has since been arrested and charged with abuse, neglect or exploitation of an adult with severe impairments, as well as falsely reporting a crime and obstruction of an officer in the execution of duty. She was released on $5,000 surety bail pending her next court date, which is slated for June. State Rep. Christopher Paplauskas recently told 12 News he would be introducing legislation to create a similar notification system, which he planned to call the Linda Alert. He is not currently listed as a sponsor on Spears proposal for the PURPLE Alert. Patalano said law enforcement would be in charge of determining whether a missing individuals disabilities are serious enough to warrant issuing the alert. Officers would also review appropriate documentation from the missing individuals family, legal guardian or long-term care facility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency (RIEMA) would be tasked with developing the PURPLE Alert system, as well as the policies and procedures for activating it. An alert catches peoples attention and prompts action, said Joanne Quinn, executive director of the Autism Project. It gives urgency to a situation and, when the community reacts quicker and takes the missing person alert seriously, people will be found sooner. NEXT: Caretaker charged with lying to police after woman went missing Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the new 12+ smart TV app. Follow us on social media: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. HONOLULU (KHON2) The two newest members of the Hawaii Tourism Authority board were officially confirmed by a Senate committee on April 1. But lawmakers first demanded some changes throughout the entire organization. Lawmakers made their expectations clear they want active members for the Hawaii Tourism Authoritys Board of Directors. Two Kauai minors detained in connection to various crimes I will read the minutes, I will watch the hearings, and if youre rubber stamping stuff and you dont discuss, you dont bring up issues, you dont about, and then you just vote without any of that kind of dialogue going on, then somethings wrong, said Sen. Donna Kim of the Economic Development and Tourism Committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 10 tips foreign tourists need to know before visiting Hawaii amid mass travel warnings The Senates committee on Economic Development and Tourism confirmed the boards two newest members former councilmember Todd Apo, and Roberts Hawaii CEO Roy Pfund. Can Hawaiis legislature save our film industry? Apo was just voted as board chair last week during what he admits is a time of transition for HTA. Former Chair Mufi Hannemann resigned after a state audit questioned discounted services at the Hawaii Convention Center involving two nonprofits he runs. No fraud was found. Interim CEO Daniel Nahoopii resigned two weeks ago and had harsh criticism for HTA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news He says here quote it is deeply troubling that instead of empowering HTAs leadership to drive meaningful change, political maneuvering and external influences have created an environment of uncertainty and hesitation and at times outright hostility, said Sen. Glenn Wakai, the Economic Development and Tourism committee vice-chair. My first step from a board chairs standpoint, is to sit down with leadership and understand that first, said Todd Apo, Hawaii Tourism Authority Board chair. Im also going to the staff meeting this week to address the staff. And let them know that, although Im not gonna get involved in their work, as a board chair side, Im open to hearing from them. Both Apo and Pfund were appointed to the board last year. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You Apo says the lack of a permanent CEO is partly due to the fact that HTA falls under the states Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. So its been challenging to get the approvals for a proper compensation package. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fact that we dont have a CEO rests with the board, Kim said. This is like, what comes first, the chicken or the egg. And I know Ive been saying, when is the board going to select a new CEO. HTAs Director of Planning Caroline Anderson is now serving as interim CEO. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2. WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) As artificial intelligence rapidly advances, lawmakers are exploring ways to use the technology to strengthen education and make it more accessible. At the same time, concerns are growing over students using AI for shortcuts, and some members of Congress worry that cuts to the Department of Education will limit access to AI in rural and underserved areas. AI holds potential inside the classroom and outside the classroom, said Rep. Kevin Kiley, (R-Calif.). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a technology on par with electricity, added Rep. John Mannion, (D-N.Y.). Lawmakers see AI as a necessity for improving education in the U.S. Rep. Glenn GT Thompson, (R-Pa.), said AI, when paired with proper guardrails, can benefit schools and educators. AI without either HI or RI human intelligence or real intelligence is just not going to get it done, Thompson said. A recent study found that 25% of U.S. teachers have used AI tools for instructional planning and teaching. Experts told lawmakers that properly implementing AI in education will require collaboration with Congress. If were to meet this moment, we need to do it together, said Erin Mote, an education technology expert. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Jahana Hayes, (D-Conn.), supports the push for AI in education but said the recent elimination of the Office of Education Technology could slow its rollout. How has this office assisted states in the implementation of AI technologies in the classroom? Hayes asked. Mote responded that the office played a critical role. Providing that necessary expertise and knowledge that, frankly, would be impossible for there to be an AI expert in every district, Mote said. Mannion also voiced concerns about AI replacing teachers rather than assisting them. We have to ensure that it supports and not supplants the essential roles of teachers and the broader purpose of education, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawmakers and experts agree that they must develop solutions to prevent students from using AI to cut corners and to address cybersecurity risks. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. A Lawndale resident was arrested for allegedly threatening to shoot crew members on a Metro project in his neighborhood, L.A. County Sheriffs Department said. The threat was made electronically via Metros public complaint portal on Feb. 20 and affected roughly 100 crew members working on the C-Line extension in the South Bay, Lt. Brian Jones said. The suspect, 28-year-old Daniel Doyle Scallion, lives near the project. After a weekslong investigation, more than two dozen sheriffs deputies served a search warrant on Scallions home around 4 a.m. Wednesday and arrested him on suspicion of making criminal threats, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Online jail records show Scallion was booked around 6 a.m. for a felony, and held at the Lennox station jail on $50,000 bail. He does not appear to have been formally charged, and does not appear to have any prior cases in Los Angeles County Superior Court records. Scallion, a dogwalker, according to his LinkedIn page, could not be reached for comment. The Sheriffs Department will continue to work in partnership with Metro to ensure the safety of all Metro employees, ridership and the general public, Jones said. Jones said the anonymous threat was connected to Scallion after a warrant sought information through the internet provider. He said it didnt appear that Scallion had previously made any formal complaints regarding the project and did not have a known history of making similar criminal threats. He is due to appear in court on Friday, Jones said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The light rail project aims to connect the South Bay from Redondo Beach to Torrance by expanding the C Line. It has received ongoing complaints from residents who have taken issue with the proximity of the project to their homes. But the threat of violence was out of the ordinary, a Metro representative told The Times. Metro said the project had continued during the investigation. On Tuesday, security was seen on site. The transit agency said the public was not in danger, but residents who learned of the threat last month were alarmed by the lack of information provided. Chelsea Schreiber has resided in Lawndale for nearly 10 years and lives about 30 feet from the project. For weeks, she has wondered about the threat, concerned that residents could be implicated. She said her husband witnessed the arrest Wednesday morning at Scallions home, not far from where they live. Scallion was known to regularly set off fireworks, Schreiber said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She doesnt believe that violence is a solution. But she said that she and others have continued to voice their fears over the project's impact on the community without any resolution. Metros accountability is so lacking that residents are that frustrated, she said. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. A federal lawsuit filed Tuesday in Pennsylvania accuses billionaire Elon Musk and the political action committee he started of failing to pay a suburban Philadelphia man more than $20,000 for getting people to sign a petition in favor of free speech and gun rights. The lawsuit seeking class-action status claims the man, referred to as Bucks County resident John Doe and requesting to remain anonymous, received hourly pay for canvassing ahead of the November presidential election, but that he was not fully paid for the petition referrals. It claims John Doe has repeatedly tried to obtain payment but has not been successful. He says he has been in touch with others who have the same complaint. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres been a lot of discussion and concern from people who were not paid what they understood they were going to be paid, Shannon Liss-Riordan, a lawyer for John Doe, said in a phone interview late Tuesday. The lawsuit was first reported by The New York Times. Musks America PAC offered to pay $100 for registered voters to sign the petition and $100 for people who referred a registered voter who signed the petition. America PAC is committed to paying for every legitimate petition signature, which is evidenced by the fact that we have paid tens of millions of dollars to canvassers for their hard work in support of our mission, America PAC spokesperson Andrew Romeo said in an email. While we dont yet know who this John Doe plaintiff is and cant speak to their specific circumstances, we can say that we are also committed to rooting out fraud and have the right to withhold payments to fraudsters. The America PAC website says it has mailed out the overwhelming majority of the checks it owes to petition signers but that some have been flagged for mismatched information that requires attention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The answer is basically, were working on it, but I think thats been up there for a while, Liss-Riordan said. The lawsuit accuses Musk, the PAC and Group America LLC of breaching a contract and violating Pennsylvania state wage payment law. Musk gave $1 million checks Sunday to two Wisconsin voters, calling them spokespeople for the political group, as voters there were electing a Supreme Court justice on Tuesday. In Pennsylvania last year, Democratic District Attorney Larry Krasner of Philadelphia sued to challenge a $1 million voter sweepstakes Musk ran. But a judge allowed it to continue, ruling Krasner had not shown it amounted to an illegal lottery. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW PHILADELPHIA (AP) A federal lawsuit filed Tuesday in Pennsylvania accuses billionaire Elon Musk and the political action committee he started of failing to pay a suburban Philadelphia man more than $20,000 for getting people to sign a petition in favor of free speech and gun rights. The lawsuit seeking class-action status claims the man, referred to as Bucks County resident John Doe and requesting to remain anonymous, received hourly pay for canvassing ahead of the November presidential election, but that he was not fully paid for the petition referrals. It claims John Doe has repeatedly tried to obtain payment but has not been successful. He says he has been in touch with others who have the same complaint. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There's been a lot of discussion and concern from people who were not paid what they understood they were going to be paid, Shannon Liss-Riordan, a lawyer for John Doe, said in a phone interview late Tuesday. The lawsuit was first reported by The New York Times. Musk's America PAC offered to pay $100 for registered voters to sign the petition and $100 for people who referred a registered voter who signed the petition. America PAC is committed to paying for every legitimate petition signature, which is evidenced by the fact that we have paid tens of millions of dollars to canvassers for their hard work in support of our mission," America PAC spokesperson Andrew Romeo said in an email. "While we dont yet know who this John Doe plaintiff is and cant speak to their specific circumstances, we can say that we are also committed to rooting out fraud and have the right to withhold payments to fraudsters. The America PAC website says it has mailed out the overwhelming majority of the checks it owes to petition signers but that some have been flagged for mismatched information that requires attention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The answer is basically, were working on it,' but I think that's been up there for a while," Liss-Riordan said. The lawsuit accuses Musk, the PAC and Group America LLC of breaching a contract and violating Pennsylvania state wage payment law. Musk gave $1 million checks Sunday to two Wisconsin voters, calling them spokespeople for the political group, as voters there were electing a Supreme Court justice on Tuesday. In Pennsylvania last year, Democratic District Attorney Larry Krasner of Philadelphia sued to challenge a $1 million voter sweepstakes Musk ran. But a judge allowed it to continue, ruling Krasner had not shown it amounted to an illegal lottery. Lawyers for a Salvadoran man who was wrongfully deported from the United States to a notorious prison in El Salvador will ask a judge to force Donald Trumps administration to try to get him back. Government attorneys admitted in a recent court filing that federal agents accidentally deported Kilmar Abrego Garcia, despite a judges order that blocked his removal. They called it an administrative error. But, despite admitting the grave error, Trump administration officials have defended his removal, and argued that the case is no longer in their hands. Government attorneys argue that he shouldnt be returned, and even if he could, the court lacks jurisdiction to order the Trump administration to do so because he is no longer in the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following news of the governments admission in court filings, Vice President JD Vance falsely labeled Abrego Garcia a convicted gang member. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt admitted there was a clerical error in his case, but claimed, without providing evidence, that Garcia was a leader of the MS-13 gang, and involved in human trafficking. Theyre making these crazy allegations against him, Abrego Garcias attorney Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg told The Independent on Tuesday. Theres a place where they couldve made those allegations [in court]. We would have responded to those full-throatedly. But they didnt. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the removal of a Salvadoran immigrant who was deported to that countrys notorious jail despite a judges order, which administration officials said in court documents was the result of an administrative error (Getty Images) Abrego Garcia fled death threats and extortion attempts in El Salvador and crossed the U.S.-Mexico border without legal permission in 2011 when he was 16 years old, according to court records. He has no criminal record in either the United States or El Salvador, according to his lawyers. He has been living in Maryland with his wife and 5-year-old child, both U.S. citizens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following his arrest outside a Home Depot in 2019, one of the men arrested alongside him during questioning accused him of being a gang member, though officers at the time did not find the claim credible, according to court documents. Abrego Garcia was not charged with a crime, but he was moved to ICE custody for his removal from the country. A judge ultimately blocked the government from deporting him to El Salvador under a form of humanitarian protection called withholding of removal after his credible testimony that he fears being threatened or killed by gang members in that country. Under that order, he is allowed to remain in the United States legally, and must attend regular check-ins with ICE. His most recent appearance was in January, according to court documents. They dont deny any of the facts around that, Sandoval-Moshenberg said of the governments refusal to return Abrego Garcia to the United States. They dont claim that they didnt know about the order, he told The Independent. They dont claim theyre sorry this thing happened and are taking reasonable steps to rectify. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, his family is waiting for any good news from El Salvador, Sandoval-Moshenberg said. His attorneys have labeled El Salvadors Terrorism Confinement Center a torture center supported by American tax dollars. This grotesque display of power without law is abhorrent to our entire system of justice, and must not be allowed to stand, they wrote in court filings. On Friday, Abrego Garcias attorneys will ask the judge overseeing his case for an order that would force the government to request the Salvadoran government to request his return a move that attorneys are optimistic will work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Isnt that the first step, to ask nicely? They havent even done that, Sandoval-Moshenberg told The Independent. Ive had wrongful deportation cases in the past Theyd bend over backwards to fix that mistake, including in the first Trump administration. Dozens of immigrants are jailed in a Salvadoran prison after Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act to remove alleged Tren de Aragua gang members from the country, despite a judges court orders blocking the flights (via REUTERS) On March 15, Abrego Garcia joined dozens of immigrants who were deported on a series of flights to El Salvadors Terrorism Confinement Center, where they were greeted by armed guards and hooded officers who shaved their heads and shackled them inside a jail human rights groups have called a tropical gulag. Two of those deportation flights removed Venezuelan immigrants under Trumps use of the Alien Enemies Act, which has labeled alleged members of Tren de Aragua alien enemies who can be summarily deported from the country without judicial oversight, according to the administration. A federal judge has temporarily blocked the administration from performing any other removal flights under that centuries-old wartime law, a block that was upheld by appellate court judges last week. The administration is now asking the Supreme Court to intervene and overturn the order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abrego Garcias removal has outraged civil rights advocates and Democratic lawmakers. He was not actually a gang banger. He was not a criminal. It was all a mistake, Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin said during a congressional hearing Tuesday. This guy, who lives in my state, is married to a U.S. citizen with citizen children, hes stuck with the dictator of El Salvador, he said. According to Sandoval-Moshenberg, if ones removal from the country hinges on unfounded allegations from ICE officers and clerical errors without recourse, it raises the chilling prospect that any American could be similarly targeted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is not immigration enforcement. This is plainly a miscarriage of justice that must be remedied, members of Marylands congressional delegation said in a statement. The Trump Administration admitted in open court that it made an error. It must remedy this error by bringing Mr. Abrego Garcia back to America immediately, they wrote. CHEYENNE Following continued frustration from the broader community, Laramie County School District 1 and its Board of Trustees released a new statement late Friday regarding a controversial Most Cost-Effective Remedy (MCER) study. In the statement, the board and LCSD1 administration attempted to dispel misinformation and clarify what the board knew prior to voting through a plan that will effectively close eight schools in the district. The board firmly supports our district staff and the role they played in the MCER study, the statement reads. It is vital to clarify that there was no collusion or ulterior motives influencing the outcome. Every step taken was aimed at addressing the challenges faced by our district and finding viable, fiscally responsible solutions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The district reiterated promises to prioritize the needs of the district and quality education. The MCER study, adopted by board members in October of last year, proposed implementing Remedy 4, which will close eight elementary schools in LCSD1 in order to fund essential maintenance for several of the remaining schools. The remedy also allows the district to build two new schools, including a new Arp Elementary, whose students have been displaced since the fall of 2023. The decision was met with widespread outrage, which accumulated in a petition signed by more than 1,000 people and a lawsuit being filed against the State Facilities Commission (SFC), the Wyoming State Construction Department (SCD) and the state of Wyoming. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While we understand that some in the community were surprised and upset about the recommendation to build four new elementary schools while closing eight smaller, aging schools over the next decade, we believe that the ire and negativity directed at those that took part in the MCER on behalf of the district is unfair and misplaced, the statement reads. While the statement said there will be four new schools, Remedy 4 calls for building two new schools and addressing facility concerns in five schools, whether that be replacing those schools or building additions to the facilities. The proposed changes would take place over the next 10 years. District involved Despite the statement's attempt to clarify the district's intentions with the study, parents remain frustrated with the lack of transparency in the process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Board of Trustees say they appreciate the ongoing concern and conversation regarding the future of school buildings, Abigail Boudewyns, an LCSD1 parent, shared via email. The Board, however, has had no conversations with parents, nor made any effort to engage with parents on these issues. Despite what the Board of Trustees might believe, conversations cannot be had during a one-sided, three-minute public comment. Boudewyns wrote the district has opted to avoid parents by hiding behind lawsuits and abdicating its statutory responsibilities to unelected staff, rather than engage in conversation with parents. A parent and former second-grade teacher, Murphy Booth, reiterated Boudewyns' concern about the district, adding that the board is meant to represent the public and their needs. I'm still disappointed that the board is acting like an arm of the district instead of an arm of the public, Booth said. I think that's still my biggest sadness after reading this (statement). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many parents believe alternative remedies in the study would have allowed the district to both keep the eight schools slated to close and build a new Arp Elementary. This was further substantiated when the Cheyenne Parent Alliance released a statement claiming that stakeholders, including the district, intended to use the MCER study to close schools. The news release included a video compiled from meetings between the district, the SCD and consulting firm FEA dating back to January 2024. (The video) shows LCSD1 administrators, along with the SCD, actively shaped the MCER process and advocated for eliminating elementary schools, rather than pursuing necessary renovations or replacements, according to the release. The board challenged this in its statement, saying that it wanted to dispel the narrative that it wasnt informed/provided updates as the MCER proceeded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Board received updates throughout the MCER process about the different types of remedies being considered, the statement reads. However, many of the trustees were surprised at the final decision that was brought forward that was broader and presented as an all-or-nothing option in order to receive the funding for the much-needed buildings. While the administration was involved in many conversations throughout the process, ultimately it was the responsibility of the states third-party consultant to determine the most cost-effective remedy. The board and administration maintained that they did not receive the final MCER, nor were they aware of the consultants ultimate recommendation, until the end of the process. Once received, the MCER was immediately posted on the districts website for public review. Over the past several years, district staff have made numerous presentations to the Board of Trustees, community members and others to help garner awareness of the districts facility funding needs and plans to consolidate many of its aging facilities, according to the latest LCSD1 statement. Those presentations and district MCER studies determined the districts priorities, such as continuing the 5-6 grade configuration model, phasing out older buildings to reduce the district's major maintenance burden, relieve staffing issues and consolidate design remedies. Additionally they discussed a need for three new buildings in the South triad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These board-approved priorities were brought forward by district staff to the most recent state-funded MCER, the statement reads. Parents still opposed Despite the district's statement, some parents are still perturbed by the lack of transparency and public input, an issue theyve been stating since the study was released in October. The mass-closing of schools is one of the most important issues a district can face, Boudewyns wrote. Yet, these school closures received zero public engagement. The trustees cannot continue to be a captured board, acting as passive bystanders as the district administration shuts down a third of its neighborhood schools. This district deserves leaders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Parents were also concerned that the district has now stated that they were informed, as board members stated they were just as shocked as the public was when they voted in October. As a parent, I am extremely upset by the lack of transparency and blatant disregard the district has shown throughout this entire process, parent and former educator Fallon Bonomo shared in a written statement. They have gone out of their way to keep parents and community members in the dark just look at the rushed timeline as proof of that. The study was released, and in less than a week, the board voted on it. There was no adequate time for parents and community members to analyze and challenge this drastic overhaul of our education system. Booth said the statement wont deter her from continuing to speak out. Several parents have continued to use public comment during board meetings to speak with the district about the MCER. As long as there's still an option to save these schools, I will never stop, Booth said. This type of statement just shows me that they're doubling down even more and trying to make it seem equitable by closing schools instead of bringing all schools back up to appropriate condition levels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Parents are continuing to demand the board do their job and represent the voters. Reconsidering a decision and changing course because youve heard the will of the people doesnt make you look weak it does the opposite, Bonomo wrote. It shows integrity, leadership and respect for the community you serve. But forcing through an unwanted plan despite overwhelming opposition suggests a desire to control, rather than collaborate, a disregard for the voices of those you represent, and a failure to put students and families first. Gold Digger Resources Inc. is a mineral resource exploration company. The Company's material property is currently the Regnault Project, consisting of 71 contiguous mineral claims covering an area of approximately 3,678 Ha located north-northeast of Chibougamau in the Province of Quebec. The Company also holds, indirectly through its subsidiary, a 100% interest in a mineral property comprised of several prospecting licenses in the Republic of Botswana. Investor Cubed and its principals are at arm's length to the Company, and do not have any interest, directly or indirectly, in Gold Digger or its securities, or any right to acquire such an interest, except as otherwise stated in this news release. Investor Cubed has headquarters in Toronto, Canada and can be reached at: 647-258-3310 or nsimon@investor3.ca . Allan Bezanson, CEO of the Company, stated, "I have known Investor Cubed for over 20 years and we are very excited to have signed with them. With over 20 years of experience, Neil and his team have built an extensive network of retail advisors and institutional investors specializing in small-cap markets. We believe this is the perfect time to enhance our presence and expand our reach within the Canadian investment community." Neil Simon, CEO of Investor Cubed, stated, "Investor Cubed is thrilled to begin working with Gold Digger, a company we believe is well-positioned to unlock significant value from the massive land position and potential to prove out a large Uranium deposit. The experienced management team has completed significant due diligence on the global uranium market and to develop their assets in Botswana. Gold Digger is poised to deliver strong results for its shareholders." The IR Agreement is for a term of 12 months but may be terminated by either party after an initial three-month period by providing 30 days written notice on or before the three months plus one day period ends. The terms of the IR Agreement provide for cash compensation of $7,500 per month. In addition, Investor Cubed has been granted stock options to purchase up to 250,000 common shares of the Company at a price of $0.40 per share, for a period of five years from grant. The options will vest quarterly in equal tranches and will be governed by the provisions of the Company's stock option plan. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 2, 2025) - Gold Digger Resources Inc. (CSE: GDIG) ( "Gold Digger" or the "Company" ), is pleased to announce that it has entered into an investor relations agreement dated April 1 st , 2025 (the "IR Agreement"), with Investor Cubed Inc. ("Investor Cubed") to provide investor relations and shareholder communications services in Canada. Story Continues CONTACT INFORMATION Gold Digger Resources Inc. Allan Bezanson, Chief Executive Officer and President Email: allanbezanson@outlook.com Telephone: (416) 427-4505 Investor Relations contact information: Investor Cubed Inc. Neil Simon, CEO nsimon@investor3.ca 647-258-3310 Neither the "CSE" Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release contains statements which constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Company with respect to future business activities and plans of the Company. Forward-looking information is often identified by the words "may", "would", "could", "should", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" or similar expressions and includes information regarding; the expectation that the Company will receive all necessary approvals to complete the Offering; the expectation that the Company will complete the Offering on the terms disclosed, or at all; the intended use of proceeds of the Offering; the expectation that the Company will start work on its uranium licenses; the intended details of the Company's planned programs; and the expectation that the Company will start yielding results from its uranium properties. Such forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions of management, including, without limitation, that the Company will receive all necessary approvals to complete the Offering; that the Company will complete the Offering on the terms disclosed; that the proceeds from the Offering will be used as anticipated; that the Company will not run into regulatory or other barriers in carrying out its business plans; that the Company will start work on its seven uranium licenses; that the Company will run its planned programs as anticipated; and that the Company will start yielding results from its uranium properties. Additionally, forward-looking information involves a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual plans, intentions, activities, results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future plans, intentions, activities, results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks include, without limitation: that the Company will not receive the necessary approvals to complete the Offering; that the Company will not complete the Offering on the terms disclosed, or at all; that the Company will be unable to use the proceeds received from the Offering; that the Company will not start work on its seven uranium licenses; that the Company will not yield results from its uranium properties; changes in the Company's business plans, including its planned field programs; that the Company may incur unanticipated costs; that the Company's operations could be adversely affected by possible future government legislation policies and controls or by changes in applicable laws and regulations. Such forward-looking information represents management's best judgment based on information currently available. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed, and actual future results may vary materially. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. Neither the Company nor any of its representatives make any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy, sufficiency or completeness of the information in this news release. Neither the Company nor any of its representatives shall have any liability whatsoever, under contract, tort, trust or otherwise, to you or any person resulting from the use of the information in this news release by you or any of your representatives or for omissions from the information in this news release. The forward-looking statements herein speak only as of the date they were originally made. The Company has no intention and undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/247151 DENVER (KDVR) Just days after Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that at least 300 international visas to the U.S. had been canceled, reports are surfacing that at least nine student visas in Colorado were among those revoked. Its unclear why the visas were revoked. The University of Colorado confirmed that four of its international students who were attending on F-1 visas had their visas revoked. The students were at the Boulder and Colorado Springs campuses. Later, Colorado State University confirmed five of its international students had been impacted by visa revocations. US attorney general announces federal charges, Texas arrest of Tesla crime suspect Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At CU we are focused on supporting the success of all of our students, including international students. Each one of our students are seeking to advance their careers and the lives of their families, and we understand the anxieties that visa revocations cause to impacted students, CU Boulder said. We urge any international student with questions or concerns to reach out to their campus international student office. The university said it would not be releasing information about specific students and their circumstances because federal laws protect students privacy rights, but could provide the information if it is court-ordered. In December, the university said it would continue to support its foreign student enrollment despite concerns regarding President Trumps immigration policies. On March 29, Colorado State University posted a message about its international student community. We are aware that some CSU international students have been impacted by visa revocations and SEVIS terminations issued by the U.S. Department of State, the university said, adding that impacted students should immediately contact their embassy and the CSU Office of International Programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mass layoffs are underway at the nations public health agencies As we navigate this fluid situation, the Office of International Programs is available to provide support to our international students and scholars, and we will do our best to answer questions and advise you appropriately during these uncertain times, the university stated. I dont know actually if its primarily student visas. Its a combination of visas, Rubio told reporters on March 28. Theyre visitors to the country. If theyre taking activities that are counter to our foreign to our national interest, to our foreign policy, well revoke the visa. He was asked about whether any of the visas related to students engaging in protests, particularly pro-Palestine protests. One journalist asked if someone on a student visa could see their visa revoked for protesting peacefully or through writing. Rubio responded by saying no one has a right to a visa and that the opinions being expressed have crossed a line. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We deny visas every day for all kinds of reasons all over the world, Rubio told reporters, noting there are some visas revoked based on the history of overstaying visas from a particular country of origin and other issues. I would argue that the what I would add to it is what we have seen on campuses across the country where students literally cannot go to school, you cannot buildings are being taken over, activities going on this is clearly an organized movement, Rubio continued on March 28. And if you are in this country on a student visa and are a participant in those movements, we have a right to deny your visa. I think it would make sense to deny your visa. Were going to err on the side of caution. We are not going to be importing activists into the United States. Theyre here to study. Theyre here to go to class. Theyre not here to lead activist movements that are disruptive and undermine the our universities. I think its lunacy to continue to allow that. FOX31 is working to confirm further information about student visas that have been canceled in Colorado, including what the revocation means for the students who held these visas. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. The author after he was blasted by a mine during a counteroffensive. "I'm happy to be alive," he writes. Before the war, I was a printer in Kyiv. I had traveled the world, met my wife and started a small business making advertising materials and T-shirts. Like many others, I had plans for the future and dreams of a peaceful life. Now, I serve in the Ukrainian army not because I am choosing war but because the violence came to my doorstep three years ago. Since Russia began its campaign to control our country, I have had no choice but to stand and defend my home, my people and our freedom. I want to share what the invasion has taught me about the value of freedom because it is essential to peace. Advertisement Advertisement When I think about peace, I think about my family and how it has grown. Recently, my wife and I welcomed twin daughters into this world. But instead of looking forward to their first steps or first words, I find myself asking, Will they grow up free, or in an occupied land where everything Ukrainian is erased? At the same time, I hear U.S. thought leaders like Elon Musk ask what Ukrainians are fighting and dying for. After three years of war a war that has killed our friends, injured me and threatened my family hearing such words is unbearable. The answer to Musks question is simple: We are fighting for our right to exist as a nation. I used to think this answer was American in principle, and in the spring of 2022, most Americans stood with us. We couldnt have survived this long without the United States support. I literally owe my life to it commanding a Bradley infantry fighting vehicle supplied by the U.S. has saved me more times than I can count. Courtesy of Sergii Gavryliuk The author in front of his Bradley. Advertisement Advertisement Between the man-made horrors of the modern battlefield, mine explosions and drone strikes, thousands of Ukrainian soldiers have been pulled from combat alive thanks to American equipment, training and aid. Your countrys support doesnt just help us liberate our homes it keeps us alive and able to return to them. But since Donald Trump has come back into office, everything has changed. Watching his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office on Feb. 28 made one thing clear: Trump is determined to end the war at any cost, without any concern for what happens next or the destruction it may cause to my people. It appears the president of the United States has a different understanding of peace than we Ukrainians do, and he doesnt care what our country looks like the day after his deal goes through because he simply wants to be the man who ended the war. He speaks about caring for Ukrainian soldiers, but he recently blocked critical aid to Ukraine, and this led to our army being less able to defend itself as the casualties continued to mount. Advertisement Advertisement One soldier who was killed was a friend of mine. He died in my arms in the ruins of a house a place that was once someones home. I held his hand as he became delirious and began speaking to his wife as if she were there with him. He told her how much he loved her, that she needed to finish their home renovations, and that they would send their son to school. He was a builder who joined the army voluntarily in the first days of the invasion. I held him as he died and thought about how another wife is left without a husband, another child will not have a father, and another mother will mourn her son. I think of him when I hear American leaders say Ukraine is responsible for this war. Courtesy of Sergii Gavryliuk A church in Donbas destroyed by the Russian army. Every war eventually comes to an end, and like every Ukrainian, I dream of the day when peace finally returns to our land. We want to live, build our future, and shape our nation a country with a thousand years of history. But what kind of peace are we being offered? Advertisement Advertisement The recent talks between Ukraine and the U.S. and the discussion of a ceasefire bring a glimmer of hope. But will Russia agree? I highly doubt it. And even if it does what happens next? History has proven time and again that agreements with Russia hold no value. I have no illusions: The Kremlin will never abandon its imperial ambitions. If left unchecked, it will regroup, rearm, and strike again. The citizens of Ukraine know the cost of Russian promises. We remember the names of people who are no longer here today because Vladimir Putin lied. Those lies mean I cant watch my children grow up. My mothers hair is turning gray from the stress of knowing her only son is at war. I dont know what the future will be for the people I love or myself. Still, I will keep fighting because I refuse to let my country be swallowed up by Russia. Ukrainians, Europeans and Americans cant take more time learning Putin is not ready for peace. This whole nightmare would end if Russia left Ukraine. Although the war has taught me a lot, I dont understand why Ukraine the victim is constantly pressured to compromise while the aggressor faces no real consequences. We are smaller, but we are not lesser. The United States has never shied away from standing up to tyranny. I want to know what has changed now. What security guarantees will Ukraine receive, and from whom, when the U.S. is retreating from Europe? Who will ensure that evil does not go unpunished, that the massacres, the destroyed cities and the hundreds of thousands of innocent lives lost are not forgotten? A ceasefire without justice is not peace its merely a pause before the next war. Advertisement Advertisement A forced freeze of the front lines, as they are today, would not end the war it would only postpone the next stage of Russias aggression. Why should we surrender our land? Why should we be asked to accept the destruction of our homes and the slaughter of our people as something to be forgiven? I cannot forget. I will not forgive. To me, this is not peace it is surrender. It is a betrayal of the free and democratic world in the face of growing dictatorships. A rushed ceasefire, driven by political expediency, will not bring stability. It will only plant the seeds of an even greater war, and as always, it will be ordinary Ukrainians who pay the price lives that seem to matter to Western politicians only in their speeches. Courtesy of Sergii Gavryliuk The author saved this kitten from one of the Donbas villages, and it is now living with guys in his unit. I know that many Americans support us and are angry with their elected politicians for turning their backs on Ukraine, and I thank them. Advertisement Advertisement Im afraid of dying and leaving my family behind. Im afraid of being maimed while fighting and becoming a burden to my wife and children. The best of Ukraine is fighting and dying. The most honorable and the most courageous are trying to bring freedom to our people. I joined the army because of freedom. I want my people to live in our own home, on our own terms. Now that Ive met my 2-month-old twin daughters, my only dream is for them to grow up alive and in a peaceful Ukraine. I dont want to emigrate. I was born here, and I want to raise my daughters in my country. This war is horrifying, bleak and impossible to explain to civilians who dont live it. I ask for your help and pray you never find yourself in our position. Sergii Gavryliuk is a father, son, and before he joined Ukraines army, the owner of a typography business. He is currently a junior sergeant in Ukraines armed forces and a Bradley IFV commander. You can follow him on X at @GarvyliukSergi. This article originally appeared on HuffPost in March 2025. Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. Goldman Sachs Research has said in their recent note that the S&P 500 might be vulnerable to deeper declines, however, analyst says a major policy pivot by the Donald Trump-led administration or the central bank could help the markets recover. What Happened: Goldman Sachs Christian Mueller-Glissmann, leading asset allocation research, has warned that the risk of further market correction is still looming in the U.S. He cautioned that the deteriorating macro backdrop leaves the market vulnerable to further correction, even without a predicted recession. "The equity drawdown probability hasn't peaked yet," he said. The note added, Our strategists' equity drawdown risk model, which forecasts the probability of the S&P 500 falling, suggests U.S. stocks are at risk of further declines. Dont Miss: Scrolling To UBI' Deloitte's #1 fastest-growing software company allows users to earn money on their phones. You can invest today for just $0.26/share with a $1000 minimum. The reasons why Goldman Sachs Research believes that the market correction has more legs include: Its models prediction signaling an elevated risk since January, which hasnt indicated a peak in the probability of further declines. A deteriorating macroeconomic environment, along with the drawdown in equity, suggests that a market bottom hasnt been reached. The risk appetite indicator, which gauges investor sentiment, is not yet at the -2 level, which historically signals a potential market reversal without policy or economic changes. This indicator is still above the point that would indicate a strong buying opportunity. The Magnificent Seven tech stocks, which are crucial drivers of retail investor confidence, have seen significant declines, and a further fall in these stocks could damage investor sentiment. European and Chinese equities, which are outperforming the U.S., tend to historically outrun the U.S. initially, but eventually follow the trend during larger corrections. Therefore, if the U.S. correction deepens, it could drag down global markets. See Also: The $1.3 billion startup investment boom: How this company's explosive growth is opening doors for everyday investors with a new $500 minimum Why It Matters: Mueller-Glissmann acknowledges a key limitation of his equity drawdown model: it doesnt account for policy changes. So if there's a major policy pivot from President Trump or the Federal Reserve, of course, markets could recover much faster, he said. U.S. Military veteran and amputee Lloyd Epps walks after doctors serviced his prosthetic leg at the Veterans Administration (VA), hospital on January 29, 2014 in Manhattan, New York City. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images) Disabled Pennsylvania veterans may get a boost in their pensions, under legislation in the Pennsylvania Senate. The proposal is one of five pieces of legislation advanced by the state Senate Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate Bill 534 is sponsored by Sens. Judy Ward (R-Blair) and Devlin Robinson (R-Allegheny). Under current law, Pennsylvania veterans who suffered service connected injuries or diseases that resulted in a loss of vision, paralysis or the loss of two or more extremities, are eligible to receive a pension of $150 per month, Robinson said on Tuesday. Senate Bill 534 would increase the pension amount from $150 to $180 per month for both programs. As of Nov. 30, 2024, Robinson said 98 people across Pennsylvania were in the blind veterans pension program, while 2,345 are in the amputee and paralyzed veterans pension program. Robinson, a military veteran, said the two initiatives have not received any increase since 1999 and a similar effort in the previous session cleared the committee, but did not get passed by both chambers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill was supported unanimously on Tuesday, although an effort from Democratic Sen. Katie Muth, Minority Chair of the committee, to add an amendment to establish an annual cost of living adjustment for both programs was tabled. Boosting veteran owned businesses Senate Bill 64, sponsored by state Sen. Camera Bartolotta (R-Washington), would create a special logo to be used for veteran owned businesses in the commonwealth. According to the Senate Republican Communications Office, a business must be registered with the Department of State and at least 51% of the ownership interest must be held by a veteran, reservist or member of the National Guard to be eligible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Theyre deserving of our support in any and every way we can possibly show it, Bartolotta said. And I think this is just a way to signal to the community that the owner of that business served our country andif we prefer to support those kinds of businesses, this is a way that we can do it. Pennsylvania has the fourth largest veteran population in the nation. In an effort to discourage the logo from being used for fraudulent purposes, those who falsely claim to be a veteran to get this designation would face a third degree misdemeanor, with fines associated with the violation awarded to the Veterans Trust Fund. The proposal, along with an amendment for it to mirror House Bill 993, was approved by the committee unanimously. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. A bill to abolish the Arkansas Library Board is one step closer to passage after a Tuesday vote. Senate Bill 536 received a do-pass recommendation in the Senate State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee. If the bill becomes law, it would turn over the duties and properties of the Arkansas State Library to the states Department of Education. Bill filed in legislature would abolish the Arkansas State Library, put controls on public libraries Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bills primary sponsor and Senate state agencies committee member, Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Jonesboro), has been an outspoken critic of library policies on minors access to certain materials. He had filed a law that would abolish the Arkansas Educational Television Network Board alongside the library board, but said in an earlier committee hearing that he had not advanced the bill after reaching an agreement with AETN. With its committee passage, the bill will return to the Senate floor for a final vote. If it passes that vote, it will move to the House floor for a vote, then to the appropriate House committee for review, and if it receives a do-pass, return to the floor for a final vote. It will move to the governors desk for signature into law if it clears these hurdles. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK. There are almost no environmental regulations overseeing data centers in the state, but lawmakers, including those in East Lyme and Waterford, are seeking to change that. Legislators renewed an effort in the current session to require reports on the impact of large data centers on local power grids, following a company's proposal to build a large center next to the Millstone Power Station in Waterford. Rhode Island-based NE Edge proposes to build a pair of data centers totaling 1.2 million square feet on the Millstone property, a location that lets them buy power directly from the nuclear power plant and reducing the center's energy costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Requiring impact studies, state Rep. Nick Menapace, D-East Lyme, said Monday, is the first step to more effective legislation regulating the amount of energy and water large data centers consume. Menapace introduced the bill along with state Sen. Martha Marx, D-New London, and state Rep. Nick Gauthier, D-Waterford. Last year, a similar bill drafted in response to the Millstone plan failed to gain approval. The state Siting Council rejected the Millstone plan last year, saying it needs more information. Susan Adams, state policy director for Millstone, said Tuesday that there is continued interest in data centers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A second bill in the General Assembly would quantify data center resource consumption. There are about 60 data centers in Connecticut, according to datacentermap.com. The one proposed for Millstone would be larger than any of the others. There are questions, such as exactly how much energy large centers consume and how much noise they make. East Lyme people are concerned theyll be stuck with all negatives and no positives, Menapace said. A lot of people feel thats what happened with Millstone (power station), Waterford got the monetary benefit and East Lyme got stuck with an eyesore. The current bill, HB 892, is before the legislatures Energy and Technology Committee and isnt likely to advance soon, Menapace said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, a more detailed bill requiring data center impact studies, SB 1292, has more traction. Its sponsor, state Rep. Mary Mushinsky (DWallingford), said the bill attempts to set standards for an industry the state rushed into with virtually no regulations. That makes me uncomfortable, Mushinsky said last week. Mushinsky said while useful and economically stimulating, data centers have a huge energy demand, and legislators want to ensure consistent grid reliability. Data centers, she said, also use diesel generators to help meet their own demands when strain on the grid is highest, like hot summer days. A past unsuccessful attempt to regulate data centers had included regulations overseeing diesel output, Mushinsky said. Diesel generators can produce fumes and noise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill would give the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection authority over data centers energy consumption, Mushinsky said. It would require quarterly reports on the amount of electricity, fuel and other sources used for cooling, the source of any water that is used and agreements between the centers and any electric utilities. The proposed Millstone center is considered a behind-the-meter center, which takes power directly from energy producers rather than the grid. The question is if theyre the first customer, does everyone else become secondary? Mushinsky said. Four years ago, state Sen. Norm Needleman (D-Essex) led the effort to attract data centers to Connecticut with tax incentives. Now he seeks to remove the tax incentive for behind-the-meter data centers in a separate proposed bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anything thats located at a power plant should not have the tax incentives that were offered for projects that were put on the grid, he said last week, adding centers shouldnt be allowed to double-dip, not just at Millstone but also at other plants. Needleman said when the incentives passed, legislators had not considered all of the possible impacts like behind-the-meter centers and what they really could do to the environment. j.lakowsky@theday.com Ground-source heat pumps, which tap into the stable temperatures found hundreds of feet beneath the Earths surface, are a super-efficient way to heat and cool homes. Theyre also quite expensive to install in existing houses. Theres a pretty straightforward reason: Its hard to drill in a residential neighborhood. Hiring contractors to fit rigs into tight single-family yards and drill boreholes in places where utility infrastructure crisscrosses underfoot is a lot more complicated and expensive than installing an air-source heat pump, fossil-gas furnace, or other standard, aboveground HVAC systems. But what if you could bore hundreds of holes at a time across a patch of cleared land and then build heat pumpequipped houses on top of them? That should be a lot cheaper. In fact, it could make ground-source heat pumps about as cheap as traditional HVAC offerings in newly built homes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Wednesday, Google X spinout Dandelion Energy and major U.S. homebuilder Lennar unveiled a partnership that aims to prove that proposition. The companies have pledged to build ground-source geothermal into more than 1,500 new homes in Colorado over the next two years, starting with Lennars Ken-Caryl Ranch development in Littleton, Colorado. The goal is simple, Kathy Hannun, Dandelions founder and president, told Canary Media: Can you get the up-front cost to be lower than everything else? Because then you have no reason not to do it. Just being able to tackle hundreds of boreholes at a time should more than halve the drilling costs that burden existing home retrofits, she said. Large-project economies of scale and designing homes around the high-efficiency heating and cooling that Dandelions system provides will yield further cost reductions, she said. And by eliminating the need for new gas pipelines and reducing the peak electricity demands on the power grid, subdivisions built on this model could save a bundle on utilities as well, she said. Thats a key benefit cited in a January report from the Department of Energy, which found that widespread adoption of ground-source heat pumps, also known as geothermal heat pumps, could cut hundreds of gigawatts of peak demand and tens of billions of dollars in grid costs over the coming decades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That study also found ground-source heat pumps could make a big dent in residential energy consumption and carbon emissions, particularly in climates where they outperform air-source heat pumps during cold winter weather. But as it stands, the technology is in no more than 1% of U.S. homes, the report found. For comparison, air-source heat pumps are now in about 13% of U.S. homes. The chief barrier, once again, is the up-front expense. Dandelion has spent the past eight years working to bring down those costs through a combination of technology and business-model innovation, and has done more than 1,000 home retrofits in the U.S. Northeast, targeting homes with high heating costs, many of which use expensive fuel oil. To break into larger volume deployments, Dandelion has shifted its focus to new construction over the past two years or so, Hannun said. That pivot has naturally included Lennar, an investor in Dandelion that now owns about 10% of the startup, she said. Colorados push for geothermal energy Lennar and Dandelion arent disclosing cost data for the homes theyre collaborating on in Colorado. But, Hannun said, in a few markets, the up-front cost of geothermal today is less than conventional heating. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats certainly the case in Colorado, where Gov. Jared Polis, a Democrat, has made geothermal energy, or the heat beneath our feet, as hes dubbed it in various state and regional policy initiatives, a big part of the states broader decarbonization strategy. Over the past few years, the state has passed legislation creating tax credits for heat pumps, including ground-source systems, and competitive grants for geothermal energy projects. It also passed a law in 2021 that spurred Xcel Energy, the states largest utility, to launch a Clean Heat Plan that will provide significant rebates to projects that improve energy efficiency and help customers switch from gas to electric heating. The rebates coming out of Xcels Clean Heat Plan played a really significant role in the ability of the Dandelion-Lennar investments to pan out, said Will Toor, executive director of the Colorado Energy Office, which manages state energy programs. The government and utility incentives will also lower costs for people who arent buying these homes, because geothermal heat pump systems reduce the need for other utility infrastructure, he noted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All-electric homes dont need new gas pipeline extensions, the costs of which are typically recovered through increases on the bills of utility customers at large. And ground-source heat pumps need much less electricity than air-source heat pumps to keep homes warm during the coldest hours of the year, since theyre able to pull heat from deep underground thermal reservoirs rather than from cold outdoor air. Theres clearly some cost of putting in a geothermal system. But once its in there, its such an inexpensive approach to heating buildings, Toor said. If we can come up with creative ways to get these systems installed, we think it will help homeowners and businesses save money on their energy bills over the years. Power grids are sized to meet maximum electricity demand, so buildings that can reliably keep electricity use below certain limits minimize the need to build more grid infrastructure. These factors can make geothermal networks the least expensive option on a system-wide basis when the lifecycle costs of infrastructure and energy consumption are built in. Xcel Energy is looking for ways to mitigate growing grid costs as it seeks regulatory approval to spend nearly $5 billion on its low-voltage distribution grid over the next five years, much of it to support growing power demand from heat pumps and electric vehicles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Based on our own research and forecasting, homes heated with ground-source heat pumps may require less electricity at peak and overall compared to homes with an air-source heat pump or resistance heating, therefore requiring fewer infrastructure investments on the grid, Xcel spokesperson Tyler Bryant told Canary Media in an email. Xcel will study the grid impacts of Lennar and Dandelion Energys use of ground-source heat pumps to inform future projects from a grid planning perspective. Neighborhood geothermal energy options Hannun isnt aware of other homebuilders embedding ground-source heat pumps into large-scale single-family construction, though they are being built into bigger buildings, including multifamily housing. But there are similar, yet distinct, approaches for single-family homes to tap underground temperature reserves to save energy and cut carbon emissions. One is thermal energy networks projects that build the infrastructure needed for geothermal heat pumps at a campus-wide or neighborhood scale instead of serving just one home. Utilities in Massachusetts and New York are actively pursuing these projects as part of their states decarbonization strategies. Six other states, including California and Colorado, have passed legislation that allows or mandates gas utilities to develop demonstration projects or pilots, according to the Building Decarbonization Coalition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Geothermal heat pumps and thermal energy networks are a cost-effective way for utilities and developers to deliver clean, affordable heating and cooling, at scale, while minimizing strain on the electric grid, said Ania Camargo, the nonprofits associate director of thermal networks. "The more geothermal systems we install, the better for the homeowner and the grid in the long run." Newly built neighborhoods can also incorporate thermal energy networks. A shared geothermal system will serve the 7,500-home Whisper Valley development in Austin, Texas. In Colorado, the housing authority serving Steamboat Springs is studying a community geothermal system for a new housing development. Under a state law passed last year, Xcel Energy is examining several neighborhood-scale alternatives to the gas system that can include both electrification and thermal energy network or ground-source heat pumps, Toor said. Hannun agreed that shared thermal energy networks are an effective way to approach neighborhood-scale geothermal heating. But theyre also more complicated to build and administer than individual ground-source heat pumps, particularly for entities that arent a regulated utility with state-mandated authority to provide energy services to customers. Lennar and Dandelion opted for single-home ground loops to avoid any complications that could arise from getting lots of homeowners to commit to a shared system, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not all homebuilders will embrace the additional costs of ground-source geothermal, she said. Developers dont pay utility bills, incentivizing them to choose the lowest-cost heating and cooling options available. At the same time, nationwide homebuilders like Lennar often offer new products to homeowners to try to stand out, Hannun said, and ground-source heating has traditionally been a luxury system. Its also a straightforward way to meet state or local energy-efficiency building codes, she added. Air-source heat pumps are inherently more energy efficient than fossil-fueled furnaces, since they use energy to move heat from one place to another rather than to create heat directly. But ground-source heat pumps can be more than twice as efficient as air-source models. These homes will have the lowest operating cost for HVAC possible, Hannun said. The homeowners will spend less than if they were using air-source heat pumps or if they were using gas. And that will be locked in for the lifetime of that home because that ground loop is built to last. This story was originally published on BioPharma Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily BioPharma Dive newsletter. Today, a brief rundown of news involving Eisai, Biogen and Sanofi, as well as updates from Opthea, Novartis, and PTC Therapeutics. The saga to get Eisai and Biogens newer drug for Alzheimers disease approved in Europe continues. On Tuesday, the partners disclosed that the European Commission, which makes the final call on what medicines are cleared for market in European Union, referred the Leqembi case to an appeal committee. These committees offer representatives from member countries a forum to further discuss proposed actions, such as the approval of a drug marketing application. A key regulatory committee sided against Leqembis approval last summer, but reversed course after Eisai appealed that decision. Jacob Bell Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sanofi has made former GSK executive Chris Corsico its new head of development, according to an internal company communication obtained by BioPharma Dive. Corsico, whose new position is effective immediately, will report to Sanofis global head of R&D Houman Ashrafian. At GSK, Corsico led development of the companys drug portfolio. He spent more than two decades at Boehringer Ingelheim previously. Ned Pagliarulo Eye drug maker Opthea has scrapped plans to develop a treatment for a form of age-related macular degeneration, and warned investors it could run out of funding. In a Monday announcement, the company said it would terminate its Phase 3 trial of sozinibercept, which was tested as a combination with Lucentis. There remains material uncertainty as to Opthea's ability to continue as a going concern, said the company, which had $100 million in cash and equivalents as of the end of March. Gwendolyn Wu Novartis appointed Karen Hale as its new chief legal and compliance officer, the Swiss pharma said Sunday, replacing Klaus Moosmayer. Hale, who joined Novartis in 2021 from AbbVie to become its chief legal officer, will now also oversee the companys ethics and risk compliance policies. Strengthening enterprise-wide risk alignment and ensuring our commitment to ethics, compliance, and integrity remains a guiding force in everything we do, Hale wrote in a LinkedIn post. Gwendolyn Wu After years of regulatory back-and-forth, the European Commission will not renew the marketing authorization of PTC Therapeutics drug Translarna to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Effectively, Translarna is no longer approved in Europe, although individual countries can use certain pathways to allow continued use. Translarna was initially authorized in Europe in 2014, but in 2022 failed a confirmatory testing. European regulators have repeatedly recommended against the drugs continued availability, but those decisions went through several appeals. PTC is still working to win approval of Translarna in the U.S., where it has been rejected multiple times, too. Ned Pagliarulo Recommended Reading LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A 2019 law put attention on efforts to help students overcome language barriers, but eventually it created more paperwork than it did results. It was a hard lesson for the lawmaker who sponsored it. I dont think its too often that you have a legislator coming back and saying, Hey, I need to repeal my own bill from 2019, Democratic Assemblymember Selena Torres-Fossett said Tuesday in Carson City. I think we found a way to make it better. As Torres-Fossett, a high school teacher, presented Assembly Bill 335 (AB335), she was focused on the students the legislation is meant to help. And she was surrounded by like-minded educators who see value in her new proposal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CCSD opposes school choice bill, while lawmakers say it empowers families They talked about critical needs among students who come to Nevada speaking Spanish, Tagalog, Chinese, Vietnamese or some other language. Torres-Fossett said as much as 20% of Nevadas K-12 student enrollment has a primary language that isnt English. Only 11% of those students are proficient in English, and 11% are proficient in math. Thats a formidable barrier to learning to read and write, as well as develop skills for listening and speaking, according to Ezra Goins, who has experience as an EL coordinator in Las Vegas. He currently works at Mater Academy East Las Vegas. When a newcomer is learning English as a second language as a new language they need support to access what theyre supposed to be learning in English with native language support, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill means training requirements for teachers and follow-through for administrators. But AB335 redirects the effort from paperwork to a more holistic approach to changing the course of education for English learners (ELs). Democratic Assem. Selena Torres-Fossett. (Courtesy: Nevada State Legislature) EL students are not an English teacher problem, Torres-Fossett said. These are Nevada students that deserve access to that high-quality education. Torres-Fossett and fellow Democratic Assem. Selena La Rue Hatch, also a teacher, made the point that its up to all teachers to help those students, not just the ones who teach grammar and spelling. AB335 would require Clark and Washoe County school principals to prepare plans to improve EL students achievements. The goal: close the gap between ELs and other students in all areas from proficiencies in individual subjects clear through to graduation rates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Currently, 75% of English learners graduate compared to 82% for other students. The bill creates a Zero Year for EL students, giving them an extra year to complete high school if they need it. Newcomers often need time to acclimate to their new home, according to a one-page bill summary from Torres-Fossett. Recognizing that these students are learning a new culture, language, and school system this bill allows newcomers additional time to graduate high school. The bill would create the English Learner Advisory Council to study policies to support English language acquisition, development and literacy. Elena Fabunan, who retired in 2023 as principal of Global Community High School, applauded the legislation because it doesnt lower the bar. Instead, it strengthens the system that supports EL students, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She recalled her own experience coming to the United States. Back then, I was a quiet child trying to make sense of a new country, a new language, and a school system that wasnt set up for students like me. That experience didnt break me. It shaped me, Fabunan said. It led me to become a bilingual teacher when language support often meant handing a student a worksheet and walking away. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. Let us be crystal clear about top national security personnel putting American service members lives at risk as they executed a top secret mission. The Trump administrations defenders do not get to pull their alternative facts lying narrative that none of this was classified. Not this time. How dare they even try? I do not have a son or daughter serving in the military, but parents of my sons friends do. They are all our sons and daughters, and they risk their lives every day protecting all of us. Anyone who needlessly and carelessly puts the lives of our military personnel in harms way deserves to be fired, at the very least. How dare this administration and Republican members of Congress blame journalists for reporting the truth? How dare this administration and any member of Congress attempt to gaslight the American people on this matter? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Take responsibility for it, apologize and do the decent thing. Those who are responsible should resign and then beg forgiveness of all the men and women in the military and the American people whose trust they have now lost. While youre at it, apologize to journalists like Jeffrey Goldberg, who are under attack for just doing their job. There is no defense for this because it is indefensible. This type of carelessness cost Hillary Clinton the 2016 election. The consequences for this recent egregious error in judgment should be equally damning. Lesley Turner Wyomissing I enjoy News of the Weird. In its March 20 edition there was an item titled Irony. I think it belongs on the front page of every newspaper and as the lead story on every newscast. It states the Brazilian city of Belem is hosting the COP30 climate summit. It will host 50,000 attendees. To accommodate this traffic they built a four- lane highway through the rainforest. They cut down trees, paved over wetlands and ruined farmers crops. The rainforest is very important to Earth. Its our biggest filter of greenhouse gases. Where are Bernie Sanders, John Kerry, Al Gore and Greta Thunberg? They tell me climate change is the biggest threat to civilization, and yet not one word from any of them on this travesty. Maybe they are reserving their private jets and dont have enough time to comment on the destruction of the rainforest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is just more hypocrisy from the left. Its not irony that the rainforest is being destroyed for a four-lane highway for a climate summit. I think the word criminal fits better. And they wonder why we dont trust them. Eric Mazur Bern Township Fraudulent I saw that word come up in several interviews. Once with our Rep. Cliff Bentz and Oregon Public Broadcastings Think Out Loud with David Miller. When Mr. Miller pressed Mr. Bentz a little more about what cuts to Medicaid would do to the folks on the Oregon Health Plan, Mr. Bentz said: If Oregonians are kicked off the plan, its because the deserve it and are fraudulently participating. Google: OPB interview with Cliff Bentz for full interview. Next interview on YouTube All in Podcast with Howard Lutnick, secretary of Commerce, said the only people who would call in if their Social Security check didnt come in would be fraudulent people. Next on YouTube, Bret Baier with Elon Musk and some of his Department of Government Efficiency team claimed 40% fraud in Social Security because people call in and change their bank information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ed Weir, former Social Security manager, on YouTube has some truth to say on that subject. So Im hoping if you have ever been helped by Medicaid, Medicare or Social Security, please call our representative and let him know you are not a fraud. Please join the peaceful rallies/protest/town halls going on across this great nation, including the one for our Veterans at wearetheflood.net. Luann Horn Hermiston Greencore is on the cusp of acquiring fellow private-label convenience business Bakkavor after putting in a new cash and share offer valued at 1.2bn ($1.55bn). Ireland-based Greencore said today (2 April) that Bakkavor's board has indicated that "the key financial terms represent a value that it would be minded unanimously to recommend" the deal to its shareholders. London-listed Greencore revealed in March that it had made two takeover bids for UK-based Bakkavor but both had been turned down. The second of those valued the business at 1.14bn but Bakkavor, which is also listed in London, said the offer significantly undervalued the private-label supplier of ready meals and desserts to major UK supermarkets. In a stock-exchange filing today, Greencore said the latest bid implies a 200 pence per share valuation for Bakkavor, based on Greencores undisturbed closing share price on 13 March, the last day before the offer period commenced. That valuation includes a final dividend payment equating to the takeover offer of 1.2bn. At 200p a share, Greencore added the offer represents a 32.5% premium over Bakkavors closing share price on 13 March and a 39.8% premium to the companys volume-weighted closing price of 143p in the three months to 13 March. Greencore said the acquisition, agreed in "principle" with Bakkavor, would create a leading UK convenience food business with a combined revenue of around 4bn. A deal would, however, still need clearance from competition regulators. Should the transaction be approved by Bakkavor's shareholders, Greencore would own 56% of the combined group, while the target shareholders would hold 44%. It is proposed that Agust Gudmundsson and Lydur Gudmundsson, currently non-executive directors of Bakkavor, would join the board of the combined business. "The boards of Greencore and Bakkavor see compelling strategic, commercial and financial rationale for the possible offer and believe it provides a highly compelling value-creation opportunity for stakeholders in both Bakkavor and Greencore," today's filing read. It added: "There is potential for substantial synergies resulting from a combination of the two businesses, further enhancing growth, investment in innovation and the customer and consumer proposition, and value creation for Bakkavor and Greencore shareholders." Fresh prepared food supplier Bakkavor also has operations in the US and China and generated 2.29bn in revenue in 2024. The company employs 17,200 people across 41 sites in the three markets. Dane County Judge Susan Crawford won a seat on the Wisconsin State Supreme Court on Tuesday maintaining the courts liberal-leaning majority and dealing a blow to Republicans. In a hotly contested race that drew more than $90 million in spending, Crawford beat former Republican Attorney General Brad Schimel by roughly 10 points on par with a similar Democratic-backed victory that flipped the court just two years ago. President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk loomed large over the contest. Trump endorsed Schimel , who touted Trumps support in digital ads and at events, hoping to animate the presidents voters even though he wasnt on the ballot. Musk, for his part, shoveled millions into the race, including handing out million-dollar checks to two Wisconsin voters last weekend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats turned the contest into a referendum on Trumps second term, featuring Musk's government spending-slashing Department of Government Efficiency heavily in ads during the final weeks of the campaign. Crawfords win is also a sign that Democrats continue to overperform in non-presidential elections that tend to draw more participation from highly engaged voters. Crawfords victory could prove pivotal for a state Supreme Court thats poised to take up major cases, including on abortion rights and redistricting. On Tuesday evening, Schimel told supporters that he'd called Crawford to concede, which drew boos from the crowd. "No, no, no, no," Schimel said, "you've got to accept the results." Crawford, for her part, said Schimel was "very gracious" on their call. But of Musk, Crawford said in her victory speech, "I never could've imagined that I'd be taking on the richest man in the world ... and we won." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Today, Wisconsinites fended off an unprecedented attack on our democracy, our fair elections and our Supreme Court, she said. Wisconsin stood up and said loudly that justice does not have a price. Our courts are not for sale. National Democrats quickly seized on the victory as evidence that "anyone who counted Democrats out was dead wrong," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement immediately after the race was called. Democrats also over-performed in a pair of Florida House special elections on Tuesday night, though neither overcame the double-digit advantages for Republicans in the deep-red seats. The Wisconsin contest smashed financial records for a judicial election, becoming the most expensive judicial contest in American history. In 2023, Wisconsins Supreme Court race set the most recent record in spending, costing more than $50 million in a race Democrats also won. Musks central role in the contest added a controversial element to the race. Earlier this year, Tesla, one of Musks companies, sued Wisconsin to challenge a state law forbidding it from opening dealerships in the state. Within days of Teslas filing , Musk started posting about the judicial race on his platform, X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elon Musk Holds Town Hall Ahead Hotly Contested Wisconsin State Supreme Court Election Musk-backed groups, including America PAC and Building Americas Future, have pumped more than $17 million into the race. Musk himself has donated to the states Republican Party . Democrats seized on Musks interventions casting him as a bogeyman and serving as a blueprint for Democratic attack lines on the billionaire. In TV ads and at People v. Musk events, Wisconsin Democrats linked Schimel to Musk. Musks favorability ratings are underwater in the state among Democrats and independents. One TV ad blasted Musk as out of control, and now the power-hungry billionaire is unloading millions to buy the Wisconsin Supreme Court, the ads narrator says . He knows corrupt politician Brad Schimel is for sale and will abolish the checks and balances that protect us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement National Democrats also got involved in the race. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and longtime mega donor George Soros backed Crawford. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the former Democratic vice presidential nominee, also campaigned in the state on her behalf. In a debate last month, Crawford also tied Schimel to Musk , saying the billionaire had basically taken over Brad Schimels campaign. The Musk-centric ad blitz showed how Democrats may use the billionaire as a villain for other elections, including gubernatorial and legislative races in New Jersey and Virginia in November. Liberal Susan Crawford has won the race for a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, an election in which the richest person in the world featured prominently and one that could determine the future of abortion in the state. Crawford defeated conservative candidate Brad Schimel, Decision Desk HQ projected, guaranteeing liberals will hold control of the highest court in a critical swing state. The result of Tuesdays election is a major victory for Democrats and a rebuke of billionaire Elon Musk, a key ally of President Donald Trump who poured millions into the state supporting Schimel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crawford, a Dane County Circuit Court judge, defeated Schimel, a Waukesha County Circuit Court judge, for a 10-year term, meaning that liberals will continue to hold a 4-3 majority on the high court, which is poised to decide important cases on abortion, labor rights and the states congressional maps. Supreme Court races in Wisconsin, while technically nonpartisan, have become increasingly political and have seen record amounts of outside spending as the U.S. Supreme Court has delegated hot-button issues like abortion to the states. The candidates and outside groups spent nearly $100 million in Wisconsins Supreme Court race, setting a new record for the most expensive judicial race in American history. The Wisconsin race was viewed by both sides as an early referendum on Trumps second term and on Musk, who became a flashpoint in the race and a bogeyman for Crawford and Democrats, who accused him of trying to buy the Supreme Court seat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk, the public face of the federal job and spending cuts undertaken by the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has been vocally castigating the federal judges he believes are standing in his way and putting his personal wealth toward reshaping the balance of power in the states. Musks two affiliated political groups, Building Americas Future and America PAC, spent over $20 million supporting Schimel. Musks groups also paid voters $100 for signing petitions opposing activist judges, reprising a tactic he deployed in the 2024 presidential election. Two voters won $1 million and were named spokespeople of Musks America PAC. Its really disappointing to see that, and it is really making people mad, Crawford told The 19th at a campaign stop March 22. And so I think what were seeing a lot of at these appearances is a reaction to people not wanting to have some outsider billionaire like that come in and try to buy a seat on the Supreme Court. Circuit Court Judge Brad Schimel speaks to supporters during a campaign stop on March 25, 2025, in Jefferson, Wisconsin. Scott Olson/Getty Images Spring judicial elections in Wisconsin are typically lower in turnout and draw the highest-engaged, most frequent voters, a segment of the electorate that, in recent years, has skewed increasingly Democratic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also on Tuesday, Florida held special elections for two deep-red congressional districts vacated by former Reps. Matt Gaetz and Michael Waltz, who is serving as national security adviser in Trumps administration. In Floridas 6th District, Republican Randy Fine defeated Democrat Josh Weil whose campaign drew nationwide attention and eye-popping fundraising numbers by 14 points in a district that Trump and Waltz carried by over 30 in 2024. In Floridas 1st District, Republican Jimmy Patronis defeated his Democratic opponent by 15 points in a district Gaetz carried by 32. Both parties viewed the Wisconsin election as a critical bellwether for statewide elections in New Jersey and Virginia in November and the 2026 midterms. The result in Wisconsin comes on the heels of Democratic overperformances in state legislative special elections, including flipping a deep-red state Senate in Pennsylvania last week. The post Liberals hold Wisconsin Supreme Court after campaign shaped heavily by Musk appeared first on The 19th. News that represents you, in your inbox every weekday. Subscribe to our free, daily newsletter. President Donald Trump is set to announce a new round of tariffs during his Liberation Day event Wednesday at the White House. The plan is expected to be a massive tariff program against every major U.S. trading partner, including a wide range of reciprocal tariffs on nations with duties on U.S. goods. Trump has said his tariff policy is aimed at everything from alleged unfair trade policies by other countries to bringing manufacturing back to the U.S. to increasing tax revenue, as well as stemming the flow of illegal drugs and migrants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The White House has already imposed 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminium imports from all countries, along with a 20% duty on all Chinese goods. Here is a quick look at Trumps tariff timeline and how other countries have responded Nov. 5 Trump vows tariffs on his first day in office After being reelected to the White House on Nov. 5, Trump said he would impose import tariffs on all three of the United States largest trading partners on his first day in office on Jan. 20. The tariffs would include 25% duties on all products coming into the U.S. from Canada and Mexico. Trump said the tariffs were aimed at stopping the flow of drugs and illegal migrants across the Mexican and Canadian borders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As everyone is aware, thousands of people are pouring through Mexico and Canada, bringing Crime and Drugs at levels never seen before, Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. On January 20th, as one of my many first Executive Orders, I will sign all necessary documents to charge Mexico and Canada a 25% Tariff on ALL products coming into the United States, and its ridiculous Open Borders. Trump also said fentanyl from China is being smuggled into the U.S. and the tariffs are aimed at spurring Chinese officials to stop the flow of drugs. Feb. 1 Trump orders steep tariffs on goods from Mexico, Canada, China Trump levied a 25% tariff on almost all Canadian and Mexican imports. He signed an executive order Feb. 1 that would impose 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada, along with an additional 10% tariffs on goods from China. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Canadian energy imports would be tariffed at 10%. Canada and Mexico responded with retaliatory tariffs against U.S. imports on Feb 2. On Feb. 3, Trump announced he had reached agreements with Mexico and Canada to postpone tariffs on their countries imports for one month. The 10% tariff on all goods from China went into effect on Feb. 4. Feb. 10 Trump plans 25% tariffs on all imports of steel and aluminum Trump announced he would impose a 25% import tax on all steel and aluminium entering the U.S.. The tax started March12. The U.S. imports about $11 billion in steel and $9 billion in aluminum annually from Canada, according to Bloomberg. Mexico was second for steel at $6.5 billion and third for aluminum at about $686 million. Feb. 13 Trump announces reciprocal tariff plan for all US trading partners Trump announced on Feb. 13 that the U.S. would look at implementing reciprocal tariffs to match the tax rates other nations place on imports of American goods. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On trade I have decided for purposes of fairness, that I will charge a reciprocal tariff meaning whatever countries charge the United States of America, we will charge them no more, no less. In other words, they charge us a tax or tariff and we charge them the exact same tax or tariff. Very simple, Trump said from the White House. March 3 Trump raises tariffs on Chinese goods another 10% Trump signed an executive order to raise tariffs on imports from China by an additional 10% to begin on March 4. Trumps order said Chinese imports will now face 20% tariffs over their failure to address the fentanyl pouring into our country, according to a post on X. The potential disruption from a tariff war has been putting pressure on movements of ocean containers to the U.S., according to data from SONARs Inbound Ocean TEUs Volume Index. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The index represents the daily volume of twenty-foot equivalent unit volumes being booked with ocean container lines for a specific country of origin or a specific port within a country of origin. The IOTI.USA index shows that current container movements to the U.S. from Asia, Europe and other parts of the world have been surging since Feb. 16. As of Wednesday, SONARs Inbound Ocean TEUs Index for the U.S. (IOTI.USA) shows container shipments to the U.S. are up over 44% since Feb. 16. To learn more about SONAR, click here March 3 Trump hits imports from Mexico, Canada with 25% tariffs After a 30-day pause on tariffs against Canada and Mexico, Trump hit imports from Canada and Mexico with 25% tariffs. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said immediately that her government planned to respond to the U.S. tariffs with its own tariff and nontariff measures starting in six days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau retaliated with tariffs on $30 billion worth of American goods immediately and promised an additional $125 billion in products from the U.S. would face levies three weeks later. On March 5, Trump said he would delay the 25% tariffs against Canada and Mexico until April 2, including duties on all automotive goods from Canada and Mexico. March 12 Steel, aluminum tariffs go into effect as Canada, EU hit back The U.S. began imposing 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports from all global trading partners. The European Union and Canada immediately placed new trade duties on about $49 billion worth of U.S. goods in response to Trumps tariffs on metal imports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of this morning the United States is applying a 25% tariff on imports of steel and aluminium. We deeply regret this measure. Tariffs are taxes. They are bad for business, and even worse for consumers. These tariffs are disrupting supply chains. They bring uncertainty for the economy. Jobs are at stake. Prices will go up. In Europe and in the United States. The Commission must act to protect consumers and business, Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, said in a news release. March 24 Trump imposes 25% tariffs on countries that buy oil from Venezuela Trump signed an executive order placing a 25% tariff on all imports from any country that buys oil or gas from Venezuela, along with imposing new tariffs on the South American country. Venezuela has been very hostile to the United States and the Freedoms which we espouse. Therefore, any Country that purchases Oil and/or Gas from Venezuela will be forced to pay a Tariff of 25% to the United States on any Trade they do with our Country, Trump posted on Truth Social. The U.S. was the No. 2 global importer of Venezuelan oil in 2024, totaling 233,000 barrels per day, according to data obtained by CNBC from Kpler. China was the No. 1 importer of Venezuelan oil last year, averaging 270,000 barrels per day. The post Liberation Day: A look at Trumps tariff timeline and what to expect appeared first on FreightWaves. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Oregon could just have the shortest park trail on the globe, but you wont be seeing that in a book of world records anytime soon. Lincoln City Parks & Recreation recently announced the opening of its new paved park trail found on the southeast end of Schooner Creek Discovery Park. It measures just 135 feet, or about 0.02 miles. Oregon bill allocating $800M toward Portland MLB team forges ahead Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although city leaders estimate the trail is the shortest anywhere, they reported that verifying the title with Guinness World Records would cost at least $14,000. And the Oregon Parks Foundation funded the trail with a grant of just $2,000, according to Lincoln City officials. Tillamook Estuaries Partnership additionally provided the native plantings, like huckleberry and cedar, along the trail. I couldnt justify spending more funds on bragging rights than spent on the actual trail construction, Parks and Recreation Director Jeanne Sprague said in a statement. Weve done our work and found no shorter paved public park trail. Believe me, this trail is teeny-tiny. Lincoln City claimed it is home of the worlds shortest river as well, referring to the 120-feet D River on the west side of Highway 101. But Montana has also claimed the title, due to its 201-foot Roe River. According to Conde Nast Traveler, Guinness no longer recognizes this record due to longstanding debates about which state it should go to. KOIN Most Remarkable Woman 2025 will go to Hollywood Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Regardless, the coastal town is up for any potential competition regarding its new claim to hold the worlds shortest trail. Parks Supervisor Monte Demaris said he would like to see someone try to beat the record, but officials would merely shorten the trail. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) KSN is excited to announce the winner of our 2025 Remarkable Women series, Madison Smith! Over the past month, KSN has shared stories about women who are making a difference in Kansas, chosen from nominations sent in by viewers: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smith is a nursing student at Kansas Wesleyan in Salina. In 2018, Smith says what started as consensual sex led to her being raped. She is now on a path to help others reclaim their power. Madison Smith finds out that shes KSNs 2025 Remarkable Woman (KSN Photo) KSN is making a $1,000 contribution to Janas Campaign, a national education and relationship violence prevention organization, on behalf of Smith. Smith will soon travel to Los Angeles for an all-expenses-paid trip, sponsored by our parent company, Nexstar Media Group, along with 124 other Remarkable Women from across the country. Five regional finalists will each receive an additional $5,000 for a nonprofit of their choice, and one outstanding woman will be honored as The Nexstar Woman of the Year, accompanied by a $25,000 donation to a nonprofit close to her heart. KSNs 2024 Remarkable Woman was Heidi Feyerherm-Smith, who took her 6-year-old daughter Chloes cancer experience and created a childhood cancer nonprofit (the Love, Chloe Foundation) that reaches beyond the United States. The Nexstar Woman of the Year was Jerelyn Rodriguez, co-founder of The Knowledge House, which provides high-tech training to students from underserved communities. Whether its for a family member, friend, co-worker, or for yourself, there is help out there for anyone who has experienced sexual assault. Click here to find a list. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) Rep. Dale Strong hosted a telephone town hall Tuesday night, answering questions about topics including the Signal group chat leak, Congresss support for Israel, Trump Administration tariffs, issues related to the VA and federal jobs cuts. People living in Alabamas 5th District have called for Strong to hold an in-person town hall, with some even holding a demonstration outside the congressmans Huntsville office. The telephone town hall was not advertised to the public in advance. Strongs office did not provide a phone number or schedule, allowing the public at large to participate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Participants were told they could dial 3* to ask the congressman a question on the call. News 19s recording of the town hall includes the final 45 minutes of the call, beginning with a question about the U.S. Postal Service. You can listen to the final 45 minutes of the call below. News 19 has reached out to Strongs office for comment. Strongs district encompasses the counties of Jackson, Madison, Morgan, Limestone and the eastern portion of Lauderdale. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com. We recently published a list of Dividend Capture Strategy: 15 High Yield Stocks to Buy in April. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE:HRL) stands against other best high yield stocks to buy in April. Dividend investing appears to be a simple strategy on the surface, but in reality, it requires a much deeper analysis. These stocks are best known for their long-term appeal, a trait recognized by seasoned investors. Over the years, dividend growth stocks have outperformed other asset classes during periods of economic downturns. This can also be observed in todays economic landscape. With the Trump administrations trade war or soft economic data, dividend stocks have the potential to outperform, according to analysts. In addition, these equities are currently trading at lower price-to-earnings ratios than the broader market, which could be a great entry point for income investors. Wolfe Research analyst Chris Senyek also advised investors to pay attention to dividend growth stocks as they can serve as a buffer against market downturns. Here is what he said: Our favorite defensive dividend strategy, dividend aristocrats, is a good place for investors to hide in the event of an economic slowdown or recessionary environment. For this, he recommends investing in the Dividend Aristocrats Index, which tracks the performance of companies that have achieved 25 consecutive years of dividend growth. The index is outperforming the broader market this year, surging by over 2%, compared to the markets nearly 5% decline. Though dividend aristocrats are gaining this year, their performance in the last two years has been less impressive. With AI taking center stage, dividend stocks were overlooked by investors, leaving many still trading at a discount. Analysts are presenting a strong outlook for dividend stocks this year because of the changing economic and political landscape. According to a report by BNY Investments, dividend stocks are poised for growth this year as tech stocks have also entered into the dividend territory last year. Combining factors of growth and income can bode well for dividend equities. As of September 2024, nearly 80% of the companies in the S&P index pay dividends to shareholders, 24% of which are from the tech sector. The percentage has grown significantly from 13% a decade ago, as reported by BNY. Dividend yield is an important aspect of dividend investing, and investors often pay attention to yields when making investment decisions. However, falling for yield traps does more harm than good. Dan Lefkovitz, a strategist for Morningstar Indexes, made the following comment for investors with a preference for high yields: HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) A Little River woman was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Tuesday after pleading guilty to felony DUI in the death of a Longs man in June 2023. Nancy Bishop, 63, pleaded guilty to felony driving under the influence with death in the Fathers Day weekend crash in North Myrtle Beach that killed Thomas Brown, 41. She was sentenced by Horry County Circuit Court Judge David P. Caraker. Bishop must serve at least 85% of the sentence before she is eligible for release, according to the 15th Circuit Solicitors Office. She could have received up to 25 years in prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities said Bishop was going west on the Robert Edge Parkway Bridge when her Lexus swerved across the centerline and collided head-on with Browns Nissan. Bishops car landed on top of Browns, and Bishop and Browns wife and three children were taken to the hospital. Browns widow, Ana, told News13 last June that the family had been out celebrating Fathers Day at a local park before going to dinner. Police said Bishop had a blood alcohol level that was nearly three times the legal limit. In addition, while conducting an inventory of Bishops vehicle before it was towed away, officers found an open container of wine along with a cup in the cupholder that contained a liquid consistent with the contents of the wine bottle. Later, while out of jail on bond after the crash, Bishop was returned to jail last October after authorities said she violated home detention by having bottles of alcohol in her home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In February 2023, Ana Brown received a $175,000 settlement from a wrongful death suit filed against Bishop. * * * Dennis Bright is the Digital Executive Producer at News13. He joined the team in May 2021. Dennis is a West Virginia native and a graduate of Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. Follow Dennis on Facebook, X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. POLAND, Ohio (WKBN) WKBN has been told that the Western Reserve Joint Fire Districts non-emergency dispatch number is down. Crews are asking people to call 330-799-9721 for the time being. At this time, it is unknown as to when the phone number will be restored. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. WARREN, Ohio (WKBN) The man who prosecutors call the mastermind of a murder-for-hire plot is up for parole, while his accomplice has been executed. Read next: Columbus school staffer arrested in alleged murder-for-hire plot John Santine has a parole hearing this month. He was convicted in connection with the 1995 murder of Ann Sefarino in a murder-for-hire plot. Charles Serafino was Santines target, but the shooter-for-hire, Jason Getsy, ended up severely wounding Charles and killing Ann inside a house in Hubbard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors say Santine hired Getsy to kill Serafino over the ownership of a landscaping business. Getsy was tried, convicted and executed in August 2009 at the age of 33. Trumbull County Prosecutor Dennis Watkins is vehemently against Santines parole, saying that while Santine did not participate in the actual murder, he hired Getsy for about $5,000 to kill Charles Serafino and dropped him and his crews off at the house where the murder happened. In all, there were four people implicated in the ambush and murder: Getsy, Santine, Ben Hudach and Richard McNulty. McNulty was sentenced to 38 years to life, and Hudach was sentenced to 20 years to life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Santine was sentenced to life. He has served 29-and-a-half years of his sentence. This man has yet to serve his minimum sentence and deserves no mercy or release by this Parole Board or any other in the future, Watkins wrote. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) A plumbing contractor based in East County has been ordered to pay over $1 million dollars in restitution as part of a workers compensation fraud prosecution, the office of San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan said Wednesday. Daniela Birdwell, 41, the owner of GPS Plumbing, pleaded guilty to one count of workers compensation insurance premium fraud. She will now have to pay $10,000 per month to the State Compensation Insurance Fund toward restitution as ordered by a judge. Video Above: How does a case make its way to the Supreme Court? Protesters gather in response to ICE raid at East County business Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Birdwell was also sentenced to two years of formal felony probation plus 320 hours of community service, the district attorneys office stated. The State Fund provided workers compensation insurance coverage to GPS Plumbing between June 2016 through May 2021. The fraud was first discovered when a State Fund special investigation unit saw noticeable differences between wages the company reported to the Employment Development Department and wages reported to the State Fund during policy audits. Employers who engage in premium fraud are not only breaking the law, they also gain an unfair advantage over their competitors, District Attorney Stephan said. The dedicated investigators and prosecutors in our Insurance Fraud Division will continue to investigate this type of fraud to hold businesses accountable, protect employees, and level the playing field for law abiding companies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report of suspected fraud was submitted to the district attorneys office and the Department of Insurance for investigation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) At Holyoke City Hall, members of the local Sikh community started their celebration of Vaisakhi on Tuesday with prayers and a flag-raising ceremony. The month of April is special to all Sikhs, as they honor the beginning of a new year in their faith. Vaisakhi is a festival held on April 13 for Sikhs to acknowledge the people of India. Whether it is celebrated in America or India, they use their temple for gatherings. Photos include pet night with the Holyoke Mall Easter Bunny Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This means like, anyone that needs help or if theyre hungry, they can go to that temple and get help, said Gurninder Dhaliwal, Secretary of the Planning Board in Holyoke. So we have one full gurdwara in Connecticut, then five gurdwaras in Massachusetts. The first group of Sikhs came to the U.S. in the 1900s from the Punjab region of South Asia. Now, the U.S. has grown to have more than 700,000 Sikhs living here. As more Sikhs came to the U.S., this tradition has become harder for them to observe. After 9/11, weve been misidentified, so for a lot of areas in the United States, because of misidentifying, people dont have an education of who we are, said Baljinder Singh, a member of the Holyoke Sikh community. Therefore, the members of Holyoke do something special each year. The Sikh community has celebrated Vaisakhi with a parade in the U.S. for 37 years. And for the last 15 years, it has always started right here in the city of Holyoke. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their goal is to bring peace and equality and to show everyone how their religion is different. This is a tradition they say will forever continue in Holyoke. They give us a lot of respect and we respect every religion, thats what my religion is, said Singh. Sikhism is the fifth-largest independent religion in the world. The members told 22News that they will continue to keep it growing. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) A local teacher might just be Americas favorite. Veronica Kiefaber lives in Kettering, and is a Spanish teacher at Franklin high school. Shes just a few days away from the finals in a national online contest to determine who is the countrys favorite teacher. Miss Keifaber is my favorite because she cares so much about her students and spends so much time pouring into them, said former student Mikayla Kepler. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Veronica Kiefaber has been teaching Spanish for 17 years. She says often times, teachers dont realize the impact they have on students until years later. Oh, I loved her,' Veronica said. Im like, you didnt say that to me when youre in school, but I like to hear it ten years later. After becoming friends with some of her former students on social media, their kind words encouraged her to sign up for an online contest for the title of Americas Favorite Teacher. Shes just amazing at what she does, said former student Kody Viers. She would come into the classroom with a certain type of energy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They kept sending me messages, Hey, youre my favorite,' Veronica said. And I was like, all right, sure. So I said, Ill go ahead and sign up for this. And then it just has kind of blown up from there. Blown up so much that Veronica is now nearing the finals! She not only taught us the language But immersed us in the culture, said former student Courtney Dunn. Thats pretty just surreal to think that Ive touched so many people and even people I work with who are passionately voting for me every day, Veronica said. Even after 10 years, I still remember all the lessons that she taught us and she made Spanish so fun, said former student Alexis Bradley. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Veronica has even come up with a unique way to encourage people to vote free online Spanish lessons! Its not how I teach in the classroom, but its on the computer and people can get free Spanish lessons, Veronica said. Adults even now. So maybe theyll be like, Hey, Ill vote!' If Veronica wins the contest, she would get a 25 thousand dollar prize. She already knows what shed do with it. Veronica has a plan to start a scholarship fund for her students. I just want my students to have more opportunities, Veronica said. So thats if I win, I want the money to go back to them. You can vote for Veronica by going here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And her free online Spanish lessons are available here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. Parks & Trails New York, with funding provided by the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation, has announced $61,754 in competitive grants to eight municipalities in Western New York. The Trail Town Grants are aimed at boosting local economies by leveraging visitation to nearby public lands. The grants are used to promote place-making efforts, improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists, and implement community-driven projects that prioritize active transportation alternatives for cyclists and pedestrians. Among the awards is $4,050 to Lockport Main Street to create a brochure map of the City of Lockport designed to connect visitors and users of the Empire State Trail to local businesses, amenities, and attractions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At PTNY, we believe in the power of trails. Not only do they bring in visitors and boost local economies they support healthier communities, enhance outdoor recreation, and improve pedestrian safety, Parks & Trails New York Executive Director Paul Steely White. Western New York is becoming an outdoor recreation destination, and this much-needed funding will foster adventure for tourists and locals alike. The grants will enable communities residing along the 90-mile Genesee Valley Greenway and the western portion of the Empire State Trail to take advantage of visitation to these trails and other outdoor recreational resources in the area. The Trail Town grants help foster place-making efforts, encourage safer, more accessible streets for cyclists and pedestrians in Trail Town communities, and spur investment in new amenities, materials, events, and programs geared towards outdoor users. Since 2019, PTNY has supported regional Trail Town programs. A concept that was born along the Great Allegheny Passage has spread to other parts of the country, including in New York State. Parks & Trails New York has been able to support a similar initiative in the rural Genesee Valley region in partnership with the Friends of the Genesee Valley Greenway, the Office of State Parks, and Letchworth Gateway Villages. As part of PTNYs portfolio along the Erie Canalway Trail, sponsored by the New York State Canal Corporation, this program has expanded to communities along the 750-mile Empire State Trail, helping municipalities harness the power of the Empire State Trail to boost local economies. Trail Towns create a robust, sustainable outdoor economy focused on natural assets and quality of life. Through this initiative, participating communities are able to identify and establish a strong community brand and identity. This foundation helps create a unique and memorable destination appeal, fostering a sense of place, and attracting visitors who seek authentic experiences that reflect the areas culture, heritage, and attractions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Organizers say the Trail Town seed grants can make a big impact by providing the essential funding needed to enhance trails, support local businesses, and create vibrant outdoor recreation hubs that attract visitors and strengthen community pride. Other regional awardees include: Village of Brockport ($12,349) for the purchase and installation of bike racks and inclusive wayfaring signage at Brockports popular downtown and waterfront destinations near the Erie Canalway Trail. Village of Perry ($8,996) for the installation of a bicycle repair station and a water filling station at the Memorial Park/Main St trailhead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Letchworth Gateway Villages ($3,756) to print and distribute brochures and rack cards to highlight and promote individual Genesee Valley Trail Towns. Village of Avon ($3,000) for the installation of a water fill and pet station in the Erie-Attica trailhead park. Europe: 500 MW installed or under construction and a pipeline of more than 15 GW of solar and wind projects Africa: 255 MW installed in Uganda and 560 MW of hydropower projects Canada: 180 MW installed and more than 600 MW of solar and wind projects PARIS, April 02, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Following the agreements signed in 2024, TotalEnergies (Paris:TTE) (LSE:TTE) (NYSE:TTE) confirms the closing of its acquisitions of VSB Group, a European wind and solar developer with extensive operations in Germany, and SN Power, which develops hydropower in Africa, particularly Uganda. TotalEnergies is also announcing new deals with renewables developer RES, with a view to acquiring renewables projects in Alberta, and the closing of a first project acquisition. Europe: TotalEnergies has closed the acquisition of VSB, and is strengthening its integrated electricity business, particularly in Germany This deal strengthens TotalEnergies integrated electricity business in Germany, which represents half of VSBs portfolio, adding to the recent acquisitions of battery storage developer Kyon Energy and energy manager Quadra Energy, as well as the Companys offshore wind positions in the country. VSBs more than 15 GW pipeline will also increase TotalEnergies renewables pipeline in Europe to over 40 GW of capacity, in addition to the 7 GW already in operation or under construction. Given its targeted strategy for certain key European markets, the Company has decided to start the divestment process for the VSB-developed Puutionsaari project in Finland (440 MW wind and solar). Africa: TotalEnergies has closed the acquisition of SN Power and is pursuing the implementation of its multi-energy strategy, particularly in Uganda The acquisition of SN Power will allow TotalEnergies to implement its multi-energy strategy in Uganda, where the Company is already active in exploration and production. The Bujagali hydropower plant (225 MW), for example, meets more than 25% of the countrys peak electricity demand. The transaction gives TotalEnergies a 28.3% stake in Bujagali, currently operating in Uganda, and a stake in two other projects under development in Rwanda (206 MW) and Malawi (360 MW). The deal also gives TotalEnergies a team of hydropower development experts, strengthening its competencies in this field. Canada: TotalEnergies has signed agreements to acquire certain wind and solar projects and closed the acquisition of a solar farm in Alberta The Company has signed agreements with RES to acquire certain wind and solar projects under development in Alberta, amounting to total capacity of more than 800 MW. TotalEnergies has also just closed the acquisition of Big Sky Solar (184 MW), a solar facility in Alberta that was commissioned at the end of February. More than two thirds of the electricity produced by Big Sky Solar will be sold under a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA). The remainder will be sold on the electricity market by TotalEnergies, which will also sell the carbon credits generated by the facility under Albertas regulated carbon emissions program. Gov. Joe Lombardo speaking in Las Vegas Tuesday. (Photo: April Corbin Girnus/Nevada Current) Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo on Tuesday downplayed concerns about the potential consequences of tariffs and other economic policies imposed by the Trump administration, saying Nevada will make adjustments on the fly. Lombardo made his comments in Las Vegas at a press conference at a soon-to-open affordable housing complex for seniors, where he was highlighting his housing bill. The Nevada Housing Access and Attainability Act, as Assembly Bill 540 has been named, will be heard by the Nevada State Legislatures Assembly Commerce and Labor Committee on Wednesday night. It promises to leverage $250 million in state funds to support more than $1 billion of new housing projects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked about Trump tariffs driving up the cost of constructing new homes, Lombardo acknowledged that tariffs are the great unknown, before pivoting to saying his housing legislation is designed to be flexible enough to react to the needs of developers. Well make adjustments on the fly, he said. Housing groups have warned that Trump tariffs on lumber, steel, aluminium and other key goods will increase the cost of constructing homes. The National Association of Home Builders, whose Southern Nevada affiliate participated in Lombardos press event Tuesday, have estimated that 7% of all goods used in new residential construction are imported. When asked about Trumps broader economic policies and their potential negative impact on Nevadas economy, Lombardo responded that it is the obligation of the governor and the Legislature to identify the states needs and prioritize. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You have to triage what your priorities are, he said. You have to identify what the problems are, what the priorities are, and housing is a priority. Housing is a priority and well make adjustments within the state budgets services. Lombardo in his response also alluded to recent conversations about potential cuts to Medicaid and Medicare. Those concerns, which were raised via letters and legislative hearings, are still pending as the federal budgeting process continues. Legislative Republicans have suggested theyd be more open to cutting services than raising revenue to backfill federal cuts. Early data suggests international visitation to the United States is rapidly declining due to concerns about Trumps trade wars, immigration enforcement without due process, and outlandish proposals to buy or take over other countries. Lombardo, who was endorsed by Trump, has previously said that Trump will bring down the rising costs of housing, groceries, and gas and oversee a new era of American prosperity. He expressed none of that enthusiasm Tuesday. NEW LONDON, Conn. (WTNH) Some tough decisions are now being made in New London as the state is expected to cut $2.5 million in funding to the city. There wont be any cuts to police and fire departments, but other city departments may get smaller, the mayor said. 16 kittens found abandoned in New London Since the legislature has deemed 45% of the city not subject to property taxes, we depend on the pilot. Its not some sort of the handout, Mayor Michael Passero, (D) said. They are supposed to reimburse us for that loss in revenue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To make up for that loss plus increased costs, the mayor is proposing there be no increase to the school departments budget. That department had wanted an added $7 million this year. I hope they find a way to get that money from other places because we really need to invest in our schools, teachers and support that, New London resident Marie Thomas said. The mayor is also looking to use $1.75 million in surplus money to help fund the budget and is looking to cut $1.5 million from the budget by eliminating employees. It could be anywhere from 10 to 15 positions, which will really hurt the city, Passero said. But thats the situation were in now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The one bright spot may be because of revaluations and higher property values the city is slightly lowering the tax rate by .3 mills. With the lowering the taxes for the businesses definitely helping us a lot and thats really good news for the business, Kendy Zapata, who along with her husband owns Jeffreys JBS Barber Spa on Bank Street, said. Dashcam video: Suspect arrested in pursuit on Interstate 95 in East Lyme after hitting Connecticut State Police cruiser City councilors now have a lot of work ahead of them. They have to meet with each department, hear from the finance committee and hear from the public before making any decision. The budget in New London has to be approved by May 30. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our local budget has to be adopted before the state budget is adopted so thats always a little tricky, Passero said. The mayor hopes what the state provides is more than what the city was expecting. He says he is working with state lawmakers to try to get more funding restored. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. A former deputy communications director to 70-year-old Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.) announced Wednesday that hes seeking to dethrone his former boss. If you want to know why we as Democrats are so bad at fighting back against Trump, look at guys like my former boss, 37-year-old Jake Rakov, who worked for Sherman in 2017, said in a two-minute campaign announcement video. Using the Southern California wildfires as a metaphor throughout his video, Rakov claimed that President Donald Trumps administration is burning our government to the ground. He also insisted that its time to fight fire with fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rakov made three promises in his campaign video: to seek 10-year term limits for Congress, to not accept corporate PAC money and to host monthly in-person town halls for California constituents. He also directly slammed Sherman, a 15-term congressman who has held office since 1997, for his handling of the wildfires, for being out of touch with constituents, for staying in office for so long and for selling his Los Angeles home to live in Washington, D.C. If I were in office and our district had gone through what its gone through, I would be here every recess with my staff out at the Westside Pavilion rebuilding center, Rakov told Politico. How can the federal government help? Who do you need us to talk to? He hasnt done any of that. Were both progressive Democrats, and Im sure well find daylight on a few things here and there, he said, but I think this is much more about being a better member of Congress and actually doing what needs to be done in this moment in time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rakov joins a couple of younger Democrats looking to oust older, long-term members of Congress. For example, Saikat Chakrabarti, a 39-year-old former aide to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), is challenging 85-year-old former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). Likewise, 26-year-old influencer Kat Abughazaleh is going up against 80-year-old Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.). Related... SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) Since opening in 2021 Fair Market has expanded more than once into larger buildings, and most recently landed in a new location along Minnesota Avenue in central Sioux Falls. Penney Flyinghorse says shes been shopping at the discounted store even before egg prices skyrocketed. With the bird flu and everything it just makes it so hard for people with lower income and poverty level and different things like that. Its hard for them to be able to keep milk in the fridge and eggs, Flyinghorse said. The roundabout thats preparing for something bigger Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She says the store allows her to get more bang for her buck and was shocked at how big its new location is. The first time I was in here I walked in the door and I kind of looked around like, holy pearl, this is a big place, Flyinghorse said. Fair Markets executive director, Kristin Johnson first opened up shop in 2021. She says she never imagined the small staff of three would grow into a full on production. Never in a million years. I was at the time I was still in the taxi mom stage. So it was built around you know school drop offs and school pickup. And it was just a few days a week, Johnson said. So no, I just thought it would stay that way forever. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Johnson says its when Empower Sioux Falls took over in 2022 that business really took off. The store moved into this new 10,000 square foot building in December 2024. Everything happened really quickly. And then even we were only closed one day and we were back open for business. And many of the customers who came in those first few weeks remember what a mess it was. But we wanted people to have the opportunity to still get the deals, Johnson said. Before the big move, Fair Market had two locations on the east and west side of town. Store manager Denelle Ensz says since combining locations, its been a lot easier to manage. Project Prison Reset: Whats coming first Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before we had to run back and forth all the time. Call each other all the time. There was a lot of communicating all the time, Ensz said. Ensz says one of her favorite parts of her job is showing people the different items available. This whole corner here is our staples essentials. And we will always have something similar to this here. So if you dont want to shop the salvage area or the overstock area, youll always know I have rice here. We have pasta. We have sauce. We have vegetables. We have meat, Ensz said. The store offers freezer items like bacon, and even cosmetics and baby products. Right now it even has some special seasonal goodies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So we got a whole Easter section going on. Sometimes in liquidation the reason you get it is because its after Easter and were able to source it before Easter. Thats super exciting for people, Johnson said. Johnson says with this bigger space, the team is excited to stock even more items for the communityEspecially with grilling season just around the corner. We have more room for freezers and coolers. And so weve upped our purchasing on that too. So my next thing is kind of like getting getting into the produce. So hopefully this summer well really get that rocking and rolling, Johnson said. Its almost a one stop shop, like you can get almost anything here, Ensz said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fair Market also accepts EBT for people on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Gift cards to the store are also available for purchase. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com. April 2 (UPI) -- One of the two otters that escaped from a Wisconsin zoo during a snowstorm has been captured, while the other otter remains missing. The New Zoo & Adventure Park in Green Bay, which previously said otters Ophelia and Louie escaped during a March 20 snowstorm, announced Tuesday that Ophelia was safely returned to the facility by Suamico Trap LLC. "A full veterinary exam yesterday revealed that she is in perfect health. She's been returned to the regular otter habitat this morning but may not always be visible to guests: Ophelia has always been a bit shy and enjoys tucking into things to take naps throughout the day," the zoo said on social media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The search for Louie is ongoing, officials wrote. "This is otter breeding season and we expect that, as a male otter, Louie is likely ranging a bit further from home than Ophelia did, but it's still likely that he's not all that far away," the post said. German political leaders still have "a lot to do" to reach an agreement on a governing coalition in Berlin, the co-chief of the centre-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) said on Wednesday. Ahead of a further round of negotiations in the German capital, Saskia Esken said she is "convinced" that talks will extend into next week, as "there is still a lot to do." More than a month after the conservative CDU/CSU bloc - made up of Friedrich Merz's Christian Democrats and the Bavaria-only Christian Social Union - won parliamentary elections, negotiations are ongoing over a coalition with the SPD. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Discussions are continuing on Wednesday in a group of 19 top representatives from both sides, including the country's presumptive next chancellor Merz, CSU boss Markus Soder and Lars Klingbeil, Esken's partner as SPD co-leader. The principal sticking points remain migration policy and cuts to welfare spending. Esken said the two camps are made up of "very, very different parties," but that they "feel a great responsibility" to come together to form a government. "This is truly encouraging, not for us, but for the country and its people," she added. Senior CSU lawmaker Alexander Dobrindt said he is "seeing movement" from the SPD on budgetary cuts, but that issues would need to be worked through thoroughly. "We do not want to allow any unresolved dissent to arise that could cause difficulties later," he said. NEWTON FALLS, Ohio (WKBN) People living near and around Newton Falls may hear some loud booms Friday. Grenade practice will be happening at Camp James A. Garfield off of Route 5. Sounds from the explosions may be heard farther away than what is heard during normal operations, with intermittent explosions and gunfire. The annual training season runs through September. The military training center is part of the Ohio National Guard, and its 21,000 acres stretch through Portage and Trumbull counties. It includes small arms and machine gun ranges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The facility provides training for the Army and other Department of Defense units in the Midwest. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. (WKRG) A Louisiana woman was arrested in Okaloosa County earlier this week after she allegedly interfered with an investigation into multiple underage people drinking. Pensacola family lost loved one and feels precious moments were lost According to Okaloosa County Sheriffs Office officials, deputies were called Monday, March 31, to the 90 block of Shirah Street for multiple complaints of loud music and underage drinking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When deputies arrived, they said they found multiple underage people who had alcohol. Officials said that during their investigation, the 43-year-old woman grabbed one of the underage people and claimed she was their mother, which is not true. Despite multiple commands to step back, she refused to comply, an OCSO Facebook post said. Deputies said the woman was then placed under arrest but resisted by bracing and pulling away. Theodore man accused of attacking someone with a bottle of spray paint: Mobile police She was eventually taken to the Okaloosa County Jail on an obstruction of justice charge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials said they have given out over 450 tickets for underage drinking so far this spring break. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5. (COLORADO SPRINGS) Voter turnout for this election is lower than in past elections. So far, only 24% of eligible voters across all six districts have turned in their ballots. On the map below, there are all six districts and each ones voter turnout. District One had the highest voter turnout at 25.4 percent, while District Four only saw 9.7 percent. Photo by: City of Colorado Springs 2025 Colorado Springs General Municipal Election | FOX21 News Colorado Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Local elections have more of an impact on our pocketbook and everyday lives than almost any other election, said Shad Murib, the Chair of the Colorado Democratic Party. Historically, Colorado Springs has had around a 40% voter turnout for municipal elections. I think some people dont feel like their votes matter. I also feel like sometimes people dont think their vote will make a difference or change anything, said Amber Vongsouvnah, a voter FOX21 found at the ballot drop box. One of the reasons for Tuesdays small turnout could be that it can be hard for local leaders to get the necessary attention they need while campaigning. Photo By: Cora Mitchell First of all, they dont know the candidates, thats a big problem. Secondly, a lot of people are just a little bit lazy, and a lot of them dont understand whats at stake. So I can understand why a lot of people dont vote, said Roy Stringfellow, another person FOX1 spoke to at the ballot box. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, FOX21 also asked people at the ballot box if they recognized any of the candidates participating in the election, and most people said they did not. included in the mix of the photos were also a few familiar faces from FOX21 to see if voters would notice. Stringfellow was one of the people who did not recognize any of the people in the pictures. Meanwhile, Vpnsouvanah said she did recognize FOX21s Abbie Burke, and only one City Council member for district four, Kimberly Gold. Local leadership that they can count on is something that we need to make sure that were driving more attention to because it can have a deeper impact on the quality of life for many Coloradans, said Murib. Photo By: Cora Mitchell Its no secret that Colorado Springs is one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S., and many people in the area do not like the growing pains it is facing, such as highrise buildings, annexations, and other large projects. Local leaders are the people who control many of these projects and decide how the city will go about each one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think that Colorado Springs, being one of the fastest growing cities in the country and one of the best places to live in Colorado, let alone the United States, has an incredible future ahead of itself, said Murib. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado. OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. (WKRG) Okaloosa County Sheriffs Office deputies arrested a Louisiana State University student after they had previously given him a ticket for underage drinking. Boil water notice issued in Milton, Florida what we know According to an OCSO news release, deputies spotted the student on Sunfish Street in Destin around 2 p.m. on Monday, March 31, with an alcoholic beverage. Deputies said they stopped him, issued him a notice to appear in court and then released him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Later during the day on Luke Avenue, one of the deputies who previously spotted the LSU student spotted another man with alcohol who the deputy said looked very similar to the student. The deputy determined it was the same person as before and arrested him. Northwest Florida Special Election results The 19-year-old was taken to the Okaloosa County Jail. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5. By Suzanne McGee (Reuters) - U.S. investors poured a record $10.6 billion into exchange-traded funds focused on European stocks in the first quarter, seven times the inflows recorded a year earlier, according to data from BlackRock. As U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs and economic policies fuel uncertainty across markets, European equities have emerged as a bright spot. Tim Seymour, founder and chief investment officer of Seymour Asset Management, dubbed the burgeoning trend Make Europe Great Again, or MEGA. The resurgent interest in European ETFs reflects a sharp reversal in sentiment. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the funds had seen net outflows of $6.4 billion. "It's a really massive swing," said Kristy Akullian, head of iShares Investment Strategy at BlackRock. In three of the last five calendar years, investors steered money out of European ETFs that trade in U.S. markets and into domestic funds, especially dominant technology stocks like Nvidia, whose valuations remain elevated. "It's not that anyone is going to dump all their U.S. stocks, but they're rediscovering international stocks, and Europe in particular, for the first time in more than a decade," said Seymour, who is also a portfolio manager of the Amplify International Enhanced Dividend ETF. The breakout for Europe is different from others in recent years, he added. "Europe is deregulating at a faster clip than the U.S. is, the German fiscal announcements were historic," Seymour said, citing the massive spending plans of Friedrich Merz, leader of Germany's conservatives and its likely future chancellor. BlackRock's Akullian said the iShares MSCI Germany ETF has seen more than $1 billion of net inflows so far this year, doubling the fund's total assets under management. That marked a record for the 29-year-old ETF, she said. Defense stocks in particular have drawn investor interest this year, given calls by European leaders for boosting their militaries. The Select STOXX Europe Aerospace & Defense ETF has attracted $469 million in assets this year, bringing total assets to $476 million, after it launched last October. "There is quite a bit of genuine enthusiasm around what's happening in Europe," said Ronald Temple, chief market strategist for Lazard's financial advisory and asset management businesses. U.S. policy moves may have "jolted Europe out of its paralysis", he said. Some warned the rally may run out of steam. "For this to be more than just a tactical trade, we need to see follow-through, for earnings growth in Europe to really pick up," said Akullian. NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) The third annual Luck of the Irish label contest at Thimble Island Brewing Company is back. A lucky furry friend could be featured on the beer label of a special edition brew! Submissions will be accepted until April 15. Each submission costs $10. UConn hosting watch party at Gampel for Huskies game against UCLA Friday night The first-place winner gets a special edition brew branded with their pets face, two cases of the special edition brew, and a $100 gift card to Trinity Bar and Restaurant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The second-place winner will receive a $75 gift card to Trinity Bar and Restaurant, while the third-place winner will receive a $50 gift card. Thimble Island Brewing Company partnered with the Greater New Haven St. Patricks Day Parade Committee and Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter. For more information, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. Putin urges Russia, China to further strengthen strategic cooperation Xinhua) 08:10, April 02, 2025 MOSCOW, April 1 (Xinhua)--Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday called on Russia and China to consistently enhance their strategic cooperation amid global turbulence. Putin made the remarks when meeting with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in the Kremlin. During the meeting, Putin conveyed his sincere greetings to Chinese President Xi Jinping and expressed satisfaction over the effective implementation of the consensus reached between the two countries' heads of state. He noted that Russia-China relations continue to develop at a high level, with practical cooperation deepening in various fields and the ongoing "Russia-China Year of Culture" generating enthusiastic public support, further solidifying the foundation of bilateral friendship. Marking the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory in the Great Patriotic War this year, Putin extended an invitation for Chinese representatives to attend commemorative events in Russia. He emphasized the shared historical significance of celebrating victories over Nazi fascism and Japanese militarism, stating that Russia is fully making preparations for the occasion. He added that this milestone should propel Russia-China comprehensive strategic partnership to new heights and strengthen multilateral collaboration within frameworks such as the United Nations, Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and BRICS. Amid global turbulence, Putin stressed the need for both nations to consistently send a strong signal of enhanced strategic coordination to the world. Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, conveyed warm regards from Chinese President Xi Jinping to President Putin. He highlighted that under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China-Russia relations have matured into a resilient and stable partnership characterized by deepening political trust, closer strategic alignment, and sustained practical cooperation. This cooperation, he noted, has safeguarded both nations' development and shared interests in major international and regional affairs. Wang said that China-Russia collaboration "never targets third parties" and remains impervious to external interference, emphasizing that the relationship will "keep broadening, not stagnate", with a vision oriented to the long-term future. He recalled that over 80 years ago, the peoples of China and the Soviet Union fought tenaciously on the Asian and European fronts, sacrificing immensely to defeat Japanese militarism and Nazi fascism, thereby contributing decisively to global peace. Today, as pivotal stabilizing forces in a turbulent world, China and Russia must jointly uphold the outcomes of World War II, defend the post-war international order, and reinforce the United Nations' central role in the global system. Both countries, he said, are committed to advancing multilateralism and democratizing international relations. He said that the two countries have aligned their plans to support each other's 80th-anniversary commemorative events, expressing confidence that the leaders' engagements this year will further promote bilateral ties. During his visit, Wang also held multiple rounds of talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to discuss bilateral and international issues. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) By Akbar Novruz Former Chief of the General Staff of the Armenian Army, Colonel General Movses Hakobyan, and former Chief of the Missile Forces and Artillery Department, Major General Armen Harutyunyan, have been accused of negligence in service, Azernews reports via Armenian media. The charges stem from Armenias purchase of unusable military equipment from Russia nine years ago. Hakobyan, who signed the bilateral agreement, facilitated the acquisition of more than 4.5 billion drams ($11 million) worth of military equipment and technology from Russia. The case highlights concerns over corruption and mismanagement within Armenias defense sector, particularly in past arms procurement deals. Ivanhoe's geological team will commence exploration activities for new copper mineralization associated with Basement Domes, Katangan-age sediment-hosted copper systems, and iron-oxide-copper-gold (IOCG) systems. The western edge of the Central African Copperbelt in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) hosts the Western Foreland Shelf, where the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex and the Mineral Resources of Makoko and Kiala in the Western Forelands are located. Ivanhoe's geological team believes that the Western Foreland Shelf facies of the Nguba Group sediments continue to arc southwest into Zambia and Angola, as illustrated in Figure 1. Based on this concept, Ivanhoe Mines also holds over 22,000 square kilometres of exploration licences in Angola, as announced on November 27, 2023 . The new licence package, as shown in Figure 1, is strategically located between Ivanhoe's Western Forelands Exploration Project (230 km to the northeast) and the company's Angolan exploration licence package (130 km southwest). The Zambia licences cover an area over three times larger than the Western Forelands Exploration Project. As announced on September 10, 2024 , a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed between Ivanhoe Mines and the Republic of Zambia's Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development (Ministry of Mines). Since then, the Ministry of Mines has assisted Ivanhoe's geological team in identifying the prospective licence package and provided access to existing geological data. The shared geological data also includes results from the country-wide airborne geophysical survey currently underway. Lusaka, Zambia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 2, 2025) - Ivanhoe Mines (TSX: IVN) (OTCQX: IVPAF) Executive Co-Chair Robert Friedland and President & Chief Executive Officer Marna Cloete are pleased to announce that the company has been granted by the Government of the Republic of Zambia a vast, 7,757-square-kilometre package of new exploration licences in the highly-prospective North-Western Province of Zambia. Ivanhoe's thesis behind the strategically selected licence package is to explore for an extension of the Central African Copperbelt. Leer mas Concurrently, Ivanhoe continues to advance its massive exploration program in the Western Forelands. The 2025 exploration program will be Ivanhoe's largest-ever, with $50 million dedicated to exploration activities - consisting of 102,000 metres of diamond drilling and 18,000 metres of reverse circulation (RC) drilling. Ivanhoe is targeting an updated Mineral Resource Estimate for the Makoko area, including a Maiden Resource Estimate for Kitoko and Makoko West, next month. Figure 1. Simplified map showing the extent of the Central African Copperbelt (yellow band) and the Zambian 'Basement Domes' region (in pink), overlaid with exploration licences held by Ivanhoe Mines in the DRC, Zambia, and Angola. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3396/247062_cc3a01c2e429fa05_002full.jpg The President of the Republic of Zambia His Excellency Hakainde Hichilema commented: "Today, we welcome Ivanhoe Mines' new chapter into Zambia's mining industry -one that promises jobs, growth, and prosperity for our people. This new investment in copper exploration is not only about achieving our government's vision of over 3 million tonnes of copper production by 2031, it's also about unlocking opportunities, empowering communities, and ensuring that our resources benefit every Zambian. Together, we will build an economy that works for all, with transparency, fairness, and a shared vision for the future." Ivanhoe Founder and Executive Co-Chairman Robert Friedland also commented: "Our entrance into Zambia marks an exciting new chapter in Ivanhoe Mines' commitment to expanding our exploration footprint and testing the extent of the Central African Copperbeltwhich is already the world's largest and highest-grade sedimentary Copperbelt. Our new licences in both Zambia and Angola have notable geological similarities to our world-leading discoveries in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We will leverage our deep geological expertise and proven track record in the Western Forelands, where Ivanhoe's geologists have discovered, including Kamoa-Kakula, over 50 million tonnes of high-grade contained copper to date. Our seasoned team of geologists is excited to begin work on these highly prospective licences we believe there are plenty of new tier-one copper discoveries yet to be found under shallow Kalahari sands. "We are particularly encouraged by the proactive support and collaborative approach demonstrated by the Zambian government, underscoring the country's commitment to fostering a stable and investor-friendly mining environment. This includes a key role of partnership that Zambia is playing in terms of improving the regional hydroelectric power supply and distribution - where the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex is already a major importer of power via the Zambia interconnector. "As global demand for copper continues to grow, Ivanhoe Mines looks forward to contributing to Zambia's economic development, supporting local communities, and furthering our goal of finding the world's next major copper deposits." Ivanhoe identified an underexplored area within the Zambian Copperbelt with compelling geology and strong discovery potential Much like the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex and the Western Forelands Exploration Project in the DRC, the Zambian licences represent an underexplored potential extension of the Central African Copperbelt. Working closely with the Ministry of Mines and leveraging its in-depth knowledge of the Central African Copperbelt, Ivanhoe's geologists selected the Zambian licences based on a detailed review of available exploration data. BHP Billiton flew airborne geophysics over sections of Ivanhoe's licence package in the late 2000s, as part of a larger exploration program across western and central Zambia targeting IOCG-style mineralization. BHP exited its African operations in 2015. No work has been carried out on the licences since 2015. In August 2024, the Zambia Ministry of Mines commenced a country-wide airborne geophysical survey that started in the west of the country, including over Ivanhoe's new licence package. The geophysical survey consists of a high-resolution airborne magnetics survey at 300-metre-line spacings. The shared results will expedite Ivanhoe's exploration efforts, saving at least six months in acquisition time and costs. Remarkably, like Kamoa-Kakula and the Western Forelands, the Zambian and Angolan licences have had very little prior exploration activity, as they are covered by Kalahari sand cover, hiding any buried mineralization. The central portion of the newly approved Zambian licence package is highly prospective for copper mineralization hosted in Paleo-Proterozoic basement inliers buried below a blanket of Kalahari sands, containing sheared amphibolite-facies schists, granitic gneiss, and migmatite similar to Barrick's Lumwana mine to the northeast, on the Mwombezhi Dome. Ivanhoe engages technical contractors ahead of 2025 field program, exploration activities expected to commence in Q2 of 2025. Ivanhoe will appoint environmental consultants in the second quarter of 2025 to complete key environmental baseline studies and produce an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) for approval by the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA). Initial engagements with local communities will also be undertaken prior to the mobilization of field teams for ground surveys and drilling in the second half of the year. A detailed review of historical and newly acquired airborne geophysical data will be carried out concurrently with the completion of the EMP. Ivanhoe will conduct an extensive program of aircore and auger drilling to collect soil geochemical data and additional airborne and ground-based geophysical surveys. This work will enable Ivanhoe's geological team to map the giant licence area in detail to better understand the extent of the Basement Domes, Katangan sediments, and felsic magmatic intrusives that underlie the licence area. Once this work has been completed target generation for future diamond drilling will commence. About Ivanhoe Mines Ivanhoe Mines is a Canadian mining company focused on advancing its three principal projects in Southern Africa; the expansion of the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex in the DRC, the ramp-up of the ultra-high-grade Kipushi zinc-copper-germanium-silver mine, also in the DRC; and the phased development of the tier-one Platreef palladium-nickel-platinum-rhodium-copper-gold project in South Africa. Ivanhoe Mines also is exploring its highly prospective, 60-100% owned exploration licenses in the Western Forelands, covering an area over five times larger than the adjacent Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex. Ivanhoe is exploring for new sedimentary copper discoveries, as well as expanding and further defining its high-grade Makoko, Kiala, and Kitoko copper discoveries as the company's next major development projects. Information contact Investors Vancouver: Matthew Keevil +1.604.558.1034 London: Tommy Horton +44 7866 913 207 Media Tanya Todd +1.604.331.9834 Forward-looking statements Certain statements in this release constitute "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such statements and information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the company, its projects, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. Such statements can be identified using words such as "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "expect", "believe", "plan", "anticipate", "estimate", "scheduled", "forecast", "predict" and other similar terminology, or state that certain actions, events, or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. These statements reflect the company's current expectations regarding future events, performance, and results and speak only as of the date of this release. Such statements include without limitation: (i) statements regarding Ivanhoe's thesis behind the strategically selected licence package is to explore for an extension of the Central African Copperbelt; (ii) statements regarding the shared geological data includes results from the country-wide airborne geophysical survey currently underway; (iii) statements regarding Ivanhoe's geological team will commence exploration activities for new copper mineralization associated with Basement Domes, Katangan-age sediment-hosted copper systems, and IOCG systems; (iv) statements regarding Ivanhoe continues to advance its massive exploration program in the Western Forelands, with $50 million dedicated to exploration activities - consisting of 102,000 metres of diamond drilling and 18,000 metres of RC drilling. Further, that Ivanhoe is targeting an updated Mineral Resource Estimate for the Makoko area, including a Maiden Resource Estimate for Kitoko and Makoko West, next month; (v) statements regarding shared exploration data will expedite Ivanhoe's exploration efforts, saving at least six months in acquisition time and costs; (vi) statements regarding Ivanhoe will appoint environmental consultants in the second quarter of 2025 to complete key environmental baseline studies and produce an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) for approval by ZEMA. Further, that Initial engagements with local communities will also be undertaken prior to the mobilization of field teams for ground surveys and drilling in the second half of the year; (vi) statements regarding a detailed review of historical and newly acquired airborne geophysical data will be carried out concurrently with the completion of the EMP; and, (vii) statements regarding Ivanhoe will conduct an extensive program of aircore and auger drilling to collect soil geochemical data and additional airborne and ground-based geophysical surveys. Further, that once this work has been completed target generation for future diamond drilling will commence. This news release also contains references to estimates of Mineral Resources. The estimation of Mineral Resources is inherently uncertain and involves subjective judgments about many relevant factors. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. The accuracy of any such estimates is a function of the quantity and quality of available data and of the assumptions made and judgments used in engineering and geological interpretation (including estimated future production from the company's projects, the anticipated tonnages and grades that will be mined and the estimated level of recovery that will be realized), which may prove to be unreliable and depend, to a certain extent, upon the analysis of drilling results and statistical inferences that ultimately may prove to be inaccurate. Mineral Resource estimates may have to be re-estimated based on: (i) fluctuations in copper or other mineral prices; (ii) results of drilling; (iii) metallurgical testing and other studies; (iv) proposed mining operations, including dilution; (v) the evaluation of mine plans after the date of any estimates and/or changes in mine plans; (vi) the possible failure to receive required permits, approvals and licences; and (vii) changes in law or regulation. Forward-looking statements and information involve significant risks and uncertainties, should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indicators of whether such results will be achieved. Many factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements or information, including, however not limited to, the factors discussed above and under the "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in the company's MD&A for the financial year ended December 31, 2024, and in its current annual information form, as well as unexpected changes in laws, rules or regulations, or their enforcement by applicable authorities; the failure of parties to contracts with the company to perform as agreed; social or labour unrest; changes in commodity prices; and the failure of exploration programs or studies to deliver anticipated results or results that would justify and support continued exploration, studies, development or operations. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this release are based upon what management of the company believes are reasonable assumptions, the company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this release and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Subject to applicable securities laws, the company does not assume any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this release. The company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of the factors outlined in the "Risk Factors" section in the company's MD&A for the financial year ended December 31, 2024, and its current annual information form. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/247062 NEW YORK The case involving Mahmoud Khalil, the Palestinian activist and legal U.S. resident whom the Trump administration is seeking to deport, will remain in New Jersey, a federal judge ruled Tuesday, rejecting the administrations effort to move it to Louisiana. U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz wrote in a 67-page decision that Khalils case, as filed on March 9 at 4:40am, can go forward in New Jersey because that is where the Petitioner was confined at that moment. Khalil, a recent Columbia University graduate student with a green card, a form of permanent legal status, says the administration is illegally trying to deport him as retaliation for his role in organizing campus protests of the Israel-Hamas war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Typically, the government can revoke a green card only in limited circumstances, such as if the person is convicted of a crime. In Khalils case, the Trump administration invoked a rarely used statute that allows the deportation of any noncitizen if the secretary of State determined the persons presence or activities in the U.S. would have serious adverse foreign policy consequences. Though Khalil was initially detained by immigration authorities on March 8 in New York, he was briefly moved to a detention facility in New Jersey early the next morning before being transported to Louisiana. His lawyer filed a petition for release in New York because information provided to her by the government indicated he was there, and because she had no way of knowing otherwise, Farbiarz said, Khalils case should remain in the jurisdiction where he was detained at the time she filed it. Lawyers for the Trump administration argued in court Friday that Khalils case should move to Louisiana, where he is currently being held. That would have meant any appeal would be heard by the conservative 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. Khalils lawyers are also seeking to release him from custody, in part because his wife is nine months pregnant with the couples first child. That request is pending. The Maine Attorney Generals Office said three state police officers were justified in using deadly force when they shot and killed an armed New Hampshire man during a standoff last summer on the Piscataqua River Bridge. The three officers Sgt. Nicholas Cyr and Trooper Stefan Wong-Wagner of New Hampshire, and Trooper Craig Nilsen of Maine reasonably believed that 37-year-old Trent Weston of Troy was about to use unlawful deadly force against them when they shot him, Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey said. The report also said Weston died from a bullet to the head fired from his own gun. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weston had stopped on the Interstate 95 bridge between Portsmouth and Kittery and engaged in a standoff with police on Aug. 29 after killing his wife and son, officials said. He had admitted to killing his wife and had refused to comply with over two hours of negotiations requesting that he turn himself in, Frey said. Instead, he picked up his pistol off the Jersey barrier, raised it first in the direction of the New Hampshire officers and then turned it toward his head and in the direction of the Maine officers. Officers with the Kittery Police Department located Westons car on the southbound side of the bridge around 2:30 a.m. on Aug. 29. He got out of the vehicle with gun in hand and tossed a cardboard box into the river. Weston had called 911 minutes earlier and reported killing his wife, Brittany, Frey wrote in his report. Her body was later found in an apartment in Troy, about 100 miles away from the bridge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After Weston was killed, authorities discovered the body of his 8-year-old son, Benson, in his car. The boy had died from multiple gunshot wounds. His wounds were not related to the officers gunfire. Fell from bridge According to the Maine AGs report, Nilsen had taken cover behind a Kittery police cruiser with his rifle about 200 feet from Weston. Wong-Wagner and Cyr were behind a Kittery police cruiser on the northbound side of the bridge, roughly 150 feet from Weston. All three officers saw Weston lift up a gun, the report said. Nilsen reported watching Weston point it in the general direction of the New Hampshire officers and fired at him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wong-Wagner and Cyr both fired at Weston after watching him point the gun in their and other officers direction before aiming it towards himself, the report says. After being shot, Weston fell from the bridge into the Piscataqua River more than 130 feet below. His body was recovered by the U.S. Coast Guard. An autopsy later determined Westons cause of death to be suicide via a bullet to the head. The officers shot Weston in the chest, the left side of his back, as well as his right arm, thigh and shoulder, the report said. pfeely@unionleader.com Apr. 2Maine House Speaker Ryan Fecteau has asked a judge to dismiss a lawsuit filed against him by state Rep. Laurel Libby. Libby, R-Auburn, sued Fecteau last month in U.S. District Court in Bangor, arguing that Fecteau and Democrats in the House of Representatives violated her constitutional rights in February by barring her from voting or speaking on the House floor. Democrats voted to censure Libby after she posted photos of a transgender high school athlete on social media as part of her criticism of Maine's policy of allowing transgender athletes to compete in girls sports. Fecteau, D-Biddeford, has said the censure would be removed if Libby apologizes to the House, but Libby has said she will not apologize. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attorney General Aaron Frey filed the motion to dismiss on behalf of Fecteau on Tuesday, arguing that lawmakers have immunity for their legislative conduct, preventing lawsuits over their votes. And, among other things, the motion also argues that the censure is not a violation of Libby's right to free speech under the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. "Rep. Libby does not have a First Amendment right to vote, as a legislator, on any particular piece of legislation," the filing says. Fecteau and his fellow Democrats argued that Libby crossed a line by placing a teenager in the center of a political debate and opening her up to bullying and harassment. Rep. Christina Mitchell, D-Cumberland, whose district includes the school the student attends, said at the time that she was appalled by Libby's post and ashamed that the student has now faced threats and ridicule from adults. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I believe, and many of my constituents have told me they believe, it is morally and ethically wrong to use children for one's own political gain," Mitchell said. Libby argued that her post was justified because transgender athletes "have no place in girls' sports." She has said will not apologize and that the Democrats had no right to censure her. "I have the constitutional right to speak out and my constituents have the right to full representation in the Maine House," Libby said in a news release when she filed the suit. Libby is just the fourth Maine lawmaker to be censured by the Legislature, according to legislative records dating back to 1820. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year, Reps. Michael Lemelin, R-Chelsea, and Shelley Rudnicki, R-Fairfield, were censured for saying during a House floor debate that the 2023 mass shooting in Lewiston and recent storms were God's punishment for lawmakers expanding abortion access and other "immoral" laws passed by the Democratic-controlled Legislature. Both lawmakers immediately apologized after the censure and never tested the punishment in court. Copy the Story Link Susan Collins rebuffs Trump, joins effort to block his tariffs on Canada As tariffs set in, Mainers have about 2 months until car prices jump Apr. 1Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey and officials in 22 other states sued the Trump administration Tuesday over its decision to cut $11 billion in federal money that had gone to state and local public health agencies across the country. The 23 attorneys general filed the suit in federal court in Rhode Island. In addition to Maine, the states include New York, Colorado, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, California, Minnesota, North Carolina and Wisconsin. "The grant terminations, which came with no warning or legally valid explanation, have quickly caused chaos for state health agencies that continue to rely on these critical funds for a wide range of urgent public health needs, such as infectious disease management, fortifying emergency preparedness, providing mental health and substance abuse services, and modernizing public health infrastructure," Frey's office said in a written statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cutbacks "threaten the urgent public health needs of states around the country at a time when emerging disease threats, such as measles and bird flu, are on the rise," according to Frey's news release. Maine had $91 million in federal contracts abruptly canceled on March 24, and the Maine CDC announced on Monday that 40 subcontractor employees have been laid off as a result. Services affected by the cuts include vaccine distribution, infectious disease tracking and outbreak management. Lindsay Hammes, Maine CDC spokesperson, said on Tuesday the lawsuit filing does not reverse or pause the layoffs caused by the federal contracts ending. "The department must continue to operate under the current termination notices," Hammes said in a written statement. "Once the court acts, the department will assess the implications for the impacted grants and for the vendors and subcontractors carrying out the work." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit contends that the "mass terminations violate federal law because the end of the pandemic is not a 'for cause' basis for ending the grants, especially since none of the appropriated funds are tied to the end of the pandemic (in 2023). HHS' position, up until a few days ago, was that the end of the pandemic did not affect the availability of these grant funds," according to the news release. The Trump administration has faced a number of lawsuits related to cutting funding for programs that had previously been approved by a prior Congress, in this case during the Biden administration. Congress holds the "power of the purse" according to the separation of powers spelled out in the Constitution. The 23 states that filed suit are seeking a temporary restraining order to invalidate the nationwide grant terminations. The lawsuit argues the cuts are illegal and will result in "serious harm to public health" that will put states "at greater risk for future pandemics and the spread of otherwise preventable disease and cutting off vital public health services." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maine's Center for Disease Control and Prevention laid off dozens of subcontracted workers this week because of the lost federal funds. "Slashing this funding now will reverse our progress on the opioid crisis, throw our mental health systems into chaos, and leave hospitals struggling to care for patients," New York Attorney General Letitia James said Tuesday in a news release. Meanwhile, thousands of federal health workers also recently found out they were out of a job, with the Trump administration reducing the Health and Human Services workforce from 82,000 to 62,000. Copy the Story Link Apr. 2The first director of Maine's Office of New Americans is stepping down after a group representing Armenian immigrants criticized some of his past actions as biased and wrote to the governor calling for his resignation. Tarlan Ahmadov, who was named the first director of the Office of New Americans in December, submitted his resignation letter to the Governor's Office of Policy Innovation and the Future on Tuesday. The letter cites health reasons and did not mention the recent allegations from the Armenian Cultural Association of Maine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "After careful consideration and due to personal health reasons, I have decided to step down from my role as director of the Office of New Americans," his letter reads. "I wish the office well as it continues its important work." Ahmadov's resignation comes a little over a month after the Armenian association wrote to Gov. Janet Mills accusing him of a "long track record of anti-Armenian activism" and requesting his resignation. A spokesperson for the Governor's Office of Policy Innovation and the Future did not directly respond to a question about whether Ahmadov's resignation was related to the accusations, and he did not immediately respond to a request for an interview submitted through the office. "We respect his decision to resign and appreciate his service as Director of the Office of New Americans," office spokesperson Jackie Farwell said in an email. "An interim director will be appointed to continue leading the Office's important work to make Maine a home of opportunity for all and build a stronger economy." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ahmadov was appointed to lead the newly formed Office of New Americans as its first director in December. The office was created last year to better help immigrants integrate in Maine, including with English-language acquisition and workforce pathways, and through improved data collection and coordination of entities that support immigrants. In late February, the Armenian association wrote a letter to Mills saying Ahmadov had made past inflammatory statements on social media, such as labeling Armenia an "occupant and aggressor" and mocking the Armenian diaspora. Ahmadov is originally from Azerbaijan and emigrated to Maine years ago. The two former Soviet republics have fought on and off since the 1980s, including a recent conflict over disputed territory in the mountainous border between the two countries, though officials said last month that they had agreed to terms of a peace treaty. The Armenian association said that in December 2023, Ahmadov sent a letter to leadership at the University of Southern Maine falsely claiming that a panel discussion organized by the association was biased and misleading, and demanding changes to its format. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And last year, the association said in its letter to Mills, Ahmadov facilitated a trip for several Maine lawmakers to Azerbaijan, where he "acted as a government agent" in arranging meetings with Azerbaijani officials and attended celebratory events in locations where Armenians were recently forced from their homes. Ahmadov previously clashed with Armenian Americans in Maine in 2021 after he was involved in requesting and drafting a proclamation for former Portland Mayor Kate Snyder to sign to acknowledge the 1992 killing of hundreds of Azeris by Armenian and Soviet forces. Some Armenian Americans criticized the proclamation, saying it was part of a propaganda campaign by Azerbaijan and its ally Turkey, after which Snyder apologized and then rescinded the proclamation. Gerard Kiladjian, president of the Armenian Cultural Association of Maine, said Tuesday the association had been in touch with the Governor's Office of Policy Innovation and the Future about the letter they sent in February and the office let them know Tuesday that Ahmadov would be resigning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We're happy he resigned," Kiladjian said. "Whether it's for health reasons or because they put pressure on him, the important part for us is he's no longer in that position. With his actions and personality, he was the wrong person for the position. We hope the governor will find someone neutral who is welcoming to immigrants from all walks of life." Copy the Story Link We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others. We do not enable comments on everything exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion. You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs. Show less CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WBOY) Two major teachers unions in West Virginia are merging together into one organization. Delegates from the West Virginia Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers-West Virginia (AFT-WV) voted on Saturday to merge the two organizations and starting Sept. 1, they will be known as Education West Virginia. Plans to merge the two organizations began back in 2018 when they worked together during the states teachers strike. 12 News spoke to the future leadership of Education West Virginia Dale Lee, President of the West Virginia Education Association, and Kristie Skidmore, President of AFT-WV. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It made more sense for us to with the many commonalities that we had to join together to address these attacks on public education and just be a stronger unified voice for public education, for our employees, for our educators and our students, Lee said. 12 local technical center students to compete in national SkillsUSA competition Skidmore went on to say that regardless Education West Virginia will be an organization that listens to its members and their concerns. Its tough right now to cover all the bases in public education and to take even more resources away is definitely a concern for both organizations and especially the merged organization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Education West Virginia sees a number of emerging concerns in West Virginia public education, including the Hope Scholarship, which proponents say will offer West Virginia families greater choice in how to educate their children, but others say will draw resources away from public education. The Hope Scholarship could cause a new expense for the state government to the tune of $100 million, and Education West Virginia worries about where that money will come from. Lee said the planned dissolving of the Department of Education also poses funding challenges. Among the Department of Educations responsibilities is administering funds to Title I schools, and Lee says that 54% of West Virginia schools are Title I. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com. MALONE, N.Y. (WWTI) New York State Police arrested a Malone man for attempted criminal possession of a weapon and falsifying business records. On April 1, State Police say they arrested Robert C. Maloney, age 51. On March 19, at approximately 10:35 a.m., Police were informed Maloney attempted to purchase a firearm from Dicks County Store located on Route 11 in the town of Clinton but was denied. Police say that an investigation determined Maloney is a convicted felon and attempted to purchase a firearm knowing he is not allowed to. Maloney completed the paperwork for the purchase, in which he allegedly falsified questions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maloney was arrested and processed at SP Champlain. He was released on appearance tickets returnable to the Town of Clinton Court for a later date in April, according to police. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWTI - InformNNY.com. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A man was arrested in connection with the discovery of a mans body in an empty lot near the north end of the Las Vegas Strip last month. On March 22, around 8 a.m., Las Vegas Metro police responded to the 2100 block of Paradise Road, close to West Sahara Avenue and South Las Vegas Boulevard. When officers arrived, they found a man who was possibly suffering from blunt force injuries. Medical personnel arrived at the scene and pronounced the man deceased. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Through the course of the investigation, police identified the suspect as 36-year-old Tuiofu Sooga. Sooga was arrested and booked into custody on Tuesday. He faces an open murder charge. Sooga is scheduled for an initial court appearance on Wednesday at 1:30 p.m., according to court records. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) The man accused of crashing into a worksite on I-91 north in West Springfield and killing three workers was back in court on Wednesday. West Springfield Public Library showcases artwork of students in transitional program The Hampden County District Attorneys Office stated that three workers repairing damaged guardrails on I-91 North when, at approximately 12:45 a.m., a 2021 Jeep Cherokee took Exit 10A at a high rate of speed and struck and killed three men. The Jeep came to a rest on its roof in the middle of the ramp. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The driver ran away from the crash, and it was determined that the vehicle was registered to 29-year-old Bilal Griffith of West Springfield. A multi-agency search was conducted and an Air Wing helicopter found Griffith on Morgan Road after a chase that continued for over half a mile. The victims were identified as 26-year-old Igor Costa of Marlborough, 48-year-old Ryan Almeida of Brockton, and 57-year-old Raul Bohorquez of Brockton. The men worked for a company called Premier Fence. Griffith was arraigned in Springfield District Court on Friday for three counts of manslaughter and one count of leaving the scene of personal injury or death. A not-guilty plea was entered on his behalf, and his bail was set at $1 million. Wednesday was scheduled to be a bail hearing, but the judge decided to postpone that until April 22nd because they are still waiting on discovery. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. Food retailer Korzinka has secured a 102m ($110m) equity investment in the expansion of its retail operations, furthering the transformation of modern grocery shopping in Uzbekistan. The capital infusion is supported by co-lead investors Abu Dhabi Uzbek Investment and a consortium of Omani sovereign investment funds headed by the Uzbek-Oman Investment Company. The funding follows a previous major investment by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in 2020. Zafar Khashimov, founder and chairman of Korzinka, continues to hold the majority stake in the company. The fresh capital is earmarked for propelling growth across Korzinka's diverse retail channels, with an emphasis on consolidating its supermarket presence. The retailer is set to expand its network of Korzinka Mahalla proximity stores and enhance Korzinka Go, its e-commerce platform. Korzinka is also channelling funds into infrastructure projects, including a new 49,000m class A distribution centre scheduled to become operational in the second half of 2025. Korzinka CEO Rud Pedersen stated: "This investment will supercharge our growth strategy and bring the benefits of even greater scale as we accelerate towards our medium-term goal of more than 1,000 stores. Since EBRDs investment in 2020, Korzinka has more than tripled its store footprint and delivered consistent, strong like-for-like sales growth, proving both the growing demand for modern grocery retail and our ability to scale efficiently. With the backing of our new investors, we are well positioned to further drive the growth of modern grocery retail across Uzbekistan, and we look to growing in a similar trajectory over the coming years. The EBRD has expressed support for the involvement of new investors in Korzinkas expansion. Since acquiring a minority stake, the EBRD has been instrumental in expanding the retailer's store count and solidifying its position within Uzbekistan. Korzinka operates more than 150 stores with an omnichannel approach, and employs more than 10,000 individuals. Korzinkas forthcoming outlets are projected to cut carbon emissions by between 20% and 30% compared with existing stores. EBRD private equity co-head Tamas Nagy, who invested in Korzinka in 2020, stated: We have been proud to support Korzinka since 2020, when we recognised the significant opportunities for the company to grow and the impact its development might have on Uzbekistan. Since then, the company has made remarkable progress on all fronts, including embedding high standards of corporate governance and a climate conscious approach to its store designs." KILLEEN, Texas (FOX 44) A man suspected of starting a dumpster fire and assaulting a Killeen Police officer is now in jail. Killeen Police officers were assisting the Killeen Fire Department with a dumpster fire in the area of Safady Avenue and Dimple Street at approximately 4:46 p.m. Sunday. Through the investigation, officers identified a suspect as 30-year-old Rashleigh Samuel Adams. Officers instructed Adams to place his hands behind his back. He resisted and pulled away while moving upstairs. As Adams resisted, he assaulted an officer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Violent Grimes County inmate behavioral hospital escapee caught Police say assisting officers were able to detain Adams and place him in handcuffs. He was transported to the Killeen City Jail. Adams is now in the Bell County Jail, and is charged with Assault of Public Servant. His bond is set at $175,000. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KWKT - FOX 44. Editors Note: A sentence in this article has been corrected to reflect that the suspect is accused of dragging the victim inside a home after an alleged assault. (COLORADO SPRINGS) The man accused of killing a University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) music professor had previous charges, including an incident where he allegedly kidnapped his mother. According to court documents, the El Paso County Sheriffs Office was dispatched to the 100 block of Ohio Avenue in Fountain on reports of assault on July 12, 2024. Upon arrival, a deputy met with the victim, a 70-year-old woman, at a nearby address located on Jimmy Camp Road. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CSPD arrests suspect who allegedly killed UCCS professor The victim reported that her son, Ceasar Wilson, had attacked her. The victim claimed that Wilson just went crazy while they were having a conversation about family and slapped her across the face. Papers state that the victim walked out of the house to her car in the driveway, but Wilson followed her and grabbed her before she could get in the vehicle. After that, the victim said Wilson slapped her in the face again, causing her to pass out. She said he then grabbed her by the right arm and dragged her inside. Wilson then allegedly locked all the doors and put tape on the windows. According to the arrest affidavit, the victim went to get a cup of water when she noticed Wilson was outside in his car. At that time, the victim took the opportunity to pry the back door open with a screwdriver and run out the door. Wilson ran after her, but she ran to the backyard and climbed over a fence. She was able to get to the neighbors on Jimmy Camp Road. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A deputy tried to contact Wilson, who refused to answer the door and was yelling from a front window. When asked to open the door and talk, he refused and said, She does this all the time. She put these accusations on my little brother. He then said he would bring the victims purse to the door and placed it on the front steps. Court documents state that at that time, the responding deputy and a Fountain Police Department officer attempted to push the door to detain Wilson, but he pushed the door closed and told law enforcement he would use pepper spray from the windows. Containment was set up, and tactical support was requested. Deputies were able to make contact with Wilson and after about an hour, he exited the home and was taken into custody. Wilson was once again arrested on March 27, 2025, for the alleged murder of 54-year-old Haleh Abghari, who taught at UCCS. Wilson was arrested almost eight months after the incident occurred. At the time of his arrest, Wilson was discovered to have been in custody on unrelated charges in a different county under a different name. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado. SPARTANBURG COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) Law enforcement agencies across the Upstate joined forces to arrest a suspect responsible for vandalizing more than 20 properties. The Duncan Police Department reported that during the late hours of Saturday, March 29, many locations within the Town of Duncan were vandalized with graffiti. The graffiti included phrases like King Kobra and Twelve K. Images of pigs have also been seen throughout the county for months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Local residents Cody and Brooke Merck said the tags makes them nervous, especially with having children. You see that and youre thinking, Is that gonna bring crime to the area? or What does that look like to other people who are coming into this area? they said. According to Duncan Police Chief Gregg Satterfield, it is the first time he has encountered vandalism like this in the town. You have people coming through the town of Duncan, visiting the town of Duncan and seeing this type of graffiti on the wall, Chief Satterfield said. It kind of looks bad. With the help of the Chesnee Police Department, Spartanburg County Sheriffs Office and Spartanburg Police Department, officers were able to identify the suspect as Jordan Christopher Fizer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Spartanburg County deputies located and arrested Fizer on Tuesday. Duncan PD charged Fizer with eight counts of illegal graffiti. He is also facing additional charges with several other agencies, according to officers. Satterfield said the county sheriffs office is investigating the meaning behind the tags. I cant honestly say here now that this is gang-related or gang tagging, Satterfield explained. Thats something that were still looking into with the help of Spartanburg County. Chief Satterfield said all impacted businesses will get justice due to a statewide graffiti statute. So, whatever it cost for the business owners to remove this paint over cleanup, there will be asking for restitution in the court, Satterfield said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following his arrest, Fizer was booked into the Spartanburg County Detention Center. He has since been released and is out on home detention. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS. A man was arrested for attempting to carjack a garbage truck in Santa Ana. Footage of the attempted theft was released by Santa Ana police on Tuesday, showing the male suspect approaching a Republic Waste Services truck parked at a small shopping plaza at 1605 West 1st Street at 12:30 p.m. He quickly opens the passenger-side door, climbs in and allegedly threatens the driver by pretending to have a weapon, police said Surveillance footage and police bodycam video showed a man being arrested for attempting to carjack a garbage truck in Santa Ana. (Santa Ana Police Department) Surveillance footage and police bodycam video showed a man being arrested for attempting to carjack a garbage truck in Santa Ana. (Santa Ana Police Department) Surveillance footage and police bodycam video showed a man being arrested for attempting to carjack a garbage truck in Santa Ana. (Santa Ana Police Department) Fearing for his safety, the driver quickly gets out of the truck as a bystander looks on worriedly. The suspect attempts to drive the truck away but was unsuccessful. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers eventually arrived at the shopping plaza and took the man into custody. He was arrested and booked at the Santa Ana Jail for attempted carjacking. No further details, including his identity, were released by authorities. Footage of the attempted carjacking can be seen in the video player above. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. DURANGO, Colo. (KRQE) A man was arrested on Wednesday in southwest Colorado after police say he fired shots at a local recreation center. Joe Brinkerhoff, 76, of Durango, is being charged with illegal discharge of a firearm, according to the Durango Police Department. Trial against former APD officer accused of false imprisonment continues Police say the suspect fired into the front-facing window of Durango Recreation Center at about 12:40 a.m. The front entry window was destroyed. This was discovered by employees while they were opening the center Wednesday morning. Police received the call at 5:23 a.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brinkerhoff was identified as the suspect through video surveillance. According to the Durango Police Department, Brinkerhoff had been asked to leave the property due to a prior incident, and his rec center privileges were suspended. The investigation continues. Police say there is no further danger to the public. As far as the rec center goes, the lap pool is open, but the hot tub and leisure pool are closed for now. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. Man arrested after pointing plastic firearm at passing vehicles GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) A man was arrested Tuesday afternoon after he was reported to have waved a plastic airsoft rifle outside. Around 3:15 p.m., the Grand Junction Police Department responded to a report of felony menacing in the 220 block of Orchard Avenue. GJPD and Mesa County Sheriffs Office arrived on the scene and found the man pointing a plastic firearm at passing cars. Officers took the suspect into custody without further incident. No injuries occurred in this incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dion Martinez, 41, was arrested and transported to the Mesa County Detention Facility. He was booked on outstanding warrants, felony menacing and other related charges. GJPD said a temporary shelter-in-place order was issued for the surrounding area as a precaution. It has since been lifted. The police department said it believes this was an isolated incident with no ongoing threat to the community. The case remains under investigation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WesternSlopeNow.com. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) A California man who called himself Scamdaddy was sentenced for his involvement in a scheme to defraud Utah credit unions out of more than $450,000, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Utah said. Matthew Acquah, 24, was sentenced on April 1, 2025, to 36 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay $452,000 in restitution. Acquah who was reportedly referred to as Scamdaddy and Playboy Prince by himself and his co-conspirators pleaded guilty to bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, and bank fraud conspiracy in January 2025. Substitute teacher, 81, arrested after being caught pleasuring himself during school hours Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Acquah was one of the people helping run a bank fraud ring, which had reportedly stolen more than $450,000 from credit unions based in Utah. Acquah admitted that he used fraudulent identification documents to open lines of credit on behalf of unwitting victims and then take out unauthorized cash advances, the attorneys office said Tuesday. He also admitted helping plan and execute numerous bank fraud sprees in Utah involving out-of-state coconspirators. According to court documents, Acquah and another defendant recruited low-level coconspirators from across the country. The attorneys office said Acquah would arrange travel accommodations and train new recruits within the bank fraud ring. The attorneys office said Acquah admitted that his fraud ring obtained more than $450,000 from Utah credit unions between December 2023 and June 2024. Acquah used some of that money to fund a lavish lifestyle and was arrested with more than $100,000 in his Los Angeles apartment and an offsite storage unit, according to the attorneys office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Homeland Security Investigations and the Taylorsville City Police Department investigated the case. Additional details were not provided about the other alleged members of the bank fraud ring. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. A Venezuelan man came to the United States to donate a kidney to his brother in kidney failure, but ICE authorities detained him, putting the fate of both brothers in question. Jose Alfredo Pacheco, 37, was diagnosed with end-stage kidney failure in December 2023, shortly after arriving in the Chicago area from Venezuela, seeking asylum. His older brother, Jose Gregorio Gonzalez, 43, hoped to donate his kidney to save Pachecos life but immigration authorities detained him, throwing their plans into disarray. The pair had an appointment at a hospital ahead of the organ transplant surgery, the Chicago Tribune reported. But those plans are now up in the air after Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested Gonzalez on March 3 as he was making breakfast at his home for his sick brother. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We both cried when they arrested him because we both know he is my lifeline, Pacheco told the newspaper. Gonzalez was initially held at Clay County Detention Center in Indiana but is now in the process of being transferred, making his deportation even more likely, the Resurrection Project, a Chicago-based nonprofit whose legal team represents Gonzalez. The Independent has reached out to the nonprofit for more information. A Venezuelan came to the United States to donate a kidney to his brother, who is suffering from end-stage kidney failure but ICE agents arrested him, throwing both of their fates into uncertainty (AP) He could soon face deportation but has asked for humanitarian parole so that he can donate his kidney. After that, I will return to Venezuela, Gonzalez told the Tribune. His brother could be forced to wait four to five years on a transplant waitlist if this organ exchange doesnt happen, NBC News reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The decision to grant Gonzalez humanitarian parole lies with his ICE officer, Peter Meinecke, an attorney with The Resurrection Project, told the Tribune. It is ultimately an opportunity to leave detention for the sole purpose of undergoing the kidney donation to save his brothers life, and then ICE will be able to detain him again and eventually remove him from the country, Meinecke said. He noted that the maximum amount of time immigrants are released under humanitarian parole is typically one year. Gonzalez initially tried to enter the U.S. in 2023, but failed the initial credible fear interview, the outlet reported. After learning of his brothers diagnosis, he made an appointment with immigration authorities but was put in removal proceedings and detained. Since there were no deportation flights to his home country at the time, he was placed in ICE supervision in March 2024 and allowed to join his brother in Chicago. That was until ICE showed up on his doorstep. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He does not have a criminal record, Meinecke said. Pacheco has three children two nine-year-old twins and a 17-year old who live in Venezuela. He said he hopes to live to see them grow up. This is literally a matter of life and death, Erendira Rendon, with The Resurrection Project, told ABC7. ICE has the discretionary authority to release Mr. Gonzalez on humanitarian grounds. Every day he remains detained is another day his brothers life hangs in the balance. A man has been charged after authorities found nearly $1 million worth of cocaine stashed inside his electric wheelchair, the BBC reported. Following an investigation by the National Crime Agency (NCA), Casimiro De Lemos Francisco, 56, has been charged with drug trafficking stemming from a March 31 incident at Manchester Airport in the U.K. Border patrol officers detected a mysterious presence in Franciscos electric wheelchair after scanning it upon his entry from Bridgetown, Barbados. After conducting a search, authorities found 11 packages which allegedly contained cocaine. The cache reportedly weighed a combined 12 kilograms (26 pounds). Related: 'Heat' Director Michael Mann Honors Late Star Val Kilmer Unbelievable photos captured by the NCA show the wheelchair which allegedly belonged to Francisco packed to the rafters with brown packages. One X-ray image shows a base of packages hidden within the seat of the chair, with more packages hidden in the back of the chair and stacked up to the headrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The NCA works with partners at home and abroad to combat the threat of Class A drugs and protect the UK public, the agency said in a statement announcing the arrest. The concealment shows the ingenuity crime groups employ to smuggle cocaine, it added. Related: NBA Fan Suffers Gruesome Injury During Mid-Game Competition Francisco was charged following an arraignment on April 1. He is currently being held in custody at Manchester and Salfords Magistrates Court. He is next scheduled to appear before a judge on May 6. A request to the NCA for more information was not immediately returned. ST. LOUIS A convicted felon from St. Louis appeared in federal court on Tuesday and admitted using a shotgun in a 2023 robbery of a Family Dollar store. Prosecutors with the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Missouri said Divontay Scott, 34, confessed in court to robbing the Family Dollar store on South Grand Boulevard on Oct. 17, 2023. Scott said he ordered an employee to open the cash register and stole $114 in cash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Witnesses recognized Scott as a regular customer, even though he attempted to conceal his identity by partially covering his face. He was also caught on surveillance video in the store earlier that day. Man accused of disgusting behavior against female patrons at Delmar Hall Scotts plea agreement said he texted a paramour his plans to rob the store, as well as a picture of the money he stole. Scott pleaded guilty to three felony counts: robbery, possession and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Federal prosecutors and Scotts attorney agreed to recommend a sentence of 11 years in prison. Hell be sentenced on July 8. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) A man who was found with a loaded handgun on Youngstowns west side will have his case bound over to a Mahoning County Grand Jury. Brandon Ravnell was arraigned Wednesday on felony charges of tampering with evidence and having weapons under disability. Ravnell was also charged with a misdemeanor count of obstructing official business. He pleaded not guilty to this at his arraignment. Ravnell had his drug possession misdemeanor charge dismissed at his pretrial hearing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said that Ravnell was arrested on Wednesday, March 26 after police were called to the 100 block of Sillman Street for a report of two men wearing ski masks and walking through backyards. Police said that Ravnell ran from police until they caught him. Officers said that a witness told them they saw him throw a gun in a nearby yard. Common pleas court records show Ravnell has a criminal record and convictions that prohibit him from having a gun. Ravnell waived his preliminary hearing on Wednesday. As a result, the case will be bound over to the Mahoning County Court of Common Pleas. Joe Gorman contributed to this report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP) Greensboro police are investigating after a man was found dead on Monday night, according to a Greensboro Police Department news release. Around 11:48 p.m., Greensboro police responded to a report of a man down in an apartment in the 300 block of West Camel Street. Officers located the man, later identified as 65-year-old Arthur Lee Gilmore, who had been shot. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is the 11th homicide of 2025. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Greensboro/Guilford Crime Stoppers at (336) 373-1000. Citizens can also download the mobile P3tips app for Apple or Android phones to submit a mobile tip, or go to P3tips.com to submit a web tip. All tips to Crime Stoppers are anonymous. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX8 WGHP. WEBSTER COUNTY, Mo. The second of two men arrested in Webster County for carrying multiple women and children in the back of a U-Haul has entered a plea to amended charges of misdemeanor endangering the welfare of a child and will spend a year in supervised probation. According to court records, Musa Omar entered an Alford plea today in Wright County Circuit Court. The case was being heard on a change of venue from Webster County. 14 people, including 7 children, found in U-Haul truck on I-44 near Marshfield Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Originally charged with seven felony counts of endangering, Musa entered the plea under an agreement with prosecutors and imposition of a potential prison sentence was suspended. Under an Alford plea, a defendant plea does not admit guilt but concedes that evidence exists that would likely result in a conviction. Omar and Shaikiem Bristol were charged after they were stopped by a Missouri Highway Patrol trooper on Sept. 29, 2024, on I-44 in Webster County. In the back of the U-Haul driven by Bristol, troopers found seven children aged 2-13 and five women with no air conditioning, along with trash, clothes and food containers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The men told troopers they were traveling from Arizona to Buffalo, New York. The patrol said the people involved are legally in the country. Bristol pleaded guilty to endangering charges in March and was sentenced to seven years in prison, but execution of the sentence was suspended. He will serve five years of supervised probation and must perform 100 hours of community service. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOLR - OzarksFirst.com. WASHINGTON (AP) A California man will plead guilty to trying to assassinate Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh at his home in a suburb of Washington, D.C, nearly three years ago, the defendant's attorneys said in a court filing on Wednesday. Nicholas John Roske, of Simi Valley, California, was arrested near Kavanaughs home in Chevy Chase, Maryland, in June 2022. Roske was armed with a gun and a knife, was carrying zip ties and was dressed in black when he arrived in the neighborhood by taxi just after 1 a.m., federal authorities said. Roske, who was 26 when he was arrested, intends to plead guilty to attempting to murder a justice of the United States without reaching a plea agreement with federal prosecutors, according to his lawyers. The charge carries a maximum sentence of life in prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roske's attorneys asked a judge in Greenbelt, Maryland, to schedule a hearing next Monday or Tuesday for him to enter a guilty plea. They say prosecutors have consented to their request. After his arrest, Roske told a police detective that he was upset by a leaked draft opinion suggesting the Supreme Court intended to overrule Roe v. Wade, the landmark abortion case, according to an FBI agents affidavit. Killing one jurist could change the decisions of the nine-member court for decades to come, authorities said that Roske wrote, adding, I am shooting for three. The leaked opinion draft led to protests, including at several of the justices homes. Roskes arrest spurred the House to approve a bill expanding around-the-clock security protection to the justices families. Roske also said he was upset over the school massacre in Uvalde, Texas, and believed that Kavanaugh would vote to loosen gun control laws, the affidavit said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roske was apprehended after he called 911 and told a police dispatcher that he was near Kavanaughs home and wanted to take his own life. He was spotted by two U.S. marshals who were part of 24-hour security provided to the justices. A trial for Roske has been scheduled to start on June 9. During a hearing in October 2022, U.S. District Judge Peter Messitte said there was a very high likelihood that he would order a mental evaluation for Roske to determine if he was fit to assist his defense, enter a possible guilty plea or stand trial. One of Roskes attorneys, Andrew Szekely, said during a hearing last August that the defense is not requesting a court-ordered mental evaluation of Roske. U.S. District Judge Deborah Boardman inherited Roske's case after Messitte died in January following a brief illness. A California man will plead guilty to trying to assassinate Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh at his home in a suburb of Washington, D.C, nearly three years ago, the defendants attorneys said in a court filing on Wednesday. Nicholas John Roske, of Simi Valley, California, was arrested near Kavanaughs home in Chevy Chase, Maryland, in June 2022. Roske was armed with a gun and a knife, was carrying zip ties and was dressed in black when he arrived in the neighborhood by taxi just after 1 a.m., federal authorities said. Roske, who was 26 when he was arrested, intends to plead guilty to attempting to murder a justice of the United States without reaching a plea agreement with federal prosecutors, according to his lawyers. The charge carries a maximum sentence of life in prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roskes attorneys asked a judge in Greenbelt, Maryland, to schedule a hearing next Monday or Tuesday for him to enter a guilty plea. They say prosecutors have consented to their request. After his arrest, Roske told a police detective that he was upset by a leaked draft opinion suggesting the Supreme Court intended to overrule Roe v. Wade, the landmark abortion case, according to an FBI agents affidavit. Killing one jurist could change the decisions of the nine-member court for decades to come, authorities said that Roske wrote, adding, I am shooting for three. The leaked opinion draft led to protests, including at several of the justices homes. Roskes arrest spurred the House to approve a bill expanding around-the-clock security protection to the justices families. Roske also said he was upset over the school massacre in Uvalde, Texas, and believed that Kavanaugh would vote to loosen gun control laws, the affidavit said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roske was apprehended after he called 911 and told a police dispatcher that he was near Kavanaughs home and wanted to take his own life. He was spotted by two U.S. marshals who were part of 24-hour security provided to the justices. A trial for Roske has been scheduled to start on June 9. During a hearing in October 2022, U.S. District Judge Peter Messitte said there was a very high likelihood that he would order a mental evaluation for Roske to determine if he was fit to assist his defense, enter a possible guilty plea or stand trial. One of Roskes attorneys, Andrew Szekely, said during a hearing last August that the defense is not requesting a court-ordered mental evaluation of Roske. U.S. District Judge Deborah Boardman inherited Roskes case after Messitte died in January following a brief illness. A man who said he hates big pharmacies allegedly gunned down a Walgreens worker in California, according to police. Suspect Narciso Gallardo Fernandez had a handgun in his pocket when he went into a Walgreens in Madera, shooting out a security camera before he allegedly shot and killed employee Erick Velasquez around 9:30 p.m. Monday, Madera police said. Fernandez then fired his gun at other store employees as they fled, police said. PHOTO: A man seen in surveillance video allegedly gunned down a Walgreens worker in California on March 31, 2025. (Madera Police) Velasquez died at the store, where bystanders were sheltering in place, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Responding officers found the 30-year-old suspect in the parking lot, reloading his gun, and took him into custody, according to police. Madera is about 25 miles outside of Fresno. Fernandez appeared in court on Wednesday where he pleaded not guilty to charges of murder with a gun enhancement and attempted murder with a gun enhancement. His bail was set a $3 million and his pre-preliminary hearing has been set for April 4. MORE: Attorney General Pam Bondi directs prosecutors to seek death penalty for Luigi Mangione Fernandez didn't appear to know the victim, but he allegedly told investigators he hates big pharmacies, Madera Police Chief Giachino Chiaramonte told ABC News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chiaramonte said he does not believe this shooting was inspired by Luigi Mangione, who is accused of the targeted killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in December. Velasquez was a Walgreens worker, but not a pharmacist, the chief noted. The pharmacy was closed at the time of the shooting and the victim was not shot in the pharmacy area, he added. Man who hates big pharmacies allegedly guns down Walgreens worker: Police originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Central Texas (FOX 44) An 18-year-old man is being held after a Tuesday night pursuit through four counties with speeds frequently near 120 miles per hour. An arrest affidavit for Ruben Quioz Rangel, Jr., of San Antonio, states it started when a Department of Public Safety trooper made a traffic stop on a white Toyota Carolla on I-35 northbound near Ross Road in McLennan County about 8:00 p.m. Tuesday. The trooper said he had been advised earlier that the vehicle vehicle contained a wanted person. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After confirming the license plate number the trooper conducted the stop with the vehicle pulling over. The affidavit stated that the driver appeared very nervous as the trooper walked up to the car. The trooper asked him to keep both hands outside the driver side window and he complied. When the trooper asked him to turn off the engine and make sure the car was in park, the driver reached like he was going to do that, but instead sped off going north on the Interstate. The trooper advised his dispatch that he was in pursuit as the Toyota headed north into Hill County. The affidavit stated that the Toyota was being driven with its lights off, weaving through all lanes of traffic and between other vehicles. The trooper reported the speed was consistently between 98 and 120 miles per hour. The pursuit lead through Hillsboro to the area where I-35 splits into I-35W and I-35E where the driver was seen with his hands out the driver side window appearing to give up. The vehicle flashers came on with the car moving onto the right shoulder as if it were going to come to a stop, but once again sped off. The pursuit went north a few miles to FM2959 where the Toyota exited the highway, then left the roadway after overcorrecting in a curve. After leaving the roadway, the Toyota turned left onto FM2959, going over I-35 on the overpass, then getting back on the Interstate going south. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The affidavit stated that the Toyota continued with its lights off through Hillsboro again and back into McLennan County. Sheriffs deputies were assisting at that point and deployed spike strips to try to stop the vehicle but were unsuccessful. The Toyota stayed on the main lanes going through Waco and continuing southbound. The trooper reported as they neared the Bell/Falls County line he was told that troopers in Bell County were setting up to assist. The trooper reported that speeds were still running at around 120 miles per hour. When they entered Troy the Toyota left the roadway and entered the parking lot of the Quick Trip station off the southbound service road. With one trooper following it, the original trooper stayed on the service road to cut him off from leaving the parking lot. As the trooper was about to turn right into the parking lot, the Toyota drove head on into his patrol unit, striking on the right passenger side. The troopers air bags deployed making him temporarily immobile. He managed to get free and ran to the driver side of the Toyota attempting to keep the driver contained in the vehicle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The driver broke free with the affidavit stating he ran into the QuickTrip store. Troopers followed him in and after a brief bit of wrestling got him in custody. Man who fled Belton police in February arrested in Temple Rangel was placed in handcuffs and placed in a patrol unit. Rangel was checked by medical personnel who determined he had a cut on his chin as a result of the crash and would need stitches. He was taken to Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in Temple where he was treated and medically cleared before being taken to the McLennan County Jail. During this time, it was found that Rangel had active arrest warrants out of Medina County for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and burglary of a habitation with intent other felony. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was also determined that he had no drivers license. He remained in the McLennan County Jail Wednesday on the Medina County charges along with multiple other charges including evading arrest with a motor vehicle, evading arrest on foot, resisting arrest and no driver license. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KWKT - FOX 44. Lipton Teas and Infusions has picked Pierre Laubies as its new CEO. Laubies steps in to lead the tea and herbal-drinks group after being chairman of the company's supervisory board since 2022. He has also been interim CEO for the past six months, replacing Nathalie Roos who stepped down as chief executive in September. The company said it had decided to formalise Laubies' appointment as it saw "maintaining continuity" as "the best way forward". Roos had been hired in 2022 by Liptons owners, CVC Capital Partners, in the wake of their acquisition of the business from Unilever. In a statement at the time of her departure, the Netherlands-based group said Roos had for personal reasons, in agreement with the board decided to step down. Today's (2 April) statement to announce Laubies' appointment cited his "30 years of leadership experience" at companies including Mars and Campbell Soup Company. He has also previously worked as CEO of coffee group Jacobs Douwe Egberts and beauty company Coty, and also as a board member of French agri-food business Groupe Panzani. At the time of her departure, the Lipton tea maker said Roos had relaunched many of the companys key brands with some considerable success. The group also pointed to the formation of a new global responsible sourcing partnership with tea exporter Browns Investments. In May, Lipton Teas and Infusions handed off its tea estates in Kenya, Rwanda, and Tanzania to Sri Lanka-based peer Browns Investment. The transaction included the Kericho plantation in Kenya that had been at the centre of historical violence and human-rights issues. Earlier this year, Lipton announced plans to invest z60m ($14.7m) into its factory in the Katowice, southern Poland. The company is looking to grow demand for fruit and herbal teas, with drinkers interested in the reputed health benefits of the products. Lipton is known for its namesake brand, as well as Pukka, Tazo, T2 and Pukka teas. It manages eight packaging sites in four continents and has presence in more than 100 countries. "Lipton Teas and Infusions appoints new CEO" was originally created and published by Just Drinks, a GlobalData owned brand. PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) A man pleaded guilty Wednesday to firing a shot through a closed door, striking one man and killing a woman on New Years Day more than three years ago. Robert A. White, 30, who also went by Ronald, pleaded in Peoria County Circuit Court to a newly filed charge of second-degree murder which alleged he acted under serious provocation when he fired through the door of an apartment at the Landmark Apartments, striking another man in the neck. The bullet then went through his body and into the body of 35-year-old Bridget Ross. She was pronounced dead later at a local hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also pleaded guilty to aggravated battery with a firearm, The sentence unfolds like this: 20 years on the second-degree murder charge and then 10 years on the aggravated battery. In return for his pleas, a more serious charge of first-degree murder have been dropped, as well as some lesser charges. The pleas end the legal saga of White, as he has already been convicted of killing a woman and shooting her husband at a New Years Eve party just a few hours prior. Assistant States Attorney Deb Shelby said Ross mother was in court and that the family wanted closure to the case as well as a sentence nearing 100 years behind bars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He will begin serving that combined 30-year sentence after he finishes a 69-year prison term for the first case. The newly filed charge means hes not subject to a mandatory life sentence, which was required under state law for anyone convicted of first-degree murder for killing two people. The hearing The plea hearing lasted about 30 minutes and was fairly routine. Judge Paul Bauer read White the specifics of the deal, and then Shelby gave a brief factual basis for the plea. Then, the parents of Ross, Sherri and John Ross, gave emotional statements to White, who sat there already in silence. Had no right to take my child. If it was her time to go, then let the man upstairs decide. If you are upset with my child, then talk to her. Dont say I dont know how to handle this and then handle it the streets way. My child leaves behind six children. She has two older children and her younger children. They dont know her. They never will know her, Sherri Ross said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement White, who was clad in the orange jumpsuit of a Peoria County Jail inmate, said he accepted first responsibly for his action. Bridget was a good friend of mine. She was a good person, he said. She taught me how to listen. One of the things I want to get out is that dont believe everything you hear. I know I was in the wrong. I know I shouldnt have come there. I dont even know what happened. White said he never judged what Ross was doing, and said that he was taking the plea deal for the familys sake. I apologize. You dont have to accept my apology. Its in Gods hands now, he said. What happened on New Years Day 2022 According to court records, police were contacted by a person living in a nearby apartment who said a person known as Rocko, which is another nickname for White, was seen running down a flight of stars after they heard gunshots. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A woman who lived in the building told police she encountered a man whom she knew as Ross boyfriend and who went by the name Rocko White on social media. White, she said, told her to get this sweatshirt out of Ross apartment. When she said no, he pulled out a gun and threatened to shoot her before running away. Peoria police were already investigating another shooting, which was on Southwest Adams Street just a few hours before. Later, they were able to connect the dots and link White to both due to his nickname and his appearance, according to Shelby. The type of plea to second-degree murder seems to indicate that White was extremely upset and highly emotional when he shot through the door. Under the law, under certain circumstances, that could be seen as a mitigating factor. His first case In July 2023, he was sentenced to a total of 69 years in prison for the New Years Day shootings that left one woman dead and her husband injured. Specifically, he received 55 years in prison for murdering Daniela T. Jackson and 14 years for shooting her husband, Levi Conway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sentences must be served consecutively. White, who was convicted after a jury trial, must serve 100% of the murder sentence and at least 85% of his aggravated battery sentence for shooting Conway. White, who was known to Jackson and Conway as Rocky, admittedly had been out partying with the couple and several of their friends that night, both at a pre-party prior to midnight, at a South Peoria tavern and then back at the couples apartment which was in the 2000 block of Southwest Adams Street. At some point, White made inappropriate sexual comments to two of the women there, prompting everyone in the room to call him on it. . Screaming and shouting ensued before White allegedly pulled a gun. Conway jumped in the middle, trying to defuse the situation. One of the women involved, who was hurling insults at White, was escorted out of the residence, with the rest of the crowd following into the parking lot. White lingered a bit but left after a few minutes, Conway testified during the trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rocky, aka White, was angry, Conway said, and told him dont ever try to stop me from what Im doing. Conway tried to calm White down, saying they were like family. White seemed to get it, and walked away from the open door of the apartment. However, a minute or so later, he came, cursed at Conway and opened fire, Conway testified. Jackson died at the scene. Conway was treated at an area hospital, where he then identified White from a photo lineup later on Jan. 1, 2022. He also showed police several photos taken at the party, which clearly showed White there and engaging with others. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com. AUSTIN (KXAN) A man convicted of aggravated assault and sentenced to 60 years in prison, who later had his conviction overturned because of invalid DNA evidence, filed a lawsuit this week against the city of Austin. The lawsuit is a civil rights actionarising from several problems that ultimately caused Plaintiff to be convicted of aggravated assaultand sentenced to 60 years, of which he served more than 10based on invalid DNA evidence. This use of invalid evidence was in turn due to serious, systemic deficiencies at the Austin Police Department DNA Laboratory, the lawsuit said. Billy Faircloth is also suing the DNA analyst who worked his case and an Austin Police Department officer, according to the lawsuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Man to be released on bond, DNA evidence used in 2012 conviction inconclusive KXAN has reached out to both the city of Austin and Faircloths attorneys. We will update this story when we receive responses from them. Faircloth was previously accused of hitting a woman multiple times in the head with a rock in the parking garage of a downtown office building in 2011. That woman survived and was the only immediate witness to the assault, according to the lawsuit. Faircloth was convicted of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon in February 2012 and sentenced to 60 years in prison, KXAN previously reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He served roughly 10 of those before the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals overturned Faircloths conviction based on the faulty DNA evidence presented during his trial in 2012, according to a news release from the Travis County District Attorneys Office in 2023. The process to review cases stemming from the APD DNA lab involved stakeholders from the city, the county, forensic experts, the defense, and the prosecution. We believe the victim in this case was assaulted in a parking garage; however, due to the unreliability of the DNA evidence presented at trial, we cannot prove who committed the assault, said Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza in 2023. You can read more about Faircloths case here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) A man who pleaded guilty to murdering his wife in front of her children five years ago was sentenced to life without parole Tuesday, as her family shared their pain and loss in an emotional courtroom scene. On Tuesday, Kendreen Jordan pleaded guilty to murdering his wife, Geneva Opperman, in 2020. After hearing victim impact statements, a judge sentenced Jordan to life without parole Tuesday. Opperman was a mother of six and part of a tight-knit family, who said nothing can fill the gap she leaves behind. Murder suspect learns fate less than a year after crime Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tuesday certainly was not an easy day for them. We think about it every day. Cry every night, said Cassandra Opperman, Genevas sister. Were all broken, said Brenda Wright, Genevas aunt. She was my gift, said Leola Scott, Gevenas mother. Shes still my gift and the gift that is continuing on my grandchildren. Despite all those emotions, Oppermans mother, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, and children worked up the strength to face Jordan in court on Tuesday. My stomach was in knots even hearing his name, said Cassandra. In March 2020, Jordan killed Gevena inside their Oklahoma City home, a culmination of months of domestic abuse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Three of Genevas six children were home at the time, forced to witness horrors no child, or anyone, should ever see. She was a good person, and she always kept a smile on her face no more. No matter what happened, said AaLeah Vick, Genevas 12-year-old daughter. Jordan fled the state after the murder, eventually being arrested in Texas and charged with first-degree murder. The road to justice for her family has been a long one. Five long years, Cassandra Opperman said. I still have not wrapped my head around it. But that road finally came to an end Tuesday. Today we did get some justice, Wright said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jordan, who initially pleaded not guilty, changed his plea to guilty Tuesday as part of a deal. The judge sentenced him to life without the possibility of parole. Im so glad he will never walk free, Cassandra said. Its been five long years of agony, and now we have some closure, Wright said. Before the sentencing, Genevas family spoke directly to Jordan, telling him exactly what he stole from them. Through tears, they stood resilient as they addressed him. Her 13-year-old son took the stand, incredibly composed and eloquent, as he told the judge the horror he and his siblings witnessed. He recalled the moment that he realized he would never be able to talk to his mother again. She meant everything, said Damauntray Webb, Genevas son. Even if she didnt have money for herself, she would do anything for us. Make a way. Jordan spoke as well, saying he was sorry, that he hated himself, and that he could never forgive himself. At times, he appeared to tear up. Genevas family wasnt buying it. I rolled my eyes, Cassandra Opperman said. The fake tears? No. As Jordan was led out of the courtroom, News 4 asked if he had anything else to say. His attorneys quickly responded, No. And there are plenty of other unanswered questions that will forever haunt this family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why? Wright said. Why did you take these kids mother from them? She was a beautiful soul. She did everything that she can do for you. And it still wasnt enough. Parents express concern over no crossing guard, IYC gets results I continue every night we talk to Geneva and watch videos and just keep her name alive, Cassandra said. And her kids will live a happy life and go to college and not turn out like that scum. They try not to dwell on it. We just have to lean on the Lord and look to his guidance, Wright said. After all, Tuesday wasnt an easy day anyway. Theres no looking back now, just moving forward, Scott said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But then again, when has it ever been easy to make sense of the senseless? Collect moments, not things, Scott said. When someone breaks their wings, we continue to fly. Women are angels. Genevas family says they want her death to send a message: domestic violence in any form is never acceptable. They urge anyone in a dangerous situation to leave and seek help at the first sign of abusebefore its too late. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. Marugame Udon, known for its Japanese cuisine, has signed a master franchise agreement with Karali Group to further expand in the UK and Ireland. Marugame Udons transition from corporate-owned outlets to a fully franchised model is set to streamline operations and enhance market penetration. Karali Group, led by Salim Janmohamed and Karim Janmohamed, will head the development of new restaurant locations. Karali Group has also taken the operational reins of the existing Marugame Udon estate, which includes eight restaurants in London and one regional site in Reading. Marugame Udon International president Victor Misawa stated: "Since introducing Marugame Udon to the UK in 2021, we have been overwhelmed by the warm welcome from customers. Marugame Udon's journey in the UK began in 2021 through a joint venture between Toridoll Holdings and Capdesia Group. Capdesia Group then exited its investment in July 2024. Misawa added: "Today, Marugame Udon proudly serves thousands of udon lovers every day, each bowl prepared fresh in our lively open kitchens. "With nine restaurants now open, we're thrilled to partner with Karali Group to bring our brand to even more communities. We extend our heartfelt thanks to our amazing team members, partners and customers. The Karali Group's portfolio is diverse, featuring franchises across sectors including fast food and casual dining. Its UK portfolio includes Taco Bell and Crosstown Doughnuts. Karim Janmohamed stated: "We are delighted to announce this landmark partnership with Marugame Udon and the acquisition of such a fantastic estate of restaurants. "We look forward to continuing to create incredible guest and team member experiences as we grow the brand and welcome them all to the Karali family." A transition is in progress to ensure a changeover for customers and employees. Sam McIntyre, interim CEO and finance director, will facilitate the transition before assuming a new leadership role with Marugame Udon USA. "Marugame Udon plans further expansion in UK and Ireland" was originally created and published by Verdict Food Service, a GlobalData owned brand. BELMONT, The Bronx (PIX11) Police are searching for a gunman after a man was fatally shot in the Bronx on Tuesday, according to the NYPD. It happened on Southern Boulevard in Belmont around 3:30 p.m., according to authorities. Police said Javier Saul, 27, was shot in the torso while he was inside a vehicle. More Local News The vehicle then crashed, according to authorities. Its unclear if Saul was driving the car. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said Saul was taken to St. Barnabas Hospital via private means. He later died, according to authorities. No arrests have been made and an investigation is ongoing, police said. Authorities have not confirmed a description of the suspect. Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. One man was seriously injured after a burglary, then a shooting, were reported Tuesday to the Jackson County Law Center Dispatch, according to a news release from the Jackson County Sheriffs Office. Shortly before 12:15 p.m. the law center received a 911 call from a rural Maquoketa resident reporting that a person was trying to break into their home. As deputies responded, the dropped 911 call resumed and it was reported that a person had been shot during the incident. Responding deputies discovered that a man had been shot several times during an altercation at the residence. He was flown to Iowa City with serious injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Iowa Department of Public Safetys Division of Criminal Investigation responded to assist the sheriffs office in the investigation. There is no current or ongoing safety threat to the immediate area or extended community, the release says. Further information will be released when appropriate. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. BELMONT, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) A Harrisburg man has been arrested after allegedly stealing from a Gaston County Walgreens and leading police on a chase, which ended in Charlotte, according to the Belmont Police Department. Around 11:45 a.m. on Wednesday, 35-year-old Eugene Cuthbertson entered the Walgreens on Wilkinson Boulevard. He reportedly went straight to the fragrance counter, and after failing to open a locked display case, he kicked and shattered the glass door. Officials said Cuthbertson stole several perfumes and colognes valued at $2,356.78. When he left the store, he got in a 2017 Chevrolet Equinox and intentionally rammed into a Belmont Police Officers vehicle before leading officers on a high-speed chase into Charlotte. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pursuit ended in south Charlotte at Old Pineville Road and Archdale Drive when Cuthbertson crashed into two other vehicles. Officers apprehended Cuthbertson after a brief foot chase. Authorities said Cuthbertson was taken to a local hospital with right shoulder pain. No officers or civilians were injured in the incident. He was transported from the hospital to the Gaston County Jail and is charged with: Felony flee to elude Assault on a law enforcement official Felony larceny Driving while license revoked Damage to property Careless and reckless driving According to police, Cuthbertson was already wanted in the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database with full extradition for felony conspiracy, felony flee to elude, and probation violation out of Mecklenburg County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Belmont Police Department extends its gratitude to the assisting agencies for their support and efforts in ensuring a swift and safe resolution to this incident, Belmont Police said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) A man who Hillsborough County deputies said was caught on camera last month stealing a package of gold bars was taken into custody after trying to flee the country. The Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office released doorbell camera video of the incident to the public in early March, and said the suspect was later identified as 33-year-old Vitalijs Apetenoks. Former Florida principal, teacher charged in drunken house party involving more than 100 students Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the video, Apetenoks could be seen walking up to a UPS driver as the worker arrived at a home on Aire Place in Tampa to drop off a package containing $20,000 worth of gold bars, authorities explained. Apetenoks then handed the driver an ID, claiming the package was his, the sheriffs office said. The driver checked the ID and handed over the package. However, deputies said the ID turned out to be fraudulent and the rightful owner of the gold bars later reported the theft. A warrant was issued for Apetenoks arrest on March 13. Authorities said they found Apetenoks trying to catch a flight out of the country at the Newark Airport in New Jersey. He was arrested and charged with the following: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fraudulent use of personal information Organized fraud $20,000 to $50,000 Grand theft second degree Stealing from our community will not be tolerated, and fleeing our state wont stop us from catching you, said Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister. Well continue to pursue these criminals and make sure anyone involved in these thefts faces the full consequences. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. When heavy rain hits Indianapolis, drivers should plan ahead to avoid getting stranded. While it's best to avoid driving altogether during flood conditions, that's not an option for many Hoosiers traveling to work, school or vital appointments. More: Flood watch issued as 'waves' of storms head to Indiana starting Wednesday afternoon One way to reduce risk is to avoid areas known to flood during heavy rain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement IndyStar built a map showing the locations of all citizen complaints of flooding and blocked storm drains reported to the city's public works department from 2022 to the present. Complaints about water main breaks, flooded driveways and yard drainage were excluded. Just because an intersection hasn't been the subject of a complaint doesn't mean it won't flood, though. Drivers should pay close attention and allow extra time when traveling this week. Which intersections flooded most? The intersections that have racked up multiple complaints since 2022 are: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Downtown Indy roads flood due to heavy rains Though it wasn't the subject of multiple complaints, the intersection of East 75th Street and Binford Boulevard was so flooded last April that a car was submerged underwater. Low-lying roads, especially those near bodies of water or beneath underpasses, are particularly susceptible to flooding, according to the NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory. A car is stuck underwater during flooding just west of E. 75th St. and Binford Blvd., Thursday, April 11, 2024, in Indianapolis. According to an Indianapolis Department of Public Works employee who was at the scene and declined to give a name, the driver exited the car safely and is not hurt. Turn around, don't drown Flooding is the most common reason for thunderstorm-related deaths, and about half of all fatalities occur in cars, according to the National Weather Service. It takes as little as six inches of floodwater to knock an adult off their feet, and cars can float away in about 12 inches of water. Trucks and SUVs can be swept away with about two feet of water. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you approach a flooded intersection while driving, play it safe and turn around. The water could be much deeper than it appears, and it could be hiding potholes, live wires or even a caved-in section of street. Never drive around a barrier blocking a flooded street - it's there for a reason. A high water sign warns drivers during flooding just west of E. 75th St. and Binford Blvd., Thursday, April 11, 2024, in Indianapolis. According to an Indianapolis Department of Public Works employee who was at the scene and declined to give a name, the driver of the underwater car exited the vehicle safely and is not hurt. What causes roads to flood? To put it simply, roads flood when water has nowhere to go. This could be due to blocked storm grates, an overwhelmed drainage system or topography - in the largely flat city of Indianapolis, water usually doesn't have a way to flow downhill. Reports reviewed by IndyStar showed that blocked storm drains were a frequent culprit behind flooding. In Indianapolis, residents are responsible for the storm drains on or near their property, so it's important to be mindful when disposing of grass clippings or autumn leaves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you want to take action in your neighborhood, consider joining a SWAT team - a StormWater Action Team, that is. The White River Alliance helps volunteers host drain cleanup days in their neighborhoods, reducing both flooding and pollution. Future drainage improvements Mayor Joe Hogsett's infrastructure plan has set aside more than $200 million for stormwater improvement, according to the city's website. Drainage upgrades for Brookside Parkway, Washington Boulevard, Shadeland Avenue and Kensington Drive are currently underway. Another seven projects are set to begin soon, including a major overhaul in the Fountain Square neighborhood. And while the $2 billion DigIndy project probably won't affect how quickly the roads drain, the tunnels will collect excess water rather than discharging it directly into local waterways. Citizens Energy Group estimates the completed tunnels have already stopped more than six billion gallons of sewage from entering Indiana rivers and streams. How to report flooded roads Citizens Energy Group reviews complaints about sidewalk and road flooding. Call (317) 924-3311 to report standing water. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you encounter a downed tree or broken traffic light, contact the Mayor's Action Center at 317-327-4622 or online at RequestIndy.gov. When calling after hours, press "2" to be connected. Ryan Murphy is the communities reporter for IndyStar. She can be reached at rhmurphy@indystar.com. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Map of Indianapolis intersections prone to flooding during rain Apr. 2MOSES LAKE March was a busy month for law enforcement with the Grant County Sheriff's Office, Moses Lake Police Department and Adams County Sheriff's Office all involved in investigations. The month had high-speed chases, drive-by shootings and suspects fleeing from law enforcement, along with some other cases. Here is a recap of the cases that occurred in March. "Even at our busiest, we still have fantastic officers who never stop working, who all are focused on creating a safer community," MLPD Captain Jeff Sursely said. "This past month is just a good reading of that dedication that our officers have to put in the number of hours that it took to quickly solve all of these crimes." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To begin the month, a 15-year-old was sentenced for the shooting at the Grant County Fairgrounds last August. The suspect fired one round that injured both a 16-year-old girl and a 14-year-old girl. GCSO investigators said the altercation began as a verbal disagreement between rival gang members. The shooter pleaded guilty to two counts of third-degree assault, unlawful possession of a firearm and firearm enhancement charges. He will serve a sentence of 90 to 144 weeks a maximum of a little more than 2.5 years in a juvenile detention facility. On March 3, the Adams County Sheriff's Office received a call about two suspicious males in the 800 block of South Taylor Road in Othello. While deputies were attempting to make contact, one of the suspects ran off into a nearby field. Roberto Faustino Ramirez, 25, of Othello, was booked into jail for suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle, resisting arrest and three outstanding warrants. The warrants included third-degree possession of stolen property, fourth-degree assault and vehicle prowling. On March 5, a threat was made to Columbia Middle School for March 7. The Moses Lake School District worked alongside the MLPD to secure the premises and add increased police presence. Sursely said the threat "deemed to be unfounded." Three days later, on March 8, one subject, later identified as Monty Dent, was shot during an argument in the 1100 block of Stratford Road. Luis Medina, 27, was arrested March 14 in Moses Lake and booked into the Grant County Jail on suspicion of first-degree assault and drive-by shooting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then on March 12, Kurt Volquardson, 61, was found dead. MLPD has thought the death was related to a possible overdose. However, on March 18, a Moses Lake man confessed to killing Volquardson, who was his roommate. This case is still under investigation, according to Sursely. On the same day, GCSO was called out to State Route 174 East regarding a domestic violence incident. While deputies were investigating, the suspect, Duane Crinklaw, 25, ran outside. Deputies established containment and used a drone to search for Crinklaw. He was found hiding in an outbuilding. He was booked into Grant County Jail for second-degree assault, kidnapping and obstructing justice. On March 14, MLPD, GCSO and Washington Fish and Wildlife deputies responded to a shooting at the Hiawatha homeless camp near the 1000 block of North Frontage Road East in Moses Lake. After the suspect was captured, the weapon turned out to be a BB rifle. Jonathan Pray, 25, was lodged into Grant County Jail for investigation of first-degree assault and investigation of second-degree attempted murder. GCSO Public Information Officer Kyle Foreman said the case is now with the prosecutor's office. The same day, GCSO responded to another call of a dog attack involving a 4-week-old baby boy. As of March 19, the child was receiving care from a local hospital. It is unknown at this time how the infant is doing. GCSO continues to investigate which of the seven dogs caused the attack. Foreman said there are no other updates regarding this case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On March 21, a drive-by shooting resulted in the death of a 14-year-old boy and injuries to a 17-year-old female, 17-year-old male, 12-year-old boy and 26-year-old Crystal Santoyo. On March 24, the first of three suspects, a 14-year-old male, was arrested at Kadlec Hospital in Richland. He was booked into juvenile detention and is facing a charge of murder in the first degree. On March 27, the U.S. Marshal Service named the remaining two suspects, Jose Beltran-Rodriguez, 20, and Mathew Valdez, 18. The next morning, Valdez was arrested in Beaverton, Ore. On March 30, MLPD announced the arrest of Beltran-Rodriguez. Both Beltran-Rodriguez and Valdez initially faced a charge of murder in the first degree, five charges of assault in the first degree, as well as drive-by shooting and felon in possession of a firearm. Further coverage of the matter can be found here: https://bit.ly/MLPDDB325. On Saturday, March 22, an Othello man was placed under arrest on suspicion of attempted first-degree assault after a dispute at an Othello-area business escalated to gunfire. Omar Negrete Galvan, 22, was arrested for the assault charge and for possession of a weapon apparently capable of producing bodily harm. The incident, according to ACSO, started as an argument between Negrete Galvan and an employee at the business, Johnathan Enriquez, 23, of Othello. Negrete Galvan sustained a non-life-threatening wound to the leg and was taken to an out-of-area hospital for specialized treatment of his injuries. The cause of the altercation is still under investigation, according to ACSO. On March 27, ACSO had two high-speed chases, resulting in a total of four arrests. In the first incident, two Ritzville men, Chad Pichett, 23, and Boone Holm, 29, were arrested after a chase that started in Ritzville and ended near Lind. When ASCO deputies finally stopped the car, Pichett fled on foot temporarily before he surrendered. Pichett was booked on charges of eluding a police vehicle, possession of a stolen motor vehicle, driving while license suspended in the third degree, violating a no-contact order, aiming or discharging firearms/dangerous weapons, reckless endangerment and multiple warrants. Holm is facing charges of possession of a stolen motor vehicle and a Washington Department of Corrections felony warrant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the second incident, the Washington State Patrol contacted ACSO, asking for help with a traffic stop on the southbound side of Highway 395 about three miles south of Ritzville. The vehicle fled from the trooper, initiating the pursuit. The vehicle continued southbound on Highway 395 at high speeds. The vehicle eventually came to a stop. The driver, Alex Rivera Jr., 35, exited the vehicle and was booked on charges of attempting to elude a police vehicle, third-degree driving while license suspended and operating a motor vehicle without an interlock device. The passenger of the car, Daniel Rivera, 33, of Sunnysid,e moved to the driver's seat and fled the scene southbound. Daniel Rivera was arrested and booked into jail on charges of attempting to elude a police vehicle and third-degree driving while license suspended. On March 29, the MLPD began investigating a second drive-by shooting on Olympic Drive in Moses Lake. Nobody was injured in the shooting. MLPD Captain Jeff Sursely told the Columbia Basin Herald there is no known connection between this incident and the March 21 drive-by shooting or others in the county that have occurred in recent months. Two juvenile males, 14 and 17 years of age, were arrested and are facing charges of first-degree assault and drive-by shooting. For more information on these incidents, visit our Crime page at https://bit.ly/CBHCRIME. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has issued an order to U.S. diplomats stationed abroad to search through the social media accounts of those applying for student and other kinds of visas to come to the U.S. The effort to stop anyone suspected of criticizing the U.S. or Israel comes as the Trump administration is stepping up its efforts to detain and deport students already in the U.S. who have been found to have taken part in protests against the war in Gaza. Rubio outlined the instructions to diplomats in a lengthy cable sent to diplomatic missions on March 25, according to The New York Times. The edict comes just over two months after President Donald Trump signed executive orders to begin a widespread effort to deport some people in the U.S., such as those who may have hostile attitudes toward American citizens, culture, government, institutions or founding principles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump also put forward an executive order to start cracking down on what he referred to as antisemitism, including deporting students who took part in campus protests against Israels war on Gaza. Rubios instructions stated that starting immediately, consular officers have to refer some student and exchange visitor visa applications to the fraud prevention unit for a mandatory social media check, two U.S. officials told The Times. The fraud prevention unit in an embassy or consulate screens visa applicants. The instructions outlined the parameters that consular officers should follow when deciding whether to reject an applicant. It pointed to comments Rubio made to CBS News on March 16. Secretary of State Marco Rubio attends the International Women of Courage Award ceremony in the Ben Franklin Room at the State Department's Harry S. Truman headquarters in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday. He has revoked hundreds of visas, mostly those obtained by students (Getty Images) We dont want people in our country that are going to be committing crimes and undermining our national security or the public safety, said Rubio. Its that simple, especially people that are here as guests. That is what a visa is. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cable states that someone who is suspected of having terrorist connections or sympathies should have their social media accounts scrutinized. The same goes for anyone who had a student or exchange visa between October 7, 2023, and August 31, 2024, or someone who had a visa terminated since October 7, 2023. Hamas attacked Israel on that October day in 2023, killing 1,200 Israelis and taking around 250 hostages, prompting a war in which more than 50,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to estimates by the Gaza health ministry. The dates included by Rubio in the cable suggest that one of the top goals of the social media searches is to deny visas to applicants who may have shared opinions sympathetic to the Palestinians. The cable adds that applicants can also be denied a visa if they have conducted themselves in a way that shows a hostile attitude toward U.S. citizens or U.S. culture (including government, institutions, or founding principles). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cable could prompt foreign citizens to self-censor to avoid scuppering their chances of acquiring a visa. The instructions sent to diplomats stated that the visa types that would lead to extra scrutiny include F, M, and J, which are student and exchange visitor visas. The cable was initially reported on by the independent news site The Handbasket. A spokesperson for the State Department told The Times that the agency doesnt speak about internal discussions, but noted that the department changed its visa application forms in 2019 to request information regarding social media accounts. After becoming the top U.S. diplomat in late January, Rubio has revoked 300 or more visas, many of them student visas, the secretary told reporters last Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My standard: If we knew this information about them before we gave them a visa, would we have allowed them in? said Rubio. And if the answer is no, then we revoke the visa. Previously, that same day, when speaking to a reporter, Rubio said the students were going beyond demonstration. They are going and they are creating a ruckus. They are creating riots, basically, on campus. He vowed: Every one of them I find, were going to kick them out. CHICAGO (WGN) Job seekers are encouraged to attend Marianos company-wide hiring event on Thursday. Marianos says it is looking for people passionate about food, customer service, and community to join. Search for jobs on our job board Walk-in interviews are welcome at any of Marianos 44 Chicagoland locations on Thursday, April 3, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Looking for a job? Career fair for positions at OHare, Midway announced Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Interested applicants can find open positions, registration details, and more here. Veterans and military members are also encouraged to apply. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. (Reuters) -Mercedes-Benz denied a report by Bloomberg News on Tuesday which said the carmaker was considering withdrawing its cheapest models in the U.S. ahead of an added 25% tariff to be imposed on auto imports. "This is without any merit. Mercedes-Benz continues to seek sales growth for its highly desirable vehicles," a Mercedes-Benz spokesperson said in an emailed statement in response to the report. Bloomberg said the carmaker was considering withdrawing more entry-level models from sale as part of broader tariff contingency plans. Industry experts have warned that the planned tariffs, to be imposed from April 3, are likely to lead to higher prices and fewer choices of models for consumers, with not enough room in the margins of more affordable cars targeted at first-time buyers to absorb the tariff cost. Mercedes-Benz executives told analysts on an investor call on Monday that the carmaker was building up inventory levels in the U.S. at the wholesale level and at dealer lots to get ahead of tariffs, as it weighed further mitigation measures. (Reporting by Gursimran Kaur in Bengaluru and Victoria Waldersee; Writing by Maria Martinez; Editing by Shinjini Ganguli and Jan Harvey) Marine Le Pen has for years been a superstar of Europes far-right movement. That was until this week, when a spectacular court ruling banned her from running in Frances 2027 presidential election a vote she looked well placed to win. Now, the future looks difficult for Le Pen, 56, who was found guilty of running a system of embezzlement that siphoned $3.4 million of European Union funds to her National Rally party. The implications are also unclear for her party and the wider European far-right movement, which has won friends in President Donald Trumps White House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just like Trump in the United States, Le Pen has attacked the French legal system, condemning the ruling as a rigged attempt to block her from power. Those comments are a marked departure from her years of efforts to become a respected, mainstream force in European politics. The National Rally leader has vowed to appeal her five-year election ban and two-year suspended prison sentence, plus another two with an electronic ankle tag. She was among two dozen defendants from her party. But this is the kind of obstacle you dont hop over just by a publicity campaign or ignoring it, said Cecile Alduy, a French studies professor at Stanford University. Some opponents fear that like Trump, the sentence will beatify her as a martyr with her supporters. She has already urged the millions of people outraged to protest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The establishment brought out the nuclear bomb, Le Pen told the French Parliament on Tuesday. And if it is using such a powerful weapon against us, its obviously because were about to win the elections. Trump was quick to draw parallels with his own situation. She was banned for running for five years and shes the leading candidate that sounds like this country, he told journalists Tuesday in the Oval Office. Thats a very big deal." Meanwhile, Trump adviser Elon Musk said it was an example of the radical left abusing the legal system to jail their opponents when its members cant win elections. This is their standard playbook throughout the world, he wrote on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump was convicted last year of falsifying business records related to a hush money payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 election. Neither Trump nor Musk offered evidence of French impropriety, and far from the radical left, France is governed by President Emmanuel Macron and his centrist-led alliance. Still, facts may not dilute the potency of those populist critiques. Far-right leaders such as Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Dutch anti-Islam firebrand Geert Wilders have this week voiced support for Le Pen's cause. Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin, called it a violation of democratic norms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That Le Pen was leading the field is undeniable, after softening her party's hard-line image while retaining its staunchly anti-immigration ideology. An Ifop poll taken four days before her sentencing projected she would get 36% of the vote in 2027. The two-term Macron is ineligible for a third but his ally, Edouard Philippe was second on 25%. Le Pen is far from the first high-profile French politician to face legal troubles, with former Presidents Jacques Chirac and Nicolas Sarkozy both being convicted of corruption. If she fails in appealing her disbarment, she has a protege and heir-apparent in Jordan Bardella, 29, the millennial darling of the far right with a bootstrap backstory of growing up with Italian-Algerian heritage in Paris' grittier suburbs. Jordan Bardella and Marine Le Pen in Paris last year. With 2 million TikTok followers, he became the partys president at 26 and its first not born a Le Pen. He is deeply loyal, and was poised to become Le Pen's prime minister if she won in 2027. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But his mentor's conviction might lead to a change in plans, according to Tara Varma, a visiting fellow at Washingtons Brookings Institution think tank. Le Pen acknowledged as much in an interview with French television Tuesday, saying Bardella might have to be deployed to run for the top job sooner than necessary. A survey by the pollster Harris Interactive the day of Le Pen's sentencing put her and Bardella's popularity on equal footing, but his rise is not a fait accompli, analysts say. A lot of internal fights are likely to emerge, said Alduy at Stanford. And Bardellas leadership will be put into question by Marines allies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His debating and media skills pale in comparison to Le Pens steady bulldozer-like calm, she added. Its unclear that at 29 years old he is cut for the role. Another potential successor is Le Pens niece, Marion Marechal, who dropped the family name in 2018. Some commentators said that was an attempt to distance herself from her late grandfather and Le Pen's father, Jean-Marie Le Pen, though she denied it. The senior Le Pen founded the National Front, as National Rally was then known, but his daughter later kicked him out in her own attempt to distance the party from his record of racist remarks and Holocaust denial. Marechal still carries the Le Pen name in spirit at least, said Varma, and would continue a lineage unbroken since the 1970s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ultimately, the only certain outcome from this week's events for French politics is more drama. After inconclusive snap elections last year, Macron has cobbled together a fragile coalition which could soon face fresh no-confidence votes from Le Pen, who is still a lawmaker, Alduy said. Another governmental collapse there were two last year is not impossible. If that happens, Alduy added, more chaos is certainly in store on all sides. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Ever since self-appointed watchdogs from Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency began slashing jobs and contracts at the U.S. Department of Education in February, Mark Schneider has served as a valuable touchstone, helping put the radical budget and programmatic changes in context. But while some of the cuts are, in his words, dumb, and show a lack of experience among the cost-cutters, Schneider has also pushed against many critics assertions that the Trump administration will effectively destroy the agency. In his view, the cuts offer an opportunity to clean out the attic of old, dusty policies and revitalize essential research functions. Those include the National Assessment of Educational Progress, which he maintains has lost its way and grown prohibitively expensive while in some cases duplicating the work of independent researchers. A conservative who has held top roles in both of the last two Republican administrations, as well as the most recent Democratic one, hes the ultimate education insider Schneiders conversations often invoke an alphabet soup of government agencies, contractors and think tanks. Yet hes unusually candid about his time in government, especially now that he is no longer there. Get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter A political scientist by training, Schneider has spent nearly two decades in education research. He served three years as commissioner of the National Center for Education Statistics under President George W. Bush, then spent a decade as a vice president at the non-profit American Institutes for Research. He returned to government in 2018, appointed by President Trump to lead the Institute of Education Sciences, and stayed on until 2024 under President Biden. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Through it all, he has remained an independent voice even while in office, telling The 74 in 2023, for instance, that the reason Biden hadnt fired him along with other Trump appointees was that education research wasnt considered important enough for the president to bother. Over the course of six years at IES, he tried mostly unsuccessfully, he admits to reform the department into a modern science and statistics agency. Hes honest about his limitations, saying he tried really hard to modernize the place without much success. While Musk and his cost-cutters last month took a chainsaw to IES, he observes, when he led it, I didnt even have a scalpel. I had a dull butter knife. While many education advocates are decrying Trumps bid to eliminate the Education Department, Schneider has said carefully breaking it up could actually produce a more efficient, dynamic and responsive school system all things the Department of Education has been hard-pressed to do. Schneider sat down for a wide-ranging conversation last week with The 74s Greg Toppo. They discussed the difficulties of reforming what he considers a hidebound agency, the opportunities of starting over and what the future might hold for NAEP, also known as the Nations Report Card. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related Is Trump Gutting Ed Research a New Beginning or Just Slashing & Burning? Now a non-resident senior fellow at the conservative American Enterprise Institute, he is cagey when pressed about returning to IES in a second Trump term. Schneider notes that the deep cuts have left no actual agency to run. Who wants to go in there and head a 20-person unit? But leading a revamped IES, he admits, would present a wonderful challenge. At the end of the day, though, he says it remains an open question whether the next step in the Trump administrations plans is rebuilding or neglect. The conversation has been edited for length and clarity. The 74: I wanted to start with something you said about Musks crew on a podcast a couple of weeks ago namely that given your work to reform IES, you were a little envious they could do it all in one day. Lets drill down. Is that what you had in mind when you were there? Or did this go further? Schneider: [Laughs.] Let me try to figure out the best way of putting this. The issue, of course, is that IES was a 23-year-old institution. A lot of stuff got locked in. None of this is surprising: Institutions get locked down and they keep doing the same thing over and over again. I tried hard to change things. It was almost impossible. I tried to get Congress to create ARPA Ed NCADE [National Center for Advanced Development in Education, an agency to develop and scale innovative, cutting-edge practices and tools]. A lot of people worked really hard, but we were never able to get it through Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related A DARPA for K12? Omnibus Bill Includes Substantial New Funds for Education R&D Whether Congress will ever do anything is a different question. But the fact of the matter is that even though people were in favor of it and we had a lot of political support, we still couldnt get it across the finish line. Well, now the National Center for Education Research doesnt exist anymore. Theres one person left there. So whether or not this is naive, we dont need NCADE anymore. We should rebuild NCER to look like ARPA Ed. We dont need any legislation for that, because its in the purview of the director to do that. Thats an amazing opportunity. We can just create a modern research funding organization with no need for congressional action. My colleague Kevin Mahnken recently talked to Doug Harris from Tulane. He said IES is being knocked over by these cuts. I think beneath a lot of this is people like Doug worried that this administration is simply anti-science. It sounds like you are saying the opposite. Should this give people like Doug a little hope? As of right now, we have no indication except every once in a while some words bubble out: Oh, we are going to rebuild IES. We are looking for a future direction for IES. But there is no concrete plan. So the proof is going to happen in the next several months. If the department says, Yes, we are redoing NCER, we are redoing NCES, which are the two biggest units that are most in need of repair, and they announce plans to rebuild them in a modern way, then were fine. But if nothing ever happens and we end up with three people at NCES and one person at NCER, weve got a problem. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related IES Director Mark Schneider on Education Research and the Future of Schools You have no sense one way or another? You probably hear the same things I do. I have no concrete information about any plans to rebuild. I hear rumors. But until concrete plans are announced and actions are undertaken, then we should maintain a healthy skepticism. That said, I still believe that if this administration wants to modernize IES, they have an opportunity that no ones ever had before since 2002. I have no concrete information about any plans to rebuild. I hear rumors. But until concrete plans are announced and actions are undertaken, then we should maintain a healthy skepticism. Since they created it. Congress created IES in 2002, and it was a brand new, innovative organization that radically changed the way education research was done. Well, 23 years later, that opportunity repeats itself. So my hope, and maybe this is naive, is that we grab that opportunity. We know a lot more about education research. We know a lot more about modern statistical data collections and we learned a lot from NCES. For example, the lack of timeliness hurt them endlessly. So now its like an open field. Lets build a better edifice now than what we had a year ago. Lets talk about the nuts and bolts of this vision. One of the first shocks to the system we got was in February when DOGE canceled all those federal contracts. And one of the hardest hit was AIR, where you spent 10 years. I wonder to what extent your views have been shaped by being an insider there. Is this a sector that needs a shock to the system? There are at least two parts of that question. So theres the question of the quality of the work. AIR does good work. I dont think theres any question. The big contract houses are capable of doing quite good work. However, people are really pissed off about the overhead rate [also known as indirect costs covering expenses] that these contract houses and universities charge. The overhead rate is just too high. When I was at IES after the pandemic, AIR got rid of their building on Thomas Jefferson St. [in affluent Georgetown] a huge, expensive building. Many, many people ended up working at home, and the rest went with much less and much cheaper office space. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So after AIR shed that big office space, I called up CAM [Contracts and Acquisition Management], the contracts management people in the department, and I said, You know, the overhead is based on many factors, but office space and parking are major components. Theyve reduced the cost of their offices they didnt get rid of them, but they downsized and went to cheaper places. So lets renegotiate their overhead rate. [He imitates CAM officers]: No, no, no, no, no, no. I couldnt get CAM to even consider reducing the overhead rate to reflect the lower cost. Just to be clear: You couldnt get the department to lower the cost? The department had to reopen the negotiations. And they would not. Im not sure what the right word is. Its laziness, corruption. This was wrong. Why were we paying such high overhead rates when their costs went down? And you know as well as I do that many, many, many organizations got rid of office space and reduced their costs. So why wasnt CAM renegotiating overhead rates? I never was able to get a good answer. But thats a department problem, not an AIR or Mathematica problem. Yes and no. Clearly the department had within its authority to reopen those negotiations. But the problem, of course, is that the agencies end up getting captured by the people theyre supposed to regulate, the people theyre supposed to monitor. [Test developer] ETS and NAEP are an even clearer example: How much money went to ETS to do things that they werent capable of doing? Such as? Such as building the platform for NAEP. The software. This is not firsthand, so it could be hearsay, but the people from DOGE looked at the platform that ETS had built for NAEP, and they just said, What is this? This is not the way modern software is built. And I believe thats because we used ETS, which is a testing company, not a tech company, to build the platform. And again, that has to do with the overly close relationship between NCES and ETS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related Going for Blood: After Mass Firing, Many Wonder How Ed Dept. Will Function This is not just an Ed and contractor issue. We know this exists in other places besides education: the close relationship between the contractors and the agencies that are supposed to be supervising them. This is a well-known problem. The companies capture the government agency. [Editors Note: Asked to respond to Schneiders comments, Christine Betaneli, an associate vice president at ETS, released the following statement Tuesday: ETS delivers nearly 50 million tests every year across the US and around the world on robust technology platforms. We have consistently delivered innovations on NAEP suited to the specific requests of NCES. Were incredibly proud of the unmatched quality we have provided to the American people in supporting the Nations Report Card. We will continue to innovate on behalf of Americas teachers, parents and children who rely on this critical data to improve access to quality education nationwide.] How do you prevent that from happening in the next iteration of this department? Is it just by bringing in totally new people? Is it by changing the contours of the contracts? Is it by doing things totally differently? There are a couple of things. First of all, theres a serious cultural issue. Thats clear. I will tell you another story, and this will give you some more depth to how bad this can be. When I first showed up at IES, we brought in [consulting firm] McKinsey & Co. to do an analysis of how to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the organization. They went around and interviewed people staffers, program officers to try to get some idea of what was going on. And remember, this is an outside consulting company we hired. They interviewed one of the program officers who said to this outside consultant, Im never giving up this contract. You will have to pry it out of my dead hands. I mean, thats a stupid thing to say, but its also illegal. This is a long-term project officer who admitted to an outside person that they had been totally captured, totally in bed with the contract shop. That a veteran project officer would say this to an outside consultant says theres something really, really wrong. This exists in other places besides education: the close relationship between the contractors and the agencies that are supposed to be supervising them. The companies capture the government agency. So the culture is a problem. Is the scope of what the department does a problem as well? Yeah. Is a breakup necessary to change the culture? Do we need to break up IES and move all these pieces around? If the goal is to shrink the department, or make the department go away, then we have to find homes for these activities. But when I wrote that last summer, I was not envisioning the disappearance of 90% of the workforce. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I believe if we dont get congressional approval to end the department, its going to be around. But I keep thinking about both NCES and NCER, the two largest units, and theres now an open field. Ive always had problems with NCES. As a major federal statistical agency, like many other federal statistical agencies, they just kept falling further and further behind. But we can now imagine, we can actually execute, rebuilding NCES as a modern, lean and mean statistical agency. Related After Gutting Staff, Education Department Remains Quiet on Future of NAEP Test For example, the state longitudinal data systems. Ive written about a different vision of how to build that. The TUDAs [Trial Urban District Assessments, NAEP tests given in 27 urban school systems] are incredibly expensive. Nobody can tell me how much they cost. Ive asked many, many times how much they are, and the fact of the matter is, we dont need them anymore, because we have other ways of getting estimates for these large cities. Im talking about Tom Kane and Sean Reardon [who have developed an Education Recovery Scorecard detailing achievement nationwide]. They compute the exact same statistics that TUDA does. So that actually leads me to my next question: What is your vision for something like NAEP? Can a lot of it go away? Related The Political War Over the Department of Education is Only Beginning For me, the most important thing about NAEP is the state-by-state comparisons. Theyre important because governors hold the keys to so much education reform, and they care about the comparisons. When NAEP came out several months ago, Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida, they all cared about these things. Virginia had a 50-minute release event with the governor, [Virginia Education Secretary] Aimee Guidera and the Superintendent of Schools [Lisa Coons]. Thats three of the heaviest hitters in the world of education, all lined up, talking about the importance of the state-by-state comparisons and what they were doing to address Virginias terrible performance on NAEP. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That alone is an amazing demonstration of the power of the state-by-state comparisons. Do we need a $185 million-a-year NAEP to generate the trend line and the state-by-state comparisons? Part of the reason we don't have to keep doing this I mean, it's a sad thing to say is because the people in NCES who were committed to this are gone. Ill give you another example: There are at least three different sub-domains in NAEP math. Ive never seen anybody talk about those sub-scores. How much does that cost? Why do we keep doing it? We just need to bring some sanity to what weve built over 50 years that have grown up over time, the cost of those things, the backwardness of many of those things, and say, Hey, we dont have to keep doing this. And part of the reason we dont have to keep doing this I mean, its a sad thing to say is because the people in NCES who were committed to this are gone. I dont want to leave that point without addressing institutional memory and knowledge. A lot of the people who are gone know how these things work. Getting rid of those people might have changed the culture, but it also might have hollowed out the agencys ability to get the next NAEP report out. Does that keep you up at night? Clearly, thats the horns of a dilemma. But where is the time, wheres the energy, where are the people to rethink this stuff? Part of the problem was that there was not sufficient rethinking. The machine worked. It got out on time. Many problems were solved by just raising more money. I attended NAGB [National Assessment Governing Board] meetings for 10 years. Every time there was a budget presentation, inevitably, the budget was in the red. And so then we have to cut this, and we have to cut that. And it was never like, What is it that we need to preserve, instead of going to Congress and asking for another $30 million and getting $10 million? That wasnt the thought process. NAEP lost its leading edge. The demands of running the operation are real. But if you never stop to think about what you're doing, then you're going to end up behind. So I went to OMB [the Office of Management and Budget], and asked them to take the appropriation that Congress gave for NAEP and put 10% aside in a separate fund for R&D. I asked Congress to do this, and then OMB, because there was no commitment by the leadership of NCES and NAEP to spend that kind of money on R&D. Instead, it was always, We need this money for the operations. We need money to do this other task. As a result, NAEP lost its leading edge. The demands of running the operation are real. But if you never stop to think about what youre doing, then youre going to end up behind. But to many, the way these agencies were trimmed doesnt seem any smarter. There was a lot of cutting with a chainsaw rather than a scalpel. My sense is thats going to require a great deal of work just to bring back basic functions. Am I right? The years that I was at IES, I didnt even have a scalpel. I had a dull butter knife. There are so many quotes about this: Breaking things is easy, rebuilding things is hard. From Hamilton: Winning is easy, governing is hard. All of that is true. And its just so much easier to just say, No, no, no, no, no, than to start rebuilding. Mancur Olson, a brilliant economist, wrote a book called The Rise and Decline of Nations. He had his finger right on the pulse. Over time, what happens is that you start accumulating all these lobbyists and all these interest groups and all this stasis, and it just builds up and builds up and nothing can get done, because you end up with this incredible superstructure of groups and people who are totally vested in the status quo. And he says, every once in a while, you just need to just blow the shit up and rebuild. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related If the Education Department Cant Be Closed, at Least Fix It by Breaking It Up Theres a lot of concern about the rebuilding. How do you calm peoples fears that there is no rebuilding coming? Look, theres nothing we can do right now except wait and lobby Congress and the department that the rebuild is important. And I hope they know that the rebuild is important. Again, you can just give things away: Give NCES to BLS [the Bureau of Labor and Statistics] etc., but some of that stuff is going to require congressional action. Good luck on that. In some ways, again, we have an open field. Lets take the opportunity to build that back in a much more modern, efficient way. It seems like a lot of people, especially on the right, are talking in terms of the department reaching its sell-by date. But if you can change the culture and remove the barnacles, or whatever you want to call them, whats the point of breaking it up? As they say, thats above my pay grade. [Laughs.] Im writing a whole series of papers about what can be done and I think theyre all reasonable and in the realm of the possible. I have not had any contact with anybody in the department about any of my visions or plans. But there are ways to rebuild this so it looks like a modern science and statistics agency. Would you like to lead it at some point? If theres anything there. [Laughs.] Theres nothing there. What do we have, 20 people left in that whole organization? NAGB is moving into LBJ [the Lyndon Baines Johnson Building, the departments headquarters in Washington, D.C.] because its pretty much empty. And I assume IES will also end up moving into LBJ, but the fact of the matter is all of these places are ghost towns now. I don't know what happened in between You must be back in the office five days a week, and By the way, you're fired. I know from friends it was not a fun place to be. Before the pandemic, we were trying to argue, incredibly, about creating 10 more desks for the growth of IES. And then, of course, after the pandemic, there was nobody left. Nobody came back to the office. The place was pretty much empty already. And then the executive order had everybody coming back to the office and then everybody got fired. I dont know what happened in between You must be back in the office five days a week, and By the way, youre fired. I dont know what it was like. I know from friends it was not a fun place to be. If Im reading between the lines correctly here, it sounds like youd like to lead IES, but youd like someone to rebuild it first. First of all, Im not answering that question. Many people have asked me if I would go back. But I have a lovely life. I live an eight-minute walk from AEI. AEI is a very generous organization. Theyve never said no to any reasonable request Ive had, so its extremely pleasant, extremely easy. But I spent six years at IES. I tried really hard to modernize the place. For someone who wants to create the next version of IES, there are incredible challenges, but the rewards of doing it would be amazing. But theyve already eviscerated the unit. Who wants to go in there and head a 20-person unit? But if there is a taste to rebuild IES to look like a modern organization, thats a wonderful challenge. Could what youre describing just as easily be done privately? A lot of people are talking about that: How can philanthropy stand up and take over the role that IES used to have? Even the biggest foundations dont have the kind of money IES had. IES spent over $100 million a year supporting education research, just from NCER. Theres no foundation that has that kind of money, and Im not even sure if theres a coalition of foundations that could come up with anywhere near that kind of money for research. So theres an indispensable role for research funded by IES or the Department of Education or some part of the federal government. But the return on that investment was not sufficient. I dont know if part of the suspicion of IES was just a gut-level reaction to Too big, too big, too big, and how much of it was, Hey, we have spent all these billions of dollars over the last 20 years and what have we got to show? We have declining NAEP scores. We dont have any evidence of increasing achievement, etc, etc. Im not sure if the antagonism towards education research was because it wasnt working or because its just that we were anti-science. I truly dont know. I don't know if part of the suspicion of IES was just a gut-level reaction to Too big, too big, too big, and how much of it was, Hey, we have spent all these billions of dollars over the last 20 years and what have we got to show?' Years ago, we looked at how many math interventions have any evidence of success. It turned out to be about 15%. This was a very depressing number, until you start looking around at what the success rate is in any science: 10% of clinical trials work, 90% fail. And then of course, were learning that even among the 10% that work, theres an incredible amount of dishonesty, lying, cheating. The replication crisis weve glommed onto that term says theres a lot of stuff going on in the sciences that are not kosher. So at one level, the antipathy towards the Department of Education is, This is not a function that the federal government should be involved in. This is all state and local. O.K., I got that, and I believe a lot of that is true. But even in the most extreme form of federalism, there is a role for government support of research. There is a government role for statistics. And the question then is: How do we focus that to help states and local governments, parents, teachers, students achieve more? A lot of what happened was that that tight focal point just disappeared. If Im translating what youre saying correctly, you dont know how we got to this point in terms of the mechanisms of the cuts, and you dont know what people were thinking. But in a way, youre saying its not really important, because we needed to get this done. We needed to get this done. A lot of what was done was incredibly important and was needed. Theres no question about it. But were going to come back to the same theme over and over again: For six years I had a butter knife, and then these guys show up in a day with a chainsaw and they cleared out all the detritus and all the underbrush. But what do we do now? Thats what matters. Mark Zuckerberg is the latest billionaire to shell out tens of millions of dollars for a pricey outpost in Donald Trumps gilded capital. For a month, neighbors in Washington's upscale Woodland Normanstone neighborhood have speculated about the unidentified buyer who paid $23 million in cash for a 15,000-square-foot mansion. The sale was the third-most expensive in city history and was shrouded in secrecy, with real estate agents muzzled by non-disclosure agreements. Soon after the deal went through in early March, images of the house became pixelated on Google Maps. But on Monday, the same day flight-tracking web sites revealed that the Meta CEOs private jet had landed at Dulles Airport, observers on the quiet block not far from the Naval Observatory noticed an uptick in action at the house, which had been largely dark for months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And on Wednesday, the same day Zuckerberg was spotted at the White House, a Meta spokesperson confirmed it to POLITICO Magazine: Mark and Priscilla have purchased a home in D.C., which will allow Mark to spend more time there as Meta continues the work on policy issues related to American technology leadership, the spokesperson told me in a statement referencing Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan. So why would the head of a California-based company with no particular personal ties to Washington feel the need to buy any house in the capital, let alone one of the most expensive places ever sold? Meta says hell be spending more time here, and a private home is safer and more convenient. It would be consistent with Zuckerbergs footprint in other places he visits. He owns properties in Palo Alto, Lake Tahoe, and Hawaii, among other places. But real estate pros who have followed the sudden surge in upper-bracket D.C. real estate transactions say a newfound interest in Washington reflects the culture of the second Trump administration where private-sector CEOs have gotten the message that the way to the administrations heart is by showing up in person. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think its proximity and being here, said Tom Daley, a longtime veteran of Washingtons high-end real-estate game. Its the ultimate bow to the man in the White House. To me, its a little reminiscent of when the Trump Hotel was the Trump Hotel. He notices whos there. Its an easy way to say, Hey, were with ya. Here we are. Im sure he takes it as the ultimate compliment. In other words, an out-of-town CEOs Washington abode isnt about having a place to sleep during occasional trips to the capital its more like a personal embassy to the administration, a physical embodiment of the good relations between a certain class of corporate titan and the government of the United States. In fact, the tendency of tycoons to buy a Washington property predates the second Trump era. Amazon founder and Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos bought his own $23 million property in Kalorama in 2016. In 2021, Paypal co-founder and conservative mega-donor Peter Theil paid $13 million for a beaux-arts mansion around the corner from the new Zuckerberg digs. But the mogul-ization of D.C.s priciest neighborhoods really picked up speed over the past year. The former Google CEO Eric Schmidt last year paid $15 million for a Georgetown residence once occupied by Jacqueline Kennedy. David Sacks, a PayPal co-founder now serving as an AI and crypto czar in the White House, spent $10.3 million on a Northwest D.C. penthouse. And the former eBay executive Jeff Skoll last fall paid $17 million for a pair of suburban Virginia properties that he reportedly aims to turn into a compound. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several real estate agents told me they expect more will follow. Jennifer Knoll, another two-decade industry veteran who specializes in upper-bracket Washington-area properties, said Trumps second inauguration when tech billionaires stood right behind the returning president as he took his oath drove home the importance of a personal Beltway presence to a lot of potential clients. Knoll said her firms sales are up 100 percent year-over-year in the $5 million-plus category. She said she recently traveled to Palm Beach to brief colleagues there because several of them had wealthy clients who were thinking of buying in Washington. In everything in life you get a lot further by showing up, Knoll told me. I think that these people want to be able to meet with the president and members of Congress and the administration when they want to get something done. To do that, they need to be in town. And they want the privacy and security thats available to you if you have your own place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even if youre rarely there. Knoll said that trying to apply a typical homeowners financial logic to billionaire transactions misses the point: These CEOs have such vast fortunes that purchasing a home in D.C., even if theyre overpaying, even if its not a great investment at the price theyre paying, it doesnt really matter. The benefits they can reap from relationships with the government can make up for any loss from a bad real estate deal. Like a good real estate agent, of course, she hastened to note that she wasnt calling expensive Washington homes a bad investment. Quite the contrary. The recent sales underline a weird duality in the local economy, where massive job cuts at federal agencies and government contractors are petrifying Permanent Washingtons middle classes but where a large coterie of billionaires and hundreds-of-millionaires has flocked to the Trump administration. Even without CEOs like Zuckerberg, deep-pocketed Trump appointees like Navy Secretary John Phelan are reportedly looking to spend big on real estate, bouying the citys top end even as other locals slam the brakes on their overall spending. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick spent a record $25 million on a French chateau-style megamansion off Foxhall Road formerly owned by Fox anchor Bret Baier. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent dropped $12.5 million on a historic Georgetown property. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For observers of Washington folkways, there are a few notable things about the real estate surge. For one, theres the timing. While very rich people have always gotten political appointments, theyve often waited a while to scope out the commute, or at least make sure they dont hate the job before actually buying. But in the case of Trump appointees like Lutnick, the former CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, the purchase came before he was even confirmed. Theres also the matter of geography. Not so long ago, particularly in Republican administrations, many deep-pocketed big shots retreated to the Virginia suburbs after work, buying estates far from neighbors prying eyes. But the highest-profile Trump-era sales are happening in relatively close-in D.C. neighborhoods like Kalorama or Massachusetts Avenue Heights. As for what the influx is doing to these neighborhoods, the early answer seems to be: Not much. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These people are buying homes but not necessarily spending that much time here, Gawain Kripke, the elected Advisory Neighborhood Commission member whose district includes the properties of Thiel and Zuckerberg, told me last month. Theyre definitely not participating in neighborhood gatherings or anything. Especially down in that part of the neighborhood, theyre very discreet. Daley, the real estate agent and a full-throated D.C. booster, says hell take it all the same. Anything that adds to the city and funds the services and the restaurant scene, Im all for it, he said. Come spend your money! Markets and foreign capitals have braced themselves for a broad set of tariffs from President Trump on Wednesday, anxious for details on a dramatic shift in U.S. trade policy that is expected to supercharge the costs of cars, houses and everyday goods for Americans. It is unclear whether the Trump administration plans to impose a universal, baseline rate for import taxes on trading partners, or to customize tariff policy to each foreign nation, imposing reciprocal rates on a case-by-case basis. It is also unclear whether there will be any exceptions. A White House official told The Times that exact details of the plan are still being perfected. The lack of clarity has rattled markets in recent weeks, driving the worst first annual quarter in three years and erasing gains on the Standard & Poor's 500 index made since Trumps election victory in November. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The White House said Trump would announce his plans at 1 p.m. Pacific time on Wednesday, precisely when closing bells ring on Wall Street. Read more: What Trump's planned tariffs on imported vehicles and auto parts means for car buyers After that, the new policy will be effective immediately, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters at a Tuesday news briefing. Costs could rise immediately on perishable goods caught in limbo at international ports, including avocados and pineapples, said Sung Won Sohn, a former commissioner at the Port of Los Angeles. Prices on larger items with dwindling inventories, such as foreign cars and washing machines, are likely to rise within weeks. Lumber is stacked outside at the Milan Lumber Co. in Milan, N.H. (Robert F. Bukaty / Associated Press) For Los Angeles, in particular, the tariffs are coming at a very bad time, Sohn said. Were in kind of bad shape, because you need a lot of lumber to rebuild from the fires, and the construction hasn't started yet. It'll probably start in three to four months, and that's exactly when we're going to be hit by higher prices for lumber. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Top European Union leaders have alluded to potent retaliation that could extend beyond American whiskey and hit directly at Silicon Valley, core to the U.S. and Californian economy. And Californias agricultural economy the nations largest could become a target as well. Retaliatory tariffs are expected to come from nations across the world affected by the new rates, risking further response from the Trump administration, thus prompting a spiral into a trade war with few winners. Leaders in Canada, the second largest U.S. trading partner, have said Ottawa will react swiftly to any new tariff actions. But Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum suggested Tuesday that her administration will not retaliate immediately if Washington slaps new taxes on Mexican imports. "We don't believe in an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, because that always leads to a bad situation," Sheinbaum told journalists at her daily news conference. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum addresses supporters at a March 9, 2025, rally at the Zocalo, Mexico City's main square. (Eduardo Verdugo / Associated Press) Instead, she called for further negotiations with the U.S., even while acknowledging that she has no plans to speak to Trump in the coming days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The dialogue must continue, Sheinbaum said. It's not a matter of 'You put that, so I'll put that,' but rather what's best for Mexico. 'Shorter-term pain' Trumps advisors say the new policy will bring about an overdue correction, returning fair trade practices, ultimately raising significant revenue for the federal government and bringing back manufacturing to U.S. shores. It is, in many ways, the culmination of a years-long campaign by Trump to increase tariffs going back to the 1980s, when as a real estate developer and celebrity, he accused Japan and China of "laughing at" and "ripping off" the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his address to a joint session of Congress on March 4, Trump complained that countries across the globe place tariffs on U.S.-made goods. "On average, the European Union, China, Brazil, India, Mexico, and Canada have you heard of them? and countless other nations charge us tremendously higher tariffs than we charge them. It's very unfair," he said. In his first term, Trump negotiated a detailed trade deal, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, that replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement and governed trade practices among the United States and its closest trading partners. Susano Cordoba sells peanuts to truck drivers lining up in Tijuana to cross the border into the United States on March 4, 2025. (Gregory Bull / Associated Press) But since resuming office in January, Trump has repeatedly threatened new rounds of tariffs on Mexican and Canadian goods, often retreating from his plans at the last moment. The "on-again, off-again" threat of tariffs have contributed to the instability jolting stock markets, which closed on Tuesday slightly up after a day of volatile trading. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Trump's tariffs reshaped manufacturing in Asia. This time, the ramifications are even broader Allies of the White House have acknowledged that short-term pain can be expected for U.S. households in the wake of the new policy implementation, which Trump has referred to as Liberation Day. Theres absolutely going to be short-term pain, Republican Sen. Tim Sheehy of Montana told CNN on Monday. The presidents been clear about that. Everyone has. If youre going to remodel your house to make it better in the end, its going to be really annoying in the short term, when your house is getting remodeled and theres drywall dust everywhere and theres workers in your living room, Sheehy added. The reality is that remodels got to happen in order to make things stronger and more stable in the back end. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Already, American consumers have begun to cut back on their spending and boost their savings. A Friday report from the Bureau of Economic Analysis , a government agency, showed that the personal savings rate rose 4.6% in February. Consumer spending increased just .4%, after decreasing by .3% in January. Leavitt added Tuesday that many countries have been calling the president, asking for relief from the anticipated tariffs. She said the president is open to taking their calls. Read more: Mexico races to stall or evade Trump's 25% auto tariffs Its simple: If you make your product in America, you will pay no tariffs, Leavitt said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is unclear how the administration will measure the success of the new tariffs. Leavitt called the stock market, which has experienced volatility in recent weeks over tariff turmoil, a snapshot in time. The White House has repeatedly pointed to companies that have newly invested in the U.S. since Trump took office as evidence of tariffs working. A pause on other 25% tariffs against Canada and Mexico is also set to expire Tuesday, and the White House would not confirm whether it would be lifted. Trump's announcement comes the same day that 25% tariffs were set to take effect on auto imports at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday. Times staff writer Kate Linthicum in Mexico City contributed to this report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter. Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond, in your inbox twice per week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Editor's note: Letters to the editor reflect the views of individual readers. Scroll to see how you can add your voice, whether you agree or disagree, or click on this link to fill out the form. We welcome diverse viewpoints. No, Blackburn is not right for the governors office Re: "TN Sen. Marsha Blackburn's values and priorities make her ready to be governor | Letters," by Lonnie Spivak, March 28. I am writing to express my concern about Sen. Marsha Blackburns suitability for the role of governor of Tennessee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While she has represented our state in Washington, her track record raises significant questions about her ability to lead at the state level. U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn R-Tennessee listens as Gov. Bill Lee speaks during Agriculture Day on the Hill at Tennessee State Capitol building in Nashville , Tenn., Tuesday, March 18, 2025. Senator Blackburn has been largely absent from the people she is meant to serve. It has been years since she held an in-person town hall meeting, which is a fundamental way for public officials to engage directly with their constituents. Her lack of communication with Tennesseans reflects a broader pattern of prioritizing partisan agendas over the needs of the people. As governor, Tennessee needs a leader who listens to the concerns of all citizens and is willing to engage in honest, open dialogue. Senator Blackburn has shown little interest in fostering this kind of relationship with the public. Her focus on national politics rather than state-level issues indicates she may not be fully committed to the unique challenges and needs of Tennessees communities. For these reasons, I believe that Senator Blackburn is not the right choice for governor. We need a leader who is accessible, responsive, and truly dedicated to the well-being of every Tennessean. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Emily Berry, Franklin 37067 Does Blackburn work for Tennesseans or Elon Musk? On the floor of the Senate recently, Tennessee U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn decried the Tesla takedown protests as domestic terrorism and touted the brilliance of Elon Musk and the savings DOGE is producing. But Senator Blackburn misses the point. Apart from a handful of highly publicized incidents (rightly condemned), the Tesla takedown protests have been largely peaceful gatherings whose goal, in Tennessee and elsewhere, is to tell our representatives in Congress how things are going so that they can properly represent our interests. And things are not going well. DOGEs meager savings thus far are already causing enormous disruption and degradation of government services. Social Security and the VA are practically in shambles, and current and planned closures of regional offices are further eroding access to services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our universities are shutting down medical and other scientific research for lack of funding, with many research scientists considering moving their labs to Canada or overseas an incalculable loss to our leadership in science and medicine. Tennesseans are not ok with our key federal offices being closed, with our nonprofits and farmers being stiffed without warning, or with the de-funding of our great universities and the vital medical and scientific research they conduct. Moreover, the way federal workers are being treated Is a travesty. While Elon Musk gleefully wields a chainsaw at political gatherings, veterans who find themselves suddenly out of a job with no explanation are seeking help at crisis intervention centers. Our public servants deserve better. So before our Congresspeople go all-in on their support of Mr. Musk and DOGE, they would be well advised to remember that they work for us, not for Mr. Musk and his move fast and break things agenda. Ivy Anderson, Franklin 37069 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Agree or disagree? Or have a view on another topic entirely? Send a letter of 250 words or fewer to letters@tennessean.com. Include your full name, city/town, ZIP and contact information for verification. Thanks for adding to the public conversation. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Sen. Marsha Blackburn shouldn't put Tesla over Tennesseans | Letters For years, Elon Musk has revolutionized entire industries with his companies from PayPal and Tesla to SpaceX and Neuralink. After purchasing the social media company X, formerly known as Twitter, he has also led the fight for free speech on online platforms. Across his businesses, there are many issues he could be working on. But when President Trump asked him to join the administration, he answered the call and committed himself to serving the American people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In many ways, he is tackling one of the biggest threats our nation faces: our $36 trillion debt. Today, we are spending more money to service our debt than to fund our entire military. And as our debt grows, it will become more and more difficult to fund basic government functions. Letters: Marsha Blackburn defends Elon Musk. That doesn't qualify her to be TN governor. DOGE's work should be applauded, not attacked Thats why Musk is leading the Department of Government Efficiency: to rein in reckless spending and put our country on a better fiscal path. So far, DOGE has had a lot of success. In just over two months, they have discovered $130 billion in potential savings by eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse across the federal government. They hope that number will reach $2 trillion by Independence Day next year our nations 250th birthday. Every American should be applauding this effort. Our children and grandchildrens future depends on it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But because Musk is helping President Trump, he has become a target for the radical Left, which has launched a domestic terrorism campaign against his company, Tesla. In Las Vegas, suspects set Tesla vehicles on fire with Molotov cocktails. In Oregon, a man shot up a Tesla dealership. In Texas, authorities discovered incendiary devices planted at a Tesla showroom. Across the country, Tesla owners have had their cars vandalized and destroyed by arson, and on Saturday, Democrat-aligned groups organized a Global Day of Action to target hundreds of Tesla dealerships. Opinion: Trump and Tennessee congressional allies prefer political theater over results Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The reason for this campaign is simple: In November, the American people rejected the Lefts radical agenda. Theyve lost the debate. But instead of making a better pitch to voters, they are trying to stop Republicans with violence and intimidation. Politicians and celebrities celebrate hurting Musk Make no mistake: Such political violence has no place in our country. Thats why, recently, I went down to the Senate floor to call for the passage of my resolution condemning the recent acts of violence, arson, and domestic terrorism committed against Tesla properties. Democrats, however, refused to join the resolution, with one of my colleagues even claiming that it feels wrong to specifically condemn violence against Tesla. More than anything, this moral cowardice reveals that Democrats are more beholden than ever to the radical Left. After spending the last four years denouncing domestic terrorism and supporting electric vehicles, some Democrats are even celebrating the violent attacks on our nations largest EV company. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz Democrats failed vice presidential candidate claimed he gets a daily boost from checking on Teslas stock price, which has declined amid the terrorism campaign. If you need a little boost during the day, check out Tesla stock pic.twitter.com/KBEh6pOZLW Tim Walz (@Tim_Walz) March 19, 2025 Democrat ally and late night host Jimmy Kimmel seemed to endorse the violence, sarcastically telling his audience, Dont ever vandalize Tesla vehicles. Democrat Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett of Texas said that all she wants for her birthday is to "for Elon to be taken down. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn. As the worlds greatest legislative body, the United States Senate should be able to speak with one voice and jointly condemn political violence. With todays radical Democrat Party, however, that is impossible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn represents Tennessee in the U.S. Senate. She was elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2024. This guest opinion column was distributed by Senator Blackburn's office to all news media outlets. Updated to add a link to related letters to the editor. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Elon Musk wants to save America. Haters are burning Teslas. | Opinion Kansas, Ill. (WTWO/WAWV) Kansas Police said Tuesday that they arrested a Martinsville, Illinois teacher who allegedly sexually assaulted one of his students multiple times in 2023. Mike Lowery, 53, is charged with criminal sex assault on a victim between the ages of 13 and 17. He is being held in the Edgar County Jail without a bond. Clark County Sheriff Bill Brown confirmed that the suspect is currently a teacher at the Martinsville Community Unit School District. Kansas Police wrote in a news release that Lowery was the victims teacher and developed a relationship with her while he was a teacher at Kansas High School. He left that school and moved to a job at Martinsville, authorities said Tuesday. While there he visited the girl in her home and sexually assaulted her, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyWabashValley.com. Sen. Malcolm Augustine (D-Prince George's) confers with Senate Education, Energy and Environment Committee Chair Brian J. Feldman (D-Montgomery). (Photo by Bryan P. Sears/Maryland Matters) The Senate Tuesday passed a package of energy reform bills that would set in motion a variety of electricity generation projects from solar to nuclear to natural gas start long-term energy-supply planning efforts and give ratepayers a slight rebate. The goal, legislators say, is to eventually tamp down skyrocketing electric costs with a host of policy prescriptions and also give residential ratepayers, on average, an $80 refund on their electric bills in the next fiscal year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What we know is that every dollar matters, said Senate President Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore City), and so we are doing what we have immediately available of ratepayer money and returning it to ratepayers in the most efficient way that we can, while focusing on the longer term, complex problem of increasing generation, and making it cleaner. The bills backed by legislative leaders passed the chamber virtually untouched, but collectively garnered nearly three hours of debate. They now move to the House for consideration, with Mondays end to the legislative session looming. Ferguson said Tuesday that leaders in the two chambers are closely aligned on the bills. Its hard conversations, because these are really complex topics, and I think that weve really gotten to a good spot of general agreement, Ferguson said. There are going to be changes here and there, things around multiyear rate plans. I think were going to be OK. Four Republican senators voted in favor of the broadest bill of the bunch, the Next Generation Energy Act, which included the ratepayer reimbursement, fast track proceedings for new power generation facilities and an end to a controversial subsidy for trash incinerators that create energy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Justin D. Ready (R-Carroll and Frederick), the chambers minority whip, said hed be voting against the bill, in part because he felt it should have done more to repay ratepayers for what he called the states flawed renewable energy policy. He argued the bill should have included further incentives for natural gas power plants, calling the fuel natures gift. But, speaking on the Senate floor Tuesday evening, Ready said there were redeeming parts of the bill. My vote is going to be red. I think there could be some members of my caucus that vote green, and thats a fine vote too, Ready said. Attracting significant debate Tuesday was a bill to create uniform standards for solar projects in Maryland, including requirements that they be fenced off, set back from nearby buildings and surrounded by trees and shrubs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill came in response to concerns that Marylands patchwork of varying local regulations on solar were pushing solar developers away, said Sen. Brian J. Feldman (D-Montgomery), chairman of the Senates Education, Energy and the Environment Committee. Were retiring oil and coal plants, so we are in a bit of a pickle, Feldman said. If we let every local commissioner group or city council have veto authority about any energy project anywhere in the state were going to have even a bigger problem. Currently, the Maryland Public Service Commission has final say on all solar projects that generate 2 megawatts or more of electricity. In other words, the state commission, which regulates utilities, can overrule local authorities to approve a solar project in a community. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Feldman said the bill would do something unprecedented to limit the commissions broad authority: It would limit solar generating stations to 5% of priority preservation areas in the state, which are lands capable of supporting agricultural or forestry operations. Republican senators expressed concerns about preserving the character of rural areas and ensuring fields arent permanently lost to solar panels. In turn, they made several attempts to lower the 5% cap, but their efforts failed to win Democratic support. Were talking about utility-scale solar that is eating up much of agricultural fields and lands in especially the Eastern Shore of Maryland, said Sen. Steve Hershey (R-Upper Shore), the minority leader. An attempt by Sen. Johnny Mautz (R-Middle Shore) to lower the cap to 2% failed, as did Hersheys proposal to start the cap at 2% before later raising it to 5% so long as solar arrays were spread equally around the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a very simple amendment. Its reasonable It just says it has to be done equally around the state, Mautz said. We just want to be treated fairly. Thats all we want. Republican senators also took issue with pieces of the broader energy bill proposed by leadership, the Next Generation Energy Act, although they generally agreed with the premise that the state needs more in-state energy supply to reduce consumer costs and the states reliance on large transmission lines. When it came to light last year, a new power transmission line expected to cut through rural portions of Baltimore, Carroll and Frederick counties drew considerable community pushback. The proposed Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project was necessitated in part by the retirement of Maryland coal-fired power plants and an increase in energy demand, including from power-hungry data centers in Northern Virginia. In one amendment, Maryland Republicans proposed sending more direct relief to residential ratepayers than the expected $80 in fiscal 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill brought to the floor Tuesday would pull a one-time chunk from the Strategic Energy Investment Fund, which utilities pay into when they fail to comply with a state law that requires them to pay for a certain amount of renewable energy. Hersheys attempt to make consumer payments permanent failed. Were getting a lot of phone calls and emails. Its not because somebodys bill went up $40, but it went up multiple hundreds of dollars, Hershey said. Hershey also tried to add language limiting multiyear rate plans for utilities, which let power companies propose several years of rate increases in a row. The bill that reached the Senate floor Tuesday would prevent multiyear rate plans unless they show a benefit to ratepayers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hershey suggested eliminating the mutliyear plans altogether, arguing that the state should return to traditional year-by-year ratemaking. But Democrats disagreed, arguing that multiyear ratemaking could allow utilities to save customers money by planning ahead for costs. If they are able to use it in the right way, we want this tool to be on the table, said Sen. Malcolm Augustine (D-Prince Georges). Now, what we are not going to allow is for them to then just use this as a piggy bank. Republicans also saw an opening to try and amend the states Renewable Portfolio Standard, which requires utilities to meet a minimum percentage of their electricity sales with renewable energy sources, for which they purchase credits from generators of approved renewable energy. The bill removes trash incinerators, also known as waste-to-energy facilities, from the list. They were added to the list in 2011. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hershey argued the Senate should lower the required renewable energy percentage by 15% approximately the amount that incinerators contributed as of the most recent report. But Augustine disagreed, arguing that renewable energy projects coming online in the future would fill this gap. The committee made a policy decision that the state of Maryland no longer felt that waste-to-energy was an appropriate part of the renewable energy portfolio, Augustine said. Congressional Democrats warned Tuesday that rising wait times for assistance at the Social Security Administration and the prospect of delayed checks amount to a backdoor cut to benefits. For weeks, the Trump administration has been implementing a series of significant shifts to the agency that oversees Social Security payments for tens of millions of Americans, arguing that officials need to rein in wasteful payments to recipients who do not qualify. President Donald Trump has repeatedly said he does not intend to cut benefits, but Democrats contend that the changes he and his deputies have embraced put support further out of reach for many older Americans who for years paid into the system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When there is a mistake, and when someone cant get that mistake corrected and start their Social Security benefits on time, that is a benefits cut, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts said Tuesday. When there is a mistake, and fixing that mistake is just too hard to manage because no one answers the phone and the local Social Security office is closed, and the line at the other office is hours long, and someone finally just gives up, that is a benefits cut. When checks get delayed and seniors have to borrow money to pay rent or they have to go without food, that is a benefits cut. Every one of those changes is effectively a back-door cut to the benefits that the law guarantees to every Social Security recipient, she added. Trump and [Elon] Musk cant cut benefits directly, so they think they can get away with indirect cuts, but Democrats are here to fight them every step of the way. Warren joined other Senate Democrats to launch a War Room Tuesday to oppose potential negative impacts to Social Security. They addressed reporters after the Senate Finance Committee held a hearing about advancing Trumps nominee to lead the Social Security Administration, business executive Frank Bisignano. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer described Bisignanos appointment as hiring an arsonist to run the fire station. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House Democrats also mounted a response Tuesday, convening a hearing to discuss potential Republican-led changes to Social Security and to solicit testimony warning about dire impacts. Republicans continue to contend that neither Bisignano nor Trump intends to touch benefit levels. No one on our side, including the nominee, has said that they are going to cut Social Security benefits, Sen. Mike Crapo, a Republican from Idaho, said at the Finance Committee hearing he chaired. In fact, the president has made it clear he will not support cutting Social Security benefits, and the bottom line is the nominee is not even at the Social Security Administration yet. Trump, Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency have moved to implement staffing cuts at the Social Security Administration and to change what services are available over the phone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the end of February, the SSA announced it would move to slash about 7,000 employees -- roughly 12% of its current staff -- to reduce the size of its bloated workforce and organizational structure, with a significant focus on functions and employees who do not directly provide mission critical services. The agency also plans to eliminate the ability for some recipients to verify their identity over the phone, instead requiring them to do so online or in field offices, starting April 14. Those phone changes were scheduled to begin at the end of March, but officials pushed back the effective date by two weeks. A delay is not a reprieve, U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, a Massachusetts Democrat, said at a House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee hearing Tuesday. Their plan is to make it hard to access it and then complain that it doesnt work, and thats always been part of their strategy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reports in recent weeks have documented multiple website crashes and growing phone line wait times. In the Bay State, nonprofit social services organization The Arc of Massachusetts alerted members Tuesday that it learned that there is a new, concerning message appearing on Social Security accounts that are managed by a representative payee (rep payee). We have seen dozens of reports of individuals logging on to the Social Security Administration (SSA) website to the following notification: This beneficiary is currently not receiving payments, the organization wrote in a message to its network. We understand this is an area of incredible concern for individuals and families in our community. As such, we are communicating with our Massachusetts congressional delegation and leadership at The Arc of the United States in order to determine answers as to what is occurring here. Martin OMalley, a former Democratic governor of Maryland who led the Social Security Administration for 11 months under former President Joe Biden, told lawmakers Tuesday that staffing cuts and longer wait times could combine into a cascading event that will ultimately interrupt the payment of benefits for some time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I truly believe that for the first time in 90 years, those benefits are going to be interrupted for some time, OMalley said at the hearing hosted by House Democrats. It would appear that what theyre trying to do is crater this agency and kneecap its ability to serve the public. The all-Democrat House committee invited OMalley, Social Security recipients, and agency staff to testify about their concerns. Rennie Glasgow, a claims technical expert in the SSA office in Schenectady, New York, told lawmakers he believes the agency is being deliberately sabotaged. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Audrey Hale felt no hatred against anyone at the school where the former student gunned down six people. In fact, the 28-year-old relished fond memories of The Covenant School and wanted to die somewhere that made her happy, Nashville police said. Hale bore no grudge against the school or staff and considered them to be innocents and victims on par with herself, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department said. The revelation came in a trove of new details released in a report by Nashville police Wednesday two years after Hale randomly slaughtered three teachers and three 9-year-old children at the private Christian school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shortly after the massacre on March 27, 2023, Hale was gunned down by police leaving myriad questions about the inexplicable killings that remained unanswered until now. After conducting interviews and reviewing Hales digital devices, online accounts, artwork and writings, detectives managed to piece together the killers preparation and motivation behind the gruesome attack. Notoriety was the motive Hale attended The Covenant School in the early 2000s, from kindergarten through fourth grade. The former student denied suffering any emotional or physical abuse during this period, investigators said in the report obtained by CNN. She felt safe and accepted at The Covenant and made friends with other students, the report said. She considered her family life during this time as happy, with a positive relationship with both of her parents and her brother. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But more than 16 years after leaving the school, Hale targeted the beloved alma mater due to the notoriety she would obtain and because she had a personal connection to the school from earlier in her life and felt she had to die somewhere that made her happy, police said. While the killer identified as a male and used he/him as preferred pronouns, Nashville police said, Under Tennessee law, a persons gender identity must correspond with their biological sex or with information present on their certificate of live birth. As a result, authorities described Hale as a female in their 40-plus-page report. Investigators discovered Hale left material behind intentionally to be found and analyzed, including her detailed plan to commit carnage in a school, with timelines, diagrams, etc., Nashville police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The publication of the writings would serve three purposes: to document her struggles with her mental health; to show how her mental health conditions helped her to execute the perfect plan; and to show others like her how to best plan and carry out an attack, the investigative report states. In the days leading up to the attack, Hale started to transfer writings onto a thumb drive so they could be found and studied, the report states. Notoriety was the motive, the report summary says. It is known that Hale, and other mass shooters, studied material from Columbine High School prior to committing their attacks. Mourners pray while visiting a memorial for the victims killed at The Covenant School in Nashville in March 2023. - Cheney Orr/Reuters Hale rated other mass shooters based on the number of people they murdered and considered those who killed a low number of people to be amateurs who werent worthy of respect, Nashville police said. But Hale made exceptions for those offenders with documented mental health histories showing they had serious mental health diseases or disorders, as she believed they were too sick to formulate an effective plan to kill an adequate number of victims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hale wanted books, documentaries and movies to be made about her life and her attack, police said. The killer also wanted her firearms to be placed in a museum and wanted her bedroom to be left as it was when the attack occurred as a memorial to her. In a statement Wednesday, families of the victims, as well as children who were at the school the day of the shooting, said, There would never be closure after a crime like this. No words can diminish the depths of loss we feel without Evelyn, Hallie, William, Mike, Katherine, and Cindy. The shooter killed three 9-year-olds: Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs and William Kinney. Three adults were also fatally shot: Mike Hill, the school custodian; Katherine Koonce, the head of the school; and substitute teacher Cynthia Peak. No facts can lessen the trauma and grief we have been bearing the past two years, the statement read. This report summarizes the reality weve been living with, that this was truly a senseless crime committed by a deranged, selfish, evil individual who relished the killing of innocent children. This report is bleak. We hope no one else ever has to go through this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eric Osborne, an attorney representing some of the victims families, said the findings establish beyond a doubt that our legal battle against the public release of the shooters evil material is just, appropriate, and should silence any critics of our efforts. Please remember that there are real children and families who are suffering and who will never be the same, Osborne said in a statement. Keep your focus on the victims and survivors of that horrific day. The shooter carried stuffed animals next to firearms the morning of the killings Hale suffered from anxiety and social phobias, which led to her self-isolating more often, the investigative report said. Her isolation and loneliness led Hale to begin believing the only true friends she could confide in were her stuffed animals, who she felt would never abandon her, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She assigned them names and personalities, took them with her whenever she travelled, and began creating cartoons and digital media, including stories where they demonstrated some of the same emotions she felt. Around 8 a.m. the morning of the killings, Hale left home carrying a large duffle bag which contained several firearms, ammunition for those firearms, tactical gear, and her stuffed animals, the investigative report states. Stuffed animals were found in Hale's car, which was left in The Covenant School's parking lot. - Metropolitan Nashville Police Department She also had with her a backpack containing two notebooks and assorted items. She loaded these bags into her vehicle and drove to a local gun range, authorities said. Once there, she donned her tactical vest and affixed magazine pouches to her belt. The vest was loaded with several spare magazines, an automatic knife, and other equipment. She then assembled and loaded three different firearms. She then remained in her vehicle in the parking lot of the location for over an hour and finally left the location at 9:33 a.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hale then went to The Covenant School around 9:53 a.m. and waited in the car for several minutes. During this time, Hale sent a goodbye message to a friend through Instagram Messenger, police said. At approximately 10:09 a.m., she exited her vehicle, slung two firearms around her neck and shoulders, and approached one of the west entrances to the building. Hales firearms included an AR-15 pistol, a semi-automatic AR pistol, a semi-automatic carbine rifle and a semi-automatic pistol. After the deadly rampage, detectives searched Hales vehicle and found several stuffed animals on the front passenger seat, along with five fully loaded magazines containing 5.56mm ammunition, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the front passenger floorboard was a backpack. Inside the backpack were two notebooks containing handwriting and sketches, along with two thumb drives. Hales parents and therapist tried to help, but the shooter didnt tell them everything Investigators determined Hale was sane, but evidence suggested worsening anxiety, depression and rage. Before the massacre, Hales parents assisted their child with obtaining mental healthcare despite them not being legally required to do so, police wrote. But Hale chronicled that she withheld information from providers to prevent her from being stopped, authorities said. The killer often wrote about the level of secrecy needed to carry out the attack, including withholding information from the therapist, taking steps to delete browsing history, and concealing guns and ammunition, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even though Hales disappointments in relationships, career aspirations, and independence fueled her depression, and even though this depression made her highly suicidal, this doesnt explain the attack, police said. As Hale wrote on several occasions, if suicide was her goal then she would have simply killed herself, the report states. Throughout the writings and videos, Hale frequently commented that her death needed to matter and be remembered. Investigators learned Hale felt chronic loneliness and disappointment. She felt abandoned and ignored by those she longed to befriend and engage with romantically, which angered her more than anything else, the report says. She believed that by simply committing suicide, she would be quickly forgotten and not even worthy of a footnote in history. She craved the notoriety Harris and Klebold attained following Columbine. This undated picture of Audrey Hale was provided by the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department. - Metropolitan Nashville Police Department Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold were the teen gunmen who killed 13 people at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado. The 1999 massacre has been cited as an inspiration for other school shooters in the decades since. Hale focused on how the Columbine killers documented mental health history and societal views were similar to her own and how the notoriety they achieved following their deaths led them to becoming gods, Nashville police said. Hale sought to become a god like Harris and Klebold by killing victims nobody would forget: children. The killer admitted the victims were innocent Like Harris and Klebold, Hale longed for her name and actions to be remembered long after she was dead, police said. She openly acknowledged none of those she would kill were guilty of anything and denied any personal motivation for targeting them, Nashville police wrote. Instead, the killer felt their deaths were necessary to give her death meaning. She wanted her mental health to be a prominent topic of discussion and debate, investigators said. Most disturbingly, she wanted the things she left behind to be shared with the world so she could inspire and teach others who were mentally disordered like her to plan and commit an attack of their own. Yet Hale often complained how she didnt know enough about the mental health history or motives of most mass killers, as nothing was publicly documented regarding their struggles, the reports says. Nonetheless, Hale felt she would be a failure if she killed less than 10 people during the attack, the report said. Hale took a guided tour of the school in 2021, claiming to be an alum who wanted to reminisce about her time in elementary school, the report said. In reality, Hale was casing the school and discreetly photographed different locations, police said. CNN has reached out to the school for comment. Less than two years after that visit, Hale burst into her beloved former school wielding an assault-style rifle and gunned down six people. This story has been updated with additional information. CNNs Ray Sanchez and Karina Tsui contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com (Reuters) - Miner Freeport-McMoRan lowered its forecast for first-quarter gold sales on Monday, after shipment timing issues in Indonesia led to a deferral of a portion of its quarterly production to future periods. Freeport operates Indonesia's Grasberg, one of the world's largest gold and copper mines, and had been building a smelter in the country as part of an operating agreement with Jakarta officials. That smelter was damaged by a fire last year and was shut down. However, Freeport said it received regulatory approvals on March 17, and had resumed concentrate export shipments from Indonesia, which had been temporarily restricted. The company said it expects first-quarter gold sales to be roughly 100,000 ounces below its prior forecast of 225,000 ounces. Freeport added that the average realized price for copper is expected to be roughly $4.40 per pound in the first quarter, compared with $3.94 per pound it realized a year earlier. The miner will release its quarterly results on April 25. Analysts expect the company to post an adjusted profit of 22 cents per share for the first quarter, according to data compiled by LSEG. (Reporting by Vallari Srivastava in Bengaluru; Editing by Alan Barona) BALTIMORE Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott unveiled Wednesday his $4.6 billion budget plan to close the citys $85 million deficit for the upcoming 2026 fiscal year. The mayors proposal seeks to fill the gap between revenues and expenditures by increasing fees on landfill use, emergency medical services transports and ride-sharing/taxi trips while cutting costs across city agencies. The proposal does not increase property taxes, which the mayor has sought to alleviate for homeowners by enacting a 2% city sales tax on top of Marylands 6% sales tax. Specific changes Scotts largest projected money generator will come from doubling the citys landfill tipping fee from $67.50 to $135 per ton of waste, a move expected to produce nearly $9 million in revenue. The move comes as city officials also seek to increase fines for littering, illegal dumping and other waste-related delivery charges by about 15% this fall, which could draw $6.5 million in additional revenue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the wake of widespread criticism and the death of two workers last year, Scotts budget calls for an additional $5.2 million to be allocated to the Baltimore Department of Public Works solid waste division to pay for contracted trash collectors this summer and hire 15 new trash crews by next spring. Scott also expects his plan to raise the cost of ambulance rides by 20% for non-Medicaid recipients to generate $5.5 million, as well as his proposed 52% increase of the citys taxi tax from $0.25 to $0.38 per ride to generate nearly $2 million. And to deal with the issue of widespread overtime pay driving seven-figure deficits at multiple city agencies in fiscal 2024, Scotts budget would add more non-sworn officers to the Baltimore Police Department as it faces a shortage of patrol officers. The proposal calls for nine new civilian positions, which could save about $1.1 million. Funding assistance impacts Scotts proposed budget accounts for much less assistance from the federal and Maryland state governments a shift the mayor attributes to the efforts of President Donald Trump and his allies to consolidate federal funding and $3 billion deficit in Annapolis, respectively. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This years budget outlook is filled with both opportunities and challenges, exacerbated by uncertainty at the federal level and a significant state deficit being addressed in Annapolis, Scott said in a statement. Even in the face of challenging economic circumstances, my Administration is committed to investing in our young people and older adults, improving our core service delivery, and continuing the historic progress we have made on public safety. The mayors proposal assumes the city will receive about $200 million in federal funding but does not consider potential lost income tax revenue from city residents who were laid off from their jobs with the federal government. City officials said about 12,000 federal employees live and work in Baltimore though many more commute to other locations or work from home in the city meaning about $3 million to $5 million worth of income tax revenue could be in jeopardy should the Trump administration pursue further cuts. Additional federal funding is expected to go toward transportation and highway projects in accordance with the citys long-term capital budget, though officials say its far from certain At the state level, Scotts budget follows for about $16.6 million in state costs to be passed onto the city. The move parallels similar measures taken by multiple counties as the states deficit has led to a shortage of resources being allocated locally. Next steps Scotts proposal will be reviewed by the Baltimore Board of Estimates and the Baltimore City Council, the latter of which must pass a budget by June 26 as required by the city charter. Fiscal year 2026 begins July 1. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Residents are invited to weigh in on the budget proposal at two taxpayers nights. The first such event will be held April 23, and the council will begin holding a series of budget hearings in May. ----------- A federal judge in New York on Wednesday dismissed corruption charges against Mayor Eric Adams, but not in the way the Trump administration wanted. Judge Dale Ho dismissed the case with prejudice, meaning it cannot be revived. The Justice Department sought to have the case dismissed to free up Adams to cooperate with the mayor's immigration agenda, however, the department wanted the case dismissed without prejudice, meaning it could be brought again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Eric Adams pushes judge to dismiss charges before ballot deadline Adams was indicted last year in the Southern District of New York on five counts in an alleged long-standing conspiracy connected to improper benefits, illegal campaign contributions and an attempted cover-up. He had pleaded not guilty. Ho declined to endorse the DOJ's desired outcome. "In light of DOJ's rationales, dismissing the case without prejudice would create the unavoidable perception that the Mayor's freedom depends on his ability to carry out the immigration enforcement priorities of the administration, and that he might be more beholden to the demands of the federal government than to the wishes of his own constituents. That appearance is inevitable, and it counsels in favor of dismissal with prejudice," Ho decided. PHOTO: New York City Mayor Eric Adams speaks during a press conference at City Hall in Manhattan in New York City, March 24, 2025. (Jeenah Moon/Reuters, FILE) Following the judge's decision, a Justice Department spokesperson said the Adams case, which was brought during the Biden administration, "was an example of political weaponization and a waste of resources." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are focused on arresting and prosecuting terrorists while returning the Department of Justice to its core mission of keeping Americans safe," the spokesperson added. Ho's 78-page opinion dismantled the Justice Department's stated rationale for dismissal: so Adams could focus on the Trump administration's immigration priorities. The judge said he could find no other example of the government dismissing charges against an elected official to enable the official to facilitate federal policy goals. "DOJ's immigration enforcement rationale is both unprecedented and breathtaking in its sweep," Ho said. "And DOJ's assertion that it has 'virtually unreviewable' license to dismiss charges on this basis is disturbing in its breadth, implying that public officials may receive special dispensation if they are compliant with the incumbent administration's policy priorities. That suggestion is fundamentally incompatible with the basic premise of equal justice under the law." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Lawyer recommends judge dismiss Adams case without possibility of reinstating charges Ho also made clear he was not weighing the facts of the case and said his decision "is not about whether Mayor Adams is innocent or guilty." Still, Adams' lawyer celebrated the decision to drop the charges without the fear of them being revived after the mayoral election in November -- as the Justice Department had threatened. "The case against Eric Adams should have never been brought in the first place -- and finally today that case is gone forever," Alex Spiro, Adams' lawyer, said in a statement. "From Day 1, the mayor has maintained his innocence and now justice for Eric Adams and New Yorkers has prevailed." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adams echoed that sentiment in remarks outside Gracie Mansion on Wednesday. "Let me be clear, as I've said all along, this case should have never been brought and I did nothing wrong," Adams said. "I'm now happy that our city can finally close the book on this and focus solely on the future of our great city." Adams also held up Kash Patel's 2023 book, "Government Gangsters," in which the now-FBI director called for a "comprehensive housecleaning" of the Justice Department. "I'm going to encourage every New Yorker to read it," Adams said. "Read it and understand how we can never allow this to happen to another innocent American." PHOTO: New York City Mayor Eric Adams appears before a House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform hearing with Sanctuary City Mayors on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, March 5, 2025, in Washington. (Rod Lamkey/AP, FILE) The decision to dismiss the charges came just days after Adams' lawyer had pushed for them to be dismissed ahead of the April 3 deadline for petitions to be submitted for mayoral candidates to get on the June primary ballot. Adams has said he will run as a Democrat in the primary despite criticism from opponents he has cozied up to the Trump administration in recent months, meeting with the president and attending his Inauguration instead of scheduled Martin Luther King Day events in the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The decision by Ho followed the recommendation from Paul Clement, who served as solicitor general under the Bush administration and was appointed by Ho to make an independent assessment of the case. "A dismissal without prejudice creates a palpable sense that the prosecution outlined in the indictment and approved by a grand jury could be renewed, a prospect that hangs like the proverbial Sword of Damocles over the accused," Clement said. MORE: NY's top federal prosecutor, several DOJ officials resign over Mayor Eric Adams' case The eventual dismissal came after a scathing letter from acting U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, suggesting acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove and other members of DOJ leadership were explicitly aware of a quid pro quo suggested by Adams' attorneys, saying Adams' vocal support of Trump's immigration policies would be boosted by dismissing the indictment against him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sassoon, who was appointed by President Donald Trump, resigned in protest along with several other career DOJ officials. Spiro, Adams' lawyer, balked at the notion of a quid pro quo following Sassoon's resignation: "The idea that there was a quid pro quo is a total lie. We offered nothing and the department asked nothing of us." Mayor Eric Adams' case dismissed with prejudice despite Trump admin's request to allow for later prosecution originally appeared on abcnews.go.com A judge has officially dismissed the corruption charges against New York City mayor Eric Adams. On Wednesday (April 2), Judge Dale E. Ho ordered to dismiss the case with prejudice and also denied prosecutors the option to refile the charges after the mayoral election. The decision spares Adams from having to govern in a way that pleases President Donald Trump or potentially risk having the Republicans Justice Department revive the charges, according to AP News. The Justice Department requested in February that Adams case be dismissed because it was distracting him from helping Trump step up deportations across the city. Hos ruling criticized the Trump administrations motives for wanting to drop the case. WASHINGTON, DC MARCH 5: Mayor of New York City Eric Adams is sworn in to testify during a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing with sanctuary city mayors, at the US Capitol, on Wednesday, March 5, 2025 in Washington, DC. Everything here smacks of a bargain: dismissal of the indictment in exchange for immigration policy concessions, Ho wrote in a 78-page opinion. He said he found the DOJs position disturbing because it implies public officials may receive special treatment if they go along with political policy goals. That suggestion is fundamentally incompatible with the basic promise of equal justice under the law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adams has since responded to the judges decision, doubling down on his innocence. As I said all along, this case never should have been brought, and I did nothing wrong, he said. I have always been solely beholden to the people of this city. No special interests, no political opponents, but just everyday New Yorkers, just you. In the 2024 indictment, the Democratic public figure faced conspiracy, wire fraud and bribery charges. The charges outlined a trail of corruption that began when he served as an elected official in Brooklyn and continued through his time serving as NYC mayor. Revisit the most shocking claims here. Mayor Eric Adams speaks during a press conference in the Blue Room in City Hall Tuesday, March 11, 2025. More from VIBE.com Sign up for Vibe's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. NEW YORK (PIX11) New York City Mayor Eric Adams held up the book Government Gangsters while responding to a federal judges decision to dismiss his corruption charges on Wednesday. The book, Government Gangsters: The Deep State, the Truth, and the Battle for Our Democracy, is written by President Donald Trumps appointed FBI director Kash Pramod Patel. He lists multiple government officials whom he deems a threat to our democracy and who were critics of President Donald Trump. More Local News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has praised the book, saying he would use this blueprint to help us take back the White House and remove these Gangsters from all of Government. Adams credited the book as helping him find the rationale behind the corruption charges that he claimed were untrue. More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State I am going to encourage every New Yorker to read it. Read it and understand how we can never allow this to happen to another innocent American. Prior to his charges being dropped, Adams was criticized by fellow New York City politicians for advising his top aids not to criticize the President. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judge Dale Ho ordered the federal corruption case dropped with prejudice, meaning the government cannot bring these charges against Adams again in the future. Dominique Jack is a digital content producer from Brooklyn with more than five years of experience covering news. She joined PIX11 in 2024. More of her work can be found here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. Shareholders of Hong Kong-based hospitality company Miramar Hotel and Investment have dismissed plans to acquire a property from Henderson Land Development, reported Reuters. More than 53% of the company's shareholders voted against the HK$3.12bn ($401.11m) proposal, which was intended to facilitate the construction of a new hotel and commercial complex. Located in Hong Kong's Tsim Sha Tsui district, the property was to be transformed from its current state as the 1957 vintage Champagne Court into a modern multi-story hotel and commercial complex. Earlier this year, Miramar planned to demolish the existing building and develop a new multi-level hotel and commercial complex, reported Reuters. This development was anticipated to alleviate the supply pressure on guestrooms at The Mira Hong Kong, another hotel owned by Miramar. The inbound tourism market in Hong Kong saw 21.15 million visitors in the first half of 2024, marking a 64% surge from the same period of the previous year, according to a report from real estate services provider Colliers in September. Meanwhile, Miramar Hotel & Investment Company disclosed last month the signing of a lease and licence agreement with Nation Star Development for premises at Mira Place 1, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong. These agreements are considered continuing connected transactions and include terms such as a fixed one-year duration with an extension option, a rent-free period, and monthly charges. The transactions are exempt from shareholder approval but are subject to reporting and annual review requirements. "Miramar shareholders reject $401m acquisition of Henderson property" was originally created and published by Hotel Management Network, a GlobalData owned brand. LIBERTY COUNTY, Ga. (WSAV) A group of Liberty County residents is pushing back against a county ordinance that prohibits backyard chicken coops within 300 feet of any home. They said they have kept chickens for years without issueuntil a neighbor began reporting them for violations. The only house that theyre within 300 feet of is my own, so the code protects me from my own chickens, apparently, said Ben Banks, a resident of the Lake George neighborhood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Banks said his chicken coop has provided fresh eggs for years. However, he was recently cited for violating a county code because his coop is about 25 feet too close to his home. Weiss and other homeowners said their neighbors complaints have led to an ongoing legal battle over their backyard flocks. Im a retired Marine; Im a retired trucker. I just had my 68th birthday, and this is the first battle Im getting involved infor chickens. I love the girls, said William Weiss, another resident. The chickens have touched me in a way no other animal has. After gaining traction among their neighbors in a Facebook group online they mobilized, hoping to change the countys ordinance through their elected officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We felt really optimistic at first. That optimism fainted quickly, said Banks. Our commissioner showed little care for us that live in a residential district. Liberty County Assistant County Administrator Joseph Moseley said the commission has no plans to change the ordinance. Banks said they have tried to find a middle ground, with no luck. We elected them to do a job, and if theyre not representing us as their constituents and adopting reasonable code that Bryan and Chatham counties have no problem adopting, then well resolve itit just might be a longer road than a short road, Banks said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Banks said if their commission doesnt budge soon, theyll be brooding a grudge until the next election season. Residents said they will continue fighting for their chickens, despite not getting a spot on the countys agenda. They plan to attend the county commission meetings, dressed in chicken-themed costumes and T-shirts, in an effort to make their voices heard. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV. CHESTERFIELD, Va. (WFXR) Virginia State Polices Med Flight responded to a request for a rescue of a female hiker in Rockbridge County on April 1. Med-Flight 1 and emergency responders with the Chesterfield Fire Department arrived at a remote hiking area of Devils Marble Yard around 2:45 p.m. on Tuesday. The trip to the injured hiker was around 93 nautical miles, requiring the helicopter to be reconfigured. A firefighter with Chesterfield FD, David Webb, was lowered to secure the patient before she was brought up to the helicopter. The woman was then flown to a command post for assessment, and once she was stable, she was flown to a hospital in Central Virginia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lynchburg house fire traps two of the five residents, victims hospitalized Photo Credit: Virginia State Police Photo Credit: Virginia State Police Photo Credit: Virginia State Police After the woman was safely at the hospital, the crew returned to the rescue site to pick up Firefighter Webb and returned to Chesterfield. This was the second rescue conducted by Med-Flight Pilot Conlin within the last 24 hours. Crews on scene also included the Rockbridge Fire and EMS. Tuesdays Rescue marked the 41st anniversary of the creation of Med-Flight and is publicly funded and free of charge. Med-flight 1 partners with Virginia State Police and Chesterfield County Fire and EMS. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv. An officer with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is recovering at home after getting into a head-on crash early Wednesday morning. Police said it happened in front of an east Charlotte home on Winterfield Place just before 2 a.m. Channel 9s Eli Brand was at the scene Wednesday, off Albemarle Road, where he could still see debris on the ground and remnants of the collision. ALSO READ: Bicyclist dies days after crash in east Charlotte, CMPD says Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PJ Coyne lives nearby and witnessed the crash. He told Channel 9, I heard a big bang, we looked out the window, and saw a silver sedan that was in her yard. A big bang caused by a CMPD cruiser and sedan hitting head on. CMPD said it started when officers tried to pull over a car with a fake tag. They said the car drove away without its headlights on, resulting in the crash. Within seconds, two more units came speeding down the road, Coyne said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After responding officers arrived at the scene, Coyne said they focused on getting the person in the sedan out. I heard them yelling at the person to get out of the car and then after they got that person out of the car, we saw them put him in cuffs. By that time, an ambulance had shown up and we saw an officer laying down on the ground, Coyne said. CMPD said the officer involved in the crash was taken to the hospital but has since been released. The suspect was also arrested. A tow truck removed both cars from the road after crime scene investigators collected evidence. They were here...pretty much all morning. So yeah, it was startling, Coyne said, adding a situation of this magnitude is definitely unusual in that neighborhood. Check wsoctv.com for updates. WATCH BELOW: CMPD investigates restaurant and bar burglaries, alcohol stolen Apr. 1---- A 20-year-old male is now in custody and awaiting a court appearance after authorities say he fled law enforcement officers from three agencies on Monday. Two pursuits were terminated for safety, and a third lasted more than 30 miles before ending in arrest. According to a news release from the dispatchers were notified by the about a vehicle pursuit around 2:10 p.m. Monday. The suspect vehicle was traveling northbound on Minnesota Highway 22, south of Litchfield. State Patrol troopers terminated the pursuit, but the suspect vehicle was seen a short time later by Litchfield police, who attempted to stop the vehicle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Litchfield police initiated a second pursuit, but eventually had to terminate the chase. The suspect vehicle was spotted by a Meeker County sheriff's deputy, who attempted a third stop. The vehicle continued to flee, starting a third pursuit. According to the news release, the pursuit initiated by the Meeker County Sheriff's Office reached speeds of 100 mph, traveling just over 30 miles. The driver of the suspect vehicle also swerved at a deputy attempting a pursuit intervention tactic, often called a PIT maneuver, according to the news release. As the third pursuit began, the suspect vehicle left the city of Litchfield driving east on 260th Street at a high rate of speed. A PIT maneuver was made at the intersection of 260th Street and 650th Avenue, forcing the suspect vehicle into the ditch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the vehicle drove back out and continued fleeing southbound on 650th Avenue. The driver then went to and continued south on Meeker County Road 14 before making his way to Minnesota Highway 15. The chase continued northbound on Highway 15 into As the suspect vehicle entered Stearns County, a trooper successfully deployed spike strips. A Meeker County deputy then performed another PIT maneuver to end the chase. The driver, identified as a 20-year-old male from rural Hillman, was taken into custody without incident. According to the news release, the driver was arrested for the pursuit and suspicion of driving while impaired. According to the Meeker County Sheriff's Office, the driver was booked into the Meeker County Jail and is awaiting his initial court appearance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The West Central Tribune does not typically name suspects until they have made an appearance in court. Additionally, the Meeker County Sheriff's Office stated in the news release that the male arrested also has a revoked driver's license and pending charges in McLeod County for fleeing on foot, along with several other gun and drug charges from an incident in Hutchinson in November of 2024. The Minnesota State Patrol and the also assisted with the arrest. SAVANNAH, Ga (WSAV) WSAV is excited to announce Patt Gunn as our 2025 Remarkable Women Winner. From the music of her Gullah Geechee heritage to her educational talks, to her dancing at the Tybee Wade Ins, to her Underground Tours of Savannah, for Patt Gunn its all about being a positive force for making societal changes. One of the most noted examples of that was all her hard work to change the name of a Savannah Square from an outspoken advocate of slavery, John. C. Calhoun, to someone who was born into slavery, Susie King Taylor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Say her name, Susie King Taylor, an enslaved young girl who came here at the age of seven and her grandmother was already here, Gunn said. They befriended the abolitionist community who taught her how to read, write and count. She goes out and joins the Civil War and becomes the first African American nurse on the Union side in America. She learned how to read, write and count in the middle of anti-literacy laws. I think shes a shero. I think shes a better person than John C. Calhoun. On Feb. 10, 2023, the square was officially dedicated to Taylor and Gunn said it warmed her soul to see people from all walks of life, colors, ages and denominations in attendance. I said to myself, this is what Savannah looks like, Gunn said. For Gunn, she said its not about finger pointing. Its about healing the pains of the past caused by slavery and segregation. She herself is a descendant of a freed slave. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But I refuse to walk in anger. I have to walk in peace and love. And so, we got to heal, and I want to leave a legacy of telling people here are the tools to heal. And heres the best example, Taylor Square. Lets begin here Gunn said. To many in the Savannah area, Patt is affectionately known as Sistah Patt to which she said, Makes me feel honored and beloved. You know, I look at everyone I meet, not as a stranger. And if I can befriend you, you become my sister friend or my brother friend. And Im just so honored. I want everyone to know were really just one village. We really are. Patts mission to have Susie King Taylors name and legacy honored is not over yet. She is currently working to have a statue of her erected in the center of Taylor Square. WSAV would also like to thank finalists, Angela Brantley, Alicia Johnson, Courtney Hampson and Maggie Smith. You can read their stories by clicking on their names or clicking here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WSAV and the stations parent company, Nexstar, celebrate Womens History Month each March by honoring Remarkable Women both in the Coastal Empire and Lowcountry as well as across the country. The nationwide initiative, which started in 2019, honors the impact women have had on public policy, social progress, and quality of life in all 116 markets where Nexstar owns and operates television stations. Based on nominations with universally selected criteria including community contributions, self-achievement, and family impact, each market selects five local women for consideration as that markets Remarkable Woman. Each markets Remarkable Woman receives a $1,000 contribution on their behalf to a non-profit of their choice. You can take a look at this interactive map and check out the local winners from around the country! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) The Eastgate Regional Council of Governments keeps track of transportation construction in the Valley as required by law. Read next: Loud booms may be heard later this week The agency puts together a report called the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), which includes construction projects, where the money is coming from and when projects are sold and completed, along with future plans. The report comes out every two years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first draft of the 2026-2029 report was released on Wednesday, and a public meeting is set for everyone to talk about it. The meeting is set for Thursday from 3-6 p.m. at Eastgate offices on E. Federal Street. It will be an open-style public meeting for anyone wanting a formal presentation of TIP. If you go, Eastgate wants you to read through the TIP report and come to the meeting with some questions or comments. Eastgate-26-29-TIP-Draft-2Download The information covers all work in Trumbull and Mahoning counties. Eastgate says public participation is important in the development process for these projects. You can find work that has been done, is in progress and future plans in your community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You can get a printed copy of TIP by emailing Joseph Kempe at jkempe@eastgatecog.org or (234) 254-1501. The final day to comment on the report is April 11. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. Meghan McCain spoke out against fellow Republicans in an emotional now-deleted X post Tuesday, saying she is absolutely heartbroken that the governments recently passed government spending bill slashes funding set aside to research the cancer that killed her father. My fellow Republicansthis is wrong," she wrote on social media, reported HuffPost. McCains late father, Sen. John McCain, died in 2018 of a brain cancer called glioblastoma. McCain said that the National Institute of Health (NIH) has produced glioblastoma treatments that are nothing short of a miracle. At risk is the Defense Departments Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP), which typically funds various cancer research programs through the National Institutes of Health. McCain died of brain cancer at 81. / Henry Romero / Henry Romero/REUTERS President Donald Trump signed the six-month funding bill to avoid a government shutdown that also approved a 57 percent funding cut to the CDMRP, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network said last month. Out of nearly $860 million that was sliced, $185 million was taken from cancer programs alone. Funding for glioblastoma programs in 2024 totaled $10 million. Now, it wont get any research funding at all, along with three other types of cancer; kidney cancer, lung cancer and pancreatic cancer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The CDMRP was originally established by the Department of Defense in 1993 to eliminate breast cancer and has since funded various programs to save the lives of military service members, veterans, and the American public. I am absolutely heartbroken at the news the funding for brain cancer research has been completely cut from NIH, the former The View co-host wrote. My father and millions of others have been treated there for Glioblastoma and other brain cancers with miracle doctors and nurses. Meghan McCain says shes absolutely heartbroken about the Trump administration cutting funding for brain cancer research. pic.twitter.com/v4clLdEpSh Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) April 1, 2025 McCains father died only a year after his 2017 diagnosis. There is currently no cure for glioblastoma. Some government spending is needed and appropriatecancer research is one of them," she wrote. I am heartbroken by this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those of us who are part of the brain cancer community are mourning today, she said. America and NIH have always been a beacon of hope for those of us praying for a cure. Shortly after McCain posted her remarks, she deleted them without explanation. McCain faced backlash for the post from an onslaught of Democrats, who claimed she was only able to understand the threats of funding cuts when they personally impact her. McCain cries at her father's funeral. / ERIC THAYER / Eric Thayer/REUTERS American Cancer Society President Lisa Lacasse thanked McCain for her X post before it was deleted. Thank you, @MeghanMcCain for amplifying the critical importance of cancer research," she said. We appreciate you using your voice on behalf of cancer patients & their loved ones nationwide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Congresss move to chop cancer research funding comes at a time when Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has announced that hes cutting a quarter of his departments staff, including at the NIH and other government agencies. He is laying off 10,000 workers and prompting 10,000 others to take early retirement or voluntary separation offers. Kennedy celebrated the overhaul on X as he announced new hires, writing: The revolution begins today! Meta said it has been hit with a hefty fine for resisting Turkish government demands to limit content on Facebook and Instagram. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government has been trying to restrict opposition voices on social media after widespread protests erupted following the arrest of Istanbul's mayor, who's a key rival. We pushed back on requests from the Turkish government to restrict content that is clearly in the public interest, and have been fined by them as a consequence, the company said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The social media company did not disclose the size of the fine, except to say it was substantial and did not provide any more details about the content in question. The Associated Press has approached the Turkish government for comment. Government requests to restrict speech online alongside threats to shut down online services are severe and have a chilling effect on peoples ability to express themselves, Meta said. In recent years the Turkish government has increasingly sought to bring social media companies under its control. When protests erupted following the March 19 arrest of opposition Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, many social media platforms such as X, Instagram and Facebook were blocked. More than 700 individual X accounts, including those belonging to journalists, media outlets, civil society organizations and student groups, were blocked, according to the Media and Law Studies Association. X said it would object. Dozens have been arrested for social media posts deemed to be supporting the protests. Lloyd's reinsurer MS Amlin has expanded its footprint in Asia-Pacific (APAC) with a new branch office in Sydney. The new branch will operate as part of MS Amlin Pacific, the company's APAC reinsurance business. This move is pending approval from Lloyd's and comes as a growing proportion of risks written by MS Amlin's APAC team originates from Australia and New Zealand, the company said in a statement. The company has also emphasised that the Australian branch will be accretive, rather than disrupt the existing portfolio managed from London. Matt Botfield has been appointed as head of Australia and New Zealand to support the existing client portfolio and ongoing broker relationships handled by the Singapore-based APAC team. Botfield's role will also encompass new business development and leveraging MS Amlin's underwriting capabilities to tailor solutions for clients in the region. Most recently, Botfield served at Aon Reinsurance China, holding the role of chief operating officer for Greater China and CEO of Alternate Insurance Authority Hong Kong. Earlier, he held various senior positions at Aon Benfield, including head of property for Australia and New Zealand, during his 14-year tenure there. Under the leadership of APAC CEO Will Ho, MS Amlin already offers a range of reinsurance solutions across casualty, property and speciality lines. Ho said: We are excited to expand our presence in the Asia-Pacific region, with the launch of a dedicated branch in Australia, where we see significant untapped potential. Matts appointment highlights our ambition to grow in this dynamic region and secure new high quality business including domestic risks that typically wouldnt come into Lloyds. "With his extensive local market knowledge and well-established relationships, Matt will play a key role in helping us capture these opportunities in Australia and New Zealand. We look forward to leveraging the full strength of MS Amlins underwriting and claims expertise to support the markets growing reinsurance needs. Last month, MS Amlin bound a reinsurance scheme, with support from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and Aon, for assisting small and medium-sized enterprises in Ukraine. "MS Amlin establishes new branch in Sydney, Australia " was originally created and published by Life Insurance International, a GlobalData owned brand. The Mayor of Andover has responded to a food stand's claims it was "not welcome" in the city, with records released by the city showing it had no active permit to operate when it was asked to cease operations last week. La Troquita Del Sur announced last Wednesday in a widely shared Facebook post that it is relocating to Nowthen and "probably" won't return to Andover. It made allegations that the city had blocked its attempts to operate in the city, claiming that one of its workers rejected a license application, and claiming another worker had been abusive towards them. The City of Andover "unequivocally denies" any harassment and abuse by employees, saying: "Our interactions with mobile food vendors are focused on educating them about and enforcing our established ordinances." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson told Bring Me The News that La Troquita Del Sur was the subject of enforcement action on Mar. 26 because it didn't have a permit to operate in the city. The city also responded to claims it denied a permit application from the business, saying it hasn't received an application since last July, and that a permit application would almost certainly be approved if one was submitted. Speaking on Monday, Andover Mayor Jamie Barthel said that the allegations about the city's conduct were untrue and that the city was getting "a bad rap" as a result. Both Barthel and a city officer said that La Troquita Del Sur is welcome back in Andover if it applies for a permit for its desired location, along with proof of insurance and permission from the property owner. City of Andover, Facebook "As long as they meet all of their requirements under the code, then we would proceed with issuing that with that permit," the city employee said. "We encourage La Troquita to submit an application so that we can process it and get them operating in the city." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mobile food stands are required to obtain a state food license from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, a license to operate in the county in this case Anoka County and, in Andover, a permit to operate in the city. Andover's food truck permits stipulate that a business cannot be in the same location for more than 21 days in a single year. Bring Me The News submitted an information request for all permit applications from La Troquita Del Sur to the City of Andover, and found it did get a permit approved last year to operate for 21 days in the parking lot near G-Will Liquors, and selected 21 days in July 2024 in which to do business. Since then, no applications have been received from La Troquita Del Sur between the end of its permit on July 31, 2024, and the time it was shut down last week, according to city records. La Troquita Del Sur food stand.La Troquita Del Sur/Facebook The food stand had a license to operate in Anoka County in 2024 that expired on Jan. 31, 2025. County documents show that La Troquita Del Sur has obtained a new county license for 2025, but a city permit is still required to operate in Andover. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Andover said that La Troquita Del Sur had come to the attention of its staff on two occasions in May and July last year prior to its first permit being obtained. The most recent shutdown came on March 26. The Anoka County Sheriff's Office confirmed it was involved in the enforcement action, saying that La Troquita Del Sur left the premises "without issue." Barthel says that a day later, action was also taken against another food truck operating without a permit in a different location in Andover. That food truck has since applied for a permit from the city and has already had it approved. Dianna Alvarado, whose mother Maria owns La Troquita Del Sur, claims that when they were shut down on Mar. 26, they were told by a city staff member that they could not re-apply for a permit because of the 21-day limit that they maxed out last year which the city denies. Andover's licensing period runs from Jan. 1-Dec. 31, so La Troquita Del Sur could apply and be accepted for a new permit to operate outside G-Will Liquors for 21 days between now and the end of this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alvarado says they were aware of the 21-day rule and had planned to be outside G-Will's for 21 days and then move elsewhere. But as mentioned above, the city says it had not received a permit application for La Troquita Del Sur to operate near G-Will's in March. Alvarado said she feels like her family has been disrespected through the process and claims the city "is making things harder than it should be," saying they have not encountered as many problems operating in other cities in Anoka County. Bring Me The News asked Alvarado whether the food stand has operated in the past without permits, but she did not wish to comment. The food stand currently lists its location as 8077 Viking Boulevard in Nowthen. Mexico has introduced a ban on junk food in schools, in an effort to fight against the countrys obesity and diabetes epidemic. Similar epidemics have also been seen in countries worldwide, with government leaders struggling to know what to do about it. The ban took effect on Saturday, but the health guidelines were first published last fall, according to The Associated Press. The guidelines for the ban target salty and sweet processed foods that have been a staple for Mexican schoolchildren. The banned products include sugary fruit drinks, artificial pork rinds, packaged chips and soy-encased, chili-flavored peanuts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To announce that the ban had taken effect, Mexicos Education Ministry posted on X: Farewell, junk food! The ministry also encouraged parents to support the governments efforts by cooking healthy meals for their kids at home, per CNN. One of the core principles of the new Mexican school system is healthy living, said Mario Delgado, the public health secretary, per the AP. Theres a high level of acceptance of this policy among parents. Why is Mexico implementing this ban? UNICEF has reported that children in Mexico consume more junk food than any other country in Latin America. The agency also classified the countrys childhood obesity epidemic as an emergency. A child snacks on cotton candy at Chapultepec park in Mexico City, Saturday, March 29, 2025. A ban on junk food in schools in Mexico took effect on Saturday. | Fernando Llano Highly processed foods and sugary drinks make up 40% of the calories that children consume each day. One-third of Mexican children are currently considered obese or overweight, and 50% will develop diabetes in early adulthood, per the AP. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under this new law, schools must get rid of any food or drink that displays at least one black warning logo which marks it as high in salt, sugar, calories and fat, per CNN. The labels are a part of a compulsory system that Mexico introduced in 2020. How will this ban on junk food be enforced? The enforcement of the ban started on Monday morning, the beginning of the school week. This order also requires schools to serve more nutritious alternatives to the previously provided junk food and to offer plain drinking water. It is much better to eat a bean taco than a bag of potato chips, said Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who has championed the effort, per CNN. Administrators of schools that do not follow the ban will face fines ranging from $545 to $5,450. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are questions on how effective enforcement of the ban will be. Previous junk food bans in the country havent been able to gain traction, with lax monitoring. It was also unclear how the Mexican government plans on forbidding the sale of junk food from vendors on sidewalks outside of school campuses, according to CNN. "Frituras," or fried treats, are displayed for sale on a vendor's stall in Chapultepec park in Mexico City, Saturday, March 29, 2025. A ban on junk food in schools in Mexico took effect on Saturday. | Fernando Llano Will the U.S. do something similar next? Mexicos bold attempt to change its food culture is being watched by leaders around the world as many governments are struggling in the fight against a global obesity epidemic, per the AP. This effort to change the types of food consumed has also been seen in the U.S. President Donald Trumps health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has promised to uproot the countrys food system under the slogan Make America Healthy Again. In order to curb ever increasing obesity and disease, Kennedy is targeting ultra-processed food, in a mindset similar to Mexicos new ban. Apr. 1Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury is demanding more information on how artificial intelligence is being used to examine government data kept by federal agencies. Tech billionaire Elon Musk is leading an effort to cut government spending and root out waste, fraud and abuse for President Donald Trump. The Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency has been granted access to several federal agency data systems, starting with the Treasury Department's payment system and continuing with the Internal Revenue Service, Health and Human Services and the Social Security database. Some of that access has been blocked by federal judges because of privacy and national security concerns. Stansbury, D-N.M., believes Musk and the DOGE team are applying artificial intelligence to federal data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are deeply concerned that they may be downloading American private and confidential data onto external databases where they are applying artificial intelligence systems to study and understand them," Stansbury said. The Treasury Department's payment system information is of particular concern for national security, according to Stansbury, because it includes billions in payments the U.S. makes to soldiers, allies and foreign aid. One concern is that Musk could be downloading personal, private and personnel data into his own AI company, xAI, she said, "and may not only bring it into systems that his own private business will profit off of, but also that he might utilize them for his own personal, political ends." Stansbury introduced a Resolution of Inquiry on Tuesday to compel the Trump administration to provide documents and communications about how the administration is utilizing data and artificial intelligence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New Mexico Republican Party Chair Amy Barela called the resolution a political stunt meant to "stall President Trump's progress in balancing the federal budget and cutting the wasteful government spending that has plagued our nation for far too long." "The American people are waking up. We see through these distractions. What Rep. Stansbury and others call 'oversight,' we recognize as obstruction," Barela said in a statement. The resolution has 14 days to be referred to a committee. If the committee takes no action, it will go to the House floor as a privileged resolution, forcing the House to take action. Only 34.8% of people in New Mexico with private insurance were able to get mental health care in 2021, along with about half of people on Medicaid, according to a review of data collected by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (Stock illustration by stellalevi via Getty Images) New Mexicos health care and safety net agency on Wednesday announced that the federal government had selected it along with seven other state agencies to take part in a national learning collaborative to share the best ways to do community-led behavioral health care. The New Mexico Health Care Authority said in a news release the collaborative is designed to improve mental health services, reduce disparities and strengthen access to behavioral health across communities. Lessons learned from the initiative by New Mexico officials will help promote and support community engagement, identify and address barriers preventing meaningful participation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State lawmakers put a focus on behavioral health treatment during the first half of New Mexicos legislative session that ended March 22, and Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed two pieces of legislation into law that will create a behavioral health executive committee to coordinate treatment statewide by assessing local needs and make it easier for providers to pay for treatment using Medicaid. Under the new law, the HCA is responsible for administering the funding that will pay for behavioral health programs. HCA told Source NM on Wednesday that while the SAMHSA Learning Collaborative was an opportunity that opened prior to SB3, we expect to learn how to better support the bills implementation and our community engagement around it at a regional level. The collaborative is being organized by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the federal agency devoted to addressing addiction and mental health issues which oversees the 988 Lifeline and conducts the annual National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Only 34.8% of people in New Mexico with private insurance were able to get mental health care in 2021, along with about half of people on Medicaid, according to a review of data collected by SAMHSA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SAMHSA is among the federal agencies that are facing mass layoffs and cutting grants to states as part of the Trump administrations realigning of the federal Department of Health and Human Services. Nick Boukas, director of Health Care Authoritys Behavioral Health Services Division, said in the news release that improving behavioral health systems starts with listening to communities. By engaging our staff in opportunities like this, we create solutions that are not only effective but rooted in the realities and needs of the people we serve, Boukas said in a statement. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The New Mexico Health Department released its most recent report on childhood obesity on April 2, 2025 The New Mexico health department on Wednesday said obesity rates for third graders decreased for the fourth consecutive year. The report from NMDOHs Obesity, Nutrition and Physical Activity Program uses data from 40 schools across 21 counties, and assessed close to 2,950 students, according to a news release, which also noted that participation in the data collection is voluntary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement a decline in the past year in obesity rates for kindergarten students from 18.2% to 17.3% a decline in obesity rates for third graders in the same time period from 27.5% to 24.1% Boys obesity rates were 6.5% higher than girls. Ongoing highest obesity prevalence among American Indian students at 27.6% of students We collect and analyze obesity data so we can invest our resources in areas that lack infrastructure for safe physical activity and opportunities to buy affordable healthy food, Health Secretary Gina DeBlassie said in a statement. Obesity in children highlights inequities in our community infrastructure and access to resources. According to the report, departments childhood obesity surveillance program established in 2010 uses body mass index (BMI) percentile and a standardized measurement protocol to monitor childhood obesity over time, identify at-risk groups, guide state and local prevention efforts, and inform appropriate resource allocation. Despite the improvements, the report notes that obesity remains a significant problem in New Mexico, particularly for children, with obesity increasing significantly between kindergarten and third grade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Childhood obesity is a complex issue that is influenced by weight bias, socioeconomic status, food insecurity and community infrastructure, the report said, noting that in 2023, close to one-in-four (24.7%) school-aged children in New Mexico lived in poverty, compared to nearly one-in-six (15.7%) nationally in 2023. That makes New Mexican children more at risk for obesity than children in other states, the report said, and children with obesity are more likely to develop: high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, stroke, fatty liver disease, sleep apnea and depression. The health department program says part of its strategy to combat childhood obesity includes programs in seven counties and one Tribal community to expand activities such as farm-to-school food programs, exercise activities and nutrition programs. Detail of the New Mexico Corrections Department logo painted on a wall inside the Western New Mexico Correctional Facility. (Photo by Austin Fisher / Source NM) The New Mexico Foundation for Open Government on Tuesday filed a lawsuit against the state Corrections Department for violations of New Mexicos public records law. In the suit, the Albuquerque-based nonprofit NMFOG alleges both specific and ongoing violations by NMCD of the Inspection of Public Records Act, citing at least nine successful lawsuits against the agency resulting in $365,000 worth of damages and fees paid by the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But its not your typical lawsuit trying to get a court to force a government agency to fork over some records NMFOG wants a judge to declare that the Corrections Department must respect the publics right to inspect records now and in the future. The suit stems from FOGs IPRA request in 2024 for three years worth of NMCD financial records showing settlement amounts paid out after IPRA lawsuits. The department denied that request. The new suit asks the court to require the agency to produce those records, and to explain which records it withheld in another request. Moreover, the organization is asking the court to issue an order requiring Corrections to comply with the state law going forward and alleges the department has a history, practice and pattern of failing to comply with IPRA and continues to do so despite losing in court time and time again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The complaint details legal settlements paid using public funds by the department in response to IPRA suits brought over the last three years by the American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico, Disability Rights New Mexico and a formerly incarcerated person. In an email to Source NM on Tuesday afternoon, Corrections Department Spokesperson Brittany Roembach declined to comment on pending litigation. Tip of the iceberg The complaint describes the prior lawsuits it cites as the tip of the iceberg of the actual number of successful IPRA enforcement actions against the department, and does not capture all of its IPRA violations. Indeed, the New Mexico Prison and Jail Project has filed four other lawsuits against the department in the last five years over allegations of withholding records based on internal policies or withholding records until sued, according to court records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NMFOG says in the complaint an injunction is the only adequate remedy, because requiring them to pay money for violating the law wont stop them from doing it in the future. NMFOG also points out that the New Mexico Court of Appeals ruled last May in a suit by the ACLU-NM seeking documents about the departments use of force policies, that the departments policies or rules cannot be used to exempt public records from inspection under IPRA. That ruling has also failed to deter Defendant NMCD from persisting in hiding behind its internal rules to unlawfully shield public records, the complaint states. The department appealed the ruling to the New Mexico Supreme Court, which on Sept. 6, 2024 agreed to hear the case, according to court records. The case has not yet been scheduled for argument at the Supreme Court. In the complaint, NMFOG insists that the appeals court ruling is still good law, even though the Supreme Court has agreed to review it, because the Supreme Court hasnt nullified the lower courts ruling in any way. The entire region has an Enhanced or level 3 out of 5, risk for severe storms Wednesday night into early Thursday morning. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for Auglaize, Butler, Champaign, Clark, Clinton, Darke, Greene, Logan, Mercer, Miami, Montgomery, Preble, Shelby and Warren counties starting at 8 p.m. on Wednesday to 8:00 a.m. on Sunday. Randolph, Union and Wayne counties in Indiana are also included on this watch. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As reported on News Center 7 at 6:00, changes will be made across the Great Miami River to prevent any widespread flooding. As much as six inches of rain may fall between Tuesday and Sunday, according to Storm Center 7 Team of Meteorologists. Its not unprecedented, but its a heavier, higher rainfall event, Mike Ekberg said. Ekberg is a hydrologist with the Miami Conservancy District. The Miami Conservancy District is responsible for making sure the Great Miami River does not flood its banks and cause widespread flooding in riverfront communities like Piqua, Troy, Tipp City, Dayton, and Miamisburg. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As part of the flood protection system, the Miami Conservancy District maintains five dams along the Great Miami River. Were looking at the forecast right now, and if we would get that kind of size of rainfall, we would have all five of our dams storing water, Ekberg said. The dam will begin to store water and well get a temporary lake behind the dam. That lake on the upstream side of the dams means theyre restricting the flow of water and will slowly release it downstream over several days. This precaution ensures that the river channels can handle all the water without overtopping the levees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ekberg said the river water level could come up another five feet from all the rain, which means district staff will be out monitoring the river. They may have floodgates that they close, Ekberg said. Doing that will stop water from backing up through storm sewers and into the streets of our riverfront communities. Ekberg expects the Great Miami River to crest about 24 hours after this weeks rain is finished. With no more rain, it will drop back to normal levels over a few days. News Center 7 will continue to follow this story. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] After a routine traffic stop took a shocking turn, one Michigan police officer has been exposed for alleged use of excessive force on multiple occasions. Lt. Matthew Furman is now facing a civil lawsuit over a July incident, but this isnt the first time his policing has been called into question. In fact, one of the most horrific allegations against him stem from a completely separate incident three months earlier. It began when Alica Cook was parked in a school parking lot with her children inside the vehicle. Furman approached her about an expired tag, and then all hell broke loose. Ive never been treated like that ever, Cook said in a recent interview with WXYZ. The mother was using a friends car to drop off her 11-year-old daughter at cheerleading practice. Although the car wasnt hers, by law, she assumed legal responsibility as the driver. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Body camera footage from the altercation captured how quickly things escalated on April 13 when Furman accused her of not cooperating. Also, when I ran your plate, the government shows theres no insurance on the vehicle, the lieutenant told Cook during the stop. As Cook began to explain the owner of the vehicle was in the hospital, she answered a phone call in front of the officer. I had just got bad news saying that the person... the [owner of the car] just had heart surgery, Cook recalled to WXYZ. At the time, my mind was in a thousand places. Furman asked Cook for her drivers license, but when the woman responded saying Okay, one second, things took a turn. According to the body cam footage, thats when Furman told her Dont tell me one second! Im giving you a lawful police order. Hold on, sir, Cook responded. You pulled me over inside of a school parking lot! Furman quickly told her he had full jurisdiction before adding lose the attitude and do as youre instructed. Before long, both Cook and Furmans voices were raised, and one of Cooks daughters can even be heard trying to calm her mother down saying, Mom, stop yelling back at him. Hes a cop! When Cook failed to comply with orders to turn off her car and present her ID, Furman tased her in front of her children and tried to drag her out the car, telling her he feared for his safety. I got two children in the car. Im facing the school building. What are you in fear of? Cook asked WXYZ. My hands are up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was eventually arrested and charged with a civil infraction and four misdemeanors, including resisting arrest, interfering with a police officer and driving on a suspended license, according to WXYZ. After reviewing the bodycam footage, the city attorneys office dropped everything. Furman never faced any disciplinary actions afterwards. Just three months after Cooks arrest, the same officer pulled over Drakkar Williams before the situation escalated, leading to Furman tasing him on July 20, according to WXYZ. Williams has since filed a civil lawsuit against the officer alleging he grabbed his hair while handcuffed and rammed his head into the back of a fire truck. Furman is now on administrative leave citing an investigation into the matter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) faces losing over $40 million in funding unless the U.S. Department of Education reverses its budget-cutting decision. The MDE reports that the agency received a message from U.S. Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon, announcing that the deadline for reimbursement requests for Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations and American Rescue Plan funds had been changed. The deadline was moved from March 28, 2026, to Friday, March 28, at 5:00 p.m. The MDE received this message shortly after the deadline had expired. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The MDE reports that out of more than $40 million, the agency has already paid approximately $24.2 million to the districts based on spending reports. Several districts fit into this category, including Flint, which requested $15.6 million and has received $14.2 million. Without a reversal from the U.S. Department of Education, the districts may not be paid the remaining approximately $17.8 million, said the MDE in a news release sent to 6 News. All $40 million is in jeopardy unless the U.S. Department of Education agrees to honor the previous extension agreement. The MDE says the message from the U.S. Department of Education stated that they would consider requests for extensions on an individual, project-specific basis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Superintendent Dr. Michael F. Rice released the following statement in response to funding pullback: Walking back a federal commitment to pandemic relief funds to improve the air quality, healthfulness, and safety of schools coming out of the pandemic is unacceptable. Michigans children stand to lose more than $40 million. Twenty-seven districts across the state have preapproved financial obligations that met criteria set by the U.S. Department of Education for extending the districts deadlines to request reimbursement of these funds. Instead, Secretary McMahon and the Trump Administration abruptly withdrew approval. These funds were approved to be spent on projects including heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, boilers, and windows. The 27 districts entered contracts with the understanding that their preapproved projects would be reimbursed by the federal government. A change in administrations should not void previous commitments. Without the promised March 2026 date for federal reimbursement requests, districts may be forced to reduce instructional expenditures for students, diminish savings, or both to honor these contracts. The U.S. secretary of education needs to rethink her March 28 communication. U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg, chairman of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, and Michigans other members of Congress must insist that federal commitments to schools and districts that they represent be honored. State Board of Education President Dr. Pamela Pugh added the following: As a public health professional for many years, it is a particular affront to me that the U.S. Department of Education would walk back its commitment to projects that protect the health and safety of our studentsincluding for schools in communities such as Flint, Pontiac, and Benton Harbor that were hit especially hard by COVID-19. These federally funded projects are important to students and staff in our districts in Michigan and across the country. To cancel funding approval on no notice and to tell districts that they may apply for a second approval from the U.S. Department of Education to access these funds, with different criteria, has nothing to do with service to schoolchildren State Superintendent Dr. Michael F. Rice Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News. The National Association of Commercial Finance Brokers (NACFB) has welcomed Square 1 Media, a PR and marketing agency, as the latest addition to its network of partners. The NACFB said that Square 1 Media offers its community extensive industry expertise and a track record of success. Square 1 Media collaborates with various clientsincluding lenders, brokers, networks, surveyors, conveyancers, property experts, and tech firmsto enhance brand visibility and support business growth. It offers a range of services, including PR, content marketing, media training, and branding. Through this collaboration, members, supporters, and associates of NACFB will be granted access to a free PR evaluation. This service will review current marketing and communications activities, identifying opportunities for improvement and growth. Square 1 Media managing director Paul Hunt said: Partnering with the NACFB is a brilliant opportunity for Square 1 Media to bring our expertise to a wider audience across the commercial finance space. The NACFB has a fantastic reputation, and together we can help more firms tell their stories, raise their profiles and connect with the people that matter. Our team lives and breathes this industry. We know what works, and we genuinely love what we do. We are looking forward to working with members, patrons and partners to create communications that drive growth and deliver real, measurable impact. NACFB CEO Jim Higginbotham said: It is a real pleasure to welcome Square 1 Media to the NACFB. They bring not just expertise, but energy and creativity that we know our members will value. Their understanding of the commercial finance sector and hands-on approach to communications make them a perfect fit for our community. Last year, NACFB members facilitated nearly 70% of the UK's 38bn ($49.19bn) broker-led small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) lending. This data, published in the associations annual impact report, underscored the vital role brokers play in SME financing. The report also noted a shift in market dynamics, with regions such as the West Midlands and the South West gaining market share, moving away from traditional financial centres such as London and the South East. "NACFB takes on Square 1 Media as partner" was originally created and published by Leasing Life, a GlobalData owned brand. LANSING, Mich. (AP) State Sen. Mallory McMorrow, a rising star in the Democratic Party, announced her bid Wednesday for Michigan's open U.S. Senate seat, becoming the first well-known candidate to officially enter the race for what will undoubtedly be one of 2026's most competitive and expensive contests. McMorrow, 38, has distanced herself from national Democrats in a battleground state Trump won, saying a new generation of leaders is needed to block President Donald Trumps overhaul of the federal government and deliver a compelling message to win back Trump voters. I have been so frustrated seeing really a lack of a plan and a lack of a response coming from our current party leadership, the Democrat said in an interview with The Associated Press. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said voters are tired of Democrats gimmicks and was critical of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who reluctantly voted in favor of Republicans spending bill last month. Its so lacking the urgency of this moment, said McMorrow, a second-term state lawmaker who got a speaking role at last years Democratic National Convention. Democrats are desperate to hold onto the Michigan seat next year, while Republicans see an opportunity to expand their 53-47 majority in the Senate. McMorrow quickly emerged as a possible contender for Democrats after Sen. Gary Peters, a Democrat, announced in January that he would not seek reelection. U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens is also considering a run for the Democratic ticket and Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has not ruled it out either. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg recently said he was no longer exploring a bid for the Senate seat, as did Democratic U.S. Rep. Hillary Scholten. Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II, a Democrat, announced he is running for governor in 2026, as second-term Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is term-limited. On the Republican side, former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, who narrowly lost to Democrat Elissa Slotkin in the states 2024 Senate race, is expected to run again. First elected to the state legislature in 2018, McMorrow went viral in 2022 after giving a fiery floor speech criticizing a Republican lawmaker who attacked her in a campaign fundraising email over her support for LGBTQ+ rights and falsely accused her of wanting to groom children. I am a straight, white, Christian, married, suburban mom who wants every kid to feel seen, heard and supported not marginalized and targeted because they are not straight, white and Christian, McMorrow said in the speech. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawmaker, who represents a Detroit suburban area and serves in caucus leadership, has sponsored Democratic legislation on gun control and reproductive rights. ___ The Associated Press women in the workforce and state government coverage receives financial support from Pivotal Ventures. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org. The Michigan Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Heres a look at April 1, 2025, results for each game: Winning Daily 3 numbers from April 1 drawing Midday: 5-8-5 Evening: 2-7-9 Check Daily 3 payouts and previous drawings here. Winning Daily 4 numbers from April 1 drawing Midday: 3-1-7-7 Evening: 8-3-6-5 Check Daily 4 payouts and previous drawings here. Winning Lucky For Life numbers from April 1 drawing 09-20-29-36-41, Lucky Ball: 08 Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here. Winning Poker Lotto numbers from April 1 drawing QC-KC-3C-4D-10S Check Poker Lotto payouts and previous drawings here. Winning Fantasy 5 numbers from April 1 drawing 09-14-21-35-36 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 08-13-21-23-33 Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here. Winning Daily Keno numbers from April 1 drawing 02-03-06-08-12-15-19-20-21-24-32-38-47-50-54-64-66-67-68-73-76-78 Check Daily Keno payouts and previous drawings here. Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results Are you a winner? Heres how to claim your lottery prize All Michigan Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes up to $99,999.99, winners have the option to submit their claim by mail or in person at one of Michigan Lotterys Regional Offices. To claim by mail, complete a ticket receipt form, sign your winning ticket, and send it along with original copies of your government-issued photo ID and Social Security card to the address below. Ensure the names on your ID and Social Security card match exactly. Claims should be mailed to: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Michigan Lottery Attn: Claim Center 101 E. Hillsdale P.O. Box 30023 Lansing, MI 48909 For prizes over $100,000, winners must claim their prize in person at the Michigan Lottery Headquarters in Lansing located at 101 E. Hillsdale in downtown Lansing. Each winner must present original versions of a valid government-issued photo ID (typically a drivers license or state ID) and a Social Security card, ensuring that the names on both documents match exactly. To schedule an appointment, please call the Lottery Player Relations office at 844-887-6836, option 2. If you prefer to claim in person at one of the Michigan Lottery Regional Offices for prizes under $100,000, appointments are required. Until further notice, please call 1-844-917-6325 to schedule an appointment. Regional office locations are as follows: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lansing: 101 E. Hillsdale St. Lansing; Phone: 844-917-6325 Livonia: 33231 Plymouth Road, Livonia; Phone: 844-917-6325 Sterling Heights: 34700 Dequindre Road, Sterling Heights; Phone: 844-917-6325 Detroit: Cadillac Place, 3060 W. Grand Blvd., Suite L-600, Detroit; Phone: 844-917-6325 Grand Rapids: 3391-B Plainfield Ave. NE, Grand Rapids; Phone: 844-917-6325 Saginaw: Jerome T. Hart State Office Building, 411 E. Genesee Ave., Saginaw; Phone: 844-917-6325 For additional information, downloadable forms, and instructions, visit the Michigan Lottery's prize claim page. When are Michigan Lottery drawings held? Daily 3 & Daily 4: Midday at 12:59 p.m., Evening at 7:29 p.m. Fantasy 5: 7:29 p.m. daily Poker Lotto: 7:29 p.m. daily Lotto 47: 7:29 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily Daily Keno: 7:29 p.m. daily This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Michigan editor. You can send feedback using this form. Our News Automation and AI team would love to hear from you. Take this survey and share your thoughts with us. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan Lottery Daily 3, Daily 4 results for April 1, 2025 DETROIT (AP) The odor of marijuana alone isn't a sufficient reason for police to search a car without a warrant, the Michigan Supreme Court said Wednesday. In a 5-1 opinion, the court threw out gun charges against a man whose car was searched in Detroit in 2020. Michigan voters in 2018 legalized the possession and use of small amounts of marijuana by people who are at least 21 years old, though it cannot be used inside a vehicle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The smell of marijuana might just as likely indicate that the person is in possession of a legal amount of marijuana, recently used marijuana legally, or was simply in the presence of someone else who used marijuana, said Justice Megan Cavanagh, writing for the majority. The smell no longer constitutes probable cause sufficient to support a search for contraband, Cavanagh wrote. Two lower courts had reached the same conclusion. Elsewhere, the Illinois Supreme Court made a similar ruling last September. That state legalized the possession of marijuana in 2019. There are now a myriad of situations where cannabis can be used and possessed, and the smell resulting from that legal use and possession is not indicative of the commission of a criminal offense, Justice P. Scott Neville Jr. said. In the Michigan case, the lone dissenter, Justice Brian Zahra, said he favored returning it to a Detroit-area court to determine whether any other evidence supported a search of the car by police. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that Israel is establishing a new security corridor across the Gaza Strip to pressure Hamas, suggesting it would cut off the southern city of Rafah, which Israel has ordered evacuated, from the rest of the Palestinian territory. The announcement came after Netanyahus defense minister said Israel would seize large areas of Gaza and add them to its so-called security zones. A wave of Israeli airstrikes overnight into Wednesday killed more than 40 Palestinians, nearly half of them women and children, according to Palestinian health officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One strike killed at least 17 people in a United Nations building, previously a clinic, that had been converted into a shelter for more than 700 displaced people. Israel said it struck Hamas militants in a "command and control center." Israel has vowed to escalate the nearly 18-month war with Hamas until the militant group returns dozens of remaining hostages, disarms and leaves the territory. Israel ended a ceasefire in March and has cut off all food, fuel and humanitarian aid to Gaza a tactic that rights groups say is a war crime. ___ Here's the latest: Israel says it struck military sites in Syria Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Syrian state news agency SANA said Israeli airstrikes targeted an abandoned scientific research center in the Barzeh area outside the capital Damascus late Wednesday. SANA said another strike hit near the city of Hama. No information on casualties was reported. An Israeli military statement said these were the latest in a series of strikes aimed at destroying Syrian military capabilities left over after President Bashar Assad was overthrown by Islamist insurgents late last year. Israel has also seized a buffer zone inside Syria, with Israeli officials saying they will thwart any threats. Critics say Israel is trying to weaken and divide Syria as the new leaders attempt to consolidate control after years of civil war. UN chief condemns Israel killing over 1,000 people in Gaza since the ceasefire collapsed Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is deeply alarmed at the rising death toll from large-scale Israeli bombardments and ground operations, and called for an immediate restoration, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Wednesday. The ceasefire collapsed on March 18. In response to reports that Israel plans to seize more land in Gaza, Dujarric said the secretary-general issued a reminder that a U.N. Security Council resolution adopted last year rejects any attempt at demographic or territorial change in the Gaza Strip, including any actions that reduce the territory of Gaza. Guterres is also increasingly concerned at inflammatory rhetoric calling for the Israeli military to capture and add extensive territory from Gaza to Israels security areas, Dujarric said. Israel says it intercepts rockets fired from Gaza Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two rockets were intercepted after crossing into Israeli territory from the northern Gaza Strip, setting off air raid sirens Wednesday evening, the Israeli military said. There were no immediate reports of casualties. Since Israel broke the ceasefire last month, a handful of rockets have been fired from Gaza as well as long-range missiles from Yemen. Although Palestinian militants were once firing volleys of rockets each day out of Gaza, that dwindled to nearly zero over the course of the nearly 18-month war. Top UN aid coordinator in Gaza says the war is defying decency Jonathan Whittall, the U.N. aid coordination agencys top official for Gaza, painted a disturbing image of the death and destruction taking place in Gaza since the recent ceasefire deal broke down, saying Israel is now waging a war without limits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whittall briefed reporters Wednesday that 64% of Gaza is inaccessible to Palestinians. Nowhere and no one is safe in Gaza, he said. My colleagues tell me that they just want to die with their families. Their worst fear is to die alone. Whittall said that humanitarian aid workers are not magicians and there are no longer humanitarian solutions to the problems in Gaza. The crisis needs political action. And I believe that this needs to start with accountability, he added. Aid will not and cannot compensate for the political failures that weve seen in Gaza. UN says Gaza is the worlds most dangerous place for humanitarian workers Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats after more than 408 humanitarian aid workers have been killed in Gaza during Israels war against Hamas, according to U.N. deputy humanitarian chief Joyce Msuya. She spoke Wednesday at the U.N. Security Council alongside U.N. security chief Gilles Michaud, with Msuya asking the council for answers, justice and an end to the killings. Michaud lamented that, Impunity for attacks on humanitarian personnel has become the new normal. A pervasive normal. An accepted normal. Both officials cited what they said were two recent Israeli attacks a strike on a clearly marked U.N. building on March 19 that killed one U.N. staff member and injured six others, and an attack March 23 on ambulances and other marked vehicles that killed a U.N. staff member and eight Palestinian Red Crescent and six civil defense staff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Netanyahu says Israel is establishing a new security corridor across Gaza Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described it as the Morag corridor, using the name of a Jewish settlement that once stood between Rafah and Khan Younis. That suggests the military-controlled corridor would run between the two cities in southern Gaza. We are increasing the pressure step by step, so that they will give us our hostages. And the more they do not give, the more the pressure will increase until they do, Netanyahu said in a statement issued Wednesday. Last month, the Israeli military retook control of the Netzarim corridor, which bisects northern Gaza from the south. Israeli forces had withdrawn from the corridor as part of the ceasefire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Netanyahu takes witness stand again in his trial for alleged corruption Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu testified again on Wednesday in his ongoing trial for alleged corruption. Netanyahu is the first sitting Israeli leader to take the stand as a criminal defendant. He denies wrongdoing, saying the charges are a witch hunt orchestrated by a hostile media and a biased legal system out to topple his lengthy rule. Israeli authorities are also conducting separate investigations into whether the Gulf state of Qatar which has close ties with Hamas hired Netanyahu advisers to launch an influence campaign in Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The corruption trial testimony is another low point for Israels longest-serving leader, who also faces an international arrest warrant for alleged war crimes in Gaza. Netanyahu is expected to travel to Hungary later Wednesday for a meeting with the country's prime minister, Viktor Orban, despite the international arrest warrant. An Israeli strike on a UN building sheltering Palestinian families kills 15, Gaza hospital says Juliette Touma, a spokeswoman for the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, said the building was previously a medical clinic but had been converted into a shelter with more 700 displaced people from 160 families living there. Officials at the Indonesian Hospital said the Israeli strike killed 15 people, including nine children and two women, at the building for the U.N. agency known as UNRWA in the Jabaliya refugee camp in northern Gaza. The Palestinian Civil Defense rescue agency said the attack hit two rooms in the building, and that Civil Defense teams evacuated the bodies of seven dead and 12 wounded. The Israeli military said it struck Hamas members in the area, adding that they were hiding inside a command and control center that was being used for coordinating armed activity and served as a central meeting point for the Palestinian group. Despite UNRWA staff warning people about the dangers of remaining at the facility after Wednesdays strike, many displaced families havent left simply because they have absolutely nowhere else to go, Touma said, adding that no UNRWA staff were killed or wounded in the strike. Israeli hostages' lives are in danger from intensified Gaza fighting, say their families The Hostage Families Forum, which represents most captives families, said that it was horrified to wake up this morning to the Defense Ministers announcement about expanding military operations in Gaza. The group said the Israeli government has an obligation to free all 59 hostages from Hamas captivity to pursue every possible channel to advance a deal for their release. They stressed that every passing day puts their loved ones lives at greater risk. Their lives hang in the balance as more and more disturbing details continue to emerge about the horrific conditions theyre being held in chained, abused, and in desperate need of medical attention, said the forum, which called on the Trump administration and other mediators to continue pressuring Hamas to release the hostages. Our highest priority must be an immediate deal to bring ALL hostages back home the living for rehabilitation and those killed for proper burial and end this war, the group said. Germany rejects Israel's suggestion it was part of voluntary departure of Palestinians from Gaza Germany has rejected Israels suggestion that it took part in the voluntary departure of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to third countries. The Israeli Interior Ministry said hundreds of Gaza residents, accompanied by German diplomats, were flown from southern Israel to the German city of Leipzig on Tuesday. It said Interior Minister Moshe Arbel visited Israels Ramon Airport with the aim of examining the process of voluntary departure of Gazans to a third country. This is wrong, the German Foreign Office said on the social platform X in response to a post that summarized the Israeli statement. In a statement, the German Foreign Office said it had worked with Israeli authorities to assist 19 German citizens and their close family members in traveling from Gaza to Germany, describing it as a routine wartime evacuation. Since the beginning of the war in Gaza, the German government has repeatedly and intensively advocated for the departure and safety of German citizens, it said. Israel has vowed to carry out President Donald Trumps proposal to resettle large numbers of Palestinians from Gaza in other countries, referring to it as voluntary emigration. Palestinians have universally rejected the plan, describing it as forced expulsion from their homeland. Human rights experts say implementing the plan would likely violate international law, and the proposal drew widespread international opposition when Trump announced it in February. Israeli airstrikes on Khan Younis kill 17 people, hospital officials say Israeli airstrikes on the southern city of Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip have killed 17 people, hospital officials say. The bodies of 12 people killed in an overnight airstrike were brought to Nasser Hospital, officials said Wednesday, and the victims included five women, one of them pregnant, and two children. Three men from the same family were killed, as were the owners of the house that was bombed, officials said. Gaza European Hospital received the bodies of five people who were killed in two separate airstrikes, officials there said. Israels operations in Gaza expand to seize large areas Israels military operation in the Gaza Strip is expanding to seize large areas, the defense minister said Wednesday. Israels offensive in the Palestinian territory was expanding to crush and clean the area of terrorists and terrorist infrastructure and seizing large areas that will be added to the security zones of the State of Israel, Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a written statement. The Israeli government has long maintained a buffer zone just inside Gaza along its security fence and has greatly expanded since the war against Hamas began in 2023. Katz called on Gaza residents to expel Hamas and return all hostages. The militant group still holds 59 captives, of whom 24 are believed to still be alive, after most of the rest were released in ceasefire agreements or other deals. United Nations calls Israeli claim that Gaza has food for a long time ridiculous U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the United Nations is at the tail end of our supplies, forcing the U.N. World Food Program to close all 25 of its bakeries in Gaza because of a lack of flour and cooking fuel. WFP doesnt close its bakeries for fun, Dujarric said. He said the food situation remains very critical since Israel closed all crossings into Gaza a month ago, cutting off all humanitarian deliveries. COGAT, the Israeli military body in charge of civilian affairs in the Palestinian territories, said Tuesday that nearly 450,000 tons of aid entered Gaza during the ceasefire. COGAT claimed at least some of the aid from the U.N. and its humanitarian partners was being diverted to Hamas. Responding to that, Dujarric said, The U.N. has kept a chain of custody, and a very good chain of custody, on all the aid. Suspected US airstrikes in Yemen kill at least 4 people Suspected U.S. airstrikes battered rebel-controlled areas of Yemen into Wednesday, with the Houthis saying one strike killed at least four people near the Red Sea port city of Hodeida. The intense campaign of airstrikes under President Donald Trump, targeting the rebels over their attacks on shipping in Mideast waters stemming from the Israel-Hamas war, has killed at least 65 people, according to casualty figures released by the Houthis. The campaign appears to show no signs of stopping as the Trump administration again linked their airstrikes on the Iranian-backed Houthis to an effort to pressure Iran over its rapidly advancing nuclear program. While so far giving no specifics about the campaign and its targets, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt put the overall number of strikes on Tuesday at over 200. Apr. 1A Middletown man could serve more than two dozen years in prison for posting Snapchat sex videos in which a toddler was shown. Daveion Wright, 32, of North Verity Parkway, was indicted by a federal grand jury in late March 2024 for sexually exploiting the child, and now faces a sentence that could be 25 to 30 years in prison. Sexually exploiting a minor is a federal crime punishable by 15 to 30 years in prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wright was indicted last year on five counts of sexual exploitation of children, according to court documents. The U.S. Attorney's Office said Wright, who engaged in sexual activity with an adult female, sexually exploited a 2-year-old victim who was seen in the video he shared on the social media platform. This case also involved Tiffany Morningstar, 23, who was locally indicted in early March 2024 by a Butler County grand jury on seven counts of complicity to pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor and two counts of child endangering following a Middletown police investigation. Wright was also indicted by the same grand jury on seven counts of pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor and one count of felony child endangering prior to his indictment on five federal felony counts. Morningstar was sentenced in October in Butler County Common Pleas Court to a term of 14 to 17.5 years, and when she's released, is required to register as a Tier II sex offender with the county sheriff of her residence for 25 years. Wright will be sentenced at a future court hearing. MIDLAND, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- A Midland bookkeeper is facing felony charges after investigators say she embezzled over $1.3 million from multiple businesses over the course of several years. According to an arrest affidavit, 49-year-old Kandance Michelle Brem, also known as Kandi Brem, has been charged with misapplication of fiduciary property involving more than $300,000, a first-degree felony. MCSO Records Reports showed that detectives began investigating Brem in September 2024 after receiving a theft report from a local business owner. The victim, who owns two companies, alleged that Brem had stolen over $400,000 while serving as the bookkeeper for both businesses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brem is the owner of Brem Bookkeeping LLC, which had been providing payroll and accounting services for the complainants businesses since approximately 2010. The affidavit stated that no irregularities were noticed until early 2022, when the victim began to suspect financial discrepancies. The business owner told police she discovered that payroll taxes, which were supposed to be sent to the Internal Revenue Service, were being deposited into a bank account linked to Brem. The victim said she was locked out of the companys QuickBooks account by Brem but was able to obtain copies of falsified bank statements beforehand. Also: I confess, Im a really bad person: Midland woman admits to $430K fraud scheme Detectives subpoenaed financial records from two banks, American Momentum Bank and Regions Bank, where Brem allegedly maintained both personal and business accounts. The documents revealed a pattern of misappropriated payroll funds, often disguised under transactions labeled Internal Revenue Service PR Tax. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Between January 2022 and October 2024, investigators tracked $215,219.74 in misappropriated funds from one of the victims companies and $212,687.61 from the othera combined loss of $427,907.35. However, further investigation revealed that multiple other businesses had also fallen victim to a nearly identical scheme. In total, the affidavit states that Brem allegedly embezzled approximately $1,383,975.93 from several businesses in the Midland area. According to the arrest affidavit, this wasnt the first time Brem has faced accusations of theft. Detectives also uncovered a previous report from another local business claiming Brem similarly stole over $200,000. Though the case was initially closed due to staffing changes at the department, the business successfully sued Brem in civil court and won restitution. During the course of the investigation, authorities executed a search warrant at Brems business location, recovering computers, documents, and additional evidence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brems bookkeeping services were typically billed at a flat rateapproximately $500 per month, per company. Investigators say the payroll deposits discovered in her accounts were inconsistent with that rate, indicating intentional misappropriation of client funds. On March 3, detectives issued an arrest warrant and took Brem into custody on March 21. She now faces a felony charge of misapplication of fiduciary or financial property greater than $300,000, and has been booked into the Midland County Detention Center with a $500,000 bond. Detectives have contacted all known affected businesses and continue to investigate whether additional victims may be involved. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Yourbasin. Qabil Ashirov In line with President Ilham Aliyevs directives, the Great Return to the liberated territories continues. According to Azernews, families who had been temporarily settled in dormitories, sanatoriums, and administrative buildings across Azerbaijan have now been relocated to the newly rebuilt Saricali village in the Aghdam district. As part of this phase, 28 familiestotaling 110 peoplehave moved back to their homeland. Expressing their gratitude, the returning residents thanked President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva for the comprehensive support they received. They also extended their appreciation to the brave Azerbaijani Army, honoring the soldiers and officers who fought for the liberation of their lands. The residents paid tribute to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in this cause. Currently, nearly 40,000 people live in Garabagh and Eastern Zangezur, including former displaced families, project workers contributing to the region's reconstruction, and employees of various state institutions. The area has also seen the revival of healthcare, education, culture, tourism, industry, and energy sectors. (Reuters) - Norges Bank Investment Management will vote against a resolution for mining major Rio Tinto to review its two listings in London and Sydney, the website for Norway's sovereign wealth fund showed. Rio Tinto shareholders are set to vote on the resolution, brought by London-based hedge fund Palliser Capital and more than 100 other shareholders, at the world's largest iron ore miner's annual general meeting on Thursday. Norges Bank, the world's largest sovereign wealth fund, is the seventh biggest shareholder in London-listed Rio Tinto Plc, with a 2.51% stake, according to data compiled by LSEG. In February, Rio Tinto recommended its shareholders to vote against the resolution. "A dual-listed companies (DLC) structure unification is not required to provide the group with strategic flexibility," the company said in March, after conducting a comprehensive review of the structure. (Reporting by Aaditya Govind Rao in Bengaluru; Editing by Alan Barona) BRADENTON, Fla. (WFLA) The Florida Department of Law Enforcement said Wednesday one of two Bradenton teens at the center of a Missing Child Alert was found safe. However, her companion, 14-year-old Surianneilys Perez-Sanchez, was still missing. Very disturbing: Canadians flee Florida, worrying business owners April 2 marked almost a week since the FDLE issued an alert for Perez-Sanchez, who was last seen in the area of Martin Luther King Avenue in Bradenton. Surianneilys Perez-Sanchez (Credit: FDLE) Authorities said she was believed to be traveling to Texas with another 14-year-old girl. The FDLE did not state where the other 14-year-old was found, but investigators suspect that Perez-Sanchez could be in the Pensacola area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She primarily speaks Spanish, and due to the ongoing investigation, is considered to be endangered, according to officials. Perez-Sanchez is about 5 feet, 3 inches tall, weighs 70 pounds and has red hair and brown eyes. She also has piercings in her nose, tongue and abdomen. Anyone who has any information on her whereabouts is asked to contact the Bradenton Police Department at 941-932-9301 or 911. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. 16-year-old Port Richey boy found safe PORT RICHEY, Fla. (WFLA) A Missing Child Alert has been canceled after a 16-year-old boy who was last seen in the Port Richey area, has been found. Jamal Broomfield was wearing a black shirt and black gym shorts when he was last spotted on Tortuga Bay Boulevard in Port Richey, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Florida couple arrested after baby arrives at hospital in extremely critical condition: deputies Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials said he may be traveling in a 2014 Ford Fusion with the Florida tag number 44BXMZ. The vehicle has front end damage. Broomfield is 5 feet, 9 inches tall, weighs around 130 pounds and has black hair and black eyes. Authorities said anyone who spots Broomfield should not approach him but instead contact law enforcement immediately. Anyone with information on Broomfields whereabouts is asked to contact the Port Richey Police Department at 727-816-1919 or 911. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY (KSNT) A local sheriffs office reports a missing older man was found dead Wednesday morning. The Pottawatomie County Sheriffs Office reported on social media that Charles Frank, 87, was found dead in the early morning hours on April 2. Frank was declared missing after last being seen around 10 p.m. on April 1 near his home in rural Westmoreland. The sheriffs office reports that no foul play is suspected in connection with Franks death. No other information is expected to be released in connection to this incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tariffs hit Lawrence bridal shop as dress prices rise For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. A St. Louis Democratic state senator is pleased that one of his bills passed from the Senate to the House with bipartisan support. The measure relates to revitalizing rundown, dilapidated buildings on main streets across the state. Sen. Steven Roberts Senate Bill 35 creates the Revitalizing Missouri Downtowns and Main Streets Act. The bill authorizes tax credits to be used for the renovation and rehab of blighted property. The measure, which has already been fast-tracked to a Missouri House committee hearing, would allow such tax credits up to $50 million a year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an interview with Nexstar Missouri, Roberts pointed to two building in downtown St. Louis as prime candidates for this kind of tax credit. He said both the historic Railway Exchange Building as well as the skyscraper that used to house AT&T are sitting vacant. Roberts said both of the buildings have great potential, including a plan to renovate the AT&T building into a mixed-use property with residential units as well as ground retail and business space. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News You could see like retail stores and a grocery store, Roberts said of proposals he has seen for the 44-story building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roberts said the vacant skyscraper, which is the largest building by area in Missouri, soars over the heart of downtown St. Louiss main street, and it would qualify for the credits. He said there are already plans proposed to make that building occupied once again. We need support from the state to be able to get this moving, Roberts said. So, Im really excited about (the bill moving forward). While the bill saw bipartisan support, several Republican senators still voted against it. Still, Roberts optimism seemed unphased. For me to have a bipartisan piece of legislation like that and to get it moving so quickly, Im very excited, said Roberts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Democrat, an attorney with the militarys Judge Advocate General, said his conversations with leadership and even Gov. Mike Kehoe offered glimpses of hope that his bill could finally make it to the finish line and onto Kehoes desk. I think this is the first governor weve had from the Saint Louis area, Roberts said. Hes been fantastic to work with. We dont agree on everything, as you can imagine, but hes a statesman, he said. I respect him and look forward to working with him. Former Missouri Governor Jay Nixon was from Jefferson County, Eric Greitens graduated from the Parkway School District but moved around the state and country and Mike Parson hailed from Boliver. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before that, a search of previous governors yielded no results in terms of St. Louis being their hometown. Gov. Matt Blunt is from Springfield, Gov. Bob Holden is from the Kansas City area and the late Gov. Mel Carnahan is beloved in his hometown of Rolla. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. Susan Klein, executive director of Missouri Right to Life, hosts a rally in the Missouri State Capitol rotunda last week (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent). The newest reworking of a proposed constitutional amendment seeking to undermine abortion rights in Missouri has managed to draw the ire of the states largest anti-abortion group. The version of the Republican-backed amendment approved by a House committee Monday, if passed out of the legislature and approved by voters, would outlaw abortion with limited exceptions for medical emergencies and survivors of rape and incest prior to 12 weeks gestation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The latest version, approved by a different House committee Tuesday, proposed adding a new section to the constitution seeking to put stricter parameters on the abortion-right amendment also known as Amendment 3 approved by voters in November. The bills sponsor, Republican state Rep. Melanie Stinnett of Springfield, said Mondays version wasnt one she necessarily approved. Stinnett said the latest version is again her own, based on feedback she received earlier in the session. Its really just addressing the things that I really feel like are in line with the peoples expectations of what they were voting on in Amendment 3, she said. Susan Klein with Missouri Right to Life in testifying against the legislation said while Mondays version sought to repeal and replace Amendment 3, the new version fails to do so. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Missouri Right to Life in a statement Wednesday called the revised amendment an extreme gamble, raising doubts about whether it would actually limit the number of abortions provided under the law. Stinnetts latest legislation would ask voters if they want to add language into the constitution that does the following: Require any minors seeking reproductive health care first obtain parental consent. Define reproductive health care as anything related to womens potential or actual pregnancy, including prenatal care, contraception, miscarriage, childbirth and abortion. Clarify that women have the right to file medical malpractice challenges. Specify that no private or public funding can be required to go toward reproductive health care. Require that any legal challenges to the state law around reproductive health care be heard in Cole County. Establish there is compelling government interest in reproductive health care. The issue of compelling government interest in reproductive health care has been raised on several occasions as a court case challenging the states abortion regulations continues to play out in Jackson County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amendment 3 states that the right to reproductive freedom shall not be denied, interfered with, delayed, or otherwise restricted unless the government demonstrates that such action is justified by a compelling governmental interest achieved by the least restrictive means. Referencing the language in Amendment 3, Jackson County Judge Jerri Zhang blocked a number of abortion regulations, including a 72-hour waiting period for an abortion and a mandate that physicians performing abortions have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals, citing a failure by the state to demonstrate compelling governmental interest. Stinnett, when asked about this language Tuesday, said it was necessary. Our government in many ways has an interest in health, safety and welfare, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Missouri Right to Life also said the proposed amendment failed to challenge the abortion-rights amendments non-discrimination clause. The judge in Jackson County used this provision to invalidate all of Missouris health and safety regulations, according to the groups statement Wednesday. And she, or another court, will do it again with Amendment 3 still in the Missouri Constitution. House Minority Leader Ashley Aune, a Democrat from Kansas City, asked if a married 16-year-old would need to seek her parents permission to obtain birth control under this amendment. The sad reality is that too many young people dont have that support, she said, voicing concerns that the amendment is focused broadly on reproductive health care, including contraceptive access for minors. I think we open it up to a lot of young folks falling through the cracks, especially the most victimized and marginalized. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She also highlighted the language around federal funding, pointing out that the federal government just this week froze Title X family planning funds earmarked for a number of states, including Missouri. Providers say this could cause thousands of low-income Missourians to lose access to care for family planning services, including contraceptives. While Stinnett indicated she didnt approve of Mondays version of the bill, she did continue to include its requirement that any legal challenges to the state law around reproductive health care be heard in Cole County. The Missouri Attorney Generals Office has been fighting unsuccessfully to move the Jackson County lawsuit to Cole County where last year, a judge attempted to remove the abortion-rights amendment from the ballot. Stinnett said at Tuesdays hearing that the Cole County language was included to address concerns around judicial load so that such cases could be brought forward quickly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just this week, another lawsuit by Planned Parenthood against the state was filed somewhere other than Cole County. The new lawsuit filed Tuesday in the St. Louis Circuit Court challenges Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, saying he unlawfully blocked access to medication abortion by issuing a cease-and-desist order to Planned Parenthood when the clinics were not prescribing the medication. The order violates due process by lacking any factual basis and failing to meet Missouris legal standards for government actions, Planned Parenthood Great Rivers said in a statement Monday. Stinnetts legislation is scheduled to go before the House rules committee Thursday morning. If approved there, it will go to the full House for debate. She said she anticipates more amendments will be offered on the House floor. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Novuna Vehicle Solutions, a broker-funder in the UK, has teamed up with Codeweavers to develop and launch QuotePro, a platform targeting the vehicle finance process. The platform, which replaces the previous system, offers a system for generating finance quotes, submitting proposals for underwriting, tracking and managing proposals, and providing enhanced security with biometric identity verification. QuotePro is designed to improve the customer journey by making car buying quicker and more efficient while also simplifying internal processes at Novuna. The platform allows users to handle multiple workstreams in one place, streamlining operations for brokers and dealers alike. The QuotePro platform officially launched on 27 January 2025 and saw immediate success, with over 1,000 external users logging in on day one and more than 600 proposals generated within the first 48 hours. Chris Swallow, National Sales Manager - Associates at Novuna Vehicle Solutions, said: "Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with brokers and dealers praising the systems intuitive design, speed, and efficiency." The new platform further strengthens Novunas relationship with Cox Automotive, with whom they have collaborated for years across key brands like Dealer Auction and Manheim. Shaun Harris, Commercial Director for Retail at Cox Automotive, highlighted the success of the project: The success of this project is a result of excellent collaboration between the Novuna and Codeweavers teams. By quickly establishing a strong working relationship, we were able to remain reactive and evolve the system quickly following regular interactions with Novuna. The result is an intuitive, user-friendly platform that simplifies access to finance solutions and enhances the overall customer experience. "Novuna Vehicle Solutions launches QuotePro platform" was originally created and published by Motor Finance Online, a GlobalData owned brand. JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. More than 200 activists took to the halls of Jefferson City Tuesday to protest several gun-related bills that are moving through the Missouri Legislature. Representatives from Missouri Moms Demand Action joined gun violence survivors and parents of school shooting, as well as the group Missouri Students Demand Action for a day of lobbying regarding gun safety and the prevention of gun violence. Close Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News An advocate told FOX 2 that she came to the Capitol with a single focus: protecting children. Guns are the leading killer of kids in the United States, said Emily Schiltz, a mother of two survivors from a 2022 school shooting at a school in St. Louis. Were all in this together, and there are a lot of ways to keep kids safer. Schiltz said the most common sense change that should have already happened is making it harder for children and teens to access firearms. Schiltzs children attended the campus of Central Visual and Performing Arts Academy during the 2022 shooting that killed two and injured several more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The shooter was a former student and seemed undeterred by school safety practices in place at the time. Schiltz, who is also a teacher, said there has been a pattern of wrong solutions when it comes to school safety. One of the things I want parents and grandparents and aunts and uncles to understand is that intruder drills are really horrible for kids, Schiltz said. Theyre terrifying. Were giving kids a bonus trauma when theyre not even in a school shooting. Specifically, the group of Missourians in Jefferson City Tuesday say they object to dangerous legislation that they believe will lead to an increase in gun violence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The groups have continued to rail against House Bill 1175, a measure that creates the Second Amendment Preservation Act. The proposal passed out of the House last week and now awaits action in the Senate. PHOTOS: Severe storm impacts St. Louis area, beyond In a press release, the group says the new public safety measure that was signed into law by Gov. Mike Kehoe is one of several proposals that they see as dangerous. The others on their radar include: Senate Bill 77Allows for guns in places of worship and on public transit Senate Bill 142Relates to federal gun laws that wouldnt be enforced by local police Senate Bill 363Expands Missouris Shoot First law, which would allow gun owners to use their weapons as a first line in self-defense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One thing stressed by Schiltz is that this isnt about taking anyones guns away. Its one thing to want to be able to bear arms for yourself and your personal safety, but not that many people think a six-year-old should have easy access to a gun, Schiltz said of responsible gun storage. Reducing access for minors, reducing accessibility of guns, improving access and use of gun locks. There are a lot of simple measures that a lot of us agree upon that can keep kids safe. Members of the Missouri Moms Demand Action spoke to members of both parties, with several attendees saying they felt both Republicans and Democrats are united around keeping children safe. There are a lot of simple measures that a lot of us agree upon that can keep kids safe, Schiltz added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) A mistrial was declared Tuesday after jurors failed to agree on a verdict in the case of a woman who said an armed passenger threatened to kill her and ordered her to flee from police in a stolen pickup. The jury hung 8-4 not guilty on felony counts of recklessly evading a peace officer, vehicle theft and possession of a stolen vehicle, and a misdemeanor charge of hit and run resulting in property damage, according to a release from the Kern County Public Defenders Office. Cassie Short faced more than 10 years in prison if convicted, the release said. A retrial is scheduled next month, court records show. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The release gave a summary of the incident leading to her arrest. On the night of Dec. 7, deputies responded to a report of a stolen pickup near South Owens Street and South Virginia Avenue. They found the truck and Short briefly stopped. Deputies ordered her and a male passenger out of the vehicle. Short leaned out the drivers side window showing her face to deputies then hit the gas and sped away. She ran a stop sign and lost control while trying to turn onto Villa Street, hitting a parked minivan. Short was taken into custody; the passenger got away. At trial, Deputy Public Defender Kelsey Stout argued Short acted under the immediate threat of death, according to the release. He presented evidence the passenger held a gun to her and threatened to kill her if she stopped for deputies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cassie wasnt running from the law, she was running from a man with a gun to her ribs, Stout said in the release. The jury saw the fear and the truth in her story, and were grateful that the majority recognized she was a victim, not a criminal. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17 News. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) A dozen teenagers have been arrested for allegedly throwing a house party at an empty East Nashville home for sale. On February 28, an East Nashville homeowner told News 2 dozens of teenagers were inside a newly-built home on Riverside Drive throwing a party without his knowledge or consent. ORIGINAL STORY: It was just a mess in here: Teens accused of throwing party in empty East Nashville house, leaving homeowner to clean up Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was just a mess in here, homeowner Kyle Grasser previously told News 2. You put a lot of work into making something like this happen and you just feel helpless against that kind of crowd. Detectives with the Metro Nashville Police Department announced the arrests of four 17-year-olds, five 16-year-olds and three 15-year-olds in connection with the event. The MNPD said the homeowner recorded video of several teens, which was used to identify those arrested. Videos were also posted to social media by partygoers. CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime-related reports from across Middle Tennessee Overall, damages which included light fixtures ripped from the ceiling and damage to the walls led to a repair estimate of about $16,000. The teens face charges of felony vandalism and aggravated criminal trespassing. The MNPD added that at least one more arrest is expected in connection with this case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. CHISINAU (Reuters) - Moldova's prime minister said on Wednesday that Russian agents spent around 200 million euros ($217 million)- nearly 1% of the small pro-European country's GDP - on efforts to buy votes at its presidential election and EU referendum last year. The comments came on the same day Britain sanctioned Evrazia, a pro-Russian non-governmental organisation, saying it was responsible for attempting to rig the referendum in Moldova and destabilise its democracy. Moldova has repeatedly accused Moscow of meddling in its affairs to keep the former Soviet country in its orbit and stymie its bid to join the European Union by 2030. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moscow has denied the allegations and criticises the government in Chisinau. "The Kremlin's agents launched a mass vote-buying campaign, spending about 200 million euros - almost 1% of Moldova's GDP - in order to destabilise our country," the official, Dorin Recean, told a briefing in Chisinau. Moldovan law enforcement authorities have said the efforts to bribe voters were led by pro-Russian fugitive oligarch Ilan Shor and his supporters. Shor denies any wrongdoing. Britain's foreign office said the sanctioned Evrazia network was operated by Shor. Moldova is scheduled to hold a parliamentary election this autumn that will be a test of the popularity of the pro-EU government's course. ($1 = 0.9215 euros) (Reporting by Alexander Tanas; writing by Yuliia Dysa; editing by Alexandra Hudson) A mother and her three children were detained last month in an immigration operation in northern New York state near the U.S.-Canada border, according to an immigrant advocacy group. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said the operation was "just plain cruel" and called on the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency to return the family to the state. The operation and outcry from officials come as the Trump administration carries out its controversial immigration crackdown throughout the country. Federal agents carried out the New York operation last Thursday at a dairy farm in the town of Hounsfield, according to CBS affiliate WWNY-TV. The Department of Homeland Security told the news station ICE and other federal law enforcement agencies had started conducting operations in parts of New York to enforce immigration law on March 24. WWNY-TV reported eight people were detained at the farm, according to officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An immigrant advocacy group, the New York Immigration Coalition, said the mother and her children were detained in the operation and sent to a detention facility in Texas. The group didn't identify the mother or her children, but its leader said their case had been working its way through the U.S. immigration system. "We are supposed to live in a nation of laws, but while this family was correctly navigating the immigration system and attending their immigration court hearings, they were instead taken by ICE agents and sent thousands of miles away from their home and community," Murad Awawdeh, the coalition's president and CEO, said in a statement Sunday. ICE didn't immediately respond to CBS News' request for comment on the operation. While Hochul said that she supports working with the federal government to deport violent criminals who pose a threat, she called for the family to be returned to New York. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul speaks during a news conference on congestion pricing in New York City on March 21, 2025. / Credit: Yuki Iwamura/Bloomberg via Getty Images "I cannot think of any public safety justification for ICE agents to rip an innocent family, including a child in the third grade, from their Sackets Harbor home," the governor said in a statement Tuesday. "That is not the immigration enforcement promised to the American people. It's just plain cruel. I want this family returned to New York State and believe ICE needs to immediately answer for these actions." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hochul's statement followed outcry from local officials who also want the family back. "These kids are, they're classmates, they're good friends, they are wonderful students, and they are part of the fabric of our school community," Jennifer Gaffney, superintendent of the Sackets Harbor Central School District, told WWNY-TV in an interview broadcast Monday, "and they need to be returned to their classrooms." Inside the booming, bourbon-driven barrel business | 60 Minutes Supreme Court pauses order mandating return of Maryland man deported to El Salvador Greenlanders respond to Trump: "It will never be for sale" Del. Robbyn Lewis (D-Baltimore City) discusses amendments for House Bill 503. (Photo by Danielle J. Brown/Maryland Matters) The House voted 104-15 Tuesday for what started as Gov. Wes Moores (D) priority housing legislation but which was so heavily amended that not even the original name remains. What began as the governors Housing for Jobs Act will now head to the Senate as the Housing Development Act with nearly every component of the bill that tied housing development to job growth stricken. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The heavily amended House Bill 503 now prompts the Department of Housing and Community Development to set 10-year housing targets for the state, its counties and every municipality, and report on their progress annually. It allows our entire state to work together to make sure that each jurisdiction has a role in showing how to produce the housing that our people need, said Del. Robbyn Lewis (D-Baltimore City) during debate on the House floor. Our state is 96,000 housing units short. Were not serving the needs of our constituents. This bill allows us to do that. Most of the changes adopted by the House were first introduced in the House Environment and Transport Committee last week. When introduced in January, the governors bill was framed as an expansion on his housing package from last year. The original version aimed to expedite housing development by requiring counties to automatically approve most qualifying project requests in areas where the state determined there was an imbalance between housing and jobs. The bill did not get its first hearing until March, but representatives from the counties and others quickly expressed significant concerns, particularly over the bills language that would have forced counties to approve housing in some situations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the amended bill approved Tuesday, each jurisdiction would have a hand in creating those targets and would consider estimates for future employment and housing demand along with population growth and other considerations. The bill also creates so-called vesting rights so that a housing developer with an approved project proposal would retain the right to develop the property for at least five years, or a period granted by the local jurisdiction or the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, whichever is longer. The legislation creates a new Housing Opportunities Made Equitable Commission the HOME Commission a group of various stakeholders that would study the housing crisis in the state and make recommendations to lawmakers to address the issue. During a floor session Tuesday morning, Del. Christopher T. Adams (R-Lower Shore) secured one amendment to add a residential real estate owner to the commission, which was seen as a friendly amendment and accepted into the bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other Republican amendments were not as lucky. Del. Kathy Szeliga (R-Baltimore County), noting that quite a bit of the bill was stricken in the reprint, offered an amendment to opt Baltimore County out of the provisions of the legislation. She said the county is more proactive in setting future housing plans than what the bill would require. We are, in Baltimore County, setting these targets and these goals on a local level through our county council that does a great job of doing this every four years, Szeliga said. I dont think that the state setting housing goals should be preemptive over the local county. My county councilman does an amazing job, as do all seven of them. I prefer to leave this in the hands of our local government and not have the state override that. Lewis argued that the bill does not attempt to override any local planning efforts but calls on the counties to work with state housing officials to set local targets that would help boost housing supply in their unique areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These targets are non-binding, and the process for having each jurisdiction work with the department actually sets up a really strong and regulatory consistency standard, Lewis said. So that, across our state, were all working together to make sure that each jurisdiction builds and produces the amount of housing it uniquely needs on a timeline, supported and encouraged by the Department and the HOME commission. This is not a preemption bill, she said. We, the committee, understood very well the concerns about that. Szeligas amendment failed on party lines, as did another proposed by Del. Matthew Morgan (R-St. Marys) that would have restricted local jurisdictions from approving new housing projects in areas where schools are overcrowded. Despite the hefty changes, the Moore administration has previously expressed support for the new direction of the legislation, saying it still moves the needle toward the governors goal of boosting housing supply in the state. Senators will need to take a look at what is essentially a brand new bill than the Senate version they last considered in early March. With just days left in session, senators will need to work quickly to pass the legislation out of committee and before the full chamber before Sine Die on Monday. The NIOSH Coal Worker's Health Surveillance Program offers periodic black lung screenings at no cost to coal miners in the U.S. On Tuesday, it was announced that more than 200 people at NIOSH would be losing their jobs because of DOGE cuts. (NIOSH | Courtesy photo) Approximately 200 federal jobs are being eliminated at the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health facility in Morgantown, an official of a union representing workers there said Tuesday. Hundreds of the facilitys lab animals are expected to be euthanized. Cathy Tinney-Zara, president of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 3040, said shed received word that all 185 bargaining unit employees will be part of a reduction in force. In addition, management officials at the office have been put on administrative leave and will be part of the reduction in force, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She estimates that altogether, 210 staff positions have been eliminated. Its devastating. People will die, Tinney-Zara said of the effects of the cuts. Officials at the facility were told the cuts were because the services there were not needed or were duplicative, she said. There is no one else in the government that does occupational safety and health, she said. Theres no one else in the U.S. Were the only group, NIOSH, that does occupational safety and health. We do the research to make everyones job safer. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Disease Control, which oversees NIOSH, will decrease its workforce by 2,400, in accordance with President Donald Trumps Department of Government Efficiency Workforce Optimization Initiative. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Overall, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will reduce staffing from 82,000 to 62,000 and consolidate 28 divisions into 15. Staffing cuts are expected to save $1.8 billion per year. The changes will improve Americans experience with the agency by making it more responsive and efficient, while ensuring that Medicare, Medicaid, and other essential health services remain intact, the organization said in a statement. Over time, bureaucracies like HHS become wasteful and inefficient even when most of their staff are dedicated and competent civil servants, Secretary Robert F. Kennedy said in the statement. This overhaul will be a win-win for taxpayers and for those that HHS serves. Thats the entire American public, because our goal is to Make America Healthy Again. The Morgantown facility had 674 mice and 37 rats for use in studies that will likely be destroyed, Tinney-Zara said. Law requires the facility to have a veterinarian when working with the animals. The veterinarian was let go, she said. Some of the studies have been going on for decades, but are being ended. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All of our animals, it appears, will have to be euthanized, Tinney-Zara said. And to make matters worse, there was a shipment of animals that came in today that the CDC DOGE person approved the purchase of these animals. They just came into the facility. Theyre going to have to be euthanized. Tinney-Zara spoke with West Virginia Watch Tuesday afternoon as she cleaned out her office of more than 30 years. She said she received notice around 5 a.m. Tuesday that she was being fired and that shed lose access to the facility by midnight. Everyones running around here with tears in their eyes and yeah, its just been an insane day, she said. An original notice last week listed administrative roles that were to be affected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then, all of a sudden it was our whole entire facility, she said. Tinney-Zara said the Morgantown cuts will have a far-reaching effect on the economy in the city and the rest of the state. Lets see, take approximately 210 people that many of them have Ph.D.s and are scientists, and have years of experience and new researchers coming on board and take them out of the market, take all of their tax dollars, and it will have a drastic economic impact, she said. And that can be both local and statewide. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The Texas Department of Public Safety, working with federal agencies on a joint investigation into a Venezuelan gang, arrested more than 40 people and seized drugs after serving a search warrant on an undisclosed Hays County residence, the state agency and the FBI announced Wednesday. A DPS and FBI news release said the warrant was executed after FBI agents developed intelligence earlier this week about a gathering of individuals tied to Tren de Aragua, a gang that started in Venezuelan prisons and has become a target of state and federal officials. DPS did not elaborate on how the dozens of detained people may be linked to the gang. [What you need to know about the Venezuelan gang that Texas is targeting] Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Donald Trumps administration has targeted the criminal organization as part of its broader vow to deport millions of immigrants. But relatives of Venezuelans who have been detained and deported elsewhere in the country say they are not gang members. It was not clear what potential crimes authorities believe the individuals had committed to be taken into custody. State and federal prosecutors plan to review evidence obtained during the execution of the search warrant to determine potential criminal charges, according to DPS and the FBI. DPS, the FBI, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Hays County Sheriffs Office, which participated in the operation, did not immediately return requests for comment Wednesday. It was not immediately clear where the dozens of people taken into custody are being held. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The San Antonio Police Department helped with an investigation leading up to the operation, but not with the execution of the search warrant, a department spokesperson said, declining to comment further because it is part of a larger ongoing case. The DPS release said several local, state and local law enforcement agencies have been investigating members and associates of the gang for more than a year. This is a developing story. Tickets are on sale now for the 15th annual Texas Tribune Festival, Texas breakout ideas and politics event happening Nov. 1315 in downtown Austin. Get tickets before May 1 and save big! TribFest 2025 is presented by JPMorganChase. HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) More than 40 people, who law enforcement officials believe may be affiliated or connected with the Venezuelan transnational gang, Tren de Aragua (TdA), were taken into custody near a Hays County home Tuesday. The FBI said it recently discovered information about a possible gathering of suspected TdA members or TdA associates in Hays County, according to a press release from the FBI San Antonio Division. On Tuesday morning, the Texas Department of Public Safetys Special Response Team carried out a search warrant at a Hays County residence, resulting in narcotics being seized and more than 40 people, including minors, being taken into custody, the FBI said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The press release said potential charges would be based on the continuing investigation and evidence found during the search warrant. The FBI said this incident is part of a years-long investigation into TdA by federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, including the FBI and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Texas leaders develop new database to stop threats from Venezuelan gang members Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra said the Hays County Sheriffs Office assisted in the search, but the FBI solely handled the investigation preceding it. I will be reaching out to the federal agencies that were present in Hays County to gather more information, so I can provide our concerned residents with a clearer and more transparent explanation of the situation, he said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In September, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott designated TdA as a terrorist organization and launched a statewide operation to target the gang. The recent entry and expansion of the vicious Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua, is a dangerous and deadly problem facing our state and nation, Abbott said at the September press conference. Our goal is to defend Texas from the growing threat of the gang. We will not let them use Texas as a base of operations to terrorize our citizens. They have a target on their back, and we are going after them. Texas is the wrong state for them to try to do business in, he continued. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. Workers fill food orders at a restaurant in San Rafael, Calif. Republicans looking to cut federal spending on Medicaid are eyeing work requirements as one possible option. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) Under an emerging Republican plan to require some Medicaid recipients to work, between 4.6 million and 5.2 million adults ages 19 to 55 could lose their health care coverage, according to a new analysis. The study, conducted by Urban Institute researchers with support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, calculated that up to 39% of the 13.3 million adults in that age group who became eligible for Medicaid when their states expanded the program under the Affordable Care Act would lose coverage if Congress required states to impose work rules. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report suggests that most of those people would lose coverage not because they arent complying with the rules, but because they would struggle to report their compliance to the state. Most adults who would lose eligibility for federal Medicaid funding are working, engaged in work-related activities, or could qualify for exemptions not readily identifiable through state databases but could still face disenrollment because of the reporting requirements, it states. The study identified several barriers to reporting, including lack of broadband access and lack of transportation. Forty states plus the District of Columbia have expanded Medicaid under the ACA. Overall, nearly 72 million people, about a fifth of Americans, are enrolled in the program for low-income people, which is funded jointly by the federal government and the states. Traditional Medicaid insurance was mainly available to children and their caregivers, people with disabilities and pregnant women. But the ACA, commonly known as Obamacare, allowed states to extend coverage to adults making up to 138% of the federal poverty level about $21,000 a year for a single person. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nationwide, more than 21 million people with low incomes have health insurance because of expanded Medicaid eligibility. U.S. House Republicans in February pushed through a budget plan, now under consideration in the Senate, that would require about $880 billion in cuts to Medicaid over the next decade to help cover the cost of $4.5 trillion in tax cuts. The budget doesnt contain specifics on how that target would be met. But work requirements are a likely money-saving option: A 2023 analysis from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office found that imposing work rules on Medicaid recipients ages 19 to 55 who are not parents or caregivers would cut federal spending by an estimated $109 billion over the next 10 years. The Congressional Budget Office based that projection on a plan the GOP-controlled U.S. House approved in 2023. That bill, the likely blueprint for the work requirements Republicans are considering now, would have required adults ages 19-55 to work, participate in a job training program or perform community service for at least 80 hours per month for three or more months in a calendar year. Parents and caretakers of dependent children, and those unable to work because of a health condition, would have been exempt. Many Republican-led states are eager to impose work requirements on able-bodied Medicaid recipients. Thirteen states received permission to impose work rules on at least some Medicaid enrollees during the first Trump administration. Nine additional states requested permission to enact Medicaid work requirements during Trumps earlier term but had not won approval by the time it ended. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the Biden administration came into office, it rescinded all the approvals. Supporters say requiring Medicaid recipients to work, study or train for a career gives them a boost toward self-sufficiency and financial stability. Critics, however, say such rules end up hurting far more people than they help. The researchers from the Urban Institute mostly based their analysis on the experience of Arkansas, which in June 2018 became the first state to require some Medicaid recipients to work, volunteer, go to school or participate in job training to receive benefits. By the time a federal judge halted the policy in April 2019, 18,000 adults had lost coverage. The researchers also looked at New Hampshire, which began implementing a work requirement but halted the program in July 2019 before suspending anyones coverage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What was found in a lot of qualitative research on the previous work requirement programs is that a lot of people were unaware of the policy, or they didnt understand the policy, said Michael Karpman, an Urban Institute researcher who co-authored the study. People who need coverage the most would do the most to try to maintain it. On the other hand, those people could also face the most difficulty with the administrative barriers, Karpman said. In a 2020 study examining how Arkansas last experience with work requirements played out, researchers from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found no evidence that the policy succeeded in its stated goal of promoting work and instead found substantial evidence of harm to health care coverage and access. Arkansas Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced in January that she would ask the federal government for permission to institute work requirements, regardless of what Congress decides. The state submitted the request last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Especially for a rural state like Arkansas, work requirements fail to take into account a lot of the realities that people may face. Christin Harper, policy director for Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families Arkansas Republican state Rep. Aaron Pilkington, who serves on the health committee in his chamber, said lawmakers learned our lesson from the last go-round. Pilkington said that under the new proposal, the state will only pause coverage instead of canceling it, giving recipients an opportunity to prove they are complying. And, he said, the online portal for reporting will be a lot more user-friendly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think its a reasonable thing to ask for able-bodied people to look for work, or try to obtain work, Pilkington said. But Christin Harper, policy director for Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, said even the new version would be a challenge for many enrollees. Many people on Medicaid are juggling multiple jobs, and having to report to the state every month would be a significant burden. Especially for a rural state like Arkansas, work requirements fail to take into account a lot of the realities that people may face, Harper said. She added that with the overall job market, job opportunities may or may not be available in some of these rural towns. Stateline reporter Shalina Chatlani can be reached at schatlani@stateline.org. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Workers fill food orders at a restaurant in San Rafael, Calif. Republicans looking to cut federal spending on Medicaid are eyeing work requirements as one possible option. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) Under an emerging Republican plan to require some Medicaid recipients to work, between 4.6 million and 5.2 million adults ages 19 to 55 could lose their health care coverage, according to a new analysis. The study, conducted by Urban Institute researchers with support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, calculated that up to 39% of the 13.3 million adults in that age group who became eligible for Medicaid when their states expanded the program under the Affordable Care Act would lose coverage if Congress required states to impose work rules. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report suggests that most of those people would lose coverage not because they arent complying with the rules, but because they would struggle to report their compliance to the state. Most adults who would lose eligibility for federal Medicaid funding are working, engaged in work-related activities, or could qualify for exemptions not readily identifiable through state databases but could still face disenrollment because of the reporting requirements, it states. The study identified several barriers to reporting, including lack of broadband access and lack of transportation. Forty states plus the District of Columbia have expanded Medicaid under the ACA. Overall, nearly 72 million people, about a fifth of Americans, are enrolled in the program for low-income people, which is funded jointly by the federal government and the states. Traditional Medicaid insurance was mainly available to children and their caregivers, people with disabilities and pregnant women. But the ACA, commonly known as Obamacare, allowed states to extend coverage to adults making up to 138% of the federal poverty level about $21,000 a year for a single person. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nationwide, more than 21 million people with low incomes have health insurance because of expanded Medicaid eligibility. U.S. House Republicans in February pushed through a budget plan, now under consideration in the Senate, that would require about $880 billion in cuts to Medicaid over the next decade to help cover the cost of $4.5 trillion in tax cuts. The budget doesnt contain specifics on how that target would be met. But work requirements are a likely money-saving option: A 2023 analysis from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office found that imposing work rules on Medicaid recipients ages 19 to 55 who are not parents or caregivers would cut federal spending by an estimated $109 billion over the next 10 years. The Congressional Budget Office based that projection on a plan the GOP-controlled U.S. House approved in 2023. That bill, the likely blueprint for the work requirements Republicans are considering now, would have required adults ages 19-55 to work, participate in a job training program or perform community service for at least 80 hours per month for three or more months in a calendar year. Parents and caretakers of dependent children, and those unable to work because of a health condition, would have been exempt. Many Republican-led states are eager to impose work requirements on able-bodied Medicaid recipients. Thirteen states received permission to impose work rules on at least some Medicaid enrollees during the first Trump administration. Nine additional states requested permission to enact Medicaid work requirements during Trumps earlier term but had not won approval by the time it ended. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the Biden administration came into office, it rescinded all the approvals. Supporters say requiring Medicaid recipients to work, study or train for a career gives them a boost toward self-sufficiency and financial stability. Critics, however, say such rules end up hurting far more people than they help. The researchers from the Urban Institute mostly based their analysis on the experience of Arkansas, which in June 2018 became the first state to require some Medicaid recipients to work, volunteer, go to school or participate in job training to receive benefits. By the time a federal judge halted the policy in April 2019, 18,000 adults had lost coverage. The researchers also looked at New Hampshire, which began implementing a work requirement but halted the program in July 2019 before suspending anyones coverage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What was found in a lot of qualitative research on the previous work requirement programs is that a lot of people were unaware of the policy, or they didnt understand the policy, said Michael Karpman, an Urban Institute researcher who co-authored the study. People who need coverage the most would do the most to try to maintain it. On the other hand, those people could also face the most difficulty with the administrative barriers, Karpman said. In a 2020 study examining how Arkansas last experience with work requirements played out, researchers from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found no evidence that the policy succeeded in its stated goal of promoting work and instead found substantial evidence of harm to health care coverage and access. Arkansas Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced in January that she would ask the federal government for permission to institute work requirements, regardless of what Congress decides. The state submitted the request last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Especially for a rural state like Arkansas, work requirements fail to take into account a lot of the realities that people may face. Christin Harper, policy director for Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families Arkansas Republican state Rep. Aaron Pilkington, who serves on the health committee in his chamber, said lawmakers learned our lesson from the last go-round. Pilkington said that under the new proposal, the state will only pause coverage instead of canceling it, giving recipients an opportunity to prove they are complying. And, he said, the online portal for reporting will be a lot more user-friendly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think its a reasonable thing to ask for able-bodied people to look for work, or try to obtain work, Pilkington said. But Christin Harper, policy director for Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, said even the new version would be a challenge for many enrollees. Many people on Medicaid are juggling multiple jobs, and having to report to the state every month would be a significant burden. Especially for a rural state like Arkansas, work requirements fail to take into account a lot of the realities that people may face, Harper said. She added that with the overall job market, job opportunities may or may not be available in some of these rural towns. Stateline reporter Shalina Chatlani can be reached at schatlani@stateline.org. Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org. Workers fill food orders at a restaurant in San Rafael, Calif. Republicans looking to cut federal spending on Medicaid are eyeing work requirements as one possible option. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) Under an emerging Republican plan to require some Medicaid recipients to work, between 4.6 million and 5.2 million adults ages 19 to 55 could lose their health care coverage, according to a new analysis. The study, conducted by Urban Institute researchers with support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, calculated that up to 39% of the 13.3 million adults in that age group who became eligible for Medicaid when their states expanded the program under the Affordable Care Act would lose coverage if Congress required states to impose work rules. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report suggests that most of those people would lose coverage not because they arent complying with the rules, but because they would struggle to report their compliance to the state. Most adults who would lose eligibility for federal Medicaid funding are working, engaged in work-related activities, or could qualify for exemptions not readily identifiable through state databases but could still face disenrollment because of the reporting requirements, it states. The study identified several barriers to reporting, including lack of broadband access and lack of transportation. Forty states plus the District of Columbia have expanded Medicaid under the ACA. In 2018, 61% of Idahoans voted in favor of a ballot initiative to expand Medicaid in Idaho. Overall, nearly 72 million people, about a fifth of Americans, are enrolled in the program for low-income people, which is funded jointly by the federal government and the states. Traditional Medicaid insurance was mainly available to children and their caregivers, people with disabilities and pregnant women. But the ACA, commonly known as Obamacare, allowed states to extend coverage to adults making up to 138% of the federal poverty level about $21,000 a year for a single person. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nationwide, more than 21 million people with low incomes have health insurance because of expanded Medicaid eligibility. U.S. House Republicans push budget plan requiring Medicaid cuts to cover GOP-supported tax cuts U.S. House Republicans in February pushed through a budget plan, now under consideration in the Senate, that would require about $880 billion in cuts to Medicaid over the next decade to help cover the cost of $4.5 trillion in tax cuts. The budget doesnt contain specifics on how that target would be met. But work requirements are a likely money-saving option: A 2023 analysis from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office found that imposing work rules on Medicaid recipients ages 19 to 55 who are not parents or caregivers would cut federal spending by an estimated $109 billion over the next 10 years. The Congressional Budget Office based that projection on a plan the GOP-controlled U.S. House approved in 2023. That bill, the likely blueprint for the work requirements Republicans are considering now, would have required adults ages 19-55 to work, participate in a job training program or perform community service for at least 80 hours per month for three or more months in a calendar year. Parents and caretakers of dependent children, and those unable to work because of a health condition, would have been exempt. Many Republican-led states are eager to impose work requirements on able-bodied Medicaid recipients. Thirteen states received permission to impose work rules on at least some Medicaid enrollees during the first Trump administration. Nine additional states, including Idaho, requested permission to enact Medicaid work requirements during Trumps earlier term but had not won approval by the time it ended. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the Biden administration came into office, it rescinded all the approvals. Supporters say requiring Medicaid recipients to work, study or train for a career gives them a boost toward self-sufficiency and financial stability. Critics, however, say such rules end up hurting far more people than they help. The researchers from the Urban Institute mostly based their analysis on the experience of Arkansas, which in June 2018 became the first state to require some Medicaid recipients to work, volunteer, go to school or participate in job training to receive benefits. By the time a federal judge halted the policy in April 2019, 18,000 adults had lost coverage. The researchers also looked at New Hampshire, which began implementing a work requirement but halted the program in July 2019 before suspending anyones coverage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What was found in a lot of qualitative research on the previous work requirement programs is that a lot of people were unaware of the policy, or they didnt understand the policy, said Michael Karpman, an Urban Institute researcher who co-authored the study. People who need coverage the most would do the most to try to maintain it. On the other hand, those people could also face the most difficulty with the administrative barriers, Karpman said. How did work requirements for Medicaid work out for Arkansas? In a 2020 study examining how Arkansas last experience with work requirements played out, researchers from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found no evidence that the policy succeeded in its stated goal of promoting work and instead found substantial evidence of harm to health care coverage and access. Arkansas Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced in January that she would ask the federal government for permission to institute work requirements, regardless of what Congress decides. The state submitted the request last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Especially for a rural state like Arkansas, work requirements fail to take into account a lot of the realities that people may face. Christin Harper, policy director for Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families Arkansas Republican state Rep. Aaron Pilkington, who serves on the health committee in his chamber, said lawmakers learned our lesson from the last go-round. Pilkington said that under the new proposal, the state will only pause coverage instead of canceling it, giving recipients an opportunity to prove they are complying. And, he said, the online portal for reporting will be a lot more user-friendly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think its a reasonable thing to ask for able-bodied people to look for work, or try to obtain work, Pilkington said. But Christin Harper, policy director for Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, said even the new version would be a challenge for many enrollees. Many people on Medicaid are juggling multiple jobs, and having to report to the state every month would be a significant burden. Especially for a rural state like Arkansas, work requirements fail to take into account a lot of the realities that people may face, Harper said. She added that with the overall job market, job opportunities may or may not be available in some of these rural towns. Stateline reporter Shalina Chatlani can be reached at schatlani@stateline.org. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX AUSTIN (KXAN)As legislators discuss changes to private and public education in Texas during the 89th Legislative Session, theres a growing challenge for many Central Texas districts financially struggling. A number of districts have already cut programs that some students and families depend on. Now, theres a continued forced shift, further impacting the community. Del Valle ISD ends free dual-language Pre-K for some students Parents in the Dell Valle Independent School District recently found out the dual language pre-K program will now be tuition-based for some. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a change Brittany Clays family wasnt expecting, as their youngest daughter, Navy, is set to begin pre-K in the fall. We found out, maybe, like one business day before registration opened, Clay said. Dell Valle ISD had offered the program free for families in 2021, due to federal pandemic relief funding the district got through the city of Austin and Travis County. Clays daughter, Norah, was one of the students who benefited and was able to thrive. Now their family will have to adjust their budget for Navy to be able to experience the program as her sister Norah did. Its going to be, ultimately, I think, around close to $7,000, Clay said. Education today looks so different [now] and ultimately, the districts can only do so much. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even when Dell Valle ISD received federal pandemic relief funding the district still needed to cover some costs for the program. And now, facing a $13 million budget deficit, the district said its just not feasible to do that for all students anymore. Importantly, families who meet state qualifications will continue to receive pre-K at no cost, Dell Valle ISD said. Costs to operate a free pre-K program for non-qualifying students exceed $1 million per year and offering free pre-K for non-qualifying students is not sustainable. Austin ISD to consolidate campuses Analysis by KXAN investigators last year found, most school districts in Central Texas have budget deficits. Austin ISD just announced it plans in the works to close some of its campuses to save money, per the recommendation of an efficiency audit. The district said it is facing a $110 million deficit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At what cost?: Many Central Texas districts make cuts as they face million-dollar deficits AISD hasnt figured out which schools it will consolidate yet but said under enrollment will likely be a factor. The district said it will have community input meetings to help it figure out which schools it will consolidate, which it said would happen as early as the 2026-2027 school year. No public school state funding since 2019 Unfortunately, because we havent seen increased state funding since 2019 were in this spot, Nguyen said. We are hopeful that we can see some funding coming out of this session. Its something districts are anxious about, and leaders wait to see what will happen. Meanwhile, the impact of financial woes continue trickling down to families and students. Its just it feels like theres a little more uncertainty, Clay said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. More cities and counties across the U.S. are moving to ban fluoride in public drinking water after Utah became the first state in the country to do so. The Miami-Dade County commissioners voted 8-2 on Tuesday to stop adding fluoride to the public water supply. Commissioner Roberto Gonzalez, who sponsored the legislation, referred to fluoride as a "neurotoxin" and that studies show it "should not be in the water." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Too much toothpaste may hurt your child's smile Florida surgeon general Dr. Joseph Ladapo has previously recommended removing fluoride from public water supplies, citing potential harms, according to local ABC News affiliate WPLG. In a statement last year, Ladapo claimed that "more research is necessary to address safety and efficacy concerns regarding community water fluoridation." Opponents, including Mayor Daniella Levine-Cava, argue fluoride is safe and essential for dental health. "Miami-Dade County has been adding fluoride to the water for 60 years. It has been constantly verified, scientifically and medically, that it is safe. We know that it provides protection for dental care and prevents cavities. We use a very, very low level, well within the guidelines," she said before the meeting, according to WPLG. PHOTO: A person fills a glass of water from a tap. (Grace Cary/Getty Images) The measure also calls for the mayor "to create and implement a countywide public service campaign focused on dental hygiene and alternate sources of fluoride available in dental health products." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The county has 30 days to halt fluoride use. It's unclear whether or not the mayor will veto the legislation. Local reports indicate that a town in Virginia has also voted unanimously to bar adding fluoride to its town water supply. Meanwhile, an Ohio state representative has also proposed a bill prohibiting adding fluoride to public water systems. Fluoride is a mineral that naturally occurs in water sources such as lakes and rivers, and is even naturally present in some foods and beverages, according to the American Dental Association (ADA). It is added to some dental products, such as toothpaste, to help prevent cavities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: As RFK Jr. prepares for Senate confirmation hearings, here's where he stands on vaccines, food dyes High-quality studies show fluoride prevents cavities and repairs damage to teeth caused by bacteria in the mouth. Fluoride makes tooth enamel stronger and rebuilds weakened tooth enamel, the ADA says. Fluoride also replaces minerals lost from teeth due to acid breakdown, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, influential skeptics, such as Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., have long raised doubts about the benefits of fluoride. In an interview with NPR in November 2024, Kennedy doubled down on his promise of persuading local governments to remove fluoride from their water supplies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He has claimed that fluoride in drinking water affects children's neurological development and that other countries that have removed fluoride from their water supplies have not seen an increase in cavities. A large review paper published in January 2025 suggested a link between fluoride and lower IQ in children, but much of the underlying data was pulled from other countries, where fluoride exposure is far higher than levels used in drinking water in the U.S. MORE: Portland Set to Vote on Fluoride in Water Some health professionals have also expressed concerns about excessive fluoride intake and potential toxicity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many doctors and dental associations, however, argue that fluoride in water is still a crucial, low-risk/high-reward public health tool, especially for children and adults who may not be able to practice regular dental hygiene. The association calls community water fluoridation "the single most effective public health measure to prevent tooth decay." "Studies prove water fluoridation continues to be effective in reducing dental decay by at least 25% in children and adults, even in the era of widespread availability of fluoride from other sources, such as fluoride toothpaste," the ADA states on its website. "So, by simply drinking fluoridated water, you are doing something good for your oral health." ABC News' Sony Salzman and Jason Volack contributed to this report. More cities, counties start to remove fluoride from public drinking water originally appeared on abcnews.go.com By Nicole Jao NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil prices edged lower on Tuesday as traders braced for reciprocal tariffs that U.S. President Donald Trump is due to announce on Wednesday, which could intensify a global trade war. However, Trump's threats to impose secondary tariffs on Russian oil and to attack Iran fueled supply worries, limiting losses. Brent futures settled down 28 cents, or 0.37%, at $74.49 a barrel. The session high was above $75 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures fell 28 cents, or 0.39%, to $71.20. On Monday, the contracts settled at five-week highs. The White House provided no details about the size and scope of tariffs that it confirmed Trump will impose on Wednesday. "The market is getting a little jittery with less than 24 hours to go," said Bob Yawger, director of energy futures at Mizuho. "We may lose some Mexican, Venezuela and Canadian supplies, but there is definitely a chance that demand destruction could outpace those barrels," he added. A Reuters poll of 49 economists and analysts in March projected that oil prices would remain under pressure this year from U.S. tariffs and economic slowdowns in India and China, while OPEC+ increases supply. Slower global growth would dent fuel demand, which might offset any reduction in supply due to Trump's threats. "While stricter sanctions on Iran, Venezuela and Russia could constrain global supply, the U.S. tariffs are likely to dampen global energy demand and slow economic growth, which in turn will affect oil demand further out on the curve," SEB analyst Ole Hvalbye said. "As a result, betting on a clear direction for the market has been and remains challenging." Trump on Sunday said he would impose secondary tariffs of 25% to 50% on Russian oil buyers if Moscow tried to block efforts to end the war in Ukraine. Tariffs on buyers of oil from Russia, the world's second largest oil exporter, would disrupt global supply and hurt Moscow's biggest customers, China and India. Trump threatened Iran with similar tariffs and also with bombings if Tehran did not reach an agreement with the White House over its nuclear program. Prices found some support after Russia ordered Kazakhstan's main oil export terminal to close two of its three moorings amid a standoff between Kazakhstan and OPEC+ - the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, plus allies led by Russia - over excess production. Kazakhstan will have to start cutting oil output as a result, two industry sources told Reuters. Another source said repair work at the Caspian Pipeline Consortium terminal will take more than a month. Some 22% of Ukrainians recruited by Russian intelligence services to prepare sabotage acts or terrorist attacks in the country are minors, Artem Dekhtiarenko, the spokesperson of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), said on April 2. The SBU regularly reports detentions of suspected Russian agents, exposing and preventing terrorist acts prepared by Russian security services against military and civilian targets. For their tasks, Russian intelligence services tend to recruit unemployed people, as well as people with criminal records or various types of addictions, according to the SBU's data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "According to our statistics, 22% of the detected criminals are minors, 55% are unemployed, and 7% of the perpetrators have previously been convicted of various crimes," Dekhtiarenko said. "These people are more easily swayed by psychological manipulations because young people are not able to assess the consequences of their actions fully, and addicts need money at any cost," he added. The youngest executors of Russian orders, whom the SBU exposed for setting fire to Ukrainian Railways' (Ukrzaliznytsia) railroad switchboards, were 13-year-old teenagers. The oldest was a 52-year-old man who tried to place explosives in the Dnipro River, according to Dekhtiarenko. Vasyl Bohdan, head of the Juvenile Prevention Department of Ukraine's National Police, said that the police are currently seeing a decrease in the number of cases of child recruitment compared to last year, while the number of reports of attempts to recruit children has increased. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Citing teenagers who have been recruited, the police identified several reasons why minors agree to such cooperation: material gain, psychological manipulation techniques based on a sense of adventure, romanticization of crime, and blackmail. "Having some sensitive information about the child, either personal or related to simple tasks already completed, the handler can blackmail them into disclosing it," Bohdan said. Read also: Attacks on Ukraines draft officers on the rise, fueled by social tension and Russian interference Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. One of MSNBCs Morning Joe hosts is delighting in the fact that the Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate backed by Elon Musks lost - even after the tech mogul dumped millions into the race. Wisconsin voters elected liberal justice Susan Crawford to the states Supreme Court on Tuesday, beating Brad Schimel by more than 200,000 votes in the most expensive judicial election in U.S. history. The vote keeps the high courts 4-3 liberal majority intact. Musk repeatedly played up the stakes of the election, claiming it will direct the destiny of humanity and the future of the world is at stake. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, Morning Joe host Joe Scarborough is reveling in the massive loss Musk suffered. Morning Joe hosts Mika Brzezinski and Joe Scarborough discuss the Wisconsin Supreme Court election results (MSNBC) "Didn't Elon Musk say just a couple of days ago that western civilization would rise or fall with this election if Democrats didn't lose? Scarborough asked. "Okay, I mean it's hard to understate what a massive victory this was for him and what a massive loss it was for Elon Musk, " he added. "I mean, Elon Musk put himself front and center and I think it's safe to say after last night in Wisconsin, the heat shield has melted; it did not hold together coming back into earth's atmosphere. Musk and groups affiliated with him spent about $20 million on the race. The Tesla chief also gave a speech in Green Bay, Wisconsin on Sunday, handing out $1 million each to two people in the crowd who will be spokesmen for his petition against activist judges. Democrat-backed judge Susan Crawford was elected to Wisconsins Supreme Court, despite Elon Musk pouring tens of millions into a Republican-backed Brad Schimel. (REUTERS) Just think: Wisconsin media-wise, it's a small state. He spent tens of millions of his own dollars handing out million dollar checks, Scarborough said. I mean, they went all in on this race and lost big, double digits, lost by ten points in a race that was decided by less than one point in November." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk argued this was a very important race while campaigning with Schimel over the weekend. This is a very important race for many reasons, Musk said. The most consequential is that [it] will decide how congressional districts are drawn in Wisconsin, which if the other candidate wins, instead of Justice Schimel, then the Democrats will attempt to redraw the districts and cause Wisconsin to lose two Republican seats. In my opinion, thats the most important thing, which is a big deal given that the congressional majority is so razor-thin, he added. It could cause the House to switch to Democrat if that redrawing takes place. Reacting to Schimels loss on Tuesday night, Musk wrote on X: The long con of the left is corruption of the judiciary. PLAIN CITY, Ohio (WCMH) Nearly two years after an infant girl was found dead in the back of a Madison County garbage truck, one person has been formally charged. According to the Madison County Prosecutors Office, a grand jury returned a single-count indictment against the mother of the baby for gross abuse of a corpse, a fifth-degree felony. The suspect, Anuradha Manukonda, was charged on March 13, 22 months after the infant was found. The Plain City Division of Police initially responded to the 100 block of Bluestem Lane after receiving a call from a refuse company on reports of a human body found in the rear hopper, or collection point, of a refuse truck. The Pleasant Valley Joint Fire District pronounced the baby, with the umbilical cord still attached, dead at 2:33 p.m. on June 15, 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One dead after semi-truck collides with SUV on I-71, north of Downtown, Columbus Authorities tied Manukonda to the babys death after she was identified, interviewed and subject to a DNA test, which confirmed her as the babys mother. She is accused of putting the infants body in an exterior trash can, which was later collected by the refuse company. She is not believed to live or work within Plain City or in Madison County. I know a lot of people think that this case should have been kind of an easy one, because one day a woman, a lady is pregnant, and then the next day shes not. So what happened to the child? Plain City police chief Dale McKee said. This case was very difficult to prove because theres no witnesses. Through our investigation, there is no evidence [the relatives in the home Manukonda was staying] had any knowledge of this. And I believe them. The Madison County Medical Examiners Office did not immediately release a cause of death. The prosecutions office said that the delay in the discovery of the body and the injuries caused by the garbage truck compacter made it impossible to determine the time or cause of death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This isnt like CSI on TV where its solved in 30 minutes, McKee said. I mean, this was a hard case to solve. There is no evidence support charges related to homicide, however, and at an arraignment hearing on Wednesday, Manukonda pleaded not guilty. Plain City police confirmed she was 24 at the time of the infants death. I just want them to know that they have to have trust in their law enforcement agency to know that were going to do everything possible to solve every crime, just not this, but every crime and to give us time, McKee said. This case has been exhausting. Its been worked on every single day since that incident happened. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Residents of Plain City held a funeral for the baby, who was named Madison by the community, which included hundreds of cars following the funeral procession to Forest Grove Cemetery. A gravestone was donated by Longstreth Memorials. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. A Salt Lake City Police Department cruiser is pictured on Monday, May 13, 2024. (Kyle Dunphey/Utah News Dispatch) After her wrongful death lawsuit against the Salt Lake City Police Department was dismissed last week, Shauna Mayne, the mother of a woman killed by her ex-husband in 2022, says she will appeal to the Utah Supreme Court. There, she hopes her lawsuit will spur a change in Utah law that currently gives governments immunity in wrongful death lawsuits a change her attorney says could result in police departments giving officers better resources and training. Domestic violence resources Help for people in abusive relationships is available in Utah: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This was the expected, in fact, desired result, said Judson Burton, Maynes attorney. Mayne sued the department in March 2024, about two years after her daughter, Amanda Mandy Mayne, was shot by Taylor Martin, her ex-husband. In the lawsuit, attorneys argue officers should have done more to intervene when Martin showed up at Mandy Maynes workplace and made threats, just two days before the murder. However, Utah law prevents lawsuits against a governmental entity for wrongful death, if that death was caused in part by an assault or battery. Now that the case has been dismissed, Burton said hell file an appeal with the Utah Supreme Court, with the goal of stripping the government of its immunity in these cases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With no immunity, Burton said police departments would be forced to implement changes in how they respond to domestic violence. Potential liability brings about a change in behavior, Burton said. Wed hope that it brings about a change at a systemic level that the police officers out there pounding the pavement, doing the hard work of trying to keep people safe, are given the resources and the training they need to properly evaluate the lethality potential every time theyre responding to a case of domestic violence. Martin had a lengthy rap sheet, and had made repeated threats to Mandy Mayne and her family after he returned from a one-year stint in jail, including a text to Shauna Mayne that read your daughter will be killed, according to court documents. Those threats were investigated by Taylorsville police. In August 2022, just two days before the murder, Martin showed up to Mandy Maynes workplace and threatened her new boyfriend. As police escorted him off the property, he told officers Im not going back to jail. You guys are going to kill me before you get me into those gates, according to court documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then on Aug. 17, 2022, between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m., Martin shot Mandy Mayne 14 times as she arrived at a bus stop in Taylorsville, headed to work. He then walked down the street and fatally shot himself. In the original complaint, attorneys representing the Mayne family alleged that Martins behavior in the days leading up to the murder warranted more action from Salt Lake City police officers. The complaint also argues that officers missed multiple red flags that suggested Martin posed a danger to Mayne and her family. And, Maynes attorneys say, police failed to properly investigate witness statements, communication from Martin, and to arrange, facilitate and provide Mayne with services available to victims of violence. The Salt Lake City Police Department declined to comment on the lawsuit, instead pointing to previous court filings. In a motion to dismiss the case, filed in August, attorneys for the department say the Utah Governmental Immunity Act shields governments from wrongful death lawsuits. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Citing that law, Utahs 3rd District Court Judge Laura Scott dismissed the case on March 26. Once the courts final judgement is filed, Burton will file a notice of appeal the Utah Supreme Court could decide to hear the case, or it might first defer to the Utah Court of Appeals. Either way, the dismissal was expected. I understand this is a step forward for our case and am grateful to know that Mandy is one step closer to getting her day in court, Shauna Mayne said in a statement. I believe we have a chance to make a real difference in how police approach domestic violence cases. Victims of domestic violence deserve to have their safety taken seriously. If the case is successful, it would be the second time Maynes murder was the catalyst for a change in state law, and the way law enforcement officers interact with victims of intimate partner violence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The murder highlighted the gaps in how police respond to instances of intimate partner violence, and the lack of coordination between agencies. Mayne was the cousin of Utah Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson, who in the months that followed the murder, advocated for legislation that required law enforcement around the state to implement a lethality assessment protocol, which identifies the most serious cases of intimate partner violence. Nicknamed Mandys Law, the bill passed in 2023 and has been credited for a dramatic increase in victim referrals to domestic violence shelters and service providers around the state. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Rafael Leyva was only 8 years old when his mother was stabbed with a knife and died in the young boy's lap. Soon after that, his brother and sister were sent to live with their uncle in California, while Rafael or Rafa as his siblings call him remained the ward of an orphanage in Mexico. Now, in a tale of rising tensions over immigration at the U.S.-Mexico border, Rafa's uncle is waging an uphill battle to reunite the boy with his older brother and sister at the uncle's home in Santa Ana. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The problem is that although his siblings were born in the U.S., Rafa was not. "It wasn't my choice [to be separated,]" Rafa told The Times through an interpreter. "I didn't want to separate. My siblings and I lived together forever, and they could cross the border but not me." Read more: Kern County immigration raid offers glimpse into new reality for California farmworkers It's been almost two years since Melanie Leyva, now 13, and her brother Eddy Leyva, 15, last saw Rafa in person. While Melanie and Eddy live with their uncle, Jesus Leyva, 11-year-old Rafa resides in an orphanage in Baja California about 10 miles northwest of Ensenada. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rafa's mental and physical state have declined so much that he has begun growing strands of gray hair. Jesus Leyva said in an interview that the children grew up in a world marked by violence and witnessed their father physically abusing their mother. On the morning of Sept. 28, 2022, at their home in Mexico's Michoacan state, the parents got into what seemed like just another argument, according to the children and a police report from authorities. But when the fight turned violent, the mother told her kids to quickly put on their shoes; she had had enough and was finally going to leave their father, according to Jesus Leyva. Before they could escape, however, the father grabbed a knife and stabbed the mother's throat in front of them, according to prosecution documents and autopsy reports. She died in Rafa's lap while his siblings ran for help. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After their father was arrested, the kids lived temporarily with a family friend in Mexico, but they began to show signs of neglect, according to Jesus Leyva. It also wasn't safe for them there because of the high crime rate in Michoacan. Because of their birthright citizenship, Eddy and Melanie were able to move in with their uncle in March 2023. Meanwhile, Rafa had to stay behind in Mexico, where his father was eventually convicted of femicide and sentenced to 23 years in prison, according to court documents. In April 2023, Jesus Leyva submitted a request on Rafa's behalf for "humanitarian parole," which would grant the boy temporary entry to the U.S., according to an application reviewed by The Times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, an agency under the Department of Homeland Security, grants temporary parole on a discretionary basis to people who may be inadmissible or ineligible to be admitted to the U.S. It grants parole based on "urgent humanitarian or significant public benefit reasons." Citing the brutal violence in Michoacan where Rafa was still living at the time and the fact that he has no family to take care of him in Mexico, Leyva said he intended to apply for special immigrant juvenile status. If approved, that would give Rafa a green card on the basis of being a child who was abused, abandoned or neglected by a parent. Additionally, Rafaels siblings, Eddy and Melanie, are already living with me and they are attending school, Leyva wrote. My wife and I are helping them feel safe, and we are looking for psychological services for both of them. Rafael is the youngest and Eddy and Melanie miss him. The three of them need to be together as soon as possible. As the family awaited an answer from the Department of Homeland Security, Rafa was moved to an orphanage in the town of San Antonio de las Minas near Ensenada. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Rafa arrived in October 2023, he was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, respiratory problems caused by allergies, nightmares and insomnia, according to a psychological evaluation written by his therapist at the orphanage. Rafa also had difficulties breathing and stopped speaking for long periods of time. In her report, the therapist highlighted the benefits of Rafa moving in with his uncle: better psychological care and support from his family. As long as his uncle can provide the necessary security and support, Rafael would benefit from reuniting with his older brother and sister, the report said. There could be significant benefits to finding a psychologist based in the U.S. specializing in severe pediatric post-traumatic stress disorder, which is a specialty that's not available where he currently lives. On Feb. 7, 2024 nearly 10 months after Leyva submitted the application the Department of Homeland Security informed him that it was denied. The agency wrote that the application failed to "establish humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit" that would justify allowing Rafa to cross the border into the U.S., according to the rejection letter reviewed by The Times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Melanie and Eddy were devastated by the news, Leyva said. The trauma of losing their parents and being separated from Rafa has been hard on them. Sometimes, they'll appear happy but then start crying, seemingly out of nowhere. "What they saw was very traumatic, so it's very, very difficult," Leyva said. "Rafa is even worse because [some of] his hair turned gray when he was 10 because of all of the trauma and stress. He lost his ability to speak, and we could barely understand what he was saying." A Citizenship and Immigration Services spokesperson said the agency doesn't comment on individual immigration cases because of privacy concerns. Leyva has started trying to adopt Rafa, but it could take up to two years before the boy can move to the U.S. Levya, who works as a locker room attendant at an Orange County country club, must also raise at least $35,000 to cover the cost of the adoption a feat he's hoping to achieve through online donations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An employee who has worked at the Citizenship and Immigration Services for nearly 30 years spoke to The Times on condition of anonymity because she isn't authorized to speak to media. She said that granting humanitarian parole is based on the discretion of the officer who looks at the application, which means the decision differs from officer to officer. Because of that, she said, the agency wouldn't need to provide a specific reason to reject the application. The employee said that based on the facts of Rafa's case, she would've approved his application. "I would parole him because it's based on family reunification," she said. "He's a child and he saw his mother get murdered." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although Rafa's application was denied under the Biden administration, the employee said that Trump's presidency has the potential to make the humanitarian parole process more difficult for others. Although a more liberal administration may instruct federal employees to interpret "urgent humanitarian reasons" in a more lenient way, the Trump administration could potentially tell employees no such reasons exist, she posited. It's been almost two years since Melanie Leyva and her older brother, Eddy Leyva, last saw their younger brother, Rafael Leyva, in person. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times) Sonja Brown, executive director of Nightlight Christian Adoptions, an adoption agency that has been consulting with Leyva about Rafa's case, said that adopting a child from Mexico typically takes about two years. First, the U.S. government needs to approve his uncle to adopt a child, and then confirm that there isn't anyone else who can take care of Rafa in Mexico. "The child is already living in an orphanage and that is a good place to start because they may have already found he's eligible to be adopted," Brown said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rafa will have to stay in Mexico during the entire adoption process, and there are steps that need to be followed closely or else the case could get thrown out, Brown said. Rafa's father will need to relinquish parental rights voluntarily, or they'll have to be stripped by a judge before the child can be adopted. "It's complicated with Mexico in particular and because this is a child, adoption is the best way for them to get the child over legally," she added. In early January, Leyva drove to the orphanage to visit Rafa, who was looking much healthier and in better spirits than the last time he saw him. Rafa is still holding out hope of moving to the U.S. He keeps in touch with his siblings through video calls, he said, but he yearns to be reunited with them physically and permanently. "We used to play together," he said. "We lived in a little village and would go to the river almost every day. We were together all the time." Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. One of the most iconic brands in the Motown universe is getting a revival. Tamla Records once the pipeline for entrepreneur Berry Gordys earliest releases out of Detroit is being reactivated by Capitol Music Group, Motowns corporate parent for the past decade. The new Tamla will be based in Nashville and overseen by Motown Gospel Senior Vice President Walter Thomas, who said Wednesday the label has always been a beacon of innovation, quality and artistry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, under the Motown Gospel umbrella, we have the opportunity to continue this legacy while pushing the boundaries of what Christian music can be, Thomas said in a statement. Our mission is simple: to uplift the voices of artists who are creating positive, life-changing music. The West Grand Boulevard-based Tamla Records was launched by Gordy in 1959 as he began to build what ultimately became one of the worlds biggest independent music empires. He had named the label in tribute to the 1957 pop hit Tammy by Debbie Reynolds, and Tamla was the main conduit for early releases by artists such as Barrett Strong, the Miracles, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and the Supremes. For fans overseas where all of the companys records were long issued under "Tamla Motown" the brand is even more familiar. The Tamla name fell dormant in the 1980s as new releases were consolidated under the broader Motown Records banner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Music at the revived Tamla will span pop, R&B, gospel and other genres, and early signees include Emmanuel Da Prophet, Childlike CiCi and Jordan L'oreal. Rodney Jerkins, pictured backstage at the 2015 Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, has been named producer and partner with the newly revived Tamla Records. Rodney Jerkins, best known for his hit production and songwriting with artists such as Beyonce, Brandy and Mary J. Blige, has been named as the labels producer and partner. Berry Gordy built Tamla on the principles of artist development, excellence and music that moves people," Jerkins said in a news release. That vision still stands today, and we are proud to continue carrying it forward as we launch this new chapter. Contact Detroit Free Press music writer Brian McCollum: 313-223-4450 or bmccollum@freepress.com. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Motowns Tamla Records revived for positive, life-changing music By Maha El Dahan, Olesya Astakhova and Ahmad Ghaddar DUBAI/LONDON/MOSCOW (Reuters) -OPEC+ ministers from eight nations that are gradually raising oil output will meet online on Thursday and are likely to approve a further hike in production from May, sources from the producer group told Reuters. Eight members of OPEC+, a group that includes the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies led by Russia, are scheduled to raise oil output by 135,000 barrels per day in May. That would be the second monthly increase under a plan to unwind some of the millions of barrels per day of cuts the group has had in place since 2022. OPEC+ is simultaneously pressuring other producers that have exceeded their output targets to rein in output and pump below target for a time to compensate. Two of the OPEC+ sources said the meeting was to review plans for some members to make additional output cuts to compensate for pumping above their quotas. Two others said the group's plan to continue to unwind their most recent layer of oil output cuts was expected to remain unchanged for May. All sources declined to be identified by name due to the sensitivity of the matter. OPEC did not immediately reply to a Reuters request for comment. OPEC+ has been cutting output by 5.85 million bpd, equal to about 5.7% of global supply. The group has agreed on a series of steps since 2022 to support the market. An OPEC+ ministerial committee, with the power to recommend to the larger group changes in production policy, was earlier scheduled to meet on April 5 although one source said this may also take place on Thursday. (Reporting by Alex Lawler, Olesya Astakhova, Maha El Dahan, Ahmad Ghaddar and Dmitry Zhdannikov, writing by Alex Lawler Editing by David Goodman and Ros Russell) MEMPHIS, Tenn. Police say a woman was attacked by her boyfriends ex-wife in the parking lot of a Cordova Walmart. The incident happened on March 19 but Catherine Hayslett 45, was booked in the Shelby County Jail Tuesday for aggravated assault. Catherine Hayslett (SCSO) The victim said she had just exited the Walmart on Germantown Parkway and was loading shopping bags into her vehicle when she saw Hayslett running toward her with a small sharp object in her hand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Man charged with attempted murder allegedly connected to burglaries The victim said Hayslett began swinging at her with the object and struck her multiple times. The victim told police she was able to back away from her attacker and used her left arm to block the swings toward her face. Officers said the victim had two puncture wounds and bruising to her upper left arm. 3 new cases of measles confirmed in Tennessee Investigators said the victim was able to pick Hayslett out of a photo line-up. Court records show Hayslett was arrested for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest in two separate cases in 2018. Both times the charges were dismissed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hayslett is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. MEMPHIS, Tenn. An Oxford, Mississippi man was arrested and charged with sex crimes involving a child on Tuesday, according to the Lafayette County Sheriffs Department. Joel Boyd Jr., 43, was charged with rape with intent to ravish and two counts of sexual battery of a child. Joel Boyd Jr. (Photo courtesy of the Lafayette County Sheriffs Department) The sheriffs department says an investigation into Boyd was opened after they received a report regarding sexual assault allegations against a child on Monday. Boyd was arrested on Tuesday as a result of the investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boyds bond was set at $200,000 and he is currently being held at the Lafayette County Detention Center. No additional information is available at this time due to the sensitive nature of the case. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. Autumn Bertels, a University of Kansas student, smiles after being crowned Ms. Wheelchair Kansas 2025 at a March 16 ceremony in Lawrence. (Maya Smith for Kansas Reflector) LAWRENCE Autumn Bertels is an accomplished, wheelchair-mobile biology student at the University of Kansas who will graduate this May. But after requesting accommodations for a chemistry lab due to lab tables being too tall, she was met with delays and excuses. She could only fully participate in one of 11 labs during the semester. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, Bertels is the 2025 Ms. Wheelchair Kansas titleholder, which will allow her to advocate for the wheelchair community and educate others throughout the state about accessibility in higher education. Everyone has the right to equal opportunity, quality and access of education, and there are so many ways that we can do this, Bertels said. Everyone has a right to education, and you shouldnt have to be a disabled person to combat these challenges. Ms. Wheelchair Kansas has uplifted women like Bertels for 20 years with a contest to select the most well-rounded, confident and wheelchair-mobile contestant to serve as a statewide role model. The organizations mission is to provide the opportunity to compete in a pageant regardless of disability. CEO and 2004 titleholder Carrie Greenwood says this was the ultimate goal in bringing the contest to Kansas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We got here one year and one title holder at a time, Greenwood said. I had no idea that it would last this long and that it would really become my passion. Or that we would impact so many people in our state. Its worth it to empower all the ladies who are here. Carrie Greenwood, CEO and director of Ms. Wheelchair Kansas, smiles at a March 16, 2025, crowning ceremony in Lawrence as she shares milestones the organization has achieved over the past 20 years. (Maya Smith for Kansas Reflector) The contest has grown steadily each year. Thirty-eight women have competed for the adult title, with winners making more than 500 appearances in more than 65 cities across Kansas. They added the Little Miss title in 2015 and the Junior Miss title this year. Most recently, 2024 titleholder Tamara Blackwell became the first Kansan to win the national title. I have had the privilege to sit in rooms and be before people that I have never thought I would, Blackwell said. I am so elated because thats been able to push Ms. Wheelchair Kansas in the spotlight, and I hope that it helps only shine a brighter light to show the beauty that lies within the community. That we are intelligent, that we are equipped, that we may be in chairs, we may be different, but theres nothing wrong with being different. And I just love that. Bertels said she wants to use her platform to cultivate better accessibility and education about disabilities at other college campuses in the state. She will also serve as a mentor for the two younger titleholders and compete at the national level in August. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We live in a time where accommodations arent readily available to those who need them, she said. My Little Miss is also focusing on education as well, which is really great for both of us to work on. Isabel Einwich, Junior Miss 2025, was motivated to advocate for better awareness in education for those with disabilities. She says it took a broken elevator for her school administrators to realize they didnt have an emergency plan for students in wheelchairs. It shouldnt have to take a broken elevator to raise these questions. I hope to continue sharing my story and having opportunities to bring more attention to school issues surrounding disabilities through education, Einwich said. I just hope we can get to a point where we hear much less of that phrase, Oh, we didnt think about that. Everyone involved whether contestants, parents or volunteers agree that the community has driven the organizations growth and success. Greenwood believes these contestants are essential to the broader Kansas community. I ask everyone and anyone to get involved in this organization. It shows the value of diversity and working for a common purpose, Greenwood said. When you put your heart into something it will always succeed. And our title holders, they are whats made this organization a success. They are the backbone of what we do, and they represent women and young girls who are wheelchair mobile so well. KANSAS CITY, Mo. The Missouri State Highway Patrol is reporting Tuesday afternoon that a missing 60-year-old woman who hadnt been seen since early Monday morning has been located safe. KCPD said Tresia King was last seen in the area of W. 38th Street and Summit Street around 1 p.m. Monday. Police said she suffers from conditions that require medication she is without and also from memory loss and family is concerned for her safety and well-being. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Download the FOX4 News app on iPhone and Android Anyone with information is asked to call the KCPD Missing Persons Unit at (816) 234-5043 or call 911. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. DENVER (KDVR) Police warned drivers to slow down Tuesday after multiple drivers were caught traveling at over 100 mph on Interstate 25. The Thornton Police Department said its Traffic Enforcement Officers have clocked multiple drivers exceeding 100 mph on the interstate recently. The drivers received citations requiring them to appear in court. This Colorado county racked up the most speeding citations in 2024 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Early in March, the department posted about one driver who was caught traveling at 133 mph on I-25, where the speed limit is 75 mph. On Tuesday, the department shared that another driver was caught driving at 111 mph. Police have a warning for drivers after officers clocked multiple drivers exceeding 100 mph on the interstate recently. Police have a warning for drivers after officers clocked multiple drivers exceeding 100 mph on the interstate recently. The police department warns that driving at excessive speeds is not only dangerous and illegal but can come with hefty fines and consequences, such as: Fines up to $2,650 per charge Loss of drivers license Up to 364 days in jail per charge Dozens of hours of community service and driver re-education classes Driver behavior subject to court supervision for one yearmeaning additional fines if another traffic conviction occurs within that time Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, driving at excessive speeds can result in increased insurance costs. Data: These areas had the deadliest roads in Colorado in 2024 Driving at high speeds was the number one reason behind crashes resulting in injury or death in 2023, according to the Colorado State Patrol. This year, the Colorado Department of Transportation plans to help decrease the amount of road deaths caused by speeding with its Speed Safety Camera Program. The department estimates that cameras may reduce deaths and injuries by 20-37%. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A federal court ruled an imprisoned former Las Vegas police officer found guilty of a deadly drive-by shooting nearly 30 years ago should receive a new trial. The order filed Monday by U.S. District Judge Kent Dawson said the murder conviction against Ronald Mortensen must be vacated and that he must receive a new trial. Mortensen, now 59, is currently serving two life sentences without parole at High Desert State Prison, about 40 miles outside of Las Vegas, following his murder conviction in 1997. A federal court order has overturned the murder conviction of former Las Vegas police officer Ronald Mortensen for a deadly shooting in 1996. He is currently serving two life sentences at High Desert State Prison. (Credit: NDOC) Mortensen, who was off-duty and riding with another off-duty police officer, Christopher Brady, on the night of Dec. 28, 1996, had been drinking and driving around. Brady admitted to police he was driving recklessly and that he and Mortensen thought they could get away with harassing the bangers and dopers and the people in the neighborhood because they were nasty people, according to the court order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both men had their off-duty weapons with them in Bradys pickup truck when they drove into an alley near McKeller Circle near Flamingo and Paradise roads and saw some people. Brady said Mortensen, who was 31, fired shots from the passenger window, which ended up hitting and killing Daniel Mendoza. Mortensen said Brady reached over and grabbed Mortensens gun and fired it at the people. Evidence presented at the trial showed the bullets at the scene matched Mortensens gun. Only his fingerprints, not Bradys, were found on the weapon. Witnesses also identified Mortensen as the shooter. Brady, 24, at the time of the shooting, took Mortensens gun to his home and reached out to his father, a longtime Metro police officer, for advice. Brady went to his supervisor and reported the shooting without Mortensen, although Mortensen said the two had agreed to go together. In court documents, Mortensen said he felt as if he was being set up. Federal-Court-ruling-in-Mortensen-caseDownload Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the years, Mortensen has tried and failed several times to get a retrial. He claims evidence about another police officer hearing Brady say he wanted to commit a drive-by shooting was suppressed, and Judge Dawson agreed. Dawson also found that state prosecutors didnt adequately instruct jurors on the elements required for a first-degree murder conviction before they deliberated. There is no word yet on when, or if, a new trial will be granted, or if theres a possibility Mortensen will just be released. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. US energy company Phillips 66 has completed the acquisition of EPIC Y-Grade GP and EPIC Y-Grade, which operate various subsidiaries and long-haul natural gas liquids pipelines, fractionation facilities and distribution systems (EPIC NGL), for $2.2bn. Phillips 66 signed a definitive agreement for the acquisition in January this year. The EPIC NGL assets include two fractionators with a combined capacity of 170,000 barrels per day (bpd), located near Corpus Christi, Texas, along with 350 miles of purity distribution pipelines. The assets also include an 885-mile natural gas liquids (NGL) pipeline with a capacity of 175,000bpd. The pipeline plays a crucial role in transporting NGL from production areas in the Delaware, Midland and Eagle Ford basins to key fractionation complexes and the Phillips 66 Sweeny Hub. An ongoing expansion project is set to increase the NGL pipeline's capacity from 175,000bpd to 225,000bpd by the second quarter (Q2) of this year. Furthermore, a second expansion has been approved to boost the capacity to 350,000bpd, with completion targeted for Q4 2026. These assets link Permian production to Gulf Coast refiners, petrochemical companies and export markets, while also integrating with the existing Phillips 66 asset base. Phillips 66 Midstream & Chemicals executive vice-president Don Baldridge said: This transaction strengthens our position as a leading integrated downstream energy provider. We are evolving our portfolio and enhancing our ability to provide seamless and efficient delivery of energy products. Phillips 66 will offer producers unparalleled flow assurance, while advancing a strategy that is expected to deliver attractive returns and create long-term value for our shareholders. In October 2024, Phillips 66 faced a setback when a California state court jury ordered the company to pay $604.9m in damages to Propel Fuels. Propel Fuels, a retailer specialising in low-carbon fuels across California, accused Phillips 66 of misappropriating trade secrets to enhance its renewable fuel capabilities. "Phillips 66 completes EPIC NGL acquisition for $2.2bn" was originally created and published by Offshore Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. Doctors at Mandalays biggest hospital have been treating patients outside for days in 40 degree heat amid fears aftershocks could reduce damaged buildings to rubble. With deep cracks covering the facility, hundreds of white metal beds now line an open air compound, where hastily constructed green tarpaulin offers some shade for patients hooked to IV drips and oxygen tanks. Others use blankets and sheets to keep the sun at bay, as tuk tuks and cars drive past beds parked by the side of the road. We have already admitted over 700 trauma patients from the earthquake, but we cant take in any more, Dr Kyaw Zin, a doctor at Mandalay General Hospital, told the Telegraph. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve also moved all the patients outside the building because of the continuous aftershocks. Theres a real fear that the building might collapse. Earthquake survivor Tin Maung Htwe, who was rescued after five days of being trapped under the rubble of a collapsed building - SAI AUNG MAIN/AFP via Getty Images The impoverished countrys health system was in collapse even before the earthquake hit central Myanmar - SAI AUNG MAIN/AFP via Getty Images After four brutal years of civil war, the impoverished countrys health system was in collapse even before a 7.7 magnitude earthquake hit central Myanmar on Friday. At least 2,700 people have been confirmed dead and thousands more have been injured. But now doctors on the frontline are struggling to treat a never ending influx of patients. Health workers face shortages of essential medicines, blood transfusion supplies, anaesthetics and shelter as they battle to treat injuries even body bags are running out, according to a World Health Organization (WHO) situation report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The UN agency added that 22 hospitals have been partially destroyed, and three flattened. Facebook Hospitals are overwhelmed, overstretched, and need more essential medicines and commodities, said the founder of an organisation responding in the area, who asked to remain anonymous amid safety concerns. The damage to the infrastructure is really huge, hospitals are not an exception. The situation is even more acute in Sagaing. The city, close to the quakes epicentre, has been badly affected by the civil war, which was triggered by a military coup in 2021. The region has borne the brunt of the juntas airstrikes, with roughly one million displaced people even before the earthquake. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some estimates suggest up to 80 per cent of Sagaing city has now been flattened by the quake, and according to the WHO, the general hospital is extremely overburdened. Unlike in Mandalay, there are no private hospitals with functioning facilities. The provision of secondary care services is urgently required in Sagaing, the WHO said on Tuesday. This highlights the critical need for emergency medical teams equipped with temporary hospital-level facilities, including a mobile operating theatre. A young, injured earthquake survivor on a bed outside the hospital in Sagaing - SAI AUNG MAIN/AFP via Getty Images An elderly earthquake survivor rests on an outdoor bed in the compound of a hospital in Sagaing - SAI AUNG MAIN/AFP via Getty Images The UN agency also noted that many of the health workers responding are themselves victims of the earthquake, having lost family, friends and homes. As well as more medical supplies to treat those already injured, doctors said clean water, food and shelter are needed to prevent more casualties in the coming weeks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kyaw Zin Latt, the crisis response programme director at Care International based in central Myanmar, told the Telegraph that one major concern is heatstroke. Myanmar is currently in its hottest season of the year, with daytime temperatures climbing as high as 40C. Were seeing devastation everywhere we go, this catastrophe has brought already vulnerable communities to their knees, he said. People traumatised are sleeping on the street, there is nowhere to escape from the heat. People queue for food aid distributed in Sagaing - SAI AUNG MAIN/AFP via Getty Images People carry food aid distributed in Sagaing - SAI AUNG MAIN/AFP via Getty Images With limited access to clean water, there are also fears of outbreaks of diarrhoea and cholera, said the anonymous NGO founder. The public water supply system is not working, and there is no electricity so even if you want to boil the water, its not possible. And looking at Sagaing, the infrastructure including sanitation, toilets, everything its gone. So we are expecting outbreaks of diseases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement International aid has been slow to arrive, with efforts complicated by damage to roads, bridges and unstable communications and the ongoing war. While some opposition forces have announced unilateral ceasefires, the juntas airstrikes initially continued and on Tuesday evening, soldiers opened fire on the Chinese Red Cross. The military said it had not been informed about the convoy in advance, and mistook it for a threat. People sleep on the street in Mandalay days after the deadly Myanmar earthquake - SAI AUNG MAIN/AFP via Getty Images A family sleeps on the street in Mandalay - SAI AUNG MAIN/AFP via Getty Images Late on Wednesday, the junta changed tact and said it would follow a temporary ceasefire until April 22, in line with existing declarations from opposition groups. Other countries, including India, Malaysia, Thailand and Russia, have sent rescue teams, while the WHO has delivered three tonnes of medical supplies and trauma kits to hospitals in Mandalay and Naypyidaw, the capital. Aid from international groups including the Red Cross is also arriving. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile the UK has committed 10 million. The Telegraph understands the Government is giving money to existing partners, rather than sending a response team, amid concerns about access. Britain also wants to avoid taxpayer money going to the regime. The ruling military has been accused of hampering the response by setting up military checkpoints and requiring relief workers to gain official permission to enter areas where aid is most needed. A boy stands on the rubble of a collapsed building in Mandalay - SAI AUNG MAIN/AFP A truck is parked next to the rubble of a destroyed building in Mandalay - SAI AUNG MAIN/AFP For now, the majority of help has come from the communities themselves. Now, our entire family has to sleep by the roadside, said May Thaw Lwin, a Mandalay resident. There are constant aftershocks [and] sleeping outside means getting bitten by a lot of mosquitoes. Were also struggling with water and good shortages Its only the people helping each other. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She added: The smell of decomposition is getting stronger Living in this country, its not just about having bad luck anymore. It feels like were the unluckiest people in the world. Protect yourself and your family by learning more about Global Health Security Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. The News Myanmars ruling military junta announced a temporary ceasefire Wednesday in the countrys civil war, amid mounting international pressure to allow aid to reach victims of Fridays earthquake. The junta said in a statement that the truce would run until April 22. Several of Myanmars opposition groups had also already declared temporary ceasefires. The 7.7 earthquake has caused widespread destruction in central Myanmar and killed more than 2,900 people so far. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hours before the ceasefire announcement, junta soldiers reportedly fired warning shots at a Chinese Red Cross convoy. The regimes unwillingness to allow aid access to the worst-hit areas is an indication of how weak [the] regime and military are at this juncture, a senior adviser at Crisis Group told Bloomberg. (Reuters) - Myanmar's ostracised leader Min Aung Hlaing will leave his disaster-stricken country on Thursday for a rare trip to a regional summit, state TV said, as aid groups called for restrictions to be eased to reach survivors of a devastating earthquake. The 7.7 magnitude quake, one of the strongest to hit Myanmar in a century, jolted a region that is home to 28 million people, toppling buildings, flattening communities and leaving many without food, water and shelter. China's state television said the death toll had passed 3,000, citing official figures. The military has struggled to run Myanmar since its return to power in a 2021 coup that unseated the elected civilian government of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. The generals have been internationally isolated since the takeover and Myanmar's economy and basic services including healthcare have been reduced to tatters amid an outbreak of civil war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The government on state-run MRTV late on Wednesday announced a 20-day unilateral ceasefire effective immediately to support post-quake rehabilitation, but warned it would "respond accordingly" if rebels launched attacks. MRTV confirmed Min Aung Hlaing would leave Myanmar to join a summit of mostly South Asian countries in Bangkok - an uncommon foreign trip for a general regarded as a pariah by many countries and the subject of Western sanctions and an International Criminal Court investigation. The junta boss is also barred from attending summits of the Southeast Asian bloc ASEAN. Still, some analysts say the earthquake and this week's meeting, which will include leaders of neighbours Thailand, India and Bangladesh, could boost Min Aung Hlaing's legitimacy as he forges ahead with a much-criticised December election widely expected to perpetuate military rule. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aid agencies on Wednesday described massive destruction and a medical crisis in central Myanmar, with hospitals overwhelmed, medicine in short supply and risks of water-borne diseases growing. Mohamed Riyas, Myanmar Director of the International Rescue Committee, said humanitarian needs were "staggering". "It may be weeks before we understand the full extent of destruction caused by this earthquake as communication network lines are down and transport is disrupted," he told Reuters. "People require urgent medical care, clean drinking water, tents, food and other basic necessities. Providing life-saving health services is critical." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mikhael De Souza, a field coordinator in Myanmar for medical aid agency MSF said in the second-largest city Mandalay, about 500 buildings had collapsed completely and a further 800 were partially destroyed. "Many people are still living outside in poor conditions," he said. "The lack of water is creating an issue in terms of immediate survival." ON A WAR FOOTING The junta has been accused by human rights groups of slowing humanitarian efforts by maintaining tight security measures in some hard-hit quake areas. In an incident underlining the challenge of delivering relief at a time of civil war, the junta said its troops fired warning shots after a Chinese Red Cross convoy failed to pull over as it travelled in a conflict zone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Junta spokesperson Zaw Min Tun said the group had not informed authorities of its travel. China was one of the first countries to come to Myanmar's aid, deploying rescue teams the day after the disaster and pledging 100 million yuan ($13.76 million) worth of supplies. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said the aid team and supplies were safe and called on all parties in Myanmar to ensure the safety of rescuers and keep relief routes "open and unobstructed". The military has remained on war footing despite Myanmar's worst disaster in decades and has conducted airstrikes and other attacks near the affected areas, according to a rebel group and Amnesty International. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Min Aung Hlaing said on Tuesday the military had halted offensives but rebels were planning to exploit the disaster and preparing to attack. On Tuesday, a major rebel alliance declared a unilateral ceasefire to support the humanitarian effort. Prior to the military's announcement of a temporary ceasefire, Tom Andrews, the United Nations special rapporteur on Myanmar in an X post on Wednesday said attacks by the junta following the quake were "outrageous" and "should be condemned in the strongest possible terms by world leaders." 'SOLDIERS ARE EVERYWHERE' Information has long been hard to obtain from areas like Sagaing in central Myanmar because of a junta internet and cellphone blackout imposed as part of the conflict, which activists have demanded be lifted following the quake. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The military has rejected requests from international journalists to cover the quake devastation, citing the lack of water, electricity and hotels. "Soldiers are everywhere in the town," a man who travelled to Sagaing, near the quake epicentre, told Reuters. "They are there for security, not for rescue. They check every vehicle." New York-based Human Rights Watch urged the junta to allow unfettered access for humanitarian aid and lift curbs impeding aid agencies, saying donors should channel aid through independent groups rather than only junta authorities. "Myanmar's junta cannot be trusted to respond to a disaster of this scale," Bryony Lau, HRW's deputy Asia director, said in a report, calling on agencies to press the junta to "allow full and immediate access to survivors, wherever they are". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A woman in Mandalay told Reuters authorities were building a stage for this month's Thingyan water festival, though many people were homeless, with bodies left under collapsed buildings. In neighbouring Thailand, the death toll from the quake rose to 22 on Wednesday as a search effort in the rubble of a skyscraper under construction in the capital, Bangkok, entered its fifth day. Heavy equipment was deployed to break up 100 tons of concrete in the hope of finding a first survivor under a mountain of debris where 15 people died and 72 were missing. "The search for survivors continues but we are changing tactics," Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said. "We're hollowing out a path for the rescue team to go inside." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (This story has been corrected to change the attribution to International Rescue Committee, not International Red Cross, in paragraph 9) (Reporting by Bangkok Bureau, Shoon Naing and Wa Lone; Additional reporting by Olivia Le Poidevin in Geneva, Writing by John Mair and Martin Petty; Editing by Clarence Fernandez, Mark Heinrich, Alexandra Hudson) By Yoruk Bahceli LONDON (Reuters) - Bond giant PIMCO has privately lent nearly $6 billion to emerging market borrowers, mostly governments, this year alone, securing higher returns and better lender protections, its head of emerging markets portfolio management said on Wednesday. That is already nearing the roughly $8.5 billion PIMCO lent last year in 27 deals, Pramol Dhawan told Reuters, out of a total of around $25 billion it has provided in recent years. For emerging markets wary of being caught out by unfavourable changes in broader sentiment, private credit - which is also booming in developed economies - is seen as a more flexible but also less visible way to borrow. Countries PIMCO has lent to include Panama, the Dominican Republic, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, Dhawan said on the sidelines of a conference in London. The asset manager lends through loans or private bonds as well as trades where PIMCO buys existing public bonds at a discounted price that is not disclosed, Dhawan said. The firm prefers lending to borrowers with low investment-grade or high sub-investment grade ratings, he added. "We've got both inflows as an asset manager, and we have a large private credit team. We can leverage those two together, find bespoke solutions," Dhawan said. He said PIMCO could secure a 150 basis-point pick up relative to public investment-grade bonds from the same borrowers, while for the high-quality end of the high-yield market, that can reach as high as 300 bps. The other advantage of the off-market deals is that PIMCO can write its own lender protection terms known as covenants, which offer it more protection than those on public deals. Emerging market governments were choosing to pay up for the private debt to secure optionality, particularly following the experience of the COVID-19 pandemic where some emerging markets, especially smaller, riskier frontier markets, were locked out of capital markets, Dhawan said. Some issuers also do not want to mark down their Eurobonds with a public debt sale, he added. Giving the examples of Panama and Egypt, Dhawan said the higher-cost private credit extension was a very small share of their debt stack, however, at around 3%. Demand to lend to investment-grade governments in this way was coming predominantly from insurers, Dhawan added. "Pretty much every U.S. insurance company that we pitch this to is like: sure. Why not?," he said, as they grow worried about U.S. equity market volatility. (This story has been refiled to change 'market' to 'markets' in paragraph 10) (Reporting by Yoruk Bahceli, Additional reporting by Marc Jones; Editing by Dhara Ranasinghe and Alison Williams) By Aleksandar Vasovic and Milan Pavicic BELGRADE (Reuters) - Tamara Bojanovski was in a crowd of anti-government protesters in Belgrade on March 15 when she heard a sound "like some powerful machine hurtling up from behind". Thousands of others heard it too; the crowd packed into one of the Serbian capital's main boulevards parted abruptly, rushing to the sidewalks. Stefan, a student, recalled a "rumble", then a "whoosh" and a sensation of something speeding toward the crowd. Another student, Dragica, felt "a wave travelling through us". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "People felt faint, and some fell over," said lawyer Bozo Prelevic, a former joint interior minister. The noise lasted only a few seconds. But speculation that a sonic weapon was used illegally to disperse the rally has filled headlines, talk shows and social media. President Aleksandar Vucic, already facing the biggest civil protests in decades, is under pressure to explain the incident. Sonic weapons employ extreme sound to incapacitate targets. They can damage ears and cause headaches and nausea, and their use is illegal in Serbia. Authorities denied possessing such devices, until Interior Minister Ivica Dacic admitted that police had bought Long-Range Acoustic Devices - used by authorities in the United States, Australia, Greece and Japan - from the U.S. in 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then Serbia's police, BIA security and intelligence agency and military all denied ever using them in public. Vucic said on Saturday that Russia had sent experts from its FSB intelligence service to investigate at Belgrade's request, and on Monday said American FBI investigators would also arrive within days. The U.S. Department of Justice did not respond to a request for comment. The Omega Foundation, a human rights watchdog, said photos and witness accounts they reviewed and audiovisual footage obtained by Reuters were inconclusive, but suggested an LRAD could have been used. "We really haven't seen an effect like this. It was so distinctive," said Omega Foundation researcher Neil Corney. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earshot, a not-for-profit organisation that specialises in audio investigations, which also saw the footage, said the noise could have come from a vortex ring gun, an experimental non-lethal weapon for crowd control that uses high-energy doughnut-shaped vortices of air or gas, but that more research was needed. However, U.S.-based Genasys, which makes LRADs, said that audio and video evidence "does not support the use of an LRAD". The protesters had gathered in memory of 15 people who died when a train station roof collapsed in November in the city of Novi Sad. That tragedy, which many blame on government corruption and shoddy construction, has drawn hundreds of thousands onto the streets and forced prime minister Milos Vucevic to resign, as well as continuing to put pressure on Vucic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Geolocation of the videos suggests that the sound wave travelled south along Kralja Milana Street for over 500 metres. "The street emptied ... like when Moses parted the Red Sea," said Zoran Radovanovic, an epidemiologist who was in the crowd. (Reporting by Aleksandar Vasovic, Milan Pavicic; Editing by Edward McAllister and Kevin Liffey) A federal judge in New Jersey on Tuesday denied the governments motion to dismiss Palestinian Columbia graduate student Mahmoud Khalils habeas corpus case, rejecting an effort to get it moved to Louisiana. In a 67-page decision, Judge Michael Farbiarz found that he had jurisdiction over the matter that the Trump administration has aggressively argued should be heard in Louisiana. Khalils lawyers maintained that the government wanted the case moved there, so that any challenges would be directed toward the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, considered among the countrys most conservative. Khalil, a green card holder, was swept up by Homeland Security agents on March 8 after returning home to his Columbia-owned apartment from an Iftar dinner with his wife, who is on the verge of giving birth to their first child. He played a leading role in campus protests last year against Israeli bombing in Gaza and Columbias investment ties to Israels government, acting as a mediator between student protesters and university administrators. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Agents took him downtown to 26 Federal Plaza and hours later to a private detention facility in Elizabeth, N.J. They put him on a plane heading down south the following day. He has since been held at a detention center in Jena, La., where he has said he is sleeping in cold facilities without a blanket. Instead of accusing Khalil of breaking U.S. laws, the Trump administration has cited an obscure provision in a 1952 law that empowers Secretary of State Marco Rubio to order someone deported if their presence in the country could pose unfavorable consequences for U.S. foreign policy, which the feds claim his advocacy for Palestinians does. Khalil was the first of several students in the U.S. to be targeted at breakneck speed this month. Shortly after his arrest, Khalils lawyers filed a habeas corpus petition, which challenges the legality of someones detention, in Manhattan, where the feds had told his wife and lawyers he would be. A federal judge in Manhattan later transferred the case to New Jersey, his location at the time the petition was brought. The government sought to convince the courts that New Jersey never had jurisdiction over the case and that a habeas corpus petition could only be targeted toward officials at a Louisiana detention facility, which Farbiarz rejected finding the law required the petition filed in New York on March 9 at 4:40 a.m. must be treated as if it had been filed in New Jersey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under habeas law, jurisdiction in a particular district is established when a petitioner is physically present in the district at the same moment a petition is filed there on his behalf, Farbiarz wrote. That confluence happened here. Representatives for the Justice Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment. In a statement, Khalils wife, Dr. Noor Abdalla, said she was relieved by the ruling. As the countdown to our sons birth begins and I inch closer and closer to my due date, I will continue to strongly advocate for Mahmouds freedom and for his safe return home, so he can be by my side to welcome our first child, Abdalla said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A lawyer for Khalil, Baher Azmy, the legal director of the Center for Constitutional Rights, echoed Abdallas comments. We are grateful the court wisely understood that the government cannot try to manipulate the jurisdiction of the United States courts in a transparent attempt to shield their unconstitutional and, frankly, chilling behavior, Azmy said. We look forward to the next phase of this case, which is to get Mahmoud out of detention and into the arms of his family, and then to prove the Trump administrations attempted deportation of Mahmoud and others is nothing but unconstitutional retaliation for protected speech. Apr. 1It wouldn't be April Fools' Day without an annual Facebook prank post falsely announcing that In-N-Out Burger has started construction in New Mexico. While In-N-Out does have plans to come to the state, fans of the popular regional fast food chain still have a few more years to wait before pulling up with a burger order, as the chain's plans to arrive in the Duke City by 2027 remain. Misinformation regarding In-N-Out's future in New Mexico swirls on social media every April Fools' Day, but this year, the false information started earlier. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a March 28 Instagram post, seemingly not associated with April Fools' Day, a popular Albuquerque Instagram account called @thehotspot_.abq announced that Albuquerque's first In-N-Out would "break ground before July." The account user called the announcement "insider info" and claimed that In-N-Out aims to open in New Mexico by Christmas of 2026. The Journal reached out to In-N-Out to see if there was any veracity to the claims. "Unfortunately, the construction and opening day timeline information for our first restaurants in New Mexico is inaccurate," said Mike Abbate, In-N-Out's vice president of store development, in an email to the Journal on Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Our preliminary development plans are underway for our Albuquerque locations, and our goal is to open in 2027," Abbate added. "However, it is still too early to be able to forecast opening dates, or for that matter, which location(s) will open first." The Instagram post ignited both exuberant rejoicing and debate over the best local burger as did an April 1, or April Fools' Day, Facebook prank post falsely announcing In-N-Out started construction in Rio Rancho, with nine more coming across the state. Commenters on each post questioned if the burger chain was even coming to New Mexico anymore, while others said they thought the chain was opening in 2027. Here are the facts: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In-N-Out announced in 2023 that it is expanding to New Mexico and will open in the Albuquerque area by 2027, "with future expansion to other cities in the years beyond," according to a November 2023 news release from the burger chain.The University of New Mexico told the Journal shortly after that In-N-Out began the process of purchasing roughly two acres of land from UNM for $2 million, and will build a location near the fire station on Gibson and Interstate 25 in the South Campus Tax Increment Development District the only currently known planned location. The most recent development of the famed burgers coming to New Mexico came from UNM's director of real estate, Tom Neale, who shared last month that the transaction between UNM and In-N-Out for the site on Gibson is expected to close in May. Abbate said In-N-Out is "very much looking forward to opening stores in the beautiful state of New Mexico, and we appreciate our customers who have shared their anticipation with us as well." A quarter century after its inception and less than a year after its "full-throated" defense of artificial intelligence in writing the nonprofit behind the annual National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) challenge is closing its doors. Kilby Blades, a romance author serving as NaNoWriMo's interim executive director, announced in a video and in emails posted to social media that the nonprofit, which challenged participants to crank out a draft for a novel every November, would be shuttering because, essentially, it's out of money. In the nearly 30-minute-long video, Blades explained in detail the money problems that the competition which spawned the bestselling "Water For Elephants" and incorporated into a nonprofit six years ago has suffered, which sound both stark and legitimate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though the interim director did address prior allegations of abuse and grooming regarding the nonprofit's forums, she failed to mention the most recent elephant in the room: that last year, the group changed its policies to allow those who participated in its annual creative writing challenge to use AI generators. Beyond just allowing the use of AI, NaNoWriMo also claimed that merely criticizing the technology which has put untold numbers of writers and other workers out of a job, threatens to do so with many more, and goes against the challenge's founding ethos of inspiring people to do the work of writing is tantamount to ableism. "We believe that to categorically condemn AI would be to ignore classist and ableist issues surrounding the use of the technology," the nonprofit's 2024 statement reads, "and that questions around the use of AI tie to questions around privilege." Unsurprisingly, that messaging attracted immense criticism. In the wake of its release, professionals who had been affiliated with the decades-spanning competition publicly denounced it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Never use my name in your promo again," tweeted Daniel Jose Older, a New York Times bestselling young adult author and former NaNoWriMo board member, last September. "In fact never say my name at all and never email me again. Thanks." Maureen Johnson, another ex-board member and YA author, warned fellow writers on her way out the door about what the AI decision could mean. "I would also encourage writers to beware," Johnson wrote in an Instagram post, "your work on [NaNoWriMo's] platform is almost certainly going to be used to train AI." In the wake of the closure news, the usual usual suspects pointed to the grooming allegations leveled at NaNoWriMo accusations that were, it's worth noting, thoroughly investigated and handled by the nonprofit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Literary types, however, saw the AI writing on the wall. "So many people worked so hard to make NaNoWriMo what it was," children and YA author Maggie Tokuda-Hall posted on Bluesky, "and it was all squandered to prop up a plagiarism machine, truly betraying everything NaNo represented: the limitless creativity of normal people." "NaNoWriMo belongs to the writers, not some shit traitorous organization," another user declared. "Always has, always will." Indeed, for all that it became in its final years, NaNoWriMo was once a staple in the creative writing blogosphere and a way for those who didn't attend the Iowa Writers' Workshop to make names for themselves. Pedigree was never a factor for the challenge's winners, who all won upon writing at least 50,000 words during the month of November and who were only required to register for verification purposes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Obviously, the organization got mighty lost along the way, but it's still sad to see NaNoWriMo go and it feels like a harbinger of things to come. More on AI writing: LA Times Uses AI to Provide "Different Views" on the KKK (NewsNation) NASA astronaut Suni Williams released a video of her reunion with her two dogs after spending nine months onboard the International Space Station. Williams posted the view Sunday on X with the caption, Best homecoming ever! The video, which has received more than 330,000 views, shows Williams greeting her happy dogs. One gets so excited that it picks up a stick and trots around the front yard, wagging its tail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Williams and NASA astronaut Butch Wilmore, along with two other astronauts, returned to Earth on March 18. Community honors woman who grilled for others post-Helene The astronauts flew to the ISS in June 2024 as part of a test flight for Boeings Starliner capsule. They had been expected to return just a week or so later. However, many problems cropped up on the way to the space station, and NASA eventually sent the Starliner back empty and transferred the test pilots to SpaceX, pushing their homecoming to February. Then, SpaceX capsule issues added another months delay. The astronauts returned to Earth in a capsule that splashed down off the coast of Florida. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. Note: This is a developing story being updated. With the threat of severe storms and flooding throughout the region, a number of Middle Tennessee school districts have canceled classes Thursday. Cheatham County Schools was among the first to close. The district said in a release that all extra-curricular activities and extended daycare will also be canceled. Williamson, Wilson and Sumner counties were among many other districts announcing schools would close as storms moved into Middle Tennessee Wednesday night into Thursday morning with multiple tornado warnings issued in the region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Metro Nashville Public Schools closed early Thursday morning. That includes all of Nashville's before and after school care is cancelled unless the provider offers an inclement weather site. Families are encouraged to check with their provider for that information. All after-school activities, including sports practices, games, performances and meetings are also cancelled for Metro schools. Several school districts that initially announced two-hour delays like Robertson and Clarksville-Montgomery County eventually announced closures for the day. The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for portions of Middle Tennessee ahead of a days long period of storms forecast. The watch is in effect from 7 p.m. Wednesday through 7 a.m. Sunday. Middle Tennessee school closures Cheatham County Schools: Closed Thursday, April 3. Metro Nashville Public Schools: Closed, Thursday, April 3. Clarksville-Montgomery County School System: Closed, Thursday, April 3. Dickson County Schools : Closed Thursday, April 3. Houston County Schools: Closed, Thursday, April 3. Robertson County Schools: Closed, Thursday, April 3. Stewart County Schools: Closed Thursday, April 3. Wilson County Schools: Closed, Thursday, April 3. Lebanon Special School District: Closed, Thursday, April 3. Sumner County Schools: Closed, Thursday, April 3. Trousdale County Schools: Closed, Thursday, April 3. Smith County Schools: Closed, Thursday, April 3. Macon County Schools: Closed, Thursday, April 3. Williamson County Schools: Closed, Thursday, April 3. Humphreys County Schools: Closed, Thursday, April 3. Franklin Special School District: Closed, Thursday, April 3. Cannon County Schools: Closed, Thursday, April 3. Rutherford County Schools: Closed for spring break. Maury County Schools: Closed for spring break. This story was updated to add a video and gallery. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville area schools closings on Thursday due to severe weather NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) Officials with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District are monitoring the risk of severe flooding as Middle Tennessee prepares for several days of heavy rain. As currently forecasted, the organization does not have huge concerns for the upper-parts of the Cumberland River, near Nashville. Flooding concerns across Middle Tennessee ahead of more storms in the forecast Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, areas of higher concern are downstream and mainly to the west of Nashville like Montgomery and Cheatham counties, according to the Army Corps. This volume of rain has certainly got our attention and can absolutely cause a lot of problems, said Robert Dillingham, civil engineer for Nashvilles Army Corps Water Management Center. Theres a lot of unregulated streams the Harpeth River, the Red River. If you get 5 to 7 inches of rain, youre going to see some flooding. Nashvilles Army Corps of Engineers regulates four dam projects across the region. Dillingham said they dont plan to stop water flow at any of them, as of now. We have a very large ability to store water in those projects, ahead of this rainfall event, explained Dillingham. When the rainfall does start occurring, well be rapidly responding to the inflow, making releases [if needed] from our mainstream reservoir projects and making adjustments, as mother nature provides. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its kind of scary: Middle Tennessee hydrologist talks about likely flooding later this week You look and say, well, This is the April average in two days, Dillingham continued. But is that abnormal? I dont necessarily think so. Now, 7 to 10 inches-plus, thats certainly a whole other scale there; that is a little bit extreme. But thats not really whats forecasted for Nashville at this time. News 2 asked the agency how much of what they do nowadays is based on what they learned in 2010s flooding disaster. If the rainfall that occurred on 1 May and 2 May of 2010 [17 inches] happened tomorrow, youd see very similar flooding. Theres nothing we can do, Dillingham answered. But internally, our processes, our communication, our backups, our modeling system has all improved (since then). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the storms move in Wednesday, Dillingham encouraged Nashville-area residents to stay updated on the agencys social media pages and website for information on possible water releases along the Cumberland River basin. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. The 28-year-old woman who shot and killed six people at a Tennessee Christian school was primarily motivated by "notoriety" in the 2023 attack, police concluded in a final investigative report released Wednesday. Audrey Hale "bore no grudge against the school or staff" of The Covenant School in Nashville on March 27, 2023, when three 9-year-olds and a trio of adults were killed, according to the 48-page Metropolitan Nashville Police Department report. "In short, the motive determined over the course of the investigation was notoriety," investigators concluded after two years of examining how and why Hale opened fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police officers shot and killed Hale inside the school. "Hale longed for her name and actions to be remembered long after she was dead. She wanted absolute control of the narrative surrounding the attack, particularly her motives," the report says. "She saw herself as a victim in the attack, and even though at times she saw herself equal to those she would kill, there were occasions she considered herself to be 'the true victim' in the attack," it says. Police detailed Hale's minute-by-minute actions that day when she left her house at 8 a.m. CT and went to a gun range, carrying "a duffle bag and backpack, which contained three different firearms, ammunition, and equipment." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After she loaded weapons and donned a tactical vest, Hale arrived at the school at 9:53 a.m. and "remained inside her vehicle for the next several minutes and sent a goodbye message to her friend." Hale used an AR pistol to blast into the school at 10:10 a.m. and killed custodian Mike Hill a minute later. Hale then killed students Evelyn Dieckhaus, William Kinney and Hallie Scruggs and substitute teacher Cynthia Peak at 10:12 a.m. The first 911 calls from staff were made at 10:13 a.m., about the time headmaster Katherine Koonce left her office to investigate a fire alarm, set off by the smoke of Hale's shooting. Koonce was killed a minute later. Nashville police arrived at 10:19 a.m., and Hale reached a second-floor lobby minutes later to see officers pulling into the parking lot. Hale "took up a firing position at the window and opened fire on the officers exiting their vehicles, forcing them to take cover." The gunfire helped officers identify Hale's location, and upon "finding her in the second-floor lobby firing upon police officers, they shot and killed her" at 10:24 p.m. Police credited school staff members and students for quickly hiding in rooms to prevent even more bloodshed. "Despite all her research, she never realized schools have developed active killer response plans, which include them barricading within classrooms in a manner which would make it difficult for her to kill others," the report says. "Once she failed to find easy targets, she appeared to wander the hallways of the building, angry and confused about her lack of success in meeting her goals." Police spent the last two years talking to school staff members and those close to Hale, in addition to poring over her devices, writings and online activity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hale was fascinated by mass shootings, none more than the attack at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado. Fourteen people were killed when two students stormed the school near Denver on April 20, 1999, a massacre that has inspired a wave of copycat school shootings. Shooters Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold killed themselves at the scene of what was then the deadliest K-12 school shooting in U.S. history. "Yet even though she reviewed information for every mass killing she could find regardless of their motives or the targets they selected, she kept returning to Columbine as her true source of inspiration," according to the police report. "She did extensive research into the offenders, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, and considered them worthy of emulation. She focused on how their documented mental health history and societal views were similar to her own and how the notoriety they achieved following their deaths led them to becoming 'gods,'" it says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hale appeared to be a happy middle school student but struggled making the transitions to high school and college as old friends developed new interests and social sets, police said. At the urging of a therapist, Hale began keeping a journal in 2017; it eventually helped police understand her state of mind. "From 2018 forward, she began to insert her anger more and more into each entry," police said. "She began to write 'rage storms,' which consisted of long, expletive-filled entries devoted to topics that greatly angered her." After the shootings, officers found several stuffed animals in the front seat of Hale's car. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police would later conclude that the toys might have been, in Hale's viewpoint, her only trusted pals. "Her isolation and loneliness led Hale to begin believing the only true friends she could confide in were her stuffed animals, who she felt would never abandon her," police said. "She assigned them names and personalities, took them with her whenever she travelled, and began creating cartoons and digital media, including stories where they demonstrated some of the same emotions she felt," they said. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com The Nassau County Sheriffs Office has taken a man into custody after hours of searching in Fernandina Beach Wednesday night. The search centered on the area of Robinhood Drive, which is just south of the intersection of Sadler Road and South 14th Street. Deputies asked for the publics help in finding Ryan Daniel Nave around 4 P.M, saying only that he was a suspect in an incident that happened on Robinhood Drive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials reveal that he was finally taken into custody just after 10 P.M. Action News Jax was in Fernandina Beach throughout the search, and one neighbor said he believed to have seen him. I saw a gentleman on the left-hand side of the road coming out of a ditch, said David Powell. Powell said the man, who looked like Nave, was covered in blood. He was pulling up his shorts and had a red shirt on, brown-blackish hair with a short beard and blood all over, said Powell. He told Action News Jax and deputies the man claimed he fell into the ditch. But Powell said he didnt buy that because there was too much blood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am surprised to see that many police officers out here, said Powell. When Action News Jax was at the scene Wednesday, we saw deputies focus their investigation on one particular house. Some neighbors in the area, who did not want to speak on camera, told Action News Jax theyve seen a lot of drug activity at that house. Powell said he has seen deputies there in the past. Maybe one or two, said Powell. But I aint ever seen 20 cars. If you have information, contact the Sheriffs Office. If you wish to remain anonymous, please call the First Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS (8477). You can also enter tips online at www.fccrimestoppers.com. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. Editors Note: This article has been updated to clarify Topekas National Night Out has not been canceled but rather it will now be hosted by the City of Topeka instead of PARS. TOPEKA (KSNT) The City of Topeka will take over hosting the annual National Night Out after a local nonprofit decided to stop offering the event. On Tuesday, Topekas City Council voted to revise the Prevention and Resiliency Services (PARS) 2025 Safe Streets budget. City of Topeka spokesman Dan Garrett said PARS announced to the governing body in January it would no longer offer National Night Out due to the amount of work it takes. The governing body voted to reduce the Safe Streets budget by 25% from $61,000 to around $45,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to its website, PARS is introducing Block Talks as a new way to foster neighborhood engagement. In the past, initiatives like National Night Out provided an opportunity for neighborhoods to come together, However Block Talks takes this a step further by giving communities the flexibility to create gatherings, events, and conversations that are tailored to their unique needs and priorities. PARS website excerpt Lost Topeka neighborhood lost to time brought to life in film, art project Garret said there are plans to use the remaining taxpayer dollars it was putting towards PARS to instead fund a city-run National Night Out event of its own. He said the city will share more information in the coming months about what the event will look like. National Night Out brings neighbors together to learn more about the community they lived in and get educated on how to recognize suspicious activity. Recent National Night Out events featured things like fun yard games, car shows and more to give people a chance to get to know one another better. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tariffs hit Lawrence bridal shop as dress prices rise For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. A marijuana leaf on a plant at a cannabis grow in Gardena in 2019. (Associated Press) Gold Flora, a Southern California-based cannabis company that operates 16 dispensaries statewide, is seeking to sell its assets through a receivership, the latest sign of distress in the weed industry. Founded in 2017, the company is now facing mounting operating costs and legal fees stemming from a merger, Gold Flora's announcement said. The Costa Mesa-based company, which generates more than $100 million a year in revenue, said it expects to be placed into receivership in Los Angeles Superior Court and will sell all its dispensaries as well as its 10,000-square-foot cultivation campus. "This was a difficult but correct decision to make for all stakeholders," said chief executive and founder Laurie Holcomb in a statement last week. "We believe Gold Flora's business remains valuable and sound, but receivership is our only option to sell the business as a going concern." Because cannabis is not federally legal, cannabis companies can't file for bankruptcy like other struggling businesses might. Instead, a court-monitored receivership allows an attorney to auction off the company's assets to repay investors and creditors. Read more: MedMens fall shows the difficulties of the legal weed business Gold Flora owns popular dispensaries in the state including Airfield Supply Co. in San Jose and Calma in West Hollywood. The company distributes prominent brands of cannabis including Monogram, which was developed by rapper Jay-Z. In its most recent quarterly filing, the company listed total assets of $209.7 million and total liabilities of $273.1 million as of Sept. 30. It posted a net loss of $18.8 million on revenues of nearly $32.6 million in the third quarter of 2024. Gold Flora is not the only cannabis company to face hurdles recently. Once flush with cash from investors, the boutique dispensary company MedMen has closed several locations in California and has faced a flurry of lawsuits over alleged mismanagement and failure to pay its bills. California cannabis companies have faced heavy competition from those looking to capitalize on the state's green rush, and cannabis' classification as a Schedule I drug presents unique obstacles. As long as the drug remains illegal under federal law, many big financial institutions will avoid working with cannabis companies, limiting their ability to get business loans, open bank accounts and accept credit cards. Cannabis businesses also pay far higher tax bills than most other companies because of a section of the federal tax code that prevents companies from taking typical business deductions from gross income associated with selling Schedule I or II substances. Officials in Pennsylvania have announced the redevelopment of a former coal-fired power plant site into a $10-billion-plus data center campus that will be powered by natural gas, in what they call the largest capital investment project in that state's history. Homer City Redevelopment (HCR) and Kiewit Power Constructors on April 2 said the former Homer City Generating Station, which was the largest coal-fired power plant in the state, now will be home to a natural gas-fired facility with as much as 4.5 GW of power generation, which would be the largest gas-fired power station in the U.S. Officials said the Homer City Energy Campus will cover about 3,200 acres, with construction at the site expected to start this year. Seven GE Vernova 7HA.02 hydrogen-enabled, gas-fired turbines will power the campus. The first equipment deliveries are expected next year. The 4.5-GW facility, once operational, would be the largest natural gas-fired power plant in the U.S., topping the 3,777-MW West County Energy Center in Palm Beach County, Florida. Renderings of the project, available here, were released as part of Wednesday's announcement. "This project will honor Homer City's place in the proud history of Pennsylvania energy generation, while accelerating the state and local community's ability to meet the needs of a rapidly shifting energy landscape," said William Wexler, president and CEO of HCR, a group created to lead redevelopment of the Homer City Generating Station site. The 2-GW Homer City coal plant, located about 50 miles east of Pittsburgh, first came online in 1969 and operated until it was decommissioned on July 1, 2023. The Homer City coal plant was known both for being a major polluter and for its smokestacks, with the Unit 3 stack at 1,217 feet tall considered the tallest in the U.S. "Alongside our best-in-class partners, we have been working tirelessly to ensure that Homer City's transformation can happen as quickly and seamlessly as possible," said Wexler. "Further, we are fully committed to maximizing the unprecedented level of economic opportunity this project represents not just for Indiana County, but for all of Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic region of the country." Kiewit Will Serve as EPC Kiewit will serve as the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) lead for the project. Officials on Wednesday noted that much of the critical infrastructure for the project is already in place from the legacy Homer City plant. That includes transmission lines serving power grids for both the PJM and NYISO territories, along with substations. The site also has water access. Dave Flickinger, executive vice president of Kiewit Power Constructors, said, "Kiewit is excited to help advance what is poised to become the nation's largest natural gas-powered plant. We've been pleased by how quickly all parties have worked to make this project shovel-ready, all while holding firm to the highest standards of safety and qualityprinciples we live by at Kiewit. We look forward to continuing our tradition of collaboration and moving with purpose as we enter the next phase on the ground." Plans to build a natural gas-fired power plant at the site were announced last year, part of Pennsylvania's move to phase out coal-fired power and use more of the state's own natural gas. Officials on Wednesday noted the site will use natural gas from the Marcellus Shale, the largest natural gas field in the U.S. More than half of Pennsylvania's electricity is generated by natural gas-fired power plants, with more than three dozen operating in the state. Pennsylvania is the second-largest producer of natural gas in the U.S., behind only Texas. Pennsylvania Phasing Out Coal State officials have said all remaining coal-fired units in Pennsylvania are scheduled to be shut down, or converted to burn natural gas, by 2028. Scott Strazik, CEO of GE Vernova, said, "We are honored to provide our U.S.-manufactured, highly efficient and advanced HA gas turbine technology and combined cycle equipment for the Homer City Energy Campus. This project demonstrates the best in what investing in power can do; more affordable and reliable energy for everyone, revitalizing local economic development benefits with thousands of skilled jobs and enabling Pennsylvania to help lead the future of AI." Officials said the redevelopment project, and its use of natural gas, would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 60% to 65% per megawatt hour compared to the former coal plant. They said the campus will have enough power generation capacity to serve multiple large data center customers, and also supply power to the local grid for residential and other customers. The project is expected to create more than 10,000 direct on-site construction-related jobs, along with about 1,000 total direct and indirect permanent positions in technology, operations and energy infrastructure, according to a news release. Officials on Wednesday said the project's initial capital investment is expected to top $10 billion for power infrastructure and site readiness, with "billions more" expected from development of data centers at the site. Knighthead Capital Management, a New York-based group, on behalf of certain entities it manages and advises, has had significant equity positions in Homer City for nearly eight years and will continue to lead project financing. Andrew Shannahan, a partner at Knighthead, said the group "is thrilled to be involved in the long-term development of the Homer City Energy Campus, which we believe will play a vital role in securing America's AI [artificial intelligence] and energy capacity dominance. We have long recognized the unique value inherent in Homer City's infrastructure and power generation attributes, and we look forward to working closely with all of the local and national stakeholders that will play essential roles in making this vision a reality." Darrell Proctor is a senior editor for POWER. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte believes that "crazy" statements by Russian ruler Vladimir Putin and Russian officials about a peace deal with Ukraine should not be taken too seriously, as they are part of Russia's negotiation tactics. Source: Rutte at a press conference in Brussels on 2 April, as reported by European Pravda Details: Rutte emphasised that while Putins and Russias statements on a peace settlement in Ukraine should not be taken at face value, they still require attention and response. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "You will hear many crazy things coming out of Putin and out of Russia, including their demands for a peace deal or whatever. I would not take it all too seriously. Of course, we have to look into it always and have to react to it." Details: Rutte said he meant that "this is also how he [Putin] tries to negotiate". "I commend President Trump for breaking the deadlock, for getting the discussion going, for getting this initial 30-day ceasefire on the energy infrastructure, steps taken about the Black Sea. Of course, we hope for more. I know that the American administration is working day and night to get it done," Rutte stated. He added that "it is important for the European side that countries like the UK and France are thinking about the situation post a ceasefire, a peace deal". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "I would comment on every media outing of Putin, particularly when it comes to what the Americans are trying to establish in terms of a ceasefire and a peace deal. It is not helpful. But you will hear many strange things coming out of Moscow." Background: Officials from US President Donald Trump's administration have recently discussed the likelihood that the US will not be able to secure a peace deal on Ukraine in the coming months due to additional conditions set by Russia during negotiations. Trump told NBC News that he was "very angry" after Putin criticised the credibility of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyys leadership. Trump suggested that the US could impose additional tariffs of 25-50% on buyers of Russian oil. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! The North Atlantic Alliance has reaffirmed that NATO's policy on Ukraine's future membership remains unchanged. Source: a NATO official, speaking on condition of anonymity to journalists in Brussels but representing the organisation's official stance, as reported by European Pravda Details: The official stressed that NATO does not believe that its view on Ukraine's membership has changed despite recent remarks by the US leadership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Nothing has changed in our relations. Our relationship is still strong; we have strong political engagement and practical cooperation in many areas," the Alliance said. Moreover, there have been no changes in the previously adopted policy towards Ukraine. "Allies stated at the Washington summit that Ukraine's path to NATO is irreversible. This decision remains in force and continues to be a shared NATO policy. For us, Ukraine's right to choose its alliances and determine its foreign policy course is just as important now as it has always been," the NATO Secretariat emphasised. NATO Headquarters also stressed that the principle of a state's right to determine the level of its aspirations in relations with NATO applies not only to Ukraine but to all nations, as it is a fundamental principle of global politics. Background: On 12 February, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth ruled out the possibility of Ukraine joining NATO. US President Donald Trump later endorsed this position. His security adviser, Mike Waltz, gave a slightly softer signal. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has so far avoided public comment on the issue. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! NATO officials have suspended talks about recalibrating their strategy on Russia as the U.S. pushes for a peace settlement in Ukraine, Euractiv reported on April 2, citing undisclosed diplomatic sources. The joint declaration at the Washington summit last year included a commitment to "develop recommendations on NATO's strategic approach to Russia, taking into account the changing security environment." U.S. President Donald Trump, taking office in January, has been mostly reluctant to adopt a confrontational stance toward Moscow as he hopes to broker a ceasefire and a broad peace plan in Ukraine, ending the full-scale war that has been ongoing for more than three years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While NATO members initially planned to prepare the new Russia strategy by The Hague allied summit in June 2025, the discussions have been effectively on hold for months, Euractiv reported. According to one of the sources, a key reason is that Washington's partners "do not know" what the U.S. president seeks to achieve in the negotiations. The news illustrates the sway the U.S. continues to hold over NATO's strategies even under Trump's unpredictable second presidency. In a stark shift from his predecessor, ex-President Joe Biden, Trump resumed direct diplomatic talks with Russia and floated new joint economic ventures. His team is reportedly set to host a Russian presidential aide later this week in the first such visit since 2022. However, recent days show that Trump is growing increasingly frustrated with Russia and President Vladimir Putin as the Kremlin continues to resist the U.S.-proposed 30-day truce, which Kyiv already supported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: US overestimated its ability to deal with Russia over past 35 years, Alexander Vindman says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. WINNABOW, N.C. (WNCN) As the weather warms up for spring, alligators in North Carolina are waking up and stirring along the coast. Eastern North Carolina is home to most of the alligators and they are most plentiful in Brunswick County in the far southern part of the state. Orton Pond, a 500-acre pond near the Cape Fear River in Brunswick County, is known for having the most gators in the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About 10 miles north, along Town Creek, gators are already out and moving around, says Jamie Short, owner of The Gator Hole Country Store and Tackle, which offers tours along the river. So far, Short has spotted up to 12 gators by the start of April. Last season, he saw 17 different alligators during the tours he offers of local wildlife. VIDEO: Huge alligators death roll defies NC deputies in struggle along coastal road Were starting to see one to two more each day, said Short, who added that a big one just appeared at the notorious nearby Orton Pond. Adult male gators can reach weights of more than 500 pounds and are typically 13-14 feet. An alligator out in the sun just last week along Town Creek in Brunswick County. Photo courtesy: Capt. Jamie Short In the past, North Carolina allowed alligator hunting during a season but now hunts only happen after a municipality has requested one, according to Alicia D. Wassmer, an alligator biologist with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Short says even when active during the summer, alligators are docile and said hes been in Town Creek with the animals. PHOTOS: Massive gator shuts down road in Wilmington They are docile. They dont want anything to do with humans, said Short, who is the boat captain of the tours. I have swam out here with them in the water. Numbers from Wassmer appear to back that up. Since 2019, only one North Carolina alligator was killed due to aggressive behavior and resulted from being fed by people, Wassmer said in a release to CBS 17. Just one population reduction hunt has taken place. That was in Hyde County in 2018 and one alligator was killed, Wassmer said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement VIDEO: Alligator caught on video in surf at NC beach At Orton Pond last summer, Short said three large alligators regularly lined up along a road, seeking food from people after they had been fed several times in the past. People giving them food gets the gators used to humans, Short said. The gator could lose its life because of it. One gator became famous last May when Brunswick County deputies tried to remove the animal from a highway near the Cape Fear River. The alligator surprised deputies when it was caught on video performing a death roll while trying to get loose. After 2 alligator scares in weeks, NC beach town warns about aggressive gators Two alligators out in the sun just last week along Town Creek in Brunswick County. Photos courtesy: Capt. Jamie Short The number of gators at Orton Pond has doubled since 1980, when there were 40 counted. In 2015, the number was at 79 and has most certainly increased in the last 10 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sunset Beach, a Brunswick County, North Carolina community that borders South Carolina, had several run-ins with alligators last year. A gator was found at the police department and refused to move out of an officers parking space. A few weeks earlier, an alligator was found hiding under a car at a nearby Food Lion parking lot. Both alligators were relocated and police later warned people to stay away from alligators especially females in their nests. Police have signs up around town where they know of active alligator nests. The alligator in a death roll while trying to escape. Photo courtesy: Brunswick County Sheriffs Office Female alligators that are sitting on their nests can be aggressive, and feel threatened when approached, police wrote on Facebook. DO NOT approach a suspected alligator nest! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At times, some alligators are killed by officials but that typically happens when an alligator is already suffering from major injuries, Wassmer said. As the weather keeps warming up, Short is excited by what he sees along Town Creek. Were seeing a bunch more little ones this year little ones that survived the winter are getting out and eating, Short said. He started the wildlife boat tour company with his fiancee Nikole Pruitt three years ago in the Winnabow community just outside Wilmington. An alligator out in the sun just last week along Town Creek in Brunswick County. Photo courtesy: Capt. Jamie Short Short said the water temperature has a lot to do with the alligator activity and feeding. They are getting more and more active each day, he said about what he sees each day less than a mile from the Cape Fear River. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wassmer said N.C. Wildlife encourages anyone with concerns about alligators in their area to call the Wildlife Helpline at 1-866-318-2401. People can also email the biologists during typical work hours at wildlifehelpline@ncwildlife.org The commission does not plan to issue permits to take American alligators at this time, Wassmer added. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS17.com. The campus of UNC-Chapel Hill (Photo: Clayton Henkel/NC Newsline) Republican lawmakers in North Carolina are looking to define a range of discriminatory practices and divisive concepts on college campuses through a new bill, the latest in of a series of efforts by GOP leadership to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion from all sectors of government. Senate Bill 558, led by a trio of Republicans including the Senate leader, would seek to expand on a ban on DEI practices already put in place by the UNC System Board of Governors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the bill is entitled Eliminating DEI in Public Higher Education, sponsor Sen. Brad Overcash (R-Gaston) argued that the measure does not bar diversity, equity and inclusion nor seek to define it. Rather, it defines a range of divisive concepts and discriminatory practices that campuses are forbidden from endorsing or affirming including treating a person differently solely to advantage or disadvantage that individual. The language is almost identical to a similar bill applying to K-12 public schools, which has passed the Senate. Those practices and programming have divided our campus, divided our student bodies, divided our faculties, along lines that are unnecessary and unproductive, said Overcash. But critics of the bill warned Wednesday that as written, it could have wide-reaching impacts on scholarship programs for minority and rural students, as well as potentially chilling classroom discussions about race and other subjects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The problem is, theyre defined in vague and sweeping terms, Sen. Caleb Theodros (D-Mecklenburg) said during a Senate Education Committee hearing. Its not really based on the intent, its interpretation. Sen. Sophia Chitlik (D-Durham) raised questions (see the video above) about wording in the bill that purports to ban DEI initiatives without ever defining what the term refers to. And Reighlah Collins, policy counsel for the ACLU of North Carolina, said the bill would hurt recruitment efforts and result in censorship of curricula. Republican sponsors pushed back on those lines of criticism. Overcash said he believed scholarship programs were apples and oranges compared to the practices and ideas in the crosshairs of the bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the chair of the committee, Sen. Michael Lee (R-Hanover), urged members to get in touch if they were concerned about specific items in the list of divisive concepts. Sen. Michael Lee (R-New Hanover) (Photo: ncleg.gov) Please come and talk to us so we make sure we understand the impact of that in this particular bill, Lee said. The bill would require both the State Board of Community Colleges and the UNC System Board of Governors to adopt new DEI policies to comply with the new regulations. In May 2024, the UNC System board voted to repeal its DEI policy, replacing it with a statement of principled neutrality. Months later, the university had eliminated at least 59 positions in response. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And shortly after the Trump administration took office this year and purported to ban DEI through executive order, the university stopped requiring DEI general education courses, the Raleigh News & Observer reported. Other states have pushed for similar restrictions on both K-12 schools and higher education. Last year, Alabama passed a sweeping anti-DEI law for public schools that included a ban on affirming or endorsing divisive concepts; two years prior, Georgia passed a similar law. And other bills with similar language have been introduced by Republican lawmakers in Missouri and Kansas, according to a tracker by Education Week. The bill, which was approved by the Education Committee, now heads to the Senate Rules Committee. Primarks parent company said Mr Marchants actions fell below the standards expected by ABF - PAUL FAITH/AFP The boss of Primark has resigned following an investigation into his behaviour towards a woman. Paul Marchant, chief executive of the budget retailer, has stepped down with immediate effect after the woman made an allegation about his conduct at a social event. Mr Marchants shock departure is understood to have come after he was rebuked by Primark previously over an inappropriate communication in a separate incident. A spokesman for Primarks parent company, Associated British Foods (ABF), said: One previous incident involving inappropriate communication was investigated some time ago. Proportionate action was taken at the time. However, the latest allegation is understood to have been of a physical sexual nature. It is believed to have happened towards the end of last year and involved a different individual. ABF said Mr Marchant had cooperated with an investigation carried out by external lawyers. It said the fashion boss acknowledged his error of judgement and accepts that his actions fell below the standards expected by ABF. ABF said Mr Marchant, who has served as Primarks chief executive since 2009, had apologised to the woman concerned, as well as to the companys board and his colleagues. He is understood to have handed in his resignation over the weekend. Immensely disappointed The London-listed group, which is controlled by the Canadian billionaire Weston family, said it was committed to providing a safe, respectful, and inclusive work environment. It added that it would continue to offer support to the individual that brought Mr Marchants behaviour to its attention. The company declined to give any further details of the woman involved, including whether she was an employee. It also refused to comment on details of the allegation. George Weston, chief executive of ABF, said: I am immensely disappointed. At ABF, we believe that high standards of integrity are essential. Acting responsibly is the only way to build and manage a business over the long term. Colleagues and others must be treated with respect and dignity. Our culture has to be, and is, bigger than any one individual. Share price tumbles It comes at a difficult time for Primark, which in January was forced to cut annual sales forecasts, citing weaker spending from UK customers. ABF had said the high street chain was facing a challenging retail environment, adding there was particular pressure on retailers that targeted lower-income customers. During his tenure at Primark, Mr Marchant oversaw the retailers expansion in Europe and the US. Veteran Canadian rocker Neil Young has shared his fears over a potential ban from the U.S. that may await him upon his return from Europe. The musician who is a dual citizen of Canada and the U.S. has not been shy in regard to his criticism of President Donald Trump in the past. Previously, Young has gone so far as to call Trump a disgrace to my country, and most recently, claim that the US has lost its standing on the world stage under the Presidents leadership. More from Billboard Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, with an upcoming European tour set to be followed by a run of dates in the U.S., Young has taken to his Archives website to ruminate on the notion that he too may be barred from entering the country for sharing his critical thoughts on Trump. When I go to play music in Europe, if I talk about Donald J. Trump, I may be one of those returning to America who is barred or put in jail to sleep on a cement floor with an aluminum blanket, Young wrote on Tuesday (April 1). If I come back from Europe and am barred, cant play my USA tour, all of the folks who bought tickets will not be able to come to a concert by me. If the fact that I think Donald Trump is the worst president in the history of our great country could stop me from coming back, what does that say for Freedom? I love America and its people and its music and its culture. As Young continued, he reflected on the constitutional right to freedom of speech within the country, likely referring to recent news stories such as the arrest and orders to deport Syrian-born permanent resident and pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By these latest actions of our US government, it seems that those who speak out freely with their own opinions are now vulnerable to a non-existent Trump law, Young wrote. Then it seems to me that if you voted for Kamala Harris over Trump, that makes it possible for you to go to jail or be detained, punished in some way for not showing allegiance to what? How spineless is that? Trump is not be able to stand up to anyone who does not agree with his ideas? Remember, all months have 30 days, he concluded. One country, indivisible, with Liberty and Freedom for all. Remember that? I do. Young is currently scheduled to launch his forthcoming tour with the Chrome Hearts in Rattvik, Sweden on June 18, with North American dates set to begin in Charlotte, NC on Aug. 8. The rockers previously-announced plans for a free concert in Ukraine to launch the tour were recently cancelled, with Young citing safety concerns as the reason for the decision. Best of Billboard Sign up for Billboard's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is visiting Hungary in his first trip to Europe since the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant against him. Israeli media reported that Netanyahu was expected to depart from Tel Aviv at 11:15 pm (2015 GMT) on Wednesday, arriving in Budapest shortly after midnight on Thursday. His return to Israel is planned for Sunday. The ICC accused him last November of crimes against humanity and war crimes during the Gaza war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban, according to Netanyahu's office. Orban extended the invitation to Netanyahu shortly after the arrest warrant was issued, making it clear that the Israeli prime minister would not face arrest by Hungarian authorities. Although Hungary has ratified the relevant ICC statute, it does not consider itself bound by its provisions. Contrary to usual practice in Israel, no details about the visit were disclosed in advance. The Hungarian prime minister's press office also declined to comment when asked. Observers attribute the secrecy to the sensitive nature of the visit, given the arrest warrant against Netanyahu. Israel plans to establish another security corridor that divides the Gaza Strip, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday. "We are conquering the Morag corridor," he said in a video address. Morag was once an Israeli settlement in the south of the Palestinian territory. According to Israeli media, the route would separate the city of Rafah from the city of Khan Younis. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz had previously announced the conquest of extensive areas that are to become Israeli "security zones." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Netanyahu said the division of the Gaza Strip increases the pressure on Hamas until the Palestinian Islamist group releases the remaining hostages. The Israeli military already controls a large part of the so-called Netzarim Corridor, a strategically important route that divides the coastal strip into a northern and a southern half. "Tonight we have shifted up a gear in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli armed forces are capturing areas, attacking terrorists," Netanyahu said. Q : What are the underlying assumptions for the 1.5% upside potential from the reconstruction of Ukraine? A : Hubert Spechtenhauser, Chairman of the Management Board, explained that the 1.5% upside in return on equity is based on pre-war growth rates and profitability levels in Ukraine, which saw growth rates of 10-15% and return on equity around 20%. This does not excessively reflect potential reconstruction efforts or Western support inflows. The net interest margin decreased to 3.3% in Q4, impacted by lower income from cash and cash equivalents and deposit repricing. The return on equity was reduced by approximately 1 percentage point due to a short-term 50% profit tax on banks. The economic and banking sector challenges in Ecuador resulted in a negative contribution of more than EUR10 million to the consolidated result. The cost-to-income ratio increased to 68%, driven by higher costs related to strategic investments and negative contributions from Ecuador. The company has made significant progress in its net zero strategy, aiming for a net zero emission portfolio by 2050. The company is on track with its strategic investments, allowing for an attractive dividend proposal for the upcoming AGM. ProCredit Holding AG ( XTER:PCZ ) achieved historic high levels of growth in loans and deposits, with loan growth at 12.6% and deposit growth at EUR1 billion. For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. Loan Growth: 12.6% overall growth, with half of the banks in Eastern and Southeastern Europe achieving over 15% growth. Story Continues Q: Can you explain the factors driving the increase in risk-weighted asset density to 66%? A: Christian Dagrosa, CFO, stated that the increase is due to several factors, including increased liquidity buffers in Ukraine and Ecuador, recalibration of operational risk, and higher market risk. These factors contribute to a temporarily higher risk-weighted asset density, but future upside is expected. Q: What is the outlook for the net interest margin in 2025, and what measures are in place to prevent further deterioration? A: Christian Dagrosa noted that the net interest margin has been affected by lower income from cash equivalents and deposit repricing. The margin is expected to stabilize as strategic measures are implemented, including focusing on lower volume segment loans with higher average rates. Q: What is the business case for the Ecuadorian bank, and are there plans to sell or liquidate it? A: Hubert Spechtenhauser stated that the focus is on turning the bank profitable by concentrating on lower volume segments with higher regulatory caps. While Ecuador is not part of the core region, there are no current plans to sell or liquidate the bank, and management is working to improve its situation. Q: Are there discussions with governmental authorities regarding ProCredit's role in Ukraine's reconstruction? A: Hubert Spechtenhauser confirmed that ProCredit is preparing for a potential role in Ukraine's reconstruction, supported by institutional shareholders like KFW and EBRD. However, it is premature to publicly discuss specific discussions, but the bank is positioned to engage meaningfully once conditions improve. For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Once upon a time, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strode the world with great confidence. His message for audiences back home, after another successful trip to Africa or Asia, would focus on how his hosts wanted Israels technology and admired its security. It is very different these days. Since the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a warrant for his arrest in November over allegations of possible war crimes in Gaza, Netanyahu hasnt visited a country under the courts jurisdiction. That is, until Wednesday, when he landed in Budapest for a four-day visit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Welcome to Budapest, Israel PM, Benjamin Netanyahu! Hungarys defense minister Kristof Szalay-Bobrovniczky wrote in a post on Facebook alongside photos of the pair meeting at the airport. The Hungarian capital is safe ground for the Israeli leader and home to one of his biggest international pals, Viktor Orban. Hungarys premier was among the first to condemn the ICC announcement, in which the court said it had reasonable grounds to believe Netanyahu bore criminal responsibility for war crimes including starvation as a method of warfare. Brazen, cynical and completely unacceptable, Orban countered, adding that his friends freedom would be guaranteed when he next wished to visit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Should it indeed fail to enforce the ICC decision, Hungary will be in breach of its obligations under the Rome Statute, which established the court in 2002. But it seems clear Netanyahu is not concerned he may be met by police when he lands at Budapests Ferenc Liszt airport. And he is not a man given to taking chances. When he flew to the United States in February, his plane flew a longer route than necessary, passing close to a series of US air bases in Europe. The 75-year-old has had health issues and there were concerns over whether some countries would be safe if his plane were forced to make an emergency landing. The US like Israel and several other countries such as Russia and China has not signed up to the court. The Budapest visit is expected to see the Israeli leader tour the citys Holocaust Museum, in addition to various political meetings. But the schedule is also noticeably empty toward the backend of the trip. And while this coincides with Shabbat which Netanyahu is seen as observing for pragmatic, if not religious, reasons some in Israel have expressed surprise the prime minister has not opted to return home on Friday before it begins, especially given the Israeli armys renewed offensive inside Gaza. Given the restrictions on his travel options, it may be that the Israeli leader has other meetings planned with foreign emissaries during his time in Budapest. For sure, as a safe third country, Hungary offers a now-rare opportunity for Netanyahu to pursue more sensitive initiatives face-to-face. An Israeli National flag is raised in Budapest, with the Buda Castle seen in the background, as preparations are underway for Netanyahu's visit on Wednesday. - Attila Kisbenedek/AFP via Getty Images Whatever his diary might look like, the trip is a golden opportunity for Netanyahu to make a point about the ICC and show that he can still function as a normal prime minister, Yair Zivan, long-time foreign policy aide to Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid, and editor of a book The Centre Must Hold, told CNN. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zivan, in common with the overwhelming majority of Israelis, regardless of what they think of Netanyahu, is highly critical of the arrest warrant, arguing that it serves as a reward for Hamas terrorism. But he articulates the dilemma felt by many of his countrymen and women when they see Israels leader in the happy embrace of autocracy. We obviously appreciate the support that we get, especially when too many people have turned their backs on us in the last 18 months. But the decision to align yourself with a values-based relationship, with people who are, like Netanyahu, trying to undermine liberal democracy, trying to undermine the basic checks and balances that allow democracy to function, is a deeply troubling one for us and for the world, he said. Netanyahu and Orban have been pursuing attacks on their respective countries judiciary and media for many years. In Israel, popular protests against the countrys most right-wing government ever have stepped up again, given new impetus by growing opposition to a resumption of the war in Gaza at the expense of securing the release of the remaining hostages held in the territory. In Hungary, too, there is a burgeoning sense that Orban, for the first time in more than a decade, is facing a serious challenge to his rule. Elections are not due for a year, but the opposition, in Peter Magyar, appears to have found a leader able to tap into popular discontent on issues like falling standards in schools and hospitals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So, for Orban, as well, the visit of Netanyahu offers the chance to get back to basics and exploit a certain inferiority complex among Hungarians, Marton Gergely, editor of independent news weekly HVG, told CNN. Orban is serving the countrys national pride by showing that he is bigger than the stage Hungary by itself grants him. To do that, he actively looks for provocative possibilities, like inviting Xi Jinping to Budapest, and meeting with Vladimir Putin despite the war in Ukraine, he says. Thumbing his nose at the ICC by welcoming Netanyahu is an opportunity too good to miss. The visit, then, offers the two men something of a respite from the challenges both see as paramount. Namely, holding on to power. And while the interests of international law look unlikely to be served over the next four days, the trip, by virtue of its singularity, acts as a reminder of the new international constraints under which Israels leader now operates. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com LAS VEGAS (AP) A long-dormant 1985 state law in Nevada requiring parents or guardians to be notified before a minor undergoes an abortion can be enforced, a federal judge ruled Monday. U.S. District Court Judge Anne Traum in Nevada said in a written decision that the 40-year-old law can take effect on April 30, but the judge also left open the possibility for abortion rights advocates to seek a court order blocking its reinstatement while they challenge the law's constitutionality. The requirement has never before been enforced in Nevada because of a 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that found it was unconstitutional based on Roe v. Wade. But after the Supreme Court reversed the landmark decision in 2022, stripping away constitutional protections for abortion, a group of district attorneys mostly in rural Nevada sued to restore the 1985 law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Planned Parenthood argued that the 1985 law, despite the reversal of Roe, remains unconstitutionally vague and that it violates minors rights to due process and equal protection. But Traum, who was appointed by President Joe Biden, said in her decision that whether the statute is unconstitutional for another reason has not been fully litigated nor is that question before the Court in this motion. Emailed messages seeking comment Tuesday were left with attorneys for Planned Parenthood. James Bopp Jr., a lawyer representing some of the district attorneys, told The Associated Press that the law would protect vulnerable, immature girls from making a decision that has life-altering consequences for themselves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abortions in Nevada are legal until 24 weeks, with exceptions to save a mothers life or to protect her health. In November, a ballot question to enshrine Nevadas abortion rights in the state constitution received its first nod of approval from voters, who must also approve the measure in 2026 in order to amend the constitution. Parental involvement in a minors decision to have an abortion is required in 36 states, according to KFF, a nonprofit that researches health care issues. Some states require only parental notification, as is the case with Nevada's law, while other states also require consent. Nevada's law also allows a minor to get a court order authorizing an abortion without first notifying parents or guardians. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Republican Governor Joe Lombardo announced Tuesday that the state is entering an agreement with the federal government to identify what land is available in Nevada. Lombardo revealed the agreement at a briefing on his housing bill. 8 News Now first reported the bills creation. Nevada Gov. Lombardo unveils $1 billion affordable housing plan: We have to expand The bill would remove restrictions for builders looking to develop affordable housing on federal land, which Governor Lombardo said is part of his plan to make Nevada more affordable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is what were doing. Were putting people to work, Lombardo said. Were developing ideas to ensure that they stay in work, and they have long-term jobs, not a short-term job, and expanding upon the economy. Lombardo wants to expand the places where people can live, which he believes will expand the economy. That coming through the newly announced collaboration with the Bureau of Land Management, which owns more than 80% of Nevadas land. Weve had more accomplished in this short period of time with the Bureau of Land Management than we have had in several years, Lombardo said. He is expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with BLM at the start of May. The bill also speeds up how quickly those new developments can be built and makes more people eligible to live in affordable housing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Education, jobs, that pay well and making it affordable for them to purchase home, ensure that they remain within the state of Nevada and that they have a good quality of life, Lombardo said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A Henderson man faces a terror-related charge for allegedly threatening to kill Jewish people, documents said. Last week, a Clark County grand jury voted to indict Michael Tomasino, 38, on a charge of making threats or conveying false information concerning an act of terrorism, records said. On March 11, an anonymous user on 4chan, later identified as Tomasino, posted about [killing] Jews and [committing] suicide, documents said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im an antisemite and Im going to kill as many as you [expletive] [expletives] as I can before I commit suicide, the post said, according to police. The FBI became aware of the post and notified the LVMPD Southern Nevada Counter Terrorism Section, documents said. Internet records tied the post to Tomasinos Henderson address. While speaking with police the following day, Tomasino quickly admitted to posting antisemitic content daily, police said. Police arrested Tomasino that day. During Tomasinos initial court appearance, a pro temp judge set bail at $20,000, records said. During a grand jury return hearing on March 27, Clark County District Court Chief Judge Jerry Wiese raised bail to $50,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tomasino remained in custody as of Tuesday. Antisemitic incidents across the United States increased 140% from 2022 to 2023, according to the Anti-Defamation League. The 8,873 incidents the nonprofit tracked in 2023 totaled the previous three years combined. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. (Reuters) -U.S. chipmaker Qualcomm is considering making an offer to acquire Alphawave IP Group, it said on Tuesday, sending shares of the British semiconductor company surging more than 52%. Alphawave designs and licenses semiconductor technology for data centers, networking, and storage. Its 'serdes' technology determines how fast information can be processed by chips - crucial for AI development - and serves as the foundation for Broadcom and Marvell Technology's multibillion-dollar bespoke chip businesses. Alphawave's shares soared by more than half to a high of 142.9 pence, valuing it at 708.2 million pounds ($913.1 million), according to LSEG data. As of Monday's close, the stock had slumped more than 70% from its all-time peak in August 2021. Qualcomm did not respond to a Reuters request for further details of a potential deal, while Alphawave did not comment. Under UK takeover rules, the U.S. company now has until April 29 to make a firm offer or walk away. Qualcomm's expression of interest came after Reuters exclusively reported earlier in the day that SoftBank-owned chip tech provider Arm had recently sought to buy Alphawave before deciding against a takeover. Arm was looking to secure crucial technology for building its own artificial-intelligence processors, Reuters reported, citing three sources familiar with the matter. Arm and Alphawave both declined to comment. Media reports last year said Qualcomm had also discussed a potential deal to buy some or all of U.S. rival Intel. ($1 = 0.7756 pounds) (Reporting by Yamini Kalia and Anandita Mehrotra in Bengaluru; Editing by Shilpi Majumdar and Jan Harvey) John Cooper has been an advocate for the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station for the past 30 years and his tireless work has not gone unnoticed. The Niagara Military Affairs Council chairman is one of three national honorees the Association of Defense Communities is recognizing this year for their work in communities that host American military bases. He and the other honorees will be recognized at the Defense Communities National Summit today in Washington, D.C. This is the first such national recognition Cooper and NIMAC received for their efforts, which they were informed of this past November. He will not be in D.C. for the ceremony; his son will accept it on his behalf. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To get the recognition of your peers is a great honor, Cooper said. There are a lot of people who made this happen. It wasnt a one-person effort. Currently, home to the Air Forces 914th Air Refueling Wing and New York Air National Guard 107th Attack Wing, the military has had a presence on the Niagara Falls airport grounds ever since Bell Aircraft opened its plane manufacturing facility there in 1941. The 1995 Base Realignment and Closure Commission proposed closing the air base. The former Niagara Falls area chamber of commerce tasked Cooper and Merrell Lane to lead the process, resulting in NIMACs creation. That campaign preventing that included several trips to the Capitol and Pentagon and educating local communicates on the consequences of base closure, resulting in over 125,000 letters to the BRAC commission and keeping it open. It was listed on the BRAC 2005 list of possible base closures, the last time this process happened, with NIMAC again preventing it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What hes been able to do with that group is emblematic of how community leaders can go up and beyond, said Matt Borron, the executive director of ADC. The base is one of the countys largest employers with around 3,000 military, civil service, and defense contract personnel there, with an estimated economic impact of around $200 million. Cooper still makes regular trips to Washington to promote the base and appeal for funding. Ongoing base improvements include a $30 million fuel delivery system, a new $20 million headquarters for the 107th, the $65 million runway rehabilitation, and a proposed $54 million operations facility NIMAC hopes is included in the next federal defense budget. Borron noted that base closures are a conventional topic of conversation, with the idea being floated around Washington. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What John was able to do with NIMAC to influence decision-makers, you need champions like that at the local level, Borron said. The ADC filmed a four-minute video about Cooper in Niagara Falls to play during the award ceremony. It features interviews with Cooper, State Sen. Rob Ortt, 914th Commander Col. Joseph Contino, NIMAC treasurer Robin Pfeil, and Lee Weitz, the director of aviation for the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority. Nina Jankowicz is the former director of the Department of Homeland Security's Disinformation Governance Board, an entity that purported to advise the Biden administration on how best to counter online misinformation but was shuttered after drawing the ire of conservatives and libertarians. Like so many other purported disinfo experts, Jankowicz's record of identifying actual lies is decidedly mixed: She had dutifully joined the intelligence community and much of the mainstream media, for instance, in wrongly asserting that the New York Post's Hunter Biden laptop story was disinformation peddled by Russia. She personally expressed the view that the straightforward explanationHunter Biden left his laptop at a repair shopwas a "fairy tale." Oops. But like so many other former government intelligence officials who were fundamentally wrong about pivotal issues pertaining to their area of expertise, Jankowicz is fated to fail upward. She is now the president of the American Sunlight Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting transparency, though the group does not disclose its sources of funding. That intriguing policysome would say execrable hypocrisywas noted by Rep. Michael Baumgartner (RWash.) during a fiery congressional subcommittee hearing on Tuesday. Jankowicz testified alongside one of her most ardent critics, the independent journalist Matt Taibbi, whose work exposing the federal government's efforts to compel social media companies to censor contrarian speech was a major driver of negative attention to projects like the Disinformation Governance Board. Taibbi's Twitter Files (as well as similar projects, like Reason's Facebook Files) demonstrated that aggressive moderation of dissident opinions online was not a choice freely made by social media companiesit was forced on them by government agents who were themselves misinformed about the facts. Jankowicz defended the American Sunlight Project's lack of transparency on grounds that she has personally faced bullying as a result of her antidisinfo advocacy, and she wished to spare her backers from such a fate. She also tore into Taibbi, accusing him of failing to understand the implications of the information he uncovered and the social media censorship stories he had reported on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Mr. Taibbi said when he was first searching through the so-called Twitter Files, he didn't know what he was looking at," said Jankowicz. "Well, he still doesn't. Everything looks like a conspiracy when you don't know how anything works." That's a bold claim from someone who promoted a conspiracy theory about the Hunter Biden laptop story. Jankowicz proceeded to flatly assert that the State Department's Global Engagement Center, charged with countering foreign propaganda, was never engaged in anything approaching censorship. This claim is abjectly false and collapses under scrutiny. At issue are two independent antidisinfo organizations, NewsGuard and the Global Disinformation Index, that received funding from the State Department. In her testimony, Jankowicz acknowledged that these organizations were federally funded, although she defended the grants as focused on combatting Chinese government propaganda rather than encouraging censorship of American media entities. We will return to that in a moment. "Disinformation expert" Nina Jankowicz: @mtaibbi doesn't know what he's talking about. "There was NO CENSORSHIP going on at the Global Engagement Center at the State Department!" ???? pic.twitter.com/MDgMRLpFaP Townhall.com (@townhallcom) April 1, 2025 Jankowicz subsequently took issue with the idea that NewsGuard was biased against right-leaning news sources, noting that several "conservative" organizations including The Wall Street Journal, the Heritage Foundation, the Cato Institute, and Reason (i.e., this magazine) had received favorable evaluations. Neither Reason nor Cato identifies as conservative, of course; alas, this is precisely the sort of sloppiness one has by now come to expect from the antidisinfo experts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is true, in any case, that NewsGuard favorably evaluated Reason. But the Global Disinformation Index (GDI) is another matter entirely. This organizationa British nonprofit, backed by the State Departmentlisted Reason as one of the 10 "riskiest online news outlets" and warned advertisers against appearing on the website. The GDI's stated rationale for this purported danger was inscrutable; the disinfo cops accused Reason of having unclear authorship policies, which is simply not true. Reason was far from the only disfavored news source: The GDI targeted the New York Post, RealClearPolitics, The Daily Wire, Blaze Media, The American Conservative, and the Washington Examiner. The Examiner subsequently took a closer look at the GDI's operations and determined that its missives to advertisers to avoid "risky" libertarian and conservative news sites were partly based on the idea that these outlets were promoting COVID-19 misinformation. Specifically, the GDI was shaming these websites for including commentary that COVID-19 may have leaked from a Chinese lab. This theory, labeled a "coronavirus conspiracy" by the GDI, is now judged by the FBI, the CIA, and the Energy Department to be the most plausible explanation for the pandemic's origins. Oops, again. But wait a minute: Wasn't Jankowicz defending the State Department's decision to fund these antidisinfo organizations on grounds that they were merely using taxpayer dollars to counter Chinese government propaganda? The GDI tried to suppress the idea that COVID-19 could have emerged from a Chinese lab under lax safety conditions, a disaster that was subsequently hidden by Chinese officials. Given that millions of people died all over the world as a result of the pandemic, any organizations running cover for the Chinese government on this topic are effectively complicit in the Chinese government's most essential propaganda campaign. So much for the State Department paying disinfo cops to counter foreign misinformation. When it came to COVID-19's origins, the GDI enforced the misinformation. And Jankowicz is still defending it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement *CORRECTION: The original version of this article misstated the name of Jankowicz's organization. UPDATE: In a statement to Reason, Jankowicz contended that "I never said the laptop was a Russian influence op, but I did encourage voters to exercise caution in consuming stories about it." She also claimed that when she labeled the repair shop story a "fairy tale," she was merely claiming that its provenance was "critical context for voters to consider." The post Nina Jankowicz's Defense of Government Censors Is Based on Misinformation appeared first on Reason.com. Germany has facilitated the departure of a group of its citizens and their relatives from the Gaza Strip, the German Foreign Office said on Wednesday. Nineteen German nationals and their close family members crossed into Israel via the Kerem Shalom border crossing in coordination with Israeli authorities. From there, they were flown directly to Germany on a chartered flight. It remains unclear how many relatives accompanied them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Exiting Gaza, which has been under blockade for nearly two decades and is home to around 2 million people, has become even more challenging since the war began a year and a half ago. Departures are only possible through an arduous process, with Palestinians holding foreign citizenship having slightly better chances. Large parts of the territory lie in ruins from the conflict that erupted on October 7, 2023, following the Hamas-led terrorist attack on Israel. Living conditions for civilians are dire, with homes destroyed, the health care system in crisis, and shortages of food and essential supplies. Apr. 1MORGANTOWN More than 100 employees at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health reportedly were sent home Tuesday as part of a national push to dismiss 10, 000 federal employees from the Department of Health and Human Services. The DHHS recently issued reduction-in-force notices to American Federation of Government Employees union locals including Local 3430, which handles collective bargaining for the NIOSH site in Morgantown. That location has about 500 employees, and the RIF notice targeted 185 positions. The RIF notice applies only to bargain unit-eligible employees, so the number of affected employees remains unknown when considering contractors, supervisors and other positions not covered by unions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Initial reports indicate that several employees were notified by email Tuesday morning of being placed on administrative leave. "Pursuant to Article 18 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement ... this letter services as formal notification that the Department of Health and Human Services will be implementing a Reduction in Force (RIF) of all employees in the noted competitive areas, " the notices state. "This action is being taken in accordance with President Donald Trump's Executive Order 14210, dated Feb. 11, 2025, and HHS's broader strategy to improve its efficiency and effectiveness to make America healthier." The layoffs at NIOSH are eliminating 873 jobs around the country, targeting sites in Morgantown, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and Spokane, Wash. U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., who chairs the Senate Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee, said while she feels the Trump administration's overtures to right-size government are sound, she still worries miners and others in the state could bear the brunt of such measures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I'm concerned that today's cuts at CDC /NIOSH could impact vital health programs that are important to many West Virginians, especially our coal miners, " Capito said in a statement. "During my meetings with Secretary (Robert F.) Kennedy prior to his confirmation and as recently as last week, we discussed how important the health of coal workers is to West Virginia. "Any cuts that impact their health monitoring need to be restored immediately. I am working with the Department of Health and Human Services to understand the depth of these cuts, both to programs and the workforce in Morgantown, " Capito said. United Mine Workers of America International President Cecil E. Roberts echoed Capito, saying the cuts will significantly increase the risks to coal miners. "(A)t the direction of the Department of Health and Human Services, NIOSH began laying off hundreds of workers who are engaged in research and the improvement of products and practices that literally save the lives of coal miners every day, " Roberts said in a prepared statement. "The announced significant downsizing of offices in Morgantown, W.Va., and Pittsburgh, Pa., are particularly devastating to the coal industry, which relies on the research done there to improve its safety practices." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Secretary of Health Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced a plan last week to remake the HHS department, which, through its agencies, is responsible for tracking health trends and disease outbreaks, conducting and funding medical research, and monitoring the safety of food and medicine, as well as for administering health insurance programs for nearly half the country. Other layoffs included 3, 500 jobs at the Food & Drug Administration ; 2, 400 positions at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1, 200 jobs at the National Institutes for Health ; and 300 at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. A federal judge in New Jersey on Tuesday denied the governments motion to dismiss Palestinian Columbia graduate student Mahmoud Khalils habeas corpus case, rejecting an effort to get it moved to Louisiana. In a 67-page decision, Judge Michael Farbiarz found that he had jurisdiction over the matter that the Trump administration has aggressively argued should be heard in Louisiana. Khalils lawyers maintained that the government wanted the case moved there so that any challenges would be directed toward the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, considered among the countrys most conservative. Khalil, a green card holder, was swept up by Homeland Security agents on March 8 after returning home to his Columbia-owned apartment from an Iftar dinner with his wife, who is on the verge of giving birth to their first child. He played a leading role in campus protests last year against Israeli bombing in Gaza and Columbias investment ties to Israels government, acting as a mediator between student protesters and university administrators. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Agents took him downtown to 26 Federal Plaza and hours later to a private detention facility in Elizabeth, N.J. They put him on a plane heading down south the following day. He has since been held at a detention center in Jena, La., where he has said he is sleeping in cold facilities without a blanket. Instead of accusing Khalil of breaking U.S. laws, the Trump administration has cited an obscure provision in a 1952 law that empowers Secretary of State Marco Rubio to order someone deported if their presence in the country could pose unfavorable consequences for U.S. foreign policy, which the feds claim his advocacy for Palestinians does. Khalil was the first of several students in the U.S. to be targeted at breakneck speed this month. Shortly after his arrest, Khalils lawyers filed a habeas corpus petition, which challenges the legality of someones detention, in Manhattan, where the feds had told his wife and lawyers he would be. A federal judge in Manhattan later transferred the case to New Jersey, his location at the time the petition was brought. The government sought to convince the courts that New Jersey never had jurisdiction over the case and that a habeas corpus petition could only be targeted toward officials at a Louisiana detention facility, which Farbiarz rejected finding the law required the petition filed in New York on March 9 at 4:40 a.m. must be treated as if it had been filed in New Jersey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under habeas law, jurisdiction in a particular district is established when a petitioner is physically present in the district at the same moment a petition is filed there on his behalf, Farbiarz wrote. That confluence happened here. Representatives for the Justice Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment. In a statement, Khalils wife, Dr. Noor Abdalla, said she was relieved by the ruling. As the countdown to our sons birth begins and I inch closer and closer to my due date, I will continue to strongly advocate for Mahmouds freedom and for his safe return home, so he can be by my side to welcome our first child, Abdalla said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A lawyer for Khalil, Baher Azmy, the legal director of the Center for Constitutional Rights, echoed Abdallas comments. We are grateful the court wisely understood that the government cannot try to manipulate the jurisdiction of the United States courts in a transparent attempt to shield their unconstitutional and, frankly, chilling behavior, Azmy said. We look forward to the next phase of this case, which is to get Mahmoud out of detention and into the arms of his family, and then to prove the Trump administrations attempted deportation of Mahmoud and others is nothing but unconstitutional retaliation for protected speech. _____ Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac shares jumped this week after new comments from Trump administration officials and a board shake-up at the companies drew fresh attention to their potential release from government control. But beyond the stock market, housing experts see plenty of reasons to be skeptical about the end of an arrangement that dates back to the depths of the financial crisis. The biggest one? Privatization will probably send mortgage rates higher. We can debate how much of a cost it will be, said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moodys Analytics. Thats a legitimate debate, but rates are going to go higher. The Trump administration is considering sweeping changes to a crucial piece of the US housing ecosystem at a time when affordability is near an all-time low and home sales are mired in a years-long slump. While Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac dont make mortgages, they play a crucial role in lending by buying up mortgages from banks and other lenders and packaging them into bonds. The system frees up money for more loans. Sign up for the Mind Your Money weekly newsletter Subscribe By subscribing, you are agreeing to Yahoo's Terms and Privacy Policy Investors' willingness to buy the bonds mortgage bonds are a more than $10 trillion market helps keep Fannie and Freddies borrowing costs, and by association, 30-year mortgage rates, low. Today, mortgage bonds are seen as a good bet by investors in part because Fannie and Freddie have the government's backing and share its top credit ratings. A major hurdle to privatization is how to preserve at least some of that backing. If investors perceive a private Fannie and Freddie as riskier, the companies will have to pay more to borrow, which would likely mean mortgage borrowers will pay more too. Read more: What determines mortgage rates? It's complicated. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said that plans to release the two companies will hinge on mortgage rates. At around 6.7%, rates today are more than 1.5 percentage points higher than they were at any point during Trumps first term, and theyre at similar levels to where they were before Fannie and Freddie entered conservatorship in 2008. The power of a guarantee The companies, known as government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs), were chartered by the federal government but spent decades as private companies. In fall 2008, they were on the brink of failure when risky mortgages they bought up began going bad en masse. The Bush administration, fearing a complete collapse of the mortgage financing market, placed the two companies under its supervision and spent billions to bail them out. That takeover is an example of Fannie and Freddies implicit guarantee the idea that the government wouldnt let such an important financial institution fail, even if it were private and no formal agreement about government support was in place. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) The New Mexico Supreme Court granted a stay on Tuesday, April 1, to consider a petition from state Attorney General Raul Torrez for a writ of mandamus to protect a juror who served in the Brad Lunsford trial earlier this year in Las Cruces. In February, former Las Cruces Police officer Lunsford was convicted of voluntary manslaughter with a firearm enhancement for the Aug. 2, 2022, shooting death of Presley Eze. Following his conviction, Lunsford retained new counsel and filed a series of post-trial motions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In one of those motions, the defendant claimed that they had discovered new evidence of bias from the jury foreperson. The Attorney Generals Office said the defense motion, while not naming the juror, made it easy to identify them and subject them to a social media campaign of harassment. According to court documents obtained by KTSM, Lunsfords wife and other interested parties began a social media campaign against the juror, accusing them of disgusting and blatant bias, being a Black Lives Matter activist and lying to infiltrate the jury. Lunsford has been released from jail while some of the defense motions, including this one, are resolved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state AGs Office said it has filed several motions to protect the juror, who has been subpoenaed to testify during a public hearing. Tuesdays Supreme Court ruling comes after the New Mexico Department of Justice filed an amended petition to seek emergency relief to prevent further juror intimidation and safeguard the integrity of the judicial process, the state AGs Office said. Americas jury system demands that officers of the court maintain their commitment to a fair and equal application of the law, without regard to a citizens political beliefs, Attorney General Raul Torrez said. Parties to a criminal case are afforded, as they were in this case, the opportunity to probe potential jurors for any potential bias and to strike a juror for cause based upon the record. What is not allowed is an ideological witch hunt to discredit a jurors service because a party does not like a verdict. Thats whats happening in this case, and we appreciate the Supreme Courts order to stay the underlying proceeding in order to protect the rule of law and ensure that no citizen who has fulfilled their civic responsibility is unfairly smeared because of their constitutionally protected beliefs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Supreme Courts order halts further District Court proceedings related to the juror who served in the Lunsford trial, the AGs Office said. That includes an April 4 hearing where Lunsford was scheduled to appear, the NM Attorney Generals Office said. We will continue to follow this case both on air and online. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. Crews work to secure containment lines on the Mogote Hill Fire near Wagon Mound in mid-March. Wildfire potential will be above normal in most of the state this month, according to a new outlook. (Photo courtesy NM Forestry) National fire weather forecasters warn that most of New Mexico will face above-normal fire potential this month, and those conditions will worsen until at least until the monsoon season begins in July. The National Interagency Fire Center issued its April wildfire outlook Tuesday, presenting a series of maps showing New Mexico with snow pack far below normal, along with severe drought and above normal average temperatures expected throughout the summer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those factors combine to make the state, particularly the western two-thirds, at high risk of wildfires beginning in May, according to forecasters. So far in New Mexico this year, 222 wildfires have started, affecting 31,675 acres. Humans caused the vast majority of those fires, according to the Southwest Coordination Center. The Mogote Hill Fire near Wagon Mound, which burned an estimated 15,000 acres, ranks as the biggest New Mexico fire so far this year. Last week, New Mexico State Forestry released daily wildfire awareness tips, including how and when to safely burn debris. The above-normal wildfire potential occurs amid federal cuts to the United States Forest Service, including probationary employees who often had wildfire suppression training. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Proposed federal lease terminations also include two New Mexico wildfire dispatch centers covering one-third of the state, though U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrichs office recently told Source New Mexico that he had received assurances that the dispatch centers would stay open. A Heinrich spokesperson noted, however, that his office was still awaiting official confirmation about the dispatch centers from the General Services Administration. The Heinrich spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday as to whether that official confirmation had yet arrived. (Photo by George Frey/Getty Images) New Mexico health officials reported four additional measles cases in Lea County Tuesday, bringing the total outbreak in New Mexico to 48 cases. The new cases impacted a very young child, one school-aged child and two adults, according to the states website. New Mexicos current cases include 25 adults, 14 children aged 5 to 17 and nine very young children ages 0 to 4-years old, mostly in unvaccinated people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Measles cases in Eddy County remain unchanged at two, with the remaining 46 cases in Lea County. Measles is highly contagious, and our department continues to keep the public educated about the spread, which is still confined to the southeast portion of our state, New Mexico Department of Health Communications Director Robert Nott told Source NM. But we must remain vigilant about any case count increase related to the outbreak. We are continually encouraging New Mexicans to get the MMR vaccination their best protection from the virus. NMDOH vaccinated more than 14,800 New Mexicans between Feb. 1 and March 31, Nott said. Measles, a highly contagious respiratory virus, spreads through contact with airborne droplets from an infected persons coughs and sneezes, which hang in the air for hours. Symptoms often take weeks to develop, and people can spread the virus days before showing a fever, cough, red eyes or the spotty red rash. Severe complications can occur with a measles infection, including brain swelling, blindness, pneumonia and death. About one in five cases merits hospitalization, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State officials warned last month that a Texas traveler in early March exposed people in Valencia and Guadalupe counties. Nott told Source NM the department has no updates since that alert. Texas on Tuesday reported 22 more cases since Friday, bringing its total to 422 cases since early January; more than 66% of the cases are in Gaines County, Texas, where the outbreak first began. The deaths earlier this year of a 6-year old Texas child, and a Lea County adult, both unvaccinated, were the first measles deaths in the U.S. in a decade. Vaccine records can be found at the Vax View website or by calling the NMDOH immunization program at 1-833-882-6454, available weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Measles and misinformation The measles outbreak, which now includes cases in more than 20 states, has been marked by tension over the federal Health and Human Services Departments lack of a full-throated vaccination campaign, a departure from the traditional response from the countrys largest public health agency, including the 1989 outbreak. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who founded the anti-vaccine nonprofit Childrens Health Defense, has instead called vaccines a personal choice. In February, the entire New Mexico congressional delegation called upon Kennedy to take stronger action against the outbreak. Just last week, the top vaccine scientist at the Food and Drug Administration resigned, criticizing Kennedy for lies and misinformation around vaccines. Dr. Peter Marks, who played a key role in the swift development and deployment of the COVID-19 vaccine, wrote in his March 28 resignation letter that the ongoing multistate measles outbreak had resulted from public officials undermining confidence in well-established science underlying public health and well-being. In interviews, Kennedy has also endorsed unproven treatments, which, if misused, could have lasting harms, doctors told Source NM. For instance, in a March 4 interview with Fox News, Kennedy said there were very, very good results from treating the illness with steroids, antibiotics and cod liver oil, which is high in Vitamins A and D. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pediatrician Dr. Melissa Mason told Source NM that steroids and antibiotics may be used to treat complications from severe cases of measles such as severe inflammation or secondary ear or lung infections but they do not treat measles itself. People unnecessarily using steroids and antibiotics can actually cause harm that should really only be done under close supervision of a physician, she said. Two doses of the vaccine remains the only safe and effective prevention against measles, said Mason, who chairs the immunization committee for the New Mexico Pediatric Society. Masons other concern is that misinformation about Vitamin A, which is used for treating serious cases of measles, is being falsely touted by anti-vaccine advocates as prevention. Vitamin A unlike other vitamins can cause liver damage in too high of doses, Mason said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In serious cases, the measles virus depletes the bodys supply of Vitamin A, she said. Only for hospitalized patients under the care of a physician, if it is shown that they are low in vitamin A, only then is it appropriate to treat with vitamin A. The New York Times reported that doctors in Gaines County, Texas, are treating children with measles with liver damage from taking too much Vitamin A outside of doctors orders. No such cases have been reported in Lea or Eddy counties, according to data from the New Mexico Poison and Drug Information Center at the University of New Mexico. Mason said anti-vaccine misinformation preys on people who are concerned for their children. I think people are scared and, when theyre scared, theyre looking for anything that they can use or try to stay healthy and safe, she said. But you need to be careful and cautious with things that you were trying to use to be healthy and safe and actually use things that are proven. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The Connecticut Office of Inspector General will not take any action in the death of an inmate who was allegedly strangled to death by a cellmate who told reportedly authorities he asked Department of Correction staff not to put him in a cell with anyone because of his mental health condition. Inspector General Robert Devlin, Jr. released the findings of his investigation on Tuesday into the death of 26-year-old Kenneth Montaner-Buscampell, deferring to the criminal proceedings against the man charged in his death, 31-year-old Kyle McKinnon. According to Devlins report outlining his investigation, Montaner-Buscampell and McKinnon were inmates who shared a cell at the MacDougall-Walker Correctional Institution in Suffield. On Dec. 12, 2024, shortly after 7 a.m., McKinnon was seen leaving his cell carrying Montaner-Buscampells lifeless body to the facilitys day room and tossing him on a table, the report said. He then returned to his cell and was seen throwing things that belonged to the victim out into the hall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An inmate alerted staff to what was happening before correction officers and medical staff began chest compressions, Devlin wrote. Montaner-Buscampell was pronounced dead at the facility at 8 a.m. A CT inmate is accused of fatally strangling cellmate. He said once he started he couldnt stop. The Connecticut State Police Central District Major Crime Squad responded to investigate the death and interviewed several inmates, including one who said Montaner-Buscampell asked a DOC lieutenant the night before he died to be moved to another cell, the report said. State police detectives also interviewed McKinnon, who allegedly told authorities I strangled him and tried to kill him, according to the report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats all there is, he said. According to the report, McKinnon said the killing happened in the morning before breakfast. I had thoughts in my head, he reportedly told detectives. I dont really know what the hell is going on. McKinnon told police he was being lied to and manipulated but could not elaborate on what he meant, the report said. After getting up to use the bathroom, he told police, he began to choke Montaner-Buscampell who was sleeping on the bottom bunk, according to Devlin. I feel bad enough as it is because honestly he was a good dude but I can tell when somebodys lying, McKinnon reportedly told detectives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McKinnon also told state police he had told DOC staff not to place him in a cell with anyone, as had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and depression, according to Devlins report. An autopsy conducted by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner found that Montaner-Buscampell died of neck compression. His death was ruled a homicide. On Feb. 11, state police obtained an arrest warrant charging McKinnon with murder and first-degree strangulation. He remains held on a $1 million bond while the case is pending in Hartford Superior Court. Devlins office is tasked with investigating all deaths that occur in the custody of police and the Department of Correction. In his report, he said the office would not take any action, citing the pending criminal case against McKinnon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Devlin said he would defer to the court proceedings in the homicide case. A spokesperson for the DOC did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday following the release of Devlins report. A man is in custody and is being held on no bond after CMPD says he robbed two people and shot one of them outside the Kangaroo gas station last week. It happened last Thursday on Wilkinson Boulevard. The man identified as the victim in the police report and affidavit is the registered owner of Morehead Social, according to the NC Secretary of States Office. Morehead Social burned down last month. The fire is under investigation. READ: Firefighters battle three alarm fire in South End Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CMPD says Markeis Ashford targeted the owner of Morehead Social and a woman he was with as they were leaving the Kangaroo gas station. The affidavit says the two were purchasing snacks and walking back to the Golden Dragon Arcade around 5:30 in the morning. Police say Ashford demanded the Morehead Social owners bag, which contained $10,000 in cash. The affidavit says Ashford then threatened to shoot them. After the threat, the affidavit says the Morehead Social owner pulled his own handgun out. The two fired at each other. Police say Ashford shot the woman in the thighs. Police also say the Morehead Social owner shot Ashford in the foot. As CMPD was investigating the shooting scene, someone called 911 to report a puddle of blood and a blood trail leading to an apartment in Stonehaven East. Thats where police found and arrested Ashford. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ashford has a lengthy criminal history. In 2018, he was sentenced to 93 months in prison after pleading guilty to robbery with a dangerous weapon. CMPD believes he worked with an unknown female who was watching the victims in order to set them up for the robbery. READ: South End bar that burned down received multiple fire code violations The police report says in total $17,000 in cash was taken. Also taken, according to the report, was an iPhone 15 pro max, a Michael Kors purse, a grey crossbody bag and a Smith and Wesson 9 MM. The affidavit says $6,358 was found hidden in a small crevice behind the master bathroom vanity in the apartment they found Ashford. The warrant notes many of the bills had blood on them. CMPD did not respond to an email seeking further comment. Attempts to get in touch with the shooting victim and the Morehead Social owner were unsuccessful. WATCH: South End bar that burned down received multiple fire code violations Former Missouri Republican Party Chairman Ed Martin, speaks about his new job as president of the Eagle Forum with St. Louis on the Air on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2015, at St. Louis Public Radios headquarters in the citys Grand Center neighborhood (Jason Rosenbaum/St. Louis Public Radio). A Democratic U.S. senator from California is blocking the nomination of Missouri Republican Ed Martin to be U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, calling him a one-man wrecking ball on social media. U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff, in a news release issued Tuesday, cited Martins actions since being named interim U.S. attorney as the reason for the hold. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the past nine weeks, Ed Martin has consistently undermined the independence and abused the power of the U.S. Attorneys office in DC openly threatening and intimidating political opponents, dismissing charges against his own clients, firing public servants for their roles in legitimate investigations, and using his office as a cudgel to chill dissent and free speech, Schiff said. No one embodies Donald Trumps personal weaponization of the Justice Department more than Ed Martin. Martin did not respond to a message seeking comment Wednesday morning. Martin, who grew up in New Jersey, has spent most of his adult life in Missouri since attending St. Louis University Law School. After almost two years as chief of staff to Gov. Matt Blunt from January 2006 to November 2007, Martin twice ran unsuccessfully for office. Martin sought the Third District seat in Congress in 2010 and was the Republican nominee for Missouri attorney general in 2012. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Martin was originally tapped by President Donald Trump to run the Office of Management and Budget. But in January, Trump shifted Martin to the D.C. prosecutors office. Martin, who resigned in January after 10 years as president of Phyllis Schlafly Eagles, worked as a defense attorney for people charged with crimes for the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol. Since taking office in an interim appointment Jan. 22, Martin has drawn criticism from Democrats who accuse him of making political decisions about prosecutions. In early March, 10 senate Democrats complained about Martin to the D.C. Office of Disciplinary Counsel. The complaint said he had dismissed criminal charges against his own clients and threatened prosecution against government employees to intimidate them, the Hill reported. In a news release, Schiff said he was blocking Martins nomination because of his troubling conduct in his months as Interim U.S. Attorney in the same role. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The nomination must get passed the Senate Judiciary Committee before going to the Senate for confirmation. For the past few weeks, Ed Martin has been a one-man wrecking ball, Schiff wrote Tuesday on social media. Threatening political opponents, firing public servants, and using his office to chill free speech. His nomination must be blocked. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX With the help of a helicopter on Monday, the city of Palos Verdes Estates removed large amounts of non-native bamboo from Lunada Bay. The environment, however, was not the primary reasson. Workers cleared the plants as part of a lawsuit settlement involving the notorious Bay Boys surf gang, which had been harassing non-native surfers for decades, the Daily Breeze is reporting. The gangs tactics included slashing car tires, hurling rocks, and picking fights. The lawsuit, filed by two out-of-town surfers, accused the city of failing to take action to stop them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The settlement, announced in September, requires Palos Verdes Estates to make Lunada Bay more accessible and welcoming to the general public. This includes clearing the bamboo, which had created a hangout area for the gang, according to City Manager Kerry Kallman. That was important to the plaintiffs to remove, Kallman said. View of Lunada Bay at sunset in Palos Verdes Estates, California. (Getty Images) The city also agreed to add stone benches to the bluffs overlooking the bay, improve pathways, and install signage to ensure the public is aware that the beach is accessible to everyone. Under the settlement, the work must be completed by 2026. Lunada Bay is renowned worldwide for its big waves and perfect break, thanks to its geological shape, southwest orientation, and underwater topography. The waves can reach heights of up to 30 feet. As part of the settlement, the city was also ordered to pay the plaintiffs attorney fees, ranging from $1 to $4 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. LONG ISLAND, N.Y. (PIX11) A local animal rescue organization answered the call of duty when it saved over 40 dogs from what was described as a living hell. Paws of War sent a team to Ohio, where they found animals in horrific conditions. Just a week later, the animals are thriving. More Local News Photojournalist Keith Lopez brings us the story from Long Island. Watch the video player for the full interview. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. We recently published a list of the 10 Worst Performing Defense Stocks So Far in 2025. In this article, we will take a look at where Redwire Corporation (NYSE:RDW) stands against other worst performing stocks this year. US defense stocks have wobbled this year, amid concerns about government budget cuts. In February, President Trump hinted at significantly reducing future military spending if things settle down with China and Russia. The creation of DOGE has also reshaped investors views of the industry. READ ALSO: 10 Best Performing Defense Stocks So Far in 2025 and 13 Best Defense Stocks to Buy According to Billionaires. Elsewhere, particularly in Europe, stocks have soared this year, with governments unlocking billions to supercharge their militaries. EU leaders met in Brussels in March to discuss the ReArm Europe Plan, which will allow the bloc to mobilize funds up to $860 million through bonds and relaxed rules on borrowing and spending. Despite a shaky start to 2025, analysts at UBS are hopeful about Americas defense sector and believe the downside is shrinking and the FY26 budget request would present a better visibility into long-term expenditure plans. Here is what the firm recently stated: Consensus estimates have moved higher since the election despite the 40% sell-off. The downside potential seems increasingly smaller. We believe that the current environment is markedly different from Sequestration and do not believe a similar outcome is likely. Citi analyst Jason Gursky is also urging investors that this is the right time to buy American defense stocks. We recognize the world order is evolving under the current President, perhaps to a multi-polar one in which three countries control spheres of influence over the Americas, Europe and Asia. However, we dont view that world to be any less dangerous or one that decreases the need to acquire the tools of deterrence. Gursky argues that as long as the global threat environment remains and the United States maintains its leadership role, regardless of whether it is as a sole superpower or as a power in a multipolar world order, defense spending is expected to remain robust, which would benefit stocks in the sector. Gursky argues that as long as the global threat environment remains and the United States maintains its leadership role, regardless of whether it is as a sole superpower or as a power in a multipolar world order, defense spending is expected to remain robust, which would benefit stocks in the sector. Is Redwire Corporation (RDW) Among the Worst Performing Defense Stocks So Far in 2025? A close-up of an antenna, its intricate designs a testament to the company's expertise in space infrastructure. (Photo by Getty Images) Closing one public school or merging it with another can make a big impact on a community. The city of Norfolk is considering doing just that ten times over. Enrollment at Norfolk City Public Schools 2014 32,275 2015 32,148 2016 31,425 2017 30,776 2018 30,087 2019 29,837 2020 27,954 2021 27,478 2022 27,309 2023 26,884 2024 26,807 Data provided by the Virginia Department of Education Last month, the Norfolk City Council requested the citys school board to prepare an action plan to close and consolidate 10 schools before the start of the 2026-2027 school year. The move would help reinvest savings into major school capital improvement and maintenance projects the council said, including at Maury and Booker T. Washington High Schools, and three new elementary schools slated to replace aging buildings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Norfolk City Public Schools operates five high schools, six middle schools and 30 elementary schools. Depending on the plan, the citys move could be the most significant action taken to close and/or consolidate public schools in the commonwealths history. During the 2014-15 school year, Alexandria City Public Schools consolidated five middle and elementary schools within its two larger school buildings. However Norfolks plan shapes up, its ripple effects will be felt far and wide, some education leaders say. Closing any school in any school division is a significant leadership challenge for a superintendent as they work with their school board, their students and staff and their entire community, said Scott Brabrand, a former public school superintendent and now executive director for the Virginia Association of School Superintendents. In its March 25 resolution, the council directed the school board to prioritize achieving these savings when developing an action plan by Aug. 1 to close a minimum of two schools per year afterward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The council warned the board that if a plan is not provided in a timely way, it would modify its funding allocations to the school division. The adjustment would then allow the council to prevent any further funding from being utilized at schools that are not operating at full capacity. According to the Norfolk City Councils resolution, the locality contributed $164.2 million to the school division for the current school year, which excludes costs for capital projects. Enrollment at Norfolk City Public Schools had declined to approximately 26,000 students at the start of this school year, down from 32,000 students during the 2014-2015 school year, according to data from the Virginia Department of Education. The city projects that enrollment will continue to decrease, reaching around 24,000 students by the next school year. The council acknowledges the difficult choices the school board faces; nonetheless, eliminating unneeded buildings must be a priority addressed immediately, the resolution states. Never an easy decision Franklin County Public Schools Superintendent Kevin Siers said consolidating schools is challenging, after recently completing a process to consolidate two schools in his division. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its never an easy decision and our school board took the role seriously, Siers said in an interview. County and school board leaders had a tough time weighing public input against the roles the schools played in each community, while the school division had 44 empty classrooms over 11 elementary schools, a $3.7 million loss in state funding and significant changes to the local composite index, a measurement of a localitys ability to pay education costs. Siers also added that the division would have faced cutting 70 positions. We had school board members who really struggled with it, especially those who lived in the communities where the schools were closing, Siers said. But in the end, we knew that we had to take some type of action, because the alternative was much more grim than closing two schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Months after the decision, Siers was happy to report that because of the decision to consolidate two elementary schools, the division was able to place an art teacher, music teacher, physical education teacher and counselor at each of the 10 elementary schools, which Siers believes has improved the culture at every elementary school by being able to have these additional personal personnel there full time, every day. The plan Norfolk City Public Schools plans to rebuild four schools and consolidate four additional ones. However, the division faces increased costs, including for Maury High School, whose cost estimate jumped from $150 million to $250 million. Since 2013, a report by Cooperative Strategies has indicated that Norfolk City Public Schools has consistently operated three to 17 more schools than necessary for its population each year. The consulting firm, which analyzed the divisions capacity, estimated that the school division could have saved $81 million between 2013 and 2023. This isnt about just closing schools, but its about right-sizing so that we can provide better resources, better buildings, and to be able to use those additional resources, said Norfolk City Councilor Carlos J. Clanton at the March 25 meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added that he supported passing the resolution to ensure the school board knows it has the councils backing, and to encourage the division to complete the report. Council is doing its part, and we need the school board to do theirs, he said. The school board will have a work session on April 2 and a regular meeting on April 23. Recently, the school division announced that it has created a planning committee tasked with reviewing the divisions facilities. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) Investigators are looking into a house fire that occurred Tuesday afternoon in north Abilene. Fire crews responded to the scene shortly before 3:50 p.m. on April 1 at a home located on the 1800 block of North 8th Street, directly across from TLCA Abilene Elementary. Witnesses reported seeing smoke coming from the roof of the house. As of 4:18 p.m., North 8th Street is closed between Victoria and Merchant Street. Please avoid the area. No injuries have been reported at this time, and BigCountryHomepage will update as information is released. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) North Carolina lawmakers discussed House Bill 301 Tuesday, which would ban social media accounts for kids under the age of 14 and require parent or guardian consent for 14 and 15-year-olds. Predators have access to our kids at unprecedented levels at this time, more than ever in our history, said state Rep. Jeff Zenger, a sponsor of the bill. One of their number one tools is social media. As a parent who has fought the battle of screen time with four kids who are now in their 20s, it is a raging battle, Zenger said. The idea would be to put something up that would be a backstop for parents so that they can help regulate this and help kind of stand with this battle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another argument for the bill is reducing potential for mental health issues that supporters say comes with social media use among kids. Five other states, including Florida and Texas, already have some type of restrictions on social media usage for teens. Asked about the bill, Raleigh parent Alicia Wenzel said, I do know that it does need to be filtered a little more for kids. My daughters is filtered and she still sees things shes not supposed to see. At Tuesdays meeting, Reighlah Collins with the ACLU of North Carolina signed up to speak. While protecting children online is imperative, this bill would undermine child safety and impose likely unconstitutional restrictions on young peoples ability to engage online, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some recent changes were made to the bill. We were talking with the Retail Association, Zenger said. They came to us about online commerce, email, educational videos and all these kinds of things. If you look, we really narrow down the scope as to what that would be. Gaming was also an issue, so we put some parameters in there for that. The bill was referred to the commerce and economic development committee next for discussion. CBS 17s Mary Smith is an Investigative Reporter focused on Digging Deeper and Getting Answers. If you have a story that needs investigating, send an email to Investigates@cbs17.com. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS17.com. EDGECOMBE COUNTY, N.C. (WNCT) An Edgecombe County man was arrested Wednesday, Apr. 2, 2025 in connection to the theft of money from a clerk of courts bank account. Law enforcement with the Edgecombe County Sheriffs Office charged Deontae Raekwon Williams with six counts of identity theft and six counts of obtaining property by false pretenses. This comes after an investigation into the theft of several thousands of dollars from a bank account owned by the Edgecombe County Clerk of Court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Law enforcement said Williams used bank information and began to pay his personal bills dating back to June of 2024. Williams was jailed in the Wake County Detention Center under a $50,000 secured bond. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WNCT. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 2, 2025) - Royal Road Minerals Limited (TSXV: RYR) ("Royal Road" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update of exploration activities at its Lalla Aziza copper project in Morocco. The Lalla Aziza copper mine is owned by Moroccan mining company, Carbomine SARL ("Carbomine"). In December 2024, Royal Road entered into an Option Agreement (the "Agreement") with Carbomine, which provides the Company with an option to acquire 100% of the Lalla Aziza mining license. Summary terms of the Agreement are provided below. Lalla Aziza is an underground copper-mine located in Morocco's Western High Atlas, approximately 90 kilometers southwest of Marrakesh (see Figure 1). Sulphide ore (principally chalcopyrite; see Figure 2) is mined from shear-hosted vein- (dolomite) stockworks and breccia, up to 12 meters wide and from three underground levels over a vertical interval of 150 meters. Whole ore is shipped for sale at a cut-off grade of 2.5% copper (Non-JORC compliant, 35 dry-ton ore assay records, minimum 1.0% maximum 5.1% copper). To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4008/247057_figure_1.jpg To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4008/247057_figure_2.jpg The mine area is located at the southwestern extent of Carbomine's mining license area (see Figure 1). The mineralized shear-hosted vein-stockworks and breccia are nucleated on or close to carbonaceous schist and dolomite horizons and extend in a northeast direction across the license area for approximately 4 kilometers strike length. There is evidence for syn-mineralization sill-like intrusive bodies emplaced on or close to the shear zone. No previous exploration drilling has been conducted on the license area. Royal Road has conducted geological mapping, underground and surface rock-chip and channel sampling and portable XRF (pXRF) soil sampling across the Lalla Aziza license area. Detailed findings are presented in Figures 1 and 3. The target concept at Lalla Aziza is a potential open-pit starter incorporating current workings, shear-controlled repeats and extensions in the footwall; immediate down-dip underground extensions below the current-level of the Lalla Aziza mine and folded repeats beneath the hangingwall to the southeast. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4008/247057_figure_3.jpg 88 underground channel samples from 27 separate channels at Lalla Aziza have returned best results of 4 meters at 5.3%, 3 meters at 5.2% and 3 meters at 2.6% copper (mean 2.5% copper, maximum 15.6% copper, minimum 0.003% copper) from sulphide mineralization. Best gold grades appear to be associated with vein-stockwork mineralization in the footwall schist sequence, with the best results returning 3 meters at 1.1 grams per tonne gold and 1.4% copper (mean 0.2 grams per tonne gold, maximum, 3.1 grams per tonne gold, minimum 0.0025 grams per tonne gold). Regional rock-chip sampling from along the shear zone elsewhere in the license area has returned up to 21.9% copper (mean 0.9% copper, minimum 0.003% copper) and 3.0 grams per tonne gold (mean 0.1 grams per tonne gold, minimum 0.0025 grams per tonne gold). ALBANY, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY) The New York State Attorney Generals office released their report on the June 28 death of Nyah Mway at the hands of Utica Police on Wednesday. According to a report by the New York State Attorney Generals Office of Special Investigation released on Wednesday, April 2 after a thorough investigation of body-worn camera footage, among other things, was undertaken by the Office. They concluded that the shooting was justified they would not be pursuing criminal charges against the officers in the matter. Mway was killed during a struggle with Utica Police on Friday, June 28. At approximately 10 pm on June 28, Utica Police were patrolling an area in West Utica that had two armed robberies earlier that month, including one on June 27. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers approached Mway and another person, who matched descriptions from the armed robbery on June 27. As they engaged with both persons, Mway fled on foot. According to the report, Mway displayed what appeared to be a handgun and pointed it at the officer giving chase behind him. A struggle then ensued, at which point a second officer fired his weapon, striking Mway. Mway was transported to the Wynn Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Further investigation found a pellet gun at the scene, which was recovered and secured by police. According to the OSIs report, given the law and the evidence, a prosecutor would not be able to disprove the justification of the officers use of deadly force. Therefore, the Office of Special Investigation would not be pursuing criminal charges. The City of Uticas Department of Public Safety issued the following statement on the ruling: With the release of todays report from the New York State Attorney Generals Office, we are hopeful that it brings some closure to the Greater Utica community regarding the tragic death of Nyah Mway on June 28, 2024. Since that night, we have worked tirelessly to rebuild relationships and restore trustparticularly with our Burmese and Karen communities. Today, we believe those connections are stronger than ever. From day one, our goal has been to ensure that the Utica Police Department is seen as a trusted partner, committed to serving the public with integrity and accountability. Through procedural justice practices, enhanced training, and, most importantly, transparency, we remain dedicated to upholding these principles each and every day. As we have stated from the beginning, this incident has been approached through a two-pronged process: the independent investigation by the Attorney Generals Office and an internal review by our Professional Standards Unit. Now that the AGs report has been completed, we will move to finalize our internal report after we have convened a Use of Force Review Board as dictated by our policy. We are deeply saddened that this tragedy occurred. Our hope is that the community can now begin to heal together and continue building the bridges necessary for a stronger, more united, Utica. The City of Uticas Department of Public Safety, in a statement on the ruling. You can read the full report from the Office of Special Investigation below: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement osi-nyah-mway-reportDownload Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WUTR/WFXV - CNYhomepage.com. A judge on Wednesday permanently dismissed federal corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. The Justice Department moved to dismiss the charges in February, saying that continuing would interfere with Adams ability to govern and threaten federal immigration initiatives and policies. The department asked that the charges be dismissed without prejudice, allowing the case to be revived later. The motion was met with criticism, with some arguing that the dismissal and its conditions with the specter that charges could be brought again made Adams, the mayor of the countrys largest city, beholden to President Donald Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Wednesday in New York City, U.S. District Judge Dale Ho appeared to agree. To the extent that the Government may be seeking to extract policy concessions from the Mayor, dismissal with prejudice rather than continuation of the prosecution best addresses that concern," Ho wrote in a 78-page order. "It ensures that, going forward, the charges in the Indictment cannot be used as leverage over Mayor Adams or the City of New York." A spokesperson for the Justice Department described the order Wednesday as "an example of political weaponization and a waste of resources." "We are focused on arresting and prosecuting terrorists while returning the Department of Justice to its core mission of keeping Americans safe," the spokesperson said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adams told reporters outside Gracie Mansion, the mayors official residence, on Wednesday afternoon that the corruption charges were "baseless" and apologized to New Yorkers "for having to go through this with me." "I want you to know that I never stopped working for you," he said. "Not for one day, not for one hour, not for one minute, because you are who I think about every morning. You are my North Star." He thanked Jesus and held up a copy of FBI Director Kash Patels book Government Gangsters." Adams encouraged New Yorkers to read it to understand how we can never allow this to happen to another innocent American. Alex Spiro, an attorney for Adams, said the case "should have never been brought in the first place and finally today that case is gone forever. From Day 1, the mayor has maintained his innocence and now justice for Eric Adams and New Yorkers has prevailed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Its not fun to ever be a victim of the corruption case theory. I hope that he breathes easy and is able to continue serving the great people of New York," Spiro told NBC News. Adams was indicted in September and accused of receiving more than $100,000 worth of free plane tickets and luxury hotel stays from wealthy Turkish nationals for nearly a decade while he was serving in local government. The indictment said that in return for the free airfare and hospitality, Adams used his position in local government to carry out favors. Notably, prosecutors accused him of pressuring the New York Fire Department to allow a Turkish Consulate building to open in 2021, despite legitimate safety concerns. Adams pleaded not guilty and has repeatedly denied wrongdoing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ho, who was appointed by President Joe Biden, emphasized that although the charges have been cleared, his order does not implicate Adams in or clear him of criminality. "It is important to clarify that the Courts decision today is not about whether Mayor Adams is innocent or guilty," he wrote. "Mayor Adams, like any person accused of a crime, is presumed innocent until proven guilty." The Justice Department had argued that the case was affected by appearances of impropriety, but Ho said that prosecutors followed all appropriate guidelines and that there was no evidence zero that they had any improper motives. He said the timing of the case also did not amount to election interference, as the Justice Department alleged, adding that it was brought nine months before this years 2025 mayoral primary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The time frame was entirely consistent with prior public corruption prosecutions. All of this suggests that the appearances of impropriety rationale is not just thin, but pretextual, Ho said. Adams reiterated Wednesday that he is still running for re-election, telling reporters: And you know what, Im going to win. In the order, Ho rebuked the government's claims that the case affected Adams' ability to assist with immigration enforcement in New York City, calling it "unsubstantial." Ho said that after the government sought to drop the charges, Adams "took at least one new immigration-related action consistent with the preferences of the new administration." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Everything here smacks of a bargain: dismissal of the Indictment in exchange for immigration policy concessions," he said. After Adams was indicted, speculation swirled around the city over whether he would resign, despite his public objections. The speculation and ongoing calls for his resignation appeared to subside until the Trump administration moved to dismiss the corruption charges in February. The move prompted the resignations of four of his deputy mayors and at least seven federal prosecutors, raising concerns about the stability of the city's embattled government. Pressure also mounted on New York Gov. Kathy Hochul to use a rarely executed power afforded the governor's office to remove the mayor. Hochul ultimately declined, arguing that "the will of the voters and the supremacy and sanctity of democratic elections" precluded her from doing so. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The governor's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether Wednesday's order would change her calculus for initiating removal proceedings. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. Unsuspecting condo owners across the country have found themselves in a galling predicament. They have been placed on a secret mortgage blacklist which prevents them from selling their homes, according to The Wall Street Journal. Maintained by the governments loan backer, Fannie Mae, the list has grown from a few hundred residences to 5,175, according to a lawyer interviewed by the Journal with access to the information. According to the report, the list grew after the Surfside condo collapse in Miami in 2021, which killed 98 people. Unbeknownst to property owners, their buildings find themselves on the list if Fannie Mae concludes their building needs essential repairs or has inadequate insurance. Don't Miss: More Stringent Underwriting Guidelines Although Fannie Mae and the sister company, Freddie Mac, do not make loans themselves, they underwrite loans from lenders, buy roughly half of the countrys mortgages, and sell them to investors, guaranteeing payments through insurance. Last year, the two companies tightened their guidelines, detailing red flags that could cause properties to be placed on the list. This has caused lenders to issue more stringent insurance requirements. Fannie and Freddie have standardized underwriting criteria. When loans conform to this, it is advantageous to the buyer, requiring lower down payments and better rates. A Fannie Mae spokesperson disagreed with the Journal's characterizing the companys database of buildings that are in a gray area of funding approvals as a blacklist. Although Freddie Macs insurance guidelines are similar to those of Fannie Maes, the company maintains that it does not have any type of list. Trending: BlackRock is calling 2025 the year of alternative assets. One firm from NYC has quietly built a group of 60,000+ investors who have all joined in on an alt asset class previously exclusive to billionaires like Bezos and Gates. The Surfside Condo Collapse Changed Everything According to the list provided to the Journal by Boston law firm Allcock & Marcus, Florida has the most properties on it, with over 1,400 developments, due mostly to the tough condo safety law implemented in the wake of the Surfside collapse. California was next, with just over 700, followed by Colorado and Hawaii. HARLEM, Manhattan (PIX11) Some tenants of a Harlem apartment building are fed up. They say they have been dealing with a slew of issues that their landlord has failed to address. The building is 19-25 St. Nicholas Ave. Tenants said they are dealing with a rat infestation, mold, roaches, plumbing leaks and holes in the wall, just to name a few issues. They say the landlord is negligent and change is needed now. More Local News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Inside Hamdy Bas apartment, roaches take cover under cracked and peeling paint. And the ceiling above the shower is completely gone. Ba said the weight of existing like this is taking its toll. Very bad, so very bad, Ba said. Ba said hes complained to management, but nothing has happened. The problem is they fix nothing from the apartment. I go to the office, they say, Well come fix it, and they fix nothing, Ba said. More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State Some tenants from the building gathered Tuesday to speak out against owners Sugar Hill Capital and management Choice New York. They were joined by tenants from other Sugar Hill properties in the area who are also angry and say the landlord has been negligent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tenants at 19-25 St. Nicholas Ave. say they have been dealing with issues such as mold, broken elevators and dryers, leaks, and rat infestations. Monique Sullivan is the president of the Franconia Tenants Association for the building. The rats are big like beavers. They came into his apartment and dragged a chicken off the counter and took it behind the wall, Sullivan said. She said that despite countless complaints, repairs are not done, or if they are, they are inadequate. Its horrific, Sullivan said. The repairs that they do do, they fall apart instantly. Sullivan said the city hasnt been much help. While the health department did send an inspector recently, she says nothing has changed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We call in a complaint today and they close it tomorrow morning, Sullivan said. Sullivan said that for the past eight months, some tenants have refused to pay rent, hoping it will force management to deal with the problems. We should feel safe in our building, Sullivan said. Nobody should be scared to speak out. PIX11 News reached out to the city for comment, as well as Choice management. PIX11 also reached out to Sugar Hill Capital Partners. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. Los Angeles County prosecutors declined to file formal charges against former "NYPD Blue" actor Kim Delaney and her husband after they were accused of domestic violence. The pair were arrested Saturday morning after Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies were called to their home in the coastal community of Marina del Rey to investigate a possible domestic disturbance, sheriff's officials said. Delaney, 65, was booked on suspicion of felony assault and held with no bail through Tuesday morning, the maximum without formal charges and the day she was scheduled to appear in court for arraignment, according to authorities and inmate records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement James Morgan, 54, was booked on suspicion of domestic violence but was soon released, Sheriff's Lt. Kenneth Jose Salgado said. His bail was listed as $20,000. Both were scheduled to make initial court appearances Tuesday. "Our office has declined to file charges against Kim Delaney and James Morgan due to insufficient evidence," the Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office spokesperson Pamela J. Johnson said by email. It was not clear whether Delaney and Morgan had lawyers for the case. Delaney's representatives did not respond to requests for comment. According to inmate records, Morgan was arrested at 9:45 a.m. Saturday, with Delaney's arrest following about 30 minutes later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On her Instagram page, Delaney has portrayed the relationship as loving, posting a photo with Morgan alongside the words "pure love." She marked the couple's second wedding anniversary on the social media platform, where she expressed love for her husband and said she's "your wife for life." Delaney has appeared in widely viewed prime-time shows and miniseries throughout the years, but it was her role as Detective Diane Russell on the police drama NYPD Blue" that earned her fame, as well as an Emmy Award for supporting actress in a drama series in 1997. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com The NYPD is still searching for the owner of a lucky pup who was rescued from the East River or hoping to catch the attention of a possible adopter. A trio of Harbor Unit officers who responded to the 911 call Sunday morning spoke at a press conference at the Brooklyn Army Terminal about the retrieval of the small white pooch from the frigid waters off the South Street Seaport. We happened to be not too far away at the time and, as we approached, we saw a woman kind of waving and pointing to a sailboat that was docked in the water, said Jared Desalvo, a 10-year NYPD veteran. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As we got closer, you can see there is a small white object, he said. And when we got even closer, we could tell it was a white dog with a pink harness. Desalvo noted the delicate nature of the rescue, adding it was made difficult because the frightened Maltese was swimming in circles. Its definitely an urgent situation, he said. Its a small dog, the water can be a little rough over there and its even difficult for person to even swim in there. Despite wearing a harness, there were no collar or tags on the dog, and it had not been microchipped. How the pup got into the water remains a mystery, Desalvo said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a tough spot over there because there is no place to get easily in or out of the water for anybody because its just high piers, he said. Officer Jenny Driscoll, another 10-year veteran of the NYPD, said the drenched pooch was visibly glad to be in the rescue boat. When we got it out of there it looked relieved, she said. Officer Joseph Pascone, who also has been with the NYPD for 10 years, said the little Maltese looked fatigued and was shivering when they were finally able to get it inside the boat. When we first see it, I was thinking where did it come from? he said. Because that area, theres no way for a dog to get into the water. So I was thinking, where did it come from and how long it has been there? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When we seen it close up, it looked very tired, so it seems it was in there for a little while, he said. Pascone expressed gratitude to the good Samaritan who called 911. We want to thank the person who called, he said. If he or she didnt call, we might have not seen the dog. So its a good thing when the community sees something, they say something. It helps us out a lot. The pooch was initially passed off to the 1st Precinct and then brought to the East Harlem location of the Animal Care Centers of NYC. The owner of the dog is currently being sought, Pascone said. After a waiting period the dog will be available for adoption. Hopefully, it gets reunited with the owner, Pascone said. If not, it goes to a loving family. CHEMUNG COUNTY, N.Y. (WETM) A Chemung County Legislator has taken to social media to demand an investigation into New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG), but the company said his actions are only adding unnecessary confusion. On Saturday, March 29, Chemung County Legislator Rodney Strange used his Facebook page to call for a state-level investigation into NYSEGs operations. The company was quick to respond to Stranges remarks. Director of Corporate Communications for NYSEG, Shelby Cohen dismissed his claims and urged customers to seek accurate information directly from NYSEG rather than relying on social media posts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chemung County Legislator calls for special investigation into NYSEG We feel its unfortunate that some have decided to ignore the facts and the information that has been provided to them, and chosen to make a confusing situation worse, with seditious social media posts that only serve to misinform customers rather than getting them the assistance that they need, Cohen said. Cohen explained that recent increases in customers bills are due to colder temperatures, leading to higher energy usage, combined with rising supply costs factors that are out of NYSEGs control. The fact is, the increase in bills over the past few months has been the result of colder temperatures that haven driven increased usage, combined with higher supply costs which are unregulated, Cohen said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cohen also pointed to social media platforms like Facebook and Nextdoor as sources of misinformation about the companys billing and services. DEC to review wildlife protection and enforcement process after seizure of Peanut the squirrel Were seeing a lot of misinformation being spread in these social media groups, on Facebook and Nextdoor primarily. We really encourage people to come to us with their questions on their bills, explained Cohen. Very often were able to either help them understand where they might be using more than they realize or talk to them about different rate plans, talk to them about different suppliers that might work for them. Very often these things are very easily resolvable and so we really encourage them to reach out to us or go to our website for information and our social media channels, she said. Addressing another common concern, Cohen clarified that NYSEGs smart meters are not responsible for rising energy bills, as some customers have claimed. She explained that the primary difference between smart meters and the older meters is how energy usage is reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smart meters are not the cause of increased bills. Smart meters work just like legacy or traditional meters, they measure the energy that you use in your home, said Cohen. They just read themselves and send us the read every hour rather than us coming out every other month to read your meter, she said. 18 News reached out to Legislator Rodney Strange on Tuesday, April 1, for comment on his social media statements but did not receive a response. As the commotion over NYSEGs billing practices continue, the company urges customers to contact them directly for assistance rather than relying on other social media discussions. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WETM - MyTwinTiers.com. President Donald Trump has spent years attacking the media, branding journalists as the enemy of the people. But now that hes back in the White House, those words are turning into action. In February, his administration barred legacy outlets like the Associated Press from the White House, while his FCC cracked down on independent media. The assault on press freedom has rattled longtime journalists including New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd, known for her biting political critiques. In an exclusive sit-down with our own Katie Couric, Dowd warned that Trump isnt just fueling distrust in the press hes actively dismantling many of the institutions designed to keep power in check. Trump does seem to be deliberately undermining the different branches of government and turning himself into the emperor of chaos, said Dowd, a Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyre trying to diminish all the different checks and balances and the way the Constitution set it up, she added. [Trumps] looking for a fight with the judiciary, and hes going to push on that. While Trumps first administration raised plenty of eyebrows, Dowd insists this time is different. Now, she warns, hes surrounded by advisors who wont push back. Hes thrown off all the guardrails, she cautioned. Now, hes surrounded by people who are eager and willing to do whatever he wants. Among them? Billionaire Elon Musk, who (unofficially) heads the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a controversial new initiative driving mass firings of federal workers. But Politico reported that Musk may soon be on his way out a claim Musk and White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt have firmly denied. If Musks grip on the government is loosening, hes not the only one losing ground. The recent Wisconsin Supreme Court election suggests the tide may be turning. Liberal candidate Susan Crawford decisively defeated Brad Schimel, a Trump loyalist heavily funded by Musk. Dowd sees the result as a referendum not just on Musks growing influence, but on his aggressive push to shrink the federal government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump voters are already wary of Elon and the DOGE wolf packs power, she told Katie. Still, Dowd acknowledged, Democrats face an uphill battle in reclaiming political control one that depends on winning back the working class. She argues the party has developed a disdain for this crucial voting bloc. For more, watch Katies full conversation with Dowd, in which she dives into Trumps return, Musks influence, and her latest book, Notorious: Portraits of Stars from Hollywood, Culture, Fashion, and Tech. The post NYT Columnist Maureen Dowd: Trumps Become the Emperor of Chaos appeared first on Katie Couric Media. Oak Creeks District 1 has seen a few business losses recently which either aldermanic candidates Zachary Hittman or Alicia Haase will need to address following the spring 2025 election. Incumbent Alderman Steve Kurkowski chose not to run. Hittman, a small business owner, said hes running because Oak Creek has been home to his family for six generations, stretching back to before the city was founded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am not just running to fill a seat; I am running to plant deeper roots and help Oak Creek grow," he said. Haase said Mayor Dan Bukiewicz asked her if shed be interested to serve on the Board of Tourism in Oak Creek and she took the opportunity. Being on the committee has caused my passion for people and my city to continue to grow, she said. The Journal Sentinel previously interviewed the candidates separately, posing the same three questions to each. One addressed the districts recent loss of some staple businesses including the Master Lock world headquarters, longtime grocer Piggly Wiggly, and food company Solina USA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hittman, 34, said losing longstanding businesses is felt deeply, both economically and emotionally. He plans to prioritize proactive business retention with the goal of fostering open communication to understand any challenges before businesses pull out. Haase, 29, wants to dig into why these businesses are leaving our city, noting each one likely has its own unique reason or situation. I think the key here is building and maintaining relationships and open lines of communication with our businesses to be proactive vs. reactive, she said. Conversely, Oak Creek has recently attracted multiple major chains including IKEA and Buc-ees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hittman said supporting both local entrepreneurs as well as large investments from bigger businesses is the key to a thriving economy for Oak Creek. To keep this momentum, it's vital to continue investing in infrastructure, supporting our workforce, and staying connected with businesses," he said. Haase said it's what the Board of Tourism has been striving for. "This is what we have been working on so heavily the past 18 months," she said. She noted the city passed funding for the Discover Wisconsin contract, a multi-year marketing agreement focused on what makes Oak Creek unique. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Contact Erik S. Hanley at erik.hanley@jrn.com. Like his Facebook page, The Redheadliner, and follow him on X @Redheadliner. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Oak Creek Common Council District 1 election results When a friend of Nick Khaliqs was having an issue with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs a few years ago, Gordon Kirk stepped in to help. I had pretty much thrown up my hands, and Gordy said, No, you go talk to so-and-so, and tell them Gordy Kirk sent you, Khaliq said. That was all it took. A lot of people talk that talk, but he made it happen. He was always cool, calm and collected under pressure. Kirk, who spent decades working with the Veterans of Foreign Wars, helping his fellow veterans navigate the VA health care system, died March 2 of complications related to pneumonia at Regions Hospital in St. Paul. He was 101; he would have turned 102 on March 23. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kirk, a World War II veteran, lived a life of service and believed in looking out and helping your fellow man, Khaliq said. He always had the utmost respect for peoples dignity and their humanity, regardless of who they were and what title they carried. He not only survived hard times, but he thrived, and it never made him really bitter. His legacy will be the example that he set for many of us. A longtime VFW member, Kirk became the first Black commander of the organizations Minnesota chapter in 1995. A longtime resident of St. Pauls Rondo neighborhood, Kirk also was active in the Hallie Q. Brown Community Centers Retired Mens Club. He was so amazing, said Khaliq, the clubs president. You know, I cant remember what happened yesterday, but that brother, I mean, he was organized, good with details, and once he was given a task, you didnt have to ask him twice about it. He set a very, very good example, especially for young Black men, but for men in general, and especially veterans, because he loved and cared for veterans dearly. He was a sounding board for many veterans, not only in our community, but throughout the state. He stayed focused and kept his eyes on the prize. Graduated in 1942 and enlisted Kirk was born in Helena, Mont., on March 23, 1923. His fathers career with the Northern Pacific Railway moved the family west to Seattle just as he was starting grade school. When Kirk was 10, the family moved to St. Paul. He graduated from Marshall High School in 1942 and enlisted in the U.S. Army. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During an interview with the Pioneer Press in 2023, Kirk said he encountered the open racism of the segregated South when he and his fellow Black recruits were boarding a train in Kansas City en route to basic training at Fort Bliss, Texas. The conductor comes up and says, You boys will have to ride in the Jim Crow car, he recalled. Id heard about Jim Crow cars, but Id never seen one. I hadnt ever been called boy. Kirk hoped to join the paratroopers after basic training, but Black soldiers were still prohibited from doing so. He was instead assigned to a trucking company under Gen. George Patton. He learned how to drive at a very young age, and a lot of the other brothers who were from the South, they didnt have that exposure to cars or driving, said Rochelle Tate, his niece. So when Uncle Gordy went into the Army, they made him a driver because he could drive and a lot of others didnt have that experience. Hed been driving since he was 14. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Landing at Omaha Beach six days after D-Day, Kirk served in Europe for the rest of the war. During the Battle of the Bulge, his company was tasked with delivering troops to the front lines near Bastogne in the dead of winter, enduring frostbite and regular bombing by German planes, according to an article published in the Gopher Oversear. In addition to landing on the beaches of Normandy, he was involved in campaigns in northern France, the Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe. Related Articles It was during the Battle of the Bulge when he spent three cold nights sleeping under his truck that he suffered frostbite to his hands, according to the Gopher Oversear article. He reminisced about arriving at Dachau one day after it had been liberated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After being discharged on Dec. 19, 1945, Kirk returned to St. Paul and spent a decade working as a streetcar driver for Twin City Rapid Transit. He then spent the next 30 years working as a skycap with Braniff and then Northwest airlines. Kirk was proud of his life of service, Tate said. Its in our blood and DNA, and theres certainly a lot of value and pride in being able to provide service to people. Not a lot of people understand that these days. They dont want to. They think that if youre serving other people, its degrading, but for my family, thats really important for us. In 1958, Kirk married his wife, Gwen, and the couple had three children; she died in 2005. Active in VFW Kirk was instrumental in creating the Twin Star VFW Post 8854 in 1964. He rose through the chairs at the post, district and department levels to become the first Black VFW member in Minnesota to attain the office of Department Commander from 1995-1996. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was a life member of the VFW and joined Brooker Edmund Post 724 in New Brighton after the Twin Star Post closed. Kirk served as the VFWs hospital representative from 1997 to 2019 where he advocated for veterans who need assistance at the VA Medical Center. He was elected to be the chairman of the Big 10 Conference from 2000-2001. Kirk remained active in VFW until a month before his death, said Joe Mauricio, a longtime friend and fellow VFW member. He was like a father to me, Maurico said. In fact, I called him Papa. I asked him if I could call him that, and he said I could. He was more of a father to me than my own father was. I could talk to him; I could never talk to my dad. Barry Henriksen, past state commander of the VFW and current adjutant quartermaster, said everyone loved visiting with Kirk at VFW events. He was at our fall conference last September at 101, he said. Anytime he was at an event, everybody was so excited to see him. His mind was so sharp. He was very proud of his service. He always wanted the VFW to succeed. You know, hes very proud of it. He was very proud of his service, both in the war and then his entire life. His entire life was about service. Pillar of church community Kirk was a beloved member of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in St. Paul, said the Rev. Shawn Evelyn, the priest in charge of Holy Trinity. Related Articles Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was one of the pillars of our community, Evelyn said. Hes accomplished many things in his tenure not just in his military service, but in his work and his life in the community and his outreach. Hes been a staple of our community and of our little slice of the world here, and were going to miss him. Kirk was a longtime usher and was a mentor to younger members of the congregation, and he and his wife occasionally took at-risk youths into their home. Kirks memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Marks Episcopal Cathedral in Minneapolis. The service will be at the cathedral to accommodate the large number of people expected to attend, Evelyn said. Visitation will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Marks; a 2 p.m. repast will be held at the Hallie Q. Brown Community Center in St. Paul. Brooks Funeral Home in St. Paul is handling arrangements. State testing shows an off-duty Washington State Patrol trooper was still drunk hours after a fatal crash in Richland. The Washington State Patrol Seattle Toxicology Laboratory found Sarah Clasens blood-alcohol level was 0.17% nearly six hours after the crash. That is more than double the legal limit of 0.08%. Her blood alcohol level is just one of several revelations included in nearly 400 pages of investigation reports from Richland police. The documents were released to the Tri-City Herald as part of a public records request. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her behavior also concerned bystanders who were trying to help. One witness told investigators that it appeared Clasen was trying to leave the scene, but couldnt, according to the documents. Suspect Sarah Lee Clasen made her preliminary appearance in Benton County Superior Court via a video link from the Benton County Jail in Kennewick. Not yet charged Clasen was driving a Kia Telluride on Highway 240 about 7:30 p.m. on March 1 when she started turning into Village Parkway in the Horn Rapids neighborhood. She told investigators she was going about 20 mph when she hit a motorcycle being driven by 20-year-old Jhoser Sanchez. While Clasen and firefighters tried to save Sanchezs life, he was severely injured and pronounced dead at Kadlec Regional Medical Center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Clasen refused to answer questions about whether she had been drinking, but the investigation found Clasen had spent nearly four hours at a local bar with her husband prior to the crash. Then after the crash, witnesses reported Clasen hesitated, and according to one person tried to drive away, before getting out of the Telluride. She was seen talking on the phone. One witness described her more like a nervous teenager than a seasoned police officer. Following the crash, it appeared the bar that served her, a cash-only business reportedly known for serving stiff drinks, may have destroyed evidence of her being there, investigators said in the reports. Spokane County Prosecutor Larry Haskell told the Tri-City Herald on March 19 that he had asked for additional testing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Haskell has been asked to handle the case for the Benton County Prosecutors Office because of Clasens position as a Washington State Patrol trooper. She was a WSP public information officer for the region. Trooper Sarah Clasen Haskell didnt explain what type of testing he was looking for, but once its finished his office will conduct a thorough review of the entire file. At that point, they will decide whether Clasen should be charged and with what crime. Clasen, a 13-year veteran with the Washington State Patrol, served in the district that stretched between Yakima and Walla Walla. While Clasen was initially suspected of vehicular homicide, she was arrested under a 72-hour investigative hold. This means prosecutors would normally have three business days to hold someone in jail before deciding to file charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judge Diana Ruff decided to release Clasen after determining there were other means to stop her from putting the community in danger. No charges have been filed in the past month. The filing of charges in vehicular homicide investigations can vary widely depending on the case. For example, George R. Thomas IV was involved in a fatal Benton County wreck on May 24, 2024 but wasnt charged with vehicular homicide until nearly a month later. And Celcilo G. Romero was charged with vehicular homicide in February 2024 for allegedly driving recklessly in November 2023 when he crashed in Richland and killed Maria Vasquez Reyes, 17. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Clasens attorney Scott Johnson said the case has received an unprecedented amount of publicity, which has made it extraordinarily difficult to ensure my clients right to fair and impartial proceedings. Cases of this nature are highly complex. To be found guilty of vehicular homicide, the accused must have been proximate cause of the accident that result in death. If the deceased individual was responsible for the accident, then the accused cannot be guilty of vehicular homicide. He said the defense is activity conducting its own investigation. Missing bar tab Sarah Clasen and her husband Trent Clasen were regulars at the Moon Palace, according to the documents. The business on 228 Symons Street near the Uptown Shopping Center is listed as a Chinese restaurant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The business only deals in cash and requires customers to come in through the side entrance, while keeping the front door locked, the police report said. A neighboring business owner said they are very heavy-handed with the alcohol they include in their drinks. Up to this point, I was unaware that the Moon Palace was currently a functional business even though I was aware the building was at this location, Richland Office Steve Heid wrote in his report. The years that Ive worked for the city of Richland I had presumed that it was an abandoned building that used to function as a Chinese restaurant. While the couple are regulars, staff told investigators they dont drink too much. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Security cameras from businesses in the area showed Sarah Clasen arrive at the bar in a GMC Sierra and her husband was in the Kia Telluride. They showed up about 3:20 p.m. and were seen going into the bar. Its not clear how many drinks that they had during their time inside. Police said in their reports that they suspect the people running the business eliminated their tab. About the time they were leaving, Sarah Clasen ordered a pizza from the Dominos Pizza at 1408 Jadwin Ave. She picked it up about 7:30 p.m., less then 10 minutes before she was involved in the crash. The intersection of Highway 240 and a Horn Rapids housing development in Richland where an off-duty state trooper hit and killed a motorcyclist. Highway 240 wreck Vega-Sanchez worked the day shift at Lamb Weston as a tote dump operator before returning to his home about 4 p.m. on March 1. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The man, who was described as a bright and loving soul, had only recently started driving the motorcycle. His mothers boyfriend told investigators that he asked if he could ride it around the same Horn Rapids neighborhood. Hed only ridden the motorcycle about three or four times before, the police reports said. There was still a little bit of light left when he left the house about 6 p.m., his family told investigators. Richland police officials have said there is no reason to believe that he was being unsafe as he drove east on Highway 240. At the same time, Sarah Clasen said she was returning to her home with the pizza in the Kia Telluride. Her husband had already taken the GMC from the bar. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators believe she didnt judge the distance correctly and as she started turning she slammed into the motorcycle. Another driver, who spoke to police on the condition of anonymity, reported that in the moments after the crash, Sarah Clasen tried to flee, according to the reports. She explained that it looked like the vehicle had shut off and then turned back on, then moved forward about a meter, but could not move any further because the motorcycle was stuck underneath, Richland police Officer Anthony Santana wrote in a report. It wasnt until other people approached her SUV that Sarah Clasen went into action and began helping at the scene, the witness said. Details of her inaction was echoed by two other witnesses. While they didnt see her try to drive away, they said Sarah Clasen seemed like a scared teenager who paced around. She then talked on the phone. Its unclear if this is when she was calling 911. Vehicular homicide suspect Sarah Lee Clasen made her preliminary appearance in Benton County Superior Court via a video link from the Benton County Jail in Kennewick. Her defense attorney Scott Johnson, left, and Benton County Prosecutor Eric Eisinger stand in the courtroom before Judge Diana Ruff during the preliminary hearing. Arrested after refusing tests While the Washington State Patrol would normally handle investigations that happen on state highways, the investigation was handed over to Richland police because it involved a trooper. Heid arrived on the scene about 9:16 p.m., according to body camera footage obtained by the Herald. He told Clasen that they were going to treat the investigation the same as if she were anyone else. Clasen explained she was returning home after picking up a pizza, and saw what appeared to be a car with a burned out headlight but believed she had enough space to turn safely. I was already slowing in the turn lane and saw him there, and I was like, I have enough time, I turned and as soon as I turned I just felt boom, she said. She told the officer that she believed Sanchez was driving fast. She never mentioned her trip to the Moon Palace, and when Heid suggested doing field sobriety tests or a breath test, she declined to do any tests under the circumstances. She did agree to give a written statement. When the officer came back and handed the form over, she suggested using the hood of her Kia to fill it out. Heid said in his report that this seemed odd since her vehicle was involved in the crash. I found her suggestion to be odd considering I would expect an experienced law enforcement officer to be aware that the involved vehicles in a major collision should not disturbed during the investigation, Heid said. He said her eyes were slightly glossy and her speech was slurred. He would also tell officers that she smelled slightly of alcohol. He considered that she might have been crying, but felt that there was enough suspicious behavior that suggested she was intoxicated. When he approached her a second time about the tests, she declined again. Even if there is a little, if I had a glass of wine earlier or something like that. I just dont want to do it, Clasen said in body camera footage. I definitely dont feel impaired. I dont feel like impairment was an issue. Did you have a glass of wine earlier? Heid asked. Im not going to answer, Clasen responded. She was arrested shortly after this and brought to the Richland Police Department where a search warrant was written to take a sample of her blood. Her blood was taken at about 1:15 a.m., about five hours and 40 minutes after the crash. The sample was sent to the state patrol toxicology lab. She was then booked into the Benton County jail. Haskell was not available Monday to comment on potential charges. Star Minerals has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with MEGA Resources, a subsidiary of Indian mining contractor BGR Mining & Infra, to advance the Tumblegum South gold project in Western Australia (WA). The MOU focuses on collaboration around the mining approvals process and feasibility study inputs, as Star Minerals progresses the studies towards the approvals process. The agreement also includes discussions on working capital inputs and profit sharing. MEGA has been strategically pursuing mining partnerships in WA, with a particular interest in Tumblegum South. This interest is primarily driven by the project's promising fundamentals and its potential for generating cash in the short term. The appeal of Tumblegum South was further enhanced by the increase in gold prices in Australian dollar terms since 2023. Located 40km south of Meekatharra, the project comprises tenement M51/888, a granted mining lease with a gold mineral resource of 616,000 tonnes (t) at 2.28 grams per tonne (g/t) of gold, totalling 45,000oz of contained gold. This includes an indicated mineral resource of 337,000t at 2.52g/t of gold for 27,000oz of gold. Star Minerals managing director Ashley Jones said: Star Minerals is delighted to commence a relationship with one of the largest mining contractors in India. Through MEGA, BGR has rapidly developed an interest in a suite of projects in Australia and this provides a crucial step in the process to bring the Tumblegum South gold project to production. BGR also participated in the latest capital raise completed by Star Minerals to progress toward mining approvals. BGR was attracted to the economics of the project as outlined in the recent updated scoping study released in May 2024 and is interested in the exploration and project economic opportunity given the sustained surge in the Australian gold price. Star Minerals is currently working on securing all necessary environmental approvals to initiate mining activities at Tumblegum South. The company is evaluating its next steps based on the findings from its recent updated scoping study. It is considering either proceeding with mining or exploring other options such as forming a joint venture (JV). Star Minerals plans to use advanced exploration methods and previous findings from Bryah Resources and other sources to evaluate the potential of the Tumblegum South and West Bryah projects. Additionally, the company is looking to grow its business by acquiring new opportunities, applying for new projects, or forming JVs in nearby areas or in other ventures that align with its objectives. MCBEE, S.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) The bright blue light of a cellphone display bounced off former McBee Police Officer Jerriell Wrights face as he scrolled through months of text messages between him and McBee Mayor Glen Odom. I looked over his shoulder as he scrolled through the texts, which were too many to count, as Jerriell remembered individual traffic stops and cases he worked when a text jogged his memory. The text thread started more than a year ago. Former McBee Police Officer Jerriell Wright prepares to resign during this interview with Queen City News on Jan. 29, 2025. Wright was shot at 62 times after a man armed with a high-powered rifle tried to kill him when Wright stopped him for speeding in McBee, S.C. (WJZY Photo/Jody Barr) The messages contained the unfiltered communications between a mayor and the towns top ticket-producing police officer, Jerriell Wright. The messages showed near-daily check-ins, with the mayor asking for on-shift updates of traffic ticket totals and fine amounts while Wright policed the one-square-mile town that lies directly in the path from Charlotte to Myrtle Beach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OFFICER DOWN: McBee cop who survived 62 shots fired at him says town threw him out like garbage The messages also showed what Wright considered evidence to support his belief that he was forced into a ticket quota system on day one in McBee, just hours after he graduated from the S.C. Criminal Justice Academy on Jan. 19, 2024. Ten a day is what they wanted. Ten tickets per day. They tell me you can sit at this corner and write a few, you can go to this corner and write a few. He said you can go at each end of McBee and write a few, and you can get ten a day, thats what we want, Jerriell Wright told me. And what would that ten cover? I asked. My job, I guess, Wright responded. Jerriell Wright provided this screenshot of an August 26 and 27, 2024, text exchange between himself and McBee Mayor Glenn Odom. Wright believes this text is evidence showing the mayor implemented a ticket quota system on the McBee Police Department in 2024. (Source: Jerriell Wright) Wright said the mayor gave him the order of a minimum of 10 tickets per day. They in his quote above was in reference to former McBee Police Chief Mike Irvin, who was in the meeting that day with Wright and Odom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I asked Irvin about this meeting and if that directive was ever given to Wright, but Irvin never responded to my messages. Chesterfield County Sheriffs Office Sgt. Mike Irvin was reassigned after a drug agent under his supervision told the sheriffs office that Irvin had him get a search warrant based on a controlled drug purchase that never really happened. Irvin was the McBee, S.C. police chief until June 2024 when he left to rejoin the sheriffs office as the head of the sheriffs drug unit. (WJZY Photo/Jody Barr) Irvin is currently under a South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) criminal investigation over allegations he falsified a drug search warrant, and Irvin has not responded to any of my messages since we launched our Unwarranted investigation into that search warrant last summer. UNWARRANTED: State investigating allegations top drug cop in Chesterfield County lied to get search warrant Chief Irvin left McBee last year and went to work for Sheriff Cambo Streater to lead the Chesterfield County Sheriffs Offices narcotics unit. The SLED investigation is still pending, according to SLEDs public relations office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wright and I met in secret back on Dec. 19. He was still employed by McBee PD, but wasnt yet medically cleared for duty after a gunman fired 62 shots at him during a traffic stop on Sept. 19, 2024. The rookie officer was hit four times: once in the forearm, twice under the left arm, and a bullet grazed the back of his skull. UNREAL DEAL: Vote that caught McBee mayor, councilman in ethics charge may be invalid Wright said the gunman, Alston Modlin, 27, jumped out of his Toyota truck before Wright could get his patrol car in park and immediately started firing a high-powered rifle into the drivers side of his patrol cars windshield. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From what Wright learned of the shooting from his department, Modlin emptied two AK-47 rifle clips as he circled the car, firing into the black tinted windows where the officer should have been. Modlin then pulled a smaller caliber handgun and emptied it into Wrights drivers side window. Wright crawled into the floorboard of his Dodge Charger patrol car after the first few shots and pulled his bulletproof vest over his head, and rode out the storm of lead he believed Modlin intended to kill him with. UNREAL DEAL: State ethics investigators looking into SC mayors first vote on first day in office It was the most sickening feeling in the world to lie there and expect to die. I didnt know when it was going to happen, but I just knew then and there, 43 years old and Ive lived my life and its time to go, Wright said in an interview in January. Was a joke. SC reporter arrested after taping sign to front of town hall Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The interviews and house visits I had with Wright were mostly done at night and in different cars to hide our contacts. Wright was still living in the mayors rental home, which sits a block away from McBees town hall. Wright feared hed be fired, lose his insurance, and be evicted if the town knew he was talking to me. McBee Mayor Glenn Odom denied former McBee Police Officer Jerriell Wrights allegations that Odom ordered a minimum of 10 tickets per day when the town hired Wright. Odom admitted he did have a conversation with Wright about 10 tickets per day, but, Its just a general statement that, you know, get out there and work or whatever, but most of these officers are writing more than ten a day, Odom told QCN Chief Investigative Reporter Jody Barr during a March 4, 2025, interview. (WJZY Photo/Jody Barr) In the past couple of years, McBees government and policing practices were subjects of Queen City News investigations. Wright told me he was very familiar with me and the work weve done investigating McBee, long before we met on Dec. 19. SC mayor, councilman hit with ethics charges in Unreal Deal city water investigation During that secret first meeting between me and Jerriell, I stopped him as he scrolled through those texts. I pulled my cellphone out and pulled up my own string of texts with Mayor Glenn Odom. I opened Odoms contact and pulled up his phone number. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I asked Jerriell to do the same. I read Odoms number to Jerriell and asked him to read the number he had for Odom on his own phone. Once I was able to confirm we were working off the same phone number, our meeting continued as Wright started screenshotting multiple texts and sent them to me. Over the next four months, I unpacked what Wright believed was evidence to support his allegation that thousands of drivers were victims of a ticket quota system in McBee, S.C. That night, I began the tedious work of building timelines and tracing patterns that began to unfold a story of the McBee mayor and his influence over the McBee Police Department. Our Officer Down investigative series continues tonight at 10 on Queen City News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. NANAKULI, Hawaii (KHON2) A Honolulu police officer-involved, multi-vehicle crash in Nanakuli has left one woman in critical condition. The incident had traffic on the west side backed up for hours and left many residents frustrated. Lines of cars could be seen for miles and drivers were stuck for hours. Oahus landfill dilemma: New bills may force Honolulu to rethink landfill site Its really bad, said Kukana Aipolani-Stanlan. Weve been stuck at home for what, about over three hours, four hours. Couldnt go nowhere. I would have to walk in the hot sun. I couldnt even go anywhere. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was unacceptable, its completely traumatizing and like I understand the frustration and the outright rage of my community, said Sen. Samantha Decorte, (R) Ko Olina-Makua. Honolulu Police said the collision happened around 8:40 a.m. on Wednesday, April 2 after a patrol car collided with another car that was trying to make a left on Helelua Street. The patrol car then collided head-on with an oncoming vehicle, which started a chain reaction of two more collisions. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You I was at home then I heard screeching like that and then when I look out, I just seen the cop car nail the black car, said Richard Kalamau, Nanakuli resident. I never hear no siren, never have no light. Seven guys was saying the same thing too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said theyre investigating if the officers lights and siren were on. I think the sentiment and large concern, and I do not put this on any one officer, agency or department, but it is a well-known position of people in the community that have witnessed firsthand, said Rep. Darius Kila, (D) Honokai Hale-Maili. At times, our police officers making dangerous vehicular maneuvers in and out of traffic. Traffic finally started flowing again after some drivers were stuck for hours. Residents said they are hoping and praying for the best for those involved, but they are tired and frustrated with the traffic problems. Drivers prepare: Major roadwork projects coming in 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We better do something about it because everybodys gonna be stuck, said Herbert Oliveira. Absolutely doing nothing and nothing gets done. That should be automatic already, said Decorte. We should be made aware to this kind of stuff as to where, when theres an accident on Farrington Highway, okay, open up the access roads. Lets go. Representative Kila, who chairs the House Transportation Committee, said the Lualualei-Helelua bypass road was open. But others, like Kolekole Pass, couldnt because police need to have an officer at both ends. Check out more news from around Hawaii So for that to have opened today goes to show that DOT is listening, they are responding, said Kila. But in order for us to respond, it goes back to us needing the adequate staffing for our police department to appropriately and safely respond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) We have been following an officer-involved shooting incident this evening that started in central Sioux Falls along West 12th Street. That area had been blocked off by police, but as of 9:30 p.m., the closures have been lifted. The incident led to a pursuit that ended on I-29. It was a chaotic scene along 12th street in Sioux Falls Tuesday afternoon. Police were called there after officers from the violent crime unit tried arresting Samir Albaidhani, a 25-year-old from Sioux Falls. Police say he was a parole absconder and wanted for multiple warrants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The offender produced a firearm and fired at our officers. Our officers did return fire, but in the course of that engagement, one of our officers was struck by the suspects shot, Sioux Falls Police Chief Jon Thum said. Police: Suspect arrested after shooting officer in SF The officer was taken to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Thum says Albaidhani then stole a vehicle and traveled south on I-29 when he was spotted by South Dakota Highway Patrol. Authorities caught up to Albaidhani near the Beresford exit. At the end of that pursuit, some shots were exchanged by our trooper. The suspect was struck. He was transported to the hospital by ambulance. None of our troopers were hurt during this incident, Cpt. Rob Mayer of the South Dakota Highway Patrol said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thum says this is the first time an officer has been struck by gunfire in Sioux Falls since the 1980s. We are very fortunate that an officer being shot is a unique circumstance for our community, but we dont take that for granted, Thum said. 5 witnesses testify as DSS embezzlement trial begins And Thum was pleased with the response of law enforcement. We had federal, local agencies, highway patrol coming in, and again, very quickly, units were able to get there to help out, Thum said. Albaidhani has a lengthy criminal history. He was sentenced in 2019 for burglary and grand theft in Minnehaha County, but his most recent arrest was in Pennington County in December for eluding, failing to stop and not having proper license plates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A man allegedly went on a shooting spree that began in the Las Vegas valley and extended into California, leaving three people injured, officials with the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Office said. Around 2:30 a.m. Tuesday, deputies in Barstow, California, responded to a shooting where a man was shot while sleeping in his car, they said. Shortly after, deputies received a report of a shooting at a gas station on Baker Boulevard. Police said the suspect, Antonio Chaidez, 35, allegedly fired multiple rounds through a back door, hitting a store clerk. He then fired additional rounds at two parked semi-trucks, hitting one of the drivers, before leaving the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chaidezs shooting spree spanned from Blue Diamond, through Jean, and into Baker, California, ending in Barstow, officials said. All three victims were taken to a nearby hospital. California Highway Patrol later located Chaidez traveling southbound on Interstate 15 near Afton Road, where he was stopped and taken into custody. Chaidez is facing a charge of attempted murder, according to court records. Anyone with information was asked to call the Barstow Sheriffs Station at 760-256-4838. Callers wishing to remain anonymous should contact We-Tip at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463). Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. On the remote Isles of Scilly off England's Cornish coast, an extraordinary canine is helping to ensure the survival of endangered seabirds. Kuki, an Australian Cattle Dog, left conservationists astonished with her ability to detect rodents and help protect the islands' endangered wildlife, the BBC recently reported. Seabirds such as puffins, storm petrels, and Manx shearwaters all rely on the Isles of Scilly to breed. Rodents, such as rats and mice, are a serious threat to these seabird populations because they eat the birds' eggs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust had previously eradicated these rodents from the islands, but it saw probable signs of a mouse in the fall of 2024 that could have posed a threat to its population of storm petrels. As a result, Kuki was deployed in February alongside her handlers from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and Biosecurity for England to search St Agnes, Gugh, and Annet three key breeding grounds for these endangered seabirds. Thanks to her sharp senses, Kuki confirmed that no rats had returned, offering vital reassurance to the conservation teams. Tessa Coledale from Biosecurity for England told the BBC, "Kuki is fully focused on sniffing out rats and it's all like a big game for her, really." Coledale went on to highlight Kuki's impact by noting, "Annet has the largest and most diverse number of seabirds in the Isles of Scilly with 6,000 pairs of breeding birds." Considering that much of the Isles' economy relies on tourism, this type of conservation success is critical in fostering both the ecological and the economic success of the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thanks to Kuki's efforts, these seabird colonies can continue to thrive in a safe, undisturbed environment. The success of Kuki's mission underscores the power of collaboration between humans and animals to protect wildlife, while her unique skills will surely make a lasting difference in the protection of the Isles of Scilly's seabird populations. Isles wildlife trust chief Julian Branscombe praised Kuki, telling the BBC, "There were no signs of rats, great job from Kuki!" Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Designed for retailers by retailers, it is the only event where operators, CPG companies and technology solution providers can meet to educate, innovate and develop collaborative relationships with companies, peers and partners. Supermarket News staff You can find original article here Supermarketnews. Subscribe to our free daily Supermarketnews newsletter. Supermarket News, the leading voice in the grocery industry for more than 60 years, is launching a groundbreaking event: Grocery NEXT (Network, Evolution, User Experience and Technology). Designed for retailers by retailers, it is the only event where operators, CPG companies and technology solution providers can meet to educate, innovate and develop collaborative relationships with companies, peers and partners. Grocery retailers are standing at the crossroads of disruption and opportunity. With the rise of retail media, data-driven loyalty, and unified commerce, the industry needs a forum built for forward-thinkersnot status quo, says Art Sebastian, founder and CEO of NexChapter and Grocery NEXT Chairman of the Board. Grocery NEXT is that space. We're bringing the best minds together to shape the next chapter in grocery retailnot five years from now, but right now. Grocery NEXT takes place Sept. 10-12 at the Westin Chicago Northwest in Itasca, Ill. Filling the gap in grocery The grocery industry is undergoing rapid transformation. Traditional silos between marketing, e-commerce, loyalty and operations are breaking down as technology forces convergence. Retailers are navigating a complex landscapewhere retail media presents massive new revenue potential, loyalty must evolve from points to personalization, and unified commerce demands seamless experiences across in-store and digital. Yet, despite the urgency, theres a gap: no single event brings together grocery leaders across disciplines to collaborate on these pressing challenges. Grocery NEXT fills that voidoffering a focused, actionable forum designed to break down barriers, accelerate innovation and drive meaningful partnerships that shape the grocery experience of tomorrow. Supermarket News unrivaled industry reach and expertise No other media brand understands the grocery industry like Supermarket News. As the most trusted source for news, insights and analysis, Supermarket News surpasses the competition by providing: Unmatched Audience and Engagement: With 350,000 active users and an expansive readership spanning every sector of the grocery industry, Supermarket News connects retailers, suppliers and innovators at a scale no other platform can match. Apr. 1ROCHESTER The superintendent of Stewartville Public Schools urged Olmsted County Commissioners to take a more aggressive approach to monitoring sales of low-dose hemp edibles. "The harm posed to youth and their health in the use of cannabis and low-potency help products must be considered as you make this highly consequential decision," Belinda Selfors told the commissioners Tuesday as they considered a new ordinance outlining plans to take over age-compliance checks of sales of low-dose hemp edibles. As one of two residents addressing the issue as part of a public hearing, the Stewartville superintendent said her first-hand experiences with youth point to a need for added restrictions, including requiring hemp-infused beverages to be kept behind a counter and all edibles to be sold in childproof packaging. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As oversight of some aspects of retail sales is expected to transfer to Olmsted County Public Health, she said the health and well-being of youth must be a priority over benefits to business owners selling the low-dose hemp products. The commissioners unanimously passed the ordinance changes, which include some actions beyond the state's requirements. The changes ban smoking in retail businesses that sell low-dose edibles, as well as placing limits on when the products can be consumed at the businesses. The commissioners also approved a penalty system that mirrors fines and actions faced by registered retailers caught selling tobacco products to anyone younger than 21. The first offense will come with a $300 fine, which increases to $600 for a second offense within 36 months. A third offense in the same period will result in a $1,000 fine and a seven-day suspension of the ability to sell low-dose products. Any offenses after three will yield another $1,000 fine, but the suspension will increase to 30 days for each violation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sagar Chowdhury, Olmsted County Public Health associate director, said there are roughly 120 businesses currently registered to sell the low-dose hemp products. County regulations regarding the future sale of cannabis products are not part of the ordinance changes. While the approved ordinance falls short of some suggestions voiced by Selfors, County Board Chairman Mark Thein said the stricter requirements were considered after being proposed by Public Health staff. "I think it's important for the public to know this isn't the first time we have seen and discussed all these requirements in the ordinance," he said. "We've had very thorough discussions." During a March 6 committee review of the optional requirements related to low-dose hemp products, commissioners voiced a desire to balance oversight and fairness compared to similar requirements for alcohol and tobacco sales. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, Rochester resident Jesse O'Driscoll, noted the commissioners face a challenge with state guidelines emerging that put some oversight in the county's hands while limiting some options related to future cannabis sales, but he also suggested the county could push back. "If you feel any reason that you might want to go about things in a different way, there is a long history in this country of local governments jostling with state governments in order to bring about some sort of situational compromise," he said, pointing to the state's 2023 cannabis legislation, which led to work on new state guidelines regarding the sale of low-dose hemp products. With approval of the updated county ordinance, Chowdhury has said Public Health retail checks are expected to start later this year, as soon as the state's Office of Cannabis Management finalizes the related statewide guidelines. Olmsted County's oversight is not expected to affect Byron and Pine Island, which have decided to oversee registration of cannabis businesses and related oversight within their city limits. Currently a harsh, arid sandscape, it's hard to believe the Sahara was once studded with sparkling water bodies that nourished lush green savannas. But the remains of human pastoralists and their livestock have been found in the region's rock shelters. A new genetic analysis suggests the humans who called this 7,000-year-old version of the Sahara home largely kept to themselves, genetically speaking. Max Planck Institute evolutionary anthropologist Nada Salem and colleagues sequenced the ancient DNA of two female individuals buried at the Takarkori rock shelter in what's now southwestern Libya. View from the Takarkori rock shelter in Southern Libya. ( Sapienza University of Rome The 7,000-year-old Takarkori women shared the most genes with 15,000-year-old foragers from Morocco, suggesting a long-standing, stable human population existed in North Africa before and during the Saharan humid period. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Evidence from ancient lake deposits, pollen samples, and archaeological artifacts confirm human presence, hunting, herding, and resource gathering in the currently arid desert region," Salem and team explain in their paper. This shared Saharan human lineage took a different path from those in sub-Saharan Africa around the same time that modern humans first left the continent more than 50,000 years ago. The lineage then remained relatively isolated for many thousands of years, with only small traces of genes entering from the Levantine region to the northeast including some from Neanderthals. "Our findings suggest that while early North African populations were largely isolated, they received traces of Neanderthal DNA due to gene flow from outside Africa," says anthropologist Johannes Krause, from the Max Planck Institute in Germany. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Takarkori individuals had less Neanderthal DNA than the Moroccan foragers, but significantly more than those from further south of Africa. That suggests that something stemmed the gene flow from Europe from spreading beyond the Sahara region. Archaeological evidence suggests that the Takarkori people were early herders of livestock, unlike the older Moroccan lineages who were foragers. That they picked up this practice without much gene exchange is also telling. "This discovery reveals how pastoralism spread across the Green Sahara, likely through cultural exchange rather than large-scale migration," Salem explains. 7,000-year-old natural mummy found at the Takarkori rock shelter in Southern Libya. ( Sapienza University of Rome The diverse mix of ecosystems, including wetlands and mountains, may have provided a southern barrier for migration, the researchers suspect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "By shedding light on the Sahara's deep past, we aim to increase our knowledge of human migrations, adaptations, and cultural evolution in this key region," concludes Sapienza University archeologist Savino di Lernia. This research was published in Nature. Related News A person died in a single-car accident Tuesday in the village of Menomonee Falls after the car left the roadway and struck a tree, authorities said. At 3:35 p.m., a 2007 Toyota Corolla that had been traveling northbound on Lannon Road was found fully engulfed in flames just east of the roadway, about a quarter-mile north of Lisbon Road, according to a news release from the Menomonee Falls Police Department. The Menomonee Falls Fire Department put out the fire and the driver was found deceased in the car, police said. There were no other passengers in the car. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speed is believed to be a factor in the accident, police said, but the cause of the crash is still under investigation. When reached by phone, Menomonee Falls Police Capt. Matthew Lewek told the Journal Sentinel he could not provide any further information about the driver. The Menomonee Falls police and fire departments were assisted by the Waukesha County Sheriff's Office and the Waukesha County Medical Examiner's Office. Cathy Kozlowicz can be reached at 262-361-9132 or cathy.kozlowicz@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @kozlowicz_cathy. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: One killed in Election Day car crash in Menomonee Falls, police say OHIO COUNTY, Ky. (WEHT) In Ohio County, Kentucky, officials say theyre having to prepare differently than for previous severe weather events. This one actually scares me more than the snow storms, or even the last one, says Ohio County Emergency Management Director Charlie Shields. Severe weather, including tornadoes, as well as several inches of flooding rainfall, is expected to impact the Tri-State. Shields says this event has the county doing things theyve never done before. Were preparing differently than we do usually, explains Shields. Were moving county equipment on the north end of the county and south end of the county so weve got people on each end. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sandbags available for Warrick County residents Shields says plans are also in place to move an ambulance and sheriffs deputy to the countys northern edge to be in place to respond, and to avoid being blocked by flood prone areas further south. This comes on the heels of significant flooding in February, and Shields says lessons learned then are helping make plans now. Ive lived here all my life, and we had some roads flood on that last event that never flooded before since Ive been around, says Shields. So now weve got more eyes on different locations than just the normal area where it usually does. Across the river in Newburgh, Town Manager Chris Cooke is putting out a plea for help from homeowners to prevent neighborhood flooding. They should be checking like their gutters, their downspouts, if they have a basement, checking their sump pump scenario, says Cooke. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cook says the Newburgh Street Department has been checking inlets in flood-prone areas, but also says with several inches of rain expected over a 4 day period, many other areas could be at risk of flooding. Weve had some great projects from some of my predecessors and the town councils over the years thats kind of addressed those problem areas, says Cooke, but with the amounts of rain were expected to get, it really doesnt matter how much infrastructure you have, it depends on timing on how much of it comes down at once. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW). Providence Equity Partners has acquired Tax Systems, a UK-based tax and accounting software provider, from Bowmark Capital. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Providence, a firm specialising in investments across media, communications, education, and technology sectors, stated that its funding will drive Tax Systems ongoing platform growth and innovation. The investment aims to enhance tax and regulatory compliance solutions while expanding into both established and new markets. Established in 1991, Tax Systems provides software and solutions designed to digitise tax compliance, allowing tax professionals to automate workflows, improve compliance, reduce risk, and extract valuable insights from their tax operations. According to Providence, the company supports a client base of more than 1,500, including multinational corporations, more than 80% of the leading accounting firms in the UK and Ireland, and around 40% of FTSE 100 companies. Providence senior managing director and co-head of Europe Karim Tabet said: We are excited by the opportunity to partner with Tax Systems. Throughout Bowmarks ownership, the company has developed into a specialist leader in regulatory and compliance software. We believe this is a large and fragmented category, with constant changes and strong digitisation trends that provide potential for numerous growth avenues. Since being acquired by Bowmark in 2019, Tax Systems is said to have doubled both its revenue and profits. The company, which was listed on AIM, has built a cloud-native, multi-tax technology platform and recently introduced Pillar2, an AI-driven SaaS solution designed to navigate the complexities of the OECDs global Pillar Two compliance and reporting requirements. Tax Systems CEO Bruce Martin said: We have enjoyed an excellent and rewarding partnership with Bowmark, whose support has been instrumental in strengthening our position in core markets, expanding our product suite, and successfully entering new geographies. As we move into our next phase of growth, we are excited to be partnering with Providence, who recognise the strength of our business and the significant opportunities ahead. Their support will help us accelerate our expansion and innovation as we continue building the leading tax compliance software platform in EMEA. In December 2023, Tax Systems announced the acquisition of TaxModel, a Dutch company specialising in tax technology. "Tax Systems acquired by Providence Equity Partners " was originally created and published by International Accounting Bulletin, a GlobalData owned brand. UTICA, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY) Thanks to a State Supreme Court judge, Oneida County can begin hiring separated corrections officers, according to an announcement on Wednesday. In an announcement on Wednesday, April 2, Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente announced that the New York State Supreme Court has issued a temporary restraining order for the county. The restraining order comes against Governor Kathy Hochuls executive order on Monday, March 10 that would have disqualified corrections officers who participated in a strike in February from working in any government jobs in New York. In all, the executive order banned approximately 2,000 separated officers from seeking employment in New York State government. The county filed for the injunction to block the executive order on Wednesday, March 19. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This ruling is a victory for Oneida County and for the dedicated men and women who have served as correction officers and deserve the opportunity to continue their careers in public service, Picente said in a statement. The Governors executive order was an unjust overreach that not only harmed these individuals but also jeopardized the safety and operations of our Sheriffs Office. We will continue to fight to ensure that this temporary order becomes permanent and that Oneida County retains the ability to hire qualified personnel to serve our community. State Supreme Court Justice Christina Ryba ruled on Tuesday, April 1 that Oneida County had shown irreparable harm with the effects of Governor Hochuls executive order. She also ruled that the county demonstrated a likelihood of succeeding on the merits of a lawsuit. Rybas ruling only applies to Oneida County and not statewide. According to Picente, Oneida County has already hired three officers who were separated and several more will be processed in the coming weeks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The countys attorneys will go back to court on Friday, May 2 to make the order permanent. If they are successful, the executive order will not be able to be renewed in Oneida County. This decision is a crucial step toward ensuring that we can fill critical vacancies in our Sheriffs Office with experienced, well-trained correction officers, Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol said in a statement. The Governors executive order unfairly targeted these professionals, preventing them from continuing to serve their communities. Public safety is our top priority, and this ruling allows us to strengthen our workforce and better protect the residents of Oneida County. You can view the full press conference on the countys Facebook page, here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WUTR/WFXV - CNYhomepage.com. ONEONTA, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) An Oneonta man was taken into custody on March 26 following the execution of a search warrant at his residence. New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations at Oneonta announced the arrest of 40-year-old Dustin Hummel following an investigation into sex crimes against children. With the assistance of the Troop C Computer Crimes Unit and the Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce, police found Hummel to be in possession of child pornography, suspected illegal illicit substances, and a defaced firearm and high-capacity magazines that are not New York State SAFE Act Compliant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hummel was charged with the following: Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree, a Class A Felony Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a Class B felony Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree (defaced weapon), a Class D Felony Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree (large capacity ammunition feeding device), a Class D Felony Criminal Possession of a Firearm, a Class E Felony Possessing a Sexual Performance by a Child, a Class E Felony Hummel was processed and remanded to the Otsego County Jail with no bail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WIVT - News 34. After almost three years of owning a Tesla Model Y, Joe Romer is looking to trade it in because hes no longer a fan of Elon Musk. Im tired of Elon Musk and all of his garbage, Romer told CNN, sharing his reason for wanting to trade in his car. Im getting rid of [my Model Y] because Im embarrassed to drive it. Don't miss Even though Romer admits that his Tesla was nice to drive, his frustration with Musk pushed him to test drive a different EV, which he fell in love with. Romer is not alone in breaking up with Tesla because of Musk. Reuters reports that, according to Edmunds, Tesla trade-ins are on pace to hit a record high in March 2025 compared to the year before. Why this Tesla owner is switching to another EV brand Romer, who spoke to CNN as he was driving past the picket line at a Tesla protest in California, says after putting over 80,000 miles on the Model Y, he was in the process of getting it repaired so he could sell it. I [test drove] one of the Lucid cars, and theyre very nice, he shared with CNN reporter Julia Vargas Jones. They are like driving a Mercedes compared to this [Model Y]. The mid-March protest Romer found himself in was part of the Tesla Takedown movement, which has seen protestors gather around the world at Tesla showrooms including 90 in the state of California the same weekend CNN caught up with Romer to protest Musk and his efforts with the Department of Government Efficiency. About a week later, Jones followed up with Romer to see if hed sold his vehicle. He told her he did, and it felt like someone had lifted a huge weight off of his shoulders. Although he only got about a third of what he originally paid for his car four years ago, he told Jones it made him feel like he was doing something. Read more: Are you rich enough to join the top 1%? Here's the net worth you need to rank among Americas wealthiest plus 2 ways to build that first-class portfolio How to manage a dispute with a car dealership Romers dispute wasnt necessarily with his Tesla dealership specifically. But U.S. drivers often experience issues with their cars, ranging from falling victim to deceptive ads or dealers to issues with car warranties or safety features. Parents on Medicaid are able to get oral health care treatment for their children but often have to make the difficult decision to delay their own dental care in order to buy groceries or afford rent. One Utah father had multiple broken teeth and a chronic, infected abscess from an inflamed gum. He shared, Ive been living with this pain a long, long time. I just dont have any other options. The federal government requires state Medicaid programs to cover mandatory services like inpatient hospital, physician or laboratory services. However, dental services are only required for high-risk groups like pregnant women and children. Oral health care is considered an optional service for other adult populations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The University of Utah School of Dentistry has been diligently addressing gaps in dental care access across the state for more than a decade. From rural dental clinics to a mobile clinic van, the School of Dentistry has practiced what it teaches, caring for the otherwise underserved. Dental treatment reduces pain and infection, but it also gives people the confidence to smile. In some cases, it can even mean a second chance. One Utah man experienced homelessness as a youth and drug addiction into his adult years. A lack of nutrition and drug use caused his teeth to fall out, impacting his ability to find employment and stability. Last year, the School of Dentistry was able to provide him with dentures. With his new smile, he was able to obtain a secure job. A smile is just something that goes along with being human, he said. Getting it back allowed me to be myself a lot more, to be the person I knew I was inside. For the past eight years, through a partnership between Utah Medicaid and the School of Dentistry, dental care has been slowly restored for Medicaid members. The relationship between a state school and state program is groundbreaking and attracting national attention as a new model for providing quality care to Medicaid members. Currently, Medicaid members undergoing treatment for substance use disorder, individuals who are blind and disabled, and elderly members who are age 65 and older have access to dental services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On April 1, 2025, thanks to the support of the Utah Legislature and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, dental benefits expanded to include all adults enrolled in Utah Medicaid. To provide care to the growing number of eligible patients throughout the state, all dentists in Utah have been invited to become associated with the School of Dentistry. Currently, more than 300 dentists are treating Medicaid members in offices around Utah. This has greatly expanded the availability of care, particularly in Utahs rural areas. It is a win-win collaboration for oral health access. More than 120,000 Utahns will now be able to have routine dental cleanings, treatment for dental pain and common dental services covered by Medicaid. The benefits for Medicaid members include improved oral health care, and they will reduce overall health care costs in the long run. Reduced need for emergency care, fewer days missed at work and better overall quality of living will be the result. The American Dental Association estimates that 79% of all dental-related emergency department visits could be immediately diverted to a dental office. By investing in preventive dental care, individuals and the overall health care system can save money by reducing the need for complex treatments, hospitalizations and management of chronic conditions. When oral health concerns are addressed and treated, general health improves, resulting in long-term cost savings. Patients with a substance use disorder gain confidence, find employment and contribute to society as productive citizens. Homelessness also decreases. Overall health care costs go down, and quality of life greatly improves. A restored smile is a restored life. For more information, please visit the Utah Medicaid website. The Trump administrations recent announcement that the Environmental Protection Agency will roll back dozens of regulations protecting air and water quality has drawn praise from industry groups and condemnation from environmentalists. But one stakeholder has been conspicuously absent: the self-described health freedom movement known as MAHA. Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s Make America Healthy Again movement has built its platform around the dangers of toxic chemicals in food, water and medicine concerns we share. Yet Kennedy and his allies have so far remained silent as the Trump administration clears the way for more pollution, more toxins and greater corporate impunity. This contradiction is not just hypocrisy; it reflects a deeper structural problem. Many of the ambitions of MAHA and related movements for safer food, protection from harmful chemicals and autonomy-enhancing models for public health depend on a strong and consistent regulatory state. And yet, these ambitions have been channeled into support for an overwhelmingly deregulatory political project under President Donald Trump that is actively dismantling the very institutions necessary to achieve their stated goals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This paradox is not unique to MAHA. It is a recurring pattern in the history of American politics, where populist concerns have been repeatedly co-opted into neoliberal or authoritarian frameworks that ultimately betray populist aims. In the late 19th century, agrarian populists in the United States railed against monopolies and financial elites, calling for state intervention to break up railroad and banking cartels. Yet many within these movements also deeply distrusted government itself, seeing it as an extension of the same elites they opposed. This ambivalence left parts of the movement susceptible to co-optation by free-market ideologues who framed government as the true oppressor, offering deregulation as a solution. Of course, the deregulation only further entrenched corporate power and left farmers and workers even more vulnerable to exploitation. A century later, the rise of Reagan-era neoliberalism followed a similar playbook. The conservative right tapped into public resentment against bureaucratic inefficiency and corruption, promising to liberate Americans from supposed government control. As Reagan famously put it, The nine most terrifying words in the English language are 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help. Reagans rhetoric resonated not only with corporate interests but also with many working-class people who felt alienated by elite technocracy. Yet the result was not greater freedom from government and corporate power, but instead their unchecked expansion via the coupling of dramatic growth in prisons and policing alongside predatory corporate practices. The deregulatory policies of the 1980s also led to industrial consolidation, environmental degradation, and a widening gap between the wealthy and the working class that has continued to grow up until the present. All of this has contributed to our current historical moment, which is characterized by unprecedented levels of economic inequality facilitating outright oligarchy, as exemplified by Elon Musks current power over the U.S. government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A similar process is now unfolding with MAHA and related health freedom movements. They have identified very real problems corporate capture of regulatory agencies, harmful environmental exposures and a medical system that prioritizes profit over care. But instead of demanding a state that better protects public health and democratic freedoms, they have embraced an agenda that systematically dismantles such protections and exposes the public to even more manipulation and exploitation by billionaires and corporate interests. Figures associated with MAHA, including Kennedy, Jillian Michaels, Calley Means and various alternative health influencers, have built their platforms on the claim often rooted in scientific evidence that Americas food supply can be poisonous. They decry additives, dyes and pesticides in processed food. They support state-led regulatory measures to ban SNAP benefits for soda and candy (although, problematically, this is rarely paired with demands for higher SNAP benefits to assist in the purchase of healthy alternatives that typically cost substantially more). They point to Europes stricter standards around chemicals as a model worthy of emulation. They warn about the long-term consequences of endocrine disruptors, and they call for stricter regulations on what can be sold, consumed and injected into the body. And while some dismiss MAHA calls for a better food system as woo-woo, a growing scientific consensus backs up their core concerns as legitimate and urgent for rebuilding failing U.S. public health systems. Yet, the movement has aligned itself with an administration that is aggressively rolling back the very regulations that protect people from the harms MAHA advocates decry. Under Trump, Lee Zeldins EPA has declared that it will no longer consider the social costs of pollution when crafting policy. It has eliminated restrictions on mercury emissions, soot and haze, all of which are pollutants with well-documented links to neurological damage and respiratory illness. As a result, mercury will now continue contaminating our water, air and food, and air pollutants will worsen asthma, weaken immune systems and increase rates of cancers, heart disease and stroke. The EPA has, in fact, moved to revoke the legal basis for regulating greenhouse gases altogether. These are precisely the kinds of environmental toxins that pose systemic threats to human health. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is not simply an oversight. It is the logical outcome of a MAHA movement that is cherry-picking its enemies attacking public health institutions while often giving corporate polluters a free pass. MAHA advocates are, to be sure, calling for a few regulations and recognize some corporate actors as malign, but they are unwilling to grapple with the broader structural landscape feeding these chemical harms. MAHA, like many libertarian-leaning health movements before it, is inconsistent: It sometimes calls for regulations, but then simultaneously frames the problem in terms of government overreach and consumer choice. This perspective makes it easy to support policies that gut regulatory agencies under the banner of freedom, even when those policies make the very problems they claim to care about dramatically worse. The consequences of MAHAs inconsistencies are likely to be fatal, both for the movements ostensible goals and for vulnerable groups most affected by the Trump administrations evolving policies, such as recent EPA rollbacks. MAHA sits at an important moment of historical transition. In the past, the dominant justification for deregulation was neoliberalism the idea that free markets, not government, should determine the distribution of goods and services. This framework, while disastrous for public health, environmental protection and equal rights to democratic participation, at least maintained the premise that the state should act as a neutral arbiter of corporate activity in the interest of public welfare and efficient markets. The new wave of deregulation, however, is not about the ideology of free markets. It is part of a broader authoritarian project that seeks to dismantle public institutions entirely, not for market efficiency but simply to consolidate oligarchic power. Trump is openly pushing the interests of his billionaire allies, as is obvious from his decision to hold a Tesla sales event on the White House lawn, to threaten private businesses that do not conform to his personal racial ideology, and to ensure that government contracts go to his donors and allies. To facilitate this authoritarian melding of business and government, Trumps second-term agenda is explicitly about undermining the legitimacy of regulatory and public health agencies, cutting their funding, firing scientists and ensuring that decision-making is no longer bound by scientific consensus. Zeldins EPA, by openly dismissing climate science as the holy grail of the climate change religion, provides a case in point, as does the ongoing destruction of NIH and CDC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This distinction matters. Neoliberal deregulation, while a disaster that facilitated widespread profiteering and poisoning of our environment to set the stage for our present crisis, at least left room for technocratic arguments about efficiency and trade-offs. But as neoliberal policy intensified inequality over the last four decades, it has provided fertile soil for the rise of fascism now. The new authoritarian deregulation that is neoliberalisms direct descendant does not bother with justifications for its decisions, nor does it allow for public feedback. It simply asserts that the state has no role in environmental protection, in regulating corporations, or in protecting the public from harm. And by aligning itself with this agenda, MAHA has made itself a tool for a movement that ultimately does not care about public health at all. What would a genuinely populist health movement, one that actually makes good on the worthy promises of the MAHA agenda, look like? For starters, it would stop focusing on individual consumer choice buying organic, avoiding vaccines, or switching to clean beauty products while ignoring the broader political-economic determinants of health. It would recognize that protecting people from harmful chemicals requires systemic oversight, not the limited and patchy regulation MAHA advocates. It would demand a regulatory state that is not captured by industry but empowered to hold corporations accountable. It would see environmental policy, labor protections and public health infrastructure as fundamental to its mission, not as distractions from it. Most importantly, it would break with the reactionary politics that have made todays health freedom movement a Trojan horse for corporate deregulation. Instead of railing against the very institutions that could serve the public good, it would fight to make them more democratic, more responsive and more aligned with the needs of ordinary people. If the past is any guide, there will always be movements that begin with legitimate grievances but are steered into supporting policies that make those grievances worse. The challenge now is to ensure that the fight for health does not become another example of this historical trap. If MAHA and its allies truly care about public health, they will stop aligning with those who would dismantle its last remaining protections. The alternative is not freedom. It is poisoning the well, literally and politically. I see dual language immersion almost like language reparations, said Jose Miguel Kubes. There was harm done during those 18 years of English-only, and its our jobs as educators to do something about it. Kubes is the superintendent of Delhi Unified, a small district of five schools nestled in Californias Central Valley. Over 90% of Delhis students identify as Latino, around 40% have been classified as English learners and around 75% speak a non-English language at home. Demographics like Delhis are relatively common in the Central Valley, whose agriculture economy has long depended on immigrants. Indeed, theyre reflective of Californias historical success attracting immigrants from a diverse range of cultures. This history is visible in the states K12 system: there are just over 5 million English learners in the U.S., and more than 1.1 million of them are enrolled in California schools. Get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter And yet, the state hasnt always embraced this diversity or the immigration driving it as a strength. In 1998, as a capstone to a decade of anti-immigrant advocacy from Republican Gov. Pete Wilson, voters passed Proposition 227, a referendum banning bilingual education for nearly all English-learning children in California. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Kubes notes, this was a disaster for kids. For nearly two decades, California schools stripped hundreds of thousands of linguistically diverse children of their emerging bilingual abilities. Worse yet, this was predictable: research suggests that bilingual and dual language immersion programs are the best models for these students to learn English and succeed academically. This can seem counterintuitive: Wouldnt students learn English fastest in programs that taught only in English? But a drumbeat of studies and the experience of several other states indicates that forcing young English learners into these sorts of sink-or-swim English-only lessons makes it difficult for them to understand academic instruction in English. Bilingual and dual language settings allow these students to begin learning English while deepening their abilities in their primary language, giving them opportunities to learn from classroom materials in both languages. When voters lifted the bilingual education ban in 2016, Californias political leaders embraced the change. Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson set ambitious new goals through their Global California 2030 initiative, pledging to have at least half of all California students enrolled in bilingual schools by 2030. And yet, in the ensuing nine years, the state has made only halting progress towards building a K12 school system that aligns with that research-backed bilingual vision. Related In California, Rebuilding Bilingual Education in Schools After an 18-Year Ban Ironically, when it comes to bilingual education, this deep blue coastal state could learn a lot from a conservative rival to the south. Texas enrolls roughly the same number of English learners in its K12 schools, but serves them very differently. Indeed, for more than 50 years, the state has required school districts with significant numbers of English learners to offer them bilingual education. In 2019, it deepened its commitment to multilingualism, overhauling its school funding formula to make it in school districts interest to shift their programming to align with the research on how English learners learn best. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like most states, Texas provides districts with a weighted funding boost to pay for language instruction for their English learner students. But the 2019 bill expands that boost for every English learner that districts enroll in the gold standard of bilingual education: dual language immersion programs. These bilingual schools teach in two languages, sometimes to integrated classrooms of English-learner and English-dominant students. Related New Report: How Districts Can Protect Fair Access to Dual Language Programs Critically, the bill also provided funding bonuses for non-English learner students enrolled in dual language programs. This gives districts a fiscal incentive to commit to the model even after English learner students reach English proficiency and are reclassified as non-English learners. In addition, it sets out an incentive for Texas districts to create integrated dual language immersion programs that enroll equal shares of native English speakers and native speakers of the programs other language usually Spanish. Texas systemic bilingual investments have produced a very different English learner education landscape. Texas enrolls nearly 40% of its English learners in some form of bilingual education twice the rate California does. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Given the research consensus on the efficacy of bilingual and dual language programming for English learners, its perhaps unsurprising that this gap is producing real differences in student achievement. These students in Texas outperform their English learner counterparts in California on a number of metrics. For instance, in Texas they have consistently scored higher than California English learners in both math and reading in every administration of the National Assessment for Educational Progress since 2011. Finally, achievement gaps between native English speakers and English learners are consistently smaller in the Lone Star State than in California. States English learner policies are more important than ever now, as the Trump administration guts the federal Office of English Language Acquisition, which oversees hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding earmarked for supporting those 5 million English learners. With funding cuts looming, potentially including the Elementary and Secondary Education Acts Title III grants to support English learners language acquisition, states are likely to determine on their own the depth and breadth of their investment in the success of these students. Related Trump Ed Department Decimates Office Serving 5 Million Students Learning English In California, local efforts like Delhis continue to push the state out of its failed English-only past. Delhi relaunched dual language immersion programs about a decade ago. Back then, the district inherited a system that was not designed for all students to flourish, Kubes said. So when he became superintendent in 2022, he moved to deepen Delhis commitment to those growing programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement District leaders conducted public discussions in Spanish and English to learn what families wanted and to help families of English learners learn about the value of developing their childrens home languages. Principal Gena Buchanan (left front) visits a bilingual class at Harmony Elementary School in October 2024. (Conor P. Williams) What we offer, said Gena Buchanan, principal at Delhis El Capitan Elementary, is based on the needs of the community. Its tailored to them. We used to have dual language immersion at just one site, but parents at the other schools started advocating for it, too. The shift is driving major changes for Delhi families. Over 50% of the districts nearly 900 English learners are now enrolled in dual language. And long-time residents say that its reaffirming the value of their Spanish abilities. Its personal for me because I went to school here, said Rosa Gonzalez, principal at Delhis Harmony Elementary and a former Delhi student during the states English-only era. She said that she put her own daughters in the districts bilingual programs because of her experience losing her native fluency in Spanish. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was struggling, as an adult, to communicate in Spanish, she said, even though thats the language I had learned first when I was a kid. It was heartbreaking for me now to have to try to figure out how to speak to my grandparents, and I didnt want my kids to have to go through that. But while local reforms like Delhis prove that California schools absolutely can deliver the language education models that research suggests work best, these efforts are definitionally limited in scope. In the near decade since relaunching bilingual education, California hasnt made significant statewide policy changes to require districts to provide their communities with greater access to bilingual or dual language classrooms, nor has it provided substantial new resources to make it easier for districts to do so. State leaders have offered small competitive grant programs to seed several dozen new dual language programs, but have largely stopped touting the bilingual goals outlined in Global California 2030. While dual language immersion programs are uniquely beneficial for English-learning students, they can help all children become bilingual. Delhi parent Rosa Nuno brought her children to the United States when they were in kindergarten and fifth grade. She was eager for them to learn English, she said, but was also determined to maintain their connections to their native language and culture. The more languages they learn, the better, she said in Spanish. And I want them to feel proud of their roots. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, Buchanan, the principal at El Capitan, is starting her own bilingual journey. Im English-only, she said, but seeing the benefits of dual language, Im telling my children to enroll my grandchildren in our program. Im an incredible supporter of it now. All the parents at my school know that Im trying to learn Spanish. If youd said to me three months ago that the United States could invade and occupy Greenland, Id have likely checked your head for a tinfoil hat. But after Vice President JD Vances three-hour trip to a U.S. military base in Greenland, Im starting to get concerned that Operation Arctic Freedom could be in the offing. Vances brief sojourn to the autonomous territory, which is still part of the Kingdom of Denmark, was perhaps the most insane and inappropriate diplomatic foray ever conducted by an American official. Vance, accompanied by the national security adviser, Michael Waltz, and the energy secretary, Chris Wright, didnt meet with Greenlands prime minister or any other government officials. In fact, its not clear he encountered a single resident of the island. A planned meet-and-greet with Usha Vance, the vice presidents wife, was scrapped because U.S. officials couldnt find any locals willing to meet publicly with the second lady as well as because of fears that any public event would be marred by protests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vance instead stayed sequestered at a U.S. Army base where he openly criticized Denmark which provides military protection for Greenland (at least for now) and said the island was essential to U.S. national security. The vice president implicitly threatened the use of American military force to acquire it. The president has said clearly he doesnt think that military force is going to be necessary, said Vance, but he absolutely believes that Greenland is an important part of the security not just of the U.S. but of the world. In short, the message was: Nice island you got here ... itd be a shame if something happened to it. According to Vance, the United States increasing its position in Greenland has to happen because our friends in Denmark have not done their job in keeping this area safe from Russian and Chinese encroachment. Vances warnings of Russian adventurism hit a bit hollow when you consider that the Trump administration is actively working to end Moscows diplomatic isolation since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the vice presidents menacing rhetoric follows a familiar and disturbing pattern. In January, before taking office, Trump refused to rule out economic or military coercion to take over the island. It might be that youll have to do something, he said at the time in reference to Greenland and the Panama Canal. In his address to a joint session of Congress last month, he said, One way or another, were gonna get it. On the day of Vances trip, Trump declared in the Oval Office, We need Greenland. ... We have to have Greenland. Its not a question of Do you think we can do without it? We cant. And during a little-noted news conference in March with Mark Rutte, the NATO secretary general, Trump dismissed Denmarks territorial claims to Greenland and said ominously, We have a couple of bases on Greenland already, and we have quite a few soldiers that maybe youll see more and more soldiers go there. I dont know. (italics added) Trump then pointed to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and asked, What do you think about that, Pete? Dont answer that, Pete. Dont answer that question. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How many times can Trump say hes considering using the U.S. military to seize Greenland before we start taking him seriously? The irony of Trumps statement is that he can send additional U.S. troops right now to improve Greenlands defenses. According to a 1951 defense agreement between the United States and Denmark, the United States is legally permitted to create new defense areas ... necessary for the development of the defense of Greenland and the rest of the North Atlantic Treaty area, and which the Government of the Kingdom of Denmark is unable to establish and operate singlehanded. In other words, as Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lkke Rasmussen recently pointed out, if the Trump administration wants to ramp up the U.S. military presence in Greenland without taking control of the island, its well within its rights to do so. Rasmussen also noted that the Danish government announced a multibillion-dollar security package for Greenland in January, which included the acquisition of icebreakers and long-range drones, as well as additional personnel stationed on the Arctic island. None of this was mentioned in Vances remarks. Theres also the matter of NATO, of which Denmark is a founding member. Any attack on Greenland would be considered an attack on all NATO countries and the United States would be treaty-bound to defend it. What better security guarantee could there be for Greenland than the full weight of Americas military might if the island is attacked? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Trump is genuinely concerned about Greenland and the potential for Russian and Chinese encroachment, there are plenty of steps that the United States can take to improve the security situation there. But Trump isnt doing that. Rather than working with the Danish government and securing a greater military partnership, he is openly antagonizing it by declaring his desire to make Greenland part of the United States. The reason seems rather simple yet also terrifying: Trump wants Greenland to become part of the United States. Period. He doesnt care about Greenlands security. He wants it for America. Indeed, Trump has been talking about making Greenland the 51st state since his first term as president. Back in 2019, he got in a public spat and canceled a planned trip to Denmark because then-Danish Prime Minister Mette Fredriksen refused to discuss selling the island to the United States. Why does Trump want Greenland so badly? I suspect its the same reason he wants to annex Canada and reclaim the Panama Canal. Its consistent with his propensity for slapping his name (always in giant letters) on garish, self-aggrandizing, yet oddly boring architectural monstrosities around the globe. Its all about Trumps ego. Most presidents seek policy legacies. For Barack Obama, it was health care; for Ronald Reagan, a smaller federal government; for Richard Nixon, detente with the communist world. Trump couldnt care less about policy because his only genuine interest is himself. He wants to be able to point to Americas expanded territorial footprint and say, I made Greenland the 51st state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Indeed, at his news conference Friday, Vance unintentionally admitted that Trumps ego is driving this process. Asked whether the United States is very serious in its desire to acquire Greenland, he said, Well, the president said we have to have Greenland, and I think that we do have to be more serious about the security of Greenland. We cant just ignore this place. We cant just ignore the presidents desires. Alas, Vance and those around Trump do have agency to ignore his desire to control Greenland. Instead, they indulge him as theyve done on his calls for annexing Canada and his disastrous trade war. How far is Trump willing to go? We dont know, but if anyone thinks that a U.S. military attack on Greenland is outside the realm of possibility, they simply arent paying attention. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com In a February Hulu documentary featuring Shari Franke, eldest child of the infamous mommy blogger Ruby Franke, Sharis brother Chad and her father, Kevin, viewers are privy to behind-the-scenes video from the now-defunct family vlog. In one clip, Ruby smiles while recording herself before breaking off to scream at her family off-screen. The documentary, titled Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke, features several moments like this, moments that illustrate what detractors see as a wider phenomenon in which the family blogging industry is exposed for its many pitfalls and deceptions, particularly as it pertains to the protection and treatment of children. Indeed, Utah, where the Franke family resided and recorded daily family life for years, has become the fourth state to legislate protections for influencer kids with the passing of HB 322 into law in March, following high-profile activism from Franke family members, who were YouTube family vlogging royalty before matriarch Ruby was arrested on charges of child abuse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ruby Franke and her estranged husband, Kevin Franke, were the head of the YouTube family channel 8 Passengers. At its height, the channel commanded more than 2 million subscribers. In her content, Ruby Franke often touted strict parenting, like the time she infamously refused to bring her 6-year-old daughter lunch after the child had forgotten it or when her teenage son was made to sleep on a beanbag for months as a punishment. In 2023, Franke and her business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt, were arrested on charges of child abuse after Frankes 12-year-old son escaped from Hildebrandts house. The child appeared emaciated and had wounds on his wrists and ankles. Frankes 9-year-old daughter was found in a closet of Hildebrandts house, in a similar state. Hildebrandt and Franke each pleaded guilty to four counts of felony child abuse, for which they were sentenced to up to 30 years in prison. The fallout of Ruby Frankes arrest was intense. For detractors of family vloggers and mom influencers, Frankes arrest was proof positive that their suspicions were correct and something ominous was lurking under the perfect veneer of social media fame. Anti-vlogging advocates had the feeling that the bottom was finally falling out of a deeply rotten industry. Buffeted by the moment, Shari Franke, the eldest child of Ruby Franke, spoke in front of the Utah Legislature, saying, There is no ethical or moral family vlogger. In the wake of the Franke family tragedy, calls for protections for kids of influencers have intensified. Though people often assume that child influencers are covered under legal protections for child actors, theyre not. In 46 of 50 states, its legal for parents to feature their kids in monetized or sponsored content without paying the children for their labor. Its particularly impactful for Utah, of all states, to have passed legislation for the privacy and profits of influencer kids, as experts often point to Utah as a hot spot for mom influencers, family vloggers and kid influencers. Theres an entire book to be written about why Mormon people are so drawn to influencing and why theyre often so successful at it, including the fact that recordkeeping and scrapbooking are mainstay traditions of the Mormon faith, skills that lend themselves to content creation but the bottom line is that Utah is one of the most popular states for family vloggers and mom influencers. And though people who were raised as kid influencers arent a monolith, its important to listen to them when they speak about their experiences, like when Shari Franke told Rolling Stone, Making money off your kids [with] no oversight as to how much the kids are getting paid theres no way to do that well for me. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im a journalist who covers family vloggers and mom influencers, and my take on their work is far from black-and-white. I dont believe that showing your kid online is immoral in itself. We shouldnt conflate the horrors of Ruby Frankes story with the lives of every kid featured in their influencer parents content. And not every mom influencer and family vlogger are evil far from it. But if theres an industry that turns on the labor of kids, it makes sense to compensate them for their labor, at the very least. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com The laws of economics can be frustratingly inconvenient, especially in Washington. To many lawmakers, the fundamental principles of economics are neither fundamental nor even principles: They are tools to be bent, warped, and manipulated or outright ignored in order to yield up the answers those lawmakers want. So it is that Democrats love to argue that raising taxes on things automatically yields more tax revenue for the government. They would have you believe that if you bought ten Big Macs at a cost of $5 each, you would also buy ten if the price were $7.50 after a tax increase. Economics teaches us that people just dont act like that its called elasticity of demand even if lawmakers dont understand. Another example: By ignoring economic principles, the Congressional Budget Office supposedly full of people who have at least studied economics misjudged the number of people who would sign up for Medicaid under ObamaCare by at least 130 percent. It turns out that people really like free stuff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sadly, Republicans can be just as unwilling to acknowledge the same basic, fundamental principles as their left-leaning colleagues. Thus it was this last week, when White House Senior Counsellor for Trade and Manufacturing, Peter Navarro declared that the upcoming basket of Trump Tariffs would raise $6 trillion in revenue in the next ten years, or an average of $600 billion per year. Some basic math would suggest that, in theory at least, that is possible. Last year, Americans imported around $3.3 trillion worth of stuff from other countries. In order to raise that $600 billion a year, the tariff rate would have to be, on average across everything we import, about 18 percent. President Trump has dangled the prospect of tariffs ranging from 10 percent to 25 percent (or more, when it comes to China), so that 18 percent blended average at least isnt outrageous, assuming that it covers literally everything, which even the White House hasnt proposed yet. So the math could work, in theory. But economics is more than just math. It also considers human behavior. And one of the basic principles of economics is that of substitution. If the price of something goes up, people will try to find a similar good a substitute at a lower price. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its part of the same thing that makes the Democrats so wrong about taxes on Big Macs. Some people are going to adjust by going to KFC instead. Dont get me wrong: Substitution when it comes to tariffs isnt a bad thing. Indeed, it is a principle that lies at the heart of the Trump tariff policy. He wants people to substitute American goods for the foreign goods that would be more expensive with tariffs added. He admitted that much this weekend when he said he was fully expecting the price of foreign-made automobiles to go up, which would, in turn, encourage people to buy more American automobiles. Thats the idea behind the tariffs. And frankly, I support the idea of bringing back American manufacturing. I live in South Carolina. I have seen what so-called free trade deals such as NAFTA really misnomers for negotiated trade deals that pick winners and losers did to the textile industry. More importantly, I have seen what those trade deals did to our communities and our families. Yes, we got slightly cheaper underwear and bedsheets, but entire swaths of our population got kicked out of the middle class. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump wants to fix that. One way to do that is through exactly the form of product substitution that tariffs would encourage. Faced with more expensive foreign-made goods, people will choose to buy American-made products, which in turn drives more American manufacturing. However, to think the tariffs are going to do that but also raise $600 billion a year at the same time is absurd. In order for Navarros number to be accurate that an 18 percent average tariff will raise $600 billion American consumers would have to avoid substitution, instead buying foreign goods at tariff-elevated prices. Indeed, for his revenue projections to be accurate, Navarro needs Americans to continue to buy as much stuff from overseas as they do today. Put another way, Navarros math assumes that the Trump tariffs create absolutely zero American jobs. Or, you could look at it from the other side of the coin. If the Trump policies do what Trump wants them to do, and consumers start buying American goods instead of imports, then the tariffs would raise very little if anything. None of that should be that hard to grasp. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While not technically a formal principle of economics, there is a concept here with which everyone should be familiar: You cannot have it both ways. Trump has strong political, philosophical, economic and even cultural reasons for taking a hard line on tariffs. He doesnt need people coming out to defend them by using fuzzy math that every college freshman in Econ 101 can spot as political rather than economic. Mick Mulvaney, a former congressman from South Carolina, is a contributor to NewsNation. He served as director of the Office of Management and Budget, acting director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and White House chief of staff under President Donald Trump. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Congress has provided the Department of Homeland Security with powerful tools to remove noncitizen immigrants who support terrorism or incite genocide. The Biden administration refused to use these tools. Fortunately, the Trump administration thinks differently. Hamass meticulously planned October 2023 massacre of Israeli civilians resulted, in then-President Bidens words, in the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust, with more than 1,000 civilians slaughtered, parents butchered using their bodies to try to protect their children. Biden concluded that Hamass act of pure, unadulterated evil had reminded us all that silence is complicity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What, then, should we call not silence, but vocal celebration of Hamass mass murder? As Hamas would gladly kill every Jew in Israel if it had the opportunity, this is akin to the celebration of genocide. Much of this celebration took place on Americans college campuses by foreign students during demonstrations apparently catalyzed by campus chapters of Students for Justice in Palestine. The Anti-Defamation League reported that the groups chapters giddily celebrated the massacres. The groups Tufts University chapter proclaimed that footage of liberation fighters from Gaza paragliding into occupied territory [i.e. Israel] has especially shown the creativity necessary to take back stolen land. The Bard University chapter proclaimed that Liberation requires confrontation by any means necessary. From the river to the sea, we will continue to fight. And last October, Swarthmores chapter wrote, Happy October 7th everyone! In honor of this glorious day and all our martyred revolutionaries. Swarthmore College at least pushed back, responding that celebrating the killing of innocent people is shocking and reprehensible. This all calls to mind the incitements driving the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Sen. Edward Kennedy wrote Secretary of State Warren Christopher at that time of reports that a private [radio] station affiliated with an extremist Hutu political party was broadcasting messages urging the killing of all remaining Tutsi children, urging them, Take up your machetes; the graves are only half full! Who will help us fill them? Kennedy warned that the broadcasts were continuing to incite genocide of the Tutsi people and pleaded with Christopher to help jam them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Federal law provides powerful tools enabling the removal of noncitizen immigrants who advocate for terrorism and incite genocide. I should know I had the honor of assisting House Judiciary Committee Chair F. James Sensenbrenner Jr. in his successful push for the inclusion of provisions in the PATRIOT Act in 2001 and the REAL ID Act in 2005, providing for the deportation of immigrants who endorse or espouse terrorism. One year earlier, Congress had made subject to deportation noncitizens who incite genocide. In 1990, Congress created a ground of deportation for immigrants whose presence or activities in the [U.S.] the Secretary of State has reasonable ground to believe would have potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences. Noncitizen immigrants do not have the same level of First Amendment rights as do American citizens. The Supreme Court ruled in 1999 that the government does not offend the Constitution by deporting [an illegal immigrant] for the additional reason that it believes him to be a member of an organization that supports terrorist activity. This prompted a future executive director of the American Immigration Lawyers Association concluded that the simple, clear message the court had sent was immigrants have no First Amendment rights. Despite the availability of statutory tools, and Bidens professions of revulsion as to Hamas, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas and Secretary of State Antony Blinken took no action to seek the removal of foreign students advocating for terrorism or genocide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This led Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) to write Mayorkas on Oct. 16, 2023, urging that he immediately deport any foreign national who expressed support for Hamas and its murderous attacks on Israel. It led 19 members of the House of Representatives to write to Mayorkas and Blinken on within a week, asking whether the visas of any foreign students who had endorsed or espoused Hamas terrorism had been reviewed or revoked. It led me, the following month, to urge the Department of Homeland Security to attempt to remove noncitizens endorsing or espousing terrorism. No action was ever taken by the Biden administration. One must wonder whether Mayorkas would also have turned a blind eye to foreign students calling for the genocide of the Tutsis, whether Blinken would have dismissed Kennedys letter without a second thought. It took Trumps inauguration to get Homeland Security and the State Department to heed calls for the removal of noncitizens in our country advocating evil. This began with Mahmoud Khalil, who, according to the White House press secretary, organized group protests [at Columbia University] that not only disrupted college campus classes and harassed Jewish-American students and made them feel unsafe on their own college campus, but also distributed pro-Hamas propaganda flyers. The Trump administration should continue must continue its efforts to seek the removal of noncitizen immigrants who celebrate the killing of innocent people. America will be a better place for it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement George Fishman serves as senior legal fellow at the Center for Immigration Studies. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) The Oregon Department of Education is slashing several math and literacy programs after the Trump administration terminated pandemic-era funds for schools, the Oregon Department of Education announced Tuesday. According to ODE, around $3.5 million in COVID-era funding appropriated by Congress for the state agency was terminated effective March 28, ten months earlier than state officials expected, ODE said. Amid already struggling student test scores in Oregon, ODE says several programs now must be shut down because of the federal funding cuts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DONT MISS: Oregon schools could see operational disruptions after Department of Education layoffs The cuts at ODE, include plans to develop a statewide instructional framework so that regardless of zip code Oregon students can count on excellent instruction, the department said, noting a separate program developing a framework for teaching math will also be cut. Statewide literacy programs are also on the chopping block. According to ODE, this includes cutting the Oregon Literacy Practitioners Network, which would have created a network of ambassadors to share best practices for literacy education with teachers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ex-partner sick to stomach over Vancouver Outdoor Expo Another cut program would have developed trainings, and a collection of other resources, to support educators with implementing the newly released Oregon Adolescent Literacy Framework for grades 6-12. A separate program would have provided in-person regional training for educators, including five statewide summits to prepare educators on using the instructional resources for early and adolescent literacy education. ODE said it is continuing to evaluate the impacts of the funding terminations, noting, ODE remains committed to making sure students have the tools and resources to thrive, to continue our vision for serving each and every scholar receiving education in Oregon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KOIN Morning Digest As reported by Politico, schools were required to finalize plans to spend the remaining $130 billion in COVID relief from the Department of Education by September 2024 and liquidate the funds by January. Liquidation extension requests would have allowed schools to use the funds for previously approved projects into early 2026, however, Education Secretary Linda McMahon has reconsidered the requests, the outlet said. COVID is over. States and school districts can no longer claim they are spending their emergency pandemic funds on COVID relief when there are numerous documented examples of misuse, said Madi Biedermann, U.S. Department of Education deputy assistant secretary for communications. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Biden Administration established an irresponsible precedent by extending the deadline for spending the COVID money far beyond the intended purpose of the funds, and it is past time for the money to be returned to the peoples bank account. The Department will consider extensions on an individual project-specific basis where it can be demonstrated that funds are being used to directly mitigate the effects of COVID-19 on student learning, Biedermann continued. These are the top 10 Oregon cities to live in, according to Travel + Leisure ODEs announcement of terminated programs comes as Oregon reading proficiency scores are among the worst in the nation, according to a January report from the National Assessment of Education Progress, finding most Oregon fourth graders and eighth graders continue to perform below pre-pandemic levels in math and reading. In a statement in January, Charlene Williams, the head of the Oregon Department of Education, said the state was expanding programs to help students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [The Oregon Department of Education] is expanding literacy efforts to reach schools serving some of our most impacted students, ensuring they have access to high-quality instruction and resources, said Williams. Additionally, summer and extended learning opportunities are more important than ever in closing gaps and accelerating progress. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Two Michigan business groups urged President Donald Trump to halt plans to impose sweeping 25% tariffs on imported vehicles and parts, saying it would lead to dramatic price hikes, supply-chain disruptions and pain in the auto-heavy state. "The increased costs would cause significant disruption throughout the supply chain and, perhaps most importantly, lead to significant price increases to the cost to American consumers for vehicles," the Detroit Regional Chamber and MichAuto, an automotive and mobility association, said in a letter. "In Michigan, where one in five jobs is automotive-related, the pain felt by working-class citizens will be profound." The auto sector contributes about $300 billion to Michigans economy annually, according to the Detroit Regional Chamber. Trump last week followed through on weeks of threats for new tariffs on imported cars, saying a 25% import tax on vehicles not built in the U.S. would kick in on April 3 - on top of previous duties. He could also add new duties on autos as part of sweeping new tariffs he will announce Wednesday. The groups said that the tariffs will damage the states automotive industry and economy, noting there are more than 1,000 automotive suppliers based in Michigan. "The tariff policies proposed will increase prices, drive down consumer demand, and therefore, lower the profitability of our companies, directly impacting the hardworking Americans who assemble the iconic vehicles," the letter added. Higher new vehicle prices could prompt some owners to hold on to old vehicles longer, raising used car prices. "These increased vehicle costs will be disproportionately borne by working-class and middle-class families," the letter said. In response, White House spokesperson Kush Desai noted automakers like Hyundai have announced new investments in the United States and argued those investments and Trump's call for a new tax deduction on interest on car loans "will continue to drive historic manufacturing and job growth." A group representing General Motors, Ford, Toyota, Stellantis and others warned the tariffs will hike vehicle costs. Hyundai told auto dealers they may need to adjust prices if the tariffs take effect. (Reporting by David Shepardson in WashingtonEditing by Chris Reese and Matthew Lewis) PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) In an effort to try and curb teen vaping, Oregon lawmakers are considering a bill to ban flavored tobacco sales. That bill is expected to head to the Senate floor this week. Supporters gathered in Salem to try and win votes. Atrops trial finally begins in 1988 cold case murder There have been attempts at local bans on sales of these products, some of which are now tied up in court. This bill would make a ban state-wide but there is some opposition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State lawmaker Hai Pham of Beaverton is a pediatric dentist. Hes got firsthand knowledge of young teens using flavored tobacco. What I am seeing is increased incidents of number of young kids on flavored tobacco, vaping products and things like that, Pham said. Pham is one of the sponsors of Senate Bill 702 to ban sales of flavored tobacco products, vapes and e-cigarettes. Supporters of the bill met with him and other lawmakers on Tuesday for Oregon Cancer Action Day. Though its illegal to sell tobacco products and vape products in Oregon to anyone under 21, teens are still managing to make purchases and get others to buy it for them. Those who support the ban said the lure of candy-like flavors for vaping entices kids into trying the products and getting hooked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Astha Mittal, a doctor at Oregon Health and Science University, was among those at the capitol lobbying for the bill. I would see these 15-year-olds and 16-year-olds in the hospital because theyve injured their lungs smoking one vape. Its like smoking 100 cigarettes and that can be really injurious, really quickly, Mittal said. Others working to win support for the bill said its hard to try and convince someone to quit once they start using nicotine. I first noticed in high school where I had some friends start vaping and Ive had those same friends continue vaping up until now. And still, everyday, everyday usage, and they cant quit, said one supporter of the bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are opponents to a flavor ban, including some lawmakers who said an outright ban goes against their rights as adults to make these purchases. Some retailers, especially convenience stores, said banning the products would hurt their business. Top 7 headliners performing in Portland this month Supporters said they tried to get a similar bill through the legislature two years ago but the Republican walkout ended up leaving their bill among hundreds of others that stalled. SB 702 is expected to be voted out of committee and to the House floor for a vote later this week. In Washington state, a similar effort is underway this week at the legislature to ban flavored tobacco with the reintroduction of two bills, House Bill 2068 and Senate Bill 5803. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. In the 22 days since Maryland resident Kilmar Abrego Garcia was mistakenly deported to a notoriously violent prison in El Salvador, his young son has sought comfort in the scent of his missing father's clothes. He shows me how much he missed Kilmar, Abrego Garcia's wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura, said in court documents. He has been finding Kilmars work shirts and smelling them, to smell Kilmars familiar scent. Abrego Garcia, 29, who worked as a sheet metal apprentice and was pursuing his journeyman license, was pulled over in an Ikea parking lot and arrested on March 12, with his 5-year-old son in the car. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An immigration judge in 2019 had granted him protection from being deported back to El Salvador, where Abrego Garcia was likely to face persecution by local gangs. He had a legal work permit issued by the Department of Homeland Security, his lawyer said. Yet he was sent back to his native El Salvador, which President Donald Trump s administration acknowledged on Monday was an administrative error. Despite this, White House officials have argued against bringing him back, alleging without showing proof that he has ties to the MS-13 gang. The administration further says it lacks the power to seek his return from El Salvador's government, noting that a U.S. court could at best order the White House to entreat or even cajole a close ally. Abrego Garcias mistaken deportation has outraged many while raising concerns about the expulsion of noncitizens who were granted permission to be in the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just ask them nicely Abrego Garcia's family and attorneys have denied any gang ties and argue that the U.S. has little evidence to support its claim. In court documents filed Wednesday, his lawyers argued that the U.S. government's mistake must be corrected and that he be returned. Otherwise, immigration court orders are meaningless, because the government can deport whomever they want, wherever they want, whenever they want, attorney Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg wrote. Sandoval-Moshenberg noted the U.S. has been paying El Salvador's government to incarcerate Abrego Garcia and other deportees. He argued that efforts to return him would likely be successful: First, just ask them nicely to please give him back to us." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their argument that theres nothing they could possibly do to get this guy back is significantly weakened by the fact that, on Wednesday of last week, they put Kristi Noem inside that prison, Sandoval-Moshenberg told The Associated Press in an interview, referring to the DHS secretary. They didnt so much as ask and say, By the way, you got this one guy. We messed up. Can we have him back, please?'' he said, adding that the U.S. previously moved mountains to return people mistakenly deported. Ohio State law professor Cesar Cuauhtemoc Garcia Hernandez said its reasonable to ask the Trump administration to return Abrego Garcia, but the courts have little recourse if the White House refuses. That's because Abrego Garcia is not a U.S. citizen and is outside the country, the professor said. The Supreme Court has long held that Congress, working with the executive branch, gets to decide who's allowed to enter and under what terms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont know of a single instance in which a federal court has ordered a presidential administration to allow a particular person who is not a U.S. citizen into the United States, Garcia Hernandez said. Abrego Garcia's erroneous deportation is truly worrisome," the professor said, because "who's to say they won't deport somebody else who has legal permission to live in the United States? Gangs and the family pupuseria Abrego Garcia said he fled El Salvador because a gang, Barrio 18, routinely extorted his parents' business for rent money and threatened to kill him and his brother if the family didn't comply, according to court documents in his 2019 immigration case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The family sold pupusas, El Salvador's signature dish, which are flat tortilla pouches that hold steaming blends of cheese, beans or savory pork. Abrego Garcia's mother ran the business, Pupuseria Cecilia, out of their home. His father was a former police officer. The family eventually sent Abrego Garcia's brother Cesar to the U.S. Abrego Garcia was also sent to the U.S. after the gang repeatedly tried to recruit him, immigration court documents stated. Abrego Garcia came to the U.S. illegally from El Salvador around 2011, according to his lawyers, and made his way to Maryland to join his older brother, a U.S. citizen. Abrego Garcias emigration from El Salvador was the subject of an October 2019 immigration hearing after he was arrested while looking for work and turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement following allegations about his gang membership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ICE had argued against his release because local police in Maryland had verified his gang membership, court records said. Abrego Garcia subsequently filed for asylum, while his lawyer submitted voluminous" evidence that he faced the threat of violence in El Salvador. Abrego Garcia's attorneys also pushed back against the MS-13 claim, which was based on a confidential informant's allegations, court documents said. The informant alleged that Abrego Garcia belonged to an MS-13 chapter in New York, where he had never lived. An immigration judge denied Abrego Garcias asylum request in October 2019 but granted him protection from being deported back to El Salvador. He was released and ICE did not appeal. Abrego Garcia later married Vasquez Sura, who is a U.S. citizen, and the couple are parents to their son and her two children from a previous relationship. KANSAS CITY, Mo. Tornadoes are not out of the question with Tuesday nights severe weather. FOX4 visited with emergency officials in Overland Park to see how emergency crews are preparing for any dangers with this storm system. A coordinated response for weather events takes place within a dedicated space in the fire training facility, known as the Overland Park Command and Control Center or Emergency Operations Center, for short. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement View the latest Weather Alerts in the Kansas City region on FOX4 Whenever we have to coordinate a response for anything in the city, specifically the weather, this is where all of the key players from the city will come and will meet together and we can devise response plans, recovery plans, and really work the event as a collaborative effort, Emergency Manager for the City of Overland Park, Jared McPhee says. Officials in the Emergency Operations Center say Tuesday into Wednesday is shaping up to be long, busy and active. We have several lines of storms moving through, McPhee said. Its going to be a nocturnal event, which makes it a lot more severe than a daytime event. We currently have quite a bit of threats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McPhee says its possible tornado sirens may sound at some point too during this event. He also says numerous hazards are expected. With hail, strong winds, the potential for some tornadoes, even though we are not really sure where those are going to form. We are looking at the timing of that to be between 4 and 7 a.m., McPhee said. Man killed by dump truck in hit-and-run crash at 43rd, State Line in Kansas City He also said the city pre-loads the damage assessment teams, in preparation. Those are teams that will scout every street in the city for damage after a weather event and relay that information back to the EOC. In turn, he says, this helps with the citys evaluation and response of the event. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tornadoes are possible with this weather event, too. We set the sirens off if there is a visually observed tornado by a trained weather spotter, or there is a warning issued by the National Weather Service. We dont set those off for severe thunderstorms. We dont set those off for high wind, its only those two criteria, he added. If you hear tornado sirens, McPhee says, there is an immediate threat to life. So, if the sirens do go off, you can be assured there is probably a high likelihood there is a tornado somewhere on the ground, McPhee says. Tornado sirens, though, arent necessarily meant to be heard indoors. Its an outdoor warning system. Its best to have other ways to receive emergency alerts, officials advise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Where its applications on your phone, weather radios, local news media, especially overnight, try to have a method overnight that will alert you and wake you up, McPhee shared. As far as other preparations that should be considered: You should be prepared tonight for power outages, make sure you have a good flashlight next to you. We always recommend that people have a good pair of closed-toed shoes readily accessible, in case you have to leave the house, McPhee continued. Other things to have include an adequate supply of medications, water and any other basic necessities. FOX4 also reached out to Johnson County for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MO pastor gets deportation notice for sponsored son from Haiti They said theyre in constant communication with emergency response partners across the county, including fire, law enforcement, EMS, public works, utilities and school districts. Johnson County also released a statement regarding safety: Our Emergency Management team is monitoring updates from the National Weather Service and working closely with trained storm spotters who position in key locations throughout the county. While we havent activated our Emergency Operations Center, were ready to scale up operations quickly if needed. The safety of our residents is always our top priority. We always encourage residents to prepare before the storm hits. That means staying informed through trusted sources like local news and weather apps, having multiple ways to receive alertssuch as NOAA Weather Radios, Wireless Emergency Alerts on phones, and social media updatesand reviewing your emergency plan with your family. Make sure your emergency kits are ready, including flashlights, batteries, water, medications and important documents. And of course, identify your safe spacewhether thats a basement, storm shelter or interior room without windows. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Johnson County says its response starts with preparedness and coordination. We start monitoring forecasts days in advance and hold briefings with key stakeholders to ensure everyones on the same page. As we get closer to the event, we increase staffing and activate any needed response protocols. Our storm spotters, and partner agencies play a vital role in getting real-time information so we can respond swiftly to any threats that develop, the statement reads. You can also keep up with Joes Weather Blog for the latest information on this system, here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. OWENSBORO, Ky. (WEHT) The CEO of the company over Swedish Match stopped in Owensboro to discuss expansion. Governor Andy Beshear announced an over $200 million dollar investment in the facility last fall. Officials discussed job creation and how FDA approval has expanded their products this year. 6 months ago, Governor Beshear announced a $232 million investment would bring over 450 jobs to Owensboros Swedish Match facility. The facility produces tobacco-free products called Zyn, under its parent company Phillip Morris International. PMIs CEO Stacey Kennedy says the factory employees are absolutely terrific. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are on target with the expansion. Weve added about 370 jobs so far. Were going to be at our 450 [jobs] or above, says Kennedy. The investment helped the city in the countrys top 10 for economic growth and is expected to bring in $277 million each year. In addition, the FDA approved 20 varieties of zyn nicotine pouches. We filed the application for us in in March of 2020. [There are] 10 different varieties and two different strengths, says Kennedy. The pouches aim to reduce a persons nicotine cravings by delivering the addictive chemical at a slower pace. Nicotine is not a carcinogen. Nicotine is not what causes the primary, smoking related diseases. Nicotine is turned into a nicotine salt. Its put into a white pouch. That pouch is put between the lip and gum. Its absorbed into the body so that smokers and traditional tobacco users get the pleasure that they get from nicotine without all the harmful chemicals and smoke, says Kennedy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kennedy says as the #1 flagship factory in the whole world. Theyre proud to continue investing into the city in several capacities. They anticipate the expansion to be completed by June. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW). Oxnard residents face federal charges for robbing Home Depot, Walmart: FBI Four Oxnard residents are facing federal charges in connection with a pair of armed robberies earlier this year. In a press release, the FBI identified the four as: Erasmo Jose Corral, 19 Wendy Xitlali Gutierrez, 21 Sylvia Martinez, 51 Ramon Olvera, 29 According to investigators, the four robbed a Home Depot in Oxnard on Jan. 4 and a Walmart on Jan. 7. According to court documents, on both occasions, Corral brandished a handgun and aimed it at store employees, as he and his co-conspirators fled with stolen items, the release said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Corral and Gutierrez were arrested by the Oxnard Police Department during a traffic stop after the Walmart robbery, and during that stop, officers allegedly found a loaded handgun that matched the weapon used in the robbery. The FBI shared these January 2025 images of robberies of Home Depot and Walmart in Oxnard. The FBI shared these January 2025 images of robberies of Home Depot and Walmart in Oxnard. Nearly three months later on March 29, Martinez and Olvera were arrested by OPD officers and transferred to federal custody two days later. All four face charges of interference with commerce by robbery and conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery. Each of the robbery charges carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. Corral was also charged with brandishing a firearm during a robbery, being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and possessing more than 5 grams of methamphetamine with intent to sell. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Corrals additional charges carry maximum penalties of seven years for brandishing, 15 years for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammo, and 40 years for meth possession. The FBI said Corrals additional sentences would be applied consecutively, resulting in a total maximum sentence of 82 years. All four are expected to remain in federal custody in the lead up to their trial. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. BALTIMORE A political fundraiser featuring Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, scheduled for Wednesday evening, is spurring emergency legislation to explicitly prevent his attendance at such events during the legislative session. Republican Delegate Nic Kipke of Anne Arundel County is introducing an emergency bill to prohibit state elected officials from fundraising for any political purpose, including federal PAC(s), during the legislative session, according to a Wednesday press release. The legislation follows reporting by The Baltimore Sun on questions about the legality of Moores attendance at a Unity First PAC fundraiser, where hes noted as a featured guest on the invitation. Governor Moores participation in tonights event certainly violates the spirit of the law as it currently stands, Kipke said in the release. Even if the Governors actions are completely legal, it is a bad look, especially with so many serious issues facing the State of Maryland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The governor and other elected officials are prohibited under state law from soliciting contributions for political candidates during the legislative session. Legal experts previously suggested in interviews with the Sun that prohibitions in state law shouldnt apply to federal PACs, and that the PAC, not Moore, is raising the money. Moores office and representatives of Unity First PAC did not immediately respond to requests for comment. On the Senate floor Wednesday morning, Sen. Jason Gallion, a Republican representing Cecil and Harford counties, asked to suspend the chamber rules allowing him to introduce his bill so late in the session and skip the procedural hurdle that it be reviewed by the Senate Rules Committee before it receives a hearing. Addressing his colleagues, Gallion said the late legislation would close a dark money loophole to the law he and his colleagues obey during the General Assemblys 90-day session. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Donors for PACs like Unity First PAC are required to be disclosed to the Federal Elections Commission. Dark money typically refers to the 501c4 nonprofit groups that raise and spend on political activities without any requirement to disclose donors. Today our governor will be hosting a fundraiser for a PAC that was created just last year to advance his political interests. It is my understanding it is being held right here in Annapolis, he said. Of course, some political consultants and PAC lawyers, theyll say its legal, but it does not live up to the spirit of our law, and it definitely does not pass the smell test. David Mitrani, of Sandler Reiff Lamb Rosenstein & Birkenstock, P.C., who serves as counsel to Unity First PAC, previously told the Sun that the governors attendance is legal. He said in an emailed statement that the PAC does not engage in activity that is covered under Marylands campaign finance law and is not a candidate committee (it is a political action committee), and is therefore not subject to the legislative session blackout periods. It is not currently (and will not before the date of the event) supporting any candidates for federal, state, or local office. Moore started fundraising last year for the PAC, which spent nearly $500,000 to help Democrat Angela Alsobrooks defeat former Republican Gov. Larry Hogan in Marylands U.S. Senate race. The PACs website was accessible last week, but now shows up as a Private Site requiring a log-in. Unethical appears to be in the eye of the beholder State Sen. Craig Zucker, a Montgomery County Democrat, objected to having Gallions bill sent straight to committee for a hearing, saying that the legislation could have been introduced before the final week of the session. Barring circumstances like the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, Zucker said, late file bills should go through the regular procedure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not an emergency in the sense of a bridge collapsing, said Senate Minority Whip Justin Ready, a Republican representing Carroll and Frederick counties, but we just discovered this pretty surprising breach of, at least, the spirit of the law. Senate Finance Committee Chair Pam Beidle, an Anne Arundel County Democrat, said that, even if a bill hearing were set up just for Gallions bill, its too late. The fundraiser is already planned, she said. I think this can wait until next year when we arent so busy. Were just swamped. In explaining his vote against fast-tracking the bill, state Sen. Ben Kramer, a Montgomery County Democrat, said that unethical appears to be in the eye of the beholder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have full confidence in this governor, and that this governor is not treading even remotely in territory that would be deemed unethical, Kramer said. But I do note that the immediate predecessor to this governor also took very similar actions, and we did not hear anything during all of that time that there was a question of ethics. Gallion said it doesnt particularly matter ... who the governor is. He believes that a dark money PAC shouldnt have access to the governor that it does at this point in the legislative session. The motion to fast-track Gallions bill was rejected, and the legislation was sent to the Senate Rules Committee. _____ (Baltimore Sun staff writer Sam Janesch contributed to this report.) _____ This story was originally published on Construction Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Construction Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: A joint venture of Turner Construction and Kokosing Industrial has sued battery materials manufacturer Ascend Elements for $138 million in alleged unpaid bills on its $1 billion plant project in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. The complaint, filed in Christian County Circuit Court in Kentucky on Feb. 14, alleges that since the last day the JV performed work at the campus known as Apex 1 in December, Ascend has refused to pay the JV its fees. Nineteen other project stakeholders are named as codefendants in the suit, many related to mechanics liens. The suit claims that Ascend breached its contractual obligations by unjustly enriching itself and violating Kentuckys Fairness in Construction Act. Its seeking to enforce liens that it has filed against the manufacturer, have the case heard before a jury and be paid for its work. Dive Insight: The 140-acre, $1 billion Apex 1 project would be the home of North Americas first electric vehicle battery cathode precursor manufacturing facility for the materials used in EV battery production, according to Westborough, Massachusetts-based Ascend. New York City-based Turner and Westerville, Ohio-headquartered Kokosing were selected for the project in December 2022. They were joined by Toledo, Ohio-based SSOE Group for design work. The build is funded in part by the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and two grants from the U.S. Department of Energy worth $480 million. Chris McFadden, vice president of communications and marketing for Turner, said on behalf of the JV that the contractors accommodated Ascends evolving technology and implemented several significant design revisions. The teams dedication to Ascend and to the goals and mission of the project led us to continue work and incur millions of dollars of costs, McFadden wrote in a statement. Thomas Frey, senior director of marketing and communications for Ascend Elements, said that the company was committed to paying the JV, so long as the work is legitimate. We are prepared to pay for all authorized and legitimate work performed, but we are also committed to being responsible stewards of both public and private funds, the company wrote in an email to Construction Dive. As a result, we are reviewing all work performed by Turner-Kokosing and its subcontractors. Ascend declined to comment when asked what prompted the review of the work on the build. FAIRMONT Marion County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Sean Murphy kept a confessional letter from being introducing during the sentencing hearings of Pagans Motorcycle Club members Derek Clem and Dane Hull on Tuesday. However, the path is now clear for both defendants to request new trials so they can incorporate the new evidence presented by those confessional letters. Separate juries convicted Clem and Hull for their roles in the 2022 murder of Henry Silver. Clem was found guilty of first degree murder and conspiracy to commit a felony, while Dane Hull was found guilty of conspiracy to commit a felony and use of a firearm during commission of a felony. However, a jury acquitted Hull of murder. Marion County Circuit Court Judge Matthew Delligatti sentenced Clem to life in prison, with parole eligibility 15 years in, and one to five years for the conspiracy charge. Clem will serve both sentences at the same time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hull received 15 years on the firearm charge and one to five on the conspiracy charge. Murphy stressed that Hull serve the sentences consecutively, since Hull had 32 documented encounters with law enforcement and already had a felony conviction. A review of magistrate records shows most of those encounters resulted from driving violations or failure to insure or register his vehicle. There was one domestic battery charge, one fraud charge and one fleeing the police charge, however. The state accused six men for the murder, which it alleges happened after Silver had an affair with the girlfriend of one of the men. The state alleges the killing was done as a sanctioned activity of the Pagans Motorcycle Club, of which each of the six defendants are members. However, defense attorneys in each trial so far have worked hard to disconnect the Pagan aspect from their clients, and distance their clients from the deadly love triangle that ended with Silver shot dead in a parking lot at Carolina Arbors Apartments in Carolina. Attorneys for both men on Tuesday moved to have a judgment of acquittal under rule 29, which allows the court to acquit a defendant if they can show there was insufficient evidence to sustain a conviction. Thats where a confession from one of the six men Austin Mullins came into play. Mullins testified he shot Silver in self defense and there was no criminal conspiracy during his trial. Tom Dyer, Clems Attorney, argued Murphys evidence was not substantial enough to sustain the verdict in light of the new evidence offered by the Mullins trial, since it undermined the narrative Murphy constructed holding Clem accountable for Silvers murder. Dyer argued Murphys entire narrative hinged on the testimony of an 11 year old boy, who told the jury in Clems trial that the six men held a Pagans meeting at his grandmothers house where they agreed to kill Silver. However, various attorneys have questioned the reliability of the witnesss testimony. Dyer also pointed out the boy never mentions Clem directly in his testimony. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dyer bragged about what a good sport he was at losing. I got beat by a team with no evidence, he said. The prosecutor created a narrative and drew battle lines around not going to tolerate activities of the Pagans in the community. Murphy rebutted by listing the evidence of which his case was composed. He told Delligatti the state presented where Clems phone reported its location, presented witness testimony indicating Clem fit the description of one of the assailants, as well as video evidence of Clem in the truck that was later used at the murder earlier in the day. He pointed out 48 random individuals who served on the four juries overseeing the four trials that have taken place so far have all agreed a conspiracy existed. Murphy also accused the defense attorneys who had access to the confessional letters created by Mullins of convoluting their possession, denying the state rightful access to evidence and contravening the law. Hulls attorney, Sam Harold, also asked Delligatti to consider acquitting his client due to insufficient evidence in light of Mullins confession. He said his client was in a special case as far as Hull wasnt a patched member of the Pagans when the murder took place, and didnt know Silver and even if there was a conspiracy, Hull wasnt privy to it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You cant say you dont know whats going on when you get into a truck with other men with guns, Murphy said. When you participate physically, that intent element is relaxed. Harold accused Murphy of making things up, saying none of what Murphy was arguing was part of the record of the trial. Delligatti denied each motion to acquit, saying the evidence had been properly evaluated by the jury. Dyer and Harold now both intend to seek a new trial under Rule 33, where they can introduce the new evidence from Mullins confession. Dyer said he intends to take the case all the way to the West Virginia Supreme Court if he has to. Heres the insanity, Dyer said. The jury found Clem guilty of murder, but the next guy, Hull, was convicted of conspiracy but not murder. Same testimony, opposite outcome. This whole thing is insane. In 2024, life sciences was the only tech sector analysed where the UK had not improved its global share of venture capital (VC) funding in a decade, said Carmine Circelli, the director of life sciences direct and co-investments at British Business Bank. The UK life sciences industry has lots of ground to make up, Cirelli said at the BioTrinity 2025 conference, held in London from 1 to 2 April. He described a growing gap between the British healthcare space and other global markets. He attributed the lack of movement to negative market sentiment, saying: There is an impression that the sector is risky and that the returns are not as great as you find in other sectors. He added that the reliance on long-term investment can also trigger reluctance from investors. The UK does not have enough active fund managers to ensure enough financing for UK life sciences companies, Circelli concluded. Furthermore, a 2024 British Business Bank survey found that 69% of 42 VC fund managers saw the conditions for raising a new fund as poor or very poor. Adding to the conversation, Mark Andrews, the director of the life sciences fund at the British Business Bank, said further government support is necessary to bolster the UK VC space. The British Business Bank is a company established by the government that strives to support small and medium businesses by offering business advice services and providing opportunities for financing. Andrews highlighted work done by the British Business Banks Life Sciences Investment Programme, a 200m scheme to address the growth equity finance gap faced by high-potential UK life sciences companies, as per the organisations website. The initiative aims to garner at least 400m in additional private financing to increase growth in the UK life sciences sector. The British Business Bank previously started the 425m Future Fund: Breakthrough programme, in April 2021, for life sciences and deep tech companies focusing on R&D. Through this programme, the government organisation invests in businesses, alongside companies in financing rounds above 20m. Pairing public investment with private investment in this way can be very attractive for VC entities to reduce risk in their investments, says Andrews. The UKs Office for National Statistics (ONS) reports that equity finance raised by the UK fell by 14% from 2022 to 2024, as per a July 2024 report. However, the BioIndustry Association (BIA) reported earlier this year that the UK biotech sector fundraised 3.5bn in 2024, demonstrating a 94% improvement compared to 2023. The trade organisations annual financing report found that VC financing comprised 2.06bn of the countrys total, a 64.8% increase since the last year, signalling a potential upturn in the industry. PENSACOLA, Fla. (WKRG) An ambulance arrived on Craft Street, left and returned minutes later. By then, it was too late for the man who died of a heart attack Monday. His family believes it could have been prevented. However, Escambia County EMS officials said thats not the full story. Northwest Florida Special Election results Michael Clements and his stepfather, Phillip Odom, were cleaning up a downed tree that fell onto their yard from Sundays storms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Clements told News 5 that he and his stepfather were loading the back of a lawnmower with cut wood. He got on the lawnmower; I turned around to go back to cut the trees, Clements said. And when I did, I heard him. Ill never, Ill never, Ill never, forget the sound, he continued. He said that Odom made an oh sound and fell face first into the gravel driveway. Thats when Clements said he frantically asked his next-door neighbor, Greta Murphy, to call for help. I run in to get my phone, and I call 911, Murphy said. And I said, Its serious, and he could be dead, please hurry. Escambia County EMS got the call at 12:31 p.m. about Odoms fall and was dispatched. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And Im basically in front of them, telling him, come on, come on, right here, right here, Clements said regarding what he did when the ambulance came six minutes later in front of their home. However, Clements and Murphy said the ambulance drove off. Davis Wood with Escambia County EMS released a statement to News 5, explaining why the crew left: Upon arriving on scene, there were individuals shouting obscenities and acting in an aggressive manner, which made the crew concerned for their safety. Following standard protocol, EMS notified law enforcement and left the scene until it could be deemed safe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At approximately 12:41 p.m., dispatch received two additional calls stating that the individual from the initial call was no longer breathing. The Escambia County Sheriffs Office and Escambia County Fire Rescue responded, and EMS returned to the scene shortly after to provide care. Styx River flooding fix planned new road, bridge project underway Phillip Odom passed away at 77 years old. He was a Vietnam Purple Heart veteran who loved his family dearly. I have to think every day now that maybe Im the reason he died, Clements said. Because if I wasnt standing out here, and they didnt profile me, maybe they would have stopped and got out the truck and helped him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5. Baltimore, once a poster child for big city crime, is now becoming the model for a turnaround as gun violence has fallen more rapidly than in any other major U.S. city, according to the Center for American Progress. One way the city has reduced crime is by tapping into the expertise of people who used to perpetrate it. Sean Wees grew up in Brooklyn, a neighborhood in south Baltimore, where he saw the violence firsthand. In 2015, that violence hit close to home when his younger brother Nadeem was shot and killed. He was 24 and his death was one of the nearly 300 shooting deaths in Baltimore that year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "That was the moment that made me sit down and evaluate life," Wees said. A few years after his brother's killing, Wees joined Safe Streets Baltimore, a city-run anti-violence program that works to prevent crime by hiring some experts in the field: people with criminal records. The program launched in 2007, using what it says is a public health approach that involves utilizing "trusted messengers." "To do this work, you have to have a rapport with the guys in the community. That's how the program was designed for people from the community. We're motivated every day just because we are Brooklyn," Wees said. Wees and his team patrol the streets wearing bright orange uniforms. They walk through "hot zones" the areas where most of the violence take place. They mediate conflicts and offer resources, including food or job training. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They know you're here for them for the support and they can pretty much come to you about anything," Wees said. City leaders say the approach is a big part of why Brooklyn recently went a record 472 days without a single homicide. Baltimore-wide, gun deaths have dropped 45% in the last six years, according to an analysis by CBS News. Baltimore isn't alone. Forty-one states have dedicated funding for violence intervention programs, according to gun safety advocate Everytown. Reports show programs like this in cities including Chicago, Philadelphia and Richmond, California, have decreased shooting and killings by more than 30%. "For far too long, not just here in Baltimore, but across this country, we put the full weight of reducing violence on the backs of police officers. And that was wrong," Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked about the potential risk in hiring former criminals, Scott said, "If we want to solve and cure this disease, we have to go to the people who understand it better than anybody else." While Wees says there has been "good work and progress," he's hesitant to call the program a success because he believes there's far more work to be done. Florida Republican Jimmy Patronis wins House seat, a second win for the party Democratic-backed candidate wins record-breaking Wisconsin Supreme Court seat Trump administration doubles down after admitting mistake deporting Maryland man A person was shot and killed by police during a confrontation overnight on Interstate 275 in Union Township, according to the Ohio Attorney General's Office. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation was called to investigate the fatal shooting, which happened sometime before midnight Wednesday on Interstate 275 in Union Township, according to Steve Irwin, a spokesman for the attorney general's office. Southbound Interstate 275 is shut down at Ohio 32 in Clermont County due to a trooper-involved shooting, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol. Southbound I-275 was shut down for hours in Clermont County overnight due to a multi-agency officer and trooper-involved shooting of a wrong-way driver, the Ohio State Highway Patrol told Enquirer media partner Fox19. The lanes have since reopened. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I can confirm this is a multi-agency officer-involved (including a trooper) shooting, a patrol spokesman told Fox19. There is no danger to the community, however, the public is asked to avoid the area as the scene remains active. Officials have yet to release the identity of the person killed. Enquirer media partner Fox 19 contributed to this report. This story may be updated. This story was updated to add a video. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Fatal police shooting closed southbound I-275 for hours in Ohio Donald Trump has been president for a little more than 70 days. Even so, in the world of foreign policy, the upheaval has been profound. USAID no longer exists; immigration numbers at the southern border have plummeted by over 90% since the election. Tariff wars are imminent, even with Canada and Mexico, with whom we have a free trade treaty, the USMCA, which was negotiated by Trump in 2018. The Monroe Doctrine is back with a vengeance, with Panama and Greenland in a new state of anxiety concerning their powerful neighbor. The secretary of defense and vice president apparently agree with the president that our European allies with the possible exception of Poland are pathetic. The U.S. is also now taking a very different approach to the Russo-Ukraine war: It seems Trump will force Ukraine to accept its territorial losses without compensatory accession to NATO. In the Middle East, Trump appears to be trying to create a broad anti-Iranian axis, coupled with strong support for Israel. And in Asia, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and other officials have been sent on a grand tour of Asian allied capitals to shore up an American-led anti-China coalition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump Doctrine has been coming into focus for a while, but the leak of an internal Defense Department memo, called the Interim National Defense Strategic Guidance, clarifies the matter. The full text is not available, but The Washington Post has offered excerpts. The memo states: China is the Departments sole pacing threat, and denial of a Chinese fait accompli seizure of Taiwan while simultaneously defending the U.S. homeland is the Departments sole pacing scenario. During the Cold War, the United States prepared to fight two wars simultaneously, and after the Soviet Union collapsed, that was sequentially reduced to 1.5 wars, and then one war and a holding action. Under the Trump administrations second term, it will be one war with China and only China and homeland defense. Homeland defense includes not only border security, according to the memo, but also expansion and updating of Americas nuclear arsenal, as well as an increased emphasis on missile defense and space dominance. Making Taiwan the sole pacing scenario of U.S. foreign policy is quite remarkable, especially given that Americans seem quite averse to direct military confrontation with China over Taiwan. In a 2024 poll, Just over a third of Americans favor either using the US Navy to break a Chinese blockade of Taiwan (37%) or sending US troops to Taiwan to directly aid the Taiwanese government (36%). The Trump Doctrine proceeds from the premise that the United States has lost hard power and must regain it despite interim sacrifice. Tariffs, a new emphasis on shipbuilding, the resurrection of American manufacturing all are designed to increase the hard power of the United States. The Trump Doctrine also implies that involving ourselves in many geographic regions has helped sap US power, and contends that our allies are simply not doing enough to help. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More broadly, the Trump Doctrine asserts that the rule-based order of the post-World War II world no longer works for the United States. This was most recently articulated by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who, during his Senate confirmation hearings, said, The postwar global order is not just obsolete, it is now a weapon being used against us. Interestingly, that is the same position being taken by both Russia and China, as well. Thus, the Trump Doctrine is a reversion back to what is apparently believed to be a surer foundation for peace: great power spheres of influence, that is, a true multipolar world that relies on regional policemen, not one global policeman, to keep the peace internationally. According to the Trump Doctrine, Europe must once again become a great power, or be under the Russian sphere of influence the choice lies with Europe. It also appears that under the Trump Doctrine, the U.S. will be uninvolved in sub-Saharan Africa until and unless there is a threat to homeland security that emanates from that continent. The Western Hemisphere, of course, will be the suzerainty of the United States. The two geographical areas where the coherence of the Trump Doctrine breaks down, however, are the Middle East and Asia. If the Trump Doctrine seeks regional policemen, what nation is that policeman for the Middle East? It cant be Israel in isolation, for it is too small and also faces existential threats from neighbors. So the U.S. finds itself bombing the Houthis and threatening the Iranians, which doesnt seem to mesh with the nascent Trump Doctrine, as the vice president accurately pointed out in the Signal chat. The other area where coherence breaks down is in Asia. If stability derives from great powers controlling their own spheres of influence, and Russia has been permitted to seize some of the Russian-speaking territory of Ukraine to rationalize its sphere, and the U.S. is setting its sights on Greenland and the Panama Canal under a similar worldview, China may be asking itself why it is not allowed to do the same for a Chinese-speaking island not even 100 miles off its coast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The idea behind spheres of influence is that each great power respects the others spheres, dampening the potential for great power conflict. Until and unless the Trump Doctrines inconsistencies regarding the Middle East and Asia are sorted out, then, it is unclear whether the United States will not still wind up in conflicts that will prove very unpopular with the American people, and which are unlikely to end with resounding U.S. victories. These inconsistencies bear continued scrutiny. In sum, the Trump Doctrine is a return to the traditional Realpolitik view that great power spheres of influence are the foundation of international security, with the corollary that the rebuilding of American hard power, especially its manufacturing base, will be necessary to maintain the American sphere. Without American support, the rule-based international order is truly over, though it is possible to assert that its been over for a while but no one wanted to acknowledge that reality. Now that its been acknowledged in Washington, D.C., its time to hold the funeral. Mourning may be justified, but it wont resurrect the dead. Apr. 2WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11), Chairman of the Republican Study Committee, announced the introduction of two pieces of legislation as part of the RSC's "Enforcing Maximum Pressure" initiative to hold the Iranian regime accountable. During the RSC press conference announcing this legislation, Pfluger said, "President Trump has not just earned our gratitude, he deserves unwavering support as he revives the maximum pressure campaign against Iran's leaders the world's most dangerous state sponsors of terrorism. The Iranian regime is not just a threat, its leaders are a genocidal death cult. Make no mistake about their strategy they view Israel's destruction as the beginning of their evil plans." The No Iranian Energy Act sanctions the importation of Iranian natural gas to Iraq, cutting off their lifeline. This is necessary as recently, the sanctions waiver for electricity transmission from Iran expired in line with President Trump's NSPM-2. With Iranian gas imports accounting for roughly 8.8 GW of power generation, additional action is needed to cut off this revenue stream for the regime in Tehran, a news release said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Iran Waiver Recissions Act would permanently freeze all Iranian-sanctioned assets and prohibit the President from using any waiver authority, including licenses, guidance, or FAQs, to lift sanctions. Last Congress, this legislation passed the House 259-160 with bipartisan support. Pfluger's bills were introduced alongside nine other pieces of legislation championed by other House Republicans and RSC members. This package of bills aims to codify President Trump's maximum pressure campaign against Iran and is the toughest Iran sanctions package ever proposed by Congress, the release said. Bloomberg / Getty Images Key Takeaways United Microelectronics stock jumped on a report that the company is considering a merger with U.S. chipmaker GlobalFoundries. A combined company would have production capabilities in the U.S., Asia, and Europe, the report said. One goal of a deal would be to secure American access to chips amid rising tensions between Taiwan, where United Microelectronics is based, and China, reports said. Shares of Taiwan-based semiconductor manufacturer United Microelectronics (UMC) surged Monday on reports it would merge with U.S. chipmaker GlobalFoundries (GFS). Such a deal would create a U.S.-based company with production in Asia and Europe, Nikkei Asia reported Monday, citing an assessment plan of the potential combination. The goal would be to ensure American access to chips amid rising tensions between Taiwan and mainland China, the report said. U.S.-traded shares of United Microelectronics jumped about 9% Monday, while GlobalFoundries stock was flat. Neither company responded to Investopedia's request for comment in time for publication. The combined company would reportedly invest in research in development in the U.S., which could position the company as a competitor to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSM), the world's largest chip manufacturer. TMSC recently said it would invest $100 billion in U.S.-based chip manufacturing facilities in an event at the White House. The Trump administration has called ensuring that artificial intelligence chips are designed and manufactured domestically a priority. Read the original article on Investopedia PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) A Philadelphia man was arrested after an alleged road-rage shooting that happened late last month in Prince Georges County, Maryland State Police (MSP) officials said. Andre Howard, 34, was charged with felony assault and other related charges for the March 28 incident. Shortly before 3:30 p.m. that day, MSP troopers received a call about a road rage shooting that happened on the ramp from southbound Route 4 to Woodyard Road in Prince Georges County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There, a man told troopers that he was sitting in traffic when his vehicle was struck by bullets. Luckily, he was not injured. Man sentenced for beating man to death in Ashburn dog park MSP recovered a projectile from the mans truck and canvased the crime scene, finding a spent shell casing in the roadway. After reviewing dashcam footage, officers said they identified Howard as a suspect. Investigators said he had been involved in a road rage encounter earlier and tried shooting at that person, but shot the victims vehicle instead. Anyone with further information is asked to contact MSP at (410) 538-1887. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. A new flight from Phoenix has won the aviation equivalent of People's Sexiest Man Alive. Cranky Flier, a consumer air travel blog, crowned Air France's flight between Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport the sexiest new long-haul airline route in its 2025 Cranky Network Awards. The awards honor the best in airline network planning. "As Arizonas largest economic engine, Phoenix Sky Harbor plays a key role in driving economic growth, and the Paris-Phoenix route strengthens our international presence," Phoenix Aviation Director Chad Makovsky said in a statement. "This important partnership will continue bringing more visitors and business opportunities to our region." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Air France debuted the Phoenix-Paris flights in May 2024, drawing 7,249 passengers last year, data from Sky Harbor showed. Flights run three days a week, but will be expanded in May to five days a week and fly on a larger, 324-seat aircraft, in time for the summer travel season and the one-year anniversary of the route's launch. Why the Air France Phoenix-Paris flight is sexy What set the Phoenix-Paris route apart was how Phoenix and Paris are desirable, world-class destinations that are on many travelers' bucket lists, Cranky Flier's president and self-described "Chief Airline Dork" Brett Snyder told The Arizona Republic. He cited Phoenix's Sonoran Desert location and proximity to Sedona, the Grand Canyon and "other natural beauty that can't be seen anywhere else in the world." Paris speaks for itself because "everyone wants to see Paris at least once in their lives" for its culture, city sights and museums, Snyder said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "But beyond that, this opens up so many other destinations with a single stop from Phoenix that can't easily be served today," he said. "The only other long-haul flights to Europe from Phoenix are on American and British Airways to London, and Heathrow is very crowded, so it can't serve many of the places that Air France now connects through Paris." Four destinations Snyder said Arizonans can connect to via the Air France route to Paris include Bordeaux, a region of France famous for its wine; Tangier, a port city in Morocco; Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar; and Reunion, a French island in the Indian Ocean. What are the criteria for Cranky Flier's sexiest long-haul route? Flights had to meet these criteria to be considered for the sexiest long-haul route: The route was announced during the 2024 calendar year. The route is at least 3,000 miles long. (The distance between Sky Harbor and Paris is about 5,500 miles.) The route must touch the Americas north of the equator on at least one end, which is the geography for the awards in general. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After that, it's based on the opinions of Snyder and the awards' co-presenter, Courtney Miller, founder and managing director of the aviation data company Visual Approach Analytics. Looking for the best things to do in Arizona? Sign up for our newsletter. What other routes did Cranky Flier consider? After Snyder and Miller narrowed the field and debated each route, they made a shortlist of five routes. While Phoenix-Paris emerged the victor, these other flights were in the running: United Airlines' route from Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey to Madeira, a Portuguese island known for its namesake wine. Snyder said Madeira is not a common destination from the U.S. Air Canada's route from Vancouver to Manila, the capital of the Philippines. Delta Air Lines' route from New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport to Catania, on the east coast of Sicily. The Mediterranean island experienced surging interest from travelers after it was featured as the setting for the second season of the HBO series "The White Lotus." Alaska Airlines' route from Seattle Tacoma International Airport to Tokyo's Narita International Airport. Snyder said that while other airlines fly nonstop from Seattle to Tokyo, this route stands out for being Alaska's first long-haul route from Seattle, "which is sexy in its own right." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Is it safe to go to Mexico right now? What spring breakers need to know Michael Salerno is an award-winning journalist whos covered travel and tourism since 2014. His work as The Arizona Republics consumer travel reporter aims to help readers navigate the stresses of traveling and get the best value for their money on their vacations. He can be reached at Michael.Salerno@gannett.com. Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: This Phoenix flight was named the sexiest. Here's why The U.S. is amassing nuclear-capable stealth bombers on a tiny British territory in the middle of the Indian Ocean just days after President Donald Trump threatened to bomb Iran. According to satellite images taken by Planet Labs and verified by the Associated Press on Wednesday, at least six B-2 Spirit bombers were spotted on the runway at Camp Thunder Bay in Diego Garcia, the largest island of the Chagos Archipelago. The photographs surfaced just days after Trump told NBC News Sunday that Iran would see bombing the likes of which they have never seen before if Tehran did not reach an agreement with Washington over its nuclear program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A day later, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the U.S. would receive a strong reciprocal blow if threats were followed through. A U.S. official told Axios last week that the Pentagons decision to reinforce U.S. military capability in the Middle East with more warplanes was not disconnected from Trumps two-month nuclear deal deadline to Iran. American B-2 bomber planes have been spotted on the tarmac of a U.S. military base on Diego Garcia island on Wednesday (A 2025 PLANET LABS PBC/AFP via G) A senior Iranian official told The Daily Telegraph Monday that top commanders are being urged to launch preemptive strikes on the island (Diego Garcia) and its base if Trumps threats have become more serious. The Pentagons unprecedented stealth bomber deployment also comes amidst an intense two-week airstrike campaign targeting Yemens Houthi rebels. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that there have been about 200 U.S. airstrikes against the terrorist group since March 15. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The joint U.S.-U.K. strategic military base where the B-2s are stationed is south of India and within striking distance of both Iran and Yemen. Should Iran or its proxies threaten American personnel and interests in the region, the United States will take decisive action to defend our people, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said in a statement without explicitly mentioning the B-2s. An earlier photo taken by Planet Labs on March 29 shows four B-2 and six KC-135 tanker support aircraft (A 2025 PLANET LABS PBC/AFP via G) The U.S. Air Force has 19 long-range strategic bombers in its arsenal, meaning that about a third of its fleet has been deployed to the Chagos Islands base. The B-2 bombers can carry huge GBU-57 bunker-buster bombs that would be a key element in any possible military action against Iran's nuclear facilities, which are largely underground in hardened bunkers. B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber, assigned to the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, in 2019 (Photo by Senior Airman Thomas Barley) The warplanes stealth characteristics give it the unique ability to penetrate an enemy's most sophisticated defenses. Its unrefueled range is approximately 6,000 nautical miles, and its ceiling is about 50,000ft. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Sunday, Planet Labs images showed four B-2s and KC-135 tanker six support aircraft on the tarmac at Camp Thunder Bay on Diego Garcia. A spokesperson for Air Force Global Strike Command confirmed that there are B-2s at Diego Garcia earlier this week. Their mission is to deter, detect, and, if necessary, defeat strategic attacks against the United States and its allies, they told Business Insider. PICKENS COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT) A Pickens County man was sentenced to life in prison Wednesday after being found guilty in a 2021 shooting. Jeremy Lynn Colvin, 31, received a life sentence without the possibility of parole for the murder of 21-year-old Venson Lamont Barnes, according to 24th Judicial Circuit of Alabama District Attorney Andrew Hamlin. Colvin also received three life sentences for attempting to murder three men. Colvin committed these crimes at a residence on Seventh Street Northeast in Aliceville on May 30, 2021, the district attorneys office stated. All sentences will be served consecutively. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alireza Doroudi arrest in Alabama may have been part of a targeted operation by ICE, attorney says According to the district attorneys office, police responded to the home early that morning. They found Barnes unresponsive in a kitchen and three other men shot. The surviving victims identified Colvin as the shooter. Colvin was found guilty on the charges in February. The district attorneys office stated the state proved Colvin was convicted of three previous felonies and was charged with unrelated felony offenses while incarcerated. Victim and family statements were entered as evidence for the courts consideration. The sentences handed down today ensure that Jeremy Colvin will spend the rest of his life in prison, unable to harm anyone else, Hamlin said in a statement. While no punishment can bring back Venson Barnes or undo the harm caused to the survivors, this sentence holds the defendant fully accountable for his senseless and violent actions. I hope it brings some measure of healing to the victims and their families, who have shown incredible strength throughout the investigation and trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42. The name Pierce County Republican Party was recently registered as a nonprofit corporation with the Washington Secretary of States Office, but not by the local GOP. Eric Crowl, an elected Republican precinct committee officer whos been entrenched in a bitter fight with the party, registered the available name on March 4 through a political action committee he controls called Washington47 PAC, state business records show. Now, the Pierce County Republican Party is suing the Pierce County Republican Party sort of. The official party has taken to court its nonprofit namesake, Crowl and his PAC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a lawsuit filed March 23 in U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington, the Pierce County Republican Party alleges that Crowl has proclaimed to be the partys new chair and used its name on social media, including during live audio rooms on X advertised as Pierce County Republican Party Press Availability. The federal suit, which asks a judge to stop Crowl from using the partys name, accuses Crowl of intentionally seeking to trade on the partys reputation, confuse or deceive voters and interfere with the partys political relationships while violating federal trademark law. From our perspective, it seems that he is trying to steal the brand and trying to claim that he owns the party, Pierce County Republican Party attorney Conner Edwards told The News Tribune. An unincorporated organization, such as the county Republican Party, may still litigate to enforce its trademark, according to Edwards. Asked whether the party should have registered its name to prevent someone else from doing so, Edwards noted that most county parties dont file for incorporation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not an oversight, he said. In an interview with The News Tribune, Crowl called the suits allegations contrived and driven by personal animus toward him. At no point have I attempted to conduct business as the Pierce County Republican Party, he said. The lawsuit was preceded by a conflict that arose in November when the partys Executive Board unanimously voted to deny Crowl entry into the partys biennial reorganization meeting held the following month in Puyallup. Crowl was excluded from the meeting despite winning election for precinct committee officer (PCO) in August in a race that Edwards said was uncontested. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the reorganization meeting, PCOs are sworn in and Central Committee officers are elected, according to the partys current bylaws. PCOs are members of the Central Committee, which is the partys governing body. PCOs represent the party, participate in related activities and may elect State Central Committee members and nominate persons to fill political office vacancies. Its a role with a two-year term that began for Crowl on Dec. 1. Crowl was informed in November that the county Republican Party didnt recognize him as a member in good standing, however, citing several years of alleged repeat behavior damaging to the mission and goals of the party, according to a letter Crowl received from Edwards, which Crowl posted to his X account last fall. In an interview Tuesday, Crowl said that the party never clarified what purported damaging behaviors he had demonstrated. Asked about those behaviors, Edwards referred The News Tribune to party Chairman Dave McMullan, who didnt immediately return a message. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nearly a decade ago, Crowl pleaded no contest to one count of unlawful possession of a firearm and was sentenced to three years of probation in a case stemming from Oregon, according to news outlet KOIN 6 in Portland. He appeared to be monitoring and filming a Portland police precinct in 2016 when his vehicle was discovered to have multiple guns and hundreds of rounds of ammunition inside, the outlet reported. Crowl, who was purportedly observing police as a citizen journalist and had done so previously that year, failed to empty his car from a recent family camping trip and inadvertently stored one of his lawfully purchased, unloaded firearms in violation of the states concealed-carry law, according to Crowls attorney at the time, KOIN 6 reported. The hysteria surrounding the case was pretty wild, Crowl told The News Tribune. Crowl, who frequently posts on X, has defended himself online when others occasionally bring up the case. He also has documented his criticisms about the county GOP, including in one post referring to his exclusion from its reorganization meeting as an apparent unlawful criminal conspiracy to obstruct me from performing my official duties as PCO. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crowl told The News Tribune that he had been shut out from attending due to political differences and because he intended to run against McMullan. I think Dave McMullan was very aware that he was going to lose the election for chairman to me, Crowl said. I had widespread support to replace him. Crowl, who described himself as a supporter of President Donald Trump, said he believed that the county Republican Party is not aligned with Trumps agenda. He also claimed to have been at odds with the party for backing controversial gubernatorial candidate Semi Bird last year. He declined to specify his reasons for registering the partys name, citing the pending litigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Edwards said theres legal precedent that allowed the party to exclude Crowl from its meeting and that the Executive Board was confident it had made the right decision to do so. The lawsuit claims that Crowl had been threatening to sue the party over his exclusion when he discovered that the party wasnt incorporated with the Secretary of States Office. Following this, Defendant Crowl rushed to social media, announced the organizations registration, created a Facebook page with the name Pierce County Republican Party, and proclaimed himself the new party chair, the suit said. The Facebook page was no longer up at the time the lawsuit was filed. You cannot steal an organizations brand, Edwards said. He cannot do what he has done. The lawsuit is also seeking unspecified damages related to the alleged trademark infringement and legal fees. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) A woman from Pierre is being recognized for her work in making mental health resources more accessible for people across South Dakota and beyond. Jill Janecke is one of this years Remarkable Women winners. Janecke has spent the last 12 years building up Rising Hope Counseling, a clinic designed to help anyone no matter where they live improve their mental health. Sometimes I think in rural areas, in our communities, its like a such a private thing and that youre not supposed to talk about it. And being there and being the, you know, a shine of hope in those communities and letting them know its okay to talk, Janecke said. Rising Hope Counseling started in Pierre in 2013 and now has over 20 locations across the state, as well as services in Iowa, Minnesota and Nebraska. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Janecke says she feels honored so many people have been positively impacted by her work. And is excited to head out to Hollywood to meet other remarkable women across the country. When youre in a business and youre always helping other people, itll be awesome just to be able to take that time and and have some self-care, which is always super important in our industry as well, Janecke said. Janecke was awarded a $1,000 donation to a charity of her choice from KELOLAND Media Group. Janecke said the money will be used to continue her mission at Rising Hope and uplift the staff who help patients everyday. Rising Hope has a mission to help everyone in rural areas. And really, all of South Dakota is rural. And so my individual as Jill Janecke, my really passion is to look at my remarkable staff and how can I make sure that theyre healthy, Janecke said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And now she is being recognized for all her hard work. Janecke, along with our other winner Abby Martinez, will travel to Hollywood, California mid-April for the national Remarkable Women conference, where they will both represent South Dakota. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com. A plot is dead after a plane crash in Ohio Tuesday. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] State troopers from the Ohio State Highway Patrols (OSHP) New Philadelphia Post responded after the crash happened around 5 p.m., according to our CBS affiliate WOIO in Cleveland. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Cessna 310Q airplane reportedly took from Harry Clever Field Airport in New Philadelphia around 4:40 p.m. The plane crashed into a field in Mill Township and killed the pilot, WOIO reported. The Cessna was in flames and several departments responded to the scene, WKYC TV in Cleveland said. Both the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have been notified and investigating, OSHP told WOIO. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] UPS plans to temporarily close its Swan Island package facility in Portland, Oregon, and lay off up to 244 workers as the integrated logistics carrier moves forward with consolidating and automating facilities under a network optimization strategy announced a year ago. The parcel giant on Friday notified Oregon authorities that it will close the facility on June 20 and release 244 unionized workers, according to the Office of Workforce Investments. That figure represents the total number of employees who could potentially lose their jobs, not the total number of workers at the site, UPS (NYSE: UPS) spokesperson Karen Tomaszewski Hill said in an email exchange. We are working to place as many employees as possible in other positions. Our employees are extremely important to us, and we understand the impact this may have on them and their families. We will work with those who may be impacted throughout the process to provide support. We expect the enhanced facility to reopen in 2026, she said. Kara Deniz, a spokesperson for the Teamsters union, said the facility is slated to reopen in September 2026. UPS last year said it plans to eliminate 200 sort centers over five years and route parcels handled at those facilities to more modern ones. Warehouses outfitted with smart package technologies autonomous guided vehicles, automated sort systems and systems that prioritize processing for specific customer requirements without manual intervention have 30% to 35% more effective capacity than a traditional warehouse building. Consolidating package flow into fewer facilities will reduce the amount of time packages need physical handing and improve asset utilization, according to management. As of March 2023, the company had 63 automation projects on the table for completion by 2028. UPS last April closed a package terminal in Portland and laid off 331 workers because it wasnt busy enough. Click here for more FreightWaves/American Shipper stories by Eric Kulisch. Write to Eric Kulisch at ekulisch@freightwaves.com. RELATED STORIES: New UPS tool helps online shoppers calculate import fees before buying DHL to buy US pharma logistics specialist CryoPDP for $195M The post UPS to temporarily close Portland package facility for major retrofit appeared first on FreightWaves. When Caledonia Spirits, a Vermont-based distillery known for its Barr Hill Gin, spent four months preparing an order for shipment to Quebec, the company expected their bottles to reach customers across the border. Instead, after President Donald Trump announced tariffs on Canada in early February, the order was abruptly canceled. This decision is leaving the business with unsellable inventory and an uncertain future in the Canadian market. The company creates bottles and labels to meet Canadian regulations, meaning they can't easily repurpose the spirits in other markets. The situation is not unique to Caledonia Spirits. Vermonts Secretary of Commerce, Lindsay Kurrle, described the issue as a major disruption for small businesses exporting to Canada. Vermont producers who have prepared alcohol to be sold in Canada are left with this alcohol that cant just be sold here, Kurrle said at a press conference. Its not an easy fix. It costs money. It takes investments.' How do the tariffs impact Vermont businesses? As small businesses across Vermont and the U.S. deal with the financial consequences of shifting trade policies, understanding the impact of tariffs and preparing for sudden changes is proving critical. Governor Phil Scott acknowledged the challenges, stating that these tariffs are straining relationships between Vermont producers and Canadian retailers. Its creating this divide, and theyre taking your product off their shelves because they dont want it there anymore, Scott said. Its unfortunate. These are our friends. When businesses depend on exports, tariffs can shut down vital revenue streams. Finding alternative buyers in a short timeframe isn't always feasible, especially when products are customized for foreign markets. Businesses that are able to export their goods or rely on imports are often left with two choices: absorb the cost of tariffs and take a financial hit or pass those costs onto their customers through increased prices, which can make them less competitive. Neither option is ideal. Kurrle says she's been in contact with the consul general for Canada and is working to find a solution for Vermont businesses. "Our goal is to try to find out what does Premier Legault need to see from us to try to get Vermont products back on the shelves," Kurrle explained. Governor Scott also created an interagency task force, led by Kurrle, to monitor the impact of tariffs on Vermont businesses and consumers. Financial strategies to reduce the impact of tariffs Trade policies often change, and it can be frustrating for businesses to navigate. However, some steps can reduce your exposure to tariff-related disruptions. This story has been updated with information from the 6:30 p.m. news conference and with information from Attorney General Marty Jackleys office. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) Authorities say theyve arrested a suspect near Beresford after he shot a police officer in western Sioux Falls Tuesday afternoon. During a police briefing on Tuesday night, the Sioux Falls Police Department says authorities attempted to apprehend Samir Yasser Albaidhani, 25, of Sioux Falls who had multiple warrants from numerous counties, around 4 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police say the suspect fired at officers, and officers fired back. During the gunfire, one officer was struck by Albaidhanis shot, and Albaidhani fled the scene, Police Chief Jon Thum said during the news conference. The officer was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Authorities say the unnamed officer has been in the citys police department for about 10 years. Earlier in March, Thum was part of a news conference that addressed violence against law enforcement. He said that incidents like Tuesdays are the daily dangers officers face. Sioux Falls Police say authorities arrested Albaidhani on I-29 near the Beresford exit. During Tuesdays briefing, authorities say Albaidhani shot at officers before his arrest, and he was shot by officers. Police say he was taken to a hospital for treatment to his injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Beresford exit on interstate 29 is about 30 miles from Sioux Falls. The incident started around 12th Street near Western Avenue and Kiwanis Avenue. The South Dakota Attorney Generals Office said in a Tuesday night news release that the Division of Criminal Investigation is investigating two separate shooting incidents involving Albaidhani. Jackley told KELOLAND News in an interview that 20 DCI officers are involved in the investigation. 5 witnesses testify as DSS embezzlement trial begins The investigators will work with the Beresford Police Department, Minnehaha County Sheriffs Office, the Lincoln County Sheriffs Office and the Union County Sheriffs Office, the AGs news release said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jackley said Tuesday night that Albaidhani is being held for now as parole absconder. According to court records, Albaidhani was placed on parole on Oct. 26, 2024. He had been sentenced in 2019 in Minnehaha County on burglary and grand theft charges. His most recent arrest, according to court records, was for eluding, failing to stop and no proper license plates in Pennington County. KELOLAND News has followed this story since late Tuesday afternoon. At 4:50 p.m. Sioux Falls Police Department spokesman Sam Clemens said police were investigating a shooting incident and people should avoid 12th Street from Western Avenue to Kiwanis Avenue. At 5:11 p.m. Clemens confirmed the shooting involved an officer near 12th Street and Elmwood Avenue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The SD Attorney Generals Office said at about 6 p.m. that a police presence along I-29 and exit 42 near Beresford was linked to the officer-involved shooting. The AGs office adds that the Division of Criminal Investigation is involved in the incident. According to the SFPD call log, there was a weapons violation at West 12th Street. Traffic on 12th Street is being impacted. This is a developing story. Stay with KELOLAND News and KELOLAND.com for more coverage on-air and online. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com. STATESBORO, Ga. (WSAV) Statesboro Police is asking for the publics help locating a missing woman. 23-year-old Makiya Prigeon reportedly left her residence in Statesboro Sunday, March 30. Police said she last spoke with her mother that night. She said that she was then in Dublin, Ga. but has not contacted her mother since, police said. Anyone with information on Prigeons location should contact Det. Ann Herrin at 912-764-9911 or submit an anonymous tip through our website https://statesboropd.com/ using the Submit a Tip link. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV. NEW JERSEY (PIX11) A New Jersey State Trooper, Alexander Lark, is accused of firing a gun in his condo and acting erratically on Thursday, according to police officials. The Wayne Police Department received a 911 call from a condo complex at 12:55 a.m. Residents reported hearing a commotion in one of the units, police said. More Crime News When officers arrived, they found a man (Lark) acting erratically in the front parking lot; he had destroyed a stop sign. The responding officers attempted to engage with Lark, but he pushed one of the officers to the ground, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The officers were able to restrain Lark and take him into custody. They determined that Lark was a resident of the condo complex. Upon entering the condominium, they discovered a deceased dog that had been shot. A firearm was found on the floor of the unit, authorities said. Lark was transported to an area hospital for evaluation. He faces charges of aggravated assault, resisting arrest, criminal mischief, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. Charges for animal cruelty are pending, authorities said. The Wayne Police Department notified the New Jersey State Police Internal Affairs Division of the incident. PIX11 News attempted to reach the NJSP Internal affairs office but could not comment immediately. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Matthew Euzarraga is a multimedia journalist from El Paso, Texas. He has covered local news and LGBTQIA topics in the New York City Metro area since 2021. He joined the PIX11 Digital team in 2023. You can see more of his work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. Lakewood Police requests the publics help locating Brianna Duffney, 19, from the Morton, Washington area, the agency posted on X Tuesday afternoon. Duffney is autistic and was last seen in the 12700 block of Bridgeport Way around 10 p.m. on March 31, according to the post. Its unclear if the address refers to Bridgeport Way West or Bridgeport Way Southwest. The News Tribune is attempting to contact Lakewood police for clarification. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you have seen Brianna, call Lakewood PD and help us reunite her with family, the post says. Brianna Duffney, 19 y.o. with Autism Spectrum Disorder, is from the Morton, WA area and is missing. She was last seen in the 12700 block of Bridgeport Way around 10pm on 3/31/25. If you have seen Brianna, call Lakewood PD and help us reunite her with family. pic.twitter.com/FwJ1uFPBi0 Lakewood (WA) Police (@LakewoodPD) April 1, 2025 Wednesday update: Pierce County deputies found Duffney in Spanaway and she has reunited with her mother, Lakewood police announced on X. Thank you to everyone for your help spreading the word to find her, the post said. Staff writer Puneet Bsanti contributed to this report. Police searching for missing 88-year-old man in Northport NORTHPORT, Ala. (WIAT) Police are searching for an 88-year-old man who went missing in Northport Tuesday. According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Nathaniel Short was last seen at approximately 11 a.m. in the area of Charlie Shirley Road near Hwy. 69. He was reportedly wearing gray pants, a blue and red jacket and a tan hat. Nathaniel Short (Photo courtesy of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency) Short may suffer from a condition affecting his judgment. He is 5-foot-9, weighs around 140 pounds and has gray hair. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those with information on Shorts whereabouts are asked to call the Northport Police Department at 205-339-6600 or 911. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42. An option under discussion in the Trump administration is allowing the top tax rate to go back up to help cover tax cuts on income earned via tips, a senior White House official told Axios. That comes as President Donald Trump's tax cuts from his first term are due to expire at the end of the year, while Congress works on legislation to extend them. The Trump administration is considering an option to let the tax rate on the wealthiest Americans go back up to help pay for tax cuts on income earned from tips, a senior White House official told Axios. Ending taxes on tips was one of President Donald Trump's top campaign pledges, and he has reaffirmed it since returning to the White House. But extending his earlier tax cuts and making them permanent was also a campaign pledge. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 was Trump's signature economic policy achievement in his first term and lowered the top income tax rate to 37%. The law expires this year, and failure to extend it would send the top rate back to 39.6%. Republicans in Congress are crafting legislation to renew Trump's tax cuts while also looking for areas to slash federal spending to help offset some of the fiscal impact. The possibility of letting the top rate rise comes as Republicans acknowledge the political risks of the tax-cut agenda, which Democrats have said will help the wealthy and result in cuts to Medicaid. "If we renew tax cuts for the rich paid for by throwing people off Medicaid, we're gonna get f---ing slaughtered," the White House official told Axios, which added that discussions are still early and nothing has been decided yet. Indeed, even former Trump advisor Steve Bannon has warned against Medicaid cuts amid a quiet rebellion among Republicans representing working-class and low-income areas. Medicaid, you gotta be careful, Bannon said on his podcast last month. Because a lot of MAGAs are on Medicaid, Im telling you. If you dont think so, you are dead wrong. The White House didn't immediately respond to Fortune's request for comment. Trump has also said his steep tariffs are another way to raise federal revenue, providing more leeway to cut income taxes. Reports over the weekend said he is pushing his advisors to get more aggressive on tariffs, perhaps even a single levy of up to 20% on nearly all U.S. trading partners. Meanwhile, eliminating taxes on tips may not be as populist as it seems, as benefits would be limited while it could worsen tipping fatigue and encourage wealthier Americans to report more of their income as tips. Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY) is the most valuable healthcare company in the world, worth more than $700 billion. Over the past 12 months, however, the stock's performance has been fairly lackluster, rising by just around 6%. Investors are beginning to scoff at its expensive price tag, with Eli Lilly trading at more than 70 times its trailing earnings. But there could be a big catalyst ahead in April, which may trigger a broad rally for the stock. Eli Lilly may soon release data on its weight loss pill A key drug that investors are going to be following this year is orforglipron, a once-daily pill that Eli Lilly is developing for weight loss and other indications. The early data has been encouraging, but the numbers which it will post from phase 3 trial results in the months ahead could indicate how likely it is that regulators will approve the drug. The healthcare company will report on several phase 3 trials involving the drug this year, including how effective it is for treating diabetes, weight loss, and sleep apnea. The first of these trials is set to complete in April, which will show how effective the drug is for people with type 2 diabetes in helping them manage their glucose levels. Strong numbers here could set the stage for approval for orforglipron for a major indication. Meanwhile, the first major obesity-related phase 3 trial for orforglipron is set to complete in July. If the data from the diabetes trial looks good, investors may expect that the weight loss data will also be strong as effective diabetes treatments usually help patients lose weight. The company has already been delivering fantastic results due to its highly effective weight loss treatments In just the past five years, shares of Eli Lilly are up around 500%. It has generated amazing returns for investors, largely due to the excitement surrounding its potential in the obesity drug market, which could easily top $100 billion in the future and even go much higher than that. Eli Lilly has been experiencing significant growth, with sales soaring by 45% in its most recent quarter (which covered the last three months of 2024). Adding a weight loss pill into the mix to complement its already successful weight loss injectable in Zepbound could mean a further acceleration in its already strong growth rate. Paying 70 times earnings for the stock may be more tenable if it's able to generate these types of numbers and if investors are expecting much more growth ahead. Why Eli Lilly could make for a solid pick for the long term Eli Lilly is looking to be a big player in the obesity drug market, and that makes it an exciting growth stock to buy and hold. The business is solid and features many strong drugs in various therapeutic areas, but it's undeniably the potential in weight loss that has investors so bullish on its prospects. Over two months into his second term, President Donald Trump is facing mixed approval ratings, according to recent polls nationally and in Michigan. Nationwide, some recent polls show more than half the country disapproving, while in others Trump maintains a majority approval rating or a split between views. A recent Michigan poll by Marketing Resource Group, a Lansing-based public relations firm, shows over half of Michigan residents disapprove of Trump and have a negative view of the president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This comes as Trump moves forward with tariffs, federal agency cuts through his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and billionaire Elon Musk continues to play a central role in his administration. One of just two presidents to serve non-consecutive terms, his first months have provided a unique opportunity to compare his approval ratings against himself at the same point in his first presidency. Out of the gate, Trump's net approval ratings this time were higher than his ratings in 2017, but still lower than any other president in history. The Michigan survey was conducted by live phone interviews with a random sample of all registered voters with a history of voting, stratified by city and township, Marketing Resource Group said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here's what to know. What is President Trump's approval rating in Michigan? Marketing Resource Group conducted a poll in Michigan March 24-28, 2025. The poll showed: 51% of Michiganders disapprove of President Trump's job performance, while 42% approve (602 likely voters; margin of error 4 percentage points.) 51% have negative feelings toward Trump, while 39% have positive feelings. What else did Michigan voters care about? The poll by Marketing Resource Group also asked Michiganders questions about the direction of Michigan and the country, along with their views on Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Responses varied among political party affiliation and geographic areas within Michigan. In Michigan, 46% think the state is heading in the right direction, while 36% think Michigan is heading in the wrong direction. Per the poll, this is the first time in five years that more respondents felt the state is going in the right direction than not. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Spring markets welcome the season to Michigan. Where to find arts, crafts, food Whitmer has 57% approval on her job performance, while 33% disapprove. This marks her highest approval rating in five years, according to the poll. Nationwide, 56% of respondents feel the U.S. is heading in the wrong direction, while 37% think the country is heading in the right direction. How is a president's approval rating determined? According to data agency Gallup, a presidential approval rating is a "simple measure, yet a very powerful one that has played a key role in politics for over 70 years." A presidents approval rating reflects the percentage of Americans polled who approve of the presidents performance. Anything can impact a president's rating, such as legislation passed, actions and elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to ABC News, an approval rating doesn't just represent how well the administration is doing for the general public, but could determine the outcome of an upcoming election for a politician or how much they get done during their time in office. What are the origins of presidential approval ratings? Presidential approval ratings were first conducted by the founder of the American Institute of Public Opinion, George Gallup, around 1935 to gauge public support for the president of the United States during his term. While Gallup has tracked presidential approval for decades, other organization release their own polls as well, including Ipsos and Morning Consult. Project FiveThirtyEight also finds averages of these polls, highlighting the specific issues citizens are most concerned about. For example, Project FiveThirtyEight found Trump's most polled-on issue area was immigration. What are President Trump's nationwide approval ratings? Recent approval ratings, according to different polling show: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CBS News/YouGov: Respondents were equally split on whether they approve or disapprove of how Trump is handling his job. (Poll conducted March 27-28; 2,609 U.S. adults; margin of error 2.3 percentage points.) The poll showed most Americans think Trump is focusing too much on tariffs and not enough on lowering prices, but the majority approve of his work on immigration, according to CBS News. Reuters/Ipsos: More respondents disapproved of Trump's job performance than approved by a 6 percentage point margin. (Poll conducted March 21-23; 1,030 U.S. adults; margin of error of 3 percentage points.) 82% of respondents agreed with the statement that the "president of the United States should obey federal court rulings even if the president does not want to," according to Reuters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement YouGov/TheEconomist: 49% of respondents view Trump unfavorably, while 48% view him favorably (Poll conducted March 22-25; 1,600 U.S. adults; 3.5 percentage points). Democrats in Congress remain unpopular, with a minus 19 net favorability, and Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer at a minus 27 net favorability, according to YouGov. On immigration, 51% of respondents strongly or somewhat approve of Trump's handling of the matter, while 44% disapprove. On Trump's approach to immigration policy, 46% say it is too harsh, while 41% say it's about right. More: When is Real ID deadline? What to know in Michigan Napolitan News Service/RMG Research: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More respondents approved of Trump's job at 52% approve compared to 45% disapprove. (Poll conducted March 17-28; 2,000 registered voters; margin of error 1.8 percentage points.) RealClearPolitics aggregates polls from a number of sources on the president and issues. USA Today and the Detroit Free Press contributed. Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@freepress.com. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Trump approval ratings in Michigan: The latest polls MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) President Donald Trump is calling April 2 Liberation Day for his tariffs to implement them on other countries because he no longer wants the United States to rely so heavily on foreign goods. Mobile Chamber CEO Bradley Byrne said everything about Trumps tariff plan remains uncertain, so they are unsure of how to react to the tariffs until they are implemented. Pensacola family lost loved one and feels precious moments were lost Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several Mobile area businesses and industries such as Austal USA, Airbus and the Port of Mobile rely on imported goods. They are some the main drivers for the Mobile economy. Byrne said the chamber is concerned about how these tariffs could impact those businesses and industries. The chamber has taken the position that across-the-board tariffs are not good, Byrne said. We oppose them. Very little is known about President Trumps plan for his tariffs on Wednesday. The president has already implemented a 20% tariff on Chinese imports and a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico. Baldwin Countys Amber Buswell wins Remarkable Women award for her contributions Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The purpose of tariffs is to help American businesses, according to Byrne, but if they are used incorrectly, they could have a ripple-down effect. It could affect employment, and once again, we just dont know that yet, Byrne said. If you drive the car prices up, not too high and people arent going to buy it. And the people that produce are the people that use that to make something, it could affect their job. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5. A poll conducted by Pollster and commissioned by Polish newspaper Super Express has indicated that anti-Ukrainian politician Sawomir Mentzen, who is also a Polish presidential candidate from the far-right Confederation party, has dropped to third place in the presidential race. Source: European Pravda with reference to the poll Details: Warsaw Mayor Rafa Trzaskowski, a representative of the Civic Platform party, remains the favourite in the race with 35% of support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In second place is the head of the Institute of National Remembrance, Karol Nawrocki, who is supported by the opposition Law and Justice party. He received 23% of the vote. In contrast, Mentzen, who recently caused outrage with his controversial statements on abortion, lost the support of some voters. With 19% of the vote, he came third in the latest opinion poll. In the previous poll, the Confederation candidate was in second place. Fourth position in the poll is occupied by the Speaker of the Polish Sejm, Szymon Hoownia, for whom 8% of Poles would vote. Rafa Trzaskowski is strengthening his position in the presidential race. With the support of 35% of respondents, he remains the undisputed leader. His stable ratings indicate that he enjoys the trust of a large part of the population. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Background: Mentzen visited Lviv on the anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion, where he recorded a provocative video calling Stepan Bandera "a terrorist who was sentenced to death by a Polish court for killing Poles during the Second Polish Republic". [Stepan Bandera was a Ukrainian nationalist leader and a key figure in the Organisation of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN), advocating for Ukraines independence during the 20th century. His legacy remains highly controversial, as he is viewed as a hero by many Ukrainians for his fight against Soviet and Nazi occupation, while others criticise his movements tactics and associations ed.] The Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned Mentzen's provocative statements and hinted at possible retaliatory measures. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! MADISON, Ohio (WJW) Seventeen. Thats the total number of people who drowned on Lake Erie, according to statistics from the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project (GLSRP), a group looking to educate students in Northeast Ohio. US issues new travel advisory for The Bahamas Dave Benjamin is the Executive Director of GLRSP, someone who survived a near drowning experience himself on Lake Michigan while surfing in the winter. Benjamin is using his first-hand experience to inform students about the dangers of swimming on open waters, like Lake Erie. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Drowning is a public health issue, and it continues to be a neglected public health issue, Benjamin said. It doesnt get funding for education, outreach and research. And its just as important as fire safety, tornado safety, school shooter safety. Madison High School Principal Thomas Brady says this presentation is extremely important because back in 2013, a Madison Middle School Student named Jermaine Zirkle drowned after being pulled out by a rip current on a private beach. FirstEnergy customers would pay more under proposed rate increase Having (GLSRP) come out and do this presentation is their legacy, Brady said. Unfortunately, what came out of tragedy is, you know, getting kids trained in safety getting them to be aware of their surroundings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Benjamin focused on the dangers of rip currents, longshore currents and structural currents. All real threats along the shores of Lake Erie. He explained that strong swimmers are more likely to become drowning victims because they overestimate their abilities in dangerous situations. And males are far more likely to drown than females. We have on average more drownings on the Great Lakes each year than the East Coast and West Coast combined, Benjamin said. And its just a huge lack of public education because its a lake and also just a lack of lifeguards. He knows getting this information to students and their families will help save lives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WR DeAndre Carter signs with Cleveland Browns We just want everyone to have a family fun day at the beach that doesnt into a tragedy that they live with for the rest of their lives, he said. More information can be found here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) It has been a fairly nice day across the area. Temperatures today continue to slowly warm into the lower 70s. We experienced a little more cloud cover near the coast today. That kept temperatures a little cooler than yesterday. Tonight a very warm and muggy night. A warm front will move north, this could trigger a few storms along the coast during the early to mid evening hours. After midnight, that front will be into North Carolina. Overnight lows will be in the mid to upper 60s across the entire area. Thursday through Sunday, we will experience a preview of summer. High temperatures will be in the low 80s along the coast. As we move into the Pee Dee high temperatures will be in the upper 80s to low 90s. Both coastal, and Pee Dee areas will see a influx of humidity as well. So this weekend will have a real summer feel to it. As we get into Sunday night into Monday and Tuesday, we will see a cold front move through the area. This will bring our next chance of storms to the area. Could also bring some heavy rain, something we will have to watch. Temperatures will cool off dramatically, back into the upper 60s to low 70s through Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. Sen. Jonathan Dismang, R-Searcy, presents Senate Bill 307 to the Arkansas Senate on March 5, 2025. (Antoinette Grajeda/Arkansas Advocate) The Arkansas Senate on Tuesday rejected a $750 million appropriation bill to support construction of a 3,000-bed prison in Franklin County. The bills failure marked the latest hurdle in constructing a prison in the rural western Arkansas county, which supporters, including the governor, have said is needed to alleviate overcrowding in county jails. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Jonathan Dismang, a Searcy Republican and lead sponsor of Senate Bill 354, assured his colleagues they would be involved throughout the process because the executive branch will have to submit funding requests for different phases of construction that will require approval from the Arkansas Legislative Council before money can be spent. Work is underway on an accountability plan with the Department of Corrections to ensure lawmakers are tracking, monitoring and understanding the process and the progress of the prison construction, Dismang said. I understand that the members want to be engaged in this process as it moves it forward regardless of what happens with this appropriation, and youre going to have the ability to do that, he said. The Franklin County prison has been controversial since state and local officials and community members said they were blindsided when Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders in late October announced the states $2.95 million purchase of 815 acres near Charleston for the project. In the months since, elected officials and local residents have continued to speak out against the prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials last month issued a preliminary cost estimate of $825 million. The Legislature previously set aside $330 million for the proposed penitentiary, adding to another $75 million that had been set aside during former Gov. Asa Hutchinsons administration. Senate President Pro Tempore Sen. Bart Hester, R-Cave Springs, spoke in favor of SB 354 Tuesday. From the Senate floor, he recounted the story of Shawna Cash, who was arrested and released multiple times, including in Washington County where he said she was released in May 2021 because there was no room. Former Washington County Prosecutor Matt Durrett told the Arkansas-Democrat Gazette that COVID-19 pandemic precautions explained Cashs release because it was common to release more inmates than usual to reduce populations and the risk of transmitting the virus. Cash was accused of striking and killing a Pea Ridge police officer Kevin Apple with her vehicle in June 2021. A jury convicted Cash of capital murder and sentenced her to life in prison without parole last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres many Shawna Cashes in every one of our districts right now, Hester said. They should be in prison, but there is no roomweve got to have room, and I am begging you to not have something horrible happen in your district when we could have made a difference today. Sen. John Payton, R-Wilburn, who said he supports expanding prison capacity, spoke against the bill Tuesday, echoing his concerns from last months Joint Budget Committee meeting that there isnt a large enough available workforce to support a large prison in that part of the state. When the governor began pushing for a prison after taking office in 2023, Payton said, there was a pretty good dustup between Sanders and the corrections board, whose members said they could not safely expand bed capacity because of a lack of staff. I understand its an appropriation and its not funding, but its a bad business decision, Payton said. And Im not going to be responsible a year or two years from now when we spend three-quarters of a billion dollars, weve got the most beautiful, up-to-date, modern facility, we came in under budget and nobody to work there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dismang said there are other pieces to this puzzle, specifically noting the governors overhaul of the state employee pay plan, which the Senate advanced Tuesday, contemplates significant increases in pay for those working in our prison system. The argument did not sway Payton, who voted against SB 354 along with fellow Republicans Ron Caldwell, Jimmy Hickey, Ricky Hill, Bryan King, Clint Penzo, Terry Rice and Gary Stubblefield, and Democrats Greg Leding and Clarke Tucker. The bill garnered 19 votes in support, but failed because appropriation bills require 27 votes to advance out of the Senate. Dismang could bring the bill back for consideration because there is no limit to how many times lawmakers can vote on an appropriation bill. There is a deadline for the end of the legislative session, however, which lawmakers anticipate will be April 16. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX MEXICO CITY (WCIA) Governor JB Pritzker signed a memorandum of understanding between Mexico and Illinois on Monday during a trade mission. Pritzker signed the Addendum to the Illinois-Mexico Sister-State Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) alongside Mexico Governor Delfina Gomez Alvarez. The agreement signed by Pritzker affirms commitment to continued trade and manufacturing collaborations with a focus on biotechnology and water resources. Illinois, other states sue HHS, RFK Jr. over public grant cuts Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The MOU comes at the start of a delegation trip from Illinois to Mexico City with the purpose of deepening economic cooperation and opportunities between Illinois and Mexico. This specific agreement emphasizes the strong ties with a specific focus on bilateral trade in industries including manufacturing, agriculture and finance, according to a media release from Pritzkers office. Mexico has been an essential partner to the state of Illinois for decades, and Im proud to stand alongside Governor Gomez Alvarez and assert the importance of this continuing relationship, Pritzker said. More than ever before, we must reassure our neighbors in Mexico that Illinois will remain a beacon of economic and cultural cooperation and opportunity for our people. This agreement aims to promote strategic alliances between state government authorities, universities and research centers. The MOU emphasized the impact of sustainable and efficient water usage and the necessary biotechnology to facilitate a future with clean water. This has proved to be an important issue in both Illinois and Mexico. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement UPDATE: Power restored for thousands in Central IL after Sunday storms This specific MOU is a celebration of the 35-year anniversary of the signing of the first MOU between Mexico and Illinois, which was signed in 1990 by Governor Thompson and reaffirmed by Governor Quinn in 2013. This agreement focused on higher education and research, specifically on a project regarding corn research at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. This MOU signing is just part of the delegation trip lead by Pritzker to Mexico City from March 30 to April 2. Pritzker, the Lieutenant Governor, senior state and education officials, private partners and business executives have been meeting with Mexican government and business officials on the trip. Additionally, this trip aims to pave the way for future investments and emphasized the continued success between Illinois and Mexico. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Illinois has long held Mexico in the highest regard, and theres nothing more powerful to sparking innovation than human connection. Im proud of Illinois ongoing commitment to progress, as shown today by Governor Pritzker and Governor Gomez Alvarez, said Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton. Expanding our mutual progress will ensure future generations will benefit from the bridge weve built together. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com. Broking and advisory company WTW has acquired Michigan-based Global Commercial Credit for an undisclosed sum. GCC will be integrated into Willis, a WTW business. This move is part of the company's strategy to expand into specialised businesses that support its growth plan. Set up in 1995, GCC specialises in credit risk management solutions, offering products such as trade credit and political risk insurance, alongside credit information services. WTW said that the acquisition strengthens its industry diversification across strategic sectors. The transaction also includes WTWs purchase of ProfitGuard, a credit risk management service that complements trade credit insurance. ProfitGuard's scalability is set to enhance the value proposition for WTW's global client base. WTW risk & broking business corporate mergers & acquisitions head Scott Burnett said: This acquisition is one of the ways WTW is investing strategically to optimise our portfolio and pursue scaled and high-growth broking businesses, accelerating our specialisation strategy in selected industries, and expanding our capabilities and reach across the insurance value chain. The acquisition of GCC significantly enhances our scale and growth potential for our credit and political risk business in North America. It also diversifies our client base across industries, strengthens our sales capabilities nationwide and opens opportunities to introduce complementary products to WTWs global clients. With this deal, Willis will become one of North Americas leading trade credit insurance specialists, with deep financial institution and industry expertise. The latest deal follows WTWs stake purchase in UK-based advice-led wealth manager atomos in October last year. In 2023, WTW announced the acquisition of AIMUW, an Italian managing general agent specialising in professional services, agriculture and the public sector. "WTW buys Michigan broker Global Commercial Credit " was originally created and published by Life Insurance International, a GlobalData owned brand. In President Donald Trumps second administration, the key political battles so far have turned on the question of who should decide big, important things: which immigrants are deported, which funds are distributed, which bureaucrats are fired, which vaccines are approved. The new administrations answer to nearly all of these questions is that Trump should decide. This has left many Democrats incensed. Trump is not a monarch, they charge. Our constitutional system precludes him from making these changes unilaterally. Executive authority needs to be curtailed. But just last year, when the Supreme Court overturned a Reagan-era decision requiring federal judges to defer to bureaucratic expertise, progressives were singing a different tune. They were aghast at the prospect of legislators and judges impinging on executive-branch decisions. They wanted to protect Biden-administration prerogatives. Democrats may not want Trumps lackeys wielding authority, but set the personnel aside and theyre still fundamentally at odds with themselves about which institutions should make important calls. For Trumps detractors, this is an enormous, if underappreciated, problem. Democrats are, at root, the party of governmentthey believe that public authority is key to improving peoples lives. Yet government, according to most Americans, simply doesnt work today. Every big public decision seems to get mired in endless wrangling and legal complications. Were not building infrastructure, or harnessing clean energy, or keeping up with housing demand. Given that reality, Trumps reelection is not hard to understand. In the face of a failing system, voters were eager to empower someone to shake things upand thats exactly what Trump promised to do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [Read: How progressives broke the government ] To beat the Trumpian zeitgeist, Democrats will need a plan for making government work. But to make that notion plausible, they will need to wrestle with the core contradiction that bedevils their governing ideology. Progressivism today wants at once to allow government to make big decisions efficiently and to ensure that no one gets snowed in the process. To that end, they decided decades ago to throw their lot in with a notion that procedure can replace discretion. Today, we are all living with the consequences of that mistake. From progressivisms founding in the late 19th century into the 1960s, the movement offered a simple answer to the question of who should decide. Scientifically driven expertise was, to the progressive mind, the key to good public policy. That meant authorizing expert public officialsthe establishmentto stand up holistic solutions to big challenges. Let the engineers design good sewer systems. Let the social workers design proper social-safety nets. Let the medical professionals design the health-care system. New Deal Democrats extolled the wise men and city fathers wielding broad tranches of public authority. The establishment produced New Yorks Port Authority, the Tennessee Valley Authority, the Social Security Administration, the Marshall Plan, and the Federal Highway Administration. On issues of great public import, progressives agreed that big bureaucracy might not be beautiful, but it got the job done. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By Jimmy Carters presidency, however, progressives had lost that faith. Urban renewal robbed Americans of their confidence in municipal government. Vietnam had taken away the progressive reverence for the military. The civil-rights movement had exposed the bigotry within the governing class. And Watergate had revealed just how sick and self-serving the power elite really were. But progressivisms sudden turn against the establishment left reformers in a quandary. If they couldnt trust the experts to exercise authority, who would make important decisions in their stead? Who would decide where to build the new bridge crossing the river, or which neighborhoods were going to be compelled to accommodate new housing projects? The answer seemed obviousthe people would decide. But amid the rush to decapitate the establishmentto end the war, to snuff out racial discrimination, to speak truth to power, to put your bodies upon the gears and upon the wheelsthe question of just how the people would decide was left hanging. The problem, to the progressive mind, was that fallible bureaucrats and elected officials had been imbued with too much discretion. To counter unconstrained discretion, progressives would seek to impose process. Having witnessed the abuse of authority, reformers resolved to provide the victims of the system with the means of protecting themselves. The people would be given seats at the table, voices in the deliberation, and opportunities to appeal when bureaucrats tried to bowl them over. They would lean on the courts authority to stop the executive branch in its tracks. Discretion, after all, was primarily the province of the executive and legislative branches. Progressivisms new project was to move power from those two branches and into the thirdwhich, if nothing else, had the power to say no. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If progressives a generation earlier would have been shocked to witness the movements turn against the establishment, they would have been gobsmacked to see reformers lionize the courts. For most of the movements early history, judges had been cast as the villains. Theyd shielded trusts and monopolists from prosecution. Theyd eviscerated minimum wage and maximum-hour statutes. Theyd upended various elements of the early New Deal. Franklin Roosevelt had complained that judges wanted to take the country back to the horse and buggy days. Now progressives changed their tune: It was the executive and legislative branches that were suspect and veto-wielding judges who were knights in shining armor. Drastic as this turn may have been, it was catalyzed by a novel political reality. The judiciary, which had so frustrated Roosevelt, had taken on a very different character by the time Richard Nixon haunted the West Wing. The conservative justices who had upended elements of the New Deal had been replaced by the likes of Thurgood Marshall and William Brennan. The progressive Judges Skelly Wright and David Bazelon, meanwhile, served on the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals. But if the old conservatives had championed laissez-faire, and the new crowd embraced what critics would call judicial activism, the two sets shared something profound: a deep skepticism of the elected branches. And by the late 1960s, progressives everywhere shared that same mindset. During the three decades when first Earl Warren and then Warren Burger served as chief justice, the Supreme Court operated as a bulwark against the abuses of elected officials and bureaucrats alike. The Court told local governments that they had to desegregate their schools, that police officers could no longer coerce unsuspecting citizens into self-incrimination, that politicians could no longer prevent journalists from publishing unflattering articles, and that policy makers could no longer prevent women from making their own health-care decisions. But the impulse to curb the establishments power also extended into other realms. By the 1970s, ordinary people were tired of highway engineers imperiously disrupting neighborhoods in their zeal to construct expressways. They were tired of developers razing whole neighborhoods in the name of utopian schemes for glittering high-rises. They were tired of utility executives colluding with public officials to license smog-inducing power plants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The great social triumphs of the Warren and Burger Courts are seldom considered in tandem with contemporaneous decisions issued to protect the environment, preserve historically significant buildings, and preclude a president from going to war without proper authorization. But they all were grounded in the same underlying effort. The centralized power brokers whose discretionary power emanated from the elected branches had turned bad; progressivism would return that authority to the people using processes governed by the courts. If the courts grew more likely to veto the decisions taken by officials, though, they seldom stepped in to make the decisions themselves. That left progressives to answer a pressing question: If government officials couldnt be trusted, then who should decide? In some cases, the answers seemed simple to them. When it came to abortion, for example, the pregnant woman should make the call. When a Black family was looking for a place to spend the night, they themselves should be able to choose among all the various public accommodations. But what about when the highway department proposed an expressway for suburban commuters and those living along its route worried about noise and pollution? Who would decide when the people werent united against the powerful but instead were arguing among themselveswhen the issue wasnt a Manichean struggle between right and wrong but a messy question of trade-offs? Progressives sidestepped this question by immersing themselves in proceduralism. Reformers imagined that if everyone was able to have their concerns taken seriously, some correct answer would eventually emerge. Each affected party needed to be able to exercise some real power, and to be able to appeal for the protection of the court. If a process came to the wrong conclusion, those poised to suffer could demand that a judge throw the emergency brake. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those opposing a project no longer had to debate proposals on the merits; the question was no longer about the wisdom of any officials exercise of discretion but about whether the process had been properly followed. Had the affected communities been consulted with enough notice? Had they been given sufficient time to respond? Had all the impactson wildlife, on noise, on sunlight, on historic buildingsbeen taken into account? Opponents no longer had to argue that their concerns substantively outweighed the merits of any proposed project. Procedure was now king. And on process-oriented questions, the judiciary veto reigned supreme. But even the best process cannot obviate the need for trade-offs. Nobody wants a sewage-treatment plant sited near their neighborhood, but cities sometimes need to filter water. No community wants to be sliced by a new transmission line, but the nations electrical grid needs to be enhanced. Sometimes, inconveniences can be offset by new amenitiesa neighborhood forced to host a new homeless shelter might be bequeathed a new recreation center. But no new ice rink is going to compensate for the disruption wrought by the construction of a new high-speed rail line. In many cases, theres no way around a simple reality: Someones ox is going to be gored. The old establishment power brokers have never been formally stripped of their discretion. Transportation officials are still in charge of where the next expressway will be constructed. Utility executives are still charged with deciding where the next transmission line will go. Mayors, governors, and development officials still get to make the call on various proposals to build more housing. But in reality, the processes created to regularize and democratize these decisionsthe boards that need to weigh in, the considerations that need to be studied, the hurdles that need to be clearedhave effectively eviscerated their actual discretion. Failures to heed some element of the process invite lawsuits. And once any disagreement lands in litigation, the real decision-making power is vested in a judge. That, of course, was precisely the reformers intention. For decades, progressives viewed the shift from discretion to procedure as a change that effectively took power out of Richard Nixons hands and placed it in Thurgood Marshalls. But as the courts have turned more conservativeSamuel Alito is no Bill Brennanthat faith has wavered. More important, progressivism has begun to rethink the underlying wisdom of that shift. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the dawn of the progressive movement, reformers had wanted government to do big things. Institutions were created on the express promise that the experts would run them. Only during the 1960s and 70s, as abuses of power were exposed, did the movement begin to venerate the judiciary. That worked well enough so long as the communities the movement cared to serve were better off without big changeshousing starts, grid enhancements, public infrastructure. But decades on, amid housing shortages, dilapidated infrastructure, and the threat of climate change, many reformers have been forced to reconsider. In the early 20th century, progressives were frustrated that a judicial approach born from conservatismwhat W. E. B. Du Bois would label the counter-revolution of propertyprevented government from pursuing policies to help the poor and working classes. Today, by contrast, progressives may be similarly enraged by a conservative Supreme Courtbut their frustration is born from a jurisprudence of their own making. The shift toward proceduralism had been an explicitly progressive endeavor. Progressives wanted to throw sand into the gears of the machine. Now, as they dream of doing big things again, they are left to shake their fists at their own legacy. Think of the young activist groups protesting against solar farms, or liberals bucking reform efforts to build multifamily housing in the suburbs. It was the left, too, that undermined a late-Biden-era effort to speed permitting for clean-energy projects for fear that some fossil-burning facilities might also get a boost. [Read: The political fight of the century] Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To be fair, these examples reflect real conflicts. Some will be incensed that anyone would stand in the way of a wind or solar farm, others outraged at the way those farms may affect the existing wildlife. Some will be irritated that longtime residents might stand in the way of new housing construction, others indignant at the prospect of gentrification. The problem here isnt that the movement isnt of one mind on the merits of any given idea. Rather, its that reformers have no real concept of a process that would fairly arbitrate between trade-offs. Any adverse outcomeand when trade-offs are required, there is definitionally an adverse outcome for someoneis a signal that the underlying decision-making process is corrupt. Who, then, speaks for the people? Congress might be the most obvious answer, legislators being directly tethered to the interests of their constituents. Ironically, however, progressives tend to find representatives and senators among the least appealing options. Members of Congress are prone to capture by powerful interests and deep-pocketed donors. Even if they resist those temptations, they tend to prioritize the concerns of their district or state to the detriment of society as a whole. If nothing else, earmarks short-circuit the deliberative process that might identify the best way forward. Decades after money was scandalously tucked away for Alaskas bridge to nowhere, the project remains a cautionary tale about the abuse of legislative power. But of course, progressives remain wary of executive authority as well. A 2008 episode of This American Life reported that Black communities across America still live under the specter of whats known in conversation as the Plan to gentrify poorer neighborhoods, a folk belief born in the era of urban renewal that has proved remarkably persistent. A movement that continues to lionize speaking truth to power remains wary of bureaucracy, convinced that agencies, like legislators, are easily captured by private interests. To protect against that kind of abuse, it continues to rely on the courts. But the courts, as arbiters of various rules, arent really equipped to push forward the kinds of progress that progressives mean to champion. They can certainly halt change, as progressives were so eager for them to do when the establishment was running amok. But even now, judges cannot make the discretionary calls about where the bridge should be built, or the sewage plant sited, or the transmission corridor erected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Skeptical that anyone wielding power can be trusted to make a truly wise or disinterested decision, progressives end up judging every process by the outcome. And when the battle is less between right and wrong than between one set of trade-offs and another, cynicism quickly gives way to despondency. Rather than face the hard reality that housing projects, transportation networks, and clean-energy facilities are inevitably going to come with costs, reformers view the simple existence of those downsides as evidence that the public is getting a raw deal. Thus progressives almost inevitably make the case that government is fundamentally broken. And theyre rightgovernment is broken, in large part because they broke it. Its not that Democrats are at a loss for ideas today. Its not that they are unable to identify enemiesgreedy bankers, polluting corporations, Elon Musk. Rather, the party has lost the will to govern. It cannot figure out how to set priorities, identify choices, ratify trade-offs, and then accept the costs of important decisions. For decades, progressivism has deluded itself into believing that process can obviate the need for discretion. Reformers became so obsessed with ensuring that government would not trample the powerless that they have prevented government from doing its job. Few voters, of course, would have articulated their frustrations with progressivism that way while casting ballots for Donald Trump. But Democrats determination not to let government governthe progressive movements cultural aversion to powerwas baked into the campaign. The Biden administration invested billions in infrastructure, high-speed rail, and clean energy, but not in ways that voters could see, touch, or appreciate. Two years after the government appropriated $5 billion for EV chargers, only a few dozen had been built. The country is in a housing crisis, but the government didnt clear the way for new home construction. Voters overwhelmingly reported that America was on the wrong track, and yet Democratic leaders werent righting the train. A growing movement of so-called supply-side progressives is now trying to address this problem. Those joining in what the Atlantics Derek Thompson has framed as a quest for abundance are searching for ways to form what the New York Times columnist Ezra Klein has termed a progressivism that builds. But even within the growing community of scholars and activists convinced that governments inability to drive progress is a substantive and political problem, answers to the core question of who should decide remain elusive. Everyone seems to want more stuff and less rigmarole. But in the same way that previous waves of reform focused on chopping away things proponents didnt like, todays reformers risk sidestepping the crucial question of who should ratify any given trade-off. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the realm of housing, the abundance crowd has begun to sketch an appealing answer: Let the free market choose. The problem, they suggest, is fairly simple. People in the suburbs dont want multifamily buildings constructed nearby, lest the riffraff move in next door. People in grittier neighborhoods fear that new construction will bring higher rents. On both ends, would-be neighbors conspire to preclude any influx of newcomers by constraining what property owners can do. As The Atlantics Yoni Appelbaum argues in his new book, Stuck: How the Privileged and Propertied Broke the Engine of American Opportunity, we should lift those restrictions, letting the people who purchase land build what they want, whether its a duplex on a single-family plot, a granny flat above their garage, or a multifamily building near a bus stop. The tension between those who own a plot of land and those who live nearby should be resolved in favor of the figure who controls the property. The supply-side solution, in the realm of housing at least, is to push decision-making power down. [From the March 2025 issue: How progressives froze the American Dream] But there is, of course, another potential approach. Rather than limit the opportunities for neighbors to gum up the works, progressivism could reach back into its ideological roots and empower someone with the discretion to clear the way. Instead of deconstructing the barriers that preclude more housing, reformers could affirmatively assign someone to cut through the cacophony of objections and devise a solution that serves the public interest. To address housing shortages, for example, an official could weigh the pros and cons of any given proposalconsidering both the promise of the project and the objections of those nearbyand use their better judgment to decide whether the idea should move forward. The person who owned the plot would not have an absolute right to build, and those worried about neighborhood impacts would not have the power to thwart any change. Authority, in other words, could be pushed up. Returning the exercise of discretion to public officials cuts against progressivisms half-century-long campaign to curtail the establishment. Better, many will argue, to establish a process of some sort to regularize consideration. But even if we can make progress in addressing the housing shortage by pushing power down, that cant be the way forward on transportation or clean energy, because the landowners themselves object to the needed developments. And thats exactly the point. None of the hard decisions America facesweighing preservation against new housing, or clean energy against environmental protection, or neighborhood stability against high-speed railcan be resolved without significant trade-offs. The notion that nothing works can be cured only by a process that makes decisions expeditiously. Thats not to suggest that all of the guardrails should be removed. Reformers can require decision makers to mitigate harmto do the least possible damage to the forest, or preserve as many homes in the trains right-of-way, or demand that the new multifamily buildings erected in a vibrant community hew to a familiar aesthetic. But, in the end, someone needs to be put in charge. That will be a frightening prospect for many reformers. But if progressives mean to dull the sting of MAGAismthat is, if they intend to make progressivism popular againthere is no alternative. Trumps return to power wasnt inevitableand it certainly wasnt born of any single ideological failing on the left. But progressivisms decades-long effort to replace discretion with process has proved a disaster. The movement wasnt wrong during the 1970s in wanting to correct for abuses wrought by the establishment, but the tonic has by now proved to be more toxic than the disease. For progressivism to reestablish itself, it will need to make government work. And for government to workfor people to believe that democracy really serves their intereststhe individuals who nominally wield public authority need to be given the discretion, at long last, to use it for the greater good. Article originally published at The Atlantic SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) Conversations on where and how to build a new mens penitentiary in South Dakota have a new focus. Project Prison Resets task force will tour the South Dakota State Penitentiary in Sioux Falls as well as the rural site in Lincoln County where the state had focused on putting the penitentiarys replacement before lawmakers in February voted down a bill to appropriate money to build the facility. In the wake of the legislative defeat, Lt. Gov. Tony Venhuizen will serve as the task forces chair. Construction to begin on Cliff Ave and I-229 interchange Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The governors direction to our task force was to take a fresh look at the entire situation, Venhuizen said. So, I am really starting this with the idea that were in fact-finding mode, so this first meeting is going to be a lot of background information. The tours are scheduled for Wednesday. Eventually, the plan is for a special session of the state legislature to learn in late July about the groups recommendations. Venhuizen says the Lincoln County site between Harrisburg and Canton is still a possibility. I would say all options are on the table, including that one, Venhuizen said. And thats a piece of ground that we own and that we have spent a certain amount of money on preparing, and thats certainly a factor to consider, but I dont think any options are on or off the table right now. Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle will serve on the task force, including Republican Sen. Jim Mehlhaff and Democratic Sen. Jamie Smith. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think everybody may be going into this with somewhat of a predisposition, but were all trying very hard to put those aside and just look at it from a fresh angle as if were just starting from new, Mehlhaff said. And what happens after someone has served time is also in focus. What are we doing to make sure when they leave prison theyre better equipped for life outside the walls, Smith said. And those I dont think will necessarily be addressed by this committee, but thats I think the larger looming question after we figure out what we need to do facility-wise. The people that were sending to prisons, if we dont have good areas for rehabilitation, then I dont think that theyre going to come out of prison with a good experience and want to be that productive citizen, said Yankton Police Chief Jason Foote, who is also on the task force. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following Wednesdays tours, the task force is set to gather for public comment, presentations and discussion Thursday in Sioux Falls. Project Prison Reset will then next meet in Springfield, S.D. on April 29; the community is home to Mike Durfee State Prison, another South Dakota Department of Corrections facility. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com. SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) New assessments for Sioux City property owners have started arriving in mailboxes across town, and in many cases, values are increasing. Iowa state law requires that property be assessed in odd-numbered years. One of the factors that determines a homes assessment is its fair market value. To determine market value, the county assessor uses comparable sales of similar homes in an area to establish the value, including the age, location and style of the home. Voter-approved sales tax increase takes effect in Norfolk April 1 When the value goes up, so do property taxes. Thats perhaps not good news for the homeowner, but realtors KCAU 9 talked with want people to know that seeing an increase on the assessment is a good thing, as it shows the housing market is in good shape. It is disappointing that your tax evaluation has gone up, but the market has still been climbing, and so thats a reflection of what the assessor is doing right now, said Jason Geary, a realtor with Century 21 ProLink. I just recommend my clients check with the realtor as Im helping my clients go through the same process. New assessments began arriving in local mailboxes a couple weeks ago, and others could still be in the mail. A property owner who disagrees with the assessment can appeal the county assessors calculations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. An amended Chapter 11 bankruptcy plan outlining final distributions to Yellow Corp.s creditors was submitted to a U.S. bankruptcy court in Delaware on Friday. As with the prior plan, the latest iteration would make former employees whole for their priority claims of unpaid time off and commissions due. The current version is backed by Yellow and the defunct estates committee of unsecured creditors but may not have the support of a key party in interest. Classes for secured, priority, employee PTO and convenience claims totaling as much as $706 million would see a full recovery under the proposed plan. Payout ratios for general unsecured claims were narrowed to 12% to 17% versus prior scenarios that provided 0% to 26% recovery. Claims and interests held by debtors against other debtors would be deemed impaired and not eligible for a recovery. Employee claims against Yellow (OTC: YELLQ) totaling $30 million to $40 million for unpaid vacation or paid time off pay, sick pay, or sales commissions remain unimpaired and subject to 100% recovery. This class of claims doesnt include individual employee claims or Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act claims. Holders of certain nonpriority general unsecured claims above $7,500 can opt to reduce the amount to $7,500 and have their claims paid in full. Liability claims stemming from Yellows abrupt withdrawal from the pension plans it once contributed to (as well as a claim from Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp.) totaling $3.29 billion are projected to see a recovery of between 12% and 16%. This group includes claims from Yellows largest pension provider, Central States Pension Fund, which now shows $1.66 billion in withdrawal liability and contribution claims. (Original claims from the pension fund totaled $5.8 billion, $4.8 billion of which were tied to alleged withdrawal liability.) Similar claims from other pension funds account for the other half of the $3.29 billion claims pool. Central States is also listed with an additional $65 million in other allowed claims, some of which are tagged other priority claim and designated for full recovery. The amended plan established May 9 as the voting deadline and May 19 as the confirmation hearing date. Affected classes are entitled to vote on the proposal with unimpaired classes, including employees, not granted a vote as they are presumed to accept. Creditors with claims that will be canceled wont vote either as they are deemed to reject. Whats the holdup? Yellows largest shareholder, MFN Partners, could be the remaining holdout. Adam Kadyrov, 17, was just appointed to oversee Chechnya's internal affairs ministry. He's the son of Chechen strongman leader Ramzan Kadyrov, a staunch ally of Vladimir Putin. The teenager is set to lead a ministry in charge of police, counterterrorism, and local security. Adam Kadyrov is enjoying a stellar career. Russian state media reported that the 17-year-old was named curator of Chechnya's internal affairs ministry on Monday, meaning he'll oversee police and local security forces. The ministry also handles counterterrorism and riot control. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A state broadcast showed the teen receiving the appointment at a ceremonial meeting as uniformed officers applauded. Soon after, he was filmed performing his duties by naming a new head of Chechnya's operational search division and handing out medals to police officers. The 17-year-old was already appointed overseer of Chechnya's Russian Special Forces University last April. The university says it teaches civilians and soldiers skills such as artillery operations and parachute landing. The teenager is also the third son of Ramzan Kadyrov, the strongman leader of Russia's predominantly Muslim Chechen Republic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Allied closely with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, Kadyrov's family rose to power by helping Moscow defeat Chechen separatists in the early 2000s. They've played a pronounced role in the invasion of Ukraine, particularly in the earlier days of the full-scale war, when Chechen militias were frequently seen fighting on the front lines. Adam's boyhood rise came amid the war. He surged into public view when he was 15 after he was filmed in September 2023 beating and kicking a prisoner accused of burning the Quran. Russia's human rights authorities voiced concern about the assault, but Kadyrov lauded his son after the clip went viral and said he "did the right thing." Since then, the teenager has been bestowed with Chechnya's "Hero of the Republic" medal. He's been separately given at least eight other state awards and honors. Adam Kadyrov and his father are seen here in December 2023 after talks between Russia and the United Arab Emirates. Contributor/Getty Images In November 2023, just before turning 16, he was named the head of his father's security detail. For his role, the teenager was entered into Russia's "Book of Records" the country's version of the Guinness World Records for being the youngest recorded chief of a security detail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The accolades and appointments have prompted speculation that the teenager is being groomed to succeed his father amid rumors that Kadyrov may be suffering from poor health. Novaya Gazeta, a Russian independent newspaper, reported in April that the warlord may be battling issues with his kidneys and pancreas. Kadyrov was not seen at his son's appointment on Monday, but state media said the teenager was given the role under the Chechen leader's orders. State broadcasts showed him meeting with local residents during the Muslim festival of Eid. Kadyrov's press service did not respond to a request for comment sent by Business Insider. Read the original article on Business Insider Russian Presidential Envoy for International Cooperation Kirill Dmitriev will visit Washington this week for a meeting with Steve Witkoff, US President Donald Trump's Special Envoy to the Middle East, Source: CNN, citing sources Details: According to CNN, this meeting will take place to discuss strengthening relations between the two countries. CNN added that Dmitriev's visit would be the first by a Russian official to Washington for talks since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and marks another step in the noticeable warming of relations between the two countries following Trump's return to office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dmitriev is a close adviser to Putin and visited Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in February with other Russian officials to begin discussions on a settlement to end the war in Ukraine. He had also worked with Witkoff on securing the release of American teacher Marc Fogel, which Trump's administration welcomed as a gesture of goodwill. CNN noted that US authorities had temporarily lifted sanctions on Dmitriev, allowing the State Department to issue him a visa to enter the United States. Background: Russian Presidential Envoy for International Cooperation Kirill Dmitriev has been under sanctions from the US, Canada, the EU, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand since February 2022. Read also: Officer Dmitriev: how a Kyiv-born financier became the main negotiator between Putin and Trump Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! By Guy Faulconbridge MOSCOW (Reuters) - Who is Kirill Dmitriev, Russian President Vladimir Putin's investment envoy, who is reportedly heading to Washington for talks with U.S. President Donald Trump's administration? WHAT IS HIS JOB? Dmitriev, 49, the chief of Russia's sovereign wealth fund, the Russian Direct Investment Fund since 2011, was appointed in February as Putin's special envoy on international economic and investment cooperation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WHY IS HE IMPORTANT? Dmitriev has regular meetings with Putin and is one of the most U.S.-savvy members of Russia's elite with close relations to some key members of the Trump team. He played a role in early contacts with the U.S. when Trump was first elected president in 2016, as well as in building relations with Saudi Arabia, which led to an oil price agreement under the expanded OPEC+ producers' forum. Dmitriev has met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman dozens of times, and met U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff when he visited Moscow. Dmitriev's wife Natalya is a deputy to Katerina Tikhonova, one of Putin's daughters, at a foundation which works with Moscow State University where they both studied. Both of Putin's daughters were sanctioned by the United States in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WHAT IS HIS BACKGROUND? Dmitriev was born in Kyiv, in Soviet Ukraine, where he studied at a top school known for its expertise in physics and mathematics. He studied at Stanford University in California and was later awarded an MBA with distinction at Harvard. He speaks fluent English. After Stanford, he worked at Goldman Sachs in New York and also worked for McKinsey & Company. In Moscow, he worked as CEO for Delta Private Equity Partners, an investment management company established by the U.S. Russia Investment Fund. The Russian Direct Investment Fund, led by Dmitriev since 2011, organised the production of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine against COVID-19 - and helped to promote it in foreign markets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WHAT COULD HE DISCUSS IN WASHINGTON? It is not known for sure what he will discuss but Dmitriev could bring a message from Putin to Trump. He has also spoken about a host of areas where Russia and the United States could cooperate economically, financially and in space. Those include: - The return of U.S. companies to Russia. - Rare earths - Energy prices - The Arctic, logistics and climate change - Prisoner swaps - Space and cooperation with Elon Musk IS HE SANCTIONED? U.S. sanctions statements cast Dmitriev as "a known Putin ally". He was not sanctioned by the European Union. CNN, which first reported the visit to Washington, said the Trump administration had temporarily lifted the sanctions for his visit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WHAT ARE HIS BEST QUOTES? * "When you don't talk to a nuclear power and when you try to do a strategic defeat of a nuclear power, it definitely creates some risks." * "Trump (is) driving tectonic shifts in geopolitics. False malign paradigms (are) collapsing, giving way to common sense and values-driven solutions." * "Global companies are lining up to return to Russia, signaling renewed confidence and fresh opportunities in one of the world's largest markets." * "How can you refuse an offer that cannot be refused?" (Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge; Editing by Ros Russell) Finnish construction company YIT has partnered with Lithuanian company JSC Limada for the 47m ($50.8m) renovation of the Mada shopping centre in Vilnius, Lithuania, with the signing of a tender-based contract. The project encompasses roughly 43,000m, including the refurbishment of the existing building and the addition of a new parking area. Post-renovation, the centre aims to achieve an energy class A rating. The planning and design phase is scheduled to commence immediately, with construction beginning in September 2025. The anticipated completion date for this renovation is August 2027. The contract is set to be registered in YIT's order book for the second quarter of this year. YIT, a company engaging in residential, public, commercial, and infrastructure construction, operates with a workforce of approximately 4,100 professionals across eight countries: Finland, Sweden, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Poland. Last month, the company entered into an agreement with HUS Kiinteistot to begin the construction phase of the Salvia building within the Meilahti hospital area in Helsinki, Finland. Meanwhile, a month earlier, YIT obtained a planning reservation from the Business and Competitiveness Subcommittee of the Espoo City Board in Finland. This reservation is a step towards the development of an area north of the Leppavaara centre. "YIT signs renovation contract for Mada shopping centre in Vilnius, Lithuania" was originally created and published by World Construction Network, a GlobalData owned brand. Editor's note: The article was expanded with a comment by Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov. Kirill Dmitriev, head of Russia's sovereign wealth fund, is set to meet U.S. President Donald Trump's envoy, Steve Witkoff, in Washington this week, CNN reported on April 1, citing an undisclosed U.S. official and two other sources. The U.S. reportedly temporarily lifted sanctions on Dmitriev for him to obtain a visa for what will be the first high-level Russian official visit to the U.S. since the outbreak of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dmitriev, appointed by Russian President Vladimir Putin as a representative for economic relations with foreign countries, took part in the opening talks with the U.S. in Riyadh in February. The negotiator also cooperated with Witkoff, who is formally a special envoy for the Middle East, on the release of U.S. teacher Marc Fogel jailed in Russia. Dmitriev's visit underscores the Trump administration's efforts to restore ties with Russia as it seeks to broker a swift peace deal in Ukraine. The Russian official claimed earlier that the U.S. and Russia have begun exploring venues of economic cooperation, namely, the exploitation of Russia's rare earth minerals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both the U.S. government and Dmitriev's representative declined to comment when approached by CNN. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Dmitriev's trip to Washington is possible. Trump's accession to office marked a major pivot in Washington's policy on Ukraine and Russia. The new U.S. president has not approved any new aid packages for Kyiv and even temporarily halted the previously approved assistance to push Ukraine to the negotiating table. Ukraine and the U.S. agreed to a partial ceasefire on March 11, but Russia rejected the offer and only accepted a partial ceasefire on strikes against energy facilities and in the Black Sea. Kyiv has since then repeatedly accused Moscow of violating the energy ceasefire, while the future of the Black Sea truce is in doubt after Russia linked it to the lifting of some Western sanctions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While repeatedly praising his relationship with Putin, Trump has adopted a more critical rhetoric in recent days, criticizing what he sees as Moscow's attempts to delay ceasefire talks and fixation on Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky's credibility. "There was an idea from Russia about a temporary administration that was not appreciated by the president," State Department Spokeswoman Tammy Bruce told reporters during a press briefing. "Ukraine is... a constitutional democracy. Governance in Ukraine is determined by its constitution and the Ukrainian people." Read also: The rise and fall of Ukraines Kursk gambit Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Zodia Custody's Chief Financial Officer, Jonathan Hugh, has departed the London-based firm earlier this year, the company said. Samuel Howe, the company's former COO, also recently left the crypto custodian, as reported by CoinDesk. Jonathan has been a valued member of the Zodia Custody team for the last two years and we remain grateful for his deep expertise, dedication, and guidance during a period of high growth for the company," a spokesperson for Zodia Custody said in emailed comments. "While such transitions are part and parcel of business, our company is continuing to grow. In 2023 Zodia Custody had 97 employees. Today, we have grown to 140 employees globally and 2025 will see us deepen our presence in existing markets and expand into new jurisdictions, the spokesperson added. Hugh did not respond to a request for comment by publication time. Prior to joining Zodia Custody, Hugh was CFO of crypto market maker GSR. Before digital assets, he worked in commodities for ED&F Man and Noble Group, according to his LinkedIn profile. Zodia Custody is backed by Standard Chartered Bank (STAN), SBI Group, Northern Trust and National Australia Bank (NAB). WATERTOWN, N.Y. (WWTI) Jefferson Community Colleges featured Honors Program student for the month of April is Raven Streebel from Fort Drum. Honors student Raven Streebel (JCC/Pamela Dixon) Streebel is a paralegal major at JCC. They examined how the comics Watchmen and Umbrella Academy modify real-life events, such as the Vietnam War, either by changing the results or by utilizing them to further the plot as one of their Honors Program alternatives. Cady Weaver: JCCs featured Honors Program student for March 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Jefferson Community College Honors Program offers students with exceptional academic skills the opportunity to receive enriched instruction. Honors students select three courses within their curriculum and enhance them as Honors Options, which are based on a project agreed on by the student and a faculty member working closely with the student. Students also take the Honors Seminar, an interdisciplinary course open only to program participants that examines a single theme every semester, featuring guest speakers from various disciplines and can include field experience. Successful program students earn an Honors Graduate designation on their academic transcript for each Honors Option course. Students who demonstrate excellent academic achievement in high school or who have completed 12 credit hours of college coursework can apply for admission to the Honors Program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWTI - InformNNY.com. AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) The Richmond County Sheriffs Office is providing new details regarding the case of an Augusta father who left three children unattended at a restaurant last month. Chris Louis, 24, was arrested on March 22 after deputies responded to the 2902 Washington Road McDonalds in reference to possible abandoned juveniles. The children, ages 10, 6, and 1, were observed by witnesses to have been left alone for over an hour when they arrived at approximately 4:30 p.m. that day. In the initial incident report, police state Louis claimed he and the children were at McDonalds earlier that day because he had filled out a job application at the West Bank Inn near the McDonalds, and was waiting for a callback for a possible interview. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the sheriffs office, the 10-year-old stated that she, her father (Chris Louis), and her two siblings had walked to McDonalds from The Hendrix Apartments. She further stated that her father left to deliver a backpack to The Hendrix Apartments and told her he would return shortly, the supplemental report released April 2, 2025 from RCSO stated. The mother of the children, after being contacted by the 10-year-old, arrived at approximately 6:12 p.m. Louis returned to the restaurant minutes later, at 6:18 p.m. A RCSO deputy went to verify Louiss account of his whereabouts with the manager of the West Bank Inn. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She confirmed that Mr. Louis came in on March 22, 2025, and completed a job application. She also conducted an informal interview with him on that date. When asked if Mr. Louis would be expecting a callback for a formal interview, she stated no, the report stated. The manager, according to police, provided video surveillance footage that reportedly showed Louis arriving at 1:12 p.m. and leaving at 1:37 p.m. on March 22. Based on the video evidence and the timeline provided by all parties involved, it was determined that Mr. Louis was not engaged in a job interview or application process during the time the children were left unattended. Furthermore, by his own admission, he was walking between McDonalds and The Hendrix Apartments on foot during that period, the sheriffs office stated. Given the facts and timeline established through BWC footage, witness statements, and follow-up investigation, it was determined that a misdemeanor charge of Deprivation of a Minor was appropriate to ensure the welfare of the children and facilitate a review of the matter by the court. This charge ensures that all parties have an opportunity to appear before a judge to determine if the children are receiving appropriate care, the sheriffs office said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A full incident report is pending. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF. Manhattan Federal Judge Dale Hos decision to dismiss with prejudice the sweeping public corruption charges against Mayor Adams was a stinging indictment of the Justice Departments position that it could drop the case to procure the mayors cooperation on immigration matters. DOJs immigration enforcement rationale is both unprecedented and breathtaking in its sweep. DOJ cites no examples, and the Court is unable to find any, of the government dismissing charges against an elected official because doing so would enable the official to facilitate federal policy goals, Ho wrote. The ruling is in line with the findings of an independent lawyer, Paul Clement, Ho appointed to advise him on the matter. Clement echoing widespread criticism of the deal said the prospect of the mayor feeling indebted to the president out of fear he could be reindicted and not New Yorkers was deeply troubling, though Adams has consistently denied there was any quid pro quo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [After] DOJ decided to seek dismissal of his case, the Mayor took at least one new immigration-related action consistent with the preferences of the new administration. Everything here smacks of a bargain: dismissal of the Indictment in exchange for immigration policy concessions, Ho wrote. Read the ruling here: View this document on Scribd Sarah Buskirk has opened a second home in downtown Fredericksburg where women can learn sober-living skills as they recover from substance abuse. On Tuesday, she and her husband, Jeremy, hung curtains and stocked shelves, put up a Be Kind sign on the porch and set out first-aid kits with Narcan, a medicine that reverses opioid overdoses. Residents will start moving into HER House 2 later this week. Knowing that every day, there is somebody who needs a place to go, who needs shelter, who is struggling with this problem and wants to get better motivated the couple to get the house ready quickly, she said. The need is here, weve had this waiting list, pretty much for the last year. In August 2023, Buskirk opened the first HER House, which stands for Homes Empowering Recovery. Its licensed by the Virginia Association of Recovery Residences and is for those who have been released from Rappahannock Regional Jail, are in the Fredericksburg Recovery Court program, have finished rehab treatments or gotten out of unsafe situations. The program stresses accountability through regular house meetings and urine screenings, chores and curfews, and it also reinforces the social mode of recovery so ladies are leaning on one another, Buskirk said. Shes a defense attorney who saw how many women in the legal system had nowhere to go after being released from jail. She gave up her home for use as the first recovery residence, and she and her husband moved their three children into an apartment in Fredericksburg. They later moved to Washington to be closer to family. Buskirk is the kind of person who helps anyone she can, her husband said, but shes particularly concerned for women in recovery. She walked the same path they did at age 19, when she got into alcohol and opiates as a result of unaddressed childhood dynamics. After finishing a recovery program, she was released into recovery residences, and is convinced her time there helped her learn to live, and function, in society. Her story and HER House were featured in The Free LanceStar in January 2025. Her husband said on Tuesday that hes seen women tearfully tell his wife how grateful they are for the opportunity to work on their recovery. Its very encouraging and it makes me want to keep doing this, he said. The more we expand, the more people we help. Both homes house eight women. As of Tuesday, seven were signed up for the new house and Buskirk expected the final slot to be filled soon. With the second home, HER House facilities will have served 39 women in 20 months. Theyve stayed an average of about five months, Buskirk said. Nicole Delaney, who is super excited about graduating from recovery court next week, will serve as house manager in the second home. In exchange for keeping watch over things, shell get a reduction on whats called bed fees. They total about $160 a week and cover room and utilities, personal hygiene items and linens, streaming services and access to a laptop for telehealth appointments or job interviews. HER House also gets some grant funding for indigent women. The bed fees essentially cover the cost of mortgage or rent, utilities and other costs, and the Buskirks eventually will recoup investments theyve made into furniture and decor. Buskirk also provides pots and pans, coffee and tea, and spices for cooking. She adds homey touches, like butterflies on the curtains or splashes of colorful wallpaper. In one bedroom, black-and-white peacocks and bird cages are set against a pale pink background of wallpaper. Desk lamps, aimed toward each of the two beds in the room, are in the same pastel shades. Delaney, who helped the Buskirks get the final items in place, looks forward to transitioning from recovery court to somewhat independent living. She wont have the threat of jail time, for her drug-related offenses, hanging over her, and shell still have accountability for her actions at the recovery residence. My family is relieved that Ill still be here, she said. A lot of people think its a really good thing for me. Theres a small home next to HER House 2 that Buskirk would like to use as living space for a mother in recovery and her children. That may be her next step in Fredericksburg, and from there, she may open facilities in other underserved pockets around the state. I wish there was some sort of government agency or program that was doing this but there isnt, she said, and until there is, Im going to keep opening houses. More information about HER House is available online at HERecovery.com, by contacting Sarah@HERecovery.com or 571/601-0161. Rachel Reeves has refused to rule out tax rises in autumn amid growing fears that Donald Trumps trade war could wipe out her headroom. Speaking just a week after her Spring Statement, the Chancellor told MPs she will not have to raise taxes on the same scale as she did last year, although she did not say there would be no new increases. When asked whether she would raise taxes in her next Budget, Ms Reeves told the Treasury select committee: Im not going to write another four years worth of budgets. That would not be responsible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But I can assure the committee that I will not need to repeat a Budget on that scale because we have now wiped the slate clean and put our public finances on a firm footing. Ms Reevess latest comments were made just hours before the US presidents liberation day announcement, when he is expected to confirm a swathe of global import tariffs. They also follow the Chancellors record tax-raising budget in October, when she imposed an extra 40bn worth of costs on households and businesses. She has also since used her Spring Statement to announce billions of pounds worth of welfare cuts to help balance the books. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, her cost-saving measures may have already been rendered useless as the Office for Budget Responsibility has warned that Mr Trumps tariffs could wipe out all of her 9.9bn of headroom. When asked whether Britain would retaliate against any tariffs from America, Ms Reeves said the UK would not rush to any decisions and would keep trying to secure a trade deal. She said: We are still in discussions with our counterparts in the United States. Were not going to rush into action to get a quick headline. The prize on offer is a good economic agreement between us and the US. We wont do anything to put that in jeopardy. However, the Chancellor admitted that even if the Government manages to land a historic deal with the White House, Britain may still not be spared from tariffs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ms Reeves said: Even if we are able to secure an economic agreement with the United States, which we very much want to secure and working hard to secure, that, even if that is possible, doesnt mean that somehow we are therefore out of the woods and not impacted by tariffs. Britain has for many years unsuccessfully tried to secure a free trade agreement with the worlds biggest economy. Experts believe that a full trade agreement remains out of the question given differences in food standards, but have said a limited deal focused on sectors such as services may be possible. Mr Trumps trade team may also require Britain to make concessions on free speech, as the US state department recently said it was concerned about freedom of expression in the UK in relation to the case of an anti-abortion campaigner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It came as Mel Stride, the shadow chancellor, criticised Ms Reevess track record during an event hosted by the Centre for Policy Studies, saying she had decimated growth during her nine months in No11. He said he would have used the Spring Statement to make deeper cuts to sickness benefits and scaled back tax rises. He said: If I were in Rachel Reevess position, I would have looked at welfare and going further. I would have looked for those levers that could have had the most immediate impact on the animal spirits in the economy. For example, might it have been possible within that scenario to have actually rowed back to some degree on the National Insurance hike. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. WASHINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) Washington voters voted to pass a referendum to help build a new grade school. An overwhelming majority voted to approve the measure, which gave $23 million in school building bonds to District 52. The referendum received 1,438 yes votes, which was just over 62%. School leaders said the Lincoln Grade School, built in 1949, is in bad shape. It has poor air quality and ventilation, limited accessibility and small classrooms. They said it would cost more to renovate the school than to build a new, modern one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were at a point, were at a critical point where we have to fix the building according to health, fire and safety codes, said Superintendent Pat Minasian. He was joined by Lincoln Grade School Principal Heather Bowman and Codi Conway, director of curriculum and instruction at District 52, as they made their case for a new school in front of dozens of residents. The new $23 million school would be built next to Washington Middle School, creating a single campus to connect students with everything they need. Right now, food served at Lincoln is brought over from the middle school. To pay for it, the school district need voters to approve a $20 million bond. The rest is covered by school district reserves earmarked for the construction project. Lindsay Dam, speech pathologist at Lincoln Grade School and parent of a student at WMS, said the current learning conditions are not ideal for students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The referendum will cause a slight property tax increase, so for a home that costs $200,000, the homeowner would pay an extra $25 a month to help pay for the new school. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com. Editors Note: This article has been updated to clarify that no tickets had been sold, and refunds are being given to the drivers. TOPEKA (KSNT)Shawnee County Smash, a demolition derby planned for June is canceled. Shawnee County Smash reported on social media on April 2 that due to a low number of car registrations, it was decided to cancel the show. Shawnee County Smash said it has also been in contact with Hotel Topeka to refund deposits for attendees in June. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Organizers were working with the Stormont Vail Events Center to possibly host the event in June. Exploring Topekas oldest businesses and their lasting legacy Please know this was not an easy decision to make. Just like drivers who have already started working and invested in cars, we too have already done the same on our side of things. An indoor show is a huge investment and lot more than an outdoor show, in more ways than one and without the car count pre-registered it just doesnt work out. Shawnee County Smash social media statement excerpt For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. A federal move to withhold 16 family planning grants across 22 states could undercut access to basic reproductive health care including cancer screenings, testing for sexually transmitted infections and contraception. The impact will likely be felt hardest in states with conservative leadership, which include some of the poorest states in the country. Beginning this week, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said it is temporarily withholding millions of dollars of grants through Title X, the federal program that supports family planning services for low-income people, pending an evaluation of possible violations of their grant terms, according to HHS spokesman Andrew Nixon. He said the targeted providers may be in violation of federal civil rights law language the administration has used to target programs promoting racial and gender-based equality as well as President Donald Trumps immigration orders. Reproductive health providers said those arguments are misleading and are being used as an excuse to withhold funding from contraception providers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If upheld, the cuts, worth about $65.8 million, could affect 870 health facilities serving about 846,000 patients across the country, according to a tally by the National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association, a membership organization for providers. Clinics affected by the administrations move are based in Alaska, California, Connecticut, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia and West Virginia. Because of the cuts, seven states California, Hawaii, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana and Utah have no clinics receiving federal Title X funds, potentially making it harder for patients to access basic family planning services. Clare Coleman, president of the National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association, said the size of cuts in Ohio, Idaho, Alaska, and North and South Carolina could have tangible implications for patients, noting the size of the grants and the unlikelihood of state governments stepping in to replace lost federal funding. Title X clinics are often the main providers in their communities of birth control services, testing for sexually transmitted infections, cancer screenings, sex education and wellness checkups. Many also provide gender-affirming care, though that service is not funded by Title X. The impact could also be heightened in rural areas, where Title X clinics can be one of the main reliable providers of reproductive health care especially for young people, per one 2022 study. Maine, Mississippi and Montana have some of the countrys highest shares of residents living in rural areas, and Mississippi has one of the highest poverty rates. This will create a cascading effect across the South, disrupting access to basic health care services such as cancer screenings, STI testing and treatment, birth control, infertility care and more, said Jamie Bardwell, the co-founder of Converge, a provider that is the sole Title X grantee in Mississippi. These disruptions will lead to increased negative health outcomes, including higher rates of unintended pregnancy and STIs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The letter Converge received to say its funding had been withheld pointed to a statement the organization made in 2020 opposing racism in health care, citing the death of George Floyd a Black man in Minnesota killed by police and the history of reproductive coercion, which has historically targeted Black women in particular. The letter, sent by HHS and reviewed by The 19th, argued that the statement violated the Civil Rights Act, a law that ended segregation and outlawed discrimination based on race, sex, religion or national origin. In 2024, Converge provided care to 30,000 people in Mississippi across 91 health centers; in Tennessee, its 33 facilities saw almost 12,000 patients. Between 2018 and 2022, the most recent years for which federal data is available, Mississippi had the second-highest rate of pregnancy-related deaths in the country, falling only behind Tennessee. Just under 40 percent of Mississippi residents are Black, per the U.S. Census Bureau and state data from 2017 through 2019 shows that Black women in the state were at four times greater risk of pregnancy-related death compared to White women. Some family planning clinics may be able to secure replacement funding from state governments or from private donations. But it will be more difficult to do so in states with conservative leadership, where lawmakers have shown less willingness to put money into reproductive health, Coleman said. In 2017, the most recent year for which a federal analysis is available, Title X funding made up about one-fifth of all revenue for clinics funded by the program. Title X-funded health clinics, like Camerena Health Systems in the blue collar Central Valley agricultural community of Madera, California, often provide vital medical services to rural Americans. (Melina Mara/The Washington Post via Getty Images) Family planning providers have indicated they intend to challenge the policy in court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We will fight any attacks on the vital health care we provide Mainers with every tool in our arsenal, said George Hill, the head of Maine Family Planning. That may include litigating to defend the rights of the Title X family planning network in Maine. But unless quickly reversed, the federal policy will likely result in health centers laying off staff and then shutting down entirely, Coleman said. Title X clinics operate on thin financial margins. The violations the Trump administration has alleged of federal civil rights law and Trumps immigration orders, including one that prohibits non-cash benefits from going to undocumented people are misleading, she added, and do not support the move to suddenly withhold funding. Title X-funded clinics are not supposed to turn people away because of inability to pay or based on whether they live locally, and they typically do not ask patients about their citizenship status. And though Trump has issued executive orders targeting immigration as well as diversity, equity and inclusion, HHS has not issued guidance about how they would implement those orders with regard to Title X meaning health centers had not received any warning about how their funding applications could be at risk. Organizations whose funding was officially withheld Tuesday received letters notifying them only a day in advance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a pretext. This isnt on the level, Coleman said. Because many Title X-backed health centers are operated by Planned Parenthood, the program has become a target for abortion opponents, even more so since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, even though the program itself does not provide funding to support abortion. During the 2024 presidential campaign, Vice President JD Vance suggested that Trump would support policies to defund Planned Parenthood. In 2018, the most recent year for which data is available, 40 percent of people receiving health care through Title X got that care from a Planned Parenthood clinic. Nine of the 16 grantees affected are Planned Parenthood affiliates. The move comes as family planning providers and their patients are uniquely vulnerable. The Supreme Court heard a case Wednesday over whether South Carolinas Medicaid program can refuse to cover health services provided at Planned Parenthood clinics, even if they would cover them at other health facilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A ruling in favor of South Carolina would likely encourage other states with anti-abortion governments to enact similar policies, which could in turn result in fewer patients being able to afford reproductive health care. The post Reproductive health clinics are losing federal funding and conservative states will be hit hardest appeared first on The 19th. News that represents you, in your inbox every weekday. Subscribe to our free, daily newsletter. Supporters of a new religious liberty bill are trying to pressure lawmakers to get it to the floor of the House for a vote. The measure has already passed the Senate. Some Republicans insist the bill is needed to protect people of faith, while Democrats say it only gives people a license to discriminate. There are only two days left in the legislative season. Supporters of the new Religious Freedom Restoration Act, or RFRA, gathered at the capitol Tuesday for a news conference to put pressure on lawmakers to bring their bill to the floor of the house for a vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Acworth Republican state Sen. Ed Setzler, who wrote the bill, insists this bill is necessary to protect people of faith from, what he says is, unwarranted government intrusion. He thinks he has the votes to get it across the finish line. TRENDING STORIES: Im confident the house of representatives will support this. I think the votes are there. I think there are people in both parties that would like to support this, Setzler said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House Minority Leader Carolyn Hughley believes the bill will hurt businesses and people. If Georgia wants to remain the No. 1 state to do business, why would you do this? Because its simply a license to discriminate, and our caucus is going fight vigorously against it, Hughley said. Sandy Springs Democrat Esther Panitch is the legislatures only Jewish member. She thinks that without an underlying civil rights law, this bill will allow people and businesses to discriminate against minority religions and the LGBTQ+ community simply because they dont like them. RFRA is a terrible bill. Its touted as protecting minority religions. It would not. It would discriminate against minority religions including Judaism, Panitch said. The House has set its agenda for Wednesday, and the RFRA bill is not on it, but that doesnt mean it cant come up, or on Sine Die on Friday. For the most part, cases that are filed in state court proceed linearly through the state trial courts, appellate court and Supreme Court. Likewise, federal cases are heard by a federal trial judge, a federal appeals court and, on rare occasions, the nation's highest court. Republicans emerged from Tuesdays elections on shaky footing. Over the past 10 weeks, President Donald Trump and Elon Musk have worked to hobble the federal government, pummel into submission the countrys most powerful independent institutions and enact a sweeping nationalist agenda with little regard and often disdain for political norms and the Constitution itself. And theyve done so with near-universal support from the GOP in Washington. Then the voters got the chance to speak. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In two deep-red House districts in Florida, Republicans had lower-than-expected margins as they clinched the safe seats vacated by America First royalty only after sending in national and state reinforcements, including Trump himself, to drum up support. And in Wisconsin, they suffered a crushing defeat in a record-breakingly expensive Supreme Court race. After Musks money and personality dominated the contest, liberal Judge Susan Crawford secured a 9-point victory against Trump's endorsed candidate, Brad Schimel. Im honestly shocked. I thought we had it in the bag, said Pam Van Handel, chair of the Republican Party of Wisconsins Outagamie County. I thought [Musk] was going to be an asset for this race. People love Trump, but maybe they dont love everybody he supports. Maybe I have blinders on. Rohn Bishop, the mayor of Waupun, Wisconsin, and former chair of the Republican Party of Fond du Lac County, admitted that the race throws up a bunch of warning signs for the midterm election. I thought maybe Elon coming could turn these people to go out and vote, Bishop said. Instead, he added, I think [Musk] helped get out voters in that he may have turned out more voters against [Schimel]. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats had sold the Wisconsin election in particular as a referendum on Trump and Musk. And as the dust settled, they gloated. Its time for them to walk away from this unelected, unpopular, unhinged and un-American billionaire puppet master, a triumphant House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said of Musk on Tuesday night. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer applauded Wisconsins voters, who he said sent a decisive message to Elon Musk, Donald Trump, and DOGE by rejecting an extreme Republican for their Supreme Court: our Democracy is not for sale. Musk and groups he backed, including his America PAC, funneled $20 million into the election through splashy and controversial tactics, including doling out $1 million checks to Republican voters and paying people $100 each to sign a petition to quell activist judges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He called the race a super big deal to a Green Bay crowd Sunday and said the outcome could affect the entire destiny of humanity. In the wake of Schimels loss, Trump took to Truth Social to sell a ballot measure enshrining voter ID laws into Wisconsins constitution as a BIG WIN FOR REPUBLICANS, MAYBE THE BIGGEST WIN OF THE NIGHT. He made no mention of the decisive loss in the Supreme Court race that he had been urging voters to participate in. And other Republicans sought to separate that loss from the president and place the blame elsewhere. First and foremost, this is not a referendum on Donald Trump. Its a referendum on the Republican Party in Wisconsin, said Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement R.J. Hybben, with the State Federation of Wisconsin College Republicans, admitted that the results werent great, but said, I don't think Elon hurt. Instead, he blamed the Democratic advantage in special elections, owing to a more highly educated base that is more likely to show up to the polls in off-years. For now, Republicans will be breathing a sigh of relief that Democrats are no closer to snatching away that House majority. But they came short of Trump's margins of victory in both states in November. In the race to replace embattled national security adviser Mike Waltz in Floridas 6th District, Trump-endorsed Republican Randy Fine delivered a decisive, 14-point victory against Josh Weil, a Democrat who had outraised Fine by over a 10 to 1 rate thanks in large part to small-dollar donations from outside the state. But he underperformed sharply compared to Trump, who won the deep-red district by more than 30 points just four months ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Up in the states Panhandle, Republican Jimmy Patronis trounced Democrat Gay Valimont by 15 points, winning about 57 percent of the vote. But in the states scarlet 1st District, no Republican has won with less than 64 percent since 2001. Trump himself saw the races as a crucial referendum on his partys continued progress, telling voters last week during a town hall that the results of the election to replace his acolyte, Matt Gaetz, will help determine whether the radical left will grind Congress to a halt, which is what they want to do just stop everything, all the progress that weve made. And the partys anxieties came into clearer focus last week when the president announced he was pulling Rep. Elise Stefaniks nomination for U.N. ambassador. Stefanik had won her safe-red New York district by over 24 points in November. Still, Trump wrote Thursday on Truth Social, With a very tight Majority, I dont want to take a chance on anyone else running for Elises seat. The special elections also came on the precipice of a monumental and politically delicate moment for Trump, who on Wednesday is set to unveil an avalanche of tariffs his administration has branded the countrys liberation day but which economists caution could have a deleterious effect on the U.S. economy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Wisconsin, Democrats think they may have figured out a playbook that will help them as they gear up for the midterms. They sought to use Musks influence against him, framing the race as yet another example of the worlds richest man a special government employee often by Trumps side wielding undue influence over the country. Musks approval ratings consistently lag behind Trumps, and the president has repeatedly had to defend his senior adviser as Democratic messaging has coalesced around criticism of Musk as an unelected oligarch. He's becoming electoral poison, said Evan Roth Smith, a Democratic pollster. The Democratic Party is going to make Elon a central issue in its messaging, as it should, and Democrats are getting better at focusing on what matters to voters, which is the threat he poses to entitlements. Shia Kapos, Meredith Lee Hill, Elena Schneider, Jordain Carney and Andrew Howard contributed to this report. Left: Jimmy Patronis, former Florida Chief Financial Officer (Photo via Florida Department of Financial Services Website) Right: Former Republican State Sen. Randy Fine (Photo via Florida House of Representatives website) Republicans are celebrating in Florida and Washington, D.C., tonight, after two more of their ranks are going to Congress to pad the Republicans narrow lead over Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives. In the Congressional District 6 race in Northeast Florida, former state Sen. Randy Fine from Brevard County has defeated Democrat Josh Weil, an Orlando school teacher. Some polls showed Weil running competitively in the district, which went for Republican Mike Waltz over his Democratic opponent by 37 points in November. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With 95% of the votes counted, Fine led Weil with 56.5% to 44.5%. In the District 1 race in Floridas Panhandle, former Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis has defeated gun safety activist Democrat Gay Valimont, 56.1% to 42.8%. That was with 89% of the votes cast in the district. Floridas 6th District encompasses Flagler, Lake, Marion, Putnam, St. Johns, and Volusia counties. Neither Fine nor Weil live in the district. Waltz served there for the past six years. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis represented the area from 2012-2018. Undoubtedly, Trumps endorsement benefitted Fine, although DeSantis said earlier on Tuesday that the president got bad advice to endorse him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think the Republican will win, but he will underperform because a lot of Republicans arent going to be willing to go out and vote for him, DeSantis told conservative talk-show host Dana Loesch. I mean, you had him on your show, he was fighting for an amnesty bill in the Florida Legislature, he was attacking me for wanting strong immigration legislation. And so when voters see that, its like, you know what? Why would I want to vote for you if youre just going to stab us in the back? The two had been close allies until the fall of 2023, when Fine blamed the governor for his handling of Jewish concerns following the Hamas attack on Israel and came out to endorse Trump for president. Although most Democrats knew it would be a miracle to upset a Republican in the district, the huge fundraising advantage that Weil enjoyed (approximately $10 million for Weil to $2 million for Fine) had given them hopes that they could substantially reduce the margin of defeat. Campaign signs sit on the side of the road supporting Democratic nominee Josh Weil outside of his campaign event at the Silver Springs Shores Community Center on March 26, 2025 in Ocala. He lost to Republican Randy Fine. Republican Jimmy Petronius won in Congressional District 1 in the Panhandle. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) There you go again As Ronald Reagan said, there you go again, said Florida political strategist Barry Edwards. This is another example of the Democrats overpromising and underdelivering, which is going to have an immediate effect of disillusioning the many donors and volunteers who helped on these races that thought that they were competitive, but they werent. And shame on the Democratic leadership, because they knew better. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin made a trip to District 6 over the weekend on behalf of the Weil campaign. Weil released a statement shortly after the polls closed. The numbers didnt add up in our favor today, he said. We shouldnt be disappointed however; this race was closer than anyone ever imagined. In a district won by Mike Walz by 32 points, we closed that gap by a historic margin. An incredible gain. This progress is because of our grassroots supporters across the country and the voters in this district Democrats, Republicans, and Independents who believe in a brighter and kinder future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This result is also a warning sign to Donald Trump, Randy Fine, and the unelected oligarchs taking apart the government. Should they continue to steal peoples hard-earned money and benefits like Social Security and Medicare, defund education, focus more on culture wars than lowering costs: the backlash is only beginning. The bigger surprise of the night was in Floridas 1st District, in far Northwestern Florida, encompassing Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, and parts of Walton County. Valimont raised $6.3 million from Jan. 9 through March 12, compared to Patronis, who raised $1.1 million. At 9 p.m., Eastern time Valimont was trailing by 15 points 17 points closer than 2024 and the closest congressional margin in CD 1 history, according to Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried. In addition, Valimont is the first Democratic candidate in modern history to win Escambia County. Florida Democrats just put the Republican Party on notice, Fried said. Tonights results represent a historic overperformance for Democrats and show that voters are already rejecting Trumps extreme agenda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Patronis had been considering a run for governor before Trump came out and endorsed him almost immediately after the seat became vacant following Trumps selecting Matt Gaetz to leave the district to serve as his attorney general. (Gaetz ended up withdrawing from consideration for the position). Patronis won the Republican primary election for CD-1 in late January, defeating nine opponents. Thats just an example of Donald Trump being more strategic than people give him credit for, Edwards said, noting that Trump endorsed Patronis immediately after the District 1 seat became vacant. He wanted to have the field cleared for Byron Donalds, so he calls up Jimmy Patronis, who had told people he wasnt going to run for Congress, and he endorses him. Four months later, Patronis is the congressman, which opens up the CFO seat for his buddy Joe Gruters and the governors seat for Byron Donalds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gruters, a Sarasota-based state Senator, has already announced his candidacy for chief financial officer in 2026 and has been endorsed by Trump for that seat. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis isnt expected to announce a successor to Patronis for the CFO spot until sometime after the Florida legislative session ends in May. He is not expected to name Gruters, who endorsed Trump over DeSantis for president in 2023. April 1 (UPI) -- Two Republicans won in Florida's special election Tuesday night to expand the GOP's narrow majority in the U.S. House of Representatives. Republican Randy Fine will take over former Rep. Mike Waltz's seat, which he vacated to become President Donald Trump's National Security Adviser, and Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis will replace former GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz. Both Trump-endorsed candidate wins give Republicans a 220 to 213 majority in the House with two Democrat vacancies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Both Florida House seats have been won, big, by the Republican candidate," Trump wrote Tuesday night in a post on Truth Social. "The Trump endorsement, as always, proved far greater than the Democrats' forces of evil. Congratulations to America!" Fine, a GOP state senator and former member of Florida's House of Representatives, won the state's 6th District race over Democrat Josh Weil, a public school employee who raised nearly 10 times more in campaign funding than Fine. Last month, Weil announced that his campaign had raised nearly $10 million, while Fine had raised less than $1 million. Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis won Florida's 1st District race in Tuesday's special election to fill former Rep. Matt Gaetz's seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Patronis, a Republican, was endorsed by President Donald Trump. Photo courtesy of Florida Department of Financial Services On Tuesday night, Fine was leading Weil by a margin of 54% to 46%. Trump carried the district, which includes Daytona Beach, by 30 points in November. During Trump's 2024 presidential campaign, Fine switched his endorsement from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to Trump, which earned him the president's support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Randy Fine wins!!!" Trump wrote Tuesday night in a post on Truth Social after the race was called. "Congratulations Randy. A great win against a massive cash avalanche." Fine credited Trump for his victory saying, "Because of you, Mr. President. I won't let you down." Patronis was winning Florida's 1st district Tuesday night by a margin of 57% to 43% over Democrat Gay Valimont, who also outspent her opponent. The seat was formerly held by Gaetz, who resigned after the president picked him to be attorney general. Trump carried Florida's 1st district by 37 points in the presidential election. You are the owner of this article. Colorado's second-highest court concluded last month that a Mesa County judge used the incorrect standard when deciding if a defendant should receive a new trial even after a prior Court of Appeals decision explicitly ordered the judge to fix his prior evidence-related mistake. Note: This page has been updated with the results as of 12:22 p.m. April 2. El Paso County Clerk and Recorder Steve Schleiker warned county commissioners on Tuesday that the requirements proposed under the Safeguarding The U.S. State Department has approved the potential sale of 20 F-16C/D Block 70/72 fighters to the Philippines, the latest turn in a long-running saga as Manila seeks to revamp its air force. The announcement comes as the United States reinforces military ties with the Southeast Asian country, with a recent visit there by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and the forthcoming deployment of U.S. anti-ship and land-attack missile systems for a military drill. The approved Foreign Military Sale package, which has an estimated cost of $5.58 billion, covers 16 single-seat F-16C and four two-seat F-16D versions. As well as the aircraft and engines, the package includes: AN/APG-83 Scalable Agile Beam Radars (SABR), AN/AAQ-33 Sniper advanced targeting pods, AN/ALQ-254 Viper Shield electronic warfare or equivalent systems, Scorpion Hybrid Optical-based Inertial Trackers (HObIT) or Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing Systems II (JHMCS II) helmet-mounted displays, and undisclosed infrared search and track (IRST) systems. A Block 70 F-16. Lockheed Martin The IRST system could be a version of Lockheed Martins Legion, a pod-mounted sensor that is also offered in a miniaturized form for the F-16 Block 70/72 as the Legion-Embedded System (ES). Legion pods are fitted on the left underside of the forward fuselage, on the chin hardpoint. An alternative could be the Northrop Grumman OpenPod, a modular, open-architecture design, equipped with Leonardos SkyWard IRST sensor. This pod might be more likely for export to the Philippines and is notably already used by Top Aces, a private adversary air company. An IRST of any kind is especially useful as an additional way of detecting and tracking other aircraft at long ranges, including ones that employ stealth technology to hide from radar. The pod can also provide targeting information so the pilot can engage an enemy passively, without emitting any electromagnetic energy. You can read more about the capabilities that the Legion pod offers here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Air-to-air weapons are set to be provided in the form of up to 112 AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs) and 40 AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder infrared-guided air-to-air missiles. Offensive weapons in the package comprise 36 GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bombs (SDB), 60 Mk 82 500-pound general-purpose bombs, 60 Mk 84 2,000-pound general-purpose bombs, 30 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) tail kits for the GBU-38 or GBU-54 Laser JDAM, and 30 kits for GBU-50 Enhanced Paveway II precision-guided bombs. Overall, the total number of munitions included is relatively tiny, for a deal of this kind. At this point, its worth noting that the State Department announcement is not final. The quantities of aircraft and other equipment and the costs involved could all change. Potentially, lawmakers could also move to block the deal within the next 30 days, although that is unlikely. Similarly, the Philippines could also decide to take an altogether different route to fielding new fighters. A fully armed Block 70 F-16D of the Royal Bahraini Air Force. Bahrain was the first customer to receive the Block 70/72 series jets. U.S Air Force The proposed sale will enhance the Philippine Air Forces ability to conduct maritime domain awareness and close air support missions and enhance its suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD) and aerial interdiction capabilities, the U.S. State Department said in a statement. This sale will also increase the ability of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to protect vital interests and territory, as well as expand interoperability with the U.S. forces. The Philippines will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces. Previously, back in 2021, the Philippines had been approved for another F-16 Block 70/72 sale, this time involving 10 F-16Cs and two F-16Ds, valued at a total of $2.43 billion. In the event, the Philippines didnt proceed with that deal, having only allocated $1.1 billion for the acquisition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Notably, that earlier package didnt include IRST systems, but the Philippines was approved to buy 12 AGM-84L-1 Harpoon Block II anti-ship missiles. The Philippine Air Force retired its veteran fleet of Northrop F-5A/B Freedom Fighters in 2005. As long ago as the 1990s, efforts were being made to introduce new fighters, but so far the only new jets for the service have been 12 Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) FA-50PH light combat jets acquired from Seoul. One of those has since crashed. A Philippine Air Force F-5A fighter taxis to its hangar at Basa Air Base before being formally decommissioned on Oct. 1, 2005. JAY DIRECTO/AFP via Getty Images JAY DIRECTO An FA-50PH performs a flypast at Clark Air Base in Angeles City, Pampanga province, north of Manila on Nov. 28, 2015. TED ALJIBE/AFP via Getty Images TED ALJIBE The Philippine Air Forces combat fleet also includes six Embraer A-29B Super Tucano turboprop light attack aircraft. Philippine Air Force Super Tucano light attack aircraft fly by during an airfield seizure exercise as part of the US-Philippines Balikatan joint military exercise at San Vicente Airport in Palawan on May 1, 2024. (Photo by JAM STA ROSA / AFP) JAM STA ROSA Compared to anything else in the inventory, the F-16 represents a huge advance in capability, not just in terms of performance, but also in the advanced sensors and precision-guided weaponry it will carry. Currently, for example, the Philippine Air Force doesnt have any aircraft armed with beyond-visual-range missiles. These, combined with an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, will represent a step-change in terms of air-to-air capabilities alone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year, the Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro outlined plans to buy 40 fighter jets as part of a major military modernization effort. Known as Horizon 3, the fighter acquisition would be worth $33.6 billion over the next 10 years, provided its fully approved. U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (left) and Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro speak after a joint press conference following their meeting at Camp Aguinaldo in Manila on March 28, 2025. Photo by Ted ALJIBE / AFP TED ALJIBE However realistic that plan, its clear that Manila is set on rebuilding its armed forces to better face off against the growing Chinese threat in the region. Reflecting the increasing strategic significance that Washington is assigning to the Philippines, Hegseth visited the archipelago nation last week as part of a wider Indo-Pacific trip. Its a strong message to China on solid bilateral relations between the U.S. and the Philippines, Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Manuel Romualdez told The Associated Press, ahead of Hegseths visit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the agenda were joint measures that can be taken to enhance deterrence against Chinese aggression in the disputed South China Sea, almost the entirety of which is claimed by China. The Philippines is one of several regional nations that also have overlapping claims on these highly strategic waters. Romualdez also highlighted the possibility of more significant support from the United States in this regard. U.S. defense policy in relation to the Philippines has become a more important topic in the last couple of years, as confrontations between Chinese and Philippine coast guard and naval forces in the South China Sea have become increasingly tense. A Peoples Liberation Army (PLAN) warship shadows the Philippine Coast Guard ship BRP Cape Engano, during a supply mission to Sabina Shoal in disputed waters of the South China Sea on Aug. 26, 2024. Photo by JAM STA ROSA / AFP JAM STA ROSA; JAM STA ROSA In response to clashes between Chinese and Philippine forces in these waters, the previous Biden administration issued repeated warnings to Beijing. These included the fact that the United States is obliged to help defend the Philippines if its ships or aircraft come under armed attack anywhere in the wider region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Such statements from Washington prompt predictably hostile reactions from Beijing, but currently, it seems, the defense relationship between the United States and the Philippines is only set to be reinforced. In addition to the possible sale of F-16s, which would mark a significant advance in capabilities for the Philippine Air Force, Manilas armed forces are also deeply involved in joint exercises with those of the United States and other allies. The most significant of these drills is the Balikatan exercise, the 2025 edition of which kicks off later this month featuring forces from Australia and Japan. U.S. Marines with 3d Reconnaissance Battalion, 3d Marine Division, and Philippine Marines with Force Reconnaissance Group, conduct a raid rehearsal during the Balikatan exercise in 2022. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jackson Dukes Cpl. Jackson Dukes This years exercise is especially notable since it will feature two recently inducted types of U.S. missile systems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the U.S. Army has said it will not conduct live-fire drills of its Typhon in Exercise Balikatan, the deployment of the system to the Philippines is already a big deal and one that has been criticized by China. Typhon was first deployed to the Philippines during last years Exercise Salaknib and has remained in the country since then. Typhon can fire Tomahawk cruise missiles and SM-6 multi-purpose missiles. The latest Tomahawk cruise missiles have land attack and anti-ship capabilities, while the SM-6 missiles are intended to be employed primarily against targets ashore and at sea, essentially as a short-range ballistic missile. The Army has also described it in the past as a strategic weapon system that would be used against higher-value targets like air defense assets and command and control nodes. A Typhon launcher from Charlie Battery, 5th Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment, Long Range Fires Battalion, 1st Multi-Domain Task Force arrives as part of the capabilitys first deployment into theater on Northern Luzon, Philippines, on April 8, 2024. U.S. Army/Capt. Ryan DeBooy With Tomahawks range of roughly 1,000 miles, Typhon is highly relevant in this context. From a location in the middle of Northern Luzon in the Philippines, it has more than enough range to reach the southeastern corner of mainland China, as well as Hainan Island with its key naval and other bases. Chinese man-made outposts across the South China Sea would also be within range. Meanwhile, Balikatan will see the U.S. Marine Corps deploy its Navy Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) anti-ship missile system for the first time operationally in the region. The complete NMESIS system consists of the uncrewed Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV), also known as the Remotely Operated Ground Unit Expeditionary-Fires (ROGUE-Fires), and a launcher with two ready-to-fire Naval Strike Missiles (NSM). The NSM is a stealthy anti-ship cruise missile with a secondary land-attack capability. The NSM is capable of hitting targets 115 miles away. A Navy Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS), an anti-ship missile system, during trials at the Pacific Missile Range Facility Barking Sands, Hawaii, on August 16, 2021. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Maj. Nick Mannweiler Maj. Nicholas Mannweiler The more security cooperation, the better, Hegseth said in a press conference with his Filipino counterpart, Teodoro, last week. The more strategic dilemmas for our adversaries, the better. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The inclusion of Typhon and NMESIS in the upcoming Balikatan drills are a very visible indicator of this strategy. As the United States forges expanded defense ties with the Philippines, the likely transfer of F-16s is very much a logical next step. Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com More than 400,000 Coloradans are at risk of losing their health coverage if a Republican bill in Congress is passed, according to the Polis Administration. Each year, an essential first stop for veterans skiing in adaptive equipment at the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic is the Sea The Republican members of Colorado's congressional delegation on Wednesday called on Gov. Jared Polis to veto legislation that would require purchasers of certain firearms to undergo gun safety training. The GOP lawmakers said in a letter to the Democratic governor that Senate Bill 003 "blatantly infringes upon the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens," while creating a "de facto gun owner registry" maintained by a state agency. Passed last week by the Democratic-controlled legislature with every Republican and some Democrats voting against it, the bill would mandate that Coloradans who want to purchase semiautomatic rifles, shotguns or handguns with detachable magazines first take a safety course run by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. The legislation originally would have prohibited the purchase and sale of semiautomatic firearms with detachable magazines, commonly referred to as "assault weapons," but sponsors amended the measure to instead establish the training requirements at Polis' insistence. Organized by U.S. Rep. Jeff Crank and signed by his fellow Republicans Lauren Boebert, Gabe Evans and Jeff Hurd, the letter tells Polis that changes to the legislation haven't rendered it any more palatable. "Colorado has a proud history of safeguarding its citizens' constitutional right to bear arms," the Republicans said. "Yet, for the past decade, the Colorado State Legislature has relentlessly pursued ever-increasing restrictions on responsible gun owners. If you fail to take a firm stance against these radical attempts to undermine our rights, you will only serve to empower criminals at the expense of law-abiding citizens." The Republicans maintain that despite "some amendments to the legislation to appear less restrictive," the bill is still "one of the most restrictive gun ownership laws in the United States on par with California and Illinois gun laws." Calling the bill's requirements "riddled with bureaucratic hurdles," the GOP lawmakers add that it would set up an arbitrary system that gives sheriffs the ability to block anyone in their counties from buying a gun. "Not only does this new scheme come with additional fees and time commitments that no criminal will ever participate in, but it also gives any sheriff hostile to the individual or semi-automatic firearms in general carte blanche authority to block the enrollment," the lawmakers said. Featured Local Savings "Moreover, any Coloradan that manages to comply with all the hurdles will have their personal information stored in a de facto gun owner registry maintained by Colorado Parks and Wildlife." Sponsors and supporters have argued the bill would help prevent mass shootings, pointing to attacks in Colorado at the Aurora movie theater, Boulder King Soopers and Club Q in Colorado Springs, which they said were all carried out using semiautomatic weapons with detachable magazines. Opponents, including the gun rights advocacy group Rocky Mountain Gun Owners, have countered that the bill further chips away at the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens and forces the wildlife agency to handle responsibilities outside of its scope without accomplishing its purported goal to stop violence. Other critics have argued that that the slew of firearms restrictions approved by the Democratic-controlled legislature haven't stopped gun violence, while at the same time making it difficult for Coloradans to defend themselves against criminals who don't adhere to state gun laws. The legislation part of a three-bill firearms-related package that passed out of the legislature on Friday drew praise from gun safety advocates and fierce opposition from Republican legislators and gun-rights advocacy groups. "While other states fight to maintain their progress and a hostile federal landscape threatens gun safety, Colorado has emerged as a national leader when it comes to lifesaving action on our gun violence crisis," said Angela Ferrell-Zabala, executive director of Moms Demand Action, a national organization that promotes gun control measures. In a fundraising email to supporters, Ian Escalante, RMGO's executive director, characterized the bill's passage as "TREASON." "Should Polis sign it, this bill would be the harbinger of doom for the gun industry in Colorado. Purchasers will be forced to wait months for the class, pay undisclosed fees for BOTH permits and the class itself," Escalante said, adding that the way the bill is written means "mandatory registry and expansion of this system to include the purchase and possession of all firearms is likely to come next year." Colorado Politics statehouse reporter Marissa Ventrelli contributed to this report. Ten international students have had their visas revoked by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security across Colorado universities, campus officials confirmed. The University of Colorado released a statement Tuesday confirming that F-1 visas issued to four international students on its Boulder and Colorado Springs campuses were revoked. The statement did not provide more detail about the students or their circumstances because of federal laws and student privacy rights. At CU, we are focused on supporting the success of all of our students, including international students, the statement read. Each one of our students are seeking to advance their careers and the lives of their families, and we understand the anxieties that visa revocations cause to impacted students. We urge any international student with questions or concerns to reach out to their campus international student office. In Fort Collins, Colorado State University's Office of International Programs sent a message to its international community Saturday, stating they are aware that some CSU international students have been impacted by visa revocations and SEVIS terminations issued by the U.S. Department of State." SEVIS is short for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, a web-based system used by the Department of Homeland Security to manage information about nonimmigrant students, exchange visitors and their dependents. Featured Local Savings The Office of International Programs update did not specify the number of students impacted by the federal department, but a CSU spokesperson told The Gazette that the total was six students. CSU provided a list of resources for its international students, who they advised to contact their home embassy and the universitys office of international programs. Our international community is an integral part of Colorado State University, enriching our campus in countless ways, the update read. Please know that CSU deeply values our international student population and is committed to supporting you to the best of our abilities. As we navigate this fluid situation, the Office of International Programs is available to provide support to our international students and scholars, and we will do our best to answer questions and advise you appropriately during these uncertain times. These announcements come after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the State Department may have revoked more than 300 visas after the revocation of a Turkish students at Tufts University on March 25. Across the country, The Associated Press reported on students being detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement or having their visas revoked at Columbia University, Cornell University and the University of Minnesota. El Paso County Clerk and Recorder Steve Schleiker warned county commissioners on Tuesday that the requirements proposed under the Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility Act could strain local election resources and disenfranchise eligible voters if implemented as is. "There needs to be significant amendments to this bill," he said after a presentation at the Board of County Commissioners' informal meeting. The SAVE Act, which was introduced in 2024 and is again headed to the U.S. House of Representatives, would put in place nationwide voter registration rules requiring voters to present proof of citizenship with certain approved documents. The bill mirrors an executive order issued on March 25 by President Donald Trump that also would require documented proof of U.S. citizenship. The order has received legal challenges over its constitutionality. Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold has called it "unlawful." Trump administration officials and congressional sponsors say both actions seek to address election integrity concerns surrounding noncitizens voting in elections, a rarely documented occurrence carrying criminal penalties. Schleiker said in the period from 2015 to 2024, 19 people in El Paso County have been flagged as noncitizens who registered as voters through a federal immigration database. One was later found to be a citizen, while all but one of the others were removed from the rolls before they could cast a ballot. Federal law currently requires a person seeking registration to swear under risk of perjury that they are a U.S. citizen and eligible to vote. Online voter registration requires a driver's license or Social Security number. Colorado accepts multiple forms of identification to vote in person, including photo IDs from schools or employment, bank statements and utility bills with the person's name and address. Schleiker said that voter rolls are run through relevant state and federal databases, as well as data broker company Experian, to check for irregularities. If enacted, the SAVE Act would require local election officials like the El Paso County clerk and recorder to essentially reregister every voter using the approved citizenship documents by the next federal election in June 2026. Schleiker estimated the logistics of the bill, which he called a "massive undertaking," could cost the county more than $1 million each year in added staff and equipment. The registration process may require opening more voter service and polling centers than the county currently has the staff to maintain, according to Schleiker. He said he would consider repurposing the Department of Motor Vehicles office at the Citizens Service Center to provide accessibility. Featured Local Savings Schleiker said that El Paso County, with its high military population, has a unique barrier to registering its just over 500,000 active voters under the new possible rules. The SAVE Act would not allow a standard military ID to be used, which is now an accepted form of identification in Colorado. Most voters under the proposed act would need to present other proof of citizenship such as a passport or birth certificate. A passport can be expensive, while a birth certificate may not be a document to which a person has ready access. If a voter has changed their name due to marriage or other circumstances, they will need to provide more documentation in a "chain of title," according to Schleiker all of which could contribute to discouraging eligible voters, he said. "They're just going to raise their hands and say they're just not going to vote," he said. He said he was worried about protecting the enfranchisement of vulnerable voters like the elderly, disabled, and people who live in care facilities. "These are the individuals who may not have the ability to come to my office in person," he said. Still, Schleiker said he would prefer changes in the voter registration process at the state and federal level. He said he was a proponent of allowing state-issued photo IDs, but not some other forms of identification currently allowed. He proposed amendments to the SAVE Act, including digital citizenship verification, clarity on what forms of ID can be used, federal funding for changes and protections against disenfranchisement through secure provisional ballots. County Commission chair Carrie Geitner said she thought military IDs should be added to the list of acceptable identifications under the bill, but that she felt the requirements were not meant to disenfranchise voters. She said that the logistics for voters registering under the SAVE Act were not "too concerning." "I understand there are costs," she said. "There are costs for everything in our world." Colorado health officials have confirmed the states first measles case, adding to outbreaks in 20 other jurisdictions as the United States total surges toward 500 the largest spike since 2019. The infected individual worked at the Southwest Deli and Cafe in Pueblo from March 17 through the 21, Kristin Richmann, a state health department spokesperson, confirmed in an email to The Denver Gazette. Anyone who at the Deli or locations during this time or at the Southern Colorado Clinic on March 22 should monitor their symptoms for 21 days after exposure and consider avoiding public gatherings, state officials said. Measles was declared officially eradicated in the U.S. in 2000, with health officials crediting the nations vaccination program. Over the past four decades, cases peaked in 1990, when the U.S. saw 27,808 people infected, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The last major case spike occurred in 2019, when there were 1,274 measles cases over the course of that year. The unvaccinated individual in Pueblo has been confirmed with measles after traveling to an area in Mexico experiencing an outbreak, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health. CDC officials maintain that the risk for widespread measles in the U.S. remains low. While a booster is not yet recommended, the CDC is encouraging all Americans be up-to-date on their vaccinations. For those concerned about waning immunity, Denver Health's Public Health Institute executive director, Dr. Bob Belknap, said patients can take an antibody test, especially healthcare workers, travelers or those who do not have their vaccination records. As of March 27, the U.S. had 483 confirmed cases from Alaska and California to Texas, Michigan and New York City. The number of cases has more than doubled in just two weeks, CDC data shows. Denver Health officials have been holding standup vaccination clinics for Denver Public Schools (DPS) students in the wake of outbreaks, which began in Texas in January. Most of the infected have been children. To date, two cases have resulted in deaths. Measles is a highly contagious disease. Just one individual can infect up to 18 others, making it one of the most contagious viruses known to man, according to the World Health Organization. To put that into context, that means measles is more contagious than COVID-19 (in which one person can infect up to three people with the original strain), polio (up to seven) and chickenpox (up to 12). The disease transmits particularly easy, as it can linger in the air for hours after a cough or sneeze. In an outbreak defined as three or more related cases one-in five-sickened will require hospitalization and one-in-20 will develop pneumonia. Featured Local Savings Measles is a respiratory illness transmitted through direct contact with infected droplets or airborne when a person breathes, coughs or sneezes. Symptoms typically emerge within two weeks of exposure. A telltale sign of measles is a spotty red rash that starts on the face and spreads to the neck and trunk to the rest of the body. Early onset symptoms include a high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes. An individual is contagious for about four days before the rash appears and four days after. In rare cases, measles can cause swelling of the brain and death. The disease in pregnancy can cause premature births and babies with low birth weights. To provide herd immunity that's when enough people in a community have become immune to a disease so it's harder for that illness to spread greater than 95% of people need to be vaccinated to prevent measles from spreading, according to health officials. Its certainly the ideal and the goal to get to 95% because the likelihood of a person with measles coming into contact with someone else is less, Belknap has said. Those who have received measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine or who were born before 1957, when the disease was so widespread everyone exposed to the virus as a child developed natural immunity, are generally considered immune. The CDC recommends that people vaccinated prior to 1968 with an inactivated measles vaccine get another shot. Health officials consider childhood vaccination as critical for maintaining the health of a community. With spring break travel, Colorados proximity to major outbreaks in Texas and New Mexico and vaccination rates below 95%, health officials have feared the state could face its own outbreak. Its more of a 'when' and not 'if' we have a case of measles, Belknap said previously. All of us are kind of wondering when its going to happen, when someone is going to get diagnosed. The bulk of the cases nationally have been among either unvaccinated patients or those who have an unknown status. Before the measles vaccine was developed in the 1960s, an estimated 48,000 Americans were hospitalized and 500 died each year. According to the latest state health department data, 94% of Colorado students last school year were fully vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella, all of which are contagious viral diseases that can cause serious health problems. The measles compliance rate for Denver Public Schools stood at about 92%, as of last month, according to the district. A roughly 3.1-point difference may sound small, but in public health terms, that gap is noteworthy because measles is one of the most contagious diseases in the world. Vaccination is considered the best way to protect against serious disease, officials said. Vaccination has averted an estimated 60 million deaths between 2000 and 2023, according to the World Health Organization. There are no other good recommended measures, Belknap has said. A passenger on the American Airlines flight from Colorado Springs to Texas that sparked an engine fire and forced an emergency landing in Denver filed a lawsuit against the airline Monday. American Airlines Flight 1006 was en route from Colorado Springs Airport to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport on March 13 when the crew reported engine vibrations, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The plane caught fire after landing at Denver International Airport that evening, prompting an emergency evacuation. The plaintiff, Texas resident Jerry Adamson, claims in the lawsuit that he suffered and will continue to suffer injuries, damages and losses, including medical expenses, pain and suffering, mental anguish and emotional distress because of the incident. The Boeing 737-800 aircraft with the tail number N885NN left Colorado Springs Airport at 4:37 p.m. before being diverted to Denver, according to FlightAware. It landed safely at 5:15 p.m. local time before taxiing to the gate. While taxiing, the right engine caught fire, prompting passengers to evacuate using emergency slides, according to the FAA. Airport ground crews quickly extinguished the flames, officials said. The pilot initially did not seem overly concerned about engine vibrations detected after the plane departed Colorado Springs. An air traffic control audio recording released March 14 indicated the female pilot remained calm and in control, as she brought the diverted aircraft to DIA. In a conversation between the pilot and air traffic control published by Live ATC, the controller asked the pilot to confirm that the engine vibration that was reported earlier was not an emergency. Nah, we just have a high engine vibration, so we are cruising slower than normal, the pilot responded. Working to assist the pilot, the controller offered a more expeditious arrival into Denver International Airport. The plane was then handed off to Denver approach, where the pilot was instructed to land. Do you need any extra assistance upon arrival certain speed on the arrival or final, or certain length on final, the controller asked. "No, actually, we could definitely maintain approach pace. We just can't do climbs because we're having a high engine vibe, so we've got it pulled back, the pilot said. A controller then cleared the aircraft to land. Shortly after the aircraft landed, a mans voice on the same radio frequency was heard yelling, Mayday, Mayday, Mayday! Mayday! Engine fire! The lawsuit claims after taxiing toward gate C38 for approximately eight minutes, the aircrafts right jet engine caught fire, which caused thick clouds of smoke to come from the engine. After coming to a stop, passengers noticed flames and smoke outside their windows. Smoke filled the cabin and passengers began screaming, pushing and jumping in an attempt to escape the burning aircraft, according to the lawsuit. Ground crews at Denver International Airport rushed to the gate and began dousing the flaming engine with water and fire retardant. The FAA confirmed that one of the aircrafts engines caught fire while taxiing, prompting an emergency evacuation. In a social media video, smoke was seen pouring from the plane. People could be seen coming out of the plane's door and walking onto the wing. Some of the passengers could be seen carrying bags. On the ground, some crew members raced to reach the plane's wing with a ladder. After the plane stopped, Adamson made his way to the right rear exit from seat 31E, sliding down the emergency evacuation slide. During his exit, he said he inhaled a lot of smoke and fire retardant. He was transferred by ambulance to a hospital. Twelve of the flight's 172 passengers, including Adamson, were transported to area hospitals with "minor injuries," a DIA spokesperson told the Denver Gazette. In a statement, American Airlines said all 172 passengers and six crew members deplaned safely and were relocated to the terminal. The lawsuit alleges that American Airlines was negligent during the incident. It also says the airline and its staff did not follow emergency checklists and standard operating procedures, did not request emergency assistance in a timely manner, and did not move passengers away from the engine as it was burning. American Airlines declined to comment on the lawsuit other than to say, "We are reviewing the complaint." The FAA is investigating the cause of the engine fire and the reported vibrations. We thank our crew members, DEN team, and first responders for their quick and decisive action with the safety of everyone on board and on the ground as the priority, the airline said. Another passenger, Colorado Springs Hunter Hubbs, was traveling with his girlfriend, 6-month-old son, mother and a family friend to a cousins wedding in Texas. After an unusually big vibration during takeoff from Colorado Springs Airport, he said passengers were just starting to settle in when a voice came over the intercom. About 10 minutes, maybe less, into the flight, the pilot let us know that the vibration was the engine failing to turn on, Hubbs said. Due to that, we were being rerouted to Denver from Dallas. The plane had landed and was taxiing to the gate when the FAA said the engine caught fire. Inside the cabin, passengers were still unaware, Hubbs said. As soon as the seat-belt sign came off and everyone started standing up, thats when someone screamed, Fire! Hubbs said. No one was really panicking yet. But you could tell that people were starting to worry and wanting to get off. Hubbs said smoke began to fill the cabin, but it didnt reach a point where the smoke was thick enough to obscure vision, or make him cough. But that others may have been closer to the source. Seeing the videos that people took, the smoke from the outside looks way crazier than how much was in the cabin by the time we got out, he said. After the first cries of fire! and smoke! time that felt like minutes, but may have been seconds the cabin door was opened, fresh air rushed in and passengers began filing out. All the passengers were amazing, Hubbs said. No one was trying to gain advantage or push someone else out of the way. Everyone was assisting one another. Hubbs, his girlfriend and son exited via an inflatable evacuation slide deployed in the right rear of the plane, he said. Others, including his mother and her friend, exited onto a wing, and had to await an assist to reach the ground. Though he, too, heard the anecdotes, Hubbs couldnt confirm reports that some passengers may have been injured jumping from the wing of the plane after evacuating the cabin. Inside the terminal, a special section had been set aside, with paramedics at the ready, to assess and triage passengers. One person died and another was injured in a two-vehicle crash Tuesday evening, according to an online blotter entry by Colorado Springs police. Police responded to the crash at about 8:45 p.m. in the 3900 block of Dublin Boulevard near Cottonwood Creek Park and found one of the drivers dead on scene. The other driver was hospitalized. Police said one vehicle was traveling eastbound on Dublin Boulevard at a high speed. It then jumped the median and was hit by the other vehicle, which was traveling westbound on Dublin Boulevard. The first vehicle burst into flames after the crash and the driver did not survive. Update: Hulsker was found safe Wednesday afternoon, according to Colorado Springs police. The Colorado Springs Police Department is seeking community help to find a 44-year-old who went missing Tuesday. The CSPD said Zachary Hulsker was last seen around 5 p.m. in the area of Farragut Avenue and East Bijou Street, heading east. Hulsker is described as approximately 5-foot-8 with brown hair, hazel eyes and weighing 156 pounds. Anyone with information is asked to call CSPD at 719-444-7000. Ranger Power is moving forward with the state approval process for its proposed solar energy farm in Cerro Gordo County despite a moratorium on renewable energy projects approved by county supervisors in December. The Chicago-based company held a public information meeting Tuesday in Ventura, which the Iowa Utilities Commission requires as one of the steps toward getting a state permit. Around 70 members of the public attended. Some asked why Ranger Power is seeking state approval to put solar panels on 2,200 acres of privately owned farmland despite the recently approved ordinance prohibiting industrial- or utility-scale solar energy systems, wind energy conversion systems or battery energy storage systems on county land zoned A-1 and A-2. "Are you saying that ordinance is invalid?" asked Julie Kuntz. She also asked what rationale Ranger Power has for attempting to override Iowa's home rule laws. Ranger Power representative Toby Valentino said dozens of landowners in the county agreed to have solar panels on their property in exchange for compensation from the company. "They are exercising their property rights to participate in this project," he said. "We are going to continue to advocate for them, for their property rights, for our right to do business in the county, and that won't stop." "We know that these projects are safe and are good neighbors," Valentino added. He said Ranger Power believes the state statute on the location and construction of electric power generating facilities supports the company's position. Kuntz asked if the IUC will read the 100-page report county officials created in connection with the ordinance banning renewable energy projects. IUC representative Hunter Fors said if the report is filed to the docket for the solar energy project application case, "that is something the commission could consider." Cerro Gordo County Supervisor Chris Watts said the report, which emphasizes the importance of keeping farmland in production, absolutely should be considered. To suggest it was merely an option is "a slap in the face" to the county officials who worked hard on it. Fors told Watts, "I want to apologize if I offended you. I did not intend that. I just meant that if it is admitted as evidence, it will be considered by the commission as part of the case." Background on solar farm project Hope Winkler, a development manager at Ranger Power, gave some background on the proposed solar project. She said the company made its initial outreach to county officials in 2022. "We have attended dozens of county meetings and provided public comment and informed the local community of our presence," Winkler said. All land for the project has been secured, according to Winkler. She said no land was secured through eminent domain, and all the property owners are working with Ranger Power voluntarily. The 500-megawatt solar project would connect into the existing Killdeer substation just south of U.S. Highway 18. Winkler said it will produce enough clean energy to power approximately 80,000 homes. Ranger Power anticipates construction will begin in 2027 and last from 12 to 18 months. Ranger Power representatives say the company is leasing the land for the project for up to 40 years. After that, the land can be put back into ag production. Over the course of the project's life, $23 million of additional tax revenue will be generated for the community, according to Winkler. She said half of the revenue will fund the Mason City and Clear Lake Community School Districts, 40% will go to the county, and a portion will also go directly to townships and North Iowa Area Community College. County's wishes ignored Scott Bultje, a member of the Cerro Gordo County Planning and Zoning Commission asked if this is the first time a county has said no to a solar energy project and the applicant "has gone around the county" and gone to the state to get permission "To my knowledge, that is correct," Fors said. Watts said he didn't know about Tuesday's meeting, which began at 11 a.m., until 4:40 p.m. Monday. He said that is concerning because of the importance of the issue to North Iowa and Cerro Gordo County in particular. Lynn Thayer said he found out about the meeting a week ago because there was a legal notice in the newspaper. He also said he has spoken to a number of landowners in the county, and most of them have never heard about the solar project. Thayer said the vast majority of them said they wish Ranger Power representatives had spoken to them about it "because they would love to have something like this on their own property." "Everybody wants this to go into their land, but no one wants it next to them," Thayer said. "They say, 'Great, do it in Nebraska or Kansas, but don't place it in my backyard.'" Fors said Ranger Power must wait 30 days after Tuesday's public information meeting before filing a petition with the IUC. Once the petition is filed, the commission will schedule a hearing for testimony from those in favor or opposing the project. Fors said the county can seek intervention into the IUC's proceeding by becoming an official party in the case. That would allow county officials to present evidence and their own witnesses, as well as cross examine Ranger Power representatives they are on the stand. Standing along Lynn Street in Danville on a recent Wednesday evening, the unmistakable sound of motorcycles starts to sound in the distance. Then it got louder. Heads turned to the left, then right, almost to ask, Which way are they coming? Then, it was apparent. More than two dozen of the bikes cruised west along Lynn Street, heading for Old 97 Tavern. Orange cones reserved spots in front of the downtown eatery for the group coming together for a meeting. But this was no ordinary gathering. It was to celebrate the one-year anniversary of launching Bikers for Freedom, a new nonprofit of motorcycle enthusiasts with a goal of riding to the aid of neighbors in the community. The loud entrance was about the only rambunctious moment. Assembled inside, the group resembled an ordinary club meeting, aside from the black vests. Some of us may look like M&Ms with the hard shell, but they all have big hearts, Beth Pulliam, the groups vice president, told the Register & Bee. And if somebody is in need, I can tell you every biker in this town is going to be there. March 19 marked the one-year anniversary of the new organization thats an offshoot of another biking club in the city. There are 29 founding members of Bikers for Freedom. There was a collaborative of people, Pulliam explained of the groups founding. We saw there was so much need here in Danville and Pittsylvania County, she continued. We wanted any money and any help that we could give to stay here. Getting the nonprofit rolling made for some bumps in the road, mainly surrounding creating the bylaws and such thats required, in addition to the financial forms. We wanted to do something more community-based because weve got people in our own backyards that need help, Bikers for Freedom President John Hyatt said. They will focus on groups like veterans, underprivileged children, shut-ins and the elderly. All of us in this room at one point in time has either needed help or helped someone, Pulliam said of the outreach aspect. We thought we could do this together, she said. Because we are all better together. The group of 33 has members who range in ages from the early 20s to about 74 from all walks of life and professions. There are mechanics, landscapers, police officers, welders, teachers and hair stylists who bond around a common love of the two-wheel ride on an open road. Pulliam has been around bikes most of her life, growing up with her stepfather who was a biker. She may be more aptly described as a rider since she tags along on the back of her husbands motorcycle. It took us a little while, then we met all of these amazing people with that bike, she told the newspaper. We wouldnt have met over half of these people without their bike. Without hesitation, she said that bikers are friendly, again dispelling the age-old stereotype of macho and meanness. Nicknames go hand-in-hand with bikers. For Pulliam, hers is Sunshine, which fits her always-smiling personality. Then theres Fixer, who got his name from work. Its because he likes to fix things. Speedway loves racing. We have all of these nicknames; its just because we are children at heart, Pulliam said, going around the room explaining the story behind each. The main name Hyatt, who has been riding motorcycles since he was as young as 4 years old, is the one who came up with the organization name of Bikers for Freedom. We stewed on pages and pages of things, Pulliam explained. Then one night, Hyatt called. He had come up with Bikers for Freedom. He wanted something to fit the acronym BFF. We want to be our communitys BFF, he told the newspaper. The name harkens back to a time when he got in trouble with a steakhouse called the Old 97 in Blairs. Thats the year he had to go away to college as Hyatt described it and it ended up being a turning point for him. So its quite an important year to me because it changed my life, he said. And it took my freedom. Having his freedom snatched away was something hed never experienced before. He doesnt want anyone to feel like they are not free, Pulliam said of the organizations name. Hyatt has always loved helping people, something his mother says is one of his biggest faults. Theres not a selfish person at all, he added, pointing to a table of hungry members ordering a celebratory meal. Anybody here would give you the shirt off their back. Even the logo design has a standout meaning. Since there are 29 founding members, the emblem for the group has 29 stars on it. The biker community to me, its home, its family, its calming, Pulliam said. The members Every member seemingly had a different route for coming to the club. Steven Decker pointed to firefighting turnout gear on the wall at the restaurant that happened to have his last name attached to it. That was mine, he told the newspaper. After 28 years with the Danville Fire Department, he retired about four years ago. His nickname Bossdeck came from a construction company that he owned. People called him Boss. So, he took that and coupled it with the first part of his last name. Decker has been riding since he was 18 and has been with Bikers for Freedom since it started. I thought it would be four or five people, but weve continued to grow and expand, and its something weve found out more people want to be a part of, and its exciting to me, he said. Its like another family. A group of men and women who can count on each other, he noted. Just great folks. He said there was a struggle with becoming a nonprofit with legal hurdles that needed to be cleared to make it happen. But its been exciting to me to see these folks stick together and stick it out, he said. Weve got a group that seems to be pretty dedicated. As someone who enjoys long rides, he hopes to travel cross-country on a motorcycle one day. Its on his so-called bucket list. Until then, hes happy just riding with smaller numbers instead of a large group of 150 or 200 people. Its a different dynamic then, he said. You are just a number and a person in a parade. Norman Riddle, who goes by the nickname Legend, joked that the story behind it was classified. In a few minutes, he gave up the secret. I just got some friends who started calling me that, and it kind of stuck, Riddle, also a founder, said. He, too, sees nothing but positives for the group now that the legal hoops are over. He first got a bike in the mid-1990s but got detached from his passion until about two years ago. Thats when his son-in-law got a bike. I got the fever again and had to get back on, he told the newspaper. Met some great people. Mainly riding on the weekend, he goes out whenever hes able, mostly taking the back roads. Its wonderful, he said of riding a bike. Open road, nothing else like it. Mark Fitzgerald is the chaplain for Bikers for Freedom. I pray for the group, I pray for rides, I pray over meetings, he said, seated and waiting for his meal order to arrive. Just give encouragement, he continued. Just try to always point people back in Gods direction when needed. Now 30, he said he was saved by faith at the age of 15. Religion is a guiding force in his life. He got his first motorcycle in 2016, mainly because of money. He wanted a Mustang. I was younger, didnt have the finances to get what I wanted, and I just wanted and enjoyed being different, he said. I didnt have a lot of friends that rode motorcycles. He joined the nonprofit because of the idea of helping others. I had been approached mutiple times by different motorcycle clubs, and I dont want to be part of anything that doesnt do good for the community, he said. He was introduced to the club by members of his church. Being that we were already brothers in Christ, I seen the vision, I seen what they wanted to do, he said. I said yes, I will get behind that. Whats next? With the nonprofit status secured, the group launched a new website last week www.bikersforfreedom.org where they are offering sponsorship packages. There were a dozen events last year, ranging from rides to benefits, and the organization is looking to build on that for 2025. It can be as simple as issuing a call for help. Last month, as a benefit for a person with cancer, Bikers for Freedom orchestrated a night at Checkered Pig that drew 72 bikers from across the area to help raise money. At least once a month, they plan to ride, something thats described as therapy of sorts. Its just you and the bike, Hyatt said. And you are out there and nothing else matters. It takes him back to the days of growing up, getting home from school, and jumping on a bike the non-motorized variety and going out with friends. I think its like when we were kids, and we want to get away from our parents, he said. You can get on your bike and get away from everything. Between board and committee meetings, the members get together at least once a month. On top of that, they also like to get go out for breakfast monthly. While they would rather have people who drive or ride join the club, they also have auxiliary members. We dont want to exclude people who dont ride, Hyatt said. If you want to help, thats what we are about. Joining works like other clubs through a sponsorship process from other members. The group will perform a background check on those who want to join. We just want to let whoever we are helping to know this is a secure and solid organization, Pulliam said. I know that 100% Im safe with these people, she said. And I know my children are safe with our people. In the end, a common passion is what drives the friendship. In sharing what we love, we get to know each other, Fitzgerald said of the closeness. We look out for each other we want to take care of each other and make sure everybody is safe, he continued. Thats kind of what builds that brotherhood. Cover Story India has made significant progress in healthcare over the years, but there are still concerning disparities in womens healthcare. One of the critical health issues affecting women today is gynecological cancers, which greatly impact their quality of life. Fortunately, advancements in interdisciplinary and inter professional care over the past few decades have significantly improved the average life expectancy of patients with these cancers. Amongst many gynecological oncologists who are dedicated to providing essential care and support to women diagnosed with gynecological cancers, Dr Neha Kumar, Senior Gynec Oncologist, Amrita Hospital Faridabad is one of the coveted leaders who notably draws attention. Dr Nehas approach emphasizes treating all aspects of a patients well-being, rather than concentrating solely on the disease itself chemotherapy in the abdomen post-surgery. Today there is also comprehensive testing available for genetic abnormalities in ovarian cancer patients, benefiting about 20 percent of the Indian population with targeted therapy. In endometrial cancer, sentinel lymph node biopsies are replacing complete lymph node dissections to reduce complications, and there have been improved survival rates in advanced and recurrent cases with immunotherapy. For cervical cancer, prevention through routine screening and HPV vaccination is emphasized. Advancements in radiation therapy have also improved tumor control while minimizing side effects.It is essential to adopt a patient-centric approach when treating cancer patients, as each patient is unique. Treatment must be individualized based on the specific tumor biology of every patient. Dr Neha states, When discussing a patient centric approach, it is crucial to inform all patients about their disease, its extent, the prognosis, and the available treatment options. This is not simply a matter of saying, Do this, there are no other options. Clear communication is vital in this context. When a patient arrives at our care, addressing her nutritional needs throughout her treatment, whether it involves surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or a combination of these modalities, is equally important.We place substantial emphasis on the patients nutritional, psychological, and emotional well-being, involving clinical psychologists to support both the patient and her family during this stressful time. While it is important to avoid giving false hopes, we should also refrain from presenting an excessively bleak outlook, since there have been significant advancements in cancer treatment. Another crucial aspect of care is rehabilitation which is crucial in the recovery of patients undergoing extensive cancer surgeries.Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a useful tool in the arsenal of an oncologist. In situations where the expertise of a seasoned radiologist or pathologist is not available, AI can assist by screening the patients. However, it is essential to interpret its results with caution, and the expertise of the treating oncologist remains paramount. Dr Neha is a certified robotic surgeon, and robotic surgery is an extremely advanced tool that assists surgeons in the surgical management of patients with early-stage endometrial carcinoma, select cases of ovarian cancer, and occasionally for suspicious ovarian masses that need to be removed and sent for analysis during surgery. Additional benefits of robotic surgery include less blood loss, shorter post-operative hospital stays, quicker patient recovery, and reduced post-operative pain, infections, and less likelihood of hernias.The role of a Gynecological Oncologist can be emotionally draining, especially when they come across patients with advanced cancers, some of whom cannot be saved, but Dr Neha finds strength in reminding herself that she does every thing possible for the patient and that she does it sincerely. She says, The greatest satisfaction in this field comes when I can cure a patient or at least alleviate the suffering of a cancer patient, watching them leave healthy and return to me with a smile. That, to me, is the most significant accomplishment anyone can achieve.Trends in gynecological oncology are shifting towards specialized and personalized care, emphasizing on tailored treatments rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. Additionally, advancements in this field focus on radical and ultra-radical surgeries when necessary, and avoiding them when they are not required. This strategy aims to maximize cure rates while minimizing morbidity, allowing for de-escalation of unnecessary treatments and escalation when essential.She concludes, My approach emphasizes treating all aspects of a patients well-being, rather than concentrating solely on the disease itself. Ultimately, my goal is to heal the patient as a whole, and not just the disease.Dr K.C. Goyal Award (Gold Medal) for Best M.B.B.S. StudentLt. Governors Rolling Trophy for Best All Round M.B.B.S. StudentGold Medals in Anatomy, Physiology, Second Professional, Microbiology, Third Professional, Pediatrics, ENTKusum Pandit Award for Best Thesis in college, entitled ComprehensiveEvaluation of women with Recurrent Pregnancy Loss: a search for multifactorial etiologyThird Prize for poster entitled Retrospective review of patients with early stage adenocarcinoma and adenosquamous carcinoma of uterine cervix after surgery at AGOICON Conference, New Delhi, 2016ECFMG Certified, Cleared Step 1, Step 2 and Step 2 CS of USMLE U.S. Sen. Tim Sheehy, a Republican representing Montana and the founder of multi-national aerial firefighting company Bridger Aerospace, is trying to end annual U.S. Forest Service inspections of aircraft contracted to fight wildfires. The Forest Service, an agency within the U.S. Department of Agriculture, has conducted its own annual inspections of aircraft, in addition to standard Federal Aviation Administration inspections, for about half a century following a spate of deadly accidents in the 1960s and '70s. Firefighting aviation has become significantly safer since then, but some deadly accidents have still occurred. A year ago, Forest Service inspections of air tankers that carry fire retardant revealed that a newly developed type of retardant caused corrosion on two aircraft: a Neptune Aviation plane based in Missoula and an Erickson Aero Tanker plane based in Oregon. Both were grounded pending further investigation and repairs. The Neptune tanker was repaired in time for the 2024 fire season; the Erickson tanker did not fly that season. Erickson has begun to fly the plane again this year. Sheehy, who himself has experience as a wildland firefighting pilot and the founder of a company that contracts aircraft to the Forest Service, reportedly met with Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins in March to advocate that the Forest Service no longer conduct its own inspections of contracted aircraft. Such inspections, he later said in a statement, are redundant to those already performed by the FAA and thus are unnecessary. A similar dynamic of agency-specific inspections beyond the FAA also exists in other agencies, such as the Bureau of Land Management within the Department of the Interior. Bridger's aircraft have operated for years with Forest Service certification. A source familiar with Bridger's internal operations confirmed that the company has never been denied certification carding from the Forest Service. In other words, eliminating Forest Service inspections would not seem to affect whether Bridger can contract with the agency. E&E News, a news organization covering energy and the environment that was acquired in 2020 by Politico, was the first to report Sheehy's effort to end the inspections, in a story published online Tuesday morning. Michael Dudley, a retired director of fire, aviation and air management for the Forest Service, told E&E that eliminating the agency's independent inspections of contracted aircraft "moves us backward in our safety culture." Multiple wildfire aviators and flight crew members told the Missoulian they supported keeping the Forest Service's aircraft inspections and were concerned about potential safety ramifications of ending those inspections. They spoke on the condition their names not be used because of possible professional retaliation for discussing the topic. Of the contracted aircraft, one crew member stated that they "prefer aggressive maintenance and in-depth inspections, so I stay alive while flying in them." Another stated they believed the move by Sheehy was a conflict of interest because of his involvement in the aerial firefighting industry. They said the Forest Service inspections are warranted and eliminating them would be "a step back in our safety culture, for sure." In a statement to the Missoulian Wednesday afternoon, Sheehy cited a shortage of Forest Service aircraft inspectors as another reason to eliminate inspections that he characterized as duplicative. "Agency carding of firefighting aircraft is a relic of a bygone era and has become an unnecessary barrier to asset availability," he stated, referring to the agency's inspection and certification process. "With inspector shortages increasing year over year and shifting interpretation of standards, redundant carding has hindered aerial firefighting capability. The FAA already regulates airworthiness of aircraft and that should be sufficient. "The agencies must of course confirm the aircraft has the required special equipment, such as radios and suppression systems, associated with the mission, but as long as that equipment is appropriately STCed," he continued, referring to the FAA's issuance of a Special Type Certification for firefighting aircraft, "the FAA certificate of airworthiness should be sufficient." Through a spokesperson, the Forest Service declined to comment on the inspections and any possible changes to them. A variety of aircraft engage in different roles in aerial firefighting. Air tankers, which range from crop-duster-size single-propeller planes to massive wide-body jetliners, drop fire retardant around the edges of wildfires to slow their advance. Scooper-style water bombers, generally single or twin-prop airplanes, scoop water into internal tanks by skimming lakes or rivers and then drop the water directly on flames. Helicopters with internal tanks or buckets suspended beneath them also pick up water and drop it on flames. Smokejumper aircraft ferry firefighters who parachute into blazes; helicopters often insert and extract firefighters, equipment and supplies. And a variety of helicopters and small airplanes conduct reconnaissance and help to coordinate air operations from above. Sheehy, a former Navy SEAL, founded Belgrade-based Bridger Aerospace in 2014 and the company made its public debut on the stock market in 2023. The company operates a fleet of "Super Scooper" water bombers and recently penned an agreement to acquire faster, larger-capacity, longer-range water bombers being developed by a French manufacturer. Sheehy stepped down as CEO in 2024, the same year he was elected to Congress his first time in elected office. Bridger has made hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue from its Forest Service contracts. Sheehy's background gives him an unusual depth of expert knowledge and personal experience with aerial firefighting for a member of Congress. He has also proposed consolidating federal firefighting efforts under a single new agency, rather than various agencies each having their own forces. "We are working to change the regulations to this effect, among many other changes, so that we can provide the maximum number of safe aircraft to the teams fighting fire when they are needed most," Sheehy said of eliminating Forest Service inspections. "This is one of many steps we can take to more effectively protect our communities from wildfire." That same background could create at least the appearance of a conflict of interest for the senator: He still owns millions of dollars in Bridger stock, according to his most recent financial filing, as he simultaneously pushes to remove a layer of regulation on aviation companies including Bridger. Jack O'Brien, a spokesperson for Sheehy, addressed that possible perception in a statement Wednesday. "Sen. Sheehy believes strongly that personal assets should not influence the decision making of those who were elected to serve. He has not and will not personally trade stocks in the Senate," O'Brien wrote. "To go even further, he is giving up control of his portfolio by placing his liquid assets, which includes any Bridger Aerospace stock, in a blind trust to avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest. Sen. Sheehy has been clear one of his top priorities in the Senate is using his expertise to stop the catastrophic wildfires destroying American communities, and he is not going to apologize for it." DECATUR Councilman David Horns election night tradition is to watch a movie at home with his life partner, Mary Garrison. Councilman Ed Culp spent the hours immediately after polls closed picking up yard signs. Newcomer Consuelo Cruz, a microbiologist at Primient, told the Herald & Review earlier in the week that she would consider a celebration at a later date if she won. This lack of fanfare summed up a fairly quiet 2025 campaign for three of the seven seats on the Decatur City Council. When all the votes were counted Tuesday evening, it was clear that Horn, 53, and Culp, 56, would be reelected to new four-year terms and that they would be joined by Cruz, 51. Horn led with 3,568 votes, or 28.2%, followed by Culp with 2,522, or 20%. Next was Cruz, who secured 2,502 votes, or 19.8%. Challengers Jim Wrigley and Micah Ray came up short, securing 2,102 votes, or 16.6%, and 1,960, or 15.5%, respectively. Citywide turnout was about 12%. The results are preliminary as vote-by-mail ballots can still be counted for up to two weeks as long as they were postmarked by Election Day. But, if they hold, Cruz, Culp and Horn will be sworn in early next month. Horn, 53, has served on the council since 2017 and is a biology professor at Millikin University. Reached Tuesday night after it became clear he was the top vote-getter, Horn thanked the city residents who supported him. "I take pride in being a resident-centered city council member and striving to listen to the public and to get their feedback," Horn said. "And many of the positions of our residents, I have been a strong advocate for them, and will continue to advocate for the residents of our city." Culp, 56, has served on the council 2021 and is the director of training at the Macon County Law Enforcement Training Center. He said he is "humbled" by voters' affirmation of his service so far. "I'm very easily accessible," Culp said. "I mean, I talk to people by email, I meet with them, I talk to them by phone. I'm pretty easy to get hold of and I respond to a lot of inquiries that come from the public, and I try to advocate on their behalf. I think people have seen that." Cruz has been active in the community through various channels over the years, from serving on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaigns 4-H board of directors to being a big sister through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Illinois. She said she views the city council as an extension of that service and that she plans to be a service leader. "I worked very hard during this campaign," Cruz said. "It was a lot of walking, for sure, and talking to residents. And I'm glad that they felt I had something to offer the community, and I think that's what we saw tonight. I'm excited to get to work and try to accomplish some of the things that we talked about as I canvassed during the campaign." All three apparent winners were endorsed by the Decatur Trades and Labor Assembly. The Central Illinois Political Action Committee, which is the political arm of the Decatur Regional Chamber of Commerce, endorsed winners Culp and Cruz. They also backed Wrigley. No one issue dominated the campaign. And while each candidate differed slightly on what they emphasized, the main topics included the city's population decline and how to reverse it, neighborhood revitalization efforts and ways to fund them and how to hold the line on fees and taxes while maintaining adequate city services and infrastructure. Ray, 46, an administrative pastor at Salem Baptist Church, told the Herald & Review that he "ran the best race I knew how to do with the resources I had and I'm really thankful for the almost 2,000 people that supported me." "This has been the most stressful part-time job interview of my life," Ray said. "At the end, I'm thankful to the many people who showed up for me in the hopes that I would become a ray of hope for Decatur. I will continue to pray for the spiritual, physical and financial growth of our city. I still want people to love and not leave Decatur." Wrigley, 66, is the controller at Koehl Enterprises LLC. "Well, obviously I'm very disappointed," Wrigley told the Herald & Review. "But, I took a shot at it and the voters chose other people, and I congratulate them, and I wish them the best and Decatur the best. And I'm not done yet." Horn lost his first election in 2015 before winning two years later. He recalled how difficult it was to put your heart and soul into running for council and not being successful. But, he encouraged Ray and Wrigley to stay involved and run again in the future. And I know that for them, if they weren't successful this time, it can be hard and frustrating, Horn said. But I know from experience that persistence can ultimately result in a desired goal, and so I encourage them to do that. The new council will be sworn in on Tuesday, May 6. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) was identified in dairies for the first time almost one year ago. From a human health standpoint, it is a zoonosis or a disease that can spread to humans from animals and there have been 70 human cases of dairy farm workers contracting the virus. Most of the cases have been mild conjunctivitis, or an infection of the eye. Keeping farm workers healthy as we continue to learn more about the HPAI virus was the focus of a recent Iowa State University Dairy News and Views podcast. Andrew Hennenfent, D.V.M., a public health veterinarian with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, addressed the complexities of the strains. There are concerns that there could be mutations, especially if a human or cow is infected with the human strain and the cow or bird strain at the same time, there is some reassortment that goes on. We encourage people to think about getting vaccinated (for influenza) and talk to their doctor, he said. Hennenfent also reinforced that worker health, safety, and on-farm biosecurity go hand in hand. The same steps that producers take protecting animals from getting diseases from other farms and other animals will also help protect their farm workers, he noted. He discussed how when there is an issue with HPAI on a farm, the highest exposure risk is in the milking parlor. Milk coming from infected dairy cows has high concentrations of the virus. He added that the highest risk for humans is getting the virus directly in the eyes, nose, and mouth. Similar steps of prevention and tactics used to prevent the spread of human seasonal influenza hold true for the spread of HPAI to humans. These steps include providing handwashing stations and frequent handwashing practices. Ideally, farm workers should be outfitted with personal protective equipment (PPE) to prevent contracting the virus, especially in the milking parlor. These measures of protection through PPE include a face mask, eye protection, gloves, waterproof apron, coveralls, and boots. In addition to wearing PPE while working, an important step is putting on and taking off protection safely after each use. The use of PPE not only has the benefit of protecting humans from animal viruses, but there are added benefits of protecting animals from humans and preventing virus transmissions from farm to farm. A wide range of animals can be affected by HPAI, and through the last year of addressing this virus in dairies, it has also been discovered to be deadly in cats. The most common transmission is the practice of feeding unpasteurized milk to farm cats. To keep cats healthy, the public health experts on the podcast recommended feeding only commercially processed cat food. The Iowa State University Extension team recommended visiting the Center for Disease Control (CDC) websites for additional information on preventing the cow-to-human spread of HPAI, in English: Information for Farm Workers and in Spanish: Spanish version of Information for Farm Workers. To comment, email your remarks to intel@hoards.com. (c) Hoard's Dairyman Intel 2025 March 31, 2025 Korean tech giant Samsung has signed an MoU this month with KT Corporation (KT), South Koreas dominant telco, to do joint R&D on communications technologies to improve 6G signal quality. Under the agreement, the two companies will advance multi-antenna technologies to expand coverage across potential 6G frequency bands and explore AI integration in wireless communications to improve network stability and performance. Samsung and KT have begun research into eXtreme multiple-input multiple-output (X-MIMO) an ultra-high-density antenna technology designed to enhance 6G coverage and increase data transmission speeds. The global telecommunications industry has identified the 7 GHz band (7.1258.4 GHz) as a candidate frequency for 6G due to its favourable frequency characteristics and spectrum availability. However, the 7 GHz band experiences significant signal path loss, and mitigating this loss is critical to achieving satisfactory communication coverage comparable to 5G. Samsung and KT will research beamforming technology, a signal processing technique used in sensor arrays for directional signal transmission or reception. The partners will also research multi-spatial transmission technology, which uses multiple beams to deliver data to several users simultaneously. According to Samsung, for X-MIMO systems operating in the 7 GHz band, more antennas will be used compared to 5G requiring system architectures capable of efficiently managing ultra-high-density antennas. The two companies say that they will also explore the convergence of telecommunications and AI to deliver an improved user experience, particularly in edge coverage areas. They say AI can be used to predict and proactively respond to potential communication disruptions such as video streaming interruptions. We are committed to developing innovative 6G technologies that enhance both the operational efficiency of the 7GHz band and the overall user experience, said Angelo Jeongho Park, Executive Vice President and Head of Advanced Communications Research Center (ACRC), Samsung Research at Samsung Electronics. Our collaboration with KT will serve as a key foundation for advancing next-generation communications through reasonable, cost-effective investments. Jong-Sik Lee, Executive Vice President and Head of Future Network Laboratory at KT said he expects the joint research with Samsung Electronics to secure next-generation network technologies that differentiate the quality of the user experience. We will further strengthen our efforts in developing core 6G technologies to lead future mobile communication innovations, Lee said. GUEST OPINON: AI wont take your job. Its somebody using AI who will. This powerful statement from leading economist Richard E. Baldwin cuts to the heart of a growing reality; workplaces are being reshaped by the balance between machines and humans. Leaders must now focus on determining which tasks are best suited for automation and which require human creativity, strategic thinking and relationship-building. This shift, referred to as the great work reallocation is about changing how work gets done. For instance, machines are very good at repetitive, data-heavy tasks, freeing humans up to concentrate on high-value tasks that drive innovation and collaboration. The next evolution of this has already begun through agentic automation, which combines agents, robots, AI and people to automate complex business processes end to end. It is already delivering transformational outcomes, making businesses more autonomous and productive while enhancing the experience of customers and employees. William Payne, Chief Digital Officer of Mirvac, is seeing early signs of success by engaging agentic automation across multiple business processes. Its not so much that people are doing their jobs differently, its that theyre thinking differently. Theres been a surge in creativity, in ideation. You start with one use case, and suddenly, it sparks five more ideas for how we can apply AI elsewhere. Its an endless stream of possibilities, he said. However, William cautions that succeeding in this new era requires more than simply adopting technology. It calls for leaders to rethink operational models, redesign workflows, and prepare the workforce for a future defined by human-machine collaboration. This also isnt a change that businesses can tackle in isolation unions, governments, academia, and policy makers are all grappling with the ripple effects of this new workforce design. McKinsey projects that sectors like STEM, healthcare, legal and creative industries stand to benefit the most from AI. For organisations, this means proactively managing the talent reallocation, and ensuring machines augment human capabilities to achieve optimal business results. Here's how Australian businesses can lead this transition: 1. Map out the workforce of the future Begin by identifying roles that will evolve due to automation. Process mining and task mining technologies are critical for analysing workflows, uncovering inefficiencies, and pinpointing tasks suitable for AI. For example, Omega Healthcare used these technologies to eliminate workflow bottlenecks, reducing process documentation time by 80% and enabling employees to focus on cognitive decision-making rather than repetitive tasks. 2. Select the right technologies A cornerstone of the great work allocation is adopting agentic automation where agents, robots and humans work together. Agents need people to oversee performance, provide approvals and refine workflows. Meanwhile, robots handle many of the repetitive tasks that agents need to do, such as data entry or document processing. To select the right technologies, the partnership between agents, robots and humans is critical. A useful (though simplified) analogy is the left and right parts of the brain working together. In the emerging autonomous enterprise, important and logical left-brain tasks, like data gathering, entry, and migration, will be done by robots. Creative and dynamic right-brain tasks - forecasting, comparison, innovation, and problem solving - will be performed by agents. However, keeping humans in the loop is essential, as it ensures that AI-driven processes maintain accountability, allow for human judgement where necessary, and align with business goals. This combination of capabilities makes agents and robots a power couple poised to automate process-based work while preserving the critical role of human oversight. 3. Upskill and empower your workforce Invest in targeted training programs to prepare employees for the great work reallocation. Focus on technical skills like managing AI tools and data analysis, as well as uniquely human capabilities such as creativity, problem solving and critical thinking. Fostering a culture of innovation is equally important. Involve employees in automation initiatives, ensuring they understand how these changes enhance their roles and benefit the business. Share success stories and build momentum to create a workforce that embraces technology as an enabler. 4. Redesign workflows for human-machine collaboration Redefine processes to capitalise on the unique strengths of both AI systems and people. Breaking down siloes across departments is also essential. Encourage collaboration between HR, IT and business line leaders to ensure the smooth integration of AI systems and alignment with broader organisational goals. The great work reallocation is already underway and businesses must act smarter, not harder to remain competitive. Businesses that strategically integrate automation, empower their workforce and embrace human-machine collaboration will be one step ahead. GUEST OPINION: One of the most significant decisions when starting a website is choosing a web host. The web host you choose acts as the foundation for your entire site. The right web host can ensure your site loads quickly even when traffic comes up, stays secure and keeps running even when many visitors visit your website simultaneously. But before choosing one, you need to stay informed about the types of web hosting services you can choose from and the factors you need to consider. Types of Web Hosting When it comes to choosing hosting for website, you have a few options to consider that include: Shared hosting: A shared hosting means your website shares space on a server with other sites. This affordable option works well for smaller websites but has limited control and resources. VPS hosting: VPS hosting divides up server resources for better performance at a lower cost than dedicated hosting. VPS hosting divides up server resources for better performance at a lower cost than dedicated hosting. Dedicated hosting: Dedicated hosting gives your site its physical server for maximum control and speed. Dedicated hosting gives your site its physical server for maximum control and speed. Cloud hosting: Cloud hosting provides flexibility to scale up or down on a network of servers to meet changing traffic demands. Factors to Consider While Choosing the Right Web Host While selecting a web host, you should also take time to search for domains that suit your business or personal brand. You need to consider a few factors while choosing the right web hosting services for your website: 1. Uptime and Reliability A reliable web host should offer at least 99.9% uptime, ensuring your site is almost always accessible to visitors. Research hosts with uptime statistics above 99.9%, verified by third-party monitoring sites and customer reviews. For best reliability, choose a host with backup servers and power supplies to prevent downtime from hardware failures. Multiple data centre locations around the world also limit outage risks. 2. Speed and Performance Your web host significantly impacts your website's speed and performance. Important factors include server resources, the number of sites hosted per server, and optimised infrastructure like SSD storage and caching. Check reviews for feedback on real-world speeds and use online tools to measure metrics like page load times. Also, consider the location of hosting data centres for faster speeds. 3. Security Safeguards Robust security measures, such as firewalls, SSL certificates, frequent software updates, backups, and DDoS mitigation, are necessary for protecting your site. Proper user permissions, access controls, and vulnerability scanning are also essential. Carefully evaluate a host's security expertise before signing up. 4. Scalability and Growth If you expect rapid growth, consider scalability to increase server resources easily. Cloud hosting and VPS hosting make scaling straightforward as traffic grows. Evaluate a provider's scaling options and flexible solutions that allow you to scale as needed. 5. Customer Support and Service Choosing reliable web hosting is crucial for any website; after evaluating key factors like uptime, speed, scalability, and support, thoroughly research potential hosts. Read reviews, conduct speed tests, and validate security expertise before signing up. 6. Location Choosing the right domain is just as critical to your site's identity and success. Additionally, consider your location when selecting hosting. For example, Australian email hosting offers a localised solution for email services for those in Australia. At the same time, businesses in New Zealand may benefit from New Zealand web hosting, which can provide more tailored services and faster connections for local traffic. Conclusion The right web host prevents headaches from downtime and performance issues and allows room for future growth. With a reliable foundation powering your site, you can focus efforts on creating quality content to attract visitors without technical limitations getting in the way. Investing in the proper hosting provides confidence that your site will be stable, fast and secure as traffic builds over time. COMPANY NEWS: Prvidr , a leading Customer Lifecycle Management Platform for the subscription economy, today announced that it has opened an office in Townsville to serve an expanding customer base both in Queensland and across Australia. At the same time, the new office will enable Prvidr to support technology skills development within the Far North Queensland region. The Prvidr Go all-on-one, subscription management platform enables companies, such as financial services, telcos, retailers and utilities to enter the subscription market by selling adjacent products and services alongside their core offerings. Banks are getting into the telecoms business, for example, and supermarkets are now selling holidays. The platform comprises powerful CRM and billing modules purpose-built for managing subscriptions. We decided to open a regional office in Townsville in order to broaden our recruiting pool for our customer service and technology teams, says David Joss, CEO, Prvidr. Putting down roots and joining a regional community creates a different sort of connection for our teams, something thats much harder to create in a central business district. Much of our leaderships team lives regionally and have experience in working in local communities and understand the benefit to the community of establishing opportunities in technology industries. Prior to selecting Townsville, Prvidr reviewed several regional centres and finally decided to select the Far North Queensland city based on its growing population and an existing highly skilled technology workforce based on the regions heritage in defence, marine science and higher education sectors. Prvidr intends to have an initial base of 12 employees in Townsville who will primarily manage the companys national customer service centre. They will also be supported by a technology service team incorporating software engineering and technical support. Additional employees will be recruited as the business expands in the years ahead. Locally in Townsville we are building an in-office experience for our team, says Joss. Weve invested to create an inviting and welcoming space for the team that encourages collaboration and reinforces the companys commitment to delivering innovation for customers. Its a space that we think employees and customers will love and we look forward to building stronger, valuable relationships within the region. A July 2023 report from The Tech Council of Australia confirmed that over 140,000 people work in the Queensland technology sector and predicted that this figure will grow to more than 185,000 by 2030. The state currently represents 15% of the national tech workforce. The Prvidr office in Townsville is located in the suburb of Garbutt at Suite 2b, 3 Ramsay Street, Garbutt. Support Local News Reporting Journalists at the Yakima Herald-Republic bring you timely, in-depth and credible local news. Your generous donation supports their work. One Giant Leap Australia Foundation (One Giant Leap Australia) and Electro Optic Systems (EOS) are offering four high school students a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to receive a partial scholarship, valued at $5,000, to attend Space Tour USA 2025. The tour will take the young space explorers to the renowned Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama, from 28 October to 9 November 2025. Space Camp, which has been operational for over 42 years and has more than one million alumni, is an internationally recognised program based on NASA astronaut training and focuses on teamwork and leadership skills. One Giant Leap Australia has provided tours to Space Camp since 2015 and the space education organisation is excited to return. "For the second year running, EOS has made it possible for successful students to significantly reduce the cost of their trip," said Jackie Carpenter, Director of the One Giant Leap Australia Foundation. "The experience continues to be transformativepast attendees of our Space Tour USA often describe it as a defining moment in their lives," Ms Carpenter shared. "Thanks to EOS, we are once again able to provide this extraordinary opportunity to students who might not otherwise have the chance to take part." Building on this Executive Vice President of EOS Space Systems, Dr James Bennett, said: EOS is committed to nurturing homegrown talent by investing in STEM initiatives that equip young Australians with the skills and experience to thrive in the space industry. Through internships, scholarships, and our partnership with One Giant Leap and Space Camp USA, we are proud to help shape the next generation of space professionals. The tours itinerary includes visits to Disneyland, California Science Centre, Northrop Grumman, and the Griffith Observatory. The schedule also features a day of STEM activities with One Giant Leaps USA STEM expert, dinner with NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory scientists and engineers, and a visit to Space Camp USA. More information on this once-in-a lifetime event can be found at https:// spacecampaustralia.com.au/eos-scholarship/ Want to go to Space Camp? Heres your chance! All you need to do is create a two-minute video explaining why you want to goshow your passion, creativity, and excitement for space! To complete your application, you will need a letter of support from a parent or guardian and another from a respected community member, and you must be available for a two-day space boot camp in January 2026 (exact dates TBA). Looking for a break? Test your knowledge of this week's news from the Yakima Valley. French President Emmanuel Macron leaves after attending a July 10, 2024, bilateral meeting with Netherlands' Prime Minister Dick Schoof on the sidelines of the NATO 75th anniversary summit at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Louis Vuitton Japan Co., Ltd. Courtesy of Japan Travel.) Venue: Nakanoshima Museum of Art, Osaka When: Jul 15th - Sep 17th 2025 This summer, fashion and history enthusiasts alike will have a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of Louis Vuitton. The Visionary Journey exhibition will be held at the Nakanoshima Museum of Art, Osaka, from mid-July until mid-September, celebrating the brands 170th anniversary alongside the highly anticipated 2025 World Expo Osaka-Kansai. Curated by esteemed art historian Florence Muller and designed by Shohei Shigematsu of renowned architectural firm OMA, the exhibition explores Louis Vuittons iconic legacy of craftsmanship, creativity, and innovation. Visitors will be taken on an immersive journey, highlighting LVs pioneering spirit and its deep-rooted connection with Japan. From the brands founding in 1854 to its latest groundbreaking creations, the exhibition pays homage to Louis Vuittons evolution as a global luxury powerhouse. Rare archival pieces, intricate luggage designs, and collaborations with renowned architects, designers, and artists will all be on show the event. Please note that as yet, ticket prices have not been announced for the exhibition. We recommend keeping an eye on the official museum website for updates as the start date approaches. Getting there The Nakanoshima Museum of Art is located just five minutes on foot from Watanabebashi Station, which is served by the Keihan Electric Railways Nakanoshima Line. Hungary and Serbia on Tuesday agreed to boost military cooperation and signed an agreement on the 2025 plan, Defence Minister Kristof Szalay-Bobrovniczky said in Belgrade. "It is especially important in today's fast-changing international environment that Serbia and Hungary, two neighbouring countries, conduct frequent high-level consultations to ensure the stability of the region," Szalay-Bobrovniczky told a joint press conference with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. Hungary and Serbia have the strongest bilateral defence and military ties among non-EU or NATO member states, and Hungary is helping to upgrade Serbia's armed forces, he said. Serbia and Hungary's strategic partnership was expanded to include defence and military cooperation in 2023, and cooperation between the ministries and armed forces is strengthening, he said. Under the agreement signed on Tuesday, the two countries will organise 79 joint programmes in 2025, including flotilla training, an international exercise for volunteer reservists and marksmanship training, Szalay-Bobrovniczky said. Hungary is committed "to [maintaining] the stability and peace of the Western Balkans, and Serbia is key to that." Hungary also sticks to its stance that "the European Union is not whole without the Western Balkans, including Serbia," he said. "A credible and meaningful enlargement policy has been our strategic goal for years, and it was one of the priorities of Hungary's presidency of the Council of the EU in 2024." Budapest also stands by the Dayton Peace Agreement, he added. Vucic said Serbia's defence ties with Hungary were the strongest among all its neighbours. A comprehensive defence agreement is one of the most important points of the two countries' strategic partnership, he said. In 1999, during the Balkan wars, "it was thanks to Prime Minister Viktor Orban that NATO could not launch a land attack against what was then Yugoslavia," Vucic said. "A full 26 years later, the two parties now have the opportunity to build extremely close strategic ties, to further deepen cooperation, coming closer to a Hungarian-Serbian military alliance." "Serbia can learn a lot from Hungary, and there is interest in certain military equipment," he said. Vucic thanked Hungary for standing by Serbia "in hard times as well as in good ones," and said Budapest could always count on Serbia's support. Besides military cooperation, Serbia and Hungary are reliable partners in energy matters, and bilateral trade has been growing steadily year after year, he said. Meanwhile, Cooperation in Carpathian Basin key to strategy of connectivity - PM's political director Balazs Orban, the prime minister's political director, said that Hungary needed to be a bridge connecting economic areas divided along geopolitical fault lines and pointed to the strategic importance of cooperation among countries in the Carpathian Basin to achieve that endeavour, addressing a conference in Budapest on Tuesday. Orban told the conference organised by MCC that taking full advantage of that role required developed transportation and energy infrastructure. He noted that Hungary's government had, for years, adopted a strategy of connectivity that ensured the country would be a bridge between East and West, based on its geographical and economic strengths. He added that the countries in the Carpathian Basin region played a key role in that strategy because of their shared culture, history and values. Orban said Hungary's active participation in European cooperation remained important, but the country couldn't build its future exclusively on that cooperation. "We can't be dependent on a single side, but need to establish diverse ties, and the strategy of economic neutrality serves that purpose," he added. He noted that Hungary had the third-highest motorway density in Central Europe and the second-highest railway density. He added that the M1, M3 and M7 motorways were being expanded, while the M8 was under construction. He said Hungary had electricity grid interconnectors with all of its neighbours and gas network interconnectors with all but Slovenia. Hungary has access to LNG from Croatia and LNG and has diversified its gas supply with deliveries from Turkiye and Azerbaijan, he added. He said the construction of the Budapest-Belgrade railway would finish in 2025, turning Hungary into a distribution hub between East and West, while the Hungarian port in Trieste, with annual capacity of 87,000 containers, was underway. Mate Loga, a state secretary at the National Economy Ministry and the chairman of Liszt Ferenc International operator Budapest Airport, said passenger numbers were expected to reach 18.5 million in 2025, up from 17.6 million in 2024. The state of Hungary and French co-owner Vinci aim to boost passenger numbers to 20 million by 2030 and 25 million by 2040, he added. Cargo turnover at Liszt Ferenc climbed 49pc to 300,000 tonnes in 2024, he said. Loga said a priority goal was to boost the number of Chinese tourists arriving at the airport. Seat numbers on direct flights from China will reach 357,000 in the summer, up around 25pc from a year earlier, he added. He said the number of seats on flights from Israel could climb to 600,000 in the summer. Source: MTI - The Hungarian News Agency, founded in 1881. ********************************* You're very welcome to comment, discuss and enjoy more stories via our Facebook page: Facebook.com/XpatLoopNews + via XpatLoops groups: Budapest Expats / Expats Hungary You can subscribe to our newsletter here: XpatLoop.com/Newsletters Do you want your business to reach tens of thousands of potential high-value expat customers? Then just contact us here. The government "has banned Pride and banned future anti-government protests", independent lawmaker Akos Hadhazy told protesters gathered on Budapests Elisabeth Bridge to demand the repeal of a recent amendment to the law on the right of assembly on Tuesday. "But the government has realised that no matter what it bans, it doesnt have enough police officers," Hadhazy said, insisting that "techno-fascist legislation modelled after those of Putin and China has been drafted, allowing for facial recognition systems to be used against opposition sympathisers, which in Europe could only be used against serious criminals and terrorists". "We are here because we know that this was started to ensure that fewer people will protest against future laws," he said. "Theres only one path: forward. The only solution is to protest, to make demands and a refusal to stop," he said, announcing another demonstration for next Tuesday. Addressing the governments supporters, Hadhazy said those at the demonstration were also protesting for them, calling on those "who are inconvenienced by the traffic closures" to attend the next protest. "The sooner a critical mass is reached, the sooner the demonstrations will end," he said. Former central bank governor Peter Akos Bod said in a video message played at the demonstration that "the governments attempt to turn Hungarians against each other serves as a distraction from the consequences of their poor governance". Dorottya Redai, a staff member at the Labrisz Lesbian Association, said "the governments homophobia and transphobia make the lives of 500,000 to 1 million people miserable", adding that under the new constitutional amendment, "100,000 transgender and 50,000 intersex people will cease to exist legally". Actor Tamas Lengyel urged Hungarians to vote the government out next year "so that we can rebuild solidarity and live in a more united Hungary". Catholic theologian Rita Perintfalvi said the protest was not just about Pride "but about us, as together we say no to the deprivation of rights, because the right of assembly is a fundamental right of which no one can ever deprive us". MTI's on-site correspondent reported that after the speeches, protesters started making their way from Elisabeth Bridge towards Liberty, Petofi and Margaret bridges. The metropolitan police (BRFK) said demonstrators had unlawfully blocked off Elisabeth Bridge and obstructed traffic on others. After 7pm, several protesters made their way to Liberty Bridge, blocking it in its entirety, BRFK said in a statement, adding that traffic had been diverted in the interest of safety. Traffic has also been diverted from Petofi Bridge after another group blocked it around 7.50pm, they added. Police said at 7.55pm they had instructed the protesters on Liberty Bridge to move to the sidewalk. In the meantime, the protesters had also blocked the entirety of Margaret Bridge, they said. Source: MTI - The Hungarian News Agency, founded in 1881. ********************************* The crackdown launched by the government against drug dealers a month ago has "significantly" reduced the amount of illicit drugs in circulation in Hungary, the government commissioner responsible for the elimination of drug trafficking said. Speaking at a press conference on a recent police drug operation in Pest County, Laszlo Horvath said the authorities have so far opened 1,300 criminal investigations into drug trafficking cases and have arrested close to 150 drug dealers, seizing hundreds of millions of forints worth of drugs. The drug crackdown has resulted in a three-to-four-fold increase in the street price of certain rarer substances, making them even harder to obtain, Horvath said. He thanked the police for their efforts and civil society for their assistance. "It has been a good start," the commissioner said, adding that on Tuesday he will submit a bill to parliament aimed at handing the authorities more effective tools to eliminate the presence of illicit drugs. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Monday visited Tarnazsadany, in northern Hungary, for talks with Horvath and the leaders of nearby settlements, the Prime Ministers Communications Department said. Speaking to locals, Orban reaffirmed the governments commitment to using every means necessary to stop the spread of drugs. He noted that Horvath will submit all the bills related to the drug crackdown to parliament this week. Photo courtesy: Police.hu Source: MTI - The Hungarian News Agency, founded in 1881. Podmaniczky Movement leader David Vitezy announced in a post on social media on Monday that students can enter public baths in Budapest at a lower rate from April and tickets will cost less at certain hours. These benefits will be extended to all Budapest residents from the summer, while opening hours will be longer. This had been proposed by the Fidesz group leader on city council, Alexandra Szentkiralyi, last November. Students can now visit Budapest swimming pools and thermal baths at half price once a month. Students can purchase tickets at a discount of up to 80% within two hours of closing time. This opportunity will only be available for those engaged in public and higher education studies in Budapest or those with a Budapest address who purchased their student passes in the BKK BudapestGO app. In the summertime, all Budapest residents can buy tickets at half price in the first two hours of the morning and the last two hours of the evening at Budapest swimming pools. ********************************* You're very welcome to comment, discuss and enjoy more stories via our Facebook page: Facebook.com/XpatLoopNews + via XpatLoops groups: Budapest Expats / Expats Hungary You can subscribe to our newsletter here: XpatLoop.com/Newsletters Do you want your business to reach tens of thousands of potential high-value expat customers? Then just contact us here. Hungarys government is providing 5 million forints (EUR 12,420) in emergency humanitarian aid through the Hungary Helps scheme to the survivors of last weeks earthquake in Myanmar, the state secretary in charge of the programme and aid to persecuted Christians said. The beneficiary of the aid is Caritas Hungary, the aid organisation of the Catholic Church, which, through its local Catholic partner, can deliver the aid directly to those that need it, Tristan Azbej said on Facebook. The people of Myanmar are not just in need of food, water and medical care, but also hope and solidarity, the state secretary said. "Hungary, building on its Christian values and humanity, stands with those in need at this difficult time," he added. Azbej noted that last Fridays 7.7-magnitude earthquake was one of Myanmars worst natural disasters of the past century. More than 1,700 people have been confirmed dead, close to 3,400 were injured and 300 people are unaccounted for, he said, adding that experts expect these figures to rise. The search for survivors and relief efforts are made more difficult by the ongoing civil war and damaged infrastructure, he said. Click here if you wish to donate MTI Stock Photo - for illustrative purposes only Source: MTI - The Hungarian News Agency, founded in 1881. ********************************* You're very welcome to comment, discuss and enjoy more stories via our Facebook page: Facebook.com/XpatLoopNews + via XpatLoops groups: Budapest Expats / Expats Hungary You can subscribe to our newsletter here: XpatLoop.com/Newsletters Do you want your business to reach tens of thousands of potential high-value expat customers? Then just contact us here. An ongoing audit of the Opera House may be behind the cancellation of a press conference called on March 21 to announce the productions and events planned for the Operas 142nd season. The Culture and Innovation Ministry run by Balazs Hanko commissioned a noted auditing and consultancy company to examine the institutions operations in 2025. Observers surmise that the ministry did not want the Hungarian State Opera to commit itself to productions that could be affected by the outcome of the inquiry. Opera House director Szilveszter Okovacs wrote on Facebook last month that the Eiffel Workshop House will host popular operas in the future instead of the Erkel Theatre, giving a glimpse of the productions due in the next season. Among the major popular opera titles he listed were The Gypsy Baron, The Marriage of Figaro, The Barber of Seville, The Abduction from the Seraglio and The Magic Flute at the Eiffel venue. ********************************* You're very welcome to comment, discuss and enjoy more stories via our Facebook page: Facebook.com/XpatLoopNews + via XpatLoops groups: Budapest Expats / Expats Hungary You can subscribe to our newsletter here: XpatLoop.com/Newsletters Do you want your business to reach tens of thousands of potential high-value expat customers? Then just contact us here. New Delhi: Maruti Suzuki achieved a total of 192,984 units sold, which includes 153,134 units in domestic sales, 6,882 units sold to other Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), and 32,968 units in export, in March 2025. The company surpassed the 2 million units sales milestone for the second consecutive year, reflecting strong consumer demand and a robust market presence. For the financial year 2024-25, Maruti Suzuki reported its highest-ever total sales of 2,234,266 units, surpassing last year's record. This includes the highest-ever domestic sales of 1,795,259 units and the highest-ever exports of 332,585 units. The company's ability to maintain strong sales performance both in the domestic market and internationally highlights its resilience and customer trust. A key contributor to these impressive results was the performance of the mini and compact segments, which include some of Maruti Suzuki's most popular models, such as the Alto, S-Presso, Baleno, Celerio, and Swift. In March 2025, sales in these categories reached 78,561 units, with the full-year total for this segment reaching 896,507 units. Though there was a slight decline from the previous year's figures, the segment continues to be a strong performer for the company. The Utility Vehicles (UV) segment also showed robust growth, with models like the Brezza, Ertiga, Fronx, Grand Vitara, Invicto, Jimny, and XL6 contributing 61,097 units in March 2025, up from 58,436 units in the same month last year. This reflects the growing consumer preference for SUVs, with the annual sales for this category reaching 720,186 units in FY 2024-25. Maruti Suzuki's Van segment, represented by the Eeco, also saw healthy sales figures, with March 2025 sales reaching 10,409 units, contributing to an annual total of 135,672 units. Additionally, the company's light commercial vehicle (LCV), Super Carry, sold 2,391 units in March, with annual sales standing at 34,492 units. The company's success in exports continues to be a significant factor in its overall growth. Maruti Suzuki's export sales for FY 2024-25 reached 332,585 units, a significant increase from 283,067 units the previous year. Mumbai: The upcoming film Abir Gulaal, which stars Vaani Kapoor and Pakistani actor Fawad Khan is currently in the eye of a storm as the regional political party Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has now challenged the makers of the film to release. The bone of contention in the matter is Fawad Khan, as MNS has said that this casting goes against the agreement that was put in action after a meeting of the producers guild and CM Devendra Fadnavis, and their party president Raj Thackeray back in 2016. Ameya Khopkar, the head of the chitrapat wing of MNS, spoke with the media, and said that they would not let the movie release in theatres. He said, We have been protesting against this film, against Pakistani artists and Pakistani films. And we will continue to do so. No film will be released here featuring Pakistani artists. And there is no need to release it. I just want to say, show the courage to release it. I challenge you to release it. In 2016, we had a meeting with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and Raj Thackeray was also there. He further mentioned, Some of the producer's associations were also there. That's when we decided to release the film that was made earlier. After that, no Pakistani film or film about Pakistani artists would be made here. The producer's association had written a letter to Devendra Fadnavis. Now, I challenge the makers of Abir Gulaal to release the film here in Maharashtra. He was referring to the 2016 film Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, directed by Karan Johar. MNS in the state was up in arms against the release of the film in the state after tensions flared between India and Pakistan following the Uri terror attack on the Indian armed forces. New Delhi: The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, has introduced electronic processing of Bill of Entry/ Shipping Bill pertaining to gems and jewellery/samples/prototypes through personal carriage by air passengers from 01.05.2025 onwards at specified airports. A Ministry of Finance release said that the export/import through personal carriage shall be subject to the provisions of Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023 and Handbook of Procedures (HBP), 2023. The facility of personal carriage will be available, for export of gems and jewellery in THESE 9 Airports The facility of personal carriage will be available, for export of gems and jewellery in the nine airports (Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Kochi, Coimbatore, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Jaipur) specified in para 4.87 of HBP and for import of gems and jewellery in the seven airports (Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Jaipur) specified in para 4.88 of HBP. In case of samples/prototypes of machinery, the facility is initially being made available in Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi and Mumbai airports. The harmonised procedure and electronic processing will promote ease of doing business for such mode of transaction especially for gems and jewellery and high-end manufacturing, said Ministry of Finance. New Delhi: In a major development, the Karnataka High Court on Wednesday ordered bike aggregators, including Rapido bike taxis, to halt their operations in the state within six weeks. Passing the order, a bench, headed by Justice B.M. Shyam Prasad, instructed the state government and the Transport Department to ensure that bike taxi operations cease within six weeks in Karnataka. "Regulatory clarity is vital before allowing such services to continue," it held. The court has also asked bike taxi aggregators Rapido, Uber, Ola, and others to halt their services within the stipulated period of 6 weeks. Justice Prasad, dismissing the petitions, opined that the court cannot give directions to the state to frame regulations and it can't order the state to register non-transport vehicles as transport vehicles. "The Transport Department cannot be directed to register motorcycles as transport vehicles or issue contract carriage permits for such services until appropriate government regulations are in place, the bench said. The bench rejected the petitions filed by the Roppen Transportation Services Private Limited, which owns Rapido, ANI Technologies owing Ola, and Uber Technologies owning Uber, seeking to legally recognise bike taxi services by permitting the registration of such vehicles. The petitioners had also sought the directions to the authorities concerned to implement a legal framework for bike taxis. Rapido had sought directions to the government authorities from interfering with its business. The court stated that the bike taxi aggregators cannot operate in the state unless the government notifies relevant guidelines under Section 3 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, along with necessary rules. Earlier, in April 2022, the bench headed by Justice Jyoti Mulimani had given interim relief to the bike taxi aggregators, directing the authorities not to initiate any coercive action against the bike taxi aggregators. The interim relief has been continued to date, enabling the operations of bike taxis. The new development is considered a huge setback for bike taxi aggregator app Rapido. New Delhi: The Indian IT services sector is projected to clock mid-single-digit USD growth over the medium to long term, led by 2-3 per cent market growth and the rest through market share gains, HSBC Research said on Wednesday. Even in FY26, we expect 4-5 per cent growth across large companies, led by a low base of two years and stability in the macro-outlook in the US and European market through the year, the report mentioned. The report expects the GCC headwind to continue and GenAI to be net negative (marginal). Given 4-5 per cent dollar growth and 3-4 per cent INR depreciation, we expect 7-9 per cent EPS (earnings per share) growth over FY25-27. IT sector fortunes are highly linked to the US macro-environment. Driven by the volatility, the analysts expect companies to keep a cautious tone for the 2025 outlook -- especially on the "flow business". Assuming the worst-case scenario, we believe Infosys and HCLTech both could provide 2-5 per cent growth guidance for FY26, factoring in a heightened macro weakness in the US at the lower end of guidance. Wipro's Q1 2026 guidance could be 0-2 per cent. Positively, in our view, while "flow business" is tough to predict and is uncertain, large deal activity has not moderated so far, said the report. The Q4 of FY25 is likely to be a weak quarter, impacted by usual seasonality and sustained weak Europe performance and now uncertain US results. The macro-outlook (both in the US and Europe), GCC competition and GenAI impact on demand and pricing will be key topics of discussion, said the report. According to another report by BNP Paribas India on the India IT services sector, some of the US macroeconomic data have started showing signs of a slowdown, raising the risk of a stagflation at best and a recession at worst. In our large-cap coverage, we expect a flat to c1 per cent quarter-on-quarter CC revenue decline. We see our mid-cap coverage delivering stronger growth, led by Persistent Systems. We expect EBIT margin to remain largely flattish q-q for most of our coverage, while some firms may see a compression on account of deal ramp downs and wage hikes. We see companies building some caution in their FY26 guidance, said the BNP Paribas India report. A teacher from Bengaluru was arrested on charges of extorting money and blackmailing a student's father. The Bengaluru Police said that the pre-school teacher had been in an affair with the student's father. Bengaluru's City Crime Branch (CCB) arrested the teacher, Sridevi Rudagi (25), and two others, Ganesh Kale and Sagar, for allegedly extorting Rs. 4 lakh from the victim and blackmailing him, with photos and videos for Rs. 20 lakh more, ANI reported. As per ANI, the police informed that the victim is a trader living in the western Bengaluru neighbourhood with his wife and three daughters. He had enrolled his youngest child, 5, in the school in 2023. The victim met Rudagi and contact was established. Furthermore, both used separate SIM cards and communicated through video calls and messages. The teacher then extorted Rs. 4 lakh from the victim. Then she demanded over Rs. 15 lakh at the beginning of 2025. But when he hesitated, Rudagi visited his home on the pretext of borrowing Rs. 50,000. Later, the business of the student's father suffered setbacks, so he decided to relocate his family to Gujarat and therefore needed the child's Transfer Certificate from the school, according to ANI. When he reached the school, he was cornered in Rudagi's office, where Kale and Sagar were also present, as per the victim. Sagar showed him the private photographs and videos and demanded Rs. 20 lakh or those would be revealed. After this, the victim stated that he tried to reason with them and also negotiated a payment of Rs. 15 lakh with an initial payment of Rs. 1.9 lakh. Later, on March 17, Rudagi called him in order to remind him of the payment- Rs. 1 lakh each for Sagar and Kale, Rs. 8 lakh for herself, and Rs. 5 lakh for a former police officer. When he was unable to bear it any longer, he informed the police. The police quickly established that the police officer had no connection, according to the news agency. Following this, the three, Rudagi, Sagar, and Kale, were arrested and sent to judicial custody for 14 days. (with ANI inputs) Controversial Preacher Bajinder Singh , a self-proclaimed preacher and founder of the 'Church of Glory and Wisdom,' was sentenced to life imprisonment by a local court in Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar (Mohali) on April 1, 2025. Bajinder was convicted in a sexual assault case involving a woman from Zirakpur, Punjab, a case that brought attention not only to his criminal actions but also to a larger controversy surrounding religious conversions in Punjab. Bajinder Singh, who gained fame through his claims of miraculous healing powers and large prayer gatherings, was accused of exploiting his followers and using his religious influence to manipulate vulnerable individuals. His so-called healing sessions often included promises of miraculous cures, attracting a large crowd. However, beneath the facade of his faith-based practices, many of his followers, especially from marginalized communities, found themselves in financially exploited situations. The case brought into question the growing issue of forced religious conversions, which has been a sensitive topic in Punjab for years. Many families have claimed that religious leaders, like Bajinder Singh, have coerced individuals into converting to Christianity, often using promises of a better life or foreign travel opportunities. This has sparked significant concern among various religious and political leaders in the region, including Sikh leaders who have expressed their opposition to conversions, especially when individuals are deceived or manipulated into changing their faith. Jathedar Akal Takht, Kuldeep Singh Gargajs View On Religious Conversions Jathedar Akal Takht, Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, strongly condemned the practices of forced conversions in Punjab, particularly the role of preachers like Bajinder Singh. He stated that the issue of conversions has long been a matter of concern for the Sikh community. Jathedar Gargaj emphasized that Sikhism strictly opposes forced conversions, and he highlighted the need for the state to take stricter action against those who exploit vulnerable people in the name of religion. Jathedar Gargaj referred to the actions of individuals like Bajinder Singh as a clear violation of human rights and religious integrity. He expressed deep concerns over the systematic efforts to convert Sikhs, especially through fraudulent promises of a better future. He warned that such actions not only undermine the Sikh community but also disrupt the social fabric of Punjab. "The Sikh religion has always been about equality and justice, and such conversions for personal gain are completely against the values of Sikhism," Jathedar Gargaj remarked. Shiromani Akali Dals Position on Religious Conversion The Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) also voiced their concerns regarding religious conversions. Daljit Singh Cheema, senior leader of SAD (B), expressed their support for the victim in the Bajinder Singh case, but they also linked it to the broader issue of religious conversion in Punjab. He stated that while justice should prevail for the victim, the growing influence of self-proclaimed religious leaders in Punjab has been problematic, particularly when these individuals manipulate vulnerable people into conversion through promises of better lives or foreign settlements. The party reiterated its call for stronger regulations to control such unregulated religious organizations. The Victims Statement and Legal Progress The victim, whose identity remains protected, expressed relief at the courts decision. She thanked the court and police for their unwavering support throughout the trial. Her legal team also praised the court for delivering justice, calling it a victory for all those who have been victims of exploitation by powerful religious figures. As the case continues to unfold with further allegations against Bajinder Singh, including those from other victims, the story highlights a dark side of some religious movements that manipulate the trust and vulnerability of followers for personal gain. By Ravinder Singh Robin Comedian Kunal Kamra on Wednesday apologised to fans over police notices issued to them for attending his controversial show that has led to a massive political uproar. A banker who attended Kamra's show in Mumbai was summoned as a witness after a case was registered against the comic over his alleged jibes against Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, police said. The comic is facing multiple FIRs for his alleged 'traitor' comments against Shinde during his latest stand-up show "Naya Bharat". "I am deeply sorry for the inconvenience that attending my show has caused to you," Kamra wrote on X, sharing a news report which stated that a Navi Mumbai banker who attended the show had to cut short a trip after police served him notice. "Please email me so that I can schedule your next vacation anywhere you'd like in India," he quipped in the post. On Tuesday, police denied reports that members of the audience who attended the show had been summoned to record their statements. The 36-year-old, known for his anti-establishment views, has refused to apologise for his over 45-minute video that has garnered over 12 million views on YouTube. Mumbai Police has issued a third summons to the comedian asking him to appear on April 5 in the case. The summons was issued on Tuesday, and Kamra was asked to appear at the Khar police station, where a first information report (FIR) was registered against him last month. He had been summoned twice by the police earlier but failed to join the investigation. Kamra, born and brought up in Mumbai, currently lives in Tamil Nadu. As the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 was tabled in Lok Sabha on Wednesday, the house engaged in a heated debate between the ruling and the Opposition parties. Amid the uproar, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav mocked Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the delayed election of national president, prompting Union Home Minister Amit Shah's dynasty politics swipe. During his speech in the Lok Sabha, Yadav took a jibe at the ruling party in a mocking tone and alleged that the BJP claims that it is the world's largest political party but has not yet chosen its National President. SP leader said, "Jo party ye kehti ho ki wo duniya ki sabse badi party hai, wo apna Rashtriya Adhiyaksh nahi choon paye abhi tak (The party that calls itself the world's largest party has not yet been able to choose its national president)." To counter him, Shah stood up and took a swipe back at the Opposition. He said that unlike the parties in front of him, the BJP is not a dynastic party and therefore it takes time to decide its leadership. Shah said, "All the parties in front of me, their national president, will be chosen by only some family members. We have to choose from 12-13 crore members after a process. So it takes time. In your case, it will not take much time. I am saying that you will remain president for 25 years." The Home Minister's reply stirred laughter in the House. #WATCH | Samajwadi Party chief and MP Akhilesh Yadav takes jibe at BJP; he said, "The party that calls itself the world's largest party has not yet been able to choose its national president." Replying to him, Union HM Amit Shah said, "All the parties in front of me, their pic.twitter.com/9zX6mAejzz ANI (@ANI) April 2, 2025 The SP leader then brought up Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) headquarters and brought up the BJP's policy of retiring its leaders at the age of 75. A school van driver, who was frustrated because his wife deserted him, killed three people, including his daughter, and then ended his own life in Magalur village of Karnataka's Chikkamagaluru district on Tuesday night. The school van driver has been identified as Rathnakar. After shooting the three victims, the accused went to an isolated place and shot himself too. The victims are Rathnakar's seven-year-old daughter Moulya; his 50-year-old mother-in-law, Jyothi; and his 26-year-old sister-in-law, Sindhu. Sindhu's husband was also injured in the attack as he sustained a gunshot wound on his leg, and he has been admitted to a hospital in Balehonnur town. IANS reported that as per the police, Rathnakar was deeply disturbed by his wife's desertion. On the day of the incident, he was enraged by the same and barged into his in-laws' house during the 'Hosa Toduku' festival celebration and shot dead three people, including his daughter. Rathnakar's Recorded Video The police have recovered a video that Rathnakar recorded ahead of committing the crime. As per IANS, in the video said that he could not bear the pain of his wife leaving him and claimed that his daughter's happiness and joy meant to him. The accused in the video stated, "In school, my daughter's friends ask her about her mother's whereabouts. She comes home and asks me, 'Where is my mother?' Without my knowledge, she took a photo from our album and showed it at school." He further said that he had informed his family of his decision. "It has been two years since my wife betrayed and deserted me," he claimed. Police Investigations' Revelations In the preliminary investigations, police found that the accused's wife had left him and their daughter and moved to Bengaluru. Their daughter was enrolled in the same school where Rathnakar worked as a school van driver. Rathnakar's mother-in-law took Moulya from school to her house to celebrate the festival. It is suspected that the accused had assumed that his wife had returned from Bengaluru and planned to kill her. However, in a fit of rage, he ended up killing his daughter, in-laws, and himself, the police said. The Balehonnur police are investigating the case. (with IANS inputs) (Discussions on suicides can be triggering for some. But suicides are preventable. If you are looking for help, some suicide prevention helpline numbers in India are 011-40769002 from Sanjivini (Delhi-based, 10 am - 5.30 pm) and 044-24640050 from Sneha Foundation (Chennai-based, 8 am - 10 pm), +91 9999666555 from Vandrevala Foundation (Mumbai-based, 24x7). Kunal Kamra Joke Row: Trouble for standup comedian Kunal Kamra, who sparked controversy for allegedly making derogatory remarks about Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, doesn't seem to end anytime soon as Mumbai Police issued a third summons and asked him to appear on April 5 in a case registered against him, news agency PTI reported, citing officials. On Tuesday, the summons was issued, and Kamra (36) was asked to appear at the Khar police station, where a First Information Report (FIR) was registered against him last month, they said. He had been summoned twice by the police earlier but failed to join the investigation, the officials said. The case stems from a parody song performed by Kamra at a show in Mumbai, which appeared to target Shinde, who heads the Shiv Sena following his rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray, and call him a traitor. The song, though, did not name Shinde. Last month, Shiv Sena activists vandalized the studio where the show had been recorded. The Khar police registered an FIR against Kamra on a complaint by a Sena MLA under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections pertaining to defamation and public mischief. On Monday, a Khar police team visited Kamra's house in Mumbai's Mahim area, where his family lives, to find out whether he would appear before the police, officials said. On March 28, the Madras High Court granted interim anticipatory bail to the comedian. Justice Sunder Mohan also issued a notice to Khar police and posted the matter for April 7 for further hearing. (With PTI Inputs) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Anurag Thakur on Wednesday slammed the Congress party over opposition to the Waqf amendment bill. Thakur said that the bill will prove the last nail in the coffin of the Congress party's appeasement politics. Speaking during the discussion on the Waqf amendment bill, Thakur said it's not about Hindu vs Muslim but about law vs lawlessness. Thakur accused Congress of creating confusion over the bill. "Congress is once again trying to create confusion in the country...Congress did the work of creating two laws in one nation against Baba Saheb's vision of one nation one constitution. You have to decide whether you want to be with the constitution or waqf....This legislation will do the last rites of the Congress party's appeasement politics. This will be the last nail in the coffin of Congress' politics of appeasement," said Thakur. BJP MP Anurag Thakur also said that minority institutions have also extended support to the bill. "This is not a Bill but UMEED (Unified Waqf Management Empowerment, Efficiency and Development). This UMEED has empowerment, efficiency and development. Looking at this, the people of the country are supporting it. Several organisations like the Catholic Bishops Conference of India, Church of Bharat, Kerala Council of Churches and Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council, All India Sufi Sajjadanashin Council and Muslim Rashtriya Manch have supported it. I thank them for this. It is time to amend the Waqf because this has become a base of atrocity and corruption. It is time to end and amend this," said Thakur. The BJP MP and former Union Minister said that India needs liberation from the fear of Waqf because the Waqf law formed during the Congress regime meant 'khaata na bahi, jo Waqf kahe wahi sahi'. Thakur alleged that existing rules makes Waqf's claim over any land unchallengeable. Waqf Bill In Rajya Sabha Live Updates: After the Waqf (Amendment) Bill crossed the Lok Sabha hurdle, the bill is set to be taken up in the Rajya Sabha. Following a debate, lasting over 12 hours, the Lok Sabha early Thursday passed the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 after a heated exchange of views between the ruling NDA and the opposition bloc INDIA. The marathon debate over the bill in the Lower House saw the BJP-led NDA strongly defending the legislation as beneficial for minorities, while the opposition described it as "anti-Muslim". The Bill was passed after all amendments moved by the opposition members were rejected by voice votes. It was passed after a division of votes -- 288 in favour and 232 against. As per the Bill, while Waqf institutions' mandatory contribution to Waqf boards is reduced from 7 per cent to 5 per cent, Waqf institutions earning over Rs 1 lakh will undergo audits by state-sponsored auditors. A centralised portal will automate Waqf property management, improving efficiency and transparency. The Bill proposes that practising Muslims (for at least five years) can dedicate their property to the Waqf, restoring pre-2013 rules. It stipulates that women must receive their inheritance before the Waqf declaration, with special provisions for widows, divorced women and orphans. The Bill proposes that an officer above the rank of collector investigate government properties claimed as Waqf. It also proposes that non-Muslim members be included in the central and state Waqf boards for inclusivity. Numbers In Rajya Sabha Just like the Lok Sabha, in the Rajya Sabha also the BJP-led NDA is well placed, with 125 MPs, including the saffron partys 98, the JD(U)s four, the NCPs 3, the TDPs two, and the six nominated members. As far as the Opposition INDIA bloc is concerned, it has 88 MPs, including 27 from the Congress and 13 from the Trinamool Congress. Even if the seven MPs of the Naveen Patnaik-led BJD side with the opposition, the numbers wont be enough. Follow ZEE News English For All Updates on Waqf Amendment Bill in Lok Sabha Chile President Gabriel Boric Font, who is on a State visit to India, during his address at the Rashtrapati Bhawan on Tuesday, praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "weird" status in geopolitics and added that he is a "key player" in the geopolitical atmosphere. The Chilean President is on a State visit to India from April 1 to 5, 2025, commemorating the completion of 76 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. President Droupadi Murmu hosted a banquet on Tuesday in honour of Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font at Rashtrapati Bhavan. During his address at the Rashtrapati Bhawan, the Chilean President said that PM Modi has a "weird" status as he can talk to various world leaders, including the US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and others. He remarked that this is something no other leader can say. "PM Modi has a weird status nowadays that he can talk to every leader of the world, Mr Putin, Mr Trump, Mr Zelenskyy and the European Union, and Latin American leaders in BRICS or Iran. That is something that no other leader can say now. You are a key player in the geopolitical atmosphere nowadays," he said. #WATCH | Delhi | Speaking on India's geopolitical stance, Chile President Gabriel Boric Font says, "... India is committed to peace in the world. PM Modi has a weird status nowadays that he can talk to every leader of the world, Mr Putin, Mr Trump, Mr Zelenskyy and the European pic.twitter.com/5rm8YhgKxF ANI (@ANI) April 2, 2025 He also stated that 'Chile wants to work on our relationship with India.' He said, "Chile is a country that is connected to the world, and now we want to work on our relationship with India. Today, we have signed several MoUs." #WATCH | Delhi | On his first State visit to India, Chile President Gabriel Boric Font says, "I am here for the first time for a State visit... I want to thank you for the warm welcome that we have received here...for the past 16 years, no one from Chile has come here, and in https://t.co/iM0u1HmWrN pic.twitter.com/XwEgveAfKr ANI (@ANI) April 1, 2025 As per a release from the PM's office, the President is accompanied by Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Agriculture, Mining, Women and Gender Equality and Cultures, Arts and Heritage, Members of Parliament, Senior Officials, and business leaders. While, this is his first visit to India, both President Boric and PM Modi had first met on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro in November 2024. (with ANI inputs) The Pakistan Army intruded into the Indian side and also violated the ceasefire by opening fire along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, a defence spokesman said on Wednesday. The violation took place at 1.10 pm on Tuesday, and the Indian troops responded with "controlled and calibrated" retaliation. While the Indian Army made no mention of any casualties on the Pakistan side, official sources said five enemy soldiers were injured in the explosion and the subsequent firing between the two sides. Jammu-based defence PRO Lt Col Suneel Bartwal said in a statement that "On 01 Apr 2025, a mine blast occurred in Krishna Ghati Sector due to Pakistan Army intrusion across LoC. This was followed by unprovoked firing and ceasefire violation by the Pakistan Army." "Own troops responded effectively in a controlled and calibrated manner. Situation is under control and being closely monitored," he said. He said the Indian Army reiterates the importance of upholding the tenets of the Director Generals Military Operations (DGsMO) understanding of 2021 to maintain peace along the LoC. Ceasefire violations along the borders of Jammu and Kashmir have been rare since the two countries renewed an agreement on February 25, 2021. NEW DELHI: Parliament approved a bill to regulate immigration, entry and stay of foreigners in India with the Rajya Sabha giving its nod on Wednesday, as Union minister Nityanand Rai accused the Congress and TMC of "aiding" illegal immigrants under their rule. The Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025 was passed in Lok Sabha on March 27, 2025. The Rajya Sabha passed the Bill by voice vote on Wednesday after various amendments moved by opposition members were negated. Replying to the discussion on the Bill, Rai, Minister of State for Home Affairs, attacked the previous Congress government and the TMC dispensation in West Bengal for "aiding" illegal immigrants enter the country and "facilitating" their stay by including their names in voters' list and ration cards. This was strongly objected to by the Congress and TMC members, who along with other opposition parties' MPs, staged a walkout from the Upper House. Several opposition members earlier demanded that the Bill be referred to a standing committee, but Rai said the Home Ministry took three years to formulate this Bill after great thought and based on what the country needs. This Bill will reduce overlapping and increase collaboration between agencies, he said. One of the key provisions in the Bill is that anyone found to be using a forged passport or visa for entering India or staying in or exiting from the country will be punishable with a jail term of up to seven years and a fine which could extend to Rs 10 lakh. The Bill also seeks to ensure a close monitoring of everyone who visits India. Responding to members' concerns, the minister said that data management and verification will also become easier with the new legislation. Attacking the Congress and TMC, he alleged that the TMC government has not provided land to the Centre for fencing the international border, and claimed that infiltration is only happening in those border states where the BJP is not in power. The minister also alleged that in some states the BSF has been disturbed so that it could not function freely while dealing with infiltration. Rai claimed there has been a marked reduction in infiltrators in the country. "It was either the Congress or TMC government in West Bengal that helped bring in 'ghuspaithiye' into the country. The BSF has been deployed now to stop such entry and we are making use of technology to stop their entry. TMC member Ritabrata Banerjee and Congress' Digvijaya Singh demanded authentication of the minister's claims and objected to his remarks. The Congress, TMC and other opposition parties later staged a walkout on the issue. Rai said that TMC government has provided citizenship by adding illegal immigrants' names in voter lists and ration cards. "TMC also seeks to stop the BSF from doing their duty of stopping illegal immigrants," he said. The Bill seeks to strengthen the law of the land and stop illegal immigrants, he stressed. "We are not stopping any foreigner, but are only seeking to maintain their data." The minister said India feels proud that research and development is happening in the country and "we are not stopping any researchers from abroad coming to the country". "If any foreigner indulges in anti-national activity, they would be removed from the country and this Bill has powers to do so," Rai asserted. Nothing of the kind that happened earlier would continue to happen now, as this is Modi government, he asserted while taking a swipe at the previous UPA regime. "We are not stopping anyone. We want that people should come from abroad and see the success and development of the country under Prime Minister Modi and tell all that to their fellow countrymen," he said. Noting that India has 1.72 crore NRIs, Rai said this Bill has been brought to help their easy entry and exit. "The Modi government does not want to scare anyone, but those who want to come into India and conspire against us should be scared instead," he noted, adding that 36,000 'ghuspaithiye' (illegal immigrants) have been ousted from the country. Rai said some members raised questions about Lalit Modi, Mehul Choksi and Vijay Mallya, who did frauds during Congress regimes and fled the country. He stated that the Immigration Bureau is already in existence and the bureau will now be the only agency to deal with issues related to immigration and this is the system which is being followed worldwide. Some members had earlier objected to the bureau being given all powers. Rai said that the Bill provides for mandatory reporting of information about the admission in hospitals or their place of residence. He also clarified that there is no provision of appeal against the order of an immigration officer and few countries have this provision only after the immigrant returns to his country. The Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025 is a comprehensive legislation to regulate all matters relating to foreigners and immigration. Matters relating to foreigners and immigration are presently administered through four Acts i.E. The Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920, the Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939, the Foreigners Act, 1946 and the Immigration (Carriers' Liability) Act, 2000. The new Bill repeals these laws. The legislation also provides for mandatory reporting of information about foreigners by hotels, universities, other educational institutions, hospitals and nursing homes to enable tracking of overstaying foreigners. Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched a scathing attack against the opposition MPs in the Lok Sabha during the discussion on the Waqf Bill, now renamed as Unified Waqf Management Empowerment, Efficiency and Development (UMEED) Bill. Countering an opposition MP's remark that minorities won't accept the bill, Shah asked was the member trying to threaten the government. The Home Minister said that the UMEED Bill is a law of the Indian government passed by the Parliament and is binding on all. "A member here said that minorities will not accept this law. What is thisan attempt to threaten? This is a law passed by Parliament, and everyone must accept it. What does it even mean to say that you wont accept the law? How can anyone claim that they will not abide by it? This is a law of the Government of India, and it will be binding on everyone. It must be accepted," said Shah. Taking an indirect dig at Rahul Gandhi and his constitution book posers, Shah said, "Waving the Constitution has suddenly become a trend. But according to this very Constitution, how can any decisionwhether by the government or a private institutionbe beyond the judgment of the honourable court? The courts of this country cannot be denied access to such decisions. Where will citizens take their grievances? Where will those whose land has been taken away go? This will not be allowed. You did this for vote-bank politics, and we reject it. This cannot continue. If anyone has grievances, they should go to the court, and the court will deliver justice." Speaking in the Lok Sabha while responding to the Opposition MP's remarks on the bill, Shah said that the Waqf council and Waqf board came into existence in 1995 and non-Muslim will have no role in running religious affairs. "That Waqf bill is interference in Muslims' religious matters and properties donated by them is fear-mongering for vote-bank...Non-Muslims in Waqf council, boards; these bodies purely for ensuring the administration of properties in accordance with stated aims..Waqf council, boards will be aimed at catching those exploiting Waqf properties," said Shah. Shah alleged that the Waqf law was made 'extreme' in 2013 for appeasement politics and if it was not done then, this bill might not have been needed. Everything was going well. But there were elections in 2014, and overnight in 2013, the Waqf Act was turned extreme for appeasement. As a result, the Congress government handed over 123 VVIP properties in Lutyens Delhi to Waqf when elections were just around the corner, just 25 days away...," said the Home Minister. "You (Opposition) would break this country...Through this House, I would like to tell Muslims of the country that not even one non-Muslim would come into your Waqf. This Act has no such provision. But what would the Waqf Board and Waqf Council do? To catch the people selling off Waqf properties and drive them out, to catch those who lease off their properties for 100 years in the name of Waqf. The income of Waqf is dropping, the income with which we have to do development for minorities and push them forward, that money is being stolen. Waqf Board and Council will catch that," Shah said. Minorities Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju in his opening remarks rejected the allegation that the proposed law was an interference in the constitutionally guaranteed freedom in religious affairs. Waqf Amendment Bill: The Union government announced on Tuesday that the Waqf (Amendment) Bill will be tabled in the Lok Sabha on April 2, soon after the Question Hour and will be followed by a comprehensive and detailed discussion extending up to eight hours. IANS brings a complete history and facts of the Bill and the controversy surrounding it. On August 8, 2024, two bills, the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, and the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2024, were introduced in the Lok Sabha with an aim to streamline the Waqf Board's work and ensure the efficient management of Waqf properties. The objective of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, is to amend the Waqf Act, 1995, to redress the issues and challenges in regulating and managing Waqf properties. The Amendment Bill seeks to improve the administration and management of Waqf properties in India. It aims to: overcome the shortcomings of the previous act and enhance the efficiency of Waqf boards by introducing changes such as renaming the Act; updating the definitions of Waqf; improving the registration process; and increasing the role of technology in managing Waqf records. What Are Administrative Bodies Responsible For Waqf Management In India And What Are Their Roles? The administration of Waqf properties in India is presently governed by the Waqf Act, 1995, which is enacted and regulated by the Central Government. The key administrative bodies involved in Waqf management include: The Waqf Act of 1995, enforced by the Central Government, currently regulates Waqf properties. The main administrative bodies are: Central Waqf Council (CWC) Advises the government and State Waqf Boards on policy but does not directly control Waqf properties; State Waqf Boards (SWBs) Manage and protect Waqf properties in each state; and Waqf Tribunals Exclusive judicial bodies that handle disputes related to Waqf properties. This system ensures better management and faster resolution of issues. Over the years, legal changes have made Waqf administration more transparent, efficient, and accountable. What Are Issues Concerned With Waqf Board? Irrevocability of Waqf Properties: The principle "once a Waqf, always a Waqf" has led to disputes, such as claims over islands in Bet Dwarka, which have been deemed perplexing by courts as well. Legal Disputes & Poor Management: The Waqf Act, 1995, and its 2013 amendment have not been effective. Some problems include illegal occupation of Waqf land; mismanagement and ownership disputes; delays in property registration and surveys; and large-scale litigation cases and complaints to the Ministry. No judicial oversight Decisions by Waqf Tribunals cannot be challenged in higher courts. This reduces transparency and accountability in Waqf management. Incomplete survey of Waqf properties The Survey Commissioners work has been poor, leading to delays; in states like Gujarat and Uttarakhand, surveys have not yet begun; in Uttar Pradesh, a survey ordered in 2014 is still pending; lack of expertise and poor coordination with the Revenue Department have slowed the registration process. Misuse of Waqf Laws Some State Waqf Boards have misused their powers, leading to community tensions; Section 40 of the Waqf Act has been widely misused to declare private properties as Waqf properties, causing legal battles and unrest; As per information out of 30 States/UTs, data was given only by 8 States where 515 properties have been declared as Waqf under Section 40. Constitutional validity of the Waqf Act The Waqf Act applies only to one religion, while no similar law exists for others; and a PIL (Public Interest Litigation) has been filed in the Delhi High Court, questioning whether the Waqf Act is constitutional. The Delhi High Court has asked the Central Government to respond to this issue. What Steps And Stakeholder Consultations Were Undertaken By Ministry Before Introducing The Bill? The Ministry of Minority Affairs consulted various stakeholders which interalia includes; report of the Sachar Committee, concern raised by public representatives, Media and general public regarding mismanagement, misuse of powers of Waqf act and underutilization of Waqf Properties by the Waqf institutions. The Ministry also consulted with State Waqf Boards. The Ministry initiated the process of review of provisions of Waqf Act, 1995 and had consultations with stakeholders. Two meetings were conducted- one in Lucknow on 24.07.23 and another one at New Delhi on 20.07.23 wherein most of the following issues were discussed in detail. The consensus was emerged to make suitable amendment in the Act to solve the problems of the affected stakeholders. Widening The Base of CWC (Central Waqf Council) and SWB (State Waqf Board) Composition Role and responsibilities of Mutawallis; re-structuring of tribunals; improve the process of registration; declaration of titles; survey of Waqf properties; mutation of Waqf properties; filing of accounts by Mutawallis; reforms in filing annual accounts; review of provisions related to evacuee properties/limitation act; and scientific management of Waqf properties. Further, the Ministry has also analysed the international practices on Waqf management across other countries such as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Kuwait, Oman, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Turkey and found that the Waqf Properties are generally regulated by the Laws and Institutions set up by the government. What Was The Process Of Introduction Of Waqf Amendment Bill 2024? The Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 has been introduced with the primary objective of addressing shortcomings in the management and governance of Waqf properties on August 8, 2024; on August 9, 2024, both Houses of Parliament referred the Bill to a Joint Committee of 21 Lok Sabha and 10 Rajya Sabha members to examine and report on it; keeping in view the importance of the Bill and its wide ranging implications, the Committee had decided to call memoranda to obtain the views from public in general and experts/stakeholders and other concerned organisations in particular on the provisions of the aforesaid Bill; the Joint Parliamentary Committee held thirty-six sittings wherein, they heard the views/suggestions of the representatives of various Ministries/Departments such as: Ministries of Minority Affairs, Law and Justice, Railways (Railway Board), Housing and Urban Affairs, Road Transport and Highways, Culture (Archaeological Survey of India), State Governments, State Waqf Boards and experts/stakeholders. The first sitting took place on August 22, 2024 and the key organisations/ stakeholders consulted during the sittings were All India Sunni Jamiyatul Ulama, Mumbai; Indian Muslims of Civil Rights (IMCR), New Delhi; Muttaheda Majlis-e- Ulema, J&K (Mirwaiz Umar Farooq); Zakat Foundation of India; Anjuman E Shiteali Dawoodi Bohra Community; Chanakya National Law University, Patna; All India Pasmanda Muslim Mahaaz, Delhi; All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), Delhi; All India Sufi Sajjadanashin Council (AISSC), Ajmer; Muslim Rashtriya Manch, Delhi; Muslim Women Intellectual Group - Dr. Shalini Ali, National Convener; Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, Delhi; Shia Muslim Dharamguru and Intellectual Group; and Darul Uloom Deoband. Here Are Main Differences Between The Waqf Act, 1995 And Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 Name of the Act: The Waqf Act, 1995 is the original law governing Waqf properties in India. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 renames the act to "Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency, and Development Act, 1995," which reflects a broader focus on management and governance. Formation of Waqf: Under the Waqf Act, 1995, Waqf properties can be formed through a declaration by the donor or by an act of endowment. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 specifies that properties can only be declared as Waqf by a practicing Muslim who has been such for at least five years. It also ensures that womens rights to inheritance are respected before any dedication to Waqf. Government Property as Waqf: The Waqf Act, 1995 does not have specific provisions on government property being declared as Waqf. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 introduces a provision where government properties identified as Waqf cease to be considered as Waqf, and disputes over such properties will be resolved by the Collector. Survey And Registration Of Waqf Properties: The Waqf Act, 1995 mandates that Waqf properties be surveyed, but this has often been incomplete or delayed in implementation. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 emphasises that surveys will be carried out by Collectors under state revenue laws, ensuring proper identification and registration of Waqf properties. Composition Of The Central Waqf Council: The Waqf Act, 1995 requires the Central Waqf Council to consist entirely of Muslims. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 changes this composition by including two non-Muslims and two Muslim women members to ensure broader representation and diversity. Tribunal Composition: Under the Waqf Act, 1995, Waqf Tribunals are headed by a judge along with Muslim law experts. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 replaces Muslim law experts with a District Court judge and a joint secretary from the Ministry of Minority Affairs, making the tribunal more legally structured. Appeal on Tribunal Orders: The Waqf Act, 1995 does not allow easy appeal from Waqf Tribunal decisions. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 permits appeals to the High Court within 90 days of the Tribunals decision, providing an opportunity for further judicial scrutiny. Powers Of Central Government: The Waqf Act, 1995 gives the Central government the power to issue directions to State Waqf Boards but does not explicitly define the power to make detailed rules. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 gives the Central Government explicit powers to issue rules regarding Waqf registration, auditing, and property management, ensuring greater central oversight. Misuse of Waqf Laws: Under the Waqf Act, 1995, there were provisions, especially under Section 40, that allowed Waqf Boards to declare private and even government properties as Waqf, which led to widespread misuse and disputes. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 removes Section 40 and ensures that only properties that are genuinely dedicated to Waqf by Muslims are registered as such, protecting non-Muslim properties from arbitrary declarations. In essence, the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 aims to modernize and improve the governance of Waqf properties by addressing the inefficiencies and legal loopholes present in the Waqf Act, 1995, promoting greater transparency, accountability, and inclusion in the management of Waqf assets. The Committee received 97,27,772 memoranda in total, through both physical and digital mode. To thoroughly review the Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024, the Committee conducted detailed study visits across multiple cities in India. These visits helped members engage with stakeholders, assess ground realities, and gather region-specific insights on Waqf property management. The details of the study visits in 10 cities are as under Sept 26 Oct 1, 2024: Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Chennai, Bengaluru; Nov 9 11, 2024: Guwahati, Bhubaneshwar; Jan 18 21, 2025: Patna, Kolkata, Lucknow; the Committee consulted 25 State Waqf Boards (7 in Delhi, 18 during visits) to discuss administrative challenges and legal hurdles; thereafter, the Joint Committee completed Clause by Clause consideration of all Clauses of the Bill at their 37th sitting held on 27th January, 2025. The amendments moved by the Members were put to vote and adopted by majority votes; the Adoption draft report and authorised the Chairperson to present the report on their behalf. The 38th sitting was held on 29th January, 2025; and the Joint Committee submitted its report to the Honble Speaker of Lok Sabha on 31.01.2025 and laid in both the Houses of the Parliament on 13th February, 2025. What Are Some Of Key Reforms Of The Waqf Amendment Bill 2024? The proposed amendments under this Bill, 2024 are aimed at transforming Waqf administration in India by ensuring better governance, transparency, and accountability. It seeks to create a streamlined, technology-driven, and legally robust framework for the management of Waqf properties, while also fostering socio-economic development for the intended beneficiaries. Unified Waqf Management: Key issues affecting Waqf properties include incomplete survey of Waqf properties; significant backlog of litigations in Tribunal and Waqf Boards; improper account, auditing and monitoring of Mutawallis; the mutation of all Waqf properties has not been done properly. Empowerment of Central Waqf Council & State Waqf Boards: Inclusion of diverse groups like non-Muslim, other Muslim communities, other backward classes among Muslim communities and Women etc in the decision making, to enhance representation and efficiency. Efficiency of State Waqf Boards: a digital portal and database will automate Waqf registration, survey, mutation, audits, leasing, and litigation, ensuring scientific, efficient, and transparent governance. Development of Auqaf: Portal-based lifecycle management will streamline administration; Section 65 mandates Waqf Boards to submit reports on management and income improvements within six months, ensuring timely action; and section 32(4) allows Waqf Boards to develop Waqf lands into educational institutions, shopping centers, markets, or housing by taking over properties from Mutawallis when necessary. Key Reforms Recommended By The Joint Committee The amendments to the Waqf Act, 1995 as recommended by the Joint Committee on Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024 (JCWAB), introduce progressive reforms, including: Key Reforms in Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024, separation of Trusts from Waqf: Muslim-created trusts under any law will no longer be considered Waqf, ensuring full control over trusts. Technology & Central Portal: A centralised portal will automate Waqf property management, including registration, audits, contributions, and litigation, ensuring efficiency and transparency. This also efficiently utilizes technology for the automation of Waqf management. Eligibility for Waqf Dedication: Only practicing Muslims (for at least five years) can dedicate their own property to Waqf, restoring the pre-2013 provision. Protection of Waqf by User Properties: Already registered properties remain Waqf unless disputed or identified as government land. Women's Rights in Family Waqf: Women must receive their rightful inheritance before Waqf dedication, with special provisions for widows, divorced women, and orphans. Transparent Waqf Management: Mutawallis must register property details on the central portal within six months to enhance accountability. Government Land & Waqf Disputes: An officer above the rank of Collector will investigate government properties claimed as Waqf, preventing unwarranted claims. Strengthening Waqf Tribunals: A structured selection process and fixed tenure ensure stability and efficiency in dispute resolution. Non-Muslim Representation: Two non-Muslim members will be included in both Central and State Waqf Boards to ensure inclusivity. Reduced Annual Contributions: Waqf institutions' mandatory contribution to Waqf Boards is reduced from 7 per cent to 5 per cent, allowing more funds for charity. Application of the Limitation Act: The Limitation Act, 1963, will now apply to Waqf property claims, reducing prolonged litigation. Annual Audit Reforms: Waqf institutions earning over Rs 1 lakh annually must undergo audits by state government-appointed auditors. Ending Arbitrary Property Claims: The Bill removes Section 40, preventing Waqf Boards from arbitrarily declaring properties as Waqf, avoiding misuse like declaring entire villages as Waqf. These cases underscored the arbitrary and unregulated power exercised by Waqf Boards. To address this, Section 40 of the Waqf Act is being omitted, ensuring fair and just administration of Waqf properties. What Are Some Instances Of Non-Muslim Properties Declared As Waqf? As of September 2024, data from 25 States/UTs Waqf Boards shows that 5,973 government properties have been declared as Waqf. Some examples include: As per MoHUA (Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs) in September 2024, 108 properties are under control of Land and Development Office, 130 properties under control of Delhi Development Authority and 123 properties in the public domain were declared as Waqf properties and brought into litigation. Karnataka (1975 & 2020): 40 Waqf properties were notified, including farmlands, public spaces, government lands, graveyards, lakes, and temples. The Punjab Waqf Board has claimed land belonging to the Education Department in Patiala. Examples of other Non-Muslim properties declared as Waqf: Tamil Nadu: A farmer in Thiruchenthurai village was unable to sell his land due to the Waqf Boards claim over the entire village. This unexpected requirement prevented him from selling his land to repay a loan for his daughter's wedding. Govindpur Village, Bihar: In August 2024, the Bihar Sunni Waqf Boards claim over an entire village in August 2024 affected seven families, leading to a case in the Patna High Court. The case is sub-judice. Kerala: In September 2024, around 600 Christian families in Ernakulam district are contesting the Waqf Boards claim over their ancestral land. They have appealed to the Joint Parliamentary Committee. Karnataka: In 2024, Farmers protested after the Waqf Board designated 15,000 acres in Vijayapura as Waqf land. Disputes also arose in Ballari, Chitradurga, Yadgir, and Dharwad. The government, however, assured that no evictions would take place. Uttar Pradesh: Complaints have been raised against alleged corruption and mismanagement by the State Waqf Board. How Is The Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 Expected To Benefit The Poor? Waqf plays a crucial role in serving religious, charitable, and social welfare needs, especially for the underprivileged. However, its impact has often been reduced due to mismanagement, encroachment, and lack of transparency. Some key benefits of Waqf for the Poor: Digitisation For Transparency And Accountability A centralised digital portal will track Waqf properties, ensuring better identification, monitoring, and management. Auditing and accounting measures will prevent financial mismanagement and ensure funds are used only for welfare purposes. Increased Revenue For Welfare And Development Preventing misuse and illegal occupation of Waqf lands will boost revenue for Waqf Boards, allowing them to expand welfare programs. Funds will be allocated to healthcare, education, housing, and livelihood support, directly benefiting the economically weaker sections. Regular audits and inspections will promote financial discipline and strengthen public confidence in Waqf management. How does the inclusion of non-Muslim members in the Waqf Board and Central Waqf Council contribute to Waqf management, and what is the extent of their role and influence in decision-making? Non-Muslim Stakeholders: Donors, litigants, lessees, and tenants are involved in Waqf management, making their representation in Waqf Boards and the Central Waqf Council (CWC) are essential for fairness. Regulation of Secular Activities: Section 96 empowers the Central Government to regulate governance, social, economic, and welfare aspects of Waqf institutions, reaffirmed by court rulings. Oversight Role of Central Waqf Council: The CWC supervises State Waqf Boards, ensuring compliance without direct control over Waqf properties. This highlights that Waqf management extends beyond religious aspects to economic and financial regulation. Non-Muslim Representation: State Waqf Boards: 2 out of 11 members (excluding ex-officio) can be non-Muslims; and Central Waqf Council: 2 out of 22 members (excluding ex-officio) can be non-Muslims. While decisions are made by majority vote, non-Muslim members can contribute administrative and technical expertise, improving the efficiency and governance of Waqf institutions. Waqf Amendment Bill: Expressing grave concerns over the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which was tabled in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, former Jammu And Kashmir CM and People's Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti asserted that for the past decade, Muslims in India have faced increasing persecution, including the demolition of mosques, lynching incidents, and encroachments on graveyards. Mufti attributed these actions to the ruling Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), urging the Hindu majority to take a stand against such injustices. "This is a country that belongs to all its citizens, regardless of their faith," the PDP chief said. "We must uphold the values of Gandhi and ensure that our nation is governed by the Constitution," she further stated. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday tabled the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha amid sloganeering from the Opposition. An eight-hour discussion on the bill, subject to an increase, is scheduled. The opposition claimed that the Centre is "bulldozing the legislation" as it alleged to not have been given the time for amendments since the bill was brought to the notice of the House. Highlighting the alarming trend of communal discord, Mufti warned against allowing India to mirror nations like Myanmar, where authoritarian regimes have led to widespread oppression. She drew parallels between the current plight of Muslims and the historical injustices faced by Kashmiri Pandits, calling for collective action to protect the rights and dignity of all communities. "The BJP is breaking this country apart," Mufti asserted. "It is imperative for the people of India to unite and resist these divisive tactics if we wish to preserve the fabric of our nation." She also called Hindus to raise their voice against this bill and stop BJP to divide this country. The Union government first announced the introduction of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 on Tuesday, revealing that the Bill would be tabled in the Lok Sabha shortly after the Question Hour. The Bill will be followed by a detailed debate lasting up to eight hours. This Bill builds on the 2024 Waqf (Amendment) Bill and the Mussalman Waqf (Repeal) Bill, which were introduced with similar objectives to improve the functioning of the Waqf Board and address ongoing management issues. The government is hopeful that the amendments in legislation will pass with wide support across the political spectrum. Waqf Bill In Lok Sabha: The Lok Sabha will take up the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill for discussion and passage on Wednesday, setting the stage for a showdown between a government determined to push it through and an opposition united in condemning the proposed law as unconstitutional. The bill is likely to come before the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, with the two Houses allocated eight hours each for debating the proposed law. Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Janata Dal (United), Shiv Sena and LJP (Ram Vilas) -- the four biggest constituents of the NDA after the BJP -- issued whips to their MPs asking them to support the government stand. The political heat is unlikely to have any bearing on the final outcome as the numbers heavily favour the ruling BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the Lok Sabha. The NDA has 293 MPs in the Lower House with a current strength of 542, and the BJP has often been successful in pulling the support of independent members and parties. Though BJP allies like the TDP, JD(U) and Chirag Paswan-led LJP (Ram Vilas) had expressed reservations over some aspects of the bill, they have become more agreeable after the parliamentary committee adopted a few of their suggestions, official sources have said. The opposition INDIA bloc also presented a united face on Wednesday as its parties discussed their joint strategy to oppose the bill at a meeting in the Parliament House. "All the Opposition parties are united and shall work together on the floor of the Parliament to defeat the unconstitutional and divisive agenda of the Modi Govt on the Waqf Amendment Bill," Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said in a post on X. Minorities and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju told reporters that the Lok Sabha's business advisory committee (BAC), which includes leaders from all major parties, chaired by Speaker Om Birla agreed on an eight-hour debate, which could be extended after taking the sense of the House. Sources said senior BJP leaders, including Home Minister Amit Shah, are likely to participate in the discussion on the bill in Parliament. The early signs of a likely raucous debate between the treasury and opposition benches over the bill were visible during the BAC meeting as the Congress and several other opposition INDIA bloc members walked out in protest, accusing the government of stifling their voice. Congress' deputy leader in the Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi alleged that their voices were being ignored and said the opposition parties wanted more time to debate and the House to take up more issues, including the situation in Manipur and the row over electors' photo identity card. Rijiju said several parties wanted four to six hours of debate, while those from the opposition demanded 12 hours. He noted that the allotted period of eight hours can be extended if the House feels so on Wednesday. The Rajya Sabha BAC met later where it was decided to have a discussion on the bill on Thursday, by when the Lower House is expected to deliver its verdict. AIMIM member Asaduddin Owaisi, a sharp critic of the bill, told reporters that he will put forth his view during the debate to show how "unconstitutional" it is. This bill is aimed at curbing the religious freedom of Muslims, he alleged, adding that people will teach BJP's allies like TDP and JD(U) a lesson. The BJP and the Congress are among the parties that have issued whips to their MPs, asking them to ensure their presence in the House and support their party's official stand. While the number game is more even in the Rajya Sabha, it is still in favour of the BJP-led NDA. The Upper House is expected to take up the bill for passage after it gets the nod of the Lok Sabha. Some BJP allies, sources said, continue to push for more changes in the bill. A senior member of a BJP ally expressed hope that the saffron party will accommodate their views, stressing that some of their concerns were addressed by the Joint Committee of Parliament which scrutinised the bill. However, he emphasised that the NDA will remain united on the issue. After the Catholic Bishops Conference of India, the Church of Bharat on Tuesday extended its support to the bill, boosting the government's efforts to dispel the bid to portray the proposed law as its alleged larger anti-minority agenda. While introducing the bill last year, the government had referred it to a joint committee of the two Houses. After the report was submitted by the panel, the Union Cabinet had approved certain changes to the original bill based on the committee's recommendation. Rijiju said immediately after Question Hour which concludes at 12 noon, he will move the bill for consideration and passage. Hitting out at the opposition, he claimed that some parties are trying to create excuses to run away from discussion. Gogoi said the opposition stormed out of the BAC meeting as the government was bulldozing through its agenda. There is no space for the opposition, he alleged. The INDIA bloc parties discussed their strategy at the meeting attended by a number of senior leaders including Congress' Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and KC Venugopal, Samajwadi Party's Ram Gopal Yadav, NCP's Supriya Sule, TMC's Kalyan Banerjee and AAP's Sanjay Singh. DMK's T R Baalu, Tiruchi Siva and Kanimozhi, RJD's Manoj Kumar Jha, CPI-M's John Brittas, SPI's Sandosh Kumar P, RSP's N K Premchandran and MDMK leader Vaiko were also present in the meeting. Opposition parties are strongly resisting the bill, slamming it as unconstitutional and against the interest of the Muslim community. Several leading Muslim organisations have been rallying support against the bill. "We have to protect the constitutional values and this bill is actually a targeted legislation. It is also unconstitutional. We, the INDIA parties, who believe in the Constitution are going to vote against the bill," said Venugopal. "This is a clear-cut violation of the Constitution. People who believe in the Constitution will definitely oppose it," he asserted. The government has said the bill seeks to improve the management and administration of Waqf properties in India by bringing transparency and efficiency in their management. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has made the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s plan for Uttar Pradesh assembly elections 2027 clear in Parliament today. When Shah was speaking on the Waqf amendments bill, Uttar Pradesh MP and Samajwadi Party's chief Akhilesh Yadav taunted the Home Minister to speak something about Yogi Adityanath as well. To this, Home Minister Shah outwitted Yadav with a cheeky response. When Yadav interrupted Shah's speech by asking the Home Minister to speak about the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Amit Shah said, "Wo bhi repeat hone wale hai (He is going to be repeated)." Notably, there have been speculations in the political circle over the alleged feud between Yogi Adityanath and Amit Shah. The Uttar Pradesh assembly elections will be held in 2027 where the BJP will look to retain power for the third straight term. On the other hand, Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party will look to bounce back after warming the opposition benches for 10 years. Coming to the Waqf amendment bill which was tabled in the Lok Sabha today, the NDA allies are supporting the bill while the opposition parties including the Samajwadi Party are against the bill. The ruling NDA on Wednesday launched a feisty defence of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha amid the opposition's charge that it was unconstitutional and targeted Muslims. Home Minister Amit Shah asserted that the government had no intention of interfering in their religious matters and was solely driven by the aim of transparent administration of Waqf properties. Rescuers from Chinese mainland, Hong Kong join hands in quake-rattled Myanmar Xinhua) 08:15, April 02, 2025 China Search and Rescue Team, assigned by the country's Ministry of Emergency Management, and a rescue team from China's Hong Kong carry out a joint search and rescue operation at the Sky Villa residence in Mandalay, Myanmar, April 1, 2025. Equipment, including snake-eye endoscopes, radar wave all-view cameras and drones, was used in the joint mission. Using drones at the scene, the joint rescue force conducted an assessment to ensure the safety of the rescue. Locals provided clues on distress sounds at the scene. The Chinese rescuers rushed to the spot only to rule out the possibility of survivors. Twenty-four rescuers participated in the joint mission. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) In this aerial drone photo, China Search and Rescue Team, assigned by the country's Ministry of Emergency Management, and a rescue team from China's Hong Kong carry out a joint search and rescue operation at the Sky Villa residence in Mandalay, Myanmar, April 1, 2025. Equipment, including snake-eye endoscopes, radar wave all-view cameras and drones, was used in the joint mission. Using drones at the scene, the joint rescue force conducted an assessment to ensure the safety of the rescue. Locals provided clues on distress sounds at the scene. The Chinese rescuers rushed to the spot only to rule out the possibility of survivors. Twenty-four rescuers participated in the joint mission. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) In this aerial drone photo, China Search and Rescue Team, assigned by the country's Ministry of Emergency Management, and a rescue team from China's Hong Kong carry out a joint search and rescue operation at the Sky Villa residence in Mandalay, Myanmar, April 1, 2025. Equipment, including snake-eye endoscopes, radar wave all-view cameras and drones, was used in the joint mission. Using drones at the scene, the joint rescue force conducted an assessment to ensure the safety of the rescue. Locals provided clues on distress sounds at the scene. The Chinese rescuers rushed to the spot only to rule out the possibility of survivors. Twenty-four rescuers participated in the joint mission. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) In this aerial drone photo, China Search and Rescue Team, assigned by the country's Ministry of Emergency Management, and a rescue team from China's Hong Kong carry out a joint search and rescue operation at the Sky Villa residence in Mandalay, Myanmar, April 1, 2025. Equipment, including snake-eye endoscopes, radar wave all-view cameras and drones, was used in the joint mission. Using drones at the scene, the joint rescue force conducted an assessment to ensure the safety of the rescue. Locals provided clues on distress sounds at the scene. The Chinese rescuers rushed to the spot only to rule out the possibility of survivors. Twenty-four rescuers participated in the joint mission. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) China Search and Rescue Team, assigned by the country's Ministry of Emergency Management, and a rescue team from China's Hong Kong carry out a joint search and rescue operation at the Sky Villa residence in Mandalay, Myanmar, April 1, 2025. Equipment, including snake-eye endoscopes, radar wave all-view cameras and drones, was used in the joint mission. Using drones at the scene, the joint rescue force conducted an assessment to ensure the safety of the rescue. Locals provided clues on distress sounds at the scene. The Chinese rescuers rushed to the spot only to rule out the possibility of survivors. Twenty-four rescuers participated in the joint mission. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) In this aerial drone photo, China Search and Rescue Team, assigned by the country's Ministry of Emergency Management, and a rescue team from China's Hong Kong carry out a joint search and rescue operation at the Sky Villa residence in Mandalay, Myanmar, April 1, 2025. Equipment, including snake-eye endoscopes, radar wave all-view cameras and drones, was used in the joint mission. Using drones at the scene, the joint rescue force conducted an assessment to ensure the safety of the rescue. Locals provided clues on distress sounds at the scene. The Chinese rescuers rushed to the spot only to rule out the possibility of survivors. Twenty-four rescuers participated in the joint mission. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) In this aerial drone photo, China Search and Rescue Team, assigned by the country's Ministry of Emergency Management, and a rescue team from China's Hong Kong carry out a joint search and rescue operation at the Sky Villa residence in Mandalay, Myanmar, April 1, 2025. Equipment, including snake-eye endoscopes, radar wave all-view cameras and drones, was used in the joint mission. Using drones at the scene, the joint rescue force conducted an assessment to ensure the safety of the rescue. Locals provided clues on distress sounds at the scene. The Chinese rescuers rushed to the spot only to rule out the possibility of survivors. Twenty-four rescuers participated in the joint mission. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) China Search and Rescue Team, assigned by the country's Ministry of Emergency Management, and a rescue team from China's Hong Kong carry out a joint search and rescue operation at the Sky Villa residence in Mandalay, Myanmar, April 1, 2025. Equipment, including snake-eye endoscopes, radar wave all-view cameras and drones, was used in the joint mission. Using drones at the scene, the joint rescue force conducted an assessment to ensure the safety of the rescue. Locals provided clues on distress sounds at the scene. The Chinese rescuers rushed to the spot only to rule out the possibility of survivors. Twenty-four rescuers participated in the joint mission. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) In this aerial drone photo, China Search and Rescue Team, assigned by the country's Ministry of Emergency Management, and a rescue team from China's Hong Kong carry out a joint search and rescue operation at the Sky Villa residence in Mandalay, Myanmar, April 1, 2025. Equipment, including snake-eye endoscopes, radar wave all-view cameras and drones, was used in the joint mission. Using drones at the scene, the joint rescue force conducted an assessment to ensure the safety of the rescue. Locals provided clues on distress sounds at the scene. The Chinese rescuers rushed to the spot only to rule out the possibility of survivors. Twenty-four rescuers participated in the joint mission. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) China Search and Rescue Team, assigned by the country's Ministry of Emergency Management, and a rescue team from China's Hong Kong carry out a joint search and rescue operation at the Sky Villa residence in Mandalay, Myanmar, April 1, 2025. Equipment, including snake-eye endoscopes, radar wave all-view cameras and drones, was used in the joint mission. Using drones at the scene, the joint rescue force conducted an assessment to ensure the safety of the rescue. Locals provided clues on distress sounds at the scene. The Chinese rescuers rushed to the spot only to rule out the possibility of survivors. Twenty-four rescuers participated in the joint mission. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) In this aerial drone photo, China Search and Rescue Team, assigned by the country's Ministry of Emergency Management, and a rescue team from China's Hong Kong carry out a joint search and rescue operation at the Sky Villa residence in Mandalay, Myanmar, April 1, 2025. Equipment, including snake-eye endoscopes, radar wave all-view cameras and drones, was used in the joint mission. Using drones at the scene, the joint rescue force conducted an assessment to ensure the safety of the rescue. Locals provided clues on distress sounds at the scene. The Chinese rescuers rushed to the spot only to rule out the possibility of survivors. Twenty-four rescuers participated in the joint mission. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) In this aerial drone photo, China Search and Rescue Team, assigned by the country's Ministry of Emergency Management, and a rescue team from China's Hong Kong carry out a joint search and rescue operation at the Sky Villa residence in Mandalay, Myanmar, April 1, 2025. Equipment, including snake-eye endoscopes, radar wave all-view cameras and drones, was used in the joint mission. Using drones at the scene, the joint rescue force conducted an assessment to ensure the safety of the rescue. Locals provided clues on distress sounds at the scene. The Chinese rescuers rushed to the spot only to rule out the possibility of survivors. Twenty-four rescuers participated in the joint mission. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY JWR UPDATE. IT'S FREE. (AND NO SPAM!) Just click here. If you've driven on the freeway in recent years, been to the grocery store, attended a movie or a live performance heck, if you've been at all sentient the findings of a new poll will startle you about as much as the sun rising at dawn and setting at dusk. America has gotten ruder. At least, that's how a plurality of Americans perceive the tetchy state of our union. A poll released by the nonpartisan Pew Research Center found that five years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic many of those surveyed believe public behavior in the United States has changed for the worse. Our politics surely have. "Everything's a war. Everything's a battle. There's no collaboration, no coordination, no civic pride," said Don Sipple, a veteran communications strategist who helped shape campaign messages for George W. Bush, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jerry Brown, among many others. The pandemic seems a good starting point to measure the foundering of America's p's and q's, seeing as how it produced the equivalent of a national nervous breakdown and pried a deeply divided country even further apart. The Pew survey found that just under half of U.S. adults polled 47% said the way people behave in public these days is ruder than before the pandemic. Two in 10 said today's behavior is a lot ruder. Some 44% of adults said public behavior is about the same; 9% said people are behaving a lot or a little more politely in public. Those latter respondents have presumably been anesthetized, never set foot in the real world or live in a permanent, chemically induced stupor. How do you or, rather, how did the Pew researchers measure rudeness? The behaviors they tested involved, among various trespasses, smoking, swearing and the use of technology around other people. Of the eight actions mentioned in the survey, two drew the widest disapproval: 77% said it's rarely or never acceptable to smoke around others and 74% said the same about taking a photo or video of someone without their permission. About two-thirds of adults said it is rarely or never acceptable to bring a child to an adult venue, such as a bar or upscale restaurant; to visibly display swear words, such as on a T-shirt or sign; or to curse out loud in public. Smaller majorities say it's rarely or never acceptable to play music out loud or to wear headphones or earbuds while talking to someone. In both instances, a sizable number said it depends: Roughly a third said it's sometimes OK to play music out loud, and about a quarter said that about wearing headphones while talking to someone. The poll found the largest gap in perceived rudeness was between those of different ages. Older adults were more likely than younger adults to consider it impolite to curse out loud, visibly display profanity or wear headphones or earbuds while talking to someone in person. Strikingly, in an age when everything seems politicized there were not major differences in viewpoints based on respondents' partisan affiliations. At the very least, Democrats and Republicans agree that wafting cigarette smoke in someone's face and capturing their reaction on video without first asking is untoward. Maybe there's hope for the republic yet. Not that you'd want to model the behavior of our boorish, foul-mouthed chief executive. It seemed scandalous and highly indecorous back in 1992, when President George H.W. Bush referred to his Democratic rivals, Bill Clinton and Al Gore, as "two bozos." Bush felt obliged to apologize, as did his son George W., when he was seeking the White House eight years later and a hot mic caught him referring to one of the New York Times' political correspondents as "a major league a ." Andrew Breitbart, the late conservative website publisher, famously suggested "politics is downstream from culture." But it seems these days the waters have commingled, creating a pool that's increasingly foul-smelling and polluted. Like a fish, America's manners have rotted from the top down. So, too, our political dialogue. No wonder people hold their nose and refuse to take their earbuds out. (COMMENT, BELOW) Mark Z. Barabak Los Angeles Times/(TNS) Mark Z. Barabak is a columnist for the Los Angeles Times, focusing on politics in California and the West. Mumbai: Television actress Arti Singh has finally addressed the speculation surrounding her personal life after her brother, Krushna Abhishek, hinted at her pregnancy. The actress broke her silence to clarify the rumours, shedding light on the situation. On Tuesday, Arti took to her Instagram handle to set the record straight, clarifying that she is not expecting. She humorously mentioned that Krushna bhaiya will become a "mamu" (uncle) when the right time comes. The 'Thoda Hai Bas Thode Ki Zaroorat Hai' actress wrote, Krushna bhaiya's words were just filled with love, excitement, and a little manifestation'Woh kab mamu banenge?' He jokingly said, 'Jaldi sunao, woh kab aa raha hai!' but that doesn't mean I'm expecting it. And well, he said it so dearly, let's call it an indirect manifestationuparwale ki daya se, jab Bhagwan chahega, tab ho jayega. Till then, Dipak and I are enjoying our journey, and when the right time comes, Krushna bhaiya will finally get his wish of becoming a mama. Keep sending your love & blessings. (sic) Artis statement comes a day after she made a joint appearance with Krushna, where he addressed the rumours about Arti's pregnancy. During the conversation with paparazzi, the comedian mimicked a pregnant belly gesture and joked, "Humko news sunao ke wo kab araha hai," making Arti blush as everyone around laughed heartily. For the unversed, Arti Singh and Dipak Chauhan tied the knot on April 25, 2024, in an intimate ceremony at the Iskcon Temple in Mumbai, surrounded by their close family and friends. Notably, Artis uncle, the superstar Govinda, attended the wedding, putting aside their past family differences to bless the couple. In addition to Govinda, guests at Arti Singh's wedding included Kashmera Shah, Bipasha Basu, Karan Singh Grover, Rashami Desai, Paras Chhabra, Mahira Sharma, and many others. Mumbai/New Delhi: The Bombay High Court will hear on Wednesday the writ petition filed by the father of former celebrity manager, late Disha Salian in the case pertaining to her death. The writ petition was filed by Disha Salian's father Satish Salian, who is demanding a fresh investigation into his daughter's death and questioning of a few powerful people. In the petition he had claimed that Disha was raped and murdered. Interestingly, Satish Salian had five years ago insisted his daughter was not raped and murdered. When questioned on this by the media, Satish Salians advocate Nilesh Ojha said that the distraught father was manipulated by certain political leaders and the police who wanted to shield the son of a leading politician. Nilesh Ojha had on March 25 filed a fresh FIR in Dishas death case. Ojha said that a written complaint has been filed with the police commissioner and in the FIR, names of Aaditya Thackeray, Dino Morea and Suraj Pancholi have been mentioned. According to Ojha, Aaditya Thackeray, Dino Morea, Suraj Pancholi and his bodyguard, Parambir Singh, Sachin Vaze and Rhea Chakraborty are all accused in the FIR. He claimed that Parambir Singh was the main mastermind for the cover up in the case. Ojha said, Parambir Singh held a press conference and fabricated lies to save Aaditya Thackeray. NCBs probe proves that Aaditya Thackeray was involved in a drug business and it has been also mentioned in the FIR. Ojha said that some senior police officers were also involved in the conspiracy as they misused police and government machinery, created false police records, suppressed witnesses and tried to hide criminal evidence. It is my sincere request that all these acts should be immediately prosecuted under Sections 376(D), 302, 409, 120(B), 107, 109, 166, 167 and other applicable Sections of the IPC and strict action be taken against the accused, said Ojha. Earlier, the CBI filed a closure report in Disha Salians case, concluding that her death was a suicide, not murder. The investigation found no evidence linking her death to Sushant Singh Rajput. The report suggests that personal and professional stress, including financial issues and her fathers alleged affair, may have contributed to her mental distress. Despite conspiracy theories, the CBI confirmed there was no foul play. However, a fresh petition has been filed challenging the findings. Los Angeles: Hollywood star Jennifer Lawrence has embraced motherhood once again. The actress is now officially a mom of two. The No Hard Feelings actress, 34, has welcomed her second baby with husband Cooke Maroney, reports People magazine. The actress and Maroney were spotted out for a stroll together in New York City following the birth of their little one. Lawrence and Cookie, 40, who married in October 2019, are also parents to their 3-year-old son Cy. As per People, Lawrence announced she was expecting her second baby with Maroney via a Vogue Instagram postand article in October 2024. "Congratulations are in order for Jennifer Lawrence. The Oscar-winning actor will be welcoming her second child with art gallerist husband Cooke Maroney, the magazine wrote in the post's caption, adding that representatives for Lawrence had confirmed the happy news to the outlet. The following day, a source confirmed the news with People exclusively sharing that Lawrence was "thrilled to be pregnant again. "She loves being a mom, the insider said. "She's thrilled to be pregnant again. It feels like the perfect timing to her. Her son will be 3 when the new baby arrives. Since the birth of her first son, Lawrence has shared that she's been approaching her career differently. The X-Men: Apocalypse actress told Cameron Diaz in a 2023 conversation for Interview magazine that having a baby caused her to be more selective with the projects she agrees to do. "Theres no squeezing when you have a baby", Lawrence said. "Theres just home, and its the best. It definitely helps weed out projects, 'Yes. No. Yes. No. Yes. No. Is this worth being away from my child for half the day?'. Mumbai: Bollywood celebrities on Tuesday night gathered together under one roof to celebrate Vivienne Westwood's first-ever fashion show in India. The star-studded affair gala, which was set against the backdrop of Mumbai's iconic Gateway of India, saw stars like Kareena Kapoor, Twinkle Khanna, Aditya Roy Kapur, Mira Rajput, and Janhvi Kapoor among others, in attendance. All were dressed to the nines. Kareena raised a glam quotient in a wine off-shoulder gown featuring a thigh-high slit. For the accessories, Kareena opted for diamond rings and statement earrings. Janhvi Kapoor never disappoints her fans with her fashion sense. At Vivienne Westwood's, she once again unleashed her diva mode as walked the red carpet in an off-shoulder embellished corset top stitched with a thigh-high slit satin skirt and silver heels. Actor Aditya Roy Kapur caught attention in Afghani pants, a matching blazer, and a satin-striped shirt. Mira Kapoor also added a tadka of glam to the red carpet with her stunning presence. She looked breathtaking hot in a multi-hued off-shoulder dress. Actros Disha Patani, Bhumi Pednekar and Vaani Kapoor also attended the fashion show. The show presented a selection of Spring Summer 2025 Vivienne Westwood looks and special archive pieces, alongside a capsule collection of Vivienne Westwood couture looks crafted from handwoven Indian silks, Khadi cotton, and wool, sourced from esteemed textile houses like Khadi India and Aaranya, Gwalior. In collaboration with the Department of Textiles, Maharashtra, Vivz Fashion School, and HSBC India, the showcase highlighted heritage preservation, and the skilled artisans keeping traditional craftsmanship alive. New Delhi: About 36.57 lakh central government employees and 33.91 lakh pensioners are eagerly waiting to hear about the updates on formation of 8th Central Pay Commission which will benefit them financially. The proposed day of implementation is January 1, 2026. 8th Pay Commission: Will Pay Panel Be Set Up This Month (April)? In February this year, Expenditure Secretary Manoj Govil, had in an interview with TOI, had shared updates on formation of the 8th Pay Panel and also the expected economic ramifications. He told TOI that setting up the 8th Pay Commission might occur in two months, perhaps by April. The draft terms of reference have been sent to the ministries of defense, home affairs, and DoPT for their opinions. The TOR will be framed after their opinions and recommendations are received, and the Cabinet's approval would then be requested, he added. He clarified the timing when asked about the economic ramifications of the 8th Pay Commission in light of the implementation of the core wage hike. He told TOI that the pay commission will not have any financial effects in the upcoming fiscal year, 20252026. Can Discussions On 8th Pay Commission Terms of Reference Be Materialised In April? Though the central government has announced the establishment of the 8th Central Pay Commission, it has not announced the 8th Pay Commission's Terms of Reference. A few reports have surfaced in the media that an important meeting of the NC-JCM's Standing Committee is scheduled on April 23, that hints at discussion on 8th CPC's Terms of Reference. These are just initial speculations because nothing official has been announced regarding the meeting. Under the chairpersonship of Secretary DOPT, a meeting of the staff side and other members of the Standing Committee of National Council-JCM was convened on February 10, 2025. The meeting was called to discuss the 8th CPC's Terms of Reference, which were forwarded by NC-JCM's staff side. Meeting on Terms of Reference of 8th CPC In the meeting, the staff side said that the Draft Terms of Reference forwarded by the Staff Side is fully justified, since it gives the "flexibility to the 8th CPC to consider the various issues pertaining to the Central Government employees and pensioners in common and the Specific issues of the two major ministries, viz. Ministry of Railways and Ministry of Defence", since several industrial employees are working in these two ministries in very risky conditions. The staff side also emphasized the need for determining the minimum wage, considering the fact of the "legal responsibility of the grown up children to take care of their parents under the Maintenance And Welfare of Parents And Senior Citizen Act 2022" and hence the family units should be taken as five and not three units. The staff side said, "Accordingly and also considering today's life requirement and nutrition level in which many items have to be added, so that the 8th CPC can recommend 'Decent And Dignified Living Wage." The staff side requested that before the constitution of the 8th CPC, a meeting of the Standing Committee and also the NC-JCM may be convened so that "all the pending issues can be discussed and resolved, which will reduce the burden of the 8 CPC." In response to the staff side's views, Secretary DOPT said that following the discussion, there is now greater clarity on the Terms of Reference that the staff side provided. She added that there will be more such meetings in the future. When will the 8th CPC come into effect? The government announced that the 8th Pay Commission will take effect on January 1, 2026. This means that the commission will be established well in advance, conduct its review, and submit its report. When approved by the government, the recommendations in the report will be put into effect on January 1, 2026. Meanwhile, on February 4, 2025, in response to questions in the Rajya Sabha concerning the Commission's constitution and its members' appointment date, the Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance said that the government has approved the constitution of the 8th Central Pay Commission. He added that the timeframe for submitting its report and the appointment date of its chairman and members would be decided in due course. New Delhi: Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) has been made operational from 1 April, 2025 for central government employees. Declared last year by the Narendra Modi government, the UPS seeks to provide fixed pension security to employees working in central government offices. People who are in a government job and are already enrolled in the NPS will have the opportunity to choose UPS. What is the minimum assured-payout under UPS? A minimum assured payout of Rs.10,000 per month has been guaranteed under Unified Pension Scheme in case superannuation is after 10 years or more of qualifying service, subject to timely and regular credit of contributions and no withdrawals. Unified Pension Scheme: Who Will Get Guaranteed 50% Pension? Under UPS, a person who has worked for at least 25 years will receive a pension equal to 50% of their average basic salary for the last 12 months before their retirement. If someone has served for more than 10 years, they would receive a pension of at least Rs 10,000 per month. What is the family payout under UPS? In case of death of the payout holder after superannuation, family payout @60% of the payout admissible to the payout holder immediately before his demise, shall be assured to the legally wedded spouse (spouse legally wedded as on the date of superannuation or on the date of voluntary retirement or retirement under FR 56(j), as may be applicable). Under what circumstances the option of assured payout under UPS shall not be available to the Central Government employees? The option of assured payout under UPS shall not be available to the Central Government employees in the following circumstances: a. In case of an employee superannuating before qualifying service of 10 years, from the date of superannuation. b. In case of removal or dismissal from service or resignation of the employee. China said that it is ready to work with India to handle the bilateral relations with a strategic and long-term perspective, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in its regular press briefing on Tuesday. The remarks, which were delivered by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun, came as the two countries mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic ties. Spokesperson Guo Jiakun said, "Today marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and India. President Xi Jinping and Indian President Droupadi Murmu, and Premier Li Qiang and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi exchanged congratulatory messages respectively." He added that both China and India are ancient civilizations, major developing countries, and important members of the Global South, and both are in a crucial stage of modernization. He noted that the historical course of the bilateral relations shows that "being partners of mutual success and a cooperative pas de deux of the dragon and the elephant is the right choice for both sides and fully meets the fundamental interests of the two countries and two peoples." In his remarks he added, "Under the strategic guidance of the leaders of our two countries, China stands ready to work with India to view and handle the bilateral relations with a strategic and long-term perspective, and take this occasion of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties as an opportunity to enhance strategic mutual trust, step up exchanges and cooperation in various fields, deepen communication and coordination in major international affairs, jointly maintain peace and tranquility in the border areas and advance China-India relations on the track of sound and stable development." The remarks of the spokesperson were also shared by China's Ambassador to India, Xu Feihong, on X. MOFA: China is willing to work with India, viewing the bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term perspective to boost strategic mutual trust and deepen exchanges across fields. pic.twitter.com/tHjT1daesu Xu Feihong (@China_Amb_India) April 2, 2025 On Tuesday, Ambassador Xu Feihong expressed his optimism about the future of China-India relations as the two nations celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties and believes the two nations will advance bilateral relations. In the event titled 'Riding the East Wind, Setting Sail Anew and Opening a New Chapter in China-India Relations', the Chinese envoy expressed great pleasure for the presence of Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri to join the 'commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of China-India diplomatic relations.' "Today, the leaders of China and India exchanged congratulatory messages to mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized that both sides should view and handle China-India relations from a strategic and long-term perspective and seek ways for neighbouring major countries to get along in peaceful coexistence, mutual trust and mutual benefit as well as common development," he said. "Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized that the meeting between the two leaders in Kazan was instrumental in laying out a roadmap for our bilateral relations returning to a stable, predictable, and amicable path. Progress in our bilateral relations will contribute not only to global stability and prosperity but also to the emergence of a multi-polar world," he added. Highlighting both nations' ability to navigate challenges and continue growing, he affirmed, "Over the past 75 years, despite weathering ups and downs, China-India relations have always surged forward like the Yangtze and the Ganges. One learns from the past in order to understand the future, and follows the right path to go far." Introduction Fabry disease (OMIM #301500) is an X-linked condition caused by pathogenic variants of the GLA gene that result in the absence or enzymatic deficiency of -galactosidase A. This enzyme defect leads to lysosomal storage of globotriaosylceramide in a variety of cell types and manifests as a multisystemic disease affecting the heart, kidney, blood vessels, peripheral nervous system, skin, and eyes. Classic Fabry disease is best exemplified by male patients with loss-of-function GLA variants leading to loss of the -galactosidase A enzyme activity, increased plasma lyso-globotriaosylceramide levels, and characteristic lysosomal storage vacuoles in affected cell types/tissues. Affected individuals typically develop cardiac, kidney, and neurologic complications in the third or fourth decade of life.1 Many, but not all, patients respond to enzyme replacement therapy with recombinant -galactosidase A,2 although the response is suboptimal.3 Migalastat (deoxygalactonojirimycin), a small-molecule chaperone that facilitates -galactosidase A trafficking from the endoplasmic reticulum to lysosomes for certain (amenable) mutated enzymes, is also helpful in some cases.4,5 Over the last two decades, an increasing number of patients have been described with non-classic Fabry disease.6 Many of these individuals have been identified by genetic screening of newborns or patient populations,7 allowing the identification of new GLA variants and corresponding clinical manifestations.8,9 These individuals typically have missense GLA variants, varying levels of -galactosidase A activity, and a modest increase in plasma lyso-globotriaosylceramide. The phenotype occurs later in life and is often limited to cardiac or kidney disease.10 Lysosomal storage is less pronounced than in classic Fabry disease.11 Manifestations of Fabry disease have also been reported in female patients heterozygous for pathogenic GLA variants. Clinical symptoms occur at a later age than in male patients and often do not correlate with -galactosidase A activity,12 with higher rates of symptomatic disease than expected by random X-inactivation.13 While the pathogenesis of Fabry disease has been mostly attributed to -galactosidase A deficiency, lysosomal globotriaosylceramide accumulation, and impairment of lysosomal functions,14 other factors may contribute.1517 -galactosidase A is synthesized and delivered to the lysosome through the secretory pathway.18 Specific GLA variants might affect the synthesis, processing, and stability of -galactosidase A in different ways.19 While misfolding of some -galactosidase A variants and their degradation through endoplasmic reticulumassociated protein degradation (ERAD) constitute the established mechanism leading to lysosomal enzyme deficiency,20 the potential contribution of -galactosidase A misprocessing, intracellular retention and consequent endoplasmic reticulum stress, and unfolded protein response to development of Fabry disease symptoms have been investigated only in vitro.21,22 To this end, in this work, we characterized the clinical and pathophysiological correlates of the GLA variant c.1181T>C encoding a missense variant p.L394P of -galactosidase A that was found in a nationwide Fabry disease screening program of Czech dialysis patients. Methods Patients The probands were identified through a Fabry disease screening program of 6352 patients (94% of the dialysis population) in the Czech Republic. -galactosidase A activity,23 lyso-globotriaosylceramide,24 and genetic investigations were performed as described earlier.25 Degradation of Globotriaosylceramide in Cultured Skin Fibroblasts Skin fibroblasts were loaded with mass-labeled C23:0,d18:1 globotriaosylceramide. Conduritol B epoxide (Calbiochem-Novabiochem GmbH, Germany) was added to block metabolic conversion of glucosylceramide to ceramide. Sphingolipids were extracted from the cell homogenate and quantified using the mass spectrometry as previously described.26,27 Histopathological, Immunohistochemical, and Ultrastructural Electron Microscopic Analyses of Kidney Biopsies -galactosidase A, CRELD2, HSPA5/BiP/GRP78, PDIA4/ERp72, and lysosomes were immunodetected with antigen-specific antibodies and peroxidase detection (Supplemental Table 1). Ultrastructural studies were performed as reported earlier.28 Intracellular Localization of -Galactosidase A in Kidney Biopsies, Skin Fibroblasts, and Transfected HEK 293 Cells -galactosidase A and cellular compartments were detected with antigen-specific antibodies and corresponding fluorescently labeled antibodies (Supplemental Table 1). Confocal microscopy, fluorescence image acquisition, and analysis have been performed as previously described.29 Relative subcellular distribution was calculated from the mean of -galactosidase A signal intensities retrieved from pixels with positive colocalization signals. The signals were obtained on average from about 50 cells with 500015,000 events identified. -Galactosidase A Expression in Transfected HEK 293 Cells Wild-type GLA was cloned into pCR3.1 and corresponding mutated constructs were prepared by site-directed mutagenesis. Transfection were performed using Lipofectamine 3000 (Invitrogen, Paisley, United Kingdom). -galactosidase A-FLAG was detected by Western blot analysis, and its intracellular localization was assessed by immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy as described above. RNA Sequencing of HEK 293 Cells Stably Expressing -Galactosidase A-FLAG Stranded mRNA-Seq libraries were prepared with the KAPA mRNA HyperPrep Kit for Illumina Platforms (Roche). Paired-end reads of 2100 base pairs were sequenced on Illumina NovaSeq6000. The resulting FASTQ files were trimmed using Atropos.30 Gene-level abundances were estimated using Salmon31 Normalization, and differential expression analyses were performed within DESeq2 R package.32 Proteomic Analysis of HEK 293 Cells Stably Expressing -Galactosidase A-FLAG Trypsin-generated peptides were analyzed with tandem mass spectrometry, quantified with the MaxQuant software33 and analyzed using Perseus 1.6.1.3 software.34 Pathway analysis of the proteomic and RNASeq data were performed with GSEA.35 qRT-PCR Analysis of Unfolded Protein Response Markers in Transfected HEK 293 Cells RNA was reverse transcribed and amplified using the SOLIScript one-step Multiplex Probe Kit (Solis Biodyne). Relative expression levels were calculated by 2Ct method using PUM1, CASC3, UBC, and TBP genes as a reference. Primer and probe sequences used are listed in Supplemental Table 2. BRD4780 and Migalastat Treatment of HEK 293 Cells Stably Expressing -Galactosidase A Variants HEK 293 cells were cultured initially in standard media for 24 hours and then in media containing 10 M BRD4780 (AGN 192403 hydrochloride, CAS number: 1021868-90-5, Tocris), 50 M deoxygalactonojirimycin (Deoxygalactonojirimycin hydrochloride, Migalastat, CAS number 75172-81-5, Merck), or 10 l of DMSO for 48 hours. The qRT-PCR analysis of unfolded protein response markers was performed in cell lysates as described above. Intracellular content of -galactosidase A-FLAG, BiP, GRP94, and ERp72 was assessed by Western blot. Intracellular localization of -galactosidase A-FLAG was assessed by immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy as described above. -galactosidase A activities in cell lysate and culture media were measured as described above. Detailed protocols for all methods are provided in the Supplemental Methods. Results Patients As part of the Czech nationwide Fabry disease screening program of dialysis patients, six probands were identified with approximately 15% residual blood -galactosidase A activity and the c.1181T>C GLA variant, encoding missense p.L394P -galactosidase A. Family histories revealed numerous individuals with CKD and type 2 diabetes mellitus (Figure 1A). Whole genome sequencing performed in F1_III.5 and F3_III.1 revealed 4.7 Mb of shared genetic material on chromosome X (100016210104743750; [hg19]), confirmed the expected founder effect, and excluded other potential disease-causing variants. This variant has been identified in two individuals of European (non-Finnish) population in the Genome Aggregation Database. It is not conserved in vertebrate species and is classified as a variant of uncertain significance according to American College of Medical Genetics recommendations.36 Figure 1: Family pedigrees with biochemical characteristics. (A) Generations and individuals are identified successively by Roman and Arabic numerals, respectively. Black bolded symbols denote genetically affected individuals with the c. 1181T>C variant. Red and gray coloring denote presence of CKD and type 2 diabetes mellitus. White coloring denotes asymptomatic carriers. Open symbols denote clinically unaffected individuals; wt denotes absence of the GLA mutation; if not stated, DNA was unavailable for investigation. (B) -galactosidase A activities, (C) lyso-globotriaosylceramide levels, and (D) corresponding values of their ratio in plasma of male patients and female patients with the 394P -galactosidase A (n=9 and n=9, respectively), classic Fabry disease variants (n=6 and n=23, respectively), and healthy controls (n=19 and n=21, respectively). Data are meansSEM. The statistical significance of the differences between the categories is represented by P values calculated by two-tailed t test. ctrl, control; FD, Fabry disease. Family screening identified 30 carriers (15 male carriers and 15 female carriers) with the c.1181T>C variant. There was a high prevalence of Fabry disease symptoms in this group (Supplemental Table 3). Laboratory investigations revealed that all of nine investigated male carriers had low -galactosidase A activities in plasma (Figure 1B) and leukocytes (Supplemental Figure 3), with normal plasma lyso-globotriaosylceramide levels (Figure 1C) but abnormally low ratio (Figure 1D). Nine female carriers had normal plasma and leukocyte -galactosidase A activities, with two of them having low plasma -galactosidase A activities. All female carriers had normal plasma lyso-globotriaosylceramide levels. The ratio of plasma enzyme activity to lyso-globotriaosylceramide levels was abnormal in some individuals (Figure 1D). Twenty-three (75%) carriers had at least one prespecified Fabry disease manifestation. The most frequent findings included the presence of proteinuria (n=17), CKD (n=10, including seven patients with kidney failure), gastrointestinal symptoms (n=10), ocular changes (n=7), left ventricular hypertrophy (n=7), clinical manifestations attributable to small fiber neuropathy (n=6), and stroke/transient ischemic attack history (n=3). Only one carrier (a female) had typical Fabry-related angiokeratomas. Hypertension was present in nine individuals. Type 2 diabetes mellitus was present in 12 genetically affected individuals and no genetically unaffected family members. Loading studies revealed that the degradation of C23:0,d18:1 globotriaosylceramide was lower in cultured skin fibroblasts from two male patients with the 394P -galactosidase A, but to a lesser extent than in fibroblasts of the male with classic Fabry disease (Figure 2A). The synthesis and processing of the 394P -galactosidase A seemed unaffected (Figure 2B). However, immunofluorescence studies revealed that 394P -galactosidase A was retained in compartments of the early secretory pathway with minimal but noticeable staining in lysosomes. In control fibroblasts and fibroblasts of a male with classic Fabry disease, -galactosidase A localized largely to lysosomes (Figure 2C). Figure 2: Degradation of globotriaosylceramide and -galactosidase A expression in cultured skin fibroblasts. (A) Skin fibroblasts were loaded with mass-labeled C23:0,d18:1 globotriaosylceramide. Conduritol B epoxide, a covalent inhibitor of GlcCer--glucosidase, was applied to block the downstream metabolic conversion of glucosylceramide to ceramide. After 4 days of incubation, the original substrate, C23:0,d18:1 globotriaosylceramide, and the resulting product, C23:0,d18:1 glucosylceramide, were isolated from cell homogenates and quantified by FIA-ESI-MS/MS. Compared with control cells, degradation of the C23Gb3Cer was reduced in cells from two males with the 394P -galactosidase A, but to a lesser extent than in cells of the male with classic Fabry disease and 342Q -galactosidase A. (B) Immunoblot analysis of -galactosidase A in cell lysates demonstrating that the synthesis and post-translational processing of the 394P -galactosidase A is similar to male controls. In skin fibroblasts from male patients with classic Fabry disease, the amount of -galactosidase A is lower. (C) To assess whether and how identified -galactosidase A mutations affect intracellular localization, we detected -galactosidase A (green) and colocalized the resulting immunofluorescent signal with markers for lysosomes (LAMP2; red) and endoplasmic reticulum (PDI; red), endoplasmic reticulumGolgi intermediate compartment (ERGIC53; red) and the secretory cargo receptor TMED9 (red) in cultured skin fibroblasts. Nuclei are in blue. In affected skin fibroblasts from individuals with the 394P mutation (F1-394P_3.5 and F4-394P_4.3, see pedigrees), -galactosidase A localizes mainly to the endoplasmic reticulum and endoplasmic reticulumGolgi intermediate compartment and colocalizes with TMED9 with minimal staining of the lysosome. In skin fibroblasts from a classic Fabry disease patient with the 342Q mutation and from an unaffected control, -galactosidase A localized mostly to lysosomes with minimal staining in other compartments. The degree of -galactosidase A colocalization with selected markers is demonstrated by the fluorescent signal overlap coefficient values that range from 0 to 1. The resulting overlap coefficient values are presented as the pseudo color whose scale is shown in the corresponding lookup tables. Subcellular distribution of -galactosidase A in selected compartments is shown in the adjacent graph. The values represent the percentage of the total of mean -galactosidase A colocalization signal intensities in corresponding compartments. On average, 50 cells were analyzed and 500015,000 events were identified for each sample. ER, endoplasmic reticulum; ERGIC, endoplasmic reticulumGolgi intermediate compartment; LacCer, lactosylceramide; SAP-B, saposin B; TMED9, transmembrane P24 trafficking protein 9. Histopathologic and immunohistochemical studies in kidney biopsies of two male patients with the 394P -galactosidase A revealed enlarged glomeruli without proliferation and mild focal interstitial fibrosis. Characteristic lysosomal storage found in classic Fabry disease (Supplemental Figure 1) was not detected in glomeruli. Ultrastructural electron microscopic studies in kidney biopsies of male patients with the 394P variant showed partial effacement of podocyte pedicels and nonmembrane-bound lipid droplets in proximal tubular epithelium and interstitial cells. Lysosomal storage typical for Fabry disease was not found in any cell type present in the tested tissue (Figure 3). Immunofluorescence studies in kidney biopsies of patients and controls with classic Fabry disease showed the usual distribution of -galactosidase A with high expression in tubular epithelial cells and minimal podocyte expression.37 The mutated -galactosidase A localized mainly to the endoplasmic reticulum and endoplasmic reticulumGolgi intermediate compartment and colocalized with transmembrane P24 trafficking protein 9 (TMED9), whereas in a control kidney and a kidney biopsy of a male with classic Fabry disease, -galactosidase A localized to lysosomes (Figure 4). Figure 3: Kidney ultrastructural pathology. (A and B) Glomerular structures in a male with the 394P -galactosidase A variant. Podocytes and endothelial cells do not contain typical Fabry disease storage lysosomes. Partial pedicel effacement is shown in higher detail in (B, black arrows). The white square in (A) corresponds to the area shown in (B). (C and D) Nonmembrane-bound lipid droplets (white arrows) were present in proximal tubular epithelial and interstitial cells (white arrowheads) of a male with the 394P -galactosidase A as a likely secondary structural abnormality linked to (lipo)proteinuria. Notably, lysosomal storage typical for Fabry disease was not found in any cell type present in the tested tissue. The white square in (C) corresponds to the area shown in (D). (E and F) Characteristic multilamellar storage lysosomes (black arrows) are abundant in podocytes of a male with classic Fabry disease and the 301Q -galactosidase A. The white square in (E) corresponds to the area shown in (F). Scale bars: (A, D, and E) 2 m; (C) 5 m; (B and F) 750 nm. prox. tubules, proximal tubules. Figure 4: -galactosidase A localization in kidney. To assess whether and how the identified variants affect -galactosidase A intracellular localization in tubular epithelial cells, we detected -galactosidase A (green) and colocalized the resulting immunofluorescent signal with markers of lysosomes (LAMP2; blue) and endoplasmic reticulum (PDI; red), endoplasmic reticulumGolgi intermediate compartment (ERGIC53; red), and the secretory cargo receptor TMED9 (red) in kidney biopsies. Nuclei are in gray. In kidney tissue from the male with the 394P variant (F1-394P_III.5 and F4-394P_IV.6, see pedigrees), -galactosidase A localizes mainly to endoplasmic reticulum and endoplasmic reticulumGolgi intermediate compartment and colocalizes with TMED9 with minimal staining of lysosomes. A similar pattern of -galactosidase A distribution was found in the kidney from a female with a 143T variant. In a kidney biopsy of a male with classic Fabry disease and 301Q pathogenic variant and in a control kidney, -galactosidase A localized mostly to lysosomes with minimal staining in other compartments. The degree of -galactosidase A colocalization with selected markers is demonstrated by the fluorescent signal overlap coefficient values that range from 0 to 1. The resulting overlap coefficient values are presented as the pseudo color whose scale is shown in the corresponding lookup tables. Subcellular distribution of -galactosidase A in selected compartments are shown in the graph below. The values represent the percentage of the total of mean -galactosidase A colocalization signal intensities in corresponding compartments. On average, 50 cells were analyzed and 500015,000 events were identified for each sample. Given the clinical presentation, histopathologic, ultrastructural, and fibroblast culture findings, we reasoned that misprocessing with abnormal intracellular distribution of the 394P -galactosidase A might disrupt the secretory pathway, activate the endoplasmic reticulum stress with unfolded protein response, and cause kidney disease, similar to several other protein-misfolding disorders.3841 At the same time, a portion of the mutated -galactosidase A might escape degradation by secretory pathway quality control mechanisms and transit to lysosomes, where its residual enzymatic activity might prevent intracellular accumulation of globotriaosylceramide and related glycosphingolipids that is characteristic in Fabry disease. Accordingly, in silico analysis revealed that the L394 residue is located outside of the -galactosidase A active site, indicating that enzymatic activity may be structurally maintained despite potential issues with protein misfolding (Supplemental Figure 2). Consistent with immunofluorescent studies in skin fibroblasts and human kidney, the 394P -galactosidase A with a C-terminal FLAG tag stably expressed in HEK 293 cells localized mainly to the endoplasmic reticulum and endoplasmic reticulumGolgi intermediate compartment, with preferential codistribution with TMED9, and with a minor presence in lysosomes. Wild-type -galactosidase A with a C-terminal FLAG tag and the classic Fabry diseasecausing variant 301Q -galactosidase A with a C-terminal FLAG tag localized mainly to lysosomes (Figure 5A). A small proportion of all the -galactosidase A variants localized to the Golgi apparatus (data not shown). RNA sequencing (Figure 5B) and proteomic analyses (Figure 5C) of HEK 293 cells stably expressing the 394P -galactosidase A-FLAG revealed activation of endoplasmic reticulum stress and unfolded protein response (Supplemental Tables 46), with specific upregulation of the activating transcription factor 6 and general (Complex) branches (Figure 5, D and E). This response was absent in HEK 293 cells stably expressing the wild-type or classic Fabry diseasecausing variant 112H -galactosidase A-FLAG. The proteins involved in the ribonuclease inositol-requiring protein-1 and the endoplasmic reticulum resident transmembrane protein kinase pathways showed minimal changes (Figure 5D). The initial step in inositol-requiring protein-1 response, the X-box binding protein 1 mRNA splicing, was also not activated (not shown). Consistently, expression of the endoplasmic reticulum stress markers, PDIA4/ERp72, HSPA5/BiP/GRP78, and endoplasmic reticulum stress and activating transcription factor 6 inducible protein CRELD2,42 were the most highly induced in kidney tubular cells of two male patients with the 394P variant, but to a lesser extent or not induced in five kidney biopsies with other missense variants causing Fabry disease and healthy control (Supplemental Figures 35). Figure 5: Pathogenic consequences of the 394P -galactosidase A. (A) Consistent with kidney biopsies, the corresponding -galactosidase A-FLAG proteins stably expressed in HEK 293 also had a different intracellular distribution. We detected -galactosidase A-FLAG (green) and colocalized the resulting immunofluorescent signal with markers of endoplasmic reticulum (PDI; red), endoplasmic reticulumGolgi intermediate compartment (ERGIC53; red), the secretory cargo receptor (TMED9; red), and lysosomes (LAMP2; red). Nuclei are stained in blue. The 394P and 143T -galactosidase A-FLAG proteins localized mainly to the endoplasmic reticulum and endoplasmic reticulumGolgi intermediate compartment and colocalized with TMED9 with minimal staining of the lysosomes. The 301Q (classic Fabry mutation) and the wild-type -galactosidase A-FLAG proteins localized mostly to lysosomes with minimal staining in other compartments. The degree of -galactosidase A colocalization with selected markers is demonstrated by the fluorescent signal overlap coefficient values ranging from 0 to 1. Subcellular distribution of -galactosidase A in selected compartments is shown in the graph below. The values represent the percentage of the total mean -galactosidase A colocalization signal intensities in corresponding compartments. On average, 50 cells were analyzed and 500015,000 events were identified for each sample. (B) Protein composition of HEK 293 cells stably expressing 394P, 112H (classic Fabry), and wild-type -galactosidase A-FLAG proteins was analyzed using mass spectrometry. The binary logarithm of the ratios of individual protein amounts between the cells expressing 394P-FLAG and wild-typeFLAG proteins (log2[394P/wild-type]) and the decadic logarithm of the nominal probability that the protein is differentially expressed (log10 [raw P value]) are visualized using a volcano plot. Proteins on the right (positive) side of the x axis are increased in the cells expressing the 394P -galactosidase A-FLAG. Red dots represent proteins involved in the unfolded protein response. (C) Correlation of individual protein amount ratios in HEK 293 cells stably expressing 394P with 112H (classic Fabry) (log2[394P/112H]) and wild-type -galactosidase A-FLAG proteins (log2[394P/wild-type]) shows that the presence of the 394P-FLAG specifically increases the amount of protein involved in the unfolded protein response (red dots). (D) Specific activation of activating transcription factor 6 and complex branches of the unfolded protein response in HEK 293 cells expressing the 394P -galactosidase A-FLAG. Z-scores of normalized protein expression values were obtained from proteomic analysis of HEK 293 cells stably expressing 394P, 112H (classic Fabry) and wild-type -galactosidase A-FLAG proteins. (E) Correlation of protein amounts and mRNA levels of individual unfolded protein response components in HEK 293 cells expressing the 394P and wild-type -galactosidase A-FLAG. UPR, unfolded protein response; WT, wild-type. After identification of abnormal intracellular trafficking and unfolded protein response activation with partial slip-through of the 394P -galactosidase A to lysosomes, we explored similar changes in other -galactosidase A variants associated with classic and non-classic Fabry disease (Supplemental Table 7). In a kidney biopsy of a female with the p.A143T variant,43-galactosidase A had a similarly abnormal intracellular distribution to that of patients with the non-classic variant (Figure 4). Furthermore, renal tubular cells showed induction of CRELD2 expression but to a lesser extent than was detected in individuals with the 394P variant (Figure 6). Accordingly, in the HEK 293 cells stably expressing the 143T variant of -galactosidase A with a C-terminal FLAG tag, the enzyme localized mainly to the endoplasmic reticulumGolgi intermediate compartment with preferential codistribution with the cargo receptor TMED9, and with a minor presence in lysosomes (Figure 5). Figure 6: Localization of -galactosidase A-FLAG in transiently transfected HEK 293 cells. (A) To assess how other nontruncating missense -galactosidase A variants of unknown significance affect intracellular localization, we detected corresponding -galactosidase A-FLAG proteins transiently expressed in HEK 293 cells and colocalized the resulting immunofluorescent signal with markers of endoplasmic reticulum (PDI), endoplasmic reticulumGolgi intermediate compartment (ERGIC53), the secretory cargo receptor TMED9, and lysosomes (LAMP2). Subcellular distribution of -galactosidase A in selected compartments is shown in the graph. The values represent the percentage of the total mean -galactosidase A colocalization signal intensities in corresponding compartments. On average, 50 cells were analyzed and 500015,000 events were identified for each sample. (B) Unsupervised hierarchical clustering of normalized expression values (Z-scores) of selected endoplasmic reticulum stress and unfolded protein response markers obtained from RT-qPCR analyses of HEK 293 cells transiently expressing individual -galactosidase A variants. The Z-scores are presented as the pseudocolor whose scale is shown in the corresponding lookup table. The 394P -galactosidase A variant is shown as a dark red; -galactosidase A variants associated with either classic or non-classic Fabry disease are shown in light gray; -galactosidase A variants of unknown significance are shown in dark gray, wild-type -galactosidase A is shown in blue. (C) Intensity of the endoplasmic reticulum stress shown as Z-scores of means of normalized mRNA expression values of selected endoplasmic reticulum stress and unfolded protein response markers calculated for each variant. The endoplasmic reticulum stress intensity (dark) is proportional to secretory incompetence of the corresponding variant shown above by immunodetection of -galactosidase A in cell culture media. Similar localization of -galactosidase A to the endoplasmic reticulumGolgi intermediate compartment and codistribution with TMED9 that were characteristic for 394P and 143T variants were observed also with several other -galactosidase A variants either of unknown significance or identified in individuals with non-classic Fabry disease, when transiently expressed in HEK 293 cells (Supplemental Figure 6). -galactosidase A variants associated with classic Fabry disease always localized to lysosomes (Figure 6A and Supplemental Figure 3). Irrespective of their intracellular distribution and phenotypic associations, most of the tested variants had limited -galactosidase A secretion. The deficit in secretion was proportional to the intensity of the endoplasmic reticulum stress and unfolded protein response activation (Figure 6, B and C). Recent research identified BRD4780 as a small compound that facilitates removal of unfolded proteins from TMED9-enriched transport vesicles into lysosomes and modulates the unfolded protein response.39 To this end, BRD4780 treatment of HEK 293 cells stably expressing 394P -galactosidase A-FLAG attenuated transcription and expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress markers HSPA5/BiP/GRP78 and PDIA4/ERp72 (Figure 7, A and B) and facilitated trafficking of -galactosidase A through the secretory pathway (Figure 7C), resulting in increased secretion and enzymatic activity in cultured media (Figure 7D). The treatment with BRD4780 had no effect on transcription and expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress markers in HEK 293 cells stably expressing the wild-type -galactosidase A-FLAG or classic Fabry diseasecausing variant 112H -galactosidase A-FLAG. Nevertheless, the treatment facilitated trafficking and increased secretion of -galactosidase A similarly to 394P -galactosidase A-FLAG (Figure 7). Figure 7: Effects of BRD4780 and migalastat on -galactosidase A-FLAG expression in stably transfected HEK 293 cells. (A) In HEK 293 cells stably expressing the 394P -galactosidase A-FLAG, BRD4780 treatment attenuated transcription of endoplasmic reticulum stress markers HSPA5/BiP/GRP78 and PDIA4/ERp72; meansSEM (n=3); P values were calculated with the two-tailed t test; migalastat (DGJ) had the opposite effect. (B) BRD4780 treatment had nonsignificant effect on intracellular content of the 394P -galactosidase A-FLAG but attenuated expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress markers on protein level; meansSEM (n=5); P values were calculated by two-way ANOVA. (C) BRD4780 treatment facilitated trafficking of 394P -galactosidase A-FLAG through the secretory pathway to lysosomes. The values represent the percentage of the total mean -galactosidase A colocalization signal intensities in corresponding compartments. On average, 50 cells were analyzed and 500015,000 events were identified for each sample; meansSD; P values were calculated by two-tailed t test. (D) BRD4780 treatment resulted in increased secretion and enzymatic activity of 394P -galactosidase A-FLAG, wild-type -galactosidase A-FLAG, and 112H -galactosidase A-FLAG into cell culture media. DGJ had positive effect on secretion of wild-type -galactosidase A-FLAG and 394P -galactosidase A-FLAG but not on that of 112H -galactosidase A-FLAG; meansSEM (n=3 replicates); P values were calculated by two-tailed t test. BiP, binding immunoglobulin protein; DGJ, deoxygalactonojirimycin. Treatment with migalastat (deoxygalactonojirimycin), a pharmacological chaperone that stabilizes and facilitates trafficking of amenable nontruncating -galactosidase A variants from the endoplasmic reticulum to lysosomes, increased biosynthesis and secretion of the wild-type -galactosidase A-FLAG and 394P -galactosidase A-FLAG but not that of 112H -galactosidase A-FLAG. Transcription of endoplasmic reticulum stress markers in HEK 293 cells stably expressing 394P -galactosidase A-FLAG was even augmented (Figure 7A). Discussion In this work, we characterized the clinical, biochemical, genetic, molecular, cellular, and organ pathology correlates of the 394P -galactosidase A variant identified in six individuals through a Czech national screening program for Fabry disease in dialysis patients. Additional 24 carriers of this variant were identified by genetic screening of affected families. The genetically affected individuals presented predominantly with proteinuria, hypertension, CKD, and heart disease. The median age of kidney failure was older than that of classic Fabry disease. Characteristic findings such as angiokeratomas and neuropathy were less commonly seen. Hypertension was present in 40%, consistent with prior reports.44 Interestingly, type 2 diabetes mellitus was detected in 40% of individuals diagnosed with the 394P -galactosidase A variant versus 0% of family members who did not have this variant. Other reports have noted a similar prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus in Fabry disease and the general population.45 The increased prevalence noted in this study could be coincidental or somehow related to the 394P variant and will require further investigation in non-classic Fabry disease. Kidney biopsies did not reveal evidence of diabetic nephropathy, and patients with the 394P variant who did not have type 2 diabetes mellitus also proceeded to CKD. It is likely that expression of some -galactosidase A variants may induce endoplasmic reticulum stress and unfolded protein response also in -cells. This potential mechanism has been identified in more than 40 genes with mutations reported to cause monogenic diabetes, 11 of which directly or indirectly induce endoplasmic reticulum stress in pancreatic -cell.46 Women had milder phenotype with later age at onset than male patients. Both, affected male patients and female patients, presented with significantly lower plasma ratios of -galactosidase A activity to lyso-globotriaosylceramide, which is suggestive of functional impairment of the enzyme with an effect on glycosphingolipid metabolism. Also in cultured male skin fibroblasts, the residual activity of 394P -galactosidase A resulted in decreased globotriaosylceramide degradation that was intermediate between control and classic Fabry disease fibroblasts, likely explaining normal plasma lyso-globotriaosylceramide levels in affected carriers. Accordingly, characteristic lysosomal storage was absent in all kidney cell types.47 Biopsy specimen, however, showed podocytopathy (effacement of podocyte pedicels), nonmembrane-bound droplets in proximal tubular epithelium and interstitial cells, and minimal interstitial fibrosis. Interestingly, pedicel effacement was very similar to globotriaosylceramide-independent podocyte changes reported in the zebrafish -galactosidase A deficient model,15 thus providing further evidence for lysosomal storageindependent mechanism of Fabry disease pathogenesis. The pathogenesis and clinical manifestations of classic Fabry disease have been primarily attributed to the absence or profound enzymatic deficiency of -galactosidase A, accumulation of globotriaosylceramide, and consequent disarrangement(s) of intracellular pathways linked to lysosomal (dys)function(s).14 Individuals with classic Fabry disease commonly carry truncating GLA variants resulting in loss of -galactosidase A and/or its enzymatic activity. However, approximately 50% of reported pathogenic GLA variants are missense variants.10 Many of these variants result in non-classic Fabry disease, with lesser organ involvement, later age of onset, and >5% of residual enzyme activity.6 Moreover, many GLA variants of likely pathogenicity or uncertain significance have been identified within screening programs for Fabry disease in newborns and high-risk populations.7 In many individuals affected with these variants and presenting with atypical clinical features of Fabry disease, other factors may be contributing to disease pathogenesis besides the -galactosidase A enzymatic deficiency and lysosomal storage. For many missense -galactosidase A variants that are associated with the classic Fabry disease, enzyme deficiency results from misfolding and ERAD.48 In amenable variants, pharmacological chaperones allow correct folding, stabilization, and trafficking of mutated -galactosidase A proteins through the secretory pathway to the lysosomes to catabolize accumulated substrates.4,49,50 Instead of being prematurely degraded or transported to the lysosome as in classic Fabry disease, most of the 394P -galactosidase A localizes to endoplasmic reticulumGolgi intermediate compartment and TMED9 positive cargo receptor-containing vesicles, where the protein folding quality control system proceeds. The interference of misprocessed -galactosidase A with the proper function of the secretory pathway leads to the endoplasmic reticulum stress and activation of the unfolded protein response, presumably triggering effects with pathogenic consequences on secretory active and/or postmitotic cell types. Similar dearrangements have been identified as primary in various monogenic glomerular and tubular diseases,41 endothelial dysfunction,51 cardiometabolic diseases,52 type 2 diabetes mellitus,46 and neurodegeneration.53 Stimulated by the finding of potential endoplasmic reticulumGolgi intermediate compartment/TMED9 involvement and unfolded protein response activation in the kidney biopsies of the 394P -galactosidase A carriers, we investigated several other clinically described GLA variants. First, we studied a female from our cohort with the 143T variant, the most common variant of unknown significance in the United States. She had normal -galactosidase A activity and plasma lyso-globotriaosylceramide levels and presented with late-onset CKD. Her kidney biopsy showed mild interstitial fibrosis and podocytopathy with absence of lysosomal storage. Intracellular -galactosidase A distribution and signs of unfolded protein response activation were very similar to the 394P -galactosidase A carriers. The 143T variant, which we found to be associated with endoplasmic reticulumGolgi intermediate compartment deposition, has been considered nonpathogenic in several case series studies.7,43,54 However, other studies consider the 143T variant to be a cause of non-classic Fabry disease with incomplete age-related and sex-related penetrance and predominantly cardiac manifestations.55 We then studied intracellular distribution of several other missense -galactosidase A variants in either stably or transiently transfected HEK 293 cells. Pathogenic variants of -galactosidase A causing classic and non-classic Fabry disease (p.R112H, p.A135V, p.L294X, p.R301Q, and p.R342Q) localized to lysosomes and demonstrated characteristic biochemical abnormalities and histopathologic findings in kidney biopsies. Representative missense -galactosidase A variants associated either with non-classic Fabry disease (p.A97V, p.Q279E, and p.M296I) or variants of unknown significance (p.L394P, p.E66Q, p.R118C, p.A143T, p.R252T, and p.D313Y) localized to the endoplasmic reticulum and endoplasmic reticulumGolgi intermediate compartment. Most of the tested missense variants limited -galactosidase A secretion. The intracellular retention of -galactosidase A always activated endoplasmic reticulum stress and unfolded protein response in affected tissues or transfected cells. The intensity of endoplasmic reticulum stress and unfolded protein response varied and was proportional to the secretory deficit of the corresponding variant. There were no differences in endoplasmic reticulum stress and unfolded protein response activation between missense variants retained along the secretory pathway and associated with non-classic Fabry disease (like the 394P) and variants localized to lysosomes and causing the classic Fabry disease (like the 342Q). Thus, AGALopathy seems to be an important component in the pathogenesis of Fabry disease, independent of the enzymatic deficiency and lysosomal storage. We believe that the underlying pathogenesis of Fabry disease symptoms in carriers of missense -galactosidase A variants is related to a combination of decreased enzymatic activity, altered lipid composition of membranes because of limited globotriaosylceramide processing, intracellular -galactosidase A retention, chronic endoplasmic reticulum stress, and unfolded protein response activation. The extent of each factor may be determined by the type of the variant and host factors, with each factor contributing more or less to the clinical findings (Figure 8). Figure 8: Endoplasmic reticulum stress and unfolded protein response in Fabry disease. -galactosidase A is a homodimeric glycoprotein that hydrolyzes the terminal -galactosyl moieties from glycolipids (and some glycoproteins) in lysosomes. During biosynthesis, -galactosidase A is cotranslationally translocated into the endoplasmic reticulum. This process is initiated in the cytoplasm and mediated by the signal peptide (green). In the endoplasmic reticulum, nascent -galactosidase A undergoes a series of post-translational modifications, including removal of the signal peptide, N-glycosylation, and chaperone-mediated folding. Properly folded -galactosidase A exits the endoplasmic reticulum in the coat protein complex II (COP II)-coated vesicles and enters the endoplasmic reticulumGolgi intermediate compartment, where concentration, folding, quality control, and sorting of newly synthesized proteins occurs. Unmaturated proteins are recycled back to the endoplasmic reticulum through coat protein complex I (COP I)-coated vesicles. Mature -galactosidase A traverses through Golgi to lysosomes, where it is activated by the highly acidic pH (between 4.5 and 5.0) and hydrolyses the terminal -galactosyl moieties from glycolipids and glycoproteins. A proportion of -galactosidase A is secreted and re-endocytosed. The classic enzymopathic concept of Fabry disease (middle panel) states that GLA variants leading to the loss of -galactosidase A protein or of its enzymatic activity lead to deposition of globotriaosylceramide and other glycosphingolipids in lysosomes. Clinical manifestations are believed to develop as a result of the storage-induced dysfunction of lysosomal and lysosomal-associated cellular compartments and signaling pathways. -galactosidase A secretion is virtually absent. The AGALopathic concept is evidenced by the pathogenic effects of the 394P -galactosidase A variant. Misfolding and abnormal intracellular retention of this missense -galactosidase A variant in endoplasmic reticulum and endoplasmic reticulumGolgi intermediate compartment disrupt the early secretory pathway and activate the unfolded protein response. At the same time, a portion of the mutated but enzymatically competent -galactosidase A escapes secretory pathway quality control mechanisms and transits to lysosomes, where it prevents accumulation of globotriaosylceramide and related glycosphingolipids. The 394P -galactosidase A is not secreted. Similar effects (retention in endoplasmic reticulum and endoplasmic reticulumGolgi intermediate compartment, with unfolded protein response activation) can be variably induced also by other missense GLA mutations. Secretion of such -galactosidase A variants is decreased proportionally to their defective intracellular trafficking. We believe that the enzymopathic and AGALopathic components should be considered as key contributors to the pathogenesis of Fabry disease. We further propose that both these components contribute to overall pathogenic impacts of individual -galactosidase A variants. Some variants have more enzymopathic and some more AGALopathic nature. Unlike the 394P -galactosidase A variant, which is predominantly AGALopathic, most of the GLA missense mutations trigger mixed (enzymopathic and AGALopathic) downstream effects. Whereas Fabry disease patients with predominantly enzymopathic variants are likely to respond well to enzyme replacement therapy or chaperone therapy targeting endoplasmic reticulumassociated degradation, individuals with preferentially AGALopathic variants may be adversely affected by defective trafficking of the misfolded -galactosidase A and augmented consequences of intracellular stress and unfolded protein response. For these variants, compounds like BRD4780, modulating unfolded protein response, may provide new therapeutic opportunities. In this investigation, we also found that female patients with the 394P -galactosidase A variant had milder phenotype with later age at onset than male patients. A similar clinical course has also been seen in other female patients with non-classic Fabry disease, often in families with missense variants.56 This finding is consistent with the concept of mosaic AGALopathy of the 394P and similar missense -galactosidase A variants rather than loss of enzymatic function of one allele. Moreover, AGALopathy may explain why female patients affected by Fabry disease become symptomatic in the setting of normal or mildly decreased -galactosidase A activity and why the wild-type -galactosidase A secreted from cells expressing the wild-type GLA allele does not correct endoplasmic reticulum stress and unfolded protein response within cells expressing the mutated one. The mechanism of AGALopathy being a lysosomal storageindependent etiologic factor in Fabry disease could also explain why some patients with missense variants treated with recombinant -galactosidase A do not respond to enzyme replacement therapy.3 AGALopathy may also explain why some patients treated with Migalastat experienced accelerated loss of kidney function.57 This intervention may adversely enhance transport of the misfolded -galactosidase A from endoplasmic reticulum to the endoplasmic reticulumGolgi intermediate compartment, where it will further augment negative consequences of intracellular stress and unfolded protein response. Moreover, the pathogenic concept of AGALopathy resulting from -galactosidase A misprocessing in the secretory pathway may also apply to phenotypic variability in other lysosomal storage diseases with high residual enzymatic activity(ies).58 In conclusion, our results, supported by recent publications,21,22 suggest that aberrant intracellular trafficking of some missense -galactosidase A variants and pathogenic interaction within the endoplasmic reticulumGolgi intermediate compartment/TMED9 leading to maladaptive endoplasmic reticulum stress response may explain some of the varied pathogenic and clinical findings in Fabry disease. Recent research identifying compounds modulating unfolded protein response,59 and facilitating removal of unfolded proteins from TMED9 enriched transport vesicles into lysosomes,39 provide new opportunities to probe the pathologic and potentially therapeutic implications in Fabry disease. Jay Cawley was about 10 years old when he attended a parade with his dad honoring local veterans in Michigan. As he watched the multitude of men pass by who served during World War I, it was the small group of three Civil War veterans that caught his eye. As a young boy, Cawley couldnt help but think about how the veterans around 90 years old wouldnt be around much longer. Nearing a century later and as a 101-year-old World War II veteran, Cawley has realized how similar he is to those he admired long ago. Were going to fade away into history. Nobody knows World War II, nobody cares, Cawley said. Now, for the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, Nebraska is honoring veterans and civilians who supported the war efforts. The idea was brought forward by John Hilgert, director of the Nebraska Department of Veterans Affairs, and was launched by Gov. Jim Pillen to honor Nebraskas living World War II veterans. We wanted to remember and to recognize and to learn what we can still do, Hilgert said. On Tuesday, Cawley and Clare Sward, 99, were honored by Hilgert and Pillen for their service during the war at The Grand Lodge, 4400 S. 80th St., in Lincoln. The two veterans were presented with the Celebrating 80 Years of Victory medal in a special ceremony. Were really humbled and privileged that we can share the 80th anniversary and say thank you, Pillen said. During World War II, Hilgert said, over 144,000 soldiers were deployed from Nebraska and over 3,600 died due to combat. Only around 250 World War II veterans are estimated to still be alive in Nebraska. Cawley was a college freshman in Michigan when he heard on the radio that Japan attacked Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7. The following day, Cawley went into the deans office to tell them he was leaving to join the Navy. He spent nearly three years aboard the USS LCI(L)-965 which was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater. Nobody on our ship was killed, so we were lucky, Cawley said. After returning from the war, Cawley got married and raised three children. He worked several different jobs, including as a creative director and an advertising freelancer, along with volunteering in hospice care for 28 years. Most of Cawleys life has been spent in Michigan, Illinois and Florida, before moving to Lincoln 14 years ago. Cawley moved into The Grand Lodge 11 years ago and considers the residents to be family. Cawley didnt think much about the recognition ceremony when it was first brought to his attention. It didnt mean too much to me, but when I saw everybody here, I cried a little bit, but it was great, Cawley said. The room was filled as residents and family members applauded the two veterans for their service. Cawleys son, Tim Cawley, said that he sometimes doesnt realize the magnitude of having his father alive as a World War II veteran. As you start to do the math, you realize there probably cant be very many World War II veterans left anymore. I just kind of take it for granted because of my father, Tim Cawley said. The idea that we wont have any more living veterans is kind of startling to me. As a child, Tim Cawley said his childhood was filled with World War II movies and shows. It was just a part of the culture, a part of your consciousness, something you grew up in, Tim Cawley said. As a father himself, Tim Cawley said hes watched the history hes lived through, such as the Vietnam War, get reduced to a chapter in his daughters history book. You wonder as these veterans pass and as their time becomes less interesting in the media, what will people think about that war, Tim Cawley said. Thats been a little startling for me to realize. Its just like when he (Jay) talked about those Civil War veterans and it seemed like just something out of a history book, and to see them in person was kind of startling to him. And now hes one of them, in a sense. Sward, who will be 100 next month, was born in Alliance and was drafted into the U.S. Air Corps in 1943. During his 31 months of service, Sward was stationed at 16 bases. My service is pretty minor compared to Jay. I didnt ever get shot at, Sward said. The worst thing that could have happened to me is to fall out of a train I was scrubbing, so thats how I won the war. For most of his service, Sward said he was unassigned, leaving him to kitchen patrol and car duty. In 1943, Sward said it was just part of life for his generation, as nearly all the men from his high school were either drafted or enlisted. Sward was drafted just three months after graduating. When he found out he was going to be honored by the governor for his service, he said he was flattered. I was surprised and pleased by the size of that crowd, Sward said. Swards son, Pat Sward, was in attendance for the special event and said he was filled with respect for the men like his father who fulfilled their duty. This is really off the charts cool for my dad to get recognized, Pat Sward said. World War II Recognition Program Living veterans who are Nebraska residents (or who were at the time of entering service) and who served in the U.S. armed forces between Dec. 1, 1941, and Dec. 31, 1946, are eligible to receive a commemorative medal, provided they were not dishonorably discharged. Veterans may receive the medal in a hometown ceremony or at a large ceremony at the Nebraska State Capitol which is planned for May 8, 2025, the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (V-E) Day. A Hometown Heroes certificate is also available to those who supported the war effort as a civilian. These roles can include joining the wartime workforce, serving as a member of the Crop Corps, growing a Victory Garden, providing nourishment to soldiers at a Canteen or partaking in food rationing. The certificates can be presented in person at ceremonies, or mailed to recipients homes. To apply for the medal or a Hometown Heroes certificate, or for more information about the program, visit Veterans.Nebraska.gov/world-war-ii-recognition-program, email ndva@nebraska.gov or call 402-471-2458. 10 ways health care might be killing you (and what you can do about it) Health care is meant to heal, but what if its quietly doing the opposite? While we rely on medical professionals, hospitals, and treatments to keep us healthy, the system has hidden dangers that can put lives at risk. For every life saved, countless others are harmed due to systemic failures, personal oversight, or deep-rooted inequities. This article will examine ten critical reasons why health care can become deadly and, more importantly, how to protect yourself and your loved ones. Each point is backed by research and real-life experiences, highlighting the complex ways in which health care can fail. Some of these will shock you, but number five might leave you speechless. 1. Providers dont listen: the consequences of ignored voices Communication is at the heart of adequate health care, yet studies repeatedly show that communication breakdowns cause medical errors. According to a report by Joint Commission International, communication failures are implicated in 80 percent of serious adverse health outcomes. When providers fail to listen to their patients, symptoms are missed, diagnoses are delayed, and lives are at risk. For example, women and minority patients often report feeling dismissed or ignored when describing their pain or symptoms. Research from the National Library of Medicine found that physicians were more likely to underestimate the pain levels of Black patients compared to non-Black patients. The consequences of such dismissals can be catastrophic, resulting in undiagnosed conditions or preventable deaths. What to do: Patients should be encouraged to ask questions and advocate for their care, while providers should prioritize active listening. Health care institutions can enhance patient-provider communication by implementing specialized training programs. 2. Financial barriers: When affordability determines survival Health care is a basic human need, yet its an unaffordable luxury for many. The United States spends more on health care than any other nation, yet millions remain uninsured or underinsured. A 2022 KFF Health Care Debt survey found that 41 percent of adults had medical debt or delayed care due to costs. The result? People skipping doctor visits, stretching prescriptions, or delaying treatmentsoften with devastating consequences. Chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension require consistent management, but financial strain forces many to make impossible choices. Missing an insulin dose or postponing a routine check-up might seem small at the moment, but over time, it can lead to severe complications like kidney failure, amputations, or strokes. No one should have to choose between their health and their finances. What to do: Policymakers must prioritize equitable health care reforms that make medical care more affordable and accessible for all. No one should have to choose between paying for treatment and meeting basic needs. On a personal level, patients can take charge by seeking financial aid programs, low-cost clinics, and community health resources. Many hospitals, nonprofit organizations, and local health departments provide assistance to help ease the burden of medical expenses. 3. Advocacy: Why having a strong ally matters Navigating health care can be overwhelming, especially when youre unwell or caring for a loved one. Complicated medical terms, treatment decisions, and endless paperwork can leave you feeling lost. Thats why having a trusted advocatea family member, friend, or professionalcan be invaluable. They help ensure your voice is heard, ask the right questions, and keep important details from being overlooked. Studies show that patient advocacy improves health outcomes, particularly for vulnerable groups like older adults and those with chronic illnesses. When a trusted advocate is involved, communication improves, mistakes are reduced, and patients receive more coordinated, effective care. ADVERTISEMENT Advocates also serve as a check against errors. For instance, a 2016 analysis published in The BMJ found that medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the United States, after heart disease and cancer. Having someone present to question unusual decisions or double-check medication orders can mean the difference between life and death. What to do: Patients should bring a trusted advocate to critical appointments. Health care systems should integrate patient advocates into their care teams to improve oversight and coordination. 4. Ignorance of medical history: the silent killer Your medical history is more than a record of past illnessesits a critical guide that helps doctors make the best decisions for your health. Without it, theyre left guessing, which can lead to misdiagnoses, ineffective treatments, or even severe complications. Undiagnosed conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or genetic disorders can remain silent for years, only to surface suddenlyoften in life-threatening situations. Consider hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a genetic condition that often goes undiagnosed until it causes sudden cardiac arrest. A 2020 study in the American College of Cardiology found that in the United States, 750,000 people are estimated to have HCM; however, only approximately 100,000 people have been diagnosed, signifying a significant gap in the recognition and understanding of this disease. Without knowledge of this condition, routine procedures or physical exertion can become lethal. What to do: Patients should keep a thorough medical history, including any family health conditions, and provide this information to their doctors. In turn, health care providers should take the initiative to ask about possible hereditary risks or undiagnosed issues. 5. Profits over patients: When business decisions turn deadly Health care is supposed to be about saving lives, but too often, money comes first. Hospitals, insurance companies, and private investors make decisions that arent based on whats best for patientsbut on whats best for their bottom line. And when profits take priority over people, the consequences can be deadly. Take Luigi Mangione. He got so fed up with the system that he allegedly went after a health care CEO. Now, thats not the way to handle things, but can you really blame people for being furious? Imagine being sick, scared, and desperate for help, only to be told, Sorry, thats not covered, or Thatll be thousands of dollars upfront. Its frustrating. Its unfair. And the worst part? It happens to people every single day. This frustration isnt unfoundedresearch supports it. A study published on Research Gate found that hospitals focused on maximizing profits were less likely to invest in improving care. As a result, patients faced higher death rates, more medical errors, and worse overall health outcomes. We see it all the time. Overworked nurses, short-staffed hospitals, and life-saving treatments denied by insurance companiesall to cut costs. Patients are left waiting for hours in overcrowded ERs, battling insurance companies for necessary treatments, or getting rushed out of the hospital before theyre readyall because someone, somewhere, decided that saving money was more important than saving lives. What to do: Advocate for transparency in health care. Support legislative efforts to hold corporations accountable for prioritizing patient care over profits. 6. Exhaustion and burnout among physicians Physicians are human, not machinesbut the way many are treated, youd think otherwise. The pressure is relentless, the hours are gruelling, and the emotional toll is staggering. Its no surprise that more than half of physicians are experiencing burnout. A 2023 Medscape report found that 53 percent of doctors struggle with emotional exhaustion, feeling disconnected from their patients, and a deep sense of personal failure. But burnout doesnt just hurt doctorsit puts patients at risk, too. A study from Stanford University School of Medicine found that physicians suffering from burnout are twice as likely to make medical errors. And in medicine, a single mistake can mean the difference between life and death. Imagine an exhausted surgeon misjudging a critical incision. A sleep-deprived ER doctor missing the signs of a life-threatening condition. A physician is so overwhelmed that they miss a medication interaction that could cause serious harm. These arent just hypothetical scenariosthey happen every day. Nowhere is this risk more apparent than in high-stakes environments like the ICU, where a split-second decision can saveor costa life. When doctors are stretched too thin and running on fumes, patients suffer the consequences. What to do: Health care institutions must prioritize physician well-being by enforcing reasonable work hours and providing mental health resources. Patients should feel empowered to ask about their providers capacity and seek care elsewhere if red flags arise. 7. Bias in health care: the deadly impact of inequity Bias in health carewhether implicit or explicitkills. A study published in The Lancet highlighted stark disparities in maternal mortality rates, with Black women in the U.S. dying at three to four times the rate of white women. These disparities are driven by systemic racism, unconscious bias, and unequal access to care. Bias in health care goes beyond race. Women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with disabilities often face being dismissed, misdiagnosed, or undertreated. Whether its a womans pain being ignored, an LGBTQ+ patient experiencing discrimination, or a person with disabilities struggling to access proper care, the consequences are severedelayed treatment, poorer health outcomes, and, in some cases, preventable deaths. What to do: Providers should commit to continuous bias training and work towards offering care that is fair and inclusive. At the same time, patients can seek out providers dedicated to inclusivity and actively support efforts to reform the health care system. 8. Health care deserts: the dead zones of medicine Living far from health care facilities can turn a treatable condition into a death sentence. These areas lack sufficient medical resources, known as health care deserts, forcing residents to travel hours for basic or emergency care. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly 60 million Americans live in rural areas with limited access to hospitals or specialists. For conditions like heart attacks or strokes, where every minute counts, these delays can be deadly. The absence of preventive care in these areas also leads to higher rates of chronic illnesses and premature deaths. What to do: Get behind efforts to improve health care access in rural areasthings like telemedicine programs and mobile clinics can make a huge difference. And if you live where medical help isnt readily available, learning some basic first aid and emergency procedures is a good idea. You never know when it might come in handy. 9. The pandemic effect: Avoiding hospitals at all costs The COVID-19 pandemic showed how dangerous fear and overloaded health care systems can be. In 2020, hospital visits for heart attacks and strokes plummeted by nearly 30 percent, according to a study in JAMA Cardiology. Many avoided hospitals because they feared getting infected, while others were turned away because hospitals were overwhelmed. These delays in treatment led to preventable deaths and made outcomes worse for so many patients. What to do: Governments and health care organizations must build stronger systems to handle future pandemics. At the same time, patients should think twice before delaying medical care and talk to their doctors about safer options during public health crises. 10. Denial of modern medicine: Why childhood vaccines matter Modern medicine has done an incredible job of getting rid of diseases that used to wreak havoc, but doubt and hesitation let them slip back in. Take polioit used to paralyze thousands of people every year in the U.S. alone. Then, thanks to vaccines, it was wiped out in the Americas by 1994. Problem solved, right? Not exactly. Vaccine skepticism is undoing decades of progress, and in 2022, New York saw its first polio case in ages. Even worse, tests on wastewater showed the virus was already spreading under the radar. This isnt just about personal choiceits about protecting entire communities. Herd immunity keeps the most vulnerable safe, especially people who cannot physically get vaccinated. But when fewer people get their shots, those safety nets unravel, and outbreaks become unavoidable. What to do: Embrace the role of vaccines in safeguarding public health. Educate communities about the life-saving history of childhood immunizations to combat misinformation and rebuild trust. Final thoughts: Fixing the system Health care doesnt have to be deadly. We can create a safer, more equitable system by addressing these ten issues with systemic reforms, education, and advocacy. It starts with all of uspatients, providers, and policymakersworking together to ensure that health care fulfills its ultimate promise: healing, not harming. Tomi Mitchell is a board-certified family physician and certified health and wellness coach with extensive experience in clinical practice and holistic well-being. She is also an acclaimed international keynote speaker and a passionate advocate for mental health and physician well-being. She leverages over a decade of private practice experience to drive meaningful change. Dr. Mitchell is the founder of Holistic Wellness Strategies, where she empowers individuals through comprehensive, evidence-based approaches to well-being. Her career is dedicated to transforming lives by addressing personal challenges and enhancing relationships with practical, holistic strategies. Connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, and book a discovery call to explore how she can support your wellness journey. For those interested in purchasing her book, please click here for the payment link. Check out her YouTube channel for more insights and valuable content on mental health and well-being. Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Watch on YouTube. Catch up on old episodes! Internist and psychiatrist Muhamad Aly Rifai discusses his article, How data accuracy failures are costing lives and money in health care. He explores the consequences of inaccurate data in health care, from billing errors and wrongful prosecutions to the broader impact on medical decision-making and patient care. Muhamad highlights real-world cases, including his own legal battle over Medicare claims and the flawed prosecution of an interventional cardiologist, to illustrate how poor data fidelity can lead to catastrophic errors. He also explains how artificial intelligence may amplify these risks if data integrity issues remain unresolved. Tune in for insights into the urgent need for accurate, reliable health care data and solutions to improve data quality in medicine. Our presenting sponsor is Microsoft Dragon Copilot. Microsoft Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow, is transforming how clinicians work. Now you can streamline and customize documentation, surface information right at the point of care, and automate tasks with just a click. Part of Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare, Dragon Copilot offers an extensible AI workspace and a single, integrated platform to help unlock new levels of efficiency. Plus, its backed by a proven track record and decades of clinical expertiseand its built on a foundation of trust. Its time to ease your administrative burdens and stay focused on what matters most with Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow. VISIT SPONSOR https://aka.ms/kevinmd SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended Transcript Kevin Pho: Hi, and welcome to the show. Subscribe at KevinMD.com/podcast. Today, we welcome back Muhamad Aly Rifai. He is an internal medicine physician and psychiatrist. Todays KevinMD article is How data accuracy failures are costing lives and money in health care. Muhammad, welcome back to the show. Muhamad Aly Rifai: Thank you very much for having me to talk about this important and timely topic, especially in medicine. Kevin Pho: All right. For those of you who get a chance to read it, what is this article about? ADVERTISEMENT Muhamad Aly Rifai: Sure. So in, in the article, I talk a little bit about the importance of data in health care. The field of medicine now has become data driven. We have a large amount of data that is available, and that produces results for us in terms of our decisions with payments, our decisions with outcomes, and our decisions with treatment modalities. We have seen how a significant amount of data can affect different decisions, as well as the fact that if we do not have data accuracy, that actually impacts our decisions. We have seen recent events in government of how data accuracy has caused a significant amount of, um, ridicule in the media about some data accuracy issues with the Social Security Administration and Medicare. Kevin Pho: All right, so you are in the world of psychiatry; I am in the world of internal medicine and primary care, and absolutely I am seeing it on my end about how everything is data driven, how everything is metrics basedfrom how hospitals and physicians are reimbursed to patient care in terms of the metrics that a lot of doctors have to meet to, you know, ensure that patients are receiving the best care. Everything is becoming more data-based. So how about in your world of psychiatry? How does that intersect with what you do in terms of data-driven medicine? Muhamad Aly Rifai: It is very important, in terms of data-driven practice of psychiatry, for us to be able to identify truly what is going on and whether the data we have truly represents what is going on. For example, treatment modalities sometimes produce results, and some of those results may not be very meaningful. Over the last few years, we have come to dispute some of the notions that we had in the field of psychiatry, such as the efficacy of antidepressant medications. We have seen that placebo effects in some of these studies have risen significantly, and we have seen that the efficacy of antidepressant medications may not be as we would like it to be. Now there is a whole movement distrusting the efficacy of antidepressant medications based on re-analysis of some of this data, so having very accurate data would be very important. Also, we have seen that not having the correct data in terms of payment or in terms of assessment can be problematic. I can tell you my personal experience with not having very accurate data in terms of analyzing thingsit has gotten me into some, in, in, in trouble. We have heard recently in the news that Elon Musk and the president talked about their analysis of the master file of the Social Security Administration, where they discovered some individuals above the age of one hundred years and above the age of one hundred fifty years, and even an individual who is three hundred sixty years old on the rolls receiving Social Security benefits. Maybe those were anomalies, maybe those were errors in data entry. But having a just, reliable data set is very important because it gives legitimacy to the field of medicine, as well as giving people confidence that the data they are receiving is reliable and meaningful. Kevin Pho: So you are talking about what sounds like two different sources of potential confounders in data. The first is regarding reassessment of previous clinical trials that could change the data we are using. The second is simply inaccurate data that we may be entering about patients in our electronic medical recordsdata that could lead to mistakes and potential fraudulent billing going forward. How common is that in medicine, from what you see, in terms of the second onejust simple mistakes in the patient record that can lead to problems with accuracy in patient records and in billing? Muhamad Aly Rifai: Sure, sure. The error rate in our data in health care records actually stems from the Institute of Medicine report in the early 2000s. They titled it To err is human. We are human, and so data entry errors are pretty rampant in health care. Some of the estimates are around 40 to 60 percent; there is some data entry error somewhere in the data set in the health care system, and sometimes that can have a significant impact in health care, medication errors, billing, and so forth. It is significant. In my case, I had staff who made data entry errors, resulting in submitting bills on patients who were deceased. We corrected that, but that got me into significant trouble with the governmentwith a prosecution. But when it was revealed that these were data entry errors of entering data on one patient versus another with the same first and last name but different date of birth (one was deceased and one was alive), that was corrected. However, sometimes that can lead to significant bad outcomes. For example, entering orders on patients with a different date of birth and giving medications that are not needed to another patient could be significantly detrimental. Errors exist, but being able to identify that they happen and being able to fix them is very significant. Kevin Pho: And I think you have told your story on prior episodes, but just to reiterate, you had staff members enter the wrong data, and that led you into an experience with federal prosecution. How long did that experience last? You do not have to rehash your whole story, but how long was this ordeal for you? Muhamad Aly Rifai: It lasted for a few years, and one of the catalysts for that was billing on deceased patients. When the data was unhashed and we reviewed it with the government and the jury, we found out that they claimed I billed on deceased patients who had died before I was born. Even the government, when they presented these allegations, had inaccurate data, because the artificial intelligence collected made-up data on deceased patients who died before I was born. Errors go both ways, but acknowledging that this was an error and was being corrected was crucial in convincing the jury that this was not fraudulent intent but just a simple data entry error. However, sometimes this is not just a fraud prosecution issue. Errors in data entry on different patients can lead to giving the wrong medication to a patient, which could be fatal. We could have bad outcomes with that, too. Kevin Pho: In your article, you also talk about the case of Dr. Richard Paulus and how flawed data contributed to his prosecution. For those who are not familiar with that case, please tell us about that connection between his prosecution and flawed data. Muhamad Aly Rifai: Sure, sure. Dr. Paulus was an interventional cardiologist in Kentucky who came under the attention of the federal government because he had a large interventional cardiology practice, which led the government to focus on the rates at which he inserted stents into occluded or narrowed coronary arteries. They found what they thought was a significant anomaly in his billing. He went to trial twice and was incarcerated for almost one year, enduring a prosecution of about twelve years, while ultimately the federal government dropped all charges against him. However, his prosecution stemmed from the government identifying a large universe of cases in which they believed he did something wrong but only presenting a small subset of those cases to the jury. The government looked at around one thousand or eleven hundred cases but showed only about seventy to the jury, stating that in all those seventy, he inserted stents that other cardiologists felt should not have been inserted. That made it seem like one hundred percent of his stent insertions were inappropriate. But when you look at the full set of around one thousand cases, only seventy were disputed, which is closer to five or six percenta much more acceptable margin of difference in interpreting whether a narrowing is fifty percent or seventy percent. Once those facts were shown to the jury, it significantly affected his case. But that was not until after twelve years of prosecution, two trials, and one year in jail, after which the appeals court reversed his conviction and set him free. Finally, the government decided to drop all charges against him. Kevin Pho: So tell us about the path forward. What are some ways that physicians, hospitals, and medical institutions can prevent these data errors and reduce fraudulent billing and data inaccuracies going forward? What are some potential solutions? Muhamad Aly Rifai: I think it starts with human training and adding additional layers of review to try to catch errors and correct them before they have a meaningful impact. We need to identify that errors happen, and most of the time these are not fraudulent. For example, in the case of the person who is three hundred sixty years old receiving Social Security benefitsif that is a data entry error, it could be easily investigated and corrected. But because such errors get publicized, it makes people lose confidence in these data sets. A lot of work needs to be done. For instance, the Social Security Administration decided that investing time and money in a team of staff who comb through the master file to clean up inaccuracies is worthwhile. Hospitals should similarly have teams that review data and correct errors, and the government should admit that errors can happen and are not always fraudulent or criminal. Kevin Pho: We are talking to Muhamad Aly Rifai. His KevinMD article today is How data accuracy failures are costing lives and money in health care. Muhamad, let us end with some take-home messages that you want to leave with the KevinMD audience. Muhamad Aly Rifai: To err is human. We have to admit our limitations, but we also have to redouble our efforts to provide our patients with accurate, appropriate, and safe care. Kevin Pho: Thank you again for sharing your perspective and insight. Thanks again for coming back on the show. Muhamad Aly Rifai: Thank you. 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Ireland United States Minor Outlying Islands United States of America Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe On 1 April Paraguays government led by Presidentsummoned Brazils ambassador in Asuncion,, to request a report from the Brazilian government about an intelligence action carried out against Paraguay between June 2022 and March 2023. End of preview - This article contains approximately 397 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options On 1 April, spokesperson for the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, condemned a large-scale gang attack which took place in Mirebalais city, in Haitis Centre department, which resulted in the escape of over 500 prisoners. End of preview - This article contains approximately 409 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options Argentina has invaded the British territory of the Falkland Islands in the south Atlantic. The islands, off the coast of Argentina, have been a cause of friction between the two countries since Britain claimed them in 1833. The Argentine flag is now flying over Government House in the Falkland Islands capital, Port Stanley. The head of the countrys military junta, General Leopoldo Galtieri, has welcomed the recovery of Las Malvinas the Argentine name for the Falklands. General Galtieri said Argentina had been left with no option other than military action. The invasion followed months of sabre-rattling and a build-up over the past few days of Argentine war ships off the Falkland Islands, home to about 1,800 people. At 0600 on Friday Argentina began Operation Rosario when a unit of Argentine troops landed near Port Stanley. The leader of the Argentine forces, Admiral Jorge Anaya, had contacted the Falklands governor, Rex Hunt, to appeal for a peaceful surrender. But the request was rejected and the 80 members of the Royal Marine regiment stationed on the island and 20 locals were mobilised. But by early afternoon they were vastly outnumbered by about 3,000 Argentine troops. After an attack on Government House during which one Argentine soldier is said to have been killed, Rex Hunt ordered the British troops to surrender. No Falkland Islanders or Royal Marines died in the fighting though one serviceman is reported to be badly wounded. The British Government has cut diplomatic ties with Argentina and started to assemble a large naval taskforce to reclaim the islands. Questions are being asked as to why the government was so unprepared given two recent invasions by Argentine civilians of another British territory in the region. In the latest incident in March they planted a flag on South Georgia, an uninhabited island 800 miles (1287 kilometres) north east of the Falklands. Courtesy BBC News In context The subsequent war cost the lives of 655 Argentine and 255 British servicemen, many of them sailors who died during attacks on warships. It ended on 14 June when the commander of the Argentine garrison at Port Stanley surrendered to British troops. The victory greatly boosted the popularity of Margaret Thatchers government which went on to win the next election. General Galtieri was deposed and served three years in prison for military incompetence. In July 2002 he was arrested on charges relating to the abduction, torture and death in 1980 of opponents of his military regime but died in January 2003 before coming to trial. In October 1983 Argentina returned to civilian rule but it was 1990 before full diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom were restored. However, Argentina still maintained its claim to the Falklands. Brazils President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will meet with Russias Vladimir Putin in Moscow and Chinas Xi Jinping in Beijing, two important partners for the South American giant, in May. The announcement yesterday [Macau time] came as the world braces for a global trade war following U.S. President Donald Trumps sweeping tariffs. The press office of Brazils Presidency told The Associated Press that Lula is expected to attend Russias Victory Day celebrations on May 9, marking the 80th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II. The Brazilian leader then planned to travel to Beijing to participate in the China-Community of Latin American and Caribbean States Forum on May 12. It will be Lulas first official trip to Moscow and his second to China during his third, nonconsecutive term as president. During his previous administrations (2003-2010), he visited Russia twice and China three times. Brazil, Russia and China have developed a close economic relationship and are founding members of BRICS, the bloc of developing economies established in 2009 to counterbalance the Group of Seven leading industrialized nations. Brazil holds the BRICS presidency through 2025 and will host its next summit on July 6-7 in Rio de Janeiro. In January, Chinas Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in a press conference that his country would host the CELAC aforum as an opportunity to take cooperation with Latin America and the Caribbean to a higher level. China is Brazils top trading partner. In 2024, it accounted for 28% of Brazils exports and supplied 24.2% of the countrys imports. The United States ranked second, providing 12% of Brazils imports and purchasing 15.5% of its exports, according to Brazilian government data. In 2024, Brazil recorded a slight trade deficit of $283.8 million with the U.S. On Thursday, Lula said he foresees no positive outcome from Trumps raising tariffs on a wide range of products. I am very concerned about the behavior of the American government, Lula told journalists in Tokyo while wrapping up a 4-day presidential visit to Japan. I am concerned because free trade is being harmed and I am concerned because multilateralism is weakened. President Donald Trump says Wednesday will be Liberation Day a moment when he plans to roll out a set of tariffs that he promises will free the United States from foreign goods. Besides Russia and China, the Brazilian president has scheduled a trip to Honduras, where he will attend the CELAC summit in April. In June, Lula will make an official visit to France. MDT/AP Gross gaming revenue (GGR) in March totaled MOP19.66 billion, representing a marginal year-on-year increase of 0.8% from the MOP19.50 billion recorded in March 2024. Official data from the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) shows that March revenue represents an average daily GGR of MOP634.2 million, in line with the revised forecasts from brokerage companies. These companies recently revised down their annual results prediction after a slower-than-expected start to 2025. The first quarter (Q1) results also show an increase of 0.6% compared to 2024, with an accumulated MOP57.66 billion at the end of March. Still, the Q1 results were short of the government forecast for the year, MOP20 billion per month or MOP240 billion for the whole year. Last week, analysts from Citigroup noted that they expect March GGR to be largely flat compared to 2024, forecasting that the GGR for the entire month of March would reach approximately MOP19.5 billion, roughly the same figure recorded in 2024 and about 75% of the pre-pandemic level. At the same time, sources within the industry have noted that in March, both the VIP and mass market sectors experienced drops, with the VIP dropping more by an average of 9%, while the mass market decreased slightly less by an average of 8%. In their revised prediction, analysts from JP Morgan forecasted that Macaus full-year GGR would grow by only 1% to 4% in 2025, which is lower than the industry consensus of 5% growth. Citigroup now predicts a 1% year-on-year decline in first-half GGR, meaning a general growth of 6%, a figure whose latest results are still far from confirming. To be accurate, Q2 of this year, which begins now, would have to show significant growth y-o-y with Q2 accounting for some MOP63.25 billion in GGR, a daily average of around MOP695 million. The Chief Executive, Sam Hou Fai, is expected to address the previous government forecast for the GGR in 2025 when he presents his first policy address later this month. The Chinese military announced large-scale drills in the waters and airspace yesterday that include an aircraft carrier battle group, as it again warned the self-ruled island democracy against seeking formal independence. The joint exercises involve navy, air ground and rocket forces and are meant to be a severe warning and forceful containment against Taiwan independence, according to Shi Yi, a spokesperson for the Peoples Liberation Armys Eastern Theater Command. No operational name for the drills was announced or previous notice given. Taiwans Ministry of National Defence said it had tracked 19 Chinese navy vessels in the waters surrounding the island in a 24-hour period from 6 a.m. Monday until 6 a.m. Tuesday. It added that it had been tracking the movement of the Shandong aircraft carrier since Saturday and that its carrier group had entered into Taiwans air defense identification zone, a self-defined area tracked by the military. China regularly dispatches military assets into the zone, which China does not recognize, but Taiwanese officials have recently warned that China could launch a sneak attack under the guise of military exercises. I want to say these actions amply reflect (Chinas) destruction of regional peace and stability, said Taiwans Defense Minister Wellington Koo. Taiwan has set up a central response group to monitor the latest exercises, Koo said. On The streets of Taipei, people said the atmosphere was tense but they were more concerned about the economy and developments surrounding the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump. The Chinese Communists spends so much time and effort on these things but most people dont pay much attention, said Lin Hui-tsung, a noodle seller in the citys Tiananmu district. Chinas Coast Guard also announced it was conducting a law enforcement patrol yesterday around Taiwan, its spokesperson Zhu Anqin said. The drills come just two weeks after a large-scale exercise in mid-March, when Beijing sent a large number of drones and ships toward the island. Chinas Taiwan Affairs Office said the exercises were directed at Lai Ching-te, Taiwans strongly pro-independence leader. Lai Ching-te stubbornly insists on a Taiwan independence stance, brazenly labeling the mainland as a foreign hostile force, and has put forward a so-called 17-point strategy stirring up anti-China sentiments, said Chinas Taiwan Affairs Office in a statement yesterday. We will not tolerate or condone this in any way and must resolutely counter and severely punish these actions. In mid-March, Taiwans Lai put forward a 17-point strategy aimed at shoring up Taiwans national security. The points include allowing espionage cases to be tried by military courts and making immigration rules stricter for Chinese citizens applying for permanent residency. Lais words and actions appear to have especially angered President Xi Jinping, whose previous attempts at intimidation have had little effect on the Taiwanese public. Those have often been timed in response to expressions of Taiwanese independence, including the visit by then U.S. House leader Nancy Pelosi. Chinas PLA also released a series of videos to publicize their military exercise, including one in which they depict Lai as a green parasite poisoning the island by hatching smaller parasites. The video shows Lais head on the body of a bulbous green worm, with a pair of chopsticks picking him up and roasting him over a flame set over Taiwan. Beijing sends warplanes and navy vessels toward the island on a daily basis, seeking to wear down Taiwanese defenses and morale, although the vast majority of the islands 23 million people reject its claim of sovereignty over Taiwan. In recent years, it has stepped up the scope and scale of these exercises, from sending small numbers of individual fighters and surveillance planes to sending groups of planes, drones and ships. The PLA organized naval and air forces to practice subjects such as sea and land strikes, focusing on testing the troops ability to carry out precision strikes on some key targets of the Taiwan authorities from multiple directions, said Zhang Chi, a professor at Chinas National Defense University in an interview with Chinese state television. Taiwan and China split amid civil war 76 years ago, but tensions have risen since 2016, when China cut off almost all contacts with Taipei. HUIZHONG WU & JOHNSON Lai, TAIPEI, MDT/AP Chinas border crossings are expected to handle an average of 2.1 million daily inbound and outbound trips during the upcoming Ching Ming Festival holiday, a 21.4% year-on-year increase, authorities announced on Tuesday. In a statement, the National Immigration Administration (NIA) noted that a surge in travelers returning to the mainland for ancestral visits including those from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan, along with overseas Chinese is expected during the three-day Ching Ming Festival holiday from April 4 to 6, also known as Tomb-Sweeping Day. The NIA has implemented measures to ensure smooth border operations, including opening additional clearance lanes at key land crossings and airports, the statement said. Authorities will work to manage peak traffic flows and enhance transport services, the NIA said in the statement. The administration has advised travelers to make plans ahead and seek assistance if needed. MDT/Xinhua The death toll in last weeks massive earthquake in Myanmar has passed 2,000, state media said as accounts of some peoples last moments emerged: Two hundred Buddhist monks crushed by a collapsing monastery. Fifty children killed when a preschool classroom crumbled. Seven hundred Muslims struck while praying at mosques for Ramadan. The quake could exacerbate hunger and disease outbreaks in a country that was already one of the worlds most challenging places for humanitarian organizations to operate because of civil war, aid groups and the United Nations warned. The 7.7 magnitude quake hit Friday, with the epicenter near Myanmars second-largest city of Mandalay. It damaged the citys airport, buckled roads and collapsed hundreds of buildings along a wide swath down the countrys center. Relief efforts are further hampered by power outages, fuel shortages and spotty communications. A lack of heavy machinery has slowed search-and-rescue operations, forcing many to search for survivors by hand in daily temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius. Rescue workers at Mandalays collapsed U Hla Thein monastery said they were still searching for about 150 of the dead monks. Some 700 Muslim worshipers attending Friday prayers were killed when mosques collapsed, said Tun Kyi, a member of the steering committee of the Spring Revolution Myanmar Muslim Network. He said some 60 mosques were damaged or destroyed. Videos posted on The Irrawaddy online news site showed several mosques toppling. It was not clear whether those numbers were already included in the official toll. Myanmar state MRTV reported that the leader of the military government, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, told Pakistans prime minister during a call that 2,065 people were killed, with more than 3,900 injured and about 270 missing. Relief agencies expect those numbers to rise sharply, since access is slow to remote areas where communications are down. The United Nations Myanmar country team called for unimpeded access for aid teams. Even before this earthquake, nearly 20 million people in Myanmar were in need of humanitarian assistance, said Marcoluigi Corsi, the U.N. resident and humanitarian coordinator. Devastations full extent is not clear Were really not clear on the scale of the destruction at this stage, Lauren Ellery, deputy director of programs in Myanmar for the International Rescue Committee, told The Associated Press. They were talking about a town near Mandalay where 80% of the buildings were reportedly collapsed, but it wasnt in the news because telecommunications have been slow. Groups the IRC works with have reported that some places are cut off by landslides, she said. The World Health Organization said it has reports of three hospitals destroyed and 22 partially damaged in the region. There is an urgent need for trauma and surgical care, blood transfusion supplies, anesthetics, essential medicines and mental health support, it said. More than 10,000 buildings are collapsed or severely damaged in central and northwest Myanmar, the U.N. humanitarian agency said. One preschool classroom building collapsed in Mandalay district, killing 50 children and two teachers, it said. An artificial intelligence analysis of satellite images of Mandalay by Microsofts AI for Good Lab showed 515 buildings with 80% to 100% damage and another 1,524 with 20% to 80% damage. It was not clear what percentage of the citys buildings that represented. Civil war had displaced millions Rescue efforts are also complicated by the civil war. In 2021, the military seized power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, sparking what has turned into significant armed resistance. While one group has declared a partial unilateral ceasefire, the government and other armed groups have not stopped fighting. Government forces have lost control of much of Myanmar, and many places were dangerous or impossible for aid groups to reach even before the quake. More than 3 million people have been displaced by the fighting, according to the U.N. Ellery with the International Rescue Committee noted that the area worst hit by the earthquake was seriously damaged by flooding last year, and many displaced people sought refuge there. Since the earthquake, many people have been sleeping outside, either because homes were destroyed or out of fear of aftershocks. Monsoon rains start in May and finding people shelter will be a major challenge, she said. Myanmars neighbors and allies send aid International rescue teams from several countries are on the scene, including from Russia, China, India and several Southeast Asian countries. On Monday, an Indian team jackhammered through slabs of fallen concrete at one site in Mandalay. They could be seen bringing out one body. The European Union, Britain, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea and others have announced millions of dollars in aid. Despite massive cuts and firings at the U.S. Agency for International Development the body charged with delivering humanitarian assistance overseas the U.S. Embassy said a team of experts was on its way to Myanmar. The embassy said it would provide up to $2 million through local organizations. Looking for survivors in Bangkok A small number of U.S. military personnel were sent to assist in Bangkok, where the earthquake killed at least 18 people, many at a construction site where a partially built high-rise collapsed. Another 33 have been reported injured and 78 missing, primarily at the construction site near the popular Chatuchak market. On Monday, heavy equipment was temporarily shut down at the site and authorities urged onlookers to be silent as they used machines to try and detect signs of life. Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt told reporters that signs had been detected Sunday night, though experts could not determine whether it had been machine error. Watching the crews at work, Naruemon Thonglek said she had made some peace with the fact that her partner and five friends there were unlikely to be found alive. A part of me still hope they will survive, she said. DAVID RISING, BANGKOK, MDT/AP A 61-year-old woman was bitten by a stray dog in Coloane yesterday morning at around 8 a.m. The local resident sustained a laceration on her left thigh and was transported to the hospital in a conscious and stable condition. Authorities are investigating the incident and have advised residents to remain cautious around stray or aggressive dogs in the area. In a statement, the Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) said it has been managing the problem by deploying personnel daily to patrol high-risk areas, including Coloane Village, Ka Ho Reservoir, and Hac Sa Reservoir. In 2024, the IAM captured 568 stray dogs, marking a nearly 50% increase from 2023. The bureau has also partnered with animal welfare organizations to promote the TNA initiativeTrap, Neuter, and Adoptto help control the stray population. The IAM urges residents not to abandon animals and to sterilize their pets early to prevent further increases in the stray population. Staff Reporter The First Clare Hall, University of Cambridge University of Macau Forum 2025 took place earlier this week at the University of Macau (UM), co-hosted by UM and Clare Hall of the University of Cambridge. The forums theme, Interdisciplinary Approaches to Advancing Sustainable Development: Innovative Solutions to Global Challenges, emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration to address pressing global issues. The event marked a milestone in the partnership between UM and Clare Hall, with both institutions renewing their cooperation agreement for the Cambridge Clare Hall Visiting Fellowship Programme. This programme, established in 2006, aims to promote academic exchange and interdisciplinary collaboration in the fields of humanities, social sciences, and technology. Rector Yonghua Song of UM highlighted the success of the programme, which has allowed 23 UM scholars to engage in academic exchanges at Cambridge, and emphasized the need for technological innovation and interdisciplinary approaches to tackle challenges such as climate change and resource scarcity. Alan Short, president of Clare Hall, noted that the forum, as the first interdisciplinary event jointly hosted by both universities, underscored the importance of integrating diverse perspectives to address global issues. He also pointed to the focus of future collaborations on sustainable development and artificial intelligence. The forum featured two plenary sessions and three parallel sessions. The forum attracted over 20 scholars from UM, Cambridge, and Chongqing University, along with UM students and faculty, stimulating dynamic discussions on sustainable development and innovative solutions. Staff Reporter The number of recruitment requests for non-resident workers dropped by nearly 13% in 2024, following a significant surge in 2023, according to the Labour Affairs Bureau (DSAL). According to data provided to Portuguese outlet Tribuna de Macau, a total of 29,219 requests were processed in 2024, marking a 12.7% decrease compared to the previous year. This decline contrasts with the 32.3% increase observed between 2022 and 2023, which was mainly driven by the post-pandemic recovery. The processed requests involved 194,588 non-resident workers, a 13.3% decrease from 2023. Despite this drop, 158,316 of the requests were approved, reflecting a 9.3% reduction. The approval rate, however, increased to 81.4%, with the approval rate for specialized workers rising to 95.6%. By category, the construction sector saw the highest number of non-resident workers approved, followed by the hotel, restaurant, and similar industries. The domestic work sector also maintained a high approval rate of 98%. At the end of 2024, Macaus total non-resident workforce stood at 182,542, marking a 3.3% increase from the previous year. However, this figure remains below the pre-pandemic total of 196,538 workers in 2019. Mainland China continued to be the largest source of non-resident workers, though other regions such as the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Myanmar also saw increases in their worker numbers. The public administration and social security sector achieved a 100% approval rate for non-resident workers. Staff Reporter With the transitional period under the Law on Veterinary Clinical Care and Commercial Activity of Animals ending on March 31, all veterinary clinics, breeding, sales, and boarding facilities must now obtain a license to operate legally. The Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) has issued 25 provisional licenses for veterinary clinics and 59 for animal-related businesses, valid until March 2027. Related Amid recently uncovered illegal lodging operations in NAPE and Taipa, residents are raising concerns about potential security risks in their neighborhoods. Some residents have urged the government to strengthen enforcement, while members of the tourism industry believe the situation has improved compared to pre-pandemic levels. Recently, police reports indicate that several properties in NAPE and Taipa were recently found to be offering illegal accommodations. Listings resembling short-term rental units were discovered on mainland Chinese booking platforms. Near Jardim Triangular in Areia Preta, tenants carrying large suitcases were observed entering and exiting older residential buildings, prompting concerns from local residents. As cited in a TDM report, one resident expressed worries about security risks, especially in neighborhoods with families and children: With so many strangers coming and going, its inconvenient. We have young children at home, so we hope the government takes stricter action against illegal lodgings. Another resident highlighted safety concerns, saying, You dont know whos staying there, and thats worrisome. Others fear an increase in crimes such as theft and robbery. Industry representatives note that illegal lodgings have historically been concentrated in NAPE and Cotai. They maintain close communication with the Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO) and report any issues related to illegal guesthouses or unlicensed tour guides. President of the Travel Industry Council, Andy Wu, stated: The situation has significantly improved compared to pre-pandemic times. While there may have been a slight increase post-pandemic due to rising tourist numbers, I believe authorities will continue to crack down on illegal lodgings with public support. According to MGTO data, as of March 16 this year, authorities had conducted 46 joint operations, inspecting 124 units and sealing 35 suspected illegal lodging establishments. The bureau stated that it will continue to collaborate with the Public Security Police Force to enforce regular crackdowns while enhancing public awareness efforts. Authorities also urge property owners to prevent their units from being used for illegal lodging and encourage residents to report suspicious activities. According to the law, all non-residents entering Macau, except for workers and those holding special authorization to stay for over 90 days, are only allowed to stay in legally operated hotel establishments, including hotels, apartment hotels, and economical accommodation establishments. Staff Reporter As the trade wars launched by U.S. President Donald Trump continue to escalate, all eyes are on Wednesday. Trump has repeatedly called April 2 Liberation Day, with promises to roll out a set of tariffs, or taxes on imports from other countries, that he says will free the U.S. from a reliance on foreign goods. To do this, Trump has said hell impose reciprocal tariffs to match the duties that other countries charge on U.S. products. But a lot remains unknown about how these levies will actually be implemented. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said yesterday [Macau time] that Trump would unveil his plans to place reciprocal tariffs on nearly all American trading partners today, but maintained that the details are up to the president to announce. Since taking office just months ago, Trump has proven to be aggressive with tariff threats, all while creating a sense of whiplash through on-again, off-again trade actions. And its possible that well see more delays or confusion this week. Trump has argued that tariffs protect U.S. industries from unfair foreign competition, raise money for the federal government and provide leverage to demand concessions from other countries. But economists stress that broad tariffs at the rates suggested by Trump could backfire. Tariffs typically trickle down to the consumer through higher prices and businesses worldwide also have a lot to lose if their costs rise and their sales fall. Import taxes already in effect, coupled with uncertainty around future trade actions and possible retaliations, have already roiled financial markets and lowered consumer confidence while enveloping many with questions that could delay hiring and investment. What will happen on April 2? Details around Trumps plans remain uncertain. Reciprocal tariffs could take the form of product-by-product duties, for example, or broader averages imposed across all goods from each country or perhaps something else entirely. The rates could reflect what other countries charge as well as their value added taxes and subsidies to domestic companies. White House trade adviser Peter Navarro told Fox News Sunday that the tariffs could raise $600 billion annually, which would imply an average rate of 20%. Trump has talked about taxing the European Union, South Korea, Brazil and India, among other countries, through these levies. On Monday, Leavitt said Trump had been presented with several proposals by his advisers. She added that the president would make a final decision, but right now was not contemplating any country-wide exemptions from the tariffs. Previously-delayed import taxes could take effect very soon. Trumps month-long delay for many goods from Canada and Mexico, for example, is set to elapse in early April. Earlier this month, Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social that the extension granted for Mexican imports covered by the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement runs through April 2. But further confirmation around a specific date has not been issued since. Which tariffs are about to start? Trump has said he will place a 25% tariff on all imports from any country that buys oil or gas from Venezuela, which includes the U.S. itself, starting Wednesday in addition to imposing new tariffs on the South American country. His 25% tariffs on auto imports will start being collected Thursday, with taxes on fully-imported cars kicking off at midnight. The tariffs are set to expand to applicable auto parts in the following weeks, through May 3. The White House says it expects to raise $100 billion in revenue annually from these new duties, but economists stress this trade action will upend the auto industrys global supply chain and lead to higher prices for consumers. Which tariffs already into effect? Trump imposed a 10% tariff on all Chinese imports beginning Feb. 4, a levy he later doubled to 20% from March 4 onward. And China has hit back with retaliatory tariffs covering a range of U.S. goods, including a 15% tariff on coal and liquefied natural gas products and 10% tariff on crude oil from the U.S. that took effect Feb 10. China also imposed tariffs of up to 15% on key U.S. farm exports starting March 10. Canada and Mexico, Americas two largest trading partners, have also faced steep tariffs. Earlier this month, Trump implemented a partial, month-long delay of his 25% tariffs on both countries delaying taxes for auto-related imports as well as goods that comply with the 2020 US-Mexico-Canada Agreement until early April. Additional tariffs down the road? Even more tariffs from Trump are likely, with the president also threatening import taxes on products like copper, lumber, pharmaceutical drugs and computer chips. And many countries have promised retaliatory measures if not already imposed them, like Canada. Trump has said he wont negotiate with other countries on Wednesdays tariffs until after theyre imposed, though he has said his 25% taxes on auto imports would be permanent. In response to Trumps steel and aluminum tariffs, the European Union announced measures on U.S. goods worth some 26 billion euros ($28 billion) to target steel and aluminum products, but also American beef, poultry, bourbon, motorcycles, peanut butter and jeans. The 27-member bloc had intended to roll out this retaliatory trade action in two phases, on Tuesday and April 13, but later said it will delay it until mid-April, without giving a specific date. Well potentially see more retaliatory announcements this week, particularly if Trump confirms more details of sweeping reciprocal tariffs today. WYATTE GRANTHAM-PHILIPS, NEW YORK, MDT/AP Democratic-backed judge Susan Crawford on Tuesday won a hotly contested race for ideological control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court giving liberals a resounding victory in an election that saw record-shattering spending in what had become a referendum on President Donald Trumps second term in the White House. The Associated Press called the race at 9:18 p.m. Tuesday. Crawford was beating Republican-backed Judge Brad Schimel by more than 8 points, based on unofficial results, the Associated Press reported early Wednesday morning. Turnout exceeded 52% of the voting age population, topping the record of nearly 40% set in 2023. Spending was on its way to surpassing $100 million. Supporters hailed Crawfords victory as a rebuke to Trump and his billionaire ally, Elon Musk, who showered more than $20 million on the race to back Schimel. The election shattered the previous record for spending in any judicial race in America, set just two years earlier in the battleground state. Ive got to tell you, as a little girl growing up in Chippewa Falls, I never could have imagined that Id be taking on the richest man in the world for justice in Wisconsin and we won, Crawford told supporters in Madison. Tuesdays results followed an unprecedented attack on our democracy, our fair elections and our Supreme Court and (Wisconsinites) stood up and said loudly that justice does not have a price, our courts are not for sale, Crawford said. As results came in from around the state, it was clear that Schimel had failed to reach the margins Trump secured in several critical counties in his 2024 victory over then-Vice President Kamala Harris. While Trump won Kenosha County by more than 6 points in November, for example, Crawford was leading Schimel there by more than 5 points with 98% of ballots counted. Crawford was also up by roughly 1 point over Schimel in Racine County, which Trump won by more than 6 points last fall. Crawford also held a narrow edge over Schimel in Outagamie County with 97% of the votes counted; Trump won the county by 10 points in November. Schimel conceded the race just an hour and a half after polls closed. The numbers arent going to turn around, Schimel told supporters in Pewaukee shortly before 9:30 p.m. Its too bad and were not going to pull this off. Well get up to fight another day, but this wasnt our day, he said. Schimel's concession led to yells of anger. One woman began to chant, Cheater, cheater! No, Schimel said. Youve got to accept the results. Crawford also ran up considerable leads in the states most liberal counties, securing 81% of the vote in Dane County with 92% of the votes counted and nearly 73% of the vote in Milwaukee County with 70% of the vote reported. Turnout was high across the state, but reached historic levels in the Democratic stronghold of Milwaukee, forcing election officials to deliver additional ballots to seven voting precincts that had run low, Paulina Gutierrez, executive director of the Milwaukee Election Commission, said about an hour before the polls closed at 8 p.m. Voters in line by the time polls closed were still able to cast a ballot. Across Wisconsin, early voting was more than 50% ahead of what the state saw in the 2023 judicial election, when ideological control of the court was last up for grabs. More than 1.8 million ballots were cast in that race leading up to Democratic-backed Janet Protasiewiczs 11-point victory over conservative former Justice Daniel Kelly. Crawfords victory means liberals will hold the majority of the court until at least 2028. The court is expected to weigh in on a number of high-profile issues ranging from collective bargaining rights to abortion access. High stakes bring national spotlight Much of the national attention on the race focused on the potential for the court to redraw congressional district maps in Wisconsin, which could help determine which party controls the U.S. House of Representatives after the 2026 midterms. There is no case challenging the maps currently before the court, however, and justices last year rejected a Democratic-backed lawsuit seeking to redraw those maps. Wisconsins a big state politically, and the Supreme Court has a lot to do with elections in Wisconsin, Trump said Monday. Winning Wisconsins a big deal its a big race. Trump endorsed Schimel, describing him as a wonderful American patriot, a tough-on-crime judge. Former President Barack Obama also waded into the contest, writing Tuesday in a post on X that Crawford will work to protect your rights and freedoms. Amid the immense political noise surrounding the race, Crawford, a former prosecutor who represented groups seeking to protect abortion access and union rights, largely attacked Schimel for his opposition to abortion access and his ties to Trump and Musk. Schimel, meanwhile, painted Crawford as being weak on crime and beholden to Democrats in their hopes of redrawing congressional maps and weakening GOP control of the U.S. House. Complete Wisconsin election results, April 2025 Final results in the high-stakes race for Wisconsin Supreme Court, a vote to enshrine the state's voter ID law into the state constitution, and all your local government elections. Another record-setting judicial race All those variables translated into record spending, particularly by partisans and outside groups, in a race that is nonpartisan in name only. Nearly $99 million had been spent on the race as of Tuesday, according to the Brennan Center for Justice. Crawford has spent more than $28 million so far, nearly double the $15 million spent by Schimel. More than $55 million has flooded into the race from outside groups, with more than $21 million spent by Musk to support Schimel through two political action committees and direct donations to the Republican Party of Wisconsin. Crawford, meanwhile, has received backing from billionaire liberals like philanthropist George Soros and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, but nowhere near the level of spending coming from Musk. The contest shattered the previous record for spending in a judicial race, which was set just two years ago when more than $51 million was spent on the 2023 election. Susan Crawfords victory over Brad Schimel, Elon Musk, and Donald Trump is a resounding message from voters that Wisconsin believes in freedom, democracy, and the rule of law, that they have had enough of MAGA extremism, and that Wisconsin is not for sale, Ben Wikler, chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, said in a statement. Musks efforts fall short Musks involvement in the race, which began shortly after his Tesla electric car company sued Wisconsin for blocking it from opening dealerships in the state, has drawn harsh scrutiny. One of Trumps closest aides, Musk described the election as important for the future of civilization on Sunday while handing out $1 million checks to two Wisconsin residents in exchange for signing his petition to oppose activist judges. He has also offered $100 payments to anyone who signed his petition and gifted another $1 million check to a Green Bay resident last week. Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul sued to halt the payments, arguing they violate the states election bribery law, but his request was rejected by the states highest court shortly before Musk gifted the checks at an event in Green Bay. On Tuesday, state Sen. Kelda Roys, D-Madison, sent a letter to Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne asserting that Musks giveaway was illegal and he should be criminally charged. You have the power to do it to enforce our laws, without fear or favor, Roys wrote. More importantly, you have a responsibility to every person in Dane County and in Wisconsin to hold Elon Musk accountable for his crimes. Ozanne did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday. Overnight, Musk posted on his X platform that The long con of the left is corruption of the judiciary. In another comment, he seemed to take solace from voters approval to elevate the states photo ID requirement from state law to constitutional amendment. Conservative Justice Rebecca Grassl Bradleys 10-year term expires next year, followed by Chief Justice Annette Zieglers seat in 2027. Liberal Justice Rebecca Dallets term expires in 2028, conservative Justice Brian Hagedorns concludes in 2029 and liberal Justice Jill Karofskys term expires in 2030. Crawford will officially join the bench in August, filling the seat currently held by departing liberal Justice Ann Walsh Bradley. The Associated Press contributed to this report. SINGAPORE, April 2 A 17-year-old Singaporean has been detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for planning a mass shooting at five mosques in Singapore, aiming to kill at least 100 Muslims in a terrorist attack inspired by the 2019 Christchurch massacre. According to The Straits Times, the Internal Security Department (ISD) revealed today that the teenager had identified mosques in Jurong West, Clementi, Margaret Drive, Admiralty Road, and Beach Road as targets. He intended to carry out the attack during Friday prayers before taking his own life. His radicalisation began in 2022 through exposure to Islamophobic and far-right extremist content online. ADVERTISEMENT Authorities intercepted his plot before he could act, issuing a detention order in March 2025. Investigations linked him to Nick Lee, an 18-year-old detained under the ISA in December 2024 for similar extremist beliefs, though the two had never met or coordinated attacks. The teenager attempted multiple times to obtain firearms, exploring avenues such as smuggling, modifying replicas, and 3D printing gun parts. He had also planned to visit a US shooting range to train with firearms. Despite failing to acquire weapons, he remained committed to executing the attack. His parents were aware of his views and online activity but did not report them to authorities. The ISD highlighted this case as part of a growing concern over youth radicalisation in Singapore, with far-right extremism gaining traction among young people. Since 2015, 17 individuals aged 20 and below have been dealt with under the ISA, nine of whom intended to carry out attacks locally. The Department of Energy (DOE) expects natural gas power plants operated by Excellent Energy Resources Inc. (EERI) and South Premiere Power Corp. (SPPC) to deliver 2,500 megawatts (MW) of capacity starting May 15, boosting the countrys energy security. We are very happy that the tank one of EERI and SPPC has been successfully installed and we were told that by the middle of May, instead of the 1,350 MW we have from those two plants now, we will reach 2,500 MW so well be fine this summer, DOE Undersecretary Rowena Guevara said at the Asia CEO Forum on Renewable Energy 2025, sponsored by Citicore Renewable Energy Corp. and Megawide Construction Corp. - Advertisement - We are just hoping that other plants will not have outages, and that was the reason why we have to delay the plant shutdown of EERI and SPPC was because Sual went down two weeks ago, she said. SPPC is delivering 1,350 MW, while EERI remains offline due to technical issues with its 500 kV gas-insulated switchgear (GIS), delaying its return to service. Both facilities are jointly owned by Meralco PowerGen Corp., San Miguel Global Power Holdings Corp. and Aboitiz Power Corp. Guevara said the DOE is also monitoring the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administrations heat index. Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla, speaking at the same forum, cited the need for diversified energy sources amid a complex global geopolitical situation. To respond, we need to diversify our energy sources. Thats a big reason why were pushing renewable energy, Lotilla said. It will help secure our energy supply long-term, and it aligns with our goals for sustainable, affordable, and accessible energy, he said. Lotilla said the Philippines needs a diversified energy mix, as renewables alone cant provide the constant power we need. Alena Mae S. Flores We also need to use our other resources, including fossil fuels. We need to see these as working together. Thats why the governments program to develop natural gas and petroleum is so important. For a while, well need natural gas to balance out the ups and downs of renewable energy, especially solar and wind. So, the push to explore more natural gas sources goes hand-in-hand with our renewable energy goals, he said. Lotilla called on the private sector to share responsibility for progress in the energy sector. Its not fair to put it all on the government. If the private sector is a full partner, it needs to take full responsibility, he said. He said the Philippines is considered a prime investment destination for renewable energy, but urged faster implementation of policies. Our policies are a big reason for this high rating, but unfortunately, some things havent happened as quickly as they should have. For example, the Renewable Energy Act of 2008 opened geothermal to 100 percent foreign investment, but it took until 2021 to actually implement that policy. Thats a 13-year gap. Were not ignoring these issues. This administration is focused on building the right policy framework so the private sector can invest, he said. CLIMAX Sheep run around and under solar panels on a massive 1,500-acre facility on a recent Friday afternoon. The flock has one purpose. They are four-legged lawnmowers. Its a program Dominion Energy started in 2023. A few weeks ago, the sheep moved in at Maplewood Solar, which is one of them largest facility Dominion has throughout the state. Up and down Climax Road, the panels stretch as far as the eye can see on both sides of the road. Construction started on the project in 2020, according to the facilitys webpage. The idea of solar was hotly contested when it first surfaced in Pittsylvania County and has only grown since. With farms popping up, supervisors eventually curtailed the percentage of area available in each district, essentially halting future development. In all, there are 336,432 solar panels that make up the expansive 120-megawatt solar complex in Climax. At peak output, it produces enough electricity to power 30,000 homes or businesses, according to Tim Eberly, a spokesperson for Dominion Energy. Known as solar grazing, the energy company with 70 solar farms across Virginia first got involved with it in 2023. It started at smaller sites, Eberly explained on a tour of the site and critters recently. No. 1 because we needed to learn how to scale up the operation, he said of launching it in other areas. We were slowly scaling up. There were 256 sheep grazing on March 14. Two had just been born the day before. In fact, 150 of the animals were pregnant. The sheep provide an alternative option to mechanical mowing, a process in itself difficult around the large panel structures. It also can be dangerous if a mower hurls a rock at one of the panels. The mowing isnt because of aesthetics. The main goal is to reduce the risk of fires. Each farm has its own emergency plan and that would include what to do in the event of a fire, Eberly explained when asked what would happen if a blaze were to break out. We also reach out to the local authorities, the fire department and share the emergency plan with them. Marcus Gray, of Grays Lambscaping, lives a few miles from the solar farm. Along with is wife, Jess, they have sheep at different solar sites throughout Virginia. They are on track to have about 400 in the Climax area project as things green up more in the spring. Gray explained that he doesnt want to overstock the flock because the idea is to maintain the vegetation. Its a dance all the time, he said. Its a balancing act for how many animals. After a solar site is established, about 80% of the work is vegetation maintenance. A lot of people that do this out west, California, Arizona, its fire mitigation entirely, he said of the animals. Sheep, known for not being picky eaters, are preferred over goats. Grazing goats could keep the grass cut, but they would also be jumping on the panels and trying to chew the wiring. Weve never lost a sheep to the equipment, Gray explained walking through the panels recently. On that tour, Gray said although the panels were safe, he advised that none of the equipment should be touched. The panels move and track with the sun, Eberly explained. Inverters around the site convert the power generated by solar to a version that can be pushed onto the electrical grid. When you walk out there, they are so quiet, he explained of the panels lined in multiple rows. They dont make any noise. Starting with just 25 sheep, Gray plans to have about 1,000 this year on Dominion sites. We are breeding for sheep that do better in this system, he said, explaining that the panels provide shelter for the creatures. They do really well, Gray continued. They thrive out here. The sheep stay on the site all year, even in the winter. Sometimes they may have to bring in hay to supplement the grass when the weather turns harsh. When walking up to the flock, Trip a trained border collie runs behind to keep them from shifting. Trip, 4 years old, is one of five trained dogs Gray has. They are docile, so they arent going to knock anybody down, Gray said of the sheep. Living on site are other dogs that protect the cuddly lawnmowers from predators like bears, coyotes, bobcats and some birds. Move to Pittsylvania Born just south of Richmond, Gray and his wife were living out of state when they had the opportunity to purchase the local farm in 2021. Our family has been farming in Virginia since before the revolution, he said. We like Virginia. Gray called the solar grazing program a boon for farming. The landowners get a rental for the ground since Dominion didnt buy the property. Theres that economic driver, he explained. Then we get to come in as a third party to farm on it, he continued. So we are stacking economic value for the community. In turn, that means Grays Lambscaping the deliberate play on words can sponsor his daughters softball team. If not for the solar avenue, he wouldnt be able to afford the land needed for sheep grazing. Solar grazing is just an immense opportunity for our farm and community, he said. There is a whole economy that comes with sheep raising at scale. On the move For this particular farm, given its sheer size and spanning both sides of the road, the sheep have to be corralled and loaded into a trailer to move from one space to another. There are 15 of those individual areas, called paddocks. Depending on the time of year and number of sheep, a flock could stay in one for up to two weeks or as little as a few days. For the most part, the group sticks together, Eberly said of the flock. The exception on the recent visit was the mother and her two new lambs. They were off from the group for what Gray called bonding. Since the animals are moving, it helps keep the parasite burden low. A veterinarian comes to visit four times a year and will respond immediately if theres a problem. The vet performs inspections and keeps the animals updated with vaccines. They are really healthy, they do really well, he said. Being low to the ground, the 150-pound animals can easily move under the solar panels. The sheep are of different ages, and they eat pretty much anything thats out there. This rolling land area is full of fescue and clover. Novelty Its not unusual for people to do a double take at the sheep, especially around the high-tech devices. We talk to a lot of people, Gray said. Especially when moving the sheep. Although its not possible to completely eliminate mechanical mowing, Eberly said the goal is to reach a 75-25 ratio where the sheep are doing three-quarters of the work. Eberly touted the program as agrivoltaics. Its a fancy word that means pairing solar energy with an agricultural use, he said. Theres another pilot program near Charlottesville using beehives. This kind of gives us a chance to get more out of the land, Eberly said. In another mix of old and new technology, Gray pulled out his cellphone and swiped on an app. That emitted a tone to a device around the neck of the resident dog, in this case, as a signal to leave the shepherding canine alone. Its really training to keep him on the farm, he said. On 22 and 23 March, the Anti-Militarism Conference organised by the Revolutionary Communist Party (RKP) the German section of the Revolutionary Communist International (RCI) was held in Berlin. 180 communists took part from Germany, as well as guests from the sections of the Revolutionary Communist International in Britain, the USA, Canada, Switzerland and Austria. [Originally published in German at derkommunist.de] The conference was the culmination of the RKP's months-long anti-militarism campaign, in which all of our comrades thoroughly studied Lenin's analysis of imperialism and its application to the present day. Throughout the campaign, we have emphasised the role of imperialism and especially German imperialism in our newspaper, at demonstrations and in all our other activities. At the conference, 14 high-quality talks were given on imperialism, war and world perspectives, answering the burning questions of today. As well as this, a particularly well-received series of talks on the foundations of Marxism were used to consolidate our new membership, which has doubled in the last 1.5 years. Not a day without political bombshells... and real ones Since the founding of the RKP in November, the German liberal establishment's darkest nightmares have come true. With a snap of his fingers, Donald Trump has blithely cancelled the Wests rules-based world order, which is tantamount to a death sentence for German imperialism. The representatives of the ruling class in Berlin are now running around like headless chickens, desperately looking for a way out of the deep crisis of German capitalism, which is entering its third year of recession. In his presentation on world perspectives on Saturday, Francesco Merli a member of the International Secretariat of the RCI outlined the contours of the political shocks resulting from the relative decline of US imperialism and the rise of its imperialist rivals China and Russia. As the US focuses on heavyweight China and turns its back on declining Europe, the Europeans are forced to make a frantic 180-degree turn and embark on their biggest debt-financed militarisation campaign since the fall of the Berlin Wall. However, this desperate attempt to position Europe as a world power will only deepen the crisis in the individual European countries. A look at the current movements in Serbia, Greece and Turkey, which were raised in the discussion, give us a flavour of the period to come. The talks at the conference focussed primarily on German imperialism, addressing the key issues facing the youth today: the question of the struggle for democratic rights; the role of pacifism particularly regarding the war on Gaza; the communist position on imperialist wars; a class analysis of the Ukraine war; how trade unions should fight against war and others. Sacrifice and inspiration Comrades questions about the nature of fascism, the possibility of a third world war and other topics, testify to our young membership's revolutionary thirst for knowledge. This was also demonstrated by the fact that we were able to sell 2000-worth of Marxist literature! With 180 books sold, comrades bought an average of one book each. Another highlight was the fundraising event on Saturday evening. After an inspiring appeal for donations by Michele Rocco Troccolo from the RKPs Executive Committee, comrades smashed our fundraising target of 10,000 and pledged over 16,000! In the end, there was an inspiring and humorous competition between two branches for the highest pledge. While our left critics denounce the RKP for asking our comrades for high membership fees, we see the financial sacrifice of our comrades as a strength and a sign of our firm conviction to achieve communism in our lifetimes. Our comrades Adrian, Alyona and Leonard, who have been tried in court for using the slogan Intifada until victory, gave a short and militant report on the status of their trials before the fundraiser. We can celebrate a partial victory on this front, because the charges against our comrade Adrian have been dropped by the public prosecutor's office! The public prosecutor's office has had to admit in their statement that their charges were far-fetched. The cry Yallah Intifada, Intifada until victory is therefore not punishable by law, which is a victory for the entire Palestine movement, which is being harassed and demonised in Germany in particular. As Adrian said, we will not be cowed and will consistently stand alongside our class to expose the hypocrisy of the rulers and unite the most progressive elements of the working class in our ranks. The fight goes on: Alyona and Leonard are still facing trial at the second level of jurisdiction. That is why we are continuing to raise money from the movement to pay legal costs. Sinking ship At the end of the conference, Alexander Kalabekow from the RKP Executive Committee gave a talk on German perspectives. The German capitalist class is 100 percent to blame for the current crisis. For many years they have carelessly lived off the fat of Germanys industrial strength, refusing to invest in industry and channeling state money and cheap loans into speculation rather than production. Now they are handing the working class the bill for the countrys poor industrial competitiveness. The permanent crisis that followed from the financial crisis of 2008 has been the breeding ground for the European offshoots of the Trump phenomenon in the form of right-wing populist parties such as the Alternative for Germany (AfD), which doubled its result in the early federal elections in February. Depraved German capitalism owes its existence to the reformist leaders of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and the trade unions. In the name of the working class, they carry out the policies of the ruling class and thwart the trade union movement at every turn in order to preserve social peace with the bosses and shareholders, instead of waging a consistent struggle against capital. The coming austerity regime under Chancellor Friedrich Merz of the conservative Christian Democrats (CDU) makes no secret of the fact that they will massively attack the welfare state in order to reduce the mountain of debt they have recently accrued. In a historic decision, the CDU, Greens and SPD using their relative parliamentary weight in the old Bundestag, which was voted out of office in February have voted through a debt package of 500 billion for infrastructure and relaxed the constitutional limits on state debt the debt brake for state defence spending above one percent of GDP! The government now plans to spend an additional 400 billion on militarism. Scandalously, the left-wing reformist party Die Linke has supported this sell-out in the Bundesrat, even though its votes would not have been necessary! An appeal to Die Linke Die Linke achieved a remarkable election success earlier this year and gained tens of thousands of new members with its militant tone and its demands against rearmament, austerity and the right. Heidi Reichinnek member of the Bundestag for Die Linke went viral with a speech in the Bundestag in which she called on people to take to the barricades. In doing so, the party raised the hopes of millions of young people who want to fight. But as soon as the new Bundestag opened, Die Linke abandoned the rhetoric of its election campaign, in order to present itself to the established parties as a reliable, statesmanlike partner as was made abundantly clear in Gregor Gysi's opening speech as longest-serving member of the Bundestag. Die Linke is a mass organisation that could really make a difference in the situation if it decides to fight. That is why the Anti-Militarism Conference unanimously adopted an appeal to Die Linke. The participants of the conference call on the party leadership to mobilise its grassroots members and voters en masse in order to implement the demands of its election programme against rearmament and austerity. This struggle can only be successfully waged on the streets, in working class neighbourhoods and in the workplace, not through parliamentary and legal manoeuvres. The former would be absolutely possible, because Die Linkes base of support is burning to take action. We, the participants of the Anti-Militarism Conference, would enthusiastically support every step from Die Linke in this direction and participate in such a mass movement as the RKP with our own Marxist and revolutionary programme. We invite all members and voters of Die Linke to read our appeal and discuss it with us. Neither laugh, nor cry, but understand Many of our left critics accuse us of being too optimistic. For obvious reasons, large sections of the left, particularly in Germany, fear fascism and predict a long period of reaction. What they completely omit from their calculations, however, is the movement of the working class. If you scratch beneath the surface, you will find not the embryo of a fascist mass movement in Germany, but a concentrated class hatred against the entire capitalist system. With every attack by capital, with every experience of injustice, oppression and marginalisation, more and more people will conclude that it is not this or that aspect of capitalism that is rotten, but capitalism as a whole. We will accompany our class in this long process and organise all fighters who want to break with the system and dedicate their lives to building the revolutionary party. It is the unadulterated ideas of Marxism as expressed by Marx, Engels, Lenin, Trotsky and Ted Grant which give us a compass in the midst of political earthquakes; which protect us from being blinded by superficial appearances; and which allow us to take a clear, working class, revolutionary standpoint. US President Donald Trump expressed optimism following a productive phone conversation with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, focusing on pressing regional issues such as Gaza and Yemen. In a post on his Truth Social platform on Tuesday April 1, Trump described the call as going very well, highlighting discussions about military progress, specifically the US strikes against Houthi insurgents in Yemen, as well as potential solutions for the Gaza crisis. While details were sparse, Trump mentioned military preparedness and possible strategies for Gaza among the topics covered. Trumps comments come amid continuing tensions in Gaza, where he has previously proposed a controversial plan for the mass displacement of the Palestinian population in a bid to turn the territory into a real estate development zone. The proposal has been widely rejected by Palestinians and other Arab nations, though it has garnered some support from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Egypt, which shares a border with Gaza, has put forward its own plan focused on reconstruction, although the US has expressed disappointment with it. The ongoing conflict in Gaza has also seen Yemens Iran-backed Houthi rebels attacking Red Sea shipping lanes in an apparent show of solidarity with Palestinians. These actions have disrupted vital trade routes, prompting US military strikes against the Houthis to protect maritime traffic. Trump, who has had a long-standing relationship with President Sissi, further solidified the bond between the US and Egypt, with the latter being a key recipient of American military aid. Despite human rights concerns surrounding Sissis government, the close ties between the two leaders remain a significant element of US foreign policy in the region. The European Parliament has approved the release of the second 4 billion tranche in a broader 7.4 billion financial aid package for Egypt, marking a significant step in reinforcing the EUs strategic partnership with the North African country. The vote, which took place on 1 April 2025, saw overwhelming support with 452 in favour, 182 against, and 40 members abstaining. This follows the first 1 billion tranche, disbursed earlier in January under the same arrangement. The 7.4 billion package, part of an agreement signed in March 2024, is designed to support Egypts economic stability through budget assistance, investment guarantees, and technical support. This funding aims to aid Egypt in addressing its economic challenges while recognizing its key role in regional security and stability. The EUs backing highlights Egypts strategic importance, particularly amid ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and Africa. Egypts Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the European Parliaments decision, describing it as a reaffirmation of the long-term strategic ties between Egypt and the EU. The Ministry emphasized that this move acknowledges the countrys efforts to promote regional stability and its vital role in the Middle East and Southern Mediterranean. The release of the second tranche is now awaiting final procedural steps within the EU, which are anticipated to take several weeks. The Niger junta announced on Tuesday evening, April 1, 2025, the release of around 50 individuals, including former ministers from the ousted civilian Government, in line with the recommendations from the national forums held in February. The move follows months of political tension after the military coup in July 2023 that overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum. The announcement was made via a statement read on national television by the Secretary-General of the Government. Among those released are high-profile figures such as Mahamane Sani Issoufou, former Minister of Petroleum and son of the previous president, Mahamadou Issoufou, who participated in the national forums. Other released detainees include Kalla Moutari, former Minister of Defence, Ahmed Djidoud, former Minister of Finance, and Ibrahim Yacoubou, former Minister of Energy. In addition to former ministers, political leaders, an ex-ambassador, a journalist, and military personnel accused of attempted coups in the 2010s were also freed. Despite the release of several key figures, the ousted President Mohamed Bazoum remains in detention. The junta emphasized that these releases were in line with the ongoing efforts for national reconciliation and the rebuilding of the nation after the coup. At the end of March 2025, the total number of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the Horn of Africa region stood at 24.5 million, according to a report published on Tuesday April 1 by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). This marked a decline from 26.3 million, which was recorded earlier, largely due to a combination of improved security conditions in certain countries and increased returns of displaced individuals. Specifically, the relative stabilisation in Sudan facilitated the return of many refugees, including those from South Sudan and abroad. Of the 24.5 million displaced persons, 18.9 million are internally displaced, while 5.6 million are refugees and asylum seekers. The report also highlighted a concerning increase in displacement due to the escalation of conflict in the eastern regions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in February. Approximately 69,854 new IDPs from North and South Kivu provinces have sought refuge in Burundi, adding to the 89,000 refugees already hosted by the country. The violence in DRC continues to exacerbate displacement across the region. Egypt is currently the largest host of Sudanese refugees, with 1.5 million individuals, followed by South Sudan with 1.08 million, and Chad with 769,716. Other countries such as Libya, Uganda, Ethiopia, and the Central African Republic also shelter Sudanese refugees. The primary drivers of displacement in the region include ongoing conflict, the impacts of climate changesuch as floods and droughtsand widespread food insecurity, all of which continue to affect millions in the Horn of Africa. The Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the M23 rebel group are preparing for direct negotiations, scheduled for April 9, 2025, in Doha, sources from both sides confirmed on Tuesday. This marks a significant development in the ongoing conflict, as the two parties have not engaged in direct talks since M23 fighters seized control of eastern Congos two largest cities in a swift offensive that has resulted in widespread casualties and displacement. The discussions, which are part of Qatars mediation efforts, offer a potential path towards ending the violence that has plagued the region for years. According to a Congolese official, the meeting is set to occur on April 9, unless the other side misbehaves, implying that the talks remain contingent on both parties adhering to certain expectations. A source within the M23 confirmed the date and mentioned that the group would use the opportunity to present its demands to the Congolese government. While both sides have agreed to keep the details of the negotiations confidential, the meeting is seen as a significant breakthrough in the stalled peace process. The talks come after a surprise meeting between Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame in Doha on March 18. Qatar has been hosting discussions between the two countries, with separate meetings held with M23 representatives. Despite Rwandas denial of supporting M23, the underlying tensions surrounding the conflict trace back to the legacy of the 1994 Rwandan genocide and competition for valuable mineral resources in the region. Tshisekedis shift in stance to agree to talks with M23 follows a series of military setbacks, demonstrating a willingness to pursue diplomatic avenues after initial resistance. Foreign ministers of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger announced a visit to Moscow on April 3-4 to seek closer ties as the rift widens with the west. The foreign ministers were invited by their Russian peer Lavrov to the Moscow meeting which represents an important step in establishing strategic, pragmatic, dynamic and supportive cooperation and partnership relations in areas of common interest between the AES and Russia, the ministries said. The three countries announced their withdrawal from the regional grouping ECOWAS and the set up the Confederation of Sahel States (AES). After sacking French and western troops they tilted closer to Russia in quest of military support to counter a growing terrorist activity. Russia has provided military assistance to AES countries through the Wagner Group, a private military company known for its involvement in various conflicts worldwide. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Venn Diagram comparison of the top 15 predictors for two-year incident, all-cause dementia across XGBoost, LASSO, and LR algorithms. Abbreviations: LR: Logistic Regression; LASSO: Least Absolute Shrinkage Operator; XGBoost: Extreme Gradient Boosting; BMI: Body Mass Index; CV: Coefficient of Variation; SBP: Systolic Blood Pressure; DBP: Diastolic Blood Pressure; ER/HO: Emergency Room Visits and Hospital Observation. Credit: The Lancet Regional Health - Americas (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.lana.2025.101013 Machine learning algorithms utilizing electronic health records can effectively predict two-year dementia risk among American Indian/Alaska Native adults aged 65 years and older, according to a University of California, Irvine-led study. The findings provide a valuable framework for other health care systems, particularly those serving resource-limited populations. The computer modeling results also found several new predictors for dementia diagnosis that were identified consistently across different machine-learning models. Findings are published in The Lancet Regional HealthAmericas. Up until now, no other study has looked at harnessing the power of machine learning models to help predict dementia risk among the historically understudied American Indian/Alaska Native population, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau. Machine learning models, which enable computers to make predictions or decisions using vast datasets without explicit programming for each task, enhance efficiency, accuracy and scalability in analyzing large datasets. The population of older American Indian and Alaska Native adults is projected to increase nearly threefold between 2020 and 2060. With dementia being a leading cause of disability and mortality in this age group, this debilitating condition is an increasing concern in this community. In addition to numerous ailments like cognitive decline, weakened immune system and depression, dementia has far-reaching societal impacts. It takes a toll on family members emotionally, incurs substantial medical expenses and contributes to a general decline in quality of life. "Public health researchers play a significant role in helping clinicians and policymakers make informed decisions about population health," said Luohua Jiang, a professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at the UC Irvine Joe C. Wen School of Population & Public Health. "If future studies confirm these results, our findings could prove valuable to the Indian Health Service and Tribal health clinicians in identifying high-risk individuals, facilitating timely interventions and improving care coordination." Jiang and colleagues took seven years of data from the Indian Health Service's National Data Warehouse and related electronic health records databases and divided the data into a five-year baseline period (2007 to 2011) and a two-year dementia prediction period (2012 to 2013). The study included nearly 17,400 American Indian/Alaska Native adults aged 65 years or older who were dementia-free at the baseline, of whom almost 60% were female. Over the two-year follow-up, 611 individuals (3.5%) were diagnosed with dementia. Four machine-learning algorithms were evaluated and compared based on their data preprocessing efforts and model performance. Of the three top-performing models the team developed, 12 of the 15 highest-ranked predictors for dementia were common across the three models. Importantly, several novel predictors of all-cause dementia, such as health service utilization, were identified across these algorithms. Additional authors include Kayleen Ports, a former UC Irvine master's student, and Jiahui Dai, a current graduate student researcher, both from Wen Public Health; Kyle Conniff, a recent UC Irvine Ph.D. graduate in statistics; and Maria M. Corrada, a professor of neurology at the UC Irvine School of Medicine. Spero M. Manson, a distinguished professor, and Joan O'Connell, an associate professor with the Centers for American Indian & Alaska Native Health at the Colorado School of Public Health, also contributed to the study. More information: Kayleen Ports et al, Machine learning to predict dementia for American Indian and Alaska native peoples: a retrospective cohort study, The Lancet Regional HealthAmericas (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.lana.2025.101013 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Compared to control mice, Bach2 KO mice exhibit exacerbated dermatitis, whereas Bach2 Tg mice remain unaffected. Credit: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2025.01.036 Atopic dermatitis is an allergy affecting approximately 10% of the Japanese population, with symptoms closely related to social stress. In socially active adults, the disease often becomes chronic. In affected areas, infiltrating immune cells secrete inflammatory cytokines, which contribute to symptom development. While these cytokines normally play a protective role against pathogenic microbes under physiological conditions, their excessive and prolonged release in atopic dermatitis disrupts the epidermal barrierthe skin's first line of defense against environmental factors. The inflammatory responses in atopic dermatitis are initially triggered by T cells, followed by other immune and tissue cells. A research group from Japan's Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine and Jikei University School of Medicine has been conducting fundamental studies aimed at addressing the pathogenesis of allergies by precisely regulating T-cell function. In a study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, the team focused on Bach2, a protein essential for maintaining normal T-cell function. To investigate its role in atopic dermatitis, the researchers generated three types of mouse models: mice in which Bach2 levels can be monitored using a fluorescent tag, transgenic mice with T cells expressing high levels of Bach2 (Bach2 Tg mice), and knockout mice lacking Bach2 in T cells (Bach2 KO mice). The accumulation of T cells with low Bach2 levels disrupts the epidermal barrier, weakening epidermal structures and promotes tissue fibrosis, resulting in the loss of normal tissue function. Proper regulation of Bach2 levels in T cells may help resolve atopic dermatitis symptoms, prevent chronic inflammation and skin barrier disruption and reduce the risk of disease development. Credit: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2025.01.036 Key findings T cells with low and/or intermediate levels of Bach2 accumulate in the affected areas of atopic dermatitis. Bach2 Tg mice do not develop atopic dermatitis, whereas Bach2 KO mice exhibit severe and prolonged (chronic) symptoms. Bach2 KO mice have a more fragile skin barrier, both functionally and structurally. Bach2 levels are dynamically regulated along with T-cell status. The findings of this study suggest that precise modulation of Bach2 levels in T cells may help reduce the chronicity of atopic dermatitis, highlighting the potential for developing a novel therapeutic approach targeting Bach2 regulation in T cells. More information: Miyuki Omori-Miyake et al, Loss of Bach2 in T cells causes prolonged allergic inflammation through accumulation of effector T cells and disruption of epidermal barrier, Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2025.01.036 Journal information: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain The next two weeks will determine whether a single measles case in Colorado fizzles out or starts an outbreak. An unvaccinated adult who lives in Pueblo developed measles after visiting a part of Mexico that has an ongoing outbreak, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. The person could have exposed others to the highly contagious disease at Southwest Deli and Cafe in South Pueblo between March 17 and 21 and at Southern Colorado Clinic in West Pueblo from 3:30 to 6 p.m. March 22. Health officials didn't publicly identify or release any more information about the person, who is recovering from their illness. About 90% of people who don't have immunity will develop measles if they spend time around a person who is contagious, state epidemiologist Dr. Rachel Herlihy said during a news conference Tuesday. Whether the Pueblo resident's case remains a one-off or the virus gains a foothold depends on the immunity status of the people around them. About 95% of school-aged children in Pueblo are up-to-date on their measles vaccines, said Randy Evetts, director of the Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment. The rate is lower among kindergartners, with about 84% in the city and 92% in the surrounding county fully protected, he said. Typically, someone with measles will develop symptoms such as a fever, cough, runny nose and watery eyes about 10 days after exposure. The rash typically starts about two weeks after exposure, though in some cases the virus can take up to three weeks to cause symptoms, Herlihy said. Patients are contagious about four days before and four days after the rash develops, she said. If someone who visits the deli or the clinic develops symptoms, they should call ahead before seeking medical care so the provider can take precautions to avoid further spreading measles, Herlihy said. "People may have measles and think they have something like a cold," she said. At the start of March, Herlihy advised people who were behind on their vaccinations to catch up before spring break travel. One dose of the measles vaccine reduces the risk of getting sick by 93%, and two reduce it by 97%. Most people won't need a booster shot, though adults vaccinated before 1968 should consider one, because the version used in the 1960s was less effective, she said. Typically, children receive their measles shots at about 1 year old and before they start kindergarten. Parents who are concerned about measles can discuss early vaccination with their child's pediatrician, but most infants would only need an early shot if the family plans to travel to an area with an outbreak, Herlihy said. As of Friday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 483 cases of measles in 19 states. Since then, Texas has reported 22 additional cases in its outbreak, which accounts for more than 80% of U.S. infections this year. A school-aged child in Texas died of measles in February. An adult in New Mexico who had the virus also died, though health officials are still sorting out whether measles caused that person's death. The World Health Organization linked some cases in Mexico to the Texas outbreak, but health officials have to wait for genetic sequencing from the Colorado patient's sample before they'll know whether that person's case had roots in Texas, Herlihy said. On average, about 20% of infected people need hospital care due to pneumonia or other complications. About one in 1,000 children who get measles develop brain swelling, which can cause permanent hearing loss or intellectual disability. Children younger than 5 and adults have a higher risk of complications than older children. The virus can also cause premature birth if an unvaccinated woman gets it during pregnancy. U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has pushed vitamin A as a treatment for measles. Vitamin A has a role in treating hospitalized children, but parents shouldn't give it without a doctor's guidance, Herlihy said. The vitamin builds up in the body, and excessive amounts can cause liver damage, gastrointestinal problems and neurological symptoms in children. Taking too much during pregnancy can also cause birth defects. "We know there is significant toxicity associated with vitamin A," she said. 2025 MediaNews Group, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: CC0 Public Domain Psychedelic-assisted therapy is one step closer to becoming legally available in Colorado, with the state's first healing center obtaining a license to offer the service this week. On Monday, the state's Natural Medicine Division issued an operational license to The Center Origin, a wellness center located at 1440 Blake St., Suite 330 in Denver. The business expects to begin offering psilocybin-assisted therapy to adults by late April, said co-founder and CEO Elizabeth Cooke. Cooke opened The Center Origin in Denver in 2023 with a roster of practitioners specializing in yoga, massage, breathwork and reiki. Her goal was to build a community and brand recognition in anticipation of psychedelic therapy becoming legally available. The Center Origin will soon shift to make psychedelic-assisted therapy its primary offering, complete with preparation, administration, and integration sessions. It will also offer "microdosing support" and a range of psychedelic-focused community events, like weekly integration circles, a book club, and mycology classes, per a statement. Additionally, clients will have access to providers of gentle yoga, Thai massage, sound baths, breathwork, meditation and aromatherapy, before or after their guided trip, to enhance the therapeutic experience, Cooke said. In controlled studies, large doses of psilocybinthe psychoactive compound in "magic mushrooms"have shown promise in treating mental health conditions such as severe depression, addiction, and end-of-life anxiety. Beyond research settings, Americans have sought out psychedelic-assisted therapy underground for help managing mental health ailments and for spiritual development. In 2022, Colorado became the second state, behind Oregon, to legalize the service and make it more accessible. The first licenses for this nascent industry were issued to prospective business owners earlier this year. The Center Origin is the first business to be approved by the state. "We are honored to lead the way in bringing regulated psychedelic services to Colorado," Cooke said in a statement. "This licensure represents not only a major step forward in mental health treatment and individual and community healing, but also a commitment to safety, education, and responsible care for those exploring the therapeutic and transformative potential of psychedelics." 2025 MediaNews Group, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: CC0 Public Domain Now five years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, it's time to ask the question of whether COVID-19 is behind us or if the virus is here to stay. COVID-19 was designated as a pandemic on March 11, 2020, by the World Health Organization, and three years later downgraded to a public health emergency. Former President Joe Biden rescinded the executive order declaring COVID-19 a public health emergency in May, and many health officials believed the virus has become endemic, or part of the regular illnesses you could be exposed to, like the flu or common cold. Now, YouGov asked Americans how they view the pandemic today and how it truly impacted the past half-decade of their lives in a new poll published March 28. The group surveyed 1,134 U.S. adults between March 3 and 5, and it has a margin of error of about 4%. Here is what they said. Most Americans say the pandemic is over More than half of respondents, 51% agreed that "COVID-19 is no longer a pandemic," according to the report. When broken down by political affiliation, 61% of Republicans agreed with the statement while only 39% of Democrats agreed. About one-fifth of adults, 21%, said COVID-19 is still a pandemic but is on its way to ending, including 16% of Republicans and 31% of Democrats. Roughly another fifth of respondents, 19%, said they believed the pandemic "will never end," including 23% of Democrats and 15% of Republicans, according to the report. Majority of Americans agree with pandemic-era decisions, despite impacts About half of respondents said they definitely contracted COVID-19 over the past five years, while the other half said they didn't or probably didn't catch the virus. "About three-quarters of Americans, 74%, say the COVID-19 pandemic affected at least a few of their major life decisions. 27% say it affected a few of their major life decisions, 27% say it affected some of them, 14% say it affected many of them, and 6% say it affected most of them," YouGov reported. "Democrats, 80%, are more likely than Independents, 74%, and Republicans, 68%, to say the pandemic affected at least a few of their major life decisions." Direct impacts from the pandemic ranged from "changes to travel habits" to experiencing the death of a friend or family member due to the virus, according to the report. More Democrats noted changes in their personal hobbies and interests than Republicans, as well as changes to travel. Despite the majority of Americans noting specific negative impacts, overall adults still believe the work from home order and social distancing were the right decision, according to the report. Nearly three-fourths of Americans, 71%, said requiring work-from-home was the right decision, while 68% of U.S. adults agreed requiring masks inside was the right choice. The majority, 60%, agreed with the choice to move schools to remote learning, and 65% agreed with the policy to send stimulus payments to American families, according to the report. We need to prepare for the next pandemic, Americans say Exactly half of respondents said they believe the United States should be doing more to prepare for pandemics in the future, even after COVID-19, according to the report. This is up from only 35% of Americans in June of last year, in the face of rising bird flu and measles cases. Democrats are more likely than Republicans to say the U.S. should be doing more, 71% compared to 31%, but fewer than 5% of Americans believed the country should be doing less for pandemic preparedness. "If another serious pandemic occurs in the future, 58% of Americans would favor requiring face masks. 83% of Democrats and 33% of Republicans would favor this," YouGov said. 2025 The Bradenton Herald (Bradenton, Fla.). Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Journal of the American College of Surgeons (2025). DOI: 10.1097/XCS.0000000000001299 Researchers at the University of Kentucky analyzed different factors that could explain the high mortality rates of colorectal cancer in Appalachian Kentucky. The interdisciplinary team of researchers led by Avinash Bhakta, M.D., a colorectal surgeon at the UK Markey Cancer Center, focused on analyzing samples from patients diagnosed with colon adenocarcinoma and looking at characteristics that could explain disparities in cancer outcomes in Kentucky. The study, "Survival Disparity and the Unique Genomic and Microbiome Profiles of Colon Cancer in Appalachian Kentucky," was recently published in the Journal of American College of Surgeons. Even though Appalachian Kentucky is a rural region with significant economic distress, the authors said that "the differences in colorectal cancer incidence and outcomes cannot be entirely attributed to resource scarcity." The study investigated differences in the tumors from Appalachian and non-Appalachian patients. "Our study is the first to characterize the impact of differential gene expression and tumor microbiome in Appalachian Kentucky patients with colon cancer," said Hannah McDonald, M.D., Ph.D., a fourth-year general surgery resident in the UK College of Medicine. The team found some genes that were mutated more frequently in the Appalachian population compared to non-Appalachian, and that some cancer-promoting genes were more abundant in the Appalachian cohort. These differences didn't have an impact on the survival of the patients. Additionally, the researchers examined the tumor microbiomea collection of fungi, virus and bacteria present in the tumors. For this study, they focused on bacterial species. The group of Appalachian patients had more pathogenic and less beneficial bacteria compared to their non-Appalachian counterparts. Upon further investigation, the team found that seven of those identified bacterial species had an impact on the survival of the patients. "Our results demonstrated differences in microbiota between the two groups, suggesting that a unique tumor microbiome could be contributing to poor outcomes," said Bhakta. These findings are not only groundbreaking and unique in the state, but they can also contribute to the development of new strategies to treat colon cancer patients. Researchers said this study suggests that modifying the cancer-promoting microbiome with probiotic or antibiotic therapy could be a possibility in the future, but further studies are needed. More information: Hannah G McDonald et al, Survival Disparity and the Unique Genomic and Microbiome Profiles of Colon Cancer in Appalachian Kentucky, Journal of the American College of Surgeons (2025). DOI: 10.1097/XCS.0000000000001299 Journal information: Journal of the American College of Surgeons This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Cardiac and systemic analysis in offspring with a paternal history of cardiac damage. Credit: Circulation (2025). DOI: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.124.070323 Stress during the first years of life can have effects that last into adulthood. Less is known, however, about the possible inheritance of the consequences of early-life stress by the next generation. Now, scientists at the Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (CNIC) and the University of Bern in Switzerland have discovered that heart injury early in life in one generation of mice triggers changes in cardiac function in their offspring. The study is published in the journal Circulation. A family history of heart attack is known to influence an individual's risk of cardiovascular disease. Moreover, the risk for offspring is greater if a parent experienced a heart attack earlier in life. Nevertheless, it has remained unclear if heart injury in a parent directly influences the cardiovascular system of the next generation. Almost 30,000 children require heart surgery every year in Europe, so exploring whether the "memory" of early-life cardiac injury can be transmitted to the next generation offers an important opportunity to increase our understanding of cardiovascular disease and to improve the collection of medical histories. The new study, led by Nadia Mercader of the CNIC and the University of Bern, analyzed if experimentally induced cardiac injury in male mice could produce an inherited effect in the next generation. The results, explains study first author Benedetta Coppe, of the University of Bern, show that the offspring of fathers with early-life cardiac injury had altered heart function. "The offspring of injured fathers showed evidence of altered heart development, characterized by transient expansion of the left ventricle during the first weeks after birth. This surprised us, since the only difference between the newborns was that in one group the father had experienced cardiac injury early in life, while in the other group the father was uninjured." The offspring of injured fathers also showed alterations in their responses to cardiac injury. These changes included improvements in cardiac remodeling (changes in the size, shape, and function of the heart after induced injury) compared with the offspring of uninjured fathers. This superior cardiac remodeling was associated with an increased volume of blood ejected by the heart per minute. After injury, the heart normally switches its energy source from lipids to glucose, and this results in an accumulation of lipids in the heart tissue. Dr. Mercader explains that, "Curiously, the offspring of injured fathers accumulated fewer lipids in response to induced heart injury and had higher concentrations of circulating lipids in the blood. These observations suggest that the metabolism of mice with this 'family history' recovers better when these mice are themselves subjected to cardiac injury." The changes observed in the offspring of injured fathers indicate that cardiac surgery in the first weeks after birth leaves a lasting "memory" that can eventually be transmitted to the next generation. The researchers conclude that the findings open the way to a better understanding of the impact of heart disorders and underline the potential value of including family surgical history when collecting patient medical histories. More information: Benedetta Coppe et al, Paternal Cardiac Lesion Induces Cardiac Adaptation in Offspring, Circulation (2025). DOI: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.124.070323 Journal information: Circulation Provided by Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (F.S.P.) This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain A nationwide team led by researchers at Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital and UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh has proposed a major revision to how Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is diagnosed and treated after analyzing patients with LCH for several years. "The proposed revisions are the culmination of more than a decade of work and would not have been possible without collaboration in clinical trials and translational research between scientists, patients and families. "The findings from this study identify genetic changes in a type of precursor blood cell that predict a much higher chance of treatment failure and risk of developing LCH-associated neurodegeneration," said Dr. Carl Allen, co-corresponding author, co-director of the Pediatric Cancer Program at the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center at Baylor and co-director of the Histiocytosis Program at Texas Children's Cancer and Hematology Center. LCH is a rare cancer that is characterized by the abnormal growth of immune cells called Langerhans cells. While these cells normally help regulate the immune system, in individuals with LCH they accumulate and form tumors in one or more organs. Some patients also develop LCH-associated neurodegeneration, which is caused by inflammatory LCH cells that migrate to the brain, eventually leading to problems with certain brain functions, especially related to fine motor movement. "Contemporary staging approaches were developed at a time when the nature of LCH as a cancer was debated, mutations in tumors had not been discovered and advanced PET-CT imaging scans were not routinely used. Currently, all patients with systemic LCH receive basically the same chemotherapy that ultimately cures fewer than half and has little effect on LCH-associated neurodegeneration," Dr. Allen said. "Another major finding from our study is that mutated precursor cells hiding in the bone marrow of certain LCH patients can be missed with standard histology and reported as 'normal.' When LCH patients undergo bone marrow analysis, molecular studies are required to identify these rare disease cells, which may not be recognized as LCH by traditional staining methods," said Dr. Jennifer Picarsic, chief and chair of Pediatric Pathology at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. The study enrolled 385 children and adolescents with LCH from 2006 to 2023 and followed them for a median of four years. Researchers correlated patient outcomes with the extent of LCH at diagnosis, tumor genotype and presence of the BRAFV600E mutation in blood and bone marrow cells pre-therapy. The findings, published in the journal Blood, support a major revision for pediatric LCH diagnostic staging that considers the underlying drivers of disease. "In the study, we found that patients who present with a reservoir of precursor disease cells with the most common BRAFV600E mutation in bone marrow and blood are at the highest risk of treatment failure and LCH-associated neurodegeneration," Dr. Allen said. Myeloid cells, a type of white blood cell, originate in the bone marrow and circulate "peripherally" in the blood; the same is true for mutant myeloid LCH precursors. "These novel mechanistic insights and sensitive molecular testing strategies create possibilities for risk-stratification regimens that can be better tailored to individual patients," Dr. Allen said. The study highlights how modern imaging and sensitive, updated molecular diagnostics offer an opportunity to improve risk-stratification for pediatric LCH. "This study, which includes a 15-year longitudinal cohort with correlative biology, is unprecedented. It has both an immediate impact and future implications for the care of these patients," said contributing author Dr. D. Will Parsons, professor of pediatrics at Baylor and interim director of the Texas Children's Cancer and Hematology Center. "This study builds on long-standing research collaborations with Dr. Miriam Merad and her team at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai that have investigated causes of LCH to improve therapies and outcomes for patients." More information: Howard Lin et al, Diagnostic BRAFV600E blood predicts treatment failure and neurodegeneration and redefines paradigms of pediatric LCH Blood (2025). DOI: 10.1182/blood.2024026671. ashpublications.org/blood/arti d-predicts-treatment Journal information: Blood This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Mpox Virus Particle Colorized transmission electron micrograph of an mpox virus particle (yellow and red) found within an infected VERO E6 cell (blue), cultured in the laboratory. Image captured at the NIAID Integrated Research Facility (IRF) in Fort Detrick, Maryland. Credit: NIAID/CC0 Public Domain Sierra Leone on Wednesday started injecting frontline health care workers and high-risk individuals and children from age 12 with a preventive mpox vaccination after securing 61,300 doses from the World Health Organization and development partners. "We are currently rolling out Mpox vaccines to frontline health care workers and high-risk individuals with a preventive mpox vaccination," social mobilization coordinator for the health ministry, Amanda Clemens, told AFP. "We are starting in Western Area, where we are doing the first phase. As time goes by we will continue to expand the teams that we have and vaccination will go into other communities," Clemens added. She said more than 100 health care workers at 34 military hospitals where mpox cases are tested and treated had received vaccine doses and been provided with a vaccination card at the official launch. Sierra Leone has recorded 125 cases of mpox29 females and 96 maleswith 71 active cases and 52 recoveries and two fatalities, according to reports from the National Public Health Agency (NPHA). "I will be the first person to take the mpox vaccination as a show of leadership and faith in the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine," Health Minister Dr. Austin Demby said. "We will continue to sustain our surveillance with regular testing of suspected cases. We will do everything possible with the help of our partners to reduce the scale of transmission in the country," Demby said, saluting an "additional tool" to fight the virus as cases rise. He added authorities would focus on frontline health workers. Sierra Leone declared a public health emergency in January to combat mpox, announcing it was stepping up surveillance at its borders after confirming two cases of the deadly viral disease. Mpox is caused by a virus from the same family as smallpox, manifesting in a high fever and skin lesions, called vesicles. First identified in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1970, the disease had generally been confined to a dozen African countries but began to spread more widely in 2022, reaching developed countries where the virus had never previously circulated. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared its highest level of alert in 2024. A decade ago, Sierra Leone was one of the countries worst affected by an Ebola epidemic which killed about 4,000 people, including nearly 7% of health workers, between 2014 and 2016. 2025 AFP This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain The US Supreme Court ruled unanimously Wednesday that health authorities acted properly when they blocked e-cigarette companies from marketing fruit- and dessert-flavored flavors. The court's six conservative and three liberal judges upheld the Food and Drug Administration's argument that these products could be addictive for young people who like sweet flavors in vaping devices. Electronic cigarettes are battery-powered gadgets that produce an inhalable vapor by heating a nicotine-laden liquid. Unlike tobacco, they do not contain cancer-causing tar or carbon monoxide. But the World Health Organization and anti-smoking advocates refuse to consider them less harmful than smoking cigarettes. The country's highest court rejected a lower court ruling by a conservative judge that said the FDA had unfairly changed its standards for approving e-cigarette liquids when it denied applications from two companies seeking to sell new products. Still, many e-cigarette flavored liquids remain available in the United States today, fueling what health experts call a vaping epidemic. Last month New York state attorney general Letitia James filed suit against 13 manufacturers, distributors and retailers of vape devices, accusing them of targeting young people with a highly addictive product that she said is causing a public health crisis. 2025 AFP When Gov. Greg Gianforte signed a bathroom bill into law on March 27, the University of Montana immediately started to replace gender-neutral restroom signs on seven multi-stall restrooms, affecting a total of 28 stalls. But less than a week later, a Missoula judge temporarily blocked the bill. House Bill 121, which faced opposition from LGBTQ+ activists, domestic violence shelters and human rights organizations, strictly defines sex and mandates that multi-occupancy bathrooms, locker rooms and sleeping areas in government-funded buildings be designated as male or female. The bill offers no allowance for intersex people, who make up 1.7% percent of the population, according to the UN human rights office. The bill bears similarities to other legislation proposed in the last several years across the country that seek to define sex as binary or bar trans people from using spaces that align with their gender identity. Many of these bills have been blocked in court. Hours after the bill was signed, the ACLU and Legal Voice filed suit and sought an injunction to block the bill while the lawsuit goes forward, as well as a restraining order to block the bill prior to the injunction hearing. On Wednesday, Missoula District Court judge Shane A. Vannatta granted the restraining order. In the decision, Vannatta wrote that the plaintiffs had a good chance of proving the bill violates the Montana Constitution. The Act fails strict scrutiny because it is motivated by animus and supported by no evidence that its restrictions advance its purported purpose to protect womens safety and privacy, Vannatta wrote. According to UM spokesperson Dave Kuntz, UMs response to the bill was guided by directives from the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education. Kuntz said the commissioner's directive still stands with regard to signage after the restraining order, and UM will continue to replace signs, but has no basis to take any action to enforce the bill or accept any complaints about people violating it. Missoula County Public Schools spokesperson Jennifer Savage said that MCPS is waiting on the result of the lawsuit before making any decisions on how to implement HB 121. When laws are passed, we have to follow them, Kuntz said. Were the only unit in the Montana University System that had to make these changes. UM Womens, Gender and Sexuality Studies director Elizabeth Hubble said she felt anger and dismay at the passage of the bill and the changing signage. I wish that some of the people that are making the decisions would come and sit down with the students its affecting, Hubble said. Though HB 121 also mentions sleeping quarters, UM determined that dorm buildings would not be affected by the law, since theyre private spaces rather than public ones. UM is also in the process of replacing all its signage on single-stall restrooms to remove any statement of gender neutral or any stereotypical icons of men and women side by side, instead posting signs with an icon of a toilet and the word restroom. Kuntz said the University submitted a fiscal note regarding the bill, finding it wouldnt be much of a financial burden. The University prepared in advance to implement the bill, and started replacing signs on the same day the bill was passed as soon as it got the OCHE directive. Its pretty minimal for the campus to switch off signage, Kuntz said. But someone doesnt have to work for UM to remove a sign with minimal effort. As of April 1, the newly gendered signs in the Eck Hall multi-stall bathrooms had been torn down, replaced with paper signs declaring the bathrooms are open for all. One bathroom had been painted with a small trans flag. Kuntz said the University is hosting listening sessions to get feedback from the campus community on the sign changes and implementation of the bill. Elizabeth Kaminga, president of the Associated Students of the University of Montana (ASUM), the student government body, said that ASUM will also start hosting its own listening sessions. UMs sessions will focus on employees while ASUMs will focus on students. The bill itself is pretty unfortunate, Kaminga said. It does affect a lot of students. ASUM sent out a poll to the student body in October, and found that 70% of respondents supported protecting LGBTQ+ rights. So it sent lobbyist Hope Morrison to urge against the bill at the Montana Legislature. According to some, the communication from UM over the bathroom sign changes has been lackluster. I believe it happened very fast with probably not quite enough communication to students about what was going on, Hubble said. Alison Liwosz, an English major at UM who uses the gender-neutral bathrooms, said that UM told them via email that the bathroom signs would be changed to just say restroom, removing any mention of gender. But then they came into Eck Hall on March 28 to see that the first floor bathroom was labeled for women and the second floor bathroom for men. Liwosz was happy to see that someone had torn down the signs and replaced them with paper. Im a big fan of their work, Liwosz said. Liwosz said that their peers at UM were mad about the change too. It definitely affects a lot of us, philosophy teaching assistant Mack Mcnerney said. Its completely unnecessary. This was working perfectly fine as an inclusive restroom. Mcnerney pointed out that the Eck Hall bathrooms had floor-to-ceiling stall doors, meaning people cant even see each others feet. They said they were glad to see someone take down the signs and paint a trans flag on the door. I think the community is kinda rallying around that, he said. It gives me hope. Mcnerney said theyve been glad to see some Republicans join with Democrats in the Montana Legislature to rebuke attacks on trans rights. Its not a partisan issue, Mcnerney said. Its about literal autonomy and being able to piss wherever you goddamn well please. The restraining order bans the state from enforcing the law in any way until a judge rules on the preliminary injunction. A hearing for the preliminary injunction is set for April 21 at 1 p.m. at the Missoula County Courthouse. The executive director of the Missoula Senior Center announced her plans to step down from the position this year and said center members will vote on new board members and other leadership roles this fall. Ellie Boldman, the center's director, took the reins of the organization when she said the center's board asked for more administrative help in 2024. Boldman is also a Democrat state senator in the Montana Legislature. She announced her planned departure during a Senior Center board meeting in March. Boldman told the Missoulian in a statement that the improvements she made to the nonprofit's operations will benefit the center. "Over the last twelve months, the center's volunteers have increased and they are now more diverse, welcoming all ages of volunteers who are now invited and engaged to interact intergenerationally," Boldman said in an email. "Revenue has increased. Programs have expanded. Most importantly, the board governance is now solid and operating in compliance with its bylaws." The center is a nonprofit organization that has supported seniors for roughly 50 years and offers daily lunches, activities like bingo and a space for the seniors to socialize. You must be at least 50 years old to secure a membership. Boldman told the board at its March meeting that she will be searching for other opportunities, but plans to stay on through August to find and train her replacement. In the meantime, the Senior Center board will form a search team to find a new director. Not everyone has been satisfied with Boldman's leadership, however. Several members of the Senior Center have raised frustrations over some of the changes she has made. Dozens of seniors spoke out against the board during the recent meeting, which included a mediation expert to help find common ground between some members. "The board is making it more of a community center than a senior center," member Pat Janes told the Missoulian in an interview, adding that she saw a lack of transparency from the center staff over board decisions, like requiring volunteer schedules being implemented. "The seniors must be allowed to be informed, and that is not happening at all." Boldman told the Missoulian in an interview that she and the board made several changes in the last year to the center's operation, like hiring an outside bookkeeper, using more paid staff through partner organizations and requiring a schedule for Senior Center volunteers. She said there has been some misinformation around the board election and membership rules. Last fall the board needed to add members to align with longtime center bylaws that require at least 11 people participate, Boldman said. Several of those members will be up for reelection this fall. "There are still a few members (and non-members) who object to the center's implementation of these proven best practices, which includes an internal leadership structure, professional staff managing the day-to-day operations of the center, and written schedules for volunteers," Boldman said in an email. "The center understands that change can be difficult, especially for seniors, and the board expected there to be some adversity, but the data continues to establish that the center is benefitting from its new culture, infrastructure, and management." Some members of the center's board agreed. Julie Robitaille, the board's president, told the Missoulian in a statement that the center has built strong board governance and executive leadership, increasing revenue and more volunteer opportunities. "We know change can be difficult for a few of our members and we continue to welcome their feedback and participation," Robitaille said. Financial statements shared with the Missoulian show that the center is also funded by more than $1 million in an investment account, alongside its annual member dues and fees for meals and activities. At a meeting last week, Senior Center members called for more engagement from its board and a willingness to listen to their concerns. "We represent the seniors of Missoula. In other cultures, the seniors are called the elders, and they are looked to for wisdom, and they are look to for guidance ... we have been a poor example of that policy," senior Pat Kittleson said at the meeting. "Going forward, I think we need to embrace our seniors, embrace our elders, and shout it out to the Missoula community that we are some of the coolest people in this town." Elections for the nonprofit's board will happen in September, but eligible candidates must file by July 10, according to the nonprofit's bylaws. The cost of keeping Montanas prison system from rupturing is moving into prime time at the Montana Legislature, with a price tag nearing half a billion dollars. Today, Montana has 600 or roughly 20% of its 2,900 male inmates in out-of-state prisons owned by CoreCivic, the private prison operator thats become the states reservoir for its overflowing prisons in recent years. And this week, the House of Representatives will consider tripling its original payout to the company to $24 million as part of House Bill 2, the states budget over the next two years. That increase represents Montanas increased use of CoreCivic beds since the 2023 session, climbing from 120 to 600 inmates now living in out-of-state prisons. When the Legislature split from the Capitol in 2023, CoreCivics deal with the state was set to be about $8 million. But by the time the first 120 Montana inmates arrived at the Eloy, Arizona, prison later that year, the backlog of state inmates in county jails was pushing new watermarks. Twice since the last Legislature, the state expanded its contract, and now the rent is due. "This is a bill that has to be paid," Rep. Fiona Nave, Republican chair of the public safety budget subcommittee, said during an appropriations hearing last week. "Regardless of how we feel about out-of-state secure placements, thats what we have to do right now. We really dont have any choice and these people are sitting out of state right now. We need to do this." Lawmakers have teed up at least $450 million this session for infrastructure and capital projects at the Department of Corrections, including $150 million for new prison beds, $250 million for a "future corrections" account that may someday pay for a new women's prison, and more than $45 million for CoreCivic, which funds the cost of expanding the state's contract over the last year and the agreement through the next biennium. In December, the state signed a new contract with the company with no cap on contracted beds, so CoreCivic's deal with Montana can include as many inmates as the state is willing to pay for. The spending package on prison expansion, including out-of-state beds, and infrastructure repairs in Montana is largely a Republican-driven response to rampant crime and violence in the state's largest city and overcrowding in state facilities. Democrats who generally oppose the out-of-state prisoner transfers have little ammunition to fire back in debates when the alternative is bringing those inmates back to county jails that are likewise bursting at the seams. Rep. Eric Matthews, D-Bozeman, literally held his nose while voting for the out-of-state prison beds when the bill was being done up in committee last week. "I understand the big picture here," Matthews said during the hearing. "I just would hope we can find a way to start taking better care of Montanans through this process overall; keep them closer to families, all of the things that I think we can do with the criminal justice system to promote what we have and stop sending Montanans out of state." Rep. John Fitzpatrick, the Anaconda Republican who has been central to the prison expansion efforts, said its unlikely to be a long-term plan for Montana. "Shipping inmates out of state is something thats very undependable," he said during the hearing. "You may get a contract for a year or two but you have no guarantee you can get those placements over a long period of time." The in-state, long-term plan is still working its way through the Legislature, mostly in House Bill 5, legislation that carries the states infrastructure repairs and capital projects. That bill includes roughly $150 million for expanding the number of beds at the Montana State Prison in Deer Lodge, building on a project lawmakers greenlighted in 2023 but which has yet to break ground. If approved, the combination could net 500 new prison beds in Montana. If you've run out of fingers to count on, thats still fewer than the 600 inmates currently being housed out of state, not to mention the hundreds of convicted inmates backed up in county jails, waiting for a bed in a state facility. Still, the women's prison has presented a trickier knot to untie for lawmakers who spent the last two years examining issues with Montana's prison capacity. The state corrections department projected last year it would need to double its bed count in the next five years in order to meet the growing number of women being sent to prison. Montana Department of Corrections Director Brian Gootkin noted last week the Legislature has, so far, warmed to the idea of 500 new beds for male inmates but put forward zero options to expand the capacity for incarcerated women. Montana prison officials have done at least one public meeting including one in Butte to discuss new sites for a possible women's facility, although any plan is too far out to meet this Legislature's timetable. With House Bill 833, Fitzpatrick proposes a $250 million "savings" account to prepare for the day Montana selects a location for a new women's prison, with a portion to be used to retrofit the Riverside Special Needs Unit, another DOC facility in Boulder, to house women in the short-term. The Boulder facility's current inmate population, about 26 geriatric inmates, would be transferred to Montana State Prison, where part of HB 833's funding would be spent on modular housing that could meet their needs for care. Fitzpatrick said the Riverside Special Needs Unit could be converted to house roughly 80 female inmates, opening up Montana Women's Prison in Billings to accept more women who are in jails waiting for a prison bed. "Unlike the men, we do not have the option of sending them out of state," Fitzpatrick said last week during his bill hearing. "It's a prudent way of approaching this thing. We are not quite at the state yet where we're ready to go pick a site and start construction, but we do think we need to put the money aside now because in all honesty, in two years, we may not have it." Heather O'Loughlin, with the Montana Budget and Policy Center, testified against the bill due to its high cost from the general fund. She also raised opportunities alongside the states behavioral health projects that could divert people away from criminal behavior in the long term. "We have some concerns about the overall cost of this," she said. "We also think there are other upstream ways we can make investments to lower the overall incarcerated population." A bill that sought to establish an unlimited wolf hunting quota in Montana in order to reduce the population to about where it was 15 years ago failed to pass a Senate vote Monday, while two other bills aimed at cutting the population cleared the chamber and are close to going to the governors desk. The two bills that passed the Senate will have to go back to the House for a vote on whether the states representatives agree with the changes made to them by the Senate Fish and Game Committee amendments the sponsors may agree with, but for which the full House might not have as much of an appetite. Dillon Republican Rep. Shannon Maness House Bill 176 failed to pass its final vote in the Senate on Monday in a 23-27 vote. Nine Republicans joined Democrats to oppose it. The bill seeks to create an unlimited wolf hunting quota when Montanas wolf population is above 550; it currently sits around 1,100 to 1,200, according to the state. The only area exempted from the unlimited quota would be the areas north of Yellowstone National Park that are currently Wolf Management Units 313 and 316, where hunting is restricted to only a handful of animals each season. The bill initially cleared the House when lawmakers changed language requiring the Fish and Wildlife Commission to adopt such a policy to a may meaning it was optional. But the Senate Fish and Game Committee changed the may back to a shall, which drew bipartisan concerns on the Senate floor on Friday that the state was getting overzealous and might end up getting wolves put back under federal Endangered Species Act protections. Sen. Bruce Gillespie, R-Ethridge, who has worked intensively on trying to get grizzly bears delisted the past several sessions, told his colleagues they might think hes going bonkers because he opposed the bill over the livestock industrys concerns and possible worry at the federal level that Montana was doing too much to limit its predator populations. If we overdo this thing theres a great likelihood the wolves get back on the endangered species list, he said. Several senators from northwestern Montana who supported the proposal said the wolf population there has been increasingly encroaching on the elk population in that area of the state. But Senate Minority Leader Pat Flowers, a former longtime Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks employee and Region 3 supervisor, said those complaints were being turned into a sweeping bill that wrongly applied to the entire state. He told the Senate he had been in the middle of what he called the first round of wolf wars in the 2000s and early 2010s when Montana was first allowed to manage the animal. Flowers told senators the wolf population has been stable or declining for the past six years while multiple polls have shown Montanans have increasing tolerance of and support for the states wolves. Flowers showed that livestock losses to wolves have also been going down in recent years and echoed Gillespies sentiments that a state wolf policy that was focused too much on reducing the population might trigger the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to come back in to manage the animal. Why do we want to flip the table over and start all over? he asked. Three GOP senators flipped from yes on Friday to vote against the bill on Monday, killing its progress for the time being and possibly for the rest of the session. But the Senate did pass Rep. Paul Fielders House Bills 258 and 259 on their final votes in the chamber. The first bill from the Thompson Falls Republican seeks to align the close of wolf hunting season with that of bear hunting season, meaning the wolf season could run into either late May or early June when wolves are denning and raising pups. The respective FWP regions would be able to modify their season to their own needs. The second, HB 259, would allow the Fish and Wildlife Commission to give wolf hunters on private property the option to use thermal and infrared scopes when hunting at night a new addition to the already allowed night vision scopes. The Senate Fish and Game Committee changed the new scope allowances back to being an option for the Fish and Wildlife Commission to consider instead of a requirement. That means the House will have to consider the bill again in its current form and either adopt it and send it to the governor, or hand it to a conference committee to be hashed out by members of both the House and Senate. The bill cleared the Senate in a party-line 32-18 vote, with all Republicans in favor. It also sent Fielders HB 258 back to the House with changes in a 31-18 vote, with Great Falls Sen. Wendy McKamey the only Republican opposed. In the Senate Fish and Game Committee, lawmakers struck out language added before the bill passed the House that exempted areas around Yellowstone and Glacier national parks from the lengthier hunting season. Much of the debate over the bill on the floor on Friday surrounded the tourism in Montana related to wolf watching specifically. Last year when FWP was setting its wolf regulations for this season, Yellowstone National Parks superintendent told the commission that an analysis found tourism and wildlife viewing brings in about $80 million every year to Gardiner and the surrounding area. Several Democrats said people from other states and countries would be hesitant to come spend their money in a state trying to so drastically reduce the wolf population when thats part of the reason they come to Montana in the first place. Multiple Republicans who spoke about the bill on the floor brushed those concerns aside, saying there needed to be a balance between wolf conservation and tourism and the conservation of other animals, like elk, for viewing and hunting opportunities. Since when did Montana care what the rest of the world thinks when it comes to determining whats best for Montanans? said Sen. John Fuller, a Kalispell Republican. As many as 609 private hospitals have decided to voluntarily opt out of the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), citing various reasons, including delays in settlement of claims and low package rates, the Union government says. Gujarat tops the list with 233 private hospitals opting out of the AB-PMJAY scheme, followed by Kerala at 146 and Maharashtra at 83. Replying to a question in Rajya Sabha, Prataprao Jadhav, minister of state in the ministry of health and family welfare said, The reasons for which hospitals have voluntarily opted out of the scheme include empanelment only for the COVID period, hospitals were closed or non-functional, changes in hospital entity, the hospital relocated, ongoing reconstruction or renovation in the hospital, shortage of supporting or nursing staff, unavailability of specialist doctors, voluntary withdrawal from the scheme, package rates, opting out due to certain treatment packages reserved for public hospitals only (Chhattisgarh and Gujarat), and no referral from public hospitals (Karnataka). Priyanka Chaturvedi, member of Parliament (MP), had asked for information about the amount pending for hospitals under the AB-PMJAY services for both private and government hospitals. She also asked for the number of hospitals that have opted out of the scheme, state-wise and year-wise, since 2019 and with reasons, including pending dues. Without sharing any financial details, Mr Jadhav, the minister of state, merely stated that settlement of claims is an ongoing process and under AB-PMJAY, claims are settled by respective state health agencies (SHA). The national health authority (NHA) has laid down guidelines for payment of claim to hospitals within 15 days of claims submission for the intra-state hospitals (hospitals located within state) and within 30 days in case of portability claims (hospitals located outside state). Claims are required to be settled within the timeline specified under the scheme. Notable improvements have been recorded in the overall average turnaround time (TAT) for claim settlements year on year. Regular review meetings are organised to take stock of the progress with regard to the claims. Further, capacity building activities are organised for efficient claims settlement, he added. Separately, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge had asked for information about the implementation and monitoring of the Ayushman Bharat scheme. In his reply, the minister said, as of 28 February 2025, the number of empanelled hospitals under PM-JAY is 30,957, while the total operational ayushman arogya mandir (AAM) is 176,573. The Union government provides approval for the proposals in the form of record of Proceedings (RoPs) as per norms and available resources. However, the primary responsibility for engagement and availability of human resources in public health facilities lies with the respective state government, Mr Jadhav says. Data provided by the minister shows that the number of community health officer (CHO) posts vacant in AAM- sub-health centres in rural areas in various states and Union territories (UTs), as of 28 February 2025, was 12,491. Letter from China: China through the lens, not China through surmise Xinhua) 08:19, April 02, 2025 Jerald Devin Braddock Jr shows pictures to pupils at the Hangzhou Workmanship Demonstration Pavilion in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, March 28, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Ying) HANGZHOU, April 1 (Xinhua) -- Warm spring sunlight bathed the bustling square. Standing at a short distance away, I watched a group of Chinese kids surrounding some American photographers, posing for pictures while making the "yay" gesture, with laughter rippling through the crowd. The photographers, who traveled from the United States to east China's Zhejiang Province, were thrilled by the hospitality before entering the Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City in the provincial capital of Hangzhou. I joined them on a sightseeing minibus to explore the more than 5,000-year-old world heritage site. On the ride, Jerald Devin Braddock Jr was eager to share what he'd seen and heard. "I never imagined the children here would be so lovely, outgoing and eager to practice English," said Braddock, with a mixture of surprise and admiration in his voice. "You know, back home, we hear about China mostly through the news -- and it's rarely anything good." Just as he finished speaking, a young boy in the distance cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted, "Welcome to China!" Braddock was momentarily caught off guard. For once, the usually talkative man felt like the shy one. As the minibus was about to turn the corner, Braddock quickly pulled out his camera to capture the moment. Through the lens, he saw the boy still sprinting after the bus, as his voice was carried to him by the wind. Braddock was not the only person taken with the people here. For Brian Alan Topolski, who will be 69 in April, this was his first journey outside the United States in his life. "I've heard beautiful stories about China, but what people talk about is sometimes true, sometimes not. I've always preferred to see things with my own eyes," said Topolski. Due to his age, Topolski often lagged behind the group, but he saw this as an opportunity to take in the surroundings more carefully. For me, it means extra time to get to know him better. Unlike others, he liked to linger sometimes, capturing pictures of sanitation workers sweeping the streets, exchanging smiles with passing food delivery riders, and asking shopkeepers how to say "delicious" in Mandarin. "People around the world want the same things in life: love and happiness," Topolski said. "It's important to keep the lines of communication open." Whenever he saw something new, he would quickly make a video call to his wife, holding up his phone so that his family can see exactly what he's witnessing. It was then that I saw a shift in their perspective. The stereotyped China in their mind -- the one shaped by often biased or even fake news and secondhand stories -- was dissolving before their eyes. As we parted, Topolski smiled and said: "I only wish my wife were here. She would tell the story of China far better than I ever could." With the China trip, Daniel Christian Cail and Jack Rush Kelly, both from New York and four years apart in age, have become close companions from mere acquaintances before. The moment they learned I was a journalist, their eyes lit up and they eagerly leaned in to share their whirlwind of experiences. "We've been here for over a week, but it feels like we just stepped off the plane," Cail said, his voice brimming with excitement. "Every day is densely packed, but we wouldn't have it any other way. The scenery here is remarkable." Kelly, unable to contain himself, jumped in. "I've been running on five or six hours of sleep a night, but it doesn't matter. Excitement keeps me awake as I stay up late, sorting through the landscapes I captured during the day. Honestly, five hours of sleep here feels as good as eight back in New York." When I told them that I was from Beijing, Kelly's curiosity went into overdrive, firing off question after question about must-visit places and the best local dishes. At that moment, he seemed more like a journalist. "I think Beijing will be my next stop," he said, with eyes shining. "I just can't wait to go there." As I watched Cail take selfies in a traditional Chinese bamboo hat, I felt his intense curiosity and joy for all the experiences here. "The United States is a younger country and doesn't have stuff that old. It is particularly fascinating to witness the old and the new, the rural and the urban," he said. In their minds, the China I had already known began to take shape -- vibrant and full of warmth, a place where curiosity bridges cultures and laughter erases distances. "I felt ineffable to convey how deeply my love is for you all and the country and how much love I've received. It is a land of opportunity," said Cail. "People-to-people exchanges between China and the United States matter. The photographers are eager to get back again with great enthusiasm," said Winston Zhou, president of the North America Photography Association. "We should organize more such activities to deepen mutual understanding." They came to China with their cameras, expecting to capture a distant, unfamiliar country. Instead, they found themselves within the frame, no longer observers but part of the story. And in that story, the truth was far more vivid than the rumors. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Brazen price manipulation, stock cornering, fabricated financial disclosures and social media influencers fuelling pump-&-dump schemesthis is the alarming new reality of India's capital markets. A growing network of operators, working with absolute impunity, has been executing these schemes, drawing in unsuspecting retail investors. After hundreds of investor complaints, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) issued three interim orders in the past few months exposing how a cabal of operators had cornered almost the entire shareholding of listed shell companies to artificially inflate prices. The market-capitalisation of three entitiesBharat Global Developers Ltd (Bharat Global), LS Industries and Pacheli Industrial Financesoared to over Rs23,000 crore on the back of fictitious business claims. SEBIs intervention has halted trading in these cases and, possibly, saved many investors; but investigators suggest this is just the tip of the iceberg. Here is the bizarre story of just one of these three entities. The stock of Bharat Global, ostensibly in IT hardware and global trade, climbed an astronomical 105-fold from Rs16 in November 2023 to Rs1,702 by November 2024. Before this, the stock had been suspended for a long time due to non-payment of listing fees. The meteoric rise was preceded by hectic corporate restructuring, multiple name changes and a series of preferential allotments at steep discountseffectively concentrating 99.5% of shares with 41 new allottees. Despite negligible sales and dubious financials, the company issued fictitious reports of high-value orders from leading firms such as McCain India Agro, UPL Agro and Tata Consumer Products. It also claimed an order from Reliance Industries, but more about that later. These claims created a plausible cover for stock ramping. However, in December 2024, SEBI intervened, suspending trading due to financial misrepresentation, misleading disclosures, price manipulation and share offloading at inflated rates. The regulator also froze Rs271.6 crore in illegal gains and imposed restrictions on company officials and preferential allottees (Read: SEBI Halts Trading in Bharat Global Developers Over Financial Misrepresentation & Market Manipulation ). Unfazed by the action, Bharat Global appealed to the securities appellate tribunal (SAT), claiming it had a new management in place and should be allowed to resume trading. On 19 March 2025, SAT directed SEBI to examine the profile of the new management/directors before 31st March and if they are found fit, the trading shall be permitted. This strange order effectively strong-armed the regulator to certify the new managements legitimacy within just 10 daysa troubling precedent that could encourage further market manipulation, but has not elicited any media discussion. SEBI responded on 26th March with a confirmatory order which refused to get into the fit and proper aspect but confirmed fake disclosures and false claims by the company. SEBI also said that trading could resume on 15th April subject to the company declaring provisional financial numbers for FY24-25 (including sales, purchases, gross profit, net profit and net worth). This is not going to be easy. Then, on 27th March, Bharat Global admitted in an exchange filing that it had no evidence of the massive orders it had previously toutedexcept one from Reliance. The filing also contained an unusual cautionary note advising investors to to exercise due diligence and take informed investment decisions. Strangely, the company's management remains a mystery. Whistle-blowers allege that the preferential allotments were directed to market operators who dumped all the shares leading to nearly 100% public holding. Mohsin Shaikh is listed as the chief executive officer (CEO) and the company has told SEBI that three previous directorsincluding managing director (MD) Ashok Sewdahave been asked to resign as part of management restructuring after SEBIs interim order. The company's disclosures are vague, with even the official inquiry email ( [email protected] ) to which I addressed queries remaining unanswered. The stock exchange disclosure is signed by one Keyurkumar Pravinbhai Patel who is apparently part of the new management. SEBIs whole-time director (WTM), Ashwini Bhatia, makes some telling observations in his confirmation order. He writes, the sequence of events and actions leads us to the conclusion that there are certain individuals who could be controlling the affairs of Bharat Global and who enjoy the power to change its management at their discretion. Also, contrary to claims made before SAT, the company has not provided SEBI with details of the new management other than Keyurkumar Patel. The order goes on to say that Bharat Global has not submitted any meaningful responses to multiple SEBI summons nor provided information on key management persons running the company and making business decisions. Influencer Marketing Lets now look at the pump-&-dump operation. Bharat Globals price surge would have been impossible without a well-coordinated social media campaign using paid influencers and social media platforms. A whistle-blower has provided me with detailed documents showing that a Gujarat-registered shell company, ostensibly in the steel business, funnelled Rs45 lakh (including goods and services tax -- GST) to a leading influencer management agency to orchestrate Bharat Globals market manipulation. The campaign engaged 23 influencers on Twitter (X), seven YouTube creators, and three Instagram influencers to pump up the stock. The data with details of discussions with specific influencers has been shared with the regulator, who has the power to call for information nail the operation. Interestingly, most of the influencers are not SEBI registered and naive enough to believe that a disclosure (not SEBI registered) and disclaimer (do your own investigation and this is not a buy-sell recommendation) will protect them from regulatory action. Many of the posts by these influencers are still online and match the chat data provided to me by whistle-blower, although some reels have been deleted. They pitched the stock as a multi-bagger that could go to Rs5,000. All this raises several questions, even as SEBIs investigation continues. 1. Is there a larger, well-connected syndicate orchestrating pump-&-dump schemes and funding appeals against regulatory orders? 2. Will SATs order compelling SEBI to certify a new managements legitimacy and order resumption of trading despite such serious allegations become a precedent? 3. Even if such certification were remotely feasible, isnt it the domain of the ministry of corporate affairs? 4. Why didnt McCain India Agro, UPL Agro and Tata Consumer Products deny Bharat Globals false claims, when mainstream media amplified them? Most companies have dedicated teams monitoring their online mentions. 5. The order from Reliance Industries is more mysterious. Reliance admitted to placing a Rs155 crore order with Bharat Global and even paid Rs65 crore upfront without an invoice. What was Reliances business connection with such a dubious entity and whose management seems unclear? Bigger Picture: More Cases Emerge Bharat Global is not an isolated case. SEBI has recently clamped down on two similar schemes: LS Industries stock rocketed 1,089% from Rs22.50 to Rs267.50 within two months of its trading suspension being lifted in July 2024. The stock later crashed following a massive sell-off in November 2024. Its financials and modus operandi is similar to Bharat Global (Read: Interim Order in the matter of LS Industries Limited) stock rocketed 1,089% from Rs22.50 to Rs267.50 within two months of its trading suspension being lifted in July 2024. The stock later crashed following a massive sell-off in November 2024. Its financials and modus operandi is similar to Bharat Global (Read: Interim Order in the matter of LS Industries Limited) Pacheli Industrial Finance witnessed a 372% price surge from Rs21 to Rs78, taking its market-capitalisation from Rs40 crore to Rs4,000 crore in just eight monthsdespite negligible revenues (Interim Ex Parte Order in the matter of Pacheli Industrial Finance Limited). The ongoing investigations suggest that many others may still be flying under the radar. The ease with which market manipulators can dupe investors, manipulate share capital and management decisions underscores the urgent need for stricter enforcement against fraudulent market practices without SEBI being hobbled in its attempts to stop them. The Supreme Court has criticised the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) for overstepping its jurisdiction and misapplying foreign jurisprudence while examining the resolution plan submitted by Piramal Capital and Housing Finance Limited as part of the corporate insolvency resolution process (CIRP) of Dewan Housing Finance Corporation Limited (DHFL). A Bench of Justices Bela Trivedi and Satish Chandra Sharma on Tuesday upheld the resolution plan . It also set aside the NCLAT's finding that monies recovered from DHFL that concern fraudulent transactions should go to its creditors and not the successful resolution applicant, Piramal. In its judgment, the Court added, The NCLAT has also misdirected itself by relying on the foreign texts and jurisprudence, which could not be made applicable to the insolvency regime of India ... it is well settled by this Court that the Court should be wary of transplanting international doctrines, which might have been evolved as responses to the specific needs of the jurisdictional regimes. The Court further criticised NCLAT for overstepping its jurisdiction in the case. The NCLAT therefore has clearly transgressed its jurisdiction under Section 61 IBC, by interfering with the clause pertaining to the treatment to the recoveries from the Fraudulent and Wrongful trading under Section 66," it said. The case arose from the insolvency resolution process initiated in December 2019 against DFHL, when the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) superseded its board due to financial irregularities. The Committee of Creditors (CoC), comprising major banks and financial institutions, approved Piramal Capitals resolution plan with a 93.65 per cent majority in January 2021. However, 63 Moons Technologies Limited and fixed deposit (FD) holders, challenged the plan before the NCLAT, arguing that the plan unfairly allowed Piramal Capital to retain recoveries from fraudulent transactions under Section 66 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC). Furthermore, it was contended that the FD holders were not repaid in full, violating provisions of the RBI Act and the National Housing Bank (NHB) Act. The NCLAT, in January 2022, partially agreed and directed the CoC to reconsider the treatment of Section 66 recoveries, holding that such proceeds should benefit creditors, not the resolution applicant. The FD holders (who remained aggrieved by non-repayment of their full dues), the Union Bank of India (the largest stakeholder in CoC) and Piramal Capital approached the Supreme Court against the NCLATs decision. The apex court set aside the NCLAT ruling on the following grounds. Commercial Wisdom of CoC Paramount The Court reiterated that the CoCs commercial decisions are sacrosanct and not subject to judicial interference unless they violate legal provisions. The CoC had negotiated a higher upfront payment ( 37,250 crores) from Piramal in exchange for it giving up and assigning uncertain recoveries from fraudulent transactions to Piramal Capital. The Court observed that this decision was taken in exercise of the CoC's commercial wisdom. "The legislature has consciously not provided for a ground to challenge the justness of the 'commercial decision' taken by the Financial Creditors, because one of the dominant purposes of the IBC is revival of the CD and to make it a running concern," the Court added. Fixed Deposit Holders Claims Dismissed The Court dismissed appeals by fixed deposit holders (FD Holders) and non-convertible debenture (NCD) holders, stating that the distribution mechanism under the resolution plan was fair and complied with the IBC. The Court noted that neither the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 nor the National Housing Board Act, 1987, stipulate that the Fixed Deposit holders are entitled to full deposits under such circumstances. None of the said provisions mandates full payment of deposits or confers any right upon the depositors to have full payment of such deposits. There is also nothing on record to suggest that any authorised officer under the NHB Act or the Company Law Board under the RBI Act has passed any order to make full payment of deposits to the Appellants. Hence, it could not be said, by any stretch of imagination, that the RP in question, providing for the Distribution mechanism, was contrary to any of the provisions of the RBI Act or of the NHB Act," the Court said. It held that the resolution plans distribution mechanismproviding full repayment for deposits up to 2 lakhs and partial repayment for larger depositswas fair and complied with the IBC. Distinction Between Avoidance and Fraudulent Transactions The Court clarified that applications under Sections 43, 45, and 50 (preferential, undervalued, and extortionate transactions) must benefit creditors, while recoveries from Section 66 (fraudulent trading) can be retained by the resolution applicant if the CoC approves. The NCLAT erred in conflating the two and misapplying foreign jurisprudence, the Court ruled. Ex-Promoters Rights Extinguished The Court dismissed appeals by DHFLs ex-promoters, Kapil Wadhawan and Dheeraj Wadhawan, holding that their board was superseded (not just suspended) under the RBI Act, stripping them of any rights to participate in CoC meetings or access resolution plans during the process. "The RBIs supersession of DHFLs Board under Section 45-IE of the RBI Act had a permanent effectthe directors vacated their offices, unlike mere suspension under IBC. They had no right to participate in CoC meetings or demand the resolution plan mid-process," it held. The Court added, "Once approved by the NCLT, the resolution plan becomes a public document under Section 74 of the Indian Evidence Act. The ex-promoters are entitled to a certified copy, but no more." Thus, it allowed the appeals filed by Piramal and the Union Bank of India. On Wednesday, 2856 stocks advanced, 1094 declined and 135 remained unchanged, with an advance decline ratio of 1.61 on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), indicating positive closing of stocks in broader markets. The trend of the major indices on Wednesdays trading is given in the table below. On NSE, 39 securities advanced and closed at a new 52-week high whereas 43 securities sank to close at their new 52-week lows. In sectoral indices, all indices ended in green, Nifty FMCG, Nifty Pharma and Nifty IT were among the biggest gainer. Paras Defence and Space Technologies (PARAS) (+1.18%) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with MicroCon Vision (MicroCon), part and the Rafael Group, Israel. MicroCon experience and expertise in the design, development, production and marketing of ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) payloads and EO/IR (electro-optical/infra-red) Seekers for Drones and unmanned aerial vehicles. PARAS and MicroCon will be exclusive partners in India for working together on the Micro ISR payloads. Emcure Pharmaceuticals (-1.98%) wholly owned subsidiary -- Emcutix Biopharmaceuticals signed exclusive in-licensing agreement with WiQo. The strategic partnership grants Emcutix the rights to import, promote, distribute and sell WiQo's product PRX-PLUS in India. The collaboration is set to redefine the landscape of non-invasive skin treatments in the region. Happiest Minds Technologies (+2.51%) launched investment companion, a generative AI investor solution, in the Microsoft Azure Marketplace, an online store providing applications and services for use on Azure. The companys customers can now use the productive and trusted Azure cloud platform with streamlined deployment and management. Sterling and Wilson Renewable Energy (-0.62%)bagged three domestic projects worth Rs1,470 crore. The first letter of award is for a wind engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) from a private IPP for a hybrid project in Rajasthan. Scope of work includes EPC of a 69.3 MW wind balance of Plant, and 58 MW AC / 75 MWp DC Solar BoS, along with 132 kV / 33 kV pooling substation. Tata Steel (+1.03%) acquired additional 1,24,90,000 equity shares of face value Rs10 each aggregating to Rs12.49 crore in Indian Foundation for quality management (IFQM). Post the acquisition, the companys aggregate shareholding in IFQM has increased from 9.09% to 16.66%. JSW Energy (+0.99%) added 3.6 gigawatts (GW) of generation capacity during FY24-25, marking the highest annual capacity addition in the company's history. The installed generation capacity at the end of FY25 stands at 10.9 GW, significantly surpassing the 10 GW capacity target set for FY24-25. Power Grid Corporation of India (-0.88%) declared as successful bidder under tariff based competitive bidding to establish inter-state transmission system for the project namely transmission system for evacuation of power from Mahan Energen Limited generating station in Madhya Pradesh under build, own, operate and transfer (BOOT) basis. The project comprises 400kV D/C transmission line and associated bays at existing Rewa PS (PG) sub-station in the state of Madhya Pradesh. Sandhar Technologies (+3.59%) wholly-owned subsidiary -- Sandhar Ascast successfully acquired the high pressure and low pressure aluminium die casting business of Sundaram-Clayton (SCL) (at its Hosur Plant), a prominent player in the sector. This acquisition represents a pivotal expansion of Sandhar Ascast's operations. The acquisition is being made via all-cash deal valued at Rs163 crore, subject to adjustments as per the terms outlined in the Business Transfer Agreement at the time of deal closure. The top gainers and top losers of the major indices are given in the table below: The closing values of the major Asian indices are given in the table below: The Mumbai zonal office of the directorate of enforcement (ED) has provisionally attached immovable assets worth Rs115.86 crore in connection with the Rs5,600 crore National Spot Exchange Ltd (NSEL) fraud case. The attachment, carried out on 31 March 2025, includes 15 immovable properties located in Mumbai, Delhi and Rajasthan, belonging to defaulters Mohan India group, Vimladevi Agrotech Ltd, Yathuri Associates and Lotus Refineries. The action has been taken under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. ED initiated its probe based on the a information report (FIR) registered under various Sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860. The investigation revealed a criminal conspiracy orchestrated to defraud investors, wherein the accused allegedly induced victims to trade on the NSEL platform using forged documents, bogus warehouse receipts, and falsified accounts. The total fraud is estimated at a staggering Rs5,600 crore. Authorities found that trading members and defaulters of NSEL misappropriated investor funds, diverting them into real estate, debt repayments and other financial activities. Shockingly, NSEL permitted commodity trading without ensuring the presence of actual goods in its exchange-controlled warehouses, leading to thousands of investors unknowingly trading in non-existent commodities, ED says. So far, ED has attached assets worth Rs3,433.06 crore in the NSEL case, with seven prosecution complaints filed against NSEL, defaulting entities and brokerage firms. Further legal proceedings are underway and the investigation is still in progress to trace additional proceeds of crime, the agency says. Read: NSEL Scam: ED Files Prosecution Complaint against 19 Brokers, Directors) In February this year, ED filed a prosecution complaint (PC) against 19 broking entities and their directors for allegedly conspiring with officials of the NSEL to mislead investors into trading on its platform. The complaint was filed on 28 January 2025 before the special court (PMLA) in Mumbai under the PMLA. The court has taken cognisance of the complaint on 3 February 2025. ( In September 2009, NSEL allegedly introduced the concept of 'paired contracts', i.e., buying and selling the same commodity through two different contracts at two different prices on its platform wherein investors could buy a short-duration settlement contract and sell a long-duration settlement contract and vice versa at the same time. It entailed the occurrence of buy trades (trading plus two --T+2 / T+3) and sell trades (T+25 / T+36) on the same day at different prices on the platform of NSEL. The transactions were structured so that buyers of the short-duration contract always made profits. According to market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), the scheme of 'paired contracts' traded on NSEL ultimately has caused loss to the market to the extent of Rs5,500 crore, which casts serious aspersion on the conduct, integrity and reputation of the brokers who facilitated such 'paired contracts', and, therefore, its continuing role in the securities market cannot be viewed as good and congenial for the interest of the investors or of the securities market. In 2007, the Union government had given an exemption to all forward contracts of one-day duration for the sale and purchase of commodities traded on NSEL from operations of the provisions of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) subject to certain conditions including 'no short sale by the members of the exchange shall be allowed' and 'all outstanding positions of the trades at the end of the day shall result in delivery'. However, the Forward Market Commission (FMC) which had looked into NSEL's functioning, found that the exchange had violated the no-short-sale clause and was allowing contracts that had settlement periods that extended beyond the set limit. A recent right to information (RTI) query has exposed alarming irregularities in the installation of hoardings on railway land in Mumbai, revealing that no ownership records exist for 103 out of 306 hoardings. The findings point to the growing influence of the hoarding mafia operating on land owned by the Central and Western Railways, with municipal authorities failing to maintain transparency. According to data provided to RTI activist Anil Galgali under the Right to Information (RTI) Act by the licensing superintendents office of the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), there are 179 hoardings on Central Railway land and 127 hoardings on Western Railway land. However, the ownership details of 68 hoardings on Central Railway land and 35 on Western Railway land remain unidentified. The breakdown of hoardings across different municipal wards further highlights the extent of the issue. On Western Railway land, hoardings are spread across wards such as A, D, G South, G North, K East, K West, P South, and R South, with 35 of them lacking ownership details. Similarly, on Central Railway land, hoardings are installed in wards including E, F South, G North, L, and T, where 68 hoardings are unaccounted for. Following the Ghatkopar hoarding collapse incident, Mr Galgali has urged railway authorities to ensure transparency and strict compliance with municipal regulations. He also demanded that any unauthorised hoardings be immediately removed and action be taken against those responsible. The issue is further complicated by allegations of political and bureaucratic interference. According to Mr Galgali, a senior Indian Administrative Services (IAS) officer was allegedly removed from the licensing department due to pressure from the hoarding mafia. The move was reportedly linked to the officers positive stance on the new advertising policy of the BMC which could have disrupted the financial dealings of vested interests in the hoarding industry, he says. With growing concerns over safety, urban planning violations and corruption, activists and citizens are now calling for urgent intervention by the railway administration and the BMC to bring accountability and curb the unchecked influence of illegal hoardings in Mumbai. Market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has decided to extend the timeline for the formulation of implementation standards for the safer participation of retail investors in algorithmic (algo) trading by one month. In February, SEBI fixed the date as 1 April 2025 to release implementation standards for algo trading by retail investors. In a release, SEBI says it received a representation from the stock exchanges requesting for an extension of timeline to finalise the implementation standards, as certain issues require further deliberation with the Brokers Industry Standards Forum (BISF). "Accordingly, to ensure smooth implementation of the framework, without any disruption to the market players and investors, it has been decided that the implementation standards shall come into effect from 1 May 2025. The provisions of the circular shall be applicable with effect from 1 August 2025." SEBI also directed stock exchanges to take the necessary steps to implement the new rules, amend their regulations and ensure awareness among brokers. Algorithmic trading, commonly known as algo trading, involves using automated systems to execute trade orders based on pre-set logic. While historically used by institutional investors, retail investors have increasingly sought access to this technology. In response to growing demand and associated risks, in February this year, SEBI introduced stricter regulations for stockbrokers, algo-providers and market infrastructure institutions (MIIs). A December 2024 consultation paper from SEBI proposed facilitating the participation of retail investors in algo trading which allows faster order execution and liquidity. In a consultation paper, SEBI proposes to extend the existing regulatory framework, with additional safeguards, to facilitate the participation of retail investors in algo trading. "The evolving nature of algo trading, particularly with the increasing demand for algo trading by retail investors, has necessitated a further review and refinement of the regulatory framework so that retail investors are also able to participate in algo trading with proper checks and balances." "The evolving nature of algo trading, particularly with the increasing demand for algo trading by retail investors, has necessitated a further review and refinement of the regulatory framework so that retail investors are also able to participate in algo trading with proper checks and balances. These provisions are expected to fill in the void for retail investors who want to trade using algos with adequate safeguards," it says. The market regulator undertook extensive consultations with relevant stakeholders, including the intermediary advisory committee and BISF to extend the existing regulatory framework, with additional safeguards, to facilitate the participation of retail investors in algo trading. SEBI defines algorithmic trading as any order generated using automated execution logic, where an open application programming interface (API) allows an individual to access brokers' trading platforms without logging in manually. According to SEBI, its regulatory environment envisaged is aimed at spelling out the rights and responsibilities of the main stakeholders of the trading ecosystem like investors, stock brokers, algo providers and vendors and MIIs so that the retail investors can avail algo facilities with requisite safeguards. Read: Who Is against SEBI's Move To Regulate Retail Algos? Are Their Fears Justified?) As Moneylife pointed out, as retail algos exploded, unscrupulous algo-writers began to lure newly minted investors with the promise of high returns. Many algo platforms falsely promise 'consistent and astronomical' returns. Some have back-testing of strategies that is 'curve-fitted' to mislead investors about returns; there are poor risk disclosures; there is no clarity on whether customer data (shared between brokers and algo-writers) is misused for proprietary trading and front-running a certain strategy deployment. ( You may also want to read... The only presence Sen. Jason Ellsworth will have in the Senate Chamber at the Montana State Capitol going forward will be the nameplate clinging to his vacated desk, and even that will expire in a matter of weeks. The Montana Senate on Tuesday resoundingly voted for a censure that stripped Ellsworth of nearly all legislative privileges, bringing a bipartisan resolution to a fight that's dogged the upper chamber for months. The censure motion was the product of negotiations between Republican and Democratic leadership. As proposed by Senate Majority Leader Tom McGillvray, R-Billings, Ellsworth was removed from all committee assignments and banned from serving on interim committees after the session. He retained his ability to vote, although only by remote means; the motion also rescinded Ellsworths floor privileges for life, meaning he cannot appear in the Senate chamber, even after his term through 2026 ends. The motion passed 44-6, with Ellsworth voting against it. In the waning hours of 2024, Ellsworth leaned on his authority as president of the Senate to sign the state onto two contracts for a total of $170,100. The contractor was a longtime business associate and friend, one he had tried and failed to secure government work for before. Ellsworth never disclosed the relationship with that contractor, Bryce Eggleston, and was initially thwarted by legislative staff who believed the senator was evading oversight of the state procurement procedures. The Montana State News Bureau first reported on the contracts Ellsworth attempted to sign, as well as the deal he ultimately did obtain for Eggleston. Days after the Montana State News Bureau broke the story, Eggleston terminated the agreement and no money ever changed hands. McGillvray stated on Tuesday that the motion meant to punish Ellsworth, the former Senate president, not just for the ethical violations but for episodes that spanned two decades that, many lawmakers felt, had become a stain on the Senates integrity. Those spanned Ellsworths federal violations to a restraining order accusing him of domestic violence. Its more than just the Senate Ethics Committee report, I want to make that clear, McGillvray said on the Senate floor. Were looking all the way back, looking at a pattern of abuse that needs to be addressed by the Senate body. Ellsworth, who has been mostly absent from the Capitol in recent weeks and was again on Tuesday, did not return calls or texts for comment for this story. The censure broke an impasse Republicans and Democrats couldnt clear last week, when, after a legislative audit report and Senate ethics investigation found Ellsworth in violation of legislative ethics laws, the chamber battled over whether to expel the senator or brand him with something less severe. Republicans who wanted to police one of their own sought to expel him, but were accused by Democrats of taking it too far because Ellsworth allied with the minority party early in the session. Republicans rejected a less consequential censure motion proposed by the Democrats, whom GOP lawmakers accused of protecting one of the votes that maintains their coalitions majority of the chamber. Sen. Chris Pope, a Bozeman Democrat and vice chair of the Senate Ethics Committee that probed Ellsworths contract transactions, said Tuesday the censure resulted in a very black mark for Ellsworth, but was appropriate. I think theres a sense in this body that our colleague has really fallen and that there needs to be consequences, Pope said. Weve also as a body, I think been interested in being judicious and being fair, but being very explicit as to what the punishment and what the long-term need is here for this body to express itself and its commitment to transparency and integrity and decorum to the people of Montana. Other lawmakers maintained the censure didnt go far enough. Sen. Forrest Mandeville, a Columbus Republican who chaired the ethics committee, offered a substitute motion to expel Ellsworth, the fourth such motion since this affair began in January. I dont really see whats changed in the last week that would change my mind that expulsion is the most appropriate punishment, Mandeville said. I feel that the infractions that the senator from Senate District 43 has made over the course of his service in the Senate makes him unsuitable for office. That motion needed a two-thirds vote to succeed, but drew a 25-25 tie. The prevailing sentiment after the censure motion passed on Tuesday was relief from Senate leadership of both parties. The fight over how to handle Ellsworth has drawn bitter, intense debates in the upper chamber and devoured precious time in the 90-day session. Eating up time is probably an understatement, Senate President Matt Regier told reporters after the hearing. We did not expect to come in here and have to deal with this type, this level of ethics violations, but its part of our job too. We need to make sure the people of Montana trust this institution and the process. Regier and others said they still preferred an expulsion, although the censure is, effectively, every punishment he could face except removing him from the Legislature entirely. Its pretty severe, McGillvray said. The censure laid on Ellsworth on Tuesday also bars him from communicating with legislative staff. Legislative staff care deeply about the Montana Legislature, Legislative Services Director Jerry Howe said Tuesday. Like a family experiencing the public divorce of their parents, this is a somber day for all of us. Having said what I just said, we all have deep respect for the decisions of the House and the Senate especially those that are made by a two-thirds vote. Its unclear whether the matter is, in fact, fully resolved. Moderate Republicans and Senate Democrats last month raised questions about a separate arrangement in which Regier hired Kalispell attorney Abby Moscatel to serve as his special counsel. The Senate sent that matter to the Legislative Audit Division, staking their commitment to that investigation on the GOPs enthusiasm for probing Ellsworths contract dealings. Weeks later, the audit division submitted its report, which found no evidence to substantiate that Regier had violated any state law in obtaining those legal services. Still, Sen. Shelley Vance, R-Belgrade, claimed last week the matter had left a dark cloud over the chamber and attempted to advance the matter to the Senate Rules Committee, presumptively initiating ethics proceedings against Regier. McGillvray, who chairs the rules committee, said Tuesday he had no intention of calling a meeting to consider Vances referral. Vance said she hoped the chamber will take up her referral before the session ends. Vance, who shares an office with Ellsworth, ultimately did vote for the censure on Tuesday, but did so perhaps begrudgingly. I thought it went over the top, particularly the lifetime ban, Vance said. But in negotiations that I was not a part of, I understand thats all we could do. He did, he needed to be punished, she added. ATLANTA Only one person in U.S. history defied the two-term example set by the first president, George Washington. Congress and voters responded by forbidding future presidents from being elected more than twice. President Donald Trump alluded to arcane legal arguments in suggesting he could seek a third term. Besides challenging long-settled readings of the U.S. Constitution, a Trump move to run in 2028 would challenge the precedent that voters repeatedly upheld. Here is an explanation of the historical and legal tradition behind the presidency being a job for a maximum of two terms and two terms only. Washington sets example It seemed a foregone conclusion that Washington, president of the 1787 convention that yielded the U.S. Constitution, also would become the nation's first federal executive, even as anti-federalists worried that he'd be reelected again and again, becoming a quasi-king. Washington began his presidency in 1789, leading an executive branch of government that the Constitution's authors balanced with two others: Congress and the judiciary. Besides those structural guards against concentrations of power, Washington put aside his military garb and title, opting for the era's formal attire and the honorific "Mr. President" to underscore his status as an elected civilian. He considered not standing for reelection. He even had James Madison draft a farewell address before seeking and winning another term in 1792. Four years later, he tasked Alexander Hamilton with dusting off and polishing up Madison's farewell draft as he announced his retirement from public life. There was no legal barrier to a third Washington term, but his decision set the tone. Four of the next six presidents won a second term but passed on a third. The last of that group, Andrew Jackson, was the first president not to have worked with or known Washington. Yet by the time Jackson endorsed his own successor, Martin Van Buren, two terms were the standard. Presidential precedent Historians debated whether Abraham Lincoln might have pursued a third term after the Civil War had he not been assassinated in 1865 at the outset of his second term. Ulysses S. Grant, Lincoln's victorious Civil War general and president from 1869 to 1877, led Republican delegates' initial voting at their 1880 convention but could not win a majority. Theodore Roosevelt, elected vice president in 1901, served nearly a full presidential term after William McKinley's assassination in 1901. When Roosevelt was elected in his own right in 1904, he promised he would not run for what he called a third term. Delegates at the 1908 GOP convention chanted "four more years," but Roosevelt kept his word. He then backtracked in 1912 but lost the nomination to his successor, incumbent William Howard Taft. Roosevelt launched a failed third-party campaign and lost, pilloried by critics for his broken third-term promise. One scathing political cartoon depicted the ghost of George Washington chiding Roosevelt. FDR breaks the mold In 1940, Franklin Delano Roosevelt became the only U.S. president to successfully win a third election, doing so as World War II raged in Europe ahead of the eventual U.S. entry. Biographer H.W. Brands reasoned that FDR saw the global conflict as a "chance to write his name in bold letters across the history of the world." The 32nd president carefully couched his decision as one of necessity, not ambition. "Precisely when he determined to try for a third term is unclear," Brands wrote. "He never revealed his thinking on the subject." After securing a third nomination that eluded Grant and his distant cousin, Teddy Roosevelt, FDR accepted it in a radio address. "I have had to admit to myself, and now to state to you, that my conscience will not let me turn my back upon a call to service," he said. "The right to make that call rests with the people through the American method of a free election. Only the people themselves can draft a president." FDR won two more terms, though not without critics. His first vice president, John Nance Garner, sought the 1940 nomination in Chicago. Some Capitol Hill allies quietly grumbled as well about a figure they saw as holding power too tightly. While Roosevelt won Electoral College landslides in each of his four victories, his share of the popular vote dwindled from his 60.8% peak in 1936 to 54.7% in 1940 and 53.4% in 1944. Roosevelt died in April 1945. Vice President Harry Truman replaced him. 22nd Amen dment After Roosevelt's death, Congress began earnest consideration of what became the 22nd Amendment, limiting presidents to two elections. Without naming Truman, lawmakers exempted the president serving at the time while also carving out a narrow way for someone to serve more than eight years: Someone who ascends from the vice presidency for less than half of one term could still win and serve two full terms of their own. Truman, who served nearly all of FDR's last term plus his own, did not immediately swear off another term in 1952. But in a stinging defeat for a sitting president, he lost the New Hampshire primary and quickly declared he would not seek another term. Lyndon Johnson met a similar fate 16 years later. Because he served less than half of the assassinated John F. Kennedy's term, Johnson still was eligible to be elected twice. He won a 1964 landslide for a full term. After the Vietnam War chipped away at his popularity, Johnson performed poorly in the New Hampshire primary March 12, 1968. On March 31, he told a national television audience, "I shall not seek, and I will not accept, the nomination of my party for another term as your president." There was occasional talk of repealing the 22nd Amendment. President Ronald Reagan, another two-term president, publicly supported repeal. He told an interviewer, according to The New York Times, that he "wouldn't do that for myself, but for presidents from here on." Trump, on the other hand, makes clear that any changes in law or tradition would be for his benefit. "I'm not joking," he told NBC News. "There are methods which you could do it." Newly appointed Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has shared his ambitious goals to reform and strengthen Kenyas healthcare sector. During his official handover at Afya House on Tuesday, Duale expressed a firm commitment to improving the efficiency of healthcare services across the country, with a particular focus on timely disbursement of funds to health facilities. One of his primary objectives is ensuring that Social Health Authority (SHA) claims are settled by the 14th day of each month, a move that aims to enhance cash flow for hospitals and ensure smoother operations. Duale also urged individuals and organizations to contribute to the welfare of the underprivileged through the SHA Sponsorship Portal, offering a platform for those willing to make a difference. The CS emphasized that the agency is ready to assist anyone seeking guidance on how to get involved. By March 2025, the SHA had disbursed a total of Ksh25.4 billion to empanelled and contracted health facilities. Of this, Ksh22.2 billion came from the Social Health Insurance Fund, while Ksh3.2 billion was allocated from the Primary Healthcare Fund. Duale further shared that over 20.8 million Kenyans, along with 5.7 million dependents, have registered with SHA, with Mombasa, Bomet, Nyeri, Elgeyo Marakwet, and Kirinyaga counties leading in registration. Addressing long-standing human resource challenges, Duale pledged to expedite the resolution of pending issues, such as finalizing Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) with various unions. In his efforts to improve the efficiency of the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA), Duale aims to increase KEMSAs order fill rate to 90 percent. This goal will be supported by a Ksh1.5 billion recapitalization plan and negotiations for a credit facility of up to Ksh5 billion. Acknowledging the current 43 percent order fill rate, Duale attributed KEMSAs stockouts to a lack of finances to replenish essential Health Products and Technologies. In another significant move, Duale announced that starting April 1, 2025, ICU and HDU bed rebates would be increased to Ksh28,000 per day. He also revealed that the Oncology package for cancer patients would be enhanced to Ksh550,000 per person. Duale assured the public that his ministry would address any system issues to ensure seamless service delivery. To further improve healthcare access, he announced plans to launch the Taifa Care Call Centre, a 24-hour service available via toll-free number (147), operational seven days a week to assist with inquiries and provide support. The owners of a Nairobi beauty clinic and a surgeon linked to the death of a businesswoman after a failed cosmetic procedure are set to face manslaughter charges. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has approved charges against surgeon Robert Maweu Mutula, along with George Wakaria Njoroge and Lilian Edna Wanjiru, who run Body by Design. The clinic, operated by Omnicare Medical Limited, is located on Kabarsiran Avenue in Nairobi County. Their prosecution stems from the death of 47-year-old Lucy Wambui Kamau, who died on October 6, 2024, due to complications just days after undergoing surgery at the facility. The three were expected to appear in court on Tuesday, April 1, but failed to do so. As a result, the court rescheduled their plea-taking to Wednesday. Their lawyer stated that the suspects had secured anticipatory bail from the High Court. Kibera Senior Principal Magistrate Samson Temu ordered them to appear in court by 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health and the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) have shut down Body by Design after discovering multiple violations. The clinic was operating without a valid license, failing to meet medical standards, and disregarding patient safety regulations. The closure follows a government-led nationwide assessment of plastic surgery clinics aimed at ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations. The High Court has ruled that the directive requiring parents to pay school fees through the eCitizen platform is unconstitutional, marking a significant blow to the governments policy. In January 2024, former Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang issued a directive mandating that all school fees be paid via eCitizen. However, on Tuesday, Justice Chacha Mwita ruled against the directive, stating that the government failed to involve the public in its decision-making process. He also emphasized that the Ksh. 50 convenience fee imposed on transactions was not legally justified. The directive lacks a legal foundation and was issued without public participation. School fees are not government revenue to be collected through a national platform, the court declared. The court also raised concerns about the transparency of the eCitizen platform, questioning who collects the fees and where the funds are deposited. Justice Mwita further criticized the Ksh. 50 transaction fee, calling it a form of double taxation. It does not make sense for the government to compel citizens to use a platform and then force them to pay to sustain it, he remarked. The case was filed by Nakuru-based Dr. Magare Gikenyi, who argued that no clear legal framework exists to manage the funds or return them to the end users. He also challenged the rationale behind the Ksh. 50 fee, pointing out that the directive could disadvantage parents who pay fees in kind, such as through donations of maize or beans. In defense, the government argued that the eCitizen platform is constitutional and necessary for sustaining the system. However, the court rejected the governments request to delay its orders, denying the 90-day extension for an appeal. Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to supporting President William Ruto, emphasizing that his primary role as Deputy is to serve and support the Head of State. Speaking in Ngarachi, Laikipia County, Kindiki revealed that some unnamed individuals had urged him to oppose President Ruto. Despite this, he made it clear that he remains steadfast in his duties. Some people are advising me to fight the President. My job is to support the President, to defend him, and to work alongside my colleagues to fulfill his promises and deliver development to the people of Kenya, Kindiki declared on Tuesday. The Deputy President also pledged to stand firm against any efforts to create division between him and the President, reassuring Ruto of his steadfast support. I assure you I will be a steady assistant, a steady deputy, right behind you firmly. Together with my colleagues, we will deliver Kenya to the Promised Land under your leadership, he added. Kindiki further stressed that the government, including Cabinet members and elected officials, is focused on serving the people of Kenya. Together with the CSs, PSs and all government officers and elected members of our coalition, we will not waste time trying to argue and fight with the people who have no agenda for the country. We will not waste time fighting with people who cant tell what they have done for the people, he remarked. During their tour of Laikipia, President Ruto and DP Kindiki reopened nine schools in Laikipia West Constituency that had been vandalised by bandits and other armed criminals and whose rehabilitation has been spearheaded by the Kenya Defence Forces. These are Ngarachi, Kirima, Mahua, Muteta, Thigio, Gatarima, Mwenje, Nyakinyua, and Milimani primary schools. The President also flagged off the last mile connectivity programme in Laikipia County worth Ksh.720M that will connect 4,043 new households and other public amenities among them schools and health facilities. Some photos of the Presidents visit to Laikipia West The government has announced the long-awaited rollout of the Electronic Government Procurement (e-GP) system aimed at improving transparency and efficiency in public procurement processes. Treasury Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo announced on Tuesday that suppliers, contractors, and consultants must register for the system ahead of its full implementation, scheduled to begin on July 1, 2025. Kiptoo highlighted that the e-GP system is a major leap forward in public finance management reforms, aligning with President William Rutos directive issued during his State of the Nation Address on November 21, 2024. In that speech, Ruto called for the Treasury to implement the system by the first quarter of 2025. The e-GP system was originally set to roll out in March 2025, but budget constraints delayed the process. To complete the systems digitization, the Treasury has secured up to Ksh560 million in additional funding as part of the International Monetary Fund (IMF)-backed reforms aimed at boosting transparency and efficiency in government contracting. Kiptoo explained that the e-GP system is designed to reduce procurement costs, improve transparency, and shorten procurement cycles. It will standardize processes across both national and county governments, ensuring consistency in procurement planning, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting. The new system is expected to result in cost savings for the government and ultimately improve service delivery to the public. Supplier Registration Now Open In a notice dated April 1, 2025, PS Kiptoo instructed all suppliers, contractors, and consultants to self-register on the e-GP portal at www.egpkenya.go.ke. For those facing registration challenges, Kiptoo encouraged them to reach out to the support team via email at [email protected] or by phone at +254 (020) 3341030/3340400/3340433. For suppliers in Nairobi, Kiptoo also mentioned that the e-GP office is located at the Treasury Building, 6th Floor, Room 622, where assistance will be available from 9 am to 4 pm. Additionally, registration support desks have been set up in all Huduma Centres across the country to provide help during working hours. To further assist suppliers with the registration process, the Supplier Registration Module Manual is available on the e-GP portal, offering step-by-step guidance. To ensure a smooth transition, the Treasury will host weekly webinars every Thursday from April 10 to May 30, 2025, to guide suppliers through the registration process. Only those who register through the links provided on the e-GP portal will be invited to participate in these webinars. Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has once again called for a more inclusive and transparent process in the reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). He warned against allowing President William Rutos administration to oversee the process unilaterally, stressing that fairness must guide the selection of the electoral bodys leadership. In a press briefing held on April 1, 2025, in Nairobi, Kalonzo criticized what he sees as an attempt to monopolize the IEBCs reconstitution. He made it clear that the opposition will not sit back and allow a single political faction to control the process. This is a matter of great importance, and we will not just sit back and wait for one side to determine the list of those who will be appointed as chairperson and commissioners of the IEBC, Kalonzo declared. The former Vice President emphasized that the opposition is closely monitoring every stage of the reconstitution and prepared to take whatever actions are necessary to safeguard the integrity of the IEBC as the country approaches the 2027 General Election. We are watching closely. We are not sleeping on this issue. It concerns all Kenyans, and it cannot be dictated by one side alone. If it is, both Kenyans and the world will see that this is William Rutos Commission, and we cannot allow that, he stressed. Kalonzo reassured the public that the opposition is ready to step in if they believe the process is being compromised. We will not simply wait and watch, he added, referring to the interviews already conducted for chairperson candidates and the ongoing selection process for commissioners. We are paying close attention. Musyoka Calls for Transparency in IEBC Reconstitution Process In addition to inclusivity, Kalonzo underscored the importance of transparency throughout the selection process. He called on the IEBC selection panel to make the candidates performance scores public, advocating for openness to build public trust in the process. We expect the panel to help Kenyans by revealing the scores of candidateswho scored 80 percent, 70 percent in the interviews. It must be a transparent process so that Kenyans know that when they prepare to go to the upcoming election, they will have confidence that these are not people who can be bought, Kalonzo said. He also pointed out the unresolved issues from the 2022 General Election, emphasizing that many Kenyans, especially those who supported Raila Odingas candidacy, continue to feel the impact. Kalonzo warned that the opposition will not let these grievances go unaddressed. Lets remember what happened in 2022, when Martha Karua was Railas running mate. Kenyans are still hurting, and we must ensure that these grievances are dealt with. This time, we are not leaving anything to chance, Kalonzo concluded. A Naivasha court has sentenced 23-year-old Fredrick Mwonjoria to 25 years in prison for murdering a 15-year-old girl who rejected his advances when they were teenagers. Justice Grace Nzioki delivered the ruling, finding Mwonjoria guilty of committing the crime six years ago while he was a 17-year-old student at Nanyuki High School. The prosecution, led by Shirley Chepkonga, presented 12 witnesses who confirmed that Mwonjoria and the victim were neighbors. He had also served as her tutor, helping her with academic studies. According to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), the girl visited Mwonjorias home that day for academic assistance but never returned. Her parents, alarmed by her disappearance, searched for her throughout the night. The next day, her body was discovered along a roadside, and her father later identified her remains. During the trial, a witness testified that Mwonjoria eventually confessed to the murder. He admitted to inviting the girl over for revision, during which he attempted to make advances toward her. When she rejected him, a struggle ensued. Overpowered, he stabbed her in the back as she tried to flee. Panicked by what he had done, he moved her to the bedroom, where she lay bleeding. When she lost consciousness, he inflicted multiple stab wounds to her face, chest, and back. During sentencing, the defense pleaded for leniency, asking the court to recognize Mwonjoria as a child under the Children Act 2022. However, the prosecution strongly opposed this, arguing the convict was no longer a minor and therefore ineligible. They urged the court to impose a retributive and deterrent sentence due to the severity of the crime. Justice Nzioki ruled that the prosecution had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt, citing legal precedents and emphasizing the elements of murder, including intent, the act itself, and malice aforethought. Manila warned over peace threat from any F-16 deal US Air Force F-16 fighter jets at Basa Air Base in Pampanga, Philippines, last April for a joint exercise. File photo: AFP China on Wednesday warned the Philippines against threatening "regional peace" after the United States said it had approved the possible sale of US$5.58 billion in F-16 fighter jets to Manila. "The Philippines' defence and security cooperation with other countries should not target any third party or harm the interests of a third party," Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said. "Nor should it threaten regional peace and security or exacerbate regional tensions." The US State Department said it was green-lighting a sale that includes 20 F-16 jets and related equipment to the Philippines, a treaty-bound ally of the United States. (AFP) Learn about business resources and broadband through SIU meetups by Christi Mathis CARBONDALE, Ill. Find out about the many valuable services and programs available to businesses and explore the current status of broadband/internet connectivity in the region during a series of Business Resource Meetup and Broadband READY Meetup events this month, courtesy of Southern Illinois University Carbondales Office of Innovation and Economic Development. Six free, public sessions will be held throughout the region with the assistance of local partners. Valuable information presented Those attending the Business Resource Meeting will learn about the numerous services offered by SIUs Illinois Small Business Development Center, the Illinois APEX Accelerator at SIU, SIUs Gower Translational Research Center (formerly the McLafferty Annex), Career Pathways and a variety of other programs. In addition, several Broadband READY Meetups will feature discussions about new and expanding broadband/internet programs, services and initiatives as well as assistance to strengthen connectivity resources. Participants can share their related concerns about specific issues and communities. Open to all Organizers say small-business owners, business consultants and organizations, economic development partners, broadband/internet providers, elected officials, local government staff, chambers of commerce, library personnel, networking organizations, the SIU community and many others will particularly find the topics of interest. The goal is helping businesses and communities connect to one another and the resources they need to grow and flourish. Each of the events will take place from 3:30-5 p.m. and include light refreshments. The Business Resource Meetups schedule includes: Thursday, April 3 Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center, 1740 Innovation Drive, Carbondale, hosted by BNI. Those planning to attend are asked to RSVP by emailing toml@bnimidamerica.com to allow organizers to better plan. Tuesday, April 15 Flex-Line Automation Inc., 3628 Union School Road, Chester, hosted by the Chester Chamber of Commerce. Tuesday, April 22 17th Street Annex, 214 N. 17th St., Murphysboro, hosted by Murphysboro Mainstreet and Revitalize 62966. The schedule of Broadband READY Meetups includes: Tuesday, April 8 Anne West Lindsey District Library, 600 N. Division St., Carterville. Thursday, April 10 Benton Public Library, 502 S. Main St. Thursday, April 17 Stinson Memorial Public Library, 409 S. Main St., Anna. For additional information about the Business Resource Meetups or the Broadband READY Meetups, email innovation@siu.edu or call 618-536-4451. More details In addition, after each of the meetings, a Saluki Takeover Chancellors Reception is planned in the same community (with the exception of April 8, which will be in Marion), and Saluki alumni and friends are welcome to attend. Find registration and details about each of the free receptions on the SIU Foundations website. Each reception runs from 6 to 8 p.m. and includes complimentary hors doeuvres and two drink tickets per registered attendee. Family members of leading Baloch activist and Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leader, Sammi Deen Baloch held a press conference outside the Karachi Press Club demanding her safe release. The details were shared in a post on X. BYC decried that Sammi Deen Baloch''s disappearance comes after she has spent the last 15 years protesting for her forcibly disappeared father. "Yesterday, on Eid, in front of the Karachi Press Club, the family of BYC central leader Sammi Deen Baloch held a press conference demanding her safe release. Sammi, who has spent the last 15 years protesting for her forcibly disappeared father, is now herself a victim. The cycle of oppression continues, but so does the resistance. No to Oppression, No to Pakistan''s Tyranny!", BYC said on X. https://x.com/BalochYakjehtiC/status/1906958335829483901 Meanwhile, BYC also highlighted that senior BYC leader Sibghatullah Shahji continues to remain enfocibly disappeared with no trace of his whereabouts. BYC said on X, "Sibghatullah Shahjee Remains Forcibly Disappeared, Still No Trace of His Whereabouts! Baloch Yakjehti Committee''s central leader, Sibghat Ullah Shah Ji, was forcibly disappeared from his home in Quetta by CTD. His whereabouts remain unknown, and he has not been produced in any jail. He was taken along with his brother and two nephews--while they were later released, he remains forcibly disappeared." https://x.com/BalochYakjehtiC/status/1907000825139831285 Sibghatullah Shah Ji Baloch, a central member of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), was detained by Pakistani forces from his home in Quetta, according to a post by the BYC, as reported by The Balochistan Post (TBP). TBP reported that over 100 notable figures from civil society in Pakistan had penned an open letter to Pakistan''s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, pleading for the release of the detained BYC leaders. The crackdown on the BYC leaders and their peaceful protests has drawn widespread condemnation from human rights groups, who accuse the government of attempting to silence dissent and curtail the political activities of Baloch activists. (ANI) Over 100 people suffered injuries in various traffic incidents during the Eid ul Fitr celebrations in Taunsa district of Pakistan''s Punjab, Geo News reported, citing relevant authorities. The hospital administration indicated that at least 112 injured individuals were admitted to the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital. Additionally, rescue officials mentioned that the majority of injuries resulted from accidents involving motorcycles and rickshaws, as stated by Geo News. It is crucial to recognize that many of the injured were young individuals who fell from their motorcycles while engaging in reckless celebrations of Eid through racing. Rescue officials highlighted the difficulties faced by the injured, noting that the hospital ran out of space to accommodate them, Geo News reported. Consequently, several injured individuals were also taken to private hospitals as reported by rescue officials. In a separate tragedy, four young men died in a high-speed car accident at the Tando Allahyar Canal. The victims were from Karachi, and rescue workers stated that their bodies were being transported back to the city, as cited by Geo News. The incidents occurred as people across Pakistan celebrated Eid ul Fitr with a spirit of religious devotion and cultural enthusiasm, offering prayers for unity, peace, and prosperity. Karachi has witnessed a rise in traffic accidents recently, resulting in many fatalities. Higher authorities have been called upon to address the rising number of casualties, Geo News reported. Last week, a speeding water tanker took the lives of a young couple and their unborn child near Malir Halt , as reported by Geo News. At least 214 people have died in road accidents in Karachi in less than three months, with 68 fatalities linked to heavy vehicles like tankers and trailers. (ANI) Paank, a human rights organization, has vehemently denounced the horrific massacre of seven family members in Sohbatpur district, Balochistan, and is calling for prompt justice and accountability. As stated in a post by Paank on X, the incident, which took place in the early hours of March 27, involved armed attackers invading a small dwelling in Goth Mir Dauran Khan Khosa, Deh Sanhiri, near Pat Feeder Canal, killing every family member before setting their house ablaze. The deceased included Ali Hasan, his wife Zeba, their four sons, and their daughter, with the youngest child being only nine months old. Reports indicated that their bodies were extensively charred, further emphasizing the heinous nature of the crime, as noted in Paank''s post. Paank has indicated that ongoing land disputes may have motivated the killings, criticizing government institutions for their inability to settle such issues and for permitting violence to escalate unchecked. They have also listed several suspects, including Azmat Bugti alias Ghulam Karim, Pir Bakhsh, Aqil, Adil, Riaz, Farooq, and Farhan, along with four unidentified individuals. However, no swift arrests have been initiated. Paank has called for a clear and unbiased investigation, urging authorities to take rapid action against those culpable. They have also appealed to civil society and human rights groups to speak out against the persistent violence in Balochistan, where targeted murders and lawlessness continue to foster a climate of fear and insecurity. Balochistan has long faced severe human rights violations, including reports of killings, and forced displacements. Despite the region''s abundance of natural resources, local communities rarely benefit from them. Restrictions on freedom of speech, assembly, and movement are widespread, with dissent harshly suppressed. The Baloch people continue to endure immense suffering, yet the international community has largely ignored their plight. Efforts to address these abuses have been limited, leaving the Baloch population vulnerable and their fundamental rights consistently violated without adequate international intervention or support. (ANI) "A financial inclusion metric show Mudra disbursements have a stronger impact on states with lower financial inclusion levels," the report added. The report, which analyzes the impact of PMMY, states that states with a higher share of disbursements to women have significantly shown higher employment creation by women-led MSMEs, further reinforcing the efficacy of targeted financial inclusion policies in fostering economic empowerment and labour market participation. The SBI analysis shows that while the overall diversity (entropy) of Mudra disbursements has become more skewed, this skewness reflects a positive structural shift. The report highlights that the proportions allocated to developed regions have declined, while underdeveloped regions such as Bihar (from 5.67 per cent to 10.97 per cent), UP (from 9.27 per cent to 11.30 per cent), Odisha (from 4.24 per cent to 4.51 per cent), and the North East have experienced significant gains. This demonstrates a strategic reorientation of the Mudra scheme towards regions that need it the most. The Government of India set up Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) under the Micro Units Development and Refinancing Agency (MUDRA) to develop and refinance micro units. Launched in 2015, PMMY ensures collateral-free institutional credit up to Rs 20 lakh is provided by Member Lending Institutions (MLIs), i.e. Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs), Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) and Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs). Further, the report highlights that increasing women's participation in PMMY leads to better financial situations for women borrowers. About 68 percent of account holders under the scheme are women. In the last nine years (FY25 over FY16), while per woman PMMY disbursement amount increased by a CAGR of 13 per cent to Rs 62,679, the per woman incremental deposits increased by a CAGR of 14 per cent to Rs 95,269 branding PMMY an effective power tool for women empowerment at grass roots level, the report observed. (ANI) The event, held on the evening of April 1, was graced by the esteemed presence of Indra Sena Reddy Nallu, Governor of Tripura, as the Chief Guest. The program commenced with the arrival of the Chief Guest, followed by the invitation of distinguished guests to the stage and the rendition of the National Anthem. The event officially began with the lighting of the lamp and a chanting of peace prayers, symbolizing prosperity and harmony. Members of the Odia community then presented an inspiring rendition of "Bande Utkal Janani", an iconic song that celebrates the rich cultural heritage of Odisha. Several prominent dignitaries attended the celebration, including Bishnu Charan Pati, President, Odia Samaj Tripura, Professor Rabindra Kumar Mahapatra, Secretary, Odia Samaj Tripura, Dr. Ranjan Kumar Mishra, Advisor, Odia Samaj Tripura, Rabindra Kumar Samal, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Tripura & Patron, Odia Samaj Tripura, Sanjeev Kumar Jhanjua, Executive Director & Asset Manager, ONGC, Tripura Asset. A major highlight of the evening was the release of the souvenir "Chakadola-2025" by the Chief Guest, Governor Indra Sena Reddy Nallu. The souvenir serves as a cultural and historical document, showcasing the contributions of the Odia community in Tripura. Children who participated in the drawing competition were honored with awards, encouraging young talent and creativity. A group photograph was taken to commemorate the moment. The Chief Guest, Indra Sena Reddy Nallu, addressed the audience, appreciating the Odia community's efforts in preserving and promoting their cultural traditions in Tripura. He emphasized the importance of unity and cultural diversity in strengthening the social fabric of the nation. The event concluded with an air of enthusiasm and pride, leaving attendees with a deep sense of cultural appreciation and community bonding. Utkal Divas 2025 proved to be a grand success, bringing together tradition, culture, and a shared sense of belonging for Odias in Tripura. (ANI) The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, is expected to be tabled in Parliament on Wednesday, with both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress issuing whips to their MPs to ensure their presence in the House. With the parties in both the ruling BJP-led National Democratic Alliance and the Opposition INDIA bloc showing no signs of bipartisan consensus building, the final outcomes may be decided on the majority numbers on the floor. The bill will be tabled after the Question Hour today for consideration and passing, and following that, an 8-hour discussion will be held, which is also subject to an increase. In line with the BJP and Congress, their allies have also issued a whip to all their MPs to be present in the parliament on April 2 and 3. The opposition has been vocal in its criticism of the Waqf Bill, with Samajwadi Party (SP) chief whip Dharmendra Yadav issuing a 3-line whip to all its MPs in the Lok Sabha to be present in the House on April 2 and participate in discussions on the Waqf Amendment Bill. However, INDIA bloc floor leaders also held a meeting in Parliament to discuss the strategy over the Waqf (Amendment) Bill on Tuesday. The bill was earlier presented in the Lok Sabha on August of last year, following which a Joint Parliamentary Committee was formed under the leadership of Jagdambika Pal for further consideration. The bill aims to amend the Waqf Act, 1995, to redress the issues and challenges in regulating and managing Waqf properties. The Amendment Bill seeks to improve the administration and management of waqf properties in India. It aims to overcome the shortcomings of the previous act and enhance the efficiency of Waqf boards by introducing changes such as renaming the Act, updating the definitions of waqf, improving the registration process, and increasing the role of technology in managing waqf records . The Waqf Act of 1995, enacted to regulate Waqf properties, has long been criticised for issues such as mismanagement, corruption, and encroachments. (ANI) The Madhya Pradesh government has enforced a liquor ban in 19 cities starting April 1. Under this policy, the sale of alcohol will be completely prohibited in 19 religious sites across the state, and no liquor shops will be allowed in these areas. The religious places where the decision to ban liquor has been taken include one Municipal Corporation, six Municipal Councils, six City Councils, and six Gram Panchayats. This includes Ujjain, Omkareshwar, Maheshwar, Mandleshwar, Orchha, Maihar, Chitrakoot, Datia, Panna, Mandla, Multai, Mandsaur, and Amarkantak. Additionally, the closure will extend to the gram panchayat regions of Salkanpur, Kundalpur, Bandakpur, Barmankalan, Barmankhurd, and Linga. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Anil Firojiya on Tuesday expressed gratitude to Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav for banning liquor in 19 religious places in the state. "I extend my heartfelt congratulations and gratitude to our esteemed Chief Minister and his entire cabinet for making such a commendable decision. Ujjain is a sacred city, and for years, the public and saints have been demanding a liquor ban. Now that the Chief Minister has issued this order, I am extremely grateful to him," Anil Firojiya said. He further clarified that, following the enforcement of this policy, all liquor shops in Ujjain will be shut down. However, personal alcohol consumption within private residences will not be restricted. On the other hand, drinking in public places will be strictly prohibited, and violators will face legal action. Despite the ban, Ujjain's world-famous Kaal Bhairav Temple has a unique tradition of devotees offering liquor to the deity. Thousands of pilgrims from across the country visit the temple daily to make these offerings. When asked about how the ban would be implemented in Kaal Bhairav Temple, he said, "In Ujjain, some temples have a long-standing tradition of offering liquor to the deity, such as the renowned Kaal Bhairav Temple. Under the new policy, while liquor shops in the vicinity of the temple will be shut down, devotees visiting from outside will be allowed to bring their own alcohol for offerings. There is no restrictions for the deity, but the sale of liquor will be prohibited." Khandwa MP Gyaneshwar Patil welcomed the policy and praised the government's firm stance, stating, "The complete prohibition of alcohol in Madhya Pradesh's religious places is a commendable step. On behalf of the people of the state, I express my gratitude to the Chief Minister. Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga Temple, located in my parliamentary constituency, attracts numerous devotees. Unfortunately, some visitors used to consume alcohol, which not only hurt religious sentiments but also led to criminal incidents. With this strict policy, the sale of liquor will now be completely banned in the area. This is a bold and necessary move by the Madhya Pradesh government, and I thank them for it." The decision marks a significant step by the Madhya Pradesh government in maintaining the sanctity of its religious sites while addressing concerns over alcohol-related disturbances. (ANI) "On April 1, 2025, based on a specific information regarding presence of a suspected packet in border area of district Amritsar, BSF troops in collaboration with Punjab Police carried out an extensive search operation in the suspected area," the Border Security Force stated on Tuesday. According to the officials, the search culminated at about 08:30 am and recovered one packet of suspected heroin. "The search culminated at about 08:30 am, leading to the recovery of one packet of suspected heroin (Gross weight- 492 Grams) alongwith some medicines wrapped in transparent tape with 03 illumination strips and 01 steel ring attached to the packet. This recovery took place near a cattle shed adjacent to the village Dhariwal of district Amritsar," it added. The operation was the result of reliable information and well-coordinated follow-up actions by BSF and Punjab Police, which thwarted yet another attempt of the narco-syndicate to smuggle drugs in Punjab. Earlier, on March 22, a joint team of the Border Security Force (BSF) and Punjab Police seized suspected heroin and opium during a raid in a border village of the Ferozepur district. According to an official statement, acting on specific intelligence inputs provided by the BSF Intelligence Wing, the team conducted a raid at a suspected house in Gatti Rajoke village, leading to the recovery of two packets of suspected heroin (gross weight: 1.076 kg) and one packet of suspected opium (gross weight: 2.192 kg). The recovered packets were wrapped with adhesive tape and had improvised metal rings attached, suggesting that they were airdropped using drones from across the border. (ANI) The Border Security Force (BSF) from 04 Battalion in Meghalaya came to the rescue of an Israeli female tourist who was injured in an accident on March 31, 2025. The tourist suffered burn injuries and was in need of immediate medical attention. The BSF personnel quickly responded to the emergency and provided her with the necessary medical aid. Taking to social media, X, BSF Meghalaya posted, "On 31 March 2025, 04 BN BSF Meghalaya provided medical aid to an Israeli female tourist who met with an accident and suffered burn injuries, ensuring her well-being. Foreigner tourist thankful to BSF for their timely help." https://x.com/BSF_Meghalaya/status/1907048670341837208 The Israeli tourist expressed her deep gratitude to the BSF for their timely and efficient help. She thanked the force for its kindness and quick response, which helped her recover from the accident. Earlier, the Border Security Force (BSF) and Punjab Police recovered over 492 grams of heroin from the village Dhariwal of Amritsar district, officials said on Tuesday. "On April 1, 2025, based on a specific information regarding presence of a suspected packet in border area of district Amritsar, BSF troops in collaboration with Punjab Police carried out an extensive search operation in the suspected area," the Border Security Force stated on Tuesday. According to the officials, the search culminated at about 08:30 am and recovered one packet of suspected heroin. "The search culminated at about 08:30 am, leading to the recovery of one packet of suspected heroin (Gross weight- 492 Grams) alongwith some medicines wrapped in transparent tape with 03 illumination strips and 01 steel ring attached to the packet. This recovery took place near a cattle shed adjacent to the village Dhariwal of district Amritsar," it added. The operation was the result of reliable information and well-coordinated follow-up actions by BSF and Punjab Police, which thwarted yet another attempt of the narco-syndicate to smuggle drugs in Punjab. (ANI) Congress MP Manish Tewari submitted an adjournment motion notice in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, calling for a discussion on the revocation of student visas of Indian nationals by US authorities. In his adjournment motion notice, Tewari has called for the suspension of Zero Hour, Question Hour, and other scheduled business of the day to discuss the issue, which he describes as a matter of "urgent public importance." "I hereby give notice of my intention to seek leave to move a motion for the adjournment of the business of the House to discuss a matter of urgent public importance, that this House suspend Zero Hour, the relevant rules concerning Question Hour, and other scheduled business of the day to deliberate on the revocation of student visas issued to Indian students in the USA," read the notice from Tewari. In his notice, Tewari said that a significant number of Indian students in the United States have had their visas revoked, affecting not only students but also their families, who have invested in their education. "Recent reports indicate that a significant number of Indian students have had their visas revoked by US authorities. This development has caused considerable distress, not only for the students whose academic aspirations stand jeopardised but also for their families, who have made substantial financial investments, often through educational loans, to support their education in the United States," the notice read. "Instances of abrupt visa cancellations have reportedly resulted in threats of deportation, raising serious concerns regarding the treatment of Indian students abroad. The absence of clear reasons for these revocations and the lack of a transparent grievance redressal mechanism have only heightened the uncertainty and anxiety among affected students and their families," it said. In his notice, Tewari emphasised that the revocation of student visas has far-reaching consequences, not only for the students but also for India's educational and diplomatic interests. He urged the government to ensure that the rights and interests of Indian students abroad are protected and that this issue be brought up for discussion in the House as soon as possible. "Given the profound implications for the future of Indian students and the significant financial and emotional hardship faced by their families, I urge the Government to initiate immediate diplomatic engagement with US authorities to seek clarification on this matter. I also request that the House take up this issue for urgent discussion by suspending Zero Hour, Question Hour, and other scheduled business of the day to ensure that the rights and interests of Indian students studying overseas are effectively safeguarded," Tewari said in the notice. As the Parliament is set to convene again today, the legislative business suggests that Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju will move the Waqf Amendment Bill of 2025, which aims to amend the Waqf Act of 1995, for passing. The bill aims to amend the Waqf Act of 1995 to redress the issues and challenges in regulating and managing Waqf properties. The Waqf Act of 1995, enacted to regulate Waqf properties, has long been criticised for issues such as mismanagement, corruption, and encroachments. (ANI) Eight individuals were arrested by the Dehradun police on Tuesday, including a history-sheeter and a gangster with prior involvement in similar crimes. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ajay Singh, Dehradun district, spoke to ANI regarding the cow-slaughter incident that took place near the Uttarakhand-Himachal border. "We discovered 13 cow and buffalo carcasses in the Yamuna River, which runs through Vikasnagar, an area bordering Himachal Pradesh. This sparked widespread outrage among animal rights groups and the public. In response, a high-level meeting was held with the SP in Sirmaur, Himachal Pradesh, to gather information and strategize on action," said the official. "Based on the intelligence gathered, a special police team was deployed, leading to the arrest of eight suspects from Dehradun, including a history sheeter and a gangster who had been previously involved in similar incidents. Additionally, the Sirmaur police arrested two individuals," he said. SSP Ajay Singh stated that the incident was sensitive, and the police were continuing their investigation, seeking to arrest more individuals connected to the crime. The joint operation between the two states highlights the police forces' commitment to tackling such illegal activities. The act of cow slaughter in India is governed by state-specific laws with varying degrees of strictness, shaped by religious, cultural, and economic factors. While some states impose a complete ban on cow slaughter, others provide exceptions, and the issue continues to fuel ongoing debates about law enforcement, economic implications, and human rights. (ANI) Ahead of the tabling of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in Lok Sabha, Opposition has warned BJP allies, especially Nitish Kumar-led Janata Dal (United) and Chandrababu Naidu-led Telugu Desham Paty for supporting the bill, saying that the 'blame' will be laid on them. JD(U) and TDP, on whose NDA government majority largely depends, have expressed their support for the bill. Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor said the government can never make the bill a law if leaders like Nitish Kumar do not support it. "The government doesn't have a majority in Lok Sabha. They are able to bring this law because people like Nitish Kumar are supporting the Government; if leaders like Nitish Kumar do not vote in support of this Bill in Lok Sabha, then the Government can never make this a law. BJP doesn't consider Muslims their vote bank," Kishor told ANI. Cautioning Nitish Kumar, Prashant Kishor said that he would be more blamed for this law when the history of this era is written. "People like Nitish Kumar who tell Muslims every day that they are the well-wishers of the community should definitely think that aren't they showing their hypocrisy by voting in support of this Bill even when they speak of Gandhi, Lohia and JP? When this era is written in history, the blame for this law will be more on leaders like Nitish Kumar than the BJP," Kishor said. Additionally, Samajwadi Party MP from Sambhal, Zia ur Rehman Barq said that the allies will face the consequences for supporting the bill. "The government may have majority figures, but its allies know that if they support this bill, they will have to face a lot of consequences in the coming times," he said. The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has issued a three-line whip to all its Lok Sabha MPs to be present at the bill's tabling. According to a press release, "The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has issued a three-line whip to all its Members of Parliament, directing them to be present in the Lok Sabha on April 2, 2025. This directive comes in light of the scheduled introduction of the Waqf Bill, which is expected to be a matter of significant discussion in the House. The bill will be tabled after today's Question Hour for consideration and passing. Following that, an 8-hour discussion will be held, which is also subject to an increase. The bill aims to amend the Waqf Act 1995 to redress the issues and challenges in regulating and managing Waqf properties. The Amendment Bill seeks to improve the administration and management of waqf properties in India. It aims to overcome the shortcomings of the previous act and enhance the efficiency of Waqf boards by introducing changes such as renaming the Act, updating the definitions of waqf, improving the registration process, and increasing the role of technology in managing waqf records. The Waqf Act of 1995, enacted to regulate Waqf properties, has long been criticised for issues such as mismanagement, corruption, and encroachments. (ANI) Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, on Tuesday, announced that the Delhi government will celebrate Odisha Parv in the state to honor the Odia community residing in the city. The announcement was made during an event marking Odisha Diwas, where she emphasized 'Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat' in line with PM Modi's principle. "We have made a decision in line with PM Modi's principle of 'Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat'. Delhi is a living example of 'Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat', where people from every state come and settle here as one civilization and one culture. I am very happy to announce that the Delhi Government has decided that we will celebrate the Odisha Parva in Delhi for our Odia brothers and sisters," Gupta said during the event. Highlighting Delhi's inclusive nature, the CM assured that her government is committed to providing an environment where the different communities can preserve their cultural identity while thriving in the city. "We will provide an environment in which you can maintain the identity of your culture and live your life here with great ease, work for your generations and give them happiness and prosperity. This Government of Delhi, your government, will always stand by you and work for you," the CM said. Meanwhile, on Monday, Delhi CM visited the Samaypur Badli area to inspect the ongoing road construction works, focusing on improving the city's infrastructure and emphasising the Delhi government's goal of making the entire ring road free of potholes before the onset of the monsoon season. "The work of dense Bitumin is being carried out on both sides of the ring road in a project worth Rs 12.5 crores. The work of repairing the ring road is underway. A two-layered work is underway from Madhuban Chowk to Mukarba Chowk so that in the coming times, potholes can be removed from the ring road. We have reached here for the inauguration of this work... We aim to make the entire ring road free of potholes before monsoon," Delhi CM told reporters. (ANI) As the Parliament is set to convene again today, the legislative business suggests that Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju will move the Waqf Amendment Bill of 2025, which aims to amend the Waqf Act of 1995, for passing. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will move that the amendments made by Rajya Sabha in the Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill of 2024, which further amends the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, the State Bank of India Act, 1955, the Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of Undertakings) Act, 1970, and the Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of Undertakings) Act, 1980, be taken into consideration. Meanwhile, Union Ministers Jitendra Singh, L Murugan and Ravneet Singh will "lay papers on the table" for their respective ministries. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill is expected to be tabled in Parliament on Wednesday. Both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress are issuing whips to their MPs to ensure their presence in the House. With the parties in the ruling BJP-led National Democratic Alliance and the Opposition INDIA bloc showing no signs of bipartisan consensus building, the outcomes may be decided on the majority numbers on the floor. The bill will be tabled after today's Question Hour for consideration and passing. Following that, an 8-hour discussion will be held, which is also subject to an increase. In line with the BJP and Congress, their allies have also issued a whip to all their MPs to be present in the parliament on April 2 and 3. The opposition has been vocal in its criticism of the Waqf Bill, with Samajwadi Party (SP) chief whip Dharmendra Yadav issuing a 3-line whip to all its MPs in the Lok Sabha to be present in the House on April 2 and participate in discussions on the Waqf Amendment Bill. However, on Tuesday, INDIA bloc floor leaders also met in parliament to discuss the strategy for the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. The bill was earlier presented in the Lok Sabha in August of last year, following which a Joint Parliamentary Committee was formed under Jagdambika Pal's leadership for further consideration. The bill aims to amend the Waqf Act of 1995 to redress the issues and challenges in regulating and managing Waqf properties. The Amendment Bill seeks to improve the administration and management of waqf properties in India. It aims to overcome the shortcomings of the previous Act and enhance the efficiency of Waqf boards by introducing changes such as renaming the Act, updating the definitions of waqf, improving the registration process, and increasing the role of technology in managing waqf records. The Waqf Act of 1995, enacted to regulate Waqf properties, has long been criticised for issues such as mismanagement, corruption, and encroachments. (ANI) On April 1, Majumdar wrote to Union Minister Amit Shah regarding the recent explosion in West Bengal's Dhola, urging immediate intervention to ensure that those accountable face the "full weight" of the law. Majumdar, in his letter, stated that there are suspicions the explosion may have been deliberate and that it took place at an illegal bomb-making facility operating under "political" protection. "I am writing to express profound concern regarding the recent explosion in Dhola, South 24 Parganas, West Bengal. According to local reports, this tragic event, allegedly occurring at an 'illegal firecracker factory,' has resulted in over six fatalities. However, suspicions arise that it may have been a deliberate explosion at a clandestine bomb-making facility operating under political protection," Majumdar, who is the Minister of State for Education, said. "This incident is part of a concerning trend; Bengal has seen a significant rise in illegal arms and explosives incidents, posing severe threats to national security and public safety," the West Bengal BJP president added, urging Shah to commission the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the explosion. He stressed the importance of determining the origins of these explosives. "I urge your distinguished office to commission the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to conduct a comprehensive investigation into this explosion. It is crucial to determine the origins of these explosives, hold those responsible accountable, and dismantle any networks involved in illicit arms and bomb production," Majumdar's letter read. He further stated that West Bengal faces lawlessness and unchecked extremism. "Its residents deserve a secure environment, free from politically shielded criminal threats. "As many as six people died, and several others were injured after an alleged explosion was reported in Patharpratima, South 24 Parganas district, West Bengal, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Suvendu Adhikari said on Tuesday. (ANI) As part of India's mission to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2035, structured efforts are being made to develop alternative energy resources. The Andhra Pradesh government, under Chandrababu Naidu, is taking swift steps toward this goal, according to the official statement. With the initiative of State Minister for Human Resources, IT, and Electronics, Nara Lokesh, Reliance has signed an MoU with the Andhra Pradesh government to establish 500 Compressed Bio Gas (CBG) plants with an investment of Rs 65,000 crore. As part of this initiative, the foundation stone for the first Reliance CBG plant will be laid by Minister Nara Lokesh in Kanigiri, Prakasam district. The event will be attended by Minister of Energy Gottipati Ravi Kumar, other state ministers, Reliance Industries Director PMS Prasad, RIL Mentor PVL Madhav Rao, and Reliance Bio Energy Business CEO Harindra K. Tripathi. This marks a significant milestone in the biofuel industry. An investment of Rs 65,000 crore is planned over the next five years, generating approximately 2.5 lakh direct and indirect job opportunities. A total of 500 Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) plants will be established, bringing 5 lakh acres of barren land into productive use. Each plant will require 1,000 acres of land and will be set up for Rs130 crore per plant, including Rs 105 crore for plant setup and Rs 25 crore for land rejuvenation. The initiative is expected to result in an annual production of 40 million metric tons of CBG. Each plant will annually produce 7,800 metric tons of compressed bio-gas and 22,000 metric tons of high-quality fermented manure, which can help fertilize 3,000 acres of land. Reliance is establishing four integrated CBG hubs across India, with one of them in the Prakasam district. The company is setting up CBG plants in barren lands across Andhra Pradesh, including the Prakasam, Anantapur, Chittoor, and Kadapa districts. The goal is to convert 3-4 percent of barren lands into renewable energy plantations through these 500 integrated CBG plants. Reliance aims to set up integrated CBG plants by cultivating hybrid Napier grass and other energy crops on 5.5 lakh acres of barren land in Andhra Pradesh. The green fertilizer produced by these plants will be used to convert non-productive lands into fertile farmlands. This initiative will boost rural employment and economic activity in the state. India has 160 million acres of barren land across 13 categories, and climate change is causing this area to increase yearly. 50 percent of India's barren land is concentrated in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Gujarat. Establishing CBG plants will lead to large-scale industrialization and GDP growth. Once all the CBG plants become operational, they will fill 9.75 lakh LCVs daily, covering 5 percent of India's fuel demand. Additionally, 110 million metric tons of organic fertilizer produced from these plants will help improve the fertility of 15 lakh acres of land. (ANI) As the central government gears up to move the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, Congress MP Kiran Kumar Chamala on Wednesday stood firm in opposition, saying that they will oppose the bill if it tries to "de-establish" a particular community. He said the government has agreed to hold an eight-hour debate in Lok Sabha today amid the ongoing budget session. The issues, he added, raised by the opposition members must be considered and not "bulldozed" as it happened in the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for the Waqf Amendment Bill. "Definitely, we will oppose this bill if something in it is against a particular community or trying to de-establish that community. They (the government) have given us eight hours today to discuss it. Our final agenda is that when there is a discussion, the issues raised by the opposition or the ruling should be considered because this is a democratic platform; they should not bulldoze as they did in the JPC," Chamala told ANI. As the parliament is set to convene again today, the legislative business suggests that Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju will move the Waqf Amendment Bill of 2025, which aims to amend the Waqf Act of 1995, for passing. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress are issuing whips to their MPs to ensure their presence in the House. With the parties in the ruling BJP-led National Democratic Alliance and the Opposition INDIA bloc showing no signs of bipartisan consensus building, the outcomes may be decided on the majority numbers on the floor. The bill will be tabled after today's Question Hour for consideration and passing. Following that, an 8-hour discussion will be held, subject to an increase. In line with the BJP and Congress, their allies have also issued a whip to all their MPs to be present in the parliament on April 2 and 3. The opposition has been vocal in its criticism of the Waqf Bill, with Samajwadi Party (SP) chief whip Dharmendra Yadav issuing a 3-line whip to all its MPs in the Lok Sabha to be present in the House on April 2 and participate in discussions on the Waqf Amendment Bill. However, on Tuesday, INDIA bloc floor leaders also met in parliament to discuss the strategy for the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. During a Parliamentary Board meeting, the Siromani Akali Dal (SAD) also passed a resolution against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. Party leader Daljit S Cheema reiterated the party's stance to stand with Muslims, saying, "Minorities are an important part of India," and no law should be passed without consensus from the community. The bill was presented in the Lok Sabha in August of last year, following which a Joint Parliamentary Committee was formed under Jagdambika Pal's leadership for further consideration. The bill aims to amend the Waqf Act of 1995 to redress the issues and challenges in regulating and managing Waqf properties. The Amendment Bill seeks to improve the administration and management of waqf properties in India. It aims to overcome the shortcomings of the previous Act and enhance the efficiency of Waqf boards by introducing changes such as renaming the Act, updating the definitions of waqf, improving the registration process, and increasing the role of technology in managing waqf records. The Waqf Act of 1995, enacted to regulate Waqf properties, has long been criticised for issues such as mismanagement, corruption, and encroachments. (ANI) The Waqf Amendment Bill is set to be introduced in the Lok Sabha today, with opposition parties voicing concerns over its provisions. Samajwadi Party MP Ram Gopal Yadav reiterated his party's opposition to the proposed amendments on Wednesday, describing them as dictatorial and unconstitutional. "Our party has been opposing this bill from the beginning. The amendments made in the bill are dictatorial and unconstitutional...They are in the majority, and they will get it passed somehow, but we want to have discussions so that the country should know what they are doing," he told ANI. Yadav further added that, "Article 26 states that minorities shall have the right to manage their religious affairs independently, without any interference." Congress MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa also voiced concerns, highlighting India's secular fabric. Randhawa said, "Our country is a secular country, and no particular community should feel that injustice is being done to them. The system that was there should remain the same..." Congress MP Pramod Tiwari said, "The entire opposition had given some amendments to the Waqf Bill that was presented in the Joint Parliamentary Committee, considering its shortcomings, but the government did not agree. If it comes in the same form, then it is against the basic spirit of the Indian Constitution. It is against the unity and integrity of the country. Right now, the Muslim Waqf Board has come, tomorrow it will come against our Sikhs, Jains, Christians." The bill will be tabled after today's Question Hour for consideration and passing. Following that, an 8-hour discussion will be held, which is also subject to an increase. The bill was earlier presented in the Lok Sabha in August of last year, following which a Joint Parliamentary Committee was formed under Jagdambika Pal's leadership for further consideration. The bill aims to amend the Waqf Act of 1995 to redress the issues and challenges in regulating and managing Waqf properties. The Amendment Bill seeks to improve the administration and management of waqf properties in India. It aims to overcome the shortcomings of the previous Act and enhance the efficiency of Waqf boards by introducing changes such as renaming the Act, updating the definitions of waqf, improving the registration process, and increasing the role of technology in managing waqf records. (ANI) Congress MP and Member of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf Ammendment bill Imran Masood on Wednesday said that the Bill which is to be introduced in the Lok Sabha today was dangerous for the whole country. Taking a jibe at the Uttar Pradesh government for declaring 78 per cent of properties including old mosques as government property, Masood said that the Waqf Amendment Bill was overlapping several sections of the Constitution. Speaking to ANI, he said, "I cannot give an example bigger than the Uttar Pradesh government... they declared 78 per cent property as government property...which included several old mosques.. and now this has been given to a designated officer where there is no time limit. This is a very dangerous situation and it is completely overlapping the sections of the Constitution..." Further, he stated that even though the government had said that nothing would happen to Muslims, they had made provisions where a property would not be considered as Waqf until it was investigated by a designated officer. "We are ready for discussion. But I want to tell you the truth. The government is repeatedly saying that nothing will happen to Muslims, but they have made a provision that any property which is government property, in which the government has a stake, is disputed, that property will not be considered a Waqf until it is investigated by a designated officer, the disputed property will no longer be a Waqf..." he further added. Congress MP Manickam Tagore said that the government should not spread fake news further stating that the Waqf Bill was against the Constitution and an attack on it. Speaking to ANI, Tagore said "The government should not spread fake news. This bill is against the Constitution and is an attack on the Constitution..." On the meeting of Congress MPS with Rahul Gandhi, Tagore said that the LoP would give guidance on the strategy of the party. "Today, Congress MPs will have a meeting with Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, and Rahul Gandhi will guide on what will be the strategy of Congress and who will be our speakers," he further said. (ANI) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Jagdambika Pal who was the Chairman of the JPC on the Waqf Ammendment bill on Wednesday said that the Bill, which is going to be tabled in the Parliament for passing, would benefit poor and Pasmanda (backward) Muslims. Labelling it as a "historic day", Pal said that the hard work of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), which took stakeholders in several states in confidence, has paid off. He added that JPC meetings were held and opposition was heard for eight hours every day. "Our hard work has paid off...The government is coming with the bill in an amended form today. This is definitely a historic day. Today, with the passing of this bill, the poor and Pasmanda Muslims are going to benefit...We have conducted the JPC meetings in the last six months. We have heard them (opposition) 8 hours every day," Pal, Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) chairman for the Waqf Amendment Bill, told ANI. Speaking on the opposition to the bill, the BJP MP accused the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) of "politicising" the issue. "Whether it is our opposition or the All India Muslim Personal Law Board appealing to wear black bands in Mosques during the prayer on Ramzan, they are politicising the issue," he said. BJP leader Mohsin Raza on Wednesday expressed gratitude towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the Waqf Amendment Bill is set to be moved in the Parliament, saying that passing of the amendments to Waqf Act would be the biggest "Eidi" for marginalised Muslims. "On behalf of all the downtrodden and backward Muslim brothers and sisters of the country, I thank Prime Minister Modi for this Waqf Amendment Bill. This will be the biggest 'Eidi' from PM Modi for backward Muslims," Raza told ANI. Meanwhile, Congress MP Kiran Kumar Chamala stood firm in opposition, saying that they would oppose the bill if it tried to "de-establish" a particular community. He said the government has agreed to hold an eight-hour debate in Lok Sabha today amid the ongoing budget session. The issues, he added, raised by the opposition members must be considered and not "bulldozed" as it happened in the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for the Waqf Amendment Bill. "Definitely, we will oppose this bill if something in it is against a particular community or trying to de-establish that community. They (the government) have given us eight hours today to discuss it. Our final agenda is that when there is a discussion, the issues raised by the opposition or the ruling should be considered because this is a democratic platform; they should not bulldoze as they did in the JPC," Chamala told ANI. As the parliament is set to convene again today, the legislative business suggests that Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju will move the Waqf Amendment Bill of 2025, which aims to amend the Waqf Act of 1995, for passing. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress are issuing whips to their MPs to ensure their presence in the House. With the parties in the ruling BJP-led National Democratic Alliance and the Opposition INDIA bloc showing no signs of bipartisan consensus building, the outcomes may be decided on the majority numbers on the floor. The bill will be tabled after today's Question Hour for consideration and passing. Following that, an 8-hour discussion will be held, subject to an increase. The bill was presented in the Lok Sabha in August of last year, following which a Joint Parliamentary Committee was formed under Jagdambika Pal's leadership for further consideration. The bill aims to amend the Waqf Act of 1995 to redress the issues and challenges in regulating and managing Waqf properties. The Amendment Bill seeks to improve the administration and management of waqf properties in India. It aims to overcome the shortcomings of the previous Act and enhance the efficiency of Waqf boards by introducing changes such as renaming the Act, updating the definitions of waqf, improving the registration process, and increasing the role of technology in managing waqf records. The Waqf Act of 1995, enacted to regulate Waqf properties, has long been criticised for issues such as mismanagement, corruption, and encroachments. (ANI) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting a meeting to present a memorandum on the concerns surrounding the proposed delimitation. Accompanied by MPs from various parties, MK Stalin seeks to convey their collective stance on this crucial issue for the people of Tamil Nadu. This meeting request follows the resolutions passed by the Joint Action Committee in Chennai, calling for fair delimitation in the state. "Vanakkam. I extend warm greetings from Tamil Nadu and hope this letter finds you well. I write to request an audience with you, along with select Members of Parliament from various political affiliations, to present a Memorandum on Delimitation that emerged from our recent deliberations," said the letter. "On March 22, 2025, Chennai hosted the inaugural Joint Action Committee (JAC) meeting on 'Fair Delimitation' - a historic gathering that brought together Chief Ministers, Deputy Chief Ministers, and prominent leaders representing diverse political ideologies from across India. The voices emerging from our deliberations transcend political boundaries, embodying the concerns of citizens from diverse regions who seek fair representation in our parliamentary democracy," read the letter. Stalin emphasised the urgency of addressing the concerns, stating that it is vital for the well-being of the state and its people and stated he is awaiting an early response from the Centre to schedule the meeting and move forward with discussions on the matter. "As this issue holds significant importance to our states and citizens, I kindly request a meeting with you to formally submit the Memorandum on behalf of the Joint Action Committee. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to your positive response at the earliest," it said. On March 22, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin chaired the first meeting of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) in Chennai over the proposed delimitation issue. The meeting was joined by Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar, Telangana CM Revanth Reddy, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann and other prominent leaders. After the first meeting of the Joint Action Committee on delimitation, a resolution was unanimously adopted, asserting that any delimitation exercise carried out by the Centre should be done "transparently" and after discussion and deliberation with all stakeholders. (ANI) Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong expressed his optimism about the future of China-India relations as the two nations celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties and believes the two nations will advance bilateral relations. In the event titled, 'Riding the East Wind, Setting Sail Anew and Opening a New Chapter in China-India Relations' the Chinese envoy expressed great pleasure for the presence of Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri to join on the 'commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the establishement of China-India diplomatice relations.' "Today, the leaders of China and India exchanged congratulatory messages to mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized that both sides should view and handle China-India relations from a strategic and long-term perspective and seek ways for neighboring major countries to get along in peaceful coexistence, mutual trust and mutual benefit as well as common development," he said. "Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized that the meeting between the two leaders in Kazan was instrumental in laying out a roadmap for our bilateral relations returning to a stable, predictable and amicable path. Progress in our bilateral relations will contribute not only to global stability and prosperity but also to the emergence of a multi-polar world," he added. Highlighting both nations' ability to navigate challenges and continue growing, he affirmed, "Over the past 75 years, despite weathering ups and downs, China-India relations have always surged forward like the Yangtze and the Ganges. One learns from the past in order to understand the future, and follows the right path to go far." https://x.com/China_Amb_India/status/1907107644021862866 He also shared some pictures of the event on X and wrote, "Great pleasure to join Foreign Secretary @VikramMisri and friends from all walks of life to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of #China-India diplomatic relations." "I firmly believe that under the strategic guidance of two leaders and with the joint efforts of two nations, China and India will advance bilateral relations on the track of sound and stable development, so as to contribute to world peace and prosperity," he added. (ANI) Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's exceptional qualities, noting that PM Modi can talk to every leader in the world, adding that he is a "key geopolitical player nowadays." In his remarks at the Rashtrapati Bhawan, he said, President Modi, you have the status nowadays that you can talk to every leader of the world. You're supporting Trump, Zelenskyy, the European Union, and the Latin American leaders in Greece or Iran. That is something that no other leader can say now. So you're a key player in the geopolitical atmosphere nowadays, he said. He also expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome he received in India and stated, "I am here for the first time for a State visit... I want to thank you for the warm welcome that we have received here...for the past 16 years, no one from Chile has come here, and in that 16 years, India has changed a lot." Upon his arrival, President Droupadi Murmu hosted a banquet on Tuesday in honour of Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Further, he stated that 'Chile wants to work on our relationship with India.' "Chile is a country that is connected to the world, and now we want to work on our relationship with India. Today, we have signed several MoUs," he said. Further, he highlighted the significance of his country's relationship with India, emphasizing their shared commitment to strategic autonomy and mutual cooperation. "Chile is a country that is connected to the world. We do not depend on one special country, but we have relationships with China, with the United States, with the European Union, with the countries from our region, Latin America, with the countries from Asia Pacific, Japan, Indonesia, Australia and now we want to work more deep in our relationships with India and we have given some important steps today," President Boric said. "As you said in the meeting that we had with Prime Minister Modi in his third mandate, we have subscribed some agreements and MoUs in such important issues as cultural exchange, Antarctic investigation, Chile is the door for the world to Antarctic continent," he added. At the invitation of PM Modi, the Chilean president is currently on a visit to India from 1-5 April 2025, commemorating the completion of 76 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. President Boric is accompanied by Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Agriculture, Mining, Women and Gender Equality and Cultures, Arts and Heritage, Members of Parliament, Senior Officials and a large number of business leaders. Apart from New Delhi, President Boric will visit Agra, Mumbai and Bengaluru. This is the first visit of President Boric to India. Both President Boric and Prime Minister Modi first met on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro in November 2024, MEA stated. He was accorded a warm and ceremonial welcome on arrival at Air Force Station Palam. PM Modi held bilateral talks with President Boric at Hyderabad House on Tuesday. He met President Droupadi Murmu who also hosted a Banquet in his honour and his accompanying delegation. S Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister of India, called on President Boric. (ANI) Director Tan Jiayan described his new series, "Sandstorm," as both a gripping suspense drama and a social cautionary tale, exploring how choices made in times of hardship ultimately shape people's destinies. A poster for "Sandstorm." [Image courtesy of Youku] "After reading the script, I found it brilliant and deeply literary, exploring the relationships between people and their environment, and between individuals and fate," Tan said. "This is truly a great story." "Sandstorm," directed by Tan and written by Zhao Dongling, stars Duan Yihong, Wang Qiang, Zhang Jianing and Zhang Yao. The online series, which premiered on Youku on March 28, follows two detectives one a seasoned veteran, the other a young newcomer as they reopen an 8-year-old murder case, risking everything to expose the truth. At a March 24 preview, screenwriter Zhao revealed the show was inspired by a prosecutors account of a disturbing case. The image of a charred body retrieved from an industrial boiler became the foundation for the story that examines the human condition under extreme circumstances. Tan highlighted Zhao's admiration for the American series "Fargo," which influenced her storytelling style. He also reflected on the symbolic significance of the series' title: "It suggests how a sandstorm engulfs everything, including the complexities of human nature, leaving it all trapped in the tempest." Set in a small town, "Sandstorm" delves into universal tensions that echo through communities across China. Praised for its suspense and intensity, the series reveals how a close-knit frontier community hides connections that link seemingly unrelated lives with dramatic consequences. "We repeatedly discussed the series' core theme, which is how the environment shapes people's lives," Tan said. "Here, we see some striving to leave this town, while others are forced to stay. Once this theme crystallized, we realized that a desert town would be the ideal setting." The cast and crew of "Sandstorm" ventured deep into the deserts, working in harsh conditions and using a documentary-style approach to capture the region's essence. The landscape also sharpens the series core tensions: light and darkness, secrets and truth, sin and redemption. The rugged landscape is a character in its own right, grounding the story and heightening its emotional depth. The script went through multiple revisions as the team worked to develop each character's arc, including creating a character who writes a book titled "Sandstorm" in the series. "In this small town, some yearn to leave, others choose to stay, and some are forced to remain. These are all ordinary people living on society's margins. Once we understood each character's psychological motivations, their choices and destinies naturally fell into place," Tan explained. Tan was particularly struck by the lead role of a veteran policeman, played by Duan Yihong. The character originally planned to leave the town but is forced to stay due to unforeseen circumstances. Burdened by guilt and self-reproach over his mentor's fate, he opts for self-exile, working at a prairie police station. Years later, when the murder case is reopened, he returns to confront his past and uncover new truths. "What's remarkable about Duan Yihong is that, despite playing many iconic police roles throughout his career, his character in 'Sandstorm' is entirely unique a new archetype unlike anything he's done before. For an actor to consistently reinvent the same profession with such breakthroughs isn't just surprising; it's extraordinary," Tan said. The cast and crew of "Sandstorm" pose for a photo with the audience at a preview event in Beijing, March 24, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Youku] In just 12 episodes, "Sandstorm" weaves together two cases spanning eight years while delving into multiple character arcs, each with fully developed stories. Tan stressed the importance of realist storytelling throughout the creative process. "At its core, realism explores human nature and interpersonal dynamics," Tan said. "Works grounded in realism share a universal truth: They depict a world where characters act according to their own logic and perspectives." Screenwriter Zhao revealed that the story took three years to perfect, from concept to final script. She credited Tan's analytical rigor for strengthening the narratives logic and the cast for bringing emotional depth to their roles. "Ultimately, tragedy should be more than a puzzle to solve it ought to function as a mirror that reflects both our era and human nature," Zhao said. "I hope 'Sandstorm' can serve as that mirror, allowing viewers to see, even after the dust settles, the people caught in the currents of time still struggling to find their way." They discussed global economic developments and their effect on the State of Israel. The Secretary General noted the strength of the Israeli economy and the high-tech sector and said that the OECD expects the Israeli economy to grow faster in the coming year than the global average in general and OECD countries in particular. Also attending the meeting were National Security Council Director Tzachi Hanegbi, National Economic Council Chairman Prof. Avi Simhon and Israeli Ambassador to the OECD Shai Cohen. (ANI/TPS) A press conference in Geneva highlighted growing concerns over the persecution of minorities in Bangladesh, raising questions about impunity, the release of convicted terrorists, and the erosion of the rule of law under the current government. Speakers at the event called for urgent international attention to address the deteriorating human rights situation. A reporter at the conference outlined the alarming situation, stating, "The current situation in Bangladesh is that of impunity, which is rather bothersome. After the current government took over, one of the first things they did was to pass an indemnity. The UN report identifies about 1,400 deaths and the government acknowledges about 800. So, what happened to the other 600 deaths?" The speaker criticised the government's decision to shield those responsible for the killings, adding, "There will be no investigation, trial or punishment for the perpetrators of these deaths. Rule of law means that everyone is to be tried and investigated for murder." The discussion further pointed to the mass release of convicted terrorists, describing it as an attack on the judicial system. The speaker noted, "The government has released from the jails hundreds of terrorists. They have not been released by virtue of obtaining bails, but they've been released by virtue of the fact of a simple executive order. So this is a kind of an atrocity towards the judiciary as well. It's a contempt of court because these terrorists and criminals were convicted by the highest judiciary and put behind bars; and they've just been released unconditionally." This release of prisoners has reportedly fuelled a rise in violent crimes, with minorities and women particularly affected. "Law and order crimes have gone up, crimes against the minorities, crimes against women. And there is a kind of an immunity that's been given to these highest criminals and terrorists. There is just no explanation of this. How can any legitimate government do anything of this nature? The jails are being emptied out by releasing convicts, criminals..." the speaker added. Calls were made for the United Nations and other international bodies to intervene. The speaker emphasised the need for an updated fact-finding mission, explaining, "From the UN and the other international bodies, particularly the UN, there was a fact-finding mission which stopped their fact-finding in the middle of August 2024. We would like to have a report of fact-finding initiative up to date." She noted that the previous UN report "fell short of identifying liability," while the government has instead launched mass murder cases against over 200 journalists, human rights activists, and lawyers. The press conference also highlighted the rise in crimes against women and the lack of accountability. "The amount of rape and eve-teasing that's going on against the women when the women are complaining. These radicals are going to get to the police station and easing up the offender and a total impunity." A final criticism was directed at Bangladesh's interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, who was known for advocating women's empowerment. The reporter stated, "And the silence of Dr Yunus, who we know was working towards empowerment of women. His silence is so very loud and painful." (ANI) TOKYO, Apr 03 (News On Japan) - A deepening labor shortage in Japans construction industry is beginning to impact homebuyers, with some experiencing delays of more than six months before construction can even begin due to a lack of available carpenters. The number of carpenters has dropped to a third of its 1980 peak, with projections showing further decline. Younger workers make up less than 20% of the industry, and many quit due to long hours and low pay. Smaller contractors struggle most, unable to hire or train replacements due to limited resources. This shortage has also led to construction defects, as over 70% of new homes inspected in the past six years were found to have issues. Builders report being forced to cut corners due to tight deadlines and insufficient manpower. Some companies are trying to recruit the next generationthrough school outreach and by hiring apprentices, including foreign workers like a Taiwanese woman training to be a carpenter. However, unless the industrys working conditions improve significantly, experts warn that within 20 years, Japan may not have enough skilled workers to build homes at all. Source: YOMIURI OSAKA, Apr 03 (News On Japan) - Cherry blossoms are now in full bloom. On April 2nd, crowds gathered along the Okawa River in Osaka to enjoy the hanami season. While spring typically lifts spirits, this years celebrations come with a pinch.While moods may be rising, so are prices. According to Weathernews, the average budget for hanami gatherings across Japan this year is 2,997 yenup 166 yen from last year and the highest in seven years. The pressure of rising costs is especially visible in the pricing of alcohol. At a supermarket in Osaka, signs urged shoppers to buy alcohol in advance, warning of upcoming price increases once current inventories run out. Major beer manufacturers have already implemented price hikes from the beginning of April, raising prices on over 200 items, including beer and chu-hi, by 3% to 12%. Customers expressed frustration, noting how prices for nearly everything seem to be climbing, leaving them with fewer options to enjoy simple pleasures. These developments are part of a broader trend. According to data from Teikoku Databank, more than 4,000 food items are expected to rise in price this month alone. For businesses like Fresh Market Aoi, the increased cost of goods is compounded by surging operational expenses such as electricity, labor, and shipping. President Toshihito Uchida explained that while product prices can be adjusted, many of the companys overhead costs cannot be directly passed on to consumers. As a result, profit margins shrink, making it more difficult for companies to remain sustainable. Jasmine Harris, a nonprofit executive, and Terry Brewer, an Omaha church pastor, trailed in the polls. With the advantages of incumbency, it was widely assumed Stothert first elected in 2013 and then twice reelected was likely to win Tuesdays primary. The question was who else would advance as the field was winnowed down to two. McDonnell for decades was a Democrat but switched to Republican in 2023 after he was censured by the state party for his vote in the Legislature to restrict abortions. However, McDonnell, a former Omaha fire chief and longtime union leader, ran a campaign that appeared to try to break across traditional partisan lines, creating an unusual political coalition. He enjoyed the support of union Democrats, and he touted his support from former Democratic Mayor Mike Fahey and former Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Kerrey. He also made a play for conservative voters and MAGA Republicans by strongly criticizing Stothert over the $389 million midtown streetcar. McDonnell has criticized the hundreds of millions of dollars in tax-increment financing that is paying for its construction and promised to put the question of whether to proceed with the project up for a public vote. Stothert has countered that the only disaster would be if the city were to try to stop the project that is already years down the tracks. She noted the city and the public streetcar authority that will operate it have already spent tens of millions on the project and contracted for tens of millions more. Were the city to stop it now, she said, lawsuits would be filed against the city and the citys bond rating would suffer, and taxpayers would be stuck with millions in losses. She has touted the streetcar as a tool that is helping to attract billions of dollars in private development to the citys core those development dollars also harnessed through TIF to pay for it without a general tax increase. Ewing, Harris and Brewer all have shared the view that its too late and fiscally irresponsible to stop the streetcar now, with the proper focus being on making it as successful as possible. Flatwater Free Press reported the transit line would cost $6.4 million a year to operates, paid for by parking fees, according to the Omaha Streetcar Authority. The project is estimated to cost Omaha $389 million, Flatwater reported, with $70 million in infrastructure improvements to be paid by others, with the city estimated it will generate at least $940 million in revenue. The news outlet received a letter from the city stating that, if the streetcar project was canceled, the city would need to make cuts and raise taxes to pay contractors. The citys savings would be destroyed and any revenue would go toward paying debts. Now that appears unlikely, which also leaves the door open for Council Bluffs to build a streetcar line that connects to Omaha. Doing so likely would need a new bridge built across the Missouri River, and Council Bluffs officials have been meeting to determine the feasibility of such a project including the impact to potential federal funding under President Donald Trump's administration. Council Bluffs has not committed to the streetcar project, but Mayor Matt Walsh has advocated for it. Walsh argues, like Stothert, that the streetcar would generate additional revenue for Council Bluffs and generate development. You've got an opportunity that in Omaha we wish we had, Steve Jensen, the City of Omaha's former planning director, told the Council Bluffs City Council at a January meeting. "You don't have any utilities under that First Avenue corridor, like we do in Omaha. And that is a very, very expensive and very time-consuming cost for us." Never let the guy with the broom decide how many elephants can be in the parade. Even if I was the guy with the broom, Id have 10 elephants. Youve got to love a parade, and if you or your kids or your grandkids havent already done so, this is the year to be part of the walking party cal China's Ministry of Commerce announced on Wednesday that it would extend the duration of an anti-dumping investigation into brandy originating from the European Union (EU). Given the complexity of the case and in accordance with relevant regulations, the ministry has decided to further extend the probe until July 5, 2025, the ministry said in a statement on its website. The ministry initiated the investigation on Jan. 5 last year, following a request from the China Alcoholic Drinks Association on behalf of the domestic industry. Last December, the investigation was extended until April 5 this year. The anti-dumping investigation looks at spirits obtained by distilling grape wine in containers holding less than 200 liters imported from Oct. 1, 2022 to Sept. 30, 2023, according to the ministry. Since Oct. 11 last year, China has imposed temporary anti-dumping measures on brandy originating from the EU. In recent years, the Gulf monarchies have pivoted towards a more geo-economic strategy in Africa, diversifying their engagements from security and political interests to economic development, says a new report by the European Council on Foreign Relation (ECFR), noting that the Gulf expansion could also exacerbate the ongoing decline in European involvement in the continent. This shift, which began in the late 2010s, focuses heavily on the continents energy and infrastructure sectors, areas where Africas needs align with Gulf states ambitions to diversify their economies beyond oil. According to the ECFRs report, the Gulf countries, mainly Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, have historically been active in North and East Africa, but recent geopolitical dynamics, including the Covid-19 pandemic and the global shift towards renewable energy, have accelerated their investment in sub-Saharan Africa. African governments, seeking alternatives to traditional Western partnerships, have welcomed Gulf states flexible and rapid deployment of funding and development projects. These states offer investments that are more strategic and aligned with both political and economic interests, fostering strong relationships with African governments. However, the Gulf states increasing presence raises concerns for European influence in the region. The European Union, while still Africas largest trading partner, faces growing competition from China, Russia, and now the Gulf states. This challenge could diminish Europes ability to maintain its political and economic ties with African nations. Yet, there are opportunities for collaboration. Europes technological expertise and the Gulfs financial resources could complement each other, particularly in areas like renewable energy and workforce development, ensuring a mutually beneficial future for both regions in Africas economic transformation. The EU and its member states will have to work with Gulf states in Africa, says the report, adding that if they fail to do so, their political and economic decline on the continent could accelerate. Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have introduced a 0.5% tariff on goods imported from third countries, a move aimed at financing their activities within the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). This new tax, named the AES confederal levy, will apply to products entering the three countries but will exclude goods from other AES members, as well as those from the West African Economic and Monetary Union (Uemoa). Despite their exit from ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) in January 2025, Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso remain part of Uemoa, and their products will not be affected by this levy. The decision, signed by Assimi Goita, the Head of Malis military junta and AES chair, was implemented to ensure financial independence for the Confederation. The tax mirrors a similar levy that was previously imposed at the external borders of ECOWAS, but instead of returning the funds to the regional body, they will now be retained by the AES countries to support their confederations operations. According to Malis Minister of Economy, the tax will not increase the cost of imported food products for local consumers, though uncertainties remain regarding the impact on goods from non-Uemoa countries such as Ghana and Nigeria. This move follows a growing sentiment within the AES countries, with protests in support of their departure from ECOWAS, as they seek to assert greater control over their economic and political decisions. The introduction of this tariff marks a significant step in the countries efforts to finance their initiatives and reduce reliance on external entities. Nigers military junta, which took power in a coup in July 2023, has released around 50 individuals, including former government ministers and soldiers linked to past coup attempts, following recommendations from a national conference in February. Those freed include high-profile figures such as former oil minister Mahamane Sani Issoufou, ex-defense minister Kalla Moutari, and former finance minister Ahmat Jidoud. Also released were journalist Ousmane Toudou and former ambassador Alat Mogaskia. However, ousted democratically elected president Mohamed Bazoum remains in detention, despite international calls for his release. The junta has lifted his immunity but has not set a trial date, with charges related to undermining state security pending against him. Bazoums continued imprisonment marks a point of contention for global powers seeking his release. The release of these detainees aligns with the juntas strategy of national reconciliation, following a conference held in February that confirmed General Abdourahamane Tianis rule for the next five years. Tiani, who came to power in the coup, has expressed his commitment to national unity but has faced criticism for suppressing political opposition and defying international pressure. The junta has also severed ties with France and expelled foreign troops, deepening its alliance with Mali and Burkina Faso, and strengthening relations with Russia. The political and security landscape in Niger remains tense as the junta asserts its control, with no immediate plans for a return to civilian governance. The foreign ministers of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger are set to visit Moscow this week to deepen their strategic partnership with Russia, marking a significant shift in the regions diplomatic and security landscape. The visit, scheduled for 3-4 April, represents the first-ever AES-Russia consultations following the establishment of the Confederation of Sahel States (AES) in 2024. These three West African nations, all governed by military juntas after a series of coups between 2020 and 2023, have distanced themselves from former colonial power France and regional body ECOWAS, pivoting instead towards Russia for military and political support. This realignment is largely driven by ongoing jihadist insurgencies that have claimed thousands of lives across the Sahel. The AES described the upcoming visit as an important step in advancing strategic cooperation under the blocs Year 1 Roadmap, currently chaired by Mali. The AES ministers are expected to meet with their Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov to discuss enhanced cooperation in areas including security, defense, and economic development. Russia has already provided military assistance through its Wagner Group, and the three Sahel states have signed defense agreements with Moscow. They are also collaborating on energy and mining projects. The visit comes after the AES withdrew from multiple international organizations and announced a joint 5,000-strong military force to combat regional terrorism. By engaging with Russia, the Sahel nations aim to bolster their security efforts and assert greater independence from Western influence while strengthening ties with a key global power. Massad Boulos, newly appointed senior advisor for Africa at the US State Department, is set to begin a diplomatic mission to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Rwanda, Kenya, and Uganda. The trip, which starts on 3 March, aims to foster peace in eastern DRC, where M23 rebels continue their offensive, and encourage increased U.S. private sector investment in the region. Boulos, a Lebanese-born American businessman and the father-in-law of Tiffany Trump, who will be accompanied by deputy assistant secretary of state for African affairs, Corina Sanders, will engage with heads of state and business leaders to advance the U.S. agenda for regional stability and economic cooperation. His visit comes at a time of heightened tensions in the DRC, where the conflict over mineral-rich territories has drawn international attention. Boulos background in the business sector, especially his extensive experience in West Africa, is expected to facilitate discussions on potential partnerships in the regions crucial mining sector. The U.S. has shown interest in the DRCs vast mineral resources, including cobalt and lithium, which are critical to global energy and technological transitions. The Trump administrations America First approach is focused on strengthening bilateral ties, especially as Chinas influence in Africa grows. Boulos visit signals a renewed American focus on Africa, with particular attention on ensuring stability in the DRC amidst its ongoing security challenges. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have agreed to direct peace talks, set to take place on 9 April in Doha, Qatar. This marks a significant step towards resolving one of Central Africas most enduring and violent conflicts, which has displaced hundreds of thousands of people and caused widespread destruction in the region. The talks, facilitated by Qatar, are expected to focus on key issues such as the withdrawal of M23 forces from occupied territories, the reintegration of rebel fighters, and broader security concerns in eastern DRC. These negotiations will be the first direct discussions between the two parties since M23s rapid offensive, which captured the DRCs two largest eastern cities earlier this year. The conflict between the DRC and the M23 rebels, which has deep historical roots and is fueled by regional competition for mineral resources, has seen multiple mediation efforts, including the Nairobi and Luanda processes. However, these past initiatives struggled to make headway due to persistent clashes and mutual distrust. Qatars mediation, following a series of preliminary meetings, offers renewed hope for peace. While Rwanda denies supporting the M23 rebels, the conflict continues to strain relations between the DRC and its eastern neighbors. The outcome of the Doha talks could pave the way for a long-awaited resolution to the crisis. The Libyan National Oil Corporation (NOC) is facing growing pressure to settle its refined oil products import bills as the countrys long-standing barter system comes to an end. While fuel imports continued into Libya in March, the NOC remains unable to pay for these supplies, a situation compounded by the countrys declining oil revenues. The Libyan Central Bank has expressed concern over the sharp drop in crude oil revenues, which has severely impacted the countrys finances. For years, Libya has relied on a barter system to secure fuel imports, trading crude oil for refined products in an arrangement that has allowed the NOC to avoid immediate cash payments. However, with this system now coming to a close, the NOC finds itself in a difficult financial position. The inability to pay for essential fuel imports is further exacerbating the already strained energy sector and complicating the countrys efforts to stabilize its economy. The fall in crude oil revenues has been particularly alarming for the Libyan Central Bank, which has warned that without a recovery in oil income, Libya may face further economic challenges. The countrys political instability, ongoing conflict, and the collapse of critical infrastructure have already placed immense strain on its oil sector, and these recent developments only add to the growing economic uncertainty. As the NOC struggles to manage the fallout from the end of the barter system, Libyas energy sector remains at a crossroads, with urgent steps needed to secure financial stability and prevent further deterioration of services. Fierce battles broke out on Tuesday April 1 between the Sudanese army and the rival paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), in El-Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan state in southern Sudan. Military sources reported that the army inflicted significant losses on the RSF, targeting their troops and equipment, which forced the RSF forces to retreat from key positions in the city. Clashes, involving heavy artillery, began early in the morning in the western parts of El-Obeid, with residents witnessing intense fighting. However, the situation calmed later in the day, though the RSF has yet to comment on the armys claims of victory. The armys actions follow a series of territorial gains across Sudan in recent weeks, including the recapture of major sites like Khartoums airport and security headquarters. The ongoing conflict, which has raged since April 2023, has resulted in over 20,000 deaths and displaced millions. International organizations, including the UN, have expressed grave concerns over the humanitarian crisis, with fears of famine and widespread suffering. As the army continues to gain ground, the RSFs territorial control is rapidly diminishing across Sudan. This aerial photo taken on Dec. 15, 2023 shows the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge in south China. [Photo/Xinhua] A Chinese government spokesperson on Tuesday strongly opposed and sternly condemned the so-called U.S. "Hong Kong Policy Act Report," and the so-called sanctions on relevant officials of the Chinese central government and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) government. The spokesperson for the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council denounced the so-called report, which smears and vilifies Hong Kong's national security legislation, and the so-called sanctions, as "mere pieces of waste paper." The egregious act of the United States has grossly trampled on international law and basic norms governing international relations, interfered in China's internal affairs including those related to Hong Kong, and infringed on the rule of law and judicial independence of Hong Kong, said the spokesperson. This once again exposed the hegemonic mentality and hysterical behavior of the United States to the whole world, the spokesperson added. The national security law in Hong Kong and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance have strengthened the legal barrier for Hong Kong to ensure national security, enhanced the solid foundation for the steady and continued success of the "one country, two systems" policy, and protected the law-based rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents under a safe environment, the spokesperson said. The United States has repeatedly violated freedom, democracy and human rights under the pretext of national security, the spokesperson said, adding that rather than reflecting upon itself, the United States points fingers at the legitimate actions of the Hong Kong SAR to safeguard national security. This lays bare the U.S. hypocrisy and double-standard as well as its vicious intention of destabilizing Hong Kong to contain China, said the spokesperson. The so-called report and sanctions by the U.S. can not shake the determination of the Chinese central government and the Hong Kong SAR government to safeguard national security and the rule of law in Hong Kong, stressed the spokesperson. Hong Kong's increasingly secure and stable development environment continues to attract growing investment from global capital and businesses. A series of economic and financial events held in Hong Kong over the past week had gathered a number of top international investors, demonstrating the global community's confidence in the city, the spokesperson said. The Chinese central government has always firmly supported the Hong Kong SAR in safeguarding national security and its prosperity and stability according to the law, the spokesperson said, stressing that it also resolutely supports relevant officials of the Hong Kong SAR government in fulfilling their duties according to the law, and spares no effort in protecting their legitimate rights and interests. Any attempt to block the progress of the cause of "one country, two systems" will be vigorously countered, said the spokesperson. In Algeria, the president speaking before MPs called French-Algerian novelist Boualem Sansal a thief sent by France, an imposter, and a bastard, in prejudicial comments that say much about the use of the judiciary to silence dissidents in the country where terrorism charges have often been used to crackdown on peaceful opposition figures. Few days after a court sentenced Sansal to five years in jail, a joint statement by President Tebboune and President Macron referred to the novelist as Mister Boualem Sansal. Macron had reiterated in the joint statement his call on Tebboune to show humanity to release Sansal for his old age and frail health. Sansal was arrested in November in Algiers after his return from France where he had given an interview mentioning the colonial origins of Algerias current borders, which include territories amputated by France from Morocco. His statement, a mere historical fact, triggered the wrath of the Algerian regime upon him. Algerian media indulged in calling Sansal a traitor and a bastard in a spate of insults that did not spare his parents. Sansal stood before Algerian judges defending his right to free speech in the absence of his lawyer Francois Zimeray, who was denied a visa to Algeria because of his Jewish faith. Sansals case unveiled the impulsive character of the Algerian regime. It showed the scale of oppression faced by regime peaceful critics, the politically-motivated character of his arrest and trial, the failure of the regime to create a new falsified national narrative and the constant fear of history which shows the artificial dimension of Algerias current borders. His condemnation also reflects the scale of hostility to Morocco and to anyone who speaks in support of normal ties with Rabat. Yet, referring to the novelist as Mister Boualem Sansal in the joint statement shows that Tebboune has bowed before president Macron. Algeria has finally conceded defeat following a row it has started with France since July last year, when President Macron recognized the Sahara territory as part of Moroccos sovereignty. Ahead of the deadline set by the French government for Algeria to cooperate on migration or else risk retaliatory measures, the Algerian President had a phone conversation with Macron, followed by a joint statement indicating the end of the crisis without Algeria achieving its goal: a French volt face on the Sahara issue. The statement announces the immediate resumption of cooperation on security and migration issues and included a call by Macron to Tebboune to show humanity towards Mister Boualem Sansal, a dual national novelist, arrested for having mentioned the colonial origins of Algerias French-drawn borders at Moroccos expense. The statement announced an upcoming visit by French foreign and justice ministers to Algiers to continue dialogue. Nowhere in the statement the Sahara issue, the origin of the dispute, was mentioned. Algeria has withdrawn its ambassador from Paris, accused France of conspiring against Algerian security and of manipulating terrorism, declined to take back its nationals deported for having violated French laws, instigated its henchmen influencers against France and attempted to use its large diaspora in France to unsettle Paris politically, using its far-left relics. As with a two-year crisis with Spain, Algeria patched up the dispute it had started with France without achieving its goal of getting Paris to backpedal on its recognition on the Sahara issue. France made it clear that its bilateral ties with Morocco are none of Algerias business and that Algerias use of the Sahara issue as a foreign policy mantra has failed. The Algerian escalation with Spain and France further shows to the whole world that Algiers is the real party to the conflict. Frances tough stance regarding Algerias interference in French sovereign decisions has paid back. Prior to this humiliating defeat in its row with France, the Algerian president had said that his point of contact was Macron and that Frances support for Morocco on the Sahara issue did not bother Algeria. His statement announced Algerias failure to use tension and blackmail in reaction to sovereign decisions by powerful states. But it indicates that Algeria is the real party to the conflict overshadowing its Polisario separatist proxies. From Polar, viewer of ZOZOZO channel, there was a rumour spreading around in their school that there were several weird photos of a house lying around at a haunting spot in an abandoned shrine, deep in mountain. And if you pick those photos up, you will die. No person was shot in those photos, but behind them are written a name Takagaki. However, when ZOZOZO team got to where was supposed to be the haunting spot, only 3 photos were found, and one of them appears to have legs shown in it. A few weeks later, they found out where the house was and who the owner is. Surprisingly, the owners name wasnt Takagaki and is actually Yamamura (pseudonym), and the house itself in the photos has been abandoned for years. Yamamura revealed that, even though the house was actually where she used to live as a child along with her younger brother, she had no idea who Takagaki was. After Yamamuras parents passed away, her brother, who then lived alone in that house, told Yamamura that he heard sutra chanting. He decided to sell the house, so he took photos inside and even sent documents to real estate agent. Unfortunately not long after that, he took his own life in that house. Since then, Yamamura had decided to never step in her old house, and it is still being sold on the market to this day. The team got the house key from Yamamura and went to investigate. The inside, even though had been abandoned for years, is still in a good shape with furniture and household appliances. They found a family photo album and three portraits of the deceased, assumed to be Yamamuras parents and her brothers, put upside down on a table (usually the portraits would be displayed in an altar or somewhere else properly). They continued to explore the house and found a staircase to the second floor, similar to one of the photos that has legs appeared. They also found an incense stick remains around the stairs, which was assumed to be where Yamamuras brother took his own life. They attempted at recreating the stair photo, but found it incredibly difficult and weird to do so. ZOZOZO team then came to the conclusion: perhaps the photos that were scattered around the mountain, were NOT shot by Yamamuras brother; it could have been someone else since the condition of the house is the same as in photos when they arrived at the place. Those photos might actually have been accident scene, for police to investigate, not for the real estate agent. Before returning the house key to Yamamura, they went back to the house again to check Yamamuras brother and their parents faces, since only two people of the team saw the portraits of the deceased on the night of the investigation. None of the portraits matches any person in the family album. NIOSH Faces Major Layoffs Amid HHS Restructuring, Slashing Two-Thirds of Workforce Agency to cut 873 positions in federal overhaul, impacting research on worker safety nationwide. HHS is laying off approximately 873 staff members at the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), which represents roughly two-thirds of the employees. NIOSH studies worker safety and health and its findings are used by various federal and state agencies, as well as the private sector and academia, to protect workers. According to CBS News, multiple unnamed federal health officials confirmed that the cuts were part of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) s plan for a dramatic restructuring of the agency and its various subordinate agencies and programs, such as NIOSH. The entire overhaul is expected to impact 10,000 HHS employees. The bulk of the cuts would affect NIOSHs Pittsburgh and Spokane offices, with 200 NIOSH employees anticipated to be impacted, according to a notice sent to the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE). Also, NIOSHs Morgantown, W. Va. office would loose 185 employees in the HHS restructuring, according to a Reduction in Force (RIF) notice sent to the AFGE Local 3430. The probable effective date for the layoffs would be June 30. Its been devastating, Local 3430 President Cathy Tinney-Zara told WVRC MetroNews. You dont go into public health for no reasonyou care about the public. Were here for a mission, and its just being destroyed. Another NIOSH location to be impacted would be roughly 165 NIOSH employees in Cincinnati, according to Micah Niemeier-Walsh, vice president of the AFGE Local 3840, who described the cuts as chaotic. Trump and Musk just fired hundreds of NIOSH employees in Cincinnati, Rep. Greg Landsman (D-Ohio), the districts congressperson, posted on X. These folks go to work every day to protect our workers from disease and injuries. Trump and Musk just fired hundreds of NIOSH employees in Cincinnati. These folks go to work every day to protect our workers from disease and injuries. This administration is intentionally creating unemployment in SW Ohio and all across this country - and making us less healthy https://t.co/w1J5g0uXjo Congressman Greg Landsman (@RepGregLandsman) April 1, 2025 All employees are to be impacted, including the National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory, which tests and approves PPE, as well as NIOSHs Mining Program, which studies safety and health for mine workers. News of the layoffs was preceded by headlines that NIOSH had paused all new health hazard evaluation probes and imposed travel communication restrictions after the Trump administration took over. Team Awarded AIHA Microgrant to Advance Worker Health and Safety in Emerging Economies The team earned an AIHA microgrant to support innovative worker health and safety efforts in developing nations. Can a school in a village in Western Kenya inspire a public health revolution? Thanks to support from the AIHA Emerging Economies Microgrant Advisory Group, this school may be the first of many to benefit from a new water purification system. Recently, the team was awarded an Emerging Economy Microgrant from AIHA, a non-profit committed to identifying, evaluating, and controlling health hazards in the workplace. The AIHA Emerging Economies Microgrant Advisory Group provides funding for education and research projects promoting health and safety for workers in economically developing nations. The people living and working in Nyamesocho Village are among the two to four billion people worldwide lacking access to safe drinking water. At a primary school there, a University of British Columbia team led by Professor Sara Beck and research associate Paul Onkundi Nyangaresi is piloting an innovative water treatment system that uses ultraviolet (UV) light to disinfect water. While traditional methods like chlorine treatment or boiling water can be costly, impractical, and unsafe, UV technology offers a compact, energy-efficient alternative without affecting taste. UV disinfection uses a specific wavelength range of energy to disrupt the DNA of disease-causing pathogens, preventing them from replicating and spreading. The same technology is already used in major metropolitan areas like New York City, home to a disinfection plant that treats two billion gallons of water daily for nine million people. Bringing similar solutions to small villages could reduce the impact of common, preventable waterborne diseases, dramatically improving public health and industrial hygiene. After experiencing the impact of safe drinking water during a summer working in Uganda, Beck left her career as a NASA flight controller to focus on this critical issue. For her colleague, Paul Okundi Nyangaresi, the work is personal. Raised in the same region of Western Kenya as their current project, Nyangaresi witnessed the severe and sometimes fatal impact of unsafe water. He was the first in his village to attend university and then continued his education abroad, earning a doctorate degree. Together, Beck and Nyangaresi are bridging the gap between knowledge and practice by researching the efficacy of UV disinfection in underserved areas. Recently, the team was awarded an Emerging Economy Microgrant from AIHA, a non-profit committed to identifying, evaluating, and controlling health hazards in the workplace. The AIHA Emerging Economies Microgrant Advisory Group provides funding for education and research projects promoting health and safety for workers in economically developing nations. The schools water purification project is the first of hopefully many collaborations between AIHA and the International Ultraviolet Association (IUVA), which focuses on using ultraviolet technology for improving public health and protecting the environment. The two organizations joined in a memorandum of understanding, uniting in their commitment to global health and safety. With continued support and innovation, projects like the one described here could serve as a blueprint for providing clean, safe drinking water to millions around the world. More information about the Emerging Economy Microgrants Program is available on the AIHA website . The global rollout of 5G wireless networks over the past five or so years has been a bit of a mixed bag of success. On one hand, 5G has achieved significant advancements, notably in faster speeds, lower latency, and increased network capacity, enabling new applications like enhanced streaming, gaming, and remote medical services, as well as supporting industries like smart cities and autonomous vehicles. While 4G usually tops out at ~100 megabits per second (Mbps), 5G pushes that to a sizzling 10 gigabits per second (Gbps), with latencies of 1 millisecond compared to 30-70 milliseconds for 4G (latency is the delay before data transfer begins following an instruction). However, the slow adoption of 5G for industrial automation, coupled with limited additional revenue opportunities, has pushed scientists and researchers to develop the next generation of wireless communication standards. If 5G was an upgrade, 6G promises to be a revolutionary one, unleashing unprecedented possibilities by accelerating the major selling points of 5G: ultra-reliable and low-latency communications (URLLC), enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) and massive machine-type communications (mMTC). According to Peter Vetter, President at Nokia Bell Labs Core Research, 6G, ...will enable digitalphysical fusion at a much larger scale and at a higher level of sophistication than possible with 5G. Related: Resource Limits Push World Economy Towards Shrinkage The researchers say that 6G networks wont just be AI-assisted like 5G; rather, they will be AI-native, meaning they will incorporate AI into their design, deployment and end-to-end operations, allowing us to reap the benefits of this technology to its fullest. 6G networks will have far superior performance and capabilities, including speeds of up to 1 terabit per second (Tbps)--a hundred times faster than maximum 5G speeds thanks to an expanded spectrum, with 50% less energy consumption, lower latency, and higher device density. Indeed, the sub-millisecond latency of 6G networks will open up possibilities for real-time applications that are impractical with 5G, including precision medical procedures and real-time holographic communication. 6G is also likely to fuel the growth of extended reality (XR), including virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR). 6G is expected to play a critical role in advancing autonomous vehicles and drones. These systems rely heavily on real-time data exchange for navigation, safety protocols and obstacle avoidance. By leveraging ultra-low latency and high bandwidth of 6G networks, autonomous vehicles will be able to make split-second decisions based on data from cameras, sensors, and other connected devices. By using real-time data processing, drones will be used in applications such as delivery services, disaster response, and surveillance. Meanwhile, 6G will accelerate the rise of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, or Industry 4.0. Factories, production lines and warehouses will be equipped with connected devices and sensors communicating in real-time to optimize operations. 6G will support the integration of smart robots that are capable of working collaboratively with humans and other machines in the manufacturing process. Finally, 6G networks will accelerate the use of AI in exploration and predictive maintenance in the oil and gas sector. Energy companies are increasingly deploying AI tools to digitize records, analyze vast troves of data and geological maps, and potentially identify problems such as excessive equipment use or pipeline corrosion. One such company is Dutch energy giant Shell Plc (NYSE:SHEL). In 2023, Shell announced plans to use AI-based technology from big-data analytics firm SparkCognition in its deep sea exploration and production in a bid to improve operational efficiency and speed as well as boost production. According to Bruce Porter, chief science officer for Texas-based SparkCognition, Generative AI for seismic imaging has broad and far-reaching implications, adding that the technology can dramatically cut exploration timelines from nine months to less than nine days. Back in 2018, the company partnered with Microsoft to incorporate the Azure C3 Internet of Things platform in its offshore operations. The platform uses AI to drive efficiencies across the companys offshore infrastructure, from drilling and extraction to employee empowerment and safety. The new wireless standard will also help energy companies to build more efficient private networks. Private networks are purpose-built, high-performing wireless LANs that are more reliable, secure, and cost-effective compared to public cellular or Wi-Fi. Private networks are playing a critical role in the digital transformation of oil and gas industries by providing reliable, secure, and agile connectivity capable of supporting the adoption, use and scaling of new technologies. By using private networks, oil and gas companies are able to connect remote locations and convert and unify legacy systems without replacing their hardware. By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Mexicos energy sector is undergoing a dramatic transformation, which was announced on the 87th anniversary of the original oil expropriation by Lazaro Cardenas. These new leyes secundarias will substantially alter the path set by the 2013 energy reforms that opened the industry to private and foreign investment. Former President Enrique Pena Nietos government promised that inviting private companies into oil, gas and electricity production would modernize infrastructure, reduce costs and boost efficiency. However, this free-market approach clashed with the nationalist vision of his successor, former President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO), who saw foreign involvement as a threat to Mexicos sovereignty. Under current President Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico is cementing AMLOs legacy with new secondary laws that place energy firmly back in state hands. These reforms significantly strengthen Pemex and the Federal Commission of Electricity (CFE) which the government hopes will reshape the industry and spark economic growth. The most significant shift is the return of state dominance in energy production and distribution. Pemex, the state-owned oil giant, has been granted more substantial control over joint ventures, ostensibly making it easier to partner with private firms while keeping decision-making power within the government. Meanwhile, CFEs role in electricity generation has been reinforced, with new rules ensuring that at least 54% of Mexicos electricity must come from the state utility, regardless of market competition. Even more controversially, electricity from private producersincluding those using renewable energyis now second in line, meaning the government prioritizes CFEs power supply over cleaner, cheaper alternatives. These changes dismantle the competitive energy market created in 2013, ensuring the state holds the reins, no matter the cost. A keyand contentiousaspect of the reforms is the elimination of independent regulators, such as the Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE) and the National Hydrocarbons Commission (CNH). These agencies were initially set up to ensure fair competition and transparency, acting as watchdogs that could keep state and private energy players in check. Now, government ministries will absorb their responsibilities, which critics warn could increase corruption and inefficiency. The administration claims this move cuts costs and streamlines decision-making, but skeptics fear it removes critical oversight and makes energy policy more vulnerable to political interference. One of the most intriguing aspects of these reforms is their approach to renewable energy. Unlike AMLO, who largely ignored clean energy in favor of oil and gas, President Sheinbaum presents herself as an environmentalist and wants Mexico to expand its wind, solar and hydroelectric capacity. However, under these new laws, CFEnot private companieswill lead this transition. While this maintains state control, it may slow innovation and investment, as private renewable energy firms now face uncertain regulations and reduced incentives. Mexico has vast potential for green energy, but it remains unclear whether these policies will help or hinder its progress toward a sustainable future. The real question is whether these reforms will benefit Mexico in the long run. On the one hand, the government argues that restoring state control protects Mexicos resources from foreign exploitation and ensures that profits benefit Mexican citizens. On the other, outside observers note that removing competition and transparency could lead to inefficiencies, increased costs and an unreliable energy supply. Investors are already wary, with some reconsidering their presence in Mexico due to the unpredictable regulatory environment. Whether this bold energy shift succeeds or struggles will depend on how well the government manages state-run companies, energy demand and the transition to renewables. One thing is clear: Mexicos energy future has taken a sharp turn, and the world is watching. By W. Schreiner Parker, Managing Director for Latin America at Rystad Energy More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Indias crude oil imports from the United States jumped by 67% in March from a month earlier as Indian refiners scrambled to replace Russian volumes and the U.S. pushed for India and other major trade partners to buy more American energy. Indias U.S. crude oil imports thus jumped to about 244,000 barrels per day (bpd) last month, up from 146,000 bpd in February, Indian outlet Economic Times reports, citing data from energy cargo tracking firm Vortexa. India is now buying more U.S. oil as the country is looking to reduce its huge trade surplus with the United States. India is even weighing the option to scrap its import tax on American liquefied natural gas to increase U.S. LNG imports and reduce its trade surplus with the United States, sources from Indian industry and government told Reuters last week. India will aim to buy more American oil and LNG to reduce the surplus and avoid potential tariffs from President Trump, the fast-growing Asian economy said in February. India is likely to significantly increase its energy purchases from the U.S., Indias Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said in February in Washington after a meeting between President Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. I think we purchased about $15 billion in US energy output, Bloomberg quoted Misri as telling a news conference. There is a good chance that this figure will go up as much as $25 billion, the Indian official added. While Indias crude oil imports from the U.S. jumped in March, imports of Russian crude also rose by 11% from February to 1.66 million bpd last month, according to the data reported by Economic Times. Following lower purchases earlier this year in the immediate aftermath of the January U.S. sanctions on Russias oil trade, Indian imports of Russian crude rebounded in March. Traders booked more non-sanctioned tankers to deliver crude to India, while the price of Russias flagship Urals grade dropped last month to below the $60 per barrel price cap by the G7, allowing shipments involving Western companies. India will continue to buy Russian oil if it is sold below the $60 per barrel price cap and delivered on non-sanctioned tankers and without any involvement of sanctioned companies or individuals, Indian officials have said. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Indias NTPC, the countrys largest power utility, is looking for partners to help it build 15 GW of new nuclear capacity, Reuters has reported, citing tender documents. Partnering with a foreign company was made possible by recent amendments to Indian nuclear energy legislation that previously did not allow for foreign investment in Indian nuclear energy or participation in the construction of nuclear power capacity. There are two laws that have made it impossible for non-Indianand privatecompanies to take part in the subcontinents nuclear industry. One was the Atomic Energy Act from 1962, which does not allow private investment in nuclear energy. The other was the much more recent Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act from 2010, which blocked foreign company participation in Indian nuclear energy. The amendments were made with a view to India making progress on its energy transition plans that, like pretty much everywhere else, would require a solid boost in nuclear generation capacity, since nuclear offers electricity that is both emission-free and also reliable, rather than weather-dependent. India has some 8 GW in nuclear capacity right now, so the planned 15 GW will be a significant increase on that. Plans are to have the total rise to 20 GW by 2032 and further to 100 GW by 2047. NTPC alone wants to build 30 GW of new nuclear capacity by 2045. This is going to cost an estimated $62 billion, according to an earlier Reuters report. Currently, the countrys largest power utility operates mostly coal-fired power plants. India has set itself a target to have 500 GW of non-hydrocarbon generation capacity by 2030 as it seeks to diversify away from oil and gas. Still, nuclear will remain instrumental for its transition plansand possibly plans to reduce its dependence on imported oil and gas, which is rather substantial. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com A woman displays the Spring Festival decoration she made at a cultural experience event in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Jan. 18, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua] China is accelerating the digitalization of ancient texts and boosting access to oracle bone script data, aiming to integrate cultural heritage with digital Chinese, officials said on Monday. The Ministry of Education, the National Language Commission and the Cyberspace Administration of China issued a guideline to promote the digitalization of the Chinese language and characters. The focus is on developing national language resources and large-scale Chinese language models to support artificial intelligence. The guideline aims to establish a national corpus and strategic language resources information database by 2027. By 2035, the country hopes it will have significantly expanded the presence of the Chinese language in global digital and generative AI scenarios. Liu Peijun, head of the Department of Language Information Management at the Ministry of Education, said the guideline calls for the digitalization of linguistic and cultural heritage, while promoting the construction of a national digital language and script museum. It emphasizes advancing key technologies for ancient text digitalization, enhancing the accessibility of oracle bone script data and launching a multilingual digital education program to facilitate Chinese language learning globally, Liu said at a news conference. A key aspect of this initiative is the development of large-scale linguistic data resources. The guideline outlines a plan to build a national corpus with extensive Chinese language datasets to support AI applications. Among the pilot projects, Beijing Normal University has launched a large-scale Classical Chinese language model, an AI-driven initiative that sets a new benchmark in the field, Liu said. Kang Zhen, vice-president of BNU, said the university has developed a range of digital language databases, including a comprehensive holographic Chinese character database, a digital resource of the ancient Chinese dictionary Shuowen Jiezi, and repositories for ancient inscriptions and handwritten texts. These resources have played a crucial role in linguistic research and cultural preservation, Kang added. The university's AI Taiyan, a Classical Chinese large language model trained with 1.8 billion parameters, has been designed for high-accuracy interpretation of ancient texts, supporting tasks such as word and phrase explanations, as well as classical-to-modern Chinese translation. China is also spearheading the construction of a new national corpus to strengthen linguistic infrastructure in the AI era, said Wang Hui, deputy head of the Ministry of Education's Department of Language Application and Administration. "Currently, most linguistic datasets remain limited to single-text formats and specific academic domains, lacking the scale and diversity required for AI applications," Wang said. The department has begun planning for the corpus this year, seeking to launch two flagship databases, the Chinese civilization corpus for AI-assisted teaching and research, and the Chinese grand reading system corpus, Wang said. Energy ministers of the OPEC+ producers will discuss in a Thursday call the importance of sticking to the oil production quotas under the deal, delegates from the alliance told Bloomberg on Wednesday. In every press release for years, the OPEC+ group has been stressing how important sticking to the quotas is. Overproduction has partly negated the bullish effects of the cuts on the oil market. The alliance is beginning the easing of the cuts this month, adding 138,000 barrels per day (bpd) to combined production. However, all OPEC+ calculations on production levels depend on producers not exceeding their quotaswhich has not been the case, ever. Some producers, such as OPECs second-largest producer, Iraq, and non-OPEC Russia and Kazakhstan, have been failing for years to pump at or below the levels assigned to them under the OPEC+ agreements. At the meeting in early March, when OPEC+ decided to begin easing the cuts in April, the countries reiterated their collective commitment to full conformity with the additional voluntary production adjustments, OPEC said. In the middle of March, the countries submitted their compensation plans, which showed that Russia plans to fully compensate all overproduction by September 2025, while Iraq, Kazakhstan, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will compensate each month until June 2026. Kazakhstans oil production has been the most recent source of contention as the country boosted output to record highs with the start-up of oilfield expansion projects. A Russian order this week to restrict Kazakhstans oil export capacity could lead to foreign operators in Kazakhstan reducing output in the coming weeks if two of the three moorings of the main oil export terminal on the Black Sea handling Kazakhstans oil exports remain shut for more than a few days. Later this week, the Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC) of the OPEC+ group is set to meet online to review market developments. The alliance will have to decide whether to push forward with further easing of the cuts in May or pause the increase in supply. Reports suggest OPEC+ would raise May production levels, too. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Russia has ordered a 90-day halt to one of several berths at the port of Novorossiysk, its key Black Sea oil export route, a day after it ordered the temporary shutdown of two of three moorings at the key export terminal for Kazakhstans oil. Transneft, the Russian pipeline monopoly, announced on Wednesday that the ongoing safety checks from Russias transportation authority resulted in an order for a 90-day halt to oil loading at berth 8 at the Novorossiysk Commercial Sea Port (NCSP). Russias Federal Agency for Transport Supervision has launched snap inspections at Russian oil ports, which were prompted by the oil spill in the Kerch Strait in December 2024. A temporary ban on operations has been imposed on oil loading berth 8. NCSP has been ordered to eliminate all identified violations by June 30, 2025, Transneft said on Wednesday in a statement carried by Reuters. The berth is not used regularly or too much, so analysts dont expect major disruptions to Russian oil and petroleum product exports from this particular order. None of the 23 oil tankers that loaded Russian crude in March at Novorossiysk used berth 8, according to tanker tracking compiled by Bloomberg. Berth 8 is typically used for the loading of petroleum products, and the facility isnt used often, the data suggests. Since February, no vessels have moored at berth 8 for loading, per Bloombergs tanker-tracking data. This suggests that any impact on Russian fuel exports would be minimal. However, the impact from Mondays order for the suspension of two of three moorings of the main oil export terminal on the Black Sea handling Kazakhstans oil exports is expected to be very high. Russia ordered on Monday that the SPM-1 and SPM-2 moorings of the terminal of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) be shut immediately. The port handles most of Kazakhstans crude exports from giant oilfields in Kazakhstan operated by international oil firms, including U.S. supermajor Chevron. Affiliates of Chevron and ExxonMobil are also minority shareholders in CPC, whose biggest shareholder is the Russian Federation with a 24% stake. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Thailand has become the second Asian nation to promise to buy more U.S. energy commodities in a bid to avoid tariffs in as many days. Vietnam earlier this week did the same as import tariffs loom over all U.S. trade partners that have a surplus with Washington. The Thai government has estimated that an additional import tariff of 11% from the United States would lead to a hit of $8 billion for the state coffers, Bloomberg has reported, which motivated the decision to commit to more energy buying. The move follows Vietnams decision to reduce its own import tariffs in anticipation of the U.S. tariff push. Imports that will see reduced import levies include liquefied natural gas, cars, ethanol, wood products, and various foodstuffs. For LNG, the import tariff rate would be reduced from 5% to 2%, while the tariff on imported cars would be slashed from 64% to 32%. Ethanol tariffs would be reduced from 10% to 5%. Vietnam has the third-highest trade surplus with the United States, at $123.5 billion for 2024, after only Canada and China. Thailands trade surplus with the U.S. is slimmer, at $45 billion for 2024, but it is still a surplus. The top Thai exports to the U.S. are electronics, machinery, and food. Trumps choice of enforcing tariffs to make up for trade deficits has already spurred many U.S. trade partners in Asia into action with regard to energy imports. The U.S. president has expressly stated that a substantial increase in energy imports from the worlds largest producer would be a positive development, and countries including Japan, South Korea, India, and Taiwan have responded favorably. The effect of the tariffs has been quite bullish for oil and gas prices internationally, which is not surprising, but many observers believe the ultimate effect on trade in general would be bearish. Trump is set to officially announce the tariffs today. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com The latest sanction action of the United States against Venezuela sent the latters oil exports down 11.5% in March from the previous month, tanker tracking data reported by Reuters has revealed. Last month, President Trump refused to extend a sanction waiver for Chevron so it could continue to operate in Venezuela, and he also threatened a 25% additional tariff on foreign products sold to the U.S. by countries that continue buying Venezuelan crude. Apparently, the effect of these moves has been immediate, hitting Venezuelas oil exports. The data shows that last month, a total of 42 tankers left Venezuelas shores, with the total daily volume of exports at a little over 800,000 barrels. The country also exported another 341,000 barrels daily of byproducts and petrochemicals, Reuters also reported, citing shipping data and PDVSA documents. The rate of oil exports remains higher than the average for 2024. Last year, Venezuelas exports averaged 772,000 barrels daily. Of that, a little over 200,000 barrels were going into the United States daily, which will no longer be the case this year. The Trump administration also revoked licenses for several companies that allowed them to operate in Venezuela. While Chevron is perhaps the most prominent example, European companies have also been affected. The Biden administration had issued special licenses to several foreign firms, allowing them to import Venezuelan oil from joint ventures operated by companies including France-based Maurel & Prom, Italys Eni, and Spanish Repsol. Now, the U.S. Treasury is revoking these licenses as part of a plan to strip Venezuela of oil profits. President Trumps motivation for the renewed sanction push against Caracas comes from what he sees as insufficient electoral reform and failure to manage the return of migrants from the United States at the rapid pace that they had agreed to, the president said in late February. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com A bipartisan group of 50 U.S. Senators has prepared a plan to slap a 500% tariff on imported goods from countries that buy Russian oil, gas, and uranium if Russia refuses to engage in good-faith negotiations for a lasting peace with Ukraine. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut) and Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) led 50 of their colleagues evenly divided by party affiliation to propose primary and secondary sanctions against Russia and actors supporting Russias aggression in Ukraine, the statement from the Senators said. These sanctions would be imposed if Russia refuses to engage in good faith negotiations for a lasting peace with Ukraine or initiates another effort, including military invasion, that undermines the sovereignty of Ukraine after peace is negotiated. The hard-hitting sanctions on Russia are at the ready and will receive overwhelming bipartisan, bicameral support if presented to the Senate and House for a vote, the Senators said. Congressional action could give U.S. President Donald Trump more munition to demand Russias good-faith engagement in talks about a lasting peace in Ukraine. This weekend, President Trump voiced frustration with Vladimir Putin, saying he was pissed off with the Russian President. If Russia and I are unable to make a deal on stopping the bloodshed in Ukraine, and if I think it was Russias fault which it might not be but if I think it was Russias fault, I am going to put secondary tariffs on oil, on all oil coming out of Russia, Trump told NBC in an interview on Sunday. In the statement announcing the proposed new sanctions on Russia, the U.S. Senators said We share President Trumps frustration with Russia when it comes to obtaining a ceasefire, and support President Trumps desire to achieve a lasting, just and honorable peace. Russia signaled on Tuesday that it cannot accept the U.S. plan to end the war in Ukraine in the current form. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com By Oregon Republican Party April 1, 2025 Oregons election security concerns affect all voters, regardless of party affiliation. Recent failuressuch as the inadvertent registration of over 1,500 noncitizens in Oregon and the United States Postal Service failure to deliver ballots to 2% of registered voters in Coos Countyare only two of many examples that underscore the urgent need for reform. Oregon Senate Bill 210 is a critical measure to restore confidence in Oregons elections by: Making in-person voting standard, with exceptions for military, overseas voters, and those unable to vote in person. Requiring photo ID for voting and ballot requests. Requiring photo ID for voting and ballot requests. Ensuring all mail-in ballots are received by Election Day a standard already enforced in most states. Despite these common-sense reforms, most testimonies submitted at the bills March 31st hearing were in opposition. Oregonians who support election integrity still have time to make their voices heardwritten testimony in support of SB 210 is due by Wednesday, April 2nd, at 1 PM. You can submit your testimony at https://bit.ly/SB210testimony Oregons lax election practices, including allowing voters to register without proof of U.S. citizenship (ORS 247.012) and counting ballots with missing or illegible postmarks (ORS 254.470), expose the state to unnecessary vulnerabilities. These policies could also put Oregon at risk of losing federal election funding under the latest Executive Order on election integrity. Adding to the concern, Oregon is currently facing multiple lawsuits for failing to comply with the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA), including allegations that the state refuses to provide access to voter registration maintenance records and has failed to remove inactive voters from its rolls. Meanwhile, the Republican National Committee (RNC) has issued public records requests in 48 states, including Oregon, demanding transparency on how states maintain voter rolls and remove ineligible voters. Oregonians deserve elections that are fair, accurate, and secure. The Oregon Republican Party stands firmly behind SB 210 and urges state leaders to align Oregon with national best practices to protect the integrity of every legal vote. Take Action Now! Submit written testimony by Wednesday, April 2nd, before 1 PM at https://bit.ly/SB210testimony to support SB 210 and help safeguard Oregons elections. The Lies About Social Security Every four years the Presidential years the Democrats roll out the same Big Lie. The lie that the Republicans are out to steal social security and put the elderly in dire straights. Some times its ads with the tired faces of women in Appalachia. Other times its pictures of ruthless Republicans pushing Grandma of a cliff in a wheel chair. And still others that suggest without saying that the Republicans need the money to give to richest among us. It is all baloney. Not a single word is true and not a single instance of the Republicans pushing legislation to reduce or eliminate benefits is ever cited. There is no proof to this Big Lie precisely because it is a lie. Joseph Goebbels is alleged to have said: A lie told once remains a lie but a lie told a thousand times becomes the truth. And later he emphasized: If you repeat a lie often enough, people will believe it, and you will even come to believe it yourself. And that defines the delusion that causes Democrats to keep returning to that tired old accusation. They actually believe it believe it without a shred of evidence believe it despite the passage of over half a century during which there has not been a single instance in the Congressional record of a bill brought to the floor in either house which has the effect of diluting or diminishing the benefits to those entitled to receive Social Security retirement benefits. But they believe the Big Lie and apparently there is no turning back for them. And as long as we are on the subject, we probably ought to discuss some other allegations about Social Security. First there is no Socials Security fund. In fact there are no investments securing the future benefits of the program. When Congress and by this I mean both houses of Congress and both parties saw the amount of money that was being collected under the illusion of the Federal Insurance Contribution Act (FICA) they knew they had found a source of significant funds to finance the whim and caprice of the members of Congress. Congress took the money that had originally been set aside and all future revenue that FICA would produce and treated it just like all other revenues available to the General Fund. They didnt even replace it with government bonds or other evidence of indebtedness choosing instead to make a vague promise to make the retirement payments so long as there were adequate funds available. The Social Security fund is not going broke. Since there is no fund it, by definition cannot go broke. The best that can be said is that there is an inadequate amount being collected from the FICA tax to meet the current obligations for payments. That is or is not true depending on whether Social Security is just paying for Old Age and Survivor benefits or the myriad of other social welfare programs that have been attached to Social Security over time. Elon Musk had claimed that Social Security is a giant Ponzi scheme. He is one hundred percent right but he is not the first to promote this fact. I did it over a decade ago and I was hardly in the vanguard. I did in conjunction with a rough hewn study I did to show that if the amount paid into FICA by employers and employees had been invested in government bonds or better yet funds mirroring the Standard & Poors index that benefits would have been materially greater over both the short and the long run. Mr. Musk did me one better because he has better computers, and he actually knows how to use them, to demonstrate that if just one half of the FICA payments had been invested similarly not only would there be no speculation about the fund going broke but there would be a recognition that the fund would be trillions of dollars in the black. But back to the Ponzi scheme. The authors of the Social Security Act justified its creation by noting that the population would grow faster as new people entered the work force than those who reached retirement benefit age and thus there would always be more money coming in than going out the very definition of a Ponzi scheme. And that was true until it wasnt. New entrants to the work force no longer greatly exceed the number of those reaching retirement age. In fact, Mr. Musk noted that Western civilization is in decline because the birth rate no longer produces a growing population. And just like other Ponzi schemes when the concentration of existing suckers depending on the next sucker exceeds the existing sucker the scheme collapses in a catastrophic manner. Those Democrats howling about Republicans seeking to loot Social Security would be better served by looking at the burden of other welfare programs that have been heaped on Social Security directly and indirectly in terms of the troubling effect they will have on senior citizens. And finally reducing the cost of administering Social Security does not mean that benefits will be curtailed. Rather, in fact, it enhances the longevity of Social Security by limiting the costs of administering it. And that is precisely what Mr. Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency are pursuing no matter how hard the Democrats try to deflect. Finally, however, if you have accepted the Big Lie about Republicans looking to pillage Social Security there is no hope that you will ever belief anything written here today. You will descend into delusions much like my neighbor who has now taken to flying the American flag upside down because Donald Trump is once again President of the United States of America. And we just laugh. Li Hongzhong, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and vice chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, speaks at a launching ceremony for this year's first term of study sessions for NPC deputies in Beijing, capital of China, April 1, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua] Senior Chinese legislator Li Hongzhong on Tuesday called for sound understanding and implementation of the newly-revised Law on Deputies to the National People's Congress and to the Local People's Congresses at Various Levels. Li, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), made the remarks at a launching ceremony for this year's first term of study sessions for NPC deputies. Li urged people's congresses deputies to fulfill their duties with a focus on the overall work of the Party and the country, promote the high-quality development of people's congresses work, and foster closer ties with the people. NORMAL Two incumbents and one challenger have won the race for the Heartland Community College Board of Trustees. With all precincts reporting Tuesday night, incumbent Janet Hood led with 10,754 votes, or 28.44% of total votes, while newcomer Laurie Bergner received 10,278 votes, or 27.18% of total votes, according to unofficial results. By a margin just over 200 votes, incumbent Thomas Whitt retained his seat with 8,488 votes, or 22.45% of total votes, over former McLean County Board member David Selzer who received 8,284 votes, or 21.91% of total votes. Three seats were up for election this year, each for six-year terms. Heartland is in a good place, and we have strong leadership and also excellent strategic capital and funding plans to move forward to do the work we do for the students of our district, said Hood, current vice chair of the board who has served since 2017. Im very pleased to be able to continue that work. Hood said she has known Bergner over the years and looks forward to working with her on the board as well as continuing to work with Whitt and other board members. Hood said she is also excited to prepare the colleges strategic plan through the various town hall meetings that have been hosted throughout March, with the final one scheduled for 5 p.m. April 10 at Heartlands Pontiac campus, 211 E. Madison St., Suite 2. I would encourage people if they have not been to one of the scheduled town halls throughout our district to go out and make their voices heard so that we have that input as we look to the future, Hood said. Whitt was first elected to the board in 2019 and is a CT technologist with OSF HealthCare St. Joseph Medical Center in Bloomington. He could not be reached for comment as of 12:30 p.m. Wednesday. Bergner, a clinical psychologist and director of community education for the League of Women Voters of McLean County, won the seat previously filled by Jeff Flessner. Bergner said being on the board will be different than what she has done in the past but ultimately, she is ready to work with other members in continuing to create competence-based education and career opportunities for students throughout the district. Really just keeping up with what is the most effective and efficient and affordable way to teach and keep people learning and getting those skills that allow them to get good careers, Bergner said. It's a wonderful organization and board, and Im excited to be part of supporting it and helping it move into the future. Flessner served on the board since 2013 and resigned on Dec. 1, 2024. Pontiac Township High School District Superintendent Jon Kilgore was selected to hold Flessner's seat until the seat was filled during this election. He did not appear on the ballot in this race. Selzer, who retired from a career at AT&T and in nonprofits, including time at St. Jude, the Illinois Heart and Lung Foundation and Phelps Health, also had an unsuccessful run for the Heartland Board of Trustees in 2023. On Wednesday, Selzer said he was pleased with his performance in Logan County as well as Tazewell, Livingston and DeWitt counties, where he took 24.8%, 25.5%, 24% and 27.5% of the vote respectively. In McLean County, Selzer received 21% of the vote. He said he is not complaining about the results and hopes to see others take part in elections in the future. I think its so important for all of us to get engaged in our community, and whether you win or lose, its still a win for the community because it brought people out to the polls and made them investigate and find out about things they might not have known, Selzer said. Its a win for the people who have spoken, and I have no problem with the outcome. Steve Fast, assistant to the president at Heartland Community College and public information and communication director for the college, said in an email Wednesday, the trustees will be seated at the next board meeting on April 22. The meeting is set for the fourth week of the month instead of the regularly scheduled third week to allow for the vote ratification process, Fast said. BLOOMINGTON Starting this summer, McLean County customers will see a new 1% sales tax on their receipts after voters passed a measure to add a tax to benefit the countys schools. According to unofficial results from Tuesday's election, the proposed 1% County School Facility Occupation Tax has passed with 17,415 votes for and 15,427 votes against the measure. It adds a tax of 1 cent per dollar spent on certain items sold in McLean County, including prepared food, gasoline, retail and online purchases. Items exempt from the tax include groceries, medications, services like haircuts, and farm equipment. The tax will take effect countywide beginning July 1, and schools can expect to start seeing revenue as soon as October or November, said Kristen Weikle, superintendent of McLean County Unit 5. "It's a game changer for our schools, as it is a countywide effort," Weikle said Tuesday night. Bloomington District 87 Superintendent David Mouser said he was "excited" to see the measure pass. "I'm thrilled. I think our county has shown its commitment to public schools, and we, as school districts, are going to show our commitment to our county," Mouser said Tuesday night. Revenue from the sales tax will allow "every district to do building and facility work, safety and security upgrades (and improve mental health services for students), while providing some relief to property owners," Weikle said. Barry Reilly, retired superintendent for District 87 who served as chair of the ballot initiative committee Vote Yes for McLean County Schools, said he was excited to see the measure pass, as well. He has grandchildren in public schools and getting ready to start school, he said. "They're going to benefit from that, so, I'm excited," Reilly said Wednesday morning. "When it comes to mental health and safety and security and what (schools will) be able to do in the maintenance and upkeep of their buildings is great," he said. Unit 5 and District 87 school boards have passed resolutions that would abate, or offset, property tax revenue by one-third of the income from this sales tax. "Should this pass, we would abate (or offset) at least one-third every year for at least the next five years. And I say at least because I think it's many of our intentions to be able to continue that longer," Weikle said at an election forum last month. The district would also use a third of revenue from the sales tax to pay the salaries of mental health and security staff, something it is currently doing with property tax revenue, Weikle said. "In Unit 5, for a $250,000 home, that's an annual savings of $261. That same homeowner would have to spend over $26,000 in goods that qualify to be taxed to (offset) that," she said. The LeRoy Board of Education also voted to abate a third of the revenue for property owners, said Superintendent Jeff Baughman. "We have an opportunity to give back to our taxpayers. ... Taking care of our property owners as well as having access to improve some things is a big win," he said Wednesday morning. The school district will first focus on paying down existing bonds, making roofing and window upgrades as well as abating one-third of revenue to property owners, Baughman said. The Pantagraph previously reported Unit 5 estimates an annual revenue of around $16 million, while District 87 expects closer to $6 million. An estimated 35% of sales in McLean County are from people who do not live in McLean County, Mouser said; this includes college students whose home of record is outside the county. Leading up to Tuesday's election, Weikle and Mouser traveled the county to speak at various events, informing the public about the tax and answering questions. But Mouser also credited the superintendents of the rural school districts with getting the information out. "I know they've all worked really hard to provide factual information to their voters as well," he said. Regardless of how voters felt, Weikle thanked everyone who exercised their rights on Election Day and acknowledged there are often difficult decisions made at the ballot box. Of the 101 counties outside Cook County, 57 counties in Illinois have employed the County School Facility Occupation Tax, which means McLean County will become one of more than half of the state's counties that help fund school districts with sales tax. The Olympia school district, for example, already benefits from the County School Facility Occupation Tax from some of the other counties the district serves, said Superintendent Laura O'Donnell. The proposed tax first appeared on the ballot in 2014, but McLean County voters rejected it at the time. Since then, revised legislation has allowed revenue from the tax to fund security upgrades and mental health services in addition to facilities projects. But it is also the messaging that helped push the measure across the line, Reilly said. "They've been more transparent and more pointed in where the money goes. ... Back in 2014, we didn't have that consistently," he said. Because of those changes, Mouser and Weikle said they felt it was time to bring it back to the voters. "Ultimately, tonight, kids and families win," Mouser said Tuesday. BLOOMINGTON The 2025 class of McLean County History Makers has been introduced, honoring community champions in growing business, fostering the faithful and leading civic engagement. In a small, live-streamed conference on Wednesday morning, the McLean County Museum of History announced Rob Fazzini, Father Doug Hennessy and Sally Rudolph will be honored at the 13th annual History Makers Gala this summer. "To me, it's like a holiday, getting ready to talk about the History Makers," said Julie Emig, the museum's executive director. One of the most fun parts, though, is informing the honorees, she said. "That is always incredibly fun," Emig said. "It's just everybody is typically overwhelmed and excited and even teary. ... There's also a lot of humility. 'Why me?' So it's often really useful to share with them, you know, here are the things that people said about you." History Makers are nominated by members of the community and selected by a committee made up mostly of the museum's board, Emig said. "These three rose to the top pretty quickly," Emig said. "They checked all the boxes in terms of having made not just incredible contributions professionally, but contributions to McLean County." Fazzini, in his work at Busey Bank and with the McLean County Chamber of Commerce, was instrumental in helping many of the businesses that call McLean County home, including Coffee Hound, Highland Animal Hospital and Destihl Brewery. He is now retired. "It's pretty darned special to help a young couple start Coffee Hound. That was really special," he said. "And the Coffee Hound is still here, and that's, you know, 20 years ago." Joining this year's class of History Makers is "humbling," he said. "I never joined an organization on a volunteer basis if I didn't believe in that organization. ... No matter what organization I was with, not matter how many hours I spent, I always got more back," Fazzini said. He also served on the Bloomington City Council from 2011 to 2014. Hennessy attended Holy Trinity Grade School and High School, before it became Central Catholic, and began helping with services in the fourth grade. He did not seriously consider a life in the priesthood until after high school, he said. "I was friends with the priest at Trinity at the time, and then I went to Notre Dame. And I didn't like anybody in the priesthood I met at Notre Dame, so then we came back to the (Peoria) diocese," he said. His career took him all over the country and even to Rome before he landed back in McLean County, before retiring in 2013. Being called a History Maker is a surprise, he said. "I'm kind of startled that I was named for this. ... I was honored by it, greatly honored by it," he said. Rudolph said she learned she was a History Maker during a lunch with the museum's second vice president, Mike Matejka. "He said, 'You're aware of the History Makers?' And I said, 'Oh yeah.' And he just said, 'You are one,'" she recalled. "And it just took a while for it to sink in. And I know I teared up. I was just so excited. I just didn't I was really flabbergasted," she said. Rudolph's life of civic engagement began with the League of Women Voters, she said. "The League of Women Voters just led me to do all these things in my life," she said. "And it never occurred to me that I couldn't do things" in the community. Rudolph was elected to the McLean County Board District 10 in 1972, when she had two small children, she said. She wants to share with young people that they can do whatever they dream, she said. "Just get involved. Don't think of the reasons why you ever shouldn't get involved. ... Do it. Because you can do it, whatever you want to do," she said. This year's class is "a unique one," said Norris Porter, the museum's director of development. "We look forward to gathering with our community to celebrate their legacies with an evening of camaraderie, storytelling, a delicious meal and a new twist to the event's program," Porter said. The gala will be held Wednesday, June 18, at Illinois State University's Brown Ballroom. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with the program and dinner starting at 6:15 p.m. Tickets are $100 for the general public and $75 for museum members. Tickets can be purchased at the museum or online at bit.ly/hmgala25. Proceeds from the gala support the museum's free and subsidized educational programs. IF YOU GO WHAT: McLean County Museum of History's annual History Makers Gala WHEN: Wednesday, June 18. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., program begins at 6:15 p.m. WHERE: Bone Student Center, Brown Ballroom, Illinois State University COST: $100 for the general public, $75 for museum members. Table sponsorships begin at $1,500 for a table of eight and $750 for a half table. TICKETS: Can be purchased in person at the museum in downtown Bloomington, by calling 309-827-0428, or online at mchistory.org. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: CC0 Public Domain A launch date is set for the first batch of what will be thousands of satellites for Amazon's Project Kuiper as the company looks to play catch-up with SpaceX and its Starlink internet constellation. United Launch Alliance is targeting a three-hour window that opens at noon Eastern time on April 9. It will send up 27 satellites on an Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station's Space Launch Complex 41. The KA-01 mission, which stands for Kuiper Atlas 1, will be ULA's first launch of the year and the first of dozens Amazon has bought to get 3,232 satellites into low-Earth orbit by 2029. SpaceX already has nearly 6,500 of its Starlink satellites in an operational orbit serving more than 5 million customers worldwide. Amazon is primed, though, to start knocking out as many launches as it can. It has contracted to use eight of the remaining Atlas V rockets as well as an additional 38 on ULA's new Vulcan rocket. In addition, the company has launches lined up with Jeff Bezos's rocket company Blue Origin, European company Arianespace and even a couple of launches with SpaceX. Amazon's license from the Federal Communications Commission requires half of the satellites be placed in orbit by July 31, 2026. So far, Amazon has flown two test satellitesin late 2023. That paved the way, though, for operational hardware production at company facilities in Washington. Also in the works is a new satellite processing facility at an 80-acre site at the Kennedy Space Center's former Shuttle Landing Facility in Florida. Amazon expects to begin satellite internet service to customers before year's end. "We've designed some of the most advanced communications satellites ever built, and every launch is an opportunity to add more capacity and coverage to our network," Rajeev Badyal, vice president of Project Kuiper, said in a press release. "We've done extensive testing on the ground to prepare for this first mission, but there are some things you can only learn in flight." The design changed from the test satellites to this first operational batch, and it will be the first time it will be deploying them in such a large number. "No matter how the mission unfolds, this is just the start of our journey, and we have all the pieces in place to learn and adapt as we prepare to launch again and again over the coming years," he said. The satellites are designed to orbit at an altitude of 392 miles, circling the Earth about once every 90 minutes at more than 17,000 mph. The 27 satellites will be the heaviest payload ever flown on an Atlas V and require ULA to launch it in its most powerful configuration using five strap-on solid rocket boosters. Amazon has already begun to ship and process satellites for the next flight, also on an Atlas V, although ULA might prioritize the first national security launches of its new Vulcan that was finally certified last month by Space Force. ULA is constructing a second vehicle integration facility at Cape Canaveral's SLC-41, though, so it can process two rockets at the same time as it has a backlog of more than 70 launches to knock out. 2025 Orlando Sentinel. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: View from the Takarkori rock shelter in Southern Libya. Credit: Archaeological Mission in the Sahara, Sapienza University of Rome An international team led by researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany, has sequenced the first ancient genomes from the so-called Green Sahara, a period when the largest desert in the world temporarily turned into a humid savanna-like environment. The work is published in Nature. By analyzing the DNA of two 7,000-year-old naturally mummified individuals excavated in the Takarkori rock shelter in southwestern Libya by the Archaeological Mission in the Sahara, Sapienza University of Rome, the team showed that they belonged to a long-isolated and now extinct North African human lineage. This group of cattle pastoralists has only a minor genetic component of non-African ancestry, suggesting that animal husbandry may have spread into the Green Sahara through cultural exchange rather than large-scale migrations. Moreover, the ancient genomes do not carry sub-Saharan African ancestry, suggesting that, contrary to previous interpretations, the Green Sahara was not a corridor connecting Northern and sub-Saharan Africa. The study provides critical new insights into the African Humid Period, a time between 14,500 and 5,000 years ago when the Sahara desert was a green savanna, rich in water bodies that facilitated human habitation and the spread of pastoralism. Later aridification turned this region into the world's largest desert. Due to the extreme aridity of the region today, DNA preservation is poor, making this pioneering ancient DNA study all the more significant. Genomic analyses reveal that the ancestry of the Takarkori rock shelter individuals primarily derives from a North African lineage that diverged from sub-Saharan African populations at about the same time as the modern human lineages that spread outside of Africa around 50,000 years ago. The newly described lineage remained isolated, revealing deep genetic continuity in North Africa during the late Ice Age. While this lineage no longer exists in unadmixed form, this ancestry is still a central genetic component of present-day North African people, highlighting their unique heritage. 7,000-year-old natural mummy found at the Takarkori rock shelter (Individual H1) in Southern Libya. Credit: Archaeological Mission in the Sahara, Sapienza University of Rome View of the Takarkori rock shelter in Southern Libya. Credit: Archaeological Mission in the Sahara, Sapienza University of Rome North Africa remained genetically isolated Furthermore, these individuals share close genetic ties with 15,000-year-old foragers that lived during the Ice Age in Taforalt Cave, Morocco, associated with the Iberomaurusian lithic industry that predates the African Humid Period. Notably, both groups are equally distant from sub-Saharan African lineages, indicating that despite the Sahara's greening, gene flow between sub-Saharan and North African populations remained limited during the African Humid Period, contrary to previous suggestions. The study also sheds light on Neandertal ancestry, showing that the Takarkori individuals have ten-fold less Neandertal DNA than people outside Africa, but more than contemporary sub-Saharan Africans. "Our findings suggest that while early North African populations were largely isolated, they received traces of Neandertal DNA due to gene flow from outside Africa," said senior author Johannes Krause, director at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology. The spread of pastoralism in the Green Sahara "Our research challenges previous assumptions about North African population history and highlights the existence of a deeply rooted and long-isolated genetic lineage," said first author Nada Salem from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology. "This discovery reveals how pastoralism spread across the Green Sahara, likely through cultural exchange rather than large-scale migration." "The study highlights the importance of ancient DNA for reconstructing human history in regions like Central Northern Africa, providing independent support to archaeological hypotheses," said senior author David Caramelli from the University of Florence. "By shedding light on the Sahara's deep past, we aim to increase our knowledge of human migrations, adaptations, and cultural evolution in this key region," added senior author Savino di Lernia from Sapienza University in Rome. More information: Ancient DNA from the Green Sahara reveals ancestral North African lineage, Nature (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-025-08793-7 Mary Prendergast, Rare ancient DNA from Sahara opens a window on the region's verdant past, Nature (2025). DOI: 10.1038/d41586-025-00755-3 , doi.org/10.1038/d41586-025-00755-3 Journal information: Nature This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: James Lee from Pexels Australia is a place of great natural beauty, home to many species found nowhere else on Earth. But it's also particularly vulnerable to introduced animals, diseases, and weeds. Habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change make matters worse. To conserve what's special, we need far greater care. Unfortunately, successive federal governments have failed to protect nature. Australia now has more than 2,000 threatened species and "ecological communities"groups of native species that live together and interact. This threatened list is growing at an alarming rate. The Albanese government came to power in 2022 promising to reform the nation's nature laws, following a scathing review of the laws. But it has failed to do so. If re-elected, Labor has vowed to complete its reforms and introduce a federal Environment Protection Agency, in some other form. The Coalition has not made such a commitment. Instead, it refers to "genuine conservation", balancing the environment and the economy. They've also promised to cut "green tape" for industry. But scientific evidence suggests much more is required to protect Australia's natural wonders. Fighting invaders Labor has made a welcome commitment of more than A$100 million to counter "highly pathogenic avian influenza." This virulent strain of bird flu is likely to kill millions of native birds and other wildlife. The government also provided much-needed funding for a network of safe havens for threatened mammals. These safe-havens exclude cats, foxes, and other invasive species. But much more needs to be done. Funding is urgently needed to eradicate red imported fire ants, before eradication becomes impossible. Other election commitments to look for include: Increased biosecurity funding, to prevent new incursions Long-term investment in eradicating major pests and weeds from key sites Support for research into new tools to control invasive species such as feral cats, for which no broad-scale solution is currently possible No reversal or weakening of policies aimed at curbing invasive pests such as feral horses in national parks New laws to ensure threat abatement plans are implemented Adequate funds to manage invasive species across Australia's expanding protected areas National coordination and leadership to stop the indiscriminate use of poisons that can spread through ecosystems and food chains, killing non-target animals such as owls, quolls, Tasmanian devils, reptiles, and frogs. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Stopping land clearing and habitat destruction The states are largely responsible for controlling land clearing. But when land clearing affects "matters of national environmental significance" such as a nationally listed threatened species or ecological community, it becomes a federal matter. Such proposals are supposed to be referred to the federal environment minister for assessment under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act. But most habitat destruction is never referred. And if it is, it's mostly deemed "not a controlled action." That means no further consideration is required and the development can proceed. Only about 1.5% of the hundreds of thousands of hectares of land cleared in Australia every year is fully assessed under the EPBC Act. This means our threatened species and ecological communities are suffering a "death by a thousand cuts." How do we fix this? A starting point is to introduce "national environmental standards" of the kind envisaged in the 2020 review of the EPBC Act by Professor Graeme Samuel. A strong Environment Protection Agency could ensure impacts on biodiversity are appropriately assessed and accounted for. Protecting threatened species For Australia to turn around its extinction crisis, prospective elected representatives and governments must firmly commit to the following actions. Stronger environmental law and enforcement is essential for tackling biodiversity decline and extinction. This should include what's known as a "climate trigger," which means any proposal likely to produce a significant amount of greenhouse gases would have to be assessed under the EPBC Act. This is necessary because climate change is among the greatest threats to biodiversity. But the federal environment minister is currently not legally bound to consideror authorized to refuseproject proposals based on their greenhouse gas emissions. In an attempt to pass the EPBC reforms in the Senate last year, the Greens agreed to postpone their demand for a climate trigger. Key threats to species, including habitat destruction, invasive species, climate change, and pollution, must be prevented or reduced. Aligning government policies and priorities to ensure environmental goals aren't undermined by economic and development interests is essential. A large increase in environmental spendingto at least 1% of the federal budgetis vital. It would ensure sufficient support for conservation progress and meeting legal requirements of the EPBC Act, including listing threatened species and designing and implementing recovery plans when required. Show nature the money Neither major party has committed to substantial increases in environmental spending in line with what experts suggest is urgently needed. Without such increased investment Australia's conservation record will almost certainly continue to deteriorate. The loss of nature hurts us all. For example, most invasive species not only affect biodiversity; they have major economic costs to productivity. Whoever forms Australia's next government, we urge elected leaders to act on the wishes of 96% of surveyed Australians calling for more action to conserve nature. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: This novel system combines machine vision and artificial intelligence to automatically assess the health of individual leaves, serving as a valuable tool for urban greenery monitoring. Credit: Mr. Marc Josep Montagut Marques / Waseda University Urban trees and plants do more than just beautify city landscapes. They purify the air, reduce urban heat islands, provide recreational spaces, and even boost property values. As essential components of sustainable urban ecosystems, plants silently contribute to our well-being. However, urban trees face many threats, including pests, diseases, and climate change, making it essential to keep their health in check. Urban greenery monitoring has traditionally been a very labor-intensive process, requiring botanical expertise and considerable resources. With cities expanding worldwide and urban environments becoming more complex, keeping track of plant health has also become more difficult. Could artificial intelligence (AI) hold the key to addressing this challenge? In a recent study, a joint research team led by Professor Umezu's Laboratory from the Department of Life Science and Medical Bioscience at Waseda University and Professor Shiojiri's Laboratory from the Faculty of Agriculture at Ryukoku University developed an innovative AI-driven solution for monitoring plant health. Their paper was published online in the journal Measurement. The study introduces "Plant Doctor," a hybrid AI system that automatically diagnoses urban tree health through video footage captured by ordinary cameras. "Machine vision techniques such as segmentation have great applications in the medical field. We wanted to extrapolate this technology to other areas, such as plant health," says first author Marques, explaining their motivation. Plant Doctor combines two cutting-edge machine vision algorithmsYOLOv8 and DeepSORTto identify and track individual leaves across video frames. The goal of these algorithms is to ensure that only the best images for each leaf are selected for further processing. Then, a third algorithm, called DeepLabV3Plus, performs detailed image segmentation to precisely quantify leaf damage. The proposed system can automatically detect diseased areas on individual leaves, such as spots caused by bacteria, pests, and fungi. One of the most attractive aspects of this approach is its scalability and cost efficiency. The system can process video footage collected by cameras mounted not only on drones but also on city maintenance vehicles like garbage trucks, turning routine services into opportunities to gather data without investing substantial resources. Moreover, by using images rather than actual branches and leaves, Plant Doctor minimizes stress on city plants. "We have provided a tool for botanical experts to assess plant health in one solution without the need to gather samples and damage the plants in the process," remarks Marques. The research team validated the proposed system using footage of urban plants in Tokyo, obtaining favorable results and remarkably accurate leaf health diagnoses across various urban flora. By combining plant health data with accurate location information, Plant Doctor enables both a micro-level analysis of individual plants and macro-level insights into disease patterns across urban areas. Worth noting, beyond urban applications, Plant Doctor could also be adapted for agricultural use, helping farmers monitor crop health and identify diseases before they spread. Overall, the proposed technology represents a significant step toward more sustainable urban and rural plant health monitoring, allowing botanical experts to focus more on strategic interventions rather than routine monitoring. More information: Marc Josep Montagut Marques et al, Plant Doctor: A hybrid machine learning and image segmentation software to quantify plant damage in video footage, Measurement (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.measurement.2025.117094 China promotes literature at Bologna Int'l Children's Book Fair Xinhua) 08:22, April 02, 2025 People read books at the Chinese exhibition area during the 62nd Bologna International Children's Book Fair in Bologna, Italy, March 31, 2025. The book fair opened on Monday in the Italian city of Bologna, with China hosting a series of events to promote its literature for young readers on the global stage. (Xinhua/Li Jing) People look at the works of Chinese illustrators during the 62nd Bologna International Children's Book Fair in Bologna, Italy, April 1, 2025. The book fair opened on Monday in the Italian city of Bologna, with China hosting a series of events to promote its literature for young readers on the global stage. (Xinhua/Li Jing) This photo taken on March 31, 2025 shows a 3D book at the Chinese exhibition area during the 62nd Bologna International Children's Book Fair in Bologna, Italy. The book fair opened on Monday in the Italian city of Bologna, with China hosting a series of events to promote its literature for young readers on the global stage. (Xinhua/Li Jing) This photo taken on April 1, 2025 shows an image of Ne Zha, a rebellious boy-god from Chinese folklore, displayed at the Chinese exhibition area during the 62nd Bologna International Children's Book Fair in Bologna, Italy. The book fair opened on Monday in the Italian city of Bologna, with China hosting a series of events to promote its literature for young readers on the global stage. (Xinhua/Li Jing) People read books at the Chinese exhibition area during the 62nd Bologna International Children's Book Fair in Bologna, Italy, April 1, 2025. The book fair opened on Monday in the Italian city of Bologna, with China hosting a series of events to promote its literature for young readers on the global stage. (Xinhua/Li Jing) Exhibitors talk at the Chinese exhibition area during the 62nd Bologna International Children's Book Fair in Bologna, Italy, April 1, 2025. The book fair opened on Monday in the Italian city of Bologna, with China hosting a series of events to promote its literature for young readers on the global stage. (Xinhua/Li Jing) A man looks at the works of Chinese illustrators during the 62nd Bologna International Children's Book Fair in Bologna, Italy, April 1, 2025. The book fair opened on Monday in the Italian city of Bologna, with China hosting a series of events to promote its literature for young readers on the global stage. (Xinhua/Li Jing) Children's books are displayed during the 62nd Bologna International Children's Book Fair in Bologna, Italy, April 1, 2025. The book fair opened on Monday in the Italian city of Bologna, with China hosting a series of events to promote its literature for young readers on the global stage. (Xinhua/Li Jing) This photo taken on April 1, 2025 shows books themed in Ne Zha, a rebellious boy-god from Chinese folklore, at the Chinese exhibition area during the 62nd Bologna International Children's Book Fair in Bologna, Italy. The book fair opened on Monday in the Italian city of Bologna, with China hosting a series of events to promote its literature for young readers on the global stage. (Xinhua/Li Jing) People read books at the Chinese exhibition area during the 62nd Bologna International Children's Book Fair in Bologna, Italy, March 31, 2025. The book fair opened on Monday in the Italian city of Bologna, with China hosting a series of events to promote its literature for young readers on the global stage. (Xinhua/Li Jing) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Flash Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday exchanged congratulatory messages on the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. China and India, Xi said, both ancient civilizations, major developing countries and important members of the "Global South," are both at a critical stage of their respective modernization efforts. The development of China-India relations demonstrates that it is the right choice for China and India to be partners of mutual achievement and realize the "Dragon-Elephant Tango," which fully serves the fundamental interests of both countries and their peoples, Xi said. He called on both sides to view and handle bilateral relations from a strategic height and long-term perspective, seek a way, which features peaceful coexistence, mutual trust, mutual benefit and common development, for neighboring major countries to get along with each other, and jointly promote a multi-polar world and greater democracy in international relations. Xi also said he stands ready to work with Murmu to take the anniversary of ties as an opportunity to enhance strategic mutual trust, strengthen exchanges and cooperation in various fields, deepen communication and coordination in major international affairs, jointly safeguard peace and tranquility in the China-India border area, push forward a sound and steady development of bilateral relations and contribute to world peace and prosperity. For her part, Murmu said India and China are two major neighboring countries that are home to one-third of the world's population, noting that a stable, predictable and friendly bilateral relationship will benefit both countries and the world. She proposed to take the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties as an opportunity to jointly promote the sound and steady development of India-China relations. On the same day, Chinese Premier Li Qiang exchanged congratulatory messages with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. China is ready to work with India to take the opportunity of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties to continuously enhance strategic mutual trust, promote exchanges and cooperation in various fields, properly handle the boundary question, push forward the sound and stable development of bilateral relations, to bring more benefits to the two peoples, Li said. For his part, Modi said that India and China, as two ancient civilizations, have played an important role in shaping the course of human history, and now shoulder the heavy responsibility of promoting peace and development. The development of India-China relations is not only conducive to the prosperity and stability of the world, but also conducive to the realization of a multi-polar world, Modi noted, adding that the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between India and China will usher the bilateral relations into a stage of sound and stable development. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain An international team of researchers has found that climate change is negatively impacting the Californian wild salmon population, which should serve as a warning to Australia. Associate Professor Sally Thompson, from the Center for Water and Spatial Science in the University of Western Australia's School of Agriculture and the Environment, was a co-author of the study led by the University of California and published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. "Salmon are important in north-west America as they have indigenous significance, are a valuable commodity and essential for nutrient cycles in the forests," Associate Professor Thompson said. "Salmon breed in rivers, mature in the ocean and then return to the streams they were spawned in to have their own babies, but California had a one-in-a-1,000-year drought from 2011 to 2014." Researchers found during the drought, streams that usually saw an increase in flow in November only began the winter flow in January. The low water levels caused the upper reaches of the streams to be cut off and the fish could not return to places to spawn. The lack of access caused breeding failure for several salmon species in rivers across northern California. "Because salmon were not born in those locations, it potentially means we will not see them return," Associate Professor Thompson said. "Our study shows that the range where the valuable Californian salmon population lives is shrinking because of the impact of the drought." Associate Professor Thompson said the findings should act as a warning as climate change events, such as droughts and bushfires, which occur in California, are often mirrored in Western Australia. "Australia's rivers are shrinking because of variable and declining rainfall," Associate Professor Thompson said. "We don't have wild salmon, but we do have migratory fish such as lampreys that need access to freshwater to breed." More information: Stephanie M. Carlson et al, Anatomy of a range contraction: Flowphenology mismatches threaten salmonid fishes near their trailing edge, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2025). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2415670122 Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: CC0 Public Domain Each year, more than 500,000 children and youth are served by the United States foster care system. In Florida, Guardian ad Litems (GALs) are appointed by the court to represent children in cases of abuse, abandonment, or neglect. In 2020, 10,000 GAL volunteers represented 38,000 children in Florida. GALs are volunteers from various professional backgrounds, such as educators, retirees and attorneys, who receive specialized training. Their role is vital as they are entrusted by the state with the responsibility of representing the best interests of children and ensuring their voices are heard throughout legal proceedings. Research shows that stronger relationships with GALs lead to better outcomes for youth, yet there is limited understanding of how GALs perceive and manage the process of building and maintaining these relationships. This gap in knowledge hinders efforts to optimize GAL support and advocacy for children in foster care. To gain insight into GALs' perspectives on their relationships with youth in the foster care system, researchers from Florida Atlantic University's College of Social Work and Criminal Justice, and Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters, recently conducted a qualitative study involving 555 GALs statewide. Participants completed a survey featuring open-ended questions designed to explore how they engage with youth, the dynamics of these relationships, and the processes through which they are built and maintained over time. Researchers examined GALs' experiences and perceptions of forming relationships with youth in foster care, with a particular focus on the role of training in this process. Findings, published in the Journal of Child and Family Studies, reveal three key themes: the process of building relationships, the factors that influence this process, and the strategies GALs use to develop connections with youth. A central takeaway across all themes was the critical role that trust plays in these relationships and the understanding that these relationships take time to develop. Several factors influenced relationship-building, including the age of the youth, individual characteristics, and experiences before and during foster care. GALs noted that older youth, particularly those with negative experiences in the system, were harder to engage. Unstable placements and varying relationships with caregivers also made it difficult for youth to trust GALs. One GAL reported, "It does take a bit of time for the child to realize you are a stable force in their lives, someone they can trust." Another stated, "Each visit is another building block toward the end result, which is a friendship such as they would have with a favorite teacher." To overcome challenges, GALs employed different strategies based on the age of the child. For younger children, they used structured activities like games, while for older children, they created informal spaces, such as walking or sharing meals, to facilitate conversation. GALs emphasized being professional, positive and sincere while building rapport. They also used strength-based approaches and often provided material support, like funding for summer camps or purchasing clothes, to meet the immediate needs of youth. "While building relationships with these children can be challenging due to factors like trauma, instability, and a history of broken trust, many GALs in our study developed effective strategies to establish trust and foster meaningful connections," said Heather Thompson, Ph.D., senior author and an associate professor in the Phyllis and Harvey Sandler School of Social Work within the College of Social Work and Criminal Justice. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. According to one GAL, "My relationship with foster children depends on the age. Sometimes little ones are afraid that I am going to move them again. I usually bring them a stuffed animal and a book on my first visit, and they warm up to me. The older children understand my place in their lives, and I have a different relationship with each child." "Our study underscores the critical need for sustained, long-term relationships between Guardian ad Litems and youth in care, recognizing that these relationships are essential for the well-being and stability of vulnerable children," said Thompson. "To foster these meaningful connections, it's imperative that we enhance training programs for GALs, incorporating trauma-informed care and advanced communication skills." Findings from the study also suggest that policies focusing on relational permanencyrather than just physical permanencycan further reinforce the critical role of GALs in fostering stability and well-being for youth in care. "Policy reforms should prioritize consistent supervision and ensure GALs have the necessary resources and support to effectively advocate for the children they represent. These changes are vital in empowering GALs to build trust-based relationships that can truly make a difference," stated the researchers. This study highlights the vital and multifaceted role that GALs play in the lives of youth in foster care, helping ensure that their needs and voices are considered in decisions that impact their futures. "GALs are not only legal advocates but also critical emotional support figures, helping to navigate the complexities of the foster care system," said Thompson. Study co-authors are Morgan Cooley, Ph.D., an associate professor; Gabriel T. Cesar, Ph.D., an assistant professor; and Marianna L. Colvin, Ph.D., an associate professor and Dean's Fellow for Research and Academic Effectiveness and director, Child Welfare Institute, within FAU's Phyllis and Harvey Sandler School of Social Work; and Laura Backstrom, Ph.D., an associate professor of sociology in FAU's Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters. More information: Heather M. Thompson et al, Forming Relationships with Youth in Foster Care: Perspectives of Guardian ad Litems, Journal of Child and Family Studies (2025). DOI: 10.1007/s10826-024-02980-2 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Children's time use in informal settlements by country. Credit: Review of Economics of the Household (2025). DOI: 10.1007/s11150-025-09772-7 New research from Monash University has, for the first time, investigated how children living in urban informal settlements in Indonesia and Fiji spend their time on educational, work and leisure activities, and how this may contribute to the growing gender gap in educational outcomes. In many low- and middle-income countries, boys are falling behind girls in educational attainment, particularly in disadvantaged communities. Approximately 350500 million children live in informal settlements, where they are often exposed to environmental hazards, criminal activity and poverty. Published in the Review of Economics of the Household, the study was co-led by Dr. Michelle Escobar, now at Melbourne University's Department of Economics, and Associate Professor Nicole Black, at Monash University's Center for Health Economics. The research was conducted as part of the Monash University-led Revitalizing Informal Settlements and their Environments (RISE) program, which is trialing a new water-sensitive approach to water and sanitation management in informal settlements across Makassar, Indonesia and Suva, Fiji, and is co-authored by Professor David Johnston from Monash University's Center for Health Economics, who leads the RISE well-being stream. "The findings from our study suggest that our sample of children living in informal settlements dedicates less time to educational activities than is prescribed by the school schedule, and that boys spend even less time than girls participating in both schooling and homework," Dr. Escobar said. "Achieving gender equality and improving educational opportunities for girls continues to be a core objective of low- and middle-income countries. However, as gender parity in primary school enrollment continues to improve, a growing issue of concern is the increasing disengagement from education among boys across many countries. "In a reversal of the education gender gap, boys now lag behind girls in educational attainment in many high-income countries, and this trend is now emerging in many low- and middle-income countries, including Indonesia and Fiji." The data was obtained through two surveys collected between 2018 and 2021 from more than 1,400 children living in 24 informal settlements in Indonesia and Fiji. The children were aged between 5 and 15. The respondents were the children's primary caregiver. All households in each settlement were approached to complete the survey. Children's time-use information was collected from caregivers with the question, "In the past week, on how many days/hours/minutes did your child do the following activities?" The activities included: going to school; collecting or buying water; watching TV; playing outside in the settlement; doing homework for school; working for wages; working for the family business; and caring for a household member. Associate Professor Black said, "Our findings show that children in informal settlements spend on average 28 hours per week on educational activities, including attending school and doing homework. Boys spend on average about three hours per week less in educational activities than girls living in the same settlement. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. "This gender difference is not explained by boys spending more time working, with girls spending about an hour more per week on unpaid labor than boys, mostly caring duties." "We found that instead of spending their time on educational activities, boys in both Indonesia and Fiji were more likely to spend time playing outdoors. It is notable that in these informal settlements, outdoor play can increase a child's exposure to environmental health hazards. "Overall, our results suggest that boys spend their time in less productive and potentially riskier activities than girls living in the same settlement. These patterns can have important academic and later-life consequences. Studies in other settings have shown that boys who fall behind in school face poorer job prospects and increased risks of drug use disorders and criminal behavior in the future. "Raising awareness among parents and children about the importance of time spent on education is an important first step. School-based or community-led initiatives, such as mentoring, may also be needed to close these gender gaps in educational time investments." More information: Michelle Escobar Carias et al, The gender gap in children's educational time investments in informal settlements, Review of Economics of the Household (2025). DOI: 10.1007/s11150-025-09772-7 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Erlenmeyer flasks containing cultures of different Fusarium isolates used to infect tomato plants in the study. Credit: Plant Disease (2025). DOI: 10.1094/PDIS-07-24-1523-RE Researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have developed an innovative method for the early detection of Fusarium wilt in tomato plants by monitoring subtle changes in the plants' water use. The study demonstrates that measuring water-relation traits such as transpiration rates can identify the disease well before visual symptoms appear. This breakthrough provides a sensitive, quantitative approach to assessing disease severity, pathogen virulence, and plant susceptibility, offering breeders and researchers a powerful tool to mitigate crop losses and improve agricultural sustainability. A study led by Ph.D. student Shani Friedman (Goldfarb), under the supervision of Prof. Menachem Moshelion from the Institute of Plant Sciences and Genetics in Agriculture at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, has demonstrated a new approach to detect Fusarium wilt in tomatoes at its earliest stages, long before symptoms become visible. This research offers significant implications for plant science, providing breeders and scientists a robust method to improve early disease detection and deepen the understanding of plant-pathogen interactions. The research is published in the journal Plant Disease. Fusarium wilt, caused by the soil-borne fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici, is a devastating disease that results in substantial economic losses worldwide. Traditionally, the detection of plant diseases such as Fusarium wilt relies on visual assessments, which can often be subjective and inaccurate. By the time symptoms are visible, substantial damage has usually already occurred. This study, however, takes a different approach, focusing on precise water-relation measurements using a high-throughput physiological phenotyping system. The research team employed advanced lysimeter technology to continuously monitor transpiration rates and biomass changes of tomato plants in a semi-controlled greenhouse environment. Remarkably, they observed a decrease in the plants' transpiration rates days to weeks before any visual symptoms appeared. "This research demonstrates that water-related physiological traits like transpiration can act as sensitive, reliable early indicators of Fusarium infection," explained Shani Friedman. "We were able to quantitatively measure how plants respond to the pathogen well before they exhibited the traditional visible symptoms of disease." The study's quantitative method not only detects disease early but also measures pathogen virulence and plant susceptibility. This gives researchers and farmers clear, numeric data to determine how aggressively a pathogen is affecting crops, and to assess how different tomato varieties resist or tolerate Fusarium wilt. Dr. Shay Covo, a key collaborator from the Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, emphasized the broader relevance of the findings. "This quantitative approach opens new directions for studying plantpathogen interactions. It enables us to understand better how pathogens influence plants at the early stages of the disease." Prof. Menachem Moshelion highlighted the potential of the methodology beyond tomato plants. "Our approach opens exciting possibilities not just for tomato plants, but for agricultural practices in general. Early detection through physiological monitoring can significantly reduce crop losses and enhance sustainable agricultural management." This innovative methodology has potential beyond tomatoes. The research team also successfully applied it to potato plants infected with late blight, demonstrating the versatility of their physiological monitoring system for other important plant diseases. More information: Shani Friedman et al, Early Detection and Quantification of Fusarium Wilt in Greenhouse-Grown Tomato Plants Using Water-Relation Measurements, Plant Disease (2025). DOI: 10.1094/PDIS-07-24-1523-RE This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: A pied hoverfly. Credit: Dr. Will Hawkes Buzzing insects may be seen as pestsbut globally, hundreds of fly species migrate over long distances, with major benefits for people and nature, new research shows. Bugs such as houseflies, fruitflies, blowflies, hoverflies and mosquitoes all belong to an order called Dipterawhich contains more than 125,000 known species, and possibly more than a million in total. The new study published in Biological Reviews finds that almost 600 of these species are likely to be migratoryand the true number is probably far higher. This is important because these insects play multiple important roles, including as pollinators, pest controllers and decomposers. With insect numbers declining worldwide, the review highlights the need for complex, connected habitats to support flies along their epic journeys. "Migrating flies play an unparalleled range of ecological rolesmaking them a major force in ecosystems and the economy," said Dr. Will Hawkes, from the Center of Ecology and Conservation on Exeter's Penryn Campus in Cornwall. "Many of the species that benefit humans are under threat from climate change and other human impactsand many could disappear without ever being documented unless action is taken. "To conserve them, it will not be enough to protect or restore habitat at single locations; the entire migratory route must be capable of sustaining these insects." Dr. Karl Wotton said the priority should be improving "connectivity"linking insect-friendly areas across landscapes. "Worldwide, factors including urbanization, intensive agriculture and destruction of wetlands have made large areas unfriendly to insectspotentially creating damaging gaps on insect migration routes," Dr. Wotton said. The study defined migratory behavior using 13 criteria, but Dr. Wotton said it could be defined as "undistracted and straightened-out continuous flight" (not stopping to feed or mate, for example). The team found evidence of migration in species from 60 out of the 130 families in the Diptera orderwith hoverflies showing the strongest evidence for migration. While the total of 592 possible migrants is just 0.5% of recorded Diptera species, the researchers think many more may migrate. Of the possible migrants identified, 62% are pollinators, 35% are decomposers, 18% are pests, 16% can transmit diseases, 10% are pest controllers, and all play a role in moving nutrients. Highlighting the impact of some key migratory species, the researchers note that pollinating hoverflies alone have been found to visit 52% of major food crop plants globally (these crops have an estimated worth of about US$300 billion per year). Highly mobile species may also connect distant habitatsmoving genetic material, such as pollen, back and forth, boosting the genetic diversity of plants. As well as the loss of direct benefits, the decline of such insects also affects wider biodiversity. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. For example, numbers of insect-eating birds in North America have dropped by an estimated 2.9 billion in the last 50 yearswhile numbers of non-insectivorous birds have increased by 26.2 million. The researchers highlighted examples of notable migrating flies: The larvae of just two hoverfly species (marmalade and vagrant hoverflies) eat an estimated 10 trillion aphids each year in southern England aloneshowing their vast power as pest controllers. Autumn houseflies (Musca autumnalis) play a vital role as decomposers. A study on the closely related housefly (Musca domestica), showed that the larvae produced by just 50 flies (25,000 eggs) can decompose up to 444 kg of pig slurry, transforming it into organic compost. Autumn houseflies have been found migrating through high passes in the Pyrenees. Other fly species embark on a more sinister journey: reindeer botfly may track reindeer on their own lengthy migrationsand the female flies expel their larvae into the noses of reindeer to live in their throats until spring. Some migrating flies are moving into new areas due to global warming; mosquitoes have recently carried malaria into mountainous regions of Nepal. Dr. Myles Menz, from James Cook University, concluded, "What we've uncovered is that Dipteran migrants are vital to the planet's ecosystems, yet they are hugely underappreciated. This review will hopefully inspire many more studies into this fascinating and important world of fly migration." More information: Will L. Hawkes et al, Lords of the flies: dipteran migrants are diverse, abundant and ecologically important, Biological Reviews (2025). DOI: 10.1111/brv.70017 Journal information: Biological Reviews This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Pinned specimens of common tiger (Danaus genutia) and common crow (Euploea core) butterflies. Credit: Maria Luisa Muller-Theissen Butterfly collections are a common sight in museums, their brightly colored wings and unique patterns drawing the eyes of visitors. While these pinned specimens on display are stunning on their own, a new study from the University of Georgia explored how museum specimens can be used to track the spread of disease. Ophryocystis elektroscirrha (OE) is a protozoan parasite that can hamper a butterfly's growth and flight. Caterpillars can become infected by eating spores on the surface of plants, and the resulting infection can persist into adulthood. OE rarely kills its victims directly, as it depends on adult butterflies to spread its spores. Even so, it's estimated that millions of monarchs don't survive their annual migration due to infection. "A lot of people don't think about butterflies as getting sick, but butterflies and other insects can be host to microbes that cause problems for them," said Sonia Altizer, Martha Odum Distinguished Professor in UGA's Odum School of Ecology and a corresponding author of the study published in Ecological Entomology. "It's like having a debilitating lifelong illness that makes it harder for you to travel and work, but it doesn't necessarily kill you outright." The researchers studied almost 3,000 butterfly specimens from five museums in the U.S. and abroad, including the Georgia Museum of Natural History. Five of the 61 butterfly species they sampled were found to be infected, with cases dating as far back as 1909, 60 years before the first published descriptions of OE in monarchs and queens. This study also contains the first reported infections of Jamaican monarchs. Distribution of infections widespread The butterfly specimens came from all over the world and were collected from 1832 to 2019. Because of how fragile the specimens are, the researchers had to use a special technique to avoid damaging them. When butterflies are infected with OE, spores of the parasite appear on the outside of their bodies. The researchers collected samples by carefully twisting a fiber swab against the body and sampling the butterfly's scales. The scales can then be transferred to a glass slide and examined under a microscope. This study focused on milkweed butterflies, as they can be found globally, and monarchs and queens are already known to be susceptible to the disease. This group gets their name due to feeding on milkweed and concentrating the plant's toxins inside their bodies to protect them from predators. Using this group, the researchers found evidence of infection in the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa and Oceania. But where butterflies were getting infected varied, even within the same species. "There were a lot of places where these species were sampled with no infection, even though there were other places where they were," Altizer said. "There was a lot of geographic variation within each species as to where infections were detected." Infection limited to certain types of butterflies Even with OE showing up worldwide, the number of species affected was limited. Only five specieslesser wanderers, monarchs, plain tigers, queens and Jamaican monarchstested positive for OE. These species were all in the Danaus genus. This opens the question as to why OE only seems to affect a small group of closely related species. Part of this may be due to specialization of the parasites themselves; the spores recovered from monarchs tended to be darker and larger than ones found on the other four species. A sister study published in Ecology and Evolution, led by Maria Luisa Muller-Theissen, who conducted this research as part of her Ph.D. studies in ecology at UGA in 2024, also explored the possibility of cross-infection between monarchs and queens. While monarchs could be infected by parasites affecting both species, queens were only impacted by parasites that target queens. Monarchs were also hit harder by disease compared to infected queens. "If you put monarchs and queens side by side, the monarchs tend to outcompete the queens for food," Altizer said. "The queens compensate for that by being more resistant to parasites and tougher in other ways." Museum collections critical for research Although there's still uncertainty about the dynamic between OE and its hosts, the museum collections are valuable for developing a clearer picture of infection patterns in the wild. "No one person could go all around the world and look at all these different species in a reasonable amount of time and money," Altizer said. "But we can go to a museum and access samples from all over the world going back decades or longer and get information from these animals." Given the harmful effects OE can have on butterflies, better understanding parasite distributions and other threats could help guide conservation efforts for monarchs and the survival of other species. More information: Maria L. MullerTheissen et al, Museum collections reveal a global range of Ophryocystis parasites in Danaus butterflies, Ecological Entomology (2025). DOI: 10.1111/een.13426 Maria L. MullerTheissen et al, Resistance and Tolerance to Imperfectly Specialized Parasites: Milkweed Butterflies and Their Protozoan Parasites, Ecology and Evolution (2025). DOI: 10.1002/ece3.70979 Journal information: Ecology and Evolution , Ecological Entomology This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Proton attraction. Credit: Stephan Thurmer Proton transfer in aqueous systems is a fundamental process occurring constantly around us. It involves a molecule losing a proton, which then associates with another molecule. Given its significance in fields such as electrochemistry, energy conversion, and biology, scientists have been rigorously investigating its mechanisms for more than 200 years since the first model was proposed. Now, an international team of researchers are investigating these dynamics using X-ray spectroscopy, which allows them to examine how individual atoms behave within a molecule. Their experiments were conducted at the Japanese synchrotron-radiation facility SPring-8. The study, now published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, brought together researchers from Japan, Germany, Russia, Switzerland and Sweden. "It is not uncommon for X-ray excitations to lead to ultrafast dissociation, where atoms rapidly leave the excited molecule," explains Zhong Yin, who led the study. "This time, however, we found the complete opposite: the local excitation instead attracts a proton, creating a new kind of state that we call associative." Yin and his colleagues selectively excited the aqueous hydroxyl ion (OH) and investigated the mechanism by which an associative state attracts a proton from neighboring water molecules. They observed a shoulder spectral feature, in addition to the strong local decay in Resonant Inelastic X-ray Scattering (RIXS)a technique that measures the energy loss of X-rays scattered by atoms, revealing details about the molecular environment. This showed an isotope effect in aqueous OH/OD. Using state-of-the-art cluster calculations, the researchers found that the smaller peak feature comes from an associative state in aqueous OH, where a proton approaches the OH/OD after resonant excitation. This new observation in the scattering process of the solvated hydroxide ion shows that nuclear dynamics in RIXS can involve associative states, in addition to the dissociative states observed in systems like water and acetic acid. Victor Kimberg, who led the theoretical analysis, adds that this result not only clarifies the mechanism behind proton transfer, but also broadens the applicability of X-ray spectroscopy. "The atom-specific site-selectivity in RIXS is a crucial advantage compared to alternative photon-based methods and could be an ideal technique for investigating local properties and dynamics in solutions with a wide range of chemical and biological applications." More information: Zhong Yin et al, Observation of an Associative State in Aqueous Hydroxide, Journal of the American Chemical Society (2025). DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c13453 Journal information: Journal of the American Chemical Society This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Refugees resettled in the U.S. often define success in ways that go far beyond economic self-sufficiency, according to a new study co-authored by researchers at Washington University in St. Louis. Published in Refugee Survey Quarterly, the study challenges long-held assumptions about what makes resettlement successful in the U.S. While the refugees in the study valued finding a job and becoming self-sufficient, they also described success more broadlyas supporting loved ones, restoring dignity, navigating a new country and contributing to their communities. These personal and social goals are often overlooked in conventional policy measures, which have prioritized rapid employment and financial independence. The findings suggest that a more holistic approach to resettlement that reflects refugees' definitions of success may be more effective at promoting long-term integration. Researchers conducted in-depth interviews with 36 adult refugees from Iraq and the Democratic Republic of the Congo resettled in Denver and St. Louis. Despite economic challenges, 89% of participants said the resettlement period represented the most successful time in their lives. Researchers suggest this may be because learning a new language and adapting to a new country felt easier than the hardships they faced before. More information: Cyril Bennouna et al, How Refugees Conceptualise Success: Grounding Definitions and Examining Heterogeneity, Refugee Survey Quarterly (2024). DOI: 10.1093/rsq/hdae013 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Sea trials in a reconstruction of the c. 350 BC Hjortspring boat, akin to a Scandinavian Bronze Age type boat, with a side view drawing of the boat under full crew inserted above. Photo by Knut Valbjrn. Credit: Boel Bengtsson, CC-BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) People living in Bronze Age-era Denmark may have been able to travel to Norway directly over the open sea, according to a study published in PLOS One by Boel Bengtsson from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, and colleagues. To complete this study, the research team developed a new computer modeling tool that could help other scientists better understand how ancient peoples traversed the sea. The Bronze Age cultures of what are now northern Denmark and southwestern Norway are quite alike, with similar artifacts, burial systems, and architecture. Cultural exchange between the two regions was likely made possible by vessels traveling along the coastlines of Scandinavia, following a 700-kilometer route across Denmark, up the coast of Sweden and back down to southwestern Norway. However, the researchers of this new paper suggest, the cultural similarities between these two regions invite speculation that ancient people may also have traveled directly between the two sitesover more than 100 kilometers of open ocean. To study this possibility, the research team developed a modeling program that uses data on environmental factors like currents and wind, along with data on how a vessel moves through the water, to simulate different trips. For this study, the team simulated trips using a reconstruction of the Hjortspring boat, a large paddle-driven canoe from around 350 BCE. According to their simulations, Bronze Age people may have had the capability to travel directly from Denmark to Norway over the open ocean, though these trips would likely have required a boat able to navigate in waves up to 1 meter high and winds of up to 10 knots, along with good weather forecasting and navigational skills. These open-sea voyages may also have been limited to the summer months. In contrast, following the longer route between the two sites along the coastline was likely safer and possible all year, but probably would have taken many weeks to complete and required frequent stops to restock supplies. In addition to these insights into Bronze Age Scandinavian crossings, the authors note that their model could be adapted to study seafaring for any vessel with sufficient information about its hull shape and specifications. The authors add, "These new agent-based simulations, applied with boat performance data of a Scandinavian Bronze Age-type boat, demonstrate regular open sea crossings of the Skagerrak, including some 50 km of no visible land, likely commenced by 2300 BC, as indicated by archaeological evidence." More information: Seafaring and navigation in the Nordic Bronze Age: The application of an ocean voyage tool and boat performance data for comparing direct open water crossings with sheltered coastal routes, PLOS One (2025). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0320791. plos.io/4iEg5qV Journal information: PLoS ONE This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Field after barley has been harvested, Co. Down, Northern Ireland. Credit: Queen's University Belfast Warm temperatures and erratic rainfall due to climate change are taking a toll on Northern Ireland's health and farming industry, a new study published in Climate Risk Management reveals. The research is the first to combine data which models climate risks with insights capturing local knowledge and experience from rural health care providers and farmers. The study was led by the University of Bristol and co-authored by two Queen's researchers. It found that extreme heat could result in nearly 100 (98) deaths across the nation per year, with between two-thirds and three-quarters of these occurring rural areas. The more localized findings focused on towns across Northern Ireland, including Castlederg in County Tyrone, which holds the record for Northern Ireland's hottest and coldest temperatures. Lead author Dr. Alan Kennedy-Asser, Senior Research Associate at the University of Bristol from Moira, Co. Down, said, "Our research highlights the importance of understanding the local setting in which weather and climate impacts occur. With further global warming, other parts of Northern Ireland can expect to see the temperatures previously recorded in Castlederg, so we can learn a lot from the local experts within communities who have experienced these extremes first-hand." How heat-related mortality could change across Northern Ireland with future warming. Credit: Adapted from Climate Risk Management (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.crm.2025.100702 Rather than being due to acute heat stress, the forecasted deaths would be from a range of causes, for example, increased cardiovascular or respiratory complications during warm periods. Feedback from local care providers reinforced national projections highlighting that heat is a public health issue not only affecting urban areas, but rural ones too. Although statistics nationally indicated the possible effects of heat stress would be low, interviews with respondents working on the frontline of health care reported significant levels of discomfort and heat-related health conditions in the workplace, which required increased staff rest periods. Farmers reported they were already experiencing a wide range of adverse effects, such as flash flooding hampering operations and reducing crop yields, and increased periods of drought, requiring more water for vegetable crops during hotter drier summers, particularly in the east of the country. How grass yield could change across Northern Ireland with future warming. Credit: Adapted from Climate Risk Management (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.crm.2025.100702 How river flow could change across Northern Ireland because of changing rainfall. Credit: Adapted from Climate Risk Management (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.crm.2025.100702 Farmers also explained how even moderate but unseasonal weather could be highly disruptive. For instance, making it difficult to plan routine farm work such as spreading slurry and fertilizer or having to house animals for longer due to water logging of fields. This in turn presents other problems, such as animals facing increased risk of potentially fatal diseases including pneumonia. Co-author Dr. Ryan McGuire, research fellow at Queen's University Belfast, said, "As we enter a new era of agri-environmental policy for Northern Ireland, which is both challenging and exciting for our farmers, they are also facing significant disruptions to farm management and decision-making, often on a daily basis, due to extreme weather variations. This can pose massive land management challenges and can risk animal health and welfare." Co-author Dr. Donal Mullan, senior lecturer at Queen's University Belfast, said, "Growing up on a farm in rural west Tyrone, I have witnessed more unpredictable and extreme weather negatively affecting the timing and quality of crop and silage harvesting, slurry and fertilizer spreading, and livestock management. "Climate change is not a distant problem for some other placeit is happening right now and impacting our rural communities right here in Northern Ireland, and it is only going to get worse as the climate warms." More information: Alan T. Kennedy-Asser et al, The role of local knowledge in enhancing climate change risk assessments in rural Northern Ireland, Climate Risk Management (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.crm.2025.100702 You are here: World Flash The drills around Taiwan Island are a serious warning and an act of containment against "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, and a legitimate and necessary move to defend national sovereignty and uphold national unity, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Tuesday. The Chinese People's Liberation Army Eastern Theater Command on Tuesday started to conduct joint exercises around Taiwan Island. In response to a relevant query, spokesperson Guo Jiakun told a daily press briefing that Taiwan is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory and the Taiwan question is purely China's internal affairs that brook no external interference. The Democratic Progressive Party authorities are hellbent on seeking "Taiwan independence," and attempt to solicit external support for that agenda and divide the country, said the spokesperson. "Such attempt is just futile and doomed to fail," Guo said. "The historical trend that China will and must achieve reunification is unstoppable." This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Samantha Alger, director of the Vermont Bee Lab, inspects a frame of bees. Credit: Joshua Brown Beekeepers in the United States lost more than 55% of managed colonies last yearthe highest loss rate since the Apiary Inspectors of America began determining them in 2011. A new study by University of Vermont scientists and international collaborators supports a novel method for testing hygienic behavior in honey bees that could promote breeding of more disease-resistant colonies in the future. They published their findings in Frontiers in Bee Science. "Beekeepers are losing bees at a rate that they say is unsustainable," says Samantha Alger, director of the Vermont Bee Lab at the UVM and lead author of the study. "In the '80s, beekeepers lost colonies 1012% of the time but now it's like 3050%. Imagine that happening to someone who's a cattle farmer or a pig farmer every year." Honey bee populations remain relatively steady despite heavy losses because beekeepers are good at breeding new bees, she explains. But that comes at the expense of time and resources for beekeepers, as well as risk for native pollinators. Pathogens in managed honey bees can spill over into wild bee populations. Alger's lab works with beekeepers to breed hardy, disease-resistant honey bee colonies which they can sell to hobbyists and professional beekeepers. Helping beekeepers identify hygienic behaviorthe ability to identify unhealthy broodis part of this process. "It's definitely more desirable for a beekeeper to have bees that are better adapted at taking care of their diseases themselves, rather than using chemical treatments and interventions to try to reduce these pathogen loads, which, of course, may have negative impacts on the bees," she says. "Now the trick is, how does a beekeeper identify a colony that is really hygienic? And there's various tests that you can perform for that and this UBeeO is sort of a novel way of testing for it." Alger's team recently studied a screening tool developed by scientists at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro that tests colonies for hygienic behavior by mimicking the pheromones emitted by sick or dying bees. The researchers found the UBeeO test can identify colonies resistant to several pests and pathogens that can decimate bee populations, such as Vairimorpha (known to many beekeepers as Nosema) and fungal infections including chalkbrood. "UBeeO has been known to identify colonies that are able to better resist Varroa mites, but it had not been used to look at other pests or pathogens," Alger says. "We found this new assay could be used to identify colonies that are resistant to these other stressors." High UBeeO scores show more areas where bees have disturbed cells to inspect developing bees for illness, indicating they exhibit more hygienic behavior. Credit: Vermont Bee Lab How it works Picture a honey bee colony. Inside the boxed hive are frames with hexagonal holes where a queen bee lays one egg inside each cell. As the eggs hatch, nurse bees feed the developing larvae and eventually cap over the cells with wax to protect them as they mature into adults. When nurse bees detect a developing bee is sick or dead, they will uncap the cell and remove the pupa to protect the rest of the hive. This is called hygienic behavior and pheromones play an important role in this process. "Other folks have identified death pheromones, these compounds that are associated with death," says Kaira Wagoner, a research scientist at UNC Greensboro and co-author of the study. "The famous biologist E.O. Wilson was one of the first to do this. He found oleic acid was emitted from dead ants. The same thing has been found with bees, and it's just likely a stronger signalit's growing as the dead brood is basically decomposing in the cell. The signals that are coming out of an unhealthy brood are different and very likely more subtle than those death pheromones." Previous hygiene tests for beekeepers were based off the idea of testing the bees' ability to detect dead brood. One of the most common methods, the freeze brood assay, involves pouring liquid nitrogen over a section of capped cells and waiting 24 hours to see if the bees start removing the dead. The UBeeO test is different. "Rather than using liquid nitrogen to kill the developing pupae or larvae, you are using a blend of synthetic pheromones that mimics the same chemicals that are emitted by dying or diseased brood," Alger explains. "So rather than testing the bees' ability to identify dead brood, you are testing the bees' ability to identify diseased brood, which means that this test is a little bit more selective and realistic to what bees experience." Wagoner co-developed UBeeO during her doctoral studies after she identified chemical compounds associated with unhealthy brood odors. She co-founded Optera, (named for Hymenoptera, the order of the honeybee), to bring UBeeO to beekeepers in the field. It became publicly available in 2024. "It's a really young technology," Wagoner says. "We've now tested it in over 10 different countries, and there are breeding programs in at least five now, so there's a lot more data to come." Beekeepers perform UBeeO assay to a frame. Credit: Vermont Bee Lab Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Strength of the investigation The study focuses on UBeeO tests performed in three geographic regionsVermont, North Carolina, and Australiato examine its effectiveness at recognizing colonies resistant to pathogens and disease. The UBeeO test involves spraying a section of capped cells with synthetic pheromones and then waiting two hours to see if nurse bees have started to inspect the developing bees for problems. The percentage of disturbed cells is the UBeeO score. The researchers found that higher UBeeO scores were associated with lower levels of disease load. The findings also showed various thresholds to disease resistance for common honey bee pathogens. "What we found, at least with this Australian dataset, is they only needed to achieve a 13% response on the UBeeO test to be really pretty resistant to chalkbrood. In contrast, colonies need to achieve a response of 55 or 60% on the UBeeO test to be resistant to mites, Wagoner explains. "The honey bee responsiveness largely depends on how virulent or how harmful the specific disease is to the brood. Chalkbrood kills the brood, so the bees don't have to be as sensitive to detect it." Varroa mite infection is trickier. These tiny parasitic mites were introduced about four decades ago in the United States and are vectors of disease to bee populations. They pose a significant threat to colonies and reproduce by laying eggs inside the capped-over cells and feed off the developing pupa. If nurse bees don't detect a problem, Varroa mites will be released into the hive when the young honey bee emerges. That is where hygienic behavior becomes critical, since uncapping the cells disrupts the mites' life cycle. The study also revealed the UBeeO test could identify colonies with resistance to Vairimorpha (previously Nosema), a disease that affects adult bees and not the developing brood. That finding has prompted new research into how hygienic behavior works to keep these Vairimorpha levels down. "In the case of Vairimorpha, what they're doing is kind of the mystery," Alger says. " There might be other behaviors that hygienic colonies are performing aside of what we know." More information: Unhealthy Brood Odor (UBeeO) scores predict pathogen loads of several important honey bee diseases, Frontiers in Bee Science (2025). DOI: 10.3389/frbee.2025.1509871 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Mir complex floating in space, September 24, 1996. Credit: NASA While life on Earth has been dramatic enough lately, there's also been an unusual amount of news from space in the early months of 2025. So far, debris from SpaceX and Blue Origin rockets has landed in locations including the Bahamas, Florida, Poland, and Turks and Caicos and caused flight delays at airports in Florida. On February 18, NASA estimated that asteroid 2024 YR4 had a 3.1% chance of hitting Earth in 2032the highest probability of impact ever recorded by the agencyalthough they later reduced that estimate to 0.004%. For decades, asteroids, rockets, satellites, and associated space junk have all posed risks to our planet's infrastructure and people. In response, space law has grown into what we know today, starting in the mid-20th century by the United Nations. Shaped by the international resolutions, treaties, and organizations that have been created to regulate these threats, the field has grown in relevance and importance as more countries and private entities pursue activities in space. Only a few universitiesincluding NYUcurrently offer courses on the subject, but that is likely to change as the field grows. NYU News spoke with Benedict Kingsbury, Murry and Ida Becker Professor of Law, and Katrina M. Wyman, Wilf Family Professor of Property Lawco-teachers of the NYU School of Law course "Space and Planetary Law & Governance" and experts in international and environmental lawabout the recent headlines, the still-developing discipline, and how it could shape Earth's future. So if space debris lands in your backyard, what do you do? Wyman: There's an international convention related to this, the Liability Convention of 1972. Basically, it says that the country that licensed the launch of the item that has fallen in your backyard would be strictly liable. However, this convention has only been formally invoked oncewhich was in 1978, when space debris landed in Canada, and Canada went and pursued the Soviet Union. When some space debris landed in Saskatchewan (in May 2024), SpaceX sent some employees to the farm where the debris landed, and they picked it up and took it away without any intervention by the Canadian government or the US government. But property damage is not the only important and interesting issue. We're not familiar with any examples where somebody's been killed from space debris fallingbut that could potentially happen. There was also a study done about what could potentially happen if the debris hit an airplane. That's another concern. Earlier this year, there was a lot of news about an asteroid potentially hitting Earth. If one is someday determined to be likely to impact our planet, how do we decide who should be involved in the response? Kingsbury: I think, in terms of the academic terminology for this kind of question, it's a "public goods problem." That is, we all benefit from deflecting an asteroid which is going to hit Earth, but only a small number of players are going to bear the cost of running these programs. Of course, if they're big countries with big economies and they have a lot at stake, they would feel, "Well, it's worth it to do this." There are also ancillary benefits because these countries get expertise, they're tracking space objects, they can use that same information to avoid risks of damage to their own spacecraft and satellites or even for navigation and perhaps other exploratory things. So there may be enough side benefits from planetary defense that it makes totally compelling sense for one country to do it, but there is also a public goods problem. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. It's not a problem like climate change, where you need a lot of people and places to reduce emissions for mitigation, and you need a big strategy involving millions or even billions of actors. If an asteroid is coming, it's enough to have just one actor who actually deflects it, among perhaps a dozen actors capable of doing it. At the moment there's no conflict about the goaleveryone agrees on that. However, there is a question about who is willing to invest a big amount in being prepared to do it. Planetary defense involves trying to deal with something like an asteroid that when near Earth would be coming at enormous speed and could cause tremendous damageyet that kind of event is very rare and very unlikely. Most of the effort is just to track what's happening, to construct good far-distance interception equipment, and to be prepared. A pressing issue becoming more and more common has to do with orbital debris. When the debris is in orbit, it's potentially very dangerous to other satellites and rockets because it's in areas where there is now much more satellite activity, especially in low Earth orbit. Why is it dangerous? How does space law work here? Kingsbury: Low Earth orbit, which is considered the zone up to 2,000 kilometers (or about 1,200 miles) above Earth, is roughly the most active area. That's where Starlink and the International Space Station are. It's also an area that other rockets have to pass through if they're going further out. That area is becoming much more crowded with active satellites, but there's also an enormous amount of what's called "space junk" in orbit. Some of it is from defunct satellites and broken-off pieces from rocket bodies or fragmented satellites. Because the space junk is all orbiting at very high speed, it can cause tremendous damage that could destroy a satelliteand if it happened to be something with a crew in it, a collision could lead to death. So there's a serious risk there, and it's a much more likely risk than an asteroid hitting Earth. There's a huge collective interest in cleaning it up, but that is also a big public goods problem. Additionally, in theory, the state or entity that launched a craft still has a responsibility in an accident, but in practice, often it's not known who's responsible for some little piece of junk anymore. Quite often no one is really at fault. The things that are in orbit, many of them, they're not maneuverable. Some of them are just little pieces, and while some people hope in the future to ablate them with lasers or catch them with magnets, there's nothing very easy to be done. So there's a lot of risk of damage and accidents without anyone being liable for it and without much ability to really prevent them. There's also a really important function of space tracking, which goes under the name of "space situational awareness." So far, the U.S. Department of Defense has been the main provider of information to people operating satellites or any active spacecraft that may be at risk of a collision with something like a piece of space junk or another satellite. Those are called conjunction events, and notices get sent out to operators, but it's often just an estimate. At the moment, there's some international coordination, but there are no binding international agreements on space tracking or on collision avoidance. There are just a lot of understandings of who's going to get out of the way. For now, the only binding law is about negligence liability if you cause an accident, but that's very difficult to enforce and not enough to rely on. You've mentioned the space efforts of different countries and companies and organizations. How are these efforts coordinated? Kingsbury: Well, the United Nations does not itself operate satellites. The very expensive satellites, as well as the big telescopes on Earth and the telescopes in spacelike the Hubble and James Webb telescopesare operated either by individual countries or groups of countries. These days, more and more satellites are privately operated, and there is impressive private launch capability as well. There's a lot of collaboration between two or three countriesor bigger groups of countriesthat continues the long pattern of the U.S. and Soviet collaboration in the 1970s. The International Space Station is a big symbol of that. There's a lot of information sharing and scientific collaboration through the telescope programs, satellite programs, and human spacecraft programs. It's done mainly by bilateral agreements, but often with the aim of sharing the data to the whole public. How do you define space law, and what do you cover in the course? Wyman: I would say space law is an effort to set some rules or principles to govern and coordinate human activity in outer space, and it's a mixture of all different kinds of law and policy. It's international law, domestic lawa lot of it is rules of the road or norms-based, because there's actually not that much traditional law in space law. I teach environmental law, and I think of space as another environment. I'm interested in the lessons we can learn for space from our successes and failures in managing the earthly environment. I've been thinking recently about how people might be able to develop a politics to facilitate the protection of outer space. Kingsbury: I agree. Space law is about facilitating, organizing, and channeling human activities as they become more intensive off the Earth. It's trying to avoid conflict, trying to be efficient, and also to enable fairness and long-term thinking about what could otherwise be short-term decisions. Space law has become a vocation for law students to go forth and do, but also there are a lot of people with a real passion for space, so in our course we also discuss a lot of science fiction. We've discussed Dune, The Expanse, The Three-Body Problem, and it's striking how many people have their imagination of what's likely to be happening in space already structured by science fiction. And often those writers have identified issues which are now getting much closer to being things that are really happeningas well as the challenges of managing the core issues of morality, conflicts of fairness, and values. I think our contribution is to try to bring together international law with environmental law, property law, and commercial contract law to make some package that is both hopeful and forward-looking, but also practical and workable. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: (a) In situ burial of Individual SP5; (b) pathological signs associated with possible scurvy; (c) pathological signs associated with possible scurvy and rickets; (d) pathological signs associated with rickets. Credit: Zinn et al. 2025 A recent study, published in the International Journal of Paleopathology, examined the skeletal remains of a child who lived in mid-19th-century France. The study revealed that the child had suffered from rickets and scurvy and was likely treated using mercury before his death at only 34 years old. Mercury is a highly toxic metal that has been used to treat various diseases for centuries, including venereal and skin diseases, say researchers Alexandra Zinn and Dr. Antony Colombo, "There is a real paradox between mercury's high toxicity (that we know today) and its historical appeal. In the past, mercury was seen as magical and esoteric. "More than 2,000 years ago, mercury was already being used in Greek, Arab, Chinese, and Egyptian medicine, particularly for treating skin and venereal diseases. Its use as a medicine is evidenced by ancient Chinese, Egyptian, Greek, and Arabic medical reports." Mercury's use continued during the Industrial Revolution, which began in the UK in the 18th century and spread to other countries by the 19th century. It was characterized by rapid technological and scientific growth, which led to the invention and advancement of numerous medical systems and public health policies. In some instances, this led to an improved quality of life, higher birth rates, lower infant mortality rates, longer life expectancies, and reduced mortality rates from infectious diseases. However, industrialization also led to increased air pollution, overpopulation in urban areas, and high rates of child labor in factories and mines, which in turn led to the prevalence of other diseases. Scurvy and rickets, two diseases characterized by severe vitamin C and D deficiencies, respectively, were prevalent, especially in the lower and middle socio-economic classes. "It is known that industrialization had a negative impact on children's living conditions and health, with an increase in deficiency diseases such as rickets in the UK. But industrialization in France came about in a slightly different way to England: later and less abruptly, against a context of intense political and social changes," said Zinn and Colombo. "Bioanthropologists in France have done relatively little research into this period. It was during a previous project, published by A. Colombo and other colleagues in 2021, to understand these health conditions in France, using a paleo-epidemiological approach of rickets during this transitional period, based on anthropological data and historical archives, that they identified mercury as a common treatment for rickets. "We therefore wanted to find out whether it was possible to detect mercury in skeletal mineral structures and whether it could be interpreted as a treatment for rickets." The skeletal remains used in the study were recovered from the archaeological site of Rue Thubeuf, located in Rouen, France. Excavations of the Saint-Gervais parish cemetery revealed 53 burials dating to the 18th and 19th centuries. Of these remains, 18 were studied, including individual SP5. With the implementation of physical analysis, micro-CT scanning, X-ray fluorescence, and cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry (a sensitive chemical detection method), the researchers were able to determine that the child had suffered from both rickets and scurvy and had abnormally high levels of mercury in his bones and teeth. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. The origin of the mercury in the child's bones needed to be determined to deduce if the mercury had been administered as a medical treatment or a byproduct of environmental contamination. Contamination from the interred soil was quickly ruled out as the geology of Rouen does not contain mercury-rich minerals or materials. Additionally, contamination from occupation was ruled out. Rouen was known for its cotton textile production, an occupation that did not implement mercury. While earthwork productions did use mercury for gilding and enameling processes, these took place outside Saint-Gervais, making it an unlikely source of mercury contamination. The only occupational contaminant contenders were mirror and hat factories, which did exist in the peripheries of the archaeological site. However, given the child's young age, he would have been unlikely to have been in these factories or exposed to them to the same extent as working adults. The researchers considered the possibility of mercury contamination from food, specifically through the consumption of certain types of fish. However, mercury contamination of fish stocks arose with industrialization and large-scale mercury emissions in the late 20th century. It was thus most likely that the mercury found in the child's bones and teeth was the result of medical administration. "Mercury treatments were painful and exhausting, leading patients to experience unwanted effects, including asphyxia, dizziness, delirium, tooth loss, and 'mercurial glossitis' (inflammation of the tongue due to mercury exposure). Usually, the treatment was considered complete when excessive salivation appeared, which could be taken as an encouraging sign that the disease was being expelled (assuming the patient had not died before)." Based on the mercury concentrations in the teeth and bones, it was determined the child had likely been administered the lethal metallic substance in the last few months of his life, leading to severe mercury poisoning. More information: Alexandra Zinn et al, Archeometric detection of mercury: A paleopharmacological case study of skeletal remains of a child with vitamin deficiencies (Rouen, France, late 1819th centuries), International Journal of Paleopathology (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpp.2025.02.006 2025 Science X Network GLENS FALLS The Adirondack Regional Immigration Collaborative hosted a special event Saturday at the Park Theater, which highlighted all the different flavors that the immigrant population brings to our community. The sense of community kind of rising in opposition to some of the stuff thats going on, sort of saying, hey, golly this is not right, is swelling, explained Dr. Richard Leach, founder and chairperson for ARIC in an interview with The Post-Star Monday. Some prominent restaurateurs, who also happen to be immigrant members of the Glens Falls community, shared their stories and recipes with those in attendance, including dishes from Aroy Dee, La Cosina Mexicana, Gyro Hut, and Giovanni Fresco. That was one of the pieces that we really wanted to accentuate: that were already a terrific community, Leach said. Other members of the community who spoke included Milly Koh, who is originally from Glens Falls sister city, Saga City in Japan; Mike Parwana, who was born in Afghanistan; and Svitozar and Oksana Zacharia, who very recently moved to Glens Falls as part of the United for Ukraine Program. Temporary Protection Status programs, like the one that brought the Zacharias to the community, are being targeted by the Trump administration. On Monday a federal judge blocked an order by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem that would have stripped already approved TPS protections from approximately 350,000 Venezuelan immigrants and forced them to leave the country within days. It is evident that the Secretary made sweeping negative generalizations about Venezuelan TPS beneficiaries, U.S. District Judge Edward M. Chen wrote in his ruling. Acting on the basis of a negative group stereotype and generalizing such stereotype to the entire group is the classic example of racism. Leach said he fears that with all the rhetoric and vitriol surrounding the U.S.s sharp pivot on Russias war on Ukraine, the Zacharias might be among those next on the chopping block. Marvelous people who really have the potential to contribute piles to our culture and to our economy, Leach said of the couple. Both of them are paying taxes and social security and all that stuff, because theyre perfectly legitimate here and are fully credentialed under theyre humanitarian parole program, but, again theyre liable to be thrown out maybe in April. Representatives from area businesses also spoke at the event on Saturday, to discuss how heavily they rely on the immigrant population as a workforce. Beth Quinn, HR supervisor at the Mirror Lake Inn Resort and Spa in Lake Placid said the resort has had a long-standing history of supporting and being supported by immigrant workers. Immigrants really are feeding into our economy, theyre not depleting our economy, she said in an interview with The Post-Star Tuesday. Theyre doing everything that I do on a regular basis as an American citizen. Quinn said immigrant workers make up around 20% of the resorts workforce. They host people from every TPS program that they can. However, as the federal government cracks down on those programs, it has already been more difficult for businesses like the Mirror Lake Inn to find adequate staffing. It becomes very frustrating; were constantly trying to fill in spots here and there, Quinn said. Full-time, permanent, year-round workers is the ideal situation for any business, but you arent always going to get that. To help fill in those spots, the resort takes advantage of programs such as the J-1 visa Student Work and Travel Program, which allows foreign students to live and work in the U.S. for up to four months during summer and winter breaks, as well as the J-1 visa Intern and Trainee Program, which lets experienced professionals from other countries live and work in the U.S. for up to 18 months growing and sharing their knowledge. Were finding that the intern trainees are getting denied visas quite frequently, so, weve been struggling a little bit with that, Quinn said. Workers who serve under the J-1 Intern and Trainee Program generally operate the resorts culinary and beverage sectors. So, without them we would have no kitchen staff, and we would have very little dining room staff, Quinn said. We wouldnt be able to open our restaurant. The employment gap seems to be widening so much that the Mirror Lake Inn is hosting its first ever job fair from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on April 8 to try and entice as many local workers as possible to step in. What would be nice is if we had more American workers that were wanting to apply for jobs and looking for year-round jobs, she said. But theyre not knocking on the door. Quinn said the resort is currently working with the Department of Labor to become eligible to host H-2B visa holders. The H-2B visa allows U.S. employers to bring foreign nationals to the United States to fill temporary non-agricultural jobs for up to three years. Quinn said that the longer they are able to keep an immigrant worker consistently on the schedule not only helps alleviate the stress of having to fill positions but also contributes to the overall experience of the resorts guests. It is our utmost priority to make sure that what the guests experience is what theyre paying for, she said. And we have a staff that definitely puts out exceptional quality service including our immigrant workers. In an opinion piece that ran in the March 18, 2025, edition of USA Today, Ed Weibrecht, owner and operator of the Mirror Lake Inn, wrote in part, At our inn that dates back to the mid-1920s, immigrants are more than employees they are family Theyre stories, their spirit and their unshakable belief in the American dream are powerful reminders of what is at stake not just for them, but for all of us. Americas strength lies in its diversity and its tradition of welcoming those in need. It is a tradition that has shaped the story of the Weibrechts, my business and my community. It is a tradition Im ready to fight for and it is one that must guide our nations policies, today and in the future. Flash The Houthi group reported Tuesday that U.S. forces have carried out 22 airstrikes on its targets in Yemen's northern Sanaa and Saada provinces over the past several hours. According to a brief statement broadcast by the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV, five airstrikes at dawn targeted the Jarban area in the Sanhan district southeast of Sanaa, while two others hit the Bani Matar district west of the capital. The statement further indicated that Saada, a stronghold of the group, was subjected to 15 U.S. airstrikes overnight, but did not disclose specific locations targeted. The attacks came one day after U.S. airstrikes killed two people and injured a child in Bani Qa'is in Yemen's northwestern province of Hajjah on Monday, according to residents and local health authorities. The U.S. military has resumed airstrikes on Houthi-held areas in northern Yemen since March 15 in a bid to deter the group from attacking Israeli targets, the U.S. Navy, and international shipping lanes in the region. However, the Houthi group responded by affirming its unwavering support for Gaza. It has resumed attacks on Israeli targets and U.S. military vessels in the Red Sea, as Israel ended a January ceasefire with Hamas and restarted military operations in Gaza. U.S. President Donald Trump vowed on Monday that strikes on Yemen's Houthis will continue until they are no longer a threat to U.S. ships. "The choice for the Houthis is clear: Stop shooting at U.S. ships, and we will stop shooting at you," Trump said on his Truth Social platform, declaring that the Houthis had been "decimated" by "relentless" strikes over the past two weeks. More than 1,000 previously terminated National Parks Service employees will be reinstated. Among those is an Interior woman, Lydia Jones, who has served four years at Badlands National Park. On Feb. 14, the Department of Government Efficiency announced thousands of job cuts targeted mostly at workers in the first year or two on the job, in what is referred to as a probationary period. From National Parks to federal departments such as Veterans Affairs, thousands of employees were fired as part of an effort led by Tesla CEO Elon Musks DOGE. Among those returning to their positions are park rangers, law enforcement, firefighters and other essential personnel. The National Parks Conservation Association will be reinstating all employees terminated by DOGE, it said on March 20 in a press release. The administrations reckless and indefensible decision to fire 1,000 park staff has put our parks and millions of visitors and resources at risk, President and CEO for the NPCA Theresa Pierno said in the release. This court-ordered reinstatement is a welcome relief and getting these employees back to work as quickly as possible is critical. This decision by the Trump administration was met with opposition. Across the nation, protests and social media posts spoke out in defense of national parks and their employees. In Rapid City, several residents gathered on a Saturday in front of City Hall to protest against federal employee cuts from DOGE. The protest was formed by Indivisible Rapid City, a grassroots activism organization. For Ben Schreves, who worked at Wind Cave National Park for nearly a decade, being a park ranger wasnt just a job; it was a purpose. No matter the dedication, passion or sacrifices, the decision was made. I was given just a few hours to clean out my desk and say my goodbyes. No exit interview. No real explanation just a vague justification of 'poor performance,' despite nothing but strong reviews from my direct superiors, Schreves wrote in his Facebook post. The Journal reached out to Schreves for a follow-up, but didnt get a reply. On March 13, U.S. District Judge William Alsup ordered the Trump administration to reinstate thousands of previously terminated employees fired on Feb. 14 from several federal agencies. However, despite these efforts, there is rising concern about the lasting effects from this chaotic whiplash. When these park staff lost their jobs, many also lost their homes and communities. Now, with uncertainty looming over if or when the next cut might come, its unclear how many will choose to return, Pierno said. The Park Service stands to lose an irreplaceable wealth of expertise, experience, and institutional knowledge they may never get back. Back to where I belong Jones love for the countrys national parks began during an internship in 2021 at Badlands National Park. That internship soon grew into a seasonal position every summer. After years serving several national parks across the nation, Jones was hired as a full-time park ranger at Badlands National Park in summer 2024. In that position I just fell in love with the park service, Jones told the Journal. And everything just clicked into place for me and I realized that this is really what I want to do. I believed in the mission of the park service. While at Badlands National Park, Jones found immense joy in delivering educational programs to park visitors. The spark of excitement in childrens eyes as they learned about the rich history of the Badlands was a deeply rewarding experience, Jones said. While educating park visitors was one of the many roles Jones played, her job required her to be a jack-of-all trades. Jones also served as a mentor to seasonal workers, an EMT and a member of the search-and-rescue team. Things were going well for Jones until her supervisor called her on Feb. 14 to inform her of her termination. Jones said her world began to shatter. The termination was effective immediately as Jones was requested to go to the office and gather her belongings and turn in her badges. There was no notice. There was no time for me to turn over projects, nothing like that, Jones said. When I went in initially, they didnt even have a termination letter for me. Jones said she wasnt even given a reason as to why she was being terminated, only that it was non-negotiable. She received her termination letter two days after the incident, detailing that her termination was due to her performance not being adequate. Jones said she received exemplary performance reviews from her superiors and won several performance awards in the past year. It was definitely emotionally difficult. This was something I saw myself potentially doing for the rest of my life, for the rest of my career, and it was something I was really passionate about, Jones said. It was something I spent the last four years of my life working towards. The devastation of losing the position hit hard for Jones and her partner as they had just recently moved to be closer to her job. Jones said she had prepared to structure her whole life around the position and to have it taken away was difficult. However, Jones biggest concern wasnt her own well-being but for the future of the parks within the United States. The lack of nuance with which it happened just makes me really concerned for the continual operations of the park, Jones said. Because if were cutting some of our best and brightest, especially our younger employees who are going to be the future of the park service, its kind of concerning for the long-term operation of the park. Though Jones was initially in shock by the termination, she spent the past month speaking with support groups and advocating to the media about it. Jones mission was to ensure that the terminated park ranger community was heard and given an opportunity to do what they loved again. Fortunately for Jones and to the 1,000 other park rangers, someone listened. Jones was reinstated to Badlands National Park on March 19. The move came as the Journal was reporting for this story. Its been a month since my termination, and words cant express how happy I am to return to a job I love, in a place I love, with people I deeply respect, Jones wrote on Facebook. Im beyond grateful for the incredible support from so many of you, and for the solidarity shown to all terminated public lands employees. Despite the good news, Jones gave some warning and a promise. With plans for wide-scale reductions in force throughout federal government, there is still the possibility that my position could be cut again. However, one thing is certain: I will continue to do my job to the absolute best of my ability, as long as I am able, in service to the American people, Jones wrote. Kathmandu, Nepal: A team of Nepal Army has left for Myanmar on Wednesday to assist victims of the recent devastating earthquake. The team led by Major Ramchandra Shrestha that consists 22 members left for Myanmar carrying medical relief as per the decision of the Government of Nepal. Flash This photo taken on March 18, 2025 shows an exterior view of the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia. [Photo/Xinhua] Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Tuesday that Russia and the United States are continuing talks to resolve the Ukraine conflict, calling it a "complex issue." "We are continuing to maintain contact with the United States," Peskov said at a daily briefing, commenting on reported threats from the United States to impose additional sanctions on Russia's oil industry if ongoing peace talks fail to make substantive progress. "This is a very complex issue," he added. "The resolution of the Ukraine conflict we are discussing now requires further efforts." Earlier on Tuesday, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said in an interview that Russia could not simply accept the U.S.-backed proposal on Ukraine, as it fails to address Russia's demands for resolving the root causes of the conflict. The UK and much of the US are experiencing unusual heat. As are many other areas of the world. This puts stress on many things, including water supplies. As Nobel recipients and others have pointed out, this impacts food production. And Gov. Glenn Youngkin batted below .200 with his proposed budget amendments in the General Assembly on Wednesday, but he still may have fared well enough to avoid a prolonged impasse over taxes and spending in an election year. The Democratic-controlled House of Delegates on Wednesday approved 41 of the Republican governors proposed amendments to the revised budget that it adopted on Feb. 22 and rejected 164 without debate. The Senate, in which Democrats also hold a narrow edge, killed an additional eight of the governors amendments during the one-day veto session, including two proposals to make higher tax relief permanent for working Virginians. In a pair of party-line votes, Senate Democrats refused to make the higher standard deduction and refundable earned income tax credit permanent, even though they raised both for two years in the budget during the 45-day session this winter. They cited potential damage to state revenues from deep cuts that President Donald Trump is making to federal spending and the government workforce that underpin the states economy, especially in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads. Theyre both good policies, but thats not the issue, said Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, who estimated that one out of every four constituents in his district works for the federal government. Its whether or not they are permanent. The next two budget cycles could be extraordinarily ugly, Surovell said. He cited Trumps announcement of tariffs on Wednesday that he said could trigger retaliatory tariffs on major state exports, such as soybeans and tractor-trailers manufactured in Southwest Virginia. Sen. David Suetterlein, R-Roanoke County, said potential economic perils make it more important to ensure that working Virginians dont lose tax benefits in two years that they have now. These help working people, Suetterlein said. Theyre not something that benefits the wealthy. Earlier, the House did not approve most of the $300 million in spending cuts that Youngkin proposed to boost the states revenues to respond to a federal funding crisis. That includes $138.2 million in new spending that the governor wanted to trim from $223 million the legislature had approved to eliminate a cap on state funding for school support positions that dates to the Great Recession. Removal of the funding cap is the top priority of local school divisions and the localities that help pay for them. The question is whether Youngkin got enough of what he wanted to avoid a potential veto of the budget, which would revise the two-year spending plan that he and the assembly adopted last year after a prolonged confrontation over their competing political priorities. Tax policy House Appropriations Chairman Luke Torian, D-Prince William, thinks the assembly will avoid a budget showdown with the governor. At the end of the day, I feel confident hell sign the budget, Torian said. But that was before the Senate, which does not face re-election this year, killed the governors proposals to make tax relief permanent on 21-19 votes. Earlier this year, the assembly increased the standard deduction by $250 for individual taxpayers and $500 for couples filing jointly without itemizing their tax deductions. It also raised the refundable portion of the earned income tax credit from 15% to 20% of the federal credit. Both increases would expire in two years, but Youngkin wanted to make them permanent, along with the new pass-through entity tax for owners of noncorporate businesses to save them money on their federal taxes. The governor already had accepted the assemblys proposals for almost $1 billion in one-time income tax rebates to be delivered in mid-October, weeks before voters elect a new governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and House of Delegates, and to raise the standard deduction and tax credit. Youngkin had proposed in December to deliver income tax credits to offset the cost of local car taxes paid by some Virginians depending on how much they earn and where they live over the next three years. He also had proposed to deduct income from tips from state taxation, as President Donald Trump has proposed at the federal level. The assembly rejected both proposals, but he did not try to resurrect them with budget amendments. Youngkin also had accepted the legislatures proposals to give one-time bonuses of 1.5% to state employees and $1,000 to teachers and other public school staff. School construction The House and Senate on Wednesday both accepted Youngkins proposals to restore $50 million for school construction that the General Assembly had eliminated from the budget that the governor introduced in December and $25.8 million to restore a portion of the $66 million that he had requested for a new student assessment system for the Standards of Learning. The assembly had eliminated almost all of the governors proposed spending on a contract for a new system, but it agreed to his amendment for spending to extend the current contract through Dec. 31, 2027, under the next governor. It also accepted the governors proposal to slightly lower the percentage of gaming proceeds that localities receive from historical horse racing parlors. He already had agreed to the assemblys budget provision to allow Richmond and other localities with Rosies Gaming Emporiums to keep all of the gaming proceeds they generate, effective in mid-2026. Those localities currently send half of the money to New Kent County as host of the Colonial Downs horse-racing track. The House was unable to muster the two-thirds vote required to overturn six of Youngkins eight vetoes of line items in the budget. But Speaker Don Scott, D-Portsmouth, ruled that two of Youngkins proposed vetoes in the budget were out of order. Scott ruled that they were linked to provisions for use of proceeds from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative that were part of the two-year budget that the assembly adopted and the governor signed last year. Henrico Rosies One of the governors vetoes that the House failed to overturn, rejected an assembly requirement for Henrico County voters to hold a new referendum on proposed historical horse racing gaming parlor. The county wanted a new referendum, while Churchill Downs, owner of Rosies and the Colonial Downs track, is relying on a 1993 referendum that voters approved for an off-track betting operation. The House restored language that Youngkin had tried to remove from the budget that would give him deadlines to respond to major reductions in state revenues from federal grants or tax law changes under Trump, with whom he is closely allied, and the Republican-controlled Congress. Democrats are particularly concerned about potential cuts in federal funding that could force the state to remove hundreds of thousands of Virginians from its Medicaid program. The House rejected Youngkins attempt to restore $81 million in capital funding for the Center for Leadership and Ethics at Virginia Military Institute, weeks after its board of visitors did not renew the contract of the first Black superintendent in the schools 186-year history. It also did not approve his proposal to resurrect a proposed state park at Oak Hill, the 1,240-acre Loudoun County estate of President James Monroe, which the Senate had blocked at the end of the 45-day legislative session this winter. School tests One of the most significant concessions that the House made was to accept Youngkins proposal to restore almost $26 million to allow the extension of contracts for a new student assessment system through the end of 2027. The General Assembly did not include Youngkins $66 million proposal for a new student assessment program in its proposed budget, and Youngkin backed off the issue when he didnt put the proposal back in his 205 budget amendments. Instead of funding a new contract with a company to develop, administer, score and report statewide students assessments, including the Standards of Learning tests, Youngkin proposed a $25.8 million budget amendment that gives additional funding to extend the current testing contract through Dec. 31, 2027. The states current contract, with the education company Pearson, originally ran from 2005-2011. It has been extended six times since the original contract was signed, and the most recent contract extension lasts until the end of 2025. According to the Virginia Department of Education, the current assessment system is outdated. Investigative Police attend scene of shot up abandoned car outside Tulum Tulum, Q.R. Police were at the scene of a highway shooting Tuesday morning outside the town of Tulum. A a gray Ford Figo vehicle with State of Mexico plates was shot up and abandoned near the Maya Train substation entrance. That substation is located on a stretch of road that connects to the community of Macario Gomez. Police were notified of the shooting after 9-1-1 reports of a car left on the side of the highway with its doors open. The vehicle was found by police abandoned and with multiple bullet holes and a flat tire. More than 12 spent shell casings were marked at the scene around the vehicle. One long-barrel firearm was found inside. Officers from the State Attorney Generals Investigative Police (PDI) were called in. Authorities cordoned off the area while they collected evidence and removed the car. Police have not made any public comment regarding the shot-up vehicle. Navy personnel extinguish burning boat off Isla Mujeres Isla Mujeres, Q.R. The Secretariat of the Navy provided help to a burning boat in the Bay of Isla Mujeres Tuesday. The tourist vessel caught fire early Tuesday morning after allegedly refueling. A Marina boat with three motors lined up with the burning vessel and threw sea spray on the flames to put out the fire. The boat was near Playa Centro when it caught fire around 8:30 a.m. Personnel from the Mexican Navys Fifth Naval Region provided support in extinguishing the fire. This action was carried out when naval personnel observed a smaller vessel on fire near Isla Mujeres, prompting the immediate departure of a Defender-type vessel from the Naval Search, Rescue and Maritime Surveillance Station (ENSAR) in Isla Mujeres and another smaller vessel with trained personnel and specialized equipment to respond to the emergency. Upon locating the vessel, naval personnel, in coordination with other vessels in the area, proceeded to assist in extinguishing the fire. The fire was completely contained with no hydrocarbon spills in the vicinity or injuries. The affected vessel was secured to another smaller vessel in order to ensure that there was no spill of any kind, they reported. The boat was reported to have been a tourist vessel that had refueled for a tour to Isla Contoy when the fire started. Authorities have not provided an official cause for the fire that completely consumed the boat. SSC reports Jalisco Nueva Generacion Cartel members arrested in Tulum Tulum, Q.R. Two members of the Jalisco Cartel were arrested from a Tulum street Tuesday. The pair were taken into custody on drug and firearm charges after they were found in possession of narcotics and loaded handguns. The Secretary of Citizen Security (SSC) have identified the two men as Bryan Augusto N and Daniel Adelfain N. Both were arrested from on Avenida Agata and Calle Rubi 09 in Tulum Tuesday. In a statement, the SSC (Secretaria de Seguridad Ciudadana) reported Bryan Augusto N and Daniel Adelfain N were arrested, allegedly involved in drug crimes and firearm possession. The detainees are believed to be members of the Jalisco Nueva Generacion Cartel. Members of the Centurion Group, in coordination with members of the State Rural Police of the Secretariat of Citizen Security, were on prevention and surveillance patrols when they observed two men exchanging transparent bags containing dried green vegetables that looked similar to marijuana. The incident occurred on Avenida Agata and Calle Rubi 09 in Tulum. Due to the swift intervention of officers, their vehicle was blocked and the corresponding inspection was carried out. The following were seized: two backpacks, 30 clear plastic bags of various sizes containing dried green marijuana-like materials, a notebook, a scale, two handguns, two magazines and 17 gold-colored 9mm cartridges. The evidence, as well as the detainees, were handed over to the Special Prosecutors Office for Combating Drug Dealing Crimes. Vehicle Rental Association anticipates expansion of tourist courtesy card before Easter Riviera Maya, Q.R. The tourist vehicle rental courtesy card could be expanded to include Playa del Carmen and Tulum. The Vehicle Rental Association of Quintana Roo is anticipating the expansion approval before the Easter holidays. The card was introduced in December of 2023 and handed out by car rental companies in Cancun. The Asociacion de Arrendadoras de Vehiculos del Estado de Quintana Roo says they are hoping the tourist card program soon includes other busy destinations such as Playa del Carmen and Tulum. The tourist courtesy card is given to tourists who rent vehicles. The card is placed on the dashboard and provides the driver with exemptions of minor driving infractions if stopped by police. Alma Reynoso Zambrano, President of the Asociacion de Arrendadoras de Vehiculos del Estado de Quintana Roo, says the proposal to expand the program is currently being analyzed by the municipal councils. The idea is for it to be approved by the City Council before Easter for municipalities like Tulum and Playa del Carmen, she commented. Cancun Mayor Ana Paty Peralta (left) with Alma Reynoso Zambrano in the 2023 release of the tourist courtesy card. The card applies if they are stopped for a minor infraction, but not for cases like collisions, parking in spaces for disabled people or drunk driving. This courtesy pass will apply to all other offenses consisting of two passes as in Cancun, explained Reynoso Zambrano. Reynoso Zambrano says the state government is working to make the cards available online so they can be managed digitally through an app designed to provide comprehensive assistance to tourists in Quintana Roo. Visitors will be able to download the card directly from the app after entering their personal rental contract and vehicle information. The tourist courtesy card gives drivers three passes for minor driving infractions while visiting the state of Quintana Roo. Pennsylvania-based convenience store chain Wawa plans to open dozens of stores in Western Virginia in coming years, including one in Salem and one in Roanoke. Representatives from Wawa detailed their plans to expand during a meeting at the Salem Civic Center on Tuesday. Community members were invited to come sample Wawas coffee, smoothies and snacks during the presentation. Wawa submitted site plans for 1941 W. Main Street in Salem, Mike Stevens, the citys spokesperson, said. Dynasty International Super Buffet was formerly located at the site. The plans have not been finalized, Stevens said. The project will bring more people into Salem and will be great for economic development, Salem Mayor Renee Turk said. I think it will drive a little traffic into the city from the interstate, Turk said. The good thing is that it gives exposure for what we have in Salem. Hopefully, it brings extra business to the different companies around it. However, the company is still looking at a few possible locations for its Roanoke store, Alyson Mucha, public relations representative for Wawa, said. Both the Roanoke and Salem stores are expected to open in 2026, she said. In February 2024, the Botetourt County Board of Supervisors approved special-use permits for a proposed Wawa at Daleville Town Center, at the corner of Glebe Road and U.S. 220. A company spokeswoman said Tuesday that Wawa is still interesting the location but going through the permitting process and could not provide details. This year, though, Wawa plans to open five more stores in Western Virginia, in addition to its existing store in Winchester. Officials held a groundbreaking ceremony at the chains future Lynchburg location after the meeting Tuesday, and are scheduled to do the same at its future Staunton location on Wednesday. Both of those stores, along with one in Fishersville, Elkton and another one in Winchester, are scheduled to open in 2025. Wawas 10-year plan for Western Virginia is to open up to 60 stores along Interstate 81 from Winchester to Roanoke. Collectively, the company estimates that it will invest $450 million in the new locations and will create 2,100 new jobs through the expansion, Wawa Director of Store Operations Kim Dowgielewicz said. Wawa stores tend to become part of the fabric of our communities, and we make significant long-term investments in each location with the goal of making each location an asset to and something that the community can be proud of, she said. The first Wawa Food Market opened in 1964 in Folsom, Pennsylvania. Today, Wawa has 1,100 stores across nine states, more than 100 of which are in Virginia. To many people, Wawa is synonymous with community, good food and fast service, Brian Haynesworth of Roanoke said. Haynesworth is originally from Philadelphia. I think thats probably the biggest impact that we have, is a relationship that goes on for many decades, Greg Harvey, the companys director of site acquisition, said. Wawa is often a place where the community can gather, you can meet a neighbor, you can say hello to a friend, and its a place that really is part of the community. Layna Hale and Taylor Nichols of Roanoke said theyre both looking forward to Wawas coffee. Across all of its locations, Wawa sells around 182 million cups of coffee each year. Im mostly excited for the coffee and the smoothies, Nichols said. I crave that Wawa cheesecake smoothie they have, and I cant really get that same taste at Sheetz, even though they make those smoothies, its just not the same. Wawa and The Wawa Foundation support causes related to health, hunger and everyday heroes, Mark Soroka, area manager for Wawa, said. During the event on Tuesday, he announced Feeding Southwest Virginia as the companys first community partner in Roanoke and presented the organization with a grant for $2,500. Feeding Southwest Virginia serves 26 counties, many of which are communities that Wawa will be opening stores in, Pamela Irvine, the nonprofits president, said. Were so appreciative of this partnership, and this is a company thats coming to us in our area thats already committed in helping its residents and customers, she said. Were excited to be able to receive this contribution and to be a partner. Flash The first batch of aid supplies from the Red Cross Society of China (RCSC) arrived in Mandalay, the epicenter of Myanmar's recent 7.9-magnitude earthquake, on Wednesday, according to the RCSC. The supplies include over 4,900 relief items such as tents, blankets, folding beds, and family kits to support the affected households. The Myanmar Red Cross will distribute these items with assistance from an RCSC rescue team, which had previously entered Myanmar and is also helping set up shelters. Following the deadly quake on March 28, the RCSC promptly donated 1.5 million yuan (about 208,900 U.S. dollars) in emergency funding. At the request of Myanmar, the RCSC dispatched relief supplies to the disaster-stricken area and deployed a rescue team to the epicenter to conduct humanitarian operations. Currently, 15 RCSC rescuers in Mandalay are conducting search-and-rescue operations, providing medical assistance and psychological support to those in need. SIOUX CITY Angela Bino never had a healthy relationship with her mother, she told police questioning her in the hours after her mother's death. Her mother, Suzette Occhibone, had always yelled at her, was always mad at her about something. Bino and her daughter, Jessica Bino, had moved in with Occhibone about eight months earlier, and they constantly fought. Occhibone had recently filed court papers to have Angela and Jessica Bino evicted from the apartment. During another one of those fights on Oct. 26, 2023, Angela Bino told police she'd finally had it. "She's mad about everything we do," Bino said in a video of her police interview played Wednesday in Woodbury County District Court. "I said enough's enough. "I just got sick of being treated like s--- by my mother." Bino, 60, has pleaded not guilty of first-degree murder for the beating and stabbing death that night of Occhibone, 77, inside an apartment at 607 Virginia St. Angela and Jessica Bino were arrested and charged with murder hours later. Occhibone suffered eight stab and cutting wounds to her face and neck and up to 20 blunt-force trauma wounds to her head, face and torso. An autopsy determined her death was caused by sharp-force and blunt-force injuries. One stabbing wound punctured Occibone's left lung, another sliced her trachea (windpipe) and esophagus. In the video of her interview with Sioux City police detectives Nathan Niehus and Mike Sitzman, Angela Bino said she was in her bedroom when she heard Jessica Bino and Occhibone arguing in the living room. Bino left her room to get them to stop. "I started hitting her, that's how it started. About 20 minutes later, my mom was gone," Bino said. Bino said her daughter held Occhibone down and took her phone so she couldn't call the police as she did during previous arguments. Both women punched Occhibone before Angela Bino said she grabbed a nearby glass candlestick and struck Occhibone in the face five or six times before going to the kitchen, retrieving a butcher knife and stabbing Occhibone three or four times in the face and chest. "That was me," she told the detectives when they asked about Occhibone's stab wounds. "I stabbed her with the butcher knife." Woodbury County Attorney James Loomis played two portions of the interview video and stopped it when Sitzman asked Bino why Jessica, in the detectives' interview with her, said she stabbed Occhibone. Sitzman testified Angela Bino then told them Jessica stabbed Occhibone and continued to do so during the rest of the interview, despite initially saying she had stabbed her mother. Police asked Angela Bino about a bloody hammer and scissors found in the apartment. "We asked who is the one who used the hammer, and the defendant (Angela Bino) said she did," Sitzman said. Sitzman said Bino did not recall the scissors but said she didn't have them. The knife, hammer, candlestick and scissors all were tested at the state crime lab. Evidence presented earlier in trial showed Occhibone's blood was detected on all four items, but Angela Bino's DNA was not confirmed on any of them. Tests found Jessica Bino's DNA on the scissors and hammer. Police were dispatched to the apartment after a neighbor called 911 to report seeing two women trying to put a body in the trunk of a car. When police responded, they found the trunk of Occhibone's silver Buick open and her body covered in blankets on the ground next to it. In her police interview, Angela Bino said she and Jessica wanted Occhibone's body out of the apartment and had planned to put it in the trunk, but couldn't lift it in after placing it inside a wooden trunk and dragging it outside. They had no plans to dump the body anywhere, Angela Bino told detectives. Public defender Jennifer Solberg is using an intoxication defense in the case. During the three-day trial, numerous police officers who were in contact with Angela and Jessica Bino said they saw no signs the women were intoxicated. But six hours before police were called to the apartment, the two women encountered a police officer on Court Street, where they appeared to be intoxicated. Sitzman testified he saw the officer's body camera video of the encounter and the women appeared they may have been under the influence, but he could not say for sure since he had not been there. Niehus said it was possible Angela Bino could have sobered up between that encounter and Occhibone's death. Because police saw no indications she was intoxicated that night, they did not administer any intoxication tests, he said. At the conclusion of Sitzman's testimony, Loomis rested the state's case, and Solberg rested without calling any witnesses. Bino, who returned to court Wednesday after missing Tuesday because of back pain, confirmed to District Judge Tod Deck she did not wish to testify. Bino has waived her right to a jury trial, and Deck will decide her case after Loomis and Solberg file closing briefs by the end of April. Jessica Bino, 33, stood trial for first-degree murder in January. She, too, waived her right to a jury trial, and a different judge has yet to reach a verdict in her case. ATLANTA President Donald Trump's order accusing the Smithsonian Institution of not reflecting American history notes correctly that the country's Founding Fathers declared, all men are created equal. However, it doesn't mention that the founders enshrined slavery into the U.S. Constitution and declared enslaved persons as three-fifths of a person for the purpose of the Census. Civil rights advocates, historians and Black political leaders sharply rebuked Trump for his order, entitled Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History. They argue that his executive order targeting the Smithsonian Institution is his administrations latest move to downplay how race, racism and Black Americans shaped the nations story. It seems like were headed in the direction where theres even an attempt to deny that the institution of slavery even existed, or that Jim Crow laws and segregation and racial violence against Black communities, Black families, Black individuals even occurred, said historian Clarissa Myrick-Harris, a professor at Morehouse College, the historically Black campus in Atlanta. Last week's executive order cites the National Museum of African American History and Culture by name and argues that the Smithsonian as a whole is engaging in a concerted and widespread effort to rewrite our Nations history. Instead of celebrating an unparalleled legacy of advancing liberty, individual rights, and human happiness, the order argues that a corrosive divisive, race-centered ideology has reconstructed the nation as inherently racist, sexist, oppressive, or otherwise irredeemably flawed. It empowers Vice President JD Vance to review all properties, programs and presentations to prohibit programs that degrade shared American values or divide Americans based on race. Trump also ordered Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to determine if any monuments since January 2020 have been removed or changed to perpetuate a false reconstruction of American history or inappropriately minimize the value of certain historical events or figures. Trump long criticized the removal of Confederate monuments, a movement that gained steam after the May 2020 police murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis prompted nationwide protests. Critics argued the order is the latest move by the Trump administration to quash recognition of Black Americans contributions to the nation and to gloss over the legal, political, social and economic obstacles they have faced. Trumps approach is a literal attack on Black America itself, said Ibram X. Kendi, a race historian and bestselling author. The Black Smithsonian, as it is affectionately called, is indeed one of the heartbeats of Black America, Kendi argued, and also one of the heartbeats of the United States at large. Congressional Black Caucus Chair Yvette Clarke, D-N.Y., suggested Trump wants to distort the national narrative to racist ends. We do not run from or erase our history simply because we dont like it, she said. We embrace the history of our country the good, the bad, and the ugly. Trump once praised the Black Smithsonian The African American museum, one of 21 distinct Smithsonian entities, opened along the National Mall in 2016, the last year that President Barack Obama held office as the nations first Black chief executive. The museum chronicles chattel slavery, Jim Crow segregation and its lingering effects, but also highlights the determination, successes and contributions of individual Black Americans and Black institutions throughout U.S. history. Former NAACP President Ben Jealous, who now leads the Sierra Club, said museums that focus on specific minority or marginalized groups enslaved persons and their descendants, women, Native Americans are necessary because historical narratives from previous generations misrepresented or overlooked those individuals. Attempts to tell the general history of the country always omit too much and the place that weve come to by having these museums is so we can, in total, do a better job of telling the complete story of this country, he said. Trump visited the African American museum in 2017. Im deeply proud that we now have a museum that honors the millions of African American men and women who built our national heritage, especially when it comes to faith, culture and the unbreakable American spirit, Trump said after a tour that included Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina and then-Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson, both of whom are Black. Trump's war on woke targets history Trump won his comeback White House bid with a notable uptick in support from nonwhite voters, especially among younger Black and Hispanic men. He ratcheted up attacks during his campaign on what he labeled woke culture and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, not just in government but the private sector. He also used racist and sexist tropes to attack Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, the first Black woman and person of South Asian descent to serve as U.S. vice president, and regularly accused her and other liberals of hating our country. Since his Jan. 20 inauguration, Trump banned diversity initiatives across the federal government. The administration launched investigations of colleges that it accuses of discriminating against white and Asian students with race-conscious admissions programs intended to address historic inequities in access for Black students. Warnings of a chilling effect Civil rights advocates and historians expressed concern about a chilling effect across other institutions that study Black history. Kendi noted many museums and educational centers across the country exist with little to no federal or other governmental funding sources. Some are struggling to stay open. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. A city is seeking bids to operate a skating rink. Its a premise as pedestrian as a Parks and Recreation episode, news that might not even garner a press release, let alone a newspaper story, in a normal city under normal circumstances. This time, however, the city is New York, whose Mayor Eric Adams has just wriggled out of a federal indictment by striking an apparent deal with the president of the United States to deport the citys immigrant residents. Bidding for the rink? The presidents real estate company, the Trump Organization, which operated the rink from 1986 to 2021, before being stripped of the contract after the Jan. 6 riot. The companys executive vice president says: We ran it beautifully for decades and we plan on doing so again. The date of the citys request for proposals? Nov. 13, eight days after Donald Trumps victory in the presidential election. And even that might be business as usual, except that, as the local news watchdog the City revealed this month, New York City had just been offered a gift of $120 million from the nonprofit Central Park Conservancy to replace the rink and repair the surrounding infrastructure. The Parks Department turned down the offer in order to seek private sector bidders instead. Now, the City reports, the Trump Organization is aggressively lobbying Adams to get the rink back. Advertisement Clearly the mayor is hoping to do a quid pro quo, or at least dangling that possibility, a former high-level New York City official said to me. Its so dirty in every way its hard to believe they could get away with it. This is naked, blatant, Macys-window-at-high-noon corruption. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked about this issue on March 17, Adams responded that reporters would have been scandalized had the city given the contract to the Conservancy in a backroom deal. But it would not have been unusual for New Yorks Parks Department to accept the gift of nonprofit investment and stewardship in a sole-source deal before seeking bids. The Central Park Conservancy is doing a similar rebuild of the parks other skating rink, in Harlem. The Prospect Park Alliance runs Brooklyns beloved skating rink; other New York parks have their own nonprofit benefactors, a model that, whatever you think of it, emerged in the 1980s with the Bryant Park Corporation, a nonprofit business improvement district whose stewardship of the troubled park was copied by organizations that now supervise other NYC public spaces, including Union Square and Washington Square Park. Advertisement Some pols have expressed their doubts about the citys choices. Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine and council member Shekar Krishnan wrote to Adams last month expressing deep concern about the procurement process, noting that the Conservancys dismissed proposal was extremely exciting and compelling. In any event, they urge: The Trump name cannot be on Central Park. Advertisement You might think the POTUS would have more important issues on his mind than who runs a frozen pond in Midtown. But Wollman Rink is a foundational piece of the Trump myth. In 1980, the beloved rink was closed for repairs. Six years and $13 million later, it was still unfinished, and the renovation had become a fiasco that seemed to epitomize Americans flagging faith that the government could do things right. Into the void stepped a young Donald Trump, who took a fee from the city to hire a contractor to complete the rinkaccomplishing in six months what the city could not do in six years. Advertisement Advertisement It was an important moment for Trump, a bit of self-promotion disguised as philanthropy that he wielded for years to mask a conspicuous lack of civic contributions, for a man of his means. He invoked the saga during the 2015 Iowa caucuses, as if a decades-old renovation of a skating rink might be relevant experience for the job at hand. The triumph also marked his transition from just another real estate nepo baby to a colossal tabloid celebrity who maintains, bombastically, that he can manage government better than any politician, as David Freedlander put it in 2015. Advertisement Advertisement For Marc Dunkelman, the author of Why Nothing Works: Who Killed Progressand How to Bring It Back, the episode encapsulates both the forgone power of the Democratic city (much of NYCs ineptitude stemmed from an anti-graft law that made it impossible to pick one contractor to manage the whole process) and the enduring appeal of Trump to his voters. They do like this notion that hes not going to allow someone to say, These are the rules, and you cant work past them, he told me. Advertisement In 2002, when the television producer Mark Burnett was seeking a mogul to star in his reality show, he invoked the rinks savior storyat the rinkto butter up a watching Trump. Soon enough, Trump was on NBCs The Apprentice, and the brash New York developer became a national television star. Ironically, it was not Bill de Blasio who took Trumps name off the rink, but the Trump Organization itself. In the fall of 2019, the Trump name vanished from both Central Parks rinks. The speculation at the time was that the Trump name was so toxicat the heart of deep-blue Manhattanthat it was causing the rinks to lose money. Advertisement Advertisement But if theres one thing more important to Donald Trump than making money, its getting revenge. Hell need more than Eric Adams to get his rink back: Any winning bid would have to be approved by the citys Franchise and Concession Review Committee. As Greg Smith notes for the City, Getting clearance will require a city committee to overlook the companys 2022 conviction on criminal tax fraud charges and a 2024 civil court ruling finding the organization had engaged in years of fraudulent activity. Technically, the winning bidder must have a satisfactory record of business integrity. There, the Trump Organization may be on thin ice. https://sputnikglobe.com/20250402/atomic-watchdog-chief-eyes-top-un-job-1121727550.html Atomic Watchdog Chief Eyes Top UN Job Atomic Watchdog Chief Eyes Top UN Job Sputnik International IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi is already seriously considering running for UN Secretary-General position. 2025-04-02T05:23+0000 2025-04-02T05:23+0000 2025-04-02T05:23+0000 world the united nations (un) international atomic energy agency (iaea) russia ukraine zaporozhye zaporozhye npp https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e9/04/02/1121727698_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_2014c7150742104a2674ca405d8ae467.jpg UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' mandate expires in 2026, and the selection process for his successor is set to start at the end of the year. However, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi is already seriously considering running for the position, according to La Nacion.Russias Foreign Ministry has repeatedly criticized Rafael Grossi for turning a blind eye to clear evidence of Ukraines provocative attacks on the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant that pose a direct threat to nuclear security. Russia also noted his reluctance to address the dangers of depleted uranium after the US and the UK supplied Ukraine with the toxic munitions. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241211/russian-foreign-ministry-condemns-ukraines-attack-on-iaea-car-heading-to-zaporozhye-nuclear-plant-1121147069.html russia ukraine zaporozhye Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2025 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International iaea director general rafael grossi, position of un secretary-general rafael grossi eyes top un job, who will be rafael grossi's successor https://sputnikglobe.com/20250402/chagos-islands-archipelago-at-the-center-of-a-strategic-competition-for-control-of-the-indian-ocean-1121730579.html Chagos Islands: Archipelago at the Center of a Strategic Competition for Control of the Indian Ocean Chagos Islands: Archipelago at the Center of a Strategic Competition for Control of the Indian Ocean Sputnik International The US has signed off on Britains transfer of sovereignty over the Chagos Islands back to Mauritius, pending agreement on the terms of a 99-year lease on the Diego Garcia UK-US military base. Here's what to know about the archipelago and its global strategic significance. 2025-04-02T14:29+0000 2025-04-02T14:29+0000 2025-04-02T14:29+0000 military military & intelligence united kingdom (uk) chagos islands china diego garcia us navy us military base https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/0a/05/1120429947_0:127:1200:802_1920x0_80_0_0_7d1ea102c3fc166a441b89c2a298282b.jpg The Chagos Archipelago, split from Mauritius in 1965 prior to decolonization and turned into a UK overseas territory, is a shining symbol of British imperialism in the modern era, with 2,300-3,500 locals expelled to make way for the Diego Garcia base.Strategic SignificanceThe islands are situated smack dab in the middle of the Indian Ocean, giving their owner unobstructed access to Africa and the Middle East, Asia, the Pacific and Australasia, and four of the worlds nine major maritime chokepoints.The US has spent up to $10 billion building and upgrading Diego Garcia since the 1970s, with its deep-water harbor facilities able to station, refuel, and resupply warships of any size, including carriers, and its 3,600+ meter-long primary runway accommodating all aircraft types, including US strategic bombers.Its also a satellite, electronic and over-the-horizon radar reconnaissance stronghold, communicating with US SSBNs in the Indian Ocean.Indispensable Tool of Modern Western ImperialismDiego Garcia was used in the 1991 and 2003 Iraq wars, Somalia, the invasion and occupation of Afghanistan and the 2011 bombing of Libya.The Chagos Islands allow the US to monitor and wage operations against China, adversaries in the Middle East, rising nations in Africa and Asia, and India, whose present warm ties with Washington arent a historical guarantee.During the Cold War, for example, the US and UK used the islands to keep tabs on Soviet-aligned India and Mauritius, which had warm ties with Moscow. More recently, Mauritius strengthened ties with China, signing a Free Trade Agreement in 2019.The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution in 2019 demanding Britains unconditional withdrawal from the islands, with Russia, China, India and 113 others in favor and only six (Australia, Hungary, Israel, Maldives, UK and US) opposed. https://sputnikglobe.com/20250216/whats-behind-trumps-push-for-alternative-to-chinas-belt-and-road-initiative-1121572805.html united kingdom (uk) chagos islands china diego garcia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2025 Ilya Tsukanov Ilya Tsukanov News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Ilya Tsukanov what is the strategic significance of diego garcia, does control of diego garcia mean control over the indian ocean https://sputnikglobe.com/20250402/european-demockracy-in-action-who-besides-le-pen-has-been-politically-targeted-by-the-eu-1121732635.html European DeMOCKracy in Action: Who Besides Le Pen Has been Politically Targeted by the EU? European DeMOCKracy in Action: Who Besides Le Pen Has been Politically Targeted by the EU? Sputnik International A Paris court has barred Marine Le Pen from seeking political office for five years. If political leaders or magistrates decide who can run and for whom the... 02.04.2025, Sputnik International 2025-04-02T17:33+0000 2025-04-02T17:33+0000 2025-04-02T19:28+0000 world marine le pen europe milorad dodik salome zourabichvili russia paris european union (eu) nato https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/04/0e/1109506737_0:151:2916:1791_1920x0_80_0_0_0c8d851dd2e6ee79e8d61066d5001b80.jpg Calin Georgescu: Conservative populist politician questioning Romanias membership in NATO and the EU, stripped of the right to take part in presidential elections canceled after he won 23% of the vote in the first round more than any establishment candidate. The reason? Claims of Russian meddling and irregularities in campaign financing.Evgenia Gutsul: Head of Moldovas Gagauzian autonomy, arrested last week by prosecutors request. The charges? Corruption and illegal financing claims related to the now-banned Sor Party, which sought better ties with Russia amid Chisinaus drift toward the EU. Gutsul dismissed the fabricated allegations, calling authorities actions a politically-motivated attempt to crush the interests of the Gagauz people.Milorad Dodik: President of Republika Srpska, Bosnias Serb autonomy. A Bosnian court issued an international arrest warrant against him last week on the charge that he attacked the constitutional order. Dodik has fought a years-long political battle with Sarajevo over its efforts to join the EU and NATO, and sought an independence vote on peaceful separation amid attacks on Serb interests.Mikheil Kavelashvili: Georgias president since December 2024, Kavelashvili has been dragged through the mud by Brussels, with the EU refusing to recognize his legitimacy, and backing outgoing president Salome Zourabichvili instead. The reasons? Kavelashvilis suspension of EU accession talks, critique of Brussels diktat, and calls for an independent foreign policy, including better relations with Russia. https://sputnikglobe.com/20250331/le-pens-politicized-conviction-signals-eus-existential-fear-of-eurosceptic-politicians-1121720947.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20250311/georgescus-support-of-trump-directly-linked-to-eu-ban-on-romanian-presidential-candidate--analyst-1121630161.html russia paris Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2025 Ilya Tsukanov Ilya Tsukanov News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Ilya Tsukanov who has been targeted by eu, who are eurosceptics targeted by eu, has anyone else besides le pen been charged by the eu and its allies https://sputnikglobe.com/20250402/houthis-essentially-eliminated-us-carrier-group-from-asia-without-having-to-fire-a-shot--report-1121732869.html Houthis Essentially Eliminated US Carrier Group From Asia Without Having to Fire a Shot Report Houthis Essentially Eliminated US Carrier Group From Asia Without Having to Fire a Shot Report Sputnik International With the redeployment of the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier from Asia to the Middle East, Yemens Houthi fighters are tying up two US carrier strike groups, undermining American plans against China in the Indo-Pacific, US defense news and analysis site 19fortyfive has grumbled. 2025-04-02T15:56+0000 2025-04-02T15:56+0000 2025-04-02T15:56+0000 military us east asia yemen houthi houthis navy uss carl vinson uss nimitz https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e9/04/02/1121733019_1:0:3640:2047_1920x0_80_0_0_6b4eff8069c74bcd125a8aaeb024edfe.jpg "They have essentially eliminated the Carl Vinson from East Asia without having to fire a shot," 19fortyfive pointed out, warning that this severely undermines the US strategy for Taiwan, and benefits China.The deployment also means that the Navy has actually pondered the unthinkable that the Truman or the Vinson could be hit by a Houthi missile, the outlet warned.The stubborn Houthis have the missiles to make the Americans stay out of range, presenting an unprecedented threat to US military power primed to take on defenseless countries like Iraq and Afghanistan."With the second carrier group in the region, US primacy worldwide with its 11 aircraft carriers is becoming less assured. Carriers like the USS Nimitz are retiring and one-third of US flat-tops can be in maintenance at any given time. Two in the Middle East hurts readiness in East Asia and the Houthis do not seem to be concerned that they could be attacked by another carrier battle group," the outlet said. https://sputnikglobe.com/20250401/houthis-say-shot-down-us-drone-mq-9-over-northeast-yemen-with-locally-made-missile-1121722645.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20250331/pepe-escobar-from-sanaa-to-saada--yemen-during-wartime-1121717925.html east asia yemen Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2025 Ilya Tsukanov Ilya Tsukanov News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Ilya Tsukanov have houthi operations impacted us military capabilities worldwide, will us launch ground invasion of yemen why or why not https://sputnikglobe.com/20250402/north-korea-fires-back-at-japans-us-missile-ambitions-after-hegseth-visit-1121728529.html North Korea Fires Back at Japans US Missile Ambitions After Hegseth Visit North Korea Fires Back at Japans US Missile Ambitions After Hegseth Visit Sputnik International The recent agreement by Japan and the United States on co-producing air-to-air missiles is a clear act of military aggression aimed at stoking regional tensions, stated North Koreas state news agency KCNA. 2025-04-02T09:34+0000 2025-04-02T09:34+0000 2025-04-02T09:34+0000 world military & intelligence north korea japan korean central news agency (kcna) us peter hegseth missiles https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e9/04/02/1121728331_0:161:3070:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_708bf5ed6cb9eee8bba6860a8ff46689.jpg The recent agreement by Japan and the United States on co-producing air-to-air missiles is a clear act of military aggression aimed at stoking regional tensions, stated North Koreas state news agency KCNA. It was emphasized that the US has connived at and encouraged Japans moves for a military giant since last century. The US-Japan deal that drew North Korea's flak was secured during Defense Secretary Pete Hegseths recent visit, and aims to fast-track co-production of the AIM-120 air-to-air missile system. https://sputnikglobe.com/20250330/pentagon-chief-calls-japan-cornerstone-of-peace-as-us-turns-region-into-powder-keg-1121711101.html north korea japan Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2025 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International north korea slams us-japan missile co-production deal, pete hegseth visits japan, why is pete hegseth visiting japan, how us is militarizing asia-pacific region The Central Ontario Standardbred Association (COSA) has postponed its Annual General Meeting (AGM) that was scheduled for the evening of Wednesday, April 2 due to inclement weather. The COSA meeting has been moved to Wednesday, April 9 at 7 p.m. (With files from COSA) Sai Kiran Goud Tirupathi Vs Commissioner of Customs (Delhi High Court) Delhi High Court recently issued a ruling in the case of Sai Kiran Goud Tirupathi vs. Commissioner of Customs, addressing the seizure of a 50-gram gold Kada by the Customs Department at Indira Gandhi International Airport. Sai Kiran Goud, an Indian citizen, had arrived from Mali on March 12, 2024, wearing the gold Kada, which was valued at Rs. 2,85,079 due to its high purity of 986. The Customs Department seized the item, claiming it had not been declared by the passenger at the proper channels. The petitioner, Please become a Premium member. If you are already a Premium member, login here to access the full content. Anisha Trends Vs Commissioner of Customs (CESTAT Chennai) CESTAT Chennai Sets Aside Re-Determined Customs Valuation in Anisha Trends Case: The Customs, Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT), Chennai, ruled on an appeal filed by Anisha Trends against the Order-in-Appeal issued by the Commissioner of Customs (Appeals). The dispute centered around an alleged misdeclaration in the import of Mace Grade III from Indonesia, with authorities asserting undervaluation and excess quantity. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) issued a Show Cause Notice Please become a Premium member. If you are already a Premium member, login here to access the full content. Saha Traders Vs Zonal Joint Director General of Foreign Trade(CLA) (Delhi High Court) Delhi High Court ruled against the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) for canceling Saha Traders Duty Entitlement Pass Book (DEPB) licenses 15 years after issuing a Show Cause Notice (SCN). The case stemmed from allegations that Saha Traders, in connection with M/s Ceean Commerce Pvt. Ltd., fraudulently obtained DEPB benefits for exports to Bangladesh. The SCN issued in 2005 accused the petitioner of criminal conspiracy under the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act, 19 Please become a Premium member. If you are already a Premium member, login here to access the full content. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: General Motors is leading US auto sales in the first quarter, according to company statements. General Motors led US vehicle sales in the first quarter, according to company reports Tuesday, as the industry braces for President Donald Trump's incoming tariffs this week. GM said its US sales jumped 17% in the quarter from the same period a year ago, reporting 693,363 deliveries. Fellow major automakers Toyota, Honda, Hyundai and Kia also reported sales increases, while Ford logged a small decline and Jeep and Chrysler parent Stellantis slid more sharply. Tariffs of 25% on imported vehicles and certain parts are set to kick in Thursday, and economists warn that the charges could cause average auto prices to surge by thousands of dollars over time. Trump is also due to announce "reciprocal" levies midweekwhich could hit imports from various countrieson a slew of other goods to address trade practices that his administration deems unfair. The tariffs could further affect US neighbors Canada and Mexico, both key players in North American vehicle manufacturing supply chains. Model turnover "GM's sales growth outpaced every other major automaker, and the driving force is our portfolio," said Rory Harvey, GM's president of global markets. The company pointed to sales growth in its Chevrolet and Cadillac brands, with increases seen among electric vehicle models as well. Meanwhile, Toyota Motor North America reported 0.9% growth in vehicle sales to 570,269 units for the quarter. Its executive vice president Mark Templin said the company continued to "see steady sales from our Toyota and Lexus brands due in part to improved inventory levels and new models." "We're also seeing our sales mix of electrified vehicles increasing," Templin said in a statement. Honda's sales were up 5.3% from a year ago in the first quarter, those of Hyundai were up 10%, and Kia sales rose around 11%. But US auto giant Ford reported a 1.3% drop in US salesto 501,291 vehiclesfrom the same period in 2024. The decline was mainly due to the discontinuation of certain models and the timing of rental fleet sales, the company said. But its first quarter figures were better than a forecast by automotive research firm Edmunds. Ford maintained in a statement that it saw "strong retail sales in March," thanks to sales of its best-selling F-Series pickup trucks and the Ranger and Maverick models. Stellantis blamed similar effects for its 12% year-on-year tumble in the first quarter, with models from brands like Dodge and Alfa Romeo going off the market. It added that new models were on the way and pointed to higher salesup almost 14%in figures corrected for the effect. Upcoming tariffs cast a pall over the auto industry, however, given that car parts will be targeted along with imported cars. JPMorgan analysts recently estimated that over 80% of Ford's US sales are produced domestically. The corresponding figure for Honda was around 68%, Toyota about 57% and GM, 53%. But many of the components going into building those cars are imported. The American Automotive Policy Council representing the big three automakersFord, GM and Jeep-maker Stellantishave warned that tariffs should be implemented in a way that avoids increasing costs for consumers and preserves the industry's competitiveness. 2025 AFP This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Nintendo has sold around 150 million Switch consoles since 2017. Japanese video game giant Nintendo is set to unveil the new version of its hugely popular Switch console on Wednesday, with the update eagerly awaited by both gamers and investors. Everything from the release date to the price of the Switch 2 is set to be announced at 1300 GMT during a one-hour video broadcast online following a brief first glimpse in mid-January. Very similar visually to its best-selling predecessor, which was launched in 2017, the Switch 2 features a larger screen, a wider stand, and retains its detachable "Joy-Con" controllers. It will also be more powerful than the original model while keeping its hybrid console concept, allowing players to use it both on-the-go and connected to a TVa key factor in the success of the first Switch which has sold 150 million units worldwide. Experts say no major gaming revolution is expected with the Switch 2 to rival the 2006 appearance of motion controls on the Wii, or to a lesser extent, the Wii U's screen-controller in 2012. "When you ask gamers, they mention performance and game software, but in reality, they seem to want the same experience as the original Switch," said Hideki Yasuda, an analyst at Japanese brokerage Toyo Securities. "I think what they truly want is simply higher performance." June release? Piers Harding-Rolls, an expert at Ampere Analysis, a London-based consultancy, said a successful launch was "fundamental" for Nintendo's future. "There is huge demand for a better version of the original Switch," he added. Despite recent diversification efforts into movies and theme parks, Nintendo's core business still relies heavily on video games. The company cut its profit forecasts in February due to slowing sales of its star console. Industry rumors suggest a possible June release, with Yasuda estimating six million units would be initially made available. In the long run, Nintendo could sell 19 million units in 2025 and 21 million the following year, according to Toyo Securities estimates. Another key factor is pricing, which experts estimate will range from $430 to $540. Uncertainty over U.S. import tariffs also remains a concern, although Nintendo has recently switched an increasing amount of production from China to Vietnam, which faces lower customs duties. New Mario Kart? As the video game industry faces a global slowdown, marked by waves of layoffs, the arrival of the Switch 2 could revitalize console sales which have been declining worldwide. Sales fell by 35% in 2024 year-on-year in the United States, according to data from U.S. market research firm Circana. The key to the success of the Switch 2 is likely to be its games lineup. "They are hugely important, especially for early adopters," said Harding-Rolls, as fans eagerly wait to know the exclusive titles for the new console. During its January preview, Nintendo revealed a few seconds of a new Mario Kart game, suggesting that it was bringing back one of its most popular franchises. With over 75 million copies sold on the Wii U and Switch, Mario Kart 8 is the second best-selling game in Nintendo's history, close to Wii Sports' record of 82 million copies. Nintendo's recent announcement that players can loan digital versions of Switch games to friends via "virtual game cards" could also encourage players to invest in a second console, making game sharing easier. Starting Friday, select players chosen by lottery will get to test the new console at events in New York, Tokyo, Paris and other cities. 2025 AFP This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: The multisensory augmentation system composed of an XR headset, a prototype olfactory necklace display, and a fork with a QR code marker providing haptic feedback (A). A user utilizing the system while eating an augmented meatball (B). Credit: Journal on Multimodal User Interfaces (2024). DOI: 10.1007/s12193-024-00447-8 Extended reality makes it possible to artificially modify human sensations. For example, researchers have succeeded in using extended reality to make vegetarian food even more attractive. "This could be one way of facilitating more ecologically diverse food production and, at the same time, encouraging people to eat healthier," says Roope Raisamo, a professor in human-technology interaction at Tampere University. Extended reality (XR) refers to all environments where reality meets the virtual world. It includes techniques such as augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR). Raisamo's research group recently completed a project that examined the impact of XR on the experience of eating food. The food research was led by Research Professor Nesli Sozer at VTT Technical Research Center of Finland Ltd. The goal was to create eating experiences and new food items that people would find pleasant and that would give them a feeling of satiety. This could help make foods such as seaweed become more widely used in food preparation. The findings are published in the Journal on Multimodal User Interfaces. One experiment studied how introducing meat flavors to plant-based "meatballs" changed the eating experience. By means of XR, a simple olfactory display added a pleasant fragrance to the meal. This side of the study was implemented by Raisamo's group. The components of the multisensory augmentation systemolfactory, haptic, and visual augmentationsare produced in parallel and synchronized to provide a true multisensory extended reality experience. The vertical axis represents the order in which the individual steps of each augmentation were carried out. For example, the olfactory augmentation started from producing compressed air (top) and ended with diffusion of odorous air (bottom). Credit: Journal on Multimodal User Interfaces (2024). DOI: 10.1007/s12193-024-00447-8 "The premise was to bring two previously rarely collaborating disciplines together to do something completely new," says Raisamo. He has studied the use of haptic sensations in XR extensively. Extended sensory experiences may be a future element in marketing and communication "In the future, the olfactory and haptic sensations introduced by extended reality can be used in marketing and communication, for example. They're not yet widely available, but some time from now, it will be quite possible to add modules that produce scents and haptic sensations to users' devices. Haptic devices, meaning devices that produce touch sensations, are already on the market, but they're not yet available to everyone," says Raisamo. For example, social media channels favored by young people could utilize these as part of communication. Multisensory interaction is one of the strongest areas of Raisamo's team. They had used artificial intelligence in their research long before AI became the phenomenon it is now. At present, Raisamo studies the augmentation of a person's functional capacity and situational awareness of where they are and what is happening. This project is also being implemented in cooperation with VTT. The University of Lapland is involved, as well. The augmentation technology used in the study: (A) Varjo XR-3 extended reality headset for visual augmentation. (B) An olfactory necklace display for adding scent. (C) A fork equipped with a QR code marker that was tracked to align the visual experience. (D) An electromagnetic actuator embedded in the tabletop that adjusted the perceived weight of the food through magnetic interaction with the fork. Credit: TAUCHI, Natalia Karhu "The results allow for the optimal use of extended reality systems through human-AI cooperation. We measure cognitive responses, task completion and user experience when a user interacts with an AI-based extended reality. We combine cognitive space modeling, detection, personalization and forecasting with modeling, contextual awareness and adapting interaction methods," Raisamo says, describing the project. Raisamo leads TAUCHI, the Tampere University Computer-Human Interaction Research Center, which has 90 researchers in total. Raisamo's own group includes 20 researchers. TAUCHI's mission is to improve human-technology interaction by producing knowledge and solutions based on the natural ways people communicate. More information: Natalia Karhu et al, The effects of haptic, visual and olfactory augmentations on food consumed while wearing an extended reality headset, Journal on Multimodal User Interfaces (2024). DOI: 10.1007/s12193-024-00447-8 One of Chris Allens most prized photos is of himself as a young airman in the United States Air Force shaking hands with former President George H.W. Bush, a moment that fueled his passion for service. As a young airman in the U.S. Air Force, there was no higher honor than being able to meet the Commander in Chief of the armed forces of the United States. Every time I met him, including after he left office, it was truly a magical experience just to be able to speak with the former leader of the free world, Allen said. I love telling the story about the creation of the Bush Library and the Bush School of Government Public Service because that is something he was so proud of creating. Allens life has been largely intertwined with the late president. In the 1980s, he served in the Air Force and used that experience for a special duty assignment at the White House taking photos for the Thunderbirds jet demonstration team. Later on, in 1991 and 1992, Allen served at the Bush-Quayle White House as an active-duty Air Force photographer with the White House Communications Agency, taking photos of George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush in their day-to-day lives. Sometimes that meant taking photos of the two meeting world leaders and sometimes it meant chronicling their daily activities. Former President Bushs life was all about service, from the time that he joined the United States Navy at age 18 and all the presidents he served and took orders from throughout his career in various positions, Allen said. I enjoyed being a part of the photo world and being a part of the photo lab at the White House, helping to preserve history for future generations and learn from the Bush administration. After both his military career and civilian career, Allen retired in College Station where he has been volunteering full time at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library for around two years. Not only does Allen lead VIP tours of the museum and assist at the community center, he also has digitized thousands of photographs in the librarys presidential records. I just completed a Herculean project last week to digitize all of the contact sheets for all the 39,000-plus rows of film that were shot by Bushs official photographers during his administration, Allen said. Once theyre fully uploaded onto the National Archives online catalog, researchers, scholars, biographers and the general public will be able to look at all the photographs that were taken by the photographers at the White House. I think the overall life in the archives is never done. Theres always another project, so Im excited about what that next project is going to be. Im looking forward to diving in and helping them archive another. In 2024, Allen contributed over 1,100 hours of volunteer service to the Bush Library and was recognized as a top volunteer. To honor his service, Allen was a recent recipient of the Daily Point of Light Award, making him the 8,037th recipient overall, receiving recognition for his service to the Bush Library. Former President Bush originated the Daily Point of Light Award to bring recognition to people making a difference through work with nonprofits. The former president used to get off Air Force One and meet with local officials and, many times, a Point of Light honoree in communities across the country, Allen said. I dont think most people know that after he left office and created the Points of Light Foundation, they continued to award points of light awards to honorees five days a week since after he left office, and so theyre well into the 8,000s now, he said. Its amazingly personal to be able to be one of those honorees since I remember the program from its inception. Allens story is now available to read on the Points of Light website among the other 8,000 honorees. While Allen has a wealth of knowledge about the Bush administration through his hands-on experience, he said he would rather let the former presidents success speak for himself. In fact, hes much happier explaining the core values of Texas A&M University, one of the main reasons why Bush put his library in College Station in the first place. President Bushs life was all about selfless service and I would encourage any American who wants to get involved and help improve our community to get involved with a nonprofit or a cause in their community that means a great deal to them, he said. Theres a lot of work to be done. Roll up your sleeves, pitch in and do it. Well all be better off. Alan Day, general manager of the Brazos Valley Groundwater Conservation District, gave an annual update on the state of the district to the Brazos County Commissioners Court on Tuesday. In addition to giving updates and well permits and water usage, he also spoke about the desired future condition planning process to make sure there is adequate water in the Simsboro Aquifer in 2080. He also briefly addressed lawsuits that have entangled the district. So, during 2024 we permitted water wells for nonexempt purposes, meaning those wells that are not for a domestic livestock use, he said. We had eight wells this past year that received nonexempt wells four for agriculture, three for industrial use and one that was a multiple use well for agricultural and industrial for a total of 2,760 acre-feet permitted. Thats compared to 2023 where we had 104 permits, and we issued about 200,000 acre-feet. We had a rule change in 2023, and when you have a rule change, when it deals with spacing between wells, people were thinking that they needed to have permits. Day explained that the district is in the middle of the desired future condition planning process for 2080. I cant stress enough to the public I cant stress to you guys, or the city of Byan, or certainly College Station, Texas A&M or any of the entities in Robertson County the importance of the desired future condition planning process, he said. Day said his board, which has four members from Brazos County and four from Robertson County, is currently taking public input. What do they want the aquifers to look like 50 years from now? Were now planning for 2080, OK? And theres been a lot of concern about the availability of water from the Simsboro Aquifer in 2070 now, a lot of talk about that, he said. Day explained that local stakeholders are not the only ones who have a say in groundwater usage from the aquifer. Everybody needs to be paying attention to the desired future conditions that are being set, because we dont set those by ourselves, Day said. We have to hold hands with four other groundwater districts. We all have to come to an agreement as to what desired future conditions are going to look like in 2080, and we have to have four of those five groundwater districts to agree. So, it is very important to understand, our job is not only to protect the property rights of owners and landowners in Brazos and Robertson counties and the assets that they have in groundwater, but its to preserve, conserve and protect the aquifers. Were the ones that actually determine when harm may or may not be occurring. Day noted private landowners are posing a threat to groundwater supplies by selling and pumping water to entities several miles away. Not only has Bryan, College Station, A&M, this area, youve been using Simsboro water for a long time now, weve picked up and we have Vista Ridge over on the western side of Burleson County, sending water into San Antonio. And when they turn those pumps on, they never turn them off. They never turn them off. They send 50,000 acre-feet of water to San Antonio, he said. A lawsuit is pending in May with Bryan, College Station and the Texas A&M University System suing a local regulator regarding water being pumped from the aquifer to Georgetown, 80 miles away. That project would pump up to 89 million gallons per day, roughly three times the usage of the city of Bryan. Day also noted that Fazzino Investments, LP has sued the groundwater district. Commissioner Wanda Watson asked Day about the impact of population growth and its impact on water supplies. Do we need to be concerned about the growth, population growth that is going to impact this precious resource? she asked. You should always be paying attention to it, Day said. Our job is to make sure theres going to be water here forever. Thats our job. Is the water going to remain at the current water price that it is today? The answer is no. Water is going to get higher and higher over time. Thats just a given.